Kaieteur News

Housing Ministry to K NEWS build 4-lane highway from Eccles to Diamond AIETEUR

Friday Edition

September 10, 2021 - Vol. 23 No. 37

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

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IDB notes growing concern country may fall victim to “Dutch Disease” - cautions against becoming reliant on fossil fuels

Liza 2 FPSO on its way …as Exxon finds more oil offshore

Advocacy group created to give citizens voice on national stage Family in search of Guyanese man who went missing 2 years ago

The protest continues for change to the Exxon contract.

Enhanced oversight for - Min. Bharrat oil operators’ exploration progs.

Listen to what Ex-TT Energy Minister did to Trinidad’s Oil Sector and now he is advising Guyana on our GTS Project. Also hear how they want to shut @ 11am on Kaieteur KN down and how Exxon is monopolising Guyana’s oil sector. Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Friday September 10, 2021

The Liza Unity leaves Singapore for Guyana

Liza 2 FPSO on its way …as Exxon finds more oil offshore

G

uyana's second F l o a t i n g Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel—the Liza Unity—has set sail from the Keppel shipyard in Singapore, destined for hook up with the Liza II development in the Stabroek Block. This, even as operator—ExxonMobil Guyana—announces still more discoveries in the prolific concession.

ExxonMobil made the announcement yesterday, confirming that it had made a discovery at Pinktail prospect—its 20th to date—encountering some 220 feet (67 meters) of net pay in high quality

hydrocarbon bearing sandstone reservoirs.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e company said its Turbot-2 well, also encountered 43 feet (13 meters) of net pay in a newly identified, high quality hydrocarbon bearing sandstone reservoir.

A c c o r d i n g t o ExxonMobil, that discovery is separate from the 75 feet (23 meters) of high quality, oil bearing sandstone reservoir pay encountered in t h e o r i g i n a l Tu r b o t - 1 discovery well.

The news also comes on the heels of the recently announced discovery at the pay in deeper reservoirs encountered at the Whiptail discovery.

We l c o m i n g t h e announcement, the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat in a public missive said, “The Government of Guyana is confident that these additional discoveries will serve to further catapult Guyana's monumental transition as a country with world-class discoveries of high-quality hydrocarbon.”

According to Minister Bharrat, Government remains committed and persistent in engaging all stakeholders towards the beneficial development of these resources for all Guyanese in a sustainable and responsible manner.

To this end, Bharrat said

Government has since mandated the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Petroleum Sector regulatory agencies to enhance the oversight and management of the exploration programmes of “all operators as we seek to further expand the sector through advancing commercial discoveries.”

According to Minister Bharrat, “I would like to reassure all Guyanese and stakeholders that this will be undertaken in keeping with international best practices for compliance and transparency within the petroleum sector and to ensure benefits are derived for all Guyanese.”

Senior Vice President of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil, Mike Cousins, in making the announcement noted that, “these discoveries are part of an extensive well programme in the Stabroek Block utilizing six drill ships to test play extensions and new concepts, evaluate existing

discoveries, and complete development wells for the Liza Phase II and Payara projects.”

According to the ExxonMobil Executive, “our exploration successes continue to increase the discovered resource and will generate value for both the Guyanese people and our shareholders.”

Meanwhile, the company in making the announcement noted that the Liza Unity has been completed and set sail from Singapore for Guyana on September 3 last and is expected to arrive in Guyana in November.

That vessel is expected to commence production from the Liza II oil field with a capacity to produce approximately 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

With the Liza Unity producing, it would bring total production from the Stabroek Block next year to some 340,000 barrels of oil daily by the ExxonMobil-led consortium.

The Liza Phase II breakeven is estimated at US$25 per barrel, while the first FPSO—the Liza Destiny—produces at about US$35 per barrel.

As it relates to the new discoveries, the company in making the announcement detailed that Pinktail Well is located approximately 21.7 miles (35 kilometers) southeast of the Liza Phase 1 project, which began production in December 2019, and 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) southeast of Yellowtail-1. Pinktail was drilled in 5,938 feet (1,810 meters) of water by the Noble Sam Croft.

The Turbot-2 discovery is located approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers) to the southeast of the Liza phase one project, and 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from the Turbot1 discovery announced in October 2017.

Turbot-2 was drilled in 5,790 feet (1,765 meters) of water by the Noble Sam Croft.

Friday September 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

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IDB notes growing concern Guyana may fall victim to “Dutch Disease” - cautions against becoming reliant on fossil fuels

By Kiana Wilburg

T

he current proven reserves in the Stabroek Block, which total over nine billion barrels of oil equivalent resources, along with the string of recent discoveries, will no doubt, produce changes in Guyana's overall economic structure. One of the most immediate effects will be the increase in the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

But, an increase in GDP does not translate to higher standards of living for citizens, who are the true owners of the oil wealth.

In light of this irrefutable fact, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) recently urged Guyana to place greater focus on

ensuring the oil wealth leads to economic transformation and not the mere doubling of G D P. T h e f i n a n c i a l institution said the impact of the additional revenue on a country with a GDP of US$3.5 billion and a population of 773,000 needs to be carefully managed so as to promote inclusive, sustainable growth that benefits the Guyanese people.

The IDB asserted in one of its latest loan briefs that ensuring true economic transformation is not going to be a walk in the park for local authorities, while adding that there are already concerns about the challenges that lie ahead for the new oil producing State.

In this regard, the IDB said it has noted concerns

that Guyana may fall victim to the so-called “Dutch Disease” because of the large increase in the country's income. (Dutch Disease is a concept that describes an economic phenomenon where the rapid development

If, as expected, the Guyana dollar becomes stronger, the IDB said it makes non-oil and gas exports more expensive, and therefore less competitive.

“Thus, the discovery of oil and gas, while a very

of one sector of the economy leads to a decline in other sectors. It is also often characterised by a substantial appreciation of the domestic currency.)

positive development, could cause the contraction of the other parts of the economy,” expressed the IDB via its loan brief. On another important note, the IDB noted that many countries across the world are moving to cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind. With this in mind, it urged Guyana to be mindful; to look ahead and ensure that it does not become reliant on only this sector.

It appears, however, that the government is keen on avoiding the Dutch Disease, at least, as it has approached the IDB for assistance in developing a strategy that will allow it to make the best of the opportunities presented by the oil wealth, while simultaneously building an economy that will survive after the fossil fuels are gone.

T h e P P P / C

Enhanced oversight for oil operators' exploration programmes - Bharrat The Guyana Government has promised to increase its oversight of oil operators and their oil exploration programmes offshore Guyana in light of the new discoveries announced by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

At least, this is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, who in welcoming the announcement of new oil discoveries offshore Guyana.

He said in a public missive that “the Government of Guyana has mandated the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Petroleum Sector regulatory agencies to enhance the oversight and management of the exploration programmes of all operators as we seek to further expand the sector through advancing commercial discoveries. “ According to the subject Minister, while Government welcomes these new discoveries offshore Guyana, it “remains committed to the sustainable exploration and development of Guyana's oil and gas resources.”In this

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

same vein, the Minister said, “I would like to reassure all Guyanese and stakeholders that this will be undertaken in keeping with international best practices for compliance and transparency within the petroleum sector and to ensure benefits are derived for all Guyanese.”

Speaking directly to the new discoveries, Minister Bharrat “is confident that these additional discoveries will serve to further catapult Guyana's monumental transition as a country with world-class discoveries of high-quality hydrocarbon.”

As such, he said, “the Government of Guyana remains committed and persistent in engaging all stakeholders towards the beneficial development of these resources for all

Guyanese in a sustainable and responsible manner.”

The Pinktail well spud by the ExxonMobil-led consortium has encountered high-quality hydrocarbonbearing sandstone reservoirs at 67 meters within the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

The discovery is in addition to EEPGL's successful appraisal of the Turbot-1 and Turbot-2 discoveries at 13 meters and 23 meters respectively, which also encountered high-quality hydrocarbon.

Word of the enhanced oversight of the exploration programmes by oil operators comes even as EEPGL awaits permission for a 12well, five-year drilling campaign in the Canje Block.

Government's loan request totals US$1,817,764.

According to the loan documents seen by Kaieteur News, the funding would be spent on five components.

Component I is called: Strengthening the technical capacity of the government to lead economic transformation in Guyana.

It is expected to include a forum for infrastructure opportunities, targeted investor workshops to assist in structuring specific Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, public consultation, and awareness building through strategic communications to investors, stakeholders and the general public.

The government is proposing to use US$882,000 from the loan for this activity.

As for Component II, this is titled: The Economic Diversification and MidTerm Development Strategy.

This component will support several activities, such as the engagement of a strategic advisor on economic development, consultations with stakeholders to identify and select on potential, technical exchanges with countries that have successfully developed using growth strategies, provide consultancies to support the review of existing development strategies, facilitate consultations, and provide insight into success stories on economic diversification.

It was noted in the project document that US$279,000 has been budgeted for this purpose.

With respect to Component III, this is expected to focus on creating investment opportunities for the private sector and will support the engagement of a strategic advisor for publicprivate partnerships to develop a PPP framework for Guyana, including proposed legal and r e g u l a t o r y recommendations.

It was noted that US$369,000 has been budgeted for this activity.

The fourth component will see expenditure on awareness and diffusion, and will include a forum for infrastructure opportunities, targeted investor workshops to assist in structuring specific PPP projects identified under Component three, and ensure public consultation and awareness building through strategic communications to investors.

This is expected to cost US$170,000.

Component Five caters for financing any contingencies that need to be tackled during project execution. Over US$117,000 was budgeted for this purpose.

As regards execution, it was stated that the Ministry of Finance will oversee all the coordination activities with the relevant stakeholders.

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Kaieteur News

Friday September 10, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

Receivership latest resourceful leadership weapon The great books and great philosophers all spoke about light and darkness. They contain sayings about how those who hate light love darkness, how they use the cover of darkness for sinister purposes.

There are great forces of darkness arrayed against Kaieteur News. They will not rest, have no peace, while the truths that this publication air, enlightens the world of the many misdeeds occurring in this country. The terrible misdeeds of crooked leaders, so twisted that they must be rid of a thorn in the flesh, one that is in in the neck and gut and behind. Leaders in this country have tried a range of strategies and tactics to shut up and shutdown Kaieteur News, so that their brands of truth can roam at will. They have failed before, they will fail again, regardless of what they try.

Leaders, through their hidden agents and public front men, started out with intimidation. They refused to take sharp questions from us, and when that didn’t work, they banned us from their press conferences and other public appearances, while most, if not all,of the other entities in the Guyanese Press cohort were invited. Doors, which were opened for our peers and competitors, were slammed in our face. We didn’t miss a beat, and continued with our business, which was to serve Guyanese with frankness and fearlessness.

But our sworn adversaries, political leaders and their henchmen are powerful and resourceful. They then went to work using the advertising weapon, with the clear aim of strangling us slowly, by attacking the blood supply of any media entity, namely, its advertising revenues. This frank and unscrupulous effort by political leaders at squeezing us into submission also failed, like what came before, and what has come afterwards.

First, they poached our reporters, in blatant endeavours to weaken us, and dilute the hard-hitting quality of our coverage of news that leaders want to suppress. That sword has also been blunted, as we keep going on with the struggle.

But cunning political leaders have kept on coming, with bigger and bigger weapons unsheathed to deliver one bludgeoning blow after another at this paper and its publisher.

