Kaieteur News

Rogue elements that attempted to reduce US$3M must be exposed and fired Exxon's questionable US$214M expenses to –ShadowOilMinister

Shadow Minister for the Oil and Gas Sector, David Patterson is calling for “the rogue elements” within the Petroleum Unit of the Ministry of Natural Resourcestobeexposedand fired for causing the nation, “utter embarrassment” in the audit of ExxonMobil's expenses in the Stabroek Block.

The matter raised by Patterson was brought to light last week by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

The chief policymaker for the oil industry had exposedthattheministrywas engagedindeliberationswith Exxon that saw over US$214M in questionable expenses being slashed to US$11M and then to US$3M. The US$214M figurewasflaggedbyBritish Consultancy Group, IHS Markit, in a report it produced after being hired back in 2019 to audit

US$1.7B in expenses Exxon incurred from 1999 to 2017.

T h a t U S $ 2 1 4 M i n questionable spending was alsoendorsedbytheGuyana Revenue Authority (GRA) which had recommended to the Ministry of Natural Resources for the audit to proceedtoclosure.

D e s p i t e t h i s recommendation,Dr Jagdeo said he discovered that the

ministry still entertained Exxon in a breakdown of costs,addingthatthisshould not have occurred. Natural ResourcesMinister,Vickram Bharrat also disclosed via a statementthathesupportsthe VP'sposition.Bharratsaidhe played no part in those discussionswithExxonbutit was his staff at the unit that engaged in “unauthorized” discussions and an

examination of documents sentbyExxon.

Like the Vice President, Bharrat said he was of the opinion that the reduction in questionable costs, subsequently channeled to him and the Vice President, was emanating from GRA. Bharratsaidcorrectiveaction has since been taken and his staff has been told to cease suchdiscussions.

Contacted for an update on the matter yesterday, Bharratsaidnoonehasbeen fired.

Healsodeclinedtoname the persons who were engaged in “unauthorized” discussionswithExxon.“We are diligently reviewing this matter and we are in the process of taking action to ensure there is no reoccurrence,” the minister said. Since the disclosure on the mishandling of the audit process, Patterson and other stakeholders have been calling for “heads to roll.”

owedtoit.

“ I s p o k e w i t h ExxonMobil (Guyana Limited's Head, Alistair Routledge) and he told me that there were several discussions;itwasabackand forth So for that to be happening in the ministry and Vickram didn't know is fishy You are telling me the minister was not copied in any of the correspondence between his ministry and Exxon? That is not only incrediblebutunbelievable,” Pattersonsaid.

The public meeting hosted by ExxonMobilGuyanaLimited(EMGL) for its sixth offshore project recently became quite uncomfortable for the developer, as the Leader of a small political party here took to the floor to let the oil giant know that he does not wanttheminthiscountry

Gerald Pereira, Leader of the Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP) took the microphone during the question-and-answer segment on Wednesday at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown, to register his frustration over what he described as a “clever well-organised PRstunt”toengagecitizensofGuyana onanotherproject.

Pereira said that having listened to Exxon's presentations on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the glowing picture of Guyana now being ranked a highincome country, he believes this economic model of the country is “upsidedown”.Withtalksofnewhotels andaboomingtourismsector,theparty leaderargued:“thatisnotdevelopment, youaretalkingabouthighincomelevel country Poverty has increased tremendously in this country and it is not coincident or accidental that some people are talking about trickle down. That is what is going to happen in this country, a few people, those who already have wealth will get more wealthandwillcollaboratewithExxon

tocorporatizethiscountry.”

He described the company as a “corporate predator” pointing out that itstrackrecordiswellknownacrossthe world.Tothisend,hesaid,“Iwouldjust likeittobeknownthatweobjecttoyour presenceinthiscountry.”

TheauditoriumoftheUmanaYana was silent as the citizen continued to lash out against the oil company, indicating that he does not believe Guyana'sfutureisdependentonExxon. His microphone was muted moments after that statement The outraged political leader then stormed out of the

session with shouts of disapproval for the company's continued operations in theStabroekBlock.

Exxon is presently engaging the public on potential impacts from its sixth project, Whiptail. Already, five projectsforthedeveloperhavereceived regulatory approvals, with two already in operation. A third project Payara is expected to startup later this year Guyanese have been protesting for the companytogivethecountryafairdeal giventhatalion'sshareofthewealthis enjoyedbyExxonanditspartners-Hess CorporationandCNOOC.

Patterson in particular believes the full truth about thematterisnotbeingtoldto the public and is now challenging the government to name those persons who w e r e p a r t o f t h e “unauthorized” discussions withExxon.

“ItistheleastJagdeoand Minister Bharrat can do, unless they want citizens to thinkthattheyareprotecting those who contaminated this process,”Pattersonsaid.

The politician further notedthathefindsitdifficult to conceive that an entire department would risk their livelihood by engaging in unapproved negotiations with ExxonMobil to reduce questionablesums.

He said such a move could have cost the country over US$100M that is now

TheShadowMinisterfor the sector said Guyanese deserve to know which persons within the ministry unit has engaged in such unethical discussions and if those discussions were initiatedbyExxon.

Patterson also expressed worryabouttheimplications oftheministry'sactions.

He reasoned that Exxon could very well use the ministry'sacceptanceofover US$211M in expenses to weaken the country's position during arbitration.

“Government should say how it plans to deal with this…heads should roll for t h i s n a t i o n a l embarrassment Governme nthasadutytothisnationto expose and sanction the rogue elements, the world is watching, ” Patterson concluded.

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson

“We object to your presence in Guyana”...party leader tells ExxonMobil at public meeting

Leader of the OVP party, Gerald Pereira during Exxon's public meeting in Georgetown

KaieteurNews

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Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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Carrying the struggle for better to cricket

Cricket,lovelycricket;orthecalypsoniansangdecades ago: wicked cricket. A cricket ground on playing day involving the host nation, Guyana, is a fine venue for expressingmessagestoboththelocalenvironmentandthe worldatlarge.

Thecrowdgatheredtothrilltothebattleofbatandball, and pros pouring all their energies on the field of intense competition. Itistheperfectbackdropformessagesabout the injustices that riddle this country's oil sector from the beginningtothedailydevelopmentsthatemphasizeallthat iswrongwiththistrillion-dollaroilpatrimony

It is about leadership derelictions of the most irresponsible, insidious kind. It is of the corporate piracies andplundersofglobaloilpowerhouseExxonMobilandits groupoflikemindedpredators.Itisofhowlocalpoliticians havesoldthiscountryout,aftersellingthemselvesfirst.

Itisofmanyothercomponentsthatnegativelyimpact the hopes and aspirations of Guyanese, that grievously woundtheirpotential,andthatcouldtakeatollontheirrich destiny It is of a birthright now feebly and shamelessly squandered by Guyanese politicians, who are impotent beforetheonslaughtsofExxonMobil.

Guyanesearestaringatmorethantheworstofcorporate and capitalist greed and covetousness. Guyanese are staring at a form of cultural imperialism, where men with considerablepowerintheirhandsarecontenttoplaysecond fiddle to the foreign exploiter, and fifth wheel to the white man'sassaultsonthedignityofthisnation.

This is what the white man has done wherever he has goneinsearchofthetreasuresofothers. Hehasconverted the betrayers and divided to his side: first use them to weakentheirownbrothersandsisters,andwhiletheyclaw ateachother,haulsawaytherichesofaprostrateland.

Look at the people of ExxonMobil and how they have gleefullycreatedanopeningforthemselvesintheheartsof naïve, gullible Guyanese. There is cricket sponsorship evidencedallovertheNationalStadiumatProvidence,East BankDemerara.

ThebillboardsandothersymbolsofExxonMobil'slove forGuyaneseandforoneoftheirfavoritepastimes(cricket) cost the cash rich company a handful of dimes, definitely notmorethanafewmeaslydollars. Cricketsponsorshipin Guyana in 2023 is the equivalent of what the slave traders used to deliver to the African chiefs who sold their own people into slavery for a few bells and whistles and shiny mirrors.

AmiddifferentgroupsofGuyaneseprotestorspointing tothebarbaritiesofExxonMobil's2016oilcontract,thereis ExxonMobil's people smirking to themselves about how cheaplytheyaregettingGuyana'soil.Abillboardortwoin Providence, a playground somewhere else, and a few dollars for studies at the University of Guyana are representativeoftheclevernessofthenewslavedealersand slavemasters.

Throw the backward natives a couple of coins, and watch them push one another out of the way in a mad scrambleforthem.

This is what Guyana's oil sector has become: cheap corporate tricks, smooth corporate gimmicks, and slick, self-enriching corporate partnerships with local political powerswhomatter

Therearemanyelementsofagreatcongamegoingonin Guyanatoday,withthecontinuingheistofthiscountry'soil atthetopofthecompany'sagenda.

It is done dirt cheap: no taxes, no ring-fencing, no control of decommissioning (cleanup) costs, no insurance of the kind that would protect and give peace of mind, no royalty of merit to speak about, no disclosure of billiondollarbills,andnoreleaseofreportsthattheGuyanesejust mustknow

These are the monumental deficits which were

DEAREDITOR

In any democratic society,thepreservationofa constitution is vital to ensuring the protection of individual rights and the sustainability of the nation. Across the globe, citizens have fought hard for their respective constitutions, servingasablueprintforfair governance, representation, and safeguarding the rule of law Therefore, it is crucial that we, as responsible citizens, stand against any leaders who seek to trample on the constitution, be it the country’s constitution or the constitution of a political party In this letter, I will explore why democracy mustprevailatallcosts.

