Kaieteur News

Jagdeo directs K ews reporter to Exxon for explanation of financials

Chinese company waiting for permit to do quarrying promises to hand over anything other than stones to EPA and GRA

VP Jagdeo sets conditions for renegotiation of Exxon contract

US$73.8M

Cops say:

Prison escapee murdered mother and son in Saxacalli

Team Mohamed demanding over $200M from Critic for defamation of character not paid to Guyana

‘I lived out of a suitcase from city to city to renegotiate gas deals -T&TPrimeMinistertoldcitizenslastweek

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, recently recounted the relentless pursuit of contractrenegotiationbyhis administration to secure the nation’s financial future amid declining gas p r o d u c t i o n a n d unfavourable market conditions.

According to Rowley on the program ‘Conversations with the Prime Minister’, upon assuming office, his government was met with the challenge of dwindling gas production and a steep declineinoiloutput.Central tothiseconomicconundrum wasthecountry’sgas-selling contracts, which were pegged to the Henry Hub, a pricing point in the United States.

“Gas production was going down because of the age and extraction levels in our fields. Oil production had gone down. And the contractsforsellinggaswere hinged against something called Henry Hub,” Rowley explained.

The Prime Minister detailedhow,inthepast,gas priced against that benchmark could sell for overUS$10perunit,afigure that has since plummeted to US$1 93, significantly below Trinidad’s budgeted price of US$5 a unit. To address this predicament, Rowley explained that his government took proactive steps.“

Thegovernmentthatyou elected in 2015 saw the dangerofthisanddecidedto do something about it,” he stated This decision launched a series of negotiations aimed at ensuring the country’s gas sales contracts did not rely only on the volatile Henry Hub pricing Rowley recounted an international negotiation marathon, involving great personal sacrifice.

“I made so many trips abroad, ate so [much] hotel

food, lived out of a suitcase so many days, in so many cities, London, Amsterdam, Houston, Washington, to convince these people to agree with us, to not use Henry Hub as our reference,” he shared. The payoff from these negotiations, as Rowley articulated, was significant.

Trinidad and Tobago managed to renegotiate its gas sales contracts, diversifying its reference pointsbeyondHenryHubto include European andAsian marketprices.

“As a result of that, our gas sales are now not referenced only against Henry Hub, but against the European market and the Asian market,” he noted. This shift, according to Rowley, has had a profound impact on the nation’s finances.

The renegotiated terms have reportedly netted

approximately $17 billion TT dollars more than what would have been earned under the original contracts. Furthermore, these new arrangements have enabled TrinidadandTobagotoearn substantially more per unit of gas sold, even as the market price at Henry Hub remainslow

Rowley explained that these financial gains had broader implications for Trinidad and Tobago’s economic sovereignty and stability He suggested that without the successful negotiations,Trinidadmight have found itself relying on the International Monetary Fund to bring it back from potentialeconomicruin.

“We gave this country the commitment... that we will do whatever has to be done, but we will not find ourselves with an IMF program, ” he said Meanwhile, in Guyana,

despiteyearsofadvocacyfor a better Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), successive governments have refused calls for renegotiation.

The fiscal terms, which include an unpopular 2% royalty rate and a 75% cost recovery ceiling, have been condemned as inadequate.

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo believes that if Guyana pursues a better deal, there would be less momentum for investments innewoilandgasprojects.

The government is preparing to approve Exxon’s sixth project, with no apparent effort to get a better deal if even for that projectalone.

TrinidadandTobago’sPrimeMinister,Dr.KeithRowley

US$73.8MinroyaltynotpaidtoGuyana-Ram

The Natural Resource Fund (NRF) is missing over US$73 million in royalty payments, Chartered AccountantandAttorney-atLaw, Christopher Ram disclosed in his weekly column published on SaturdaybyStabroekNews.

Ram’s assessment of the royalty payments came on the heels of a letter and subsequent articles publishedbyKaieteurNews last week Professor and former Ambassador, Dr Kenrick Hunte had argued that Guyana was only receiving 0.5% instead of 2% royalty, since ExxonMobil was paying royaltyfromitsprofitsrather than “all petroleum produced and sold” as required by the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement(PSA).

Subsequently, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his Thursday press conference clarified that the country was being paid its full 2% royalty from the contractor

However, Ram in his weeklycolumn‘EveryMan, WomanandChildinGuyana Must Become Oil-Minded’ analyzed the revenues earned from the sector from 2020 to 2022 and compared it to the 2% royalty paid to Guyana during the same period.

Royalty is a fixed percentageofthegrossvalue of revenue, paid to governments or the owners ofnaturalresources.

According to his calculations, the country did not receive the amount due. For instance in 2020, Ram pointed out that the total revenues from the sector a m o u n t e d t o US$214,740,000, which means a royalty of US$4,295,000 should have been paid to the NRF; instead the account received US$2,694,000.

In 2021, the Chartered Accountant said this trend continued While the revenuegeneratedamounted

to US$619,565,000, a royalty of US$10,841,000 was paid to the NRF instead ofUS$12,391,000.

Similarly for 2022, he highlightedthatGuyanawas paid US$32,350,000 in royalty, less than the US$44,584,000 that the Fundshouldhavereceived.

He therefore concluded thatGuyanadidnotreceivea whoppingUS$73,789,000in royalty between 2020 and 2022.

VP Jagdeo in clarifying the issue told reporters, “Royalty is calculated on production minus, so total crude production minus the crude used in the operations for transport and on the FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels). In Guyana’s case, the FPSOs are operated by gas,sothereisnodeduction whatsoever, so royalty is calculated on the basis of total production and total sales. There is no deduction whatsoever Every month, they have to confirm what the average price would be, the weighted average, and the [government] gives approvalforthat”.

Ram said that the explanation by the Vice President was woefully incorrect, highlighting once again the urgent need for an independent Petroleum Commission.Infact,hesaid itwashightimeforPresident Irfaan Ali to step in “lest things get worse than they are”.

“Clearly, he (Jagdeo) doesnotknowwhatthe Continuedonpage20

Table showing the total royalty that was not paid to Guyana according to Ram’s calculations.

Attorney-at-Law and CharteredAccountant, Christopher Ram

Tel:

EDITORIAL

Judge Sandil Kissoon

GuyanesecoulduseafewmorecitizenslikeHigh CourtJudgeSandilKissoon. Citizensthatare strong and steely in determination. Citizens thathavethewisdomtoappreciatethatthelawsofGuyana areforwhatisintheinterestsoftheGuyanesepeople. In thevariedwalksofGuyaneselife,manycitizensquiverand quibble,notSandilKissoon. Inhighandlowcircles,men and women surrender their mental faculties, their ethical moorings, to survive, to bask another day in the sun of a leader’s smile. Sandil Kissoon ties his shoelaces, goes to work, and lets his judicial reasonings be the sun in his firmament.

When a hard decision is called for, Judge Kissoon has delivered. Whenacourageousjuristisrequired,thereare fewothersinhiscategory,hisclass. Whereothershemand haw,andseekshelterbehindlegalveils,hismindfunctions onadifferentplane.

He sees the law first through the eyes of what is fair, what would be held as just by many, and then through the eyes of local sons and men. His decisions in the last few months have not recommended him to the powers of the moment, even incurred considerable wrath behind the barelycontainedfaçadesofneutralityandcivility Infact, assurances were claimed by a rank outsider to have been given to him about efforts afoot to overthrow Judge Kissoon’s adjudication. The scales of justice in Guyana have that pronounced tilt, far less than the wide-eyed innocenceclaimed,withblindfoldedstatenowintatters.

Becauseofhisinterpretationsofthelaw,andtherulings towhichtheyhaveled,JudgeKissooncouldnotbeamong thecandidateswhosenamewouldcomeupforthehighest judicialofficesinthiscountry

Those who have much say in such choices are sure to use the powers at their disposal to sabotage his case. It wouldbeashameforhecouldbejustthefearlesspresence that Guyanese need at the apex of the local court system, wheneversuchopeningsweretocomeavailableuptheline.

Thepeopleinthiscountry,themassofpooroneswhose onlyhistoryhasbeenpoverty,needachampiontostandas an advocate for them. Their longstanding heroes have failedtheminthemostabjectfashion. Whatmakesmatters worsefortheGuyanesepeopleisthattheirheroessurrender theirbirthright. Butstilltrytopresentanimageofbeingfor themassesofworkingpoor

Thesearetheonesintheso-calledrichestcountryinthe world per capita, the constantly expectant, the forever disappointed.We at this publication describe this richness as so-called because it has turned out to be a mirage and farce for Guyanese. It will take a few more Judge Sandil Kissoontoliftthemoutofthegreyworld(thegrimmargins) towhichtheyhavebeenpushed. Pushedbytheirown,who are consumed with groveling in greasy subjection to the ambitionsandcommandsofthosewhohaverippedoffthe poorandhopefulwherevertheyhavesetfoot. Thedarker theexploitedandgougedpopulation,theghastlierthelocal result.

Whatchanceforthosewhostillharbordreams,whostill retain some level of anticipation, in their hearts that their oncetrustedoneswillrisetotheoccasionthatthisnewera inGuyana’sexistencenowdemands.

The veteran ones have gotten slicker with their con gamesandcamouflages. Thenewonesonthescenehave been fast learners and make up their minds quickly It is about who to latch onto to make hay in the richness of Guyana, and who to abandon without a second thought. Old and new have perpetuated the seasons of frustrations anddiscontents.

This is the sum of the local environment, and this is what makes the presence of Judge Sandil Kissoon so resonantwithpromise,somethingofalifelineonwhichto grasp. What else and who else is there for the people of Guyanatograsp? Thenationalwealthholdssomuchlight, yetithasbeensolightinitstouchonGuyanese. Theloud voices,andbrashcharacters,haveonlyhollownessastheir record.

Send the Govt. back to school

DEAREDITOR,

Under the Petroleum Agreement, Guyana is entitledtoaroyaltyof2%on oilproduction.

Guyanaisalsoentitledto

50% of 25% of oil production which is 12.5% ofproduction.12.5%+2%= 14.5%ofproduction.

The ongoing shambles and muddled explanations

of Guyana’s oil revenue indicatethatthegovernment has some difficulty with percentages and fractions. Thiscouldcost(iscosting?) Guyanabillionsofdollars.

We need to double the salaries of maths teachers and send the government backtoschoolimmediately

Yourstruly,

MelindaJanki

Isn’t it time for VPto hang up his political booths?

DEAREDITOR, Listening to the Vice President at his boorish weekly press conferences, theinescapableconclusionis he has outlived his usefulnessasapolitician.He continues to compete with the President and showing whotherealbossis.

The VP comes across as insincere and insecure. He flips flops on issues pertaining to Exxon, the environment, investment,

local content, and so many others He fumbles in speechesandinresponsesto reporters’questions.Hedoes notliketobechallenged.He is insulting to reporters and publications when challenged on specificities. Unless the media carry only positive reports on him, like the two government aligned newspapers,heabusesthem. He still has not given a credibleresponsetoMrSu’s allegationsofcorruption.

Meanwhile, the VP is unable to reign in blatant, grotesque, vulgar forms of corruption at several ministries such particularly Ministry of Agriculture, Infrastructure (GPL), Education, Housing, and elsewhere.

It appears he has lost control of key party functionariesandevensome Ministers. They don’t listen to him, carrying out President Irfaan’s directives

rather than the GS of the party Is it a case of pot tellingkettleitisblackandas such functionaries give him lipservice.

S o m a n y a r e compromised in suspect deals and some of the same players were there pre-2015 beforethecoalitionassumed power There are too many skeletons in the cabinet Some personnel carry too muchbaggage.Theyare

(Continuedonpage06)

An Open Letter to Sharma Solomon, Mayor of Linden

DEAREDITOR,

Quite recently, your outbursts have become libellous, scandalous and disrespectful Your continuous tirade, lies and untruths have been ongoing foryearsandtheyhavebeen misleading.

On behalf of myself and family I will attempt to addresssomeofissuesthatis undermining my family and the well-being of Linden. Your deceitful and envious behaviour towards our success, coupled with your politicization of the town’s affairs, has led us to believe thatyoumayverywellbethe worstmayorLindenhasever seen.

Myrecentendeavoursto utilize a plot of land, once a dump site, for the development of affordable low income model housing has been under scrutiny since you elevated to being the Mayor for reasons unknown, this attitude only signifies your bitter hatred and jealousy of me and by extension the Kashif & ShanghaiOrganisation.

Instead of supporting initiatives that benefit the community, you seem more interested in prioritizing political agendas over the welfareofLindenresidents.

This Villa Project is a partnership with investors from Canada and Trinidad. Last year we successfully hosted an Expo at the Villa Complex which was well

accepted in the community You continuously has been enquiring on who owns the land.

Lindeners have been engagingthedevelopersand two (2) houses have been builttodate.

Your hatred for the Kashif & Shanghai Organisationandmyselfwas evident when you supported Christopher Matthias over me when we contested for the Presidency of the GuyanaFootballFederation. Due to your deceitful attitude the same Matthias had cause to suspend you fromallfootballactivities.

You were one of the architects who initiated for the boycotting of the K & S Tournament.

A m o v e w h i c h contributed to the downfall of the level of football in Guyana as can be seen now based on the standard and level of play that is being displayedtoday.Ihopeyour memoryservesyouwellthat it is the K & S Organisation that was responsible for a number of footballers primarily from Linden to earnoverseascontractwhich contributed to their level of playbeinguplifted.

The Greatest footballer in the World King Pele visited these shores compliments of K & S, one o f o u r g r e a t e s t achievements.

The first and probably theonlytimeinitsexistence,

The Guyana National Stadium at Providence was filled to capacity when we hosted a football final including two (2) local football teams. Moreover, your apparent disregard for theimportanceofpreserving tourist attractions, such as the Blue Lake Kara Kara Linden, in favour of pursuing personal vendettas isconcerning.

TheKashifandShanghai organization, which has been instrumental in organizing events like the Linden Town Week festivities, has faced unwarrantedanimosityfrom you and the town council. It is evident that your actions will lead to the decline of these events, which were once a source of pride and economic benefit for the region.

The idea ofTownWeek wasconceptualizedbytheK &SOrganisation.

However, your brutal hatredforK&Swasevident when you honoured another individualwhostartedTown Day implying that he stared TownWeek.

The entire Linden Communityareawarehowit started but you have been playing the proverbial

Ostrich.

TheTownWeekwasnot formulated as a Fund raiser fortheLindenTownCouncil tobenefitIurgeyoutoleave the town week activities to the promoters, the vendors, the taxi drivers, the restaurantsandallthosewho will benefit, focus on beautifyingLinden,theBlue Lake which has garbage strewn all over and that needs to be cleaned and maintained.

I commend former MayorMrs.Arandaleforher efforts to beautify the Community, including the creationofathemeparkand p l a y g r o u n d I t i s disheartening to witness the regression under your leadership, particularly your decision to shift the town’s birthday events to accommodate personal interests.

The biggest mistake that happened in Linden is electing you to the Mayorship position, from 2015 to 2020 you were off the scene but suddenly you aroseoutofyourslumberto come to destroy the townshipofLinden.

When you were Chairman you organized street protest and picketing

exercise for a number of things including the acquisition of a TV Station butwearestillawaitingthis Station.

Furthermore, your attacks on my sons, who havecontinuedourlegacyof contributing to Linden’s d e v e l o p m e n t , a r e unjustified.

While our family has worked tirelessly to bring benefits to the community, yoursolecontributionseems tobethemonumentofthree (3) martyrs at Silvertown which will be your only legacy,thisbridgefiascowas underyourleadership.

T h e N e w E r a Entertainment, spearheaded by my sons, has sought to enhance the infrastructure and services in Linden, including installing lights and pavilions at the retrieve hard-court and improving telecommunications services.

Yet, your failure to respond to their requests for event dates demonstrates a lack of support for progress in the town. Being such a callous, disrespectful and vindictive person, you even embarrassed the former President Brigadier David Granger when he visited

Linden a few years ago, this shows blatant disregard to authority

Insteadoffosteringunity among Lindeners, you persist in causing division and promoting a political agenda. It is time for you to prioritize the needs of the community over personal interests and commit to the developmentofLinden.

In Closing I urge you to restrain from being so vindictive and deceitful as you go about your chores of tryingtodevelopLinden.

Mr Mayor I have lots of other deficiencies that you perpetuated but space does not permit me to address thematthismoment.

MayAllahBlessyou.

Sincerely,

AurbreyMajorSr.

Kashif and Shanghai Organization

Mischief may be both positive or negative

DEAREDITOR, “Mischief,thouartafoot, take thou what course thou wilt.” This famous line was scriptedforMarkAnthonyin Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” and delivered at Caesar’s cremation site Anthonyhadimpliedthathe hadsetaplotandnow,itwill take its course and express itself. Mischief as it is may be both negative or positive andharmfulorinnocent.

Inaworldcaughtupwith a network of warfare imbroglio, there are scavengers and predators waiting for the least opportunitytoinflictpainful wounds for personal gains.

In the words of North Koreanleader,KimJongUn, “Our army steadily intensifytheactualwardrills aimed at rapidly improving its combat capabilities for perfectwarpreparations.” Some mind-boggling issues at home and abroad are stunningly mysterious and startlingly miraculous. The dumbfounding eyeopenersareshockingbutyet, not surprising These infractions are causing catastrophic consequences and as a result, there are tremendous social and economicupheavalsbothon thelocalandglobalstage.

Those ultimately

responsible are reckless and heartlesswhocarelessabout theeffectsonpeopleandthe place. They are blinded by greed, jealousy, power and wealth while having scant respect for the law Deaths and damages are the inevitabilityofeventualities. Loss of time and money are casualties of circumstances and moral behaviour is questionable. AquicklookatHaitiwill confirmthatgangviolenceis destroying a country and leaving the people devastated. There has been an unprecedented change in thefrequencyofgovernment administration which has

provided gross instability

The struggle for political power is leaving a streak of deaths and depression Tension has heightened since thousands of incarcerators have escaped fromarecentjailbreak.The country cannot develop and remains the poorest in the hemisphere Stakeholders arecallingforanElectionin themidstofasafetyproblem where the lives of Haitians are unsecured and there is a grave need for emergency aid.

CARICOM Chair and Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali said, “The situation is complex, with

many moving parts. It is compounded by the absence of key institutions functioning, such as the presidency and parliament.”

The UN Security Council need to urgently intervene and provide immediate assistance. The people are victims of an entrenched society

The recent strike called by the Guyana Teachers Union and responded to by lessthanhalfoftheteachers in the country is viewed as political The strike was unwarrantedsincetherewas ongoing negotiations between the Government andtheUnionandmorethan fifty percent of their demandsweresatisfied.

Since coming into power, the Government has granted yearly salary increasesandlastyearsawa revisedincrementalpackage instituted to upgrade the teacher’s scale, both trained and untrained. Today, the teachers and union are back to square one. It was an avoidable situation but not all teachers are, sadly, educators While some “teachers” are spelling, some students are reading. The children lost valuable time and tutoring. They are casualties of short-

sightednessandselfishness.

The unending sufferings unleashed by the murderers from the Hamas/Israel madness,isanappropriation ofhumanrightsandrespect. People from both sides die uselesslyandarescarredfor life from the guerrilla warfare. History is on their side to reflect religious fantasy and fanaticism. The irreparable damage will be inherited by generations to comeandmemorieswillnot beeasytoeradicateorerase. Both sides will be unable to figure how to forget and forgive and so uncivilized behaviourwillcycleafuture of untamed ferociousness. Unfortunately, the children willbewitnessestoareplay fromasavagedera.

Aquicklookatthe2020 Electionfraudtrialreflectsa trail of troubled water, visitedbyvexatiousplayers, mudded with muddled frivolities, tampered with timely interruptions, contaminated with concentrated delays, polluted with political influences, poisoned with potent stakeholders, o v e r f l o w i n g w i t h overwhelming evidences and manipulated with premeditatedmotives.Itis

(Continuedonpage09)

Isn’t it time for VP...

Frompage04 weighing down the party

But the administration is stuck with a situation where tryingtoreininthecorruptis almostimpossible.

Toomanyarecompromised. Theywillratononeanother ifoneismadeanexample.

While the VP was responsible for Irfaan Ali becoming Presidential nominee and President, a candidacy that barely squeaked a victory, and while he is the kingmaker behind the President, the VP’s interference in the Presidency serves as an impediment to the work of the young President. His press conferences and his announcements of government policies are often contradictory with those announced by the President. They don’t seem to be talking with one another

Jagdeo’s dominance of the government is not good forhimself,theparty,Irfaan Ali,andthegovernment. He needs to move on quickly if there is to be any decent place for him in the history

of Guyana. His negatives have long outlived the positives.Oneobservedthat regional heads of government seem to pour scornonhimwhileadmiring PresidentIrfaanAli.

His attempts to attract votes from the other side havebeenfutile.

Afro Guyanese have no trust in him.And as long as heisthere,theywillnotvote for PPP regardless of how much enticement given to them.

Last local elections, Jagdeo spent billions to lure Africans into the PPP while neglectingitsbase.

The party still could not win the African townships. Meanwhile, the level of corruptionincountryandthe impoverishmentofthelower classhavebeeneatingaway the base of the PPP The writing is on the wall for 2025.

It is high time Jagdeo giveshimselfandthenation a break by walking away from politics, retire completely,takearest.

Yourstruly, ChandradatSharma

COWARDICE IN GOOD OL’ GUYANA

Trinidad’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, lived out of a suitcase, from London to Amsterdam to Houston to Washington, to get a better deal for the people of his country. He said that action got $17 billion in added revenue for Trinidad.

Meanwhile! The government of Guyana claims the reason they refuse to renegotiate is because they want to promote future investments in Guyana.

It seems from Trinidad’s experience, that it will not be the end of the world if a government gets a better deal for its people. Trinidad is a living testimony of the potential for renegotiation, but cowardice prevails in good ol’Guyana.

Govt. pays hotel over $75M to house trainee health workers in Essequibo

TheGovernmentof Guyana (GoG) has been renting nine rooms at the cost of $18,500 daily, since December 2022 to house several trainee health workers on the Essequibo Coast,RegionTwo.

A source, who requested anonymity, told Kaieteur News that the cost for each hotel room is $18,500 daily The nine rooms are reportedlybeingrentedatthe Jaigobin Hotel at Suddie, Essequibo.

Itthereforemeansthatthe Government through the Ministry of Health is paying $166,500 daily to the hotel fortheuseoftheninerooms. Further, government would have expended $4.9million monthly for the last 15 months, amounting to $74.9

millionsofar

On Friday, Kaieteur News contacted Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Region Two, Dr Ranjeev Singh, for confirmation on the number of trainees staying at the hotel, the number of rooms being rented, the cost and the period.

Initially when asked, Mr Singhexplainedthatheisnot in a position to answer the questionsposed.

“I won't be able to at this moment, I know there is nursing students staying at the hotel currently…” the RHO said after noting that the programme coordinator was nearby and would be able to provide the relevant information.

Dr Singhthenconfirmed that there are two sets of

students, seven trainee midwives and 12 nursing assistants, staying at the hotel.

