Kaieteur News

K

3 buses explode in NEWS Israel in ‘suspected terror attack’, police say AIETEUR

Friday Edition

February 21, 2025 - Vol. 27 No. 08 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 50,870

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

Jagdeo lauds Suriname for allowing citizens to invest in first oil project

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

…says Guyana can do same in fertilizer plants, offshore service vessels

Mottley demands GRA and Team urgent overhaul of Mohameds at odds over taxes CARICOM Woman throws away purse instead …shots fired after “good of giving to bandits Samaritan” comes to the rescue - urges prioritising of free movement, independent funding

Completion of Wales gas …final cost plants further still unknown delayed to 2026 - Winston Brassington

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Dominican Republic ready to partner with Guyana in tourism - President Ali President Irfaan Ali, earlier this week, announced that the Dominican Republic (DR) is ready to partner with Guyana to market jointly as a

common tourism destination.

The Head-of-State made these remarks during the sod turning ceremony for the

construction of the New Branded Pegasus Hotel at Kingston.

Speaking about the country’s hospitality and

Friday February 21, 2025

tourism sector during his address, the President said, “We are working now in the eco and nature-based tourism area to have the best

President Irfaan Ali investors come to Guyana and then we are working also with major regional brands that are ready to add nature and eco to their product.”

He said that earlier on Tuesday; he held discussion with the President of DR, Luis Abinader who made it very clear that he is ready to market jointly DR and Guyana as a common destination.

According to President Ali, “These are the type of initiatives that will help us to move forward to separate us from the competition and to give us that ability to be successful and to win every single day of the year…

Guyana tourism and hospitality sector is poised for significant growth with several international branded hotels being erected across the country.”

With his government’s mission of having three million people pass through the economy by 2030, the President explained that currently, they are building a business model to see those people come and utilize the services that the private sector is investing in whether it is a restaurant, a night club, or an entertainment facility.

“So we have a business model going, this morning (Tuesday), you would have heard a clear strategy and how we are going to build a business model that will not only diversify our economy but it will build a new platform or a new p l a y g r o u n d o f development,” he disclosed.

The President further said that in the last week alone, they have been speaking to investors and finalizing investment for the Vreed-en-Hoop to Kitty

roundabout corridor.

“I said corridor because this corridor now expands to Vreed-en-Hoop waterfront area. So in this corridor coming from Kitty roundabout going all the way around to Stabroek Market and then taking the west side of the river coming all the way around to Vreed-enHoop, new investment easily. I would estimate that new investment in the next three years in this corridor alone will exceed US$600 million,” he revealed.

Speaking briefly about the plans for this corridor, the Head-of-State shared they are looking at ways to transform the corridor to meet this new investment profile.

“We have to look at how we can develop a boardwalk that is different, we have to look as to how we could bring cruise liners to this corridor, how we are going to create supporting services for those cruise liners for the day tours, how we are going to move tourists from the cruise line to Kaieteur (Falls) and resorts along the Essequibo River, all within a window of 14-hours and what can be an added incentive for those cruise liners to make Guyana a destination,” he noted.

He added to cater for this three million people, they plan on building a calendar of events that is attracted to a wide array of tourist and visitors.

To this end, the President said currently officials are talking to the best in sport and entertainment as to how we develop this product and how the country can develop this structure to support these investments.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

PAGE 03

‘Completion of Wales gas plants …final cost still unknown further delayed to 2026 - Winston Brassington

The first phase of the US$2B Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project has been further delayed to 2026.

This is according to Head of the GTE Taskforce, Winston Brassington. On Wednesday, while providing local energy updates at the Guyana Energy Conference, hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, Brassington provided delegates of the conference with a progress report on the various components of the project.

In his 30-minute-long presentation, he explained that while the project has a contractual timeline of the second quarter of this year, realistically, this can be delayed to the first half of 2026. Brassington noted that the pipeline element, constructed by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has been completed, with nitrogen pumped into the structure as it awaits completion of the other components.

Wi t h r e g a r d t o t h e Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) and 300-megawatt powerplant he explained, “Contractually this is scheduled to be delivered in the second half of this year but we have seen a schedule that suggests this is going to take longer- so contractually this year, realistically we’re looking at some delays and a lot of this is, some of these matters are in dispute and therefore I can’t speak about it at this point.”

According to his visual presentation, the final cost of

A table used in Brassington’s presentation showing the progress/ delays to the gas project

Head of the GTE Taskforce, Winston Brassington making his presentation at the Guyana Energy Conference

the two plants is “to be determined,” in light of the ongoing disputes with the joint venture contractor, Lindsayca/CH4.

Although the cost is still to be finalized, Brassington maintained that the project will deliver more reliable and cheaper electricity to the

country at a selling cost of US12 cents, down from US 24-30 cents. He revealed that earlier this year, Cabinet approved a Power Purchase

Agreement (PPA) between the Guyana Power and Gas Inc (GPGI) and the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) at US 5 cents per Kilowatt hour (KWh).

With the completion of the two gas plants, being constructed at Wales, West Bank Demerara, not likely to come on stream before the end of this year as promised by government, the commitment to reduce electricity costs by 50% this year is also delayed.

In a separate presentation at the Energy Conference, President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge confirmed that the company is ready to deliver gas onshore through the pipeline.

Meanwhile, with regard to the transmission lines and

substations to support the project, Brassington reported that they are expected to be completed in the first and second quarter of this year, respectively.

Some 85 kilometers of 230 KV and 69 KV lines are being constructed, while three new substations are being built, and two being upgraded. To date, he said 87% of the transmission lines are completed, while 62% of the work has been done on the substations.

Additionally, work on the National Control Center is also expected to wrap up by the second quarter of 2025.

Deliverables Upon completion, Brassington explained that Guyana will be earning revenue from both the NGL and power plant. “In this project we have two key areas of revenue- one is the NGL plant, what we call the liquids, the cooking gas, so the butane, the pentane plus.

We’ll have for the liquids over 63 million gallons per annum- that’s about 4,100 barrels of liquids per day,” he said, adding that the country currently uses less than 1,000 barrels daily. These products will therefore be exported as a “key revenue earner” according to him.

On the power plant, he noted that all of the gas from phase one will be used for power generation, which will reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and need for heavy fuel oil (HFO) for power generation, thereby saving the country revenue.

GRA and Team Mohameds at odds over taxes The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Thursday accused Team Mohamed of understating the value of three imported vehicles, including a Lamborghini, thus allowing the underpayment of taxes by some $300M. The GRA statement was issued in response by a statement from the Mohameds, which stated that they paid over $98.6 million in taxes to GRA for three vehicles. “Mohameds Enterprise is categorised among the largest taxpayers in Guyana and yet in recent weeks, a few Guyanese bent on creating mischief have raised questions about their tax history. In GRA, there is a specific classification of large taxpayers under which the Mohameds fall. In fact, with just three vehicles – two Land Cruisers and a Lamborghini – the GRA collected $98.6 million in taxes from the Mohameds,” the statement added.

Team Mohameds said: “It’s clear that the Mohameds have contributed billions of dollars to the nation’s economic development through taxes, that is a matter of fact. It is important to note that the Mohameds have never used their Investment Development Agreement, which covers their quarry and gold mining operations, to import these vehicles. Further, scores of local and foreign companies have contributed little or nothing to the revenue collection system in this country,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, in its statement, the GRA said it has taken note of the Team Mohameds post. “The GRA reiterates that the Authority continues to adhere to the rules of confidentiality regarding taxpayers’ information and for clarity will only respond to information that may be in the

public domain for clarity, hence this response.”

Specifically in regard to the said vehicles, GRA said Guyana has a voluntary tax compliance system whereby upon import, a declaration is submitted with values as declared by the importer, and taxes are selfassessed on this basis and paid thereon on the values so declared.

“On this principle, these high-end vehicles were released (for facilitation of trade) into the custody of the Importer and the Importer advised of the post clearance and valuation steps that are usually undertaken by the respective departments of the Authority.”

The GRA said these departments utilising principles as underpinned by the WTO/WCO, by tax legislation and by AntiMoney Laundering regulations thereafter would verify the true acquisition value/cost of the said

imports, and make the necessary adjustments to the applicable collectible tax.

“In the above instances, the GRA having followed these principles determined that the values of the said imports, were grossly understated, and moreso, in the case of the Lamborghini, thereby allowing for taxes in excess of 300 million dollars in revenue being underpaid and collectible from the Importer. The GRA therefore perceives that any such post may be an attempt to deny the State of its lawful revenues. The Authority strives to collect taxes in a fair, consistent and equitable manner and expect citizens to pay their true and rightful tax in accordance with their income, lifestyle and in keeping with applicable legislation. The mere statement of taxes paid does not meet the standard of a taxpayer paying his/her true, correct and

rightful taxes to the State.”

The GRA said misrepresenting the declared particulars or misstating the facts to avoid payment of the full taxes are subject to prosecution. “As such, persons breaching the laws with intent to defraud the Revenue Authority of any taxes may be guilty of an offence and liable to fines and/or imprisonment in accordance with the provisions of the laws administered. The Revenue Authority once again pleads with taxpayers to cease and desist from such activity and also to the General Public to report any illicit or unlawful activities in confidence by contacting the GRA on telephone number 227-6060. Whistleblowers will be rewarded for any information provided which will be dealt with strict confidentiality in accordance with the provisions of the laws,” the statement read.

PAGE 04

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Audits – buying time

ExxonMobil has been granted more time to respond to two audits of its expenses. It would be in Guyana’s interest, if the extra time is used to reveal and not conceal. Reveal the substance of the audit findings, make a good faith effort to settle the amounts due, and move on. On the other hand, if all that the company is doing is buying time to conceal its probable shenanigans, then Guyana is in trouble. The additional time ExxonMobil asked for, and which has been granted, means additional trouble for Guyana.

The first audit was done by the British firm IHS Markit, and was for the period 1999-2017. IHS Markit’s final report memorialized US$214M in findings. It was completed in March, 2021. Next month will make four years since that first audit was completed. It’s 2025, and ExxonMobil cannot close out whatever it is investigating and reconciling, ending this issue. It is appreciated that ExxonMobil has other priorities that are bigger than responding to audit findings, such as drilling and upping the number of barrels of oil produced daily in Guyana. But for audit findings to be hanging unresolved for so long is a little bit too much for Guyanese, even as jaded as they are with what is going on with their wealth. We thought that we would borrow those three words of ExxonMobil’s Guyana President, Alistair Routledge (“a little bit”) to let he and his superpower company know how all of this registers. “A little bit” more time to deal with audit findings, and “a bit of” confusion on taxes, was how Routledge soft-pedaled two huge issues here to weave his web of silkiness.

When audit findings can remain open for close to four years, the presiding national government looks poorer for it.

When such a lengthy span of time continues, it spotlights the state of national leaders. Pitiful and spineless, blindfolded and muzzled, are expressions that best describe their weaknesses, their abject failures in representing Guyana’s interests. It is helpful to remind Guyanese that the US$214M in audit findings are not without their share of controversy. Frankly, we think that there was some level of criminality involved, when that same US$214M in findings

by IHS Markit was by some wave of a wand transformed into US$3M. One low-level, inconsequential, and likely innocent Guyanese public servant took the fall. Whoever was behind him and influenced him to do what he allegedly did with that US$214M reduction to US$3M, that is where the real story is. That is an audit finding by itself, a political one. Unsurprisingly, ExxonMobil spoke brightly about the Guyanese public servant who was the willing scapegoat.

Why would it do so, poke its nose into an internal matter, if it was this neutral observer, an unattached participant in how US$214M secretly was remade into US$3M. This first audit by IHS Markit has moved from a web of silkiness (“a little bit”) to a web of darkness (plea bargaining). Relative to the latter, it was ExxonMobil giving a testimonial for the public servant said to be responsible for the mystery audit findings reduction. This oil, from activities dedicated to exploring to how much oil ExxonMobil is really producing daily to the expenses it is claiming to audit findings, is now overrun by a nest of vipers. The nest has its cohort of locals, it also has its company of foreigners.

The second audit of US$7.3B in ExxonMobil’s expenses for the period 2018-2020, is another tale of delay, questions about quality, and clarity. The audit contract awarded to the VHE consulting consortium was for an initial period of four months. It took considerably longer before the final report was handed to the government.