%Protecting Individual Rights: A constitution guarantees the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, ensuring that they are protected from the abusive power of the state. Any leader who attempts to undermine or disregard the provisions laid out in a constitution is essentially

dismissingtheimportanceof theserights.Indoingso,they createanenvironmentwhere citizens’voices are silenced and their liberties become vulnerable Supporting leaders who trample on the constitution would be a betrayal of our own rights andfreedoms.

%Preserving Rule of Law:

Constitutions establish a framework for a democratic society, including the separationofpowersandthe rule of law By disregarding the constitution, leaders are essentially undermining these principles and paving the way for arbitrary decision-making and the erosion of checks and balances This poses a significant threat to the integrity of governance and can result in governance becoming dictatorial and authoritarian Democracy cannot thrive under such circumstances, and thus it becomes our duty to resist leaders who undermine the constitution.

%Ensuring Fair

Representation:

Constitutions lay the

groundwork for fair representation through

various democratic

mechanisms, such as elections, parliamentary systems, or other forms of governance Leaders who trample on the constitution often seek to consolidate

power, marginalize opposition, and manipulate these mechanisms to maintain their hold on power By rejecting such leaders, we defend the authenticvoiceofthepeople andstriveforasocietywhere everycitizen’svoiceisheard and where power is distributedfairly

%The Long-Term

StabilityofNations:

Theconstitutionactsasa stable and enduring framework for a country’s governance. It provides a roadmap for social cohesion and stability, safeguarding against radical shifts in policyorleadership.Leaders who disregard the

constitution put the stability of the nation at risk, leading to political turmoil, social unrest, and economic uncertainty Supportingsuch leaderswouldbedetrimental to the long-term prosperity and well-being of the country

%Conclusion:

Democracy is the embodiment of a society where individual rights, rule of law, fair representation, and stability thrive Supporting leaders who trample on any constitution, whether it is the country’s constitution or the constitution of a political party,isabetrayalofthevery principles that underpin democracy As responsible citizens, we must stand firm against such leaders and upholdtheimportanceofthe constitution.Bydoingso,we defend democracy, individual rights, and the betterment of our communities Pt Ubraj Narine,

JP,COA

FormerMayor CityofGeorgetown

DEAREDITOR, This Ali/Jagdeo regime is proving every day to the worldtheycannotbetrusted. Having had the opportunity to meet with U.S. House M i n o r i t y L e a d e r, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, and discuss issues pertaining to common interest of humanity and good governance, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), acting true to form, returned to Guyana and sought to mislead the nation of the discussionsheld.

They sought to give the impressionthecongressman paid no mind or had no interestindiscussingthehot button issues pertinent to Guyanese wellbeing and America’s global interest. Issues such as sustainable development, inclusionary democracy, respect for humanrights,lawandorder ItmattersnottothePPPifin their deceit they would be j e o p a r d i z i n g t h e performance expected at the Congressman’sleveldealing

withglobalissues.

Inpursuitofmaintaining theirfaçade,theydidn’tcare about impugning the gentleman’s character This act further demonstrates their contempt for timehonoured principles and appropriate behaviours, and once again disgraced Guyanapaintinganalternate reality on the international stage.

RobertPersaud,Foreign Secretary, reportedly told Demerara Waves news, Jeffries never raised anything about inclusion g o v e r n a n c e a n d participation in the nation’s economy, two troubling areas affecting the entire nation, whether directly or indirectly In Persaud’s words “Absolutely no question or any issue on racial discrimination nor inequitable distribution of wealth was raised ” The nation has since been informed he wasn’t telling the truth. This nation would recall the role of Persaud during the unfortunate

murder of Minister Satyadeow Sawh. When he arrived at the scene of the brutalcrime,amongthefirst things he sought to do was make it a political attack on the political opposition.The PPP/Chasfortoolongbeen abletoescapeaccountability fortheirbareandboldfaced deceit.

Their report on the trip, no doubt, had a dampening effect on many Guyanese who felt perturb and expressed feelings of hopelessness. For them they were seeing apparent successofPPP/C’sdistorted reality on events in Guyana and their practice of systemic discrimination and racism.

Thankfully the nation has had the benefit of what transpiredatthemeetingvia a statement released by Jeffries Office within 48hoursofthemeeting.Inthat statementJeffriessaid

“The discussions during themeetingrevolvedaround severalpressingtopics,with a focus on regional and

emblazoned on the banners that were waved in the face of cricket-loving Guyanese, hurled beforetheeyesoftheExxonMobilmastersinGuyana,andarticulatedinquietfuryanddogged insistencebeforeawatchingregion,andawiderworld. Guyana'soilhasledtothecaptureofa country,anditspeoplebeingheldhostage.

Thisisthedepthsofunfairness,thebreadthofinjustice,andExxonMobilisthegodfather ofboth. Thiscontractisdenounced,andsoalsoarethosewhoprofitfromit,supportit.

energy security Climate changeemergedasacritical issue, and both leaders emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive society in Guyana. They emphasised the necessity of full economic participation and civic engagement by Guyanese-Africans and Guyanese-Indians. Electoral reformandthestrengthening of democratic institutions were also high on the agenda The meeting underscored the need to enhance access to banking and financial services in the Caribbeanregion.”

ItisunfortunateGuyana cannot settle its internal affairs bilaterally and has to rely on external forces to force compliance to fundamental things like humanrightsandtheruleof law, but with the PPP/C’s history of deceit and poor governance Guyanese cannot trust them and have turned to the international for support to ensure what enshrinedintheConstitution ofGuyana.

Thisnationwouldrecall that last year, President Ali wassummonedtotheUnited States by Vice President KamalaHarrisandSecretary of State Antony Blinken to discussissuesofnational

(Continuedonpage06)

Leaders who trample on the constitution often seek to consolidate power, marginalize opposition and manipulate these mechanisms to maintain their hold on power

It is unfortunate Guyana cannot settle its internal affairs and has to rely on external forces

DEAREDITOR, PNC Member of

Parliament, Annette Ferguson,hasberatedmefor what she describes as “disrespect for the female journalist”, referring, I believe, to Stabroek News reporter Marcel Thomas. I begtodiffer

Infact,Ihappentoregard Ms.Thomasasoneourmore current professional journalists When the President answered the question putbyMs.Thomas on the subject of the Chancellor and Chief Justice, she did not like the answer and, rather than reframe her question to probe further, she attempted to debate the President, at which point I intervened as themoderator

There is a distinct differencewhichIdoubtMs. Ferguson understands between an Interview and a PressConference.OnaOneon-One Interview, the journalistiswithinhisorher r i g h t s t o e x p r e s s disagreement with a statement made by the person being interviewed if it is patently wrong because the conversation is free flowing In a Press Conference,incontrast,with

No more of that nonsense

alargenumberofjournalists present and asking questions, the journalist has a professional responsibility to ask questions, not debate, sothatothersmayhavetheir turn. I have written on this subject before when previously targeted by the Press Association, simply because, in fact, as the moderator I expect a certain degree of professionalism at Presidential Press Conferences and, as Ms. Ferguson acknowledges, I act from the experience of havingovermanyyearsbeen on both sides of that fence. The Press Conferences which I have moderated include, for instance, those hosted by Former US President,JimmyCarter,and the late Duke of Edinburgh, whentheyvisitedGuyana.

In my previous letter on this subject, I quoted the description of a Press Conference by ABC News Reporter Irving Fang since 1968 and its worth requoting:”a kind of courtship dance which the interviewer and his subject feint, parry and maneuver around the topic, circle gradually coming closer together until the climactic moment of thrust and

The Race Dilemma and Guyana

response”.

In another book, FreedomoftheNewsMedia by Olga G and Edwin P. Hoyt, published since 1973, to which I have also previously referred, it’s pointedoutthat:”freedomof the press did not mean – as some newsmen seem to thinkitdid-thatofficialsor otherswereboundtoloveor evenrespectanysegmentof the press. But then neither wasiteverincumbentonthe news media to love or even respect any segment of the government. The members ofeachsidewouldhavelove or respect as they deserved it;suchmatterscouldnotbe guaranteed”.

In my view, we have made progress We have established a Presidential Press Corp selected by the Media Houses themselves. AtthelastPressConference, every journalist fully exhaustedthequestionsthey came prepared to ask.There was once a time when the Kaieteur News would come to a Press Conference with four reporters attempting to railroad the Press Conference.Nomoreofthat nonsense.

Yourssincerely, KitNascimento

Anothercloud of uncertainty hangs over oil sector

DearEditor

The staff of a unit engaged in unauthorized, acts with an audit but no sanctions meted out This is just plain puzzlingandraisesthequestionistheunita lawuntoitselforbeingmadethescapegoat? How could the staff of the unit unilaterally take it upon themselves to go beyond their

remit and this was never realised red flagged? Somethingdoesnotreadrightwith thisentireepisode.

