Kaieteur News

Dutch FPSO builder to develop gated community

Dutch ship builder, SBM Offshore is making moves to deepen its Guyanese roots as it recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) from qualified companies to develop a gated community and recreational facilityforitsemployees.

SBM issued the RFI on behalf of its subsidiary, Guyana Deep Water Operations Inc (GDO) which is also the operator of the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading(FPSO)vessels.

It said the proposals received will be assessed for Guyanese content development since this is a key factor to the success of its operation. SBM said, “It is our commitment for long term sustainability to create social and commercialbenefitbacktoGuyana whenever possible without jeopardising the Health, Dafety, Security and Environment (HSSE) and quality of the products and services to be delivered as well as forourcrewandfacilities.”

It further noted that companies answering the RFI will have to present their involvement for the Guyana community and/or any involvement in sustainability project or development in Guyana.

SBM was keen to note that it will possibly use responses to validate and further develop its Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Community

Housing It will also use the responses to develop a list of qualified bidders before structured bidrulestakeeffect.

Once the final RFQ goes out and the successful company is selected, it will enter a lease agreement for the provision of a gated community that includes residential houses, apartments, and arecreationalfacility

...wants state-of-the-art recreational facilities

Specifically, SBM said it is seeking residential houses, one and two-bedroom apartments for single persons/families along with a recreationalfacility

It said the location of gated community must have direct road access, free of obstacles and appropriatesurfaceforparking.

As for the recreational facility, SBM said it must have a gym,

swimming pool, bar, tennis court, soccer field, squash court and any other amenities relevant to such a facility

A large swimming pool and smallleisurepoolarealsorequired.

SBM said it also wants a gymnasium with multi purpose flooring, a fitness center with cardio and strength training equipment, change rooms/locker

r o o m s w i t h s h o w e r s , fitness/aerobics studios, outdoor basketball court, squash court, tennis, and soccer field and a running/walkingtrack.

It was keen to note that the supplier must present a proposal or have a development plan for same along with proof of ownership for the property/properties in their submissions.

Politicians not serious about whistleblower protection

remains dormant four years after enactment

By Rehanna Ramsay

Having a law in place to protect the rights of ordinary citizens who expose acts of corruption and misconduct perpetrated by officials in high offices, means absolutely nothing, if the powers that be, refuse to do what is necessary to enforceit.

This is essentially the view of prominent Attorneyat-Law, Nigel Hughes who was at the time addressing concerns over the status of G u y a n a ' s P r o t e c t e d Disclosure Act commonly r e f e r r e d t o a s t h e Whistleblower law The legislation which had been enacted some four years ago is still to be brought into effect but the desire to have a fully functioning piece of legislation appears to be furthest thing from the minds ofthePoliticians.

Hughes noted that this is evident in the recent issues

which unfolded following theexplosiveclaimsmadeby his client, Police Sergeant D i o n B a s c o m w h o implicated prominent businessman, Azruddin Mohamed and top members oftheGuyanaPoliceForcein a plot to cover up the murder of Ricardo Fagundes known as'PaperShorts'.

Ever since those allegations surfaced, the Lawyer has made a number attempts to have his client benefit from provisions of the Protected Disclosure Act but it has been to no avail.

According to Hughes, weeks havepassedandtherehasnot been any move by the President or the Minister of HomeAffairstoaccedetohis request.

The Lawyer said however that there should be no surprise at the lack of action to address the issue.

“We live in a society where there is no serious commitment to meet international standards,

whether it is the fight against corruption or in other area that requires putting actual systemsinplacethatworkfor the benefit of the people…I havewrittentothe[Minister] on operationalisation of the Protected DisclosureAct and we are still awaiting a response. I should not be surprised at all because, Guyanaisnotarealplaceand ourPoliticiansarenotserious aboutthesethings,”hesaid.

To this end, the Lawyer said that the only alternative is for him to move to the Court to compel the Minister to operationalise the Act.

“That is something to be done. This goes beyond the current matter and it will affect all the matters as it regards acts of exposing corruption,”hesaid.

Hughe's client, Bascom who was earlier this year removed from investigating the killing of Fagundes and transferred to another location, had alleged a grand cover-up by senior ranks of

Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes.

the Criminal Investigations Department of the Guyana PoliceForceandthepayment of a large bribe to a named officer as part of the cover up.

The officer, as well as a prominent businessman linked to the crime, has since denied the allegations and even threatened to sue Bascom. Fagundes, a close friend of Roger Khan was riddled with more than 20 bullets on March 21, 2021

momentsafterhesteppedout of Palm Court on Main Street, Georgetown. CCTV

cameras had captured two shooters getting into a white, tinted Toyota Fielder motorcar, making good their escape.

After Bascom made the damning claims, Hughes wrote the President seeking his protection under the ProtectedDisclosureAct.

He wrote, “We are instructed to request, as we

hereby do, that pursuant to the powers vested in you by virtue of section 9(2) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2018 that you establish an independent investigation peopled by regional or international police officers into the allegations of our client and the murder of RicardoFegundes.Ourclient stands by the statements he made and is prepared to testify under oath. We are instructed that our client who isanemployeeoftheGuyana Police Force makes this disclosure against his employer and another employeeofhisemployer.”

“Wearefurtherinstructed to request as we hereby do, that in the absence of the establishment of a Protected Disclosures Commission as r e q u i r e d b y t h e aforementioned Act, that our client be provided with 'witness protection' as set out in section 20 theAct.We fear that the life of our client is in grave danger We wish to extend our appreciation to your Excellency for your kind intervention,” Hughes letter to President Ali concluded.

Guyana's oil account now holds over US$1 billion - Central Bank Report

B a n k o f G u y a n a disclosed yesterday that the Natural Resource Fund's (NRF) closing balance at the end of September 2022 stood atUS$1,051,214,827.86.

Specifically for the third quarter, Central Bank said inflowstotheFundamounted to G$102 8B (US$493 18 million) comprising of profit oil - G$92.2B (US$442.12 million) and royalties G$10 6B (US$51 06 million).

These funds were deposited into the Natural Resource Fund Account held at the Federal Reserve Bank ofNewYork.

As a result of an additional FPSO, that is to say the Liza Unity being in operation, more lifts were made and hence, more profit oil was received compared to previousquarters.

Since its inception, the bank said that the Fund has r e c e i v e d G $ 2 6 9 . 3 B (US$1.3B ) from 16 lifts of profit oil and G$31.9B (US$153.12 million) from royalties.

Over the quarter, Central Bank said the Federal Reserve increased its target range for the federal funds rate twice moving it from 1.5% - 1.75% to 2.25%2.5% and then again to 3%3.25%.

As a result of these increases which caused interest rates on overnight deposits to rise significantly, andahigheraccountbalance, the Fund continued to earn a higher level of interest income on its overnight

deposits than previous quarters.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the Fund earned G$995 75 million (US$4.78 million) in interest income over the quarter compared to G$266 04 million (US$1.28 million) thepreviousquarter

WITHDRAWALS

During the third quarter,

Central Bank noted that transfers to the Government of Guyana's Consolidated Fund account amounted to G$41,700 million (US$200 million).

The institution said this amountrepresents32.91%of the total amount budgeted to be withdrawn in 2022 –G$126 7B (US$607 65 million). In 2022, a total of

G$83.4B (US$400 million) was transferred from the Fund, amounting to 65.83% ofthebudgetedamount.

VALUE&MANDATE

Central Bank also disclosed that the market value of the Fund at September 30, 2022 stood at G$219 2B (US$1,051 21 million), an increase of 39 56% (G$62,124 73

million / US$297.96 million) fromthepreviousquarter

Todate,therehasbeenno investment mandate for the Fund and all petroleum revenues are held as cash deposits in the Natural ResourceFundaccount.

A revised Natural Resource Fund Act was passed in the National Assembly and assented to by the president on December 30,2021.

This revised Act assigns the responsibility for the preparationoftheinvestment mandate to a Board of Directors.

Since 2015, more than 35 discoveries have been made offshoreGuyana.

Thirty-two (32) of those discoveries were made at the Stabroek block, two at the Orinduik block, 1 at the Kanuku block and 1 at the Corentyneblock.

Of these, 2 new discoveries were made during the quarter – both in theStabroekblock.

In the Stabroek block, the Liza Phase 1 Development beganproductioninlate2019 and reached its peak capacity of 120,000 barrels per day (bpd)inDecember2020.

Production from Liza Phase 2 began in February 2022andisexpectedtoreach its capacity of 220,000 bpd laterthisyear

On September 30, 2020, the government of Guyana announced their approval of the Payara Offshore DevelopmentProject. With an estimated r e s o u r c e b a s e o f

Govt.seekssuppliersofconstructionmaterials torollout'free-cementandsteel'programme

As part of its ambitious campaign to propel home ownership in Guyana, the Government is seeking suppliers that can aid in the distribution of construction materials across all 10 Administrative Regions in thecountry

In an advertisement published in one of the daily newspapers on Sunday, the Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) explained the steps that will beinvolvedintheprocess.

President Irfaan Ali had announcedinJuly,duringthe

launch of 'Building Expo 2022' that first time home owners would be eligible for free steel and a sling of cement to start building the foundationoftheirhome.

According to the

Expression of Interest that invited suppliers to submit proposalsfortheprovisionof the building materials, applicantsfortheprogramme will be qualified by the Housing Authority which will then issue a voucher to the successful applicant. It did not explain the requirements or screening process but added that the voucher will then be used by

the beneficiary to redeem their steel and cement package from the various suppliers.

The Ministry specifically pointed out that it would like suppliers from each Region to participate in the programme which will allow for persons in the Hinterland to benefit as well. In the meantime, suppliers who are interested in participating in this opportunity can submit their proposal to the Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA.

The specification of materials that are required to provided are 42.5 kg/sack

ordinary Portland cement (TCL quality or equivalent), quarter inch diameter steel rods and half inch diameter (12 5mm diameter) steel rods,amongothers.

I n m a k i n g t h e announcement at the N a t i o n a l S t a d i u m , Providence, President Ali said,“Iwishtoannouncefirst that for affordable homes, homes $6M and below, the Government of Guyana with effect from the last day of 'building expo' will support home ownership by giving to everybuilderinthiscategory, the steel and one sling of cement that is required to

buildyourfoundation.”

As the President made this announcement, screams ofexcitementeruptedfromin the crowd. But President Ali did not end there. He further noted that every other category of home ownership which includes young professionals and middle income will also receive cement to build their foundation.

Ali said, “To persons building homes from $6M to $25M, we will give two slingsofcement.”

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that one sling of cement is equivalent to 35

approximately 600 million oil equivalent barrels, production of up to 220,000 bpd is expected to begin in 2024.

Plans are in order for ExxonMobil's 4th project –the Yellowtail Development project - which is expected to start production of 250,000 bpdin2025takingGuyanato aproductionlevelof810,000 bpd.

It is projected that by 2027, six to seven projects will be in operation and by the end of the decade, Guyana's oil production will increase to more than 1 millionbpd.

The Stabroek Block is estimated to contain resources of approximately 11 billion oil equivalent barrels and is operated by ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production GuyanaLimited.

They hold a 45% interest in the block, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest while CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holdstheremaining25%.

During this quarter, Guyana received revenue for four lifts of one million barrel (approximate) oil cargoes as its share of profit oil, taking the number receivedfor2022toseven.

Itisexpectedthatrevenue from an additional six oil cargoes will be obtained this year resulting in an annual totalofthirteen.

AsatSeptember30,2022 Guyana received revenue for sixteen lifts since the inceptionoftheFund.

sacks and the current price per sack is around $2000. That means that Government will be giving away approximately $70,000 worthofcementtoaffordable home owners and $140,000 worthofcementto (Continued on page 16)

Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal

The following table shows the receipts of profit oil and royalties of the Natural Resources Fund since its inception.

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EDITORIAL

Do something for our Teachers

GuyaneseTeachers have been crying out long and loud. Theircomplaintshavehadlittlereceptionwheresuchthings matter, and met with counter-narratives from the PPPC Government. Their grievances are well-known, and their presences are dwindling (‘Poor working conditions force Guyanese teachers into early retirement’- KN October 7). Regardlessofhowthisisreceived,itcannotbegoodforthis countryanditscitizens,definitelynotatthistime.

TheGuyanaTeachers’Union(GTU)notedthatteachers are leaving by the scores in opting for the relief of early retirement. Thepointtobeabsorbedisthattheyaredoingso whiletheystillhavesomeproductiveyearsleft,andtheearly retirementoptiontakenisnotduetoill-health,ormigration, orsuch. Rather,itisbecausethosewhohavetakencareofthe nation’s children for decades, see no other way out of their hard, heavy predicament. Their working conditions, their equipment, and their pay are all uniformly on the short, wrong,andbadside. Theyarehurtingandtheirplightsand pleas all fall on deaf ears before an uncaring and unresponsivegovernment.

