Kaieteur News

Exxon opens consultations on 6th project tomorrow at Leonora

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) - ExxonMobil Guyana- the operator of the Stabroek Block is set to c o m m e n c e p u b l i c consultations on its sixth deepwaterprojecttomorrow at the Leonora Technical Institute, West Coast Demerara.

The project, Whiptail is E x x o n ’ s l a r g e s t developmenttodate,pegged at US$12 9 billion The company is expected to engage the public on the 3636 paged Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) it s u b m i t t e d t o t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only 22 days prior The document contains technical data such as the standards that would be employed in the development of the project, the estimated amount of discharges that can cause pollution, likely impacts to humansandtheenvironment aswellasoutlinesmitigative measuresamongothers.

The regulator had issued apublicnoticeonAugust20, 2023 informing that the document was available for public scrutiny and commentsasrequiredbythe

Environmental Protection Act. This process allows stakeholders to better understand the development and share concerns relative to its operations. Following the release of the EIA, ExxonMobilannouncedthat it will commence a series of public consultations on September12,2023.

Concerns have been

raised by the public regardingthestrategicmove bytheoperatortocommence public consultations on the project amid the Cricket Carnival season in Guyana. Thecountrywillbehostinga series of games during the period Exxon will be conducting meetings on the sixthproject.Infactthelocal games commence on

Govt. evaluating revenue base to determine hike in minimum wage - Pres. Ali

The government is currently reevaluating the country’s revenues streams andbasedonthis,furtheradjustmentstothe minimumwageandtheincometaxthreshold willbeimplemented.

President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli made thisannouncementduringapressconference on Saturday, at State House in Georgetown. “So, this is something that I am presently reviewing with an aim at the border adjustmentinadailyminimum.

“Also reviewing the absorptive capacity at further advancing liquidity in your pocket…by an adjustment in the tax threshold,” he underscored. President Ali stated that the administration is carefully scrutinizing the numbers and ensuring that any decisions made align with the sustainabilityoftheeconomy,asthatremains theutmostpriority.

Theminimumwageforthepublicsector is currently $75,000. In June 2022, the minimumwageforprivatesectoremployees rose from $44,200 to $60,000. In the 2023 budget, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh proposedraisingtheincometaxthresholdto $85,000. This placed an additional $303B intothehandsoftaxpayers.

The government has been actively addressingsalaryincreaseissuesforvarious categories of public sector workers. Last year, the government announced substantial salary increases, amounting to over $1 billion, benefiting 8,000 members of the

disciplinedservices.

Furthermore,morethan5,000healthcare workers received significant salary boosts, totaling$1.5billion,withraisesrangingfrom 36 4 percent to 74 7 percent These increments were implemented in addition to aneightpercentacross-the-boardraiseforall publicservants,whichwasmaderetroactive toJanuary1,2022.

The president has committed to addressing specific categories of public sectoremployees,withaparticularfocuson teachers,throughaconsultativeprocessthat not only considers salary adjustments, but alsohousingandotherneeds.

Wednesday,September13at the National Stadium in Providence, East Bank

Demerara(RegionFour),the same day the oil giant will meetwithstakeholdersatthe

UmanaYanainGeorgetown ontheplanneddevelopment.

Itmustbenotedthateven as the company prepares for a n o t h e r r o u n d o f consultations,thepublicwas sidelined during the last set of public meetings on the sixthproject.

Itwasduringthescoping meetings for the Whiptail development held in February this year that moderator of the session, Alex Graham directed officials from the company not to respond to questions raised by Kaieteur News, sincehefounditirrelevantto the specific project. Those questions pertained to the optionsforuseofexcessgas from the project and the insurancepolicyinplacefor oilspills.

Atasecondsession,held inLeonora,thisnewspaper’s senior journalist was preventedfrom Continuedonpage18

Govt.intalkswithpotential LuxuryEcoLodgesinvestors

Guyana’s Tourism product continues to expand and the government is continuously working to provide more accommodation facilities for the growing number of visitors toGuyana.

The Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce had invited expressions of interest for the construction of Luxury Eco Lodgesinvariouspartsofthecountry

Speaking with DPI on Friday, Minister Oneidge Walrond says investors have responded.“Therehasbeenalotofinterest involvedbutasagovernment,westillhave tobecareful,makesurethatpeoplearenot languishingwiththeprojectssowewantto makesurethattheprojectsarereadytogo forward. So, that is what has delayed somewhat the actual announcement that sod turning, but it’s happening and there has been a lot of interest generated,” MinisterWalrondnoted.

The government has also met the potential investors “We have had interviews, we have met potential investors. As you know we have to meet and interrogate these investors, making sure that they are ready to start their projects. So far there have been two very

serious potential investors and we took themaroundtothedifferentlocationsthis week to let them identify which areas, so thathasbeengoingwell,”theministersaid

The minister noted that there are precautions that have to be taken when building eco-friendly luxury facilities and thisistakingtime.

“It has to fit into the environment. It hastobeenvironmentallyfriendly So,we just can’t take any development. It has to be a development that is eco-friendly. So, finding the right partner to develop the projectwilltakesometimebecauseit’snot justlikethebrandedhotels.Wewereable tohavethoseprojectsmovingveryfastbut we have to be very careful and discerning about the eco-lodge facility,” the minister stated.

ShehighlightedtheBlueLakesinLinden, theSoesdykeLindenHighwayandthegreat lakes of the Essequibo Coast as potential locations for Luxury Eco Lodges. Once negotiations are finalized Local content legislation will ensure that members of the community and Guyanese generally, are employed in the construction and operation ofthefacilities.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

A citizen (right) shares his concern about the lack of public engagements on oil and gas matters during an ExxonMobil consultation in February this year at Mahaica.

PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

Press conferences revisited

Once again that old saying ‘be careful what is asked for’ gains renewed life, and is proven so correct. The PPPC Government was so afraid to face the nation that its top peopledideverythingtoavoidreportingtothem.

Notsatisfiedwiththat,thegovernmentthenwentanother step by introducing the equivalent of an information blackout,whicheffectivelyleftGuyaneseinthedark. Bynot sharing any details about many burning developments occurring at this crucial time in Guyana’s existence, including oil, Guyanese were left guessing. Insistent calls for press conferences were largely ignored and dismissed in themostcontemptuousmanner

To quiet the crowd, the smart money people in the PPPC Governmentdidcomeupwithaslickone,whichledtoeven more ridicule for its narrowness and studied foolishness. Tailored exercises with selected people on specially setup social media platforms reduced Guyana’s business to the laughable and the scornful.The clamor for weekly press conferences then went into higher gear Since the people wanted weekly press conferences, with professional media inattendance,thiswaswhatthegovernmentcameupwithto quelltheunendingdisturbances.

Enter Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana’s Vice President of Oil, and the unofficial Chief Minister of countless other government portfolios. Before Guyanese can count to ten, theweeklypressconferencesis transformedintotheBharrat Jagdeo Talk Show What Guyanese got was less about governance and more about politics. It goes without saying thatthedoorwasflungwideopenforthepressconferencesto grow into a full-flowered propaganda show, and a Bharrat Jagdeolovefest.

For starters, he walked with his own cheering squad. Those sneaky media types that knew which questions and what issues raised his hackles, so they wisely retreated from askingaboutthose. Thenhehadhishumanstagepropsinthe manner of a standup comedian mumbling what to answer, what to duck and dodge, and what to pretend not to understand. Because it is Bharrat Jagdeo at the controls, press conferences have gravitated to become some cross between a market brawl and modern rum shop philosophy This is the great one, Guyana’s Vice President, in his unrestrained element, and what an element it has been since he overcame some of his fears and some of anxieties about what he must say, and how he would look. The consensus is that entertainment aside, he has done either too cleverly or very poorly in how his responses have registered, and how hisbodylanguagegiveshimaway Someschoolsofthought are of the belief that when cornered organisms are in full flightmode,apeculiarodorisgivenoff.

Because press conferences have become the sought after ticket,Jagdeohaseverythinggoingforhim. Henotonlygets to choose his team of actors, but he also has options for the venue to shoot the motion pictures that are his press conferences. Tonoone’ssurprise,theVicePresidentsettled forworkingfromhome,meaning,FreedomHouse. Bysome fluke of his imagination, Vice President Jagdeo has convincedhimselfthatheismorethancapableofseamlessly separating government business from party business. Thoughhehasdonearemarkablejobfoolinghimselfonthat score, a significant segment of the rest of Guyana finds only thedeplorableinthislatestgimmickryfromJagdeo.

Further, since these affairs are his press conferences, and mostlyinhishouse,hegetsthefirstandlastwordonwhocan askquestions,whatquestionscanbeasked,andhowlonghe will take with any answer that he gives. If there is one thing that could be said with complete confidence about Jagdeo is that he is one smart cookie. One example only confirms his clumsyresourcefulness:toughquestionsonoilbringsoutthe bestandworstintheman.

