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AIETEUR NEWS

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ExxonMobil had Sunday Edition warned Govt. against using Wales location September 12, 2021

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Price $140

…site drives up cost - Cabinet Paper

Online readership yesterday, 67,239

Int'l study exposes worrying levels of mercury poisoning in South Rupunini Region Protest continues in New York for the Animal Fat or Oil at Renegotiation of the Exxon contract. Kingston Seawall?

You Decide Multi-million $$$ East Bank Demerara overpasses quickly becoming white elephants

Canje Block campaign to emit hundreds of tons of poisonous gases - Project Summary

Oil companies violating workers' constitutional rights- GAWU …reminds of legal protections for employees

US pushes ahead with renewables

p.

8

…as Natural Gas soars to 13yr high

Surinamese to supply all food and beverages for offshore drilling rigs - Guyana still operating at disadvantage in absence of local content policy & law The leaders are proud of themselves for getting US$2M for gas flaring from Exxon, while Guyana to spend US$4M to remove 3 shipwrecks in Exxon’s way, collecting US$2M in one hand and giving out US$4M with the other hand, way to do business Guyana! Now them going to beg IDB for US$1.8M to train staff how to manage the oil sector, good business eh!

Listen what Ex TT Energy Minister did to Trinidad’s Oil Sector & now he is advising Guyana on Our GTS Project. @ 11am, 4&7pm on Also hear how they want to shut KN down, and how Exxon is becoming a monopoly in Guyana’s oil sector. Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM They are proud to announce when they find oil, but they are not telling us the cost of the find. The most important aspect of the business includes operational costs and interest rates, but Exxon and Govt. remain silent on this.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday September 12, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

Exxon expanding, Guyana contracting Exxon is now seeking five acres of land for a riverside facility on the West Bank of Demerara (KN September 7). In the name of progress that could be, on the surface of it, a good thing for Guyana. But when we consider the overall current and long-term prosperity of Guyanese, we have to swallow hard, and think again. Because the more Exxon expands its Guyanese operations, the more Guyana contracts in terms of its expectations of what should come for citizens.

When looked at unquestioningly and unwisely, a riverside facility for Exxon could mean a lot for needy Guyanese. But when has it been so for the citizens of this country, since Exxon arrived here? Everything that this global juggernaut of a company has demanded, it has received. Everything it has done has been approved by this new PPP Government and the prior Coalition one. The more Exxon demands, the more it gets, and the more it gets away with, when underlying circumstances are examined.

Exxon wants oil reports with national significance withheld and buried, and they are hidden from the sight of Guyanese. Exxon dumps a truckload of garbage on Guyana and call them spending reports and local content reports, and the leaders in today’s PPP Government suck all up without query or pushback. Worse still, Exxon and its lackeys, our national leaders in both the government and opposition, try to get us to do the exact same thing. That is, accept at face value, whatever Exxon reports that it spent in the billions, and which Guyanese have to pay.

It has been the same hazy, tricky stories all over, wherever Exxon’s footprint announces its presence or interest. The local EPA stands as an insult to all Guyanese, because Exxon desire that it be so, and PPP leaders have walked on a bed of hot coals to make it so.

Meaning, powerless and useless in standing up for Guyanese. To do so, would mean getting in the way of Exxon, and interfering with its expansion plans. In this respect, Guyana’s EPA is now a virtual factory churning out one ‘No Objection’ position after another in favour of Exxon’s interests. The EPA is a 24/7 operation, and functions as a full-fledged Guyana-based subsidiary of Exxon.

Now, Exxon is looking for five acres of land. Without a doubt, that is land not in some off the track location, but a prime and well-situated parcel that gives the company the space to spread its wings, and get ready to pounce on other prized Guyanese possessions on which it has set its greedy eyes. As Exxon grows in bulk in this country, with more land, more holdings, more activity, this country shrinks. Like the poor man in the Bible, with just one lamb treasured by his child, which was taken away from his family by his rich and powerful neighbour, it is the same modus operandi in this country, with Exxon grabbing everything that catches the rapacious affections of its incredibly rapacious leaders.

It is called strategic planning, and enhancing the portfolio of Guyanese assets. Exxon looks good before its investors when it succeeds in doing so. In contrast, Guyanese look more anemic and crablike by the day, as Exxon and crooked local political leaders (private sector ones, too) and reduced to pulling down one another, stomping on each other, and then climbing on the backs of the weaker and slower. Is this not what Exxon has been doing? Is this not how Guyanese look before the world, as we shrivel daily, when we should be the picture of glowing promise, thanks to our fabulous oil wealth?How much better for Exxon to demonstrate that it is a partner, not a predator. Instead of calling for expressions of interest to create a channel that clears (dredges) proposed main shipping lane, and pass the bill to Guyana, it would be much more meaningful for Exxon to dredge the entire Demerara River and maintain it in that state, out of its Guyana profits. Now, that would be a sign of a true partner that can be trusted. Not one that is of its self-interest and self-enriching only. Not one that as it expands crushes the prospects of Guyanese.

Anti-vaccination unions, teachers and nurses must feel foolish as world move towards mandatory vaccination Dear Editor, Considering US President Biden’s orders that all federal workers must be vaccinated and encouraging private employers to require the same, the PNC unions GTU, GPSU, and TUC must be feeling very foolish right now. History will record that at a time when the world faces an international health crisis, and the number of infections in Guyana is at an all-time high with more younger children becoming infected by new strains of the deadly virus, that some Guyanese teachers and nurses have refused to be vaccinated and their unions have sued the new Government for regulations introduced by the former PNC government. Why did these unions not sue the PNC and are now suing the PPP/C government?

Never mind that over five and a half billion people in 186 countries around the world have taken the vaccine. Guyana has some

teachers and nurses who are “smarter” than people all over the world and are refusing to take the vaccine and want the Government to pay for their weekly tests.

This is delusional thinking.

They want to hold illegal strikes and expect the Government to still pay them for not working. I say good luck with that! No work, no pay. You chose that. Mr. Bhagwandin makes the point that there is nothing else that we can say to the unvaccinated to change their minds.

The words of Dr. Dimitri Christakis, Director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development a t S e a t t l e C h i l d r e n ’s Hospital apply to Guyana “People in this country have no appreciation of how fortunate we are and how easily we could return to some level of normalcy if everybody would just do their part, and I think it is unfortunately going to take sticks, because we’re all out

of carrots,” Christakis said.

US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said, in order for the Covid-19 pandemic to end, “preemptive vaccination remains the key.” In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice said hospitals in the state are still overwhelmingly inundated with cases of people that are not vaccinated. “We just need to use good sense, and get ourselves vaccinated, and then we’ll stop this,” he said. Guyana’s Catholic Bishop Alleyne said, “The severe threat of the pandemic and the increasing numbers of infections and deaths warrants strong measures and this asks of us, not only that we comply with reliable scientific guidance but, out of our Christian conviction, to go beyond the call and act in favour of the common good to the extent that it is necessary and involves sacrifice. ‘If anyone requires you to go one mile, go two miles with him’ (Matt.

5:41).” Bishop Alleyne said,

“The term ‘Herd Immunity’ has been presented to us. It means that when a high percentage of the population (80%) has been vaccinated, it becomes extremely difficult for the virus to spread. The science is sound on this and worthy of our trust. The official teaching of the Church is that we would all access a vaccine and remain vigilant. I, therefore, give the strongest encouragement to our brothers and sisters, who have still not been vaccinated to please reconsider your decision. I am calling on you to act in the interest of the common good and to do your part in safeguarding the well-being of all.” No similar calls came from the Guyana Evangelical Fellowship, the G e o rg e t o w n M i n i s t e r s Fellowship, the East Berbice Corentyne Ministers Association, the Guyana Council of Churches, nor the Zadok Ministries.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

National conversation – probability zero Dear Editor, I do something publicly certain to send partisans and bigots into frenzies, what Guyanese call ‘fits’. I have private conversations with myself. I ask questions, answer them. I seek not hilarity, possess no insanity.

I am thinking - can we have a conversation? The question boomerangs: on what, why?

Thus, powerful confirmation of national sickness, decay.

I continue: can we speak of something. I regret unprintable answers, many expletives. I try again. Look, we have to start somewhere, we can’t go on like this, making absolute fools of ourselves before all. Is there any Guyanese (or group) anywhere, who can bring us to the same room? I think not.

We have to have home remedies for our maladies, will we try? No! Not now! You are bothering me, boy…

What about our religious houses, a united front that insistently pressures leaders?

Each group (possibly except Jehovah’s Witnesses) is too much of the heaving political partisanship. They will lose support (membership, funding, relevance) if they

take stands. Religious leaders prefer sacrificing spirituality and credibility; money and pride of place take preference; so, they are preferred politically. No exceptions.

Who is not seeing this? If the spiritual component cannot overwhelm, even be interested in influencing, the secular meaning political-then what? What do we have, when the rotted and roguish secular/political commands our attention, demands our loyalty, dictates our integrity?

To ask and answer: we have what we have, and end up where we are: the national cesspit.

We, the potentially richest per capita people globally, can’t be the dumbest, so disgracefully ignorant. I am not giving up; too important to retreat. On the other hand, to stand still in passive acceptance before the national culture of partisanship now so pervasive throughout.

Regarding ‘throughout’ I name from top political leaders without exception, to rank-and-file partisans, to

those who carry on in ecstasies of racist passions, and to those who once meant well, but give up too easily. I believe politicians converse privately, but too infrequently, too feebly, too hesitantly. On the big things, where are they, but separated? Anyone disagrees? I say no.

What about flooding, since we just had a sustained countrywide deluge? “Deh teef de money, fix deh own peeple, doan know wha de hell deh doing. And from the other side - deh duh de same ting tuh.” If we can’t see our way out of nationally disastrous floodwaters, then what hope is there for us?

It is September and there is still some amount of steady rainfall. What does this promise us, come the rainy season of DecemberJanuary? We could be drowning and still ‘cussin’ out each other, looking to carry enemies down. I clutch at any lifeline, though; something must be wrong with me.

I swallow hard; plunge: how about truth and

reconciliation. The attacks come from all sides: you mad, not ‘wee’. That is all we know, love.

Look at Venezuela, “deh comin fuh wee”; but the only enemies we see is ‘wee’. The ABCE people are aghast, asking themselves: who are these people? Rich, but incredibly stupid; too smart for their own good. I ponder another ant’s nest: can we talk of leadership ethics? The reflexive flares brightly: “all dem does teef and lie. But dem do it fust, longer, bigger.” On and on.

All (me, too) speak of the bad Burnham ways and days. He was the smartest and smoothest we ever had, but we saw through him, because we wanted to, and didn’t fall for his sweet words, let ourselves be blinded to his glitter or failures. Where is that today? What happened to us: PhDs, pundits, pollsters, professionals, profound ones? Where are our marbles? Surely, we can’t be so warped that we ignore the blatant distortions of today’s leaders in (Continued on page 5)

PAGE 5

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...National conversation – From page 5 government and opposition?

Citizens read this and shrink in shame, but return with the same.

What can be more tribal and racial than that? Why not? But we are for one nation and one destiny… I say to hell with that, let’s get real, will we? I address the nonthreatening: schools, vaccines, narcotics, crime.

Nobody wants to hear, get anywhere, other than the endless squabbling. Nothing should be more neutral than domestic violence.

But that’s not safe, since I take it beyond partners battering loved ones.

What about the pyrrhic violence in our thinking in the broad national

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

domestic environment? That we heap upon one another? Most just hanged me. Are we still talking at all? Am I making any sense?

Anyone listening? Anyone cares, anymore? That is furious shouting I hear.

Whether traffic, oil, accountability, corruption, or governance, the probability of a national conversation is zero.

Over and out. We are sickos, sitting ducks, and sorry specimens of what it takes to be citizens, speak of democracy’s ideals. To speak of, be about, any damn thing. I am sorry.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Why did our leaders giveaway our beautiful Guyana?

Dear Editor, This caption is somewhat liken to a blind man who in the course of speaking on national television told this nation that when his sister received the news that he had gone blind, her first remark to him was “meh brother yuh done, yuh done”.

Our leaders today in their bitter rivalry to govern this country has apparently made a deal with the devil who has played and plagued both the PPP/C and APNU to the max

having them wrapped around his finger as a piece of unworldly and useless material.

It is now crystal clear that our great leaders are taking us north to drown us in the rough Atlantic Ocean in the abyss of poverty and despair.

As such, I am once again compelled to add to the words of the blind man, Guyana “yuh done, yuh done.”

However, in order to salvage pride and solidarity, there still exists a small ray of light at the

end of the tunnel, majestic steps have to be taken so that all Guyanese can have their equal share of profit from our Godgiven oil wealth.

It is also very clear that this feat cannot be achieved by our past and present leaders; their mere silent on this subject is tantamount to a d m i s s i o n of guilt.

It is now imperative of us to work in unity in taking whatever major actions necessary in order to remove the white albatross which has been unceremoniously placed around our fragile neck.

Ronald Alexander Drakes

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

Government officials, the likes of Minister Vindhya Persaud, have been implementing a number of measures that citizens need to make life easier for them.

But there are others doing the opposite. By allowing foreign entities to continue to rape Guyana of its natural resources, leaving behind no gains for citizens, is an indictment on those leaders who sign off on such uncaring agreements.

Hope for the day when all of our leaders will exhibit traits that are ingrained in leaders who truly care.

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Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

US pushes ahead with renewables …as Natural Gas soars to 13-year high

A

Market Insider, Patti Domm, has contended in a CNBC editorial that the cost for the USA's Natural gas has doubled but is also going up and projected to be the most expensive after 13 years for this winter.

According to Domm, 2008 was the peak year where gas prices were above $10/MMBtu. Nonetheless, 2021 could mark 13 years after which a similar fate might occur since the Futures Market Natural gas contract for October surpassed $5/MMBtu ever since February 2014.

The editorial was substantiated by Goldman Sachs Analysts who perceived that a winter that “is closer to or colder than a full standard-deviation from average would likely trigger a price spike to cause demand destruction with gas above $10/MMBtu.” Domm also explained that this phenomenon could affect consumers' bills for heating during winter, as well as electrical utilities and industrial production processes.

According to the editorial, low Natural gas supply has been fostered by 77.3 percent lower production in the Gulf of Mexico, as a result of Hurricane Ida. In addition, it further denoted that the US' Energy Information Administration (EIA) asserted that gas storage is lower than the fiveyear average by 7.4 percent and 16.8 percent lower than 2020's level to date.

The situation is also exacerbated as John Kilduff,

an Again Capital partner, validated from the editorial that prices raised markedly in the Northwest, as customers' AC demand increased during heat waves this summer.

Consequently, the crucial summer injection period was undermined as less gas was stored for the winter period.

The editorial also highlighted that the US Government conjectured that 2021's average Natural gas costs will be $4.69/MMBtu. M e a n w h i l e , K i l d u ff mentioned that the price can effortlessly incur US$6 and even leap to US$10 especially during an early season, cold winter outbreak.

Moreover, Jack Fusco, Cheniere Energy's CEO, corroborated that a US$5 gas price is equivalent to US$20 or more in Europe and Asia, as economies revamp due to increasing demands and as USA exports Natural gas.

Furthermore, Domm made clear that the culmination of increasing demand and less supply, has intrigued investors into Natural gas producers' shares (inclusive of Cabot Oil and Gas, Range Resources, Antero Resources and EQT) and also the United States' Natural Gas ExchangeTraded Fund (UNG ETF).

Contrarily, her editorial also claimed that the Biden Administration's impending objective is to rely more on renewable energy sources (solar and wind) by 2050; thus, the EIA affirmed that Natural gas will decline to 34 percent generation in 2022 but renewable energy and coal generation should rise to 22 percent and 24 percent respectively in 2022.

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Oil Companies violating workers' constitutional rights- GAWU says

GAWU says Oil Companies are violating workers' constitutional rights

…reminds of legal protections for employees The Oil and Gas branch of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is reporting that during its most recent interactions with employees in the industry, it would have learnt that workers are being “told in no uncertain terms that they are not allowed to join unions.”

This, GAWU said, not only smacks of gross disrespect to the Guyanese working-class but that all workers of Guyana have an inalienable constitutional right to belong to trade unions.

This right, the union stressed, is strengthened by the Trade Union Recognition Act which says that employers who seek to dissuade or make employment conditional on workers joining a union shall be guilty of a crime.

Qualifying its position, the union related that workers of a few enterprises “have shared with us written memos and documents which tacitly inform workers that they should stay away from unions.”

According to GAWU, the action by the companies, to adopt any policy or measure that aims to prevent workers from becoming organised, “in our view is illegal and cannot be countenanced.”

As such, GAWU said it has since informed the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, “of this worrying development and have urged him and his Ministry to

Dem

boys seh...

De Cabinet Outreach gat plenty people in Essequibo excited. Dem never see so much procession of Ministers in dem life.

Dem people of Essequibo seh how dem never see so much Pardo pon dem road like during de retreat. And some people when dem see tent, dem does think is wedding house, nah guvament meeting.

But de Outreach come and gone. Some people tell dem Ministas dem problem. Dem now gat to wait on de solution. Some

ensure that workers' rights are upheld.”

According to GAWU in a public missive on Friday, it has since learnt, “that the Minister and Ministry has taken this matter seriously and will soon engage errant firms.

We w e l c o m e t h i s intervention as the GAWU considers the practices by firms in the sector as a means to divide the workforce.”

According to GAWU, such measures will allow the perpetuation of exploitative practices and diminution of workers' rights and conditions-of-work.

The union body has since taken to urging workers not to be lulled and have their “bosses” trample on their rights since, “an organised workforce is a strong workforce and one where rights are respected and where workers are treated with dignity.”

According to GAWU, “at this time, when the sector is generating tens of billions of dollars, to treat those who generate the wealth in a disdainful and disrespectful manner is simply abhorrent.”