This is the GTU’s position, and one that has some substance. It is revealing that some teachers are removing themselves from the profession while they still have some earningyearsleft,andwiththeunderstandingthattheirpostretirements benefits will be impacted. What is clear is that theyarefrustratedandfed-up,andsomesimplysayenoughis enough,andleavevoluntarily

One would expect that because teachers represent so much, that a strong effort would have been made by the Government to listen more sympathetically, and respond moremeaningfully Thisisconsideringthatteachersretiring early would have accumulated many years of experience, developedsignificantskills,andworkedoutapproachesthat address the needs of their young charges. There can be no priceattachedtothewisdomthatcomefromsuchdecadesof practice. Or to say differently, replacement of teachers in such quantities as they leave becomes a testing proposition foranyGovernment.

For its part, the PPPC Government made clear that it recognizes the role of teachers in the transformation of the nation’s education system, and their need to be properly equipped. Thehopeisthatthisisnotlipservice,andrushing to brush the issue out of sight with a quick soundbite. The Presidenthimselfhaspromisedthattheissuesofteacherswill be resolved in time, and their challenges will not be left to fester unaddressed. It is comforting to hear the nation’s Leader taking this position, but there has to be guarding against overconfidence in what the President puts into the public domain. This is because for some groups and some appeals,thePPPCGovernmentandthePresidenthaveboth been resistant to listening, actually hearing, and then doing somethingtobringrelieftosufferingGuyanese.

We point to the pain of Junior Public Servants toiling away for just over GY$70,000 monthly Everyone knows thatmorethandoublethatnumberisrequiredtomanagethe basics of living in this country today, with prices racing at runawayspeedsfromcitizens. Ofnote,theOppositionAFC recently made public calls for a pay hike of GY$100,00 for teachers (KN October 6). Yet, Government and President have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to their woes-maybe it could be advanced, their existence. Teachers may not be considered to be part of the traditional Public Service, but theyareservantsoftheStateworkinginthepublicspacefor thepublicgood. Meaning,preparationofGuyanesechildren forGuyanesechallengesandtheGuyanesefuturethatawaits. We don’t think that any reasonable official (elected or otherwise) or citizen would differ too much with that position. Still,ourteacherslanguishforalltheprioritythat they get, and they respond by leaving in discomforting numbers.

Thisistroublingsinceitistoourdetriment,butthePPPC Governmentdragsitsfeetinaddressingtheirconcerns,while it puts out all these overpowering oil numbers to fill our heads. Theseoilnumberseitherhavesubstanceandmeaning for Guyanese, teachers included, or they are nothing but emptywordsandfigures.

The challenge facing Govt. and the people is how to get Exxon back to the negotiation table

DEAREDITOR, meetandnegotiateandmake agreement shall not be two parties the Rip Van Winkle like, changesasisnecessary’. amended or modified in any Government and Exxon the AFC, whose one-time

The politicos are in fact respect except by written –…meet and negotiate and leader Raphael Trotman – a playing catch-up with not agreemententeredintobyall make changes as is Lawyer and fellow Fletcher one, but two distinguished the parties “The necessary’” (necessary to Schoolalumnus–hadsigned international lawyers who Government,Esso,Hessand whom!?) The Government, the PSA in 2016, has now have already advocated CNOOC can sit down and assuming that it would ever declaredthat‘wearewilling setting off down the path of changethatagreement.’ be minded so to do, cannot tosupporttheGovernmentin renegotiationofthePSA,for Iwouldrespectfullyurge effectuate that change on its going to Exxon’ on its the greater good and thatthetwolegalluminaries, own,bystaringatitselfinthe renegotiation.So, as regards betterment of the populace. and indeed the Politicians, mirror,orbybeatingitschest a contract which was signed One such is Dr Vivian listenalittlemoreattentively or pulling out its hair or withoutcoercionorduressas Williams, who from his tothemselves. shouting from the height of part of the government back vantagepointin“farrin”,has While Dr Williams cites the top of the Pegasus in2016,now,inOpposition, put it thus: “What is playing a “consensual process”; Ms. CorporateSuites. they have experienced an outisthemisapplicationofa Jankirefersto“thepartiesto Negotiationtheoryrefers epiphany, and are ready to legaldoctrinetoavoidacting the contract” changing it, to certain classic outcomes: clasp hands with the in the nation’s best interest. and for amendments to be win-win, win-lose or loseincumbent Government Because the ‘sanctity of d o n e b y “ w r i t t e n lose Respectfully, Ms who in 2016 were in contract’ doctrine does not agreement by all the Janki’s recent call for the Oppositionandhadopposed apply to the consensual parties”.Allofwhichbegthe operation to be ‘shut down’ the PSA– and seek to undo process of contract question, how does one get would move the needle into the very thing to which they renegotiation, common “[The Government, Esso, the disastrous, lose lose hadsignedonsixyearsago! senseshouldhaveshutdown Hess and CNOC [to] sit category, with no profits

Their signing partner in that argument before it was down and change that accruing to the business, the APNU Coalition even made ” I believe agreement”,iftheprocessof while fixed overheads, Government, the PNC, not ‘sanctity of contract’ is the necessity is a consensual running costs and forward wanting to be the one left very antithesis of one,involvingalltheparties. investments pile up, and no standing when the music renegotiation.

Put another way, if a revenuestream(s)flowingto stops, is also ready now to TheotherisMs.Melinda Government wanted to the host country to finance undo what they did in 2016, Janki, who resides within amend/renegotiate the PSA planned development and andtheirLeader,Mr.Aubrey thisjurisdiction.Ms.Jankiis and any of the other parties budgetary allocations.

Norton is quoted as saying quoted thus: ‘Sanctity of doesnot,thenwhat? Environmental protection ‘there is a mechanism to contract’does not mean that How does Ms. Janki issues, while relevant, are make changes…there is a the contract cannot be propose to get the parties to not under the microscope clause in the agreement that changedbythepartiestothe “sit down and change that here. The challenge now allows the two parties – the contract…Article 31.2 [of agreement”? How does Mr facingtheGovernment Government and Exxon – to the PSA] states, “This Norton envisage that “the (Continuedonpage5)

When the educator is a sexual predator

DEAREDITOR, minimaldetection.

growingriseindeviancyand having sexual intercourse in

To commence by asking Last July, a teacher sordidity,isablatantcallfor oneoftheclassroomswitha the question what is wrong attached to a school in careful screening and 14 year old student For withGuyanesemales,would Berbice was placed under psychological assessment of whatitisworth,asthiswriter be tantamount to displaying investigation for allegedly those desiring a career in fails to see the underlying unrestrained asininity that sexuallyassaultinganumber educating the future leaders rationale, but the newspaper pales in the face of stark ofschoolgirls.Seemingly,as ofthenation. reported that the perpetrator reality ifthecrimeinitselfwithone N o l o n g e r c a n wasthesonofawell-known

The daily newspaper schoolgirl was not evil educationalqualificationsbe pastor Yes, sons of pastors headlines are replete with enough,thisteacherbehaved the chief requirements, but do sin, and it is obvious that news of educators sexually as if it was a fad and some instead new standard while the father preached, abusing their students moreschoolgirlsdidadd. practices aimed at screening the words did not his son’s Schools are expected to be

Recentlyaseniorteacher prospective employees earreach. safe environments for attached to a secondary Such a move is urgently Let us not forget that in children, but the arrests of school along the East Coast needed, lest the Cyril Potter 2020 former private school late have made many Demerara corridor was CollegeofEducationbeseen teacher, Wazir Khan was parents, and by extension arrested for allegedly as the breeding and training foundguiltyofperforminga Guyanese on the whole sexually molesting a 14- ground for professional sex act on a minor, by realize that kids are not as year old male student sexualdeviants.

Magistrate Leron Daly He safe as one would like them Apparently, the young The Teaching Service was also fined $1 million to be once they enter the studentattendedafter-school Commission is also tasked GYD. Sowhyareweseeing school environment classeshostedbytheteacher with overseeing the process, ariseinthenumberofcases Becoming a pupil can It is further alleged that, one and ensuring that the of sexual misconduct and forebode ill School afternoon following classes, curriculum adequately t e a c h e r / s t u d e n t personnel occupy a the teacher offered to drop reflects what needs to be relationships? Legal and privileged position of trust the child home, and instead taught especially from a practical loopholes continue withchildren,andwhenthat of going directly to the moral and ethical to allow sexual predators to trust is abused, the ensuing child’s home, he allegedly perspective. enter the nation’s betrayal is not only stoppedthecarandmadehis Itisalsoapparentthatthe classrooms, despite the extremely damaging to the sexualadvancesontheteen. trained professional, has yet increased attention that has child, but also has lifelong It was reported that the t o l e a r n a b o u t beengiventotheproblemin impact. Now, itisnolonger sexual miscreant offered to appropriateness, especially recent years. On April 5, cool to go to school, as the pay the child a sum of cash whereitpertainstoasurgein 2022 at the opening of the educator may be a sexual everyweekandprovidehim his sexual urge A male Criminal Session of the predator,usingtheschoolas with a free lunch every day, teacher of a private Demerara Assizes, the his base of operation for buttheboyrefused. institution on the East Bank Directorof victim selection with Superimposed on this of Demerara was caught

‘Too many guns in dis town’

DEAREDITOR, Guyana, especially as it suitability of applicants to gun licensing enterprise in and other frustrating Board This amendment

The issue of the number relatestotheacquisitionofa own a firearm and the Guyana. The allegation is problems are victims of the changed to procedures for offirearms(guns),bothlegal firearm license. Editor, it is appropriatetrainingoncethe that the starting price is one illegalenterprise. the granting of such license. and illegal, circulation in my view that the entire firearm has been acquired. million Guyana dollars It would appear that the According to what was Guyana is a cause for great process has become more ManypeopleinGuyanaseek depending on the type and process has become more stated at the time, “The concern. corrupted in recent years. to acquire a firearm as a caliberof firearmrequested. corruptsincetheamendment procedure will be that a Inotedarecenteditorial, Theacquisitionaspectisjust statussymbol. Maybethepersonswhohave to the Firearms Act, which personapplyingforafirearm which addressed aspects of apartoftheoverallproblem, Thereareallegationsthat reported that their brought into effect the licencewillmake the firearms problem in which includes the there is a flourishing illegal applicationscannotbefound Firearm Licence Approval

The challenge facing Govt. and the people is how to get...

Frompage4

To which we would Negotiated Agreement Hess Oil singing the praises point of pre-negotiation and Ministry who had acquitted and people of this dear land shout at him a number of beforesigningonthedotted of the Guyana find to their negotiation, and are now himselfwellbacktheninthe of ours is how to get Exxon different proposals – duty line To which I had shareholders. supposedtobepartnerswith difficult pre UNCED et al back to the negotiation free concessions on proposed a different

