K
Roger Khan files NEWS official police complaint over release of sex tape
Sunday Edition
AIETEUR
September 06, 2020
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
p. 10
Price $140
Online readership yesterday, 117,493
Guyana should not approve another Field Development Plan until gas master plan in place p. 2
- industry experts
Demerara Bridge to undergo several days of emergency works p. 12
- retraction to stop after - high-level today; barge contemplated technical team for heavy vehicles empanelled
'Top Cat' charged with shooting death of Middle Road man p. 59
Third World Mentality!
Same ole, same ole! Going round in a circle from PPP/C to PNCR and AFC. What have we learned from them all? Borrow and pledge to do this and do that, to siphon off a portion of every project! Same ole, same ole! Our leaders will and can never see beyond begging, borrowing and pledging, because they have no understanding of business. Sugar is dead and our politicians are trying to revive the dead? Guyana has an abundance of n a t u r a l resources such as gold, diamond, bauxite, timber and now OIL. But we are
giving it away to the foreigners: the Russians, Chinese, Americans etc., who come here to plunder our resources. We have so much wealth; if we can get a fair deal on Payara alone, not on the entire block, our people would not have to cut cane again. That is how much wealth we have in Payara alone.Foreign firms have been extracting our bauxite for more than 75 years. What did Guyana receive? All we got is our brothers and sisters heading back into the canefields to barely scratch out a living. Our leaders still have a Third World mentality.
They are still stuck in the plantation mindset. President Ali said he will reopen the sugar factories to put sugar workers back in the field. To scratch out a living? That is the Third Wo r l d m e n t a l i t y a n d plantation mindset. Oh, Guyana, beautiful Guyana! Rather than fixing the one-sided, lopsided, giveaway contracts that can pay sugar workers $200,000 a month to stay at home, these morons will spend billions to reopen the sugar factories to earn pennies in return. Oh Guyana, beautiful Guyana!
17-member Justice For CH&PA Board All Party Six REOs file court action sent packing leaves APNU for wrongful dismissal After 7 years; 3 administrations: Treatment of arrested Brickdam lock-ups GECOM officials will kill p. 8
p. 10
p. 14
p. 60
still under repairs community relations Guyana should beware… Oil companies p. 9
- Khemraj Ramjattan
often run to politicians - ex T&T Gas to bypass regulators Company head p. 8
Kaieteur News
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Sunday September 06, 2020
Guyana should not approve another Field Development Plan until gas master plan in place - industry experts By Kiana Wilburg
T
he People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government and American multi-national, ExxonMobil, are currently engaged in ironing out issues pertaining to the approval for the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP). But even as it continues this exercise, industry experts who are paying keen attention to the nation's fledgling oil sector, are worried that other key matters may be neglected to the country's detriment. Payara is the third phase of development with permits already granted for the rest to the oil company which is currently facing major problems on the stock market. In this regard, prominent industry experts have told this news agency that Guyana should put a hold on approving further FDPs until a national master plan for the development of gas resources is in place.
One petroleum engineering expert stated: “A big worry for me is that Guyana has about 10 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas, and that is according to statistics from ExxonMobil. Do you know this is more than what Trinidad and Tobago has right now?” The industry specialist said: “Without a development plan to maximize the extraction and use, a lot of this could be left in the ground and effectively sterilized, since removing the oil first could prevent reentry.” Given the sheer volume and high proportion of natural gas, the specialist stressed that Guyana should not proceed with another FDP without first having a natural gas master plan that includes its exploration and production strategy, and at the moment, no draft plan of this nature exists in Guyana. There was only a plan on how to bring gas to shore from the Liza Phase One project. That document was put together by ExxonMobil
and other international stakeholders contracted by the former APNU+AFC government. The coalition is no longer in power, thanks for March general elections which was in limbo for several months. During an exclusive interview held earlier this
year, former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who also held responsibility (temporarily) for the project concerned with bringing gas to shore, had told this news agency that ExxonMobil is capable of providing 30 to 50 million cubic feet of natural gas from
the Liza Phase One Project alone for electricity generation. The former Minister was keen to note that while this is enough to power the entire country for over 15 years, it is also enough to provide Guyana with four times the quantity of cooking gas that is used
per day. Patterson had said: “The gas available is enough to give you about 200 megawatts of power, which is more than the Guyana Power and Light is providing. Upon learning this, we started looking at the (continued on page 13)
Kaieteur News
Sunday September 06, 2020
PAGE 03
Govt. turns to former managers of Rose Hall, Skeldon estates for “reopening” M
inister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, yesterday visited the Rose Hall and Skeldon sugar estates that were closed by the previous administration. He disclosed that he has since appointed the previous managers for the estates to develop an action plan to facilitate their re-openings. It was revealed that Vishnu Panday, former Manager for the Skeldon Estate, will have a small team with him to make an assessment and formulate a plan of action. Former Manager of the Rose Hall Estate in Canje,
The Minister in discussion with former Manager of Skeldon Estate, Vishnu Panday
Aaron Dokia, will also be tasked with the same. At Skeldon, the Minister said that: "GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation) have already sent a team here
and they have already supplied a detailed plan about what is needed but Mr. Panday has a lot of knowledge about this location so he can come up
Health Ministry examining options for COVID-19 vaccination
T
he Ministry of Health (MOH) is examining the options for COVID -19 vaccinations. During a virtual press conference held on Friday, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has said that the government is engaging Russia to access the COVID19 vaccine, Sputnik V, from that country if it proves to be successful in fighting off the deadly virus. Dr. Anthony noted the government is in talks with a number of countries to explore its options once the vaccines become available. As such, Dr Anthony stressed that the engagement does not mean a decision has been made to buy the vaccine but that if another round of trials proves that it can be used, then Guyana wants to be able to have it as an option. “Many other vaccines are being developed. What we want to do is understand the vaccine they are offering – how it works, the science behind it – and if it is proven to be effective, then we'll make those decisions as we go. But I think it is important that we engage early so that we have many options to choose from,” he added. According to the Minister the initial discussion has begun with the Russian embassy in Guyana. He noted that the reviews have so far shown that the vaccine is safe but the Government will await the Phase 3 trials to see how it turns out.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony Dr. Anthony said that on Thursday a Ministry of Health team would engage with the Russian Government in a teleconference to learn more about the particular vaccine. In addition, Dr. Anthony said that his Ministry is in discussions with Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) to explore the other options available. GAVI has been in contact with PAHO and UNICEF together they have been leading efforts to procure and supply vaccines, as part of the global vaccine plan of the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX Facility). With several vaccine candidates showing promise, UNICEF outlined in a statement that it is working in collaboration with the PAHO Revolving Fund to lead efforts to procure and supply doses of
COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the COVAX Facility for 92 low- and lower-middleincome countries which vaccine purchases will be supported by the mechanism through the GAVI COVAX AMC as well as a buffer stockpile for humanitarian emergencies. As such, UNICEF will also serve as procurement coordinator to support procurement by 80 higherincome economies, which have expressed their intent to participate in the COVAX Facility and would finance the vaccines from their own public finance budgets. UNICEF will undertake these efforts in close collaboration with WHO, GAVI, CEPI, PAHO, World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other partners. The COVAX Facility is open to all countries to ensure that no country is left without access to a future COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director noted that “This is an all hands on deck the partnership between governments, manufacturers, and multilateral partners to continue the high-stakes fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.” “In our collective pursuit of a vaccine, UNICEF is leveraging its unique strengths in vaccine supply to make sure that all countries have safe, fast, and equitable access to the initial doses when they are available,” She said.
Skeldon Factory (CO-GEN section) with at least an immediate plan of action so that we can implement it and bring back this factory to working condition.” He further mentioned a conditional survey is being done "to know what is there and what is needed to be done. So we will take a look at the factories and take a look at the fields to assess things. We also have to bring in the cane farmers because they will contribute a lot (33%) so we will have to engage the farmers so that we can have enough cane for the factory.” The Minister of Agriculture, who presently visiting in Berbice with senior members of his ministry and regional officials, has disclosed that "work is presently ongoing to facilitate the re-opening of the sugar estates". Mustapha told the
gathering at Crabwood Creek that the Ministry is working daily to restore the jobs that were lost and as such President Irfaan Ali is expected to make a few announcements in that regard. He assured that work has already commenced to getting the factories back up and running and those persons who worked with sugar industry and were dismissed can be assured that their jobs will be restored. "Vibrancy will return again, that is the commitment,” he said. Meanwhile, at Canje, the Minister echoed similar statements at Crabwood Creek and the Skeldon sugar factory. He stated that added to the re-opening of Rose Hall, persons living in Canje can be assured that the government's commitment to providing subsidies for water and electricity for
pensioners, cash grants for school children, reduction in land and D&I charges. He added that unlike other areas, "the expectations of Canje people are higher than other parts of the country and as such we are actively working to reopen those estates. We have identified a lead person at Skeldon estate who will head a team to have an action plan. Likewise in Rose Hall, the former estate manager Aaron Dokia will be leading a team there and looking to do an action plan also for Rose Hall.” The Minister is expected to visit several areas in Black Bush Polder today.
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Gold Seal and Blue Ribbon It is a tale of two stories rolled into one, almost like inseparable Siamese twins. On the one hand, there is Guyana’s oil discoveries again being hailed as among the most “exciting” in years. On the other, the fortunes of ExxonMobil are in the full out swoon of a nosedive. Reference is the news article titled “Exciting Guyana prospects needed to rescue Exxon shareholders -Analysts, but oil company still refuses to give Guyana a fair deal” (KN, September 2). The commentators were no less an illustrious authority than the stable of analysts from New York-based Goldman Sachs. As a world-class power in the world of investment banking, they do not come any better, any more prestigious than Goldman Sachs. For what Goldman gave Guyana is the equivalent of gold seal and blue ribbon. That is worth its weight in gold, and especially because the KN article detailed the lengths to which Goldman Sachs went to expose the vulnerability of Exxon and how much the company depends on Guyana’s oil to rescue its waning fortunes. We offer a couple of excerpts to highlight the precarious financial state in which Exxon finds itself today, of how much it relies on Guyana to bail it out. It is why we find its hard stare and hardline stance so inexplicable. First, “When analysts at the bank recently checked the financial health of the company, they told the market that ExxonMobil’s shares should be sold as quickly as possible.” When a company such as the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. places, what in Wall Street speak is, a “Sell Rating” on a security, then a deep dive into the tank usually follows, which is exactly what has been the dismal experience of the oil giant. It is the kiss of death, which moves markets and bring out the sellers, who went ‘bearish’ on the security. When the huge holders of the company’s stock rush for the exits, such as the giant investment companies (mutual funds) and their investment managers, the haemorrhage could be instant and immense. For second, it is in this boat where ExxonMobil finds itself, as carried by KN, “Goldman and Sachs (sic) said that since 2017 the company has seen a 50% decline in stock price and the degradation of its balance sheet…” Those two are killers and only the bargain hunters could be tempted to be on the “Buy” side of the stock. It is full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes. And third, as if to twist the knife in the wound, it was noted that “Exxon was booted last week from the Dow Jones Industrial Average.” Being a part of the Dow is recognized worldwide as being among the elite of the elites, so when Exxon is kicked off that stock market barometer, it adds insult to injury. It is also why, given the current state of the company, that the unmoving behaviour of its corporate chiefs, regarding Guyana, becomes so mystifying and disturbing. Industry experts said that “Exxon’s deep-water discoveries offshore Guyana have been the most exciting part of its exploration program in recent years” and that they “will bring its shareholders billions in returns.” So what more could this company want in its avariciousness? What more could it desire so greedily that it must be everything for itself? Bright, rich sweet plums for itself, and peanuts and pennies for Guyana are what Exxon’s management holds out is a real sweetheart of a deal for Guyana. Clearly, the senior people at Exxon insult us and take us for granted, as if Guyanese citizens do not know how to count, and have no sense of the value of our oil and the money that should come to us from it. But we have a sharp small warning for its people: this business involving our oil is not going to go away anytime soon. It is not going to die down and fade away, for we will not do that to ourselves. We will fight for what is rightly due to us. We will not blink, which is why we ask Exxon to think and then rethink about how it plans
Sunday September 06, 2020
Granger’s government failed to adequately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic DEAR EDITOR, Permit me to offer my humble views on the recent ramblings of former President David Granger with regards to the COVID-19 situation in
Guyana. By now, any right thinking, intelligent minded Guyanese would have learnt to disregard any statements made by this once esteemed gentleman.
to proceed on this oil. We deserve better and that is the sum of what we are asking the powerbrokers at Exxon to do. Engage us across the table in a spirit of frank and fair and full discussions. We all stand to make money from these deep-water discoveries, good money, where Guyanese come out with a better share of our oil deal, and the company gets to place before its shareholders and the public that it operated squarely and wisely with us. It is good for its reputation, very good for its bottom line, and it is good for our pockets from whatever is bargained for in hard fought negotiations. If we cannot make money on these “most exciting” and massive oil finds, and they become a losing proposition for this country, then we might as well leave it where it is at, which is below the ground. Given the fact that “the multi-national has sold off many of its assets around the world to focus on its Guyana operations” which is now “the crown jewel of its portfolio”, ExxonMobil has more at stake than Guyana in its ongoing oil contract struggles. It has more to lose, much more to fear, and we ask its
I read with utter disdain, the proffering of his opinions as to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Guyana in an article in Kaieteur News dated September 5, 2020 titled,
‘Surge in COVID-19 cases seen because PPP abandoned Coalition’s “strategic plan’. Let me begin by asking, (Continued on page 6)
people not to misjudge us, relative to the intensity of our resolve. We place this on the table, because we were taken aback by how its Country Manager, Mr. Alistair Routledge, responded to our position on the Payara Field Development Plan. It is not the way that genuine partners deal with each other face to face and at arm’s length. Never! We are trying to say this nicely, but we found Mr. Routledge’s tone and attitude to be condescending and intended to be degrading, as if he had to show these treetop natives from Guyana who is the boss. We know insulting language when we hear it. And no matter how there was cleverness to disguise the iron fist in the velvet glove, by using corporate buzzwords, we are not fooled. We do not want to play hardball, but if we are forced to go down that road, then we will have to band our bellies and let the chips fall wherever they do. We are looking very closely at our new political leaders to determine the seriousness of their determination to rework significant and sensitive provisions in the contract, so that we can get more. We do not want an arm and a leg, only what is right, what is of the justness of our cause.
Sunday September 06, 2020
Energy drinks are silent killers of our youths DEAR EDITOR, It breaks my heart to see that more and more people, particularly young adults, turn to energy drinks (Sting, Redbull, Rockstar, XL, Turbo, Monster, etc.) that are generally, but incorrectly, believed to boost energy and concentration. Although marketed for “instant energy boost,” researchers have found that energy drink consumption gives a false sense of alertness and is more dangerous to one’s health compared to what consumers are led to believe. Energy drinks are advertised as edgy soft drinks, but one glance at their list of ingredients and safety labels tells a whole different story. Excessive levels of caffeine, taurine, and vitamin B make them unhealthy and dangerous. Increased consumption of energy drinks raises the risk of unhealthy habits such as alcohol use, mental health issues such as depression, sleep deprivation, high blood pressure, and other heart complications such as palpitations, cardiac arrest,
kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, etc. In addition, excess sugar in energy drinks can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, cause cavities, and even leads to death. Our youths also need to realize that these energy drinks, and all their stimulants, actually have a detrimental impact on sexual efficiency. I firmly believe that, considering the proven adverse effects of these drinks on one’s mental and physical wellbeing, this trend has become one of great concern and calls for urgent monitoring and intervention. I write this missive out of great care and concern, as I, the undersigned, have always been an advocate of saving our youth. I have always recommended steps in a number of ways to protect and care for them in every way that I can. I have also been an advocate of all things natural; growing one’s own fruits and vegetables, instead of being chemically produced. If people really want energy, they can drink some lime wash or swank. This beverage contains
part water, sugar, limes or lemons and essence, for flavor. This can be served chilled or at room temperature and is an instant source of energy. Cane juice is also a better, more natural and more potent alternative for energy drinks. It has all the minerals in the world, and it’s better for you than refined sugar found in energy drinks. The natural supply of sucrose in cane sugar gives your body the right amount of energy to start your day and normalize the release of glucose in your body. It is also the best way to rehydrate the body and shake off the fatigue. Cane juice is also attributed as a natural remedy to a variety of problems. It is rich in antioxidants so it helps to combat infection and improve immunity. It is rich in iron, magnesium, calcium and other electrolytes, making it ideal for rehydration on a hot sunny day. By drinking this pure and healthy juice, you are not only saving your body, but also help the cane industry and our cane
farmers. People, who go to work, school, etc., can easily freeze a bottle of cane juice and/or swank or lime juice overnight and enjoy it all day long. Additionally, an instant boost of energy may also be obtained from a spoon or two of honey or sugar. These natural alternatives are a safe and healthier replacement to heavily advertised beverages that cause people to waste their money needlessly. Such products; energy drinks, alcohols, cigarettes, etc., are only profitable to the producers who manufacture them but are detrimental to the people who consume them. This is because they are intentionally made with ingredients that causes dependence and addiction. So, my dear readers, I urge you, firstly myself, to be very cautious of the gimmicks of these advertisers and/or manufacturers. I ask you to be careful of what you eat, because the food we eat will eventually make us or break us as time passes by. Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan
Cathy Hughes’ statement exposes an APNU+AFC lie DEAR EDITOR, The statement by opposition Member of Parliament Catherine Hughes in relation to an Indigenous Member of the National Assembly exposes the crassness and lies told by the opposition over the last month. Hughes described Lennox Shuman’s election to the post of Deputy Speaker as an “abomination” before explaining that the post
should have gone to the opposition party with the most seats, which is the A Partnership For National Unity and the Alliance For Change. According to her, the coalition has gotten 217, 000 votes at the last election. The fact that Hughes repeated this with confidence and as a result felt entitled to the post of Deputy Speaker unravels the schemes being employed by the
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APNU+AFC. Sure, she did not mean for it to come out but it did! Now, the future looks grim for the APNU+AFC election petition because Hughes spoke the truth. This also means that the APNU+AFC lied to this nation on March 5, 2020 when they were about to declare the results in its favour.They always knew that they did not win the election, which is the reason the APNU+AFC would not
want to let the cat out of the bag in terms of the release of their Statements of Poll. They wanted to pull off an “abominable act” and deceive the nation. Yours Sincerely, Attiya Baksh
Who pays the piper will always call the tune DEAR EDITOR, In the parlance of machoism, there is a popular saying, “ If someone violates you for the first time it is not your fault. But if it happens a second time it is your fault.” The consensus is that you should have learned and be able to defend yourself against further violations. Since the advent of oil and gas, countries and international organizations, that we deemed as friendly, had repeatedly offered free monies in the form of grants to pay for consultancy services or advice to bolster our governance structures to protect the environment and capture maximum returns for our people from our oil resources. The results have never captured the sentiments of the above in the eyes of the people. It seems that in every instant that such grants or loans were given, the donor had always identified the personnel or consultancy firm from which we should be advised. In every instance those sources had been seen to be controversial and has placed us at the receiving end of the shaft. When will we contend that those who pays the piper will always call the tune? Or
is it a case where our leaders like to see us being violated, or perhaps they profit from our violation? You have to wonder how the Department of Energy got rid of Anthony Paul and handed $22 million to a Dr. Warner who had proven connections with Exxon to produce the final draft of our local content policy with secrecy clause after entertaining so much public consultations. I would not want to think that anyone from the public recommend secrecy clause. A KN article, “Guyana has made a fundamental error”, a few days ago revealed that the Energy department had contracted a UK firm, Bayphase, to review Exxon’s FDP for Payara. Despite suggestive conflict of interest by KN through knowledge that Bayphase was listed as a client of Exxon and Chonoco and has never knowingly cited either of the two for any faulty FDP or associated costs, the Coalition had hired Bayphase. I am inclined to think that the donor for this consultancy, the World Bank, giving its approval, may have hand picked Bayphase for this (Continued on page 7)
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Sunday September 06, 2020
The time for action and competent management of this pandemic is now DEAR EDITOR, The mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Government of Guyana is unleashing disaster of a permanent nature upon Guyanese families who continue to lose their loved ones. The official death rate in Guyana now stands at 47 with four deaths within the last 24 hours. This figure, alarming in itself, is inaccurate and understated. The public is being informed that results of COVID-19 tests are being received subsequent to the death of the unfortunate victim and, in at least one case, it was 21 days after. We are in the midst of a pandemic and ordinary Guyanese citizens continue to bear the brunt of the disastrous mismanagement
by those in authority, past and present. The government has embarked on a national program of termination of a large number of persons under the label ‘political appointees’. This broom has been applied at every sector and strata. This is unfortunate and deeply disappointing. The President of the country has been deeply engrossed over the last week in the distribution of hampers, a noble deed in itself, but again, truly disappointing for a Head of State. His Excellency continues at every opportunity to make beautiful speeches with words of inclusivity, hope and dreams to be fulfilled by all. Unfortunately, the deeds and actions emphasise that this is all empty rhetoric once again.
The primary task of this administration HAS to be to bring this pandemic under control. The reports emanating in the media, on a daily basis, do not instill confidence. Dr. Chatterdeo died on the 30th August, 2020 and, at the time of the passing of this benevolent modern-day Nightingale, all in authority had to have been aware that he had tested positive for COVID-19. The Minister of Health, within minutes of his passing, issued a press release in tribute to this great and noble doctor. Not a single sentence informed the public, the institutions where he practiced, or his patients of the need to quarantine themselves, to take precautions, to assess whether they had any
symptoms or whether they were required to take a test. This duty was left to the members of the family who commendably did this via the media on Friday September 4, 2020, six days after his passing. To compound the disaster flowing from the mishandling of this case involving a prominent physician, the public is informed on today’s date, via the media once again, of the trials and tribulations encountered by Dr. Chatterdeo’s nurse, Sasha Hublall-Ali, who has confirmed that she has similar symptoms to that of the late Dr. Chatterdeo. She immediately underwent a test but was informed that results would only be available within 14-21 days. Further, the doctors at the Herstelling
Health Center absolutely refused to test her husband. She accurately summed up the current response by the Government to this pandemic as “ disastrous”. This frontline health worker is left to her own devices and has been forced to separate from her 7-month old infant. This is but a single incident of the gross incompetence which Guyanese continue to be subjected to on a daily basis. His Excellency may find it fit and proper to cease his daily excursions delivering care packages to the daily gatherings and congregations where persons are forced to expose themselves, ironically, to receive their assistance. Despite the words in the preamble to the COVID-19
guidelines informing the nation of the discussions, consultations and involvement of all stakeholders to draft and implement meaningful guidelines, the singular change from August 2 to present, has been to change the time of the curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 p.m. It only took a month for all the stakeholders to arrive at this momentous decision.The government of Guyana remains callously indifferent to the consequences of this deadly virus. The citizens of Guyana are dying on a daily basis. The time for beautiful language and talk has passed. The time for action and competent management of this pandemic is now. Yours truly, Stephanie Isaacs
...Granger’s government failed to adequately From page 4 “What Plan?” As far as citizens were aware, the former caretaker President, David Granger, selected individuals from his Cabinet who were unqualified and thereby ill equipped to make critical decisions and take decisive actions early on. From all indications these individuals lacked the medical training and even an elementary understanding of the severity of the situation. This was further compounded by the fact that there was little to no evidence of stakeholder consultations to deal with the far-reaching ramifications of this deadly pandemic. In this regard there was a multitude of false promises. Decisions therefore were not thought out and actions, when they were taken, were poorly coordinated. Simply put the former government lacked the technical capacity to make sound decisions. How then can Mr. Granger describe with a straight face the actions of the Coalition in response to the pandemic as “strategic”? Perhaps Mr. Ganger was thinking of another adjective to describe the actions of his “high-level task force; please permit me to offer a few alternatives given the outcome, or lack thereof, of
their interventions- sloppy, scant, sickly and stillborn. There were no tangible results or relief forthcoming to the Guyanese people looking to their so-called leaders for reassurance. The task force head, former Prime Minister Nagamootoo was called out several times by the private sector bodies for failing to include key stakeholders and former Minister of Health, Volda Lawerence was upbraided for her “less than satisfactory” actions. There was also a resounding call for additional testing and effective contact tracing, all the while proposals and recommendations were given, including several measures to cushion the financial impact on the country and its vulnerable citizens. These concerned citizens may as well have been whistling in the wind as their calls and recommendations fell on deaf ears. As if these examples in itself are not enough evidence of a failed attempt to lead, the Public Health Ordinance was another shameful show of megalomania on the part of the caretaker President and his cohorts, it demonstrated their deep-seated views that power was paramount over the pandemic and the
preservation of the lives of the citizens of this country were of no consequence. I dare say, this may very well be the “strategic plan” David Granger is referring to. In addition, part of the task force’ “strategic plan” to renovate and retrofit the flood-prone former Ocean View Hotel into a COVID-19 treatment facility is yet another example of an inept team and their bungled plan. The PPP/C made a more impactful and concerted effort to bring relief to as many citizens as possible since the onset of the pandemic, even while the caretaker government was hanging on to power by gossamer strings. Lead by the then Opposition Leader. Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, there was mass distribution of COVID-19 relief hampers and masks to the vulnerable sections of society. In the month since the PPP/C has taken office, the relief drive has intensified, there has been a gargantuan effort to clear the backlog COVID-19 tests, there has been an increase in testing, and the Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony on Friday announced that the government is engaging Russia to access the COVID19 vaccine Sputnik V from that
country if it proves to be successful in fighting off the virus. These are but a few examples of a plan in action. There are many more examples of the alacrity with which this Administration has responded to this national crisis. The citizens of this country can also look forward to additional relief measures in the coming days; His Excellency President Ali has recently announced that his government will soon be providing a cash relief of $25,000 to those citizens affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. If the caretaker government had made decisive moves to protect the citizens of this country instead of concentrating their efforts on stealing an election and hanging onto power at all costs, then we may not have been faced with the grim effects of a pandemic that was allowed to rampage unchecked and claim the lives of many of our Guyanese brothers and sisters. I say to Mr. Granger, keep whistling in the wind as the citizens of this country are much wiser and will no longer listen to your platitudes. Yours truly, Darion Camacho
Sunday September 06, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Suggestions for the Government DEAR EDITOR, Guyana is a young nation and has to plan bigger and better infrastructural projects so as the country grows, the infrastructural needs would be adequate for the people. The new government of Guyana has to start thinking futuristically with bigger and better quality projects for money especially when doing infrastructural works and while I know there are many plans in the pipeline, I’d very much be happy to see the government consider some of my suggestions that would no doubt benefit all Guyanese while putting our beloved country on the path of the millennium goals. It is my desire to see Guyana adapt the following with the oil revenue that will be generated: 1. Fix the problem of water. Many people are without access of potable water and even for those who receive water, the quality is poor. Aim to have pure, potable water without any stoppage. 2. Consider or take up the Brazilian offer to build two hydropower stations in the interior. And if the power generated will be too much for Guyana, sell the remaining to Brazil or desirous nations. 3. Building a four-lane modern highway with s h o u l d e r. T h e G u y a n a / Brazil Highway from Lethem to Georgetown. Brazil offered to finance
this venture. Payments can be arranged in the form of hydroelectricity. 4. Make a network of all weather roads into the hinterlands connection all major towns and areas of interest so people can move and transport goods and services through out the country and open up township and farmlands for agriculture. 5. Build larger schools equipped with modern labs and auditoriums for arts and drama classes. 5. Establish many parks at least in every ten twenty villages to cater for the elderly or people who wants a village outing or joggers etc. 6. Build a new modern airport for Lethem, naming it Janet Jagan Domestic or Desmond Hoyte International Airport or something of the sorts. 7. Develop Lethem into a new southern city with bigger and wider roadways with bicycle lanes and sidewalk to avoid the congestion problems as we are already having in Georgetown as a result of small skinny roads and inadequate parking. 8. New housing development in the country should aim to distribute larger house lots, wider streets with shoulders and sidewalks (so people can beautify the front of the yards and do a little planting of fruits and vegetables in their backyard. 9. The administration
should set aside state lands in all 10 regions for state parks so people can have green places to go to on public holidays and other events and family outings picnic, barbecue camping out in the wilderness like they have in North America where people can travel across the country with their families and friends and see and enjoy get to know Guyana. 10. Allow a private bus company to operate in an attempt to fix the congestion situation using only big busses and develop a new terminal as they have in Trinidad and have the small busses ply the shorter routes. 11. Provide bicycle lanes and encourage people within two or three miles radius to ride to and from work. 12. Develop the city markets into two story buildings where vegetables and fish are sold on the downstairs and dry goods and haberdasheries on the upstairs. 13. Do a complete reforming of the Guyana Police and get rid of the corrupt rogue elements. Investigate and try any public or government officer who seeks bribes. 14. Install three Commissioners of Police — one for each county and have them handle the issues directly in their county so as to mitigate crime and have an expeditious attitude to cases. 15. Have the said commissioners make
...Who pays the piper will From page 5 job - who pays the piper calls the tune. The PPP government has shown a willingness to fast track Payara FDP. Stymied by public criticism of Exxon’s EIA and costs for Payara’s FDP, versus threats from Exxon about taking their investment elsewhere, they have decided to review the Bayphase assessment of Exxon’s FDP. I figure this is just to appease
public resentment, nothing will be changed.Suddenly a knight in shining armor appears – the Canadian Government with a grant to do the job. This does not come without its string attached. Canada’s own expert Allison Redford, who has never reviewed a FDP, is chosen to lead a team of experts to reevaluate the Bayphase job. In light of what we have received so far from
consultancy to bolster the management of our oil resources through grants and loans, we have to start questioning how much these countries and international organizations that give us these grants and loans, under the pretext of helping out, wants to see us succeed or prosper. Your respectfully Rudolph Singh
unexpected and frequent visits to the different police stations and regions so as to ensure the police are always active. 16. Maintain Local Government Elections and pressure the elected officials to produce in an attempt to better Guyana. 17. Establish two more universities if possible —one in Essequibo and one in Lethem (University of Essequibo and University of Lethem) and break away the Berbice campus of UG and have it function as a university of its own naming it Jagan Memorial University (as the Jagans were Berbicians). 18. Commission and install at least two huge statues of Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan and have them erected at a specially planned park in Berbice or Georgetown. After all they are the true parents of the country. And sadly not one monument is erected to them. 19. Rename the National Park Queen Elizabeth Park to reflect our colonial legacy. National Park is just so ignorantly distasteful. 20. Revamp the zoo and its grounds and make it into
something that is wonderful and entertaining for all. 21. Let the license plates for vehicles represent each three counties to enable easy tracking. 22. The Cultural Center is a disgrace; it needs much upgrade and Berbice and Essequibo needs similar facilities or venues for public events for the residents there. Something should replace the cultural center taking design patterns from Trinidad’s NAPA, Harpa Cultural Centre, Reykjavik or MÉCA Cultural Centre in Bordeaux. 23. The government should consult with ABC&E country ambassadors about the requirements to legally export fresh fruits, vegetables and fish to their respective countries as there is a large diaspora in the ABC Countries and the Caribbean wishing for these products. 24. The government should seek to make constitutional reforms for the country and make the laws stronger and better suited to society. 25. Seek to bring a new balance to GECOM as it is too unbalanced and corrupted. 26. Telecommunications
reforms are needed to break the monopoly. 27. Allow new companies to enter the market which will provide bigger, better, goods and services and reduce prices for the whole nation. (Both governments are guilty of dragging their feet on this issue for decades). 28. Remove red tape in the business and industry in Guyana as these practices only seek to frustrate local and foreign investors. 29. Broadcast many useful foreign programs that would inspire Guyanese to build, invent, restore and renovate many great products that will beautify and benefit all of Guyana and Guyanese. 30. Award the Medal of Service or higher to all those ambassadors and individuals who greatly helped to restore democracy to Guyana that the APNU/AFC greatly tried to kill! Sir, I am certain should these considerations be effected, even if all can’t be implemented, I am certain that our beloved nation would be a great one. Yours truly, Naushad Ali
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Guyana should beware What Guyana faces right now with the Payara project and ExxonMobil is not new to the oil and gas industry. Experiences faced by Trinidad and Tobago show that it is very common for companies in the industry to disregard public interest matters in the interest of economic pursuits, by pandering directly to politicians. Sustainability Engineer and former Director of the National Gas Company of T&T, Cathal Healy Singh, appeared on last Tuesday’s edition of Kaieteur Radio’s Petroleum 101, where he discussed environmental issues faced by Guyana in the
Sunday September 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
Oil companies often run to politicians to bypass regulator – Ex T&T gas company head context of the oil and gas sector. Speaking on the experiences of T&T, Singh said that when there were important public interest issues, civil society and other public interest groups would pressure the local regulator to address their concerns. In such cases, he explained, “the developer would call the Prime Minister and say “you know, we’re having trouble with your regulator”.” He said that the company would impress on the government that time is money, and that it would be unreasonable to delay any progression of its operations
when there is money to be made. “In every case,” Singh said, “the political apparatus was very much inclined to pursue economic interests that were short-term, and the regulator… the technical cadre of people in there, they had to go along with it, or else they would find themselves without a job very quickly.” He said that that is the nature of the energy sector in T&T. “It’s a very interesting and checkered history, I might say, and one that Guyana can learn a lot from.” In Guyana’s case, ExxonMobil is responsible for two grave environmental
infractions at its Liza Phase One operations. At the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO), it is flaring billions of cubic feet of toxic gas instead of reinjecting it. The company blames the issue on a defective gas compressor currently undergoing repairs in Germany. It is also dumping thousands of barrels of produced water everyday into the ocean, despite best practices requiring that the water be re-injected into the reservoir. ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Alistair Routledge has claimed that there is no
Former Director of National Gas Company of T&T, Cathal Healy Singh
environmental hazard, despite there being no evidence that studies were done on the impact of the produced water on the environment. ExxonMobil appears intent on having the same issues which exist in the Liza Phase One project preserved in the upcoming Payara project, as it intends to have the loopholes and configurations which allow these infractions remain in the Field Development Plan (FDP).In addition, Exxon is responsible for several small hydraulic fluid spills at the Liza Destiny, but refuses to pay the small fines imposed
upon it because it does not consider them applicable. ExxonMobil said that the spills are too small to have a grave impact on the environment. Due to its refusal, EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams, currently on leave, had announced that the EPA would take the company to court. After he raised these issues and fought to have them resolved, he was sent on leave by the Irfaan Ali administration, and another Director, Sharifah Razack, was made to act in his stead. “The issue confronting the EPA in Guyana is an extremely difficult one,” Singh stated.