Knowledgeable local observers have questioned the quality of the audit work done, in which tens of millions in US dollars were flagged. The second audit report was handed to ExxonMobil in November 2024. Pursuant to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement, the company has 60 days to respond. The latest is that the company has been granted additional time. Companies like to drag their feet with audit findings to fix their defenses. ExxonMobil has manifested the usual awkward sloth. We wonder for what purpose.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

How does a free society guard against being used, disrupted by the enemies of democracy?

DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Lincoln Lewis in a letter to the editor published on February 17, 2025 stated; ‘In 1990, President Desmond Hoyte and Opposition (Minority) Leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan returned to the National Assembly to amend the laws that established the current GECOM and reformed the electoral system. Although this was inconvenient to some, it was necessary to stabilise a society on the brink of crisis. We face similar challenges today, and the need for remedial action to ensure stability and growth is urgent.’

Apart from his totally misconceived and simplistic conclusion that Guyana today is ‘on the brink of crisis’ and that ‘we face similar challenges’ as was the case in 1990, Mr. Lincoln Lewis is unaware that every historical event, contemporary or otherwise, must be contextualized.

Lewis’ reference to political and social events in 1990 in the run up to the general and regional elections constitutionally due to be held in that year, is not only misleading, it completely is out of context.

Under the conditions

prevailing at that time in Guyana, for the first time ever, there was a nation-wide demand for free and fair elections. In the past, it was just the PPP alone that was championing that cause.

However, following the death of President Burnham, and the assumption to office

by Desmond Hoyte changes occurred at the political, ideological and economic levels. A liberal democratic opening had emerged as a result of political pressures at home and abroad on the Hoyte administration.

The dramatic changes at international level, had a profound impact on dictatorships in Third World countries. Guyana was no exception.

Cracks in the policy of a ‘managed democracy’ pursued by Hoyte began to emerge.

The forces demanding free and fair elections grew vertically and horizontally, first in the Committee in Defense of Democracy (CDD) and later, in the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD).

The political and social events in 1990 was led not by one social or political organization but by the joint political opposition making

up six (6) political parties in the PCD, seven (7) trade unions in FITUG. Some members of the TUC led by JH Pollydore, the Bishops of the Anglican and Catholic Churches respectively, private sector bodies, The Guyana Bar Association, sections of the media, a host of other non-state actors and above-all, the Carter Centre, led by now deceased President Jimmy Carter, all played a major role in bringing about the changes.

Mr. Lewis was around at the time when the ‘Commonwealth Advisory G r o u p o n G u y a n a ’s Economic and Social Situation,’ popularly referred to as ‘The McIntyre Report’, had issued its report in 1989, in which it referred to the sad state of affairs obtaining in our country between the 1980’s and the early 1990’s. In its Report, the Advisory Group highlighted that, ‘Guyana’s high debt service ratio was not conducive to sustained economic growth and that Guyana was ranked below Haiti as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere’.

Mr. Lewis may wish to do the comparative analysis of then to now, to jolt his memory.

I conclude by asking; how does a free society guard against being used, disrupted and made unstable, by the rights and privileges it grants the enemies of democracy? How does it avoid the preindependence fate it suffered at the hands of those who rolled out their infamous X13 plan to destabilize a democratically elected government? For countries like ours who experienced a dictatorship in the past, finding the right pathway to the future was no walk in the park.

But Guyanese have found a way, torturous as it may have been.

The country remains unmistakably democratic because, while it strengthens the institutions of governance, it vigilantly monitors the activities who those who pose a threat to democracy while maintaining a memory of what the nation once was.

It’s an accomplishment all Guyanese should feel especially proud given the price we paid to keep our democracy intact.

Happy Republic Day Anniversary to all!

Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee

The Guyana, Suriname border dispute

DEAR EDITOR Recently, there has been a resurgence of the situation regarding the south-eastern border between Guyana and Suriname. Now, Editor, we do have an open dispute with Suriname, which in fact we do not have with Venezuela, that was settled permanently in 1899. I decided to look again at the status of the Suriname claim. Incredibly whilst this is still listed as an open dispute, one wonders how that can possibly be so, in view of the following facts.

There is not much point going over how the two borders originated over time dating back to the 1600’s.

What is relevant today is the following two excerpts from the History of the Republic of Guyana. Updated in May 2024, in that study by, I think Odeen Ishmael, the following appears “Guyana, formerly the colony of British Guiana, became an independent nation on May

26, 1966. With regard to the geographical limits of the state of Guyana, Article I of Guyana’s Constitution, states specifically: “The Territory of Guyana shall comprise all the areas that, immediately before 26th May, 1966, were comprised in the former Colony of British Guiana together with such other areas as may be declared by Act of Parliament to form part of the territory of Guyana.” i.e. the area ceded to us by the British in 1966.

“Guyana is separated from Suriname by the Corentyne River, a river that has for over a 150 years been accepted as forming the western boundary of Suriname. Previously known as Dutch Guiana, Suriname was a colony of the Netherlands. In the 1690s, it became an integral part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Government of the Kingdom which was responsible for its

external affairs.

The Kutari-Curuni River which flows into the Corentyne River in the upper reaches of that river has traditionally been recognised as forming the southernmost line of the boundary between Suriname and Guyana. The area immediately to the west of the Kutari-Curuni River was also recognised as being within the boundaries of the colony British Guiana.

Before May 26, 1966, a fact which has been consistently acknowledged by the Government of the Netherlands. From May 26, 1966, the state of Guyana has continued to exercise this uninterrupted sovereignty.”

So, Editor, that border has existed under the control of the British and then Guyana uninterrupted for more than 200 years.

The most salient lines are all of the above are 1. “the territory of Guyana shall comprise of all areas that

before 26th May 1966 were the former colony of British Guiana, 2. “the Government of the United Kingdom exercised uninterrupted sovereignty over the area [for 150 years]” 3. “a fact which has been consistently acknowledged by the government of the Netherlands” and 4. “since 1966 the state of Guyana continued to exercise this uninterrupted sovereignty.”

In fact, research informs me that the Netherlands was prepared to sign a treaty to this effect, i.e. that British Guiana’s border included the triangle, but the second world war interrupted the signing!

There are several sources that show that the Netherlands and Britain BOTH considered that the border, was as drawn by them BOTH. The map below shows the area which the Netherlands handed over to Suriname at their (Continued on page 06)

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

PAGE 05

Mother of twin girls who died in Mahdia Dorm. fire sues State for $ 900M We can only build this nation on

the foundation of the whole truth

DEAR EDITOR, Those who write and speak are often sincere but unless they have a deep understanding of our history, their words fall short of hitting the target.

I refer to letters from some of my good friends critical of a statement allegedly made by Dr. David Hinds. Here again, to understand the other side, we should dig deep and digest our history. For brevity, let me extract the words of a lecture delivered by Professor Ali. A Mazrui during the observance of the 150th anniversary of Emancipation, titled “From the Mandingo to the

Mandelas.” After noting how other people have used their suffering to their advantage, he noted that “Blacks have neither sacralized their suffering into a sacred doctrine nor exploited it as a political fund.” In the many slave uprisings, we must not forget the role of those who worked in the homes of Massa during our preemancipation period.

They often alerted the Overseers of plans by the Field slaves to be freed from the degradation and brutality of slave labour. We cannot ignore the truth of our

history, since history, all history has a fascinating way of repeating itself.

It would be useful if we sit down with Dr. Hinds and others to shed some light in areas of darkness and avoid emotional responses.

We can only build this nation on the foundation of the whole truth, avoiding the mis-steps and folly of those who were wittingly or unwittingly complicit with the machinations of the imperial and colonial masters.

Regards Hamilton Green Elder

Data centers are being developed in the Arctic region

DEAR EDITOR, Many of the major companies such as Facebook are developing their data centers in the arctic due to the natural cooling that is available for the servers. This makes it more cost effective. Guyana is located near the equator. Is the government and Exxon saying that companies such as Facebook have the incorrect strategy, or is the government pursuing another half-baked idea that will result in Exxon making money, while Guyana ends up with the short end of the stick? Cooling costs are a major part of the energy consumption for a data center. Using LNG for this purpose is not only wasteful, but also environmentally irresponsible. The government will be better off selling the gas

and using the proceeds to invest in renewable energy sources.

As for the fertilizer, we all know that it is a very risky investment that has many health and environmental risks associated with it.

Exxon needs to stick to what they have been hired to do and the government needs to ensure that they are effectively monitoring what is going on so as to avoid being taken advantage of. As for the second pipeline, no thank you. Exxon continues to make money while Guyana continues to lose on its investments. The facility for the first pipeline is delayed and it is now clear that the cart has been placed before the horse.

Sincerely, Mr. Jamil Changlee

…says was ‘coerced’ into taking $5M compensation

Va l e r i e C a r t e r, t h e mother of twin girls who died in the horrific Mahdia Dormitory fire in May 2023, has sued the State for over G$900M. Carter is seeking compensation for the death of her daughters.

According to a press release issued by attorney, Eusi Anderson, the aggrieved mother is claiming that she was coerced into accepting a paltry G$5M from the State as compensation for her daughters who died in the fire along with 18 other children.

According to Anderson, his client had approached the Court to have the GY$5M settlement agreement declared null, void and of no legal effect because of the duress, undue influence and pressure exerted on her by the Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, SC and other named state actors by way of declarative remedies.

The lawyer said that the request to set aside the G$5M compensation agreement was granted and made way for the institution of the two G$900M actions on February 17, 2025.

However, Anderson said that he has taken note of N a n d l a l l ’s s t a t e m e n t denying that the application filed before Justice Nigel

Valerie Carters’ two daughters who died in the Mahdia Dormitory fire.

Niles to set aside the compensation was accepted.

The AG, among other things, on Thursday in a statement to the media described the w o m a n ’s a c t i o n a s “scandalous, vexatious, and an abuse of the process of the Court.”

However, in response to Nandlall, Anderson said that the false narrative only compounds Ms. Carter’s pain and sullies her daughters’ memory.

In addition, Anderson says he is in possession of audio and transcripts that prove otherwise.

According to him on August 30, 2024, Assistant Solicitor General, Shoshanna Lall, wrote to him on the Justice Niles action saying that she agrees that the reliefs sought in that action could be accomplished by the State treating the G$5M

compensation agreement as repudiated.

“I was elated by this because it ensured I did not have to cross-examine three m e m b e r s o f t h e B a r, including the leader of the Bar, about the undue influence my client alleged they exerted on her to sign a G$5M agreement, arbitrarily determined to be the value of her dead daughters’ lives. I was even happier that a Judge of the High Court would not be compelled to rule upon three lawyers allegedly exerting undue influence on woman to accept G$5M compensation for her dead daughters less than eight weeks after they died,” Anderson said.

The attorney said that despite a request by the Assistant Solicitor General to have the matter withdrawn with prejudice Anderson (Continued on page 09)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 06

The Guyana, Suriname...

From page 04 independence. In every detail this is the exact delineation of the western boundary of Suriname, and is exactly the same as the eastern boundary the British gave us at our independence.

So 1. How come both the British and the Netherlands ceded these lands with exactly the same boundary, and suddenly the Suriname Government since 1975 want to change the size of what the British and the Netherlands ceded to both countries at their independence. 2. Of all the countries in the Caribbean, the second most indebted country is Suriname with a debt which is 125% greater than their GDP. i.e. their debt is 25% larger than their gross domestic product. They need

more land as much as I need another hole in my head.

Editor for over 200 years, the British and then Guyana exercised sovereignty on that area, and now the Suriname Government wants to reopen that old wound. Suriname is not Venezuela, we can still have breakfast in Georgetown and dinner in Paramaribo. But since we must have a peaceful solution to the matter, perhaps we should ask the International Court of Justice to decide and let the status quo continue. Because of the oil and the implications, the boundary may have in time [ala CGX incident] we cannot let this abscess fester any longer.

Sincerely Tony Vieira

Friday February 21, 2025

The hypocrisy of selective outrage: A call for consistent condemnation in Guyanese political discourse

DEAR EDITOR, G u y a n a ’s p o l i t i c a l landscape is deeply divided along ethnic lines, often characterized by heated rhetoric that highlights the tensions between the AfroGuyanese and IndoGuyanese communities.

Recently, Dr. David Hinds, a prominent Afro-Guyanese activist and scholar, faced criticism for using the term “lick bottom” to describe Africans who support the Indo-Guyanese-dominated P e o p l e ’s P r o g r e s s i v e Party/Civic (PPP/C). In contrast, the Indo-Guyanese term “neemakaram,” which means “ungrateful traitor” and is used against Indo supporters of the AfroGuyanese-aligned APNU/AFC coalition, has not faced similar scrutiny.