When asked if the hotel

was being rented since December 2022 when the nursing assistant programme waslaunched,theRHOsaid, “yes.”

The first 18-month

N u r s i n g A s s i s t a n t Programme in Region Two was launched on December 22, 2022 with 46 students. The trainees began their training on January 2, 2023. Notably, upon completion of the programme this year, successful students will be employed by the Health Ministry

It should be noted that while the NursingAssistants programme started since December 2022, the midwives programme only began in January 2024 According to a source, who requested anonymity, the same number of rooms have

beenrentedsincethen.

The Nursing Assistant Programme is slated to concludeinJune2024,while the midwives programme is scheduled to be completed betweenDecember2024and January2025.

Meanwhile, when asked aboutthedailyratetherooms arebeingrentedfor,theRHO responded, “I would not be able to confirm the price the Ministry of Health is paying that.” To thisend,Mr Singhwasasked ifthecontractwenttotender, to which he responded, “I would not be able to answer thosequestions.”

This publication then made contact with Ms Shabana Shaw, Officer-in-

C h a r g e o f H e a l t h Communications,whostated that the RHO would be the person to contact for such information.

This publication contacted the RHO a second time, and informed him of what the Communications Officerstated.

Mr Singh responded, “I don't do procurement and I don't deal with those things, soIwouldnotbeabletosay.”

Up to press time, no official has confirmed the amount of money being spent for the rooms being occupied by the trainee health professionals and whether the rooms were sourcedutilisingatendered process.

Firegutshouse atNo.76 Village,

Fire of unknown origindestroyeda house at Lot 675 No. 76 Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice on Thursdayleavinga56-yearold security guard homeless.

Theownerofthehouse, Norma McIntosh told Kaietuer News that on Thursday,whileshoppingat the Skeldon Market she received a telephone call from her neighbour who informed her that her house wasonfire.

McIntoshsaidthatupon

Berbice

her arrival at the location, shesawfirefightersfighting to douse the fire which attacked her two storey w o o d e n h o u s e

Notwithstandingtheefforts, all of McIntosh's possessionsweredestroyed.

The distraught woman said she has been stressed sincethefirebecausesheis in need of several necessities including Shelter,foodandclothes.

“Ifeelsuhsad,Icryfuh break my heart,” the devastated woman told KaietuerNews

Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Region Two, Dr. Ranjeev Singh

Jaigobin Hotel located at Suddie, Essequibo Coast

The interminable tug-of-war

In most countries, it is normalforpublicsectorand private sector employees to receive a cost-of- living adjustment on their salaries and wages each year. If inflation however is negative, no increases are usuallypaid.

In Guyana, however, it has become a norm that government must pay salaries and wages’ increaseseachyear Eventhe private sector waits to see what the government will offer public sector workers beforeitmakesanoffertoits employees.

Essentially what is offered to public sector workers is a combination of compensation for inflation plus a small marginal

increase on top of that. But giventhelackofconfidence in Guyana’s inflation numbers, many workers believe that in real terms their salaries and wages are declining since what is offeredtothemdonotreflect the realities of the cost of living.

In2015,theinflationwas recorded at -1% which meantthatthereshouldhave been no increase. But there was an increase offered by the new government In 2021, inflation was nearly 1% and again an increase wasoffered.Theexpectation thereforeisthattherewillbe annual salaries increases regardlessofinflation.Ifthis trendcontinuesandinflation ismoderatedforanextended

period, the cost of labour will become uncompetitive costoflabour.

This is why the expectation of annual salary and wage increases must be checked. Guyana cannot continue along this path of paying increases every year apart from that offered to compensateforinflation.

But this practice of offeringincreasesinsalaries and wages each year had to do with the fact that dating back to the mid-1970s there hasbeenamassivewagegap with real wages falling appreciably during the decadeofthe1980s.

From1976rightthrough to the end of the decade of the80s,therewasanassault onworkers’livingstandards.

Mischief may be both positive...

Frompage06

glaringly apparent that the deliberation of the derailed caseisprecariouslyperched on“justicedelayedisjustice denied.” The Judiciary and Magistracy are the transparent enablers of a “stalled game” playing with a dictated slow-motion pace!

Former US President, DonaldTrump,isbackinthe 2024 presidential race to challenge the incumbent, Democratic Joe Biden. This is as a result of Nikki Haley endingherWhiteHousebid when she dropped out as a Republican frontrunner.

Trump is facing numerous criminal charges and was engaged in the insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution of the United States during the 2020

upheaval at the White House. The world is keenly looking at the defenders of democracy who once entertained the denial for rules and regulations. His supporters are guilty of approving sanctimonious behaviour, are advocators for the promotion and encouragement of civil disobedience and rebels of lawandorder

The Freedom House escapade last Wednesday confirmed the continuous onslaught of propaganda by the dissident perpetrators. Again, this motivated execution was engineered by a select planned force, elected to create rascality, disorder and confusion.The plot thickens as election knocksonthedoor Obvious politicians are again agents

of contortions and skulduggery

The Ukraine/Russian warisaforefrontforhuman indignity, propelled by a leader consumed with an elusive dream and leading an army engulfed in royal guilt but loyal to an unjust cause. The innocent people arehand-cuffedprisonersof unscrupulousness and subjected to an invasion of insanity As all these wrongdoings prevail in a global society permitted by human errors, weaknesses and limitations, these atrocitiesmayonlymultiply becausemankindshunthese problems and continue to lendsupporttotheafflicters whether directly or indirectly

Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall.

DEM BOYS SEH

De boss man throwing big party... and Jagdeo not invited!

Every time, de V e e P e e celebrate he birthday,deBossManofde Waterfall paper does celebrate he own not long after Dem boys nah know how many times in a year dis man does gat birthday butheintendstostayolder thandeVeePeewhateverit takes.

So just like how everything de Vee Pee seh hedoeswantrespondto,in desamewayeverytimede Vee Pee gat birthday, de Waterfall Boss man does

getabirthdaytoo,toprove heolder.

Both of dem man – de Vee Pee and de Waterfall boss man – racing fuh see who gan receive old age pension fuss. De Vee Pee donequalifyfuhNIS.Dem boyshearhedoesdonateit toaworthycause–himself.

Whendebossmanofde Waterfall paper went fuh collect he NIS, de people tell he that he is NIS – Not IndeSystem.

Wan thing yuh know though, is dat de Waterfall man hand nah tight. He

Noted Guyanese economist Clive Thomas pointed out thatfromthemid-1970sthis assault took the form of the removal of subsides, increases in indirect taxation, increased prices [ a n d s c a r c i t i e s ] ; retrenchment, shortages of foreignexchangeandcutsin social spending and wage freezes.

In 1980 the then PNC government made it clear thatwageincreaseshadtobe tied to production. Thus, it said, that if there were no increases in production, therecouldbenoincreasein wages.Amassivewagedebt developed which the PPPC governments have tried to narrow and even eliminate by offering increases to public sector workers that were a combination of a compensation for inflation and a top-up of that. But even this approach did not stem the decline in real wages under the Jagdeo administration.

The International Labour Organization reported that between 1999 and2005,therealminimum wage declined in Guyana from G$ 12,338 to G$11,800,adeclineofabout 4% despite public service workers receiving a 26.7% increaseinwagesbecauseof the Armstrong Arbitration ruling Both the PPPC governments and the APNU+AFChaveneglected

toinstituteawagespolicy If therewasawagespolicy,all the demands that the government is facing would be eliminated. A wages policy would allow greater predictability in terms of wageandsalaryincreases. A wages policy has to commence with the determination of a living wage, constant surveillance ofpricesintheeconomyand an independent assessment o f i n f l a t i o n T h e International Labour Organization (ILO) considers a living wage as one that is “sufficient to m a i n t a i n , i n t h e circumstances of each country, an adequate standardoflife.”

Whilethedefinitionofa living wage is imprecise, international labour standards have sought over time to narrow down the essentials of a living wage, and these can be used to establish a baseline living wagewhichisthenadjusted e a c h y e a r The ILO for example proposed that the living wage include the cost of basic necessities, the cost of basichousingwithamenities including decent housing and water, the cost of transportation, children’s education, health care, child careandwithasmallmargin to cater for unforeseen circumstances.

Second,thereneedstobe

constant surveillance of prices in the economy. No one with a proper understanding of the movement of prices in the economy, will accept an inflationrateif2%for2023. An independent assessment oftherateofinflationshould be undertaken to boost public confidence in the government’s declared annual inflation rate. This must be preceded by measures to ensure the proper surveillance and weekly reports on the movement of food prices, transportation,rentalsetc.In this interest of transparency theseshouldbepublished.

There will be a constant tug-of war each year between government and unions unless these issues are settled and a wages policy instituted But perhaps there is a wages policy And perhaps, like that National Depletion Policy, it is confined within somebody’shead.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

free-handed.Hedoesspend freelyanddemboysexpect he fuh spend good fuh dis birthday He gan try fuh outdodeVeePee.

DemBoysbinhearhow dem had a special birthday celebrationfuhdeVeePee.

SodemexpectdeWaterfall man gan gat an extra special celebration and dat demboysgangetinvite.

Asfuhhowolddeboss man is, yuh just gat to find out how old is de Vee Pee and remember dat de boss manpiphe.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

PRESIDENT ALI PONTIFICATES, EXAGGERATES, AND DETERIORATES

His Excellency, President Dr M o h a m e d IrfaanAliisalostman. The honorific (‘excellency’) does not bestow that on the

holder But it does demand excellence of the recipient, whether president or peasant. To the horror of countless citizens,

Excellency Ali glories in whatlacksessence,thrillsto thelessthanimpeccable. He pontificates, he exaggerates When he exaggerates, he makes

himself low rate No propagandist can smooth over The teachers’ mediation matter is of a president given to showmanship, one diminishedinleadership.

‘There is an ongoing process with the ministry and government ’ So insistedExcellencyAliwith a straight face. The man is now a first-rate actor, a dissemblerandtwister The teachers’ strike is about money

The Ministry of Education’sinvitationtothe teachers’ union and accompanyingagendadated January29,2024,hadmany things But there was nothing about money Nothing.

Moneyistheheartofthis bitter struggle, this struggling for a wage so Guyanesecanlive. Livenot like ExcellencyAli, and his extended cohort of overcompensated and overjoyed, and overfed and mostlyobese,cats.

The teachers’ action is about the dignity of labor, the decency due to every worker, the integrity that should be cherished by all leaders.

Thelatterhasbeenalost cause Honor thine agreements, not violate them; then ravage those objecting. Stand by thy words. Let them testify to the kind of man before the microphone, the class of leader sitting across the table.

I have a word of advice for Excellency Ali, and his advisers:elevatedofficeand ivory towers infested by the swinish and boorish lose ivory’s sheen, fall from height. When Guyana’s headmanstretchesfactsand circumstances, he loses presidential luster of a president. I believe he resembles those young Britisherswhousedtoshave their heads. They made a livingharassing,terrorizing, and brutalizing colored people. The president loves to blowballoons. Ontheissue of oil, Excellency Ali was his usual burnished self. I thinkhefavorsmud.

L i s t e n t o t h i s powerhouse of a president. “You have an existing contract. You think that is how it happens. That is how the world operates. That you can just walk in one day

and decide I had this contractwithyou. Iam changing it now” (KN October 8, 2023). I holdmyheadandwant toscream.

This cannot be spoken by anyone with a university degree, certainly not somebody with a PhD. It canneverbefromanational leader, a president. The problem is that it is. This was how President Ali distorted oil matters, r e d u c e d t a l k o f “renegotiation” of the Exxon contract to the simplistic Perhaps, he convincedhimselfthatheis dealing with simpletons. If he were not president, I would have readily affixed that same word [simpleton] toHisExcellency,PhDorno PhD.

He does so himself Howtoexplain(again)what the President presented to his audience? Listen: “ you can just walk in one day and decide I had this contract with you. I am changing it now.”

The President is not this kind of fool, nor are Guyanese this limited Frankly, this is leadership vacuousness multiplied President Ali himself had once said re sanctity of contract that ‘we are an honorable people’. Yet he gives such short thrift to collective bargaining

Whitherhonorthen,master?

President Ali should know that even a binding contract between two inconsequential individuals for tiny matters does not follow the course that he outlined.

A junior in a company (or his party) doing what President Ali tabled (“I am changing it now”) would be ridiculed. If the president doesn’tknowthat,thenwhat doesheknow?

Hedoesnothavetobea Harvard Business School graduate, or a Middle Temple law product, to discern the glaring holes in his representations. Presidents can pontificate. When they exaggerate, they deteriorate.

Renegotiation of Exxon’s contract is a most combustibleissue. Itisalso one with broad national implications.

MoneyforallGuyanese, including striking teachers. Droves of Guyanese don’t have to flock Freedom

Houseforahandout,ahoax thathurts.

PresidentAli should not dance on this matter He mustcommittobearingany blow from any superpower adversary for better for Guyanese.

Teachers, public servants, pensioners, low wage workers, others President Ali knows full well that renegotiation is more than walking in one dayandsayingIhavehadit with this, and “I am changing it now ” Negotiations are almost alwaysatortured,tiring,and thankless process, even when friendly parties are involvedwithlessermatters. IntheinstanceoftheExxon contract,thereisnoequality ofstanding.

Wemustoverpowerwith sheerwill.

It is more than a day’s work, more than Exxon being receptive, more than laborious, tedious, testing patience. Renegotiation is war, and clearly the president comes up with these subterfuges (a day) to dodge battles. It is rank cowardice.

About angling to retain p o w e r, t o o . M o s t negotiations are long haul endeavors.

Theteachers’situationis one. It is no quarter given willingly The irony is that Guyana’s president is so mortally afraid of “superpower”Exxonthathe surrenders immediately But he batters teachers and belittlesGuyanese.

It is obvious that President Ali has lost touch w i t h t h e m o o d , expectations,andrealitiesof Guyanese.

His bearing signals a man more prepared for the contentious than the conciliatory that Guyanese urgently need. A society wracked by internal cracks lives with a leader who prefers jiving and jousting, having the last word. So, he pontificatesandexaggerates anddeteriorates.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Team Mohamed demanding over $200M from Critic for defamation of character

Team Mohamed is demanding that popular social media commentator Mikhail Rodrigues also known as the 'Guyanese Critic'paysinexcessof$200 millionfordefamation.

Two letters drafted by AttorneysPoonaiandPoonai were addressed to Rodrigues who is the Director of 'They Break News', a popular Facebook show aired on the 'GuyaneseCritic'page.

According to the letters, t h e s o c i a l m e d i a commentator used his programme 'Morning Live with the Critic' to defame businessmen Nazar and AzzrudinMohamed.

Theletterpointedoutthat onFebruary17,2024andup to present, Rodrigues defamed the Mohameds t h r o u g h F a c e b o o k progammes where he publically uttered and

broadcasted several untrue and defamatory statements aboutthebusinessmen.

The letters noted that these statements and accusations against the Mohameds are patently untrue without justification, misleading, defamatory and have caused injury and significantharmtoNazarand his sonAzzrudin, their good name, reputation and lowered their name in the minds of right thinking members of society The lawyer's letter pointed that the 'Guyanese Critic' has become known for slander “In your broadcast you introduce yourself as the realest thing. Despite this, it seemsyouhaveapropensity for disseminating blatantly untrue,libelousandfictitious statements without lawful basis or justification that in their natural and ordinary

meaning and by way of innuendo, are defamatory to myclientandhisreputation,” thelawyer'sletterssaid.

It continued: “Further you hold yourself out as a Critic, yet none of your statement are valid or constructive criticism at all. Simply put none of your statementsarerealnomatter thedecibelyouspeakandthe amountoftimesyourepeator theamountofvitriolandhate you heap upon my client his sonandfamily.”

Among other things, Poonai and Poonai is demanding that Rodrigues ceaseanddesistfrommaking or repeating the defamatory statements he publicized againsttheMohamedsonhis programme or at any public forum. Further, the lawyers demanded that Rodrigues immediately removes or retracts the statements by

offering his unqualified apologytotheMohameds.

He must also admit that the statements are false and remove the accusatory video f r o m F a c e b o o k Additionally, the lawyers' letters demand that Rodrigues pays the Mohamedsinexcessof$200 million each as a compensationfordefamation withinsevendays.Shouldhe fail to comply with the demands of the letter, Rodrigues is warned that legal proceedings will be instituted against him Kaieteur News contacted Rodrigues for a comment on whether he would be acceding to the demands of the lawyer's letter. He, however,toldthisnewspaper that he is not interested in settling with the Mohameds.

“IguessI'llbeseeingthemin court,”hestated.

Nigeriaabduction: Fifteenmorestudents kidnappedasarmy searchcontinues

BBC- Nigeria's spate of abductions worsened on Saturday as more than a dozen students and four women were kidnapped from a school in Gada, Sokoto.

Local MPBashir Usman Gorau told the BBC that 15 students were among those kidnapped early in the morning.

Meanwhile, the army is still searching for hundreds of schoolchildren taken in the western town of Kuriga onThursday

In an update, the state governor Uba Sani told the BBCthatatleast28ofthese childrenhadescaped.

Thursday's kidnappingwhich saw 280 students taken-wasthebiggestmass abduction from a school since2021.

Gangs of armed men on motorbikestookprimaryand secondary school children betweentheagesofeightand 15, school authorities and parentssaid.

Nigerian troops are working with police and local search teams to comb forests within the state of Kaduna, where Kuriga is located, as well as neighbouringstates.

Almost every family in thetownisthoughttohavea child among those kidnapped.

Onepupil,believedtobe 14 years old, who had been shotbythegunmenandwas beingtreatedinhospital,has since died.The kidnappings followed women and childrentakenfromaremote town in Borno state the day

before.Mr Sanisaidthelack of boots on the ground was themainreasonfortherisein kidnappingsinthearea.

Families of the abducted children have formed vigilante groups and are seeking help from neighbouring communities on the whereabouts of the children.

Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima is visiting Kaduna and is due to meet thegovernor President Bola Tinubu said on social media he was confidentthevictimswillbe rescued.

He tweeted: "Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered "The Kaduna mass abduction has evoked memories of the nearly 300 girls in Nigeria's northeastern town of Chibok in 2014.In parts of northern Nigeria,parentsfearfortheir children's safety and are waryofallowingthemtogo to school As a result, thousandsofchildrenarenot attendingschool.

Thelastmajorabduction ofchildreninKadunawasin July 2021 when gunmen tookmorethan150students. They were re-united months later after their familiespaidransoms.

But in 2022, Nigeria passedalawbanningransom payments to kidnappers and imposed a 15-year jail term formakingthem.

It also made abduction punishablebydeathincases wherevictimsdie.

Prison escapee murdered mother and son at Saxacalli - Cops say

Police on Saturday said that man responsibleforthemurderofamother and her son at Saxacalli Mission, EssequiboonFridayeveningmightbe a prisoner who escaped from the MazaruniPrisoninFebruary

The victims, 49-year-old David Gomes and 75-year-old Elizabeth Nellie Gomes of D'Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown were brutallychoppedtodeath.

Police suspect that the killings took place between 17:00hrs and 20:00hrs.

Inapressstatementpolicesaidthat sofartheirinvestigationsrevealedthat at around 10:00hrs, Gomes, his 6year-old son and his mother travelled to Saxacalli Mission for three days to cleanuptheirhouseandsurroundings.

“According to David's 6-year-old son,ataround15:00hrsyesterday,the suspect came to their house at Saxacalli and asked for something to eat and directions,” the police statementsaid.

Gomesgavethesuspectsomething toeatandalsodrankVodkawithhim.

The child reportedly said that the suspectspentsometimeatthefamily's property He told police that he later sawthesuspectarminghimselfwitha cutlass and chopping his father about his body His grandmother, after observing what was happening, reportedlyrushedtohisfatheraidbut thesuspectalsodealtherseveralchops aboutherbody

The boy told police that he was hidingunderthebedduringtheentire ordeal.Afterkillingthemotherand (Continuedonpage60)

Murdered David Gomes and his Mother Elizabeth Gomes

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

Sunday

RamexposesJagdeo’s misleadingvalueof Exxon’sassets

Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram has exposed the true value of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited’s (EMGL’s) assets, compared to the highly inflated figure spouted by the key policymaker for the oilsector,VicePresident,Dr BharratJagdeo.

During his weekly press conference at Freedom House on February 22, Jagdeo was asked by a reporterfrom Kaieteur News to list the US$20B in assets ownedbyEMGLthatcanbe sold in the event of an oil spill, following his previous engagement where he said the company’s assets can be sold to handle those liabilities.

Ram in his weekly column, published in the StabroekNews,titled‘Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become OilMinded’ said the VP’s performanceintheoversight of the sector leaves much to bedesired.

In his 122nd edition, the Chartered Accountant reasoned, “Put under the microscope, the vice president’s performance in the oversight of the sector leaves a whole lot to be desired.

Thisbecamesopainfully obviousinananswerhegave toanewspaperreporter.”

Ram said it was unclear whether Jagdeo wanted to impress the audience with the tone of his voice or if it wasbecauseawomanasked thequestion,oritwassimply because the reporter was attachedtoKaieteurNews

Nonetheless, the Attorneysaid,“Hisresponse exposed his own limitations in oil and gas than was ever so glaring before never before have so many mistakes been made in so few words by such an elevatedofficeholder

He asked and answered in the negative the question whether the reporter had read the balance sheet of Exxon,advisingthereporter to look at the balance sheet but then demonstrated his own unfamiliarity of those numbers but diverting his audience to Hess and Chevron.”

In his response to the question on Exxon’s assets, Jagdeo pointed to the deal

betweenChevronandHess.

“You’ve heard about the merger between Chevron andHess.

Do you know what’s the value that Hess company was valued at? Do you know? You don’t know, its $60B(US).

So the Hess assets are made up of mainly 30% shares in Guyana and some assets in the Permian area. Sotakehalfofit,sayoftheir global assets half are in Guyana,it’smuchmorethan half,butsayhalfofthe$60B is$30Bthat’sthevaluation.”

Henotedthatthismeans 70% of the remaining assets would value about $70B. Jagdeo said, “So in the market, the market values not just the assets that are listed but they look at the recoverable reserves everythingelse.

It’s an intangible, you don’t see it…but it has a recoverable value that will bring in, in future years a streamofbenefitsthatwould equal way beyond its valuation and that is how companies are often valued onastockexchangeetcetera so effectively if you use just crudely the value that Chevron placed on Hess’ sharesinGuyanayouhavea $100B company in Guyana here, that’s the value of all the shares because they value 30% of the local company at minimum $30B because I’m just taking out half of what they have for theirglobalassets.”

Misleading Ramexplainedtoreaders ofhisweeklycolumnthatas at December 31, 2023, the net assets of ExxonMobil Guyana amounted to US$7B.

TheLawyeralsopointed out that Jagdeo’s statement of a merger between Chevron and Hess is also wrong, since it was a takeoverbyChevron.

“It was too much to

expect vice president to know that if there are changes in the composition of the contractors, the agreementrequiredthatsuch assignment be permitted Given the challenge by Exxon to the deal, it seems clear that Hess has been pushed aside, in fact if not technically,”Ramsaid.

