Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR Man caught on NEWS camera stealing sleeping guard's gun captured

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Friday Edition October 15, 2021 - Vol. 23 No. 42

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 77,170

Govt. launches probe into ExxonMobil's US$18

million signing bonus - says charges to follow soon against ex-Finance Minister

$1.2B spent to improve ICT sector - Mid-year Report

CHANGE THE CONTRACT NOW!!!

Cops who raped woman in station get 25 years each Stabroek Block partner funds18 UG scholarships; half going to Amerindian Students

Businesswoman found dead in her shop, husband arrested Instead of Guyana getting back 75% of our oil blocks in 7 years, our leaders have settled for 20% using a loophole in the law to benefit ExxonMobil and others. @11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

Stabroek Block partner funds 18 UG scholarships; half going to Amerindian Students

E

Representatives of CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited handing over the cheque to UG's Vice-Chancello XI, Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin

xxonMobil's partner in the Stabroek Block, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) disclosed yesterday that it will be funding 18 scholarships for Professional Executive Energy Training at the University of Guyana's Institute for Energy Diplomacy (UGIED).

This initiative is said to be part of the UGIED's aim to deliver energy up-skilling in line with local content requirements, and CPGL's long-term commitment to help develop the technical capacity of Guyana and its people.

The 18 scholarships, to be coordinated by the Institute of Energy Diplomacy, will enable individuals from remote areas of Guyana to undertake up-skilling in Energy Economics, Finance, Management, and Law. According to a statement to the press, 9 of the 18 scholarships are being awarded to applicants from the Amerindian tribes and

areas outside of the Georgetown area.

Kaieteur News understands that this is in keeping with a fundamental a i m o f C N O O C International's Corporate Social Responsibility policy to support the education, training, and development of Indigenous communities locally and internationally.

The grant was presented by the President of CNOOC Mr. Liu Xiaoxiang at the company's Georgetown office and received by the Founding Director of UGIED, Mr. Alex Armogan; UG's Vice-Chancellor XI. Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin; and Director of UG's Berbice Campus, Prof.

S u b r a m a n i a n Gomalthinayagam.

At the handing over ceremony, President Liu remarked, “This signal of support is the beginning of a long-term partnership and a relationship between CPGL and the University of Guyana.

We v i e w t h e s e scholarships in alignment with our philosophy of

teaching our Guyanese counterparts how to fish. We envision that this programme will continue to grow.”

UG's Vice-Chancellor XI, Mohamed Martin, in expressing appreciation to CNOOC underscored “the great significance the University attaches to international and partner support in helping the national University meet its enormous mandate of rapidly supporting the creation of the talent needed to fulfill local content mandates”.

This kind of support she said not only supports the national thrust, but allows more of the people to get involved more quickly, so that they can begin to benefit from the industry.

Alex Armogan, the Founding Director of UGIED, underscored the importance of establishing a long-term, sustainable relationship between CPGL and UGIED to educate and prepare local students for jobs in the nation's oil and (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

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Govt. launches probe into ExxonMobil's US$18 million signing bonus - says charges to follow soon against ex-Finance Minister Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, disclosed yesterday that an investigation will be launched into the controversial US$18M signing bonus that the previous Coalition administration received from ExxonMobil back in 2016 and placed into a special account at the Bank of Guyana.

In a video posted on one of the social media pages of the People's Progressive Party/ Civic Government, Nandlall noted that the role of the former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, would be examined, since he had denied that the Coalition ever received the money. It was only after same was exposed in the media that the former Minister eventually admitted to its receipt and existence.

Nandlall disclosed that the files regarding the case will be handed over to the Guyana Police Force with charges against Jordan likely to follow soon.

Following this announcement by the Legal

Affairs Minister, Jordan issued a statement to the effect that any insinuation that he was involved in any nefarious transaction concerning the signing bonus is utterly untrue.

The former Finance Minister said, “These allegations are false, baseless and repugnant. As on a previous occasion, circa November 2020, I say without fear that they are designed to impugn my character, tarnish my image and lower my esteem in the eyes of my family, friends, admirers, well-wishers and the general public. Moreover, they are intended to intimidate me, in light of my scathing criticism of the government's approach to development of my beloved country. I cannot and will not be intimidated.”

Jordan categorically stated that during his time as F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r, h e performed his duties in compliance with the oath of his office and to the best of his abilities. “This I have done in my over 35 years of public service, in various

Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan capacities. I have consulted with my lawyers on this latest attempt to malign me in public, and we have agreed on a certain course of action.

Aluta continua!” concluded the economist in his statement to the media.

In December 2020, Kaieteur News reported that every cent of the US$18M signing bonus Guyana received when it penned the 2016 agreement with petro giant, ExxonMobil, was

Hijacker who stole car jailed for 54 months John Blair, 32, of Lot 48 Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was yesterday charged for stealing a car and other items from a 29-year-old male technician and his girlfriend at Industry, ECD, around 21:45hrs on Sunday.

The accused appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court #2 before Magistrate A. George, where the charges were read to him.

Blair was charged with Robbery Under Arms Contrary to Section 222 (c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01 and Possession of Firearm and Ammunition without Licence, contrary to Section 16 (2) (a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05 He pled guilty to both charges and was sentenced to 4 years, 6 months' imprisonment and fined $100,000.

The accused was arrested on October 10, by police for Robbery Under Arms, committed on Joel Prince, 29, of South Better Hope, ECD and Otisceia Innis, 21, of Cummings Lodge, ECD, which occurred at Industry, ECD.

Charged, John Blair.

spent by the A Partnership For National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) regime.

The Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma, made this disclosure in his 2019 report. In that document, he stated that the US$18M Guyana received was deposited into the Finance Ministry's ExxonMobil Account №. 845L5086, at the Bank of Guyana.

The Bank, he explained, maintained a “Cash and Investment Accounts,” to independently account for earnings accumulated from investments. The report outlined that during November 9-17, 2016, the sum of US$15.831 million was transferred to that very account and later expended to purchase overseas bonds.

The balance of US$2.176 million or G$449 million remained in the country's Investment Account.

Later on, the report said, Guyana earned interest of US$498,775 from its investments between November 9, 2016 to December 31, 2018, while

the interest from the Investment Account totaled US$2,889.

On December 28, 2018, the Finance Ministry was said to have instructed the Bank to transfer US$3.780 million from the Investment Account to Guyana's Consolidated Fund. This was done on December 31, 2018, leaving a balance of US$112,480 in the account.

The Auditor General noted too that in January 2019, the value of the investments appreciated to US$14.545 million, while the interest earned on the Investment Account rose to US$42,378. He pointed out that the Ministry then instructed the Bank in January of 2019 to close the ExxonMobil Account №.

845L5086 and transfer all balances to the Consolidated Fund.

“In keeping with the directive of the Ministry, an amount of G$3.065 billion or US$14.699 million was transferred to the Fund on January 24, 2019,” the AG highlighted, noting that a final transfer of G$104,867

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall or US$502.96 was made on February 14, 2019 “resulting in nil balances in the account.”

The Bank then closed the accounts in February 2019.

That transfer occurred before the High Court had ruled that the December 21, 2018 No-Confidence Motion was validly passed.

It was only after intense pressure from the media, that the Coalition Government headed by former President Granger revealed that it had, indeed, received the signing bonus from ExxonMobil at the time of inking the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

Before that there was silence.

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 15, 2021

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Private sector corruption Guyanese could talk forever about corruption in this country, and with justification, since there is so much of it that weighs on us, with countless costly failures. It could be sectoral failure, or people failure, but corruption is the climate of the regular Guyanese day. When Guyanese rail against corruption it is, almost without fail, about government corruption, old ones or this one. There is enough ammunition for that also, since we are up to our foreheads in corruption at the State level. There is another area of corruption that is unnoticed, operates under the radar, with not much said about it. This would be about the corruption in the private sector that finds firmer footing today.

At the departmental level in the private sector, corruption is reported by the small, independent contractors who hustle a living in such areas as plumbing, air conditioning, and other general repairs and maintainance activities. The men making the decision of which contractor is to be given the job/contract on a long-term basis have gained a certain kind of reputation that puts them almost on par with what goes on in government. They give the lucrative jobs to their friends, or to those who would give them the biggest cut. Sometimes, the responsible managers even award jobs and contracts to those who lack the competence, who do hit and miss work that cost much more, but also provide opportunity to milk the company’s treasury more often. The better qualified ones losing out cannot complain, since they are almost guaranteed never to see the inside of that company’s offices again, should they not go along with the games played, in the hope that some scraps will be thrown their way.

The more this happens, the more the expense side of doing business adds up, and when spread over fleets of vehicles and building complexes, the pickings can be pretty to receiver(s), but costly for payer(s). Those costs are then passed on to the public in higher prices, perhaps less quality service.

Internally, there is less for the benefit of workers. In sum, people pay the price for the corruptions that occur in the private sector.

People pay when they are wrongly denied credit, when they are subject to red tape in different private sector institutions that bend those same rules to favour more wellheeled and well-connected customers. As in government where cronies who are less than legitimate are favoured, it is the same way that some clients in the private sector, who should be on ‘watch’ lists because of the high risks they pose, are facilitated with the freedom to run rings around whatever rules and procedures are in place. Financial institutions aid them and financial experts join in the mutually rewarding fun.

We suggest thinking of taxes and money laundering, for a start. Somehow, the smaller people always have to line up and ensure that whatever business they wish to do pass every tough scrutiny.

But the worse type of private sector corruption occurs with those men and businesses that team up with government to rob the treasury. That is, when influential men in the private sector have nothing to say because they claim to see nothing or know of anything that is wrong regarding how government conducts the business of the people. In the same manner the small private contractor, normally a one-man show, has to keep his or her mouth shut, so as to get a piece of the action from private businesses. The big private sector outfits know what is wrong, but must keep out of such, if they are to benefit from rich State contracts. There is nothing new about this, but what is different in Guyana is that the powerful private sector men and women have conspicuous presence in religious and other prominent places in society.

When their presence drain civil society of the required energy and interest to speak to what is right, what is safe, and what could be prospering for all Guyanese, the worst of corruption live and flourish. This way, the Government and the private sector become a reciprocally reinforcing exclusive club to the detriment of the great majority.

Has our COVID strategy been successful?

