Govt. seeking to K NEWS tap Qatar oil money for housing programme
Sunday Edition
AIETEUR
October 18, 2020
p. Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online 16 Price $140
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
readership yesterday 110,663
Guyanese: the Exxon deal was bad, but coming disclosures on the Canje deal will blow your mind.
No signing bonus from Canje owners p. 3
The PPP/C has Ten days after losing damaged generations monopoly GTT increases W speed for customers for free p. 8
- Proves once again it has been short changing Guyanese
Economic growth Senegal gas fields dependent on p.9 giveaway vs. Guyana CJIA’s reopening Canje block (recap) - says Minister Edghill
See pgs. 18 & 19
Omai gold mine returns to Guyana p. 12
hat the PPP/C h a s done with the Canje and Kaieteur oil blocks represents the country’s greatest crime. It is far bigger and more notorious in scope than Jim Jones’ mass murder in which more than 900 primarily American persons, including Jones, met their deaths on local soil. Jim Jones’ crime destroyed the lives of almost 1,000 victims. The PPP’s oil crime has shattered the hopes and will affect the livelihoods of most of the 750,000 Guyanese, along with
future generations. The PPP’s oil crime with Canje and Kaieteur kills the p e o p l e ’s d r e a m s , snatches food out of their mouths, steals their hard-earned pensions, and deprives their children and grandchildren of a better life. J i m J o n e s destroyed the lives of h i s f e l l o w Americans. How much damage are Guyanese going to allow the PPPC to inflict upon this country before they rise up and shout: “Stop it! Enough! Damn it! No more!” Please read page 18 and 19
Senegal’s President Sall, his brother, and one man benefited in excess of US$12B from two gas fields. Now think, Guyanese, about who is benefitting from the US billons from the Canje Block.
PAGE 02
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 03
Horrifying provisions of Canje block agreement…
No signing bonus from Canje owner M
id-Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc., the c o m p a n y awarded the Canje block by former President Donald Ramotar weeks before the 2015 elections, paid no signing bonus. This is because the government of the day moved forward with the award of the block without first taking the time to study Guyana's offshore patrimony so it could understand and market Guyana's value. It is also because the company in question had only popped up for the purpose of owning the Canje Block, and likely didn't even have the finances to pay the government. The two directors who incorporated the company and received the block had no prior experience in oil and gas exploration. Signing bonuses are generally paid to governments upon granting an exploration or production agreement. Brazil, like many other
nations, has licensing rounds characterized by competitive bidding, during which it sets minimum signing bonuses for interested companies to meet. Many governments conduct seismic surveys which give them the information they need to demand more from oil companies. “Seismic data,” Dr. Jan Mangal had told Kaieteur Radio, “is what oil companies need to decide whether they will invest in a particular area in a block, in a country. By acquiring ownership of that data – and not only for Exxon, for any other company that has done seismic in Guyana – Guyana can take that data and better understand what is actually out there in its own waters.” Before Exxon's discovery in 2016, there were no proven reserves offshore Guyana. However, the US Geological Survey (USGS) published a report in the year 2000, which estimated the Guyana-
Suriname basin to hold 13.6 billion barrels of oil and 32 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This would not have been the only tool to the government's disposal, had it waited and studied its offshore area. It would have had valuable data, as well as ExxonMobil's first discovery which was announced in May, 2015 only a few weeks after the Canje Block was awarded. Ramotar acted on the advice of the Minister of Natural Resources at the time, Robert Persaud, to grant a contract to Mid-Atlantic without demanding a bonus for the people of Guyana. This is the first in a series on the Canje Block contract provisions granted to MidAtlantic Oil & Gas Inc. in March 2015. Kaieteur News will continue to explore various provisions of the contract, which fall well below industry standards. More to come tomorrow…
Guyana CANJE BLOCK WHICH WAS GIVEN TO
Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc.
The Canje Block offshore Guyana
Suspected “Sindicato” gang members arrested in Port Kaituma hotel
F
our Venezuelan nationals suspected to be members of the notorious Sindicato gang were on Friday arrested along with two Guyanese during a police search at a hotel located at Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One. The search was conducted between 06:30Hrs and 07:00Hrs.
According to a police report, the Venezuelans were arrested for failing to present themselves to immigration while the Guyanese were taken into custody for assisting them to enter the country illegally. The men told police they were miners, but ranks suspect that they might be criminals. Police also seized $100,000 in cash,
two all-terrain vehicles and a quantity of raw gold found in their possession. Kaieteur News made contact with police yesterday to ascertain what led to suspicion that men might be linked to the notorious gang. Investigators, however, declined to divulge further information and said that investigations are still ongoing.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Sunday October 18, 2020
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
Nothing Stays Hidden This editorial was first published a month ago. Considering the revelations made in this paper’s reporting on the Canje Block over the past week, and the reporting to come in the upcoming week, it is a message worth repeating. Today this space is used to share something with Guyana’s political leaders: nothing stays hidden for long. This is what was confirmed by an online article from the BBC dated September 16, and titled “Boeing’s ‘culture of concealment’ to blame for 737 crashes.”Some telling phrases from a 250-page report, the documented results of an 18-month congressional investigation (what we would call a COI) should help to emphasize where things stood and what came about because of weaknesses and failures. First, Boeing lived with a “culture of concealment” that smoothed over “faulty technical assumptions” and “troubling management misjudgments” which led to the deaths of hundreds of air travelers in separate crashes impacting Indonesia and Ethiopia.In other words, the people at the top at Boeing made many serious mistakes, and then compounded the problem by concealing what really happened, while pretending at working feverishly to fix the situation. We zero in on the mention by the US Congressional investigation of “a lack of transparency on the part of Boeing’s management” because that same “transparency” is a word kicked around frequently and loudly by every Guyanese political leader. The problem locally is that there are no corroborating actions that support any such claims. For here, the reality is that, regardless of which party is in power, transparency is most conspicuous by its glaring absence in most matters of substance. Those matters usually involve much money and more than a few well-placed people, who reap the fruits of their crooked actions. But, unlike Guyana, such cleverness is coming to light in the US and about Boeing. The toll has been horrendous and is continuing involving many deaths, huge public outcries, and heavy losses in reputation and earnings. Again, unlike Guyana and its thieveries and mockeries for investigations, the FAA was made to look corrupt and criminally negligent, with phrases that are full of fury at its ineptitude and willing collaboration with Boeing. The watchdog FAA has been exposed for having neither bark nor bite at the worst possible time, which was when it was most needed. Specifically, the congressional report hammered it for being guilty of “inherent conflicts of interest” and “grossly insufficient oversight” of Boeing and the Max 737 aircraft.Those are damning words and have special meaning here in Guyana where political leaders ruling a captive roost handpick mostly men and women (when they do condescend to do so) to populate Commissions of Inquiry and furnish what is desired to be satisfactory outcomes that are then sold to a gullible public.Such members of local commissions regularly turn no stone, find nothing, and end up nowhere, while providing the government of the day with the camouflages that are needed to disguise the facts. That may be so in Guyana, but it is not so in America, where those assigned have reputations to live up to, and have to live with themselves and answer to a barrage of critics and questioners in an unsparing society. We do not have such a microscope and filter here, which is why so many consequential issues remain unresolved, because they are so sparsely approached by government. We can think of Lusignan and Bartica and Lindo Creek, while going way back to Rodney, and then coming forward today to Exxon and those rich Canje and Stabroek oil blocks. Leaders may think that they are so bright that they can get away with their conspiracies, crookedness, and manipulations. But in colloquial Guyanese: “moon does run till day ketch am.” Though, there are these beliefs about the mostly scoundrels that we have for leaders and governors, we take comfort that nothing lasts forever, and the truth usually comes to light; darkness can only prevail for so long. It does take a long time and a lot of patience, but how men have been with the trusts and responsibilities placed in them only stays out of sight for so long.So, as we hear of this deception and that trickery, through playing with words and dancing upon pinheads, we watch our leaders-new and old-and warn the day is coming when there will be a hard reckoning. Boeing now stands as testimony to that truth that never fails. Be forewarned.
The opposition leads in selling out Guyana DEAR EDITOR, I look closer and closer at the opposition and I learn more daily. It is toothless, clueless, spineless. The opposition PNC is tongue tied, tied down, and downright asinine, in one humiliation after another delivered by the hands of its conspirator-partners the PPP; but yet it grins and bears. But the worst part of it is that the crumbed, fallen opposition is not alone in selling out the hopes and aspirations of the weak and vulnerable in this society. As I elaborate, I focus first on the opposition. Its own chairwoman is embattled, and its leaders are cowardly and MIA in sniveling defense. They should change their colour to yellow. Its own people from its public service strongholdclean and competent people -
are demonized and victimized - and the opposition is a study in absenteeism and paralysis. Its own voters, some two hundred thousand of them, are disenfranchised, through zero board representations, and it is sparring about the puerility of ‘illegitimacy.’ When the party’s supporters need horses for courses, they get donkeys balking in mulish obstinacy before the many demanding national challenges, such as oil integrity, ethical governance, pragmatic representation. I look at these characters, and I behold plodding (compromised) minds puttering about aimlessly and uselessly. The incompetence is palpable; but the not-somysterious nonchalance is wounding to Guyana, and beneficial to its partners in
crime, the PPP government. And especially on the much depended upon oil on which the many Guyanese poor have pinned prospects. Now I thought I was the only one calling out the opposition leadership. But a few days ago, a friend read four Facebook posts that castigated and damned the c o a l i t i o n ’s l e a d e r s h i p . Interestingly, to man and woman, they were all diehard PNC loyalists. As I have said publicly, what we have is no opposition and a 1party state, however charitably analyzed. What is going on? What is responsible for the opposition’s malaise and indifference? What was offered, finalized, grabbed, and found personally fulfilling? How much was paid for these betrayals now undeniable? How much
more is involved, dangled, promised? Nobody could be this stupid as to know nothing, then actually admit to it! No brain trust, no high inner councils could be this treacherous! Surely, we myself and others - could not have failed so terribly with ballot cast? Well, I did! and it is no more voting for me. For anybody, anywhere! When I review all this, the opposition today amounts to being less than a bump on a log; it is a worminfested, termite-ridden distortion. The human worms and termites currently consume each other in one accusation and counter attack after another. Meanwhile, the PPP’s equivalent of Stalin (oil and oversight, laws and regulations, character and integrity and, of (Continued on page 5)
Sunday October 18, 2020
African and Indian-Guyanese must recognize the dilemma of the other DEAR EDITOR, Before I return to Mr. Vincent Alexander’s letter (KN 10-13-20) to address his substantive concerns on our ethnic problems, I wish to compliment him for eschewing polemics to engage in a dialogue in search of solutions to those problems. I see Hegel’s model of tragedy as applicable to the condition of our major ethnic groups: “Tragedy is the conflict of two substantive positions, each of which is justified, yet each of which is wrong to the extent that it fails to either recognize the validity of the other position or to grant it its moment of truth.” I am hoping that our leaders would recognize the validity of the substantive positions from all “sides” in our Guyanese tragedy and grant them their moment of truth in a spirit of reconciliation. It is from that perspective we had proposed the Ethnic Security Dilemmas in the late 1980’s as the structural factors that conditioned the political behaviour of our various ethnic groups and their leaders in the post WWII era, when the question of who would succeed the British came to the fore. African-Guyanese had long expressed concerns about rising Indian-Guyanese numbers on their political hopes. They articulated this as a major structural threat of being swamped and subordinated by a group they initially saw as “backward”. It was because of this African Ethnic Security Dilemma (AESD) that even the progressive Hubert Critchlow opposed expanding the franchise in the late 1940’s. And made African Guyanese, in the main, go along with Burnham’s rigging from 1968
onwards and with the PNC’s attempt last March. The Indian Ethnic Security Dilemma (IESD), based on their “kith and kin” African-Guyanese domination of the security forces, in the words of Desmond Hoyte, was manifested during the 1960 ethnic riots. Jagan fought doggedly, but ultimately futilely, to have those forces balanced as a precondition for independence. Burnham ignored the ICJ’s 1965 report which mandated that 75 percent of all new recruits be Indian Guyanese until parity was reached and disbanded the ethnically balanced Special Services Unit (SSU). He instead increased the armed forces by 600 percent with mainly African Guyanese and by the 1980’s Indian Guyanese were being attacked with such impunity that Mr. Eusi Kwayana said it “had the flavour of genocide”. I do not believe that Vincent really disagrees with my formulation and effects of the ESD’s. The first factor he identifies as the “real” cause of our conflict: “our ethnic differences, our historical cultural differences, including our belief systems, value”, serves merely to provide an ideological basis for acting politically within the structurally constituted and
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
constitutive ESD’s. Political action always presupposes some political ideology: ethnic differences in and of itself does not cause conflict: only when they are politicized. Individuals always act from some ideological standpoint within fixed structures even though sometimes unaware of those structures. In their lived experiences, beliefs of members of groups will sediment into narratives which articulate “ideologies” that both explain and offer normative guidance for action. For instance, the African Guyanese narrative of prior arrival, greater suffering, earlier westernization, etc, justifies a greater legitimacy to the national patrimony - including governing Guyana and the willingness to act towards that end. They now reject the universal norm of equality that undergirds majoritarian democracy as a mechanism for settling political differences, even when all groups in Guyana are minorities. The Indian-Guyanese narrative, on the other hand, proposing that they saved the sugar industry - and hence Guyana as a viable entity - since a peasant economy could not generate the funds necessary to maintain the hydraulics, avidly accept the majoritarian-
mediated norm of political equality. They resent the existential fear created by their powerlessness in a society with its coercive arms dominated by their political opponents and manifested by episodic ethnic violence. The second cause Vincent identifies: “our ethnic relations...built on discriminatory economic policies and oppressive relations between and among the ethnic groups...” are merely the effects - whether real or perceived - of the rule by the “other”. Conflict arises when the aspirations of the various parties cannot be realized to an extent they believe is just, but where the “deprivation” - especially economic - is unfortunately relative. We have insisted that Affirmative Action programmes be initiated and monitored by Ethnic Impact Statements to address African Guyanese economic equity. There is also, not so incidentally, the metaideology of racism in Guyana, which colours the ideologies of all groups and which must be addressed. I repeat that we have a very narrow window of opportunity before we are overrun by carpetbaggers. Let us insist that all groups are treated equitably. Sincerely, Ravi Dev
...The opposition leads in selling out Guyana From page 4 course, money and the god that it is) has grown, plays a better game from hard lessons learned. No fool is he. The opposition is content to play the role of also-rans and has-beens in subtle support of PPP tyranny, through upholding and endorsing government excesses, deceptions, and cover-ups. My concern is that when there is no respected and trusted central leadership, then, the hotblooded get damaging ideas. Nobody is in control then. Not even government. But the self-disgracing and disgraceful opposition is not alone. Stabroek News, once and long a bastion of fierce independence, was a powerhouse of ultraaggressiveness, sometimes rightly, during elections and the so-called struggle for democracy is now well pleased to be ultra-defensive to the point of, sometimes inexplicable, pulseless, blandness and patented innocuousness. As I do so, I note its core constituency, the establishment set. And as I share, I do hope that all Guyanese now have a fuller appreciation of what was the end game in the American led charge for what was bandied about as electoral democracy and all that bs. As I insisted
then, and do again, this is about their interests (and B, C, and E) and was never about Guyana’s in the least. Similarly, the religious houses, once spiritedly venturesome in the troublesome waters of Guyanese politics, have naught to say about faithful governance, nothing on anything that cheats the welfare of their individual flocks. And though unruffled, again I find myself being the wrong man with the wrong ideals. And so, too, is civil society, once rowdy and vehement about elections ethics and the patriotic has discovered the quietude of comforting places to count its enriching collections. It is good to be in the right place at the right time, while playing the right cards. The first of the latter is to kowtow obsequiously before the right leaders. They have all done very well for themselves with more promised. Yes! The opposition is at the head of the pack in betraying the expectant poor of this country. But it is not alone. It is not the only group without anchor or compass. Or the pretenses and postures of before. On this Guyana sails placidly along. For now… Sincerely, GHK Lall
PAGE 6
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Are we any better off since getting our independence from the British? DEAR EDITOR, Are we any better off since getting our independence from the British? Some may say YES we now own our natural resources and govern it ourselves. But to what end? Our politicians are no better than the people that rob us of our wealth before independence. In fact they are worse, hiding behind the façade of doing what is best for Guyana while making hidden deals of our natural resources confiscating millions/billions for themselves in the process, while the rest of us continue to eke out a substandard living for our children and ourselves. Will Guyana become a nation of prosperity with all its natural resources or will it end up as the continent of Africa? Africa is blessed with a rich bounty of natural resources. The continent holds around 30% of the world’s known mineral reserves. These include cobalt, uranium, diamonds and gold, as well as significant oil and gas reserves. Given this natural wealth, it comes as no surprise that with the tripling of global mineral and oil prices in the past decade, mining has exploded on the African continent. Over the period 2000 to 2008 resource extraction
contributed more that 30 percent of Africa’s GDP, while the annual flow of foreign direct investment into Africa increased from $9 billion to $62 billion (most of this into extractive industries). However, despite being so richly endowed, and despite the mining boom of the past decade, Africa has drawn little benefit from this mineral wealth and remains one of the poorest continents on the globe, with almost fifty per cent of the population living on less than $1.25 per day. Exploitation and corruption So, why is it that a continent with such vast potential wealth can remain so poor? It’s in large part down to ‘Illicit financial flows’. The illegal movements of money or capital from one country to another. The exploitation of mineral resources has all too often led to corruption, and a large proportion of the continent’s resources and revenues benefitting local and foreign elites rather than the general population. Trade mispricing (and in particular transfer pricing and trade mis-invoicing) is the most common way of transferring illicit funds abroad. Through trade mispricing companies seek to maximize profits artificially through maximizing expenses in high tax jurisdictions and
maximizing revenue and income in low tax jurisdictions. This enables corporations to minimize tax payments illegally and transfer the funds abroad. Such illicit flows undermine social development and stymie inclusive economic growth. Instead of investing resource revenues into improving infrastructure, health and education, political elites, often in collusion with mining companies, have siphoned off proceeds from the continent’s mineral and oil wealth – lining their own pockets, to the detriment of ordinary Africans. The biggest culprit: the mining industry Zambia on the face of it is a wealthy country – the largest producer of copper in Africa and the seventh largest globally. Yet Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world with 74 percent of the population living on less than $1.25 a day and 43 percent of the population being undernourished. This is in part due to a haemorrhaging of wealth mainly to multinational mining companies. According to the Zambian Deputy Finance Minister, in 2012 the country was losing $2million a year from tax avoidance, around 10 per cent of Zambia’s GDP. The mining industry was the biggest culprit and the
bulk of the loss was attributed to transfer pricing - where parts of the same company trade with each other at prices determined by themselves and to the over-reporting of costs and under-reporting of production. The situation is compounded by overlygenerous tax incentives provided to companies by the Zambian government. The Zambian example is not an isolated case. Such corporate practices in the mining sector are common right across the continent. In South Africa, illegal capital flight through trade-misinvoicing (a means to evade tax) is rife in the ores and metals sector. Over the period 1995 to 2006, trade mis-invoicing alone amounted to US$167 million. And when it comes to fuel exporting countries, over the period 1970 to 2008, states were losing on average US$10 billion per year because of mis-invoicing - the sum accounting for nearly half of all illicit financial flows from
Africa during this time. Moreover, statistical data generated through the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme, which was introduced in 2003, revealed that diamond production was nearly twice as large as estimated indicating massive smuggling, underreporting and tax evasion in the sector. The list goes on. Transparency and playing by the rules So, what is to be done? At the heart of any solution must be transparency. Countries need to be more open in their dealings with mining companies, put in place and enforce fairer tax regimes and anti-corruption rules, and pursue economic policies that promote diversified economies and reduce dependence on revenues from mineral wealth. International mining capital of course would also have to play by the rules or be held to account for their indiscretions. Such measures
would go some way to ensuring that the continent’s wealth benefits ordinary people and puts Africa onto a path to greater prosperity. Mining routinely disrupts and destroys people’s livelihoods while damaging their health and the environment. It is local communities right across the continent that are most affected by the extractives industry. ‘Mining on Top’ should be the perfect opportunity to bring these communities into the very discussions that will affect their lives. Shamefully, they’ve not been invited. So while the elite discuss how best to exploit a country, ordinary people continue to lose out. What happened to Africa must not happen in Guyana as we join forces together for our politicians to come clean to the people of Guyana on the truth and transparency of the Kaieteur and Canje Oil blocks. Yours truly, Gloria Holder
American developers better at skills transfer and project development DEAR EDITOR, On Sept. 27th, KN penned, “Guyanese companies should get preference for contract selection”. I stand by that article, as it relates to selecting existing reliable and dependable Guyanese contractors vs. contractors from a particular country in the Pacific Rim - The country name beginning with “C”. I also stand by the opinion of the likes of Exxon. Oil is an entirely messy business, and the people working for oil companies are in a completely different category of their own. However, as it relates to American developers/ contractors vs Chinese contractors for Infrastructure development, etc, etc - the Americans get 150 percent of my vote. We know them, they have provided many of us
with an excellent education, we live with them, they marry us, they welcome us eagerly into their homes, they eagerly encourage, share and transfer their skills with us without the slightest hesitation. They are the ones who have no problem unilaterally making a call to their corporate headquarters, asking their company to secure a visa for us to come over to develop our skills, even if we just graduated. They don’t look down their noses at us, primarily because of the colour of our skin. At least, that has been
my experience and most of the Guyanese I know. I’m unapologetic in stating Americans are better for Guyana as a whole than the other group in Guyana that have always been insular, stick to themselves, and for the mere fact of the colour of our skin, will always regard us quietly as third class people in our own country. So, I look forward to working with the Development Finance Corporation. Yours Truly, Chi Kansi
Reordering of priorities needed DEAR EDITOR, Given the recent news in the US media that the President of China has stated to his Military to prepare for war, it is imperative that our Government revisits its priorities. All expansionary projects should be shelved and an increased focus placed on improving our medical facilities and medical supplies, power supply, food access and production, revenue generation initiatives, housing and current essential infrastructure. In addition, the savings level within the national purse needs to increase significantly in preparation for a very difficult global trade and economic
environment. The current tension between the super powers risks disrupting economic normalcy in our hemisphere and the realignment of other global powers in support of Venezuela brings the increased risk of an impending war next door to Guyana. The added fragility of our economic growth in non oil and gas sectors will add exposure to market disruption and supply chain shortages. For these reasons we must begin to plan for the resulting scenarios including the worst case of active military engagement near our borders. Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Ten days after losing monopoly, GTT improves - industry speeds for customers by 600 % for free stakeholders - Proves once again it has been short changing Guyanese
F
or 30 years, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph, which is 80 percent owned by US-based Atlantic Tele-Networks Inc., pushed against the liberalization of the telecoms industry while it practiced predatory pricing that stymied the development of call centres and emerging industries. For decades as well, it failed to honour its licence obligations to provide quality, international services across the nation. During that time, it only appeared consumed by one objective— collect billions of dollars in profits for ATNI shareholders, even if that came at the expense of stifling the development of the nation’s telecommunications sector. On June 1990, ATNI had signed an agreement with the Government of Guyana which allowed the company to have the exclusive right over the provision of international voice and data, as then defined in 1990. This agreement also had the option for renewal of the
said deal for 20 years. That option was exercised in 2010 by the PPP regime, extending the monopoly until 2030. The former administration, the APNU+AFC faction, had promised that it would bring an end to the monopoly but it claimed that this was just not possible given the 1990 agreement that the PPP renewed and other incentives GTT was asking for in exchange. In response to the interest of the local authorities in liberalizing the sector, ATNI had expressed worry over the years to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that it would possibly lose millions in revenue if Guyana secures its freedom. In its latest 10-Q Form (https://seekingalpha.com/filing/5117402) , ATNI stated, “Within our International Telecom segment, we expect that Carrier Services revenue may decline in the near term as a result of reduced roaming revenues in connection with travel bans implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We
also anticipate that Carrier Service revenue from our international long-distance business in Guyana will continue to decrease as consumers seek to use alternative technology services to place calls, as well as a result of the loss of market share should we cease to be the exclusive provider of domestic fixed and international long-distance service in Guyana, whether by reason of the Government of Guyana implementing recentlypassed legislation or new regulations or the lack of enforcement of our exclusive rights.”It continued, “While the loss of our exclusive rights will likely cause an immediate reduction in our Carrier Services revenue, over the longer term such declines may be offset by increased revenue from broadband services to consumers and enterprises in Guyana, an increase in regulated local calling rates in Guyana or possible economic growth within that country.” Now that the dark ages of its monopoly are no more,
GTT has made another move which proves, yet again, that it has been short changing Guyanese all the while. Ten days after the Government liberalized the telecoms sector on October 5, 2020, GTT announced that its business consumers would be able to access a 600 percent increase in speeds in two months time. In its release to the media, GTT noted that businesses can access 300Mbps on its fibre network while noting that the improved services were done with no additional charge to customers. The company’s supposed reason for this “sudden improvement” in internet speeds is that it wants businesses to be able to meet the demands of the new online pandemic-driven world. Contrary to GTT’s excuse, industry stakeholders opine that this new offer from GTT shows that they have been short changing Guyanese as within days of liberalization, they have been able to offer improved services. The move by GTT would
also be seen as a response to its competitors such as ENetworks and Digicel, both of which have welcomed the liberalization of the sector and have eased over the years some of the pressure brought upon the backs of Guyanese by GTT’s exorbitant rates. In spite of the company’s fears of losing its cash cow, industry stakeholders have since noted to this newspaper that liberalization, without a doubt, brings fresh air into the sector. As a result, they posited that Guyanese will now be able to benefit from the economic growth that is associated with modern and improved ICT. Since GTT lost its monopoly, for example, Digicel has announced reduced international rates to 100 countries. The company said that this is just one of the many measures to come following the liberalization of the sector. Earlier this year, Guyana’s premier provider of television and internet services, rolled out a 4G network in Georgetown, from Enmore to Grove, and in Parfaite
CEO of ATNI, Michael Prior Harmonie. This network delivered 20 Mbps of home internet service at a comparatively lower price point than GTT. In September, it also expanded the coverage area to include Cornelia Ida, Schoonord and Tuschen, as well as unveiled its new 5G service – the first of its kind in Guyana. According to ENetworks, the 5G service, which uses the latest generation of wireless connectivity globally, is designed to meet today’s growing internet demands while delivering faster speeds at lower pricing to the Guyanese people. E-Networks also landed its own subsea cable from Barbados to Guyana in January of this year.
