Kaieteur News

Govt. allows Exxon to slash US$214M in questionable costs down to US$3M

After an audit r e p o r t highlighted that there was US$214M in questionable costs incurred during the period 1999 to 2017, American oil giant, ExxonMobil has furnished the Guyana Government with several documents to justify a huge portion of that expenditure.

At a recent press conference, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo explained that the audit process has to allow Exxon an opportunity to respond to the findings therein. In so doing,hesaidthatUS$214M was broken down to US$11M following the receipt of documents from theoilcompany

Kaieteur News was reliably informed by government officials yesterday that the oil giant has provided further information, taking disputed costs from US$11M to US$3M.

K e y g o v e r n m e n t officials told this newspaper that a robust verification process is being conducted on all the documents presented by Exxon to ascertain what will be the final amount that would be placed into the category of “disputedcosts.”

“This process takes a series of iterations between theGuyanaGovernmentand Exxon because the (2016 Stabroek Block) contract allows for the company to havearighttoreply

The audit report may say there is US$214M in questionable costs but the company must still have an opportunitytorespondtothe findings,” one official close tothematterstated.

T h i s n e w s p a p e r understands that Exxon is expected to provide more information to the auditor through the Ministry of NaturalResourcesinabidto further reduce the US$3M costs.

The questionable expenses were flagged in an auditreportthatwasdoneby IHS Markit, a British consultancy firm which c o n t i n u e s t o o f f e r government advice in a number of areas relative to the oil sector. IHS was hired back in 2019 by the former D a v i d G r a n g e r administration to audit US$1.7B in expenses that w e r e i n c u r r e d b y ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) for the Stabroek Block.

Those costs were incurredfrom1999to2017. When the March 2021 reportwasleakedtosections of the local media corps earlier this year, it was reported on extensively. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had issued statement noting that the said document was not a final one; that it contained a number of miscalculations andwasbeingworkedon.

The document seen by this newspaper states for e x a m p l e t h a t “ t h e

Government of Guyana has reasonable grounds to dispute US$214.4 million plus associated overhead adjustments of the costs currently included by EEPGL This amount represents 12 8% of the

Teen handyman arrested for possession of illegal firearm

An eighteen-year-old handyman was on Monday arrestedbypoliceforthepossessionofanillegalfirearm. Accordingtopolice,ataround03:29hrs,ranksactingon information,visitedNicolaSportsBaratVergenoegen,East BankEssequibo(EBE),wherethesuspectwascontacted.

Ranks then conducted a search on him and a suspected firearm with no ammunition was found in his pants pocket. The handyman was told of the allegation, arrested and escorted to Lenora Police Station with the suspected firearm.Heremainsincustodyassistingwithinvestigations.

justification of these costs couldnotbeestablishedwith the furnished documentation even after several rounds of documentation requests from the Audit Team Although these costs may be valid, the auditing team said government has the right to the transparency of how thesecostsrelatetoStabroek PetroleumOperations.

The final category pertains to costs for which ministerial approval is required.

cumulative cost recovery balanceasofthe2017fourth quarterstatement.”

Further, the report states that the disputed costs fall into three main categories, the first being “Defined Costs for Removal” which amount to US$34.4 million. The report states that these costs have either been included in error, are not aligned with provisions in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement,arenotrelatedto petroleum operations, or are considered to fall outside of industrybestpractice.

The next category is “Inadequate Supporting Documentation” which totalsUS$179.8million.

The British auditing team said these costs suffer from a transparency issue as the cost basis, nature and

This is to the tune of US$270,000 The report states that these costs have b e e n i d e n t i f i e d a s predominantly related to research and development and require ministerial approval before they can be consideredcostrecoverable.

Auditors also flagged a total of US$28.8 million which was incurred prior to date of January 10, 2015 when Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited even became partners in the block alongsideExxon.

Though Exxon has been able to reduce the disputed costs to a further US$3M, a report surfaced yesterday in the Stabroek News stating that the Commissioner General Godfrey Statia had given his no-objection to the US$214Mamount.

Thatletterwasaddressed to the Minister of Natural Resources,VickramBharrat.

Kaieteur News confirmed with several government officials that the letter was indeed addressed to Bharrat aboutamonthago.

When contacted for a comment Statia would only say, “I cannot confirm nor deny what you're asking me.”

Furthersourcesindicated that the letter by Statia is “dated information” and is already overtaken by the latest development which is that Exxon has been able to significantly reduce its initialdisputedcosts.

Kaieteur News also contacted other sources within the Guyana Revenue Authority who would only indicate that the tax agency never signed off on the reductionoftheexpenses.

Government officials explainedthatGRAdoesnot

have to sign off on anything at this point, though it has been a crucial partner in keepingawatchfuleyeofthe process and making key recommendations where necessary

Officials also returned to their earlier point that the oil giant needs to be given a fair opportunity to provide documentation to the British auditors on the said costs. Once this is done and a final report is prepared by IHS Markit, GRA would be able to review said report, the officialsexplained.

They stressed, “This is a tedious process but it is one the Vice President has explained several times at his press conferences, that the technical people need to begivenanopportunitytobe thorough. And that is what wearedoing.”

American company awarded US$100M offshore contract to work in Guyana, Angola

UnitedStatesbasedoilfieldservices provider, Oceaneering, has been awarded two contracts valued in excess of US$100 Million to work offshore GuyanaforExxonMobilandinAngola.

On August 31, the company made the announcement of the international contracts for offshore projects: Angola Block 17, Girassol Life Extension ProjectandStabroekBlock,Guyana.

Oceaneering has been named a consortium partner to support transportationandinstallationworkon theGirassolLifeExtensionproject.

The company stated that the scope of work includes air and saturation diving services, project management, engineering, and procurement activities, in support of the prime contractor's recovery and replacement of 12 risers Having extensive experience in Angolan offshore developments, Oceaneering will provide Angolan personnel for the project and manage the in-country operationsoftheconsortium.

Thecompanyisexpectedtoprovide its services in various phases, to commenceinlate2023,lastingintolate

2025.

Moreover, Oceaneering has also been awarded a contract for work on a jumper installation project in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana for ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited(EEPGL).

While the company did not mention which one of Exxon's projects it was awarded the contract for, it was stated thatthescopeoftheprojectaddstotheir growing body of work in the South American country in support of a key client.

It was explained that it consists of jumper and subsea field development installation and other associated tasks. Notably, the scope of supply is already underway and anticipated to last throughtheremainderof2023.

Moreover, Roderick A Larson, President and Chief Executive Officer,

said, “We are pleased to continue delivering quality offshore services to our expanding international client base. These awards substantiate our visibility into increased international activity, as cited in our recent second quarter earningsrelease.Oursuccesswiththese projects supports our belief in the resurgence of international offshore activity and market expectations over thenextseveralyears.”

Notably, ExxonMobil's subsidiary will commence a series of public meetingsonitssixthdeepwaterproject, WhiptailonSeptember12,2023.

In a public notice published in Sunday's Kaieteur News, the oil giant explained, “ExxonMobil Guyana Limitedisprogressingitssixthoffshore project in the Stabroek Block – the Whiptail Development Project. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) together with the Environmental ImpactStatement(EIS)fortheWhiptail DevelopmentProjectweresubmittedto the Environmental Protection Agency ( E PA ) f o r e v a l u

recommendations.”

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

Amerindian Heritage Month

AmerindianHeritageMonthishere,whichshouldmean a time of joyful celebration as this nation honors its First Citizens. Nodoubt,therewillbeaseriesofofficialfunctions, andpoliticalfiguresjostlingeachotherforspace,andtomake theirusualspeeches ThePresidentisgoingtohavesomethingto saywithoneofhisnowwell-orchestratedperformanceswhile theLeaderoftheOppositionissuregoingtobeconcernedatthe thoughtofbeingleftbehind,andhavehisownversionofrich wordstoshare Thecontentoftheirspeecheswillhavesome flavor about how much theAmerindian Guyanese people are importantinthetraditionsofthiscountry,howmuchtheyhave contributedandgrown,andhowmuchofavitalroletheyhaveto playasGuyanabreaksnewgroundwithitsdiscoveryofoil

Wewishitwereso,forGuyanawouldbeaidedinitsnational development visions, and the Amerindian community, as a whole, would be given genuine opportunity to lift itself up Consultation with reality, however,paints an ugly picture of a peoplepoorlythoughtof,seeninacertainway,anddealtwithina mostclevermanner Forbehindthesurfacesheen,andsmooth talkofleaders,manyAmerindiancommunitiesstillliveinastate plagued by heavy poverty, limited economic openings for upward mobility, and with the twin evils of alcoholism and sexualabuserampant Politiciansarepleasedtoplayatbeing fools while this is the overall grim condition of Amerindians fromgovernmenttogovernment Tocorroboratetheconditions ofAmerindianscommunities,theWorldBank,aninternational organization known for the quality of its studies and the completenessofitsreportspublishedadamningoneofwhatit foundinGuyana TheWorldBankidentifiedgeneralconditions here,butthenhighlightedtheappallingstateofeconomicand social conditions, particularly in remote Amerindian communities, which helps in the proliferation of sexual abuse againstyoungAmerindians,alongsidetheattendantscourgeof alcoholismnegativelyimpactingthelivesofAmerindiansasa whole.

To make matters worse,Amerindian communities have found themselves to be battlegrounds for the two dominant politicalforces,asbothtrytojockeyfortheirownhandpicked people to be in place in democratic organs, where they wield unchallengeable power The result is that their councils have beenhijacked,andtheirleaderspulledthiswayandthat,andwith onlyafewbenefiting TheNationalToshaosCouncilhasbeen wracked with claim and counterclaim by the warring political parties in Guyana, with our First Citizens reduced to helpless pawnscaughtinthecrossfire Evenleaderswhospeakoutfor theirpeopleoncrucialissuesarebrandedasbelongingtotherival politicalforce Perhaps,itistimethatscrupulousandgenuine leaders in the Amerindian communities step forward, and considerorganizingsothattheycouldaspiretothatstatewherethey are positioned to represent their people in a better way A prominent present example, which is a national eyesore, is what is taking place in the Chinese Landing community Amerindians have been intimidated, exploited, and humiliated, while the government,finds it is better to be suddenly and conveniently adopting a partialhands-off approach.

On a separate note, because of the recent razor thin electoralmargins,Amerindiansfindthemselvesinapeculiar position. Ontheonehand,theirpeoplearecourtedandswayed for political gain by one or the other competitors in the broad local arena But on another, and despite their sensitive and advantageousswingvoteperch,thisisapeoplethatisstilllooked uponbyGuyana’spoliticalbehemothsassluggishandtrappedin atimewarp Thatis,imprisonedbytheirtraditions,andpeople whoareripeforanykindofpluckingandusing Therecordof Amerindiansislitteredwiththisreality,wheretheyaregivento andthengamedforanylowpoliticalobjective,andoftentimes theyarenonethewiseruntilafterthefact WithAmerindians being the fourth largest segment in Guyana’s population, with some75,000citizens,itisdoubtfulthattheycandoworse,ifthey makeaconcertedefforttostrikeoutontheirownpolitically

Why the PPP/C will succeed; why the PNC will not

DEAREDITOR, Simplistic as it may seem, a political party, h i s t o r i c a l l y o r contemporarily, whose leaders and members were subjected to constant political harassment and intimidation, its leaders jailed, and brutal attacks inflicted on its organization as well as overt and covert acts of destabilization executed when in office; such a party is likely to succeed on assumption to office. Bitter lessons would havebeenlearntwhileinthe politicalwilderness.

Observers should take care to not define the PPP/C by its misfortunes and missed opportunities whatever they may have been. Nor should nostalgia and romanticism associated withitspastbeviewedasits hall marks. A better option would be to focus on the nation’sfutureandwhatrole each Guyanese would wish to play in building that future.

What the future held for

Guyana twenty years ago, is notwhatthefutureholdsfor the country twenty years from now By implication, this means that we have to prepare for a much different future notwithstanding the troubles in the past, the vagaries of the present and the unpredictability of the future.

The PPP’s and later, the PPP/C’ssuccessinandoutof office, should not be premised on any fossilized ideology,butonthevibrancy of its relationship with the workingpeopleandfarmers, theprogressiveintelligencia, and the patriotic capitalist class. Of critical importance will be the efficient delivery of goods and services to the populace.

JustasthePPP’sstruggle to win political power was long and hard, in the same way, efforts to maintain and consolidate that power will demandhardworkinviewof the high expectations and demandsofthepopulaceasa whole.

