Kaieteur News

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City Hall’s NEWS financial records …Auditor General says in shambles scrap old books, start afresh AIETEUR

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Thursday Edition September 23, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 35

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

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Guyana already gripped by oil curse P.

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- Jagdeo, Ali want oil resource exploited no matter the consequences - Janki

Exxon does not disclose payments to non-EITI member countries P.

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Poverty eradication, Climate Change fight requires addressing all forms of inequality P.

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…Pres Ali tells World Leaders as Guyana adopts another Int’l Declaration

Two houses destroyed after boy, 3, sets mattress on fire

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e g n a h c s y a s Jersey s t c a r t n o c n all foreig

GEA Division Heads silenced by ‘Top Brass’ P.

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…as Fmr Finance Minister calls for Police investigation, public release of Forensic Audits VP Jagdeo using events and issues of the past to distract on Kaieteur Guyana from what is happening presently @11:00hrs Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Thursday September 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

Two houses destroyed after boy, 3, sets mattress on fire T

wo houses located at Turn Drive, East Ruimveldt, G e o rg e t o w n , w e r e o n Tuesday completely destroyed after a three-yearold boy reportedly set a mattress on fire.

As a result of the blaze, a total of 17 persons were left homeless. Among the victims is Jenelle December popularly known in the Turn Drive area as “Muslim.”

According to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the fire reportedly started sometime around 14:30hrs.

The GFS stated that based on its investigation, the fire was started by someone in one building and then spread to the house nearby destroying both of them.

Speaking with the victims, Kaieteur News was

informed that the fire started after a three-year-old boy had set a mattress alight.

This publication was informed that the occupants of both houses located at Lot 60 and 61 Turn Drive are relatives. Both buildings were also one-flat, wooden and concrete structures.

In the building where the fire started, the three-year-old boy was in the care of his grandmother, at the time.

However, based on reports reaching this publication, when his grandmother fell asleep, the boy stepped out and went next door to the home of Jenelle December, his aunt.

This newspaper was told by some of the victims, that when the lad arrived, December and her children were cleaning up their yard

and after some time had elapsed they sent him back over to his home to bring them a box of matches.

The child obeyed but minutes later they saw him sprinting out of the house as thick, black smoke emanated from one of the rooms.

Realising that the house was on fire, December, before running out of her yard with her children, reportedly began screaming, “fire, fire, fire, fire!”

It was her screams, this publication was informed, that awoke the boy's grandmother who was still sleeping in the house. The elderly woman was able to safely exit the house soon after.

Within minutes, the victims recounted that the entire house became engulfed

The aftermath of the fire in flames, which started spreading to December's home.

Neighbours, this publication was told, rushed to the scene to offer assistance. One eyewitness

recounted too that another lad from the community, upon seeing his neighbours' houses on fire, “jumped on his bicycle and rode all the way to a fire station nearby to

alert the fire fighters there.”

Fire tenders arrived shortly after and managed to extinguish the flames but could not save the two houses from being destroyed.

Two women are Guyana's latest COVID-19 fatalities

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he Ministry of Health (MoH) announced yesterday that two more women, who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) disease, have died. As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 740.

The Health Ministry reported that the latest fatalities are of an unvaccinated woman and another whose vaccination status is unknown. The deaths are those of a 58-yearold from Region One (Barima-Waini) and a 70year-old from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The Ministry reported too that both women passed away on Tuesday while receiving

treatment at a medical facility.

Further, in its latest COVID-19 dashboard, the MoH recorded 362 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 30,186. This is the highest number of new cases ever recorded in just a 24-hour period since the country recorded its first case last year.

Yesterday, according to the Ministry, there were 36 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 163 in the institutional isolation, 3,545 in home isolation and four in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 25,702 persons who tested positive for the virus have recovered.

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 23, 2021

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Guyana already gripped by oil curse - Jagdeo, Ali want oil resource exploited no matter the consequences - Janki

By Kiana Wilburg

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ollowing the release of two damning reports this year—by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA)—which call for no new fossil fuel projects in the interest of steering clear of increasing global temperature, many industry stakeholders have been watching Guyana closely to see its next move.

M u c h t o t h e disappointment of several reputable industry experts and analysts, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and his Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, have categorically stated that there is no stopping the oil exploration and production offshore Guyana, particularly in the ExxonMobil operated Stabroek Block.

In fact, both high ranking officials have proffered that Guyana has more than played its fair share over the years in being a net carbon sink, and now that it has

discovered enviable amounts of oil and gas, it will be produced and sold with the revenue acquired, used to fuel immediate health, education and infrastructural needs.

Just last month, President Ali made it clear that Guyana should not be made to stymie its development in the interest of a climate catastrophe it has not caused while citing the fact that the big economies responsible for the global phenomenon have yet to provide the funding promised to help nations in the Caribbean mitigate the effects of climate change.

While the foregoing justification for pumping more oil has placated the concerns of some stakeholders, it has only fuelled the worry of others such as International Lawyer and Author of Guyana's Environmental Laws, Ms. Melinda Janki.

During a recent appearance on Kaieteur Radio's Programme, Governance, Corruption and Justice, Janki expressed that

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

International Lawyer, Melinda Janki

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

the position of the President and Vice President, the leading voices on Guyana's oil, “is extremely irresponsible, dangerous and of course foolish.”

Janki said, “…Perhaps they are looking at the short term oil revenue to come but it is still utterly self defeating for Guyana. The Vice President has said that climate change is an existential threat. Therefore, why would they do anything to make that phenomenon

worse? Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) definitely make the situation worse and this is supported by the IPCC report.”

Janki was keen to point out that Guyana's development of its nine billion barrels of oil equivalent resources in the Stabroek Block is equivalent to detonating a carbon bomb

as it would release over 14 billion tones of GHGs and other toxic chemicals. Janki stressed as well that the environmental effects of developing this resource will be detrimental to not only Guyana but its Caribbean counterparts too.

She said Ali and Jagdeo have been elected to protect the nation and are acutely

Poverty eradication, Climate Change fight requires addressing all forms of inequality …President Ali tells World Leaders as Guyana adopts another Int'l Declaration

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o v e r t y eradication, protecting our planet and building a peaceful world cannot be achieved without addressing all forms of inequality.

At least this is according to Guyana's Head of State, President Irfaan Ali, who yesterday joined with World Leaders at the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York, USA, to adopt yet another international p o l i t i c a l declaration—Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

He has since committed that Guyana will work towards full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

Held under the theme, “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent,” President

Head of State, President Irfaan Ali, addresses World Leaders during the 76th UNGA in New York, USA, flanked by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Guyana's Permanent Ambassador to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Foreign Affairs and Int’l Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd (in background) Ali in his address remarked that “the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is

a comprehensive, actionoriented document that (continued on page 12)

aware of the dangers of climate change.

She said it is therefore clear that Guyana is gripped by the oil curse as the government wants to do oil no matter the consequences to the country.

With reference to Ali's point that Guyana and other nations are yet to see the promised climate funding from the perpetrators of the c l i m a t e c h a n g e phenomenon, Janki said she agrees that they have to play their role in providing the requisite solutions. She stressed however that this does not mean Guyana has free reign or the right to walk the same pathway.

She further noted, “It really is embarrassing for Guyana to be cap in hand talking about it needs money or support because the truth of the matter is that Guyana is a rich country and it has had money but that has been squandered over the years on (continued on page 18)

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 23, 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

Submarine spat In the latest development from the jilted French side of the submarine spat, ambassadors to both the United States and Australia have been recalled. The French feels betrayed, and what is worse, at the hands of its allies. According to France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drain, his country has every right to resort to taking this “exceptional decision” due to the “exceptional gravity” of the circumstances surrounding rearrangements of its submarine pact with Australia. Though they are not off the hook in what is a nasty public affair, the British are recognised as a silent and shadowy partner in this multi-billion-dollar aimed at rebalancing submarine building, the nuclear club game, and Pacific calculations.

For certainty, underlying strategic visions cannot be ventilated publicly on the American or British side. Still, there is the distinct impression that Australia was pressed to discard the French and go with its own. After all, aborigines notwithstanding, Australia’s other demographic roots go right back to Mother England. However, even when both (strategic visions and Aussie-Brit links) are considered, something else stands out more conspicuously.

It is how the Americans and British conduct their business. It is how they go about commercial interests, whether apart or together. It is how nothing is off limit, and no relationship is so sacred, as to be untouchable. The French found out the hard way, and to their lasting shock.

German Chancellor, Angela Markel, discovered that, when the knowledge came of her own ally spying on her. If this is an example of the lengths, which a powerful ally, one in the global leadership seat, will go, then no one can be confident that other areas have not been infiltrated.

But to focus on the French, they have to feel hurt, hung out to dry, and left on their own. After all, these are two longstanding allies of note, on whose side wars have been fought, leading to the different modus vivendi that exists.

To think that this submarine treachery could have happened is simply inconceivable. But, in some respects, that have shades of too much innocence and naiveness, since for the U.S. and UK, business is the equivalent of war, with no holds barred, which the French just found out to their regret. All is fair in business and the backstabbing, cutthroat competitive drives that are unleashed.

For its part, U.S. officials have been rushing hastily forward, the picture of concern, following the recall of the French ambassadors. Emily Horne, a National Security Council spokesperson had this to say on Friday: The American administration “will continue to be engaged in the coming days to resolve our differences” and that “France is our oldest ally and one of our strongest partners.” The best translation we at this publication can attach to that determined attempt at putting a positive spin on things and damage control is this: bull! It is doubtful that the French will fall for that well-prepared line, and forget what occurred.

Allies and partners, longstanding and trusted friends do not engage in such treachery with each other. This is what was done, with the Americans leading the way, the Australians folding up quickly and willingly, and the British a full-fledged partner in the plot, and loving what promises to be a rewarding ride.

For the French, this has to resurrect bitter memories of Anglo-Saxon dominance, which has always thwarted Gallic ambitions in world trade, strategic relationships, and the broader geopolitical playing field. Middle Eastern oil was one such case in point, where the Anglo-American alliance prevailed, at the expense of the French. History is now repeating itself.

Right here, top Government leaders should be playing close attention and following keenly. There are some wisdom for local leaders, who might think that the Americans and British are their friends.

Insofar as internal political and racial squabbling and governance are concerned, both parties in the AngloAmerican association could care less. But where business opportunities and commercial matters are at risk, PPP leaders are cautioned to walk a straight line. In fact, they don’t even have to make mistakes, since both Americans and British would enrich themselves at our expense, even if they have to sell us out. The French example so confirms.

Oil contract renegotiation Dear Editor, When we enter into a contract, we expect that whatever was agreed would be executed, whilst simultaneously holding the firm reassurance that the law would sort things out with reference only to what was agreed, should either party fail to perform or seek to evade performance. This understanding is often referred to as the sanctity of contracts.

Nobody would bother to commit their resources, property or labour to a contractual undertaking if the terms agreed could be adjusted willy-nilly at the request of either party after signing. It might be argued that this is more so the case when the contractual consideration is significant – as in the financial commitment made by ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation

and CNOOC/NEXEN. In my opinion, this seeming imbalance has certainly evened out since the consideration given by Guyana has within a very short time significantly increased in value – as in becoming much more than anticipated at the time of entering into the contract. To date ExxonMobil has drilled 19 successful wells with our estimated reserves consequently increasing by some 30 percent beyond all initial expectations.

In business, like in life generally, things can turn out to be significantly better or conversely much worse than initially expected. Still, the law of contract makes allowances in some cases where the parties were of uneven standing – for example, where the parties’ bargaining power was significantly disproportionate – but

Guyana is a country whereas ExxonMobil is just a company it might be argued. It must also be noted that Guyana pumped first oil in December 2019, whereas ExxonMobil has been in the oil business for more than 150 years.

The London-based, nonprofit non-governmental organisation, Chatham House, whose mission it is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs, supports the insertion of renegotiation clauses in future Government of Guyana oil contracts, including terms that specify what would trigger renegotiation. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also supports this outlook.

According to Chatham House, new circumstances such as a major discovery being made may prompt many

producers to seek to change the terms of their contracts with foreign companies. I think the conclusion of Chatham House that renegotiation is sometimes necessary in order to maintain a long-term partnership between oil companies and governments, because refusal to do so could be “destabilising and unfair to some countries” is very sound. Guyana, with the almost daily remorseful criticism of the oil contract and the many new successful wells drilled since June 2016, fits perfectly into this precarious position of potential instability and a national feeling of being hard-done by, as ExxonMobil’s estimated profits mushroom with each new discovery. It is anticipated that Guyana’s relationship with the (Continued on page 6)

Praise for investigative reporting of re-tendering at NDIA Dear Editor, Reference is made to your expose on what appears like “insider bidding” at NDIA, front page report captioned “Govt. retenders single project four times for item supplied by only one company” (Sept. 19).