17-member CH&PA board sent packing
Minister of Housing, Collin Croal
The 17-member board of the Central Planning and Housing Authority (CH&PA) were sent packing this past week. According to information published in the Official Gazette, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, revoked the appointment of the entire board of the CH&PA pursuant to the powers vested in him as the Minister of Housing in accordance with Section 4 (2) of Cap 36:20 and Sections 4 (5) of Cap 36:20 of the Housing Act. CH&PA has critical housing powers including the issuance of permits for construction of buildings for business purposes. The revocation comes several weeks after the Minister announced that
steps are being taken to remove all the politicallyaligned personal from key positions within the Ministry. Among those who were sitting on the old board were, Apostle Elsworth WilliamsChairman and members; Glenyss James, Thandai McAllister, Khemlall Alvin, Elton Patram, Dale Browne, Kenneth Jordan, Cleveland December, Herman Persaud, Winifred Heywood, Akeem Peter, Chattergoon Ramnauth, Imran Amin, Waneka Arrindell, Kenneth Williams, Juan Hunter and John Macedo.According to the letter signed by Minister Croal on August 29, the appointment of the members of the Board of Directors of the Central Housing and Planning Authority was made with immediate effect.
Sunday September 06, 2020
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Kaieteur News
After 7 years; 3 administrations: Brickdam lock-ups still under repairs
Seven years has passed and a third administration come to power but the Brickdam police lock-ups are still under repairs. The upgrade of what was once deemed the biggest and most feared lock-ups in Georgetown begun in 2013 under the Donald Ramotarled People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration. Yesterday, during a telephone conversation with a top police official, Kaieteur News was informed that the lock-ups are still not in use. The official said that works are currently ongoing. He stated, however, that he does not know what kinds of works are being carried out.
Nevertheless, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, informed this newspaper late yesterday, that the works are almost complete. He explained that there are some minor modifications that are being made to ensure better air flow into the cells. The minister told Kaieteur News that his government had wanted to commission the lock-ups last week but the contractor had asked for a little bit more time to wrap up. Hopefully, said Benn, the works will be fine-tuned over the next two days and most likely the lock-ups will be commissioned this coming Wednesday. Police ranks are eager for the new lock-ups to be com-
missioned soon. High-ranking officers have said that over the years, transporting prisoners from Georgetown to smaller police lock-ups across the country consumes time and strain police financial resources. As these officers are preparing to welcome the new lock-ups, it is unclear how much money was actually spent on the seven-year-long rehabilitation and upgrade. Kaieteur News had reported that former Home Affairs Minister under the previous PPP/C government, Clement Rohee, had estimated the cost to be in excess of some $50M. Work had started but subsequently stalled when the
The Brickdam lock-ups currently under modification works.
Dem boys seh...
When will Guyana learn? De Waterfall paper bin carrying some advertisements about de oil industry and de bad deal wah Guyana get. Some of de ads end by asking, “When will Guyana learn?’ One man seh that Guyana will learn when Jesus returns? De man talk how even if Guyana gat a trillion dollars at its disposal, the leaders wah does run de country can’t even move a speedometer needle. Dem too scampish, crooked, incompetent and dishonest. He seh how corruption hardwired into them brain. Dem boys seh right now
deh gat flaring tekkin’ place. That is like when dem oil well fart. Dem does give out gas. De plan was fuh capture de gas and pump it back into de seabed fuh raise de pressure of de oil. But something guh wrang and dem oil company nah catch de fart. It escape and it polluting de air over de Atlantic. So if you deh among friends and you smell something like ganda egg, nah think is someone who deh near you. It could be flaring from de oil well. Dem boys believe dat all dat gas wah flaring could ah
provide free electricity to Guyana fuh one year. But de Rig-adier and Patto bin drag dem foot pun dis matter, just like how dem drag out de election results fuh five months and punish people. Dem boys hear how Pressie seh he gan share out $25,000 to dem poor people wah affected. Dem boys want know weh he gan get de record of households. Some people gan claim dat dem gat six families living in de same apartment. Talk half and wait fuh see all dem rich people wah gan line up fuh de $25,000.
PPP/C lost power in 2015. In 2016 the new administration, A Partnership For National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) detailed that major corrective works had to be done because of design flaws. The following year APNU + AFC announced that some $20M more had to be injected
but since then there was little word. Plans were then made to rehabilitate a number of police stations including Brickdam Police Station. Some $700M (US$3.3M) was allocated for these rehabilitative works.A tendering process was subsequently held in early July 2019 for the con-
tract of rebuilding the Brickdam Police Station. Commander of Region Four ‘A’ has since confirmed that these works are in progress. GPF had also announced, yesterday, that the Parika Police Station will be demolished on Tuesday, September, 08, for reconstruction.
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Kaieteur News
Roger Khan files official police complaint over release of sex tape Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan has lodged a formal report with law enforcement against a wellknown businessman and a close female associate after a short video of him in a sexual act went viral on social media, a few days ago. The report was made with the Cyber Crimes Unit but later transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Khan told investigators that on August 31st, the female associate and two other friends came over to his home and later that evening, they had sex. During intercourse, Khan said the woman held a phone but he paid no mind to it and continued with his activity. The very next day, Khan said, he received a telephone call informing him that a sex video of him is being circulated on social media. Upon making contact with the woman, Khan said she informed him that the businessman took possession of her phone and found the video. She reportedly told Khan that she received a beating and the video was released. Permission was never given for the video to be released. When contacted for a comment on the matter, Khan told Kaieteur News that the matter may revolve around a two-year land dispute between him and the businessman. “On every level his actions invite
Filed police complaint: Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan confrontation but I have instead placed my trust in the law.” He also expressed high confidence in law enforcement to handle the case professionally.
Sunday September 06, 2020
Justice For All Party leaves APNU The Justice For All Party (JFAP) has notified Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger, that it is officially withdrawing from the Coalition. The letter from JFAP General Secretary, Savitree SinghSharma, dated September 1, states “Like any other organization, APNU has had its strengths and weaknesses; successes and failures.” She noted that the country’s political landscape is changing significantly, and that “it demands a re-examination of roles and relationships.”JFAP is the second party to have left APNU, after the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) several weeks ago. Both parties shared concerns about non-consultation within the Coalition. The issue became pronounced when Granger selected the APNU+AFC opposition members of the 12th Parliament without consulting
We are out: JFAP Leader, Chandra Narine Sharma and General Secretary, Savitree Singh-Sharma with the two parties. ter in the Coalition. He opted Singh had told Kaieteur to join the PNCR as a candiNews that JFAP did indeed date for the March 2nd propose its own representa- elections.The incumbent tion on the coalition’s list, but Coalition lost.The Coalition that the person was left out. has been accused of embarkShe determined that the ing on a misinformation camparty may have been left out paign to discredit the elecbecause it spoke out against tions after it became apparent the Coalition’s frustration of that it lost. It also later made the 2020 electoral process, several attempts to delay a which she described as declaration of the true results “ w r o n g d o i n g s ” . J FA P ’s of the election, and instead Jaipaul Sharma was a minis(Continued on page 12)
Sunday September 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
TH&D Goods Wharf for repairs
PAGE 12
Sunday September 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
Demerara Bridge to undergo several days of emergency works - retraction to halt after today; barge contemplated for heavy vehicles
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here will be more emergency works on the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) with the last retraction expected today and with contemplation of the introduction of a barge to transport heavy vehicles. Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, yesterday convened a meeting of a high level technical team that included Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Jerry Mark Goviea of Industrial Fabrications Int.; Marcel Gaskin from Marcel Gaskin & Associates Ltd; Ret’d Specialist in Bridges and Designs, Joseph Holder; former Major of the Guyana Defence Force and former Design Engineer at the Ministry of Public Works, Bhageshwar Murli; Demerara Harbour Bridge(DHB) General Manager, Rawlston Adams and other engineers from DHB.
According to the Ministry of Public Works, it was decided that a “time sensitive engineering solution” is being finalized. Today, at 8:30am, engineers will facilitate and supervise a retraction of the bridge to allow for marine traffic. After this opening, marine traffic will be unable to pass for a few days since “aggressive work” will be untaken, a statement said. The bridge is a critical link for vehicles between Region Three and Essequibo to the East Bank and the capital city. It is, however, more than 40 years old and unable to efficiently manage the thousands of vehicles crossing daily as well as retract for river crossings. There are moves to build another structure but it will be years before it comes into operations. With regards to recent news that emergency repairs have to be done because of structural issues, the ministry urged that motorists strictly observe the speed limit which is currently 20 mph. “Alternatives emergency arrangements for heavy vehicles are being contemplated
by way of use of a barge. The high-level Team will continue to conduct daily reviews and if needs be, twice daily, so as to ensure that the works to be done are completed in a timely manner taking into account the importance of this structure and its necessity to commuters.” According to Minister Edghill, the crisis as it relates to the structural integrity that exist and identified has been known since 2016 and the matter was raised several time by the engineers to the then Ministers of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Jaipaul Sharma, as well as, the Minister of Finance. Minister Edghill expressed “disgust at the recklessness, mismanagement and mal administration that caused such neglect leading to this current situation.” The ministry said it will continue to engage the management of DHB and is also appealing to all stakeholders, marine vessels and motorist to be patient at this time. “Interruption of vehicular traffic will be announced by the management of Demerara Harbour Bridge in a timely manner.”
The inspection yesterday at the bridge with the team of officials.
Justice For All Party leaves APNU
From page 10 endorsed fraudulent figures produced by the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. JFAP is the only constituent party of the APNU+AFC to have spoken out against the Granger coalition’s attempts to rig the 2020 elections before the declarations on August 2nd.After the Parliamentary list was announced, WPA also announced its concerns in a scathing criticism of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). The PNCR is the biggest party in the APNU component of the coalition.WPA said that it had to contend with the decisions of Congress Place, due to the
mode of non-consultation.The party opposed the appointments of its parliamentary and Regional Democratic Council (RDCs) without prior consultation.It said that it was only informed that its Chairperson, Tabitha SaraboHalley. was selected as one of the persons after it wrote the PNCR General Secretary, Amna Ally to enquire about the state of affairs.Sarabo-Halley subsequently left the WPA, and the state newspaper reported that she would be taking up her parliamentary seat as an “independent”.The parties remaining in the once multi-partied APNU are the PNCR, the Guyana Action Party and the National Democratic Alliance.
Sunday September 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
43 new COVID-19 cases; 16 in ICU
Guyana’s COVID-19 numbers has moved to 1,459 of which 43 are new cases and with 16 persons now in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. According to the regional breakdown of the 43 new cases- eight were recorded in Region One; three in Region Two; two in Region Three; 22 in Region Four; one in Region Five; four in Region Six; one in Region
Eight and two in Region Nine. In the meantime the Ministry reported that 476 persons are in isolation; 53 in institutional isolation; 423 in home isolation and 99 persons in institutional quarantine. The total number of recoveries is 921 with the number of deaths remaining at 46. In total, 9,337 persons were tested so far for the virus which has shut the country’s borders and crippled the world.
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Guyana should not approve another Field ... From page 2 possibility of producing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)…An initial assessment showed that the quantity available is enough to provide us with four times our daily consumption of cooking gas.” The Opposition member had noted that the country uses approximately 20,000 barrels equivalent per day of cooking gas. He had said that while exporting this quantity is not commercially viable, it is certainly enough for domestic use. Patterson had said that assessments of what can be done with the gas are still ongoing. He had noted as well that the Ministry had initially envisioned putting an industrial park to facilitate the plans for LPG at a 475acre plot of land at Woodlands on the East Coast, but this plan has not been finalized. “We had done a multi-stakeholder study and that was one of the sites identified, but there are some challenges and they are being looked at. No site has been chosen at the
moment.” Kaieteur News understands that the Energy Department is now in charge of handling these and other related matters. Last year, the Energy Department had disclosed that gas can be brought to shore by 2023-2024.Furthermore, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is acutely aware of Guyana's gas potential has said that currently, Guyana is at a historic juncture to convert its abundant natural resources into a diversified electricity generation matrix. Along with the Stabroek oil discoveries, it noted that ExxonMobil and its partners have found commercial quantities of Natural Gas associated with the oil deposits. Together with Renewable Energy (RE) sources, the financial institution said that this could transform the electricity generation sector. It stressed that the use of natural gas could help to lower carbon emissions and represent cost savings, benefitting residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.
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Sunday September 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
Six REOs file court action claiming unfair dismissal, discrimination
Attorney-at-law, Darren Wade, has filed court action on behalf of six former Regional Executive Officers (REOs) in the High Court, claiming that they were unfairly dismissed. The six REOs include the ones from Region Two- Denis Jaikaran; Jennifer FerreiraDougal from Region Three; Ovid Morrison from Region Five; Kim Stephen-Williams from Region Six; Carl Parker from Region Nine and Orrin Gordon from Region 10. They were all issued letters of termination by the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry about two weeks ago New Local Government Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, had said that the Ministry had lost confidence in the ability of the dismissed REOs to perform. He noted that “their deportment was inimical to the effective and efficient functioning of the regions they managed. Moreover, they practiced heavy partisan politics… they were void of pro-
fessionalism and impartiality.” Wade in the applications filed on behalf of the six dismissed officials is seeking orders from the court that they were wrongfully terminated on the grounds of unfair dismissal and discrimination in contravention of their constitutional rights to freedom of political association guaranteed to every citizen. According to the court documents seen by this newspaper, the lawyer is seeking a declaration from the Court that the Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry acted unlawfully and unreasonably by terminating the officers. The lawyers also want a declaration that the fundamental rights of clients have been breached and encroached on by the state. He asks the Court to declare that the officer ’s protection from discrimination is guaranteed by the Articles One and Six of the Cov-
Terminated: Denis Jaikaran
Terminated: Ovid Morrison
Terminated: Jennifer Ferreira-Dougal
Terminated: Carl Parker
Terminated: Kim Stephen-Williams
enant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and these were breached when the Local Government Ministry unlawfully dismissed them based on their political opinion and affiliation. In the action, the lawyer noted that those rights are guaranteed to clients under the domestic laws outlined by Article 154 A and the fourth schedule of the Constitution. Given the alleged breach,
the lawyer stressed further the contract of his client’s employment should only suffer termination in accordance with the law and not on those grounds. The court action comes exactly one week after the Local Government Ministry moved to appoint new people to fill the posts. According to the Ministry, Deputy Regional Executive Officer for Region One,
Terminated: Orrin Gordon Teka Bissessar, was appointed REO by the Minister. Devanand Ramdatt, who held the positions of assistant director of youth and former Regional Chairman of the region, was appointed as Region Two’s REO. Regions Three, Five, Six and Nine is now headed by Jagnarine Somwar, Genevieve Blackman, Narinda Persaud and Karl Singh respectively.
4000 free online courses available to Guyanese - through partnership with Commonwealth - courses offered by top universities - certificates awarded upon completion
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he Ministry of Edu cation has an nounced the provision of free access to 4,000 certified online courses, following a partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL)Courses are being offered by ivy league universities and other reputable institutions in areas of study such as Arts, Business, Computer Science, Health and Engineering on the online platform, Coursera. Upon completion, all students will be presented with a recognised certificate, a government statement said, The initiative is aimed at providing online learning to equip persons with the necessary skills for the job market and creating a stage for
higher performance in an evolving technological world. The Education Ministry
education.gov.gy/UpSkill The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation
is encouraging all interested persons to apply for the free courses. The deadline for submission of registration is September 30, 2020. Interested persons can register online at: http://
created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1987 to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies.
Kaieteur News
Sunday September 06, 2020
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Our Frontline Worker of the Week is...
Nurse Orande Roland By Enid Joaquin
I
t is not easy losing a parent at a young age, and some children never quite overcome such a traumatic event. However, while for some facing up to the pressures of the real world after such a loss might be overwhelming, there are those that build resilience as a consequence and come out stronger with the determination to succeed. One such young man, is Nurse Orande Roland, our Frontline worker of the Week. He lost his father, Godfrey Roland, at the tender age of 15. The tragic
propelled him into pursuing a career in health care. "My inspiration to get into the medical field came from losing my dad, when I was much younger. I felt basically handicapped because I couldn't give him the medical care he needed...I could give him love as a son, but I was unable to help him, and that is something I thought that I could change....So my inspiration basically came from my devastation.”
that sector but rather at the National Communications Network (NCN) as a technical operator. There he was responsible for graphic designs for news and other programmes. But he soon quit to pursue his first love.
maternal health and tuberculosis treatment were transferred to the Mackenzie Hospital. However, there are still other outpatient services available in the hospital's Accident and Emergency unit.
FRONTLINE
STIGMATIZATION
Currently a frontline worker, stationed at the UDH or Wismar Hospital in the mining town of Linden,
But Roland noted that with the hospital being identified as a COVID-19 isolation unit, there has been
Nurse Orande Roland
A TRAINED NURSE Roland has now been operating in the health sector for eight years, following his
My inspiration to get into the medical “field came from losing my dad, when I was much younger. I felt basically handicapped because I couldn't give him the medical care he needed...I could give him love as a son, but I was unable to help him, and that is something I thought that I could change....So my inspiration basically came from my devastation.
”
loss might have broken many an adolescents, but not this one! In a recent interview, Roland told me the heartrending story of losing his father at a time when he needed him the most. He recalled feeling helpless and not being able to do anything to save him, and then ultimately, how the loss
training at the Charles Roza School of nursing. He was initially attached to the Linden hospital complex, where he worked for six years, prior to his transfer to the Upper Demerara Hospital (UDH) two years ago. Interestingly, despite his love for the medical field, Roland did not start out in All decked in PPEs
A selfless Frontline Worker
Nurse Roland is part of the team of health workers chosen to render the requisite care and attention to those persons seeking medical intervention, at the health facility. With the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc globally, the UDH was earlier this year identified to accommodate patients from Linden and other areas in Region 10 in need of isolation. As a consequence, a few of the services that were initially offered at the facility such as paediatric care,
a reduction in patients, seeking medical attention there for common ailments. He attributed this to the "stigmatization" that has hung like a dark cloud, over the facility over the years...first with HIV and tuberculosis, and now with the institution functioning as a COVID-19 facility.” He was however quick to point out that patients entering the hospital are not automatically diagnosed as COVID-19 positive. He elaborated, "during training we were taught two types of data – subjective data and
objective data. Subjective data is data that you basically have, which includes patient's history....and you would notice all of that on their card, and it includes prior visits, etc. While objective data is what you as a nurse would gather through observation of the patient. You observe their posture, when they come in, their breathing patterns, their vital signs and so on thus when any patient comes to the hospital, we don't isolate, or just deem them CoVID,” Nurse Roland explained. “Yes, we know that COVID is everywhere, and sometimes it does not present with signs and symptoms, which we call asymptomatic, but we still consider that there might be a possibility, that there might be another condition, or another reason that brings patients to the hospital,” he went on to note. Moreover, instead of alienating them or becoming over protective, Nurse Roland said, “we treat everyone the same. But as nurses we protect ourselves...we wear our PPE's which is our protective gear – our full suit, our masks, goggles and gloves." Once fully geared, Roland, a nurse on the frontline in our nation, then proceeds with tasks such as random testing of patients'
temperature, recording of their history including where they came from, followed by questions about their reason for the visit. FEARLESS Fear does not enter into the scheme of things for Nurse Roland, who revealed that he sometimes has a feeling of "invincibility" as a professional health worker as he observes all the precautionary measures, to safeguard himself against COVID-19. His advice to his fellow Guyanese is to do the same, that is, practice routine handwashing and sanitizing, social distancing and wear a face mask once in public. Apart from protecting yourself, Nurse Roland noted that these measures can also serve to protect others. This certainly is sound advice at a time when the number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana has surpassed 1,400 and our neighbour, Brazil, has recorded more than four million cases. The very altruistic Nurse Roland intends to do his part to help keep the number of positive cases down, and he is optimistic that other persons will do their part too. "This job has taught me altruism, which is selflessness, or putting other people first!" said Nurse Roland.
Kaieteur News
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Sunday September 06, 2020
Providing vital support to the medical field…
Leading Cardiac Sonographer,
Ramona Chanderballi, is a 'Special Person'
By Rehanna Ramsay
I
n every sector there are people who work behind the scenes providing much needed technical support to those steering the proverbial ships. While the people working in the background are often glossed over by those accessing the service of a business or professional,
which provides technical analysis and advice to those in the medicalfield. Ramona Chanderballi is among a handful of trained cardiac sonographers (a type of medical radiographer) who operate the ultrasound equipment which help physicians diagnose heart problems in patients using 2D/3D images. In fact, she is the first
“
I honestly have some of the most supportive cardiologists who are constantly pushing me to grow and do more. The International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists which I am a member of is also a great motivational body… My family and friends have also been very supportive of everything I do professionally and that kind of support goes a long way.
they are by no means to be seen as easily dispensed, rather they are the exact opposite; vital to the process of bringing a product/service to an excellent finish. This week's 'Special Person' has chosen to follow passionately after a career
”
female cardiac sonographer; the first cardiac sonographer to hold a bachelor's degree in medical imaging among just four others trained in her field in Guyana. Though trained and certified in her field of work, the young professional
continues to push the limits to create awareness about the importance of her work in helping persons to get the correct diagnosis for their condition. As part of her goals, Chanderballi is looking to be registered among the leading cardiac sonographers in the Caribbean. She also wants to train other persons to specialize in the much needed area of expertise. As such, Chanderballi uses her blog site --Rad to the Bone to connect with other radiographers and other medical imaging professionals like herself from around the world. There they share insight on prospects and challenges of their career. Our 'Special Person' revealed that, among other things, her key awareness activities are conducted during World Heart Month in February and World Heart Day observed on September 28, annually. Though it is evident that Chanderballi is quite passionate about her work in medical imaging, it was not always like this. Chanderballi had previously considered employment as an
Our 'Special Person' Ramona Chanderballi in work mode archaeologist or legal assistant. She recalled that in her teens she was on a certain path to becoming a paralegal. However, all of that changed after she got a glimpse of a patient, diaphragm and other essential organs, via an xray/medical imaging machines. The young professional became instantly intrigued with medical imaging and the prospects it gave to those diagnosing illnesses. She said that she chose to remain in the position after she lost two close relatives due to the lack of adequate patient management. As a relative of the two patients in distress,
Chanderballi became immediately aware of how important technical support is in helping the doctors diagnose, and manage each patient left in their care. In this regard, Chanderballi believes that modern medicine is about team effort. She stressed that doctors and nurses need as much support, from the ancillary health services like radiology, labs, pharmacy, and physiotherapy in caring for the patient's health, as possible. “Each department and staff is essential to optimum performance of the health s e c t o r, ” C h a n d e r b a l l i reiterated. INTRIGUED BY SCIENCE The Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, native recalled that her first job was working as a filing clerk at the Georgetown Public
Hospital Corporation (GPHC). It was 2009 and the then aspiring paralegal had just graduated from The Bishops' High School with nine passes in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects related to the Liberal Arts field. She got into The Bishops' Lower 6th Form law programme but dropped out by the end of the year because she realised that she no longer wanted to do law. “I got a job at GPHC as a filing clerk and applied for the X-ray technician training through the Ministry of Health…After I joined the Radiology Department, I was lucky enough to attend a radiography conference in Trinidad hosted by the Society of Radiographers of Trinidad and Tobago and ever since, I have been more and more intrigued by medical imaging,” she (continued on page 55)
At the CCI booth at the ASE Scientific Sessions 2019 in Portland, Oregon USA
With immediate past President of the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologist (ISRRT) Dr. Fozy Peer (L) and current president Donna Newman.
