Kaieteur News

arrested for Kaieteur News robbery

arrested for

News robbery

Strides in transparency being reversed under PPP Govt.

While both the People’s Collinswhowhileappearing wehavenow,werepresented corruption in the country’s Progressive Party (PPP) and on a Globespan 24x7 to our founders that things publicsectorclimbed,aftera the People’s National discussion noted that were being freed up - the full year under the PPP Congress Reform (PNC/R) citizens are even now afraid nation was feeling freer - but government When the Guyana’s performancehavebeenflaggedinthepast to speak out against since 2020 to now, there has PPP/C demitted office back dropped from 41 in 2020 to forlackoftransparency,over corruption due to possible been a closing of the flower in 2015, the country was 39 in 2021. The Corruptionthe past two years, strides consequences. Collins said, There has been somehow, a scoring below 30 points. PerceptionIndex(CPI)isthe made to this end have been “both of them have not been perception of consequences During the years of the most widely used corruptionreversed by the incumbent transparentbutwhatwehave ifyouspeakout.” APNU+AFC that score ranking in the World,administration. also said in writing is that Guyana, during the year steadily improved reaching a c c o r d i n g t o t h e

- TIGI Head

This is according to over the last two years, we 2021, dropped two points on 41, however, in the latest organisation’s website,President of the Guyana have noticed that whatever t h e T r a n s p a r e n c y ranking by Transparency which also explains that the Institute for Transparency freedom we represented, International Corruption International, a global data recorded in each Inc (TIGI), Frederick because in our project that Index (CPI), meaning that coalition against corruption country measures how corrupt that country’s public sector is perceived to be. A country’s score is measured on a scale of 0-100, where 0 agreement. Be that as it may,means highly corrupt and that very agreement, along100meansveryclean. with many others, is not

President of the Guyana Institute for Transparency Inc (TIGI), Frederick Collins

F o r m o n t h s , available online for citizens transparency watchdogs to understand whathave been calling on concessions were granted togovernment to release the these firms versus what thecontracts signed between country would get in return.Guyana and the various In light of this, Guyana’smining companies operating t h i r d E I T I r e p o r tin Guyana. In the meantime, recommended that a workthis newspaper reported in plan be drafted for theJune last that the country’s electronic publication of allthird Extractive Industries mineral agreements in theTransparency (EITI) report miningsectormade yet another call for the In August of this year,government to release all Vice President Bharratmining contracts, especially Jagdeo was asked for anthose dealing with largeupdate on the release of thescaleoperations.

mining contracts by

Since becoming a Kaieteur News Publisher,member of the global body, Mr Glenn Lall when the VPthe report notes that the again promised to make the governmentagreedtoadhere contracts public Jagdeoto several requirements. In said, “I don’t think thesethis case, EITI requirement agreements should be secret.2.4 (a) of the 2019 Standard R i g h t , b e c a u s e t h estates that Guyana should c o n c e s s i o n s a r epublicly disclose all mineral standard many peopleagreements entered into don’t remember this but theforce prior to the reporting Minister of Finance used toperiod, in this case, 2019. sign every duty free letter

Importantly, the report that was when I was therehighlights that the country’s and we changed it when IMining Act (1989) does not became President and eveninclude any expressed before that we startedrestrictions on the public moving to change it wheredisclosure of mineral all of that, the administeringagreements and licenses by of duty free concessionsthegovernment. would be done by the GRA

It goes further to state and not by a political that even the mineral individual and secondly, agreement signed on they would be based on November 18, 2011 for legislation ” He therefore A u r o r a G o l d M i n e indicated, “I don’t see the developed by Guyana reason why many of these Goldfields is silent about are not in the public domain restrictions on the public already I’ll find out about disclosure of the mineral it.”

Ex-employee arrested for Kaieteur News robbery

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caught on camera with other bandits during invasion

An ex employee had on face-masks. One of his plastic bag and was of the view that the armed has been reviewed by employee is presently in of K a i e t e u r them stepped out of the car ordered to lay down next his robbery might be an inside investigators. The men were custody assisting with N e w s i s first and walked into the colleagues. He recalled too jobbecausethebanditscame not identifiable by face investigations.

presently in building. He held the two that the gunman “patted with a clear plan and knew because they had on mask; See footage of Kaieteur custody for carrying out the security guards at gunpoint them down” and relieved where the safe was located however, police believe that robbery on this link: brazen robbery at the and forced them into one of them of their cellular phones andwhichdrawtoopen. they knew who the https://youtu be/ouQ4G8S newspaper’s Saffon Street the rooms, of the building and other belongings. The So far, security footage mastermindmightbe.Anex- qssc office early Monday and stayed there with them, graphic artist recounted that morning. Three men armed while his two accomplices he heard loud thudding with a handgun reportedly thenwalkedupstairs. sounds like if persons were walked into the building just The graphic artist was moving a heavy object down aftermidnightandheldthree grabbed by the gunman after thestaircasenexttotheroom employees at gunpoint, r e t u r n i n g f r o m a where they were being held robbed them of their supermarket at around captive by the gunman. The

Two bandits fetching out the company’s safe on Monday morning.

personal belongings and 00:30hrs He recalled light then suddenly came off carted away a safe with cash rapping on the door and no andthebanditsdisappeared. from the company’s one came to open The Further checks made in accounts department. The graphic artist decided to the building later revealed employees on duty at the push the door and as he that the bandits had broken time were identified as two entered, he was grabbed by i n t o t h e a c c o u n t s security guards and a 20- one of the bandits from department, where they year-oldgraphicartist. behind who pointed a gun at prised open one of the According to footage his face and said, “Come, drawers from a desk and seenbythismediahouse,the come!” removed a safe from men pulled up in a gold- The gunman then underneath. Kaieteur News coloured Spacio. They all reportedly relieved him of Publisher, Mr Glenn Lall is

Printed

Saffon

Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

GLENNLALL-TEL:

Editor:SHARMAINGRAINGER

EDITORIAL

Little Guyana could be a big champion

Guyana could be looked upon as an inspiration talked about around the world. This small country could take the lead in fighting for more from its oil riches, and when it succeedsindoingsotransformintoamodelforothersmall, poor,andtrampleduponsocietieseverywhere.

Little Guyana could turn the tables on ExxonMobil and partners,andturnintoabigchampionforotherlittlepeople allover Manypartsoftheworldarepayingcloseattentionto whatgoesonwiththisoilwealthofours,whatwegetforit, andhowwegoaboutdoingso.

Guyana’s2016oilcontractwithExxonMobiletalisonesided, lopsided, and wrong-sided. ExxonMobil used circumstancesfavorabletoitselftoblindsideus.

Allofthisiswritteninthecontract,throughitstermsand conditions,andeveryclausethatputshandcuffsonus,while freeingtheAmericanoilcompanytorunanyracketthatitcan thinkof,tocheatusanddrainourwealthaway

Every addition for ExxonMobil is a horrifying subtractionforGuyanese,alreadyyokedtosubtractionupon subtraction. Theseareamongthereasonswhythiscriminal contractmustberenegotiatednow Wecannotcontinuewith this 2016 contract as it stands, and still maintain our selfrespect. Thecontractisabludgeontotheheadandakneeon the neck, and each day that it exists is an insult to us. ExxonMobil will not give us a penny more, not when the company’sCountryHead,Mr AlistairRoutledge,wasproud topoursaltintoourwoundsandstatethatit‘thebestcontract everforGuyana’consideringitspotentialrevenuestream.

ThismanRoutledgeusedalmostthesamewordsthatthe slavetradersandslavemastersutteredcenturiesago. Itwas that slavery was good, for it gave the enslaved civilisation; andthatslaveshaveneverbeensohappy,sincetheyneverhad itsogood.Theslaveownerswererapingthecaptivewomen, selling their young children, and killing their assertive men, butallthewhileengaginginthehumiliatingbytellingthem howwelltheyweredoing. Inalmostidenticalfashion,there wereslaveswhonoddedtheirheads,andsmiledtheirservant smiles,astheyagreedwiththeirpowerfulmasters.

This was whatAlistair Routledge did when he looked at that crime-of-the-century contract, his company’s bandit contract,withGuyana,andthenhadthegalltotellGuyanese that it is the best thing that has ever happened to them. He must have been thrilled to have some Guyanese prostrating themselves in thanksgiving at his feet. Just like others who werefooleddidinthedaysofchainsandwhips.

The2016oilcontractinitspresentstateiswhatchainsand whipsthepeopleofthiscountrydaily Thisistheshabbylot ofeverysingleGuyanese,includingthosewhodrinkdeeply fromExxonMobil’spoisonedchalice.

Thiscontractneedstobetornupandthepieceshurledinto thefaceofthepeopleofExxonMobil,whomockusandrub ourfacesintothedust.BestevercontractforGuyana,indeed! Inmorecivilisedlanguage,thecontractmustberenegotiated, andregardingthat,thereshouldbenofurtherdiscussion.

The task is not easy, but one riddled with mysteries and obstacles. Wehaveleadersplayinggames,andtheystandas models of betrayers in that they want nothing to do with renegotiation. Norenegotiationisofimmenseimportanceto the captains of ExxonMobil, and it has to do with money Successful renegotiation in Guyana would mean that ExxonMobil would be pressed to do better for others in contractual relationship with it elsewhere, even those with bettertermsthanGuyana. Thereismorethanroyalty,better expensemanagement,andmorerobustprotectionatstakefor ExxonMobil. The floodgates could be opened for other countries to follow the renegotiation path championed by Little Guyana. Renegotiation would not only lift us Guyanese,butstandasprecedent,champion,andinspiration for other poor oil producing countries labouring under contract conditions that they hate. Let us push and push for bringingExxonMobiltotherenegotiationtable. Ifthestreets mustbethelaunchingpad,thenletitbe.

The Good Old Corruption vs The New Evil One

DEAREDITOR,

Corruption in any country’s government or state entity is unavoidable, but good management and controls can keep it below fivepercentorlessofGDPor business revenue so the country or state entity can survive financially

Growing up and working at GuySuCo and with the Regional Government, corruption was everywhere, with all kinds of dealings of the sugar estates’assets and same with the regional government. If you wanted any kind of document or contract from the regional government, somebody had to be paid off, many items fromGuySuCowereonsale ontheblackmarketlikecane punt chains, office stationery, fertilizer, pesticides, rat poison, sugar, grease, fuel, vehicle and machinespareparts,etc.

There was also the ingenious and laughable of howitemswerepilferedand resold or for personal use, some security personnel replaced the good batteries from the torchlights with deadonesandsoldthemata discount which came in handy during the plaguing blackouts, one man stole sugarandtriedtosellittothe familyofaseniormanagerof GuySuCo and got caught, thedairysectionwasalways reporting half of the milk

produced as spillage, and oneofthebestwaswhenone manstoletheblack-eyepeas used for planting and when he learned they were chemicallytreated,ranhome shouting from a distance to his wife’s “gal throw away thecook-upricethepeasgat pizen”.

Fortunately for them his wifehadn’tcookthepeasas yet,therearesomanystories like these, also there were many supervisors and managers submitting fake overtime and expense claims.

Even if one was not directly involved in the corruption, it touched you one way or the other, the drinks flowed in the rum shops, everyone who could have bought something on discount did, as the times were tough for many I, not fond of wrongdoing asked onemanwhyishedoingthis, his response was firstly, the bigpeopleinthehighoffices cookthebooksandtaketheir piece, secondly, we are Guyanese, and this is ours and thirdly, do you want to buy cheap from him or expensive from the pricegougingshopkeepers? Ihad to reluctantly agree with him.

