Guyana Times - Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Govt has no choice but to honour APNU/ AFC’s “lopsided” PSA with ExxonMobil – Ali Teen dies weeks after being stabbed during confrontation over girl

1 new COVID death recorded NA hospital vendors call for security as recurring B&E threatens livelihood

Linden man busted with over 2kg ganja

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley cutting the symbolic ribbon to signal the official opening of the International Energy Conference and Expo 2023 in the presence of Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister (ret’d) Mark Phillips, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, former Colombian President Ivan Duque and other officials (Office of the President photo)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Feb 15 – 11:30h to 13:00h and Thursday, Feb 16 – 01:00h – 02:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Feb 15 – 11:40h – 13:10h and Thursday, Feb 16 – 13:00h – 14:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers during the day. Expect thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 11:51h reaching a maximum height of 2.26 metres.

Low Tide: 18:10h reaching a minimum height of 0.92 metre.

Brazilian investors among bidders interested in Amaila Falls – VP

Assuring that the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) will be built, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has revealed that Brazilian investors are among the bidders who have been submitting unsolicited bids for the project.

Jagdeo made this revelation during his presentation to the International

LOTTERY NUMBERS

Energy Expo on Tuesday. He laid out the backstory of the AFHP and noted to the thousands of attendees that while the Brazilian investors have submitted competitive bids, the Government is weighing if to accept them or go back out to tender.

“We retendered it, the Chinese company that won the bid could not complete the project because they could not raise the capital. We wanted an arrangement where we would buy power and not develop the hydro itself. We’ve had a number of unsolicited bids, two from Brazil, recently. And they’ve come in very, very competitively.”

“We’re looking at whether we’ll make a decision to go with one of them or we’ll go out back to public tender. Most likely we’ll go back out to public tender. But the hydro will be built,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo also revealed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is exploring the opportunities for exporting green hydropower. He pointed out that this is all part of creating a green econo-

my that will allow Guyana to increase its energy supply, earn money and fulfil its commitments to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 per cent in 2030 through a progressively cleaner energy mix.

“The hydro, the gas-to-energy project and the solar project we’re pursuing, will cut emissions by 70 per cent, yet triple installed capaci-

ty. That is very important for us. Secondly, even if we don’t use the hydro to supply industries or consumer needs, we may be able to use it to do green hydrogen, which would potentially become another export for Guyana, that all the power from hydro will go to doing green hydrogen. We’re exploring that as a possibility.”

Jagdeo spoke about

Guyana’s energy policy when it comes to the smaller projects, noting that the Government is focused on diversifying its energy mix. He noted that much of the hinterland is not connected to the grid and as such, the Government has a responsibility to bridge that gap.

“We can’t leave the hinterland of Guyana and the people who live there, shut off from accessing power. So right now, we’ve ordered over 30,000 solar units that are completed and will go to each of these 30,000 households in the hinterland. They’re not connected to the grid. These are Indigenous and riverine households.”

“We’re now building a series of mini-grids in the larger Indigenous communities. We’re building larger hydro and mini-hydro in some of them. And these are projects that are already either awarded or to be awarded,” Jagdeo said.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

An artist's impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project TURN

Editor: Tusika Martin

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“Mixing and Mashing as One Guyana”

Come next week, Guyana will be celebrating the attainment of its Republican status on February 23, 1970, which remains an indelible part of this country’s history; and, each year, colourful celebrations and the ceremonial hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead are undertaken to remind everyone of its struggle to become an independent nation, and later gaining Republican status.

This year, we are celebrating Mashramani under the theme “Mixing and Mashing as One Guyana”

In the past, we had had spectacular children’s costume competitions, float parades, masquerade bands, and dancing in the streets to the accompaniment of steel pan music. This is in addition to the many calypso and chutney competitions that were held across the country. However, unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic had put a damper on those festivities.

We are very pleased to see the return of many of the competitions and celebrations countrywide. It has already been observed that, this year, there has been a high quality of costumes at the children’s competition level – demonstrating commitment to excellence by our designers.

All Guyanese should be excited and proud that our nation is celebrating 53 years as a Republic. As expected, many citizens are engaged in debates and discussions about the level of progress we have made as a country. No doubt, we would all agree that our development could have been further accelerated, had it not been for delays under the APNU/AFC Government. However, this should not cause us to lose sight of the many important achievements that were made over the past couple of decades or so.

Guyana is still a relatively young nation, and there is evidence that we have come a far way. Many of the developed countries took hundreds of years to achieve the level of development that they boast about, but this should not be an excuse for our leaders not to work hard enough to help our citizens achieve their dreams and aspirations. For example, while there remain many challenges, over the past couple of decades or so, there have been significant improvements in the delivery of education and health care, among other social services. The housing boom, which started under the PPP/C Government, is regarded as a model in the Caricom region. Years ago, owning a home was just a dream for many Guyanese; today this has become reality, as quite new housing schemes are opened up and existing ones expanded and upgraded. In essence, home ownership has been made much easier.

There is still a far way to go, and now that we have oil and gas wealth, this would propel our development even faster and further. Continued efforts must therefore be made by our leaders and other development partners to ensure that more persons are provided with the opportunities to raise their standard of living. In this regard, the PPP/C Government must be commended for their renewed efforts at generating wealth and creating jobs for citizens. As this publication stated before, with oil revenues to provide financing and natural gas to supply cheap electricity for the next three decades, Guyana is poised, through the strategic developmental choices of the PPP, to finally move from Third World status to First World status. Therefore, our leaders from all sides of the political divide must know that our children’s future cannot be realised if they walk separately and in different directions. This year’s celebrations should remind us that Mashramani is the symbolism of our oneness. It represents the desire of people of all races to cooperate; to sing, dance and revel together.

When we became a Republic, our aspiration was to crown our Independence with the status of full and complete nationhood, and to make our people sovereign. Republicanism must therefore be viewed as a historic continuity of all that our ancestors stood for, struggled against, and hoped to achieve. It is hoped that every Guyanese, especially our leaders, would continue to pool their resources and talents, and work harder to further develop our communities and country as a whole.

Bins would reduce littering, and even other crimes

Dear Editor,

Yet again, I find myself writing in complete agreement with one of your editorials; this time, that of Sunday Feb 12, 2023 entitled “Sprucing up Guyana”. You sing our songs and strum our collective pain with your fingers.

Generally speaking, I think all Guyanese long for Guyana to be a beautiful, clean, orderly place in which we can live (again). And we agree, I am sure, that each citizen has a role to play in making this a reality.

I agree that “We have imbibed an awful, anti-democratic habit that causes us to look to Government – at whatever levels – to solve problems that we can handle on our own.” Indeed, as John F Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”. We all have a responsibility to make Guyana clean and beautiful.

On the other hand, citizens of a country pay taxes, so that the state organs at whatever levels can help them help themselves. The state as trustee holds the funds we earn from natural resources and other sources. But how can money help with the litter problem we face, and what is my point? Bear with me.

As you said, historically, the rot “began during the collapse of the economy… and gradually, a beaten and broken people perhaps began accepting that they were not deserving of beauty and cleanliness.” This is undoubtedly true. Poverty brings depression, and we have faced tremendous poverty in the past.

Note, though, that just as the absence of funds can

break a people, its presence can build them (again). Therefore, the best way for all of us to again feel worthy of beauty and cleanliness is for us to have access to beauty and cleanliness right here in our home. If Guyanese can enjoy more of this, we can then yearn more for more of it, and ultimately start to play a part in ensuring we keep the place beautiful and clean. We need to be inspired.

You rightly asked, “Who has not visited some foreign country and taken inordinate trouble to dump their candy wrappers into garbage cans…?” I agree. Because, when we visit foreign countries more developed than ours (and even some less developed ones), we indeed become inspired to be clean by the cleanliness itself – but also by the profuse presence of easily accessible, durable, reliable, properly maintained and undeniably attractive garbage cans and bins.

Can a poor artist with a great artistic idea be considered to be “inspired” if he has no canvas on which to give birth to his vision? The absence of that canvas would break his spirit. A man deciding whether or not to litter would more than likely NOT litter if there is nearby a bin he can rely on. A Guyanese man, on the other hand, would likely still litter because he has not been exposed to cleanliness enough to increase his desire for it; no great artistic idea.

If we are to be inspired to make and keep Guyana clean, we need the combination of both; on the one hand, exposure to cleanliness, and on the other, bins. One alone without the other is nothing; and, collectively, we have neither.

With regard to bins, I am suggesting that, with our increased resources, we now ensure that someone who has a piece of litter or two to throw away also now has access to a nearby bin that is emptied daily, or as often as needed, so that there is no overflow to discourage that someone from using it. This would mean installing and maintaining bins strategically placed in profusion across our nation. This can be done by the state. It can also be done by the Private Sector (with permission from, and regulation by, the state) aiming to use the bins as places for advertisements for their businesses. If the state chooses to do it, businesses can be charged a fee for having their advertisements placed on the bins. Bins can be a direct source of revenue for the state.

With regard to cleanliness, I am also suggesting that we hire a very large number of people (perhaps on a part-time basis) to pick up litter from the streets daily, and empty bins across the busiest and dirtiest parts of our home as often as it takes to allow Guyanese to see the beauty that can be found in cleanliness. Cleanliness will encourage more cleanliness. Those same cleaners would grow to resent litterbugs, and their families and friends would start using the new bins in an effort to respect the work of those cleaners.

While it is not impossible to be clean without the presence of properly maintained bins, it sure is difficult. A bin culture requires bins in abundance. And here, in Guyana, we practically have none. Moreover, once the country moves towards more cleanliness and beauty, there is the

very high likelihood, based on the broken windows theory, that there would be a noticeable, if not significant, decrease in the crime rate.

The “broken windows” theory is an academic theory proposed by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling in 1982. It states that signs of disorder in a neighbourhood, like a broken window or garbage, encourage petty crimes and lead to more serious crimes. Who can disagree that Georgetown and other parts of Guyana have, in recent decades, appeared more and more like the fictional Gotham City, with cronies and criminals wreaking havoc everywhere in our lives?

Further developing the theory in their book “Fixing Broken Windows: Restoring Order and Reducing Crime in Our Communities”, criminologists George L. Kelling and Catharine Coles wrote that a successful strategy for preventing crime is to address the problems when they are small - repair the broken windows within a short time; say a day or a week, and the tendency is that vandals are much less likely to break the other windows or do further damage. Clean up the streets every day, and the tendency is for litter not to accumulate and for the rate of littering to be much less. People would have more respect for the state and the state’s authorities.

The theory has been successfully used in major cities to reduce crime, because sometimes the simplest solutions, like bins, cleaners and cleanliness, are the best.

Sincerely,

John M. Fraser, LL.B.

