Kaieteur News

K

Chinese manganese NEWS company causes massive flooding in Matthews Ridge

Friday Edition

AIETEUR

September 17, 2021 - Vol. 23 No. 38

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 79,439

Billion $$$ bid security for Eccles/Mandela four-lane road, sidelines small contractors The protest continues for change to the Exxon contract

Brazilians protest unfair practice at Lethem crossing - uproar leads to shortage of supplies

Over 400 People's Militia ranks unpaid for months Govt. revokes order requiring private lands for new Demerara River Bridge - opts to use State property

ExxonMobil slapped with another climate

change lawsuit

…US Prosecutor alleges decades of misleading fossil fuel information

Listen to how Guyana would become worse than Africa. Listen on Kaieteur to Prof. PLO Lumumba, Director of Kenya School of Law.@11:00hrs Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Friday September 17, 2021

Final batch of State Counsel trained in consolidation of Guyana's laws

A

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC, yesterday presented certificates to a group of State Counsel at the Ministry, representing the final batch of persons trained in the consolidation of laws

ttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, yesterday presented certificates to a group of State Counsel at the Ministry, representing the final batch of persons trained in the Consolidation of Laws, as the Government of Guyana continues in its quest to build capacity, in order to effect and execute the massive law reform agenda that lies ahead.

The Regional Law Revision Centre Inc., Anguilla, conducted this training programme virtually earlier this year under the auspices of Professor Velma Newton, CBE, SCM, and the Regional Project Director of the Improved Access to Justice (Continued on page 17)

Kaieteur News

Friday September 17, 2021

PAGE 03

ExxonMobil slapped with another climate

change lawsuit

Vermont's Attorney General, T.J. Donovan

…US Prosecutor alleges decades of misleading fossil fuel information.

V

e r m o n t ' s A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l , T. J .

Donovan, has filed court litigation against Exxon Mobil Corporation and the Shell Oil Company in the U.S. State of Vermont's Court on Tuesday last, alleging the companies misled the citizens there for decades with marketing that conceals the contributions to climate change and the harmful effects of burning their fuels.

The lawsuit in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Civil Division, is the latest of about two dozen similar ones

by States and Local Governments, from Rhode Island to Honolulu, that are seeking monetary relief over claims that oil majors harmed them, as they downplayed or misrepresented how the fuels they sold exacerbated the environmental risks tied to climate change.

A c c o r d i n g t o international reports, Vermont's lawsuit seeks the disgorgement of all profits the companies made as a result of any unlawful practice in the State, and makes the claim that Exxon, Shell, and a handful of fuel distributors violated Ve r m o n t ' s C o n s u m e r Protection Act, with their advertising and statements at gas stations, on their websites, and on social media.

An Exxon Mobil spokesperson, Casey Norton, has since dismissed the claims as "baseless and without merit."

According to Norton, "legal proceedings like this waste millions of dollars of taxpayer money and do nothing to advance meaningful actions that reduce the risks of climate change."

AG Donovan in a statement said: "Vermonters have a right to accurate information, in order to make informed decisions about the products they purchase."

The State of Vermont

alleges that the companies have known for years, through their internal research, about "the central role of their fossil fuel products" on climate change, but obscured their connection to climate change in marketing materials, in order to avoid losing their Vermont consumers.

Citing Exxon's website, the complaint says, for example, that the Irving, Texas-based company claims

courts, accusing them of violating State laws by deceiving consumers about harms caused by their products.

Earlier climate lawsuits by cities, including Baltimore and California's Imperial Beach have accused oil and gas majors of causing a public nuisance by selling their products.

A United Nations climate panel said last month in a landmark report that the

Attorney-at-Law, Melinda Janki its Synergy-branded fuel will help "'reduce CO2 emissions,'" but it fails to mention that the fuel remains a significant contributor to climate change.

CO2 or carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that is released when fuel is burned.

The harmful effects of climate change, to which the companies' products have contributed, range from rising sea levels to extreme precipitations and droughts, the complaint says.

Vermont is also asking the court to impose fines on the defendants.

According to reports, over the past two years, attorneys general from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, and Delaware have all sued members of the fossil fuel industry in State

world is already certain to face further climate disruptions for decades.

Exxon is facing similar climate change related legal action domestically when two Guyanese, through their lawyers, in May last filed a case in the High Court against ExxonMobil's Stabroek Block projects.

The legal team consists of Attorneys-at-Law, Melinda Janki and Mr. Ronald BurchSmith, with support from Richard Lord, QC, at Brick Court and Joshua Jackson of Cloisters in the UK. According to the case, which lists Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC, as a representative for the State, the High Court is being asked to determine whether ExxonMobil's operations violate the Constitutional right of current and future

generations to a healthy environment.

The first applicant, Dr. Troy Thomas, is a scientist and a University of Guyana l e c t u r e r. T h e s e c o n d applicant, Quadad DeFreitas, is a young man from the South Rupununi Region of Guyana, an area rich in biodiversity, now threatened by climate change.

A c c o r d i n g t o D r.

Thomas: “Guyana is a carbon sink. The Guyanese people are not responsible for climate change, but we are already suffering the effects.

Climate change, ocean acidification and rising sea levels pose existential threats

to the people and State of Guyana. As a scientist, I urge people to look at the evidence and to face reality.”

The case cites Guyana's international obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, in support of its claim for declarations that emissions from oil and gas production make the environment more harmful to health and wellbeing in violation of Article 149J of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a healthy environment, and requires the State to protect the environment for present

and future generations.

Article 149J specifically states that: (1) everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to his or her health or well-being. (2) The State shall protect the environment, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures designed to – (a) prevent pollution and ecological degradation; (b) promote conservation; and (c) secure sustainable development and use of natural resources, while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

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Kaieteur News

Friday September 17, 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

Presidential exception, leadership immunity We at this publication take a bold position. What we have here as a standard, in standing leadership protections, has outlived its useful life. That should have been gone a long time ago, such an unnecessary and almost criminal baggage it has become for this poor, weak nation. In addition, in view of what has happened here, under one government and leader or the other, it is long past the time that presidential exception and any other leadership immunities should have gotten the boot.

We speak broadly, so as to cast the widest arc, unscrupulous and wily politicians, not only leaders, have taken the fullest advantage of the protections on the books.

They have abused and chronically misused such protections to steal from this population, and then use every asset at their disposal to falsify with more trickeries. They do so with a combination of deceptive practices, ranging from exploring the law for any protective loophole, dissembling blatantly or not saying anything (stonewalling when it suits their purposes), and attacking messengers with unwanted messages in efforts to overpower and cower them, and continue along the same thieving, shameless ways.

We appreciate that political leaders, especially governing ones, cannot afford the time or energy to be tied up in court appearances and routine summon and suits. We are in full agreement that they should be granted immunity from what are clearly frivolous, vexatious, and overly litigious, sometimes malicious. But on those issues and areas that are of vital national significance, then there must be provisions for calling leaders, leading politicians, and their inner casts, to book. In other words, they must be made to feel the heat, with their faces pushed closest to the oven. Let the legal and judiciary flames lick at them, let them be made answerable, let leaders who go down the wrong way pay the price.

We look at our rapidly growing oil wealth, and our diminishing understanding of what is going on with it. What is truly happening with it, from its management by political leaders, to their leadership manipulations with this wealth, and to the disturbing terminations of where and how this wealth could be, and mean. The same goes for our other natural resources wealth also mismanaged and then with the devious delivered to the public. To that could be added, extrajudicial killings composed and conducted by political leaders, under one disguise or another (crime fighting, freedom fighting, national security), and clean governance with the big-ticket items in this society’s patrimony. Our history shows us, repeats to us, and confirms to us that we have not been treated honestly by our leaders, but most poorly, and with the very costly resulting. It is why the bulk of Guyanese are still so poor, after owning such an abundance of riches, having so much potential.

Political leaders know that they can get away with murder, so they kill and bury the truths that we should know. They sense that they commit the worst of arsons, so they incinerate our hopes and dreams. They do so with a smirk and a smile, and to our faces, because they know that they can get away with every manner of villainy with the nation’s prospects and treasury, so they engage in such villainies with real impunity. It is time for that to be changed. Moreover, this is what we put before our fellow citizens, be they thinkers or tinsmiths, professors or peasants, or critics or comrades.

None should be so limited as to think it overreaching, or out of step, or not necessary. Given what our leaders have done to this nation for the last half century, we should not wait a moment longer.

It is our position that Guyanese should not sit back and wait for the local equivalent of an Augustus Pinochet, or Manuel Noriega, or Reza Pahlavi to come to full flower, through all the devastations that have been wreaked at their hands, to happen here. There should be no hanging around, while hoping and waiting for international pressure and international sanction. We must and should change what we can do here. Any meaningful constitutional reform must include provisions for removing immunities and holding powerful leaders to account.

Remember that the dangerous Delta variant emerged because of high levels of unvaccinated people Dear Editor, Vaccine mandates are being implemented globally and regardless of what people think about this matter there’s a very important fact that remains - remember that the dangerous Delta variant emerged because of high levels of unvaccinated people. A recent research article (https:// www.medrxiv.org/content/ 1 0 . 1 1 0 1 / 2021.08.08.21261768v2) from scientists at the University of Maryland, using global genomic surveillance data accumulated for SARS-CoV2 variants, showed that virus mutation frequency is inversely proportional to vaccine coverage. So lower vaccine coverage means the virus mutates (forming variants) faster. This article is in the process of being peer reviewed but one can still look at the numbers, as they

are real and collected from 20 countries.

The numbers show what is already known from the basic science of how viruses operate and what scientists have been reiterating to the general public from the start of the pandemic - vaccination suppresses viral mutations, we need to get vaccinated as fast as we can to decrease the number of hosts (people) available for the virus to spread, thrive and mutate into worse forms. In the paper in question, it is shown that the mutation frequency of the virus in India (highest of all countries studied), which at the time had less than eight percent of its population fully vaccinated, was significantly higher than that of countries which had more than 40 percent of their population fully vaccinated. Remember that the Delta variant emerged in India when less than four

percent of its population had received one vaccine dose.

Crisis followed where millions were infected, oxygen was in short supply and hospitals were overwhelmed. Crisis is what public health officials (globally) are trying to avoid with the implementation of vaccine mandates since to get out of the pandemic we need very high levels of immunity in our communities and at the population level and, only vaccines are going to get us, safely, to such high immunity levels.

A lot is being said on the best way to deal with current infection surges due to the Delta variant and it includes a combination of control measures in addition to vaccination. While all measures are important to help break chains of transmission (the virus spreading), we must not lose sight of what needs to be

achieved to get out of the pandemic (globally). To do so and fully suppress the virus, we need population level immunity. Without a doubt, control measures help to significantly reduce the spread and prevent hospital systems from becoming overwhelmed but it remains very important that everyone (who can) needs to get vaccinated or we may end up with a worse form than the Delta variant.

