Kaieteur News

Israelistrikeskillat least40Palestiniansin Gaza,asceasefiretalksbegin

Proposed oil spill law will

- Former EPA Head

dismantle Court Ruling for unlimited parent company guarantee

Man stabbed to death at Bagotstown

‘Short boss’ charged with murder of East Ruimveldt man

Sugarworkersdowntools,pick-up placardsafterdeniedpaidleave

Exxon now seeking insurance broker for 6th project after receiving permit

ExxonMobil paid US$11 billion in

taxes, Guyanese received zero

Sugar workers protesting at the Rose Hall Estate

Dr. Vincent Adams

Proposed oil spill law will dismantle Court

Ruling for unlimited parent company guarantee

The Government of Guyana is drafting a new Oil Spill Protection Law to be tabled before the August recess of the National Assembly, but according to Former head of the Environmental Protection Agency,Dr VincentAdamsit will only serve to undermine protection to the country and in fact, undermine the High Court ruling for an unlimited parentcompanyguarantee.

According to Adams, “ the legislation would replace Judge (Sandil) Kissoon's ruling with (ExxonMobil President Alistair) Routledge's dictate reverently parroted by VP Jagdeo andAttorney General (AG) Nandlall that only “credible and reasonable” costs will be paid for an oil spill - the same words now sanctified in the recent Whiptail permit, and no doubt a precursor of what to come.”

He suggested in a recent public missive, “in subservience to Exxon and realising that they will lose the legal battle, the Government now plots its heralded scheme for an oil spill legislation to nullify Judge Kissoon's decision decreeing that an Unlimited Parent Company Guarantee (UPCG) must be provided to bear the full cost of any oil

spill, above what the insurancecovers.”

At Article 14.3 of the p e r m i t , h e s a i d i t unambiguously lays down that “the cumulative amount of insurance and assurance shall be guided by an estimate of the sum of the reasonably credible costs Such amount is not expected to include compensation for loss and damage to other parties and which are able to be pursued through civil proceedings ” In other w o r d s , o t h e r parties individuals and b u s i n e s s e s s u c h a s fisherfolk would be on their own, fighting for their lives in a lopsided court battleagainstabehemoth.

According toAdams “the legaltrickeryisthat“credible and reasonable” damages could only be defined as the estimateddifferencebetween the existing environmental condition and the condition afterthespill. Thus, it is impossible to arrive at this estimate, since there is no Government baselineshowingtheexisting environmental condition ” Adamant“aspillwithoutthat UPCG could beget Guyana's financial bankruptcy; and, a health and environment catastrophe for the whole Caribbean,' Adams posits “this callous and immoral

legislative scheme is a pathetic betrayal of our country and the Caribbean, while bringing merriment to RoutledgeandExxon.”

He concedes “…the sad reality is that any such legislation will pass in Parliament due to the PPP/C's one-seat majority, and most critically, it will take primacy over the Judge Kissoondecision.Ichallenge the Government to prove me wrong by expressly including the underlying ratio of Judge Kissoon's rulingintothelegislation.Do that, and I will be the first to apologizeandcelebrate.”

According to the former EPA Head, “oil spill legislation provides for the processes for preparedness,

- Former EPA Head

General, Anil Nandlall) is openlybehavinginJudaslike fashion as Exxon's AG and notGuyana's.”

Former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Vincent Adams

response actions, and the identification of culpable parties and their liabilities in the event of a spill,” ad suggests “all of these could be provided for, and be embodied into the EPA Permits and the National Oil SpillResponsePlan.”

As such, Adams is of the view “a legislation is not n e c e s s a r y i n t h e s e circumstances, but only serves as a camouflage to get out of the legal pickle and to please Routledge at our people'sexpense.”

He further contends “what is most troubling, is that coupled with his manifestation of lack of k n o w l e d g e a n d untruthfulness discussed later, the AG (Attorney

French company wins another major order from Exxon

Last Thursday, French company, Vallourec announced that it has secured afourthmajororderintheframeworkof the Long-Term Agreement (LTA) signed in 2021 with ExxonMobil GuyanaLimited(EMGL).

Under the contract, Vallourec will deliver line pipe for ExxonMobil Guyana's deep-water Whiptail project. t h The Whiptail project (the 6 development) is located in the Stabroek Block, a 26,800 km2 strategic basin located off Guyana's continental shelf, where several important discoveries have been made since2015.

Energy and Uaru orders, signed under the same LTA, the Whiptail order further strengthensVallourec's strategic supplier relationship with ExxonMobil Guyana.

With the Whiptail order, Vallourec has now sec

To this end he references the AG joining Exxon, “disloyally fighting with his lastbreathtodefeatGuyana's life-and-death needfulness for the UPCG, despite his own confessed words that Exxonhasabadinternational reputation and he will never defend them. He has gone way beyond defending, to joiningthematthehip.

My opinion therefore, is that he is not fit to serve as AG whose first duty is to protectthepeopleofGuyana. Wedeservemuchbetter!”

Nandlall has already broadcasted his intention for the legislation when he unabashedly declared that “the Government (not the courts), must determine the level of protection the country should receive for an oil spill.” Further rubbishing recent arguments by the Attorney General,Alexander noted that “Nandlall flat out lied that there was no UPCG in the EPA permits under the Coalition. How is it possible that anAG who is fighting so vexedly to conjoin Exxon against the UPCG, not know that the UPCG was first put into the Liza 2 permit since 2019 under the Coalition?”

while I was on leave in September2020.”

He added that the PPP/C Government then copied the exact UPCG clause into the revisedLiza1permitinApril 2022, and later into the Urau and Yellowtail permits, but now replaced it with the “credible and reasonable” deception in the Whiptail permit to support their oil spilllegislationstunt.

Adams in further seeking to clear the air said “Nandlall continues to spout his stupidness about “unlimited insurance”, despite being taught untold times that it is “unlimited parent company guarantee” and not his ignorant “unlimited insurance”.

To this end, he is of the view “this means that theAG either does not read, he doesn't understand what he reads,orheisflatoutlyingto cover-up for Exxon to the detriment of Guyana. For the AG's sake, I will explain for the umpteenth time in its most simplistic form, the basics of the UPCG ” Additionally, theformerEPA Head observed that Jagdeo continuestopedalhis“idiocy that EMGL (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) has some kind of fictitious $20 Billion USDinassetswhichcouldbe seized.”

According to Adams, “the fact is that after its first placingintheLiza2permitin 2019 under the Coalition, the UPCG was next put into the Payara permit which was w r i t t e n u n d e r m y supervision, but signed by Acting Director Razack,

To this end, Adams posits,“theVPshouldhaveat least read the Contract to learn that all of EMGL's “movable, permanent and fixed” assets belong to Guyana, and will be transferred “free of cost”, upon contract termination. Laughably put, he is touting that the Government seize its ownassets.”

The Group will deliver over 180km of line pipe, including X80 grade (following the lots previously booked for the Uaru order) X80 is a differentiated solution developed and qualified by Vallourec's R&D teams. It was explained that the X80 grade combines high strength with resistance to service conditions, making it a valuable contributor to future deeperwaterdevelopments.

Following the Yellowtail, Gas-to-

orders for approximately 700 km of line pipe for installation offshore Guyana since December2021. Vallourec will serve ExxonMobil Guyanafromitsstate-of-the-artJeceaba (Minas Gerais) mill which combines large production capacities and premium capabilities Philippe Guillemot, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vallourec, commented: “This significant new contract represents the fourth under the 10-year frame agreement signed three years ago with ExxonMobil Guyana. This is also the second order to include our grade X80, demonstrating

Vallourec'sabilitytodeliversolutionsto the industry that is both technological and efficiency enablers. This is a new milestone in Vallourec's long history with ExxonMobil, and I would like to thank ExxonMobil once again for its confidence in Vallourec and our team forthisgreatwork”.

AboutVallourec

Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions for the energy markets and for demanding industrial applications such as oil & gas wells in harsh environments, new generation power plants, challenging architectural projects, and high-performance mechanical equipment.

Vallourec's pioneering spirit and cutting-edge R&D open new technological frontiers. With close to 14,500 dedicated and passionate employees in more than 20 countries, Vallourec works hand-in-hand with its customers to offer more than just tubes: Vallourec delivers innovative, safe, competitive and smart tubular solutions, to make every project possible.

Kaieteur News

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Getting to the truth

Almost every week without fail,Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeotakesusthroughsomeaspectofthesordidhistoryof this nation. Of course, most times he gives his or his party’s side of the story, only to be picked up by the opposition and othersympathizerswhowouldusetheletterpagesandother forums to either correct the VP or add their own spin to the never-endingdebate.

Ouryoungcitizensdoappreciate,wewouldimaginethe lesson in history, but then it becomes a blame game. Jagdeo recently announced that his government will conduct an investigation into the Troubles- a period characterised by drug-driven chaos and bloodshed. Incidentally Jagdeo was President of Guyana from August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011 during which there were three massacres: Lusignan where11peoplewerekilled-Barticawhereanother12were killed and Lindo Creek where seven miners were slaughtered. Besides, there were countless extra-judicial killings-withsomeactivistsestimatingthataround400Afro Guyanesemalesweregunneddown.

This newspaper is on record recommending that we establish a Truth and Reconciliation (T&R) Commission alongthelinesoftheSouthAfricanoneundertheleadership ofBishopDesmondTutu.Wehopethathiswordsthatfollow will have greater effect on our political leaders. “The T&R Commission granted perpetrators of political crimes the opportunity to appeal for amnesty by giving a full and truthful account of their actions and, if they so chose, an opportunitytoaskforforgiveness—opportunitiesthatsome took and others did not. The commission also gave victims of political crimes a chance to tell their stories, hear confessions, and thus unburden themselves from the pain andsufferingtheyhadexperienced.

Forournationtohealandbecomeamorehumaneplace, we had to embrace our enemies as well as our friends. The sameistruetheworldover Trueenduringpeace—between countries, within a country, within a community, within a family requires real reconciliation between former enemies and even between loved ones who have struggled with one another True reconciliation is based on forgiveness,andforgivenessisbasedontrueconfession,and confession is based on penitence, on contrition, on sorrow for what you have done. Confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the lives of nations are not just airy-fairy religiousandspiritualthings,nebulousandunrealistic.They arethestuffofpracticalpolitics.

Thosewhoforgetthepast,asmanyhavepointedout,are doomed to repeat it. Just in terms of human psychology, we inSouthAfricaknewthattohaveblanketamnestywhereno disclosure was made would not deal with our past. It is not dealing with the past to say glibly, “Let bygones be bygones,”forthentheywillneverbebygones.Howcanyou forgive if you do not know what or whom to forgive? In our commission hearings, we required full disclosure for us to grant amnesty Only then, we thought, would the process of requesting and receiving forgiveness be healing and transformativeforallinvolved.

Unearthing the truth was necessary not only for the victims to heal, but for the perpetrators as well. Guilt, even unacknowledged guilt, has a negative effect on the guilty One day it will come out in some form or another We must be radical. We must go to the root, remove that which is festering,cleanseandcauterize,andthenanewbeginningis possible.

Forgiveness gives us the capacity to make a new start. That is the power, the rationale, of confession and forgiveness. It is to say, “I have fallen but I am not going to remainthere.Pleaseforgiveme.”

And forgiveness is the grace by which you enable the otherpersontogetup,andgetupwithdignity,tobeginanew Not to forgive leads to bitterness and hatred, which just like self-hatred and self-contempt, gnaw away at the vitals of one’s being.Whether hatred is projected out or projected in, itisalwayscorrosiveofthehumanspirit.