However, this was the good old corruption, although not right but Guyana then belonged to Guyanese, our oil, gold,

diamonds and other

minerals, bauxite, timer, state lands and state assets wereallours.

At the start of this century in Guyana, a new evil corruption began, in which the patrimony of Guyanese were sold out to foreigners, our oil, gold, diamonds and other

minerals, bauxite, timer, state lands and state assets, tax, import duties and concessions leaving

Guyanese with debit, povertyandreducingthemto second-classcitizensintheir owncountry

To the PPP, PNC and AFCpoliticianswhosoldout the patrimony of Guyanese, what did this country and people did to you all for sellingthemout?Otherthan givingyouallhighpositions, high paying jobs, expense accounts, other perks, housing, drivers and vehicles,etc?

Whyareyouallducking, dodging, bobbing, and weaving from questions on contracts renegotiations, accountability and transparency in the oil and other resource sectors and tryinglikemagicianstohide records and information we knowarethere?

The current VP other thanthefoursoftheGranger rule had a senior voice in governmentallthistime,can he or his followers explain

why he has done and is currently doing for this country, his vision, his motives, his objectives? I can’tfigureitout,ishebeing blackmailed? Being threatened? Just being selfish, greedy, and corrupt? Is he on brain medication? The VP was on The Glenn Lall Show andinsteadofhim beingexcitedonthewindow ofopportunitytorenegotiate the oil contract was mostly excited on how many times BrassingtonsuedGle.

Third World leaders do the most stupid version of corruption, they sell their country’s patrimony and depositthemoneyinforeign banks where the bank managers make seven plus figures in salaries and bonuses in CAD$, USD$, GBP and Euro$. Developed countries leaders use their corruptedmoneytoinvestin their own countries creating jobs and economic activity andgivetocharities.

The PPP, PNC and AFC politicians who sold out the patrimony of Guyanese should give some of the proceeds to charities for the poor and needy, after all its these people’s wealth they sold out, also by doing so they will make some peace with God, for when the day of reckoning comes these sellout politicians will need thispeace.

R.David

The Agri. Drive remains robust

DEAREDITOR,

What a big boost it is to learnthat“Foreigninvestors (are beginning to) signal interest in (Guyana’s) agriculture sector The dailiesreportthat“Guyana’s agriculture sector has been receiving significant recognition across the region,asthecountryforges a h e a d w i t h m a j o r investments and strategic solutions to reduce the country’s, and by extension, the region’s food import bill by 25 percent by 2025.”

According to Agriculture MinisterZulfikarMustapha, “… several investors, both foreign and from the Guyanese Diaspora, have signalled a renewed interest in the country’s agriculture sector.” He detailed that, “We have a number of investors; more and more peoplearecomingtoGuyana to invest We have a

number of persons from the Guyanese Diaspora who want to come and invest in various sectors in agriculture.”

Am I surprised? The answerisanemphatic‘No.’

Firstly,weneedtorealise that agriculture is very importantinGuyana.Infact, it makes sense to be preoccupied herein, as Guyana’s vast tracts of productive land present enormous opportunities for growth And where, agriculture is concerned, historicallyithasbeenoneof the most important productive sectors of Guyana’s economy As a matter of fact, agriculture accounts for approximately one-thirdofGuyana’sGross Domestic Product (GDP) and 30 percent of the country’s employment. Yes, agricultureisforsubsistence livelihood, but it must not

stop there. We must go the next mile and promote agriculture as a wealth g e n e r a t o r a n d entrepreneurial enterprise, thereby producing food and non food commodities to meet local and export demands.Andthisisexactly where the AGRI Boss is heading,andI‘tipmyhat’to him.

Not waning in his drive, he still renewed his commitment, as he sourced his ‘extra-push’ from the fillip he got from the May 2020 Agri Investment Forum and Expo He explained that this served as a catalyst for investors from Brazil,TrinidadandTobago, Israel and other countries.

The Minister added that the Israelis expressed their interest in hydroponics, a non traditional way of growing crops This in particular, being fairly new

to Guyana, “…will see the increase in the number of shade houses used in the production of high value crops, such as broccoli, carrots and cauliflower at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara(ECD).”

Editor, I have no r e s e r v a t i o n a b o u t applauding this kind of initiative It makes me absorb ever deeper what Minister Zulfikar Mustapha saidinAugust2020,whenhe was made the head of this important sector At that time, he alluded to the fact that he was ‘a man who knows agriculture, having been involved in it at the grassroots and practical level.’ So confident is the Minister, that his plan is to have another hydroponics farm near the Soesdyke Linden Highway; this is alreadyunderway,and

Mental Health

DEAREDITOR,

World Mental Health Day will be observed on the tenth of October Enable me the platform to raise more awarenessonthismatter

Our brain is a high-tech gadget. Our systems work dayandnight,24/7.Withthis being said we must understand the importance ofourmentalhealth.

There are people in this world that endure so much mentally We live in a society where our mental health is a joke or not fully understood.

Thatfeelingofnotbeing heard can be exhausting, f r u s t r a t i n g a n d overwhelming.

People make fun of mental illnesses because theyarenoteducatedenough aboutthetopic.

Folksbegintousecoping mechanisms when feeling mentally fatigued (which causemoreharmthangood).

Ways persons tend to cope are self-harming and substanceabuse.

I refuse to turn a blind

eyeonthisissue.Onethatis overlooked There are multipledisordersthatcome with poor mental health

Some are panic disorders, depression,phobias.

I n p s y c h i a t r y ,

Depression (Major

Depressive Disorder)

negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you behave. It can decrease your ability to function (both at work and home.)

Panic disorder is a sudden attack of fear This canhappenregularly

Phobias are anxiety disorders due to persistent andexcessivefearofobjects andsituations.

If dealing with any of these mental illnesses, it is advisedtoreachouttoloved onesandtalkabouthowyou arefeeling,gotoadoctorfor professional help as well as avoid using alcohol and illicitdrugs.

You are not alone. You mustknowthis.Yourmental healthmatters.Prioritizeit.

SaayaPrasad

Openlettertothe MinisterofEducation onAccesstoSafeWater inPublicSchools

DEAREDITOR,

In the land of many waters, many students still struggletogetaccesstoclean water in their schools Drinking purified water to stay hydrated supports cognitive function, aids in weight management, and lacks the additives, calories, and sugars found in other drinks.

Weareawareofthevalue of water consumption, yet therearenowaterdispensers inourschools,whichcauses a variation in the amount of water that students drink Single use water bottlesmakeitlesslikelyfor students to want to drink more water, cost more money out of pocket, and they’re more likely to opt

instead for sodas or sports drinks, neither of which are good for the environment or partofabalanceddiet.

Through purified water dispensers and water filter systems,thereisalong-term solution for providing clean water in schools. Students andteacherscanhaveaccess tofree,clean,safewaterwith theimplementationofeither, which would eliminate the need for plastic bottles and make daily access more convenient.

This encourages healthy behaviours and serves as a reminder for anyone who doesnotdrinkenoughwater Let’s provide our schools with safe, cost-free, clean drinkingwater

AshLuKhan

NDP is a more realistic measure of economic growth for a country

DEAREDITOR,

It is customary for EconomistsandStatisticians to use several methods to track economic growth of a country and, the most wellknownandbasicmeasureof economicoutputisofcourse GDP However, with the passage of time, some E c o n o m i s t s h a v e highlighted limitations and biases in GDP calculation andit’squiteunderstandable thatthosewhocomputesuch figures are more susceptible to defend their quality and contend that alternative measures only marginally alterthemacro-pictureofthe economy Point in case; over the years, numerous studies

have proven otherwise to GDPasthemainindicatorof economicgrowth.

Moreso, criticisms of growth measures which currentlypredominatehasto do with the almost entire fixation on GDP as the key yardstick of economic growth, whereas greater emphasis should be given to NDP being a more realistic measurement.

Ofcourse,themostbasic measure of economic output is GDP, which includes all expendituresforinvestment. However, that portion of business investment spending that is utilized to replace obsolete and ramshackle capital equipment – depreciation,

The Agri. Drive remains robust

Frompage4 when realised, “ is anticipated to be the largest hydroponics project in Latin

A m e r i c a a n d t h e C a r i b b e a n ( e v e n a c c o m m o d a t i n g ) blueberries,strawberriesand otherexoticcrops…”

So, I think we all can agree that we have been getting so far, ‘value for our money’ where agriculture is concerned. Let’s remember that our National Budget 2022 earmarked some $28.7 billion to ensure the rapid growth and development in Guyana’s agriculture sector

So far, this is paying great dividends, as the agriculture sector has so far recorded significantgrowthinthefirst halfofthisyear.

The details show that at mid-year, “…growth in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors expanded by

some 10.9 percent and is expected to grow by 11.9 percent.”

The even bigger picture is that Guyana became the leaderintheCaribbeaninits foodsecurityeffortstolower the high food import bill in theregionandtoensurefood security

I do remind all that “At the 33rd Inter Sessional MeetingoftheConferenceof Heads of Government of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) held back in May, the commitment was thatmeasureswillbeputinto place, towards achieving the ‘25by25’agriculturetarget, which is to reduce the region’s US$6 billion food import bill by 25 percent by theyear2025.

My prognosis is that the goalwillbeachieved.

Yourstruly, H.Singh

whilst being necessary for maintaining the level of output; it does not increase the economy’s capacities in thefinalanalysis.

In fact, if GDP was to growprimarilyasaresultof more money being spent to maintain capital stock

because of increased depreciation, then it could render negative in net effect to economic growth, (given that capital depreciation at timescanbetooproblematic and,duetochangesincapital intensity and the need to write off capital stock, GDP hasbecomelessusefuldueto the lack of real investments in the economy) where additionalresourcesareused to replace capital stocks, which are recorded in the nationalaccounts,insuchan economic situation it does not imply that ordinary citizens are better off as a resultofhigherGDPperse.

The applied technique which is best geared to measureeconomicgrowthin NetNationalProduct(NNP) whichhasaclosecorrelation with NDP Of note, the differencebetweenNDPand NNP is insignificant in a country with minor foreign ownership,butratherlargein acountrywithhighlevelsof foreign investments However,thisofcoursedoes

not mean that GDP may not still be an applicable yardstick for certain purposes, such as measurement of the overall p r o d u c t i o n , s i n c e

depreciation is part of value added to economic output and moreso, aggregate demand in driven by gross investment, not net investment.

Based on such analysis, NDP stands as a more realistic measure of economic growth and for national welfare of citizens. NDP is calculated by d e d u c t i n g c a p i t a l depreciation from GDP, hereby placing NDP relevanceandapplicationfor tracking the variables that are not usually associated with “the new styled economy”basedonGDPand which, may not actually indicate the health of an economy, such as potential outputandprospectsfornoninflationary growth Furthermore, NDP is considered a more appropriate measure of general welfare for the economy than GDP, since it captures the level of net income created by internal economic activities and a precise measure of sustainablegrowth.In

(Continued on page 6)

Why reinvent the wheel when it is already at your disposal?

DEAREDITOR,

Recentannouncementby HisExcellencythePresident for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to build 30,000 barrels per day Modular refinery raises some serious questions. The first is who advises the President? Is he being kept in the dark? Is he not aware that according to some officials six to ten proposals have been submitted?