Withthispublicembarrassment,another cloudofuncertaintyhangsoverthetroubled oilandgassector

Regards

ShamshunMohamed

DEAREDITOR, IntheannalsofGuyana’s history, we recall the pioneers of Guyana’s Independence Former Presidents Dr Cheddi Bharrat Jagan and Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham embracingeachotherafterthe Union Jack, a symbol of the colonialerawasloweredtothe the rising of the Golden Arrowhead on May 26th, 1966 Onlookers were Guyana’s High Commission toBritainSirLionelLuckhoo and his wife Lady Luckhoo, Speaker of the House and his betterhalfMrAPAlleyneand Mrs Alleyne, Minister of Local Government Mr Randolph Cheeks and his spouseMrs Cheekswerefew notables in attendance to witnessthishistoricmoment

Even though Jagan and Burnham, the two luminaries of Guyana politicsweremembersofthe People’s Progressive Party (PPP) fighting for freedom and then rivals when the party dissipated, the camaraderie surrounded this momentous occasion had great prospects for a unified nation For decades villages such as Unity, Buxton and Black Bush and have been unified and live prosperously Regretfully, over the last 57 yearsinthepost-independence era, none of these main political parties has ensured equitable and merit-based distribution of the country’s resourcesbutisgiventoracial manipulation for its party members and their constituents.

Administration after Administration seems comfortable with “jobs for the boys” referring to political party members, friends and families of

whom have shown trust and loyaltyratherthanthosewho are effectively qualified for the position. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are mainly racially composed with the former being predominantly IndoGuyaneseandthelatter, Afro Guyanese Any d i ff e r e n c e t o t h e composition existing in its leadership is fillers and a token of diversity as seen with the Prime Ministerial candidates As Guyana develops and the country accumulates wealth, the racial divide becomes more apparent as contracts, top level employment and government aid is directed impartially to one race because of polarization and racial bias, not only by the administrators, but is trickled down to the mid and lowerlevels of party membership

Both parties attempt to cloak racial preference with token jobs, minute handouts and public relations stunts with membersofthealternaterace to deceive internal and external observers Slogans suchas“OneGuyana”and“It istimeforChange”arefailed ventures and a waste of tax payers’ dollars to prove the obviousfactwehavebeenone people,partofonenationwith one destiny since 1966 when that historic moment mentionedabovebefell.

Inorderforthecountryto move past racial bias that’s been ingrained in the moral fabricandpoliticalpsycheof the nation, every party in power must remove hiring friends, family and political comrades that appeal to the m a j o r i t y o f t h e i r membership Employment must be merit, based on

skills, experience and qualifications as the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation(GUYSUCO)Mr

Sasenarine Singh who is an accomplished accountant, financial strategist and a dedicated scholar of sugar economics for many years

Another is Lt Col Mr Egbert Fields, Director General of GuyanaCivilAviationAuthority aqualifiedpilotandinstrument reading professional with 47 years of experience in the Aviation Industry Secondly, the Government of Guyana must adopt laws that will create space for contracting government services to minority groups such as the Indigenous, Portuguese, Chinese and Afro Guyanese toachieveparityineconomic development

Across Government entities, institutional strengthening in the form of continuoustrainingofpublic servants to handle complex issues arising in their respective profession is required In closing, the people of Guyana possess a rich and diverse history with an appealing natural layout that is world class and being blessedwithanabundance of resources, but for 57 years have voted one way, along racial lines, for two parties continuously and from time to time, many are demoralized about the high levels of corruption, greed andnepotism However,each election, the cyclic effect repeats as we vote the same twopartiesoverandoveragain expecting different results each time. Isn’t this the definitionofinsanity?

Sincerely

Collin Haynes MPH MBA

There was once a time when Kaieteur News would come to a press conference with four reporters:

Man found dead in drain

Shivcharran, a 65-year-old Labourer of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, allegedly drowned some time between 08:00 and 13:30hrsonMonday

Police said enquiries disclosed that Shivcharran, resided with his 60-year-old

wife.Theman’s39-year-old son-in-law said that around 13:30 hrs yesterday, he was at home when he was informedbyaneighbourvia cellular phone that his father-in-law was seen motionlessinanearbydrain.

No marks of violence were seen on the exposed

y Goolcharran’s body was escorted to the Diamond Hospital, where the body was pronounced dead on arrival.

ThebodyisatMemorial Gardens Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Kit disrespect

DEAREDITOR, On Saturday September 9, 2023, Mr Ifraan Ali hosted a Press Conference, moderated by Mr Kit Nascimento, and live streamed across social mediaplatforms.

Questions were fielded by a renowned female Journalist from Stabroek News, who sought to get a responsefromMr Alionthe appointments of the

Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. Mr Nascimento, a Public Relations veteran, did not reflect the professionalism expected from someone with his experience His disrespect for the female journalist should have earned him a formal reprimand from the Press Corps It must be noted though that while Mr Nascimento was attempting

Reopening of Rose Hall Estate a welcome step

DEAREDITOR

to curtail the questions, Mr Ali allowed them Hopefully, Mr Nascimento willbemorerespectfulashe seekstoprotectthePresident from the probing questions of intelligent and probing journalists.Afterall,itisrare thatPresidentAliisallowed to speak as President of Guyana.

Yourssincerely,

AnnetteFerguson, MemberofParliament

ItisunfortunateGuyanacannotsettle...

Frompage4 and international import, among which included inclusive democracy and economic development for allGuyanese.

He was directed by both leaderstochangecoursebut has instead dug on a course thatcouldleadtoethnicand politicalturmoil.

They continue to ignore the importance and need for good governance, respect and equitable distribution of thecountry’sresources.

In the International DecadeofPeopleofAfrican Descent, as declared by the United Nations, that the congressman sought to addresstheAfricansituation in Guyana is necessary and

commendable in the presenceofunendingattacks on the community, their organisations, social and economic sustainability by the PPP/C Citizens are e n c o u r a g e d t h e congressmanmadeknowthe meeting with him and m e m b e r s o f t h e CongressionalBlackCaucus and President IrfaanAli and delegation “reflects the commitment of leaders to foster dialogue and collaboration for the betterment of the Republic of Guyana and the broader African diaspora in the Western Hemisphere ”

Congressman Jeffries’ exposure of PPP’s lie brings hope for a depressed nation

and a people subjected to political, social and economic violence under this regime. His frank and honest assessment of the situation and commitment to upholding values adumbrated in international charters also serves as a rallying call for Guyanesetonolongersitidly by waiting on the PPP/C regimetogivethemhandouts when they are entitled to fair distribution, social, economic and political justice. As Guyanesewearenotentitled to anything less than any othercitizen.

There is dignity and fair play in standing up and demandingthesebeupheld.

Sincerely

LincolnLewis

The reopening of the Rose Hall sugar estate is indeed welcome news. The closure of the estate by the previous APNU+AFC administration has had a depressing impact on residentsofthatcommunity, the majority of whom had depended on the estate for theirliving.

The reopening of the estatehasnowresultedinthe infusion of fresh air and a renewal of hope for a more

secure livlihood for residentsinthatcommunity

As someone who once worked at the Rose Hall estate, I am aware of the importance of the estate, bothintermsofemployment opportunities and its impact onthebusinesscommunity

The closure of the estate affected the community

a d v e r s e l y , b o t h economically and socially

As to why the previous administration would have taken a decision to close

grinding sugar estates is at best puzzling, especially when seen against the historical, cultural and sociological implications of sugar on the economy and more particularly on the livesofsugarworkers.

I commend the PPP/C administrationforreopening theRoseHallEstatewhichat one time was ranked among the best in terms of sucrose quality Sincerely HydarAlly

and the PNC must respect the Constitution

Hakeem Jeffries

DEAREDITOR

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries is in the news again trumpeting the call for an end to partisan politics, for more inclusivity and end of discrimination against Afro and Indo Guyanese, among other things The first mentioned grouping, that is, Afro-Guyanese is his main concern, the Indo-Guyanese grouping was just thrown in for good measure. So, his prompters Burke and company are there to assist himinthiscrusadetobolster theircaseagainstThePPP/C Government How successfultheywillbeinthe upcoming discussion is left tobeseen,becausethereare so many inconsistencies in his statement that one envisages a circus in the making.Butbeforewedelve into our discussion today let us talk a little of Congressman Jeffries SittingnexttoBurke,hewas the chief guest at Granger’s

victory celebration in Brooklyn in 2015. This is a commendable act in that hereThePNChaveanallyin TheBlackBrotherhood.But wait a minute he was strangelysilent,ifnotatotal disappearance in The 2020 Election Rigging Saga. So when Jeffries comes out swinging in 2023 talking about a clean voters list and good governance he has to rememberthatheisspeaking tohiscomradesinThePNC andnottoThePPP/C.

We believe and strongly support good governance and a one man one vote government, something alientoThePNC.

So every time he speaks on The Guyana Issue, Jeffriesissimplyputtinghis footinhismouth. Thisman isconvenientlysidestepping thebarefacedattemptstorig the election here in Guyana. Heforgetsthatheisastrong supporterofthearchitectsof rigging in this country, the

mostegregiousthingtohave been done to The Guyanese People.Again,onthepointof inclusivity, I would ask of Jeffries, why can’t he forgive Trump on that brazen rigging stunthetriedtopulloffonThe Americans, when he ordered theGeorgiaGovernorto“find 15,000 votes” to earn him a victory by fraud? Why not forgiveTrumpandincludehim as a candidate in the next election?Iknowthathisanswer would be a resounding no! Then why should rigging be considered acceptable in Guyana but not for The Americans?Shouldwebelieve that this is what Jeffries is promulgating?