This is one of the finest investigative journalist reports explaining how contract bidding could be manipulated. Why retendering the same project of procuring sheet piles four times when earlier tendering and bidding had met the requirements? Why put this project to tender when it is sole-sourced? Why not

simply pay a commission to a contractor to procure it? From this excellent report, it can be deciphered that selected bidders may be contracted to supply materials that do not meet specs and or provide services for which they are not qualified.

I applaud the reporter (s) and KN for the courage displayed to publish this report. I also note there is nothing libellous in this report. It does not scandalise anyone’s name.

It reported facts of what happened and it produced evidence to support the facts.

I hope this is a start of an investigative journalist policy

exposing questionable practices to force the government into greater accountability and transparency.

Questionable tendering practices do not stop at sheet piling but at almost every bid of every tender in every Ministry. It is now learned that the Agro ministry will allow for VAT exemption on the sheet piling tender.

This is unfair to bidders of other projects. Previously, all bids had to include VAT. The new policy will set a precedent for a VAT waiver.

Contractors who put in a bid will walk free of the VAT. In fact, information out of the

Ministerial Secretariat indicates that VAT waiver will also be given to selected contractors for the pump stations to be built which is unfair to other bidders.

Two pump station bids were awarded two weeks ago while other pumping station tenders were cancelled and are being re-tendered.

I am calling on the Auditor General, Attorney General, and Minister of Finance to end this practice of repeated re-tendering and cancellation of VAT. Is there no limit to corrupt practices?

Yours truly, Jillian Adams

New EITI membership - some wrong people, what is wrong with Guyana?

Dear Editor, The article captioned, “Govt. finally names members to natural resources transparency body” (SN September 21) refers. The best I can say about this belated decision is that it is done. Some say, better late than never. I say some things are better left in the ‘never’ category. Doubts come when I noted some of the names in the “Multi Stakeholders” forum.

On the positive and clean side, I recognise Ms. Vanda Radzik, a tireless presence in Guyana’s affairs. I employ the qualifier ‘should’ in Ms. Radzik’s instance; because whenever the PPP is present in bodies like this, the party is confident that it has more representation than those of its allocated numbers.

To state differently, PPP leaders can be assured that

on the issues sensitive to the party’s interests (and people), they have sufficient people in the 12-member group to see things their way, and prevail.

I have problems with some of the other names.

Hence, I think that Ms. Radzik could find herself isolated and overwhelmed. I wouldn’t go on the same minibus with some of those known characters named to the body, whether first choice or alternate; and, by the way, that is in the daylight.

In addition, I take note of a name from a recent previous walk on the wild side in Guyana, where I had the distinct pleasure of sharing time and space with Andron Alphonso.

He is a Guyanese of a particular stripe, who garnered my attention, over the course of several years, with his well-publicised

likeness for wearing different hats, and changing them to adjust to the demands of his multilayered portfolio of interests.

I thought I possessed some traces of the versatile, but must confess that Mr. Alphonso left me awed, and in the dust with his headshakes and head fakes.

Even as I say that he is well suited to being a part of that group of illustrious (to be defined with great prudence) Guyanese, I must wonder how he is going to reconcile his association’s concern with the intrusiveness of the approaches and actions GYEITI - the same agency and his, shall I say, sensitive oversight role. I could be off the reservation, but I think that this is tailor-made for what Sir Winston famously described as a “puzzle wrapped in a riddle inside an

enigma.”

In my own simplified way of sharing, a comedy inside circumstances that could make for a crisis. I think that, like Ms. Radzik, Mr. Alphonso will do well. If there is one thing at which he excels, it is keeping his nose clean, and surviving.

As for some of the others, beside Ms. Sonya Roopnauth, with whom I have not had the pleasure of passing acquaintance, but have heard encouraging things about, I wouldn’t trust them to oversee garbage bins.

They would first sell the garbage, then the bins and, last, the truck collecting.

They may even own the landfill. This is governance in Guyana. Correction, the people doing the governing.

Nice going.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Thursday September 23, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Mr. President, Mr. Min. of Home Affairs, don’t push “awe dis” in a corner Dear Editor, It was heartening to receive a report that the Police Commander for the Essequibo Region had brokered an agreement between the residents of Dartmouth and the family of Orin Boston, who was shot and killed by a member of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Unit in his Dartmouth home, in the presence of his wife.

The identity of the Police rank who allegedly shot and killed Boston has not been revealed by the Police and perhaps this is a good thing.

The accord is praiseworthy as a majority of decent Guyanese yearn for peace not conflict.

Congratulations!

However, Editor, having expressed the above sentiments, it is necessary to comment on two relevant aspects of this unfortunate incident, which claimed the life of a young citizen, in his twenties. First, to focus on what appears to be an attitude of barbarity by certain sections of the Police Force.

Earlier, I referred to the unacceptable behaviour by sections of the GPF. This is unfortunate because everywhere sometimes we forget the good deeds of a group of persons or an institution because the good is often forgotten in the face of the bad. The Police Force has some excellent Officers and Departments.

My own recent experience with the Immigration Department suggests that it is led and staffed by men and women of the highest level of professionalism, efficiency and courtesy.

Similarly, sometime ago I had the occasion to visit the Traffic Headquarters at Eve Leary and my dealing with the then Head, an Indo Guyanese, I found similar, high levels of courtesy and propriety.

These Officers and Ranks deserve our approbation and

as citizens, we can all be proud of them.

On the other hand, there are some Officers and Ranks, they behave as though they are Imperial Masters and can mistreat citizens, disregarding the law and the rights enshrined in the Constitution.

I again share with you Editor, an experience I had with certain ranks of the C.I.D. As Mayor, at one time we were seeking the active participation of several groups in an effort to save the city.

As such, I responded readily to a request by a CID Officer to visit their Headquarters.

When I got there, I was surprised that I was being questioned whether I knew of Oliver Hinckson’s plans to destabilise the PPP Government. I responded to this absurdity and during my response, a rank brought Hinckson into the room and asked me if I knew him.

I responded in the affirmative, since I knew Oliver Hinckson, even before he became an Officer in the Guyana Defence Force.

It turned out that Hinckson had called to see me at City Hall. We discussed ideas he had to involve civil society in the restoration of Georgetown. Our discussions took place at the top of the stairs at City Hall in the open.

Now back to CID Headquarters, the Senior Officer left me sitting at CID, and a Corporal Singh brought a three-page document, instructing me to sign it.

The first paragraph, apart from grammatical errors seemed completely alien.

I was furious and asked Corporal Singh not to disrespect my intelligence.

I simply left the building.

This matter was ventilated publicly and Hinckson was later released without charge.

I mention this to describe the kind of bullyism that

seems to permeate sections of the Police Force.

The kind of thinking which may or may not explain the slaying of Boston at Dartmouth.

The other aspect I wish to refer to has to do with the perception that certain sections of our society seem to forgive easily.

Most of us accept that forgiveness cannot change what has already been done, but it bestows upon the forgiver a certain magnificence that is difficult to measure.

Having said that, let us be reminded that Dartmouth is a Community with the majority being Afro Guyanese.

Records show that during slavery, Dartmouth was used as a special slave farm, where the slaves were fed better than others were, so that they could become harder working and more productive “beast of burden” and this explains why the majority of people, the descendants of slaves in Dartmouth have tended to be bigger than those from many other areas.

Word is out that the Police claim they were looking for illegal drugs.

Perhaps, I don’t understand the workings of the Police, but I thought CANU was the Agency given the responsibility to track down illegal drugs and narcotics.

As a Citizen, I would think that a well-armed SWAT Team on the Essequibo Coast should be better deployed to stop the flow of illegal persons from Venezuela entering Guyana, but the Administration for some obscure reason seems more interested in keeping out Haitians.

I suppose someone in the Police hierarchy would say whether the above makes sense or not, whether the above is logical or not.

But now, let us look at Afro-Guyanese tendency to

Those culpable must be brought to account Dear Editor, ‘Those who were wrongfully assessed would be reassessed’ (INews Sept 21), in the cash grant flood

relief exercise. However, what about those who assessed wrongfully, willfully, and compromised the system?

What relief will they get?

Those found culpable in this unfolding drama must be brought to account.

Sincerely Shamshun Mohamed

forgive.

Years ago, even before Independence, one of our prominent Leaders taught us that for us every race is important.

Be that as it may, from the time of slavery, one can ask whether this willingness by slaves and their descendants to easily forgive has worked against them.

Thanks to the theology of the Christian Missionaries who worked among the slaves and Manumitted Africans, the virtue of forgiveness was emphasised and today remains deep down in the African Guyanese psyche.

When the Immigrants came to replace the freed Africans labour on the plantations, this reduced the bargaining power of the freed Africans. The Africans didn’t hold this against the Immigrants who in modern parlance were used by the plantocracy to diminish the power and contribution of centuries of free labour.

Recall, that after Emancipation, the Plantation owners were given money for the loss of free labour but not one cent to those who laboured from dawn to dusk in the sugar and cotton fields.

I leave us to ponder for even today, there is much media coverage, for the land rights of our Amerindians in this Heritage Month.

Last month, Emancipation Month, very little was heard about African ancestral lands and reparation.

But of course, the African must forgive.

But Dear Editor, even as a group of people, we choose to forgive those who have even heaped burning coals on our woolen hairs, we and our descendants must not forget.

In a country like Guyana, we must remember our history and don’t take too much for granted.

Specifically, the President and the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, who assured the nation that justice, will be done.

We have seen words of justice, democracy and

equality used by those in authority to cement their authority and justify misdeeds.

These place people and the nation in turbulent waters and a great danger to the project for peace.

We have seen in the case of the torture of the two Henry’s cousins, a family member took on the mantle of Police and the Court and killed a person who he and the family felt were responsible for the murder and torture of the two young Henrys.

Whenever an Administration fails to be transparent and ensure justice for all, the above incident will not be an isolated case. Specifically, the Administration must not ask the Police Force to investigate this and other incidents.

Second, the Opposition, respected Members of the Judiciary and Members representing Civil Society/ Public, should be assembled to investigate this matter and the Police Force be required to produce all relevant information and documents.

We need to know who led and constituted the SWAT Team and whether the SWAT Team was the appropriate arm of the Government to have descended on a family of two, plus two small children and why the hour was selected.

The members of the

Inquiry should not be known sycophant posing as representing the Private Sector.

Individuals who benefitted materially from this Government are unlikely to do anything that could expose a weakness in a Government Agency, and these consultations with the Opposition, etc, should commence in earnest post haste The Government must know that there is distrust of their motives by several sections of the population and even if it is a perception, it cannot be ignored.

In 1914, when the heir to the Austrian throne was assassinated by a Serb, because of tension and a perception of injustice in Europe, it was a spark that led to the brutal World War I. Today’s Guyana has frustration, fears by some who are being marginalised and of course resentment.

My reading suggests if the President is serious of his talk of One Guyana, the above suggestions should be a nonnegotiable. All animals including the human species when pushed in a corner fight back even to their death.

Mr. President, Mr. Min. of Home Affairs, don’t push “awe dis” in a corner.

Yours faithfully, Hamilton Green

...Oil contract From page 4 company will last 20 years at least.

All that having been stated, Guyana’s deal will work out to somewhat more than 50-50 including royalties after cost recovery is complete – and that’s certainly not a bad deal at all.

Unavoidable questions however remain, like why should Guyana be paying ExxonMobil’s Income Tax to GRA out of Guyana’s share of the profits and also paying ExxonMobil’s insurance premiums and the interest on loans that company took on

to finance its operations? Yes, a deal is a deal, but nobody but an enemy would want ongoing instability and an entire nation harbouring feelings of ill will against a company that in fact brings so much that is of benefit, and indeed pivotal, to the transformational development of our resourcerich country. There is good practical justification for ExxonMobil to now consider in good faith making a few adjustments to what was agreed on 27 June, 2016.

Yours truly, Ronald Bostwick

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Kaieteur News

Freddie Kissoon corrects himself Dear Editor, I got a call from Dr. Mark Kirton requesting a slight correction over the backdoor incident in my column yesterday. Here is Dr. Kirton’s description of what happened. I know he told me about the incident but it was so long ago (I know Dr. Kirton as a friend 44 years ago) that the memory lets you down in these kinds of situations.

Dr. Kirton’s father worked as a journalist for the Argosy, owned by Mr. Percy Wight.

