Kaieteur News

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

of

...country will have to first write each guarantor detailing ‘legal basis’ to access sum

Suspect in murder of Corentyne welder found dead in lock-ups

ExxonMobil hit second highest production output in April

Minibus driver dies in Friendship accident

CCJ updates appellate, original jurisdiction rules

Production Ship progressing ahead of schedule

Check Exxon’s inflated expenses!

The Golden Arrowhead was hoisted in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Saturday morning, in observance of Guyana’s th58 Independence anniversary. In attendance was Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud. (Photos by Ministry of Human Services and Social Security)

ExxonMobil and partners set stringent

conditions for Guyana to access US$2 billion oil spill guarantee

...country will have to first write each guarantor detailing 'legal basis' to access sum

Before the Government of Guyana (GoG) touches a penny from the US$2B oil spill guarantee provided by ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, the country will firstberequiredtowriteeach of the three guarantors informing of the company's failure to meet its legal financialobligations.

The Guarantee and IndemnityAgreementlodged by the Stabroek Block partners on June 9, 2023 makes it explicit, “In order for the Beneficiary (GoG) to exercise its rights under this Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement, the Beneficiary

Guarantor at the Guarantor's addressstatedinSection4.4, written notice, signed by an authorized representative of Beneficiary(the"Notice"),of EEPGL's Default of the EnvironmentalObligation...”

guarantor must detail the environmental obligation(s) thatis(are)purportedtohave been defaulted on, including the legal basis giving rise to theenvironmentalobligation (s) in question; how Exxon f

applicable Environmental Obligation(s) and the unpaid amount for which the companyisliablefor. A

government under the agreement must also notify the guarantor that the oil companieshavebeenadvised of its intent to draw the guarantee Subsequently, “payment of any undisputed portion of the amount in default” shall then be made by the guarantor within 30 days after receiving the noticefromgovernment.

This means that the guarantor must be satisfied that the claim made by the government has a legal basis fortheoilspillcompensation tobereleased. Consequently, “Any dispute as to the Amount in Default, regardless of the

amount in dispute, will be resolved by reference to an expedited arbitration...in the event any arbitral award holds that the EEPGL is liableforthedisputedportion of the Amount in Default, Guarantor shall pay within fifteen(15)daysoftheaward beingreceivedbytheparties, such amount that was disputed plus interest at the

Agreed Interest Rate specified in the Petroleum Agreement,nottoexceed,in the aggregate with any other amount paid hereunder, the MaximumAmount.”

ExxonMobil, the operator of the Stabroek Block, holds a 45% interest,

Petroleum Guyana Limited holds25%interest.

Each Co-Venturer has contributed to the US$2B guarantee, relative to its participating interest in the StabroekBlock.

Jamestown Insurance Company Limited is the Guarantor for Hess; while CNOOCLimited,acompany organizedinHongKongand Exxon Equity Holding Company is the Guarantor for CNOOC and Exxon, respectively.

Appeal Court Judge, Justice Rishi Persaud had

President,

ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge

orderedExxonMobilGuyana to lodge a US$2B parent and/or affiliate company guarantee as a condition to a stayofexecutiongrantedona lowercourt'sorder.

That order, originally issued by High Court Judge, JusticeSandilKissooncalled for an unlimited parent company guarantee to be provided to the EPAby June 10 or the Liza Phase One Project Permit would be suspended.

Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: Mr. NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

GUYANESE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING THE HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY GLOBALLY

Guyana is closing in on that three-score level. Happy 58th Independence anniversary Guyana from the Kaieteur family Considering their extraordinary gifts, Guyanese should be celebrating the happiest birthday of all, the most joyful people in the world. Some are, but they are so few, thosewhopartakeofthefruitsofthisland,tothevictorsthe spoils. Thentherearethelosers,thatbigmultitudeleftoutof the sharing and celebrating. We tick off another year reachedinthisnation’sIndependenceanniversarycalendar, and a fresh US$300M is withdrawn from the Natural Resources Fund. Little of that, so small a fraction of the whopping national budget, a record breaker, touches the livesofthosegropingtheirwayforward. Itistheongoing battlefordailysurvival,wherethereareonlystrawstolean on,andtheycrumpleeasily

Therearethoseontheinsideoftherich,gravytrainthat is today’s Guyana, a few thousand at the widest expanse. The small band closest to the top know what it is to be financiallyindependent. Theyhavemuchtobejoyfulabout, more to finance their revelries, this cohort of less than a thousand of the connected to the movers and shakers in Guyana.Therest,thesevenhundredplusthousands,areofa housewithdifferentfloors. Clusteredaroundthemiddleora rungortwoabovearethosewhocanmanagecomfortablyto maintain their heads above the pressures of the day They numberafewtensofthousands,perhaps,fromthebusiness sector,theseniorpublicservants,thosewhoinheritedsome smallorlargefortuneandhaveheldontoit. Theyknowwhat realindependenceisaboutbecausetheyliveit. Theydonot fear the coming of a new dawn, they don’t shrink from the mail carrier bringing a new bill. These Guyanese possess whatisrequiredtoriseabovethetimesandcircumstancesof Guyana with ease. When this is weighed on this Independence Day, there is still a world of citizens, Guyanese by birth or heritage, who are not accounted for, who fall outside the positives of the great big natural resourcesnet.

They are the real Guyana. It is of the disappointed Guyanesewhodealinthedailyfareofheavytrials,solittle intheirhands. Guyanaisinthenewsoftheworld,thenthere is this world of cost of living that bring dread, chronic sickness that stir fear, children for whom there is only so muchtogive,andthegrayerofheadandslowerofstep,who worryabouthowtheyaregoingtomakeit. Nooneatany levelcouldbesoshameless,soobscene,astotellthemthat they are independent, that Independence Day is a beautiful occasion. It should be, given what Guyana has been endowed with, but this has not been the case. There is no choiceleft,butforusatthispapertoask:IndependenceDay, itis;butwhatisthestateoftheirindependence? Ofwhatare they independent, when hopes fade, and anxieties about a decent existence play havoc with their minds? On the conservativeside,theyamounttohundredsofthousandsin thissmallpopulation. Toomanylackenoughfood,struggle tomeettheirobligations. So,tospeakofindependenceisto insultthem,remindthemofwheretheyare,howtheyhave beenforgottenbythosethattheytrusted. Thisisthebrutal contradiction of close to half of Guyana’s population reducedtoekingoutanyexistencethattheycansqueezeout oftheirdayinoneoftherichestcountriesintheworld. ThereistheironyofmostGuyaneselivinginthefastest growing economy in the world and the ordinary man and woman, working class families, in this country forced to economize.Theymustcounteveryscarcedollarasifitisa lifetime. To take to the next meal, to obtain some needed medicine, and to hail a passing minibus for some vital purpose. Independenceshouldbeatimeofcelebration. Itis notformostGuyanese. Accordingtooneleader,whenthey arepatient,theywillbeprosperous.

PPP/C demonstrates inability to lead Guyana on path of fairness, justice, equity and prosperity for all

DEAREDITOR,

T h e P P P / C h a s

demonstrated a serious disabilitytoleadthisbeloved countryofours;todevelopa society characterised by fairness, justice and equity; andtomoveusforward,asa nation, on the path to sustainabledevelopmentand prosperityforall.

We must work together to vote it out of government at the next General and R

constitutionallyduein2025. There is no other viable option.

At its last congress, General Secretary of the PPP/C Bharrat Jagdeo told delegates: “We are now witnessing a new era of transformation, and this transformation has to be led by the PPP, since it was the only political machinery in the country “equipped to do it, based on our history our

achievements, and I am proud to say that we are led byayoungleader,IrfaanAli whocameoutofthisparty.”

T h i s i s b e y o n d laughable However, Guyanesearenotunfamiliar with the political rhetoric that usually accompanies politicalpartycongresses.

However, amidst the cacophonyofself-praiseand promises of progress, there are statements that demand scrutiny, especially when such statements are uttered by individuals who occupy the highest echelons of power

The proclamation by the General Secretary of the PPP/C that his party is the onlycapablepartytoleadthe country in its new era of economic growth and transformation warrants a closer examination, not just of their present capabilities, butalsooftheirtroubling

(Continuedonpage6)

The Mayor and City Council is still to present and approve a budget for fiscal year 2024

DEAREDITOR,

Further, as stipulated in Guyana’s Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, Section 156, the City Council must submitadetailedreportofall monies received, expended, and applied during the preceding financial year by March 31 each year Additionally, this report must be made available for public inspection, with notice given to the public. It is now the end of May, and ourCityhasneitherabudget for the current year nor an account of how funds were managedlastyear

This delay is a legal oversight and a breach of public trust. Furthermore, the City Council, headed by MayorAlfred Mentore, is in breach of Chapter 28:01, Section 155, which states thattheCityCouncilshallno laterthanthefifteenthdayof November in every year cause to be submitted to them estimates of the revenues and expenditures for the next financial year ThiswasnotdoneuntilApril 24 at a special statutory meeting,whenadraftbudget waspresented.

However, neither the Mayor nor the Finance Committee Chair could providesatisfactoryanswers to questions from PPP/C councillorsabouttheorigins ofbudgetfigures.

Itwasblatantlyclearthat the budget was a copy-andpaste job from the previous year’s budget, which itself had been copied from the budget before that. It was obvious that neither trend a n a l y s i s n o r c o s t adjustments essential techniques for reviewing past spending trends and adjusting for inflation or c

requirements were done

Additionally, as far as I know, no councillor was

constituency needs This lack of originality and scrutiny is profoundly troubling and suggests a

planningandgovernance. While the Mayor has historically been quick to shift the blame onto the administration, it must be emphasisedthatdetermining policy matters and strategic

administration’s role. The draft budget presented weeks ago demonstrates a worrying absence of policy guidance and strategic vision. Financial decisions are made in an ad hoc manner with no regard for

implications Alarmingly, thedraftbudgethadvirtually nothing allocated towards

commitment to the City’s development and long-term growth.Thisfailurereflects

(Continuedonpage61)

Are the amendments contained in the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment)Act 2022 in force?

DEAREDITOR,

I recently read in one of the daily newspaper two statements attributed to the Traffic Officer (Traffic Chief) of the Guyana Police F o r c e , S e n i o r Superintendent Mahendra Singh.TheTrafficOfficeris reportedtohavesaidthat237 drivers were successfully prosecuted out of a total of 510. He is also reported to have “highlighted that the fines for driving under the influence (DUI) ranges (sic) from$30.000to$200.000”. Editor, I find the last statement to be very surprising. I recall that the

Yourstruly, PaulSlowe CCH, DSM, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired).

Former Chairman of t h e P o l i c e S e r v i c e Commission.

Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02 was amended in 2022. The amendmentswerepublished in the Official Gazette of Tuesday 15th November, 2022. Section (5) of the amended Act states that the penalty for the offence of driving under the influence of drink or drug has been increase to not less than $200,000, or imprisonment fortwentyfourmonthsfora firstoffender Forasecondor subsequent conviction the finewasincreasedtonotless than $300 000, and imprisonment. The offence of Motor Manslaughter was alsocreatedatthesametime. Can the Traffic Officer state whether or not the amendments contained in the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2022 are in force? More specifically, what is the current minimum fine for someone convicted of driving under the influence ofdrinkordrug?

PPP/C demonstrates inability to lead Guyana on path of...

Frompage4

past and ideological transformations. Let us be clear:toclaimoneselfasthe only capable party to lead a nation demands more than mere words; it requires a solidfoundationofintegrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to the welfare ofallcitizens.

Unfortunately, the

PPP/C’s track record falls woefully short of such lofty claims. Under the PPP/C’s reign, Guyana bore witness to a litany of atrocities and injustices that still haunt the collective memory of our nation.

Extra- judicial killings, increase in the incidents of various crimes, across the country Many mothers are stillwaitingforanswersand justiceforthedisappearance oftheirsons.

In fact, under the PPP/C’s reign one of its Minister, Satyadeow Sawh, his sister Phulmattie Persaud, brother Rajpat Rai Sawh, and security guard, Curtis Robertson were brutallymurdered.

Years after, (22nd April 2006 to 22nd May 2024) in spiteofpleasfromrelatives, thisevilregimehasnoteven as much as pretended to launch an investigation or COIintothatheinouscrime.

The gruesome murders occurred under the Jagdeo presidency, amid a runaway crimespree.

Yet, the PPP/C wants peopletobelievethatitisthe only party that can lead this country.Then there is

rampant corruption facilitated by corroded financial systems, and weak anddilutedstateinstitutions, boardsandcommissionsthat were put in place to protect the people’s money and the nation’s resources. Many of these bodies lack the human c o m p e t e n c i e s a n d technological capabilities

The Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA)isa good example of an extremely weak body The Integrity Commission is another prime example of weakstatebody Corruption is blatant particularly in the award of contracts for infrastructural works.Morethan55%ofthe national budget, which is over one trillion dollars, has been allocated to pouring concrete, wherever there is space.

Themostrecentincident of corruption was the award of $865 Million contract to construct a pump station to Tepui-acompanythathasno experience or tract record in the area of constructing for which it had tendered; it did notqualify;itwasregistered in 2022 and tendered for the contractin2023.

Nevertheless, it was handed the contract for the massivesum.Corruption!In any case, the General Secretary himself was accusedofcorruptionbyZhi RongSu-aformerfriendand tenant of Jagdeo. Su had disclosed to VICE News reporters posing as Chinese investors that Jagdeo took ‘ c a s h b r i b e s ’ f o r

multimilliondollarcontracts and that he, Su, was his middleman.

In the interest of transparency there should have been, at the very least, an investigation into this damming allegation; there wasnone.

More, the PPP/C and their actors/agents are yet to properly account to the Guyanese people, for $4.5 Billion in covid-19 cash grant (first phase). Many Guyanese are still holding ‘pink slips’ waiting for follow-up in the second phase.

Wherehasallthemoney gone?Wearestillawaitinga full and thorough audit of billionsofdollarstakenfrom the national purse under the guiseofhelpingthepoorand vulnerable during the covid crisis.

Yet, the PPP/C wants Guyanesetobelievethatitis the only party that can lead thisgreatcountry

This government has been attempting to suppress dissent, in and beyond Guyana. The recent issue with Rickford Burke, an outspoken critic of this government, is a classic example. Unbelievably, the PPP/C government attemptedtoservesummons to Mr Burke in the United StatesofAmerica(USA)and actuallyclaimedthatithasa right to de-recognise jurisdictions and boundaries and violate national and international protocols to commit that transgression. Whilst they are busy trying

to silence dissenting voices their friends and those who sing their praises are given greatlatitudetocarryonwith any and all kinds of nonsense Mikhail Rodriguesalsoknownasthe ‘Guyanese Critic’, who is said to be closely associated with the Vice President, is allowed to masquerade himself on social media platform, in the most outrageous and disgusting abusivemanner

His company-Tepuiwas handed that contract valued at $865 Million even though it did not qualify Also, there is moral and ethicalcorruption.

At the moment, the PPP/C, at the highest order ofthepartyhasanindividual accused of serious misconduct.Itisnotthefirst time; it is the second. In 2023, this very individual, former Minister of Local Government and Regional development, Nigel Dharamlallwasaccusedbya 16- year- old school girl of sexualassault.

However, that entire sorry situation was managed; the matter disappeared from the public sphere.

Now, in 2024 similar accusationsofsexualassault and rape against this central executive member of the party, who got more votes than the Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, at thelastpartycongress.

It is a moral maze. But the PPP/C wants Guyanese to believe that it is the only

country that can lead Guyana.

Evennow, as I writethis column, our hard- working teachersarefightingfortheir right to collective bargaining-arightenshrined in our constitution but completely disregarded by thePPP/C.Theincumbentis fighting with everything it gottodenyoureducatorsthis right because it’s a way of keepingtheminpoverty,and p r e v e n t i n g t h e i r development While the regime fights to deny teachers and other public servants this constitutional right, they had a different approachtoGAWU.

Their supporters reside along the sugar belt; they want to harvest those votes c o n t i n u a l l y Notwithstandingthefactthat thecostofproducingsugaris higherthanthemarketprice, thegovernmentcontinuesto pour billions into that industry;ithasbeenreduced to an implausible political welfare arrangement that is massively consuming preciousresources.

Moreover, the recent erasure of MarxistLeninism from the party’s ideology raises serious questions abo

he principles it once espoused. While ideological evolution is not inherently negative, the manner in which the PPP/C has discarded its foundational beliefs without genuine reflection or accountability speaks volumes about its integrity

and sincerity It appears as nothing more than a cynical attempt to rebrand and distance itself from a past s t a i n e d w i t h authoritarianism and ideologicaldogmatism. Clearly, to entrust the reinsofleadershiptoaparty withsuchatarnishedhistory and dubious motivations would be a grave disservice to the people of Guyana. True leadership requires humility, honesty, and a genuine willingness to learn from past mistakes It demands accountability for past wrongs and a steadfast commitment to upholding the values of democracy, justiceandequality

As we stand at a critical juncture in our nation’s history,letusnotbeswayed byemptyrhetoricorpartisan allegiances. Let us instead demandleaderswholeadby example, who prioritise the needs of the people above personal gain, and who are unwavering in their dedication to building a brighter future for all Guyanese.

ThePPP/C‘sassertionof being the best party to lead Guyana rings hollow in the face of its troubled past, its ideological consistencies, and its failure to deliver on thepromisesofprogressand prosperityforall.

Itistimeforaneweraof leadership, one grounded in integrity,accountability,and agenuinecommitmenttothe well-beingofournationand itspeople.

RoysdaleForde,SC

BLUNT BLUNT

Let us reflect as we celebrate 58 years of Independence!

Todayaswecelebrate58yearsofbreakingfreefromthe shacklesofBritishrule,wereflectonthehardshipsfaced byourancestorsandthejourneytowherewehavecome.

Whiletherearenotableachievementsinourcountry’s history,ourleaderstodayhavegivenExxonMobilfree reignoveroneofourmostvaluablenaturalresources,oil.

Thisisevidentinthe2016ProductionSharingAgreement, whichshacklesthiscountrytotheworld’sworstpetroleum deal.Thoughsignedbythepreviousadministration,the incumbentregimeisquietlyacceptingthebullyingtactics ofthismultinationalcorporationthatisdailyincreasingthe risksofamajordisasterandrefusingbluntlytogivethis countrywhatittrulydeserves.

Itisdistasteful,scornfulandembarrassingtowatchas thecompanycallstheshotswhilethegovernmentdances towhatevertuneExxonplays.Whyhasgovernment appealedanunlimitedparentcompanyguarantee toprotectourcountryfromanoilspill?

WhydidtheyfightagainstthePublisherofthis newspaperwhowenttoCourtaskingthattheoilgiant paysitsfairshareoftaxestoanimpoverishnation?

Whyhasthisgovernmentrepeatedlydemonstratedthatitis notactinginthebestinterestofthepeopleofthiscountry butfortheoilcompanies?Isthatwhytheywereelected?

Exxon's 5th Production Ship progressing ahead of schedule

Japanese floating, production, storage

and offloading (FPSO) operator MODEC has announced a new milestone by completing the

keel laying for the construction of a floating FPSOhull,whichisdestined for ExxonMobil's fifth oil development in the Stabroek blockoffshoreGuyana.

A ceremony to mark the beginningofconstructionfor the FPSO Errea Wittu was held on February 2, 2024.

The FPSO unit will be situated on ExxonMobil's $12.7 billion Uaru project, sanctionedinApril2023.

Offshore Frontier Solutions, a MODEC Group company, is in charge of the engineering, procurement, andconstruction(EPC)work for the vessel based on its M350 new build hull According to the Japanese firm, the keel laying for the construction of the FPSO Errea Wittu hull has been carried out five weeks ahead ofschedule.

“This performance

milestone demonstrates the dedication and collaboration of the teams involved. In additiontothisachievement, we take pride in maintaining a strong safety record with zero lost time injuries (LTI) andensuringtheengineering progresses according to the schedule. This reflects our unwavering commitment to providingasafeandefficient work environment, ” explainedMODEC. With a topside designed to produce approximately 250,000barrelsofoilperday, the FPSO Errea Wittu will have an associated gas treatment capacity of 540 million cubic feet per day, a water injection capacity of 350,000 barrels per day, and produced water capacity of 300,000 barrels per day The vessel is expected to be delivered to ExxonMobil in 2026.

The Japanese player has already hired several players for work on the FPSO Errea Wittu.

Formally titled the Uaru DevelopmentProject(Uaru),

EEPGL is proposing to develop its fifth of 10 planned oil production facilities offshore Guyana in theStabroekBlockalone.

The company also holds controlling interests in a number of other offshore blocksforwhichexploration wells are planned this year including on the Canje and KaieteurBlocks.