Representing Guyana at an international forum for radiogaraphers
Sunday September 06, 2020
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Parents should have a right to decide on their children's education A
unty Priya has done her hair and held her virtual consultations with teachers. The public expectation was that these consultations would have been a forerunner to the rolling out of a major revamp of the country's educational policies; they were to be disappointed. All that has happened in the one month, since Aunty Priya's return to the Education Ministry have been announcements: schools will not be reopening and possibly not even in September and now that the Grades 2, 4 and 9 Assessments will not be taking place. Nothing substantive as yet... T h e N a t i o n a l Assessments, if the truth be told, were a complete waste of time. They lured students and parents into a false sense of security. One day, I met this parent and she was bragging how her daughter got 95% in the Assessment. The mother proudly predicted that the girl was going to do well in the National Grade Six Assessment, the following year. I met the mother one year after and asked her how the child did in the
examinations. She said to me: “Dem rob she marks in the examination. She nah get a good school.� It makes no sense having these Assessments if they do not lead to any targeted interventions. And often by the time these Assessments are completed, it is too late for interventions. At the root of the problem are a poor home environment and substandard teaching. But don't tell the teachers that. They will hit the roof even though one in every five teachers should not be teaching in school because they are not properly trained or educated. The home environment is also important. Children who come from homes in which parents are educated and who place emphasis on ensuring on their children's education have been found to perform much better. The many mythical stories, about the poor person who studied with the use of lanterns and who excelled despite their impoverished state, are usually exceptions rather than the rule and are far and few. E d u c a t i o n a l performance in the country's schools reveal class-biases. Income is directly correlated
to performance. In other words, the richer your parents are, the better are your chances of doing well. If you are low-income, the chances of you doing well are remote. Those entrusted with managing the educational sector ignore this reality. They refuse to concede that the country's educational system is elitist. More than half of students fail the NGSA and the CXC examinations The pandemic is going to exacerbate these biases. Poor people are going to be left behind. The Ministry of Education is clueless about what to do to ensure that students are taught from home. They are now inviting teachers to come forward to conduct online and mass media classes. But the majority of teachers are familiar with this form of delivery. Poor children in interior locations do not have access to the Learning Channel. And just how much can be done through the Learning Channel? And those poor students who do not have television, laptop or tablet will be disadvantaged. Education is going to be different after the pandemic
subsides. Homeschooling will become part of the new normal in other parts of the world. During the pandemic parents have been working with their children at home. Even before the pandemic, there were calls for the Ministry of Education to permit homeschooling. But this appeal fell on deaf ears. One parent whose child won a place at one of the top secondary schools refused to send her child there because she was concerned about bullying in the public school system. The parent opted for a religious school because she felt that school would have had greater discipline. Other parents are not enamoured by the standards of the public school and some are not also by private schools. They support homeschooling. This is not however a poor man's solution but it can help reduce class sizes in the public school systems and eventually the number of schools which have to be built and maintained. Homeschooling is elitist. But so too is the present education system. Homeschooling will not change that fact. Solutions have to be found to teach
children from home both during and after the pandemic because some parents have already made up their minds and until a vaccine is found their child is not going back to school. And who will give them wrong. Homeschooling has produced results. Among the list of famous persons who were homeschooled were Thomas Edison who improved the light bulb; US President, Theodore Roosevelt; investor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell; and US Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O' Conner. It is in the public interest that children should attend school. But parents, who can afford it and who have the knowledge or the means should equally be allowed to homeschool their children.
Those supporting homeschooling are of the view that their children would learn faster and better. The cost of hiring tutors where parents cannot undertake the tutoring – can b e o ff s e t b y r e d u c e d transportation costs and having to provide lunch money, uniforms and the numerous other expenses associated with sending a child to school. It is one thing to deny a child the right to an education. It is another thing to deny a parent the right to determine the sort of education his or her child should enjoy. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Sunday September 06, 2020
A nation's right to decide its friends N By Sir Ronald Sanders
elson Mandela in 1990 was a t o w e r i n g symbol of the triumph of right over wrong. Released from prison after 27 cruel years for his unrelenting stand against apartheid and the dehumanization of the black peoples of South Africa, he was universally admired. His walk through the gate of Victor Verster Prison to freedom was watched on television by an emotional audience of millions of people the world over. Quite literally, there was an explosion of joy. Every leader in the world wanted to be seen with him, even though a few of them were uncomfortable with his refusal to deny or condemn governments to which they were opposed for their own political reasons. Visiting the United States one month after his glorious release from prison, Mandela refused to
repudiate the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Yasser Arafat; Cuban President, Fidel Castro and Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi - all denounced by successive governments of the U.S. and some European nations. “Our attitude toward any country is determined by the attitude of that country toward our struggle," the great man said. It was a principled statement he repeated time and again when pushed to criticize Castro and Gaddafi. He declared, “No state can dictate to another what it should do. Those that yesterday were friends of our enemies have the gall today to tell me not to visit my brother Gaddafi. They are advising us to be ungrateful and forget our friends of the past.” Mandela was teaching a simple but cogent lesson of international relations that powerful governments ignore to their own cost.
Essentially what Mandela was saying is “the enemy of my friend is not necessarily my enemy” and, more i m p o r t a n t l y, j u s t a s ingratitude is a quality to be deplored in human relations, so, too, is it to be condemned in relations between states. Such behaviour by a state marks it as untrustworthy and unreliable. The countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have each had a beneficial relationship with Cuba. At times of natural disasters throughout the region, Cuba has been a first responder, even at times when it has endured catastrophe itself. Conscious that Cuba's own resources are meagre, the willingness of its government and people to provide help to its neighbours has earned them great respect. Cuba has also contributed significantly to the knowledge base of CARICOM societies,
training its young people through scholarships in a range of disciplines, particularly medicine, for over four decades. There is no CARICOM country that has not been a beneficiary of Cuba's investment in medical science, through the provision of much needed medical personnel. In confronting the immense challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuba has been o u t s t a n d i n g i n supplementing the medical personnel of CARICOM countries with experienced doctors and nurses, putting their lives at risk. It is not insignificant that the CARICOM countries, with the lowest number of deaths and the highest number of recoveries of infected persons, were buttressed in their efforts by Cuban personnel. Therefore, it should not be unsurprising that regional governments have not reacted well to a bill,
introduced in the U.S. Senate by republican Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, which seeks to classify Cuban medical brigades as victims of human trafficking, and calls for punitive sanctions against countries which request them. The basis for declaring Cuban medical brigades as “forced labour” and accusing Caribbean – and other governments – of “human trafficking” for requesting them, has no evidential foundation. This effort follows decades of a U.S. blockade against Cuba which has intensified in recent years, contributing to unemployment, poverty, and human suffering. Cubans have been deprived of remittances from their relatives in the U.S., air traffic and cruise tourism has been banned, US companies have been warned on pain of severe penalties not to do
Sir Ronald Sanders business with Cuba, and even non U.S. companies, if they also conduct business in the U.S., face sanctions. Each of these actions cause Cubans to lose their jobs, affecting the livelihoods of their families. Cuba is far from perfect, although it has made astounding leaps to provide free and widespread health and education services despite the stifling circumstances of the embargo. Its governing political apparatus is intolerant of the formation of opposing political parties and the government cracks down on protesting voices that it believes are encouraged and funded by external forces. All that needs to change, and a democratic system (continued on page 22)
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Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities…
A united front to tackling issues facing over 49,000 persons living with disabilities Rehanna Ramsay For over a decade the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) has presented a united front to tackling the challenges and issues facing over 49,000 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). Under the stewardship of its chairman, Cecil Morris; programmes coordinator, Ganesh Singh, and seven other committee members, the GCOPD has become a leading advocacy body on issues affecting persons with special needs including the implementation of polices that cater to their academic and employment needs. Speaking to Kaieteur News recently on the progress GCOPD has made towards achieving its goals, Singh explained, the work can become hectic but it is all in the effort of reaching their goals. In his capacity as programmes coordinator, Singh is tasked with overseeing a number of projects aimed at helping to improve the lives of people with special needs for the organization. “As progamme coordinator, I am charged with managing the day to day activities of GCOPD; sometimes we have two to three programmes running at once, so it’s kind of hectic. I still get the job done because it is about offering support to help to better the lives of our members,” he stated. He explained that GCOPD (Continued on page 47)
Programmes Coordinator of GCOPD, Ganesh Singh
Ganesh Singh and the newly appointed Ministers of Local Government following a recent meeting. A GCOPD facilitated workshop for children with special needs
A nation's right to decide ...
The COVID-19 relief hampers provided via support from the Chinese Embassy.
From page 20 established in which the people can choose, without interference, a government and an opposition in contested elections. However, such democratic norms cannot be established in a country to which international democratic norms are not extended, and which exists under an external siege intent upon regime change and the restoration of rule by interests self-exiled in the U.S. and longing to install domination enjoyed before the Castro revolution. Next month, the U.S. trade embargo will be in place for 60 years. To endure the resulting extraordinary circumstances of hardship required extraordinary policies and practices. In any event, Cuba poses no threat to the security of the U.S. or the wellbeing of its people, something about which CARICOM countries
would be deeply concerned were it so. CARICOM countries share with the U.S. a fundamental commitment to democracy. They also hold dear another value shared with the U.S. - true self-determination. So, they walk a line between the U.S. and Cuba, always ready to help broker an end to the embargo and promote normal relations between two countries, in which democracy can thrive. But also exercising their right to determine their own friends. (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the U.S. and the OAS. He is also a senior fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The view expressed are entirely his own) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com
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FRONT PAGE COMMENTS RECAP
As we continue on our mission to enlighten the nation about what Guyana deserves from its massive oil wealth, we at Kaieteur News have published a series of front page comments in hopes of having our leaders take the necessary actions in order to realize the desired outcomes. Today we recap the front page comments of the past week to bring you up to speed.
CORRUPT, INCOMPETENT Sunday OR PLAIN MORONS? A number of our oil blocks were distributed to cronies of the pre-2015 government who in turn sold the rights to those blocks for hundreds of millions of US dollars. What did Guyana get? Nothing! Foreign investors come here with fancy talk, twisted tongues and fat promises. They spend a few dollars establishing “bare bone” facilities (tarpaulins). And after a few mornings, they turn around and sell the same rights and concessions to others for hundreds of millions of US dollars. And what Guyana gets? Nothing! This is the trend in the agricultural, mining and other sectors. This is what is hap-
The country’s three main political parties – the PNC/R, AFC and the PPP/C– are no different in their mentality and attitude towards foreign investors. It is either they are corrupt, incompetent or plain morons. How else does one explain their actions? They have given foreign investors to secure tax concessions, to the tune of billions of dollars, and rights to our bauxite, gold, timber, oil, etc. In turn, these investors then resold these resources to others and walk away with hundreds of millions of US dollars in profits, while the Guyanese people get nothing in return.
pening with our prized real estate, including waterfront properties.Investors are paying our governments chump change in Guyana currency and, in some cases, nothing at all for these rights. And what Guyana gets? Nothing! When the original investors walk away, they leave with us scavengers with whom our governments have had no negotiations. Kaieteur News will continue to expose how foreign investors, together with our corrupt politicians, are making a fortune by raffling out our resources while our people are barely scratching a living, according to President Irfaan Ali.
ONLY EXXON HAS AN APPRECIATION Saturday FOR THE VALUE OF MONEY
The indisputable evidence is that the Scottish of Europe are looked upon differently. Must be the worldclass whisky! How else does one explain why ExxonMobil spent US$186M to address gas flaring issues in that country while Guyana’s gas flaring receives no similar attention? Exxon by its double standards is saying to us, “Not a cent for these greedy ingrates!” And here it is that we thought that Guyana’s worldclass rum could have swung the pendulum in our favour. Something odious and sinister is at work when we compare the manner in which
Exxon reacted to the Caucasian Scots versus the darkskinned Guyanese. It confirms that the discriminatory (at best) is at play; or out and out prejudice (at worst) is at work. Exxon’s perversities against Guyana have increased. The company has treated us in a scornful, contentious, dismissive and insulting manner. And when that failed, it threatened to leave. Apparently, it is only Exxon that has an appreciation for the value of money. Apparently, poor, coloured Third World natives have no such right and must be kept under the jackboot when they dare to seek more for their riches.
How different is this from the pittances that were sent back to colonized countries from the massive profits gained from their resources? How different is the treatment meted out to the independent Guyana of today versus the pre-independence one? Winston Churchill had called the colonies ‘milking cows.’ Exxon wants to continue the milking, and Guyana must let out a single “moo”! We should not wait for these companies and its characters to leave. We should send them packing unceremoniously. We should kick their butts out and do so now.
GUYANA HAS MADE A FUNDAMENTAL ERROR
Thursday Over the last five years, international experts have advised Guyana to never rely solely on information provided by oil companies. In fact, oil-producing nations are encouraged to conduct independent audits and data collection done by reputable experts. Trinidadian Local Content Expert and Energy Strategist, Anthony Paul, stressed the importance of this in a rapid assessment he did for Guyana. It appears, however, that Guyana did not heed these pieces of advice. In spite of the concerns raised by the media, the Energy Department in 2019 hired a UK company called Bayphase Consultants to undertake the review of ExxonMobil’s Field Development Plan (FDP). Kaieteur News subsequently exposed that the firm hired is listed as ExxonMobil’s client and its contracting to undertake the review, which represents a conflict of interest. This fact was totally ignored by the then government.Instead of retendering this job in pursuit of a client that is not linked to ExxonMobil, the PPP/C administration has now chosen to review the work done by Bayphase. To do this, the new government made use of a Canadian grant. That money saw the former Premier of
Alberta, Alison Redford, being commissioned to lead a team of experts to conduct the review. This newspaper later exposed that Redford comes with a questionable background. In fact, she was forced to demit office in 2014 after it was found that she improperly spent taxpayers’ money. Even though Bayphase and Redford were hired to protect Guyana’s interest and plug loopholes in the FDP, it is one of our own who, based on experience in the industry and his independent research, who identified two major issues in the FDP.Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, was the one who pointed out that there are glaring environmental issues which ExxonMobil wants the nation to ignore. ExxonMobil wants to have provisions in place for burning gas which releases over 250 toxic chemicals into the atmosphere as well as to dump toxic wastes into the ocean. Had Guyana commissioned independent studies and made use of experts not affiliated with ExxonMobil, perhaps more than what Dr. Adams observed could have been unearthed. Guyana is allowing itself to be guided by the information presented by the client of ExxonMobil and reviewed by Redford who has no experience in reviewing FDPs. When will we learn Guyana?
Friday IF ONLY WE COULD GET ONE CONTRACT RIGHT! We have riches and yet we make ourselves poor. We think small and so we make ourselves petty by our narrow outlook on life. This is why people in the First World have such a poor opinion of us and why they exploit us time and time again, while leaving us hand-tomouth and divided.When we, proud Guyanese citizens, should be rising to great heights, we cheat ourselves by the way we think. Successive political leaders with their Third World mentality force us to ‘scratch
out a living’. We allow ourselves to barely exist when we give away our gold and get gooseberries in return. We do this again when we gift out our bauxite for a bag of bananas.We allow ourselves to be treated like a Banana Republic; whether it is the PPP/ C or APNU+AFC in government.We take chump change for our timber from the Chinese and rejoice all the way to the shop in order to buy the basic necessities of life. We do the same when Russians, Canadians and the Americans cooked our goose
with our gold, bauxite and oil. The latter had the audacity to spit in our faces, when we demand the renegotiation and revision of that “choke-androb” oil contract. When will our leaders bargain better rather than beg? When will our citizens hold their leaders accountable? And when will both leaders and citizens be matured and wise in ensuring value for our immense wealth? If we could only get ONE contract right, we could enjoy a higher standard of living. Just one contract!
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The founders of ‘A Cold One’
By Kiana Wilburg Since ancient times, beer has been synonymous with tantalizing the senses and holding the power to irrigate the stress of a hard day from one’s soul. Scientifically, it is known to also be a “feel-good” drink which stimulates the reward centre of the brain leading to a release of dopamine—the hormones responsible for pleasure. But not all beers are able to live up to this expectation. In fact, many beers, particularly those which flow from mass production breweries, fail to deliver the crisp, flavourful taste that is expected since mass-produced beer does not use premium ingredients because cost-effectiveness and production on a massive scale is the priority. While the local market is saturated with a number of beers that can easily fit this description, three pals, Pierre, Alan, and Stuart, are hoping to offer Guyanese a far more superior product that will truly change the industry for the better.
Three Guyanese Pals launch Guyana’s first craft beer According to Pierre, the trio formed a company called Pals Beverage which draws on the acronym of their names and served as a catalyst for the creation of a new beer called, “A Cold One.” And it is actually the first of its kind on the market too. During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, Pierre noted that this is the nation’s first craft beer which is a combination of ale and beer. Even the blend is definitely new to the market. Pierre, a local businessman, explained that the new creation was primarily driven by the love for a refreshingly delicious, iced- cold beer, or as Guyanese would say, “a cold one” , hence the name. The journey to “A Cold One” Pierre stated, was filled with trials and errors. The businessman said, “There were two periods of trials. Before we decided to go on a big scale, we did many trials of home brewing, which is basically following all the steps but in very small quantities, like four gallons or so. That was in 2016 and 2017. Hon-
estly, we lost count of how many trials we did at home, somewhere around 30 or so. Then came the trials on a large scale. Once we had the equipment in place, that was sometime at the beginning of 2018.” He added, “Brewing at home and at the factory are the same principle, but a very different exercise. We brewed throughout 2018 and 2019, some batches came out fine, but many times, we had to dump the entire brew due to mistakes. The brews that were good, we bottled them in some sample bottles that we had and gave them away.” With respect to the final composition for A Cold One, Pierre said that he and his partners actually went out on a limb to make a different and better beer that the nation’s palate has never experienced before. “First thing was the choice of type of beer, we went for an Ale rather than the lagers used in mass production. Ales use a different yeast and they are much more difficult to process and preserve, but they are also tastier.”
Once they were settled on that aspect, he said it was decided that the brew is made from pure, raw grains rather than concentrate. He said that the extraction of the sugars from the grains is also very technical, but gives PALS the ability to make its own formula, which is not possible from concentrates. “When creating our formula, we shared many, many samples around friends and we trimmed the formula to suit everybody. Once we were happy with the product, we focused on the packaging and spent countless nights (on this process too).” Because it is a handcrafted beer, Pierre was keen to note that PALS Beverages only utilizes the highest quality grains to extract its sugars rather than from concentrates or rice. The businessman said that the PALS team would crush the grains themselves in order to get the freshest aromas possible. “In general, we follow the German “purity law” of beer making which basically says
that beer should not contain other than malt and hops, otherwise it could not be called ‘beer.’ Of course since the law was conceived, science has shown that certain additives improve the character, hence it is not as strict anymore, but the purity concept remains and it reflects on the refreshing and agreeable effects of a natural versus over processed ones…,” the beer aficionado noted. Though Pierre and his pals are hopeful of making it big in the local market, he was keen to note that PALS is after more than just material success. Pierre said that he and his partners want ‘A Cold One’ to be representative of binding friendships among Guyanese on any given occasion. “After all, that is what ‘A Cold One’ represents to its core and what led to its creation. The new beer which is processed to perfection at a microbrewery in the city is now available countrywide.
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==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
I’m telling President Ali, this is what Guyanese want The world has almost eight billion humans, and a majority of them do not want to be in politics or want to be in the news. A majority of these folks would like to avoid controversy. A majority in the world’s population just wants to live a peaceful life with family, relatives and friends and enjoy what life has to offer. My analysis leads me to believe that President Irfaan Ali, except sudden illness, is set to have two terms. I cannot see the other strong competitor, the PNC winning in 2025. I strongly believe it will not happen. Dr. Ali then has 10 years available to him to challenge the fame of Jagan, Burnham, Hoyte, and Walter Rodney and leave an everlasting legacy. To shape a legacy, President AIi as early as last week, has to be aware of what most Guyanese want. When my daughter returned from London after higher studies, here is what she kept telling me and her mother. She missed the services in London. She said the sink was clogged, she called, and the university workmen came right away. She spent 20 minutes in the bank when she was closing her account. Here is what happened to me twice in two different banks. At one bank, they wrote to ask me, my wife and daughter to come in to update our account. It has all three
names. We spent four hours. You will not believe it but it is true. At another bank, we were sending money to London for my daughter. I was sick with the flu that morning. The entire transaction took three hours. I wasn’t feeling well and all the chairs were occupied. I bent my head on the counter to get some relief. Here is what the people of this country want and President Ali has it in his power to deliver. It would be another Guyanese tragedy if he fails. When a person gets time off to go to the NIS and the boss just gives a half an hour, that poor employee will face hell because NIS will keep them for three hours for a simply transaction. People want to see GPL come on time when a wire in front their home is sparking. GPL has one emergency crew for Georgetown and it has to come from Victoria on the East Coast where it is based. People want to see GWI come when they make a call to say a burst pipe is flooding their home. GWI does not do emergencies on Saturdays which in a modern world is nonsense. Today everything is done through the internet. People expect GTT to come the same day if their connection is severed and not two weeks after. People want to enjoy life in this country when they are travelling with their families.
They feel harassed when a traffic rank puts out his hand and stop them asking for papers. This happens at Eccles. By the time they reach Diamond, the same thing occurs. By the time, they reach Land of Canaan, the same thing happens again. Guyanese want to make a call to the Lands and Survey, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Forestry Commission, the Deeds Registry, the GRA, UG, etc and someone will answer for an urgent enquiry they have that is very important to them. It is virtually impossible to get on to any public institution by phone and the private business places are no different. I swear on my parents’ grave that I spent 70 minutes just trying to speak to someone at the Bank of Nova Scotia. Service at the City Council is non-existent. The Georgetown City Council has no right to exist. All previous governments did not deserve to be in power because they ruled Guyana oblivious to the fact that we are in the 21st century. Motorists want to see a boulder removed on the public roadway that is blocking their pathway but that object would remain for months. Guyanese drivers desire to have working traffic lights. The Guyanese people want to see street lights shining in the night so
criminals can at least be deterred. Guyanese simply want to take their loves ones to a public hospital for treatment and not have to wait 12 hours to see a doctor. President Ali, I am telling you a majority of people in this country do not care about the fights between Irfaan Ali and David Granger, PNC and PPP and who said
what to whom in parliament. They simply want what a country in the 21st century must provide. They want the basic things and services in life they are entitled to in the 21st century. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Frederick Kissoon
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Kaieteur News
Guyana owes a debt of gratitude to the Congregational churches for pioneering education for Africans (A review of David Granger’s Congregationalism and communitarianism. The Congregational Church in post-Emancipation Guyana.) David Granger’s Congregationalism and communitarianism. The Congregational Church in post-Emancipation Guyana recalls the historic role which Congregationalism played in the struggle of enslaved Africans for their emancipation. It is an aspect of local history which remains underreported and underappreciated. Granger defines ‘communitarianism’ as the fusion of the evangelical constitution of Congregationalism with the Church’s communal character. It refers to the social ministry of the Church which “…emphasizes the interactions among a community of people who share a common history or purpose and who live in a shared geographic space.” The Congregational Church, like most traditional Churches – Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic – suffered a decline in membership and church attendance over time. What cannot be diminished, however, are the historic contributions which traditional Churches – not the least of which is the Congregationalists – have made to education, economic emancipation and community development. A defining feature of the work of traditional churches has been their social mission. These churches not only erected places of worship but,
also, established institutions such as hospitals, schools and benevolent societies which continue to provide services, especially to the vulnerable. Granger’s Congregationalism and communitarianism. The Congregational Church in post-Emancipation Guyana provides an account of the contributions of the Congregational Church and the pivotal role it played in AfricanGuyanese communities. He emphasizes the Congregational Church’s deep roots in present-day villages. The freed Africans after Emancipation in 1838 initiated the great village movement across the coastland. Congregationalists joined with the freed population in establishing churches within many of these villages. The Church’s local leaders were drawn from the villages and, in this way, the Church helped also to mentor local leaders. The Church was integral to the community. The history of the African-Guyanese villages cannot be written truthfully without paying due recognition to the contributions of the Congregationalists. The Congregational Church, after more than 212 years, can still boast of 33 churches and missions across Guyana, most of which are more than 150 years old. This is an astonishing achievement considering the subsequent evangelical tide which swept across the country. Congregationalism in the colony of British Guiana was unique. This Christian denomination came to minister almost exclusively to Afri-
cans. No other religious order makes a similar boast. The Church pioneered education
of local Congregationalism to the efforts of the London Missionary Society which
– religious and secular. It made a phenomenal contribution to education for Africans. Granger notes that, in this regard, Congregational churches led the way by establishing not just churches in many rural communities but, also, schools which were annexed to these churches. Congregationalism is one of oldest branches of Christianity in Guyana. It was introduced into our country 212 years ago by the London Missionary Society and was part of the ‘reformed’ churches whose origin can be traced back 500 years. Granger traces the origins
had close ties to Congregational Churches in England. Interestingly, however, the decision to dispatch the legendary Rev. John Wray to the colony was triggered by a letter sent by a Dutch planter, Hermanus Post, who requested that someone be sent to minister to the enslaved Africans on his plantations. Two important characteristics distinguished the Congregational Church from most other traditional churches which are administered, and in most instances, dominated, by hierarchical clergies. First, Congregational churches were models of
ecclesiastical democracy. Granger observed that a fundamental and distinctive feature of Congregationalism is the autonomy of its local churches which, organizationally, are governed by their congregations (hence, ‘congregationalism’) and not by their clergies. Power within Congregational churches is vested in the congregations. Second, they established a model of Church-community relations through which the Church became a midwife of the community. The history of the Church was part of the history of the community; the works of the Church benefitted and involved the community. The Congregational Church’s social mission and its monumental achievements could not have been a historical accident. This mission was driven by the Church’s own understanding of the role of scriptures and the manifestation of that mission in society. The theological underpinnings of Congregationalism, which led to such grand contributions, have not been explored in this book. The original doctrine of Congregationalism held that the Holy Bible – interpreted through common sense and in relation to nature, history and revealed knowledge – should be the authoritative guide in all matters of Christian faith. This, however, does not account for the Church’s rich social mission. A proposition can be made, however, that the Church’s success can be sourced to its practice of ecclesiastical democracy and by each Church’s autonomy. These two factors allowed for
each Church to become an instrument of community service, free from overbearing directives from a parent body. Granger has expressed what no previous President has publicly proclaimed: “…Guyana owes a debt of gratitude to the Congregational churches for pioneering education for Africans. This work prepared Africans for Emancipation in 1838. The efforts of the Congregationalists laid the foundation for the expansion of mass education in the country.” This book is an encomium to the Congregational Church. It consists of two addresses which Granger, as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, delivered to the 200th anniversary of the Mission Chapel Congregational Church in New Amsterdam Town and to the 175th Anniversary of the Arundel Congregational Church in Buxton Village, respectively. Both events took place in 2019. This book –Congregationalism and communitarianism. The Congregational Church in postEmancipation Guyana – should be of interest to all Christian Churches. It forces reflection on the role of the Church. The experience of Congregationalism suggests a possible pathway for the revival of traditional churches, one which revolves around their integration in, and solidarity with, communities, through faith and social action. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Coronavirus: Health workers are fighting to save your lives; please join our fight By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center As I’m writing these few lines, our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is filled to capacity with the very sick COVID-19 patients who are battling for their lives. Fighting the battle with them, are health workers who are tired, overworked and mentally spent. These are my colleagues and I’m proud of how they’ve stretched themselves to the limit to ensure we continue the fight for our patients that need us so dearly. I do not know how much more we can take, but somehow every day, we keep pushing ourselves beyond our limits to accommodate the increasing numbers of sick patients coming our way. What is even more heart wrenching, is more of my fellow “soldiers” are becoming victims to the virus and our “army” is slowly starting to weaken. I’m now beginning to lose count of the number of my colleagues who are home sick with COVID-19. What is even more hurtful is, we’ve now lost a colleague in the fight. REMEMBERING AFALLEN HERO Dr. Seepersaud Chatterdeo was a doctor whose resolve didn’t waver during the outbreak. Realizing that the lives of so many children depended on him throughout the country, he did not relent but continued to work tirelessly during this outbreak to keep his “kids” healthy. He went down like a true champion; fighting until he took his last breath. What Dr. Chatterdeo did for the medical fraternity and for the many children in this country, can never be measured. The weight of his efforts will be
forever be etched in the hearts and academic minds of so many and we will all continue to benefit from his contributions for decades to come. WHO’S LOOKING AFTER OUR LIVES? Dr. Chatterdeo sacrificed his life to save many others. Unfortunately, he has left a wife and two children who will have to make daily sacrifices to face life without a husband and a father. That is the grim reality that so many health workers are faced with during this outbreak. I battle daily with my guilt knowing of the risks that I’m taking with my wife and two young children. By just doing my job, I’m putting their lives at risk and I worry of the prospects of them having to face life without me. All of my colleagues have similar personal challenges but yet they put it all on the line to give our people a chance to live. THE REALITY OF WHAT WE FACE DAILY It’s not easy to have to wake up daily knowing that you’re going to fight a war in a system that was never designed for such a war. Health workers throughout Guyana, stretch their safety limits beyond what is tolerable just to make sure that the sick continue to receive care. Our patients and relatives are not always accommodating; the constant abuse and accusations have increased. We are in a pandemic and things cannot be as per normal. Health workers do not come out daily to risk their lives to make the
lives of others more difficult. The threats and abuse will only dampen our spirit. While all of us are not perfect, the situation demands that we avoid accustomed norms to ensure the safety and protection of all. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP US? There seems to be an obvious correlation between
the surge in cases and the recent irresponsible behaviours of our people. You can prevent health workers from getting sick and even dying by being responsible with your action and avoid getting sick. Gathering in crowds, being out when you know you are infected, not wearing masks and ignoring restriction guidelines are
types of irresponsible behaviour that has brought us to this point. The health workers, the sick and those who may become sick, need you to be their advocates. Be a responsible Guyanese, take action and encourage others to do the same so that we can unite for a common cause; working together to save the lives of our people.