Dear Editor, We are living in exciting times. From March 2020 the western world has been going through a transformation which the world economic forum called the great reset and many political leaders call build back better but I call it the great rewind using technocracy. They seem to want to produce a modern feudalism that is managed by using technology. The loss of freedom, economic livelihood and no real exit strategy demonstrate that it’s n o t C O V I D - 1 9 t h a t ’s causing global havoc but the decisions of government and other bureaucrat that cause human misery during this “COVID collapse”.

Benjamin Franklin said: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” This is an axiom that the coronavirus fiasco has illustrated; we have been wearing mask, social distancing, sanitising, locking down and now vaccination for about 19

months yet the PCR test validated cases and death with COVID keep increasing. Countries such as Israel with 80 percent of people 12 and older vaccinated are now on their fourth vaccine (two boosters yet the cases keep increasing). Of 514 patients in Israel hospitalised with COVID-19 as of August 15, 2021, 59 percent were fully vaccinated, according to an August 16, 2021 article from Science that cited national data tracked by Israel’s largest health management organisation. Vaccination is not the solution for any virus because they evolve and vaccination might stimulate them to evolve faster using Darwinian survival of the fittest. Like the flu shot you have to vaccinate at infinitum.

That is not wise. Build up n a t u r a l i m m u n i t y.

Proponents of the vaccine for COVID say it decreases hospitalisation and death but natural immunity definitely does that without the side effects of adverse reaction to the vaccine. The natural

immune protection that develops after a SARS-CoV2 infection offers considerably more of a shield against the Delta variant of the pandemic coronavirus than two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, according to a large Israeli study. From the minute you have to take booster for the foreseeable future then the vaccine is ineffective; building up natural immunity is a better strategy. Muller’s ratchet predicts that over time viruses will become less lethal.

T h e p o w e r f u l pharmaceutical like, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson and most government would disagree because they are benefitting. Governments are getting loans and other foreign money for COVID response which they benefit from while all the producers of the vaccines are getting filthy rich. Drug manufacturer Pfizer is expected to gain US$45.7 billion in sales this year. The surge in shares of BioNTech

has created $4 billion in added wealth for its CEO and f o u n d e r, U g u r S a h i n .

German twins Thomas and Andreas Strungmann, investors in BioNTech both have added $8billion to each of their net worth in 2020.

Moderna CEO, Stephane Bancel, has gained $4.8 billion in wealth last year, giving him a net worth of $5.3 billion. Who benefits (Cui bono?)? If Albert Einstein is right who said “insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results”, the world has gone mad. If we continue down this path we will forever be living under COVID restriction. Just the way we are still living under 9/11 restrictions for travel and financial privacy. I propose the Switzerland solution.

There was no lockdown or mandate and we protect the vulnerable. Up to October 13, 2021 Switzerland ranked 44th in terms of death per capita. Has our COVID strategy been successful? All power to the people!!!!!

Yours truly, Brian E Plummer

GuySuCo needs competent leadership Dear Editor, With great interest I have been immersed in the many debates concerning the short-term and long term strategic plans of the Guyana Sugar Corporation. Recently, I read a letter penned by one Rajendra Bissessar wherein he asked some pertinent questions and shared his observations with regards to the general direction of the Corporation. I then waited with some degree of anticipation that the leadership of GuySuCo will provide a sensible response.

The gentleman queried whether there is any strategy to take the industry forward; why the TSA or ton canes per acre fell from 3.4 to below 2.4; and what is being done to improve the efficiency of the field and factories. He further opined of the need for ‘vision and creativity’ and not ‘routinism’ and the need for a CEO with knowledge and experience in sugar. He emphasised that all the good news about GuySuCo is centred around increased prices and packaging as if these are all that is needed to turnaround the entity.

The response came a day later, supposedly emanating from three senior Estate Managers with a combined 87 years of experience as ‘sugar professionals’. Their combined response to

Bissessar’s letter can only be seen as groveling, hollow and failing to convincingly addressed the issue the writer raised but instead went on a tangential pursuit in an effort to mask the incompetence of the CEO and glorify him.

Whilst GuySuCo indeed has a five-year plan, there is a lack of competent leadership to take the industry forward.

The Government, if it is serious about sugar should find a knowledgeable CEO as of yesterday.

The reason why I very much doubt that the response to Bissessar was written by the three EMs is the statement, among others, that, ‘The longer it takes to assemble the resources to renew these tillage tractors, the greater the inability to redevelop the fields to make a tangible impact on the Tons of Cane/Tons of Sugar(TC/TS)’. By no stretch of one’s imagination can these ‘sugar professionals’ draw such a ridiculous conclusion. How does land preparation impact the TC/TS? This nonsensical statement can only be made by a man who has no knowledge of sugar. I will also like to add that the procurement of a special type of tillage tractors has been the obsession of this CEO for obvious reasons hence the emphasis on tillage

machinery. The mention of flood and the related issues have no bearing on the content of Bissessar’s letter and I will only conclude that it is a red herring device which attempted to camouflage the incompetence of the CEO and market him.

The CEO has grossly mismanaged the sugar industry and he must answer to the stakeholders the following questions: · Why were many experienced and qualified staff sent home whilst their positions are filled with ‘square pegs’? · Why did many experienced and qualified staff resigned, especially in procurement and finance?

Their positions now filled with misfits. · Why are ‘new recruits’ being remunerated preferentially? Especially highly paid ‘consultants’.

And where are the Reports? · Is there a competently qualified team of Agriculture

and Factory Specialists capable of taking the Industry forward? Or just ‘sing-a-longs’? · Why is it that the CEO is obsessed with buying exorbitantly expensive tractors which are unsuitable to do proper tillage? A test was done at Albion with 2 of these tractors and it was discovered that these tractors cannot pull a plough and a harrow and ‘drinks fuel’.

They were found to be unsuitable and not cost effective. One broke down during the test due to ‘fatigue’. · W h y i s t h e incompetence and underachievement at Uitvlugt being kept hidden?

The Government must immediately relocate this CEO or else sugar will never rise again. A competent person is needed to turn around the most complicated industry in Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Abdool Majeed

Pensioners are collateral damage Dear Editor, A government agency is not encashing vouchers from another government agency over alleged sums owed.

And pensioners are collateral damage.

This situation should not have been allowed to fester

and escalate, and has to be seen as an indictment on the managing boards of both entities.

Get the situation resolved so pensioners don’t have to pay the ultimate price.

Shamshun Mohamed

Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

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GUYANA AND AFGHANISTAN: LESSONS LEARNT Dear Editor, Much has been written publicly and broadcast internationally about the decades of foreign military interventions and debacles in Afghanistan ending with the Saigon-style departure by US forces from Kabul following the swift assumption to power by the Taliban.

Because Guyanese are prone to be more preoccupied, and quite justifiable so, with jobs, ‘bread and butter’ issues and trying to ‘make ends meet’, they are likely to pay scant attention to developments in Afghanistan.

A tour d’horizon as regards the struggle for political democracy in some countries in Africa and Central Asia and Afghanistan, among others, would show some striking similarities with Guyana’s.

Thankfully, the Caricom region, to which Guyana belongs, unlike the regions where those countries are located, is not a hot bed of tension. On the contrary, the Caribbean is internationally recognised as a Zone of Peace.

Internally, the governments in some, if not most of those countries are guilty of gross violations of human rights.

And much of the peoples’ suffering there is because of foreign interference and in some cases, corrupt and undemocratic regimes.

Guyana had its share of outside interventions in 1953 and the 1962-63 periods to thwart democratic rule followed by rigged elections to prop up a corrupt and authoritarian regime.

Take Afghanistan, for decades, it has been a pawn to big powers’ self-interests, however, now that the country appears to be on a path to self-determination, speculation is rife about the economic direction the Taliban would pursue.

Irrespective of the religious orthodoxies of the Ta l i b a n , i t w i l l b e challenging for Afghanistan to avoid embracing a fullfledged market economy and by extension, global capitalism with all the internal political problems of transition from a semifeudal, semi-capitalist economy with traditional social structures.

The Taliban’s declared intention to uphold Sharia laws will inevitably clash with what obtains in ‘western democracies’, their cultures and values invoking as it were, shades of Huntington’s ‘Clash of Civilizations’.

The Taliban’s firm grip on power can be understood through the prism of the following analysis by Karl Marx: ‘The class which is the ruling material force of society is at the same time, its ruling intellectual force.’

The extant situation in Afghanistan couldn’t have been captured more succinctly.

As the ‘ruling intellectual and material force’ in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s declared interest is to ensure Afghanistan’s populace is guided by its persistent religious ideology and philosophical orientation toward the past.

But the sum total of the Taliban’s world view is likely to be modernised in light of the changed

international situation since the last time Taliban was in government.

E v e n t h e Ta l i b a n ’s traditionalist view in respect to the role and place of women and girls in Afghan society is likely to undergo changes. The international donor community has already put the Taliban on notice in this particular matter.

Afghanistan’s national territory comprises of 652,860 sq. kilometers.

Almost six times the size of Guyana. The country has a population of 38.4 million while Guyana has fewer than a million people.

Ethnicity, caste, tribal and class distinctions play a big role in Afghanistan’s body politics.

Save for ethnic, caste and tribal factors, ethnicity and class are two factors that continue to influence social, political and economic life in Guyana. And just as ideological, cultural and religious persuasions play important roles in the evolution Afghanistan’s development so do they in Guyana.

Though the similarities between Guyana and Afghanistan are not highly pronounced, nevertheless, they are buttressed by other common factors.

Afghanistan like Guyana is rich in natural resources including huge deposits of lithium and cobalt, key components for the production of electric vehicle batteries; however, the country is highly dependent on foreign aid.

According to the World B a n k , ‘ A f g h a n i s t a n ’s economy is shaped by fragility and aid dependence.

The private sector is extremely narrow with employment concentrated in low productivity agriculture.

Private sector development and diversification is constrained by insecurity, political instability, weak institutions, inadequate infrastructure, widespread corruption and a difficult business environment.’

By 2019, Afghanistan received $4.2 billion in foreign aid accounting for 76 percent of GDP. Where Guyana was in the 1980-1990 period, as one of the poorest countries in the Southern Hemisphere, is where Afghanistan is presently in 2021.

Afghanistan remains among the poorest countries in the world notwithstanding the billions poured into the country for a prolonged period of time and for a variety of reasons.

Gripped by an economic and financial crisis, the situation is compounded further by the freezing of US$1.2 billion including €100 million in promised aid by the donor community and international financial institutions. Worse yet, the I M F s u s p e n d e d Afghanistan’s access to the bank’s resources.