My point is if is unacceptable in The USA, don’t try foisting that foolishness here I, with great enthusiasm, look forward to the upcoming d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h CongressmanJeffries.

RespectfullySubmitted

Neil Adams

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WatchtheInternational community

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Some Guyanese seem to have developed an extraordinary degree of affection for the international community, while pretending to be blind to its predations and ambitions.

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Members of the international community know this and milk this for their own benefit. The people are always held high as the driving force behind developments, but a closer look reveals that oil and gold and uranium feature very highly in the calculations of the international community, be it a country or a consortium of them.

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Niger, Nigeria, Venezuela, and Guyana confirm how the tricks of crooked politicians are used by the international community to get its foot in the door, and its own way

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Meanwhile, the people take a backseat, and their sufferings intensify.

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Pres. Ali calls for reform of international financial architecture ...says more financing needed to achieve SDGs

President Irfaan Ali on Monday called for the reform of the international financial architecture so that the disparity between developed anddevelopingcountriescan be reduced and ultimately eliminated.

The President was at the time speaking at the United Nations(UN)78thsessionof theUN GeneralAssemblyin New York. In his address, PresidentAli highlighted the woes developing countries face to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).

PresidentAli is leading a delegation to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development undertheauspicesoftheUN GeneralAssembly

The 2023 SDG Summit commenced on Monday, September18,andconcludes today It will mark the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards the SDGs with high-level political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading upto2030.

Convened by the President of the General Assembly, the Summit will markthehalfwaypointtothe deadlinesetforachievingthe 2030Agenda and the SDGs. Thesummitissaidtorespond totheimpactofmultipleand interlockingcrisesfacingthe world and is expected to reignite a sense of hope, optimism,andenthusiasmfor the2030Agenda.

In his address, President

Ali underscored that combined effects of food, energy, climate, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic have significantly derailed the achievement of theSDGs.

The Head of State noted too that the increased cost of financing, rising debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and unsustainable balance sheets placed the developing world in a precariousposition.

"Just to cite a couple examples, according to a recent IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) report, the gap in financing to achieve four critical SDGs for the Latin America and Caribbean region, including access to water and sanitation, energy security,

that national commitment alone will not be enough to achievetheSDGs,especially for poor and vulnerable countries.

“

Our international financial architecture is out of sync with the needs of developing countries and must be reformed Developing countries are faced with higher food inflation 5% higher than the rest of the world in most cases,”PresidentAlisaid.

He underscored that the average interest rate paid by developing countries on

development is realized and respected. Guyana believes that significant progress can onlybemadeinachievingthe SDGs if national efforts and massrecommitmenthasbeen fulfilled in an environment that creates and fosters progressforallcountries.”

President Ali's comment comesontheheelsofareport bytheUnitedNationswhich shed light on the disparity betweeninterestratespaidby the developed world and developedcountries.

The report, 'A World of Debt: A growing burden to

building infrastructure that promotes innovation, and making our cities sustainable, requires US$2.2 billion,"Alisaid.

He highlighted that Guyana's expansion of the economy has allowed the country to focus heavily on theSDGs.However,henoted

external borrowing is three times higher than what developedcountriespay

He continued, “We'll not have a world where everyone, everywhere, enjoys their full human rights,peaceandsecurityand is free from poverty and hunger until the right to

prosperity' was produced by the UN Global Crisis

Response Group and releasedinJuly2023.

Public debt can be vital for development; some Governments use it to financetheirexpenditures,to protect and invest in their people,andtopavetheirway

to a better future – it was statedinthereport.However, itwasnotedthatitcanalsobe aheavyburden.

E x p l a i n i n g t h e inequalities in the international financial architecture,itwasstatedthat developing countries are dealing with an international

financial architecture that exacerbates the negative impactofcascadingcriseson sustainabledevelopment.

F u r t h e r, i t w a s highlightedthattheburdenof debt on development is intensified by a system that constrainsdeveloping

(Continuedonpage9)

U.S.-Guyana collaborate with NGOs to assist Linden residents

t h

On September 9 , representatives of the United States Embassy and the non-governmental organisations,GuyanaMedicalRelief, Guyana Cancer Society, and Food for thePoor,conductedamedicaloutreach forresidentsinLindenincollaboration withtheLindenHospital.

Aspartofitsongoinghumanitarian assistance partnership with Guyana, the U.S. Embassy donated seven airconditioning units to the pediatric section of the Linden Hospital, providing a more comfortable setting forchildrenreceiving care, a release from the US Embassy here said Additionally, members of the U S Embassy Humanitarian Assistance Program collaborated to

bring medical assistance to over 250 residents of Linden at the Linden Hospital.

Linden residents received ophthalmologycare,gynecologycare, dental care, blood testing, and food donations. We are proud to partner with the Government of Guyana and local NGO partners to increase resources, availability of care, and essential services to improve the qualityoflifeforresidents.

This collaboration highlights the U S Embassy's initiatives and commitment to strengthen partnerships within Guyana's health sector and to work with the GovernmentofGuyanaatalllevelsto supportenhancedpublichealthforthe peopleofGuyana.

President Irfaan Ali

U.S. Embassy representatives present air conditioning units to Linden Hospital

Pres.Alicallsforreformofinternationalfinancial....

Frompage8 countries’accesstodevelopmentfinanceand pushesthemtoborrowfrommoreexpensive sources, increasing their vulnerabilities and makingitevenhardertoresolvedebtcrises.

KaieteurNewshadreportedonthereport whichstatedthatwhendevelopingcountries borrowmoney,theyhavetopaymuchhigher interest rates compared to developed countries,evenwithoutconsideringthecosts ofexchangeratefluctuations.

In the report, a comparison was done for the bond yields (2022-2023) between developing countries and developed countries.

It showed that countries like the United

States and Germany had interest rates of 3.1% and 1.5%, respectively Whereas, for developing countries in Asia and Oceania, LatinAmericaandtheCaribbeanandAfrica, those countries had to pay interest rates rangingfrom6.5%to11.6%.

“CountriesinAfricaborrowonaverageat rates that are four times higher than those of theUnitedStatesandeveneighttimeshigher thanthoseofGermany,”itwasunderscored.

President Ali’s call for reforming this international financial system highlights the urgent need to address these disparities and create an environment that fosters progress forallnationsinthepursuitoftheSustainable DevelopmentGoals.

BY GHK LALL

President Ali's dilemma

Fish eggs could be lost daily during oil production

FByDavinaBagot - ExxonMobil

ishermen in Guyanahavebeen complaining repeatedly about the low catch being experienced, which government has blamed on factors such as climatechangeandseasonal variations.

Thoughitmaybeatough pill for some to swallow, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has confirmedthatitsoperations are likely to affect fish and thelivelihoodsoffishermen, as studies conducted by the company's Consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) concluded that the marine speciescouldeffectively turn broth durin productionactivities.

During a recent s t a k e h o l d e r e n g a g e m e n t , Kaieteur News askedtheconsultant on likely impacts to t h e c o u n t r y ' s fisheries sector, amid a declining industry Research by th publication found that fishing and shrimp have reduced since 2019 Bank of Guyana (BoG) statistics reveal as follows forshrimp(intonnes)201915,808,2020-13,543,202110,962 and in 2022- 10,214. Meanwhile, the Bank reported the following production of fish (in tonnes):2019-22,336,202019,993,2021-20,628,202223,389.

Notably,governmenthas implemented new measures such as aquaculture or cage fishing to boost production numbers, as Exxon predicts likely harm to the sector ERM's Senior Project Manager and Technical Support, Jason Willey recently explained that during production activities offshore, the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels require sea water to be used as a cooling substance. He also pointed out that the sea water is required on a “continuous basis” for this purpose.

More importantly, Willey,abiologistwithinthe ERM team explained that thousands, if not millions of fisheggscouldbelostinthe process, should this activity occur during spawning or reproductive season. “If the intakeoccursatatimewhen

like a spawning event happens, let's say like when thefisharereproducing,and a lot of eggs and a lot of larvaeareinthewater,there can be thousands lost, potentially many more than that,”hesaid.

The biologist added, “It also depends on how many of those eggs and larva a certain pecies produces Some produce millions of eggs and larva per single female, some produce a handfulsoit'salargenumber of eggs and larva that could potentiallybelost.”

Be that as it may,Willey

Consultant

soughttopolishhisresponse by indicating that this does not mean Guyana could potentiallylosethousandsor millions of fish product on themarket.

Heexplained,“Whatyou have to understand is that doesnotmean,andIwantto beveryclearaboutthis,that does not mean that millions oftheadultfishthatyousee inthemarketaregoingtobe lost and the reason why is because most of those eggs and larva that would be lost are lost naturally through natural reproduction so in ny cases particularly with marine fish you may ve an adult fish that produces, let's say it produces 20,000 eggs, onlymaybeahandfulof those survive to adulthood so you can havealargenumberof eggs and larva that are lost and have a very small impact on the adultpopulation.”