Students and teachers of the St Cuthbert's Primary School celebrated Valentine's Day on Tuesday. St. Cuthbert's Mission is an Amerindian settlement located along the Mahaica River in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) (St Cuthbert's Primary School photo)

Preventing corruption

Dear Editor, There was, in Parliament, quite a bit of discussion and disagreement on how contracts are being awarded. Many allegations voiced implied that contracts are being given to family members of the Government. Although Guyana may be best described as a place where three degrees of separation is more fitting than the usual six degrees of separation seen elsewhere, we must still strive to have in place strong anti-corruption laws that are easily and effectively enforced.

As a preventive measure, the barring of direct family members of Government officials from bidding on contracts in the sectors in which they have direct responsibility or significant influence is an important first step that should be in place to help ensure the best people get the job. This would also prevent kickbacks to Government officials who use their influence to get the contracts awarded to family members. In addi -

tion, the finances and assets of each Member of Parliament should be audited annually and undergo public scrutiny. Given the financial attractiveness of the Oil Sector, and the extensive growth that is occurring, safeguarding against corruption should be a high priority of Parliament’s agenda.

The Auditor General’s Office would have to play a significant role in scrutinising the way business is done in the sector. Many may argue that it is a sector that should be open to all, regardless of family connections or influence. As tempting as this may be, the cry of corruption would be strong if that occurs. An alternative solution would be to ensure a competitive and transparent blind bidding process, in which the competitive bids are reviewed without knowledge of the company’s name and shareholders. Those involved in managing the bidding process should also be required to have their finances audited and available for public

scrutiny. Their direct family members should also be prevented from entering bids which they review. This would help prevent the approach currently in place, where who you know is more important than what you know.

As for the punitive measures, the fines levied on Government officials and Government employees caught participating in corrupt acts need to be substantial, and should result in resignation, seizure of assets, imprisonment, and the person being barred from working in the Government. This should help deter corruption from occurring.

These are just some initial thoughts on preventive and punitive/deterrent measures that can help set the nation on a path where corruption in Government is significantly reduced and ultimately eliminated. We must move forward as a united Parliament in the fight against corruption in Government. If both sides of the house are serious about eliminating

corruption in Government, they would work together to ensure these steps are effectively implemented. The nation would become stronger as corruption is reduced and eventually eliminated, and we would also have more funds available for efficient use for our country’s development. It is now up to us, as one people, to decide to commit to a clean and clear path forward that will help this generation lay a solid foundation for our country’s growth in financial development, physical development, and, most importantly, the development of our people’s character.

Our nation’s integrity demands it, and our nation’s children would thank us for it.

Comrades, we have come a long way, but our journey has just begun. May it be on a solid footing, so that we may not lose the progress being made.

Best regards,

Jamil Changlee

Is Govt being misled by GuySuCo?

Dear Editor,

During the 2023 Budget Debate, Agriculture Minister Zulifkar Mustapha told the National Assembly that smoke would come from the chimney of Rose Hall Estate during the second half of this year.

I was pleased when I heard the Minister, and felt that it was yet another promise being delivered by the Government. I was therefore full of elation when I visited

Who defeated the PNC in the March 2020 Elections?

Dear Editor, I know that it is the PNC’s mantra to call on the name of God to help them when they are cornered with the truth, and it is for that reason that I write to us all who are Godfearing people.

So, to all the God-fearing people: Are you aware that God defeated the PNC in the last General and Regional Elections? Well, if you are not aware of it, here are the Godgiven facts.

God defeated the PNC in that rigging stunt they tried so many times and in so many ways to carry out in March 2020. Those so-called Godfearing people reasoned that theirs was the right to brazenly perpetrate forgery to win for their party, so whether it was the fraudulent substitution of figures or the firing of a top peace officer so as to remove him from the rigging scene, they were prepared to go. They were on a do-or-die mission, and were prepared to go the extra mile to protect that fraud. It was one fraudulent declaration, then another, stopped in their tracks by the quick action of the erudite judge who read them what the Law required; that is: to give your results based on what the SoPs revealed. But this was not adhered to.

some relatives in Canje recently. I told them that the estate would soon be back in the swing of things, and some normalcy would return.

Editor, I was shocked when relatives and others in the community told me they did not believe that the estate would operate this year. They shared with me that they felt that maybe the Minister was misled.

I was told, Editor, that many components are still

to be installed, and a major machine had recently been examined by overseas personnel to determine what was required. I learned, too, that the former GuySuCo Director who was responsible for the factory works has now been named the Estate Manager.

Editor, I am reminded that dew can’t full what rain can’t. They told me the new manager has not even met the workers since his arriv-

al at Rose Hall, and they are unaware of his plans.

Editor, I am hoping that those with whom I spoke in Canje are mistaken, and Rose Hall Estate would start operating later this year. I urge the Minister to make an on-the-ground visit, as it is widely felt that GuySuCo people are misleading him and the Government.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Singh

When the institution of magical numbers was stopped, they then turned to the old PNC strategy of strongarming their way through as they sought to remove what they termed “the irritant” from the scene. That casualty became Deputy Commissioner Edgar Thomas, when he was promptly removed from his post at the Ashmin Building. He was told “for failing to carry out his duties as the commander in

charge at the validation center,” that his services were no longer needed.

You are talking of a GPF who had spying equipment monitoring every movement of persons at the Ashmin Building, who saw that Mr. Thomas was standing in the way of the rigging exercise being carried out there, and did nothing. Quite to the chagrin of the then PNC-controlled Guyana Police Force, such an individual could not be trusted to hold command there, so they promptly got rid of him. In getting rid of him, they were also subscribing to their political dogma that a “House Slave” such as Thomas must not be kept close to their rigging apparatus.

When you refuse to carry out that servitude role that they dictate to you, you are not considered a Black Man, or “One of us.” if you did not carry out their sick, sadistic machinations, then you were destined for their Black Book.

Even when Thomas was removed, they still persisted with another ruse; that is: flooding the building with armed Policemen, both in and out of the precinct, to forcibly remove all observers and election agents of the then-Opposition PPP/C out of the building. They were well on the way in a watertight, if the not airtight project, to rig the election. It was their belief that nothing could stop them, but thanks be to The Almighty, who always comes in at the right time. He came in and defeated them!

If that was not divine intervention, then what is?

Respectfully, Neil

Adams

Indigenous communities to receive 1st payment from carbon sales today – Ali

…says LCDS must become a global model

of sustainable development

mation and the positioning of Guyana, it’s not guesswork. Its careful, calculating, policymaking aimed at transforming things. It calls for big thinking. First of all, before you have big thinking, you have to have ideas. The LCDS is not an idea. The LCDS is the demonstration of a practical document.”

In what will be a historic move and a fulfilled promise, the hinterland communities in Guyana will receive the first tranche of payments from Guyana’s carbon credit sales today as part of the 15 per cent share the Government had guaranteed will go to the Indigenous peoples.

This was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday, during his keynote address at the Guyana Energy Conference and Expo ongoing at the Marriott Hotel. He informed the room full of dignitaries, oil and gas industry professionals and delegates that these payments are made possible by a policy Guyana developed and implemented – the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

“While there is fanciful talk on how to help the Indigenous people, on Wednesday, because of what the LCDS has earned for Guyana, Toshaos and leaders of our Amerindian villages, will receive a cheque in their hands for the people of those villages as a result of the LCDS and what it has earned for Guyana.”

“And we are not telling them (how to spend it). They have a cheque for the devel-

opment of their community. And yet there is some who say to some of the Toshaos, don’t pick up the cheque, leave it. But I want to see which Toshao will not pick up the cheque and explain to their people why they didn’t pick up the cheque,” Ali further said.

It is understood that the first tranche will come from Guyana’s carbon credit sales to Hess Corporation, as per the 10-year agreement signed last year for the purchase of 37.5 million credits at US$750 million. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the Indigenous communities will get 15 per cent or $23 billion, which they will spend according to their village development plans.

Meanwhile, speaking to the value of Guyana’s carbon credit potential, Ali also acknowledged the role played by former President Jagdeo in crafting the first LCDS. President Ali went on to emphasise that the LCDS is no longer purely a “Guyanese” concept. In fact, the President said that he wanted the LCDS to become a global model on sustainable development.

“When we speak about development and transfor-

“Guyana’s position is to make the LCDS a global model for sustainable development. The LCDS is no longer a Guyana document. We’re embarking on a mission to make the LCDS a global model for sustainable development. Because we know what the LCDS is capable of,” Ali said.

The money being paid to the Indigenous people today are part of legacy payments Guyana is receiving for pre-2021 carbon credits. In explaining the Hess deal, Jagdeo had previously outlined that for the period 2021 to 2025, Guyana’s carbon credit would be sold for US$20 per tonne, thus earning the country another US$250 million; while another US$312 million is expected during the 2025 to 2030 period when the credit would be sold at US$25 per tonne.

He explained that these figures are the minimum earnings and could be increased in the future if the global market prices for the sale of carbon credit change. In such an event, Guyana stands to benefit from 60 per cent of that increased price.

Unlike, the arrangements with the Norway deal, payments from this Hess agreement go directly into the Treasury as revenue but will be placed in a separate account for auditing and parliamentary accountability purposes as well as to allow for easy access to financing.

The 33.7 million credits being sold to Hess Corp is just 30 per cent of the carbon sink contained in Guyana’s vast forest cover. The country’s more than 18 million hectares of forest is estimated to store approximately 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The remaining 70 per cent of carbon credit will be put on the market for future sale agreements. (G3)

File photo: A scene from the signing of the carbon sales agreement last year between Hess Corporation and the Government of Guyana

President Dr Irfaan Ali during the Energy Conference and Expo

Still passing…

…gas

Back in 2019, when the Coalition was living on borrowed time, after they had refused to leave office when they were defeated on the No Confidence Motion, then Infrastructure Minister David Patterson (of banglegate fame!) boasted about how he’d deliver a 188MW power generation plant by 2021!! That, of course, was after spending hundreds of millions on a sole-sourced plan, and promising to have a new fixed-span bridge across the Demerara River by 2018!! Declared the Bling Minister, “So, we have gas. What we are doing is building out the architecture. It comes in by pipeline, and we will have a 188-megawatt power plant”.

Your jaded Eyewitness was dubious about the timeline, and pointed out, “If Exxon have excess gas above their needs, they COULD then make that available. But they wouldn’t know until they actually start pumping the oil out of the sea – which isn’t scheduled till 2020. Even if we give Patterson the benefit of the doubt: that he’ll get enough gas to run a 188MW power plant, has he looked into what it would take to run a pipeline from 100 miles – in waters more than one mile deep – to shore at Bohemia??” At that time, Coalition elements were busy securing land on the Berbice foreshore at Bohemia, and your Eyewitness figured they were strategically preparing to fill their pockets. Later they gobbled up land in the East Coast Demerara area!!

