Kaieteur News

‘Full-Blown Famine’ …as students protest at more than 130 colleges and universities across the US

VP Jagdeo sacrificed personal riches, global prominence to lead party to strongest position ever Man shoots mason over bus fare argument -VP

Pres.AlitellsPPPCongress…

Only PPP equipped, experienced enough to lead Guyana in new era - VP Jagdeo

Govt. hands tied from blocking contract awards by ExxonM to corrupt companies

The Government of Guyana(GoG)issittingwith its hands tied behind its backsandcantakenoaction to prevent United States oil major, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) from awarding contracts to companiesthatwereaccused ofcorruption.

This was explained by Vice President, Bharrat JagdeoonThursday Hewas asked by this publication whetherheisconcernedthat the company could be granting projects to shady companies using Guyana’s oil revenues while the countryhasnosay

Thequestioncameonthe heels of a report that the French-US firm Technip FMC recently secured a contract for subsea works in Guyana’s sixth oil project

W h i p t a i l , w o r t h approximately $US1B, however, over the last few years,thecompanyhasfaced multiple lawsuits and fines forcorruptionandbriberyof government officials, in the UnitedStatedandtheUnited Kingdom.

AlthoughGuyana’soilis being used to procure the servicesofthesecompanies, the country has no say in their awards; it can only

-VPJagdeo

verify whether it was overcharged after the contracthasbeengranted.

Jagdeo pointed out that the provisions of the 2016 Production Sharing

Agreement (PSA) allow the country to verify costs after they have been incurred by the operator of the Stabroek Block, through the audit process.

“That’s the purpose of theauditsowhentheyquery it,theysendittoExxonnow, Exxon has to explain how this screw was procured at this cost when the benchmark price, they cost everywhere else is $3,” the VicePresidentnoted.

According to him, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is utilising benchmarking software that compares the costs submitted by Exxon to averagecostsintheindustry If the costs claimed by Exxon are found to be exorbitant, it would be flagged and the company would have to explain procuring products and servicesbeyondtheindustry standards The next step

wouldbefortheoilcompany toreturntheinflatedcoststo the profit bank. However, if Exxon disagrees with the government, it is then resolvedthroughthedispute mechanism provided in the PSA,throughasoleexpertor viaarbitration.

It would be poignant to notethatGuyanawouldhave to pay for all legal charges related to resolving the dispute with the oil company

Be that as it may, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), though it promised in its 2020 Elections’ Manifesto to better manage the oil contract, has failed to effect anychangestoaddressthese glaring administrative flaw in the deal, although these

will not affect the profits of thecontractor

The Stabroek Block oil contract prevents the GoG fromarbitrarilychangingthe

fiscal provisions of the contract In fact, if the economic benefits of Exxon and its Co-Venturers are affected by any decision of the government, the administration will be required to institute mechanismstoensuretheoil companies receive the same fiscal benefits as initially agreedto.

In the meantime, the government continues to refuse to exercise oversight in the award of large contracts since according to the VP, “As I said before, thereisnoco-management.”

He told the reporter from Kaieteur News that he should press Exxon on why the company chooses to conduct business with such companies.

The Chief Policymaker for the sector was keen to

note that if the foreign company meets the benchmark prices, then there wouldbenoobjectionbythe administration however, “if they as a result of any incestuouslinkbetweenlet’s say ExxonMobil and a firm from abroad, if that incestuous link would cause prices to go up and be unfairly added to our cost bank, it’s a big cause for concernforusandthat’swhy the auditors have to guard againstthattechnically.”

He went on to explain that the government has insisted that the company utilises the procurement processtosourcetheservice of local companies through the enactment of the Local Content Law which has taken away business from some of the foreign companies.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur News

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Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

New oil reserves - a clever game

The PPP/C Government has reduced Guyanese to engageinguessinggamesandawaitinggameregardinghow muchoilhasbeenfoundintheeightdiscoveriesannounced byExxonMobil. Itisaclevergamethatthemaninchargeof the oil sector, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, has been playing. First,hepretendstobeignorant,thenheshiftsthe conversation into murky territory while feigning new knowledge, and recently, there is a new development that resembleshisprints,socunningitis.

ThelatestthatGuyanesegrapplewithisthatExxonMobil hasannouncedeightdiscoveries,butnotascrapofinformation abouthowmanybarrelsofoilhavebeenfound Twoyearsof blanknesshasbeentheconstantreminderaboutnewreserves This provides confirmation on the chronic secrets that have plagued the oil sector from the beginning, thanks to the machinations and moves of Jagdeo The only morsel of information that came to Guyanese was through a virtual backdoor ItwasfromthesmallestmemberofExxonMobil’s Guyana offshore consortium, China National Offshore Oil Corporation(CNOOC),with746millionbarrelsstatedincompany documents Both Alistair Routledge, ExxonMobil’s Guyana Country Head and Guyana’s oil czar, Bharrat Jagdeo, have been strangelyquietaboutthatdevelopment ThisCNOOCdisclosure hasonlyintensifiedinterestinwhatExxonMobilknowsabouttheoil reservesandwhythecompanyisbalkingatsharingthisneed-toknowinformationwithcitizens MrRoutledgehasbeentightlipped and content with sending locals running in circles, and in Vice President Jagdeo he has found the most cooperative partner imaginable When Jagdeo does speak about oil reserves, he is slick enoughtoalignhisnarrativeswiththoseofRoutledge. The wording is almost the same Routledge mentions “monetizing” assets and Jagdeo parrots monetizing Routledge feeds Guyanese convoluted stories about “appraisals”andJagdeoisrighttheretoechothesamesixfor anineabouthowappraisalsaretime-consuming. Whatwas avitalandautomaticpartofoildiscoveryannouncementsbeforeis nowthemerry-go-roundinsistingthatappraisalscantakeyears andareadeepscientificprocess? Neithertheforeignnorlocal oilchiefhasbeenforthcomingorfrankabouthowCNOOC got its information about 746 million new barrels in one discovery Studious avoidance has featured prominently relativetotheCNOOCdisclosure. Oneofthemorecurious developmentsishowExxonMobilfocusesonreengineering itslongstandingoilreservelanguage,asisevidencedinMr Routledge’spublicstatements. Anot-so-humorousexample is where ExxonMobil used to speak of oil reserves with earlier discoveries, Mr Routledge is now clever enough to usethemorenuancedoil“resources”today Reservesprompt theimageofareservoirorpool,whileresourcesallowleewayto hedgethroughwhatisknownandunknown,orcommercially feasibleornot Inotherwords,thealwaysschemingpeopleat ExxonMobilarenowmorecomfortablewithresourcesbecause that could mean anything and everything that the company wants them to be The most recent twist in the new reserves’ mystery is that Dr Asgar Ally, the chair of the Wales DevelopmentAuthorityspokeveryconfidentlyofwhereitis, using a lowball estimate This was what he shared with a Jamaicanaudience:“Asofthispointintime,wedon’tknowthe fullextentoftheoildepositsbutit’shugeandIcouldexplain whatthatmeans.It’saboutIwouldsaytheyhaveidentifiedat least15billionbarrelsofoilinthe(Stabroek)Block.Soatthispoint intime,IwouldsayExxonhasidentifiedabout25to35%ofthat.”

Possibly a minimum of four new billion barrels of oil, and both Jagdeo and Routledge have zipped their lips and lead Guyanese astray with this song and dance of “monetizing” and “appraisals.” Wedonotthinkthatformer PPP/CFinanceMinisterAlly’stongueslipped,withhimletting thecatoutofthereserves/resourcebag ItcouldbethatJagdeo used a trusted PPP/C insider to leak that, so as to slowly and smartly condition Guyanese about new reserves, notwithstanding his and Routledge’s gyrations on the issue Give reserves information in tricklesand reduce any pressure building about renegotiation of ExxonMobil’s cradle-to-grave robbing2016oilcontract

GPLcustomers are paying up to USD 50 million to a Qatari contractor for a powership that will sail into the sunset after two years

DEAREDITOR, GuyanaPowerandLight (GPL) Inc. has contracted a floating electric power station (‘powership’) from UCI, a subsidiary of UCC Holding, a Qatari company, to provide additional electricity to Guyana’s electric power grid, which hasrecentlybeenfailingina spectacularmannerresulting inmultiplehours-longpower blackouts for GPL customers.

Regarding the costs of this emergency operation, there have been conflicting numbersfloatinginthepress inrecentdays.Herewith,the Oil & Gas Governance Network (OGGN) Guyana

would like to provide a realistic estimate of the overall costs to GPL based on the public information released to date. Ultimately, t

shoulderedbythecustomers ofGPL.

It is important to stress that there are multiple

calculations.Whatisthefuel efficiency of the generators on board of the powership? Howmuchfuelisrequiredto produce 1 kWh of electricity? What are the actual fuel costs including transport to the powership? Will the full electricity production capacity be

required over the entire two years of the contract? What are the costs for installation and decommissioning of the powership? Given these v

calculation, which assumes thatthegeneratorswillrunat 100% capacity for 24 hours over two years, will be presented. It is unlikely that this will be the case, but by t

his app

ch underestimation of other variables are likely to be compensated.

The costs payable by GPLtotheQataricontractor are comprised of a monthly charter fee of USD 0.0662 plus an operation and maintenance fee of USD

0.0098tobepaidperkWhof electricity produced The total fees are therefore USD 0.076 per kWh of electricity produced. In addition, there isamobilisationfeeofUSD 1 million to be paid to the contractor.

Based on the agreement signed, GPL will have to providethefuel.Nonumbers have been communicated aboutthetypeandamountof fuel needed to produce 1 kWh of electricity on the floatingpowerstation.Using heavy fuel oil (HFO), approximately 0 25 liter would on average be required to generate 1 kWh ofelectricity Theaverage (Continuedonpage06)

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Will Guyana settle for merely ‘Arrival Day’ or secure a certain ‘IndianArrival Day’?

DEAREDITOR, April month reflected a tapestryofreligiousholidays enjoyed by all religions and races in Guyana. From the dawning of May month,

Guyanese are again pampered with three significant public holidays showcasing the political, cultural and historical makingofanationwhichhas fought employers for the recognition of industrial

representation for employees, the colonialists for relinquishing the bondage of indentureship, and the British Empire for t h e g r a n t i n g o f independence.

Labour Day was celebrated on May 1st, Independence Day will be observedonthe26thandthe controversyofArrivalDay’s redressisscheduledforMay 5th Incidentally or intentionally, the PPP/C 32ndCongressisbeingheld theveryholidayweekendto coincidewiththeceremonial Arrival Day activities. A countryofsixoriginalraces, five have specific periods to r e c o g n i s e a n d commensurate their arrival while the largest ethnicity, theIndo-Guyanese,isstillin limbo. Will the problematic q u e s t i o n o f

acknowledgement,

recognition and acceptance identify itself on the agenda attheCongress?Perhapsthis shunned item will not surface to create any dilemma, distress or discomfort.

Ryan Jobson, an anthropologist in Chicago, wrote in 2019, “Since 1492, the Caribbean has been the object of distorted modes of representation ” Perhaps, sceptics may classify the Indians’ conundrum in this category and its resolution may continue to remain in quandary This gray area of disconnect is quite disturbingandGuyaneseare dismayed at its quiet treatmentasitissweptunder therugwithalongshelflife. Maybe, the real value of Indian contribution has gained more traction externally than internally We are constantly reminded and cannot forget George Lamming’s writing in 1966, “Those Indian hands whetherinBritishGuianaor Trinidad have fed all of us. They are, perhaps, our only jewels of a true native thrift and industry They have taught us by example, the value of money; for they respect money as only people with a high sense of communal responsibility can.”

On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, our neighbour, Trinidad and Tobago, did not hesitate and remains firm in fixing May 30thasIndianArrivalDay,a national holiday Across our Eastern border, Suriname celebrates Indian Arrival Day as a public holiday on June 5th. A quick look at other sister Caribbean islands confirm that our CARICOM counterparts celebrateIndianArrivalDay as follows: Grenada - May 1st, St. Lucia - May 6th, Jamaica - May 10th and St. Vincent and the Grenadines –June1st.Barbadosdidnot participate in indentureship. Guyana has retracted on declaring May 5th as Indian ArrivalDay

ItwasSirWalterRaleigh who influenced Europeans tocometoGuyana(Guiana), describing (The Discovery ofGuiana),thislandofmany waters as, “hills with stones of the colour of gold and silver an undoubted assurance of the general abundance ” In the NY Times Business Day July

2018 article, Guyana was featured as a “vast, watery wilderness” where children “play naked in the muggy heat.” The coastal capital of Georgetowniswrittenoffas a “musty clapboard town” that “seems forgotten by time.”

Frombeingmarginalised as the second poorest nation in the Caribbean to being mainstream as a vying oil producing nation with the richestGDPpercapita,Ryan Jobsonsumsup,“Itisnotthe passage of time that has forgotten Guyana. Rather, it is the legacies of racial slavery and indenture that entrenched racial difference and preserved the underdevelopment of Guyanese society He explained, “Burnhamism thrived as a political ideology in which public resources were pilfered by the political elites of the PNC.”

Such is the country that generations of IndoGuyanese survive in after trailing a line of ancestors who arrived as indentured

labourers from North India, especially the Bhojpur and Awadh regions of the Hindi Beltinthepresent-daystates of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. Many also came fromalineagethatmigrated from the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Between 18381917, some 238,909 immigrants arrived while 75,547returnedafterserving their contracts known as girmit.

Theremainingchooseto stay and make then British Guiana their new home Many died from tropical diseases, especially yellow fever and malaria. Living conditions were far from being comfortable and contrary to what they were led to believe. They were alsofooledbytheirownwho acted as recruiters. Joseph Beaumont described indenture as “a new system of slavery ” The antiindentureship protests continued throughout India until the British Imperial Government and the Government of India had to

giveintothepressuretoend thesystemandon1January 1920, it was abolished completely

The East Indians, who were primarily Hindus and Muslims, brought their own culture. They introduced a newwayoflifeandlearntto survive despite being away from and without what they were accustomed to. The East Indians trended new fashionsandclothingsuchas thesari,choli,kurtah,orhni, salwar kameez, garara, dupatta, gangri, pagri, and dhoti.Jewelleryincludedthe nakphul, bera, churia, and baju band, among others. Their foods included roties: sada,paratha,dosti,alooand dhalpourie; fruits and vegetables: baigan, dhal, carila, bhaat (cooked rice). Nariel (coconut), damadol (tomatoes) and tarkaree (cooked vegetables); delicacies: khurma, peera, ladoo, goolab jamoon, jellaby, goolgoolah, sirnee and prashad. A new set of utensils accompanied them: tawa,belna,chauki,dabila, (Continuedonpage10)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Towards a Merit-Based Society in Guyana:An Open Call to Support the PNC, the Panacea to Merit, Equity, and Equality forAll.

DEAREDITOR:

Amid the ongoing discourse on political and socialequityandequalityin

Guyana, a pivotal conversation is emerging about the fundamental principles that should guide our nation’s progress. It is imperative to recognise the profound significance of fostering a merit-based society,whereinindividuals’ success is determined by

their abilities and contributions rather than affiliations,lineage,orracial andethnicorigins.Thisopen letter articulates why support for the People’s National Congress (PNC) is crucialinthisendeavor

Historically,thePNChas navigated significant fiscal adversities, often misconstrued as a lack of action or initiative. Critics r e a d i l y c i t e p a s t shortcomings such as the inability to fund certain programmes or procure basic goods and services as evidence of inefficacies, inefficiencies, and incompetence. However, it is essential to contextualise these struggles within the broader economic constraints which the party facedduringitsgovernance. Despitethesechallenges,the party has consistently

Frompage04 price of HFO on the world market is about USD 0.53 per liter, which excludes transport costs to Guyana. Typically, the costs of HFO are about 60% of that for dieselfuel.Giventhat1liter ofdieselfuelcostsUSD1.20 inGuyana,weareestimating that 1 liter of HFO will cost USD 0.72 and the fuel costs would amount to USD 0.180/kWh. Hence, the total costs per kWh electricity produced are (USD 0.076 kWhfees+USD0.180kWh fuel costs) about USD 0.256/kWh. Importantly, the costs per kWh of electricity will be significantly higher, ifdieselfuelweretobeused inplaceofHFO.Inthiscase, the cost would increase to USD 0 376/kWh (USD 0.076kWhfees+USD0.300 kWhfuelcosts).

Given these numbers, what are the annual costs of electricity production using the Qatari powership, which harbours a 36 MW (36,000 kW) power generator on board? The maximal annual electricity production is calculated as follows: 36,000 kW x 24 h x 365 d = 315,360,000 kWh At electricity costs of USD 0256/kWh, this amounts to

C o n t r a s t i n g l y , governance under the PPP has raised concerns about inclusivity and fairness in nationaldevelopment.There are widespread perceptions and, in some instances, documentedinstanceswhere opportunities and advancementswere

(Continuedonpage56)

strived towards policies and initiativesaimedatuplifting every demographic, irrespective of racial or ethnic background or politicalaffiliation. The adoption of a meritbasedsystemfundamentally transforms the allocation of resources, channeling them not into the hands of a privileged few linked by friendship, family ties, or kickbacks under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), but rather into the hands of those who demonstrate true ability and capability Such a system ensures a wider distribution of resources, providing greater encouragement for individualstoexertthetime, effort, and money, knowing they have a fair chance of r e c o g n i t i o n a n d compensation. This starkly contrasts with the current system, where effort alone does not suffice without the requisiteconnections.

GPLcustomers are paying...

USD81millionUSDperyear. Thecontractrunsfortwoyears andthereisamobilisationfee ofUSD1million.Hence,the overall costs would be USD 1 6 3 m i l l i o n F o r comparison, these costs would increase to USD 237 million, if diesel fuel would be used for electricity production on the powership. Irrespective of the type of fuel used, the contractual fees payable to the Qatari contractor (USD 0.076 per kWh; plus USD 1 millionmobilisationfee)can be as high as USD 50 million.

In short, the estimated overall costs range between USD 163 million (using HOF) or USD 237 million (diesel) with USD 200 million being the average. Thisnumberdoesnotinclude the significant costs that GPL has to spend for site preparation at the harbour in Everton,Berbice,Region6 In addition, GPL will have to construct new transmission linestoconnectthepowership to the Demerara-Berbice InterconnectedSystem

Finally, dismantling costs will be incurred after twoyears,whenoperationof the powership ceases. To date, GPL has not communicated estimates for any of these necessary works. Hence, total cost of up to USD 200 million for two years of electricity production are likely This wouldtranslatetoUSD0.32 per kWh for the electricity produced on the powership. This number appears to be realistic given that GPL costumers pay currently about USD 0.30 per kWh of electricity Moretroublingis howeverthefactthatGPLis payinguptoUSD50million to the Qatari contractor for anelectricpowergeneration capacity, which will disappear to other shores after two years of operation. By contrast, a new off-theshelf 36 MW Caterpillar D 3616DieselGeneratorcould have been purchased for merely USD 8 3 million (excl shipping and installation)fromUSP&Ein the United States (https://wwwuspeglobal co m/listings/1759899-36-mw2009-new-caterpillar-d3616-diesel-generator-sets).

The generator is ready forshipping,comeswithfull warranty, and would have served GPL and its customers for many years to come Given this costeffectivealternative,whyare GP

a GPL management, which has failed to meet most of its operating standards and performancetargetsfor2023 as was made public by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)earlierthisweek? AndreBrandli,PhD on behalf of the OGGN G u y a n a (www.oggn.org/about)

Govt. fears updating oil reserves will force renegotiation of lopsided ExxonM contract

...says 15B barrel oil reserve estimate just a tip of the iceberg

-Patterson

The Government clearly defines a discovery

of oil have been discovered With a growing number of Guyana (GoG) of commercial grade of to date in the Stabroek of oil discoveries in the is deliberately which Exxon has now Block, although Exxon and lucrative Stabroek Block,

k e e p i n g t h e reported eight significant Jagdeo have said there was Guyanese and international nation in the dark on its finds. no significant increase to the experts have all been calling estimated oil reserves Patterson argued that the last resource update of 11B o n g o v e r n m e n t t o discovered by ExxonMobil Head of Exxon Guyana, barrelsin2022. renegotiatethedealtosecure Guyana Limited (EMGL) in Alistair Routledge recently

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

give us the impression that contract, two discoveries

According to Patterson, more benefits for Guyana the prolific Stabroek Block sought to “kerfuffle” the “Whichever number it is, it and its people, since the as this would force the publicwitha“disingenuous” puts us as a countrywith that contract mostly favours administration to seek a explanation of resources larger volume in a stronger ExxonMobil and its cofairer share of benefits for versusreserves. position to ask and demand venturers. thisnation. The politician explained, renegotiation so to try to When the Coalition This is according to “Every country, there is avert that they would like to government signed the former Minister of Public

all we have is this finite

g Patterson During an number of 11B barrels and approximately three billion Alliance For Change (AFC) that we should be contented barrels of oil. To date, over press conference on Friday, with what we have but that’s eight billion barrels more the Member of Parliament nottrue.” have been found offshore in said “something ain’t right”

Meanwhile,formerHead the26,800squarekilometers about the explanation of the Environmental block, increasing Guyana’s provided by the Head of ProtectionAgency(EPA)Dr total proven reserves to over EMGL, Alistair Routledge Vincent Adams pointed out 11billionbarrelsofoil. and Vice President Bharrat that estimated oil reserves Jagdeowhilewearingthe Jagdeo that the country’s could be calculated within cap of Opposition Leader r e s e r v e s h a v e n o t days. prior toAugust 2, 2020 said, significantly grown since

ApassionateAdamssaid, “They sold us out to the April 2022, following eight “I used to be a senior foreigners The oil newdiscoveries. reservoir engineer with companies, every time there

“Whichever number it is, it puts us as a country with that larger volume in a stronger position to ask and demand renegotiation so to try to avert that they would like to give us the impression that all we have is this finite number of 11B barrels and that we should be contented with what we have but that’s not true.” - David Patterson

Patterson said it was Exxon’s competitor, British isafindoutthere,ourpeople unbelievable that three years Petroleum and that was my should be sad because ago,theStabroekBlockheld were there, they gave conservative estimate. They job to calculate reserves and nothing comes our way We benchmark is proven oil anestimated11Bbarrelsand estimatedreservenumbers.” don’t want to disclose I say that to let you know, it are gonna renegotiate those reserves, not proven oil although eight significant

He said the company and it until after the 2025 doesn’t take two years to contracts because that’s not resources...I think Exxon’s discoveries were announced government have the elections because if they comeupwiththereserves.” whatwehadinmind.” Head was trying to be byExxon,thenationisbeing country updated estimated disclose the true value of He said the team would He added, “When we disingenuous and trying to informed that there is “no oil reserves but are their assets at the moment, m a k e p r e l i m i n a r y were in the early days, we use language to kerfuffle the significantincrease.” deliberately keeping the thecallforrenegotiationwill determinations within days were coaxing the people public but you cannot. You He pointed out that the countryinthedark. resonate even louder,” the to estimate a discovery In (ExxonMobil) to go along. haveprovenoilreserves;itis Production Sharing

Third victim in Corentyne motorcycle smash-up dies

“They don’t want to formerMinisternoted. fact, he challenged, “How They (Coalition) came into quite easy I have seen Agreement (PSA) signed in disclose it and I think 15B Patterson told reporters come to arrive at the 11B as office – three billion barrels reports from the Ministry of 2016 with the company (barrels) is a very that Exxon at the behest of soon as there was a well that of proven reserves and they Natural Resources when we t h e g o v e r n m e n t i s was drilled right after that gave up zero royalties, no concealing the country’s well was drilled, we were taxes,noring-fencing.” reserves which could be as getting an update what Although reserves have muchas20Bbarrelsnow happened in two plus years now more than doubled, the Recently, Chairman of now? What happened to all PPP government refuses to Wales Development t h e s e a d d i t i o n a l engage the operator of the Authority, Asgar Ally said discoveries?” Stabroek Block for a fair oil that some 15 billion barrels Jagdeo and renegotiation deal.