Mr. Wight sent Kirton’s father to do an interview. Mr. John Saint-Felix Dare, at the time either the owner or part owner (Dr. Kirton can’t recall which) of Fogarty’s. Mr. Dare was at the Georgetown Club at the time. The maid ushered the journalist up the backstairs. The journalist refused to accept that treatment and went back to the Argosy to inform Mr. Wight what had occurred.

The journalist was sent back (Dr. Kirton cannot remember if it was the same day or the next) and he was allowed up the front steps. Dr. Kirton said he could recall his father telling him that Mr. Dare was reluctant of having him use the front stairs. Dr. Kirton also told me he could recall his father, in describing the incident to him, telling him this was Guyana at the time where class and colour dominated the society.

In my column yesterday

on class and colour, I did not provide the context of the backstairs incident, in other words, I did not provide the relevance. Here it is. When I was a columnist at the Stabroek News, I was not allowed to go to Mr. DeCaires’ office. I believe his office was off-limits to a majority of the staff. For the six years, I wrote for the newspaper, I was told that I should not try to contact Mr. DeCaires. It wasn’t allowed. I can count the time in those six years I spoke to him. It must have been two or three times. The Stabroek News in the early 1990 was the resuscitation of colour and class all over.

The Stabroek News under DeCaires brought back the era of people like John SaintFelix Dare. Portuguese domination of Guyana ended around 1972. But from 1988 onwards, David DeCaires, Miles Fitzpatrick, Ian McDonald, Joey King owner of the law firm Cameron and Sheppard, and a few other Portuguese persons with some light-complexioned members of the Mulatto class, especially a few in the legal profession, brought it back to Guyana.

Because of space, I cannot cite all the sad incidents but the two I can recall most vividly is one involving poet Ras Michael which I wrote about before. The other involved Moses Nagamootoo around 1991.

For the first time I will mention the Nagamootoo incident.

He entered Stabroek News and for some reason (I really don’t know), he did not stop at the front desk and walked up the stairs. Mrs. DeCaires ordered him out and dressed

him down as if she wasn’t talking to one of the most popular figures in Guyanese politics who was a serving member of parliament. I will never ever forget that incident.

The one I will never ever forget too is because I almost lost my life. Ras Michael and I were good friends so he asked me to come around where he lived on East Street.

He lived in an old, dilapidated three-storied house obviously that was used by the rich in the early 20th century. As I reached the third level, the stairway I was climbing began to shake.

I was afraid and ready to run down back quickly. With all the nonchalance in the world, Ras Michael said to me; “nah dun worry, suh it stay, it na gun fall.” He wanted my opinion of Miles Fitzpatrick. He had solicited a position of a columnist and Fitzpatrick had a chat with him to explain what was expected.

Ras wanted to know what I thought of Fitzpatrick. Ras said to me, “Freddie that man think he is a god.”

Indeed he was. There were all gods from the 19th century until the clash with Peter D’Aguiar and Forbes Burnham led to the exodus of the Portuguese and Mullato class. I end with a little story about one of such person in Miami. I was going to have an eye operation in Miami and Father Andrew Morrison wanted me to look up a Portuguese friend. Then he said, “don’t bother, I don’t want him to.” And he stopped.

I was close to Father Morrison and I kept pressing him to end the statement. He didn’t. But in not so many words, I got the meaning. The gentleman would not want someone like me in his fancy house.

Sincerely, Frederick Kissoon

Thursday September 23, 2021

Each public institution needs a “living” strategy Dear Editor, Over the next 20 years in Guyana, the ‘big picture’ will be more complex with many new and unexpected problems, and there will be great opportunities to develop a better quality of life for the overwhelming majority of the nation who are workers, farmers, the poor, the unemployed and the dispossessed.

To achieve that, the national, regional and local governments will have to transform all public sector institutions. Presently, they employ about 50,000 employees (16 percent of employed Guyanese) who provide a broad range of essential public services in many areas including: education, health, law and order, national defence, water and electricity, financial management and auditing of public revenues, business support, agriculture, family support, social security, public transport, infrastructure (roads, highways, bridges, drainage and irrigation), mail delivery and waste disposal. On behalf of all citizens, public institutions are owned and operated by governments.

They are funded from taxes and fees and are not expected to generate profits.

The public sector also includes State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) such as the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) and the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC). They are expected to earn profits but, many times, they are subsidised by the national government.

Because of the new ‘big picture,’ the public sector has

never had such possibilities to successfully: [1] develop a diversified, sustainable and inclusive economy; [2] provide more jobs, especially for women and youth; [3] establish a high level of public safety; [4] minimise bribery and corruption; [5] reduce poverty and income inequality in all ethnic communities; [6] end the wage gap between women and men; [7] create worldclass education and healthcare systems; and [8] stop violence against women and children.

But all of this is easier said than done. Presently, only a few public institutions enjoy the confidence, trust, respect and support of Guyanese who despair that most of the public sector will not be able to significantly achieve the national priorities listed above.

The major problem is that many public institutions do not have “living” strategies to guide them. In essence, they are “planning to fail” because they fail to plan where they want to go.

Consequently, they do not effectively measure, evaluate, learn from and adjust their activities.

The priority for national, regional and local governments is to embrace strategy planning and immediately mandate every public institution: [1] to update its mission (what it does), its vision (what it wants to achieve over time), its values (what it stands for) and, most importantly, its strategy and objectives (goals) to insure that they are in line with the current political, financial, economic and social policies and programmes of the government; [2] to simplify its systems (procedures and regulations) and restructure non-performing departments so that its services will be more transparent, accountable and customerfocused; [3] to upgrade the skills of all employees; and [4] to ensure that its budget has sufficient finances for strategy planning and implementation.

Strategy planning is a very demanding process. It has to be organised in ways that do not negatively impact an institution’s present

workload. International experience demonstrates that a realistic timeline for developing a new strategy is about six months. For those institutions that already have a strategy, a review should take no more than four to five weeks.

The process should be mainly homegrown.

Hundreds of Guyanese, at home and in the diaspora, have leadership abilities and experiences to support the development and implementation of institutional strategies; and they come from every ethnic community, gender, economic class and age group. There should be no dependence on international strategy consultants because, although they are helpful, most times, they offer little practical guidance and they usually do not directly participate in the implementation of institutional strategies.

There are six key steps to achieve success in strategy planning and implementation.

Step One - Each institution has to form a strategy team that must include the Permanent Secretary or Chief Executive Officer, Board or Commission members, managers and supervisors, key staff who directly interact with the public, the finance and human resources departments, members of the general public and representatives of civil society organisations. The team has to be inclusive with representatives from all ethnicities, urban, rural and hinterland communities, women and youth, economic classes and persons with disabilities. The ideas and proposals of employees and customers must be given very high consideration. One of the most effective tools for doing this is confidential staff and customer surveys.

One person in the team must be always responsible and accountable for overseeing the process.

Step Two - Accurate and detailed data has to be collected on the new ‘big picture,’ the internal systems (the performance of departments), and the external forces (the political, financial, (Continued on page 18)

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Thursday September 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

Nigeria is now begging oil companies to cut expenses.

Guyana, on the other hand, is joyfully approving bills in the billions for expenses, much of which could be fabrications.

If we continue like this, Guyana will become Nigeria.

What the PPP, and the bigshot VP, refuse to do today (check those bills), will return to haunt.

Guyana, too, will be forced to beg oil companies to cut expenses.

Although we should be in the driver's seat with oil, right now we are kissing the feet of Exxon and others. We are saying, with warm smiles: bring the billion-dollar bills, we will pay.

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PAGE 08

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 23, 2021

GEA Division Heads silenced by 'Top Brass' … As Fmr. Finance Minister calls for Police investigation, public release of Forensic Audits

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i t h t h e G u y a n a E n e r g y Agency (GEA) coming under intense scrutiny and resurfacing allegations of fuel smuggling involving key organisations such as the Guyana Association of Tr a w l e r O w n e r s a n d Seafood Processors (GATOSP) and several prominent local gas stations, the entity's top brass has silenced its division heads from speaking with the media on any matter related to the Agency.

As such, requests are now being made to have questions sent directly to the Chief Executive Officer ( C E O ) , D r. M a h e n d e r Sharma, or Chairman of GEA's Board of Directors, Jerome Khan.

This publication has since complied with the request but up to press time, there was no formal response from the GEA.

Kaieteur News managed however, to speak with a confidential source inside the GEA, who has since confirmed that all staff members, including the various Division Heads, have been directed by GEA's Top Brass to not speak with the press, regarding any matter in light of the intensified scrutiny of the organisation.

This publication was told by a source at the GEA, "let me be very frank with you right, the instruction has been, that literally any questions, no matter what the questions are, whether it's on the record, or off the record, you have to refer to the CEO and the Chairman."

This publication was at the time attempting to solicit from the agency's representative what measures had been put in place to curb the instances of fuel smuggling and inconsistencies with regards

to the fuel marking process, record keeping and allegations that had been raised prior, with regards licenced importers of fuel such as GATOSP. A Forensic Audit that was conducted by Nigel Hinds Financial Services for the Ministry of Finance, had reviewed the GEA operations during the period November 1, 2011 to May 31, 2015.

Based on the audit findings, the Fuel Marking Division of GEA has a weak internal control system and cited “for instance, the responsibility for ordering, storing, dispensing and reconciling fuel marking concentrates are limited (at the time) to three individuals.”

A d d i t io n a lly, N ig e l Hinds Financial Services had found that there is a lack of proper validation of fuel marking reports, prepared and issued by terminal staff

GEA's CEO, Dr. Mahender Sharma of oil companies to Marking Services Division (MSD) of GEA for bulk fuel marked.

The reports are used by the MSD to determine the quantity of fuel marked, so that the marking fees could be calculated.

According to the findings of the audit however, “our investigations found that these reports were not independently validated

by MSD staff or by any officer of the vessel that delivered the fuel to the terminal.”

Former Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma It was noted too, that prior to 2015 there is no documentation that MSD requested the Association of Trawlers and Seafood Operators to provide approved Guyana Revenue Authority Custom forms, before duty free markers are dispensed from GEA stores to mark the fuel.

According to the report, the Guyana Association of Tr a w l e r O w n e r s a n d Seafood Operators or the trawlers' operators, prior to 2015, only made a verbal

Head of State, President Irfaan Ali request instead of a notification to the GRA and GEA at least 20 hours in advance of the estimated time of arrival of the authorised importing vessel, “To allow for the timely dispatch of fueling marking inspectors to mark fuel imported.”

According to the auditors, “this therefore, compromised the ability of the GEA management to provide proper monitoring and accounting procedures (continued on page 17)

Linden sees steady increase - Remains Region with in COVID-19 cases lowest vaccination rate

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h e U p p e r DemeraraBerbice Region (Region 10) continues to see a steady increase in COVID19 cases, even as the vaccination rate remains low. As of Tuesday, the Region recorded 89 cases and two deaths.

The statistics show that there are currently 77 active cases, 72 in home isolation and four have been admitted to the Regional COVID-19 Unit.

Regional Health Officer, Dr. Gregory Harris, said that the cases are distributed evenly across the Region and not just in Linden.

He said this rapid increase in cases is most worrying since “We have not finished September as yet and we have already surpassed the figure from August, which is not good.

The numbers are not looking good, a few weeks back we had less than 20 active cases, now it has increased again,” Dr. Harris said.

In August, the Region recorded six deaths.

Despite this steady increase, the vaccination rate in the Region remains significantly low evident by

Dr. Gregory Harris 28 percent of the population has receiving their first dose and 12 percent receiving their second dose. The target population in the Region to be vaccinated is 27,000.

Dr. Harris said that with the implementation of the government's COVID-19 protocols, more persons have come forward for their first dose but remain hesitant for the second dose, despite this being available, with the exception of the Sputnik V Vaccine. “It is as if persons have just taken their first dose to be in possession of

the vaccination card, so as to enter public buildings and their place of employment,” he speculated.

The statistics also show that six percent of adolescents have been inoculated with the Pfizer Vaccine. Parents desirous of having their children vaccinated against COVID19 can access the vaccine at the One Mile Health Centre.

Since the reopening of schools, at least one school, the Regma Primary, was closed temporarily because of a student-testing positive; that school has since reopened.

In his latest COVID-19 update, Dr. Harris pleaded with the residents of Region 10 to continue practicing COVID-19 protocols, which include practicing social distancing, hand washing, sanitising, and wearing a mask.