Hethereforenoted,“The errorsmounted.

The VP challenged the reporter’s knowledge by asking and telling her that shedoesnotknowthevalue thatChevronplacedonHess, and that that figure was US$60M Wrong again, except if he disregards the small matter of US$7 billion.”

The Chartered Account then went on to expose that the‘fuzzymath’oftheVP,in hisstoryofthestockmarket, Hess’global assets and how much is attributable to Guyana which he put at US$30B.

Ram contended, “The balance sheet to which he pointed the reporter suggestedthateventhegross assets did not come close to thenumber,letalonethenet assets,whichwasaboutonetenthofthatnumber

Yet, Jagdeo claims that given the ‘value that Chevron placed on Hess’ sharesinGuyana,youhavea $100 billion company in Guyana’.”

H e s a i d i t w a s unexpected that a former Finance Minister to conflate stockmarketpricewithasset price.

Ram concluded, “He (Jagdeo) completely evaded the question about Exxon’s US$20 billion and gives a lesson to the reporter that is wrong.

But there is also a fundamental issue – Jagdeo expectsthebookvalueofan oil company to pay for the environmental disaster involving those very assets.

Exxon, have you read the balancesheet,haveyougone to the financial statements and looked at the balance sheets? You should look at that.Ihavetolisteveryasset that they have and considering something else. Wetalkaboutthebookvalue oftheassets,letmejustgive youanidea.

You’ve heard about the merger between Chevron andHess…”

our own assets from EMGL.”

Consequently, he dared Jagdeo to please publish the assetsheclaimstobeowned by ‘child company’ EMGL that adds up to $20B. “In other words, put up or shut up to stop fooling the people,”heasserted.

Monday

Perhaps he was talking ratherthanthinking.”

Jagdeowantstosell assetsalreadypaidfor byGuyanatocoveroil spill–FormerEPAhead

Former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams has mocked the response provided by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo that Guyana could sell US$20B in assets owned by ExxonMobil Guyana to

cover costs associated with anoilspillthatoccursinthe StabroekBlock.

Dr Adams during a virtual Alliance For Change (AFC) press conference on Friday dissected the recent comments of the chief policymaker for the oil sector, who said during his February 22, 2024 press conference at Freedom House in Georgetown that Exxon has some $20B in assetsthatcanbesoldinthe eventofanoilspill.

He was asked by Kaieteur News to list the assets,butinsteadshiftedhis attention to the assets of Hess- a 30 percent shareholder in Guyana’s StabroekBlock.Jagdeosaid, “IfIhavetolisttheassetsof

Weighing in on the responseprovidedbytheVP, Dr Adams said that the recentoilspillinTobagohas againawakenedtheattention of all of Guyana and the Caribbean that can be in seriousdangerofnotonlyan environmental catastrophe, but also financial bankruptcy

He pointed out that the spill in Trinidad is little compared to the existing threat posed by the vessels that traverse through the Caribbean from Guyana with a load of 1million barrelsofoileveryotherday, which will soon increase to at least 1million barrels every day – 35 times the Tobagospill.

“If this 30,000-barrel spill is a national disaster, imaginewhatitwillbewitha 1-million-barrel spill, or 35 times Tobago’s, from a ship carryingoilfromGuyana;or fromawellblow-outspilling millions of barrels,” Dr Adamsstressed.

Be that as it may, he argued that Guyana remains grossly unprepared for the impactsofsuchadisaster

“Asexpected,theVPhad to swivel to his foolishness aboutsomesortofconcocted US$2 6B, and phantom US$20B in assets that he could seize from EMGL to pay for an oil spill,” the formerEPAheadsaid.

TheUS$2.6Bhereferred to includes the US$2B oil spill guarantee recently submitted by Exxon to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US$600 million oil spill insurance.

The former EPA head then explained that the US$20B assets of Exxon being touted by the VP are being paid for by Guyana through the cost recovery mechanism outlined in the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement(PSA).

He said, “All assets are beingboughtandpaidfor,by Guyanathroughcostoil,and per the PSA, will be turned over to Guyana free of chargeupontermination;so, it is daftness to keep repeating that he will seize

Gov’tgamblingaway Guyana’soilmoneyby refusingtoring-fence StabroekBlockprojects–FormerEPAHead

The Government of Guyana is gambling away the nation’s oil profits by refusing to ring-fence the Stabroek Block projects, formerExecutiveDirectorof the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr.VincentAdamshassaid.

The Petroleum and Environmental Engineer during an Alliance For Change (AFC) press conference on Friday last argued that the government is ignoring the volatility of oil prices in its decision to not ring-fence the Stabroek Block projects, but conveniently uses the same argument to deny teachers a salaryincrease.

Aring-fencingprovision would prevent oil giant, ExxonMobil from utilising the profits generated at one project to pay for costs at another This key clause would ensure that the country receives 50% of all revenues each month, after the oil company recovers its investment.Intheabsenceof ring-fencing,Exxonusesthe resources that should come to Guyana to pay for other expenses across the block, thereby reducing the profits deposited to the Natural ResourceFund(NRF).

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo who oversees the oil and gas sector had previously explained the reason behind government’s decisionnottoring-fencethe projects. He said this is to ensure investments are not stymied and will ensure massive revenues to the country in the future, after costs have been repaid. “We admitted that we are foregoing revenue now in exchange for massive future income because it’s going into new projects that will increase production, and so even with the same share of the 50/50, plus the two percent royalty that the future income, because of thebiggerscalewillbe (Continuedonpage17)

Attorney-at-Law and CharteredAccountant, Christopher Ram and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Former EPAHead, Dr. VincentAdams

Frompage16 massive in Guyana’s case and we are deliberately foregoing that in this period for that purpose and then trying to grab this bone now could cause you to lose all the bones, the bigger bones too in the future,” he had said.

Weighing in on this crucial decision, Dr Adams said government is risking the country’s profits, since oil prices can potentially take a steep dive in the future, thereby diminishing revenues for Guyana and its people.

He said: “This guy (Jagdeo) comes up with all sortsofexcusesthathepulls out of wherever, but you knowwhathesaidaboutthe teachers’payraises?

He said it is not sustainable because we do notknowwhattheoilprices are gonna be in the future, however, he is risking our money, the nation’s money for money to be received in the future without knowing whattheoilpriceswillbe,so hecomesupwiththisstupid excuse, well we can’t raise teachers’ salary because I don’t know what oil prices aregonnabeinthefuture.”

Dr Adams said that the country’s oil wealth was beinggambledaway

He argued, “Why would ItakemoneythatIcurrently have, if my people are starving,andgiveittoExxon so that they can use my moneytoinvestandtheyare making the billions and trillions with my money, while I have my people starving?”

The former EPA head continued, “(they) giving it to Exxon for them to spend money like drunken sailors to invest while they make money off of it…then you comingtotellmejusttogive the teachers a little paltry raise its not gonna be sustainable because you don’t know what oil prices willbe?

Well, that’s what you do

withring-fencing.Youdon’t knowwhatoilpriceswillbe later on when you start collecting whatever money youneedtobecollecting.Oil prices can go through the bottom by the time we are ready to, according to him, start getting our pay off on ring-fencing so it doesn’t makeanysense.”

Goldminerandworker riddledwithbullets …gunmenescapewith $37Mworthingold, threefirearms,ammo

A prominent Bartica

Businessman, Zaheer MohammedSheriff,50anda former national athlete who worked with him, Donvan Washington, 26 were on Sundaymurderedbybandits while returning from Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni River, RegionSeven.

Mohammed a devout Muslim and resident of Byderado Road, Bartica, Region Seven owns a land dredge in the backdam. He reportedly started his day earlySundaywithprayersat the Masjid in Bartica before leavingwithWashingtonfor Arimu Backdam on anATV (four wheel bike. They had gone in there to wash down (a process of washing separate gold from mats placedinasluiceboxtotrap thepreciousmetal)andbring outproduction(thegold).

According to police reports they left with 102 ounces of raw gold worth some $37M but at around 10:00hrstheywerebothshot dead and the gold stolen. The dead businessman’s GeneralManager(GM)Joel Stephen, 39, told police that MohammedandWashington were killed some five minutes after leaving camp. Herecalledhearing“several loud explosions which he suspected to be gunshots”, policesaid.

the GTU and the Attorney General—the State’s legal representative follows almost two days of mediation that was ordered byHighCourtJusticeSandil Kissoon.

The mediation process waspresidedoverbySenior Counsel, Robin Stoby and EdwardLuckhoo.

camp he found his boss and Washington dead in the trail withvisiblegunshotwounds totheirbodies.

Notonlydidhediscover that the gold they were carrying was gone but Mohammed’s two licensed guns, a .32 pistol and a 12gauge shotgun, were stolen. He reported the matter immediately to the Bartica Police Station and ranks weresentintoinvestigate.

Crime sleuths noted that Mohammed bore four gunshotwoundstohisbodyone to his chest, another to his right thigh, a third to his right arm and a fourth to his left upper back- while Washington’s body was riddled. Police counted 13 bullet holes about his body

At the scene investigators found a .32 magazine with eight live matching rounds, seven 9mm spent shells and three.32spentshells. Their bodieshavebeentransported to Bartica as detectives continuetheirinvestigation.

Police have learnt so far thatthebusinessmanandhis workerwereattackedbytwo masked men on a Red ATV (four-wheel bike) Residents of Bartica described the two dead men as peaceful souls and respectedindividualsoftheir community Theyurgedthe policetotakeswiftactionto apprehend the suspects responsiblefortheirkillings.

Tuesday

Teachers’strikecalledoff –asGovt.agreesto commencetalkswithGTU oversalaryincreases

Following an entire day oftalks,representativesfrom the GTU told reporters that teachers will return to work on Wednesday, March 6, 2024,asthemediationpaved the way for discussions on salaries and other issues to beginonThursday

GTUPresident,Dr Mark Lyte has welcomed the agreement, stating that the upcoming meeting will coveralloftheissuessuchas financial matters which wouldincludesalarymatters at the collective bargaining level.

“Well, as you know, we’vebeenhereallday And we’ve finally been able to have an agreement with the government, after all these years to come to the table to discusstheimportantpart[of those agreements] in financial matters.” Dr Lyte toldreportersonMonday

He continued “We have given a commitment in that on or before 6th March, we expect that our teachers will return to school. We have beengiventheassurancethat the financial matters, as we were hammering them on, will be discussed this comingThursday.”

The GTU President noted too other issues to be discussed including proposals for teachers’ housing and more duty-free concessions.

Dr Lyte noted however that the financial matters

suchaslossofpayforstrike days and the government’s refusal to automatically deductandremituniondues were not part of the agreement.

“Those matters are before the Court so those were not placed on the table,”Dr Lyteadded.

GTU Attorney, Darren Wade, said the signed agreement which is now an order of court provides for financial matters to be the firstitemontheagenda.

Wade noted that “the agreementhastoactingood faith so it puts a burden on the government when they areatthetabletoensurethat the teachers’ issues are addressed.”Accordingtothe lawyer, “the agreement is b i n d i n g a n d “ t h e government cannot back out”.

Meanwhile,Attorney-atLaw, Darshan Ramdhani who represented the interest of Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC the legal representative for the Government of Guyana during mediation remarked that“we’reverypleasedthat theyarereturningtothetable andthattheseconversations, discussionswillnowtakeon a more conciliatory approach.”

“The government has been engaging with the unions.And so, we are very pleased that they are returningtothetableandthat these conversations and discussions are meaningful ones for the teachers of this country,andforthestudents of this country, and for the general good governance of this country that this will now take on a more conciliatory approach,” Ramdhanistated.

The agreement between

the GTU and the Attorney Generalfollowingmediation statesthefollowing:

Thetwosidesagreedthat teachers shall, in good faith, resume work on or before Wednesday6March2024.

Discussions shall proceed within 48 hours of resumptionofworkandshall beaboutthosematterswhich either Party considers relevant for discussion between the Union and the Government,whichincludes financialmatters.

The discussions referred to in clause 2 above shall take place at the Ministry of Education Boardroom, Lot 26 Brickdam, Georgetown, and will continue for a reasonableperiodoftime.

Both parties reserve all their rights under any agreement or the laws of Guyana.

The document states inter alia that the Government of Guyana representsthatitcontinuesto assure and reiterate its position that it will continue toactingoodfaithandbythe lawsofGuyanatoallmatters underdiscussion.

CivilSocietymustplay aroleinGovt.toGovt. negotiationsonnatural resources–Int’lbody

Theinvolvementofcivil society organizations (CSOs)iscrucialinstate-tostate negotiations for mineral exploitation. These citizens can not only add a layer of expertise in decision-making for the country’s natural resources, b u t s e r v e a s a n accountabilitymechanism.

Highlighting the importanceofCSOsinthese transactionsinarecent

(Continuedonpage18)

Stephen reportedly followed the directions of thesoundsandafterwalking for

Afterjustoveramonthof industrialaction,theGuyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) on Monday called off the nationwide teachers’ strike following a successful mediation process that brokered an agreement for salary talks to take place between the Government andGTU.

from

The agreement between

Murdered Bartica Businessman, Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff and Donvan Washington

(2nd from left) GTU President Dr. Mark Lyte flanked by union reps andAttorney at law Darren Wade

Frompage17

article was the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), a nonprofit corporation focused on the prudent management of natural resources in resource-rich countries for thewellbeingofcitizensand the planet NRGI’s governing board comprises experts in a wide range of sectors, including governance, finance, agricultureandoilandgas.

Delving into ‘Deals

Without Details: Exploring State-State Mining Partnerships and Their Implications’ the Institute shared how resource-rich countries around the world were partnering for mineral exploration, production and processing.

It said such nextgeneration state-state mineral partnerships have become a key tool for wealthier jurisdictions such as the United States and EuropeanUnion(EU),often the“buyingpartners”.Many questions however remain around such partnerships, including on their overall purposeandvalueforlowerandmiddle-incomemineralrich countries, referred to as “supplyingpartners”.

These deals are usually struck for the buying countries to secure the mineralsneededforthesolar panels, wind turbines and electricvehiclestoaidinthe transition from fossil fuels but also in some cases are g e a r e d t o w a r d s supplementing their own mineral production, the Instituteexplained.

In the absence of publicly available information about these partnerships, scrutiny has beendifficult.Thisresultsin little accountability, even thoughcontractdisclosureis a well-established norm in thesector,NRGIsaid.

The Natural Resource GovernanceInstitutesaidfor instance, “While some m e m o r a n d a o f understanding have been made public, such as those signed by the European Union, these documents are scant on details despite sometimes taking months to negotiate. Others, such as those recently signed by Saudi Arabia at its January Future Minerals Forum, remain a mystery We couldn’t find any publicly available information about 22 of the 35 partnerships of whichwe’reaware.”

To this end, NRGI pointed to the need for civil society’s involvement in the

negotiationofsuchdeals.

“Countries should facilitate the input of CSOs in decision-making around partnership negotiations CSOs can serve both as a source of expertise and an accountability mechanism, to ensure that the supplying partner gets the most out of thepartnership.”

Additionally, the InstitutenotedthatCSOscan help define strategic priorities; play a key role in monitoring whether activities advance the country’s economic and social development plans and meet international standards set out by bodies such as the UN and the Organisation for Economic C o - o p e r a t i o n a n d Development (OECD); and strengthen calls for a more equitablepartnership.

The body was keen to note, “Because parties to these agreements aim to increase activity in the sector, they may exacerbate potential harms of mining, such as corruption, human rights abuses and environmental damage. To ensurebenefitsforpeoplein mining countries, governments must mitigate theserisks.”

Itsaidcountrieswiththe natural resources could ensure strong due diligence practices are built into the partnership,requirecapacity building and technical assistance to strengthen the content and implementation ofenvironmental,socialand governance protections, and

urge prospective buying partner governments to do moretoaddresswrongdoing by mining companies based intheirjurisdictions.

Guyanaandbilateral negotiations

The government of Guyana is currently not engaged in state-to-state partnerships for mineral exploitation or exploration; however, the administration hasexpresseditsintentionto engageindirectnegotiations with a number of its key bilateral partners for the country’soilblocks.

Thiscountryhasbecome a magnet for petroleum activities, following the discovery of more than 11 billion barrels of oil in the Stabroek Block by a consortium,ledbyAmerican oilmajor,ExxonMobil.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during Guyana’s Energy Conference in 2023 revealed that government hopes to work through a bilateral arrangement with the governments of Brazil, Qatar, India, Kuwait and others on the remaining oil blockshere.

TheAllianceForChange (AFC), an Opposition party in the National Assembly had signalled its support for government to secure partnershipsinexchangefor thenation’soilblocks,onthe condition that all details regarding the arrangements bemadepublic.

S e e m o r e h e r e : https://wwwkaieteurnewso nline com/2023/02/26/govtto-govt-arrangements-for-

published on March 3, 2024 said the oil company was instead paying Guyana out of its profits, thereby shortening the already meagre revenues for the countryfromroyalty

The former Guyanese Ambassador was keen to pointoutthattheoilgianthas been deducting 75% of the monthly earnings in the StabroekBlocktorecoverits investments,inkeepingwith the provisions of the Petroleum Agreement. It is fromtheremaining25%that Guyanareceives50%,which isequivalentto12.5%ofthe totalrevenuesearned.Exxon thenhandsGuyanaashareof its earnings, valued at two percent.

Dr Hunte therefore argued that this is not in keepingwiththetermsofthe Agreement,pointingoutthat Article 15.6 page 39 states that: “The Contractor shall pay, a royalty of two percent of all Petroleum producedandsold.”

dollarsisinvolved.

Dr Hunte is a Professor of Economics at Howard University, Washington, D.C., and former Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins University, Bowie State University He holds a PhD inEconomicsfromtheOhio StateUniversity,USAandis also a former High Commissioner of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the Republic of South Africa and is also the Non-Resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia, High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia, and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe.

nations-oil-blocks-must-bemade-public-khemrajramjattan/

Wednesday

Guyanaonlyreceiving 0.5%royaltyinstead of2%fromExxon–ProfessorHunte

The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signedwithExxonMobiland its Co-Venturers- Hess and CNOOC- stipulates that the country must be paid two percent royalty of “all petroleum produced and sold” but the contractor has been paying the state 0.5% instead.

Consequently, he explained,“Thisimpliesthat thetwopercentroyaltymust be sourced from the total sales and not from the profit s h a r e o f E M G L (ExxonMobil Guyana L i m i t e d ) I n t h e circumstances, it is contended that this act by EMGL,whichusesitsprofit share to pay Guyana’s royalty, violates the condition of Article 15.6 in the PSA; it robs Guyana of its correct royalty payment; andthisapproachbyEMGL generates a smaller share of totalsalesforGuyana.”

This was recently explained by Guyanese scholar, and former Ambassador, Dr Kenrick Hunte. Royalty is a fixed percentageofthegrossvalue of revenue, paid to governments or the owners of natural resources. Hunte in a letter to this newspaper,

To arrive at his conclusion of the 0 5% royalty being paid to Guyana, Professor Hunte shared the formula he used.

“This understated royalty (UR)amountisspecifiedas: UR = 2% (profit) = 2% (25%) total sales (TS) = 0.5% (TS). Therefore, Guyana’sshareoftotalsales (TS) is not 14.5%, but it is only 13 %; that is: profit (12.5 %) plus royalty (0.5%).”

Notably, the financial statements for ExxonMobil Guyanaconfirmthisstateof affairs.Thereportsshowthat the oil company has been payingroyaltytoGuyanaout itsrevenues.

As such, Dr. Hunte highlightedthattheoutcome is Guyana is being blatantly robbedof1.5%ofitsshareof totalsales.

He was keen to note that while some might think 1 5% of total sales are insignificant,itisinfactvery critical when billions of

He has published numerous scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and letters to theeditorsonvariousissues; as well as participated in radio and television discussionprogrammes;and conducted consultancies in India and the Caribbean for theWorldBankandtheFood a n d A g r i c u l t u r e Organization.InGuyana,he was the Chief Executive Officer/Director of the Guyana Development Bank (GAIBANK).

‘Iwillnotrevealoilplans andnamesofoilandgas committeemembers’Nortontellsnation …afraidVPJagdeowill stealtheirideas

L e a d e r o f t h e Opposition, Aubrey Norton is reluctant to reveal the names of the oil and gas committee members appointed by the political body More importantly however,theOppositionwill not reveal its plans for the managementoftheoilsector until the opportune time, since it believes the government will adopt their policies.

Norton, during his weekly press conference on Thursday,wasrespondingto a request by Kaieteur News to name the members of the oil and gas committee and their qualifications, as well as the body’s plan for the sector

Membersofcivilsociety had previously noted their d i s g u s t o v e r t h e Opposition’s silence on matters relative to the rapidly growing petroleum industry

The Leader of the Opposition has been relativelymuteonoilandgas relatedmatters,unlessasked (Continuedonpage56)

Map showing the location of Guyana’s offshore oil blocks

Professor and FormerAmbassador, Dr. Kenrick Hunte

Chinesecompanywaitingforpermittodoquarryingpromises tohandoveranythingotherthanstonestoEPAandGRA

HMS Mining Inc., a Chinese company headed by Tangzhou Liu, is awaiting permission from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct stone mining in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni MiningDistrictinRegionSeven.

HMS proposed Wineperu Quarry, is situated in Mazaruni Mining District No. 3, and covers anareaof743acres.Itisprojected to yield an estimated 6.1 million tons of aggregates. The quarry’s strategiclocation,coupledwithits abundant resources, presents promising potential for operations–it was stated in the projectsummary

The project entails a start-up capital of US$3.46 million and a total investment of US$17 7 million,withanannualproduction target of 1,200,000 tons of stone and a 10-year mine life expectancy

In its project summary submitted to the EPA, the company stated that the project area is about 28 km south of Bartica with three other communities within proximity It was stated that while they are no knownarchaeologicalsitesorareas of significant cultural interest within the project concession; if any artefacts or items of potential

historical, archaeological, or anthropological interest that may be found during the life of the project – it will be handed over to therelevantauthorities.

The Mazaruni district, nestled in Guyana’s Essequibo Region,

boastsabundantmineralresources, particularly gold, with several foreignminingoperationsslatedto begin production by 2027, including the gold project of Canadian mining company Omai. Currently, Aurora Gold Mines

(AGM), led by Chinese firm Zijin Mining Inc., stands as the largest goldoperationinGuyana.

This publication had reported that the quarry’s mineral reserves, predominantly Gabbro and Granodiorite, are well-suited for

construction and sea defense purposes. “It has both Gabbro and Granodiorite.TheGabbroissuited for construction, whereas; the Granodiorite is suited for sea defense.

They have been found in substantial quantity and numerous outcrops The Gabbro has an estimated reserve of 6.9 million tons of aggregates,” the document states. Notably, HMS aims to supply various fractions of boulders, gabions, and crushed aggregates to meet market demands.

Moreover, following an environmental screening process, the EPA has determined that the project will not significantly impacttheenvironmentandthusis exemptfromtherequirementforan EnvironmentalImpactAssessment (EIA).