Forgiving and being reconciled to our enemies or our lovedonesarenotaboutpretendingthatthingsareotherthan they are. It is not about patting one another on the back and

Oil Spill Legislation scheme to nullify Judge Kissoon’s ruling for Parent Company Guarantee

DEAREDITOR, the reasonably credible he will never defend them. UPCG, not know that the InsubserviencetoExxon costs. Such amount is not He has gone way beyond UPCG was first put into the and realizing that they will expected to include defending, to joining them at Liza 2 permit since 2019 lose the legal battle, the compensation for loss and the hip. My opinion under the Coalition? How Government now plots its damage to other parties therefore, is that he is not fit could he be so incompetent heralded scheme for an oil and which are able to be to serve as AG whose first to not know the background spill legislation to nullify pursued through civil duty is to protect the people of a case that he is so Judge Kissoon’s decision proceedings.” In other ofGuyana.Wedeservemuch ferociously appealing? decreeing that an Unlimited words, other parties better! Worse yet, even if one Parent Company Guarantee (individuals and businesses By their rantings and considers his false inference (referred herein as UPCG) such as fisherfolk) would be ravings over recent judicial that it was the PPP/C, which must be provided to bear the on their own, fighting for rulings as the Teachers and placed the UPCG into the full cost of any oil spill, their lives in a lopsided court Exxon’s UPCG cases, permit, why is he now above what the insurance battle against a behemoth. JagdeoandNandlallleaveno bizarrely going against his covers. A spill without that The legal trickery is that doubt of their proclivity for own permits?The fact is that UPCGcouldbegetGuyana’s “credible and reasonable” dictatorship rule. The VP after its first placing in the financial bankruptcy; and, a damages could only be a t t a c k s t h e J u d g e , Liza 2 permit in 2019 under health and environment defined as the estimated fulminating that “it is theCoalition,theUPCGwas catastrophe for the whole difference between the presumptuousofajudgeto next put into the Payara Caribbean. So, this callous existing environmental c r i t i c i z e t h e permit which was written and immoral legislative condition and the condition President…..thepeopleare under my supervision, but scheme is apathetic betrayal after the spill. Thus, it is the arbiter of conduct…. signed by Acting Director of our country and the impossible to arrive at this the judges are treading in Razack,whileIwasonleave Caribbean, while bringing estimate, since there is no murky waters”, and that in September 2020 The merriment to Routledge and Government baseline r u l i n g s m u s t b e PPP/C Government then Exxon. showing the existing “predictable”. Nandlall has copied the exact UPCG

Thesadrealityisthatany environmentalcondition. already broadcast his clauseintotherevisedLiza1 such legislation will pass in An oil spill legislation intention for the legislation permit in April 2022, and Parliament due to the provides for the processes when he unabashedly later into the Urau and PPP/C’s one-seat majority, for preparedness, response d e c l a r e d t h a t “ t h e Yellowtail permits, but now and most critically, it will a c t i o n s , a n d t h e Government (not the replaced it with the take primacy over the Judge identification of culpable courts), must determine “credible and reasonable” Kissoon decision I parties and their liabilities in the level of protection the deception in the Whiptail challengetheGovernmentto the event of a spill. Now, all country should receive for permit to support their oil prove me wrong by of these could be provided anoilspill”. spilllegislationstunt. expressly including the for,andbeembodiedintothe I have had the privilege Fact #2 - Nandlall and underlying ratio of Judge EPA Permits and the of being associated with Jagdeo repeatedly lied that I Kissoon’s ruling into the National Oil Spill Response Attorneys personally and in “signed the worst permit legislation. Do that, and I Plan. So, a legislation is not my professional chain of (Liza 1), ever”. The fact is will be the first to apologize n e c e s s a r y i n t h e s e command, locally and that it was signed by Acting andcelebrate. circumstances, but only internationally, and could Director Parsram in June

turningablindeyetothewrong.Truereconciliationexposes theawfulness,theabuse,thepain,thehurt,thetruth.Itcould even sometimes make things worse. It is a risky undertaking but in the end it is worthwhile, because in the end only an honest confrontation with reality can bring real healing. Superficialreconciliationcanbringonlysuperficialhealing. We have had a jurisprudence, a penology in Africa that was not retributive but restorative. Traditionally, when people quarrelled the main intention was not to punish the miscreant but to restore good relations. This was the animating principle of our Truth and Reconciliation Commission. For Africa is concerned, or has traditionally beenconcerned,aboutthewholenessofrelationships.Thatis somethingweneedinthisworld—aworldthatispolarized,a worldthatisfragmented,aworldthatdestroyspeople.”

The legislation would servesasacamouflagetoget o n l y c o n c l u d e t h a t 2017, 16 months before I replace Judge Kasson’s out of the legal pickle and to Nandlall’s behaviour brings arrived at the EPA and took ruling with Routledge’s please Routledge at our gravedishonourtothisnoble immediate action to correct dictate reverently parroted people’sexpense. fraternity In his recent NCN the shortfalls with my by VP Jagdeo and Attorney What is most troubling, interview, all must be changes set forth in the Liza General (AG) Nandlall that is that coupled with his shocked by his empty- 2 permit, including the new only “credible and manifestation of lack of h e a d e d n e s s , l i e s , clause for UPCG as reasonable” costs will be k n o w l e d g e a n d disinformation and laziness described above They paidforanoilspill-thesame untruthfulness discussed to read; and, if he did read as rehired Mr Parsram even words now sanctified in the later, the AG is openly he claims, then his though they condemned the recent Whiptail permit, and behaving in Judas like comprehension. So much so, Liza 1 permit he signed, as no doubt a precursor of what fashion as Exxon’s AG and that patriotic Attorneys the worst ever; so, why do to come. If you don’t believe not Guyana’s He joins Melinda Janki and Khemraj they expose and throw him me, please read Article 14.3 Exxon, disloyally fighting Ramjattan had to take him to under the bus like this?Also, o f t h e p e r m i t I t with his last breath to defeat school on the basics of the I seem to be the ghost in the unambiguously lays down Guyana’s life-and-death law and the critical matter of heads of Nandlall, Jagdeo, that “the cumulative needfulness for the UPCG, the UPCG. As former Head and Gail Teixeira, of recent amount of insurance and despite his own confessed of the EPA, who proudly vintage, who insanely lied assurance shall be guided words that Exxon has a bad created and wrote the UPCG beforetheUNHumanRights byanestimateofthesumof international reputation and into the EPA Permits as my Commission that I was patriotic duty, I also find it responsible for the 2016 Oil necessary to join our Contract and I hid the esteemed Attorneys Janki signing bonus; though, I was and Ramjattan in further working for the US schooling and correcting Government at the time, and Nandlall’s lies, ignorance only joined EPA in October and disinformation, with 2018. unadulterated facts to save Fact #3 - Nandlall him further embarrassment continues to spout his ofbeingalaughingstock. stupidness about “unlimited Fact #1 – Nandlall flat insurance”, despite being out lied that there was no taught untold times that it is UPCG in the EPA permits “unlimited parent company undertheCoalition.Howisit guarantee” and not his possible that an AG who is ignorant “unlimited fighting so vexedly to insurance”.Thismeansthat conjoin Exxon against the (Continued on page 6)

PPP/C must use oil wealth to improve quality of life of low income and working-class citizens

DEAREDITOR, faulty electrical wiring and the unaffordable cost of

Article 26 of the leaks,tomentionafew. $300,000.

Can candidates for Toshaos engage in debates in Indigenous communities?

Constitution of the Co- Homeowners are then Editor, the Coalition operative Republic of expected to finance the proposed constructing rent Guyana addressed the ‘right necessary repairs and to own houses for lowof every citizen to housing replacements. Editor, it is income workers who are accommodation’.

d i ff i c u l t f o r t h e s e unable to access loans to

O n r e t u r n i n g t o homeowners,sincemanyare b u i l d d e c e n t government, the PPP/C making huge sacrifices to accommodation. promised to allocate 50,000 acquiretheirfirsthome.

CHPA needs to carry out houselots. On a visit to the housing its mandate to address the While they are boasting scheme on the Eastern housing needs of lowthat they will accomplish Carriageway of the Heroes income citizens by this, I will be proven right in Highway just before the facilitating access to 2025, that it was just another 2024 budget debates, in affordable, sanitary, and safe emptycampaignpromise. January, I noted that the livingaccommodation.

Despite reports in the houses built by Surinamese The PPP/C must use our media, of their massive c o n t r a c t o r s w e r e oil wealth to improve the housing drive, from unoccupied, despite being quality of life of the low construction of houses to completed sometime late income and working-class allocation of house lots, 2022early2023. citizens. therearemanycomplaintsof However, on my return They must honour the discrimination and shoddy visit earlier last week, I constitutional rights of workmanship. recognized that some of the citizens to housing

Allegedly, many persons houses were occupied a c c o m m o d a t i o n whopaidforhouselotssince p r e d o m i n a n t l y b y Additionally, I am appealing 2021 are yet to be given “Venezuelans,” and a few by on behalf of ordinary access; persons who were p e r s o n s w h o w e r e Guyanese, who have allocated lots by the previously living on the sea purchased houses built by Coalition between 2019 and defence along Diamond, CHPA using private 2020 in the Cummings CoverdenandHerstellingon Contractors to FIX ALL L o d g e a r e a , w e r e theEBD. defects on buildings in reallocated. Close by, my attention Prospect, EBD, Great Those who received lots was drawn to several shacks Diamond, EBD and in phases 114 and 115 in withnosanitaryblocksinthe Providence,EBD. Providence, E B D were area. Residents reported that reallocated lots in Prospect, Iwasinformedthatthose complaints were made, E.B.D.Allegedly, there is no residents, who were promises were given, and q u a l i t y a s s u r a n c e previously residing on the many are still to be mechanism in place, so sea defence in several areas, addressed. houses being sold are were allocated house lots, in Yours sincerely, defectivewithloosefixtures, the Great Diamond area, at Annette Ferguson, MP

DEAREDITOR, to allow villagers to hear organizing debates among In Guyana, Indigenous their plans and blueprints for young people and secondary cultures have been impacted the development of their schools in the interior and by modernity and outside respective communities. nationally. influences.

Debates are excellent This initiative has

This has led to both platformsforshowcasingthe p

challenges and opportunities rational capabilities of experience for those young forthecommunities. po

To

in folks who have the potential

A s A m e r i c a n Indigenouscommunities. tobecomeToshaos. Anthropologist Marshall It is an opportunity for It would be excellent if Sahlins pointed out, cultures candidates to demonstrate the body responsible for this are never static and always their familiarity with local event could extend this transformduetocontactwith customs and awareness of opportunity to Toshaos others. pressing issues that residents candidates as well, along

Itisessentialtorecognise needtoaddress. with the assistance of the that Indigenous culture in In add

n, it is National Toshaos Council Guyana is not isolated but is important to observe their (NTC); their input of a in constant contact with the proficiency in the local “positive erudite outside outside world thus culture and the relevant influence” can have a undergoingreconfiguration. development that is in sync significant impact on the

External influences have w i t h t h e n e e d s o f indigenous leadership in contributed to shaping communities. communitiesinGuyana. Indigenous cosmovision and Inrecentyears,theYouth Regards, have led to the dominance of P

Medino Abraham the local culture to some extent.

Western culture has been adopted through various m e d i u m s s u c h a s mainstream education and television shows, which have introduced activities such as beauty pageants and presidential candidates debatesinGuyana.

This and other new experiences have allowed for an involvement of i n t e r c u l t u r a l i t y i n Indigenouscommunities.

In this context, as the season of Toshaos elections approaches, I suggest that candidatesengageindebates

Oil Spill Legislation scheme to nullify...