Theideasexploredinthe the oil companies in the negotiations –and without table, to achieve the likely, exploration equipment, tax approach, when negotiating classroomarethereforestill simultaneous development casting any aspersions on novel outcome of a holiday on profits, tax fromapositionofweakness relevantandapplicable.The of this resource and thecompetenceofanybodyrenegotiated “win-lose not postponement on other from a developing country limits of our desperation concurrently, the nation q u i e t b a c k r o o m so bad”agreement the downstream operating or perspective, of a WATNA– in1999weredisplacedwhen Hence it should be a discussions,which in relationship, after all, start-up exploitation costs, the Worst Alternative, Exxon announced in 2015 symbiotic relationship, negotiation theory continuestobelopsided freerepatriationofprofits,a driven often by what I had that it had found oil in ratherthanonethatmightbe constitute the pre Decades ago, while non-nationalisation clause, termed “the limits of one’s commercial quantities, that deemedtobeparasitic. negotiation phase, could registered at the Fletcher hassle free immigration desperation”. is, a year before the 2016 Thissounds tomelikea be delegated to a second School of Law and procedures and so on, all The solution then lies in PSA was signed The goodstartingpointatwhich chair,awayfromtheglareof Diplomacy on a US while he invariably and the right mix of the carrot negotiation calculus has to persuade the parties that the media, allowing for the Government sponsored ominously exited the and stick approach (perhaps since experienced seismic thetimeisnowpropitiousto unclutteringofobstaclesand Hubert H Humphrey building. morecarrotthanstick)tore- shifts as the pace and seizethemomentandreturn ironing out of preliminaryFellowship, I was fortunate On his return, he would engage Exxon et al, not in volume of oil discoveries in tothenegotiatingtable. issues. This pre-negotiationenough to be able to cross reviewourperformance. court, nor in the court of Guyana’sEEZhassurprised Finally,theLeaderofthe phasewouldsetthestagefor register at the Harvard Law Over at the Fletcher public opinion, but back in evenindustryanalysts. Opposition is quoted as the eventual sit down School in a course on School, I took a course theboardroom. Nottobeoutdonebymy saying ‘I believe if the between the principal‘Foreign Investment in called ‘Processes of Although the ideas two colleagues, who have Government was competent parties; this approach could Natural Resources,’ taught International Negotiation’, explored in the class room referred to the sanctity of they would have begun be emulated at the level of bythethenVice-Dean,Prof. taughtsimultaneouslybythe often involved situations contact being grounded in ‘backdoor discussions’ the constitutionallyDavidSmith.Aspartofrole- thenDeanJeswaldSalacuse prior to the classic point of the age old principle of because a lot of those required consultations play in his seminar, Vice- and Dr Jeffrey Rubin, an ‘Getting to Yes’ and ‘pactasuntservanda’,thatis discussions in the early (negotiations?) between Dean Smith would stand in International Lawyer and embarking on a natural to say, Agreements must be phase, you will have to do himself and H E the the middle of the Psychiatrist respectively resource exploitation kept”, let me also quote them quietly’. As I had President. auditorium, dramatically (Dr Rubin’s 1995 Obituary project, which would some Latin as well: “rebus previously said privately to Yourssincerely,shuthisbriefcaseandsetoff in the New York Times possibly take us as far back sic stantibus”, or “things Mr Norton, my former NevilleJ.Bissember for the exit, saying to the described him as an Expert as the first 1999 PSA, it is standing thus”, which tells colleague from the Foreign students,thevastmajorityof onNegotiation). respectfully submitted that us that a fundamental whom were from the third Among the ideas they we have arrived at a similar change of circumstances world,“Iamtheinvestor exposed the class to is the juncture midstream of the relieves a party from I am leaving the classictechniqueoftryingto Exxon-led investment, with obligationsunderacontract. negotiation, stop me if you figure out your BATNA – production moving apace We have long moved can!”. Best Alternative to a fantastically and Exxon and past the often adversarial

Fantastic Diwali Celebration in Little Guyana

DEAREDITOR, s c h e d u l e d D i w a l i

Community Leader, Dr s p o r t e d D i w a l i to make Diwali a school November and has appealed I write to applaud the celebrations in their Dhanpaul Narine described paraphernalia and holiday from the large forIndiansupport.

organizers of Diwali offices.ForHindusandmost asthelargestgatheringsince decorations While the crowds and by organizers at Both events commenced celebrations held last Indians, Diwali is the most the celebration was moved CaribbeanIndiansheldtheir both events. He responded with prayers and lamp Saturday early evening on joyful time of the year and from the Cheddi Jagan celebration in Richmond with an embarrassing broad lighting ceremonies. Both Liberty Avenue, near Hindus everywhere is Squareat123rdStreetatthe Hill,SouthAsianscelebrated smile. were well organized and LeffertsBlvd,intheheartof preparingforthecelebration. Arya Samaj ground to 121st Diwali at the magnificent

The Mayor was also patrons, excepting non Little Guyana in Queens, Many non Hindus graced Street. Great cool weather Times Square at the same reminded of the Diwali Indians, were decked out in New York. It was fantastic thecelebration. welcomed the large time in the heart of the city holiday at the India Day traditional Indian attire traditional spiritual family In Richmond Hill, there congregation who clapped Thousands gathered for that paradeandatothereventsin Many Indo Caribbeans and orientedentertainment. wasaculturalvarietyconcert and cheered the many Bollywoodstyleconcert. Queens. The Mayor hosts other Indians own Diwali falls on Monday, featuring artistes from presentations. The Mayor, EricAdams, Diwali celebration at his businesses on Liberty Ave. October 24 but public several Mandirs and other The Avenue was dressed in a traditional officialresidenceonOctober S t o r e f r o n t s w e r e celebrationsareheldallover I n d i a n C a r i b b e a n immaculately spruced up Indian kurtha, had to share 25. New York Governor, appropriatelyfestoonedwith theUSAwhereHindushave organizations Hundreds and lit up with multicolored his time between the two Kathy Hochul graced the artificial floral garlands established communities crowded the avenue, electronic lights and events The Mayor was Times Square event. She is Diwalirelatedsongs Politicians have also including Punjabis, in what traditional deyas Stores reminded about his promise seeking re election in

‘Too many guns in dis town’

Frompage5 existence. Guyana has far thatamajorissueinGuyana such application to the too many firearms (guns), isthenumberoffirearmsand Commander of the both legal and illegal. The theentireprocessrelatingto respective police division, World Population Review thegrantingofthelicense. who will process the 2022 gave a breakdown of Themusicalgroup,Spice application. firearms owned by civilians & Company had a hit song

Oncethatiscompletedit worldwide. It estimates that entitle“TooManyGuns”. will then pass to the the total number of firearms Partoftheopeningverse Commissionerwhowillthen owned by civilians in ofthesongsays: forward it to the Firearm Guyana to be one hundred Too many guns in dis Licence Approval Board, and twenty two thousand town, who will in turn submit its (122.000), this equates to Too many guns passing recommendation to the 15.80 per 100.000 persons. round, Home Affairs Minister who (The review takes into Too many guns in dis will make his views known consideration that there are town, and then return it to the individuals who own Too many guns passing Commissioner for the multiplefirearms). round, administrative aspects to be This number is the Iseverydayyouopende instituted”. highest in the English paper,

Having examined the speaking Caribbean. That is All you read bout is new procedure it appears astaggeringrevelation! murder, that the process has become Itshouldbeofinterestto Man,thistingissad, very political The final note that according to the But de whole world decision as to who will be samereport,Jamaicahasthe goingmad, granted approval to own a next highest per capita at Thisonehaveagun,that firearm now rest with the 8.80 per 100.000 persons onehaveagun, Home Affairs Minister It is and Dominica 6 20 per Mantheygonshooteach myviewthatthatisabigpart 100 000 persons, among otherforfun. oftheproblem. Caribbean countries For This aptly describes the It will be interesting to some more context, current gun situation in know the procedure that is Afghanistan has a rate of Guyana. employed to identify and 12 50, Somalia 12 40, Regards, appoint members of the Ukraine 9.90, South Africa Paul Slowe CCH, DSM, Firearm Licence Approval 9.70, and Brazil 8.30, per Assistant Commissioner Board, and whether there is 100.000persons. (Ret’d) currently such a Board in Editor,thisclearlyshows

When the educator is a sexual predator

Frompage4 awareness about the happeningsmakeallusionto Public Prosecutions, importance of establishing the arsenal almost farcical. Shalimar Ali-Hack revealed theregistry. Education Minister Priya that of the total of 354 Sadly, the petition Manickchand also alerted criminal cases at this sitting, achievedlessthan50%ofthe education officers that 174wereforsexualoffences. desired 10,000 signatures sexual offences at schools Sexualabuseofchildrenand needed to meet the target. will not be tolerated, and all under age individuals The petition was an integral reportsofsexualmisconduct invokesangerandrevulsion, part of getting the public to in the school should be anditisobviousthatchildren push for the necessary reported or face condign areindireneedofprotection. mechanisms needed for the action. There have been numerous creationoftheregister Any institution that callsfortheestablishmentof Currently, sexual assumesthecareofchildren, a sex offender registry predators can commit their is a natural target for adults https://www.kaieteurnewson acts, serve their prison withillintent.Theclarionis line com/2015/03/26/a sentencesandintegrateback beingsoundedonceagainfor pressing need a registry of intothesocietyforalltosee, parents to demand that sex-offenders/.In 2020, The asiftheirdeviancywasmere administrators and Caribbean Voice (TCV), a frivolity In 2010, the then legislators focus on making New York registered Non- President Bharrat Jagdeo schools safe, secure and Governmental Organisation publicly assented to the transparent places for (NGO) which operates in historic ‘Sexual Offences children to learn basic Guyana, reported that the Bill,2009’. academic skills and prepare efforts to establish a sex The history making foradulthood. offenders’ registry was event saw government Thatisthebareminimum stymied by lack of support. officials, Members of standard Concomitantly, Since 2017, The Caribbean Parliament, members of the within the academic circle, Voice has been pushing for Diplomatic community, teachers and school staff are the agenda to become a various interest groups, called upon to be detectors, reality, starting with a school children and others inspectors and protectors, petition to heighten civil witnessingthesigningofthe especially when the bill at the Police Officers’ classroom is being used to M e s s , E v e L e a r y, groom, or the teacher uses Georgetown and a public guiletodivertattentionfrom awareness campaign was hisbeingapedophile. launched. The truth be told, the

Indeliveringthekeynote growing threat that sexual address, President Jagdeo predatorsposetothenation’s pointed out that the newAct children and their families would add to the “arsenal represent an area, where sad available to fight the to say, but nevertheless predators in society”. What plain to see, the criminal, has gone wrong? What has justice system, education happened to the mentioned system, social services arsenal? Current have failed the Guyanese people Predators will remain in our classrooms until Government agencies acknowledge this fact and makemeaningfulchangesto p r o t e c t c h i l d r e n https://guyaneseonline net/2 018/07/15/the issue of rape for guyanas children is there an escape by yvonne-sam/ Regards, YvonneSam

BLUNT

Biting off more than we can chew

Guyana is going to choke from the rush to approve all these oil projects. Considering our novice's state with this oil wealth of ours, it is the equivalent of this country not having teeth to chew properly, so we end up endangering ourselves.

It makes perfect sense for us to recognize how little we know; how few are the people we have with the required skills to watch out for us and protect our interests in this new and vast oil sector.

It is better for leaders to slowdown, take stock of where we are, and then chart a commonsense course from there. The problem is that none of the senior people in the PPPC Government is listening or gives a hoot about any of this.

‘EPA is a major failure in policing oil sector'

The Environmental P r o t e c t i o n Agency(EPA)has been failing in its mandate to protect the country amid ramped up oil production here, Opposition Member of P a r l i a m e n t w i t h responsibility for oil and gas, DavidPattersonhassaid.

He said the state agency has also not been transparent with citizens as information relating to the sector is lacking in various regards.

Patterson who said the agency must do better made the comments last week whilefieldingquestionsfrom the media at a picket exercise

organised by a group of public-spiritedGuyanese.

The picketers were demanding that the EPA respondstoaletteritreceived sinceAugustlast,inwhich54 persons raised serious environmental safety concerns. Patterson said, “I do not think that EPA has beendoingaverysterlingjob intheirmandates.

That is an issue that everybody (knows) that's why these persons are here.

EPA has not been very transparent at all and I do think that they can do better…theyowethecountry way more than what we have

beenprovidedwith.”

To support his argument, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure pointed out that citizens have been questioning why businesses are being erected in residential areas, while other queries pertaining to the ownership of some of these said companies remain ignored.

According to him, “The EPAissupposedtohavebeen able to provide all of these things but they don't Unfortunately I am not very optimistic that the EPA will change.”

Moreover, Patterson

reminded that there was a recent 'one barrel' oil spill reported by the Stabroek Block operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) better known as ExxonMobil Guyana, however the EPA is yet to give its own report to thenation.

The MP argued that the details of the spill must be made public, as Exxon has publicly boasted on numerous occasions of having the most modern technology onboard its Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels to prevent oil spills, yet one barrel of crude reportedly still managed to leakout.

Patterson noted that

-Patterson

Guyanese must know where the oil leak originated from, amongst other details relating to the recent spill. In addition, the former Minister also knocked the PPP Government for failing to hold the agency accountable to the people of Guyana.

According to him, “They were elected and they came in with a shout of transparency and openness and those things like that (but) I recently saw the President of Transparency International saying that all the progress we would have madehasbeenrolledback.”

He argued that while the administration claims to be making decisions based on credible information, they are yet to present the country with evidence, even as he cited the Gas to Energy projectasanexample.

On September 10, ExxonMobil Guyana in a statement to the press said a teamontheLizaUnityFPSO observedasheenonthewater inthevicinityofthevesselon September9,last.

According to the oil c o m p a n y , i n i t i a l investigations indicate that aboutonebarrelofcrudewas r e l e a s e d d u r i n g a maintenance activity on the vessel.

Further, the activity was immediately halted and the leakwascutoff.

The oil company said, “Additional surveillance by helicopter confirmed that therewasnosheeninthearea and only a light sheen was perceptibleapproximately20 km (13 miles) North West of thevessel.

By midday on September 10, a support vessel in the area confirmed no further signofasheen.”

The ExxonMobil affiliate saidtherewerenopicturesof the spill. Since the incident occurred,thispublicationhas beenrequestingupdatesfrom both the Executive Director of the EPA, Mr Kemraj Parsram and the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrattonoavail.