Dr. Zulfikar Bux
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Benefits and uses of okra Okra, also known as gumbo or ladies’ fingers, is a warm-season vegetable. It is a good source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. It contains a sticky juice that people use to thicken sauces.Gumbo is popular in the southern United States, parts of Africa and the Middle East, the Caribbean, and South America. It is an essential crop in many countries due to its high nutritional value. Also, people can use many parts of the plant, including the fresh leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems, and seeds. Okra has a mild taste and a unique texture, with a peachlike fuzz on the outside. Inside the pod are small, edible seeds. This article will look at the nutritional content of okra, its possible health benefits, some recipe tips, and any possible health risks. Nutrition The lectin in okra may reduce the risk of certain cancers.According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, one cup of raw okra, weighing 100 grams (g) contains: 33 calories
1.9 g of protein 0.2 g of fat 7.5 g of carbohydrates 3.2 g of fiber 1.5 g of sugar 31.3 milligrams (mg) of vitamin K 299 mg of potassium 7 mg of sodium 23 mg of vitamin C 0.2 mg of thiamin 57 mg of magnesium 82 mg of calcium 0.215 mg of vitamin B6 60 micrograms (mcg) of folate 36 mcg of vitamin A Okra also provides some iron, niacin, phosphorus, and copper. Individual needs for nutrients vary according to age, sex, activity level, and caloric intake. To help a person find out how much of a nutrient they need, the USDA provide an interactive tool. Okra is also a source of antioxidants. Okra, its pods, and seeds contain a variety of antioxidant compounds, including phenolic compounds and flavonoid derivatives, such as catechins and quercetin. Scientists think that these compounds may help lower the risk of cancer. Scientists also believe
that these compounds may have antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties. Learn more here about antioxidants and antioxidant foods. Benefits A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce a person’s chances of developing a range of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.The mucilage of okra may also help remove toxins from the body. The nutrients in okra may make it useful for preventing several health problems, including: Cancer Okra, beans, peanuts, and grains contain lectin, which is a type of protein. In a 2014 study, researchers used lectin from okra in a lab test to treat human breast cancer cells. The treatment reduced cancer cell growth by 63% and killed 72% of the human cancer cells. More studies are needed to see if okra has an effect on cancer in humans. Okra is a good source of folate. One 2016 review suggested that folate may have preventive effects against breast cancer risk.
A low folate intake may also increase a person’s risk of developing a range of cancers, including cervical, pancreatic, lung, and breast cancer.However, there is no evidence that taking a folate supplement lowers the risk of cancer. Some scientists think that very high levels of folate may fuel the growth of cancer cells. Consuming folate from food sources alone is unlikely to have this effect, and people should aim to obtain enough folate from foods, such as okra. Learn more about the health benefits of folate. Pregnancy and breastfeeding Folate is also important for preventing fetal problems
The Nutritional Benefits of Bananas Ever wondered what goodness is in a banana? Other than being rich in vitamin B6, bananas are a good source of vitamin C, dietary fibre and manganese. Bananas are also fat-free, cholesterol-free and virtually sodium-free. So what do these mean for your health? Ms Peggy Tan, Dietitian, Tiong Bahru Community Health Centre, a member of the SingHealth group, explains why bananas are good for you and when you should eat them. Health benefits of bananas 1. Bananas are one of the best fruit sources of vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 from bananas is easily absorbed by your body and a medium-sized banana can provide about a quarter of your daily vitamin B6 needs. Vitamin B6 helps your body: produce red blood cells, metabolise carbohydrates and fats, turning them into energy, metabolise amino acids, remove unwanted chemicals from your liver and kidneys, and maintain a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B6 is also good for pregnant women as it helps
meet their baby’s development needs. 2. Bananas are respectable sources of vitamin C You may not associate bananas with vitamin C but a medium-sized banana will provide about 10% of your daily vitamin C needs. Vitamin C helps: protect your body against cell and tissue damage, your body absorb iron better, your body produce collagen - the protein which holds your skin, bones and body together, and support brain health by producing serotonin, a hormone that affects our sleep cycle, moods, and experiences of stress and pain. 3. Manganese in bananas is good for your skin One medium-sized banana provides approximately
13% of your daily manganese needs. Manganese helps your body make collagen and protects your skin and other cells against free radical damage. 4. Potassium in bananas is good for your heart health and blood pressure A medium-sized banana will provide around 320-400 mg of potassium, which meets about 10% of your daily potassium needs. Potassium helps your body maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure. In addition, bananas are low in sodium. The low sodium and high potassium combination helps to control high blood pressure. 5. Bananas can aid digestion and help beat gastrointestinal issues A medium banana will provide about 10-12% of your
daily fibre needs. Singapore’s Health Promotion Board recommends a daily dietary fibre intake of 20g for women and 26g for men. Soluble and insoluble fibres play an important role in your health. Soluble fibre helps your body control your blood sugar level and get rid of fatty substances such as cholesterol. Insoluble fibre adds weight and softness to stools, making it easier for you to have regular bowel movements. This helps to keep your gut healthy and safe from harmful bacteria. Bananas, especially newly-ripened ones, contain starch that does not digest (resistant starch) in your small intestine and is able to pass into the large intestine. Such bananas help you manage your weight better as you stay full for longer. That said, bananas can help you beat gastrointestinal issues such as: constipation, stomach ulcers, and heartburn 6. Bananas give you energy – minus the fats and cholesterol Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose – giving you a fat and cholesterolfree source of energy. As (Continued on page 47)
during pregnancy. Low folate levels can lead to pregnancy loss and problems for the child, including conditions such as spina bifida. The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an intake of 400 mcg of folate each day for adults. Doctors usually advise that women take more folate during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Many women take vitamin supplements during pregnancy. Learn about prenatal vitamins and why they are important. Diabetes In 2011, researchers made a powder from the peel and seeds of okra to treat rats with diabetes. After approximately 1 month, the rats that consumed the powder had lower blood sugar and fat levels than those that did not. More research is needed to confirm whether this treatment would work in humans. A 2019 review looked at several rodent studies that seemed to confirm okra’s potential as an antidiabetic agent. The authors called for further studies to see if people could use it as a nutraceutical, which is a food with medicinal properties. Find out more about foods that are good for people with diabetes. Heart health According to the American Heart Association (AHA), eating foods that are high in fiber can reduce harmful cholesterol levels in the blood. High fiber foods lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. Fiber can also slow heart disease in people who already have it.The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines recommend eating 14 g of fiber in every 1000 calories consumed. The guidelines also recommend that adults consume the following amount of fiber each day: 25.2–28 g per day for females between 19 and 50 years 30.8–33.6 g per day for males between 19 and 50 years After the age of 50 years, they recommend a daily intake
of:
22.4 g for women 28 g for men Children and teenagers require different amounts of fiber, depending on their age and sex. People can incorporate fiber into their diet by choosing fibrous foods, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Why is dietary fiber important? Find out here. /articles/146935.php Osteoporosis Vitamin K plays a role in bone formation and blood clotting. Consuming foods that are good sources of vitamin K may help strengthen bones and prevent fractures. Okra, Swiss chard, arugula, and spinach are all excellent sources of vitamin K and calcium. Gastrointestinal health Dietary fiber helps prevent constipation and maintain a healthy digestive system. Research suggests that the more fiber a person eats, the less chance they have of developing colorectal cancer. Fiber in the diet also helps reduce appetite, and it may contribute to weight loss. In Asian medicine, people add okra extract to foods to protect against irritation and inflammatory gastric diseases. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action may help protect against gastrointestinal problems. Other health-related uses Okra seeds can also provide oil and protein, and people have used them as a source of oil in small-scale production. In regions where food is scarce, the seeds can offer a source of high quality protein.In medicine, the viscous extract of okra could be useful as a tablet binder, a suspending agent, a serum albumin extender, a plasma replacement, or a blood volume expander.Okra also has some uses in medicine. Scientists use it to bind the compounds in tablets, to make liquids for suspending compounds, as a replacement for blood plasma, and to expand the volume of blood.
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Encouraging events, disturbing developments…
Random issues from last week
By GHK Lall
I
start on an encouraging note. From Friday September 4 (KN), I read that, “Six patients released from COVID19 ICU after restorative plasma treatment.” That is as good as any news around here in ages. I know Dr. Mahendra Carpen well, who shared the positive news, which was that six pandemic patients in “extremely critical condition” have a new lease on life. Extremely critical from COVID-19 and ICU could mean goodbye. But this pioneering approach, where the plasma of recovered
patients struck by the deadly virus was used, proved successful. There is a limitation issue where “the blood that is collected from the recovered patient is compatible and can be used on those who are critical.” Bottom line, the “anti-bodies” in the compatible blood from the recovered were administered successfully in all six critical patients. I think this shows the groundbreaking stuff Guyanese are capable of, and which Dr. Carpen has done before in local cardiology. Nicely done, doc! Now it is downhill from here. On oil I learn that, “Exxon spends US$186M to fix flaring at Scottish plant” (KN September 4). These are the same people who dodge Guyanese fines levied, make a mockery of our political leaders by having them eat out of the company's hands after bending over backwards in abject surrender. What's going on here? I ask further: if this is not discriminatory, then what does? For here it was that Exxon refused to pay a measly fines or have regard for EPA regulations, but rush to provide relief of US$186M to quell “the hundreds of
complaints” from residents” near to the “Mossmorran Natural Gas Liquid Plant, which has two plants under its wing. I say, good for the Scots. But when I examine how Exxon responds to Guyana's environmental concerns and the flaring problems at Liza-1 and Liza-2, I wonder why the Africans of Africa, the Hispanics in Latin America, and us Guyanese are treated differently. Like dogs is how different as if we are barbarians. And now that we delay Payara, Exxon is kicking up a stink and threatening to walk away. We must not fall for that deception. The company has too much at stake here; it has betted much here and has few other equivalent prospects to pursue. Here is the bottom line: Exxon needs Guyana more than Guyana needs Exxon. Guyana's new government must show what it stands for and how much it is going to take from Exxon. Next was this, “Over 80% ERC complaints received are from social media spats” (KN September 4). Facebook, the darkest dangerous back alley of Guyanese political brawls, leads the way. Nothing
surprising in this, since it is: a) anonymous, b) can be deleted, c) ownership almost untraceable, and d) many maniacs become magicians there. The problem is that great damage is possible in deeply polarized Guyana. Some I know are not attending the same houses of worship anymore, nor conversing with others, have no regard for still others, and all because of savaging, incendiary posts. Ugly ones are circulated widely. The temperate ones suffer in silence, they lack spark. Like the movies, sex and violence sell. On Facebook, blasting others racially allows every idiot to pretend at intellect. It gains friends and following, who spread dirty words. Meanwhile, the ERC is limited in resources, reach, and raw power, while many Guyanese run amok. Last, I brace myself. Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, spoke of 1,000 samples being readied for testing. I have one big problem: more testing means more confirmed cases. Guaranteed! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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K O
A journey into Practical
BO
Book: Theoism Understanding the Universe Within Author: Theo Chambers Critic: Glenville Ashby, PhD
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nsightfully engaging is 'Theoism,' the latest work of Caribbean thinker Theo Chambers. Written in his signature unorthodox style, Theoism reads like a codex reserved for esoteric societies. But this hardly takes away from its pragmatism. Chambers forays into a pastiche of timeless questions, none more than the nature of being. His is a philosophy of science, measurable and determinable, an ontology arguably stripped of creationism. He trumpets social responsibility and filial p i e t y, h i s C o n f u c i a n principle weaving through much of his literary fabric. Not that the First Cause is absent in our daily lives, far from it. It's a matter of interpretation, according to Chambers. “The creative
Sunday September 06, 2020
intelligence (God) who empowered our parents' egg and sperm with the human creation blueprint, laid out the human creation process, and does not interfere with that process under any circumstance,” he argues. Very much in the vein of deists, Chambers holds that the First Cause is nonexistent in a didactic sense. In his Neo-Socratic methodology, we are left to separate the wheat from the chaff and to use our inherent resourceful to unravel life's mysteries. Any other mode of self-enquiry is but an e x e r c i s e i n circumambulation, an avidya that bounds us to a state of enduring misery. Chambers calls for Shabdkosh (Reason) and Viveka (Discernment). He poses questions foundational to religio-philosophical thought: “Who are we? Why are we here? From whence we came? Where do we think we are going when nature automatically turns off our access to oxygen on the expiration date of our transitory earthly vacation passport?” At the outset, he notes, with emphasis, “There are about 100 trillion cells that
Philosophy make up the human body. We are not our names. We are not our titles. We are not our material possessions. We are trillions of cells working in harmony expressing as you and I.” Chambers advances a teleological approach to creation. The human body and all of nature are intricately and masterfully designed, purposeful, all part of an indissoluble construct, a whole from which there's healing and enlightenment. He acknowledges our ability to use energy to effect positive change. He cites Near Field Communications (NFL) as “a compelling human trait” to support his claim. “Reiki, Acupuncture, Group Meditation, Group Training, Live Concerts, Seminars, and other such services and events,” he writes, “are the ideal environment where groups (crowd) get their energy and excitement from each other,” and “our proximity to each other in those settings triggers an energy (signal) that automatically engulfs those close to us.” He adds that the power of Near Field Communication is evidentiary, that “there is proof that we can change the molecules in water based on the way we think.” He adds, “Did you know that the mood of plants can be influenced by our thoughts?
He rejects supplicatory orations, though, stating that although “THEOism practitioners believe that prayer and meditation have powerful energy & vibration qualities, they do not participate in prayers or meditation that passes on to any deity to do for them what they should and can do for themselves.” Chambers challenges sociological arguments on the nature of self. He peers into our cellular constitution, that portion of being that is colourless and race-less. He posits, “if we remove the skin from all humans, our internal organs are the same. We are a carbon copy of each other except for the amount of melanin in our bodies that determines our skin colour.” He elaborates, “Babies, children, and blind people are racially colour blind,” and that “diseases affect all humans the same, and the death (transition) of loved ones, family, friends, associates, and even strangers trigger emotions in all human beings equally, regardless if they are poor, middle class, or super-rich. “The adrenaline that takes over our body when we got our first kiss is the same among all human beings regardless of our geographical location, money in the bank, family title, political affiliations, education, or religious
dogma.” Chambers attributes much of the world's ills to our infractions, our violations of natural laws of which ignorance is inexcusable. He states, “Man tries to overrule the Creator's Laws of Nature by using humanmade ideology and belief, for example, the Creator of the cosmos made it possible for all males and females on Planet Earth to have a child with each other regardless of the colour of their skin, economic or social success, still, humans say, whites should be with whites. Blacks should be with blacks, and Jews should be with Jews. “Regardless of how hard humans try to overrule the Cosmic Laws of Creation, the basic rules of nature always prevail. This is grounded in the fact that when the sperm of a male comes face to face with the ovum of a female, it does not care one bit about economic or social circumstances.” He avers that “THEOism conversations free us from any religious, political, and social ideologies by making us examine the raw facts that can be disputed or accepted, without invoking blind faith to accept a conclusion that cannot be proven truthful beyond a reasonable doubt.” O f o u r m o r a l responsibility to self, he exhorts us “to become the master of our existence and the gatekeeper of our good health,” and that “we must understand how to read the human blueprint of creation.” He continues, “We must learn from an early
age that the genome of an organism is the whole of its hereditary information encoded in its DNA,” that “there are approximately 100 Trillion Cells in the human body,” and “that cellular nutrition is the correct formula we need to keep our immune system optimized, and ready to defend our internal WellBeing against unwanted visitors.” Invariably, he contends that we must guard the U n i v e r s a l Wo m b , o u r environment, of which he writes in near hagiographic terms. “It is our godly obligation to keep our Temple of Inner Peace in optimum condition, and to keep our mind-body-soul in perfect synchronization with The Universe Within and the external Laws of Nature.” We are encouraged “to respect nature's laws by protecting the rainforest, which is a vital player in keeping the balance of the ecosystem.” Throughout his thesis, Chambers views life as interwoven, a gestalt that must be honoured lest we fall victim to our ignorance. He challenges us to be mindful of our every action for, wittingly or unwittingly, we create other realities if only we knew. He pronounces that our choice of political leaders and consumerist patterns may have deleterious effects on a much larger scale than we could ever anticipate. He prods the conscience, ever inviting reflection. “If we operate a restaurant and one of our main courses includes steak or pork, we (continued on page 56)
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STORY WITHIN THE
A crisis that needs all hands on deck By Leonard Gildarie
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ast week was interesting. I am locked down after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. The news came last Monday, August 31st, after testing on August 19th. The lateness was because of the increased number of tests being conducted by the new administration that ran into a brick wall when it came to capacity to analyze those tests. Guyana is working overtime with one machine with an order approved for another one. Up to late last week, Guyana had over 1,000 tests in backlog with almost 300 being done daily. About 500 were sent to a regional body in Trinidad to assist in the reducing of the backlog with the results expected this weekend. I say the above to underscore the touch and go situation we are facing. We have a rising number of cases. So far, Guyana has recorded over 1,400 cases with 46 deaths. We are fast running out of space in the hospitals and positive cases are being given options to stay home. The frontline workers are overwhelmed, overstaffed and can barely keep up with the rising cases. More women are testing positive than men with Friday's stats showing 720. Across the globe, over 26 million people would have tested positive. In Guyana, the regional cases would tell a stark tale. While Region Four, where the capital city is, had 522 cases, it is the border areas that should be worrying. As expected, Region Nine recorded 243 cases. That would be of no surprise
because of that region's proximity to Brazil which has been devastated by the virus and second only to the US in the number of cases worldwide. Brazil has about four million cases with 123,000 deaths. Region Seven would be deeply worrying because it is where mining is taking place. There is an influx of foreigners there, it has been reported, and there is a worrisome non-compliance of wearing of masks and a criminal, cavalier attitude to social distancing. That region has 231 cases. Region One also has high numbers with 200 cases. Venezuela is right next door and the wide-open borders, similar to Region Nine, have been stumping police and other authorities. We s i m p l y h a v e a situation that is pointing to continued closure of the airports and borders. The arrival of another PCR testing machine will assist but it would not help the situation if the general populace, police and other frontline workers treat the pandemic as if it is happening elsewhere. The death this past week of Dr. Seepersaud 'Bram' Chatterdeo, a well-known pediatrician, has shocked the medical field and those that knew him. There is controversy over the cause of death with reports saying it is COVID19. A doctor who was that well-known would naturally spark concerns. It has driven home the harsh reality that no one is immune and more so doctors on the frontline. We have seen a number of prominent Guyanese who died from the virus and
Leonard Gildarie everyone has struck me in the gut. We can ill-afford to lose anyone of our people. Dr. Chatterdeo, like so many others, was in the prime of his life. Yet we see the madness on the road and about the place. The message about masks has not being delivered. People still believe that it is something that happens in Georgetown. Let me repeat. Our attitude is what will see this country continue to remain in limbo and chalking up the rising numbers. The worrying thing is that there is no immediate requirement that compels us to test again after the first test would have found us positive. W e a r e t o o overwhelmed. I am deeply worried by the developments. I pray for a change in attitude. Almost all of our resources that could have been used for improving the lives of our people are being pushed into the COVID-19 fight. It will remain so for a while. If the current situation is not a clarion call for action, then nothing is. It has emerged as one of the single biggest challenges that this country and the world have faced in recent years. How we rise to the challenge and how quickly we overcome depends on our will. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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SUNDAY APNU+AFC NEVER HAD ANY INTENTION OF GETTING THE BEST VALUE FOR GUYANA’S OIL RESOURCES – PARLIAMENTARY RECORDS EXPOSE When the APNU+AFC administration had buckled under pressure in December 2018 and released the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) it signed with ExxonMobil, international and local stakeholders were thrown into a state of bewilderment. They asked, perhaps more than a million times over, how former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, could give away Guyana’s prime oil assets for crumbs. Kaieteur News and other media entities had asked the former Minister to provide the names of the experts who advised him to accept, for example, a mere two percent royalty, a US$300,000 annual payment for local content, and a deal which overall, is filled from page to page with gaping loopholes for significant revenue leakage. He never provided those names. But more queries followed. Importantly, Guyanese wanted to know why the official it elected to protect its interest, not only failed to do so, but gave ExxonMobil and its partners, an oil deal so unfair to the nation, that another of its kind cannot be found in any other part of the world. While the full truth to these questions may not be known at this point, what this newspaper has been able to ascertain via parliamentary records, takes transparency advocates a bit closer to understanding the modus operandi of the APNU+AFC regime during negotiations with ExxonMobil back in 2016. Those documents made it clear that neither Trotman nor the APNU+AFC administration ever intended to get the best deal for Guyana, even though they were fully aware of the quality of the resource at stake. During a meeting of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources held on May 18, 2018, Trotman had appeared to make a presentation on the oil industry and other matters. Many questions were asked, one of which was proffered by the then Chairman, Mr. Odinga Lumumba, who sought to ascertain which party initiated the changes to the terms of the agreement and whether this was done in the nation’s economic interest.
Trotman noted in response to the first part of the query that it was the Government that initiated the changes. To the second aspect he said: “No, Sir. We are already going to earn 50% of 3.2 billion barrels. If we are to multiply that figure, if you have calculator any member may multiply 3.2 billion by 50%; it would be in the realms of US$300 billion and half of that is already coming into Guyana. We are already going to be wealthy. We wanted to anchor ExxonMobil into our waters and to let them know that we are a serious Government and that we are serious in developing the resource, if they were serious in doing so.” Trotman also demonstrated to the committee that he had at the very least, a fundamental understanding of the resources offshore Guyana. The former Minister had said: “I should add that as of December 2017, the known reserves are in Guyana, as discovered to date. Let me rephrase that, the known reserves as of December 2017, stood at 3.2 billion barrels of recoverable petroleum. I should add that that figure is going to increase because there were two subsequent discoveries, which are still being analyzed in terms of quality and quantity, but as of December 2017, it was 3.2 billion barrels. I believe at this point in time that Trinidad has reserves of 86 or 85 million barrels of oil. That should give you a context of the volume and value of what we have.” Trotman said that the reason behind the Government giving ExxonMobil all that it wanted and more, and particularly, not negotiating in Guyana’s best economic interest, was due to the spurious claims being made by Venezuela regarding Guyana’s territorial waters. Trotman argued that the Government of Guyana had two pre-eminent objectives in 2015 and 2016. “The first was to bring production at the earliest possible time. Why? We needed to assert our sovereignty over our resources, given the 2015 decree by Venezuela and the utterings that were coming from there, hence the reason why we are going to production in what is considered relatively record times,” the former Minister stated. Secondly, he posited that the APNU+AFC regime saw a need to protect the nation’s resources by saying, “this is ours.” In this regard, he added, “To use an analogy, imagine
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adding the costs of developing a new oil field (Payara) to an oil field that is already producing oil (Liza One).” The NGO added: “The Stabroek contract does not ring-fence the oil fields across the Stabroek block and allows ExxonMobil to keep piling on development costs for each new field – every new field that gets a permit delays Guyana from receiving the 5050 share in “profit oil”.” MONDAY
Melinda Janki having a mango tree in your yard but someone says that that mango tree is his or hers and it starts to bear. What you would want to do is start picking the fruits as quickly as you can before the other person gets to them, or before the matter becomes bound up in court.” The former Minister told the committee that the APNU+AFC regime had no pretence to make about the foregoing matters for in its perspective, nothing else was more important. ALLOWING PAYARA TO GO FORWARD WOULD BE ECONOMICALLYAND ENVIRONMENTALLY DISASTROUS FOR GUYANA– GERMAN NGO Even as the administration of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) continues its assessment of the Field Development Plan (FDP) for ExxonMobil’s Payara project in the Stabroek Block, some industry experts hold the firm view that granting approval at this point in time, would only spell economic and environmental disaster for Guyana. Specifically noting this concern with Kaieteur News recently was German nongovernmental organization, Urgewald. According to the group, its conviction is premised on the fact that there are gaping fiscal loopholes in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that would rob Guyana of what it deserves for the exploitation of its resources. It said, too, that ExxonMobil’s Environmental Impact Assessment for Payara (EIA) also holds its fair share of weaknesses that if left unaddressed, would leave Guyana in a most vulnerable position. To expound on the first pillar of its argument,
Urgewald reminded that the oil deal Guyana signed with Exxon states that it can recover 75 percent of the cost for the operations while the remaining 25 percent would be considered “profit oil” to be shared between Guyana and the Stabroek Block consortium. When that 25 percent is divided, it works out to 12.5 percent for Guyana. Once the meagre two percent royalty is added, the total take climbs to 14.5 percent. Urgewald also reminded that the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its assessments of the deal, warned Guyana that ExxonMobil’s initial investments for Liza Phase One and Two would not be recovered until the late 2020s. The NGO said it is important for readers to bear in mind that the projection of the late 2020s was given when oil prices ranged between $53 to $55 a barrel. With lower oil prices at least in the nearterm, Urgewald stressed that the cost recovery phase will last longer, meaning Guyana will have to wait longer to see its 14.5 percent take increase. To compound this bleak state of affairs for the country, Urgewald stated that ExxonMobil is now pushing for the Government of Guyana to give its blessings for another project to be developed. But the NGO stressed that this would only be good for ExxonMobil and bad for the people of Guyana. Expounding further, Urgewald recalled that the IMF had pointed out in 2019, that the absence of ringfencing provisions in Stabroek Block deal will further delay profits to the country. Commenting on this fiscal loophole, Urgewald said: “When a contract includes ring-fencing, it treats each oil field as a separate business entity and prevents
EXXONMOBIL DESPERATELY NEEDS GUYANATO IMPROVE FINANCIAL STANDING AFTER LOSING $184B IN SIX YEARS – INT’LLAWYER The economic pressures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the backlash it received over the years for concealing how its products contribute to climate change have left American multinational ExxonMobil in a financial quagmire. Just recently, CNN Business reported that the company has had US$184B wiped off its market valuation since its 2014 peak, and less than a week ago, it was kicked off the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Dow Jones, or simply the Dow, is a stock market index that measures the stock performance of 30 large companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Exxon is no longer part of that elite club. When one takes the foregoing factors into consideration, International Lawyer, Melinda Janki believes that the recent comments by ExxonMobil Guyana’s President, Alistair Routledge, to the effect that it can take its investment elsewhere if it does not get its way with the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP) are “utter rubbish”. The lawyer posited that ExxonMobil is financially weak and desperately needs Guyana to improve its standing. With respect to the threat by Routledge to take the investment elsewhere, Janki said, “Guyana is a sovereign state. We are a sovereign people. We control our resources. ExxonMobil on the other hand can’t produce oil safely, won’t obey the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and has shown total disrespect for the state and for the people of Guyana. The Government must shut them down and start over.” She added, “Under our Constitution, and in a true democracy, sovereignty rests with the people. The
government exercises that sovereignty on our behalf. The Guyanese people have raised very serious and fundamental questions about what this grossly exploitative (Stabroek Block) deal means for our resources and the future of this country. Exxon needs to provide answers.” Janki stated that, at the end of the day, Guyana should not accept any more false promises of wealth from a company that was just booted out of the Dow, that has lost US$184B in value in less than six years, whose share price has dropped from US$95 to US$40 in four years, and which desperately needs approval for its third well project here, called Payara. The lawyer said that the reality of the day is that ExxonMobil is the one who needs Guyana and not the other way around. Almost a week ago, Kaieteur News would have reported that one of the critical issues stymieing the approval process for Payara is ExxonMobil’s desire to retain the loopholes it got in the Liza One and Two permits which allow for flaring. The other matter of concern pertains to the dumping of produced water into the ocean. When oil companies drill the sea floor to extract oil, it is not only oil that comes up with it; water is part of the mixture too. As a result of it not being needed, it is separated and disposed of. The critical issue is how that disposal is being done. International best practices dictate that this produced water should be re-injected into the earth’s surface. Research conducted by Kaieteur News notes that in some cases, the produced water is discharged into oceans and other offshore water channels. Because no two geographic regions are alike, studies are done to assess the environmental risks of the produced water’s toxicity on marine life before granting approval for the disposal of it into the ocean. In Guyana’s case, not a single study was done for the Liza Phase One or Two projects. Still, Guyana went full steam ahead with approving the permits for those projects, which allow for the disposal of produced water into the ocean. Recognizing the grave mistake made in this regard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is headed by Dr. Vincent Adams, wants ExxonMobil to put systems in place for the re-injection of the produced water for the Payara project. Kaieteur News was able to (Continued on page 42)
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From page 41 confirm with key officials close to the project that ExxonMobil is not pleased about this request and has rejected it. Dr. Adams, who has been instructed to proceed on more than 120 days leave, had noted in an interview with this paper that he is not a proponent for the dumping of produced water into the ocean. He said that the Liza Destiny vessel is already dumping 4,000 barrels of produced water daily and in about six years, it will get to about 300,000 barrels. Dr. Adams said, “I have worked in the oil fields as a Production and Reservoir engineer and we injected every single drop of water. If you are onshore, the water would obviously have to be re-injected. Also, the World Bank has made it clear that you should only dispose of produced water into the ocean when it is not technically feasible [to re-inject].” In ExxonMobil’s case, Dr. Adams said, it is more than feasible. BELLADRUM RESIDENTS USE OLD SHOPAND CAR TO BLOCK ROAD IN PROTEST OF MINGO’S DETENTION Belladrum, West Coast Berbice residents Sunday
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vented their frustration and anger at the detention of controversial Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo in protest, blocking the main access roads and demanding that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) release him. Mingo and three of his assistants were arrested last week, after investigations into the protracted General and Regional Elections commenced. Mingo has been hit with a slew of charges including fraud and misconduct in public office for his role in what has been shown to be manipulation of Region Four votes in March 2 General and Regional Elections. Over 200 Belladrum residents in response, packed onto the Paradise Bridge, even with the continued hike in Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Guyana. Some wore masks but many others did not as they chanted, sung gospel songs and danced to drums, all while denying commuters on both sides of the thoroughfare leave to pass. Police presence including officers from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) was heavy on the grounds but appeared to only serve as a precaution incase the crowd got too out of hand.