But your Eyewitness’s skepticism about getting the pipeline and the plant going within a year became moot when the Coalition was ejected – rigging, kicking, and screaming! – in 2020. However, it’s more than ironic, now that the PPP Government announced they’d be building a 300MW gas-powered plant at Wales, the same Patterson and his compadres are hollering and complaining about “costs”!! Did they ever look into the “costs” back in 2019?? Do they realize that the 12-inch diameter pipeline that is demanded by the 100+MW increase demands costs more than the 8-inch they’d contemplated?? Do they realize that the present worldwide supply-chain problems have pushed up the cost of pipelines?? But hey!! When you realize that somebody (or bodies) has/have been left holding the bag with those lands they bought on the ECD, you may understand their ire!!

But the larger irony is that, since the PPP Government negotiated with Exxon to absorb the cost of the pipeline up front on their books – and then amortize it via expensing it out or “selling” the gas that’s ours at the FPSO flange, it means that, right away, Guyana benefits by not having to hold a billion US dollars in debt on OUR books!! Your Eyewitness hopes the Coalition accepts that SOMEBODY gotta pay for the pipeline!! PNCs still mathematically challenged?

…magic

Your Eyewitness must confess he waited up for the Superbowl!! But before you bash him for “selling out”, please remember that our beloved cricket is straight from the imperialist Brits, while the oval-shaped football game is from the Yanks, who overthrew ole (mad) King George III!! Anyhow, it was quite a game, with a score that’s the equivalent of 400 runs scored in a T20 match!! Lots of fireworks plus the drama of the winning quarterback finishing the game injured!! Ahhh… the drama!!

But the biggest drama is traditionally during the half-time show, when there’s always a big show that seeks to knock the socks off the fans at the stadium and in TV land!! This year, they received an unexpected shot in the arm (so to speak) when superstar Rihanna demonstratively announced her (very advanced) pregnancy when she belted out her performance in an appropriately designed outfit!!

Your Eyewitness was surprised that some locals expressed she only mentions Barbados, and not Guyana. Hey…she was designated a Bajan National Hero!!

…but no more

A man just died because of a GPL power surge. After every blackout, Guyanese experience these surges – and damage to appliances. GPL must be made to compensate the bereaved family for this unfortunate taking of a life.

Guyana, T&T, Suriname natural gas can meet regional electricity needs for 100 years – Ali

If the natural gas reserves of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname are developed to their full potential, these countries could supply the regional electricity needs for a century, President Dr Irfaan Ali has calculated.

He delivered this position on Tuesday during the opening of the 2023 Energy Conference at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, when he explained that there are many opportunities that exist in the natural gas industry.

The Head of State gave an example of Brazil’s Roraima being the only state outside of the national grid in Brazil, and the cost it incurs to generate electricity for the population of that state.

“In order to generate electricity, they have to transport fossil fuel(in) trucks from Manaus, the capital of the neighbouring State of Amazonas, 780km from Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima. This year alone, the Federal Government will have to subsidise electricity in the State of Roraima by US$2.3 billion…for a population in that State of three million persons in a country with a population of 214 million…”

Against this backdrop, the Guyanese President spoke of the natural gas potential that exists right within the Caribbean – which, if fully realised, can generate cheaper and cleaner electricity.

He outlined that Guyana’s Ministry of Finance midyear report states that the country’s estimated recoverable gas reserve is 17 trillion cubic feet – making Guyana one of the largest holders of natural gas reserves in the region.

“Venezuela is approximately 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves. In the Guyana-

Suriname Basin, it is estimated to have more than 30 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Trinidad and Tobago has proven reserves of natural gas of 10 trillion cubic feet, and an estimated potential of 23 trillion cubic feet.

“It has 54 trillion cubic feet of gas to produce 7.3 million gigawatt hours of energy. So, with the combined estimated electricity needs for Caricom and Roraima of some 40-thousand gigawatt hours, the combined gas potential of Guyana – I’m just sticking to electricity – Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago alone could provide energy for more than 100 years.”

Guyana is currently in talks with a number of countries on an energy corridor, and a regional energy strategy is being crafted. The countries expected to participate in that strategy include Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, and even Barbados, which has natural gas potential.

The first time President Ali spoke of Trinidad’s interest in the energy corridor initiative was back in June 2022, at the Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit & Exhibition, when he had disclosed that a regional energy strategy that would connect the oil and natural gas producers in the region is being crafted.

At the time, the Guyanese Leader had said that while Guyana, Suriname and Brazil

had already started talks on combining their abilities to create an energy corridor and unlock the potential for a series of manufacturing and industrial development initiatives, Trinidad is also interested in working along with them in unlocking some of this potential.

There has been talk of an energy corridor for some time, with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) conducting both baseline and pre-feasibility studies. Guyana is, in fact, a party to a Memorandum of Understanding on the Northern Arc (Arco Norte) Interconnection Project, which seeks to evaluate the feasibility of a possible collaboration on the energy transmission system for the electric interconnection of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the northern cities of Brazil.

Meanwhile, Guyana is already developing an integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD). The project will see ExxonMobil piping gas from the Liza Field in the Stabroek Block onshore at Wales via pipelines that it will procure, install and maintain. Based on studies conducted, ExxonMobil would be able to produce up to 50 million cubic feet of gas per day for this initiative without impacting oil

production activities offshore.

The operationalisation of the gas-to-energy project is expected to result in current electricity charges being cut in half, which would fuel the expansion of the industrial and commercial sectors.

So far, Government has spent $24.6 billion on the start-up of this project. This includes $400 million for the

acquisition of private lands to facilitate the laying of pipelines in Region Three, and the remaining $24.213 billion was a 15 per cent payment on the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, which was awarded to US companies CH4 and Lindsayca late last year.

The total cost of the EPC contract is US$759.8 million.

In addition to the EPC contract, the supervision of the NGL and power plant components of the project will cost another US$23 million.

With a timetable to deliver rich gas to fuel the power plant by the end of 2024 and the NGL plant to be online by 2025, works are progressing on getting the gas-to-energy project off the ground. (G11)

Linden man busted with over 2kg ganja

A44-year-old businessman of Wismar, Linden has been arrested after Police unearthed over two kilograms of cannabis at Bayrock Junction, One Mile Extension in Wismar, Linden.

The Police have said that on Monday, at about 14:00h, a party of ranks, acting on information received, went to the Bayrock Junction area and made contact with the 44-yearold businessman, a resident of Canvas City, Wismar. At the time of that contact, this businessman was the only occupant of the build-

ing. The ranks identified themselves and informed him that they had received

information that he had narcotics in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. A search of the building

subsequently unearthed a black plastic bag containing several Ziplock bags which had been concealed under a

wooden counter.

An inspection of those bags revealed a quantity of cannabis, and the businessman was told of the offence committed and cautioned. The ranks conducted another search at the back of the building, and further unearthed a bucket containing three black plastic bags

with cannabis. The suspect admitted ownership of the narcotics, and was arrested and escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station, where the marijuana was weighed in his presence and amounted to 2069.8 grams. He is expected to be charged shortly.

Teen dies weeks after being stabbed during confrontation over girl

2023, Faerber was in the company of another teen in Tucville when a 17-yearold male approached him and accused him of having a relationship with his girlfriend. An argument ensued between the two teenagers, and the 17-year-old left the scene, but returned with a knife, with which he dealt Faerber several stabs to his body.

When the injured Faerber collapsed, the suspect, upon realizing what he had done, disposed of the weapon and made good his escape.

18-year-old Joshua Faerber of Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara on Tuesday succumbed to the injuries he sustained almost one month ago, when he was stabbed by another teen in Tucville, Georgetown in a confrontation over a female. At the time of his demise, he was being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Guyana Times understands that, on January 18,

Faerber was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he had undergone emergency surgery. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital, and he remained there in unconscious condition until his demise on Tuesday.

It was reported that the 17-year-old suspect had been arrested and charged with attempted murder, but following Faerber’s death, this teen suspect is now expected to be charged with murder.

The ganja that was found at Wismar, Linden

Dead: Joshua Faerber

Guyana-Canada Chamber signs MoU with Energy NL to accelerate business collaboration

AMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been inked between Newfoundland-based group Energy NL and the Guyana-Canada Chamber of Commerce (GCCC), where an exchange of expertise will foster increased business participation.

The signing was facilitated on Tuesday between Energy NL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charlene Johnson and GCCC Chairman Anand Beharry on the sidelines of the Guyana Energy Conference and Expo.

Newfoundland is an oil and gas producer and only last year, extracted over 70 million barrels of oil, while the Guyana-Canada Chamber was launched in 2020 to facilitate business to business collaboration between the two countries.

Johnson shared that Guyana’s oil sector has provided new opportunities and benefits to people, a process which she regarded as ‘transformative’.

“Guyana is in the midst of a financial renaissance which is altering the economy and improving the lives of Guyanese people. This is occurring rapidly, all while the global energy sector is changing just as rapidly. A chang-

ing economy can be a challenging economy. Everyone in it needs to act and react quickly,” Johnson recognised.

She added that the Guyana-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Energy NL can collaborate and use their shared experiences and talent to mutually benefit each other.

“Our organisations are coming together to make most of the challenges, transformation and the opportunities. We can both take advantage of our shared experiences, our knowhow and our desire to succeed for the mutual benefit of our memberships. The opportunities in Guyana are inspiring. I’m thrilled to see it and experience it. I look forward to helping Energy NL and our members play a role in Guyana’s success,” Johnson said.

Brazilian investors among...

Anti-development

During the opening day, President Dr Irfaan Ali used part of his keynote address at the expo to lambast those who he said have sought to derail Guyana’s economic development. An example he used was the former combined A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition’s non-support of the AFHP, during the President Donald Ramotar Administration.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the GCCC, Anand Beharry explained that the MoU was months in the making. It will serve as a platform to better engage business interests on both sides.

He noted that the MoU will not only result in knowledge sharing and training, but also business to business partnerships. Already, business participation by Newfoundland companies is already evident in Guyana.

“Their experiences will benefit us in an incredible way. They have a level of knowledge, where we should go and how to avoid pitfalls that we could benefit from. One thing I’ve learned is the people of Newfoundland and Energy NL are really excited to ensure that we do not get to the pitfalls that they did,” Beharry explained. (G12)

“Many persons today are shouting from the top of the mountain, about oh, why go hydro? More than decade ago, the then Government who are in office now painstakingly got investors to come here for the investment of hydro, AFHP.”

“You know what they did? They killed the project. An international investor walked away. Today, that project would have been completed and the people of Guyana would have been receiving electricity at half the price. It would have happened a long time ago,” Ali asserted.

AFHP was initiated un-

der the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, but was scrapped by the coalition Administration which had controlled the National Assembly by a one-seat Opposition majority. At present, there is interest from several bilateral partners in the project to finance the construction of the project, with the Government also indicating on several occasions that the project is likely to be retendered.