Most importantly however, he is encouraging the population to get vaccinated. Vaccination sites include the Linden Hospital Complex, One Mile, Amelia's Ward, the Vivian Parris and Christianburg Health Centres and the mobile site at the Mackenzie/Wismar Park.

Thursday September 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Kaieteur News is no big-shot paper K

aieteur News became the most popular newspaper in Guyana because it was a newspaper which the ordinary citizen could identify with. The newspaper has had no class affiliation and no political or economic ideological bend.

The same cannot be said of the other newspapers in the country. The Stabroek News has made no pretence in its editorial policy that it is committed to an open economy which basically means political freedoms but also a free market bias. It was established with help of a grant from the National Endowment for Democracy, an organization notorious for meddling in the internal affairs of countries to which the United States is opposed.

The Guyana Times is owned by a member of the powerful business class and h a s r e c e i v e d a disproportionate share of government advertisements relative to its circulation. It is perceived as a probusiness newspaper aligned to the PPP/C. The state-owned Guyana Chronicle is supposed to be owned by the citizens of Guyana. But, being controlled by the government, it has become a mouthpiece of the ruling elite, both under the PPP/C and under the APNU+AFC. The people's paper is the Kaieteur News. Its owner, Glenn Lall, started at the bottom of the income ladder and has worked his way up the rungs. He has never forgotten where his feet were when he was a market

Dem

boys seh...

H

ow dare you go where I once was? How dare you walk where I once strutted? How dare you follow in my footsteps?

How dare you?

Who do you think you are to go to that place where I narrowly escaped losing my precious briefcase? How dare you?

How dare you trample on hallowed ground? Don't you know that I once cleaned those floors which you are trampling on? I once wiped them spotless. How dare you try to desecrate

vendor and trader.

He is one of the bravest individuals in Guyana and his mouth has no padlock.

He is a straight shooter. One thing you can also be sure about Glenn Lall, there is no pretence in him. Whatever he feels, he speaks his mind no matter who you are.

He has an innate sense of justice and fights for that cause. He would not allow political or economic interests to force him to change what he is and directs his paper along the same lines.

As can be seen now, he is waging a one-man battle against the rape of the country's oil, gold and timber resources. He is fighting for a better deal for the country but is not doing so as a socialist or communist.

He believes that given the wealth which the country has, that Guyanese are entitled to a higher standard of living and he is educating the public how they are been betrayed by their country's leaders.

This is not a message against any one of the two main political parties. The Kaieteur News has been consistent. It strongly opposed corruption under the PPP/C administration, condemning the deals which were made by that administration. The PPP/C credited the APNU+AFC victory in 2015 to the exposés done by Kaieteur News especially in relation to the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project, the controversial models for the Marriott Hotel and the

Berbice River Bridge and the land deals which were made.

But when APNU+AFC came to office and began to exhibit similar symptoms, the Kaieteur News was also critical of them. This newspaper also took a principled stance in condemning the attempt to rig the elections. And it has now turned the spotlight on the PPP/C reversion to its old habits.

It is this consistency and the principled positions it takes which has endeared the newspaper to the average man. If you look at the sale of the newspaper you will realise that the average man has a preference for the Kaieteur News.

But the Kaieteur News has paid a huge price for its positions. For the first 10 years of its existence not a single state advertisement was ever given to this newspaper even though it had become the country's leading daily.

Its pressmen were assassinated when persons invade the printer. This attack it is believed was intended to send a signal to the newspaper that persons were not comfortable with its reporting. Then, under the APNU+AFC, a grenade was thrown under the vehicle of the owner of this newspaper.

At present taxpayers' dollars are being used to woo journalists away from this newspaper. It is an attempt to cripple this newspaper by offering super salaries to woo employees away from this newspaper and to turn them into information officers reporting on the

How dare you? those floors?

You, who have been 'installed' cannot dare put your foot in my shoes. I have been given a special mission by the Creator to deliver Guyana from the cesspit of miseries and misrule.

How dare you go to the United States and not seek my permission? How dare you?

Christmas is three m o n t h s a w a y. T h e Christmas carols have not yet appeared on the radio.

But you are playing Santa Claus by sharing out presents to the people

without seeking my endorsement. How dare you?

How dare you speak in the manner in which you speak?

Do you not know that such talk is only for the elite? Did you not know that you are out of place trying to say those things? How dare you?

Do you know who I am?

I often have to remind myself who I am. But how dare you have me recall these things?

Talk half and you dare not try to be me.

government's line.

This newspaper also has been subjected to a number of libel suits some of which were intended to silence the newspaper and prohibit further coverage of certain issues.

All manner of tactics have been deployed against this newspaper but it remains

the people's newspaper and it continues despite all that it has been subjected to.

Despite all of this the Kaieteur News remains courageous in its reporting.

It has not shirked from its responsibility and it has not compromised its principles.

No class interest is going to intrude on this newspaper. It

is the people's paper and will remain so, come what may!

(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

Thursday September 23, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

TIGI: The stench of this country is unbearable I

don't go out. I walk my dog, socialise with my family, sit in my corner, laugh, and revolt at this country. It is basement filled with rotting moral carcasses

that could infect the great oceans of the world killing off all marine life.

Why do I laugh? Because my education allows me to make predictions about this

society and I am always proven right in pyrotechnical ways. As I watch how right I was proven to be, I laugh and hug my dog. The Stabroek News has now awarded

Transparency International Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) a weekly column.

This is the very paper that had given continuous coverage to an almost nonexistent civil society body – the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), headed the past 45 years by Mr. Mike McCormack. This is the very paper that promulgates a steadfast position that Dr. Vincent Adams was a consummate (the paper's word) professional when he headed the EPA when at the same time he was one of the top leaders of a political party – the AFC. If you want to see how morally corrugated life can be in Guyana, I urge you to read the first column of TIGI. The stupidity of reasoning is so immense it makes you want to vomit. Here is the evidence. Don't accept the evidence from me – read the column for yourself.

The organisation noted that since it was not familiar with the law in relation to the no-confidence motion (NCM), it left it up to the courts to decide since one group was saying a different thing from the other. Can you locate another manifestation of pathetic asininity in the history of political controversy in Guyana?

You don't have to be a lawyer to understand laws and constitution of your country.

That is why people go to get a higher education so they can read and understand documents. Mr. Glenn Lall has no training in the petroleum industry but he understands the unfair nature of the oil contract.

TIGI dismisses the search for truths and facts by declaring that when two sides are Frederick Kissoon saying different things, then how can you NCM that it lost and election decide? This again is rigging that the entire world pathetic asininity. A loser can create a controversy by simply saw as a priority. I could go on lying. The losers of the NCM to cite more pouring of stench created a controversy because in that TIGI column but I want it suited their purpose. It suited you to read it for yourself and the purpose of TIGI to avoid do so meticulously. It shows comment on the NCM because the moral rut this country is drowning in. it suited its political purpose.

The entire column of TIGI The entire TIGI column is a repugnant attempt to justify should sicken any decent TIGI's refusal to take a stand human that lives in this country. on one of the most dangerous But you are forced to ask – are situations in this country's there any decent humans left in history, perhaps the second this place. We have one of the most dangerous after the youngest populations in the Wismar Massacre – the five- world. They are entitled to month rigging of the election. intellectual explanations from If that rigging had succeeded those in the society that have this country would have died experience and education.

Are those who lived within months.

I now use for the third time through the long years of in this article the phrase, Burnham's tragic rule, those “pathetic asininity.” I will who lived through the election apply it now to a quote from terror last year, are not going to the TIGI column: “To the pen even one word on the charge of selective advocacy, dangerous, hypocritical we plead guilty. We select what outpourings in that column? I we would advocate for in guess I know the answer.

But I have a pen and I write accord with the Transparency International (TI) strategy for now, here and now, to tell those the upcoming years. We select numbers that make contact with which aspects of the TI me so often, don't let your guard strategy we would focus on. down. Organisations like the We select based on what we TIGI and the GHRA are unfit to consider a priority for the sit on the moral landscape of life. Avoid them like the current society.”

So you have a civil society pandemic. Unfortunately, like body which openly states that in the US with Fox News, they its raison d'être is to agitate for have their patrons.

(The views expressed in there to be transparency and openness in the functionalism this article are those of the of society. But it refuses to see a u t h o r a n d d o n o t the denial of the government to necessarily reflect the adhere to a constitutional opinions of this newspaper.)

Human Services Ministry urges end to prejudice - Other barriers, against deaf community

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oting that it is very mindful of the challenges affecting deaf persons and persons living with other disabilities in Guyana, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on the occasion of International Day of Sign Languages, is poised to recognise and celebrate the myriad valuable contributions that they make every day in communities across Guyana.

T h i s d a y, o b s e r v e d

annually on September 23, has as its theme, this year, “ We S i g n f o r H u m a n Rights,” and the ministry has chosen to promote sign language learning as an effective way of communication with the hope that prejudice and other barriers affecting the deaf and hearing impaired would lessen.

There are over 72 million deaf persons around the world and 80 percent of this (continued on page 17)

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

Thursday September 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

Agri. Minister provides on the spot solutions to Mabaruma farmers, makes giant commitments

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inister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, on Tuesday met with hundreds of small to medium scale farmers during his visit to four villages in Mabaruma, Region One. Farmers of Kumaka, Wauna, Whitewater and Kamwatta had the opportunity to voice their concerns to Mustapha who was keen to, as far as possible, provide on the spot solutions. The need for pest control, long-term solution to flooding, accessibility to land, high cost of fuel, machinery and transportation were some of the overall concerns raised.

In his response, Minister Mustapha told residents that he already had, on site, an adequate supply of substances for pest control. He noted that the farmers can look forward to a steady supply free of cost from the Ministry. This move was applauded by farmers.

Minister Mustapha indicated that the government will also be doing its part to alleviate the effects of heavy rainfall. He told farmers that the Region will soon be provided with an excavator.

However, Mustapha implored the

farmers to move away from farming in the swamps. He said, “We cannot keep doing the same things over and over expecting a different result. We have to move away from the old way of doing things.”

Since access to transportation was a constant cry of farmers at all locations, the Minister also endeavoured to provide a “tractor or two” in the near future.

Being that he was providing on the spot solutions to many of the issues raised, the Minister was pressed to pronounce on the high cost of fuel, another burdensome production factor. Kaieteur News understands that previously, Venezuela had provided access to fuel for farmers in this area, but this came to a halt since the pandemic and left many farmers facing added pressure.

Mustapha explained that he was not in a position to readily pronounce on a solution for that particular problem, as it does not fall under his jurisdiction.

He nonetheless said, “But I can tell you, I will bring the matter to the attention of my colleague.”

Farmers, especially those of

Kamwatta and Whitewater lamented the lack of market for their produce. The farmers said it is quite disheartening to put in all that work yet, if they happen to overcome all other obstacles, they still get a hard time selling their produce.

In response, Minister Mustapha boasted that the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) was successful in finding market for the Arnaputa farmer's produce. He said, “We can do the same for you.”

The Minister committed that within a week or two, he will send the General Manager of GMC, to meet with the farmers and chart a way forward in that regard.

Mustapha said GMC can find market not only in Guyana but also within the Caribbean. The framers of Kamwatta and Whitewater mostly produce peanuts, cassava, turmeric and ginger.

The Agriculture Minister also encouraged the farmers to diversify.

He supplied them with several seeds including watermelon, sweet pepper, eschallot, bora, carrot and celery. Those were handed out at all locations along with other farming supplied like shovels and forks.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, interacting with a vendor at Kumaka Market after his meeting

Further, Mustapha told the farmers that he will soon return to the Region to initiate the distribution of government's flood relief. He

noted that no farmer will receive less than $50,000 per person. He explained that the “assistance” will be assessed based on the losses.

LM&TC embarks on new Waste Management Strategy

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he Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) is embarking on a new Waste Management Strategy, in an effort to tackle the waste disposal issues that residents are currently experiencing.

The Municipality will be partnering with Environmental Management Consultant, Mr. Samuel Wright, to develop and implement this new strategy and plan for waste generated daily in both residential and business areas.

Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell, is the brains behind the initiative, which was birthed through consultation with residents, environmental specialists and stakeholders within the

Linden Mayor, Waneka Arrindell township. While the municipality has made strides in improving the manner in which garbage is collected, disposed and managed, there is still much to be desired.

“The municipal's official

project is that this plan will be an aggressive and informed approach to waste management with the opportunity to take new and innovative channels, to tackle the waste issues that may impact our communities, environment and the economy at large,” said Mayor Arrindell at the recent launch of the initiative.