This selective condemnation demonstrates a troubling double standard perpetuating division rather than fostering unity.

Both “lick bottom” and “neemakaram” are derogatory labels used to enforce political loyalty within ethnic groups.

“Lick bottom,” a Creole phrase, implies subservience and suggests that AfroGuyanese who support the PPP/C are betraying their community by siding with perceived oppressors.

On the other hand, “neemakaram,” derived from Hindi, carries significant cultural weight, condemning Indo-Guyanese who back the APNU/AFC as ungrateful traitors to their heritage.

Although the terms differ in language, their intent is the same: to shame individuals who cross ethnic and political boundaries.

Critics have quickly condemned Dr. Hinds for his choice of words, arguing that such language exacerbates racial divides. However, when Indo-Guyanese public figures referred to APNU/AFC Indo supporters as “neemakaram,” there was a noticeable silence.

This inconsistency is not simply an oversight; it

reflects the deeply entrenched biases in Guyana’s political discourse.

Afro-Guyanese leaders are often held to a higher standard of scrutiny, while similar rhetoric from IndoGuyanese is frequently minimized or excused as “cultural expression.”

Selective outrage reinforces ethnic tribalism.

By condemning “lick bottom” while tolerating “neemakaram,” critics imply that some communities are allowed to use identity as a weapon, while others are not.

This imbalance creates resentment.

Afro-Guyanese may see the lack of accountability for “neemakaram” as a sign of systemic marginalization, while Indo-Guyanese might view criticism of Hinds as dismissive of their concerns.

These dynamics deepen the divisions that hinder national progress.

Guyana’s history of ethnic politics, which ranges from colonial divide-andrule tactics to postindependence tensions, requires careful consideration of language.

Using derogatory terms simplifies complex political choices into acts of ethnic betrayal, discouraging meaningful dialogue. When criticism is applied inconsistently, it reinforces a toxic status quo in which loyalty to one’s ethnic group takes precedence over policy discussions.

This undermines democracy, as voters may feel compelled to align with ethnic blocs rather than focus on the issues at hand.

F u r t h e r, w e h a v e unfortunately observed recently an individual named Priya Singh posting an inflammatory and racist statement on the Facebook page titled “PPP/C Family.”

She stated, among other things, “God never created black people to be human beings.”

However, we have not seen any condemnation from those who consistently criticize Dr. Hinds.

Guyana’s future depends on addressing the hypocrisy of selective outrage. It is unfair to hold Dr. Hinds accountable while ignoring “neemakaram.”

This approach fails to prioritize national healing.

Only by equally challenging all forms of divisive rhetoric can Guyana move toward a politics defined not by race, but by shared aspirations.

Let us demand consistency, not only in our criticisms but also in our collective commitment to a united Guyana.

Sincerely Lelon Saul

Friday February 21, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Friday February 21, 2025

Jagdeo lauds Suriname for allowing citizens to invest in first oil project …says Guyana can do same in fertilizer plants, offshore service vessels

By Shania Williams Amid concerns over his government’s management of the oil sector, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday lauded Suriname for giving its citizens the options to invest in its first oil project, although warning of the risks involved.

On the 31st January 2025, Suriname state oil c o m p a n y, S t a a t s o l i e officially launched the Staatsolie Bond 2025-2033 to raise at least US$250 million and EUR 50 million.

The bond is set to take effect on March 23, 2025, with an eight-year term. The interest rate is set at 7.75% for the US dollar bond and 7.25% for the euro bond.

Wi t h t h e m i n i m u m investment set at US$100 or EUR 100, local investors in Suriname are encouraged to participate, with larger investments available for those in Suriname, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten, starting at US$30,000.

Local investors can participate from as little as US$100 or EUR 100, a strategy that makes it

accessible to as many people in Suriname as possible.

Staatsolie said for larger investors residing in Suriname, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten, a denomination of US$30,000 is available.

Speaking at his weekly press conference at Freedom House in Georgetown, Jagdeo praised the initiative but warned of the risks involved, especially for the local investors. When asked to share a comment on Suriname’s approach to the oil project and if this initiative is something that can be introduced in Guyana,

Afri-Exim Bank floats US$1B financing facility to support locals in oil sector President of the Africa Exim Bank Benedict Okechukwu Oramah on Tuesday made an offer to the Guyanese Government to establish a US$1B financing facility to support the oil services sector here, allowing local banks to be able to lend money to citizens who are looking to penetrate the oil industry.

Oramah told the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo that it is urgent that Guyanese entrepreneurs become active players within the oil value chain, by operating and owning oil assets, in turn providing essential services to the oil sector.

He commended the enactment on Local Content Law saying it is appropriate for the sector.

“A deliverable Local Content Policy will help to increase the wealth of many Guyanese. We saw that in Nigeria, which led to the transfer of technology and also increase the wealth that are in individual hands in Nigeria, some values will also be acquired from that experience,’’ he said.

He further stated that, “Africa can help set up an oil service financing facility from Guyana of up to US$1billion because oil service is capital content, local people can only participate who have a source of capital and local content in the sector…but not stop at the oil and as the President mentioned earlier, the banking sector, the industrial sector, the other services, all come together to bring down some content more impactful.”

The Africa Exim Bank president explained to the audience that the money can serve as a guarantee which can allow the local banks to “more effectively lend”. The Government of Guyana must recognise that the commodity market is liable to volatility and cyclicality. In this regard he cautioned that “the reliance on crude revenues as a primary source of government funding could also expose the national economy to the volatile commodity markets, as oil prices could be high five to seven years and then drop for about two to three years before going back up.

President of the Africa Exim Bank Benedict Okechukwu Oramah A way out of this is for the government of an oil producing nation to enter into long term ‘day contracts’ with refiners. “As I stand here, I offer African traders and oil refineries as potential partners to enter into such long term contract. The benefit of that is, when you have a bust that will occur one day, the long term contract will actually guarantee you a market so that you don’t have to shut down fields… some African businesses, traders, refiners, are here, and we’ll be happy to partner with Guyanese to achieve this goal, Africa Exim Bank will be willing to back such partnership,” he assured.

Oramah said that there are oil companies not only from Nigeria but also Ghana, Egypt and South Africa who are ready and willing to support Guyanese to take control of their destiny.

He advised that such measure are necessary for “new entrants in the Caribbean and Africa to avoid the painful Dutch disease that oil rich economies normally face.” The suggestion was made based on the banks “three long decades of financing oil and gas activities across Africa, we have witnessed oil dependent economies transformed for better or worse through these periods” and this was all based on the policy choices the leaders made.

Jagdeo stated, “I think while it’s a laudable thing, they have to raise a lot of money, let’s see if it’s going to be subscribed to in Suriname but you also have to tell people about that risk, that when you put your money, an ordinary person, you’re dependant on what happens with the oil and gas sector in the future, you may not get back any return if the project doesn’t do well versus investing in a bond.”

Jagdeo further explained the differences between Suriname’s and Guyana’s approaches to oil project financing. He stated, “Suriname is taking a different approach, they have an option in their project development to take equity in the project so when you take equity in a project, you have to raise the money. So at the national level given the constraints Suriname has now, I think there’s a limit to its borrowing because of the state of the financing in Suriname. So it has to raise money.”

While Jagdeo acknowledged that taking equity offers potential for greater returns, he also emphasised the risks involved. He explained, “If you take equity in a project, then you have the possibility of getting a greater reward at the end. But remember, equity is remunerated only after you’ve cleared costs, including the cost of borrowing.”

Jagdeo also outlined how this initiative may be used in other projects in Guyana, particularly in sectors like fertilizer plants or offshore service vessels. He stated, “If we build a fertilizer plant in Guyana, maybe we could have people take equity in the project or invest through bonds. [Additionally], the vessels supplying offshore so if we structure some of those in a way that provides multiple opportunities for Guyanese. If you invest in a bond, you know the bond will state the rate you’ll get 10% for the year, you might get higher than the interest rate you are getting in the bank, but you know you getting that definitely because that is paid in the first order, it’s above the line, it’s part of the cost of the project.” However, Jagdeo warned about the risks of equity investments, stating,” If you invest in equity now,

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo you take ownership of the project, you buy your share, you have to wait until all those costs are cleared and then you have to decide whatever the profit is so if you don’t make profit for the year, assuming say the oil prices and you don’t make profit in a year, you are not getting a return in an inequity investment because it’s remunerated only from profit. So it sounds good but you also have to look how you manage your money.”

Guyana vs Suriname Guyana’s oil deal has been compared to Suriname in the past by Managing Director Staatsolie, Annand Jagesar, who highlighted the low returns Guyana accepted in its Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and partners.

This includes a measly 2% royalty, no taxes and 50% profit split after 75% is deducted by Exxon for costs.

Jagesar had made it clear that Suriname’s position is that “…everybody has to survive in this partnership.”

In the meantime, Jagdeo previously admitted that Suriname has better terms in their agreement than Guyana’s 2016 agreement.

Jagdeo in laying blame on the former administration for the 2016 oil deal noting that his government fixed the deal by addressing the nonfiscal terms so that Guyanese can benefit more from the sector.

“We sought to fix this by getting more benefits from the contract through the Local Content Law, the Gasto-Energy project so that we can claim other non-fiscal benefits from the contract and we have had Exxon

agree with that from the time we got into office, but this is great and I am happy for Suriname, very happy for them they have worked very hard at this,” he reasoned. It should be noted that Guyana does not have a stake in the massive petroleum production activities ongoing offshore in the Stabroek Block.

ExxonMobil has increased its daily production capacity to almost 700,000 barrels at the three projects – Liza One, Liza Two and Payara.

Guyana’s leaders have refused to implement a ringfencing provision which would have allowed the country to receive higher profits today, since the cost of these three developments have already been recovered

by Exxon. Since February 2024, President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge revealed that Exxon had already recovered some US$19B in expenses.

It should be noted that the three oil projects currently producing oil, the Liza One, Liza Two, and Payara projects collectively carry a price tag of about US$19B. This means that the country could have been receiving higher profits this year from the three projects; however, in the absence of ringfencing, Exxon will use the revenue to invest in other developments and even fund its exploration programme.

Essentially, ring-fencing means that profits from one project must cover the expenses for that initiative.

In the absence of such a provision, a company is allowed to use profits from one project to cover the costs of another.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

Jagdeo’s comments were inappropriate!

Bharrat Jagdeo’s recent foray into public works management—a sector over which he holds no ministerial authority—is not merely a case of overreach; it is a flagrant violation of the principles of collective responsibility. It threatens to unravel the very fabric of Cabinet unity.

Let us begin with the facts, for they are damning enough. According to the Constitution of Guyana, a Vice President is, by definition, a Minister. This is not a suggestion, nor is it a mere formality; it is a constitutional mandate.

Yet, the Extraordinary Gazette of September 11, 2020, lists Bharrat Jagdeo as Vice President and a Member of Cabinet, with specific oversight responsibilities for finance, natural resources, and the environment. Noticeably absent from this list is any mention of public works.

And yet, Jagdeo has seen fit to insert himself into the affairs of this Ministry, issuing criticisms of the

management of public works sites.

By what authority does he do this? The Constitution grants him none. The President has bestowed none. So, from whence does this authority spring?

In one of his earlier press conferences, Jagdeo casually mentioned that he does not attend all Cabinet meetings. This admission raises serious questions about his role as Vice President since, in accordance with the Constitution, he is supposed to be a member of Cabinet and one will presume that attendance at such meetings is mandatory unless there is good cause for occasional absence.

But let us not stop there.

Jagdeo’s recent comments on the management of public works sites are inappropriate. He has been quoted in numerous media outlets expressing dissatisfaction with the management of construction sites, citing a lack of order and the inconvenience

caused to the public.

These comments are problematic on multiple levels. First, they are an implicit criticism of the Ministry of Public Works, a Ministry over which Jagdeo has no oversight. Second, they undermine the authority of the Minister responsible for public works, and, in my estimation, erodes confidence in the Ministry’s ability to manage its affairs.

Third, and most egregiously, they violate the principle of collective responsibility, which holds that Cabinet members must publicly support all government decisions, even if they privately disagree with them.

Imagine, if you will, a scenario in which every Minister suddenly decided to speak out against matters outside their portfolio. The Minister of Education criticizing the handling of national security. The Minister of Health opining on foreign policy. The Minister of Agriculture

Mother of twin girls who died in Mahdia...

From page 05 refused and opted to withdraw the matter without prejudice after discussions with the judge.