Executive Director of EPA, Kemraj Parsram

Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson

West Indies may be on the next flight home

estIndiesloss Suchasmalltotalshould decently in recent years then will the regional enthusiastically, but will not to Scotland in have been a cakewalk for While, for example, they authorities begin to take dothesamefortheRegional is a wealth of young talent,yesterday’s batting order boasting the were beaten 2-0 by New stepstoimprovethestandard Super 50 tournament. But

Qualifiers was not stunning Richardson, Shivnarine this year, they performed investing in proper training Indiestodowell.

W including players from theWorld T 20 likes of Brian Lara, Richie ZealandinaT20tournament of regional cricket by they still want the West R e g i o n U n d e r 1 9

Tournament who should beastheteam’slosstoKenyain Chanderpaul, Keith creditably They should facilities.

The Guyana Selectors groomed with the future in1996.Butitcertainlymaybe Arthurton and Jimmy therefore acquit themselves The present training face a dilemma. They are mind. But like everythingmorefatal. Adams West Indies handily in this year’s T 20 facilities across the likely to go back with some else,politicsislikelytohaveWest Indies may not go howevermeeklysuccumbed World Cup Qualifiers and Caribbeanleavesmuchtobe ofoldstalwartswhoarelong an influence and it isthrough to the World T 20 with Chanderpaul top mayevenbespoilersinsofar desired.Andthisisoneofthe past their best. Beginning thereforelikelythattheteamFinals, a development of scoring with 19 off of 48 as the West Indies are reasonswhyregionalcricket last year, they should have will be a mixture ofseismic proportions balls. It was one of the concerned. The fact which isinthedoldrums.

begun a process of breeding stalwarts, long past theirconsidering that they have biggest upsets in cricket theWestIndiespublicandits G u y a n e s e f a n s new talent. But because of best, and some of thewon the tournament twice. history but it also signaled Cricket Board are not enthusiastically supported thelonglayoffcausedbythe youngsters who performedUnless they win their next that the West Indies accepting is that the rest of the Amazon Warriors. But pandemic, they went with well in the recent Inter-twomatchesandLadyLuck performance could be the world’s teams are willtheydothesameforthe mostofthesameoldfaces. County Tournament. Likeshines on this, they may be unpredictable. improving. Afghanistan is HarpyEagles,afull-fledged This year, the Guyanese the West Indies, this is theon the next flight out rather Yesterday’s loss to quite capable of beating the local team? The answer is selectors should not be dilemma facing the Westthancontestingthefinals,the Scotland was humiliating. West Indies and so too are no.TheCPLisinadifferent thinking about winning the Indies Team We keepfirst time they would have But the result should not teams in the Qualifiers league from the Regional tournament. They should be hearingaboutrebuildingbutmissedout. have surprised anyone Scotland, Namibia and even Super50whichisduetostart looking at building a team rebuilding what and onIn the 1996 upset by consideringhowWestIndies UAE are improving at a soon. There will be no large withthefutureinmind.This what-thesameoldtriedandKenya, the West Indies have performed in recent much faster rate than the cheeringcrowdsatanyofthe will entail bidding goodbye testedbunch?limited the Opposition to time. WestIndiesTeam. matches. to some of the old stalwarts (The views expressed in166 runs off 49.3 overs. But there are other Unless the West Indies Yet,thepublicisbashing who simply have no this article are those of theCurtly Ambrose took 2 for reasonswhytheWestIndies beginstounderstandthatitis theWestIndiesSeniorTeam prospectsofevermakingthe writer and not this21, Courtney Walsh took 3 loss should not shock the not so much as the team is for its performance. They WestIndiesTeam. newspaper)for 46 and Roger Harper a cricketingworld.Scotlandis underperforming as the fact will support the CPL On the other hand, there miserly 3 for 15 off his ten no pushover team They that the competition, at all overs. have been performing levels, is getting better, only

Dem boys seh...

T 20 is nat proper cricket!

NahbetyuhmoneypundeWestIndies. IsdesamethingwithT20.Yuhgattogo Yuhcouldloseyuhhouseandpropertyand out with guns blazing.Yuh could get lucky enduplikeastreeturchin.DeWestIndiesis oryuhcouldfail.Yesterday,deWestIndies agambletoogoodtobetrue. collapse. De coach seh dem had too many

Gambling pun T 20 cricket is no sure injudiciousshots.Butdemboysfeeldatde thing.Dedicecouldfallanyhow Likewith natureofT20isnattorestrainyuhself.Yuh deAmazonWarriors. Dem had nuff people onlygat120ballsandyuhgatbattingdown binthinkdiswasdemyear Butdewarriors to number 10, so yuh should go out with showhoweasyitisforthetideoffortuneto gunsblazing. turn.Indecaseofdemitturnbackquickly WestIndieswentoutwithgunsblazing

Dem boys rather bet pun local politics anddemcomebackinwithdemheadstoop. dantobetpunT20cricket.Demboysisone Dem get bear But dat is de nature ofT20. of dem wah nah recognize T 20 as proper Anybodycouldwinondereday cricket.It reminddemboys of one-tip;two So nah judge we boys too harsh. Dem –tip cricket wah dem used to play when de gan win, eventually, but na necessarily small. Was a slugfest and a luck an chance anytimesoon. game. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

Fantastic Diwali Celebration in Little...

Frompage6

distributedtothecrowd.Foodanddrinkswas alsoemanatedfromseveralstores. alsosoldtothecrowd.

DrDhanpaulsaidtheQueenscelebration Diwali at Times Square has been taking wasquiteimpressive.Itlastedsixhours.The placesince2013butwasskippedin2020and one on Times Square that featured 2021.Lastyear,itwasvirtualbecauseofthe Bollywood artistes and a cultural variety pandemic,butthisyear,thecelebrationswere concert ran for over four hours. Gifts were back and bigger than ever Diwali in distributed to the huge crowd. Both were Richmond Hill began in the early 1990s. It featuredliveonsocialmedia. washeldnearLeffertsBlvdforthefirsttime

The Times concert was carried live lastyearandvirtuallyin2020. several Indian TV stations. Guyanese and The Empire State Building will be other Indo Caribbeans patronized the Times appropriately lit up for the five days of Square celebration. In Richmond Hill, there Diwali. Mandirs have planned concerts for were Ram Leela skit, dances, speeches, and thisFriday,Saturday,andSundayeveningto devotional singing in tribute to Goddess observe the occasion. (Pix courtesy of Dr Lakshmi. There were talented singers and Dhanpaul). dancers.Artistes were dressed in traditional YoursTruly, Indian costumes. Sweets and beverage were VishnuBisram

The death of the spirit in Guyana: Brief notes

I believe that after a concatenation of violent episodes to reject the return of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) to power from 1992 to the present time, a psychological change came over the nation. Before that, Guyana lost its philosophical soul after the assassination of Dr WalterRodney

Even though the worst violent mayhem in Guyana's history was the Wismar massacre, it was the Rodney Assassination that killed the spirit in Guyana. Maybe, two factorsholdtheexplanation.

By 1980, a substantial number of the victims of the Wismar massacre and their familymembersandrelatives had migrated or maintained their silence as they grew older Whathappenedthen;is that they did not preserve their narrative for it to f e r m e n t i n t o t h e consciousness of the generation of the seventies and eighties The second

factor is that even though the Wismar massacre was still in people's mind, its presence gotweakenedbythecruelties anddepravitiesofBurnham's totalitarian exercise of power.

From1968onwardsthen, the energies of political parties, civil society groups, the professional classes, the business community, academics and the media were completely devoted to resisting Burnham massive descent into frightening dictatorship The Wismar massacre was taken off the radar

The totalitarian acts of Burnham were like a runaway train. Each day in the life of Guyana under Burnham was a struggle of the nation to exist. There were rigged elections in 1973, 1980 and a rigged referendumin1978.

There was the banning of essential food items, vicious attacks on the media, the

creation of the paramountcy oftheparty,theunleashingof House of Israel violence, compulsory National Service, the oppressive sugar levy, attempted assassination of Dr. Joshua Ramsammy; just to name a few. There simply was no moment of pause for Guyanese who wereseeingtheunveilingofa viciousdictatorship.

Then the assassination of Rodney came. If the Wismar massacre was still in the nation's consciousness, the Rodney assassination displaced it It was an unthinkable act in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Itcreatedmorevelocityinthe migration drive After Rodney's assassination, somemembersoftheAfrican middle class joined the Indian masses in migrating.

But the pessimistic and dejected mind of Guyana did not disappear after 1992 when free and fair elections returned and the globally

popularoppositionleaderDr CheddiJagancametopower

There was relentless violence directed against the PPP for its 1992 election victory and after seeing this, Indians felt that the moment of hope was receding. The lifeofthesoulthatwaskilled by the reign of Forbes Burnham did not rise from the ashes. The traumas were too much to endure to allow for rebirth. The enumeration is long. The PPP's 1997 election triumph ushered in mo “fyaah/slo fyaah” and a destructive politically motivated public service strike The PPP's 2001 election success gave birth to theBuxtonorgy Theinsanity of anti PPP, anti Indian violence in Buxton lasted from2002to2006.

Guyana settled down from 2007 onwards and the 2015 election success of the Alliance For Change (AFC) looked set to take Guyana in optimistic directions. This was not to be. The nation's psyche was violently shattered when the party of W a l t e r R o d n e y , a transformed PNC and the vastly admired AFC drifted

into mediocrity, corruptibility, immorality and racialrascality.

The rebirth lost after two d e c a d e s o f Burnhamism and systematic attacks on PPP election victories did not come into being after 2015 thus furthering imprisoning the spirit of the nation. The point is from 1968 onwards Guyana lost its soul, its capacity to think creatively and act with philosophical consciousnessofwhatarethe obligations of living in society and the recognition that unless the voice is heard, the pen is seen, then psychologicaldeathensues.

Perhaps the APNU+AFC failure and the five month election drama have set Guyana back more than 50 years.Antonio Gramsci once wrote the optimism of the will must overcome the pessimismoftheintellect.

In Guyana there is no will, no philosophical intellect There are three types of landscapes we live on in this country One is the

Frederick Kissoon

n umbness of the mind so even the most obnoxious forms of ignorance are met with no resistance The second one is the instinct of despondency

This is the acceptance that Guyana will always be what it is – a place of hopelessness.

Thirdly: the acceptance of personal life. By this I mean the recognition of that the individual has personal obligation to loved ones and his/her life in this country is aboutthat.

There is no mental thought that people are interconnected and life only have meaning when we r e c o g n i z e t h a t interconnection and the obligationwehavetoit. (The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not this newspaper)

PPP/Cactivistskipscountryafter

allegedlyassaultingwoman

A female sales representative attached to a Chinese supermarket in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice was recently assaulted by PPP/C activist, OssieRodgers.

Kamala Bharrat, 31 of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice relayed that she was working at the supermarket while Rodgers was a

customer when the incident tookplace.

Rodgers reportedly slapped the woman and gunbutted her The incident was caught on surveillance camera. Rodgers, who has since left the country despite an active investigation, posted on Facebook that he will be issuing a statement in relation to the matter today Tuesday,October18,2022.

Detailing what led to the incident, Bharrat said that Rodgers entered the supermarket and went straight to the cooler to get some beers. Bharrat said she told Rodgers to be cautious with the cooler/fridge door “I tell he my boss lady ain't like when people open it like that and then my boss lady calledonhimandtellhimshe ain't want nobody open the

door like that and he didn't listen and turn around and then she had a stick in her hand and she top it on his shoulder and told him and he and she start argue and he said how he ain't leaving the supermarket how he is a big bai and he will call the police.”

Bharrat said, about an hour later, she walked out of the supermarket to get a mop

and bucket to wipe out the floors and Rodgers who was outside imbibing with friends, hurled derogatory remarksather

“He say how that's the workmegottodofortherest of my life, me got to wipe them Chine people floor and mecan'tdonothingmoreand me tell him that the incident you and boss lady had na done, that just leave it and done.” Bharrat said Rodgers allegedly accused her of beingaracistandshebecame annoyed. She responded to him but he retaliated, he walkeduptoheranddealther slapsaboutherhead.

"After me argue back with he, he said how he get onemindslapmeandmejust walk away and go in the supermarketandhestartcuss and follow me and say how he gone slap me and when he come in the supermarket, me continue argue with him and he rush over and slap me and me pick up one slippers and pelt him in his face and me turn away and then he take out his gun and knock me in myhead,” she disclosed. Bharrat wassubsequentlytakentothe Fort Wellington Police Station but felt as though the Police treated her more like

PPP/C Activist Ossie Rodgers

the aggressor and Rodgers, thevictim.