A ten-word question on oil can inspire a minimum tenminute monologue. Depending on the question (and questioner) Jagdeo can mutate from charming to brimming

Something is Drastically Wrong On The Route 45 Bus Park

DEAREDITOR, where they are going every hours” (whatever that time The Police and Child Grateful if you published day They simply cannot, happened to be) and that I Welfare should be interested the following in your letters and it is unacceptable to could not. This is a ‘tout,’ to find out who those boys columns Thank you I occupy andbecomeapublic someone of no good repute, areandwhathewas recentlystarteddrivingabus nuisance on the Route 45 telling a driver, hustling to having them do to satisfy on Route 45 after regular Bus Park, or for that matter balancehisfamilybudget,of is sexual appetite. Following work hours to earn some anyotherBusPark. a bus owned by someone on the heels of my run-in extra money to support my Please use discretion and who invested millions into withthattoutSaturdaynight, family A major challenge consideration of others and putting it on the road to earn I was greeted by a group of withtheRoute45Parkisthat the public interest when money for his family also, Route 45 bus drivers who sections of it are completely choosing a spot to sell. The that he, an unregulated were apparently in league taken over and overrun by basic rule is if you are nobody,wasnotallowingme with the tout, who together vendors, North of Demico, offending someone where to drive in accordance with orchestrated their buses to with some vendors and you sell, you shouldn’t be the laws of Guyana to earn keep me from loading customers parking their there.Askthe TownClerkof an income, and further that passengers. One particular vehicles directly where the Mayor and City Council for he ‘laid out the rules’for me, bus driver Bkk 4233 was Route 45 buses go to pick up advice. WhileIamfamiliar thathe‘runsthings,’and that apparently coordinating the passengers in front of withthetoutsonthisRoute,I he was denying the owner of other bus drivers, apparently Stabroek Market itself, was taken aback by one who the bus also, an income from had no regard for the Police, completely blocking up the was brazen enough to give hisinvestment. even after I returned to tell entrance to the 45 Bus Park me a well articulated script Later Saturday evening them that I had reported the and forcing the Route 45 onhisopinionofthe‘system’ around 8 0’clock while I was matter to the traffic buses to block the on the Route 45 Park, even in the line in the park, he Department at Brickdam, carriagewayaroundthatarea detailing that on Mondays appeared at the driver side of that I preferred not create astheyarenowforcedtojoin throughFridaystoutshaveto my busandreiteratedthathe problems with the police for the line on the road itself, be paid $120 or above for meant what he said, that I themtotakeawayfromthem versus where the vendors every bus loaded (up from couldn’t pick up passengers earning an income. He told and their customers’ cars $100), and $200 on on the park. Some other bus me that I would have to get blocked up the Route 45 Saturdays (The Police drivers and some car drivers off the Route 45 Zone, and entrance. advised that touts have no working with him arranged continued to direct the other

This apparentlyhappens right or authority to be paid, their vehicles so that I was bus drivers to block me from in the afternoons/evenings. so to pay them is to ultimately forced out of the pickinguppassengers. While I understand that encourage racketeering in its line. This particular tout is I would here encourage vendors are hustling to most basic form. Touts are a someone police would do the Police get deeper down make a living also, they notorious public nuisance well to have a conversation into the racket orchestrated cannot agree to blocking up whoseexistencecontinuesto with since in addition to his by this driver, and identify the public transport system extract tremendous taxes on apparent assertion of an and investigate all the touts on what is probably the most both drivers and passengers organized racket on the harassing both bus drivers congested area in Guyana. on a daily basis.) As if this Route 45 Bus Park, he also and passengers on the Route They are encouraged to see was not enough, he went on intimated a few days earlier 45BusPark. with Bus drivers and to explain that only certain in a public dialogue on the Regards, passengers trying to get buses could work “after- parkthathelikedboys.

Craig Sylvester

The Courts can settle Repatriation Fund issue

DEAREDITOR, t h e 1 9 t h c e n t u r y , could be utilized for the scheduled for August 1972.

Dr. Tara Singh has made government amended the benefit of the descendants of Dr Balwant Singh launched averyimportantintervention laws forcing the immigrants the Indian immigrants trenchant denunciations of in his letter, “The to pay between one-half generally. the decision and vowed to administration must address (men) and one-thirds A f t e r e x t e n s i v e organize a boycott of the issue of the Indian ( w o m e n ) , L a b o u r consultations, they then Carifesta that was to be Immigration Fund” (SN 9-8- Ordinance, Chapter 104 in recommended that the Fund centered at the Cultural 23). This was an issue that 1864 still compelled the be transferred to the control Center in Georgetown, away has been raised even before governmenttoallocatefunds of a Board of Trustees of an fromthepredominantlyrural the last ship repatriating for the return contingency “ I n d o - G u y a n e s e IndianGuyanesemasses. Indian indentured labourers As Guyana’s Independence Educational and Cultural There is an interesting and/or their qualified approached and it became Movement” and also for footnote that exemplifies descendants, the Resurgent, apparent there would be no assisting the needy among Burnham’s vindictiveness sailed on Sept 4, 1955 more returnees, a delegation those who originally came towards those who opposed carrying 258 men, women of five major organizations from India One of the his unilateral decisions as he and children to India. The representing the Indian specific recommendations inexorably created his previous ship had left in Guyanese community, with was to launch a Guyanese dictatorship Dr Balwant 1949 and on 2nd June, 1950 Dr Balwant Singh of the Indian Cultural Center in Singh had been roundly MPCA leader Ayube Edun M a h a t m a G a n d h i each of the three counties castigated by Indian raised the status of the organization playing a that would foster and Guyanese for supporting the Immigration Fund with the leading role, met with the encourage cultural and art TUC 1963 eighty-day strike SecretaryofState. PNC government to discuss forms more specific to the as head of the Civil Service

The return passage was t h e i s s u e T h e y Bhojpuri and “Madras” belts Unionandwasvotedoutthat an integral part of the recommended that an from where most of the year as Chairman of the contract to induce Indian “ I m m i g r a t i o n F u n d Guyanese Indians had Maha Sabha. His successor indentureds to leave their Committee” be established originated. Sase Narine, ironically native Bharat And even to examine how the monies In 1969, fresh from its became a staunch supporter through towards the end of in the Immigration Fund “mandate” out of the rigged of Burnham, brought the 1968 elections, the PNC Maha Sabha literally under government rejected the thewingofthePNCandwas recommendationandin1971 r e w a r d e d w i t h t h e unilaterally announced they Speakership of the National would use the funds to build Assembly aNationalCulturalCenterto Followinghissuccessin host the first Carifesta (Continued on page 8)

with menace instantly While Jagdeo overflows with such acrobatics,ExxonMobil’speoplelaughheartily,andlookfor new ways to plunder Guyana’s wealth. Press conferences Jagdeo style are low leadership comedy (and propagandizing), while corporate piracies of Guyana continueunabated.

DEAREDITOR, I say “we are fed up with the I read a recent editorial ongoing, systemic racism by the esteemed Freddie perpetuated by both sides”. Kisson that he would like to The way we affect positive, hear from the diaspora about racial changes in my second what is happening in the homeland is by becoming political and economic part of the system and arenas of their respective providing positive, equitable countries of naturalized re-enforcement. But when it citizenship. I don’t know if becomes a power struggle, Mr Kisson’s statement was about just winning elections, sincere or just an attack both sides become the losers against a diaspora writer in and the Country suffers another local news outlet. It Guyana has been built on a is irrelevant for me except faulty, racial foundation that Mr Kisson has asked the has been passed down from diaspora to make their voice generation to generation be heard It would be How do you correct a faulty redundant to share about foundation to prevent future American politics since it is movement? aired on the major cable In essence, you fix a news channels that are faultyfoundationbyaddinga viewed by the local newfoundationundertheold residents. foundation. We need a new

But as a native of foundation of leaders who Guyana,Iwouldliketoshare will be transformational in on my feelings of Guyana in changingthesocialsystemof thediaspora.IleftGuyanaas Guyana Transformational a teenager and it is always leaders inspire others to with mixed emotions to tell follow and bring about others I am from Guyana. positive changes for the Before I do, I would ask future. For too long, we have myself two questions: “Do witnessed Transactional they know about the racial leaders.Theseleadersappeal discrimination that has to others’ self-interests plagued Guyana for the past “What is in it for me?” A 6 decades? And if so, would Transformationalleaderasks theyjudgemeasracialbased the question: “What is in it on their perception of forus?”Weneedaleadership Guyana?” I interact shift to accommodate periodically with Guyanese everyone. When Guyanese who are part of the diaspora return to Guyana, they will and I can say they are very not recognize Guyana not established and integrated in becauseofnewbuildingsand their new culture, and have roads, but because a racial less of an affinity for transformation had taken Guyana. place.

I think I speak for a large Sincerely, portion of the diaspora when Daniel Singh

What about the update on the electoral fraud cases?

DEAREDITOR,

We were promised an update by the lead prosecutor in the electoral fraud cases. Since then nothing Is it to be assumed theprosecutorisstilloverseas?

There were some telling points on this issue by the columnist in one of independent dailies (KN September 9). Thisisturningoutindeedtobeagreattravestytothepeople. Regards, Shamshun Mohamed

Directive by senior educator for a student to

remove Rakhi

protection in a prayerful specifically, the Ministry of manner Educationtoensurethatthis Given their importance action is reviewed and by DEAREDITOR, issued by the senior and religious symbolism, no extension, take steps to We the undersigned educator, it is ultimately the oneinauthorityatanyforain ensure that this sordid categorically condemn the responsibility of the this jurisdiction, should be development never repeats directive by a senior G o v e r n m e n t a t t h e disallowing the wearing of itself. educator for a student to ministerial level, to ensure theseAmulets. Sincerely, removehisRahki. that there should be no such Additionally, we make a Hon. Geeta ChandanGuyana remains a great development. clarion call for all religious Edmond, M.P exemplar of the world for The Raksha Bandhan cultures,customs,traditions Hon. Pandit Dineshwar cultural and religious andRakshaSutraremainkey and practices to be Jaiprashad, M.P toleranceasenshrinedbythe pillars of Hindu culture of respected and tolerated in Mr. Daniel Seeram, Constitution and we should which we are proud our schools and throughout R e g i o n a l C h a i r m a n , do nothing to alter that practitioners. society Demerara-Mahaica RDC reputation. On this auspicious day, No form of bigotry must (Region No.4)

Even though the sisters tie the Rakhi around beallowed. Pandit Ubraj Narine, Ministryhasnopolicythatis the wrists of their brothers as W e u r g e t h e F o r m e r M a y o r o f consistent with the directive a symbol of mutual G o v e r n m e n t a n d Georgetown