The initiative will be led and coordinated by Deputy Mayor, Mr. Wainewright Bethune. He posited that the LM&TC currently has no guidelines on how they manage and dispose waste in the town but only offers collection and disposal services to residents. This new approach, he said, aims at advancing that service.

The final draft of the waste management strategy/plan will reflect collaboration with the relevant government and regulatory agencies, which are the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), regional stakeholders such as the p r i v a t e s e c t o r, l o c a l businesses and residents of Linden.

These will play a pivotal role in the town's waste management strategies, which include the practice of proper waste disposal, recycling, reusing, composting and the reduction of waste generated on a daily basis.

According to Wright, the consultant, “this strategic plan is in its initial stage, which will take

approximately three months before reaching to the execution stage. He also stated that challenges to getting the project completed may include, managing waste from the point of how much will be generated, addressing the types of waste retrieved from homes or from the market places, the upgrading of garbage-collection trucks , funding, low expectations from citizens and the expectation of having all stakeholders involved.

“Waste management is a business, which involves employment,” he said, hinting that the project will also open doors for employment in the Region.

H e a d o f t h e

Environmental Department, Anneta Humphrey, said, “The waste management initiative will be instrumental to the development of the Linden community and cannot be achieve d i n i s o l a t i o n , therefore, efforts will be made for networking and partnership.”

Humphrey noted too that, “part of our strategy is to edify and sensitise the public of the importance of a waste management plan and how the absence of one will negatively impact the community.”

This venture is one of LM&TC's largest projects currently and Mayor Arrindell hopes for it to be executed as planned, to address yet another need of the Linden community.

Poverty eradication, Climate Change fight requires...

From page 3 proposes concrete measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and emphasised that equality and non-discrimination are not only fundamental principles of international human rights and international humanitarian law but are at the root of political, social a n d e c o n o m i c development.”

He was adamant, “Despite advances made over decades of struggle, racism

and racial discrimination continue to be sources of conflicts and inequalities among people in all Regions of the world.”

To this end, the Guyanese president told world leaders, “as we collectively strive to achieve the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), we must be conscious that the overarching objectives of poverty eradication, protecting our planet and building a peaceful world cannot be achieved without addressing all forms

of inequality.”

He used the occasion to lament however, “unfortunately, too often in the political arena, ethnic insecurities, real or perceived, and race are used opportunistically to manipulate issues in a manner that promotes tensions and racial feelings.”

President Ali observed too that “social media, whilst a powerful tool to inform people, has also been much misused.”

To this end, President Ali

remarked that the Guyana Government “will continue to work assiduously to eradicate all forms of racism and racial discrimination and to ensure inclusive development with equal access and sharing in Guyana's wealth.”

As such, he said Guyana welcomes the inclusion of reparations in the theme of the meeting and that the abolition of slavery “was a defining moment in our country's history.”

Guyana, he said, is committed to gaining

international reparations for the crime of African enslavement.

The President was adamant however, “reparative justice must not only include a full and unconditional apology from those responsible and/or who benefitted from the transatlantic trade in captive Africans and their consequent enslavement but must go beyond apology.”

In this regard, President Ali related that Guyana will continue to support the efforts being made within the

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to press for the convening of an international summit, to demand reparative justice for the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, African enslavement, and its enduring effects.

To this end, he said, “Guyana was pleased to join in adopting the Political Declaration” and that “we reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.”

Thursday September 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

Exxon does not disclose payments to non-EITI member countries U

S oil majors, Exxon Mobil C o r p a n d Chevron Corp, have failed to meet a core transparency standard set by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a global anti-corruption body on which the companies have board seats, EITI said on Wednesday.

Exxon and Chevron have declined to publicly disclose taxes and other payments they have made to governments in the countries where they operate that are not EITI members, the group said in a spreadsheet detailing member company adherence to its standards.

The Norway-based EITI, which was founded two

decades ago and has about 55 country members, implements voluntary global standards to promote the open and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources to help prevent corruption in all resource-rich countries.

Countries that Exxon has operated in that are not EITI members include Qatar, Pakistan and India, according to its company website. NonEITI countries that Chevron has operated in include China and Angola.

ConocoPhillips, which is not on the EITI board, is another member that does not disclose the payments to countries not in EITI, the group said. It has had operations in countries

including Libya, Malaysia and China.

Exxon spokesperson, Casey Norton said, Exxon complies with all laws that are in effect today.

The other U.S. companies did not immediately respond to requests for a comment.

EITI's release, based on publicly available information, could add pressure to the companies, already under fire from shareholders, activists and lawmakers for greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change.

It also highlights a widening governance rift between U.S.-based oil majors and those in Europe, which are widely seen to be doing better on climate and

transparency. Europeanbased companies BP, Shell and Total all publicly disclose their taxes and payments to non-EITI countries, the group said.

EITI published the data for the first time since the standards were introduced in 2018, after pressure from civil society groups including, Publish What You Pay-US (PWYP-US) and Oxfam America.

It is not mandatory that the companies, which as EITI members make annual payments to help fund the group's management, follow the group's standards.

However, EITI Board Chair, Helen Clark, said in July, without elaborating, that the board's oversight

committee would consider consequences for companies not meeting the group's expectations, possibly in October.

Clark said on Wednesday, that publication of the companies that are not following expectations will help EITI members "engage in dialogue to improve corporate accountability and transparency." She said that work remains to clarify the expectations, "but our hope is that it will encourage a 'race to the top' to meet or exceed them."

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is set to consider next April's implementation of a measure of the 2010 Wall Street reform law known as Dodd Frank,

$152M Lusignan well nears completion - CH&PA

that would require disclosures from energy and mining companies on payments to all foreign governments.

PWYP-US said the U.S. companies supporting EITI were getting the reputational benefit of EITI participation without meeting the basic expectations for membership.

EITI's company members and particularly those on its board must ensure that the group's credibility is not weakened by companies that are not being transparent, said Carly Oboth, PWYPUS interim director.

"Otherwise, it will be c l e a r t hat this global transparency initiative has become a victim of corporate capture," Oboth said. (Reuters)

Works ongoing at the site Tuesday

- To cater to 4,000 residents

W

orks on the new well at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, are nearing completion despite some minor setbacks. This is according to a Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) release, which noted that upon completion, approximately 4,000 residents within a catchment area between Good Hope to Annandale will be accessing water at a desired level.

On Tuesday Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc., Shaik Baksh, visited the

location where they interacted with the contractor and inspected the ongoing works.

The works are being executed by S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Service at an approximate cost of $152 million and is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Minister Croal noted his satisfaction with the pace at which the work is progressing, as he called for residents to be patient.

“There have been a lot of complaints about the level of service along the East Coast, following the

collapse of the old well…so the cluster of communities that will see improved services include

Minister Croal and CEO Shaik Baksh in discussion during the Lusignan well site visit

Annandale, Lusignan and Good Hope,” he said.

He added that GWI remains committed to raising the level of services, even as the Ministry forges ahead with its housing drive service expansion, which will cater to these new housing developments.

Meanwhile, Baksh also expressed his satisfaction with the work being done by the contractor, noting that despite the minor setbacks, the contractor has been working expeditiously over the past month.

He added that since the collapse of the well back in November 2020, the water company has been sourcing water to supply the communities from wells in Enmore, Coldigen, and the Friendship treatment plant on a rotation system.

“We had some delays with material and under a month the contractor was able to drill some 960 feet down,” Baksh said.

A representative from the contracting service, Mr. Suresh

Jagmohan, noted that the company is hoping to complete the project within the timeline. Once the construction of the well is completed, it will be connected to the distribution lines.

Minister Croal also announced the drilling of six new wells in the Region under GWI's 2021 work programme. Five wells will be drilled to serve residents of Swan, Long Creek, Kairuni, Moblissa and Kuru Kuru along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The other well will be drilled at Providence, East Bank Demerara, which will also benefit Herstelling and its environs.

Additionally, over $200 million is currently being invested to increase water service along the East Coast of Demerara. Minister Croal noted that this expansion is imperative for sustainable housing development along the East Coast corridor and advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all.

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 23, 2021

Persons with disabilities to benefit from block-making initiative

A ceremonial ribbon is cut to launch the block-making workshop

A

block-making workshop for several persons within the differently abled community, under the Community-based Employment Stimulation Programme (CESP), was yesterday launched by the Ministry of Housing and Water's Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism's Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

The opening ceremony for the workshop was held at the Guyana Society for the Blind at High Street, Werken-Rust, Georgetown.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, and Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves, were all in attendance.

Minister Croal noted that the training will provide a number of economic

opportunities and mitigate unemployment levels, even as the COVID-19 pandemic has created more challenges for persons living with disabilities.

“It has exacerbated the inequalities within communities and its impact is devastating to persons with disabilities, those who are unemployed, women and c h i l d r e n , t h e e l d e r l y, indigenous and other minorities,” Minister Croal noted. He also highlighted a number of other government initiatives including scholarships under the Guyana Learning Academy.

CESP, which is the brainchild of President Irfaan Ali, was officially launched in early May 2021, to provide economic opportunities for persons living in vulnerable communities. Minister Rodrigues later initiated the expansion of the programme for not only vulnerable communities but also persons in vulnerable groups, with inclusion of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons

with Disabilities (GCOPD).

“Persons living with disabilities have a unique set of talent and skills to contribute toward the development of our country and towards their own personal upliftment and we want to be able to help them and to provide as many opportunities as possible,” said Minister Rodrigues.

Minister Rodrigues also noted a number of other interventions, which has seen a number of differently abled persons receiving house lots over the past year, and the provision of a plot of land for the construction of a new office for GCOPD. The training will be done for two days (Wednesday September 22, 2021 and Thursday September 23, 2021) for three hours each d a y. S o m e 1 2 v i s u a l impaired persons from the Guyana Society for the Blind and the Ruimveldt Parent Support Group are expected to be trained during this session. The trainees will be educated in the areas of block-making, money (continued on page 18)

Sand is loaded into a wheelbarrow to facilitate block making

PAGE 15

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Kaieteur News

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

VEHICLES FOR SALE F-350 Diesel,F-150 Pickup.

Mercury Wagon 7 seater, brand new generator 15KV, 12KV,8KV.Price to sell. Call Abdel:653-4287/643-0902.

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

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Goodluck Electrical/Solar: Residential and commercial wiring,generator installation,AC installing etc.Tel:660-5796/673-8606.

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:6949733.

Coin Collector.We purchase old coins best price paid.Call Abdel:653-4287/643-0902.

WANTED One male able bodied clerk.Call:693-8462/231-2029.

One bedroom apartment for working couple or single person $36,000 monthly light and water included. Call: 6388858.

2,3 & 1 bedroom for rent @ Vreed-en-hoop, Providence,Diamond & Herstelling.Contact:6826238/604-6664.

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

Truck Drivers,tutor for 10 yrs old.Contact:223-5273/74.

Experience waitress and counter attendant 18-25 yrs(Sec Education) & 1 live in domestic.Tel:610-3974.

Sailor,Cook,Operator,12" dredge.Call:675-0587/2260772.

Person to pluck chicken in GT $3000 per day.Call:6750587.

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

Tel:673-7087.

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.

Seamstres,Tailor wanted.

Tell:691-1918 whatsapp.

2 truck drivers to work in interior,must have knowledge about Foden trucks. $200,000 montly. Call:642-2359.

One shop assistant living in or around Georgetown.

Call:226-2320 on 193 Charlotte St.

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

TRUCK DRIVERS TO WORK WITHIN THE INTERIOR. MUST KNOW TO OPERATE BEDFORD TM TRUCKS. CONTACT 2255273,225-5274.

Poultry/Livestock Farmers.Live in accommodations (single person). Canal No.1 West Bank Demerara.

Call:609-2995.

Drivers license(with Motor Lorry).Tel:227-5286-9,6214992.email:survival. humanresources@gmail.com.

Security officers Male & Female 18+ Lamaha St,between Waterloo & Parade. Call:2234172.

One experienced counter clerk between ages 30-40 at Sheriff St location.Call:6234242 or 666-3146.

One night watchman Lilliendal area from 5PM5AM between 30-60 age.

Call:623-4242 or 666-3146.

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

1 male off assistant. Computer literate,must know to do NIS & payroll. Driving would be an asset. Call:6750587.

FOR RENT

Cook to work in interior.

Call:698-4064.

Fitter/Machinist,Welder Fabricator, Mechanic, Apprentice. Apply in person at: Technical Services, Industrial Site Eccles.

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

Merchandiser,Factory Worker,Porters.Call:2277714/640-0673 or email info@vgiworld.com.

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

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

One person to cook and perform general domestic duties in Bel Air. Contact: 227-0373/ 223-9888.