Also, 80 percent of Afghanistan’s previous $5.5 billion budget was financed by external assistance. The Taliban has already declared it will reject aid with strings attached.

While Guyana never experienced a similar situation, it is to be recalled that in the run-up to the 1990 election, eight US Congressmen and six senators wrote separate letters to the State

Department requesting that US aid be tied to free and fair elections. This was followed by resolutions and statements in the US Congress seeking to block aid to Guyana for the fiscal years 1990-1991 and for 1992-1993, if the 1992 election was not free and fair.

Like Guyana, in the 1974-1976 periods, Afghanistan had a brief episode in the search for a political solution between 2014 and 2017. The aim was to bridge the ethnic-political divide. The attempt failed because of ethnic domination of one group over another and allegations of corruption.

Following the 2014 election in Afghanistan, two major political formations representing the Pashtun and non-Pashtun ethnic groups claimed victory.

Efforts by the Obama administration to find a political solution to establish a multi-ethnic inclusive government instead of parallel governments collapsed, since the constitution did not provide for a power sharing arrangement.

The results of the election proved that Afghans are divided by ethnic, caste and tribal factors.

This was compounded by the fact that Afghans chose to vote for individual candidates rather than an electoral system based on P r o p o r t i o n a l Representation, which they claim, would have given rise to strong central government comprising mainly of the Pashtun tribe, to the exclusion of the majority non-Pashtuns.

The end result was a

weak government with disagreements and bickering over the powers the C E O / P r i m e M i n i s t e r, ministerial appointments, the principles of governance as well as policy formulation and implementation.

In Guyana, attempts in 1961 to bring together the PNC with the PPP failed.

Later, efforts in February 1964 to find a political solution by establishing a PPP/PNC unity government collapsed. And in 1968, a PNC/UF coalition government crumbled because of disagreements over leadership issues, ministerial appointments and corruption.

Attempts at unity government in Afghanistan failed due to claims of ethnic domination and centralisation of power and rejection of calls for multiethnic inclusivity and decentralisation of power to check the untrammeled power of the president.

Pledges to initiate constitutional and electoral reform to facilitate a more inclusive government were never fulfilled.

With Taliban now in government, they have announced their intention to embark on constitutional and electoral reform, which they claim will facilitate an inclusive government.

Over the years, Guyanese have been engaging in discussion concerning constitutional and electoral reform.

Some feel that we must move away from the PR electoral system and revert to First Past the Post. The debate continues.

Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee

Kaieteur News

PAGE 6

GFS cannot ignore a glaring wrong Dear Editor, While the off duty firewoman must be commended for her commitment to public duty.

However this does not mean the GFS should turn a blind eye or ignore the breach of protocol allegedly committed by going-the-

extra-mile, exuberant firewoman. To do so would mean condoning and making light of a glaring wrong.

Her actions can be described, though well intended, as reckless and aggravated a tenuous situation of a public entity, already beset by recent

events, under further scrutiny. It must be queried: was it right for the entity to have her work, recognising her work status as being unprepared? Further, what if she was injured?

The hue and cry would have been different.

Shamshun Mohamed

GWI RESPONDS TO E.B JOHN Dear Editor, Guyana Water Incorporated has taken note of the October 13 letter to the editor of Kaieteur News, titled “GWI’s management team, parallel directorates elsewhere”, written by E.B John. The company wishes to state that the composition o f G W I ’s C o r p o r a t e Management Team (CMT) reflects a hiring process that occurred over a period of time. This means that the CMT was not formed at one given time.

It should be restated that there is no exclusionary rule or policy for sex, race, religion, or political affiliation during the hiring process for CMT members, or any other position within the company. Instead, candidates are specifically shortlisted and employed based on qualifications, experience and overall merit.

Additionally, of the 11 CMT Members, only three were recently appointed (i.e. in

2021), all of which were dominated by male applicants.

Prior to the current makeup of the CMT, there existed female members who served the company on both a permanent and temporary basis. This included the Director of Human Resources Management & Development for the period 2006-2018, and the acting Director of Commercial Services and Customer Relations during the period of 2014-2016. Women also acted in the areas of Information and Communication Technology and Procurement.

Further, GWI has within its employ, a diversity of senior and junior female managers in key areas such a s Wa t e r R e s o u r c e s Management, Climate Adaption and Resilience, Sanitation, Well Drilling, We l l M a i n t e n a n c e , Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture,

Revenue Management, Corporate Law, Finance, Procurement, Hydrology, Public Relations, Human R e s o u r c e s , Tr a i n i n g , Customer Relations, Billings, Customer Collections and Information and Communication Te c h n o l o g y. T h e s e managers, along with many others, are making significant contributions towards the achievement of the company’s goals.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the structure of the c o m p a n y ’s B o a r d o f Directors, which is public knowledge, the female gender accounts for one third of the total members.

It is with this in mind that the company wishes to assure the public that it is an equal opportunity employer and practices no exclusionary rule or policy during its hiring process.

Sincerely, Guyana Water Incorporated

Friday October 15, 2021

In disbelief at striking sugar workers; I am ashamed Dear Editor, The rabble-rousers of the PNC-led APNU+AFC coalition are again using the sugar workers to stymie development in the sector and the nation.

The ingratitude of the Albion Estate cane harvesters are on display. Today, when they have a government that is open to advocacy, listening to representative bodies, they are once again being misled like sheep and following so-called union leaders with a coalition agenda to “… undermine this government…in whatever way you can.”

There was a plethora of strike actions prior to elections of 2015 as the workers were misled by false promises into supporting a cabal that has always been anti-sugar industry.

They were betrayed when the APNU+AFC got into government and began dismantling the industry, firing over 7000 of them in the process. The union and its reps were passive during this assault.

The human quotient and consciences of the striking workers are synonymous with that of the coalition cabal as they are displaying the same mindset and actions of their nemesis, which brought them to their knees. They have no empathy or sympathy for their colleagues who were left on the breadline, with starving children, losing homes and appliances because they could not service debts, while they went to bed with full bellies, comfortably ensconced in their secure homes.

Now they are blackmailing this government, just when the industry is being transformed; a strike last month, one again this month. These misguided few seem intent on joining the coalition cabal to sabotage the progressive and transformative socioeconomic paradigm now giving every Guyanese citizen hope for a future of peace, progress and prosperity.

Respectfully, Alvin Hamilton

Guyana is a green country - we have to show we are serious about fighting climate change Dear Editor, I fully support the call by the APNU+AFC and local environmentalists for Guyana to up its commitments on climate change ahead of the Glasgow Climate Conference.

Further, in support of what APNU+AFC and the activists are calling for, I wish to propose that the Government of Guyana implement the following: 1. Demand an annual payment from the international community of US$10 billion from which every Guyanese receives US$1 million each per year.

2. Impose a cease order on any further oil and gas exploration and give the oil and gas companies 6 months to wrap up and leave Guyana.

3. Stop all current mining and logging activities in Guyana.

4. Stop importing fossil fuel in 6 months and use only renewable energy.

5. Mandate all citizens to stop using fossil fuels and convert in 6 months to using only renewable energy.

6. Mandate Amerindians to go back to their traditional lifestyle and to ban the use of fossil based motorised transportation and fossil generators in their villages and to only use renewable sources.

Guyana is a green country and we have to show we are serious about fighting climate change.

Truly Yours, Erin Northe

T N U L B . . .

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday October 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

The cost for the Airport Expansion project keeps inching up. While that happens Minister Edghill and former Minister Patterson hurl grenades at each other, about whose government is responsible for this 'crab-dawg' of a project.

Now Minister Edghill sneaked in that his government is to spend GY$600M more on the project.

Minister Edghill thinks he is smooth: he makes a statement about millions and then disappears for a week or two.

Then, he usually returns with another, and another, couple hundred million for this project.

What is getting done? Who is really getting this money?

Minister Edghill may think he is smooth. We think all of this slimy is leading this country to slip and slide, like it usually does.

PAGE 07

Friday October 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

$1.2B spent to improve ICT sector - Mid-year Report The Ministry of Finance's Mid-Year Report revealed that $1.2B of the $2.3B allocated was expended during the first half of the year, to provide continuous connectivity services to government entities, support for the development and maintenance of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, and for the endorsement of ICT literacy.

The ICT sector continues to play a pivotal role in social and economic development,

as Guyana becomes more permeated with technology intensive industries.

However, to facilitate the strategic development of the ICT sector, a National ICT Strategic Plan is currently being developed, which will provide a multi-sectoral blueprint that Guyana will utilize to ensure the successful development and deployment of ICT for the betterment of all citizens.

Kaieteur News understands that the ICT sector will be based on two fundamental pillars; the growth of ICT as an

independent dynamic sector, and the application of ICT as a cross-cutting component in all other sectors to achieve rapid and sustained development.

Nevertheless, in efforts to advance liberalisation of the ICT sector, an order was issued exempting small internet service providers from the licensing regime, thus making it easier for such operators to establish businesses.

Additionally, proposed amendments to the frequency authorisations of t h e t h r e e m a i n

telecommunications operators were gazetted, which would grant additional spectrum to the operators to allow for the provision of modern (4G and 5G) services.

According to the report, for the first half of 2021 approximately $67M was expended for the rehabilitation of the Linden Call Centre, which is expected to be completed in September, and operationalised before the end of the year.

The Report added that it involves a Public-Private Partnership with the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, which will see the employment of over 200 persons, and will form part of Government's broader strategy of promoting the growth of the BPO sector as a major source of job creation.

Digital connectivity is no longer an option, but a

requirement for the efficient production of public goods and services.

Initiatives to increase internet connectivity continues with 149 additional connections made for government agencies and eight schools transferred from wireless to fiber connections, through the egovernment National Broadband project.

Information emerging, however, indicates that 204 government agencies, including 371 schools, 45 health facilities and 5 prisons are being provided with internet access. Moreover, eight more schools were equipped with smart classrooms, bringing the total to nine classrooms.

The Report further stated that the main smart classroom is located at Queen's College, while satellite classrooms are now located at Leonora Secondary, New Amsterdam Multilateral School,

Christianburg Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, Brickdam Secondary, LinePath Secondary, President's College and Saint Stanislaus College.

The Charity and Bush Lot Secondary schools will be completed by the end of the third quarter this year.

In addition to that, under the 5-year ICT Access and eServices for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities project, a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) site was established, bringing it to a total of 91 VSAT sites, 90 of which provide internet access to over 50,000 persons in 99 hinterland communities.