Factors considered include the project’s location amidst similar landuseactivities,minimalimpact on nearby communities, and measures to mitigate noise, air quality,biodiversityloss,andwater quality concerns. While the EPA’s decisionmarksapivotalstepinthe approval process, affected parties retain the right to lodge an appeal within thirty days of the notice’s publication.

Jagdeo directs KNews reporter to

Exxon for explanation of financials

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is not willing to provideanexplanationtothe nation of the massive expensesrackedupbyUnited S t a t e s o i l m a j o r, ExxonMobil

Hesaidduringhisweekly pressconferenceonThursday that Kaieteur News should seekclarityfromExxon

This publication had asked the politician, who is

chargedwithoversightofthe petroleum sector, to provide an explanation on the $133B d e p r e c i a t i o n a n d amortization costs that were charged to Guyana’s oil revenuebyExxon.

TheVice President in his response said that while the Ministry of Natural Resourcesisprivytowhatis being depreciated and amortized by Exxon, he will

not share any details in that regard

Instead, he directed Kaieteur News to write their questionstoExxon “Yes,the Ministrywouldknowwhatis depreciatedandstufflikethat butI’mnotgonnagothrough anyfinancialsherebecauseI think Kaieteur has even a more rudimentary understanding of the financialsthanIdoandtwo,

US$73.8Minroyaltynotpaidto...

Frompage3 government does, if anything in relation to royalty, or indeed to anything else. It does not appear that theVPhas ever bothered to read the 2016 Agreement, let alone its reference to the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act and its definition of petroleum,”theAttorneyreasoned.

He said, the very first item in the definition of “petroleum” is described as “any naturally occurring hydrocarbons, whetherinagaseousliquidorsolid-state”.

To this end, Ram argued, “Does the country's petroleum czar not know that billions are charged to operations annually for supplies to theoilcompaniesby atleast oneoildistributor?Hisanswerwasnotonly

completely wrong, but shockingly misinformed, misleading and a total misrepresentationofreality.”

The Accountant explained that in the absence of the cost of Petroleum used for fuel or transportation in Petroleum Operations,itwouldbedifficulttocompute theroyaltypayabletoGovernment.

He was keen to note however, “What is apparentisthatthereisindeedsomeUS$738 M of royalties unaccounted for and one can speculate whether this is all to do with the implausibleabsenceofthecostoffuelusedin production or transportation, or in the difference in the accounting methodology used–accrualinthecaseoftheoilcompanies andcashbasisinthecaseoftheNRF”

thatitcan’tbedoneatapress conference. If you want to have that why don’t you submit in writing to Exxon, ask them, we have noted this- the following things,” Jagdeosaid.

He went on to note that even if he did provide the information that it would be misconstrued

“You know why I’m not too, even if I gave you the correctanswer,you’regonna change it You’re gonna changeitinanycase Whenit goestoGlennLallhewillput a different headline, he will sayJagdeodefending Exxon etcetera,”theVicePresident explained.

Jagdeo had previously turned away questions posed to him on the oil sector, instructing that they instead beraisedwithExxon

Kaieteur News had previouslyaskedJagdeoabout theinterestratesbeingcharged by the oil company when he saiditshouldbeaddressedby the company Exxon’s Country Manager, Alistair

Routledge told reporters at a pressconferencelastyearthat Guyana is not being charged an interest rate on its multibillion-dollar investments in the Stabroek Block This is contrary to the information publicly available and highlights the needforgovernmenttofulfill its responsibilities to the nation in sharing credible information This

government has however been selective in the information it reveals to the public pertaining to the oil andgassector

Foryears,thispublication was on the forefront of calls for full transparency on the dailyproductionstatisticsfor instance Governmentfinally made this information available through the Petroleum Management Programme’swebsite.

It has however been reluctant to release the breakdownofthecompany’s multibillion expenses, leaving citizens in the dark Similarly, the two audit reports completed to date have not been shared by the government but were leaked tosectionsofthemedia.

This sparks serious concern about the selective releaseofinformationbythe government and more importantly raises questions about the secrecy surrounding the massive expenses being incurred by theoilgiant

VPJagdeosetsconditionsfor renegotiationofExxoncontract

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday disclosed that anyone can submit plansonhowthegovernmentcanrenegotiate Guyana’s oil contract once they stick to the conditionsthathavebeenoutlinedbyhim.

“The offer to renegotiate Guyana’s oil contractsisopentoanyonewhocancomeup with the plan to do so once they stick to the conditions set,” Jagdeo told reporters on Thursdayathisweeklypressconferenceheld atFreedomHouse,RobbStreet,Georgetown

The Vice President’s statement came following questions by a Kaieteur News reporteronthesubject.

The reporter asked, “Last week you challengedtheOppositionLeadertocomeup with a plan and a strategy to renegotiate the oil contracts.Why don’t you make the same offer to oil and gas experts like Chatham House and other international oil experts including the T&T Oil Minister who is willingtohelp?”

In response Jagdeo said, “The offer is available to anyone, where as I outlined the conditions. That we don’t lose momentum, let me go through it again… so no litigation that will stop the development of future projectsthat’sone.Two,thatthewindowthat we have through net zero…be taken into account and there are a couple of other conditions.”

The VP then reiterated that the offer is, “available to anyone who can come up with thatplantodothis.It’snot(just)theMinister of Oil in Trinidad and everything else. Whoever wants to come up with that (plan candoso).”

Notwithstanding his position, the Vice President maintained that the aforementioned conditions outlined must be metbythosewhobelievethecontractcanbe renegotiated.

Further, Jagdeo at his February 29, 2024 press conference, challenged Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton and his ‘secret’ oil and gas advisors to draft a “sensible” renegotiation plan for the lopsided Stabroek Blockoilcontract.

In response to a question posed by Kaieteur News, the Vice President said that Norton’s refusal to reveal the identity of his oilandgascommitteeis“nonsense”.

Norton at an earlier press conference, refused to name his oil and gas advisors. Jagdeolabeledoilandgasissuesas“serious developmental matters” and said “It’s utter nonsense… you have to compete with your ideas, you have to compete with people, not onracismallthetime.”

Kaieteur News later asked the Vice President if he will support Norton’s oil and gas advisors if they devise a strategy to renegotiate the Stabroek Block deal. Jagdeo responded, “Let him come with a strategy and then I will speak about it” while noting thatsuchastrategywouldreceivehissupport iftheplanissensible.

“Ifitisaclownishstrategydon’texpectme tosupportit,ifit’ssensibleandittakesallthe variablesintoconsideration ”Jagdeosaid

The first variable is that “Net Zero” can bea“constrainingfactor”forthefutureofoil and gas. Net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG)that’sproducedandtheamountthat’s removedfromtheatmosphere.

AccordingtoJagdeo,NetZeroisaglobal reality “…Every country speaks about it, every country in the world speaks about it, SaudiArabiaspeaksaboutitUAEQatarand weinGuyanabehaveasthoughthatdoesn’t exist, that variable, which is a constraining factorforthefuture,”theVicePresidenttold KaieteurNews.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Entertainment

Canadian Guyanese fashion model/ artiste battling stage fright but still making headlines

Aneesa Badshaw , Guyanese

Canadian fashion model and

inter national recording ar tiste

Some of the creative pieces created by Paintings & Crafts Co

Young Entrepreneur and co-owner of Paintings and Crafts Co, Crystel Roopnaraine

Young Entrepreneur and co-owner of Paintings and Crafts Co, Abigail Gobin

Lisa Andrea Narin e

Thisweek’s beautyisLisaAndreaNarine,thereigning MissUniverseGuyana.Lisaisafinalyearstudentofthe UniversityofGuyanareadingforherdegreeinInternationalRelations.She enjoysarchary,dancingandnature.LisaisalsotheFounderofNatureNewNGO. OneofherfavoritequotesisfromthefamousAudreyHepburn–“Remember,ifyou everneedahelpinghand,it’sattheendofyourarm.Asyougetolder,rememberyouhave anotherhand:thefirstistohelpyourself,thesecondistohelpothers.”

The Urgency of Internal Unity to Reclaim Haiti

BySirRonaldSanders

In international diplomatic circles, Haiti is oneveryone’slipsbutnotin actions that could urgently remedy the suffering of the Haitianpeople.

Similarly, within Haiti and its diaspora, Haiti’s tragic situation is constantly discussed but no viable solutions are proposed, nor are sustainable actions taken.

While this delay and inaction persists, the gangs, which have already taken effective control of the country, are fashioning an accord amongst themselves on the theme of “Living together”.

It is an unholy pact in which the gangs are sharing the spoils of power and collaborating to do so, ignoring the laws of the country They are also dictating political actions through threats and intimidation.

Hence, the present unelected Prime Minister, Dr Ariel Henry, has been warned that if he returns to Haiti, he will be executed. Henry is reportedly trapped inPuertoRico,unabletofind a way to re-enter Haiti after attending a meeting of CARICOM Heads of GovernmentinGuyana,and then travelling to Kenya to sign a reciprocal security agreement on March 1 While he was in New York onhiswaybacktoHaiti,the gangs attacked the main penitentiary, releasing approximately 4,500 inmates, including prominentgangmembers.

This extraordinarily gruesome warning to Dr Henry has been made by gang leader, Jimmy Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue”. It has been backed up by Guy Phillipe who was recently released from a U.S. prison after conviction for human trafficking and is now headingapoliticalgroup.

Significantly, apart from the members of the Cabinet that Henry appointed, not onepersonorgroupinHaiti hascalledforhisreturntothe country Of further significance, he is yet to be offered safe passage from U.S.territorytoHaitibythe U.S.government.

Inreality,Dr Henrywas never accepted, except by theU.S.,asthebestpersonto leadHaiti. Hevalidatedthis belief within Haiti by reneging on the terms of agreements on governance that he made on September 11, 2021 and December 21, 2022 with private sector g r o u p s a n d n o n -

governmentalorganizations. Therefore,hehadneitherthe interest nor the capacity to spearheadthenationaleffort for a “Haitian solution” to the crisis for which the international community repeatedlycalled.

Henry made his first request for an international force to help national police fightgangs,inOctober2022. At that time, the gangs were a growing threat; they had not yet reached the forceful dimensions that exist now Within Haiti, Henry’s call was seen as a move to get external military help that would maintain his grip on power Therefore, they opposed,undermanyguises, anyexternalintervention.

E x t e r n a l l y, t h e government of El Salvador hadofferedtohelp,basedon itsownsuccesswithcurbing gangsbymethods,judgedby some, as abusing the human rights of persons it imprisoned The El Salvador offer was not encouraged and, eventually itfellaway

No other government sought to get involved Meanwhile, the U S governmentpursuedapolicy of maintaining support for Dr Henry based on hope ratherthanconfidenceinhis capacity to build a strong coalition to govern the country That hope is now dashed.

Following the release of prison inmates and attacks on other important public installations, Haiti is now undergangcontrol. Airlines havestoppedflightsintothe countryandcargoshipshave takensimilaractionasgangs lootcontainersattheport.

Amidallthis,theUnited Nations Security Council (UNSC), influenced by rivalries between veto powers, failed to prioritize Haiti’s wellbeing, choosing not to deploy a U.N. force. Instead, they approved a voluntary Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, not funded by the U.N., leaving the U.S. to spearhead recruitment and funding efforts, which have largelybeenunsuccessful.

Only Kenya, demanding

$200 million for its participation, has agreed to contribute troops to the Multinational Security Support(MSS)Mission.The U.S.hasstruggledtomeetits $200 million commitment due to Congress’s deadlock overallocating$100million, half of its promised contribution. Consequently, the launch of the MSS M i s s i o n a p p e a r s increasinglyunlikely

As Haiti’s turmoil deepens,theU.S.appearsto support Finance Minister, Michel Patrick Boisvert, as Henry’s successor This potential U.S. endorsement of another unelected leader will undoubtedly face opposition from various Haitianstakeholders.

The real answer to the current Haitian crisis continues to remain in the handsofHaitians. Allofits aspiring leaders and all the rival organisations for political and economic supremacy must put aside their ambitions for personal power and stand behind the empowerment of Haiti They have to resolve to postpone rivalry until transparent, free and fair elections can be held in normalizedconditions.

Meanwhile, they must act urgently to coalesce behind an agreed President basedonthelastfunctioning ConstitutionoftheRepublic, and to agree to the appointment of a Prime Minister, on whom they can alsoagree,fortheformation of a national transitional government drawn from the talents that exist in the private sector, the NGO’s, the political parties and the Diaspora.

They also need to agree on the term of such a transitional government and its mandate, which should include any requests for international assistance. The structure for such an agreement already exists in the recent Resolution of January 2024, which emerged from the National Congress of Transition, as well as in other previously agreedstrategiessuchasthe MontanaAccordof2021.

If the various Haitian partiescannotactasgenuine patriots for their country by setting aside ambitions and rivalryforatleasttwoyears, and by establishing a genuine government of national unity on behalf of theHaitianpeople,theywill condemn their nation to external intervention of the kindthathascontributedfor more than 200 years to their present plight. They will have only themselves to blame.

By rallying together to form a united front and advocating for democratic renewal, Haitians have the power to proudly present to

the world the ‘Haitian solution’ they have long sought Such a momentous shift t o w a r d s a consensus-built, authentic Haitian pathway could redefine the nation’s future and command the respect and support of the globalcommunity

It’stimeforHaititoseize this critical opportunity; to forge a future ground in legitimacyandunitythatthe international community cannotignore.

The writer is Antigua

a nd Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. The view is entirely his own. For responses and previous commentaries:

Sir Ronald Sanders

Bleached Hair Care: Hair Care Tips All Summer Long

GARNIER-Wondering where to find the best bleachedhaircaretips?

Well, look no further, Garnier has all the tips and tricks for maintaining your platinumlocks.

Interested in knowing what your favourite shade willlooklikeonyou?

Don’t forget to use our VirtualTry-Onfeaturetosee what shade best suits you. FindoutmoreonourVirtual

Try-On homepage at the end of this article, or by clicking on one of our productswiththe‘TryItOn’ icon.

Its fun changing your haircolourathomeandonce you realise how easy it is, there’ll be no stopping you.

So, that’s all ‘hunky dory’, but getting the colour you want is actually, in some ways,theeasybit.

Keeping the colour vibrant and looking healthy requires a little more commitment than just opening the paint box and splashingdyearound.

Despite the fact that all Garnier home hair colour products are designed to be as kind as possible to your hairandscalp,addingcolour canhaveadryingeffect.

This is particularly true of bleached blonde hair; if you want that gorgeous sunkissed, just-off-the-beach look to stay beautiful all summer long, you need to lookafterit.

Maintenance, people –maintenance.

Here are our bleached haircaretipsformaintaining yournewlook.

1. Usetargetedtreatments

Bleaching hair is a chemical process that removes natural pigments fromyourhairfibres.

Bleach occasionally and your hair should soon recover its natural vitality Successive bleaching, however, can damage those precious fibres and follicles, leaving your hair looking dull.

To combat this, use targeted bleached hair care treatments to protect your hair as much as possible, to boost and enhance your pigments,andtohydratethe fibres of your hair overall. We recommend using a sulphate-free shampoo and keratin-rich products to restructurethefibresofyour hair

2. Useintensive treatmentsevery n o w a n d t h e n

Have you noticed that your bleached hair is not quite as supple as it once was?

Dryness is another consequence of those bleaching chemicals we were talking about earlier Yourhairlosesmoisture,and dry hair means brittle hair,

Oneidge Waldron is Woman Tourism Minister of the Year

Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond has been recognised as the Woman TourismMinisteroftheYear – South America The announcement was made by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association at the PATWAInternationalTravel Awards 2024 at the International Tourism Exchange,Berlin.

T h e P A T W A International Travel Awards

have been instituted independently and are now in their 24th year The a w a r d s r e c o g n i s e governments, organisations, brands, ministers, and individuals who have excelled in the promotion of tourism This includes airlines, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, destinations, government bodies, tourism ministries, and other service providers related directly or indirectly with the trade. (Ministry of Tourismstatement)

split ends and more! But, don’t be alarmed; you can prevent your hair from dryingoutbyprovidingextra nourishment with some intensive treatments and the targeted treatments mentioned above For example,it’sawisemoveto use an overnight hair mask onceaweekoratleasttwice amonth.

You might also consider adeepconditioneroraleavein conditioner once a week; it’sallaboutprevention.

S o u r c e -

https://www.garnier.co.uk/ how-to/bleached-hair-care

BeforeandAfterapplyingmethods

Mozambique

plateau and coastal areas of Southern Africa They established agricultural communities or societies based on herding cattle They brought with them the technology for smelting and smithingiron.

SWAHILI COAST

M o z a m b i q u e (/mozæmbik/ Ø$SdS; Portuguese: Moçambique, pronounced [musPÞbikh]; Chichewa: Mozambiki; Tsonga: Muzambhiki), officially the Republic of Mozambique (República de Moçambique, pronounced [[puâlikPðhmusPÞbikh]),is a country located in southeastAfricaborderedby theIndianOceantotheeast, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Eswatini and South Africa to the southwest The sovereign state is separated from the Comoros, Mayotte and Madagascar by the MozambiqueChanneltothe east. The capital and largest cityisMaputo.

HISTORY

Bantu migrations Bantu-speaking peoples migrated into Mozambique as early as the 4th century BC. It is believed between the1stand5thcenturiesAD, wavesofmigrationfromthe westandnorthwentthrough the Zambezi River valley and then gradually into the

From the late first millenniumAD, vast Indian Ocean trade networks extended as far south into Mozambique as evidenced by the ancient port town of Chibuene. Beginning in the 9th century, a growing involvement in Indian Ocean trade led to the development of numerous port towns along the entire EastAfricancoast,including modern day Mozambique. Largely autonomous, these towns broadly participated in the incipient Swahili culture Islam was often adopted by urban elites, facilitating trade In Mozambique, Sofala, Angoche, and Mozambique Islandwereregionalpowers bythe15thcentury.[20]

The towns traded with merchants from both the African interior and the

broaderIndianOceanworld. Particularly important were the gold and ivory caravan routes. Inland states like the Kingdom of Zimbabwe and Kingdom of Mutapa provided the coveted gold and ivory, which were then exchanged up the coast to larger port cities like Kilwa andMombasa.

PortugueseMozambique (1498–1975) The Island of Mozambiqueafterwhichthe country is named, is a small coral island at the mouth of Mossuril Bay on the Nacala coast of northern Mozambique, first explored byEuropeansinthelate15th century

When Portuguese explorers reached Mozambiquein1498,Arabtrading settlements had existed along the coast and outlying islands for several centuries. From about 1500, Portuguesetradingpostsand forts displaced the Arabic commercial and military hegemony, becoming regular ports of call on the new European sea route to the east, the first steps in what was to become a processofcolonisation.

The voyage of Vasco da Gama around the Cape of Good Hope in 1498 marked the Portuguese entry into trade,politics,andsocietyof the region. The Portuguese gained control of the Island ofMozambiqueandtheport city of Sofala in the early 16th century, and by the 1530s, small groups of Portuguese traders and prospectors seeking gold penetrated the interior regions, where they set up garrisons and trading posts at Sena and Tete on the Zambezi and tried to gain exclusive control over the goldtrade.

GEOGRAPHY

highlands, Namuli or Shire highlands, Angonia highlands, Tete highlands and the Makonde plateau, covered with miombo woodlands. To the south of the Zambezi, the lowlands are broader with the Mashonaland plateau and LebomboMountainslocated inthedeepsouth.

Thecountryisdrainedby five principal rivers and severalsmalleroneswiththe largest and most important the Zambezi. The country hasfournotablelakes:Lake Niassa (or Malawi), Lake Chiuta, Cahora Bassa and LakeShirwa,allinthenorth. ThemajorcitiesareMaputo, Beira, Nampula, Tete, Quelimane, Chimoio, Pemba,Inhambane,Xai-Xai andLichinga.

ECONOMY

At 309,475 sq mi ( 8 0 1 , 5 3 7 k m 2 ) , Mozambique is the world’s 35th-largest country Mozambique is located on thesoutheastcoastofAfrica and is bound by Eswatini to thesouth,SouthAfricatothe southwest, Zimbabwe to the west,ZambiaandMalawito the northwest, Tanzania to the north and the Indian Ocean to the east Mozambique lies between latitudes 10° and 27°S, and longitudes30°and41°E.

The country is divided into two topographical regions by the Zambezi River To the north of the Zambezi,thenarrowcoastal stripgiveswaytoinlandhills and low plateaus. Rugged highlands are further west; they include the Niassa

Mozambique is one of the poorest and most underdevelopedcountriesin the world, even though between 1994 and 2006 its averageannualGDPgrowth was approximately 8%. The IMF classifies Mozambique as a heavily indebted poor country. In a 2006 survey, t h r e e - q u a r t e r s o f Mozambicans said that in the past five years their economic position had remained the same or b e c o m e w o r s e Mozambique was ranked 126th out of 132 in the Global Innovation Index in 2023 Mozambique’s official currency is the metical(asofOctober2023, US$1 is roughly equivalent to 64 meticals) The U.S. dollar, South African rand, and the euro are widely accepted and used in business transactions. The minimum legal salary is around US$60 per month. Mozambiqueisamemberof the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The SADC free trade protocol is aimed at makingtheSouthernAfrican region more competitive by eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers. The World Bank in 2007 talked of Mozambique’s ‘blistering paceofeconomicgrowth’.A joint donor-government study in early 2007 said ‘Mozambique is generally considered an aid success story.CultureThe Makonde are known for their wood carvingandelaboratemasks, whicharecommonlyusedin traditionaldances.Thereare two different kinds of wood carvings: shetani, (evil spirits), which are mostly carved in heavy ebony, tall, andelegantlycurvedwith (Continuedonpage29)

Emblem of Mozambique

Mozambique’s Cuisine.

Niassa Reserve

First World War Monument

Frompage27

s y m b o l s a n d nonrepresentational faces; and ujamaa, which are totem-type carvings which illustrate lifelike faces of people and various figures. These sculptures are usually referred to as “family trees” because they tell stories of manygenerations.

Mozambique...

Cuisine With a nearly 500yearpresenceinthecountry, the Portuguese have greatly influenced Mozambique’s cuisine. Staples and crops such as cassava (a starchy root of Brazilian origin) and cashew nuts (also of Brazilian origin, though Mozambique was once the largest producer of these

nuts), and pãozinho (pronounced [pPÞwz)ru], Portuguese-style buns), were brought in by the Portuguese.

The use of spices and seasonings such as bay leaves, chili peppers, fresh coriander, garlic, onions, paprika, red sweet peppers, andwinewereintroducedby

the Portuguese, as were maize, potatoes, rice, and sugarcane. espetada, the popular inteiro com piripiri (whole chicken in piri-piri sauce), prego (steak roll), pudim(pudding),andrissóis (battered shrimp) are all Portuguese dishes commonly eaten in presentdayMozambique.

Music The music of Mozambique serves many purposes, ranging from religious expression to traditional ceremonies

Musical instruments are usuallyhandmade.