Veeram Seecharran, the Williamsburg, Corentyne, east along the northern drive third victim in the horrific Berbice had died on the day lane, both allegedly at a ‘fast motorcycle crash at of the crash while rateofspeed’”,policesaid. Williamsburg, Corentyne, Seecharranwasleftcritical Emanuel reportedly lost Region Six which occurred According to reports, controlofhisbikeandended onApril19,2024hasdied. Tulsi was reportedly the up into Tulsi’s path and they The 17-year-old was in a rider of a motorcycle, CM crashedhead-on. coma for more than a week 2969 while Emmanuel was Emanuel,hispillionrider beforehisdeath. the rider of another and Tulsi were all picked up Seecharran was among motorcycle, CM 50 in an unconscious state three victims of a head-on Seecharran was reportedly following the accident and c r a s h b e t w e e n t w o Emanuel’spillionriderwhen takentoPortMourantPublic motorbikes. theaccidentoccurred. Hospital Tulsi was

The others, 21-year-old Investigations revealed pronounced dead on arrival, Vekash Tulsi of Lot 90 that Tulsi was proceeding whileEmmanuelsuccumbed South First Street, Letter westalongthesoutherndrive to his injuries while Kenny, Corentyne, Berbice lane of Williamsburg’s receivingtreatment. and 22-year-old Rondy P u b l i c R o a d w h i l e Seecharran suffered Emmanuel of Lot 167 Emmanuel was proceeding fromafracturedskull.

Man shoots mason over bus fare argument

A North Ruimveldt, Georgetown man some time later after arriving in North was on Tuesday arrested by police after he Ruimveldt. allegedly shot an 18-year old mason to the Graham remained standing in the leg following an argument over a minibus vicinity of the Exit, while the suspect went fare. The victim has been identified as Sean away Graham of Lot 48 Perry Street, Tucville, Several minutes later, the suspect Georgetown. Graham was shot to his right reportedly returned with another individual thigh. onawhitemotorcycle.

The incident occurred at approximately The motorcycle stopped and the suspect 18:30hrs while he was standing in the pulledoutagunandshotatGraham.Graham vicinityoftheExitinNorthRuimveldt. was hit to the right thigh and fell to the

Kaieteur News understands that earlier ground while the suspect escaped with his that evening, Graham and the suspect were accompliceonthemotorcycle. travellinginthesameroute41minibuswhen Eyewitnesses assisted in taking the they got into an argument with the bus injured man to the Georgetown Public conductoroverthefare. Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he

The suspect turned his attention to the receivedtreatmentforhisinjury victim over the same minibus fare issue. Police subsequently arrested Kristof Graham and the suspect exited the vehicle Wattsasinvestigationscontinue.

GRA to re-check all Exxon invoices to ensure no ballooning of costs

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be rechecking invoices submitted to it by ExxonMobil Guyana over the years ahead of the finalising of the second audit to ensure that there was no overstatement of costs, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo revealed on Thursday at his weeklypressconferenceheld atFreedomHouse.

"We are now ensuring also before we finalise the audits, this audit the second audit, that the GRA willgobackandcheckallthe back invoices for the past severalyears,toseethatthere has been no overstatement of any of these invoices. It is a serious matter and we are taking it seriously," Jagdeo said while praising the GRA for its efforts in flagging the inflatedinvoice.

Last week, Kaieteur

N e w s r e p o r t e d t h a t

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) and its former broker Ramps

L o g i s t i c s G u y a n a

Incorporated have been summoned to court by the Guyana Revenue (GRA) over a US$12 1 billion invoice It was recently reported that Exxon and Ramps are facing similar charges over a November 2023 declaration made by Ramps on behalf of Exxon to GRA. Ramps acted as the broker for Exxon's importing oil well equipment valued US$4,467,662, but declared to Customs that the equipment was valued at US$12,192,103,923.91. This inflated declaration is of significant concern as it couldimpactoilprofitshadit beenapproved. Accordingto the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana signed with the Exxon-led consortium for the Stabroek Block. A provision in the PSA allows Exxon to deduct 75% of the revenues earned towards cost recovery or repaying the investments by the company The remaining 25% is then shared with

Guyana as profit, meaning the country receives 12.5% alongwitha2%royalty

According to copies of the summons filed by the Commissioner General of GRA, Mr Godfrey Statia, both Exxon and Ramps were summoned to appear in court in relation with the false declaration made to the RevenueAuthority

It was stated that Exxon onthe16thdayofNovember, 2023 at Lot 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, a place i n t h e G e o r g e t

w n Magisterial District, caused to be made and subscribed a false declaration to the RevenueAuthority,towitthe defendant caused the value declared on invoice number INV# MVYT_1P07HP-006 dated on the 16th day of November, 2023 for a quan

equipment and supplies to be v

USD$12,192,103,923 91 Similarly, Ramps' summons stated that on the same date, Ramps made an untrue declaration to the Revenue Authority

Exxon was informed that during the investigation, Ramps submitted a missive to the Revenue Authority stating that it was contracted by Exxon to provide brokerage and freight forward service and

attributed the erroneous declaration to information obtained from Exxon's KABAL system This publication understands that on December 11, 2023, Exxon representatives visitedGRAtoassistwiththe investigation, where enquiries were made in relation to Exxon's conduct. Further, in response, Exxon in a letter dated December 13, 2023 claimed that it

learned that Ramps, “incorrectly inputted USD as the currency of the commercial invoice on the referenced Customs declaration,inplaceofGYD; and the error resulted in an overstatement of the value of the items listed on the commercial invoice and consequentlyontheCustoms declaration submitted by yourbroker.”

In response to this, the Revenue Authority indicated t h a t E x x o n ' s claims/explanationcannotbe deemed as accepted in law, particularly since a statutory duty is imposed on Exxon to verify and ensure that all informationdeclaredtoGRA by its broker is true and correct “In addition,

evidence was obtained to prove that the untrue declaration was caused to be made and subscribed to the Revenue Authority by your company As such, be guided accordingly that this act constitutes a breach of Section 217 (1) (a) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01,” GRA told the company

Exxon was given an opportunity to show cause why proceedings should not be instituted against them in accordancewiththeCustoms Act The company in response to the Revenue Authority made several claims: that it was not the declarant and has not made any false declaration,that the declaration was made by Ramps, that it (Exxon) has not made and subscribed or caused to be made and subscribed any false declaration, that any error made by Ramps was a typographical error which didnotinjuretothedetriment of or cause any loss to the Revenue Authority, that to the best of EMGL's knowledge all information that was available to Ramps from the KABAL platform

was accurate and any error wasnotcausedbyExxon. Moreover, the oil company also told GRA that underitscontract,Rampshad an obligation to review and verify all inbound shipping documentation (such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc.) and was contractually obligated to review and verify all relevant shipping information before preparing a n d s u b m i t t i n g t h e declaration Meanwhile, on Tuesday in response to questions posed by the media, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) President, Alistair Routledge, assured that the company is committed to preventing any recurrence of the recent incidentinvolvinganinflated invoice. Routledge made this commitment during a press conference held at EMGL's Duke Street office in Kingstown, Georgetown on Tuesday “We are always committed to working ethically, correctly, making sureallofoursubmissionsbe for tax purposes or cost recovery are accurate,” he said.

Trio on the run after fatally chopping Plaisance man

Three persons are on the run after allegedly beating and chopping a 44-year-old man of Middle Street, Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD) whosubsequentlydiedonThursday

The dead man has been identified as JosephForde,aconstructionworker Forde was beaten and chopped badly on Thursday night at Victoria Road, Plaisance, ECD.

AccordingtoForde'srelative,theincident occurredonThursdaynight.Therelativetold Kaieteur News that a day before the alleged murder occurred, Forde tried stopping the suspectsfrombeatingaman.

“They (the suspects) been beating up another man the day before, which in he was there and he say 'y'all can't do duh' and them thing duh, them throw the man in a trench and Joe (the deceased) picked him up,” the relative said.

The relative said too that the three suspects who were reportedly armed saw Fordeandattackedhim.

Following the attack, Forde reportedly receivedseveralchopwoundsabouthisbody

The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)bypublic-spiritedcitizens,wherehe succumbed to his injuries while receiving medicaltreatment.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Khali Pareshram has confirmed this incident and told Kaieteur News that the suspects are on therun.

Joseph Forde

Theultimaterubberstamping

The Congress of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is supposed to be the highestdemocraticforumof the party It is Congress that is supposed to give directions to the party’s leadership,nottheotherway around.

However, in the case of the PPP, the situation has always been that it is the leadership of the party that exhibits overweening and overwhelming influence over what delegates do and decide at the party’s

Congress In effect, Congress has always been

transformed into the ultimate rubber stamping of thePPP’sleadership.

What the leadership wants is what the leadership gets.Whatthedelegatesfeel

and desire are subordinated to the larger interests of the leadership.

At a previous Congress, there was an attempt to pass a resolution removing references from MarxismLeninism from the party’s Constitution.Theleadership assailed that attempt and from that moment onward, the prime move of that resolutionbecamethevictim of a vendetta within the party

Another resolution that proposed that the positions of general secretary be contested at the congress was also shot down. The failure of the congress to adopt this particular resolution has allowed the appointment of both the general secretary and

presidentialcandidatestobe made by the party’s Central Committee.

Today, the PPPhas been seizedbythebourgeoisclass and that class is now brazen enough to make its gambit public.

The Congress will most likely successfully pass that very resolution, about Marxism-Leninism, which wasrejectedinthepast.And it will do so because the present leadership of the party has become beholden to the bourgeois class. But you can bet also that the same Congress will remain silentontheissueofhowthe general secretary and presidential candidates are selected.

The leadership of the party will get what it wants

TowardsaMerit-BasedSociety...

Frompage06

disproportionately accessible to those within theracial,ethnic,andparty’s inner circles. Such a system inherentlydisadvantagesnot only those outside of this circle(whichisthemajority ofGuyanese)butalsostifles theoverallnationalpotential by sidelining capable individuals who lack the ‘right’ connections, race, or ethnicity

ThePNCadvocatesfora meritocracy, where every citizen’s potential can be fully realised without bias towards race, ethnicity, economic background, or politicalaffiliation.

This vision is not just about political rhetoric but about laying a substantive framework for a society where equity and equality

are not just ideals but practisedrealities. Supporting the PNC, therefore, is not merely aboutpoliticalallegiancebut about endorsing a transformative agenda that seeks to empower all Guyanese. Moreover, it is crucial that support for such transformative policies transcendsracial,ethnic,and partisan lines and is not predicated on who champions these ideas but rather on the principles themselves and the benefits they promise for the entire nation. This is not a call for blindallegiancetoapolitical entity but a reasoned, informed decision to favour policies that offer tangible i m p r o v e m e n t s i n governance, social and

economic equity, and equality. In conclusion, as westandatacriticaljuncture in our nation’s history, all patriotic Guyanese must look beyond the immediate andsuperficialgratifications beingofferedbythePPPand partisan politics and evaluate the long-term benefits to them, especially theiroffspringofsupporting amerit-basedsystem.

The PNC’s sincere commitment to such a system not only makes it a worthy advocate and custodian of our collective aspirations for a fair, equitable, equal, inclusive, harmonious,andprosperous Guyana but also our collectivevotes,in2025.

Sincerely,

Prof., Dr Stanley A. V Paul.

DEM BOYS SEH

Democracy Dying in the Party Kongress

Dem boys seh, today’s Party Kongress ain’tachoice,it’sacharade.It’slikeasking a man if he prefers to breathe or suffocate. Therulingparty,inallitsglory,isputtingon ashow—ashowofdemocracy,theyclaim. Butbehindthecurtains,dissentistakingits finalbreaths.

Dem delegates are innocent. Dem flockingtotheKongress,eagertoexercise their democratic rights. But what rights?

The leadership has already painted the options, wrapped them in shiny paper, and placed them neatly on the table. It’s like beinghandedamenuwithonlyonedish—a bitterpilldisguisedaschoice.

Thedelegates,blesstheirsouls,willnod in agreement, clap on cue, and cast their votesasinstructed.It’snotadecision;it’sa performance.Dereusedtobeatimewhere

today Thedelegateswilltoe the line of the leadership. TheCongresswillbecomea stage-managed affair as it wasinthepast.

The leadership of the party manages the narrative of the party Internal democracy and free exp

causalities of the narrative thatwillbepedaled.

At a previous Congress, personswereplacedintothe variouscaucusestoguidethe discussions; but their true purpose was to ensure that the delegates towed the line oftheleadership.

The narrative for this Congress has been set for months now The party’s d

legates have been bombarded with rhetoric that the government and partyareundersiegeandthat enemiesareatthegates.The enemies have long been identifiedastheOpposition, elementsofthemiddleclass, the Kaieteur News and StabroekNews.

The delegates will be toldagainabouttheenemies that are encircling the party and therefore the delegates in turn must circle the wagons, they must unite to

repel the threat from the Opposition and from KaieteurNewsandStabroek News.

They will be told this is not the time for internal dissent or divisions. If the enemiesareatthegate,then it is time to forget the internal problems. It is time tolookpastthedeviationsof theleadershipandtouniteto repelenemiesatthegate.

This is the narrative that will infect the Congress and ensure that the leadership obtainsafreepass,freefrom any serious scrutiny or identificationofitsmissteps.

This narrative also serves the interests of the party leadership When presented with the narrative that both the party and the government are facing attacks, delegates are less likely to criticise the leadership,asdoingsocould be interpreted as a lack of confidence in a time of crisis Consequently, the leadership’s shortcomings may be ignored in favour of maintainingaunifiedstance againstexternalthreats.

Theroleofdelegateshas long been distorted. It is the Congress which ought to

have s

Presidentialcandidateofthe party

Buttheleadershiptookit upon itself to foist the Presidentialcandidateonthe party Electionsareoneyear away The delegates could use this opportunity to endorse Irfaan Ali as the presidential candidate for theparty Thiswouldatleast ensure that the President does not have to kowtow to anyone in the party in order to ensure that he retains the confidenceoftheleadership forthenextelections. It is the least that the delegates can do to salvage theirownimportancewithin thepartyandensurethatthe seizure of the party by the bourgeois class is not total andfinal.

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

dissentusedtohaveaseatattheKongress. But now, it’s been escorted out the back door, labeled as divisive, disruptive, and dangerous.

The death knell of democracy echoes throughthehallsoftheConventionCentre. Itwillbedrownedoutinthedinofscripted speeches and rehearsed applause. The dissenters,ifanydareraisetheirvoices,will be quickly silenced shouted down, sidelined, or simply erased from the narrative.

But let us mourn the death of dissent within the ruling party, but let the faithful also vow to keep the flame of democracy alive, no matter how dim it may seem. For aslongastherearevoiceswillingtospeak truthtopower,thereisstillhope. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

Simple, straight questions for Mr. Alistair Routledge of ExxonMobil

Will Guyana settle for merely...

From page 05 chulah, pukni, chimta, karahi, saphee, dhall ghotni, okhri, musar, sil and lorha.

Music and dance provided

e n t e r t a i n m e n t w i t h instruments such as: tassa, tabla, dholak, majeera, dhantal, bansoori, sitar and harmonium They never forgot their customs and traditionsandthefestivalsof Phagwah, Diwali, Ramadan and Eid became popular

Their weddings and religious activities were spectacular

Referred to as “coolies,” theIndiansweresecludedon theestatesinthelogieswhile serving the colonial masters as sugar workers with their blood, sweat and tears.Tired of this isolation, those who remained after completing their contracts, broke free and started to build settlements away from the estates.

TheyfirstwenttoHelena in 1896, then to Whim in

1898 and then to Bush Lot. Their economic freedom was established by commencing humbly as peasant farming, graduating to rice cultivation and agricultural farming such as planting vegetables, coconuts, coffee and fruit trees. It was a slow but sure transformation from coolie as a consumer and customer to coolie as a commercial counterpart. But they were always denied a place at the table and had to convert to Christianityinordertoavoid censorship. Thiscompetitionposeda challenge and the Indian contributions were diluted, ignored or unacknowledged. Dr Cheddi Jagan reminded his audience in NY at the 150th anniversary of the arrival of East Indians in the Caribbean, “It is shortsightedtoseethe‘Caribbean man’ only as a ‘Blackman’ andtheCaribbeanCultureas

AfricanCulture.”

A former West Indies cricketcaptaincreatedchaos when he referred to the West Indies team as “African.”

During the Burnham era, CARICOM leaders behaved asif“CaribbeanEastIndians either do not exist or are below the competence of the African majority segment of thesociety.”

Now the table has turned withtherobustemergenceof forceful Indian leaders in Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname who have forged a change of heart. A former Prime Minister of T&T, Basdeo Pandey, had advocated for the equal treatment of Indians saying, “We must realise that Indians cannot get justice in isolation from the rest of the society.” Will Guyana settle for merely ‘Arrival Day’ or secure a certain ‘Indian ArrivalDay?’

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

Sunday

ExxonMobilandbroker summonedtoCourtby GRAoverinflated US$12.1Binvoice

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) and its former broker Ramps

L o g i s t i c s G u y a n a Incorporated, have been summoned to court by the Guyana Revenue (GRA) over a US$12 1 billion invoice. It was recently reported that Exxon and Ramps are facing similar charges over a November 2023 declaration made by RampsonbehalfofExxonto GRA. Ramps acted as the

broker for Exxon’s importing oil well e q u i p m e n t v a l u e d

US$4,467,662, but declared

to Customs that the equipment was valued at US$12,192,103,923.91.

Thisinflateddeclaration isofsignificantconcernasit couldimpactoilprofitshadit been approved. According to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with the Exxon-led consortium for the Stabroek Block A provision in the PSAallows Exxon to deduct 75% of the revenues earned towards costrecoveryorrepayingthe investmentsbythecompany

The remaining 25% is then shared with Guyana as profit, meaning the country receives 12.5% along with a 2%royalty

According to copies of the summons filed by the Commissioner General of GRA, Mr Godfrey Statia, bothExxonandRampswere summonedtoappearincourt in relation with the false declaration made to the RevenueAuthority

It was stated that Exxon

on the 16th day of November,2023atLot200201 Camp Street, Georgetown, a place in the Georgetown Magisterial District, caused to be made and subscribed a false declaration to the Revenue Authority, to wit the defendant caused the value declared on invoice number

INV# MVYT_1P07HP-006 dated on the 16th day of November, 2023 for a quantity of oil well equipmentandsuppliestobe v a l u e d a t USD$12,192,103,923 91

Similarly, Ramps’summons stated that on the same date Ramps made an untrue declaration to the Revenue Authority According to a

GRAdocument, Exxon was informed that during the investigation Ramps submitted a missive to the Revenue Authority stating that it was contracted by Exxon to provide brokerage and freight forward service and attributed the erroneous declaration to information obtained from Exxon’s KABALsystem.

Kaieteur News understands that on December 11, 2023, Exxon representatives visited GRA to assist with the investigation, where enquiries were made in relationtoExxon’sconduct.

Further, in response, Exxon in a letter dated December 13, 2023 claimed that it learned that Ramps, “incorrectlyinputtedUSDas the currency of the commercial invoice on the referenced Customs declaration, in place of GYD; and the error resulted in an overstatement of the value of the items listed on the commercial invoice and consequently on the Customs declaration submittedbyyourbroker.”

In response to this, the RevenueAuthorityindicated t h a t E x x o n ’ s claims/explanation cannot be deemed as accepted in law, particularly since a statutorydutyisimposedon Exxon to verify and ensure thatallinformationdeclared to GRAby its broker is true andcorrect.

“In addition, evidence was obtained to prove that the untrue declaration was caused to be made and subscribed to the Revenue Authority by your company

As such, be guided accordingly that this act constitutes a breach of Section 217 (1) (a) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01,” GRA told the company

Exxon was given an opportunity to show cause why proceedings should not be instituted against them in

accordance with the Customs Act. Notably, it

wasstatedthatifExxonfails torespondwithin14daysof the letter, the Revenue Authority will be forced to take the necessary action againstthecompany

Additionally, according to another document submitted to the Revenue Authority by Exxon stated, “Wethankyouforyourletter of 18th March, 2024, in which you have invited ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) to show cause why proceedings should not be instituted againstEMGLinaccordance with the provisions of Section 217(1)(a) of the Customs Act Cap. 82:01 in connection with Customs Declaration GY 410 2023 C2612 dated November 16, 2023.” Exxon response to theRevenueAuthoritymade severalclaims:thatitwasnot the declarant and has not made any false declaration, that the declaration was made by Ramps, that it (Exxon) has not made and subscribed or caused to be made and subscribed any false declaration, that any error made by Ramps was a typographical error which didnotinuretothedetriment of or cause any loss to the Revenue Authority, that to the best of EMGL’s knowledge all information that was available to Ramps from the KABAL platform was accurate and any error wasnotcausedbyExxon.

Moreover, the oil companyalsotoldGRAthat under its contract, Ramps had an obligation to review and verify all inbound shipping documentation (such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc.) and work to ensure that all such documentation was accurate andcorrectandmetcustoms requirements of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

RLGI was contractually obligated to review and verify all relevant shipping information before

for a moment that each one of these would probably be employing more than 1,000 persons, consider the food and other supplies they will need, the transport services, theconstructionservices,the equipment supply services and all of the multiplier benefitsthatthreelargescale gold mining operations in Guyana,”(willhave)hesaid.

ofthatdeepsleepayuhin. I reallydon’tknow.”

preparingandsubmittingthe declaration.