Thisfifthdevelopmentis to be located in the eastern portion of the Stabroek Block;approximately200km from Georgetown with production from Uaru Project expected to last approximately20to30years.

It is envisaged that EEPGLwilldrillbetween40 to 76 wells offshore to support extraction of the oil frombelowtheseafloor

Each well will be drilled using a drillship and EEPGL will install some of the oil production facilities on the sea floor at approximately 1,450to1,950mwaterdepth.

The FPSO will be moored on location in

approximately 1,690m of water depth and will remain on location throughout the production stage, according to EEPGL, which will have the peak capacity to produce uptoapproximately220,000 barrels to 275,000 barrels of oilperday Processedoilwill be stored in cargo tanks inside the FPSO hull which have the capacity to hold approximately two million barrelsofoil.

It was noted that during p e a k p r o d u c t i o n , approximately every four days, the oil will be pumped from the FPSO to a conventional oil tanker, which is owned/operated by thirdparties.

According to the company,EEPGLwillutilise onshore support facilities to support drilling the wells, installing the offshore production facilities, and operating the offshore productionfacilities.

The Project Document suggests “this will include but is not limited to shore bases, warehouses, storage

and pipe yards, fabrication facilities, fuel supply facilities, and waste management facilities in Guyana Helicopters and supply boats will also be needed to support the Project.”

It said that at peak, E

0 personneloffshoreduringthe stage where the wells are beingdrilledandtheoffshore oil production facilities are beinginstalled.

T

decrease to less than 200 personnel during

e production phase and a

smaller number of personnel willbeutilisedattheonshore supportfacilities.

R

y, Seat

m joined the ranks of multiple otherplayersworking on the FPSO, including Jumbo Offsho

allat

on Contractors, SOFEC, ABB, TMC Compressors, and MikoMarine.

MODEC is working on several other FPSO projects. Earlier this year, the firm cheered the first steel fabrication milestone for an FPSOdestinedtoworkonan Equinor-operated pre-salt gas and condensate project offthecoastofBrazil.

Minibusdriverdiesin

Friendshipaccident

A38-year-old man was onSaturdaymorningkilled after he lost control of the minibushewasdrivingand collided with another minibus on Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara(EBD).

The dead man has been identifiedasKeyonHarvey ofLot254GroveSquatting Area,EBD.

Several passengers in the accident; They were identified as 52-year-old Paul David, of Lot 45 Public Road, Friendship, EBD, 27-year-old Yannick NoelofLot8SupplyEBD, 19-year-oldVishualGoriah ofLot42Friendship,EBD, and 44-year-old Lotoya

Thorne of Lot 34 Friendship,EBD.

Police reported that the fatal accident occurred at about05:40hrs.

Investigations revealed that minibus BVV 1137

driven by Harvey (deceased) was proceeding southalongtheeasternside of Friendship Public Road, EBDatanallegedfastrate, whenthedriverlostcontrol

of the vehicle and swerved ontothewesternsideofthe said road and collided with the right front of minibus BAC 950 driven by David. The bus David was driving was stationary on the same sideoftheroadfacingnorth as passengers were being collected.

Police said both vehicles were extensively damaged and both drivers along with the passengers receivedinjuries.

The Emergency MedicalTechnician (EMT) was summoned and the injured persons examined. Harvey was pronounced deadatthescene.

“Theinjuredpassengers anddriverofminibusBAC 950weretakentoDiamond Diagnostic Centre for medical attention, where they were treated and sent away,”Policestated.

The body of the deceasedwastransportedto Memorial Gardens Funeral Home where it awaits a post-mortemexamination. Investigations are ongoing.

40 more hinterland women trained through First Lady’s scholarship programme

Forty women from Regions Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) graduatedonFridayevening from the Atlantic Maritime and Offshore Training Institute(AAMOTI)through a fully-funded scholarship programme between the instituteandtheOfficeofthe FirstLady

The graduation took place during a simple ceremony at the Baridi Benab,StateHouse.

The 40 women were the secondbatchofatotalof60 women who have since benefitted from the scholarship programme. A totalof100womenfromthe hinterland will receive training through the programme which was launchedlastyear

The 40 hinterland womenspentthelastweekat the institute’s Friendship, EBD location undergoing

the Basic Safety Training (BST) and Ship Security Awareness Training – both of which are accredited by the Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD)andtheMaritime AuthorityofJamaica(MAJ). Highlighting that the labour force participation rateforwomenis around50 percent, compared to about 80 percent for men, First Lady Mrs Arya Ali stated that the programme aims to address the significant underrepresentation of women in the labour force; specificallyinsectorslikeoil and gas, construction, shipping, and logistics. She said too that the choice of thesecourseswasintentional basedon dataintheGuyana Skilled Labour Assessment Study,whichshowsthatover thenextfiveyears,Guyana’s oil and gas, construction, transportation and logistics, health, and agricultural

sectors will require an additional53,000workers.

“The STCW and Ship SecurityAwarenessCourses, both of which you have successfully completed, empoweryoutodojustthat–enter these male-dominated industries and increase the participation of women in areas historically dominated bymen,”MrsAlitoldthe40 graduates.

She noted too that as Guyana becomes a more attractive place to live and work, competition in the labour market will naturally increase,withtheadditionof labour migrants from all overtheworld.

“But, holding these regionally-accredited certificates in two distinct areas of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) places you ahead of the curve. You have a head start,andwhileitcertainlyis a cause for celebration, it is

Sukhai; Commissioner Chinese Guo Executive Guyana Ramsaroop.

First Lady Mrs.AryaAli (center) with graduates of the Basic Safety Training (BST) and Ship Security Awareness Training.Also photographed are Ministers JosephHamilton, Sonia Parag, and Pauline Sukhai;British High Commissioner H.E. Jane Miller; ChineseAmbassador H.E. Mrs. Guo Haiyan; and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop.

First Lady Mrs.AryaAli speaking at the graduation ceremony

H@RD TRUTHS

WHEN INSURANCE IS NOT REALLY INSURANCE, GIVES LITTLE REASSURANCE

A homeowner or business person sees the flickerofanerrantsparkand there may be a pause, or a shrug. They see or smell smoke, whiffs first, then billowing clouds, and anxieties flare, alarms go off. How much can be rescued from a broadening conflagration, how much recovered in the instance of total loss to start over In distressingtimes,thehuman

instinctforself-preservation andcontinuitytakesover Is the coverage enough? Will the insurance people payout? Aretheycapableof paying up? What are the consequences of any dispute, prolonged legal tussle? Asrelevanttohome and commercial property, the same applies to oil. All those suddenly worrying, frighteningquestions. They said the Titanic couldn’t

sink; it still shares a dismal watery grave with Neptune inthedesolateAtlantic. In his inimitable way, Mr Chris Ram, a rare Guyanese character of numbers and words, did the donkey work and delivered thefreight. Itisweighty A maximum of US$2 billion from the three-member Exxon-led offshore consortium. ThankGodfor America. And Exxon, of

course So thoughtful, helpful. So much like a good partner, a wonderful neighbor Two billion US green is a bundle of money for a Guyana with, what, a sparse 800,000 people. I urge the well-tutored amongst us to multiply US$2 billion (9 zeros) by 200 to get the equivalent in Guyana dollars. When the zerosaretottedup,theresult is GY$400,000,000,000

Like I said, plenty for a plenty rich countrywithplentyof poorpeople. Ifthereisa little oil leak (not spill or drenching),it’satreefalling in the middle of the jungle. An unknown, uneventful, uninspiring, development Business as usual, carrying merrilyalong. Theconcern is when a small leak increases to a slow drip which intensifies into a big, rushinggusherofa(Ihaveto say it) blowout. Suddenly, Chris Ram looks like the wisest man in Christendom, which he isn’t. In Guyana, maybe, but let’s leave that otherrealmfreeofhisreach.

Likethehomeownerand business owner growing increasingly fearful, those earlier questions deepen. I reword. Can this insurance group called Jamestown in Bermuda step up, is it good foritsshareofthecoverage? ItwasratedA(Excellent)by AM Best, a top-of-the-line presence in the rating business. Financial strength, Guyanese are assured, comforted. But, if thereareanylocalswhoare familiar with insurance companies enthusiastically stepping forward and shelling out, please correct me. Ifinsurancecompanies could squabble and quibble over a million Guyana dollars, I shrink from thinkingofthereactionfora half billion American ones, or 100 billion Guyana Many Guyanese have concluded that I am crazy which is a blow borne smilingly

But who is the crazier crackpot now, when there wereallthoserisksthatwere ignored, all those safety limits routinely violated, all those sensible precautions dismissed?

Are Exxon and its partners still making speeches? Is Big Boss Bharrat still blubbering whatheusuallyblubbers?

GT$400,000,000,000 (400 billion) by 800,000 and checktheresult. Cancelout five zeros from the top and the bottom, and it’s GY$500,000 per citizen

Whatever the size of the family that is no money In sum, when mopping up of theenvironment(localonly) is a priority, Exxon and Jagdeo would have positioned themselves well tomopupthefloorwiththe faces and future of every Guyanese.

Forthosethinkingofthe non-oilsector,Iaskwhereis it and what about it, compadres? Iconclude:just as how Mistah Alistair RoutledgeandDaktahBharratJagdeothrilltotelllocals of the cascade of oil revenues to come, this also works the other way If there is a big, badass, oil spill, the cascade of calamities can and will be constricting and strangling. A cleanup exercise of months would wipe out that GY$500,000 per person Then what? There is no oil money

No bright lights. No foreign love. Only some neighbors in the region lookingtochopoffthehead of any Guyanese they encounter Exxon drew the line: US$2 billion. Jagdeo kissed it. May there be no reasontocurseit.

A r e G u y a n e s e parliamentarians, especially the court prone Attorney General still filibustering aboutprobabilitiesandwhat ishighlyunlikelyinbrilliant imitation of a remarkable American oil gentleman by the name of Alistair Routledge? For the edification of all, American oil gentleman is not an oxymoron.Therealityisthat a severe spill in the seas doesn’thavetobeMacondo in the Gulf of Mexico. A rupture of 10% magnitude still could inflict damage over Mr Ram’s US$15 billionnoteforaroutineone. We have the sum of US$2 billion,Godforbid,shoulda pipeline yield to the astronomical pressures downbelow Guyanaisnot Australia, but in such a circumstance, Guyanese may wish they were at the bottomoverthere. Iamnot talkingaboutanoilslick,but ofatonofbrickslandingon each Guyanese head. Why everyone,theinquiringmay be so presumptuous to ask? Ask away, my name is Lall, not Jagdeo. The real deal versusarealfarce. Because if an oil spill is catastrophic enough, the entire country will be severely dislocated. Economicsandearnings. A small patch of the environment only, let’s hope. Ipreferprayer. Now d i v i d e

CARICOM IMPACS working with regional & international partners to guarantee safety and security at T20 World Cup

The Caribbean

C o m m u n i t y

(CARICOM)

Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) on Saturday says that it continues to play a pivotal role in the execution

o f t h e u p c o m i n g InternationalCricketCouncil (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup ensuring safety, efficiency, and adherence to best practicestodeliveroneofthe region'smostmemorableand securesportingevents.

“Collaborating with regional and international

partners, CARICOM IMPACS has been working assiduouslyoverthepastfew months equipping security officials with the necessary expertise to uphold world class safety standards during the tournament which takes place from 1-29 June 2024,”

a press release from

CARICOMIMPACSsaid.

Mr EarlHarris,Assistant

Director - Corporate

Services, CARICOM IMPACSemphasisedthatthe Region has a rich legacy of hosting major sporting events, which has evolved significantly as there are

many more players and stakeholders involved than therewaspreviously “This means that the environmentisverydynamic wherebyrisksandthreatsare everevolvingandcanchange overnight The key to mitigating these is constant monitoring and vigilance and,inthatregard,sofar,all indicators suggest low to moderate threat levels,” he assured.

Headdedthateventssuch as the T20 tend to attract worldwide participation and CARICOM IMPACS is ensuring that there is constant attention and attentiveness to not only ensure the safest games but themostenjoyableaswell.

“Wesimplycannotrelax. People might say the games are almost ready to start, but it is in that moment of relaxation that someone seizes an opportunity to maketrouble.Thisisthetime wearerampingupandbeing eversovigilanttoensurethat everyone has a good experience coming to this part of the world to either participate or spectate,” Mr Harrissaid.

CARICOMIMPACShas b e e n f o c u s e d o n developments that highlight its commitment to dealing w

a

es surroundingtheexecutionof this region-wide sporting event.

The organisation said it has been leading the charge, in the provision of essential knowledge and tools to professionals in the criminal justice system including conducting weekly threat assessments with strategic partners and keeping law

informed about potential risks; conducting various training programs such Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) as cyber security, cultural sensitivity, sports corruption as well as enablingthemtonavigatethe complexities of migration effectively

Mr Harris reiterated: “WeatCARICOMIMPACS want the region to know that there is an architecture that dealswithcrimeandsecurity, whetheritistheWorldCupor not.Itisthere24hoursaday, 7 days a week, 365 days a

year and it really takes a collaborative effort with all the arms and institutions working together to showcasewhattheregionhas to offer, because the games will come and go but people willrememberhowsafethey felt being here in the Caribbean.”

He noted that significant work is being undertaken in thebackgroundtoensurethat everyone has a consistent experience, as they travel from one host country to the other, where they are met withprofessionalpeoplewho aredoingtheirjobstomakeit a safe environment, both inside and outside of the venue.

Mr KJ Singh, Head of OperationsfortheICCMen's T20WorldCup2024,Cricket West Indies (CWI), highlighted the critical partnership,particularlywith CARICOM IMPACS, as a vital tool for the success of thetournament.

He also took the opportunity to thank all the host governments that have beenworkingtirelesslytoput systemsinplacetoensurethe success of the event

“CARICOM IMPACS has given an intimate look on a daily basis of what systems are in place from both a national and regional perspective.Imustcommend CARICOM IMPACS for the work that they are doing to keepcitizensverysafeinthis region.Ihaveamuchdeeper understanding and appreciation for the hard work they do in the region,” hestressed.

Mr. Singh also signaled the ICC's satisfaction with CWI's partnership with CARICOM IMPACS which they consider to be a gold standardincollaborationand information sharing from a synergistic perspective. He indicated that the CWI plans to continue with this partnership well beyond the WorldCup.

ABOUTCARICOM

IMPACS

T h e C A R I C O M

IMPACS was established by the 27th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in July 2006, in Bird Rock, St. Kitts and Nevis, as the implementationarmofanew regional architecture to manage CARICOM's action agendaoncrimeandsecurity. At this meeting, the HeadsofGovernmentsigned an Inter-Governmental Agreement establishing CARICOM IMPACS as a legal entity, with direct responsibility for research, monitoring and evaluation, analysis, and the preparation of background documents andreports,aswellasproject d e v e l o p m e n t a n d implementation of the regional crime and security agenda.

$353M to extend and renovate Paramakatoi dormitory

Education will be spending $353M to rehabilitate the Paramakatoi dormitory in Region Eight The $353,134,050 contract was awardedtoNKEngineering Services on May 23, 2024 through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NTAB).

Last year, concerns were raised about the state of the dormitory during the National Toshao's Council (NTC) conference. Toshao of Monkey Mountain, Region Eight, Lincoln Singh who spoke on behalf of the Paramakatoi and Kato Villages at the time who revealed that the Paramakatoigirls'andboys' dormitoriesareinastateof disrepairandrequestedthat action be taken to remedy them.

Subject Minister Priya

Minister Manickchand had announced that works on the facility would be rolled out in phases since the ministry does not want thechildrenhousedthereto bedisplaced.

Meanwhile, at a recent pressconferenceearlierthis month, the Education Ministerhadmentionedthat the government has started a massive programme to repair all schools and dormitories to ensure children's safety and comfort.Already a number of projects have started while others are in the tenderingstage.

This year, the Ministry of Education was allocated some $74 4Billion, a portion of which will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, extension and maintenance of educationalfacilities.

Manickchand had committed to have a full assessment of the facility done “The Paramakatoi dorms, we just had a full assessment of this dorm, andweintendtorepairitata cost of more than $300 million,” the Education Minister said in August 2023.

Guyana leading CARICOM in kidney

transplant surgery

Komal Singh re-elected as PSC Chair

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has reelected Komal Singh as its Chairmanforasecondterm.

“The Private Sector Commission (PSC) held its 32nd Annual General

Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, May 24, 2024, at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana. As is customary, the business session of theAGM saw the

council electing the executive members of the Private Sector Commission whowillservefortheperiod 2024-2025,”thebodysaidin apressreleaseonSaturday Singh was elected to st Chair the PSC at the 31 AnnualGeneralMeeting.

Captain Gerry Gouveia

Jr was elected as Vice

C h a i r m a n O t h e r appointments included Dr Natasha Gaskin-Peters as Honorary Secretary, Dr Haimwant Persaud as TreasurerandMr Manniram Prashad as Corporate

Re-elected PSC Chairman, Komal Singh

Coordinator

The Commission stated its intent to continue to be a leading advocate for the private sector on articulated and shared positions on national issues. This will promote socio-economic growth and development by creating strategic partnerships with the g o v e r n m e n t a n d stakeholders.

Adialysis patient receiving the annual $600,000 subvention from Minister of Health, Dr FrankAnthony receiving the annual

Advisor to the Minister of Health and Guyana'sAmbassador to Switzerland, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy speaking on the 'Health Matters' programme

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

Sunday

ALessonforGuyana: U.S.abandonsgasproject withconcernsmirroring Walesproject

•Approvalgranted withoutfeasibilitystudy

•Numerousenvironmental concerns

•Exorbitantyearly repayment

A proposed gas pipeline project in the United States, with concerns mirroring Guyana’s Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project, has been abandoned in the United States.

The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) in a research article last week chronicled the failed gas project that lacked proper analysis to determine its feasibility

Transco, a subsidiary of pipeline industry giant Williams Corp., sought to buildasystemof26-and42inch diameter natural gas pipeline stretching from Pennsylvania, through New Jersey, to a transfer point about three miles offshore

from the Rockaway PeninsulainQueens,N.Y.,to serviceagasutility,National Grid.

Although the utility’s system was meeting regular daily needs, Williams claimed the pipeline was necessary to meet projected peak demand levels. The Federal Energy Regulatory

Commission (FERC)

reportedly granted a certificate of approval with littleanalysisofneed.

Showing unusual foresight for an energy regulator, the New York

State Public Service

Commission ordered National Grid to produce a study evaluating long-term energy needs and potential alternatives to the Northeast

Supply Enhancement (NESE)pipeline.

IEEFA contributed comments to the process in the form of an April 2020 report that found the gap between National Grid’s peak demand projection and actual record highs of peak demand was substantial This was important because theutilityacknowledgedthe primary purpose of the project was to meet peak demand needs that occurred only a few days out of the year

Moreover,thereportalso highlightedthattheNational

Gridutility’scontractforthe pipeline would have required ratepayers in Long Island, Brooklyn, Staten IslandandmostofQueensto pay $193 million a year for 15years.

IEEFA also argued the pipeline developer and the utility would profit from overbuilding because they wouldhavebenefitedfroma highrateofreturnoncapital costs even while requiring ratepayers to pay gas rates inflated by the rate of return for construction of an unnecessary pipeline and distributionlines.

The utility’s new analysis, issued in May 2020, identified an alternative for natural gas services that did not require construction of a new pipeline. A week later, the NewYork State Department o f E n v i r o n m e n t a l Conservationdeniedawater quality certificate for the NESE pipeline on environmentalgrounds,also noting that the utility’s new analysis had identified an alternativetotheprojectthat w o u l d i n c l u d e enhancements to existing infrastructure combined with incremental energy efficiency and demand managementmeasures.New Jersey’s environmental agency issued a similar water quality certificate denialthesameday Transco did not appeal the water quality denials or attempt to redesign the projecttoavoidtheproblems identified by the two agencies Even so, the company showed an unwillingnesstoletgoofthe project It requested and received from FERC a twoyearextensioninMay2021. During the process, media scrutiny of the pipelinefocusednotonlyon environmental matters but alsoonfinancialandenergy-

planning issues. The New York City Comptroller’s Office and other officials challenged the project. In September 2020, Moody’s highlightedthefailureofthe project to gain acceptance. The credit agency cited the pipeline and seven other fossil fuel infrastructure projects as part of a trend in w h i c h f o s s i l f u e l infrastructure projects had lostmarketvalidity

Citizen organisations like the Sierra Club, 350 Brooklyn, Food and Water Watch,SaneEnergyProject, Clean Ocean Action and more mounted a multi-year effort mobilising people, resourcesandpublicinterest voices raising substantive critiques of the proposed pipeline, including financial arguments The proposed pipeline posed numerous environmental and climate risks,butfundamentally,the project was a bad investment, the IEEFA analysissaid.