Inthemidstofthecutand

thrust of social and political lifeinthecountry,Guyanese

i n g e n e r a l , a r e

knowledgeable about opposition sponsored acts that closely resemble domestic terrorism, hinged to a strategy that to this day, ignorestheprogressmadeon various fronts by successive PPP/Cadministrations.

Regrettably, the leadership of the current Opposition has opted to pursue a strategy aimed at stirring tensions, fostering political hostility and instigating inter-ethnic distrust among Guyanese. These are at variance with any claim about fostering national unity or nation building.

TheAPNU+AFC should accept that their removal from office ushered in a change not characterized by fear, political harassment, beating up of their members andsupporters,norjailingor assassination of political opponents Further, they should not turn a Nelson’s eye to the lack of evidence-

basedclaimsaboutracialand political discrimination and marginalization of any class orsocialstratainoursociety

Our own Guyanese experience has shown that whenever a democratically elected party and government perceives its ruletobeunderthreat;when internal political stability is jeopardized; when efforts aimed at deescalating tensionsareundermined,the State under such conditions, must, according to law, take suchactionasisnecessaryto maintain the peace and goodorder Despiteactingin accordancewiththelaw,itis not uncommon for the political opposition to cast the State’s actions, as u n p o p u l a r, i f n o t undemocratic.

Buildingandsustaininga democracyisgrindingwork, and political setbacks for a democratically elected government are inevitable, but notwithstanding sprinklingsofcriticismshere andthere,thePPP/C (Continuedonpage06)

PPP/C on track to Propel

Guyana -AFHPWill Be Realised

DEAREDITOR,

Thenewsisindeedgreat, that is, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government (PPP/C) is about to re-open the ‘competitive bidding process’ for Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP). It is about time! Had this major gamechanging project not been ‘dumped’ by the previous administration, Guyana would have been in such a wonderfulposition,interms of affordable energy. But APNU/AFC possessed by a philosophy to make PPP/C lookbad,‘garbaged’thevery ideaoftheAFHP.

Readers, I recall back in December 2016, the independent assessment of t h e A m a i l a F a l l s Hydropower Project (AFHP) did reveal that the only realistic path for Guyana to move towards an emission-free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential and thefastestway forward is to maintaintheAFHP

Thisreport,compiledby Norconsult, an engineering and design consultancy firm

out of Norway, and which was contracted by the Government of Norway, detailed an “objective and facts-based” assessment of theProjectontheagreement ofthetwoGovernments,and made some telling statements. Essentially, the go-ahead was unambiguous fromtheinception.

However, The A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change Administration, during its term in office, from 2015 to 2020, had shelved the project, which was a predicted move, as when theywerethe‘jointmajority opposition’hadkept‘onand on’blockingitsgo-ahead.

Now all seems set and ready,asthePPP/Cdeclared that ‘delay will not affect promiseofcheapelectricity’ since they are “still committed to seeing the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) to fruition and will be re-opening a Request for Proposal to ensure that there be a competitive process in selecting a suitable contractor for the project.”

The details from Vice

President,BharratJagdeo,is that “the Government has received several direct proposals for the Amaila Fallsproject,and“So,when you have several proposals, thebestwaytoevaluateisto go to a competitive process. We will have to go to that. Wehaven’tlauncheditasyet butwewillhavetodothat.”

Tome,itisonlyamatter oftime,beforeoneofseveral bidderscomeupandsealthe contract that will eventuate in ‘cheap electricity’ for all Guyanese.

ThewordfromtheVPis that “ … at least two proposals were received from companies in Brazil to do the hydro project, and President Irfaan Ali back December2022,didsaythat “ he told Energy Secretary, Jennifer Granholm,andherteamthat the Amaila Falls project is opentoUSinvestors.”

It gets better as “back in October 2022, the Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman, disclosed that the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) had also held discussionswiththeGuyana

Government on the Amaila FallsHydropowerProject.”

Sparing more details, with the realisation of the mega venture, “theAFHPis expected to deliver a steady source of clean, renewable energy,thatisaffordableand reliable and is envisioned to meetasignificantportionof Guyana’s domestic energy needs.”

Asweallknow,energyis amostcriticalcomponentof a country’s economic development. It is widely utilized in agricultural and allied fields such as the manufacturing and delivery of fertilizers, insecticides, and farm machinery It is necessary for homes for cooking, lighting, and warmth. Further, energy is a key source of economic growth because many productionandconsumption activitiesinvolveenergyasa basic input. In summation, energy is one of the most important inputs for economic development, and that is where Guyana is heading, under the PPP/C Government.

Yourstruly, HBSingh.

Demerara Bank needs to pull their socks up

DEAREDITOR, Demerara Bank often boasts its indignity and commitment to Guyanese, buttreatstheverycustomers to allow their doors to be opened,likedirt.Asamatter of fact, all 6 banks have similar if not identical operational procedures, so they all share the faults similarlyaswell.

One of the biggest shafting by DBL is their salarypaymentsystem.

Most workplaces now enforce that their employees’ salaries be paid thru a bank account, rather than paying them cash This is already a risk to the employee because nowtheyhavetophysicallygo to anATM to withdraw their salary, after whatever hour they sign off from work But whycareaboutyouremployees’ safety and convenience when you can be strengthening relations between your business and the bank The bank then charges between GYD100-200PERemployee, to post salary to an employee’s bank account. Some(veryfew)workplaces choosetoabsorbthiscostby sending the transactional fees separately from the salaries (God bless those workplaces), but most would instruct that this charge be debited from the individual employees’ salary, which in a lot of cases, is already small to beginwith.

Investigative Journalism in the Oil and Gas sector

Please note the process of uploading the payroll to individual bank accounts is no strenuous work, other than to plug a flash drive in to a computer that electronically uploads the files Oncethesalariesarepaid in to the bank accounts (at whatever time the bank staff decidesisconvenienttohimor her), the employee has to sit and wait and call the bank numerous times, to withdraw theirsalary

Nowforthefunpart.The employee is charged AGAIN to withdraw their own money! Charges are between GYD50-100 PER withdrawal. The maximum amountperATMwithdrawal is GYD40,000, and if you wish to withdraw more than this(becausethegeniusesat the bank have decided why shouldyouneedmoremoney thanthis)thenyouarecharged another GYD50-100! As though that is not appalling enough,fortheirconvenience, the bank has applied FURTHER restrictions to YOURaccountsothatyouare onlyALLOWEDtowithdrawa maximum of GYD120,000 (GYD40000*3) + charges of GYD150-300perdayYouneed more??Comebacktomorrow afternoonlateorcomeandjoin the ridiculously long lines insidethebanktobegourstaff for your money The attitudes and lack of efficiency of these bank employees is another story

thatIwilladdressinanother email.

Atthispoint,whateven isthepointofbankingyour m o n e y a t t h e s e ‘institutions’?Almostallbank transactions are handled electronically Itcoststhebank littletonothing andyetthey hit you with Overdraft fees, Credit card late payment fees, Minimum balance and maintenance fees, Returned cheque fees,Atm withdrawal fees, Atm deposit, Paper statementfees,Returnedmail fee, Foreign transaction fees, Creditcardinterestrates,Stop payment fees, Wire transfer fees, toilet fees, nose-wiping fees, etc What modern-day professionalslaveryisthis?

Hasn’t your bank shaken you down for enough of YOUR hardearnedcash?

The power lies with the people.Wearetheoneswho needtomakeastandagainst alltheshaftingmetedoutby thebanks.TheyareNOTthe onesforus.

And to the banks, especially Demerara Bank Limited, one of the Guyanese owned banks in Guyana:DOBETTER.

Sincerely, NaiadA.

HumanBeing

DEAREDITOR, I am writing to express my deep concern about the state of investigative journalismwithintheoiland gas sector and to shed light on two prominent examples of exemplary investigative reporting: Kaieteur News and Al Jazeera News. Investigative journalism has long been a cornerstone of our society, serving as a watchdog that holds powerful industries and institutions accountable. As we navigate an era of increasing global energy demands and environmental challenges, it is imperative that we have access to comprehensiveinvestigative reporting in the oil and gas sector

The oil and gas industry plays a pivotal role in the globaleconomy,influencing geopolitical relationships, energy policies, and the environment. However, it is alsoanindustrythathasbeen marred by controversies, environmental hazards, and corporate misconduct To ensure transparency and accountability,wemusthave a robust and fearless investigative journalism community committed to uncovering the truth and

revealing the hidden facets ofthissector Kaieteur News, based in Guyana, has emerged as a beacon of investigative journalismintheoilandgas sector Guyana, a nation on the cusp of becoming a majorplayerintheglobaloil industry, is facing unique c h a l l e n g e s a n d opportunities. Kaieteur News has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to investigative reporting, exposing corruption, environmentalconcerns,and the socio-economic impact of the oil industry on Guyanese society Their dedication to investigative journalismservesasamodel for other news outlets worldwide.

Similarly, Al Jazeera News has consistently shown its prowess in investigative journalism across various sectors, including oil and gas. Al Jazeera’s global reach and extensive resources have enabledthemtocoverstories fromallcornersoftheworld, sheddinglightonthehidden truths of the oil and gas i n d u s t r y T h e i r investigations have not only uncovered corporate misconduct but have also

highlightedthehumanrights abuses and environmental degradation that often accompany oil and gas operationsinmanyregions.

Investigativejournalism, asdemonstratedbyKaieteur News andAl Jazeera News, playsapivotalroleinseveral keyaspects.

Exposing corruption nowtheoilandgassectoris susceptible to corruption, which can have dire consequencesforeconomies and societies. Investigative journalists are instrumental in unearthing corrupt practices, ensuring that publicfundsareusedforthe benefit of the people, and holding wrongdoers accountable.

E n v i r o n m e n t a l accountability in the oil and gas operations can have severe environmental impacts, from oil spills to emissions Investigative journalism serves as a vital check on these operations, uncovering ecological damage and advocating for responsiblepractices.

Safeguarding human rights in many regions, oil and gas activities are associatedwithhumanrights abuses,displacement,and

(Continuedonpage06)

Brother, neighbour re-arrested for murder of Berbice woman, son

Police have re-arrested Melissa Arokium’s older brother, Cerrano Arokium and her neighbour, Deo Naris called ‘DJ’ as investigations into the brutal slaying of Melissa and her 8-year-old son Anthonycontinue.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the duo is in Georgetown assisting police at the Criminal Investigations Department ( C I D ) w i t h t h e i r investigations. They were re-arrested on Monday

On August 24, 2023, Melissa and her son were discoveredbyheryoungest brother, Nicholas Arokium inside her home at Rose Hall with gapping chop wounds to their head, face and upper part of their bodies.

Anthony was found on thebedinthebedroom,face up whileMelissawasfound facedownwiththewoundsto thebackofherneck;shewas lying in a pool of blood

On the day the bodies were discovered Cerrano

Arokium, who lived in a section of the house Melissa lived in, Naris, who lives opposite, a cousin and Melissa’s boyfriend

Shilendra Umrao were all arrested. They were all

WhythePPP/Cwillsucceed...

released on bail after being heldfor72hours.

Relatives believe that theperpetrator(s)mayhave been inside the house and had entered while Melissa was out purchasing items from the market

Meanwhile, Umrao called ‘ R o b i n ’ , M e l i s s a Arokium’s 37-year-old boyfriend,toldreportershe last saw Melissa the day beforesheandhersonwere found dead and they talked abit. Hedisclosedthatshe was crying and she informed him of a disagreement she had with her older brother Umrao said Melissa did not detail the nature of the disagreement.

Hetoldreportersthaton Wednesday at around 04:53h, Melissa messaged himasshewouldusuallydo and he responded Umrao said Melissa told him she wasokaywhenheenquired Before he left for work at around07:00h,hecalledher as is customary, but she did notanswer

“I called her before I came to work but I didn’t get through…last call was

7:00 …I called like 3 or 4 times,”hesaid.Umraosaid hewenttowork

(Continuedonpage16)

Frompage4 government continues single-mindedly to provide relieftoallandsundryacross the political divide in an effort to improve their livelihoods.

Under prevailing circumstances,ithasbecome an everyday occurrence for politicians belonging to the democratically elected PPP/C to face a barrage of criticismsusuallylacedwith racial innuendos, claims of d i s c r i m i n a t i o n , marginalization and corruption.

Opposition sponsored protest actions, including picketing exercises and/or street protests are fundamental Rights e n s h r i n e d i n t h e Constitution, however those Rightsmust not be abused, trample on the rights of others nor disrupt the peace and good order in society.