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Economic growth dependent on CJIA reopening Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill expressed that “reopening the airport will indeed result in an economic growth shift for the entire country,” as it continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a release from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) The release stated that the return to commercial operations would see passenger arrivals double over the next month. Several carriers, including Caribbean, American
and COPA Airlines have applied and have been approved to resume commercial flight operations. CJIA said that this was a promising start to the reopening process, especially since the airport experienced a 95 percentage drop in passenger traffic and 1.4 billion dollars in revenue losses, over the last six months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The release noted that this was testimony to President Irfaan Ali’s vision for
striking the right balance in dealing with the pandemic adding that in a recent interview, President Ali said that “the balance requires very strong protocols and I think, therein lies the trick to this pandemic; the protocols and enforcing the protocols.” Meanwhile, the CJIA informed that it has acquired the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) from the Airport Council International, Latin America and the Caribbean Region (ACI-LAC).
Dem boys seh...
De Land Of Many Squatters Guyana is the de land of squatting. From since dem boys know themselves, people bin squatting pun public lands and property. And even though dem know what dem do there illegal, dem can quote mo law than judge and dem does claim rights wah dem boys never know exist. Dem gat people does squat pun state lands. Like duh set wah guh and squat at Success. Dem is land grabbers. Dem deh pun a hustle. Dem creating mo headache for the government and fuh dem residents nearby. Dem also gat people squatting pun pavement and outside de markets. Dem illegal vendors are squatters. Dem setting up stands all over de place. Mo persons selling outside de market than inside. In fact we might soon reach a stage weh we
gat more sellers than buyers in Guyana. Dem squatters does come and squat in front of yuh business and some of dem selling de same thing wah you selling inside. In fact, some of dem workers in dem store are advertising agents fuh dem pavement vendors. When you go fuh buy in dem store, dem sales girls does advise you that wah you want selling cheaper pun de pavement. Dem does send you to de vendors outside. But you also gat squatters on private property. Nah mek a mistake and leff yuh house unoccupied and go overseas. By the time yuh come back a whole set of squatters done tek over yuh property. Yuh lights and water get cut off and yuh building destroy and de courts telling yuh dat yuh gat to give notice to people who you
don’t know but who move in and tek over yuh property and shying dem shite in de gutter. Dem gat squatters pun in de stands wah set up fuh people sit and watch basketball pun Parade Ground. Dem people mek house deh. And dem stink. And dem at D’Urban Park smoking dope. Dem squatters learn from de former government. Dem tun squatters after de noconfidence motion. Dem bin squat in office fuh 20 months. Fuss dem squat when no confidence motion pass against dem. Den fuh five months after de elections dem bin continue to squat in office. It tek Pompeo fuh tell dem step aside Nah surprise if one day somebody decide dem gan move in with you in yuh own house.
The ACI Airport Health Accreditation programme provides airports with an assessment of how aligned their health measures area when compared to the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force(CART) recommendations as well as with industry best practices. The CJIA believes that this would give the airlines and passengers the confidence that the safety measures implemented are in line with international standards.The release noted that this development not-
withstanding, passengers arriving into Guyana are required to obtain a negative Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within seven days, prior to their arrival. Passengers with tests within four to seven days prior to arrival at CJIA will be subjected to a second PCR test. In relation to the on-site PCR testing at the airport, the CJIA said that it was pleased to report that all passengers who have since been tested on arrival are negative for COVID-19.
Juan A. Edghill, Minister of Public Works
PAGE 10
Kaieteur News
France gives Guyana US$200,000 in emergency aid for Indigenous communities The French government has given Guyana US$200,000 in emergency aid for Indigenous communities in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The French government stated that the immediate objectives of the fund are to provide access to humanitarian support, sufficient food, medication and sanitization supplies to prevent the spread of the virus within the communities. It was also stated that some amount of money will be used to boost
the spread of awareness as it relates to COVID-19. An example of this would be tackling language barriers which have been a prominent issue in Indigenous communities since the onset of the pandemic. Many of these communities are uneducated about the virus and its severity mainly because most guidelines and regulations are not published in Indigenous languages. Guyana faced this issue, when Wapichan communities (Continued on page 73)
Sunday October 18, 2020 A group of Indigenous people from Deep South Rupununi (Photo Credit: Ministry of Amerindian Affairs)
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Omai Gold Mines, returns to Guyana
M
inister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, revealed last week that Omai Gold Mines Limited (OGML) has signaled their intentions to return to Guyana. In adding to this, Minister Bharrat shared that OGML intends on recoiling to their old worksite in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). Many have glorified the return of OGML, and that glorification was further fueled by the gold company touting to invest US$12M in phase one of their operations, as well as the employment of Guyanese offered on the table. Even with these touted investments, the reader should not forget that for over two decades, Omai Gold Mines exploited Guyana, its resources and has caused severe environment damage. Cyanide spill On August 19, 1995, a man-made environmental disaster had occurred in the Omai River in Guyana; the walls of an earthen tailings
pond, constructed to contain cyanide utilized in the goldmining industry became breached. More than 400 million gallons of cyanide-laced material spilled into the Omai River and subsequently, into the Essequibo, the country’s largest river. The spill resulted in severe environmental, ecological, social, economic and political consequences for the Guyanese community. The local and international media, government, politicians and environmental groups were actively involved in the matter. Due to local outcry and international outrage, goldmining operations in the region were suspended for several months. During the crisis, former President Cheddi Jagan had declared a stretch of 50 contaminated miles of the Essequibo River as an environmental disaster zone. While concentrations of cyanide of two parts per million (ppm) are fatal, the slag along the Omai River values reached 28 ppm during that
disaster. A government-mandated Commission of Enquiry investigated the matter and made recommendations. Nevertheless, gold-mining operations resumed fully at the spill site by March of the following year. The mining company eventually shut down its operations in 2005 and its holdings passed from Cambior Resources to IAMGOLD before they made it into the hands of Mahdia Gold Corporation (MGC). Concessions galore From 1993, the company commenced actual extraction of gold, and during their 24 year run, the company extracted some 3.7 million ounces of gold, but only paid five per cent of that in royalties to Guyana. Had the terms of their contract for the lucrative gold mine entailed more benefits for Guyana, the country would have reaped in billions of US dollars. In addition to this, the company benefitted from a slew of tax, fuel and vehicular
A pit in the Omai property area, Potaro, Region Seven
concessions—totaling to millions of Guyanese dollars. This wasn’t the only sweetheart deal that Omai Gold Mines reaped – in their contract was a clause which protected it against any future
laws. In other words, not even Parliament could reduce the benefits which were due to Omai under that agreement. However, because of the steep drop of gold prices in 2005, Omai decided that it was
time for them to close up shop. The company had to stay on for three more years to fulfill its obligations as these related to ensuring that the site (Continued on page 70)
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 13
FRONT PAGE COMMENTS RECAP Taxi driver caught with ganja As we continue our mission to enlighten the nation about issues of importance to this nation, we at Kaieteur News have published a series of front page comments in hopes of having our leaders take the necessary actions in order to realize the desired outcomes. Today we recap the front page comments of the past week to bring you up to speed.
The Oil Giveaway Graveyard Monday In excess of one hundred billion American dollars of our oil wealth were given away by PPP leaders, with the Coalition and civil society silently consenting. THIS WAS ON THE CANJE OIL BLOCK ALONE. To cheat and insult us further, Guyana must pay the owners of Mid Atlantic, who handed government a bill, without
detailed information, for GY $100 million in pre-contract costs related to that same oil block. They gave away the Canje oil block for free and then the hustlers of Mid Atlantic turned around and handed this ludicrous bill without explanation. Separately, we have asked for months on our Front Page: who owns the Canje and Kaieteur oil blocks? Two men whose names appeared on incorporation documents: the
first said he cannot recall (legalese for covering up); while the other stated that his hearing is not like before. Meanwhile, President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, and the Coalition Leaders Joseph Harmon and Raphael Trotman are extremely silent. More and more, Guyana’s oil is like a graveyard: frightening silence and holes dug by government and opposition leaders to bury all of us.
Opposition Oil Games Tuesday The Opposition Leader, speaking on behalf of his group, has little of significance to offer on this nation’s oil. He is a study in artful dodging. The Opposition, through its leader, has absolutely nothing to offer its constituency and wider Guyana regarding the disposition of the Canje and Kaieteur Oil Blocks. He is about foot-dragging paralysis, information ignorance, and tactical nonsense on oil in his weekly press conferences. On this most important prosperity issue (and criminal conduct one, too) in this country, the Opposition
and its leader PRETEND to be lost at sea, without paddle or compass. They know nothing, see nothing, hear nothing, and think of nothing on oil, particularly the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks. The Opposition is deceptive on our oil. The Opposition plays games with our oil. The Opposition is closing ranks and joining forces with the crafty PPP to choke and rob Guyanese of our wealth. Why is the Coalition doing so and making a complete fool of the entire group and this nation? What has it been offered for its gamesmanship and silence? What grand bargain is the Opposition a part of in an unholy alliance with
PPP leaders to sell out the poor people of this country for lifetimes to come? How many pieces of silver were paid to, or demanded by, the Opposition for its conspiracy of silence and betrayal of Black, Indian, Indigenous, and Mixed Guyanese? Something is not right about the Opposition and its lengthy wait for ‘information.’ Something is terribly wrong about the Opposition dancing and clowning, bobbing and weaving, ducking and making a total ass of itself with our oil. Somebody sold out Guyanese. It is not us. We suggest checking with Freedom House and Congress Place for answers. Just do not expect truth.
Stand Up For What Is Rightfully Yours!
Thursday Fellow Guyanese – for months now, we have shared, on a daily basis, information on how you are being gangstered by our politicians when it comes to our oil wealth. Now we call upon our fellow citizens to wake up, rise up, and lift up their voices. Shout and scream at political leaders who have linked arms to do what big-time gangsters do to the trusting and
Friday
vulnerable – cheating and robbing you of billions of US dollars. This is the present and future snatched away. This is your children’s and their children’s prosperity being stolen. Fellow Guyanese – do not sit down silently and do or say nothing. Do something. Call out these thieves, who steal your bright promise and force you to continue digging drain and cutting cane, while they bank the billions. Do not do this to yourself and your
children. You have been robbed before. Do not sit back helplessly and quietly allowing criminal leaders to rip-off and rob again. Leaders are hoping that these exposures and items that we carry daily will fade away. They will not. They watch nervously to see if the Guyanese people who they are taking advantage of will react. The choice is clear: do nothing and continue to live in the gutter, or stand up for what is rightfully yours!
THE BIGGER PICTURE
We thank the PPP/C government for the removal of the VAT on electricity and water and for the free water for pensioners. We thank the PPP/C for the $25,000 COVID-19 cash grant and the small increase in old-age pensions. When we did an approximation of all these relief measures, the average monthly savings does not exceed G$10,000. Though citizens are thankful, they should not be so carried away as to lose sight of the bigger picture. And it is regarding this bigger picture that we call, again, on President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to come clean. The Canje and Kaieteur blocks have been given away in secret deals to middle-men. We call on Dr. Ali and Mr. Jagdeo to come clean about these secret deals.It is nice to give needy Guyanese about G$10,000 but those billions of US dollars that belong to Guyana could make all Guyanese self-sufficient and better-off. Guyanese get chicken feed, while
crooked leaders get to keep the billions in US dollars from their giveaway of the whole chicken farm. Guyanese must decide whether they are happy with this state of affairs and will stay quiet or whether they will seethe with rage at being cheated by leaders from both sides of the political divide. Citizens should not settle for handouts. They must call for their just share of the country’s patrimony. They must demand accountability and transparency. More importantly, they must press for the billions to which they are entitled.Guyanese must remember that it was only after persistent efforts of the press and individuals that the Coalition agreed to release the hideous 2016 Contract which Trotman signed in secret. They must remember too that it was determination that finally exposed the Signing Bonus which the Coalition hid away from the people of the country. We are better and wiser now. And more determined.
in car trunk granted bail The narcotics neatly wrapped and packed in the car trunk.
A
taxi driver who was caught at a police road block on Tuesday with over 15 kilograms of marijuana was granted $75,000 bail on Friday for the alleged trafficking of narcotics. Eon Weeks, 40, of Durban and Smyth Street, Georgetown appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate Court before magistrate Fabio Azore. Weeks pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleges that on 13th of October, 2020 he had 15.412 kilograms in his possession for the
purpose of trafficking.He is expected to make his next court appearance on November, 9, 2020 at Mahaicony Magistrate court. According to reports ranks stopped the man at their road block along the Mahaicony Public road. He was at the time travelling in his car with a female occupant. The policemen decided to search his car and located the drugs in his car trunk. Investigators said that they cautioned both individuals and the taxi driver admitted to being the owner of the marijuana.
PAGE 14
Kaieteur News
EML to facilitate airport COVID-19 tests
Sunday October 18, 2020 Eureka’s CEO Mr. Andrew Boyle with testing team at the CJIA
I
n a release issued yesterday, the Eureka Medical Laboratories (EML) said that it is partnering with the Ministry of Health and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to facilitate Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 testing services at Guyana’s main international port of entry. In an effort to support the Government’s safety measures for the resumption of commercial flights and to safeguard the Guyanese people. The release stated that the EML testing team, accompanied by Chief Executive Officer Mr. Andrew Boyle, took up position at the CJIA on the evening of October 13. The team has
EML testing team been on site everyday carrying out tests on passengers who are without a mandatory document to show a negative PCR result. The medical lab added that to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease, the Guyanese government requires all arriving passengers
to have a valid negative PCR test result that was done within 72 hours. If upon arrival the PCR result produced to Port Health has exceeded 72 hours, passengers would be required to get tested at the airport. The results are then emailed to the Port Health and
the Ministry of Health within 4-6 hours of testing, to determine clearance of passengers, the lab stated. Additionally, the Dr. Collin Boyle Virology Lab at EML continues to provide testing for persons wishing to depart Guyana or for other purposes such as return-to-work, em-
ployment or diagnosis. It is noted that the results are made available within 2448 Hrs. The EML wished to assure the public that kits are sufficient to facilitate testing at both the airport and at its 263 Thomas Street, North Cummingsburg Lab and that
all efforts would be made to ensure they are replenished in a timely manner. Notably, other services offered by EML include house-call services in Georgetown and other coastal areas, as well as house-call services for places of employment and homes.
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Three young women hoping to educate and empower with “Balancing the Bars” By Sueann Wickham Over the past few weeks, a local podcast hosted by three powerful young women has been making waves on Guyanese social media. Balancing the BARS is an initiative by Jamicia McCalman, a vibrant and outgoing local youth figure, perhaps best known for her 2018 initiative Orange the Runway. McCalman is 23 years old and has been dedicated to making a difference for most of her life. She is a television producer and founder of the Heart to Art Foundation and was also a semi-finalist in the Miss World Guyana 2020 Pageant where she launched the ‘Project See, Save, Eliminate and Educate’ initiative to save victims of abuse and raise awareness. She is also a communications expert. In an interview with Sunday Kaieteur News, McCalman shared that she believes that a lot of the customs that were instilled in society by older generations are expired and stressed that many of them do not fit this generation. But while teaching folks to unlearn these practices she also hopes to provide new information to those in need through her podcast. McCalman’s main objective was to help Guyanese “learn and unlearn”. Instead of hosting a onewoman show, McCalman decided to seek collaboration with two friends who are no strangers to arts. She said that after sharing the initiative with the two women she described to be very influential; Arian Dahlia Richmond and
Abeena Gomes who later became her co-hosts. She expressed that the two women were not hesitant to come on board which saw the beginning of something great. Arian Dahlia Richmond is 21 years old and is no stranger to local media. She is the reigning Miss Guyana Culture, former Miss Bartica Regatta 2018 and recently placed Second runner up in the Miss Emerald International Pageant 2020. For many years her advocacy has been noticed and honored by many- including top government officials. She has organized many projects for Guyanese youth and is very passionate about leaving her mark in society. She is also the Chief Executive Officer Dahlia Artista, a local beauty enterprise and a very popular makeup artist. Abeena Gomes is also 21 years old and is the founder of the ‘Shine Your Light’ initiative, a project aiming to empower and help persons discover their inner qualities while providing them with the necessary resources. She is a marketing specialist, a graphic designer, a lover of fashion and has modeled for different modeling agencies where she met and befriended both Richmond and McCalman. In giving her objectives for the show McCalman said, “My earnest desire is to ensure that after every episode someone takes away something that they can apply to their lives.” The acronym ‘BARS’ in the title stands for Business, Arts, Relationships and So-
cial issues, all of which the trio aims to provide intense and informative discussions on. The young women believe that the podcast lives up to its name “Balancing the BARS” because a plethora of topics have so far been and will be continuously explored. McCalman shared that starting up the podcast was a very difficult task for the trio. Many persons were hesitant in committing to the project but they used their skills and bartered resources until the work was done. Despite the challenges encountered, McCalman noted that with the experiences gained after each episode “we will get better”. The trio hopes that in the long term their podcast can be internationally recognized so that they will be able to influence people all across the world. She did disclose that since releasing the first few episodes many local entities have been expressing interest in their content, which is a major stepping stone for where they would like to be. The podcast is for all genders, all ages, all ethnicities and people from different walks of life. The young women are extremely proud that they managed to produce one of Guyana’s first podcast series, which will pave the way for other local creators. There are currently three episodes of the podcast which can be found on their YouTube channel “Balancing The BARS”, on Apple Podcast and Anchor FM. You can also keep up to date by following them on all social media platforms @balancingthebars
From the left: Arian Dahlia Richmond, Abeena Gomes and Jamicia McCalman (Photo Credit: Shane Samuels)
PAGE 15
PAGE 16
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Govt. seeking to tap Qatar oil money for housing programme The government of Guyana is seeking to tap into Qatar’s oil money to expand its housing development projects. President Irfaan Ali recently announced that he engaged with the Emir of the oil-rich country, His Royal Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani earlier this week, where he expressed Guyana’s interest in accessing resources from the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD). The QFFD is a public development institution under the government of Qatar that
provides external aid for projects that address issues such as education, health and economic development while promoting sustainability. The fund sees a large amount of the nation’s oil money being plugged in to provide aid to countries all across the world. An official release from the Office of the President stated that following discussions, it was decided that teams from both Guyana and Qatar will soon be mobilized to further discussions. According to a statement from
the government, the teams will include Foreign Affairs Ministers from Guyana and Qatar, Qatar’s Energy Minister, Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Agriculture. The release mentioned that the teams will be in charge of designing programmes and projects for Guyana to access resources from the QFFD. Also discussed at the meeting was Qatar’s support for other key sectors which includes energy, oil and gas, services and infrastructure. The Government of
Guyana has been actively seeking funds for housing development since taking office in early August. Recently, the PPP administration has been focused on raising US$250 million to bolster housing development for the next five years. To raise the monies, the Housing Ministry has been publishing advertisements in the newspapers looking for persons interested in financing the initiative. In their advertisement it stated that in light Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) set to rise with our growing oil and gas industry, the government intends to transform the infrastructural landscape of Guyana by boosting urban development. The Ministry has been encouraging persons or entities who wish to provide financing to submit proposed term sheets to them. The terms sheets must include their interest rates and terms, an outline of their assumptions and expectations, a time period to conclude their financing and proof of their capability and experience.
President Irfaan Ali
They noted that the expressions of interest will be reviewed by the government and parties that are selected will be invited to negotiate and participate in a Housing Financing Development Plan. Ali claimed that since putting out the advertisement the response has been “nothing but overwhelming”, stressing that he would have engaged with persons on a bilateral, multilateral and regional level as it relates to housing devel-
opment in Guyana. “Every single Head of State I spoke to so far, I’ve outlined housing as a top priority and asked that financing of the housing programme be taken into consideration of their development fund,” President Ali said. He further disclosed that a Diaspora Housing Fund is also under consideration to be established and will see the Guyanese Diaspora becoming (Continued on page 70)
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 17
>>> Champion Health Care Provider <<<
After three decades of outstanding service…
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, calls it a day By Sharmain Grainger
I
t is said that in combat, if someone becomes a casualty, another person must step-up and take his place. But, much like most things in life, it isn't always guaranteed that the replacement will be of the same ilk and calibre. Moreover, although the 'no one is indispensable' notion is widely accepted, it isn't always easily embraced owing to the fact that some people are not as dispensable as others. This might have been the reasoning of the administrators of the Ministry of Health, back in April, when a decision was made to retain the active service of Dr. Shamdeo Persaud although time had reached for him to proceed on pre-retirement leave. D r. P e r s a u d , t h e country's Chief Medical Officer (CMO), has been a fixture at the Health Ministry since his appointment in this capacity in June of 2007. Although there were many worrying health concerns over the years of his career, none can compare to the contagious COVID-19 which was first discovered in China towards the end of last year and soon after grabbed the attention of the entire world. Guyana recorded its first COVID-19 case in March of this year. Recognising the
A young Dr. Persaud attending to a patient
disease as a colossal threat to the health sector, former Minister of Public Health, M s . Vo l d a L a w r e n c e , decided to ask the versatile and very experienced Dr. Persaud to remain on the job to guide the country's response. Dr. Persaud, like many health professionals, has learnt many valuable lessons since the infiltration of the novel coronavirus disease. In this regard, he acknowledged without hesitation that “health really lies in the hand of each and every one of us and it is not based on how good a health care system is…personal behaviours and good health practices are critical.” He noted too that although elderly persons are likely to suffer more, the long-term
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud
Guiding the country's COVID-19 response
Health really lies in the hand of “each and every one of us and it is not based on how good a health care system is...personal behaviours and good health practices are critical. impact of the disease may affect an even wider crosssection of the population since all are indeed vulnerable. From the more than 3,000 positive cases recorded locally, over 100 have died as a result of complications, at the time of writing this article. For this reason, Dr.
Persaud has surmised that, “we all need to work to bring this pandemic under control. Responsible behaviours, observing public health m e a s u r e s a r e important…your actions can help to save others.”
”
he could have just have easily opted to become a Marine Biologist or ventured into the field of environmental science. But it was his mother who ultimately gave him the needed nudge to take the medical path, he recalled. He attended the Supply Primary School and then the Covent Garden Secondary before heading to the St. Rose's High to complete his secondary education. In his quest for higher learning, he attended the University of Guyana, the University of
the West Indies and the St. George's University. Thirty years after serving the public health sector with distinction – two years as an intern and 28 years with full license to practice medicine and surgery – Dr. Persaud has proceeded on preretirement leave, effectively passing the baton on to his successor, Dr. Narine Singh. MAJOR ROLE But according to Dr. Persaud, even as an (continued on page 72)
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Born to a farming couple, Thakur Persaud and his wife Bella Ramadi Persaud, on October 18, 1965, Dr. Persaud, a resident of Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, said that becoming a doctor was his first and only career choice. But had this not panned out,
A graduate of the University of Guyana
An unequivocal 'Champion Health Care Provider'
Kaieteur News
PAGE 18
Sunday October 18, 2020
The Senegal gas fields giveaway vs. Guyana Canje Block (recap)
Last week, Kaieteur News published a series of stories which exposed the damning giveaway of two prime gas fields offshore Senegal. The sequence of events and inherent
red flags as outlined in an analysis by expert on oil sector corruption, Alexandra Gillies, bore a striking resemblance to what took place with the suspicious award of the Canje Oil
Block offshore Guyana. In case you missed the damning exposés, here is a recap of the Senegal red flags as exposed by Gillies and parallel anomalies with the Canje Blocks.
The Senegal giveaway... Expert on Oil Sector Corruption, Alexandra Gillies
Controversial businessman, Frank Timis
President of Senegal, Macky Sall
Too many red flags for Govt. 1 1) not to be aware of corruption In 2012, BBC News revealed by way of a Panorama documentary how the Senegalese government signed away two offshore gas blocks that cost its people billions of US dollars. The sweetheart deals were struck with a company called PetroTim. But this company was an industry unknown. So unknown was the company that it did not exist at the time the deals were struck with company owner, Frank Timis. Two years after creating the first shell company, the RomanianAustralian businessman – who has a well known history of fraud, corruption, and misleading investors – created another firm which he called Timis Corp. The businessman transferred the rights from PetroTim to Timis Corp then sold it to two major oil exploration companies for billions of dollars. With the foregoing case in mind, expert advisor on oil sector corruption, Alexandra Gillies said it is important to ask: Why did the Senegalese government choose PetroTim, an unqualified company to begin with? Why did it then let Timis transfer the rights to another unqualified? And why did the government allow Timis to sell the blocks later on? Gillies said that these questions expose that the challenge is not one of inadequate due diligence by the Senegalese authorities, but rather, low standards which ultimately led to billions of dollars in gas wealth being lost through corrupt means.