Driver & Porter to travel in and out of the interior. Applicants must be experienced.

Call:231-2250.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 25-45, Car/ Van licence. Call 642-9823.

One clerk for Eccles office , grade 1 or 2 in Maths & English knowledge of Quickbooks. Call: 642-9823 oremail:techserigy @yahoo.com.

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

Farm workers in Timehri E.B.D,living accommodation provided.Tel:661-1585/6172032.

Thursday September 23, 2021

Thursday September 23, 2021

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

City Hall’s financial records in Motorbike bandits snatch woman’s shambles …Auditor General says handbag outside Bacchus Drug Store It is no secret that deficient and unkempt financial records at City Hall have made it difficult for auditors to do their statutory duty to keep track of municipal expenditures and make the necessary recommendations for better accounting systems.

As such, Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma, repeated a call for the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to close its financial books and start afresh.

The AG was at the time speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the handing over ceremony of the 2020 Audit Reports at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday.

Sharma told reporters that a fresh financial system will help enable the Audit Office of Guyana to properly audit the entity.

At present, the AG explained the Audit Office’s current undertaking to audit the records of City Hall has proven difficult due to missing records. He said too, that though the municipality has submitted its draft financial report, it is not in compliance with the requisite legislation.

“They have submitted their draft financial report but it is not in compliance with the Act. For example, the

scrap old books, start afresh

Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma balance sheet, it just gives a list of budgeted assets, that’s not how you prepare a balance sheet, so we have returned it for it to be corrected,” he said.

According to the (AG), auditors found that there is a gap for several years in terms of financial reporting at City Hall.

“What I’ve advised several entities, including them, is let’s close the books, open new books, assess what is there and let’s start fresh.

Get a new bank account and everything, because it doesn’t make sense to go back to 2005, 2006,” he said.

“My advice to them is let’s sit down, list all the assets that we have, list all the cash positions and let’s start a new balance sheet, at least from now on your accounts can be audited,” he said.

The last audit of City Hall

was in 2004, and the municipality submitted financial statements for only 2019 and 2020.

At that time, the Audit Office even then indicated, via disclaimer, that it could not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. A similar disclaimer was issued in 2005.

For the period 2006 to 2011, there were no financial statements submitted, and from 2012 to 2015, financial statements were submitted but the information supplied did not allow the auditors to express an opinion.

For the year 2016 to 2020, the audit records show that no financial statements were submitted.

In 2019, an investigation found that the City Council failed to remit workers’ contributions for NIS, Credit Union and GRA, and also failed to pay retirement benefits and gratuity to a number of workers. There were issues surrounding contracts, the waiver of rates and taxes, the rental of wharf facilities and the granting of leases.

Auditors found clear violations and breaches of the financial and accounting systems, yet no attempts were made by City Hall to correct their faults.

...GEA Division Heads silenced by 'Top Brass' From page 8 to comply with the agreement between GoG (Government of Guyana's) monitoring body GEA and the Trawlers Association.” The auditors had contended in their findings, that “abuse of and non-compliance with the fuel marking programme are closely linked to high levels of fuel smuggling.”

This publication was told by a source in the GEA that the agency did submit responses to the auditors that had not been included in the final document.

This publication was told that with regards to the fuel marking problems that had been outlined in the forensic audit, specifically the sixmonth gap between reconciliation, has since been brought down to monthly consolidations among other measures.

Audits are also now being done monthly.

Meanwhile, Former Junior Finance Minister under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration-now Leader of the Equal Rights and Justice Party--has since called on the current People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government to not only make public all of the forensic audit reports, but to

also involve the Guyana Police Force. According to Sharma, the former minister who had responsibility for reporting to Cabinet on the forensic audits, “the Irfaan Ali Government should now make all the audits public as no police investigations are being conducted into the findings.”

He believes that his call for the release of these reports, "will be done because the said PPP/C in opposition (had) requested of the APNU+AFC's Government for all Forensic Audit Reports, to be presented to the National Assembly but this was not done because the Guyana Police Force requested that those reports that were part of active investigation should not be made public for obvious reasons."

Continuing his call for the government's release of all of the forensic audits, the former government Minister said, "it appears that this government would not be pursuing any investigation on the audit findings which SOCU (Special Organised Crime Unit) was actively investigating and which SARA (State Asset Recovery Agency) was utilising for asset recovery investigations.”

Challenging the Ali-led administration to make public

all of the reports, the former Minister further qualified his position saying, "since the government claims it contains nothing of value and it was a waste of taxpayers' dollars, they should release all of the reports and embarrass the APNU+AFC's government.”

The practices at the GEA regarding its licencing, fuel marking programme and reports of widespread fuel smuggling in Guyana, has since attracted the attention of a number of bilateral partners including legislators and activists in the US. In addition to the US Embassy in Guyana formally holding talks with the agency with regards allegations of discrimination, Head of State, President Ali, has also been written to by a number of senior US Officials calling for an investigation into the actions of the GEA. These include Georgia Senator, Michael Rhett; Congressmen, Hakeem Jeffries and Hank Johnson; and Congresswoman, Joyce Beatty, among others. Additionally influential US Human Rights Activist, Dr. Joseph Beasley of the Joe Beasley Foundation, had also recently written to President Ali to look into the allegations being levelled against the GEA.

A woman was left with no money to go about her business yesterday after motorcycle bandits snatched her handbag.

The woman, Romona Boodhram, 30, was robbed in front of the Bacchus Drug Store located at the junction of Howes and Saffon Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown.

The men who robbed her were on a red Trip motorcycle and had pounced on Boodhram around 15:00hrs.

Boodhram told Kaieteur News that she was standing in front of the drug store awaiting a route 42 minibus to take her to Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), when a man approached her from behind. She said, he “ruffed” her up, snatched her black handbag and hopped on a motorcycle, which was being ridden by his accomplice.

They sped off north along Saffon Street.

CCTV footage of the robbery showed that the men rode out from Howes Street (in a westerly direction) and

The bandits on the motorcycle before the robbery stopped at the corner. The rider was dressed in a black jersey, a short, light blue denim jeans and a white cap while the pillion rider was dressed in a red jersey, a short, light blue denim jeans and white hat.

The pillion rider was seen stepping off the motorcycle after which he walked up to the woman, relieved her of her handbag and escaped with his accomplice.

The woman said that her

bag contained $7,000 cash, a Samsung cell phone, her passport along with other important documents.

Without money to continue her journey, Boodhram was left stranded on the roadway. She told Kaieteur News, “I am not concerned about the money they stole, I am worried about the documents and my passport, they are very important.” The matter has been reported to police.

Saudi king tells U.N. kingdom supports efforts to prevent nuclear Iran DUBAI - (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz told the United Nations General Assembly yesterday that his kingdom supports efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, as world leaders prepare to resume talks with Tehran to reinstate a 2015 nuclear pact.

“The kingdom insists on the importance of keeping the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, on this basis we support international efforts aiming at preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons,” he said in a pre-recorded video address to the annual gathering.

Iran and Saudi Arabia, leading Shi’ite and Sunni Muslim powers in the Middle East, have been rivals for years, backing allies fighting proxy wars in Ye m e n , Syria and elsewhere. They cut diplomatic ties in 2016, but have been holding talks this year aimed at reducing tensions.

“Iran is a neighbouring country, and we hope that our initial talks with it will lead to concrete results to build confidence ... based on... respect of sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs,” King Salman said.

His remarks followed a

call by Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi to resume nuclear talks with world powers that would lead to the removal of U.S. sanctions.

On Tuesday, the Saudi foreign minister met with his Iranian counterpart during the General Assembly, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.

In his address, King Salman said Yemen’s Houthis were rejecting peaceful initiatives to end the war and that Saudi Arabia would defend itself against ballistic missiles and armed drones.

He also made reference to Saudi Arabia fighting extremism.

...Human Services Ministry urges end to From page 10 number comes from developing countries, such as Guyana. Locally, there are over 2,000 persons with hearing impairment who are predominantly from Regions Three, Four, Six and 10. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were approximately 54 deaf students in special needs schools.

Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the ministry has been engaging the Deaf Association of Guyana in several ways. For instance, persons from the deaf community participated in its cottage industry initiative last year, allowing for a number of them to earn by sewing facemasks that were then distributed to various agen-

cies across Guyana.

Those in the disability community hold a special place in the heart of subject minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, who has been expending efforts to bring improvement to this section of our population.

As such, the ministry will be rolling out a series of skillsbased training targeting persons with disabilities so that they can become empowered and qualified to gain meaningful employment and even become their own bosses. In the 2021 National budget, $120M has been allocated for training and empowerment activities for persons living with disabilities. This training will be free and is expected to benefit hundreds of persons living with disabilities across Guyana The ministry has also

partnered with the Deaf Association of Guyana through Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to generate greater awareness about the capabilities of persons who are deaf; to promote their inclusion and end discrimination.

Further, the Ministry has sponsored the printing of a sign language booklet.

Government will also be constructing a disability complex in Mahaica that will offer relevant and practical training.

The ministry firmly believes that a more equitable and inclusive society must be created where individuals who are deaf can feel valued and fully integrated into mainstream society with the guarantee that their basic human rights are secured.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 23, 2021

...Guyana already gripped by oil curse

Developing nations’ plea to world’s wealthy at UN: stop vaccine hoarding UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Leaders from developing nations warned the U.N. General Assembly this week that COVID-19 vaccine hoarding by wealthy countries left the door open for the emergence of new coronavirus variants even as infections already increase in many places.

The Philippines warned of a “man-made drought” of vaccines in poor countries, Peru said international solidarity had failed and Ghana lamented vaccine nationalism.

The United Nations chief described the inequitable distribution of COVID-19

vaccines as an “obscenity.”

“Rich countries hoard life-saving vaccines, while poor nations wait for trickles,” Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte told the high-level gathering on Tuesday.

“They now talk of booster shots, while developing countries consider halfdoses just to get by. This is shocking beyond belief and must be condemned for what it is – a selfish act that can neither be justified rationally nor morally.”

About 35% of people who have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine were from high-income

countries, and at least 28% were from Europe and North America, according to Reuters data from countries that report such figures.

Meanwhile, vaccination rates in some countries, including Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are less than 1%, a Reuters tracker shows.

The African continent bears the worst brunt of vaccine nationalism, Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo told the gathering yesterday.

About 900 million Africans are still in need of vaccines in order to reach the 70% threshold achieved in other parts of the world.

From page 3 white elephant projects.

How much has been spent on the Amaila Falls Project in the beginning and on the Skeldon Sugar Factory?”

The lawyer continues, “We have had 50 years of economic mismanagement and 25 to 30 years of giving cheap deals in exchange for our resources to foreigners such as Omai Gold Mines, BaiShanLin, Barama and the list is endless. And then

there is the utterly atrocious Stabroek Block deal.”

Janki further noted that when in opposition, the PPP/ C was keen on noting that it would do right by the people with oil and gas. Based on her observations, this has turned out to be far from reality. Janki said the nation saw that the government rushed through for example, the approval for ExxonMobil's Field Development Plan for the Payara field in the Stabroek Block. Janki

reminded that the approval process was rushed without the concerns of Guyanese on key environmental matters being addressed.

She recalled too, the outrage that followed with the government rushing the approval process in a matter of weeks with the assistance of Canada. Taking these and other key issues into consideration, Janki is of the firm conviction that the oil curse has gripped Guyana.

...Persons with disabilities to benefit from From page 13 management, life skills and job readiness. The CH&PA is also looking to train another 19 persons living with various disabilities in the next month.

The GNBS will be testing the blocks to ensure that they meet the necessary specifications and quality. Minister Walrond stated that her Ministry is pleased to be collaborating on any project that provides employment for small and micro-businesses/ organisations and expressed her optimism at GCOPD's competence and ability to meet quality standards.

An $875,000 block-making shed donated by CH&PA was also commissioned at the opening ceremony and a quantity of equipment handed over including wheelbarrows and spades.

Programme Coordinator of

GCOPD, Mr. Ganesh Singh, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, which he also noted will significantly improve their livelihood, as persons within the community encounter many challenges.

All blocks produced through the CESP programme are expected to supply contractors under CH&PA's housing programmes, as the demand for construction materials increases. The project will run from 2021-2025 at an estimated cost of $20 million; however, $3.9 million has been allotted to pilot the project in 2021.

According to the GNBS in a release, the small entrepreneurs will learn about the requirements of the National Standard for concrete hollow blocks, the technique for block-making and GNBS' test-

ing and certification programmes for the product.