As matters stand, it appears that those in the APN+AFC have failed to recognize that upholding democraticpoliticsisadaily grind, worse yet when compounded with internal disunity, lack of popular support, a paucity of manpower and money Under those conditions,

thegrindcanbeevenmore torturous A constitutional or liberal democracy allows the political opposition to fulfill its parliamentary and extraparliamentary roles and, by way of an election, to s e e k a c h a n g e i n government, however, any attempt to overthrow a constitutional democracy by ‘any meansnecessary’is unacceptable.

Just as the newly e l e c t e d P P P / C government has five years to deliver on its manifesto promises,inthesameway, the political opposition in the APNU+AFC has five years to do the right thing contrary to the modus operandi they resorted to in 2020 in an attempt to thwart the will of the people.

Nowadays, the ‘Born Again Democrats’ in the APNU+AFC are pursuing their aims disguised as ‘legitimate objectives’

such as combating corruption, making noises about a ‘bloated voters list’, and demanding an endto‘overseasvoting ’

They unabashedly continue to appeal for public support by posturing publicly on

these issues totally oblivious to the fact that times have changed and that the country is experiencing rapid changes and so is the populace

T h e P N C m u s t recognize that their political praxis of the nineteen sixty’s, seventy’s and eighty’s has long outlived its usefulness thus becoming irrelevant and totally inapplicable in

Frompage05 exploitation Investigative journalists provide a voice for affected communities, ensuring their stories are heardandjusticeispursued.

Transparency is a cornerstoneofahealthyand accountable oil and gas sector When investigative journalists expose corrupt practices, environmental violations, or human rights abuses, they contribute to a more transparent industry This transparency benefits not only the general public but also responsible companies operating within the sector It levels the playing field, allowing ethical businesses to thrive while exposing and

2023andbeyond

So long as that party refuses to recognize that ten to fifteen years from now, Guyana will be a better and different place, and that their efforts to win the hearts and minds of others will not only be invainbutwillshriveland die in the wasteland of uselessandwooden-headed politics.

Yoursfaithfully, Clement

J.Rohee

punishingthosewhoengage in illegal or harmful activities.

Regulatorybodiestasked with overseeing the oil and gas industry often face significant challenges in effectively monitoring and enforcing compliance These challenges can include limited resources, political pressure, and conflicts of interest Investigativejournalism can fill this gap by scrutinizing regulatory failures and advocating for necessary reforms.

When journalists shed light on shortcomings in the regulatoryframework,itcan lead to increased accountabilityandimproved industrystandards.

Inaneramarkedbyrapid changes in energy production, consumption, andenvironmentalconcerns, the need for investigative journalism has never been greater

The future of our planet andoursocietiesdependson our ability to scrutinize the actions of powerful industries like oil and gas. Let us take inspiration from the exemplary work of Kaieteur News and Al JazeeraNewsandchampion investigativejournalismasa vital tool for a just and sustainablefuture.

I n c o n c l u s i o n , investigative journalism in theoilandgassectorisnota luxurybutanecessity

The critical role played bynewsoutletslikeKaieteur News and Al Jazeera News in uncovering hidden truths and advocating for t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability cannot be overstated.

As consumers of news, we must support and encourage investigative journalism by demanding more in-depth coverage of the oil and gas sector from ourmediaoutlets

Sincerely, PhillipMangar

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Aggressivepoliticians

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What we see today playing out in Guyana is aggressive politics from leaders elected to serve our people.

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Recent utterings from Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo that sugar workers must be part of a "cool aid" gang for believing President Irfaan Ali or any Cabinet member, would meet with them at the behest of the Alliance For Change Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan is unsettling.

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For a Vice President to belittle workers and turn his back, simply because he does not see eye to eye with the AFC, reeks of arrogance.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

It is time our political leaders put their egos aside and work together for the betterment of our country!

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

The people of Guyana deserve nothing less.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Moreoilprojectsmustnotbelimitedtogreaterbarrels - AFC per day but more revenue for Guyana

As ExxonMobil G u y a n a embarks on the process to receive an Environmental Permit for its sixth offshore development, Whiptail, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is insisting thatmoreprojectsshouldnot be limited to increased daily production rates only, but greater benefits for the country.

ExecutiveMemberofthe party and Shadow Minister of Natural Resources, David Patterson in an invited comment on Monday told KaieteurNewsthatwhilethe political group is pleased to seeprogressinthesector,the progress should not be limited simply to an increased number of barrels daily Patterson explained, "It was our expectation that our country would have progressed in an equally

rapid manner, sadly this is notthecase."

The former Minister pointed out that the new project would not be governed by the recently approved but "highly f l a w e d " P e t r o l e u m ActivitiesAct.

To this end, he said, "Despite their manifesto promise, there will be no increase in royalty fees, or productionshares,whichthe country would have expected from an operator that is now in their fourth yearofproduction."

He was keen to note that theOppositionhadproposed several amendments to the Petroleum Activities Bill whichwouldhavecausedall f u t u r e p r o d u c t i o n agreements to comply with the new law Patterson argued that government has "shamelessly" excluded E x x o n f r o m t h e s e

amendments, yet have not demanded any adjustments totheexistingagreement.

To this end, he said, "We have stated, that we in the O p p o s i t i o n , s t a n d committed to support the g o v e r n m e n t i n a n y renegotiation or realignment of our oil and gas sector, provided such adjustments deliversbetterbenefitstothe citizensofthecountry."

The former Minister pointed out that by now, Guyana would have already cleared the expenses of the second project, Liza Two, and could have been benefittingfroma50/50split of the resources had the administration insisted on the inclusion of a ringfencing provision as promised.

Meanwhile, as it regards regulatory oversight and management, the Shadow Minister of Natural

Resources argued that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not insist on unlimited liability coverage to protect the country from a spill while Exxon would still enjoy flaring as much gas as they need under the guise of a paltry fine for damaging the environment.

"There will be no requirement for studies on anypossibleilleffectsonour strugglingfishingindustries. As before, the upcoming public sessions, will be nothing more than public shows, since soon as the license is approved, Exxon willrequestandbeapproved permission to extract above thelistedsafeamountinEPA permits,"Pattersonadded.

He pointed out that even though the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel is designed to safely operate at 120,000 barrels per day, the operator is producing approximately 150,000barrelsdailywhilea

similarsituationisreplicated attheLizaUnityFPSO.

Patterson concluded that the process of obtaining a Permit from the EPA is nothing short of a "rubber stamp process" since even the consultation process is mere"windowdressing".

He reasoned, "It will follow the normal process, a presentation by the consultations followed by a short question and answer session chaired by a PR consultant who trivializes this important process, at the same time reducing it to a comical show – then abruptlyannouncesthattime has expired, leaving important questions unanswered."

E x x o n M o b i l h a s submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the EPA as part of the legal process to obtain a Permit fromtheregulator Its sixth development, Whiptail, will target the Whiptail, Pinktail and Tilapia discoveries,

estimated to hold over one billion barrels of oil resources. The project is poised for startup in 20272028 and will produce between 220,000 and 275,000barrelsofoilperday (bpd).

The company submitted an application to the EPA back in January for the project.

According to the Project Summary, Whiptail is located in the south eastern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately 183km from Georgetown. Current plans include drilling via drill ships to p r o d u c e o i l f r o m approximately 40 – 65 production and injection wells.

T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n reported that Whiptail is pegged at US$12.9 billion. Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo recently confirmed that no further fiscal increases such as a higher royalty rate would be sought forthissixthproject.

U.S. Army, GDF conduct training exercise

A team from the United States Army's 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) is in Guyana, working alongside the Guyana Defence Force ( G D F ) t o i n c r e a s e integrating readiness at the tactical and operational levels.

The 1st SFAB is a specialized unit of the U.S. Army established to advise and assist partner nations. It is renowned for its proficiency in training, advising, assisting, and enabling foreign security forces.

In a statement, the United States Embassy in Guyana said, “The exercise will involve strategic

planning sessions and processes to enhance both countries' military readiness andcapabilitiestorespondto various security threats

Both the U.S. and Guyana's defense forces will share expertise, tactics, and strategies - ensuring that lessons learned are mutually beneficial.”

Additionally, Maj Gabriela S. Thompson, U.S. Army South spokesperson said, "The 1st SFAB's rotation in Guyana shows our commitment to our regionalpartners."

"The U.S. and Guyana have a longstanding, transparent history of supporting each other in response to common

security challenges and threats in the hemisphere," Maj.Thompsonstated. Joint readiness allows regional partners to respond to contingencies and c o n d u c t s e c u r i t y cooperation operations to strengthen regional security and counter transnational threats. The United States has an enduring promise and commitment to the s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f partnerships, training of security and defense forces, and respect for human and fundamentalrights.

For more information about the 1st SFAB and their missions, please visit Security Force Assistance Brigades(army.mil)

CJIA to conduct full-scale emergency exercise today

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will conduct a Full-Scale Emergency Exercise today from 10:00 am. The exercise aims to test the airport's emergency response procedures and train staff on how to handle any eventualities and is a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),theairportsaidinapublicnotice.

“We are asking members of the public not to be alarmed if they see or hear unusual

activityattheairportduringthistime.Thisis only a drill and there is no actual danger,” CJIAsaid.

The exercise will involve several agencies, including the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Ministry of Health (MoH), Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Guyana DefenceForce(GDF).

“Theexercisewillbeconductedinasafe andcontrolledmanner,”theairportassured.

Jagdeo should be made to answer

A Reuter’s Report, written by one Neil Marks and dated 2nd March 2020 was entitled ‘Guyana votes for leader to manage early years of oil boom’. The report quoted Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo as saying, “They [APNU+AFC]soldusouton theoilandgassector.”

That statement was said to have been made at a rally of PPPC supporters a few daysearlier

The report went on to quote Jagdeo as saying, “Nextweek,whenIrfaanAli is the president, the oil companieswillhavetocome back and talk about a fairer dealforGuyanese.”

When the PPPC did assume office five months lateritrefusedtobringtheoil companies back to the table to talk about a fairer deal. Instead, every new field development project – 5 so far- under the Stabroek Block is attracting the same termsasbefore.

The PPPC promised a great many other things whenitwasinOpposition.It was critical of the

APNU+AFC, claiming that the Coalition had rendered the Petroleum Commission non-existent and had replaced it with the

DepartmentofEnergy

The PPPC has been in office for three years. It recently tabled revised petroleumlegislation.

But it has failed to bring into being the Petroleum Commission But it did promisewithwouldbedone.

Worryingconcernshave been expressed as to why that Commission is not in place and why the foreign governments such as Canada, Britain and the United States, as well as the

European Union are not tying development assistance to the country to thebringingintobeingofthe Commissionandpriortothe forthcomingopeningofbids fortheauctionprocessforoil blocks.

While in Opposition, Jagdeo had also promised that the entire architecture for proper and transparent management of the oil resources would have been completedin6months,were the PPPC to have won the 202 General and Regional Elections.

The PPPC did win those elections. Three years onwards this architecture is being constructed in a piecemealfashion.

Jagdeomustbemadeto answerforthesefailures.

H e d o e s h o l d responsibilityforthenatural resourcessector

One of the criticisms which he had leveled at the APNU+AFC concerned the signing bonus He never came out definitely with guns blazing about the quantum of the signing bonus.

But he castigated the Coalitiongovernmentforthe secrecy surrounding the signing bonus and the fact that it was kept hidden from the Guyanese people and even denied by some APNU+AFC government officials.

The APNU+AFC only secured a US$18M signing bonus. One economist, Dr Tarron Khemraj, has estimated that Guyana should have received about US$238M.

And this was based on estimated reserves of 3.5 B barrels.The proven reserves have now increased by almostfourfold.

Dem boys seh...

On Sunday last, in his column in the Stabroek News, Professor Clive Thomasnotedthatunderthe revamped fiscal terms for future Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), the government will ask for a signing bonus of US$ 10M for shallow blocks and US$ 20M for deep water blocks. This is not much different from what the APNU+AFC signed.

Andthisisinacountryin which it is established that therearesome11Bbarrelsof reserves. Yet, very little opposition has emerged to these new draft terms developedbythePPPC.

Lionel Messi in 2017 had gotten a signing bonus from Barcelona of US$100M.

Is the PPPC government sayingthatheisworthmore thanalltheoilinGuyana?

Thisissueisimportantin thecontextoftheapplication byREPSOLforarenewalof itsexplorationlicense.

The government, interestingly, has said that if there is a renewal, REPSOL would have to pay a new signing bonus and the new terms relating to royalties and the 65% cap on expenditure.

IfREPSOLisgrantedthe renewal and finds oil, this means that the country would be entitled to repay them their US$500M explorationcosts.

Why should Guyana assume this risk? If Guyana however reclaims the Kanuku Block, it can put it up for auction, obtain better fiscal terms, inclusive of a signing bonus, and not have to be saddled with repaying REPSOL’s US$500M exploration costs should oil bediscovered.