2
Aliou Sall, the brother of Senegal's President
Quick buying and selling of prime assets Gillies, in her analysis, exposed that Timis who has zero experience in oil and gas exploration, created a company called PetroTim in 2012. After he used this shell company to acquire the blocks, he created another shell company two years later called Timis Corporation and hired the brother of the President, Aliou Sall, to run the show. Less than two months after registering the new company and hiring the President's brother, Timis Corp sold 60 percent of the shares to American oil company Kosmos in 2014 for over US$400M. That same year, Kosmos found major natural gas reserves. The
United Kingdom (UK) oil giant British Petroleum (BP) subsequently joined the partnership and acquired 30 percent of the blocks interest which saw Timis getting more than US$200M. In 2017, BP then bought out Timis Corporation for US$250M. That company held the remaining shares in the gas blocks. BP also agreed to pay Timis at least US$12B in royalties over a 40-year p e r i o d . I n t o t a l , Ti m i s m a d e approximately US$900M in cash within five years of acquiring the block and the 55 year-old is set for life with at least US$12B more to follow. In order to finish this money by the time he is a century, Timis would have to spend at least US$280M every year. Since acquiring the gas blocks, Timis had committed to pay exploration costs of US$48 million dollars but he only invested US$2M before flipping the assets. When one takes the foregoing into consideration, Gillies said that nations should always increase scrutiny followed by an immediate investigation whenever this red flag is noticed. Gillies said that the quick buying and selling of assets that belong to a nation is a red flag that should never be ignored. Registered in tax havens to hide identities of real owners When oil companies are created in a matter of days or weeks and are registered in territories that keep the identity of the real owners – the 'beneficial owners' – a secret, it creates the perfect condition for corruption and tax evasion to flourish. It ultimately robs the citizens who are the rightful owners of a nation's wealth, billions of dollars. Gillies said that a glaring example of this is the case of Senegal where Frank Ti m i s , a R o m a n i a n - A u s t r a l i a n businessman with a corrupt past, created two shell companies, had them registered in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, then acquired two prime gas blocks offshore the African country. It should be noted that the Cayman Islands and the BVI are two of the world's most top nations for providing financial privacy to corporations. As a result of using the shell companies which are registered in tax havens as part of his corrupt scheme, the people of Senegal remain in the dark
3
about the real owners and shareholders that are benefitting from the gas-rich fields.
4
Making awards to unqualified companies Would you give someone who has never built a house before, all your savings to construct your dream home? Would you allow someone who is not a doctor to perform surgery on you? The obvious answer to these questions is a resounding NO! It is clear that experience and a proven track record in a particular area are critical qualities to consider before giving a person or a company, an important job to do. Furthermore, if an individual would consider these two factors in their decision making process then it is expected that a government would do the same. Unfortunately, this is not always the case says Expert on Oil Sector Corruption, Alexandra Gillies. In the case with Senegal, she noted that the administration that is led by President, Macky Sall, gave away two of his nation's most prime offshore gas fields to PetroTim, a company that has zero experience, much less a proven track record of safe development of such resources. Gillies said companies which have no track record or experience in the industry as well as little to no finances or assets to carry out the required work programmes, are clearly not qualified to own oil and gas assets. The oil expert stressed that it is a glaring red flag that always warrants scrutiny by civil society.
55)
Senegal could have gained US$ billions through competitive bidding of gas fields Gillies was keen to note that Senegal would have gained billions of dollars revenue for the betterment of its people had it used an open and well-run competitive tender for the award of its prime gas blocks. She stressed that it would have attracted a capable company to explore the blocks. When governments decide to go another route, the expert said it should always arouse suspicion and be investigated. Gillies added that when a probe is done, there is oftentimes an element of corruption that would be detected.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Director and sole shareholder of Mid-Atlantic, Edris Kamal Dookie
PAGE 19
Director of Mid-Atlantic, Hewley Nelson
Former President and Minister of Petroleum, Donald Ramotar
Commissioner of Guyana Geologyand Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennisson
Former director of Mid-Atlantic, Nicholas Chuck-A-Sang
Former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud
Canje Block giveaway Oil block award 1 1. Canje filled with red flags The Canje Block was awarded by the Donald Ramotar administration on March 4, 2015 days before the elections, to local company, Mid Atlantic Oil & Gas, which was incorporated in 2013 by Hewley Nelson a management professional and Nicholas ChuckA-Sang, a geologist. Dr. Edris Kamal Dookie, who was not officially a Director at the time the company received the block, came on later and is the sole shareholder. Several important details about the Canje Block award have evaded public knowledge, despite the fact that international transparency best practices require that the man on the street be able to access them. The same is true for the circumstances, which followed the award, as the block changed hands. The handling of the Canje license is characterized by many red flags which anti-corruption experts say warrant investigation.
2
Canje block owners sold shares six weeks after receiving block
Mid-Atlantic sold away shares in the block, a mere six weeks after it received it. MidAtlantic received the block on March 4 and sold stakes to JHI on May 15. The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) has noted the quick flipping of blocks without having done substantial work, as a major red flag of inquiry into possible corruption. It is notable that the principals of JHI and Mid-Atlantic, Edris Dookie and the Canadian John Cullen co-founded CGX in 1996. The companies' directors are also linked in other ways. Exxon farmed into the Canje license in February 2016, becoming the operator with 35 percent of the shares later that year. The sum Exxon paid for its share is unknown. In February of 2018, JHI and Mid-Atlantic also struck a deal with Total, which resulted in Total having a 35 percent stake.
3
Canje block owner incorporated in secrecy jurisdiction
JHI Associates, with a 17.5 percent stake in the Canje block, has managed to stay under the radar due to its incorporation in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which is a secrecy jurisdiction and tax haven. This is a major red flag for governments that prioritise transparency and mitigation of corruption risks. Companies registered in jurisdictions like BVI have the fortune of withholding financial information from the public about their transactions, and owners. The company just about sprung up for the purpose of owning the Canje block. Its website, a vague collection of pages on the internet, provides very little information about itself, save and except for its ownership of the block. It was recently announced that BVI will be creating publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership for companies incorporated there, by 2023. By then, Guyana would have the opportunity to know who benefitted from the sale of its Canje block to ExxonMobil and Total.
4
Canje owner had no assets, proven track record, finances to acquire Canje block
Located 180km offshore Guyana, the Canje block lies in ultra-deep water. There are only a handful of companies in the world with the capability and track record to drill in ultra-deep water, including ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, BP and Total. Mid-Atlantic is not one of them. This is why, immediately after it was awarded the block, the company started to sell off stakes. Mid-Atlantic doesn't even have a stable office space or website, despite it being seven years since it was incorporated, and five years since it received the Canje block. The directors who incorporated the block have no experience in oil & gas. Its shareholder, Edris Dookie has very limited experience drilling for oil, with no finds under his belt. The first company MidAtlantic sold to, JHI also does not have what is required. The block only finally went to capable companies starting 2016, after Exxon farmed in. Total farmed in two years later.
5
Guyana lost US$ billions by avoiding open, public tender for Canje Block Governments around the world make big money when they award oil and gas contracts by open, competitive bidding processes. They also ensure that when such a process is upheld transparently, the best and most eligible companies are chosen to do the job. By refusing to wait, and take the time to study the basin and develop a foolproof open bidding process, Guyana likely forfeited billions of dollars in upfront revenue. The award was made weeks before ExxonMobil announced its first discovery. Knowledge of this find could have been used in Guyana's favour. However, the opportunity was forfeited and years later, officials continue to be silent on what transpired.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 20
Sunday October 18, 2020 Ready to wage war against COVID-19
Our Frontline Worker of the Week is… Nurse
Jirshawatie Binda By Malisa Playter-Harry
A
mong us are some nurturing, caring and selfless nurses who we depend on when we are ill. These are the health care professionals who work hand in hand with the doctors and, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, their work got even harder as they are placed prominently on the frontlines. We have featured many doctors and other health professionals who work on the frontlines dealing with COVID-19 patients and suspected cases, but nurses too have been performing their roles just as tirelessly and selflessly. This week, we feature Jirshawatie Binda, a nurse attached to the Rapid Response COVID team in Region Six. This nurse, who has attained the age of 31,
A tireless and selfless nurse
I felt that teaching was not for me, I wanted more of a challenge and I wanted to make a greater difference in people's lives and so I felt like I could do that through nursing.
“
”
comes from the tranquil community of Bengal Farm, East Berbice, Corentyne. In the profession for the past six years, she is currently stationed at the quarantine facility in Rose Hall, East Canje and works a 12-hour shift with 11 other nurses and four doctors.
Hospital making it possible for her to be ready to take her place on the frontline to help combat the dreaded COVID-19 disease.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
BEING A SERVANT
She became a nurse because she
Nurse Jirshawatie Binda
developed a passion for caring and taking care of people when she w a s younger. But before she b e g a n working in the nurturing profession, she was a teacher. “I felt that teaching was not for me, I wanted more of a challenge and I wanted to make a greater difference in
people's lives and so I felt like I could do that through nursing,” she said. Schooling for Nurse Binda began at the Number 43 Nursery School. She then moved on to the Number 43 Primary School and subsequently attended the J. C. Chandisingh Secondary School. But she had many challenges. Despite challenges ranging from financial difficulties to friends and relatives hiding textbooks from her, she pushed on and graduated successfully in 2006. She began teaching shortly after at a primary school but soon after resigned and applied at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing. “Thankfully I was accepted, and another journey started for me; an overwhelming one,” she said. After graduating from nursing school, she worked at the Port Mourant Hospital during the period 2014 – 2017. Her next move was to head to the Anamayah Memorial Hospital where she worked during the period 2018-2019 before gaining employment at the Skeldon
Being her first experience working in a pandemic, Nurse Binda said as a frontline worker, she puts aside the thoughts of the risks and focuses on being a “servant to public health”. Her responsibilities include checking patients' vitals, provide encouragement, counselling, among other things. She said she was asked and agreed to work at the quarantine facility since there was a shortage of staff there. Although hectic sometimes, she finds joy and comfort in the fact that she has been given the responsibility to help during such difficult times. “Frontline workers are on their feet working endlessly to save lives every second. Recently, we have been getting more cases from across the border, some are depressing; some vent frustration and at the same time, we must re-assure them. Whenever duty calls, I assist and although I am based at the facility here, I do go on surveillance visits when people call the hotline if there is a need for additional staff. It's not scary at all, I see it just as an addition because we have been trained for this,” she said. PURPOSE DRIVEN A typical day for Nurse Binda entails administering prescribed medications, providing emotional
support, monitoring vitals, encouraging and educating patients. While some patients may go into a state of depression or behave erratic at times because they are being quarantined, her greatest sense of relief comes when a test result returns negative. She said it gives great peace knowing that someone is saved from contracting the deadly disease and thus can return home. “It makes me one happy nurse,” she said with glee. H o w e v e r, o n e o f h e r challenges is the wearing of the Hazmat suits. Although she knows it is necessary and compulsory during the pandemic, it sometimes proves to be an uncomfortable code of dress during the hot days. This, she said, does not deter her, for she knows it will not be worn in vain. She mentioned too that one of the added difficulties currently experienced is the lack of a suitable area for donning personal protective equipment. According to her, such an area is especially n e e d e d d u r i n g decontamination. She believes that her approach to the job she does, comes from the encouragement and support from her parents, Nareshwar and Radica Binda, who pushed her to become someone with a purpose in life. She said her parents have been very instrumental in her life. Moreover, the selfless and hardworking nurse is on a self-imposed mission to encourage other young women to educate themselves and be independent. “There are many opportunities available now that we must not remain at one place. Try to help as much as you can, you might not know what that person is going through,” she asserted.
Ashmini Ramnauth
Sunday October 18, 2020
This week's feature is the absolutely stunning Ashmini Ramnauth. Her hobbies include reading, interacting with children and modeling. Her favourite quote is "Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you. - Princess Dianna.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 21
PAGE 22
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 23
Super-spreaders! T
esting done early and on a mass scale can make a difference in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. It can also reduce and eventually eliminate deaths all together. Do you know that St. Vincent, Grenada and St. Lucia have only a small number of coronavirus cases and no deaths? St Vincent has 65 cases, only one of which is active. It has zero deaths. And its secret is that despite having a small number of cases, it has a testing rate of 52,169 per one million of its population. Grenada has 25 cases of which only one is active. It has zero deaths. Its testing rate is 55,486 tests per every one million of the population. St Lucia has 32 cases, five of which are active. It has recorded zero deaths. Its testing rate is 49,093 tests per every one million of the population. The secret of these countries success in
containing the pandemic is their testing rate. They have kept their case load low and manageable and have not had any deaths because they began testing early and they did a large number of tests. Guyana's biggest mistake was its low rate of testing in the early stages of the pandemic. Testing rates remained low during the first four months following the discovery of its first case. Mass testing, however, could not be rolled out because the lack of a legitimate government which prevented it from seeking international help in obtaining testing kits. A few thousand testing kits were on hand as at August. Since August testing has increased. But Guyana's testing rate – that is the number of tests per one million of the population – stands at 21,025. This is less than half the rate of three Eastern Caribbean states which are free of COVID deaths and have single digit
number of active cases. Guyana therefore needs to urgently increase its testing rate. It needs to quickly triple the number of tests which it has done so far. As at Friday last, Guyana had done only 16, 561 tests. It needs to move closer to around 50,000 tests and to do so quickly. Friday's positivity rate was frightening. The country only did 110 tests on Friday even though its testing capacity is around 300. Of these 110 tests, there were 52 positive cases, a positivity rate of 47.3% or almost double the overall national rate. The total undiagnosed cases can be as much as 10 times the number of diagnosed cases. This would mean that there can be as many as 30,000 undiagnosed coronavirus cases. This may also explain why Guyana's deaths are so high. As at Friday, Guyana had recorded a total of 109 deaths from 3,672 cases. This appears high when
compared with Jamaica, Trinidad and Suriname, all three of which have had a dramatic surge in deaths and cases since the reopening of their economies. Trinidad and Tobago has 5,248 cases with 95 deaths...Jamaica has more than double the number of cases of Guyana. They have recorded 8,132 positive cases and 162 deaths. Suriname has the same number of deaths as Guyana, 109, but they have a far larger case load of 5,113. All four countries – Guyana, Trinidad and To b a g o , J a m a i c a a n d Suriname – however have a common denominator. Their testing rate is very low relative to those countries in the Eastern Caribbean which have zero deaths. The testing rate of Guyana, Trinidad and To b a g o , J a m a i c a a n d
Suriname are 21,035; 23,569; 29,454 and 28,459 respectively. It appears from these numbers that there can be a relationship between testing levels and the number of cases and deaths. This is why this column has been consistently calling for the problems with Guyana's testing capacity to be addressed. The excuses are just too many and have been made for far too long. Mass testing needs to be implemented and done so early. Guyana's death rate may appear high. After all, Suriname has the same number of deaths but has far more cases. Given the limited number of institutional deaths in Guyana, an explanation is needed as to why there are so many deaths.
However, it may not be that Guyana's death rate is excessively high. It may be that the number of confirmed cases is not representative of the scale of local infections. There may be as many as 30,000 additional positive cases locally and these persons do not know that they are positive. Who knows, one of those persons may be standing or sitting next to you right now! Stay safe. Wear a mask, reduce nonessential travel and keep away from government's super-spreader events. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 24
Sunday October 18, 2020
OAS: In danger of undermining the 'Right to Protect' By Sir Ronald Sanders
A
noteworthy event occurred on the afternoon of Saturday October 10, that could have implications for nations across the globe. It merits attention. The Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, issued a statement, indicating that he “designated international human rights lawyer Jared Genser as Special Advisor on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P)”. This appointment happened when the OAS is again facing dire financial circumstances and staff contracts are not being renewed. Still, even in such difficult circumstances, an appointment of someone greatly needed to carry out the Organization's work would be understandable. The difficulty with this appointment is that it is not a priority identified either by
Ministers of member states or the Permanent Council of the OAS. Further, R2P is, rightfully, a matter on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly and under the authority of the Security Council. Consequently, it is intriguing that, in his statement, Mr. Almagro said unequivocally that: “If existing international mechanisms are not responding to the demands and needs of the victims of mass atrocities in the Americas, at the very least the OAS should try to design and build a regional mechanism that can prevent and respond more efficiently, and in a timely manner, to crimes of this nature in the Western Hemisphere”. Whether intended or not, this sounds like a dismissal of the UN Security Council and an arrogation by the OAS to act in its place “in the Americas”. It is important to note that
R2P was unanimously endorsed by the memberstates of the United Nations at a World Summit in 2005. The agreement is designed to protect people the world over from four crimes: “genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing”. The question arises, therefore, about the identity of the countries “in the Americas” where Mr. Almagro suggests that such crimes are being committed and against which action is required “more efficiently, and in a timely manner”. If such countries exist in the Americas, why have they not been brought before the UN Security Council? And why is this matter not being raised for discussion, with the evidence of atrocities, by member governments of the OAS in appropriate bodies of the Organization? The way this matter has crawled into the OAS - not in the full light of transparent discussion and decision but
in a weekend media statement from the Secretary-General - is why suspicion surrounds the OAS. It is a suspicion with which all its member states are tainted as complicit. Silence is taken as consent. A further consideration is that the R2P does not replace the UN Charter; R2P is a UN-led response to the problem of mass-atrocity crimes, and actions in furtherance of it require UN Security Council authorization. Therefore, why would the OAS – a group of only 33 governments – seek to usurp the UN of 193 states, and a 15-state Security Council? Dr. Adrian Gallagher, Co-Director of the European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, makes the following salient point: “R2P does allow states to consider all coercive and non-coercive measures under Chapters VI, VII, and VIII of the UN Charter when a government is “manifestly
failing” to protect its population from the four crimes. Though this does include the use of force, any action taken has to be authorized by the UN Security Council”. In his statement, Mr. Almagro makes another point that merits attention. He says: “The costs of not having an R2P regional mechanism at the OAS so far have been the continued loss of human lives and the persistence of impunity for mass atrocities crimes”. He continues: “Yet, over time, there have been mass atrocities committed in far too many countries by repressive and undemocratic regimes”. Sadly, where there have been such instances in the past, in OAS countries, governments of other OAS member states have ignored them for narrow, political reasons. Such politically selective and convenient
Sir Ronald Sanders responses must stop if the OAS is to have any credibility in advancing the principle of R2P. In this regard, another observation by Dr. Gallagher is worth recalling: “It is important that those who champion the R2P do not overstate the scale of the crimes being committed. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro has invoked the Rwandan genocide as a pretext to justify R2P action in Venezuela, but clearly any such analogy is deeply flawed, as there is no pending threat of mass genocide”. To be clear, the principle (continued on page 60)
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to add a few more pages to our newspaper to recap, in their entirety, some of the major stories carried during the past week. SUNDAY CANJE OIL BLOCK AWARD FILLED WITH RED FLAGS Despite Guyana gets nothing from the US$ billions the oil block is worth, taxpayers owe G$100M precontracts costs to owners This is the first of a series of articles exploring and exposing the circumstances surrounding the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks awards. Kaieteur News will be revealing the truth about the giveaways, which have deprived present and future Guyanese of their entitlement to the country’s oil wealth. Estimated at a value in excess of US$100 billion, Guyana has gotten nothing from the giveaway of the Canje Block. Yet, taxpayers were handed a bill to the tune of G$100 million in pre-contract costs by the company, with no explanation of what precontract costs constitute. The Canje Block was awarded by the Donald Ramotar administration on March 4, 2015 days before the elections, to the local company, Mid Atlantic Oil & Gas, incorporated in 2013 by Hewley Nelson a management professional and Nicholas Chuck-A-Sang, a geologist. Nelson, who was listed as President of the company at the time, was also a Director. He has since served on several public boards, including on the board of the Marriot Hotel’s parent company, Atlantic Hotel Incorporated, appointed to that post in 2017 by the David Granger administration. He is also understood to have dedicated many years of service the Hand-in-Hand Trust Corporation Inc., even serving as its General Manager. Nelson is also listed on the website of the Guyana Association of Securities Companies and Intermediaries Inc. as a member of the board of directors. Kaieteur News sought to contact Nelson o ascertain certain details on the award, but he said that traffic in the area made it difficult for him to hear, and that he would return the call. He did not. Subsequent attempts to reach him proved futile.
Chuck-A-Sang, a petroleum engineer currently serves at the Department of Energy, and has a long history of service with the Government, dating back to the early 1990s. Kaieteur News reached out to ChuckA-Sang by phone to enquire about his involvement with Mid-Atlantic. He was not employed by the Government at the time, he explained, since he had worked for the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) until 2005 as its Senior Petroleum Geologist. He related that he went into private consultancies during that period, and it was through that work that he came into contact with Mid-Atlantic. That company, he said, had asked for assistance setting up. He noted that he had worked with the company as a geologist, but could not remember precisely when he left. Chuck-A-Sang said he could not provide information regarding transfers of stakes in the Canje Block, nor of payments, as he was not involved in those matters. The Canje Block agreement also includes the email address of another individual who is understood to be central in the company, Dr. Edris Kamal Dookie. Dookie was not listed as a director when Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas was incorporated, but he is currently the sole shareholder. He joined MidAtlantic as a Director after the company was awarded the Canje Block. Dookie is the only principal of Mid-Atlantic that has any prior experience in oil and gas. In 1996, he cofounded CGX with a Canadian named John Cullen. The company was granted the Corentyne Block in 1998.
In 2000, the company’s rig was forced away from location by Surinamese gunboats while working to fulfill the company’s commitments under the agreement. Over the years, CGX has benefitted from a few more licensing concessions from the Government of Guyana. In March 2013, it was reported that Dookie was no longer part of CGX, but it is unclear why he left, or whether he was fired. In that same month, an application was made for the Canje Block by Mid-Atlantic. The company was not yet incorporated when the application was made – with incorporation taking place one month later. Attempts were made to contact Dookie, as well, but they were unsuccessful. Several important details about the Canje Block award have evaded public knowledge, despite the fact that international transparency best practices require that the man on the street be able to easily access them by picking up the phone or by a few clicks on the internet. The same is true for the circumstances, which followed the award, as the block changed hands. The public plea for information from both the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) is made even more urgent by the fact that the award is wrought with red flags listed by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), an independent anti-corruption advocate, as potential signs of corruption.