We must guard against the fueling of suicides due to social dislocation

DEAREDITOR, Suriname with 1772 years effectively reduce the timelyandeffectivesosocial W o r l d S u i c i d e per 100,000, and Uruguay climbing suicidal rates in dislocation does not fuel Prevention Day is celebrated with 1462 years per 100,000 Guyana and by extension suicides. I therefore call on every year on September 10 populationrespectively furtherafield. the Government and policy to raise awareness among The frequent methods The Suicide Prevention makers to quickly address our citizens. It is also a time used to commit suicide Bill No 8 of 2022 was the social determinants of for self-empowerment and include but are not limited to successfully passed in the health so that the citizens’ forstakeholdercollaboration suffocation, firearms, NationalAssemblyinthelast pain will not outweigh the and for governments to poisoning with drugs and quarter of 2022 It is existingresourcesofcoping. emerge low-cost strategies alcohol, and pesticides and expected that the legislative LettherebeL-I-F-E. and interventions to combat chemicals. and executive branches of L-limit the access to this scourge that persists. Suicide plays a pivotal g o v e r n m e n t a n d meansofsuicide. The strategies that will role in adolescent and stakeholders will ensure that I-Interact with the media succeed are those that are suicidalbehaviors. at the primary care and at the to ensure responsible focused, evidence-based, T h e S u s t a i n a b l e community levels the reporting. andtimely

Development Goal, Target appropriate screening for F -Foster life skills for Serious attention should 3.4aimstoreduceone–third suicide be done where there theyoungpeople,and be paid to children and ofprematuredeathsby2030. should be supportive E- Early identify and adolescents, veterans, health Therefore, valiant efforts services. supporttheaffected. care workers, and other must be made by policy CouldtheTaskForceand Let us stop this scourge vulnerable groups which makers and stakeholders to members of the Suicide NOW which affects not only have been associated with address the immediate Prevention Commission get individuals but has impacted greater risk of ideation, precursors of this potentially towork? families, communities, suicidal attempts, and even preventable public health Mindful of the increase societies, yea the World. Let death. Suicide remains the priority. in economic activities and us Create and Give Hope third highest cause of death While the risk factors are economic expansion, we Through Our Collective amongyoungpeopleages20 to be reduced, it is also an must be watchful that the Actions. to24intheAmericas. imperative that the condition of the vulnerable Regards, The highest suicide rate protective factors be and marginalized is not Dr. Karen Cummings is seen among the 40 to 59 enhanced to build resilience worsenedandthatthecorrect APNU/AFC Shadow cohort which is followed by among the vulnerable to policy interventions are Minister for Health persons 70 years and older Of recent, the age -adjusted years of life lost for both sexes is highest in Guyana and being equal 3,200 years per100,000population.This figure is followed by

“We are fed up with the ongoing, systemic racism perpetuated by both sides”

Anti-Blackness is now operating on steroids in my Dear Land of Guyana

DEAREDITOR, Pathological liars, racial Trade of Enslaved Black “a crime against humanity” stoop to such a low level to devout that every morning As I read the multiple entrepreneurs, and immoral Africans. How can a 400- in Guyana have endured the poison young minds in on his way toTammany Hall egregious comparisons of PhDs are now peddling this year criminal enterprise, most inhumane racially Guyana and their Diasporas. to do his political work, he indentureship equalling grotesque insult to Africa, now legally defined as “a charged emotional abuse in Perhaps they are consumed stopped into St James slavery, there seems to be a our BlackAfrican ancestors, crime against humanity” by the form of normalized in a pernicious “circle of Church on Oliver Street in conflux of PhDs and and all People of Black the United Nations, be name-calling, such as self”: self-denial, self-hate, downtown Manhattan, fell academic felons who are Africandescent. equatedwithindentureship? hungrybellydogs,monkeys, self-importance, self- on his knees, and whispered therefore boldly indicating They seem to be In Guyana, 473,000 thieves,half-humans,beasts, deception, self-deceit, self- every morning the same to the Black and Jewish bolstered by an unhealthy Africans died to build this and, more lovingly, black indulgence, self-denial, and simple prayer: “O, Lord, C o m m u n i t i e s t h a t dose of ethnic triumphalism country during 200-plus manornigger self-destruction. give me health and strength. Indentureship and the Black and the generational years of the criminal Additionally, the cultural Some questions our We’llstealtherest.” African and Jewish implantation of superiority enterprise called slavery; campaign of racism at the Guyanese society should These proponents of the Holocausts are the same. over anything that is Black this is in addition to the loss last election exposed a ponder: “indentureship equal Globally, the latter would be African. of culture, language, names, number of ignorant, Why is there this slavery” and, therefore, is termed Anti-Semitism with The greatest insult and religion, family, lands, and educated racists who were psychological warfare equal to the “Black African corresponding international disregard are on full display community Indentured given carte blanche to against Black Guyanese? and Jewish Holocausts” repudiation and other by equating indentureship servants, not “the indentured flourish in an atmosphere Why this virulent anti- narratives are individuals consequences. with the Trans-Atlantic enslaved”, were mostly paid created and nurtured by Blackness? Why don’t we who want to create waves of though poorly, able to retain those of evil dispositions. actively highlight the “distrust and mistrust” in theirnames,religions,foods, Academic immorality and significant contributions of Guyana. culture, and a sense of professionaldishonestyhave our Enslaved BlackAfricans These individuals will originalcommunity taken root in Guyana, to our society? These daily fail and will forever be Rape and terror were reminiscent of Martin purveyors of hate and anti- known as characters who full-time industries during Carter’s famous poem, Blackness remind me of create vertically integrated slavery So was the absolute which talks about an “Fishhooks” McCarthy, who “communal shells” of loss of All Human Rights. academic “carnival of was a person who lived on misinformation and Indentureship has hallmarks misery” by men of odious the Lower East Side of misdirection.Thesemodernof modern-day human and despicable character I Manhattan. He was right- day Fish Hooks make the trafficking, another awful standinhorrortobelievethat hand man to Al Smith, the original Fishhook look like a criminal enterprise, which these odious characters, prototypical political person Saint. m u s t b e a d d r e s s e d some paid, others not; some of his time. “Fishhooks,” the Sincerely, accordingly Descendants of African, others not, would story goes, was devout. So Eric Phillips

ThePresidentisrepeatingthesamemistakes

The art of effective public. In fact, the questions President delved into a educational matters, one has thegovernment’scredibility communicationiscrucialfor the media asked in both of lengthy analysis of the to question why the Already people are talking any political leader, and the President’s last two press economy in his opening Presidenthimselfneedstobe about the minimum wage perhaps none more so than conferences had little to do statement, only to be met involved Education and b e i n g i n c r e a s e d t o the President of a nation. with his economic analyses. with indifference from labour issues should ideally G$150,000 per month, an P r e s i d e n t i a l p r e s s Earlier this year, the reporters This raises a be handled by the relevant unrealisticfigure. conferences serve as a vital President’s opening fundamental question: Is the ministers and departments, A President’s press communicationstrategy platform for conveying statement also focused President not being advised with the President’s role conference should be It is crucial for the important information, extensively on the economy, properly, or is he simply being to provide oversight carefully hosted to address President to learn from these addressing concerns, and attempting to establish disregarding the advice he and guidance. One Minister critical issues, making major mistakes and make the setting the tone for the improvements in various receives? One might argue has already said that she has a n n o u n c e m e n t s , o r necessary adjustments government’sagenda. sectors over that of the that the President should nothing to do with the d i s c u s s i n g t o p i c a l Whether it is a matter of

However, it appears that former government havetakentheopportunityto negotiations for improved developments. It should not seeking better advice or the President of Guyana has However, this effort was address the concerns and wages and benefits for be a platform for repetitive heeding the advice he not learned from past marredwhenStabroekNews questions of the media teachers. and lengthy economic receives, the President must mistakes in handling these fact-checked the numbers directly instead of rehashing Another announcement analyses, especially when prioritize engaging with the press conferences. Despite presented about the an economic analysis on that raised eyebrows was the the public is already wellmedia and the public ample opportunities to country’s mortality rates and issues that had already been President’s promise to informedonthesubject. effectively This includes improveandengagewiththe found them to be creative, inthepublicdomainforover increase the national The President’s press focusing on pertinent issues, media and the public, the highlighting the use of amonth. minimum wage and the conferences provide him m a k i n g m e a n i n g f u l President continues to miss partial numbers that did not Perhaps the most income tax threshold. While with opportunities for him to announcements, and the mark, leaving the public correspond to annual frustrating aspect of these this is undoubtedly an connect with the media and avoiding the pitfalls of past to wonder whether he is figures. press conferences is the important policy decision, it the public, convey important pressconferences. receiving proper advice or This revelation not only missed opportunities to would have been more information, and address

(The views expressed in simply not heeding it. One damaged the President’s address pressing and topical prudent for the President to concerns However, his this article are those of the glaring mistake in the credibility but also issues and the tendency to wait until the increase had repeated mistakes, including a u t h o r a n d d o n o t P r e s i d e n t ’ s p r e s s undermined his claims of announce promises. During been determined before long-winded opening necessarily reflect the conferences is his penchant improvements in the health last Saturday’s press m a k i n g s u c h a n s t a t e m e n t s a n d opinions and beliefs of this for long-winded opening sector conference, the media’s announcement Premature commitments to do things n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s statements, often centered O n e w o u l d h a v e attention was not on the promises can create false promises raise questions affiliates.) on the economy While expected the President to President’s economic expectations and undermine abouttheeffectivenessofhis discussingeconomicmatters learn from this previous analysis but rather on is undoubtedly important, debacle, adapting his announcements he made there is a time and place for approach to better engage Onesuchannouncementwas suchdiscussions. with the media and the the President’s promise to

T h e P r e s i d e n t ’s public Unfortunately, personally deal with the m a r a t h o n o p e n i n g history repeated itself at his teachers’ issues upon his statements have repeatedly m o s t r e c e n t p r e s s return to Guyana. While it is failed to capture the interest conference, held just last commendable for a leader to of the reporters and the Saturday Once again, the s h o w c o n c e r n f o r

Dem Boys Seh...

Better safe than squashed!