There is also a lot of commentary on ‘breakthrough infections’ the vaccinated getting infected, citing Israel as an example. Israel has attributed this to waning immunity from vaccination with the Pfizer vaccine– basically a reduction in protective antibody levels is seen with time (antibodies being those defense molecules, which (Continued on page 5)

Vaccination: moral obligation, collective responsibility, logical decision Dear Editor, There is a range of feelings and beliefs that underpins low vaccination rates in Guyana, including fear, skepticism, and a libertarian type of defiance to public health measures.

While the pandemic drags on, people are refusing to inoculate in the name of individual freedom. The recent protest and strike actions are indicative of a tugof-war between private liberty and public health on the issue of the Government’s COVID19 emergency measures. And it seems to me that this will become a battle with no end unless each of us recognises and acts upon our collective moral responsibility to contribute to the public health good of herd immunity.

Ethical problems often arise because of a conflict between two competing goods. One ethical problem, which arises due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the conflict between an individual’s freedom and a public health good, such as vaccination and herd immunity. This has entrusted us with the difficult task of deciding whether to vaccinate or not—all the more so when one feels coerced to be vaccinated, the failure of which could result in some loss or restriction. One could resort to demanding one’s fundamental right to liberty and bodily integrity with respect to vaccination, asserting that it is one’s choice and one’s body.

However, some individual

freedoms are not absolute and can be curtailed for higher ethical values.

One could argue that the fundamental right to make free decisions is limited by Mill’s harm principle: my liberty is not absolute, but is constrained by other people’s equal liberty and their right not to be harmed by me.

Some might object to the idea that we have a moral obligation to protect other members of the community against COVID-19. They might think it would be a good thing to do, but reject that there is a moral obligation to do so—let alone that there should be a legal obligation, or State coercion, to do so.

Still, some might appeal to their individual liberty to act in a manner consistent with their choice.

Upending the harm principle, they might even argue that to act in a manner that protects others would violate their fundamental right to liberty and to bodily integrity. Admittedly, one could concede the point and say that, even assuming there is an individual moral obligation to protect others, does not entail a moral obligation to be vaccinated against the virus.

However, we all have some rights, which determine some moral obligations that fall upon everyone. In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have a right not to harm other people by preventing the spread of the virus. This, in turn, generates a moral obligation on others

not to harm me by preventing the spread of the virus. Hence, I have a duty to abstain from any action that could harm or risk harming other people, and to act in a manner that could promote certain benefits to other people.

Vaccination has an important role in protecting individuals from infectious diseases and in reducing the transmission of infections in the population through herd immunity. Achieving this public health goal requires the collective action of the population. Vaccination involves a very small cost to me and a large benefit to others. If non-vaccination harms others or risks harming others, then failing to vaccinate is as bad as actively doing something that harms or risks harming others. If a non-vaccinated person infects another, then he would be causally and morally responsible for the harm caused. Otherwise, it is very unlikely that a nonvaccinated person would infect another where herd immunity exists; but, where there is a low vaccination rate; a non-vaccinated person would not make a difference to the risk of infecting another, since someone else will and the virus continues to be transmitted in the population.

So, here’s the question: if an individual, acting on his right to individual liberty, chooses not to be vaccinated against COVID-19, who then is the bearer of the moral duty not to harm others? Is it the vaccinated individual? What

if the percentage of vaccinated individuals is significantly less and the vaccination rate is alarmingly low? Would the vaccinated individuals still bear the burden of the moral duty not to harm others? Some moral obligations cannot be fulfilled by the individual alone, but by the collective acting to bear the burden, which the individual cannot bear alone.

And given a low vaccination rate, no one person alone can bear the burden of not harming others.

Given all epidemiologic factors being equal, I think it is the public health good of herd immunity that can guarantee a sufficiently high level of protection from harm.

No one person can bear the burden of contributing to achieving herd immunity alone. It can only be a matter of the collective acting to achieve a public health good.

This entails that each of us has the moral responsibility to contribute to the realisation of the public health goal of herd immunity.

There is, therefore, a principle of fairness in the contribution of the burdens of the collective obligation; and this principle entails that each of us has the moral responsibility to make our fair contribution to herd immunity through vaccination. Unless we all act upon our collective responsibility, the battle between private liberty and public health will rage on while the number of cases continues to escalate out of control.

Sincerely, Ronald N. Emanuel

Friday September 17, 2021

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Kaieteur News

The President must not miss this opportunity to show openness and impartiality Dear Editor, A Nation-State and Citizens must always be alert to signs that they are heading to human degradation in the form of barbaric treatment by one set of people against another group.

Just a few years ago, we experienced the wanton killing and torture particularly of a certain section of our male population.

Not so long ago, those who trumpet and proclaim the return to democracy were silent when the two Henry cousins were tortured and partly buried in West Coast Berbice.

In the aftermath, there were protests, I say justifiable by shocked citizens against

this barbaric and cruel behaviour.

Later we heard a prominent gentleman tell a particular section of our population, that they should arm themselves.

After August 2020, we have seen the harassment and persecution of certain persons by certain sections of our Police Force.

While decent law-abiding citizens cannot get a ready response from the Police in certain areas of Guyana, this same Police Force could have deployed half a dozen vehicles and 47 ranks to retrieve a few Barber Chairs, the State apparatus claimed were illegally procured and a pattern has since been set.

The Police Service Commission is demonised as top-ranking members of the Government, seem to want to decide which Officers should be promoted or not.

The essence of democracy is not what takes place at National Elections every five years or so, but whether the average citizen could enjoy the benefits of a free and fair environment, where the State regards the life of every citizen as sacrosanct.

The role of the Police is to protect those lives and as its Motto says “To serve ALL citizens, communities of Guyana in a professional, proactive and accountable manner.”

...Remember that the dangerous Delta From page 4 neutralise the virus).

Consequently, they are administering booster shots, which increased antibody levels again.

This should emphasise the importance of getting protection from vaccination since we know there is protection from measurable levels of antibodies generated post vaccination.

Further, if you look at the huge amount of data coming out of US and Canada, with tens of millions vaccinated, there is overwhelming evidence to show that places with very low vaccine coverage have resulted with a surge in hospitalisation and death. Some amount of breakthrough infections is expected because vaccines aren’t perfect but we can’t say breakthrough infections mean the vaccines aren’t working. They are actually working very well at preventing a severe form of the disease. They are now less effective at preventing mild infections since we are dealing with a much more aggressive form of the virus than the original Wuhan strain; all vaccines currently in use were developed against the original strain.

Many companies have altered vaccines to target the Delta variant and others but these modified vaccines must go through testing in clinical trials again. Nevertheless, current vaccines protect against severe illness, hospitalisation and death and are therefore very much effective. The bigger problem would be if something worse emerges but we can help prevent that, with most getting vaccinated.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the worry was whether we would have a vaccine before the virus changes into something worse. Then vaccines came but worse forms of the virus

still emerged due to low global vaccination coverage of which a major contribution factor is vaccine inequity which arose because of vaccine nationalism and equity initiatives such as COVAX still having a supply shortage and being underfunded. To date, of the 5.82 billion doses of vaccines administered only 1.9 percent of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose. Less than six percent of the population of Africa has received one dose while this is 61 percent and 55 percent for North America and Europe respectively. The WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, in a September 14 statement said, “More than 5.7 billion doses have been administered globally, but only 2% of those have been administered in Africa. This doesn’t only hurt the people of Africa, it hurts all of us. The longer vaccine inequity persists, the more the virus will keep circulating and changing, the longer the social and

economic disruption will continue, and the higher the chances that more variants will emerge that render vaccines less effective.” This message, in various forms, has been repeated numerous times by many professionals and leaders globally since the start of the pandemic – it takes a collective approach to suppress variants and get out of the pandemic. I think vaccine inequity is a bigger threat to a pandemic end than anything else because high levels of unvaccinated areas mean high likelihood of more variants of concern. Vaccine inequity indicates that having access to vaccines is a privilege.

So, I urge everyone to make full use of this privilege and get vaccinated and, help to prevent something worse than the Delta variant from arising.

Instead of contributing to vaccine, hesitancy be an advocate for vaccine equity.

Sincerely, Jacquelyn Jhingree, Ph.D.

Daily, we are in receipt of reports that sections of the Guyana Police Force are being used like the proverbial pit-bull, snatch, snare and suffer certain identifiable groups in our society.

Tuesday morning, we received information that a 29year-old resident of Dartmouth on the Essequibo Coast was shot and killed while asleep in his bed after it is alleged his home was broken into by the Police with neither warning nor warrant.

No matter what investigation takes place, we must not ignore the sanctity of a man’s home.

Nothing promised by the top brass of th e S t a t e apparatus can justify this summary execution of 29year-old Orin Boston, a young businessman with a wife and two small children in his home.

In a truly democratic environment, the Minister in charge of the Police would have offered his resignation forthwith.

Not so in Guyana!

We recall how scores of young men were killed by the infamous Black Clothes Police.

Statements by the Bacchus brothers and conversations I have had with one of them who lived near to me and was later executed suggest that this process of wanton killing was supervised by a high Government Official at the time.

A truism is that history repeats itself.

Is this killing of young Boston at Dartmouth a beginning to the return of

the days of execution and brutality by certain sections of our Police?

I quote only a few lines from a Dossier, which refers to certain events.

The list is painfully long.

Remember the torture of 1 5 - y e a r- o l d Tw y o n Thomas, at the Leonora Police Station.

We must not forget the torture of residents at Buxton, torture of Patrick Sumner and Victor Jones.

The killing of PPP G o v e r n m e n t M i n i s t e r, Satwaydeo Sawh, Ronald Wa d d e l l , Inspector Leyland October, etc.

But Editor, I will not burden this letter with sordid details for I yearn, plead, beg and pray for peace in our land and I wish to neither excite nor incite, but those of us who know the demographics and history of Guyana would appreciate the significance of what took place in Buxton and today in Dartmouth.

Notwithstanding, for peace not conflict I ought not to commit the sin of silence as I lean heavily on the wisdom of the Late

Martin Luther King, Jnr, when he reminded America and the world, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

In the circumstances, the period I referred to above and the Statement by the Police, it would be tragic, unfortunate and unacceptable for an enquiry to be conducted by the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Government hierarchy.

We live in a polarised society and only a truly independent individual or group identified as a result of meaningful and open consultation, the Government, Opposition and respected members of our society will be satisfactory.

The President if he is truly wedded to One Guyana must not miss this opportunity to show openness and impartiality.

In the meantime, on behalf of my wife and family I would like to offer our sympathy to Mrs. Boston and the two young children who must face a fatherless future.

Yours faithfully, Hamilton Green

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Friday September 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

The pitiful state of Guyanese Dear Editor, I look at our race-coded ferment, and I sense the inevitability of division, contradiction, exploitation, and oppression. We are unlikely to rise from the depths at which rich Guyana is stuck. The predators come in their droves; still, we are paralysed by division, and the grind of mutual distrusts.