HOW SENEGAL LOST US$ BILLIONS ON GAS FIELDS… SENEGAL GOVT. WAS AWARE OF OBVIOUS CORRUPTION RED FLAGS BUT CHOSE TO IGNORE THEM – EXPERT SAYS In 2012, BBC News revealed by way of a Panorama documentary, how the Senegalese government signed away two offshore gas blocks that cost its people billions of US dollars. The sweetheart deals were struck with a company called PetroTim which was registered in the Cayman Islands on January 17, 2012. PetroTim, however, was then and still is an industry unknown. So unknown was the company that it did not exist at the time the deals were struck with company owner, Frank Timis. Two years after creating the first shell company, the RomanianAustralian businessman – who has a well known history of fraud, corruption, and misleading investors, created another firm which he called Timis Corp. It was registered in the British Virgin Islands. Timis transferred the 90 percent stake he had in the two offshore concessions, Saint Louis and Cayar, to this new company. Following this, Timis hired the brother of Senegal’s President Macky Sall, to run Timis Corp and paid him US$25,000 per month. The BBC also reported a secretive payment from Timis Corp to an offshore company owned by the president’s brother, though the company and the brother deny the payment ever existed.Less than two months after registering the
new company and hiring the President’s brother to run the show, Timis Corp, sold 60 percent of the shares to American oil company Kosmos in 2014. That same year, Kosmos found major natural gas reserves. The United Kingdom (UK) oil giant British Petroleum (BP) subsequently joined the partnership which saw Timis getting more than US$200M. In 2017, BP bought out Timis Corporation and agreed to pay Timis billions of US dollars in royalties over 40 years.Following the release of the damning BBC documentary, many industry analysts have sought to examine the red flags which were ignored and led to Senegal losing hundreds of millions of dollars in rights to the blocks which are estimated to contain as much as 50 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and a billion barrels of oil.One such international watchdog that has taken a closer look at this case is the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI). According to its Expert Advisor on Oil Sector Corruption, Alexandra Gillies, the controversial sale of the Senegalese blocks holds critical lessons that all oil producing nations and civil society activists must pay keen attention to. Gillies noted that the Senegalese case sounds several alarm bells, the first one being that PetroTim, was an unqualified company. She said that it had no exploration experience or track record in the industry and was only incorporated after the contract was signed for the oil blocks.In light of this, Gillies said it is important to ask: Why did the Senegalese government
choose PetroTim, an unqualified company to begin with? Why did it then let Timis Corporation, a shell company registered in a tax haven, acquire the rights? And, why did two major oil companies, Kosmos and BP, choose to partner with the Timis Corporation? Gillies said that these questions expose that the challenge is not one of inadequate due diligence by the Senegalese authorities, but rather, low standards which ultimately led to billions of dollars in gas wealth being lost through corrupt means. She said, “Most of the red flags were observable well before the BBC’s investigation. Savvy and experienced companies such as Kosmos and BP surely saw them, and the government of Senegal likely did too. The government award process failed to weed out PetroTim as a suboptimal candidate.” The expert added, “The later decisions by Kosmos and BP to move ahead with the deals suggest that they found their legal risks to be acceptably low, such as with respect to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or the U.K. Anti-Bribery Act. So, it’s not that the parties’ due diligence systems failed to uncover the red flags; it’s more likely that they noted, assessed the risks and decided they were worth taking.” Gillies noted that unless governments and companies adopt stronger standards, the natural resource wealth of developing countries will continue filling up the pockets of the “Timises of the world”, instead of (Continued on page 26)
PAGE 26
From page 25 transforming the lives of the true owners of the nation’s patrimony. LOCAL CONTENT PROVISIONS FOR PAYARALICENCE FLOUT PETROLEUM LAWS – CHRIS RAM – PPP/C GOVT. HAS DONE EXACTLY WHAT TROTMAN DID WITH LIZA PHASE ONE Upon doing a preliminary review of the production licence, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) approved for ExxonMobil’s third development project, called Payara, chartered accountant, Christopher Ram said it is clear that the administration has failed the nation. In a brief comment to this newspaper, Ram – who holds a Masters of Laws in Oil and Gas – said his conclusion in this regard is based on what is contained in that the section of the licence called “Local Content and Participation.” That aspect of the licence states that not less than 60 days prior to the beginning of each year, the Licensee, ExxonMobil, shall submit to the Minister a yearly Local Content Plan which shall detail the company’s objectives, utilization levels, activities, and programmes aimed at compliance with its obligations under the Petroleum Agreement, applicable law, and government policy. Ram was keen to note however that this is against the nation’s Petroleum Exploration and Production Law of 1986. At Section 36 of the Act, it clearly states that “A petroleum production licence shall not be granted to an applicant therefore unless – the applicant’s proposals for the employment and training of citizens of Guyana are satisfactory; (v) the applicant’s proposals with respect to the procurement of goods and services obtainable within Guyana are satisfactory.” Taking the foregoing into consideration, the attorney said that the law therefore requires that ExxonMobil’s local content plans should have been reviewed and deemed satisfactory before the production licence for Payara was awarded. He opined that to do otherwise would be against the grain of the law while adding that he had been heavily critical of former Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, for making the same grave mistake when he had approved the production licence for the Liza Phase One
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Project. The current Minister of Natural Resources is Vickram Bharrat. In conclusion, the attorney-at-law said, “After all the talk and talking, the socalled condition, ‘Local Content and Participation’ is patently inconsistent with the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act. This can neither be explained nor excused and for me, this is a major, major disappointment.” MONDAY CANJE BLOCK OWNERS SOLD SHARES 6 WEEKS AFTER RECEIVING BLOCK It is unclear whether the first recipient of the Canje oil block, Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas, ever intended to do the work it committed to doing under the agreement with government. This is evidenced by the fact that the company sold away shares in the block, a mere six weeks after it received it. The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) has noted the quick flipping of blocks without having done substantial work, as a major red flag of inquiry into possible corruption. The Canje block was signed away by Government on March 4, 2015 to MidAtlantic, weeks before the May 11 general and regional elections. Days after the election, on May 15, JHI farmed into the block. It is notable that JHI was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on June 17, 2015 after it farmed into the Canje block. The relationship between JHI and Mid-Atlantic can be easily explained by taking a look at their principals. JHI’s website lists its Chief Executive Officer and Director as John Cullen. Information on Cullen from JHI’s website states that Cullen has “20+ years corporate experience in Guyana petroleum exploration.” Further research into the other principles of JHI Associates shows there are multiple linkages between them and the owner of MidAtlantic, Edris Kamal Dookie. First off, the experience Cullen touts is experience he shares with Dookie. The two men co-founded CGX in 1996. That company has benefitted from several licenses, but was never successful in finding oil. Both men have left CGX. Cullen also directs a company called Jaguar Holdings. This company, Dookie and Scott Young (another of JHI’s directors) all are shareholders in a Canada company called Oyster Oil &
Gas Limited. Cullen’s JHI said that it purchased seismic data packages on the GuyanaSuriname basin after it acquired its share of the Canje Block, but it did nothing else. Yet, its principals have been making bucks by selling out shares in the company. The UK investment firm, Westmount Energy has been quietly buying into companies that have stakes in blocks offshore Guyana, principally JHI. JHI makes money because it owns the Canje block in which it does no work, and Guyana gains nothing. Exxon farmed into the Canje license less than a year after JHI did, becoming the operator with 35 percent of the shares, according to Global Witness. The sum Exxon paid for its share is unknown. In February of 2018, JHI and Mid-Atlantic also struck a deal with Total, which resulted in Total having a 35 percent stake. The block is now currently split between Total (35 percent), ExxonMobil (35 percent), Mid-Atlantic (12.5 percent) and JHI Associates (17.5 percent). THE SENEGAL GAS BLOCKS GIVEAWAY… QUICK BUYINGAND SELLING OF OFFSHORE CONCESSIONS A MAJOR RED FLAG…SHOULD BE WAKEUPCALLFORALL NATIONS – OIL EXPERT As oil producing nations like Guyana embark on efforts to build the capacity to effectively manage its petroleum sector, particularly in the award of oil blocks, there are a few critical lessons it should pay attention to if it intends to not repeat the mistakes made by others. In this regard, expert on oil sector corruption, Alexandra Gillies, opined that the massive giveaway of the gas blocks offshore Senegal holds crucial lessons for oil producing nations. In one of her assessments published by the Natural Resource Governance
Institute (NRGI), Gillies showed how Frank Timis, a Romanian-Australian businessman who has a wellknown history of fraud, corruption, and misleading investors, gained the rights to two offshore concessions, Saint Louis and Cayar, and within weeks of acquiring them, sold them for billions of dollars. Gillies, in her analysis, noted that Timis who has zero experience in oil and gas exploration, created a company called PetroTim in 2012 and registered it in the Cayman Islands. After he used this shell company to acquire the blocks, he created another shell company two years later called Timis Corporation and hired the brother of the President, Aliou Sall, to run the show. Less than two months after registering the new company and hiring the President’s brother, Timis Corp sold 60 percent of the shares to American oil company Kosmos in 2014 for over US$400M. That same year, Kosmos found major natural gas reserves. The United Kingdom (UK) oil giant British Petroleum (BP) subsequently joined the partnership and acquired 30 percent of the blocks interest which saw Timis getting more than US$200M. In 2017, BP then bought out Timis Corporation for US$250M. That company held the remaining shares in the gas blocks. BP also agreed to pay Timis at least US$12B in royalties over a 40-year period. In total, Timis made approximately US$900M in cash within five years of acquiring the block and the 55 year-old is set for life with at least US$12B more to follow. In order to finish this money by the time he is a century, Timis would have to spend at least US$280M every year. Since acquiring the gas blocks, Timis had committed to pay exploration costs of US$48 million dollars but he only invested US$2M before flipping the assets. When one takes the
foregoing into consideration, Gillies said that nations should always increase scrutiny followed by an immediate investigation whenever this red flag is noticed. Gillies said it is a red flag that should never be ignored. MINISTER DHARAMLALL HALTS PROCESS TO HIRE COMPANY FOUNDED BY SON – LOCAL GOVT. PERMANENT SECRETARY SACKED The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, has halted a procurement order for portrait posters. The transaction has caused widespread concerns. The minister’s decision came after Kaieteur News on Sunday reported that he had instructed his staff to hire a company that was discovered to be founded by his son. In a statement to the press Sunday, Dharamlall was keen to indicate that he gave no instruction to his staff to use any particular company to print 80 posters—which attracted the price of $80,000. “Moreover, I was totally unaware that portrait posters were being procured,” the minister wrote in his statement. “Since the note was brought to my attention last week, I took action to halt the procurement process and a memo to this effect was sent to the office of the PS… Our policy at the ministry is to ensure that all processes are followed and can withstand public scrutiny.” It was Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Ganesh Mahipaul, who on Saturday released documents highlighting the damning revelations. In those September 30th documents, the Local Government Ministry — its office located at De Winkle Building at Fort Street, Georgetown — had received a quotation from private local printery and banner service,
Designz Unlimited, for the supply of “80 full color, one side poster board with glossy finish, size 11 x 17”. What is extremely alarming is that at the bottom of the quotation submitted by Designz Limited, there is a handwritten note from someone within the ministry, which emphatically states that, “Dear PS, please see quotation submitted for purpose of printing 80 portraits of Honorable Minister Nigel [Dharamlall]. Minister has advised that we engage Designz [Unlimited] to do the printing…” The reader should note that it is illegal and against procurement best practices for a sitting minister to signal his preference to a company, as the minister’s first and foremost duty is to implement decisions on policies. TUESDAY CANJE BLOCK OWNER INCORPORATED IN SECRECY JURISDICTION HI Associates, one of the owners of the Canje block, has so far avoided the supplication of vital details about the company, especially its beneficial owners. The beneficial owners are the people who ultimately control an asset, and benefit from its use. JHI has a 17.5 percent stake in the block said to hold 5.1 billion oil-equivalent barrels. The company just about sprung up for the purpose of owning the Canje block. Its website, a vague collection of pages on the internet, provides very little information about itself, save and except for its ownership of the block. One of the reasons JHI has managed to stay so under the radar is due to its incorporation in the British Virgin Islands, which is a secrecy jurisdiction and tax haven. This is a major red flag for governments that prioritise transparency and mitigation of corruption risks. Companies registered in jurisdictions like BVI have the (Continued on page 27)
Sunday October 18, 2020
From page 26 fortune of withholding financial information from the public about their transactions, and owners. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Canadian John Cullen would appear to set the country’s roots in the North American jurisdiction. Its website was created in June 2015, and has added bits and pieces of information over time. It claims it was formed in 2011, and expanded its core team to support Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas in 2013 – the year the block was applied for. MidAtlantic is the first recipient of the Canje Block, and currently retains a 12.5 percent stake. It is notable that one year before Mid-Atlantic received the block, JHI completed a “pre-license farm-in” with Mid-Atlantic in 2014, according to its website. It is unprecedented that a company can “farm in” to a block even before the block was even legally signed away, since the host government would have to approve such a farm in. Why this happened could be explained by exploring the multiple linkages between Mid-Atlantic and JHI, as expressed in Monday’s article in this series. MidAtlantic’s sole shareholder, Edris Kamal Dookie, and Cullen have history together as the co-founders of CGX. They also, along with another member of JHI (Scott Young) are owners of a company called Oyster Oil & Gas. While Guyana knows Dookie is the sole shareholder in Mid-Atlantic, revealing the beneficiaries of JHI will shed much more light on what happened with the Canje block. It was recently announced that BVI will be creating publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership for companies incorporated there, by 2023. By then, Guyana would have the opportunity to know who benefitted from the sale of its Canje block to ExxonMobil and Total. THE SENEGAL GAS BLOCKS GIVEAWAY… SHELLCOMPANIES REGISTERED IN TAX HAVENS ONLY SERVE TO HIDE IDENTITY OF TRUE OWNERS – EXPERT SAYS THIS RED FLAG SHOULD ALWAYS WARRANT PROBE Kaieteur News – When oil companies are created in a matter of days or weeks and are registered in territories that keep the identity of the real owners – the ‘beneficial owners’ – a secret, it creates
the perfect condition for corruption and tax evasion to flourish. It ultimately robs the citizens who are the rightful owners of a nation’s wealth, billions of dollars. Taking this salient fact into consideration, expert on oil sector corruption, Alexandra Gillies, posited that companies registered in tax havens should always send alarm bells ringing for authorities as their pursuit of a nation’s natural resources leave the citizenry in particular, at great risk. Gillies said that a glaring example of this is the case of Senegal where Frank Timis, a Romanian-Australian businessman with a corrupt past, created two shell companies, had them registered in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, then acquired two prime gas blocks offshore the African country. It should be noted that the Cayman Islands and the BVI are two of the world’s most top nations for providing financial privacy to corporations. In one of her assessments published by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Gillies explained that Timis, who has zero experience in the upstream industry, created a company called PetroTim in 2012 and registered same in the Cayman Islands. Gillies noted that he used that company to gain the rights to two offshore concessions, Saint Louis and Cayar. Two years later, he created another shell company called Timis Corporation, registered same in the British Virgin Islands, and hired the brother of the President, Aliou Sall, to run the show. Less than two months after registering the new company and hiring the President’s brother, Timis Corp sold 60 percent of the shares to American oil company Kosmos in 2014 for over US$400M. That same year, Kosmos found major natural gas reserves. The United Kingdom (UK) oil giant British Petroleum (BP) subsequently joined the partnership and acquired 30 percent of the blocks’ interest which saw Timis getting more than US$200M. In 2017, BP then bought out Timis Corporation for US$250M. That company had held the remaining shares in the gas blocks. BP also agreed to pay Timis at least US$12B in royalties over a 40year period. In total, Timis made approximately US$900M in cash within five years of acquiring the blocks and today, the 55 year-old is
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
set for life with at least US$12B more to follow. As a result of using the shell companies which are registered in tax havens as part of his corrupt scheme, the people of Senegal remain in the dark about the real owners and shareholders that are also benefitting from the gas-rich fields. With this in mind, Gillies said that all nations ought to learn from Senegal’s grave mistake and demand beneficial ownership disclosures from companies registered in tax havens. She stressed that it is a red flag that should never be ignored. FIFTH DEVELOPER RETURNS PRIME OGLE LANDS RECEIVED FROM COALITION GOVT. Supergraphics is now the fifth developer to return prime Ogle lands, which were controversially vested to them by the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition regime. In a release, the company owned by one Eton Cordis, said that they had entered an Agreement of Sales with the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) on June 15 for the purposes of constructing 95 premium housing units/ apartments. The company was vested five acres for the project. However, to allow for a cleaner and transparent process, “We announce that we have agreed to surrender our interest in those lands with NICIL,” the company said. The developer was keen to point out that that it looks forward to working with NICIL and the Government of Guyana towards achieving their development goals. Only recently, four other developers, American Marine Inc; Navigant Builders under Winsor Estates; Cardiology Services Incorporated; and
Corum Group Incorporated have rescinded the lands vested to them under the APNU+AFC government. These are prime lands that are located near a major planned highway that would link the East Coast and East Bank transportation network. The almost 1,000 acres of prime lands opened by NICIL for commercial development are said to be worth billions of dollars. Although the lands were vested to the companies, no payment was made to the government, giving a clear indication that the state lands were merely given away. Public accountability advocates, had argued at the time that the Coalition government, being in caretaker mode, could not be involved in such deals. Not to mention, the country was embroiled in the widely publicized electoral impasse. The other companies that cashed in on the controversial deal include Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Incorporated; Premier Sales Incorporated; Trinuyana Investments Incorporated (Director, John Aboud); Caribbean Marketing Enterprise Incorporated (Director, Mike Elliot); Earl’s Court Incorporated; and state firm, Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil). Thus far, none of these companies has signaled their intentions to return the acres of land vested to them. WEDNESDAY SENEGAL LOSES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AFTER AWARDING GAS BLOCKS TO UNQUALIFIED COMPANY Would you give someone who has never built a house before, all your savings to construct your dream home? Would you allow someone who is not a doctor to perform surgery on you?
Would you let someone who has never studied dentistry extract one of your rotten teeth? The obvious answer to these questions is a resounding NO! It is clear that experience and a proven track record in a particular area are critical qualities to consider before giving a person or a company, an important job to do. Furthermore, if an individual would consider these two factors in their decision making process then it is expected that a government would do the same. Unfortunately, this is not always the case says Expert on Oil Sector Corruption, Alexandra Gillies. In her most recent analysis that examines Senegal’s petroleum industry, Gillies said that the administration that is led by President, Macky Sall, gave away two of his nation’s most prime offshore gas fields to a company that has zero experience, much less a proven track record of safe development of such resources. In her report, Gillies noted that Frank Timis, a RomanianAustralian businessman with a corrupt past and no experience in offshore exploration, created a company called PetroTim in 2012 and registered same in the Cayman Islands. After creating that company, Gillies noted that he used it to gain the rights to two offshore concessions, Saint Louis and Cayar, the same year. Two years later, he created another shell company called Timis Corporation, registered same in the British Virgin Islands, and hired the brother of the President, Aliou Sall, to run the show. It is important to note that the President’s brother also has little to no experience in deep water exploration and production. Less than two months after registering the new company and hiring the
President’s brother, the company started selling out the interest in the gas fields as it lacked the finances to do honour to the exploration programme. Gillies noted that Timis Corporation sold 60 percent of the shares to American oil company Kosmos in 2014 for over US$400M. That same year, Kosmos found major natural gas reserves. The United Kingdom (UK) oil giant British Petroleum (BP) subsequently joined the partnership and acquired 30 percent of the blocks’ interest which saw Timis getting more than US$200M. In 2017, BP then bought out Timis Corporation for US$250M. That company had held the remaining shares in the gas blocks. BP also agreed to pay Timis at least US$12B in royalties over a 40year period. In total, Timis made approximately US$900M in cash within five years of acquiring the blocks and today, the 55 year-old is set for life with at least US$12B more to follow. Considering this glaring theft of the nation’s prime gas assets, Gillies said companies which have no track record or experience in the industry as well as little to no finances or assets to carry out the required work programmes, are clearly not qualified to own oil and gas assets. The oil expert stressed that it is a glaring red flag that always warrants scrutiny by civil society. CANJE OWNER HAD NO ASSETS, NO PROVEN TRACK RECORD, NO FINANCES TO ACQUIRE CANJE BLOCK It has been seven years since Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas Inc. registered as a company, and five years since it was awarded the Canje oil block. It is now 2020, and Mid-Atlantic has not stabilized itself at an office (Continued on page 28)
PAGE 28
From page 27 space, and its website is still ‘Under Construction’. This paints a fair picture of the company entrusted by the Donald Ramotar administration with the job of developing one of Guyana’s most lucrative oil blocks, now estimated to hold 5.1 billion oil-equivalent barrels, worth more than US$200B even by today’s depressed oil prices. Mid-Atlantic received the Canje block without demonstrating the requisite assets, proven track record and finances to acquire and develop such a block. When the company was incorporated, two directors were named, Nicholas ChuckA-Sang and Hewley Nelson. Nelson has served on several public boards, and was even General Manager of Hand-in-Hand Trust, but he has no experience to boast in oil and gas work. Chuck-ASang is a petroleum engineer, whose years in the public service and with private consultancies, especially in mining, do not equip him with what is required to develop ultra-deep water oil blocks. One other individual, Edris Kamal Dookie, whose email address is found on the Canje agreement and was later identified as the company’s sole shareholder, also could not have brought what is needed to the table. He had founded CGX, alongside the Canadian, John Cullen in 1996. The company benefitted from several licences granted to it by the Guyana government over the years, but has very limited drilling experience to tout. Studying the details of the Canje block would certainly lead one to question how such a big block fell into such tiny hands. Located 180km offshore Guyana, the Canje block lies in ultra-deep water. There are only a handful of companies in the world with the capability and track record to drill in ultrad e e p w a t e r, i n c l u d i n g ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, BP and To t a l . M i d - A t l a n t i c i s certainly not one of them. This is why, immediately after it was awarded the block, the company started to sell off stakes. Mere weeks after receiving Canje, MidAtlantic handed stakes in the block to JHI Associates, a company run b y C o l l e n , D o o k i e ’s Canadian associate with whom he founded CGX. Cullen’s company also did not have the requisite assets, proven track record and finances to develop ultra-deep water blocks. Like Mid-Atlantic, it was
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
formed only a few years before receiving stakes in the block, and appears to have been formed for the sole purpose of owning the Canje block. The unqualified owners of the block later went on to sell a 35 percent stake in the block to ExxonMobil in February, 2016. Exxon went on to become the operator of the block, later that year. The companies also sold another 35 percent stake in the block to the French oil major, Total SE in February, 2018. Wi t h the assets, finances and track record needed, these two oil majors can develop the Canje block. However, the circumstances under which the block reached those companies likely resulted in losses for Guyana to the tune of billions of US dollars. It is unclear what percentage of those losses was paid to Mid-Atlantic and JHI Associates. The monies paid to them for the transfers in stakes were never made public. CHINESE SUPERMARKET ROBBED; ONE SHOT -BANDITS ESCAPE AFTER STANDOFF WITH COPS Police Tuesday evening responded to a distress call after gunshots were heard after bandits invaded the Egou Chinese Supermarket located at Melanie on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). Kaieteur News was told by police that a call was made about an armed robbery at the location. Neighbours recalled hearing shots being fired sometime after 19:00hrs. According to eyewitnesses, four gunmen
were seen entering the building. Other information received, revealed that the men were confronted by a security guard but overpowered him and stole his shotgun. They then stormed into the supermarket, attacked a male Chinese national and dealt him a blow to the head with a gun and began demanding cash. Nevertheless, prompt response by police, backed up by heavily armed guards, almost foiled their plans. Kaieteur News was told that the men managed to escaped before the cops arrived but not before stealing some cash and ripping out a few security cameras along with its DVR. Sources said that when police arrived, they were told of a grey Toyota Allion motorcar which sped off from in front of the building in the direction of Berbice. The police gave chase but then received another 911 distress call informing them that one of the gunmen was trapped in the building. They returned immediately with back up and surrounded the supermarket. The roads were blocked on both ends leading to the building. Other police road blocks were set up along the ECD public road as well. There was a brief standoff and tear gas was thrown into the supermarket with an attempt to flush out the bandit. The building was then cleared but no one was found. Police later notified media operatives that one of the victims was shot in the leg during the course of the robbery. Residents of Melanie said that this has been the third
attack by bandits on the supermarket in recent times. THURSDAY EXPERTS SAY SENEGAL COULD HAVE GAINED US$ BILLIONS THROUGH COMPETITIVE BIDDING OF GAS FIELDS No one in their right mind would want to sell a property for way less than it is worth and allow the buyer to make a million times more in profits after selling it again. With this fundamental reasoning in mind, expert on oil sector corruption, Alexandra Gillies, categorically states that civil society activists should always be alarmed when governments allow prime assets to be given to unqualified companies for nothing, as opposed to going through a competitive bidding process which would garner billions of dollars in revenues for the citizenry. In a detailed analysis that was published by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Gillies cited the case of Senegal which gave two of its prime gas blocks to a crooked businessman for free. He later sold both offshore concessions for billions of dollars in profits that will fill the pockets of his children and grandchildren for life. Gillies said that Frank Timis, a Romanian-Australian businessman with a corrupt past and no experience in offshore exploration, created a company called PetroTim in 2012 and registered same in the Cayman Islands. After creating that company, Gillies noted that he used it to gain the rights to two offshore concessions, Saint Louis and
Cayar, the same year. Two years later, he created another shell company called Timis Corporation, registered same in the British Virgin Islands, and hired the brother of the Senegalese President, Aliou Sall, to run the show. It is important to note that the President’s brother also has little to no experience in deep water exploration and production. Less than two months after registering the new company and hiring the President’s brother, the company started selling out the interest in the gas fields as it lacked the finances to do honour to the exploration programme. Gillies noted that Timis Corporation sold 60 percent of the shares to American oil company Kosmos in 2014 for over US$400M. That same year, Kosmos found major natural gas reserves. The United Kingdom (UK) oil giant British Petroleum (BP) subsequently joined the partnership and acquired 30 percent of the blocks’ interest which saw Timis getting more than US$200M. In 2017, BP then bought out Timis Corporation for US$250M. That company had held the remaining shares in the gas blocks. BP also agreed to pay Timis at least US$12B in royalties over a 40year period. In total, Timis made approximately US$900M in cash within five years of acquiring the blocks and today, the 55-year-old is set for life with at least US$12B more to follow. Taking the foregoing into consideration, Gillies categorically stated that an open and well-run competitive tender would have attracted a capable company to explore
the blocks. She said that when governments decide to go another route, it should always arouse suspicion and be investigated. Gillies added that when a probe is done, there is oftentimes an element of corruption that would be detected. GUYANA LOST US$ BILLIONS BYAVOIDING OPEN, PUBLIC TENDER FOR CANJE BLOCK Governments around the world make big money when they award oil and gas contracts by open, competitive bidding processes. They also ensure that when such a process is upheld transparently, the best and most eligible companies are chosen to do the job.The US Geological Survey (USGS) published a report in the year 2000, which estimated the Guyana-Suriname basin to hold 13.6 billion barrels of oil and 32 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Newer finds and estimates have already surpassed that amount. Guyana’s Canje Block alone was estimated earlier this year to hold 5.1 billion oilequivalent barrels. By refusing to wait, and take the time to study the basin and develop a foolproof open bidding process, Guyana likely forfeited billions of dollars in upfront revenue. Guyana’s neighbour Brazil has had many licensing rounds, and its experiences give a glimpse of what Guyana could have gotten if it had put the procurement of its blocks through a competitive bidding process. Brazil has made billions of US dollars from public auctions alone. Brazil typically sets a minimum bonus for the award (Continued on page 29)
Sunday October 18, 2020
From page 28 of certain rights. In one case one year ago, the country set the minimum signing bonus for one block at US$356M. This is because the country knows and skillfully markets the value it possesses, to companies which are capable. The opposite happened when the Canje Block was applied for and awarded. There was no competitive bidding process, and the block was awarded to a company with nothing of value to its name. The application for the block was made in March 2013. The company was incorporated in Guyana, in April of 2013, which means Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc. made an application for a block when it was not even formed. The processing period lasted two years, and suspiciously culminated with an award on March 4, mere weeks before the 2015 General and Regional Elections. Then President Donald Ramotar claimed that the processing delay was due to Venezuela’s navy seizure of Anadarko’s contracted seismic vessel in 2013. Notably, he made the award just weeks before ExxonMobil’s first discovery was announced in May 2015. He claimed that the Government did not know that there was a discovery. However, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C)’s election campaign strategy included an advertisement carried in Kaieteur News of May 8 which screamed “BREAKING NEWS…U.S. OIL GIANT EXXON STRIKES OIL IN GUYANA…” Knowledge of this find
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