ICT hotspots were also established in two public areas in Regions Five and Six. An assessment of the infrastructural needs of the additional proposed locations/communities for the installation of further (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

PAGE 09

The PPP/C is giving too much attention to the Opposition

T

he PPP/C is once again up to its old tricks – slinging innuendos and accusations against anyone who dares to criticise it and by concocting conspiracy theories about possible opposition involvement in fires.

The main Opposition Coalition the APNU+AFC is utterly discredited. Its actions in attempting to benefit from rigged elections of March 2020 have left it exposed in front of the international community and the Guyanese people.

Foreign Heads of State are not interested in having anything to do with the Opposition. The people of Guyana know what happened last year.

During the five-month elections' impasse between March and August last year, there were persons who said and did nothing. That alone was enough to discredit these persons and make them totally irrelevant to Guyana's politics and development.

But many who did not speak out against electoral rigging have suddenly found their voices and are becoming critical of the government. A shrewd government should have ignored these persons because to respond to them would be to lend credibility to them.

But the PPP/C is responding, and it is doing so in the most irresponsible and scandalous of manner. The PPP/C is back to its old tricks and the only reason it is doing so is because it does not wish to take the time to effectively counter the just criticisms which are being

Dem

boys seh...

Dem police station is suppose to be safe. When yuh in de station yuh suppose to feel secure.

But base pun wah dem boys reading in de papers, yuh gat fuh be careful now when yuh go fuh mek report at station.

Mek sure yuh ease yuh bowels and yuh bladder before yuh go because if a #1 or #2 hold on pun yuh, yuh gan gat to ask fuh use dem washroom in dem station.

And dem seh dat some ah

levelled against its government.

Instead of ignoring the criticisms, rejecting them or responding to them with sound arguments, the PPP/C is going after its critics. This is so typical of the PPP/C. It appears addicted to the habit of attacking the messenger rather than assailing the message.

The irony is that the PPP/C itself is on record as complaining about the quality of the Opposition it is facing. One of its leaders has publicly said that sometime he wants to call the Opposition and tell them what you are saying makes no sense and this is what you should be saying.

By attempting to be critical of the Opposition, the PPP/C is lending respectability and credibility, as well as giving greater publicity to those who should be ignored.

There is no reason why the government should be taking the Opposition seriously.

The Opposition is a discredited political force.

There is no reason for the PPP/C to be weaving conspiracy theories concerning the alleged arson of the Brickdam Police Station. Regardless of what some loose cannon may have said overseas, the fact is that there is no evidence to link that fire to any political motive.

Opposition elements attempted to incite fires and violence after two youths were killed in West Coast Berbice last September.

There was unrest and some violence, but it fizzled out and the Opposition by now

has to know that there is nothing to be gained from such actions.

But the government is desperate to link the Opposition to attempts to undermine it. And it is using a statement of a man who does not have any massbased support to establish such a link.

The Opposition in Guyana has no chance of winning any election in 2025. It shot those chances in the behind in 2020. The people of Guyana, including the young people, were shocked by the attempt to benefit from rigging.

There is no way that today any political party is going to be allowed to steal an election. It was utterly bizarre for anyone to believe that in this day and age, an election could have been rigged and the riggers could have escaped without international condemnation and sanctions. Those who felt that they could get away with attempting to rig the 2020 elections and those who lent support to this plot, are living in another stratosphere.

For all intents and purposes, the Opposition in this country represents no threat to the government.

The Opposition will find it v e r y d i ff i c u l t , i f n o t impossible, to regain p o l i t i c a l c r e d i b i l i t y.

Certainly it will not be able to do so by 2025.

That is a reality that it needs to face. It should be looking towards 2030 rather than 2025.

So why then is the PPP/C seeking to restore credibility to the Opposition? The

Police station not suh safe anymore! dem facilities wuss dan dem toilets wah did cause parents fuh shutdown some schools.

And one time, de police at one station did report dat dem toilet bowl get tief. And de detective wah bin put fuh investigate seh he nah gat nothing fuh guh pun.

But dat is not de only concern. Dem boys read how de court find some policemen guilty of a crime wah commit in de station.

Now dem boys seh dat is a real cause for concern.

A few years ago, a man and he wife went to report a burglary.

De man bin gaffing with one ah dem officers and he tell de officer how he can't understand how de tief come in de house without waking up he wife. He seh he bin trying fuh do duh fuh years.

While he talking, he wife listening. Two weeks after, he still in de station. He can't go home!

Talk half and pray yuh nah gat fuh mek report.

PPP/C is doing so because it needs a scapegoat to deflect attention from its plans.

The PPP/C is being exposed daily for what now appears to be reversing its promise to reopen the closed sugar estates. The PPP/C is being lambasted for its failure to renegotiate the oil

contracts. The PPP/C is being criticised for controversial projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project and the proposed gas-to-shore project.

The government needs a scapegoat. It is seeking to make the Opposition the

scapegoat by insinuating all manner of things and by spewing conspiracy theories about fires.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday October 15, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Local doctor tells Beharry heiress she has lumpy breasts No matter how much you love Guyana, you are compelled to accept the disturbingly negative traits of its character that are not easily observed in any other country in the entire world.

Things are said in this country, things are written in Guyana, actions are produced in Guyana and people have mentalities in this land that you don't find in some of the world's failed states, some of the globe's poorest countries, some of the world's weirdest societies.

Which country in modern history took five months to announce the result of the national election? Guyana had a Chief Election Officer who told the nation he will need five months to recount 440,000 ballots.

If you transfer that gentleman (his name is Keith Lowenfield) to India and ask him to apply that methodology of his recount, then using 440,000 ballots as

your benchmark, Lowenfield will need 10 years to recount the votes in an Indian general election.

In any part of the world today, if you ask a high school boy or girl what they think if their mother or sister feels a lump in her breast, that kid would say it could be cancer. Mrs. Anjuli BeharryStrand (ABS), heiress of the Beharry conglomerate in Guyana, said in a published interview that when she felt a lump, a local doctor told her she simply has lumpy breasts.

Mrs. ABS could not reveal his name for reason of libel but the Minister of Health and the Guyana Medical Council (GMC) have a pressing urgency to investigate this doctor. Mrs. ABS should be contacted by the GMC and her identification of the doctor should be kept in strict confidence but this man or woman should come under the microscope of this country.

This medical doctor's history and his/her record at the hospitals he/she worked/works at needs to be researched.

This doctor may have killed innocent patients and are still killing them. Here is my contestation – no doctor in any other country would tell a woman who explained about feeling a lump in her breast that she simply has lumpy breasts.

Immediately on hearing that information, the doctor would order a series of tests.

Which doctor would simply shrug off the remark of a woman telling him/her she feels a lump in her breast?

No doctor can be that incompetent. Will the GMC act?

Here is my answer and that answer is contained in thousands of columns I have done over the past 33 years in the Catholic Standard, the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News. Despite the huge prominence she has in Guyana and the

distinguished family she comes from, no one is going to take an interest in what Mrs. ABS said in that interview about that doctor.

The words of Mrs. ABS have passed and are dead like yesterday's rain.

This column on this doctor will fade like the weltering rose the next day – dead and forgotten. No one in this country will be interested in following up on this matter. Guess why?

There isn't anyone in this country with psychic integrity.

I need to explain what I mean by that. I am not saying that there aren't Guyanese with decency and love.

I see too much of that on display in this country.

Guyana still has its quota of good people. The loss of psychic integrity in a person is not related to values of decency, kindheartedness, love and principles.

At the psychic level, the people of this country cannot engage with philosophy and

don't want to. They lack the deep p s y c h i c appreciation for the values that make a society free and allow that society to achieve what in philosophy is known as “geist”.

Geist is one of the most important concepts in philosophy. It does not have an equivalent in the English language.

It is not about the mind or the intellect or emotions.

It is a combination of all these things but in essence is different from all these things. Geist is about the feeling of humaneness and the purpose of humaneness within humanity.

There are literally millions of particles that destroy geist in Guyana over the past 55 years since we gained Independence. Geist cannot survive collectively in a society that underwent such a long period of emotional and cognitive

Frederick Kissoon br ut alisation. What remains then is a society without philosophical foundations.

Guyana is such a society. In a short newspaper column like this, it will be impossible to trace the destruction of geist but this is a nation where the mind and the intellect are still intact but their banalities have seeped deep into the collective psyche of the nation.

It is the loss of the psyche that will allow that doctor to go on killing patients.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

Friday October 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

Bandits choke, beat, and rob man in front of Guyana Stores

A

brazen robbery that took place on Wednesday evening in front of the Guyana Stores Complex was captured on camera. The footage evidences two bandits choking and beating a man in front his of friends, before relieving him of his belongings.

The footage also showed that the victim was walking on the Water Street pavement, in a southerly direction, along with two other persons - a female and male - while two men could be seen walking in the opposite

(northern) direction towards them.

As the two groups of persons were about to pass each other in front of the Guyana Stores' entrance, one of the men grabbed the victim by his neck from behind and dragged him a short distance away from his friends.

Together, the bandits wrestled and pinned him to the ground.

One of them was seen punching the man repeatedly, while the other held him down.

They relived him of some items and then escaped by running from the scene.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

PAGE 13

GRDB maintains GNBS certificate for

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) hosted a brief ceremony for the recertification of its central laboratory to the GYS 170:2009 standard by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), which is the national standard that guides what laboratories must conform to, to facilitate the dispensing of quality services to customers. This system is implemented to allow laboratories the know-how on the steps in developing and maintaining a c o m p r e h e n s i v e management system. It also allows for the provision of accurate and reliable tests results, as requested by consumers.

The services provided by this laboratory will help to enhance Guyana's position in the production of rice, and play a significant role in helping to enhance the country's rice industry.

Today, rice remains one of the main contributors to our GDP. The Minister of Finance alluded to the growth of the sector in his mid-year report, despite the devastation suffered from

the extended May-June rainy period and the COVID-19 pandemic; and that the agriculture sector has proven resilient.

Although Guyana is now an emerging oil and gas producing country, our agriculture sector is poised to become one of the main contributors towards building our economy,” Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said.

GYS 170:2009 standards specify the requirements for the operation of testing and/ or calibration laboratories.

Deputy Executive Director of the GNBS, Ramrattie Karan, said that the GRDB has worked hard over the years to maintain its certification.