The AFHP was the flagship of the LCDS. It was ex-

pected to deliver a steady source of clean, renewable energy that would have been affordable and reliable, and was envisioned to meet approximately 90 per cent of Guyana’s domestic energy needs while removing dependency on fossil fuels.

The site was first identified in 1976 by the Canadian company Monenco during an extensive survey of hydroelectric power potential in Guyana. Various studies have since justified and strongly supported the construction of the AFHP.

Energy NL CEO Charlene Johnson and GCCC Chairman Anand Beharry signing the MoU on Tuesday

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

International Energy Conference and Expo 2023: President Dr Irfaan Ali hosted a cocktail reception in honour of several Heads of Government and their delegations who are in Guyana for the Energy Conference. On Tuesday, at the opening of the International Energy Conference, which is being hosted at the Marriott Hotel, President Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and former Colombian President Ivan Duque and other officials toured the various booths (Office of the President photos)

Unicomer to construct $25B commercial complex, logistics park on EBD

Unicomer Guyana Incorporated on Tuesday announced a $25 billion commercial investment on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to construct a massive commercial complex and logistics park.

This project is earmarked for completion in spring of 2025, informed Redstart Investments Guyana Inc - the real estate development and property management division of the Unicomer Group.

Both projects are expected to break ground in May 2023, subject to the necessary regulatory and governmental approvals. The commercial complex will house up to 30 retail spaces with some 400

parking spaces. The complex will be anchored by a Courts Mega Store and an Ashley Homestore, together occupying 50,000 square foot of retail space. These stores will be complemented by an array of retail stores, a gym, as well as restaurants and eateries from local and international brands.

Discussions are also ongoing with top international hotel brands to be included in the complex.

The $15 billion logistics park will be constructed on 60 acres of land already acquired in Houston, EBD. It will streamline the retail giant’s supply chain management process and allow for

similar arrangements to be extended to other companies in the region.

When completed, the logistics park will also contain Unicomer Guyana’s 250,000 square foot Logistics and Distribution Centre.

In sharing his excitement about this ground-breaking investment, Sub Regional Managing Director, Unicomer Guyana and the Dutch Caribbean, Vincent Gordon explained that the commercial project will be built in three phases: Phase One to include the erection of the Courts Mega Store and Ashley Signature Stores; Phase Two, the build-out of the commercial park; and Phase Three

will deliver the hotel and final parking structure.

Gordon stated, “In November of this year, the Unicomer Group will celebrate 30 years of Courts doing business in Guyana. This multibillion-dollar investment demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to the economic development and growth of Guyana. We are providing a world-class facility and a stellar shopping experience for residents and visitors alike. Truly it will take the employee and customer experience in Guyana to the next level.”

The Unicomer Group will be featuring these Redstart Investments Guyana

Incorporated projects, and other new initiatives in its booth at the International Energy Conference and Exposition until February 17, 2023. The exhibit will be held at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel.

The Unicomer Group operates in 26 countries from its headquarters in El Salvador and has over 13,700 staff

members. The company offers its customers the widest and most modern line of products and financial services across the countries of operations. The retail brands of the Unicomer Group include Courts, Courts Optical, Ashley Furniture HomeStore, RadioShack, Lucky Dollar and Servitech. (G12)

The complex will be anchored by a Courts Mega Store and an Ashley Homestore

The $15 billion logistics park will be constructed on 60 acres of land

Energy, economic transitions will make Guyana a leader in C’bean – fmr Colombian President

Praising Guyana as a very important model to share with the world, former Colombian President Ivan Duque believes that the country’s oil resources can trigger an outstanding energy and economy transition.

The former Colombian Leader addressed the International Energy Conference and Expo 2023 on Tuesday, where he lauded the Low Carbon Development Strategy launched in 2009 in the country’s pre-oil era and Government’s efforts to update the policy in aligning it with reality of the country.

“It was not just great paperwork, great vision.

It is policies that is taking place day by day…I think Guyana is a very important model to share with the world,” Duque remarked.

Now it has been highlighted that Guyana has potential to wield its vast oil resources in transforming the country and creating a model that can be used across the world. Sporting a carbon-negative environment and one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world, Duque said, must be leveraged intelligently.

“Guyana has today the possibility of the underground to close the social divide, to eradicate poverty on ground…There has to be a plan for an econom-

ic transition that allows this country to become a very important player in food security, energy security, science and technology in the Caribbean, and the possibility to be a hub

for entrepreneurship,” he said.

“We shall see this not as the opportunity for the oil and gas to do well. We have to see this opportunity to demonstrate that the Low Carbon Development Strategy is coherent by bringing the resources to ensure that the transformation takes place, and that conditional and non-conditional transfers for people in need are really creating the opportunity that people expect,” he stated.

Duque believes that the ‘next big thing’ that can happen for Guyana is transformation of the infrastructure rapidly and developing public-private partnerships. He posited that oil and gas resources would not be depleted in the short term, but, at the same time, they must be used sustainably while advancing environmental policies.

Evaluating patterns which show a peak within the next decade and a decrease in production, he called for a smart transition to generate social, economic and technological transformations.

The former Colombian President noted, “The International Energy Agency has said, between now and 2035, we might have a reduction in worldwide production, which also means that we’re going to have costlier energy. And if you have the access to these resources, you have to be able to consider that - even if you have a reduction in the consumption pattern, that it is also taking place - countries with

this type of access to energy need to advance in what I call a smart transition. It means using the richness of the underground to eradicate the poverty on ground.”

It was voiced that carbon-neutral and nature-positive are two concepts which the world should be advancing, and it has been added that it is not a contradictory request, but one that works in complementary synchrony.

Duque pointed to Colombia, which was able to increase oil production, increase reserves, grant new fields, and develop offshore oil and gas while facing an energy transition in the last four years.

“Seventy-five percent of our electricity is generated by water, so this makes Colombia one of the countries in the world with the cleanest energy matrix. This happened at the same time that we were developing oil and gas and increasing our reserves and reducing the industry’s carbon footprint. So, it is coherent to advance in this direction.”

Colombia has been able to develop green financing, increase its protected areas from 14 percent to 34 percent, and establish a voluntary carbon market that allows new players to participate.

Cooperative approach Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, also in attendance at the conference, recognised that the regional energy landscape does not equip any single country to meet the energy security requirements of the region.

“A cooperative approach allows for shared risks and diversified perspectives, and will facilitate the development and execution of innovative solutions to the challenges associated with the energy demand of the region. It is with this recognition that Trinidad and Tobago has taken a deliberate policy to engage our regional neighbours in the development of economic cooperation in the energy sector,” Rowley told stakeholders.

The Trinidadian PM shared that oil-importing countries in the Caribbean reported spending up to 15 percent of GDP on fuel imports.

“The heavy dependence on imported energy has negatively affected the economic performance of many Caribbean nations, contributing to instability in both fiscal and external accounts. This includes Trinidad and Tobago, which was importing most of its crude oil and creating refined products,” he said. (G12)

Former Colombian President Ivan Duque

Trinidad and Tobago PM Dr Keith Rowley

Govt has no choice but to honour APNU/AFC’s “lopsided” PSA with ExxonMobil – President Ali

Amid fresh criticisms regarding the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the Guyana Government and ExxonMobil, that was negotiated under the previous APNU/AFC Administration, President Dr Irfaan Ali has defended his Government’s decision to stick with the arrangement, noting that future deals will have a better balance in terms of benefits for both parties.

The Head of State spoke extensively on the issue during the opening of the Guyana Energy Conference and Expo on Tuesday, where he noted that governments have a responsibility to honour agreements between investors and the State.

He further painted a picture of the many negative consequences that would have ensued had the PPP/C Administration ended the production of oil offshore.

“There’s a lot of talk about Guyana’s PSA and recently I made the point that governments have to make decisions that are in the best interest of the country. We came in to Government and met what we have said publicly is a lopsided agreement.

“But we have a responsibility to honour an agreement that was made. I spoke about the consequences of walking away…let us say we stopped production tomorrow, stopped all the production, what is the consequence…All those who’ve invested…who took a loan, build apartments, new ho-

tels going up, the man who had three taxis and invested in 200 taxis now. What is the exposure to them and then what is the exposure to the financial institutions that financed those investments based on projection?”

“So what we did, we said ‘we have something that was already signed’, we agree, we’re going to efficiently manage it to extract as much benefits as possible and all future agreements are going to be different.”

Contending that there “must be a balance”, the Guyanese leader posited that “you cannot set terms and conditions that lock out investment.”

He said this is especially important with future PSAs, as the Guyana Government is currently auctioning off 14 oil blocks offshore.

President Ali had previously told media that “in the [elections] campaign, we acknowledged that this was a lopsided agreement, that the last Government did a horrible job but we have to respect it…that is how the international world works… but we committed to ensuring that other blocks would not have the same PSA.”

Ahead of the opening of the bidding process for the oil blocks offshore Guyana, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced an updated model for the PSA which included a 10 per cent royalty rate, up from 2 per cent as included in the current PSA with ExxonMobil.

The new PSA model retains the 50-50 profit shar-

ing after cost recovery, but institutes a 10 per cent corporate tax, and sees the lowering of the cost recovery ceiling to 65 per cent from 75 per cent.

It was also revealed that there will be a signing bonus of US$20 million for the deep-sea blocks and US$10 million for the shallow blocks.

These measures, according to Jagdeo, will bring Guyana’s total share under these new conditions to 27.5 per cent compared to 14.5 per cent with the old terms.

Meanwhile, the Vice President recently had cause to address criticisms of the revelations that ExxonMobil’s US$160 million Headquarters at Ogle, East Coast Demerara is cost recoverable.

Jagdeo acknowledged that prior to 2020, he did say that the building should

not be cost-recoverable.

But that was in the context of when ExxonMobil was only producing 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

“I did say in Opposition that the headquarters they were building at the time was several times the price of the Marriott. That was exactly what I said. And that for the scale of operation they had, they did not need such a headquarter building. And that headquarter building, if it continued in that form, we will

not support it being cost recoverable,” Jagdeo explained.

“But what has changed?

One, when they started that headquarter when I said we’re producing 120,000 barrels a day. By the time we get to the completion of the headquarters, we’ll be producing 600,000 barrels per day. It has evolved from a headquarter building to house staff. They have 250 staff now, they’re renting. That would evolve to 500 staff, most of which will be

Guyanese that will work there.”

Jagdeo also pointed out that as such, it was no longer just a headquarters building.

Instead, it would feature training facilities, an operations suite and a control centre for all the offshore operations which will be done in the same building. Added to this is the fibre optic cable which will come from the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels.

“It’s not just a headquarters anymore. To manage a million barrel a day industry, from a safety and operational perspective, you need a building of that nature. A high-end building. Also, with advance capabilities,” the Vice President said.