“In these circumstances there are no apparent circumstances why proceedings ought to be institutedagainstEMGLasa matteroffactorlaw EMGL is ready to engage with the Guyana Revenue Authority in the spirit of dialog and cooperation to address any remaining concerns that the Authority may have on this matter,” Exxon further stated.

Additionally, back in 2 0 2 2 G R A’s L a w E n f o r c e m e n t a n d Investigations Division instituted 10 charges in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for false declarations madebyRampsLogistics.In April 2023, Ramps in a statement said that it had been cleared of all charges brought by the Revenue Authority.

Considerdominoeffectof billionsbeinglostfrom goldfields–GlennLall …couldhaveended blackouts,doubledpublic servants’salaries

Guyanese leaders continue to allow foreign investors into the country and provide them with substantial concessions only for them to turn around and flip it for a profit, even before making any substantial investments, Publisher of Kaieteur News Dr GlennLallsaidrecently Lall was responding to recent statements by MinisterwithResponsibility forFinance,Dr AshniSingh. Dr.SinghataPrivateSector Commission (PSC) function announced that the bringing on board of three new gold mining operations–larger than Omai gold mines–and called on stakeholders “to consider the domino effects”. “You know how significant Omai was, contemplate for a moment t h r e e l a rg e s c a l e developments,eachofwhich islargerthanOmai,consider

However, considering Dr Singh’s statements, Lall rhetorically asked his radio andsocialmediaaudienceto consider the effects of not only the lost resources but the billions more to be extracted.

Lall was at the time referencing the sale of two largegoldconcessionstothe tune of almost US$1B and proposed that, the foregone revenue could have alleviated many of the woes presentlyfacingthenation.

“Consider the domino effect and multiplying benefits of not only what they have walked out with from that two sale, but how much more US billions the peoplethatbuyin,willwalk out with in years to come,” he said. According to Lall, “that money could not only end blackouts and that stink water ayuh drinking people, butitcouldgiveeveryhome free electricity and water; thatmoneycandoubleallthe public servants’ salaries for twoyears.”

With this in mind, the activist posits “we are at the most dangerous place ever, inthehistoryofthisGuyana with these sellouts, con artists, scamps, swindlers, rogues, misfits, incompetent or corrupt Politicians, you chose which category you wanttoputthemin.”

Qualifying his position further Lall said, “59 years we been suffering from this plague of blackouts created by the PNC (Peoples National Congress) and the PPP (People’s Progressive Party), in which there is no cure in sight,” and again questioned, “I don’t know when you people will wake up in this country, or what willittakeforyoutogetout

He described the status quo as akin to every Guyanese sitting with a winning lottery ticket in hands, valued millions of US$, “and look how ayuh living, hand to mouth, in blackouts, stink water coming from the pipes year after year, and ayuh still silent, running behind these parasites parading themselves as politicians who, every day selling out ayuh, to one foreigner after another, and then begging fuhloans.”

In light of the situation, he also proffered “just imagine the figures… the threelargestgoldcompanies will walk out with in the yearstocome.”

This publication had on Thursday last published that days after disclosing the signing of a US$1 million MineralAgreement with the Government of Guyana (GoG), Canada-based mining company Reunion G o l d C o r p o r a t i o n announced that it sold 57% shares of its Guyana gold project for some US$638 million(C$875million).

On April 18, Reunion announced the signing of an agreement with government andtheGuyanaGeologyand Mines Commission (GGMC), which paves the way for the exploration and development of the Oko West gold project located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Guyana. Under the terms of the Mineral Agreement,ReunionGoldis granted stable fiscal and operational conditions throughout the project’s lifespan.

In December last this publicationhadalsoreported that G2 Goldfields Inc., a Canadian-based company, disclosedanagreementwith AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), aUS-basedfirm,tofinalizea strategic investment deal AGA has committed to purchasing an 11.7 percent stakeinG2’sGuyanamining p r o j e c t f o r CDN$22,050,000.

Monday

Exxonandbrokerface GYD$25000fineiffound guiltyofinflating US$12.1Binvoice …Guyana’soiltopay Exxon’slawyerfeesand thefine–oilcontract

Kaieteur News – If convicted of making a false declarationtotheGuyana (Continuedonpage13)

Publisher of Kaieteur News, Dr. Glenn Lall

Frompage12 RevenueAuthority(GRA)in the sum of US$12.1 billion, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) and its former broker Ramps

L o g i s t i c s G u y a n a Incorporated (RLGI), face a mere GYD$25,000 fine, together with imprisonment forthreeyears.

It was recently reported that Exxon and Ramps are facing similar criminal charges over a November 2023 declaration made by RampsonbehalfofExxonto GRA. Ramps acted as the broker for Exxon importing oil well equipment valued US$4,467,662, but declared to Customs that the equipment was valued at US$12,192,103,923.91.

According to copies of the summons filed by the Commissioner General of GRA, Mr Godfrey Statia, bothExxonandRampswere summonedtoappearincourt in relation with the false declaration made to the Revenue Authority It was statedthatExxononthe16th day of November, 2023 at Lot 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, a place in the Georgetown Magisterial District, caused to be made and subscribed a false declaration to the Revenue Authority, to wit the defendant caused the value declared on invoice number INV# MVYT_1P07HP-006 dated on the 16th day of November, 2023 for a quantity of oil well equipmentandsuppliestobe v a l u e d a t USD$12,192,103,923 91

Similarly, Ramps’summons stated that on the same date Ramps made an untrue declaration to the Revenue Authority

Thestatementofoffence listed on the summons is, “Madeanuntruedeclaration to the Revenue Authority, contraryto215(1)(c)ofthe Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.”

According to the section 215 (1) of the CustomsAct, “Any person who, in any matter relating to the customs,orunderthecontrol or management of the Comptroller - Penalty for false declaration (c) makes or signs any declaration made for the consideration of any officer onanyapplicationpresented to him, the same being u n t r u e i n a n y particular…shallbeliableon summaryconvictiontoafine of twenty five thousand dollars together with imprisonment for three years.”

Whilethepenaltyforthe allegedoffenceisminiscule, the inflated declaration is of significant concern as it couldimpactoilprofitshadit beenapproved.

According to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with the Exxon-led consortium for the Stabroek Block.

A provision in the PSA allowsExxontodeduct75% of the revenues earned towards cost recovery or repaying the investments by thecompany

The remaining 25% is then shared with Guyana as profit, meaning the country receives 12.5% along with a 2%royalty

It is instructive, that shouldExxonMobilbetaken before the courts in Guyana or even before a regional or international court for any reason that has direct relations to the company’s operations in Guyana, the cost incurred for all legal fees or judgment handed down will be paid by Guyana.Thisisstipulatedin the2016ProductionSharing Agreement(PSA).

Kaieteur News has reported that Exxon was informed that during the investigation Ramps submitted a missive to the Revenue Authority stating that it was contracted by Exxon to provide brokerage and freight forward service and attributed the erroneous declaration to information obtained from Exxon’s KABALsystem.

This publication understands that on December 11, 2023, Exxon representatives visited GRA to assist with the investigation, where enquiries were made in relation to Exxon’s conduct. Further, in response, Exxon in a letter dated December

cause why proceedings should not be instituted againstEMGLinaccordance with the provisions of Section 217(1)(a) of the Customs Act Cap. 82:01 in connection with Customs Declaration GY 410 2023 C2612 dated November 16, 2023.”

13, 2023 claimed that it learned that Ramps, “incorrectlyinputtedUSDas the currency of the commercial invoice on the referenced Customs declaration, in place of GYD; and the error resulted in an overstatement of the value of the items listed on the commercial invoice and consequently on the Customs declaration submittedbyyourbroker.”

In response to this, the RevenueAuthorityindicated t h a t E x x o n ’ s claims/explanation cannot be deemed as accepted in law, particularly since a statutorydutyisimposedon Exxon to verify and ensure thatallinformationdeclared to GRAby its broker is true andcorrect.

“In addition, evidence was obtained to prove that the untrue declaration was caused to be made and subscribed to the Revenue Authority by your company

As such, be guided accordingly that this act constitutes a breach of Section 217 (1) (a) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01,” GRA told the company

Exxon was given an opportunity to show cause why proceedings should not be instituted against them in accordance with the CustomsAct.

Notably, it was stated thatifExxonfailstorespond within 14 days of the letter, the Revenue Authority will be forced to take the necessary action against the company

Additionally, according to another document submitted to the Revenue Authority by Exxon stated, “Wethankyouforyourletter of 18th March, 2024, in which you have invited ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) to show

Exxon response to the Revenue Authority made severalclaims:thatitwasnot the declarant and has not made any false declaration, that the declaration was made by Ramps, that it (Exxon) has not made and subscribed or caused to be made and subscribed any false declaration, that any error made by Ramps was a typographical error which didnotinuretothedetriment of or cause any loss to the Revenue Authority, that to the best of EMGL’s knowledge all information that was available to Ramps from the KABAL platform was accurate and any error wasnotcausedbyExxon.

Moreover, the oil companyalsotoldGRAthat under its contract, Ramps had an obligation to review

and verify all inbound shipping documentation (such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc) and work to ensure that all such documentation was accurate andcorrectandmetcustoms requirements of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

RLGI was contractually obligated to review and verify all relevant shipping information before preparingandsubmittingthe declaration.

“In these circumstances there are no apparent circumstances why proceedings ought to be institutedagainstEMGLasa matteroffactorlaw

EMGLisreadytoengage with the Guyana Revenue Authority in the spirit of dialog and cooperation to

address any remaining concerns that the Authority may have on this matter,” Exxon further stated Additionally, back in 2022 GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigations Division instituted 10 charges in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for false declarations madebyRampsLogistics.In April 2023, Ramps in a statement said that it had been cleared of all charges brought by the Revenue Authority

ExxonMobil alreadydeducting costsforgaspipeline …althoughGovt.saysit payingbackthrough purchaseofgas

Kaieteur News – The Government of Guyana (GoG)hasmaintainedthatit will not be paying for the natural gas in the Stabroek Block but will receive the gas for free to provide cheaper electricity to a portionofthecountry According to the administration, it will be paying ExxonMobil for the gas to repay the costs of the 12-inch pipeline being constructed to transport the gas. This means that the company should be compensated when gas is deliveredtothegovernment. Although the pipeline is yet tobecompletedhowever,the oil giant has begun reimbursing itself for the US$1B project cost by deductingGuyana’soil. This is according to the 2018-2020 audit report,

conducted by VHE

Consulting, of the company’s expenses The report that was recently made public by the government shows that ExxonMobilclaimeditspent some US$2 1M on the project during the period

under review “The Contractor included on the Cost Recovery Statement costs for ground and air surveys, mooring studies, and Contractor andAffiliate labour for the proposed gasto-power pipeline and onshore NGL plant,” the auditorsexplained.

T h e a u d i t t e a m highlighted that while costs for the gas-to-energy pipeline project are recoverable, those for the NGLplantarenot.“Costsfor the gas-to-power pipeline are recoverable under the Petroleum Agreement because the pipeline will transport gas to the “Delivery Point ” Costs

associated with the NGL plant, however, are not recoverable because the plantwillbelocatedpastthe Delivery Point,” the report states.

Notably,theauditorsdid not contest costs submitted by the operator for the pipeline (see table attached for full details of costs claimed by Exxon for the project).

The audit report contradicts statements made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo,thatthecountrywill repay ExxonMobil for the projectthroughthepurchase ofgas.

Jagdeo during a press conferenceinJune2022said that, “Well the pipeline will be funded from cost oil, and we would have to repay that over20years.Butthegasis free, and this is crucial; it is one of the things we were arguing for from the beginning.”

The GoG is yet to make agreements for the GTE project public, despite repeated calls from the Opposition and other stakeholders. In the absence of these key documents, the project details remain sketchywithnoclearoutline on the cost recovery aspect oftheinitiative.

VP Jagdeo was asked about the release of the agreements for the project during a press conference in April when he said, “Maybe soon.”

The Chief Policymaker for the oil and gas sector noted that the details of the agreementarealreadypublic knowledge According to him, “Everything that you see in the agreement you know we told you the price- US$750 million; we told you the timeline for implementation; you know how many turbines and what’s the size of the turbines…you know what the liquidating damages are.”

Jagdeo therefore said, “Maybesoon,Idon’tknow I don’t know That’s for Gail Teixeira and the others” when asked when the agreements would be laid in Parliament.

TheOppositionhasbeen callingonthegovernmentto tableallagreements,relative to the massive US$2 billion GTE project, in Parliament however none of the documents have been presented to the nation Since 2022, the government signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with the StabroekCo-ventures, (Continuedonpage52)

Expenses claimed by ExxonMobil between 2018 and 2020 for the Gas-to-Energy project

Former Director of the Environmental ProtectionAgency, Dr. VincentAdams

Powership to begin connection to the grid today - rainy weather delaying process

DPI - The process to connect the Guyana Power and Light Inc's (GPL's) Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) to the powership will commence todayasthevesselfinallyarrivedat Everton,RegionSix.

The ship which holds 36 megawatts of electricity arrived on Saturday afternoon It was anchored in the Berbice River, awaiting the final touches of pile driving to be done at the location in order to accommodate it in a fixed position.

Presentatthelocationtoseethe incoming of the ship was Zone ManagerofGPL,BerbiceRavindra Jagnandan. He stressed that his team of engineers and other technical officers were working daily and assiduously over the last two weeks to ensure that all preparatory works have been completed to accommodate the ship.However, due to the constant change in the weather, the team faced some challenges Nevertheless, he said, the team managed to complete over 90 per cent of the work, with pile driving and the setting up of transmission lineslefttobedone.

Additional lighting in the parameters of the compound which leads to the ship is also being installed.“Once the ship is docked, we have to connect the ship to our 69 kilovolts network. When that is finished, we have some more maintenance work to do on our transmission lines and then we can inject power into the grid from the ship,” Jagnandan explained to media operatives who were also present.

He noted that this will be done as soon as possible depending on thechangeofweather

The manager further explained

that the vessel comes with conductors which will then be connected to the transmission line 'structure.'

“The ship comes with conductors which I think is about 100 metres. So, we will make the necessary connections from the gantry on the ship on to our transmission line structure and that will be the final stage of the

The transmission lines being set up to connect them to the ship

Final pile driving works being done to safely secure the ship at Everton in the

River

operation. That could be done withintwodays,”thezonemanager stated.He posited that GPL will be able to transport all 36 megawatts from the ship to its network as frequently as is needed once everythingiscompleted.

The ship is expected to become fully operationalised by May 8, 2024. It is expected too that it will operateat96percentavailability

Meanwhile, Executive Director

of Operations (CDO) of

Karpowership International from Turkey, the company which the ship is being rented from, Osman

Yalman noted that the vessel consists of two engines which will pushmaximumamountofpower

“The powership have two engines which produce 18 5

megawatts each and which will be supplytothegrid,”Yalmanstated.

In order to bring relief to citizens and meet the high demand of electricity in the country, the government through GPL signed a multi-million-dollar contract with

Urbacon Concessions Investments, W.L.L (UCI), a subsidiary of UCC Holdings in Qatar, in collaboration with Karpowership International to rent the ship for two years.GPL signed the contract onApril 13 and has already paid a mobilisation fee

Govt. to spend $35M on kitchen, bridge at

Th e g o v e r n m e n t through the Ministry ofAmerindianAffairs

is preparin

o spend approximately $35 million to extend the kitchen and build a concrete bridge a

he Amerindian Residence, located onPrincessStreet,Georgetown. Kaieteur News understands that these works came following calls for a section of the building toberehabilitated. It was disclosed at a recent opening of tenders that the kitchen works is pegged at $13,914,600, and the contractors bidding for the contract are: Marrio Construction Inc$12,625,620; AKP Contracting; Emeralds General Contracting & Distributors; Centaur Investment Inc - $15,081,465; Baroque Engineering & Construction Services - $10,479,388; and ADL Investment-$13,904,816.

The Amerindian Residence located on Princes Street, Georgetown.

of US$1 million for the vessel's rental. The company will pay US 6.62 cents per kilowatt hour as a monthly charter fee for the powership, and a maintenance fee of0.98UScentsperkWh,basedon electricitygenerated.

Amerindian Hostel

Construction & Logistics Services - $18,979,015; and R

$25,560,920.

This publication had reported that the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly earlier this year approved approximately $73 million for repair and construction works to be executed at the Amerindian Residence.

As reported this year, the government had allocated some $9 billion towards Amerindian development programmesandprojects.

Duringtheconsiderationof the 2024 Budget Estimates for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Dawn Hastings-Williams

had asked the subject Minister, PaulineSukhaiwhetherthereisany rehabilitative works slated for the Amerindian hostel, and the amount ofmoneyallocatedtowardsthis.

Responding to the question, Minister Sukhai said the budgeted allocation of $25 million will see major works being done at the facility She went on to explain that these works would include

umbing maintenance, repainting of the internal building for both concrete and wooden surfaces, repairs to the roof, replacing of doors at the male and female dorms, the dining hall door,repairstothemalewashroom, repairs to the female dorms front step, and repairs to the floor on the newwingamongothers.

There it was mentioned too that some $48 million will go towards the construction of the concrete bridge and the extension of the kitchen.

Berbice

The 36 megawatts powership in the Berbice River on Saturday

Kaieteur News hereby issues an apology to Dr. Vincent Adams for publishing an article in its May 3,2024 edition stating that a tsunami from the 6th oil project in the Stabroek Block can affect the Region. There was a misunderstanding of the subject that this newspaper regrets and sincerely apologises to Dr Adams for any embarrassment this may have caused.

Tiea Lowe

HailingfromPortKaitumaSub-RegionOneisthe alluringandadventurous,TieaLowe Thegorgeous22-year-oldis delegateoftheMissRegionOnePageantwhoenjoysrunningtrack,visiting historicalplacesandbeingapromotionalmodel.Tiea’sshort-termgoalistousehereffortsto shedalightonPortKaitumainhopesofbringingdevelopmenttothearea.Herlong-termgoalisto empowermorewomentobeentrepreneursandtakeupleadershiproles.Oneofherfavouritequotes istakenfromtheBiblePsalms23:4“Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowof death,Iwillfearnoevilforthouartwithme,thyrodandthystafftheycomfortme.”

Healthy vegetarian diets may boost longevity, slash heart disease death risk

(Source: pro-vegetarian”diet veggie burger with french Medical News Today) ·gPVG,for“generalpro- fries and carbonated soda,” vegetarian”diet. saidGupta.

Adhering to a healthy The healthy pro- “I’ve seen several vegetarian diet may help vegetarian and unhealthy vegetarians start their day slash a person’s death risk pro-vegetarian diet with white toast and butter/ laterinlife. definitions were developed processed jam and fried

A new study finds that byA.Satijain2016. potatoes That would be adhering to a healthy plant- The general pro- another example,” she based diet is associated with vegetarian diet was defined noted a lower risk of death from all by M.A. Martínez-González Julia R Blank, MD, c a u s e s a n d f r o m in2014. board-certified family cardiovascular disease The new study found medicine physician at amongolderpeople. that, compared to those with Providence Saint John’s However, an unhealthy thelowestadherence,people Health Center in Santa plant-based diet increases who adhered moderately to Monica, CA, who was not one’s risk of these the healthy pro-vegetarian involved in the study, also conditions, the findings diet experienced a 41% toldusthat: showed. lower risk of all-cause “The unhealthy [pro-

The study found no mortality and a 53% lower vegetarian] diet has a lot of significant association riskofCVDmortality processedfood.It’sfoodthat between a mixed plant- and Underscoring that there is depleted of the things that animal-based diet and a is more to nutrition than makeadiethealthy.”

foods contain high levels of “According to the study, process.” change in all-cause or simply whether it is plant- Blank said foods qualify sodium, which is associated a general pro-vegetarian diet She added: “I think that specific cause mortality based or not, people who as belonging to the with hypertension, stroke, emphasizes plant-based this is more of a reflection of risk most closely followed an unhealthy pro-vegetarian andCVD. foods but also includes some whatrealdietsarelikerather

N o m e a n i n g f u l unhealthy pro-vegetarian group for two reasons: How “ T h e y ’ r e p r o - animal-based foods,” Gupta than idealized diets. So I connection between any diethada53%increasedrisk they are processed and how inflammatory, they increase explained. thinkthishasmorerelevance plant-based diets and risk of of all-cause death and a theyarecooked. bloodsugar,increasetherisk “It scores plant foods tothewaypeoplelive.” death from cancer was 110% increasedrisk of death Forexample,friedfoods, of diabetes. All of those, positivelyandreversescores The Mediterranean, observedinthisstudy fromCVD. she said, are typically down the line, will have animal foods. An example DASH, and MIND diets

There are ethical and Adherence to a general cooked in unhealthy fats. negative effects on the will be a chicken sandwich generally start in the general environmental reasons to pro-vegetarian diet was not Fruit juices are high in cardiovascular system,” said withsalad,”shesaid. pro-vegetarian category but switch to a more plant- associated in this study with natural sugar and lack the Blank of unhealthy pro- Blank’sviewofageneral can also be practised as centric diet, as well as a all-causeoraspecifictypeof fiber of whole fruits vegetariandietaryitems. pro-vegetarian diet is that it healthy pro-vegetarian diet, growing body of research mortality Thestudysaysthis F u r t h e r m o r e , m a n y What is a ‘general’ pro- istiedinto“theidea[…]that resulting in greater health suggesting such diets are has also been reported in unhealthy pro-vegetarian vegetariandiet? becoming a vegetarian is a benefits. better for our health anotherresearch.

H o w e v e r , a f u l l No association between understanding of the long- any of the diets and the term benefits of such diets likelihood of dying from takestimetoestablish. cancer was observed by the

A new study from Spain researchers. looks specifically at the What makes a healthy effectofplant-baseddietson pro-vegetariandiet? longevity by assessing their F o o d - f r e q u e n c y impact on the incidence of questionnaires allowed all-cause death and deaths participants to report their from cardiovascular disease consumption of 131 food (CVD) and cancer in older itemsinstandardportions. people. Menka Gupta, MD, The study is published in IFMCP at NutraNourish, The Journal of Nutrition, who was not involved in the Health,andAging. study, explained what one Comparing different might find in a healthy provegetarian diets’ impact on vegetariandiet. deathrisk This type of eating, she Using data from the said, “includes nutrientEuropean Eye Study dense plant foods such as (EUREYE), the authors of green vegetables, fruits, the new study investigated plant-based proteins such as connections between three tofu and legumes, whole types of plant-based diets grains, nuts, and healthy oils and mortality among 597 of such as olive oil and coconut its participants Of this oil. It eliminates processed cohort from the Spanish foods, unhealthy fats, and province of Alicante, 54.3% deep-friedfoods.” werefemaleandallwereage An example of a healthy 65orolder pro-vegetarian diet meal

The researchers tracked might be quinoa or brown the participants’ dietary rice with mixed vegetables, habits via questionnaires, such as broccoli, spinach, with information on deaths and carrots with tofu or among the group from lentilsandoliveoildressing. governmental records over a What a pro-vegetarian 12-yearfollow-upperiod. dietunhealthy?