Someoftheinstruments

used in Mozambican musical expression include drums made of wood and

animal skin; the lupembe, a woodwind instrument made from animal horns or wood; and the marimba, which is a kind of xylophone native to Mozambiqueandotherparts ofAfrica. Themarimbaisa popular instrument with the Chopi of the south-central coast, who are famous for theirmusicalskillanddance.

Guyana Tourism Authority closer to achieving 2024 goals

February was an incrediblyproductivemonth for the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) from the training and product development initiatives to nationalevents,eachactivity took the authority a step closer to achieving its goals for2024.

The GTA, with the supportofitstouroperators, participated in the Guyana Energy Conference & Supply Chain Expo 2024. It was an amazing networking event, where attendees interacted with tour operators about the tour experiencesavailableand,of

course, took a sample of the classic El Dorado 5-YearOld Rum Blackwater Adventures sponsored a giveaway where ten individuals enjoyed an afternoon Demerara Sunset Cruise.

Led by Dr Peter Ramsaroop, CEO of Go Invest, 45 Guyanese businesses were in attendance and benefitted from this major networking event The GTA was represented by Ms.s Shellon Nicholas, the Tourism Marketing Officer with responsibilityforEventsand Candace Phillips, Manager

ofProductDevelopment.

T h e d u o a l s o participated in an AgriExchange and Tourism Connect Event, which fostered collaborations between the travel trade of

Barbados and Guyana with an emphasis on the development of multidestination itineraries. Tour operators Wanderlust Adventures GY and Dagron Tourswerealsopresent.

Members of the GTA, Tourism Stakeholders

Guyana and the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana met with North American Marketing Representation Firms,

Emerging Destinations and CornerSunMarketing.

The introductory meetings were held at the GuyanaTourismAuthority’s office,andstakeholders

(Continuedonpage41)

Scenes from the GTAactivities in Lethem

Eye Candy Shoppe opens its first location in Kitty

As the world observed International Women’s Day on March 8th, renowned pageant director, marketing specialist and entrepreneur Melicia Partab Alli opened her signature Eye Candy Shoppetothepublic.

Located on Thomas Street,KittyinGeorgetown, the unquie beauty and gift Shoppe caters for skincare andbeautyproductstogether withgiftitemsforcustomers to choose from As a marketing profesional, Alli startedworkinginthebeauty and creative industry and found her love for makeup

and beauty products This convinced her to start her brand Eye Candy by Mel in 2014, focusing initially on makeupartistryservicesand products.

In2021,Alliparticipated with Eye Candy at the inauguralWeLiftexhibition, for the observation of International Women’s Day, hostedbyDr VindhyaVasini Persaud-MinisterofHuman ServicesandSocialSecurity

Theexhibitioncreatedan avenue for many women ownbusinessesandnetwork with other businesses for growth.Withjusttwotables

of products, the exhibition undoubtedly became an amazing opportunity and experience that saw great tractionforthebrand.

As such, Eye Candy came bigger and better for WeLift2in2022withlarger product displays The expansion of products offered and the brand was able to have an inflow of

greaternetworking,sparking theideaofonedayhavinga physicallocation.

It was later in 2022, that Allidecidedtocreateaspace to sell beauty and skincare products on a regular basis byjoiningGuyana’soriginal collaborative space for female entrepreneurs, the Babe Cave. Here she was able to grow the brand. The

BabeCavewhichisfounded by Amber Low played a significant role in the development of the brand EyeCandywhichinthespan oftwoyearsmovedfromone shelf,tofiveshelvesandnow toitsownstore.

Melicia’shiddensecretis toprovidequalityandtrendy brands to make everyone feel much more confident

and beautiful while creating a friendly and courteous atmosphere.

The Eye Candy Shoppe is open to the public on M o n d a y s - F r i d a y s : 10:00am to 06:00pm and Saturdays: 10:00am to 03:00pm, and can be contacted on social media @eyecandyshoppegy and telephone:592-688-0036.

Melicia PartabAlli opened her signature Eye Candy Shoppe to the public

D’sCupcakes&Things: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Resilience

ByRenaySambach

In the cozy village of Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, Guyana, sits a haven of sweetness and comfort knownasD’sCupcakes&Things. Behinditsinvitingdoorsliesastory of love, loss, and unwavering resilience,embodiedbyitsfounder, DianneBenjamin-Khan.

During an interview with The Waterfalls,Benjamin-Khanshared that her journey into the world of baking and entrepreneurship was notaconventionalone.

It was fueled by the encouragementofherlatehusband, Warrant Officer Class II of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Jason Khan, whose memory continues to inspire her every day Khan was among the five GDF servicemen who died in a helicopter crash on December 6, 2023. He has been inducted as a Guyanese hero for his brave and selfless acts towards defending his country

Benjamin-Khan recalled that herhusbandwouldoftenencourage her to use her cooking talent. The business owner stated, “My late husband and my kids, I usually explore baking and cooking and when I do, my kids would be like mommy why you don’t open your ownbusiness…”

“‘D, why are you sitting on your talent?’” he would oftenask,nudginghertopursue her passion for baking and cooking. Littledidtheyknow their shared culinary adventures would lay the foundation for D’s Cupcakes &Things.

She shared, “In my younger days. I was actually aimingforcosmetologyuntilI found a love for cooking. My late husband was my first taster and critic, he encouragedmetocontinueon thisAvenue.”

On September 26, 2020, D’s Cupcakes & Things was established and it quickly became a cherished spot for localsseekingdelicioustreats and comforting meals. From savory chicken patties to indulgent cheesecakes, Dianne’s menu reflects her dedication to culinary excellence and her desire to bring joy to her customers’ lives.

However, the path to success was not without its challenges. Dianne learned valuable lessons in patience, time management, and resilienceasshenavigatedthe u p s a n d d o w n s o f entrepreneurship Despite facingcriticismandsetbacks, sheembracedeachexperience as an opportunity for growth, continuouslyhoningherskills through cooking and bakery classes.

Sh

e said, “I have started to explore different food stuff and venture into cooking and bakery classes to improve my skills.”

Beyond her culinary prowess,Dianneisnowa single mother of three, determinedtocreateasense ofnormalcyforherchildren despite the absence of their belovedfather

“Life has not been normal,” she admits, reflectingonthevoidleftby her husband’s untimely passing Yet, she finds solace in the love and support of her extended family and friends, who have rallied around her duringherdarkestdays.

“Before, I used to look forward to the nights because that’s when he usually comes home to us, now I look forward to the daytime The kids’ grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have been doing their part in making everything comfortable Some of Jason’s friends have become family stepping up to show how much Jason meant to them and for that I am truly thankful,” Benjamin-Khan shared.

S

he added, “The little things just mean so much more now I appreciate every smile, every moment I spend with my loved ones.Iintendtobehappyandallow my kids to grow in the way my husband and I have always planned.”

Today, D’s Cupcakes & Things stands as a testament to her resilience and unwavering spirit. With dreams of expanding her businessacrossGuyana,BenjaminKhan remains committed to honoringherhusband’smemoryand providing a legacy of love and perseveranceforherchildren

As the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls fills the air and laughterechoeswithinthewallsof her bakery, the widow finds comfort in knowing that her late husband’s spirit lives on through every bite of her delectable creations.

OnApril27,onHadfieldStreet, Lodge, Georgetown, the businesswoman will host ‘Team Khan”annualtakeawaylunch.This will be her first year hosting the eventwithoutherhusband,whoshe started the takeaway lunch with sometimeago.

For those who wish to support D’s Cupcakes and Things visit them on Facebook at D’s Cupcakes and Things or WhatsApp/Call(592)668-7172.

Owner of D’s Cupcakes & Things, Dianne Benjamin-Khan

Dianne Benjamin-Khan and her late husband Warrant Officer

Class II Jason Khan

Guyanese-American entrepreneur shares her approach to maximizing femininity Balancing the bars of womanhood…

In t e r n a t i o n a l

Wo m e n ’s D a y (IWD) is a global celebration that honors the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while raising awareness about gender equalityand women’s rights issues worldwide. The

occasion is marked on 8th Marchworldwideannually US-based Guyanese e n t r e p r e n e u r a n d philanthropist, Onica

Charles who spoke to The Waterfalls on the occasion of IWD, shared that the occasion serves as a reminder of the progress

made towards gender equality and the ongoing challenges that women continuetoface. She said. “It’s a day to celebrate the contributions of women in all spheres of life, to advocate for gender parity, and to inspire action towards creating a more

inclusive and equitable societyforallgenders.”

In addition to being an accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist, Charles is a devoted wife, who recently became a mom to a beautifulbabyboy

She told this publication that balancing the responsibilities of womanhood can be a challenging yet rewarding experience The woman entrepreneur has achieved notable success in her short lifetime and wants other womentoknowitispossible tolivetheaccomplishedlife while maximizing the virtuesoffemininity

Charles says part of her approach to managing her responsibilities is establishing clear boundaries between her workandfamilytime.

She said “I rely on effective time management, delegation,supportsystems, and prioritizationto manage

my many roles I have established clear boundaries between work and family

Additionally, Charles says the experience has deepened my appreciation

“It’s an ongoing process of adaptation and finding what works best for both my businesses and family needs. Flexibility, patience, and self-care are also crucial components of balancing it all”

time and try my best to stay organized, delegate tasks where possible, and seek helpwhenneeded.”

She added “It’s an ongoing process of adaptation and finding what works best for both my businessesandfamilyneeds. Flexibility, patience, and self-care are also crucial components of balancing it all.”

The devoted wife is constantly on the go given h e r d u t i e s a s a philanthropist. She said that her nomadic lifestyle has broadened her worldview in numerousways.

She said “It has exposed me to diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding towards people from various backgrounds Living in different countries has also heightened my adaptability and resilience, as I’ve learned to navigate unfamiliar environments and overcome challenges withflexibility.”

f o r g l o b a l interconnectedness and the importance of diplomacy in fostering peace and cooperationamongnations.

However, she noted that wherever she travels around theglobe,theneedlevelling the playing field for women and girls are quite similar She pointed to the need for creating educational opportunities as a universal one.

“We need to ensure equal access to education for girls at all levels Encourage girls to pursue S T E A M ( S c i e n c e , Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) fi e l d s a n d o t h e r traditionally maledominated areas,” she stated

Additionally, Charles noted that pay and benefits, policiesarealsoanotherarea that can be levelled out to ensure equal pay for equal work and provide equitable benefits and opportunities forcareeradvancement

Continued on page 51

Charles lives a nomadic lifestyle owing her charitable ef orts around the world f

The Guyanese-American philanthropist on the streets of India

US-based Guyanese entrepreneur and philanthropist, Onica Charles

The Guyana National

Bureau of Standards (GNBS)onThursday,March

07, 2024, certified Dunae TradingCompanyInc.touse the ‘Made in Guyana Certification Mark’ on its Household Cleaner, Car Care Detergent, Food Care SanitizerandDisinfectant.

The company located at 660-662 Block ‘Y’ Section ‘C’GoldenGrove,EastBank D e m e r a r a ( E B D ) , manufactures over twentyfive (25) products under the ‘Tidy Up’ brand Dunae TradingCompanyInc isnow the 44th company to be granted approval to use the MadeinGuyanaCertification Mark’ontheirproducts

In a brief handing over ceremony held at the company’s location, the Made in Guyana Certificate was handed over to Dunae Trading Company Inc ,

ChiefofOperations,Melissa YoungebyGNBSTechnical Officers,OrlandoSturgeand AshaSookoointhepresence of staff members of the company,amongothers.

Ms Younge said achieving the Made in Guyana certification is a significant milestone for the company and shows the team’s commitment to maintainingquality “Weare ahomegrownlocalcompany and so to have the Made in Guyana Mark or to be certified to the programme, really brings home everything we have worked for and built over the past years,”sheadded.

The Made in Guyana Standards Mark is a registered mark that aims to providerecognitiontolocally manufacturedproductsonthe local and international markets and is a signature of

quality for authentic GuyaneseProducts

Inbriefremarksonbehalf of the GNBS, Mr Sturge congratulated the company on its accomplishment He urged the company to work towardsnotonlymaintaining the requirements of the programme but to work towards continuous improvement

During the remainder of

March,twoothercompanies are slated for recertification by the GNBS under the Made in Guyana and Laboratory Certification Programmes. Plastific Inc. and Caribbean Surgery Inc. Laboratorywillreceivetheir certificatesonMarch14and March22,respectively

Businesses considering applying for the Made in Guyana Standards Mark or

anyotherGNBSCertification can contact the Certification Services Department of the GNBS,whichstandsreadyto offer the requisite guidance The application form along w i t h t h e d e t a i l e d requirements of programmes and the process of acquiring certification can be found on the GNBS website https: https://gnbsgy.org/certificati on/

Dunae Trading Company Inc., Chief of Operations, MelissaYounge poses with the MIG Certificate accompanied by her staff

Guyana Tourism Authority closer to achieving 2024...

Frompage31 wereengagedindiscussions s u r r o u n d i n g t h e representative’s plans to promote and foster collaborations in the North AmericanMarket.

In January, the GTA announced its official partnership with these two North American firms to strengthenitsmarketingand promotional efforts for DestinationGuyana.

In January and February 2024, the GTA hosted a Tourism Business Licensing Clinic in Georgetown and Lethem Several persons benefitted from this initiative and were able to kick start their tourism business development process.

Foroneday,existingand newtourismbusinesseswere able to connect with key regulatory agencies to expedite the processes and address the challenges related to registering and licensing their businesses. Of the agencies present, Go I n v e s t , M a r i t i m e Administrative Department, National Insurance Scheme, Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Fire Service, Central Housing &

Planning Authority, Guyana

L a n d s & S u r v e y C o m m i s s i o n ,

Nalico/Nafico, Demerara

Mutual and BrinsJen Systems Development Specialistsdemonstratedthe utmost patience and knowledgewhileinteracting with the participants and guiding them through the relevantpolicies.

This collaborative effort emphasized the GTA’s commitment to promoting multi-sectoral tourism d e v e l o p m e n t a n d accelerating the country’s transformational process through innovative measures.

The GTAalso facilitated delivering quality service training for 26 Kingston seawall esplanade vendors. Thesevendorswillbeplying their trade along the newly renovated Kingston Seawall as part of the First LadyArya Ali’s national beautificationproject.

In collaboration with Breeze Travel, the GTA hosted a Book and Payment Online Seminar for its tour operators and tourism stakeholders. This seminar was an important step towards exploring strategies to improve the online

booking and payment system for travellers and guests, ensuring a seamless experience. Breeze Travel Inc. is a technology-led travel company and tour operator dedicated to helping digitally transform travel to and within the Caribbean.

The GTAalso facilitated a Business Development Toolkittrainingsessionwith 16participants.

This session, led by Marlon George, a master trainer attached to the GTA, guided participants through strategic areas of business development and how they canimplementtheseareasin the daily operations of their businesses.

The GTA led Tourism

Ambassador Training for Taxi Drivers in the Essequibo Region. Twenty taxi drivers engaged in this session to introduce them to critical areas needed to provide exceptional hospitality and tourism services during their day-todayactivities.

The GTA conducted a site and product assessment of the “Moonlight ATV Tour” hosted by Savannah Tours Guyana. The official

itinerary takes travellers through Yarrowkabra and Hauraruni Village, immersing them in ATV riding beneath the moonlight The sandpits provideapicturesquesetting for a bonfire, marshmallow roasting, and captivating storytellingbeforethereturn journey to Savannah Tours h e a d q u a r t e r s i n Yarrowkabra.

The GTA, with support from licensed tour operators

EvergreenAdventures, Trail Masters Adventure Tours and Wanderlust Adventures GY, recently conducted a product assessment of Ride Along GY’s official “Rum Tour” This itinerary introduces an exciting additiontoGuyana’stourism scene, offering visitors and locals the opportunity to savour samples of Guyana’s finest spirits, including XM 7-Year-Old, XM 10-YearOld,andXM12-Year-Old.

GTArecorded an incredibly productive month of activities

GTADirector, Kamrul Baksh

...premiere creates major buzz in Jamaica

DELIVERING STANDARDS AND SERVICES ST FOR ENHANCED RICE PRODUCTION

Farmers across Guyana have c o m m e n c e d harvesting their first rice crop for 2024, and those within the industry are looking to benefit well from the bounty despite the challenging weather conditions experienced over thelastfewmonths.

The Ministry of Agriculture, through its agencies,hasbeenproviding support to farmers to alleviate many cultivation challenges as they aim to maximizeyields.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)hasbeenplayingits part as well; through its standards and measurement services, to ensure that quality and transparency prevail throughout the industry

As in all areas of production, implementing therequirementsofNational and International standards ensures quality and consistency of products manufactured.

Rice producers can utilizeavailablestandardsto achieve quality and maximize the value of our locally produced grains to further increase buyer satisfaction.

One such standard is the National Standard GYS 211:2014 –“RiceSpecification” which prescribes requirements for the grades of paddy, cargo rice, milled rice, cargo parboiled rice and milled parboiled rice, available for use by stakeholders in the rice industry The standard was adopted from the CARICOM Standard CRS 44:2013.

Rice producers must continue to maintain the production of high-quality

rice to sustain the grasp on Guyana’s share of the international market and to penetrate new markets. In addition, because rice is a food commodity, good productionpracticesmustbe sustained to safeguard the health and safety of consumers.

With standards, rice producers conforming to requirements can improve the packaging and labelling of the commodity and protecttheenvironment.

Meanwhile, for the testing of rice, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB)CentralLaboratory has been internationally accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard, which specifies competency to carryouttesting.

In addition to this accreditation, the lab is currently certified by the GNBS based on the requirementsoftheNational Standard – GYS 170:2021

General requirements for the operation of a Laboratory

No doubt, conformance toNationalandInternational standardshasputtheGRDB Central Laboratory in good stead to determine the quality of rice locally produced, thereby strengthening the confidence of buyers and sellers.

A p a r t f r o m t h e implementation of standards,theuseofverified instruments to ensure reliable and accurate measurementsisalsocrucial totheindustry

Farmers need to be assured that measuring instruments and practices at mills are ‘above board’ to receive the rightful paymentsfortheirproduce.

The GNBS, under its

L e g a l M e t r o l o g y programmehasoverthelast three weeks worked at rice mills across regions, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 to ensure that measuring instruments including weighbridge scales, platform scales, hopper scales, smaller laboratory scales and moisture meters are verified asaccurate.

Verification provides equity and traceability of measurements for rice offered for sale locally and ontheoverseasmarket.

Finally,withricebeinga

staple ingredient in more than 100 countries worldwide including Guyana, all stakeholders need to work towards sustaining its production

The GNBS is committed towards supporting the implementationofstandards andensuringtransparencyof measurements in the industrythroughitsservices.

F o r f u r t h e r information, call the GNBS ontelephonenumbers:2190065 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org or facebook.com/gnbsgy

HowMoloStoletheLovelyRose-Red

byDr R.Wilheim

Molo goes to great lengths to help others and becomeaswordhero.

At the time when the Tang dynasty reigned over the Middle Kingdom, there were master swordsmen of various kinds. Those who camefirstwerethesaintsof thesword.Theywereableto takedifferentshapesatwill, and their swords were like strokes of lightning Yet these master swordsmen were men of lofty mind and did not lightly mingle in the quarrels of the world. The second kind of master swordsmen were the sword heroes.Itwastheircustomto slay the unjust, and to come to the aid of the oppressed. They wore a hidden dagger at their side and carried a leather bag at their belt. By magicmeanstheywereable to turn human heads into flowing water They could fly over roofs and walk up and down walls, and they came and went and left no trace.Theswordsmenofthe lowest sort were the mere bought slayers. They hired themselvesouttothosewho

wishedtodoawaywiththeir enemies. And death was an everydaymattertothem.

Old Dragonbeard must have been a master swordsman standing midway between those of the first and of the second order Molo, however, of whom this story tells, was a swordhero.

Atthattimethereliveda young man named Tsui, whose father was a high officialand the friend of the prince. And the father once sent his son to visit his princelyfriend,whowasill.

The son was young, handsome and gifted. He wenttocarryouthisfather's instructions When he entered the prince's palace, there stood three beautiful girls,whopiledrosypeaches into a golden bowl, poured sugar over them and presentedthemtohim.

After he had eaten, he took his leave, and his princelyhostorderedoneof thegirls,Rose-Redbyname, to escort him to the gate.As they went along the young man kept looking back at her And she smiled at him

and made signs with her fingers. First, she would stretch out three fingers, thenshewouldturnherhand around three times, and finally she would point to a littlemirrorwhichshewore. When they parted, she whispered to him: “Do not forgetme!”

When the young man reached home his thoughts wereallinconfusion.Andhe sat down absent-mindedly

like a wooden rooster Now it happened that he had an old servant named Molo, who was an extraordinary being.

“What is the trouble, master,” said he. “Why are yousosad?Doyounotwant totellyouroldservantabout it?”

So,theboytoldhimwhat had occurred, and mentioned the signs the girl (Continuedonpage50)

Across

[2]The Earth's average temperature has been steadily _______ over the past century

[6]The greenhouse gas responsible for the most significant portion of global warming.

[10]The process by which water vapor in the atmosphere turns into liquid water, forming clouds and precipitation.

[11]This event, often associated with heavy rainfall and flooding, is becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.

[12]Alarge mass of ice that moves slowly down a mountain or valley, often melting as it goes.

[13]The release of greenhouse gases, primarily from burning fossil fuels, leading to the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

[14]The layer of gases surrounding the Earth that traps heat and makes the planet suitable for life.

Pom-Pom Ice Pops

HowtoMakePomPomIcePops

Checkoutthesecraft instructionsandhelpyour childmakeafunand colourfulpretendpompomicetreat.

WhatYou'llNeed Cardstock Craft/popsiclesticks

Pom-poms

Double-sidedtape/glue

WhattoDo

1.Helpyourchildcut anice-popshapeoutof cardstock.

2.Tapethecardstock toacraftstick.Add tape/glueontothesticks.

3.Presspom-poms ontothetape/glue.

FUN WITH POETRY

The things that make me happy

by Uncle Roy

IfeelsonicewhenIeat Icecream,cookiesandfruitcake, Chocolate,candyandothersweets, Aswellasburgers,pizzaandmilk-shake.

Ialsogetveryhappy

WhenIcelebratemybirthday Gotothepark,seawallandcreek, AndenjoyChristmasandotherholidays.

Down

[1]The process by which plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

[3]The increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases.

[4]This phenomenon refers to the long-term changes in the Earth's climate patterns.

[5]This natural disaster, intensified by climate change, involves the rapid rotation of a column of air

[7]These ecosystems, found primarily near the equator are particularly vulnerable to climate change.

[8]Atype of renewable energy derived from the sun's rays.

[9]The large-scale melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, contributing to sea-level rise.

Butthethingthatmakesmefeelthebest, Andmakesmeproudindeed, IswhenItrytohelpsomeone, Orgivethemsomethingtheyneed.

Istartbydoingmoreworkathome, Thentrytomakemyfamilyfeelgood; NextIamkindertoallmyfriends, AndhelpmyneighboursinanywayIcould.