The next spear in the arsenal of political leaders has been the judiciary, in the form of libel suits, with many spears hurled. This is tricky and hinges on fair comment, presenting truths in an unvarnished manner, and is subject to different interpretations and different conclusions by different people.

Millions in judgments have been awarded against us, and we have commenced paying. There is every intention of honouring, but due to pandemic consequences, we have to do so prudently and slowly, which is why we asked the court for a payment plan, and the time it allows.

But political leaders want more, and they want it now. Thus, they act with unholy haste to close down Kaieteur News, corner the independent press, and prevent messages about the ugly truths of governance and oil in Guyana. So, they approached the court for a receiver to be appointed, put us into receivership, and dispose of our assets. Political leaders want more than libel millions, which should tell much about their deep-seated agitations. They want total silence. They want the rottenness practised in this country from the top to takeover. Leaders will fail. Leaders want only their voices and their lies to dominate. Again, they will fail, for we will continue in some manner, but always with the strength of our convictions. We remind Guyanese of something. Slaveholders loved using scripture to justify holding their fellow man chained in chattel slavery. American Southerners didn’t like abolitionists and media sources that boldly spoke out against whippings and beatings and lynching(s). The preference was to spread the myth about how the slaves were happy and content. Guyanese political leaders are the perfect reincarnations of Southern American slave owners.

They tell Guyanese lies about how good they have it, then go out of their way to confront and muzzle any who dares to stand against their falsehoods, their distortions, and their injustices. From no advertisements, to intimidations, to bans, to lawsuits, to judgments, to receivership appeal(s), these have been the weapons raised to behead and dispirit us. We shall overcome.

Exxon should release data on expenditures, too many unanswered questions Dear Editor, Reference is made to your front-page news reports on that huge amount of money Exxon claims to have spent over the last year on local content and on local Guyanese employment. The accuracy of the claims has not been verified, as there is no published story of an audit being done on expenses.

Release of public record on hiring and purchases, or payment for service will give credence to claims by Exxon and counterclaims by the public or critics.

If an audit was carried out, who did it and when? It would also help if Exxon defines what is local content and if it fits in with the government’s definition of local content. It would also be useful for the public to know how much was expended on non-local content costs. How and what Exxon Guyana spent the money on? We don’t know as records have not been made available to the public.

We do not know how many

Guyanese have been hired, doing what, and their salary or pay grade. What we do know, and is confirmed empirically, is that there is more enforced local content under this government than its predecessor. No doubt, this government has negotiated for greater local content use and contract of resources and hiring of Guyanese and is commended

by Guyanese who I engaged in a discussion on the subject.

We need public records in order to determine the extent to which Exxon is complying with local content rules.

A claim was made by a labour union that Exxon Guyanese workers earn less than school cleaners. If factual, it needs to be exposed and government must take action to remedy the injustice. If it happens in the US, Exxon would face heavy fines. As an economist who studies development in several countries, it is safe to say that jobs need to be relatively high-paying for

there to be sustained longterm rising standard of living and national economic growth. Are Guyanese being paid less than Americans for similar jobs and qualifications? Do workers have health-insurance and retirement benefits, a mandatory US requirement for American workers employed by Exxon Guyana that pays American workers in the US in greenback dollars? Is Exxon paying the NIS of Guyanese workers?

Other claims have also been made against Exxon. One complaint level by Guyanese businesses, in conversations I had with captains of industry, is that Exxon has occupied offices and paying rent that local businesses can’t afford. There is also a complaint that Exxon is paying for real estate rental that it does not use.

Businessmen complain that some of its offices are surrounded by deteriorating buildings and crumbling housing. Exxon is putting up

its foreign workers at the Marriott and other leading hotels that are beyond the financial reach of Guyanese.

Exxon deducts the bills as part of its oil production costs, meaning Guyana pays the bill.

As someone who taught developmental economics for decades, I think it is fair when Guyanese ask to what extent has Guyana benefitted from Exxon thus far. Is there an overall increase in employment in Guyana since Exxon began production? Or has there been economic displacement (leaving one job for another) in Exxon’s hiring? How are other aspects of the economy affected by Exxon’s recruitment and hiring?

To what extent has Exxon’s investment helped to counter pandemic-driven economic fallout in the country? To what extent has Exxon contributed to or become a strategic partner in the economic recovery and the fulfillment of objectives to improve the level of well-being of Guyanese? These questions can only be answered if Exxon releases data.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Govt. COVID-19 rules are intended for the greater good, it is a war we are in Dear Editor, The Government’s recent COVID-19 rules mandating that vaccinated citizens must show their vaccine card along with a relevant national identification before entering a public or private facility and, conversely, anyone that is unvaccinated must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test for entry has been made with the greater good of the nation in its combat against this pandemic.

This pandemic is now in its second deadly year and the amount of literature written by the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, Anti-Vaxxers, Conspiracy theorists, Born Again Experts, etc., are more voluminous than the amount of vaccines produced worldwide. So, it is really ingenious for anyone to propose that we need more literature to influence the unvaccinated to be vaccinated.

The lines have already been drawn and the vaccinated and unvaccinated are firmly in their respective camps.

This is where the Government must decide on how to wage this war against the COVID-19 scourge for the greater good. Make no mistake, it is a relentless war we are fighting against in this

pandemic and the macabre theatre is played out on the daily COVID-19 billboard with a constant scorecard of so many more deaths and so many more infected. It is a matter of life and death. Like any war, citizens are first asked to join the fight voluntarily, which is then closely followed up by conscription, which mandates compulsory enlistment.

The Government actions are akin to being on a war footing against this pandemic and the choices are there as follows: 1. Get vaccinated because it has scientifically

been proven as the best protection against the virus.

2. There are vaccines available to everyone for the nation to achieve herd immunity.

3. If you choose to be unvaccinated then we require proof that you are not contagious in spreading the virus at your own expense.

State resources has to be spent on the people who are fighting to end this pandemic, not on those whose actions seems to want to prolong it.

These are all choices made in the interest of the greater good.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

Is Roraima Housing Scheme a State within a State?

Dear Editor, I live in Roraima Housing Scheme, which is situated at Plantation Versailles, West Bank Demerara. It is in Region Three. I write this letter to raise a serious matter and that is whether the Scheme has become a State within a State not subject to the laws of Guyana. A recent nasty practice of a resident dumping garbage on an empty house lot has raised the question of a State within a State.

Three weeks ago I reported to both the NDC and Regional Environmental officers that a resident of Roraima Housing Scheme had dumped her garbage on an

empty lot. The garbage comprised pieces of rusty zinc sheets, drums, pipes, and plastic. Both officers informed me several times that they could not enter the place since it was a “Private Gated Community.” The NDC Environmental Officer, Ms. Williams, even told me that she was once denied entry by the security guards.

The false concept that Guyana’s State and Governmental agencies could not enter the “Private Gated Community” first emerged a few years ago when police raided a resident’s home and found 300 lbs. of narcotics.

His family berated the guards

for allowing the police entry saying that it was a “private compound.”

The second time I heard of police not being allowed in the Scheme was the afternoon when President Ali was sworn in. A serving member of the police force loudly announced to my neighbour that President Ali was then Commander in Chief and that police could not enter the compound to harass anyone.

Of course the police have always performed their duty when called upon to do so in the Scheme.

But now we have a situation where the Regional and NDC Environmental

officers are being prevented from entering the Scheme to do their duty.

And in the meanwhile the Chairman of whatever Association there is has failed to get the resident to remove her garbage.

The same Chairman and his handlers had embarked on a massive spraying of poison in the Scheme to kill vegetation, snakes, caiman, and other reptiles but they have no problem with the dumping of garbage and worse they are of the view that the poison that kills other life forms is harmless to humans!

Yours sincerely, Malcolm Harripaul, AA

Friday September 10, 2021

SleepIn does not enjoy protection in high places Dear Editor, SleepIn Hotel is the only hotel in Guyana that is criticised because it is believed that they are violating the COVID-19 measures. There have been several letters in the letter column of the newspapers to this effect.

I have visited SleepIn Hotel as well as other hotels and bars both in and out of Georgetown. I did not observe any discernible differences between what occurs at SleepIn Hotel and what occurs at other establishments. To my mind, it is clear that SleepIn is being targeted. In fact, SleepIn’s owner has been charged and placed before the courts. This treatment has not been meted out to any other hotel.

The truth of the matter is that flights arrive from various destinations at Cheddi Jagan International Airport during curfew hours.

These passengers therefore violate the curfew when they travel to Georgetown, they violate the curfew when they present themselves at the hotel for check-in, and they violate the curfew when they request a meal or a drink from the bar.

Since the hotel is their “home” should they just lock themselves up in a room and starve? Or should the hotel owner lock them up in the room and starve them? Or worse yet refuse them entry into the hotel when they turn up for check-in and let them sleep on the parapet until the curfew expires.

The reality is all hotels check-in these guests and offer them services that they require, in violation of the COVID-19 curfew guidelines.

But apparently, only SleepIn is called out.

SleepIn is a very popular hotel. Its rates are attractive and services excellent. So the occupancy rate is always high when other establishments are experiencing a hard guava season. This breeds widespread jealously among competitors, some who are in high offices or connected to those in high offices. Official power is being used to attack SleepIn. The widely held belief that SleepIn enjoys protection in high places is clearly not true.

Yours sincerely, Rawle Nichols

Poor water quality at Fyrish Dear Editor, It is with deep concern that I submit this letter to your newspaper for the reading public. I was born and grew up in Fyrish Road, Region Six, East Berbice, Corentyne, a mixture of both Afro and Indo Guyanese.

Now in my 40s the issue of potable and clean WATER and FLOODING is older than I am.

To begin with the

pumping station inside the burial ground, the water quality is very, very poor, filled with rust, red to muddy, oily, smelly, with fluctuating pressure.

The washing of clothes for babies, school uniforms and non-daily clothes are solely depended on rain water.

Dishes, washroom, toilet, etc., have changed their colour due to the poor water

quality. The people of Fyrish Road have endured this for decades, government comes and goes and so too are election promises.

It’s a pity that a country, which is known as the land of many waters, the residents of Fyrish Road, isn’t reflected in it.

I will submit a further letter on flooding.

Thank You, Name withheld

Guyanese should work on building immune systems to combat virus Dear Editor, I read online today @ updayUK that significant numbers of both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated persons have died from the new Delta variant. Let me hasten to say that my

purpose is not to confirm or deny the report, nor am I against vaccination in general (though I’m certainly against compulsory vaccination).

My reason for penning these lines is to encourage persons to work on building

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their immune system, whatever their stand on vaccination may be! I know of several persons, both here and overseas, who were diagnosed with COVID-19, who successfully overcame (Continued on page 6)

Contributions to NIS Dear Editor, There are continuing complaints of several employees of one large security service not processing contributions to the NIS for years, even though allegedly deductions are made from a substantial number of female guards in particular.

The latter are said to have complained to the NIS from time to time, particularly when

their claims are rejected. Yet the record is that this statutory agency has not been effective in representing these deficiencies to an employer who stands ‘secure’ for l o n g y e a r s a t Mandela Avenue, East La Penitence.

Meanwhile, some of the affected employees have few if any other job options, and have to undergo this discrimination year after year.

They could only presume that the NIS representatives they have seen have never alerted the management of this prolonged delinquency by an employer who by now must feel quite ‘secure.’

Certainly the situation now is not like when a retired Police Commissioner established the agency long years ago.