The Institute opined that FERC should have rejected the NESE project in 2019; instead, five years of state agency time and resources, as well as public advocacy, hadtobesunkintotheeffort toachievethatgoal.

Several major pipeline projects approved by FERC including the Constitution Pipeline, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, the PennEast pipeline and now the Williams NESE pipeline—have failed to go forward. Each time, state, local and community resources were expended challenging the need for these projects—needs that FERCshouldhaveanalyzed thoroughlybutdidnot.

Guyana’sGTEproject

The failed gas project in the US due to the lack of stringentanalysiscomesata time when Guyana is pushing ahead with a US$2

of the NationalAssembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Cen

, Liliendaal, Georgetown, Opposition Parliamentarian, Annette Ferguson was mocked as she stood up to question Public Works Minister,JuanEdghillonthe new government office

complex design Her questions were submitted to Parliament some six months and19daysprior

“attheappropriatetime”. Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir commented, “The issues raised by the honourable member Ms Ferguson has to do with the process and systems that we have for getting these questionsontheorderPaper and having them answered so sometimes the Chief Whips need to talk with the ClerkandtheSpeaker.”

billion Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project, intended to provide some 300 megawatts of electricity to thenationalgrid.

Theprojectinitscurrent format was never subjected to a feasibility study, although it remains the single largest financial venturetoeverbepursuedby thecountry

Initially this project, inclusive of a pipeline to transport the gas, a Natural GasLiquid(NGL)plantand the gas-fired power plant was pegged at US$478M; however,theprojectcosthas nowclimbedtoUS$1.8Bfor the three listed components above.

In the meantime, government is already pursuing compensation for landowners affected by the pipeline, as well as supervisorycostsforthegas plants and transmission and distributionexpenses.

Similar to the failed US gas pipeline, Guyana’s plannedgasprojectwillalso indebt this country for a period of 20 years at an annualcostofUS$106M.

WhiletheUSgasproject failed to achieve necessary water quality certificates, concerns raised locally by environmental activist, Simone Mangal-Joly about possible impacts to the country’s water supply were also dismissed as the government pushes ahead with the controversial initiative.

Parliamenttakesseven monthstoanswer Oppositionquestions

TheOppositionhasoften lamented the extensive time taken for questions submitted to the National

responses by the respective Ministers.

During Friday’s Sitting

Even her colleagues on the Opposition side of the House laughed as she ventured to question the Minister on the office complex. After being permitted to proceed with the question, she told the House that her questions were overtaken by time but she would still ask for the sakeoftherecords.

Herfirstquestionwasfor the Minister to inform the National Assembly of what caused the delay in the erection of a billboard displaying the design of the Office Complex in the Houston Area. Her second question which was eventually abandoned was for Edghill to inform the House when the billboard depicting the design of the Office complex would be erectedattheprojectsite.

It would be apposite to notethatFergusonduringthe previous Sitting displayed thediagramherself.

Prior to Edghill standing to his feet to respond to the question, there was an outburst of laughter across the dome of the ACCC, as pupils of the Marian Academy watched in amazement.

Forhispart,Edghillsaid, “Every time we revisit this particularproject,itiswitha greater level of amusement that accompanies it Mr Speaker, the honourable Memberlastweek,whilewe were answering questions that she posed, held a photograph with the billboard and then she returns to the House to ask m e ‘ w h e r e i s t h e billboard?’.”

Ferguson in response to the Minister made it clear thatshewasnottobeblamed for the question being asked belatedly and the accompanying answer Additionally, she pointed out, “If we were meeting regularly, these questions would have been answered sodon’tcomegrandstanding hereMinister!”

Edghillinresponsemade it clear that the government answers all questions on the OrderPaperwhenitappears

Another Opposition MP, David Patterson who recentlysubmittedquestions totheNationalAssemblyon a separate matter in an invited comment told Kaieteur News that questions are usually submitted based on the urgencyofinformation. He explained, “This is the mechanism we have via theParliamenttoensurethat we can be updated and so obviously, it is the

expectation of every Parliament that when you submitaMotion,aslongasit doesn’t offend any of the Standing Orders, it is approved immediately and thentheMinisterhas21days torespond.”

On the other hand, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure said that P a r l i a m e n t n o w acknowledges Motions and questions and then forwards the information to the Speaker Patterson noted that the matters are left on the Speaker’s desk “for quite sometimeandbythetimeit getsontheOrderPaper,itis dated.”

Accordingtohim,“What it allows the government to do,asinthecasewejustsaw, they allow them to go and hide, correct, change the informationthattheyhaveto provide so it obviously stymiestheworkfornotonly theParliamentariansbut (Continuedonpage15)

An artist’s impression of the natural gas facility to be constructed at Wales

Opposition MP, Annette Ferguson

Frompage14 deprive citizens of finding

out exactly what is transpiring in important areas.”

Monday

Insurancecompanies willrefusetocompensate Guyanaforoilspill damagesascountry allowedbreachofsafety limits–ChrisRamwarns …saysExxonwillalso denyresponsibilityas Govt.supportsramp upactivities

Already tied to what experts describe as the “worstoildeal”knowninthe petroleum industry, the Government of Guyana (GoG) has allowed U.S oil major, ExxonMobil to push production activities in the StabroekBlockwellbeyond the safe operating limits

o u t l i n e d i n t h e Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for the three Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)vesselsinoperation.

In the absence of an unlimited parent company guarantee, Guyana is at the mercy of the oil companies, Exxon, Hess and CNOOC, should a major disaster occur CharteredAccountant

and Attorney-at-Law, ChristopherRamishowever warning that the insurance company can refuse to compensate the country for anydamagesasitknowingly allowed the operator to breachsafeoperatinglimits. Ram in an exclusive interview with this publication explained, “In petroleum production, there is a safety margin below the rated productive capacity of a well. Not only is there an increased risk that somethingcangowrong,but that when it does, the insurance companies will refuse to pay because you have breached the safety limit.”

Furthermore, Ram cautioned that the oil companies too can refuse to accept responsibility since the Government was not only aware of the breached safe operating limits but condonedandsupportedit.

During his weekly press conference on Thursday, Vice President and Chief

Policymaker for the petroleum sector, Bharrat Jageo was asked about the c a p a c i t y o f t h e Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)toreviewand approve debottlenecking activities by Exxon, to

Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram

support the ramping up of production.

The VP explained that it was “safe” as technical officers attached to the regulatory body as well as the Ministry of Natural Resourcesexaminetheplans oftheoperator Hesaidthat“LastweekI dealt with that issue and I said that my briefing is that before they ramped up production beyond rated capacity, that this was cleared with the Ministry The Ministry assured me their technical officers examinedit,Ispokewiththe EPA, they said they had examined it carefully too so they are aware and it was done with their approval. Both agencies the Ministry ofNaturalResourcesandthe EPAand they believe it was doneandit’ssafe.”

To this end, Ram told Kaieteur News that he does not believe the former President understands the i m p l i c a t i o n s a n d consequences of breaching thesafetylimitofFPSOs.

Ram argued, “already t h e r e a r e m a n y circumstances and eventualitiesfromwhichthe 2016 Agreement exempts the oil companies from responsibility and liability

These include “indirect, punitive or consequential damages, including but not limitedto,productionorloss

of profits” Jagdeo’s comments are clearly irresponsible, show recklessness rather than b e t t e r c o n t r a c t administration and have huge financial implications forthecountry.”

The Attorney-at-Law waspointedoutthatGuyana already has a number of wells producing crude oil simultaneously, which he described as “more than enough” He therefore reasoned, “ if only the President would rein in

Jagdeo from his senseless behavior; one oil spill could see the entire Natural Resource Fund exhausted justlikethat.”

Presently, Liza One and Liza Two are producing about 150,000 bpd and 250,000 barrels per day (bpd)respectively TheEIAs each specifically outline 120,000and220,000bpd,as the safe operating limit for Liza One and Two, respectively Similarly, the third oil project- Payara- is a l s o p r o d u c i n g approximately 230,000 bpd even though the vessel’s nameplate capacity is 220,000bpd.

Although all three of the FPSOs are currently producing above the respective design capacity, the Liza Unity is poised for furtheroptimizationworks.

37people,7organisatons callonDharamlallto exitpubliclife

Amid fresh sexual assault allegations against Nigel Dharamlall, an Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)andformerMinisterof Local Government and

Nigel Dharamlall, an Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development

Regional Development, 37 individuals and seven organisationsaredemanding his withdrawal from public life.

Recently, Dharamlall was re-elected to the 35member Central Executive of the PPP He secured the sixth highest number of votes among those nominated for the 40member Central Executive Body and five non-voting members. In a letter to the editor, it was stated, “The electionofNigelDharamlall is glaring in its insensitivity and demonstrates a

contemptuous disregard for thetraumaofsexualviolence and the physical and deeply psychological scars and s u f f e r i n g o f victims/survivors.”(Seefull letteronpage4)

It was highlighted that therewasahugeoutcryfrom many sections of the Guyanese public just last year when, Dharamlall was accusedofrapinga16-yearold Indigenous school girl. Duringtheinvestigationinto the rape allegation, Dharamlall stepped down from his ministerial post. The alleged victim had also withdrawn her complaint after an official statement wastakenbytrainedforensic professionalsinthepresence ofpoliceofficers.

“It is well known that victims/survivors of rape and sexual violence often experience threats, bullying, coercionandfear;aswellas pressure from public vilification causing shame and embarrassment, and so do not always go through withtheprosecutionoftheir cases. This is why NGO’s, CSOs and individuals have, for years, been advocating for such criminal cases to proceed, even when victims/survivors withdraw from their cases, and where the State has enough evidence to prosecute,” it wasstated.

It was outlined in the letterthatGuyana’sCodefor Prosecutors (2018) supports thisapproach,statingthatthe r e l u c t a n c e o f victims/survivors is not sufficient grounds to drop a case, “especially given the clear power imbalance of perpetrator and victim – as was the case of Dharamlall andtheschoolgirl.”

The state’s decision to discontinue the case against Dharamlall was criticised and labeled as sending a message of impunity, shielding those in power from accountability Despite beinggrantedstationbailfor the alleged rape, Dharamlall was not subjected to the standard operating procedures for major crime cases, which typically involve court-set bail Instead, he voluntarily took paid administrative leave and later resigned amid growingpublicoutcry.

The letter also criticised theineffectivefunctioningof the National Task Force for the Prevention of Sexual Offences. Although a new task force was appointed in 2020, no national plan for preventing sexual violence has been released

Additionally, it was underscored that the task force lacks representation from NGOs specialising in childsexualabuseandother relevantorganisations.

The ongoing issue of sexual and gender-based violenceinGuyanaisstarkly highlighted by the 2018 Guyana’s Women’s Health andLifeExperiencesSurvey (GWHLES),whichreported thathalfofGuyanesewomen willexperiencesomeformof gender-based violence in their lifetime, the letter noted. It was added, “This figure is among the highest in the world. Other high incidences from the study show 38% of Guyanese women experiencing physical and/or sexual violenceand20%ofwomen experiencing non-partner sexualviolenceatleastonce intheirlifetime.”

Further,itwasstatedthat the situation is compounded by the recent report from Indigenous l

ities They highlighted the pervasive nature of gender-based violence and child sexual abuseintheirregions,citing inadequate support services, political interference, and discrimination as significant barriers to justice for survivors.

The composition of the PPP’s new Central Executive has also come under scrutiny, with only seven women elected to the 35-member committee, representing a mere 20%.

This disparity raises questions about the party’s commitment to gender equality, especially given that over 50% of Guyana’s populationisfemale.

“It appears that PPP delegates didn’t think that, apart from Gail Teixeira, none of the elected women were good enough to be included in the top 15 of those receiving votes, and worse,theypreferredalleged rapist Nigel Dharamlall above Pauline Sukhai, Vindhya Persaud, and Indranie Chandarpal. What messagedoesthisrecentPPP congress send to women in Guyana?”theletterstates.

The signatories of the lettercalledforDharamlall’s withdrawal as police investigate new allegations ofsexualassaultagainsthim.

“We call on Mr. Dharamlall to resign immediately and exit public life,” they said. Additionally, they made recommendationstothePPP Central Committee to: Comprehensively address

and end the impunity of officials from crimes under theSexualOffencesActand theDomesticViolenceActin Indigenouscommunitiesand throughout Guyana; commit to education on Gender BasedViolenceandrelevant laws for its members and provide gender equality education for fair representation of women within its Central Committee.

Tuesday

US$2Boilspillguarantee requiresExxonMobilto operateinaccordance withPermits

The ramping up of oil production in the Stabroek Block by American oil major, ExxonMobil is not covered by the US$2 billion oil spill guarantee provided bytheCo-Venturers.

The affiliate company guarantee, seen by this newspaper,makesitexplicit “…theOperatorispermitted to carry out the activities authorised by the Environmental Permits in accordance with their respective terms and conditions.”

The Environmental Permits granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were approved based on the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) conducted by Exxon. These documents outline the company’s plans to produce oilataspecificcapacityand assess the damage of an oil spill accordingly The Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel is also designed to produce crude oil in accordancewiththeEIAs. Exxon currently has three projects operational in the Stabroek Block that are producing above the safe operating limits outlined in the EIAs. Just yesterday, Kaieteur News reported that A t t o r n e y - a t - L a w, Christopher Ram warned that the insurance company canrefusetocompensatethe countryforanydamagesasit knowingly allowed the operator to breach safe operatinglimits.

He explained, “In petroleum production, there is a safety margin below the rated productive capacity of a well. Not only is there an increased risk that somethingcangowrong,but that when it does, the insurance companies will refusetopaybecauseyou

(Continuedonpage16)

Frompage15 have breached the safety limit ” Moreover, Ram cautioned that the oil companies too can refuse to accept responsibility since the Government was not only aware of the breached safe operating limits but condonedandsupportedit.

ExxonMobil is the operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest,

while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30%

interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25% interest. Appeal Court Judge, Justice Rishi

Persaud had ordered ExxonMobil Guyana to lodgeaUS$2Bparentand/or affiliate company guarantee as a condition to a stay of executiongrantedonalower court’s order That order, originally issued by High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kissoon called for an unlimited parent company guarantee to be provided to

the Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA)by June 10 or the Liza Phase OneProjectPermitwouldbe suspended.

Consequently, the Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement was entered into on June 9, 2023 by the Executive Director of the EPA, representing the Government of Guyana

Jamestown Insurance

C o m p a n y L i m i t e d (Guarantor)forHess.

Meanwhile, CNOOC

Limited, a company organizedinHongKongand Exxon Equity Holding Company is the Guarantor for CNOOC and Exxon, respectively Each partner has a share in the US$2B Guarantee relative to its participating interest in the Petroleum Agreement According to the document which features identical provisions for each of the partners, “In the event that EEPGL (or ExxonMobil Guyana) fails to satisfy

EEPGL’s Share of Environmental Obligations

in accordance with applicable Laws of Guyana (a “Default”), the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees the full, complete and punctual payment of

EEPGL’s Share of Environmental Obligations, including, without limitation, payment to the Beneficiary, in accordance with this Guarantee and IndemnityAgreement,ofthe aggregate unpaid amount

necessary to satisfy

EEPGL’s Share of unsatisfied Environmental

Obligations in accordance with applicable Laws of Guyana, collectively up to a m a x i m u m a m o u n t calculated as (a) EEPGL’s Share multiplied by (b) two billiondollarsUnitedStates’ currency (USD $2.0 billion) (the“MaximumAmount”).”

Despite ordering the US$2Bguarantee,Justiceof Appeal Rishi Persaud ruled inFebruarythisyearthatthe Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to summon the EPA to produce evidence that ExxonMobil Guyana lodged the oil spill guarantee. The summons to see the US$2B [interim] guarantee was filed by Senior Counsel, Seenath Jairam in association with Attorneys Ms Melinda JankiandMrs.AbiolaWongInnis on behalf of public interest litigants, Godfrey Whyte and Frederick Collins. The Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement was later Gazetted by the government on May 11, 2024.

Mandoesn’tmind relaxinginjailfor stealingitems

A 43-year-old garbage collector appeared before Senior Magistrate Clive NurseonMondaytoanswer to charges presented against him.

The man was arraigned on the charge of ‘Larceny fromtheperson’. TroyLord is accused of committing larceny from Gail Bento, on May 18, 2024, at Stabroek Market Georgetown The stolen items include one AppleiPhoneA-Plusvalued at $145,500 GYD, a purse worth $3000 GYD, and $27,700 Guyana currency, totaling$174,000GYD. When asked by Senor Magistrate Nurse how he pleads, Lord stated, “I’m guilty,guiltyascharged”.On the mentioned date, around 10:00h,Bento,a25-year-old Amerindianfemale,residing in Samatta Point, Grove,

in the Stabroek Block is being questioned by Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, ChristopherRam.

East Bank Demerara, was walking in a westward direction while holding her cellphone and purse containing the money mentionedinthecharge.

The woman stated to the police that she felt someone snatch her belongings from her hand, and upon looking, she saw Lord running past her with the stolen items. Bento immediately chased after the man and raised an alarm With the help of public-spirited persons and the police, Lord was apprehended with the stolen itemsinhispossession.

Thepoliceinformedhim of the allegations and cautioned him, to which Lord responded, “I’m sorry forwhathappened;menever know duh girl could run so fast”.

The stolen items were recovered, photographed, and returned to the victim. Lord was then taken into custody at the Brickdam Police Station and charged withtheoffence.

During the court proceedings, Senior

Magistrate Nurse informed the man of the sentence that is usually given to persons who steal items worth 175,000 GYD or more. The man in response, stated that hedidnotmindspendingthe time. Furthermore, he stated that “I could use the time in prison to relax”. Due to the seriousness of the offence, Senior Magistrate Nurse sentenced the man to 12 monthsinprison.

Wednesday

Ramquestionscapacity ofguarantorstoprovide US$2Boilspillguarantee …asagreementfailsto mentioncreditratingof companies

The capacity of the guarantors utilized by ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC to provide the US$2B oil spill coverage in the event of a major disaster

In his recent column ‘Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded’ publishedbyStabroekNews on Tuesday, the Lawyer delvedintotheprovisionsof 39-page Guarantee and IndemnityAgreement(GIA) accepted by Executive D i r e c t o r o f t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Kemraj Parsram.

Ram observed, “The three GIAs assure that the Guarantor is rated by an internationally recognised credit rating agency (however) it seems that the EPA forgot to ask the name of the credit rating agency, andtheactualrating.”

Consequently, the Attorney posited, “The lawyerrepresentingtheEPA should feel extremely uncomfortable about this omission.”

The Liza One, Liza Two andPayaraPermitsissuedby theEPAforthethreeprojects currentlyproducingoilinthe Stabroek Block requires the Operator, ExxonMobil Guyana prove the guarantor is authorized to provide the guaranteeinthejurisdiction.

For instance, the Liza One Renewed Modified Permit, dated October 27, 2022statesatSection14.10, “ThePermitHoldermust,as soon as reasonably practicable,providefromthe ParentCompanyorAffiliate CompaniesofPermitHolder

and its Co-Venturers (“Affiliates” one or more legally binding agreements to the Agency, in which the ParentCompanyorAffiliate CompaniesofPermitHolder

and its Co-Venturers undertake to provide adequate financial resources forPermitHolderanditsCoVenturers to pay or satisfy t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e environmental obligations

regarding the Stabroek Block, if Permit Holder and/or its Co-Venturers fail todoso,andtosoindemnify and keep indemnified the AgencyandtheGovernment of Guyana, against all such environmental obligations regarding the Stabroek Block.”

It goes on to state that evidence must be provided to prove: (a) that the Affiliate(s)areauthorisedto provide that guarantee or agreement in this jurisdiction; (b) that the Affiliate(s) have sufficient financial strength for the amount of the potential liability and (c) that the Aff

(s) have the corporate legal capacity to enterintotheagreement.

Ram believes that the US$2B affiliate company guarantee, lodged by the Stabroek Block CoVenturers, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC is woefully inadequate and couldleadtoGuyana’sentire Natural Resource Fund (NRF) being cleaned out afterjustonedisaster

In his column, the Lawyer said, “The maximumtotalsumpayable under the three GIA is US$2B,lessthanbirdfeedin relation to the average US$15B cost of thelastfive international environmental disasters.”

To further explain the danger faced by Guyana, Ram pointed out that the numerous wells are producingsimultaneouslyin relatively close proximity to each other in the Stabroek Block which exponentially increases the risk of things goingwrong.