From page 4 foolishness about “unlimited its subsidiary under which the AG either does not read, insurance”, Nandlall’s and the spill occurred. I would he doesn’t understand what Jagdeo’s excuse for not also advise that the VP and he reads, or he is flat out having an UPCG, is that it AG stop shooting from the lying to cover-up for Exxon will bankrupt Exxon, hip and go read that similar to the detriment of Guyana. signifying that they are more UPCG exists in the UK, For the AG’s sake, I will distressed about Exxon’s RussiaandGreenland. explain for the umpteenth bankruptcy, but obviously Fact#9–TheAGandVP time in its most simplistic don’t care a hoot about the are irresponsible not to care form, the basics of the b a n k r u p t c y a n d about the lessons of the UPCG: environmental and health relativelysmallspillsinPeru I n m a t h e m a t i c a l devastation of their own and Tobago, without UPCGparlance, Full Coverage = peopleandcountry like coverage. In the little Insurance + Unlimited Fact #6 - The UPCG is 12,000 barrels spill in Peru, Parent Co Guarantee necessary, not only because the Government had to seize (UPCG) there is no insurance of that th

As succinctly explained size to cover an oil spill, but company’s Managers and by Judge Kissoon and the also because it is a strategy file a lawsuit to recover permits, regardless of the by companies like Exxon to cleanup costs in the $ insurance value which is create Limited Liability Billions USD, followed by now a measly $600 million Company (LLCs) like legislating new laws. In the USD, the UPCG is only a EMGLtoinsulatethemfrom 50,000barrels Tobago spill, letter of guarantee from the all liabilities. Since EMGL the Government is left parent companies, that does signs all documents, it holding the bag, still not cost a single penny to the absolves Exxon of any searching for the liable companies, but will cover liabilities I repeat for parties. any and all(unlimited) costs emphasis that EMGL has F a c t # 1 0 – T h e above the insurance. The oil little or no assets to cover an Government is recklessly spill legislation is only a oilspill. fosteringatriplewhammyof camouflage to reduce the Fact #7 - Jagdeo (i) exceeding the EIA existing UPCG to some continues to pedal his idiocy prescribed safe operating “credible and reasonable” that EMGLhas some kind of limits that increases the risks amount to be determined by fictitious$20BillionUSDin of a spill; (ii) tripled the Exxon and expected to be assetswhichcouldbeseized. deployment time for the capped at $2 Billion USD to The VP should have at least capping stack to 9 days from satisfy Routledge’s demand, read the Contract to learn the 3 days set by the abetted by Jagdeo and that all of EMGL’s Coalition, allowing for an Nandlall. I wish to remind “movable, permanent and extra 6-day gushing of oil that the BP Horizon spill in fixed” assets belong to intotheocean;and(iii)atthe the Gulf cost $145 Billion Guyana, and will be same time, opposes the USD. transferred “free of cost”, UPCG for full clean-up, Fact#4–Startingwiththe upon contract termination. though enhancing the risk Liza2permitsignedin2019, Laughably put, he is touting and quantity of a spill Exxon’s subsidiary (child) that the Government seized Besides a well blow-out, EMGL signed all of the its own assets. My incessant thereisacompoundedriskof Permits with the UPCG, call is still unanswered for a spill from a ship plying the confirming their legal the VP to produce the $20 Caribbean fetching 1 million agreement with it. Further, Billion USD list of assets barrels of Guyana’s oil, EMGL formally agreed that that EMGL owns and don’t daily operation of Liza 2 will not belongtoGuyana. Unfairly, the VP and AG commence as scheduled in Fact #8 - For the ill- have a public platform to 2022, nor any new permits informed Jagdeo and peddle their lies and granted until EPA approves Nandlall who asserts that disinformation without a theUPCGletterastohowthe they have never heard of a rebuttal and accountability three companies Exxon, UPCG, let them be educated Therefore, since the CNOOC and HESS will thatfirst,incountriessuchas taxpayers-owned NCN is share the UPCG liabilities. the USA, all operations are obligated to provide equity We were at the final draft of registered in the names of, of access to free speech for that letter in August 2020, and run by the major all of Guyana’s citizens, and whenIwassentonleaveand companies themselves, and to back up the Government’s the EPA young outstanding not by subsidiaries such as claim of transparency, I attorney handling the matter EMGL. Hence, the parent kindly request that NCN was also terminated company takes on all affords me an interview of Thereafter, Exxon with liabilities. For instance, BP equal time afforded Mr backing of the PPP/C had to carry all liabilities in Nandlall;or,thatNCNhosta Government refused to the Macondo spill. On the public debate between me comply with the UPCG; other hand, Shell Oil has andanyindividualorteamof thus, triggering the lawsuit been fighting an oil spill Government and Exxon, on and the overwhelmingly lawsuit brought by matters related to the oil and popular landmark decision Nigerians, and Shell’s gascontractandoperations. byJudgeKissoon. defense without a PCG, is Respectfully, Fact #5– Besides his that it is not responsible for Dr. VincentAdams

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Secrecy breeds corruption

The People's Progressive Party (PPP) administration thrives in managing the affairs of this country, particularly the management of the oil and gas sector in the dark.

It is no secret that the lack of transparency is the breeding ground for corruption. This nation is hungry for information, but the government is too busy hiding its corrupt trails to heed calls for openness. Why are there no professional press conferences hosted by Ministers? Is government run by a single individual that controls what the public should and should not know?

Where are the agreements for the Gas-to-Energy project, the largest financial venture ever pursued? Where are the cost recovery statements for the oil and gas companies? Why does the government believe in secret management?

ExxonMobil now seeking insurance th broker for 6 oil project after receiving Permit

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is now searching for insurance brokers to provide an Insurance Programme for its sixth project in the Stabroek Block, the Whiptail development, after receiving regulatory approvals from the Government of Guyana (GoG).

The company recently issued a Request For Information (RFI) in this newspaper, outlining the company's intent to establish an agreement for the provision of Insurance Brokerage Service for the Whiptail Development Insurance Program in the Stabroek Block,Guyana. TheRFIprocessis usedtoseekinputanddevelopalist of qualified bidders before structured bid rules take effect.

ExxonMobilsaidintheRFIthatthe company in its sole discretion may divide the services described into several enabling agreements that may be awarded to more than one

bidder

According to the RFI, the oil company is looking to implement a 'Property Damage (PD)

Construction All Risk (CAR) program to include all Subsea, Umbilical, Riser, Flowlines (SURF), shore base construction and related assets for the Whiptail project; Operator's Extra Expense (OEE) including control of well, redrilling/extra expenses, seepage and pollution, clean up and contamination exposures and General Third Party Liability (TPL) (including sudden and unforeseen pollution) covering, interalia, liabilities arising from all Whiptail Development exposures onaninternationalbasis.

For Property Damage and Third-Party Liability, insurance is expectedtocoverthreeconsecutive periods: Project Period, Maintenance Period (12 months), and Discovery Period (12 months),

all subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions to be agreed as part ofthecoverage.

I

ExxonMobil must be procured from an Insurance Company or Companies with long term unsecured obligations rated at least 'A-' by Standard & Poor's, 'A3' by Moody's Investor's Service, or 'A-' byAMBest.

ExxonMobil was officially given the green light for the project by the government on April 11, 2024 The company plans to produce approximately 250,000

barrels per day (bpd) by the end of 2027 at the Whiptail project. The developmentworksareexpectedto cost some US$12.7B. Currently, three FPSOs – the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Prosperity – are operating offshore Guyana and are producing more than 640,000 barrels of oil per day. Construction is underway on FPSOs for the Yellowtail and Uaru projects, with Yellowtail anticipated to start production in 2025 and Uaru targetedin2026. The sixth project will take Guyana's total gross production

Guyana's first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the Liza Destiny

approximately 1.3 million barrels ofoilperdayby2027.Guyana'soil has helped ExxonMobil to significantly grow its profits over the past few years. The company has increased daily production beyond the safety limits of the existing FPSOs with the blessings of the Government of Guyana (GoG) but remain reluctant to provide the nation with an unlimited parent company guaranteetoprotectthenationfrom the costs of an oil spill that would not be satisfied by the limited insurance.

ExxonMobilpaidUS$11Bintaxesduring firstquarterof2024,Guyanareceivedzero

In the first three months of 2024 ExxonMobil forked out US$11B in income taxes for its global operations but nonewerepaidtoGuyana.

E x x o n M o b i l Corporation (XOM) in its first quarter report for 2024 details “total taxes were US$11.0 billion, a decrease of US$2 1 billion from 2023.”

The oil giant explained that income tax expense was US$3.8 billion compared to US$5.0 billion in the prior year “The effective income tax rate, which is calculated based on consolidated company income taxes and Exxonmobil's share of equity company income taxes, was 36 percent. This increased from the 34 percent rate in the prior year

period due primarily to a change in a mix of results in jurisdictions with varying tax rates,” the company pointedout.

In the meantime, it was noted that total other taxes and duties decreased by US$0.9 billion to US$7.2 billion. Guyana has been the driving force of the record profits registered by ExxonMobil, but due to the lopsided Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) it signed i n 2 0 1 6 w i t h t h e Government of Guyana (GoG), the company and its sub-c

x payments.

In fact, the oil deal provides for taxes owed by the company to be paid by Guyana. The PSA states at

Article 15 1 that the Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as its affiliates shall not be subjectedtotax,value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, property held or transactions except as specified under the agreement.

It goes on to state at Article 15.4 that the sum equivalent to the taxes owed by the company will be paid by the Minister responsible for Petroleum to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Notably, the GoG also agreed to issue a receipt to ExxonMobil, indicating that it has met the local tax

requirements to avoid the burdenofdoubletaxation.

Article 15 5 of the contract states, “Within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the end of each year of assessment, the Minister shall furnish to Contractor proper tax certificates in Contractor's n a m e f r o m t h e Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority evidencing the payment of the Contractor's income tax under the Income Tax Act and corporation tax under the Corporation Tax Act. Such certificates shall state the amount of tax paid individually on behalf of Contractor or parties comprising the Contractor and other particulars customary for such certificates.”

President, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge

A legal suit brought against these abusive tax giveaways by the Publisher ofthisnewspaper,Mr Glenn

Lall was unsuccessful as the Court dismissed the case in February2023. Since oil production activities commenced in 2019, Guyana has lost US$2,841,000,000 in taxes to oil and gas companies. Kaieteur News reported that tax exemptions granted between 2019 and 2021, according to previous AG Reports, amount to a whopping US$2.3 billion. In 2019, Guyana lost US$600 million in taxes and in 2020 anotherUS$685million;this was followed by US$1 B in tax exemptions in 2021 and US$541 million in 2022. Information on tax waivers for 2023 has not yet been madepublic.

Giving change a chance

About fifteen years ago, spend, exposed to the potential in outsourcing

Thereforetheproposalof employment opportunities there was a plan to deploy elements, directing the flow certain functions of the traffic wardens can be just a for the populace. And in so one hundred traffic wardens of traffic and busy police force to private firms, tip of the iceberg when it doing it can ensure that across the city A lot has intersections. such as training individuals comes to expanding civilian trained offers are deployed changed since then, not only Integrating more in crime solving or offering employment within the more towards fighting crime about the city but about the civilians into traffic duties scholarships to graduates in Guyana Police Force. To and less towards other tasks trafficsituationingeneral. will send a wider signal that forensic science. This not meet the evolving needs of such as issuing licenses and nomenclature reflects a The initiative for some there is a demand for only bridges the gap in law enforcement and adapt immigrationfunctions. broader ethos of service- inexplicable reason never specialized roles within law specialized skill sets but also to changing labor market However, change has oriented policing and a got off the ground enforcement. Not everyone fosters collaboration dynamics, it’s important for never been easy for law departure from traditional

Considering the persisting has to become a trained between the private sector the Guyana Police Force to enforcement agencies to paramilitary connotations traffic chaos across the police officer to function in and law enforcement be more flexible in its embrace The transition Why not give change a coastland at present, this the police force. Positions agenciesformutualbenefit. approach to recruitment and towards integrating civilians chance! initiative needs to be such as traffic wardens can Additionally, the deployment within the into police work may face

(The views expressed in resuscitated. see the employment of creation of a specialized GuyanaPoliceForce. resistance. this article are those of the But the deployment of civilians without having to immigration department, B y e x p a n d i n g Nevertheless, the recent

100 traffic wardens might become part of the tenured separate from the police specialized the Guyana considerationbytheForceto necessarily reflect the justbescratchingthesurface employment within the force, can address the PoliceForcecanenhancethe change its name to Guyana opinions and beliefs of this of what’s needed. It’s time to Force.

effectiveness and efficiency Police Service signals a

seriouslyconsiderscalingup At present, there is an multilingual officers to of law enforcement while willingness to adapt and affiliates.) this initiative by employing o

approximately 500 traffic inherited from the colonial- immigration processes, wardens to effectively era police force This particularly with the influx manage the burgeoning framework is characterized of individuals from Spanishtraffic congestion and by stringent physical speaking countries? How parking issues across the training, barracks life, and many of our immigration country unquestioning obedience to officers are multilingual?