On both sides of the overheated racial divide, there is absolute adoration for and submission to the wiles of leaders and cronies. There is neither frankness of truth nor fairness of objectivity where

PPP and PNC groups are concerned. The President visibly lacks substance, but is bowed before as a pillar by his own. The Vice President has a lengthy record of the questionable, but benefits from gushing worship that confirms the blindness of racial fanatics. Similarly, the Opposition headman and his team have grim histories that prompt recoiling, yet they have their uncaring mass of tribal fundamentalists. Is there any morality, any selfrespect left? Any truth in us?

Hysterias prompt paying lip service to truth, justice,

ethics and clean leadership.

Yet few can bring themselves to call for unity or national conversation. Men with professional labels before their names, academic letters after them, and imagined high ideals degrade themselves with leadership integrity imagined. If leaders are as touted, Guyana is Atlantis, Arcadia, and Avalon combined. If President, Vice President, ministers, and opposition are as hailed, we are well set; not a worry in the world. But none come close, and we all know so. Thus, the same Guyana of old:

limited, backward, bigoted, contentious, and disorderly.

We refuse doing the right thing: get vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the foreigners exploit us. We grin. Snarl, too.

There is no interest, ability, energy for reconciliation, since spoils diminish. How long this pyrrhic state will prevail? I think that the history of all local politicians demand the honest forensics that search for simple truth.

The President is about the high sounding, but is pleased with low performing where clean

leadership is concerned. He is Dr. Fluff. Dr. Bluff is the Vice President, a leader who sees a coin, and gets convulsed. The Opposition Leader is a joke, phantom, figment of imaginations. He is another smoke and mirror man, whose presence drains us.

Yet we abandon prudence, believe. I don’t.

These are the men that men and women in this country lose their senses over, slavishly support for any farce, any concoction.

Suspect leaders command such following from uncaring worshippers. Guyanese

sacrifice conscience and character for the racially divisive. We pity Jim Jones’ followers. How pitiable are we? Unsurprisingly, we possess the strength and passion to hate with unrelenting, unparalleled heat those not their own. Because we so nourish ourselves. We kowtow to the crookedness of leaders, while always pointing to others as racial and political infidels. So what are we? We cannot cure our cancers (money, power, governance), when we refuse to hold leaders-known characters-accountable. It is always the other side, yesterday’s corruptions. Not today. Not mine. How dishonest we are!

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Still no conferral of national awards Dear Editor, The Rotary Club has conferred an award. But still no conferral of national awards to deserving persons.

Is this important symbol of no further use in national life?

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday September 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

Guyanese companies and hopefuls can't even make a little money, from supporting goods and services to foreign companies drilling offshore.

The foreigners occupy jobs.

The foreigners carry the oil.

The foreigners take the cream from our milk and the milk also.

The latest is captured in a KN article headlined, 'Surinamese to supply all food and beverages to offshore oil rigs.' We can't even supply our own food and drink and make something.

We soon could be supplied with food and drink from Suriname and elsewhere, since we don't have enough of these things here.

This is local content for Guyanese.

This is how they operate, the PPP Government and its predecessor; they allow everybody, but Guyanese, to profit from our oil wealth.

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Friday September 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

Billion $$$ bid security for Eccles/Mandela four-lane road, sidelines small contractors

T

he Central Housing and P l a n n i n g Authority (CH&PA) of the Ministry of Housing and Water, headed by Minister, Colin Croal, is looking for contractors to execute the construction of a brand new four-lane highway connecting Eccles and Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), but according to some in the industry, the invitation in itself, sidelines small contractors from the

beginning.

This is since to even obtain a bid document to get the specifications required by the Ministry to prepare a bid, attracts a nonrefundable fee of some $50,000.

Additionally, interested bidders are being made to provide bid security at the minimum of $500M, or at least 1.5 percent of their bid price.

In some instances, bid security could be as much as $1B or above, or at least one

percent of the bid price.

Cumulatively, the effects of the requirements, according to several contractors that have spoken with this publication on the condition of anonymity, “essentially sidelines small contractors from being a part of the process from the beginning.”

At least one source told this publication that the requirements, as outlined by the ministry, makes a mockery of the Procurement Laws that guarantee that 20

percent of government contracts be handed to small contractors.

The requirements that have been set out from the beginning, according to one such contractor, effectively sideline all of the smaller operators in the industry, clearly paving the way for a preferred bidder.

The bids are to be opened on November 4, this year.

According to the Ministry, contracts will be awarded to the lowest (Continued on page 16)

Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal

One in custody for Over 400 People's Militia killing Kaneville man, ranks unpaid for months murdered day before signing for newborn

A

lmost one week after 36-year-old Nelson Thomas called “Nelo,” was robbed and killed the day before he had planned on going to sign for his only child, the police have arrested one suspect in the matter. Meanwhile, the murdered man was laid to rest on Wednesday of this week.

It was reported that early last week, the father had travelled from the interior to sign for his newborn son, but that opportunity was taken away from him after bandit (s) pounced on him and robbed him of his gold chain and his cellphone, which led to Thomas being fatally stabbed during the attack.

The police had reported that the miner was killed sometime around 21:30hrs. on Thursday night of last week at Kaneville, East Bank Demerara. He was reportedly killed during a robbery after he left his Fourth Field, Kaneville home where he resided with his wife, his newborn son and his mother.

The man had left his home to visit his uncle who lives at Second Street, Kaneville.

During an interview with this publication, Thomas' relatives had related that the deceased's wife had given birth to her baby boy several days before Thomas returned home. As such, they stated that Thomas who spends most of his time in Cuyuni, Region Seven, travelled out so that he could sign for his son.

“He left home to go by his

Dead, Nelson Thomas uncle, who had promised him something; he only came out this week and today [September 10, 2021] he had planned to go sign for his one and only child,” Thomas' aunt said.

She further stated that after he left home, his wife had called him to inquire when he would return. It was at this point Thomas reportedly told his wife that he was 15 minutes away, and that he will be home soon.

They noted that minutes later they got the news that Thomas was found dead with a knife wound to his chest.

When they went to the scene, they saw Thomas lying on his back in a pool of blood with his eyes and mouth open.

The miner's body was then escorted to Diamond Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect remains in custody, and the investigation into this killing is ongoing.

Despite more than 400 members of the Guyana People's Militia (GPM) being deployed nationwide to provide assistance for the Ministry of Health's ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination drive, the ranks, however, have not been paid since March 2021.

Nevertheless, in an effort to guarantee their concerns are voiced, several members of the GPM contacted Kaieteur News to air their plight. They did so under the condition of anonymity, because of fears of the consequences of publicising their situation.

As part of their recruitment, an agreement was inked, which stated that the ranks were to be paid their salaries on a monthly basis.

The agreement further stated that they were to receive a stipend for being a part of the pool of trained recruits augmenting the

vaccination drive efforts.

Meanwhile, some of the ranks were trained to administer vaccines, while others were trained to complete documentation and any other tasks assigned to t h e m .

Additionally, the ranks report to work on a dayto-day basis from 08:00hrs. to whenever the vaccination site stops working. The ranks are provided with lunch and transportation to the vaccination sites from their various command bases.

The ranks indicated that their engagement to assist in the provision of vaccination service requires much more of their time away from the GPM, and their responsibilities there, which leaves them little of time for resting. They also stated

that they are requesting swift action for the payment of their salaries. However, one rank said, “You work for one week straight and after that you still have to go back to the base to do drills and other military stuff.” It is alleged that ranks were told that President Ali is yet to sign off on the necessary documentation for their payment. On September 9, 2021, Opposition Leader (Ag), Roysdale Forde, took up the issue. He said that the ranks have been providing frontline services and deserved to be paid for serving this country.

“President Irfaan Ali has the time to go and spend Government monies, to run about the country, to go to Region Two to campaign and now, people are here without salaries – 400 or

As COVID-19 cases spike... Health

more of them – but they have to go out every day to provide vaccine services to the people of this country.

This also captures the abandonment of good governance in relation to the people of this country,” he said.

In relation to the COVID-19 vaccine specifically, it was first administered in Guyana on February 11, 2021, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to Pharmacist, Brinnet Bernarai, who works at the hospital. Since then, over 337,000 persons have had their first jab, and over 175,000 were fully vaccinated utilising sites across Guyana.Kaieteur News yesterday made several attempts to contact the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Accounts Department. Those efforts, however, have proven to be futile.

Minister urges

business owners to enforce the COVID-19 restrictions

While the positive COVID-19 cases continue to spike, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, is urging business owners to enforce the gazetted COVID-19 guidelines.

Within the past 24 hours, 299 new infections were recorded, while approximately 76 deaths have been recorded for September alone. The majority of the persons who have died were unvaccinated.

Since March of 2020, Guyana has recorded a total of 703 deaths.

Minister Anthony, while speaking during his daily COVID-19 update yesterday, said that, with the surge in cases, there is also an increase in

hospitalisations.

Currently, there are 156 persons affected with COVID-19 in hospitals across Guyana. The Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, accounts for the majority of those hospitalised with 107 patients.

The total number in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is 34 infected patients.

“We have an increase in the hospitalisations, as shown by these numbers,” Minister Anthony stressed.

As the cases continue to rise, Dr. Anthony stated hospitals will have to be converted to COVID-19 units, and

non-essential health services will have to close. The healthcare workers from these services will then be deployed to treat COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Anthony continued to urge citizens to get vaccinated to protect themselves from contracting the severe symptoms of the virus if they test positive.

Nevertheless, approximately 66.6 percent of the adult population has since received the first dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines, while 34.4 percent are fully vaccinated.

Additionally, 27 percent of children between ages 12 and 18 have received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Friday September 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Third shots may be necessary There is some confusion as to whether vaccines are supposed to prevent you from contracting the coronavirus. The vaccines were designed to prevent infections but no vaccine is 100 percent going to have the desired impact.

The vaccines, which were developed, have been a great scientific achievement.

It takes years normally for a vaccine to be developed but most of the coronavirus vaccines, which have been approved for local use, were developed in less than one y e a r, a m o n u m e n t a l achievement by the scientific community.

China, where the vaccine is believed to have originated played a major role in shortening the time needed to develop the vaccine. It was China, which sequenced the genome of the virus from as early as February and shared this with the international community, thus reducing the time needed to understand the virus' structure. The decoding of the virus allowed for a shortcut to the development of a vaccine.

However, the West was insistent that the necessary trials had to be conducted.

The vaccine first had to be tested on animals, then on a small population, and then on much larger population – stage 3 trials. If stage 3 trials could have been skipped, a vaccine could have been developed and available for jabs as early as September.

Some countries, including China and Russia began administering doses even before their Stage 3 trials had expired.

The vaccines, which

Dem

boys seh...