He said there was currently no data to determine the exact number of eggs or larva that can be sucked into the pipe that is collectingseawater

Willeyalsonotedthatthe team was unable to determine the spawning season for fully marine speciessincetheregenerally isnotone.

“When we are talking about the fully marine species there really isn't a seasonal component to that because the marine environment is generally verystableintermsofwater quality during the different seasons so when we are talking about those highly migratory open water species,sothelargersharks, the tuna, the jacks, the mackerels they don't really have a seasonal component to the reproduction,” he noted.

This means that those species as well as their

offspringcanbeimpactedat any time during oil productionactivities.

While fishermen have been casting blame on the recent startup of oil production offshore Guyana for their reduced catches, a studyconductedbytheFood a n d A g r i c u l t u r e Organisation (FAO) found otherwise.In May last year, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha said the

study concluded that the visible impacts to the local fisheries sector was merely asaresultofclimatechange. Accordingtohim,“It'snotas a result of that (oil operations)…the report says aboutclimatechangeandthe fresh water that was responsible.”

Despiterepeatedcallsfor the study to be made public, thedocumentnevermadeits waytolight.

ERM's Senior Project Manager and Technical Support, Jason Willey

Pharmacist found dead in Mocha home

Police are investigating death of Juneann DeAbru, a 36-year-old pharmacist of Lot49NelsonStreet,Mocha, EastBankDemerara.

DeAbru and her 15-year-

old son lived together in Mocha.

On Sunday 17th

September 2023, DeAbru's son was at home in his bedroom attending to his

schoolwork About 15:20 hours,helefthisbedroomto goandinformhismotherthat there was no ink in the printer That is when he discovered his mother's

motionlessbody

Theteenraisedanalarm, and persons in the area rushed to offer assistance. The police were also contacted DeAbru was

Technician(EMT)personnel fromEcclesFireStation.The body is at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home

Dead, Juneann DeAbru

awaiting a post-mortem examination. Investigations areongoing.

If you know someone who is suffering from depression, please contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline on 223-0001, 2230009,600-7896,623-4444.

AFC accuses IMF of producing half-bake assessment of Guyana's economy

Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan has accused the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of presenting a half-baked assessment of Guyana's economy in its Concluding Statementofthe2023Article IVMission.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Ramjattansaidthatwhilethe statement paints a mostly glowing picture of Guyana's economic circumstances, the reality is nowhere near the truth for many ordinary citizens.

Ramjattan, whose party represents half of the combined opposition, accusedtheIMFofexcluding the input of members of the opposition as well as ordinarycitizensinitsrecent exercise on the Concluding Statementofthe2023Article IVMissiononGuyana.

“The Article IV Mission Statement is supposed to have inputs from the representatives of the Opposition Against all protocol this 2023 statement does not reflect a consultation with the Opposition… I believe it would be interesting to hear who were the actual invitees that were consulted during the period of August 28 to September 11, 2023, and what was discussed by these invitees,”Ramjattansaid.

TheAFC Leadersaidtoo thatitappearstoothatonthe broader spectrum that the ordinaryGuyanesewerekept outoftheprocess.

He noted that “The AFC isalltooawarethattherewill eventuallyberapidgrowthin Guyana as a result of the signing of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement(PSA)whichwas signed by the A Partnership forNationalUnity+Alliance For Change Government which was harshly criticized by the then People's Progressive Party Civic

...says bank ignored opposition, citizens’ views

AffairsandGovernanceGail Teixeira, Central Bank Governor Gobind Ganga, other senior officials, representatives from the private sector, banks, labor unions, and other stakeholders.

Basedonitsconsultation, the IMF reported that the Guyanese economy continues to grow very rapidly, supported by the government's modernization plans, including the unparalleled oil sector expansion.

well capitalized and liquid,” thestatementadded.

Additionally, the consultationexercisepointed tosustainedrealnon-oilGDP growth of 5.5 percent is projected,asthegovernment continuesitsambitiousplans to address developmental needs.

“Guyana's favorable

medium-term growth prospects are accompanied by upside and downside risks.

Ontheupside,furtheroil discoveries would continue to improve growth prospects,” the statement pointed out adding that construction growth and strong public investment

may support higher than expected short-term non-oil growthbutcouldalsoleadto inflationarypressuresandthe appreciation of the real exchange rate beyond the level implied by a balanced expansion of the economy, overheating, and the crowding out of credit to the privatesector

Opposition….”

He continued: “However thehugegrowthinstatistical terms is hardly reaching the ordinary Guyanese; only an elite few seem to be the beneficiaries.Guyaneseinall regions find life most miserable these days Aggravatedbyobviously,the dashed expectations as to what the oil sector would bringtothem.”

Henotedthatthenumber of citizens flooding the passport offices and U.S. Embassy are evidence of the harsh realities faced by the population.

“The passport offices are filled every day with applicants and the U S Embassy has long lines of a vexed population that exists inmanyhomes.

Yet the PPP government hasbeenusingthatstatement as propaganda saying it has placed Guyana in the forefront ” Ramjattan stated.

According to the IMF, a staff team from the InternationalMonetaryFund (IMF), led by Ms. Alina Carare, held discussions during August 28 –September 11 for the 2023 ArticleIVConsultation.

The IMF said the team met with Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Minister of Parliamentary

The team noted that following record real GDP growth in 2022 62 3 percent, the highest in the world—realGDPisexpected to continue to grow extremely fast in 2023 (38 percent).

The international body noted that “Oil production is ramping up with the coming onstreamofathirdoilfield, and growth in the non-oil sector is supported by the implementation of a fastpaced public investment program focused on providing transportation, housing, and flood management infrastructure, and raising human capital. Spillovers from oil and construction are supporting growth in the services and supplies sectors, while agriculture, mining and quarrying are also performingwell.”

“After a strong 2022, in thefirsthalfof2023realnonoil GDP grew by 12 3 percent CPI inflation reached 7.2 percent at end2022, in line with other countries in the region, and declined to 1.2 percent on a y/y basis in July 2023, with the decline in transportation and communication prices. The external current account swungintoalargesurplusin 2022,of23.8percentofGDP, and another large surplus is expected in 2023. Banks are

Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan

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Even with rampaed up oil production Guyana remains on a carbon-negative path Pres. Ali tells int'l summit

President Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed this nation's unwavering commitment to maintaining a carbon-negative trajectory, even with the anticipated deployment of 10 Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) in its burgeoning oil sector.

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Guyana's Head of State bold promise underlines his administration's position as a country endowed with abundant natural resources and a steadfast dedication to environmental preservation.

President Ali made the aforementioned statement when he appeared as a panelist at Concordia's Annual Summit to discuss “Underneath the Green Transition: The Oil Industry” accompanied by former Colombian President Ivan Duque.

Guyana's most prominent

natural treasure lies at the heart of its territory – a sprawling forest, rivaling the combined size of England and Scotland. The forest serves as a reservoir of an astonishing 19.5 gigatons of carbon, a global environmental treasure of immense value.

of the forest's pivotal role in the global climate agenda.

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During the discussion, Ali boasted about Guyana having the world's lowest deforestation rate. He explained that it is a testament to the nation's commitment to preserving biodiversity and providing essential ecological services. He said too that Guyana's dedication is firmly rooted in the understanding

On the world stage, Guyana has emerged as a prominent leader in forest management, conservation, and responsible utilisation. However, as Guyana charts a course through transformative changes, notably within its burgeoning oil and gas sector with vast reserves, questions are being asked as to how the country will balance these pursuits. To this end, President Ali delivered an emphatic message that even with the operation of 10 FPSOs, Guyana will steadfastly maintain its carbon-

negative trajectory, a feat attributed to the forest's remarkable carbon-absorbing capabilities.

Ali said that the nation is progressively steering away from heavy oil and petroleum products, embracing cleaner alternatives encompassing natural gas, solar, and wind energy sources. This shift serves as a testament to the alignment of economic growth with environmental sustainability. Yet, amid these transformative changes, President Ali underscores the urgency of a balanced conversation concerning the pursuit of net-zero emissions.

AFC urges Govt to beef up scrutiny of mining sector

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AFC

The Alliance of Change (AFC) has called on the Government of Guyana to beef up its scrutiny of the mining sector in wake of new reports of a decline in gold declarations.

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Speaking at a news conference last Friday, AFC Executive Member Juretha Fernandes told reporters that the issue of low gold declarations can be solved by simply enforcing the regulations. She noted that under the A Partnership for Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition government gold declarations had increased.

“Under the coalition between 2015 and 2019, we saw that the declarations for gold continued to increase throughout these years. So

conference it is not rocket science it is very simple; it is all about enforcement. The coalition government was very keen on this. The structures and systems are in place but they are not enforcing what should be done and I believe they are willfully not doing that,” Fernandes said.