Only recently, the union had cause to lament the working conditions being experienced by some Guyanese employed in the industry and it was highlighted that in some cases employees who are highly skilled and recipients of specialised training are paid at the national minimum wage of $255 per hour.

Contrastingly and “to i l l u s t r a t e t h e preposterousness, a school cleaner presently receives around $403 per hour,” the union highlighted.

To this end, the union body emphasised that while “a great deal of attention is paid to Guyanese participation in the sector, and the statistics may appear impressive on the surface, the reality is that oil sector workers are confronted by exploitative practices and, at times, demeaning relations.”

Clearly, the union said, “the situation is far from ideal and reminds us of what prevailed when the plantocracy ruled the sugar industry.

Like then, the workers of the oil sector are seen as commodities while their owners extract profits and super-profits from their sweat.”

As such, GAWU went on to note that while the (local) workers' labour is exploited, the owners are accumulating wealth which generations of their families may not be able to expend, while locals are underpaid and undervalued.

The union also alleges that, “the pay arrangement is apparently devised and is managed by a firm that has interests of a now-silent c r i t i c o f t h e s e c t o r. ” As such, GAWU said that it stands ready and willing to work with the oil sector workers to speak on their behalf and to bring about a better day for workers.

Secretary does gat more power dan de boss! ah dem gat a lang, lang wait.

One man tun to one ah dem Ministas and ask he, “Yuh can't remember me?”

As if de Minister supposed to remember he.

But people get excited and go home and tell dem family how dem get fuh talk to dem Ministas. But dem boys wan dem fuh wait till next week and call dem Ministas phone and ask fuh talk to de Minista. And see how many ah dem gan get through.

Some ah de Ministas does know yuh good when dem deh pon Outreach and at political rally. But when

yuh tun up at dem office, dem staff does ask yuh if yuh gat wan appointment.

Sometimes yuh does wonder who gat more power: de secretary or de Minista?

Some ah dem secretary does be haughty and dem does wan know yuh business.

And if yuh tell dem, dem does want tell yuh wat fuh do. Anything other than let you see de Minista. Dem does guard dem boss like if dem is de royal jewels.

Talk half and nah ask whether de Vee Pee went on de Outreach!

Kaieteur News

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Sunday September 12, 2021

Multi-million $$$ East Bank Demerara overpasses quickly becoming white elephants Even as the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government awaits the completion of a forensic audit into the procurement, construction and operation of the East Bank Demerara pedestrian overpasses and their elevators, the multimillion dollar structures are daily deteriorating. Added to this, Kaieteur News has learnt that unlike when they were first introduced, fewer persons are utilising them to cross the East Bank

Demerara thoroughfare.

The overpasses located at Houston, Eccles, Peter's Hall, Providence and Diamond, were reportedly constructed at a cost of $488.5 million while the elevators were reportedly installed at $12.2 million each. A total of 10 elevators were installed – two at each overpass.

The overpass project, done under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change regime (2015 -

2020), saw S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies constructing the overpasses at Diamond and Providence while B&J Civil Works erected those at Peter's Hall, Eccles and Houston. The elevators were manufactured

by Swedish company, Cibes Lift Group AB, and supplied

by RBP Lift Limited of Trinidad and Tobago.

But in less than five years after installation, each of the overpasses is showing signs of deterioration. Not only is

there rusting of the metal structures in some sections but the lack of maintenance is evident by the build-up of moss in some areas. In fact, during a recent visit to the overpasses, pieces of garbage, including clothing were strewn along the stairway and below some of them.

Added to this, all 10 of the elevators were inoperable when this publication visited.

A monitor at one of the elevators indicated that a battery was missing also and some persons who conduct business in proximity to some of the overpasses indicated that “hardly” persons are using them these days. The APNU+AFC government had employed persons to operate the elevators but clearly their services are currently not (Continued on page 58)

Sections of a few of the inoperable elevators.

A dumping ground.

A rusting stairway at one of the overpasses

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Sunday September 12, 2021

Canje Block campaign to emit hundreds of tons of poisonous gases - Project Summary The emission of dangerous toxic pollutants into the atmosphere as a result of flaring from the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) has long been cause for concern and public debate.

Little, however, is said about the dangerous air emissions to be had as a result of the extensive exploration drilling campaign such as the 12wells planned for the Canje Block next year by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

The company currently has an application for environmental authorisation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would have been accompanied by a project summary.

According to that

document, the drilling activities offshore Guyana is expected to generate significant tonnage of emissions annually. That document submitted by EEPGL—ExxonMobil Guyana—outlines that the toxic gases to be emitted included NOx = oxides of nitrogen; CO = carbon monoxide; H2S = hydrogen sulfide; PM = particulate matter; SO2 = sulfur dioxide.

The term nitrogen oxides (NOx) describes a mixture of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which are gases produced from natural sources and other fuel burning processes.

Elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause damage to the human respiratory tract and increase a person's

vulnerability to, and the severity of, respiratory infections and asthma.

Long-term exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause chronic lung disease.

To this end, it was noted that as it relates to NOx, this would see 161 tons being emitted monthly from two drill ships, 11 tons from flaring and another 28 tons from the support vessels.

This works out to some 1,928 tons annually from the two drill ships, 128 tons annually from the support vessels and 338 tons annually.

Total annual emissions of NOx are expected to be some 2394 tons.

As it relates to the CO, the two drill ships are expected to emit some 33 tons monthly working out to (Continued on page 56)

Kaieteur

Stabroek

Canje

Int'l study exposes worrying....

From page 3 therefore crucial that Parabara residents be evaluated for clinical symptoms related to mercury toxicity by the relevant health agencies in Guyana.

In addition, the document said it is necessary to develop a plan so that community members can be continuously informed of the adverse effects of methylmercury and how to balance fish intake without compromising their health.

In contrast to Parabara, it was noted that the communities of Karaudarnau, Aishalton, and Shulinab, which are further from ASGM activities, showed low levels of mercury contamination.

The low levels of mercury found in people from these communities may be explained by the fact that these communities have access to alternative sources of protein (i.e. poultry and beef), the study stated.

T a k i n g i n t o consideration that Guyana has ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the international study said it is important to recognise that high levels of mercury may compromise the health of

residents.

It said too that further rigorous studies are needed to develop reference limits in Guyana's hinterland while adding that continued biomonitoring for methylmercury exposure is recommended, including follow-up studies to monitor trends, which are especially important in riverine communities close to mining activities.

More importantly, in order to safeguard future generations, the WWF study said there is a need to implement short and longterm studies to assess mercury exposure in children less than six years of age, particularly for Indigenous infants and children, given that no data exist for Guyana.

As regards regulation, it was noted that permit granting and regulatory agencies (such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Environmental Protection Agency) should employ better land-use planning and consult with local communities when granting permits for gold mining activities to ensure that such activities do not negatively impact critical freshwater

resources and other areas used by indigenous populations. The study said this would go a far way in helping to develop measures for safer artisanal and small gold mining practices including mercury phase-out in the South Rupununi region and other mining areas across Guyana.

Additionally, the study said it is important for the relevant agencies to start taking into account the potential effects of deforestation and other extractive activities that contribute to the removal of forest cover which facilitates the release of mercury into water bodies and the atmosphere.

As a final note, the study said that the overall results were presented to community leaders and members in their respective communities.

A technical report was also provided to community leaders and relevant government agencies.

It is estimated that gold mining activities have caused damage to over 5840 km of rivers and streams and potentially impacted an additional 28,771 km of downstream habitat with turbidity and mercury.

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Sunday September 12, 2021

Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to extend our weekly review of some of our major stories in their entirety.

SUNDAY EX-T&T MINISTER ADVISING GUYANA LEFT HIS OWN COUNTRY’S GAS SECTOR ON KNIFE’S EDGE – CURRENT ENERGY MINISTER REVEALS If governments recklessly implement policies and rush into poorly constructed deals, there can be dire consequences for current and future generations. This very lesson is what the current administration of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) said it was made to learn since taking office.

In fact, T&T’s Energy Minister, Stuart Young, in July 2021, was keen to note during a post-cabinet press briefing, that the country’s gas industry was practically on a knife’s edge due to the decisions of his predecessor, and the former government by extension. He stressed that the Keith Rowley led administration has had to work tirelessly to correct those past mistakes that “decimated the energy sector.”

In explaining this state of affairs that gripped the CARICOM state, Young revealed that the country’s National Gas Company (NGC) ended 2020 with a TT$2.1B loss. This was not due to the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or a massive breakdown in equipment. Rather, it was the consequence of what Young described as a lopsided deal and policy that were associated with a Natural gas supply contract. That contract was for a methanol plant in La Brea.

Although he did not name the foreign company that signed the deal with NGC, Young was referring to Caribbean Gas Chemical Limited (CGCL). CGCL is a joint venture between Japanese companies: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (26.25%), Mitsubishi Corporation (26.25%) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (17.5%), together with The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (20%) and Trinidad’s Massy Holdings (10%). The contract that NGC was part related to the construction and operation of a petrochemical complex,

which needed a US$900M loan.

Young noted that the provisions of the “disastrous contract,” particularly those that leave NGC covering the loan, would lead to the gas company losing more than what it lost in 2020. In fact, he said NGC would lose TT$4.5 billion in the future.

Minister Young added, “But I want to explain to the people how we ended up here.

It has to do with the people who held office from 2010 to 2015…It was on September 14, 2015, a mere five days after the government was installed that we were approached by a shareholder in this project for the provision of an opinion by the Attorney General with respect to the legal documentation of the project.

But when the files were examined, they reflected that pressure was being placed on public servants at both the Ministry of Energy Affairs and the Ministry of Attorney General on Friday September 4, 2015 (the last working day before the general election), to hustle the contract through and Monday September 7, 2015 (the day of a general election), pressure was being placed on the public servants at the AG’s office to sign off on the final opinion that would have cast this (in stone), in terms that we would not be able to do anything.”

Young said his predecessor, Kevin Ramnarine, along with Mr. Larry Howai who served as the Minister of Finance and the Economy, and other former officials were at the forefront of this. Expounding further he said, “But the public servants resisted pressure and the opinion was not signed. God smiled on us.”

The Minister also noted other discoveries in relation to the US$900M project. The first he said, related to a ‘Debt Tail Buy Down’ Agreement.

The Minister said this agreement was being forced through despite warnings in “red ink from the country’s technical personnel.”

Young said, “When we looked at these agreements we realised that not just the National Gas Company, but the country was disadvantaged by…

Something called the ‘Debt Tail Buy Down’ Agreement.”

In this regard, the Minister said this is the first type of agreement of this nature that the country was ever entered into. “What this means is that it bound NGC to guarantee the payment of the loan. In other words, what they negotiated under the former energy minister was to put NGC as a 20 percent

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shareholder but NGC would carry the entire debt. So from day one, NGC would have had to carry the full cost of the loan totalling US$900M for the project and if it failed from day one T&T would have to pay to the Government of Japan through their banks, the full cost of the project.”

Young added, “And worse than that is the terms show that if they paid the full cost of the debt on the first day they would not get the plant. So we would not get the ownership of the plant but we have to pay the full cost.

Again, Ramnarine and the UNC bound NGC and the country to these untenable conditions that would have destroyed our gas sector.”

But that is not the only mindboggling part of the story. Young revealed that Ramnarine and his colleagues were warned in red ink by personnel attached to the NGC that the terms of the agreement would be disastrous for the company and the country by extension.

Young said, “I have here a letter dated February 24, 2015,

by NGC and signed by then President, Indar Maharaj, addressed to the Finance Minister back then and copied, first person, Kevin Ramnarine. This five-page letter was sent by NGC in February 2015 before the (agreement for the project) was executed (and it) set out all the red flags on why they should not pursue what they did.”

“So on February 24, 2015, Howai and Ramnarine were written to. They were told that it was on December 4, 2014, that Cabinet approved the draft project agreement but the NGC was only told by letter on 29 January the following year. Why was there a delay in telling them about the 20 percent share NGC has to take in the CGCL Project. The letter then outlines eight red alert items why it is not a good idea.”

Young said Ramnarine and the former Finance Minister were told that going ahead

with the contract terms, makes no sense as they could be booted out by larger shareholders. Another major issue was that NGC was tied to a provision that it would stand liability for any cost increase, Young said while adding that “this is what has come to past.” He said too that the former ministers were also warned that the project would negatively affect NGC’s cash in hand and by extension, NGC’s budget. Young said he found it troubling that the former Ministers and government by extension were warned of the detriments of this agreement but still pressed ahead.

Fortunately, those contract terms he said, were renegotiated.

Another startling discovery the Rowley administration made related to a policy that exposed NGC to billions in claims. That policy was called the “Green Field Gas Priority Policy.” He said this policy dictated that where there is a shortage of gas supply, downstream supply contracts entered into after January 1, 2014 would receive priority over gas supply contracts entered into prior to the date in question.

Young said Ramnarine and other officials were told that this would place the country in breach of existing agreements but the warning was ignored. Young said the former government proceeded with the policy, which, as predicted, exposed NGC to billions in claims. “…So in the dark of night, this former minister went to the cabinet then and changed the whole gas allocation policy for Trinidad and Tobago and we, the population, had no clue about it. We were shocked to learn when we came into office in September 2015 that this was done. What this means is that every plant in Point Lisas that had supply contracts with NGC, if there was a shortage of gas, tough luck for them, they would have to suck salt and move to the back of the line, so

immediately you can understand how this exposed NGC to billions of dollars in claims,” the Minister explained.

Upon discovering these matters, a team was appointed to renegotiate terms of agreement with Massy, Mitsubishi and the Government of Japan through its bank, the Japan Bank for International Corporation.

Young said doing this was crucial so as to avoid the collapse of a whole industry.

He was keen to note that T&T’s Cabinet appointed the team via the standing committee on energy, and the team included himself and other government officials and technical persons who figured out how they would go about extricating the country from the contract and the policies and agreements that were associated with it.

After months of negotiations, Young said the agreements were amended to protect NGC and the Green Field Policy was rescinded.

Young said he is aware that Ramnarine and others have since sought to deny the roles they played in “the destruction and decimation of the energy sector in 20102015.” He stressed however that the facts are clear while adding that documents and contracts were already signed; all that was needed was the Attorney General’s signature on a Standard Opinion for the project to “consummate everything.”

He added, “Volume and costs of gas were already negotiated under the former Minister so to try and remove themselves from the decimation of the gas sector and attempt to moonwalk into the shadows and disappear,” is something the Rowley administration would not allow.

ADVISING GUYANA Since the start of Guyana’s oil industry, Ramnarine has been advising on Guyana’s Local Content initiatives as well as its imminent Gas-to-Energy Project said to cost US$900M.

He was also part of the nation’s Local Content Panel, which was commissioned last year by President, Irfaan Ali. MONDAY EX TT MINISTER ADVISING GUYANA DEFENDS PUSHING HIS COUNTRY INTO ‘LOPSIDED’ GAS DEAL Following revelations two months ago by Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister, Stuart Young that his predecessor, Kevin Ramnarine, along with other former government officials, left the country’s gas industry mere inches away from death’s door with a lopsided deal an accompanying policy, Ramnarine has come forward to set the record straight. The ex-Minister is of the firm conviction that the project, despite all criticisms, has resulted in jobs for the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and will soon lead to positive cash flow as it was executed with key Japanese firms.

The project in question relates to the building and operation of a US$900M petrochemical complex using natural gas. The deal was signed with Caribbean Gas Chemical Ltd (CGCL) and the National Gas Company (NGC) of Trinidad and Tobago.

It should be noted that CGCL is joint venture that includes Japanese companies: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Young during a postCabinet briefing in July was keen to note that the project was no ordinary one. He said it was so fraught with lopsided provisions that it decimated the country’s gas sector. He said too that it left NGC handling all of the debt related to the project even though it had only a 20 percent stake in the project.

In other words, it was expected to stand the full cost of the project but not have ownership of it. What also (Continued on page 22)

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From page 21 made matters worse, Young said, was that Ramnarine and his colleagues had pushed policies that gave the project first preference to the country’s gas reserves while longstanding companies had to get at the back of the line and “suck salt”. What alarmed Young even more was that such policies were put in place when there was not a surplus of gas, but actually, a shortage.

He also noted that NGC was entrapped in a document called “The Debt Tail Buy Down Agreement”. This bound NGC to guarantee the payment of the loan for US$900M project, even if it fails.

Young said that Ramnarine was advised against going ahead with the project. In fact, advice was given in “red ink” by the country’s top technical officers but there was still undue pressure from Ramnarine and his colleagues. The Minister said the country’s saving grace was the refusal of the Attorney General to give the final blessings for key documents related to the project. This he said allowed for the country to have some wiggle room to renegotiate some of the lopsided provisions and save the gas industry from complete ruin.

In the interim, he said NGC would have to sustain millions of dollars in hits to its balance sheet due to certain liabilities for the project it cannot escape.

In response to questions from Kaieteur News on the foregoing, Ramnarine who has been advising Guyana on matters related to local content and its imminent gasto-energy project, said what he and his colleagues did was above board. Below is his response in full.

The project in question (CGCL) is now a fully operational methanol plant located in La Brea in south Trinidad. Its construction started in 2015 and ended in 2020. It represented an investment of US$967 million into the Trinidad and Tobago economy which is $TT 6.6 billion. This money was raised from two of the largest banks in Japan namely the Japan Bank for International Corporation (JBIC) and BTMU. The project in question created work for hundreds of local contractors and at its peak construction employed 3000 citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. The companies involved in the project are among the largest in the world and in the Caribbean.

This includes Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals, Mitsubishi

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Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Massy and the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago. The project in question was the largest public private partnership ever undertaken in the history of Trinidad and Tobago and was the largest construction project in Trinidad and Tobago in the last five years. At its completion in 2020, it was the first new petrochemical plant to be completed in Trinidad and Tobago in ten years. It is also the first major petrochemical plant to be built in Trinidad and Tobago outside of the Point Lisas industrial estate.