In full view of officers, the residents placed large boulders on the road, burnt tires, and old materials. They even took it a step further and fetched out a large old shop, placing it in the middle of the bridge. The residents also brought out old cars to aid the blockage. The Force in a statement later Sunday evening categorically stated that not only are the protests illegal but they also represent a threat to public safety due to the riotous behaviour of those involved in the illegal protests. “Such behaviour can only cause harm to the wellbeing of innocent citizens,” they said. Further, they added that the continued blockage constitutes a denial of the rights and freedoms of tens of thousands of citizens who need to use the public roadway in the exercise of their constitutional freedom of movement. “Moreover,” the Force stated, “the gathering of protestors and the miles-long build-up of traffic on both sides of the road at Belladrum are a clear violation of the Covid-19 guidelines which are currently in place as part of Government’s efforts to mitigate the effects and spread of the global
pandemic in Guyana, thereby endangering the lives of tens of thousands of Guyanese.” The Force urged those residents to desist and made it clear that they will use all means necessary to clear the public roadway of all obstructions. The protestors’ actions however got the full support of incoming Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon who urged them on. Harmon said “I have said to Mr. Mingo and the people of Belladrum from whence he came, I spoke to his wife and his brother…that we are fully supporting the village and that we will not allow our supporters, for that matter
any Guyanese people to be abused, their rights violated under the direction of this fraudulent government.” Harmon is contending that the Returning Officer is being unlawfully detained by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) but Attorney General, Anil Nandlall denied these claims, stating that the RO will remain in police custody until his court appearance today to answer the charges. CHOPPED MAN DRIVES HIMSELF TO HOSPITALAND DIES The victim of a chopping attack drove himself to a hospital but died while receiving treatment for his wound on Saturday. Dead is Kishan Persaud, 29, of Buzz Bee Dam, Craig, East Bank Demerara. Persaud was driving home in his car when he made a turn on to First Street Craig at around 21:35 Hrs and saw a vendor with a fruit cart blocking his path. According to police, he told the man to remove the cart but the vendor, ignored and delayed a little. Persaud grew impatient and stepped out of his car to confront the Vendor. An argument ensued between the two during which the vendor found a cutlass and chopped Persaud to the left side of his neck before running away. The injured Persaud then ran into his car, turned it around and drove as fast as he could to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. At approximately 22:30Hrs, Persaud passed away while being treated by doctors. The suspect was later captured by police, just after midnight at his home located at 79 Second Street, Buzz Bee Dam. TUESDAY FOR EVERY CONCESSION GIVEN TO OIL COMPANIES, YOU MUST GET SOMETHING IN RETURN – UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON INSTRUCTOR University of Houston instructor, Tom Mitro, said
that for every concession granted to oil companies during negotiations, it is imperative on the government’s side to ensure that it gets something in return for the people. Mitro, at the time of making these comments, was in a 2019 interview with the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment. He had been asked what advice he would give to governments as they negotiate with sophisticated international oil companies (IOCs). Mitro advises that governments take the time to understand the styles, management orientations, operating philosophies, strategies and home country influences of the IOCs they are dealing with, as it could provide benefits in the long run. He explained that it is important for governments to come to the negotiating table looking at a contract holistically. Oil companies, he said, exhibit certain typical behaviours in their approach. This would involve bringing a range of technical expertise to the table to zero-in on various aspects of the contract: “geologists, engineers, lawyers, tax experts, and economic analysts—all who work in professional silos without any broader perspectives or mandates.” The company, he explained, would seek to isolate each issue and negotiate it on a technical basis, something that could put the government side at a disadvantage. “The Americans are very much focused on the technical data and are led by an engineering culture; they will often try to convince governments with technical data, and argue that certain negotiating proposals are inconsistent with “standard” or “best” practices,” Mitro stated. This can place the government at a position of disadvantage, as Mitro
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explained “These assertions can be difficult for the government to dispute without analyzing comparative deals in other jurisdictions…” The instructor advises that governments not agree on issues individually, but try to see all issues as one whole package, with “tradeoffs” between unrelated issues. “For instance, the government could say: ‘We won’t agree to accelerate depreciation on your project expenditures unless you implement an ambitious local procurement plan,’ even though the two issues are quite unrelated. This type of conversation and linkage of issues could serve to mitigate the often narrowly focused technical strength of the other side.” Guyana has had an unfortunate history with contract negotiations where the oil sector is concerned. All of the contracts signed bear provisions that have been adjudged to be gravely flawed in the context of the modern oil industry, and have been subject to discourse about the prospect of renegotiation. The government has noted that, moving forward, its negotiations will be informed by a model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that reflects the dignity of Guyana’s patrimony. EXXON DEFIES GOVT.’SAUTHORITY BUT MAKES GUYANA OUT TO BE THE BULLY It is common knowledge that the Payara project, the third of its kind that ExxonMobil intends to develop in the Stabroek Block, has not yet been approved by the Government of Guyana. Yet, a year ago, the oil major decided that it did not need Guyana’s approval to go ahead and hand out contracts for Payara related works. While the company would claim that such posturing by oil companies is an industry norm, its premature actions now risk increased pollution of Guyana’s natural environment, and makes Guyana out to be the bully for daring to ask for better. A field development plan is a layout of all of the processes and activities intended to develop an oil field, and the manner in which those will be executed. Before it begins to develop a field, an oil company is required to hand over its plan to the Department of Energy for approval before it gets to work. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
must also review an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared by the company and determine whether it should issue an environmental permit. The country has already approved two ExxonMobil Field Development Plans (FDP) for Liza Phases One and Two. Still, last year, the Energy Department realized that it needed a third party to hold its hands through the review process, as explained by Energy Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe. Guyana had not even hired the UK Consultant, Bayphase yet to review the FDP for Payara, when, in November, Exxon started handing out contracts. Early in that month, the Dutch firm SBM Offshore announced that it was awarded a contract to perform works for the Prosperity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessel. Government and Public Affairs Advisor for ExxonMobil Guyana, Janelle Persaud, had told Kaieteur News, “As part of our preparations for the project, we have awarded an initial contract to SBM for a limited release of funds to begin Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) activities and secure a hull for the Payara project FPSO.” Lack of approval for the Payara FDP did not concern Exxon, nor did it concern SBM Offshore when it decided to make orders pursuant to fulfilling Exxon’s award. MINGO, TWO OTHERS RELEASED ON BAIL FOR ELECTION FRAUD Region Four Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo, and two other GECOM employees were Monday released on bail after they appeared in court to face multiple election fraud charges. Mingo, who was accompanied by his attorneys, Nigel Hughes and Darren Wade, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Mingo was slapped with four charges alleging that he misconducted himself in public office by failing to disclose the number of votes that were counted during the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections. He was not required to plead to the indictable offence which stated that on March 5, 2020, and March 13, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, while being a Public Officer, that is to say the RO of Region Four for the March 2, 2020,
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Regional and General Elections, he declared a result without ascertaining the total number of votes which resulted in him willingly misconducting himself without any reasonable excuse or justification. While speaking to reporters outside of the court compound, Hughes said that the State was represented by Tarique Mohamed, a prosecutor from the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) who made objections to bail being granted to Mingo on the gravity of the offences and based on the comments that were made by the Head of the Organisation of America States (OAS) Observer Mission, Bruce Golding, on the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections. Hughes added that they then inquired on the status of the investigation and the court was informed that 21 more witnesses are remaining to be interviewed. Hughes then used that opportunity to make a bail application for his client and it was granted in the sum of $150,000, each for the four charges – a total of $600,000. Also, Mingo was required to lodge his passport and was ordered to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Georgetown every Friday until the completion of the trial. The matter was adjourned to September 25, 2020, and on that date Mingo is expected to make his second court appearance. On August 25, 2020 Mingo was arrested by police at his Calcutta, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara home. This was after a probe was launched to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the formal reports that were made alleging criminal activities by Mingo and other GECOM officials as it relates to the March 2 elections and the events that followed. Also placed before the court was Information
Technology Officer, Enrique Livan, who was named in a USB flash drive scandal surrounding the tabulations of votes that happened on March 5, 2020. WEDNESDAY EXCITINGGUYANA PROSPECTS NEEDED TO RESCUE EXXON’S SHAREHOLDERS – ANALYSTS – BUT OIL COMPANY STILL REFUSES TO GIVE GUYANAAFAIR DEAL Goldman and Sachs, which is headquartered in New York City, has established a reputation for being one of the largest investment banks in the world. It is also well known as the white knight of the financial services industry as it provides shareholders, investors and billion-dollar firms with advice on which stocks are best to buy and at what time. One of the companies it monitors closely is ExxonMobil which is the operator of the Stabroek Block in Guyana that currently holds over eight billion barrels of oil equivalent resources. When analysts at the bank recently checked the financial health of the company, they told the market that ExxonMobil’s shares should be sold as quickly as possible. Goldman and Sachs said that since 2017, the oil giant has seen a 50% decline in stock price and the degradation of its balance sheet as it had to borrow significantly to pay dividends.Forbes.com which reported on this matter Tuesday was keen to note that investors have already been fleeing. Adding insult to injury, the bi-weekly business magazine noted that Exxon was booted last week from the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Dow Jones, or simply the
Dow, is a stock market index that measures the stock performance of 30 large companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Exxon is no longer part of that elite club. (https:// w w w. f o r b e s . c o m / s i t e s / christopherhelman/2020/08/ 31/goldman-sachs-10reasons-to-sell-exxonmobilnow/#70efa5c49803) Taking these and other factors into consideration, analysts at the investment bank noted that there is really no compelling case to own an Exxon stock which is a message they have iterated to the market since February last. (https://www.cnbc.com/ 2020/02/03/goldmandowngrades-exxon-to-sellsays-theres-no-compellingcase-to-own-the-stock.html) According to the said analysts, the only glimmer of hope for the giant remains Guyana. They said that Exxon’s deepwater discoveries offshore Guyana have been the most exciting part of its exploration programme in recent years. In fact, the multinational has sold off many of its assets around the world just to focus on its Guyana operations, the crown jewel of its portfolio which industry experts note will bring its shareholders billions of dollars in return. In spite of having in its hands, a deal that would be able to rescue it from the financial quicksand it has landed in, ExxonMobil continues to refuse Guyana its right to renegotiate the deal to give citizens what they deserve for the exploitation of their resource. Just recently, the President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, was asked to provide his take on calls to review the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) so that Guyana could get more value for its oil. Routledge was keen to note that ExxonMobil and the Government of Guyana have had very little discussion on
this front. He did note, however, that the PPP/C administration wants to have all the oil deals reviewed and not renegotiated. Out of respect for the sanctity of contracts, Routledge said it is important that only a review is done and not a renegotiation. The Country Manager said, “…Internationally, contract sanctity is important to all companies. If we enter into contracts with governments and they change down the road, then it is very difficult for us to make commitments on projects that have typically 20 to 30 years investment. And how can we make those commitments if we are unsure if terms will change? So it is important for everyone to understand that sanctity is important.” With this in mind, the official was asked to say what he believes to be the purpose of the review if not to have a renegotiation of certain provisions that would give Guyana more return. This was asked in light of the heavy criticisms over the last five years that the Stabroek Block deal is in favour of the company and not Guyana. Routledge was quick to note that he does not believe that the deal is lopsided, but rather, a representation of “aligned interests”. He said, too, that if the contract was “more challenging” for ExxonMobil “then to be honest, I don’t think in this environment, investment dollars would be coming to Guyana currently.” HEALTH MINISTER SEEKING LOAN FROM INDIAN BANK TO REVAMP SECTIONS OF WEST DEMERARAHOSPITAL Guyana’s Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, recently indicated that he will be seeking collaboration and a loan from the Indian Export-Import (Continued on page 44)
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From page 43 (ExIm) Bank to rebuild major sections of the West Demerara Hospital. Dr. Anthony stated that between late 2020 to early 2021, the project will be coming on stream. The Indian Ex-Im Bank would have provided loans for several projects in Guyana including the East Bank /East Coast Demerara Road Linkage Project. A line of credit by the bank was also approved by the Government of India which saw about US$17.5 million being provided for the improvement of Suddie Regional Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital, and the Bartica District Hospital. The disclosure of the expansion came recently after the Minister toured the hospital’s maternity facility. He was accompanied by Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region Three, Dr. Erica Forte; Head of the Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Department, Dr. Fareez Khan, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Representative, Bodhan Nipan and staffers of the hospital’s maternity unit. The Minister indicated that he would like to have the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) back in works as it would have been out of operations for a “very” long time. Dr. Anthony stated that the area has been facing a serious issue of fungus and mold. He also added that the electricity supply has been unstable but it will be addressed. To reduce and eliminate infant mortality in Guyana, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) had commissioned the hospital’s NICU however, for a while it had not been functioning. In 2016, it was fully reopened and equipped with incubators, open care warmers, infant ventilators, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines, IV (Intravenous) and syringe pumps, photo-therapy lamps (LED and Fluorescent), monitors, transport incubators, oxygen and humidity therapy devices, and aerosol medication devices- but even after this, it went out of operations. A ministry official stated that in 2016, the IDB had approved a loan of US$8M for a project set to reduce maternal, prenatal, and neonatal deaths in Guyana. It also sought to improve maternal and child health services in Regions Three, Four, and Nine. In staying committed to this loan, on Saturday, US$25,084 ($5M Guyana
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dollars) in equipment was handed over to the maternity unit- these included beds, pediatric cots, examination lamps, and trolleys. Another contribution of equipment is also expected to be delivered which will include cardiac monitors and other vital medical equipment. THURSDAY LIZA-1 EIA WOULD NOT HAVE PASSED T&T REGULATOR – FORMER DIRECTOR OF T&T NATIONAL GAS COMPANY …PAYARA EIA IS SIMILARLY FLAWED Past Director of the National Gas Company of Trinidad & Tobago (NGC) and Sustainability Engineer, Mr. Cathal Singh has said that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Exxon’s first development in the Stabroek Block, Liza Phase One, would not have passed the T&T regulator, as there are fundamental flaws. In Guyana’s case, the Liza-1 permit was approved on the very day that the company submitted its 1500-page EIA. What makes matters worse is that the same flaws exist in the Liza-2 and Payara (third well) plans. Singh appeared on Kaieteur Radio’s Petroleum 101 on Tuesday night, where he and Environmentalist, Annette Arjoon-Martins, spoke about threats to the environment, in the context of Guyana’s oil & gas sector. Singh’s time with NGC forms part of more than two decades of work under his belt, during which he has served several governments on matters of sustainability. The environmental issues faced by Guyana, due to the operations of ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block place the country in a “difficult situation,” Singh told Kaieteur Radio. He said, “I have been through the EIA document for the Liza One. I think that there are many issues with it, that it would not have passed our regulation in Trinidad for fundamental reasons.” The biggest issue Singh noted that he thought of at the time is the cumulative impact of managing liquid waste on the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. Kaieteur News had reported that ExxonMobil is dumping about 4,000 barrels of produced water into the ocean every day. This is water that comes up with the oil that is being pumped from under the ground. “With liquid waste,” Singh said, “the produced
water is water that was there millions and millions of years ago when the water was compressed and isolated below the ground. That water has everything that you can imagine in it, from metals to radioactive material… It’s a very long list of chemicals that are in that water.” The produced water, according to the World Bank’s advice on the best practice, should be reinjected. At this juncture, the extent of the impact of that water being dumped into the oceans is not known. President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge had said that the company wants to continue dumping the liquids into the ocean, as the produced water is treated and has no effect on the environment. Routledge’s claim in this regard, finds conflict with the fact that no such information supporting it has been lodged with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and no study was ever commissioned to make such a determination. Singh said on Petroleum 101 that the liquid waste being discharged is a high volume which could be as high as 50 times the amount of oil being produced, depending on the age of t h e r e s e r v o i r, a n d t h a t Guyana really cannot entertain assumptions about this issue without studies, least of all, what it is being told by the operator. What Singh finds unacceptable is that Exxon is yet to pronounce on what could happen, in this regard, with the Liza-2 and Payara projects, which are meant to follow Liza-1. Liza-2 has already been permitted, and is on track for startup in 2022, while Payara awaits the
approval of the Government. “Everybody knows it’s coming, and everybody has an idea of how much oil [Liza2 and Payara are] going to produce,” Singh said. Both of these projects would involve FPSOs with the capacity to produce almost twice as much oil per day as the Liza Destiny, making the threat to the environment potentially an even graver concern. The Sustainability Engineer opined that what should have been done is a study of the fate and effect of the liquid pollution in the sea, to add support to the claim Routledge is making, that there is no environmental harm. Furthermore, he said that the impact of dumping this produced water remains a legitimate issue that ought to be interrogated in the review of the Payara application. If that is not done, then that uncertainty is moved to the approval of the next project with the next FPSO. “I think that that’s not a good way to start playing the game,” Singh stated. Matters like this one, and the flaring of billions of cubic feet of gas at the Liza Destiny, still plague the Payara project which Exxon hopes the government will accept with haste. EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams, who has been sent on leave by the Irfaan Ali administration, has attempted to have these matters fixed, but the c o m p a ny has shown reluctance to resolving these issues, as it insists that better safeguards would be too costly. Singh said that Exxon has to publicly answer for the deficiencies of the EIAs that have passed, and that it must
articulate on paper how it will treat these issues in the current EIA. WHAT GUYANAGETS FROM EXXON OIL PRODUCTION, IT THREATENS TO TAKE AWAY WHEN IT FLARES – ENVIRONMENTALIST Environmentalist Annette Arjoon-Martins has drawn attention to the fact that ExxonMobil’s flaring of gas at the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel threatens to have much more impact on Guyana than just the environmental cost. She said that it could have a compromising effect on Guyana’s environmental development partners who have been known to fund environmental programmes here. To put it simply, ArjoonMartins is of the view that though Exxon’s production of oil offshore brings home millions to Guyana, its cavalier treatment of the issue of flaring and the grave impact such pollution has on the environment is likely to cause Guyana to lose funding elsewhere. Guyana is a carbon sink due to its vast forest cover. Norway had decided years ago to compensate Guyana for the preservation of its forests. However, because of ExxonMobil, Guyana is among the top 10 oil producing countries releasing toxic chemicals into the environment, according to Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). Conservationist and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Director of the Guianas, Dr. David Singh, had told Stabroek News in June that flaring nine billion cubic feet
of natural gas – the amount calculated as of December 2019 to late June – is equivalent to the loss of 4,642 hectares of forest, which would be valued at US$24M based on the carbon price under Guyana’s forest protection pact with Norway. To put that into perspective, Guyana received US$46M from its third crude lift at the Liza-1 project. “Our environmental partners,” Arjoon-Martins stated, “would obviously think twice about why would they want to fund any sort of environmental programme and this is being allowed to happen.” With such a loss from flaring, is Exxon really doing Guyana any good? Arjoon-Martins appeared on Kaieteur Radio’s Petroleum 101 on Tuesday night, alongside Sustainability Engineer, Cathal Singh, where they discussed threats to the environment in the context of Guyana’s oil and gas sector. She noted that her advocacy is not about opposition to the oil industry, that she supports oil production in a framework of sound regulation and mitigation of negative impacts on the environment. Where Exxon’s flaring is concerned, more than 10B cubic feet of gas has been flared at the Liza Phase One project. Exxon claims that it is due to a defective gas compressor currently undergoing repairs in Germany. The company is yet to put a timeline on the halting of its environmental infraction. Its attitude, ArjoonMartins said, is “almost disrespectful”. Kaieteur News had reported that loopholes exist in the Liza (Continued on page 45)
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From page 44 Phase One permit that ExxonMobil exploited in its interpretation, to allow it to flare. The environmentalist said she’s sure that, at the time the EPA permitted Liza-1, there was absolutely no consideration, for the event of an emergency such as what is occurring now with the company’s eight months of flaring. “I always maintain,” she said, “that the long-term cost of Exxon’s flaring is going to be way above what we’re valuing it at the moment… I think that Exxon could do a whole lot better.” $168M CONTRACT AWARDED TO M&B CONSTRUCTION FOR EMERGENCYSEA DEFENCE WORKSAT MAHAICONY The Ministry of Public Works has awarded a contract to the tune of $168M to local contractor, M&B Construction, for the repair of 100 meters of compromised sea defence at Dantzig, Mahaicony, Region Five. Initially, Brian Tiwari’s BK International Incorporated was identified to complete the repairs on the 100 meters of breached sea defence, especially considering that the breach occurred close to where BK was conducting repairs. However, because these repairs to the sea defence are so time-sensitive, along with the fact that residents have lost millions of dollars in livestock and damage to property, the Public Works Ministry thought it necessary to retender the project. “I have gotten Cabinet’s ‘no objection’, and as far as I have been informed, works should have commenced,” said Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, in an invited comment to Kaieteur News Wednesay. Minister Edghill had indicated that on August 20 last, the estimate for the fixing of the 100 meters breach could be about $145M. It is unclear, however, what is the justification for the variation of $28M between the previous estimate and the current contract total. Notably, Junior Public Works Minister, Deodat Indar, had shared that this 100 meter breach could expand further, causing more damage and resulting in additional funds being expended. “That 100 meters,” Indar said, “in a couple of days can become 200, 300, 400…and it extends as the water keeps gushing into the riverfront, the oceanfront. So to stop the
escalation, the speed to react is the most critical thing”. Background In October of 2019, powerful high tides had devastated parts of coastal Guyana, with thousands of families living near the shoreline struggling to keep their belongings, livestock and farmlands from being damaged by saltwater as a result of the breached sea defence. At the time, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) under the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration had ramped up works with contractors along certain points at the Mahaicony foreshore. Close to $1B was spent to seal the breaches. Initially, the contract to repair severe sea defence damage was awarded to A&S General Contractors but was later transferred to BK International Inc., following poor works executed by A&S. In June of this year, BK International was awarded a contract of $352M by the same previous government to complete “urgent flood protection works”, however, to date, little movement has been made on the 500 meters allocated to that contractor. Notably, despite being the highest bidder for the project by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), BK International was awarded the $352M contract, some $74M more than its already relatively high bid offer. BK International was one of the three companies which bid to secure the contract. The other two companies are MB Construction which submitted a $235,744,500 bid and Colin Talbot Contracting Services which submitted a $247,599,600 bid, while the engineer’s estimate was $184,521,000. BK’s bid was $278,876,300 – some $31M over the next highest bid and more than $90M over the
engineer’s estimate. BK and the MoPI had defended this $74M increase, stating that an additional 150 meters were added to the original project, which took the scope of works to 500 meters. Kaieteur News has made numerous attempts to view the contract between the government and BK but those efforts have been unsuccessful. FRIDAY REPORT EXPOSES… APNU+AFC KNEW OF DEADLY EFFECTS OF FLARING BUT STILL ALLOWED EXXONMOBIL TO POLLUTE GUYANA’S AIRSPACE American multi-national, ExxonMobil, has been flaring gas offshore Guyana for almost eight months due to mechanical issues it experienced with the Liza Destiny’s gas compressor system that is being fixed in Germany. The oil giant had been burning gas while the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) regime was in office- since last December to be exact. Even though it was fully aware of the deadly effects of flaring, the APNU+AFC regime did absolutely nothing about it. Kaieteur News was able to ascertain the former regime’s awareness of the effects of flaring by way of Annex A (4) of the Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040. This document was developed by the Granger regime. Annex A (4) provided analytical evidence to support why the APNU+AFC is/was
opposed to flaring. The document states that the negative impacts of gas flaring are well understood by the former regime, as such, Guyana would not undertake routine gas flaring for any excess associated gas produced from the offshore petroleum fields. The Annex goes on to note that the option to release gas into the atmosphere by flaring and venting is an important practice in oil production for safety reasons. It was noted, however, that such a practice generates a high level of hydrocarbons when oil-gas-water solutions are flared. It was further noted by the coalition government at the time that the process of burning associated gas “has many negative impacts on the environment,” including the release of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), methane, and other greenhouse gas emissions. The Annex also stated that studies in Nigeria, where gas flaring is not prohibited, demonstrated the links between environmental impacts such as acid rain. Other impacts the report said, included negative health impacts due to exposure to pollutants. Kaieteur News, by way of extensive research, would have also shown how gas flaring contributes to climate change, which has serious implications for the world. The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, was keen to note in one of its studies that gas flaring is actually a major source of greenhouse gases (GHG) contributing to global warming which could accelerate the problem of climatic change and harsh living conditions on earth, if
not checked. The Department also notes that there are over 250 toxins released from flaring including carcinogens such as benzopyrene, benzene, carbon disulphide (CS2), carbonyl sulphide (COS) and toluene; metals such as mercury, arsenic and chromium; sour gas with Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2); Nitrogen oxides (NOx); Carbon dioxide (CO2); and methane (CH4) which contributes to the greenhouse gases. To date, ExxonMobil has polluted Guyana’s airspace with more than 10 billion cubic feet of gas. On a daily basis, it is burning 12 to 15 million cubic feet. EXXON SPENDS US$186M TO FIX FLARINGAT SCOTTISH PLANT – BUT CONTINUES TO FLOUT REGULATIONS IN GUYANA Due to concerns raised by Scottish residents over flaring at an Exxon controlled plant there, the oil major late last year announced a commitment of £140M (US$186M) to fix the issue. Though it would commit so much to the European country, ExxonMobil continues to flout the concerns of environmentalists here in Guyana as it exploits loopholes in its Liza-1 permit to flare billions of cubic feet of natural gas. It even expects those loopholes to be preserved in permits for its future projects, as it refuses to spend more to safeguard Guyana’s environment. The Scottish situation
The Mossmorran Natural Gas Liquids plant comprises two plants: the Fife NGL Plant operated by Shell and the Fife Ethylene Plant operated by ExxonMobil. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) had said last year that an “unprecedented” scale of hundreds of complaints from nearby residents and other members of the public about rumbling noises and disturbing chemical smells. Over the years, there have also been complaints about bright flames and black smoke emanating from the plant. As with the Guyana situation, Exxon had blamed the issue on defective equipment. Meanwhile, persons campaigning to end the flaring are reported as saying that residents are “living in fear” wondering what the true impact of the plant’s operations could be on their livelihoods. The issue of flaring is regarded by industry experts working with Scotland as an important issue, permitted only under certain conditions necessary to release pressure and maintain safety. In Guyana, however, the government does not want any flaring to occur. One resident told BBC that when it happened, her eyes would burn and she wouldn’t be able to catch her breath. She, like many others, was especially concerned about the long-term effect of the flaring on children. Another woman was horrified to know that her seven-year-old son’s asthma was triggered by the flaring. Though he only used his inhaler about three times a year, she said it meant he had to use it every day when the (Continued on page 46)
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From page 45 company flared. As Exxon has done for its environmental infractions in Guyana, it sought to deny the impact of the flaring. BBC reported in August 2019 that the company said its plant is unlikely to have an impact on air quality and human health, and that the flaring poses no significant risk. In the month after, as complaints continued to grow by the hundreds, ExxonMobil made the announcement that it would spend the £140M (US$186M) on work to mitigate the flaring – which included fitting flaring tips and other technology. Scottish Energy Minister is quoted by BBC as saying, “Given community concerns, the Scottish government has been clear that the frequency of unplanned flaring at the site is unacceptable…” The Guyana Situation ExxonMobil has flared over 10 billion cubic feet of natural gas at the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. It claims the issue persists due to defective equipment currently undergoing repairs in Germany. Head of the local Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, had noted that loopholes exist in the Liza-1 permit which have been exploited by ExxonMobil to flare. Those loopholes also exist in the Liza-2 and Payara
Kaieteur News
project plans, and have held up the approval for the Payara project. Exxon wants to keep the very loopholes, which allow it to flare despite doing considerable damage to Guyana’s environment, its reputation as a carbon sink, and its opportunities of funding from its environmental development partners. While some would think that Exxon’s expenditure in Scotland sets a precedent for its regard for the environment, its posturing in Guyana indicates otherwise.