T h e r e s e a r c h e r s “An [unhealthy procategorized each person’s vegetarian] diet will include pro-vegetarian (PVG) diet processedplant-basedfoods, intooneofthreecategories: high in refined grains and ·hPVG,for“healthypro- sugars along with unhealthy vegetarian”diet fats A typical example · uPVG, for “unhealthy would be someone eating a

SCAFFOLD STANDARD OUTLINES

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SAFETY OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

The construction of standard - GYS/CAN/CSA- and material handling residential and commercial Z 797-18 – provides criteria problems. The supervisor is buildings and other public forthesafeerection,use,and the person tasked with infrastructure are ongoing inspection of access ensuring that the scaffold is a c r o s s G u y a n a a s scaffolds. It also addresses built in accordance with the homeowners, business- training of workers who are design drawings, having the owners and the Government responsible for erecting the correct components and collectively continue to scaffolds. According to the materials and proper access rapidly develop our country document, a scaffold is a points. Further, it is noted These developments expose temporary elevated or that the weather should be construction workers to hanging platform and its considered to ensure that the extinguisher, exit door, or workplaceinjuriesordeaths. portal and can be purchased many hazards, thus creating structural members that is stability of the structure is electricalpanel. The safety of workers at via the Canadian Standards the need to implement safety used to support workers not affected as workers To protect workers, the construction and other sites Associationwebsite: standards. One of the most and/or materials during maneuver to complete their standard also recommends remains vital to protecting https://wwwcsagroup or common hazards for these construction, repair, or dailytasks. that in the vicinity of life and limb In April, g/store/product/Z797-18/ workers is the potential of maintenance operations As the city’s population

Guyana joined in observing Finally, there are over falling from great heights However, it should not be increases, some buildings conductors such as power Occupational Safety and twenty (20) National leading to injuries or even used to support temporary are constructed in proximity lines, precautions should be Health Month under the Standards relating to the death To avoid such loads or hold a structural to others. However, it is taken to maintain the theme: ”’We are running out construction sector which incidents, there is need for element in place during the specified that scaffolds minimum safe approach of time: Ensuring Safe and are available at the GNBS the erection of access construction or repair These erected at the side of these d i s t a n c e f r o m t h e Healthy work now in a and can also be found on the scaffolds which are sturdy structures can either be structures during the conductors Where the changing climate.” portal gnbsguy com For andreliable. supported on a surface, construction phase should powerline voltage is The GNBS is urging more information on these

In 2022, the Guyana mounted on wheels or hung not have walkways that are unknown, scaffolds should employers and workers to standards, contact the National Bureau of from multiple points, but are less than fifty-five (55) not be erected until the ensure that safety standards Bureau’s Standardisation Standards (GNBS) adopted not capable of moving centimetres wide unless voltage is verified or the are implemented in the Department on telephone the Code of Practice for verticallyorhorizontally otherwise required by local powerlines are insulated, de- workplace The National numbers: 219-0064 or 219Access scaffold from the The standard addresses regulations The structure energisedorrelocated. Standard GYS/CAN/CSA-Z 0065 or visit the GNBS Canadian Standards key hazards, including fall should also not impede any ThisNationalStandardis 797-18 - Code of Practice website: www.gnbsgyorg. Association (CSA) as a h a z a r d s , s t r u c t u r a l emergency equipment important to those in the for Access Scaffold is You can also WhatsApp us National Standard The instability, platform failures, including fire hose, fire construction sector to avoid available through the GNBS on+592

Buju Banton back to the United States 6 years after he was deported

(Source: Dancehall Mag)

DJ Khalid has welcomed Reggae and Dancehall star Buju Banton back to the United States, six years after he was deportedbacktoJamaica.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, was deported to Jamaica after his release on December 7, 2018, fromMcRaeCorrectionalInstituteinGeorgia.

He had served close to 10 years for conspiracy to possess withintenttodistributefiveormorekilogramsofcocaine.

In an Instagram Live on Thursday, Banton joined Khaled in Miami, Florida. “This is legendary! I haven’t seen my brother and I don’t think you have seen my brother and it’s beenabout15yearssinceyouhaveseenhiminMiamiorwhat we call the United States. And I just want to say yow Buju Banton welcome back to your second home,” the producer said.Bantonresponded:“Godisamazingmybrother,Iwanna saynufflovetoallthepeopleoutthere.ThisisBujuBanton,I want to say nuff love to you all, all my fans out there in all the statesintheUnitedStatesofAmerica,Gargamelisback.”

“It’s been a long time I haven’t seen you, it’s been a long timemyfeethavewalkedonthisside.Nothingbeforethetime and now is the time so let’s get the music going, let’s get the vibegoing,let’spickupourselves,andlet’srememberwhowe are and let’s get lively.” Banton also shared a series of photos fromaprivatejetandatKhaled’shome,writinginthecaption: “Longwastheroad,manywerethetravels,Butthejourneyof a1000milesbeginwithasinglestep,Miamisimiya.”

Both Banton and Khaled are currently signed to Def Jam, and Khaled is also the Global Creative Consultant for UniversalMusicGroup’sparentcompany

During an episode of Up Close & Personal for Grammy.com, Khaled explained that in the early years of his career, he would travel between Miami and Kingston to observesoundclashculture.Eventually,hisdeterminationand vigor pushed him to evolve from a teenage bedroom turntablist to a popular Miami radio DJ who dabbled in Rap andDancehallmixes.

“I grew up listening to Dancehall, playing Dancehall musicwithHipHop.Asayoungkid,IusedtobeinJamaica,I use to basically live in Miami and Jamaica. I sound clashed, I’ve deejayed in Kingston throughout the whole beginning of mycareer,”Khaledsaid.

According to Khaled, his popularity quickly grew, thanks toafewexclusivedubplatesfromhisJamaicandeejayfriends. “I blew up, my name got big in Miami and the Caribbean because Khaled was known for playing Hip Hop and Reggae butalsoknownforhisspecialdubplates”hesaid.

“All those artistes you saw on my album on that song, my friends that cosigned me in the beginning of my career They use to give me dubplates and they put their hands around my shoulder saying we love this kid and I never forget where I comefrom,”hesaid.

Jamaican Reggae and Dancehall star Buju Banton pictured with DJ Khaled in Miami on Thursday

REMEMBERING THE FIRSTARRIVALOF INDIANS IN GUYANANEARLYTWO CENTURIESAGO

PAT DIAL estates since they foresaw work. The conditions of strikes at Plantation Farm, economic activities and also immigration made is in the May 5 is commemorated thefreedmenwouldabandon their living and work were Mahaicony, Chateau Margot, a

We

n field of Culture: Indian by the descendants of Indian their estates as soon as they much the same as the slaves and in 1870, there were Education that they were cuisine such as dhal puri and indentured immigrants from could. The system under before them and Indian violenceandstrikesatHague, able to move into the petty the eating of rice as a staple; at least as early as the 1930’s which the foreign workers Indentureshipwastermedby VergenoegenandSuccess In bourgeoisie and bourgeoisie I

as marking the anniversary were to be recruited was some historians as “the new 1872, at Devonshire Castle class and make notable Phagwah which are now of the arrival of the first known as the Indenture slavery”. The immigrants Estate in Essequibo, a very contributions to national life enjoyed by the whole indenturedIndiansin1838in System. The basic terms of were housed in the same serious strike took place. in all spheres. As Gilbert population; and Guyana, in the ships Whitby and this contract were that the deteriorating logies in which Such strikes were always and Sullivan would have put additiontobeinghometothe Hesperus. It was only after workers’ passage to Guyana theslaveshadlived. called “riots” so as to involve it “a sugar worker’s lot is not great Christian and Western Independence that this would be borne by the These places had no the armed police who, in this ahappyone”. Civilization, has now commemoration of Indian planters, they would be privacy, their floors were case, shot five strikers and Whenthefirstindentured become equally home to Arrival Day was extended to bound to serve for five years mudandalwaysdamporwet seriously injured several immigrants ventured off the mankind’s two other great thewholepopulationwhenit with specific levels of wages and they had no ventilation. others AtRoseHallin1913, estates, they went into rice religions and civilizationswas declared a public and after the five years of Water for drinking and fifteen strikers were killed by cultivation on a small scale the Hindu and Muslim. Our holiday service, they were eligible washing came from the police during a strike Then to meet their home and I n d i a n -

At the time the public forapassagehome. canals which were polluted there were the Enmore village needs. In a short indentured immigration holiday was declared, Indentured workers from withsewage. Martyrs where seven strikers time, they grasped the population has encouraged however, it was designated various countries including It is not surprising, were shot by the police commercial possibilities of India,aworldpowerwiththe “Arrival Day” with the Malta, Madeira and China therefore, that diseases like in1947 and before that there the crop and for a long time, third largest military in the intention that it would also were tried but the planters typhoid, malaria and weretheRuimveldtkillings it became one of the legs of world, to have a special encompass the arrival of finally settled upon India to dysentery were endemic and Sugar workers, from the the tripod - Sugar, Bauxite relationship with Guyana Chinese and Portuguese, source their workers and the “hospitals” on these highdaysofIndentureshipin and Rice - on which the and to lend support to until President Granger, a between 1838 and 1917 estates had no equipment or the 19th century, have never Guyana economy rested Guyana in difficulties it may history scholar, decided to when Indentureship was drugs and could be of little been able to accumulate They then went into coconut have on the international end the gaucherie by discontinued, approximately helptothesick Thecontracts generational wealth and to farming and had the first stage. publicising the actual arrival 239,000 Indians were were never honoured and the really better their social and coconut estates producing The indentured Indian dates of Chinese and brought to the colony Of workers were always economic condition; it is coconutoil. immigrants and their Portuguese and extending t h e s e , o n e - t h i r d overworkedandbadlyrobbed only when they and their Probably the most descendants have been an his felicitations on their approximately returned to of their pay Indeed, their childrenleavetheestatesand important contribution to essential part of Guyanese respective anniversaries India, approximately one- normal wages could barely get involved in other Guyanese life which Indian nationhood. Thereafter, the Public third died in the colony and allow them to survive and Holiday on 5th May was approximately one-third from the 1860’s, there were correctly termed “Indian remained in the colony, regularworkerprotests ArrivalDay”. mostly because they never Theselabourunrestswere I n 1 8 3 3 , t h e had enough money with always treated as criminal Emancipation Act was which to go home or were so offences and the colonial passed by the British broken in health that they policewerealwayscalledout Parliamentfreeingtheslaves could not face the rigours of The first notable protest took throughout the British the three-month sea voyage place at Leonora Estate in Empire. In Guyana and the toIndia.Itwasthehighdeath 1869 and as usual, the police rest of the Caribbean rate and debilitation of so sided with the Estate territories, the ex-slaves had many workers which Management and loss of life to serve a period of necessitated the regular was barely avoided when the “Apprenticeship” before importationofworkers. leaders of the protest were beingfullyfree. The high death rates arrested The leaders were During the 1830’s, suffered by the immigrants convicted and incarcerated in therefore, the planters were due to their poor and the Mazaruni penal became frantic to recruit insanitary living conditions settlement Following the workers to man their sugar and the harsh conditions of Leonora strike, there were

Shenseea Shenseea

Teams Up With Purple Disco Machine For ‘Honey Boy’

Jamaican singer

S h e n s e e a ’ s dynamic vocals are featured in German producer/DJ Purple Disco Machine’snewsong, Honey Boy

The project, which also features Swedish Singer Benjamin Ingrosso and American guitarist Nile Rodgers, was released on Friday(May3).

“Combining the infectiousgroovesofclassic funky disco with modern pop sensibilities, Honey Boytransportslistenerstoa realmofpureeuphoriawith its rhythm, vocals and drivingenergy,”areleaseto DancehallMagnoted.

“The single has become a firm favorite in Benjamin Ingrossos’s captivating live performances, who introduced the song as a special addition to his sets. Inspired by its underlying funk vibes, Purple Disco Machineaddedhisnudisco signature touch to the track setting the stage for a collaboration of epic proportions. To elevate the single to its ultimate potential and to maximize the connection with disco past and present, Purple Disco Machine enlisted the legendary Nile Rodgers to added his trademark iconic guitarlicks,takingthetrack tonewheights.”

Shenseea handled the majority of the song’s chorusandalsoappearedin the music video directed by AliceFassi.Benjaminplays the titular role of a honeycovered man searching for love.

“Icameupwith“Honey Boy” at a nightclub in Stockholm,carriedawayby the rhythm of a house beat that instantly had me humming along to what would become the chorus,” Ingrossoexplained.

“That melody haunted me for an entire year It wasn’t until I found myself in a Chinese restaurant,

nodding along to a disco track, that it all clicked. It hadtobecomeadiscosong. The song, shaped by a memorableencounterinthe city’s nightlife, quickly moved from concept to studio recording Once recorded, we all felt the potential the song had and that we had to add more talented influences to make it reach its full potential. I reached out to Tino (Purple Disco Machine) to see if he wanted to finalise it with me,whichhewanted!After having gone back and forth and crafted what we believed was the perfect foundationforthesong.”

He added: “We reached out to Shenseea who joined inandaddedhertouchtothe record.Thefinalpieceofthe puzzle was when Tino got Nile Rodgers to add live guitar to the song, infusing the track with authentic disco-era vibes On my Europe tour, I have been teasingthesongand“Honey Boy”hasprovenirresistible, compelling everyone to dance.”

Purple Disco Machine added: “Benjamin sent the tracktomelatelastyearand Iwasimmediatelyintrigued by its hook, infectious melody and overall funky vibes.Ijustcouldn’twaitto reallyupgradeand

“Shenseea’s voice just fits the song perfectly and really complements Benjamin’s amazing vocal performance Obviously with an artist name like mine, it is pretty easy to guess that Nile Rodgers is one of my all-time heroes and someone I always dreamed of working with. Legenddoesn’treallycover it! I reached out to his team andwasjustsothrilledwhen his guitar lines came back. It’stheperfectmatchtothis track and I could not be prouder to have my name withhisontheartistcredits. Just can’t wait to actually meethim.”

From left: Nile Rodgers, Benjamin Ingrosso, Purple Disco Machine and Shenseea

ST EDITION OF MOTHER/ DAUGHTER PAGEANT LAUNCHED 31

The 31st edition of the locally acclaimed Mother /Daughter Pageant on Thursday officially launched.

The pageant which is being hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture Youths and Sports was launched during a redc a r p e t a f f a i r w h e re i t w a s announced that 22 pairs of mothers and daughters will compete for the coveted crown in the senior, junior and middle categories on May 11, 2024.

This year’s pageant is hosted under the theme, “Timeless Love ” The pageant founded by Ms.Ingrid Fung and her daughter Sulan Fung at the National Sports Hall in 1990 and has grown tremendously throughout the years.

Pageant producer Sulan Fung said that the event is being sponsored by Chung’s Global Inc.

This event will be divided into t

Lebrese/Bigelow Middle Category, andKFCSeniorCategory.

Tickets are available f or purchase at the National Cultural Centre, are priced at $6000 for the s t a g e f ro n t , $ 5 5 0 0 f o r t h e auditorium rear, and $5000 for balcony seats. Additionally, a secret segment will be unveiled during the show, further adding to the excitement. As usual,various prizes will also be awarded during the pageant.

N. Murray Designs

Owner of the Fashion Brand,

Naomi Murray

FBy Shania Williams

Throughout its journey, N

Murray

Designs has been steadfast in its mission to ounded by Fashion and Creative empower women, fostering confidence,

The event showcased the brand’s unveiling of N. Murray Designs’ Bridal Director Naomi Murray over a dynamism, and boldness through its evolution over the past 12 years, featuring collection, a culmination of five years of

decade ago, N. Murray Designs meticulously crafted ensembles, earning three major collections: bridal gowns, dedicationandpassion. initially specialised in handmade bows and itself a well-deserved reputation as a evening gowns, and female ready-to-wear, Comprising 18 exquisite pieces, accessories. However, through dedication householdname. alongside the highly anticipated launch of its including 15 bridal gowns and three mini and vision, the brand has flourished into one On April 13th, 2024, the prominent male ready-to-wear collection, all brideensembles,thecollectioncaptivatedthe of Guyana’s leading fashion houses, carving fashion house based in Guyana, celebrated a accompaniedbyliveentertainment. audience with its elegance and timeless a niche in bridal wear, pageantry dresses, significant milestone with its inaugural

Additionally, the fashion show included beauty Simultaneously, the Fashion Show evening gowns, and ready-to-wear Fashion Show held at the prestigious the presentations of two other distinguished marked another milestone with the collections. HerdmanstonLodge. designers, Rissy Kouture Fashion & Nachle introduction of the brand’s first-ever Design’s. gentlemen’scollection,featuringeight

The highlight of the event was the (Continued on page 46)

Some of the pieces created by N. Murray Designs

Six stunning beauties to compete for Miss Region One Title

MissRegionOneisset and ready for the launch of Pageant 2024,startingfromJune22toJune 29 showcasing the grace, poise, and intelligence of six stunning contestants from the sub-regions of Mabaruma, Matarkai, and Moruca.

The selected delegates poised tocompetefortheprestigioustitle are Tiea Lowe, Lianna Marlock, Alicia Thomas, Tuwana Payne, AnessaScott,andKeishaPrince.

Director of the Pageant, Treasure Alana James, revealed that this year’s event marks a significant milestone as it will commencewithagrandlaunching ceremonyinPortKaituma,afirsttime location for the pageant.The launch will feature the sashing,

swimwear segments, setting the

extravaganzaofbeautyandtalent.

It is also noted that the Miss RegionOnePageantformspartof the Gary James Memorial Weekend,payingtributetothelate fatherofthedirectorherself. The director expressed that the event promises of not only glamour but also fun and meaningful activities, including tours, empowerment forums,andaspeciallunchhosted by the Regional Democratic Council(RDC).

Delegates for Region One Pageant

Thegrandfinale,scheduledfor

Aspects of the empowerment forums of the Pageant will be a collaborationwiththeRightsofthe Child Commission Guyana, where delegates will address community issuesandproposesolutionsaspart oftheirplatforms.

June 29 at the Mabaruma settlement ground, will feature a captivating lineup of events, including the introduction dance, topthreetalentshowcase,costume presentation, evening wear segment,andanintelligenceround.

James expressed hope that the pageant becomes a catalyst for bringingvisitorstotheregionwhile providing the audience with a topnotch entertainment experience. She stated “We hope that as the activities grow, it can continue to bring tourism to the region and to givethepeopleaqualityshow.”

Thisyear,thepageantwillalso debut an exciting addition—an eveningconcertfeaturingthe2024 Soca Monarch King, Carlvin Burnett.

YG Marley’s ‘Praise Jah in the Moonlight’ is Reggae’s biggest song of the last decade

(Source: Dancehall Mag) said behind the scenes. “It No. 20 on the Billboard (thevideo)hadtobetheright Canadian Hot 100, No. 5 on

Reggae singer Jesse way, and I could only find the UK Singles Chart, No. 1 Royal says YG Marley‘s oneSupermantoshootit.” on the Billboard New debut single, Praise Jah In Bennettaimedtocreatea Zealand Songs Chart, and T h e M o o n l i g h t , i s series of “really specific, No. 11 on the Billboard “arguably” the biggest tasteful, stylized framing” Global200. Reggae song of the last that would complement the On the TikTok Billboard decade. song’s message. “I feel so Top 50 chart dated April 20,

The track by ”YG” good,”hesaid.“Ifeellikewe Praise Jah In The Moonlight Marley is the son of rapper properly captured the reachedanewpeakatNo.2. and singer Lauryn Hill and culture, everyone coming In March, it was certified formerfootballplayerRohan together, the feeling of the Silver in the United Marley, and the grandson of song,[and]somanylayersof Kingdom after surpassing reggae pioneer Bob Marley texture, that was the whole 200,000 units sold in the has received a stamp of theme and point of the country approvalfromtopcelebs. video.” The last Reggae songs to

Lauryn Hill, and her son YG Marley during Coachella debut performance (Photo courtesy Coachella)

The Modern Day Judas Praise Jah In The achieve similar chart singer joined the praise Moonlight, which opens numbers were Jay-Z and wagon noting that the track with a vocal sample from Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley’s during its recent three-day Bob Marley & The Wailers’ 2017 collab BAM, which video shoot in Jamaica. “It’s to come. This is just the tip Marley exploring rural YGsoughtoutacclaimed 1978 track Crisis and also reached No. 47 on the Hot good to see these sounds and oftheiceberg,”headded. Jamaica and gifting colorful American director Cole creditsHillasaco-writerand 100 and No. 92 on the UK vibrations penetrate through Royal and fellow artist flowers to the residents, Bennett, known for his work co-producer, has seen Singles chart, and Jr Gong’s the earth,” Royal said on set. Kabaka Pyramid both backupvocalsfromachoirat with Drake, Eminem, and J. significant global success 2005 track Welcome To “Reggae alone can save the appeared in the song’s Hope Gardens, and a Cole, to capture the essence following its release four Jamrock, which reached No. peopledemsoul.” official video, which was heartwarming finale with ofthesong.“Iwaitedforthis monthsago. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 “And YG, sick sick sick released on Saturday (April Marley dancing with his to be the exact, perfect way, The track peaked at No. and No. 13 on the UK artist…Look out for what is 20) The video features mother,LaurynHill. foryoutoreceiveit,”Marley 34 on the Billboard Hot 100, SinglesChart.

Training Begins

| Bubble Boy

The next morning,Timmy woke up with a newfound sense of purpose. The events of the previous day had left him eager to explore his newfoundpowersfurther,andhecouldn'twait to see what other amazing things he was capableof.

As he ate his breakfast, Timmy's mind buzzed with questions and excitement. How had he created that bubble shield so effortlessly? And could he do it again?

Determined to find answers, Timmy set off to thepark,theplacewhereithadallbegun.

Upon reaching the park, Timmy noticed a figure waiting for him near the spot where he had first discovered his powers. The figure was dressed in a flowing robe adorned with intricate bubble patterns, and as Timmy approached, he realized that it was none other than Bubble Master—the legendary guardian ofallthingsbubble-related.

"Timmy,I'vebeenexpectingyou,"Bubble Master said with a warm smile, his voice carryingahintofmysteryandwisdom.

Timmy's eyes widened in surprise. How did Bubble Master know his name?And more importantly,whatwashedoinghere?

"I've been watching you, Timmy," Bubble Master continued, as if reading Timmy's thoughts. "I sensed the spark of potential within you the potential to become somethingtrulyextraordinary."