How many of y’all colouredharnesses. yankedhimoutofschool! remember dem old-time But oh, how the tides Can you blame these school days when yuh used have turned. In this modern kids for their trepidation? tohavetrafficpatrolsorwah age, where vehicles speed It’slikeaskingalambtostep we does call traffic wardens like they’re at de South into a den of ravenous lions fuh help dem children cross Dakota Race Track, dem armed with stop signs. In a de road to go to and from school pickney have country where road rage is school. developedanewfoundsense rampant and roads have

In dem times, students of self-preservation. Dem b e c o m e m a k e s h i f t proudly donned dem look at those once-envied racetracks, who would colorful harnesses, wielding harnesses and shiver in willingly sign up for stop signs like knights of the terror at the thought of potential vehicular zebra crossing, basking in standing in harm’s way. “To sacrifice?So,letusbidadieu the glory of regulating the patrol or not to patrol?” they to the days when traffic traffic, all in the name of ask themselves, and the patrol was a coveted dream. safety answer is a resounding “Not The harnesses may still be

Back then, every child today!” colorful, but the risks have with an ounce of ambition One brave child dared to become far too real. The wanted to be a traffic patrol. bring up the idea of joining children have spoken, and Dem did, crave de the the traffic patrol at home. they’ve said, “Dem boys limelight and the adoration But oh, what a mistake! The seh, better safe than of their peers, parading parents, fearing for their squashed!” around in their shocking- offspring’s safety, promptly Talk half. Leff half.

The Courts can settle Repatriation...

From page 4

in the late 1990’s and one ROAR-affiliated mounting opposition to Burnham’s pet group of young Indian activists, under the project Carifesta, trumped-up charges of name of Guyana Organization for Indian larceny of pharmaceuticals were brought Protection (GOIP) had conducted extensive against Dr Balwant Singh. Even Dr Frank research into the issue. They recommended Williams, Burnham’s personal physician and that a class-action suit be filed against the Andaiye’sfather protestedthismove.InJuly, government for the recovery of the monies 1972, just a month before Carifesta’s launch, (with6%compoundedinterest)whichshould the case was called and Dr Singh’s presence be used in accordance with the demanded, even though he was ill. He was recommendations of the 1965 Immigration eventually brought in a stretcher and the case FundCommittee. was adjourned and never concluded. In the Their activity on the Fund was overtaken meantime, he lost his job as the long-serving by the massive decade-long societal violence Government Chief Bacteriologist and that started in 1998 with the murder of thirty Pathologist but never was able to claim his Indian Guyanese and oneAfrican Guyanese pension and gratuities because the charges businessman. Maybe it is time for their wereneverwithdrawn. recommendationtoberevived.

But back to the matter at hand, the Sincerely, Immigration Fund. We had raised the matter Ravi Dev

AGNandlallhastodomoretocleartheair

Let us all stop playing with words, stop playing games, and stop playing the fool. Why is a law firm [once] associated with Hon Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP, involved in bidding for a governmentcontract? There shouldbenosuchthing,and no matter what explanation the AG may come up with, doubts linger It would be seentobepartoftheongoing farce that is claimed to be

about clean governance and cleanbusinessinGuyana.

The AG should know better, and no matter how much distance he claims (which he has), there is a problem with this bid, a big one that is not going away Evenifhisostensiblyformer firm succeeds or fails in the bid. Ihavedifficultybuying that bull about the AG no longer having any ties with thefirmdoingthebidding.

The optics are bad, and

the AG should know this. The world simply does not work in smooth, clean, and clear lines as theAG would like us to believe. To give him his due, Mr Nandlall is bright enough, and smooth enough, to have made sure that all the so-called trouble spotsandlooseendsarewell taken of, so that nothing traces back to him. Sorry, sir, but the more this thing dangles before the Tender Board, and the public, the

more it smells. It does not give off a pleasant odor to me.

Pointblank:government ministers should not be bidding in any way (in any way) for public business. I don’t care how much the links may have been severed, or claimed to be severed. The perception is of cosmetics only As a precedent that I was up in arms against, there was a PNC Minister, who had

somebusinesswitha housing complex in Linden, and disgust and outrage flowed. My positionthenismyposition now: these developments about recusals are a sham andajoke,arankpretense.

ItiswhatIsayandinsist would be the situation with this bid before the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). So,whenthereis this lameness about links severed, I think that that is part of the charade, where the public is led to believe thatthenamesmentionedare totallyout,andhavenoneof thesekindsofinterests.

Like I said earlier, yeah, and I am the King of England. The reality is that even if he really (really) did severconnections,andthere is absolutely none whatsoever, this just does notregisterwell.

Separately, there is a school of knowledge in this country of well-placed PPP functionaries at all levels, political and otherwise, who have these front companies and agencies that bid for various projects, and which fall under the Local Content umbrella. Onlythedumbest and slowest of intellect is so negligent as to leave their fingerprints or any connecting thread that leads back to them I am sitting here, and absorbing this, and whatstirsishowPPPofficials studythesystembeforethem, and look for ways to exploit (under clean cover) the barrage of business that is nowpartandparceloflifein Oil Guyana Many politicians and well-placed public servants, along with well-connected party hacks, all position themselves (slickly)tograbapieceofthe richactionforthemselves

This means that other citizenswhohaveaninterest in bidding for a public project or a piece of government work will almost always come out second best in the bidding, which would have been gamedfromthestart. Tobe

specific, will the result of NPTAB’s evaluation and award process find a better bidder than the former friends and associates of the AG? Pardon me for being both skeptical and cynical, but I have to see that to believe that; or will accept thatwhenpigsfly

What I am saying directly and bluntly to AG Nandlall is that this looks terrible. Itdefinitelyreeksto the high heavens, no matter how well the tracks may have been covered. As for thegroupthatsupposedlydo not have any business relationship anymore with the AG, is members should withdrawthatbid,regardless oftheirrighttocompeteand earn a living from opportunities that come aboutintoday’sGuyana.

Thinking of all this, I cannot help but remember ThucydidesthatgreatGreek contributor to politics and the ways of life as lived by meninpower. Thousandsof yearsago,hehadthistosay: “With public life thrown into confusion, human nature, ever ready to rebel against the law, becomes the laws’ master, gladly showed itself to be powerless over passion…

For party factions do not meet to enjoy the benefits of existing law, but for the advantage of overthrowing them. and the confidence that held these factions was strengthenednotbyreligious law but their complicity in crime….”

I look at Guyana today, and I point to it, with those fateful words, sentiments, and realities in mind. And further,Isaynot.

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

Small, medium scale miners responsible for decline in gold declarations -Mid-YearReport

Despite the mining sector receivingbillionsintaxbreaksand other incentives from the Government of Guyana, there has been a decrease in gold declarations for the first half of 2023.

The Ministry of Finance MidYear Report 2023 attributes the decline to low declarations made bysmallandmediumscaleminers. ItwasstatedthatattheendofJune, gold declarations stood at 209,756 ounces, compared with 236,728 ouncesduringthesameperiodlast year,an11.4%decrease.

Similarly, in Bank of Guyana’s Third Quarter Report for 2022, it was stated that gold subsector output declined due to lower declarations by small and medium scaleminers.

The 2023 Mid-Year Report, stated that declarations from the lone large producer expanded by 6.1% year-on-year However, it was underscored that this was outweighed by lower declarations from the small- and medium-scale producers. Declarations from the latter fell from 188,956 ounces in the first half of 2022 to 159,084 ouncesattheendofJunethisyear

According to the report, improvements observed in early third quarter, alongside strengthened enforcement efforts by the regulatory authorities, are expected to result in a rebound in thesecondhalf.

It was stated too that the gold mining subsector is now projected togrowby5.3%in2023.InAugust 2022, the National Assembly approved Fiscal Enactment Amendment Bill No. 2 of 2022, which was enacted to bring tax relieftominer TheBillwaspiloted bySeniorMinisterintheOfficeof the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and followed a commitment made by VicePresident(VP)BharratJagdeo tominingcommunitysomemonths earlier

The measures included the reduction of final tax from a maximum of 3.5 percent to 2.5 percent which would result in an estimated $1 4Billion being returnedtotheminingindustry,and the removal of the 10 percent Tributors’ Tax that would benefit thousands of workers in the industry with $300 million expected to be returned to those

whowerepayingthistax.

Further, Minister Singh had also presented Value-Added Tax (No 3) Order 2022, removing Value Added Tax (VAT) on lubricating oil, a key input in not only the mining industry, but almostalltheproductivesectors.In total, all measures allow for the returnofatotalof$1.9billiontothe mining industry – the Finance Ministryhadreported.

Amid growing concerns about Guyana gold declarations decreasing, Vice President Jagdeo during a news conference in July confirmed that the decrease in declarations is factual, but added thataprobehasbeenlaunchedinto

allegedgoldsmuggling.

For the past several months, Kaieteur News had reported on several Canadian gold mining companies boasting to their investors about Guyana’s rich mining industry Among those companies is OMAI, a company which produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold between 1993 and 2005 and is now making a comeback in Guyana’s mining industry with its gold properties: the shear-hosted Wenot Deposit and the adjacent intrusive-hosted Gilt Creek Deposit. At the end of September, Omai is expected to update its 3.7 million ounces of gold estimates (indicated and

inferred),afteritsreturnin2020.

Also, the Guyana Goldfields Inc, a China-led mining company, is among the large-scale mining companies working in Guyana. While foreign companies have beenrushingtocashinonthe“gold fever” in Guyana, the country has been suffering massive declines in its annual declarations since 2017 and Jagdeo is yet to honour his commitment to make all mining contractspublic.

Kaieteur News had made several requests for the Government of Guyana to release the mining contracts, particularly large-scaleminingcontracts.

In2019,whenGuyanabecame a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the country agreed to adhere to several requirements. In this case, EITI requirement 2.4 (a) of the 2019 Standard states that Guyanashouldpubliclydiscloseall mineral agreements entered into force prior to the reporting period, in this case, 2019. Although the requirements were known to the administration, it continued to make excuses to avoid the release ofthesecontracts.

Guyanese “tik toker” escapes after house set on fire with him inside

A Guyanese “Tik Toker”, Rakha,knownformakingvideos as a cross dresser dancing to Indian music, narrowly escaped on Saturday night after an arsonist(s) set his home at MosquitoHall,Unity,EastCoast Demerara (ECD) on fire with himinside.

The Tik Toker, whose right name is Kubram Ramlall, in a Tik Tok video he uploaded after the tragedy, said that he was home when he heard someone breaking down his wall and threatening to kill him. Shortly after, he realised that his home had caught fire and reportedly ran through the backdoor with onlyhisundergarmentson.