“A decade has passed and we recognise that it has been hard working to maintain GYS170:2009 certification here at the central laboratory. We also recognize that the laboratory has attained international accreditation during that period.

Even with attaining international accreditation, the laboratory has not given up its national identity or its

national certification, and the GNBS is proud to be joining with the GRDB to celebrate this milestone,” Ms. Karan said.

Chairman of the GRDB and Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj, stressed the importance of maintaining the standards required both locally and internationally. He also stated that when Guyana can export its products, the country will benefit from improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and can create employment and provide food security.

General Manager of the GRDB, Kuldip Ragnauth, stated that the GRDB has always strived to maintain its standards.

“The fact that we are here today, means that the Board would've achieved in passing the assessment. We do not take our assessments lightly. This is about standards and, at the Board, we aim to set very high standards. One of the main functions of this laboratory is to provide analysis and to grade rice and paddy for both local sales and export,” Mr. Ragnauth said.

rice production Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha [third left] receiving the certification plaque from the GNBS in the presence of other MOA officials.

PAGE 14

Participants along with Technical Officer Mrs. Breana Wilson (right) and Head of the Business Development Department Mr. Omesh Balmacoon (left) pose with their Certificates following the one-day training.

Participants of the Food Safety Training.

Friday October 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

GNBS exposes 24 business owners to food safety measures To o b s e r v e Wo r l d Standards Day, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) hosted a free Food Safety Training session for 24 small business owners.

The training was conducted

by Technical Officers of the Business Development Department, at the GNBS Head office, Sophia Exhibition Site, Georgetown.

World Standards Day, which is being observed under the theme “Standards for SDGS – our vision for a better world” and is the focus of National Quality Week activities. Goals One, Two, Three and Six of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) address Poverty Reduction, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing and Clean Wa t e r a n d S a n i t a t i o n , respectively; all of which are achievable, if food safety practices are implemented.

The Food Safety Training session was offered to small agro-processors and vendors that handle, prepare, and provide food products for sale. It highlighted some of the basic food safety requirements that ensure the

end products are safe for human consumption. In addition, tips were shared on what materials to avoid in the kitchen, and the importance of resisting the urge to reuse food stored for long hours.

“The GNBS believes in making quality and safety accessible to all, and by offering this training free of cost, we are achieving the aim,” Technical Officer at the GNBS, Breana Wilson said.

Participants of the training were all pleased with the experience, which they said would help them to produce food items of a higher standard.

One participant, Ms. Carolina James, noted that “the training was conducted with a lot of knowledge we did not have before and since we are food vendors, we are interested in the way to upkeeping standards in conducting our daily work.”

Mr. Kiven Pierre, another food vendor, said, “one thing that was particularly interesting for me was learning about the bacteria and how they grow, and how prevalent they can be in a food environment. I feel very

Technical Officer Mrs. Breana Wilson conducts the Food Safety Training on Thursday in the GNBS' Quality Hall, Sophia Exhibition Site, Georgetown.

good for the training, as it was very informative.”

“I am excited to be here and I've learnt a lot. I have to give credit to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards' presenters because they delivered with such professionalism and it caused me to be more excited about what I do, and at the same time paying attention to the guidelines I need to maintain,” Ms. Nicola Smith, another participant highlighted.

According to Head of the Business Development Department, Mr. Omesh Balmacoon, the training was only opened to small-scale food producers.

A Certificate was provided to the participants, which can be used to increase customer confidence in their products.

However, these persons are still required to be in possession of a Food Handlers Certificate.

With the expansion of their businesses, participants were also encouraged to pursue certification to local and international standards.

(GNBS feature)

Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

Businesswoman found dead in her shop, husband arrested

A

businesswoman w a s o n We d n e s d a y found dead in her grocery shop at Pepper Hill, Mahdia, Region Eight with blood oozing from her nose and mouth.

A c c o r d i n g t o investigators, the woman identified as Denise Vieira, 47, was also bleeding from wounds to the face and multiple marks of violence were seen about her body.

Region Eight detectives are currently treating the case as a murder and have reported that they believe that Vieira was killed between 13:15 and 13:45Hrs. They have arrested a suspect whom they identified as her husband, a 33-year-old pork-knocker.

Vieira and the man had been living together for eight years, but in recent times they had been at loggerheads, and police learnt that for three months now they were living in separate buildings located in the same yard.

Following the discovery of her body on Wednesday, Vieira's neighbours reported her death to the police. They told detectives that moments before she was found dead they overheard a confrontation between her and the suspected killer.

The neighbours narrated that the woman said loudly during the confrontation, 'Get out of my (expletive) place, leff me alone'.

Moments later, around 13:30hrs, Vieira's husband was reportedly seen leaving the yard. Police learnt that he

Found dead in her shop, Denise Vieira headed to a building next door, where he was spotted hanging out with friends.

Fifteen minutes later, a customer headed to Vieira's shop to purchase some groceries.

The individual reportedly called out for her repeatedly, but there was no response.

Suspecting that something was amiss, the concerned customer reportedly informed the husband that Vieira was not responding to his calls.

Police reported that the man got up and went back into the yard where he was seen making some checks around the house before (Continued on page 20)

PAGE 15

Bandit found by cellphone tracker remanded

T

he bandit, whose escape plan was thwarted by a cellphone tracker, was yesterday remanded to prison for robbery under arms and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The defendant, identified as Kashief Peters, 32, of Lot 13 Republic Park, Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD) appeared before Magistrate Alisha George in the Sparendaam's Magistrate Court. It is alleged that on Monday October 11, 2021, Peters robbed two women of raw gold, cash, and a cellphone in front of a boutique located at La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

That same day, during his arrest, it is alleged, too, that he had in his possession an illegal firearm with corresponding ammunition.

Peters has since denied

the charges and is expected to make his next court appearance on December 1, 2021.

According to reports, a cellphone tracker had assisted the Guyana Police Force (GPF) ranks of the East Coast Division in capturing Peters before he could have escaped with his stolen booty.

Peters had allegedly pounced on the two women and robbed them in their car around 13:30hrs on Monday.

The women, one of them a businesswoman, told investigators that they had stopped there, after making a drop off at the Ogle International Airport, but before they could exit their car a man armed with a gun approached them.

He reportedly pointed the weapon at the women and ordered them to give him all of their belongings.

The victims also told detectives that they were fearful of being shot, so they handed over a cellphone and their handbags, which contained a quantity of raw gold and cash.

They had recalled that the armed bandit ran entered a waiting car and drove off.

The victims reported the robbery immediately. They were able to give ranks the exact route the getaway car was travelling because of a tracker activated on the cellphone he had stolen from them.

Patrol ranks had responded quickly and headed to the location, where they spotted the vehicle driving along the Industry Crown Dam road.

The ranks reportedly moved in to intercept him, causing the car to collide with a parked van.

The bandit, in an attempt to escape, exited the car with

Remanded, Kashief Peters

a weapon, and started to run.

Ranks gave chase and caught him but, before he surrendered, he tried to get rid of his firearm by throwing it into a nearby drain. The weapon, a Taurus .32 pistol along with the other stolen booty, were recovered.

PAGE 16

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Friday October 15, 2021

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Kaieteur News

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PAGE 19

Guyana records higher than average results for CSEC,CAPE 2021 examinations Officials at the head table of the CXC opening ceremony for the 2021 examinations results at the ACCC conference centre, Liliendaal Georgetown, yesterday.

G

u y a n e s e candidates have attained overall higher than average results when compared to the performance of their regional counterparts at the 2021 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) examinations.

Director of Operations at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Dr. Nicole Manning, noted students across the Caribbean performed creditably in the CSEC and CAPE examinations this year, though faced with several challenges.

Dr. Manning was at the time addressing a gathering assembled at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal, Georgetown, where Guyana hosted CXC officials for the opening ceremony for the 2021 results.

The ceremony was well attended by several high ranking Ministry of Education (MoE) officials, plus secondary school students and teachers. The event was also broadcast live across CXC channels and social media platforms to several other Caribbean territories.

During her presentation, D r. M a n n i n g g a v e a n overview of the results for both CSEC and CAPE candidates across the region.

Her remarks came ahead of the release of regional results for CSEC and CAPE examinations, which are slated for today; candidates are expected to have access to their results online from this evening.

Speaking of the overall participation and performance of candidates, Dr. Manning noted that while

there was an overall decline in the number of candidates sitting the exams across the Region, Guyana did exceptionally well in light of these circumstances and hardships facing students throughout the Caribbean, as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic.

She disclosed that for the first time ever this year, CXC hosted two exam sittings to accommodate students writing CAPE and CSEC. A c c o r d i n g t o D r.

Manning, the exams took place between June and A u g u s t t h i s y e a r, t o accommodate students facing hardships, as a result of the impact of COVID-19, and those candidates from St Vincent and the Grenadines which was ravished by a volcanic eruption earlier this year. “We saw a reduction… and this would have been our lowest cohort for the last four years,” she said.

She added that: “We saw where we had a reduction in candidate entries to 27,750 and for subject entries 110,020… Another significant note was our absentees. It was also the highest we had in four years, 8.83 per cent.”

Meanwhile, as it relates to Guyana, Dr. Manning said

Director of Operations at CXC, Dr. Nicole Manning.

about 75 percent of the Guyanese candidates who were registered had received acceptable grades compared to the region's 68 percent.

She explained that for CSEC, acceptable passes from Grades One to Three and for the CAPE Grades One to Five are considered acceptable.

Dr. Manning disclosed too that, much like the performance for CSEC, 88 percent of the CAPE candidates from Guyana obtained acceptable Grades One to Five passes, as opposed to the Caribbean's 87 percent pass rate.

Additionally, she said that the 33 subjects offered

by CXC at the CSEC level, Guyanese candidates would have topped 20 subjects.

The CXC Director of Operations asserted that: “This means that Guyana recorded higher pass rates than the regional average at both the CSEC and CAPE levels.”

She noted, too, that for key subject areas, such as Mathematics at the 2021 sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, there was an overall improvement.

However, she pointed to a decline in the country's overall performance for English A and B subjects at the CSEC level.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, CXC's Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Wayne Wesley, said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of the examiner (CXC) to revamp its structure.

“What we have all learnt from COVID-19 is the awakening of the collective (Continued on page 22)

PAGE 20

The former police officers, Delon Chapman and Leon Ashby, seated behind their attorney, Ravindra Mohabir.

Businesswoman found dead in her shop, husband....