Guyana enters de Gusiness Book of World Records

In Guyana, we gat man whoisdemasterofevasion and a virtuoso of vagueness: the one and only, de implacable Mr Shufflewell! Whether you’re asking about the weather, the latest blockbuster movie, or the priceofaloafofbread,Mr Shufflewell’s got the perfect answer: “I’ve dealt withthatbefore.”

If yuh ask de man fux explain quanatum computing, he gan answer, “I’vedealtwiththatbefore” Ifyuhaskhehowfuhboilan egg,hedoessay,“Ihavedealt

with that before” It doesn’t matter if you catch him off guard with a question as simpleas,“What’sthetime?”

MrShufflewellwillmaintain his composure and declare, “I’ve dealt with that before.”

Imagine when dem reporter decide fuh ask he, “Mr Shufflewell,what’syour favoritecolor?”Withapoker face he replies, “I’ve dealt with that before” De man hold de Guinness World Record for answering de mostquestionswithdesame answer When de man go home, his maid does ask he,

It therefore makes good sense to simply reclaim the block and put it up for auction.ButwithJagdeoand the PPPC, you never know They work in mysterious ways.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

“What are you having for dinner tonight, Mr Shufflewell?” Without missingabeat,demandoes answer,“I’vedealtwiththat before.” Mr Shufflewell is unmatched in his ability to dance around questions When pressed about his stance on healthcare, foreign policy, or the economy, you guessed it: “I’vedealtwiththatbefore. Like a slippery eel, de m a n e v a d e s a l l uncomfortable questions Nowonder,hehaspatented hisfavoritereply-line. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

Bharrat Jagdeo – National mystery, national hero or national disaster

Thereisthislongstanding Guyanese mystery that reveals mania, hysteria, and paranoia. It centers on a fine Guyanese by the name of Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. The national mystery is whether he is a national hero, or a national disaster,asaleader

He first persuaded Janet Jaganthatheissomeonewho has what it takes, a man of valor Then, his clever machinations extended and encircled the PPP power structure. From there, the man of mystery has been on an approximate 25-year roll. For half of Guyana, he is a hero; for the other half, villainous is the finest descriptionheard. Isparethe prudish some of the more scorchingdescriptiveshurled at or affixed to brother Barry's whenever his name comes up. To their credit, a number of his former believers have commenced a d e l a y e d , d i s g u s t e d , determinedmarchawayfrom

themantheydidlongbelieve wasforthem. Dashedhopes; awarbler,notadeliverer

It is why I employed those three words in the very first sentence above: mania, hysteria, paranoia. I observe thepictureofamandrivento sweating, foaming madness (byhisownhand). Studythe man and there is the flooded canvas. Hehasfailedalmost universally, so he flays away ferociously Few are impressed; fewer converted.

Some hero! Yeah, sometimes, we all can be a little too smart for our own good. Or, think that the commonfolk cannot see for themselves, make up their ownminds. I,myself,search for some type of truth in the man. I am close to giving up as a now almost wholly lost cause. National hero? Or nationaldisaster?

Brother Jagdeo's long, swift descent from any prior authenticity began when he staredtoolongintothebright

stream of life's passages. He first saw a big fish, the biggest one that he could have imagined. The man was dazzled by himself. The more he looked ecstatically, the more he fell in love with himself. I feel sorry for him; offer a gift: don't take self so seriously,donotseizeforself the keys to knowledge; the keys to anything. Try some humility, brother Sincerity helps Less political deviousness,truthsassist.

A leader that has possibilities for the nationally heroic must possess dignity, caliber, selfrespect. No true hero of a leader surrounds himself with so many who would do verywellprowlingthestreets at night, be they man or woman. Think peddling flesh. Aleaderwithanylevel of honor cannot manifest the strains of fear and timidity observed when the issue that stands before him is the contract! The oil contract!

The Exxon contract! He committed. Heraged. What now,bruddah?

What happened to that which defines a man? Testicular fortitude, sir? Only bullies snarl at women, which my brother J should know Just as surely, no national leader with a modicum of self-respect left would settle for those who prefer to be thoughtless, spineless, and stoneless? Jawaharlal Nehru had his shareofthem,butalmost200 years later here; a new breed of Guyanese inhabitant of Gangetic heritage should have emerged. Guyanese who are outraged at the Exxon contract, not because it is a PNC contract, but becauseitbloodywellexists. A Guyanese leader like Brother Jagdeo must have it him to stand before any foreign partner/exploiter and say to their faces: get this contract changed. Get it changed now, or be prepared togetoutofhere.

Whither Jagdeo the national hero? I pronounce him for what he has become: what we have in Bharrat Jagdeo the leader is a

national disaster I

advance: a human disaster. Still another furlong: an outright natural disaster Go ahead! Sic the dogs. Iurinateonthem.

When a national leader, the national leader, is reduced to circling around like a straw imprisoned by the powerful white winds that now prevail over Guyana, then the mantras of oneCheddiJaganreturnwith dirge-like poignancy: colonialism, imperialism, capitalism Today, the baying, slobbering antics of Brother Jagdeo provoke nausea,nearpuking.

Oh! He was going to do thisanddothat;butnowcan't do squat, where the Exxon contract is concerned. He is a strongman when dealing with locals asking simple questions, but a sawdust man when having to face the foreigninterlopers. Listento Bharrat Jagdeo, and

something is swiftly confirmed. Itishowmuchof a prevaricator he has become. He circles and he sidesteps. He waltzes and wheels around, while his breath whistles, as though a

respiratory case. Whatever happened to the strongman and badman Jagdeo, when the vicious Exxon oil contract is the subject to be dissected and each slice discussed at length, and in depth? He kicked it before; now it kicks him. He swore to fix; now he curses citizens to conceal his dawning cowardice. This is not a nationalleaderorhero,bro.

Whatever bargainelection or commercial or other-that Dr Jagdeo did commit to, he has travelled from a brawler to a crawler and a groveler Once more, I revisit the national mystery: BharratJagdeo:nationalhero or national disaster? All should know where I stand. Truth never crawls. Have fun,bruddah….

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Nigeriashutsillegalmining companyrunbyChinese

Nigeria Premium Times - The Akwa Ibom State Government has closed down a Chinese mining firm, Ruitai Mining Company, for failingto produce an operation licence.

The state's Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Uno Eno, said this when he briefed reporters in Uyo.

Mr Eno said the firm could not provide authorisation documents for titanium ore mininginIbenocommunityofthestate.

He said the company had been mining titanium ore quietly in the area, before it was intercepted and ordered to produce relevant documents.

He added that during inspection, it was discovered that the firm could not produce a mining license as well as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to show impact of its operations on the host community

“The joint ministerial inspection team included the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Iquo Abia, on arrival at Ibeno community, were conducted round the mining site by the Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, HighChiefWilliamsMkpa.

“The team discovered black clay-like minerals contained in sacks of 50kg, which wasidentifiedbytheminersastitaniumore.

“On critical examination of the site

amidst tight security, the Managing Director of the company, Zeng Zhonghuan and a director, Huang Ying, were not available at the site. The available staff members could not provide any information or documents,” Mr Unosaid.

Mr Uno said the Ministry of Environment discovered that the company waspurelyanexplorationcompanywhilethe board of directors were all Chinese nationals who were not eligible to acquire the smallscalemininglicenceasclaimed.

“Ruitai mining company should terminate its mining operations forthwith, until due clearance legitimising its operation is completed with the state government,” he said.

Mr. Umo Eno

protesting sugar workers, four others arrested

…tobeslappedwithfourcharges

Sixteen cane harvesters attached to the Guyana

Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) and four other persons are to be slapped with four charges each after they blocked the 'Canje Turn' with an electrical pole and attempted to burn obstacles during their weeklong strike on Monday

The protestors are demanding that severance be paid to them before they return to the Rose Hall Estate when it reopens sometime thismonth.

The blocking of the road resulted in traffic being at a standstill for a prolonged period.

This forced police to be called out in their numbers to secure the area andremovethedebris.

The police protected by their shieldsandbatons,wereseentrying to remove the protestors from the road to have the flow of traffic return to a state of normalcy The move by the police resulted in the protestors retaliating physically Notwithstanding, the road was eventually cleared and 20 persons, including the 16 estate workers, werearrestedandaretobecharged.

Regional Commander, ShivpersaudBhaccustoldreporters that the protest was initially peaceful but subsequently turned

intoruckus.

“They also attempted to light a fire on the roadway by way of newspaper police put out the fire,” the Commander said while noting that the accused will be charged with obstructing the free flow of traffic, damage to property, unlawful assembly, and an act of terrorism.

The sugar workers who were originallystationedattheRoseHall SugarEstateandthentransferredto

the Albion and Blairmont Estates after its closure in 2017 are demanding that the Government of Guyana compensates them for being transferred back to the Rose HallEstate.

They have been on strike for a numberofweeks.

However, with the reopening of theRoseHallEstate,thoseworkers who were transferred to theAlbion and Blairmont Estates will be returned to Rose Hall Estate to

The CFATF Assessment Team on Monday commenced Guyana's Fourth Round Mutual Evaluation of the country's Anti-money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) as part of the country's international compliance obligations.

work.

The workers are vehemently objecting and have called on President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to meet with them over the matter They saidtheywillnotreturntothefields unless they are able to discuss their demands with the leaders of the country.

Since the start of their strike in August, none of the two officials havemetwiththesugarworkers.

Guyana begins fourth round evaluation by CFATF

The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Assessment Team on Monday commenced Guyana's Fourth Round Mutual Evaluation of the country's Antimoney Laundering/Countering the Financing ofTerrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) as part of the country's international compliance obligations under the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) StandardsandMethodology

The CFATF Assessment Team, which arrived in Guyana over the weekend, is led by Avelon Perrry,

Financial Advisor of the CFATF, who is assisted by Sunita Ramsumir, Co-Mission leader Legal Advisor of the CFATF The other members of the Assessment Team are regional professionals in the AML/CFT/CPF Framework including Shana Donavan, Financial Assessor, Cayman Islands, Mr Teron Greenidge, Law Enforcement Assessor, Grenada, Nikala Bazil, Financial Assessor, Dominica and Cassandra Seetahal, LegalAssessor

The on-site assessment will be conducted from September 4, 2023 to September 15, 2023, during

which the Assessment Team will interview various Ministers, Officials, and Heads of Agencies including from the Attorney General's Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and Governance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Judiciary,theOfficeoftheDirector of Public Prosecutions, and the Office of the Commissioner of Police.

Other agencies which will be engaged during the process include

the Guyana RevenueAuthority, the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authorities, the Central Bank of Guyana, the Guyana Securities Council, the Guyana Police Force, the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, the Guyana Geology and Gold Mines Commission, the Guyana Gold Board, Real Estate Associations, local banks, insurance companies, accountants, cambios,amongothers.

The Assessment Team held a High-Level Introductory Meeting on Monday at the Marriott Hotel Guyana, Battery Road, Kingston, Georgetown.

In attendance were Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance of Guyana, Gail Teixeira, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, Minister Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat along with variousHeadsofAgencies.

At the end of this On-Site Evaluation, a Mutual Evaluation Report will be prepared on Guyana and presented at the CFATF PlenaryinMarch,2024.

Protestors and police during a standoff on Monday

Some protestors at the back of a police van

Jagdeo libel case

a y dismissed two Motions filed by Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo for special leave to appeal the decision oftheFullCourtinalibelsuit b r o u g h t a g a i n s t b y Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Annette Ferguson.

In reading a summarized version of his decision, Justice of Appeal Persaud referred to and relied on Section 79 of the High Court Act Cap 3:02 and Sections 6(1)(2)oftheCourtofAppeal Act Cap 3.01 to find that the

Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to grant Special LeavetotheVicePresidentto

appeal the decision of the Full Court which refused to givehim Leave(permission)

Manwantedforrobbery foundwithillegal firearmandammunition

Police on Monday captured robbery suspect, Corwin Estwick, a 29-year oldwhoiswantedforseveral robberies that occurred in Region Three. Ranks also found an unlicensed gun and a m m u n i t i o n i n h i s possession.

At about 10:15 hrs, an intelligence-led operation was conducted at a house in Peters Hall, East Coast Demerara (ECD), that resulted in Estwick being captured.

According to police, during the operation, ranks enteredthePetersHallhouse and conducted a search, where they recovered a GR 43 Glock pistol and four 9 millimeter(mm)liverounds. Estwickwasaskedifheisthe holder of a firearm licence; herespondedinthenegative.

The ranks also searched the yard but no other illegal itemswerefound.