Consequently, the Attorneynoted,“IftheGIAs are all the country can insist o n i n r e l a t i o n t o environmental insurance, then Guyana is dangerously exposed.Any spill can spell disaster, wiping out the Natural Resource Fund in onestroke.”

ExxonMobil is the

operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25% interest. Each partner has a share in the US$2BGuaranteerelativeto its participating interest in thePetroleumAgreement.

Jamestown Insurance Company Limited is the Guarantor for Hess; while CNOOC Limited, a companyorganizedinHong Kong and Exxon Equity Holding Company is the Guarantor for CNOOC and Exxon,respectively. Appeal Court Judge, Justice Rishi Persaud had ordered ExxonMobil Guyana to lodge a US$2B parent and/or affiliate company guarantee as a condition to a stay of executiongrantedonalower court’s order That order, originally issued by High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kissoon called for an unlimited parent company guarantee to be provided to the EPA by June 10 or the Liza Phase One Project Permitwouldbesuspended. Consequently, the Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement was entered into onJune9,2023.

Guyanaisnow3rd largestnon-OPEC oilsupplierglobally …surpassesNorway, China,Mexico,Canada, ArgentinaandQatar

With production now at some 645,000 barrels per day (bpd) up from 98,000 bpdfromitsfirstfullyearof production, Guyana is now ranked as the third highest global supplier of crude outsideoftheestablishedOil Producing and Exporting Countries(OPEC). This is according to a recently published report by the US’Energy Information Administration which said that“Guyanaincreased (Continuedonpage58)

The convicted, Troy Lord at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Friday updated its Procedural Appellate Jurisdiction (AJ) and OriginalJurisdiction(OJ)Rulesfor 2024.Accordingtoastatementthe CCJreleasedonSaturdaytheysaid thatthelatestrevisionwasdoneby the CCJ Rules Committee, which waschairedbytheHon.Mr Justice Denys Barrow in the stead of the latetheHon. Mr JusticeJacobWit.

“The Committee comprised JudgesandstafffromvariousUnits

CCJ updates appellate, original jurisdiction rules

and Departments across the Court, the Rules Committee completed the review of the CCJ Court Rules 2021 after a process, which was initiated in April 2023,” the CCJ said.

Since the last review of the Rules the Registry Unit members havedocumentedissuesthatwould h a v e s u r f a c e d i n t h e “administrationofhearingsinboth the original and appellate jurisdictions to bring to the consultationprocess.

These submissions originated from internal and external sources andwereintegraltotherealisation ofthereview.”

Jurisdiction (AJ) and Original Jurisdiction (OJ) Rules the Court confirmed the change to the Practice Direction 2 of 2024 for hearings online to reflect the circumstancesoutsideoftheofthe COVID-19pandemicand“inserted new Practice Directions 3-5 of 2024. In both sets of Rules, the

Courtrecognisedtheimportanceof having Rules which reflected genderneutrallanguage.”

The statement further noted that, “Other major amendments included clarification of the 'clear day' rule in Part 6.2 and further specification of case management powers for Judges and a single judge.

Specifically for the AJ Rules, there was an amendment to guide thefilingofspeakingnotesandthe tables to account for Saint Lucia's

accessiontotheAJ.”

Thesubmissionscontributedby allstakeholderstoacomprehensive reviewofbothsetsofrules.

These new Rules will ensure thatascasesfiledareincreasedthe Court will continue “to fulfil its overriding objective to be accessible, fair, and efficient and that unnecessary disputes over procedural matters are discouraged.

The 2024AJ and OJ Rules are availableat .”https://ccj.org/rules/

ExxonMobil hit second highest production output in April

Sinceoilproduction commenced in the Stabroek Block in 2019, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has been pushing the safety limits on each of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading(FPSO)vessels.

In April this year, the company reached its second highest production output in the history of the country Exxonproducedacombined total of 649,000 barrels of crude oil on April 28. The highestdailyproductionwas recordedonMarch22,when t

production to a whopping 651,000barrels. This information is availableontheDataCentre on the Ministry of Natural

Managementwebsite.

production data, the new FPSO, Prosperity also recorded its highest output last month since startup in November 2023. The vessel was designed to produce up to 220,000 barrels per day (bpd) however; Exxon pushed the vessel to pump

236,000 barrels onApril 15, 2024.

Theothertwoprojectsin operation also continued to produce above initial design capacity

160,000bpdinApril-40,000 bpdabovethevessel'sdesign capacity of 120,000 bpd. Similarly, the second FPSO, Liza Unity produced an average 250,000 bdp even thoughthevesselwassafely designedtoproduce220,000 bpd.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo said at a press conference this month that the ramping up of oil production beyond the safe operating limits is being donesafely

Theprocessaccordingto him was analyzed by the technical staff of both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Experts previously warnedhoweverthattherisk of an oil spill significantly increases with the accelerated production activities.

It was also recently revealed that the US$2B oil spill guarantee provided by the Stabroek Block CoVenturersdoesnotcoverthe ramping up of oil production.

The affiliate company

Guyana's third FPSO, Prosperity

guarantee, seen by this newspaper,makesitexplicit “…theOperatorispermitted to carry out the activities authorised by the Environmental Permits in accordance with their respective terms and conditions.”

The Environmental Permits granted by the EPA were approved based on EIAs conducted by Exxon. Thesedocumentsoutlinethe company's plans to produce oilataspecificcapacityand assess the damage of an oil spillaccordingly

The FPSOs were also designed to produce crude oil in accordance with the EIAs.

VPJagdeowhenaskedif government considered this in granting the company's approvaltobreachthesafety limitssaidhehasrequesteda full repor from the technical staffinthisregard.

f

New Forest community to get access to electricity in July

The community of New Forest in Canjie, Region Six will for the first time have access to electricity by July thisyear

This was announced by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service Dr Ashni Singhduringavisittothearea onSaturday

According to a release

l DemocraticCouncil(RDC)of Region Six, the development comes a

community meeting between the Senior Minister and the residents of New Forest During that engagement one of the major concerns raised was the lack of electricity in thecommunity

On Saturday, the Senior Ministerassuredtheresidents that the government is committed to addressing this issue,andhetoldthemthatthe matter of electricity was discussed with President Irfaan Ali, who emphasized that no community should be

without electricity, especially if they are in close proximity tothenationalgridandhavea sufficientpopulation.

AccordingtoDr Singh,in commencing the installation of electricity infrastructure in New Forest, the process of planting poles to facilitate electricity in New Forest will begin shortly, which would cover a distance of approximately 6 kilometers and benefiting over 30 householdsinthearea.

However,itwasnotedthat areas with lower population densitymaynotbeincludedin thisinitialphase.

The RDC reported also that in addition to this new development, efforts have already started to provide electricitytoareasintheupper Corentyne that currently lack access to this essential service.

This initiative was initiated after a community meeting at Crabwood Creek earlier this month, where the issue was raised with the President.

Man charged with Robbery Under Arms remanded

Amanaccusedofbeingpart of a gang of men frequently robbing the residents of Herstelling, East Bank of Demerara(EBD)wasonFriday remandedtoprison.

Policeidentifiedhimas20year-old Leon Alvin Junior of Lot 186 Laing Avenue, Georgetown.

Junior was arrested on Mondayforanallegedrobbery under arms and appeared

before Magistrate Judy Ann Latchman at the Diamond Magistrates'CourtonFriday

It is alleged that Junior robbed Parbatie Singh on May 15 of three cell phones and otheritemstotalling$79,000at ForthBridgeHerstelling,EBD. Hepleadednotguiltytothe crime.

Application for bail was denied and he was remanded untilJune16,2024.

Remanded:

LeonAlvin Junior

People hold Israeli flags as protesters hold a rally in front of theAIPAC offices demanding a ceasefire and the end of Israel's attacks on Gaza, in NewYork City, US [File: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters]

Hamasofficial rejectstalkof newnegotiations withIsrael

Hamas official Osama Hamdan has said that there is no need for new negotiations withIsrael,amidIsraelimedia reports that there is an intentiontorenewGazatruce talks.

In a phone interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on Saturday, Hamdan said that the immediate requirement is forIsraeltowithdrawfromthe Gaza Strip and for all aggressiontostop.

“We do not need new negotiations,”hesaid,adding thatHamashasalreadyagreed to a ceasefire proposal that Israelhasrejected.

“Thereisnoguaranteethat it [Israel] will accept new proposals to go to negotiations Ifthereareno seriousguarantees,thismeans giving Israel more time to continue the aggression,” he added.

Earlierthismonth,Hamas approved a proposal for a ceasefire in the seven-month Gaza war put forward by mediators Qatar and Egypt although Israel said the proposal falls short of its demands.

OnSaturday,accordingto Israeli media, officials involved in the negotiations said the Israeli government intended to renew talks for a Gaza captive release deal the in coming days, after a meeting with mediators in Paris.

According to the reports, Israeli intelligence chief DavidBarneahadagreedtoa newframeworkforthestalled negotiations with mediators — CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister MohammedbinAbdulrahman AlThani.

Thenewofferwasdrafted bytheIsraelinegotiatingteam and contains possible solutions to points of disagreement in previous discussions But defence ministry officials believe that even if Israel agrees to a temporaryceasefire,itwillbe able to return to war again whenneededaftermonths.

Hamas has insisted that it isnotwillingtoacceptonlya temporary ceasefire, but that anendtothefightinghastobe permanent.

Israel has insisted that the war will not end before its goals are met, including the total defeat of Hamas However, Israel is coming under growing international

pressure to stop and is increasinglyisolated.

Among recent blows for Israel are an International CourtofJusticeorderforitto stop its Rafah offensive, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court seeking arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and a decision by Ireland, Norway and Spain to recognise Palestine.

Rafahcrossing Meanwhile, Washington said top diplomat Antony Blinkenhadalsospokenwith Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz about new efforts to achieve a ceasefire and reopen the border crossing in Gaza's farsoutherncityofRafah.

Al-Qahera News said Cairowasalsocontinuing“its efforts to reactivate ceasefire negotiations and exchange prisonersanddetainees”.

It added that Egypt was exerting“allkindsofpressure onIsraeltourgentlyletinthe aid and fuel” stranded at the Rafah crossing after its closure by Israel earlier this month.

But a Hamas official denied Israeli media reports that Gaza ceasefire talks would resume in Cairo on Tuesday

“There is no date,” the unnamed Hamas official told the Reuters news agency whenaskedaboutthereports.

Talks aimed at reaching a hostagereleaseandtrucedeal for Gaza ground to a halt this month after Israel launched a militaryoperationinRafah.

At least 35,903 people have been killed and 80,420 wounded in Israel's war on GazasinceOctober7.

The revised death toll in Israel from Hamas's attack stands at 1,139, with dozens stillheldcaptive.

OnSaturday,thousandsof Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv to demand urgent government actiontobringhomecaptives held in Gaza, after the bodies ofseveralwereretrieved.

Another protest, calling for the resignation of Netanyahu and an early election,wasalsoheldnearby

Despite the immense pressure, Netanyahu and his governmenthavesofarfailed to strike a deal with Hamas, with many critics doubting theirdesiretoreachadeal.

Guyana Culture Queen 2024…

A display of Guyanese Heritage with Elegance and Pride

'Artpieces' by Kimberly Blackman

Contestants of the Miss Guyana Culture Queen pageant 2024

Camille's Academy introduces first school's yoga programme

Camille's Academy Inc. (CAI),adistinguishedprivate school in Guyana, has made waves in the educational landscape by pioneering the first school's yoga programme.

This innovative initiative marksasignificantmilestone, as it establishes Camille's Academy as the premier learninginstitutioninGuyana andthewiderCaribbean.

By integrating yoga into its curriculum, the academy aims to provide students with invaluable tools for self-care and self-awareness This holistic approach not only promotes physical fitness but also cultivates mental resilienceandemotionalwellbeing.

Founder and CEO of the educational establishment, Ms. Camille Deokie-Gorakh introduced the programme justafewmonthsago,tohelp enhance the holistic wellbeingofthestudents.

Speaking to The Waterfalls, Human Resource Director of CAI, Kamini Latchman, explained that yoga sessions are conducted weekly at the school's four

Soesdyke

Latchman explained “The sessions are available for all levelsfromnurserytoprimary to help all our students build mental strength, their ability to focus and keep a calm demeanor Yoga is not a compulsory part of the health and wellness curriculum so students can opt out of it if theychooseto.”

The sessions are conducted by Ms. Teerandai Haripersaud-- a dedicated yoga instructor In an interview with local social m e d i a p l a t f o r m GTGimmicks, Haripersaud explained that yoga seeks to

instillinstudentstheprofound benefits of cultivating inner peace emphasized that yoga serves as a pathway to inner tranquility-- enabling individuals to navigate life's challenges with composure andefficacy.

The instructor stressed on the transformative power of yoga,assertingthatitfostersa harmonious union between thebodyandthemind.

She underscored the significance of incorporating yoga into educational institutions and commended Camille'sAcademyforsetting an example in the realm of holistic education for educational institutions both locallyandregionally Haripersaud said: “What the school focuses on is for students to have some sort of restartofthedayandtheycan have more energy and focus betterinclasses”.

Further lauding the school's proactive approach towards prioritizing the holistic development of children, Haripersaud “I believe that it should be done ineveryschool,yogaisbeing taughtintheUK,inCanada,in the US, all across the world, both in public and private schools So, Camille's academyleadingthewayisan Aplus,”shesaid.

At the core of Camille's Academy's ethos is a commitment to nurturing the overallhealthandwellnessof its student body The school has an existing health and wellness programme with planstoexpanditsinitiatives, with courses slated to be launchedsoon.

Through these endeavors, the academy reaffirms its dedication to fostering a supportive and nurturing environmentconducivetothe holistic growth and developmentofitsstudents.

Yoga sessions being conducted for students of Camille'sAcademy

FROM COP TO COURTROOM: ITLOS SETS NEW PRECEDENTS FOR CLIMATE ACCOUNTABILITY

BySirRonaldSanders

On May 21, 2024, the InternationalTribunalforthe Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delivered its Advisory Opinion on climate change and international law, in a case led by two courageous leaders of Small Island States, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda and former Prime Minister Kausea NatanoofTuvalu.

I T L O S i s a n

international court establishedundertheUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It adjudicates disputes

arising out of the interpretation and application of UNCLOS The tribunal has jurisdiction over a wide range of maritime issues, including

the protection and preservation of the marine environment, and it has the discretionary authority to issueadvisoryopinions.

In 2021, at the COP

Meeting in Glasgow,

Browne and Natano, frustrated by the grindingly slow pace of countries to makesubstantialprogressto curb Climate Change or to address its impacts on small islands, which are greatest victimswhile beingtheleast perpetrators, decided to move outside the COP to seek justice in international law The two leaders cofounded theCommissionof Small Island States on

Climate Change and International Law (COSIS) asavehicleforsafeguarding the legal rights of their countriesandtheirsurvival.

COSIS assembled a group of international and experiencedlawyers,headed by Professor Payam Akhavan to plead the case before ITLOS. Regrettably, despite approaches to all small island states, only seven others joined COSIS. The seven that joined were

Palau, Naru, The Bahamas, Vanuatu,St.KittsandNevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines,andSt.Lucia. Nonetheless, Browne and Natano persisted. They established COSIS as an international organization withtheUNandestablished Antigua and Barbuda as the depository for the treaty By December 2022, COSIS submitted its request to ITLOS, essentially seeking an advisory opinion on the specific obligations of States, regarding the prevention, reduction, and control of marine environmental pollution stemming from climate change, as well as the protection and preservation ofthemarineenvironmentin the context of climate changeimpacts.

These matters have significantly impacted small island states Scientific evidence shows that climate change caused by CO2 emissions from the world’s larg es t in d u s tr ial nations—has repeatedly and severelydamagedthem.

There is little doubt that the stalled negotiations at C O P c o n c e r n i n g compensation for ‘loss and damage’ garnered a new momentumatthemeetingin 2022, precisely because of the COSIS case before ITLOS which attracted the defensive participation of many of the big polluting nations. The sudden, but severely limited decision at COP in 2022 to establish a Committee to examine the modalitiesforaFund,wasan effort to stave off further legal action by SIDS. As it turnedout,theCOPmeeting in2023receivedinsufficient pledges to ensure the fund’s success.

The cost of loss and damage for developing countries is projected to reach $400 billion per year by 2030 and the initial pledges made at COP28 are

considered paltry in comparison to the scale of the challenge. Furthermore, t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f “vulnerability” and the eligibility criteria for accessing the fund are still beingnegotiated.

In any case, the ITLOS unanimous Advisory Opinionisagamechanger It is a significant event in the legal landscape related to climate change precisely becauseitwillshapeactions around climate change at both the international legal level and within the corporate sector It will immediately affect the 168 States that are Parties to UNCLOS, but even states that are not party to UNCLOS, such as the US, recognize many of its provisionsasformingpartof customaryinternationallaw

The Advisory Opinion deliveredbyITLOSincludes several critical points It concludedthatStatesParties totheUNCLOSConvention have specific obligations underarticle194“totakeall necessary measures to prevent, reduce, and control marine pollution from anthropogenic GHG emissions and to endeavour toharmonizetheirpoliciesin this connection”; provides guidance as to states’ obligations in relation to climate change under UNCLOS; found that states have a due diligence obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment from the deleteriouseffectsofclimate change; the obligations of states to assist developing states;andaffirmsthatwhere therearethreatsofseriousor irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective

measures to prevent environmentaldegradation.

Importantly, oil companies and others have been brought into the legal

ambit The opinion underscores the evolving regulatory landscape concerning climate responsibility, and points to heightened scrutiny and regulatory enforcement concerning greenhouse gas e m i s s i o n s a n d environmentalpreservation.

The further significance of the ITLOS Advisory Opinionisthatitwillbecited in national, regional and international courts on all matters related to climate change. Immediately, it will be taken into account by the Inter-American Court on Human rights, which is currentlyconsideringacase, brought in January 2023 by Chile and Colombia, for an AdvisoryOpiniontoaddress the climate emergency within the framework of international human rights law Similarly, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is now

considering a request from the U N G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y , prompted by Vanuatu,toprovide an Opinion on the obligations of states regarding Climate Change The ICJ will undoubtedly consider the ITLOS Opinion before rendering its own Opinion byJanuary2025.

So, the ITLOS opinion has put a juggernaut in motion. The matter of the impactofClimateChangeis no longer a matter for negotiation between powerful nations and weak states at COP – the stage is enlarged from a gladiatorial arenatoincludetheprecincts of law The playing field is lessuneven,andsmallisland statesarenowimbuedwitha senseofhopeandoptimism.

But both industrial nationsandtheircompanies,

whichprofitworldwide,will fight back to preserve their advantages Having seen that the law is on their side, all of the small states, including those that did not jointheCOSISeffort,should bind together to secure their own advantage, which the ITLOS Opinion has provided.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS.The views expressed are entirely his own Responses and p r e v i o u s commentaries:www.sirronal dsanders.com)

Sir Ronald Sanders

WITNESSING A MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION: WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Dr.ZulfikarBux

Emergency

Medicine Specialist

Our roadways are becoming more saturated with vehicles There are moreerrantdriverswithless road space to maneuver and unfortunately, there are drunk drivers out there. Lives are lost or changed daily because of motor vehicle collisions on our roadways.

Onanygivenday,thereis a patient in the emergency room who was a victim of a motorvehiclecollision.

In 2023, there was a 76 8% increase in road fatalities from the previous year

This is very unfortunate butitisthereality Ifyouare reading this article, then chances are you may have witnessed a Motor Vehicle Collision (MVC) or you were at the scene of one. If the scenario comes up that you are at the scene of a motor vehicle collision, wouldyouknowwhattodo?

In the event that you do

witness a MVC the following steps may help you deliver emergency first responder care to the victim(s).

Ensurethesceneissafe

As much as you may want to render assistance, it isimperativethatyouensure thatthesceneoftheMVCis safe for you to enter

Ensuring there aren’t fuel l e a k s , i m p e n d i n g

explosions, exposed electrical wires, spilled dangerous chemicals etc may be the difference between you becoming a victim instead of a rescuer

Once the scene is safe for you, ensure you safely retrievethevictimandbring themtoasaferscenealso. Callforhelp

Getting assistance will be vital in performing a rescue.Twohandsarebetter than one, utilizing the help that is available is very vital inanemergencysetting.