She continued that as it relates to smuggling, the APNU+AFC government had worked with international organizations to tackle this scourge. “We worked with those organisations to make sure that gold smuggling was kept under control because you know that prior to 2015 we had serious issues with that. So definitely it comes to the gold declarations it is the regulatory bodies that we need to see more enforcement

from,” Fernandes added. AFC Member of Parliament Ricky Ramsaroop shared similar sentiments. He told the press conference that under the Coalition government the Ministry of Natural Resources had set up a taskforce to help with monitoring and management of the mining sector. He reflected that when the APNUAFC took office in 2015, “Mr. GHK Lall -a nononsense man,” was put in charge of the gold board. Ramsaroop said: “The Minister neither the Ministry interfered with the work of boards; they allowed the professionals to handle institutions.”

He explained: “we also had a ministerial taskforce (Continued on page 18)

President Irfaan Ali during the panel discussion on Monday

Executive member, Juretha Fernandes, Cathy Hughes, Leader of the Party, Khemraj Ramjattan along with AFC member Ricky Ramsaraoop during the press

Severely burnt boy medevaced for urgent treatment overseas

A 9-year-old boy who suffered third degree burns about his body after he was set alight allegedly by his mother and stepfather earlier this month was on Monday medically evacuated for urgent treatmentsoverseas.

According to the humanitarian organisation, Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA), the child is currently being evacuatedviaairambulancefromGuyana to the United States for emergency lifesaving treatment. SHEAdisclosed that thechild,whosenamewasgivenasNeilJ., sustained “deep third degree burns across 30%ofhistinybodyinanallegedcaseof childabuse.”

Reportsarethatthechild'smotherand stepfather were detained by police in connectionwiththeincident.Accordingto SHEA, on September 9, the child was rushedtotheGeorgetownPublicHospital andwasimmediatelyadmittedtotheBurns Care Unit where he was intubated and stabilisedbystaffthere.

SHEAstatedonitsFacebookpagethat notonlydidNeilsustainacuteburnsbuthis entirebodyiscoveredwithvariousbruises andinjurieswhichareinvariousstagesof healing. “His head was sliced, and his ear slit,”theorganisationsaid.

While doctors are providing outstandingcaretothelad,SHEAsaidthat

Nine-year-old Neil. J

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Baby-sitter arrested over death of infant

A 28-year-old babysitter has been arrested in connectionwiththedeathof aone-year-oldchild.

Raheem Fung, of Circuitville, SoesdykeLinden Highway, died on Monday afternoon while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) He was on life-support machine atGPHCaftersufferingfrom multipleheadinjuries.

AccordingtotheGuyana PoliceForce(GPF),thechild was left in the care of the babysitter of Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke–LindenHighway

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that little RaheemisthesonofRhonda Kortright and Kevin Fung, who both reside at Circuitville. The babysitter, who has a one-year-old

daughter,isreportedlyKevin Fung'sniece.

Raheem was reportedly left in the babysitter's car in July 2023 from MondaySaturday given his parents' busy work schedule In August, the babysitter contacted Kortright and informed her that Raheem had fallen and hit his head. The child was taken to the GPHC with a swollen forehead where he was treated and sent away in a healthy condition.After that incident, the child remained inthecareandcustodyofthe 28-year-oldbabysitter

On Friday, September

15, 2023 about 19:30 hours, the babysitter contacted Kortright to inform her that Raheemhadcaughtaseizure andlostconsciousness.

Raheem was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Center by his mother, where hewasexaminedbyadoctor and transferred to GPHC, where he was admitted as a patientintheICU.

Thechildwasplacedon a life-support machine as he suffered from multiple head injuries.

On Monday afternoon, the Police reported that Raheem succumbed to his injuries.

Dead, Raheem Fung

AFC urges Govt to beef up scrutiny...

Frompage16 thatwassetuptomonitorthe gold sector Today, I don’t knowifthatisinexistence.” Further, the AFC member recalled the ministry had hiredaconsultantfirmtodo an overhaul of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to develop a better strategy for managing the sector “There were stringent policies in place to garner the outstanding royalties that wereowedtotheGGMC.All because all the things were not enforced for 23 years u n d e r t h e P P P / C Government and people wereallowedtoowebillions ofdollarstotheGGMC.”

Hesaiditwasahardtask to take over the institution after23yearsandgettowork properly in terms of managingtheminingsector “Today, we see the gold declarations declining it is becauseitnotfollowingthis procedure,” Ramsaroop said. The AFC‘s comment comes amidst reports that despite the mining sector receiving billions in tax breaks and other incentives from the Government of Guyana, there has been a decreaseingolddeclarations forthefirsthalfof2023. The declineindeclarationsmade by small and medium-scale miners was reflected in the Ministry of Finance Mid-

Year Report 2023. It was statedthatattheendofJune, gold declarations stood at 209,756 ounces, compared with 236,728 ounces during thesameperiodlastyear,an 11.4%decrease.

Similarly, in the Bank of Guyana’s Third Quarter Reportfor2022,itwasstated that gold subsector output declined due to lower declarations by small and medium-scaleminers.

The 2023 Mid-Year

Report, stated that declarations from the lone large producer expanded by 61%year-on-year However, it was underscored that this was outweighed by lower declarations from the smallandmedium-scaleproducers Declarations from the latter fell from 188,956 ounces in the first half of 2022 to 159,084 ounces at the end of Junethisyear

According to the report, improvements observed in the early third quarter, alongside strengthened enforcement efforts by the regulatory authorities, are expected to result in a reboundinthesecondhalf.It was stated too that the gold mining subsector is now projectedtogrowby5.3%in 2023. In August 2022, the National Assembly approved Fiscal Enactment Amendment Bill No. 2 of 2022, which was enacted to

bringtaxrelieftominers.

The Bill was piloted by the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, and followed a commitment madebyVicePresident(VP) BharratJagdeotothemining community some months earlier

The measures included the reduction of final tax from a maximum of 35 percent to 25 percentwhichwouldresultinan estimated $14Billion being returned to the mining industry, andtheremovalofthe10percent Tributors’Taxthatwouldbenefit thousands of workers in the industry with $300 million expectedtobereturnedtothose whowerepayingthistaxFurther, MinisterSinghhadalsopresented Value-Added Tax (No3) Order 2022,removingValueAddedTax (VAT)onlubricatingoil,akey input in not only the mining industry but almost all the productivesectors.Intotal,all measures allow for the return ofatotalof$1.9billiontothe miningindustry–theFinance Ministryhadreported.

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

Newly crowned Diamond League double-sprint champion Shericka Jackson grateful after dominant 2023 season

SportsMax - “Grateful”

was the dominant term used by Jamaican Shericka Jackson after bringing her phenomenal 2023 season to an end at the Diamond League Final at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on Saturday and Sunday.

The 29-year-old entered the meet as the reigning Diamond trophy winner in the 200m and was aiming to defend that title as well as claim her maiden trophy in the 100m. She did the latter on Friday, running 10.70 for victory. Saturday saw the two-time World Champion claim her

second straight trophy in the 200m, running a meet record 21.57, her fourth straight time below 22 seconds, for a comfortable win.

Jackson mentioned after the 200m that winning both trophies has been among her goals for the past two seasons. “Last year I wrote on my goals that I want two Diamond League trophies and I didn’t get them. I wrote that again this year and now I’ve got it and I’m grateful. It’s the end of the season, I’m healthy and I’ve run some fast times so I’m definitely grateful,” she

Tianna Springer continues to impress

- Austin, McPherson, Roberts among standouts at IGG trials

said. Another of Jackson’s goals this season was to break Florence Griffith-Joyner’s long-standing world record of 21.34 set in 1988.

Despite not getting it done, Jackson was pleased with her work in 2023.

“I’m feeling good. I said it in a previous interview that If I don’t get it I’m okay but if I do get it it’s a plus. I didn’t get it this year and I’m okay and happy. I’m still grateful for being healthy and I was so consistent. I only ran 21.4 once last season and to be able to run three this year, I’m

Tuesday September 19, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Share your skills today, Aries. You will find that as you engage in the role of teacher, you learn more than if you just hold onto your knowledge without sharing it.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Don't underestimate the power of other people today, Taurus. They may seem flighty and scatterbrained on the outside, but underneath you will find that they have a great deal of wisdom to share.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Remember that there's a benevolent force out there that loves you, Gemini. No matter what, there's always a shoulder to cry on, even if it isn't a tangible one. Even in your darkest moments.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Don't hesitate to say the obvious today, Cancer, even if it sounds corny. Many times people hesitate to say what they really feel because they think it's obvious to everyone.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Look to older figures for advice today, Leo. Seek counsel with a parent or grandparent on issues you feel strongly about. Relationships with older people are likely to go especially well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Consider composing a bit of poetry today, Virgo. Use this as an exercise to condense your ocean of emotions into a very few words.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Just because your emotions are reserved or somber today doesn't mean you shouldn't share them with others, Libra. Work through difficulties.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You may need to jump to many different people and situations today, Scorpio, yet something is holding you back. Listen to this inner voice that's asking you to be conservative at this time.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

ou feel like you have a stone strapped to your back, Sagittarius. The farther you walk with this load, the slower you go, and the more hunched over you will be by the time you reach your destination.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It

Feel free to break ties with certain people now, Capricorn. You may be overextending your emotional bank account by investing too much of yourself in others' lives.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Less is more should be your motto for today, Aquarius. The more you cut back in certain areas of your life, the more room you open up to bring in new and exciting things.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You may be asked to slow down today, Pisces. Whether this comes in the form of a speeding ticket or a scrape on the knee when you trip.

feeling good,” she said.