From page 15 entering the shop through a backdoor.

The man exited and reportedly informed the customer that he found Vieira lying motionless on her kitchen

Friday October 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

floor. He claimed that he shook her in the hope that she would be revived, but the woman remained unresponsive.

Following his arrest, the man denied murdering his wife.

Cops who raped woman in station get 25 years each Cops who raped woman in station get 25 years each Two policemen, who were found guilty of raping a woman at the Turkeyen Police Station on January 1, 2018, have been sentenced to 25 years each for the crime. The two convicted rapists, Delon Chapman, 29, and Leon Ashby, 35, were sentenced yesterday by Justice Jo Ann Barlow during a virtual proceeding at the High Court in Georgetown. The men were sentenced following the presentation of a probation report.

Despite their conviction, both men pleaded their innocence before the Court.

They each claimed that the charges were trumped up against them.

H o w e v e r, t h e prosecution which was represented by State Attorneys Sarah Martin and Nafeeza Baig stated that the men not only engaged in a criminal act, but they breached their oath to serve and protect, which they both made before serving as members of the Guyana Police Force. . During their trial, the two accused rapists were represented by lawyer, Ravindra Mohabir.

While handing down her judgment, Justice Barlow agreed with the contention of the Prosecution that the

men committed a “serious breach of trust.” The Judge noted too that none of the rapists showed remorse for their action, but continued to deny involvement in the crime.

As such, Justice Barlow sentenced each of the men to 25 years in prison, and ordered that they undergo counselling sessions tailored for persons convicted of sexual offences.

Both men had pleaded not guilty to the charge before Justice Joann Barlow when their trial commenced at the High Court in Georgetown last month.

However, at the conclusion (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

Man caught on camera stealing gun from sleeping guard captured Screengrab from the CCTV footage of the suspect stealing the weapon.

Kaieteur News has been able to confirm that police have arrested a suspect they believe was the one caught on CCTV camera stealing a gun from a sleeping security guard.

The man was reportedly arrested yesterday after police found the stolen weapon, along with matching ammunition, in his possession at a location in Campbellville.

Police have related that the captured man also fits the description of a man jumping the fence of a property in the city during

the wee hours of Wednesday, and stealing a firearm that was located in a chair next to the sleeping guard.

The video showed that the man “tip-toed” to where the weapon was, picked up the gun, and quietly walked to the fence and escaped.

Kaieteur News understands that the security guard awoke sometime later and could not find his weapon.

He reported the matter to his superiors, who then began to investigate the disappearance of the weapon.

Stabroek Block partner...

From page 2 gas industry.The Institute for Energy Diplomacy launched its Professional Executive Training in June 2021 and currently offers courses in Oil and Gas Value Chain, Energy Markets, Crude Oil Trading, and Energy Transport and Shipping. UGIED's portfolio of courses is expected to expand with

additions in Oil and Gas Project Planning and Management, Energy Project Investment and Finance, and Oil and Gas Contract Law and Negotiations, among others.

The University's Energy Executive courses are 100% online and taught over two weeks by internationally respected experts and academics.

PAGE 21

PAGE 22 VACANCY

Factory workers and Sale Representatives.Must have a sound Secondary Education. For more info, call:2230090.

FOR RENT

VEHICLES FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Spacio, Blue Bird, Field Wagon, 212, Carina, RZ, Pit Bull and Canter.

Tel#650-7501.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Repairs at affordable prices: F r i d g e , A i r c o n d i t i o n e r, Washing machines, Dryers , TV, Microwaves & Freezer.

Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.

FOR SALE Popcorn machine.Contact 698-6503 or 222-4708.

Steel Rods Sale! For the cheapest prices in Guyana, come to Alabama Trading,3/ 8"HT rods,1/2HT rods & 5/ 8"HT rods.

Transported house lots for sale.Gated community,4Mil per lot.Call:671-9015/6221957.

WANTED

Electrical wiring,Auto electrical wiring training courses.

Tel:225-9587. Technical Studies Institute.

One experienced male cook to work 2 weeks in interior.

Call:683-3360.

Experience Taxi driver at Princess Hotel Providence.

Call:265-7075/616-5419.

Males for interior to work,female for bar & 1 live in domestic for Georgetown over 18. Call:687-7638/6913942.

Labourers and operators to work at Ice house.Tel:2237165.

Experienced Roti/Puri cook, Counter server, Kitchen assistant,Handy Boys,Cashier. Apply Hack's Halaal Restaurant,5 Commerce St. Domestic help,must have some knowledge of cooking preferably from Kitty/ Campbellville area. Call:6176135/226-6137.

Skilled Carpenter,Mason and Labourers to work long term in Georgetown and Linden.

Contact:602-9469,6575800,666-2887.

Male general assistant wanted, computer knowledge & CXC required. Contact: 600-4497.

1 full time Industrial mechanic to manage workshop at JFWW Network Outlet.

Call:622-1957,671-9015,2336997.

Backhoe Operator.Tel:6663303/623-8285.

VACANCY FOR RENT Vreed-En-Hoop junction, place to rent for Office, Bond, Hair Salon other. Call:6036400.

Shop for rent opposite Stewartville Secondary School.Contact:649-2197.

Domestic worker, Baker, Counter staff,Kitchen assistance. Apply:Bettencourt's Diner.Call:231-1368/2231938.

Farm workers in Timehri. Living accomodation provided.

Tel:661-1585/617-2032.

Counter Clerk to work in charity. Contact 223-5273 / 223- Auto Electrical apprentice age 19-25 yrs.Apply in per5274. son, Lot 120 Forth Street Experienced counter clerk in Albertown G/Town or call Hardware business. Attrac- 610-0340. tive salary.Contact Charles 623-4242/227-1363 between Exists for experience mason 9-4. to work on contract or One male able bodied clerk. daywork. Contact: 624-9507, 624-9508,624-9509.

Call:225-2313,226-1497.

One female able bodied clerk.

Call:225-2313,226-1497.

EDUCATION

Friday October 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

Vacancy for sales girl. Contact:627-0968.

Vacancy for Technician for phone shop.Contact:6270968.

Cook/Baker,Kitchen assistant and Pitmen for interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call:231-2250.

Female shop assistant to work at bar in the interior aged 20-30 yrs old. Contact:689-4461/663-2815.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area.Call: 615-9132.

Experienced Carpenter and apprentice,to work on construction site in Oleander Garden & McDoom.Call:6249507,624-9509.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles,age 25-50, Car/ Van licence. Call 642-9823.

Vacancy for Housekeeper & experience cook to work with family.Call:503-0359 or 6082444.

Vacancy at People's Choice Kitchen for Cooks, Bakers, Pastry maker, Counter Staff.

Tel:679-9449.

...Guyana records higher than average From page 19 consciousness at the governance, leadership, operational and functional levels of the inadequacies of our normative systems, and the awareness of the need to collectively re-imagine and rethink the development of a more inclusive and resilient socioeconomic system of development,” he said.

“It is within this resilient environment that the critical function of developing the

human capital through teaching, learning and assessment will continue.”

As it relates to the current results to be released this evening, Dr. Wesley warned that these are not final results, but preliminary ones “which means that CXC will continue to engage schools and ministries on getting the input, such as outstanding SchoolBased Assessment (SBA) grades, so that these grades can be finalised.”

Dr. Wesley noted, too, that given the major discrepancies raised after last year's results, CXC made the decision to engage these stakeholders before the release of the results to the candidates.

With regards to any queries about the results, Dr. Wesley said that students will have until November 15 to raise their concerns. “We hope that it is at a minimum and we are not expecting that, really,” he said.

...$1.2 B spent to improve ICT sector From page 8 ICT hubs is currently ongoing.

This will see the establishment of 200 additional hotspots within 20 communities across Regions One to Ten. Furthermore, a Universal Service Plan will be drafted to establish a Universality Fund, through which Government will provide access to modern telecommunications services to poor and vulnerable communities.

The Report highlighted

that the ICT plays an integral role in the transfer of modern technologies, knowledge, and skills. To promote ICT literacy, training and capacity building, initiatives were undertaken where approximately 85 students completed basic ICT training from communities within Region Six. Several other initiatives to spread ICT literacy will continue for the remainder of the year.

These range from a Code Camp targeting 100 persons; an Advanced Programming

and Coding course for 35 female students under the title 'Girls in ICT'; an ICT quiz for schools around Region Four and a Code Fest.

Additionally, the Government will coordinate training activities under the Hinterland Poor and Remote Communities Project, which will focus on training personnel to manage and operate the 200 additional ICT hubs to be installed throughout Regions One to Ten.

...Cops who raped woman in station get 25 From page 20 of their trial, the jury unanimously found the men guilty of engaging in sexual penetration of a female, without her consent.

According to information previously reported, the inci-

dent occurred when the woman went to the Turkeyen Police Station to make a report against an individual, who had thrown a squib on her son.

The victim had reported that Chapman and Ashby

were on duty at the time. The woman claimed she asked to use the washroom, which was at the top flat of the building and while she was there, the two officers attacked her, took turns in holding her down and raping her.

Friday October 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Three companies bid to procure processing plant equipment for GDF During the opening of tenders yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), three companies, Onyx Engineering Inc., Meditron Inc., and Supergraphics bid for the contract to procure processing Supreme Court of Judicature Supply and delivery of janitorial and cleaning supplies.

plant equipment for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). The lowest bidder for this contract was Onyx Engineering Inc. which bid slightly over $34.6 million to procure the equipment.

Supply and delivery of office materials and stationery supplies.

Supply and delivery of refreshments/ dietary supplies.

Boy, 4, among six new COVID-19 deaths in Guyana Yesterday, the Ministry of Health reported that a four-year-old boy is among the six persons who died of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 857.

According to the Health Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of five unvaccinated person and another, who was fully vaccinated that all

died on Wednesday, while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

The fatalities are that of two females, a 56-year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 38-year-old from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and that of four males, a 73-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), a 79-year-old from Region

Four, a 68-year-old from Region Six and the fouryear-old from Region One (Barima-Waini).

Further, the Ministry in its daily COVID-19 dashboard reported that within the last 24 hours, they recorded 159 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 34,132.Presently, there are 32 patients, who are admitted into the COVID-

19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 126 persons in institutional isolation, 3,613 in home isolation and 23 in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 29,504 persons have recovered from the virus.

Bids were also opened for the Ministry of Public Works contract relating to the procurement of heavy duty materials.