Strive to be Happy

People often feel that, because there is nothing really exciting happening tothematanyonetime,they cannotenjoylife.

The fact is that real enjoyment of life does not come from thrills or extraordinaryevents.

One can derive the greatest pleasures from the simple thingsaroundatanytime–a w a l k i n o n e ' s neighbourhood, observing the beauty of nature in the trees, the birds and animals, even the people going about theireverydaytasks.

Of course, we all know the joy we feel when we join with family members and friends in various activities which can be most uplifting

toourspirit. Thelistcanbe endless if you tax your own mindtocomeupwiththings todo.

Oneofthewaysinwhich you can increase your happiness is to be content withwhatyouhave. Eachof us at any given time must havewhatisneededtomake us happy if we only appreciateit,anddonotlust over what other people possess.

Yourownhealthandtalents, theloveofyourfamily,how you are being successful at what you are doing, no matter how small this may appear, all these can make you feel contented Happiness is a choice, and you can be happy in any circumstances if you have a

contentedmind.

This must thus prove to you that your happiness is mostly under your own control,althoughthiscanbe increasededbyotherfactors, such as having a good job and career, which will take careofyourfinancialneeds, andmoreovermakeyoufeel worthy through the contributionyoumaketothe

organisation for which you work,aswellastosocietyas a whole Contributing voluntarily to some community effort can also providethisresult.

This means that you should not always directly pursue happiness,asitwillbejustas successful to engage in doingthingsassociatedwith thisfeeling.

Oneveryimportantfactor, and maybe the most effective,thatwillgobeyond all others in your achievement of a happy life isspirituality

When we earnestly indulge in prayer to theAlmighty in givingthanksandaskingfor thethingsweneed,wecanbe assured that happiness will eventuallycomeabout.

This can be augmented by meditation, which has been foundtohelpintheabilityto focusonwhatweneedinour lives, and so produce results thatcanleadtowell-beingin ourspirit,aswellasourmind andbody

When we appreciate that our happiness is ours for the taking, and not dependent on other people or things, we will keep working to make it a reality. we

Futoshiki

Fillinthesquaressothat

each digit from 1 to 6 occurs exactly once in eachrowandcolumn.

Greater-than and lessthan signs indicate the relationship of the two adjacentsquares.

There is only one solution, and you can finditwithoutguessing.

byUncleRoy

Toeverymanbornonthisearth

Ofwhateverstrainorlevelhebe, Hemustbearhisshareofpainandstrife, Andstruggletogrowandachieveprosperity

Soletnotthehardshipsyousuffer

Takeawayfromthejoysthatareyourdue, Inwhateverconditionyoufindyourself, Happinessisbutyourstochoose,

Weneedonlytolookaround;

Toseesomuchtomakeusglad, Theyarethethingsweneedtodo, Togleanallthehappinessthatcouldbehad.

Wefirstmusttaketimetosocialise, Withourlovingfamilyandfriends, Givingprioritytoourmateandkin, Andworkingtogethertosecureourends.

Celebratingourwins,enjoyingourwork, Givingservicetothosewithless, Exercise,dietandbodilycare Togetherwillkeepusblessed.

Thenaboveallwemuststrive ToserveandthanktheLord, HavehopeandfaithinHisgoodgrace, AndliveaccordingtoHisword.

CAR PARTS

Tips for improving your emotional intelligence

1)Practiceobservinghowyoufeel

Oftenweleadhectic,busylifestylesandit'salltooeasyfor ustolosetouchwithouremotions.

2)Payattentiontohowyoubehave

Whileyou'repractisingyouremotionalawareness,takethe timetonoticeyourbehaviourtoo..

3)Questionyourownopinions

Inthishyper-connectedworld,itiseasytofallintoan 'opinionbubble'.Thisisastateofexistencewhereyourown opinionsareconstantlyre-enforcedbypeoplewithsimilar viewpoints.

4)Takeresponsibilityforyourfeelings

Youremotionsandbehaviourcomefromyou,theydon't comefromanyoneelseandonceyoustartaccepting responsibilityforhowyoufeelandhowyoubehaveitwill haveapositiveimpactonallareasofyourlife.

5)Taketimetocelebratethepositive

Akeypartemotionalintelligenceiscelebratingand reflectingonthepositivemomentsinlife.

6)Butdon'tignorethenegative

Reflectingonnegativefeelingsisjustasimportantas reflectingonthepositive.Understandingwhyyoufeel negativeiskeytobecomingafully-roundedindividual,whois moreabletodealwithnegativeissuesinthefuture.

7)Don'tforgettobreathe

Lifethrowsvarioussituationsourway,withmostofus experiencingsomesortofstressonaregularbasis.Tomanage youremotionswhenthishappensandtoavoidoutbursts,don't forgettobreathe.

8)Alifetimeprocess

Understandandrememberthatemotionalintelligenceis somethingyoudevelopandrequirescontinualimprovement; it'sverymuchalifetimepractice.

Self-awareness

Akeycomponentofemotionalintelligence,self-awareness istheabilitytorecogniseandunderstandyourowncharacter, moodsandemotionsandtheireffectonothers.

9)Learntolookatyourselfobjectively

Knowingyourselfcompletelyisdifficultandit'salmost impossibletolookatyourselfobjectively,soinputfromthose whoknowyouisvital.

10)Keepadiary

Agreatwaytogetanaccurategaugeofyourselfistokeep adiary

11)Understandwhatmotivatesyou

Everyonehasacoremotivationwhentheybeginaproject. Thedifficultyiskeepingthisdrivingforceinmindwhen adversityappears.

12)Takeiteasy

Sometimesemotionaloutbreaksoccurbecausewedon't takethetimeouttoslowdownandprocesshowwe'refeeling. Giveyourselfabreakandmakeaconsciousefforttomeditate, doyogaorread–alittleescapismworkswonders.Andthen thenexttimeyouhaveanemotionalreactiontosomething,try topausebeforeyoureact.

13)Acknowledgeyouremotionaltriggers

Self-awareindividualsareabletorecognisetheiremotions astheyoccur.It'simportanttobeflexiblewithyouremotions andadaptthemtoyoursituation.

14)Predicthowyouwillfeel

Thinkaboutasituationyou'regoingintoandpredicthow youwillfeel.Practicenamingandacceptingthefeelings–namingthefeelingputsyouincontrol.

15)Trustyourintuition

Ifyouarestillunsureaboutwhichpathtotake,trustyour intuition.Afterall,yoursubconscioushasbeenlearningwhich pathtotakethroughoutyourentirelife.

Self-management

Onceyou'vegottentogripswithself-awarenessandhow youremotionswork,youcangetahandleonselfmanagement.

16)Snapoutofit

Onekeywaytokeepyouremotionsincheckistochange yoursensoryinput–motiondictatesemotionastheoldsaying goes.

(ContinuedonnextweekSundayedition)

https://www.rochemartin.com/blog/50-tips-improving-emotional-intelligence

How Molo Stole the Lovely...

Frompage48 hadmadetohiminsecret.

Said Molo: “When she stretched out three fingers, it meantthatsheisquarteredin the third court of the palace. When she turned round her handthreetimes,itmeantthe sum of three times five fingers, which is fifteen Whenshepointedatthelittle mirror, she meant to say that on the fifteenth, when the moon is round as a mirror, at midnight, you are to go for her.”

Then the young man was roused from his confused thoughtsandwassohappyhe couldhardlycontrolhimself.

But soon he grew sad again and said: “The prince's palaceisshutoffasthoughby an ocean. How would it be possibletowinintoit?”

“Nothing easier,” said Molo. “On the fifteenth we will take two pieces of dark silkandwrapourselvesupin them, and thus I will carry you there.Yet there is a wild dog on guard at the girl's court,whoisstrongasatiger andwatchfulasagod.Noone can pass by him, so he must besetfree.”

When the appointed day had come, the servant said: “There is no one else in the world who can free this dog butmyself!”

Fullofjoytheyouthgave him meat and wine, and the oldmantookachain-hammer

anddisappearedwithit.

And after no more time hadelapsedthanittakestoeat amealhewasbackagainand said: “The dog is gone, and there is nothing further to hinderus!”

At midnight they wrapped themselves in dark silk, and the old man carried the youth over the tenfold walls which surrounded the palace. They reached the third gateway and the gate stood ajar Then they saw the glow of a little lamp and heard Rose-Red sigh deeply The entire court was silent and deserted.

The youth raised the curtain and stepped into the room. Long and searchingly Rose-Redlookedathim,then seizedhishand.

“I knew that you were intelligent and would understandmysignlanguage. But what magic power have youatyourdisposal,thatyou were able to get here?”The youth told her in detail how Molohadhelpedhim.

“And where is Molo?” sheasked.

“Outside, before the curtain,”washisanswer

Then she called him in and gave him wine to drink fromajadegobletandsaid:“I am of good family and have come here from far away Force alone has made me a slave in this palace. I long to

leave it. For though I have jasper chopsticks with which to eat, and drink my wine from golden flagons, though silk and satin rustle around me and jewels of every kind are at my disposal, all these are but so many chains and fetterstoholdmehere.

Dear Molo, you are endowedwithmagicpowers. I beg you to save me in my distress! If you do, I will be gladtoserveyourmasterasa servant and will never forget thefavouryoudome.”

The youth looked at Molo Molo was quite willing First, he asked permission to carry away Rose-Red'sgearandjewelsin sacksandbags.

Threetimeshewentaway and returned until he had finished. Then he took his master and Rose-Red upon his back and flew away with them over the steep walls. Noneofthewatchmenofthe prince's palace noticed anything out of the way. At hometheyouthhidRose-Red inadistantroom.

When the prince discovered that one of his girls was missing, and that oneofhiswilddogshadbeen set free, he said: “That must have been some powerful sword hero!” And he gave strict orders that the matter shouldnotbementioned,and that investigations should be madeinsecret.

Twoyearspassed,andthe youth no longer thought of any danger Hence, when the flowersbegantobloominthe spring, Rose-Red went driving in a small wagon outsidethecity,neartheriver And there one of the prince's servants saw her and informedhismaster

The latter sent for the youth, who, since he could not conceal the matter, told him the whole story exactly asithadhappened.

Said the prince: “The whole blame rests on RoseRed. I do not reproach you. Yet since she is now your wife, I will let the whole matter rest. But Molo will havetosufferforit!”

So he ordered a hundred armouredsoldiers,withbows and swords, to surround the houseoftheyouth,andunder all circumstances to take Molocaptive.ButMolodrew his dagger and flew up the highwall.

Thence he looked about himlikeahawk.

Thearrowsflewasthick as rain, but not one hit him. And in a moment, he had disappeared, no one knew where.

Yet ten years later one of his former master's servants ran across him in the South, where he was selling medicine And he looked exactly as he had looked ten yearsbefore.

Guyanese-American entrepreneur shares her...

Frompage37 regardlessofgender

Sheasserted“Weneedto p r o m o t e w o m e n ’s representation in leadership positions across various sectors, including politics, business, academia, and nonprofits I think implementing familyfriendly policies such as flexible work arrangements, parental leave, affordable childcare, and eldercare support to help women balancetheirprofessionaland personal responsibilities and

taking proactive measures to prevent and address genderbased violence, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking and provide survivors with access to support services, legal assistance,andsafeshelter”

Most importantly, Charles underscored, the need for men to be allies in the fight for gender equity and promote solidarity among diverse groups working towards shared goals.

Shesaidbyimplementing these measures and fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect, societies can create environments where women have equal opportunities to thrive, contribute their talents, and lead fulfilling lives

With regards to the women, who inspire her, Charles said that her mother has been the greatest inspirationinherlife. “ S h e e m b o d i e s selflessness, resilience, and unconditional love for my

brother and I…One of the best pieces of advice I’ve been given was from my mother and father They taught me as a woman, I should always believe in myself and my abilities, eveninthefaceofadversity ordoubt.…It’sareminderto trust in my capabilities and strive for what I believe in, even when the journey may seemchallenging,“shesaid.

Likeherparents,theUSbased Guyanese passed on some words of wisdom to women aspiring to achieve success in both their career andpersonallife.

Shesaid“Setcleargoals by defining what success means to you in both your career and personal life Find a balance between your professional and personal commitments, and

don’t hesitate to delegate tasks when necessary Develop resilience, understand that setbacks and challenges are inevitable, learn from failures, staying adaptable, and maintaining a positive mindset during difficult times ”

“Build a support network; surround yourself with supportive mentors, colleagues, friends, and family members who can provide guidance, encouragement, and assistance when needed

Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing by making time for activitiesthatrejuvenateand energize you, such as exercise, hobbies, and spending quality time with lovedones,”Charlesadded.

Onica Charles is an accomplished business owner, who migrated to the United States with her familyattheageof12.Sheis the founder of a private school registered in the US and the International C h i l d r e n ’s ( I C O ) Incorporated, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children facing poverty throughout the world Charles proudly holds a Bachelors Degree in InternationalRelationsfrom Florida International University (FIU) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University She is also reinvesting in Guyana by developing a 20 acresorganicfarmproviding employmentforlocals.

Onica Charles during a visit to the Taj Mahal in India

Entertainment

By Shervin Belgrave

Canadian Guyanese fashion model/artiste battling stage fright but still making headlines

In a recent interview with The Waterfalls, Aneesa Badshaw, a Canadian Guyanese fashion Model/ recording dancehall artiste revealed that she is still battling “stage fright” when it comes to performingliveshows.

Nevertheless, the 28-year-old beautywithGuyaneseHeritageis still making headlines on the global stage. Badshaw is very

popular in Jamaican because of herdancehallmusicandwaseven featuredlastDecemberon24HipHop, an online entertainment platform that spread HipHop/Rap Music and Upcoming Talents to allcornersoftheglobe,especially intheUnitedStates.

Badshaw became famous for herbeautyandthesilkyvoiceshe brings to dancehall music market with hits such “Gymnastic”

featuring,Jamaicandancehalland reggaeartiste,Pamputtae,“Whine up pon me” featuring Savage Savo, Stay the night, Can't get enoughHotGyalsum.

She had even travelled to Guyana last year to collaborate withaGuyaneseupcomingartiste onasongcalledAsianSecrets.

Gymnastics was released on YouTube some four months ago and has already amassed some 357,000views.

Badshaw on Saturday told the Waterfalls that she wants to expand her music to other genres otherthanDancehall.SheisaHiphop fan and might be working on some Hip-hop tunes in the near future.

She even shared some of the battles that she is fighting on the global stage and one of them is “stage fright”.Badshaw said that she has been granted the opportunity to do live shows but stagefrightalwayspresentsitself.

“When you are on stage and see all those people it's scary”, Badshawtoldthewaterfalls.

She is currently working to winthisbattlebutinthemeantime shecontinuestotrend.

Badshaw was born to Guyanese parents from Leguan, Essequibo Islands, Region Three andalwayslovedmusicasachild butneverdreamedthatshewould onedaybecomeastar

According to her, she endedup in the global entertainment

industrybychance.

“MyfatherhaddiedinGuyana in2014andIhadtotakeonsome financial responsibility, I needed money”,Badshawsaid.

She began job hunting and when that didn't work out; she decidedtorespondtoaninvitation from an agency to appear as a modelon“set”.

“I used to see the thing (invitation) all the time but I used to always think it's a scam” Badshaw recounted. As a last resort she decided to respond and to her surprise it was not a scam and that was the launching pad to herentertainmentcareer

Since then Badshaw has been

featured as a model in multiple musicvideoswithpopularartistes such as Demarco and in fashion shows.

Her career excelled and she started recording music of her own. Although it's her dream to make the billboards and for her musictotrendontheglobalstage, her main goal is to become a healer

“I am also a herbalist and my main main main goal is to heal peopleifpossibleevenfindacure for cancer”, Badshaw told the Waterfalls.

Link to Badshaw's latest hit: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=nBiOojs9oWw

Aneesa Badshaw, Guyanese Canadian fashion model and international recording artiste

Badshaw during a fashion photoshoot

Young Entrepreneur

‘Paintings& ‘PaintingsCraftsCo.’ & CraftsCo.’

Bestfriendsexploretheirartistic andentrepreneurialabilities

ByAllyiahAllicock

“Society is ever changing and evolving, and young entrepreneurs play a crucial part in the growth of today’s economy. They bring fresh insights and approaches on issues that we have been facing a number of years. They also aid in diversify the market.”

Some of the creative pieces created by Paintings & Crafts Co.

Young Entrepreneur and co-owner of Paintings and Crafts Co, Crystel Roopnaraine

oung Entrepreneur and co-owner of Paintings and Crafts Co, Abigail Gobin

Someofthe creativepiecesby CrystelRoopnaraine

Chinese Brigade donates US$100,000 in medical supplies to Health Ministry Ministr

TheMinistryofHealthon Friday received medical supplies valued US$100,000 from the 19th Chinese MedicalBrigadeteam.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony received the suppliesatasimpleceremony at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). In attendance were Guo Haiyan, Ambassador People'sRepublicofChinato Guyana;DrZhaoChangyong Head of the 19th Chinese Medical Brigade; Dr Guy Low and other Health Officials.

Accordingtotheministry, the supplies will be distributed to the GPHC, LindenHospitalComplexand New Amsterdam Hospital to offer specialised care in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Cervical Cancerscreening.

Among the items donated were an Electronic ColposcopeSet,HPVTesting Kits,PlateSealers,Absorbent Papers, Vortex mixers, an HPVtestsystemalongwithan HPV collection medium and specimen'srock.

Minister Anthony in his brief remarks stated that

cervical cancer can be prevented by using the HPV vaccine, and announced that hisMinistrywillberollingout the programme this year Further,theMinistersaidthat all regional hospitals will be equipped to screen for cervicalcancer

“The next most prevalent cancer is cervical cancer, and we have in our hands the means of eliminating it from Guyana by using the HPV vaccine. Unfortunately, our coverageforHPVvaccination is relatively low Therefore, one of our priorities is to implement an aggressive programme to ensure widespread access to HPV vaccination at every health centre. This donation will enableus,forthefirsttime,to introduce HPV testing in the public sector, and we will ensure that HPV testing is available across the country,” theministerexplained.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GPHC, Robbie Rambarran, expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Medical Brigade team for theirunwaveringsupportover theyears.

Minister of Health, Dr. FrankAnthony alongside the Chinese Medical Brigade team on Friday. (Ministry of Health photos)

Some of the donated items by the Chinese Medical Brigade team.

Frompage18 to give his views during pressconferences.

Norton had previously said there was a special committee established to discuss and guide the Oppositiononthefairlynew industry. He has however made it clear that the names of those persons will not be madepublic.

The Leader of the Opposition said, “I have answered the first question beforemanytimes,noIwill notsaywhocompriseouroil andgascommittee.Icansay to you that it has expertise bothathomeandabroad.”

Asaseasonedpolitician, Norton said he knows for a factthat“peoplewillseekto access those persons and influencetheirpositions.”

In fact, he mocked that thisgovernmentwouldeven “bribe itself” , so the Opposition has to employ strategic methods to protect theseindividuals.

“Insomeregard,youare dealing with a government that would bribe itself. So why would I tell a governmentlikethiswhoare the members of our oil and gas group. I wouldn’t and I havenoapologiesforit,”he said in response to Kaieteur Newsquestion.

Further, Norton would only say that the group compriseseightspecialists.

When it comes to the committee’s plans for the sector, the Opposition Leader explained, “I have said that we will release our oil and gas plans at the appropriate time Let me remind people what is happening. I went to Mocha at a public meeting and said t h e A P N U / A F C i n government will, having noted that diabetes and hypertensionarecriticaland that there are a certain amount of health problems here, I said at a meeting in M o c h a A P N U / A F C government will put resources into helping the average man to access those healthservices.”

Soon after, Norton said, government revealed plans to offset medical tests for cervical cancer. He also noted that the Opposition announced a rent to own scheme and a people centered development that government has now adopted.

Tothisend,hesaid,“We areclearthatwehavetotime when we release whatever wewanttorelease.Icansay to you we have clear plans and we have been saying someofthethingswewilldo

intheoilsectorandKaieteur News and Stabroek News coveredthem,soit’snotlike if we haven’t put plans out there and so I am saying to you at the appropriate time, we will put our plans out there.”

C o m m e n t i n g o n Norton’s position to not namehisadvisersandreveal hisplansforthesector,Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo saidtheattitudewasnothing shortofinfantile.

Jagdeo told reporters he listened to the Opposition Leader’s press conference andbelievesitisjuvenile.He reasoned, “If they tell the countrywhotheiroilandgas advisors are then the PPP will steal their ideas. Since whendowestealideasfrom APNU? But they can’t tell you who their advisors are, the reporter asked who are youradvisersonoilandgas, and Norton said oh a lot of them are international advisors etcetera but we can’t tell you our ideas becausePPPwillstealthem. Whatsortofjuvenilekindof Opposition Leader we have?”

The Vice President said onlyaninfantileapproachto such serious development matters would justify such a response.Further,hepointed out that the Opposition is expectedtocompetewithits ideas, rather than fuel its argumentswithracism.

Thursday

Exxonmoves toarbitrationover Chevron’stakeover ofHessGuyana shares–Analyst –oil-richStabroekBlock istheprizeinChevron’s bidforHess

HOUSTON, (Reuters)

proposed sale of its Guyana oilproperties,andsuggested it may counter Chevron Corp’s pending deal for the assets.

The arbitration case seeks to preserve Exxon’s right to acquire Hess’s 30% stake in the giant Stabroek offshore oil block, Senior Vice President Neil Chapman said in a conference on Wednesday Guyana’s Stabroek Block, whichisconsiderthelargest oil discovery in decades, is theprizeinChevron’sbidfor Hess. Exxon made clear for thefirsttimeitwouldbidfor the Hess’s Guyana properties if Chevron proceeds with its proposed $53billionHesspurchase.

“I don’t know if the Chevrontransactionisgoing to proceed or not, that is in their hands,” Chapman said ataMorganStanleyeventin New York “If there is a transaction, we plan to exert our preemption rights,” he said.

Chevron and Hess have said they believe the rights do not apply as the transaction would involve a merger with the parent company that would keep Hess’s Guyana subsidiary intact. “We remain fully committedtothetransaction, and are confident in our position.Welookforwardto closingthetransactiononthe terms we’ve agreed,” Chevron spokesperson

Braden Reddall said in a statement.Chevron’sbidfor Hess is “an attempt to circumvent” the joint operating agreement that governsthepartners’rolesin the Stabroek block, Chapman said Exxon’s challenge could prove fruitfulevenifitdoesnotend up enlarging the oil company’s holdings, analystshavesaid.

