33 minute read
GDF rank accident P
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
GDF rank killed, 1 injured in motorcycle accident
Twenty-eight-yearold Leroy Hercules, a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, is now dead and another person injured following an accident that occurred on Plum Park, Farms Field Access Road, E Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, on Monday evening.
The accident involved motorcycles CG 9908, that was ridden by a resident of Plum Park, Sophia, and CJ 7787 which was ridden by Hercules.
Reports are that at about 19:30h both the Sophia resident and Hercules were speeding in opposite directions when they collided.
As a result of the impact, both men fell onto the roadway, where they sustained injuries about their bodies. They were both picked up by public-spirited persons and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Hercules was pronounced dead. The rider of CG 9908 was admitted as a patient at the medical facility.
Both motorcycles have been lodged with the Police and will be examined by a Licensing and Certifying Officer.
Just about two weeks ago, a speeding motorcyclist was killed at Arapaima Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, and two pedestrians were injured, after he collided with a utility pole.
Dead is 26-year-old Kemston Richards of Plum Park, Sophia. The injured persons have been identified as 24-year-old Kevin Fletcher and a 15-year-old from East La Penitence.
Richards was proceeding north on Arapaima Street with motorcycle CK 7533. Due to the fast rate at which he was travelling, the biker lost control and collided with a utility pole.
He fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries about his body.
The motorcycle travelled some distance in an eastern direction and collided with the pedestrians.
The now dead man was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead. (G9)
Dead: Leroy Hercules
Be alert for severe weather conditions – Hydromet Office
High winds last year caused damage to infrastructure across several coastal areas
Th e scores of coastal communities Hydrometeorological were awakened by the comService has sent out an bination of rain and winds, alert for severe weather con- which ripped apart severditions that are expected this al structures and left houseweek, so that persons can be holds without electricity. on the lookout and take pre- The Guyana Power and cautions. Light (GPL) had said, “Due
The statement said that to high winds, burst power strong winds ranging from lines, fallen poles and other 27-30 km/h are expected infrastructural damage have along the coastal regions un- been reported.” til Thursday, February 18. There were sporadic reModerate to rough seas are ports of slight damage that also forecast until then, with were controlled by householdwave heights of 2.5 metres to ers while three households 3.0 metres. in Vryheid’s Lust, Success
Marine operators are and Lamaha Park in Region asked to take note of the cur- Four (Demerara-Mahaica), rent forecast, since it can be and two at Westberry and “hazardous”. Line Dam, Queenstown, on “Residents are advised the Essequibo Coast, Region to exercise caution during Two, suffered varying dethis period. Secure objects grees of damage to rooftops. that are outdoor and caution There was also further should be taken if driving. damage to public infrastrucFishermen and other marine ture, with live wires ripped users are asked to exercise from main poles to pricaution as moderate to rough vate homes at De Groute, seas combined with wind can West Bank Demerara, and be hazardous,” the Hydromet the commentator’s booth at office outlined. Uitvlugt Community Centre
In several instances, high Ground collapsing. Testing winds in Guyana have re- for COVID-19 was also desulted in the destruction of layed, as the lab was unable houses and electrical poles. to process any new samples Less than a year ago in July, collected during the day. (G12)
BRIDGE OPENINGS BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 17 – 09:00h – 10:30h and Thursday, February 18 – 09:30h – 11:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 17 – 07:05h – 08:35h and Thursday, February 18 – 07:40h – 09:10h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily
WEATHER TODAY
Expect sunshine during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.
High Tide: 07:53h and 20:15h reaching maximum heights of 2.49 metres and 2.43 metres.
Low Tide: 13:49h reaching a minimum height of 0.73 metre.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021 LOTTERY NUMBERS
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COMMODITIES
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Rough Rice $228.78/ton -0.04 London Sugar $456.50/ton +0.02
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Cevons ordered to vacate NSC land illegally leased by GL&SC
Cevons Waste Management, which has almost finished constructing spanking new headquarters on Mandela Avenue, has been called to account for the plot of land it used to construct the building, as the Government says that the land does not belong to the company.