Yours faithfully Insecure guard

Guyana is not alone in its COVID-19 measures Dear Editor, Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, is yet again ‘true to form.’ He is now urging the Government to revoke the new COVID-19 measure, on access to public buildings. He, of all people, is saying that this move is “wholly authoritarian.” Well, quickly let me say that he can resort to challenges at the legal level, but for now, I have a few things for him and others to think about.

Back in March 2021, Chief Executive, Alan Joyce, of Australian airline, Qantas, told the BBC that “governments are going to insist” on vaccines for international travellers.

According to him, “Coronavirus vaccines are seen as crucial to reviving an

industry that saw worldwide passenger numbers fall 75.6 percent last year.” The CEO said that many governments were talking about vaccination as “a condition of entry,” and that even if they weren’t, he thought the airline should enforce its own policy.

I point anti-vaccinators and the Harmon crew to Canada, and this is as recent as last month. The news is still fresh as Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said that he’s considering making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for federal employees, a move health and labour experts say could set an example, but would have to be a decision backed by

science. Well, the science of COVID-19 is well established.

I repeat, however, that vaccination is the best choice, if not the only one at times. In Quebec, one of the provinces of Canada, Premier Francois Legault, announced that his province would be instituting a vaccine passport, amid concerns over rising case counts. And I add that the Prime Minister said he’s also looking at whether new requirements to either require or encourage vaccination would be necessary in federal workplaces or in federally regulated industries, such as banking, rail and air travel, (Continued on page 6)

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Don’t force the apprehensive Dear Editor, I heard a rattle at my gate.

I looked through the window and saw the meter reader.

Me: (Opening the gate for him to enter) Have you been vaccinated my friend?

Him: (Backing up a bit) No, not yet. Tomorrow. They have the vaccination drive at work and if I don’t take it, I can’t go to work the next day.

I don’t really want to take it, but I got kids. I need this work

to feed them.

It is so sad that another human being has to go against his own conscience to be able to feed his family.

He’s not the first and he will not be the last. But these are telling signs of the times we live in and are heading to.

Countryman or woman you may be reading this and in the same position as the meter reader above. I want to encourage you to do what is

best for you and your family.

If you feel forced, I am sorry, but if you are like me, inspired word will offer re-assurance and help you to navigate these uncertain times.

To the authority, to the vaccinated, don’t force the apprehensive. Try and understand their positions and if they say no, respect that.

Respectfully, Stephen Craig, Jr.

Friday September 10, 2021

President should extend an invitation to Opposition Leader Dear Editor, “Having been elected President of Guyana at the March 2020 national election and in keeping with my responsibilities under the Constitution, I hereby extend an invitation to the Leader of the Opposition to meet with me and other representatives of my elected government, at a mutually convenient time, to discuss a number of critical national issues.”

Might a letter so worded

from the President to the Opposition Leader bring an end to this “standoff” between the Government and Opposition? Clearly this situation cannot and must not continue. There are too many critical issues at stake that require urgent, wellcoordinated joint action: COVID-19, Venezuela, reopening of schools, among others, if Guyanese are to enjoy an enhanced quality of life. Such a letter from the

President would place the Opposition in a position that it must respond, by either accepting or rejecting the invite. The latter would send a clear message that the Opposition is playing politics with the people’s welfare. Of course, not responding would be a reckless abandonment of the Opposition’s responsibilities to the people of Guyana.

Regards Wesley Kirton

Dear Editor, GPF gets another fleet of vehicles to boost its capacity.

It is hoped with this boost the inability to respond to situations because of lack of

vehicles would be a thing of the past.

Previously, vehicles of the force were damaged due to negligence and other forms of carelessness, the policy

was implemented where, once found culpable, drivers would have to stand the cost of repairs.

Is that policy still in force?

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Corruption rampant in every Govt., except under the Jagans Is the culpability policy still in force?

Dear Editor, Carl Roopchand writes that “GO-Invest in Trouble” (Sept. 9) because an individual there is calling in business folks to discuss using his firm for business. In that as well as several other ministries, a person would call in contractors or bidders or investors t o discuss “investment fees” or “nongovernment taxes” (drawback or corruption money) as business folks call them.

This behaviour is not anything strange and unique as it characterises most ministries.

The investment fee varies from between seven percent to 20 percent. All major business folks know the culprits.

The corrupt runs amok; the Vice President must do something about it. Certain known tainted individuals going back pre-2015 have

been appointed with high positions to be bagmen or carryout instructions.

The practice of contract fees is widespread in almost all Ministries from the head and a few surrounding him or her, not only under this government, but all governments except under the Jagans. It was a cancer under the coalition and the cancer is spreading rapidly under this administration at the top.

Only a handful of Ministers or Ministries is excluded — like Social Security, Health, Public Service, Prime Minister, Labour, etc. The whole cabinet is aware of corrupt practices. No one speaks out.

In addition to corruption, immorality is rising. There are reports that a high official

attempted to rape a young lady in a Ministry’s office just a couple days ago.

And another official had set up a bedroom on the top floor of his office with female guests as visitors.

This is the kind of government that has replaced the rejected coalition. People are indeed looking and assessing.

Just like what happened in 2011 and 2015 is likely to be repeated in 2025. After 13 months, there is enough justification for a change in administration to recur as a bulwark against corruption and immorality.

If government does not think it is rapidly being hated as much as the coalition, then it should call a snap election.

Yours truly, Budhram Singh

Bury the hatchet Dear Editor, Heed thy own words, “Bury the Hatchet.” You have been burying the hatchet in this Government, assigning blame to them for everything under the sun, including what we are

currently reaping from decisions made by the previous government. It is time for you to bury the hatchet and stop your vicious attacks.

Yours faithfully Dennis Balgobin

...Guyana is not alone in its COVID-19 From page 5 and Parliament. So where is Harmon going with his talk of ‘authoritarian rule?’

So, I agree with the corresponding move here in Guyana. It serves the bigger purpose, and it is the way of many countries, if not most, and soon all.

Now, I hope that we will all comply, as stipulated in the Official Gazette, under the COVID-19 Emergency measures “that vaccination is mandatory for any person who wishes to enter a public building, privately owned building and an institution of learning.”

Harmon is making a claim that this “… effectively mandates and imposes vaccination on every citizen, and for him, “This measure runs contrary to all the tenets of personal liberties, including an individual’s freedom of conscience as enshrined in Article 147 of the

Constitution.” Like I said, and I repeat. Harmon has choices; he can resort to the court. He is rather uninformed or is ‘turning a blind eye,’ in saying that “The PPP must immediately cease and desist from the wild and reckless approach it has adopted which only benefits its acolytes and financiers and leaves the people of the nation isolated, locked out and vulnerable.”

Well, he has to substantiate this. Currently, the Government is going the extra-mile to promote vaccination, rendering assistance in terms of goods and monies, and seeking to enforce COVID-19 safety protocols and best practices.

I urge all to be compliant, so that all Guyana can benefit and move on from COVID-19.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

...Guyanese should work From page 5 it. In fact, when one friend received a positive COVID19 reading at the Georgetown Hospital, she was told to isolate and use vitamin C. Shouldn’t there be public promotion of building the immune system as we all seek answers, and as those in authority struggle with

finding solutions while relentlessly promoting ‘the jab’?

It may be a good idea to have mass distribution of mineral supplements such as zinc, vitamin C, etc. as we encourage persons to pay close attention to their diet.

Just a thought.

Yours faithfully Claudia Heywood

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Friday September 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

The AG is making the rounds about modernising Guyana's oil laws and seeking an International Law firm to provide us with guidance.

AG Nandlall: PLEASE PICK THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

Please select a law firm that doesn't turn out to have people like Alison Redford and David Warner.

Pick a firm without any Exxon connection, and with a rep. for clean and fair dealings; an aggressive firm to give us aggressive laws.

AG Nandlall: Pick a law firm that will do justice by us and for us.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Former UG Chancellor receives lifetime award for work in immunology and microbiology Former UG Chancellor, Guyanese Professor, E. Nigel Harris, was recognised with the Erwin Neter Award for lifetime achievement in research by the Association of Medical and Laboratory Immunologists (AMLI) on August 14, 2021, in Austin, Texas.

In addition to receiving the award, which has been given to leading scientists in the field of immunology and microbiology since 1987, Professor Harris was invited to give a presentation on his work of nearly 40 years on antiphospholipid antibodies and the anti-phospholipid Professor, E. Nigel Harris syndrome.Professor Harris, (Continued on page 14)

COVID-19 claims lives of two Region Four residents Yesterday, the Ministry of Health announced that two more persons, who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died on Wednesday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 659.According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of a 69-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Further, in its daily COVID-19 dashboard yesterday, the Ministry reported that within the last 24 hours 240 new cases were recorded, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 27,301.

Presently there are 36 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 128 in institutional isolation, 2,504 in home isolation and nine in institutional quarantine.

To date, a total of 23,974 persons who tested positive for the virus have recovered.

Friday September 10, 2021

“Pastor” arrested for executing Linden man, injuring his friend Linden detectives have successfully managed to arrest the prime suspect in the gunning down of a Linden man, and the attempted murder of another on Saturday, July 17.

The suspect, Samorea Mitchel, 26, popularly known as “Pastor” of Lot 716 Phase 1B Wisroc, Linden was arrested on Friday September 3, almost one month after a wanted bulletin was issued for him in early August.

Mitchel is accused of shooting Delroy Mackenzie to death and severely wounding Calvin Daly at Sunflower Street Wismar, Linden.

According to the Guyanese Police Force (GPF), a file was prepared with the evidence its detectives had gathered, which implicated Mitchel in the crime and has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. Based on the advice received, Mitchel is expected to appear at the

Murdered: Delroy Mackenzie

Arrested Samorea Mitchel, 26, popularly known as “Pastor” Georgetown Magistrate's Court today to face murder, and an attempted murder charge.

Daly, the survivor in the shooting incident, had told the cops that on the day his friend, Mackenzie, was gunned down, he had accompanied him to Linden to meet a woman. She was identified as a female friend of Mackenzie.

They arrived in Linden around 21:00hrs that day and proceeded to eat a meal at Church's Chicken in the area. After finishing their meal, Mackenzie was reportedly contacted by the

female friend, and was given directions to catch a boat at the last stelling on the Mackenzie shore and travel to Wismar.

Upon their arrival there, the female friend contacted Mackenzie again and instructed him to walk up Sunflower Street.

They obeyed and walked towards a bridge, and then turned into a cross street.

While there, Mackenzie received a third phone call from the woman, who reportedly told him to turn around, because she will be sending a silver wagon to

pick them up.

Daly continued his tale to the cops stating that they walked out back from the street where the said car drove up, but as they approached, an African male emerged and opened fire on them. Mackenzie fell to the ground, and Daly said he ran for cover.Daly was shot to his arms and an autopsy revealed that Mackenzie was killed by nine bullets.

Police had also stumbled on a burnt out grey wagon, which they believe was the car used in the murder.

Friday September 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

The circus is back!

T

he political circus h a s b e e n reintroduced.

Yesterday, it was announced that a 2-day Cabinet Outreach commencing today is going to be held in Region Two. In a notice yesterday, the Office of the President announced that Cabinet members will lead several teams for direct engagement with residents, women, youth farmers, the religious community and, of course, the private sector representatives. Kicking off the circus will be Region Two, a Region which is so big that it is impossible even with different Ministers visiting different communities, for the entirety of the Region to be effectively covered in two days.

But that is not the intention of Cabinet Outreaches. It is all about the optics.