Dem Boys does like listen to Kaieteur Radio all day. De music does be sweet and de feature programmes does be educational and interesting.

But one and two times, dem boys does tune in to some odda stations. And dem does regret dem do so.

It appears as if today any and everybody can tun radio announca. Some ah dem does drag dem words like dragline like de fellow yesterday.

He end up talking bout turkey curry and never hear

have been developed, have had high levels of efficacy.

Some have reached as high as 90 percent after the second dose. The World Health Organization (WHO) had said that for vaccines to be approved they must have efficacy rates of 50 percent or higher. Most of the vaccines we have in Guyana have proven efficacy rates in trials higher than 70 percent.

But none have 100 percent. This means that some persons despite being vaccinated are likely to still get infected. On average two to three out of every 10 persons can be infected given the efficacy levels of the vaccine. But research has shown that vaccination was also highly effective in preventing hospitalisations and deaths. In June, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States had found that 99.5 percent of the deaths over the previous few months were the unvaccinated.

This did not mean that the vaccinated were not becoming seriously sick or dying. But the incidence was extremely small and rare. In other words, vaccines were not perfect but they offered significant protection to the vaccinated population.

The Delta variant appears to have changed the equation. The Delta variant has been estimated to be twice as transmissible as other variants but it was not clear whether it was most deadly.

When a person gets vaccinated and gets infected or dies this is called breakthrough cases and breakthrough deaths

respectively. This is because despite being vaccinated the person has still contracted the virus or died.

But these breakthrough cases are extremely low.

They may appear higher in absolute numbers because of the fast number of persons who are now being infected by what is believed to be the Delta variant. But if you examine the death rate relative to the infection rate, it cannot necessarily be said that the death rate has increased appreciably because of the Delta variant.

Breakthrough cases have also been found to be mostly the elderly who are vaccine compromised. As such, despite being vaccinated some persons' immune systems are not strong enough to prevent hospitalisation or death.

The high incidence of the elderly and immunecompromised being infected has led to a debate as to whether booster shots are needed. The United Kingdom appears to be moving towards booster shots of the vaccine for those above the age of 50.

The trends in breakthrough cases are all the more reason why the local Minister of Health should develop a strategy, which targets the elderly.

The government needs to ensure that all elderly persons above the age of 50, not 62, are fully vaccinated.

And they should send surveyors house-to-house to try to encourage the elderly to be vaccinated.

There is a problem however with the Sputnik V second doses. Many persons are still awaiting second

Oldies dem pun holdies bout lime wash. He mussy be spring chicken because dem boys know bout lime wash.

Dem boys know bout lime wash since Noah build de Ark. But dem boys did listening because de oldies did sweet.

But is when he put on de song “I'm your puppet” dat dem boys get vex.

De man talk none stop throughout de length of de song and by de time it done was time fuh he seh goodbye which he did for another minute and a half.

Dem boys want know if some ah dem DJ tekking dis 'talk radio' literally.

Even when de music playing some ah dem interjecting and talking nonstop. Dem muss understand dat people does tune in fuh de sangs.

Dem young people gat dem own taste.

Dat is why dem boys like listening to oldies. But dat DJ gat de oldies pun hold while he babbling away bout turkey curry and lime wash.

Talk half and hope dem DJ change dem habits!

doses, including some elderly. The problem is that it takes four times as long to produce one of the elements of the second dose than it takes for the first dose. As a result of the production problem, second doses have been delayed. But that problem is expected to be resolved soon.

In Guyana, some individuals are refusing to take the vaccines because they say that the vaccinated can still be infected. That is

true but only a small fraction will develop breakthrough infections. The stats are showing that the overwhelming majority of the vaccinated will not be infected, especially if they practice social distancing and other safety precautions such as hand washing and wearing a mask.

There are also concerns as to how long immunity lasts. Both Pfizer and Moderna are reporting the immunity declines by about

six percent after two months.

If more research shows a continuous pattern of decline of immunity, then third shots will become necessary for all and not only those above the age of 50 years.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday September 17, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The Republican Party and the PNC: Comparative notes His head swollen by the new direction in mental thinking of White Americans, Donald Trump felt comfortable about his second term. It didn't happen. It will not happen in 2024.

The presidential candidate for the Republicans, whether Trump or otherwise, needs a quota of votes for victory that they will not have if Trump and Republican Party politicians stick to their current ugly narrative. To win in 2024, the candidate will need a substantial majority of White voters. The Democratic Party

will have significant numbers of the non-African electorate. Black America will not vote for right-wing politicians.

The fight is for White voters. But in that group are substantial numbers who were brought up with liberal values and do not trust the racist, anti-women, antiabortion, right-wing excesses of Republicans.

That is the target group that the two parties will fight to win. But the Democrats have the edge. Once Republicans remain ensconced in the new ideology, this group will vote

against Republicans because of the long tradition of democracy in the US. You have an identical situation here in Guyana with the PNC. The battle will be over one particular demographic section – mixed voters.

Indians have gone forever from the PNC. Even a homeless, mentally challenged Indian will not vote for the PNC over the next hundred years.

The incumbent PPP will use every ounce of energy to satisfy the Amerindians. The PNC then needs a large

percentage of mixed votes along with its guaranteed African supporters if it is to put up a good fight in 2025.

But if the PNC continues on the road of weird politics as with the Republicans in the US, it will be stuck in limbo forever.

There are several nonstarters that the PNC is currently embracing that are counter-productive. One is the race card.

If you look at each Facebook show of people closely aligned with the PNC, the appeal to racial instincts is graphic.

It is as if these persons see the race strategy as the only surviving mechanism.

But how ironic! Instead of helping them to survive, it will jeopardise the future of the PNC. You can only win by the relentless stirring up of racial sentiments if your race group is in a majority and you want them to remain conscious that their electoral majority is what you need. The PNC and their overzealous surrogates have to know that Africans in the population are far below the 50 percent mark and that if every Black voter gives his/her X to the PNC, victory will not be achieved.

Why preach race-based politics to your supporters? It has no electoral gain because you are sermonising the

converted. Since the mix-race stratum consists of people of Frederick Kissoon more than one ethnic make-up, you are Duncan's presentations are likely to turn off many of d e void of intellectual them with the constant arguments and take the shape beating of the race drum.

The second non-starter is of cussing down. Nandlall, the reliance on street politics. on the other hand uses That era is gone. Street scholarly arguments to politics and the Buxton persuade.

Yes, he is a lawyer but mayhem have run their course. If the PNC resurrect you don't have to be a lawyer it, only a handful will turn out to persuade people to your and their behaviour will be political stance.

Then there is the violent thus alienating large numbers in the mixed race continued condemnation of the West in the political group. offerings of the PNC. How N o v i o l e n c e this will help the PNC win accompanied the arrest of PNC front man in Buxton, hearts and minds is easy to Kidackie Amsterdam, and a n s w e r. T h e U S , U K , Aubrey Norton when they C a n a d a , I n d i a a n d were arrested recently. But CARICOM nations are there is no guarantee that it countries with extensive will not happen in the coming presence in the psyche of the years before 2025 arrives. It Guyanese people. The PNC will not bring votes to the and their surrogates are on a stuck record of the West's PNC. Another non-starter is the intrigue in the March 2020 type of vocabulary the PNC election.

No one believes that. It and their surrogates are using has lost any magic, if it ever as part of their politics. It is a cuss-down, vulgar approach had any. If the PNC and their that amounts to the misuse of surrogates continue along an avenue that should be these pathways, then why properly to win hearts and contest in 2025 when you are minds – social media. going to lose badly.

(The views expressed in Compare the Facebook this article are those of the shows of Anil Nandlall and a u t hor and do not Sherod Duncan. necessarily reflect the It is the wild man versus the intellectual deliverer. opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday September 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Friday September 17, 2021

Govt. revokes order requiring Stellings to be private lands for new Demerara upgraded to River Bridge - opts to use State property facilitate ferry An artist's impression of the new Demerara River Bridge

M

inister of P u b l i c W o r k s , Bishop Juan Edghill, on Monday revoked an acquisition order signed in 2019 authorising the compulsory acquisition of private lands to construct the approach roads for the new Demerara River Bridge, and has opted to use State property instead.

The Order by Minister Edghill has since been published in the Official Gazette and reads, “this order may be cited as the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes (Construction of Access Roadways to the new Demerara River crossing)

(Revocation) Order, on September 13, 2021.”

Former Minister of P u b l i c Wo r k s , D a v i d Patterson, under whose administration the original order was inked, when contacted for a comment yesterday, and was asked if persons had already been compensated for the lands identified for use for the roads, responded in the negative.

According to Patterson, “there was no need to compensate anyone because it (Acquisition Order) wasn't fully effected.”

Current Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, in an invited comment

yesterday said that the administration has decided to use State property instead, to construct the approach roads, which would be located at Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The construction of the new crossing for the Demerara River, a flagship project in the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) manifesto, is set to land in Nandy Park, a residential area on the East Bank of Demerara.

The new Demerara River Bridge is expected to connect to La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara and represents a move away from what was decided by

the former A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration.

That administration had identified Houston, EBD, and Versailles, WBD, as areas for the landing sites for the new bridge.

These and other details of the bridge's construction were shared recently by Head of State, President Irfaan Ali, and a team from the Public Works Ministry, during a visit to the proposed site for the new project.

President Ali and his team of engineers and officials inspected 4,000 feet of lands in the vicinity (Continued on page 16)

I

n order to facilitate the berthing of the new US$12.7M ferry that is presently being constructed, a number of stellings will be retrofitted to accommodate the ferry.

This is according to Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill. The Minister made the aforementioned statement during a Globespan interview on September 6, 2021.

In fact, the Minister stated that the government is readying to bring a modern ferry in service and, as such, it will be upgrading several stellings.

He further noted that the upgrades that will be done to the stellings are, “to allow roll-on roll-off facilities at Georgetown, Mabaruma, Kumaka, Port Kaituma, and Morawhanna.”

A total of $310M was allocated in the 2021 budget for the upgrading and rehabilitation of the stellings identified, including the ones at Wakenaam and Fort Island.

Moreover, the new ferry that is being built will sail between Georgetown and the North West District, and is being built by the Indian company, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), at a cost of US$12.7M According to reports, the 70 metres long, 1,700 tonnes vessel will be propelled by two Caterpillar Engines and Twin Disc Gear Boxes to achieve a maximum speed of 15 knots and it is being

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill designed to carry 14 containers, which will include four refrigerated containers.

The new ferry will also be able to transport 276 passengers and 14 crewmembers along with 14 cars and two trucks.

Farmers of Region One have struggled over the years with transporting fresh produce to Georgetown, because of the long hours of sailing the current ferry would take for the journey and due to the fact that there is no proper storage facility available on the ferry to assist in keeping the produce in a healthy and satisfactory state.

As such, the new ferry brings hope to the residents of Region One. The ferry is expected to arrive in Guyana during the latter part of 2022.