In a letter addressed to Cevons’ Chief Executive Officer, Morse Archer, Attorney General and Senior Counsel Anil Nandlall informed the company that the land, in fact, belongs to the National Sports Commission (NSC).
As such, Cevons was informed that it has no right to use or occupy the land, which was illegally leased to the company by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) in December of 2018 for a period of 50 years and which it has already subleased to Sol Guyana and Corum Restaurant Holdings.
“You will recall that your company had previously held a purported lease from the Mayor and Councillors of Georgetown in respect of the same lands which was voided for the same reason that the legal title to the said lands did not reside with the Mayor and City Council,” the AG’s letter to the company stated, adding that “similarly, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission had no legal authority to lease the said land to your company or anyone else. Indeed, their every purported dealing with the said lands is unlawful, null, void and of no effect. Accordioning, the MOU and lease which contain a promise to sell the lands are unlawful, void and of no effect,”
Nandlall also reminded Cevons that the then Commissioner of the GL&SC, Trevor Benn, had no lawful authority to sell the lands. Rather, the power to sell lands were at the time with the President by virtue of Section 3 (1) of the State Lands Act, having not been delegated to the Commissioner.
Further, the AG noted that according to the MoU, Cevons has paid a substantial sum of money for the lease and title to the lands. He pointed out that such a procedure is neither catered for in the State Lands Act, nor is GL&SC in the business of collecting money from companies and signing MoUs with them.
According to Nandlall, the NSC has plans to use the very lands for the development of sports and the construction of sports facilities. He noted that the fact that the transaction was completed without the knowledge and authority of the NSC, a body corporate, further compounds the illegality of the transaction.
“I hereby demand that you vacate the said lands on or before March 31, 2021. If you fail to do so legal proceedings will be filed against your company and its sub-lessees and this matter will be reported to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Guyana Police Force with a request to investigate and proffer all criminal charges arising out of this transaction,” Nandlall informed Cevons.
It was only a few days ago that Nandlall also wrote to a former GL&SC Board member, who bought land from the agency for a mere $13.5 million, drastically lower than an initial valuation, as well as comparative valuations of similar pieces of land in the area.
The agreement of sale was executed between the former GL&SC Board member and then GL&SC Commissioner Trevor Benn, dated March 23, 2020. The AG pointed out that the former GL&SC Board member was issued with a certificate of title for two parcels of land at plantation Ruimveldt, dated April 15, 2020.
Trevor Benn, who was appointed by the former Government back in 2016, was given his marching orders soon after the new Government took over last year and was terminated with effect from February 4, 2021.
He had been in the spotlight for a slew of land transactions done by the GL&SC under the former Government, which resulted in certificates of titles being issued to persons for lands sold under market value – these are currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
One of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government’s first acts in August was to revoke Benn’s powers to approve and issue leases and licences, or to grant permission for occupancy of State lands. He was then sent on leave, after doing a handover statement to his successor Enrique Monize. This publication was unable to contact Benn for a comment on the transaction. (G3)
223-7230-1 (Ext 55)
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC Cevons CEO Morse Archer
Views
Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
The 2021 National Budget has catered for persons with disabilities in a significant way with the $120 million earmarked for various projects and assistance. However, what is noteworthy and praiseworthy is the fact that Government indeed listened to the concerns and need of the persons with disabilities and made proper provisions for them. In August 2020, the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), the umbrella body representing persons with disabilities, issued a strong call for steps to be taken to ensure that the national developmental plans are inclusionary and create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The organisation listed a number of concerns which it would have liked to see the Government address to make life more comfortable and meaningful for persons living with disabilities. These requests include: opportunities for employment of qualified and skilled PWDs in the public sector; improvements in the delivery of education to children with disabilities; provision of low-income housing for PWDs; and provision of assistive and mobility aids.
It also called for yearly subventions to be allocated to disabled people’s organisations (DPOs); the modification and enforcement of building codes to promote accessibility to public buildings, and allocation of small contracts to companies owned and operated by PWDs; and to promote small business development in the disability community.