Timmy felt a thrill of excitement coursing through him. Could it be true? Was he really meantforgreatness?

"But first," Bubble Master said, interrupting Timmy's thoughts, "we must train. Your powers are raw and untamed, but with my guidance, you will learn to control andenhancethem."

Andso,Timmy'strainingbegan.

Under Bubble Master's watchful eye, Timmy learned the secrets of bubble manipulation how to shape and mold

bubbles with precision, how to control their size and density, and how to imbue them with specialproperties.

At first, Timmy struggled to master these new techniques. Bubbles popped too soon, or they refused to take the shape he desired. But with patience and perseverance, Timmy slowly began to improve, his skills growing strongerwitheachpassingday

As the weeks went by,Timmy and Bubble Master embarked on a series of fun training exercises designed to test Timmy's newfound abilities They raced through fields of shimmering bubbles, dodging obstacles and laughing as they went. They built towering bubblestructures,eachmoreintricatethanthe last.Andtheyevenventuredintothedepthsof the park's pond, where Timmy learned to create bubbles that could withstand the pressureofthewater

Through it all, Bubble Master offered guidanceandencouragement,pushingTimmy to reach new heights and never giving up on him, even when the challenges seemed insurmountable.

And as the sun set on another day of training,Timmycouldn'thelpbutfeelgrateful for the opportunity to learn from the greatest bubble master of them all. With Bubble Masterbyhisside,Timmyknewthatanything waspossible.Andhewasdeterminedtoprove ittotheworld.

Junior page

DIY NO SEW FELT FLOWERS WITH TWIGS

MATERIALSNEEDED:

*Feltinvarious */Green Felt, T glue

*scissors, pencil, template(3″and6″

DIRECTIONS:

To make a flower round 3″ circles out and 4 of other colours. and in half again to Apply hot glue to circle and attach another circle. Repeat circlesareconnected the same with the glue the two fl together Attach a buttoninthecenter flowerwithhotglue.

To make a rose, 6″ diameter circle felt. Spiral cut the about 3/8″ wide. Roll the felt from the center outward. Affix with hot glue at the end. Do the same with the second colour of felt, and glue thetwoflowerstogether Attach a gold button in the center of the flowerwithhotglue.

To make the “mum” flowers, Cut a piece of felt12″x2.5″andfoldin half. Secure the seam if necessary, with little dabsofhotglue.Cutslits at the fold about 1/2″ apart. Being careful not to cut through the entire flower Roll from one end, and hot glue togetherasyougo.

To make small buds: Cut 3-3″ circles and fold into quarters. Glue the three quarters together into a triangle like shape. Fold 9×2 or 12×2.5 rectangle in half lengthwise.Likeahotdogbun.Cutslitsinto the fold. About 3/8″ apart but

FUN WITH POETRY

by Uncle Roy

I used to think some work was too hard, And so did not even try; This is because I had tried before, And gave up when I could not get by

But then I looked around my class, And saw others doing swell, When I thought I was brighter than them, And felt I could do just as well.

So I decided to never give up, And to always feel I could do better; I put my whole mind to my work, And soon everything got so much easier

not going all the way through the fold. Kind of like making fringe. But it's on the fold.When finished making flowers, cut out leaf shapes. Affix to flowers with hot glue. Addstickstems.

Set your Goals to achieve

the things you really need to succeed in

life

Throughout our l i v e s i t i s important for us to set the goals that we know will fulfil our dreams and make our lives purposeful and happy Having done so, we will need to work diligently and continuously towardstheirfulfilment.

At this point in your life, when most of us will be embarking on a new venture in some way, whether it is going to high school or university, or entering into the world of work, it is very necessary for us to start and continue in this exercise that will make your path ahead u n c o m p l i c a t e d a n d successful.

Herearesometipsthat you may use to keep on this path of achievement of you setgoals:

1.Thinkaboutwhereyou are now and where you want to be at the end of some period.

2. Think of the concrete goalsthatwillgetyouthere.

3. Think of yourself as capable of succeeding in these.

4. Try to predict the problemsanddifficultthings you are likely to encounter alongtheway

5. Divide the larger goal orgoalsintosmallersteps.

6. Set realistic deadlines by which to achieve each

step.

7. Check your progress from time to time, and make any changes as you feel necessarytokeepontrack.

8. Determine to work harder if you falter in any step.

9. Seek support and new ideas from others in this

SLITHERLINK

Fill in some of the dotted line

segments to f o r m a meanderingpath that forms a single loop. The path does not cross itself, branch, or touch itself at corners. The numbers indicate how

m a n y l i n e

s e g m e n t s surround each cell. Empty cells

m a y b e surrounded by any number of linesegments. There is one unique solution, and you should be able to find it

w i t h o u t guessing You

may find it helpful to mark segments that cannot be filled in

You have what it takes to succeedYou have within you everything you need to become anything you want to be, and the zeal to approach your tasks enthusiastically; You have the power to apply yourself energetically, and the wisdom to do so wisely; You have all within you to answer the call to be whatever you want to be in this world; You have imagination within you to see clearly what you want manifested fruitfully; You have love within you to be loving always in all your actions and methods and ways; You have life within you to make right the happiness that is your birthright; You have strength within you to hold and pursue the ideas you know are ever good and true; You have intelligence within you to renounce every thought and action that is bad for you; You have faith within you to fulfil your destiny and make the most of yourself for all eternity

effort.

10 Make sure you congratulate yourself for successes as you move forward.

It happens sometimes thatwefeelweneedtorevise the very goals we have set as circumstances and our dreams change. Do not be

discouraged when this happens, as we must realise that, as we grow older and wiser,ourveryambitionsfor our lives need to be reviewed.

Just keep determined to achieve your purpose in life and you will eventually getthere.

Set your Goals to achieve the things you really need to succeed in life

Uncle Roy is again appealing to our readers to make a contributiontothiscolumnbyeithergivingafeedback on what is published, asking for some help with some personal problem, offering some advice to fellow teenagers, or sharing the news of what is happening in his/her community Please send your contribution to roypaul2002@yahoo.com

Benefits, how to, and risks of oil pulling with coconut oil

Oil pulling is a natural folk remedy from India that involves swishing oil around the mouth. Because of the purported health benefits of oil pulling, some people are learning how to oil pull withcoconutoilorotheroils.

Oil pulling with coconut oil can fit easily into an oral health routine.Coconutoilisavailableatgrocerystoresandonline,and this is the only ingredient.Below, we describe what oil pulling is and how to do it. We also look at what researchers and practitioners say about the possible benefits and other considerations.

Whatisoilpulling?

Oil pulling involves swishing oil around the mouth. It is like usingmouthwash,butforalongerperiod.

Coconut oil is absorbable, and it has several recognized health benefits, including reducing inflammation and fighting harmful oral bacteria. It is also edible, so there are few risks for oral use.Most proponents of oil pulling recommend swishing 1 tablespoon of oil around the mouth for 15–20 minutes, then spittingitout.

Benefits

Benefitsofoilpullingwithcoconutoilmayinclude:

Killingharmfulbacteriainthemouth

The mouth contains a diverse population of bacteria. Some are harmful and may lead to tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease.A2016 study with 60 participants found that oil pulling can reduce the population of bacteria in saliva and support oral hygiene.Theresearcherssaythatcoconutoilisasafealternative to chlorhexidine, an ingredient in some commercial mouthwashes.

Reducingbadbreath

Bad breath generally results from a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. This may be related to poor oral hygiene, infection, or gum disease.A 2011 study found that oil pulling may be an effectivenaturaltreatmentforbadbreath.

Preventingcavities

Cavities stem from tooth decay They result from bacterial buildups, poor oral hygiene, and sugar consumption. Plaque is a coating of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. It coats the teeth andcandamagetheenamel,eventuallycausingcavities.

According to 2016 Source, oil pulling may reduce the population of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. With brushing and flossing, oil pulling may be another way to support oralhealth.

Reducinginflammationandimprovinggumhealth

Thebacteriainplaquecancontributetogingivitis,acommon gum disease that causes redness and swelling and inflammation. It can also cause the gums to bleed easily In addition, according to a small 2015 study and another 2020 study, oil pulling with coconutoilcanreduceplaqueformationandhelppreventplaqueinducedgingivitis.

Whiteningtheteeth

No scientific evidence has confirmed that oil pulling can whiten the teeth. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that it may clear stains from the teeth's surfaces. There is little risk in tryingtowhitentheteethinthisway

Risksandconsiderations

It is not safe for people with allergies to coconuts or coconut oil to try this technique with coconut oil. Otherwise, there are no known risks.It may be worth noting that oil pulling does not replacebrushing,flossing,orotheroralcaretechniques.

Howtodoanoilpull

To try oil pulling with coconut oil, place a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth. Anyone who does not like the taste mighttrysesameoiloroliveoil.Sittinguprightorstanding,swish the oil around the mouth for 15–20 minutesTrusted Source. If keeping the oil inside the mouth is difficult, start with 5 or 10 minutes and slowly increase the duration. It is essential to keep swishing and breathe through the nose.Once done, spit the oil into the garbage — spitting it into the sink or toilet can lead to clogging. Do not swallow the oil.Most guides suggest brushing theteethimmediatelyafterward.Otherssaythatitisbettertowait abittopromotetheretentionofgoodbacteriaandtherebalancing of the oral microbiome.In any case, use a different toothbrush afteroilpullingtotheoneusedfordailyteethcleaning.

The Nightingale...

(From last week Sunday edition)

Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn. "Press closer, little Nightingale," cried the Tree, "or the Day will come before the roseisfinished."

So the Nightingale pressed closer againstthethorn,andthethorntouched herheart,andafiercepangofpainshot through her Bitter, bitter was the pain, and wilder and wilder grew her song, for she sang of the Love that is perfected by Death, of the Love that diesnotinthetomb.

And the marvellous rose became crimson, like the rose of the eastern sky Crimson was the girdle of petals, andcrimsonasarubywastheheart.

opened its petals to the cold morning air Echo bore it to her purple cavern in the hills, and woke the sleeping shepherds from their dreams. It floated through the reeds of the river, and they carrieditsmessagetothesea.

"Look, look!" cried the Tree, "the rose is finished now"; but the Nightingale made no answer, for she was lying dead in the long grass, with thethorninherheart.

AndatnoontheStudentopenedhis windowandlookedout.

"Why, what a wonderful piece of luck!" he cried; "here is a red rose! I have never seen any rose like it in all my life. It is so beautiful that I am sure ithasalongLatinname";andheleaned downandpluckedit.

Thenheputonhishat,andranupto the Professor's house with the rose in hishand.

tellyouhowIloveyou."

Summary - There is scientific evidence of some benefits of oil pulling with coconut oil. However, high-quality evidence is somewhat lacking Oil pulling remains a simple, often affordable, and generally safe technique to add to an oral health routine.

But the Nightingale's voice grew fainter, and her little wings began to beat, and a film came over her eyes. Fainter and fainter grew her song, and she felt something choking her in her throat. Then she gave one last burst of music. The white Moon heard it, and she forgot the dawn, and lingered on in thesky

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323757#instructions

The red rose heard it, and it trembled all over with ecstasy, and

The daughter of the Professor was sitting in the doorway winding blue silk on a reel, and her little dog was lyingatherfeet.

"You said that you would dance with me if I brought you a red rose," criedtheStudent.

"Here is the reddest rose in all the world.

You will wear it to-night next your heart, and as we dance together it will

But the girl frowned. "I am afraid it will not go with my dress," she answered; "and, besides, the Chamberlain's nephew has sent me some real jewels, and everybody knows that jewels cost far more than flowers." "Well, upon my word, you are very ungrateful," said the Student angrily; and he threw the rose into the street,whereitfellintothegutter,anda cart-wheel went over it. "Ungrateful!" said the girl. "I tell you what, you are very rude; and, after all, who are you? Only a Student. Why, I don't believe you have even got silver buckles to your shoes as the Chamberlain's nephew has"; and she got up from her chairandwentintothehouse."WhatIa silly thing Love is," said the Student as hewalkedaway "Itisnothalfasuseful asLogic,foritdoesnotproveanything, and it is always telling one of things that are not going to happen, and making one believe things that are not true.

In fact, it is quite unpractical, and, as in this age to be practical is everything, I shall go back to PhilosophyandstudyMetaphysics." So he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book, and begantoread.

Starr Computer participates in the first-ever Caribbean AI 4 Education Conference

Starr Computer participated in the firstever Caribbean AI 4 Education Conference in Guyana, held at Princess Ramada and hosted by Camille’s Academy Inc.

The two-day event hosted 300 teachers and students from both government private schools, while others joined virtually. Persons heard from many AI experts including Nick Brown CEO of the Empowering Earth Institute and the Intelligent Company and Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) Dr Ritesh Tularam.

To add to the excitement, STARR’s donated a Lenovo Laptop, Laptop backpack, and Surge protector for the event’s raffle, plus, a gift card valued at $2,500 was given to all in attendance

STARR Computer also extended invitations to the school for educational tours and seminars for students to have hands-on experience with the latest technological products such as Smart Classrooms, EV Chargers, AI Products, and more STARR encourages schools to take advantage of all levels of development as we embark on the 4th Industrial Revolution.

From left: Penny Francis: STARR Computer Corporate Sales & Marketing Manager, Raffle Winner Teacher: Ms. Sabrina Ali, Technician: Marvin Daly & on Right: Ms. Camille Deokie Gorakh Founder/CEO of Camille’s Academy Inc.

N.MurrayDesignsdebuts...

Frompage35

impeccablytailoredpieces,alongside astunningarrayofeveninggownsand ready-to-wear garments totaling 12 pieces.

Reflecting on the journey that led to this momentous occasion, Naomi Murray, the CEO, expressed her profound pride and gratitude. “Just reflecting from where I started to where I am currently, being able to host my own fashion show is a very proud moment and an incredible

feeling,” she remarked. “I’m hoping tomakethisanannualevent,andI’m super proud of the growth of the brand.”

As N. Murray Design’s continues to push boundaries and redefine fashion norms, Ms. Murray said that its debut Fashion Show stands as a testament to its unwavering commitmenttoinnovation,creativity, and empowerment, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter inthebrand’sjourney

The first house in the hidden neighbourhood

Fellowship Mahaicony

The village with a hidden neighbourhood

For this week's Village

Focus, The Waterfalls is intheMahaiconydistrict headed to a village that shares its name with another on the West CoastofDemerara;Fellowship.

Located in a three-minute drive before you cross the Mahaicony Bridge headed from Berbice, Fellowship Village appears somewhat desolate at first and some may consider a rare occurrence to see a villager walking on the roadway Looking around and walking through the communityviathepublicroad,one cancountthehousesoneachsideof the small village, but like any other country-side community animals traversingisanormaloccurrence.

Notably just before Fellowship is another village that has dense foliage and sports a healthy population of monkeys. When the fruit trees are laden in Fellowship, the monkeys often hop on over to feast on their delicious goodness. However, the residents explained that disturbing the monkeys could getyouahailoffruitastheytendto beterritorialwhenfeeding.

The village is mostly a quiet place and crime is basically nonexistent. Though persons assume onlythefrontpartofthevillagethat is accessible to the public is populated, this is not so. There is what we can dub a 'secret neighbourhood' Blanketed by trees, the street leading to this 'backlands' neighbourhood makes you feel as if you're heading to the

sign that signals the beginning of the village

backdamforafishingtrip.

There are thick trees on both sides and it's only when you are three-quarters of the way to the streets end that's when you will see thefirsthouse.

This hidden section of the village has less than 10 households and it is a very child friendly place to live due to cooperation and the almost lack of traffic On afternoons, children can be seen running in the street and playing in thevariousyards.

The street leading to this part is in dire need of repair Residents noted that even though the materials were provided some years ago to do so, the works were never initiated and the materials were left to the elements of the weather After some time, people from outside the community came at night to fetch away said materials.

The residents on this side of the village are heavy on farming and poultry rearing and as you walk downthepathway,ducksandfowls scatterinalldirections.Thekitchen gardens as well as the sideline farms are weed-free and the plants arearrangedinneatrows.

Pepper trees laden with vibrant yellow and red catch the eyes quickly, rich-healthy vegetable plants,bananas,andplantainswere in various stages of development andmangoeswereeitherflowering or very young hanging in luscious bunchesoffofthebranches.

Theresidentswerefriendlyand

offered warm smiles and produce from their gardens. Next time you need a break or some organic country produce, visit Fellowship in Mahaicony See you next week!!!

The

Another section of road that leads to the village

Sections of the banana grove on the sides of the street

…as students protest at more than 130 colleges and universities across the

US Parts of Gaza in ‘Full-Blown Famine’ U.N.AidOfficialsays:

Cindy McCain, the director of the World Food Program, said starvationisentrenchedinnorthern Gaza and is “moving its way south.”

The leader of the World Food ProgramsaidthatpartsoftheGaza Strip are experiencing a “fullblown famine” that is spreading across the territory after almost seven months of war that have made delivering aid extremely challenging.

“Thereisfamine—full-blown famineinthenorth,andit’smoving itswaysouth,”CindyMcCain,the program’sdirector,saidinexcerpts releasedlateFridayofaninterview with“MeetThePress.”

Ms.McCainisthesecondhighprofile American who is leading a U.S.governmentorU.N.aideffort, whohassaidthatthereisfaminein northern Gaza, although her remarks do not constitute an official declaration, which is a complexbureaucraticprocess. She did not explain why an official famine declaration has not been made. But she said her assessment was “based on what we have seen and what we have experienced on theground.”

The New York Times reported thatthehungercrisisismostsevere in the strip’s northern section, a largely lawless and gang ridden area where the Israeli military exercises little or no control. In recent weeks, after Israel faced mounting global pressure to improve dire conditions there, more aid has flowed into the devastatedarea.

On the diplomatic front, negotiations resumed in Cairo on Saturdayaimedatreachingaceasefire and an agreement to release Israeli and Palestinian hostages. A delegation of Hamas leaders traveledtotheEgyptiancapital,the Palestinianarmedgroupsaid.

Israel unfortunately had not dispatchedadelegationtoCairoto engage in indirect negotiations

withtheHamasofficials,asIsraeli officials had done in previous rounds of talks, according to two Israeli officials who, following diplomatic protocol, spoke on the conditionofanonymity

Even if Hamas announced in Cairo that it had accepted the proposeddeal,atrucewasunlikely to be imminent, one of the Israeli officials said. Hamas’s approval would be followed by intensive negotiations to hash out the finer details of a cease-fire, and such talksarelikelytobeprotractedand difficult,theofficialadded.

Ms. McCain said a cease-fire couldhelpeaseconditionsinGaza.

“Itishorror,”shesaidon“Meet thePress.”“Itissohardtolookat, anditissohardtohear,also.Iamso hoping we can get a cease-fire and begin to feed these people, especially in the north, in a much fasterfashion.”

Ms. McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, was appointedbyPresidentBidenasthe American ambassador to the U.N. AgenciesforFoodandAgriculture

in 2021 and became head of the World Food Program, a U N agency,lastyear

An official declaration of famineismadebyaUnitedNations agency, the Integrated Food

Security Phase Classification, and the government of the country wherethefamineistakingplace.It is unclear what local authority might have the power to do that in Gaza Declarations, which are basedonmeasuredratesofhunger, malnutrition and death over short periods, are rare. But for aid groups,afamineelevatesonecrisis above competing disasters and helpsthemraisemoneytorespond.

Gazahasbeengrippedbywhat experts have called a severe human-madehungercrisis.Israel’s bombardment and restrictions in the territory have made delivering aid very difficult. The amount of aid entering Gaza has increased recently,butaidgroupssayitisfar fromadequate.

Israel eventually loosened the siege but instituted a meticulous inspection process that it says is necessary to ensure that weapons and other supplies do not fall into the hands of Hamas. Aid groups andforeigndiplomatshavesaidthe inspectionscreatebottlenecks,and

have accused Israel of arbitrarily turning away aid, including water filters,solarlightsandmedicalkits that contain scissors, for spurious reasons.

Volker Türk, the U.N. human rightschief,saidinastatementlast month that Israel’s policies regardingaidinGazacouldamount toawarcrime.

Using starvation of civilians as a weapon is a serious violation of internationalhumanitarianlawand a war crime under the Rome Statute, the treaty of the International Criminal Court, or I.C.C.

Israeliandforeignofficialstold TheNewYorkTimeslastweekthat they were worried that the I.C.C. was preparing to issue arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials — including potentially over accusations that they prevented the delivery of aid to civilians in Gaza. (They also said they believed that the court was considering arrest warrants for Hamas leaders, which could be issuedconcurrently.)

Meanwhile,lastweek,theBBC reportedthatthousandsofstudents, at more than 130 colleges and universities across the US, have demonstrated in opposition to the ongoing war in Gaza with protests andencampments.

Morethan2,000demonstrators havebeenarrested,buttheprotests continue.

Since the October 7 attack by Hamas and Israel’s retaliatory assault, students have launched rallies, sit-ins, fasts and, most recently, encampments against the war

They are demanding that their schools, many with massive endowments, financially divest fromIsrael.

Divestment, for many of the protesters,meanscuttingthose Continued on page 58

Palestinian woman NozhaAwad fleesAl Shifa hospital following an Israeli raid with her triplet children, moving southward in the central Gaza Strip, March 21, 2024.

Citizens wait for food in Rafah in southern Gaza. Officials reported that nearly all families in Gaza are skipping meals due to food shortages.Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Children wait in line to receive food prepared by volunteers for Palestinian families displaced to Southern Gaza due to Israeli attacks, between rubbles of destroyed buildings in Rafah, Gaza on Feb. 10, 2024.