Estwick was taken to the Providence Police Station wherethefirearmandbullets were marked and sealed. He was then placed into custody p e n d i n g f u r t h e r investigations.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that on October 29, 2013, Estwick was remanded to prison for robbing Sharda Timaul, of US$200, one Samsung Galaxy phoned valued at $35,000, $4000 worth of phonecardsand$340cash.

Police Prosecutor

SergeantBharatMangrutold the court that the victim is a business woman who owns a vegetable truck. The court heard that about 11:30hrs on the said date, the defendant pretended to be a customer

who wanted to purchase bananas.

Mangru said Estwick subsequently took out a gun and robbed her of the items mentioned in the charge.

Timaul made a report to the police and an Identification Paradewasconductedwhich led to the accused being identified, arrested and charged.

The Prosecution then objectedtobailonaccountof the

to file a fresh Appeal to the Full Court and to have the Full Court be comprised of threeJudgesinsteadoftwo.

T h e F u l l C o u r t comprising Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George and Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry refused an application to allow Jagdeo tofileafreshappealagainsta decision of Justice Sandra Kurtzious in which she grantedadefaultjudgmentto Ferguson.

On Monday, the Court of Appeal ordered that the case be returned to Justice

Kurtzious for her to render a decision with regards to damages for Ferguson. The CourtofAppealalsoawarded costs against the Vice President in the sum of $100,000.

On March 11, 2021 Justice Kurtzious granted a Default Judgment to Ferguson against the Vice President after his previous Attorney Mr Anil Nandlall hadfailedtofileadefenceon his behalf within the time stipulated in the rules of the HighCourt.

Upon being served with

the Order, the Vice President caused an Application to be filed on his behalf, to set asidedefaultjudgment.

However, Justice Kurtzious refused to grant that order She however recalled her order awarding Ferguson the sum of $20 millionandrequestedthatthe lawyers for the parties address her on quantum of damages.

A t t o r n e y - a t - L a w, D e v i n d r a K i s s o o n represented Jagdeo, while Lyndon Amsterdam, was counselforFerguson.

Nine

In keeping with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, the government continues to implement several projects to empower hinterland c o m m u n i t i e s w i t h affordable, reliable, and sustainableenergy Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma, while addressing Amerindian Leaders at the recently concluded National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference 2023, outlined how various regions are benefitting from off-grid systems, solar farms, and mini-grids.

seriousness of the offence. The Chief Magistrate thereafter transferred the matter to the Christianburg Magistrates' Court for continuance on November 12,2013.

Estwickwasremandedto prison.

Subsequently, he was released on $300,000 bail in 2014foranothermatter

Nothing else was heard of Estwick until 2019 when reports surfaced on October 24, 2019 that he was charged and remanded to prison for conspiracy to commit a felony.

He was accused of conspiring with others to maliciously damaging a car belonging to Teon Alleyne alsoknownas“SpoilChild”.

It is unclear if Estwick was ever convicted of any of the crimes he was accused of committed Hower, he is back in news this time for multiple robberies and possession of an illegal firearm.

He said the largest investmenthasbeenmadein Region Nine, where some $3.3 billion was injected over the past three years to install 3.4 megawatts in total installations.

Additionally, several major projects are being undertaken in the region, such as the one-megawatt solar farm, and the Kumu a n d M o c o M o c o HydropowerProjects,which areexpectedtobecompleted bytheendof2024.

However, the reach of reliable energy continues to expand, as many other regions are benefitting from investments in solar photovoltaic(PV)systems.

“In Region One alone overthelastthreeyearsthere has been 246 kilowatts of solar PV installed, 901-unit kilowatt hours of battery storage, and a total of 21 installations costing some 269 million Guyana dollars,”DrSharmaadded.

Region Two has also ben

installation of 28 systems at a cost of $306 million, providing 286 kilowatts of reliable energy to residents, while $11 7 million has funded the installation of foursystems,at10kilowatts, inRegionThree.

Some $172 million has allowed for the installation of eight systems in Region Six, equipping residents with PV systems totalling 137kilowatts.

Region Seven has also benefitted from 11 systems at 1,720 kilowatts valued at $891million.

Dr Sharmanotedthatthe established grids in Paruima and Waramadong are e x p e c t e d t o b e commissioned within two weeksandfullyfunctional.

Region Eight benefitted from 845 kilowatts with a totaloffivesystems,atacost of $906 million. The region will also soon benefit from the establishment of the Mahdia solar farm, which is expected to be completed by March2024.

M e a n w h i l e , communities in Region 10 have benefitted from the installation of six systems, totalling$46million.

Meanwhile, several mega-projects are on the agenda for sustainable energy sources, such as the WalesGastoEnergyProject, intended to revolutionise the energyspectruminGuyana.

These accompany the small-scale community projects that target every home to ensure the energy divideisbridged.

L C D S 2 0 3 0 a l s o provided for procuring and distributing 30, 000 solar home PV systems in hinterland communities. Dr Sharma said a number of households are already benefitting from these systems. “Distribution has commenced,some22,000of 30,000 units have already been shipped We have received 9,360 of these and we have already started distribution,” Dr Sharma disclosed.(DPI)

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma

Govt. invests $3.3 billion to provide reliable energy in Region

Captured: Corwin Estwick

The GR 43 Glock pistol and four 9mm that were found in the wanted man's possession

Opposition MP, Annette Ferguson Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

WANTED VACANCY

Wanted! Male & Female workers for packaging pasta and chowmein on the Back Road (Mandela Ave). Call: 611-7839.

Able-bodied male or Handyman needed. For more information Call: 661-1000.

Able-bodied Sales clerk preferably Female. For more information Call: 661-1000.

Porters needed at Hamson's General Store, 116 Regent & Bourda. Call: 226-3748, 6372061, 619-9161.

One Cook and two Kitchen Assistants needed. Call 6031278

1 Concrete Pump truck Driver /Operator and 6 Mixer Driver. Contact: 650-0402/ 665-3880.

1 male to work on chicken farm in the Interior. Must have knowledge & experience of chicken rearing. Call: 680-2702.

Cook needed to work in Campbellville. Must know to cook various meals, salary $6000. Call: 621-5140.

Experienced Weeders & Canal Cleaners to work on the East Bank. Call: 665-0677.

One female Domestic needed. 25-45 years old residing WCD Or WBD. Call: 647-6075.

One male Office Assistant needed. 25-40 year old, must have CXC Maths and English. Call: 623-8414.

Looking for a reliable livein aide for an elderly woman. Call: 686-8051.

Farm Workers for Hauraruni & Hog Island and Domestic to clean, wash & cook in Eccles. Call: 674-8723.

Domestic (mature and honest) and Forklift Operator needed. Call: 623-6383.

President donates to rehabilitation of Convalescent Home

President Irfaan Ali, a Paul Harris fellow of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, on Monday donated $2.5M towards the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s restoration project for the Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home.

The Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home holds a

East Bank Electrical is now hiring Electrical Engineer, Outside Sales Staff & Counter Sales Staff. Call: 604-6394, sales@eastbankelectrical.com

General Domestic needed to work 4 days per week, must know to cook. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office.Must have grade 1or 2 Maths and English. Email: techserigy@yahoo.com or Call: 615-9132.

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

One male Cleaner needed for Eccles area. Call: 615-9132.

Two experienced Cooks/ Chefs needed to work on the WBD. Must have a valid food handler's license. Call: 679-2612/ 689-5100.

Live-in Housekeeper needed to cook, clean and do laundry in Virgina, USA. Free room & boarding offered. Call: 845-325-8241.

Accounts, Bond & Office Clerks, W/Union CSR'S, Lorry Drivers, Sales Supervisor, AM /PM Cashier , Sales Rep & Porters needed. Call: 609-2995.

1 Salesman & Labourer, Cxc Subjects, experience in writing bills, stocktaking and cashing. Apply at Keyfood Mc. Doom Village.

1, 2 & 3 bedroom furnished and unfurnished house at ECD & EBD. $500 USD, $120,000. Call/ WhatsApp: +592-700-0030/ 592-6841787.

2 bedroom apartment at 207 Middle Road, La Penitence. Call: 639-2507.

special place in the hearts of many, serving as a haven for children recovering from malnourishment, abuse, and neglect.

The Convalescent Home which was built by the Rotary Club of Georgetown and the Red Cross through fund raising efforts, opened in 1980. It is a community outreach program that provides residential care and support for children from ages five and under. The Home aims to promote children’s safety, welfare and the goal of family reintegration or fostering/ adoption.

items to help restore the home.

He also made additional contributions to the home to restore the fence and other environs while committing to other community outreach projects, such as the promotion of mental health programs and pledged to partner with the Rotary Club of Georgetown and other service organisations to address community needs.

SERVICES

Visa Application to Canada and U.S.A, graphics design, advertisements,USA passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 6267040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

For low cost repairs for AC units, refridgerators, freezers, gas stoves, washing machine, dryers, etc. Call: 6294946, 225-4822.

Burkey's House Blessings! Need someone to be a Caretaker of your house in your absence? Call: 663-4654.

However, given that the Home’s state of disrepair for a number of years, the Rotary Club of Georgetown collaborated with the Guyana Red Cross society, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to launch a $25 million restoration project.

At a handing over ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, President Ali, complimented the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s efforts and pledged additional support of mattresses and other

In a press release, the Rotary Club of Georgetown said that the project is a testament to the club’s dedication of “Service Above Self” and “Creating Hope in the World”.

“Since the commencement of works on April 1, 2023, the Rotary Club of Georgetown has been able to several major repairs including: a complete restoration of the exterior walls, repairing of multiple sections of the ceilings, repairing and eradication of roof leaks, replacement of windows, restoration of a vital bathroom section, the full restoration of the kitchen and flooring,” the release said.

Present at the handing over ceremony were, Rotary Club of Georgetown’s President, Devindra Kissoon along with members Natasha Vieira, Ryan Kirton, Gautam Thani, Victor Pires, Veerendra Bhagwandin, Wilmot Garnett, Sheldon Hazelwood, Dr. Sara Singh and Maisa DaSilva Kissoon, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, extended his sincere gratitude to President Ali and other donors who contributed to this project. He disclosed that the Board of Directors secured a generous donation of $15.7 million from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He also complimented the efforts of past president Sheldon Hazelwood and board in taking the initiative to undertake this significant project, as well as Red Cross’ General Secretary Mrs. Dorothy Fraser for working closely with the Club. The Club hopes to restore the home in its entirety, and continuing work with the Red Cross to make it self-sustaining. .

Brother, neighbour re-arrested for murder...

FOR

SALE

Canje transported farm land 207 acres, recently used for rice cultivation, fresh water own koker. Email: gelgin15@gmail.com

One blast freezer and 2 holding rooms for sale. All in working condition. Call: 6820823/ 687-5814.

Handyman needed. Location: Kitty G/Town. Call 6969854, 223-7165.

Cashier needed. Location Ruimveldt G/Town. Call 696-9854, 223-7165.

One Nail Technician and Hair Dresser needed. Call: 693-1817.

Soup House is looking for Kitchen Assistant in Town, 11am-4am. Call: 663-9560.

Soup House is looking for professional Soup Cook. 4 hours per day and weekly pay. Call: 663-9560.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Carpenters, Labourers, Masons & Skilled men needed, wages $7,000-$10,000 per day & Labourer 5-6K per day. Call: 650-1394, 692-7110. One CRV Honda, $3.3M negotiable and 1 Toyota Allion, $3.350 M, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage . Contact: 649-0956.

From page 06 at the Albion Estate. However, he left work early because he did not hear from her. He said after leaving work at 13:45h he went to an insurance company at Rose Hall but it was closed. After leaving there, he ventured to Melissa’s house where he said he saw the police.

It was then he was informed that the woman and her son had died. Umrao was

arrested the same day.

Cerrano Arokium had reportedly left for work at the Estate around 4:00 am on the day of the murders and had returned around 11:00 am, had a bath and went out back.

He said he was subsequently contacted while on the road by his brother Nicholas informing him of his sister and nephew’s deaths.

He had explained that in order to access his section of the house, he did not have to

venture through Melissa’s section and so he reportedly did not check on them when he returned home from work.

Naris had reportedly attacked Melissa earlier this year, relatives told reporters. She did not report the matter to the police.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News understands that Melissa’s gold jewellery that was worn daily, is missing. Melissa and Anthony were laid to rest on Saturday.

VACANCY

One Cashier needed. Must have English & Maths and previous experience. Apply at mikeswholesaledepot @yahoo.com or @ their location.