The most experienced personatthesceneshouldtry to be hands off if possible and direct the proceedings. Giving others tasks and ensuring it’s complete in a safe and timely manner is very important in these emergencysettings. It is important that a call beplacedto912formedical assistance While this service is not all over Guyana, its rapidly expanding and coverage should be coming to you soonerratherthanlater Checkforresponsiveness

All the victims of the MVC shouldbecheckedfor r e s p o n s i v e n e s s

Unfortunately, research has shownthatvictimsoftrauma who are unresponsive and not breathing have a low chanceofsurvival.Whatthis means is that attention shouldbegiventothosethat are breathing first. Victims thatcantalkandwalkshould

be guided to a safe retrieval scene. Once time permits, then attention should be giventotheunresponsive. PerformCPR

The intention of this article is to not teach CPR, but if you are CPR trained and victims are in need of CPR then you should assist or direct the delivery of it. Stabilizingthevictim’sneck to prevent unnecessary movements, compressing and wrapping all bleeding wounds, and ensuring the victim lies on a flat surface with his/her limbs close to their body are some of the interventions that can be done by anyone to assist in medicalcare.

Transportthepatient inatimelymanner

The victim should be transported to the nearest hospitalinasafebutefficient manner

If there are emergency trained personnel available to transport the patient, then letthemtakeoverthescene.

All patients should be transported lying flat but towards their left or right sideifpossible.

Bylyingsideways,these patients can vomit and not chokeonit.

Handoverthepatient attheHospital

It is important that you educatemedicalpersonnelat theHospitalabouttheevents oftheaccidentandwhatyou mayknowaboutthepatient. Do not leave without doing

this. Your information may bethemostvitalpieceofthe patient care that the Doctors orNursesmayhavetobegin with. Ensure you leave your contact information before youleave.

Bydoingtheseactionsin the expressed sequence, it may be the difference between life and death

Being able to save a life is quite possibly the greatest gift you can ever give someone. So read and be prepared ifyouarecalledupontohelp theinjured.

Do not pull out your phonetoexposethemduring their time of suffering; instead, pull out all your skillsandapplythemtohelp savealife.

US-based Lindener to construct orphanage in honour of late mother

As a child, Lambert Joseph had the Demerara-Berbice Region. The 65-yearprivilege of sharing his home with many old believes that philanthropy can be under privileged children. His mother’s passed down from one generation to the charitable nature pushed her to open her nextasisgenerationalwealth. home to children in need and to provide The benevolence of his mother the necessary provisions for them to feel Agnes,Joseph,whowasfondlyknownas safeandloved. ‘Mommy Joe’ helped him to understand

Thiswasdespitehaving14biological that there is much to giving than there is children to take care of. This etched in inreceiving. Lambert’s memory and more than five

He believes this granted his mother’s decades later, he is on a mission to do the longevity,asshediedattheageof101. same for children residing in the Upper (Continued on page 29)

Lambert Joseph

Agnes Joseph with some of the children she mothered.

US-based Lindener to construct orphanage in honour of...

From page 27 support to mentally left abandoned, or are initially accommodate eight hesaid. and emotional needs are not Lambert migrated to the challenged persons. He has removed from abusive children but as the demand Sponsors from the met as a result of United States on July 10, four children who are all homes.

grows and funding is United States, the Caribbean overcrowding and/or other 1980 but prior to migrating, medicalprofessionals. “Lambe (speaking of secured, expansion will be and Guyana have already factors. heledasuccessfulcareerasa Wi t h a s e n s e o f himself), is back home to do done. “It pains me to see expressed their interest in Lambert has assured that Mathematics teacher His fulfillmentanddesiretogive something good, I want to there is not one orphanage in supportingtheinitiative. the children housed at the career as a teacher enhanced back to the place of his birth, honour the legacy of my the entire Region 10 and I The orphanage will cater orphanage will have their his love for children Lambert returned to Guyana motherandIamveryexcited know there are not many to children who are physical, social, educational

However,aftermigrating,he to construct and manage an about this initiative and the homes like my mothers who abandoned at birth or during and spiritual needs met until ventured into the vocational orphanage in the mining support I have been took children in who needed their childhood, children theyacquiretheageof18. field as a Sales and Air townofLinden. receiving so far for it,” he shelter and love and so I am residing in abusive homes The orphanage will also ConditioningTechnician.He The establishment of an said. happy to be the first to and children residing in provide employment for also pursued successful orphanage, he said, is the H e h a s a l r e a d y pioneer such an initiative,” homes where their physical Lindeners. entrepreneurial ventures and best way of honoring his commenced the process of owned his own company, mother while embarking on acquisition of the land and Extreme Productions a positive mission that is has put in place all logistical Lambert is also the founder needed. mechanisms for the efficient of a Non-Governmental There are no orphanages coordination and day to day Organisation (NGO) that in Region 10 and there are managementofthefacility provides medical and other manycasesofchildrenbeing The orphanage will

Interesting Creatures...TheVampireDeer

(Rehash)

While animals with such liveindifferenthabitats.

The name vampire deer long pointed scary fangs are The Siberian Musk-deer might send shivers down carnivores and use them to inhabits the mid-range your spine, but these rip through the flesh of their altitudes of the mountainous creatures do not suck blood prey, the vampire deer uses areas of Asia, such as the andaredefinitelyharmless. them to defend its territory Himalayas. They are dark

They are quite small from intruders and fend off brownwithagreyishlooking herbivores without antlers predators. Although they do head and yellowish or white and are only called vampire not live up to their name as spots. They also have long deer because of their long blood suckers, vampire deer muscular hind legs with scarylookingfangs. do have some things in much slender, weaker and

There are two main commonwithrealvampires. shorter front limbs The species ofVampire deer,The Both species are solitary fangs of males also grow Chinese water-deer found creaturesbutmaysometimes longerastheyage. mainly in China and the be seen in pairs during The Chinese Water-deer Siberian Musk-deer found in mating seasons, or groups of The Chinese water-deer the Siberian jungle and other threes. They are also rarely on the other hand are good areasofAsiaandEurope. seen and are only active in swimmers and are mostly

Source of information than that of the Chinese have similar behaviour are much fuzzier looking

The fangs of the Siberian thenightsorduringtwilight. foundinthelowlandareasof Musk-deer, according to The Siberian Musk-deer. Chinese provinces. They are scientists, are much longer Althoughthetwospecies a lighter shade of brown and describeasteddybears. native to Asia, they can be

Although these legend- found in some parts of (https://worlddeer org/vamp water-deer and are more like patterns, they are quite than the Siberian Musk-deer like creatures are more Europe. ire-deer/) tusks. different in appearances and that some individuals

ShenseeaDebutsReggaeBoyz’2024CopaAmericaAwayKit

(DancehallMag) experimenting with some loveitevenmoreonShenseea.

Jamaican artist Shenseea unorthodoxlooksprettysoon. “Nah lie, I wasn’t a fan of hasgiventheworlditsfirstlook “I haven’t stepped into the jerseys but I would rock this,” at the Jamaica 2024 away kit, weird fashion yet but that’s said one supporter on which the Reggae Boyz will whereIamheaded,”theHitand Instagram. wear at their third Copa Run singer said. “For me it’s an “Allaboutthebag.Hearthat America. expression, I like to be talked moneytalk,”anothersaid. Inphotos,theBlessedsinger about, when people look at me Added one more online is seen sitting pretty in the like what is she wearing? What user, “I’d definitely buy that –studio in the black, green, and is that? Even though it’s not the hope it is actually for sale gold Adidas jersey, along with most beautiful it gets your eye, someplacelocally.” shorts and sneakers from the grabs your attention and to me L o y a l S h e n y e n g s brand. The carefully thought- that’s my favorite part of worldwide are awaiting out Adidas x JFF release fashion.” Shenseea’s sophomore album, appears to pay homage to Drawing parallels between Never Gets Late Here, set to Jamaica’s National Flag with fashion and performance art, droponFriday geometric graphics that also she added, “Just looking at me, So far, she has released Hit incorporate Jamaica’s National my favorite thing to hear when and Run, Die ForYou and Neva Bird, the doctor bird, or I’m wearing something is what Neva, but continues to tease Swallow-tailedhummingbird. is that? I am about to go really with other bits and pieces like Itisn’tasurprisethatthe27- crazy but just not yet, for now the album’s official cover, year-old is debuting fashion by it’stimeforthemusic.” another track Dolla in

major international brands, While she figures out her COLORSxSTUDIOcollab,and considering that she is a fashion interests, Jamaicans at even her collab with Afrobeat fashionistainherownright. home and in the diaspora love Giant Wizkid titled Work Me Sherevealedthatshewillbe the new football kit, and they Out.

Jamaican singer: Shenseea

Stefflon Don Shares Release

Date, for Debut

Album ‘Island

54’

Two mixtapes into high vibrational frequencies. her career, British The music on the album

Jamaican rapper represents the unforgettable Stefflon Don will finally vibes the island will be release her debut album, giving you: A perfect fusion Island 54, on June 14 via 54 between Dancehall and LDN/BMG. Afro.”

The album will sonically The 20-track project’s lean towards Afrobeats and g u e s t l i s t i n c l u d e s Dancehall, with the title Reggae/Dancehall singer being a nod to Stefflon’s B u j u B a n t o n a n d Caribbean heritage and the artist/producer BEAM 54 countries that make up D w e e t , t h e B a n t o n Africa. collaboration, is said to “Island54isadreamthat exemplify “Stefflon Don’s you do not want to wake up trademark heavy-hitting from,” Stefflon said in a Jamaican sound that has release to DancehallMag. “A become her signature over futuristic private island. An theyears.” island that will put you in The album will also awe. include the previously An island that is magical released single What’s and can only make you feel Poppin’withBNXN.

British Jamaican rapper Stefflon Don

Miss Guyana Culture Queen 2024…

AdisplayofGuyaneseHeritagewithEleganceandPride

By Shania Williams

to the Miss Caribbean Culture pageant, the

At its 2nd installment, eventual winner of Miss the Miss Guyana Culture Guyana Culture Queen 2024 Queen pageant promises to will carry the nation’s pride display Guyanese heritage forwardtotheregionalstage. with elegance and cultural Building on the momentum celebration. The pageant is of last year’s historic victory set for June 12, 2024, at the by Shemina Peroune, GuyanaMarriottHotel. Guyanaaimstomakehistory

Franchise Holder, Randy once again with a back-toMadray, proudly announced back win at the regional the selection of 10 stunning level. With sights set on finalists, each officially securing the Miss Caribbean sashed as contestants. This Culturecrownforthesecond year’s delegates include consecutive year, the Anika Felicien, Jahniah selectionofitsrepresentative Joseph,ShanaeHeber,Alicia at Miss Guyana Culture Walcott, Tiqumba Hunte, Queen 2024 marks the Kayla McAllister, Precious beginning of an exciting Barrow, Teija Edwards, journey Shequana Holder, and The Miss Guyana MiriamAlexander Culture Queen pageant is

Under the theme founded on principles of “Legends: A Tribute to empowerment, inclusivity, Guyanese Cricket,” the and cultural preservation, delegates are expected to Miss Guyana Culture Queen s h o

is more than just a beauty performances of beauty and pageant—it’s a celebration talent in a run up to the coveted title of Miss preparation, guided by endeavor to showcase the ofGuyana. of Guyanese heritage, unity, coronationnight. Guyana Culture Queen, the seasoned mentors and beauty and cultural richness AsGuyana’sambassador andpride.

According to the delegates aspire to represent industry experts such as franchise holder, the young their nation with dignity and Randy Madray and Alicia women epitomize grace and excellence on the regional Bess. Their journey towards cultural pride, embodying stage These dedicated the crown represents not the essence of Guyanese finalists will undergo only personal achievement heritage. Beyond vying for intensive training and but also a collective

Contestants of the Miss Guyana Culture Queen pageant 2024 (1 missing contestant)

GNBS IN FOCUS

IS YOUR BED AND BREAKFAST ACCOMMODATION STANDARD COMPLIANT?

It is one week to the much-anticipated ICC Men’sT20WorldCupwhich comes to Guyana from June 02, 2024. In addition, the South African Cricket team will be in Guyana inAugust followed shortly by the annual Caribbean Premier League(CPL)inSeptember These major tournaments coupledwiththisweekend’s Independence concerts attract visitors to our shores and highlight the need for quality accommodation facilities. With limited hotel rooms across Georgetown and outlying areas, service providers can consider converting their available

spaces into Bed and Breakfast facilities that are compliant with the National Standard.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has a National Standard for Bed and Breakfast accommodation.

The standard, GYS 514:2022–Requirementsfor BedandBreakfastFacilities, incorporates information from various stakeholders including the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Tourism and Hospitality Association (THAG), the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA),andothers. It outlines the minimum requirements for BnB facilities operating in Guyana to improve the qualityofservicestovisitors

w h o c h o o s e t h i s accommodation style. It can be utilised by all

stakeholders in the accommodation sub-sector, specificallybylocalbedand breakfast providers and potential investors in this category

The National Standard provides minimum

requirements for two categoriesoffacilities,Aand B category For bed and breakfast facilities to be considered as Category A, they must include selfcontained double or singlebedroom accommodation with an air-conditioning systemofceilingfan(s),WiFi,televisionandotherbasic amenities including telephone, access to a mini refrigerator and comfortable functioning furniture in a quiet and attractive setting. In addition, the standard states that private access to rooms is preferable and hot

Wi-Fi must be provided along with potable water, blackout curtains and other meansofensuringprivacy

T h e d o c u m e n t encompasses considerations for room size, ensuring freedom of movement and privacy, meshed windows, fire safety, pest control, security, parking area, a policy for payments and cancellation of reservations, andacaretakeramongother requirements.

To foster standardisation withinthissector,theGNBS offers certification to the requirementsofthestandard.

water,hotandcoldshowers, fresh clean linens and breakfast should be provided. Lunch, dinner or any other meals could be arranged on request at an additionalcost.

Requirements for facilities falling under Category B states that the facility shall offer a double room that is not necessarily air conditioned but offer good ventilation and ceiling or portable fan. In addition,

The quest to fulfil the growing need to provide quality service and comfortableaccommodation to all categories of tourists and other visitors to our

The BnB Certification programme was initiated in 2023 and is accessible to all BnB providers and prospective investors. The GNBS has so far certified Casa De Frances Hotel located at 483 Plantation Farm, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Atlantic Suites Luxury Apartments located at Lot 30 Henrietta Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two Similar providers are encouraged to get certified and be recognised for the delivery ofqualityaccommodation.

countryremainsapriorityas the tourism sector expands.

Proprietors are encouraged to acquire a copy of the National Standard from the GNBS. In the long term, providers can pursue the certification programme using the application form

found on the Bureau’s website:www.gnbsgy.org

For more information, call the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064 or 2190065, or visit the GNBS website: wwwgnbsgyorg YoucanalsoWhatsAppusat +5926924627(GNBS).

Review your lessons shortly after to remember what has been taught

Because we tend to forgetmostquicklywhatwe have just learnt, it is always helpful to review a subject a short time after your first studyperiod. Ahalf-hourof restbetweenstudyperiodsor evenovernightisagoodtime spanbeforeareview.

During your lessons, to ensure that you most effectively engage in a review,itisnecessarytotake notes of the main issues of any lesson. As you go through these notes shortly after any lesson, you would find that you not only grasp thetopics,butwouldbeable to easily remember the words and ideas used in the lesson. This would be very helpful in understanding whathasbeentaught.

UncleRoyisagainappealingtoourreaderstomakea contributiontothiscolumnbyeithergivingafeedback onwhatispublished,askingforsomehelpwithsome personal problem, offering some advice to fellow teenagers,orsharingthenewsofwhatishappeningin his/her community. Please send your contribution to roypaul2002@yahoo.com

It would also be more effective in your learning process if you can do your review with someone from your class. This joining together would help each of you to clear up any misunderstanding of the topics, but also help you in thememorisingofthese.

The notes you make as suggestedabovewillalsobe useful for you to read over before any test, as well as remindyouofthetopicsthat youdidnotunderstandfully sothatyoucanbringtheseup with your teacher or anyone else who can assist you in yourrevision.

Make this special effort to always review your work and you will benefit tremendously in your learning.

SKY SCRAPER SUDOKU

Eachnumberfrom1to9occursoncewithineachrow, column,and3×3block.Thesenumbersrepresentthe heightsofbuildings.Thecluesoutsidethegridindicate

thenumberofvisiblebuildings(lookingintotherowor columnfromthatdirection). Thereisonlyonesolution.

Use your Unique Talents

God made us all unique, Born in a world of talents, Giving us some special ones, Helping us all to balance.

So let those who haven't found theirs yet, Tackle theirway through life, Give them the joy of knowing they can't regret, In using them fordoing what is right.

Even when we're feeling low, Orthink there's no way out, We think we have no way to go, Not knowing what we're about.

Finally we pull through, BecauseYou're ouronly hope, We know withYou we'll neverlose, You give us the strength to cope.

God made all human beings unique, With a special set of abilities, But sometimes we do not know this, And go though life with less

So asYou made us all unique, Giving us different talents, Help us to find the ones we have, So that we can truly balance!

Those of us who realise this, Make a special effort to find ours, And so achieve much power To do things greaterthan others.

Not knowing what we're to cope. than others.

So take the time and effort

To find yourown hidden talents, And work to develop them

To give yourlife true balance.

Revision of any lesson will help to ensure learning and understanding.

10 eye care tips

Eyecareisaparticularlyimportant healthyhabit,particularlygiventhehigh exposuretoscreensinmodernsociety

Followingthesesimplehabitscanhelpyou keepyoureyeshealthyforlonger

Sightdegenerationorimpairmenthasa significantimpactonpeople'squalityoflife. Prolongingeyehealthandpreventingpossible diseasesisahealthylifestylehabitthatyou shouldalwayskeepinmind.Youcantake careofyoureyesightbyfollowingtheseten tips:

1.Wearsunglassesallyear-round

2.Don'tsmoke

3.Bemindfulofwhatyoueat

4.Don'tstrainyoureyesightandtake breaks

5.Takecareatwork

6.Lubricateyoureyes

7.Don'trubyoureyes

8.Keepyourglassesandlensesingood condition

9.Getagoodnight'ssleep

10.Gotoregularcheck-ups https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/news/1 0-eye-care-tips

Man stabbed during altercation on Independence Boulevard

Aman was stabbed to the necklastnightduringadeadly altercation on Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, also known as Punt Trench Dam.

The incident occurred around 21:30h. According to eyewitnesses,threemenwere seen engaging in a heated argument that quickly escalated into a violent confrontation Beer bottles were hurled, and the men began attacking each other with large pieces of wood.

The situation became increasingly chaotic as the altercationintensified.

An eyewitness recounted thataftertheinitialbrawl,one of the men, now identified as the primary suspect, chased another man down the street. The chase led them deeper into Albouystown, where the suspect caught up with the victimandstabbedhiminthe neck.The victimcollapsedto the ground, unconscious, while the suspect fled the scene, heading towards Hogg Street.

Scores of passers-by and

patrons from the nearby GT Barrushedtothevictim'said.

Inadesperateattempttosave his life, several individuals removed their shirts and used them to apply pressure to the man'swound.

Amid the chaos, the

Medical Technicians (EMTs) to the scene The EMTs quickly provided emergency medical care before rushing the victim to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)forfurthertreatment.

The victim's current conditionisunknown,andhis relatives have declined to speak with the media. The police, dispatched from the Ruimveldt Police Station, arrived shortly after the incident and cordoned off the area. I

ongoing.

Meanwhile, the residents of the community are calling for increased police presence and better lighting in the area topreventsuchoccurrencesin thefuture.(WayneLyttle)

Residents of Independence Boulevard quickly rushed to the injured man's assistance after he was stabbed in the neck.

Kaieteur News celebrates Guyana's Independence

Kaieteur News on Friday

decorating competition in observance of Guyana's 58th Independence anniversary

Four teams including the Editorial, Layout, Radio and Advertising

participated in the event, with the Editorial Department copping first place.Meanwhile,securingsecondwas theLayoutDepartment,andinthirdand fourth place respectively were the Radio and Advertising Departments.

Kaieteur News wishes all Guyanese a happyIndependenceDay!

1 2

Securing third place was the Layout Department for a rich representation of the Golden Arrowhead.

The Editorial Department won the competition with their depiction of the National Flag on the map of Guyana.

3 4

Kaieteur Radio copped third place for a brilliant and creative design.

TheAdvertising Department came in fourth with their unique design of the National Flag.

Cuisine Culture

Nikkei Guyana:

FOR A UNIQUE BLEND OF JAPANESE AND PERUVIAN CUISINE

ByRenaySambach

Anewplayerhasemerged

in Guyana's culinary scene, offering an exciting fusion of flavors that promisestotantalizeyourtastebuds.

Nikkei Guyana, a recently launched restaurant, offers a unique blend of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine.

During an interview with The Waterfalls,YonnickDavid,oneofthe founders of Nikkei, shared the story behind this innovative venture and the exciting journey of bringing it to life.