This decision allowed Carter to institute two claims to get “real compensation” for the death of her

daughters.

He explained that had the first G$5M compensation agreement not been withdrawn, the institution of the two G$900M actions would have been defeated by an agreement which stood as

lawful and of legal effect touching and concerning the same issue.

According to the lawyer both of the G$900M matters are slated to be heard before Justices Gino Persaud and Simone Morris-Ramlall.

DEM BOYS SEH

Everybody ah doctor now Guyanese like to seh, “Every man is a fisherman,” but nowadays, it look like every doctor is a specialist in everything.

Yuh foot hurting? De ear, nose, and throat man prescribing tablets. Yuh got belly pain? De eye specialist got a cure. Yuh feeling dizzy? De dentist advising yuh to tek bed rest.

Dem boys seh some of dem doctors behaving like dem get PhD in everything—except common sense.

Imagine yuh go to one fuh a skin rash, and before yuh know it, de man diagnosing yuh heart condition. Next ting yuh know, yuh deh pun bed rest when all yuh needed was lil coconut oil.

Now, is one ting if yuh is a general practitioner—dem suppose to know lil bit bout everything. But some of dem specialists walking round like dem got superpowers. De orthopedic man feel he could prescribe pressure tablets. De gynecologist feel he could treat prostate problems. And don’t talk bout de

surgeon—he feel everything in life require one cut and two stitches.

Dem boys seh this practice fraught wid danger. Yuh wouldn’t ask a plumber fuh fix yuh light, so why yuh gon ask a heart specialist fuh advice pun yuh eyesight?

Dem boys hear bout one man who had a lil cough and de specialist tell he it look like kidney failure. De man nearly drop dead before he find out he just needed a Vicks rub.

Doctors done busy, so dem boys beggin dem to stay in dem lane. If yuh is a back specialist, stick to spine. If yuh is a dentist, leave de stomach problems alone. And if yuh is a surgeon, remember—nah everything need cut. Sometimes all people need is a lil tea and a good night sleep.

Dem boys seh, one doctor tell he patient he need a whole new liver. When de man go fuh a second opinion, dem tell he all he needed was some medication Stay in yuh lane, doc.

Talk half. Leff half

issuing pronouncements on telecommunications. Chaos would ensue. Far more chaos than what results during public works projects.

The government would be reduced to a cacophony of conflicting voices, each vying for attention and authority. This is the Pandora’s box that Jagdeo has opened with his recent comments on the management of public works sites.

Whatever his motives, the consequences of his actions are clear. They are not helpful to his colleagues.

But let us also not forget the irony of Jagdeo’s criticisms. Public works projects, by their very nature, are disruptive. They are messy and can and do lead to inconvenience. This is true not only in Guyana but around the world.

Yet, when the Ministry of Public Works attempted to clear vendors from the Plaisance Line Top to make way for the widening of the roadway, it was Jagdeo who intervened, informing the

vendors that they need not move immediately. This interference, though perhaps well-intentioned, only served to complicate the Ministry’s efforts.

In my opinion, it was an act of political grandstanding, a calculated move to curry favour with the vendors at the expense of the Ministry’s authority. And now, having meddled in the Ministry’s affairs, Jagdeo has the audacity to criticize its management. The hypocrisy is staggering.

There is, however, a more fundamental issue at play here. Cabinet collective responsibility is not a mere convention. It ensures that the government speaks with one voice, that individual Ministers do not undermine Cabinet unity.

If Jagdeo is allowed to criticize the management of public works with impunity, what is to stop other Ministers from doing the same? What is to stop the government from descending into a free-forall of public recriminations and infighting?

PAGE 09

A government that cannot maintain discipline within its own ranks is a government that cannot effectively serve its people.

It is a government that invites chaos, that fosters distrust, that undermines its own legitimacy. And for what?

It is time for the Minister of Public Works to put Jagdeo in his place. It is time for the President to rein in his Vice President and remind him of his overreach.

It is time for the Cabinet to reaffirm its commitment to collective responsibility and hold Jagdeo accountable for his actions. The people of Guyana deserve nothing better.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday February 2025 Monday May 02,21, 2022

H@RD TRUTHS SN on TI, a thorough battering of the PPP Govt.

BY GHK LALL

UTHS

D TR

HAR

ALL

HK L

BY G

I was waiting for SN to take a breath, actually come to a full stop on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. Its February 17, 2025 editorial titled “Corruption perception and reality” was a total whipping and stripping of the PPP Government. Guyanese who harbor ideas of defending the government are better off ducking from the corruption issue. Hon. Minister Gail Teixeira stuck her head in the corruption oven. SN’s editorial handed it back to her on a p l a t t e r.

Bon Appetit, Mademoiselle Teixeira.

Like Excellency Ali, the honorable minister is defending the indefensible, and both national superstars know it.

The reality of corruption in Guyana under the PPP Government is that even dishonest Guyanese, diehard party supporters, and those given to diabolically clever financial enterprises will freely admit to its massive presence.

Corruption is that thick, great, monstrosity locally, thanks to the PPP as group and government.

Walk into a government office and tumble. It is corruption tripping up.

Apply for a service, or respond to a public tender, and it’s over before one page of paper has been read.

The game is that fixed. But that is not called corruption by the government. It is called business and clean governance.

One element in the government and its leaders’ self-protective strategy is conspicuous: one day in the news, day two in the toilet. Attention span is that slim, and there is that separate factor: who cares? It is invisible money, plus corruption is believed to be a peaceful and bloodless crime. It is not. It is not called white-collar for nothing.

Anybody seeing any blood anywhere, any stained clothes.

Further, government leaders are trying their best to smother assertions that processes are stained, and its people have stained hands. As crime goes, corruption is a sweet one. No violence, no victims.

When the taxpayers come around finally to that place of discovery, that’s when the real violence starts. It is the first fallout of corruption in the billions. When the Guyanese are crying out about cost-of-living, they don’t know how much political and business (elite) corruption is responsible.

They are that close to it, when they can’t buy food, despite the passage of record budget after record

budget. Those billions, those huge fractions, from the national budgets are going to somebody, and it is not to them. From the public secret of private sector inputs into recordbreaking budgets to feather their own nests, and the PPP Government readily integrating those, the two embody the pervasive corruptions of the political and business elite that Transparency put before the public.

After all, the private sector has got to get some return for the billions it invested in the PPP during the last elections.

In the U.S. the farming sector, the defense industry, the oil companies, and the financial services industry are active donors, reap rich rewards. Thus, what’s good in Uncle Sam territory, must be good for Guyana, too. What I am positing is that the whole system is gamed into its present state of near total decay. From budget runup-input to allocations to tender awards to work performance to targeted supplements, they are all to keep the PPP Government’s corruption machinery well-oiled and well-functioning.

The SN editorial was a majestic and scorching dissection of how and where and how much things are

corrupt here. I think the editorial faltered when it used that 5% corruption number as a level. I see it differently. What happens with other tenders’ awards when all the bidders are PPP cronies, some closer in the pecking order? The losers are not really losers, for they know that their turn will come. The keys are sealed lips and no boat rocking, as there is enough to go round.

The tender board nest inspires patience. How much greater is the corruption percentage, when outsiders (non-PPP 4F bodies) should have won a bid, hands down, but opted for resigned silence due to fear of being blacklisted? How many of this type of loser bidders are they, what percentage do they total? What happened to those bids that were won that were not as egregious as Tepui and the one for the school in Region 10?

In other words, there was some hanky-panky with the winning award, but it was not that bad, not enough to stick out in the face. The invitation to the few frank Guyanese left in this society is for them to do the addition of those three categories in some shape or form involved in a half-trillion guzzling from the public trough.

The percentage of corruption, colluding, and condoning outstrips 5%, perhaps even double that optimistic number.

Think of this: 5% of a $500 billion plus public works budget is $25 billion. Add the infrastructure budgets of the last several years, and with 5% still retained, the corruption picture glitters. Not bad for a day’s work, though everyone knows that it is not 5%.

Where are the watchdogs, when the procurement commission is content to be pawn and phantom when certain people are involved?

When two senior public servants resign under a cloud, what does that say of the possible elevated tentacles of corruption? When one is recycled into a bigger role, the architects of corruption can no longer hide, not even behind words.

It’s not how much corruption. As Transparency reported, it’s the big kahunas.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday February 21, 2025

President of the Mexico-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Ricardo Magana

Mexican manufacturers ready to set up shop in Guyana - buoyed by stable electricity through GTE projects

With Guyana’s Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project set to provide a stable power supply, Mexican businesses are ready to explore the possibility of establishing manufacturing facilities in Guyana and to tap into the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) market. The Mexico-Guyana Chamber of Commerce was launched on Monday at the 2025 Guyana Energy Conference & Supply Chain Expo. At a press conference held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Thursday, President of the Mexico-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Ricardo Magana, expressed the interest of Mexican entrepreneurs in Guyana’s emerging industrial sector.

“In Mexico, there’s a lot of manufacturing done, especially in the automotive industries and many other industries that are very famous in Mexico,” Magana said. He added, “So in conversations that we have with some entrepreneurs, they are really open to even establish themselves over here so they can incorporate manufacturing facilities in Guyana.”

Magana underscored that Guyana have abundant resources “to do anything that is to be done”, but highlighted what is lacking, is the infrastructure in order to start manufacturing in country. The Mexico-Guyana Chambers President noted that Guyana’s strategic location makes it an attractive base for manufacturers looking to access the wider CARICOM region. “So I can tell you for a fact that there’s interest and there’s also something very interesting happening internationally, Guyana is bringing a lot of attention of the international community,” he added.

Mexican businesses also see opportunities in Guyana’s forestry sector. In response to a question about value-added processing of lumber, Magana stated, “Sure, absolutely, we have also, for example, there are some areas, like closer to the Cancun peninsula…some of those tropical places closer to the Caribbean that are like very like attractive for tourism and so forth.” He continued, “And the answer to that, yeah, absolutely, Guyana is blessed with the forest, and there’s a lot of like, good practices…and I know for sure that Mexico will be interested in importing not only wood, but also other materials.” The GTE project is expected to address gaps by ensuring affordable and reliable electricity, which is critical for large-scale manufacturing. Magana noted that interest has already been expressed in industries such as home construction materials, steel processing, mining, and raw material refining.

Moreover, a representative from the Mexican Embassy in Guyana (to be added) highlighted the role of the GTE project in attracting investment. “We are very skilled in Mexico when it comes to design, so and I’m thinking also, there is the gas to power that will start kicking in, that’s definitely going to be big for Mexican companies to come because they’ll know they’ll have a secured [power supply] in order to settle down here in Guyana,” the official said.

He further noted that having manufacturers in country would transform raw materials into modern, well designed and good quality products. He too noted that these products can also supply the CARICOM market. The official added, “And we think the people in Guyana are willing to spend the extra bucks on something good quality and that fits their lifestyle.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Dominican Republic ready to finalize deal for oil exploration offshore Berbice

President of the Dominican Republic, Luiz Abinader, has said that his country is ready to finalise an agreement with Guyana for oil exploration offshore Berbice.

During his presentation at the opening of the Guyana Energy Conference on Tuesday, President Abinader said that while the two nations have held historic and cultural similarities, “It is time for them to join forces to reaffirm our bonds and move forward together toward a future of shared

development and prosperity.”

Alluding to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two countries in August 2023, the Head-of-State said his country is ready to finalise the agreement for exploration activities in Guyana’s offshore basin.

“As you are aware, this memorandum pertained to oil exploration, the establishment of an oil refinery and petro chemical plant for fertilizer

President of the Dominican Republic Luiz Abinader production, food security for our nations and the exchange

of trade information and data to accelerate our mutual development,” he revealed.

According to Abinader, discussions held between the commissions from both nations were concerned particularly with the issue of oil exploration.

“The Dominican Republic is ready to finalise the agreement on the location of the Berbice block, which will soon be complete with the ministry of environment hoping to replicate the success story of Continued on page 16

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

Friday February 21, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Friday February 21, 2025

Mottley demands urgent overhaul of CARICOM

(BARBADOS TODAY) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit opened at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC) on Wednesday evening with concerted calls for the 51year-old integration movement to be revamped and made fit for purpose.

Suggesting that it cannot be business as usual at this 48th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government Conference, Prime Minister Mia Mottley – the CARICOM chair – placed the free movement of Caribbean peoples at the apex of any necessary

changes which must be made.