“And so that has evolved. And now when you look at the cost of rental, it would approximate almost the cost of amortising the building over time. And that comes from our share of cost recovery too. So, the concept evolved. Had they been building that just for headquarters, we would have maintained our same position.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at the Guyana Energy Conference and Expo on Tuesday

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

MPs must be held liable for misrepresenting facts and misinforming the nation

The Honorable Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has called on the Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs to move a motion to refer MP David Patterson to the Privileges Committee. We commend the VP. The Vice President rightfully rebuked the AFC MP David Patterson, who is the spokesperson for APNU/AFC on OIL and GAS in Parliament, and who himself is a former senior minister in the APNU/AFC Government between 2015 and 2020. The VP rebuked Patterson for misrepresentation and misinformation peddled in Parliament. Patterson claimed he has a report that showed the price per kilowatt hour of energy from the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric project would be 26 cents and 30 cents.

We are not certain if Patterson claimed that there is an IDB or a Government of Norway report with that information. While making the statement as fact, he never produced the report, or cited the report. The Speaker of the House should have requested then and there that Paterson refer to his source. The fact is that the IDB has always supported the project, and that the IDB report on the project confirmed a cost of about 10 cents. The VP and the PPP Government have previously released the IDB report. The report is available to anyone, and is part of the parliamentary record. Where Patterson got his information from is a mystery. He has an obligation to the Guyanese people to release the report that he has that provides that information. Until he does, Parliament should proceed to censure him. We must send a serious signal to MPs that they have a responsibility to tell the truth, and not make up fake information. Until he produces the source of his information, it remains fake information.

Patterson also claimed that the APNU/AFC Government is not responsible for blocking the project. There is no way to sugarcoat this misinformation. The AFC MP was deliberately hoodwinking the Guyanese people, taking for granted that the Guyanese people have a short memory or that they are stupid. The records of Parliament are available to show that Patterson voted with his APNU/AFC colleagues in 2015, when they were the Government, to discontinue the project. They voted, all thirty-three APNU/AFC MPs in parliament, in 2015 to block the project. He claimed that the action of the then APNU/AFC Government was motivated by the non-support for the project by the IDB and the Government of Norway. In fact, the IDB provided vital financial support for the project to move forward. In fact, the Government of Norway provided $US80M to the IDB for funding initial aspects of the project. Why would these foreign entities provide significant funding for a project they did not support?

Clearly, blatantly, Patterson was misinforming the Parliament and the Guyanese people. It is in this context that Ruminations support the VP in his call for action, and we urge the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to move swiftly for Patterson to appear in front of the Privileges Committee.

Misrepresentations and misinformation by MPs must not be tolerated. The Guyanese people must hold MPs accountable for what they say in Parliament. We live in a democracy, where free speech is a non-negotiable element of our freedom and democratic rights, but free speech does not confer on any person the right to misrepresent facts and to misinform people. This is especially true of our MPs, particularly when they speak in Parliament. This is especially true today, because when MPs speak in Parliament today, they actually speak to the nation. Unfortunately, more and more, MPs are becoming reckless with their propensity for misrepresentation and misinformation. What is worse, some commentators outside of Parliament now seem to take their cue from Parliament and the MPs as they seek to outshine the MPs in the misinformation and misrepresentation game. It is truly an insult to decent citizens in our country.

MP Patterson is not the only one. Take the MP who last year claimed that the APNU/AFC Government never stopped the Because We Care cash grant for children. She claimed that the PPP had introduced the cash grant for school children as a one-off payment in 2014. That was a blatant misinformation that falls in the category of an “L” word. The PPP had promised to take the cash grant to $50,000 per child when they introduced it in 2014. The MP was engaged in reckless misinformation.

The reckless habit of misrepresentation and misinformation has been taken up by others.

When KN informed the nation that EXXON would be selling our gas to us to recover their investment in the gas-to-shore project and to profit from it, they did not tell the full story. They did not say that, in the initial period, the GoG would pay for the amount of gas generated until the cost of the pipeline is recovered, and then the GoG would not pay a cent for gas. There is nothing illegal or unethical or immoral in EXXON recovering its investment for the gas-to-shore project.

When KN accuse the VP of misinformation by saying that the Government has allocated funds in Budget 2023 for the project, and that it is the GOG, and not EXXON, investing money, they knew that the story was not accurate. The truth is that money is allocated to pay for the initial gas production until EXXON recovers its investment. The people of Guyana deserve the truth, and we must demand accountability from MPs and our media.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Guyana, Suriname should explore natural gas opportunities together – Santokhi

…pushes creation of free economic zone

The prospect of further collaboration between Guyana and Suriname was raised by Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, while speaking at the 2023 International Energy Conference and Expo on Tuesday. According to Santokhi, the two countries should partner to explore natural gas opportunities together.

According to the neighbouring Head of State in

his virtual presentation, Suriname’s gas exploration activities have so far not been profitable. He noted, however, that the war in Ukraine changed the situation, and his country’s resources can now offer a solution.

“The extraction of Surinamese gas was so far not profitable. However, the war in Ukraine changed the situation and Surinamese gas can offer a solution.

Suriname and Guyana should explore these opportunities together by developing a joint programme.”

“Suriname and Guyana will share expertise and resources, save costs, reduce risk, improve our relation, and develop the border areas… to increase production and also promote greater transparency and accountability,” Santokhi added.

Moreover, Santokhi noted that his country is open to doing business in all streams of the oil and gas sector, sharing that the industry plays a vital role in the economic development of the country.

The President added that Suriname is also currently in the process of developing its offshore oil and gas resources to provide energy security, which will create jobs and promote economic growth.

According to Santokhi, this industrial development has the ability to catalyse new economic opportunities. He added that the concept of creating a Free Economic Zone (FEZ) can also be explored. This will create a hub from the Caribbean Region to South America, by air and by sea.

“We must make fundamental decisions for such a strategic energy cooperation between Suriname, Guyana and Brazil. We bonded our investment ideas by signing of cooperation agreement, the bridge over the Corentyne River and water transportation will open our gates for expansion with our Brazilian neighbours… and cross-border field developments are common throughout the global oil and gas industry.”

“It is now time to step up our giant activities and interactions so that we can take advantage of the opportunities that currently exists. We must bring together all the media, public and private sector stakeholders across the entire energy value chain to lead this planet to sustainable development,” Santokhi posited.

Energy corridor

Work has been progressing on an energy corridor initiative that would involve Guyana and Suriname, as well as other countries. Last year, President Dr Irfaan Ali was in attendance at the Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit & Exhibition, where he had disclosed that a regional energy strategy that would connect the oil and natural gas producers in the Region is being crafted.

At the time, the Guyanese leader had said that while Guyana, Suriname and Brazil had already start-

ed talks on combining their ability to create an energy corridor and unlock the potential for a series of manufacturing and industrial development, Trinidad is also interested in working along with them in unlocking some of this potential.

There has been talk of an energy corridor for some time, with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) conducting both baseline and pre-feasibility studies. Guyana is in fact a party to a Memorandum of Understanding on the Northern Arc (Arco Norte) Interconnection Project which seeks to evaluate the feasibility of a possible collaboration on the energy transmission system for the electric interconnection of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the northern cities of Brazil.

Guyana, with estimated recoverable natural gas reserves of over 17 trillion standard cubic feet, is likely to have the capacity to export as much as 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day at some point in the future.

For perspective, this would make Guyana second only to Venezuela in the Region when it comes to estimated gas reserves. And Guyana is planning to make full use of its gas, formulating a gas utilisation plan and continuing work on the transformative gas-to-energy project.

The scope of Guyana’s gas-to-energy project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.

It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from theLiza Destiny and Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to a Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara. (G3)

Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santoki as he addressed the 2023 International Energy Conference and Expo on Tuesday

NA Hospital vendors call for security as recurring B&E threatens livelihood

Vendors occupying stalls adjacent to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital are calling on the municipality to provide some form of security for them as frequent breakages occur.

Just over one dozen vendors have stalls at Garrison Road, Fort Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and have reported frequent breaking and entering into the structures, with the perpetrators carrying away large quantities of items.

In some instances, vendors’ stocks are stolen while on other occasions cooking utensils, gas stoves and gas cylinders are taken by the thieves.

The vendors are seeking the intervention of the municipality since they claim that they pay rent to the New Amsterdam Town Council.

“It is $3000 we have to pay them and they should do something, is every week some stall getting break,” one vendor told this publication.

Sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning, two stalls were broken into and articles removed.

One vendor, Bibi Khan,

told this publication that she discovered that she was the latest victim when she arrived at her business place on Monday morning at about 9:30h.

The door, she said, was wide open.

"My two grandchildren them first saw the door free and a half-open when we swing the turn and they tell my husband the shop break in... they clip the lock," Khan said.

She said a number of food boxes, spoons, snacks, and a gas bottle was stolen.

“And six sweetie bottles, well stock sweetie bottle. They throw away all them bottles outside,” she disclosed.

The woman estimates her losses to be approximately $110,000.

“I sell out here for several years and bout twelve times now my stand break into and until today I never know is who. I need the Government or Town Council to look into the matter. Because we paying to sell out here and it's not fair we stand ain't protect and we life ain't safe out here,” Khan related.

Last month, Khan’s stall was also broken into and on that occasion, a gas stove and pots were taken away. According to her, during the Christmas season her stall was also broken into.

Another stall owner, Carlie Brandt, explained that

when she arrived at her business place, she discovered the lock on the door cut and placed on a bench.

“Even though the lock was cut, they close back the door. So upon entering now, I realised that only snacks were missing. And this is like the fifth time now they breaking into it and they only stealing like snack, and drinks...gas bottle and so is there, which is more expensive,” Brandt said.

“I don't know what is the reason they are doing this. And we have nobody that we

can talk to; there is nobody coming to see. The Town Council does nothing and we really wish if they can look into it. We pay rent here every week, so I think that it's only fair they do something for us...even if it's a guard hut or something.”

She estimates her losses at $20,000.

Most of the stalls have been fortified with steel and iron but still, the thieves are able to break into the structures.

According to another owner, between Christmas

and this month, her stall was broken into three times. The vendor noted that on one occasion, they broke the locks on the door and were able to get past the iron grill door to enter. She said that on another occasion they cut a hole in the roof and entered the stall, and in yet another, they broke a section of the wooden wall.

“That is why the whole thing is iron now,” she said. On Friday, another stall was broken into, with the burglars removing a section of the wall to gain entry. (G4)

Bibi Khan holding the padlock which was ripped off of her stall door

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana looking to get Dornier from India in 1st such major defence deal

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess has said that the country is looking to purchase the Dornier aircraft from India in a bid to build its capacity in the area of troop movement and disaster-related activities.

In an interview with WION diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Brigadier Bess said, "We looked at one of such aircraft, a Dornier, and it is actually suiting the ca -

pability we would like to have."