I give this context because navigating an investment of this magnitude to final investment decision (FID) with multiple shareholders and international banks was a complex undertaking. The investment also took place at a time when Trinidad and Tobago started to experience natural gas shortages.

Making such an investment a reality against the backdrop of a natural gas shortage was therefore no easy task. The bankers would have obviously wanted to mitigate the risk of the natural gas shortage. If Government’s want investment and job creation they must be prepared to work with investors – especially world-class investors.

The reason the NGC’s contract with CGCL was impaired is related to the significant increase in the price NGC pays for natural gas since 2019 and low prices of methanol in 2020.

The NGC buys natural gas from suppliers and sells to its customers like CGCL. When the NGC/ CGCL contract was finalized in 2015, the NGC would have based its pricing on a view of what they were paying their suppliers for natural gas, the methanol market, and future trends.

What was not foreseeable in 2015 was the significant increase in the prices the NGC pays for natural gas from its suppliers. These new contracts between NGC and two of its suppliers were negotiated in 2017 and became effective in 2019.

They distorted the natural gas market in Trinidad and Tobago.

The first manifestation of this distortion was the fallout between NGC and the Caribbean Nitrogen Company (CNC) which morphed into a public spat.

At that time, the Ministry of Energy in a press release dated January 26, 2018, admitted that “the gas supply situation and in

particular, the pricing of gas has changed significantly, and the Government has been, and will be, engaging upstream gas suppliers and downstream gas purchasers to address this”.

Therefore, there were two forces at play when the NGC/ CGCL contract became effective in 2020. The first is the much higher price the NGC had to pay for natural gas as of 2019 and the second was the lower price it would realize from its sales to CGCL on account of lower methanol prices in 2020.Note that the price that NGC realizes for the natural gas it sells to CGCL is partially fixed and partially indexed to methanol prices.

This drove the impairment in keeping with IAS 37 rules.

Methanol price have now rebounded to around US$430 per tonne and at these prices the contract between the NGC and CGCL will be making money for the NGC. In such a situation with the contract now being cash positive, the value that was impaired could be written back. The 2020 impairment was therefore based on market conditions for methanol in 2020. As I mentioned, these conditions no longer apply, and the NGC ought to be cash positive with this contract.

With regard to the Minister ’s criticism regarding approvals from the Solicitor General’s department, it should be noted that by memo dated August 26, 2015, all the agreements that governed the project were positively vetted by the solicitor general. At the end of the day, despite all the odds, despite all the criticism, despite market conditions of 2020, there is an operational one million tonne per day methanol plant in La Brea.

What I have written here has been said to print and electronic media in Trinidad and Tobago. This is a project that involved some of the most reputable and established companies in the world and one of the Caribbean’s largest conglomerates (Massy) which is listed on the Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaican stock exchanges. In addition, the CGCL plant will provide the basis for the future industrialization of the southwestern peninsula of Trinidad.

As for the Debt Tail buy down, this was an agreement to mitigate the risk of natural gas supply to the plant. It provided that should the “reserve to production” ratio of Trinidad and Tobago fall to one (1), the NGC would buy the remaining

debt of the project. The reserve to production is currently around 8.5 at the end of 2019. The chances of the debt tail buy down ever being trigger are remote.

Furthermore, all concerns raised by the NGC in a letter dated February 2015 to the Minister of Finance were mitigated and dealt with before the project agreement was signed in April 2015 and before the realization of Final Investment Decision (FID) in September 2015. The NGC was a signatory to the Project Agreement of April 2015.

TUESDAY GOVT. REQUESTS US$1.8M IDB LOAN TO BUILD STRATEGY FOR ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION WITH OILWEALTH The PPP/C Government has approached the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) for a loan totalling US$1,817,764 to support the development, and implementation of a MediumTerm Development Strategy, which will leverage on the country’s emerging oil and gas revenues. The strategy would be used to grow investment, increase employment and strengthen the economic resilience of the country.

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

Component I is called: Strengthening the technical capacity of the government to lead economic transformation in Guyana. It is expected to include a forum for infrastructure opportunities, targeted investor workshops to assist in structuring specific Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, public consultation, and awareness building through strategic communications to investors, stakeholders and the general public. The government is proposing to use US$882,000 from the loan for this activity.

As for Component II, this is titled: The Economic Diversification and Mid-Term Development Strategy. This component will support several activities, such as the engagement of a strategic advisor on economic development, consultations with stakeholders to identify and select on potential, technical exchanges with countries that have successfully developed using growth pole strategies, provide consultancies to support the review of existing development strategies, facilitate consultations and provide insight into success stories on economic diversification. It was noted in the project document that

US$279,000 has been budgeted for this purpose.

With respect to Component III, this is expected to focus on creating investment opportunities for the private sector, and will support the engagement of a strategic advisor for publicprivate partnerships to develop a PPP framework for Guyana, including proposed legal and regulatory recommendations. It was noted that US$369,000 has been budgeted for this activity.

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

This is expected to cost US$170,000.

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

As regards execution, it was stated that the Ministry of Finance would oversee all the coordination activities with the relevant stakeholders. To justify the (Continued on page 23)

Sunday September 12, 2021

From page 22 money being requested, it was noted in the document that the Stabroek Block oil discoveries have led to an increase in foreign companies setting up operations in Guyana, and out-competing local businesses, in particular Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs).

The IDB said there are already initiatives in progress to provide training and to build the capacity of SMEs in Guyana, and to integrate them into the upstream part of the oil value chain.

However, to facilitate a broader range of investment, and a more diversified, sustainable economy beyond oil and gas, in the long term, the IDB stressed that a more strategic approach to private sector development is required hence, the strategy that is going to be developed and implemented. It noted that the Guyana government has been carrying out actions to support economic diversification and productivity, as well as value added and export readiness.

It said too, that the government has started to take actions for building capacity at several levels to prepare for the expected impacts of the oil production, including managing of public spending by creating a long-term strategy and building administrative capacity.

With the ongoing work of the government as a strong premise, the IDB is therefore of the view that the loan, which is still being reviewed for approval, will ultimately support Guyana in creating an effective strategy for economic transformation with its oil wealth.

WEDNESDAY EPAHAS RIGID SCREENING PROCESS IN PLACE FOR ALL OIL SECTOR PROJECTS - EIAS ONLY REQUIRED IF IMPACTS ARE SIGNIFICANT - PARSRAM Over the last five years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has seen an influx of applications for permits to pursue projects in the oil and gas sector.

Some of these relate to the establishment of warehouses to store chemicals and equipment, as well as multiple exploration programmes in offshore blocks.

But what has caused considerable concern among some local stakeholders is the fact that such projects have been exempted from undergoing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

During a recent interview on Kaieteur Radio’s programme, Guyana’s Oil and You, Head of the EPA, Kemraj Parsram categorically stated that these decisions are not made hastily, while adding that all applications for projects in the oil sector go through a rigourous screening process.

Parsram said, “Each application for environmental authorisation, whether oil and gas related or not, undergoes a meticulous process of screening. This is the first stage of the environmental authorisation process that informs our decision on whether an EIA is required or not.

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This is provided for in Section 11.2 of the Act. Screening includes an evaluation of the project summary, or any other information provided to the agency as part of the application or the agency may request additional information.”

The EPA Head was keen to note as well that the agency conducts site inspections by using satellite and GIS (Geographic Information System) data available to it, so as to examine the proposed location and to see what ecological or social components may be affected. “And if feasible, we physically go on the ground to verify the information provided and to boost our understanding from our GIS screening. We also engage and seek guidance from stakeholders as necessary, such as our sister government agencies and… we also engage residents for their input. All of the information is then assessed before the approval is granted,” expressed Parsram.

He stressed that this has always been the practice of the agency while adding that it is very much similar to what obtains across the globe with environmental regulators.

Upon completion of the screening process, Parsram said the agency may find that there is uncertainty of impacts, that there may be need for more information, which is not readily available to the agency at the time; or that the environmental impacts are sensitive, diverse or may be unprecedented. If it is, therefore, concluded that the project’s impacts may significantly affect the environment, he said a full scale EIA is required.

He noted, however, that if the agency is able to determine that the impacts of the project will not be

significant, irreversible or long-term, then it would be exempted from an EIA. Parsram said it is crucial for one to understand that where the EPA does not require an EIA following the completion of a competent evaluation, it is not tantamount to saying that the project was approved and that there are no impacts.

He said the project would still require the submission of mitigation measures via an Environmental Management Plan which considers baseline data and other monitoring requirements. He said this document helps to ensure that the project, once approved, will be done in an environmentally sound manner.

The EPA Head reiterated that no project is approved without proper due diligence by its independent Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), while adding that the agency has the option of consulting with international consultants, when necessary.

BRASSINGTON MOVES TO COURT TO PUT KNEWS’ ASSETS IN RECEIVERSHIP Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Winston Brassington has moved to the Court to put Kaieteur News (KNews)’ assets in receivership.

According to court documents seen by this newspaper, Brassington through his attorney, Timothy Jonas, has applied to the High Court for an order to appoint a receiver to recover income and or capital of the defendant company, Kaieteur News, to satisfy the judgment of $10M, which was

granted to him on February 12, 2021.

The application was filed in the High Court Tuesday and has since been served on Kaieteur News’ lawyer, Christopher Ram. In 2014, Brassington filed 19 separate lawsuits for libel against Kaieteur News over contents published in the satirical Dem Boys Seh column, which he deemed to be defamatory.

The Courts have since upheld his contention that statements published by KNews were defamatory and meant or understood to mean that he, as head of NICIL, a government holding company responsible for contracts in a number of multi-million dollar projects was “dishonest, had been guilty of criminal activity , fraud and corrupt practices.”

So far, Brassington has been successful in at least seven of those matters securing over $36 million in judgment claims. Of the $36M, which he was awarded, Brassington was able to collect some $18 million from the company’s bank account via a garnishment order from the Court.

As a result of his debt collection from the company’s bank account via the garnishment order, the former NICIL Head, through his lawyer, Jonas also issued a notice of withdrawal of the garnishee proceedings.

The notice, which was also served on Kaieteur News’ attorney Tuesday is part of the process of informing the Court and the parties involved, that a portion in relation to the judgments already given had been cleared.

Last year, the former CEO won five of the nineteen cases before Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln in which he secured judgment awards of $3.5 million for each case for a total of $17.5 million.

In another case, which was tried before Justice Navindra Singh earlier this year, Brassington was awarded $10 million against KNews by the Court. The sums calculated with an interest rate of four percent per annum along with legal fees brought the total to $34.4 million.

In the latest judgment award, which was handed down last month, Brassington secured an additional $2 million award against the newspaper.

The sum takes the amount to a total of $36.4 million. Despite the fact that the former NICIL Head had started cashing in on the judgment via the garnishment order, the newspaper has applied to the court for an order to stop the garnishment and grant the publication a reasonable installment payment plan, given the economic issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall had lamented the impact of the climbing judgment awards during the COVID-19 pandemic on one of his recently aired shows on the Kaieteur Radio.

Lall told his audience: “I don’t know if you remember but I, Adam Harris, and the Kaieteur News were sued 19 times in one day by Winston Brassington back in 2014. Well, last year September, Justice Fidela

Corbin tried five and she awarded him $3.5 (million) each with four percent interest rate. That came up to $17.5 (million) in total. A few months later, Justice Navindra Singh tried one of the cases and gave him $10 million. Those six cases totalled $27.5 million. Added with some legal fees, those six cases moved to $34.4 million.”

The KNews Publisher disclosed that, “Since then, I have applied to the High Court to have a hearing to work out a payment plan. I was given October 6, 2021. I am not running from paying but… give the company time to pay, it is COVID-19 and I don’t have to explain what is going on with businesses around the world and what is facing every citizen.”

In addition, to the Brassington judgment, the newspaper was also ordered by Justice Singh to pay a $20 million judgment award to former President Donald Ramotar for a libel in relation to the sale of the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks.

Combined with Brassington’s libel judgments, the newspaper is liable to pay the two parties at least $55 million.

Commenting on Brassington’s recent application for receivership, the Kaieteur News Publisher says he believes there is a sinister plot to get rid of the newspaper.

“We have been a thorn in the flesh of both political regimes exposing their incompetence and corruption. We will see where this goes, somebody has to come out a winner,” he stated.

FRIDAY IDB NOTES GROWING CONCERN GUYANAMAY FALLVICTIM TO “DUTCH DISEASE”- CAUTIONS AGAINST BECOMING RELIANT ON FOSSIL FUELS The current proven reserves in the Stabroek Block, which total over nine billion barrels of oil equivalent resources, along with the string of recent discoveries, will no doubt, produce changes in Guyana’s overall economic structure. One of the most immediate effects will be the increase in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

But, an increase in GDP does not translate to higher standards of living for citizens, who are the true owners of the oil wealth. In light of this irrefutable fact, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) recently urged Guyana to place greater focus on ensuring the oil wealth leads to economic transformation and not the mere doubling of GDP. The financial institution said the impact of the additional revenue on a country with a GDP of US$3.5 billion and a population of 773,000 needs to be carefully managed so as to promote inclusive, sustainable growth that benefits the Guyanese people.

The IDB asserted in one of its latest loan briefs that ensuring true economic transformation is not going to be a walk in the park for local authorities, while adding that (Continued on page 24)

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From page 23 there are already concerns about the challenges that lie ahead for the new oil producing State.

In this regard, the IDB said it has noted concerns that Guyana may fall victim to the so-called “Dutch Disease” because of the large increase in the country’s income.

(Dutch Disease is a concept that describes an economic phenomenon where the rapid development of one sector of the economy leads to a decline in other sectors. It is also often characterised by a substantial appreciation of the domestic currency.)

If, as expected, the Guyana dollar becomes stronger, the IDB said it makes non-oil and gas exports more expensive, and therefore less competitive. “Thus, the discovery of oil and gas, while a very positive development, could cause the contraction of the other parts of the economy,” expressed the IDB via its loan brief. On another important note, the IDB noted that many countries across the world are moving to cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind. With this in mind, it urged Guyana to be mindful; to look ahead and ensure that it does not become reliant on only this sector.

It appears, however, that the government is keen on avoiding the Dutch Disease, at least, as it has approached the IDB for assistance in

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developing a strategy that will allow it to make the best of the opportunities presented by the oil wealth, while simultaneously building an economy that will survive after the fossil fuels are gone.

The PPP/C Government’s loan request totals US$1,817,764.

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

Component I is called: Strengthening the technical capacity of the government to lead economic transformation in Guyana. It is expected to include a forum for infrastructure opportunities, targeted investor workshops to assist in structuring specific Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, public consultation, and awareness building through strategic communications to investors, stakeholders and the general public. The government is proposing to use US$882,000 from the loan for this activity.

As for Component II, this is titled: The Economic Diversification and Mid-Term Development Strategy. This component will support several activities, such as the engagement of a strategic advisor on economic development, consultations with stakeholders to identify and select on potential, technical exchanges with countries that have successfully developed

using growth strategies, provide consultancies to support the review of existing development strategies, facilitate consultations, and provide insight into success stories on economic diversification. It was noted in the project document that US$279,000 has been budgeted for this purpose.

With respect to Component III, this is expected to focus on creating investment opportunities for the private sector and will support the engagement of a strategic advisor for publicprivate partnerships to develop a PPP framework for Guyana, including proposed legal and regulatory recommendations. It was noted that US$369,000 has been budgeted for this activity.

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

This is expected to cost US$170,000.

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

purpose.

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

ENHANCED OVERSIGHT FOR OIL OPERATORS’ EXPLORATION PROGRAMMES BHARRAT The Guyana Government has promised to increase its oversight of oil operators and their oil exploration programmes offshore Guyana in light of the new discoveries announced by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

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

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

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

Speaking directly to the new discoveries, Minister Bharrat “is confident that these additional discoveries will serve to further catapult

Guyana’s monumental transition as a country with world-class discoveries of high-quality hydrocarbon.”

As such, he said, “the Government of Guyana remains committed and persistent in engaging all stakeholders towards the beneficial development of these resources for all Guyanese in a sustainable and responsible manner.”

The Pinktail well spud by the ExxonMobil-led consortium has encountered high-quality hydrocarbonbearing sandstone reservoirs at 67 meters within the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. The discovery is in addition to EEPGL’s successful appraisal of the Turbot-1 and Turbot-2 discoveries at 13 meters and 23 meters respectively, which also encountered highquality hydrocarbon.

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

SATURDAY SELFAPPOINTED GAS EXPERTS CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH US$900M PROJECT…JAGDEO, BRASSINGTON AND ASHNI SINGH HAVE ABYSMAL RECORDS - ROOPNARINE The self-appointed oil and gas masterminds behind the proposed US$900M gasto-energy project, cannot be trusted with its management given their records of abysmal failure with regards to other major infrastructural projects.

At least this is the view of prominent New York based Guyanese businessman, Leyland Roopnarine, who during a recent online discussion on the proposed project categorically denounced the involvement of the key players in such a multi-million dollar project.

He was at the time directly

referencing the two key point men on the gas-to-shore committee, namely Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Winston Brassington, in addition to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

Speaking directly to the track records of the men involved, Roopnarine stressed, “…if you look at these people, they haven’t succeeded in any project they have built.”

Pointing out that the proposed US$900M project is already shrouded in secrecy, Roopnarine reminded that all such large-scale projects attract cost over runs and as such would not be realised at the projected price but in fact higher.

He further lamented, “If you look at the people who are in charge of this project, they have been in charge of several projects for the past 10 years.”

According to Roopnarine, “…we can start with the Skeldon Sugar Factory where Mr. Jagdeo was an engineer in sugar, we can start with the hydro project where he was an engineer in hydroelectricity, we go to the Surrendra Hospital where we were spending $800M, he became a health expert, we go to the Berbice Bridge where he became an engineer to build a bridge, we go to the Marriot Hotel where (there were) cost overruns and yet we have no accountability.”