With the heads of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the European Commission in the audience, she told the gathering: “We have a responsibility to reform this institution. We have spoken for too long as to the need for independent funding mechanisms, whether it is a cess on imports, whether it is an issue of a small fee for all border passings, people coming in and out of our borders, or whether it is the assignment of renewable energy like licences to

- urges prioritising of free movement, independent funding

From left, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds, Prime Minister Mia Mottley and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

CARICOM and our regional institutions, the time is upon us for settling the independent funding of this Caribbean Community.

“In addition, we need to review the governance mechanisms, and to recognise that there may be a need for a greater political voice alongside the administrative structures of CARICOM as we have come to know it over the last few decades.

“I pray, as we reflect on the urgent need for cooperation and unity, that above all else, we shall continue to see our people, up front and centre.”

Mottley said that if CARICOM as an institution of regional unity is to be fit for purpose in the 21st century, decisions may need to be made now for such changes. “Freedom of movement of the Caribbean people is at the centre of who and why we are here. And I trust and pray that we can leave Bridgetown with clarity on this objective,” she told the gathering that included United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The prime minister also addressed the rising cost of living, arguing that the time for talk must be replaced by results. She said: “The issue of cost of living continues to bedevil too many of our people, and we run the risk that our traditional sources of food, may become more difficult to access, because of the climate crisis, and because of decisions on the movement of labour. And to that extent, while we have spoken at length always, about creating new sources for imports, while boosting our production regionally, we can no longer speak about it, but it must become a reality, because food and

water are the new oil of this 21st century.”

The climate crisis, the regional educational system, resilience in difficult times and the need for partnerships were briefly reflected in her speech as major concerns which have to be tackled head on. “We know what it is each summer to have to hold our breath and to wait and to hope that this [natural disaster] is not going to be our turn. The only way we will make it through these difficult times, is if we are prepared to be more unified and bolder than ever,” Mottley said.

She thanked President von der Leyen for attending the conference because “in this world of grave difficulties confronting us at all levels, partnerships across the world will be important, if we are going to survive the many challenges that are not unique to any one region, but indeed, hold all of us in a very, very difficult position”.

Prime Minister Mottley also pointed out that education in the region is in “shambles”.

“And the quicker we come together and coordinate the reforms that are necessary for it, the better we will be, because we cannot build out this region with the old educational systems of the colonial systems that are hierarchical in nature and ignore the reality,” she said. The prime minister was adamant that there is no better time than now for fellow heads of government to open their hearts and minds to each other and reach common ground on the issues before the people of the region.

“What is required of me as chairman,” Mottley said, “is to ask each and every one of us, to make that commitment to expose our hearts and minds, and find common ground and common purpose, so as to ensure that as the world starts to fall in ways that none of us expected 20, 30 years ago or even 10 years ago, that we can hold a centre, recognising that we will always, always, always be stronger together.”

The newly elected Premier of Montserrat, Reuben Meade, and CARICOM Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett, also focused attention on taking action to make the integration movement fit for purpose. “In order for us to make meaningful change, Continued on page 16

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

GWI to refurbish Plegt Anker well …to expand water access for residents, surrounding communities

In a significant step towards improving water access for rural communities, the Chief Executive O f f i c e r o f G u y a n a Wa t e r Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh, recently led a team of well experts, hydrologists, and engineers to assess the water supply system in Plegt Anker, East Bank Berbice.

The visit focused on evaluating the condition of the community’s well and determining sustainable

solutions to enhance water delivery, GWI said in a press release.

Plegt Anker is a small farming community that relies heavily on agriculture for its livelihood.

Access to clean and reliable water is essential for both domestic use and farming activities. However, the community’s existing well has deteriorated over time, limiting its ability to meet residents’ needs.

Recognizing this challenge, GWI has committed to refurbishing the well and installing house connections, giving residents firsttime access to a stable water supply.

During the visit, the GWI team engaged with residents to discuss the project’s scope and ensure they were fully informed of the upcoming improvements. The Continued on page 16

The GWI team during their visit to Plegt Anker, East Bank Berbice

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Friday February 21, 2025

ERC hold talks with EU delegation, electoral assistance group

WANTED

VACANCY

Job openings: Truck drivers, project manager & Civil engineers. To apply send application via Whatsapp: 638-5303 / 608-2114.

1- Excavator Operator, 2 Concrete Mixer Truck Driver. Contact : 652-0251 / 632-9929 / 655-3880.

One Hauler Drivers needed . Attractive Salary Offered.

Call : 623-0479.

Experienced male cooks and camp attendants wanted for mining operation. Call: 688-6575.

Experienced Utility operators ( excavator, bulldozer, ADT) and mechanic wanted for mining operation. Call: 688-6575.

One nanny / Housekeeper Time 8:00 AM to 4 :30 PM located Republic Park, East Bank Demerara. Age 30-45 years. Contact : 626-4884 Handyman wanted to work 4 days per week. Call: 6215140.

Domestic wanted to work 3 days per week. Call: 6247436.

Armed security with experience, 6 days per week, $6k per day. Contact: 603-5140.

Male / female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 699-8486.

SERVICES Need a grocery shopper, ship chandler or visa application preparer: USA, Canada, UK ETA. 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

FOR SALE For Sale 6 used American made Dental chairs excellent condition contact Mr Vino on 661-3030 or 626-8918 One Nissan Double cab pickup, fully off road setup ; -5 Million Negotiable. Call: 626-8919 / 661-3030.

Male / female needed to work in supermarket in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 674-9999.

Live-in Domestic needed, Must know to cook & Bake.

Attractive salary offered.

Call: 699-8486.

General Domestic, Cook , iron, clean house ECT. Apply Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

3day work.

One Driver to make purchases in Georgetown. Contact: 701-4000.

Desk staff, Handyman/ Licensed driver 21-45 years old, Receptionist, Supervisor, Room attendant. 233 South Road Lacytown. 225-0198.

Vacancy exists for porter, driver, cashier Apply 16 Vlissengen Rd, Kitty Email: humanresource.survival@ gmail.com Vacancy exists for one nanny to work in New Haven Bel Air, Must have experience.

Call : 690-5434 / 624-1473 One night Watchman needed. Call: 731-2125.

Vacancy for one General Cook, Must know about creole food especially roti, Puri & Bake, Mon- Fri. Call : 6962520.

Counter clerk, Must have a sound secondary education and a decent handwriting.

Email: bentleysagency @yahoo.com Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence.

Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

Skilled Contractors needed.

Call: 708-3618. Email: firstchangeinc@gmail.com

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

Duynhoven, Deputy Head of Mission. The IDEA team was represented by Mr. Luis Consuegra, Adviser, and Mr. Juan Caycedo, Financial Adviser. Representing the ERC were Deputy Chairman Charles Ogle, Commissioners Ashton Simon, Chandrowite Sarran, Alphonso Porter, Neaz Subhan, Norris Witter, Krishn Sharma, Deon Dick (Ras Khafra) and Chief Executive Officer Gomin Camacho.

The ERC provided an overview of its previous elections-related work, which included monitoring election

campaigns, signing the code of conduct, and observing on election day.

The Commission also highlighted its ongoing efforts, such as the “Countering Hate Speech” campaign, the implementation of the Emonitoring Tool, extensive public education and awareness activities, and other collaborative initiatives to ensure preparedness to counter racial hostility leading up to the 2025 National General Elections.

International IDEA adviser, Mr. Consuegra provided

an overview of their planned activities in Guyana for the coming year. In addition, Mr. Polycandriotis van Duynhoven informed the group that the EU has accepted an invitation from the Government of Guyana to organize an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the 2025 General Election.

The agencies agreed that such collaborations can enhance the electoral process and strengthen efforts to ensure that democratic principles are upheld during the elections.

Dominican Republic ready to finalize...

From page 11 your blessed nation,” the President said.

Abinader also highlighted areas of mutual benefit to both countries which include capacity building and agriculture.

“With regard to workforce training, the Ministry of Labour in Guyana and the Dominican Institute for Technical and Vocational Training have agreed to an operational framework for training highly skilled technicians for industries and businesses.

The platform will enable Guyana to establish a specialized entity for training trainers in a sustainable cost effective and high-quality manner which has been very successful in the Dominican Republican,” he explained.

In terms of agriculture, President Abinader noted that the Association of Agri Business Entrepreneurs in the Dominican Republic is exchanging project ideas with

PROPERTY FOR SALE Providence (Public Road) perfect for business, Norton St, Bent St, Queenstown, Soesdyke public rd. Contact Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

Vacancy for Elderly care Worker. Please Call or WhatsApp Karen: 656-1875/ 233-5160/609-6952.

LAND FOR SALE

FOR RENT

Bent St, Friendship EBD, Soesdyke, Yarawkabra & Long Creek highway, Mahaicony & Plantation Foulis WCB. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

Prime business area at Affiance, Essequibo Coast for rent bottom flat- Office 600 sq ft, industrial 1400 sq ft.

Call: 670-2554.

Roadside Heroes Highway Land for Sale, Garden of Eden 3.8 or 6 acres, 65 Mil per acre Neg. Contact : 6211139 / 712-4020

VEHICLES FOR SALE One Unregistered Nissan X-Trail 2016 model, Mode Premiere. Call : 649-0956.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) met with representatives from the European Union (EU) Delegation to Guyana and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) on Wednesday to discuss potential areas of collaboration concerning Guyana’s 2025 upcoming elections.

The meeting took place in the ERC’s Boardroom, the commission said in a press release. The EU Delegation to Guyana was represented by Mr. Spiro Polycandriotis van

their Guyanese counterparts to establish an enterprise using advanced technology for essential crops in high demand “The goal is to leverage Guyana’s vast land and viable production conditions ensuring profitability and achieving the type of food security that we all aspire to for our countries.”

Moreover, he said that the two countries have already completed a feasibility study for establishing a petrochemical fertilizer plant.

The President explained that there is a demand for the product but “global supply of the fertilizer remains restrictive.”

“This plant will meet the needs of both nations solidifying their food security efforts,” he said. With regard to the oil refinery, Abinader said it represents a major financial commitment that warrants long term planning.

To this end, he said the development team is analyzing various alternatives which it will soon present to its

Guyanese counterparts.

“In the coming months we will need to make the final decision.”

President Abinader praised the Ali administration for efforts made to establish the Guyana/Dominican Chamber of Commerce which is already operational in both nations.

“Both have a mutual understanding for identifying investment opportunities that will undoubtedly open a new chapter in our shared history.”

GWI to refurbish Plegt Anker well...

From page 15 CEO reassured the community that this initiative is part of GWI’s broader strategy to expand water infrastructure in underserved areas across Guyana. “This project represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide clean, safe, and reliable water to all Guyanese,” said Mr. Baksh. “For too long, residents of Plegt Anker have relied on an aging well with limited capacity. By refurbishing

this facility and installing household connections, we improve their quality of life and support the community’s agricultural productivity.”

In addition to upgrading the well, GWI is exploring expanding its coverage to nearby villages, ensuring that surrounding communities benefit from improved water access.

This aligns with the company’s long-term vision of achieving universal water

access in rural Guyana. Residents expressed optimism and gratitude for the initiative, noting that access to clean water will ease many of their daily struggles, from household chores to farming operations.

GWI remains committed to enhancing water infrastructure across Guyana and will continue to engage with communities to identify and address their water supply needs.

Mottley demands urgent overhaul...

From page 14 we need to review the CARICOM institutions, and we can do that using local resources,” Meade contended.

Dr Barnett said action is being taken to make the Single Market work more efficiently by simplifying the process of amendment of the Community’s Rules of Origin to allow “us to more effectively respond in a changing trade environment”. “This

meeting,” she said, “is expected to give approval to the changes necessary.” Von der Leyen pledged the European Commission’s continued partnership and cooperation with the region.

The opening ceremony also featured cultural performances from spoken word artist Cyndi Celeste, the drum corps of the Israel Lovell Foundation and Haynesville Youth Drummers, Bob Marley’s Redemption Song

sung by Israel Allen accompanied by Daren Bailey on piano, and a soca medley by the Christ Church Foundation Steel Orchestra. Delegates were welcomed by Barbados’ CARICOM Youth Ambassador Ashley Lashley, while local songbird Nikita performed the CARICOM Song.

The summit shifts to the Wyndham Resort – Sam Lord’s Castle where the business sessions will be held on Thursday and Friday.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

PAGE 17

Body of policeman retrieved Woman throws away purse from Puruni River instead of giving it to bandits

The body of Lance Corporal Jermaine Batson, who went missing after he jumped from a sinking boat in the Puruni River, Region Seven, has been found.