He added that the initial focus of the defence cooperation between the two countries would be on air assets.

This announcement

comes after Guyana's President, Dr Irfaan Ali expressed his country's interest in buying Indian defence equipment during an interview with WION last month. The Chief of Staff is currently in India to

participate in Aero India in Bangalore and held talks with his Indian counterpart. In the interview, he also pointed to training being provided by India to the Guyanese military.

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess is in India to participate in Aero India in Bangalore and hold talks with his Indian counterpart. He was interviewed by WION News about Guyana-India cooperation.

GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess

1 new COVID death recorded

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD

A51-year-old man from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) is the latest COVID-19 fatality, the Health Ministry reported on Tuesday. The man died on February 13, 2023.

The Health Ministry has since expressed its sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased and has promised to make every effort to provide all the necessary support.

This takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 1298. Meanwhile, nine new COVID-19 cases were recorded from a total of 720,088 tests conducted.

The new cases were recorded in Region Two (three cases), Region Three (two cases), Region Four (two cases), Region Five (one case), and Region Six (one case).

There are no patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit and four patients in institutional isolation; 43 are in home isolation. To date, 71,707

people have recovered.

On Tuesday, February 14, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported 755,041,562 confirmed cases globally, along with 6,830,867 deaths.

The WHO also reported that in the Region of the Americas, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 189,278,118, while the death toll stands at 2,919,021.

The Health Ministry is also appealing to the general public to continue observing the public health measures set out to help stop the spread of the virus. Those public health measures encourage the need for everyone five

years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for everyone to get a COVID-19 booster dose after completing the primary vaccination series; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining a safe distance of six feet from others; and the need to practise good hand hygiene.

Anyone displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needing any additional information, is kindly asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline at 231-1166, 2267480, or 624-6674 immediately, or visit the Health Ministry’s website at www. health.gov.gy. (G9)

US arrests 4 suspects linked to assassination of Haiti’s Moise

United States authorities have arrested and charged four people in Florida in connection to the 2021 assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise.

US Justice Department officials announced on Tuesday charges of “conspiracy to kidnap or kill outside the United States, resulting in death” against Florida residents Antonio “Tony” Intriago, Arcangel Pretel Ortiz and Walter Veintemilla.

A fourth suspect, Frederick Bergmann, is accused of conspiring to smuggle ballistic vests for former Colombian soldiers who allegedly carried out the fatal shooting.

Intriago is the owner of CTU Security, a Floridabased company that allegedly helped recruit the assassins. Ortiz is also a “principal” representative of the firm, according to the Justice Department.

Veintemilla, meanwhile, is accused of funding the operation through his company Worldwide Capital Lending Group, which al-

legedly extended a $175,000 line of credit to CTU and sent money for ammunition.

Intriago’s lawyer told the New York Times he “intends to enter a not guilty plea”. The Associated Press news agency also cited Veintemilla’s lawyer as saying he will plead not guilty.

In July 2021, armed men claiming to be

US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents entered Moise’s compound in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and fatally shot him 12 times. The late former president’s wife was also injured in the attack.

One of the poorest countries in the world, Haiti has suffered from natural disas-

Argentine savers 'drown' under spiralling prices as inflation hits 99%

Argentina's inflation rate has hit just shy of 100%, the government said on Tuesday, with savers feeling more pain from some of the world's fastest rising prices and workers' budgets straining as costs outstrip salaries.

The South American country, which has battled spiralling prices for years, saw monthly inflation speed up to 6% in January, in line with forecasts, while the annual figure hit 98.8%, the highest since hyperinflation in the 1990s.

Gisella Saluzzo, 30, a doctor in Buenos Aires, has had to tighten her belt.

ping 75%. It has taken a big bite from the popularity of the centre-left Peronist government of President Alberto Fernandez ahead of general elections in October. The conservative opposition now leads in the polls, as Argentines are fed up with inflation and many blame poor economic management and money printing by the government.

Brian Muliane, a 33-year-old chiropractor, said that between inflation and taxes his business struggled to survive.

ters, rampant gang violence and a longstanding political deadlock made worse by the assassination.

Tuesday’s arrests bring the total number of defendants in US custody to 11, including key players like James Solages and Joseph Vincent, both Haitian Americans. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

"The truth is that I live day to day, I look for low prices, I go to markets. We look for where the meat is cheaper, the vegetables are cheaper, and hunt for online promotions to get by," she told Reuters.

Rampant inflation has slammed the economy, forcing the central bank to hike interest rates to an eye-pop-

"In our work, between paying for one thing and another, along with taxes, they're drowning us," he said. "There are many who can't even work."

Inflation ended 2022 at 95% and could still accelerate this year despite government measures to fight it. Many have been forced to change their shopping habits and cut back on luxuries.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombians march to support President Petro’s social and economic reforms

Health

authorities in St Lucia say they are closely monitoring the emergence of new coronavirus (COVID-19) variants and sub-variants as the country recorded one death and 178 new infections over a 30-day period.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Sharon BelmarGeorge said the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs is closely monitoring the emergence of new variants and sub variants of COVID-19.

“At present we have sequenced about 12 sub-variants of Omicron circulating in the country. In addition to COVID-19 there are other respiratory viruses in circula-

tion which may possess similar clinical presentation to COVID-19. In several countries, there has been a steep increase in cases of influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV),” Dr BelmarGeorge reported.

The authorities said that over the last few weeks, parents note that children seem to be developing recurrent respiratory infections.

“Most of the cases are mild in nature. This trend is anticipated as the measures that were placed during the management of COVID-19 also reduced the regular influenza cases over the last three years. Our population is now exposed to many different strains of influenza virus at

this point,” the CMO added.

The Ministry said to reduce the impact, several measures should be followed including keeping healthy by consuming healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables and water instead of sodas as well as maintaining sanitary measures at home and at school.

The Ministry said that while, globally, nearly 10.5 million new cases and over 90,000 deaths linked to the COVID-19 pandemic were reported in the last 28 days, ending February 5, it represents a decrease of 89 per cent and eight per cent, respectively, compared to the previous 28 days. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Creditcards are becoming increasingly useless in Venezuela because of high inflation and government restrictions, hurting people already struggling to meet daily needs on low salaries, banking industry sources, analysts and consumers said.

The country's government imposed strict lending requirements during Venezuela's economic collapse - allowing banks to lend a maximum of 27% of their cash flow - sending local business owners abroad to seek loans.

And though the government of President Nicolas Maduro loosened currency

controls in 2019 and let local banks open dollar-denominated accounts, many credit restrictions remain.

"They are useless," administrator Lina Pereira, from the central city of Valencia, said of her two credit cards, which both have low limits. "My parents bought appliances and computers with their credit cards, but that's a memory for Venezuelans."

As incomes have fallen and living costs have grown, credit cards have become vital for many people to make everyday purchases in supermarkets and pharmacies, even as credit limits stagnate and some banks

eliminate the cards altogether.

"The banks don't have a way to lend and we need these credits," 36-year-old Pereira said, adding the total limit on her cards is now US$2 a month, so low she can no longer use them to buy food like she did a year ago.

Although some local credit cards have higher limits of between US$30 and US$100, they still fall short - the average monthly cost of feeding a family was some US$370 in December, according to the independent Venezuelan Finance Observatory. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Thousands of people took to the streets across Colombia's major cities on Tuesday to support economic and social reforms put forward by President Gustavo Petro as part of efforts to reduce poverty, exclusion and inequality in the South American country.

The rallies, called for by leftist Petro, took place one day after he presented a health reform to Congress which looks to prevent and treat diseases quickly, increase access, raise healthcare-sector salaries and fight corruption by eliminating payment intermediaries.

Petro also hopes to present reforms on labour and pensions, while also pushing

for programmes to guarantee free access to university education for students without the money to do so, as well as delivering subsidies to impoverished families and the poor elderly.

"What President Petro is doing seems good to me, we need a change, for the poor to have access to health, education, decent housing," street vendor Maria Isabel Cubillos, 43, told Reuters in capital Bogota.

While Petro built a broad coalition in Congress with support from left, centre and right-wing parties, which helped him push through a tax reform late last year, projects such as the health reform have caused fractures both in that alliance and

even within the government.

The marches are meant to signal to Congress and the Constitutional Court that the proposed reforms have widespread backing.

Laws approved by Congress must be examined by the Constitutional Court to assess their legality.

The marches took place without incident and peaceful, according to the government and Colombia's national police.

Colombia's opposition called for marches and rallies in cities across Colombia today to reject Petro's reforms, arguing they threaten the country's economic stability and risk plunging it into more poverty. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A poster features slain Haitian President Jovenel Moise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 7, 2022 [Odelyn Joseph/AP Photo]

St Lucia closely monitoring emergence of new COVID sub-variants

Venezuelans say credit cards that were once lifeline now 'useless'

Supporters of Colombian President Gustavo Petro demonstrating in favour of the reform projects planned by his Government, in Bogota, Colombia, February 14, 2023

Around the World OIL NEWS

NATO allies weigh more arms for Ukraine as Russian artillery batters Bakhmut

Oil settles 1% lower as market braces for more supply from US reserve

Oil prices settled more than 1% lower on Tuesday after the United States said it would boost supply in the market by releasing more crude from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

On Monday, the US Department of Energy (DOE) said it would sell 26 million barrels of oil from the SPR, already at its lowest level since 1983.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) had considered cancelling the annual sale after US President Joe Biden's administration last year sold a record 180 million barrels from the reserve to combat sky-high fuel prices. But that would have required Congress to act to change its mandate.

Brent futures for April delivery fell US$1.03, or 1.2%, to US$85.58 a barrel by 1:05 p.m. EST (1805 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for March fell by US$1.08, or 1.4%, to US$79.06 a barrel.

Both benchmarks sank more than US$2 during the session, but pared losses after data showed the slowest pace of acceleration in the US consumer price index since late 2021. Analysts said the data would likely keep the Federal Reserve on a moderate interest rate hiking path.

"Interest rates are now at a point where every 25 basis points matter and could be the difference between a soft landing and a recession," OANDA analyst Craig Erlam said in a note.

Oil prices also pared losses after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries raised its 2023 oil demand forecast by 100,000 barrels per day in a monthly report, citing the reopening of the Chinese economy after COVID restrictions.

"OPEC's monthly oil market report yielded some cautious optimism," said Kpler analyst Matt Smith. He added that oil prices remained lower as the markets entered a risk-off sentiment.

Also easing supply concerns, the US Energy Information Administration said on Monday it expected record March production from the seven biggest US shale basins.