President Irfaan Ali stands alongside President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Devindra Kissoon (6th and 7th from right respectively) as well as members of the Rotary club

$110M to repair Parika Stelling

The rehabilitation of the Parika Stelling is estimated to cost $110M, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board

(NPTAB)officerevealed. The project will be executed by the Transport andHarboursDepartmentof the Ministry of Public

Below are the companies and their bids: TransportandHarboursDepartment RehabilitationofParikaStelling.

MinistryofHealth SupplyanddeliveryofOphthalmologySupplies.

Works According to NPTAB, the works are estimated to cost $110,061, 150.

During the reading of

bids, it was disclosed that four contractors have appliedfortheworkswhoall bid below the engineer’s estimate.

NationalParksCommission Supplyanddeliveryofonecantertruck.

Russia won’t renew grain until West meets its demands, Putin tells Erdogan

The Russian leader’s stance dashes hopes that Erdogan could help revive the deal which is vital for global food supplies.

Aljazeera - Russian PresidentVladimirPutinhas reiterated his stance on reinstatingaUnitedNationsbrokered deal to safely ship Ukrainian grain across the BlackSeaonlyaftertheWest meets Moscow’s demands onitsagriculturalexports.

countries.

“We are close to completingagreementswith sixAfrican states, where we intend to supply foodstuffs for free and even carry out delivery and logistics for free,”hesaid.

MinistryofHumanServicesandSocialSecurity Supplyanddeliveryofonereconditioned 15-seaterbusforvisitingcommitteemembers.

The Russian president’s remarks on Monday came after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep TayyipErdoganintheBlack SeacityofSochiinthehope of reviving the agreement seen as vital for global food supplies, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

“Deliverieswillbeginin thenextcoupleofweeks.”

The Russian leader allegedthatalargechunkof the grain exported via the Black Sea deal went to the West instead of the poor countries.

INTERACTIVE UKR AINT_RUSSIA

- grain deal renewalMay2023

MinistryofAgriculture Rehabilitationofexistingirrigationstructureson theNortheasternDamoftheEastDemeraraLots6,7and8.

Zimbabweʼs President Mnangagwa sworn in after disputed polls

CNN - Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson

Mnangagwa was sworn in for a second five-year term Monday, a week after securing an absolute majority in a disputed presidentialvote.

The 80-year-old

Mnangagwatookthereinsof power for another term in a colorful ceremony attended b y t h o u s a n d s o f Zimbabweans and regional leaders including the presidents of South Africa, the Democratic Republic of CongoandMozambique.

Mnangagwa was reelectedafterwinningmore than2millionvotes-52.6% ofthetotalballots-todefeat his main challenger, Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens

CoalitionforChange(CCC) party, who received 44% of the votes, according to the Zimbabwe Electoral

Commission.

Chamisa’spartyrejected theresults,allegingelectoral fraud, and called for fresh

elections The hotly contested poll was also criticized by observers, who saidtheelectionprocessfell short of many regional and internationalstandards.

In a preliminary report, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) said “fundamental freedoms were increasingly curtailed” duringtheelections,andthat “acts of violence and intimidation” resulting in a “climate of fear” were also witnessedduringthepolls.

A total of 41 election monitors were arrested by Zimbabwe’s police, ahead of the final tally of the votes, for allegedly coordinating the release of results

Russia refused to extend thedealinJuly,complaining that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstaclestoRussianexports offoodandfertiliserhadnot been honoured It said restrictions on shipping and insurance hampered its agricultural trade, though it has shipped record amounts ofwheatsincelastyear.

Putin reiterated those complaints and said that the Black Sea corridors should not be used for military purposes. He told reporters that if those commitments werehonoured,Russiacould return to the deal “within days”.

Erdogan also expressed hope that a breakthrough could come soon. He said Turkey and the UN – which both brokered the original deal – have put together a newpackageofproposalsto unblocktheissue.

“We believe that the initiativeshouldcontinueby fixing the shortcomings,” said the Turkish president whohastakenontheroleof mediator between Ukraine and Russia. It was the first meeting between the two leaders since Erdogan’s reelection for a third term as presidentinMay

The United States and the European Union have dismissed Moscow’s complaintsaswithoutmerit, sayingtheirsanctionsdonot target Russian grain and fertilisers.

A failure to revive the agreementwillhave“drastic impacts” in several African countriesthatrelyheavilyon Ukrainian and Russian grain,expertssay

In an effort to address that, Putin told reporters in SochithatMoscowisweeks away from supplying free

HopesdashedinTurkey Hopes were high in Turkey that Erdogan would be able to convince Putin to returntotheBlackSeagrain deal, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar reported from Istanbul.

“Officials here say Ankaraistryingtoconvince some of the Western countries to let Russia, in a limited way, back to the international payment system,”Serdarsaid,adding that insurance companies would now also provide insurance to Russian ships that are going to carry Russiangrainandfertiliser

“Itwillbeamajorstepif ithappens.

[It means] Russia is going to breach the international sanctions that were imposed particularly bytheWest,”headded.

Erdogan has maintained close ties with Putin during the 18-month war in Ukraine Turkey has not joined Western sanctions against Russia following its full-scale invasion, emerging as a main trading partnerandlogisticalhubfor Russia’soverseastrade.

NATO member Turkey, however, has also supported Ukraine, sending arms, meetingUkrainianPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy and backing Kyiv’s bid to join thealliance.

‘Ukraineisfindingways toexportitsgrain’

According to Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride in Kyiv, the outcome of the meeting in Sochi has been treated with “cynicism” in Ukraine.

“People [are] saying it was Russia that invaded Ukraine and turned the Black Sea into a war zone, pointing at Russia’s attacks onUkraine’sgrainexporting infrastructure,” McBride said.

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa gestures during his inauguration ceremony at the National Sports Stadium in the capital, Harare, Monday, Sept. 4 2023.Tsvangirayi Mukwazh/AP

Bahamas PM announces Cabinet re-shuffle

Nation News - Prime Minister Philip Davis is marking the second anniversary of his ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) re-shuffling his cabinet, as well as outlining reformsinimmigration.

In a nationwide radio and television broadcast, Prime Minister Davis also reflectedonabroadrangeof gains he said his administration intends to build as part of the drive towardsanewchange.

“We’ve made some important progress implementing our Blueprint for Change, but weknowthereisstillalong way to go, especially in tacklingonsomeofthemost difficult problems our countryhasbeenfacingfora

long time,” Davis said, adding“change,realchange, rarelycomeseasy,butwe’re here to change the status quo,nottodefendit”.

He said when his government came to office following the September 16, 2021, it faced a “multiple” of urgent crises including a national debt that had skyrocketed and an economybatteredbyaseries oflockdownsandcurfews.

“We had the worst unemployment crisis in our modern history

Our hospitals were overflowing, with some patients receiv ing treatment in parking lots. Our schools were closed, with no plans in sight to repair and reopen them, and

thousands of children had barely been able to participate in remote learning.”

But Prime Minister Davis told the nation that a s p a r t o f t h e government’s “aggressive rescue operation” it lifted the curfew, implemented new financial and health measures that “despite the severefiscalcrisis,wemade it a priority for the government to pay off significant arrears owed to Bahamiancompanies”.

He said this decision injected US$100 million into the local economy and saved a number of b u s i n e s s e s f r o m bankruptcy “We brought back festivals and regattas and

world-class sporting events, in some cases bigger and better than ever before. You trusted us to release the strangleholdontheeconomy and to fight the virus at the sametime,andwedid.

“Our policies jumpstarted the economy, and Bahamians, always resourceful , responded w i t h e n e r g y a n d enthusiasm Many businesses are now thriving

Wenowhavea15-year lowinunemployment

Our fiscal situation is much stronger ”

Davis said that the country is in better shape because of the efforts of the Bahamian people, who remain vital partners as we make progress in our nationaldevelopment

But he said that a top priority is reducing the cost of living, adding “I know how hard it is to pay for just the basics

Prices have been too high for too long, but a global inflation crisis has made things even worse”

H e s a i d t h e government has also s t a r t e d b u i l d i n g affordable homes and l a u n c h e d a Catastrophic Health Care Fund, to help f a m i l i e s t h r o u g h medical crises.

“We raised salaries and bonuses for nurses, who had been our superheroes during the pandemic

In the public sector, we did something long overdue – we settled p r o m o t i o n s a n d inequities in the system

In addition, we paid salary arrears to public servants which had been outstanding since 2017, approved the return of annual increments for public servants, and increased public service pensions ”

H e s a i d t h e government also raised the minimum wage, ignoringthosewhoargued against it, negotiating and concluding 22 labour agreements

“And we decided we never again want to be so dependent on other countries for the food we putonourtables

We are working to build food security, so we can grow more of what we eat, and create new ownership opportunities for Bahamians in a modernized, revamped agriculturesector

Bahamas Prime Minister, Phillip Davis. (GP)

Twochargedforarmedrobbery atLusignansupermarket

Twenty-six-year-old Jamal Seymour, a carpenter, of Lot 176 Campbell and S u s s e x S t r e e t s , Albouystown, Georgetown and Ryan Goodluck, a 29year-old vendor of Lot 928 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), were on Monday charged for August 28, 2023 armed robbery carried out on a Chinese Supermarket at Lusignan, EastCoastDemerara(ECD).

The duo was charged with the offence of Robbery Under Arms, Contrary to Section 222 (c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act,Chapter8:01.

They appeared before M a g i s t r a t e R u s h e l l Liverpool at the Vigilance Magistrates'Courts.

The charge was read to them and they both pleaded not guilty Magistrate Liverpool placed the defendants on $150,000 bail

each and the matter was adjourned to November 6, 2023.

Notably, the police prosecutor made objections to bail being granted to Seymour and Goodluck on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence andtheprevalence.

Theprosecutoralsocited that the defendants do not live on the East Coast nor have any social activities or tiesthere.

It was noted too that there was video and confessionevidenceandthat the accused were previously charged with a matter pending at Sparendaam Magistrates'Court.

However, the magistrate toldtheprosecutorthatthose were not enough grounds and granted bail to the two accused.

According to reports, on Tuesday, four gunmen

Charged:

i n v a d e d a C h i n e s e Supermarket at Lusignan, and robbed two Chinese cashiers of cash and phone cards.

Police said that the four suspects arrived in front of the building on two Honda XR motorcycles – one red andoneblack.

Two of the suspects ran into the building and held both cashiers at gunpoint.

$244 million concrete road commissioned at Matthews Ridge

Footage showed that one of the gunmen posed as a customer requesting a pack of cigarettes from the cashier As the woman placed the cigarettes on the counter, the man pulled out a gun from hispantswaistand“stickher up”.

The cashier tried to save some of the money while the bandit made his way behind

the counter by throwing them into a garbage bag, but hewastooquick.

She had to drop the bag and put her hands up as the bandit grabbed cash and phone cards from the cash register and shoved them in hispantspocketandcrotch.

While he was robbing that cashier, his accomplice was robbing the other one. The remaining bandits were

onthelookout.

The suspects then ran back to their motorcycles and rode away in a southern direction along the East CoastHighway

Moreover, in September 2022, Goodluck was among six charged for the $13.4 Million heist at GTT store at Giftland Mall on September 8,2023.

Goodluck, and Andrea Dover, 25, a cleaner of Lot 616 D Field Sophia, Priecy Roberts, 30, a businessman of Lot 22 Tucville, Georgetown, Ashley Mansfield, 27, a cleaner of Lot 100 Victoria Road, Plaisance, ECD, Jamal Haley, 24, a labourer of Lot 461DField,Sophia,Greater Georgetown, and Osman Brummell, 39, a vendor of Lot 63 Cross Street, Werken-Rust were all remanded to prison when they made theirfirstcourtappearance.

AuditorGeneral2022Reporttobe presentedtoParliamentnextweek

Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma on Monday confirmed that preparations arebeingmadetopresentthe 2022 Audit Report to the National Assembly on September15,2023.

In a brief telephone interview with Kaieteur News, theAG explained that the audit of the various Ministries and state agencies hasbeencompleted.

Thereportwouldprovide insight on the use of funds from the public purse by the respectiveagencies.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley during the commissioning of the road.

Hu n d r e d s o f residents in

M a t t h e w s Ridge,Matarkaisub-district, Region One, are now benefitting from the recently completed $244 million concrete road project at HeavenHill.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali had committed to ensuring that the road was completed after learning of the challenges residents faced during his visit to the areainDecember2022.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal attended t h e c o m m i s s i o n i n g ceremony for the new thoroughfare on Sunday and expressed the government's

commitment to enhancing critical infrastructure in hinterland communities to providerelieftocitizens.