It has been said that within the past two years, there has been 6 to 10 proposalstobuildaModular refinery here in Guyana NowIamnotverysmart,but Ihavebeendiscussingwitha numberofpersons.Thistells me that the Government agencies have had sufficient time to review these proposals and to evaluate eachonitsmerits.

It also suggests that the Government has had sufficient time to make a decision accepting or rejecting one of these proposalsandtogivereasons to each and every developer whysuchadecisionhasbeen determined.

Itwouldseemthatsucha determination has never been made, no public

disclosure has been made to date.Nopublicdisclosureas towhomtheseproposalshas been made. I am aware of at least two as they were in the press.

To request EOIs after all these proposals have been submitted is indicative of underlying factors at play here.Why this absolute lack oftransparency?

Why should these proposers not be fearful that with such time lapse there would have been sufficient time and the real possibility of the plagiarizing and reconfiguring of the submittedproposals.

Inaletterpublishedinthe Kaieteur News onthe29thof August and captioned, “Govt. should facilitate the efforts of our local businessmen”, I asked, “WhyistheGovernmentnot pushing for a refinery?Why is the Government not pushing the idea for the privatesectortobuildone?”

The question now is, if the government already has such proposals, why is the President now calling for EOIs. I have heard that VP Bharrat Jagdeo is in charge of Oil and Gas. Are these proposalsgoingtohim?Can

heconfirmifindeedthereare anumberofproposals?Ifso, can he say if he has kept the President in the Loop? The Guyanese people have not been informed they were keptoutoftheloop.Ihaveno doubt these proposals are thereIdidmentiononeinmy lastletter

Considering the “SU” factorisittheEOI’sisafront for a pre selected/ pre determined entity to be selected?Don’tblamemefor thinkingaboutSU.

The appropriate approach would be to evaluate each and every one of the proposals already in the governments hands and decide from the proposals already submitted Why reinventthewheelwhenitis already at your disposal? Why waste additional time? Givetheprocesscredibility

InmyletterIaskedifthe Guyana government would committosellcrudetolocal refineries, at benchmark price of course. I have not received a response and it is my belief that the Guyanese people and any potential investors need to know this. Awaiting an answer but not holdingmybreath.

NoonmattieBharratt

NDP is a more realistic measure...

Frompage5 summary, for GDP to be an acceptable measure of economic growth, then capital depreciationshouldalwaysbeashareofGDP onaconstantbasis,whichwouldcauseGDP and NDP measures to coincide and supplement each other in tandem with their independent growth output on the economy However, in cases under current economic conditions where the composition of investment is shifting towards shorter-lived assets, such an economic environment will advance implications of placing greater emphasisonGPD,whichwouldovershadow

NDPresultinginoverestimationasfollows:

-Therealrateofeconomicgrowthforthe country The level of increases for productivity

- The potential for increasing wages & salaries without proper assessment of inflationary risks to the labour market and withcommodityprices

-Businessturnover&grossprofits,hence creating artificial (illusions) increases at the riskofinvestorsinthemoneymarket.

Politics of the punitive

DEAREDITOR,

Weallcouldhaveseenit coming, so obvious was the PPP Government and its leadership. The inevitable stoppage of the money to IPADA-G could be detected fromthemannerinwhichthe Hon.VicePresidentresorted to his old vindictive ways. He then compounded the charade by starting to dance aroundinthebushestocome up with the right combinationofmarbles. He did, and now IPADA-G is starved of government cash, through a reduction of over 90percent.

The facts as uttered by thePPPGovernmentarethat there are problems with IPADA G’s management and accounting of subventions given, even whatarosetothelevelofthe questionable, and which could not be tolerated any longer

The facts, according to the IPADA-G officers, are that all audit papers and reports have been given to the government, and they cannot fathom what the problemis.

In the clashing circumstances, somebody is barkingupthewrongtree;or one side went about its businessthewrongway

Editor, my position couldn’tbesimpler,anditis two-fold. Inthefirstpart,if the PPP Government has uncovered fraud or any manner of impropriety, as alleged by the Vice President, then the book has to be thrown at those responsible at IPADA G Put them before the courts, and let the matter take its

course from there. In the second instance, if there is nothing underhanded in the books and records, or with thedisbursingoffunds,then the books should be returned, the full flow of funds resumed, and close thisout.

NowIwishtogointotwo other directions. I gather that the PPP brain trust is bent on gutting an entity devoted to the welfare of AfricanGuyanese.

I interpret this as part of its push to bend others to its will, and to neutralize Afro Guyanese pockets of presence, maybe even what is viewed as representative ofpotentialresistance.

Atbest,whatisatworkis heavy-handed, overkill, and crass; at worst, it is what is stained darkly with what causes PPP Government folks and their loyalists untoldagitations.

Onewordbeginswith‘d’ and one of its synonyms starts with an ‘r.’ And if I were really focused on the combustible,thenthereisthe ultimate expression, which begins with an ‘a’ and of whichflourishedalltheway over there by the Cape of GoodHope.

Part B of this first vision of the PPP Government is thatitmayhaveafresh,new channel in mind for extending a helping hand to BlackGuyanese.

By my estimation, there is a newcomer doing auditingwork,whoisagood candidatetocomeupwithan alternate structure to IPADA-G; or already has a welcomingroofinplace.

The second direction I

take in this IPADA-G funds strangulation is that it is as severe odds with President Ali’s farce about ‘One Guyana.’

Isayit:therecanneverbe anything approaching a remote version of ‘One Guyana’ when this IPADAGdevelopmentcomesacross as such a hard contradiction ofwhateverthatpresidential and political slogan truly meansatthecore.

I can’t curse someone from one side of my mouth, andthencroonlovesongsto herfromtheothersideinthe nextbreath. Thisiswhatthe PresidentandVicePresident aredoinginthesumoftheir undistilledpractices.

Todosooncemightgain a pass on the basis of accident or mistake. But to enact this repeatedly and blatantly, clearly viciously, brings its own devastations tothe‘OneGuyana’mantra, andexposesitasnothingbut the worst and cheapest type ofhypocrisy

Lest it be forgotten, I repeattoregister:ifIPADAG officials mismanaged, misrepresented, or misappropriated monies handed over, then march themoffinpinstripes.

If,ontheotherhand,this is another scurrilous manufactured crisis by the PPP Government, then it is just another vulgar, criminal dayinthelifeofGuyana. It is what wars with the President’s and Vice President’s postures about one of anything, including truth; merely politics throughthepunitive.

Sincerely, GHKLall

Let us Stop Racism Here!

DEAREDITOR,

The Clerical and

CommercialWorkers’Union (CCWU)rejectsallformsof r a c i s m , r a c i a l discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance, including institutional racism and racial prejudices, and stereotyping.

CCWU denounces demagogic politicians and institutions, who exploit the legitimate concerns of people about economic, social,andpublicinsecurity, to defame, victimize, and racial and ethnic society, many of whom are themselves among the victims of the insecurity for whichtheyareblamed.

CCWU acknowledges the worrying increase in xenophobic attitudes and urgestradeunionstocombat

this problem, including amongourmembers.

Discrimination is exacerbated by insecurity and unemployment Programmes to ensure the security of employment and f u l l e m p l o y m e n t programmes, as well as comprehensive assistance for the unemployed, can suppress the breeding grounds of racism. CCWU calls upon the Government toreinforceandcomplywith ILO Convention 111 concerning Discrimination in respect of Employment andOccupation.

Assure everyone’s effective protection and remedies against acts of discrimination, based on race, colour, national, cultural, or ethnic origin, language,religion,orbelief.

Recognize racism as a crimetobepunishedassuch. Prohibit discrimination in employment, education, social services, and housing and in the provision of services, such as access to and use of any place that is open to members of the public Prohibit racist or xenophobic propaganda or other acts transmitted or committedwhetherorallyor in writing via any media (press,letter,Internet,etc.)

Take effective measures, including in the fields of training, culture, and the media, to combat prejudices and stereotypes that lead to racial discrimination or xenophobia.

faithfully, SherwoodClarke GeneralSecretary

Trulyyours, PaulRamrattan,CBMBA,MCBI,ICEA (Grad.Acct.)

BLUNT BLUNT

Whither the overdue cost oil audits?

What audacity, what disregard by the Guyana Government to offer no word on the important cost oil audits being done to verify the spending of the oil companies.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has insisted that Guyana’s only way of financially protecting itself against bloated costs, overspending, dishonesty and all other means of us losing oil money is by auditing the spending of the oil operators. Yet, to date, Guyana has heard nothing final on its pre-contract costs and those that followed. Guyanese were told that by September the results of those checks would be available. We have heard nothing, not a comment or an update from our elected leaders.

Jagdeo insisted that Guyana has no co-management arrangement and joked that people believe Guyana owns EEPGL or has shares in the company when asked about monitoring oil spending. Again, he said that only audits protect us, so why are Guyanese not being told about their oil money? Guyanese must ask this government for the cost oil audits.

BLUNT

Opposition accuses PPP of ‘hijacking’ elections COI

- bemoans lack of stakeholders’ involvement in planning, preparation of ToRs

All stakeholders should have played a role in the planning of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 elections and the preparation of the Terms of Reference (TOR), Shadow Legal Affairs Minister and Member of Parliament, Senior Counsel Roysdale Fordehassaid.

With the COI for the 2020 elections set to commence next month, Forde in a public missive expressed concern that not theCommission.” only were political parties

Head of State President Irfaan Ali

Forde explained that the e x c l u d e d f r o m t h e TOR of a Commission development of the COI and usually defines its its business, but that the investigatory powers, limit People’s Progressive Party wide-spread perception that o r s t r e n g t h e n i t s (PPP) which also contested PPP/C party affiliates could investigative reach, set the that last polls had all the say have a free hand to covertly time lines and geographic in an exercise that affects all indulgeinactionsinimicalto scope of the Commission’s involved.Fordebelievesthat other opposition and investigation. “In the instant this one-sided approach to minority parties, on the case, all of that was done by the COI by the PPP effectiveness of the work of just one of several political government puts the party in the Commission; heightened parties that contested anadvantageousposition. confidenceandcreatetrustin elections of March 2020. No

Roysdale Forde SC M.P.

He said that it is normal the process; and allow the other party was consulted or for the President to set up a President to treat the given the opportunity to COI as the law gives certain establishment of the participateatanystageofthe powers to act in ways that Commission as a part of a formulation of the TOR of will protect the Constitution, continuum that could have theCommission.” the interests of the State and u l t i m a t e l y i m p r o v e It must be assumed the people by establishing collaboration between the therefore, “that whether an Commissions and other government and other inquiry body will have an Tribunals to investigate political parties and impact rests with the quality matters and events, stakeholders to design or credibility of its factual particularly those of systems to better the lives of findings, analysis and policy consequentialimplications. allGuyanese.“ThePresident and other recommendations.