Safelyoutside,theTikToker watched as his house went up in flamesandcompletelyburnedto theground.Ramlallsaidthathis 75-year-old mother’s apartment located close to his home was also destroyed. “Is good thing me mother nah went in the house”, Ramlall said while explaining that he became “Basadee” and did not know what to do while running for his life.

The Tik-toker estimates his lossestobeinthemillions.“My house cost me $4.5 when a carpenter bin build it,” he said. Ramlall alleges that his home was burnt down because of an oldgrievancefrom15yearsago

and believes he knows who the suspectmightbe. Heallegesthat it might be a man who has been reportedly threatening to kill him.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS)onSundayconfirmedthat hishomewasmaliciouslyseton fire. “The fire was maliciously set and destroyed the building, leaving its occupant homeless. Additionally, a one-storey wooden building at the same address was also destroyed due toradiatedheatfromthebuilding of origin, resulting in Shirley Pitambar and Desmond Randall beinghomeless”,GFSstated. Investigationsareongoing.

The Tik Toker’s home on fire

Narrowly escaped after home set on fire, Kubram Ramlall better known as ‘Rakha’

US$3.9BdebthangsoverGuyana

Within six months, Guyana’sdebthasincreased to US$3.9 Billion, which represents a 7.2% increase comparedtotheendof2022.

The Ministry of Finance on Saturday published the Mid-YearReport,inwhichit was highlighted that at the end of June 2023, Guyana’s total stock of public and publicly guaranteed debt amounted to US$3,916.9 million, with total public debt accounting for US$3,914.5 million, and total publicly guaranteed d e b t f o r t h e remainingUS$2.4million.

When compared to the endof2022,whendebtstood at US$3,654.9 million, a 7.2%increasewasrecorded.

To this end, Government said this was mainly attributed to a positive net flow from both the external and domestic debt portfolios.

Intherecentlypublished report it was stated, “As a result of Government’s continued effort to ensure that financing needs are met at the lowest possible cost withaprudentdegreeofrisk, Guyana’s public debt

…7.2%increasewithin6months

remains sustainable with a moderate risk of debt distress.”

According to the

Ministry of Finance, external debt grew by 3.8% from US$1,571.9 million at the end of last year, to US$1,631.1 million at endJune 2023 The ministry attributed the increase to positive net flows (disbursements less principal repayments) from bilateral creditors such as Eximbank of China, China CAMC Engineering Co , Ltd., and United Kingdom ExportFinance.

Further, it was disclosed that at the end of June, multilateral creditors held 67.8 percent of the external PG debt portfolio, with bilateral creditors holding 30.3 percent.The remaining 1.9 percent was held by private creditors. External PPG debt is projected to increase by 31 6 percent from its mid-2023 position to US$2, 146.0 million at end-2023, on account of

expected positive net flows from both multilateral and bilateralcreditors.

In the first half of the year, total external disbursements amounted to U S $ 9 9 9 m i l l i o n , representing a 290 1 % increase when compared withthefirsthalfof2022.

Itwasstated,“Thisyearon-year expansion reflects higher disbursements from bilateral and multilateral creditors, which also totaled US$99.9 million in the first half of 2023, up from US$25.6 million in the first halfof2022.”

To this end, it was noted that the relatively high level of disbursements in the first halfof2023wasmainlydue to substantial inflows under loans for new projects Government commenced at the end of 2022 and the beginningof2023.

Notably,forthefirsthalf of this year, external disbursements were drawn downforprojectssuchasthe East Coast Demerara Road

Project Phase 2, Guyana Pediatric and Maternal Hospital, and the Regional HospitalsProject.

At the end of June 2023, domestic debt totaled US$2,285 8 million, up 9.7% from the end-2022 position. This increase was driven by a 21 7 % expansion in the stock of treasury bills to US$1,336.6 million, reflecting the issuance of new fiscal instruments in the first half of2023.

Total PPG debt service payments amounted to US$92.3 million in the first halfof2023.Thiswasdriven by growth in both domestic and external debt service payments.

Acomparisonofthetwo half-year positions, domestic debt service payments grew by 224.4%, while the growth in external debt service payments was about16.6%.

Theincreaseindomestic debt service payments resulted from the commencement of the redemption of the Bank of Guyana debentures, which were issued in 2021 mainly t o s e c u r i t i s e t h e

ConsolidatedFundoverdraft attheendof2020.

On August 3, the

National Assembly approved an increase to the country’s domestic public andexternaldebtceilingsby some US$3 Billion, which

allowsthecountrytoborrow moreloans.

Guyana’s domestic public debt ceiling was increasedto$750billion,up from$500billion,andanew external borrowing ceiling of $900 billion, after its last increase to $650 billion Guyana’s previous debt ceilings were last increased in by the Government back inJanuary2021.

According to the Ministry of Finance, given Guyana’seconomicoutlook, these revisions to the externalanddomesticpublic debt ceilings are consistent withthecountry’slong-term debtsustainability

Notably, fuelled by a rampingupofoilproduction and the resurgence of the non-oil economy, Guyana registered real GDP growth of 62.3 percent in 2022, making it the fastestgrowing economy in the world.Assuch,itwasnoted that this appreciable growth performance and the country’s robust economic outlook underpin Guyana’s sustainableabsorptionofthe newdebt.

In sum, the Government said it is committed to harnessing Guyana’s debtcarrying capacity to accelerate its development agenda.

Man shot dead at Mon Repos

Policeareinvestigatinganallegedmurder committed on a man, whose only name was given as Shawnie (age and address unknown),whichoccurredatabout07:30hrs Sunday morning at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

In a press release police said at about 07:30 hrs loud explosions were heard (soundinglikegunshots)inthevicinityof3rd Street,MonRepos,atLot100.

Thenowdeceasedmanwasseenrunning outoftheyardandfallingtothegroundonthe opposite side of the street in front of a twostorey wooden and concrete building. The suspectwasthenseenexitingthesaidyard.

Thepoliceweresummonedandarriveda few minutes later, along with EMT from Melanieandfoundthedeceasedlyingonthe western side of the street. The body was examined, and what appeared to be gunshot wounds were seen on the lower back, which exited through the navel, and one gunshot woundtotherightsideinstep.

Theshootingvictimwaslaterpronounced dead by Doctor Jhagru. The scene was processed and photographed. One 9 mm spent shell and one 9mm live round were recovered. The body was escorted to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting identificationandpost-mortemexamination.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

Nandlallsayslawfirmpullsbidfor$9.6MGovt.contract

The bid that was up on NPTAB’s website up to Saturday afternoon

Attorney General and he recognised the potential and after discussions, it was firm, has also been removed Minister of Legal Affairs, for misconceptions due to agreed that the bid would be from the NPTAB website. Anil Nandlall said that his his historical association withdrawn,”Nandlallstated. This bid had pertained to the law firm has withdrawn a w i t h t h e f i r m

The AG revealed that a ‘ProgramtoSupportClimate $9.6M bid for a government “Approximately a week ago, formalwithdrawalletterwas R e s i l i e n c e R o a d contract. I first learnt of the dispatched to the National I n f r a s t r u c t u r e

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir

A. Nandlall

Nandlall made the submission of the said bid in Procurement and Tender Development– Good disclosureinafacebookpost the firm’s name. I quickly Administration Board. He Success to Timehri Road in response to a Kaieteur discerned that the mere assured that the bid is no Project’ The US$117 News report regarding the presence of my name on the longer in contention by the million project is being matter involving his firm bid documents can lend to EvaluationCommittee. funded by the Caribbean Mohabir A Nandlall & improper inferences I The August 25 bid Development Bank (CDB) Associates. He revealed that immediately contacted the recordings, which include under a loan signed in the bid was promptly management of the law firm thebidmadebytheAG’slaw March. withdrawn after its submission came to his attention.

Jamaican

While the firm was involvement in its daily GovernmentofGuyana.” indeed founded by Nandlall operationsordecisions. Nandlall shared his and is partially owned by The AG said in the belief that individuals him, he emphasised that statement: “This state of related or connected to him since taking on the role of affairs obviously led the should neither be penalised AttorneyGeneral&Minister current management of the nor gain undue advantage of Legal Affairs, he has firm to the considered due to their association with severed all functional links opinion that it is not him when it comes to with it. As such, he said he improper to bid for publicly governmentaldealings. has no influence or advertised contracts by the

MP’s daughter and her mother abducted

However, Nandlall said

Police vow robust traffic enforcement

Amid daily fatal road accidents here, the reckless driving have been two of the major GuyanaPoliceForcesaiditismovingtotake bugbears in efforts to stop the road carnage. strictactionagainstrecklessroadusers. “For instance, drivers using the new

In a press release on Sunday the force Mandela to Eccles Highway have been said in an effort to curb the increase in road caught driving way above the speed limit. deaths caused by reckless driving, the force One driver was even clocked doing 154km has embarked on this new initiative, which on the highway Some drivers exceeded 69 will see more frequent and robust traffic violations. The Guyana Police Force will enforcementexercisesacrossGuyana. summon these divers, place them before the

There will be zero tolerance for traffic courts and publish their photos afterwards. offenders, and more persons will be placed Two major deterrents will be a push for the before the courts once they break the traffic suspension of Driver’s Licenses, and laws,the,policesaid. revocation of their Fitness,” the release

The force added that speeding and stated.

Man found dead with wound to head

Police on Sunday afternoon found abandonedbuilding,withthehead,arms,and the body of a man with a wound to backcoveredinwhatappearedtobeblood.

the head at No 60 Village, The body was examined, and a small CorentyneBerbice. woundwasseenontherightsideofthehead.

Police said based on the information A relative of the deceased man told received, police went to No. 60 Village, investigators that Girdharry was an alcoholic where they observed a body, which was later who usually consumed alcohol under the identified as Toorandat Girdharry, a 58-year- abandoned building with friends. He would old unemployed man of Lot 168, No. 60 alsosleepinthehammockoccasionally Village,Corentyne. The body is atAnthony’s Funeral Home,

It was observed that the body was in a awaitingapost-mortemexamination. reclined position in a hammock tied under an Investigationsareongoing.

(Jamaica Observer) — Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston Eastern and Port Royal Phillip Paulwell has confirmed reports reaching the Jamaica Observer that his 10-monthold child and her mother have been missing since Saturday.