could have been used in Guyana’s favour. However, the opportunity was forfeited and years later, officials continue to be silent on what transpired. OVERSEAS TEAM CONCLUDES PROBE INTO GRUESOME MURDER OF WEST BERBICE TEENS; REPORT EXPECTED SOON Detectives from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will soon expect a detailed report from the five-member Regional Security System (RSS) team who provided assistance to investigators with their probe into the gruesome murders of three West Coast Berbice teens – an incident that sparked nationwide protest action. Providing this update on the sidelines of an event Wednesday was Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, who told reporters that the team concluded their stint and departed Guyana last week. However, whether the details of their report will be made public remains unclear. Commissioner Hoppie
sought to reiterate the Force’s commitment to “leave no stone unturned” as the investigation continues. He noted that the police are pursuing a series of new leads but declined to disclose same. Providing a further update, he stated that the police are still awaiting official results from crime scene samples that were sent overseas for testing. The Force had hit a bump in their investigations after it was revealed that the teens were killed elsewhere and their bodies dumped at Cotton Tree. Detectives had encountered difficulties accessing the crime scene due to the several days of violent protests by the people of West Coast Berbice. However, after the chaos subsided, investigating ranks were able to access the scene and only then could have determined that the boys were not killed at the spot where they were found. The Force had said that a full-fledged team that consisted of 75 police ranks, the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) from the Criminal Investigations Department
(CID) Headquarters along with ranks from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh on Thursday conducted a “methodical” eight-hour search in the backlands with the hopes of finding anything of evidential value to the investigations. Ranks on the ground also received aerial support via a helicopter from the GDF. The team led by the Regional Commander unfortunately failed to find any evidence to aid their investigations leading to the arrival of the RSS. The Force will also soon receive another boost in their investigations with the impending arrival of the Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology (Equipo Argentino de Antropologia Forensica-EAAF). In a previous release, the team was described as “one of the world’s foremost agencies in forensic anthropology and is said to have conducted investigations on many “high profile” cases around the world. The team will include a forensic pathologist, a
forensic anthropologist and a forensic radiologist and will also bring along with them the equipment they need. The mutilated bodies of Joel and Isaiah Henry were found back on September 6, in clumps of bushes near to a coconut estate located at Cotton Tree Backdam, West Coast Berbice, Region Five. Protests marred by violence had erupted over the news of their gruesome murder and days later, the body of another teen, Haresh Singh was found, lying in a patch of grass and bleeding from the nose at the Number Three Village Backdam. Singh was later pronounced dead at a hospital and was identified as the grandson of one of the suspects, a rice farmer, who was in police custody at the time for the murder of the Henry boys. These protests had lasted for days and had affected businesses and left numerous commuters stranded – some for hours and others for days. FRIDAY AWARD OF CANJE, KAIETEUR BLOCKS MUST FACE INDEPENDENT FORENSIC PROBE – RAMON GASKIN Ramon Gaskin said that the suspicious awards of the Canje and Kaieteur oil blocks leading up to the 2015 general and regional elections, must face the scrutiny of independent forensic experts in an official investigation. He said that an expert team would allow Guyana to identify all those who are guilty of corrupt practices so that they may be prosecuted. The activist addressed the matter during last Tuesday’s edition of Kaieteur Radio’s Petroleum 101. “I really do believe that the matter is of such importance to this country, and the losses we have suffered as a result of this improper way of doing business, that we have to bring in forensic people,” Gaskin told Kaieteur Radio. He said that the blocks should never have been awarded to anyone just before the 2015 elections, and that former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud, and former President Donald Ramotar should come clean about what really happened and who benefitted from these awards. Gaskin believes that the awards were not legally done, as to receive such licences, companies are suppose to satisfy the government of their capabilities, assets and finances to acquire and
develop the blocks. He called on persons who have information about these transactions to come forward and allow themselves to be interrogated. “We need proper people to do that work,” Gaskin said. “We need serious investigative and forensic people.” He does not believe that the current Irfaan Ali regime would open an investigation into anyt hing done under the former Ramotar administration because they are all from the same party, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). “They don’t operate like that,” he explained. “The PPP does not operate like that. In simple language, ‘them is they people’.” Ramotar had recommended an independent investigation into the controversy, in a letter, in 2018. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo also said that he would support an independent probe into the matter, while in Opposition last year. However, the Vice President now in power is yet to address the matter. The two blocks are now collectively estimated to hold 7.1 billion oil-equivalent barrels. The circumstances under which they were awarded likely forfeited hundreds of millions, even billions, of dollars in signing bonuses. A Kaieteur News review of major corruption red flags in extractives deals, as listed by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), has shown that several apply to the Canje, Kaieteur situation. Global Witness also noted in a report it released earlier this year that there are worrying red flags, and recommended a probe. NRGI also has said that the red flags are tools that should be used to inquire further into what really happened. COPS CAUGHT ON CAMERA TRYING TO DRIVEAWAYAFTER HITTING DOWN PEDAL CYCLIST A video Thursday surfaced on Facebook and subsequently went viral after it revealed that three police ranks in a pick-up attempted to drive away after hitting down a pedal cyclist. It is unclear as to where the incident occurred but the video was recorded a little after 07:00hrs. Kaieteur News reached out to the relative police authorities to ascertain the location but up to press time they too were without a clue. (Continued on page 30)
PAGE 30
From page 29 Nevertheless, investigations into the matter are ongoing. Not recorded in the video was how the accident occurred but what is clear is that the ranks had attempted to drive away. They were forced to abort their plan, however, after residents of the area, including the individual who recorded the video, confronted them. A man (the pedal cyclist) without shirt appeared as if he was in pain and a bicycle was seen lying on the road with the ranks standing nearby and looking at him. One of the policemen looked up to the man recording the video and indicated with his hand to stop recording. The man replied angrily, “don’t tell me to stop videoing.” The rank in turn told him “nah, ah only shaking yuh off.” The man responded “me ain’t want you shake me off.” This somewhat aggravated the rank who began uttering foul language and vulgar slangs to the man. The man retaliated in the same fashion and scolded the officers for attempting to flee the scene after the accident. The other rank joined in
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
and started cursing the man as he continued to video them. One of the ranks identified as the driver of the pick-up, shouted that the pedal cyclist rode into the vehicle. Once again the man scolded the ranks, pointing out that even if the pedal cyclist was at fault it is completely wrong for them to drive away and leave an injured man on the road without rendering assistance. He also called them disrespectful for the way they behaved as well as for their use of indecent language towards him. During the verbal combat, the ranks even warned the man that they had marked his face and “worse will happen to him.” SATURDAY GUYANA, OTHER EITI MEMBERS MUST DISCLOSE TRUE OWNERS OFALL OIL, MINING BLOCKS BY YEAREND Before the end of 2020, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has categorically stated that
Guyana and other nations which subscribe to its standards, must disclose the identities of the real owners— also known as beneficial owners—of the companies which have obtained rights to extract oil, gas and minerals. Once the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) Government honours this requirement, the nation would no longer be in the dark about all the individuals who were able to pocket millions of dollars in profits following the suspicious award of the Canje Block to industry unknowns. The international body said it has decided to crack down on this global problem since hidden identities in the extractive sectors only help to feed corruption and tax evasion. It also added that people who live in resource-rich countries are at particular risk of losing out when facing this problem as extractive assets are too often misallocated for corrupt reasons. The EITI further noted that its Standard requires public officials, also known as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), to be transparent about their ownership in oil,
gas and mining companies. The international watchdog said that this information, once provided by its members, will be publicly available and will be published in EITI Reports and/or public registries. Once published, EITI said law enforcers, civil society and others have a responsibility to scrutinize the information, and take action to hold to account those who misuse anonymous companies. It should be noted that countries which fail to honour the requirements of the international body could face expulsion. Cost of hidden ownership While it is acknowledged that oil, gas and mining projects can yield great profits both to extractive companies and governments, the EITI was keen to point out that experience has unfortunately also shown that in many cases, in particular where governance is weak, rights to extract oil and minerals may be given to companies that do not have any competence. The international body said it has found that such companies may be given access to lucrative extractive projects because their owners are politically connected, or because their owners are willing to engage in questionable deals aimed at generating quick profits for a few rather than benefits for wider society. The international body said that suspicion or confirmed wrongdoing can lead to devaluation of other extractive assets, and deter overall investment in countries rich in natural resources. EITI said, too, that anonymous companies make it harder to curb money laundering and corruption as it enables wrongdoers to hide behind a chain of companies often registered in multiple jurisdictions. Further to this, EITI stated that developing countries lose US$1 trillion each year as a result of corrupt or illegal deals, many of which involve anonymous companies. In 2013 for example, the Africa Progress Panel found that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the period 20102012 lost at least US$ 1.36 billion from five mining deals hidden behind a structure of complex and secret company ownership. According to DRC’s EITI Reports, this is about the s a m e a s t h e c o u n t r y ’s average annual revenue from oil, gas and mining in the same time period. EITI is of the belief that the disclosure of beneficial
ownership will help lower the risk of such financial misconduct happening in other territories. It also posited that beneficial ownership transparency can help countries improve the investment climate, reduce reputational and financial risks, prevent corruption and illicit financial flows, improve the rule of law, increase trust and accountability, and enhance revenue collection. NIGEL HINDS RESIGNS FROM NICIL BOARD OVER TREATMENT OF SUCCESS SQUATTERS Accountant Nigel Hinds has resigned from the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Ltd. (NICIL) Board with immediate effect over what he claims to be the continued inhumane treatment being meted out to the squatters at Success, East Coast Demerara Only Friday, Kaieteur News had reported that the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated (GuySuCo) decided to flood a large section of lands on the East Coast being occupied by the squatters. While a majority opted to vacate the lands on the premise that it was a calculated move by GuySuCo to force them to leave, a significant number still remain, insisting that the flood will not “hamper their existence.” Things escalated after actions by law enforcement officers resulted in a number of squatters being shot and injured with rubber pellets.
These “inhumane actions” taken by GuySuCo and the onslaught on Guyanese is what Hinds stated he wanted to disassociate himself from. According to reports, in his resignation letter to NICIL Chair, Paul Cheong, Hinds pointed out that the lands at Success are owned by NICIL and not GuySuCo. Furthermore, Hinds stated that the actions taken by the police resulting in injuries on the residents of Success “are crude, cruel and callous actions”, ones that cast a gloom over Guyana. Hinds also noted that his continued presence on NICIL’s Board would insinuate that he throws his support behind the actions taken. Kaieteur News made contact with a GuySuCo official, who was in charge of releasing the water who stated that the lands are being prepped for a new crop. The official explained that the objective was never to remove the squatters and, as far as he knows, it was just to prepare the lands for use. Further, he added that he was only fulfilling what was required of him. Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuCo, Sasenarine Singh, who revealed that GuySuCo is mandated by the government to prepare the lands for cultivation. It was stated that the government hopes to restart operations at the Enmore Sugar Factory as early as 2022 and assiduous moves are being made to meet that deadline.
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 31
PAGE 32
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 33
PAGE 34
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 35
Kaieteur News
==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
In Bharrat Jagdeo’s presidency, it was born; it still is not alive A married couple met me as I was coming out the door of the Giftland supermarket last Friday. They said they received an email from the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) about updating their account. One of the requirements is proof of address. They told me that BNS no longer sends printed statements through the mail. The wife said to me, “Mr. Kissoon they stop sending statements with your address to you but they want paper documents from other places with proof of address; what if those other places have done away with paper statements too?” They also said that the bank is requesting ID card and passport and also birth certificate. She said, “Why birth certificate if you have to produce ID and passport?” Obviously, she’s right. I replied, “Madam, I understand your frustration but as a daily columnist, I have penned literally thousands of columns lamenting sad and grievous wrongs done to people in this country, at my age, tiredness is stepping in.” The husband chimed in, “but Mr. Kissoon, it is because you are a daily columnist you should write about these things” to which I responded
by offering them one of the most absurd manifestations of what a deranged society this is. I have mentioned this manifestation in previous columns. My bank account is jointly owned by me, my wife and daughter. For renewal of information each year, in keeping with the anti- money laundering legislation that very bank would require proof of address. But do you know how it sent periodic statement before I protested? This is how it was addressed to us, “Frederick Kissoon et al.” It did not contain the names of my wife and daughter. Now if my daughter goes to another institution and it asks for proof of address how can she give them a document that says, “Frederick Kissoon et al”? Where is her proof of address? As I stepped into my car, my wife with an intestinal smile intoned, “but you will write about it.” Well here it is. As they got into their car, it suddenly dawned on me that I should use the most tragic example to underscore what a barren wilderness this country is, and my hope is that Dr. Irfaan Ali could bring it to life and
leave an everlasting legacy. That example is why the most caricatured election result could have occurred only in Guyana. In Africa and Central America, there are some countries that are poor and unstable but our five-month election insanity would not have occurred in any such country; it could only have happened in Guyana. When you have a society that is dystopian, shambolic, Dostoyevskian, Kafkaesque, Mephistophelian and Faustian like Guyana, then it was a logical place for that election circus to have taken place. This country cries out for wrongs to be righted and it is the fervent hope of many that the creation of energy, spirit and humanity that confronted the indignities of the fivemonth election saga would usher in as fast as possible the instinct of empathy in all Guyanese so that the banality of violation of people’s rights that no one cares about will quickly vanish. And I am not talking about state violations. I am talking about rights that are violated on a daily basis by all types and all spheres in Guyana. I am not talking about the government
and its organs. I have in mind, upper class people, employers, financial houses like the commercial banks, private institutions of all kinds, etc. I have kept the details of the title of this column for the end for emphasis because I know a majority of people are not aware of it. It is a sad situation in a dead country. Do you know there is a constitutional body in this country named the Human Rights Commission yet it doesn’t exist? It came into being eleven years ago together with the Rights of the Child Commission but it has never gone beyond paper. The Jagdeo, Ramotar and Granger presidencies never devoted one second of attention to bringing this institution into existence.
In this country with a small population, it is incredible and beyond belief that so many violations take place so often.Can the presidency of Dr. Irfaan Ali make a difference to Guyana? We have tried seven executive presidents and all have failed this nation on the creation of a modern, psychologically stable society. People live sad, reserved, resigned lives in this land because no one comes to their rescue. I hope Dr. Ali shows up on their doorstep. I will work with him without salary to remove the ghosts that haunt
Frederick Kissoon this nation. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
PAGE 36
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 37
Kaieteur News
Coronavirus: Can we continue at this rate until a vaccine is available? By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center
T
he world is cur rently experiencing the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some countries have started to initiate lockdown measures, others are continuing to open up to salvage the economy. Leaders all over are faced with the balancing act of lockdowns which can ruin livelihoods versus opening up and the possibility of increasing infection and death rates. It’s a ‘damn if you do or damn if you don’t’ situation that needs the implementation of evidence based actions with the ability to pull back and re-strategize if the situation escalates. Today, I will give some insights on where we may be heading and what we can do to keep the situation in check and possibly, survive this period until a vaccine is available for us. When will a vaccine be available in Guyana? The most recent International evidence indicates the possibility of a successful
vaccine being cleared for use in late November to early December 2020. Most of the touted vaccines are in the late stages of trials and we should begin to know of their effectiveness by the end of this month or early November. Even if all goes well and emergency authorization is given for vaccines to be used in December 2020, Guyana will not begin to properly benefit from such vaccines until around April 2020. We are therefore looking at figuring out the best coping mechanisms to survive with this virus for at least the next six months. What will happen in the meantime? What happens until we have vaccination coverage depends on how responsible we act as a nation. We’ve had a fourfold increase in deaths in the past two months when compared to the first five months of the outbreak. At this current rate, we can expect close to 400 deaths by April 2021. This should not be acceptable by any standards. We therefore need to work together and adhere to evidence based guidelines to decrease our infection and
death rates. Anytime your instincts hints to you that you are taking too much risk, listen to it and step back and review your action. That is what is called responsible behaviour and is what will prevent us from having so many deaths from COVID-19. Striking the balance between a thriving economy and overwhelming the system There are two needs that we are all trying to balance and prevent from becoming overwhelmed. They are the ability to thrive as an economy while being able to sustain a medical system that can continue to provide medical care for all in need. The coronavirus is the barrier between these two needs and the goal is to devise plans and actions that will allow us to maneuver around this barrier until it can be removed with worldwide vaccine coverage. Leaders there-
fore have to allow their population to take enough action to sustain their livelihood while preventing them from becoming irresponsible. How can you be Hero? Being responsible during this pandemic means you are a hero who took the necessary actions to prevent yourself and others from getting infected by the coronavirus. This takes some amount of adjustment and loss of freedom but that’s what heroes do. There are so many preventative COVID-19 measures
that can overwhelm most. However, if you practice the 3 Ws well, you will be acting responsible and be considered a hero in my book: -Wear a mask when you are out—after all, superheroes wear masks -Watch your distance (avoid crowds and stay as far as you can from others) -Wash or sanitize your hands regularly We cannot be successful against this pandemic if we continue with how things are currently. We need to take actions to decrease the
Dr. Zulfikar Bux COVID-19 infection and death rate in Guyana before it breaks our system. Be responsible, be a hero; practice the 3 Ws!
PAGE 38
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 39
>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<
Potable water, COVID-19 cash relief, Permanent Secretaries, and Opposition AWOL
By GHK Lall
T
he banner caption encouraged: “Potable water for the first time in Esau and Jacob, Mahaicony� (KN October 11). t is still surprising that, after the money spent annually, some communities are still without something as basic as potable water in their homes. Without exhuming what is dead and gone, this is heartening to me; soon those other communities without this staple of life will be clamouring for relief, too. It is encouraging that the government's Housing Ministry moved quickly and meaningfully
on this. I read of encouraging events in Region Six COVID-19 cash distribution. That it is house-tohouse, with a registration process for accountability, and National ID cards required to tighten what appears to be a solid process, with cash paid immediately. Seems like much red tape removed and an audit trail developed. I t would be still more encouraging to learn of some preliminary arrangements for dealing satisfactorily with our many strapped and expectant tenants (legitimate ones). I recommend that some fixed process be finalized and publicized in time for attending to the more highly populated regions. It would be most encouraging that when this is over that the monies spent are accounted for and reconcilable. The announcement of eight new permanent secretaries brought
what was both encouraging and disturbing. On the positive side, I noticed a mix of youth, gender, and colour reflective of Guyana's demographic rainbow. Like the cabinet, I applaud the combinations placed before citizens that will be responsible for spearheading and performing some extremely sensitive, demanding and controversial duties. The latter is now an inevitable part of public service territory. But these appointments also introduce the disturbing, which the Opposition criticized. As I agree I am intrigued that the opposition hides in the woodwork on the material oil matters of Guyana. Those PS appointments disturb because they have to cope with, be expert on, voluminous public service rules. None of the eight have had the comprehensive exposure of years of experience and grooming in the public service itself to assume the top. I acknowledge they are young, which means they are green. I
suspect that they are yellow, as in coming with a possibly jaundiced view to the job, which impinges on their independence and strength, and inhibits their courage to disagree with those responsible for their elevation. Ministers in all government are not among the cleanest tools in the shed, nor the more principled people around. This is where permanent secretaries justify their existence, as check and balance. I am disturbed to conclude that these newcomers are not best suited to represent the people's interest foremost. What disturbs more is that the specter of them becoming doormats for political bosses to steer in crooked directions looks highly likely. The skills and backbone to resist are missing. Also, there are things that disturb in the developments surrounding the former PS at the Tourism Ministry. At the PS level, it sounds heavy-handed to summon the police; but no PS should subject
self to such indignity. As much as I empathize with returning to remove 'personal items' that should have been done before. I add this for my fellow Guyanese: on Wall Street, anyone asked to leave (Managing Director or junior) is escorted out of office and building immediately. They cannot return since all access is automatically blocked from the doors, turnstiles, floors, and every system. Why not? Last, nothing disturbs more than the Opposition's oil (professed) ignorance. T his is not inspiring for supporters or citizens. If it doesn't know, and it should, then it must move heaven and earth to do so quickly. Continuing with this charade is the height of self-serving, threecard trickeries. What do we have here for an opposition, if not a disturbing joke? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
PAGE 40
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 41
Kaieteur News
PAGE 42
K O
BO
Book: Oriental Ghost: Tales of the Coronavirus Author: Canute B. White Critic: Glenville Ashby, PhD With a second wave of the Covid-19 virus upon a nervous world, Canute B. White's 'Oriental Ghost' is timely and aptly titled. Not unlike the mysterious perturbations wrought by discarnate beings, Covid-19 has challenged the brightest and most fearless among us. 'Oriental Ghost' is a welldocumented treatise with multiple references from scientists, public officials and media. Outside of statistics and intriguing accounts of the public's reaction to the virus, White does not offer anything new
Sunday October 18, 2020
Covid-19: The Resilient Foe
in terms of epidemiology value. However, what he does brilliantly is showcase the nature of the human psyche under strain, a strain that splits the mind, forcing us to view the epidemic in stark, binary terms. In psychodynamic terms, this splitting reflects our inability to integrate the experience. We view Covid19 either as a plague of portentous proportions, a harbinger of the end or, as a natural pause, as a time to recalibrate, to reset and heal. Amid fear, White sees a burgeoning culture of altruism, stating, “although political rhetoric around the world has not waned drastically, governments have become more conscientious about the welfare of the people.” But no doubt, we
encounter irrational and selfserving behaviour. “There were reports of d is cr imin atio n ag ain s t individuals believed to be infected...discrimination in communities, families, and even in some healthcare facilities across the world,” White writes. He later revisits the case of a pregnant woman who was refused care because she showed signs of the virus. “The hospital reportedly tried to transfer the lady to other hospitals without success, as these other hospitals also refused the patient. She eventually died during childbirth at a hospital that had accepted the transfer...leading to a public outcry on social media and talk shows, condemning the alleged neglect of the hospitals.” And “afraid of being infected, patients suffering with heart attacks, strokes, chest pains, inflamed appendixes, and other non Covid-19 illnesses, no longer visited the hospital, a phenomenon observed in the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, and China. Some doctors referred to this ill-advised measure as a silent epidemic.” E c o n o m i c a l l y, t h e concept of splitting is also very present. White cites American economist and former undersecretary for international affairs, Larry Summers, who predicted
global economic decline, higher taxes, increased unemployment and a likely economic depression among poor nations if they are not rescued by wealthier states. While the economic fallout is unnerving, a recent Business Insider article, 'How Billionaires got $637 Billion Richer during the Coronavirus Pandemic,' clearly validates the 'splitting' argument. Poignant is White's recall of an event in Jamaica where reason surrendered to irrationality. “There is the belief that the disease was transmittable through animal contact, in particular from dogs. It was reported in April 2020, through the media, that a few individuals in various communities were seen feeding their dogs to crocodiles. “There was also the migration of people to districts with a low infection rate causing massive traffic congestion and chaos.” On a global level there was a “rush on supermarkets [that] defeated the policy of social distancing.” On the reaction of the scientific world, White documents, “CBSN reported that on May 5, 2020, experts were training dogs in the United States to sniff out coronavirus cases, with an aim to use the animals in crowded areas within six months...these dogs were the first trainees in the University of Pennsylvania
study to explore the possibility of dogs being able to detect odors associated with coronavirus.” Also, “researchers from Harvard School of Public Health reported that the United States may need to continue the social distancing policy until 2021, unless there is a vaccine for the virus.” White also referred to reports that “in May 2020 there were [already] 110 potential COVID vaccines being developed worldwide, and it was alluded that only vaccines could save the global economy during the era of coronavirus.” N o t a b l y, W h i t e chronicles deadly pandemics that bear like symptoms but are etiologically unique. He recounts, “Pandemics are not new, as historians believe that the first one occurred in 1510, infecting Asia, Africa, Europe, and the New World. There were also approximately 16 other pandemics between 1700 and 1900. However, after the Spanish Flu, (Albert) Marrin [who proposed the broader context theory] suggested that vigilance against future pandemics had to be achieved through focus on the 1918 pandemic.” P r o b i n g l y, W h i t e concludes, “Is the coronavirus really a form of flu virus that gave people a deadly flu and not merely a disease of another type with flu-like symptoms?” Clearly, 'Oriental Ghost' is a reminder that foresight is a desideratum of good public policy. White indicates that “many countries had watched for almost two months before taking strict actions to control the spread
of the virus, which the World Health Organization (WHI) declared a pandemic in March 13, 2020.” Not unexpectedly, the virus unleashed political maelstroms. White pens, “Many countries were facing partisan elections campaign atmosphere during or after COVID-19. As a result, governments were undeniably judged by the handling of the epidemic. How well the epidemic was controlled by each political administration around the world would determine whether that administration remained in p o w e r. A d d i t i o n a l l y, opposing political parties had orchestrated defeating utterances and strategically used the failures of g o v e r n m e n t a l administration to handle the pandemic to gain political mileage.”But such shenanigans by politicians will only stymie effective, timely and collaborative solutions. Arguably, Covid19 might have revealed, above all else, the uncomely side of human nature. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Feedback: glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby Oriental Ghost: Tales of Coronavirus by Canute White. Copyright © 2020 Canute B. Wright. Publisher: Palmetto Publishing Group www.PalmeroPublishin gGroup.com ISBN - 13:978-1-64111978-0. Available at Amazon R a t i n g s : ****Recommended
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 43
Kaieteur News
THE
PAGE 44
Sunday October 18, 2020
STORY WITHIN THE
A looming immigrant crisis? By Leonard Gildarie
I
n the next few years, the country will be unrecognizable, especially when it comes to demographics. The Venezuela crisis has pushed hundreds of thousands of residents of that oil-rich country elsewhere. We have received, it is estimated, in excess of 50,000 of them here with a community established in Region One. The figures would not take into account the number of returning Guyanese. Hundreds of them have come back home with hopes of reversing their dire financial situation. Many supermarkets now have hired Venezuelans. The auto repair shop I would visit in Grove, East Bank Demerara, has hired scores of returning Guyanese. Excellent workers, I spoke to one who said he grew up in Venezuela but the hardships forced his Guyanese-born parents back home. They are renting. He was professional and efficient. In almost all the Chinese supermarkets in Diamond and Grove, where I live, there is growing evidence of the employment of foreign nationals. In fact, the presence of the Venezuelans has fuelled a demand for apartments. Of course, the Venezuelan and Brazilian women are highly favoured as workers in the bars. It is no surprise therefore that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the bars, especially on the East Bank of Demerara, remain filled. Recently, during a callin programme on Kaieteur Radio, hosted by yours truly, I learnt that a number of security companies are
hiring Haitians. In the hinterland regions, despite the border shutdown, it is reported that thousands of Brazilians have fled hardships in their country to the gold mining areas. Guyana has to be real worried. At the time of writing on Friday, our death toll was 109 with over 3,600 cases confirmed. There is no abatement in the rise of cases. The US continue to lead the number of cases with over eight million persons infected since earlier this year and over 218,000 dead. India has overtaken Brazil to record over 7.3M cases and 112,000 deaths. That country is surging. Brazil follows suit with 5.1M cases and 152,000 deaths. The above would drive home the harsh reality of how vulnerable Guyana is because of our open borders. It appears that the Government is very much aware of the challenges. In fact, this past week, President Irfaan Ali reportedly announced that a special committee is being established to handle the Guyanese remigrants from Venezuela. I t is timely. Many Guyanese are finding it hard to reintegrate. “I am going to set up a special committee to be led by the Minister of Housing and the Minister of Local Government to see how we can bring the services to help you,� President Ali is reported as saying during an outreach to Essequibo. It is clear that migration and oil and gas will play a major role in painting our outlook. The demographics will change as eventually we will have to issue ID cards.