The spectacle known as Cabinet Outreaches was held under previous PPP/C regimes and was adopted by the APNU+AFC. It effectively means that members of Cabinet go out to a Region and meet with the people and listen to their problems. On the face, these outreaches do not appear to be a bad idea.

However, modern governments do not operate this way. The reason why there are Ministries and Regional Government and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils is for these bodies to be able to solve the problems

of the people at the lower level. When the Cabinet has to do this, it reveals systemic deficiencies within the system of public administration.

Unless those systems are fixed so as to allow people to have confidence in their local representatives, Cabinet Outreaches would compound the manner in which government operates at the local level. Unless the government system is fixed, the same old frustrations will continue to be exhibited.

The decision to reintroduce Cabinet Outreaches show how much the PPP/C is short of ideas. It has reverted to a political sideshow rather than seeking to improve the manner in which public services are delivered to the public.

Cabinet outreaches are not effective solutions to solving people's problems.

These problems have to be solved through a more responsive system of government, including local government.

Persons should not have to await the arrival of the Cabinet caravan in order to have their problems fixed.

The Cabinet as a collective should not have to go to a Region in order to understand what is happening on the ground.

Today's Outreach is illtimed. Someone needs to remind the President that there is a pandemic raging across the country and this is not the time for political circuses.

This is not a time for holding public events. The law in fact prohibits the holding of social events. Yet, the government is engaged in these massive outreaches which will require them to meet members of the public in groups, something which should not be happening when active cases are fast approaching 3,000 and with more than 30 persons in the COVID-ICU Unit.

This is a time of grief in the country. The death toll is mounting each day and hundreds are either sick at home or in institutions.

In solidarity with those who have died as a result of the pandemic, the government should have been exercising greater precaution, especially in light of its own regulations which require persons to prove that they are vaccinated before visiting a public place. The hosting of the Cabinet outreaches makes a mockery of the government's own regulations.

The President and his team should be setting a better example by desisting from attending public events.

People will be more inclined to comply with the COVID19 regulations, if they witness greater responsibility being exercised by the government.

Cabinet outreaches are not an efficient way of gaining political feedback from the public. They are super-expensive exercises which have to be bankrolled by taxpayers. Ministers will

If yuh nah gat faith in boys seh... science nah get sick Dem

A man went by he aunt fuh drop off something wah he mother send fuh she. De aunt invite he in de house fuh ketch up pon some talk name.

He bin reluctant at first because he seh how de virus deh bout. But he seh to heself, he can't dis he aunt.

And suh he go in. And dem start fuh buss name.

Dem start talk bout de COVID vaccines of course. De aunt tell he how she ain't tekking no vaccines because she ain't putting nuttin' harmful in she body. She said: “Is me body and I ain't putting nothing harmful inside.”

Just den, she daughter

bin going through de door and de aunt tun to she and say, “I feel like eating some fast food.

Go and buy a four-piece fried chicken, two medium fries, three chicken burgers and buy something fuh meh nephew hay.”

She den tun to she nephew and continue de conversation. “I don't know what dem put in dem vaccines. And I don't know wah inside, I nah tekkin none.”

Den she tun to she small son and shout out, “Yuh nah even remind me dat I nah drink meh tablets dis morning. Bring de tablets bottle!”

De son do as she order,

and produce a large bottle full ah tablets. De aunt tek out about 20 tablets and drink dem one by one.

De nephew looking on keenly ask she, “Is wah is all dem tablets yuh drinking.”

De aunt answer, “I don't know wuh is wuh, and wuh which is for. All I know is dat de doctor prescribe dem and I trust he and I drinking meh medication.”

De nephew tun to she and ask, “So yuh nah trust dem scientists wah mek de vaccine?”

With dat de aunt let out a lang suck teeth and start fuh rub she belly to prepare fuh de fast food.

Talk half and nah suck yuh teeth pon dem vaccines.

either fly up to Region Two or use the ferry service.

This means that they will go with their SUVs and fourwheel drive vehicles, along with the usual retinue of press and support staff.

The Region will have to roll out the red-carpet and find dozens of 'malas' to garland the dignitaries who will descend on their Region like a heavy downpour.

Welcoming parties and all

regional vehicles will have to be deployed for the Outreach.

The work of the Regional authorities will grind to a halt for two full days.

Tents will have to be hired. Sound systems and chairs rented. And, of course, the Cabinet members must have their belly-full of food.

All of which will have to be billed to the government.

The backslappers and ass lickers will be put on notice.

And some innocent public official is going to receive a tongue-lashing. It is all about showmanship and spectacle.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday September 10, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

An appeal to GECOM chairman on Vishnu Persaud

I

will always be a critic of power once t h e p o w e r establishment does not right the wrongs that have gone by. I came from unimaginable poverty and what I saw in those circumstances changed my life completely and forever. I saw so much bestialities and cruelties directed by humans against humans that rights

became a sacred value for me.

Violations of people's rights should not be dismissed as passed events.

Righting wrongs has no statute of limitation. I became a critic of the PPP government after 1992 and the APNU+AFU regime after 2015 because I believe each had a historical mission to right wrongs.

I was part of the antiBurnham resistance. I saw broken bodies and broken minds of those who fought to erase the Burnham dictatorship. Years after Dr. Jagan became president, people I knew would meet and tell me about the wilderness they still existed in despite the sacrifices they made.

I know about those

sacrifices because I had my own logbook of such sacrifices. When an authoritarian government leaves a school teacher's family without food because he demonstrated in the picket line to change that dictatorship, the incoming democrats must right that wrong. He and his family must be compensated in appropriate ways. There is a simple term for it. It is called, historical justice.

After 1992, I met sad faces and pessimistic eyes of people who told me the wrongs Burnham did to them were never righted. After 2015, I met dejected faces and vacant eyes of people who told me how the blood, sweat and tears they poured out for the PNC and AFC were met with nonchalant contempt.

The bravery of these people causes autocratic governments to fall. The incoming power-holders must right those wrongs.

This doesn't happen in Guyana. I consider myself a self-confident, aggressive, fearless person who emerged out of the rough life of south Georgetown and believe me when I tell you how maudlin I would get when I hear these stories.

It broke my heart and my heart is still in pieces when I sat down at Excellence Restaurant on Charlotte Street, Lacytown with second-tier AFC leaders who related to me that despite their phenomenal energy in putting the AFC into government, they sat in a room and heard AFC leaders

called a complete stranger and offered her the position of Minister of the Frederick Kissoon Environment. I will opportunity now to right the forever hold that against the AFC. I don't want wrong done to Mr. Persaud. any AFC leader who were The vacancy for the position ministers in government to of the CEO and Deputy is to even look in my direction be announced. GECOM owes Mr. Persaud the much less say hello to me.

S o a f t e r t h i s l o n g obligation to undo the introduction, we come to the injustice that has been caption of this column. Mr. perpetuated on him by V i s h n u P e r s a u d h a d Justice Patterson and the extensive experience as three PNC commissioners in Deputy Chief Elections GECOM. I need to mention in Officer (DCEO) at GECOM. He lost his position in a mode passing that based on what that was offensive, illegal GECOM commissioner, and immoral. The Ethnic Vincent Alexander, said Relations Commission in a about Mr. Persaud, a court unanimous decision asserted found Mr. Alexander and the that the other candidate, Chronicle guilty of libel and Roxanne Myers, who won has made a judgment to be the position and displaced paid separately by the Mr. Persaud was less Chronicle and Alexander. q u a l i f i e d a n d l e s s Interestingly, the judge ordered that Alexander alone experienced.

Two other things to note, must pay $2.5 million on his Persaud's score was higher own, while the Chronicle and the remarks of the then and its editor (at the time, GECOM chairman, Justice Nigel Williams) must jointly J a m e s P a t t e r s o n . M r. p a y $ 1 . 5 m i l l i o n . S o Patterson's attitude was Alexander has suffered the instrumental in the ousting worse. I'm kind of sorry for of Persaud. Patterson noted Vincent because I know I that he didn't find Persaud to don't have $ 1 million to pay be straightforward but shaky much less $2.5 million.

My advice to Persaud is and unflattering.

I t t u r n e d o u t t h a t to apply for the position of Chairman Patterson never CEO. I cannot see which met or spoke with Persaud. other Guyanese is more For more details on the experienced in that area. I horrible conduct of Patterson appeal to Madam Chairman, in the Vishnu Persaud story, Claudette Singh, to give see my column of Thursday, justice to Mr. Persaud.

(The views expressed in June 20, 2019, To Vishnu P e r s a u d , I s a y , “ I this article are those of the apologise, I am truly sorry a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the I did not picket for you”.

This country has an opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday September 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Family in search of Guyanese man who went missing in Venezuela 2 years ago

Health care workers that were locked out Wednesday.

Volunteers, retired nurses to fill gap as Region 6 implements no entry rule for unvaccinated

A

s Region Six moves ahead to implement the system of allowing only vaccinated persons into area hospitals, dozens of nurses and a few cleaners were locked out of the New Amsterdam Hospital and Port Mourant Hospital compounds on Wednesday.

Those kept outside had failed to provide a vaccination card to indicate that they have been vaccinated, or a negative PCR test.

At the New Amsterdam Hospital, following the move to prevent the unvaccinated staff entry, some of their colleagues

Friday September 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

who have been vaccinated, and were already on duty, joined them outside in a show of solidarity.

As a result, there were no nurses in the outpatient area to register incoming patients. This was also the case in the Accident and Emergency Department.

Kaieteur News was informed that persons who are seeking medical attention at the health institution will be allowed in, whether vaccinated or not.

A patient who visited the hospital with a foot injury told reporters that, "one of the doctors inside of the emergency room said I have

to wait, because they don't have any nurse to do registration right now and they don't know how long I will have to wait."

After waiting for some time, the woman left to seek medical attention privately.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, told media operatives Wednesday that measures will be put in place, so that the gap will be filled.

He said that the two hospitals will be getting volunteer medical personnel and retired nurses to fit in.

“We are getting some volunteers to come, some of the older nurses that have retired, plus we are moving

around staff…to help at the New Amsterdam Hospital," he said. Armogan further disclosed that emergency surgeries will not be done, but “we got a trickling of nurses back into the system because we are using the public health nurses and so, too, from the health centres to come and man the hospital.” Medics and doctors attached to GuySuCo are also expected to assist. He disclosed that those health workers, who are vaccinated but chose to abandon their jobs and stand in solidarity with their colleagues who were locked out "will have to answer a lot of questions."

Missing in Venezuela for more than two years now, Ejaz Mohammed.

R

elatives of a Guyanese man who reportedly went missing in Venezuela two years ago are currently doing all they can to find him.

The missing man has been identified as, Ejaz Mohamed, 31. Mohamed's family members live in Guyana, but he had reportedly moved to San Felix, Venezuela in 2015.

Some family members who were residing there with him had returned to Guyana.

Mohamed had stayed in contact with his relatives via phone; however, two years ago in 2019, they lost track of his whereabouts. His sister, Bibi Mohammed Shazeena, recently contacted a

journalist in Venezuela and the authorities there for assistance in locating him, because they are beginning to fear the worst.

Despite their fears, his family members are still living with the hope that he might still be alive.

Venezuelan media house, La Primicia, published an article on behalf of the woman with the headline, “Woman is looking for her bother who has been missing for two years”.

Shazeena told the Venezuelan journalist that “concern for his wellbeing increases with each day that goes by without hearing from him. The last time Shazeena heard from her brother was a few days before he had disappeared.

He had reportedly contacted her via phone and notified her that he was traveling to Valencia located in the State of Carabobo, Venezuela.