That representation manifested itself in the 2021 National Budget with the allocation of $120 million to safeguard the rights of persons living with disabilities, along with $50 million to the National Commission on Disability, and plans to build a $30 million complex at Mahaica for vocational training for persons with disabilities.
Around the world, more than one billion people, or 15 per cent of the world’s population, are living with a disability.
Here, in Guyana, based on figures that were released by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, about 50,000 persons are living with disabilities. Importantly, and of great significance to note, is that the minister said: “many people living with disability in Guyana are not easily visible. This is indeed a stark reminder of the importance of removing barriers for all people living with disabilities.”
Many would agree there is quite a lot of work needed at all levels to ensure that persons with disabilities are treated with respect, and have access to the necessary resources to help them cope with the challenges they are likely to face. Guyana can boast of a good track record in relation to providing quality education for persons, irrespective of geographic location, race, religion or gender; however, there is still much work to be done to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal opportunity to acquire an education.
When persons with disabilities are given a chance to acquire a good education, or are taught a skill, they are in a better position to secure a job, and in turn break the cycle of poverty that normally defines such situations.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is necessary for countries not only to adopt, but to implement fully, because it is a tool for ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the same rights and opportunities as everybody else.
As explained by the World Health Organisation (WHO), rather than considering disability as an issue of medicine, charity or dependency, the Convention challenges people worldwide to understand disability as a human rights issue.
The Convention covers many areas where obstacles can arise, such as physical access to buildings, roads and transportation; and access to information through written and electronic communication. The Convention also aims to reduce stigma and discrimination which are often reasons why people with disabilities are excluded from education, employment, and health and other services.
The authorities here must continue to allocate resources to ensure that all impediments that affect the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in society are removed. This, of course, would require working to change attitudes that fuel stigma and institutionalised discrimination. Persons with disabilities must integrated and empowered, creating opportunities for forging meaningful paths toward the enjoyment of a good quality of life.
The classroom of Stacey John (right) of Smyth Street Nursery School has been transformed as part of her project for completing her Post Graduate Program in Education at the University of Guyana. A projector and screen have been added to the class whereby the pupils can engage in audio-visual learning. She has also redesigned the furniture used in the classroom to ensure pupils can be apart, independent and less distracted during teaching hours. In photo, Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson visited the school to have
first-hand experience of the intervention (Education Ministry photo)
A growth-oriented budget
Dear Editor,
It was an impressive, growth-oriented 2021-2 budget unveiled by the Finance Minister last Friday. It has been a long time since I studied or taught economics, or analysed a budget, so I am a bit rusty on economic concepts. Nevertheless, I still remember enough of the basics to know that the Finance Minister and the Vice President teamed up to produce a very good budget, that addresses fundamental problems and is growth-driven.
A national budget is a tool to enable Government to achieve its development agenda and political manifesto. It is the Government’s planned programmes and projects for a fiscal year. It consists of estimated income and planned expenditures.
The Finance Minister did a thorough job offering a very good framework for recovery and growth during COVID-19. As expected, the budget will meet with criticism from the political Opposition, as it should, because that is the opposition’s role, although credit should be given to the Finance Minister for the new, creative and innovative aspects of the budget. In a time of unprecedented economic stress, the Government’s responsibility is to spend enough money to revive the economy, in order to ease enormous human suffering without triggering inflation or unaffordable deficits. Uncertain times call for high, responsible, Government spending; and the Government has not disappointed with the country’s largest budget.
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and Vice President Jagdeo are to be applauded for a well-rounded budget, that is expected to revive the struggling economy after five years of disastrous economic policies of the preceding Government. The economy was worsened by the coronavirus disease, but the previous Government made virtually no meaningful effort to mitigate the effects of corona on the public. This is the first full budget of this Government and of this new decade. The Singh-Jagdeo duo has done a fine job in planning a budget that is geared at reviving the growth impulses in the economy. It gives the public an opportunity to re-imagine the kind of economy that would be developed in years to come, and offers hope to the population that the country has a bright future ahead.