“The Police keep asking him if he's okay and he tell them yes and he leave. Dem ask me if I sure I want a problemandifmewantcourt storyandsoandifmesure.”

A statement was taken from her after she indicated that she wanted to file a report on the matter. She was then asked to do a medical examination and she complied by doing so at the Fort Wellington Hospital Calls yesterday to the Commander Mr Lonsdale Withrite for an update on the matter proved futile. Back in 2014, Rodgers was charged and remanded to prison for assaulting a 13-year-old and threateninghermother

Cancer Foundation lobbies Govt. for low-cost radiation treatment centre to assist patients

For cancer many low i n c o m e p a t i e n t s accessing radiation therapy in Guyana, can cost a fortune.

According to Founder of the GuyanaCancerFoundation(GCF), Ms Bibi SaeedahAktar Hassan, the heavy cost associated with radiation therapy has seen many personssufferinginsilence.

She said “many patients bypass the treatment because they cannot afford it and eventuallysuccumb to thedisease.”

However, the GCF Founder said that the organisation is hoping to bring about a change in this regard.

Along with its list of breast cancer awareness activities for October, Hassan said that GCF is also lobbying Government to support the establishment of a Low Income Radiation Therapy Centre to subsidise costs for cancer patients who struggle to afford the vitaltreatment.

She said “radiation therapy startsat$550,000up.Itcangoupto $1.4 million for persons with

Founder of the Guyana Cancer Foundation, Ms Bibi Saeedah Aktar Hassan.

cervical cancer There is currently only one at the privately owned centre at the Guyana Cancer Institute.”

The GCF Head lamented: “Thereisneedforonethatcancater for our low income people because people can't afford the price to pay forradiationtherapy.

Where will these poor people get the money to do radiation therapy?”

She explained that while the Government currently subsidises radiation treatment for cancer patients through the Guyana Cancer Institute but even with the subsidy, it's still quite expensive. “Some person who can afford usuallytraveloverseastoaccessthe radiation treatment but that is not a viable option for many persons, those who can't afford it get depressed and they come to my Organisation and I try my best to help them but sometimes I can't because of the funding you have to get to help them with that money Sometimes they can't event raise $300,000togo.

TheGovernmentnormallypays $200,000 and $200,000 can't help. Even though it's something it can't help for the poor people that is why I have been advocating for this…” sheadded.

Radiation therapy is a type of cancertreatmentthatusesbeamsof intense energy to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy most often uses X-rays, but protons or other types ofenergyalsocanbeused.

The term 'radiation therapy'

Multi-million dollar gold heist…

Taxi driver pleads guilty, to be sentenced next month

TaxidriverDequanKingcalled 'Titus' or 'Quanie' on Monday pleaded guilty to being part of the 2021 multi million dollar gold heist at Wallison Enterprise on GordonStreet,Kitty,Georgetown.

Police had issued a wanted bulletin in August 2021 for King and two others in relation to the robbery However, it was only recently he was nabbed in Suriname and was deported to Guyana. The Defendant appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus at the GeorgetownMagistrates'Courts.

He pleaded guilty to the charge which states that on August 5, 2021, while, being armed with guns and in the company of others, he robbed Wallison Enterprise of $38 million in local currency and $20 million worth of raw gold, the propertyofFrancisSantosLumes.

King also admitted to three other charges that state that on the same date and at the same location he robbed Fernanda Carmichael of a cell phone value $350,000, Francis Santos Lumes of gold jewellery and cash amounting to $224,000 and William Batista DaSilva of a cell phone value $60,000.

King told the court that he was the driver who transported the gunmen to and from Wallison Enterprise. Principal Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus remanded King to prison and deferred sentencing to

most often refers to external beam radiationtherapy

During this type of radiation, thehigh-energybeamscomefroma machine outside of your body that aimsthebeamsataprecisepointon yourbody

During a different type of radiation treatment called brachy therapy, radiation is placed inside yourbody

Radiation therapy damages cells by destroying the genetic material that controls how cells grow and divide While both healthy and cancerous cells are damaged by radiation therapy, the

goal of radiation therapy is to destroyasfewnormal,healthycells aspossible.

Normal cells can often repair much of the damage caused by radiation.

As such, the cost for this treatment is usually significantly morethanothertypesoftreatment.

The Founder also told Kaieteur News that over the past two years, the GCF has been focused on lobbying the Government and even some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to implement better facilities to assist thoseaffectedbythedisease.

Murder of Ann's Grove teen… Judge to rule on defence no-case submission today

Accused, Alvin Reid called 'Satan'

Dead, Malika Hamilton

However, in January 2022, Lee moved to the High Court and was abletosecure$450,000bail.

Kaieteur News had reported that Lee was employed as a Chief Security Officer by the same company that was robbed of the $20Mworthofrawgoldand$38M in cash Investigators have accused Lee of being the mastermind behind the robbery because his phone number showed up in the call logs of the GDF rank and the other security guard. The defendanthassincedeniedthisand claimed that he had no knowledge of the robbery Lee alleged he was on his way to Bartica for work dutieswhentheheistwasongoing.

Today, Justice Simone MorrisRamlall is expected to rule on a nocase submission made by the defence for Alvin Reid called 'Satan'whoisaccusedofmurdering Ann's Grove teen, Malika Hamilton.

The 37-year-old Nimrod Street, Ann's Grove, East Coast Demerara had pleaded not guilty to the indictment which states that between August 8, and August 9, 2016,hemurderedtheteen.

A mixed 12-member jury was empanelled for the trial into the murder of Hamilton, whose body was found floating in the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara, in August2016.

August 8, 2016 to go swimming at the Hope Canal with the accused and another male. However, after she did not return home, she was reportedmissing.

Malika's body was later discovered. A post mortem examination by State Pathologist, Dr NehaulSingh,hadrevealedthat the teen was clubbed to her head, strangled and dumped alive in the canal. Police later arrested Reid a few days later after finding him hiding in a barrel at a relative's house.

Dequan King called 'Titus' or 'Quanie'

November 21, 2022. Last year, former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, Keyon King, 32, of Vergenoegen,EastBankEssequibo and two of the company's former security guards, Peon Lee called 'Nino Brown', 35, of Mocha, East Bank Demerara, and Delroy Jackson 37, of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara were charged for thecrime.

The GDF rank had admitted to the charge and he was sentenced to three years imprisonment, while the two security guards had denied the offence and were remanded to prison.

According to reports, three gunmen posing as customers had entered the business establishment onthemorningofThursdayAugust 5, 2021. They reportedly held the employees there at gun point, forcedthemtoopenasafeandthen handcuffed them with plastic zip ties. They carted off with the gold, cash, along with jewellery and phonesfromtheirvictims.

Detectives were able to crack thecasebytracingoneofthestolen phones to a house in Sophia. Lee andJacksonwerelaterarrestedand their investigation then led them to recovering$18Mofthestolencash in the back yard of the GDF rank, Keyon King. The detectives had also managed to recover a car used intheheist.

The trial commenced before Justice Morris Ramlall in the D e m e r a r a H i g h C o u r t

Representing the State in this matter are, Prosecutor Muntaz Ali andTaneishaSaygon.Representing Reid are,Attorneys-at-Law, Konyo SandifordandIyannaButts.

On Monday morning, the matter continued and the defence made a no-case submission to the court. The State responded and the judgeadjournedthemattertotoday, whenadecisionwillbemadeonthe submission.

Kaieteur News had reported thatthebodyof14-year-oldMalika was fished out of the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara, onAugust 9, 2016.

The teen had left her home on

Reid was charged with murder but after conducting a preliminary inquiry (PI) into the matter, Magistrate Peter Hugh ruled that there was insufficient evidence against him and the matter was discharged.

However, the police then filed new evidence in the case and that resultedinReidbeingcommittedto stand trial before a Judge and Jury in the High Court. In 2019, Reid was accidentally released from prison.

Former Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, had explained thatReidwasonremandforalesser crimewhichhewasfreedof.Butby the time the prison ranks realised that he was also on remand for murder,hewaslonggone.

It was only recently the police received information on the whereabouts of Reid and he was arrestedagain.

Pres. Ali floats setting up of consortium for food supplies to oil ships

Under pressure to create business opportunities for locals within the oil and gas sector,PresidentIrfaanAlion Sunday announced that he is pushing for the creation of a catering consortium to tap into the supply of food and otherservicestotheindustry HetoldaforumatLeguan onSundaythatGuyanacould soon see local chefs directly benefitting from the oil and gas sector, with the e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a consortium of cooks supplying food and food items to Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) Ali on Sunday disclosed that he has calledfortheformationofthe body, to prepare chefs from across the country to tap into the massive opportunity “I have instructed the Minister of Natural Resources to work on bringing together a consortium of all our major caterers in the country into

one company and let them buy the management skills, whether it is international or regional so that together in a consortium, they could participate in the bidding process to provide all FPSOs offshore with food and food supplies.”

T h e P r e s i d e emphasised that lo enterprises must com together to create consortiums to better position themselves to access economic opportunities.Withthe r i g h t t y p e o f integration, through consortiums, Dr Ali said there will be room for massive growth. He pointedouttheneedtoform consortiums to cre necessary local linkages. Ali noted that the economy's immediate requirements are to develop sustainable choices for Guyanese, improve their quality of life,

a n d o p e n u p j o b

opportunities. The move will also guarantee Guyanese have equitable access to opportunities

“These are services that are externalised because we h a v e t o l e a

to work together We cannot operate in a mega economy if we don't bring together

$103M estimated to rehabilitate Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

Having received s o m e $ 3 2 billion in this year's budget for the continued development of sport in the country, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is preparing to spendpartofitsallocationto the rehabilitation of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, located along Homestretch Avenue,Georgetown.

The Ministry in an invitation for bids (IFB) stated the works on the sports hall are estimated to cost the government $103.6 million.Duringthedebateof this year's budget, it was reported in the media that some of the upgrades the

facility will have are to its seating section, whereby the seats will be upgrade to buckets seats, also works on the flooring of the facility justto nameafew

According to the IFB, bidding for the project will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedures, specified in the Procurement Act 2003 and Regulations, 2004 and is open to all eligiblecontractors.

The project is slated to open on November 8, 2022 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Boardoffice.

While the Ministry is looking to upgrade the Cliff

Anderson Sports Hall, Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Heritage Games on Friday had mentioned that the Government has plans of constructing Sports Halls in several regions come 2023

These facilities he shared will be placed in Regions One, Three, Seven, EightandNine.

Quoted in a Department of Public Information article, the Director said ,“We are having funds to make sure that there is the construction of sports halls in all of these regions to the tuneof$80millioneach.”

onsortiums We bring ten small people together, w e h a v e a m e d i u m company, we b r i n g t e n medium people together, we get a l a rg e s i z e company So, we e going to use this h a n i s m , t h i s k to bring this country together, as part of t h e ' O n e G u y a n a ' umbrella.”

By using this approach, Guyana will also strengthen its economy, encourage industrialgrowth,boostlocal company capacity, develop a trained labour force, establish a competitive supplier base, and distribute

the wealth created by the oil and gas boom to Guyanese citizens. The President said this kind of unity is what the nation needs to advance and requires the involvement of all Guyanese. He said he intends to build a future of equal opportunities for the growth of every citizen regardlessoflocation.

P r e s i d e n t A l i ' s announcementcomesseveral months after the issue of Guyana being saddled with a $300 million daily rental bill for the 30 supply boats that service the oil and gas sector Guyana in 2016 inked a P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement with Esso Exploration Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and their partners Hess Guyana Corporation and

China National Offshore Oil Company Under that agreement, the operator E E P G L c o m m o n l y referred to as ExxonMobil Guyana is allowed to recover up 100 percent of its exploration and other costs by deducting proceeds up to 75 percent of the production from the Stabroek Block. Thispublicationreportedthat among the support services b e i n g u t i l i s e d b y ExxonMobil relate to the rental of its supply boats. These vessels are typically used to transport supplies to the oil platform and return other cargoes to shore. They also store equipment and provide other support servicesrequired.

EarlierthisyearAli, (Continued on page 16)

Guyana pursuing additional airlift at World Routes Forum

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, is leading a delegation to the World Routes Development Forum 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada, UnitedStates.

The delegation includes Ramesh Ghir, Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Kamrul Baksh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority

The World Routes is an annual event, which brings together airlines, airports, tourism authorities, tour operators and other key aviation decision makers. It is also dedicated to route development and strategic planning in the aviation industry

In a Press Release CJIA said over the next few days, Minister Walrond and team are expected to meet with several key persons in the aviation industry with the intention of encouraging investments in destination Guyana.