Roopnarine added, “I give you these examples because this is what is going to happen to the gas-to-shore project.”

Seeking to elucidate in local colloquialism, Roopnarine was adamant, “when you can see something in the day don’t take fire stick fuh look fuh um in the night.”

He used the occasion to remind that both Dr. Singh and Brassington had been placed before the courts by the previous administration (Continued on page 25)

Sunday September 12, 2021

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

From page 24 but these charges had since been dropped.

Meanwhile, another prominent Guyanese businessman, Dr. Turhane Doerga, added his voice to the debate and stated that while the gas project in principle appears to be a good idea, the feasibility still has to be worked out.

More importantly, he said the project cannot be left in the hands of the government given its susceptibility to corruption.

Adamant that governments should not be involved in such types of businesses, Dr. Doerga stressed, “Everywhere governments get into business, you have a slew of corruption.”

He suggested instead, whenever the feasibility is determined there should then be an open tender process in the international arena where reputable companies can bid on building the gas pipeline and related infrastructure and not have a situation that obtains currently.

EXXON TO DRILL 52 MORE EXPLORATION WELLS IN 5 YEARS …NATION STILL IN THE DARK ON PRIOR, CURRENT COSTS PER WELL Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited ( E E P G L ) — E x x o n M o b i l ’s subsidiary—will by the end of 2025 spud some 52 wells across the Stabroek and Canje Blocks in a five year period, having begun an aggressive campaign in late December 2020.

According to the schedule of

exploration activities for the company for the Stabroek Block, the company is currently engaged in an aggressive 25 well exploration campaign that begun back in June of this year.

That drilling campaign is expected to last until the end of 2025.

This is in addition to a separate 12 well campaign that had begun back in December 2020 in the Stabroek Block and e n d e d e a r l i e r t h i s y e a r.

Furthermore, the company is currently engaged in a three-well

campaign in the Canje Block that is expected to conclude this month.

Additionally, EEPGL is currently awaiting permission for another 12 well campaign in the Canje Block.

That five-year campaign is also expected to be concluded in February 2025.

It would mean that between December 2020 and December 2025, the company would have spud or plans to spud some 52 wells.

This is in addition to the drilling of the development wells in the Liza

I & II fields.

EEPGL currently has six drill ships operating offshore, the Stena Carron, the Stena DrillMAX, the Noble Bob Douglas, the Noble Tom Madden, the Noble Don Taylor and the Noble Sam Croft.

The cost for and oversight of the exploration well s b y o i l companies have been a bone of public contention for years given the fact that the expenditure is recovered from cost oil in any of the producing fields in the contract area.

This past week Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, in welcoming the most recent discovery offshore Guyana at the Pinktail well had promised increased oversight with regards the oil operators’ exploration programmes.

Minister Bharrat had stated in a public missive that “the Government of Guyana has mandated the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Petroleum Sector regulatory agencies to enhance the oversight and management of the exploration programmes of all operators as we seek to further expand the sector through advancing commercial discoveries.”

According to the subject Minister, w h i l e G o v e r n m e n t welcomes these new discoveries offshore Guyana, it “remains committed to the sustainable exploration and development of Guyana’s oil and gas resources.”

In this same vein, the Minister said, “I would like to reassure all Guyanese and stakeholders that this will be undertaken in keeping with international best practices for compliance and transparency within the petroleum sector and to ensure benefits are derived for all Guyanese.” EEPGL has to date seen some 23 successful discoveries offshore Guyana the first being announced in May 2015 and the most recent on Thursday.

This publication understands that EEGPL prior to 2020 would have spudded some 80 wells but to date the nation remains in the dark as to the cost of any of the wells previously or the ones recently scheduled.

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

ExxonMobil had warned

Govt. against using Wales location ….site drives up cost - Cabinet Paper

Wales Industrial Area Layout

Do you really want to know what is happening in your country?

The decision to land a gas pipeline from the Liza I oilfield offshore Guyana on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) as against the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) has in recent years attracted significant criticisms and according to documentation seen by this newspaper, the decision by the administration has added at least US$72M to the overall price tag for the project.

This much was even communicated to the administration by the Stabroek Block Operator, ExxonMobil Guyana, and was relayed to Cabinet when in 2018 it considered the Woodlands location on the right bank of the Mahaica River, ECD. Guided by a 2017 report that had shortlisted some 10 sites, further refining by ExxonMobil and a team by the Guyana government had found that landing a pipeline at Vreed-en-Hoop and then transporting the natural gas to the Wales estate would not only be more technically challenging but would increase the cost by some US$72M.According to the Cabinet paper seen by this publication, on October 3, 2017 a meeting was held between the Site Selection Team and ExxonMobil and it was at that time that a new site on the West Bank of Demerara (Vreed-en-Hoop) was introduced by the

Then listen to Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM every Mon, Wed & Fri

@ 7:20PM for the Glenn Lall Show where he tells it as it is!

If you have missed the programs then you can tune in @11AM daily for a rebroadcast.

Or you can listen to all 3 programs on Sunday @11AM, 4PM & 7PM

Listen to what our leader are doing with your wealth.

They are taking loans to leave future generations to suffer.

Head of the Gas-to-Shore working committee, Winston Brassington.

Ministry of Finance, which extends to the mouth of the Demerara River. According to the Cabinet paper, this site was proposed based on proximity to and consideration of keeping Patentia in play for further development as an industrial park concept.

Further, it was hoped that Vreed-en-Hoop may also allow for energy to be taken from Kingston with further development along the river bank as well as facilitating shipping on the other side of the river.According to the documentation seen by this publication however, based on the Pre-screening Report as submitted by ExxonMobil in November 2017, there was a firm preference for the Woodlands site compared to Vreed-en-Hoop, as pipeline landing technical issues were significantly lower, ground (Continued on page 56)

JOIN US TODAY @ 11:00AM The leaders are proud of themselves for getting US$2M for gas flaring from Exxon, while Guyana to spend US$4M to remove 3 shipwrecks in Exxon’s way, collecting US$2M in one hand and giving out US$4M with the other hand, way to do business Guyana! Now them going to beg IDB for US$1.8M to train staff how to manage the oil sector, good business eh!

JOIN US TODAY @ 4:00PM Listen what Ex T&T Energy Minister did to Trinidad’s Oil Sector& now he is advising Guyana on Our GTS Project.

Also hear how they want to shut K/News down, and how Exxon is becoming a monopoly in Guyana’s oil sector.

JOIN US TODAY @ 7:00PM

They are proud to announce when they find oil, but they are not telling us the cost of the find. The most important aspect of the business includes operational costs and interest rates, but Exxon and Govt. remain silent on this.

Kaieteur News

Sunday September 12, 2021

PAGE 27

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

David Granger: Leadership changes a country I

s Mr. Granger gone?

If he has, then the analysis of his career will begin to flow. I never spoke to David Granger directly in person.

He spoke in person to me twice. I'll come to that below.

He once made a phone call to me. I remember it vividly.

I was going west on the Railway Embankment. At the traffic light, the phone rang.

He called to offer his solidarity over my UG contract termination in December, 2011.

Days after he came up to UG while there were protests because of my dismissal. He addressed the leadership of the demonstrations in the Faculty of Natural Sciences but we never spoke.

The two occasions Mr. Granger spoke to me was when I joined the PNC picket line to call for the end to the prorogation of Parliament.

He came up to thank me for my presence.

At his open “birthday lime” at Congress Place, I was with David Hinds and he came up to our table to thank us for coming.

My UG contract termination was my first inkling that Mr. Granger was not good at strategising and that he compartmentalises his politics which would create problems for the smooth success in the exercise of presidential power.

The time was the first week in February 2012.

President Donald Ramotar met a joint delegation from the PNC and AFC. The fall-out from my contract termination was still fresh. Gerhard Ramsaroop brought up the UG dismissal issue with the president and there was an exchange with President Ramotar who said, “My government did not dismiss Freddie Kissoon.”

Mr. Granger said not one word on my situation even though when he came up to the protest at UG, he gave assurances that he would pressure the government on the dismissal.

I asked Ramsaroop why Granger took that stance.

Ramsaroop told me he did not understand why Granger did not intervene.

I knew why. Granger felt that since the AFC was there, then let the AFC deal with the matter because it was an AFC matter. This is what I mean by the compartmentalisation of

politics.

I honestly believe if Basil Williams or Robert Corbin or Amna Ally was there, once the UG dismissal controversy was aired, they would have spoken on it.

This has been the outlook of Granger as a politician and as president.

Lack of experience and leadership qualities prevented him from coping with large issues of sensitive politics.

I will not accept that his performance was the main reason for the electoral defeat.

The APNU+AFC regime was simply a holistic failure.

But Granger's approach to the political sociology of Guyana was certainly a huge factor in the loss.

We on the outside will never understand the mental anguish that many PNC and AFC leaders are now living with. It is a trauma that is mashing up their soul. As the APNU+AFC formation set

about in 2015 to rule Guyana, many of their leaders were not inspired by Granger's performance.

I heard several of them made that utterance.

They knew their tenure was not marked by excellence, brilliance, deep thinking or purposeful strategising because their frontman was not carrying his notes smoothly but the band had to play on because the audience was in the stadium expecting a performance.

Whether Mr. Granger stays on or rides away into the sunset, he has partially but decisively hurt the PNC's future electoral chances.

And this could be directly put down to his lack of leadership qualities.

It would literally take more than a research manuscript to enumerate the thin sheets of ice on which rested the fulcrum of Granger's presidency.

He has been facing

t s u n a m i c animosities since July 2020 from both first tier and second tier leaders from the PNC plus a female bigwig and a dangerous mind in the AFC over his concession to Frederick Kissoon Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

Cheddi Jagan led the way But they can rant as much as they want, they would on seeking the intellectual have done the same in July strength of others in crisis situations. For all of 2020.

Burnham's colossal selfThese detractors of Granger do not know what confidence, he sought ideas w a s c o m i n g h a d t h e from Sir Shridath Ramphal, Ptolemy Reid and others APNU+AFC stayed on. countless of times.

Granger has not The PNC and AFC kings explained anything to them. and queens knew by early This is how he operates.

Granger has a part of his 2018, that Mr. Granger personality that no other should have done better. But leader – from both PNC and he was the president.

(The views expressed in PPP – ever had. He is a very private person who cannot this article are those of the separate what must be kept a u t h o r a n d d o n o t private and what he must necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) seek advice on.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Sunday September 12, 2021

Coronavirus: Vaccines have stood the test of time; here's proof

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center

V

accines have been around for more than a century and have proven their worth time and time again. Numerous diseases have been eradicated or controlled by vaccines.

Wi t h o u t v a c c i n e s , millions of lives would have been lost and humans would not have been progressive as we have been especially in the 20th and 21st century. We are in a pandemic with no

effective way of treating the COVID-19 infection as it continues to wreak havoc worldwide.

H o w e v e r, m o d e r n science has finally derived a way for us to control this threat in the form of vaccines. All of a sudden, persons are scared of vaccines and are spreading so many myths about them while the virus continues to take too many lives daily.

Today, I will discuss vaccines and how they work and hopefully, put some ease to the confusion that's being peddled about them.

How vaccines

came about?

During a smallpox epidemic in the west of England in 1774, a farmer by the name of Benjamin Jesty decided to try something.

He scratched some pus from smallpox lesions on the udders of a cow into the skin of his wife and sons.

None of them contracted smallpox. A man by the name of Edward Jenner first started to add science to this theory of vaccines back in 1796.

He took material from a blister of someone infected with cowpox and inoculated it into another person's skin;

this was called arm-to-arm inoculation. It was successful and by the late 1940s, scientific knowledge had developed enough, so that large-scale vaccine production was possible and disease control efforts could begin in earnest. Vaccines that protect against pertussis (1914), diphtheria (1926), and tetanus (1938) were subsequently developed and these three vaccines were combined in 1948 and given as the DTP vaccine.

As time progressed, new vaccines were made to protect against diseases that were taking many lives.

The world was able to eradicate smallpox because of successful vaccination efforts in the 1970s.

How safe have vaccines been so far?

There have been accusations of vaccines causing diseases such as autism, different autoimmune diseases and that it can even weaken your immune system.

Most of these accusations come from antivaxxers who believe vaccines were created to control the human population. After all, of these years of vaccine use, there hasn't been any credible evidence to suggest that any of these accusations are true.

The evidence that has been very clear is the fact that vaccines have prevented many outbreaks and controlled many diseases that they were created to combat. In Guyana, we vaccinate children every day and almost everyone

was vaccinated during their childhood.

A child gets about 20 vaccines before they reach school age and yet, we have not seen any major issues related to vaccines after so many years of Guyana's successful vaccination campaign.

What have vaccines helped us to do so far?

So far, vaccines have helped us to either eradicate or control the following diseases: Ÿ Mumps Ÿ Measles Ÿ Tetanus Ÿ Rubella Ÿ Hepatitis A and B Ÿ Diphtheria Ÿ Polio Ÿ Smallpox Ÿ Cowpox Ÿ Influenza Ÿ Varicella (chicken pox) Ÿ Hemophilus Ÿ Influenza Ÿ Pertussis Ÿ Rotavirus Can you imagine how things would have been if we had to live with all of these diseases freely circulating? Human evolution would not have been the same and many deaths and complications would have occurred which could have even threatened the existence of humans altogether.

Are COVID-19 vaccines different?

Most of the vaccines developed to combat COVID-19 were developed using the same technology as previous vaccines; an inactivated virus or part of a

virus is used to mimic the virus in our body and, hence, stimulate us to create an immune response. However, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were developed using a new technology and are called mRNA vaccines.

This technology basically allows the vaccine to teach our cells to create a structure similar to the part of the virus that binds onto our cells.

This then triggers our immune system to make antibodies against it and hence, we develop immunity against the virus. This mRNA technology has been around for decades but there was never a concerted push for vaccines to be made using its technology until the pandemic started. This pandemic triggered a worldwide response where scientists cooperated like never before and it helped to eliminate bureaucratic steps in vaccine creation. These vaccines had to undergo numerous safety tests and scrutiny from medical professionals and organisations all over the world. There have been safety issues identified but these are expected when vaccines or any other medications are administered on such large scales. However, there have not been widespread deaths or major morbidities from any of the COVID-19 vaccines. The data has shown that they are effective against COVID-19 and persons that are properly and fully vaccinated are not the ones that are dying from COVID-19.You would have most likely taken over 20 vaccines already in your lifetime and you are still alive and well after so many years.

If you are doubting vaccines, my question to you is why was it okay for you to be vaccinated and get protection during childhood and it is not okay to do so now when you are faced with a virus that can wipe you out of existence?

(First published on July 11, 2021)

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

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BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! I

n case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our entire nation.

SUNDAY The Wales gas-to-energy project was slated to cost US$400M under the coalition government, now it is US$900M under the PPP Government. So said former Minister Patterson as headlined by us on September 3.

We say: don't worry, by the time the PPP Government finished with this waiting white elephant of a project, it will cost the original US$400M PLUS the US$900M estimated by the PPP. In fact, it is likely to cost MORE, if crooked PPP leaders get their way.

After all, it is the Guyanese taxpayer who pays the billion dollar (US) bill.

MONDAY The leader who counts in the Opposition, former President Granger, is off on an extended leave of

absence. Our first concern is for his health, and that he is alright.

Nevertheless, in the spirit of BLUNTNESS that this page is dedicated to, our recommendation is that former President David Granger takes himself out of any leadership role in Guyana's politics, and look after himself and family first.

We think that he serves this country better by stepping down fully and permanently, and be content with serving as mentor and wise man to comrades and citizens. Take a total rest, Sir! You and Guyana would both be better.

TUESDAY The Guyana Police Force says 'serious crime' is down. If crime is down, then why are we up against the wall, with our pockets riffled and bags emptied, and bodies brutalised?

Noticeably, the police public relations machinery puts Commander McBean to share the good news with Guyanese, something most likely massaged by the machinery's clever members.Is he being setup, as a trusted face, to take the fall? Citizens have already come to the realisation that those numbers simply do not add up.

WEDNESDAY It is a little embarrassing, but we had to report that story of a woman who took an enamel cup to the head of a cop.

We feel for that cop with a cup beating his head.

This is embarrassing to share, too, but clearly Exxon took more than an enamel cup to the head of Guyana's leaders, in the government and opposition.

It is also believed, that Exxon dropped some rich and heavy objects into the

PPP's cup.

The party's leaders are so stunned that they can't even open their mouths. Take a look at these folks, who took more than an enamel cup to their heads.

THURSDAY Surely, we can't be this backward! This limited!

Now we are borrowing US$1.8M from the IDB “to build a strategy for economic transformation.”

That fancy phrase boils down to ONE WORD: PLAN. Plan what we are going to do with oil money and post oil. Plan how local content can prosper from this wealth.This is as basic as A, B, C. But here we are borrowing “to build

strategy….”

This is absolute asininity from those we have for leaders in Guyana.

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

AG Nandlall: PLEASE PICK THE RIGHT PEOPLE. Please select a law firm that doesn't turn out to have people like Alison Redford and David Warner.

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

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

SATURDAY Exxon now wants more land, 5 acres on the West Dem to be exact, so as to expand.What remains clear is that Exxon does not care in any way or form about Guyana, other than what we have to offer – our oil resources.

This company is never satisfied; it is always craving more and more of our precious wealth and has our leaders bowing to its will.

When will our leaders wake up and fight for what Guyana deserves? Or is it that our leaders believe we deserve what Exxon brings to the table?

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Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

Mindful Eating and why you need to know about it Our eating habits are directly related to how healthy our body stays.

Celebrities and yoga experts have incorporated mindful eating into their dietary routine for an improvement in overall wellbeing. Creating healthy habits is the key to a healthy body and mind, according to Shilpa Shetty.

Mindful eating is one of the best ways to accomplish your health goals, ward off many illnesses and achieve tranquillity of the mind. We often think a lot about what

to eat. But miss an important aspect i.e how to eat? A simple change in the way you eat your food can do wonders for your mind, body and soul.