These persons would commands.Thisapproachto How many of them can need to undergo intense police administration is no speak Spanish or French or training by the Traffic longer attractive to potential Portuguese? Department They would recruits. There exists a pool The President’s proposal then have to be interned and of individuals eager to to introduce compulsory work alongside traffic contribute to crime-solving Spanish language teaching officers before they are and forensic analysis but are in sch

g

ne

ed eventually sent out on their deterred by the regimented attention.However,nooneis own to manage the chaotic nature of traditional and certain how far this initiative trafficsituation. formalpolicetraining. has gone or if it has crash

The resuscitation of By creating specialized landed. traffic wardens presents a roles such as crime A more immediate and unique opportunity to investigators and forensic practical approach could integrate more civilians into scientists within the police have been the multilingual the Guyana Police Force, force, we can tap into this training of immigration diversifying its workforce talentpooleffectively These officers Given the andoptimizingitsefficiency positions don’t require the increasing diversity of By expanding the pool of traditional drill-based visitors and immigrants to traffic wardens, the training and can attract Guyana, proficiency in authorities can alleviate the individuals who are languages beyond English is burden on existing police otherwise deterred by the invaluable for effective trafficranks.Atpresentthese rigidity of police training communication and service ranks are overwhelmed by schools. delivery at immigration the long hours they have to There is an immense checkpoints.

Dem Boys Seh...

Nuff mad people deh outside de asylum

Lang time dem used to turnpoliticians.” time fuh visit de asylum. gat some strange characters Is nuff madness tekkin’ Dem bin hear de doctor ondestreetsofGeorgetown. place in politics these days. questioning three of dem Someofdemhadnamesand Any and everybody now patients. He ask de fuss one others bin get names from tuningpolitician.Datiswah whatis6times6. de public Dem boys demcallingegalitarianism– De patient answer remember Jamesey Moore, yuh can become whatever “1000!” Saul, Law and Order, Bertie yuhwantthesedays. He tun to de second one Vaughn. Long ago when yuh sick and ask he, “what is 6 times Bicycle Jack and in de head, dem used to cart 6?” Maddy John and dem had yuh off to de mental asylum De second patient man Bow Foot. These people in Berbice. These days dem answer,“February!” added character to city life gat more mad people He tun to de next one even though all a dem had outside de mental hospital and ask, “What is 6 times some mental illness or de dan dem gat inside. And 6?” other some of dem doctors does De third patient answer, Dem boys tun and ask look after mad people so “36!” wan old friend. “Where are much, dat after a while yuh “That is correct,” said the mad people wah used to don’t know who is patient the doctor “But how did roamthestreetsofGT?” andwhoisdoctor youknowtheanswer?” De friend seh, “Dem Dem boys did go one Talk half. Leff half.

H@RD TRUTHS

Prez must not be a gangsta rapper, VP a street scrapper

President Mohamed IrfaanAliharborsideasinhis head that he is bigger than Big E. Small. What prized ambition! But Guyana cannot afford the luxurious image of its head of state comporting himself like a gangsta rapper A burly, blustery,duskyone.

'You want to see this governmentfail? Isthatwhat yu'all want? Well, it is not goingtofail,itisnotgoingto fail.' Words to that effect on, believeitornot,blackouts. If President Ali were an ordinary John Doe, I believe that he would be dismissed with the wave of a hand, a subject of mirth. I don't know of any Guyanese possessing of a sound mind that would desire a situation where the government fails and blackouts triumph Clearly, President Ali has an attitude crisis. An arrogance listing. An anger problem. And, as I believe, a memory deficit,whenitisconvenient. The PPP Government is one that does not like to be questioned, cornered, exposed. Itwouldkilltoshut

citizens up. From the mists of local memory, I excavate Courtney Crum-Ewing. He questioned. Heobjected. He pointed. He went. I invite the Hon. Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, to weigh in with one of his dissertations The same courtesy is extended to the Hon.VicePresident,Bhar-rat Jagdeo. Talk as long as is wished.

But let this register powerfully:truthisaslippery beast. Itcanbemadeintothe shaky, sloppy, and sleazy in the hands of those who urinateonitsaltar Hopethat I have made myself clear, gentlemen and beloved brethren.

I appeal to President Ali and VP Barry: calm down. Stabilize self. Secure spirits. Inquisitive Guyanese aren't enemies. Leading a nation is not acting up or putting on airs in a society salon. Or, more accurately, brawling in abar

There is too much leadership megalomania and schizophrenia in this neighborhood. A president's

role is to set an example for his people If he is aggressive and acrimonious, then citizens have a role model to copy It is why the Guyana Police Force has its hands full with viciousness on the roads and appalling violence here, there, and everywhere. That is, when the hands of many of its membersarenotfullofpaper stuff.

Those with signatures imprinted on embossed paper Do we (I) want to see the police fall apart and fall flat? Itrustthatthepresident understands.

Ihumblyrecommendthat President Ali halts his splayfooted, barreling stride. What he is doing doesn't win anythingoranyone. Itdrives a wedge into the heart of Guyana One Guyana relentlessly transforms into one ugly, raging, tragic Guyana. When their own people listen to the president and the vice president, they are not deceived by the histrionics that are seen as escape mechanisms. The people want more. More

quality from their leaders, and less hostility, vulgarity The president is not Tupac, nor can the vice president continue doing his imitations of General Halftrack. As always, I try to help the man with the shiny helmet: check with Admiral Alistair Routledge for the kind of leader that General Halftrack was. Is this what Guyanese have for national leaders in this its golden age of oil?

SergeantBilko?

Those who fancy themselves to be Guyanese versions of Douglas MacArthur but are closer to Benedict Arnold. Sergeant Bilko was always selling whathedidn'thaveandsome noble feature of himself whichdidnotexist.

Whenthetwoleadersthat I have repeatedly referred to in this offering are more of the worst of Jamaican dancehall lyrics, they look bad, make Guyana look bad, and make me look bad. The rest of Guyana may not care. I do. President Ali and VP Jaggy are always defending by attacking. Defending s o m e d a r k n e s s

Attacking and assaulting some truth that refuses to retreat, be conquered. Talk to the teachers; don't torture thecourtsystem. Tonedown the grandstanding and showboating, Guyana is not the NBA, or NHL. Refrain from getting ideas to terrorize the Fourth Estate with the might of the First Estate.

Recall what happened to Louis XVI in France in the throes of the French Revolution. Iappreciatethat these two great Guyanese's education and exposure have not been about the finer and wiser things in life. But that doesn't let me off the hook from working tirelessly (and thanklessly) to set them on thestraightpath.

This is the sacred obligation of every Guyanese; since most shrink fromdoingtheirduty,orhave been bought over, then it is lefttothefewlikeme.

Thepresidentknowsthis, whichiswhyheandtheother fella scheme endlessly on how to steamroll the handful

daring to raise their hand and ask:whyisthatso? Howcan that be right? And the really adventurous with a huge appetite for risk: what about leadership shrinkages? I tablethismyway:whatabout g l a r i n g l e a d e r s h i p weaknesses before Exxon?

What about obvious leadership trickiness in Parliament, and cooperative tender board personnel arrangements, and deformed and demented checks and balances,alaPAC?

T h e e x a l t e d a n d extraordinary ones in Guyana are free to speak, operate, and live like gangsta rappers The inevitable result is a gangsta citizenry and a gangsta country So long.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)

Sugarworkersdowntools,pick-up placardsafterdeniedpaidleave

On Monday sugar workers at the Rose Hall Estatedownedtheirtoolsand picked up placards in protest after they were denied paid leave. The workers reached out to the Kaieteur News to vent their frustration about the situation. The protest took place in front of the estate's compound and video footage

senttothispublicationshows workers assembling and writing on their placards as well The workers are claiming that they have received the short end of the stick.

Aditya Singh one of the estate workers who reached out said that, “What they agree to is after two weeks when the crop finish, (they)

agree to pay us a one week holidaywithpay

We haven't received that moneyithasbeenfourweeks now so that is what caused this.”

Singh further explained: “We were promised two weeks ago and then they asked us to see with them for one week and they said we would be paid this money on

Agreementin1978statesthat after 14 days of work we are entitled to our leave, our one week holiday with pay.” “So we plead with them for that th one week and when the 26 reach the same thing they said they don't have money So we decide to take industrial action because

Man caught on camera stealing cell phone from furniture store

Screen grabs from the footage.

Aman was caught on camera appearing to be browsing items on display at a furniture store before proceeding to steal a cell phone.

According to the time stamp on the footage the incident occurred around 08:14hrs on Monday In the video footage from the business identified as Shane and Shun Furniture Store located at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara the phone was plugged in on a table charging. The man was dressed in a black tee-shirt, a pair of black jeans with red knee patches, a pair of black slippers on his feet and a burgundy baseball cap. The man was seen walking into the store, with a flat white object that appeared to be a box in his hand,callingfor“inside”.

He paused for a moment and looked around the store in a browsingmanner Fromtheangleofthefootagethemanseemedto be the only occupant of the store at the time.After looking around for a few more moments, he then approached a table in the store that appeared to be the cashier area.The man swiftly snatched the phoneupoffthetableandensuredheunpluggedthechargerbefore quicklywalkingbackinthedirectionhecame.

they breach the agreement completely So Mr Vijay Goberdhan, that's the EM (Estate Manager) he was the man that made this along with Personnel Manager, Pawan Baldeo and other managers.

So we're out here at the moment,”Singhadded.

Ramotar (only name given) a representative from the factory said “we protesting to get awi holiday with pay after we work 14 days ” Lazer Mohamed, another worker added: “we are out here for the one week holiday because they are overdoing the do.” Another worker said that, “Actually I amheresupportingthestrike, my name is Marlon Balgobin so I am actually supporting the strike I am a worker of Rose Hall Estate, and I really need my money I reallywork forit.”

The distraught workers lamented that they have families to feed and they

werenotjustlookingforward to the few days at home to be able to spend time with their families, bond with their offspring and get some well deservedandneededrest,but also expected cash to offset expenses.

Calls to the Personnel Manager Mr Pawan Baldeo number went unanswered. Calls were also made to the Chief Executive Officer, of GuySuCo, Sasenarine Singh, but he too did not respond. Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha when contacted said he was in meetings all day “I am in a meeting at the moment, what can I do for you quickly?” After he was informed of the strike and the troubles faced togetholdofthemanagersat the estate, he said that, “The workersstriketoday? IwillcallGuySuCotosee whatisgoingonandIwillget back to you.” Up to press time he had not returned the call.

Sugar workers protesting at the Rose Hall Estate

Promoters miss third deadline to complete $346M Bamia Primary School

Entertainers and football promoters turn building contractors have missed a third deadline to complete the $346 million Bamia Primary School project in Region10.

The contract was handed toacompanycalledSt8ment Investment Inc. that was

formed some six months prior to being handed the contract. The school was expected to be completed by this month, but Kaieteur News was told works are o

completed.

During a telephone

'Short Boss' charged with murder of East Ruimveldt man

Rollot Rowley, a 34-year-old father of two was on Monday charged with murder after he allegedly stabbed to death Shawn George, 52, on April 24, 2024, at 264 VlissengenSquare,Georgetown.