Leonard Gildarie The addition of 50,000 persons to the country will always be placing an extra burden on the health care bill. Oil and gas have brought challenges. We will all recall how more than a decade ago, it was unthinkable that people were coming here as migrants in a big way. Today, we can no longer boast the same. Most modern countries have systems in place. There is an application process. There are fees for work permits. It is a money making arrangement. Notaries or Justices of Peace make quite a bit from processing and stamping documents. There has to be a police clearance. No country worth its salt can accept persons whom we have no idea about. The Venezuela crisis has created headaches for Trinidad and Tobago. T h e Tw i n - I s l a n d Republic is facing a growing problem from gangs which include Venezuelans. We have hundreds of squatters who fall below the radar along the East Bank of Demerara from Grove to Herstelling. There are hundreds of shacks erected with deep worry over health risks. We have long talked about six races. The schools will have to revisit this myth. Suddenly, the situation has changed. We will have to seriously look at the situation and look to overseas organizations with experience to advise us how to deal with the situation. Not addressing it early is not an option. We have to constantly review the changes and see how best Guyana can control while at the same time fulfil its international mandate of extending humanitarian gestures, including the acceptance of migrants. It is a surreal situation. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 45
PAGE 46
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 47
PAGE 48
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 49
PAGE 50
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
Home Entertainment ... More than a hundred years later, Bacardi which is distributed by Ansa McAL, occupies a leading position in the world among manufacturers and exporters of alcoholic beverages. In fact, this rum continues to be used by the best mixologists around the world to create some of the tastiest cocktails you would ever savour. Here are just three of them you can make to entertain your friends this Sunday. Enjoy. 1. PINA COLADA Drink invented pirate Roberto Cofresi. B 1820 he treated his team this cocktail, raising her fighting spirit. But after the death of Roberto recipe was lost. Only 1954 Caribbean, the bartender Romona Marrero managed to
Kaieteur News
Three of the tastiest Bacardi cocktails
find the right proportions. On experiments he spent more 30 days. Pina ColadaStructure: Bacardi white - 50 ml; Black Bacardi - 15 ml; pineapple juice - 100 ml; coconut syrup - 50 ml; lime juice - 2 teaspoons; pineapple - 80 gram; ice - 160 gram. Preparation: Mix in a blender Bacardi rum, syrup, pineapple and juice Lama. Add ice, then whip. Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of pineapple. 2. MOJITO According to one version «Mojito» translated from the African language as a “little witchcraft”. The recipe appeared in 1942 year at Havana Bar, belonging to the family Martinez. Institution still
works. MojitoStructure: Bacardi white - 100 ml; soda (Sprite) - 200 ml; sugar syrup - 30 ml; mint - 15 leaves; lime - 1 thing; ice cubes - 500 gram. Preparation: put mint in a glass, add the juice of one lime and sugar syrup. Then put several circles of lime and fill the glass with ice up to the top. Pour the rum and soda, mix gently. Garnish with a sprig of mint. 3. CUBA LIBRE In the literal translation “free Cuba”. Name appeared in 1900 year, when an employee of the US Army Capt. Russell drinking in a bar in Havana your favorite cocktail, consisting of rum, lime juice and cola. By chance, he
learned, drink that has no name. Russell proposed to call it “Cuba Libre” in honor of the island’s independence from Spain. Now, this refreshing drink on a daily basis by millions of people. Cuba LibreStructure: Bacardi Gold rum - 50 ml; Cola - 150 ml; ice cubes - 200 gram; lime - 40 gram. Preparation: fill a tall glass with ice cubes, squeeze the juice into a quarter of lime. Add rum and Coke and mix the cocktail spoon. Garnish with a few slices of lime.
PAGE 51
Kaieteur News
PAGE 52
The Old Witch
by The Brothers Grimm ONCE upon a time there were two girls who lived with their mother and father. Their father had no work, and the girls wanted to go away and seek their fortunes. Now one girl wanted to go to service, and her mother said she might if she could find a place. So she started for the town. Well, she went all about the town, but no one wanted a girl like her. So she went on farther into the country, and she came to the place where there was an oven where there was lots of bread baking. And the bread said, ‘Little girl, little girl, take us out, take us out. We have been baking seven years, and no one has come to take us out.’ So the girl took out the bread, laid it on the ground and went on her way. Then she met a cow, and the cow said, ‘Little girl, little girl, milk me, milk me! Seven years have I been waiting, and no one has come to milk me.’ The girl milked the cow into the pails that stood by. As she was thirsty she drank some, and left the rest in the pails by the cow. Then she went on a little farther, and came to an apple-tree, so loaded with fruit that its branches were breaking down, and the tree said, ‘Little girl, little girl, help me shake my fruit. My branches are breaking, it is
Greed will always so heavy.’ And the girl lead to downfall. said, ‘Of course I will, you poor tree.’ So she shook the fruit all off, propped up the branches, and left the fruit on the ground under the tree. Then she went on again till she came to a house. Now in this house there lived a witch, and this witch took girls into her house as servants. And when she heard that this girl had left her home to seek service, she said that she would try her, and give her good wages. The witch told the girl what work she was to do. ‘You must keep
the house clean and tidy, sweep the floor and the fireplace; but there is one thing you must never do. You must never look up the chimney, or something bad will befall you.’ So the girl promised to do as she was told, but one morning as she was cleaning, and the witch was out, she forgot what the witch said, and looked up the chimney. When she did this a great bag of money fell down in her lap. This happened again and again. So the girl started to go off home.
Sunday October 18, 2020
Junior page
Giant Balloon Spiders
What’s the opposite of curb appeal? That’s what you’ll get when you place an oversize arachnid on your front door. Make the spider: Make the body: Blow up one large black balloon for the body and one smaller black balloon for the head. Tie the two balloon knots together to form the spider. Make the legs: Wrap eight lengths of unfurled wire hanger or 12-gauge craft wire with black faux fur, holding in place with hot-glue. Twist ends of four lengths together, creating bundles of legs. Repeat with remaining four lengths. Assemble the spider: Wrap a black pipe cleaner around twisted ends of leg bundles. Wrap pipe cleaner
around “neck” of spider where balloons are tied
together. Wrap fishing wire around leg to hang.
Stay Strong I know I am strong and healthy, And I would like to stay this way, So I must do the things to keep me so, During each and every day. First, I must regularly visit the toilet, To keep myself germ-free, Then I have to keep myself clean, By brushing and washing my body. Exercise would make my muscles strong, And able to keep me moving, To do the things I need to do, In working, studying and playing. Then I need to eat healthy food, Like fruits and greens and milk, And stay away from too much sweet, As in candy, and soft drink.
by Uncle Roy
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Clarify your dreams so as to be clear on the way ahead
PAGE 53
TEEN TIME
I
magine you are embarking on a trip that would require many stages to get to your destination. You would surely have to plan ahead for your journey to be successful. You will need to work out the details of each stage, try to foresee any difficulties you will encounter along the way, and prepare to work out the best means you can to make your trip enjoyable and without any hitches. Just so, if you are to succeed in fulfilling your ambitions on your journey through life, it will be necessary to determine the things which would give your life meaning, and do your best to plan ahead to bring them to fruition. In this effort, it would be most effective to use your special abilities, as we mentioned last week, to achieve these goals. Many teenagers carry on their lives not even thinking about what they want to ultimately accomplish. Others have developed some idea about their ultimate goals, but make no effort in clarifying them in
concrete terms, so that they keep on the path towards success. Are you one that fits in either of these
categories? If so, you must first take the time to consider how each of these options will not get you to what you feel will give you true fulfilment in the long run. First of all, you must appreciate
Connect the dots to make edges so that each circle is surrounded by a symmetrical galaxy shape, and the puzzle is completely tiled with galaxies. Each galaxy shape must be rotationally symmetric, having an identical appearance when rotated 180 degrees.
the need to clarify your dreams themselves, so that you are sure about what you want to achieve. Just as you want to clearly what lies ahead in each journey you want to make, if you keep the very things that you want to achieve vague and in a cloud of uncertainty, then you will not be able to plan in a practical manner for the various steps you need to take to get there. It will be worth it to spend some time in meditation about what you need to accomplish as the big picture. In doing so, try not to set too many limits on yourself and on what you really want. As we said in a previous article, when you develop the confidence in yourself, and the world itself, then you will find that this will help you to achieve. The clearer you define the things you need to accomplish, the easier you will find the effort ahead to get you there. It is therefore worth any amount of planning and decisionmaking to determine the future steps in your life.
Maze
Make full use of your Creativity by Uncle Roy, from the book “Shape up your Personality” I often consider the claim we men make, That shows we are more than flesh, We propound that we are made by God In His own image and likeness. This surely means that we possess Some powers of the One Most High, We know for sure we have the grace To love, forgive and multiply. But most of all we may assume Some divine ability to create; We were granted full mind and spirit, So that we could the good Lord emulate. Then boldly use this godlike power To imagine and conceive new ways; Our world sore needs to find the cures For the ever-increasing afflictions of modern days. Make bold to explore new ideas and frontiers, Dare to innovate and invent like no other; Find fresh ways to do the mundane things, As your uniqueness surely gives you the power. With new pastimes your abilities will be exposed, You will be amazed at the talents you possess; The act of invention will put you in a state of flow, Creating in your life much resourcefulness.
As in every type of construction, planning for the future will ensure the best result.
TELL IT TO UNCLE ROY I am once again appealing to all our youths to contact me whenever you have a problem for which you cannot find a solution.
Please email me at
uncleroy1992@yahoo. com and I will respond to you in the next issue without putting your full name.
Solutions to last week’s
Ripple Effect
Jigsaw Sudoku
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 55
Kaieteur News
PLACING THE SPOTLIGHT ON DIABETI EYE DISEASE A vast majority of persons living in Guyana above the age of forty suffer from some form of elevated blood sugar or Diabetes Mellitus. Additionally, a fraction of these have poor control over it, which leads to a number of issues, one being diseases affecting the eye and vision. Diabetic eye disease is actually a group of conditions due to symptoms of diabetes. These can take two major forms: 1. Diabetic retinopathywhich affects blood vessels in the retina (the light sensitive area that lines the back of the eye). It is the premier underlying cause of visual impairment and blindness in adults suffering from diabetes. 2. Diabetic macular edema or DME- this is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy, and is basically swelling in an area of the retina called the macula. Diabetic eye disease also includes cataract and glaucoma. What exactly causes diabetic retinopathy? When blood sugar is chronically high from diabetes mellitus, there is widespread damage to the tiny blood vessels in the body, including the retina, leading to what is known as diabetic retinopathy. The retina works in the capacity to detect light and converting it to nervous impulses that are sent via the optic nerve to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy can further lead to blood vessels in the retina to leak fluid or bleed after blood vessel destruction, thus enhancing the distortion of vision. When in the advanced stages, new abnormal blood vessels grow back and increase in number on the retina’s surface. This leads to scarring and cell loss and thus further vision loss. It goes through four stages: ·Mild non-proliferative retinopathy- This occurs when small areas in the blood vessels in the retina begin to swell and may leak fluid into the retina. · Moderate non-proliferative retinopathy. As there is progression, there is also swelling and distortion of the blood vessels that bring nutrients to the cells of the retina. This loss in ability to transport blood causes a characteristic change in the appearance of the retina and can lead to DME. · Severe non-proliferative retinopathy- The progression leads to many more blood vessels being blocked, preventing blood from reaching certain areas of the retina. These specific areas compensate for this by secreting com-
pounds known as growth factors that stimulate the retina to grow new blood vessels. · Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)- At this stage, the growth factors secreted by the retina triggers the growth and multiplication of new blood vessels, which grow along the inside surface of the retina and into the vitreous gel, which is the fluid that fills the eye and gives it its shape. These new blood vessels are very fragile, and are more likely to break and bleed. Scar tissue that has developed can contract and cause retinal detachment. This leads to permanent vision loss. What is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)? DME occurs when there is a build-up of fluid in a part of the retina known as the macula. What makes the macula so important is the fact that it is necessary for the sharp, straight-ahead vision that is used for reading, facial recognition and driving. A little known fact is that DME is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetic retinopathy. Also, approximately half of all people with diabetic retinopathy will develop DME. It also occurs at any stage but is more prominent in the latter stages. What are the risk factors? ·Diagnosis of either type1 or 2 diabetes. ·Diagnosis of diabetes at an earlier age ·Females are at a higher risk than men ·Age 40 and above ·Obesity ·Hypertension ·Pregnancy What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and DME? The early stages of diabetic retinopathy are usually asymptomatic, notwithstanding symptoms of diabetes and some small amount of blurred vision that occurs on and off and is often confused as being normal eye shifts.The illness usually gets worse and is not noticed until vision is constantly affected. Due to bleeding of the retinal vessels, persons may complain of seeing numerous floating spots in their visual fields. These may dissipate but if not treated there is always a recurrence, thus increasing the risk of blindness. If DME simultaneously occurs, it can lead to blurred vision. How are diabetic retinopathy and DME detected? The diagnosis of these two diseases must actually be done using a comprehensive dilated eye exam that includes each of the following components:
1. Visual acuity testingWe all know this as the eye
· Focal/grid macular laser surgery- In this form of
chart test that measures how well a person sees at different distances. 2. Tonometry- This test is done to measure the pressure inside of the eye. 3. Pupil dilation- When a specific type of drop is placed on the eye’s surface, it causes the pupils to widen, thus allowing a doctor to look at the retina and the optic nerve. 4. Optical coherence tomography (OCT)- As complex as the name sounds, the technique used is very similar to ultrasound but uses light waves instead of sound to capture images of body tissue. OCT helps to provide detailed images of tissues that can be penetrated by light, such as the eye. If there are suspicions of DME or severe diabetic retinopathy, a fluorescein angiogram may be done to ascertain the presence of damaged or leaky blood vessels. How can people with diabetes protect their vision? Prevention is always better than cure, especially when the damages are irreversible as in the case of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy. It is important to detect the disease early so as to treat it early and because the early stages are so asymptomatic, everyone with diabetes should be screened or get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once yearly. Of course, people diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy will need eye exams more frequently. Also, pregnant women with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible. How is DME treated? DME can be treated using several different therapies. These could be used solely or in conjunction with each other. · Anti-VEGF Injection Therapy- These Anti-VEGF drugs are injected into the vitreous gel to block a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can stimulate abnormal blood vessels to grow and leak fluid. Thus by blocking VEGF, the growth of abnormal vessels could be reversed. Some of these include Avastin, Lucentis, and Eylea
surgery, just a few to hundreds of small laser burns are
made to leaking blood vessels in areas where there is edema near the center of the macula. These laser burns for DME help to slow the leakage of fluid, reducing swelling in the retina. It is a one session procedure but some persons may need more than one. · Corticosteroids- These common drugs can either be injected or implanted into the eyeand may be used in solitude or in conjunction with other drugs or laser surgery. The Ozurdex (dexamethasone) implant is done for
short-term use, while the Iluvien(fluocinoloneacetonide) implant is longer lasting. How is proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) treated? Laser surgery is the mainstay of treatment and it has been very successful given the fact that it has vastly remained unchanged for many decades. The treatment involves making about 1,000 to 2,000 tiny laser burns in areas of the retina away from the macula. These are done in an attempt to cause abnormal blood vessels to shrink. Picture saved as healtheye
PAGE 56
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
T
he Guyana National Bureau of Stan dards (GNBS) designated October 12 to 16, 2020 as National Quality Week, and as usual, rolled out daily activities to observe the occasion. This year, the public was engaged primarily via social media due to the prevailing pandemic. World Standards Day, which is commemorated annually on October 14, is part of the week’s celebrations and the theme chosen for the 2020 observances by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) and the In-
ternational Telecommunication Union (ITU) is “Protecting the planet with standards”. The following is a combined message by the ISO, IEC and ITU: Each year on 14 October, the members of IEC, ISO and ITU celebrate World Standards Day, which is a means of paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of the thousands of experts worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as International Standards. Earth is a finite vessel of life in the vastness of our solar system. Life on earth depends on energy coming from the sun. However, over the
PAGE 67
Kaieteur News
GNBS Celebrates National Quality Week, 2020 last century human and largescale industrial activities of our modern civilization have added to earth’s natural greenhouse gases. They negatively impact our climate and with it all forms of life. At the same time, rapid population growth and broad urbanization call for the responsible use of limited resources. To reduce human impact on our planet, we need the political will, concrete action and the right tools. International standards are one such tool. The international standards prepared by IEC, ISO and ITU take into account
tried and true solutions to technical challenges. They help share expertise and expert know-how broadly within developed and developing countries alike. Standards cover all aspects of energy savings, water and air quality. They lay down standardized protocols and methods of measurement. Their broad use helps reduce the environmental impact of industrial production and processes, facilitates the
reuse of limited resources and improves energy efficiency. Activities conducted for National Quality Week, 2020 included a live Facebook webinar, an online launch of Careers in Standards, television interviews and messages from the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Deputy Executive Director of the GNBS. The week concluded with highlights of standards, which help to ensure environmental
sustainability and the hosting of the GNBS Long Serving Award Ceremony for staff members. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) For further information on activities held during National Quality Week, please visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
PAGE 58
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 59
Kaieteur News
PAGE 60
Sunday October 18, 2020
Biometrics Expansion By Attorney Gail S. Seeram
T
h e U . S . Department of H o m e l a n d Security has published a proposed rule on the use and collection of biometrics in the enforcement and administration of immigration laws. The proposed rule would increase the total number of people who are required to submit biometric data from
3.9 million currently to 6.07 million. Comments on the proposed rule are due on October 13, 2020, with comments on associated proposed form revisions due on November 10, 2020. What is biometrics? Biometrics or a biometrics appointment takes about 15 minutes and it is the process of capturing an applicant's fingerprints and photo to ensure the applicant does not have a serious criminal
record or any relevant prior immigration violations. Applicants who are in the United States will attend their biometrics appointment at a local USCIS office, relatively early in the green card application process. Applicants who are abroad will attend a biometrics appointment at the U.S. consulate. Visitors to the United States have their biometrics captured when seeking entry
to the U.S. when they speak to an immigration officer or at the kiosk machines. U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State is required to collect biometrics from any a p p l i c a n t , p e t i t i o n e r, sponsor, beneficiary, or other individual residing in the United States for any immigration and naturalization benefit. See 8 CFR 103.2 (b)(9). Tips for Biometrics
Appointment: 1. Don't be late for appointment. If you are late or do not show-up then your underlining immigration petition that was filed can be deemed abandoned and denied. 2. Have a valid government issued identification to present for entry into building. This can be a passport, driver's license, green card, employment authorization card or state ID. 3. Take the appointment notice and any other receipt notices. 4. Rescheduling is not a good idea but if you have an unavoidable emergency then call the number on your biometrics notice to reschedule to another day. 5 . Ta k e a n y o t h e r documents requested in the appointment notice. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Attorney Gail Seeram, LL.M., J.D., BBA
Attorney-at-law, Gail S. Seeram Call | text 407-292-7730 WhatsApp 407-3531363 E m a i l : Gail@GailLaw.com L i v e c h a t : www.GailLaw.com Download FREE App: Gail Law NOTE: Immigration Law Offices of Gail S. S e e r a m o ff e r s a f r e e consultation to discuss related fees for a process and explain options. Our office will NOT tell you how to complete the legal process on your own. If you seek legal representation, then legal fees will be due to our office. Copyright ŠLaw Offices of Gail S. Seeram, 2020. All Rights Reserved.
OAS: In danger of... From page 24 of R2P should be embraced by every country in the world. Every government should uphold the human, civil and political rights of its people, not oppress them and certainly not murder them or eliminate any ethnic group within them. Where governments execute heinous atrocities, the wider international community, particularly neighbouring states, should act to prevent and punish them within the UN agreed framework. The OAS should be discussing this openly and t r a n s p a r e n t l y, p a y i n g attention to every country in the Americas, and not just to those where the political or ideological interests of powerful states are served, one way or the other. If the OAS continues the selective path that it has followed, it will reverse every step that it now makes
to be regarded universally as a credible and respected organization. That is not an OAS that will serve the peoples of the Americas well. As a regional organization, the OAS should not seek to supplant global efforts at the UN; it would better serve the region and the world by providing objective and nondiscriminatory leadership in upholding and advancing the principle of R2P within the UN agreement of 2005. (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the U.S. and the OAS. He is also a senior fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The view expressed are entirely his own.) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Representing the People 101
I
n Mexico, a Member of Parliament removes all his clothes in Parliament during debate... "You are ashamed to see me naked, but you are not ashamed to see your people in the streets naked, barefooted, desperate, jobless and hungry after you have stolen all their money and wealth".........he told the Parliament!
PAGE 61
PAGE 62
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 63
Kaieteur News
PAGE 64
g ts in s... re ture e t In rea C
T
Sunday October 18, 2020
Coypu
he Coypu (from the Mapudungun, koypu) or (Myocastor coypus), also known as the river rat and nutria, is a large, herbivorous, semi-aquatic rodent and the only member of the family Myocastoridae. Originally native to subtropical and temperate South America, it has since been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and
The
Africa, primarily by fur ranchers. Although it is still valued for its fur in some regions, its destructive feeding and burrowing behaviours make this invasive species a pest throughout most of its range. There are two commonlyused names in the English language for Myocastor coypus. The name “nutria” (or local derivatives such as “nutria- or nutra- rat”) is
generally used in North America and Asia; however, in Spanish-speaking countries, the word “nutria” refers to the otter. To avoid this ambiguity, the name “coypu” (derived from the Mapudungun language) is used in Latin America and Europe. In France, the coypu is known as a ragondin. In Dutch it is known as beverrat (beaver rat). In Italy, instead, the popular name is, as in North America and Asia, “nutria”, but it is also called castorino (“little beaver”), by which its fur is known in Italy. Coypus live in burrows alongside stretches of water. They feed on river plants, and waste close to 90 per cent of the plant material while feeding on the stems. The coypu somewhat resembles a very large rat, or a beaver with a small tail. Adults are typically 5–9 kg (11–20 lb) in weight, and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) in body length, with a 30–45 cm (12–18 in) tail. They have a coarse, darkish brown outer fur with a soft under-fur. Two distinguishing marks are the presence of a white patch on the muzzle, and webbed hind feet. They can also be identified by their bright orangeyellow incisor teeth (unlike rats, which have brownish yellow incisors). The nipples of female coypu are high on her flanks. This allows their young to feed while the female is in the water. Coypu can also be mistaken for another widely dispersed semi-aquatic rodent that occupies the same wetland habitats, the muskrat. The muskrat, however, is smaller, more tolerant of cold climates, and has a laterally flattened tail that it uses to assist in swimming, whereas the tail of a coypu is round. It can also be mistaken for a small beaver, as beavers and coypus have very similar anatomies; beavers' tails are flat and paddle-like, as opposed to the round rat-like tails of coypu. Nutria can live up to six years in captivity, but it is uncommon for individuals to live past three years old; according to one study, 80 per cent of nutria die within the first year, and less than 15
per cent of a wild population is over three years old. Male nutria reach sexual maturity as early as four months, and females as early as three months; however both can have a prolonged adolescence, up to the age of nine months. Once a female is pregnant gestation lasts 130 days and she may give birth to as few as one offspring or as many as 13. Baby nutria are born fully furred and with open eyes; they can eat vegetation with their parents within hours of birth. A female nutria can become impregnated again the day after she gives birth to her young. If timed properly, a female can become pregnant three times within a year. Newborn nutria nurse for seven to eight weeks, after which they leave their mother. Beside breeding quickly, each nutria consumes large amounts of vegetation. An individual consumes about 25 per cent of its body weight daily, and feeds yearround. Being one of the world's larger extant rodents, a mature, healthy nutria averages in weight at 5.4 kg (12 lb), but they can reach as much as 10 kg (22 lb). They eat the base of the aboveground stems of plants and often will dig through the organic soil for roots and rhizomes to eat. Their creation of “eatouts”, areas where a majority of the above- and belowground biomass has been removed, produces patches in the environment, which in turn disrupts the habitat for other animals and humans dependent on marshes. Nutria are found most commonly in freshwater marshes but also inhabit brackish marshes and rarely salt marshes. (Source: Wikipedia)
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 65
PAGE 66
Kaieteur News
Uncle of toddler who died after drinking ‘Molly’-laced milk released on bail Kaieteur News has learnt that the uncle of a toddler who died weeks after drinking mollylaced milk was arrested on October 7th and later released as the probe into the circumstances that led to the child’s death continues. Two-year-old Ronaldo Dave of C-Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown died on September 26 while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Police had learnt that Dave had reportedly fallen conscious at his home on September 5th and rushed to the hospital. There doctors discovered that the toddler had methamphetamine in his system, a drug commonly known as “Molly”. Cops had detained the child’s aunt for questioning and released her after she told investigators that her brother had mixed the drug in a glass of milk for his own consumption and left it on a table. The toddler, she claimed, located the glass of milk and consumed it before his uncle returned. Within minutes he fell unconscious. His uncle was arrested at the Stabroek Market and subsequently questioned by de-
Sunday October 18, 2020
Canadian citizen’s murder accused escapes execution in prison
An injured Aszim Shivgobin at the hospital, (Travis Chase photo) Dead: Ronaldo Dave tectives. This media house was reliably informed that he was granted station bail as detectives await an official lab analysis of the substance which killed Dave. The infant was left in the care of his aunt after his mom recently passed away.
Aszim Shivgobin, one of the alleged accomplices in the murder of Canadian citizen Nicholas Jaipaul survived an execution attempt on Friday in the Lusignan Prisons. Shivgobin was remanded to prison on August 28th for Jaipaul’s murder and according to a release sent out by the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) was being housed in Holding Bay 2. At around 22:15hrs on Friday, Shivgobin was attacked by two inmates who reportedly
chopped and beat him with an improvised weapon. The GPS release stated that he and another inmate were targeted for execution. Quick response by prison officers saved Shivgobin’s life and also thwarted the attack on the other inmate.He (Shivgobin) was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted and is currently receiving treatment under police guard. He has since identified his attackers and an investigation has been launched.