What is Mindful Eating?

Eating mindfully is not a health fad nor is it a new diet to follow. Mindful eating is a rather simple practice that requires the full focus of our mind and nothing else.

Mindful eating means paying attention to the food you are eating and actively engaging all your senses to feel, smell, taste and touch your food.

Sounds very simple right? We have strayed away from this practice because today we turn our focus to a variety of other things during our meals.

The most common practice includes watching television or staying glued to our phones and scrolling through social media while eating which is not at all a healthy practice.

Mindful eating is not a practice that will magically help you lose weight or become healthy. It is a process-oriented habit that

will ultimately lead you towards better health. If you practice mindful eating you will slowly notice that you enjoy eating more than before and the quantity of food that you consume also becomes restricted along with many other benefits.

What are the Benefits of Mindful Eating?

Eating mindfully has a number of benefits that impact our overall health. Here are some of the health benefits you will experience when you practice mindful

eating: 1.Weight loss Practicing mindful eating aids in weight loss since you are aware of your body’s needs. Mindful eating minimizes the need of eating in excess and makes you achieve satiety with an adequate amount of diet. If you accompany mindful eating with a healthy diet, then you can start reaching your weight loss goals more easily.

2.Understand body cues in a better manner We often do not understand whether we are actually hungry or we are craving food due to other reasons like stress or anxiety.

If you start to focus on the food you eat, you will slowly start to understand how full you are and when your body is actually craving food.

Mindful eating can help you understand the signals of your body better and you can correctly assess whether you are craving food due to hunger or other reasons. This can help you minimize binge eating or stress eating.

3.Better digestive health Focusing on your food also includes eating it at a steady pace while chewing it properly. If you focus properly while eating, the food is digested much more easily than if you keep on eating without taking too much care. Proper chewing and eating slowly go a long way in aiding our digestive system.

4.Balanced snacking Mindful eating helps you make healthier choices about the food you eat. If you understand the need for healthy eating and pay close attention to what you are putting in your body, you will skip deep-fried snacks and choose light and healthier options such as nuts, seeds, slices of fruit, yoghurt, etc.

These healthy snacks will provide your body with the necessary nutrients in between meals.

How to Eat Mindfully? Top 10 Tips from Shilpa Shetty 1.Avoid watching TV while eating Skip watching TV or using your mobile phone while eating. To be mindful of your food, you need to start allotting your complete attention towards it. Taste your food and feel every bite of it. Focus on the different textures and tastes and savour your meal.

2.Enjoy food with a feeling of gratitude Be thankful that you are getting to eat a proper meal.

A nutritious meal is something which we are lucky to eat every day and being thankful for it is a great way to start

being mindful about food.

3.Control your portions Take small amounts of food at a time instead of taking a lot to eat at once.

When your stomach feels full, stop eating. Taking smaller portions at a time will help you watch the amount you need to eat to get full.

4. Staying hydrated is vital Staying hydrated is crucial to maintain good health. There are times when you might feel hungry but it is actually dehydration causing the hunger. Skip unhealthy snacking and try having a glass of water instead. You might actually stop being hungry.

5. Chew your food properly Chew every bite at least 28/30 times so that it breaks down properly. This helps you eat slower and also aids the digestive system.

6. Carry healthy snacks while travelling Carry snacks like nuts or raisins while travelling. If you feel hungry, snacking on these healthy options can help you avoid foods that are harmful to the body or even unhealthy portions of food.

7. Eat only when you feel hungry Eat only when you are actually feeling hungry. Learn to be brutally honest with yourself – are you really hungry or do you want to eat because you are bored or stressed? Try following a strict eating routine that will help you avoid feeling hungry at random moments.

8. Concentrate on breathing for at least 10 minutes a day Practice simple breathing exercises for at least 10 minutes a day. This can help you put your mind at ease and focus on everything including the act of eating without feeling distracted.

9. Shop with a mindful list Make a list of things you need to purchase before going grocery shopping.

This can help you avoid picking up unhealthy food while shopping and stick to the necessary food items.

10. Refrain from refined foods Avoid refined food and fast food as it can hamper your eating habits. Learn why these foods are dangerous for your health and make a conscious decision to steer clear of them. Mindful eating is one of the most effective eating habits that you should start practicing right now.

You do not need to spare extra time in your schedule for this healthy practice. (https:// pharmeasy.in/blog/mindfuleating-why-you-shouldstart-practicing-thiscelebrity-recommendedhabit/)

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

Lessons from a Lashpreneur!!!

All you need to know about the lash shedding season

By Latoya Zephyr Our bodies go through natural shedding each change of season Unfortunately it usually is worse in the fall as our bodies prepare for the coming warmth and lack of humidity.

This increased hair loss doesn’t just happen to our lashes, but the hairs on our head as well. The body also will increase its oil production to prepare for the seasonal

change to keep the hair and skin hydrated. If you start noticing your lash retention suffering more than usual or natural lashes on your extensions falling out aswell this might be due to the seasonal shedding season.

There isn’t a much you can do other than wait it out and if you want fuller lashes schedule more frequent fills If you recently just got a fill or fullset and you notice

more shedding on one side then the other, this is normal to have uneven shedding.

This is just simply because you have more lashes in the telogen phase on one eye then the other. on average we have 90150 lashes per eye with am average of 300 lashes a set.

On average we lose 2-6 lashes a day in a week that equals up to 42 lashes that’s about 20% of your set this is why 1

week infills are needed. In 2 weeks 72 lashes and 3 week 144 lashes at this point most of your lashes would be out grown and may need a fullset.

These lashes that you lose are not lost forever but are just going through their growth cycle. Here are some reasons why lashes shed as the seasons change and some ways we can slow the process.

Sun Protection As the seasons change, our bodies start to shed all hair, not just eyelashes. Hair on our head, body hair, etc.

This is because the biological purpose of hair is to protect our skin from the sun. As the sun lowers in fall months, our bodies begin to shed the hair.

If you have a furry little friend, you may notice that their hair is shedding during this time as well, for the same reason.

Vitamin D The sun provides our bodies with Vitamin D. As the days get cooler (and this happens more quickly in some areas of the world earlier than others) the sun isn’t as strong. Our bodies don’t absorb as much Vitamin D, which is necessary to hair growth.

Energy Loss Because of that lack of Vitamin D, our bodies lack energy which makes the hair growth process slower. Our

bodies have to work extra hard to grow hair when lacking Vitamin D. They are also working hard to protect other parts of our bodies from colds, infections and other illnesses that come with the change of the seasons.

The good news is that season changing lash shed only lasts 3-4 weeks. Here’s

some ways to stop or slow this shedding: 1. Take Vitamin D Supplements 2. Don’t go longer than 2 weeks between fills during shedding time 3. Have lighter lashes applied during shedding time 4. Have shorter lashes applied during shedding time.

E-Networks secures exclusive TV broadcast rights for 2021 CPL T20 in Guyana Thanks to a deal with International Media Content Ltd (IMC), the owner and broadcaster of SportsMax, E-Networks Inc. – Guyana’s leading TV service provider –was pleased to announce yesterday that it has secured the exclusive rights for live TV coverage in Guyana of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 2021 tournament from August 26 to September 15, 2021.

For the third consecutive year, E-Networks said it is proud to keep Guyanese cricket fans in “The Biggest Party in Sport” by delivering the matches on its E2 channel, available countrywide on all its TV platforms: DreamTV Satellite, DreamTV Wireless, and DreamTV Fiber.

The company said persons can also use the DreamTV Mobile app on their mobile phones to watch the matches on-the-go from anywhere. It said too that E-Networks customers can catch the action live in crystalclear, high-definition quality, for as low as $3,600 monthly. Persons can visit www.enetworks.gy or any of the company’s social media pages for more information.

In the agreement with SportsMax parent IMC, which is the regional broadcast rights owner for the CPL T20, E-Networks will broadcast all 33 matches from this year’s tournament. Each match day in the preliminary round will have doubleheaders – first match

at 10 AM and second match at 7 PM, except for triple headers for the last two match days at 10 AM, 2:30 PM and 7 PM respectively.

First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) saw an increase of 67 per cent in television, streaming and digital viewership in 2020, reaching 523.5 million viewers and passing half a billion for the first time in the tournament’s history.

The 2021 tournament is the league’s ninth season, with all the matches taking place in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Kaieteur News

Sunday September 12, 2021

The Court Journal

PAGE 41

Women can be perpetrators of domestic violence too

By Renay Sambach

I

n the last feature of The Court Journal, I highlighted some of the matters before the court in which men were charged for allegedly killing their significant other. It should be noted that men and women can both be victims of domestic violence (DV).

As such, in this article, I will highlight matters in which women were charged for killing their spouse. What was notable in the matters highlighted is that the women claimed that they killed their spouse as a result of selfdefense.

They had alleged that the men were abusive.

For instance, in April 2021, a woman who allegedly knifed her exboyfriend to death was slapped with a murder charge. Eva Pearson, 27, had appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court when a murder charge was read to her by Magistrate, Alisha George.

Pearson was not required to plead to the charge which alleges that on April 1, 2021, she stabbed her ex-boyfriend, Darren Harris, 46, to death at School Street, Cummings Park, 'E' Field, Sophia.

It was reported that, Pearson stabbed Harris around 21:30hrs. during a scuffle. Pearson admitted to the police that she killed her ex-boyfriend, but claimed self-defense.

Harris had reportedly approached the woman while she was heading home from

work and the two had argued on the road. The argument intensified and they endedup in a scuffle. Pearson stated that it was during the scuffle that Harris allegedly chopped her to her hands with a knife.

Pearson claimed that she somehow managed to take away the weapon from Harris and stabbed him with it. She then threw the knife away and ran.

Pearson, who was bleeding from a chop wound to her right hand, was later arrested and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she was treated and then taken to the East La Penitence Police lock-up.

Based on reports, Pearson had also filed an official complaint against a Melissa Playter sustained a scar on her cheek after an abusive encounter

A blissful Sandra Brescenio at the graduation ceremony

Melissa Playter

Eva Pearson policeman, who she said had wanted to touch her breasts instead of taking a domestic violence report, just five days prior to the stabbing. She alleged that on Saturday March 27, last, Harris had broken a bottle and threatened to stab her and her father, Ivan Nedd, for putting him out.

She later headed down to the Turkeyen Police Station that same day to lodge a report. Instead of taking her report, she had alleged that a policeman there asked to touch her breasts to see if they were real. Pearson had reportedly become annoyed and left without making that report. Police had said that that matter was being investigated.

In another matter, 32year-old, Sandra Brescenio, a pregnant mother of four, was in April 2020, charged for the death of her reputed husband.

Brescenio had appeared before Magistrate, Dylon Best in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts but was not required to enter a plea to the indictable offence.

The charge alleges that on April 12, 2020 at Canabali, Barima/Waini River, North West District, Brescenio stabbed and killed her reputed husband, Clarence Williams.

According to Kaieteur News reports, on the day in question, the couple was involved in an argument, which later turned bloody.

The woman claimed that 35year-old Williams, a miner, had reportedly choked and threatened to push the defendant's head into a fire.

The deceased was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he made the

threats.

Reports indicated that prior to that, Williams had allegedly dragged his 32year-old reputed wife, out of church to prepare a meal for him. It was while preparing his meal that things turned sour. The police reported that the woman was cleaning fish with a knife and Williams reportedly threatened to push her head into the fire.

An argument ensued between the two and Williams was said to have choked the woman.

According to reports, the woman became “annoyed” that she was being choked and used the knife to stab Williams twice in the region of his groin. He was later found motionless in his bed.

The Magistrate had initially granted bail in the sum of $350,000 but this was reduced to $300,000 after Brescenio who was unrepresented told the court that she is five months pregnant with no one to care her children.

Two months after posting bail, Brescenio, completed a cosmetology course with a Diploma in Cosmetology that was created by the United Bridge Builders Mission Inc. (UBBM) in partnership with the International Organisation for Migrants (IOM).

On June 2, 2020, Melissa Playter turned 25, but there was no reason to celebrate since she spent her milestone in detention at the New Amsterdam Women's Prison.

The woman was charged with the murder of her reputed husband, and had been remanded to the facility in December of 2018. On her first appearance, she was not

required to plead to the indictable offence which alleges that on December 2, 2018, she murdered Victor Roberts.

According to Playter's relatives and many others who knew her, the tragic incident was the culmination

things came to a head.

According to neighbours, Roberts started abusing her, verbally and physically. He ran towards her and repeated his threat to kill her as the two got into a scuffle. Roberts, who sustained stab injuries, subsequently collapsed and

Dead, Darren Harris

of years of tumult, abuse, and fear in the relationship, which the mother of three shared with Roberts, the 38year-old father of her youngest child.

Some of Playter's close relatives believe her lack of a sound education and emotional support may have made her more susceptible to the likes of Roberts, whom they say was controlling and obsessive towards her for the entirety of the relationship.

According to reports, in the few years that the couple lived together, Playter had, had cause to make several reports to the police because of various instances of abuse from the man. Some had even remembered instances when she had complained about Roberts' abusive and controlling ways.

On December 2, 2018,

was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The woman was later arrested and charged with m u r d e r.

As Playter languishes in prison while awaiting a trial, her young children are yearning for their mother. While her sixyear-old and nine-year-old are in the care of their paternal grandparents, they face an uncertain future. Her youngest is now without either parent, just like she was at that age.

According to reports, the You Are Not Alone (YANA) Foundation and its CEO, Melissa Atwell, had embarked on a campaign to raise funds to secure Playter's pretrial liberty via a bail application to the High Court; they later raised the $500,000 High Court bail.

PAGE 42

Hero Man

By Varun It was a hot, summer day and Ralph (Hero Man) was walking to his friend's home.

“When is my first mission?” he wondered. While he was wondering, he heard people screaming and shouting. It was fire!!! Ralph quickly ran into his house.

While he was running to his home, he called his friend, Robin. Ralph said “Hey Robin, I could be late for your magic trick, I'm sorry, bye.” Robin said “it's ok, bye.”

When Ralph reached home, he took out his clothes and wore his armor, protective suit, wrist power watch, a GPS device, and lenses with a small alarm to know if he had another mission to do. So, he rushed to the Main Public Street (the place where the fire was.) There was so much fire that he couldn't believe. So, he went inside, took out the trapped people and made sure that everyone was safe. He also combined ice & water then sprayed it over the damaged museum.

Chapter 2 – Hero Man to the Rescue Then his alarm said “This fire was a bomb blast, it was the crime of three scientist cats, they are evil and they have so many powers than you, Hero Man. They live at the 74 East Street. They live in a building called Pleasant Apartments”.

Hmm,” thought Hero man, “so where is that Pleasant Apartments?”

He took out his GPS and set the route to 74 East Street, it was just 100.1 miles!!! So Hero Man used Reach Blast to get there quickly. When he saw a welcome board it said 'Welcome to New York City,' then he asked someone for routes. Hero Man asked

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

“Where is the Pleasant Apartments?”

A man nearby said “It's near the Subway Station.” Hero man said “Thank you very much”. The man said “You're most welcome”. Then he headed down the street and finally reached the Pleasant Apartments.

Then he asked a girl who was walkingby “Where are the scientist cats?” Then she said “They live in the apartment 334.Why do you want to meet them?” she asked.

“I'm not going to meet them I'm going to crush them”. Then he explained how they made a building blast in his city.

“Oh, ok” said the girl.

Chapter 3 – Scientist Cats go to Jail Then Hero man ran upstairs and kicked opened the door.

“You are going to be arrested, scientist cats!” he said.

Then, his mind filled with power, strength and fury that he blasted all their powers.

Then the cats started to run away. He chased the cats down the street, but he couldn't catch up with them. So he used his Reach Blast and caught them. Then he took them to the jail and explained the officer how they blasted their building.

“You will pay for this, cats,” he said.

Then Hero man went to his home using his Reach Blast and changed himself into Ralph and called his friend, Robin.

He said “Sorry Robin I could not come for your magic trick. I will come next time”.

“It's OK,” said Robin, “bye Ralph.”

“Bye Robin,” said Ralph. Then Ralph went to rest. That was the glory of Hero Man.

Junior page Aquarium Craft Supplies to Make A Cereal Box Aquarium Craft 1 large cereal box; Colored cardstock or Construction Paper; Shells; Kinetic Sand; Light Green Pipe Cleaners; Googly

E y e s ; Tu r q u o i s e Paint; Silver Paint; Stones; String; Fish Template; X-acto Knife (adults only to use); Hot glue (adults only to use); Scissors

Directions to Make a Cereal Box Aquarium 1. First you need to trace a cut-out on your box.

We used a sharpie to make our lines and then used an x-acto knife (adults only) to cut out the center of the box.

2. Now paint the inside of your box a turquoise blue color.

3. Paint the outside of your box silver (to make it look like an aquarium).

Now you can decorate your aquarium however you'd like!

Here are the elements we added: Kinetic sand as a background on the bottom.

We didn't try regular sand but regular sand would likely work too.

The kinetic sand sticks together and holds in place so it's easy to work with. You could also use cereal like cheerios or a puff style cereal to make it look like sand.

Green Pipe Cleaners – cut some strips of green pipe cleaners and glue to the bottom of your box to make it look like seaweed.

Sea Shells – we used the sea shells to hide the bottom of the pipe cleaners.

Add some sea shells wherever you think they will fit! These will need to be hot glued down.

Stones for the bottom of the aquarium. Stones will add some weight for the aquarium to stand up on its own. Stones can be placed at the bottom or hot glued down.

Now it's time to

add your fish!

4. Print off a fish template to make adorable fishes for your cereal box aquarium.

5. Now cut out your fish template and use it to trace your fish shapes onto your colored paper. We used

orange, yellow and red cardstock.