Paulwell said the two, whose names are being withheld by the Sunday Observer, were seemingly abducted from their St Andrew home and have not People’s National Party clients, unless he deposited been seen or heard from ( P N P ) b e n c h e s i n US$150,000 to an account since. Parliament. which was provided

“This is scary and comes Last week Paulwell told According to Paulwell, the at a time when I have been the Observer that he found extortiondemandshavebeen threatenedbyscammerswho out that his bank accounts reported to local and have hacked my phone and had been hacked and a international investigators banking data and are s u b s t a n t i a l a m o u n t whohavelaunchedaprobe. demanding money to release withdrawn after he He told the Observer them,”saidPaulwell.“Ihave attempted to make a that the international made it clear that I will not withdrawal at a local investigators traced the give in to extortionists, but financial institution. He said account to which he was this is a serious and checks with other financial askedtopaythemoneytothe dangerousdevelopment.The institutionsatwhichheholds United Kingdom and shut it matter has been reported to accounts showed that d o w n w i t h s o m e the police and I have given a attempts had also been made US$600,000 The veteran full statement. I have also tohackthem. MP said he refused to pay increased my security Paulwell was later and last Sunday received measures,”hesaid. contacted and told that his reports from political and “I am worried sick over phone had been cloned and personalcolleaguesthatthey their safety and hope the theyhadaccesstohise-mail, had been sent e-mail with police, who have launched a pictures, personal and images which were on his high-levelinvestigation,will professional messages. He phone.Paulwellsaid,despite find the abductors and get said the extortionist the threats, he has no them both home safe and threatened to make public intention giving in to the sound,” added Paulwell, the information, including d e m a n d s f r o m t h e who sits on the Opposition correspondence with his scammers.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston Eastern and Port Royal, Phillip Paulwell

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Some 182 residents of Quiko Village located in South Central Rupununi, Region Nine are set to benefit from a brand new $14 million health post that was commissioned Saturday.

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Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony journeyed to the far-flung village to partake in its commissioning, upon request of Toshao Ronaldo Ignatius at the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference.

This marks a significant achievement for Quiko as residents will no longer be required to travel to Shulinab or Lethem to access basic healthcare services.

The facility will soon be fully equipped with a solar system that will provide electricity to the entire building.

During his remarks. Minister Anthony expressed enthusiasm in joining the residents before he informed them that the government has been placing significant emphasis on advancing the healthcare sector in Region Nine.

Hospitals are being upgraded in the region with over $200 million earmarked in the national 2023 budget. These include the Sand Creek, Annai and the Karasabai hospitals.

With funding from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), Lethem will also receive major upgrades including a CTscan department among other amenities.

To complement the expansion of the health facilities, Minister Anthony noted that there are numerous training programmes available for interested youths. “We

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony addressing residents of Yurupukari, Region Nine

don’t want to build facilities alone, we don’t want to give you equipment alone, we want to train young people who will be working in these facilities, maintaining them and providing services,” the health minister stated. Toshao Ignatius expressed gratitude on behalf of his village to the government for listening to their concerns and establishing the muchneeded health facility.

Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Cerdel Mcwattt informed residents that a specialist outreach will be conducted in

the South Central Rupununi, whereby Quiko will benefit. Services that will be offered during the outreach include dental, audiology, opthomology, speech impairment, and ultrasound services among other specialized medical services.

Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock noted that Region Nine will benefit from additional development as Guyana undergoes a massive transformation.

The ministry’s Hinterland Coordinator, Michael Gouveia also delivered brief remarks. (DPI)

Pres. Ali says sugar industry transformation underway

President Irfaan Ali said for the first half of the year, the sugar industry has seen marked improvement, with a 30.1 per cent growth.

“When compared to the first half of 2022, the sugar industry grew by 30.1 per cent, and as you know, we are fully committed to the revival of the sugar industry, and the integration of this industry in the local economies and the regions of this country,” the head of state told reporters at a press conference at State House on Saturday.

sugar workers unemployed.

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He said that resources are continuously being funnelled into the sugar industry to revitalise its processes and to promote the sustainability of the sector. Adversely, the previous administration demonstrated a clear disregard for the livelihood of Guyanese when they dismantled the industry, rendering thousands of

“Those who are masquerading around as promoters and defenders of the sugar workers are masked in their banditry of destroying the industry. These are the open-masked individuals who stood in parliament and criticised our defense of this industry and keeping it alive,” he said. President Ali reminded that, since 2020, the almost 2, 000 sugar workers that were left unemployed following the closure of the estate were rehired. Additionally, the Rose Hall estate is scheduled to be reopened soon, with an $8.8 billion investment by the government.

Almost 1,300 persons are currently employed at Rose

Hall, and the head of state noted that the reopening has propelled the demand for new jobs, as there is a vacancy for some 800 cane harvesters. “So, not only are we bringing back those who were fired, but we are opening up more opportunities. We have expended, in capital support, more than $17 billion. Upon the government returning to office, sugar workers were paid 5 per cent retro. This five percent that was paid, was denied by the last government. More than $212 million was paid to the workers with this 5 per cent. The government has fully funded the wages and salary increases of sugar workers for

2021 and 2022. These are the facts,”

The government also implemented a $250, 000 cash grant for the sugar workers, putting more than $1.3 billion into the pockets of these persons. Approximately 8,000 employees are currently being supported through the sugar industry in ensuring that these persons are able to earn a living. “If we were not in government, they would have been on the breadline. The community despair would’ve been there. We have brought the industry back, and we intend to keep investing in it to make sugar viable,” the president assured. (DPI)

Exxon opens consultations on 6th project tomorrow... relationship”, with

From page 3 interrogating ExxonMobil officials on a series of issues since she challenged them on misleading the public on the impacts of the project.

The lynching of hardcore questions was evident for a third time at the Mahaicony Training Institute when KN Publisher, Glenn Lall was denied a response to his question on cumulative project impacts.

ExxonMobil and the EPA.

To date, ERM has completed all of ExxonMobil’s EIAs, except for its fifth impact study, conducted by Acorn International. It is unclear why this Consultancy firm has been booted.

SIXTH PROJECT

wells. The company hopes to start up the sixth development by the fourth quarter of 2027 or first quarter of 2028. It has an expected field life of at least 20 years.

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Kaieteur News understands that the EIA was conducted by Exxon’s wellknown consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM). The credibility and independence of the firm has been questioned in the past by stakeholders who flagged what was described as a “long running

Notably, ExxonMobil’s sixth and largest oil project seeks to produce oil at the Whiptail, Pinktail and Tilapia fields. According to the Project Summary, Whiptail is located in the south eastern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately 183 km from Georgetown. Current plans include drilling via drill ships to produce oil from approximately 40 – 65 production and injection

Public meetings across the country on the development are expected to commence on September 12, 2023 and run until September 22, 2023.

Only on Sunday this publication reported that an unmitigated oil spill could devastate the livelihoods of citizens in Regions One through Six. This is outlined in the EIA submitted by Exxon.

The public will have an opportunity to engage the developer directly on its concerns during the consultations.

Nissan Pathfinder in good condition. Call:

CRV Honda, $3.3M negotiable and 1 Toyota Allion, $3.350 M, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage . Contact: 649-0956.

Govt.nowpredictinglowerrevenuesfromoilsector

The government of Guyana (GoG) is now expecting lower revenues from the burgeoning oil and gas sector than anticipated earlierthisyear

This is as a result of declining oil prices on the globalmarkettriggeredbya slideindemandforsupplies.

AccordingtotheMinistryof Finance Mid-Year Report, officially released to the public on Saturday, governmentisstillpoisedto receive 17 lifts of profit oil from the production activitiesongoingattheLiza OneandLizatwoprojectsin theStabroekBlock.

Ithoweverindicatedthat the earnings for the commodity are expected to be less than previously anticipated The Report explained,“Withthepriceof crude oil declining amid demand-side concerns and financial market disruptions that threaten a global slowdown in economic activity,theforecastforNRF (Natural Resource Fund) depositshasbeenmarginally downgraded.”

To this end, the Ministry of Finance said petroleum

depositsfortheyeararenow

US$1,629 3 m

n, compared with US$1,631.7 million projected at the beginning of the year This means that the country will receive US$2.4 million less than anticipated or approximatelyGYD$480M.

Government is now projected to earn US$1,410 million from the sale of Guyana’s share of profit oil, and another US$219 3 million in royalties The NRF closing balance at the end of the year has been revised to approximately US$2billionbytheMinistry ofFinance.

Theplummetingoilprice on the global market can be dangerous for newcomer to the sector, Guyana, especially as oil major, ExxonMobil continue to pump billions of US-dollars to develop the resources discovered in the Stabroek block. The country can easily find itself unable to repay the investments or enjoy profits from the industry should this trend extend.

Despite the shift to

renewables and the consequent oil price volatility, the government has been ramping up not only exploration activities but production as well to avoidstrandedresources.

FIRST-HALF PERFORMANCE

During the period January to June 2023, Guyana received eight lifts of profit oil from the two Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) in operation.Three lifts were received from the Liza Destiny and five from theLizaUnityasprojected.

Asstatedearlier,Guyana isexpectedtoreceive17lifts of profit oil, from the expected 136 lifts in the StabroekBlockthisyear

In the meantime, the government’s Mid-Year Report indicated that during the first half of the year

“

Government earned US$705.2 million as revenue from its share of profit oil from two lifts that occurred in the final quarter of 2022, and seven of the eightliftsthatoccurredinthe firstsixmonthsoftheyear.”

It added, “Government

also earned US$110.8 millioninroyaltiesrelatedto 2022Q4(fourthquarter)and 2023 Q1 (first quarter) productionandsales.”