US crude and product inventories were expected to have grown last week, a Reuters poll showed, ahead of industry data due at 4:30 pm ET (2130 GMT), followed by the EIA's report today. (Reuters)

Collision of bus and armoured truck kills 20 in South Africa

Ahead-on collision between a tour bus and a cash-in-transit truck left 20 people dead and left at least 60 others injured late on Monday on a major road in South Africa’s northern Limpopo province.

Police divers were searching a river that runs along the highway “for people who might have been swept away”, the regional transport department said in a statement on Tuesday.

After the crash, the tour bus rolled from a bridge on the N1 freeway into a river below, said ER24, an emergency medical care company, whose paramedics were on the scene.

“Three people were found deceased by the roadside

Russian forces bombarded front-line Ukrainian troops and towns in the eastern Donetsk region on Tuesday in what appeared to be early salvoes of a new offensive, as Western allies met to weigh sending more arms to Kyiv for an expected counter-attack.

Much of Russia's artillery fire was focused on Bakhmut, a bombed-out city in Donetsk province and a principal target for President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian troops there have fortified positions in anticipation of street fighting.

"There is not a single square metre in Bakhmut that is safe or that is not in range of enemy fire or drones," regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko told Ukraine's national broadcaster.

Bakhmut's capture

would provide a stepping stone for Russia to advance on two bigger Donetsk cities, Kramatorsk

Nikki Haley takes on Donald Trump for 2024 US Republican nomination

and Sloviansk, and give Moscow new momentum after months of battlefield setbacks following its invasion last February.

With the first anniversary of Russia's invasion nearing, the Kremlin has intensified operations across a broad swathe of southern and eastern Ukraine, and a major new offensive has been widely anticipated.

Promised battle tanks last month, Ukraine is also desperate for fighter jets and longer-range missiles soon to nip any significant new Russian offensive in the bud and help turn the

tide against Moscow's far superior firepower.

Before the gathering, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said there were no signs Putin was preparing for peace. "What we see is the opposite, he is preparing for more war, for new offensives and new attacks," he told reporters.

The Kremlin, which calls the invasion a "special military operation" to eliminate security threats, said NATO was demonstrating its hostility towards Russia every day and was becoming more and more involved in the conflict.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Michigan State: Three students killed in shooting at university

and 16 down by the river –all were declared dead on arrival,” ER24 said in a statement.

“One patient, of the 69 passengers confirmed transported to hospital for various injuries, has since died,” it said.

It was not immediately clear how many people the tour bus was carrying.

ER24 said police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, but heavy rains have been drenching the region in recent days, a spokesman for the regional transport department, Tidimalo Chuene, told AFP. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Tuesday kicked off her campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, a tough challenge as her former boss Donald Trump holds a strong lead in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Haley, a former South Carolina governor who served as the UN ambassador under Trump from 2017 to 2018, is set to lay out her campaign plans in a speech on Wednesday in Charleston, South Carolina.

The daughter of two Indian immigrants who ran a successful clothing store in a rural part of South Carolina, Haley, 51, has gained a reputation in the Republican Party as a solid conservative who has the ability to address issues of gender and race in a more credible fashion than many of her peers.

Launching her candidacy more than 20 months

ahead of the November 2024 election gives Haley more of a chance to draw attention and raise funds before the Republican field grows in the coming weeks and months. But it also makes her an early target of the combative Trump.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday that found that 4% of registered Republicans supported Haley. Trump received support from 43% of registered Republicans in the poll conducted from Feb 6-13, while 31% said they supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to launch a campaign but has not yet done so.

Other high-profile Republicans looking at a 2024 run include former Vice President Mike Pence, US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, among others. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Three students were killed and five others injured after a gunman opened fire on the Michigan State University (MSU) campus on Monday night.

The victims were all students at the university, police said, and the injured remain in critical condition.

The police said a caller's tip led them to the suspected gunman, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The suspect, who has since been identified, had no ties to MSU. "We can confirm that the 43-year-old suspect had no affiliation to the university. He was not a student, faculty, or staff, current or previous," Chris Rozman of the Michigan State University Police said.

Questions still remain about the motive of the gunman, who was identified as 43-year-old Anthony McRae.

Dr Denny Martin, the Chief Medical Officer of Sparrow Hospital, where the victims were taken for treatment, said four of the injured required surgery and one was taken to critical care. All five remain in hospital.

The gunman opened fire shortly before 20:30 local time (01:30 GMT) at Berkey Hall, a building located north of the MSU campus in the city of East Lansing.

Responding officers found multiple students who were injured - two of whom died on the scene.

Police said the suspect then walked over to the nearby MSU Union building, where they received several more reports of gunshots. The third victim died inside the building, they said.

The suspect then quickly fled the scene, sparking a large manhunt involving hundreds of officers.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaking at a NATO Defence Ministers Meeting at the Alliance's Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, February 14, 2023

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley announcing her run for 2024 US presidential election in this still image obtained from an undated social media video released on February 14, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Look at what’s possible and plan your strategy. Learn from the past, and don’t count on others to live up to their promises. Rely on your intelligence, skills and ability to go the distance.

(March 21-April 19)

Pick up the slack and do your best. No need to get worked up over something you cannot change. Focus on what’s tangible. Put everything in order and prepare to initiate plans.

(April 20-May 20)

Put yourself on the line and show everyone what you can do. Concentrate on what’s meaningful to you. Prepare for your success instead of helping everyone else reach their goals.

(May 21-June 20)

Don’t overthink matters; you will achieve your objective without interruption. Simplicity is the key to getting where you want to go with the least amount of interference.

(June 21-July 22)

Treat people with fragile egos carefully. Be on your best behavior and offer compliments. Pay it forward, and you will reap the rewards. The quality of your input will be crucial.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Put your differences with others aside. Choose peace over chaos and strive to bring out the best in others. Don’t hide your thoughts and feelings. Speak up and find out where you stand.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Follow the most exciting path. Having a way to hone your skills and pursue a career you enjoy will increase your awareness of what’s possible. Discipline and hard work will pay off.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Start a project and learn as you go. Use your attributes to stand out. Refuse to let your emotions stop you from doing what’s right. Someone’s lack of confidence or uncertainty will worry you.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don’t expect things to run smoothly. Emotional confusion will surface. Look for a unique way to solve problems. Exercise or start a fun project to ease stress.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Take a leadership position and ask questions. You’ll find a way to use your energy, discipline and speed. Put time aside for pleasure. Don’t be afraid to make use of someone’s ideas or skills.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

A budget-friendly plan will ease stress and help you meet your demands. Don’t let what others decide to do influence or cost you. You’ll find the perfect spot to start a new project.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Consider the long-term effects before making a move. Educate yourself, talk to experts and keep your emotions out of your final decision. Be sure to update documents that need it.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Two newcomers in WI Test squad to face South Africa

(Vice Captain)

Alick Athanaze

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

Roston Chase

Joshua Da Silva

Shannon Gabriel

Jason Holder

Akeem Jordan

Alzarri Joseph

Kyle Mayers

Gudakesh Motie

Raymon Reifer

Kemar Roach Devon Thomas

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE

21 to 24 February: vs South Africa Invitational

XI at Willowmoore Park, Benoni

28 February to 4 March: 1st Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion

8-12 March: 2nd Test at the Wanderers, Johannesburg

16 March: 1st ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)

18 March: 2nd ODI at

Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)

21 March: 3rd ODI at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

25 March: 1st T20I at SuperSport Park, Centurion

26 March: 2nd T20I at SuperSport Park, Centurion

28 March: 3rd T20I at the Wanderers, Johannesburg

TheCricket West Indies (CWI) Men’s Selection

Panel has named two newcomers - Alick Athanaze and Akeem Jordan - in the 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test Series against South Africa.

Left-handed batter Athanaze is captain of the Windward Islands Volcanoes, while right-arm seam bowler Jordan plays for Barbados Pride.

Both have demonstrated good form in the first two rounds of the current four-day West Indies Championship.

showed great promise in the CG United Super50 last year, and then got his first hundred in the West Indies Championship last week. We believe he should be given an opportunity at this level. He has also showed leadership as captain of the Windwards at the start of this season.”

Haynes added: “Jordan has been very impressive from last year. He has continued to bowl well, and has been excellent in the first two matches so far this year. He is very skillful, can bowl the new ball, and looks to put the

Athanaze had scores of 41 and 51 against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in Round 1, and followed up with a career-best 141 against Guyana Harpy Eagles in Round 2. He is a product of the West Indies Under 19s Rising Stars, where he was one of the standout players at the 2018 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup.

Jordan had match figures of 5-86 against Guyana, and followed up with 7-113 against Jamaica Scorpions to be one of the leading wicket-takers in the West Indies Championship after two rounds of matches.

Athanaze and Jordan replace left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and batter Nkrumah Bonner, who are part of the squad for the just-concluded series in Zimbabwe. Jayden Seales is unavailable for selection following a knee injury and subsequent surgery, while Anderson Philip has returned to training but is not yet match-fit.

Lead Selector The Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes has said:

“Athanaze is one of the young players whom we have invested in, and he played well in the ‘A Team’ and CWI President’s XI. He

ball in the right areas. He is also a sharp fielder and good catcher close to the wicket.

Moreover, Haynes has said: “This will be a challenging tour. There is no easy away tour in Test cricket. South Africa have a good team, but I am sure we will be up for the task, and will do well in these two Test matches.”

The upcoming Series is the final Test fixture for both teams in the ICC World Test Championship. West Indies are currently in sixth place, and, with a Series win, have the opportunity to move above South Africa in the final table. South Africa are currently in fourth place.

West Indies are due to arrive in South Africa on 17 February. They will face South Africa in two Test matches: at SuperSport Park in Centurion (28 February to 4 March), and at the Wanderers in Johannesburg (8 to 12 March). Following the Tests, West Indies will play a white ball Series. The squads for these engagements will be named at a later date.

FULL SQUAD Kraigg Brathwaite

(Captain)

Jermaine Blackwood

Alick Athanaze

Akeem Jordan

WI Tour to Zimbabwe 2023: Test 2 of 2…

Majestic Motie’s 13 wickets spin Windies to 1-0 Series win …Motie now has best bowling figures among WI spinners in Test Cricket

Guyanese bowler

Gudakesh Motie has spun the West Indies to a 1-0 Test Series’ win over Zimbabwe, against whom they wrapped up the second Test by an innings and four runs.

Playing in just his third Test, Motie returned figures of 7 for 37 and 6 for 62 as West Indies won the match convincingly inside three days, despite rain wiping out large segments of play on the second and third days.

His figures of 13 for 99 are also the best in a Test match by a West Indies spinner, and have taken him past the legendary Sonny Ramadhin’s 11 for 152 against England in 1950.

Despite good performances being returned by Victor Nyauchi, Innocent Kaia and captain Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe succumbed to a big defeat, their batting lineup faltering in the absence of Gary Ballance, who missed the game because of a migraine headache.