It was thought therefore has squandered the However, if the PPP/C as a that given the sensitivity of opportunity to show strong single party, with its history the election matter, and the leadership and to be of discrimination and fact that the PPP/C was a inclusive in his approach on unfairness, hogged this competing party in those a significant national issue,” Commission to itself then very troubling elections, that Forde opined. He said that how can people who believe “…the President would “surely,itcouldnotbethatof in good governance and have, at the very least, all the political parties that democracy trust the interrogate the practical idea contested the March 2, 2020 process?” The MP reminded of consulting with other Elections, only one, – the thatthegoverningpartyonly parties, and encouraged PPP/C- gets to pick the team represents a portion of the them to co design the that would investigate the populace while the parties CommissionanditsTermsof processes, by which that representing the rest of the Reference (TOR),”

Forde party won the elections. population were neither said. He said that the PPP/C Clearly, the PPP/C is in an consulted nor invited to was involved in the very advantageous position, participate. “But, the PPP/C election that brought here.” appears unconcerned about concerning questions to the He said when one thinks this crisis of trust it has fore about the conduct, that both the form and facilitated in the work of a administration, and formulation of the Terms of Commission for which it is management of those Reference (TOR) were getting ready to vote and pay e l e c t i o n s , a n d t h e decided on, and drafted by out millions of taxpayers’ functionality of the Guyana the PPP/C party- “it is clear dollars.” Elections Commission that, that party have given Forde does not believe (GECOM”. The President is itself an unfair advantage thePresidentisseriousabout t h e r e f o r e u n d e r a against all other parties, that finding the truth and constitutional obligation to contestedtheMarch2,2020, implementing real and act in an inclusive manner, general and regional lasting electoral reforms Forde submitted as the elections, in Guyana I “…if he was then certainly Constitution proclaims suspect that the PPP/C has he would have considered Guyana to be an “inclusive donesobecauseitcan.Butin extant political and other democracy”. President Ali doing so, it has committed a circumstances, in the matrix could have used a broad- serious error, fatal to public of announcing, selecting based approach to set up the trust, which is absolutely Commissioners and COI,”Fordecontinued. necessary for good establishing such a

He said that approach cooperation and acceptance Commission; he did would have prevented the of the work, and findings of otherwise,”Fordecharged.

Twodeadin Corentynesmash-up

Two persons are now dead following an accident on the Kiltern Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. Dead areYusufAli,54ofJohanna, South, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne,Berbice.

The second victim who was reportedly driving the bus has not been identified. ReportsarethatonSundayat about 00:35 hrs,Ali was the passenger in minibus BFF 7369 (owned by him) while the man who has not been identifiedwasthedriver Itis alleged that the bus was

proceeding south along the eastern lane of the Kiltern PublicRoadwhenthedriver lost control and crashed into a parked truck GNN 8333.

Ali and the unidentified driver sustained injuries to theirbodiesandwererushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where they were examinedbyadoctoronduty and pronounced dead on a r r i v a l

The driver’s body is presently at the hospital mortuary awaiting identification.

The truck which the minibus crashed into

Three new COVID-19 cases

OnMonday,theHealthMinistryreported that within the last 24hours, three new COVID 19 infections were recorded bringingthetotalnumberofconfirmedcases to71,383.

Theministry’sdashboardrevealsthatone person is in institutional isolation, 62 are in home isolation, one is in institutional quarantineandtodate,atotalof70,039have beenrecorded.

Deceased: Yusuf Ali

Percy Hintzen’s misuses the work of a great philosopher

In my last Sunday column, I heaped praise on Professor Percy Hintzen who once lecturedinsociologywhenI was a UG student. In that column, I pontificated on two weaknesses in a newspaper article Dr Hintzen wrote entitled: “National Tragedy and the PoliticsofRace.”

My criticism was mild and I think there was a Freudianreason–Icarryan unexpressed mental admiration for his work, especially on the Creole Middle class in early 20th century

British Guiana. I should have been harsh in my critique because his argumentsinitiallyappeared unacceptablebutIletitslide.

Sunday evening, I was rereading an excellent book titled:“TheRecklessMind” about great philosophers who dabbled in politics. I went back to the book because of Hintzen’s article in which he mentioned MichelFoucault.

It is after reading the

chapter on Foucault, I went back and reread Hintzen’s piece.Iamconvincedonmy second reading that Hintzen’s article had a hidden purpose and in that purpose,heusedFoucaultto justify his political choices inGuyana.

InthatSundaycolumnof mine, I characterized Hintzen’s polemic as full of ironies. Looking back now, thelargestironywasthathe misuses a philosopher who explains how knowledge is applied to sustain repression.

What Hintzen has done istociteFoucaulttosupport the repression of elected democracy in Guyana Could there be a prodigious irony?

Foucault is one of the great philosophers of the past 200 years. His work is about the intimate connection between knowledge and power and howknowledgeisemployed to shape people’s thought and those very thoughts are inimicaltosexualandsocial liberation.

After quoting Foucault, Hintzen then applies Foucault to Guyana by observing:“In Guyana, this is (he is referring to Foucault’s methodology) accomplished by tactics employed by a multi-racial, multi cultural political class comprising political executives, legislators, politicians, government a d m i n i s t r a t o r s , professionals,scholars,and commentators who are local beneficiaries of the globalsystemofhumanand resourceexploitation.”

As you read on, Hintzen gets bizarre and of course ironic because he conveniently takes some groups out of his school of “local beneficiaries of the globalsystemofhumanand resource exploitation” and turns them into people with anagendaofanti-imperialist liberation of the Guyanese nation.

So who are these angels of liberation? After describingatlengthhowthe system in Guyana puts Indians against Africans,

Hintzen sees hope on the horizon But in his identification of the source of his hope, Hintzen’s exposes himself to the accusation of class and race bias.

Let’s quote Hintzen again: “Challenges, replicated in Guyana by groupssuchasRedThread, are being mounted against transnational neoliberal capitalism by the global women’s movement A global environmental movement is posing similar challenges with similar resonances in Guyana Collectively, these might become the deus ex machina that ends the tragedy of Guyana. They may be able to stimulate the requisite popular support f o r t r a n s i t i o n t o participatorydemocracy.”

T h i s i s a p o o r understanding of Guyana’s political dynamics If I didn’t like Percy, I would have referred to him as a crasspropagandist.First,the verysourceofhissolutionto Guyanaperennialtragedyof

race and politics are t h e m s e l v e s beneficiaries of t r a n s n a t i o n a l , neoliberalcapitalism.

Hintzen names Red Thread, a women group founded by the WPA leadership in the 1980s as one of the actors pivotal to dissolving Guyana’s nationaltragedy RedThread isgenerallyseenasatwinof the WPA, is strongly supportive of the WPA. It would be a denial of fact to say that there is not a symbiotic relation between RedThreadandtheWPA.

Secondly, Dr Hintzen wrote his column as the request of Dr Alissa Trotz who edits the, “In The Diaspora”column.

As far as my knowledge goes, Dr Trotz is a huge figure in the group named Overseas Friends of the WPA.

What is the political realitybetweenRedThread, Dr TrotzandtheWPA?The WPA has been part of a major part of the government between 2015

FrederickKissoon

and 2020 in which some of the WPA’s top names held substantial power The list includes: Tacuma Ogunsye, Desmond Trotman and Drs. Clive Thomas, Rupert Roopnaraine, Maurice Odle andDavidHinds.

The government that the WPA was part of was an adherent to neoliberal economics Under that government, 42,000 sugar workers, their families and dependent relatives were placed in economic jeopardy.

Dr. Hintzen needs to understand the women groups he places so much faith in are not messengers oftransformation.

Manyofthesegroupsare infactpartoftherace-driven bandwagon of Guyana and are part of the national tragedy Space has run out. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

Exxon signals “aggressive” push on Gas-to-Energy project

By Davina Bagot the project and then

E

…says

Oord were contracted to engineering, procurement, therefore we are going to be a

construction and installation ven though the targeting to complete the management, engineering, ofsubsearisersandpipelines Environmental pipelinebytheendof2024.” andinstallationofthenatural for the Wales Gas-to-Energy

P r o t e c t i o n Krispin added that

gas pipeline, with an venture. Agency (EPA) is yet to give government’s 300 megawatt associated shallow water Though a cost was not clearance to the Gas to power plant should also be portion and onshore attached, it must be noted Energy (GTE) project, completed by 2024, while approach making landfall to that a significant contract for ExxonMobil said it has the Natural Gas Liquids the west of the Demerara Technip FMC is one within started construction of the (NGL) facility should come River, along the coast of the range of $75 million and pipeline about six months on stream by the third or Guyana. $250 million The full ago and is expected to fourthquarterof2025.

ExxonMobil’s Gas-to-Energy Project Manager, Friedrich Krispin

Subsea7,accordingtoits contract award will not be d e l i v e r g a s t o t h e The Project Manager website, specialises in included in inbound orders government in keeping with was keen to point out, “It’s subsea engineering, until the project receives a its20224timeline. an aggressive schedule but construction and services final investment decision ExxonMobil’s Gas to it’s one that we are mainly for the offshore andgovernmentapprovals. Energy Project Manager, committed to, to meet our energy industry The The Environmental Friedrich Krispin made the objectives.” He went on to company is registered in ProtectionAct Section 21(1) a n n o u n c e m e n t l a s t explain that he is “just Luxembourg with its states that: “No person shall Wednesday while providing thrilled”tobeinGuyanaand making money for the far,Guyanesehavebeentold headquarters in London – (a) construct, alter, extend an update on the venture at be part of the project simply shareholders, saving money that the pipeline aspect, Meanwhile, RoyalVan Oord or replace any plant, the Guyana Basins Summit. owing to the significance it in capital projects, etcetera which is being pursued by is a Dutch maritime structure, equipment, Krispin told conference has for the country, its but today I’m here to make US oil major ExxonMobil, contracting company that apparatus, mechanism, or delegates comprised mostly developmentoftheeconomy sure we improve the lives of will cost around US$1 3 specialises in dredging, land thing that may discharge or of foreign investors that the and improvement of lives in thepeopleofGuyana.” billion, while the other two r e c l a m a t i o n a n d from which may be construction of the pipeline communities. According to The Gas to Energy facilities are expected to constructing man made discharged a contaminant is expected to take three him, the project is “really project will encompass three come in around US$700 islands. into any part of the natural years, as outlined in the i m p o r t a n t t o u s a t major aspects, that is, the million.

In early August, it was environment except under company’s Environmental ExxonMobil. pipeline to transport the gas Notably, the contractor announced that the oil and in accordance with a ImpactAssessment. I’ll give you just a little to Wales; the Natural Gas has not yet received the company gave out another construction permit issued

On this note, he pointed personal punch, I have been Liquids (NGL) facility that necessary approvals for the contract,thistimetoTechnip by the Agency ” This out, “that clock was started with ExxonMobil for 35 willtreatandseparatethegas project but has started FMC, a United Kingdom therefore means that the about six months ago or so years, I have spent my life and the power plant to constructionworks. based firm that provides operator is required to seek whenwedecidedtoinvestin looking for opportunities of generate the electricity. So In July, Exxon entered expertise for subsea and an environmental permit into an agreement with two surface projects. According from the EPA before it rolls companies to aid in the to reports, the company out any developmental laying of the 190 kilometre received a “significant” project that can affect the pipeline. Subsea 7 and Van contract to provide environment.

Foreign Service officer for one month course in India

The High Commission of India has Ms. Gordon made a courtesy call on the announced the selection of Ms. Ornissa High Commissioner, H.E. Dr KJ Srinivasa Gordon, a Foreign Service Officer at the on29thSeptember Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International PCDF courses have been restarted after a Cooperationforthe69thProfessionalCourse three year gap due to the Covid 19 forForeignDiplomats(PCFD). restrictions The flagship Professional

This course is being held at the Sushma Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD), is Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, Ministry held twice a year, is of four weeks’duration. ofExternalAffairs,GovernmentofIndiafora The objective of this course is to improve the period of one month from 3rd-28th October, Diplomatic skills for the selected participant 2022 In a press release, the High and familiarize them with political, Commission said Ms. Gordon will be part of economic, social and cultural realities that the50delegationsfrom50differentcountries swaytheforeignrelations.Duringtheirvisits around the world who are attending this to India, the participant will also be educated course. onthecultureandhistoryofIndia.