6. Glue on googly eyes to your fish.

7. Take a small piece of string and tape it to the back of your fish.

8. Now attach the strings to the top of your cereal box.

FUN WITH POETRY

I now like all at school Of the many subjects I learnt at school, I found some easy, and some hard; The easy ones were so much fun, But the hard ones made me feel bad.

Then I wondered why some were easy, And why I so much enjoyed them; It was just because I liked them, And only waited for the time to do them.

So I decided that the way to go Was to like all my subjects the same; Now I find I enjoy all of them – The hard and easy just like a game.

by Uncle Roy

Kaieteur News

Sunday September 12, 2021

PAGE 43

TEEN TIME

Develop the habits to make the most of the time and energy spent at your studies As the new school year starts, and you will be going back to school after a long period, you should be realising that you need to determine how to get the maximum benefits from what you will be doing.

Here are some habits that you need to develop in this effort: 1. Get organised – Make a plan for what you are going to do, e.g. homework, and when you are going to do it. This will ensure that you get everything done in good time.

2. Don't multi-task - Many children try to do other things, like watching the TV or using their cellphone while studying. This has been proved to produce less results at either

activity, so try to focus on your school work during study time.

3. Take notes during your lessons This will keep you more attentive, so that better learning will result, as well as make it easy to review your material afterwards, including when you are preparing for examinations later.

4. Manage your study space – Find a place at home that will enable you to be more productive. This should be well ventilated, and in some area away from the TV or any other distraction.

5. Ask questions during lessons.

You are in school to learn, so do not be afraid to ask for help from your teacher, or even your friends, for

clarification on any topic. Working with a study group of your classmates, and any others who are working at the same subject, will make sure that you understand the material. This will be a mutual effort, as you will be able to help one another.

6. Get enough sleep and rest – Getting a good night's sleep will sharpen your concentration and improve your memory, so do not neglect getting a full eight hours of zzz's every night.

We expect that you are looking forward to a great time at school, and hope that you stay happy and optimistic in this new phase of your education.

Control your Habits

by Roy Paul (Uncle Roy) Think of the many things that direct your life, Those that lead to good, and those to bad, The positive and negative, from without and within, And those that make you happy and sad.

Consider those for which you are responsible, And you will doubtless always find That the most powerful of these are the habits That you have cultivated in body and mind.

Our habits are the types of behaviour That we have indulged in repeatedly, So that they become ingrained in our psyche, And control our actions and thoughts intensely.

This means that when we over-indulge In activities that give us pleasure, We run the risk of getting addicted To something that would harm us beyond measure.

The answer must be to keep control Of the pursuits that we follow each day, Doing our best to emphasise those that benefit, And minimise the ones that lead us astray.

Suguru Suguru puzzles are quite different than Sudoku, so you'll want to read these rules carefully: You'll see that the grid is subdivided into containers or cages, each of which is 1 to 5 cells in size. You need to fill each container with unique digits, counting up from 1. So for example a 2square container contains the numbers 1 and 2. A 5-square container contains the numbers from 1 to 5. Adjacent (touching) cells may never contain the same number, and

this includes diagonally adjacent cells.The heavy lines indicate areas, called cages, from one to six squares in size.

Fill each cage with unique digits, counting up from 1.

So for example a 2-square cage contains the numbers 1 and 2; and a 6-square cage contains the numbers from 1 to 6. Adjacent (touching) squares, even ones that touch diagonally, may never contain the same number.

After the long spell away from school, it would b e necessary to make a special effort to get the most benefit from your studies.

Solutions to last week’s

Insane sudoku

PAGE 44

Kaieteur News

Sunday September 12, 2021

Dental care - adult Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within a few minutes after eating. If teeth are not cleaned well each day, plaque will lead to tooth decay or gum disease. If you do not remove plaque, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums. Bacteria and the toxins they produce cause the gums to become: Infected Swollen Tender Plaque and tartar lead to a number of problems: Cavities are holes that damage the structure of teeth.

Gingivitis is swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums, Periodontitis is the destruction of the ligaments and bone that support the teeth, often leading to tooth loss.

Bad breath (halitosis).

Abscesses, pain, inability to use your teeth.

Other health problems outside the mouth, ranging from preterm labor to heart disease.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEETH Healthy teeth are clean and have no cavities. Healthy gums are pink and firm, and do not bleed. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, follow these steps: Floss at least once per day. It is best to floss after brushing.

Flossing removes plaque that is left behind after brushing from between the teeth and on the gums.

Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Brush for at least 2 minutes each time.

Use fluoride toothpaste. The fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay.

Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or sooner if needed. A worn-out toothbrush will not clean your teeth as well.

If you use an electric toothbrush, change heads every 3 to 4 months as well.

Eat a healthy diet. You are less likely to get gum disease if you eat healthy foods.

Avoid sweets and sweetened drinks. Eating and drinking a lot of sweets increases your risk of cavities. If you do eat or drink sweets, brush your teeth soon after.

Do not smoke. Smokers have more teeth and gum problems than non-smokers.

Keep dentures, retainers, and other appliances clean. This includes brushing them regularly. You may also need to soak them in a cleansing solution.

Schedule regular checkups with your dentist. Many dentists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months for optimal oral health. Seeing the dentist every 3 to 4 months may be needed if your gums become unhealthy.

Regular teeth cleaning by a dentist removes plaque that may develop, even with careful brushing and flossing. This is very important for getting at areas that are hard to reach on your own.

Professional cleaning includes scaling and polishing. This procedure uses instruments to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Routine exams may include dental x-rays. Your dentist can catch problems early, so they do not become more serious and expensive to fix.

Ask your dentist: What kind of toothbrush you should use, and how to brush your teeth well. Ask if an electric toothbrush is right for you.

Electric toothbrushes have been shown to clean teeth better than manual toothbrushes. They often also have a timer to let you know when you have reached the 2 minute mark.

How to properly floss your teeth. Overly vigorous or improper flossing may injure the gums.

Whether you should use any special appliances or tools, such as water irrigation. This may sometimes help supplement (but not replace) brushing and flossing.

Whether you could benefit from particular toothpastes or mouth rinses. In some cases, over-the-counter pastes and rinses may be doing you more harm than good, depending on your condition. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001957.htm

COLOR ME

Kaieteur News

PAGE 52

Sunday September 12, 2021

- frustrated “Every time they break into my businessman, property,I have to foot the bill” Jinga Harry

M

a h a i c a businessman, Harrylall Motilall, told Kaieteur News yesterday that he is “fed-up and frustrated” of law enforcement officers, attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), who have been frequently breaking into his premises.

His concern with the frequent “break-ins” is that he is left to spend more than $1 million dollars to repair the damages they leave behind. “Usually, repairs runs about one million upwards because of what they usually damage or take,” Motilall said.

According, to the businessman, the GRA law

enforcement officers have broken into his property located at Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) at least 15 times already.

One of the most recent break-ins, he said, occurred on Friday September 3, last.

Motilall recounted that the GRA officers invaded his property around 01:30hrs. by breaking down his gate and cutting through his metal and grill doors.

The businessman said that the officers spent 45 minutes breaking, destroying and ransacking his property.

Based on a short cell phone recorded video he shared with this media house, broken padlocks were seen

lying on the floor. Also metal doors leading to a room were pried open and his grill door was completely destroyed.

Inside the room, there were overturned furniture and a small chest of drawers that was ransacked. Some household appliances, a refrigerator and a microwave were seen lying on the floor, notably damaged.

That break-in, according to investigators, was made hours after two GRA officers were shot and wounded in the area while trying to intercept a boat they suspected were transporting smuggled goods.

Investigators believe that Motilall, who in the past has been under the radar for

smuggling goods, was the one behind the shooting that evening. This was not the first time that the authorities had accused Motilall of shooting at law enforcement officers.

He was even placed before the court in 2020 for a shooting incident.

Kaieteur News understands that these were the reasons behind the o ff i c e r s b r e a k i n g i n t o Motilall's premises recently.

Sources related that the officers were searching for weapons but they found nothing illegal during the search and could not link Motilall to the shooting of their colleagues.

Motilall had told this newspaper that he had nothing to do with the

shooting and was at home participating in a festival he hosted. He is of the view that the officers had wrongfully broken into his property and had said, “everything happen here, they always blame me.

Like GRA have something against me…”

Apart from this, Motilall is also accusing the officers of being unprofessional in carrying out their duties.

“They show up most of the times when no one is home and operate like professional criminals so the watchman would run for his life. One time when they broke in, the man (watchman) was so scared for his life that he went missing for two days,” Motilall told Kaieteur News.

“They would present no

warrant for a search either,” he continued.

In addition to damaging his property, Motilall is convinced that the officers are taking advantage of him by seizing items which, according him can only be labelled as stealing.

“The last time they broke in they took a number of items including surveillance monitors, surveillance DVR, iPhones, iPod, chainsaw, cologne, etc., basically anything of value…” the frustrated businessman said.

Their actions, according to Motilall, has been traumatising to his family over the years, especially the constant blame being placed on him for illegal activities taking place along the coastal areas of Guyana.

A grill door which Motilall said was damaged by the officers.

Damaged household appliances lying on the ground.

Broken padlocks lying on the ground.

Upturned furniture in one of Motilall's room.

Kaieteur News

Sunday September 12, 2021

Four teams walk away with prizes at VYC's annual schools' robotics competition F

ollowing an exciting four weeks of Robotics Training at its Youth Centre in D'Urban Backlands, Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC) Inc. concluded the activity with the annual robotics competition.

A c c o r d i n g t o information released by the non-profit, of the nine secondary schools that participated in the training Tucville Secondary School placed first overall and secured two additional trophies in Engineering and Design and Programming Competency. St. Rose's High placed second overall and also won two additional trophies for Teamwork and Best Presentation.

Third place went to North Ruimveldt Secondary and a mixed team comprising of students from Dolphin Secondary, Christ

C h u r c h S e c o n d a r y, Campbellville Secondary and Richard Ishmael Secondary secured a trophy for top performance under the category Innovation and Creativity.

The Robotics Competition falls under VYC's STEM Afterschool Programme, which is an event held several times per year during the July/August school breaks and at annual events such as, STEM Conferences and Camps.

This year, 60 students across nine high schools benefitted from training in the Building, Designing and Programming of the LEGO Mind storm EV3 Robots.

VYC in a statement extended congratulations to the four teams who walked away with trophies at last Friday's event.

Volunteer Youth Corps Inc. is a non-profit

Tucville Secondary robotics team copped the wining prize at the VYC annual robotics competition. organisation that implements STEM education at its Academy as well as 15 high schools in Regions Three and Four.

This programme has been continuously funded

by ExxonMobil for over 10 years. Royal Castle donated meals in support of the competition.

The robot presentation by students of St. Rose's High School.

North Ruimveldt Secondary School placed 3rd at the VYC robotics competition

The St. Rose's High School students who took the 2nd place prize at the VYC robotics competition.

PAGE 53

Kaieteur News

PAGE 54

GNBS IN FOCUS Eager to re-engage students about the importance of standardisation Many schools reopened their doors last Monday, after a prolonged period of closure due to the COVID19 pandemic. Many parents and teachers are happy that once again students have the opportunity to engage in face-to-face learning, which they believe is more engaging and effective.

Once the dust is settled and the teaching and learning process is fully back on stream, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) through the Ministry of Education (MOE) intends to re-engage our students, who are our future leaders and business owners, on the importance of Standardisation.

It is crucial that our younger folk understand the importance and applicability of standards to every aspect of their lives as human beings. Standards can affect the products and services that are provided to us in many ways including those related to trade, competitiveness, quality and innovation. Additionally, some standards provide guidelines to protect our environment, while some are referenced in legal requirements.

The GNBS, like many other standard setting institutions across the globe, believes that the whole concept of Standardisation can be entrenched in society's culture and

practices once introduced to the concept at a younger age.

The education system in Guyana is structurally ideal for the transfer of such knowledge in a formalised manner.

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has been advocating that standard be introduced in schools so as to allow students to be sufficiently educated on the benefits of standards.

The ISO believes that from this initiative, there can be a transition from the early levels to higher learning and ultimately the working environment where products and services are produced and provided.

In the past, the Bureau has routinely conducted lecture sessions for secondary school students across the country.

In these sessions, students learned about the services the GNBS offers to protect consumers and to guarantee improved products and services.

They also learn of the i m p o r t a n c e o f measurements for trade.

Older students who are preparing for the world of work are also provided with knowledge on the career opportunities available in Standardisation, locally and internationally.

The engagements did not only benefit students of

secondary schools but the GNBS facilitated engagements with pupils at the primary level as well. In 2017, the GNBS launched an initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to teach pupils at the primary school level about the use and importance of standards.

This “Standards in Academia Initiative” was geared to be a bold and timely effort to make Standardisation a part of the primary schools' curriculum.

No doubt, the countrywide Quiz competition, which saw pupils from 10 selected schools in Regions Three, Four, Six participating, was an incredible success.

As soon as the Education system returns to a state of normalcy, the GNBS plans to approach the MOE to conduct another of such Quiz competition, and implement other initiatives, which are beneficial to the sector.

In closing, it is important for learning opportunities to be created for every individual to understand the usefulness of standards, which helps to make our lives easier in every way.

F o r f u r t h e r information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062, 2190065, and 219-066. Or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

Sunday September 12, 2021

OP Ed: Animal Fat or Oil at...

From page 14 conducted the step-one assessment, and it never contradicted the CBC's announcement that the substance was merely animal fat.

It also did not say whether it had sent its drones to inspect offshore, requested a fly over of the offshore production and exploratory drilling sites, or engaged a boat to check for the substance and collect samples. One can reasonably assume that if it had done these things, it would have said so.

Possible offshore sources of oil could be the Liza production operation, any of the exploratory wells being drilled, and/or a waste oil dump from a seafaring vessel.

There are increasing numbers of seafaring vessels s e r v i c i n g o ff s h o r e o i l interests. In fact, oilnow.gy, a Virtual site that promotes oil and gas exploitation in Guyana, announced on September 10, that Royston engineers had completed a 48,000-hour overhaul of a Wartsila W16V16 diesel generator onboard the Stena Carron, as it sailed from the Caribbean to a position offshore Guyana, where it is now carrying out drilling o p e r a t i o n s ( O i l n o w. g y September 10, 2021, Royston completes engine overhaul work on Stena Carron off Guyana's coast).

Could oil waste discharge have come from this vessel or any other vessel?

If the dark substance at

Kingston was the result of an oil spill rather than oil waste discharge, the operator would have likely applied chemical dispersants offshore to disperse the oil.

C o n c e i v a b l y, s o m e escaped oil could have still made its way to shore in waves. As has been the experience of Trinidad and Tobago, and other oil producing countries, operators are not in the habit of self-reporting spills. They may do so only when the scale is obvious.

We should be concerned about oil spills during operation and exploratory drilling not only for their potential catastrophic impact on the environment and resources upon which other parts of our economy depend, but also for what their frequency tells us about the systems and procedures, capacities, and risks associated with specific operators.

While one is inclined to think about the devastating effects of a spill coming to shore here or in our sister Caribbean countries, one is often less appreciative of the damaging effects of multiple unseen spills over the long term to marine life, fisheries, and human health.

Precaution in operation as well as precautionary monitoring, evaluation, and event response are crucial for safeguarding our interests.

Yet, neither the CDC, the EPA, the Ministry of Natural Resources, nor the Office of the President conveyed a sense of urgency and thoroughness in ensuring

that there was no looming risk offshore. It is worrying that both the CDC and EPA focused their discourse narrowly on the Kingston Seawall location.

Through collaboration with the Trinidadian NGO Fisherman and Friends of the Sea, I sought the assistance of Sky Truth, a NGO that makes available to anyone satellite technology and other remote sensing data specifically “to hold polluters and others accountable for harmful activities that would otherwise remain hidden from view.”

Of course, Sky Truth could not speak to the issue of animal fat. However, the reader does have here the satellite and remote sensing image and interpretation produced by the Sky Truth of Guyana's offshore environment on September 2.

You can decide whether the data supports the conclusion that the dark substance observed by citizens was animal fat or whether it suggests some form of crude or waste oil from offshore.

Does the way in which this incident has been handled make you feel that you can rely on institutions entrusted with the responsibility for managing, monitoring, responding, and protecting us?

Does this give you confidence in our leaders' commitment to our natural wealth, health, and protection of the non-oil segments of our economy?

Midwife/COVID-19 field worker, Dianne...

From page 46 she imagined, Sandy boldly said NO! She went on to explain, saying, “When I got out in the field, it was new to everybody, when we try to get information over to some people, yes some people accept and they would ask questions, but some people still believed that there was no COVID, and some would even use derogatory words and walk way.”

Sandy revealed that as a h e a l t h c a r e p r o v i d e r, understanding a patient's views and reactions can significantly determine whether or not they accept treatment. “When you look at someone, you try to

understand the person, don't go straight into the COVID19 lecture…try to understand how they think, listen to what they have to say and how they feel about it.

Then we explain this is how it works, this is how it happens, this is what we expect of you, if somebody don't want to listen, we just smile and say it's okay; we never argue with them,” she said.

According to Sandy, her own mother was among those who decided not to be vaccinated against COVID19. However, after she was provided with sufficient information, she took it.

“Some people are concerned about the vaccine. They have questions and concerns, especially as it relates to how we got the vaccine so fast.

We had to explain that this is not the first time that COVID-19 is in the air; this is another strain of SARS… I had to talk to my mom because she never wanted the vaccine.”

Today, Sandy is among the health workers who are stanchly advocating for vaccine update to help beat the pandemic in order to make the world as safer place.

“I would like to say that the vaccines are safe, and persons should come on board and protect themselves and family. Vaccines have always been there; vaccines have always helped with other diseases like polio and stuff like that.

Without vaccines, many more might have been dead,” she quipped.

Kaieteur News

Sunday September 12, 2021

Teachers on strike this past week

T

he Ministry of Education is reminding teachers, who opted not to take part in the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) sponsored strike this past week, that they cannot and will not be punished and that the Ministry will in fact guarantee their protection.