Her consistency was indeed the most impressive part of her season in both the 100m and 200m. In 14 100m races this season, Jackson ran faster than 10.8 six times including her personal best of 10.65 done to defend her Jamaican 100m title in July. Jackson also ran 10.72 for silver at the World Championships in Budapest.

In the half-lap event, Jackson ran 11 races with seven seeing her dip below 22 seconds. In the last month alone, Jackson has run the 2nd, 4th and 8th fastest times in history with her 21.41 at the World Championships in Budapest, 21.48 at the Brussels Diamond League and 21.57 on Sunday. Jackson also owns the 3rd and 6th fastest times ever.

When asked about her thoughts about the upcoming Olympic year, Jackson said she just wants to enjoy her time off. “Honestly, I haven’t put any thought into the Olympics yet. I just take it one season at a time. I’m healthy right now and I have probably six weeks break so I want to just enjoy that,” she said.

“I’ve been so focused on doing well this season and now I want to focus on having my break and then I’ll go back to the drawing board,” she added.

Finally, Jackson described the 200m at the Budapest World Championships as the high point of her season.

Several teams register victory...

From page 20 for Yakusari Carib; Rajindra Bownauth 5 for 59 off 8 overs and Richard Bownauth 3 for 54 off 8 overs. In reply Yakusari only managed to reach 112 before they were bowled out. Randy Bownauth and Anandass Lall scored 20 apiece. Sanjay Deochand 5 for 29 off 8 overs and Trishan Ramdass 3 for 29 off 5 overs. No. 69 Red Rose triumphed Line Path Raptors by 138 runs at No. 69 Ground. Taking first strike No. 69 Red Rose scored 190 for 8 off 30 overs. Kiran Chaitram 31, John Douglas 32 and Deodat Dhanrup 13.Bowling for Line Path; Kevin Ramlakhan and Z. Nabbi grabbed 3 wickets each for 41 and 24 respectively. In reply Line Path was dismissed for 52. Yhadram Prahalad took 5 for 15 off 4.5 overs.

Saturday last, in a dazzling display of athleticism, Guyana’s Youth Commonwealth Games relay quartet, once again asserted their dominance, this time at the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) trials, held at the Police Progressive Youth Club ground. Track stars Tianna Springer, Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson, and Javon Roberts showcased their exceptional talents, securing remarkable victories in their respective event.

Tianna Springer, a formidable presence in the world of track and field, displayed her prowess once more. As the reigning CARIFTA Games, South America U-20 Champion and Common-

wealth Youth Games 400m gold medalist, she was the anticipated favourite.

In a commanding performance, Springer surged across the finish line in the quarter-mile event with a time of 57.0 seconds, solidifying her status as a top contender on the track. Narissa McPherson, not to be overshadowed, delivered a commendable performance, securing the second position with a time of 58.71 seconds.

Meanwhile, the sunsoaked track served as the stage for these exceptional athletes to shine, and they did not disappoint. Their victories at the IGG trials reaffirm their positions as outstanding talents in local athletics.

BCB /Dave West Indian Imports 40overs tournament - Upper Corentyne

Several teams register victory as Upper Corentyne leg continues

The Berbice Cricket Board continues to hosts second division cricket for teams in the Upper Corentyne. The BCB with the support of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association is currently hosting the Dave West Indian Imports 40overs tournament. The winner from this tournament would join the champions of the other zones to play in an o v e r a l l B e r b i c e Championship The other zones are Berbice River, West Berbice, Lower Corentyne and New Amsterdam/Canje.

Scores from the latest

matchesinUpperCorentyne areaare:

Yakusari Carib defeated YakusariHorizonby72runs at No 48 Ground. Batting first Yakusari Caribs scored 208alloutin26.2overswith R. Ayana scoring 49 and D. Singh 38. Bowling for Horizon’s A. Owal and T. Ramsundar grabbed 3 wickets apiece. In reply Horizon’s was bundled out for 136 after K. Ameer scored29.R.Ayanareturned withtheballtograb3for20 off7overs. No 70 Young Blood cruisedpastNo.69RedRose by 7 wickets at No. 69 Ground. Batting first the

home team scored 84 all out in 19 overs. Sulieman Khan and Rasheed Ally took 3 wickets each for 10 and 6 runs respectively In reply No.70YoungBloodreached 88 for 3 in 11.2 overs with Mohammed Azarudeen scoring48notout. No. 71 Sports Club defeated Dukestown Warriorsby6wicketsatNo. 71 Ground. Dukestown Warriors scored 245 all out off27overs.D.Sukdheotop scored with 67 and was supported by C. Beckford 49. Neiaz Ali grabbed 4 for 37 off 6 overs for the hosts. In reply No. 71 reached 246 for 4 with the pair of Rishi

andRickiPersaudscoring76 and45respectively No 69 Vikings got the betterofNo70Spartansby5 wickets at Viking Cricket Ground.No70Spartanstook first strike and were dismissed for 152 in 20 overs; L. Ramgohan 47 and N. Yacoob 26. Bowling for No. 69 Viking, V. Narine took 3 for 22 off 5 overs. In reply Former Berbice Under19 player Antonio February scored a quick fire 61 hitting 10 boundaries, he was supported by N Ramkanniah 41 not out. T Ramoutar and O. Soonai grabbed 2 wickets each for 11and4runs.

No 68 Turn Team triumphed over No 70 Spartanby131runsatNo.70 ground. No 68 Turn Team amassed216in32.2overs.T Persaud48,J.Houlsie35and J Francis 31 were the principal scorers. Bowling for No. 70 Spartan; Salim Khan2for25andAlimKhan 2 for 21 were the best bowlersforthehosts.No.70 Spartanswerebowledoutfor 75 in 19 2 overs A Doursohdan 4 for 25 off 6 overs and B. Sookdeo 3 for 18off4.2overs.

Line Path Community Centre overcame No. 67 by

66 runs at Line Path Community Centre. Batting first Line Path Raptors scored 137 all out in 27 overs. S. Morris 40,A.Ally 22 and Z Nabi 17 N Rangasammy, S. Ramnauth, H. Toolsie and K. Hemraj grabbed2wicketsapiece.In reply No 67 Cricket Club werebundledoutfor69in13 overs.AkhramAlly 5 for 16 off 6 overs. No 72 Cut and Load overcame No. 73 Radha Krishna Foundation by81runsatNo72Ground. Batting first No. 72 Cut and Load scored 217 all out in 30 3 overs Davenand Chatterpaul 71, Vijay Persaud 32 and Samuel Seroa 28. JamealAssad was the chief destroyer 5 for 19 off4.5overs.InreplyNo.73 Radha Krishna Foundation

was dismissed for 136 in 26 5 overs Davenand Chatterpaulgrabbed4for43 off6.3overs.

Skeldon Estate Cricket ClubtrashedScottsburgby9 wickets at Skeldon Estate Ground. Scottsburg scored 104alloutin23.4overswith W. Khan 35 and A. Jaundo 17. Bowling for Skeldon Estate Cricket Club;A.Ault 3 for 19 off 5 overs. The hometeamreached106for1 in12.3overswithB.Griffith 50notout.

No.72JustTrydefeated Yakusari Cricket Club by a mammoth181runsatNo.71 Ground. Batting first after winning the toss Just Try amassed 293 all out in 34 overs withTrishan Ramdass scoring150runs.Bowling

(Continuedonpage19)

RepublicBankCPL2023…JTvs.STLKatProvidence

Tallawahs, Kings lock horns in first eliminator

Defending champions

Jamaica Tallawahs will be seeking a path to the finals whentheysquareoffagainst a dangerous St. Lucia Kings tonight, in the first eliminator played under lightsattheGuyanaNational Stadium,Providence.

Already with a huge psychological advantage over the Kings that’s owing totheirthrashingafewdays ago, Tallawahs in general have done well to recover from five straight losses m i d w a y, r e c e n t l y overcomingtheKingsasone oftheirhurdlesneededtobe jumped as they sought to secureaspotinthefinal4.

Kings lost horribly to their opponents this past weekend, suffering 122 run defeat as they now seek to check the boxes which they

failedthispastSunday.

Skipper Brandon King missed the last game but couldlikelyreturncomethis evening, and with Alex Hales fresh off a career-best T20 hundred, Jamaica will feel good about their encounter

Shamarh Brooks will also continue to play a role for the Tallawahs middleorder,whileImadWasimhas beenflexinghismusclesasa pinch-hitter as of recent and willbekeenonprovidingthe necessary fireworks as he did alongside Hales on Sunday

Left-arm speedster

Mohammed Amir has been lethal and by far the best overseas pacer in the competitionandcouldprove to be the Kings undoing shouldhesettle.

St. Lucia Kings need to win this match having e n d u r e d a m i x e d tournament.With no Faf Du Plessis, the Kings will definitely need more from ColinMunro,SeanWilliams and skipper Sikandar Raza, allwhomhaveamongthetop performers from their franchisethisseason.

One key player for St. Lucia, especially with ball will be Alzarri Joseph, who has been their premier wicket-taker Joseph along with spinners Raza and Roston Chase, should form the nucleus of the team’s bowling.

Withmuchridingonthis gameforbothteams,it’slike that tonight’s match will be one of the more exciting battles at Providence and of thecompetition.