Its arbitration filing “could be a negotiating stance,” said Mark Kelly, CEO of financial firm MKP Advisors.Wednesday’sdrop in Hess stock “suggests that the market is somewhat happy” with Exxon’s stance ithasarighttoHess’stakein Guyana,hesaid.Hessshares fell1.6%,Exxonshareswere up 1% and Chevron’s stock was down a fraction, in afternoon trading Exxon nowholdsa45%stakeinthe consortium and operates all ofitsproduction.Ifitbought Hess’s share, it would hold 75%oftheblock.Acontract arbitration case typically takes six months or more, Chapman said “The preemptionrightsaretogive us the opportunity to look at thevalue,whichwecanthen match should we choose to do so,” Chapman said. The c o m p a n y h a s b e e n negotiating with Chevron andHessoveritsrightoffirst refusal to any sale of Hess’s Stabroek stake. It formally filed for arbitration on

Wednesday with the International Chamber of Commerce after failing to reachagreement,hesaid.

“We, as participant (in theblock),havetherightsto match a reasonable allocationofthevalueofthe Hesstransaction,”Chapman said.“Disputestakeplaceall the time, and they get resolved The only real difference is this is in the public domain ” Exxon’s arbitration filing raises the stakes for Chevron but also adds a new wrinkle to the largest U.S. oil company’s $60 billion proposed purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources. That deal would make Exxon the largest oil producer in the top U.S. oil field.

‘GuyaneseCritic’asked topay$80Mfordeathof craneoperator

A lawyer’s letter has beensenttoTepuiGroupInc, a company which is owned Mikhail ‘Critic’ Rodrigues seeking $80 million in

“…Iaminstructedbymy client that she is prepared to accept compensation in the sum of $80 million… In the circumstances, we expect a response to this letter by the 15th day of March 2024, failing which legal proceedings will be instituted against your company,” Forde noted in theletter

According to the letter datedMarch5,2024,Joseph died at Providence East Bank Demerara during his courseofemploymentatthe company’s worksite Following the death of the crane operator last October, police issued a statement noting that Joseph was contractedtobuildawharfat thelocationandwhilehewas performing his duties, the crane toppled Police said Joseph jumped from the falling crane to save his life but ended up getting pinned afterthemachinefellonhim. Rodrigues later visited the work site and identified himself, as the Public Relationsconsultantwiththe

compensation for the death of crane operator Shon AnthonyJoseph.

LastOctober,Joseph,34, ofLot76Village,Corentyne, Berbice was killed after a crane toppled at a wharf under construction Lot 49 Parker Street, Providence, EastBankDemerara(EBD). Attorney- at-law, Roysdale Forde acting on behalf of Kimmervie Shemesha Isa Pellew, the wife of the deceased crane operator, wrote to the Director of Tepui Group Inc, Mr Winston Martindale informing him of their intention to pursue legal recourse if the settlement is not reached He noted however, Pellew was advised to settle the matter amicably

company He told reporters that the workplace accident took place while the crane operator was driving a pile. “ he was driving a pile, somemovementhappenedat thefootingofthepileandthe cranetilted”,Rodriguessaid. He called the incident unfortunate and added that his company is working alongwiththefamily

Thepopularsocialmedia commentator was later accused of collecting $5 million dollars from prominent businessman Nazar Mohamed to ‘settle’ with the family but never did In a statement on its Facebook Page, Team Mohamed said, “During the encounter with the family, Mr NazarMohamedlearned (Continued

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader,Aubrey Norton

The toppled crane at the scene [Mikhail Rodrigues known as the Guyanese Critic] is in the inset

Frompage56

that all Critic did for the family was to extend his sympathy,gavethemamere $460,000 and attended the funeral.”

Te a m M o h a m e d continued, “Mr Nazar Mohamed was shocked whenheheardthisnewsand felt compelled to intervene” before adding “It is worthy to note that on October 7, 2023, ‘Critic’ visited his officeatLombardStreetand collected $5 million under thepretextof“settling”with thefamilyofMr.Josephbut thisneverhappened.”

The senior Mohamed reportedly said, “This is unbelievable, I cannot understand that human beings could be so cruel, lookatthisfamily,theirmain breadwinnerisgone,lookat these children, who will nurture and take care of them, my God”. The Critic has however denied claims that he collected $5M from Team Mohamed to settle with the family of the dead craneoperatorbutonlygave them $460,000. In response to Team Mohamed’s allegations, ‘Critic’ said, “Mohamed can’t give me money fuh me contract fuh settle anything with anybody”.

Friday

Guyana’sgoldrush enticesforeigninvestorsto fast-trackCanadian companygoldoperation

Canadian mining company,ReunionGoldhas firmly set its sights on reaching gold production at its Oko West Gold Project located in Guyana’s Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) by2027.

Last November, the company which has an estimated4.2millionounces of gold, submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking permission to conduct gold mining The company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rick Howes, during an interviewdisclosedthatthey areonafasttrackedtimeline withitsOkoWestproject.

Sincediscoveryin2021, Howes noted that the resource estimate continues togrow,andthatthedeposit offers ample scale to underpin a meaningful miningoperation.LastJune, the company announced its maiden resource estimate of 2.5 million ounces of gold.

In a few months, the

company is expected to update its Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), as Reunion Gold is now actively considering b o t h o p e n - p i t a n d undergroundmining.

R e u n i o n ’s C E O underscored that what sets the company apart is the meticulous execution of their strategy to advance the project through studies and permitting, to support the aggressive timeline, which was affirmed by overUS$70 million raised last September to fully fund the studies.

Guyanahadbeenpraised by foreign mining companiesforitsestablished MiningAct,arichhistoryof economical gold deposits, and favorable mining laws with a pro-mining government Reunion’s CEO attributes being adequately capitalized to continue without further dilution as a major accomplishment for the company last year Despite volatile markets, Reunion Gold was able to secure funding from La Mancha InvestmentGroup.

howthataffectstimelineand so on.” He continued, “So forusweareveryfortunate, we have a great mining jurisdiction which supports mining and has a fairly well define permitting; and (a) process that allows you to move quickly and in many cases parallel activities. So we are taking advantage of that.”

The CEO noted that the opportunity in Guyana to move from discovery to production in a very short timeframeisthereasonwhy thecompanyneededtoraise money He explained, “So with permits in hand, with feasibility study complete, that’s happening within a year, so that’s a pretty tight timelinesoinordertobeable to do that we needed the funds…So we looked at it from that point of view Obviously we neededtoraisethatquantum of funds in this market (s0) weneededalargeinvestorto take an interest, so we were fortunate that La Mancha came in as a major investor…”

continuetoexploreformore gold while advancing the Oko West project. He noted 2024 as a crucial year towards production milestones In conjunction with the PEA, Reunion is in discussions with the Government of Guyana (GoG) for a minerals agreement to outline project fiscaltermsandeconomics.

Also, the feasibility study is slated to commence t h i s y e a r H o w e s underscored the importance of exercising caution in defining project parameters and costs during this phase. By adhering to realistic assumptions and detailed engineering, he expressed confidenceinstayingwithin Oko West’s budget and timeline.

an official construction decisionbynextyear

Exxon’s52%billboard misleading–Jagdeo finallyadmits

“Exxon’s billboards are misleading,” those were the words of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo when he addressed members of the media on Thursday at FreedomHouse.

Howes

Howes said, “In Septemberyeahwetookthe opportunity to raise some money and really position ourselves to be able to execute the remaining study phase and the permitting phase of the project…” He also disclosed that the company anticipates up to US$25millionmorebyJuly 2024. “So that sets us up really well ” the company’sCEOstated.

To this end, the interviewer asked what allowedLaManchatoinvest thatamountofmoney,when theprojectisinsuchanearly stage. The CEO explained that La Mancha is familiar withtheprojectastheyhave been in dialogue with Reunionforquitesometime and had done their own due diligence.

Notably, the interviewer askedhowthecompanywas able to secure funding since a lot of companies were not getting funded To this, Howes responded, “You’re absolutely right, difficult marketandyouknowIthink there is a bit of a differentiator in the market for quality of project and also jurisdiction in terms of

Howes noted, “In this day and age, the issues with mining company if they are too slow, if they take from discovery to production (about) 15/20 years that’s a long time to have investors waiting ” In Reunion’s case, he explained, “This is just lucky for us, a great discovery that we quickly broughtfromzeroouncesto 4/5 million ounces very quickly so it’s really a case that we have a project for sureofthatqualityandgrade and scale so take advantage ofit.”

The CEO added that being able to turn the value of money around on investment in one-third of the time is worth a lot to investors.Howesalsostated, “We (Reunion) weren’t constraint by the ability to advance the project at all in terms of financing, which is becauseprobablybecauseof the statement of the country andthevalueoftheassetbut were probably in a handful of companies that can do that…”

Moreover, Howes disclosed that Reunion will

Notably, baseline environmental field studies are set to conclude soon in preparation for the submission of a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report Additionally,keypermitsare anticipatedtobeobtainedby the end of 2024, this timeline, Howes said positions Reunion to make

Jagdeo was addressing mattersrelatedtotheoiland gas sector when he said: “One thing I can agree with Vincent Adams on, is that these billboards that Exxon (is)puttingupallaroundthe place,ismisleadinginmany ways… Exxon’s billboards are misleading. So they said Guyana receives 52% of all profitsfromStabroekBlock, 50% profit share plus 2%, they don’t speak about the 75% here going to cost recovery.”

The VP said that this ‘touting’bytheoilcompany makes, “people think it’s now Inthefuturewewillget a significant amount. (The billboard also states) more than$280BforGuyanasince

2019.Sothesebillboardscan bemisleading.”

TheVPventedthatwhen persons look at the billboards they would believe that Exxon runs the county “You believe they run the country when you lookatthesebillboards.Very misleading sometimes, so I canagreewiththat.”

During an Alliance For Change (AFC) press conferencelastFriday, (Continuedonpage58)

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reunion Gold, Rick

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Frompage57

former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams explained that contrary to the explanation provided by Jagdeo recently in defense of Exxon’s misleading billboards, Guyana will never benefit from 52% of the monthly revenues, even after the oil company’sinvestmentshave been recovered The chief policymaker for the petroleum sector during his February 22, 2024 media engagement, told reporters that Guyana will enjoy 52% ofthetotalproceedsfromoil production, after the costs havebeenrepaid.

VP Jagdeo pointed out that presently, 75% of the earnings are deducted to cover cost, with the remaining 25% shared with Guyana. He said however, “When those costs are amortized fully, then we get

50%ofthetotalproceeds,all theprofits.Sosay100%now goes to profit oil, all the revenue goes to profit oil because you finish amortizing the investments, paying back for the investments, so now 100% of your revenue is available fordistribution,not25%.”

He said this means Guyana will receive 50% with an additional 2% royalty, taking the country’s share to 52% while Exxon would receive 48%. To this end, Dr Adams said, “We watched and listened with dismay, the second VP’s pressconferenceofFebruary 22, 2024, and thought our ears must be failing us with the disbelief of what was being spouted by this selfanointed oil guru from whom the people are expecting truthful information about our god givenpatrimony.”

The former EPA boss

contends that there have been several letters penned by learned professionals explaining Exxon’s billboardhoaxofthe52%oil revenues being received by Guyana, which the VPmust have seen “The VP embarrassingly went on to expose the toxic mixture of hisdutifulnesstoExxonand the limitations of his honorary degree, when he once again prattled on with his selling of Exxon’s farcical billboard touting that Guyana is getting 52% of the oil revenues. Let us readandspellfortheVPthat itisimpossibleforGuyanato ever get 52% of the revenues, without the impossibilityofzerocostfor production operations,” Dr Adamsargued.

He pointed out however thattheVPcompletelyfailed toinformthenationthateven after costs associated with the Stabroek Block projects

have been repaid, Guyana’s oil will still be deducted for operational expenses Presently, the operational cost is an unknown factor, butatanestimated30%,Dr Adams said profit oil will thenbe70%.Thismeansthat Guyana’s share will be 37% –halfofthe70%plusthe2% royalty

Saturday

Motherandson murderedatSaxacalli

A mother and her son were on Friday reportedly murdered at Saxacalli, an area located on the West BankoftheEssequiboRiver and some 25 miles away fromParika.

Dead are Elizabeth and DavidGomes.

Detailsaresketchyatthis time but relatives reportedly learnt of the tragedy from a chilling phone call made by David’ssix-year-oldson.

According to one of the relatives David, his son and mother, had traveled to Saxaclliforathree-daytrip.

It quickly turned into tragedy when the six-year-

old called the boat captain that dropped them there and pleaded for help while reporting that his father and grandmother were badly choppedandbleeding.

Nothing else was heard until relatives managed to sendsomeonetothelocation to check on the duo. When the individual arrived David and Elisabeth were found choppedtodeathandthesixyear-old boy hiding under thebed.

It is believed that the double murder took place between16:00hand21:00h onFriday Kaieteur News was able to confirm with police that ranks were alerted and sent to the area. The bodies have since been removed and taken to Bartica Region Seven Relatives will be traveling to Bartica today to identify the bodies today Meanwhile,KaieteurNews (Continuedonpage59)

One of Exxon’s billboard that claims Guyana receives 52% profit share from the oil rich Stabroek Block

Murdered Elizabeth Gomes (left) and her son David Gomes (right)

Teachers at recent protest for higher salaries

Frompage58

understands that the deceased are relatives of former NICIL CEO and the Head of Guyana’s Gas to EnergyTaskForce,Winston Brassington.

Additionally,reportsarethat two persons were involved in the brutal killing of the Gomes.

It is believed that David andhismothermetoneofthe suspects on their Saxacalli property and had even sharedamealwithhim.

Somefearthatoneofthe perpetrators recently escaped from the Mazaruni Prison.

PresidentAliwaitingon futureoilrevenuestopay publicservantsbetter

Public servants can look forward to better salaries come 2027, President Irfaan Ali announced on Thursday while addressing officers at the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Annual Officers’ Conference held at the Officers’ Mess Eve Leary, Georgetown.

“Iwantassurethatbythe time we get to 2027, and there is a misconception about the resource inflow, the magnitude of resource thatwillcometotherevenue base of our country will reallyhavethegreatereffect in 2027 and onward,” Ali said.

G u y a n a s t a n d s disadvantaged by the lopsided agreement signed with U S oil giant

ExxonMobil for the Stabroek Block. With the lack of ring-fencing, the c o u n t r y i s l o s i n g approximately US$4B annually

The country’s VicePresidentDr BharratJagdeo who is also the chief policymaker for the oil and gas sector at one of his weekly press conferences said that Guyana’s current annual take from its oil resourcesisunderUS$2B.

He anticipates that by 2027 Guyana’s revenue inflow from the oil sector willbearound“US$9B”.

Government intends to produce 1.2M barrels of oil perdayby2027.

This will double the country’scurrentproduction thereby increasing its revenueinflow

Like President Ali, the VicePresidenthasalsobeen statingthatby2027,Guyana willbeinabetterpositionto improve the standard of livingofallpublicservants.

At the Officers’ Conference, the Head of State did not use the word salaries but instead said, “a totalwelfarepackage.”

He said, “…By then, I believe that our workers across this country, our men and women in uniform, our teachers, our doctors, our nurses will be in a position that will see Guyana as an attractive destination for deployment(employment).”

PresidentAli assured: “I amnotallbotheredaboutthe pathtogettingtherebecause

President, Mohamed IrfaanAli

we are doing everything in our budgetary framework to advanceonthatpath”.

EvenasthePresidentand Vice President have made it clear that public servants’ salaries will receive a boost from 2027, the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) are currently locked in negotiationsaboutincreased salaries and improved workingconditions.

The negotiation stemmed from a four-week countrywide strike and protests by teachers demanding more from the government.

Govt. inks $77M contract to build Women’s Groups buildings in Mashabo & Mainstay

The government on Friday signed another contract through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) programme to build facilities in Mashabo Village and MainstayLakeinRegionTwo forWomenGroups.

The $77,716,674 contract whichfallsundertheWomen and Vulnerable Groups Empowerment project was signed with contractor Faldhari Singh & Son Contracting Services The projectswillbesupervisedby consultant, Caribbean Engineering & Management ConsultantsInc.(CEMCO).

The BNTF noted that its implementing agency, the Ministry of Finance, had receivedanapplicationforthe construction of a bakery in Mainstay and an EcoRestaurant at Mashabo. The proposal originated from two vibrantwomen'sgroupsinthe villageswithavisiontoboost their tourism product while improving livelihoods of villagers,especiallywomen.

In addition to the facilities, BNTF shared that the beneficiaries will receive training in areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing, food management and hospitality through collaboration with the MinistryofTourism,Industry andCommerce.

The Basic Needs Trust

Fund is a cyclical grant funded programme by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) that aims to reduce the incidence of poverty by improving access to basic public services through the provision of social and economic infrastructure and the development of skills to enhanceemployability

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that livelihoods and entrepreneurship interventions such as these two projects specifically designed to generate sustainable income, directly promote asset ownership and accumulation, and enhance foodsecurity

As previously reported, through the BNTF programme, the government recentlysignedtwoprojects.

One was for the construction of a primary school for the Onderneeming community in Region Two. This project will be executed by Builders Hardware, General Supplies & Construction to the tune of $130,821,128, and the other project is to set up water supply systems in Nappi and Surama villages in Region Nine.

The projects will be done by Faldhari Singh & Son Contracting Services to the tuneof$74,999,138.

Prison escapee murdered mother...

Frompage13 son, the suspect attempted to wash away the blood but ended up running away into nearbybusheswhenheheard aboatapproaching.

The boy then reportedly locatedhisfather'scellphone andsentavoicenotetooneof his father's friends asking for help.

Police were alerted and ranksweresenttothelocation toconductinvestigations.The

investigatorshavesincelearnt that the prison escapee was seen in the area and at the Gomesproperty Itisbelievedthatheisthe killer

Police learnt too that the suspect was also chopped duringtheordeal.

Meanwhile, crime sleuths reported that the victims' bodies bore multiple chop wounds to the head and other parts.

Senior officials of the BNTF programme handing over the contract to Faldhari Singh & Son Contracting Services on Friday.

By Shervin Belgrave

Guinness “Greatness of the Street” returns after four year hiatus

One of the most anticipated and entertaining football tournaments in Guyana, Guinness Greatness of the Street” is back after a four-yearhiatus.

The official launch of the tournament's return was held onFridaynightattheGrilland JerkBaronCummingsStreet.

Atotalof32teamsareset to be part of the tournament which kicks off on March 15 attherenownedNationalPark i n T h o m a s L a n d s , Georgetown Apart from Guinness, Colours Boutique isoneofthemainsponsorsof this year's tournament. There willbelucrativeprizemonies and trophies up for grabs, while an automatic berth in the national final is guaranteed.

One of the tournament's organizers, RawleWelch said thatCOVID-19wasoneofthe main reasons why Guinness Greatness of the Street has takenafouryearsbreakbutits returnthisyearwillbebigger andbetter

“We start in Georgetown and we go to Linden not in chronological order then we go to Essequibo, East coast, West coast and Bartica”, WelchSaid.

He noted that Guinness Greatness of Street is a very popular tournament and that manymoreteamswanttojoin the competition but it is not possibleatthistime.

“We are gonna look at it

goingforwardtoseeifwecan accommodatemoreteams…I don't know if Banks (one of the sponsors) is willing to accommodatemoreteamsbut we are in discussion with them”, Welch told the Waterfalls.

Meanwhile Guinness BrandExecutiveLeeBaptiste whowasatthelaunchsaidhe hastakennotethatmoreteams wanttojointhecompetition.

“Butinorderforustokeep it compact and exciting 32 teams is the max we can carry”, Baptiste said.To cater for more teams Batiste spoke of establishing qualifying roundssothateveryteamcan participate.

“It means that we would have to have like qualifying roundsbeforeyouactuallygot up to the 32 teams. The qualifying round might still giveyouachancetocompete andgetin”,heexplained.

The Guinness Brand Executive also pointed out that apart from the entertainment the tournament brings,italsoprovidepersons from the various community withtheopportunitytovendat thevariousmatchesandmake somemoneyforthemselves.

“Sowegivethemachance to bring out their drinks, their little snacks and so on, water plantain chips and all these things to sell and they can come and sell free of cost we don't charge them anything”, Baptistesaid.

Action from a previous Guinness Greatness of the Street football tournament

Launch of Guinness Greatness of the Street on Friday night

Guinness Brand Executive, Lee Baptist

Pensioner gets two years for causing death by dangerous driving

A 67-year-old man was on Fridaysentencedtotwoyearsinjail afterhewasfoundguiltyofcausing the death of a Bartica couple by dangerousdriving.

The pensioner, Byron Pearson, is a resident of Mongrippa Hilll, Bartica,RegionSeven.

Pearson, who was found guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, was sentenced by Magistrate Crystal Lambert at theBarticaMagistrates'Court.

Hewassentencedtotwoyears' imprisonment for each charge,

whichwillrunconcurrently

OnFebruary15,2024,23-yearold Felicia Lewis, a mother of two of Mora Camp, Bartica and 26year-oldDavidHugginsof1/2Mile Bartica- Potaro Road, her reputed husband, both lost their lives after themotorcycletheyweretravelling on, crashed into a motorcar on Fourth Avenue and Fifth Street, Bartica.Accordingtothepolice,the accident occurred around 15:50hrs and involved motorcar bearing registration number PRR 5669 ownedanddrivenbyPearson.

Dead: Felicia Lewis

Jailed: Byron Pearson

Police said that the car was travelling south along the eastern sideofFourthAvenue,ataspeedof

20 KmPh and failed to stop at the 'stopsign'onFifthStreet,whilethe motorcycle was proceeding east

Dead: David Huggins

along the northern side of Fifth Streetatafastspeedandcollided

(Continuedonpage64)

Human Services Ministry to spend $18M to repair Children and Family Centre Admin & Apartment buildings in Sophia

The Ministry of Human Services

a n d S o c i a l Security has put aside approximately $18 million for rehabilitation works to a number of

buildings that comprise of the Children and Family Centre in Plum Park, Sophia.

The ministry had tendered for contractors to repaint and do minor works

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

MinistryofAmerindianAffairs Procurementofsecurityservices.

to the Admin/Stores building, and theApartment buildingattheCentre.

At the recent reading of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board

(NPTAB) office, it was revealed that the estimated cost for the works on the Admin building would be $4 8 million, while the works for the Apartment building is estimated to cost

MinistryofHumanServicesandSocial SecurityRepaintingandminorworksto AdminStoresbuildinginPlumPark,Sophia.

$13.7million. It was reported in the media that the Care Centre can house up to 80 individuals at a time and isaccessible24/7 It is made up of seven

buildings which include dormitoryfacilitiesforboys andgirls;livingquartersfor up to eight families; kitchen; dining room; administrationbuildingand trainingfacilities

Repaintingandminorworkstoapartment building–PlumPark,Sophia.

Supplyanddeliveryofdryandfreshration.

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Venezuela arrests close ally of opposition leader Machado

CARACAS, March 9

(Reuters) - Venezuela’s attorney general on Saturday announced the arrest of a regional campaign leader for opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, citing alleged conspiracy, among other crimes.

Attorney General Tarek

William Saab accused Emill Brandt Ulloa of taking part in violent demonstrations against the government in January, adding he will be prosecuted in an anti-terrorism court in Caracas.

Venezuela will hold its next presidential election on

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Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado attends an interview with Reuters, in Caracas

July 28, though uncertainty remains over who will be the

opposition coalition’s candidate, since the country’s top court upheld a ban for Machado to run earlier this year.