This was the position adumbrated by the Ministry yesterday in response to what it called reports of open and subtle threats being made to teachers who decided not to participate in the present strike action being engaged by the GTU. According to a public missive issued by the Ministry yesterday, it is in receipt of several complaints from recipients of the GTU facilitated Government of Guyana scholarships that they are being advised that their scholarship would be in jeopardy if they do not participate in the strike.

As such, it was elucidated that Government

PAGE 55

Education Ministry promises protection for teachers not on strike

through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Service, “wishes to make explicitly clear that scholarships are not granted based on anyone's political affiliation nor whether they support strike action or not and would not be taken away because of the same.”

A c c o r d i n g l y, t h e Ministry said, “…the GTU does not have jurisdiction to revoke any scholarship that was granted to a teacher by the Government of Guyana, even if the scholarships came from the arrangement between the Government and the Union.”

The Ministry said too, it is equally aware that the promise of duty-free concession and the power to withhold same is being used in these circumstances to gain participation in the strike.

According to the Ministry, “we reject all attempts by politically motivated forces within the GTU to threaten those

teachers who have chosen not to participate in the present strike action and ask that good sense prevail as we work in earnest to move the education system forward and meaningfully engage our children academically at this time of international crisis.”

This past week hundreds of teachers from across the country engaged in a three-day strike action in front of the Ministry of Education's Brickdam office and other locations, to protest the recent vaccination mandate that was put in place by the government.

Members of the GTU on Tuesday during a virtual meeting announced plans for the three-day strike action in hopes of having the vaccination policy for

teachers rescinded.

Government, ahead of the strike action, had updated the C O V I D - 1 9 e m e rg e n c y measures in the Official Gazette stating that any person who wishes to enter a public building, which they have lawful access to, must be vaccinated.

The Education Ministry before opening schools had issued a notice that teachers must be vaccinated before they return to schools or submit a negative PCR test once per week if they wish to not to be vaccinated.

Following the COVID-19 restrictions, the GTU had indicated that it was against the vaccination mandate for teachers and had even expressed disapproval on the arrangement made for the reopening of schools as it relates to teachers

being marked absent if they cannot produce the PCR test r e s u l t s .

After the Union's call for strike, the Education Ministry in a statement on Tuesday evening condemned the action by the G T U c a l l i n g i t “unconscionable and uncaring.”

“We condemn this action as irresponsible and not reflective of the realities of the present state of the COVID-19 pandemic nor the needs of the nation's children,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry further noted that vaccination for teachers is not mandatory, but stressed that for those who do not want to be vaccinated, there are other guidelines put in place, that is, to

submit a PCR test.

The Union's General S e c r e t a r y, C o r e t t a McDonald, had told media operatives that the restrictions need to be lifted.

She is of the position that the protest is not only concerning the vaccine but other financial issues not honoured to the Union by the Ministry.

“If the Minister and her colleagues are ready to lift the restrictions in the Gazetted order, and they are ready to honour our obligations and the financial obligations, we would say to our members, return to school in full strength for both face-to-face and online classes,” she had asserted.

Until they are ready to talk, she said, “we will continue to ask teachers to withhold their services.”

PAGE 56

Kaieteur News

Sunday September 12, 2021

...Exxon had warned Govt. against using Wales location

VEHICLES FOR SALE Tractor Massey Ferguson 165-$1.7M,Massey Ferguson 135-$1.1M, Ford Ranger pick up $900,000, Ford F150 pick up $1.1M. 682-5230/615-4414.

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Able body porters needed.Apply@Why Pay More Trading,7 Public RD Houston E.B.D with application.

Cleaner needed for Central Georgetown area. Please call 600-7433.

One female accounts clerk,knowledge in POS system would be an asset.For more info.Contact:227-3580.

NB:Proof of vaccination card or a negative PCR test will be required before entering premises.

2 truck driver for interior, must have knowledge about Foden Trucks $200,000 monthly.Call:642-2359.

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Laboureres to work at Ice House, $3500 per day.

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One general domestic, Covid 19 vaccinated for Tuesday & Saturday between Cove & John,Unity area E.C.D.259-0953, 6233231,613-0836.

Salon assistant,female age 24-40, no experience required however would be a plus 500-6008 between Wed-Sat 9AM-4PM.

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Maid to cook and clean for East Bank.Call:615-9132.

From page 13 elevation appeared better and it had all-round less of an impact on the surrounding communities.

Further, it was found that Vreed-en-Hoop may be a challenging landing location due to the need to manage landing a high pressure pipeline in an area of higher population density and the active river waterway.

In parallel, the Site Selection Team conducted a review of its findings of the two locations, and based on the Report submitted in November 2017, there is a preference towards the Woodlands location.

As it relates to the costs, Cabinet in its paper was notified that regarding Vreed-enHoop, capital costs associated with this site indicate an additional incremental development cost (USD$72 million) compared to Woodlands, due to the requirement to connect gas and power supplies to the Wales Estate.

It was noted that the additional Offshore pipeline would cost US$12 million while the Industrial site transmission and pipeline would cost some US$60 million making the WCD venture some US$72M costlier.

ExxonMobil in a confidenVACANCY One salesman,5 subject cxc.

Experience in writing bills,stocktaking & cashing.

Keyfood Trading,Mc Doom village.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 25-50, Car/ Van licence. Call 642-9823.

Domestic Housekeeper. Job located in Georgetown. Attractive salary. Call:609-2995.

AM/PM Shift cashiers.

Math & Eng required. Send apllication to 173 Sheriff St, Campbellville,Georgetown.

Poultry/Livestock Farmers.

Live in accomodations, contact 609-2995. Send application to 173 Sheriff St, Campbellville, Georgetown.

Cook/Baker,Pitmen & Porter for interior location. Applicants must be experienced.

Call: 231-2250.

Labourer carpenter & mason.Contact:602-9469/ 657-5800/666-2887.

Vacancy for night helper (Cleaner). Call:637-6700.

Vacancy for 1 professional and experience hairdresser located on East Bank Demerara Grove Market Street. Call:652-5800.

Caribbean Cinemas Providence seeks Managers, Customer Service, Cashiers.

Great benefits, flexible h o u r s . E m a i l : hrmanagerguyana@gmail. com , 645-0944.

tial 'Power Plant Location Assessment Update' that was submitted to the then administration had warned “Additional technical analysis has assessed Vreed-en-Hoop to have $72M US incremental development cost versus Woodlands, due to the requirement to connect power and gas supplies to the Wales Estate.”

The company had warned too that a Vreed-en-Hoop power plant location's limited land footprint requires pairing with a separate industrial zone and an additional government infrastructure project is required to integrate the Wales location.

It was found that this linkage-- Gas/power supplies to Wales estate will be the largest incremental cost. Given the varying considerations at the time, Cabinet was requested to review, consider and endorse the recommended “site of Woodlands as the proposed landing site for the offshore pipeline and development of a natural gas power generation facility with associated industries, based on preliminary studies conducted.”

The current administration has however embarked on a landing site at Crane, a few kilometres from Vreed-enHoop to land the gas pipeline before making its way to the Wales Development Zone (WDZ) using an onshore pipeline.

Despite no detailed financial or other studies being completed, the Government of

Guyana said it has finalised WDZ as the termination point for the pipeline from the Liza Area in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana and as such is seeking private investors or a consortium to be part of the project.

It has since invited private interests calling for joint participation in the proposed gasto-shore project with the government and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana.

According to an advertised Expression of Interest (EOI), the government and EEPGL are looking for partners “in designing or utilising the outputs from an NGL (Natural Gas Liquids)/LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) facility and related facilities.”

This includes, according to the Ministry, design, construction, and financing of a power plant fuelled by natural gas, where the power will be delivered into the Guyana Power and Light's (GPL) distribution grid. This is in addition to industries that can utilise natural gas for, “Natural gas driven developments and growth.”

That plan, the Ministry said, must include a description of the proposed project, details on land required and related infrastructure, required quantities of gas and electricity (capacity [MWhr] and energy [kWhr]), with information on expected pricing, volumes, and ability to manage potential variable gas flows.

The Ministry in its invitation noted too, that the decision on Wales was taken after extensive evaluation of multiple sites with ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

The WDZ encompasses over 14,000 plus acres of land of which approximately 1,300 acres will be set aside for heavy industry/gas-related investments.

The project, according to stakeholders, is expected to see some 27 kilometres of pipeline being buried from the Crane, WCD location to Wales, in addition to some 200 plus kilometres of pipeline from the Stabroek Block where the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel is located.

According to the administration, WDZ will be the location for the termination of the gas-pipeline measuring over 225 km from the Liza Area.

Additionally, it will involve the establishment of a gas-processing plant (GPP) and a Natural gas liquids facility (NGL) capable of producing at least 4,000 bbl./day, including the fractionation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The private partners will also be expected to take part in the operations of the establishment of a power plant to generate 150 MW, with an additional 150 MW as a second phase in addition to the establishment of an industrial park comprising industries that can utilise gas, steam and/or electricity.

...Canje Block campaign to emit hundreds of From page 12 about 402 tons annually.

Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can cause memory problems and difficulty concentrating. It can also cause vision loss and hearing loss. In rare cases, severe carbon monoxide poisoning can cause Parkinsonism, which is characterised by tremors, stiffness and slow movement.

As it relates to CO emissions from the flaring, according to EEPGL, this is projected at 58 tons monthly or some 696 tons annually.

The CO emission to be had from the use of support vessels is expected to be some six tons monthly or some 70 tons annually.

The total CO emission to be had from the drilling campaign is expected to be 1,169 tons.

Collectively the annual emissions of the other gases to be had as a result of the

operations are expected to be cumulatively about 400 tons annually.

Additionally it was outlined in the project summary that the 112 well drill campaign is also expected to generate significant hazardous and non hazardous waste.

According to the document, as it relates to hazardous waste, this includes oily residue between 31 and 77.6 tons each month.

As it relates to non-hazardous waste, the company says it envisions this at between 46 and 100 tons each month, while sanitary and domestic waste see amounts of up to 4,500 tons each month.

According to ExxonMobil Guyana, the waste would be generated for the various categories based on the class of drill ships that would be used, anticipated number of support vessels and typical crew sizes normally used for deep water well drilling of this type

and the planned duration of the drilling campaign.

An application for Environmental Authorisation is currently with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for ExxonMobil Guyana to spud a 12-well Exploration and Appraisal (E&A) drilling programme in the Canje Block, Offshore Guyana.

ExxonMobil last year said it has identified considerable undrilled potential of more than 50 leads in the Blocks it operates in Guyana's offshore Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The oil major has also announced plans to do more drilling in prospects targeted in the Kaieteur and Stabroek Blocks.

ExxonMobil currently operates offshore Guyana holding stakes in 11 million acres along with a number of partners making up the three consortia, which own the licences.

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

President turns sod for $2B hospital to be built with Indian loan On Friday, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali participated in a sodturning ceremony for the construction of a $2B hospital on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two. According to the

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, the hospital will be built with a loan from the EXIM bank of India.

The government hopes that it can be completed in 2023 and at the ceremony, it

was stated that it will be a multi-specialty hospital.

The new $2B facility will have more than 250 beds, a fully equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and other modern healthcare facilities and services.

PAGE 57

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali along with Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, turning the sod for the $2B hospital at Suddie.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 58

Sunday September 12, 2021

COVID-19 claims Multi-million $$$ East ... five more lives

A

nother five persons who were infected with COVID-19 have died.

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the new deaths mean that 49 deaths have already been recorded in September.

The latest fatalities are that of a 37-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), two women – a 35-year-old and a 57-yearold from Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica) and a

78-year-old woman from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).

The new fatalities have taken the death toll to 674 since March 2020.

Meanwhile, as of yesterday, another 263 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus, taking the total number of infections recorded since March 2020 to 27,782.

Of the new cases recorded, Region One has five new cases, Region Two has 22, Region Three has 40,

Region Four has 129, Region Five has seven, Region Six has 28, Region Seven has 17, Region Eight has seven, Region Nine has three and Region 10 has five.

Additionally, there are 32 patients receiving critical care in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 148 people are in institutional isolation, 2,772 are in home isolation and 17 are in institutional quarantine.

To date, 24,156 people have recovered.

From page 10 required. This publication was however unable to ascertain whether those persons are still employed in that capacity.Also, there were reports that the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) is responsible for the maintenance of the overpasses but when contacted, officials there revealed that while that government entity has being doing maintenance of the aesthetics, this is only done “from time to time.”

This obtains, one of the officials revealed, since the

DHBC does not receive a budget to facilitate works in this regard.

Following an inspection of the overpasses earlier this year, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, had revealed that the overpasses will be subject to a forensic audit by the Auditor General, Deodat Sharma.Minister Edghill in a statement had said, “10 elevators were bought for these five overpasses and none of the elevator systems on these overpasses are functioning. As a matter of fact, the technical people have advised me [that] since installation, they have not really worked.

All that we have here is a scandal. Monies spent and there is no benefit for the people because...10 elevators became non-

functional and people still struggling to get up and down these stairs.”

In stating his displeasure that the project represents a waste of taxpayers' money, he added “We have had situations where people got stuck in these elevators. The doors are not functioning properly and they are not available… Significant sums have been spent on these five overpasses and elevators. This is a project that was [done in] 2018. We are now in 2021, maybe the warranty period is already dead and we do not have the benefit.” When contacted last week, Auditor General Sharma said that the audit process is on-going and his report is expected to be completed by the end of the month detailing all of his findings.

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday September 12, 2021

Pooran pyrotechnics leave Guyana in driving seat for Semi-Finals

Odean Smith knocked the stuffing out of Tallawahs’ chase Sep 10, 2021 © Getty Images

CPL - Guyana Amazon Warriors have one foot in the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) semi-finals following a 46-run victory over the Jamaica Tallawahs.

The Amazon Warriors won the toss and elected to bat first and captain Nicholas Pooran led the way with a brutal 75 not out to set the Tallawahs 170 to win.

In reply the Tallawahs succumbed to a heavy defeat as Odean Smith and Gudakesh Motie combined to bowl the Amazon Warriors to victory.

Guyana got their innings off to a steady start amassing 46 runs in the PowerPlay but they had to contend with the loss of Brandon King and Chandrapaul Hemraj in doing

Sunday September 12, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Family members might discuss a possible vacation today, Aries, but everyone wants to go to a different place! Arguments could occur, taking all the fun out of the discussion.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today it may appear that a lot of people are arguing over very strange things, Taurus. Usually you can see both sides of a disagreement, but today you might wonder if there's any side to what you're hearing.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Tempers could be short in a group with which you're affiliated. What started as a meeting could end with disagreements. You might be tempted to chastise everyone, but that isn't a good idea.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today's energy might be especially draining for you, Cancer. Your tasks could require more effort than usual, and you could be exhausted by midday.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Old emotions could well up from your unconscious today, Leo. Your nerves could be on edge. You might even lose your temper on occasion.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you could visit a friend who's recuperating from an illness or injury, Virgo. This person may be bored and antsy, and you should be prepared to hear all about the frustrations.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A debate over a controversial subject involving politics or social issues could take place today, Libra. You might find the subject fascinating and learn a lot.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you might be required to fumble through a lot of paperwork in order to locate certain information.

This might be a drag, and you might not find what you're looking for in spite of it all.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Tempers could be on edge in conversations between you and some of your close friends. Even you, who are usually very laid back and easygoing, might be tempted to snap at people.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Stress and strain could take their toll on you today, Capricorn. Your significant other might be in a foul humor.

When the two of you get together, you might want to sit in companionable silence and not say much.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today you could spend a lot of time running errands.

There might be delays due to circumstances beyond your control. You could experience that old mounting frustration.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A lot of energy might be expended on an artistic project that you probably won't like, Pisces. You could get halfway through and then toss it away.

so.

Despite Shimron Hetmyer then running himself out, Nicholas Pooran and Shoaib Malik put together a partnership of 54 runs from 33 balls to place Guyana in a strong position with six overs to go.

Pooran then took on the responsibility of getting his side into a good position and his pyrotechnics at the back end of the innings ensured Guyana Amazon Warriors posted a very competitive 169/6.

The Tallawahs were able to keep pace with the required run rate in the early stages of their reply as Haider Ali and Kirk Mckenzie overcame the loss of Kennar Lewis to put on a 41run partnership.

Odean Smith’s entry into the attack proved pivotal as his two wickets in two balls swung the pendulum back in Guyana’s favour and he wasn’t done there as he also got rid of Andre Russell in a wonderful wicket maiden over.

Alongside Smith, Gudakesh Motie spun a web as his three wickets helped

...Foster assures Upper Corentyne From page 62 funds would assist the active sub association to manage cricket in the area on a day to day basis and Foster also announced that the West Berbice Cricket Association and the Berbice River Cricket Association would also get developmental grants along with the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association.

UCCA President Dennis D’Andrade expressed thanks to Foster for his unmatched interest in the development of the game in the sub association, noting that Foster was the most visible leader in the history of Berbice cricket who was always available to talk to players and listen to suggestions. Most importantly, he noted that every single promise has been fulfilled.

The developmental grant also represented the first of its kind from the parent body and the UCCA President stated that it would be used for the intended purpose.

Foster informed the gathering that he would be seeking his third and final two years term when the board hosts its Annual General Meeting in December. He stated that he was committed to making Berbice cricket, the role model of West Indies cricket and to make sure that every person feel part of the system even if they are not supportive of his slate.

ensure there was no chance of an unlikely win for the Tallawahs.

The victory for the Amazon Warriors means the Tallawahs will now have to win the return game to make the semi-finals.

POINTS TABLE TEAM M W TKR 8 5 GAW 9 5 SLK 9 5 SKNP 8 5 JT 9 4 BR 9 2

L 3 4 4 3 5 7

Scores: Guyana Amazon Warriors 169/6 (Pooran 75*, Hetmyer 23; Russell 2/ 35, Green 1/17) beat Jamaica Tallawahs 123 all out (Mckenzie 28, Brooks 21; Smith 3/21, Motie 3/25) by 46 runs.