Dave Narine

GFF president commends Berbice Football Association on successful rollout of M-FAP funded programmes

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wa y n e F o r d e h a s commended the Berbice Football Association (BFA) for the successful implementation of various Members Financial Assistance Programme (MFAP) funded programmes including the recently concluded Summer Grassroots Programme and the current Senior Men’s League.

President Forde, along with General Secretary Ian Alves, Technical Director Bryan Joseph and

Competitions Director Troy Peters met with executive members of the Berbice Football Association, including President Abeja Trotman,onSeptember16at theGuyanaTeachers’Union Hall in New Amsterdam, EastBerbiceCorentyne.

TheGFFteamreceiveda comprehensive overview of the Association’s football

programmes, including the recently concluded GFF Summer Grassroots Programme, the ongoing Academy Training Centre, and the Senior Men’s League.

“It was therefore a great opportunity to spend some time with President Abeja Trotman and his members learning more about the remarkable work they are doing to grow the game acrosstheAssociation,”GFF President Forde shared after themeeting.

The Federation’s Nine Regional Associations have received millions in funding and gear to support grassroots camps and senior men’s leagues in Berbice, Linden, Berbice, Essequibo, andGeorgetownthroughMFAP,whichwaslaunchedby PresidentFordein2020with theapprovalofCongress.MFAPisplayingacrucialrole in advancing football across Guyana by enabling

Associations to effectively implement training p r o g r a m m e s a n d competitions for all age groups, which aligns with President Forde’s overarching objective of professionalising and expandingthegametomake itmoreaccessibletochildren all across Guyana. “The MFAPprogrammeisbuildinga solid legacy within the body

Jamual Britton claims the Team

Alanis sponsored 50-mile Road Race

The local cycling scene witnessed another spectacular display of skill and determination as star cyclist Jamual Britton of Team Foundation clinched victory at the recently concluded Team Alanis sponsored 50-mile road race event. Britton’s triumphant returntothelocalcircuitleft spectators in awe as he outpaced his competitors, including Curtis Dey and Briton John, to seize the covetedtopspot.

The race pedaled off just around 7:00am on Sunday, from Vlissengen Road (outsidetheGuyanaDefence Force, Base Ayangana), taking participants on an exhilarating journey to Mahaica via the Old Road/New Road routes before culminating at the startingpoint.

In the high-octane affair, cyclists faced challenging terrains and grueling conditions throughout the journey,makingitatruetest of their endurance and expertise. However, as the cyclists embarked on their arduous journey to Mahaica (Old Road) and back, it was

JamualBrittonwhostolethe show Brittonpulledaheadof the pack, leaving his competitors trailing behind.

Cyclist Curtis Dey and Briton John also had c o m m e n d a b l e performances; to secure second and third place, respectively

Britton’s victory was a testamenttohisdedicationto the sport of cycling and his

of the Berbice Football Association. The ongoing Senior Men’s League, the grassroots programme, the Academy Training Centre programmeareallresourced through the M-FAP Programme and is being executedsuccessfullybythe BFAExecutiveCommittee,” Fordeadded.

The discussion during the meeting also focused on the Association’s continued compliance with the GFF’s regulations, particularly in terms of good governance andtransparency

Additionally, football

clubs Cougars, New

Amsterdam United, Paradise, Monedderlust,

Fryish, Rosignol and Ithaca received essential football gear, including bibs, cones andfootballs.

Forde and his team will be visiting Associations in thecomingweekstoreceive u p d a t e s o n t h e implementation of the MFAP Programmes and GFF ClubCharterProgramme.

unyielding pursuit of excellence He has consistently proven himself as one of the leading figures in the local cycling scene, andhislatesttriumphfurther solidifies his status as a star cyclist. His well-deserved victory not only earned him accoladesfromthiseventbut also left fans and supporters eagerly anticipating his futureendeavors.

Cyclist Jamual Britton

The Berbice Football and GFF officials during discussions at the recently held programme.

India cricket star donates man of the match prize money to Sri Lanka groundstaff

Independent - India’s Mohammed Siraj donated his player-of-the-match prize money to the ground staff after his side comfortably beat Sri Lanka in the final of a tournament where the headlines have been dominated by the weather as much as the

cricket.

Rain was a constant feature of the Sri Lanka leg of theAsia Cup, but reserve days and impressive efforts from the ground staff allowed the cricket to continueevenattimesmany would not have thought it possible.

“This cash prize [US $5000] goes to the groundsmen.

They deserve it fully This tournament wouldn’t have been possible without them,” Siraj said after the final,whereIndiabowledSri Lanka out for 50 and then knocked off the required

runsintheseventhover

The Asian Cricket Council had also announced the day of the final that $50,000 would be awarded tothegroundstaff.

Despite the weather,

just the one match was unable to continue, a group-stage match between Pakistan and India While the super-four clashbetweenthetwowent into the reserve day (the

only match in that stage to have one), the group stage didnothavethesameluxury Even the final was not spared by the weather, and the start was delayed by 10 minutes.

Jenni Hermoso not included in Spain’s first squad since winning Women’s World Cup

Independent - The majority of Spain’s World Cup winning teamalthough with the notable exception of Jenni Hermoso - have been selected for upcoming fixtures against Sweden and Switzerland, but it remains unclear whether the players have ended their international boycott following the resignationofLuisRubiales.

Lastweek,agroupof39 players released an open letter demanding further changes at the Spanish FootballAssociationbefore they would return to international duty, after their World Cup triumph in Sydney was overshadowed by the fallout that followed Rubiales’ unsolicited kiss on the lips of forward Hermoso

Spain’s World Cup winning manager Jorge Vildawasreplacedamidthe furore, with newlyappointed coach Montse Tome announcing her first squad since taking charge

Jenni Hermoso

aheadofthisweek’sfixtures. Herselectionincluded15of the 23 players who were in their World Cup squad, as well as two star players, Barcelona’s Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro, who had boycotted the tournament after previously voicing concerns over playing conditions.

Tome would not reveal whether she had spoken to

the players before she made her selection, which comes ahead of Spain’s match against Sweden on Friday However the coach explained that Hermoso had not been selected because it wasthe“bestwaytoprotect her” following the events that followed Spain’s 1-0 win against England in the World Cup final on August 20.

Mohamed Siraj donated his prize money to the hard-working Sri Lanka groundstaff. (Getty Images)

Deos dominate Canada Trophy Stall Golf Tournament Trophy

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, the Lusignan Golf Club hosted the Canada Trophy Stall Golf Tournament In the end, Arnal Deo emerged victorious over his competitors. Brian Hackett and Kassim Khan were also winners in their respective flights. The Deo family in particular was a regular feature as Arnal Deo, M a u r i c e D e o a n d Bholawram Deo were amongthewinnersaswell.

Speakingattheendofthe tournament was LGC Vice President Brian Hackett, who said, “Trophy Stall has been a very good supporter of the Lusignan Golf Club and has been hosting tournamentsannuallyforthe last 15 years without e x c e p t i o n T h e i r tournaments are usually well-attended We look forward to this tournament every year as we work with TrophyStalltoimprovegolf andmakeitmoreprominent in Guyana. The tournament was exceptionally attended

…Hackett,Khanvictoriousintheirrespectiveflights

range of trophies and sporting memorabilia in Guyana.

The results for the tournamentwereasfollows:

Flight0-12

1st - Kassim KhanGross73,HC5,Net68

2nd - Patrick PrashadGross81,HC12,Net69

3rd - Mike MangalGross78,HC6,Net72

Flight13-20

1st - Brian HackettGross88,HC18,Net70

2nd-JosephJohn-Gross 86,HC15,Net71

3rd - Mahesh ShivrajGross87,HC14,Net73

Flight21-36

1st - Arnal Deo - Gross 91,HC28,Net63

2nd - Maurice DeoGross94,HC26,Net78

bymorethan23golfers.”

Hackett also noted that Victor Sunich of Trophy Stall Canada has indicated that he is very pleased to be partofthegolfclubandthat hewillbelookingforwardto sponsoring a second tournament towards the end of this year Hackett also

shares that the LGC welcomes Sunich and appreciates his gesture and ongoing commitment to ensuring golf remains popular in Guyana. Also, sharing his sentiments was VictorSunich,theproprietor ofTrophyStallCanada,who said, “As Trophy Stall, we

are involved in sports, and this is one way that we can contributetothecommunity andshowappreciationtoour customers. Trophy Stall has been doing this for the past 15 years. It has become a tradition at the Lusignan Golf Club to host two tournaments every year So,

we are more than happy to contribute to sports in Guyana.” Trophy Stall is a longtime supporter of golf and all sporting activities in Guyana The sponsor is committed to continuing to beapartofthegrowthofgolf in Guyana. Trophy Stall is the premier seller of a wide

3rd - Bholowram DeoGross90,HC21,Net69

Overall Best Net -Arnal Deo63

Best Gross - Kassim Khan73

Nearest to pin - Joseph John

Longest DriveRavindraHarry

The tournament’s top performers.

DoS Steve Ninvalle (centre) shares a brief moment with (from left) MalachiAustin, Javon Roberts, Narissa McPherson and Tianna Springer. (Emmerson Campbell photo)