(Belal Khaled /Anadolu via Getty Images file)

Arrival Day Messages

ERC ARRIVAL DAY MESSAGE 2024

The Ethnic Relations some of our African Arrival Day, the ERC a more just, equitable, and Commission (ERC) extends ancestors also came as reaffirms its commitment inclusive society for future greetings to all Guyanese on indentured servants to fostering harmony, generations. Together, let us Arrival Day 2024. This Together, we now celebrate understanding, and respect celebrateoursharedheritage observance commemorates our heritage as one people among all ethnic groups in and continue to work the historical and extensive bestowed with the diversity Guyana. We recognise the towards a brighter, more indentureship period that embodied by Arrival Day importanceofembracingour harmoniousfutureforall. began in 1834. May 5 also Central toArrival Day is the diversity as a source of HappyArrival Day! marks the anniversary of the enduringcontributionsmade strength and unity, and we E t h n i c R e l a t i o n s arrival of our East Indian by our forebears, whose call upon all Guyanese to Commission ancestors who reached these resilience, perseverance and p r o m o t e t o l e r a n c e , shores on this day in 1838, untold sacrifices have inclusivity, and mutual while on May 3, 1835, the shaped the fabric of our respectinourcommunities. first batch of Portuguese nationandcontributedtoour Let us honour the arrived. The first batch of uniquemosaicofcultures. sacrifices and contributions Chinese arrived in 1853 and As we commemorate of our ancestors by building

GAWU Arrival Day message 2024

Our rich cultural tapestry is one of the AsweobserveArrivalDay,theGAWUis features that sets Guyana apart from many of constrained to remind us that our unique itscontemporaries.Asapeople,wetakegreat culture has a common thread in the sugar pride in our diversity and the coexistence of industry It is that historical industry which our several cultural groupings. It is against bounds a great lot of our people. We are thisbackgroundthattheGuyanaAgricultural remindedthatitistheveryindustryonwhich and General Workers Union (GAWU) modernGuyanaisbuiltthroughthelabourof extends best wishes to all Guyanese, both at many of our people. As Arrival Day is once home and further afield, on the occasion of again commemorated, we remain saddened Arrival Day This important observance is over the affairs of this important industry At another reminder of what makes Guyana this time, a legacy of mismanagement has specialandwhatplaysaroleinourrenowned invokedseveresetbacksandunduepains.We hospitality and welcoming spirit. While recognise and appreciate efforts to breathe Arrival Day – May 05 – though largely new life into the industry, as we consider associatedwiththearrivalofEastIndians,the significant interventions to move further day reminds us of all indentured immigrants alongtheroadofturnaround.Critically,given brought to our land. Our research advises us the linkages between Arrival Day and sugar, thatoutsideoftheEastIndians,theMadeiran we urge the need to strengthen the current PortuguesecameinMay1835,theChinesein management with skilled and capable 1853,aswellasafewotherethnicitiesduring personnel. We believe this would be an that phase of colonialism. We are aware that appropriate tribute to those who toiled in the the colonialists also brought labourers from fields and factories and on whose Malta,Ireland,GermanyandEngland. contributionstodayweproudlystand. Arrival Day also reminds us of the As we celebrate Arrival Day, the GAWU reasons for the indentureship system. The urges all Guyanese to spare a moment to then immigrants who replaced the reflect on how far we have come as a people, emancipated slaves were made to toil in the the challenges we overcame, and the fields of the sugar plantations to enrich the successes we have recorded. At this time, foreignownersoftheplantations.Indentured when we ought to be looking to reach new labourers and their families were forced to and higher plateaus, we see concerted efforts exist in inhumane and atrocious conditions. that will very likely reverse much of the And, like their compatriots, they were forced progress we have made and rightly can take to engage in several struggles, which gave us pridein.Letusresistsucheffortsandgetback several martyrs, in order to bring about small onthedevelopmenttrack. improvements and meagre benefits in their Guyana Agricultural and General livesandworkconditions. Workers’Union (GAWU)

Frompage13 ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, that outlines the principlesandconditionsfor the commercial and technical arrangements of thedeal.

Attempts made by OppositionParliamentarians fortheagreementstobelaid in the National Assembly havebeenunsuccessful.

Tuesday

Proposedoilspilllaw willdismantleCourt Rulingforunlimited parentcompany guarantee–Former EPADirector

The Government of GuyanaisdraftinganewOil Spill Protection Law to be tabled before the August recess of the National Assembly, but according to Former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Vincent Adams it will only serve to undermine protection to the country and in fact, undermine the High Court ruling for an unlimited parentcompanyguarantee.

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

Hesuggestedinarecent public missive, “in subservience to Exxon and realising that they will lose

the legal battle, the Government now plots its heralded scheme for an oil spill legislation to nullify Judge Kissoon’s decision decreeing that an Unlimited Parent Company Guarantee (UPCG)mustbeprovidedto bear the full cost of any oil spill, above what the insurance covers ” At Article14.3ofthepermit,he said it unambiguously lays down that “the cumulative amount of insurance and assuranceshallbeguidedby anestimateofthesumofthe reasonably credible costs. Suchamountisnotexpected to include compensation for loss and damage to other partiesandwhichareableto be pursued through civil proceedings ” In other w o r d s , o t h e r parties individuals and

businesses such as

fisherfolk would be on their own, fighting for their lives in a lopsided court battleagainstabehemoth.

AccordingtoAdams“the legal trickery is that “credible and reasonable” damages could only be defined as the estimated difference between the existing environmental condition and the condition after the spill. Thus, it is impossible to arrive at this estimate, since there is no Government baseline showing the existing environmental condition ” Adamant “a spill without that UPCG could beget Guyana’s financial bankruptcy; and, a health andenvironmentcatastrophe for the whole Caribbean,’ Adams posits “this callous and immoral legislative schemeisapatheticbetrayal of our country and the Caribbean, while bringing merriment to Routledge and Exxon.”Heconcedes“…the sad reality is that any such legislation will pass in Parliament due to the PPP/C’s one-seat majority, and most critically, it will take primacy over the Judge Kissoon decision I challengetheGovernmentto prove me wrong by expressly including the underlying ratio of Judge Kissoon’s ruling into the legislation. Do that, and I will be the first to apologize andcelebrate.”

According to the former EPA Head, “oil spill legislation provides for the processes for preparedness, response actions, and the identification of culpable partiesandtheirliabilitiesin the event of a spill,” ad suggests “all of these could be provided for, and be embodied into the EPA PermitsandtheNationalOil Spill Response Plan.” As such,Adamsisoftheview“a legislationisnotnecessaryin these circumstances, but only serves as a camouflage to get out of the legal pickle and to please Routledge at ourpeople’sexpense.”

He further contends “what is most troubling, is that coupled with his manifestation of lack of k n o w l e d g e a n d untruthfulness discussed later, the AG (Attorney General, Anil Nandlall) is openly behaving in Judas like fashion as Exxon’s AG and not Guyana’s.” To this end he references the AG joining Exxon, “disloyally fighting with his last breath to defeat Guyana’s life-and-

death needfulness for the UPCG, despite his own confessed words that Exxon has a bad international reputation and he will never defend them. He has gone way beyond defending, to joining them at the hip. My opinion therefore, is that he is not fit to serve as AG whosefirstdutyistoprotect the people of Guyana. We deservemuchbetter!”

Nandlall has already broadcastedhisintentionfor the legislation when he unabashedly declared that “the Government (not the courts), must determine the level of protection the countryshouldreceiveforan oilspill.”Furtherrubbishing recent arguments by the Attorney General, Alexander noted that “Nandlall flat out lied that there was no UPCG in the EPA permits under the Coalition.Howisitpossible thatanAGwhoisfightingso vexedly to conjoin Exxon againsttheUPCG,notknow that the UPCG was first put into the Liza 2 permit since 2019 under the Coalition?”

According to Adams, “the fact is that after its first placing in the Liza 2 permit in 2019 under the Coalition, the UPCG was next put into thePayarapermitwhichwas w r i t t e n u n d e r m y supervision, but signed by Acting Director Razack, while I was on leave in September 2020.” He added that the PPP/C Government thencopiedtheexactUPCG clauseintotherevisedLiza1 permit in April 2022, and later into the Urau and Yellowtail permits, but now replaceditwiththe“credible andreasonable”deceptionin the Whiptail permit to support their oil spill legislationstunt. Adamsinfurtherseeking tocleartheairsaid“Nandlall continues to spout his stupidness about “unlimited insurance”, despite being taught untold times that it is “unlimited parent company guarantee” and not his ignorant “unlimited

insurance”. Tothisend,heis of the view “this means that theAG either does not read, he doesn’t understand what he reads, or he is flat out lying to cover-up for Exxon to the detriment of Guyana. For the AG’s sake, I will explain for the umpteenth time in its most simplistic form, the basics of the UPCG.” Additionally, the former EPA Head observed that Jagdeo continues to pedalhis“idiocythatEMGL (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) has some kind of fictitious$20BillionUSDin assets which could be seized.” To this end,Adams posits, “the VP should have at least read the Contract to learn that all of EMGL’s “movable, permanent and fixed” assets belong to Guyana, and will be transferred “free of cost”, upon contract termination. Laughably put, he is touting thattheGovernmentseizeits ownassets.”

ExxonMobilpaid US$11Bintaxes, Guyanareceivedzero

In the first three months of 2024 ExxonMobil forked outUS$11Binincometaxes for its global operations but nonewerepaidtoGuyana. E x x o n M o b i l Corporation (XOM) in its first quarter report for 2024 details “total taxes were US$11.0 billion, a decrease of US$2 1 billion from 2023 ” The oil giant explained that income tax expense was US$3.8 billion compared to US$5.0 billion in the prior year “The effective income tax rate, whichiscalculatedbasedon consolidated company i n c o m e t a x e s a n d Exxonmobil’s share of equity company income taxes, was 36 percent. This increased from the 34 percentrateintheprioryear period due primarily to a changeinamixofresultsin jurisdictions with varying tax rates,” the company pointedout.

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

payments.

In fact, the oil deal provides for taxes owed by the company to be paid by Guyana. The PSA states at Article 15 1 that the Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as its affiliates shall not be subjectedtotax,value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, propertyheldortransactions exceptasspecifiedunderthe agreement.

It goes on to state at Article 15.4 that the sum equivalenttothetaxesowed bythecompanywillbepaid by the Minister responsible for Petroleum to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Notably, theGoGalsoagreedtoissue a receipt to ExxonMobil, indicatingthatithasmetthe local tax requirements to avoid the burden of double taxation. Article15.5ofthe contract states, “Within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the end of each year of assessment, the Minister shall furnish to Contractor proper tax certificates in Contractor’s n a m e f r o m t h e Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority evidencing the payment of the Contractor’s income tax under the Income Tax Act andcorporationtaxunderthe Corporation Tax Act. Such certificates shall state the amount of tax paid individually on behalf of Contractor or parties

comprising the Contractor and other particulars customary for such certificates.”

A legal suit brought against these abusive tax giveaways by the Publisher ofthisnewspaper,Mr.Glenn Lallwas unsuccessfulasthe Court dismissed the case in February2023.

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

Wednesday

Severalcountrieshave unlimitedparentcompany guaranteesagainstoil spill,unlikeVPJagdeo, Nandlall’smisleading statements– Fmr. EPA Director, Dr. Vincent Adams

…sayspresentExxon’s Guyanasubsidiaryshields HQfromliabilities

The Vice President, BharratJagdeoandMinister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, have in recent days, again gone on the offensive disputing the existence of Unlimited ParentCompanyGuarantees (UPCG), but according to former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams, it must be a case of thetwobeingill-informed. Tothisend,Dr Adamsin a recent public missive in addressing the two said, “let thembeeducatedthatfirst, (Continuedonpage53)

Former Director of the EPA, Dr. VincentAdams, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo andAttorney General,Anil Nandlall

Chief Executive Officer of Hess Corporation, John Hess

Frompage52 incountriessuchastheUSA, all operations are registered in the names of, and run by the major companies themselves, and not by subsidiariessuchasEMGL.”

Further prefacing his argument, Dr Adams noted thatinsuchcases,theparent company takes on all liabilities and cited “for instance, BPhad to carry all liabilities in the Macondo spill.

On the other hand, Shell Oil has been fighting an oil spill lawsuit brought by Nigerians, and Shell’s defence without a PCG, is that it is not responsible for its subsidiary under which the spill occurred. I would also advise that the VP and AG stop shooting from the hip and go read that similar UPCG exists in the UK, RussiaandGreenland.”

Compounding the situation, Dr Adams, was adamant that in the absence of an UPCG and not insurance as is being touted, it is Exxon’s subsidiary, ExxonMobil Guyana that signedallofthePermitswith the UPCG, confirming their legalagreementwithit.

“Further, EMGL

formally agreed that operation of Liza 2 will not commence as scheduled in 2022, nor any new permits granted until EPA approves the UPCG letter as to how the three companies Exxon, CNOOC and HESS will sharetheUPCGliabilities.”

Tothisend,hereminded that “we were at the final draft of that letter inAugust 2020, when I was sent on leave and the EPA young

outstanding Attorney handlingthematterwasalso terminated.

Thereafter, Exxon with backing of the PPP/C Government refused to comply with the UPCG; Dr Adams further argues that “TheUPCGisnecessary,not only because there is no insurance of that size to cover an oil spill, but also because it is a strategy by companies like Exxon to create Limited Liability Company (LLCs) like EMGLtoinsulatethemfrom all liabilities. Since EMGL signs all documents, it absolves Exxon of any liabilities.

Irepeatforemphasisthat EMGLhaslittleornoassets tocoveranoilspill.” Tothis end, he was adamant, “Jagdeo continues to pedal his idiocy that EMGL has some kind of fictitious $20 BillionUSDinassetswhich could be seized. The VP

should have at least read the Contract to learn that all of EMGL’s “movable, permanent and fixed” assets belong to Guyana, and will betransferred“freeofcost”, upon contract termination. Laughably put, he is touting thattheGovernmentseizeits ownassets.

My incessant call is still unanswered for the VP to produce the US$20B list of assets that EMGLowns and don’tbelongtoGuyana.”

AccordingtoDr Adams, “besides his foolishness about unlimited insurance, Nandlall’s and Jagdeo’s excuse for not having an UPCG, is that it will bankrupt Exxon, signifying thattheyaremoredistressed about Exxon’s bankruptcy, but obviously don’t care a hoot about the bankruptcy and environmental and health devastation of their ownpeopleandcountry.”

He further documented that it “the AG and VP are irresponsible not to care about the lessons of the relativelysmallspillsinPeru andTobago,withoutUPCGlikecoverage.”

Tothisend,hereminded that in the little 12,000 barrels spill in Peru, the Governmenthadtoseizethe passports of the company’s Managers and file a lawsuit to recover cleanup costs in the$BillionsUSD,followed bylegislatingnewlaws.

More recently, in the 50,000 barrels Tobago spill, the Government, Dr Adams reminded, is left holding the bag, still searching for the liableparties.Compounding the situation further, Dr Adamssaidthatbytweaking the permit, government is “recklessly fostering a triple whammy.”

He explained that this obtains by government’s e x c e e d i n g t h e Environmental Impact Assessment, “prescribed safe operating limits that

increases the risks of a spill; tripled the deployment time for the capping stack to 9 days from the 3 days set by the Coalition, allowing for anextra6-daygushingofoil into the ocean; and at the same time, opposes the UPCG for full clean-up, though enhancing the risk andquantityofaspill.”

Additionally, he remindedthatbesidesawell blow-out, there is a compounded risk of a spill from a ship plying the Caribbeanfetching1million barrels of Guyana’s oil, daily

Guyaneseinthedark overtruecostof powership

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has accused

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) David Patterson of misleading the nationonthecostthatwillbe accrued for the rental of the Turkishpowership.

Pattersonsaidthatitwill cost Guyana more than US$200M to utilise the power ship for the two-year period

Notwithstanding Patterson’s calculations, Jagdeo did not provide a detailed account of what the country is really paying for the service, leaving Guyanese in the dark over thetruecost.

Jagdeo was at the time addressing reporters at his weekly press conference on Thursday

At a previous pressconference Jagdeo was pressed to provide the amount of money Guyana will be paying for the e l e c t r i c i t y f r o m Karpowership International. Insteadofgivingadefinitive answer, he said that it will cost the country nearly US$0.30 cents per Kilowatt Hour

“When you add the two (fuel cost and the cost for rental),itcomesuptonearly 0.20 something cents nearly 0 30 cents per Kilowatt hour,”Jagdeosaid.

The Guyana Power and Light Company recently inked a contract with Urbacon Concessions Investments,W.L.L(UCI)to charter the Turkish vessel withatotalinstalledcapacity of 36 Megawatts (MWs) for aperiodoftwoyears.

The contract, according to GPL, includes the provision of operation and maintenanceservicesaspart oftheagreement.

According to the utility companyinapublicmissive

on Thursday, “the contract requires GPL to pay UCI a feeof6.62UScentsperkWh as a monthly charter fee for thepowershipandamonthly operation and maintenance fee of 0.98 US cents per kWh, based on electricity generated.”

The cost however excludes the price for fuel because according to the contract signed Guyana will still have to supply the powership with fuel in additiontotheagreedsumto charterthevessel.

Former subject minister David Patterson in a widely broadcast interview, had claimedthataninterrogation of the information released, reveals that renting the powership will in fact cost the country some 55 US centstogenerateamegawatt ofelectricityandoveratwoyear-period,itwilladdupto overUS$200million.

In an invited comment, theMemberofParliamentin seeking to clarify that this publication had in fact undervalued the reported paymentsbeingmadeforthe

Thursday said that his calculation was incorrect andthatheismisleadingthe nation.Hequestioned,“how can Patterson say that the cost for the power ship is over US$200 million, when his (Patterson) own calculation at 55 US cents per kilowatt hour projects thecosttobearoundUS$44 million for the two-yearperiod.”

Jagdeo said, the true, finalrentalcostforthevessel is not US55 cents per kilowatt hour but when asked to give the media the correctandaccuratecost,he failedtodoso.

“Ijustsaidthatthefuelis US13 to US14 Cents per kilowatt hour (to supply the fuel)ifyouaddtothatthe7.6 cents per kilowatt hour, you are coming around to 21 or 22 cents per kilowatt hour which it costs to generate elsewhere too not 55 cents per kilowatt hour,” Jagdeo said.

Instead of clarifying or providing further clarity, the VicePresidenttoldthemedia toreturntoPattersontohave

Exchange Conference held back in January. During an interview at the conference, hemadethedisclosureofan additional4billionbarrelsof oil being discovered. “As of this point in time we don’t knowthefullextentoftheoil deposits but it’s huge and I could explain what that means.It’saboutIwouldsay they have identified at least 15billionbarrelsofoilinthe (Stabroek)Block.

Soatthispointintime,I would say Exxon has identifiedabout25to35%of that,” Ally who is an economiststated.

Although eight new discoveriesweremadesince Guyana’s last resource update in April 2022, with one of those estimated to hold some 746 million barrels of oil, Exxon and Guyana’s Vice President havestatedthatthecountry’s estimated 11 billion barrels of recoverable resources remain with no significant improvement.

However, Ally is contending that over 4 billion barrels more have

power reminded that the agreement states that Urbacon Concessions

Investment WLL will be paidUS$0.0662perKWhas monthly rental and US$0 0098 per Kwh as operation and maintenance charges–atotalofUS$0.076 perkWhfortheof36MW,“a seemingly minuscule amount, however, the devil has always been in the details.”

Expounding further, Patterson reasoned that the 36MW plant x 24 hours = 864 MW at maximum daily generation and with its projected availability 96 percentofthiswouldmeana projecteddailygenerationof the equivalent of 830,000 kilowatts.

According to Patterson, 830,000 kilowatts x US$0.076 = US$63,080 per dayandassuchUS$63,080x 3 6 5 d a y s x 2 = US$46,048,400 00 (2-year contract).

Jagdeoinhisresponseto Patterson’s calculation last

Thursday

Govt.advisorputsoil reserveat15Bbarrels –butVPJagdeoand Exxon’sRoutledgesayno significantincrease

Chairman of Wales Development Authority, Asgar Ally has said that some15billionbarrelsofoil have already been discovered to date in the StabroekBlock.

This is despite Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo and ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) Country Manager, Alistair Routledge maintaining that thecountry’sresourceshave not significantly moved sincethelastupdatein2022 when it was at 11 billion barrels.

Ally, a former Finance Minister and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, represented GuyanaattheJamaicaStock

been discovered. Added to this, he explained, “If you have the time, I can explain to you what has happened. You see at one stage,Africa and Latin America were joined together So West Africa is closer to the South American coast, of which Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname,apartofandthere isunderthatcoastabasinof oil, huge basin of oil.” “Every day we are finding new oil discoveries Nobody knows the full extent (but) every day, they arefindingmore,”headded.

On Tuesday, Routledge during Exxon’s press conference made a distinction between oil reservesandresources.

Heexplained,“Whenwe have a better ability to understand that through looking at concepts, the number of wells and testing ofthereservoirsthenweare able to move to greater certainty and the greater certaintywehaveiswhenwe (Continuedonpage54)

thefiguresclarified.

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Frompage53 sanctionanewprojectaswe did with Whiptail. That is when we start to call them reserves. We are now at the pointwherewecanconsider that these are going to be developed and produced so itsreservesnotresource.”

To this end, Routledge said that the six sanctioned projects in the Stabroek Block are estimated to hold some4.8billionbarrelsofoil reserves Describing the process to determine oil reserves as an “ongoing complex exercise,” the Country Manager pointed out that the company has been providing quarterly updates to the government ontheestimatedrecoverable resources “We provide quarterly updates to the government, that number hasn’t moved hugely in the recent months but it is something that we continue to look at and we update the government,” Routledge said.

Hewasthenaskedforan updateonhowthecountry’s resources have grown since the 11 billion barrels estimatein2022.Inresponse to the question, Routledge said, “I think I’ve answered that, it’s the same as what Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has said, the 11 billion hasn’t significantly changed, we continue to updatethegovernment.”

Powershipsails intoGuyana –asGPLstillfixingsite, finalisingrentalofbarge

Kaieteur News – The

Turkish Powership

contracted by the government to supply Guyana with some 36 megawatts of electricity for two years, arrived on Wednesday

The Guyana Power and Light(GPL)postedthenews about the vessel’s arrival on its Facebook page without any additional details Karpowershipwillbestation at Everton, Berbice, Region S i x a n d w i l l b e interconnected with GPL’s Gridat69kVandisexpected to start delivering electricity to the country by May 8, 2024.

A contract for the ship wassignedbetweentheGPL Inc.andUCI,asubsidiaryof UCC Holdings, a company incorporated in the State of Qatar UCC Holdings has a strategic alliance with Karpowership International,

a Turkish company President Mohamed Irfaan Ali had told reporters that

contracting ship for a two year is feasible to end Guyana’s blackout crisis for now until the US$2 billion and counting Gas to Energy project comes on stream but to date Guyana remains in thedarkoverthetruecostfor electricityfromthevessel.

Guyana had to pay a mobilization fee of US$1M to get the ship here and the contract, according to GPL, includes the provision of operation and maintenance services as part of the agreement.According to the utility company in a public missive yesterday, “the contractrequiresGPLtopay UCI a fee of 6.62 US cents perkWhasamonthlycharter fee for the powership and a monthly operation and maintenance fee of 0.98 US cents per kWh, based on electricitygenerated.”

A36MW capacity plant isexpectedtogeneratesome 315,360,000-kilowatt hours per year, which would mean a n a n n u a l b i l l $2,087,683,200 This in additiontothe0.98UScents maintenancefee,willaddan additional US$309,052,800, o r c u m u l a t i v e l y US$2,396,736,000.