Meanwhile, Minister Walrond said the forum presents an important opportunity for bringing additional airlift to Guyana.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond is flanked by Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Transport, Cayman Islands (Left) and Mr. Kyle Rymer, Deputy Premier Minister (Right).

Shenotedthat,“ourfocus,as always,istosellGuyanaasa lucrative investment destination We want to encourage investment that will allow cheaper airfares and increase travel and destinationoptions.”

For his part, Ghir, underscoredthatGuyanahas benefited tremendously

from its participation in these engagements. He said “The majority of new airlines entering the Guyana market are as a result of negotiations that have taken place at the Routes forum.” During this visit, Minister Walrond is also expected to meet with several Ministers ofTourismfromtheRegion.

One of the supply vessels currently in the employ of ExxonMobil.

President Irfaan Ali

Some section of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

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Govt. seeks suppliers of construction materials...

From page 3 individuals in the middle income and young professionals’ category.After the announcement was made, Opposition Economist, Elson Low told Kaieteur News that the initiative is likely to be marred by fraud and discrimination.

He said that the Government has been and continues to put band-aids on issues as they arise, rather than implement strategic solutions to resolve them.

He reasoned that most of the population currently does

not own their own homes and that the situation is likely to escalate over the next few years as foreigners rush to Guyana to cash in on the oil boom, securing prime lands for their own development. Not only that, but he explained that another factor to be considered is the extensive migration pattern of Venezuelans into the country, citing that this number may be as high as 30,000 already.

However, Low argued, “In the face of this, the Government continues to put band aids over the problem

rather than developing a comprehensive housing strategy based off of an assessment of the needs of the country.

This is why we see hundreds at a time, not thousands of low income homes built and these random solutions, such as providing concrete or steel.”

He made reference to the hand out of COVID-19 cash grants to families across Guyana, insisting that low income households that needed the assistance the most were left for last. Arguing

that he feels select persons would benefit from this drive, Low suggested that a better method to incentivise home building was to introduce a home builders’ rebate programme.

According to him, “If the Government wants to incentivise home building it should offer a home builder’s rebate, which is a fixed amount each person who builds a home can claim, varying based on the value of the house, during construction to offset the cost of building their house.”

Pres. Ali floats setting up of consortium for...

From page 14 while attending a ceremony on the West Bank of Demerara had boasted that every month, Region Three rakes in $50 million when the supply boats come to shore to purchase fruits, vegetables and water from the markets and small shops. This, while Guyana is saddled with a $300 million daily rental bill for the 30 supply boats that service the oil and gas sector.

service the sector, it amounts to over $300 million.

should it be steered in the right direction. Local content

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President Ali, while addressing critics of the sector said, “I was speaking to some of the suppliers for the supply boats that goes out to the rig and when you check what they buy in Region Three, in the markets, in food supplies, water, they spend more than $50 million here every month in the markets, more than $50 million every month, buying produce and supplies for those boats.” He went on to say that such stories are untold while insisting that farmers, small retail stores and supermarkets owners all enjoy the benefits from those sales. The President did not, however, tell his audience that Guyana’s earnings from oil production are being deducted to pay for the supply boats. Presently, Guyana pays about $11 million in rental fees for each of these vessels. When a simple calculation is done against the 30 boats that

Prominent businessman, Mr. Glenn Lall, the Publisher of Kaieteur News in one of his radio programmes had advocated for Guyana taking ownership of the boats and renting them to the oil sector, rather than settle for a mere $50 million monthly. Lall had explained that if Guyana moves to acquire its own supply vessels, the country would benefit more beyond the ‘grocery money’.

He reasoned, “Billions going in oil people’s pockets when the month come from your oil money and he (President Ali) proud to announce the farmers getting their bora, bhagi sell…Trinidad and Suriname paying just over $1million per boat and we are paying $11 million a day.

Ten million Guyana losing per day, 30 boats by 10 is $300 million Guyana losing a month and our President proudly saying not once but twice how the people spending $50 million a month. The daily losses could amount to almost $9 billion a month,” the Newspaper Publisher added. Lall was keen to highlight that Guyana would still benefit from those sales if the Government or private persons were to be the owners of the supply vessels, which means the country could benefit twice

Meanwhile, despite enacting a Local Content Legislation last year, to ensure Guyanese citizens benefit from jobs in the oil and gas sector a number of communities are unable to participate due to the lack of internet access and training opportunities, among others. This is according to the Alliance for Change (AFC) party who during a Press Conference last Friday told members of the media that the PPPC Government has not implemented specific programmes to ensure the revenue stream from the petroleum sector reaches and benefits those in the Hinterland. During the recently concluded Guyana Basins Summit (GBS), Lorena Salazar, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Chief of Operations and Guyana Country Representative urged that the oil money must not stagnate on the coasts, but must trickle down to Hinterland communities in Guyana to ensure equitable development in the country.

She said it is critical to leave no one behind.

According to her, “that means not just focusing on the coastland but also checking the Hinterland. What are the opportunities of the people in the Hinterland?” The IDB

Country Representative argued that the opportunities should not only be extended to the education and health sectors, but also in the areas of communication and access among others. Salazar was keen to note that the future of the country is its people, hence measures should also be taken to explore the skills needed that may not have been taught in school. She pointed out, “So there are several areas that a country of new oil and gas should take a look and I would say that if I can compare to my country and other countries, I would say that that is the best part, of when a country focus on the other sectors (on) how to develop the country.”

To this end, the AFC was questioned whether it believes this has been the undertaking in Guyana. The Party’s Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan told Kaieteur News, “I do not believe that the Amerindians are in any way benefitting specifically from that and that is one of the reasons why we feel that there ought to be a properly worked out strategy.

The PPP talks about the Low Carbon Development Strategy and all of that or the Revised Low Carbon Development Strategy but I don’t see anything there which indicates clearly what will be the benefit.”

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Antigua: Prison officers protest poor working conditions

StaffmembersatHisMajesty’sPrisonin theirconcerns. St John’s, Antigua are calling on the Anotherofficersaidtheprisonconditions Government to take steps to address their are depressing and affecting both the infrastructural, management and salary prisoners’and officers’mental health.There concerns. have been several media reports recently

The officers staged a protest outside the regarding poor sanitation and overcrowding prison this morning to highlight concerns, attheprison,whichwasconstructedin1735 whichtheysaidhavebeenongoingforyears. anddesignedtohold150people. “We want justice,” one protesting Prison Flies, rats and other vermin from the Officersaid. “Wearetiredofhavingtogoto prison are reportedly entering nearby the recreation ground to relieve ourselves. businessesandaschool. Therearefemaleofficersinhere,ifaninmate The officers are demanding an apology throws a pail on you, you have to go home fromtheGovernmentaftertheywereaccused because there are no facilities to clean of being corrupt following a major raid, yourself.” whichresultedintheseizureofalargehaulof

ShesaidtheGovernmentiswellawareof contraband.“Howcanoneofficerbringinall what is taking place in the prison since a those cell phones and hot plates? Clearly, Commission of Inquiry highlighted all of someoneatthetopknowswhatisgoingon.

CGX begins construction work for portion of Berbice Deep Water Port

Grand Canal Industrial Estates Inc. (GCIE), a w h o l l y o w n e d subsidiaryofCanadianoilexplorer, CGX Energy Inc., told industry stakeholders yesterday that it is finally moving ahead with other critical works for the Berbice Deep WaterPort.

GCIE reminded that there were some revisions that were needed to thedesignofitswharfandtrestlein the Berbice River, and with that aspect completed, it is finally moving forward with construction anddredgingoperations.

It said this launches the next phase of construction of its Deep WaterPortprojectinRegion6later thismonth.

GCIE said it has already expended some US $22M on the project, which is being built on 30 acres of land adjacent to and north of Crab Island on the eastern bank oftheBerbiceRiver

It said 10 acres of the plot has beensetasideasalivinglaboratory for the study of mangrove habitats in co-existence with commercial portoperations.

Following a bidding process, GCIE said Gaico Construction and General Services Inc. was selected asthelowestbiddertoconstructthe company's access trestle and wharf as well as to perform required dredgingoperations.

I m p o

a n

Construction and General Services Inc. is a locally owned Guyanese company One of their most recent projects of a similar nature was the berth extension at Guyana Shore base Inc which involved the construction of two additional berths, driving of reinforced concrete pre-stressed piles, driving of sheet piles and infill area for wharfdevelopment.

y , G a i c o

KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat

the in-river construction will begin with the 160 feet access trestle, which is being built from the shoreline westwards into the BerbiceRiver Thewharfwillthen bebuiltperpendiculartothetrestle, parallel to the eastern bank of the river CGX Resources Inc., a subsidiary of CGX Energy Inc., owns and operates a 16 acre logistics yard located at Bramfield along the Corentyne Highway, 3.2

Speedboat sinks while transporting athletes,transpor no one injured

kmfromtheGCIEDeepWaterPort Site. This logistics yard facility will be used as storage for tubulars, specialty off-shore materials and chemicals for the Oil and Gas industry, as well as agricultural and general cargo servicing the operationsoftheDeepWaterPort.

GCIE also stated that it has constructed an access bridge to the Facility from the main Corentyne highway as well as an access road, built to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (ASSHTO) standards

The company has also constructed

concrete drains and driveways for residents living along the roadway and paved the roadway for the convenienceofresidents.

This newspaper understands that solar street lights are expected to be installed in October 2022 as well as solar lights installed on the completed 10 acre quayside laydownyard.

The quayside laydown yard was constructed to a 5-ton per square metre capacity The company has also completed approximately 1600 feet of rip rap floodprotectionatthesite.

Exxon seeking proposals for Project Management Services for Technical Training Centre in Berbice

ExxonMobil's affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking detailedcommercialandtechnical information from suppliers to manage the construction of the Guyana Technical Training Centre.

Scene from yesterday's mishap, the speedboat that sank on the right. (Photo credit: Alva Solomon)

Just around noon on Monday a speedboat transporting a group of local athletes from Parika to Supenaam sank in vicinity of Troolie Island in the Essequibo River.Kaieteur News understands that the athletes are from Moruca, RegionOne. They had participated in this

year'sAmerindianHeritageGames, that culminated on Sunday and were on their way home Commander of Regional Division '3', Mahendra Siwnarine who confirmed the incident with this publication yesterday said that as a result of the mishap no one was injured.He explained that the boat was part of a large fleet that left

Parika for Supenaam and in the vicinityofTroolieIslanditbeganto takeinwater

As a result of this, he said the captain signalled to the other boats and they grounded at the Island where the passengers were placed intheothersboats.

Aninvestigationhassincebeen launchedintotheincident.

The scope of this RFI is to identifysupplierswhocansupport the development and definition of project scope of works, requirements, plans, process and procedures for all phases of the work; develop in-house schedule andoptionsfordifferentexecution strategies including a risk option analysis for each strategy; and manage day to day project activities and requirements, including participating / leading meetings and issuing minutes of

meeting.

During the bidding process, Kaieteur News understands that all prospective EEPGL contractors are required to demonstrate awareness of the Local Content Act (2021) and its potential application to their work underthescope.

Bidders are also expected to include in their submission, a preliminary local content strategy outlining how they will deliver on the local content expectations outlinedbelowandthosecaptured in the Act, and, upon award, implement an acceptable plan. Should the successful bidder be required to submit local content plans to the Government of Guyana under the Local Content Act(2021)theywillalsoprovidea copyofthoseplanstoEEPGL.

CGX's Logistics Yard for the Berbice Deep water port

GHB lauds Sunshine Snacks support...

From page 25 being on the National Team and already representing Guyana.

In the girls’ finals, GCC Hurricanes defeated their sisterteamGCCSpartans.

Abosaide Cadogan netted both goals for the Herricanes, while Madison Fernandes netted the lone goalfortheSpartans.

The MVP was Clayza Bobb of Saints Conquerors,

who played a brilliant game in the semi-finals, but her team eventually lost to GCC Spartans in a penalty shootout.

What can be considered the highlight of the evening sawtheYMCAOldFortTop Form out scoring Saints Snipers 2 nil Warren Williams scored both goals in the 1st and 9th minute, respectively

The game was fast

paced,withtheskilfulyoung men showing much willpoweronbothsides.

The Snipers tried to bore thenetoftheiropponent,but brilliant goalkeeping by KennardJerrickdeniedtheir everyattempt.

In the end, Saints Snipers settled for the runner up position, and Shakeem Fausette of Old FortTopFormwasadjudged MVPamonghispeers.