The MV Barima at Port Kaituma, Region One (Lex Barker photo)

Friday September 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Friday September 17, 2021

Education Ministry launches welfare and support programme for teachers

Scenes from the Teachers' Welfare and Support Programme launch yesterday held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

- To benefit from healthcare and mortgage packages, discount services and more With its mission at making teachers' wellbeing and lives more manageable, the Ministry of Education (MoE) launched its Welfare and Support Programme on Thursday, which is aimed at providing a wide-range of services to teachers across the country.

This initiative, which already has over 150 entities on board, was launched at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, with the attendance of Minster of Education, Priya Manickchand; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alfred King; Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson, among other special invitees.

In his brief remarks of what the programme entails, Education Specialist, Olato Sam, said that the initiative e n c o m p a s s e s a comprehensive approach towards improving the overall circumstances in which teachers practice within this profession.

According to Sam, teachers will be provided with discounts in various services from the different sectors such as, electronics, telecommunications, retail goods, air transportation, household furniture and appliances, just to name a few.

Some of the benefits teachers will have, as it regards to transportation, are that those travelling to Georgetown from outlying Regions will be able to access discounts on airfares, as well as those utilising the bus services.

The Education Specialist noted that the healthcare packages offered to teachers will not only be beneficial to them, but to their spouses and dependents, as well. One of the partnering entities with the Ministry on this healthcare package is the Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Companies (GTM).

Present at the launch was GTM's Managing Director, Roger Yee, who explained

The Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand that the insurance packages provide a wide range of coverage, including doctors' visits, dental and optical care, prescription drugs, diagnostic services, maternity benefits, surgeries, and for other medical events.

The Managing Director outlined that one of the unique features of this package is its preventative care.

He highlighted that, “the plan provides a free monogram for all members over the age of 35 years, and every 5 years thereafter, a free pap smear for all members on recommendations by a doctor, a free prostate cancer test for members, who are 50 and for every 5 years thereafter, and free medical checkups for principals upon obtaining the age of 50 and every 2 years thereafter.”

It was revealed during the launch that teachers, who are first time owners can access from Two million to 12 million dollars towards their mortgages.

As teachers welcome these wide range of services, the Ministry yesterday launched a “teachers' benevolence fund.”

According to Sam, “with this fund we will provide financial support to teachers (Continued on page 16)

Friday September 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Payless opens first footwear outlet in Guyana The ceremonial cutting of the ribbon at Payless Store (Guyana). From left to right: Mr. Jerus Mohammed - Payless Country Manager for Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean; Mr. Timothy Tucker - President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Ms. Vanessa Thompson - CEO (Ag) Small Business Bureau; Mrs. Angelica Galeano - Payless Regional Manager - Caribbean

Inside the 4,000 sq. ft.

Movie Towne

P

ayless, the international discount footwear c h a i n , o n We d n e s d a y, officially launched its first store in Guyana.

The footwear retailer opened the doors of its ground floor location in the M o v i e To w n e M a l l a t Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, during a simple ceremony.

Among the attendees at the gathering were Country Manager of the new Payless Store, Jerus Mohammed; President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry

were valid for the opening day only.

During his remarks, Country Manager of the new P a y l e s s S t o r e , M r.

Mohammed, who is also the Country Manager for the stores in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and the Eastern Caribbean, said that the opening of the Guyana store gives him great pleasure.

“We are ecstatic to finally provide the only world-class shopping for footwear and accessories to the people of Guyana, “Mohammed (Continued on page 17)

(GCCI), Timothy Tucker; CEO (Ag) Small Business B u r e a u , M s . Va n e s s a Thompson; and Payless Regional Manager for the Caribbean, Mrs. Angelica Galeano.

The 4,000 square foot MovieTowne outlet is reportedly twice the size of any standard Payless Store.

The store will offer customers wider aisles and more styles and sizes. The Payless Store also kicked off its opening with the first 50 customers at the store each receiving a 10 percent discount voucher. These

2,000 hectares Soybean and Corn cultivation set to begin in April 2022 The $10 million project for large-scale cultivation of 2,000 hectares Soybean and Corn farm in Guyana is set to initiate in April of 2022, by a consortium of Brazilian and Guyanese investors. The project points towards the development of the agricultural sector in Guyana, and bettering the lives of the Guyanese people. With the local cultivation of soybean and corn, it will be inexpensive for vendors, farmers and food market owners to

acquire these goods for their businesses.

Delegate to Guyana of the Global Chamber of Business Leaders, Suresh Ramkissoon, told Kaieteur News that the project, in its initial stages, is valued $10 million, but is expected to increase throughout the course of the project.

Further, Mr. Ramkissoon stated, “there is a three-year time period in which the $10 million investment is expected to be recuperated.”

He noted that excess

soybean and corn produced would be exported, since the expected produce from cultivation is beyond Guyana's domestic c o n s u m p t i o n c a p a c i t y.

Cultivation is scheduled to begin in April 2022, with results expected to be seen

by September 2022.

A team is expected to visit the proposed site to conduct inspections and collect soil samples for testing, which will be done at the Ministry of Agriculture later this week.

Delegate of the Global Chamber of Business Leaders, Suresh Ramkissoon

PAGE 16 WANTED

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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.

One bedroom apartment for working couple/single person,$35,000 & $32,000 monthly,light & water.

Call:623-0076.

Business: Wellington St, South Road Georgetown, Paradise East Coast. Contact Ray's Realty 627-9685.

2,3 & 1 bedroom for rent @ Vreed-en-hoop, Providence,Diamond & Herstelling.Contact:6826263/643-3170.

One 4 bedroom house at Lot 149 Caneview Avn,South Ruimveldt.$125,000 per month and $125,000 security.

CAR RENTAL

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#656-0110.

Appliance repairs/service for Refrigerator,Washing Machine, Stove, Treadmill, Dryer, Pressure pump, Oven, Deep Fryer.Call:694-9733.

Appliance/equipment repairs and service to Bakery, Restaurant,Hospital equipment, Remote gate, Backwash & filtration system.

Call:694-9733.

Ultraviolet Driving School covid-19,September $8,500 for 5 sessions for beginners course and refreshers course.Whatsapp:602-2583.

Robb,Charlotte,Norton Street,Kitty,Sheriff,Ogle, Betterhope,Enterprise & Diamond.Contact: Ray's Realty 627-9685.

Rooms to let in Albertown.

Call:225-3234/628-1183.

LAND FOR SALE Versailles 61x123=7503sq ft, 18m not negotiable.No agents please. Tel: 600 6617.

Carmichael st, Queenstown, La Penitence, Kuru Kuru Soesdyke. Contact: Ray's Realty 627-9685.

Fabrication workshop.Tel: 690-5427.

Head Cook & Security Guard.Apply Manager Herdmanston, Peter Rose St.

Six companies vying to upgrade Hinterland Electricity Network During the opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Procurement Board (NPTAB) yesterday, six companies applied for a

contract to supply line hardware for the distribution network in St. Cuthbert’s Mission and Kato.

The procuring entity is the Hinterland Electrification

Company Inc. In addition, bids were opened for the rehabilitation of the boiler house roof at the Rose Hall Factory. Below are the companies and their bids:

Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. Supply of line hardware for Distribution Network Upgrade in St. Cuthbert’s Mission.

Gardener for Subryanville.

Must be able to work with dogs. Contact:225-5818.

Supply of line hardware and construction of Distribution Network in Kato.

VACANCY

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

Cook/Baker,Pitmen & Welder/Serviceman for interior location.Applicants must be experienced. Call: 231-2250.

Mini Bus and Taxi Drivers.

Call:225-3234/628-1183.

One live in Nanny to take care of kids and home. Must be fully vaccinated. Contact:682-8251.

One heavy duty diesel mechanic to work in the interior.

Meals and accomodation provided.

Contact:680-2702.

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

WANTED

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

Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie or anywhere on the West Coast.

Tel:673-7087.

One male night security guard.Tel:226-0772/225-9304.

FOR RENT

Experience Carpenters and Mason.Contact: RJD Construction 614-7669/628-5738.

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.

Delivery, Lorry license driver. Tel:621-9356.

TO LET

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.

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

Call: 231-2250.

Aidan's Car Rental. Call:6281183.

SERVICES

Friday September 17, 2021

Kaieteur News

Salon assistant,female age 24-40, no experience required however would be a plus 500-6008 between Wed-Sat 9AM-4PM. One male able bodied clerk.Call:693-8462/231-2029.

For persons to assemble bicycles.Apply at Alabama Trading ,65 Robb St Bourda.

For experience Sales Clerk.

Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St Bourda.

For Carpenters and Masons.

Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St Bourda.

For porters.Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St Bourda.

For a packaging machine operator. Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St Bourda.

Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) Rehabilitation of Boiler House Roof, Rose Hall Factory.

...Education Ministry launches welfare From page 14 in specified hardships situations.”

Among the list of services offered to teachers, the Ministry will be resuscitating its national teachers' award programme, which is aimed at recognising dedicated and committed educators. The

...Govt. revokes order requiring From page 12 of Windsor Estates, an upscale-gated community area aback of Providence.

The President indicated to the press at the time that, because of where the channel is located in the Demerara River, which is closer to the Eastern side with a 5 percent degree grade, an additional 4,000 feet is necessary to get a proper gradient exiting out of the bridge.

President Ali at the time disclosed, too, that the bridge would be a “flyover” that will stretch across the EBD main road and then land in an identified area in Nandy Park.

VACANCY

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

M e r c h a n d i s e r, F a c t o r y Worker,Porters.Call:2277714/640-0673 or email info@vgiworld.com.

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

Hotel Attendant & Receptionist. Call:231-0951/6400673oremail: info@ vgiworld .com.

award, which is slated for next year July, will be in partnership with Metro Office and Computer Supplies. Speaking at the launch was Metro's Managing Director, Ron Ramnarayan, who shared that his company pledges 11 laptop computers to the Ministry for the finalists. He added, too, that Metro will be offering gift vouchers valued at $5,000 each to teachers across the country.

In addition, commencing next year July, the Ministry will have its first ever-annual teachers' conference, which will provide various develop-

mental opportunities and promote professionalism, networking, and a community for teachers within the sector.

In closing, the Education Minister, in welcoming this initiative, told teachers that she is committed to working with them, and any stakeholders who want to see the education sector progress.

She added that this initiative is “a genuine interest, a genuine interest in checking to see what we can do for you, so that you can do your work when you get into the classroom and you will see much, much more of that.”

...Billions $$$ bid security for Eccles/ From page 8 evaluated qualified bidder and that “only one lot will be awarded to any bidder in a project area.”

It was noted nonetheless that a bidder might be considered for the award of more than one lot, “provided that the bidder has shown sufficient equipment capacity, financial capacity, and human resource capacity, in order to execute simultaneous projects.”