Sunday October 18, 2020
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
T
he Guyana National Bureau of Stan dards (GNBS) designated October 12 to 16, 2020 as National Quality Week, and as usual, rolled out daily activities to observe the occasion. This year, the public was engaged primarily via social media due to the prevailing pandemic. World Standards Day, which is commemorated annually on October 14, is part of the week’s celebrations and the theme chosen for the 2020 observances by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) and the In-
ternational Telecommunication Union (ITU) is “Protecting the planet with standards”. The following is a combined message by the ISO, IEC and ITU: Each year on 14 October, the members of IEC, ISO and ITU celebrate World Standards Day, which is a means of paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of the thousands of experts worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as International Standards. Earth is a finite vessel of life in the vastness of our solar system. Life on earth depends on energy coming from the sun. However, over the
PAGE 67
Kaieteur News
GNBS Celebrates National Quality Week, 2020 last century human and largescale industrial activities of our modern civilization have added to earth’s natural greenhouse gases. They negatively impact our climate and with it all forms of life. At the same time, rapid population growth and broad urbanization call for the responsible use of limited resources. To reduce human impact on our planet, we need the political will, concrete action and the right tools. International standards are one such tool. The international standards prepared by IEC, ISO and ITU take into account
tried and true solutions to technical challenges. They help share expertise and expert know-how broadly within developed and developing countries alike. Standards cover all aspects of energy savings, water and air quality. They lay down standardized protocols and methods of measurement. Their broad use helps reduce the environmental impact of industrial production and processes, facilitates the
reuse of limited resources and improves energy efficiency. Activities conducted for National Quality Week, 2020 included a live Facebook webinar, an online launch of Careers in Standards, television interviews and messages from the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Deputy Executive Director of the GNBS. The week concluded with highlights of standards, which help to ensure environmental
sustainability and the hosting of the GNBS Long Serving Award Ceremony for staff members. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) For further information on activities held during National Quality Week, please visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
PAGE 68
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Trinidadian Gov’t in communication with Venezuela over oil storage vessel Loop T&T News-Government said it is in communication with Venezuelan representatives over the Floating Storage Offloading (FSO) Nabarima, after reports that the vessel was at capacity with around 1.3 million barrels of oil, and was said to be below the water line. The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) said in a statement issued September 3 that it is in communication with Venezuela and has offered assistance in
addressing the situation. ‘The MEEI has initiated official communication to get independent verification of the status of the vessel from the Venezuelan authorities in addition, the MEEI, through the Venezuelan Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, has offered any assistance, technical or logistical, to the Government of Venezuela that it may require in this matter. Additionally, the Minister of Energy is in contact with his Venezuelan counterpart for
further updates as they become available.’ The Ministry reminded that while they have offered help it is up to the Venezuelan authorities to accept: The Nation needs to be reminded that Venezuela is a sovereign state and Trinidad and Tobago cannot unilaterally enter Venezuelan territory to conduct any reconnaissance or other works without being invited to so do.’ ‘There exists a bilateral (Continued on page 72)
The sinking vessel
Sunday October 18, 2020
CONSUMER CONCERNS By Pat Dial Squatting is one of the worst social ills which has afflicted Guyana since Independence. Squatting, until the 1950’s, was a comparatively rare occurrence and wholesale squatting of many scores of squatters descending on private and public property was unknown. Squatting of the type which recently occurred when hundreds of squatters invaded GuySuCo’s lands on the East Coast Demerara first had its parallel during the racial disturbances of the 1960’s. During these disturbances, Indians who lived in predominantly African villages relocated to the nearest Indian villages and the same occurred in respect of the Africans. These “refugees” settled on the outskirts of the villages and were convinced that the time will come when they could return to their homes; but such a time never came. Instead, during President Burnham’s long rule, people became obsessed with emigrating abroad and tens of thousands emigrated to the neighbouring countries and
PAGE 69
Kaieteur News
SQUATTING MUST BE EXTIRPATED
North America. These emigrants left their property in the care of any relative or friend who would undertake the responsibility. But soon these attorneys themselves emigrated leaving others who would barely supervise the property. Squatters moved in and in due course claimed prescriptive rights. Squatters are actuated by greed and by the belief and desire that they could steal someone else’s property with impunity. Indeed, some of them actually convinced themselves that they had a legal and moral right to squat. Almost all squatters would have a hard luck story to tell about how poor they were, or the six children they have, or their starvation wages and so on. But if one asks them whence they came, it seems to touch their Achilles heel and they become very aggressive. Their sensitivity is aroused because it would have become clear that they were intent on getting someone else’s property for nothing. This pattern of occupying State lands after an Election
first occurred when APNU+AFC came into office five years ago. The new government had not even settled down before hundreds of squatters invaded state lands on the East Coast Demerara, falsely claiming that the new Government had promised them this land. They were successfully expelled by the Police after a vigorous show of force. The same pattern repeated itself when the PPP/C assumed office but the number of squatters was far more. These squatters invaded East Coast sugar estate lands belonging to GuySuCo, especially in the Vryheid Lust, Chateau Margot and Success areas, and even aggressively attacked NICIL and GuySuCo officials. The Police were compelled to use tear gas and rubber bullets. When the media interviewed the squatters, they all aggressively declared that they will not remove irrespective of the damage they have caused GuySuCo and the sugar industry. They have destroyed sugarcane breeding nurseries
and invaluable scientific research and it is estimated that GuySuCo would have sustained a loss of $2 billion. Such a loss is a great setback for the sugar industry which is now being resuscitated and had expected to provide employment for several thousands of workers within the next four years. Do the squatters care about the sufferings they would have imposed on the hundreds they have denied employment? This squatting problem could be brought under control or returned to its pre-1950 condition or may even be eliminated if the following are done:(1) The State must vigorously enforce the Laws against squatting and trespassing on private and public property. Despite this squatting on public and GuySuCo’s land, no squatter has been brought before the
Courts. Indeed, the Authorities have been discussing giving the squatters land elsewhere or even “regularizing” them. The squatters are being rewarded for their wrong doing. Except the State prosecutes squatters and expel trespassers, the problem will never be controlled. (2) Squatting should be made a criminal offence. (3) The present 12-year prescriptive rule was adopted from English Legislation and is inappropriate for Guyanese conditions. England is a highly urbanized country while Guyana is still rural and Guyana has one of the highest emigration rates in the world. People leave their properties in the care and custody of any relative or friend who would be willing to assume the responsibility and usually pay the taxes and costs of cleaning. Very often, these attorneys themselves
emigrate and squatters move in. When the owners return, they find someone else owning their property. The 33year rule should be resuscitated. The State has protected itself by making it impossible to prescribe on State land but it did not extend such protection to private property. This omission must be corrected and the 33-year rule for prescription on private property should be revived. This would greatly diminish squatting. (4) Wider knowledge of squatting and its implications need to be disseminated. This could be done via the print and electronic media, at the teachers’ training institutions and in the primary schools. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
PAGE 70
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
38 new COVID-19 cases recorded WANTED
VACANCY
Repairs,Services,Spares to Wa s h i n g M a c h i n e Refridgetor Store, Treadmill, Deepfryer,Cooler, Dryer, Grains mill.Call:#694-9733
FOR SALE New Pulp egg trays for Sale.Tel:#688-4264 House lots @ Blankenburg W.C.D & Schoonord W.B.D Available @ Schoonord 3/4 bedroom houses for sale contact# 650-0402/ 603-1402
Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area call 615-9132.
Security Guard - ideal age between 30 - 50. Contact 2235273/74.
Immediate Vacancy exists for one Canter/Lorry Driver to work at Del Ice Co. Call 2311408/ 642-9181.
1- Captain to ply from Bartica - Georgetown contact #6031402, Truck driver Contact# 650-0402/ 603-1402
Dynamic Individual with cxc Maths/ English Sales Stocking Experience Apply KeyFood Mc Doom Village.
One able bodied male clerk.Call:#225-2313,226-1497
Experience Accounts clerk apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb street Bourda. Experience Sales Girl Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Bourda.
One Female Cleaner Apply at 19 Seater pit bull bus super Alabama Trading 65 Robb custom seats excellent condi- Street Bourda. tion $3.1M. No Reasonable Bus & Car Drivers.Tele:#225offer refused Tel#640-0624. 3234 Banks DIH Shares (4,260) in One cashier to work at bulk.Tel:#669-0957 Superbet, apply within at 152 Albert and 6th street, Pure breed black and rust Albertown. Doberman puppies for sale. Contact Devi on: Tel# 225- Experienced & Creative Social Media Marketers required 3721 or 639-2828. to Create and Manage variOne fully equipped mobile ous platforms, Call: +592 503 cone truck in excellent condi- 0 3 8 2 . E m a i l : i n f o @ t f s tion with 3 taylor arm machine. training.gy. Reasonale priced. Tel# 227Experienced Trainers/Instruc1813 New home sea view, four bed- tors, wanted for SIAG's new room, three toilet & bath State-of-the-Art, K-9 Training Academy, Call: +592 503 0382 Tel#675-1510 orEmail: hr@siag-security,gy. Approximately 3 tons of Bronze / Brans material for Vacancy for male / female sale. Excellent for machine worker.Serious inquiries only. Tel#: 615-7784 or 621-6969 shop. Tel# 227-1813
FOR RENT CAR RENTAL AIDAN'S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT &FAMILYOUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE:#6987807.
LEARN TO DRIVE N.Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square.Affordable Package.Call#644-5166/6912561/681-2808.
GR TAXI. CALL: 24 HRS 219-5000 227-2100 225-7878 227- 1982
TO LET Appartment in Eccles Rooms in Albertown Tel#225-3234
rently in the Intensive Care Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, 119 persons are in institutional isolation, 843 persons are in approved home isolation and 43 persons are in institutional isolation.
The number of COVID-19 fatalities remains at 109. A total of 2,625 persons have recovered from the virus and of the 16,744 persons tested for the virus to date, 13,034 persons tested negative for the virus.
Technical Services 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles 1.Mechanic, 2.Fitter/ Machinist, 3.Welder Fabricator, 3 years experience, Apply in person.
SERVICES Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#630-1600,627-3206
The Ministry of Health’s daily dashboard update indicates that 38 new COVID-19 cases were recorded yesterday, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 3,710. According to the dashboard, 14 persons are cur-
Store available for rent @ Bartica.Contact #603-1402 / 650-0402 Apartment for rent in Peter's Hall.Tel:# 698-5800 / 648-1391
FOR RENT
1 Commercial building,3 Story prime location $1.25 US per square foot .Contact: 6183026 Residential house in Eccles furnished 4 bedroom, 3 toilet & bath, 2 kitchen. $2000 US Contact: Tel#618-3026
One able bodied male clerk.Call:#231-2029,616-5954 One clerk for Eccles office English & Mathematics, grade 1 or 2 Email application to techserigy@yahoo.com One Housekeeper to work on the E.C.D Contact 5025041/ 663-6530. Sales Cleark to work in Georgetown. Age 25-45 .Must have 5 CXC Subjects Call #:225-9026/27 PROPERTY FOR SALE Kitty, Campbeville, WANTEDRepublic Gardens, Thomas street, Georgetown & Enterprise E.C.D, Zeelught E.B.D. Contact : Ray's reality 627-9685.
LAND FOR SALE Farm ( East Bank Next to Herstelling)$4.2M Schoonord 100ft x 50ft with 20ft Reserve $6M. Tel#617-9930 House and land for sale located at 2 101 Williamstad road, Festival city. Contact Anil Ramkarran. Tel# 6821217 Middle Road, La-Penitence, Dalgin (Highway). 33 acres Public road to river. Contact Ray's Reality 627-9685.
FOR RENT 1 Bachelor.11 Charles Street Charlestown.Tel#223-4060.
Furnish apt one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom@ Providence and Diamond.Tel#:672-1906, 682-6238, 216-2299
Bond, East Bank Demerara with office space, Business: Saffon street, Hadfield street. Residence: Diamond & Pearl, E.B.D. Contact Ray's Reality 627-9685.
One apartment for rent at Mon Repos E.B.D, Market Street.Tel#614-0005/ 6024105.
1 two bedroom apartment located at 158 Regent street, Bourda. Tel# 610-7312 / 2275071.
Apartment to rent.1 November 2020, all Utilities West Minister Second Avenue Bridge Call: #674-5779.
1 Bedroom Apartment fully grilled. Located in Grove, East Bank Demerara. Tel#6877376
Exploiter, Omai Gold Mines, returns ... From page 12 was environmentally safe given the wide scale use of cyanide. Following OGML’s departure, a Canadian company, Mahdia Gold Corporation, in 2011 had revealed that they were awarded the world-class Omai goldmine by the Guyana Government. This meant that the corporation had officially acquired the renowned Omai gold property. Their acquisition followed after the price
WANTED Fuel pump technician. Contact 223-5273/74 Experienced Cashier, Roti/ Puri Cook, Sweet Meat Maker, Kitchen Assistant. Apply Hack's Halaal with application. Operator, Sailor and Cook to work on a water dredge. Tel#: 675-0587 or 225-9304 Established and interested candidates only call for domestic maid job. Call: 6271154.
of gold had skyrocketed, thereby forcing the Omai Mines to reopen its doors. At the time, data had showed that there were still significant gold deposits on the site. In fact, exploratory drilling into the bottom of the open Fennell pit suggested an additional deposit of 1.4 million ounces of gold still available for mining by the company. Five years later, the site was not developed by MGC, with the company owing the Government of Guyana US$10M. Information states
that it had only paid US$1.5M of the US$11.5M that the previous Government had asked for. The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), as the regulator, wrote to the company for the fourth time demanding the US$10M. It is unclear whether those monies have been paid off by the company. Nonetheless, Minister Bharrat maintains that OGML will go through all of the necessary regulations to ensure that Guyana does not suffer another loss.
Govt. seeking to tap Qatar oil... From page 16 involved by providing financial resources. “There is great potential in creating a Diaspora Fund that can be utilized in a sector like the housing sector and this is also under consideration at the moment, creating a Diaspora Housing Fund. They get 0.5 per cent interest at prime and if they have an investment that gives you over 1.5 per cent return or two per cent return then you’re creating a new market and we’re creating new access to capital,” Ali explained. The President’s announcements were all made at the opening ceremony of the “Dream Realized” housing event on Friday which saw over 1,000 Guyanese in attendance, some being first-time applicants for homeownership while others were there to receive their land titles.
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 71
DPP responds to statement by Chief Justice that Criminal Justice System on verge of collapse PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The Director of the Public prosecution (DPP), Senior Counsel Roger Gaspard, yesterday said that his office remains “resolute and unbowed” as he responded to statements made by Chief Justice Ivor Archie that criminal justice system was on the verge of collapse, and it wasn’t because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.Archie addressing the ceremonial opening of the 2020/2021 law term, said while the Judiciary was able to dispose of 97 indictable cases, despite limitations due to the pandemic, only 12 indictments for cases had been filed by the Office of the DPP over the past year.“We can take no comfort in the statistics of a clearance rate of 800 per cent. It hides a distressing truth which is the criminal justice system is near collapse owing to factors beyond the Judiciary’s control,” Archie said in his virtual address. While he admitted that there was a shortage of justices, promotions to the appellate court and a stop to jury trials because of the pandemic, the Chief Justice said that these matters were not the only factors. But in an eight page response, Gaspard said that while his office remains committed to “productive endeavours, which can rebound to the benefits of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, I felt constrained to
respectfully place in context, some of the text of the Chief Justice’s address, since without context, may tend to raise legitimate issues of pretext”. He said he also wanted to make it clear that “the elasticity of my response and its timing, are in no little way due to my deep-seated desire to protect and prevent any further disfigurement of the visage of the Judiciary or the Criminal Justice System”. Gaspard said however that his compunction “is somewhat offset by my recognition of the view, that the public ringing of certain alarm bells cannot be properly addressed privately”. But he said his preference is still for “mature, candid private consultations on certain issues, between and among various stakeholders, if only to reduce the prospect of institutional degradation and reputational damage, in the Court of public opinion”. The DPP acknowledged that 12 indictments were filed by his office last year taking “full responsibility” for the situation.However he said there were several factors that led to that including the “perennial shortage of legal and support staff, institutional and systematic adjustments occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to comply with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health….” Gaspard also blamed the “reneging” by the Judiciary
on an arrangement to accept, otherwise than by electronic means, the traditional filing of approximately 450 committals and related indictments, together with transcripts. “It is my view that the Honourable Chief Justice’s address carries with it, whether wittingly or unwittingly, the implication or insinuation that the Criminal Justice System has been brought to “near collapse” owing inter alia to the filing of only 12 indictments by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. “Respectfully I submit that such a contention is spectacularly disingenuous and misleading. The extant condition of the Criminal Justice System, is the result of a multiplicity of factors, which have been allowed to fester for a very long time.” Gaspard said that the filing of 12 indictments “represents an aberration and not a trend” noting that over the last decade between 150 and 300 indictments had been filed annually. “Additionally, to suggest even obliquely, that the small number of indictments is a significant contributor to the Criminal Justice System being brought to a state of “near collapse” is to deliberately close one’s eyes to the blinding light of the statistics on matters still awaiting trial and for which indictments have already been filed,” Gaspard noted.
UN Secretary-General warns against corruption during covid19 NEWSDAY - The UN Secretary-General is calling on countries to be transparent, accountable, and to remain vigilant in the fight against corruption, especially during the covid19 pandemic. In a release, secretary-general António Guterres said corruption is criminal, immoral and the ultimate betrayal of public trust. He said it is even more damaging during times of crisis, such as the world is experiencing now. “The response to the virus is creating new opportunities to exploit weak oversight and inadequate transparency, diverting funds away from people in their hour of greatest need. Governments may act in haste without verifying suppliers or determine fair prices. Unscrupulous merchants peddle faulty products such as defective ventilators, poorly manufactured tests or counterfeit medicines, and collu-
sion among those who control supply chains has led to outrageous costs of muchneeded goods, skewing the market and denying many people life-saving treatment.” He said there were some measures which should be taken by governments. “We must work together to stop such thievery and exploitation by clamping down on illicit financial flows and tax havens; tackling the vested interests that benefit from secrecy and corruption; and exercising utmost vigilance over how resources are spent nationally. Together, we must create more robust systems for accountability, transparency and integrity without delay. We must hold leaders to account and businesspeople must act responsibly. A vibrant civic space and open access to information are essential, and we must protect the rights and recognize the
courage of whistle-blowers who expose wrongdoing.” Guterres said the UN continues to prioritize transparency and accountability, in and beyond the covid19 response. He said for many people in all regions, corruption has been a long-standing source of distrust and anger against their leaders and governments. “But corruption in the time of covid19 has the potential to seriously undermine good governance around the world, and to send us even farther off-track in our work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. I urge all governments and all leaders to be transparent and accountable, and to use the tools provided by the United Nations Convention against Corruption. As an age-old plague takes on new forms, let us combat it with new heights of resolve.”
Chief Justice Ivor Archie
PAGE 72
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Frozen food package polluted by living coronavirus could cause infection, China’s CDC says BEIJING - (Reuters) China’s disease control authority said yesterday that contact with frozen food packaging contaminated by living new coronavirus could cause infection. The conclusion came as the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detected and isolated living coronavirus on the outer packaging of frozen cod during efforts to trace the virus in an outbreak reported last week in the city of Qingdao, the agency said on its website.The finding, a world first, suggests it is pos-
sible for the virus to be conveyed over long distances via frozen goods, it said. Two dock workers in Qingdao who were initially diagnosed as asymptomatic infections in September brought the virus to a chest hospital during quarantine due to insufficient disinfection and protection, leading to another 12 infections linked to the hospital, authorities said.However, the CDC’s latest statement does not show solid proof that the two workers in Qingdao caught the virus from the packaging directly, rather than contracting
the virus from somewhere else and then contaminating the food packaging they handled, said Jin Dong-Yan, a virology professor at the University of Hong Kong. The CDC said no instance had been found of any consumer contracting the virus by having contact with frozen food and the risk of this happening remained very low.Nonetheless it advised that workers who handle, process and sell frozen products should avoid direct skin contact with products that could possibly be polluted. Staff should not touch
their mouth or nose before taking off work garments that could possibly be contaminated without washing their hands and should take tests regularly, the agency said. Prior to the CDC’s latest findings genetic traces of the
virus had been found in some samples taken from frozen food or food packaging, but the amount of virus was low and no living virus was isolated, the agency said. Only living virus can infect people, while samples containing dead virus could also test positive for virus traces, Jin said.
Jin Dong-Yan
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud... From page 17 ambitious young doctor back in the day, he never envisioned ending his career in the public health sector in the prestigious post of CMO. As CMO, Dr. Persaud was entrusted with overseeing a gamut of programmes all of which had to be executed with efficiency in order to keep the nation healthy. Moreover, over the years, he has had a hand in helping to advance the delivery of health care. In so doing, he has handled matters relating to maternal and child health, accident and injuries, drug use and addiction, health standards, and regulations too. In addition to playing a key role in helping to expand universal health care, Dr. Persaud, even before his appointment as CMO, was involved in the Ministry's fervent campaign to tackle the challenge of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). For the period 2015-2016 too, mental health/suicide was also among the issues that were high on the CMO's agenda.As if a regular workday for him was not intense enough, there were the various emerging and re-emerging diseases and other daunting issues, including a fire that destroyed a critical section of the Ministry's Brickdam, Georgetown headquarters in 2009, that CMO Persaud had to face. In that same year, he recalled that the health sector was thrust into overdrive mode when the H1N1 pandemic (Swine Flu) penetrated our shores. Then in 2011, through 2016, there was need to heighten the
country's response to dengue even as efforts were being made to deal with high maternal deaths in 2012, Chikungunya in 2013 and Zika in 2015.By the time 2019 dawned, the Ministry, with Dr. Persaud in the forefront, was waging war against histoplasmosis – an infection caused by a fungus found in the droppings of birds and bats in humid areas. UNPREDICTABLE But Dr. Persaud had long come to realize that matters of health can often be unpredictable. This became especially pellucid when he was required to be on the frontline when the country, in the early 1990s, was faced with a tuberculosis/HIV threat. At the same time, malaria was rampant and later (1997-2003) filariasis was added to the menu of diseases, which the local health sector had to combat.In addition to SARS (a viral respiratory disease) in 2003, Dr. Persaud recalled the “great coastal flooding” of 2005 which resulted in an outbreak of Leptospirosis – a relatively rare bacterial infection that can pass from animals to humans when an unhealed break in the skin comes in contact with water or soil where animal urine is present. He also gained vast experience over the years from working at several health facilities including: the Georgetown Public Hospital and the Mackenzie, Mabaruma, West Demerara Regional and Leonora hospitals as well as the Chest Clinic. “While at the TB programme, I ran clinics at Upper Demerara, New Amsterdam
and the Orange Walk Chest Clinic,” Dr. Persaud recalled. But as he reflected on his stint as CMO, Dr. Persaud expressed concern about the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the health system. “COVID-19 has detracted from the programmes to tackle NCDs, mental health and to address maternal, child, adolescents and elderly health,” said Dr. Persaud who is already contemplating his return to medical practice. However, when asked if he is satisfied with his contribution to the nation, the modest Dr. Persaud's response was a surprising “to a point”. Words, however, did not fail him when asked to proffer advice to young persons who maybe desirous of following in his footsteps. To this Dr. Persaud said, “dedicate yourself to the task. Don't get ahead of yourself. Keep on learning, listen and try to meet everyone's needs but keep to standards.” As he takes some much needed time for himself, this father of three, may even try to indulge in some of his favourite pastimes such as volunteerism, planting, physical fitness, travel, reading, and, perhaps, he just might be able to enjoy a few good movies and his favourite TV series. Even as he regroups after dedicating three decades of his life to the advancement of health care in our dear land, today, with approval from the Ministry of Health, we ascribe the title of 'Champion Health Care Provider' to Dr. Persaud and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.
Trinidadian Gov’t in communication ... From page 68 agreement between Venezuela and Trinidad for an oil spill contingency plan, in the event that a genuine risk exists or an active spill occurs. This agreement will guide the action of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.’ The Ministry said it continues to closely monitor developments, following reports that the vessel was said to be taking on water and had sunk 14.5 metres below the waterline. The FSO Nabarima stores crude produced from the Corocoro field which is operated by a Joint Venture (PDVSA 74% ENI- Italian Multinational 26%).Production is normally stored in the FSO for transhipment by oil tankers for export. This transhipment has stopped since the US sanctions. The FSO is now filled to capacity (1.3 million barrels of oil). The Ministry said initial reports from the Venezuelan authorities indicated that the vessel was upright and in a stable condition and that there was no risk of an oil spill.The Min-
istry said the Nabarima is a double hull vessel, which should provide protection from spillage in the event that the vessel sinks. ‘Recent reports from the national press has stated that the vessel has tilted 5 degrees to the right and that it has sunk 14.5 meters at the water line.’‘An ARGUS report dated September 2nd quotes a statement from ENI, the Italian Multinational energy company who has minority interest in the field. The report indicated that the FSO is stable and that the recent water leak has been solved.’ ‘The report further stated that plans are afoot to transfer the crude oil to another vessel to further stabilize the FSO and that there is no risk of an oil spill.’ Concerns have been raised by environmental groups over the risk of spillage, which would result in contamination within the Gulf of Paria.Environmental NGO Fishermen and Friends of the Sea warned that it could be the ‘greatest environmental disaster’ in the Gulf of Paria if it was not urgently addressed.