Rowley, also called “Short Boss”, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Chief Magistrate Sherdel Issacs-Marcus where the charge was read to him. He was not required to plea to the indictablecharge.

According to police reports, the incident occurred around 17:00hrs on the day in question. Rowley, reportedly was riding his motorbike when he encountered George at Vlissengen Square. Rowley allegedly insulted George with a derogatory term, calling him an “anti-man”. This verbal exchange escalated into a physical altercation.

During the altercation, Rowley allegedly armed himself with a knife and stabbed George four times - once in the left forearm and thrice in the left abdomen. In defense, George wielded a piece of wood, striking Rowley on the shoulder Despite this, Rowley allegedly stabbed George again

beforefleeingthescene.

The wounded man was picked up by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Following the incident, Rowley was apprehendedbyauthorities.

He is scheduled to appear in court again onMay30,2024,forfurtherproceedings.

publication on Monday, the Regional Democratic Council(RDC)ofRegion10 Chairman, Deron Adams said that during a visit to the projectsitewithhisteamthis month, a number of works were yet to be completed on the building. He shared that works such as electrical works,installmentofseveral windows, completion of ceiling, corrective works to some walls, painting of interior and completion to exterior were yet to be done. When asked if there was yet a third extension issued to

the contractor to finish the school, the Chairman disclosed that the region's Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dwight John had written to the Ministry of Finance for approval on an extension.

E x p r e s s i n g h i s dissatisfaction with the slothfulness of the project, Adams said all they are hoping for is that the school to be completed soonest so as to

e challenges students from the Bamia community are currently facing. “The issue

is that because of the distance children have to walkfromtheBamiaareaall the way to Amelia's Ward Primary; it is a challenge for them The delay of this school is bringing more hardship on them,” he expressed.

Another issue he stated asaresultofthisdelayisthat “if this project is not completedthisyear,itmeans that it would affect region's 10 budgetary allocations because you have to keep rolling the money over to (Continued on page 16)

Remanded: Rollet Rowley

Works ongoing in April on the Bamia Primary School.

ACDA calls for shared system of governance

...says winner-takes-all structure not good for Guyana

Guyana'spremierAfrican representative organisationthe African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) has reiterated its call for a shared system of governance in Guyana, saying that the current winner-takes-all framework isnotgoodforthecountry

A United States Agency

f o r I n t e r n a t i o n a l Development (USAID)funded Assessment on Democracy and Governance in Guyana back in 2021 recommended that the ruling

p a r t y, t h e P e o p l e ' s Progressive Party (PPP) and theoppositioncoalitiontheA Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) need to find a way to form a functioningdemocracybased on power-sharing rather than a“winnertakesall” mentality. This would e n s u r e t h a t t h e unprecedented wealth in oil reserves can be transparently and equitably managed for the benefit of all Guyanese, the USAID said. Since then

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo who is also leader of the PPP said, shared governance at the executive level would only happen if Guyanese call for it during the planned constitutional reform process. He said too that PPP/C cannot trust the opposition on supporting its developmentalpolicies.

Meanwhile, in its statement issued on Monday, ACDA said Guyana's governance system was molded during the colonial period,heavilyinfluencedby the geopolitical imperatives of British and American interests. The organisation said while it functioned in “uniting us as a nation, it has fallen short of fostering an environment capable of effectively addressing our longstanding challenges. ACDA firmly believes that Guyana's economic, political, and social predicaments cannot be adequately tackled under the existing "winner-takes-all" political framework, a reality that has persisted for the past 60years.”

According to ACDA since1994,ithaspersistently advocated for a shift in the country's governance structure towards one of Executive Power Sharing. “Our efforts yielded a significant milestone when former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte, as the opposition leader, pledged his party (PNC/R) to embrace a new model of governance during his addresstothepartyCongress and the nation in 2002. He articulated, "The time has come for an adjusted system of governance," irrespective of the nomenclature, be it "power-sharing," "shared governance," or any other title.” “Recognising the significance of being at the governance table, ACDA emphasises that the interests of the African Guyanese community can only be adequately represented t h r o u g h i n c l u s i v e governance Notably, the recent stance of the US government and US AID

affirming the necessity of a shared or inclusive governance system for Guyana resonates deeply withourobjectives.

We view this shift in US policy as prudent counsel stemming from a nation that played a pivotal role in shaping our current governance system ” The organization said with Guyana's transition into a petroleum state, the implementation of a new governance structure is now more critical than ever to ensure equitable distribution of our abundant resources a m o n g o u r p e o p l e Additionally, ACDA said: “we are profoundly troubled by the ongoing exclusion of the African Guyanese community from meaningful political participation, leaving us vulnerable to political, economic, and social marginalization. We firmly assert that after 250 years of contributing our labour to build this nation without being paid a cent , it is unacceptable for us to

continue being marginalized from the governance of our owncountry

This perpetuation of exclusion stands as a gross violation of historical justice and our collective human rights—a principle we refuse to negotiate on. For these reasons, we reiterate our longstanding position that Executive Power Sharing represents the most suitable governmental system for our nation.

We adamantly reject the winner-takes-all approach, perceivingitspersistenceasa modern-day form of enslavement. ACDA firmly stands by the principle that those subject to governance must actively participate in shaping the system under whichtheyaregoverned.”

At a news conference last year Jagdeo was asked about inclusive governance during which he responded that the opposition cannot be trusted.

“I suspect that this new form of inclusive governance that they'retalkingaboutonlyhas oneend,andthatisexecutive powersharing.

But our point was if you can't share a common set of values, if you believe in stealing elections and we don't, we can't get along. If you don't share economic values and our social values or patriotism… or if you're a racist, then you can't work withusonthis.Youwillhave to share common values for thattoworkorelseyoubring the same gridlock that we have in the parliament now into the cabinet, and nothing happens.

We've seen it It has stymied many countries Youhavetobuildupaperiod of building trust, and only then that [inclusive governance] can happen,” Jagdeo stated back then according to Stabroek News report.

No alternative spot offered for displaced Demico House vendors

Displaced vendors outside of Bank DIH Demico House, Stabroek, Georgetown on Monday said that no alternatives site has been provided for them to continue playingtheirtrade.

High Court Judge, Navindra Singh recently ordered that the vendors be removed. The action was filed by Banks DIH Limited, which is the parent company for Demico House. The orders issued byJusticeSinghwerefortwosenor CityCouncilofficialstoremovethe vendors and their stands and structures and belongings from the

pavementandsurroundingsoutside thepopularrestaurant.

On Sunday, April 28, 2024 actionwastakentocleartheareaas well as remove vendors and their structuresfromthearea.

According to one of the vendors, two trucks were present on the scene around 07:30am and efforts to remove stalls and other materials from the premise were in action.

The drains were also cleared and disposed by the workers Furthermore,thevendorscomplied with the removal efforts as they

were served two previous notices. InastatementfromtheTownClerk, Ms. Candace Nelson, she told Kaieteur News that the previous notices were issued on April 8,

Man beaten for ‘picking-up fire rage’ for sister

A 34-year-old man was beaten with an axe by another man on Sunday at Better Hope North, East Coast Demerara (ECD), after he had confronted the suspect for allegedlyslanderinghissister

The injured man has been identified as Hardat Badal, a resident of Better Hope North ECD.Duringaninterviewwiththis publication, Badal disclosed that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 03:00hrs, in the close proximity to where he resides. The victim related to Kaieteur News, that he and the suspect allegedly had an altercation, following the

allegedscandalofhissister'sname.

“I had an argument over my sister, he (suspect) scandal my sister name.” Badal claimed that he did nothing more but asked, “I just ask himwhathappening.”

Following the confrontation, Badal further claimed that on Sunday, the suspect confronted him,andintheprocessofdoingso, he (suspect) allegedly started to hit Badal in the region of his face with an axe. Subsequently the suspect managed to escape and a report was made at a nearby police station Thereafter, Badal was taken to a hospital where he was

Hardat Badal after being beaten with the axe

treatedfortheinjurieshesustained, and was then discharged later The suspectisyettobeapprehended.

2024 and April 24, 2024. Notably, these notices were issued with immediate action, however no deadlinewasgiven.

Severalvendorsexpressedtheir frustration and dismay as they claimed they were offered no alternative place to practice their trade. “Scratchy”, a vendor who runs a drinks business at the Demico House area stated that he had been a vendor at the Demico House area for 38 years. He further addedthattheremovalhasaffected his livelihood and “he has a family and his pregnant wife he needs to providefor”.

Another vendor, who opted to remain anonymous, related to the KaieteurNewsthathearrivedatthe Demico House area, during the cleanup around 7:30 am. He is the ownerofafoodbusinessthathehas been operating for 35 years which iscompletelymobile.

Additionally, the man expressed his frustration to Kaieteur News, as he complained

about the lack of involvement from the City Council to provide alternatives for disadvantaged vendors.

He further stated that he “made investments in his business that have gone down the drain because he has nowhere to sell his food anymore ” The man fathers 7 childrenwhoheprovidesforsolely

On Sunday during the demolition exercise Nelson was present on the scenealongwiththeCityEngineer

TheTownClerkdidnotaddressthe vendors directly However, in a statementtotheKaieteurNews,the TownClerkaddressedthematterof alternatives for the vendors. Ms. Nelson when asked if the City Council provided any alternatives for the vendors stated that “we are not in a position to provide places for them to vend, there isn't space for all of them.” She added that she brought the matter up to the Mayor in a meeting, however there was no confirmed way forward with the vendingmatter

Cleared Demico House area

WANTED VACANCY

One night Watchman needed. For more information Call: 612-2125.

Porter needed for truck. For more information Call: 6611000.

One male able- bodied Staff. Call: 231-2029, 616-5954.

Wanted: Skilled Masons, Carpenters and Labourers to work in Linden. Call: 6029469, 660-6385 or 625-7642.

Caricom Insurance is now hiring Sales Agents/Representatives. Attractive Commission and Training provided. Call (592) 610-6650.

One company Driver needed to work with private company. Call: 685-1735/ 6844936.

Pitbull buses needed to work on contracts. Call: 685-1735/ 684-4936.

Wanted! Workers for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100-$5000 per day. Workers paid weekly. Call: 6117839.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 649-0956.

1 Toyota Allion, Pioneer DVD, CD & USB deck, reverse camera, alarm, low milage. Call: 649-0956.

Mazda Axela for sale, $900,000 neg. Call: 623-7047.

One BMW for sale, mileage 082443. Call: 655-7405/ 6947817.

River side property for sale at East Bank. Call: 653-2477.

One, three bedroom selfcontained house for sale in Republic Gardens, gated community. Call: 655-7405/ 694-7817.

Male Sales Representative, Age 20-30 years old. Apply or Contact: 619- 1237.

Primary level Teachers needed. Submit applications to smartmindseducation @gmail.com

Vacancy Exist For two Experienced Dispatcher At Confidential Cabs. Call: 231-5784, 231-4001, 231-4000.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade 2. Email application: techserigy@yahoo.com or Call: 615-9132.

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

Male Cleaner needed for Eccles. For more information Please Call: 645-8443/ 615-9132.

Experienced Salesperson, knowledge in writing bills, stocktaking, cashing & 1 General Domestic. Apply at Keyfood Mc. Doom Village next to the Post Office.

Hiring spray Painter, Joiner & Carpenters, experience would be an asset, Interested persons can Call: 667-0859.

Vacancy for Receptionist and Hotel Attendant at Hick's Ville Hotel. Call: 2277714/ 223-3448. Email: info@vegeworld.net

Vacancy exist for two nannies. Must be 40 Years or older. For more information please Call: 654-1535.

Masons, carpenters, & skilled men labourers wages $8,000-$10,000 per day & Labourer 5-7K per day. Call: 650-1394, 692-7110.