(L-R) Ms. Ornissa Gordon, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. KJ Srinivasa and another official during the courtesy call.

- Prime Minister

Guyana moving to green, sustainable development in postal sector

overnment is taking stepsinthetransitionto a green and sustainable

G postal sector, which includes the development of a roadmap to build a sustainable

future and foster social advancement and human well being.

This is according to Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on the occasion of World Postal Day 2022, as well as the official commissioning of the ProvidencePostOffice,Fridaylast. The occasion marked the 148th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and aimed to bring awareness to the postal service’s role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global economic

The newly-commissioned

faces a climate crisis, these meaningful partnerships of water, fuel, and waste to achieve “Such small measuresgrowthanddevelopment.

conditions call for a reflection on between all stakeholders carbon neutrality The Guyana Post implementedovertimewillresult

Globally, postal operators have this initiative by investing in solar thegovernmentstandsreadyanddoubt created a greater

“We live in a digital world, how operations are carried out in committed to building a Office Corporation (GPOC) has in the changes necessary for awhere technology dominates our every area, including the postal sustainablegreeneconomy.” demonstrated its commitment to sustainable green economy, andlives. These technologies no sector “And so, with the theme

‘Post for Planet’, this year’s committed to halving their panels to be placed at the head willing to support the GPOC inp re f e re n c e f o r d i g i t a l

World Post Day observance calls collective carbon emissions by office. itsmeasures,”thestatementsaid.communication. As such, much for immediate consideration of 2030, and citizens are demanding

This will be continued TheProvidencePostOfficewaslike many traditional media, the the adjustments that can be green products that are sustainably throughout the network of post officially commissioned onpost is required to build on made. The post is uniquely developed. offices across Guyana to reduce October7,ontheoccasionofWorldinnovative ideas to transform its positioned to assist in the fight

Some key areas of focus are their carbon footprint, and thereby PostalDay Itwillserveresidentsofoperations,” the statement pointed against climate change. To g r e e n b u i l d i n g s , c l e a n mitigate the effects of climate Providence, as well as theout. achieve this, there must be transportation, and reduced usage change. surroundingcommunities.(DPI)

Moreso, it noted, as the world

Golden Grove woman kills abusive man

Police on the East Coast of Demerara are currently investigating the death of Michael Wilson of Lot 109 Sideline Dam, Golden Grove, who was fatally stabbed by his reputed wife yesterday

Reports are that the 40year-oldlabourerandhis30year-old reputed wife had a heated argument around 08:15hrs on Monday which later turned deadly Information received revealed that Wilson and the woman were in a commonlaw relationship and were living together for the past twoyears.

Dead, Michael Wilson

yesterday, the two were summonedtothescene,who

Police reported that home when they got into a took Wilson to the domestic problems existed violent argument while the Georgetown Public Hospital between the two and that suspect was in the process of Corporation (GPHC) for Wilson frequently accused packing her belongings to treatment. The man, police the woman of being moveoutoftheirhome. noted, died while receiving unfaithful and would It was revealed that treatment. allegedly physically and Wilson was armed with a The suspect was taken to verballyabuseher knife during the argument a nearby medical facility by

During an argument on and had reportedly assaulted police where she was Sunday, police stated, the thewomanandcutheronthe examined by a doctor and woman had told the suspect left forearm. According to was subsequently taken to that she was ending their the police, the woman the GPHC for further relationship and would be managed to disarm him and treatment She remains returning to her parents’ stabbed him twice to his under police guard up top house Following that abdomen. Shortly after the press time. An investigation argument, police revealed stabbing, the Emergency has since been launched into that around 08:00hrs Medical Technicians was theincident.

Guyana needs independent, int’l body monitoring oil funds to ensure transparent spending

...Existing checks and balances all have ties to Executive branch - Analyst

Director of Energy at Board are Major General Importantly, Deakin said bespent.

A m e r i c a s M a r k e t (ret’d) Joseph Singh most of the members D e a k i n s a i d i n Intelligence (AMI) Arthur (Chairman); Guyana’s appointed to the committees conclusion that Guyana also Deakin has acknowledged PermanentRepresentativeto responsible for the needs the participation of an that while Guyana has the United Nations (UN), management of the oil i n d e p e n d e n t a n d established a legislative and Ambassador Carolyn monies have either been international body in the regulatory framework to Rodrigues; former President appointed directly by the monitoring of these funds to manage its oil revenues, a o f t h e C a r i b b e a n President or chosen by the ensure appropriate and deeper analysis exposes that Development Bank (CDB) National Assembly, where transparent spending of the across generations to ensure The Committee is also the checks and balances Professor Compton Bourne; the President’s party has a revenues. The current state all Guyanese benefit from required to take account of implementedarecloselytied Dunstan Barrow; and majority of affairs he posits needs to thesector the country’s ability to bear totheExecutivebranch. Ramesh Dookoo of the Deakinsaidthisprevents beimproved.

Director of Energy Practice at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) Arthur Deakin

The Fund is also financial risk, the need for In his latest contribution Private Sector Commission the much-needed separation As previously reported, intended to ensure Guyana’s the Fund in the long term to to the Energy Advisor, a (PSC). between political influences the purpose of Guyana’s natural resource wealth is achieve on average, over a weekly publication by the The members of the and the billions of dollars Natural Resource Fund is to used to finance national number of years, a real total Inter American Dialogue, Public Accountability and flowingintothecountry ensure there is prudent development priorities return of at least three Deakinalludedthatthisdoes Oversight Committee Additionally, Deakin management of the nation’s including any initiative percent per annum in US n o t b o d e w e l l f o r comprise (Chairman) saiditisalsoconcerningthat oil earnings for the present aimed at realising an dollars while minimising t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d Clement Sealey, Wendell $400 million was drawn and future benefit of the inclusivegreeneconomy risk. accountability Jeffery, Abu Zaman, Ryan down from the Natural people by ensuring that Toensurethatitspurpose It would also have to Expounding further, Alexander, Dawn Gardener, Resource Fund in May and volatility in natural resource isrealised,theNRFAct2021 consider the need for the Deakin said Guyana has put Aslim Singh, Teni Housty, July, before any of these revenues does not lead to focuses on four key areas: Fund to follow a strategic in place, the Natural Desmond Sears, and Savitri oversight mechanisms were volatilepublicspending. Providing notification of all asset allocation strategy Resource Fund (NRF) Balbahadur in place. The analyst noted The objective of the oil receipts to the Guyana whereby overtime as the legislation which allows for As for the Investment that this money has been Fund is also hinged on P a r l i a m e n t , e n s u r e balance of the Fund a Board of Directors, an Committee,themembersare allocatedtofinance‘national ensuring revenues collected withdrawalsaregovernedby increases, the percentage of InvestmentCommitteeanda as follows: Shaleeza Shaw development priorities’ do not lead to a loss of a transparent process, theFundinvestedinlowrisk Public Accountability and (Chairperson), Michael whichhaveyettobedefined. economic competitiveness Allowanceforparliamentary eligible asset classes OversightCommittee. Munroe,RichardRambarran Hestressedhoweverthatitis alongwithfairlytransferring oversight and approval of increases.

$94M asphaltic road completed at Lima Sands

ThemembersoftheNRF andLaurisHukumchand. unclear where exactly it will natural resource wealth every cent to be used, and The law states that the effective management and advice of the committee oversight via a Board of would be contained in Directors, a Public written reports submitted to A c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d theBoardatleastannuallyor Oversight Committee, the within 20 working days of Audit Office of Guyana, and the Board requesting such CentralBank. advice.

The NRF Board is Furthermore, the responsible for overall legislation also paves the management of the Fund, way for the establishment of reviewing and approving the a Public Accountability and policies of the Fund, and Oversight Committee which preparing the Fund’s provides strict monitoring of investmentmandate. howtherevenuesareused.

The law also allows for Guyana’s Central Bank an Investment Committee to is responsible for the provide advice to the Board operational management of on the Fund’s investment the Fund which includes mandate. The Board would e s t a b l i s h i n g r i s k be assisted by a Senior management arrangements, Investment Advisor and and all necessary internal Analyst. management systems for the

The Committee would fund.

also be responsible for Additionally, the advising the Board of legislation empowers the Directors while taking into Auditor General of Guyana account, the overall to audit the accounts of the objectives of the Fund, the Fund.

Phase Two of the Lima Sands Road was recently completed

Farmers and residents of Lima project. He explained that the road Sands Primary and also children Sands, Region Two (Pomeroon measures 640 metres with a width of attendingsecondaryschool.” Supenaam) are now benefitting from 6.1 metres. A concrete drain was also The government continues to an asphaltic road with concrete drains, constructedononesideoftheroad. advance infrastructure development in as the second phase of a road project is Theengineersaidtheroadwasfully communities, as $15.2 billion was nowfullycompleted. completed on September 19, 2022, and allocated for the construction and

The contract was awarded to is now in use. Phase one of the project rehabilitation of urban and community United Contracting Service to the tune was completed earlier this year Works roads across the country Additionally, of $94 3 million and works were carried out to the tune of $136 $4.439 billion was set aside in the commenced on April 28, 2022. On million.

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of supplementary budget which was Friday,DPIspoketotheEngineerfrom RegionTwo,HumaceOuditsaid,“this passed earlier in August, for the the Ministry of Public Works, Kester ro a d w i l l h e l p f a r m e r s , rehabilitation and upgrades of roads Hinds, who had responsibility for the schoolchildren attending Lima anddrainscountrywide.

He can also engage an opportunitiesandconstraints internationally recognised inrelevantfinancialmarkets, auditing firm to assist in the the need to ensure sufficient dischargeofthisfunction. funds are available for The Ministry of Finance withdrawals, international is also mandated to publish best practices in investment on its website for public portfolio management, the perusal: annual reports on principle of financial the fund, audited financial diversification with the statements, and the external objective of maximising risk auditor’s report, quarterly adjusted financial returns, reports, and financial and taking into account the statements submitted to the capacity of the institutions Minister by the bank, involved in the management monthly reports, and the oftheFund. Fund’sinvestmentmandate.

current co

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One Male Accountant needed, must have a valid driver's licence. Call: 6447088/ 624-7248.

Skilled Carpenters, Masons & Labourers. Call: 602-9469, 615-7526, 660-6385 or 6257642.

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Elderly bus driver wanted for 42 bus route. Call: 2336175/ 676-3963.

Wanted: Experienced supervisor, cashier, counter person , cooks and labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts.

Male factory workers, $3500 per day. 7am-4pm lunch hr inclusive, transportation provided. Call: 611-7839.

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One male able bodied lerk.Tel:231-2029,693-8462.

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Domestic required, to work in Georgetown from 7am-3pm(4-5 days per week). Call: 623-6383.

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VACANCY

Driver for Vegetarian Garden, license to drive lorry. Call: 640-0673/ 227-7714.

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CLERICAL ASSISTANTS LIVE-IN ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE FOR OUT OF TOWN APPLICANTS COVID VACCINATED PERSONS ONLY. CALL: 223-7500.

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North Korea says missile tests are practice for ‘tactical nuclear strikes’ on South Korea

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

CNN — North Korean state media has broken its silence over the country’s recent spate of missile tests, claiming they were part of a series of simulated procedures intended to demonstrate its readiness to fire tactical nuclear warheads at potential targets in South Korea.