That location is located thousands of kilometers away from where he resided in San Felix. It is unclear whether Mohamed left driving to get there, or if he took a taxi or a bus.

As his family members continue to look for him, Shazeena requested that the regional and national authorities in Venezuela launch an investigation into his disappearance in the hope of locating his whereabouts.

The Representative of the Guyanese Community in Venezuela (RCGV) headed

by Mr. Hamraj has also pledged its support in working along with the authorities to help Mohammed's relatives locate him. Anyone in Venezuela who might have any information of Mohammed's whereabouts is asked to call telephone numbers, 04121801770, 0286-9727695 or 0424-9565506.

Friday September 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Friday September 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Passenger, accomplice hijack taxi driver's car

A silver Premio motorcar bearing registration number HD 1128 was hijacked from a taxi driver by a passenger and accomplice last week Wednesday.

Based on reports made to this publication, a driver at the City Base Taxi Service on Vlissengen Road, car got hijacked on September 1, around 01:30hrs.The driver and owner of said motor vehicle, Lallcham Roopnarine, said that he was robbed by two men, one East Indian and one Negro who was armed with a gun.

On the day in question,

police officers reported that Roopnarine said the East Indian man came to the service under the false pretence of being a customer. He said that he would like a taxi to drop him into Diamond to pick up a little girl, who is his family member.

However, before starting their journey, the man told the driver to wait a little.

Roopnarine indicated that the man then made two phone calls and told him that the plan was changed, because other family members had taken the girl to Friendship.

“He told me that he wants to go to Friendship,

The car that was hijacked.

East Bank Demerara (EBD) to pick up the girl and then come back to town.”

They left the base around 12:30hrs with the man in the front passenger seat. Roopnarine said that they arrived around 13:30hrs in Friendship, (Continued on page 16)

Former UG Chancellor receives lifetime award...

From page 13 according to a UG release, has received other awards for his work including the Ciba Geigy Prize (shared award) given by the International League Against Rheumatism (1993); the Centennial Award for contributions to Medicine from the National Medical Association (USA) in 1995; The Howard University Distinguished

Alumni Award for medical research and education (2009); the Martin Luther King International Award ( 2010); the Caribbean Health Research Council Award (2011); the Order of Merit Jose Joaquin Gomez award from the University of Cartagena (Colombia) (2013); and an honorary Doctor of Law Degree from the University of St Andrews

(Scotland) on the occasion of its 600th anniversary (2013).

I n a d d i t i o n , t h e 11 t h Congressional District of the USA declared February 11, 2015, the “Eon Nigel Harris Day” in recognition of his contributions to Medical Research and an annual lectureship in his name has been initiated by the Caribbean Association of Rheumatology (CAR).

Kaieteur News

Friday September 10, 2021

PAGE 15

Advocacy group created to give citizens voice on national stage

A

number of civil s o c i e t y o rg a n i s a t i o n s and individuals have come together to create the nation's latest advocacy group—Article 13—aimed at ensuring that the people of Guyana are represented and heard at all levels in debating Guyana's development and in achieving a thriving and sustainable society.

This, through advocating for good, transparent, accountable, and responsible Governance, as well as identifying and proposing solutions, which advance our country and our people.

The grouping has since pledged to work with all Guyanese in the securing of inclusionary democracy, good governance and a better future for all.

“In this regard, we look forward to working in collaboration with the private and public sectors, the Government, the Opposition, the Legislature, Guyanese at home and abroad, and regional and international groups to advocate, educate, promote and lead the quest for t r a n s p a r e n c y, g o o d governance and inclusionary Government in Guyana.”

Announcing the formation of the group, its organisers in a public missive said, “…we are individuals and organisations engaged in diverse areas of work, but united in our commitment to the ideals set out in the Preamble to the Constitution, including the creation of a harmonious community based on democratic values, social justice, human rights, and the rule of law.”

According to the group, more than forty years since its pronouncement in the 1980 Constitution, and

Housing Ministry to build 4-lane highway from Eccles to Diamond

T

he Central Housing and P l a n n i n g Authority of the Ministry of Housing and Water is looking for contractors to execute the construction of a brand new four-lane highway connecting Eccles and Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The Ministry has since invited bidders to submit proposals for the new multi-billion-dollar roadway, which has been divided into 12 sub-lots.

According to the Ministry, contracts will be awarded to the lowest evaluated qualified bidder and that “only one lot will be awarded to any bidder in a project area.”

It was noted nonetheless that a bidder may be considered for award of more than one lot, “provided that the bidder has shown sufficient

Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal

e q u i p m e n t c a p a c i t y, financial capacity, and human resource capacity, in order to execute simultaneous projects.”

Potential bidders are being asked to provide bid security of up to $1B and at minimum, $500M. According to the advertisement inviting potential contractors, the Ministry noted that it would be facilitating pre-bid meetings that would allow for site visits and

presentations by the Ministry.

According to the Ministry, the construction period for the project is 15 months per lot.The new road will serve to complement the additional four-lane infrastructure in train, namely, the Eccles to Mandela Avenue bypass road connecting to the Sherriff Street four-lane roadway and, ultimately, the East Coast Demerara highway.

Gunmen rob group of five at 'ital' shop Five Buxtonian men were on Tuesday evening robbed at gunpoint by six armed motorcycle bandits, while at an 'ital' food shop.

According to a police report, the incident happened at the shop located on the Annandale Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, around 22:20hours. It was stated that the five men were watching television and playing a game of cards in the 'ital' food shop when they were approached by six unidentifiable men.

This publication understands that the six suspects, in addition to an unidentifiable female who remained on one of the motorcycles, came from an unknown direction. During the confrontation with the

bandits, the victims were held at gunpoint as they were relieved of their items, which were a cell-phone valued $23,000, an Eagle wallet with an ID card and $16,500 in cash from a 32-year-old man, one black Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus cell-phone valued $70,000 from a 28-year-old, an IPhone 8 plus valued $70,000 from a 27-year-old man, a 13pennyweight gold chain valued $70,000 from another 27-year-old man, and one Samsung cell-phone along with a 12pennyweight gold chain valued $70,000.

The bandits then fled the scene on their bikes, in a western direction, after which, checks were made for the suspects, but they were not seen.

Police investigations are ongoing.

almost two decades since that objective was elevated to a right protected under Article 149 (2) of the Constitution, Article 13 remains an unfulfilled Constitutional mandate.

As such, “the modest goal of our group is to advocate for these aspirations and rights to be realised, for a land and a country of which wherever we roam, we can hold our heads high, stand tall and proudly proclaim that, as a nation, we live our dreams.”

According to the group, “we are aware of the challenges we face as a people and as a country; unfortunately, our politics is more about political party competition and power than our people.”

Qualifying its existence, the group in its missive noted that Guyana's economic model is currently based on low wages and worker

marginalization, and that development strategies continue to divide the national bounty unequally against the interest of most of our citizens.

“Our country's wealth is accruing to foreign entities that have no stake in our present or future well-being.

Our homeland security is being diminished by damage to our natural environment and sea defence.”

The group lamented too, “…our energy policy aims to keep Guyana dirty and transfer our basic energy supply into foreign control.”

A d d i t i o n a l l y, i t w a s highlighted that the rule of law is too often selectively applied, even subverted when it comes to environmental safeguards.

Further qualifying its formation, the group noted that “Government transactions remain obscure.

Our elections machinery can

be hijacked by a minority bent on subverting our democracy.”

It was highlighted too, that constitutional, statutory bodies and mandates are selectively established and pursued in Guyana as crime keeps rising, especially against women and children.

As such, our group, Article 13, has been created to ensure that the people of Guyana are represented and heard at all levels in debating Guyana's development and in achieving a thriving and sustainable society.

The group in making its announcement did confirm, “we take our name from the Article of the Guyana Constitution, which seeks the establishment of an inclusionary democracy that requires the State to provide every citizen the opportunity to participate in decisionmaking affecting their wellbeing.”

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Friday September 10, 2021

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Dear Editor, A Mr. Clayon F. Halley wrote that “Considering world-wide trends it may not be prudent to re-open schools just yet.” In his opening paragraph, he intoned that “I believe that the government’s fixation on scoring political points has clouded their thought process and judgment, while exposing their policies and measures for what they are political gimmicks. It is quite obvious that this push to reopen physical school is not founded in any sound analysis of our COVID-19 situation, but rather a direct fulfillment of a political gimmick dubbed as “Because We Care.” Well, I am incensed that such an attack was made WANTED One female accounts clerk,knowledge in POS system would be an asset.For more info.Contact:227-3580.

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on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, and I herein present the very opposite to what Halley sought to foist on readers, even without debunking his political outburst.

First, in terms of the thrust of his missive, it is the very opposite that obtains, as regards what is trending in the ‘re-opening of schools’ debate. The body of evidence in the public domain is that various experts and task forces, manned by ‘scientific’ advisors and educators, have all agreed on one thing, that is, schools must be reopened, as the losses from school closures outweigh any benefits gained from a shutdown.

I quote from a “Save the Children” global survey of children and their families, to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on the access to health, education, livelihoods and protection, and to collect the views of children. The research was carried out in seven countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and in terms of Education (as I want to zero in on this aspect), the following stark reality was discovered: seven out of 10 children (70 percent) considered that they learned little during the pandemic; five

out of 10 children (50 percent) required school materials; four out of 10 children (40 percent) indicated that they needed counselling; three out of 10 children (30 percent) mentioned that the teacher checked homework fewer than once a week; three out of 10 children (30 percent) did not know if they will return to school; and four out of 10 adults (40 percent) did not know if their children will go back to school. This is like a hell has been created all ready.

In the United States, as preparations are continuing for safe in-person learning and welcoming students back to physical classrooms for the 2021-2022 academic year, key steps were outlined to help school communities remain safe and healthy during the return to school and beyond.

I mention here the top four, and I am deliberately placing number one where it is: everyone aged 12-years and older get vaccinated before school begins; make a plan to prevent COVID-19 from spreading at school; connect students and families to nutritious school meals; help students and families access safe transportation to school.

Two pediatricians, from Duke University School of Medicine, and a political scientist at Michigan State,

after discussing the significance of prioritising teachers for the vaccine and what it ultimately means for in-person learning, stated that “The choice to vaccinate all adults in schools—not simply teachers but anyone working in schools, including those who transport students to campus— reduces the likelihood of their infection, which keeps the students with whom they interact safer and thus entire neighbourhoods by extension. In this way, prioritising adults in school for vaccination amounts to a public-health force multiplier.” Need I say more?

I inform Halley that some 170 countries over the world have managed to open schools, as they have overcome fear and logistical challenges to discharge their duties. In the United Kingdom, children returned to school in March and April 2021. In France, a third COVID-19 wave shuttered schools briefly around that time, but pupils were back in class by May. In the United States, more than half of all school districts had resumed full-time instruction by early June, and nearly all offered at least some in-person learning.

I rest my case, but before (Continued on page 17)

National emergency taskforce supported for management of pandemic Dear Editor, I am rushing into print to welcome a statement that was broadcasted on Monday night on News Source. It was a call by Attorney at Law and Member of Parliament, Mr. Roysdale Forde, for an emergency task force, including “all stakeholders,” to take part in a joint effort to improve the management of the present pandemic.

Others, including Dr. Cummings, MP, have

included such a possibility in their comments on the unfortunate and abrupt Government measures regarding the pandemic. I have no hesitation in saying that the idea of a national approach to the pandemic is the only one that ever-made sense.