Police in a statement said that the incident occurred on the Puruni River, a tributary of the Mazaruni River.

According to the police the incident also involved Constable 24612 Quincy Marks and Ransdale Melville, a 30-year-old boat captain from Third Avenue, Bartica. Preliminary investigations indicate that the three individuals departed from Puruni Landing at approximately 09:00hrs Tuesday in a wooden boat measuring twelve feet in length and three feet in width, powered by a 40-horsepower Yamaha engine.

The boat was on patrol along the Puruni River.

Constable Marks was seated in the middle of the boat, unarmed but fully dressed in

Dead: Lance Corporal Jermaine Batson uniform while L/Cpl Batson, also in the middle, was armed with one Taurus pistol containing 15 matching rounds and similarly dressed in uniform. Ransdale Melville was positioned at the rear of the boat, operating the engine.

Police said that about 11:45hrs, while navigating upstream through a ‘fall’, the boat’s engine cut off, causing water to enter the vessel and leading to a partial sinking.

As the boat began to sink, L/Cpl Batson jumped into

t h e r i v e r. T h e b o a t subsequently drifted downstream, prompting Constable Marks and Melville to jump onto a nearby rock to prevent the boat from being carried away by the current. They managed to secure the boat by tying it to a branch.

According to the police, at this point, Constable Marks observed Batson holding onto a branch on the opposite side of the river and engaged in a brief conversation with him.

Batson, the police said, confirmed at the time that he was unharmed and enquired about the status of Constable Marks and Melville, to which Constable Marks responded affirmatively.

However, while Constable Marks and the boat operator were emptying water out of the boat to restart the engine, they noticed that Batson was no longer visible. According to police after conducting a (Continued on page 18)

PAHO launches consultations on new Caribbean action plan on health and climate change

T

he Pan American Health O rg a n i z a t i o n ( PA H O ) h a s launched consultations with member states and partners across the Caribbean to evaluate the implementation of the 2019-2023 Caribbean Action Plan on Health and Climate Change, share lessons learnt, and begin the development of a new five-year plan (2025-29).

During the virtual consultation, over 40 participants from 14 Caribbean countries heard an evaluation of the 2019-2023 Action Plan and were updated on current climate change and health initiatives in the Caribbean.

Addressing the attendees, Acting Subregional Program Director of the PAHO Caribbean Subregional Program Coordination Office, Dr Juan Manuel Sotelo, pointed out that significant milestones had been achieved under the last plan. He noted that this was a testament to the power of collaboration and collective determination.

“However, we must also recognize the work that remains to be done This is our chance to design a framework that is both aspirational and practical, rooted in the realities of our region. Our priorities must be clear. We need robust data and research to understand climate impacts on health and guide effective decision-making. We must enhance our preparedness and response to extreme climate events, ensuring that health systems can withstand future shocks and foster partnerships. Climate change is a crosssectoral challenge, and our solutions must involve health, environment, and economic sectors, working in harmony. Adequate funding and technical capacity are also essential to realizing our vision of sustainable and climate-resilient health systems,” Dr Sotelo recommended.

While pointing to the achievements of the Caribbean and given the rapid changes being experienced, Dr Gerry Eijkemans, Director of the Department of Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Equity at PAHO described 2025 as critical for

climate action. “It is evident that a renewed, dynamic plan is essential to sustain and advance our efforts. COP 30 and numerous regional and global events are on the horizon.

Countries will submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and are expected to elevate their climate ambitions.

This is an opportune moment for the Caribbean to reaffirm its leadership on health and climate change on the global stage; continue to lobby for the inclusion of health in national strategic plans; and negotiate for more financing for health and climate change,” Dr Eijkemans remarked. As the participants reflected on the implementation of the Caribbean Action Plan, they heard experiences from Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago on cross-sectoral actions to assess the health co-benefits of reduced air pollution; and the Bahamas on the development of their Health National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change (HNAP). They also received insights from the University of the West Indies, the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the European Union on the achievements made to strengthen climate-resilient health systems through the 5-year EU CARIFORUM Climate Change and Health Project.

The participants discussed the four lines of action of the plan, namely - evidence, implementation, empowerment and resources - to assess implementation and make suggestions for a framework on which to develop the new plan.

The Caribbean Action Plan on Health and Climate Change (2019-2023) was developed in consultation with countries through preparatory meetings and by convening regional health and environment leaders of the Caribbean during the Third Global Conference on Health and Climate Change, held in St. George’s, Grenada, on 16-17 October 2018. Looking ahead, a similar meeting is expected to be convened later this year to finalise the new plan, ensuring the Caribbean remains at the forefront of climate and health action.

…shots fired after good Samaritan comes to the rescue

Shibina threw her purse over here.

Two bandits on motorcycles opened gunfire on a “good Samaritan” on Wednesday after he used his car to rescue a woman that they were trying to rob on Hadfield Street.

The good Samaritan was identified as Bonny Moses 33. He reportedly tried to run them over with his car as they attacked Shibina Sobers, a 35-year-old woman who refused to give them her purse. One of them demanded that she hands her purse but she

threw it away over a fence located close by.

The angry bandits attempted to attack her for not giving them the purse but as they were about to do so, Moses drove up to them. One of the bandits pulled out a gun and fired at Moses’ car, before they climbed on their motorcycle and escaped. Police were summoned to the scene. Shibina was able to retrieve her purse but Moses’ car was left with some bullet holes. Police are investigating.

IDB Invest and Japan’s JICA announce US$1B fund to boost private investment in Caribbean

TOKYO — IDB Invest and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced a US$1 billion contribution from JICA to establish the JICA Trust Fund Achieving Development of Latin America and the Caribbean (TADAC).

This landmark initiative – the agency’s first privatesector fund with the IDB and its largest private sector fund in Latin America and the Caribbean – aims to catalyze greater private investment by co-financing projects that drive sustainable growth.

As Latin America and the Caribbean face a growing financing gap, IDB Invest – the Inter-American D e v e l o p m e n t B a n k ’s private-sector arm – is adopting an “originate-toshare” business model, emphasizing collaboration and co-financing with other development institutions to mobilize private investment and maximize capital efficiency. The TADAC Fund will further strengthen these efforts.

In this context, the TADAC Fund will provide IDB Invest with additional resources, streamline cofinancing with JICA by reducing duplication, and leverage IDB Invest’s expertise.

Additionally, subject to mutual agreement, the Fund has the potential to expand to US$1.5 billion after three

years. The TADAC Fund aligns with IDBImpact+, a new approach that unifies the work of the IDB, IDB Invest and IDB Lab under one goal to increase our impact and scale, while enabling private sector investments, promoting innovation, and increasing the financing capacity of IDB Invest.

“This US$1 billion fund represents a historic milestone in our ongoing partnership with JICA – the agency’s first private-sector fund with the IDB and its largest private-sector fund in Latin America and the Caribbean.

By leveraging our combined resources and expertise, we are poised to drive transformative change across Latin America and the Caribbean.

This initiative will not only catalyze private investment but also foster sustainable development, innovation, and economic growth in the region,” said IDB President Ilan Goldfajn.

Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, President of JICA, emphasised the importance of this collaboration, stating that “JICA is committed to supporting private-sector efforts to solve the deeprooted social issues in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This investment in partnership with IDB Invest will contribute to closing the financial gap to achieve the

SDGs in the region.”

TADAC’s creation marks a new milestone in the collaboration between the IDB and JICA. For over 40 years, JICA has been a trusted partner in Latin America and the Caribbean, becoming the IDB’s largest bilateral aid agency. In 2011, the two organizations formalized their partnership through a co-financing agreement, which later evolved into the Cooperation for Economic Recovery and Social Inclusion (CORE) framework. In 2024, JICA expanded CORE’s funding to $4 billion, significantly increasing resources for cofinancing and co-investment in key areas such as quality infrastructure, disaster risk reduction, universal health coverage, poverty alleviation, and climate mitigation.

Through the CORE framework, JICA has also strengthened its collaboration with IDB Invest and IDB Lab. For example, JICA and IDB Invest co-invested over US$20 million in Dr. Consulta, a Brazilian healthtech company, marking JICA’s first equity investment in Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, JICA partnered with IDB Lab on the TSUBASA Program, which supports Japanese startups tackling development challenges in the region.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Friday February 21, 2025

Three buses explode in Israel in ‘suspected terror attack’, police say (BBC NEWS) Three buses have exploded in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, in what Israeli police say is a “suspected terror attack”.

Devices in two other buses failed to explode, they said, adding that “large police forces are at the scenes, searching for suspects”.

Tr a n s p o r t Minister Miri Regev paused all buses, trains and light rail trains in the country so that checks for explosive devices could be carried out, Israeli

media reports said.

Footage on social media shows at least one bus on fire in a parking lot, with a large plume of smoke rising above. There have been no reports of casualties at this stage, police said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was being updated on the situation, his office said in a statement.

Authorities are urging the public to avoid the areas and remain alert for suspicious items.

Security officials on the scene of the explosion

Ukraine must strike minerals deal, says Trump adviser

(BBC NEWS) Ukrainian P r e s i d e n t Vo l o d y m y r Zelensky needs to return to the negotiating table and strike a deal on US access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz has said.

O n We d n e s d a y, Zelensky rejected US demands for a share of its rare earth minerals - a “deal” Trump said would reflect the amount of aid the US had provided to Ukraine during its war with Russia.

The comments, made at a White House briefing on Thursday, overshadowed a meeting in Kyiv between Zelensky and Keith Kellogg, the US chief envoy to Ukraine.

Waltz said the White House was “frustrated” with Zelensky after he levelled “unacceptable” insults at US President Donald Trump earlier this week. Ukraine holds huge deposits of critical elements and minerals, including lithium and titanium, as well as sizeable coal, gas, oil and uranium deposits - a supply worth billions of dollars.

Earlier on Thursday, Waltz suggested US access to rare minerals in Ukraine could be exchanged in return for aid - or even as compensation for the support the US has already provided. “ We p r e s e n t e d t h e Ukrainians really an incredible, and a historic opportunity,” the adviser said, adding that it would be “sustainable” and “the best” security guarantee Ukraine could hope for.

But Zelensky had refused the offer, saying: “I can’t sell our state.”

Waltz’s comments in the White House news briefing came shortly after the conclusion of Zelensky’s meeting with Kellogg in Kyiv, after which the Ukrainian leader announced he was ready to make an “investment and security agreement” with the US to end the war in Ukraine.

The meeting was hailed as “productive” by Zelensky

- but it more closely resembled an awkward political date.

As the senior members of Donald Trump’s team continued to engage directly with Moscow, the retired general had said he was in Kyiv to “listen”.

But it soon became apparent he wouldn’t speak, publicly that is, after a news conference was cancelled at the last minute.

The BBC understands it was a US decision, with Ukrainian sources claiming they believed Kellogg had been “sidelined” by the White House.

The meeting with Kellogg had been of huge importance to Kyiv, given that officials are relying on the special envoy to relay its needs to Washington.

In a post shared on X, the Ukrainian president said he and the US special envoy had “a detailed conversation about the battlefield situation, how to return our prisoners of war, and effective security guarantees”.

He added: “Ukraine is ready for a strong, effective investment and security agreement with the president of the United States.”

However, the possible

reasons for Mr Kellogg not wanting to face questions are m o u n t i n g . K e l l o g g ’s meeting comes in the context of a war of words between his boss Donald Trump and Ukraine’s leader, which culminated in the US president referring to Zelensky as a “dictator without elections”.

Trump also blamed him f o r s t a r t i n g R u s s i a ’s invasion.

Now there are reports that the US is refusing to recognise a UN resolution which labels Moscow as the aggressor while recognising U k r a i n e ’s t e r r i t o r i a l integrity.

Earlier this week, Zelensky was excluded from talks between senior Russian and American officials who met in Saudi Arabia to discuss the possibility of ending the conflict.

The war began when Russia launched a fullscale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, following its earlier annexation of Ukrainian territory.

Trump, who has been in office for one month, believes US involvement in the war is not in America’s interest - and in a radical reversal of

previous US foreign policy, he has chosen to negotiate directly with Russia to secure a quick end to the conflict.

O n Tu e s d a y, U S Secretary of State Marco Rubio emerged after more than four hours of talks with Russian diplomats in Riyadh to declare that the first steps towards negotiations had been agreed, with teams to be formed on both sides.

After the meeting in the Middle East, Trump suggested Zelensky had “started” the war with Russia - claims which led Zelensky to describe the US president as “living in this disinformation space” governed by Moscow.