Below are the companies and their bids: Supply and delivery of ink, toner and drum cartridges.

Ministry of Public Works Procurement of heavy duty equipment.

Guyana Defence Force Procurement of processing plant equipment.

Guyana Energy Agency Supply and delivery of office equipment and supplies.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

Friday October 15, 2021

Roofe, Fisher pace Jamaica to historic win in Honduras San Pedro Sula, Honduras - Jamaica beat Honduras on Honduran soil for the first time in Concacaf World Cup qualification history with goals on either side of the half, lifting the visitors to a 2-0 win at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula.

It’s the Reggae Boyz’ first victory of the final round of World Cup qualification for Qatar 2022, taking the team to five points, while Honduras has three after six match days.

Honduras thought it may have had an opener in the 33rd minute when Jamaica GK Andre Blake initially failed to hold onto a long ball, before pouncing on it right as Angel Tejeda tried put a foot

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

on it, keeping the scoreline at 0-0.

That changed shortly thereafter, though, as Kemar Roofe scored his debut Jamaica goal in the 38th minute by redirecting a shot from inside the box by Shamar Nicholson past Honduras GK Luis Lopez to make it 1-0 to Jamaica.

Honduras launched numbers forward in hopes of getting back on level terms in the second half, but Blake and the Jamaica defense would not break. The Jamaican lead was then doubled in the 80th minute when a pass found onrushing fullback Oniel Fisher, who charged into the box and took a hard shot that beat Lopez to make it 2-0.

Jamaica’s campaign to

Adrian Mariappa (Left) of Jamaica and Alberth Elis of Honduras battle for possession on Wednesday night. earn a spot in Qatar continues with a trip to El Salvador to

open the November international window, while Honduras hosts Panama.

...Canada-based Guyanese softball From page 26 the Ontario Softball Cricket League’s 20-overs competition against Canadian Legends and also topped the points table.

This game is to start their preparations ahead of the 2022 Florida Cup softball extravaganza which is slated to be held in Fort Lauderdale mid-March. Rajesh Willie, President of SCC and other selectors are expected to be on hand to witness the action on Sunday and they’ll be looking forward to select a strong team to represent Canada at the Florida Cup white ball tournament, which is likely to attract other teams from Canada, New York, Florida, Orlando and Guyana in the Open and Masters categories.

Even though the fixture is a trial run at Greenbriar, the affair is anticipated to be exciting since a long list of seasoned and top softball players in Canada will be exhibiting their skills. Mercenary team had a phenomenal run in the aforementioned competition this year, their second season and they saw some terrific, individual performances, again.

Some of the top softball players are Bobby Parasnauth, Damodar Daesrath, Hemnarine Chattergoon, Farouk Hussein, Avinash Sookdeo, Avish Rukhram, Sunil Ramkissoon, Yohandlall Sukhlall, Jeet Beharry, Zakir Khan, Devon Ramnauth, Yadram Bogh among others.

Exciting left-handed batsman Avish Rukhram, who hails from East Coast Demerara, scored two double-centuries in softball cricket in Canada.

...Barbados to host inaugural Friday October 15, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Try not to lose sight of your own projects or desires, Aries. There's a great deal of power and manipulative energy in the air today that could throw you off course if you aren't careful.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Feel free to speak more loudly today, Libra. You'll find that things fall into place more easily if you speak your thoughts outwardly and directly in the presence of others.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Recharge today by getting outside and stretching your arms to the sky, Taurus. Be proud and courageous. You have the power to turn an unhealthy situation into a positive one.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You should bask in a glorious splendor today, Scorpio. There's a great deal of power at your disposal.

You'll find your ego is healthy, charged, and ready for the battlefield.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Difficult predicaments could arise today if you try to exert your will over others without having the most honorable intentions.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Add more sunshine to your day, Sagittarius. It may be time to stir up your inner passion and let it speak with greater confidence than you have been lately.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) The fire within you is raging today, Cancer, and you should be careful how you wield this power. Be proud and triumphant. Walk with your shoulders back and head high.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) There may be a great deal of fuss over something that seems quite insignificant to you. Try to see the beauty and importance of everything around you. At the same time, make sure you give yourself enough credit for being the person you are.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Things are coming to a critical point for you today, and you may find that other people openly object to your actions.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You'll find that your spark can easily turn potential energy into kinetic energy, Capricorn. Don't underestimate the power of your words. Realize the profound impact they have on others and take responsibility for their consequences.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't dwell on your fluctuating moods today, Aquarius. Look at the larger trends and how positive elements are coming together in your favor.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This is your day to shine in all your glory. There's no need to hold anything back.

You'll find that you have a great deal of love to share.

From page 31 Barbados, Teriq Worrell of Barbados and Kastun Stoute of Barbados.

The top performers from this festival would be selected for a regional team to tour England in 2023. The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) were alerted of the plans to host the tournament in Barbados during the 2022 Easter weekend.

According to Lashley, another purpose of the festival was to help rebuild West Indies Cricket and impact the youth, hence the U-23 age range.

“No Country has been confirmed officially but Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, St Lucia and Dominica have expressed interest in participating in the six-over tournament where six bowlers would be allowed to bowl an over each” stated Lashley, a former Member of Parliament in Barbados.

Perreira queried about vaccination status of players and officials participating in the festival and if there would be a mandatory vaccination requirement. “The tournament organisers were working with the Covid Unit of Barbados but would confirm by the next meeting stating that it was possible but if unvaccinated, they would have to be swabbed daily using the rapid test” Lashley responded.

According to Lashley the Barbados government advocates pro-choice, so discussions would have to be conducted to cement the future plans. It was also disclosed that a ‘bubble system’ would be in place during this tournament.

The organisers informed that a social media page was also set up along with an email address for contact while a press conference has been

for October 21. The technical director announced that there would be a semi street parade with three judging points and a tournament song and flag were currently being worked on.

The festival will be divided into six zones of four teams with each zone being named after outstanding regional sports journalists. The teams will have a choice of staying at a selected guest house or secondary school that has been approved by the Covid-19 Monitoring Unit.

Transportation will be provided for overseas teams to and from the airport and to matches, however, teams will have to pay their airfare. Cozier, who died on May 11, 2016, was a Barbadian cricket journalist, writer, and ra-

dio commentator on West Indian cricket for over fifty years.

Despite health problems, he commentated on the 2015 England tour of the West Indies and was editor of the West Indies Cricket Annual for all its 22 editions. Although ‘Reds’ Perreira, who was born in Pomeroon, Essequibo, rose to fame from broadcasting cricket, football was his first love, and he made his first division debut as a 16-yearold goalkeeper for GFC. The veteran broadcaster has commentated in 151 Test from 1971 when he made his Test debut at Bourda when India toured the West Indies.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Hector Moreno.

Mexsport/Concacaf S a n S a l v a d o r, E l Salvador - Mexico topped El Salvador 2-0 at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador on Wednesday night, remaining undefeated in the final round of C o n c a c a f Wo r l d C u p qualification for Qatar 2022.

The victory keeps Mexico atop the eight-team table with 14 points from six matches, while El Salvador sits on five.

Mexico found the opening goal in the 31st minute when Hector Moreno headed in a goal from a corner kick hit by Jesus Corona, who had entered the game as a substitute for the injured Alexis Vega. Remarkably, it

Mexico stay atop Dest wonder strike keys U.S. the WCQ table with comeback over Costa Rica win at El Salvador was the third time that Moreno had scored in World Cup qualification at the Estadio Cuscatlan, having also scored in Mexico victories at El Salvador on the roads to Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018. Already lean on center backs entering the match, El Salvador lost another in the 48th minute when Mario Jacobo saw a direct red card for a tackle just outside the box on Mexico FW Rogelio Funes Mori.

Mexico’s man advantage wouldn’t last long, though.

After getting his name in the referee’s book in the 56th minute, El Tricolor center back Nestor Araujo saw a

second yellow in the 67th, leading to a sending off, meaning the teams would finish 10 versus 10.

El Salvador pushed for an equaliser, but Mexico FW Raul Jimenez, who came off the bench in the 63rd minute, would finish things off by winning a penalty in stoppage time and converting it himself to polish off the 2-0 victory.

Mexico’s next match keeps it on the road when it opens November’s FIFA date with a trip to face rivals United States. El Salvador has another contest at the Estadio Cuscatlan, hosting Jamaica.

Canada-based Guyanese softball cricketers in action on Sunday Mercenary will clash with a Softball Cricket Canada (SCC) team on Sunday at Greenbriar,

Friday October 15, 2021

Brampton in a 20-overs softball match commencing at noon and a large number of Canada-based Guyanese

softball cricketers will be on show.

Mercenary recently won (Continued on page 25)

Columbus, Ohio - The United States rallied for a 2-1 victory against Costa Rica on the sixth matchday of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 on Wednesday night at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.

The win takes the U.S. to 11 points in the final round, while Costa Rica stays on six points.

Costa Rica got a dream start, scoring in the second minute when Keysher Fuller was able to volley a cross from Ronald Matarrita toward the goal, where U.S. GK Zack Steffen was unable to stop the bouncing effort from crossing his line.

The U.S. was back level though 1-1 in the 25th minute, as right back Sergino Dest cut in from his defensive position, getting near the box and firing a left-footed bullet past Costa Rica GK Keylor Navas.

The momentum was with the home side and they would then take a 2-1 lead in the 66th minute via an own goal from GK Leonel Moreira, who had come on for an injured Navas at halftime.

This time Dest set up Timothy Weah, who smashed his shot at Moreira, with the shot hitting off the post, then off the goalkeeper and going across the line to give the U.S. a 2-1 advantage.

From there, the U.S. defense held firm to nail down the three points for the hosts. The U.S. resumes qualification in November with a home tilt against rival Mexico, while Costa Rica’s next match is at Canada.

Sergiño Dest

Meanwhile, Canada conceded early but found an equalizer before the half and added three goals in the second to get past Panama 4-1 in Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 on Wednesday night at BMO Field in Toronto.

Canada closes out the October international window with 10 points, while Panama finishes with eight. Canada now turns its attention to the November window, which kicks off with a home contest against Costa Rica. Panama travels to face Honduras.

Friday October 15, 2021

Kaieteur News

France to boost sport practice ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics Naomi Osaka. AP Photo/ Elise Amendola, File

Allyson Felix. AP Photo/ Martin Meissner, File

Allyson Felix, Naomi Osaka earns women’s sports awards New York (AP) - Olympians Allyson Felix and Jordan Larson were honored as Sportswomen of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation. Felix won two medals at the Tokyo Games — giving her 11 in her career — to surpass Carl Lewis as the most decorated American in Olympic track and field history.