The objective of the training is to ensure that locally manufactured concrete hollow blocks are conforming to the requirements of the Guyana Standard Specification for Load Bearing masonry Concrete units (GYS 215:2003).

Once certified by the GNBS, the concrete hollow blocks manufactured by the block makers will be used by the CH&PA to construct several houses at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

To ensure consistency, the GNBS Certificate is valid for one year during which there are surveillance inspections.

If manufacturers consistently meet the requirements of the standard, their products will be recertified.

...Each public institution needs From page 6 economic, social, environmental and technological influences at the global, national, regional and local levels) that could impact the work of the institution. Keeping track of data is very challenging.

Automated software does help but it must be carefully chosen.

Step Three - The strategy team has to use the collected data and feedback to: [1] evaluate the institution’s internal strengths and weaknesses; [2] examine the opportunities and the threats, at the global, national, regional and community levels; and [3] anticipate potential risks.

Step Four –The team would then review its present

strategy or develop a new five-year strategy with shortterm, medium-term and longterm objectives (goals) and priority activities (projects).

Each objective and project must be SMART, that is, specific, measureable, achievable and realistic with clear timelines.

This will ensure that, in any given year, the institution would be able to efficiently and effectively absorb the public funding and material resources assigned to it.

Step Five - In line with the strategy’s objectives and projects, each department and division has to [1] develop annual work plans with budgets and activities; [2] measure, evaluate, learn and adjust its key performance indicators and

targets every three months to identify which projects are on track, which are falling behind, and which have been completed.

Step Six The implementation of the strategy has to be continuously communicated to all staff, the public and other stakeholders.

If this crucial step is overlooked, the strategy will fail because there would be no common understanding that could lead to the achievement of the institution’s strategic objectives.

Once a year, the overall strategy should be reviewed to assess progress and, if necessary, make adjustments.

Yours truly, Geoffrey Da Silva

Thursday September 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

One of the yachts that was constructed by the company

Azimut Yachts drops anchor in Guyana

M

inister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, extended a warm welcome to AzimutBenetti, the world's largest manufacturer of luxury vessels, as they arrived in Guyana with a Big Splash to launch their Sales Division at the Pegasus Hotel on Saturday night with Dr. Peter Ramsaroop (CEO of GOInvest), Timothy Tucker (GGCI), and prominent business owners such as Robert Badal, Stanley Ming, Mahendra Jetoo, Rudy Ramalingum and many others in attendance.

According to a release, the Minister said that the time was ripe for Guyana to experience and enjoy the type of luxury and recreation that an Azimut Yacht offers and what was once considered luxury would soon be a necessity as more of the projects in the country are developed.

Azimut, which has been in existence for more than 50 years, holds the number one spot in production of yachts for 23 years and continues to expand its distribution and sales to 80 plus countries by partnering with local businesspersons.

Terence Clarke and Amzard Karim will lead the regional team in Guyana, Azimut Yachts Caribbean Limited and they were joined by Mr. Federico Ferrante, President of Azimut-Benetti Americas and Ms. Caterina Valiani, Regional Sales Manager from their North American headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Mr. Clarke explained, "The yacht business is a way of life for me, it is my passion and not just a business venture so I will personally be involved in every way to make sure that we succeed."

Mr. Ferrante showcased the company's long history of quality and dominance in the yachting business, and stated to an attentive audience the reasons why the company was opening

operations in Guyana.

"Azimut-Benetti is not afraid to take risks and push beyond existing barriers.

We pride ourselves in being leaders, the first to accomplish what others think is impossible.” He then went on to introduce the various yacht collections produced by Azimut: The Verve Collection, The Atlantis Collection, The Flybridge Collection, The Magellano Collection and The Grande Collection, all designed and built in factories in Italy.

Rudy Ramalingum from the Maraiko Bay Megaproject extended best wishes to the AzimutBenetti group, emphasising that the two companies had much in common - quality, luxury and lifestyle, all areas that were needed on Guyana. "We look forward to providing every one of the new yacht owners with a place to berth their vessels; we're ready to welcome you home."

Dr. Ramsaroop took the opportunity to reiterate that Guyana was open to business and laid out several major investments that would be soon announced to boost the luxury and leisure market. "There is change coming and this is only the

beginning so the locals and diaspora had better get ready."

Minister Juan Edghill whose Ministry covers maritime development stated, “You are here at the right time because when, not if but, when projects such as Maraiko Bay are completed, the landscape of our country would be unrecognisable and in fact, this is already happening.

We have dozens of projects all over the country, from Essequibo, Demerara, Berbice, Linden and everywhere in-between that are coming on stream. I assure you that your business is welcome and you don't have to knock, our door is open!"

The attendees were all in agreement that the country was moving forward quickly and there was no reason why yachting could not become a regular activity in Guyana.

Azimut Yachts is now open for business in Guyana and will be taking reservations for their extensive line of luxury boats via email at sales@azimutcarib.com.

The extensive collection of Azimut yachts can be v i e w e d a t www.azimutcarib.com

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 23, 2021

Thursday September 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 23, 2021

Thursday September 23, 2021

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Kaieteur News

‘Punjab decision to drop Gayle from line-up Pele sings for Santos as recovery continues for birthday shocking claims Pietersen

West Indian batsman Chris Gayle

SportsMax - Former England captain turned cricket analyst Kevin Pietersen has expressed surprise at the decision by Punjab Kings XI to legendary West Indian batsman Chris Gayle out of the line-up on his birthday.

The iconic ball-beater turned 42 on Tuesday but could only watch from the bench as the team fell to a 2 runs loss to Rajasthan Royals.

The West Indian has managed 178 runs in 8 matches, with an average of 25.42.

The average is the fourth-best on the team, but on Tuesday the Kings opted for Aiden Markham

Thursday September 23, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Some extra income could come your way through the use of computers or other technology, Aries.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Are you interested in video or computer games? If not, someone close to you may be, because all signs are that you might spend a lot of time now in the company of friends entertaining yourself with technology.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might entertain a houseful of astrologers, with a few psychics and healers thrown in for good measure.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) A lot of activity could take place in your neighborhood today, Cancer. If you live in a major city, perhaps a movie or news event is being filmed nearby and the crowds are gathering.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Making use of state-of-theart technology to increase your income could take up your time and energy today.

You might be starting a new business or enhancing the efficiency of a current one.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Adventure is always one of your main priorities, Virgo.

Today you might have your mind on a type of adventure that you've never tried before. You might consider climbing a mountain, exploring Rome, or visiting the South Pacific.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The study of astrology and psychic disciplines might be your primary focus today, Libra. You might even take a class in whatever subject interests you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Friends, group activities, and social events could take up a lot of your time today, so expect to spend your day interacting with people.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) This could shape up to be a busy day, Sagittarius. You're concentrating on two things. The first is working with computers and other technology, possibly in a creative capacity.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you should feel excited and enthusiastic about life in general. Your mind might jump from possible creative projects to philosophy, travel, distant places.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You might host a gathering of friends and neighbors interested in astrology, tarot, numerology, or other forms of psychic focus, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This could prove a busy day for you. You may attend at least one party, or perhaps just meet with a group of friends for drinks or dinner.

On this occasion you're apt to find the banter and camaraderie shared with people you care about not only stimulating but also relaxing.

at the third place in the line-up, which Gayle has been occupying since last season.

Pietersen admits he found the situation to be an unusual one.

“There will be some questions asked. I don’t understand why you would leave Chris Gayle out on his birthday,” Pietersen said on Star Sports.

“If there was one game you were going to play him, it was this one. If he failed then you say ‘ok, you can have a bit of rest’. So, I can’t understand the thinking at all,” he added.

Gayle has been selected for the West Indies T20 squad for next month’s ICC World T20, the appearance will mark his 7th at the global tournament.

...Ali guides Superlatives From page 22 overs. Openers Ali and David Seedhat put their team on course with an opening stand of 63 before Seedhat was bowled by Mathura for a runa-ball 27. Ali top scored with 51 off 35 balls as Superlatives responded with 125-6 in 19.3 overs. Laurie Singh captured 2-26 and Mathura 2-29.

In another fixture, Lesbeholden gained a walk over from Spartans. The competition continues on Sunday.

...Unstoppable Mercenary lift From page 23 Veteran player Sunil Ramkissoon picked up three wickets for four runs from four economical overs.

Ramkissoon whose accuracy and precision was admired, got support from Amit Rukhram who bowled 1.4 overs for four runs and collected two wickets in terrific conditions for cricket.

Sookdeo churned out a fine all-round performance by accounting for two victims conceding 18 runs during his maximum four overs.

And also at the same facility, Leguan Warriors defeated Three Counties by 18 runs to win the consolation trophy. Leguan Warriors rattled up an adequate 156-7 off the 20-overs and then limited Three Counties to 138-7 at the expiration of the 20overs. Meanwhile, president of the OSCL Ganeshwar Babulall congratulated the winner and expressed his gratitude to all the participating teams. He also acknowledged the support of the sponsors as well.

SAO PAULO, (Reuters) Pele delighted fans of his former club Santos yesterday after his daughter posted a video of him singing the club’s anthem as the three-time World Cup winner continues his recovery from colon surgery.

The former Santos, Brazil and New York Cosmos player has been in hospital since the start of September and the 80-year-old has improved enough to post videos of him doing exercises and using a stationary bicycle.

Yesterday, a singing duo called Marcia and Mykon visited him in his room and together they sang the

Santos song. Pele’s daughter Kely posted the video on her Instagram page.

“There’s nothing better than this,” she wrote.

Pele, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, had a tumour removed on Sept. 4 after it was discovered during a routine checkup at Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein hospital.

He has suffered from hip problems for years and cannot walk unaided. His public appearances were already being cut before the COVID-19 pandemic and since then he has made few unnecessary forays outside his house near Santos.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 23, 2021

Marlon Samuels Nortje & Co help Delhi charged under ICC’s Capitals reclaim top spot anti-corruption code Sunrisers Hyderabad on the brink of The charges relate to the T10 tournament in the UAE

E

SPNcricinfo Marlon Samuels, the architect of West Indies’ twin T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016, has been charged by the ICC’s anti-corruption unit on four counts of breaching the Emirates C r i c k e t B o a r d ’s a n t i corruption code. In a media statement yesterday, the ICC said the charges related to the T10 tournament conducted by the ECB. Samuels has been charged for the following breaches: · Article 2.4.2 Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the Participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute. · Article 2.4.3 Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official receipt of hospitality with a value of US $750 or more. · Article 2.4.6 Failing to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation. · Article 2.4.7 -

Obstructing or delaying the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by concealing information that may have been relevant to the investigation.

He has 14 days from September 21 to respond to the charges.

The investigation concerns the 2019 edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 where Samuels was picked by Karnataka Tuskers, but did not get to play a single game.

CWI responded to the charges against Samuels, stating it was “firm in denouncing any such activities within the sport”.

“Cricket West Indies (CWI) has been made aware of the charges which have been laid by the ICC AntiCorruption Unit, involving former West Indies player Marlon Samuels,” the statement said. “Formal charges have been laid with breaching four counts of the Emirates Cricket Board’s Anti-Corruption Code for participants of the T10 League in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

“While CWI has yet to receive detailed information relating to this ICC investigation, CWI remains

firm in denouncing any such activities within the sport, and fully supports the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit in their efforts to rid the sport of all corruption.”

Samuels, 40, announced his retirement last year after a career in which he played 71 Tests, 207 ODIs and 67 T20Is since his West Indies debut in 2000, and score over 11,000 international runs and 17 centuries. While his record suggested he never made the most of his sumptuous talent, his highs were spectacular, most notably when he top-scored in the T20 World Cup finals of 2012 and 2016.

He was no stranger to controversy during his career, the lowest point of which was his two-year ban after being found guilty, in May 2008, of “receiving money, or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute”.

Last month, Samuels became one of 19 Jamaican cricketers to feature on a mural unveiled at Sabina Park as part of a larger art project that aims to turn Kingston into a “destination city”.

elimination after losing seven from eight ESPNcricinfo - The South African pace duo of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada were too hot to handle for Sunrisers Hyderabad yesterday evening in Dubai.

A pair of blistering spells from the duo produced a total of five wickets. This tied down Sunrisers to set up a simple chase for Delhi Capitals as they prevailed by eight wickets with 13 balls to spare. This helped Capitals move two points clear of Chennai Super Kings at the top of the table, while Sunrisers were staring at elimination, having lost seven out of their eight games so far.

Sunrisers struggled mightily after choosing to bat first, with no one making it past Abdul Samad’s 28 in a total of 134 for 9. By contrast, Capitals coasted across the line thanks to a pair of half-century stands, first a 52-run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer before Iyer and Rishabh Pant sealed victory with an unbroken 67run third-wicket partnership.