Sunday September 06, 2020
The Prosperity FPSO hull - photo from SWS, the Chinese contractor.
SATURDAY PAYARA FPSO UNDER CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT GOVT. APPROVAL ExxonMobil continues to speed ahead with preparations for its intended Payara development in the Stabroek Block, despite no formal approval from government yet on the company’s third well. The construction of the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, called Prosperity is underway in Singapore. SBM Offshore, the company Exxon tasked with building the vessel, did not make the announcement via official press release, but several credible media reports indicate that it received the hull in Singapore on Monday, August 31 from Chinese
shipbuilder Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS). The FPSO hull is currently docked there, with work already progressing on the mooring system and preparation for the lifting and integration of the topside modules. In defiance of the government’s regulatory processes, Exxon had awarded an initial contract to SBM in November, 2019 for the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED). In that very month, ExxonMobil gave the Italian oilfield services company, Saipem a multimillion US dollar contract for the construction of a large
subsea facility for the FPSO. Exxon didn’t submit the Field Development Plan (FDP) for the project to Government until the following month. Guyana’s government hired the firm, Bayphase, to conduct the review of the Payara project shortly after. Exxon intends for Payara to start producing oil in 2023, with the Prosperity FPSO at maximum capacity of 220,000 barrels per day, same as the Liza Unity FPSO for start-up in 2022. The Liza Destiny, currently in operation, maxes out at 120,000 barrels per day. After months passed without approvals of the Payara project from the
An image showing what flaring looks like
Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Exxon began to pressure Guyana for a swift approval, despite the fact that the country had not yet done its due diligence. It claims that if there is a delay beyond this month, Guyana would lose out on billions. Its country manager, Alistair Routledge even threatened last week that the company would take its money elsewhere if the government sought to renegotiate. Head of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams had staunchly advocated for several issues in the Payara FDP to be fixed, before the Irfaan Ali administration sent him on leave. Exxon has flared billions of cubic feet of gas at the Liza Destiny and it wants the same loopholes it has exploited to do so present in the Payara permit. Similar issues exist where the dumping of thousands of gallons of produced water in the ocean is concerned. The water is supposed to be reinjected into the reservoir, but Exxon insists there is no hazard, even though no studies were done to determine the impact of the produced water on the environment. GOVT. SLASHES US$158M BY REDESIGNING EAST BANK BYPASS ROAD PROJECT – COSTS DOWN TO US$50M Moving ahead with its development agenda that will see an enhancement of traffic flow along the East Bank of Demerara corridor, the Government has retailored the Ogle to Diamond bypass road project to conform with the loan available to execute the major works. Speaking exclusively with the Department of Public
Information, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar said the new four-lane East Coast-East Bank Linkage Project will extend from Ogle to Haags Bosch, rather than to Diamond. This move will spare taxpayers a p p r o x i m a t e l y USD$158Million. “What was driving up that [project] cost was a number of connectors on the road,” Minister Indar cited. Identifying the previously proposed connection at Mocha as a difficult area to execute works, the Minister noted the swamp terrain saw astronomical increases in the total project cost. “For you to do those swamps, the cost of the earth works pushed up the cost to $208Million. Remember, the Indian Government only had $50Million allocated to this project. So, we had to redesign the project to bring it to the original design,” Minister Indar explained. The Minister further confirmed that India has accepted the new design for the roadworks. As such, the Government is moving ahead to implement the project that was stalled for five years under the former APNU+AFC Coalition administration. At the completion of Phase 1 of the project (Diamond to Haags Bosch), Minister Indar said the administration will forge ahead with the extension of the bypass road further up the East Bank of Demerara to Timehri. The bypass will be seen as a major move to reduce congestion on the crowded East Bank Demerara roadway which also caters for traffic from West Demerara, Linden and the hinterlands, and Timehri.
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A united front to tackling issues facing over 49,000 ... From page 22 was formed on the notion that having a collective voice on issues affecting people living with disabilities, would make individual organizations more effective in their cause. “So, for instance we had an organization representing people who are visually impaired or another for people with difficulty hearing; each representing its individual interest but none as effective as they would like to be. However, GCOPD provided a platform for all these organisations to join forces to represent and support one core group that is —persons with disabilities,” he said. Through the efforts of the Council, the programmes coordinator explained that there have been a number projects aimed at addressing the concerns of those with special needs.Among them, he noted, is the GCOPD Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) robotics project for children with special needs. The programme is slated to operate out of four of 12 Special Education schools and the skills training programme with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). The GCOPD official said however that like most places due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, the programmes were placed on hold. At the interim, he said the Council has been providing support for its members with the assistance of private organizations and individuals. “As you know, the COVID- 19 pandemic has pre-
sented the world with some unprecedented challenges, persons living with disabilities are amongst the vulnerable group of people who are encountering great difficulty in their survival as a consequence of the pandemic,” Singh said.But according to him, ‘Organizations like the Chinese embassy made a donation of food hampers and care packages to the Guyana Council of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) to help families with disabled members combat COVID-19.”Singh said too that while the GCOPD has benefitted significantly from partnering with private organizations and individuals, the Council is looking to strengthen its ties with public sector entities so as to benefit from programmes funded by the Government and its stakeholders.“The Council of Organisations met last December where we consulted on developing a manifesto to present to the various political parties contesting the elections,” he revealed. The manifesto, he said, represented key areas that whichever government came to power can address the concerns for persons with disabilities.“These were presented to various parties and we received responses from some of the parties at the time, including the People Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) which is now in Government.” According to Singh, the GCOPD saw it as important to develop a relationship with the ruling party since a number of its objectives touches
The Nutritional Benefits ... From page 32 such, bananas are ideal, especially for children and athletes, for breakfast, as a midday snack or before and after sports. Ms Peggy Tan, Dietitian, Tiong Bahru Community Health Centre, a member of the SingHealth group, explains why bananas are good for you and when you should eat them. When is the best time to eat bananas? The best time to eat bananas depends on your nutritional needs and preference. Generally, the taste and nutritional value of bananas change as they ripen. Newlyripened bananas tend to be less sweet than well-ripened bananas because the starch hasn’t fully broken down into simple sugars. The upside to eating newly-ripened bananas is that you stay full for longer and enjoy the benefits of the resistant starch therein. On the other hand, a wellripened banana with some dark patches on the skin is easier to digest and may give you the energy boost you re-
quire before playing sports. Can everyone eat bananas? Some medical conditions can result in people having a high level of potassium in the blood. In that case, it will be wise to refrain from taking bananas.And contrary to popular belief, a person with diabetes can eat bananas as long as the carbohydrate contents are accounted for. Article contributed by the Tiong Bahru Community Health Centre. Tiong Bahru Community Health Centre (CHC) strives to bring about convenient health services to the community. It is helmed by a team of experienced nurses and allied healthcare professionals to support and complement GPs in their management of patients with chronic conditions.Main services include Digital Diabetic Retinopathy Photography, Diabetic Foot Screening, Nurse Counselling and Education, as well as Dietetic Services.( h t t p s : / / www.healthxchange.sg/ food-nutrition/food-tips/ when-eat-bananas-suitablefor-everyone)
and concerns implementation of policies and schemes from a public perspective. He noted that over the years, through the support of private sector, which was and is still needed, little progress was made to holistically address the concerns of people with special needs. “We have seen some improvement in terms of having more access to education with the opening of more schools for special needs children and some public buildings implementing ramps and open spaces for wheelchair users but that’s about it and we need the help of the government to do more. As such, Singh has been meeting with representative from the various Ministries to help open the discussion some of its goals and how best it can be implemented. “The GCOPD looks forward to working with the new government. We are optimistic that we will have a productive relationship with the government to ensure that the rights of persons as stated in the Guyana Persons with Disabilities Act are fulfilled.” The programme coordinator also pointed to the manifesto for implementation to fulfill the rights of persons with disabilities. The manifesto lists several keys areas in which the GCOPD seeks the implementation of polices. These areas include: education, employment, accessibility, financial relief and independence as well as accommodation and housing. With regards to education, the GCOPD wants Ministry of Education to implement an updated and relevant Special Education Needs (SEN) policy by the end of 2020. The policy should be guided by the Guyana Persons With Disabilities PWD Act 2010 to ensure that children with disabilities have an equal opportunity to acquire a meaningful education in each of the 10 administrative regions; adequate number of resource units and SEN schools across Guyana to accommodate children with disabilities; and the full utilization of technology in evidence-based pedagogical practices. The Council is also looking for the government to provide full scholarships to all PWDs who are desirous of pursuing tertiary level education at any paid institutions. Regarding employment, the GCOPD recommends that the government develops and implements a policy that will afford at least five percent of all public sector jobs to qualified and skilled PWDs within all government ministries, agencies and other government organisations with a staff of over 20 persons. The Council in the document too, stressed the need
for financial relief and Financial Independence. The GCOPD noted that the government should develop a programme to disburse a monthly disability grant equivalent to the minimum wage to eligible PWDs. “This will replace the public assistance grant, currently given to a small percentage of PWDs. This current system is problematic in that it is guided by the Poor Relief Act and has criteria for selection that is not disability specific,” the document outlines.Further in its manifesto, the organisation noted that the appropriate government agencies should develop and implement a policy that will ensure that PWDs have access to small grants and loans to establish small businesses and to allocate small government contracts to companies owned and operated by PWDs.The document outlined that “the
government, through the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) should remove individual income and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes from PWDs earning below $1,800,000 per year; the government should also provide an adequate yearly subvention to legally registered Disable People Organisations (DPOs) to support their administration and programme implementation.” As it relates to accessibility, the document recommends that the government, through its respective agencies modify and enforce stringent building codes in compliance with international standards and the Guyana PWD Act 2010 to ensure that all buildings that are open to the public have full accessibility to PWDs regardless of disability type.“The government should ensure that materials published and broadcast for public consumption must be
accessible to all categories of PWDs,” the manifesto added. In terms of accommodation and housing, the GCOPD wants the government to ensure that adequate measures are in place to provide alternative housing to PWDs who have no place of residence in compliance with the Guyana PWD Act 2010. The organization believes that the government, through the Ministry of Housing and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), should make available house lots at no cost to PWDs with an income of less than $100,000 per month and to prioritise the housing applications of PWDs above the $100,000 income bracket. Additionally, the Council is advocating for grants and other housing subsidies to be provided to PWDs to assist in the construction of their houses.
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Sunday September 06, 2020
Enetworks to air Wine of the week : CPL semifinal, final The Folonari Merlot matches this week
Enetworks, the exclusive broadcaster of the Caribbean Premier League (CPLT20) games, will be airing the seminal and final games this week. According to the Enetworks team, the semifinals will be broadcast on Tuesday with one match at 10: 00hrs and another at 17: 30hrs. The final match will be aired on Thursday at 10:00 hrs. All the games will be broadcast on the E2 channel so be sure to tune in. ABOUT CPL The 2020 Caribbean Premier League is the
eighth season of the Caribbean Premier League, the domestic Twenty20 cricket league currently being played in the West Indies. Matches were scheduled to be played in six countries – Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a request was made in June 2020 to play all of the matches in Trinidad. The tournament started on 18 August and is scheduled to end on 10 September 2020.
This 100% Merlot that is distributed by Ansa McAL Trading Limited is aged in a combination of stainless steel tank and American oak barrels. Stainless steel aging helps the wine retain it’s fresh, fruit driven character, while the oak softens the wine and adds spicy, vanilla notes. The wine is bright red in color with a bouquet of blackberry and raspberry followed by a soft, balanced finish. Technical notes Wine Type: Dry Red Grape Type: 70% Merlot, 30% Pinot Noir. Country: Italy Region: Veneto Vinification: The Merlot grapes are traditionally vinified with a long maceration of the skins in the must for 12 days; 30% of the new wine is aged in American oak barrels. The Pinot Noir grapes are also vinified traditionally, with a maceration period of about 8 days. Food pairing Food Match: veal, salmon, roasts, red meat, pasta in meat sauce, grilled vegetables, Hard cheeses Producer Folonari is one of the most celebrated names in the Italian wine market. It was the first producer to offer consumers the opportunity to taste perfectly vinified wines, and has played a critical role in the distribution of quality wines from every region in Italy thanks to its impressive selection expertise. Today, Folonari exports to 35 countries across all continents and offers one of the largest ranges of Italian wines. Folonari has been a byword
for quality since 1825, when Francesco Folonari would select the best batches of grapes himself. Today as then, the passion and experience that have always distinguished the Folonari brand remain at the heart of its reputation for strength, reliability and value. Careful vineyard and grape selection combined with the very best vinification techniques produce wines of exceptional quality and authenticity, tak-
ing Folonari brand beyond the borders of Italy to enjoy enormous success overseas. Over the last 10 years, Folonari has sold more than 70 million bottles. The design on both the labels and brand is simple but effective: tradition meets modernity. The range of wines includes many varieties to satisfy consumer tastes: one brand that offers the best of Italian wine, renowned bottles that combine to make a superb selection.
Sunday September 06, 2020
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Sunday September 06, 2020
Junior page
[by Thalita Murray]
The magic fish E
very day, R o b e r t ’ s grandfather went fishing. One day, Robert asked to go too. ‘Well, I want to catch the magic fish. The first person to eat it will become the cleverest person in the world. Can you help me?’ ‘Yes!’ said Robert, and they went fishing. First, they caught a yellow fish with purple spots. ‘Wow! Is that the magic fish?’ asked Robert. ‘No,’ said his grandfather. Then they caught a blue fish with red stripes. ‘Is that
the magic fish?’ asked Robert. ‘No,’ said his grandfather. Suddenly, they caught a big, beautiful silver fish with pink and green diamonds. Robert’s grandfather jumped for joy. It was the magic fish! They started to cook the fish, and his grandfather went to get some more wood. He asked Robert to watch the fish, but not to eat any of it. Robert watched the fish very carefully. He saw a tiny bubble on its tail. He
touched it with his finger. Pop! The bubble burst. The fish was very hot and burnt his finger. Ouch! He put his finger in his mouth. When his grandfather came back, he saw that something was different. ‘Did you touch the fish?’ asked his grandfather. ‘Yes, I’m sorry,’ said Robert. His grandfather sighed a happy sigh and gave Robert a big hug. ‘The magic fish chose you. You are the cleverest boy in the world, and I am the proudest grandfather ever!’
Sudoku Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.
T
o begin, remove the flowers from their faux stems
and put them all together. You will also want to cut the little plastic knobs off of the flowers, as close to the petals as possible for gluing. This is fairly easy because you’re just cutting through plastic, and there are no wires to get through like on the stems. Now, pick a letter. Any letter! Ok, not any letter… one that means something to you, like the first letter of your last name, or first name. I chose a simple “T” after a quick Google search and started sketching on the foamboard. I did measure quite a bit, but you’re not going for perfection here, so don’t worry too much. Cutting the letter is best done with a utility knife and a ruler so you get the straight edges as straight as possible. I did use scissors for the curved parts, though. Plug in your glue gun and get ready for the fun part! Start placing the larger flowers on first–that way you can fill in the smaller gaps with smaller flowers. The edges will eventually be pretty well hidden. The nice thing about using foam board is that if they peek through, it’s not so bad, because they’re nice white edges. Be careful with the glue gun! I totally burned myself during this project and I do not want you to do the same! Applying glue to the board is better than on the flower. Seriously!
Keep Clean Sometimes I don’t take the trouble To bathe and brush my hair, But then I always feel bad after, As no one wanted to come near. My parents always tell me to keep clean, But many times I do not obey, I hide and pretend I had a bath, And then dress and get away. I now suffer in many ways, Apart from many friends leaving me – My skin is always sore and smelly, And my hair rough and dirty. I have now decided to change my ways, To look after my teeth, hair and body, And always take the time and trouble To keep them clean and tidy.
by Uncle Roy
Kaieteur News
Sunday September 06, 2020
TEEN TIME
Improve yourself by making the best use of your resources
Every human being is endowed with certain resources, and we all need to take care to make the best use of these so as to get the most from our efforts. One of the most of these is the time we are all given in the same amount, but which some waste and so fall behind others in the things that do matter. We therefore have to make a continuous effort to ensure that we do not waste our time and resources in unnecessary pursuits, and focus on what will work to fulfil the goals we have determined for our lives. Another way in which we can lose much of what we strive for is by allowing negative things to cloud up our mind and as a result our actions. The answer is to keep a focus on what is good and positive. Whatever you determine to do sincerely, your subconscious mind will keep working on it, even when you are not thinking about it, to bring about the result you want. This means that if you start on some project and do not have the confidence that you will succeed, your subconscious will obey and not work as hard to get you to your goal.
Have a positive outlook, move forward with confidence, and things will work out. To make the most of these resources, we also need always to keep our environment clean and not cluttered up with unnecessary things. It is a common thing to hear parents complaining about their children leaving things in a mess, whether it is their clothes, school books and equipment or toys and other things they use. Leaving your things in a messy manner is not only bad for the time, but it also helps to form a bad habit that is hard to break out of. This can cause problems later at your work place, at home when you have your own and have a spouse and children of your own, and in general life in your society. Keep your surroundings clean and your stuff tidy always and you will do the opposite – derive a good habit that will serve you well. Another bad habit that is hard to get rid of, and one that can hamper your progress in life is the use of bad language – either wrong grammar and sloppy pronunciation, and worse,
swear words. Practise using clean and grammatical language and you will make a good impression to those with whom you will have to deal – either privately or professionally. Striving to always us appropriate language in every situation will also enable you to do so in all your work at school and workplace later in life. Be a great teammate. Whether you are interacting with others at home, at school or at a workplace, you should always see that it is important for you to realise that you are part of a team. Make sure you do your part of the work at home, which includes keeping the place clean and in good order, along with all the other things that are needed. In your class, you should cooperate with your teacher and classmates so that everyone gets the most out of the time spent there. If you are working, it would be much appreciated by your employer if you can see yourself as part of the whole group, and work with all others to get the goods and services you deal with delivered efficiently. **************************
Jigoku Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3by3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. > and < connections between squares indicate that one number is greater than or less than another. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without making guesses.
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Time
by Ellen Martin Use time wisely as you live, Beauty is all around; Look for life’s golden rainbow, Hear well faith’s joyful sound. In every valley there blossom flowers For golden-voiced birds with magic wings, While children run and play As the canary softly sings. Each moment is borrowed time on earth, So let us seek the good; With love and peace, in harmony, Let us ever seek brotherhood.
When you work to inculcate good habits into your psyche, these will always be there to keep you doing the right thing, even when you are not consciously thinking about it.
Solutions to last week’s
Slitherlink - Penrose
Bridges
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Sunday September 06, 2020
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g ts in s... re ture e t In rea C
G
Sunday September 06, 2020
Glyptodont
lyptodontinae (glyptodonts or glyptodontines) is an extinct subfamily of large, heavily armoured relatives of armadillos, members of the mostly South American mammalian superorder Xenarthra. They developed in South America around 20 million years ago and spread to southern North America after the continents became connected several million years ago. The bestknown genus within the subfamily is Glyptodon. In 2016 an analysis of Doedicurus mtDNA found it was, in fact, nested within the modern armadillos as the sister group of a clade c o n s i s t i n g o f Chlamyphorinae and
Tolypeutinae. For this reason, glyptodonts and all armadillos but Dasypus were relocated to a new family, Chlamyphoridae, and glyptodonts were demoted from the former family Glyptodontidae to a subfamily. Glyptodonts first evolved during the Miocene in South America, which remained their center of species diversity. For example, an Early Miocene glyptodont with many primitive features, when compared to other s p e c i e s , Parapropalaehoplophorus septentrionalis, was discovered at a now-elevated site in Chile and described in 2007. After the Isthmus of
Panama formed about three million years ago, the genus Glyptotherium spread north as part of the Great American Interchange, as did pampatheres, armadillos and a number of other types of xenarthrans (e.g., ground sloths). Glyptodonts possessed a
tortoise-like body armour, made of bony deposits in their skin called osteoderms or scutes. Each species of glyptodont had a unique osteoderm pattern and shell type. With this protection, they were armoured like turtles; glyptodonts could not withdraw their heads, but
their armoured skin formed a bony cap on the top of their skull. Glyptodont tails had a ring of bones for protection. Doedicurus possessed a large mace-like spiked tail that it would have used to defend itself against predators and, possibly, other Doedicurus.
Glyptodonts had the advantage of large size. Many, such as the type genus, Glyptodon, were the size of modern automobiles. The presence of such heavy defenses suggests they were prey of a large, effective predator. At the time that glyptodonts evolved, the apex predators in the island continent of South America were phorusrhacids, a family of giant flightless carnivorous birds. In physical appearance, glyptodonts superficially resembled the much earlier dinosaurian ankylosaurs and, to a lesser degree, the recently extinct giant meiolaniid turtles of Australia. These are examples of the convergent evolution of unrelated lineages into similar forms. The largest glyptodonts could weigh up to 2,000 kilograms. Like most of the megafauna in the Americas, they all became extinct at the end of the last ice age 10,000 years ago. Glyptodonts were grazing herbivores. Like many other xenarthrans, they had no incisor or canine teeth, but had a number of cheek teeth that would have been able to grind up tough vegetation, such as grasses. They also had distinctively deep jaws, with l a rg e d o w n w a r d b o n y projections that would have anchored their powerful chewing muscles. Glyptodonts became extinct at the end of the last ice age along with a large number of other megafaunal species, including pampatheres, the giant ground sloths, and the Macrauchenia. Their much s m a l l e r, m o r e l i g h t l y armoured and flexible armadillo relatives survived. The extinction of the glyptodonts coincided with the arrival of early humans in the Americas. Archeological evidence suggests that these humans made use of the animal's armoured shells. (Source: Wikipedia)
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Leading Cardiac Sonographer,
Ramona Chanderballi... From page 18 explained. After spending about three years working in the Radiology Department as an X-ray technician, Chanderballi entered the University of Guyana to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in medical imaging. In the first semester, she was working the graveyard shift (12am to 8am) in the Radiology Department and attending classes during the day. “I also had a medical imaging internship at the Caribbean Heart Institute [ C H I ] C a r d i a c Catheterization Lab between work and classes. And I was also the Radiology Department's quality improvement representative at the same time,” she explained. Owing to the pressure of working and studying, the Xray technician resigned from the post in 2014 to focus more on her studies, but maintained the medical imaging internship until 2017. At the interim, she worked part time jobs as an X-ray technician at private facilities and parttime at a coffee shop/bakery to help make ends meet. After an uphill battle, Chanderballi secured her degree in medical imaging in April 2018. However, while the medical imaging professional was awaiting her last grades for a course she had to re-take to graduate, she applied for the Echocardiography Education Programme through the Guyana Programme for Advancing Cardiac Care at the Georgetown Public Hospital. There, she started attending a
course in cardiac sonography. “In June 2019, I became the first female cardiac sonographer as well as the first cardiac sonographer to hold a bachelor's degree in medical imaging in Guyana,” she said Added to that in 2019, Chanderballi applied for and won a USD$2,500 student grant from the Aaron S. White Educational Grant through Cardiovascular Credentialing International/CCI. Through that grant, she was able to be the first Guyanese to attend the American Society of Echocardiography Scientific sessions in Portland, Oregon. “It was an absolutely amazing experience and I was able to learn more about echocardiography globally and appreciate all of the work we're doing in cardiology services here in Guyana,” she said. To further advance her career as a technician, Chanderballi also enrolled late last year in the Burwin Paediatric Echocardiography Course. “I am currently trying to finish that course but has sadly been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chanderballi explained. PERSONAL CONNECTION Sharing on the biggest motivating factors to sticking with her career despite the challenges, Chanderballi spoke of an experience which she says keeps her connected with work in a deep and personal way. “I chose to stay in medical
Dressed for work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
imaging moreso, cardiac imaging, because I lost my maternal grandpa due to a lack of resources (medication, etc), and my maternal uncle due to poor chemotherapy management. I chose to stay this path because I don't want persons going through the same loss I went through. I was with my grandpa the morning he passed away. And I was with my uncle from his initial cancer diagnosis to his last day in the ICU. Often times we forget what it's like to be a patient or the relative of a patient but we need to improve on our patient care to have better healthcare delivery,” Chanderballi said. She noted too that the support from some of the local imaging community as well as the huge support from her colleagues in Trinidad and around the world helps to push her further. “I honestly have some of the most supportive cardiologists who are constantly pushing me to grow and do more. The International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists which I am a member of is also a great motivational body… My family and friends have also been very supportive of everything I do professionally and that kind of support goes a long way,” added Chanderballi She noted that her close connection with her relatives is owing to the fact that she was raised by her mom and extended family - maternal grandparents and uncles. “I grew up with my eldest cousin Angela and my two younger cousins Renita and Ramario. I had a pretty much typical country upbringing – where I used to go farming with my grandparents at their garden,” she stated. Asked whether she would consider other career in the medical field, Chanderballi was adamant her job as a radiographer is a necessity to the advancement of medical care. “Simply put,” she said, “if everyone became a doctor, who's going to do the tests I currently do?” “Modern medicine,” Chanderbali continued, “is a team effort; you need doctors and nurses as much as the ancillary health services like radiology, labs, pharmacy, and physiotherapy.” “And honestly, I can sometimes give some of our doctors a run for their money doing what I do,” added the
Cousins (L-R) Ramona, Renita, Angela and Ramario when Angela was sworn in to the Guyana Bar
At the Institute of Health Science Education (IHSE) Graduation in 2018 technician. CHALLENGE As with almost every pursuit, Chanderballi is faced with challenges in her field of work. She explained that some of the current challenges relates to obtaining licensing for a Cardiac Sonographer. “The Allied Health Professions Act does not include medical imaging specialty fields like echocardiography. I currently hold a Radiographer's license instead of a Cardiac Sonographer's license. It would also be helpful to have licensing for Advanced Cardiac Sonographers, Advanced Practitioner Radiographers, and medical imaging licensing for doctors,” Chanderballi stated. “Of course pay scales are another uphill battle. Most persons do not know what my job is or what it entails. I currently make a small fraction of what my counterparts in the Caribbean make,” she noted, adding that overall, “allied health professions pay scales are excessively low and really need to be upgraded or else
we risk another large wave of healthcare brain drain.” To raise awareness about this challenge, Chanderballi in a presentation of her final year research paper at the ISRRT World Congress in Trinidad in 2018, wrote an article about her experience at the conference for a radiography magazine called “Everything Radiography”. “I wish there were more local highlights but most of my highlights are outside of Guyana,” she said. In the meantime, Chanderballi said that she feels lucky to have good mentors and doing things to positively change patient outcomes in the coming years. “I feel like I've achieved something when my patients are able to walk out of the hospital and have more time with their loved ones. Cardiology is more fast paced and far reaching than most fields. You have to always be thinking on the spot while seeing the bigger picture,” she added Given her passion for the job, in July 2018 Chanderballi became a World Radiography Education Trust Foundation/WRETF
Ambassador which is a volunteer position where she shares information about educational opportunities for radiographers - which includes a twice - yearly travel bursary to attend conferences. In August of 2019, she became the youngest and first Guyanese to sit on the WRETF Board of Trustees. She also functions as the Ambassador Programme Director and manages the social media accounts of the WRETF. Chanderballi said, “It's very fulfilling work helping other radiographers get the chance to present their research or attend a conference they otherwise would not be able to. It also helps radiographers to see where else they can grow in the field plus it encourages professional networking which can indirectly lead to better patient outcomes.” The cardiac sonograpgher also provides image guidance to the cardiologists in Guyana for pericardiocentesis, dobutamine stress echocardiographytests, and transesophageal echocardiography. She is currently in training for scanning congenital heart diseases. “Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we've had to scale down our workload because we cannot practice social distancing during the echo exam,” she said. She explained that “One of the biggest challenges is getting patients to be honest with us about their history. We have to take all precautions necessary because we see multiple patients in a day and we have our protocols in place to ensure all of our patients receive the best care possible but it's becoming increasingly difficult when patients do not want to give proper information. And sadly this can not only jeopardize our safety, but also the safety of the patient after them.”
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Sunday September 06, 2020
Eligibility for U.S. Government Benefits due to Coronavirus and the “Public Charge” Rule By Attorney Gail S. Seeram
W
ith over 30 m i l l i o n p e o p l e unemployed in the U.S. and availability of certain U.S. government benefits, many lawful permanent residents (or green card holders) and temporary non-immigrant visa holders are confused as to what benefits they can apply for and use without being considered a “public charge”. We will try to address some of the common
questions about public charge and U.S. government benefits under coronavirus. Do people with green cards need to worry about using government services due to the coronavirus? No. The current public charge rule applies to people seeking to obtain a green card and does not apply to those who already have a green card. The new rule also requires those seeking to extend or change their nonimmigrant status to submit information on public benefits use. This
means that lawful permanent residents—those who already have green cards—do not need to worry about triggering the harsh effects of the public charge rule by using government services during the coronavirus. Does filing for unemployment put someone at risk under public charge? No. When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the public charge rule, it made clear that receiving unemployment benefits is not considered to be receiving a “public
benefit.” This is because unemployment is an “earned benefit” that workers pay into with their paychecks. This includes Medicare and Social Security. People seeking to file for unemployment generally must be legally authorized to work. Some states extend unemployment benefits to individuals with DACA, while others do not. Does receiving government support for a coronavirus test put someone at risk under public charge?