Trump hit back with his “dictator” attack and claimed Zelensky had low popularity ratings among the Ukrainian electorate.

Looking forward, Ukraine will be concerned by the prospect of Russia-US talks continuing without the direct involvement of Ukraine.

“Nothing is off the negotiating table,” c l a i m e d U S Vi c e President JD Vance. The problem for Ukraine is that it isn’t even sitting at it.

Body of policeman retrieved...

From page 17 brief search and failing to locate him, Marks and Melville proceeded to restart the boat and continued their search efforts. When these efforts proved unsuccessful, they walked to a nearby

camp to access Wi-Fi and reported the incident.

Following the report, they returned to the river to resume search operations.

Upon receiving the report, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Chaitram,

Detective Sergeant (D/Sgt) Jonas, and Constable Watts were dispatched to investigate the incident.

Further updates on the investigation will be provided, the police released stated.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

PAGE 19

‘Apologise and pay reparations for slavery’

G

renada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell publicly challenged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to demand an “appropriate apology” and financial compensation for Europe’s history of facilitating the slave trade.

Mitchell, the outgoing chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), raised the issue in his speech at the bloc’s conference, which was also

attended by von der Leyen and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “I don’t mean to be impolite, but I’ll say this to you: The issue of reparations for the transatlantic slavery and the enslavement of African peoples and black bodies is an issue we will take up with you,” Mitchell said, addressing von der Leyen directly.

“As long as we do not openly and explicitly reject the idea that one human being can own another human being, we run the risk of that

idea taking root again somewhere, and we allow it to flourish and happen again in the world,” the Grenadian leader stressed.

Several European nations were involved in trafficking the millions of Africans across the Atlantic between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Mitchell added that as the descendants of people who fought for their freedom from chattel slavery, they owe it to themselves to ensure the transatlantic slave trade

- Grenada PM tells EU chief is recognized as a crime against humanity — accompanied by an official apology and reparations.

Following the speech, von der Leyen briefly addressed Mitchell’s remarks in her own speech, stating that “slavery is a crime against humanity,” but did not signal a Outgoing Chairman of European apology or mention CARICOM and Prime Minister financial compensation. of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell (POLITICO)

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

Friday February 21, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

PAGE 23

Masters to engage ESCL T20 starts March 2 Everest Costa Rica in T20 fixtures

The 2025 Essequibo Softball Cricket League (ESCL) T20, Over-40 competition is set to kick off on Sunday March 2 with four matches at various venues on the Essequibo Coast, Region 2 (PomeroonSupenaam).

According to Chairman of the ESCL Wakeel Layne, all systems in place in what is promising to be an exciting tournament with a top prize of $100, 000 at stake.

Wakeel Layne Eight teams will be participating on a round-

robin basis before the top two colliding on May 25 in the final at a venue to be announced.

The teams are: Essequibo Legends, Queenstown Tigers, Hibernia Strikers, Devonshire Castle, Caribbean Cricket Club 2, Reliance Sports Club, Untouchables and Richmond United.

In addition to the $100,000, the champion side will also collect a trophy and

Friday February 21, 2025

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today is a day of opposites for you. You may jump from one thing to another, Aries.

Somehow nothing seems to sit right with you, and so your search intensifies. Try to be the active one in the situation as opposed to the one acted upon.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today is a terrific day for you, Taurus, in which action spells reward. You can't go wrong by expressing your needs and how they fit with the collective agenda. Feel free to focus on you and be selfish about your passions.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Egos may rage out of control today, leaving you to wonder what all the fuss is about. Give other people their space, Gemini. If the conversation gets too boring, just smile and nod.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today is a powerful day for you, Cancer. Your emotions may be stubborn but realize the very thing you resist is the very thing you need the most.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) People may have an extra spark in their actions and an extra bite in their words today.

You will find that you may be better off just walking away from any situation that doesn't feel right.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Express yourself to the fullest today, Scorpio. Feel free to take an unconventional approach when it comes to dealing with your emotions.

Try not to let others cajole you into thinking you need to fit into an artificial construct of what you need to be and what you need to think.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) It may be hard to deal with the opposing energies today, Sagittarius. Conflicting v i e w p o in t s a n d tw i s t e d perspectives clash within your world.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Capricorn, this may prove a challenging day for you.

You're used to being the sovereign surrounded by courtiers currying your favor.

There's something trying to draw attention away from you.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today could be an unusual one for you emotionally, Leo. Yo u r u s u a l e a s y g o i n g , adaptable nature could be ruffled by people who try to take over projects that you are perfectly qualified to do.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Take care of yourself and your needs, Aquarius. There's an advantage to making sure your emotions are cared for and stable before you try to heal others.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Try not to be too arrogant today, Virgo, even when you're utterly sure you're right about the given situation.

More than likely, you have the correct answers, but it isn't necessary to be strident about it.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Take the unconventional approach today, Pisces. You're able to gain a great deal and establish a whole new perspective just by opening your lens wider in order to include what you normally shrug off.

20 T-shirts while the secondplace team will take home $50,000 and a trophy as well.

Other monetary prizes are up for grabs for the MVP in the final ($10,000), Player-of-the-series of the tournament ($20,000), most runs ($20,000), most wickets ($20,000) while the third-place side will be pocketing $20,000 along with a trophy.

Layne informed that matches will be played at Queenstown ground, Richmond, Reliance, Hibernia and Affiance.

Meanwhile, he expressed profound gratitude to all the sponsors for this competition and echoed similar sentiments to the participating teams.

The sponsors are as follows: Big-G Auto Repair, V&G Auto Centre Inc., Regency Paint and Body Shop, Azeem Hasim Custom Cabinets, Hillside Homes Realty and First EMC, Alli Construction, Best Price Lawn Care, Ravie Persaud and Family, Nick Persaud a n d F a m i l y, R o b e r t Hanuman and Family, GAC Electric, Mainstream Collison, Afzal Bacchus Homes, N&S General Contracting & Supplies.

In the opening round, Reliance Sports Club will tackle Richmond, Untouchables will meet up with Caribbean Cricket Club 2, Richmond United will clash with Essequibo Legends and Queenstown Tigers doing battle with Hibernia.

players to put their best foot forward and wished them well.

The squad reads; Rajesh Singh, Imtiaz Sadik, Ucil Armstrong, Travis Mohamed, Vick Mahabeer, Rohan Sarjoo, Surendra Hiralall, Satyendra Khemraj, Anil Beharry, Fazal Khan, Chanderpaul Singh, Latchman Yadram, Raja Pooran, Hemraj Garbarran, Raj Nagpaul, Troy Dudnauth and Parmanand Bhup.

The Everest Cricket Club Masters will take on host Costa Rica in several T20 matches over the weekend.

The squad departed Guyana on Wednesday and skipper Rajesh Singh expressed confidence of doing well on tour.

The squad includes former Guyana players Hemraj Garbarran, Ucil Armstrong and Rohan Sarjoo.

President of the club Manzoor Nadir urged the

Pan Am Sports signs Host City...

they have a strong foundation to build on.

H o w e v e r, a s S a l d a ñ a pointed out, success depends on meticulous planning and execution, making this initial phase of collaboration between Pan Am Sports and Lima 2027 critical.

The XX Pan American Games will bring together thousands of athletes from across the Americas, competing in one of the most prestigious multi-sport events in the world. With the host city contract now signed, Lima 2027 is officially on its way to delivering an unforgettable Games experience for athletes and fans alike.

From page 25 Pan American athletes and their families. Without a doubt, Lima 2027 is a reality.”

The two-day meeting also focused on sharing experiences and knowledge from past Games while setting clear objectives for the next phase of preparations. Discussions included venue readiness, athlete accommodations, logistics planning, and ensuring that the Games reflect the highest standards of organization and execution.

With Lima having hosted the 2019 Pan American Games, organizers believe

Berbice River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Friday February 21, 2025

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 9:55hrs For Ocean Going Vessels opening last 1-1½ hrs

Demerara River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Friday February 21, 2025

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 23:30hrs

For Ocean Going Vessels opening last 1-1½ hrs DATE: 02/20/2025

1

8 13

9

12 18 20 8 0

9 0 Evening

DATE: 02/20/2025 Afternoon

9 0

DATE: 02/20/2025

4

12

13

23

24

DATE: 12/18/2024

3 12

5

10

13

16

18

F

G.L.C. 357 Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown Tel:226-0753. While every effort is made to ensure numbers are correct, please call the hotline for confirmation, The G.L.C. and Kaieteur News cannot be held responsible for printing errors.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Friday February 21, 2025

Spanish court sentences ex-soccer boss Rubiales to pay fine over kiss without consent

MADRID, (Reuters) Spain’s High Court has found former soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent and fined him over 10,000 euros ($10,434) in a case which caused a nationwide furore.

It acquitted him of a charge of coercion, the court said on Thursday in a ruling seen by Reuters. Rubiales told Reuters he would appeal, saying: “I am going to keep fighting.”

Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence for Rubiales, 47, over the incident that provoked a heated debate in Spain about sexism in women’s football and wider

Spanish society and gave momentum to a “Me Too” movement in the country.

The court said it had also acquitted Rubiales’ three codefendants who were accused of attempting to coerce Hermoso into saying the kiss, at the 2023 World Cup awards ceremony in Sydney, was consensual.

The ensuing scandal o v e r s h a d o w e d S p a i n ’s victory in the tournament.

Rubiales, who is the target of a separate corruption investigation into commissions paid over a lucrative deal to stage the Spanish Super Cup competition in Saudi Arabia, has maintained throughout this month’s trial that Hermoso had consented to

be kissed amid the celebrations.

But Judge Jose Manuel Fernandez-Prieto said he b e l i e v e d H e r m o s o ’s testimony that she had not.

He found Rubiales guilty of sexual assault. But he said that while this was “always reproachable”, this instance was of minor intensity as there was no violence or intimidation.

As it involved a kiss rather than a more serious action, Rubiales should be spared time in prison, Fernandez-Prieto said.

“The pecuniary penalty must be chosen, which is less serious than the custodial sentence,” he said in his ruling. The ruling also banned Rubiales from going

within a 200-m (218 yards) radius of Hermoso and from communicating with her for one year. He will also have to pay Hermoso 3,000 euros as compensation. The fine was set at 20 euros a day over an 18-month period.

Rubiales’ gross annual salary at the RFEF federation was 675,762 euros. During the trial, Hermoso said the unsolicited kiss from her boss and the commotion that followed “tainted one of the happiest days of my life”, while her teammates testified it left her overwhelmed, crying and exhausted in the following hours and days.

The overall sense of the verdict, if not the mild sentence, was hailed as a

victory for women’s rights in a country where macho attitudes are still deeply ingrained in some sectors of society despite considerable progress in recent decades.

“When there is no consent there is assault and that is what the judge certifies in this sentence. The victim’s word is honoured, as the law stipulates, and should not be questioned,” Equality Minister Ana Redondo in the leftist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X. Prominent feminist politician Irene Montero, a member of the European Parliament, also said the ruling was a victory for the movement, although she

lamented the “minimum fine and damages”. “Not long ago, it was unthinkable that a court would recognise a kiss without consent as a sexual assault. Feminism is changing everything: Only ‘yes’ means ‘yes’,” she said.

The ruling can be appealed.

Hermoso’s lawyer told Reuters it was up to his client to decide if “she wants to keep up the fight”.

The Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE), which was a private prosecutor in the case, said the ruling was “a significant step forward in the defence of women’s rights and in the fight for a sport free of abuse and inequality.” ($1 = 0.9584 euros)

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

PAGE 25

JCA President Expresses Gratitude to Government for Sabina Park Upgrades and Grassroots Cricket Investment

President of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Dr. Donovan Bennett.

SportsMax - President of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Dr. Donovan Bennett, has expressed his appreciation to the Government of Jamaica for its financial support in upgrading Sabina Park’s lighting system and funding grassroots cricket development across the island.

Speaking with Sportsmax.TV at the launch of the Melbourne Cricket Club/Pure Water 5K Run/Walk on Wednesday, Dr. Bennett also acknowledged the assistance of Sports Minister Olivia Grange in facilitating the acquisition of a state-of-the-art

electronic scoreboard from India, which is expected to be installed in time for the West Indies’ home series against Australia in July.

The Jamaica Sports Minister announced at the event that funding had been earmarked for the upgrade of Sabina Park’s lights, an essential step in ensuring that the first-ever d a y / n i g h t Te s t m a t c h i n Jamaica—and only the second in the Caribbean—could take place.