According to the advertisement inviting potential contractors, the Ministry

noted that it would be facilitating pre-bid meetings that would allow for site visits and presentations by the Ministry.

According to the Ministry, the construction period for the project is 15 months per lot.

The new road will serve to complement the additional four-lane infrastructure in train, namely, the Eccles to Mandela Avenue bypass road connecting to the Sheriff Street four-lane roadway and, ultimately, the East Coast Demerara Highway.

Friday September 17, 2021

Ramayya resigns as Coordinator of Rapid Response Taskforce The Coordinator for the Region Six Rapid Response Taskforce, Dr. Veersammy Ramayya, has resigned citing several reasons for his decision. Well known regionally as a community activist, Dr. Ramayya said that he feels disrespected, and that his relationship with the regional administration, has helped to solidify his decision to tender a resignation letter to the Head of State and the Vice President respectively.

“I did tender my resignation but, unfortunately, I am waiting on the President to call to make it official,” Ramayya said during a telephone conversation. He added, “I was really insulted, and I took it as an offence by the minister,” he further said.

According to Ramayya, one of his responsibilities on the taskforce is to conduct investigations, compile a report, and send it to the Head of State; however, that report is not shared with the regional body, he added, and that this appears to be an issue with regional officials.

“What they are saying [of] my portfolio is, I should have discussed it at the regional level before I go to the President, but I work with the President, and I feel that some of the issues are not exposed, and I feel that exposing the problem is going to be better for the government, so that the problems can be fixed and

Dr. Veersammy Ramayya corrected, that is how I see it,” Ramayya noted.

Ramayya said that one of the issues he raised with the President was the problems that surrounded the distribution of the flood relief money to farmers.

“The biggest corruption taking place right now is the flood money distribution,” he said.

He disclosed that the President was informed that the monies were not “equitably distributed and that was my concern…and if I see wrong things, I am going to talk about it, and this is how a government should operate…” He added that he was attacked for raising an issue that occurred at the Tagore Memorial Secondary School, where he stated that a guard hut was built there under the previous administration, but the current administration

decided to build another one.

He said he sent a letter to the President and “the President called the regional people them to find out what is going on, that has become an issue as well.”

Ramayya stressed that a government has to be transparent, and if he is given the role to be on the ground to deal with such “then I can tell you a thousand things more than the people in the office; is the people on the ground who exercised their franchise to vote for you.” He believes that what he has done so far leading the Rapid Response Taskforce, has not dissatisfied the President and the Vice President, since they have not indicated such to him since his appointment.

The community activist, who had a weekly television program about issues in the Region, which has now gravitated to a Facebook live program, also pointed out that while he is receiving a salary for his position, but allowances that were agreed upon to accompany the salary have not been paid to him for the past seven months. He said when he brought this to the minister’s attention; he was told that it was a regional problem.

Ramayya’s resignation takes effect from October 1, 2021. The activist, who was appointed as the Regional Executive Officer for Region Six under the APNU+AFC had also resigned then.

...Final batch of State Counsel trained in From page 2 in the Caribbean (IMPACT JUSTICE) Programme.

The State Counsel receiving certificates were Asasha Ramzan, Marnice O. Hestick, Janet A. Ali, Meenakshi Arti Outar, Debra Singh and Cheyenne Lall. Also, present were State Counsel, Dianne Woolford, and Renee

Sandiford, two members of the Law Revision Unit, Ministry of Legal Affairs, who were part of a previous batch that had completed a similar training programme.

This is the latest of a series of initiatives of the Attorney General Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs in building institutional ca-

pacity in preparation for transformational legal reforms, as well as consolid a t i o n o f t h e L a ws of Guyana.

The Law Revision Unit will collaborate with the Law Reform Commission and other important stakeholder organisations to execute Guyana's statutory agenda.

...Payless opens first footwear outlet From page 15 stated. Mohammed said, “The company's mission is to become the go to, get more, and Payless Store for our customers, while expanding in Latin America and the Caribbean means looking for opportunities to open new locations in the countries where Payless already does business.”

The Country Manager noted that the new venture boasts of having a 100 percent Guyanese staff, with all nine of its employees being Guyanese, and this represents the company's first store to be opened in a new marketplace in six years.

Mohammed and his team believe that the store can be a turning point in a new place

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of growth for the company.

President Tucker of the GCCI welcomed the venture to Guyana's business community. Tucker said that the GCCI welcomes foreign direct investments. “Foreign direct investments help all, all of us in this country. It brings employment to citizens, opportunities to service providers, rental of property; it brings financial input to the economy with forex; but, most importantly, it brings confidence in Guyana: in our economy, in our business community,” he explained.

Meanwhile, in a press release, the brand explained that Payless carries an array of seasonal accessories such as socks, handbags, all kinds of insoles and product care

for shoes. Payless was founded in 1956 in Topeka, KS and is an iconic footwear retailer with a 60+-year heritage, and uncompromised commitment to value.

“Serving millions of customers, through its extensive global network of brick-andmortar and Ecommerce retail footprint, Payless spans 30 countries with over 700 stores in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Re-launched in 2020, Payless is now headquartered in Miami, Florida, and offers a wide range of fashionable footwear, as well as apparel and accessories, all at affordable prices for every member of the family,” the release added.

High court affirms Ali’s immunity from lawsuits Justice, Gino Persaud, yesterday affirmed the provisions of Article 182 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana which prevents a sitting President from facing civil lawsuits and other types of court proceedings.

Justice Persaud was at the time handing down a decision on an application filed by the Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall, to challenge the move by attorneys representing the Police Service Commission (PSC) to list President, Irfaan Ali, as a respondent in a civil matter.

Nandlall had argued strongly that the joinder of the President to the proceedings is contrary to, and in contravention of, Article 182 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana Cap 1:01 and Section 10 of the State Liability and Proceedings Act, Cap 6:05 which assures immunity of the President from any legal proceedings.

The AG had also requested an order of the court that Ali be removed from being listed as a party to the court matter. Justice Persaud said that the purpose of the aforementioned article is to confer on the President, in his official capacity, immunity from judicial scrutiny for acts performed pursuant to his office.

In his ruling yesterday, Justice Persaud affirmed the contentions of the AG. He noted to name the President and the Attorney General [Anil Nandlall] as a respondent in a case is “impermissible and wrong in law.”

The Judge noted the PSC team confused the concepts of immunity with impunity, when they argued that the President was rightfully named as a respondent.

Persaud said that under the provision of the Constitution, the President enjoys broad immunity “It is a shield, a constitutional shield of immunity,” he asserted, and added that the President cannot be made to answer to the Court in either his personal or official capacity,

President, Irfaan Ali but the State can still be held liable for the President’s actions.

As such, Justice Persaud that there is no need for the President and AG – the State’s legal representative to be listed in the case.

In June 2021, the President had suspended the PSC headed by Chairman, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ret’d) Paul Slowe, after the Chairman along with other sitting members of the Commission, Claire Jarvis, Vesta Adams, Michael Somersall, and Clinton Conway, were all slapped with fraud-related charges.

Slowe, Conway and others were charged with defrauding the Guyana Police Force (GPF) of $10M. Slowe was also accused of sexually assaulting a female cop on three occasions.

The move to suspend the PSC was made after Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, sent two “show cause” notices to Slowe and the other commissioners.

The men, all retired Assistant Commissioners of the Guyana Police Force were asked to ‘show cause’ to Phillips, as to why he should not follow the advice of the President to remove them from the PSC. They failed to do so.

As a result, the PSC was suspended and the men moved to the High Court to challenge the suspension

order and to seek to have it revoked. Their lawyers Selwyn Pieters, Dexter Todd and Dexter Smart, had however listed the AG and President Ali as respondents in the matter. Pieters urged the Court to dismiss Nandlall’s application.

During the proceedings, Pieters urged the court to consider that: “His Excellency [President Irfaan Ali] is indeed a proper and appropriate party being named in his official capacity.”

He noted that Ali’s actions are central to what the case is about and that is why he is named as a party. Pieters stressed that the case challenges a decision made by the President in his official public office.

However, in a submission before the Court, Nandlall cited that Article 182 is the provision in the Guyana Constitution that sets out the immunities and privileges, which the President has.

“It confers upon His Excellency, the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, absolute immunity from the curial process during his tenure of office and thereafter, but in relation to acts performed during the tenure of his Presidency.

Article 182 states – “(1) Subject to the provisions of Article 180, the holder of the office of President shall not be personally answerable to any Court for the performance of the functions of his or her office or for any act done in the performance of those functions and no proceedings, whether criminal or civil, shall be instituted against him or her in his or her personal capacity in respect thereof either during his or her term of office or thereafter,” the AG had outlined.

Meanwhile as a result of the decision by the court to uphold Nandlall’s contentions, the PSC was ordered to pay $200,000 in court costs to the Attorney General. The parties will return to court on November 16, for arguments relating to the substantive matter.

Two more Region Four residents die of COVID-19 The Ministry of Health yesterday reported that two more persons, who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) disease, have died. Because of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 703.

According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are those of an unvaccinated man and a fully vaccinated woman, who both died on Wednesday, while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

The latest deaths are those of a 60-yearold man and a 70-year-old woman, both from

Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Meanwhile, in its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry recorded 299 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 28,831.

Presently there are 34 patients, who are admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 156 persons in institutional isolation, 3,182 in home isolation and 11 in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 24,756 persons who tested positive for the virus have recovered.

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Chinese manganese company causes massive flooding in Matthews Ridge The flooding situation.

The Guyana Manganese Inc. (GMI), a subsidiary of the Bosai Minerals Group is coming under renewed pressure to address ongoing issues, in relation to massive flooding caused by its activities and contamination of the domestic water supply, in the mining town of Matthews Ridge.

Residents have revealed that a koker in Lower Pakera, which was blocked by GMI has broken away causing flooding to the main access roads, to a number of nearby farms, and has caused several residents to seek refuge in trees, as they wait for the waters to recede.

GMI is reported to be actively assessing the situation, but has also been allegedly restricting residents' access to the affected areas, and barring them from taking pictures and capturing footage of the incident.

According to Carl Fraser, a local community activist and blogger at the Matthews Ridge Times, who has been following the operations of the company closely, the situation right now in Matthews Ridge needs urgent attention from the responsible authorities. Mr. Fraser stated, “Something must be done as early as possible about this.”

He went on to say that although residents have been complaining about the “poorly constructed koker,”

“no one took it seriously.” A video posted on the Matthews Ridge Times Facebook page shows several feet of water blocking the main road, while someone can be seen trying to swim across from one side to the other.

Mr. Fraser, who has been aiding efforts to organise a protest against the company's operations, went on to disclose that “people's farms have been destroyed, animals killed” and another resident called to notify him that she has sought refuge in a tree along with her three children, as the flood waters continue to rise.

Calls to obtain a comment from the company were unsuccessful.

Mr. Orlando Thorn, the NDC Chairman of Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge, and Arakaka, stated that he is currently undertaking investigations.