The Coalition set the unfortunate pattern of political control, and this was, in many ways, carried further by the newly elected Government. Coalition figures, including trade

unionists, are now demanding that the pandemic be treated as the concern of all sides.

It seems to be a good chance for the Government to respond and take the society forward and away from conflict over the vaccine and safety measures. As I said before, expenditure should remain the strict responsibility of the Government, with opposition and civic oversight.

Yours respectfully, Eusi Kwayana

...Passenger, accomplice hijack taxi driver's From page 14 stopping at a corner off the public road. While in the vicinity of the Friendship School, the East Indian man ordered him to turn the first corner and stop at a green shop.

The driver explained that the place was really lonely, so he asked the passenger to go pick up the little girl and he'll wait for them because he became suspicious of the situation.

“All of a sudden, a man appeared out of nowhere and opened the car door on

my side and pointed a gun to my head and then told me to come out of the car.”

The driver said he did as he was told and came out of the car. He said the passenger and his accomplice then drove off with the car, which had his phone, all of his documents, and some cash.

The victim said he was left stranded, so he walked out back to the main road and saw a woman, who rescued him.

The woman lent him her phone to make a call, and gave him passage to travel back to

town.

The matter was reported to the Grove Police Station, but nothing has developed since then.

He said he can't wait on the police to do something, so he went back to the location with two of his friends and to other locations to search for his car, but sadly it has not been located.

Anyone who has seen this vehicle, silver Premio HD 1128 can contact Mr. Roopnarine on #615-5558, or the Grove Police Station.

Friday September 10, 2021

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

Bartica family hospitalised after serious accident A family of seven from Bartica was involved in a serious accident on September, 5, 2021, and all eight family members are now hospitalised.

According to a report from the Guyana Police Force, at 17:30hrs on the Byderabo Public Road, Essequibo River Bartica (ERB) a motor pickup GJJ 2802 was proceeding north along the western side of the said road at a fast rate

of speed, and at the same time motor lorry GPP 406 was proceeding from the opposite direction (south) along the eastern side of the road.

Due to the fact that the driver was proceeding at a fast pace, he lost control of the motor pickup, which led to it toppling over several times and then colliding with the front of the motor lorry. As a result of the collision, the occupants and driver of the

motor pickup GJJ 2802 were all flung out of the vehicle onto the road way, and received injuries about their bodies, while both vehicles were extensively damaged.

Subsequently, they were all picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited persons and transported to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where they were seen and examined.

According to information received from the attending doctor, the persons involved in the accident and injured are, 55-year-old Mark Nurse, admitted with a fractured spine, he is also the owner of motor pickup GJJ 2802 and was the driver at the time of the accident; eight-year-old Duana Nurse admitted for lacerations to the left and right hands; six- year-old Donaire Nurse admitted for a

Bids submitted for construction of stockpile areas Yesterday, during the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the

Ministry of Public Works received 16 bids in total for the construction of two stockpile areas.

These stockpile areas are

Ministry of Agriculture - Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU) Design and Supervision Services for the Construction and Installation of Abattoir and Other Related Infrastructure.

being constructed for the Parika to Goshen road project and the Bartica, Sand Hills to Timehri road project.

Meanwhile, tenders were also opened for design and supervision services for the construction and installation

of an abattoir and other relate d i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture’s, Agriculture Sector Development Unit.

Below are the companies and their bids:

broken right hand; 15- yearold Condolezza Nurse admitted for lacerations about her head and face; 41-yearold Caroline Nurse admitted for lacerations about her face and right hand, all of 175 Mongrippa Hill, Bartica Essequibo River, also, Leona Gonsalves, 45, admitted for lacerations about her face and left hand; and 16-year-old Angel Hope admitted for lacerations about her head, both from Mora Camp Bartica

Essequibo River.

The driver of motor lorry GPP 406 has been identified as Rawle Ward, 47, of 51 Seventh Avenue Bartica, Essequibo River, who was not injured in the accident. A breath alcohol test was conducted on the driver of said motor lorry, which read .000BAC (which means that he did not have any alcohol in his system). He is presently in custody assisting with the ongoing investigation.

UK approves COVID-19 boosters but final decision on programme still pending June Raine

Ministry of Culture Youth & Sports Procurement of 24 Concrete Poles.

Ministry of Public Works Farm Access Roads Phase 2: Construction of Stockpile Area, Bartica, Sand Hills to Timehri.

Protected Areas Commission Consultancy Services for the Supervision of Works: Construction of Ranger Stations in Kaieteur Park, Region Eight.

Consultancy Services for the Supervision of Works: Construction of Ranger Station and Outpost in Kanuku Mountain Protected Areas, Region Nine.

National Drainage& Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Consultancy Services for the Supervision of Capoey Sluice, Essequibo.

Consultancy Services for the Supervision of Pump Station at Greenwich Park/ Barnwell Area.

Farm Access Roads Phase 2: Construction of Stockpile Area, Parika to Goshen.

LONDON - (Reuters) Britain’s medical regulator yesterday gave the go-ahead for Pfizer (PFE.N) and AstraZeneca’s (AZN.L) COVID-19 vaccine to be used as booster shots, but said any decision to proceed with a booster programme was for others to make.

Britain’s Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is discussing whether booster shots for the elderly and vulnerable are needed, with planning underway for a booster programme that could begin this month.

The final decision on whether there should be booster shots is for the government, but the regulator’s decision clears one hurdle along that path.

“I am pleased to confirm that the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and AstraZeneca can be used as safe and effective booster doses,” said June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

“It will now be for the (JCVI) to advise on whether booster jabs will be given.”

Whether booster vaccinations are needed is an

open question, especially as the likes of Britain and the United States are planning third doses when COVID continues to kill unvaccinated people around the world.

Pfizer has said that it believes a third shot of vaccine will be needed to maintain protection, although executives at AstraZeneca, who are not making a profit on the vaccine during the pandemic, have stressed the need to wait for evidence and not pursue booster programmes that are not needed.

Early yesterday, JCVI member Adam Finn said that it wasn’t clear that protection was waning against severe disease and that a mistimed booster programme might cause more problems.

“Getting the timing right is one of several things that we need to get right. You could conceivably run into a position where you’re immunising a lot of people when they don’t actually need to be,” he told BBC radio. “(Then) if the vaccines do wane, then they will wane earlier than they would have done if you’d immunised them when they did need (a booster).”

...The push to reopen schools From page 18 doing so, I remind all that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimated last year, that around 24 million schoolchildren will dropout as a result of the pandemic.

Because they provide so

many essential services in addition to learning, schools should be the last to close and the first to open, says Robert Jenkins, chief of education for the UN children’s charity UNICEF in New York City.

Thank you, Thomas Cole

PAGE 18

Friday September 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Catholic Church closes doors in solidarity with unvaccinated worshippers T

he Catholic Church has closed its doors in an act of solidarity with its members who are unvaccinated.

According to a statement issued by Catholic Bishop of Guyana, Reverend Francis Alleyne, all catholic churches will be closed from today, September 10, 2021.

The statement outlined that the decision followed the most recent Gazetted order in relation to the COVID pandemic, which stipulates that persons accessing public buildings, including places of worship, need to show proof of vaccination or a negative

PCR test.

The release continued that the new order means that many of brothers and sisters of the faith, at this time, will not be allowed entry into the churches.

“We ought not to leave part of the body detached from the whole,” it added noting that in solidarity with these brothers and sisters, and beginning on Friday, 1 0 t h S e p t e m b e r, t h e churches will conduct all worship virtually and refrain from gathering in any number.

The statement said further that all catholic churches will be closed for public worship until further

notice.

In the meantime, the release outlined that the severe threat of the pandemic and the increasing numbers of infections and deaths warrants strong measures. “…And this asks of us, not only that we comply with reliable scientific guidance but out of our Christian conviction, to go beyond the call and act in favour of the common good to the extent that it is necessary and involves sacrifice. 'if anyone requires you to go one mile, go two miles with him' (Mt 5:41),” Bishop Alleyne said in the release.

Further, he noted that the

Body of Christ has up to now been vigilant in observing the precautions against the pandemic - masks, sanitizing, distancing.

“I commend you for this.

But now, the threat has become more intense and we have to ask ourselves “what more must we do?” Bishop Alleyne questioned.

He explained that the term “Herd immunity” has been presented to us. It means that when a high percentage of the population (80%) has been vaccinated, it becomes extremely difficult for the virus to spread.

“The science is sound on this and worthy of our trust.

The official teaching of the Church is that we would all access a vaccine and remain vigilant. I therefore give the strongest encouragement to our brothers and sisters who have still not been vaccinated to please reconsider your decision,” he said, calling on the membership to act in the

Catholic Bishop of Guyana, Francis Alleyne.

interest of the common good and to do their part in safeguarding the well-being of all.Meanwhile, the bishop urged the church to remain

united in prayer, in their homes and through the virtual platforms in mutual love, strength and encouragement.

Two to face trial for murder of Gafoors manager

T

wo men charged with the 2016 murder of Gafoors Manager, Terry Lakhan, are set to face a trial in the Georgetown High Court later this month. A jury was on Wednesday empanelled to hear the case, which is scheduled to start on September 27.

Both accused men, David Outar, 27, formerly of First Street, Herstelling and Patrick Ross, 29, formerly of Foulis, East Coast Demerara appeared virtually from the prison, before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Georgetown High Court, on Wednesday.

They have since pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder in the furtherance of a robbery.

During their trial scheduled to begin on September 27, the duo will be represented b y a t t o r n e y - a t - l a w, Ravindra Mohabir, while Senior State Counsel, Lisa Cave, will present the facts of the case.

According to the particulars, it is alleged that on July 21, 2016, at Herstelling, David Outar murdered Lakhan during a robbery. Reports had

Gafoors Manager, Terry Lakhan. indicated that Lakhan's body was discovered hanging from a cord in a wardrobe by his neighbour at around 23:00hrs, on the night of the incident. Lakhan's legs and hands were also tied.

The reports also indicated that Outar told detectives that he visited Lakhan's home and was imbibing. Outar alleged that the father of one began making 'advances' towards him, and he became upset and left the home. According to the report, Outar also told investigators that sometime

after he left, he returned to Lakhan's home with a friend allegedly (Ross) and they manually strangled the 53year-old man, before tying a cord around his neck to make it look like he had committed suicide.

An Xbox game, clothing, and other valuables were then removed from the dead m a n ' s h o m e .

It was reported that the killers worked at Gafoors as labourers, while the deceased was a manager at the said company.

Kaieteur News

Friday September 10, 2021

PAGE 19

Fishing crisis continues despite MOA interventions Fishermen at work.

Amid rising operational costs, Guyana's fisherfolk continue to experience massive reductions in catches and call for further investigations to be conducted to determine the cause.

Ongoing dialogue between the fisherfolk, through the Guyana National Fisherfolk Organisation (GNFO), and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has helped to relieve some of the financial worries of Guyana's fisher-folks, but calls for more to be done continue to be voiced.

According to Pamashwar Jainarine, Chairman of the GNFO, the MOA has been “very helpful” and responsive to the needs of the fisherfolk by honouring several commitments made to them following the GNFO's last election, and at the annual Fisherfolk Day celebrations earlier this year.

One of the main issues affecting the fisherfolk of the Upper Corentyne Fishermen Cooperative Society, who ordinarily fish in Surinamese waters pertained to the granting of their licences by the relevant authorities.