The funding will also support grassroots cricket development, including J$40 million to enhance youth cricket and provide financial assistance to the Jamaica Scorpions Women’s team, who won the Women’s Super50 title in 2024.

Dr. Bennett emphasized the urgency of securing the first tranche of funding to ensure that the lights are installed well ahead of the series against Australia, which includes a Test match and two T20 Internationals at Sabina Park.

“We are very thankful to Minister Grange,” Dr. Bennett said.

“We are just hoping that very soon we can collect the first tranche so that we can actually have the lights landed in Jamaica because time is of the essence. I am very grateful to the government, not only for the lights but also for her assistance in getting the scoreboard here.”

The installation of floodlights at Sabina Park has been a long-standing issue, affecting the venue’s ability to host night matches, a critical requirement for modern international cricket.

With the lights now set for an upgrade, Sabina Park will be able to reclaim its place as a premier cricket venue in the Caribbean, capable of hosting day/night Test matches and international limited-overs fixtures.

The JCA president also addressed the highly anticipated arrival of the USD$1 million

Pan Am Sports signs Host City Contract with Lima 2027, solidifying commitment to Games success

SportsMax - The road to the XX Pan American Games in 2027 officially took a major step forward as Pan Am Sports and the Lima 2027 Organizing Committee signed the host city contract following two days of fruitful discussions in the Peruvian capital.

The agreement marks the official confirmation of Lima’s responsibilities as the host city and sets the stage for preparations to ensure a successful and athletecentred Games.

The signing ceremony was attended by Pan Am Sports Secretary General Jimena Saldaña, along with key officials from Panam Sports and the Lima 2027 Organizing Committee.

Saldaña emphasized the importance of collaboration in delivering a world-class sporting event for the Americas.

“We are very pleased with the signing of this contract. We see a very committed and passionate Organizing Committee, with which we share the same goal: to achieve a successful sports celebration, always

keeping the athletes at the centre of our decisions,” said Saldaña.

With just 30 months until the Games begin, Saldaña reiterated that there is no time to waste, despite Lima’s existing sports infrastructure.

She assured that Pan Am Sports would be working side by side with the Lima 2027 Organizing Committee to ensure the event’s success.

“We have not come to supervise; we have come to work together for this great event, the most important in the continent,” she added.

The Lima 2027 Organizing Committee was represented by its President, Federico Tong, alongside Peruvian Olympic Committee President Renzo Manyari, Peruvian Olympic medalist and IOC member Cecilia Tait, and Olympic diploma recipient Evelyn Inga. Tong highlighted the Peruvian government’s strong commitment to delivering an exceptional Pan American Games, further solidifying Lima’s status as a sporting hub in the Americas. “The Pan American Games are already

underway, the wheel has already started to run. And that is why the Peruvian Government is firmly committed to strengthening sports in the country. Lima is already a sports hub in the Americas, and we want to offer athletes a satisfactory experience and first-class infrastructure,” Tong stated.

Peruvian Olympic Committee President Renzo Manyari echoed these sentiments, underlining the unity among all stakeholders involved in bringing Lima 2027 to life.

“The meetings were extremely positive. We strengthened coordination with Panam Sports, we presented all the progress achieved so far in the organization of Lima 2027, and the work teams showed their professionalism, high spirit of service, and passion for sport,” Manyari remarked. He also reaffirmed Peru’s partnership with Pan Am Sports, stating: “Today, we reaffirmed that Peru and Panam Sports are strategic partners in favour of our (Continued on page 23)

electronic scoreboard, a generous gift from the Government of India to enhance the match-day experience at Sabina Park.

“The representative from India is still not here, but they have given us a date in April to have the scoreboard installed,” Dr. Bennett confirmed.

The new electronic scoreboard will bring Sabina Park up to modern international standards, providing live match updates, player statistics, and enhanced viewing experiences for fans attending games in Jamaica.

Beyond infrastructure, Minister Grange reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cricket development, announcing that J$40 million will be allocated to the JCA to fund grassroots programmes, youth development, and financial support for the Jamaica Scorpions Women.

Dr. Bennett welcomed this initiative, emphasizing the J C A’ s n e w a p p r o a c h o f investing from the ground up to

build a sustainable future for cricket in Jamaica.

“We are going to work from below upwards.

A lot of that money will be spent on prep school, primary school, U13, and U15 cricket, both genders included,” he explained.

The JCA’s structured approach to cricket development includes a talent identification programme, pathway coaches for both male and female players, and a coaching certification initiative to introduce more Level 1 coaches into schools.

“In another five years, it will make a significant difference to the talent pool that we have in Jamaica,” Dr. Bennett added.

With the lights, scoreboard, and grassroots funding now in motion, Jamaican cricket is poised for a significant revival.

The prospect of hosting a historic day/night Test match against Australia, along with a stronger pipeline for developing future cricket stars, represents a turning point for the sport in the country.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Friday February 21, 2025

Gill and Shami help India edge past Bangladesh in Champions Trophy DUBAI, (Reuters) India began their Champions Trophy campaign with a sixwicket victory against Bangladesh after opener Shubman Gill anchored their nervy chase with a classy hundred in the Group A contest on Thursday.

A victory target of 229 looked inadequate to test India’s vaunted batting but Rohit Sharma’s men faltered in their chase and owed their tense victory, even if it came with 21 balls to spare, largely to Gill’s unbeaten 101.

G i l l ’s t o n t r u m p e d Towhid Hridoy’s heroic 100 while battling cramps that helped Bangladesh, who were 35-5 at one stage, reach 228 before being all out with two deliveries left in their innings.

Seamer Mohammed Shami claimed 5-53, signalling he was ready to

lead India’s pace attack in the absence of the injured Jasprit Bumrah.

“We have been in that kind of situation many a time,” India captain Rohit Sharma said of their chase. “ T h e r e ’s a l o t o f experience in that dressing room to handle that... KL (Rahul) and Gill at the end were quite composed.”

Najmul Hossain Shanto was left to regret his decision to bat as Bangladesh lost the top half of their batting half inside nine overs.

While India’s new ball pair of Shami and Harshit Rana (3-31) struck in their first overs, spinner Axar Patel nearly claimed a hattrick.

The left-arm spinner removed Tanzid Hasan (25) and Mushfiqur Rahim - both caught behind - off successive deliveries.

Axar’s next delivery produced an edge from new man in Jaker Ali (68) but Rohit spilled a simple catch in the slip and was seen apologising to Axar for denying him a hat-trick.

Jaker also survived a missed stumping opportunity while Hardik Pandya dropped Hridoy to let Bangladesh off the hook.

The batters forged a 154run stand but Hridoy developed cramps and was practically batting on one leg towards the end of his stellar hundred that included six fours and two sixes.

Rohit (41) and Gill got India off to a flying start adding 69 runs for the opening stand.

Rohit could not initially middle the ball but boundaries soon started to flow from his bat as he crossed 11,000 runs in ODIs.

India’s Shubman Gill in action.

(REUTERS/Satish Kumar) Taskin Ahmed removed Rohit in the 10th over and suddenly the boundary flow stopped.

Virat Kohli (22) could not convert the start while Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel fell cheaply as Bangladesh fought back with their

spinners.

Jaker dropped Rahul when the Indian was on nine and it proved a costly mistake as the batter went on to make 41 not out and sealing India’s victory with a six.

India next face defending

champions Pakistan in a Sunday blockbuster in Dubai.

Scores: India 231 for 4 (Gill 101*, Rahul 41*, Rishad 2-38) beat Bangladesh 228 (Hridoy 100, Jaker 68, Shami 5-53) by six wickets.

GCB saddened at passing of Former GCB Vice-President, BCB President Lennox Phillips

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has expressed profound sadness at the recent passing of Mr. Lennox Edmund Phillips at the age of 94 years in Florida, USA. Phillips was an outstanding player and cricket administrator who in his long and distinguished career contributed significantly to the advancement of cricket in Berbice over an extended period from the 1940’s to 1985 when he migrated. In his early days, he played for the Youngsters Cricket Club in the Davsons Cup First-Division Cricket Competition for over 20 years as an opening batsman and leg-spinner. He also represented Berbice at football and table tennis.

Phillips served as an Executive member of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) from 1970 to 1985 including a record period of 13 years and 6 months as President. In 1972, he was elected Vice-President of the Guyana Cricket Board, a position he held until June 1985. In May 1979, as a result of the passing of then GCB President Barkley Gaskin, Phillips was appointed President acting until the official election of Joe Solomon later in that year. He also served as a BCB Selector for 10 years and was credited with opening a BCB office in 1974.

In 1985, the BCB introduced Life Membership to be conferred on individuals who had given long and dedicated service of an exceptionally high quality over a period of

Mr. Lennox Edmund Phillips at least 10 years to Berbice cricket. Lennox Phillips was among the first batch of inductees. He was also an inductee of the Berbice Cricket Administration Hall of Fame and was honoured with the Tribute to Hero Award by the BCB. The GCB takes the opportunity to salute this remarkable gentleman and to extend condolence to his family, relatives and friends.

Editor’s note – the wrong photo was sent and carried in yesterday’s edition. Today we carry the correct image of the late Mr. Lennox Edmund Phillips.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 21, 2025

PAGE 27

Guyana/Barbados battle as opening round gets underway from February 24 2025 CWI Regional Women’s Super50 Championships…

G

uyana will be setting their sights on dominating this season’s CWI Women’s Regional Super50 Championships, as they open this coming Monday’s opening round against Barbados.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) announced their 14-member team recently, which features a mix of experienced players alongside a number of future stars.

Senior West Indies Women’s player Shemaine Campbelle leads the team alongside former West Indies Women’s Under-19 Captain, Ashmini Munisar, who will act as her deputy.

Wo m e n s t a r s l i k e Mandy Mangru, former youth captain Realeanna Grimmond, West Indies players Shabika Gajnabi, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shennetta Grimmond to name a few will add to the caliber of the squad.

Resuming their roles as Head Coach and Manager r e s p e c t i v e l y, C l i v e Grimmond and Tremayne Smartt will overlook their team during their title chase.

Meanwhile, leadership and veterancy will come from the likes of Plaffianna Millington, Kaycia Schultz and Trisha Hardat and

Shemaine Campbelle

Laurene Williams further highlights the star-studded quality of the Guyana team.

The National ladies will be keen on bringing home the trophy after finishing as runners-up in last year’s edition.

Guyana Women’s team: Captain Shemaine Campbelle, Vice-Captain Ashmini Munisar, Mandy Mangru, Realeanna Grimmond, Katana Mentore, Shabika Gajnabi, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Yonette We l c o m e , P l a f f i a n a Millington, Niya Latchman, Kaysia Schultz, Tricia Hardat, Lauren Williams and Shenetta Grimmond.

Fixtures: Round 1 – February 24 Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands (St. Paul’s) Barbados vs Guyana (Conaree) Jamaica vs Trinidad & Tobago (Warner Park) Round 2 – February 26 Windward Islands vs Barbados (Warner Park) Trinidad & Tobago vs Leeward Islands (Conaree) Guyana vs Jamaica (St. Paul’s) Round 3 – February 28 Trinidad & Tobago vs Windward Islands (St. Paul’s) Leeward Islands vs Guyana (Warner Park) Jamaica vs Barbados (Conaree) Round 4 – March

3 Leeward Islands vs Jamaica (Warner Park) Barbados vs Trinidad & Tobago (St. Paul’s) Guyana v s Wi n d w a r d I s l a n d s (Conaree) Round 5 – March 5 Guyana vs Trinidad & Tobago (Warner Park) Wi n d w a r d I s l a n d s v s

Jamaica (Conaree) Barbados vs Leeward Islands (St. Paul’s) Finals Day – March 7 Championship Final: 1st vs 2nd (Warner Park) 3rd Place Playoff (Conaree) 5th Place Playoff (St. Paul’s) Rest/Practice Days: February 25, 27

Plaffiana Millington

Realeanna Grimmond

Pan Am Sports signs Host City rts o p S Contract with Lima 2027, solidifying commitment to Games success

Luis Rubiales leaves the court. (REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura/File Photo)

Spanish court sentences ex-soccer boss Rubiales to pay fine over kiss without consent

Pan Am Sports and the Lima 2027 Organizing Committee officials at the signing of the agreement.

Everest Masters with President of the club Manzoor Nadir (centre).

Everest Masters to engage Costa Rica in T20 fixtures

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.