This price however excludes fuel because based on the agreement signed Guyana will have to supply that too Member of Parliament David Patterson hadclaimedthatbasedonhis calculations it will end up c o s t i n g G u y a n a someUS$0 30 cents per KilowattHour

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in response has accused Patterson of misleadingthenationonthe cost that will be accrued for the rental of the Turkish p o w e r s h i p Notwithstanding Patterson’s calculations, Jagdeo did not provideadetailedaccountof what the country is really paying for the service, leavingGuyaneseinthedark over the true cost. Jagdeo was at the time addressing reportersathisweeklypress conference on Thursday “I

justsaidthatthefuelisUS13 to US14 Cents per kilowatt hour (to supply the fuel) if you add to that the 7.6 cents per kilowatt hour, you are coming around to 21 or 22 cents per kilowatt hour which it costs to generate elsewhere too not 55 cents per kilowatt hour,” Jagdeo said. At a previous pressconference Jagdeo was pressed to provide the amount of money Guyana will be paying for the e l e c t r i c i t y f r o m Karpowership International. Insteadofgivingadefinitive answer, he said that it will cost the country nearly US$0.30 cents per Kilowatt Hour

Sitepreparation

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that significant site preparationworkiscurrently underway in Everton, East Bank Berbice, Region Six fortheoperationsoftheship. Zone Manager of the GPL Berbice location, Ravindra Jagnandan,visitedthesiteon Tuesday to oversee ongoing preparatory works In a recent televised interview, Jagnandan explained that major land clearing and installation of utility poles are in progress “Firstly, what we are doing now to accommodate the ship, is land-clearingandvegetation management. We also have tobuildanetworktoconnect the power barge to our networkatGPL.

“The ship will be dispatching69,000kilovolts andsowehavetoconstructa new transmission line for us to connect and dispatch power from the ship to our grid,” he elaborated Currently, the GPL Berbice team is preparing to set up the transmission lines at Everton. Jagnandan further explained that to access electricity from the power ship to the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System(DBIS),theywilltap into GPL’s existing L21 transmission line. “Having

theelectricityatthatvoltage level(69,000kilovolts),then we will be able to access power from the ship at our various load centres across Berbice and Demerara,” the managernoted.

He emphasised that the teamisworkingdiligentlyto complete the preparations and conclude the network c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d maintenance on the lines as early as possible before the ship’s arrival Jagnandan highlighted that the country is currently experiencing frequent power outages due to a deficit between GPL’s generating capacity and the country’s growing electrical demand.

Therefore, the arrival of this ship will form the basis of a proactive approach by the government to help m i n i m i z e c u r r e n t disruptions.

Friday

ExxonMspentGuyana’s oilprofitstoseeklegal adviceonhowborder controversywillaffect theirpockets–2ndAudit reveals

During the period 20182020, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) spent Guyana’s oil profits to seek legal advice on how the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy could affect theirprofits.

This was flagged in the audit report prepared by VHE Consulting, a

Ramdihal & Haynes Inc; Eclisar Financial; and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. The local consortium was supported by International firms- SGS and Martindale Consultants forthecostrecoveryauditof Exxon’s uS$7.3B expenses, rackedupbetweentheperiod 2018to2020.

According to the report, Exxon spent a total of US$500,000 or GY$100M on legal costs not recoverable. Included in the amount were costs for legal adviceontheongoingborder controversy The document states that the company utilised the services of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher&FlomLLP,atop USlawfirmtoprovidelegal advice on the potential impact the border dispute mayhaveonthecontractor’s interest in the Stabroek Block. Further, Exxon also soughtadviceonwhatcould be done to “defend that interest”.

Auditors however

h i g h l i g h t e d t h a t

ExxonMobil has no official leading standing as the disputeissolelybetweenthe two countries They therefore pointed out that anylegalfeesincurredbythe Contractor must be shared only among the Stabroek Blockpartners-Exxon,Hess andCNOOC.

“Even though the StabroekBlockiswithinthe disputed area, it is only a portionoftheentiredisputed

area.Thisdisputedatestothe Good Office process over three decades ago; it is reasonably presumed that the Contractor was aware of this dispute before their acquisition of Stabroek Blockinterests,”theauditors saidinthereport.

Therefore, the team made it clear that the legal services retained by the Contractor from Skadden ArpsSlateMeagher&Flom for advice pertaining to the border dispute is not recoverablesinceitdoesnot meet the requirements outlined in Section 3.1(h) of the2016ProductionSharing Agreement(PSA).

ExxonMobil is the operatorofGuyana’soilrich Stabroek Block, where over 11 billion barrels of oil has been discovered since 2015. In 2016, the oil giant signed the infamous 2016 PSA whichallowsittoexploitthe resources in the 26,800 square kilometers block Presently over 600,000 barrelsofoilperday(bpd)is being produced by ExxonMobil, with the company aiming to increase daily capacity to 1.3 billion bpdby2027.

Guyana and Venezuela are presently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) pending the outcome of the border controversy, where that country is claiming two thirds of Guyana’s mineral rich lands, Essequibo Venezuela has historically claimedGuyana’sEssequibo region as its own despite its initialacceptanceofthe1899 Arbitral Award that gives Guyana control of the Essequibo Essequibo is Guyana’s biggest county, filled with gold, diamonds and significant natural resources. The case finds its genesis in Venezuela’s challenge to the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award of the boundaries that separate thetwocountries.Asaresult, the two countries were sent totheworldcourtthrough (Continuedonpage55)

Frompage54 the United Nation’s (UN) peacekeeping process to settle the controversy once andforall.

ExxonMwillhaveto explaininflatedinvoices inCourt–VPJagdeo

Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo stated on Thursday that ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will need to explain in court why a massive US$12.192 billion invoice, submitted to

the Guyana Rev

ue Authority (GRA) by its former broker Ramps

L o g i s t i c s G u y a n a Incorporated (RLGI), was revealedtobeinflated.

Last week, it came to light that Ramps, contracted by Exxon to import oil well equipment,hadsubmittedan inflatedinvoice.

This discrepancy caught the attention of GRA, prompting an investigation. It was reported that in November 2023, Ramps submitted an invoice for oil

well equipment valued at US$4,467,662 but the declared value to Customs w

US$12,192,103,923.91.

During his press conference yesterday, Vice P

y supportive of GRA’s efforts toaddressthematter

In response to media reports of EMGL’s Country Manager Alistair Routledge statingthatthecompanyhad not received a court

Guyana, Jamaica sign MoU for media cooperation

summons, Jagdeo revealed that although he had been informedsincelastweekthat Exxon and Ramps would be served with the court order, that action had not been taken.

However, he said, “…I asked the Commissioner General (Godfrey Statia) whyisthisso,sincetheytold me since last week, it was filed and he said that the courtdidnothavethebailiff andtheyexpectittobefiled, served today, the summons to go to court ” Jagdeo explained that efforts by GRA to clarify the inflated invoice were not met with helpful responses from Exxon. According to him, the oil company told GRA that given that the price on the invoice is tax-free, it would not have resulted in thelossofanytaxes.

provision in the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with the Exxon-led consortium for the Stabroek Block which allows Exxon toretain75%oftherevenues earned towards cost recovery or repaying the investmentsbythecompany

The remaining 25% is then shared with Guyana as profit, meaning the country receives 12.5% along with a 2%royalty

invoices submitted for the previousyears.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for PublicAffairs, Kwame McCoy and Jamaica’s Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Information, Robert Nesta Morgan

DPI - The governments of Guyana and Jamaica on F r i d a y s i g n e d a

m e m o r a n d u m o f understanding (MoU) for cooperation on media, mass communication, and public affairs The signing ceremony was held at the Cara Lodge Hotel in Georgetown.

The MoU aims to strengthen partnerships for knowledge sharing and capacity building, recognising the pivotal role that mass communication playsinshapingsociety.

Minister within the OfficeofthePrimeMinister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, emphasised the importance of bridging gaps between the two countries’

i n f o r m a t i o n a n d communication sectors in a l i g n m e n t w i t h CARICOM’s integration movement.

“Wearefullycommitted as a country and as a government to forging enhanced relations among sisterstatesoftheCaribbean community to achieve synergy across the various sectors,”theministersaid.

He stressed the need for innovation to be a cornerstone of media relations and information dissemination, particularly

in adapting to evolving technologies to ensure effectivecommunication.

“ W e h a v e t o continuously work at strategies and methods of how we package and share this information and this is where this MoU becomes important,”heexplained.

The minister further noted,“[Wehave]acommon objective of wanting to support our society and establish systems for information flow, disseminationandfeedback. We recognise that Jamaica has different ways of doing things, and we could assess that to see which probably has greater efficiency and maybeappliedhere.”

He highlighted the role of media practitioners in conveying information objectively and accurately and pledged that the government will continue to drive initiatives that build capacityintheseareas.

The Office of the Prime Minister is taking a targeted approach to bolster the communications landscape with a rigorous training programme for new and current media practitioners.

Minister McCoy noted that this MoU will open avenues for similar initiatives to c o m p l e m e n t t h i s programme.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s MinisterwithintheOfficeof the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Information, Robert Nesta Morgan, underscored the

nd disinformation within the mediafraternity

He emphasised the importance of collaboration to combat these issues and highlighted the MoU as a crucial tool in this endeavour.

The minister added that the agreement serves to fortify the relationship between Guyana and Jamaica.

“We do expect that from time-to-time different groups from Guyana and Jamaicawilltravelbackand forth between each other’s countriestolearn.

“ I w a s a t t h e broadcaster’s office and we were very impressed by the efficiency an

ffectiveness of the processes that you engage,” the information minister stated.

Minister Morgan is leading a delegation to GuyanaforUNESCOWorld Press Freedom Day observances, engaging in various activities including panel discussions and tours ofmediaentities.

“But that was not the issue,” Jagdeo noted Describing the inflated invoice matter as “unbelievable,” Jagdeo expressedhissurpriseathow the companies arrived at suchanexorbitantfigure.

To underscore the enormity of the sum on the inflated invoice, he pointed outthatitequatestothecost of two Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)vessels.

TheVicePresidentwent on to elaborate on the ramifications of approving suchaninflatedinvoice.

He first reminded of the

To this, he said, “We madeitclearthatifinvoices are deliberately increase, it will have an impact on two things; it will overstate the cost bank and two, it will change the tax liabilities of the government, because as you know, in accordance with the PSA that (former minister Raphael) Trotman signed,theresponsibilityfor paying taxes rests with the Government of Guyana on behalf of Exxon and so we are treating this matter seriouslyasaresultofthis.”

Moreover, he expressed his eagerness to hear the explanations for the inflated invoiceincourt.Jagdeosaid, “It is a serious matter We takeitseriously Iftheyhaveexplanations (they) can give it to the courts,becausenowwehave filed charges against them…”

As a result of the incident, the VP stated too that GRA have been instructed to review the

“We are now ensuring that before we finalise, any oftheaudit,thesecondaudit, that the GRA will go back and check all the back invoiceslastseveralyearsto see that there is really no overstatement of any of theseinvoices,”henoted. Kaieteur News has reported that Exxon was informed that during the investigation, Ramps submitted a missive to the Revenue Authority stating that it was contracted by Exxon to provide brokerage and freight forward service and attributed the erroneous declaration to information obtained from Exxon’s KABAL system This publication understands that on December 11, 2023, Exxon representatives visited GRA to assist with the investigation, where enquiries were made in relation to Exxon’s conduct. Further, in response, Exxon in a letter dated December 13, 2023 claimed that it learned that Ramps, “incorrectlyinputtedUSDas the currency of the commercial invoice on the referenced Customs declaration, in place of GYD; and the error resulted in an overstatement of the value of the items listed on the commercial invoice and

submittedbyyourbroker.”

GSPM commends T&T’s decision to recognise the State of

The Guyana Solidarity with Palestine Movement (GSPM) on Saturday commended the government ofTrinidadandTobagoonits recent decision to officially recognise The State of Palestine. In a statement to the media, the GSPM said the move by Trinidad and Tobago is “a significant

stride in adhering to international law and pertinent United Nations resolutions, ultimately fostering an environment conducive to the realisation of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, notably their right to return ”

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e organisation reiterated its

Palestine

appeal to all nations yet to acknowledge the State of Palestine to follow suit, emphasising the importance of such actions in bolstering global endeavours toward attaining peace and stability in the region. GSPM also calledontheGovernmentof the Bahamas to recognise Palestine.

WANTED VACANCY

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

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

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

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

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

Experienced Salesperson, knowledge in writing bills, stocktaking, cashing & 1 General Domestic. Apply at Keyfood Mc. Doom Village next to the Post Office. Caricom Insurance is now hiring Sales Agents/Representatives. Attractive Commission and Training provided. Call (592) 610-6650.

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

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

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

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

LFS at Soesdyke. Call: 700-0797.

EDUCATION

First AID/CPR/AED & home nursing courses Available at St. John Headquarters. For more information Call: 2259082.

: 612-8305

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

Vacancy for professional or trainee Welder. Call: 698-1267/ 657-9121.

Vacancy for Receptionist and Hotel Attendant at Hick's Ville Hotel. Email: info@vegeworld.net or Call: 227-7714/ 223-3448.

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

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

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

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

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

Vacancies Exist for Carpenter, Mason, Labourer, and Security Guard at Happy Acres, ECD. Call or WhatsApp Saoud Osman: 643-9861 / 611-6151.

Room Attendant, Receptionist, Deskstaff, Supervisor needed at 233, South Road Lacytown. Call: 2250198.

Cook and Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 699-8486 / 674-9999

Pres. Ali tells PPP Congress…

Jagdeo sacrificed personal riches, global prominence to lead party to strongest position ever

“Solid as ever, strong forever, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP),” was the chant made by President Irfaan Ali on Saturday during the opening session of the Party’s

Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 6609093

Experienced landridge worker to work on 6 inch. Call: 6883844 or 681-3801

FOR SALE

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

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

One 6076 John Deere 6 cylinder engine. Interested persons an make contact 7014000. Monday-Friday 8 am4 pm

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

Visa Application and consultation, advertisements publishing, graphics design, local & USA passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 626-7040. Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. For more information Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

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

32nd Congress - highest decision-making body.

President Ali told his party’s membership that “this party that we are part of has never been on such solid footing in the history of our party, I repeat this, this is the strongest the PPP has ever been.”

The President, in large part, credited the repositioning and realigning of the party, to its General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

“We were led by a legend in politics, Bharrat Jagdeo,” the president exhorted.

Held under the theme, “Strengthen the Party, Defend Guyana, Unite Our People for Progress and Prosperity,”

President Ali told those in attendance.

“I want to publicly acknowledge on behalf of the membership of the PPP, that the then former President and our General Secretary (GS)— Bharrat Jagdeo—had before him many offers, many offers that would have enriched him, many offers that would have positioned him globally but he sacrificed every hour of his time for the PPP, to ensure that the PPP remain strong, remain resilient and remain the champion but more importantly in that sacrifice to ensure that the PPP remain the champion of the people of this country,” President Ali told PPP members gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

Qualifying the strength of the party as the strongest political force in the country at present, Ali further adumbrated that more and more young people are becoming members of the political movement.

“Young Guyanese, the future of this country… are embracing us, they are embracing us because they see in us

the hope, they see in us a party that can fulfill their aspirations they see in us a party that has stood the test of time and did not remove from its founding philosophy, its founding principles and its founding values and that is to always be on the side of the people,” he declared.

According to President Ali, the party’s 32nd Congress was being held “under much better circumstances than our last Congress.”

To this end, he recalled, “when we met at the last Congress, the membership of the PPP, the delegates and observers of the last Congress mandated the party to realign itself with the changing circumstances in our country and to provide the captivating leadership that would return hope to the people of our country and that would provide the strongest possible leadership in the PPP.”

To this end, the President said, staying true to that mandate “we could not have asked to be led than a stronger comrade.

Jagdeo, he said “took the mantle as GS and immediately upon the mandate of the last congress; There was a thorough self-examination of the strengths and the weaknesses and led by the GS, we developed a plan and a strategy to convert every weak-

ness into strengths and to lay a path for the party that is sustainable, resilient and one that allowed us to achieve victory in 2020.”

To this end, he was adamant, “…we must not take this period in the life and history of our party lightly, it was a time in our country when the leadership of the PPP was tested; tested in every which way and form. We were followed; we were identified for preferential and differential treatment, our rights were trampled upon; we were paraded before the courts, this sought to strip the dignity of the leadership of the PPP but because of the strength of the membership of the PPP that dignity stands outstanding today.”

He was at the time referencing the party’s time in opposition between 2015 and 2020 and its struggles to regain power.

Qualifying his position, the President reminded that following its last Congress, “we embarked on a journey, the One Guyana Concept is not accidental, the One Guyana concept was birthed after the last Congress when we designed. It wasn’t a slogan, when we designed a philosophy in the then opposition and the PPP, of creating a One Guyana, One future, a (Continued on page 58)

A section of the delegates at the PPP’s 32nd Congress on Saturday

VACANCY

President Irfaan Ali and Vice President and General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo share a light moment on Saturday

Miss/Mrs./Teen India Guyana Worldwide 2024 delegates’ launch

TheMiss/Mrs./TeenIndiaWorldwideGuyana 2024 pageant launch takes place today and sixteen beautiful young women are participating in this year’spageant.

Thelaunchoftheeventcoincideswiththe186th arrivalofEastIndianstoGuyana.

Last year, Miss India Guyana 2023 - Aruna Sukhdeo,capturedahistoricwinforthesecondtime in31years.

This year, three lucky ladies will represent Guyana in September at the Miss/ Mrs. / and Teen IndiaWorldwidePageanttobeheldinNewJersey

Herearethedatesfortheupcomingevents: June2,2024-SashingCeremony

July5,2024-TalentNight

July7,2024-Coronation

AlleventswillbeheldattheGrandBallroomof theRamadaHotel.

ANNA GAFOOR - Age: 20

Academic Pursuit: Psychology

CHANDANIE LACKHAN - Age: 20

CHITRA DEVI SINGH - Age: 19

DIANA HERALAL - Age: 26 Academic Pursuit: Business Administration

pursuit: Accountancy Academic Pursuit: Business Administration

ELIZABETH ALLY - Age: 27

SHANEZA FIDDEL - Age: 21

UMADAI HAITRAM - Age: 30

MANISHA RAMGOBIN - Age :20

SOPHIENA MOHAMED - Age: 19

AKEELA SUKNANAN - Age:17

RANI DEVI GOBERDHAN - Age: 24

ANGANIE PERSAUD - Age: 33

SHANIYA SINGH - Age: 15

RUCHIRA RUSHANA GUYADEEN - Age: 22

DEVI LIM - Age: 33

TIMRAN DOOKNA - Age: 17

PartsofGazain‘Full-BlownFamine...

Frompage50 endowments’ ties to Israeli companies or ones that do businesswithIsrael. Many also want their universitiestoendacademic relationships with Israeli institutions.

Studentactivistssaythat companies doing business in Israel, or with Israeli organisations, are complicit initsongoingwarinGazaas are colleges investing in thosecompanies.

University endowments fund everything from research labs to scholarship funds, mostly using returns frommillions-andbillionsofdollarsininvestments.

The encampments began last month, with

dozens of students at Columbia University pitching tents on a campus lawns, while the president of the New York City university testified before C o n g r e s s a b o u t antisemitism.

The police moved in a day later and detained the protesters, sparking a wave of action at other colleges acrosstheUS.

Activists quickly set up campagainatColumbiaand eventually moved into an academicbuilding.

The police were called in again due to vandalism and risks to public safety, theuniversitysaid. More than 100 arrests were made as both the

building and encampment were cleared The esca

Columbia inspired similar protests and encampments acrossthecountry

The BBC has counted more than 130 colleges and universitiesintheUSwhere protests or encampments have arisen in the past few weeks.

Protests have occurred in45statesandWashington D.C.

gatheredoverthepastweek on university campuses in Australia, Canada, France, ItalyandtheUK.

(Story taken from New YorkTimesandtheBBC)

Frompage56

oneGuyana,onepeople,one futureandthemandateofthe leadershipofthePPPwasto walkeverysinglestreet,walk every single corner, touch everysinglecommunitytouch everyheart,reachouttoevery Guyaneseandbringbackhope aspiration and vision for the peopleofGuyana”

As such, he was of the view that “It is this mandate thatallowedustoreposition thePPPandtogetthemessage back out there that the only nationalpartyisthePPP,andif you have any doubts look across this room at the membershipandbeproudthat this is a representation of Guyana,everyinchofGuyana isrepresentedhere”

The President is his address was adamant the party’s, “vision is clear and the mission is clear and the mission was to rebuild to modernise to carry our

message to every home to disallow, those with racists and divisive agenda to build our narrative and this was a weakness that we identified atthelastCongress.”

Lamenting that, “we allowed others to define who we are, we allowed others to definethenarrativeaboutwho weare”Hesaid,“fromtheday we took back control of that narrativebynaturallyshowing to the people of this country what the PPP stands for the population rallied behind the PPP/Candthatiswhatallowed ustogrowthisparty”Withthis in mind, he espoused, “This party that we are part of has never been on such solid footing in the history of our party, I repeat this, this is the strongestthePPPhaseverbeen andthisissomethingwemust celebrate”

According to President Ali, young Guyanese, “the future of this country, are

embracing us, they are embracing us because they seeinusthehope,theyseein usapartythatcanfulfilltheir aspirations they see in us a partythathasstoodthetestof time and did not remove from its founding philosophy, its founding principles and its founding values and that is to always beonthesideofthepeople.”

President Ali continued: “It was no easy task while in opposition to awaken the political consciousness of the peopleandIwouldsaythatit isthisthatallowedthepeople tomakeaninformeddecision in electing the PPPback into officein2020”

To this end, he was adamant, “We must never fail to call out the minority whomasqueradeasthevoice of society but does not have the dignity or integrity to stand up for this country whenitmatters.”

BLUNTNESSONINDECENCIES!

Incaseyouhaven’theard,pleasebeinformedthataspartofourcontinued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our Publisher, Dr Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about ongoing indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, buttheentirenation.

MONDAY –APRIL29, 2024

An act of betrayal by the PPPand Jagdeo

The People's Progressive Party (PPP) and Bharrat Jagdeo's pledge on the 2020 elections campaign trail to renegotiate the oil contract had resonated deeply with Guyanese citizens who by then were convinced that the c o u n t r y h a d b e e n shortchanged.

Therewasayearning,and there still us, for a fairer deal. The promise of renegotiation must have been one of the reasons contributing to the success of the PPC's election campaign However, this swift about-face by Jagdeo begs the questions:When did t h e c o m m i t m e n t t o

renegotiationevaporate?

T h e p r i n c i p l e o f renegotiating contracts in the best interest of the nation seemed to have been conveniently abandoned in favour of embracing the notion of the sanctity of contracts However, this sudden shift in stance

warrants a thorough explanation from Jagdeo Why the shift. The failure to renegotiate the oil contract cannot be dismissed merely as a broken promise It representsanactofbetrayal.