Meanwhile, according to GMI's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), regular testing for the concentration of manganese in surface and domestic water supplies should be carried out routinely in collaboration with the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI).

When contacted, GWI's Production and Distribution Supervisor at Matthews Ridge, Clinton Ash, confirmed that GMI is obligated to routinely conduct these tests but, according to him, this has not happened. Mr. Ash stated, “The company needs to pay (Continued on page 20)

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Brazilians protest unfair practice at Lethem crossing - uproar leads to shortage of supplies Brazilian protestors at Bonfim yesterday .

Trucks with supplies bound for Lethem stuck at the roadblock set up by Brazilian protestors Residents of Bonfim - a small town located in Brazil just opposite the Takatu River from Lethem, Guyana - have been protesting over the last two days against what they are calling an unfair practice by the Guyanese authorities at the Lethem/Brazil border crossing.

They have blocked the main highway leading to the Takatu Bridge, preventing the trucks laden with basic supplies from entering Lethem.

According to the President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Daniel Gajie, their action is leading to the shortage of essential goods in the Region Nine Town.

His exact words in a Facebook Post he made

yesterday were, “Shortage of essential goods looms in the Rupununi, as protestors block the main highway leading to the Takatu Bridge.” Residents and businesses in Lethem depend on goods from neighbouring Brazil because it is much cheaper to transport from there than Georgetown.

In light of the ongoing protest, Gajie noted that Lethem could suffer shortages of basic items, such as cooking gas, chicken, beef, fruits, vegetables and household groceries. He added that there could also be shortages of cement, stone, and other construction materials.

Kaieteur News was told that, the protestors began the protest on Wednesday and continued all day yesterday

with their roadblock.

As a result, some trucks, loaded with supplies destined for Lethem, have returned to Boa Vista, while others have remained.

Gajie ex p l a i n e d t o Kaieteur News that the drivers of the trucks that remained decided to “stick around” in the hope that protestors would desist from their actions and they will be able to pass.

However, based on other information reaching this media house, the protestors might remain there indefinitely until their demands are met.

The Brazilians are demanding that they be allowed entry to Lethem, just like how Guyanese are being allowed to enter into their country to conduct business.Due to the ongoing

Under scrutiny in murder inquiry, Haiti's PM receives international backing (Reuters) - A group of leading Haiti-based diplomats met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry and said it backed his efforts to solve the country's political crisis, an apparent vote of confidence as he faces off accusations of links to the slaying of President Jovenel Moise.

A public prosecutor said Friday phone call records showed Henry had spoken twice with the suspected mastermind behind Moise's killing just hours after it took place on July 7.

Henry, who denies he had anything to do with the murder, this week fired the prosecutor, who had sought to have him charged as a suspect, as well as the justice minister. Henry, a former neurosurgeon and political moderate, has not publicly addressed the phone calls.

He has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.

The Core Group of Western ambassadors and representatives from the

United Nations and Organization of American States said in a statement late on Wednesday it encouraged efforts by Henry and others to form "an inclusive government and accelerate the return to normal functioning of democratic institutions through elections."

Power struggles under Moise had led to a political and constitutional crisis, with only a handful of elected officials in post after the country failed to hold parliamentary or municipal elections.

At the weekend, Henry announced an agreement between Haiti's main political forces on a transition government, aiming to lead next year to elections and a referendum on a new constitution.

But the questions over his links to the suspect in Moise's assassination have overshadowed that news.

The Core Group reiterated its call for "light to be shed" on the killing.

COVID-19 pandemic, the Guyanese and Brazilian Governments had both agreed to close the Lethem/Brazil Border Crossing. That agreement was made since last year.

Nevertheless, noting that Lethem is heavily dependent on Brazil for supplies, a decision was made for the crossing to be opened at least one day per week to allow the entry of trucks with supplies.

The Brazilians are alleging that they have noted that the authorities at the crossing are allowing Guyanese businessmen and other residents of Lethem to cross over into their country to purchase goods from Boa Vista, or conduct other business.

Yet, when they attempt to do the same by entering Lethem to conduct their business in Guyana, Guyanese authorities would deny them entry and tell them that the border is closed.

The Brazilians further

alleged that if they continue to insist on crossing over into Lethem, then the police ranks stationed at the crossing would ask them to pay a bribe.

As a result, the residents of Bonfim decided to protest what they have labelled, as an unfair treatment by Guyanese authorities.

The Brazilians had initially begun protesting on Thursday September 9, but had stopped after the Lethem Mayor, John Macedo, had called a meeting with the Bonfim Municipality seeking a resolution.

That meeting was reportedly held on Tuesday.

In attendance from the Lethem Municipality were the Mayor, the RCCI President, Gajie and the Regional Democratic Chairman (RDC), Bryan Allicock.

Gajie recalled that the Bonfim Municipality requested that the crossing be opened three days per week, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and that its

citizens be allowed entry into Lethem to transact their business.

The Lethem Mayor had reportedly related to his Brazilian counterpart that, that such a decision is not within his powers, and that he would have to consult with the National COVID19 Task Force (NCTF) of Guyana before giving them an answer.

An agreement was made for them to meet again on Wednesday with Lethem's response. Meanwhile, the protestors had threatened that should their demands not be met, then they will again block the highway leading to Lethem.

Kaieteur News learnt that the NCTF had rejected the request made by the Brazilian side , a n d t hat this was relayed to the Bonfim authorities during Wednesday's meeting.

Disappointed that their demands were not met, the protestors followed up on their thre a t a n d blocked the road immediately.

Chinese manganese company....

Prime Minister Ariel Henry Similar calls, however, for justice to be done over massacres in Port-au-Prince in recent years have not resulted in any arrests or convictions, with rights activists calling the justice system broken.

Several judicial officials working on the investigation into Moise's slaying went into hiding after saying they received death threats, while the original judge assigned to the case recused himself.

From page 12 more interest in what goes on within the community.” He further went on to state that “they are not doing anything at all when it comes to the community's wellbeing.”

The EIA revealed, “given the geology of the Matthews Ridge area, manganese occurs in naturally high levels in the water supply.”

The document warns that exceeding safe water concentration levels of manganese in the water supply would lead to adverse health impacts like impaired intellectual capacity in young children, mental health conditions, and manganism, which is similar to Parkinson's Disease.

According to the EIA, when tested, the levels of manganese in all surface water in Matthews Ridge exceeded the safe levels

established by the World Health Organization. The EIA found that even the aquifer located at Hill 3, which produces potable water, revealed levels of manganese above the WHO recommendations, when tested.

However, when Mr. Fraser, who is often credited as being in the know about all things related to GMI, was asked about the water testing and manganese levels, and whether the contents of the EIA were known to the villagers, Mr. Fraser stated that “none of this information has been explained to the villagers.”

The flooding from the koker is also reported to have damaged a number of farms located in the area amid ongoing accusations from local farmers who, prior to this latest incident, were

already complaining about the company's operations.

Joseph Dennis, a farmer from Matthews Ridge, revealed that, “the Chinese are thieving out my crops.”

When asked about how his farm has been affected by the mining operations, Mr. Dennis, like many other Amerindian farmers in the area, is unhappy about how his livelihood is being affected.

According to research from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), mining and other extractive activities may impact food security, if their activities are not closely monitored.

The WWF warns that the outlook is particularly dire “if the [extractive] activity results in the pollution of rivers, creeks, or other water bodies that are important for communities.”

Friday September 17, 2021

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Friday September 17, 2021

Friday September 17, 2021

FIFA says survey shows majority of fans back more frequent World Cups Manchester: FIFA says it has fan backing for the muchcriticised plan to shift to a biennial World Cup after releasing a summary of the results of an opinion survey of supporters.

The proposals, which have been outlined by FIFA’s Head of Global Football Development, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, have been met with widespread opposition from within the game.

FIFA’s Congress in May voted by a large majority to conduct a feasibility study into the potential of holding the World Cup every two years instead of every four

years.

More frequent - FIFA said it used polling company YouGov and that the 15,000 respondents “were identified as expressing an interest in football and the FIFA World Cup, from a broader market research survey involving 23,000 people in 23 countries, across the organisation’s six confederations.”

It said the majority of fans would like to see a more frequent men’s World Cup and of those respondents, a majority preferred a biennial competition.

FIFA said in a statement that “there are considerable differences between the so-

called traditional markets and the developing football markets” and said that younger fans were more open to change.

The organisation said that it would publish full details of the survey and added that an expanded survey involving 100,000 people in more than 100 countries was currently underway.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has threatened a European boycott of the World Cup should the plans go ahead against his organisation’s wishes.

Major leagues - South

Friday September 17, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You'll be happiest away from prying eyes today, Aries. You're not in the mood to be friendly or participate in idle gossip.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Change is good, but it can be scary when it comes suddenly. That's what you feel today when someone announces a major change without warning.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Just when you thought things were settled, life takes another turn. Today brings yet another of those turns, so hold on, Taurus.

You may receive some information that has a dramatic impact on your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You're eager for information on a particular subject and will go to great lengths to get it, Scorpio. Before heading off to the library, why not try an online search?

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You should feel optimistic today, Gemini, with confidence in your ability to accomplish anything you set your mind to.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may receive a windfall from an unexpected source, Sagittarius. Perhaps an uncle died and remembered you in his will or an old legal settlement has finally come through.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You can expect some big changes, Cancer. All the hard work you've been doing to develop your confidence is showing, and this is attracting opportunities like bees to honey.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't overreact today, Leo. Your biorhythms are low. In fact, you may be feeling a bit under the weather.

There's no point in trying to keep up a cheerful front.

People will see through your facade.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A long-term projec t reaches a positive conclusion, one that may have a dramatic impact on your finances. You've sold your manuscript to a publisher or successfully concluded a project that's dear to your heart.

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Kaieteur News

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You receive some new insight about an important person in your life, Capricorn, and your relationship takes a dramatic turn for the better. You feel you now know this person completely, and your closeness borders on the profound.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) When the thought of going to work makes it hard to get out of bed, know that the time has come to get another job, Aquarius. Alas, that's probably not something you can do now.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Romance is in the air and you must be breathing a lot of it today, Pisces.

Your blood is boiling, your passion surging, and a romantic dinner for two is in the cards.

American confederation CONMEBOL has also come out against the plan along with the World Leagues Forum which represents the major national leagues.

Players union FIFPRO has said it has concerns about expanded workloads and a lack of consultation.

However, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it welcomes the consultation process and CONCACAF, which organises the game in North and Central America and the Caribbean, says it is studying the plans.

Wenger says that the status quo causes too much disruption and forces players to make too many long trips around the world for qualifiers and friendly matches.

He says his sy s t e m would streamline the process while still keeping the balance of 80% club football and 20% national team football.