The partnership behind Nikkei Guyanabeganbychance,whenJavid Rahaman met Victor Padron and discussed the idea of opening a restaurant in the Altitude building, locating at 62 Sandy Babb Street, Georgetown Simultaneously, RahamanandDavidwereplanningto

acquire Altitude. Recognizing the alignment between their endeavors, they established Fusion Hospitality INC,givingbirthtoNikkeiGuyana.

Davidalsosharedthattherewasa fourth investor, name Kwame McRae.

“It made sense for us to do both projects so we formed Fusion Hospitality INC and the two businesses are now our first projects,”headded.

Thebusinesspartnerspassionfor hospitality and food fueled their desire to bring a novel dining experiencetoGuyana.

“We each have a deep love for hospitality and food, and it was a natural progression for all of us, we just meshed and complimented each other'sbusinessdrive.Wealsoreally wanted to bring something new and different to the market here,” David explained.

While Nikkei restaurants are

globally renowned, this concept firstforGuyana.

“Nikkei is the name of the culinary style, so instead of coming up with a name, and thinking of a meaning, we named the restaurant after the culinary style Nikkei Guyana,”Davidshared.

Nikkei Guyana blends Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions, creating a unique fusion known as Nikkei cuisine. The restaurant's décor and ambiance were meticulouslydesignedbytheowners toreflectthisfusion.

The restaurant has a very unique naturalandmodernvibe,withlotsof light,bigwindows,woodandgranite andnaturaltones.

Nikkei Guyana's menu showcases the best of Peruvian Japanese cuisine. Signature dishes includeBao,Sushi,PassionFruitand Peruvian Style Ceviche, and a 28oz Tomahawk Steak available by pre-

The menu, crafted by Executive Chef and partner Padron, draws on his extensive culinary experience to fuse iconic Peruvian dishes with Japaneseinfluences.

LeadingthekitchenisHeadChef Andell Knutt from Trinidad A culinary expert, consultant, and Professor in Food Science and Culinary Arts, Knutt brings over a decadeofexperience,honedthrough FrenchandItalianculinarytraditions.

“His experience is invaluable,” David said. Knutt's dedication to consistencyandprecisionwillensure every dish at Nikkei Guyana meets thehigheststandards.

David emphasized that the team at Nikkei Guyana aims to provide guestsnotonlywithamazingdishes

Continued on page 64

Ecuadorian Prawns Ceviche come highlyrecommended.

'Artpieces' by Kimberly Blackman

ByAllyiahAllicock

Ev

erybody has some sort of creative side that they express in their own way And, for 24-year-old Kimberly Blackman, tufting (a textile manufacturing process used to create a variety of products, including carpets, rugs, and much more) was the waytogo.

After developing a

liking for tufting, Blackman in September 2023decidedtotakeitto the next level and launched her own customized rug business nowcalled'Artpieces'.

Speaking of her budding business in a recentinterviewwithThe Waterfalls, the young woman said what had inspired her was her longing to try something new and to get in touch withhercreativeside.

“Personally,Ithinkyoungentrepreneursaretheinvestorsin thefutureoftheeconomy Whateverisbeingdonenow, createsamarkforfutureopportunities,businessideas, communitydevelopment,andpersonalgrowth.”

'Artpieces' was inspired by tuftingvideosonsocialmedia which caught her attention. “I immediately wanted to try it, not because it was an amazing process but rather because I've never seen something like that in Guyana or at the regional level. That immediately spiked my interest, and I'm hoping to showcase custom rug making moreandmore,”shementioned.

“For those who are now learning of this business for the firsttime,thebusinessiscurrently about making a variety of rugs to

Blackman has not only ventured into entrepreneurship but she is currently wrapping up her final year at the University of Guyana, with high prospects of becoming a physical therapist. Shesaidthegoalisreciprocityof servicetothecountry

She related to this magazine that the idea for her business

because she has been more focused on her academics and advertisingwasachallenge. She noted nevertheless that she has been getting more recognition on social media and has gathered a few consistent customers, which she is thankful for

Speaking of challenges, Blackmantoldthismagazinethat the main challenge she has encountered is getting the supplies and equipment for the rugmaking,notingthatbecauseit is something new in Guyana and

suit your liking. However, soon it will be including other productsthataregoingtoexpand the business and bring something new to the board,” Blackman added.

However, the young entrepreneuradmittedthatshehas not solidified anything reliable sincelaunchingArtpieces,mainly

highlighted.

Accepting arise, Blackman goal “is to physical front” and to do workshops with persons who might be interested in learning the craft and are willingtotakeittoanotherlevel.

Withnotmanycustomizedrug businesses out on the market, Blackman is hoping that the business will encourage more Guyanese to utilize services too arebeingofferedlocally

Meanwhile, the Artpieces owner is convinced that small

the region, there aren't any suppliers available. “I'm highly dependent on international stores to ship the stuff in, and this can sometimes be unreliable, timesensitive,andexpensivetoobtain. However,I'vemanagedtogetby, byorderingonlineandshippingto afamilyoverseasandtheypacka barrel to ship to Guyana,” she

business owners are not only significant to our society but in their own way they are paving a pathforfutureopportunities.

“Personally, I think young entrepreneurs are the investors in the future of the economy Whatever is being done now, creates a mark for future opportunities, business ideas,

community development, and personalgrowth,”sheexpressed. Sheaddedthattheirinfluence is major in showing what is possible.

Wi

“exposure” can boost small businesseslocally

Aside from that, she said disseminating information is not onlygoodforachievinglong-term success but also the small importantdetailsthatwouldmake theprocess mucheasier, canhelp withthegrowthanddevelopment ofthesebusinesses.

If you are interested in utilizing Kimberly Blackman's services, you can contact her via telephone number (592) 6680213, or check out 'Artpieces' on all social media platforms (TikTok, Fa

, and Instagram).

Some

Young Entrepreneur and owner of 'Artpieces', Kimberly Blackman

Unicomer to construct stateof-the-art complex at Farm

- Facility to elevate the retail sector, create significant economic and employment opportunity

Unicomer Guyana on announcement for the River Place state-of-the-artfacility.” Friday announced its Commercial Complex, it was He added, “The River Place plans to construct a underscored that this marks the CommercialComplexwillnotonly

new River Place Commercial commencement of the single elevate the retail sector but also Complex, at Farm East Bank largest retail investments in create significant economic and Demerara(EBD). Guyana’shistory employment opportunities for the According to a press release Given the projects time of community.” issued by the company, the completion Unicomer stated, “This In addition to this monumental

o r rapid timeline reflects the project,theUnicomerGroupsaidit Headquarters, which owns the Unicomer Group’s dedication to is exploring further investment chain of Courts stores in Guyana, meeting the growing needs of opportunities in Guyana. As such, the state-of-the-art complex is Guyana’seconomy.” theCEOandChairmanoftheboard slated to be completed within 18 Furthermore, the Chief for the Unicomer Group met with months. Executive Officer (CEO) and various local stakeholders to The River Place Commercial Chairman of the Board for the d

Complex will feature 44 retail Unicomer Group, Mario Siman, opportunities. spaces and approximately 396 expressed his enthusiasm for the Siman emphasiz

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board for the Unicomer Group, Mario Siman

parking spaces. This facility will project. company’s long-term commitment RiverPlace Commercial Complex headquarters in El Salvador, and also be the new home for Courts He highlighted that this facility to the region and its interest in please call 225-5866, ext. 2223 or hasover15,000employees.Thetail Mega Store and Ashley Home marks as a landmark day for the identifying additional avenues for e m a i l brands of Unicomer include: Store, alongside various retail UnicomerandforGuyana. growthanddevelopment.

DLGYLeasing@unicomer com,” Courts, Courts Optical, Ready stores,agymandrestaurants. TheCEOsaid,“Weareproudto “For more information or to Unicomerhighlighted. Cash, Ashley Furniture Home Takingthisintoaccount,during contribute to the country’s express interest in leasing or The Unicomer Group operates store, Radio Shack, Lucky Dollar, the official groundbreaking development trajectory with this occupying spaces within the in 26 countries from its andSevitech.

Frompage16 crude oil production by an annualaverageof98,000b/d from2020to2023,makingit the third-fastest growing non-OPEC producing countryduringthisperiod.”

The United States of America and Brazil take the top spots respectively, while Guyana’spresentproduction surpasses that of Norway, China, Mexico, Canada, Argentina and Qatar, among others. Crude oil production

has been the largest contributor to Guyana’s economic growth in recent years. In 2022, Guyana’s GDP grew by 62.3 percent, thehighestrealGDPgrowth in the world that year, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e InternationalMonetaryFund (IMF) The most recent estimate of recoverable oil and natural gas resources is more than 11 billion oilequivalent barrels, and developersarestillexploring the country’s offshore waters,thereportre-iterated.

The first significant oil discovery in offshore Guyana was made by ExxonMobilin2015atwhat isnowtheLizaprojectinthe Stabroek block. Since then, ExxonMobilanditspartners, HessandtheChinaNational Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), have made more than 30 additional offshore oil and natural gas discoveries within the Stabroekblock.

Guyana’s oil production comes from three floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels: LizaDestiny,LizaUnity,and Prosperity These vessels produce oil and natural gas from the Liza and Payara projects All associated natural gas is reinjected into wells to support its production and used as onsite fuel.Aproposed project would bring associated natural gas onshore to processing facilities via pipeline.

Currently, the block’s partners plan for the

combined production capacity to reach approximately 1.3 million b/d by the end of 2027, with plans to develop three additional projects: Yellowtail, Uaru, and Whiptail. Once realized, the increased production would make Guyana the secondlargest crude oil producer in Central America and South America behind Brazil,

according to EIA

Additionally, it was noted that the future of the corporate partnership at the Stabroek block is uncertain,

since Chevron’s acquisition of Hess, which holds a 30 percentstakeintheStabroek block, may face delays due to arbitration filings by existing block partners ExxonMobil and CNOOC, which claim preemption rights over Hess’s stake in theblock.ExxonMobilholds a 45 percent interest in the Stabroek block, and CNOOC holds a 25 percent stake.

Thursday

Exxonfalsifiesrecords toclaimfullcostsfor environmentalstudies–auditfinds

In a recent audit of the Cost Recovery Statement, it was revealed that ExxonMobil Guyana

Limited (EMGL) included 100 percent of the costs i n c u r r e d f r o m Environmental Resources Management (ERM), ERM Guyana, and RPS Group for various environmental studies.

T h e a u d i t w a s undertaken by VHE

Consultingandrelatestothe expenditure incurred between 2018 and 2020. It found that a portion of these costs should have been allocated to non-Stabroek operations, including the Canje and Kaieteur blocks. The studies referenced soughttoexaminetheimpact of oil and gas operations on fish, bird, and turtle migrations, habitats, and survival, were allegedly necessary for the Payara Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the StabroekBlock.

EMGL, according to the auditors, argued that these studies were integral to the Payara EIA and were required following the i s s u a n c e o f a n environmentalpermitforthe Payaraproject.

According to the report, since made public, EMGL also emphasized that these studies were fundamental to the Oil Spill Response Plan (OSRP) for Guyana, which includesaWildlifeResponse Planandassuchclaimedthat the costs should be charged entirely to the Stabroek Block. The Auditors found however, that the studies in question have a broad geographic scope, covering the entire Guyana offshore area, and are part of multiyear programmes and as such, both the Canje and Kaieteur blocks also benefitted from these services.

According to the auditors,allthreeblocksface similar risks to marine life and their habitats, and at the time these studies were conducted, all blocks were involved in active drilling activities. To This end, it indicates that the OSRP needed to address potential oil spills across all blocks, not just Stabroek. With this in mind, the audi

allocation of 75 percent to Stabroek and 12.5 percent each to Canje and Kaieteur, reflecting the benefits each block received and the level of activity expected in the future.

This recommendation, the auditors said, was based on the premise that these studiesprovidedcriticaldata forrespondingtooilspillsin any of the blocks, thereby benefitingall.

According to VHE Consulting, EMGL in disagreeing with the costsharingapproachmaintained thatthestudieswereinitiated solelyforthePayaraEIAand that Canje and Kaieteur blocks, not being in development were not relevanttothesestudies.

Further, the auditors documentedthatEMGLalso

dy requirements for Canje and Kaieteurcannotbepredicted at this time. Despite the assertions by EMGL, the audit underscored that the environmental studies benefitted all blocks, irrespective of their development status data crucial for managing risks and responding to oil spills across all EEPGL-operated blocks Consequently, EMGL has since been requested to adjust the Cost Recovery Statement to

distribution of costs among the Stabroek, Canje, and Kaieteurblocks.

Fordeurgesimmediate changestooilcontract –citesinadequate insurance,ramped upproduction

SeniorCounselRoysdale Forde believes that with the numerous concerns uncovered and being raised over 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) and the Government of Guyana, including more recently,thelackofadequate insurance,theoildealsmust beimmediatelyrevamped.

Forde S.C., an aspiring

Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde

leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), during an exclusiveinterviewwiththis publication, did not mince words in light of the recent revelations saying, “the PSA, in its current form, is riddledwithissuesthatcould h a v e d e v a s t a t i n g consequences for Guyana.” The recent information that has come to light about the insufficient insurance coverage is particularly alarming. It is imperative that we address these flaws head-on.”

Forde,elaboratingonthe inadequacies of the insurance provisions, which he described as grossly insufficient for the scale of ExxonMobil’s operations in theStabroekBlocksaid,“the insurance coverage outlined in the agreement does not adequately protect us from the financial fallout of potential environmental disasters ” He suggested that, “in the event of a significant spill or accident, t h e f i n a n c i a l a n d environmental burden could fallheavilyontheGuyanese people.”

T h e M e m b e r o f Parliament and Shadow Attorney General explained thatatthetimeofthesigning of the Agreement back in 2016, such insurance might have been considered appropriate but with the recent ramping up of production by each of the producing vessels beyond their respective nameplate capacity in the Stabroek Block, the matter of insurance is of greater importance Highlighting the broader implications, Forde stressed the importance of holding multinational corporations to the highest standards of accountability “This isn’t justaboutoneagreement;it’s aboutsettingaprecedentfor how we handle our natural resources and engage with

foreign investors,” he asserted. “We must ensure that our agreements are robust, transparent, and in line with international best practices.”

During the interview, Forde, in reviewing of the PSA’s flaws, compared it to similar agreements in other oil-producing nations say “Other countries have s e c u r e d f a r m o r e comprehensive protections. Guyana should demand no less,” he argued “Our agreement lacks several key safeguards, which is unacceptable for a nation withsuchsignificantnatural resources.”

The Senior Counsel’s callforareview,heaffirmed, is not merely a procedural step but a critical move towards ensuring the nation’s long-term stability and prosperity “A review willallowustoscrutinizethe PSA thoroughly and make necessary amendments to protect our interests,” Forde explained. “This is about ensuring that our natural resources benefit all Guyanese, now and in the future.” Forde also touched uponthepotentialeconomic implications of the PSA’s concerns saying he warned that inadequate insurance and other loopholes could deterfutureinvestments.

“Investors need to see that we are serious about protecting our assets and maintaining high standards. If we don’t address these issues, we risk undermining investor confidence,” he said. When asked about the response from the government and other stakeholders, Forde remained optimistic but resolute.“Ibelievethereisa growing recognition of the need to revisit this agreement Citizens, civil

s o c i e t y g r o u p s , environmental advocates, and many in the business community are rallying behindthiscause,”henoted.

“The government must act swiftlyanddecisively.”

Earlier this week, this newspaper reported Chartered Accountant, ChristopherRamsayingthat in the absence of an unlimited parent company guarantee, Guyana is at the mercy of the oil companies, Exxon, Hess and CNOOC, should a major disaster occur.Ramalsowarnedthat the insurance company can refuse to compensate the countryforanydamagesasit knowingly allowed the operator to breach safe operatinglimits.

Ram explained, “In petroleum production, there is a safety margin below the rated productive capacity of a well. Not only is there an increased risk that somethingcangowrong,but that when it does, the insurance companies will refuse to pay because you have breached the safety limit.” Furthermore, Ram cautioned that the oil companies too can refuse to accept responsibility since the Government was not only aware of the breached safe operating limits but condonedandsupportedit.

During his weekly press conference last Thursday, Vice President and Chief Policymaker for the petroleum sector, Bharrat Jageo was asked about the c a p a c i t y o f t h e Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)toreviewand approve debottlenecking activities by Exxon, to support the ramping up of production The VP explained that it was “safe” astechnicalofficersattached to the regulatory body as well as the Ministry of Natural Resources examine theplansoftheoperator

Hesaidthat“LastweekI dealt with that issue and I said that my briefing is that before they ramped up production beyond rated capacity, that this was cleared with the Ministry. The Ministry assured me their technical officers examinedit,Ispokewiththe EPA, they said they had examined it carefully too so they are aware and it was done with their approval. Both agencies the Ministry ofNaturalResourcesandthe EPAand they believe it was doneandit’ssafe.”

To this end, Ram told Kaieteur News that he does not believe the former President understands the i m p l i c a t i o n s a n d consequences of breaching the safety limit of FPSOs. Ram argued, “already there are many circumstances and eventualitiesfromwhichthe 2016 Agreement exempts the oil companies from responsibility and liability These include “indirect, punitive or consequential damages, including but not limitedto,productionorloss of profits” Jagdeo’s comments are clearly irresponsible, show recklessness rather than b e t t e r c o n t r a c t administration and have huge financial implications for the country ” The Attorney-at-Lawwas (Continuedonpage59)

Frompage58 pointed out that Guyana already has a number of wells producing crude oil simultaneously, which he described as “more than enough” He therefore reasoned, “ if only the President would rein in Jagdeo from his senseless behavior; one oil spill could see the entire Natural Resource Fund exhausted just like that.” Presently, Liza One and Liza Two are producing about 150,000 bpd and 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) respectively The EIAs each specifically outline120,000and220,000 bpd, as the safe operating limit for Liza One and Two, respectively Similarly, the third oil project- Payara- is a l s o p r o d u c i n g approximately 230,000 bpd even though the vessel’s nameplate capacity is 220,000 bpd. Although all three of the FPSOs are currently producing above the respective design capacity, the Liza Unity is poised for further optimizationworks.

Friday

Guyanacanendup fightinginCourtforyears toaccessUS$2Blodged atregistry–Ramjattan

The Government of Guyana (GoG) can fight for years in court to access the US$2B oil spill guarantee lodged by the Stabroek Block Co-Venturers, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, Attorney-at-Law, KhemrajRamjattanhassaid.

F o l l o w i n g h i s preliminary analysis of the document, Ramjattan said the terms of the contract stipulates “In any suit brought by the Beneficiary (GoG)againsttheGuarantor to enforce its obligations under this Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement, the Guarantorshallbeentitledto assert any defense (legal, contractual, or otherwise) that would be available to Hess if an action had been brought by Beneficiary againstHess.”

Itmustbenotedthateach Co-Venturer has contributed to the US$2B guarantee, relative to its participating interest in the Stabroek Block.

ExxonMobil is the operator of the oil rich acreage with a 45% interest, wh

e Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% in

st and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds25%interest.

Jamestown Insurance Company Limited is the Guarantor for Hess; while CNOOC Limited, a companyorganizedinHong Kong and Exxon Equity Holding Company is the Guarantor for CNOOC and Exxon,respectively

The document makes it clear that, “The Guarantor shallbeentitledtoadefense that the Environmental Obligationsclaimedtobein

performed and, if any of H

ntal Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid or performed,theobligationsof the Guarantor under this Section 3.3 shall be reduced by the amount of such paymentorperformance.”

To this end, Ramjattan explained that the guarantor hasoptedtohavetherightto defenditselfagainstGuyana, the beneficiary, even if the oilcompaniesadmitliability and urges the company to payup.

According to him, “[It] seemsunderthis(provision), the guarantor can drag it out in Court as if it was Hess doing so. So there is an oil spill, Hess admits fault and askstheguarantortopay,the guarantor here says “Hold on not so fast You, government, did not do certain things and so contributed to spill ” Government then sues the guarantor and the guarantor can then, by virtue of this provision, say we have a defence,althoughHessdoes notwanttouseit,butwethe Guarantorwill.”

As such, the Attorney cautionedthatthemattercan be dragged out for years in the Court for the country to accesstheoilspillguarantee. Appeal Court Judge, Justice Rishi Persaud had ordered ExxonMobil Guyana to lodge a US$2B parent and/or affiliate company guarantee as a

condition to a stay of executiongrantedonalower court’s order That order, originally issued by High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kissoon called for an unlimited parent company guarantee to be provided to the EPA by June 10 or the Liza Phase One Project Permitwouldbesuspended.