Following years of disputes and instances where Guyanese fisherfolk have been detained by the Surinamese authorities for fishing in their waters without the correct licences, Mr. Jainarine stated that following the recent visit of Surinamese President, Chan Santokhi, one hundred and fifty licences were granted to the fisherfolk. He expressed his relief and noted that, “we were so overjoyed when we heard the President make the

GNFO Chairman Pamashwar Jainarine announcement”. The GNFO Chairman also confirmed that MOA has also made good on promises to speak with businesses about the removal of VAT on items, which had been flagged as VAT free for fisherfolk.

But according to Captain Mahesh Parris, the fisherfolk are contending with a number of ongoing issues, which he says need to be addressed.

He said that sometimes, “you go out there and spend 15/16 days and you work day and night, sometimes you catch something, sometimes you don't”. Mr. Parris went on to say that one of the main areas of concern for fisherfolk is cost of fuel; he noted that “the fuel get expensive on us and when the fish isn't running how it is supposed to, the expense is big on us and then sometimes you go, you're not getting a good catch, so you can't afford to pay back what you used to load the boat”.

This is a problem which has been happening more and more, according to other fishermen who spoke with

this newspaper during our visit to the Coop.

But according to Mr. Jainarine, more needs to be done in order to manage and regulate the number of vessels allowed to operate in one area at any one time. At the moment, there are no procedures in place to limit or regulate the number of fishing vessels in any one area. The GNFO Chairman stated that, there should “be a limit on the number of vessels allowed to trawl in the area” as it has led to nets getting entangled and fisherfolk being unable to catch anything, which has led to conflict among the Coop's fisherfolk.

As Mr. Parris explained, “some boats are catching, some boats aren't catching, not everybody who goes there are catching”.

Fisherfolk contend that without any studies to ascertain the specific reasons for the reduction in catches, there is no way to address the issue. Mr. Jainarine asserted that, “we need more data” to find out “whether it's the oil”, or “climate change” or “whether there isn't enough fish in the area”. He also noted that the extensive flooding, which occurred earlier in the year also contributed to the reduction in catch.

When asked, the fisherfolk all responded positively to the idea of fuel subsidies as a means to reduce their operational costs; however, Mr. Jainarine pointed out that it was only the Trawler's Association that had benefited from this sort of agreement with the government, which had

allowed them to purchase fuel from a third party supplier.

But, according to remarks made earlier in the year at Fisherfolk Day celebrations, the President of The Trawlers Association, Mr. Ruben Charles, stated that the fuel subsidy agreement between the Trawlers Association and

the government had not been renewed since 2019 and they, too, are also facing issues with low catches and the unavailability of fuel for their vessels.

When contacted, the MOA confirmed that the trawlers are currently offseason and when the season started back again, they

would have in place the necessary agreement to facilitate the trawlers fuel needs. Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, also said that if the artisanal fisherfolk were to make a formal request for fuel subsidies through the appropriate channels, it would be taken into consideration.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Friday September 10, 2021

Friday September 10, 2021

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Rashid Khan steps down as captain protesting ...Thompson-Herah ends page 23 beat Jamaica’s Shericka Jackagainst Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup squad selection From Isinbayeva’s record was set son and world champion ESPNcricinfo - Less than half an hour after Afghanistan announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Rashid Khan stepped down as captain, saying “the selection committee and ACB has not obtained my consent for the team which has been announced by ACB media”.

It is understood that the team will now be led by allrounder Mohammad Nabi.

Rashid had been named captain in the squad put out by the ACB’s official Twitter handle, but said he was stepping down, effective immediately through his own tweet, posted 22 minutes after the ACB’s.

In July, chief selector

Asadullah Khan had resigned, citing “too much interruption” and interference from “non-cricketers” in the board, who have “no knowledge about the players and selection” as the main reasons for his decision to step down.

Afghanistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup contained several players who had done well in the past, but not been part of the national set-up in recent times. That included Mohammad Shahzad, who had been suspended for one year in late 2019, and has been eligible to play since August 2020.

The pace duo of Shapoor Zadran and Dawlat Zadran

were also picked. Shapoor last played a T20I for Afghanistan in March 2020, Dawlat in September 2019. The injuryprone Hamid Hassan, who hasn’t played a T20I for Afghanistan since March 2016, was also part of the squad.

Curiously enough, the squad released had 18 players, with only two marked as reserves. As per the ICC’s rules, each team has to name a squad of 15 players, with a provision for naming reserve players. In April 2021, the ICC had increased the squad sizes of teams for ICC events from 23 to 30, including support staff, as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Friday September 10, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today family members might be less than honest with you, Aries, particularly regarding working around the house. Don't be surprised if you hear excuses!

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may have been exercising too enthusiastically over the past few days, and today you might wake up with more than your share of muscle aches and pains.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You might want to start a new creative project, Taurus, and several ideas may float through your head.

However, you might not be able to decide which one you like the most or how to turn it into reality.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Disturbing occurrences regarding a friend might make you a bit confused, Scorpio. The situation isn't anything you could have expected, so you and others will try to make sense of it.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some equipment at home that you usually take for granted might go haywire today, Gemini. More than one machine may not work as well as it usually does.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) There could be some confusion, discord, and upset in the air today. There may be arguments and misunderstandings among friends and family. Try not to add fuel to the fire.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your communications equipment may not be working well today, Cancer. If you absolutely need to reach someone, perhaps the best course of action is to hop in the car and visit them if they live nearby.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) This isn't a good day to plan or start a trip by air. Wait a few days if you can. However, if you must confirm plans now, travel light, check all arrangements for accommodation and rental car before you leave.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Confusion surrounds financial matters today, Leo. Someone close to you could be hit with unexpected expenses, and this person might ask you for a loan.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Malfunctions on the part of computers, ATMs, and phone systems could interfere with financial transactions today, Aquarius.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you could feel especially adventurous, Virgo.

You might be tempted to take part in risky adventures like hiking in the wilderness.

This isn't a good day for it.

Plan a trip for the near future if you want to.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you may feel a powerful need to be with friends, Pisces, but once you seek them out, you may not enjoy their company very much. Someone is in a bad mood, and being with this person could put a damper on your day.

Rashid Khan.

Getty Images With Rashid’s resignation from captaincy and the number of players being named above the limit of 15, there will likely be changes to Afghanistan’s squad.

Afghanistan’s last T20I series was in March 2021 against Zimbabwe, during which Asghar Afghan led the team.

Squad named by ACB: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Karim Janat, Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Usman Ghani, Naveen ul Haq, Asghar Afghan, Hamid Hassan, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Najibullah Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Shapoor Zadran, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Qais Ahmad.

...South Africa leave From page 22 rib against Pakistan in February this year, have been included as the two allrounders, with Andile Phehlukwayo in reserve.

All three are on South Africa’s current tour of Sri Lanka but so far, only Mulder and Phehlukwayo have played with Pretorius expected to make his return in the T20Is, which start today.

South Africa’s injured white-ball captain Temba Bavuma is expected to recover in time to lead them at the World Cup. Bavuma had surgery on his broken thumb on Sunday. He has started physiotherapy and has been advised a four-week recovery period, which should see him fit by mid-October. “Mentally, that’s what I am working around. That gives me ample time to get ready for the World Cup,” Bavuma said.

Maharaj is leading the T20I team in Bavuma’s absence in Sri Lanka, which contains all but one member of the World Cup squad. Lungi Ngidi missed the ODIs for personal reasons and has gone directly to the UAE to join his IPL team Chennai Super Kings and work on his return-to-play program.

12 years ago. Mondo Duplantis attempted to better his own world record of 6.18m after winning the men’s event with ease, but despite the fevered backing of the 20,000 crowd, the Swede failed to set a new mark.

Norway’s Karsten Warholm, the Olympic champion and world record holder, was a comfortable winner of the men’s 400 metres hurdles in a modest time of 47.35. The women’s title was taken by Femke Bol of the Netherlands.

Namibian Christine Mboma won the women’s 200 metres, claiming victory in an Under-20 world record time of 21.78 to suggest she can add to her silver medal in Tokyo. Mboma, who also won in Brussels last week,

Asher-Smith into second and third respectively.

British teenager Keely Hodgkinson won the women’s 800 metres title ahead of Kate Grace of the United States, while Kenyan Emmanuel Korir edged compatriot Ferguson Rotich in the men’s race.

Joint Olympic champion Gianmarco Tamberi claimed the high jump title after clearing 2.34m, proving one of the most popular athletes on the night as he stirred the crowd into a frenzy and celebrated his success with typical gusto.

There were 25 final winners, with each champion collecting US$30,000 - half the prize in 2019 - and automatic entry into next year’s world championships in Eugene in the United States.

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Friday September 10, 2021

UDFA commence search for ATC Players The Academy Training Centre (ATC) train continues to move in the respective Regional Member Associations (RMA) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) with the Upper Demerara Football

Association (UDFA), the latest to get going.

Last weekend, youths from the association were involved in the opening of the ATC at the West Watooka Playfield where they participated in small sided

games as the intent in these initial sessions is to get them back to some level of playing given the continued challenges being brought on by the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

GFF Youth Development

Officer (YDO) Brian Joseph who has responsibility for all the ATC’s informed that the focus for now would be mass participation where the opportunity would be

utalised top scout players who will go on to become part of the Elite ATC Player Pool at the various levels, U13, 15, 17 and 20.

Sessions in the UDFA

Upper Demerara youths getting back into the playing groove at the West Watooka Playfield on Saturday last.

will continue tomorrow at the Wisburg School Ground.

Other RMA’s with their ATC’s up and running to date are East Bank, Bartica and Georgetown.

Friday September 10, 2021

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World champions West Indies name squad to defend ICC Men’s T20 World Cup St John’s, Antigua – The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel yesterday announced the West Indies squad for the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup, 2021. The panel named fifteen (15) players and four (4) travelling reserves for the marquee event which will be played in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from October 17 to November 14, 2021.

West Indies are the defending world champions and only two-time winners of the ICC T20 World Cup, winning in 2012 against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa in Colombo then four years later in 2016 against England in Kolkata.

The West Indies now have the opportunity to create further history by becoming the first team to win a hat-trick of ICC T20 Wo r l d C u p v i c t o r i e s .

Experienced bowler Ravi Rampaul, a member of the 2012 winning World Cup squad, has been recalled for the first time since 2015.

All-rounder Roston

Chase is called up to the West Indies T20I squad for the first time. Roger Harper, CWI’s Lead Selector said: “The squad is one with good depth and strength in all departments. There is tremendous T20 experience along with World Cup winning experience which should stand the team in good stead. This squad is made up of many worldbeating players who, once knitted into a world-beating team, will be extremely difficult to beat. I expect the team to do very well and with the ‘rub of the green’ I think the team has a good chance of defending the title.”

Harper added: “Ravi Rampaul is a highly experienced bowler who performed well in the last CG Insurance Super50 Cup and the current Hero CPL to date. He will boost the team’s wicket-taking options in the power-play and the middle phase and will provide another option for the death overs. Roston Chase has shown that he is a very capable T20 player. He performed well in the CPL in

2020 and has been outstanding in the 2021 edition so far. He has shown the ability to knit the innings together while still scoring at a fast rate with a low dot-ball percentage. He will be an excellent foil for the explosive players in the team.”

Full squad: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Nicholas Pooran (Vice Captain), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr. Travelling Reserves: Darren Bravo Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein.