1 Office Assistant, must have atleast maths and english. Ages 20-35 years. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Canter Driver needed. Ages 30 years & older. Must have atleast 5 experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Skilled Labourers needed for road construction. Ages 20 years & older. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Male Engineer & Project Supervisor at road and building construction. Must have atleast 5 years experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc @gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

FOR RENT

1 fully furnished Luxurious, 4 bedroom apartment, Hot and Cold water, remote gate etc in Campbellville. G/town. Price US$2000. Call: 621-5140.

FOR SALE

Two SUV Lexus for sale @ 8.9 mil each. For more information Call: 650-0402/ 652-0251.

One income generating property. Land size 37'x 345' at Middle road, Pouderoyen. Call: 655-7405/ 694-7817.

LAND FOR SALE

Call: 653-2477.

LFS at Soesdyke. Call: 7000797.

EDUCATION

First AID/CPR/AED & home nursing courses Available at St. John Headquarters. Call: 225-9082.

SERVICES

Visa Application and consultation, advertisements publishing, graphics design, local & USA passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. For more information Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

For Land Clearance (Grubbing), Sand fill, Housing Plan and Estimates. Call K. Lakeram Building Contractor 692-8464 or whatsapp 622-0267.

VACANCY

Receptionist, Deskstaff, Room & Laundry Attendant & Security Guard needed at 233, South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198.

Promoter accused of beating man with gun nabbed while fleeing hospital

A well known promoter was on Sunday arrested by police for allegedly assaulting a man with a firearm along the Kitty Seawall Georgetown. Some persons alleged that he was nabbed while attempting to flee the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Police did not confirm this but reported instead that he handed over the firearm at the hospital after heading there for treatment and was arrested.

The promoter is being accused of assaulting a 31year-old man of Tuccville Terrace, Georgetown around 23:30 hrs. Police said that it was not the first time that two men had an altercation.

“Enquiries disclosed that the duo is known to each other and had an altercation about one (1) month ago at Magic City Bar in Georgetown”, police said.

The 31-year-old man alleged that on Sunday he was driving a motor car along the road at the seawalls when he had an accident with the promoter’s Black Toyota Tacoma pick-up. The promoter reportedly told police that he was reversing the pickup when the victim crashed into him. Both drivers, according to police exited their

vehicles and confronted each other and it led to a fight. They were both injured and went to the hospital. The promoter however, told police his version of what transpired first. He alleged that during the fight, the 31-year-old man pulled out a firearm and began hitting him in the face. The promoter further claimed that he managed to take away the firearm from the man and hit him with it to the face and head. The promoter even got a security that was with him at the time to corroborate his story. “A Security Guard who

was in the company with the 29-year-old male related to ranks that after the 29-yearold had received injuries he drove him to the Georgetown Public Hospital and while there he handed over the firearm to police ranks”, Police said. He was arrested.

The following day ranks questioned the 31-year-old man about what had transpired and he claimed that it was Walters who assaulted him with the firearm first. In retaliation, he (the 31-year-old man) picked-up two beer bottles and “inflicted injuries” on the promoter.

Promoters miss third deadline to complete $346M...

From page 14 complete that school, when that money could have been allocated to doing another project.” “We can’t allow the incompetence of one company to bring the entire RDC and the representation that we have made over the past couple of months or years into disrepute because of a contractor’s failure to execute it in timeline, that is my biggest concern,” the RDC Chairman commented.

Earlier this year, the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly approved a sum $7.163 billion to roll out programmes and projects for Region 10.

From that amount, the government has set aside a

provision of $375 million for schools, educational facilities and payment of retention under the Region’s education programme.

It was then, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag revealed that out of that amount some $127 million will go towards completing the school.

Kaieteur News had reported that the contract for the school was signed back in November 2021 with St8ment Investment. St8ment Investment Inc. was incorporated in March of 2021 and its principals are Rawle Ferguson and Kerwin Bollers of Hits and Jams Entertainment along with

Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and Kashif Muhammed of the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament. At the time of the signing, the project was expected to be completed within 20 months, that being completed by July 2023. However, the contractor was not able to finish the project, and was given a new deadline of November 2023 to complete the works. That deadline also passed and the works appeared to have stalled. At the consideration of budget this year, the Minister was asked by the members of the Opposition about the school, to which she announced that the school will be completed for April 1, 2024.

River side land for sale in Timehri & Parika, Plantation Berg.

Ted Walters (left) being arrested at GPHC.

Man stabbed to death at Bagotstown

A 38-year-old labourer was on hrs during a drunken brawl Things took a turn for the worst after to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre Sunday knifed to death at a bar in “Inquiries revealed that on the date theargumentescalatedintoafight. but was pronounced dead on arrival. Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara andtimementioned,the28-year-old, Bailey wrestled with the suspect Police said his body bore five stab (EBD). Police identified the dead along with the deceased (Bailey) and buthe(thesuspect)pulledoutaknife wounds -one to the left shoulder, left m

cardo Bailey of other persons were imbibing at the from his waist and stabbed him abdomen,lefthand,rightlowerback, Bagotstown.Hewasstabbedtodeath back of Andy’s shop when an (Bailey) five times before making and right forearm The suspect by his fellow villager, around 21:00 argument erupted,” police said good his escape. Bailey was rushed remainsontherun.

Stabbed to death, Ricardo Bailey

Israeli strikes kill at least 40 Palestinians in Gaza, as ceasefire talks begin

CAIRO (Reuters) - least six people and so long, after 10 years,” said Israeli airstrikes killed wounding several others, Abu Taha, holding the body dozens of Palestinians on health officials said. With of his baby boy “Ten people Monday as Hamas leaders nightfall, an Israeli air strike (werekilled),themother,her visitedCairoforanewround onahouseintheAl-Nuseirat d a u g h t e r , h e r oftrucetalks,withmorethan refugeecampincentralGaza granddaughters, her half the dead in the southern killed three Palestinians, grandson, her son-in-law, Gaza city of Rafah, which including a journalist, theirdaughtersandrelatives, foreign leaders have urged medics and Hamas media everyone. They’re all gone, Israelnottoinvade. said. Six other people were all10ofthem.” Speakingon Hours after the strikes on killed in other central Gaza Monday at a World Rafah, where almost half of areas in separate Israeli air Economic Forum meeting in G aza’s 2 3 million strikes,theyadded. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, population have sought Israel’s military on Egyptian Foreign Minister refuge from months of Monday said two soldiers Sameh Shoukry said Egypt

Israeli bombardment, were killed in central Gaza washopefulaboutaproposal Egypt’s state-affiliated on Sunday The armed wing for a truce and the release of television said the Hamas of the Hamas-allied Islamic hostages, but awaiting delegation left Cairo for Jihadsaiditfiredrocketsinto responses from Israel and Doha and would return at an Israel on Monday, signaling Hamas. people and took 253 The source said this to stop the talking and start unspecified later date with a the group was still able to “We are hopeful the hostages, according to included an agreement to the actions. We are losing written response to the launch rocket attacks after proposal has taken into Israelitallies. accept the release of fewer peoplethatarealivenowand ceasefireproposal. nearly seven months of the account the positions of both ‘PERIOD OF than40hostagesinexchange there is no time to waste,” U.S. Secretary of State Israeli air and ground sides, has tried to extract SUSTAINED CALM’ for releasing Palestinians said Elan Siegel, daughter of Antony Blinken urged offensive. moderation from both sides, An assault on Rafah, from Israeli jails, and to a Keith Siegel, a 64-year-old Hamas to swiftly accept Asked about the Rafah and we are waiting to have a which Israel says is the last second phase of a truce that dual U.S. citizen taken w h a t h e c a l l e d a n strikes, an Israeli military final decision,” Shoukry Hamas stronghold in the includes a “period of captive with his wife Aviva, “extraordinarily generous” (IDF) spokesperson said said. A Palestinian official Gaza Strip, has been sustained calm” – Israel’s who was released during a Israeli proposal for a truce in fighterjetshad“struckterror close to mediation efforts anticipated for weeks compromise response to a briefNovembertruce. the Gaza war and the release targets where terrorists were told Reuters: “Things look Foreign governments and Hamas demand for an end to A senior Hamas official of Israeli hostages held by operating within a civilian better this time,” but the United Nations have the war After the first phase, told Reuters the Monday the Palestinian militant area in southern Gaza,” declined to say whether an expressed concern that such Israel would allow free talks in Cairo would take group. U.S. President Joe decliningtogivedetails.Ata agreementwasimminent. action could result in a movement between south place between the Hamas Biden and Egyptian Rafah hospital, relatives of I s r a e l ’s m i l i t a r y humanitarian disaster given and north Gaza and a partial delegation and Qatari and President Abdel Fattah al- those killed in the strikes operation to eradicate the number of displaced withdrawal of its troops, the Egyptianmediators.“Hamas Sisi spoke by phone to cametotakethebodiesaway Hamas has killed 34,488 people crammed into the sourcesaid. has some questions and discuss developments in for burial. Women and men Palestinians and wounded area.

Bodies of Palestinians killed in an Israeli attack are brought to Mohammed Yousef El-Najar Hospital in Rafah, Gaza [Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu Agency]

In Tel Aviv, the families inquiries over the Israeli negotiations regarding a cried as they paid farewell to 77,643, according to Gaza’s Two Hamas officials of two Israeli hostages who response to its proposal, ceasefire in Gaza and slain relatives wrapped in health authorities It has whospoketoReutersdidnot appearedinavideoissuedby w

dangers of military whiteandblackshrouds. displaced most of the disclose details of the latest Hamas over the weekend received from mediators on escalation.

‘THEY’REALLGONE’ Palestinian enclave’s 2 3 proposals, but a source held a press conference, Friday,” the official told Bombs hit three houses “His name is Deif-Allah millionpeopleandlaidmuch briefed on the talks told callingforanimmediatedeal Reuters. Those comments in Rafah on Monday And in (meaning guest in Arabic) of the area to waste. The Reuters Hamas was that would secure the release suggested Hamas might not Gaza City, in the north of the and he was indeed a guest. campaign was triggered by expected to respond to of some 130 hostages still hand an instant response to strip, Israeli warplanes He came as a guest after (his the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in Israel’s latest truce proposal held. mediators over Israel’s latest struck two houses, killing at parents) longed for (him) for which militants killed 1,200 deliveredonSaturday “I want to ask everyone proposal.