Consequently, the Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement was entered into onJune9,2023.

AuditFinds…

ExxonMobilwants GuyanatopayforHQ workshopheldin Houston,Texas–audit reveals

A recent review of the Cost Recovery Statement submitted by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary,EssoExploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), now called ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has revealed the inclusion of costsrelatedtoaKPMG-led

ns strategyworkshop.

K P M G i s a n international financial services firm that deals with taxes, audits and other legal

d by VHE Consultingandrelatestothe expend

incurred between 2018 and 2020, it found that the workshop, however was held at ExxonMobil’s Houston, Te x a s , c o r p o r a t e headquarters, and while it was intended to analyze ExxonMobil’s Guyana operations the auditor’s findings said the workshop wasnotdirectlyrelatedtothe Stabroek Petroleum Operations, and as such the company was not entitled to recoverthechargesclaimed.

According to VHE Consulting, the strategy workshop was conducted solely for ExxonMobil’s corporate purposes, and was deliveredtoEEPGL’sparent company rather than the coventure partners in the Stabroek Block, namely EEPGL, Hess Corporation Guyana,andChinaNational Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC).

Despite this, the costs were included in the Contractor’s Cost Recovery Statement. According to the terms of the Petroleum Agreement, such costs should have instead been covered by the Annual Overhead Charge VHE Consulting noted that ExxonMobil Upstream Oil

& Gas Company hired KPMG for the workshop, w h i c h w a s t h e n subsequently billed to the contractor

Thereportfoundtoothat the workshop’s objective wastodevelopanintegrated operations support strategy for ExxonMobil’s Guyana assets, focusing on maximising value and minimising erosion across all operating assets in the region.

T h e s e i n c l u d e , Evaluating potential value drivers for individual Guyanaassetsandintegrated drivers across all assets; Gathering lessons from ExxonMobil’s experience in integrated operations support and reservoir management; Defining key elements of the integrated operations support for Guyana,performingtradeoff analyses, and identifying value-driving capabilities; and Promoting stakeholder alignment on integrated operating strategies, among otherobjectives.

Conducted in May 2019 and continuing through January2020,theworkshop, the Auditors reminded was specific to ExxonMobil’s strategic management of its Guyana assets, not the Stabroek Petroleum Operations. To this end, it was pointed out that under Section 2 ofAnnex C of the Production Sharing Agreement, recoverable costsmustbedirectlyrelated to Petroleum Operations, defined as activities for prospectingorproductionof petroleum As such, the auditors found that given that the strategy workshop wasacorporateinitiativeand not directly linked to Production Operations, it should be classified under general and administrative costs covered by theAnnual Overhead Charge. To this end, the auditors exhorted that the charge for which Exxon Mobil Guyana was claiming Guyana pay from its oil under the PSA arrangement also includes services rendered outside of Guyana for managing the Exxon’s activities under the Agreement. To this end, the auditors have since determined that as the KPMG workshop was specific to EEPGL’s parent companyandnotdirectlyfor Production Operations, it falls under the category of overhead services and as such Exxon has since been requested to credit the Cost Recovery Statement for the workshop costs, as they are

covered by the Annual Overhead Charge, and not chargeable under the Petroleum Operations accountingprocedures.

Govt.awaitingfullreport onwhetherrampingupof oilproductionbreaches insurance–Jagdeo

The Government of Guyana (GoG) is awaiting a full report from its technical staffonwhethertherampedup production of oil in the Stabroek Block by ExxonMobil Guyana

Limited(EMGL)constitutes abreachoftheinsuranceand US$2B oil spill guarantee lodgedbytheCo-Venturers.

Chief Policymaker for the petroleum sector, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his weekly press conference on Thursday at Freedom House said he raised the issue with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the staff of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

He was responding to a question from Kaieteur News when he explained, “I

to allow the company to produce above the safe operating limits outlined in the Environmental Impact Assessments(EIAs).

To this end, he said, “Theyhavetogivemeafull report on all of these issues. So I’ve done it through the Minister and directly to the EPA so these are additional questionsthatIhaveasked.”

The Vice President’ s commentscomeontheheels of an article by Kaieteur News on Tuesday where it was reported that the rampingupofoilproduction in the Stabroek Block by American oil major, ExxonMobil is not covered by the US$2 billion oil spill guarantee provided by the Co-Venturers.

The affiliate company guarantee, seen by this newspaper,makesitexplicit “…theOperatorispermitted to carry out the activities authorised by the Environmental Permits in accordance with their respective terms and conditions.”

The Environmental Permits granted by the EPA were approved based on EIAs conducted by Exxon. Thesedocumentsoutlinethe company’s plans to produce oilataspecificcapacityand assess the damage of an oil spill accordingly. The Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel is also designed to produce crude oil in accordancewiththeEIAs.

President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

have asked the EPA about this question…this is not a question for the politicians. If your technical staff who are responsible for ensuring safety in the country and thesearethepeoplewhoare trained to do so in both the ministryandtheEPAsaythat they have reviewed the s u b m i s s i o n s f r o m ExxonMobil and that they find that the increase in production above the announced capacity of these vessels is safe then the politicians have to accept this.”

Jagdeo however noted that while he does not “secondguess”thedecisions of the technical staff, he has asked some additional questions on the possible ramificationsofthedecision

Exxon currently has three projects operational in the Stabroek Block that are producing above the safe operating limits outlined in theEIAs.

Previously, Attorney-atLaw, Christopher Ram warned that the insurance company can refuse to compensate the country for anydamagesasitknowingly allowed the operator to breachsafeoperatinglimits.

He explained, “In petroleum production, there is a safety margin below the rated productive capacity of a well. Not only is there an increased risk that somethingcangowrong,but that when it does, the insurance companies will refuse to pay because you have breached the safety limit ” Moreover, Ram cautioned that the oil companies too can refuse to accept responsibility since the Government was not only aware of the breached safe operating limits but condonedandsupportedit.

ExxonMobilisthe (Continuedonpage60)

Vice

Frompage59 operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30%

interest and CNOOC

Petroleum Guyana Limited holds25%interest.

Each Co-Venturer has contributed to the US$2B guarantee, relative to its participating interest in the block. Appeal Court Judge, Justice Rishi Persaud had

ordered ExxonMobil Guyana to lodge a US$2B parent and/or affiliate company guarantee as a condition to a stay of executiongrantedonalower court’s order That order, originally issued by High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kissoon called for an unlimited parent company guarantee to be provided to the Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA)by June 10 or the Liza Phase OneProjectPermitwouldbe suspended.

WorldBankhighlights needtoreduceemissions ascarbontaxpayments increasedin2023

A new World Bank Report has underscored the need to reduce carbon emissions as tax payments imposed by governments registered an increase in 2023.Thereporttitled‘State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2024: Positive progress on carbon pricing, but more is needed’ was madepubliconMay21. It explains, “Carbon pricing revenues continued to increase in 2023, exceeding the threshold of USD100billionforthefirst time.” To this end, total revenues from carbon taxes and Emissions Trading Systems(ETSs)in2023was U S $ 1 0 4 b i l l i o n , representing an increase of around4%inrealterms.The WorldBankemphasizedthat

while political commitment continues to build, more action is needed to reduce emissions. According to the document,“Over90%ofthe 195 parties to the Paris Agreement have adopted quantified emission reduction targets, and more than 95 countries have announced net zero pledges, coveringover85%ofglobal, energy-related CO2 emissions.”Inthemeantime, if the countries collectively meet net zero targets global warmingcouldbelimitedto around 2°C above preindustrial levels, according to the World Bank. The reportexplains,“In2025,the parties to the Paris Agreement will submit new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) for 2035, and they are expected to reflect an increase in ambition. However, on the whole, countries’mitigation policy instruments are insufficient to meet current

NDCs.” In fact, the World Bank report projects that even with policies currently inplace,globalemissionsin 2035areexpectedtobe36% higher than the level consistent with limiting warming to 2°C, and 55% higher than the level consistent with limiting warmingto1.5°C.

Consequently, the global institution urges immediate and sustained focus on the implementation of new policies In Guyana, the

government instituted a carbon tax in the form of a flaring fee on American oil giant, ExxonMobil The company is required to pay upsomeUS$50pertonneof carbon emissions released into the atmosphere during the burning of associated natural gas during oil productionactivities.

Notably, in 2022, Exxon paid some US$9 million in flaring fees to Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Minister of

Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat when contacted by thisnewspaperonMay7,for information on the carbon taxes paid by Exxon for 2023,referredthenewspaper to the EPA. The Executive Director of the agency, Kemraj Parsram was subsequently contacted since May 9, 2024 and committed to sharing the information but is yet to do so. He was last reminded by KaieteurNewsoftherequest forinformationonMay16.

INDEPENDENCE DAYMESSAGE

DEAREDITOR,

Sunday the 26th of May marks the anniversary of Guyana’s Independence. On this occasion, as the only person alive and living in Guyana,whowaspartofthe historic conference, which fixed the date for Independence It is with nostalgia and hope, I make an appeal, a fervent plea, a petition, to our current crop ofpoliticalleaderstomakea reality of the aspirations of those who took part in the struggle during the allconsuming Cold War for Independence.

After nearly three g e n e r a t i o n s o f ConstitutionalIndependence the current socio and economic environment suggests that we are for whateverreasonnotyettruly free and independent as a nation-state. One of the innate characteristics of the humanspecieistobetotally free in order to exercise and manifest authentic and meaningfulindependence.

True Independence determines that a nationstate should be able to make optimum use of its Godgiven resources. It is this freedomanddesirenottobe controlled by others that led to the struggle over the last fivecenturiesforsubjugated people in Africa, America,

Asia, parts of Europe and Latin America to delink themselves from the control of an imperial master The journey to achieve physical freedom is known and documented, but remaining still is the high hurdle of mental freedom requiring muchgreaterefforts. This effort throughout the ages has always been stultified, suffocated and frustrated The reasons beingthattherealwaysexist groups and individuals among the oppressed who for whatever reason never recognise that the struggle for lasting and genuine independence was theirs. Thosewhogetinthewayof complete and unbound independence have always beensobecausetheyreceive preferential treatment from the Master class. The old story of the puppet being manipulated by the clever puppeteer holds true on to thisday

In Guyana, there are many examples. The 1763, February 23 Magdalensberg Uprising This spread through to areas such as Dageraad, Holandia, Lilienberg, Zeelanda, Elisabeth and Alexandra in the Berbice River This revolution failed for two reasons,one,disunityamong theirleadersandsecond,the

belief that negotiating with the master class is a simple process - a master class whose belief is grounded in the philosophy that they should benefit from the ordinary man’s labour and land. The next major effort for freedom was manifest in the Demerara Uprising After several days, the efforts of the slaves were cruelly brought to an end. The bleeding heads of the leaders were placed on staves around what we now know as the Parade Ground in Georgetown. Information is among the slave population and in particular the House slaves leaked the battle plans to the Imperial masters Lesson No 2 Bewareofthoseinourmidst withlimitedvisionandnever underestimate the brutality ofthemasterclass. By the turn of the eighteenth century, what with the advance in communication and a consciousness of humanity which spread across the world, the righteous, relentless resistance of the slave population became a factorthatcouldnolongerbe ignored. The Abolitionists the likes of William Wilberforce,FowellBuxton, Granville Sharp and John Newton (best known for composing the Hymn,

‘Amazing Grace’ to the music of an African work tune), persuaded the Brtish Parliament to pass the Emancipation Act in the British Parliament in 1833 endingslaveryandtheslave trade.Thankstotheconcerns of the slave owners, the slaves between 1834 and 1838 were still held on the Plantations during what is known as the period of Apprenticeship.

The plan to cracy then introduced Indentured Laborers, the largest group, the Indians, the major batch coming in two ships, the Esperus and the Whitby provided for by the former slave owners, the Gladstones. This action is noteworthyinthecontextof Guyana Lesson No 3 Massa never gives up Exploitationandwillalways seek to maximise his profit by exploiting the labour of others..

After that, the efforts of Critchlowandseveralstrikes onthesugarestateswerefor better conditions and freedom from colonial rule. The most noteworthy being the Enmore Martyrs 1947, whowereshotbyPolicemen on the orders of European Officers. It was Forbes B u r n h a n w h o w a s instrumental in building a Monument to honour the

EnmoreMartyrs.LessonNo. 4 - the ruling elite will always use groups with the same problem against each other

Today, note this part of our history Later our two Titans,Dr CheddiJaganand Forbes Burnham continued the struggle for political Independence This was made complex and challenging in the midst of an all-consuming Cold War and the wiles of the unchanging philosophy of Massa.Ineveryinstance,the ruling class using wellknown tactics, propaganda, technological and scientific superiority and military muscle and a well tried divide and rule technique ensured the control of our natural resources and much more control of the thinking of an elite as Bob Marley refers to as the need for mentalemancipation.

Today as we observe a n o t h e r y e a r o f

Independence , it is necessary that we benefit from the lessons of the past, the mis-steps and the forward movements , the gloriousandthein-glorious.

Today in Guyana, we have massive resources, and I mean massive resources thatcanFeed,Clothe,House and make happy, a population twenty times our

small population. What is required is a sane and sensibleapproachindealing with our non-renewable naturalresources.

The way we treat with andrespondtothosewhoare here to harvest our gold, diamonds, timber, oil and gas will determine how much our people, the Amerindians, the Africans, theChinese,theIndians,the Portuguese and the mixed races benefit. It is clear we are not getting enough from ourbounty,itisclearthatwe are pursuing policies inconsistent with our Motto of One People, One Nation, One Destiny or if you wish the concept of One Guyana. Notnew,butreintroduced.

If we are to make these slogans, these asseverations and statements of oneness a reality, the people of Guyana,allthepeoplewould benefit much, much, much more from our God-given resources.

Today, there are clear signs that we are being manipulated into a situation where as we approach Independence, in spite of improvements, we are not getting enough from what is ours.

Look around the world, look at those countries that ownthepreciousresources (Continuedonpage61)

INDEPENDENCE DAYMESSAGE

Frompage60 the ordinary people are not getting the full benefit. In every case examined, this is because we do not speak to developerswithonevoiceas we disregard and ignore the wisdom of this old latin phrase‘Vox Populi, Vox Dei - The Voice of the People is theVoiceofGod.”Thatgreat voicemustbeauthentic,that voice must be the voice speaking in unison not representing forty, fifty or sixty percent of the people but ninety nine point nine

percentofthepeople. That voice, like the clap of thunder, must be heeded by present and potential developers. Dear Editor, if we are to reach that high plateau, our Leaders, all of them, in dealing with this vital matter, or natural resourcesmustputanendto prevarications,pettinessand wallering in name blaming ofthepast.

Towards this end, I wrote months ago to His ExcellencythePresident,Dr Irfan Ali the General

Secretary of the PPP, Bharat Jagdeo, the Leader of the PNC/AFC Opposition , AubreyNortonandKhemraj Ranjattan, offering to facilitate a proverbial meeting like the knights of the round-table to meet and hammer out a common approach in dealing with those who

r

re exploiting our natural resources. We believe that only speaking with One Voice, will this and succeeding generations benefit from the bountiful

The Mayor and City Council is...

Frompage5 poorly on our City’s leadership and commitment toeffectivegovernance.

Editor, given the lack of information about revenues and expenditures for fiscal year 2023, which I have requested on multiple occasions and should have been provided by March 31, Councillors cannot verify compliance with fiscal guidelines and effective budgetary management. I mustnotethatnotmanyPNC Councillors have expressed much concern about this woefulstateofaffairs.

The implications of this situationaregrave.

d accountability will continue to erode public trust and can leadtolegalandcompliance issues.

I am willing to bet that beforeyearend,thePNC-led council will again find itself severely cash-strapped and revert to its well-worn mantra of victimisation by t h e P P P C e n t r a l Government. But their negligence and lack of accountability render any potential financial support f r o m t h e C e n t r a l Government not only baseless but utterly speculative.

How can support be quantifiedwithoutabudget?

Withoutaproperbudget, our City risks operational inefficiency, financial mismanagement, and a further decline in public services. Furthermore, the continued lack of t r

With no budget established, the question remains about howtheCentralGovernment is expected to subsidise the M&CC, and if so, to what extentandonwhatbasis.

Mayor Mentore must take immediate steps to rectify this situation We need a budget that reflects thoughtful planning, strategic direction, and responsible financial management.

Our residents deserve t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability from those elected to serve them. It is time for our city leaders to step up and fulfil their obligations to the community

Sincerely,

AlfonsoDeArmas PPP/CCityCouncillor

blessings bestowed upon us by a kind and generous creator As we approach this Independence, I ask citizens but in particular young members of our political partiestoputaside,pettiness andtheregurgitationoftheir brandofhistoryandfacethe Goliaths and state politely but firmly, we want much, much more but if they resist and I doubt if they will, the voice of ninety-nine point nine percent of our people, that they’ll be reminded in the words attributed to Dr Eric Williams, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, when the oil companies were being stubborn,sixdecadesago,he reminded them that “Oil don’t spoil.” For those interested in history, I append the list of those who participated in the conference that fixed the date and modalities for our Independence-

LIST OF THOSE ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE

The Rt. Hon. Anthony Greenwood, MP - Secretary of State for the Colonies

(Chairman)

Mrs. Eirene White, MP, Parliamentary UnderSecretaryofState

Sir Hilton Poynton, G.C.M.G, Permanent Under -SecretaryofState COLONIALOFFICE

Mr W I J Wallace, C.M.G.,O.B.E

Mr R.W Piper

Mr P R.Niakes,O.B.E.

Mr T.M.,Jenkins LEGALADVISERS

Mr J C McPetrie

C.M.G.,O.B.E

Mr D.G.Gordon-Smith

Mr G.O.Edwards

Sir Richard Luyt,

K C M G , D C M,

GovernorofBritishGuiana

Hon S S Ramphal, Q.C., Attorney General of BritishGuiana

Mr L A Luckhoo, C.B.E.,Q.C.,Commissioner forBritishGuianaintheUK

Hon.D.G.Rose,M.B.E., Defence Adviser to the Government of British Guiana

Lt.ColP.H.Hislop

Mr AJ.Breeze

P E O P L E ’ S NATIONALCONGRESS

Hon LFS Burnham,

Q.C.,Premier

Hon C M L John, MinisterofAgriculture

Hon.D.Mahraj,Minister withoutPortfolio

M r H M E Cholmondeley

Mr Hamilton Green, General Secretary, People’s NationalCongress

Mr J.Joaquin,O.B.E. UNITEDFORCE

Hon PS D’Aguiar , MinisterofFinance

Hon R E Cheeks, Ministe

Government

Mr S Campbell,, Parliamentary Secretary to theMinisterofHomeAffairs

Mr J E De Freitas, C.B.E.

Mr M.FieldenSingh

Hon M Kassim, Minister of Public Works andHydraulics

SECRETARIAT

Mr T.W.Hall

Mr N.Bevan

Mr B.Bridges

Mr D.R.Vardill

Mr G.G.Young

A thoughtful and productiveAnniversary HamiltonGreen Elder

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Business Casual

easy ways to wear hair clips curly For straight hair, add a maids, we think guests can scattered around our like a cool girl, without clip to both sides, and just rockthemtoo.

backpacks, purses, and reserved for our little sisters, to keep your hair out of your looking like you’re still in one at the side of your part. For the bride, clips with vanities. withwomensportingthehair face when you’re working, gradeschool. Placing a few smaller or added details like floral or Hairclips,however,have trendduringtheir9to5orfor to add a pop of colour to a

Business casual thinner clips or bobby pins feathershelpcomplimentthe grown up since then, with anightout. monochrome outfit, or to

Take it from the king of just above the ear is also a veil, or can sometimes more designs and options Thereareseveralwaysto glam up your hair for a night

accessory designers himself, simpleandsubtleoption.For replace it entirely for a more than just clipping two on incorporate the hair clip out, hair clips don’t have to Michael Kors. “I’ve always those with curly or more modernlook.Bridescanalso either side of your part. It’s trend into your look cost a fortune or require any thought of accessories as the voluminous hair, choose opt to change their hair after also a trend that’s no longer Whether you are using them heavystyling.Herearesome exclamation point of a biggerormoreintricateclips theceremonyintosomething woman’s outfit,” he said. No or barrettes so they stand out more modern and dancematterwhatyour9to5is,we from your curls. This little appropriate. In this case, clip all have a go-to hairstylethat detail adds some pizzazz to on hair extensions are also gets us up and out of the youreverydaylook. often used on the bride for house as soon as possible. For more of a statement her big day to help create a Whether it’s simple waves, a look, try out a jumbo clip at f u l l e r u p d o , m o r e run-through with a your side part, or gather voluminous curls, or to straightening iron, or a some hair behind your head easily add body and length. topknot. Sometimes it’s all and secure it in place with a Hair clips can help in the about speed over style from largeclip. styling process and Monday to Friday The If a sleek bun or ponytail compliment the bride’s beauty of the hair clip trend is your thing, add a clip overall wedding look is you don’t need much time around the pony for some seamlessly The best part is to incorporate it into your drama. bridal hair clips are those look. Hair clips for wedding weddingaccessoriesyoucan Use a metallic bobby pin Decorativeclipsandpins easily reuse time and time or barrette where your hair havelongbeenusedinbridal againwhichisaneasywayto parts if you’re wearing it fashion, and while usually transform your look from down, wavy, straight, or reservedforthebrideandher classictoedgy

Independence Day Messages

GPSU Message on the Occasion of Guyana’s 58th Independence Anniversary Independence must mean something for those who fought for it- workers

This 58th Independence Anniversary finds workers of Guyana-past, present and future- questioning whether the battletheywagedagainstthecolonialauthorityfortherightto political, social and economic self-determination is currently underthreat.