Play started late on day three due to a wet outfield, but once it did, Nyauchi made an instant impact by getting Jason Holder to nick

off with the first delivery of the day. Motie, the other overnight batter, soon became Nyauchi’s fifth victim, as he found deep midwicket with a pull. West Indies had added just two runs to their total, taking a 177-run lead as Nyauchi recorded his first five-wicket haul in Tests.

the first breakthrough in the third over, as Tanunurwa Makoni edged behind while looking to play an expansive drive. Then the first bowling change brought a wicket, with Chamu Chibhabha chopping on off Holder’s bowling in the seventh over.

Kaia, Zimbabwe’s best

scored 30 of the 41 runs Zimbabwe made for the third wicket. When Motie came out to bowl, Kaia immediately started attacking him with the sweep, but looked less in control than he was against the pacers.

Kaia and Ervine saw Zimbabwe reach lunch at 46 for 2. In the third over after lunch, Kaia finally fell to the sweep, as he got a thin top edge that Joshua Da Silva held on to after a small juggling act. He fell seven runs short of a half-century, after being dismissed for 38 in the first innings.

Ervine then shed his defensive approach in order to keep the scoreboard ticking, even as Motie castled Milton Shumba and Tafadzwa Tsiga in quick succession to complete his first Test 10-wicket haul.

Gabriel further dented Zimbabwe’s ambitions when he got one to sneak under Donald Tiripano’s bat to uproot the off-stump.

ple catch to forward short leg when he came out of the crease to defend.

West Indies had hoped to wrap things up quickly, but Ervine and Brandon Mavuta held firm to see Zimbabwe reach 158 for 7 at tea, with the deficit whittled down to 19 runs.

Zimbabwe then took seven off the first over after tea, bowled by Joseph, to bring the deficit down to 11 runs. But Chase had Mavuta caught at forward short leg

with the first ball of the next over, to give West Indies another opening.

Motie came back into the attack immediately, and was quick to wrap the game up.

He trapped Ervine lbw for 72 - Zimbabwe’s highest score in the match - as he played back to a length ball that spun in and stayed low; before getting the ball to spin past an advancing Nyauchi, for Da Silva to complete a simple stumping. (ESPNCricinfo)

For the second time in the match, Kaia was off the blocks quickly, hitting three fine strokes for boundaries in the first two overs. Alzarri Joseph then gave West Indies

batter in the first innings, continued to chip away at the West Indies’ lead, even hitting Holder for three consecutive boundaries. Ervine held down one end as Kaia

Ervine then brought up his half-century off 73 deliveries with a reverse-sweep off Motie, but Motie soon struck again, as Wellington Masakadza gifted a sim-

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Guyana’s Gudakesh Motie and Tagenarine Chanderpaul sharing a light moment with captain Kraigg Brathwaite and the Series trophy

Innocent Kaia got off to strong starts, but failed to convert them

Drag Racing Series Round 1…

“COME TO THE LINE”

- Team Mohamed’s dares other competitors

…Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson says eager to take on Team Mohamed’s

Team Mohamed’s Principal, Azruddin Mohamed, has issued a ‘come one, come all’ call to other participants for this weekend’s Drag Racing Series Round 1.

The front-running team on Guyana’s drag racing scene will, on Sunday, February 19, have their full complement of four cars ready and rearing to take on any competition at the South Dakota Drag Strip at Timehri.

Currently holders of the 7.036s strip record with their Pro-Mod car, Team Mohamed’s Principal Azruddin Mohamed is unphased by those who deem his team unwilling to take to the track. In fact, at a Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) press conference on Tuesday

evening, Mohamed maintained that he is always ready to take on the competition.

“That’s not true, man!” Mohamed said as he responded to inquiries about Team Mohamed’s not going to the line on race day. “You see the guys at the finish line, and we need to set up the PA system throughout the drag strip going to the finish line. Because the guys at the finish line, they don’t know what’s going on at the start line. So, I think that’s why people (think) when the other cars come to line, when they’re doing the practice runs, that we don’t want to come to line,” he explained.

“But we can come to line any time to race,” a confident Mohamed has shared.

With that bold declara-

tion, Mohamed has issued a call to all competitors who dare to challenge his lightning-fast fleet.

“I hope we can get the other guys to some forward, because we’re always there, we always on the line. So, we want the other guys to come forward on the line

75 schools training for Republic Bank’s “Five for Fun” cricket competition

and let’s put out a good show,” Mohamed has said.

He added, “That’s why we race our cars alone, because the other guys don’t come to line.”

Interestingly, Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc has indicated that his 2Jz Supra ‘Kong’ only needs a ‘wash and a wax’ to take to the track. “The car is finished, all we need now is soap and water and some wax,” Hopkinson related as he gave an update on ‘the beast’ that once held the strip record.

In playful banter, Hopkinson has expressed his intention to take down Team Mohamed’s fleet.

“I always gunning for he! It’s my friend,” ‘Top Gun’ said with a laugh. He went on to state, “One of the

things that have really gotten us into drag racing is because of Azruddin. He has raised the level of it, and all we want to do is knock him off that perch.”

According to GMR&SC

President Mahendra Boodhoo, pre-test will begin at 9am on Sunday, and elimination is set to commence at 12pm. Tickets for Sunday’s Round 1 drags are set at $1000.

Guyana’s Haynes elected CONCENCABA President

General Secretary of the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF), Patrick Haynes, has been elected President of the Central American and Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CONCENCABA).

Haynes ran against former Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) President Glyne Clarke of Barbados for the position at the CONCENCABA Assembly and Elections on February 14 in Miami, USA.

As the Republic Bank’s “Five for Fun” cricket programme rolls closer to the County and Country Festival Finals, scheduled for early March 2023, seventy-five primary schools from across the three counties are continuing their cricket training in order to get their teams ready to defeat their opponents in the “Five for Fun” zonal preliminary round of matches.

The zonal preliminary matches will be played between February 13 and 24, with five schools in each zone competing to emerge as zonal champions in order to secure a spot in the Republic Bank’s “Five for Fun” county finals.

Participating primary schools have been grouped into 15 zones, which include Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, West Berbice, New Amsterdam, Canje, Upper Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West Demerara, Leguan, Wakenaam Island, South Essequibo Coast, East Bank Essequibo, South Essequibo Coast, and North Essequibo Coast.

Republic Bank’s “Five for Fun” cricket is part of the CWI Future Stars

Programme to introduce cricket to primary schoolaged children. This new five-a-side format drives participation, activity and inclusivity with mixed teams of boys and girls.

As the representative of Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Reon King, former Guyana and West Indies player, is the programme coordinator. He has revealed that: “Over 1,000 primary school boys and girls have already been exposed to “Five for Fun” cricket training, providing them with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game.

He explained that from a cricket perspective, both CWI and GCB are excited about giving our children the opportunity to play and learn the game in fun, safe environments. From all feedback from coaches, teachers and some parents, the children are excited about the programme, and can’t wait to showcase their skills during the first stage of matches at the zonal preliminaries.

King added: “This programme is critical to the foundation of the cricket development pathway, especially as we restart cricket

post COVID-19, both recreationally and competitively in primary and secondary schools across Guyana. Since its launch in June 2022 to this point, the programme has offered over 30 existing cricket coaches the opportunity to complete refresher coaching courses, and has exposed school teachers to foundation level coach education training.

“We are extremely grateful for Republic Bank’s partnership on this initiative. With the support of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sports to make this important initiative a reality,” King has said.

Dr. Ritesh Tularam, Deputy Chief Education Officer, in commenting said, “The Ministry of Education is pleased to be a partner with Cricket West Indies, Republic Bank Limited, and the Guyana Cricket Board on this timely cricket initiative at the primary schools’ level, which intersects and complements the Education Sector’s Plan for 20212025; Vision 2030. This initiative supports the plan’s core objective to ensure the well-rounded development of students through formal and informal education platforms such as sports.”

He has become the first Guyanese to head CONCENCABA, and will also serve as the FIBA Americas’ First Vice President.

Modesto Robeldo of Mexico, President of the Confederación Centroamericana de Baloncesto (COCABA), will serve as Haynes’s first Vice President, while Interim President of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC), Leslie Collymore (St

The CBC At Large Members are Claire Mitchell (Trinidad and Tobago) and Kenneth Vrojijk (Aruba); the COCABA At Large Members are Jair Peralta (Panama) and Frank Martinez Arias (Costa Rica).

Lucia), is the Second Vice President.

Sabrina Mitchell (St Vincent and the Grenadines) is the CONCENCABA Secretary.

The GBF was represented by Vice President Rawle Toney and Technical Director Sileena Arjune at the important CONCENCABA event at

the Novotel Hotel in Miami. Founded in 1926, CONCENCABA is a body of FIBA Americas with mirrored powers and responsibilities for its geographic region, but recognizes the superior authority of FIBA and FIBA Americas. Subject to the overriding authority of FIBA and FIBA Americas, CONCENCABA is the only competent authority to promote the practice of basketball, and to organize competitions within the Sub-Zone of Central America and the Caribbean.

Currently, the National Member Federations assigned to CONCENCABA by the FIBA Central Board are: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Virgin Islands.

Team Mohamed’s Principal, Azruddin Mohamed

Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc

The youngsters training in sessions for the “Five for Fun” cricket programme

FIBA Americas President Carol Callan (left) and CONCENCABA President Patrick Haynes

Patrick Haynes following the CONCENCABA Assembly and Elections in Miami

Panthers hunt Falcons in first rugby 12s match

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) opened its inter-club season last Sunday at the National Park in Georgetown with what was the first ever 12s competition hosted by the GRFU.

The 12s format is fairly new, with teams consisting of 6 forwards and 6 backs; and the GRFU’s introduction to the 12s format came with exhilarating action, as a headto-head clash between archrivals Police Falcons and Panthers unfolded.

Panthers, who have been one of the most dominant clubs for a number of years, defeated Police Falcons 24-19 at the close of play. In the thrilling encounter, Falcons drew first blood through a series of passes and the brawny figure of Shawn David. Lionel Holder then added the two points with a conversion.

Holder later burst the shaky defensive Panthers line to score a try, with the experience of Theodore Henry sealing the conversion.

Retaining possession, David again bullied his way to the try line, after forcing the opposition to make numerous tackles. A try from Panthers’ Ryan Dey left the score chart 19-5 at the end of the first

half.

After backpedalling in the first 20 minutes, Panthers rebounded when the match resumed with a try from D’Arcy Durant, who evaded three defenders. A kick off Godfrey Broomes’s shoes left the match 12-19. Broomes returned with a try, but a missed conversion left Falcons ahead at 19-17.

With two minutes to the final whis tle, Broomes again pierced the defence to score a five-pointer for his team. Makaya Smith then sealed the game with a conver sion to end the match at 24-19.

Panthers will be taking on the Guyana Defence Force on Sunday, 19th February at 4pm in the National Park.

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