Sunday October 18, 2020
BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our page seven to be blunt on ongoing indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation. MONDAY The Guyanese people want to know which Coalition leaders authorized the transfer of the rich Canje and Kaieteur oil blocks. Messrs. Granger, Trotman, and Harmon we insist that you know or should know and must tell the country. All Guyana is waiting. Stop bobbing and weaving. Too many billions in American dollars are at stake. TUESDAY The government brags about telecom applications pouring in. We challenge them to pour out the truth about the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks. The Coalition is hinting at electoral review. But what about a review of the award of the Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks. Money in our pockets is worth more than sweet words in our ears. Tell us about our wealth before sweet-talking us about infrastructure and constitutional reform. Start talking about the
Canje and Kaieteur Blocks Who got the billions…? WEDNESDAY The moment of truth has arrived. The greatest give-away in the history of the Caribbean is being exposed. Those behind this dastardly plot are hoping that it will be a quiet storm and blow over. But we know that this is far from so. Those who have sinisterly and secretively acquired our oil blocks for free must return them forthwith. And those who gave them away must be made to answer for their misdeeds. THURSDAY In Senegal, corrupt leaders have carted off US$12B in oil revenues for themselves. Guyanese leaders have betrayed our people with the deals, which they signed in respect to the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks. Guyanese: GET UP and Get LOUD! No political gangsterism here! None of this @#$%&*
PAGE 73
Kaieteur News
with this oil! No more begging at stoplights and cutting cane! FRIDAY Guyana needs a vibrant opposition. Guyanese call on the COALITION: Stand up and LEAD the way forward. COALITION leaders: speak out against the deceptions on the Canje and Kaieteur blocks. COALITION leaders: do what presses the PPP for answers on Canje and Kaieteur. SATURDAY Vice President Jagdeo speaks about telecom applications pouring in. We challenge him – pour out the truth about those Canje and Kaieteur Blocks. We are exposing truths – contradict us. Better yet – sue us! Stop talking about sugar and infrastructure – start talking about the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks. What is he afraid of? Who got the billions?
France gives Guyana US$200,000 in... From page 10 in the South Rupununi found themselves being in grave danger with an influx of COVID-19 cases. Guidelines were not being published in the Wapichan language so many of the communities were unfortunately ignorant about COVID-19 and its deadly effects. The French government noted that they noticed the struggle these communities were facing, saying, “During July and August 2020, three regions which carry the majority population of indigenous peoples have been severely affected by the pandemic. In addition to the disease, the villages suffer from
shortage of food and medical supplies.” A source at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs explained that the allocation was a part of a larger sum of US$2 million which was divided among eight states with Amazonian forests. The money was first given to the Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon River Basin (COICA) and they later distributed to those countries in need. The COICA functions as a body that protects Indigenous people and their territories, ensuring that they live a sustainable life. The Amerindian People’s Association (APA) was se-
lected by the organization to manage and implement the funds in 88 indigenous communities in Guyana. Over the past few months, the APA had been stressing how endangered these communities are amid a global pandemic and had called for more to be done for their protection. The Ministry source stated that the APA will be working hand in hand with the Ministry and government to ensure the money is utilized wisely and, now that they have the funding, handling the spread of COVID19 within Indigenous communities has become significantly easier.
PAGE 74
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 75
PAGE 76
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 77
Kaieteur News
Ibrahimovic scores twice as Milan beat Inter in derby ...Pormoted Cadiz earn BBCsport - Zlatan shock win over Real Ibrahimovic scored twice in
Ibrahimovic tapped in the rebound after his penalty was saved by Samir Handanovic
Sunday October 18, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You might want to escape the frenzy of the day by going shopping, Aries. Align yourself with partners and allies who share your views. Try to keep the disagreements to a minimum. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Your mood should be quite good today, although there may be some strong forces at work trying to subvert this positive attitude. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today's arena is one in which you can find a great deal of material, Gemini. There will be no shortage of energy to work with or opinions coming from you. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Peace and harmony are in the regularly scheduled program for the day, but there is a good chance that there could be a warring force with strong opinions and vindictive tendencies. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) I told you so might be your motto of the day. Try not to rub this in other people's faces. Indeed, you have the foresight to witness an action and see the consequences right away. These consequences might rear their ugly heads on a day like this. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may know exactly the right thing to do today, but for some reason, the action required may be a hard thing for you to implement, Virgo. Take an active role to get involved.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Make sure your opinion doesn't get lost in the frenzy of the day. Your words may not quite fit with the things that people want to hear. Try not to take this personally. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You have two choices today. Either jump into the thick of the mess with both feet or stay out of it altogether. There are definitely two distinct camps setting up their arsenals for battle. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may end up being the peaceful savior that calms everyone down today, Sagittarius. Use your artistic nature and love of beauty and harmony to inspire others to put away their differences and concentrate on the positive aspects. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your unique ability to communicate with many different groups and personalities will be extremely important today to maintaining a bridge between warring camps, Capricorn. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You might feel like you're getting worked up from all angles today, Aquarius. Find comfort in knowing that things will definitely improve by tomorrow. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Try to rise above the potential tension and rough spots of the day, Pisces. Do yourself a favor and don't feel like you have to stoop to another's level.
three minutes as in-form AC Milan beat rivals Inter to maintain their winning start to the Serie A season. The 39year-old tapped in to open the scoring after Samir Handanovic saved his penalty and made it two moments later from Rafael Leao’s smart cross. Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for Inter before the halfhour mark and was denied a penalty in the second half. AC Milan held on to make it four wins from four and stay top of the table. Some 1,000 fans were allowed inside the San Siro as Ibrahimovic made his return to the AC Milan side after a period of isolation following his positive Covid-19 test. The former Sweden forward immediately picked up where he left off in September, taking his tally to four goals in two Serie A games. He won a penalty after 13 minutes and was alert to finish on the rebound after Handanovic saved his first attempt, steering in a second soon after. Inter forward Lukaku then turned home Ivan Perisic’s low delivery and almost levelled before the break when his header dropped narrowly wide from a corner. The Belgian also saw a penalty decision overruled by the video assistant referee after he was seemingly brought down by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Lukaku’s first-half strike was the first goal AC Milan have conceded in the league this season and they continue to be Italy’s form team, despite not having won a major trophy since 2011. Stefano Pioli’s side are now unbeaten in 20 games in all competitions, having finished last season with nine wins and three draws in their final 12 matches.
From page 78 line by Sergio Ramos, who later had to be substituted because of injury. Cadiz, runners-up to Huesca last season, had a chance for a second after half an hour when Jose Mari found Lozano and his low shot was pushed away by Courtois at the near post. Real Madrid pushed for a leveller late on but the visitors were able to hold on for their first victory against their opponents in La Liga since March 1991. Zidane’s side must now regroup for their opening Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, before visiting Barcelona on Saturday. Meanwhile, Luis Suarez and Yannick Carrasco scored early and late in the game to help Atletico Madrid to a 2-0 victory at Celta Vigo on Saturday (yesterday), also earning coach Diego Simeone a 200th La Liga win
in charge of the club. The victory returned Atletico to winning ways after two successive goalless draws against Huesca and Villarreal, leaving them with eight points after four games. Celta meanwhile fell to a third successive defeat to heap more pressure on coach Oscar Garcia, whose side have five points after six matches. And Getafe striker Jaime Mata’s second-half penalty condemned Barcelona to their first La Liga defeat of the season. Mata slotted his 56thminute spot-kick into the bottom corner following Frenkie de Jong’s foul on Djene Dakonam. Lionel Messi struck the post for Barcelona in the first half while Antoine Griezmann fired over at close range. Juan Hernandez also hit the crossbar for Getafe with five minutes remaining.
PAGE 78
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Moe ‘balling’ in Nicaragua By Calvin Chapman Guyana’s Senior Men’s Basketball Team’s CoCaptain; Anthony Moe, in an exclusive interview with Kaieteur Sport expressed his excitement at the thought of linking back with his
Caribbean Championship winning team-mates to defend the title won back in 2018, especially since he believes his game is constantly improving. Currently, Moe is playing in the Nicaraguan
Professional Basketball League (LSB) for the current second-placed UNAN Leon Team and he is not only one of the leading players in his side but also the League. The power forward (PF), who moved from the United
States to Nicaragua in August this year, described his change of scenery as, “Really beautiful here. Everyone loves basketball and they understand the game well.” He continued that, “During the initial stages of the (COVID-19) outbreak, I maintained my fitness and I was still training at least three times a day. Over here (in Nicaragua) the level of competition is very high. The teams bring in some really experienced players. Players with Brazilian, Argentinean and even European League experience and I feel like my game has reached another level which makes me very proud that I can excel over here.” The 30-year-old has featured in all of the 16 matches UNAN Leon has played this season in the LSB and he leads numerous individual tables including Most Field Goals (FG) made with a total of 139, a total average FG made per game of 8.7, Second Chance Points, Offensive Rebounds (56) and Two-Point Shots (123) made while ranking second on the ‘Efficiency’ table behind teammate, Christopher Blake. Obviously, Moe’s exploits in Nicaragua has turned some attention on himself and he has confirmed that as many as five Canadian First Division Basketball Teams are interested in signing him along with a couple of Franchises in Mexico. However, he remained tight-lipped on the names of those teams and insisted that he is focusing on UNAN Leon and making the playoffs before making any decision pertaining to switching teams. The professional confirmed his willingness to always make himself available to represent the Golden Arrowhead whenever he is needed and expressed ecstasy after helping Guyana
Moe is captured just before slamming a dunk (UNAN Leon photo) win their first Caribbean title since the inception of the tournament in 1981 during his first outing with the national team. “I can’t even explain the proudness. It’s a different feeling. I grew up in Guyana and being able to come back and win undefeated was an unbelievable moment. We had a team with a lot of youngsters and I told them to let us aim to not only win but to be undefeated and we did it”, Moe divulged. He further noted that, “I was very nervous last time round (in the Caribbean Championships), I won’t lie. But, this time it’s going to be different. I’m way more confident, stronger and my game is better. Guyana can expect me and the team to secure the title whenever we
have to defend it again.” Prior to winning the championship in Suriname, Moe featured in his first Club Championship in Guyana just two months before where his side Ravens lost in the oneoff final to Bounty Colts which copped its third straight title. The former Albany Patrons forward confidently stated that Guyana have players with immense raw talent, skill and strength who are capable of excelling in any league in the world. However, he lobbied for more competitions including an optimistic call for a National Basketball League that will not only help elite players hone their skills and produce new talent but to create an avenue for top local players to earn from the sport.
Shikhar Dhawan’s ton and Axar Patel’s late assault power Capitals past CSK ESPNcricinfo - Shikhar Dhawan reprieved on 25, 27, 50, 79 - punished a sloppy Chennai Super Kings and powered a challenging chase of 180 on a sluggish Sharjah track, finishing unbeaten on 101 off 58 balls, his first T20 hundred. The victory, secured with one ball to spare, moved the Delhi Capitals back to the top of the points table. It was still anybody’s game at the start of the last over. The Capitals needed 17 off it. Sam Curran had just dismissed Alex Carey and executed his wide yorkers to give up a mere four runs off the penultimate over. With Dwayne Bravo, the Super Kings’ designated death bowler, off the field because he “wasn’t
fit”, MS Dhoni turned to Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja could’ve had Dhawan earlier in the evening, with his third ball, had Deepak Chahar not misjudged a catch in the outfield. Dhawan then whacked him for back-to-back fours and out of the attack. Jadeja vs Dhawan round 2 began with an off-side wide and a bottom edge for a single. A nerveless Axar Patel, facing his second ball of the night, then clattered 6, 6, 2, 6 to cap a thrilling finish and hand the Super Kings their sixth defeat in nine matches. Delhi Capitals 185 for 5 (Dhawan 101*, Stoinis 24, Chahar 2-18) beat Chennai Super Kings 179 for 4 (du Plessis 58, Rayudu 45*, Nortje 2-44) by five wickets.
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 79
Kaieteur News
Robert Lewandowski double guides champions to victory
Lewandowski’s goals against Arminia Bielefeld mean he has scored against all 18 current Bundesliga teams - including Bayern Munich when he played for Borussia Dortmund. (Getty Images)
BBCsport - Striker Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern Munch swept aside Bundesliga newcomers Arminia Bielefeld 4-1. Poland’s Lewandowski, 32, has now scored 102 goals in his last 100 games for Bayern. Germany midfielder Thomas Muller scored either side of Lewandowski’s double to make it 4-0 before Ritsu Doan netted a consolation goal for Bielefeld. Bayern finished the game comfortably, despite Corentin Tolisso’s dismissal in the 76th minute. The reigning champions, who suffered a heavy defeat by Hoffenheim in their last league game, climbed to second in the table and next face Atletico Madrid in their opening Champions League group game on Wednesday. Bayern are level on points with third-placed Borussia Dortmund, who snatched a late 1-0 win at Hoffenheim. It was down to second-half substitutes Erling Haaland
and Marco Reus to produce the creativity the game had been lacking.
Haaland, 20, ran through on the break to set up Reus to score with a tap-in to
secure Dortmund’s first away victory over Hoffenheim in eight years.
PAGE 80
Sunday October 18, 2020
Kaieteur News
Giro d’Italia: Filippo Ganna claims third victory as Joao Almeida extends lead BBCsport - Ineos Grenadiers rider Filippo Ganna claimed his third stage win at the 2020 Giro d’Italia as Joao
Almeida extended his overall race lead on stage 14. Italian world time trial champion Ganna finished ahead of
team-mate Rohan Dennis with Brandon McNulty in third. McNulty’s effort on the
34.1km time trial from Conegliano to Valdobbiadene saw him climb to fourth overall. But it was also a good day for Almeida, who now leads by 56 seconds from Wilco Kelderman. The 22-year-old, who started the day 40 seconds ahead of the Dutch rider, gained ground on all of his general classification rivals bar McNulty. Spain’s Pello Bilbao and two-time Giro winner Vincenzo Nibali are now both over two minutes adrift of the maglia rosa as the race heads towards a demanding final week in the mountains. American McNulty’s superb ride saw him rise seven
places in the general classification, while Britain’s Tao Geoghegan Hart also impressed, moving up a place to 11th. While Ineos Grenadiers were dealt a blow by Geraint Thomas’ injury and subsequent withdrawal after stage three, they have now won four stages so far. And with Ganna in such dominant form against the clock they will be favourites to add at least one more in the concluding time trial in Milan. Earlier on Saturday (yesterday), cycling’s governing body, the UCI, confirmed that there had been no new reported cases of Covid-19 at the race after 512 tests were conducted on
Thursday and Friday. The tests, which went beyond the original protocols for the race, were conducted after EF Pro Cycling - winners of two of the 14 stages so far - wrote to race organisers asking for the race to end this Sunday (today). On Tuesday, MitcheltonScott and Jumbo-Visma both withdrew from the tour following positive tests in their camps. Another round of testing is due to take place on Monday’s second rest day. Sunday’s (today) 15th stage sees the race take the mountainous 185km route from Base Area Rivolto to Piancavallo.
Filippo Ganna is the first rider to win two time trials at the same Giro since Evgeni Berzin in 1994. (Getty Images)
Man Utd score three late goals to overcome Newcastle BBCsport - Manchester United scored three late goals at Newcastle to earn victory and help ease the misery inflicted by the heavy defeat against Tottenham. It was an incredible final few minutes for a team who looked as if they had blown their chance of three points following Bruno Fernandes’ failure from the penalty spot in the 58th minute. United needed a positive reaction following that 6-1 thumping by Spurs before the international break, but their hopes suffered a blow when Emil Krafth’s cross came off defender Luke Shaw and beat keeper David de Gea. Harry Maguire, who like his side has endured an unsettled period, equalised to haul the visitors back into the game. And it looked as if the match was set to turn in their
favour in the second half when referee Craig Pawson, after consulting the pitchside monitor, judged Jamal Lewis to have fouled Marcus Rashford and awarded a penalty. However, Fernandes, who previously had a 100% record from the spot for United, saw his fierce strike brilliantly pushed away by Karl Darlow. The Portugal midfielder was not to be denied though and with four minutes remaining he finally beat the Magpies keeper with a thumping finish, before Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with his first for the club, and Rashford ensured United’s second win of the season. Meanwhile, Stand-in skipper Raheem Sterling scored the only goal as Manchester City returned to winning ways in their Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Sterling, given the armband by manager Pep Guardiola with Fernandinho on the bench and Kevin de Bruyne injured, finished off the rebound after Phil Foden’s 23rd-minute shot had been saved. Arsenal had chances to level but City keeper Ederson denied them with three excellent first-half saves and both David Luiz and Pepe were off target with free-kicks in good positions after the break. The result extended a miserable run of away results against their fellow ‘top six’ members for Arsenal. They have now failed to win in their last 29 such meetings, since a success at City in 2015. Scores elsewhere yesterday: Everton 2 Liverpool 2, Chelsea 3 Southampton 3.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 81 Jacob Kiplimo (Getty Images) © Copyright
Peres Jepchirchir breaks women’s half-marathon world record
Peres Jepchirchir (Getty Images) © Copyright
B
BCsport - Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir has broken her own world record for a women-only half marathon. The 27-year-old ran one hour five minutes 16 seconds at the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland. Germany’s Melat Yisak Kejeta was second in 1:05:18 with Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw in third with 1:05:19. In the men’s race, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo claimed
victory in a championship record time of 58:49. In the women’s race, the top three all ran under Jepchirchir’s previous would record of 1:05:34. The leading group went through 10km in 30:47, while the chances of Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh and Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei suffered when they fell on the third lap as they went on to finish fifth and sixth respectively.
Reggae Boyz to play Saudi Arabia in friendlies Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz
Kingston, Jamaica - The Reggae Boyz will turn up the preparation for the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar with two international friendly games against the Kingdom of Qatar in November. “This is indeed the best way to kick-start preparation with the squad experiencing the identical regional conditions under which the World Cup will be played,” a statement from the Jamaica Football Federation said. They will play both games at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium in Riyadh on November 14 and 17. Jamaica last played
Saudi Arabia on October 17, 2017 when the hosts beat Jamaica 5-2. “Obviously, Jamaica will be looking to turn the table while maintaining its international ranking, hence the best squad of players will be invited for the tour,” the statement added. Jamaica occupies the 48th spot on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking and is fourth and highest ranked Caribbean team in the Concacaf confederation. Saudi Arabia is 66th in the world rankings and sixth in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Kaieteur News
PAGE 82
Sunday October 18, 2020
AB de Villiers smashes half-century Pormoted Cadiz earn shock win over as RCB defeat Rajasthan Royals Real Madrid to draw level at top BBCsport - AB de Villiers smashed 55 from 22 balls to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore to a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. RCB, chasing 178 to win, had fallen to 102-3 and needed 64 from the final 30 balls to register an unlikely win. De Villiers struck six sixes and one four, including 25 runs from the penultimate over, to change the game. A six off England’s Jofra Archer ensured De Villiers wrapped up the match with two balls to spare. Australia’s Steve Smith had earlier scored 57 as Rajasthan posted 177-6 from their 20 overs. After dismissing RCB captain Virat Kohli for 43, Rajasthan looked in control of the chase before South Africa’s De Villiers changed the momentum. The result moves RCB to third in the table while Rajasthan remain second from bottom, having lost six of nine matches. Rajasthan Royals 177-6 (20 overs):
- Barcelona lose to Getafe, Atletico Madrid blank Celta Vigo Anthony Lozano surprisingly opened the scoring for the visitors 16 minutes into the game
AB de Villiers exults after taking the Royal Challengers Bangalore to victory ©BCCI Smith 57, Morris 4-26. Royal Challengers Bangalore 179-3 (19.4 overs): De Villiers 55*, Kohli 43. Royal Challengers Bangalore win by seven wickets.
BBCsport - Newly promoted Cadiz stunned Real Madrid with a deserved victory that moves them level at the top of La Liga with the defending champions. Anthony Lozano’s smart first-half finish gave the visitors their first win against Real in almost 30 years. Zinedine Zidane’s side dominated possession but only managed two shots on
target against a resilient Cadiz. Luka Jovic had the ball in the net but Karim Benzema had strayed offside from Marcelo’s cross earlier in the move. Benzema struck the bar with a fierce effort from outside the box with 10 minutes to go but the hosts could not extend their 15game unbeaten run in the competition. Cadiz, however, continued their
dream start after returning to the Spanish top flight for the first time in 14 years this season. Lozano clipped the ball over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Alvaro Negredo’s assist after 16 minutes to score what proved to be the winner. Negredo headed wide in the first half and the 35-year-old had another effort cleared off the (Continued on page 73)
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 18, 2020
PAGE 83
Win $50,000, Spa Treatments, Course being chartered Trophies as Golf joins fight for Hope’s revival: Harper against Cancer The GGA has been active in promoting the fight against cancer.
V
i v a a n t a Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon, Tr o p h y S t a l l , G u y a n a Beverages, CIMGRO Maraiko Bay Resort, along with a host of other corporate entities have joined forces to promote the Guyana Golf Association’s “Play Golf Fight Cancer” event which will be held next week at the Scouts Association of Guyana ground, Woolford Avenue. The event is being held to raise both awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. Lots of prizes (spa treatments, hampers, beverages) and trophies along with a grand prize of $50,000 cash or GTT phone credit will be up for grabs as the event which is designed for players of all levels to have fun and display their skills. “Many Guyanese have suffered personal losses or fight a daily battle with cancer, especially women who are our mothers, sisters, wives and nurturers of our nation. We cannot simply sit back and let this disease win. Just like we cannot let covid beat us,” said Aleem Hussain, President of the Guyana Golf Association. “Every year since 2017, our golfing community and corporate supporters have been active in the fight against cancer usually with a tournament to raise funds and awareness. Last year, Banks DIH and Citizens Bank were the main sponsors of the Golf charity event but this year, due to covid guidelines, we had to modify the event.” As a result, the format is as follows: participants can visit the Academy & Driving Range any day from Monday 19th to Saturday 24th (3-
7pm to qualify) with the top eight players from the women’s, men beginners and men professionals categories scheduled to battle for the top prize of $50,000 cash or GTT phone credit on Sunday 25th at 16:00hrs. Players will each hit 10 balls and based on skill level, they will have different distances (50, 75 and 100 yards) to score points based on where in large circles the ball lands. “This is a test of skill and ability to have fun, whilst supporting a great cause,” said Rudy Ramalingum, Director of the Nexgen Golf Academy. “The top two finishers in each category will receive a trophy from Trophy Stall,” according to owner Ramesh Sunich. Trophy Stall, with locations all over the country has been a strong supporter of all sports in Guyana for many years and owners Ramesh and Devi Sunich have a keen interest come in the sport of golf. Owner of Vivaanta Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon Karan Mehra said “Vivaanta is a part of Guyana and we are pleased to support the fight against cancer and continue our support for golfing, something we started with Mr. Hussain a few years ago. We hope that many players participate and support and also win a chance to experience our services at the spa.” Assuria General, CIMGRO Maraiko Bay Golf R e s o r t , A R P r i n t e r y, Vivaanta Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon, New Trend Auto, Mings Products and Services, Nexgen Global Realty, Guyana Beverages, Karibe Rice, Macorp and Gtt are all strong supporters of Golf and the fight against
Shai Hope
cancer and have been an integral part of the growth of the game in recent years. The Guyana Golf Association has been active in the promotion of awareness for a variety of charitable events through sports and will continue to use golf as a means of improving the lives of Guyanese. “We hope that members of both the local and expat communities will participate in the events since the Golf Academy & Driving Range is designed to conform with social distancing guidelines and it is for a cause that affects all of us,” said Hussain. Partnerships with the Scouts Association of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers Union has made the creation of a facility in the heart of Georgetown a reality so that more people can access the game without having to purchase equipment to travel long distances. With golf a recognised CAPE subject, the GGA President plans to promote the sport to schools all over the country, hoping to have at least 3,000 players within the next few years and a long time goal of fielding an Olympic team realised. The contest is open to everyone who has played Golf or would like to try their hand at the sport. The Golf Academy will give everyone a free lesson and one hour free play just for participating in the event. Interested persons can call 645 0944, visit the Nexgen Golf Academy facebook page or stop by the facility located on Woolford Avenue, just minutes away from Marriott and Pegasus hotels.
B
ridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Out-ofform West Indies batsman Shai Hope will be placed in a remedial programme in an attempt to ensure he rediscovers his powers in the longest format. The 26-year-old was on Friday axed from the Test side to tour New Zealand next month but convenor of selectors, Roger Harper, said Windies head coach Phil Simmons was consulting with the Barbados Pride coaches to establish a way forward for the elegant strokemaker. “The plan is that the head coach Phil Simmons is working along with the franchise coaches in Barbados and have put a programme in place to work with Shai to get him back to his best so I think that’s the sort of process that we’ll put in place,” Harper said. “So it’s not a case that Shai has been left to his own devices. There’s a process in
place and all things considered in these COVID times, there are coaches working with him.” Hope made his debut five years ago but apart from hundreds in both innings of the Leeds second Test on the 2017 tour of England, has failed to live up to expectations with an average of 26 from 34 matches. In fact, the right-hander has averaged only 19 from 17 Tests inside the last twoand-a-half years, in direct contrast to his One-Day International form that has seen him average 61 with eight hundreds during the same period. Hoping to revive his Test career on last July’s England tour, he again struggled with an average of 17 as part of an overall poor showing by West Indies. Harper said Hope took the news of his dropping in “very good spirits” and was fully aware he still had a future in the longest format. “It’s my responsibility to
inform all players of their selection and non-selection and I spoke to Shai and I said … ‘we are giving you the opportunity to work to rebuild your game and get back to the standard that we think you’re capable of and we’ve seen in the past’,” Harper explained. “We think there’s a tremendous future for him in Test cricket and we want him to rebuild his game to that level that can take his game and West Indies cricket to the heights that we would like to achieve. “Shai is a very practical person and is very smart, and he understands that he has not been at his best, and he took it in very good spirits. “I expect he will work very hard to regain that sort of standard and quality performances we know he’s capable of.” West Indies will be searching for their first series win on New Zealand soil in a quarter of a century when they face the Black Caps in two Tests in December.
rt o p S
Moe ‘balling’ in Nicaragua
Anthony Moe dunks for UNAN Leon during a match in the Nicaraguan LSB (UNAN Leon photo)
Man Utd score three late goals to overcome Newcastle The United captain headed in a first-half equaliser to guide the Red Devils to victory.
Win $50,000, Course being Spa Treatments, chartered Trophies as Shikhar Dhawan’s ton and Axar Patel’s Golf joins fight for Hope’s late assault power Capitals past CSK against Cancer revival: Harper Axar Patel and Shikhar Dhawan share a laugh after a job well done ©BCCI
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.