...Dwayne Bravo: ‘Giving young From page 25 means to the guys - Sheldon Cottrell has been here for nine years, Devon Thomas for six years, Evin Lewis seven years. I have had Universe Boss Chris Gayle here, who left and came back. I always wanted an opportunity for both of us to play CPL together, now we’re in the same team and now we’re champions together. The Universe Boss and The Champion in one team - one thing can happen.”

Before the start of the season, Bravo had said that he needed a “new challenge” and that he wanted to nurture young talent. On the day, it was mostly youngsters who had stepped up for the team: Drakes with his 24-ball 48 not out, and Naseem Shah and Fabian Allen with their tidy spells.

“We lost Chris early, we lost Evin early, at that point maybe St Lucia (Kings) thought they had the game at their hands. But we kept believing. The message in the dressing room was that no matter what, take the game deep, you guys have the talent. We might have been a batter short because on this surface we needed protection with an extra bowler. I think [Jon-Russ] Jaggesar had outstanding tournament - as [an] offspinner. Fawad Ahmed, Naseem with his pace - got to give credit to him. It was a great, great team effort. To our coach Simon Helmot, this is our second title together [first in 2015 with Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel]. Very happy to work with a coach like him.”

Former Guyana first class batsman Dhaniram hits 200 not out in Canada Former Guyana and Canada player Sunil Dhaniram struck a magnificent 200 not out for Toronto Blizzards in the Playoff round of the 2021 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club Over-50, T20 competition on Saturday last.

The left-handed Dhaniram hammered 10 fours and 23 sixes as his team raced to a challenging 326 without loss off their allocation of 20overs while Kitty/ Campbellville Stalwarts replied with 102-4 from the allotted overs.

Dhaniram, the younger brother of Guyana first-class opener Sudesh Dhaniram, also shared a remarkable 326run stand with another Canada-based Guyanese Jesh Parasnauth who clobbered eight fours and 10 sixes to make 109.

When Kitty/Campbellville Stalwarts batted, Narine Prashad scored 34 and 25 from Dennis Narine. The semi-final action is set for tomorrow in SCA where Toronto Blizzards will lock horns with Pegasus

Sunil Dhaniram Storm while Cosmos and Ramblers Rampage will do battle in the other fixture.

For the Over-40 division, Warriors Cricket Club will tackle Hawaiian Sensation while Rebels Masters will meet up with Canadian Legends. Several former Guyana youth and senior players are expected to be on show in that division.

Among them are, Troy Gobin, Shiv Seeram, Azil Ali Hanif, Rovendra Mandolall and Hemnarine Chattergoon.

Kaieteur News

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Friday September 17, 2021

Suriname, Curacao punch tickets to 2022 CWU20 Championship

M

iami, Florida – Another full day of action in 2022 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship Qualifying saw Suriname and host nation Curacao become the first teams to claim berths in next year’s CWU20 Championship.

Suriname will finish atop Group D after their 3-2 triumph over Belize. The two sides were locked in a 2-2 draw at the hour mark thanks to braces from Suriname’s Saveira Gallant (8’, 55’) and Belize’s Khalydia Velasquez (16’, 41’).

But in the 66’ minute the

winning goal would come via an own goal from Belize’s Shanell Thomas to secure Suriname’s triumph. Curacao clinched first place in Group C thanks to their 1-0 victory over Antigua and Barbuda.

Sadeyah Rosa scored the decisive goal in the 34’ minute to lift the home side to the precious three

points.

In Group A, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines played to an exciting 1-1 draw with the U.S. Virgin Islands, earning each side their first point. Tania Weyland had the US Virgin Islands in dreamland after scoring the opening goal in the 3’minute only for Vincy Heat to

respond in the 34’ through Denel Creese for a share of the spoils.

Bahamas collected a big win in Group B by downing Anguilla in a 1-0 final. Janeka Edey scored for Bahamas in the 8’ minute to give her side a 1-0 lead, and from there the Bahamas defense would do the rest to nail down the three points.

Kaieteur News

Friday September 17, 2021

PAGE 25

Dwayne Bravo: ‘Giving young players belief and opportunity’ reason behind Patriots’ title win ESPNcricinfo - St Kitts & Nevis Patriots captain Dwayne Bravo has said that the ‘belief’ in young players played an important role in the team’s maiden Caribbean Premier League title win.

Bravo, who has won 15 titles with various T20 sides in his career, also said that this win was among the “top three” as

he came into the side - his new CPL franchise - not knowing what to expect.

In a nerve-wracking finish on Wednesday, 23year old Dominic Drakes emerged as the new hero, as he produced an audacious death-hitting display, to help the Patriots hunt down 160 off the very last ball. With

that, the Patriots also completed the highest successful chase in a CPL final. Bravo added that it was the opportunity and backing given to these players that helped them perform under pressure.

“Belief - we gave the people opportunities,” Bravo told the host

Guyana to be represented at BCF Online Chess tourney

T

he Barbados Chess Federation (BCF) has invited all female players to participate in their inaugural Margaret Prince Memorial Rapid Online Female Tournament which is slated for tomorrow and Sunday.

The event is organised by the Women’s Chess Sub-Committee of the BCF and is being held in honour of Ms. Margaret Prince, the first Women’s Chess Champion for that island. A total of seven rounds will be contested over the two-day event which will attract females from over 20 countries in and around the Caribbean.

Guyana’s team will include both senior

and junior players, mostly veterans of past international online tournaments. Among the junior Guyana players expected to compete are Adia Alphonso, Maliha Rajkumar, Pooja Lam and Anaya Lall who have all played in the recent 2021 International Chess Federation (FIDE) Online Youth and Cadet World Cup with favourable results.

The more experienced players include the likes of Jessica Callender, Shazeeda Rahim, Nellisha Johnson and Sherlyta Campayne who have all participated in the last Online Olympiad and they are all looking forward to demonstrating their skills in this eagerly anticipated tournament.

broadcaster after the match.

“All I asked the guys was to back each other - It doesn’t matter whether we perform or not, play or not play, let’s support each other, let’s stay tight, let’s stay together.

Giving young players the belief and opportunity especially Drakes. In my first net session I had with Drakes, I told him: ‘You’re not an emerging player, you’re one of my main players’. All these guys who have come in, even the overseas guys, whether they play or not, the energy on the bench is good.

“[I] want to commend my team. This is for them.

Without them this wouldn’t have been possible. To my entire team and owners and most of all the fans of St Kitts - they deserve this, they come out in numbers, were our 12th man, and this is for them.”

With this trophy, Bravo has won the joint-most T20 titles - the other one at the top being his West Indies captain Kieron Pollard. Ahead of the season, Bravo was traded to Patriots from Trinbago Knight Riders, with whom he had won the title in 2020 -

the year Patriots finished at the bottom of the table.

“I challenged myself to come here [to Patriots] and see if I could do something different and I’m very happy,” Bravo said. “This will be right on top even though I’ve won a lot. This will be special because again, it was a new franchise, out of my comfort zone, coming here not knowing what to expect - I think this is maybe in the top three because it’s a young-ish team, a couple of seniors.

“I know how much it (Continued on page 25)

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Friday September 17, 2021

Hero CPL Team of the tournament Romario Shepherd

CPL - The 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) team of the tournament has been announced. The team was selected by the Hero CPL commentary team – Ian Bishop, Danny Morrison, Daren Ganga, Simon Doull and Samuel Badree.

The team features nine Caribbean players and two overseas stars and selection rewards consistent performances across the 2021 tournament. The team heavily features young players from across the Caribbean who have been extremely impressive in this year’s Hero CPL. The team includes Ravi Rampaul who is the leading wicket taker for this season, and the World Cup bound Evin Lewis who has been excellent throughout. The two overseas players who make the team are Faf du Plessis and Tim David, both from the Saint Lucia Kings.

The performances of Rampaul and Roston Chase in the tournament has seen them gain selection for the West Indies squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. Ian Bishop, former West Indies international and Hero CPL commentator said: “The commentary panel, in selecting the team of the tournament would like to commend the teams and players for making the job a very challenging one. A few players stood head and shoulders above the crowd due to their high level of excellence, and their performance simply made their case impossible to ignore. With the remaining

Odean Smith. getty images

selections there was vigorous debate and sometimes splitting hairs due to the high levels of performance and competition for similar roles from experienced, mid-level and young players.

“The abundance of talent, enthusiasm and passion shown by so many players in 2021 was laudable and once again made the tournament extremely competitive and compelling viewing. We accept and welcome the view that fans will have varying opinions and debates on their favorite commend all the players for their distinguished efforts throughout the

Nicholas Pooran

tournament.”

Hero CPL 2021 Team of the Tournament - 1. Evin Lewis (St Kitts & Nevis Patriots) 2.

Faf du Plessis (Saint Lucia Kings) 3. Nicholas Pooran (Guyana Amazon Warriors) 4. Roston Chase (Saint Lucia Kings) 5. Kieron Pollard (Trinbago Knight Riders) 6. Tim David (Saint Lucia Kings) 7. Sunil Narine (Trinbago Knight Riders) 8. Romario Shepherd (Guyana Amazon Warriors) 9. Odean Smith (Guyana Amazon Warriors) 10. Akeal Hosein (Trinbago Knight Riders) 11. Ravi Rampaul (Trinbago Knight Riders).

Kaieteur News

Friday September 17, 2021

PAGE 27

Team Daniels acquires land for Sports Facility in E’bo Daniels Sports Team has recently acquired a plot of land to construct a Sports Facility at Zorg, Essequibo Coast. The land was leased on Friday last to Team Daniels by Sandra Thomas after she was impressed with their approach towards the development of sports in the area over the past six months.

Works on the plot of land has already commenced and with help from contractor Satesh Manman, this phase of the work which includes

leveling and rolling, is expected to be completed shortly.

Team Daniels is hoping that with the completion of this phase, they would be able to encourage government support so that the facility can be further enhanced and coaches can continue to work with the youths.

Thomas said she is pleased that this facility will benefit the youths of the community. “Despite the long rainy season, the youths

just kept turning up to practice and I admire the work attitude of the young coaches,” she noted.

Speaking on behalf of the Team Daniels, Level Two Cricket Coach and national player Anthony Adams said, “With this new development and the support of the South Essequibo Cricket Committee Secretary, Rayon Dacosta, we have been able to achieve small steps of enhancing the knowledge of young cricketers by staging weekly sessions. We must

Members of the Team Daniels with Contractor, Satesh Manman at the facility.

thank the REO, Sandra Thomas for the lease and Mr. Singh for the timely donation of a complete bowling set up, machine and mat and parents.”

The team is hoping to launch their Table Tennis programme by next month

end and is also hoping to stage an athletic meet s h o r t l y. U n d e r Te a m Daniels, cricketers in South and other areas have been getting exposure to the game while the females have also turned out in their numbers to participate in various

sports disciplines.

The facility when completed is expected to host a number of indoor and outdoor sports including tennis, volleyball, cricket and football. The cost to complete the facility is estimated at G$11m.