The Kim regime has tested ballistic missiles seven times since September 25, the latest of 25 launch events of ballistic and cruise missiles this year, according to a CNN count, raising tensions to their highest level since 2017.

Quoting leader Kim Jong Un, who oversaw the drills, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the tests, which coincided with nearby military drills between the United States, South Korea and Japan, showed Pyongyang was ready to respond to regional tensions with by involving its “huge armed forces.”

KCNA said the series of seven drills of North Korea’s “tactical nuclear operation units” showed that its “nuclear combat forces” are “fully ready to hit and wipe out the set objects at the intended places in the set time.”

Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program and professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said North Korea’s announcements Monday indicated potential progress in its missile program.

“What I find notable is that these launches are not framed as tests of the missiles themselves, but rather of the units that launch them. That suggests these systems are deployed,” Lewis said on Twitter.

WHAT WAS NORTH KOREA TESTING?

KCNA said on September 25, North Korea workers took

part in exercises within a silo under a reservoir to practice what it described as loading tactical nuclear warheads to check the swift and safe transportation of nuclear weapons. Three days later, they simulated the loading of a tactical nuclear warhead on a missile that in the event of war that would be used in “neutralizing airports in South Korea’s operation zones.”

On October 6, North Korea practiced procedures that could initiate a tactical nuclear strike on “the enemies’ main military command facilities” and, on Sunday, enemy ports, Pyongyang’s state media said.

Among the key military installations in South Korea is the US Army’s Camp Humphreys, the largest US military installation outside of the United States with a population of more than 36,000 US servicemembers, civilian workers, contractors and family members.

Experts say that North Korea has likely manufactured some nuclear warheads – “20 to 30 warheads for delivery primarily by mediumrange ballistic missiles,” Hans Kristensen and Matt Korda of Nuclear Information Project with the Federation of American Scientists, wrote in September. But its ability to detonate them accurately on the battlefield is unproven.

Analysts noted that with Monday’s reports, North Korea broke six months of silence on its testing program. Before that, an announcement and images of the tests were usually made available the next day.

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said Pyongyang had “multiple motivations” for making an announcement Monday.

Besides providing a “patriotic headline” for domestic consumption on the 77th anniversary of its ruling party,

“it is making explicit the nuclear threat behind its recent missile launches,” Easley said. “The KCNA report may also be harbinger of a forthcoming nuclear test for the kind of tactical warhead that would arm the units Kim visited in the field,” he said.

South Korean and US officials have been warning since May that North Korea may be preparing for its first nuclear test since 2017, with satellite imagery showing activity at its underground nuclear test site.

US RESPONSE

The KCNA report said the recent drills, from September 25 to October 9, were designed to send a “strong military reaction warning to the enemies” and to verify and improve the country’s fighting capabilities.

In the report, Kim called South Korea and the United States “the enemies” and said North Korea doesn’t need to hold talks with them.

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Kim Jong Un watches a missile launch in a photo released by North Korean state media on Monday.

GPSCCU issues notice for special general meeting of members

…stakeholders demand “free, fair, and transparent electoral process”

Five months after members of the Guyana Public Service CooperativeCreditUnion(GPSCCU) signed a petition demanding a specialgeneralmeetingwherethey were expected to vote out the majority of the agency’s management committee, the organisation has finally issued a noticetohosttheforumonOctober 24.

The notice comes after a High Court judge ordered the Committee of Management (COM) to adhere to the members’ demands by issuing a notice in 10 daysoftheruling.

Oncemorethan25creditunion memberssignapetition,theCOM is legally required to have the meeting but had denied the members the opportunity The special general meeting will be held at the New Central High School on Princes Street, Georgetown on October 24 from 8:00a.m.

Information reaching the Kaieteur News is that while members are happy to finally be gettingtheirhearing,theyarevery much concerned about the electionsbeingfreeandfair

They said that based on the noticethatwassentoutbyCOM,it isclearthatbodyisnotworkingin the best interest of the members. Thesourcesaidthatfirstthenotice failed to provide specific information relating to the meeting. The newspaper was told thatthenoticeisincontraventionto thecreditunionrulethatspeaksto stating the purpose of the meeting andwidecirculation.

Yesterday’s notice was published only in the Guyana Chronicle in a small and obscure manner, the source said The problem with that however, is that part of the credit union rules says that the COM cannot be held responsible if members do not see thenotice.

The source claimed that the COMdeliberatelyissuedthenotice on a holiday and in the “…least readnewspaperwhencomparedto theprominentnoticesthey(COM) published in all the different newspapers when they wanted to say that the [earlier] members’ SpecialGeneralMeetingpublished by Patrick Mentore was not authorised.”

Credit union members are also callingforallmechanismstobeput in place for a free, fair, and transparent electoral process during the Special General Meeting. “We need to be assured thataneffectiveprocessisinplace

that allows for the free expression of the will of our members. The COM must endeavour to provide an enabling environment that allows for widest possible participation of the GPSCCU members at this most critical juncture of the credit union’s history.”

Thesourcesaidthatelectionis supposed to be countrywide, and measures must therefore be put in place earliest. “However, it is not likely to be smooth sailing since there is also considerable concern that attempts may be made to disenfranchise eligible members fromvotingbynotputtinginplace the mechanisms that were demandedinthemembers’petition andorderedbytheCourt.

These include that the meeting be held virtually and in-person in all ten (10) Administrative Regions, utilizing the same mechanism used to conduct the 2021 Annual General Meeting at which the present Committee of Management members were elected,andthatthesamee-voting serviceproviderbeutilised.”

ComeOctoberthecreditunion memberswillvotefortherecallof the GPSCCU COM, hold an election to replace the said COM and recommend that nine of the COM members never serve on the committeeagain.

Thepetitionbythecreditunion cameafterthemajorityoftheCOM had voted to remove Trevor Benn as chairman claiming that he was not acting accordingly in his post. Without warning and in his absence, Benn called the move a coup d’ etat and sought members supportforthespecialmeetingvia the petition where he secured the necessarynames.Thecreditunion members demanded that Benn be returned as chairman as many praised the massive upgrade at the institution since being posted They were especially receptive of the mortgage and car loans which came on stream. That facility was stopped when Benn was replaced, but current Chairman, Karen Vansluytman Corbin told the newspaper that it was paused for annualreview

The COM was taken to court aftertheyfailedtohostthemeeting after the stipulated 14 days of the petition’ssigning.

In fact, Vice Chairman Patrick Mentore on receiving the members’ demand at the time did issueanoticeinallthelocaldailies. The other faction of COM had issued a notice in similar fashion recallingtheearliernotice.

What stakeholders say the notice should look like

The notice published in the Guyana Chronicle Monday

Completion of Yarrowkabra Secondary School ahead of schedule - Manickchand

The Yarrowkabra Secondary School that is under construction

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand during her visit to the construction site

o r k o

Upper Mazaruni (Region Seven), achieve universal primary

Region One, the rebuilding education.

is of the North West Secondary So you are going to see

W 6 5 p e r c e n t school that is going to be built at up. SchoolinRegionOnejusttoensure Universal Secondary Education completed and the contractor is on Prospect. She said that this school Soyouwillseetwonewschools wecanbringinuniversalsecondary before the end of 2025 and we will track to meet the May 2023 willcaterfor1000learners. going up in Region Three, one in education just as we were able to beveryhappytodothat.” deadline, Minister of Education, Recently, the Education PriyaManickchandhassaid. Minister also visited the Manickchand recently visited construction site for the new St. the construction site. According to Rose’s High School which she the Education Ministry, over the reported is on schedule with 55 past few days, the minister visited percent of the works completed. the construction sites of the St. These two new schools will be Rose’s High School which is being complete with modern classrooms, rebuilt and the Yarrowkabra laboratories, industrial arts Secondary School which will be a departments which will cater to new addition to the Soesdyke- TVETsubjects,sanitaryblocksand LindenHighway “Atthisstage,the otherauxiliarybuildings. construction of the Yarrowkabra Both projects went through the Secondary School should have tendering process and the contract been 60 percent completed but the to construct the St. Rose’s High project is currently 65 percent School was awarded to Shandong complete,” it was stated in a Degian International while the release. contract for the construction of the

The Minister of Education Yarrowkabra Secondary School visited the construction site and was awarded to R. Bassoo and expressed her satisfaction that the Sons. school is ahead of schedule which Each project has a consultancy means that if work continues at its firm attached which is supervising current pace, the school will be the quality and pace of ongoing finished by May 2023 as per works Kalitech Inc is the contract. She said that the school consultancy firm on the St. Rose’s will accommodate 600 students High School project while Vikab f r o m Ya r r o w k a b r a a n d Engineering will be working with neighbouring communities along theYarrowkabraSecondarySchool the Soesdyke Linden Highway project. which were hitherto unserved by According to Minister secondaryeducation. Manickchand, the education

“I am extremely happy that we system is now retaining more will be able to add this secondary children in school, which is a good school to our list of secondary thing. However, she noted that this schools in our quest to bring in reality has placed some strain on Universal Secondary Education space within schools. She said that which we promised we would do,” the rebuilding of St. Rose’s High MinisterManickchandnoted. School and the North Ruimveldt

She said that the new school SecondarySchool,theconstruction will complement the already of the Yarrowkabra Secondary existing Yarrowkabra Nursery and School, the Good Hope Secondary PrimarySchoolsinthecommunity School on the East Coast and the

The Education Minister said expansion of other schools such as that the completion of the school East Ruimveldt Secondary, will ensure that the Ministry does Queen’s College and the Bishops’ not have to place children who are HighSchoolwillcreatemorespace exiting Primary School into to accommodate the growing Primary Tops and in fact would be number of learners. She said that abletoclosesomeprimarytopsthat these developments will provide were opened or re-opened between comfortable access to secondary 2015and2020. education.

Further, she said that the Further, she said, “We’re

West Indies legend Sir Richie Richardson receives honorary doctorate from University of the West Indies

SportsMax - Former West Indies captain Sir Richie Richardson received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) for his contribution to sport at the UWI Five Islands Campus graduation ceremony on Saturday.

Speaking at the event in Antigua and Barbuda, Richardson, 60, urged Caribbean people from “small islands” to never look at themselves as being small, because they all had big hearts and could compete with anyone in the world.

Richardson told the graduating class of 2022 that

he was proud to be an ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda, and proud to represent the region as a cricketer.

He said he, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Curtly Ambrose, and Sir Andy Roberts were committed to developing the Four Knights Cricket Academy, which opened in 2015 in Antigua and Barbuda, to identify and support emerging cricket talent.

He believed once the people of the WI remained focused and disciplined, it could keep producing

outstanding cricketers.

“I remain optimistic and hopeful that the WI will return to being the best cricketing team in the world someday, hopefully pretty soon.”

Richardson encouraged the audience to remember where they came from and the opportunities they got because of their people and country.

He added that having received higher education, they were the beginning of a cultural change in their families, communities and countries. They now had to find their niche and excel at it.

“It is important that you know your history and identity and use it to cultivate your present and your future.

We are all from small island developing states and the harsh reality is that many persons in other parts of the world are not even aware of what our respective Caribbean islands are called or what ethnicities and cultures make up our people.

“But you can change this as you utilise your knowledge to strengthen sectors and create awareness of our existing cultures.”

He recalled, as a young man, wanting to be like great West Indian batsmen of the past, and wanting to make an impact on the world stage, which “lit a fire” in him for the game and to succeed.