Nortje and Rabada blowing heat Outside of a lone slower ball at 128 kph, Nortje’s other 23 deliveries all clocked above 140 kph. Five of those breached the 150kph mark too. David Warner was the first one to feel his wrath, dismissed for a third-ball duck as a leading edge ballooned over point to Axar Patel.

There was no respite at the opposite end as Rabada too was relentless in his hostility. Digging it in short to Wriddhiman Saha, the wicketkeeper-batter was late on the pull and skied a catch to Dhawan for the second wicket in the Powerplay.

Rabada was then brought back in the 11th and he’d put himself on a hat-trick as he claimed a skier tracking back behind the non-striker to dismiss Manish Pandey.

That came two balls after Kane Williamsson had driven Axar loosely to extra cover as Sunrisers slipped from 60 for 2 to 61 for 4.

Nortje got back into action in the 13th over to zing Kedar Jadhav in the pads with a 147 kph

Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada combined to rattle Sunrisers Hyderabad © BCCI thunderbolt to win an lbw appeal for the fifth wicket.

Samad had worked hard to prop up the Sunrisers innings after coming in at No. 6, but Rabada snuffed him out as he top-edged to the wicketkeeper. Two run-outs in the final over capped a sorry display by Sunrisers.

Dhawan reclaims the orange cap After a brief hiccup in the Powerplay when Prithvi Shaw fell to a superb catch

by Williamson at mid-on, Capitals were untroubled for much of the next 90 minutes.

Dhawan struck six fours and a six during his 42 and in the process achieved two milestones.

With Dhawan’s very first run of the day he broke a deadlock with KL Rahul to move back atop the seasons run aggregate charts.

Second, he passed 400 runs in a season for the eighth time in his IPL career. Only Suresh Raina has done it more, completing the feat on nine occasions.

Ex and current captain Capitals tag-team Dhawan fell caught on the boundary trying to slog sweep Rashid Khan over square leg. It was the last

misstep of the day for the Capitals a Iyer and Pant provided contrasting but equally efficient styles to take Capitals to victory.

Pant took his time initially to get set, scoring just 9 off his first 11 balls.

But a pull over square leg for six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 16th finally got him unstuck. He meted out more punishment to Khaleel Ahmed in the next over, ending the frame with a four flicked through fine leg and another six blasted over the leg side.

Barring a brief burst of consecutive boundaries in the 14th over off Sandeep Sharma, Iyer was content to knock singles around with the required run rate well under control. But after Pant’s power-hitting was unleashed, Iyer flexed his muscle for the final victory blow, heaving Jason Holder over midwicket and into the second tier for an emphatic end the match.

Scores: Delhi Capitals 139 for 2 (Iyer 47*, Dhawan 42, Pant 35*) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 134 for 9 (Samad 28, Rashid 22, Rabada 3-37, Nortje 2-12) by eight wickets.

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 23, 2021

Pakistan minister says threat to NZ cricket team originated in India

India’s Deepti Sharma in action during the Women’s Cricket World Cup Final in July 2017. (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)

MCC changes ‘batsman’ to ‘batter’ in Laws of Cricket (Reuters) - The term ‘batsman’ has been amended to the gender-neutral term ‘batter’ in the Laws of Cricket to stress the importance of the women’s game, the Marylebone Cricket Club said yesterday.

England beat India in the 2017 women’s World Cup final in front of a capacity crowd at Lord’s while the women’s World Twenty20 final between Australia and India last year attracted more than 80,000 to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in increasing signs of popularity of the women’s

game.

The International Cricket Council, the world governing body of the sport, requires all 12 of its full members to have a national women’s team.

The Lord’s-based MCC, the sole authority on the laws of cricket since it was founded in 1787, said the c h a n g e s a r e e ff e c t i v e immediately.

“MCC believes that the u s e o f g e n d e r- n e u t r a l terminology helps reinforce cricket’s status as an inclusive game for all,” the club said in a statement.

“The amendments are a natural evolution from work already undertaken in this area as well as an essential part of MCC’s global responsibility to the sport.

“A number of governing Bodies and media organisations are already using the term “batter” in their playing conditions and reporting. We expect and encourage others to adopt the updated terminology following today’s announcement of the change to the Laws.”

Women’s cricket will f e a t u r e a t t h e

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Commonwealth Games for the first time at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, England. The MCC, the most esteemed club in the sport, welcomed its first female full member in 2018, 20 years after a vote to allow women to join.

Former England captain Clare Connor, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s managing director of women’s cricket, will become the first female president in the club’s history next month when she takes over from Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara.

I S L A M A B A D , (Reuters) - A threat to New Zealand’s cricket team that prompted them to call off a tour of Pakistan came in an email that originated in India, Pakistan’s information Minister said yesterday.

New Zealand’s cricket squad arrived home yesterday after abandoning their tour of Pakistan last week citing a security threat.

New Zealand Cricket said they were aware of a “specific and credible” threat but did not give details.

Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the threat had come via an email.

“This email was generated from India through a VPN showing the location of Singapore,” Chaudhry told reporters in

Pakistan’s capital.

India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Nuclear-armed neighbours and arch-rivals Pakistan and India regularly blame each other for acts of violence, charges each government denies.

Chaudhry added that the West Indies team, due to arrive in December, had also been sent a threat that he said was fake.

Shunned by all after a deadly 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore, Pakistan have been trying to woo back top international teams.

New Zealand’s withdrawal dealt a massive blow to Pakistan’s hopes of staging regular international cricket, with England subsequently calling off their men’s and women’s tours.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 23, 2021

GLTA to send three to under-12 tourney The Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) was proud to announce that three youngsters in Nathan DeNobrega, Elwyn Levius, and Kendell Prince will be representing Guyana from September 25th to October

2nd when they travel to Santo Domingo, Dominica for the Cotecc/ International Tennis Federation (ITF) under-12 tournament for Latin American and Caribbean countries.

National Coach Shelly

Daly will be accompanying the team. The players will enter a bubble and require testing at intervals along with a negative PCR test upon arrival.

Currently, the lads are going through the final

touches of coaching with instructors Andre Erskine and Daly. In addition, fitness and psychological assessments are being undertaken by the physio and psychologist attached to the National Sports Commission.

From left: number 1 seed, Nathan DeNobrega, Elwyn Levius, and Kendell Prince.

Fast bowler Natarajan tests positive for COVID-19 in IPL DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler Thangarasu Natarajan has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Indian Premier League said in a statement yesterday that the left-arm paceman has “isolated himself from the rest of the squad.”

Six other members of the team, including allrounder Vijay Shankar, were identified as close contacts of Natarajan and were also placed in isolation.

The IPL said the entire Hyderabad

contingent went through testing on Wednesday morning and their results are negative.

“As a result, tonight’s game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals will go ahead at the Dubai International Stadium,” the IPL said.

The world’s richest Twenty20 league resumed in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday after it was suspended in early May when several players from two of the eight franchises tested positive for COVID-19 in India.

National Youth & Junior on - South American Junior this weekendC/Ship set for October 16 & 17

A

thletics Guyana ( A G ) h a s confirmed that the National Youth & Junior Championship will run off as scheduled this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) at the National Track & Field Center (NTFC), Leonora but fans will not be allowed in the venue.

Speaking to Kaieteur Sport, President of AG; Aubrey Hutson, shared that he was very grateful to have the meet run off despite the developing covid-19 situation in Guyana because it is a very important event for the Junior athletes and he

vowed that strict covid-19 guidelines will be in place.

Although Hutson mentioned that the executives of the AG were set to meet yesterday to put together a long list of athletes that may be part of Team Guyana for the South American Junior Championships, this weekend will serve as the final call for those desirous of making a good account of themselves to warrant selection.

The South American Junior Championships which were originally scheduled to be hosted in

Guyana was moved by mutual consent to Guayaquil, Ecuador that also hosted, successfully, the c o n t i n e n t ’s S e n i o r Championships, last May. The new date for the Junior meet has been confirmed as October 16 & 17.

Also, it must be reiterated that the South America Junior championships may be the last tournament for athletes to gain good ranking points towards making the final cut for the inaugural Panam Junior Games this November in Cali, Colombia.

Ali guides Superlatives to four-wicket win A fine half century by Asif Ali handed Superlatives a four-wicket victory over Avengers when the New York Softball League/West Indian Softball Association Premier Division 20-over competition continued on Sunday last at Charles Drew Park.

Avengers batted first and scored 122-6. Tameshwar Mathura led with 48 off 22 balls, while Arif Habib made 25 off 30 balls. Sashi Wilfred and Lakeram Rupnarine both picked up 2-23 off four (Continued on page 19)

The victorious Superlatives team.

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 23, 2021

Regus Offices Guyana Partners with Nexgen Golf Academy

Executive from Regus during a practice session at the Woolford Avenue facility.

Regus Offices Guyana has become the latest major company to partner with the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy to promote the sport to golfers in Guyana.

Members of the Regus Offices Guyana visited the Nexgen facility recently at Woolford Avenue and were involved in a practice session.

Regus, Company Operations Director Stuart May said “Service and quality are our main focus and Nexgen Golf has demonstrated their commitment to excellence, so this is a natural fit and reason for our partnership.”

Regus Offices Guyana opened their state-of-the-art offices in the Trafalgar Building at 165 Waterloo Street in Georgetown a year ago and is the first choice for temporary offices and meeting space in the country, offering 19 office spaces of five different sizes, which could accommodate from two to 22 persons from one hour to one day, or a year, and receive amenities such as free Internet access,

kitchen and washroom facilities and parking.

The Regus Group is no stranger to golf since it’s also affiliated with the top golf courses in Barbados and understands that business persons tend to incorporate the sport into their travel and daily routines.

The partnership will see clients from Regus Offices Guyana receiving preferred services at the Academy & Driving Range and at all Nexgen Golf facilities nationwide starting with the soon-to-open Westside Golf Course in Crane, West Coast Demerara. Mr. May said, “The development of Golf in Guyana has been absolutely amazing and we definitely want to be a part of the plans for the sport and I can foresee a Regus Offices tournament where players of all levels can compete in Guyana and Barbados on an annual basis.”

President of Nexgen Golf Aleem Hussain said, “The synergies between the Companies help to cater for the influx of expats and remigrants that we expect the country to garner from

the oil-and-gas sector as well as the many related growth industries that will benefit from this relationship with Regus and Nexgen Golf.”

Regus Offices joins a growing list of major companies that include Assuria General Insurance; Copa Airlines; Blue Life Waters; TMK2020 Inc.; Tristone Investment and A u t o S a l e s ; SUPERGRAPHICS; Service Guyana HVAC; Trophy Stall; Ansa Mcal; To o l s i e P e r s a u d L t d ; Sunshine Snacks; Ram & Mcrae; AR Printery; Shafura Hussain Foundation; Guyana Beverages; Maraiko Bay Resorts; New Trend Auto; CEMEX and many others that have gotten behind the GGA and Nexgen Golf Academy to develop Golf in Guyana.

Persons interested in visiting Regus Offices for tour or to make a reservation can call 223-1000 or visit Regus.gy. If you wish to participate in Golf activities, the Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue is open daily from 09:00hrs to 20:00hrs.

Unstoppable Mercenary lift OSCL Grand championship trophy Mercenary brushed aside Canadian Legends by 118 runs to lift the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) grand champion 20-overs trophy on Sunday at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough. Mercenary once again lived up to the great expectations of total domination having amassed a formidable 184-5 from the 20-overs and then skittled out the Legends for a meagre 66 in the 15th over.

Mercenary played unbeaten throughout this year’s shortened season with 11 wins and demonstrated their all-round skills as soon as skipper Looknauth Ramsuchit won the toss and opted to bat. Riaz Kadir, who showed inclination for boundary-hitting, led the way with an entertaining 60 which consisted of five fours and three sixes. The

right-handed Kadir started his innings soon after Avinash Sookdeo was taken for 37 which ended a steady 71-run opening stand with Richard Dias, who scored 27. Kadir continued his display in front of a vocal crowd that saw his team’s hundred come up in the 12th over. With the Canadian Legends lacking momentum with the ball, Mercenary only lost wickets occasionally. Avish Rukhram (03) and Shaun Deonandan (04) failed to make a big impression but Ramsuchit finished off things in style belting three effortless sixes to remain 22 not out.

Nishal Dass finished with two wickets for 33 runs off his four-over spell.

When Canadian Legends batted, only Reyaz Prahalall offered a brief fight with 23.

(Continued on page 19)

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