No. Guidance posted on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website says that “USCIS will neither consider testing, treatment, nor preventative care (including vaccines, if a vaccine becomes available) related to COVID-19 as part of a public charge inadmissibility determination. ”The rule itself also exempts the use of Medicaid benefits for treatment of an “emergency medical condition.” Immigrants should not worry about using emergency Medicaid if they become sick with the virus and need treatment. Could a period of unemployment due to the coronavirus put someone at risk under public charge? Maybe. Immigrants who are laid off due to the coronavirus could have their diminished financial wellbeing counted against them if they apply for a green card in the future or are forced to rely on public benefits to survive. However, USCIS has indicated that individuals in that situation should provide additional evidence along with their application for a green card. They can explain that the hardship was due to COVID-19. NOTE: Immigration Law Offices of Gail S.
Gail S. Seeram S e e r a m o ff e r s a f r e e consultation to discuss related fees for a process and explain options. Our office will NOT tell you how to complete the legal process on your own. If you seek legal representation, then legal fees will be due to our office. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Attorney Gail Seeram, LL.M., J.D., BBA Call | text 407-292-7730 WhatsApp 407-353-1363 Email: Gail@GailLaw.com Live chat: w w w. G a i l L a w. c o m Download FREE App: Gail Law Copyright ©Law Offices of Gail S. Seeram, 2020. All Rights Reserved.
A journey into Practical From page 38 might not be aware of how those animals are slaughtered. If there is any cruelty towards animals in our chain supply, our ignorance should not be an excuse from blame because we are an active participant in that network of supply and demand. When we join and pledge allegiance to a religious, political, business, or social institution that claims to be the Real McCoy, aren't we directly or indirectly guilty of promoting separatism and discrimination?” Chambers paints a world of paradoxes, a world of wonderment that buckles under man's chaos, fatalism, and insouciance. He responds with THEOism, a reminder of our innate 'godhood,' and our unique gift of reasoning. Surely, there is much to glean from the metaphysics of THEOism. In an age marked by media-driven
herd culture, Chambers' work proves timely and refreshing. Measuredly and seamlessly, he lays bare once radical views on religion, psychology, health and environment into practical formulas that are as accessible as they are engaging. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby T h e o i s m Understanding the Universe Within by Theo Chambers Published By Temple of Inner PeaceTM P. O. Box 3247 Negril, Jamaica, West Indies First Edition Copyright Theo Chambers 2020 ISBN 978-0977971 Available at Amazon Ratings: Highly recommended
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Shanna Boyer
Sunday September 06, 2020
Meet the alluring Miss Shanna Boyer of Region 10. This beauty enjoys dancing, reading, and cooking. One of her favourite quotes is, “The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.�
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‘Top Cat’ charged with shooting death of Middle Road man
Wayne Castello called ‘Top Cat’ was on Friday charged for the murder of Navindra Samaroo, a marketing agent who was shot and killed in July on Middle Road, La Penitence. The 27-year-old defendant of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly. Castello was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on July 23, 2020, at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, he murdered Navindra Samaroo during a robbery. After the charge was read, Magistrate Daly remanded the defendant to prison and the matter was adjourned to December 1, 2020. According to a police report, Samaroo was driving along Middle Road after he finished conducting business on behalf of the company he works for. Two men on a motorcycle rode up beside his car as he slowed down at a pot-hole in the road. The pillion rider whipped out a hand gun and demanded that Samaroo handed over what he had, before shooting him. On Thursday, Castello was remanded to prison for allegedly discharging a loaded firearm at a police officer and being in the unlawful possession of a gun and ammunitions. The defendant appeared
before Senior Magistrate Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was remanded to prison until September 23, 2020. Castello denied the charge which stated that on August 27, 2020, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he discharged a loaded firearm at Police Officer, Kester Cosbert, with intent to maim, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm. He also denied that on the same date and at the same location, he had in his possession one 9mm pistol together with six rounds of matching ammunition when he is not a licensed firearm holder. According to a police report, Castello was captured at Genip Lane, East Ruimveldt. Police, acting on information, went to the location where they saw the defendant. Castello immediately attempted to mount a black motorcycle and ride away but the ranks saw this, stopped and disembarked their patrol vehicle. Realizing that he was trapped, Castello reportedly pulled a gun from his waist and began shooting at the lawmen.The ranks returned fire and a bullet struck Castello on his foot. Castello fell to the ground and the ranks seized the opportunity to relieve him of the gun. He was then transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical treatment.
Young: More open exemption policy coming soon
NEWSDAY - A liberalised policy outlining the criteria to grant exemptions to nationals to return to TT is coming soon, says National Security Minister Stuart Young. Young, responding to a question at the health ministry’s covid19 media briefing yesterday morning, said there are many factors in deciding who is allowed back home and when. He said they will be underlined in the policy which is nearing completion. In the meantime, he said he could confirm that it is not done solely on a first-come, first-serve basis, and that there are several other factors which are considered, including the person’s age, health status, whether they have children, and the date they departed TT. He said exemptions are not being immediately considered for people who recently “jumped on the bandwagon.” Young said the government is also to assist women who delivered babies while abroad and were unable to
return home by getting them emergency documents. Saturday (Aug. 30), the Prime Minister said it was time to bring home more nationals who got stranded abroad when the borders closed in March due to the covid19 pandemic. Government, he said, would take steps to increase the number of exemptions.The policy for exemptions for citizens will be applied in a high risk and medium-high risk categories. In the low risk category, citizens should not be in a high-risk or medium-risk country 14 days prior to entry; citizens must produce a negative PCR test for 72 hours before; and, citizens must sign a form to quarantine at home for 14 days on arrival. In the high risk-medium category, citizens should be in state quarantined for seven days after arrival into TT; citizens will be swabbed; citizens once not positive, will be home quarantined for seven days; and, if positive and not in need of hospitalisation, the CMO will decide on facilities to be transferred to.
Murder accused: Wayne Castello called ‘Top Cat’
Dead: Navindra Samaroo
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Treatment of arrested GECOM officials will kill - Khemraj community police relations Ramjattan The treatment meted out to the officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by investigators in connection with the probe into the protracted March 2nd elections will only seek to anger the public and result in a loss of community police relations. Sharing this view was
former Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan. He explained that the members within the new leadership of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arm of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have “completely somersaulted” on the well-known best practices and legal positions
regarding the arrest and detention of suspects, with particular emphasis on the GECOM officials. Clairmont Mingo’s arrest was one of main contention. The controversial Returning Officer was nabbed at his West Coast Berbice home and immediately taken into police custody but his
arrest came with a string of allegations from his legal counsel – that he was questioned without his lawyer present and held in police custody for longer than lawfully required. His arrest sparked protest actions by supporters from his hometown at Belladrum, West Coast Berbice who were outraged at the alleged abuse and demanded his release. Other GECOM officials including three of Mingo’s
Clairmont Mingo seated on the bench at the police’s CID headquarters, Eve Leary last week.
Former Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan assistants- IT Technician Enrique Livan who was involved in the infamous March 4th “flashdrive” scandal along with Duarte Hetsburger, Personal Assistant of Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, were also arrested in connection with the probe. And with each arrest,
came the same allegations. To this, the former Security Minister said: “This is against the grain of what was spelt out to them by the several training courses they opted for and for which were provided by the Coalition government through the auspices of the British, the Canadians, the Americans and CARICOM. The treatment meted out to those GECOM officials are especially sordid.” Further, he added that the allegations are that the officials are being held for unduly long hours for alleged offenses which are all bailable; that there wereno presence of their attorneysat-law and being held in “very oppressive circumstances”this shifts away from the professionalism the last administration attempted to input. “This kind of conduct or misconduct preferably will only anger the public and deteriorate community police relations which we had striven hard for to realize,” he said. Ramjattan made on the call for the excessive actions being used by the GPF to be halted forthwith. The force had denied any wrongdoings in relation to the arrest of Clairmont Mingo and had accused his attorneys of being unprofessional. They have not issued any other responses in connection with the other allegations. Ramjattan is also the current leader of the Alliance For Change, which makes up the Coalition which recently lost the general elections and were accused of gross elections maneuverings to stay in power.
Sunday September 06, 2020
STANDARDS IN FOCUS
Our indigenous people can benefit from available product standards It is indigenous Heritage Month, 2020. This month is set aside to highlight the contributions of our Indigenous People to Guyana, our homeland. The theme is “Fostering traditional practices for a safe environment”. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has developed a number of National Standards outlining requirements for products made particularly by the Indigenous community. These standards were developed to ensure product quality and labelling and include the specification for indigenous furniture (bamboo, rattan, wicker, and nibbi), specification for cassava bread, specification for spices and sauces, and the code of practice for the manufacture of wooden craft items. Our indigenous people are well known for their fine arts and crafting abilities which have allowed them to produce classy and unique pieces of furniture from plant materials in their surroundings. Locally, and even in many other parts of the world, these pieces of furniture and other wooden craft items are in high demand and are wellpriced, especially when they are produced according to recognised standards. In addition, many foods originating from natives are desired dishes for many locals and visitors. Making these products in a manner that conforms to the requirements of standards can add value and confidence in their quality and increase demand. The Specification for in-
digenous furniture (GYS 509:2013) is a CARICOM Standard, which was adopted by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS). The standard was developed to benefit manufacturers by the harmonization of requirements for the manufacture of various types of furniture, suitable for both domestic and commercial use. It covers material requirements, which are selected for rattan, wicker, and nibbi furniture and these shall be characterized by lightness, flexibility, durability, and smoothness with no hair-like strands hanging from them. Based on the standard, indigenous furniture shall be constructed with good workmanship components, which shall be of quality and uniformity. The Code of practice for the manufacture of Wooden Craft items (GCP 31:2010) is also a CARICOM Standard, which establishes the minimum requirements for the manufacture and production of wooden craft items. The standard focuses on performance rather than prescriptive requirements and may be applied to all wooden craft items in the manufacturing stage or at the point of sale to retailers and end consumers. The standard stipulates requirements for materials used in manufacture including wood, adhesives, finishes or finishing material, and hardware. It also includes health, safety, storage, environmental, packaging, and labelling requirements. The Specification for Cassava Bread (GYS 246:2010) specifies require-
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Kaieteur News
ments for cassava bread and related products, intended for human consumption, obtained from the processing of bitter cassava. The standard offers guidance to makers of the product on quality requirements, contaminants, sampling, packaging, labelling, hygiene, and production. Lastly, some many popular spices and sauces are produced within indigenous communities, including thyme, hot pepper sauces, and the very popular cassareep. The Specification for Spices and Sauces (GYS 506:2013) provides requirements for the identification, composition, purity, hygiene in processing, labelling, sampling, and testing of these spices and sauces. The GNBS can offer technical guidance to users of the aforementioned standards. Those desirous of implementing the requirements are encouraged to acquire copies of the respective standards, which are available at the GNBS. Remember, following the requirements of standards can guarantee the production of quality products and increase consumer preference. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) For further information, please contact the GNBS on Tel: 219- 0066, visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org, message us on WhatsApp: 692-GNBS (4627) or like us on Facebook: @gnbsgy
AFC’s MPs submit motion to rename Ministry of Amerindian Affairs New Alliance for Change (AFC) Members of Parliament, Juretha Fernandes and Devin Sears, have submitted a motion to the National Assembly to have the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ recent name change reverted to its previous name as the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. The previous A Partnership For National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration in 2015 changed the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ name to the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MOIPA). However, upon the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) securing office in August, they changed the name of the Ministry once again. Following the appointment of Minister Pauline Sukhai, it was indicated that the PPP/C did have intentions of renaming the ministry. Civilians along with several organizations would have requested that the ministry’s name remain as the MOIPA but the Ministry started issuing publications under the header “Ministry of Amerindian Affairs” and it was clear there was no intent to have the MOIPA retained. Organizations like the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) held discussions on live forums where the use of the words “Amerindian” and “Indigenous” was discussed. In their discussion, it was established that the indigenous people of Guyana should have a say in what they choose to be called, and a government serving the people should make decisions that represent the interest of the majority.
AFC Member of Parliament, Juretha Fernandes
AFC Member of Parliament, Devin Sears
A petition was also launched online that saw thousands of persons signing in agreement. The petition was launched on change.org by Romario Hastings, a resident of Region Seven. It called for the use of the word “Amerindian” to be left out of official references to Guyana’s indigenous peoples because it is a historical misnomer. It was stated that “The generalized ethnic label ‘Amerindian’ or ‘American Indian’ is now an acknowledged misnomer resulting from the erroneous geography of Christopher Columbus, a label which has been perpetuated without the consent of Indigenous Peoples; a label which will continue to distort our histories and search for our lost and hidden indigenous identities. This historical blunder must end with us,” Along with that Dennis Glasgow, a local youth activist in a Facebook post sought to add to that saying: “Call it
as you should using politically correct language and the language used by UN and International Human Rights bodies. Amerindian is disempowering to our Guyanese Indigenous peoples. Amerindian, basically ‘American Indian’, refers to just that. They share their own experiences and struggles that are vastly different from the Indigenous peoples of Guyana. They existed way before the Europeans could ‘name them’ Amerindians.” It was also highlighted that Guyana would have signed on to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world. It also elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples.
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CONSUMER CONCERNS
Guyana and Suriname Move Even Closer
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By Pat Dial Among the most important occurrences following President Irfaan Ali’s Inauguration were the unplanned business meetings with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi of Suriname. The meetings between the Presidents were constructive, comprehensive, far reaching and of the utmost importance to both countries. Their discussions covered the economic, social and even political developments of both countries. These meetings were historic both from the extensiveness of their coverage and from the serious and quick effectuation to which the Presidents pledged themselves. President Santokhi took centre stage and for the first time Suriname became a watchword throughout CARICOM. In 24 hours, a large number of important and farreaching agreements were arrived at and these would be put into writing in the next few days and both Presidents were anxious to have the ball rolling. In this regard, President Ali remarked: “We need to set out an agenda with deadlines, an agenda with greater involvement of stakeholders in the societies of both countries, especially the private sector”. President Santokhi was equally emphatic: “Yes, there is a historical cooperation between Suriname and Guyana, but from this moment, with these two leaders, there will be value added to the cooperation. . . . We’re here not only to discuss, we’re to act . . . A working committee would be set up at the policy and technical levels to advance discussions and to determine a time table of action. . . . We’re not talking of months , we’re talking of weeks”. At random, we will men-
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tion some of the programmes and projects identified: Maritime security-Both countries have suffered from piracy in the Corentyne River basin where fishermen were attacked and brutally killed and where the fishing industries of both countries were negatively affected. Border security - Controlling back-tracking and the movement of goods. Most important at this time is addressing the many facets of the COVID-19 pandemic. These would include control of movement between the two countries and also medical and other health cooperation. Oil and Gas - Both countries have equally rich oil resources which are now being seriously developed by foreign multi-nationals and are faced with the same problems of how to get fair returns from the oil companies; how to avoid wastage and corruption and ensure that the oil revenues are enjoyed by the populations; and how to improve capacity of the technical aspects of the industry. Suriname has had a longer experience of the Oil and Gas industry than Guyana and could offer much guidance and help including of how best to achieve local content. Infrastructure and travel The ferry across the Corentyne River would be improved and modernized and the building of the bridge across the Corentyne would be a priority project. Aviation and road linkages cooperation would be developed. Agriculture - The coopera-
tion in agriculture is vast and includes its various facets, technical and non-technical. Environment and Biodiversity - Suriname and Guyana have the same environment and biodiversity and could profitably address their problems together. In addition to the issues mentioned, there are others such as tourism. Both Presidents had their Foreign Ministers in attendance since it is they who will have the overall responsibility of ensuring the projects are realized. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, commented: “We’ve recognized that if we work closer together, we’ll be able to improve the lives and standard of living of both of our peoples” and Suriname’s Albert Ramdin whose brilliance was long recognized and respected by the Organization of American States, reminded that Guyana and Suriname together formed almost 75% of the geographic area of CARICOM and have the potential of serving the region. In mid-September, in approximately three week’s time, the Foreign Ministers would re-evaluate the existing programmes and thereafter there would be regular meetings at the technical level. At the policy level, there would be at least two meetings y e a r l y . (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Holness To Be Sworn In As Prime Minister Tomorrow The Gleaner - Prime Minister-designate Andrew Holness will be sworn in as prime minister of Jamaica in a ceremony tomorrow, September 7, 2020. The swearing-in ceremony will commence at 3 p.m. The ceremony will be streamed live. In accordance with the Constitution of Jamaica, Holness will take the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office of Prime Minister of Jamaica after which he will receive the Instrument of Appointment to the Office of Prime Minister from the Governor General His Excellency The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen. Holness will then make his inaugural address to the nation. This is the third time that Holness will be sworn in as prime minister, having served as prime minister from October 23, 2011 to January 5,
Andrew Holness Prime Minister designate 2012. He was again sworn in for a second time on March 3, 2016. The Holness-led Jamaica Labour Party defeated the People’s National Party 49-14 in last Thursday’s general election.
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Small parties board members appointed without -Harmon says Teixiera’s excuse for main full consultation opposition exclusion “vulgar and indecent”
In the past few days, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government has been dismantling state boards and appointing new members. A number of the members include members of the smaller opposition party members- The New Movement (TNM), The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and the United Republican Party (URP). What is surprising, however, is not the fact that these party members have been appointed across multiple state boards, but rather the fact that a number of these small party executives were appointed without prior consultation. Take for example Rondha Lam, an executive of the TCI, who had been appointed to function as a board member under the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). Lam indicated on her Facebook page on Friday that she only became aware of her appointment after a reporter had enlightened her. She said on a Facebook post: “For the folks asking about my appointment as a GWI board member: like you I found out today when a reporter called to tell me I was on the board after it was gazetted today. That’s it.” However, when Kaieteur News spoke to another TCI executive, Shaz Ally, he indicated that he was indeed informed of his appointment to the board of the National Communications Network (NCN). He told this publication
yesterday that TCI was asked to submit five names to sit on state boards, along with background information on each nominee. “They placed me on NCN,” Ally said. “Cabinet approved it and I was informed by Minister Kwame McKoy, yesterday (Friday).” Another executive who was not informed of his appointment is Vishnu Bandhu, another party executive, but this time from the URP. Bandhu was appointed to serve under the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL). Notably, the PPP/C regime has appointed no members from the previous A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration to serve on any state board. In fact, during a virtual AFC press conference on Friday, party executives David Patterson and Khemraj Ramjattan had told the press that the new government has not reached out to the party, requesting that names be submitted for the appointments. However, the Minister of Governance and Parliament Affairs, Gail Teixiera defended the government’s decision to exclude members of the APNU+AFC, seeing that the previous regime continues to label the government as an “illegitimate” one. In a Stabroek News article published yesterday, Teixiera related that: “They say that we are an illegitimate government. If we are an illegitimate government why would you want to dig on any board we are appointing? They have
Minister of Governance and Parliament Affairs, Gail Texiera
got themselves into what you call a problematic position. You can’t say you want to be on boards, but you don’t recognize the government that is appointing those boards.” Recently sworn in Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon
APNU+AFC Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon
issued a statement yesterday in response to Texiera’s comments, where he sought to maintain the PPP/C government’s illegitimacy. He also wrote to advise the PPP/ C Minister that there is a difference between the State and
Government. “The State of Guyana,” Harmon wrote, “is a legal entity that operates in perpetuity. Governments come and go… It is the Parliament that passes laws not the Government. For the avoidance of
doubt, Parliament comprises both Government and Opposition, making it a State entity. Therefore, where the law requires Opposition representatives to sit on boards, the Government is required to comply.”
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TH&D Goods Wharf for repairs The minister and others during the visit yesterday.
An early morning visit by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, was conducted yesterday to assess the conditions of the Transport and Harbour Goods Wharf in the city. The wharf is where the North West ferry would moor but there has been increasing complaints of the conditions there.The minister was accompanied by the General Manager of Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), Marcelene Mer-
chant, along with her technical staff and a tenant with a lease agreement from John Fernandes Ltd (JFL). According to the ministry, the idea was to conduct an evaluation and site visit to determine the improvements that are to be done at the facility.According to the Chief Executive Officer, Philip Fernandes at JFL, the company has signed a lease agreement with the Government of Guyana to have possession of a section of the
property occupied with the T&HD Goods Wharf. During the discussions, Fernandes assured the Minister that his company stands ready once given permission to work with T&HD to facilitate improvements that are needed. These would include rehabilitating sections of the wharf and buildings for admin staff. At the end of the inspection, the Minister requested to see the lease agreements of all entities that are engaged at the said facility.
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Accused Football Leaks mastermind tells court: ‘I’m proud’
Football Leaks whistleblower Rui Pinto, the Portuguese man believed to be the mastermind behind the leaks, waits before his trial at the Metropolitan Court in Budapest, Hungary. (Hatlaczki Balazs/Handout via REUTERS)
LISBON (Reuters) - The Portuguese man behind the Football Leaks website said at the start of his trial Friday that he was proud to be a whistleblower on European soccer clubs’ big-money dealings. Rui Pinto, a 31-year-old former history student and self-taught computer mastermind, faces 90 charges - from unauthorised access to data and violation of correspondence to attempted extortion - in the case at Lisbon’s Central Criminal Court. “I don’t consider myself a hacker. I am a whistleblower,” he said, wearing an anti-coronavirus mask, dressed in jeans and
Sunday September 06, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today is a good day to ask for a raise or consider other ways to increase your income, Aries. Superiors will be in a receptive mood and likely feeling more benevolent than usual.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may have strange dreams and vivid premonitions today, Libra. Your intuition and telepathic faculties are operating at a high level. You could think of someone who later phones.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You should be feeling especially romantic and sensual now, and you might draw admiring glances from those around you - even strangers.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you could be feeling warm and friendly toward everyone. You might be involved in virtual social events or receive invitations to future parties.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Strange, passionate stirrings could find you wanting to escape from civilization with a lover. This is a great day for it. At least plan a quiet evening at home with your special someone.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Relations with people on the job should be warm, Sagittarius, and this could do wonders for your career. Take nothing at face value. All may not be as it seems.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Interesting communications from friends could center on possible world developments or maybe some juicy gossip about people you know, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you might earn corporate kudos, for all signs indicate that your imagination is flying high and can be put to work to increase your job effectiveness. You might even earn a promotion or increase in salary. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your mind is likely to be going a thousand miles an hour. Ideas for imaginative and innovative projects may come faster than you can possibly turn them into reality. Write them down.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Some new information could come your way that causes you to focus on a new interest, Capricorn. It'll set your mind traveling to faraway places and times. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You could have some intense dreams tonight. You might find that they bring inspiration for creative projects, perhaps for redecorating or otherwise beautifying your home. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A welcome communication from a business or romantic partner could arrive today, Pisces. This could generate a lot of enthusiasm on both your parts and do wonders for your relationship or for whatever business you do together.
sneakers, and looking composed during his opening statement. “The revelations are serious and I’m proud, there’s no shame. I haven’t done anything for money,” added Pinto, who acknowledges releasing 70 million documents on football’s backroom workings. Pinto has also taken responsibility for disclosing hundreds of thousands of files about alleged financial schemes by former Angolan first daughter Isabel dos Santos, but told the court his leaking endeavours were over. “My work as a whistleblower is done,” he said. In the dos Santos affair, Angola has begun criminal investigations but she has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Football Leaks’ data seen by Reuters as part of the European Investigative Collaborations network showed how some of the richest and most prominent figures avoided tax by channelling earnings offshore, and gave insight into wealthy Gulf individuals and organisations who became influential in soccer. It also examined the huge sums flowing through leading clubs and the uneven way authorities have applied rules.
The documents provided some of the evidence that led to a ban - since overturned on English Premier League club Manchester City from competing in the European Champions League for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules. ‘JOHN’ Pinto’s identity was only revealed after his arrest. Before, he referred to himself as “John” when speaking to journalists, stating he wanted focus on the data not the person. He never explained how he obtained information or who helped. Pinto was arrested in January 2019 on the street in Budapest, a city he first got to know as an Erasmus student and where he moved back in 2015 after breaking off a history degree. He was extradited to a Portuguese jail in March, then placed in house arrest and is now in witness protection. He faces a maximum 25 years in jail for the charges against him. Plaintiffs for football club
Sporting, the Portuguese Football Federation, investment fund Doyen Sports and law firm PLMJ were present for Monday’s trial opening. Doyen lawyer Sofia Branco Ribeiro accused Pinto of illegally accessing their data and attempting to extort 1 million euros ($1.18 million) from the company. “Pinto has used the media to victimise himself, as if he was a hero who can access everything,” she said. Pinto’s lawyer Francisco Teixeira da Moto called these allegations “lamentable”. Police guarded the court from behind barriers, while two supporters held a photo of Pinto in solidarity. “He (Pinto) is hopeful, confident, determined,” William Bourdon, another lawyer for Pinto who also represented fugitive U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, told reporters. The trial is expected to last until December and include testimony from 45 witnesses, including Snowden.
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Harbhajan Singh opts out of IPL Djokovic brushes aside Struff to advance in New York 2020 citing personal reasons ESPNcricinfo - Harbhajan Singh has become the second Chennai Super Kings player to pull out of the 2020 IPL. The senior offspinner has informed the franchise that he would not be travelling to the UAE, where the IPL will be played from September 19, due to “personal reasons”. Singh, 40, and Suresh Raina are the two big Indian names to not feature in this IPL for the Super Kings, who will have their first training session on Friday after an extended quarantine. In a tweet, Singh specified why he was pulling out and said the franchise had been “extremely supportive”. Singh was even absent from the Super Kings’ six-day conditioning camp in midAugust in Chennai, which was organised for their Indian players, and did not travel with the team to Dubai on August 21, with word that he would join them later on September 1. Yesterday, the Super Kings’ chief executive Kasi Viswanathan told ESPNcricinfo that Singh was yet to join the squad, after having said earlier in the week that the offspinner was “expected” in the first week of September. Viswanathan also said earlier this week that despite the 13 positive Covid-19 cases in their contingent, the Super Kings were ready to play the tournament opener on September 19 if the schedule, which is yet to be announced, required them to.
Harbhajan Singh reacts while bowling © BCCI The loss of two first-team players is bound to increase the burden on MS Dhoni, the Super Kings captain. More than Raina, Dhoni’s bigger challenge would be to find a capable replacement for Singh, one of the most experienced and successful bowlers in the IPL. With 150 scalps, Singh is joint-third on the list of highest wickettakers in the IPL. After the Mumbai Indians decided to relieve him, the Super Kings picked Singh in the 2018 auction. He was part of the side when the Super Kings won the title in 2018 and also played a role in the
team reaching the final in 2019. Singh’s biggest asset has been his economy: he has gone for less than 7.5 in a season eight times, the most for any bowler. For Dhoni, Singh was a weapon to use not just in the powerplay but the middle overs as well, where he could both defend and attack.The Super Kings have Ravindra Jadeja, Piyush Chawla, Karn Sharma, Imran Tahir, R Sai Kishore and Mitchell Santner as other spinners, but Singh’s absence means Kedar Jadhav’s part-time bowling is the only offspin option they are left with.
...Tour de France 2020: Adam From page 68 managed to stay with the guys so all in all it was a good day. “It’s not every day you lead the Tour de France so I’m not going to throw it away, I want to keep it as long possible.” Romain Bardet’s late surge saw him leapfrog both Nairo Quintana and defending champion Egan Bernal in the overall standings. Ineos Grenadiers’ Bernal retains the best young rider’s white jersey as part of a quartet of Colombian riders 13 seconds off the yellow jersey but Jumbo Visma’s Tom Dumoulin dropped to 15th after losing two minutes. ‘It was a dream and I made it’ Riding in his maiden Tour de France, Peters produced the outstanding performance of the day after going clear of Ilnur
Zakarin on the descent of the Port de Bales. While the Russian CCC rider temporarily closed the gap, Peters maintained his rhythm to claim his second Grand Tour stage victory. “This is crazy. It was already something unbelievable to win a stage on my first participation to the Giro d’Italia last year and now it’s the same at the Tour de France,” said the AG2R-La Mondiale rider. “It was a dream and I made it. I knew Zakarin was stronger than me up the climbs but I never gave up. “I convinced myself to not crack. I had seen in the downhill of Port de Bales that he descended like a goat so I was confident of beating him in the finale of the stage.” Today’s ninth stage sees the race spend a second day in the Pyrenees as it travels
the 153km route from Pau to Laruns before tomorrow’s rest day. General classification 1. Adam Yates (GB/ Mitchelton-Scott) 34hrs 44mins 52secs 2. Primoz Roglic (Slo/ Jumbo-Visma) +3secs 3. Guillaume Martin (Fra/ Cofidis) +9secs 4. Romain Bardet (Fra/ AG2R-La Mondiale) +11secs 5. Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos Grenadiers) +13secs 6. Nairo Quintana (Col/ Arkea-Samsic) Same time 7. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) 8. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Pro Cycling) 9. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/ UAE-Team Emirates) +48secs 10. Enric Mas (Spa/ Movistar) +1mins 00secs
Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits the ball against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany on day five of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports) NEW YORK (Reuters) Top seed Novak Djokovic continued his dominance of Jan-Lennard Struff on Friday with a 6-3 6-3 6-1 win to advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open. Djokovic, a three-times champion at Flushing Meadows, was never really pushed by the German, who has taken just one set off the Serb in their five career meetings. The only drama came early on when Struff had break point opportunities but could not convert against Djokovic’s serve in the first game. The players stayed on serve until Struff sent a
forehand wide on break point to give Djokovic a 5-3 lead. The Serb held to love the next game after firing an unreturnable serve to take the first set and coasted the rest of the way. “It was a very, very good performance from my side,” Djokovic said after recording his 600th career win on hard courts. “I managed to read his serve well. Made one necessary break in the first set, I faced one or two break points in the opening game. “Obviously the trajectory of the match can go differently if you lose your serve against a big guy like
Struff, who serves really well and has a very aggressive, powerful game from the back of the court,” said the Serb, who is looking for an 18th Grand Slam title. “But I moved well and after the first set, the second and third was a really great feeling on the court.” Djokovic and Marin Cilic, who won the U.S. Open in 2014, are the only two men remaining in the draw who have won a Grand Slam tournament. Djokovic will be a heavy favourite when he faces 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta on Spain in the fourth round on Sunday.