TUESDAY –APRIL30, 2024

Secrecy breeds corruption

The People's Progressive Party (PPP) administration thrives in managing the

affairs of this country, particularly the management oftheoilandgassectorinthe dark.

Itisnosecretthatthelack of transparency is the b

corruption. This nation is hungry for information, but the government is too busy hiding its corrupt trails to heedcallsforopenness.

Why are there no p r o f e s s i o n a l p r e s s conferences hosted by Ministers?Isgovernmentrun by a single individual that controls what the public shouldandshouldnotknow?

W h e r e a r e t h e agreements for the Gas-toEnergy project, the largest financial venture ever pursued? Where are the cost

recovery statements for the oil and gas companies? Why does the government believe insecretmanagement?

WEDNESDAY –MAY 01, 2024

Who is on the workers' side? Today, the government willextolitselfasthepartyof the working class. It will do sowithoutanyshamedespite its mistreatment of public servants,teachersandnurses.

The PPP/C Government has b a t t l e d t e a c h e r s i n boardrooms and courtrooms in efforts to intimidate them, diminish them, and deny themwhatistheirjustdue.

Tens of thousands of public servants have been subjected to the same contemptuous Damaging treatment.

But the government says that it respects labour, and thatitisfairtotheworkersof Guyana.

THURSDAY –MAY 02, 2024

Govt. dancing to its own tune

The PPC Government is having a grand time talking out of both sides of its mouth atthesametime.

Listen to any Leader in the Government, and he or she would be quick to assert how much the regime is about transparency, truth, integrity, and that it has nothing to fear because the recordspeaksloudlyforit.

Apparently, the PPP/C Government has its own sound system, which its listens to, so that the echoes will provide confirmation as to cleanliness of its governance, when the reality ittheopposite.

FRIDAY – MAY 03, 2024 PPPCongress

The unspoken objective of the PPP Congress which opens today is to solidify its hold on power, so that it can

partner with ExxonMobil to continue ripping off Guyanese.

General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo would solidify his way to dominate the PPP and controls its visionsandthinking.

The congress will be a farce - it's about one man rulingfortheenrichingofhis favoured, to settle scores with opponents, including those inside the party No genuine and honest PPP loyalistissafe.

THE PPPCONGRESS is about one man and his ambitious, his betrayals of theparty'sfounders.ThePPP Congress will be about what perpetuates his stranglehold on followers, stifling resistance, and killing Guyanesehopes.

The PPP Congress is about how the PPPas a party and as a government have become the stooge of ExxonMobil and Jagdeo, its enforcer

Only PPP equipped, experienced enough to lead Guyana in new era - VP Jagdeo

…promises equitable distribution or oil resources, opportunities in sector in future

Guyana is at present producing in excess of 640,000barrelsofoilperday, and according to the General Secretary (GS) of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, his partyistheonlycapableparty to lead the nation in its new eraoftransformation.

Jagdeo was at the time speaking during the opening ceremony of the PPP's 32nd Congress which began on Saturday at theArthur Chung ConferenceCentre(ACCC).

“Wearenowwitnessinga new era of transformation, andthistransformationhasto beledbythePPP,sinceitwas the only political machinery in the country “equipped to doit,basedonourhistoryour experience, and our achievements, and I am proud to say that we are led by a young leader, Irfaan Ali who came out of this party,” Jagdeo told delegates at the Congress.

Further,hesaidthatgiven the transformation, Guyana cannot be trusted with the political opposition and naysayers, since according to him,hisparty'scoreideology of inclusivity and equitable treatmentwasenshrinedinits constitution Democracy, freedoms and equitable distribution of resources are

not “words the PPP takes lightly,” Jagdeo said as he sought to strengthen his argument adding, “we don't toy with… we don't just say them and they mean nothing to us, they pervade our entire being as a political party whenwespeakofinclusivity, wedon'tsayitjustlikethat,it gets reflected into our entire policy making and so today, many people want to drag us into a sterile political debate.”To this end, he was adamant that the Opposition remains stuck in a different era while his party remains true to its core values. Values he insists will lead to the equitable distribution of wealth from the country's resourcesincludingitsoil.

A d d r e s s i n g t h e sector—of which he heads p e r s o n a l l y a s Vi c e President—Jagdeo said, “we have started creating a framework to make sure” the state invests in things that mattermosttopoorpeople. He cited education, healthcare, job creation among others as examples-all funded by the national budgetandwasadamantthat, “wearealsoputtinginplacea framework that would hold both the investor and ourselves accountable for the stewardship of the sector,

because we are a political party with credibility with experience in policy making a history of achievement we can do so easily and we are doing it ”There are three Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels operating in the Stabroek Block, namely the Liza Destiny, Unity and Payara.ExxonMobil Guyana has also received the green light for three other projects namely the Yellowtail, Urau and more recently the Whiptail Agreement The ExxonMobil led consortium has already established that based on the 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent in proven resources, the companywillbepursuingten projects th The 6 oil project, valued at $US12.7 billion, is the most recent to be approved and aims to tap into an estimated resource base exceeding 850 million barrels of oil It will encompass up to 10 drill centres and up to 72 production and injection wells. Construction of the FPSO vessel named 'Jaguar' for the project is already underway ExxonMobil has additionally confirmed its Final Investment Decision (FID) for the endeavour,

which is anticipated to yield approximately 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) by the conclusionof2027.

Liam Mallon, President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, at the time remarked, "This marks our sixth multi-billion-dollar p r o j e c t i n G u y a n a , augmenting the country's production capacity to approximately 1.3 million b a r r e l s p e r d a y . "

Construction is in progress for FPSOs for the Yellowtail and Uaru projects, with Yellowtail slated to commence production in 2025andUaruin2026.

C u r r e n t l y, 6 , 2 0 0 Guyanese individuals are employed in support of Stabroek Block operations, constituting 70 percent of the workforce. Since 2015, the cumulative expenditure of ExxonMobil Guyana and its contractors with local suppliers has surpassed $1.5 billionbytheendof2023. ExxonMobil affiliate, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, serves as the operator and holds a 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds a 30 percent interest, while CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 percentinterest.

Archery Guyana and Miss Guyana Unite Sport and

Fashion at Sashing Ceremony

Archery Guyana proudly joined forceswithMiss Guyana Culture Queen in a

partnership was forged celebrating the synergy between archery and haute couture.

In a moment of true p

empowerment, Mr Randy M

ticism as the

g r o u n d b r e a k i n g collaboration that fused the worlds of sport and fashion at the sashing ceremony of the ten contestants on Sunday 29th April, 2024. The event witnessed a convergenceofeleganceand ath

Renowned fashion guru, Randy Madray, took center stage, captivating the audience with his impeccable sense of style and sophistication as the beautiful young ladies were formally introduced and sashed.

Archery Guyana, with President Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon on his right and Mrs Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud on his l

delegates Together, they symbolised the union of sport and fashion, embodying strength, grace, andelegance.

Sunday May 05, 2024

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

Relating to people may be difficultforyou,sinceyouget the feeling that others don't see things as deeply or emotionally as you, Aries. Perhaps you feel everyone is shallow

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

You have a great deal of physical energy, Taurus. At times, you may feel as if you haveanendlesswellspringof power You're at a climactic pointinyouryearlycycle.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Finding the comfort point may be difficult for you, Gemini. You might feel as if you aren't connecting with your ideals or goals. Even though you try to put things into motion, they don't really panoutthewayyou'dlike.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Your upbeat, lively nature is fueled by the fast-paced energy at hand. You have a greatdealofphysicalstrength availabletoyou,Cancer

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Your indecisiveness may plague you, Leo. This is one of those times when you feel as if one second of hesitation will cost you dearly Yet you take a while to process and internalize things before you'rereadytoactonthem.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

You're now in a terrific positiontomakeasignificant moveinyourlife,Virgo.With agreatdealofphysicalenergy coupled with incredibly high self-esteem, you have what it takes to make a major push towardlargergoals.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You might feel as if you can't access your physical energy now, Libra. You may experience frustration when you try to engage in a sport. You don't feel as if things are clickingintoplaceaseasilyas theyshould.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Your physical vitality should be quite strong, Scorpio, and you're encouraged by greater self-confidence. At the same time,however,

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Things could be moving more quickly than makes you comfortable right now, Sagittarius.You may feel as if yourownneedsandagendaare getting lost in the fury bubblingaroundyou.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Your physical strength is topnotch,Capricorn. Nowisaterrifictimetojoina sportsteamorstartacompany soccer program. Others will respect your leadership abilities.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You may feel indecisive, insecure, and stuck in the middle of a difficult situation, Aquarius. Your energy could be drawn in one direction while your self-confidence is pulledinanother

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Communication with others should be very effective, Pisces, and your social calendar will be full. You're feeling good about yourself, thankstoaboostinconfidence that reminds you that you can doanything.

President Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon expressed her delight at the collaboration, emphasisng the empowering nature of archery and its alignment with the world of fashion. She remarked, “This collaboration represents more than just an event; it signifiesthecomingtogether of two powerful forces that empower individuals to express themselves, both physicallyandartistically.”

Legendary Fashion DesignerMr RandyMadray in this year’s cricket focus opined that “The sashing ceremony not only celebratedthecontestantsof Miss Guyana’s Culture Queen but also served as a testament to the limitless possibilities when sport and

Young Gunners to tackle Hi Flyers...

Frompage65

trophy. Even the secondplace finishers will be handsomelyrewardedwitha substantial$500,000prize.

The grand finale is expected to commence at 7:00 pm, featuring an electrifying clash between Aroaima Ladies and Rockstone Women for the Queen’s third-place trophy At 8:00 pm, all attention shifts to the showdown b

d WomenandHururuWomen, battling for the top honours andafirst-placecashprizeof $400,000.

Therunners-upwillwalk away with $200,000, while the third and fourth place f

e $100,000 and $50,000 respectively

Thisthrillingtournament isorchestratedbytheKashif and Shanghai Organisation under the esteemed One Guyana brand, with the g

f Bakewell and several other prominententities.

fashion unite”. As Archery Guyana continues to champion empowerment through athleticism, this collaboration with Miss Guyana highlights the commitment to innovation andinclusivity. According to President of Archery Guyana, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon shared that “in an exciting fusion of athleticism and elegance, the Miss Guyana Culture Queen contestants are set to embark on a thrilling archery experience.

Details are currently being finalised for an exclusive session that will see these remarkable young women stepping onto the archery range.”

A

collaboration promises an unforgettableblendofgrace, precision, and style. Stay tuned as Archery Guyana unveils more details about this upcoming event, where beauty will meet skill in a celebration of strength and sophistication.

Randy Madray in centre flanked byArchery Guyana’s President on his right, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and on his left by Chair of Social Media Committee, Mrs. Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud.

ChicagoFireFCSigns OmariGlasgowto Short-TermLoan

Chicago Fire FC

yesterday announced the signingofOmariGlasgow,a forward from Chicago Fire FC II, to a short-term agreement.

At just 20 years old, Glasgow has already made waves since signing his MLS NEXT Pro contract with Chicago Fire FC II on March24,2022.

Holding an international slot with the Club’s MLS NEXT Pro division, Glasgow has become a formidable presence on the field.

Withanimpressivetrack record of 42 appearances (including 40 starts) for ChicagoFireFCII,Glasgow has showcased his talent with 12 goals and 10 assists over three stellar seasons withtheFire.

And the excitement d o e s n ’ t s t o p there—Glasgowhasalready nettedtwogoalsthisseason, one of which contributed to last weekend’s thrilling 2-0 victory over Atlanta United 2.Ontheinternationalstage, OmariGlasgowisastandout performer for the Guyana Men’s National Team Representing the Golden Jaguars, Glasgow has notched an impressive tally of14goalsduringhistenure withtheseniorsquad.

Addingtohisaccolades, Glasgow recently received

Frompage65

showcase of endurance, expertise, and velocity as schools compete for the top prize of $450,000 for first place, $250,000 for second, and $150,000 for third, alongside trophies, medals, and tokens of recognition. Safetyremainsparamountat Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours. The event will be fortified with numerous lifeguards,boats,andjetskis to ensure the safety of all participants.

A water ambulance, staffedwithamedicalteam, will be on standby,

LeagueYoung Player of the Tournamentaward.

H i s r e m a

e performance, marked by seven goals in five games, also earned him the title of CONCACAF Nations League Top Scorer an achievement that solidifies his place in history as the first Guyanese player to claim this honour. Notably, Glasgow, at just 20 years old, stands as the youngest player ever to receive this recognit

on

n the competition’shistory

According to MLS regulations, a Club is permitted to sign a player from its affiliate (MLS NEXT Pro or USL) to a maximum of four ShortTerm Agreements (up to four-day contracts) per season,totallingamaximum of 16 days. A single player can be listed on up to four MLS league season match rostersperseason.However, within those rosters, the player is restricted to featuring in a maximum of two MLS league season matches.

Outside of league fixtures, the player can participateinanynumberof non-league games throughout the duration of their four Short-Term Agreements.

complemented by a landbased medical bay manned by doctors, nurses, and a physiotherapist. Furthermore, a visible policepresence,bothonland and water, will uphold a secure, family-friendly environment ExxonMobil Guyana’s sponsorship underscoresitsdedicationto community engagement, student opportunity, sports, and youth development, u n d e r s c o r i n g t h e indispensable support of corporate partners in the success of this annual extravaganza.

ExxonMobil is the title...

Omari Glasgow

Horizon Group Inc. supports successful Practical Shooting Match by GSSF

The Guyana Sport

Shooting Foundation (GSSF) proudly hosted the first practical shooting match of the year, attracting participants and enthusiasts from across the nation Sponsored by Horizon GroupInc.,aleadingforcein sustainable property development in Guyana, the e v e n t s h o w c a s e d marksmanship and sportsmanship.

The match was declared open by GSSF’s Match Director, Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, with safety briefings conducted thereafter by Range Master Mr Ryan McKinnon Spectatorsandofficialsfrom Horizon Group Inc. graced the event, showing their commitment to supporting local sporting events that promote skill and camaraderie.

M r W i n s t o n Hermanstyne, Business Development Manager of Horizon Group Inc , expressed excitement about witnessing the event’s excitement and skill, wishingcompetitorsthebest ofluck.

Thematchfeaturedthree thrilling stages designed by

Mr Imam Bakhsh to test participants’ speed, power, and accuracy The dynamic stages required shooters to engage targets from behind barricades, walls, and various props, showcasing their proficiency in diverse shooting scenarios such as shooting with strong hand only,weakhandonly,froma kneeling position and through ports and openings atsteelplatesandpoppers.

Safety remaine

paramount throughout the event, with vigilant range officers ensuring a secure and enjoyable environment for all participants and spectators The match culminatedwithstatsofficer Dr Pravesh Harry officially releasing the results in an

ceremony, where Mr Winston Hermanstyne presented trophies to the

outstandingperformance.

Horizon Group Inc ’s support was instrumental in

a resounding success. Known f

approach to property

development, Horizon Group Inc. specialises in green communities that prioritise sustainability and e

commitment to promoting local sporting events aligns with their ethos of fostering communityengagementand development.

The Board of Directors of the Guyana Sport S

extends its gratitude to HorizonGroupInc.fortheir generous support and looks f

collaborations in promoting the sport of shooting in Guyana. The results are as follows: Limited Division: 1st Place – Pravesh Harry (331.4943Points)

CaribbeanAirlines T10 Village Cricket finals... Demerara seeking title as intense battle looms

Drepresents

The T10 Demerara team representing Guyana.

Mr. Winston Hermanstyne, Business Development Manager of Horizon Group Inc. (in black shirt on right) poses with the Prize Winners at the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation’s Practical Shooting Match

Today’s shootout will be hosted at the

Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad with Guyana winning their qualification leg last week Sunday at the Meten-Meer-Zorg ground, West Coast Demerara. Demerara

advancedafterbeatingEssequiboby58runs and Berbice by six wickets respectively to qualify Demerara Team -Shemroy Barrington (Captain), Andrew Lyght, Richard Latif, Suresh Budhu, Corwin Austin (wkp), Ryan Hemraj, Dexter George, Francelot DuncanClarke, Jermaine Maxwell, Jamal Gomes, Udesh Seetaram, Akeem Redman, Sheldon Alexander and Keon Morris. ManagerSurendraHiralal,Coach-PeterPersaud

2nd Place – Sadiq Rahat (241.4070Points)

2nd Place – Dallas Thomas(278.8184Points)

3rd

emerara

Guyana today in the Caribbean Airlines T10 Village Cricket tournament finals as they look to dethrone champions South East of Trinidad and St. Elizabeth JunctionofJamaica.

National

Real Madrid crowned champions after Barca’s defeat at Girona Girona

(BBC Sport) - Real Madrid were crowned championsofLaLigaforthe 36th time after Barcelona suffered a 4-2 defeat by

Girona.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side easedtoa3-0winoverCadiz earlier on Saturday, which meant the Catalan club had

to win at the Estadi Montilivi.

Barcelonaled2-1athalftime, but three second-half goals from Girona left Real

CarloAncelotti has won league titles in Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England (Getty Images)

with an unassailable lead at the summit with four matches of the season remaining England midfielder Jude Bellingham has been a key figure in Real’s success, having scored18goalsin26LaLiga gamesinhisfirstseasonwith theclub.

BellinghampostedonX, external “CAMPEONES!!!

HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS!!!”whichtranslatesas

Champions!!! Go Madrid and nothing more!!!”. The 20-year-old joins Laurie Cunningham (1979–80), Steve McManaman (2000–01 and 2002–03), David Beckham (2006-07) and Kieran Trippier (202021)asEnglishmentowinLa Liga. Los Blancos have lost just one league game this seasonandcouldpotentially finish the campaign with 99 points,whichwouldbetheir

second-highest total ever It isAncelotti’ssecondLaLiga title as Real coach, having previously won it in 202122.Realhavenowwonnine more titles than the 27 held by Barcelona. The 14-time European Cup winners face Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal,havingdrawn2-2atthe AllianzArena.

Windies A end Nepal tour with six-wicket defeat

-Top five-match series 3-2

(SportsMax) - West IndiesAconcludedtheirtour of South Asia on a losing note, as they were handed a six-wicketbeatingbyNepal in the final encounter of a five-match T20 series at the Tribhuvan University

International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, on Saturday.

Despite the loss, the Caribbean side topped the series3-2,buthadverylittleto celebrate, as they failed to reallyputtogetheradominant collectivedisplay Instead,the series win was lined with individual performances, namelyfromcaptainRoston Chase, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Alick Athanaze, as well as stellar efforts from Gudakesh Motie and Obed McCoy withtheball.

Itwasmoreofthesamein thecurtaincallcontest,where Athanaze’s unbeaten 29-ball 42andChase’s33off23balls, werethehighlightoftheWest IndiesAinnings,whichended at 172-7, after they opted to takefirststrike

SagarDhakal(3-17)and SompalKami(3-16)didthe damage for Nepal with the ball In reply, Nepal, courtesy of half-centuries from Aasif Sheikh (51) and Anil Sah (58), easily got to their target with seven balls

to spare. McCoy led West IndiesAbowlerswith3-36.

After losing opener

KushalBhurtel(13)toMcCoy inthesecondover,Nepalhad very little trouble fending off West Indies A’s bowling attack,asSheikhandSahput together a 96-run second wicket stand, which laid the platformforthevictory

Wicketkeeper Sheikh smashed two fours and five sixes in his 35-ball knock, while Sah had four fours and foursixesinhis58off45balls

Even when that partnership was eventually broken by McCoy, who removed Sheikh in the 14th over,thehostremainedinfirm control, and the win was inevitably wrapped up by Kushal Malla, who struck threefoursandthreesixesina briskunbeaten18-ball37

Earlier, West Indies A lost their top order in the

eighthoverwithjust60runs on the board, as Johnson Charles (24), Kadeem Alleyne (11) and Mark Deyal(11),allfailedtorepel the attack of Dhakal’s slow left-armorthodoxspin. Chase, who struck five boundariesinhis23-ball33, andAthanaze, who had one four and three maximums, tried to repair the damage with a 40-run fourth wicket stand, before the former fell inthe14thover Matthew Forde, with a 12-ball cameo of 23, including three sixes, added someimpetustotheinnings, but when he fell to Kami, WestIndiesAluckedout,as the right had medium fast bowleralsoremovedFabian Allen (three) and Motie (one)inquicksuccession. Athanaze and Hayden Walsh (seven) were left not out.

ExxonMobilisthetitlesponsorforinter-schoolskayakingcompetition

The participating schools for this year’s ExxonMobil/inter-schools kayaking competition

Ex x o n M o b i l

Guyana will be t h e t i t l e sponsorshipofthethirdannual Inter-School Kayaking Competition, slated for today attheWatookaGuestHousein Linden Presented by Elite Kayaking & Nature Tours, an accredited operator sanctioned by the Guyana TourismAuthority,theevent paddlesoffat11:00am.

The competition has swiftly become a marquee event, drawing participation from 12 secondary schools spanning Berbice, West Demerara, Georgetown, Linden,andKwakwani.

Kwakwani will be returning to defend their championship. The primary

objective is to foster cohes

education, sports, and tourism sectors, nurturing the growth of our tourism and sports economy while championing the concept of “sports-tourism.”

Competitors will vie for supremacy across various age categories including under14,under16,under18,

encompassing male and female single kayaking, mix

kayaking, and male and female long-distance relays, combiningroadrunningand kayaking.

Expectanexhilarating

(Continuedonpage62)

‘One Guyana’Kings and Queens of the Sand Beach Football C/ships…

Young Gunners to tackle Hi Flyers for chance to win $1M in cash

TThe Hi Flyers Football team

he stage is set for

a n e p i c showdown today as the One Guyana Kings and Queens of the Sand ‘ B e a c h F o o t b a l l ’ championship reaches its climaxwiththetwoexciting finals billed for the PPP-C OfficecompoundinLinden.

Inthequestforsupremacy, the spotlight shines on the dynamic clash between the YoungGunnersFootballteam and a formidable Hi Flyers unit,bothvyingforthecoveted 2024 Men’s title Will the Young Gunners’ flair overcome the Hi Flyers’

strength? On other end, will the undefeated Speightland Ladies shatter the dreams of the Hururu Stars for the championshipcrown?

The stakes have never been higher as the competition reaches its zenith with a staggering $5,000,000 in cash and prizesontheline. In a display of skill and resilience, the Hi Flyers Football team will lock horns with the Young Gunners, each eyeing the grand prize of $1,000,000 alongwiththeprestigious (Continuedonpage61)

Students putting in some training time ahead of the ExxonMobil/inter-schools kayaking competition

Omari Glasgow in action for Chicago Fire 2

West IndiesAwith their trophy after beating Nepal 3-2 (Getty Images)