Machado has said her ban was contrived by President Nicolas Maduro’s government to protect him from a viable challenger.

The Attorney General’s office is seeking to avoid the anarchy seen in Haiti at the moment, the attorney general wrote in a post on social media platform X when referring to the arrest.

Machado’s ally will also be charged with genderbased violence and insulting an official, he noted.

Machado warned earlier on Saturday that the Maduro government had “kidnapped” Brandt.

In January, three regional leaders of Machado’s team were arrested and linked to an alleged conspiracy against the government, according to information from the attorney general’s office.

The attorney general said at the time that they were part of a group of at least 11 people who allegedly tried to rob a military facility last year, to then attack Freddy Bernal, the pro-government governor in the state of Tachira, which borders Colombia.

Pensioner gets two years for causing death...

From page 62 with the right-side front portion of the motorcar.

As a result of the collision, the couple was flung from the motorcycle and fell onto the roadway.

They were picked up by residents in the area in an unconscious state and taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital where it was determined that

From page 54 environmental aspect.

they both received injuries to their heads and bodies.

Lewis was pronounced dead on arrival while Huggins was admitted as a patient in the Male Surgical Ward. He suffered from head trauma and lacerations about his body.

The injured man was subsequently air dashed to Georgetown by the

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Air Corps for further treatment. However, police reported that he died around noon on February 16, 2024 while receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, the police said that the driver of the car was given a breathalyzer test and the results were recorded at .000 BAC.

‘Paintings &Crafts Co...

With a lot of emerging small businesses around the country, Gobin is of the view that to boost these entities locally, is that the government can offer grants, loans and financial aid, they can offer targeted training programmes which can help in nurturing

and grow skills that small business owners already have.

Also, relevant authorities can host more outreach programmes and forums which target challenges that small businesses face. “To help small businesses is to help our economy. After all, Guyana is the bread basket

of the Caribbean,” she commented. For persons interested in purchasing or placing an order at Paintings &Crafts Co, you can contact them on Instagram@paintingsandcrafts.co or on Facebook at ‘Paintings and Crafts. Co’. or contact telephone numbers (592) 6281712 or 669 2769.

Jointer tools & one pool table

Gangs attack police stations in Haiti as Caribbean leaders call an emergency meeting Monday

PORT-AU-PRINCE,

Haiti (AP) — Police and palace guards worked Saturday to retake some streetsinHaiti’scapitalafter gangs launched massive attacks on at least three policestations.

Guards from the N a t i o n a l P a l a c e accompaniedbyanarmored trucktriedtosetupasecurity perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attackbygangslateFriday

Sporadic gunfire continuedSaturday,andone woman writhed in pain on the sidewalk in downtown Port-au-Prince with a gunshot wound after a stray bullethitherintheleg.

The unrelenting gang attacks have paralyzed the country for more than a week and left it with dwindling supplies of basic goods Haitian officials extended a state of emergency and nightly curfew on Thursday as gangs continued to attack keystateinstitutions.

Caribbeanleadersissued a call late Friday for an emergencymeetingMonday in Jamaica on what they called Haiti’s “dire” situation. They have invited the United States, France, Canada,theU.N.andBrazil tothemeeting.

MembersoftheCaricom regional trade bloc have beentryingformonthstoget political actors in Haiti to agree to form an umbrella transitional unity government.

But average Haitians, many of whom have been forced from their homes by the bloody street fighting, can’twait.

The problem for police in securing government buildings is that many Haitians have streamed into them,seekingrefuge.

“We are the ones who pay taxes, and we need to have shelter,” said one woman,whodidnotgiveher nameforsafetyreasons.

Another Port-au-Prince resident, who also did not givehisname,describedthe massiveattacksFriday.

“They (the gangs) came with big guns. We have no guns and we cannot defend ourselves. All of us, the children are suffering,” said theman.

Sofar,effortstobrokera solution have been unsuccessful.

Caricom, the 15-nation Caribbean bloc, said in a statement late Friday that “the situation on the ground

remainsdire.”

The Caricom statement said that while regional leaders remain deeply engaged in trying to bring opposition parties and civil society groups together to form a unity government, “thestakeholdersarenotyet wheretheyneedtobe.”

“Weareacutelyawareof the urgent need for consensus to be reached,” according to the statement. “We have impressed on the respectivepartiesthattimeis not on their side in agreeing tothewayforward.

From our reports, the situation on the ground remainsdireandisofserious concerntous.”

“It is vital that this engagement be at as high a level as possible to send a clear message of unity between Caricom and the international community as weworktogethertoprovide the critical support to the Haitianpeopleatthistimeof crisis for them,” said the statement.

In February, embattled HaitianPrimeMinisterAriel Henryagreedtoholdgeneral elections by mid-2025, and theinternationalcommunity has tried to find some foreign armed force willing tofightgangviolencethere.

Caricomhasalsopushed Henrytoannounceapowersharing, consensus government in the meantime, but the prime ministerhasyettodosoeven asHaitianoppositionparties and civil society groups are demandinghisresignation.

Henry, a neurosurgeon, was appointed as prime minister after the early July 2021 assassination of PresidentJovenelMoise.

It was unclear whether Henry would be in Jamaica. The prime minister had traveledtoKenyatopushfor t h e U N - b a c k e d deploymentofapoliceforce from the East African country to fight gangs in Haiti.

A Kenyan court, however, ruled in January that such a deployment wouldbeunconstitutional.

Henry, who is facing calls to resign or form a transitionalcouncil,remains unabletoreturnhome.

He arrived in Puerto Rico on Tuesday after he was unable to land in the Dominican Republic, which bordersHaiti.

T h e D o m i n i c a n governmentsaidhelackeda required flight plan as they closed their country’s airspacewithHaiti.

The body of a man lies in a pool of blood alongside his motorcycle, in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, March 8, 2024. Witnesses say he was shot by two unidentified men on motorcycles. (APPhoto / Odelyn Joseph)

Gaza talks mediators pushing to secure truce, Israel says

CAIRO/RAFAH, Gaza, March 9 (Reuters) - Efforts to secure a deal on a ceasefirebetween Israel and HamasinGazaareongoing, Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad said on Saturday, despitedimminghopesfora truceduringtheMuslimholy monthofRamadan.

Mossad chief David Barnea met on Friday with his U.S. counterpart, CIA Director William Burns, to promote a deal that would see hostages released, Mossad said in a statement distributed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’soffice.

“ C o n t a c t s a n d cooperation with the mediators continue all the time in an effort to narrow the gaps and reach agreements,”Mossadsaid.

Israel and Hamas, the militant Islamist group that rulesthePalestinianenclave, have traded blame over the apparentdeadlockintalksin the run-up to Ramadan,

which begins on or around March 10. A Hamas source told Reuters the group’s delegationwas“unlikely”to make another visit to Cairo overtheweekendfortalks.

Egypt, the United States and Qatar have been mediatingtrucenegotiations since January The last deal led to a week-long pause in fightinginNovemberduring whichHamasreleasedmore than100hostagesandIsrael freed about three times as

manyPalestinianprisoners.

Hamas blames Israel for the impasse in negotiations foralongerceasefireandthe release of 134 hostages believed still held in Gazasaying it refuses to give guaranteestoendthewaror pull its forces from the enclave.

Mossad said Hamas was digging its heels in and aiming for violence in the region to spiral during Ramadan. Israeli officials

there say nearly 31,000 Palestinians have been killed.Thewarwastriggered byanOct.7attackbyHamas on southern Israel, in which 1,200peoplewerekilledand 253 taken hostage, accordingtoIsraelitallies.

InTelAviv,thousandsof Israelis attended rallies. At an anti-government protest, somedemonstratorsblocked ahighwayandweredragged away by police. The other was led by families of hostageswhocalledfortheir lovedones’release.

have said that the war will end only with the defeat of Hamas, whose demands Netanyahu has called “delusional”.

In a statement on SaturdaymarkingRamadan, HamaschiefIsmailHaniyeh vowed the Palestinians would continue to fight Israel “until they regain freedomandindependence”.

FivemonthsintoIsrael’s air and ground assault on Gaza, health authorities

“The pain and anger are still running through my blood, ” said Agam Goldstein, a teenager freed from Gaza with her mother and two brothers in November, addressing the hostage-related rally “But I mustputthemasideandturn to you, Hamas - If you have any humanity left in you, releasethehostages.”

Charity workers loaded relief supplies bound for GazaontoabargeinCyprus

on Saturday as part of an internationalefforttolaunch a maritime corridor to a Palestinian population on thebrinkoffamine.

The United States also has said its military will build a temporary floating dock off Gaza’s coast to bring in aid, though it does not envision deployment of U.S.troopsontheground.

Israel was coordinating with the U.S. on the dock project for shipment of aid “after it undergoes full Israeli inspection”, to be delivered to Gaza civilians through international organizations, said Israeli military spokesperson Rear AdmiralDanielHagari.

Amid continuing tensions on the IsraelLebanon border where Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have regularly exchanged fire, Lebanese security sources said an Israeli strike killed a family of five and injured nine peopleinsouthernLebanon.

Packages fall towards northern Gaza after being dropped from a military aircraft, March 9, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

Drama after deluge as USA set up Gold Cup final with Brazil

AFP - The United States beat Canada 3-1 on penalties after their CONCACAF women’s Gold Cup semi-final ended 2-2 after extra-time, to reach the final of the CONCACAF women’s Gold Cup where they will face Brazil.

USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher went from villain to hero in minutes after giving away a penalty in the last minute of extra-time but then saving three spot kicks in the shoot-out.

The dramatic finale came at the end of a game which had been played in farcical conditions for the opening 45

minutes. Brazil comfortably beat Mexico 3-0 in the earlier semi-final in San Diego before a torrential downpour brought the USA-Canada clash into doubt.

There were large patches of standing water across the field at Snapdragon Stadium and once the game got underway it was almost impossible to play normal football on the surface.

With the ball stopping in the water and players sliding around, Mexican referee Katia Garcia went to the sideline for discussions with officials but the game continued in monsoon-like conditions.

Sunday March 10, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today you're unstoppable! You're a very hard worker by nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days. Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Inevitably when the opening goal came, the conditions had a major influence on it — Vanessa Gilles’ ill-advised back-pass stopped dead in a puddle and Jaedyn Shaw pounced on it and slotted home.

At half-time ground staff did their best to push the water off the field but there was a delay to the start of the second half with the rain having caused problems with the referees communication equipment.

As the half progressed, the surface did improve but the quality of the game did not with the USA continuing

Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

to play route one direct football.

Canada had a big appeal for a penalty turned down after Jessie Fleming went down under challenge from Tierna Davidson.

- Penalty drama -

But eight minutes from the end of normal time, Canada drew level thanks to a powerful header from Jordyn Huitema who rose superbly to angle home a cross from Ashley Lawrence.

The game went into extratime and the USA got themselves in front with Rose Lavelle’s glancing header falling into the path of Sophia Smith who confidently slotted home.

With almost the final kick, Canada lumped the ball into the box and Naeher’s attempted punch clear turned into a punch into the head of Gilles and after a VAR review a penalty was given.

OME

40-over

bash set for Good Friday at QC

One Movement En tertainment, in col laboration with Quality Deliverer, will host their annual 40-over fixture on March 29 at Queen’s College ground.

In the fourth edition of the event, Western Warriors will take on South Raiders starting from 11:00hrs. Stay tuned for the announcement of the teams, and fans can look forward to exciting giveaways.

The event is proudly sponsored by Quality Deliverer, Shi Oil, Synergy Vertex, S & D Fuel Depot, 4R Bearings, Barker’s Plumbing, Candy’s Catering Service, CR7 Bats Repair Shop, JS17 Online Cricket Shopping, OM Heat Transfer Shop, C & C Detailing Services, RB Grocery, Price Mart Supermarket, Exotic Printz 592, 007 Bar & Lounge, and Brown’s Holdings.

President of Cricket West Indies...

From page 73

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside. You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul.

.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a more artistic pursuit.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Today's planetary energy should compel you to commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

A trembling Adriana Leon kept her nerves in check enough to slot home the penalty and take the game to a shoot-out.

But then it was all about Naeher who saved three of the Canadian spot-kicks and scored one herself before wild celebrations at the end of a long and wet night.

Brazil proved too much for Mexico as they cruised into the final in the earlier semi-final.

The eight-times women’s Copa America champion went ahead in the 21st minute when Mexico goalkeeper Stephany Barrera made a mess of a cross from Rafaelle and Adriana reacted sharply to turn in the loose ball.

Eight minutes later, an already difficult task got even tougher when defender Nicolette Hernandez was sent off for denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

Bia Zaneratto was breaking goalwards when Hernandez slid in on the edge of the box and although there was initially no foul awarded, a VAR review led to a straight red for Hernandez.

Mexico’s players were in disbelief at the decision and four minutes later their night got worse when Antonia collected a clearance on the edge of the box, cut inside and then buried a perfect left-foot shot into the far corner.

The contest was over three minutes into the second half when substitute Gabi Portilho fired in a low cross which was superbly turned in with a back-heeled flick from Yasmim.

cricket tournaments in St. Kitts and Nevis, where the winners of respective competitions will carve their names in history. The CG United Super 50 Cup winner will receive US$20,000.00, while the T20 Blaze winner will be awarded US$10,000.00. These significant prize monies emphasize our dedication to elevating the stature of women’s cricket and encouraging stellar performances.” “Heartfelt congratulations are extended to Captain Hayley Matthews, a true luminary in West Indies cricket. Named ICC T20 player of 2023 and ranked number 1 in T20 all-rounders and num-

ber 3 in ICC ODI all-rounders, Hayley’s achievements epitomize the unparalleled talent and potential within our women’s cricket.”

“Cricket West Indies remains steadfast in its mission to achieve pay parity by 2027, as outlined in the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding. We are resolute in our commitment to empowering women in cricket and fostering a more equitable and inclusive sporting environment.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Cricket West Indies, Happy International Women’s Day!”

GBA 2-night Developmental Championships punches off this evening at National Gymnasium

Th e G u y a n a

B o x i n g

Association (GBA) will be punching off

their 2-day Developmental Championships from today, February 28 and 29 at the NationalGymnasium.

Pugilists from mainly Suriname, who are expected tosendsome6fighters,will facestiffchallengesfromthe

Guyanese contingent Fighters from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Forgotten Youth Foundation and Rose Hall Town Jammers will seek to defend the country’s turf during the twodayfight-fest.

Local boxer, GDF

officer, Colin Lewis will be looking to put all his experience, having competed at the Pan American level, on show when he squares off against Surinamese Leandro Dongointhemain bout.

Other categories will also feature notable

categories such as schoolboys, juniors, youths, womenandthebestoftheU16 elite, which further focuses on development of boxingholistically Action time is set for 19:00hs both nights with ticket prices set at $500 for regularstandsand$1,000for ringside.

From passion to purpose! purpose!

- Guyanese brand E4 gains ICC global recognition brand

In countless villages throughout Guyana, cricket remains a timeless tradition, and in the sugarcane community of Enmore, East Coast Demerara, this is no exception.

Situated roughly 16 miles east of the capital Georgetown, Enmore has been a fertile ground for cricketers of note, boasting talents like Sherfane Rutherford, a renowned figure in both West Indies and global T20 cricket, as well as Amir Khan, a promising prospect in West IndiesYouth cricket, among others.

For Ravi Etwaroo, a former sports enthusiast turned entrepreneur, the allure of cricket was ingrained in his upbringing.

Growing up alongside his three brothers near the Enmore Community Centre ground, the passion for the game was palpable. Beyond merely playing cricket, the Etwaroo brothers dedicated themselves to nurturing the sport’s growth in various capacities.

After relocating to the USAin 2006, Ravi Etwaroo v e n t u r e d i n t o e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p ,

establishing Cricket Zone USA,initiallyasapart-time venture before transitioning to full-time operations Notably, he chose to exclusively offer cricket equipment from reputable global brands, positioning Cricket Zone as a premier destination for cricketers, attracting luminaries like Chris Gayle through its doors. With steady growth, Cricket Zone emerged as a leading supplier of cricket gearandapparelintheUSA, expanding its reach through both physical and online channels. In 2019, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Etwaroo launchedhisownbrand,E4, catering to the North American and Caribbean markets.

The genesis of the E4 brand stemmed from Etwaroo’s desire to honor his familial legacy Named in homage to his surname andthecollectivecricketing endeavorsofhissiblings,E4 swiftly gained traction, buoyed by its commitment to quality and distinctive branding.

In a significant milestone, E4 secured approval from the

CWI hit by media resignations three months out from 2024 ICC T20 World Cup

Dario Barthley and Naasira Mohammed have resigned their positions in Cricket West Indies Media Department.

SportsMax - Dario Barthley and Naasira Mohammed have tendered their resignations from the Cricket West Indies Media Department, as reported by Barbadian broadcaster AndrewMason.

This development follows the recent departure oflongtimemediaandpublic relations manager Phillip SpoonerinJanuary According to Mason,

International Cricket

Council (ICC) on March 5, 2 0 2 4 , g r a n t i n g i t endorsement for use in international cricket across all formats. This marked a historic achievement, positioning E4 as the first Guyanese-affiliatedbrandto receive such recognition, a sourceofimmensepridefor Etwaroo.

With ICC accreditation secured, E4 set its sights on global expansion, targeting markets beyond North America and the Caribbean,

including Australia, England, Bangladesh, and Pakistan Bolstered by unwavering family support and community enthusiasm, Etwaroo envisions a bright future for E4, with aspirations to elevate the brand to unprecedented heights.

Through initiatives like sponsoring regional cricketers and fostering partnerships with prominent players, E4 aims to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape As

Etwaroo reflects on the journey from passion to purpose,heimpartswordsof encouragementtohisfellow Guyanese, urging them to

pursuetheiraspirationswith determination and resilience. In his view, with unwavering dedication, nothingisbeyondreach.

Barthley has secured a new position in Bermuda Sportsmax TV has independently verified both resignations.

The timing of these resignations comes as a surprise, especially with the ICC Cricket World Cup scheduled to commence on June 1, 2024. Stay tuned to Sportsmax.TVforadditional updates on this unfolding situation.

Managing Director of Cricket Zone USAand founder of the E4 brand, Ravi Etwaroo (right) shares a moment with West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle, who visited the store in 2021

BarticaEasterRegatta2024...

BK Super Mix and BK Int. Group of Companies revs up support

With anticipation mounting for what promises to be the best-ever Easter Regatta, excitement is not onlybrewingamongBarticiansand Guyaneseacrosstheglobebutalso withinthecorporatesector

Teaming up with the Bartica Regatta Committee (BRC) are BK SuperMixandtheBKInternational GroupofCompanies,ensuringthat patrons, athletes, and enthusiasts alike have an unforgettable experienceatthisyear’sfestivities.

Ms.BrionyTiwariofBKSuper Mix reaffirmed her company’s dedication by presenting their sponsorship cheque to BRC Treasurer, Ms. Shondel Gilkes.

Tiwari emphasized the longstandingsupportofherfamily, particularlyherfatherBrian,forthe Regattaovertheyears,pledgingto upholdthiscommitment.

“Havingbeeninvolvedwiththe Regatta for many years, I understand its profound impact on

Bartica’s development It’s no secret that we will continue to provide tangible support to uphold thischerishedtradition.”

In response, Ms Gilkes expressedgratitudeonbehalfofthe BRC and its Chairman, Kenneth Williams, for BK Super Mix’s contribution to the success of the 2024editionthemed‘IsweOwn.’

Similarly, BK International’s Kyle Tiwarie reiterated their enduring support for the Bartica

Easter Regatta, presenting their sponsorship to BRC Chairman, Williams.Herecalledthecompany’s longstandinginvolvementpredating Williams’ tenure, expressing enthusiasm for continuing to supportaneventthathaspositively influenced countless lives in Region 7. Williams commended KyleTiwariandhisfamilyfortheir u n w a v e r i n g s u p p o r t , acknowledging Brian Tiwari’s significant contributions to the

eventovertheyears.

“The commitment of the BK International Group of Companies is well-established, and I am confidentitwillendureforyearsto come Your contributions have been instrumental in the ongoing evolutionoftheRegatta,andweare truly grateful.” Williams assured that preparations are underway for asuccessfulBarticaEasterRegatta 2024, with all systems set for a memorableevent.

President of Cricket West Indies salutes women on International Women’s Day

Dr K i s h o r e S h a l l o w , P r e s i d e n t , Cricket West Indies has lauded women and the role theyareplayinginthesport. Inhismessagehestated:“On this International Women’s Day, Cricket West Indies proudly celebrates the remarkable progress we’ve achieved in championing gender equality and empowerment within our cricketingcommunity Since assuming office, we have e m b a r k e d o n a transformative journey of inclusivity, recognizing and

valuing the exceptional contributions of our female athletes.”

“Inthepastyear,wehave taken significant strides to ensure gender parity within our ranks Notably, we announced that members of the West Indies Women’s Squads would travel business class for all longhaulinternationalflightsand enjoy single-room accommodations for international assignments, aligningwiththepoliciesfor the Men’s teams This progressive step has led to a substantial increase in the

Team Mohamed’s sponsors Port Kaituma 14th Annual Football competition

Gifts iPhone to Reg. 9 social media co-ordinator

Team Mohamed’s is proudtobeapartofthePort Kaituma 14th Annual Football Competition, which gets underway on March 30, 2024, with the grand finale set for the eveningofEasterMonday

Thecompetitionwillsee eight teams from Port Kaituma and from within Region One compete for cash prizes and trophies. These include PK United, Fitzburg United, Hosororo FC, Matthew’s Ridge, Arakaka, Citrus Grove United,andSebaaiFC.

The winning team will take home $300,000, while the runner-up will bag $150,000. The second prize of $150,000 will be donated by businessman Azruddin Mohamed.

Apart from the football competition, there will be

women’s budget, surpassing USD500,000.”

“Furthermore, we launched the inaugural Women’s Cricket Academy in Antigua, a pivotal initiative aimed at nurturing and cultivating the immense talent of our region’s female cricketers. This investment underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering growth and excellence in

women’s cricket, inspiring generationstocome.”

“Additionally, we initiated A-team tours, commencing with a tour to Pakistan in October 2023, providing invaluable exposure and experience to ouremergingtalent.”

“A momentous occasion awaits at the 2024 West IndiesWomen’sregional (Continuedonpage69)

Dr. Kishore Shallow

male and female cricket during the three-day event. In addition to the second c a s h p r i z e , Te a m Mohamed’s has donated a quantity of kites to be distributedtothechildrenon the ground. The cash prize was handed over to the director of PKFF, Ronaldo Rodrigues,onThursday M e a n w h i l e , t h e businessman also presented an iPhone to the former Toshao of Karasabai, MarlonEdwards,whoisthe founder of the Facebook page “Karasabai Home of theSunParakeet.”

Edwards uses this platform to promote his village and to educate his followersaboutthevillage’s richcultureanditsfloraand fauna The social media platform has over 5,000 followers.

Marlon Edwards (left) receives the cell phone fromAzruddin Mohamed.