Inter county cricket is back...

From page 23 travelled from the Corentyne with an array of back cuts and imperious drives as the pair posted the 100 in 15 overs and the 150 in 23 overs.

The 31-year-old Bramble, who has three First-Class centuries from 69 matches, was brutal against the pacers but his rate of scoring dipped when spin was introduced.

Dropped a few times, he rode his luck and played some enterprising shots including the reverse sweep to reach his ton from 76 balls with 13 fours and a six before being LBW to Sankar at 196-2.

Hetmyer and Foo took score to 230 when the Warriors’ captain, who got to 50 from 40 balls with three sixes and a four, played a rash shot off pacer Torrington and skied a catch to cover.

Foo continued to go ‘big’ and took 16 off Torrington including two sixes in the over before he fell to Ali

Mohammed, while Romario Shepherd chipped in with 26ball 40 with two fours and four sixes. When Clinton Pestano (10) departed at 245-6, the Sinclair’s; Kevin 15 and Junior, saw their team to its eventual total.

Demerara began their reply badly losing Chanderpaul Hemraj (2) before Tevin Imlach (2) was run out to leave Demerara on 6-2.

Johnson and Chanderpaul offered fight before Chanderpaul, out of character, charged Motie and was stumped, while Johnson missed a sweep at Motie and was LBW.

Barnwell hit a six in 14 but when Persaud fell at 161-6, it was all over bar the shouting.

The competition continues tomorrow with Berbice facing Essequibo at Bourda and the President’s X1 taking on Demerara at Everest with both matches scheduled to commence at 09:00hrs.

Tuesday October 11, 2022

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Activity around you is picking up and you should add your energy to the group. Don't feel like you need to get expensive accoutrements to be part of the crowd.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Don't get too emotionally attached to your work today. You'll have greater success when you distance yourself from what it is you're trying to achieve.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Finding out the truth in a situation is key for you. Today you may want to take things to a higher level and loftier vantage point. This can't happen until all the facts are straight.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Imagine yourself as part of a magnificent choir today. Your role is to sing beautifully but be aware of the other v oices, too. Make sure your song isn't drowning out anyone else.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

What you can't find in one place, you'll be able to find in another. Don't give up until you find what you're looking for.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Keep things light and uplifting today. If you're open to new ways of doing things, revolutionary thoughts may come to you. It would behoove you to anticipate the future and nip any potential problems in the bud.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Don't get overwhelmed by the intense energy of the day. Instead of cowering from it, use it as fuel to keep your internal power strong. Your inner being has a tremendous amount of appeal that can lead the masses.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your emotions are going to be intense. There's a great deal of strength in your words. Let the fire burn red hot. The energy is contagious.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21) Things may be happening all around you today. You could feel like a spectator watching a foreign theater production.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you've reached an emotional climax. This feeling may be extra powerful. Great transformations are possible under this current trend.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

It would be best to do some deep meditation today. Connection with your inner space is incredibly valuable. Realize that great transformation comes when you release control.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Capitalize on the boisterous energy present today. This is a wonderful time to express yourself in a powerful manner. You may go to extremes on this level, so be careful how you wield your power. The key is not to get too attached to your ideas and any results that you want.

Richardson represented the West Indies in 86 Tests from 1983-1995, scoring 5949 runs at an average of 44.39 with 16 centuries and 27 half centuries.

He also represented the region in 224 ODIs from 19841996, scoring 6248 runs at an average of 33.41 with five hundreds and 44 fifties.

Defending Champs GCC...

From page 21 Ceremony, GCA President Neil Barry thanked NBS for their sponsorship, congratulated GCC for ‘Coming into the Lion’s den’ and leaving with the trophy.

Also speaking was NBS’s Director Dr Nanda Gopaul who said that NBS has supported the GCA for 10 years because they are satisfied with the running of the competition.

“There is a lot of talent from what I have seen in this competition and we will continue our sponsorship of the NBS tournament for more years.

I also encourage the young players to own their own home since it easy to get a mortgage from NBS at low rates,” added Dr Gopaul.

Also present from NBS, were CEO Anil Kishun and Deputy CEO Anil Beharry.

A number of prizes were presented included Man-ofthe-Match in the Final & highest score (Pestano-Bell), best bowling performance (Sankar), best Fielder (Nkosi Beaton).

The losing semi-finalists got a cheque for $5,000 each, while the winner took home the NBS Trophy and $120,000 and 15 medals and the runners-up collected a Trophy, $90,000 and 15 Medals.

Brandon King’s half century...

From page 20

Evin Lewis ran out Aayan Afzal Khan for a duck.

Waseem and Basil Hameed inched the score along to 66 by the 13th over when Reifer claimed his third after dismissing Hameed for five. It was soon 82 for 6 in the 16th when Odean Smith dismissed Kashif Daud for seven.

With nothing to lose UAE went for broke smashing 53 from the final 26 balls.

Waseem brought up his 50 with a six from the last ball of the 17th over bowled by McCoy that yielded 16 runs. The pair also took 15 from the 19th bowled by Alzarri Joseph, whose last ball was smashed for six by Zawar Farid, who ended unbeaten on 29 from the 14 balls he faced.

Waseem’s heroic unbeaten 69 came from 52 balls and included four fours and three sixes as UAE closed on 135-6.

Reifer took 3-13 while Odean Smith had figures of 1-20 from his four overs. McCoy gave up 49 runs from his four overs.

Maxido bestows honourary Black Belt to centurion Hilton Lewis

An impromptu visit to Uncle Eddie’s ‘Champ’ was at a loss for words upon Retirement Home by the Maxido Gym saw receiving the award, which Massiah wanted them honour one of Guyana’s cherished to be a surprise. He stated that he was centurions, Hilton ‘Champ’ Lewis, with an surprised that someone of his age would be honouraryBlackBelt. welcomedintoanything.

Attended by founder of Maxido, Max According to him, in his day, the elderly Massiah, along with a few members of the wouldoftenbecastaside,soforMaxidotodo Gym and Lewis’great niece, Roslyn Clarke, someifsuchwarmshisheart.Hecommended it was a warm reception for the significant Massiah for the initiative and expressed his ceremony gratitudebysayinghewillforevercherishthe

Prior to the official handover, Massiah award. stated, “Being such an ardent fan of the Maxido is a self defence art created by Maximum Combat and Strength show, I Massiah, that specializes for older thought it only justified to honour this fine individuals. His show, which Lewis featured gentlemanwithanhonouraryblackbelt.” on when he was 98 in 2016, was stopped in Massiah further disclosed that the 2020whenthepandemicranrampant. relationship developed between Lewis and Meanwhile, Massiah wishes to invite the himoverthesix-oddyearspanhasbeenquite publictoobservetheartandgetinvolved.For a special one, as he referred to the centurion more information, contact Max Massiah on ashisnumberonefan. 602-1733.

Brandon King’s half century key as West Indies beat UAE by 17 runs in World Cup warm-up

SportsMax Brandon insidethePowerplay Siddique picked up his King scored a half-century The dismissal of Evin fifth wicket in the 18th over and Raymon Reifer claimed Lewis (2), Johnson Charles when he bowled Odean three wickets as the West (1) and Sharmarh Brooks (4) Smithforfive. Indies won their warm-up brought King and Pooran AlzarriJosephhelpedthe match against the United together in the fifth over and West Indies past 150 with 15 Arab Emirates at Junction together they dragged the well-needed runs from 11 Stadium by 17 runs on WestIndiesintoapositionof balls before being the last Sundaynight. relativestrength. man out, leaving Rovman

Itwasnotaneasywinfor The West Indies captain Powell unbeaten on seven the Caribbean men who hitfivefoursinhis31-ball46 and Obed McCoy on four at would have suffered jitters before he was bowled by theend. when medium pacer Junaid Zahoor Khan, who had Khanendedwith2-24. Siddique took career best earlier dismissed Brooks. It Needing 153 for victory, figures of 5-13 to restrict was then 117-4 in the 15th UAE were 19-1 at the end of West Indies to 152-9 from over t h r e e w h e n M c C o y their20overs.

The loss of Pooran’s dismissed Chirag Suri for The West Indies owed wicket saw the West Indies nine. their eventual match slip to 122-7 as Siddique, MuhammadWaseemand winning score to a 95-run who had earlier removed Vriityia Avarind took the fourth wicket partnership Charles, scythed through the score to 50 in the eighth between King and Captain middle order with three when Reifer dismissed the Nicholas Pooran that spared wickets in four balls latter for nine and CP the Caribbean men blushes claiming Reifer for one, Rizwan for one in the space after UAE won the toss and King for 64 and Akeal of four balls as UAE slipped decidedtobowl. Hoseinwithoutscoring. to52-3intheninth.

It seemed the right King’s runs came from TheUAEranintofurther decision as the West Indies 45 balls and included seven troublethreeballslaterwhen were struggling at 22 3 foursandtwosixes. (Continued on page 21)

Defending Champs GCC win 5th

NBS 2nd Division title

Pestano-Bell’s

By Sean Devers

Under a full moon on a night Muslims in Guyana celebrated Youman Nabi, GCC won its fifth GCA’s New Building Society (NBS) 40 over second division title on Sunday when they beat host DCC by 74runs.

It was GCC’s second consecutivetitleunderlights and the win, in DCC’s own backyard, was orchestrated by a Man-of-the-Match 68 from 70 balls with four fours and four sixes from Martin Pestano-Bell and 3-19 by Mavindra Dindyal, 3 25 from Carlos LaRose and 2-9 fromLarellParks.

Martin Pestano-Bell was the Man-of-the-Match on Sunday night for his courageous 68.

Led by Pestano Bell, who retired hurt with a pulledhamstringon49,a55run sixth wicket stand betweenBernardBailey(30) A f t e r T i m o t h y Shamar Yearwood began andZackyJodha(31)and25 McCalmont (14) fell to ‘operation rebuild’ and from opener Deonarine George with the score was Persuad hit four fours and Seegobin,GCC,whoelected 77-4, Skipper Devon Lord two sixes but when was 10 to bat, were dismissed for (15) and Bailey took DCC to away from a fifty, LaRose 219in38overs. 127. struck again to leave the

Leg spinner Steven But Sankar struck twice scoreon73-3. Sankar followed up his 3-for in two balls when he T h e l e f t h a n d e d in the semis with 3-19 while removed Lord and Joshua Yearwood was looking set Dexter George, Sachin Wade (0) to be on a hat-trick on 20 before he bowled by Singh and Nicholas beforeBaileyandJodhatook Dindyalat84-4. Vanlange took two wickets thescoreto181.

Vanlange (13) and each for DCC who replied But when Bailey Jacques (13) carried the with139in29.5overs. departed at 186-6 Pestano- score to 102 and the demise Watched by a large Bellreturnedandreachedhis ofJacquesat102-5triggered gathering which included 50 from 60 balls three fours a dramatic collapse with five National Cricketers, and two sixes before he fell wickets tumbling for 17 runs Politicians, GCA officals, toSingh. toleaveDCCon119-9. NBS executives and several Vanlange then sent back Aided by some casual overseas DCC supports, LaRose (12) and Stephan cricket,DanielMootoo,who GCC got a 49-start before Williams (0) in two balls the made four from 23 balls and Sankar bowled Seegobin for endtheinnings. Kareem Whitney who hit 25withfivefours. When DCC began their two boundaries in 12 from Dindyal(1)triedtopulla reply under-lights, LaRose 18 balls, produced a short ball from Carlton bowled Singh (1) and frustrating 20 runs stand Jacques but the ball ‘got big trapped Jaden Campbell (7) before Larell Parks bowled on him’ and he was beaten LBWtoleavethehometeam Whitneytoendthecontest. for pace and taken at mid-on on20-2.