Coming in the backdrop of a global pandemic of the century, the Government boldly spells the Government’s growth agenda and a march towards building a prosperous country. It is visionary, path-breaking, inclusive, and growth-oriented. It is all rounded, with no sector neglected, that should foster growth in all productive sectors of the economy. Every sector has received an increase in funding.
Despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, Budget 2021-22 has not levied any new tax on the people. Instead, it has reduced taxes. It relies on non-tax resources, but a high deficit which is manageable. Once the economy grows, the Government can eradicate the debt. It has not burdened any section of the country with new or increased taxes. There is a significant increase for health, education, and capital expenditure to boost the economy that, aside from mining and rice production, contracted significantly last year and in the preceding years.
Health seems to be the top sector in the budget. The budget for health will help us to tackle the coronavirus by providing vaccines for all. There is also an increase in budgeting for education, agriculture, infrastructure, housing, security, social services, public administration, labour; in fact, for all sectors of the economy.
It is a budget with a difference from the preceding five years. The PPP Administration seems to be consistently focused on responsible spending, not profligacy. It boasts that this budget, like the budget of last September, has erased tens of billions of dollars in debt of the predecessor regime. This budget will infuse new energy during the time of corona. It should provide impetus for growth of the economy. It should help to revive the ailing economy and take the country on a path of development with job creation.
There are several aspects of the budget that can be critiqued, especially with regards to rural and hinterland spending and the farming sector, but not on salary. The Opposition contends that money is not set aside for salary increase. But as the VP pointed out, there is money for salary increment. Public sector incentives must be commensurate with productivity. There should also be an increase in the minimum salary. Government should not create a situation where state employment is more attractive than private sector, causing people to leave the private sector for Government jobs.
Also, Government should consider additional budgeting for auditing of state expenditures. Government agencies must be transparent in their expenditures. Government agencies and Ministries should deliver reports on a timely basis on performance, so that the public can be kept abreast and monitor them. In this way, people can better hold Government officials accountable.
Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram
Dear Editor,
The national budget is pegged at $383.1billion dollars, which as an amount is difficult to conceive in real terms. The late President Ronald Reagan, a skilful communicator, described one of his budgeted amounts by stating that if you were to stack US$100 together, it would fill the entire Empire State Building. A similar vivid imagery of our $383.1B budget would be if you were to stack $5,000 notes together, it would probably fill our National Stadium at Providence up to roof level about four times. That is a lot of money; hence we have to ensure that it is effectively managed in a sustainable, transparent and cost-effective manner.
Among the things we have to ensure are the following: 1. The preparation and awarding of bids for all central and local Government tenders are in accordance with the regulations of the National Procurement and Tender Administration. We should avoid sole-sourcing and secret tenders; they raise a lot of unsavory questions. 2. Every drain that is dug, every road that is built, must be done to approved standards. If the canal is to be dug to the depth of 12 feet, that does not translate to 10 or 9 feet. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
VP Jagdeo hits the nail red hot
Dear Editor,
I wish to recognise the exposé: “VP tells oil companies to rent, not purchase local properties,” as published in the February 16th, 2021 edition of the various print media. I would like to agree with the Honorable Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, especially since this topic has been an area of great concern for which I have strongly advocated since 2015, when the previous Government was in power.
To me, the idea of buying local properties is irrational and needs to be reassessed, with strict laws in place to prevent not just the big oil companies, but some of the wealthiest foreign industrial, commercial, and manufacturing industries and personalities from making us beggars in our own country.
In my opinion, it would be unwise to open a new door for these companies without first ensuring that Guyana and Guyanese are getting their due. As such, my heart is smiling to see that our current Government is looking at these issues with much attention, and I must compliment the honourable Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on his wisdom and conscientious leadership as it relates to our oil and gas sector. We know that he speaks on behalf of His Excellency the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Cabinet, and the Government of Guyana.
Since 2015, I have expressed the same sentiments in various media: radio, my Islamic television programmes, social media, and in the print media, as the honourable Vice-President pointed out in his recent speech. In one such article: “Companies and contractors need some control”, published in <<Guyana Times>> on February 11th, 2019, I stated that these oil “Corporations and businesses operate as persons, and they look after their self-interests and the shareholders first. We, as the owners of our independent country, must ensure we protect our assets and our citizens and get maximum benefits for our country and people.” I further went on to state: “We must ensure that valuable lands and properties are secured for our children and our children’s children for generations to come. Otherwise, we will have to rent lands, flats, houses, and offices from the foreign investors, and we will become nothing and own nothing.”