Pro-PalestinianstudentprotestersarrestedatTexasuniversity

(ALJAZEERA) Hundreds of result of insufficient evidence “There has been very little conflict prestigiousIvyLeagueschoolinthe consequences as their push for a Texas state troopers have Broadcasting live from the Texas between the two sides,” she said US, where the administration ceasefire in Gaza stretched into its descended on a pro-Palestinian campus on Monday, Al Jazeera The protesters were “very fearful” announced that its negotiations with second week “The current student protest at the University of correspondent Heidi Zhou-Castro after last week’s spate of arrests, student protesters have fallen unauthorized encampment and Texas at Austin (UT Austin) in the said she saw police removing items Zhou-Castro added, resulting in through,openingupthepotentialfor disruptiononColumbiaUniversity’s United States, arresting several surrounding a newly established moremutedprotestsuntilthearrival severe consequences for those campus is creating an unwelcoming demonstrators. encampmentandarrestingahandful of police on Monday “They were involved in a pro-Palestinian environment for members of our The raid by the security forces ofprotesters fearful of being expelled, they were encampmentoncampus co mmu n ity, ” u n iv er s ity ontheprotestsitecameonMonday Faculty and community fearful of being arrested or “Since Wednesday, a small administrators wrote in Monday’s a

rsity members were heard chanting, physically harmed, so they have groupofacademicleadershasbeen notice for the encampment to administrations and local “Hands off our students! Hands off really been taking it easy in these in constructive dialogue with disperse government officials across the our students!” Others shouted at the tightly controlled, smaller protests ” student organizers to find a path Citing violations of multiple country grow increasingly policetoaskwhytheywerewearing The pro-Palestine protesters told thatwouldresultinthedismantling university policies – including intolerant of the nationwide riot gear “What I’m seeing is what Zhou-Castro that they were of the encampment,” Columbia vandalism and harassment – the campusprotestmovement. appears to be an impending clash determined to continue president Nemat Minouche Shafik university threatened to suspend The mood at UT Austin was between Texas state police, who as demonstratinginthefaceofattempts wroteinastatementonMonday thestudentsinvolvedintheprotest, noticeably tense as armed state you see are now arriving more and tosilencethem

“Regretfully,wewerenotableto which involves dozens of tents police in riot gear returned to the more Now they’re surrounding this “What trumps our fear is our come to an agreement ” The pitchedontheuniversitylawn. campus, having already been sent small encampment that is being love for Palestine, and our love for statementcameonthesamedaythat “If you do not leave by 2 p.m., in by Texas Governor Greg Abbott guarded by student protesters, liberation, and our refusal to accept the NewYork City-based university you will be suspended pending last Wednesday, resulting in the alumni and community members subjugationandcensorshipfroman issued a new deadline for the further investigation,” the notice arrest of approximately 50 who have linked their arms,” said oppressive institution,” said one encampment to disperse: 2pm local explained, adding that campus students. Zhou-Castro She emphasised that studentprotester,Hadi. time(18:00GMT) identification cards would be All of them were charged with the protests, where some pro-Israeli Columbiaultimatum But the latest deadline came and deactivated and students would be misdemeanour trespassing, though demonstrators have also been Thethreatofpoliceviolencealso went, with protesters bracing barred from attending classes or the charges were later dropped as a present, have not been violent hangs over Columbia University, a themselves for the possibility of completingthespringsemester

Mark Williams’ Memorial 5k Road Race set for tomorrow

Track enthusiasts and lost his life at the tender age division, was a promising the best Under 20 male and supporters of road safety of 18 in a vehicular accident athletewhoselifewasbriefly femaleathletes,aswellasthe awareness are gearing up for outsidehisthenresidence.In snuffed out to the hands of a youngestathletebetweenthe an exciting Road Race event the wake of this devastating dangerous driver He was ages of 8-12. Additionally, onMay1stastheyprepareto loss, his mother, Joan also promoted to the rank of there will be a first-place join former athlete and Williams, took action to L a n c e C o r p o r a l

prize for participants aged servicewoman, Joan honour his memory and posthumouslyandcontinued 13-17, as well as an open Williams, for the annual 5K promote road safety For to serve until his untimely race category for older Memorial Road Race from three consecutive years death.The annual race not participants.

B

to Inner following his passing, she only serves as a tribute to The event is made Stanleytown.The race, set to organised the race until 2003 Williams but also aims to possible thanks to the conclude just in front of the when she relocated to raise awareness about road generoussupportofsponsors Will

Residence, Barbados.

safety in the community including Banks DIH, the promises to be a memorable Williams, who began his Participants can look Ministry of Foreign Affairs, eventhonouringthememory running career at the Police forward to competing for a the Guyana Police Force of the late national athlete, Athletic Club before joining variety of prizes generously Sports Club, and Vish and MarkAndrewWilliams. the Guyana Defence Force providedbysponsors. SandraRamnarineofJ.IVish MarkWilliams tragically attached to the Coast Guard Prizes will be awarded to ProfessionalServices.

Golden Jaguars...

Tuesday April 30, 2024

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Your mind will expand today

You'll feel like there's a ton of information crammed into your head that needs processing Regarding big projects, try to finish them as quicklyasyoucan.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Try not to read too much into other people's words today You may have spent hours tearing apart every off-thecuffremark.Youmaybuildup a wild scenario in your head regarding what that person is thinking.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Long-term trends are coming to an important climax now. This dramatic period is highlighted by the added amount of information being thrownyourway.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Take a break from what you're doing.Lookatwhatpeopleare doingaroundyou.Checkyour plans in relation to those of others and see if there's a way you can combine forces and kill more birds with fewer stones.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Get involved with the energy of today so you don't get left out of the loop Your contribution to the group is important. You should foster positive relationships among allparties.Thinkbig.

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

Youcanaddmoretoolstoyour toolbox today Express your concernsandyou'llfindhelpful remedies present themselves

K e e p t h e l i n e s o f communication open and let theinformationflow

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Join others before you make your big travel plans. The smallest idea can be quickly transformedintoahugeplanof attack, thanks to the prevailing winds of the day There's a light, communicative feeling in the air encouraging cooperation.

SCORPIO (Oct 23–Nov 21)

Don't get stuck doing just one thing today The more varied youractivity,theeasieritwillbe foryoutointegratethedifferent piecesofthepuzzle

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You might be in a whirlwind today, and there will be information buzzing around asking you to do this and go there. You're the one most perfectlysuitedtodealwiththe tone of the day Stay lively and upbeat.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

You might be jumping around today This is one of those situations in which you don't wanttostayinoneplacefortoo long Each place is an individual step that leads to whereyouwanttogo.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Youraudiencewillbeattentive to you today Take the lead and others will follow Be yourself and project your voice into the auditorium of eager listeners. Information will flow freely, and you shouldn't discount any ideasfromthepeanutgallery

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Youcouldfeelconfidenttoday, and you should have a strong idea of exactly what it is you want. Information is power Others are working to wield poweroveryou.

From page 23 rounds, the top two teams from each group will advance, forming 12 teams that will be drawn into three groups of four These countries will compete in six games from September through November 2025, with the three group winners securingqualification.

Additionally, the top two third-place teams will progress to intercontinental playoffs, which will involve one nation each from South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Furthermore, the four lowest-ranked teams will engage in singleelimination matches, with the winners advancing to face teams with byes in the subsequentstage.

C o n c a c a f h a s emphasized that the victors of these matchups will secure their place in the highly anticipated 2026 tournament.

Slingerz FC dominate...

From page 25 foot of the table, Buxton U n i t e d F C a n d Monedderlust FC share the bottom position, each with one point earned from one draw and seven losses apiece.

Season Six kicked off on February 25 with ten elite clubscompetingforthefirstplace prize of $2,000,000. Teams finishing second, third, and fourth will be awarded cash rewards of $1,200,000, $800,000, and $500,000,respectively

Today, April 30, the f i x t u r e s i n c l u d e Monedderlust FC facing off against Ann’s Grove FC at 6:30 pm and DenAmstel FC and Buxton FC at 9 p.m. at theNTC.

CARICOM Regional Cricket Conference a “Swipe and Miss” in Tackling Key Systemic Issues

By Dr. Dawn-Marie Armstrong

geniusthatwasondisplaywouldseethisasa “As a little boy/girl…”, the opening “no-brainer”.

sentimentssharedbythreeoftheCaribbean’s Recently the UK Government invested leaders and CWI’s President may have GBP£35,000,000 into grassroots cricket in tugged at the heartstring of attendees England and Wales, how much are the prompting them to reflect fondly, but Governments in the West Indies willing to professionally, I am still left with a lack of invest to take us out of the state of shame that direction for West Indies cricket. This letter wearein.Allleadersspokeaboutthe“brand” comes after my first two published in of West Indies cricket, but I had a difficulty Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago, understanding what exactly defines that respectively, focused specifically on the lack brand. of compensation for local cricket players PresidentAli of Guyana seemed to be the acrosstheregion. mostambitiousandprobedtoinvokethought

The conference, in hoping to while also highlighting the “lack of protest” “reinvigorate West Indies cricket”, was on CWI’s part; he believed that the described by PM Rowley as “a symposium organisation had failed to speak out against for strategic collaboration and innovation”, major changes in rules that has affected the but the constant echo of “insularity” on the dynamic nature in which we play May I first day left me wondering if we will ever be remindreadersthattheseissuesareofspecial either “collaborative” or “innovative”. PM interesttomeasanacademicandpractitioner Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago referred to sinceIamaproudCaribbeanwomanfromthe theeventasa“unique”gatheringwhileAndy only Black nation to have dominated the Roberts, in his spirited presentation, stated sport. My heart aches forWest Indies cricket, that the event itself was “30 years too late”. yet I firmly believe that our reputation must This being a shame, since the lack of still carry some weight in the international organisation for what I thought was a crucial fraternity and our players are still valued paneldiscussionattheend,feltasifadequate enough. To conclude, the conference was a planninghadnotbeenconsidered. mediocre “think tank” with no immediate However, amidst all the diplomacy and solutions to the region’s problems. In my hat-tipping, Michael Holding stole the show previousletter,Iencouragedtheleadersofthe and brought to the forefront the pertinent organisation [CWI] to “seriously introspect issues facing the sport. These were and still and consider whether their motives and the are: poor governance and lack of respect for organisation’s vision are coherent and players! However, in seeking to convince constructive”. After this display, I must say, attendees of CWI’s fervent position, the that sadly, they are not. What I saw at the presentation by the organisation’s Business conference were “egos on show”. I share Development Manager was found to be these views on Day 1 because I believe it set lacking. the tone for the proceedings, and after

While harping on about his ideas of a viewing the entire 4 hours of footage and “long run” in articulating the 2024-2027 undertaking an in-depth content analysis, I StrategicDevelopmentPlan,Ileftwantingto did not believe that Day 2 was worth the hearmoreaboutshort-termsolutionsasthese watch. problems have existed for decades. The In fact, I believe that Day 2 should have “WhisperingDeath”mentionedCWItakinga been utilised to have those key conversations fight to the ICC and securing more funding with players; past and present, regional and for the continued development of the game local, to understand their expectations and to andIstandinagreementbecauseadvocacyis bridge the divides that presently exist what the organisation needs. CWI needs between administration and its most active and engaging leadership who importantstakeholders. understand the importance of social justice, We need to return to the culture of our but most importantly, who can see how cricket: the culture of overcoming - doing a injustice has impacted our region and how lot with the little we have while thinking those injustices further permeate the sport outsidetheboxtoachievetheimpossible. and foster a lack of consideration for the Holding referred to the CWI Board as players who should be at the heart of our “incompetent”, and until more thought can game. be given to all players across the region, I Holding continued by offering the most must say that I share the same sentiment. We ideal suggestion, He outlined how Caribbean can no longer try to tackle these issues from heads of Government should develop the top-down, a change in perspective is legislation to oversee management of CWI. I needed. Bottom-up, oddly enough, may be would even go further to suggest that thewayforward.

administration of the organisation be

Note: This letter is the third of a series absorbed under CARICOM in the hopes of creating discourse around the psychological havingamorecoherent,collectivecourse. determinants of development, motivation and Additionally, with respect to funding, the performance in West Indies Cricket leading conference would have been better received up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup that is set if Governments would have made an to be jointly hosted with the USA this June. immediate pledge to invest and provide our Dawn-Marie Armstrong is a Research and game with the facelift it needs. In speaking Teaching Fellow at Loughborough aboutbeinga“trustee”ofWestIndiescricket, University in the United Kingdom and is also PM Mottley of Barbados highlighted the Founder and Principal Psychologist of transnationalism for our professionals and Afro Sport Psych™ The latter is a pursuing prospects beyond our shores, but psychological enterprise and registered what about creating these opportunities at trademark of practice that focuses home in the Caribbean? Have any of the specifically on intervention for Black and leaders of CARICOM given serious thought Minority Ethnic (BME) athletes in sport. Any to sportspersons finally being paid their

o worth? Economic analysis to detail the D.R.Armstrong@lboro.ac.uk. viability and sustainability of this option is Editor’s note: This was sent as a letter but beyondmyexpertise,butsurelythecollective has been carried as an opinion piece.