TheroadwasbuiltbyGV Construction Incorporated as part of the Hinterland R o a d s P r o g r a m m e , measuring 1,150 metres in lengthand16feetinwidth.

The Ministry of Public Works will supervise the completion of an additional section of the road, with Station Street, School Street, and Hell Hill set to benefit. Thisundertakingwillfurther improvetransportationinthe area.

Matthew's Ridge is considered one of the oldest Amerindian communities in

the Barima-Waini area. Its primary economic activities revolve around gold and manganese mining, along withsubsistenceagriculture. Residentshavelongbeen voicing their complaints about the condition of their roads.

Additionally, the entire community now enjoys access to electricity, another commitment by President Ali to connect the Pakera, Minab, and Rail Head areas. Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley and other regional representatives along with the contractors were also present at the commissioning ceremony (DPI)

Notably, last year's Budget was approved to the tuneofUS$552.9billion.By the end of December 2022 however, the total fiscal plan w a s i n c r e a s e d t o approximately US$643 7 billion, owing to the passage of two supplemental budgets.

ThismeansthattheAudit Office was tasked with reviewing the use of US$643.7 billion used from the consolidated fund It must be noted that the 2022 Budget was supported by a

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma

total of US$607.6 million in oil revenue. It was the first year that the nation utilized the revenue stream from the petroleum sector to offset its developmentagenda.

Although there have b e e n c a l l s f o r t h e government to account for thespendingofrevenuefrom the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) or the oil account, the AG told Kaieteur News that the Audit Office would not be conducting a specific review of those funds, since

they have been pooled into theconsolidatedfund.

He explained, "What we are doing is the Bank of Guyana has the Natural Resource Fund (report to show) how much money is received...sooncethemoney goes there and is gazetted, it goes into the consolidated fund. The government now has it as budget support so theydon'thaveitspecifically to say well they are doing x school or x road- it's just budget support- so that's whatweareauditing."

The AG added, "We therefore can't say well Bishops'HighSchoolrepairs were done by the oil money or St. Rose's School was built by that money We are unable to say that because they are not specific in the Budget."

Presently, the National Assembly is on recess. It is expected to resume on October 10, 2023. In the meantime, Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir will receive the report to be laid over

Charged: Jamal Seymour

Ryan Goodluck

Republic Bank GCB U23 Super50 tournament Semi-finals…

Beaton fifty, Nanand 4 wickets pilot

DCC to 8-wicket win over Lusignan

Nanan

Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) romped to an 8-wicket win over Lusignan yesterday, after Nkosi Beaton’s unbeaten half-century, played a pivotal role in taking his team into today’s final at Bourda Ground, versus West Demerara.

Lusignan toiled before being kept to 125 in 34.4 overs. Top-scorer Vikash Wilson (34), opener Ravindra Samaroo (28) and 29 from Nicholas Shiopersaud, highlighted an ordinary batting performance

Tuesday September 05, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Share your skills today, Aries. You will find that as you engage in the role of teacher, you learn more than if you just hold onto your knowledge without sharing it.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Don't underestimate the power of other people today, Taurus. They may seem flighty and scatterbrained on the outside, but underneath you will find that they have a great deal of wisdom to share.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Remember that there's a benevolent force out there that loves you, Gemini. No matter what, there's always a shoulder to cry on, even if it isn't a tangible one. Even in your darkest moments.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Don't hesitate to say the obvious today, Cancer, even if it sounds corny. Many times people hesitate to say what they really feel because they think it's obvious to everyone.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Look to older figures for advice today, Leo. Seek counsel with a parent or grandparent on issues you feel strongly about. Relationships with older people are likely to go especially well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Consider composing a bit of poetry today, Virgo. Use this as an exercise to condense your ocean of emotions into a very few words.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Just because your emotions are reserved or somber today doesn't mean you shouldn't share them with others, Libra. Work through difficulties.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You may need to jump to many different people and situations today, Scorpio, yet something is holding you back. Listen to this inner voice that's asking you to be conservative at this time.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

ou feel like you have a stone strapped to your back, Sagittarius. The farther you walk with this load, the slower you go, and the more hunched over you will be by the time you reach your destination.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It

Feel free to break ties with certain people now, Capricorn. You may be overextending your emotional bank account by investing too much of yourself in others' lives.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Less is more should be your motto for today, Aquarius. The more you cut back in certain areas of your life, the more room you open up to bring in new and exciting things.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You may be asked to slow down today, Pisces. Whether this comes in the form of a speeding ticket or a scrape on the knee when you trip.

from Lusignan.

DCC’s Inderjeet Nanan led with ball as he ended with stingy figures of 4-2 with, as Ezekiel Wilson and Daniel Mootoo returned identical figures of 2-25.

The chase was simple for the home team who skipped to 126-2 from a little over 20 overs, thanks to some classy batting between Beaton, who crunched 70 not out (5x6, 4x4) and Brandon Jaikaran, who ended on 30 not out opening one end of the batting.

Today’s final bowls off at 9:00h.

Uitvlugt take lead with Pouderoyen in close pursuit

Uitvlugt Warriors maintained their unbeaten run to move to the top of the points table while Pouderoyen FC also won to stay in close pursuit after another doubleheader in the Senior Men’s League of the West Demerara FA Sunday at the Tuschen Community Centre ground.

In the first match, Pouderoyen outclassed Wales FC 4-0 after a goal-less first half. DeAngelo Peters struck a quick brace to break the deadlock in the 60th and 63rd minutes. Also on target were Devin Gaskin in the 70th and Essan Nelson who made a solo run from inside his half 3 minutes from the end. It was the 4th win after 5 outings for Pouderoyen as they hold on to 3rd position on 12 points, while Wales were left in 6th

place on 3 points after 4 matches.

Earlier in the first period, Pouderoyen’s Nicquan Boyce and Jamal Knights of Wales were given marching orders for fighting in the 24th minute.

The other encounter which was much closer and perhaps the most evenly contested game of the 9-team League so far, ended in a 2-1 win for Uitvlugt Warriors over Eagles FC. Kelvin Kujal gave the lead to Eagles after 55 minutes and Kevin Fraser equalised from the Penalty Mark in the 67th minute. Within 3 minutes Montel Dainty delivered the winner for the Warriors’ 4th win and a place at the top on 13 points after 5 matches. Eagles retained 5th position on 3 points after their 3rd loss in 4 games.

RHTYSCʼs Rampersaud and Pottaya are leading Guyana bowlers at Junior Levels

Since its formation in September 1990 by three timesCommonwealthYouth Service Awardee, the ST Francis Community Development, the Rose Hall TownYouthandSportsClub MS has produced a combined one hundred and twenty players for Berbice, GuyanaandtheWestIndians atalllevels.Additionally,the RHTYSChasalsoproduced twointernationalplayersfor the United States of America.

Among the players producedbytheclubareTest player Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Esuan Crandon, Dominie Rikhi, Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kelvon Anderson, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond, Shakabi Gajnabi, Dilbert Hicks, Abdel Fudadin, Shanon GrantandRenwickBatson.

The club currently has six players participating in the 2023 Caribbean Premier League- the most by any cricket club in Guyana. The club, which is headed by Berbice Cricket Board

PresidentHilbertFoster,has Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kelvon Anderson, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond and Shakabi Gajnabi in the league playing for the Amazon Warriors The club’s production machine continuestoproducequality players with off spinner Jonathan Rampersaud and Matthew Pottaya emerging as the top wicket takers for the Guyana Under19 and Under17 teams in the 2023 Cricket West Indies tournament Rampersaud, who is also the Asst Secretary of the RHTYSC and Public Relation officer

of the Berbice Cricket Board,wasbornonthe6thof November, 2003 and a t t e n d e d t h e J C Chandisingh Secondary Schoolwhereheobtained12 subjects at the CSEC level. He joined the RHTYSC in 2013attheyoungageof10. He made his national debut at the under15 level in 2018 where he took eight wickets andscored118runs.Hewas named in a West Indies Under15 training squad in 2018andplayedtheGuyana Cricket Board franchise Cricket tournament for Upper Corentyne at the age of14years.

Rampersaudalsoplayed fortheSelect11intheGCB senior county where he was not only good with the ball butalsoscoredafiftyversus Demerara.

InthisyearCWIunder19 tournament, he claimed a combined 25 wickets and hadtwofivewickethauls–5 for 16 vs Leewards Island and5for18vsTrinidad.Last year he took 15 wickets including 6 for 36 vs Trinidad Rampersaud is currentlyaseniormemberof

theRoseHallTownNamilco Thunderbolt flour first divisionteam.

Matthew Pottaya was born on the fourth of March 2006 to Tyrone and Bhompattie Pottaya He attended theAlbion Primary schoolthenthePortMourant Secondarywhereherecently sat at the CSEC level. He joined the RHTYSC, MS in 2014 when he was just 8 years old and immediately caught the eyes of the coaches.

He was the prestigious cricketer of the academy in thesameyearandplayedfor GuyanaattheUnder15level in 2019 but COVID 19 stop him from participating in 2020.Abrokenfigureonhis right hand ruled him out of 2022 CWI under17 tournament.

Pottaya described this setback as a major disappointment as his confidence was high with some good performance in the GCB inter county tournament.

Pottaya,whosefatherisa senior executive of the RHTYSC, continued to

focusonimprovinghisgame and emerged as the joint wickettakerintheCWItwo days tournament with sixteen wickets in three drawn matches for Guyana. His best performance was 6 for 55 versus the eventually champions Barbados. He is currently the captain of the RHTYSC Bakewell Under17teamandalsoplays for the RHT Pepsi Under19 team, RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under23 and first division teams. He also captained the Berbice Under15andUnder17teams and his main objective now is to play at the regional under19level.

Pottayahopestoplaythe game at the profession level

intendstomakehisnamefor GuyanaattheUnder19level.

Both Pottaya and Rampersaud expressed thankstotheManagementof the RHTYSC especially Club Secretary Hilbert Foster for his guidance over the years. Membership to the club is not only free but the RHTYSC also provided all equipment for its members.

The two promising playersalsoextendedthanks to Mr. Bert Sukhai of Namilco and Rajin Ganga fortheirinvestmentintotheir cricketcareerandstartedthat they are hoping to obtain cricketingcontractswiththe GuyanaCricketBoardinthe nearfuture.

Gauff ends Wozniacki run to reach US Open last eight Cornwall carnage at Kensington Oval

CPL - Barbados Royals successfully chased 221 runs to complete a remarkable eightwicketwinovertheStKittsandNevis Patriots in the 2023 Republic Bank CaribbeanPremierLeague(CPL).

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots won the toss and chose to bat first, and they reaped the rewards as Andre Fletcher and Will Smeed put togetherthe highest opening partnership ofthisyear’stournamentsofar,115runs,to galvanise their team. A rapid half-century fromCaptainSherfaneRutherford,fromjust 24balls,wouldthenpropelthetotalto220/4 after20overs.

Barbados Royals would produce a sensational chase in response, Rahkeem Cornwall leading the way with a 42-ball centurytoensuretheyachievedastunning8 wicketvictoryinfrontofahomecrowd.

It was a sublime batting performance from the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, with AndreFletcherandWillSmeedguidingtheir team to 70-0 in the PowerPlay Their partnership would reach 115 before RahkeemCornwallwoulddismissthemboth withhisoffspin.ThePatriotscontinuedtotry

toacceleratethescore,andinatacticalmove, batterJydGooliewasretiredoutinthe17th over, having scored 22 off 16 balls. Captain Sherfane Rutherford would showcase his destructive abilities, scoring 65 runs in just 27 balls, his innings including five 6s, to allowthePatriotstoreachaformidable220/4 after 20 overs. Barbados Royals would themselves have an effective PowerPlay; despite losing the wicket of Kyle Mayers, they scored 67 runs in the first six overs of their chase Rahkeem Cornwall would launch his way to a 23-ball half century, as the Royals continued to find the boundary afterthefieldingrestrictionswerelifted.

Cornwall would continue to unleash the big shots as he reached a century in just 45 balls, his first CPLcentury Cornwall would retire hurt after reaching 102 runs, but Rovman Powell and Alick Athanaze would see the Royals home, ensuring they won by eightwickets,astheyfinishedon223/2.

The next leg of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will continue this evening as the action reaches Trinidad&Tobago.

AFP - American teenagerCocoGauffended Caroline Wozniacki’s fairytale return to the US Open on Sunday, booking her place in the quarterfinals with a three-set victory

Sixth seed Gauff, regardedbymanyasoneof the favourites for the title after two tournament wins in August, advanced to the lasteightwitha6-3,3-6,61victoryontheArthurAshe Stadiumcourt.

The 19-year-old will face either defending champion Iga Swiatek or Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko inTuesday’squarter-finals.