Our properties, particularly our lands, must remain Guyanese-owned. This is not a novel idea, but it is something that has been achieved in a variety of countries, including Trinidad and Tobago. Any lease must be in the name of a Guyanese, who will contract with foreign partners to build to suit, or lease to them for a sum, so that they can build their own property.
Additionally, we need to set down strict laws whereby assets cannot be transferred to their names. Subsequently, a law must be established that if anything is done clandestinely with local personalities, very strict penalties would be enforced.
Renting properties from Guyanese will cause us to build to international standards and specifications needed by the investors and oil companies, and give Guyanese an opportunity to raise their standards and control the valuable assets of Guyana. In this way, we have local content wealth preserved and circulation of funds. It is important to mention, let us remember that these companies, even if they register in Guyana as a Guyanese company, they always find ways not to pay the requisite taxes. They tend to export their profits from Guyana without any benefit to Guyana and Guyanese. Some Guyanese may have a few low-level paying jobs here or there, but for high-paying management jobs, these corporations still seem to be overlooking and undermining our people whilst bringing in their own.
At this juncture, I wish to once again recognise the Government of Guyana for looking out for the interests of all Guyanese and our future generation. I reiterate that as Guyanese, we must look after our own peoples and generations to come by not selling or leasing our land to any foreign industries - not only oil companies, but industrial and commercial ones as well.
We must ensure that our properties remain Guyanese-owned. I, the undersigned, respectfully ask that we move quickly to make this a law. We cannot sit back and watch these companies that are only interested in their own well-being and shareholders suck our nation of its resources dry.
Sincerely, Roshan Khan
Animal welfare group welcomes President’s commitment to tackling animal cruelty
Dear Editor,
We welcome the recent announcement by His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali that the Government would be providing greater support for the wellbeing of animals. We unreservedly support His Excellency’s assertions that, as a nation, we will be judged by the way we treat animals, and that such ‘soft issues’ importantly add to the story of who we are as Guyanese.
Paws For A Cause - Guyana wholeheartedly believes that Guyanese can become more compassionate and caring towards each other when children in particular are taught to be compassionate and caring towards animals. Alternatively, animal abuse can often be an indication of, or trigger for, violent tendencies towards other humans. As such, we are elated by His Excellency’s pledge that “direct investment and allocations will be made to support associations and organisations in our efforts to prevent cruelty against animals.”
This focus on animal welfare and pledge of direct budgetary support are unprecedented at a public policy level, especially coming from the President of our nation himself. Following our recent meeting with Her Excellency Arya Ali, wherein she committed to supporting efforts to improve standards of care and wellbeing for animals, we are more optimistic about the future of animal welfare in Guyana. Our President and First Lady have shown exemplary leadership and commitment to the pursuit of the ‘greater good’, and we encourage all animal lovers to support their noble work.
While organisations such as ours need to continue playing an important role in protecting animals, His Excellency has sent a clear message that his Government would not tolerate animal abuse. We all, as citizens, must encourage and ensure that public officials diligently carry out His Excellency’s call for improved animal welfare across our great country.
Sincerely, Paws For A Cause - Guyana
The key is to effectively... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
If the asphaltic layer for the road is specified at six inches, then it should be no less. For too long we have been tolerating substandard works, which deteriorate quickly and have to be redone at taxpayers’ expense. 3. We have to ensure proper inventory management of medical drugs and fuel procured by the budgetary funds. Year after year, we continue to receive audited reports of wasted and expired drugs costing billions of dollars. This is a terrible tragedy, given that some of our people die because of a lack of drugs.