Larson led the U.S. women’s volleyball team to victory against Brazil for its first Olympic gold medal. Naomi Osaka earned the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award for bringing awareness to social justice and mental health issues at the Annual Salute to Women in Sports on Wednesday night.

“I got the courage just to speak out growing up and seeing all of the people around me doing amazing things,” Osaka

said, “and not having any fear and standing up for what they believe in.”

Kim Ng of the Miami Marlins, the first female general manager in baseball, received the Billie Jean King Leadership Award. Larry Scott, the former commissioner of the Pac 12 and former CEO of the WTA Tour, accepted the Champion for Equality Award.

A reception with King was held at the New-York Historical Society ahead of the virtual awards show. Also featured on the virtual program were former baseball manager Joe Torre, Olympic hockey star Meghan Duggan, two-time World Cup champion Julie Foudy, Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer and Women’s Sports Foundation President Phaidra Knight.

PAGE 27

President Macron, center, and former NBA player Tony Parker, behind, talk with members of a basketball team, outside Paris, yesterday. AP Photo/Francois Mori, Pool

Paris (AP) - French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday (yesterday) that the government will help fund 5,000 local facilities to allow more people to practice sports, especially in the country’s poorest areas, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The announcement came hours before Macron was scheduled to play in a charity soccer match to raise money for the Hospitals’ Foundation, alongside former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. The government will provide more than 200 million euros ($232 million) to help local authorities finance about 1,000 judo dojos, 1,000 city parks, some basketball courts and handball fields, small mobile swimming pools and other facilities by 2024, Macron said.

The move aims at remedying an “injustice,” he said. “It is often in the poorest ... areas that these facilities are missing.” The package will focus on funding sport practice

in working-class suburbs and rural areas.

Also yesterday, Macron visited a sports center along with French former NBA player Tony Parker, and the construction site of the future Olympic Village in Paris’ northern suburbs.

In a speech at the headquarters of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, Macron said the budget and schedule have so far been respected in the preparations for the Games.

He called for the Paris Olympics to be “inclusive” and environment-friendly, and voiced hope that they will bring France “lots of medals, show our social and environmental excellence, create lots of jobs and housing.”

Macron has strongly supported the Olympic project since being elected in 2017, weeks before Paris was confirmed as the future host. The city’s first Olympics since 1924 are set to have a budget of 6.8 billion euros ($7.9 billion).

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Friday October 15, 2021

MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings face Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders in final

B

BCsport - Chennai Super Kings will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2021 Indian Premier League final in Dubai today. MS Dhoni’s CSK are hoping to win their fourth IPL title, while Eoin Morgan’s KKR are bidding for their third.

The two sides have faced each other in one previous final in 2012, when KKR won by five wickets.

Here is who and what to watch out for in this year’s final of the world’s most lucrative Twenty20 league.

Ones to watch: CSK - MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad - CSK captain Dhoni has had a quiet tournament with the bat, but in the first qualifier he made an unbeaten 18 off six balls, hitting the 13 needed off the final over to beat Delhi Capitals.

Regardless of what happens in

the final, a lot of attention will be on the 40-year-old former India skipper - will this be his last IPL game or will he be back in 2022?

England all-rounder Moeen has not been as strong with the bat since the IPL resumed last month, averaging 14.25 in eight innings in the United Arab Emirates, with two ducks, compared to 34.33 in six knocks in India.

But his bowling remains tough for batters to hit, with Moeen having one of the best economy rates in the tournament at 6.35 runs per over. Gaikwad has formed a fine opening partnership with former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, scoring 603 runs so far and needing just 24 more to surpass Punjab Kings’ KL Rahul as the top runscorer in the 2021 IPL. The 24-year-old, who made his

India T20 debut in July but missed out on their World Cup squad, is one of only four batters in this year’s tournament to hit a century, along with Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Devdutt Padikkal.

KKR - Sunil Narine, Eoin Morgan and Venkatesh Iyer With Andre Russell having missed KKR’s last six matches and a doubt for the final because of a hamstring injury, fellow West Indies allrounder Narine has been key, offering aggressive hitting and tricky off-spin.

After not being selected for the T20 World Cup because of fitness concerns, Narine showed why West Indies could rue that decision with a star performance in victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the eliminator.

England captain Morgan has

struggled with the bat in this year’s IPL and particularly since the resumption, scoring two ducks and only passing double figures once in his last eight innings. But his calm leadership has been crucial and the tactical battle against Dhoni will be fascinating.

Where many batters have stumbled on slower pitches in the UAE, KKR opener Iyer has flourished, scoring 320 runs at an average of 40.

The 26-year-old made his IPL debut last month and has since hit three half-centuries - more than any other KKR batter in the whole tournament - including a vital 55 off 41 balls in the second qualifier win.

Routes to the final - The 14th edition of the IPL was suspended in May, a month after it had started,

because of a rise in coronavirus cases among players in India. The tournament resumed in September in the UAE. CSK were second in the table when the competition was suspended and held on to that spot despite losing their last three group games.

They then beat table-toppers Delhi by seven wickets in the first qualifier.

KKR were second bottom with only two wins from seven matches in India.

However, they won five of their last seven group games in the UAE to finish fourth in the table, before beating third-place finishers RCB in the eliminator on Tuesday. KKR then survived a mighty collapse in the second qualifier to beat Delhi on Wednesday.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 15, 2021

PAGE 29 Players who graduated as part of the first batch of the GFF/MACORP Industrial Scholarship Scheme.

First footballers graduate from pioneering GFF-MACORP Scholarship scheme

T

he first five footballers to take part in a groundbreaking Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/MACORP Industrial Scholarship Scheme have successfully graduated from the programme, each receiving level one certification as excavator operators.

The first-of-its-kind partnership between the GFF and MACORP, the sole distributor of Caterpillar products in Guyana, will ultimately see ten footballers receive expert training in excavator operation in the first year of the programme, as the two organisations strive to support more players as they transition into the world of work.

Horicia Adams (19), Charles Darrel (26), Kevin Dundas (25), Micah Erskine (29) and Sasha James (24) completed 120 hours of training, including safety instruction, simulator drills,

examinations and practical exercises in order to qualify from the programme.

“I am happy to say that we have successfully completed this first batch,” said MACORP CEO Guillermo Escarraga. “I am sure that companies are taking note of their newly-acquired skills in this market where there is high demand – that’s what makes the whole effort worthwhile.” “I want to congratulate you on achieving this certification and I wish you success in your new careers,” he told the players at a graduation c e r e m o n y a t M A C O R P ’s headquarters in Providence, next door to the GFF National Training Centre. “ We l o o k f o r w a r d t o continuing this support with the Guyana Football Federation. If there might be some other way in which we can collaborate – we have taken note of your goal to reach the World Cup – anything

we can help you with, we will be more than happy to do so.”

The second batch of participants in the scholarship programme commences training with MACORP next week. “While the GFF is developing football for all, in doing so, we cannot forget the human element of our responsibilities,” said GFF President Wayne Forde. “What we are doing here together, the GFF a n d M A C O R P, i s r e a l l y demonstrating to this entire nation that we care deeply about the welfare of our young people not only when they are in the prime of their life, but when they are also in the twilight of their sporting careers.” “We would like to see players transition to productive lives and we would like to see them access employment opportunities that will allow them to invest in their children. We would like to see them contributing to the building of this nation, and the skills these

players have acquired through this programme will put them at the forefront of the construction boom that has already started,” Forde added.

Lady Jags and Fruta Conquerors defender Sasha James said the course was a “new beginning and a chapter” in her life.

“Being around the course made me realise that, even if you are a woman, you can still do things that people say you cannot do,” she said. “This course has brought so much to me, and it’s opened my eyes to bigger opportunities that will be coming – it’s another step into the world of work.”

“I would like to thank the GFF for this opportunity,” she added.

“They have given me the push to move forward in life, not just in football.” Golden Jaguar and Santos FC defender Kevin Dundas said the experience had opened his “mind up to a whole new world of work”. “It was really exceptional,” he said. “My future plan is to widen my knowledge around the field of excavator operation and to help others in the field where I can. I felt comfortable and at home in this field and I am eager to see what it holds.

I want to thank the GFF and MACORP for making this a huge success and for giving us this opportunity. They are taking steps to see that we have a future after football.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Friday October 15, 2021

GTT invests $3M as title sponsor for Guyana - Company reaffirms Open 2021 Golf championship commitment to local sports GTT has recently invested three million Guyana dollars in the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) as the title sponsor for the

GTT Guyana Open 2021golf championship slated to October 29-31. As the telephone company continues its quest to fulfill

its promise of strengthening the community, its Chief Operations Officer of Business Solutions, Orson Ferguson reminded of the

company’s and his personal commitment to sports in Guyana.

“This year we have made quite some investment in local sports. I have recently reaffirmed my commitment to local sports mainly because of the discipline it instills in an individual. This specific game demonstrates a number of lessons like precision, practice and commitment, and focus even in tough conditions. GTT is pleased to make yet another investment in the sports sector and we look forward to a successful two-day tournament,” Ferguson said.

He noted that even with the current pandemic, this specific sport will allow for players to observe COVID19 protocols easily. In a

recent interview with the Guyana Times Newspaper, LGC’s Secretary, Chet Bowling gave recognition to GTT for its dedication to local sports.

“The Lusignan Golf Club is very grateful and happy that a company of GTT’s status has decided to be the title sponsor of the Guyana Open golf tourney.

Having a company like that on board demonstrates the value that the LGC brings to the market in terms of companies doing their corporate social responsibilities,” he said.

According to Bowling, the anticipated golf tournament will commence on October 30 with the participation of top golfers.

He noted that gross and net

prizes will be up for grabs in all flights along with nearest to pin and longest drive for both male and female golfers over the two-day tournament.

The tournament hopes to attract over 70 (seventy) golfers from Guyana, neighbouring territories and North America. Only recently, GTT invested in the local sports sector with a donation of five million Guyana dollars to the Everest Cricket Club for the renovation of its Racquet centre, and two million Guyana dollars to the Guyana Hockey Board to support its female hockey team in their quest for gold at the 2021 Women’s Indoor Pan American Cup in Pennsylvania, USA.