At the presentation intheeighthoverat50-2. Joshua Persaud and Ceremony, GCA President

Zacky Jodah drives during his 31 for GCC on Sunday night. (Sean Devers photo)

The crowd at DCC on Sunday night was big and noisy. (Sean Devers photo)

NFL roundup: Cowboys win 4th straight, defeat defending Super Bowl champ Rams

Reuters - DeMarcus

Chris Boswell provided the mistakes and did not find the Lawrence returned a fumble Steelers’ only points with a end zone Quarterback for a touchdown as the 29-yard field goal in the first Trevor Lawrence threw a DallasCowboys’defenseled quarter pair of interceptions and the way in a 22-10 victory Chargers 30, Browns 28 Jacksonville missed three against the host LosAngeles Austin Ekeler rushed for fourth down conversion RamsonSunday 173 yards and scored two attempts.

Running backs Tony total touchdowns as visiting Vikings 29, Bears 22 Pollard,whogained86yards Los Angeles held on to beat Kirk Cousins set a on eight carries, and Ezekiel Cleveland. franchise record with 17 Elliott, who added 78 yards Cleveland kicker Cade straight completions to start on 22 attempts, did their York missed a 54-yard field the game and scored the parts. goal with 11 seconds left as winning touchdown — a

That ground attack Los Angeles sealed the goal-linesneakwith2:27left supported quarterback victory despite turning the — to lead Minnesota over Cooper Rush, who was 10 of ball over on downs near ChicagoinMinneapolis. 16for102yardsintheair midfield with just over a Cousinsfinished32of41 LosAngeles quarterback minuteremaining. for 296 yards, one Matthew Stafford was 28 of JustinHerbertcompleted t o u c h d o w n a n d a n 42 for 308 yards with a 22of34passesfor228yards interception Vikings t o u c h d o w n a n d a n and a touchdown, and Mike wideout Justin Jefferson interception.Healsolosttwo Williams caught 10 passes caught a career high 12 fumbles. The Rams went for 134 yards for the passes for 154 yards ahead 10-9 in the second Chargers, who climbed out Cameron Dantzler secured quarter by taking advantage of an early 14-0 deficit. the win for Minnesota by of a rare defensive Browns running back Nick recovering a fumble from breakdown by Dallas Giants 27, Packers 22 Aaron Rodgers’ fourth threw for a career-best 424 Chubb finished with 134 Chicago’s Ihmir Smith Receiver Cooper Kupp Saquon Barkley rushed down pass attempt was yards as Buffalo routed rushing yards and two Marsette with 1:01 left to turned Stafford’s pass into a for a 2-yard touchdown with batted at the line with just Pittsburgh.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) recovers a fumble by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (not pictured) for a touchdown in the first quarter the game at SoFi Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

touchdowns. play 75-yardtouchdownplay 6:08 to play in the fourth overaminuteremaining.

Allencompleted20of31 Texans 13, Jaguars 6 Justin Fields completed Brett Maher made field quarter as visiting NewYork Barkley finished with 70 passes Buffalo had Rookie running back 15of21passesfor208yards goals of 33, 40 and 36 yards rallied to a victory over yards on 13 carries. Daniel immediate control over Dameon Pierce had a 1-yard with a touchdown for for the Cowboys Dallas GreenBayinLondon. Jones, limited all week in Pittsburgh as it held a 28- touchdown run to seal Chicago. scored the game’s first nine The Giants, who trailed practice with a sprained pointleadinthefirsthalfand Houston’s victory over Inotherresults: points off Rams miscues. 20-10 at the half, went in ankle, completed 21 of 27 didn’t punt until the fourth Jacksonville and finish off a Patriots 29, Lions 0 Lawrence had the fumble front 27-20 after Barkley passes for 217 yards quarter Allen’s day included 9 9 y a r d r u s h i n g Saints 39, Seahawks 32 return after Stafford was took a direct snap and went Rodgers completed 25 of 39 a 98-yard touchdown pass to performance. Jets 40, Dolphins 17 sacked The next Los overtotherightend.Barkley passes for 222 yards and two Gabe Davis, which tied a Houston’s other points Buccaneers 21, Falcons 15 Angeles possession ended in set up the score by turning a touchdowns. franchise record for the came on 50- and 51-yard Titans 21, Commanders a blocked punt, with the short swing pass into a 41- Advertisement · Scroll to longestcompletion. field goals from kicker 17 Cowboys converting that yard gain to Packers 19-yard continue Pittsburgh quarterback Ka’imiFairbairn. 49ers 37, Panthers 15 into the first Maher field line.GreenBaythendroveto Bills 38, Steelers 3 Kenny Pickett completed 34 Jacksonville fell victim Eagles 20, Cardinals 17 goal. the Giants 6-yard line, but Quarterback Josh Allen of 52 passes for 327 yards. to a number of self-inflicted (Field Level Media)

Savory

Boodie (92) lead Essequibo to comprehensive win over President’s XI

By Zaheer Mohamed and three sixes in his Nandu and Mavendra an unbeaten 67, while Dhanai unbeaten 108 and added 163 Dindyal took the score to 61 was dismissed for 30 with emol Savory for the second wicket with before Nandu was removed four fours and one six as the s t r u c k a n opener Kevon Boodie after byRicardoAdamsfor25with President’sXIposted237-8.

Kunbeaten century Nathan Persaud was removed three fours. Dindyal soon Antony Adams picked up whileKevonBoodiefelleight by Keyron Fraser for 11 with followed, stumped off the 3-14andRicardoAdams2-39 short of what would have the score on 36 Boodie steady RicardoAdams for 10, from10overseach. been a well deserved ton, as slammed 10 fours and two while Antony Adams had Essequibo made light Essequibo registered a sixes before he was stumped Zachray Jodah (08) caught work of the chase as Savory comprehensive eight -wicket for92offAkieniAdams. and bowled as the President’s and Boodie batted with victory over the President’s Earlier, The President’s XI slipped to 76-4. Antony composure They mixed XIintheopeningroundofthe XI posted 237 following their Adams maintained a decent aggression with defence, Guyana Cricket Board senior insertion Pacer Neiland line and accounted for rotating the strike nicely and

Cadogan removed opener Jonathan Rampersaud (06) wasted little time in tournament yesterday at the TrevonGriffithfor15tohand while Ricardo Peters (08) dispatching the wayward EverestCricketClub. Essequibo the breakthrough followed shortly as wickets balls. When Boodie departed, Savory struck seven fours withthescoreon21.Matthew continued to fall at regular Savory and Kevin Christian intervals. (09*) saw their team home

However, Suresh Dhanai without further hiccups as and ShamarYearwood put on Essequibo responded with 93 for the eight-wicket to 240-3 in 41.3 overs. Akieni steady the innings. Yearwood Adams and Keyron Fraser timed the ball well and hit were the wicket takers for the seven fours and three sixes in President’sXI.

Kemol Savory celebrates following his century (Zaheer Mohamed photo)

- Bramble’s ton help decimates Demerara by 195 runs

Inter county cricket is back and so are the fans

By Sean Devers which was reduced to 45 over due 105-minute delay

Wi t h p u g n a c i o u s dueearlymorningshowers. Shimron Hetmyer in the Renaldo Ali Mohamed Berbice side, the GCB Inter took 3 66 while Steven

C o u n t y 5 0 o v e r s Sankar had 2 52 for tournament retuned after an Demerara who were absence of eight years and dismissed for 174 in 29.3 yesterday the atmosphere at overs despite a classy 51 the historic Bourda brought from 47 balls with seven backmemoriesofdaysgone. fours and a six from Leon

When dust had settled, it Johnson and 39 with four was defending Champions fours and a six from Berbice who decimated Tagenarine Chanderpaul Demerara in their own A k s h a y a P e r s a u d backyard by a whopping 195 contributed 37 with three runsonthebackofaMan-of- fours but it was far from the Match performance from enough.

Anthony Bramble, 106 from Skipper Veerasammy 86 balls, decorated with 14 Permaul (3 30), Kevin foursandtwosixes. Sinclair (3 42) and

Jonathon Foo, staked an Gudakesh Motie (2 32) early claim to Regional showed the disparity in the Super50 selection with standard of Berbice cricket brutal 71 from 45 balls with totheotherCounties. five fours and four sixes, Berbice won the toss and while Hetmyer, sporting his batted on a good track and gold coloured hair, did not slowishoutfieldandjustified disappoint those in the ram- their decision with Bramble packed GCC pavilion and andRamnauthpostingthe50 theBerbicefansintheRohan insixovers.

Kanhai stand with a But with the stand on 91 commanding 58 from 46 in 14 overs, Ramnauth was balls with two fours and LBW to Chris Barnwell for threesixes. the highly rated Hetmyer to

National U 19 batter join Bramble who soon Rampertab Ramnauth reached his 50 from 43 balls contributed 36, which withfivefoursandtwosixes. included four fours, as Hetmyer delighted the Berbice scored at will to largegatheringwhohad reached 363-6 in the game (Continued on page 21)

Thunderbolt Flour Power

League – Essequibo/Pomeroon FA

Dartmouth pummel Good Hope; Henrietta beat Tapakuma

A helmet trick from over Queenstown United, Dartmouth Determinators’ two weeks ago. In a match Martin Garraway laid the which saw the winners foundation for his team’s controlling play from start to massive 9-1 thumping of finish, Garraway scored in

The Henrietta players on target in their win over Tapakuma.

The other goals were margin over Tapakuma FC.

Good Hope on Sunday the 12th, 16th, 26th and 60th scored by Anias Glasgow in Bothgoalswerescoredintheafternoon last when play in minute. the 41st minute and Orin first half of play and camethe Essequibo Pomeroon

He received able support Gittens eight minutes later compliments of AdrianFootballAssociation(EPFA) from Deangelo Davidson Good Hope’s consolation Marksinthe17thminuteandleg of the GFF/NAMILCO who tucked in a double, goal was converted by Zavier Layne in the 21st,Thunderbolt Flour Power, concerting in the 56th and Travin Evans in the 58th minute.Under-17 Intra Association 62nd minute However, minute, a shot that was fired Tapakuma played muchLeague continued at the opening the flood gates from from just outside the 18 better in the second half andAnna Regina Community as early as the 7th minute yardsbox. denied Henrietta any furtherCentreGround. was, Sachell Marks whose Sunday’s other match goals, both goalkeepers also

It was the second win in hunger for goals continues. saw Henrietta United also had a good game. Play willas many matches for the lads Markshadblastedahat-trick notchinguptheirsecondwin continue this weekend at thefrom Dartmouth following in their opening win against in as many matches via a 2-0 samevenue.on the heels of their 4-1 win Queenstown.

Dartmouth Determinators goal scorers against Good Hope.

Anthony Bramble was LBW to Ashmead Nedd after making 106. (Sean Devers photo)

Jonathon Foo hammered 71 yesterday. (Sean Devers Photo)

Defending Champs GCC win 5th NBS 2nd Division title

Hilton ‘Champ’ Lewis with members of Maxido following the presentation of his award. Max Massiah sits to the right of the centurion.

Maxido bestows

Black Belt to centurion Hilton Lewis