With regard to fuel used for the drainage and irrigation projects, it appears the phenomenon of the Black Hole operates, where copious amounts of diesel just disappear without any trace. We have to zealously guard against this extreme wastage. 4. The various revenue and capital works identified for each community must have majority local content. If a drain is to dug, a school or community centre to be built, roads or streets are to be paved, people from that community must be employed to carry out the work. This is what empowers individuals and retains them in their communities. 5. We have to curb bureaucratic extravagances. It is almost comical to see the length of the security details for our Government officials in the absence of any real or perceived threats. For a people with three quarters of a million in population, our security details outclass developed countries with over four hundred million people, as well as those Afghan warlords. It is a terrible waste. I have seen vehicles of Government officials running for hours while they are in a conference, just to keep it cool when they emerge. All the unnecessary lunches, fabricated allowances, irrelevant meetings are milking our resources. The Government bureaucracy is bloated and needs to be trimmed of its fat.
The budget is fairly balanced, and has something for all the various sections of our society, but until and unless we manage our monies effectively, real development will always be elusive, and we will continue to have bigger and bigger budgets to no avail.
Budget measures would significantly improve lives of persons with disabilities
Dear Editor,
The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) wishes to congratulate the Government of Guyana for comprehensively addressing the needs of the disability community in the 2021 National Budget.
GCOPD acknowledges the inclusion of a specific category in the budget presentation of Dr Ashni Singh, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, in which measures for the disability community were highlighted. We are optimistic that the measures highlighted would significantly improve the lives of PWDs across Guyana.
GCOPD wishes to highlight the increase in budgetary allocation to the Department of Disability and Rehabilitation Services for the fulfilment of the contents of the Guyana PWD Act. We also note the allocation of $120 million as a Special Disability Fund and the $30 million allocated for the establishment of a training centre in Mahaica for PWDs. We also highlight the increase of the monthly “Public Assistance” grant from $9,000 to $12,000. It must be noted that approximately 7,000 PWDs are beneficiaries of this grant.
Further, we recognise that budgetary allocations were made to address vocational skills’ training for PWDs through the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training, and that allocations were made to the Ministry of Education to address Special Education Needs (SEN) within the public education system. We are also pleased that the Government has pledged to review the Guyana PWD Act, to ensure the articles are relevant and in sync with the current needs of the disability community.
We recognise and acknowledge the efforts of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government to fulfill their elections’ manifesto promise to the disability community. We are pleased that our persistent advocacy has resulted in positive outcomes, and that aspects of our “GCOPD Disability Manifesto” are being fulfilled. We also note that productive meetings with the current Ministers have led to the placement of Disability on the agenda for their respective Ministries.
We do look forward to a productive and continued partnership with the Government as we work to promote and fulfill the rights of PWDs.
Sincerely, Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD)
Page Foundation
Question 1:
Tuesday’s answers
1a) The number of children who like Mathematics and English = 10
1b) The number of children who like Mathematics only = 8
1c) The number of children who do not like Mathematics and English = 3
1d) The number of children in Grade 5 = the universal set, that is everything that is in the Venn Diagram
= 8 + 10 + 12 + 3
= 33
Æsop’s Fables FOR CHILDREN
Materials:
Pen Paper Scissors Styrofoam Plate Tape Marker Air Dry Clay
Instructions:
Find a picture of a fossil to base your stamp on. There are plenty on the Web, make sure yours is not too complicated (for example, a skull or bone works better than a whole skeleton)
Print the picture or trace it onto a sheet of paper.
Cut the flat centre out of the Styrofoam plate.
Place the fossil image onto the Styrofoam, then draw over it with a pen. Push hard enough that the design transfers to the foam beneath the image.
Remove the paper, and you should be able to see your fossil image in the Styrofoam. Draw over the image once more with the pen.
Your stamp is almost done! You can make a handle out of tape by sticking a loop to the back of the Styrofoam. Colour over the front of the stamp with a marker or highlighter, then quickly press it firmly onto a sheet of paper.
To make a clay ‘fossil’ using similar methods, repeat steps 1-5.
Trace over the fossil image three or four times with a pen, pushing firmly into the Styrofoam.
It should be easy to pop the centre of the fossil picture out of the Styrofoam. If it isn’t, draw over the outline one or two more times. Gently pull the centre out of the fossil design.