West Indies have been drawn in Group 1 and will play five group games against England, South Africa and Australia along with the winner of Round 1 Group A (Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Namibia) and the runner-up from Round 1 Group B (Bangladesh, Scotland,

Papua New Guinea, and Oman). West Indies’ first group game will be against England in Dubai on October 23.

The groupings: Round 1 - Group A: Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Namibia Group B: Bangladesh, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, and Omanz (Top two teams from each group advance to Super 12s) Super 12s - Group 1: England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, A1 and B2.

Group 2: India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, A2 and B1.

(Top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals) West Indies Match Schedule October 23: v England in Dubai (6pm UAE time, 1 0 a m E a s t e r n Caribbean/9am Jamaica) October 26: v South Africa in Dubai (2pm UAE time, 6am Eastern Caribbean/5am Jamaica) October 29: v B2 in

Sharjah (2pm UAE time, 8am Eastern Caribbean/7am Jamaica) November 4: v A1, in Abu Dhabi (6pm UAE time, 1 0 a m E a s t e r n Caribbean/9am Jamaica) November 6: v Australia in Abu Dhabi (2pm UAE time, 6am Eastern Caribbean/5am Jamaica) Semi-Finals November 10: Group 1

Shimron Hetmyer and Captain Kieron Pollard

winner v Group 1 second in Abu Dhabi (6pm UAE time, 1 0 a m E a s t e r n Caribbean/9am Jamaica) November 11: Group B winner v Group A second in Dubai (6pm UAE time, 1 0 a m E a s t e r n Caribbean/9am Jamaica) Final - November14: Final in Dubai (6pm UAE time, 10am Eastern Caribbean/9am Jamaica)

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Friday September 10, 2021

Nicholson goal helps Jamaica secure draw at Costa Rica an Jose, Costa Rica - Costa Rica went ahead early, but Jamaica found an answer to force the teams to split a point in a 1-1 draw Wednesday at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Costa Rica took the lead in the third minute when Bryan Ruiz weighed up a beautiful ball for Jonathan Moya on the back post.

The attacker Moya spotted Jimmy Marin making a run and used his head to set Marin up for an easy shot over the line, with Jamaica GK Andre Blake still working to defend a potential shot from Moya on the post.

Yet, Jamaica was able to find an equalizer just after the halftime break. Left back Kemar Lawrence got into the final third with the ball and plenty of space in the 47th minute and teed up a cross for Shamar Nicholson. Nicholson

S

didn’t hit his header entirely cleanly, but that seemed to flummox goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and Nicholson was off to celebrate his second goal of World Cup qualification.

Costa Rica was on the break again in the 68th minute, with Marin breaking free, but his touch took him too wide and Jamaica was able to recover from the danger.

There was danger on Navas’ net in the 87th minute, with the former Concacaf Goalkeeper of the Year making a pair of interventions, including using his legs to sweep away a ball that Javon East was attempting to control in the box.

It’s the first point Jamaica has earned in qualification, with the Reggae Boyz set to look for more points in October when they travel to face the U.S. Costa Rica’s first match of the October window is away

to Honduras and the Ticos will look to add to the pair of points they amassed in September.

Scores from other matches in Concacaf: Canada 3-0 El Salvador, Panama 1-1 Mexico, Honduras 1-4 USA. UEFA - Group B: Kosovo 0-2 Spain, Greece 21 Sweden. Group C: Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland, Italy 5-0 Lithuania. Group E: Belarus 0-1 Belgium, Wales 0-0 Estonia.

Group: Hungary 2-1 Andorra, Poland 1-1 England, Albania 5-0 San Marino. Group J: Armenia 1-1 Liechtenstein, Iceland 04 G e r m a n y, N o r t h Macedonia 0-0 Romania.

Standout stats - 111: In scoring his 110th and 111th Portugal goals, Cristiano Ronaldo became the highestscoring man in international football history. Republic of Ireland, the victims of his late heroics, duly became the

South Africa leave out Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir and Chris Morris ESPNcricinfo - Faf du Plessis has not been included in South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad despite being available to play international white-ball cricket. The 37-year old former captain, who retired from Tests in February, specifically named the upcoming global tournament as one of his goals.

However, he has not played a white-ball match for South Africa since December last year and has not been part of any their r e c e n t s q u a d s e i t h e r.

Similarly, Imran Tahir, who retired from ODIs after the 2 0 1 9 Wo r l d C u p b u t remained available for T20Is, is also not part of the squad. Chris Morris is out as well.

The seam-bowling allrounder has not played for South Africa in two years and earlier this year revealed that he had no idea if he had a future with the team.

ESPNcricinfo understands that communication with players who have not been awarded national contracts has been scant. This effectively means South Africa have decided against using free agents in the senior side.

“When you are working

45th different national team against whom CR7 has found the net.

66: In going down 2-1 to Sweden, Spain suffered their first defeat in a World Cup qualifier since March 1993.

An incredible total of 66 matches had passed between that 1-0 loss in Copenhagen and last week’s Solna setback.

37: Italy’s run of 37

matches - and counting without defeat (28 wins, nine draws) is the new global benchmark. Over the past week, Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri surpassed the 35game runs put together by Brazil (1993-1996) and Spain (2007-2009).

16: Denmark’s 22 goals in Qatar 2022 qualifying have been spread across a remarkable 16 players, with

Skov Olsen the only Dane with more than two to his name.

12: Memphis Depay has scored 12 times for the Netherlands in 2021, equalling Patrick Kluivert’s record for Oranje goals in a calendar year. The Barcelona star now has 33 international goals overall, which has taken him level with the great Johan Cruyff.

T20 World Cup 2021

England name Tymal Mills in preliminary squad Tabraiz Shamsi is one of three frontline spinners in the South Africa squad.

AFP/Getty Images

with free agents you have to come together,” Graeme Smith, CSA’s director of cricket said. “You have to find the balance that works for the team and the squad and then also the free agents.

They are obviously attracted to those leagues and the finances of those leagues and the squad has its own requirements and how they build towards a World Cup. “With Faf we struggled to find that balance and outside that, Chris made himself unavailable and from there we felt Imran had a great run, he is still being successful but we are confident in the current crop of spinners we are developing and we felt we should give them the opportunity.”

South Africa will take three frontline spinners, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav

Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin.

Spin-bowling allrounder George Linde travels as a reserve player. Linde’s omission is perhaps the only surprise, after he featured in the majority of South Africa’s winter fixtures including all five T20Is against West Indies.

Fortuin only played one in the Caribbean. Selection convener Victor Mpitsang indicated Linde was unlucky not to be picked in the main XV but South Africa could not load it with any more allrounders. “When it comes to George, he is one of the allrounders. He has done well with the ball but we have gone with the seambowling allrounders,” Mpitsang said.

Wi a a n M u l d e r a n d Dwaine Pretorius, who has not played since fracturing a (Continued on page 19)

Mills last played for England in 2016 BBCsport - Sussex fast bowler Tymal Mills has been named in England’s preliminary T20 World Cup squad. Head coach Chris Silverwood has named a 15-man preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The tournament runs from 17 October to 14 November with England facing world champions West Indies on 23 October. Mills, 29, returns to the international set-up for the first time since February 2016.

The left-arm fast bowler was impressive in the Vitality T20 Blast this summer, where he helped Sussex reach Finals Day at Edgbaston, which will take place later this month. He also impressed in The Hundred, helping Southern Brave to the men’s title in the tournament’s inaugural year.

“Tymal Mills deserves his inclusion and has demonstrated over the past couple of years - but particularly this summer - that he has all skills to succeed at this level,” said Silverwood.

“His exceptional pace is a standout, and the way he has spearheaded Sussex and Southern Brave’s respective attacks in the short-form game has shown that he relishes the pressures of the big stage. He will add variety to our bowling unit and we can’t wait

to see him play in a major international tournament.”

All-rounder Ben Stokes was not available for selection as he continues to take an “indefinite break” from cricket for his mental wellbeing. England have until 10 October to finalise their squad and will make a decision on Stokes’ involvement as late as possible.

England - currently the top-ranked T20 side in the world - are scheduled to play four warm-up matches before the T20 World Cup, including a two-match T20I series against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi International Stadium on 14-15 October.

England preliminary ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Squad - Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) Captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Tymal Mills (Sussex), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Travelling Reserves - Tom Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), James Vince (Hampshire).

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Friday September 10, 2021

PAGE 25

TKR spinners star in win over Royals PL - Trinbago Knight Riders battled to a six wicket victory in their 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) encounter with Barbados Royals, yesterday. The Knight Riders won the toss and opted to field first, which looked like a good decision as the Barbados Royals were restricted to double figures.

Kyle Mayers as opener was the only batsman who managed to score anything sizeable against a lethal Knight Riders bowling lineup. With such a low total to chase, the Knight Riders would have fancied their chances, but had an early scare, as they lost two wickets in the PowerPlay, however Colin Munro would eventually anchor the innings and take them to victory.

Barbados Royals shuffled their batting order in the last game to great success, so it was no surprise to see Mayers opening once again, scoring a fluent 24 runs off 12 balls. However,

C

that was to be the highest score of the innings as Knight Riders used spin to undo the Royals; Kharry Pierre, Akeal Hosein and Sunil Narine combining to take seven of the nine wickets that fell, including that of key batsmen Glenn Phillips, Jason Holder and Azam Khan.

Trinbago Knight Riders started their chase by losing the wicket of Lendl Simmons to the pace of Mohammad Amir, which forced the team to play more cautiously. Munro, Darren Bravo and Tim Seifert carefully accrued runs, and despite losing four wickets, it ended up being a comfortable win for the Knight Riders thanks to Munro’s 41 not out.

Trinbago Knight Riders now have five wins in this year’s Hero CPL and move to the top of the league table.

Tr i n b a g o K n i g h t Riders 99/4 (Munro 41*, Bravo 19; Amir 2/19, Bishop 2/20) beat Barbados Royals 93/9 (Mayers 24, Azam Khan 17, Joshua Bishop 17;

Sunil Narine celebrates the fall of another wicket.

Colin Munro

Pierre 3/16, Seales 2/12) by six wickets.

Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah celebrates winning the women’s 100m REUTERS/ Arnd Wiegmann

Thompson-Herah ends stellar season on a high Z u r i c h : J a m a i c a ’s Elaine Thompson-Herah finished off her golden year on a high when she won the 100 metres title in the season-ending Diamond League final in Zurich yesterday. Thompson-Herah followed up her Olympic 100 and 200 metres double in Tokyo by coming within 0.05 seconds of Florence Griffith Joyner’s 33-year-old 100 metres world record in a Diamond League meeting two weeks ago.

Although she was unable to better the record in the season finale, ThompsonHerah took the title in a time of 10.65 seconds ahead of

Briton Dina Asher-Smith.

“I am very happy with my race,” Thompson-Herah told reporters. “It’s good to add a Diamond League trophy to my collection, it has been a long season so I was just happy to cross the line healthy.”

In the absence of Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs, who announced last month he would not race again this season, American Fred Kerley, who finished second to the Italian in Tokyo, won the Diamond League men’s 100 metres title with a time of 9.87 seconds.

Canada’s Andre De

Grasse came home in second, running a personal best 9.89. He also finished runner-up in the 200 metres race which was won by American Kenny Bednarek.

In the field, Russian Anzhelika Sidorova became only the third woman in pole vault history to clear five metres, with her height of 5.01 metres just short of the world record of 5.06 set in the same stadium by Yelena Isinbayeva in 2009.

Sidorova’s effort was a Diamond League record, second on the world outdoor all-time list and the best clearance outdoors since (Continued on page 19)