Cadet Officer develops Sports plan, seeks support Khalifa Hale; a Cadet Officer attached to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), has developed a sports plan for Guyana which will cover ways in which to better market the different disciplines inclusive of cricket, football, table tennis, chess, etc. During an interview with Kaieteur Sport, Hale explained that that he has been working on the document for some six months now and he got the inspiration from many years of observing sports in Guyana locally as an avid fan. Hale, who has been actively organising sports within the GPS and joint services for the past five years, explained that the main objective of his ‘sports plan’ is to help local athletes earn while competing.
In addition, Hale emphasised that his sports plan will create an environment conducive for investors to see returns on their investment while the State will also benefit. The law enforcement officer disclosed that newly appointed minister of sport, Charles Ramson Jr. expressed his non-belief in the practicability of his plan but vowed to assist in any way possible if he manages to secure investors that are most pivotal in seeing the plan become a reality. Hale didn’t do any consultations with the various sports associations/ federations in Guyana but he posited that he received positive feedback from the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) when the finished product was
Khalifa Hale presented to the association. When quizzed upon his thoughts about the National Sports Policy draft that has been in circulation for a while, Hale explained that he wasn’t too familiar with the document. Hale is set to make approaches to varying stakeholders to put forward his plan and drum up the necessary support to bring it to fruition.
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Kaieteur News
F1 Italian GP qualifying: Hamilton takes pole with fastest lap in history Autosport - Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for Formula 1’s 2020 Italian Grand Prix ahead of Valtteri Bottas, while Carlos Sainz Jr took third with Max Verstappen pushed down to fifth. It was the fastest qualifying lap in Formula 1 history, at 164.286mph, and H a m i l t o n ’s 9 4 t h p o l e position. Sergio Perez ended up fourth, while the Ferrari cars were knocked out across Q2 and Q1, with Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel ending up P13 and P17 respectively. Unlike in 2019, the final runs in Q3 did not feature farcical scenes of the drivers jostling to get space for the optimum tow, but these actions did occur at the end of Q1 - with Vettel caught up. Hamilton was ahead after the first runs in Q3 had been completed, with the two Mercedes cars not bothering with a tow as Bottas ran clear ahead of his team-mate and Hamilton towed the rest of the pack. Bottas had to close a 0.053s gap on the final runs, and although he found time in all three sectors Hamilton ran faster
to claim his seventh career pole at the Italian GP - and the fastest lap in F1 history at an average speed of 164mph. The world champion was fractionally slower in the final sector on his last run, but it did not cost him as he wound up ahead of Bottas by 0.069s. Sainz demoted Perez to fourth as the Racing Point driver was the only racer not to set a personal best on his final run in Q3. Verstappen complained that he was “losing time on the straights” even as he ran closer to other cars on his first Q3 run, and although he found time on his last lap he wound up fifth, with Lando Norris sixth in the other McLaren. Daniel Ricciardo ended up seventh for Renault as he could not recreate his eye-catching pace versus his rivals in FP2, with Lance Stroll eighth. Alex Albon did not have a time on the board heading into the final runs in Q3 after losing his first lap to a track limits violation at the Parabolica, but he kept his second lap and wound up ninth, as Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10. At the end of Q2, few
Cars line up in the pit lane during qualifying for the Italian F1 Grand Prix yesterday. drivers improved at the end of the middle segment, where no drivers tried to get through on the medium tyres, which means the top 10 will all start the race on the red-walled soft rubber. Daniil Kvyat finished
11th, with Esteban Ocon knocked out despite running behind team-mate Ricciardo early in his final Q2 lap to try and take advantage of the tow. But Ricciardo put his
Prominent Guyanese softball player Khalid Bilall Haslim passes on Prominent Guyanese softball player Khalid Bilall Haslim passed away Friday morning due a heart failure, according to a report. The versatile all-rounder Haslim was 41-years-old and from Industry East Coast Demerara. Haslim represented various clubs in Demerara over the past two decades and would have donned in the Demerara Inter-county softball colours as well. He was the elder brother of Ex-Demerara player Wasim Haslim who also has been a prolific softball cricketer, both in Guyana and North America. Several veteran softball players expressed their shock having learnt of his demise on Friday. Bilall was the cousin of former Guyana first-class players and brothers Zaheer and Azeemul Haniff. “I [am] in disbelief; he was not just a cricketer, he was also a great person, and to wake up this morning and hear that he is gone is certainly unbelievable,” stalwart softball player Bobby Parasnauth stated. An emotional Parasnauth
is currently residing in Canada and also mentioned that he and Haslim played a lot of cricket at Industry and neighbouring village Ogle in late 90s. Another softball experienced player and former administrator at the Guyana Softball Cricket Association, Royston Ramsarran, was also in disbelief and stated that his cricket days with Haslim were memorable and his death is definitely unbelievable. “This is shocking to learn that Bilall is no more here; he was a very committed cricketer when we were playing for Mike’s Pharmacy in the annual softball competitions in the mid 90s. He was a superbly talented player,” Ramsarran said from the USA. Recently, Haslim was representing top softball team Regal and one of his teammates and distinguished softball player Ramnesh Narine also shared his shock at Haslim’s sudden demise. “It is unbelievable that Haslim has passed away; I only spoke to him several days ago and we were talking about how we missed the
Khalid Bilal Haslim game and planning to continue playing when things get back to normal,” the Essequibain Narine related. Roverdra Mandolall, a former national youth player stated that he was delighted to play with Haslim in Georgetown during their time for Mike’s Pharmacy. According to Mandolall, Haslim was an excellent cricketer and always demonstrated passion for the game and he will definitely miss him from the softball
cricketing fraternity. Because of his ability and consistency Haslim featured in the GT&T nation-wide softball tournament representing Regal and organizer Leonard Harprashad informed about his grief that softball has lost a gentleman both on and off the field. Harprashad communicated from Orlando that Haslim was very outstanding with both bat and ball and his leadership qualities were also magnificent.
left-side wheels off into the gravel as he exited the second chicane and he later slowed and abandoned his lap, with Ocon finishing his final flyer and not improving. Leclerc ended up P13, calling his Q2 lap “the best I can do”, as Ferrari was again exposed by its straightline speed issues with the SF100. Kimi Raikkonen and Kevin Magnussen made it through to Q2, but Magnussen ran very wide into the gravel as he flew through the second Lesmo, which ruined his final lap in the middle segment. In Q1, Vettel was the highest-profile casualty of race-like scenes on the final runs in the opening segment, where backing-up at the Parabolica meant several drivers - including the Ferrari driver - fought for space at the righthander and down the main straight. Raikkonen and Ocon made it through to Q2, but
nearly collided as the Alfa Romeo driver ran close to the Renault exiting the Curva Grande, with the former abandoning his final run in Q1. But the chaos meant Nicholas Latifi, who was also involved, running just behind Ocon and Raikkonen and ahead of Vettel, was the only driver to set a personal best, although he still ended up 20th and last. Romain Grosjean ended up just on the wrong side of the elimination cut off in P16, ahead of Vettel, who abandoned his final Q1 run as a result of the chaos earlier in the lap. Behind Vettel came Antonio Giovinazzi and George Russell, who criticised his Williams team over his radio for getting involved in the chaotic scenes - he followed Raikkonen and Ocon into the first corners and not “capitalising” on the “fuck ups”. Ocon, Raikkonen and Latifi were to be investigated after qualifying.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 06, 2020
Harden pours in US Open 2020: Serena Williams through 36 as Rockets top after battle with Sloane Stephens Lakers in Game 1
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) handles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green (14) during the first quarter in game one of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports) James Harden scored 36 points, and the Houston Rockets surprised the Los Angeles Lakers in a 112-97 victory in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal on Friday at the NBA bubble near Orlando. Harden converted 12 of 20 shots from the floor, including 3 of 6 3-point attempts. Russell Westbrook contributed 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Eric Gordon had 23 points for the Rockets. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 25 points and 14 rebounds while LeBron James had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Alex Caruso added 14 points, and Danny Green chipped in 10 for Los Angeles. Lakers guard Rajon Rondo, who underwent surgery on a broken thumb in July, made his playoff debut. Rondo finished with eight points and four assists in 25 minutes. The Rockets took a 10182 lead after a bucket by Harden with 7:15 remaining. The Lakers got no closer than 13 the rest of the way. Kyle Kuzma’s 3-pointer cut the Rockets’ lead to 78-76 with 2:06 left in the third
quarter. However, a threepoint play by Austin Rivers and a jumper by Westbrook put Houston up 83-76 with 39.1 seconds remaining in the quarter. James hit a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left to cut the gap to four, but another basket by Westbrook gave the Rockets an 85-79 edge heading in the fourth quarter. The Rockets took control early in the fourth and never looked back. After Rondo’s bucket with 3:44 remaining in the second quarter tied the score at 52, the Rockets closed the half with a 11-3 surge for a 6355 advantage at the break. Harden led all scorers with 25 first-half points. The Rockets made 48.1 percent of their shots for the game, compared with 42.2 percent for the Lakers. The Lakers couldn’t take advantage of their height advantage. Both teams finished with 41 boards. Houston’s Danuel House Jr. left the contest late in the third quarter and did not return after being hit in the face by teammate P.J. Tucker. (Field Level Media)
BBC Sport - Six-time champion Serena Williams fought back from a slow start to beat fellow American Sloane Stephens and reach the last 16 of the US Open. Third seed Williams, 38, was sluggish in the opening set before raising her intensity to win 2-6 6-2 6-2 against 26th seed Stephens in New York. “It was intense, we always have some incredible matches,” said Williams. Williams, aiming for record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, will face Greek 15th seed Maria Sakkari in the last 16. Sakkari, 25, beat Williams in the three sets at the Western and Southern Open last week. Williams gave a damning self-assessment after losing to Sakkari, saying there were “really no excuses” after she let a set and a break lead slip in that match. Now she has a chance to quickly avenge the loss after showing her fighting qualities against 2017 champion Stephens. While Williams’ game is still nowhere near the devastating levels that have won her 23 major titles, her grit and determination in switching gears against Stephens will have sent a message to the rest of the field. Whether that will be enough to win another major, moving level with Australian
Serena Williams is looking for her first Grand Slam title since winning the 2017 Australian Open - when she was eight weeks pregnant. (EPA) Margaret Court’s record and putting the demons of losing her past four major finals behind her, remains to be seen. Against Stephens, it was a tale of contrasting opening sets. The younger American dominated the first with Williams lacking intensity, before the roles eventually reversed in the second. Stephens tried to move 38year-old Williams around the court in the opener and then picked her off with blistering winners. “In that first set I don’t think she made any errors, she was playing so clean,” said Williams. As you would expect from a former Grand Slam
champion, Stephens has plenty of class to trouble the very best. Yet, the 27-year-old has struggled for consistency in the past couple of seasons and went into the match against Williams having not beaten a top-10 player for almost two years. That inconsistency showed as the match wore on. Stephens was gifted an opportunity to break for a 3-2 lead in the second when Williams, who was breathing heavily between serves, produced a double fault. However, Williams discovered her most potent weapon - her first serve - to hold and demoralise Stephens. Her level dipped from that
point as a rejuvenated Williams won 10 of the last 12 games to continue her record of reaching at least the fourth round in every US Open appearance since 1999. “I just said I don’t want to lose in straight sets, because she was playing good,” said Williams, who last won the title at Flushing Meadows in 2014. “I said, ‘Serena, just get a game, get a game’ and the next thing I knew I won the second set.” Meanwhile, former champ Naomi Osaka survived a third-round scare before grinding out a 6-3 6-7(4) 6-2 victory over fearless Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk to reach the last 16 of the U.S. Open on Friday.
Tour de France 2020: Adam Yates defends the yellow jersey in the Pyrenees BBC Sport - Britain’s Adam Yates held on to the Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey as Nans Peters claimed a superb solo win on stage eight in the Pyrenees. Yates survived several attacks to finish in a group containing many of the overall race favourites. A tough day of climbing on the 141km-route from Cazeres-sur-Garonne to Loudenvielle scattered the peloton. France’s Peters led home the survivors of a 13-man breakaway to record a memorable win. However, it was a much less enjoyable day for home favourite Thibaut Pinot, who effectively lost all hope of becoming the first Frenchman to win the race since 1985. Dropped on the second climb of the day, Pinot finished over 25 minutes
behind Peters and lost around 19 minutes on all the main general classification contenders. ‘I’m not going to throw it away’ Yates also looked to be suffering up the final climb of the day on the Col de Peyresourde after Julian Alaphilippe’s burst sparked a series of attacks. However, the MitcheltonScott rider responded each time to maintain his threesecond advantage over Primoz Roglic. “In the end I did my thing and tried to stay with the best guys, and here we are,” said Yates. “Right at the bottom of the last climb [Tom] Dumoulin set a ferocious pace and I couldn’t hold the wheel. “I had to ride at my own pace for a little bit, collect myself, but I pulled my way back and over the top I (Continued on page 66)
AG2r La Mondiale rider Nans Peters of France wins Stage 8 of the Tour de France. (Pool via Reuters Stuart Franklin)
Sunday September 06, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Batting improving ahead of Semis says Omar Khan By Sean Devers The Guyana Amazon Warriors with 12 points from six wins and four losses will play their seventh semi-final in the 8th edition of the Caribbean Premier League CPL T20 tournament on Tuesday at the Brian Lara Academy. Guyana, the most consistent team in the tournament, has reached five of the seven finals, including last year when they won 11 matches before losing in the final to Barbados. They have always being the bridesmaid but never the bride. However, long serving manager, Trinidadian Omar Khan feels that this could be the year to shake off the monkey off of their back “The team has adjusted very well to the covid-19 restrictions...yes these are different circumstances and the guys have to adjust to the new environment but at the end of the day they’re all professionals and have conducted themselves very well in terms of adjusting to the Coved situation,” Khan said. While admitting the disadvantages of the restrictions caused by the global pandemic, Khan, who has been the manager from the introduction of the CPL, which had to be played behind closed doors this year, feels his players are professionals and have been dealing very well with the restrictions, which included a 14-day quarantine when they arrived in Port of Spain.
“Yes I would say that the pandemic had some effect in terms of us not having much practice before the tournament and not having practice games and a camp and such things, but nevertheless we have to adjust and the reality of the situation is that you have to just go out there and be mentally strong more than anything else,” Khan continued. To make matters worse the tournament is being held in the middle of the rainy season and amidst the ongoing virus which has seen cases rising in the twin-Island Republic. With last-minute notification of the hosting of the tournament the curators had little time to prepare the best pitches at the two venues hosting the games; the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain and the Brian Lara Academy in South Trinidad. With those venues being used for matches, no pitch practice was allowed but according to Khan, the University of the West Indies made their ground, which is one of four First-Class venues in Trinidad and is equipped with lights, available to the CPL. “We are using the UWI ground in St Augustine which has been delegated the practice venue for all of the teams to conduct net sessions and fielding drills,” the long-serving Warriors manager informed. Although Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer is the tournament’s leading run-
scorer with 267 runs, his runs has been overshadowed by 7 failures, while Trinidadian Nicholas Pooran has scored the only century in a substandard tournament for batsmen. But they have both been inconsistent with Pooran getting a couple of low scores in the last two preliminary round games. Out of form Jamaica opener Brandon King is the only other Warriors batsman to register a half-century but no two batsmen have scored fifties in the same game as most of the batsmen this season have struggled badly against the spinners on spinfriendly tracks. Asked about the poor batting and if there was a worry about reaching the semi-finals Khan responded. “We had concerns initially about the batting but we knew that with the more matches we played the guys would get more match practice and we would come good, and we have proven that. There are still some areas that we have to work on but we were never worried about reaching the semi-finals. We knew we had 10 games to play and that once we got into that momentum the winning habit would pick-up. We have done that and won our last four games and want to continue that in the semifinal,” Khan continued. Three- times defending Champions Trinbago Kinght Riders are unbeaten and head the points table with St. Lucia,
Shimron Hetmyer will want and need to come good with the bat in the two remaining matches they are likely to play. (CPL)
Guyana and Jamaica following in that order. Defending Champions Barbados and Saint Kitts and Nevis can no longer make the play-off “We are placed third and hope to play St Lucia in the semi-final but at the end of the
day whoever we have to play does not matter, we are here to win the tournament and hope to continue a winning vein and have asked the guys to remain focused and committed to the cause. We still have two more games; the semi-final and the
final and we want to be there and lift the trophy this year. The team spirit is very good the guys are in High Spirits. They’re very committed and focused on looking forward to getting Guyana the trophy this year,” Khan concluded.
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Kaieteur News
TKR make it nine from nine CPL - Another deathhitting masterclass from Kieron Pollard, wellsupported by Darren Bravo, took the Trinbago Knight Riders to their third 170+ score in a row. Darren’s elder brother Dwayne combined with his captain to follow an excellent Powerplay bowling performance and keep the St Lucia Zouks at arm’s length throughout the chase, and seal a ninth Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020 win in nine for the Knight Riders. Sunil Narine was rested again, and openers Lendl Simmons and Tion Webster started slowly, with a pull for six off Scott Kuggeleijn the only boundary Simmons managed before bottomedging to the keeper. Mohammad Nabi’s second over was expensive, Webster powering him for a Hero Maximum over extra-cover in an over that went for 13. Kesrick Williams followed a no-ball with a free hit which Tim Seifert powered for six. Seifert, batting at three because of Colin Munro’s hand fracture, followed up with the first four of the innings, then showed off his reverse and orthodox sweep off the returning Roston Chase. Thus the Knight Riders reached 47/1 off the GuardianLife Powerplay. Webster cleared the longon fence off Zahir Khan, but the Afghan got his revenge with a quicker ball to end a good cameo. Chase gave
away five wides in an over that went for 10, but Zahir kept things tight going for just five and Mark Deyal closed the first half of the inning with an over of four. At halfway, the Knight Riders were 74/2. Darren Bravo launched a Hero Maximum over Zahir’s head. Deyal was accurate again, and Zouks captain Daren Sammy brought himself on to bowl for the first time in Hero CPL 2020 and marked the occasion with a wicket as Seifert sliced to Najibullah Zadran at deep point. Pollard, back captaining after a rest, came to the middle with the Knight Riders 94/3 after 13. Nabi returned to go for just one, but Williams was again loose, going for 13 including six wides. Sammy gave himself a second over, but he too went for 13 thanks to Pollard top-edging a four then lofting a Hero Maximum over extra-cover. With four overs to go, the Knight Riders were 121/3. Good running and a Pollard edge meant Kuggeleijn’s third over went for 11, but Pollard’s Hero Maximum over extra-cover off Williams came squarely out of the middle, as did Darren Bravo’s over long-on. 18 runs came off the 18th, and in the 19th Pollard smashed Kuggeleijn for a four and a Hero Maximum. The Knight Riders captain did however lose his wicket, swinging so hard the bat flew to square leg even as he edged behind.
DJ Bravo hit his first ball for four to end an expensive Kuggeleijn over, and Darren Bravo hammered Williams for a Hero Maximum over longon. A wicket fell last ball of the innings, but with the Knight Riders managing 80/2 off the last 36 balls, the damage was done. With Rakheem Cornwall rested, Kimani Melius and Mark Deyal got a chance at the top of the order but only managed 13 off the first four overs, Akeal Hosein and Sikandar Raza proving hard to hit. While Khary Pierre conceded a boundary to each opener, Melius gloved a DJ Bravo slower ball down the leg-side where Seifert took a good diving catch. The Zouks managed just 26/1 off the GuardianLife Powerplay. Andre Fletcher hit the innings’ first Hero Maximum off Fawad Ahmed, who also conceded a four to Deyal, but Raza and DJ Bravo kept things tight. When a shower briefly interrupted proceedings in the tenth over the Zouks were 63/1 and needed almost 11 an over. Hosein returned but went for 10, and Fletcher meted out some Pollard-like treatment to the Knight Riders’ captain’s first ball. Deyal though didn’t make such a good connection and was caught at long-on, Seales somehow hanging on despite DJ Bravo colliding with him. Bravo returned, but Nabi sent him over the midwicket boundary. Fletcher and Nabi
Kieron Pollard celebrate the wicket of the dangerous Andre Fletcher during the match. (CPL) inexplicably found themselves running to the same end, but the throw missed the stumps. Fletcher again started a Pollard over with a leg-side Hero Maximum, but Pollard got his revenge as Fletcher picked out Webster at deep midwicket. After 14 overs, the Zouks were 104/3 and needed 12 an over. Hosein finished with a boundary-less over, and though Nabi muscled Pollard over his head for a Hero Maximum he fell attempting another, DJ Bravo holding on to a skier off the toe-end. Bravo turned wicket-taker
himself to dismiss Nabi’s countryman Najibullah Zadran who dragged a sweep onto the stumps. After 17 overs, the Zouks were down to Sammy and Kuggeleijn and needed 15 an over. Just 12 runs, none in boundaries, came off Pollard or DJ Bravo’s final overs, and though in the 20th Seales started nervily conceded a six to Sammy and a wide, he responded with a good straight ball which Sammy hit high rather than long, his opposite number Pollard taking the catch despite Darren Bravo running too close for comfort to him.
The elder Bravo got a catch of his own, Kuggeleijn picking him out to give Seales a second, and in truth, this was the Knight Riders’ game from some way out, as even without Narine, Munro and the still-hamstrung Ali Khan they had far too much for the Zouks. Scores: Trinbago Knight Riders 175/5 (DM Bravo 50, Pollard 42, Seifert 33, Webster 20; Kuggeleijn 2/35, Sammy 1/19, Zahir 1/24) beat St Lucia Zouks 152/7 (Fletcher 42, Deyal 40, Nabi 17; Pollard 3/35, Seales 2/ 21, DJ Bravo 2/26) by 23 runs.
Tridents end on a high
Captain Jason Holder led the Barbados Tridents to the win. (CPL)
CPL - A classy halfcentury from captain Jason Holder and a fine all-round performance from Mitchell Santner saw the Barbados Tridents finish a troubled season on a high, and meant that once again Andre Russell’s brilliance was in vain for the Jamaica Tallawahs. With the Tallawahs now confirmed in fourth, they will play runaway Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) leaders the Trinbago Knight Riders in the semi-finals. Santner’s first over went for just two, but Jermaine Blackwood, promoted to open, cut Joshua Bishop’s first ball for four. Holder brought himself on, and Blackwood carved him for four over the slips, taking the Tallawahs to 22/0 off four. Rashid Khan conceded a boundary apiece to Blackwood and Phillips in an over that went for 11. Blackwood used his feet well to hit Bishop over long-on for the game’s first Hero Maximum, and the Tallawahs completed a good Powerplay at
44/0. Ashley Nurse dropped a slip catch off Hayden Walsh Jr, reprieving Phillips on 14, but that reprieve lasted only three balls as Keon Harding, on Hero CPL debut, took a fine catch running in from the cover boundary. The Tallawahs had lost a little momentum to be 69/1 at halfway. Rashid’s over went for just two, but Blackwood hit Harding’s first ball for six to bring up his first Hero CPL fifty. He uppercut a four in the same over and a Hero Maximum off Walsh, and while Asif Ali fell cutting Walsh to end another scratchy innings, that brought in Andre Russell with time to bat. Holder brought himself on, and was unlucky to see a Russell edge clear the keeper for four. There was no fortune in Russell’s pair of monstrous Hero Maximums off Walsh, and the Tallwahs surged to 112/2 off 15. Santner bowled well to Russell, whose only boundary came via a misfield, and though Blackwood squeezed a four
through point, Holder bowled him round his legs next ball. Russell smashed another Hero Maximum to finish the over, and the Tallawahs were well-set at 133/3 off 17. Rashid returned for the death, and though Russell didn’t middle a pull he still got four. He absolutely middled it into the top tier two balls later, but Rashid was desperately unlucky next ball, a googly hitting the stumps and lighting up the bails but not knocking them off. Russell inside-edged past the stumps off Holder, and entering the last over the Tallawahs were 153/3. Russell nearly cleared the roof to bring up his 50 off just 26 balls, but Rashid finally got his man, Russell stumped by yards. The promotion of Blackwood and Russell had got the Tallawahs to their highest total of Hero CPL 2020. The recalled Oshane Thomas was too quick for Johnson Charles and bowled him off the inside edge, but the first
over went for 17 including four wides and two fours by Jonathan Carter who was promoted to open. Left-arm seamer Preston McSween, on Hero CPL debut, also struck in his first over, bowling Shamarh Brooks with a beauty that swung and seamed back in. Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s first over went for six, and where McScween’s first over was excellent, his second was poor. Holder started with a lovely Hero Maximum over long-on, and took four more fours off it to take the Tridents to 50/2 off four overs. Thomas and Carlos Brathwaite bowled tidily, but the Tridents finished the Powerplay at 61/2, their best of the tournament. Mujeeb beat Holder on both edges, and the Tridents captain was lucky to bottomedge between Phillips’ legs for four. Holder smashed a Brathwaite full toss for six to bring up his 50 off just 28 (Continued on page
Sunday September 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Minister Ramson meets with Golf officials Students at the golf Academy.
Charles Ramson Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture
M
inister of Youth, Sport and Culture C h a r l e s Ramson, is no stranger to golf, being himself an avid player in times when he had less responsibilities. However, he vowed to find time to re-engage in the sport, and has promised to start playing at the Academy on a regular basis and will declare it open when the official launch is scheduled. The Minister met with President of the Guyana Golf Academy Aleem Hussain on Monday to discuss various aspects of the sport and the opportunities it offers as a socially distanced activity, especially during the current
covid crisis. Minister Ramson indicated that he was extremely pleased at the interest being generated by the new Golf Academy on Wo o l f o r d Av e n u e , (partnering with the Scouts Association of Guyana and Guyana Teachers Union) since it was reaching a demographic of women, children and inner city players, persons who normally have been unable to access the sport. “The numbers of new players participating in a socially distanced programme is exciting and shows that we as Guyanese can adapt to finding ways to live with and in compliance
A student being showed the correct way to grip the golf club.
the covid virus, something that may be a part of our lives in the foreseeable future,” said the Minister. “Being responsible for both Youth and Sports, it is important that the Ministry find ways to support the development of the game, and the rapid growth of golf through your efforts shows that many Guyanese are interested in the sport.” Over the past few years, under the influence of the Aleem Hussain, the sport has seen outreach programmes developed with University of Guyana, ATC, Queen’s College, Bishop’s and Rose’s High schools and even at the Giftland Mall, courtesy of Mr. Roy Beepat.
“Contributions to the Academy by seasoned players Colin Ming, Brian Hackett, Anwar Shaffie (along with several overseas players), the Shafura Hussain Foundation, NY ( Wi l l i a m a n d A l e e n a Knight), Maxim Mangra and many others, has allowed us to ensure that we can provide equipment and balls to kids either at a very low cost or in many cases, at no charge,” stated the GGA President.
With worldwide interest being focused on Guyana’s development of new PGAstandard courses in Mahaica, this is the time for the sport to take its place amongst traditional activities such as cricket and football. “Our current goal is to meet a target of 3,000 new players by the end of 2021, persons who may have never touched a golf club or ball in their lives,” said Hussain. The ultimate goal of the
Guyana Golf Association and the NexGen Golf Academy is to find and mould talented players so that Guyana can compete in the future Olympic games. Anyone who has an interest in learning about the incredible opportunities that golf offers (in education and sports), should contact them at 645 0944 or visit F a c e b o o k NexGenGolfAcademy as soon as possible.
TKR make it nine from nine Kieron Pollard hits a six for the Trinbago Knight Riders v Jamaica Tallawahs, CPL 2020, Tarouba, September 1, 2020 Š Getty Images
t r o Sp
Hamilton takes pole with fastest lap in history
F1 Italian GP qualifying:
Hamilton takes Italian GP pole with record F1 lap.
Batting improving ahead of Semis says Omar Khan
Nicholas Pooran bludgeoned the first hundred of Hero CPL 2020 off just 45 balls to lead the Warriors to victory. (CPL)
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