In July, the country receivedUS$73.8millionas a profit oil payment for the

Government lift executed in June. The cumulative balance of the NRF, inclusive of interest income of US$35.6 million, at the end of June, 2023 was US$1,723.5 million, after two withdrawals of US$200

millioneachinFebruaryand Maythisyear Notably, the GoG reported that the oil and gas subsector grew by an estimated98.4percentinthe firsthalfoftheyear

The Mid-Year Report explainedthattheoilandgas sub-sector almost doubled its performance in the first six months of 2023 when compared with the same period last year It was explained that the sector grew by an estimated 98.4 percent during the first half of the year The Ministry of Finance reported, “At the end of June, total crude oil production stood at 68 7 million barrels, compared with 34.6 million barrels in thesameperiodoflastyear

It went on to note that Guyana’s second FPSO, the Liza Unity which commenced production on February 11, 2022 ramped up to a daily production of about 227,000 barrels per day. With the third FPSO, Payara,expectedtocomeon stream in the last quarter of this year, the sector is now expected to grow by 39.6 percentthisyear

Coup d’état in Africa is a revolutionary movement to reclaim countries and their wealth-PLOLumumba

WorldrenownedKenyan lawyer and activist, Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO)

Lumumba has described the currentmovebymilitaryand civilian groups in various countries of Africa as a revolutiontoreclaimAfrican territories and their wealth fromEuropeancontrol.

Consequently the wellknownAfricanacademichas voiced his support for the recent military takeovers seenintheAfricancontinent. Accordingtohim,thecoups are necessary because the leaders of the affected countries are using all mannerofunlawfulmethods tostayinpower

“We have what is described as coup d’état in former French colonies but fromwhereIsittheseyoung men and women in uniform are rising up against a colonial power that refuses to leave and continues to control their affairs,”

Lumumba said in public commentary to an African newschannel.

The Kenyan lawyer stressedtoothatbecausethe civilians are helpless they are rising up against their oppressor “…Theycoming out of the barracks and sayingwemustputastopto this continued colonisation

by the French; they control ourpolitics,theycontrolour economy; the control our resources and what we must dothereforeissupportthese initiatives and ensure the dividendsthatareearnedare then converted very quickly into civilian rule , ” explainedLumumba.

He continued, “If they don’tdothatthenyoungmen and women who are dissatisfiedwhocanseetheir countries being raped will continue to rise up in the mannerthattheyare”

The activist emphasised therefore that he would not condemn the coups because they had been necessitated by an overbearing neocoloniser; the French. He

suggested: “What needs to be done is that people must reclaim their territory and those who are elected into publicofficemuststopbeing pawns in the political chess boards of neo-colonisers They must serve their people;theymustdowhatis right in the interest of their people whether it’s in Mali, Guinea,BurkinaFaso,Niger orChad.”

“This is a very unfortunate state, we should not have loyalty to anybody we should be local to ourselves and when we are loyal to ourselves then we will engage with the world ontermsthataretousandto them,” Lumumba said. The African continent has been

hit with at least 10 coups since 2020 including two in BurkinaFaso,oneinGuinea, twoinMaliandoneinNiger, andoneinChad. Therewere also two coups in North AfricaandTunisia.

Meanwhile, in Guyana, Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall said he believes that worse crimes are being perpetrated against the nationbycorporateoilgiant, Exxon Mobil Lall has consistently condemned the GovernmentofGuyanawith regard to their management oftheoilsector

During his weekly radio commentary on ‘The Glenn Lall Show,’ the Publisher continues to lament on the absence of independent

meters at the exploration pumps within the Stabroek Blocktoverifyhowmuchoil isbeingpumped.

Lall noted that this has been the position since oil started pumping four years ago. He pointed out, “There isnoringfencingonthefive oil projects which allows ExxonMobiltothiefbillions ofUSdollarseveryyear The government is not verifying or auditing Exxon Mobil’s inflated bills and expenses. Government is not capping the interest rates on the projects’costs.”

Lall noted, “Govt is joining with the oil companies to fight the citizens in court, who are only trying to get the oil

companies to provide the nation with an unlimited parent company guarantee fromanoilspill.”Tobuttress his position, the Publisher referenced the fact that ExxonMobilhunchGuyana $214MUSD on some bills supplied by the oil companies – he noted that “Guyana found that out in just one investigation they carried out, and our govt. went behind the back of GRAandreducedthat214M to3M.”

“Exxon Mobil is supposed to give us an insurancepolicy,andinstead the policy comes from a reputable international insurancecompany,itcomes from an insurance company owned by Exxon, and when questioned about that Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo defendedit,”hesaid.

Lall stressed too that Guyana discovered oil eight years ago and the government has not put together an independent petroleum body to properly manage and take control of the oil industry As a result, hesaidtheoilcompaniesare walking away with USD $9 billion a year in earnings, while the country receives just over USD $ 1 billion a year

Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr.Ashni Singh

Renowned Kenyan lawyer and activist, Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall

Monday September 11, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

While you're on a crusade for peace and diplomacy, Aries, youmayfindthatotherpeople seem to be on a crusade for war Do your best under the prevailingtrends.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

There's action to be taken, Taurus, so make sure you get up early to make a fresh start. You may be on stage today in more ways than one. Your powerful words won't go unnoticedbyothers.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Be yourself and you can do no wrong, Gemini. This is one of those days when you barely needtomakeanyefforttogoa long distance. You'll find power at your disposal and confidenceinyourself.

CANCER(June21–July22)

There may be a bit of restlessness due to strong forces urging you to take action, Cancer A dynamic feeling is in the air and calling on you to get up and get moving.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Charge ahead and use your emotions to fuel your fire, Leo You have plenty of mental acumen today that can help break through any puzzle. New beginnings are underway in many areas of yourlife.

VIRGO (Aug 23–Sept 22)

Beabitselfishtoday Youhave every right to look out for number one. Sensitivity to other people's emotions and issuesisnoble,butitmayleave youemotionallydrained Think rationally about your emotions andhavethecouragetosayno

Massy Women Caribbean Premier League…

Matthews’ brilliance leads Royals to 2023 title

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Your mind is going to be sharp today, and you should be certainofallyourwords,Libra. Take pride in who you are and what you believe. This selfconfidence will radiate from you. Use your keen mental powerstomovethingsalongin yourfavor

SCORPIO (Oct 23–Nov 21)

Much of your focus is internal, but today it would behoove you to turn some of that energy outward, Scorpio Take this opportunity to make a leap of faithintherightdirection

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

There'snoneedtowalkaround with a frown on a day like this, Sagittarius. You have a special spark in your eye and spring in yourstepthatyoushouldmake greatuseoftoday

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

There'snoneedtowalkaround with a frown on a day like this, Sagittarius. You have a special spark in your eye and spring in yourstepthatyoushouldmake greatuseoftoday

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Your thoughts are emotionally charged, Aquarius, but you'll find that this can be used to your advantage. You have a greatdealofknowledgeatyour disposal, and you aren't afraid to throw in a little drama just forthefunofit.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

The fast-paced frenzy of the day is just what you need to jump-start your brain and get it moving in the right direction. Take control of the fire within andkeepitstrongallday You'll findthatthere'samorepersonal aspecttoyourthoughts.

A brilliant all-round

The only other batter to her effort came short performance from Barbados make it to double figures although she had the support Royals’ captain, Hayley w a s A m a d a - J a d e ofSophieDevine(22),Suzie Matthews, led her team to an Wellington, with an Bates (36) and Natasha amazing eight-run victory in unbeaten10 McLean(28).

the final of the Massy Shabnim Ismail was the Warriors could only Women Caribbean Premier most effective bowler for the muster 161 – 8 when their League, which took place eventual runner up as she over expired Wellington yesterday at the Brian Lara ended with 4 – 30 from her was the pick of the bowlers CricketAcademy four overs while Shreyanka fortheoppositionwith4–23 Batting first after the Patil, was the only other from four overs and she was Warriors won the toss and successful bowler with 1 – supported by Matthews (2elected to field, Royals 25. 38) and Qiana Joseph (1 –posted a challenging 169 – 7 In the second half of the 22). fromtheirallottedovers. i n n i n g s , S h e m a i n e In the inaugural edition

They were led by Campbelle led with the of the tournament in 2022, Matthews, who contributed heroics for the Warriors with Trinbago Knight Riders 82 from 59 deliveries at the an unbeaten score of 47, but cartedoffwiththetitle. top of the order, while Gaby Lewis (21) and Rashada Williams (36) were both on top of the strike rate for their innings.

AmazonWarriors winthrillerto...

From page 27 stumps for an even 50. Late over fielding penalties saw the Royals get punished but Brathwaite continued to be a thornintheAmazonWarriors side dismissing Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith in the 19th over before Jason Holder followed suit in the last over to remove Dwaine Pretorius andKeemoPaul.

The Amazon Warriors still posted an imposing total of 181/9 that left the Royals analmightytaskahead.

While 182 to win was alwayslikelytobeatallorder the Royals did not help their assignment by losing both their openers inside the PowerPlay However, the Royals reached the six over markat54/2andensuredthey had a base from which to mountacharge.

A 60-run partnership between Laurie Evans and Alick Athanaze was eventually bought to a close whenOdeanSmithgotEvans to commit to a shot too early and Athanaze himself was to follow12ballslater

Just when it seemed the Royals were going to fall to defeat captain Rovman Powell blasted 39 from 19 balls to leave the Royals the equation of 31 runs needed from19balls.

Once Braithwaite and Justin Greaves had got the equation down to six of the final over it looked a forgone conclusion but the Warriors and Motie closed out a famouswin.

Shemaine Campbelle of Guyana Amazon Warriors bats during the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League T20 Final. (Getty Images)

Basketball Germany beat Serbia to win World Cup for first time

(Reuters) - Germany became the first team since Sudan in a preliminary won their first-ever FIBA 2006 to win a FIBA World match. Basketball World Cup title Cupcrownwhiledebutingin

Earlier, Canada bagged by beating undermanned thefinal. theirfirstWorldCuppodium Serbia 83-77 in a slugfest of Serbia absorbed another finishattheexpenseofshortt h e t w o E u r o p e a n heartbreak after losing to the handed United States 127powerhouses on Sunday in United States 129-92 in the 118inovertimeinariveting, Manila. 2014 final, but finished record-setting bronze-medal Germany leaned on a 22- betterthantheirquarter-final game. 10 surge in the third quarter, exitin2019.