NR 0 0 0 0 0 0

PTS 10 10 10 10 8 4

NRR 1.037 0.041 -0.116 -0.619 0.216 -0.619

...British qualifier Raducanu wins From page 61 grand slam to be in the final. I can’t really believe it but I can’t wait to get stuck in. I’m sure the crowd will be great so it will be a really positive experience.’

Canadian Fernandez, 19, is also an unexpected finalist and her giant-killing run has included victories over former champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber and topfive seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina.

She said: ‘It’s been incredible. I’ve been having a lot of fun on court, I’ve been playing well and I can’t wait for the finals today. I think

we’re just going to go out there and have fun. We’ve both been playing incredibly well.’

Raducanu is being backed by millions back in the UK after she won widespread praise for her semi-final performance, including from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and footballer Marcus Rashford.

The match was being shown live on Channel 4 after a last-minute deal said to be worth £30 million was struck with Amazon amid feverish anticipation among the tennis-loving British public.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday September 12, 2021

Wiese’s five-for, du Plessis’ 84 keeps St Lucia Kings in playoff contention

E

David Wiese took three wickets in one over Sep 10, 2021 © Getty Images

SPNcricinfo - St Lucia Kings sealed a comfortable win over bottom-placed Barbados Royals in a rain-affected game after Faf du Plessis crunched a 54-ball 84 in the first innings which was followed by a David Wiese five-wicket haul.

Du Plessis hit five fours and four sixes from No. 3 and kept scoring at a positive tempo despite the Kings losing three wickets in the powerplay. The openers perished to Mohammad Amir and Roston Chase went back after a seven-ball duck, but du Plessis kept finding the gaps. Against spinners Jake Lintott and Joshua Bishop, he played the cut and sweep, and against the pacers he looked to hit straighter over extra cover or in front of midwicket.

He fell in the 17th, 16 short of what could’ve been a second CPL 2021 century, but the base was set for the final push. Tim David found his levers to clatter 34 in 23 balls while Keemo Paul added another 22 in 11. The result was Royals needing 175 to keep their slim playoff chances alive.

And it looked like the Royals could pull it off when Johnson Charles and Shai Hope excelled in the powerplay. After Kyle Mayers fell in the third over, Charles and Hope hit Wahab Riaz and Alzarri Joseph for plenty of boundaries to race away to 56 for 1 in six. But Wiese - who will represent Namibia at the T20 World Cup next month quickly changed the scenario in the space of six balls in the ninth over by removing both set batters and

taking out Glenn Phillips too.

He first sent Charles packing with a cutter that was too wide for the batter to play at; he sliced it in the air, and Wiese called for the catch before completing it. Phillips averaging just over 20 this season was then caught behind for a golden duck, and Hope was gone last ball of the over when his cut off a rising ball took an edge to stand-in captain Andre Fletcher with du Plessis not on the field.

Jason Holder then kept the fight on for Royals by hitting left-arm spinner Jeavor Royal for three sixes and a four in the 13th over to keep the required run-rate in check. But from the other end, the support wasn’t forthcoming, with the allrounders Thisara Perera and Nyeem Young out in single digits.

Eventually, Holder fell victim at 34 to a Wiese slower ball, and just as he was celebrating his fourth wicket, the covers came on.

Play resumed 45 minutes later, with only one over lost and Royals needing 52 in 3.3 overs. That was, however, too much for Royals’ lower order to pull off despite some late hits from Hayden Walsh Jr. Wiese removed Walsh in the game’s last over for his fifth, which also officially brought down the the curtains on Royals’ chances of making the playoffs and consigned them to a bottom-placed finish for the season.

Scores: St Lucia Kings 175 for 6 (du Plessis 84, David 34, Amir 231) beat Barbados Royals 155 for 8 (Holder 34, Wiese 5-25) by 14 runs (DLS method).

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 65

RHTYSC honours Moses Ramchandren with Ronaldo debut double highest award - Dolphin Award of Excellence as Man Utd thrash - Club makes donation to Rose Hall Town Council for 51st anniversary Newcastle to go top RHTYSC Secretary Hilbert Foster hands over bicycles to Town Clerk Natasha Griffith of the Town Council.

RHTYSC Vice president Mark Papannah hands over Dolphin Award of Excellence to Moses Ramchandren.

“The success that the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS has enjoyed over the last thirty years would not have been possible if you and the other sixteen founders did not have the vision and courage to lay the foundation for the current leaders to build on.

You served as our first Secretary for over five years and you were a mentor and role model to all of us and that is why we are very proud to honour you today with our highest award- the Dolphin Award of Excellence,” the words of long standing Secretary/CEO of the RHTYSC, MS Hilbert Foster as he spoke at a simple presentation ceremony at the St Francis Community Developers Center in Rose Hall Town.

Moses Ramchandren, who served as the first Secretary of Guyana’s leading youth and sports club from its formation in September 1990 to 1995, was honoured with the club two highest awards - The D o l p h i n Aw a r d o f Excellence and the Zenith Award of Excellence. The Dolphin Award is specially

reserved for a total of one hundred outstanding Guyanese, while the Zenith Award is the highest Award that a RHTYSC member can receive for outstanding service. Foster expressed thanks to the former Secretary for his outstanding contribution to the early development of the organisation.

Ramchandren who migrated to the United States of America in 1997 also served as the club’s vice captain at the second division level and was a s u c c e s s f u l wicketkeeper/opening batsman. Foster noted that Ramchandren had every right to be proud as the club he had assisted to form has gone on to become a household name in Guyana and is the only youth and sports club in Guyana to have ever receive a national award.

The RHTYSC has won over one hundred cricket tournaments at different levels and has produced one hundred and eight payers for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies. It has also won five Guyana Cricket Club of

the year awards: in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2016.

Among the players that have represented the club are Shawn Grant, Neil Williams, Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Esaun Crandon, Delbert Hicks, Khemraj Mahadeo, Kevin Sinclair, Kevelon Anderson, Konathan Rampersaud, Askhay Homraj, Dominic Rikhi, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheeneta Grimmond and Shabaki Gajnabi.

A humble Ramchandren expressed gratitude to the management of the club for honouring him and stated that he was very impressed with the achievements since he migrated. He committed himself to assisting the club to fulfill its mandate of serving youths and the less fortunate.

Meanwhile on Wednesday last, the club also handed over a donation

of items under its Basil Butcher Trust Fund to the Mayor and Town Council of Rose Hall Town to assist the council to celebrate the fifty first anniversary of the township. The donation included two cycles, educational materials, trophies, medals, certificate frames, national flags and gifts. Foster, stated that the club was pleased to be associated with Guyana smallest township and was committed to assisting the town council to make a positive difference for residents.

The teams making the presentations were Poonai Pharmacy under 12 and 13, Farfan and Mendes under 15, Bakewell under 17 and Second division, Metro females, Pepsi under 19 and intermediate, Vitality under 23 and Namilco Thunderbolt under 21 and First Division.

British qualifier Raducanu wins U.S. Open title Daily Mail - Emma Raducanu has won the US Open final in a nail-biting clash against Leyla Fernandez to become the first British woman to win a major title in 44 years.

The 18-year-old from Kent fell to the ground and put her hands over her face after beating the Canadian 6-4, 6-3, in front of 24,000 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

Raducanu is a double

history maker as the first Brit to win a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977 and is the first qualifier - in either the men’s or women’s game - to win a major.

The first set was a thriller, with the games toing and froing from deuce to advantage and back to deuce again as the teenagers played fearless high-speed rallies from the baseline.

But in the second set,

F e r n a n d e z ’s w a y w a r d serving ultimately let her down and Raducanu was able to heap on more pressure.

She won the tournament without conceding a set and with it she has claimed a £1.8 million cheque, as well as moving up in the rankings from 150 to 23.

The match was preceded by a poignant ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, with a massive Stars

and Stripes flag unfurled by female cadets, while a ‘9-1101’ stencil has been painted onto the court.

Speaking just before walking on court, Raducanu said: ‘The time has flown here in New York. I’ve just been taking it one match at a time and it has got me to the final.

‘I’m going to go out there and enjoy it today. It’s so exciting in my second (Continued on page 59)

MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) - After all the hype, the build-up and expectation, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered in almost inevitable fashion on his return to Manchester United scoringtwice to send his side top of the Premier League with a 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford yesterday.

With his compatriot Bruno Fernandes adding an 80th minute screamer and substitute Jesse Lingard producing a lovely finish the fourth, it was the perfect start to what feels like a new era for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.

“When you win a game you enjoy it. When you see fans being happy you really enjoy it. There were loads of expectations today. They all delivered,” said Solskjaer.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has developed into a fantastic goalscorer. He played a very good game, He dropped in, linked play well,” he added.

Long before kick-off, fans in shirts bearing Ronaldo’s name and his number 7 were singing the name of the Portuguese 36year-old around Old Trafford and they were not to be left disappointed.

Ronaldo has broken all the major goalscoring records in the game and perhaps the only surprise was that it took him until almost halftime to score the first of his second spell in English football.

He was placed in the middle of an attacking trio with Mason Greenwood to his right and Jadon Sancho to the left with Fernandes hovering behind the front line.

The five-times Ballon d’Or winner, who returned to United from Juventus last month, opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime, pouncing from close range after Newcastle keeper Freddie Woodman spilled out a low drive from Greenwood.

It wasn’t spectacular but it was the perfect example of the way Ronaldo, a speedy winger in his first spell at United, has re-shaped

himself as a goal-poaching striker.

It wasn’t all a ‘welcome home’ party, however, as Javier Manquillo brought Newcastle level in the 56th minute with a low right-foot drive after Miguel Almiron had led a swift break from the visitors.

Newcastle had exposed an obvious drawback with the attacking line-up chosen

by Solskjaer — their vulnerability to the counterattack — and it remains to be seen if better teams will be able to take greater advantage of the lack of protection in front of United’s back four.

United’s momentum was in danger of being lost but once again the Portuguese showed his deadliness in front of goal, restoring the lead in the 62nd minute with a goal that truly did recall his early days under Alex Ferguson.

He showed power and speed as he latched on to a through ball from Luke Shaw and despite the presence of two defenders, fired through Woodman’s legs before reeling off to celebrate with his team mates in front of an ecstatic Stretford End. Fernandes made sure of the three points in spectacular style 10 minutes from time, collecting a square ball from Paul Pogba and unleashing an unstoppable shot from 25 metres which swerved at speed into the top corner.

Substitute Lingard added to the celebration with a well-taken shot from inside the box after more good work from Pogba as the Old Trafford faithful headed home to the refrain of ‘Viva Ronaldo.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce, the former United captain, was able to put aside his disappointment with his team’s performance to appreciate Ronaldo’s impact on his return.

“If there is a genuine superstar among everyone, then this kid is with what he has achieved. We have witnessed it again today. He is something else,” he said.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday September 12, 2021

CWI’s fitness criteria is flawed

Harper continues to contradict himself about performance

Romario Shepherd

Roger Harper

By Sean Devers h e n C W I ’s lead selector Roger Harper said Shimron Hetmyer was not given a performance contract and was not selected for the Test series against South Africa I agreed that performance and fitness were key ingredients for success.

But all of a sudden, recent performance no longer matter to Harper, who ‘was not a great off-spinner and a little more than adequate hard hitting batsman’ as described by cricinfo.

Harper’s Test average is 18.4 and averages 16.3 in ODIs with the bat and 28.6 in Tests and 34.1 in ODIs with the ball.

There was no fitness test done after the International T20 series against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan so it appears that the fitness test done almost five months ago was used to assess the players’ fitness level for the T20 World Cup.

W

Sherfane Rutherford

Odean Smith The CWI’s fitness Test is flawed because players should be judged on their present fitness ahead of any major tournament since their careers are in hands of the selectors who should treat them fairly.

When contacted Sherfane Rutherford, who last represented the Guyana National team in 2018 and played the last of his six T20Is in January last year, confirmed he was never asked to do any fittest Test

by CWI since he returned from Abu Dhabi and that he would have been willing do so.

Rutherford, one of only four batsmen to reach 200 runs in the CPL (before

yesterday’s match) looks superbly fit and is among the top fielders in this tournament and it’s very confusing for Harper (a brilliant fielder when he played) to say Rutherford is not fit.

It is more astonishing that Harper feels Odean Smith, who consistently bowls at 140k, hits big sixes and is a sharp fielder is not fitter than Ravi Rampaul.

Rampaul is the leading wicket-taker (before yesterday’s game) and deserves to be in the World Cup squad.

However, it’s amazing that Harper feels that Rampaul, who turns 37 next month, is fitter than Smith

and Rutherford.

It makes one wonder if Harper was watching the same CPL that the others were watching.

The same Harper who left out Hetymer because of a lack of performance now selects Gayle who turns 42 on September 21 and has only passed 20 twice in his last 10 T20 matches with 42 being his highest score.

In his last eight T20 matches, Jason Holder has scored 66 runs with a highest score of 22 with ducks against Jamaica Tallawahs and TKR in his last innings and has just managed four wickets (before yesterday’s match).

If being in the squad is so

important to West Indies successfully defending the title they won in 2016 then CWI could have appointed Gayle as a batting mentor as India did with MS Dhoni.

However, Harper again conveniently discards performance when he selected Holder ahead of Romario Shepherd who has 14 wickets despite missing two games in the CPL. Shepherd has shown he is an excellent death bowler as he demonstrated in the only super over of the CPL so far and has also shown his ability with the bat.

Daren Bravo has been rewarded with a tour to the UEA after just 50 runs from

five matches in the CPL with highest score of 19 and an Average of 16.6. So much for performance counts Mr Harper.

For Harper to suggest that Sunil Narine was not selected due to not being fit is almost laughable for those who has been following his career and are aware of his repeated issues with his ‘illegal’ bowling action.

In his recent press conferences, the utterances of the 58-year-old Harper continues to befuddle cricket fans and its time CWI gives someone else an opportunity to head their selection panel since it is unlikely that they could do a worse job.

Foster assures Upper Corentyne clubs of BCB continued support - Hands over developmental fund to UCCA President of the Berbice Cricket Board Hilbert Foster on Thursday last met with clubs registered with the Upper Corentyne Sub Association and reassured them that the cricket board would continue to invest heavily in their development. The meeting which was held at the No 72 Cut and Load Cricket Ground was attended by most of the twenty eight clubs registered to the association. Foster was a c c o m p a n i e d b y Vi c e President Qualis Wynter, Secretary Angela Haniff, Executive Lykden Edwards and UCCA President Dennis D’Andrade.

Foster who was making his 103rd visit to the area on cricket related issues since his election in 2018, informed the clubs that the

BCB was aiming for a restart of the 2021 season sometime in October and announced that senior teams in Upper Corentyne would be involved in three tournaments for the rest in the year. The tournaments would be the Vishu Super Store 40 overs, Vitality Inc 20/20 and the NPG Packing Ltd 100 balls.

Te a m s w i t h j u n i o r sections would be involved in several tournaments which would have already started before the season was suspended in March due to the rainy season. Junior cricket would be played at the under 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 levels, while first division teams are expected to play in at least two knockout tournaments before the end of the year.

One female tournament

would also be played.

The BCB President also informed the clubs that only vaccinated players would be allowed to play in tournaments organised by the board, in keeping with policies laid down by the Government. No spectators, liquor bars or music would be allowed at matches, while social distancing and the wearing of masks in the pavillion would be required.

Foster sternly warned that clubs who break the regulations would be debarred for the rest of the year as the BCB would be adopting a no nonsense attitude in an effort to keep everyone safe. The BCB, he also announced, would expect players to play for the clubs they had register with earlier this year. Among other topics discussed at the

BCB Vice President Qualis Wynter hands over developmental grant to the President of the UCCA Dennis D’Andrade in presence of fellow BCB executives and representatives of clubs in the area. meeting were umpiring at matches, preparation of grounds, hosting of a mini cricket academy for youths in the area, youth coaching manual, assistance to clubs, unauthorised cricket matches despite covid regulations and the

distribution of cricket gears to youth cricketers in the area.

Foster announced that he plans to seek another two years term when the BCB hosts its Annual General Meeting in December and reassured the clubs that his

administration would continue to invest heavily in the area. The board also took the opportunity to announce and hand over a developmental cash grant of one hundred thousand dollars to the UCCA. The (Continued on page 59)

Sunday September 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 67

DVA A Division league

Eagles to clash with Achievers for title Round robin action between Eagles (left) and Young Achievers earlier in the tournament.

Team Eagles

T

he Demerara Vo l l e y b a l l Association (DVA) A division league has reached its final stage after two months of deserved and competitive play under strict covid-19 guidelines that saw Eagles Volleyball Club and Young Achievers occupying

Young Achievers

the top two positions on the league table with Castrol Strikers last.

And, beginning Tuesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) from 19:30hrs, the top two teams will contest a best of three finals to determine the winner of this competition which is the

first bit of competition play by both the DVA and the G u y a n a Vo l l e y b a l l Federation (GVF) since precovid.

Achievers finished at the top of the league table with 14 points while Eagles finished second with 11 points. Following

Tuesday’s contest, the second game will be played this Friday the 17th of September and if needed, the third game will be played on the 21st of September.

Young Achievers line up will include National players such as Juan Velasquez,

Creston Rodney and Kondyke Rodney, while Eagles will gave at their disposal national players such as Quacy Matheson, Trevon McRae, Kristoff Shepperd and Dester Hoppie.

A c c o r d i n g t o competition committee

member, Kristoff Shepperd, the finals are anticipated to be highly entertaining and keenly contested.

And, fans will not have to worry since all the games will be streamed live on the G u y a n a Vo l l e y b a l l Federation Facebook Page from 19:00hrs.