Use the fossil cut-out you just made to make a fossil imprint on a flat piece of airdry clay. Peel the cut-out off of the clay and let it dry according to the clay’s instructions. (scienceisfun.org)
An ass besought a horse to spare him a small portion of his feed.
“Yes,” said the horse; “if any remains out of what I am now eating I will give it you for the sake of my own superior dignity, and if you will come when I reach my own stall in the evening, I will give you a little sack full of barley.”
The ass replied, “Thank you. But I can’t think that you, who refuse me a little matter now. will by and by confer on me a greater benefit.”
WORD SEARCH
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM CGX sitting on potential 4.9M barrels of oil offshore Guyana – report
…but says no certainty on whether oil recoverable, viable
By Jarryl Bryan
An independent report commissioned by CGX Energy Incorporated says that the company is potentially sitting on 4.9 million Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) in the Demerara and Corentyne, Guyana oil blocks. However, there is no certainty that the company can recover the oil or that it is even commercially viable.
CGX, which has a joint venture with Frontera Energy Corporation, had contracted McDaniel and Associates in September of last year to evaluate its holdings in the Corentyne and Demerara Blocks. According to a press release distributed by MENAFN-Newsfile Corp, an independent prospective resource study has since been completed into CGX’s holdings.
According to the report, there are a total of 32 prospects in the two blocks, inclusive of 27 in the Corentyne Block and five in the Demerara Block. These prospects or potential wells potentially have 4.940 million BOE un-risked and 884 million BOE in them.
An unrisked prospect, however, is one where the volume of oil is predicted on the basis that everything goes as planned and the oil is commercially viable and recoverable. And the report makes it clear that it cannot give such certainty.
“There is no certainty that any portion of the resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources. The unrisked total is not representative of the portfolio Unrisked Total and is provided to give an indication of the resources range assuming all of the prospects are successful,” the statement said.
According to the statement, quantifying the chance of recovery is a multifaceted business that required McDaniel to consider the legal, regulatory, market access, political and social factors, as well as CGX’s commitment to finance and develop the venture.
“McDaniel has determined that the chance of discovery is estimated to be between 18 per cent and 51 per cent and the chance of development between 50 and 70 per cent, based on an evaluation of the risks relevant to the blocks,” the statement added.
The statement also carried with it a quote from Gabriel de Alba, CoChairman of the Board of Directors of CGX, who described the Guyana basin in which the co-venturers are operational as a “leading offshore opportunity.
“As confirmed by the independent resource valuation commissioned, the Guyana basin offers the Joint Venture access to a leading offshore oil opportunity. We expect a robust Guyana work programme with the advancement of our exploration wells, as we continue executing on our plan to realise this value for our shareholders,” she was quoted as saying.
Last year November, CGX Energy Incorporated had announced its decision to relinquish 24.96 acres of land at the estuary of the Berbice River that was earmarked for its deepwater project, following negotiations with the Government of Guyana.
The company also revealed that the Government, following discussions on the drilling delays in the Corentyne oil block, had agreed to give CGX a one-year extension until November 27, 2021, by which time they are expected to commence drilling in the Corentyne Block.
Back in May 2019, the former Government had approved a Strategic Joint Venture between CGX Energy Inc and Frontera Energy Corporation to farm into two shallow-water offshore Petroleum Prospecting Licences for the Corentyne and Demerara Blocks – both of which are adjacent to ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block, where multiple discoveries have been made.
The farm-in joint venture allowed Frontera to acquire a 33.333 per cent working interest in the two blocks. The agreement should have seen CGX’s Utakwaaka well in the Corentyne Block being drilled by November 27, 2019, with an additional exploration well being drilled by November 27, 2022. In the Demerara Block, an exploration well was supposed to have been drilled by February 12, 2021, with a further exploration well being drilled by February 12, 2023.
However, CGX is yet to drill a well in the Corentyne Block, something which the current Government has expressed concern over. This situation persists even as a number of new companies have expressed an interest in Guyana’s oil blocks.
CGX’s holdings offshore Guyana