Tuesday October 18, 2022

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19

Yourheadshouldbequite clear today, Aries, and your witty comments will be met with appreciation and laughter Your smile will delight everyone you encounter

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

Don't worry about probing too deeply today, Taurus. Trust people more than you normally would. You will find that things go muchmoresmoothly

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

You might consider taking a short trip today, Gemini. Perhaps you need to get out of the house and go across town. Whatever it is, introduce your brain to a new reality

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Your mind might be stimulated today, Cancer, so stay alert and open to new information. If you feel tired, takeashortnap.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

It has been said that you can never have too many friends, Leo, but today you might wonder if perhaps you do. Your phone could be ringingoffthehook.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Don't let fear of failure or fearofsuccessholdyouback, Virgo Even though you may feelanaturaltendencytowant to shrink into the background andtaketheeasiestroute.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Powerful thoughts are running through your brain. You will find that this i n f o r m a t i o n c a n b e transforming, Libra. The key is to learn from others and incorporate opposing viewpoints into your state of mind.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Informationcomingyour way today might be unreliable, Scorpio. It could behardforyoutotakeasolid holdonthemessagesyouget.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Be careful about being manipulated by another person today, Sagittarius. It's possible that someone is putting words in your mouth in order to get you to act a certainway

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Information you receive today may get you stirred up, Capricorn. Remember that it takes two to start an argument.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

There's a great deal of power to your words today, Aquarius, so be careful how youusethem.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Answers may not be crystal clear today, Pisces. They probably won't be laid out in a neat and organized manner Get out in the open air and join friends for a long bikeride.friends.

Scotland shock West Indies in...

From page 24 fluency after the delay but stuck at it, and reaped his rewards as he clubbed three boundaries from the final over, having hit his previous oneinthefourthover

There were also powerful cameos from Callum MacLeod (23 off 14) and Chris Greaves (16 off 11) as Scotland dragged themselves up to a defendable, but potentially not match winning,total.

As was the case last year, Windieswerewoefulwiththe bat. It felt like it was shot or block with minimal ability to rotatethestrike.

T

struggled against the left-arm spin of Mark Watt, who regularly bowled from 24 yards instead of 22, and offspin of Michael Leask, with the pair taking 3-12 and 2-15 respectively, while bowling 27dotballs.

Pace bowler Brad Wheal, who was part of the Hampshire side that won the T20 Blast this summer, also bowledwell,claiming2-32.

Scotland were also faultless in the field, including a superb catch from Leask, running in from the mid wicket boundary to dismissShamarhBrooks.

Berrington added: “We knew it was a competitive

score and I thought the bowlers were exceptional The spinners have done it for us for a long time now at key moments. They put in a great shift-itwasanall-roundgreat teamperformance.”

West Indies captain NicholasPooranbelieves161 was a score his side should have chased, saying: “It is a tough loss for us, we’re disappointed.

“We need to do the hard work now and win two games, it is all about accountabilitynow.”

Scotlandhaveonlyplayed two T20s since last year’s WorldCupintheUnitedArab Emirates, which makes their victory, and the consistency of their skills, even more remarkable.

Batter Callum MacLeod said: “There wasn’t a huge amount of surprise that Namibia won yesterday and we won today - that is where we’re at with our cricket. We’ve all been crying out for more opportunities and it would be great to see where some of the associate nations couldgettoifwewereinvited intothegamesometimes.

“Winsinglobaleventsare significant,theyhavemoreon them The win over Bangladesh last year was a specialmomentbuttodaywas probably a better win - we probably played the better cricketfromstarttofinishand deservedtowin.”

Match details: Scotland 160 for 5 (Munsey 66*, Holder 2-14, Joseph 2-28) beat West Indies 118 all out (Holder 38, Watt 3-12, Leask 2-15, Wheal 2-32) by 42 runs.

From page 23 coaching structure. As part from the rollout of the Academy Training Centre youth and grassroots development programme, Greenwood is also credited for creating a national framework of employed, t r a i n e d Te c h n i c a l Development Officers to increase the GFF’s impact and capabilities in its nine regionalassociations.

With the goals for Greenwood’s tenure complete, including transitioning the operational management of the Academy Training Centres to the regional associations and the establishment of the club charter system, GFF President Wayne Forde said the federation was thankful to the Englishman for his service.

What will the selectors come up with?

Asks Sean Devers

Guyana has not won a Regional 50 overs title since 2005 when they beat Barbados in fading light at Bourda and since then they have reached the final three times.

Guyana’s 2022 Regional Super50campaignbeginson October 31 against the Windwards Islands at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad and most of the players have picked themselves.

The Guyana side was to be named yesterday but it is

The squad will be selected sometime today during final of the 50-over Inter-County which is being used to pick players who are notautomaticpicks.

The automatic picks are Skipper Leon Johnson who showed during this Inter County he is not only still being picked because of astute leadership skills but for his contribution with the bat as he demonstrated with 233 runs with a century and halfcentury

T h e 2 5 y e a r o l d

Shimron Hetmyer’s best format is the ODIs in which

understood that CWI has given the Guyana selectors a day’s extension to submit their14-mansquad.

T20

hehasfivecenturiesandfour fifties from 47 matches while he has scored seven tons and nine half-centuries

inList‘A’cricketcouldbatat number three with Johnson comingatfour J o h n a t h o n F o o

announcedhisreturntolocal cricket with an entertaining 71atBourdaandcouldbatat five with Sherfane Rutherford, who has played six T20Is and two fifties in 20 List ‘A’matches, coming atnumbersix.

The 24-year-old Keemo Paul, who has two fifties and taken 62 wickets in 48 List ‘A’gamesandhas25wickets in 23 ODIs, could be one of four all rounders in the squad.

Romario Shepherd has played 18 ODIs and has two fifties and 50 wickets from 48 List ‘A’ matches and alongwithleft-armspinners, Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul have also played ODIs and should be also certainties for the RegionalSuper50team.

Of the others without ODI experience, Anthony

Bramble, who like he did for Berbice, could open the batting while Johnaton Foo, Kemol Savory, pacer Nial Smith and the experienced Chris Barnwell, who also contributes with medium pace, could also be on the planetoCarnivalCountry

ThefirstTestinAustralia starts on November 29 and Tagenarine Chanderpaul is likely to be picked for the WestIndies.

It will be interesting to see if the selectors will pick him since he could miss the latter part of theSuper50.

Leg spinner Steven Sankar followed his impressive performance in GCA’s NBS Semi-finaland final with three-wicket hauls in each of the three Inter County matches and could gain the nod ahead of off-

spinnerKevinSinclair

Ronsford Beaton bowled with genuine pace and success to spur Essequibo into today’s final, and could alsobeconsidered,whilethe elegant Akshaya Persaud and Tevin Imlach could also competeforbattingspots.

My 14-man Super50 Guyana Squad: Leon Johnson (Capt), K e m o P a u l (V/Captain),Sherfane Rutherford, Kemol Savory, Shimron Hetmyer, Anthony Bramble, Johnathon Foo, R o m a r i o S h e p h e r d , G u d a k e s h M o t i e , Veerasammy Permaul, Neil Smith, Akshaya Persaud, Chris Barnwell, Steven Sankar, Reserves: Quinton Sampson, Anthony Adams, Kevin Sinclair, Ronsford Beaton,TevinImlach

World Cup: ScotlandshockWestIndiesinGroupB

( B B C S P O RT ) Scotland, ranked 15th in the world, started their Men’s T20 World Cup campaign in brilliant fashion by shocking two time winners West Indies.

Chasing 161 to win, a mixture of woeful batting and disciplined bowling saw the Windies bowled out for 118, to lose by 42 runs in Group B.Scotland made 160-5, with opener George Munseystrikinganunbeaten 66from53balls.

Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 31 runs in the late Group B game.“It is a special win forus,”saidScotlandcaptain Richard Berrington, whose side beat Bangladesh in last year’s World Cup. “A lot of hard work has gone into getting us to this point in the last12months.

“I’m extremely proud of the boys for going out there

tonight and showing off our skills ”The result means West Indies, who are ranked seventh in the world, will likely need to win both of their remaining games to p r o g r e s s T h e y f a c e Zimbabwe on Wednesday (09:00 BST), while Scotland

face Ire

d (05:00) knowingavictorywilllikely seethemqualify

The top two sides from each group will qualify for theSuper12s,whichstarton 22October

The winner of Group A and runner-up from Group B

willfaceEngland.

Scotland raced to 52-0 after 5.3 overs - a stark improvement on their opening stands in last year’s tournament, where their highestscorewas33-before a45-minuteraindelayhalted

theirprogress.

Windies started poorly with the ball, offering too much width, but were much improved after the break, banging the ball effectively intothepitch.

It slowed the scoring rate

significantly and also brought the wickets of Matthew Cross and Richard Berrington, as both flat batted to mid-on and midwicketrespectively Munseylacked (Continued

Sherfane Rutherford

Leon Johnson

Kemo Paul

Shimron Hetmyer

Scotland, spearheaded by the superb bowling of MarkWatt and Michael Leask, claimed a shock win over West Indies to get off to a flyer at the T20 World Cup.

Akeal Hosein reacts after being dismissed. (Getty Images)

Henrietta topple Dartmouth to take over lead; Queenstown, Good Hope secure first points

It was a Sunday of excitement at the A n n a R e g i n a Community Centre Ground in Cinderella County when rivalry in the Essequibo P o m e r o o n F o o t b a l l Association (EPFA) leg of t h e G F F / N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power, Under-17 Intra Association League continued with a doubleheader

In the clash of the undefeated teams, Henrietta United came from a goal down to edge Dartmouth Determinators in a classical seven goal thriller that produced end-to-end action while in the clatter of the pointless teams, both Good Hope and Queenstown United left the park with a smile as they shared the spoilsequallyina1-1epic.

Good Hope FC signaled intentions very early in the matchthattheywerefocused on changing their fortunes in the League when they drew firstbloodwithjustseven(7) minutes on the clock. Omar Kendell was the player who handed them; Good Hope theearlyadvantage.

They held Queenstown at bay for quite some time but the Queenstown lads were patient and when their opportunity came in the 48th minute, Brian Inniss made no mistake in burying the

shot that allowed them an equal share of the points, which was their first for the league,liketheiropponents.

In the clash of the undefeated clubs, fans could not have asked for a better match as the future stars of Cinderella County and Guyana proved why they have been permanent fixtures in their respective teams.

Prior to this match,

MVP Sports Futsal Competition...

From page 25 have done, we will continue to be one of your supporters throughouttheyears.”

This event,likethe many others in Guyana and worldwide, had a lengthy hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its fourth edition wascontestedin2018.

A total of 24 male teams are set to vie for the throne while four female teams will collidetoseewhoclaimstop honours, over eight nights of competition The Men’s teams are Albouystown, Alexander Village, Avacado Ballers, Back Circle, Belfield, Bent Street, B e t e r v e r w a g t i n g , Campbellville, Channel 9, Crane, East Front Road, Future Stars, Goal Is Money, Leopold Street, Melanie, Mocha Family, Pike Street, Sophia, Sparta, Stabroek Ballers, Swag, Tiger Bay, Vengy FC and Vryheid’s Lust.The Female teams are Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force,

Fruta Conquerors and Santos For the men, the Champion will cart off with $500,000 while the runner up will have to settle for $300,000. Third place carts off with $200,000 while the fourth place finishers walks awaywith$100,000.

Additionally, the winner of each of the six groups in the male division will receive $50,000 while second place takes home $30,000, third place pockets $20,000 and fourth receives $10,000 After the Group stage,thetoptwofinishersin each group along with the best two third place teams will advance to the next round In the Women’s division, the Tournament winner pockets $200,000, second place bags $100,000 while third and fourth incentives amount to $50,000 and $25,000, respectively. The Most ValublePlayer(MVP)award will also be up for grabs in bothdivisions.

Dartmouth enjoyed the position on the summit by virtue of a better goal difference but that was mere moments away from changing as Henrietta were soon to show why they are regardedasthefavourites.

Dartmouth cantered into the lead through the first of a double from Martin Garrawayinthe13thminute. The Henrietta team and their fans were kept quiet but not

forlong.

Twominutesafterfalling behind. Deshawn Verwayne drew his team level with a well-calculated shot in the 15thminute.

Thereafter, it was all domination, at least goalwise for Henrietta as they fired in two unanswered goals to set up an encouraging two goal cushion. Erron Caesar in the 20th minute and teammate, Darius Pearson in the 28th built on the platform as they sensedvictory.

After the break, both teams scored in the 52nd minute, Henrietta got theirs from Elisha Smith while Dartmouth’s came off the boot of Garraway, to complete his double. The advantage for Henrietta was reduced to 4-2 and with the frenetic pace of the game, Dartmouth did harbour thoughts of further reducing the deficit and even pushing foradraw

They did succeed to some extent when Anais Glasgow scored in the 57th

minute to further cut Henrietta’s advantage, to 43.