Hot-shooting Dillon orchestrated by brothers The two teams were tied Brooks,whowillplayforthe Franz and MoritzWagner, to at 47 by halftime but Houston Rockets next build a cushion and win the Germany built up a 12-point season, powered the World Cup’s first all- lead late in the third quarter Canadians with his Europeanfinalsince2006. andneverlookedback. tournament-high 39 points,

The tournament most M a r k o G u d u r i c hitting seven of eight threevaluable player Dennis converted two free throws, pointers. It was the most Schroder carried Germany cutting Germany’s lead to pointsscoredbyaplayerina with a game-high 28 points, two,79-77,with39.5ticksto medal-winning game in Minnesota Timberwolves, 2019, their worst-ever major of basketball-obsessed way above his average of go in the final frame. But a tournamenthistory recorded 24 points, five international tournament Philippines against the 17.9 points per game, and costly turnover and missed Brooks earned MVP reboundsandthreeassists. result. The U.S. have won Dominican Republic on added two rebounds and two three-pointers prevented chants from the crowd with Canada capitalised on a the tournament a record five Aug 25 in the world’s assists “This is an Serbia’scomeback. his all-time performance, a characteristically lethargic times. largestindoorarena,northof unbelievable group... coach Serbia’s Ognjen Dobric far cry from the loud boos in U.S.starttotakea34-21lead The two tightly-fought the capital Manila. That beat did a great job bringing us wascarriedoffthefloorwith Canada’spreviousgames. in the first quarter, before games on Sunday closed the the previous record of together,” Schroder told a an ankle injury in the first Team USA’s NBA Team USA fought back and 19th edition of FIBA’s 32,616 who watched the press conference “Our quarter Their power players Paolo Banchero, forced an overtime at 111 flagship event, co-hosted by U.S.-Russia final at the 1994 defenceandhowweplayasa forward, Borisa Simanic, Jaren Jackson Jr, and apiece. the Philippines, Indonesia World Cup in Toronto, basketball team is just underwentsurgeryinManila Brandon Ingram were Despite the defeat, the andJapan,onahighnote. Canada. special.”

Germany, who won all taking a blow to his team’s leading scorer, than their seventh spot in watched the opening game WorldCup. eight tournament games, midsection against South Anthony Edwards of the

to remove a kidney after sidelined due to illness. The United States finished better Arecordcrowdof38,115 Qatar will host the 2027

Rubiales kissed Spain forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the medal presentation.

Guyana Wrestling Association elects new Executive

The Guyana Wrestling the Modern Olympics. At the first popularandimportantsports.Inthe included.DuringtheSt.Louis1904 the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Association recently held an Modern Olympic Games in 1896, Athens1896OlympicGames,only OlympicgamesFreestylewrestling Women’sWrestlingwasintroduced election and a new board was wrestling was one of the most Greco-Roman style wrestling was was introduced. On the occasion of asanOlympicdiscipline. established The President, Marcello Small, was reelected, Vice President - Anna Abdulla, Treasurer - Devon Fredericks, General Secretary - Amanda Drayton and committee members Totaram SinghandMorresiaDavidson.

The new board is in effect with a series of activities planned for the remainder of the year This includes two fundraisers, two workshops a n d a d e v e l o p m e n t tournament, which is expected to be accomplished by the calendaryear

The Association requests the support of the people and business community near and far within Guyana. The aim is to develop the youth and promote Olympic wrestling in Guyana.

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports, and there are many references in documents and paintings that date thousands of years ago. From the Sumerians to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages and Renaissance wrestling competitions have been popular among different civilizations.

After the creation of the International Olympic Committee by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, the development of new I n t e r n a t i o n a l S p o r t s Federations and National Olympic Committees increased. The first Olympic Congresstookplacein1894at La Sorbonne and decided on the ten sports that would be part of the first modern Olympic program: athletics, wrestling, rowing, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, weightlifting, swimming, shootingandtennis.

In the XIX century, professional wrestling emerged before the revival of

Rubiales resigns as president of Spanish FA over Hermoso kiss

(BBC Sport) - Luis Rubiales

open proceedings against me, it is World Cup-winning manager has resigned as president of the evident that I will not be able to JorgeVilda-consideredacloseally Spanish Football Federation return to my position,” Rubiales’ of Rubiales - was sacked on 5 following criticism for kissing statementread September amid the scandal, with SpainforwardJenniHermosoatthe “Insisting on waiting and Montse Tome named as his Women’s World Cup final holding on is not going to successor Politicians, footballers presentationceremony contribute to anything positive, and celebrities have spoken out

Hermoso, 33, said the kiss after neither to the federation nor to against Rubiales, while protesters Spain beat England was not Spanishfootball.” gathered at the federation’s consensual and she filed a legal The kiss that shook Spanish & headquarters last month to demand complaintlastTuesday globalfootball hisresignation.

Rubiales said he had submitted Rubiales said he hoped his Asked by Morgan whether his resignation to federation acting departurewouldboostSpain’sjoint something in particular finally led president Pedro Rocha in a bid with Morocco and Portugal to him to resign, Rubiales said he statement. hostthe2030WorldCup. spoke to his family and listened to

“I cannot continue my work,”

He added: “I have faith in the theadviceoffriends. he told Piers Morgan on his truthandIwilldoeverythinginmy “My father, my daughters, I televisionshow powertoprevail. spokewiththem-theyknowit’snot

The 46-year-old has also “My daughters, my family and a question about me - and some resigned from his position as vice- the people who love me have friends very close to me said to me president of Uefa’s executive suffered the effects of excessive ‘Luis, you need to focus on your committee. persecution, as well as many dignity and to continue your life

The fallout from the kiss has falsehoods,butitisalsotruethaton because if not, you are going to engulfed Spanish football in thestreet,moreandmoreeveryday, damage people you love and the recent weeks and overshadowed thetruthisprevailing.” sportyoulove’,”Rubialessaid Spain’s World Cup win, with Some 81 Spain players, “Thiswasaquestionofnotonly following Hermoso’s testimony on been provisionally suspended by Rubialesignoringrepeatedcallsto including all 23 World Cup me. An attitude towards me can Tuesday - against Rubiales for football’s world governing body resign winners, said they would not play affect third parties [that are] very sexualassaultandcoercion. Fifa.

On Friday, a prosecutor filed a for the national team again while important. It was the intelligent Rubiales claimed the kiss was “After the quick suspension complaint with Spain’s high court - Rubialeswasinhisposition. thingthatIhadtodo.” “mutual and “consensual” but had carried out by Fifa, plus the rest of

Rubiales said he had submitted his resignation to federation acting president Pedro Rocha in a statement.

South American Men’s Equipped Powerlifting Championships

79-year-old Singh increases Guyana’s tally with 3

Gold medal on final day

2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League…

Amazon Warriors win thriller to remain unbeaten

G u y a n a A m a z o n Warriors maintained their unbeaten start to the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a last over thriller against the BarbadosRoyals.

The Amazon Warriors won the toss and opted to bat first and despite losing a flurry of wickets at the backendoftheirinningsthey postedanominous181/9.

Not the best of his performances since his career

commenced in 1986, but it was nonetheless a reasonable one in the circumstances by 79-yearold Naranjan Singh as the curtains came down on the 10th Annual FESUPO Regional Powerlifting Championships on Saturday night,inLima,Peru.

The only equipped athlete on Team Guyana for these championships, lifting on the penultimate day of action, Singh, competing in the 83kg M4 category, landed gold medals in the squat and bench press but was unable to get any of the three deadlifts which denied him the chance of a medal in this lift as well as an overall medal.

Singh, who encountered some difficulties with an upset stomach, was still able to win a gold medal in the South American Men’s The appreciative fans they have collectively made Equipped Bench Press werealsoresoundingintheir Guyana proud against Championships, in his applause during Singh’s lifts seasonedcompetitors. weight class, which added to and the presentation

The performance of the the Bench Press medals won ceremony baby of the team, Sara by Wazim Mohamed in the His performance was the Sanmogan at age 21 is very M1 93kg as well as Sarah perfect icing on the cake for encouraging as the Sanmogan (63kg) and Team Guyana which federation seeks to draw KeishaAbrigo(76kg). accumulated a total of 14 more females to the

Singh, who is based in gold, 2 silver, and 5 platform. the USA and competed as a bronzemedals during the The GAPLF is also weightlifter (1966-1979) championships which saw extending its gratitude to the before entering the platform two lifters making their Ministry of Culture, Youth as a powerlifting athlete, debuts, Sanmogan and and Sport, National Sports achieved a best squat of KheonEvans. Commission, Guyana 100.0kg (220lb), whilst ThePresident,executive, Olympic Association, John benching 87.5kg (190lb). and members of the Guyana Fernandes Limited, the His performance was hailed Amateur Powerlifting National Milling Company as nothing short of Federation (GAPLF) have of Guyana, and 592Tees for motivational by his extended congratulations to making the team’s trip to teammates as well as lifters the team for its outstanding Peru,areality from the other competing performances noting that all Te a m G u y a n a i s nationswhoapplaudedhim. the athletes are winners as expectedhomeonTuesday

Scoreboard pressure saw theRoyalsloseearlywickets in the PowerPlay but they were always in sight of the required run rate in their reply Having seemingly timed their chase to perfectiontheRoyalsneeded six runs from the final over but Gudakesh Motie held his theopening9balls. C a r l o s B r a i t h w a i t e nerve to seal a dramatic win Ayub and Hope laid a dismissed Ayub caught and fortheAmazonWarriors. foundation following that bowled for 57. Azam Khan

EarlierAmazon Warriors dismissal to leave the fell shortly afterwards but had surprised everyone by Amazon Warriors handily the Amazon Warriors opening with Motie and placedon83/1atthehalfway continued to force the pace Saim Ayub and the stageoftheinnings. before Obed McCoy got experiment did not bear fruit The 98 run partnership Hopetochopontohis asMotiefellfor7runsinside was eventually broken when (Continued on page 23)

Naranjan Singh on the podium as the National Anthem is being played.

Naranjan Singh at 79 years-old, still packing some power as he squats 100kg (220lb).

Shai Hope and Saim Ayub of Guyana Amazon Warriors run between the wickets. (Getty Images)