Golden Jaguars to play WC Qualifiers home game against Belize in Barbados

By Rawle Toney

finding a suitable venue for thefacility

secured berths as hosts for Nevis, and Trinidad and Concacaf has outlined a It has been confirmed by theirhomematches. As a result of this theFIFAWorldCup2026. Tobago Competing in schedule for each nation to a reliable source that Currently, the National ongoing issue, home games In Group C, Barbados is Group E are Dominica, the play four matches between Guyana’s upcoming FIFA Track and Field Centre at for Guyana have been joinedbyCuracao,St.Lucia, Dominican Republic, June2024andJune2025. World Cup Qualifier against Edinburgh, the only facility relocated to venues in Haiti, and Aruba. Group A Guatemala, Jamaica, and the Guyana’s upcoming Belize on June 11 will be c a p a b l e o f h o s t i n g Barbados, St Kitts and consists of Antigua and BritishVirginIslands. fixtures include a journey to relocatedtoBarbados. international football, do not Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Anguilla will feature in Nicaragua on June 6, 2025, The journey for the meettherequiredstandards. Barbuda. I

C

Group F, where they will and a scheduled home game Golden Jaguars in their During their previous The Concacaf Qualifiers Honduras, while Group B face El Salvador, Puerto against Montserrat on June pursuit of qualification for Nations League campaign, comprise three rounds includes Bahamas, Costa Rico, St. Vincent and the 10.Followingtheinitial the 2026 World Cup will the Golden Jaguars were involving 32 FIFA-affiliated Rica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Grenadines,andSuriname. (Continued on page 21) begin with an away match only able to play one home C o n c a c a f M e m b e r against Panama in Panama g a m e i n G u y a n a Associations. CityonJune6. Consequently, the Guyana Notably, Canada, Unfortunately, Guyana’s Football Federation (GFF) Mexico, and the United national football team faces wasfinedbyConcacafdueto States are excluded from a significant challenge in the inadequate conditions of participation,havingalready

Prime Minister presents champion’s trophy for birth anniversary dominoes

tourney to organisers

The Prime Minister’s birth anniversary team will take home a trophy and $700,000 dominoes tournament will be staged on along with nine medals, the runner up will Saturday May 5 at Shanghai’s residence in receive $300,000, third place $150,000 and theminingtownofLinden. fourth place $50,000. The MVP in the final Yesterday, Prime Minister Brigadier will collect $20,000 and the best uniformed Mark Phillips presented the championship team$50,000. trophy to Mark Wiltshire in the presence of The four - game six sitting competition ColinBLAaronoftheorganisingteam. The will be contested on a two in one out basis PM lauded their efforts in staging the event and teams can contact Mark Wiltshire on in honour of his birthday and wished the 659-8672formoreinformation. competing teams every success and much The first place trophy has been enjoymentintheprocess. sponsored by Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Entrance fee is $20,000 and the winning Stall.

,

‘One Guyana’ Kings and Queens of the Sand Beach Football championship

Finalists to be decided tonight

As the sun sets Rockstone Women prepare ultimateshowdown. over the sandy to engage in a showdown for Beyond the glory of

turf in Linden, the coveted second spot in victory, a staggering 5 anticipation mounts for the the final. With pride and million in cash and prizes semi finals’ matchups in the prestige on the line, these await the champions on May One Guyana’s Kings and fierce competitors will leave 5th. For the male teams, the Queens of the Sand Beach nothing to chance as they stakes are high, with a prize Football championship. The fight for their place in pool divided among the top stage is set at the PPP-C history performers: 1st place claims Office compound, where The excitement doesn’t $1,000,000, 2nd place takes tonight’s battles will end there. As the evening home $500,000, while 3rd determine the finalists who progresses, attention turns to and4thplacesearn$200,000 will vie for glory in this the King’s semi-finals. All and$100,000respectively thrillingcompetition. eyeswillbeonMSBallersas Not to be outdone, the

In the Queen’s semi- theygohead-to-headwithHi women’s teams compete for finals, the action kicks off Flyers in a battle for theirshareoftherewards:1st with Aroaima facing off supremacy Following that placereceives$400,000,2nd against Hururu, promising clash, Platinum FC will place earns $200,000, and an intense clash of skill and square off against Young 3rd and 4th places secure strategy Meanwhile, Gunners, each team eager to $100,000 and $50,000 Speightland Girls and secure their spot in the respectively

McArthur, Pollydore heroics prompts Guyana’s climb of World Rugby Men’s Rankings

R o n d e l ‘ B u l l ’ the71stminutemark. RFC player crashed over the McArthur’shat-trickoftries, Heading into the game line once again, propelling combined with a game- againstTrinidadandTobago, Guyana into the lead for the winning tackle from Guyana had suffered defeats firsttime.

Godfrey Pollydore, intheirprevioussixmatches, With Kevin Braithwaite propelled Guyana to a albeit with a rotation of successfully converting for dramatic 24-23 victory over players. thesecondtimeinthematch, Trinidad and Tobago in the Trailing 13-0 after 31 the score stood at 19-13 in Rugby Americas North minutes, Guyana seemed favourofthevisitors. Men’s 15’s Championship at destined for another loss, but However, tries from th

d a wingers Anderson Joseph Stadium. This marked the remarkable comeback, with and Jonathan Taylor swiftly long-awaited return of the McArthur leading the reclaimed the advantage for RAN Championship after a charge. TrinidadandTobago. four-and-a-half-year hiatus Two tries from full-back T h e s

due to the COVID-19 JamesPhiliphadinitiallyput remained at 23-19 in favour pandemic. The win for the Trinidad and Tobago in a of Trinidad and Tobago for Green Machine saw them commanding position, but another 10 minutes until ascending five places in by halftime, Guyana had McArthur World Rugby’s rankings to narrowed the deficit to just In a final desperate 52, whereas Trinidad and one point. Winger Godfrey attempt, Taylor broke Tobago experienced a Pollydore ignited the through the Guyanese decline from 49 to 57 comeback with Guyana’s defence and was just a few globally first try at the 34th minute stepsawayfromcrossingthe Guyana’s first match mark, paving the way for try-line. since their 19-5 loss at home McArthurtojointheaction. However, Pollydore to Guadeloupe in the RAN Having not scored in any rallied,swiftlycatchingupto Men’s Championship 2019 of his previous 21 tests, the Trinidadian, executing a was a nail-biter, but the McArthur, now having crucial tackle that resulted in Green Machine emerged broken his international aknock-on. victorious, thanks to tight- duck,waseagerformore. The return fixture will h e a d p r o p R o n d e l Just two minutes into the takeplaceinGuyanaonJune McArthur’s hat-trick try at second half, the Panthers 1

Captain Wharton leads Chase’s Academic to 2024 Milo U18 Football title

-Dolphinimpresswith6-1victorytosecure3rdplace

Chase’sAcademic Foundation, under the decimating President’s College defense with stalwart leadership of Captain Bryan a resounding 6-1 victory Dolphin’s Ezekiel Wharton, etched their names in the annals of Frank David led the charge with a brace, youth football history again, with a while Shamar Barrington’s valiant effort for remarkable 3-1 triumph over region one’s PC wasn’t enough to stem the tide of goals. Waramuri Primary Top. Wharton’s stellar Gerry Burnette (66’), Cadwell Peters (68’) performance, netting twice in the final, and Kellon Alleyne also finished with one propelled his team to their fourth Milo goal apiece for Dolphin to secure a Schools Under-18 Football title in a thrilling resounding6-1victory showdown on Sunday at the Ministry of Chase’sAcademic Foundation didn’t just Educationground. secure victory on the field; they swept the

The evening belonged to Wharton, the awards table, clinching the Best Goalkeeper, tournament’s second-highest scorer, as he MVP, and Highest Goal Scorer accolades, in dazzled with goals in the 18th and 60th addition to the championship trophy and a minutes, showcasing impeccable skill and $300,000 cash prize Dequain Samuels composure. earned the Best Goalkeeper title for Omar Sam, the tournament’s top scorer, conceding only one goal throughout the added to the spectacle with a crucial goal in competition, while Omar Sam claimed the the 20th minute, solidifying his remarkable Most Goals award for his stellar tally to 13 goals. Despite Waramuri Top’s performance. resilient efforts, with Chetram Thomas The evening concluded with Co-Director notching a solitary goal, they couldn’t thwart of Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, Wharton’sheroics. commending all participating teams for their Wharton’s exceptional performance also dedication and sportsmanship. He lauded earnedhimthecovetedMostValuablePlayer Chase’sAcademicFoundationandWaramuri (MVP) award, a fitting recognition for his 10 Top for delivering an exhilarating final, goals throughout the tournament, including urging all young athletes to pursue both thecrucialbraceinthefinal. academic and sporting endeavours with the Meanwhile, Dolphin Secondary asserted same discipline displayed throughout the their dominance in the third-place playoff, tournament.

8-Ball Sudden Death ‘Ball in Hand’

Pool tournament set for tomorrow

Jerry and team is set to bring an electrifying Eight-Ball Pool ‘Ball in Hand’ Sudden Death tournament tomorrow (May 1), taking place at the GrandCentralSportsBarinGrove.

The action kicks off at 4:00 p.m. sharp, promising a thrilling showdown with substantial cash prizes up for grabs. The champion will walk away with an impressive $100,000 cash prize, while secondandthirdplacefinisherswillclaim $40,000 and $20,000, respectively, along withindividualtrophies.

Tosecureyourspotinthisesteemed8Ball Pool competition, a nominal entry fee of just $2000 is required. Participants also have the option to re-enter the tournamentforanadditional$2000fee.

For further details and registration, contact Jerry via Whatsapp at 592 687 5621 This tournament is proudly sponsored by Team Mohamed, Reliance Inc., Agri Parts, Eddie’s Bobcat and Excavation Service, and L. Mohabir and Sons Cambio. Players are asked to be on timeforapromptstart.

glimpse of the first, second and third place trophies.

Action in the contest between Slingerz and Police at the GFF NTC.

Slingerz FC dominate rivals Guyana Police Force FC 4-0 consolidates 2nd place in standings

Slingerz FC strengthened their hold on ForceFCeachpickeduparedcardatthestart secondplaceintheKFCEliteLeagueSeason ofthesecondhalfofSaturday’snightgame. Six standings outclassing the Guyana Police At the top of the league standings sit the Force FC on Saturday night with a dominant defending champions, boasting an 4-0victory impressive twenty-four points accumulated

The April 27 KFC Elite League Season fromeightconsecutivewins.Theirprowessis Six clash attracted fans from both sides to the evident in their formidable goal-scoring Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National recordof40goals,whileconcedingjustfour Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Despite their setback in the latest match, Demerara. Guyana Police Force FC stands firm in third

Both teams held firm with their defensive place, retaining eighteen points from six strategies until Marcus Tudor of Slingerz FC victories and two losses, both inflicted by the shatteredthedeadlockwithaspectaculargoal top two teams. They have a total of 21 goals in the 44th minute, just before the halftime whileconcedingeight. whistleblew WesternTigersFCmaintainstheirgripon

DespiteeffortsfromGuyanaPoliceForce fourth place with four wins and three losses, FC in the second half, Slingerz FC accumulating a total of twelve points maintainedtheirmomentum,withgoalsfrom Similarly, Santos FC holds the fifth position, Simeon Moore in the 49th minute, Curtez also with twelve points, achieved through Kellmaninthe65thminute,andDarronNiles fourwinsandfourlosses. in the 73rd minute, securing a crucial victory FrutaConquerorsFCisinsixthplaceafter forthevisitingteam. eight matches, securing nine points from

The win added three valuable points to three wins and five losses, with Den Amstel Slingerz FC tally, now standing at twenty- FC in the seventh spot with seven points, four in total from an impressive record of havingwontwomatches,drawnone,andlost eight consecutive wins. They’ve netted an four impressive 36 goals while conceding only Ann’sGroveUnitedFCcloselyfollowsin three. eighthplacewithsevenpoints,garneredfrom ItmustbenotedthatcoachofSlingerzFC twowins,onedraw,andfivelosses.Atthe and the assistant coach of Guyana Police (Continued on page 21)

Chase’s Academic Foundation walks away with Most Saves, MVP, Highest Goals Scorer awards.

Dolphin Secondary storms PC 6-1 to cop third place trophy