And that is exactly how the final scorecard looked, Henrietta, holding on for the win which propelled them to the top of the leaderboard with two more matches to go for the end of the first round Five clubs are battling for supremacy as they seek to become the champions which will earn them the right to represent the EPFA in the national playoffs.

Greenwood appointed FIFA Regional

Technical Consultant for the Caribbean

cal Director for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Ian Greenwood, announced yesterday that he has joined football’s global governing body, FIFA, as its Regional Technical Consultant for the Caribbean.

Greenwood spent five years as the GFF’sTechnical Director InAugust, the GFF announced that he will be replaced by Bryan Joseph, whoiscurrentlyactinginthe capacity

G r e e n w o o d ’ s announcement came via his Facebook page, where he stated“Iamlookingforward to supporting the Member Associations in the technical development of football in theirrespectivecountries.”

According to the GFF, Greenwood, a UEFA A

license holder and former coach at Leeds United and Huddersfield Town, led the design, creation and implementation of new nationalfootballphilosophy, development programme, the GFF’s ground-breaking Academy Training Centres and talent pathway, with a focusonnurturingyouthand coaches across Guyana through age specific curricula. During his tenure, Guyana’s senior men’s team made its first appearance at the Concacaf Gold Cup, the U-15 male team won the nation’s first international youth tournament, the U-20 women’s team came within two games of reaching the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup, and the U-17 women’s team reached its first ever ConcacafChampionship.

In addition, the U-20 men’s team qualified for its first championship since

1984and,thisyear,theU-17 and U-20 women’s teams will compete in consecutive C o n c a c a f Wo m e n ’s Championships for the first time.

The total number of national team engagements increased 142% during Greenwood’s tenure, with a riseof567%infemaleyouth international matches and a jump of 344% for male youthteams.

Goaldifferencesandwin percentages have also improved across all national age groups, and talent from the hinterland has been integrated into all the nationalsquads.

An expert in youth and c o a c h e d u c a t i o n , Greenwood also led the transformationofGuyana’s (Continued on page 21)

Latest Points Table

Points

Brian InnisQueenstown United FC

Omar KendellGood Hope FC

Henrietta United goal scorers against Dartmouth Determinators

For

er Techn

Ian Greenwood, FIFA’s Regional Technical Consultant for the Caribbean.

GCB

overs

County final

B’ce put title on the line against E’bo at Providence today

By Sean Devers

The curtains will come down this e v e n i n g a t Providence under lights when defending Champions Berbice face off with Essequibo in the Final of the GCB’s senior Inter-county 50 overs cricket tournament from14:00hrs.

For those who have been following local cricket it is nosurprisethatBerbicehave dominated the two matches against Demerara and Essequibosincetheirteamis packed with National players.

When you look at the players produced by Berbice in recent times for Guyana and West Indies, you can’t help but notice the disparity between Berbice and the other teams and it would be safetosaythattheBCBisby far the best run Board in Guyana as the results continuetoshow

With a batting line-up of Anthony Bramble and Guyana’s leading scorer in the recent Regional U-19 tournament; Rampertab Ramnauth,Berbicewillback onthepairscoringquicklyin thepower-play

With batters like the immensely talented 25-year Shimron Hetmyer, Jonathon Foo, Kevin Sinclair, Romario Shepherd, Clinton Pestano, Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul, Berbice’s batting is extremely potent and capable producing massive totals.

The team from the ancient county has a strong bowling attack of National Pacers Nial Smith, Pestano

and Shepherd with support from spinners Kevin Sinclair, Permaul and Motie, all who have played International cricket for WestIndies.

It is strange that Guyana Warriors off-spinner Junior

Sinclair, has not bowled a singleballintwomatches.

Berbice and Essequibo are the only counties that have organised ‘Trials’ so it was not really a mayor surprise when Essequibo beatDemerara.

Despite the internal issues in the ECB, including a no confident threat, which r e q u i r e d p o l i t i c a l intervention, Essequibo have played with plenty of passion and intent on the field.

They have matched Demerara and Berbice with century makers in the form of their Keeper Kemol Savory who made a hundred in the first round at Everest when opener Kevin Boodie alsogot91.

Essequibo have power hitters in Kemo Paul, Quinton Sampson, who smashed a pugnacious 85 at Bourda, Ronsford Beaton, WasimMohammed,Ricardo AdamsandSkipperAnthony Adams.

The bowling will be spearheaded by Beaton, who bowled with pace against Demerara in his four wicket haul as did Paul who had 4 50 Sampson is capable of bowling with pace while the senior Ricardo and Anthony Adams along with left spinner Garfield Phillips, w h o r e m o v e d ‘ b i g guns’Bramble and Hetmyer when the teams last met at Bourda.

DespiteonlyplayingT20 cricket in Essequibo, the

team which have six players who participate the GCA tournament for Police, have beaten the President’s X1 and Demerara on the road to today’sFinal.

Admission is free and althoughall of the matches have been played in Demerara, the support for Berbice and Essequibo have easily bettered that of Demerara, even at the Stadium when Essequibo playedthehometeam.

The same pitch which was used for last game will again be used for today’s day/night affair and the dew factor could come into play tonight.

While Berbice is favoured to retain the title they won when Senior 50 overs Inter County was last played in 2014, this will be the first time they will play on t h i s p i t c h w h i l e Essequibo will have the phycoligcaladvantageofnot only playing on this pitch, butwinningonit.

Police arrest Panthers to take GRFU Sevens title olice P

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) Rugby team were unstoppable on Sunday during their three game series against the Panthers, to win the Guyana Rugby Football U n i o n ( G R F U ) S e v e n s championship.

PlayingattheNationalPark,in the first game, the GPF team won 38 5, with Lionel Holder,

Theodore Henry, Owen Adonis, Michael Barrow and Adrian Hall landingonthescoresheets.

In game two, Holder had two tries, while Henry had a try and a conversion in the GPF’s 24 – 14 win.

The final game was a ‘try’fest, astheGPFwon40–28.

Borrow wrapped his superb day at the National Park scoring

two tries and three conversions, while Holder had two tries and a conversion. Adonis had two tries inthewin.

JohnathanGarnettandKareem Fisher both scored a try and a conversion in the Panthers’ final defeatontheday Up next for the GRFU is their 10’s league which will scrum off onSundayattheNationalPark.

The Guyana Police Force ruggers after winning the GRFU Sevens.

Romario Shepherd had a 4-wicket haul the last time the teams met at Bourda. (Sean Devers Photos)

Anthony Bramble scored a ton in this tournament. (Sean Devers photo)

Kemol Savory has scored a century in this tournament.

Ronsford Beaton in action

MVP Sports Futsal Competition officially launched

- Femalecomponentincluded,fiftheditionkicksoffThursday

The Petra Organisation continues to surge ahead with their calendar of events following the official launch of the MVP Sports Futsal Competition on Monday, at the Brandsville Hotel in Campbellville and is set to kick off on Thursday, October 20, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

This, the fifth edition, whichalsoinvolvesafemale division, is sponsored by MVP Sports with support from Ansa McAl through theirLucozadeandMagnum brands as the official beverage provider and the Ministry of Culture, Youth andSport.

The launching ceremony wasattendedbyMVPSports Proprietor, Ian Ramdeo, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle,Ansa McAl’s Errol Nelson and Director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca.

Director of Petra, Troy Mendonca, revealed that their organization was very pleased in response to the support that came from the

various entities. The former national footballer also disclosedthatthesportisone that unites persons from all walks of life over the years and with the involvement of the teams from numerous communities throughout the City, this event has all the componentstodoso.

Mendonca also made mention of the female tournament, which he believes will add a great dynamictotheevent.

MVP Sports’ proprietor, Ian Ramdeo, stated: “We’re veryhappytobeapartofthis event Not only in this tournament, but we look forward to having a long term relationship with your organization and working in a partnership going forward. In whatever way that we can at MVP Sports to help support the organization’s goals and football in whateverwecan.”

“I’m very pleased to see that there’s a female c o m p o n e n t o f t h i s tournamentaswell.Sothat’s something that as I’m aware of has really been part of

mandatory tournaments in Guyana prior to this, so hats off to you and we look forward to an exciting tournament and many years tocome,”Ramdeoadded.

In Nelson brief remarks, he revealed: “I would first like to start off by thanking the Petra Organization for having us on board as the official sponsor of the fifth edition of the MVP Sports Futsal Competition. Just to letyouknow,wewouldhave signed on to this tournament because it fits into the company’s objectives in fosteringsocialcohesionand development.”

“Assuchwegiveourfull support towards the achievement of that mandate. It should also be noted that Ansa McAl Trading which distributes theMagnumTonicWineand Lucozadebrands,havehada very long term relationship or partnership with the petra organization whereby we have been partnered with them to help promote the sport from the grassroots level all the way up to the

Gittens continues sponsorship for junior national boxer Britton

Noticed at the Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean

Schoolboys Juniors tournament and receiving a pledge of sponsorship, young boxer Keyon Britton has had that sponsorship continued yesterday. Britton, of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym, despite losing his bout to Ezekiel Bancroft at the then tournament, caught the eye of USAbased Guyanese Samuel ‘Stanley’ Gittens with his ability which saw him offering to sponsor the youngster Gittens had the s a m e n i g h t o f t h e tournament provided a cash incentive for Britton, pledging to continue same.

Well yesterday, another part of that sponsorship was forwarded to Director of Sports and Guyana Boxing

A s s o c i a t i o n ( G B A ) President, Steve Ninvalle, who along with GBA Official and top level Coach Terrence Poole, presented the donation to young Britton at the National

SportsCommission(NSC).

Ninvalle informed that Mr. Gittens intends to c o n t i n u e w i t h t h e sponsorship right through Britton’s journey as an amateurboxer

He noted, “This is very good, as President of the association I really applaud

that and if we can have several other people taking these young boxers, because whatwehavesaidisthatour focus is our junior, schoolboys and youth right now, and we are happy that Mr Gittens could have seen it appropriate to come on board.

seniorlevel.”

The Director of Sport immediately commended the Petra Organisation for thestellarjobtheyhavedone over the years “The NationalSportsCommission and by extension the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport would like to

GHB lauds

extendcongratulationstothe Petra Organization, not for only being in the upper echelons of organizers or promotersoffootball,butfor doing it continuously at a very high standard over the years.”

“This is an example for others to follow And it is

only natural that with such levels of organization, persons will tend to want to gravitate towards you. The NationalSportsCommission is one of those entities that have gravitated towards you and we would want to say thatafterdoingwhatthey (Continued on page 23)

Sunshine Snacks support for Junior Hockey Tournament

The Guyana Hockey Board, in their quest to see the sport become a household name, hosted their Junior Hockey To u r n a m e n t a t t h e Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The tournament ran for two consecutive weekends, starting on October 8 and concluded on the October 16 The children were grouped under four divisions, starting with the U-11, U-13, U-16 and U-20. The U 11 and U 13 categories were mixed teams.

WhiletheU-11andU-13 are still learning the game, they are familiar with the

basicsofhockeyandarepart ofclubs.

The youngsters showed m u c h d e l i g h t a n d enthusiasm while their parents and hockey fans supportedthem.

The GCC Pugs were crowned champions within theunder-11mixeddivision, defeatingGCCBulldogs.

In the third position was YMCA Old Fort, and the Most Valuable Players were Letifa Fields and Khristian Viapree.

In the U 13 mixed category,GCCThundertook the trophy, with runners-up being Saints Scorchers and Saints Scalpels. The MVP for this category were

Makeala Poole and Kyle Couchman.

In the under-16 girls’ category, Saints Sensations outplayed YMCA Old Fort Wildcats, with GCC Tornadoes bringing up the rear with the third position. GCC War Dogs are the new under 16 boys champion, defeating Saints Scorpions, with Saints Supreme taking thethirdposition.

Kazaquah Uzzi who played for Saints was declared MVP girl, and Vladimir Woodroof of GCC was crowned under-16 boys MVP.Theunder-20boysand girls showed much skill and determination,withsome (Continued on page 19)

The Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle (2nd left) makes a point during the ‘launching ceremony at the Spice Garden, located in Brandsville Hotel.

Director of Sports and GBA Head Steve Ninvalle (right) and Senior Boxing Coach, Terrence Poole (left) hands over the sponsorship from Samuel Gittens to Keyon Britton yesterday.

Sunshine Snack’s Kurt Waddel sharing a light moment with the U-11 and U-13 champions.

MVP

Competition officially launched

MVP Sport’s CEO, Ian Ramdeo presents the sponsorship cheque to Petra rep, Nareeza Latiff, in the presence of Petra Director, Troy Mendonca (left), Director of Sport – Steve Ninvalle (2nd right) and Ansa McAl’s Errol Nelson.