“IknewgoinginIhadto play aggressive,” Gauff said after her victory “I’m happythatIwasabletoget back and focus. “She’s a

player you have to be mentally tough with every singlepoint.”

The defeat ended former world number one Wozniacki’s impressive showingatthetournament.

The 33-year-old retired after the 2020 Australian Open to start a family, and this year’s US Open was only the third event the mother-of-two has played sincereturningtothetourin Montreallastmonth.

Gauff, who was only one when Wozniacki made her debut on the WTA in 2005, paid tribute to the Dane’s performance in defeat.

“Caroline is back, it’s likeshe’sneverleft,”Gauff said. “The level she played today was amazing, and she’sbeenaninspirationfor

megrowingup.

“Igrewupwatchingher win the Australian Open...to be out on the courtwithhertodaywasan honour.”

After dropping the first set, wild card entrant Wozniacki had raised the prospect of a mammoth upset after punishing an error-strewn second set by Gauff to level at one set apiece.

ArattledGauffwasthen brokenintheopeninggame ofthethirdsettodeepenthe jitters amongst the teen’s fans.

But Gauff rallied to break back immediately andthenturnedupthepace to break Wozniacki for leads of 3-1 and 5-1 up before holding to clinch victory

Jonathan Rampersaud

Matthew Pottaya

Inter Guiana Games trials set for September 16 at Bayrock Track in Linden

GeneralSecretaryofthe Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), James Cole, has indicated that the Athletics Association of Guyana(AAG)isscheduled to host its Inter Guiana Games (IGG) trials on September 16 at the Bayrock Synthetic Track in Linden.

Cole stated yesterday that the one-day U-18 trials will be used to select the national team to represent Guyana at the Games scheduled to be held in Suriname from October 2631. Thirteen males and 13 femaleswillformGuyana’s athleticteam.

Themeetisscheduledto be highlighted by track prodigy, Tianna Springer along with other standouts, Malachi Austin, Narissa

McPherson and Javon Roberts, the gold medal, history making quartet that c o m p e t e d a t t h e Commonwealth Youth Games last month in Trinidad.

Thisyear,10disciplines will be contested during the Games which involves Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. They are Tr a c k a n d F i e l d , Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball,Football,Tennis, Table Tennis, Futsal, Chess andSwimming.

Cole further stated that the statutory National Senior Championship which was postponed, is also imminent and the date ofcompetitionwillbemade known following the council meeting on Saturday

Belgrave propels Stabroek Eagles to 47-point win over U-Up Stars, as Kobras and Ravens record comfortable victories in 2023 One Guyana Basketball League

The 2023 “One

G u y a n a ”

B a s k e t b a l l Premier League, organised by the Guyana Basketball Federation and the Georgetown Basketball

Association, featured an exhilarating evening of basketballonSaturdayatthe National Gymnasium along Mandela Avenue Three thrilling games unfolded, with Bagotstown Kobras,

Stabroek Eagles, and Campbellville Ravens securing impressive victories on the fourth night ofcompetition.Inastandout performance on Saturday, Travis Belgrave of the Eagles delivered a stellar display that powered his teamtoaresoundingvictory over Leonora’s D-Up Stars. Belgrave notched an impressive 32 points, along with 11 rebounds. Denzel R o s s c o n t r i b u t e d significantly with 17 points and 6 steals. The Eagles dominated their opponents, sealing a commanding 47point victory with a final score of 88-41 in their favour

In the other two matchupsoftheevening,the Bagotstown/Prospect Kobras narrowly edged out the Cummings Lodge UG Trojansbya70-72scoreline, infavouroftheKobras.The game remained closely contested throughout, with the Kobras holding a fourpoint lead (35-39) as they entered the fourth quarter Carlos Edwards led the way for the Kobras, tallying 29 points, while Elijah David added18pointstosecurethe victorybyameretwopoints.

Meanwhile, in the

evening’s final contest

b e t w e e n t h e Kitty/Campbellville Ravens and the North Ruimveldt Caimans, the Ravens dominatedthecontestwitha final score of 95-30. The Ravens’ Dominic Vincente, Shemar Hintley, and Jude Corlette showcased their

s c o r i n g p r o w e s s , contributing 25, 21, and 18 points, respectively The North Ruimveldt Caimans’ Chris Tucker had a commendable performance, finishing with 20 points, although it was in a losing effort.

The basketball action

continues this Saturday, September 9th, 2023, at the s a m e v e n u e T h e tournament’s success has been made possible through thesupportoftheMinistryof Culture, Youth and Sports, N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission, G-Boats Guyana,GBF,andGBA

FLASH BACK! Guyana dominated last year’s IGG track and field competition.

Some of the action between UG Trojans and Bagotstown Kobras at the One Guyana Basketball Premier League.

Ravens’point-guards lock out Caimans’ star-shooter during Saturday night’s encounter.

Sankarʼs Auto Works Golf Tournament…

Arnol & Bholawram Deo, Subhan victorious in Team Event

Many of Guyana’s top golfers graced the Lusignan Golf Club with their presence, as they were anxious to compete in the Sankar’s Auto Works golf tournament.Thetournament was played differently this time, it included the regular medalplayover18holesand a newly formed concept calledthe‘TeamEvent’. The ‘Team Event’ is patterned off LIV Golf

whichistakingtheworldby storm. This format ensures that two games are being playedatthesametime.The first game would be the normal medal play over 18 holesforindividualprizes. Duringthataspectofthe gametheplayerswouldalso belookingtoscorealownet scoreasitisnotensuredthat their partners would be playinginthesameflight.In theendtheplayers’averages

are added and divided by threeandthethreemanteam withthelowestnetaverageis declared the winner for the ‘TeamEvent’.

Thewinningplayerswill be allotted points towards year end rewards for free entries to Suriname Invitational, Guyana Open and MACORP Golf Tournament. Also, double pointswillbeawardedforall sponsored tournaments

throughOctober22nd,2023.

Sankar’sAutoWorkshas been providing customers with a wide range of products that meet their automotive needs as well as deliveralevelofservicethat makes them unique from their competition. Sankar’s delivers automotive products at reasonable prices, and offers an exceptional level of service towholesalecustomersinall

regions of Guyana The results for the tournament wereasfollows:

0-14Flights

1stMiguelYunes(HC14, Gross81,Net67)

2ndBridgelallHarry(HC 14,Gross86,Net72)

3rd Andrew Cummings (HC12,Gross85,Net73)

15-36Flights

1st Arnold Deo (HC 28, Gross94,Net66)

2ndBholawramDeo(HC

22,Gross89,Net67)

3rd Patanjilee Persaud (HC15,Gross84,Net69)

TeamEvent

ArnoldDeo-Net66

BholawramDeo-Net67

AyubeSubhan-Net78

Total average 211/3 =

70.3 Nearest to pin - Brian Hackett Longest DrivesMiguelYunes

OverallBestNet-Arnold Deo 66 Overall Best grossMiguelYunes81

Block 22 Flames and Aroaima Basketball Academy star in Tuschenʼs Basketball Jamboree

Th e D - U p B a s k e t b a l l Academy hosted its inaugural 1st Family Basketball Jamboree at the Tuschen Primary School Basketball court, which showcased an array of impressivebasketballtalent. Seeing Aroaima Basketball Academy exhibited sublime dominance across various age group categories, while theformidableLindenBlock 22Flamessecuredvictoryin theMen’sOpendivision.

Eleven teams competed passionately on Sunday, vying for the prestigious titles in the Girls’ and Boys’ Under 14 divisions, the Boys’ U17 category, and the Men’s Open competition The Aroaima Basketballsquadsemerged triumphant in three out of thefourdivisions

They triumphed over the D-Up Academy U14 Boys’ team with a final score of 28-25 The Girls’

U14 division also saw Aroaima Basketball prevailing, as they defeated the Tuschen Basketball team with a scoreof30-27 IntheBoys’ U17 division, Aroaima displayed their strength by conquering the Block 22 Flames of Linden with a scoreline of 40-32 Despite a valiant effort from the Block 22 Flames,

Aroaima’s dominance was undeniable

Undaunted by their loss in the Boys’ U17 category, the Linden-based Block 22 Flames made a strong comebackintheMen’sOpen category, emerging victoriouswithascoreof2520 against the Berbice Ballers.

Meanwhile, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awardswereconferredupon Aroaima’s Ester Roger, Keron Phillips, and Kasim Englishfortheiroutstanding contributions to their

respectiveteams.

During the closing ceremony, tournament organizer Anthony Kandar expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all participating teams, remarking, “It was truly an exhilarating day of basketball.

Special recognition goes totheoverallchampions,the Aroaima Basketball Academy, who clinched the Girls’andBoys’U14titlesas well as the Boys’ U17 division We must also acknowledge the impressive performance of the newcomers, the Linden Block 22 Flame Basketball team, who excelled in their debut appearance in a competitive basketball tournament and secured victory in the Men’s Open category.”

“On behalf of the D-Up Basketball Academy team, we commend all of you for joining us in celebrating our 1st Family Basketball

Jamboree. I am thoroughly pleasedwiththehighlevelof basketball skill displayed today, and we hope for an

D-Up’s Basketball Jamboree action between D-Up Men’s team and Block 22 Flames.

Arnol Deo, Bholowram Deo and Ayube Subhan won the Team Event. The top performers of the event took a photo op at the conclusion.

GBAselects5-memberteamforPanAmGamesinChile

Th e G u y a n a B o x i n g Association (GBA) has selected a fivemember squad that will compete at the impending Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, from October 20th–November 5th.

Thefightsquad,whichis one of the largest in recent participation in the competition, comprises Desmond Amsterdam [79 KG], Keevin Allicock [57 KG], Emmanuel Pompey [92 KG], Joel Williamson [63 5 KG], and Alesha Jackman[66KG].

The Technical Director oftheGBA,TerrencePoole, will oversee the technical staff, which also comprises Cuban coach Franciso Roldan.

Boxing is slated to be staged from October

21st–27th at the La Reina Community Sports Center

It will serve as a qualifier for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, as the two respective divisional finalists will secureautomaticberths

G B A Te c h n i c a l

Director Poole said,

“Training has officially commenced since last Monday,thoughithasbeen acontinuousprocess They are working, and though it might not be at full intensity, they will eventually get to that required level, as we get closer to the tournament Training occurs daily, that is, Monday to Friday from 4p m andonSundaysat10 a m at the Andre “Six Head” Lewis gym in Albouystown

We also train on Sundays I think it is a great opportunity to qualify for the2024ParisOlympics While they have other qualifiers that will occur, this is an easy chance for the fighters to qualify It’s a good opportunity, and the boxers shouldmakethe mostofit.”

Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle said, “This is the beginning of an important journey in our objective to qualify for the 2024

Jaguars gives back”

OlympicsinParis,France.

Traditionally, boxing has flown the Golden Arrowheadwithaplombat thisregionaljuncture

As such, the GBAhas formulated a rigorous training regimentoachieve itsambitions.”

“ I n t e r n a t i o n a l

competition remains a significant element of our developmentalagenda

The Pan American Games are at the forefront of this marriage given its sporting significance to the region,” he further said Guyana’s previous participation in this

prestigious event occurred at the 2019 edition. Allicock was boxing’s solitary representative in Lima,Peru.

Clive Atwell secured Guyana’s last medal in the discipline of boxing at the 2007 edition in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

He won bronze in the 54-kgsegment P r i o r t o t h e aforementioned, Guyana won two bronze medals in the 1991 Games in Havana, Cuba, via Poole [81 KG] and Stephan Rose [51KG].

Overall,Guyanahaswon one silver and seven bronze medals in the history of the event,whichstartedin1951. This is second only to Jamaica in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, which has captured a total of 11 accolades.

The Guyana Golden Jaguars expressed their love and appreciation to their fans, sponsors and well wishers by handing backpackstoyoungstudents,complimentsof PresidentWayneForde,whodonatedadozen backpacks.

JermyGarrett,CurtezKellmanandAckel ClarkevisitedJoshuaHouseChildrenCentre and handed over the backpacks to the Boys and Girls who will commenced the new

schooltermyesterday

The players also visited the Tiger Bay community and donated backpacks to a cheerfulandthankfulgroupofchildren.

“Our team received support and contributions from sponsors and many stakeholders so it feels really good to give backandputsmilesonthefacesofthesekids. With the support of President Forde and the GFF, we hope to do this more often,” the playersstated.

Alesha Jackman

Keevin Allicock (left) and Coach Terrence Poole M.S.

Desmond Amsterdam

Guyana Golden Jaguars players with some of the youth they gave backpacks to.

“Golden