In the world’s fastest growing economy the condition of work and standard of living for many workers leave much to be desired. Workers are waging a battle for the right to employment, livable wages/salary and better working conditions, decent pension, collective bargaining, affordable healthcare,qualityeducationamongotherfundamentalrights andfreedomsthatarebeingdenied.

An economy in 2024 with a $1.146 Trillion National Budget and expected revenue from oil and gas pegged at US$2.8 billion mean nothing to the average workers who are continuouslybeingdeniedandexcluded.

In 2024 workers face a challenge from their government who is appealing a decision by the Court that upholds their constitutional right to collective bargaining. Bauxite workers employed at Bauxite Company Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) continuetobedeniedtheirterminationbenefits.

2024isnotahappyyearfortheworkersofGuyanawhoare practicallyshutoutfromtheirrightfulplaceasthetrueheirsof Guyana’s wealth. Hopelessness, despair, and fear are everywhere.

The58thanniversaryfindsaverydividednation-asociety dangerouslydriftingfromitsmotto, ”One People One Nation One Destiny.” Discrimination and marginalisation are everywhere, posing a threat to social cohesion, undermining the foundational thrust of nation building from which our motto sprung. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) reiterates the call for an approach to governance that is inclusionary and consistent with the Constitution of Guyana, universallyacceptableprinciples,andhumanrights.

GTUCcallsforagovernmentthatwatchesoutforworkers andthevulnerableinoursociety-whoevertheyare,wherever they are, and whatever they look like- even as it addresses the legitimate needs and concerns of the wealthy and well connected.ItwastheTradeUnionMovement-from1926-that led the charge for the people’s right to self-determination and today asserts its commitment to inclusionary and sustainable approaches to governance; the protection, security and advancement of the people; and proper management of our resources- human, natural and man-made. The under mentioned 10-point represents the workers’ just demands to peacefullyco-existandthrive:

1. Implementation of the nation’s Political Objective to establish an inclusionary democracy, as outlined inArticle 13 oftheConstitutionofGuyana;

2.OldAgePensiontobepegged(atleast)totheminimum wageestablishedinthepublicservice;

3. Return National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to financial viability + activate Unemployment Benefit to assist displaced workers;

4. Establishment of new wages/salary bands for Public Servants, Disciplined Forces + Teachers to reflect the new economy The current bands are outmoded and should be discarded;

5. Realise Cash Grant as proposed by Professor Clive Thomas (i.e., $1 million to every adult Guyanese as a form of DirectTransferfromoilrevenue);

6. Honour the Tripartite Committee Wage Agreement for private sector workers, as agreed to during the APNU+AFC administration;

7. Respect right to freedom of association and collective bargainingasenshrinedatArticle147intheConstitutionof Guyana and which are among the first international conventionstheGovernmentofGuyanaratifiedinthe (Continued on page 65)

On May 26, 1966 the Union Jack the need for Guyana to be politically foreigncountries. was lowered and the Golden Arrow independent, but this, he stated, would Clearly, our society today is in a Head was raised for the first time to have been meaningless if society was stateofdeteriorationandnationalunity reflect our Nation’s new sovereignty not united and inclusive, while is at stake; it would be foolhardy to We boast a prideful motto of “One organized to benefit the working class continue on this trajectory as there is People, One Nation, One Destiny”. andhavejusticedelivered. presumptuous movements and The Independence March was a Today, 58 years since Prime placements of strategic military units precursor to Republicanism where Minister Forbes Burnham received the and hardware at Guyana’s border This Guyana finally threw off the trappings instrument of Independence, the conduct is contravening long standing of the centuries old coerced and working class struggles have agreements and settlements that imposed systems of constitutional multiplied, bad governance reigns, threatens Guyana’s sovereignty, its monarchytoembarkonthepathofself- transparency and accountability is at territorial integrity, stability and peace determination. cataclysmic levels and corruption withintheRegion.

The road to political independence disrupts and fragments the economic From the perspective of Labour, was marred with severe resistance, structures and social fabrics of our non-compliances with the however overwhelming support came society, constitutional obligations are Occupational Safety and Health fromtheworkingclassasnationalunity blatantly violated, breaches of requirements are having undesirable and internal self-government became fundamental principles and rights of effects, even the loss of lives. The the objective. The founding father of workers continue, rampant inequalities absence of Judicial Independence and Trade Unionism in Guyana, Cde in the distribution of resources, and the Prudencearecounter-productiveto Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow advanced flight of skilled human capitals to (Continued on page 65)

GAWU’s Independence Day Message 2024

The achievement of political etchedintheannalsofhistory Dr Jagan our strength lies in our unity, and we independenceonMay26,1966,marked and his comrades’ dedication led our should all strive to achieve the goal of the victory of the Guyanese people in country to the cherished freedom we “One Guyana”. Similarly, we cannot breaking free from their enduring enjoy today We are forever grateful to overlook the threats to our democratic colonial chains. It was a significant these past leaders, whose contributions valuesbythoseseekingtoseizepolitical moment for all Guyanese, as it placed have allowed us to chart our course as a power against the will of our people. It the nation’s future and fate in its peopleandanation. wasadarkperiodinourcountry,andwe people’shands.

As we celebrate fifty-eight (58) are aware that the masterminds are still

The struggle for independence was years of Independence, we amongus. ignitedbytheunfairnessandinjusticeof acknowledge the remarkable progress Additionally, we are faced with the colonial system, which aimed to our country has made. Our nation has Venezuelan aggression, a longstanding oppressitssubjectsforthebenefitofthe significantly improved healthcare, issue that has escalated in recent times. colonising country Colonialism proved education, infrastructure, and social We condemn Venezuela’s aggression to be a harsh system that brought about amenities. and affirm that Essequibo belongs to hardshipandadversity

We are now on the brink of an Guyana.

The quest for independence was in unprecedented era of development, As we celebrate our 58th part fuelled by the tragic slaying of the giving rise to high hopes and the Independence Anniversary, GAWU EnmoreMartyrs,astarkreminderofthe realisation of our long-held dreams for extends warm greetings to all lengths to which colonialism would go our beloved country We acknowledge Guyanese. We honour our remarkable tomaintainitsdominance. thatourjourneysinceIndependencehas leadersandthebraveryoftheGuyanese As we celebrate our Independence, been marked by challenges. The ethnic people. Today, we honour those who we are reminded of the Father of our divisions from the pre-independence fought for and secured our Nation, Dr Cheddi Jagan, who played a periodcontinuetobeexploitedbysome Independence. As we move ahead, crucial role in our struggle His for their interests. However, we believe rememberourmotto:“OnePeople,One unwavering commitment to our people that the majority of our people are not Nation,OneDestiny”. and country and his relentless efforts to influenced by those with divisive A happy Independence Day from achieve a united and free Guyana are intentions. Our people understand that GAWU!

Celebrating

58 years of nationhood

The Ethnic Relations Commission principles of democracy, equality, and togetherness. Our multi-ethnic national (ERC) extends 58th Independence Day social justice, which are the foundation holidays, and our participation in each greetings to all Guyanese. It is a of our nation. It is a time to honour the other’s cultural festivities, represent momentous occasion that marks the contributions of all Guyanese towards another major aspect of our Coanniversary of Guyana’s sovereignty the development of our Guyana. The operative Republic that has positively and nationhood. On May 26, 1966, hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead on affected ethnic relations. It is the view Guyana gained independence from this anniversary, and every day in of the Commission that the importance colonial rule, ushering in a new era of public spaces, honours our unique of unity and solidarity in advancing our freedom, democracy, and national Guyanese identity and is a subtle, nation’s development cannot be pride. Since then, Independence Day recurrent reminder that the country understated.Werecognizethediversity has been a symbol of patriotism, remains free and independent to chart of our society as a source of strength reminding us of the sacrifices and itscourse. and resilience and call upon all struggles of our forebears in the fight Guyanese from all ethnic groups Guyanese to embrace our differences forindependenceandtheshapingofour share this independent homeland that and work together towards prosperity national identity Independence Day is guarantees our democratic rights, such ofournationasthenationalmottoaptly notonlyatimeforcelebrationbutalsoa as freedom of worship, association, prescribes, ‘One People, One Nation, timeforreflectionandrenewal. expression,andequality,amongothers. One Destiny.’ Happy Independence to It is an opportunity for us to Those freedoms cement the ties of all! reaffirm our commitment to the diversity which serves as a bond for Ethnic Relations Commission

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The suspect in the death of Corentyne welder Joshua Hardatt was found dead while in custody at the Whim Police Station, police have reported.

The dead man, Suyjit Ramotar also known as ‘Mono’ a 53-year-old rice farmer of Lot 72 Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was found hanging while in police custody.

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Whim Police Station on May 22, 2024, pending an investigation into the alleged murder of Hardatt, also known as ‘Money’ of Lot 371 Bloomfield Village, Corentyne Berbice, which occurred sometime between 18:00hrs on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, and 08:00hrs on Wednesday May 22, 2024 at Auchlyne Cultivating Dam.

Police said that Ramotar was informed by the police while in custody on May 25 at approximately 09:45 hrs that he had been charged with the offence of Murder, committed on Hardatt and that he was required to appear in Whim Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The charge was also read to him.

“At approximately 16:55 hrs this afternoon, the ranks on duty went to the #1 Lockups to visit the prisoners and discovered Ramotar hanging by his neck with a piece of his jersey that he ripped and tied on the Southern grill of the lockups,” Police said in a report to the media.

The scene was processed by a Crime Scene Technician who also examined Ramotar’s

body, and discovered compression marks from the jersey around the neck.

Ramotar was taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead; his body is currently at the medical facility awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, police said that the Office of Professional Responsibility has launched an investigation into Ramotar’s death.

Meanwhile, on May 24, Kaieteur News reported that the prime suspect in the murder of the 25-year-old welder who was found dead on Wednesday in a car at the Auchlyne Cultivating Dam confessed to killing him for being in a relationship with his wife.

Police had arrested two persons in connection with the death of the welder. It was one of the two persons who reportedly confessed to the crime.

The suspect was recently released from prison after serving a jail sentence for a “wounding matter”, investigators told Kaieteur News.

During an interrogation he told police that Hardatt, a man he considered to be like a family member, had an affair with his wife while he was incarcerated. He claimed he had confronted Hardatt about the affair on the day he killed him.

The suspect reportedly said that Hardatt’s denial of the affair angered him and resulted in him beating the welder to death.

Investigations revealed that Hardatt left his home in his silver grey Toyota Premio motorcar with registration number PAD 1612 and ventured off to an unknown location.

Police said that at about 09:00hrs on Wednesday, Hardatt’s relatives received a call that his car was seen at Auchlyne Cultivating Dam.

As a result, the police were contacted and summoned to the location where Hardatt’s body was found face down in a crouching position in the back passenger seat of the car. Marks of violence were observed on his face and forehead while there was a wound at the back of his head.

Nikkei Guyana: For a unique blend of...

From page 55 but also ensures that customer service is always top-notch.

“We aim for our guests to not just enjoy amazing food, but to really take in the ambiance and be greeted with excellent service. The experience must be one of the best they have ever had, if not the best,” he said.

Opening Nikkei Guyana came with its set of challenges, particularly in sourcing and transporting

equipment to Guyana and the complexities of designing and constructing the space.

Despite these hurdles, the team is optimistic about the future.

They see significant opportunities for growth and expansion once the current project is fully operational.

“There is tons of opportunities for growth in the future, and we are excited to get this project in full swing,” he added.

Nikkei Guyana is set to

redefine the culinary landscape in Guyana, offering a fusion of flavors and cultures that promises to be a feast for the senses. To stay updated or make reservations, visit Nikkei Guyana’s website (http:// www.nikkeiguyana.com). You can also follow them on Instagram and Facebook at @nikkeiguyana. For reservations or inquiries, email booking@nik keiguyana.com or call 6203588.

call: 615-5597.

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Independence Day Messages

GPSU Message on the Occasion of...

From page 63 disunity at this particular Members of the Guyana upholding the Rule of Law timeinourhistory Public Service Union a and can undermine the It is the firm belief of the Happy 58th Independence integrity of this system of GuyanaPublicServiceUnion Anniversary is extended to governance Decisions thatmuchmorecanbedoneto allGuyanese.Letusallwork delivered by the Judiciary enhance the lives of every together as a unified nation, have come under extensive Guyanese, utilizing available confronting in harmony, the scrutiny, suggestive of resources to improve ch

us inappropriateJudgements. conditions of service for internally and externally, Labour is under severe workers, and restoring while safeguarding our p

ss

e to continue decency to professional Rights, our Heritage and our delivering Quality Public occupations, by investing in S

Services, the suppression of theskilledhumancapitalinan IndependentNation. the right to organize and efforttostoptheirout-flux.

bargain collectively, Labour On behalf of the Cooperative Republic of Law violations and the non- Executive Council and Guyana.

f international standards that p

impositions of Conditions of S

, a b u s e s o f Constitutional Rights, violence and harassments in theworldofwork.

The Guyana Public Service Union strongly condemns the manipulation in the political environment, and repeats the call for workers’ conditions of service to be improved within the context of due regard for the Collective Bargaining Process How else can progress be measured when retrograde steps forfeit Law and Order; whenregressivemethodsare employed as a substitute for Collective Bargaining; when profits trump working class needs. On May 26, 2024 as we celebrate our 58th

A n n i v e r s a r y a s a n Independent Nation there would be long speeches, commitments and promises to transform the lives of Guyanese. Let us, honestly, reflect on the foregoing state of affairs in our Society today and truly embark on righting all the wrongs that permeates the working class environment and to collectively work towards a common goal that benefits all,equally

The Guyana Public Service Union remains optimisticaboutthefutureof Guyana despite the challenges faced by workers and the nation in a quickly transforming global environment plagued with mounting geo-political, environmental, and

e c o n o m i c c r i s e s Importantly, we must leave a legacy of stability and economic prosperity for the future generations, while fulfillingtherequirementsof

today’s society in a participatory framework of goodgovernance.Greatmen and women have fought as a unified front to secure our Independent Status and it would be egregious to sow

Independence must mean something...

From page 63 immediatepostindependentperiod;

8. Respect the right to free education from nursery to university (Article 27- Constitution of Guyana). Cancel debts from students who took loans to attend the University of Guyana (UG). Direct oil money to the indigenous education institutions (UG and Critchlow Labour College) that have played a pivotal role in bringing this country to whereitisnow;

9.Equityinmanagementofoilandgasaswellasnon-oil economies- Systems must be put in place to create opportunities for all, based on want, ability and interest; not race,politicalassociation,andotherdiscriminatorymarkers. GuyananeedsanAffirmativeActionPlan;

10. Political, economic and social justice for all Guyanese for there can be no societal peace when all are not treatedasdeserving.

Workers/citizens are reminded on this auspicious day that we could have only come this far because our ancestors fought various battles to bring us to where we are today We must honour them by continuing the struggle for freedom; for economic, social and political justice; for fundamental humanrights;forequitabledevelopment.

Happy Independence!

Kelly Rowland defends clash with security guard on red carpet:

Kelly Rowland is sticking up for herself after making headlines for going off on a security guard at the CannesFilmFestival.

“Thewomanknowswhat happened, I know what happened,” Rowland told The Associated Press at the amfARGalaonThursday.

“I have a boundary and I stand by those boundaries andthatisit.”

‘I stood my ground’

The former Destiny’s Child member made waves while attending the premiere of “Marcello Mio” at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, when she insider told the outlet. “By Rowland allegedly walked appearedtoyellatasecurity thetime[Rowland]gottothe off the “Today” set due to guard while walking the red last woman she had had it issues with her dressing carpet because she scolded Kelly room.

In a series of photos, and told her to move when “Kellyandherteamwere Rowland is seen posing and she was trying to wave to not happy They did not like waving to fans while on the fans and help the paparazzi the dressing room, so they carpet However, as she gettheirshot.” decided to pull her off the made her way up the stairs Rowland told The show, leaving [Hoda Kotb] with the help of a female Associated Press that “there without a guest host for the security guard, things took a were other women that 10 a m hour,” a source turn. attended that carpet who did familiar with the situation

According to the Daily not quite look like me, and toldPageSixatthetime. Mail, the singer and actress they didn’t get scolded or In response, Rowland’s became agitated after the pushed off or told to get off r e p r e s e n t a t i v e t o l d security guard became too [thecarpet].” “Entertainment Tonight,” “aggressive”towardher “I stood my ground,” she “After 28 years of knowing “The people who are added. “And she felt like she her, Kelly Rowland remains assigned to helping stars had to stand hers, but I stood one of the kindest, most walk the red carpet were myground.Andthatwasit.” amiable humans I have ever being aggressive and Kelly This latest incident met and have had the was trying to ignore it,” an comes just months after blessingtorepresent.”

Singer, Kelly Rowland

Mariah Carey on Her Unprecedented Billboard Chart Success

Billboard.com experience you were looking for, have drawn a colossal 85.4 billion

Mariah Carey has notched the hopefully you got it. And if you in radio airplay audience and 9.4 most Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, 19, didn’t, I don’t know what to tell billion official on-demand U.S. among soloists in the chart’s you,”sheaddswithalaugh. streams. history. She has co-written 18 of Among Carey’s biggest chart

Upon thereleaseofPortraitofa thosesongs(herNo.1haulrounded honors, beyond her record sum of Portrait, Carey spoke with out by her 1992 MTV Unplugged Hot100No.1samongsoloacts,her Billboard about the different sides cover of the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be modernclassiccarol“AllIWantfor of her songwriting, whether she’s There”)andsharesinsightsintoher Christmas IsYou” reigns as the top been able to tell which of her songs songwriting process in the new title in the history of Billboard’s would become her biggest hits, and Audible Original, Portrait of a Holiday 100 chart. She is also the hervauntedplaceinBillboardchart Portrait, released Thursday (May only artist with three songs to top history 23). the Hot 100 for at least 14 weeks BB: Beyond your voice, and so

Therecordingmarksthe40thin each: “One Sweet Day” with Boyz many songs overall, what does it the storytelling platform’s Words + II Men (16 weeks, 1995-96), “We mean to you to have your Music franchise, which originated Belong Together” (14, 2005) and songwriting, and lyrics, inJanuary2020. her yuletide standard, originally specifically,praised?

While encompassing Carey’s released in 1994 (14), while her 93 MC: I think that’s amazing. career, which launched with her total weeks atop the Hot 100 mark Depending on who I’m writing first Hot 100 No. 1, “Vision of themostamongallacts. with or just writing by myself, it’s Love,” in 1990, the recording Plus, Carey earned top honors somethingthatIlovetodosomuch. or anything else. I do it because I shared everything from misery, as delvesdeep,perthetitleofthelatest in the Dec. 25, 1999, Billboard Sometimes I just don’t care [about lovetodoit. you joke about in the Audible edition, into the song “Portrait” issue, in which she was ranked the credit],becauseIknowwhatIdo. BB: Some songwriters say that recording,tomerry from her most recent studio LP, No. 1 pop artist of the ‘90s and BB: What do you get, songs are channeled through them, MC: I think it’s a lot. 2018’s Caution. It also premieres a “One Sweet Day” reigned as the personally, out of writing lyrics? as much as a writer actively creates [Chuckles] There can be songs that house remix of the track, decade’s biggest Hot 100 hit. In the Whatisthereasonyouwrite? them. are merry and that show a specific transforming the ballad into an Dec. 19, 2009, issue, “We Belong MC: It’s hard to explain … and MC: I agree with that. It is that. sideofme,andthentherearesongs extendedclubanthem. Together” was crowned the leading that’s the first line of the song I Evenwithamelody,you’recoming that are, I joke, using this word “It gave me the ability to talk Hot100entryofthe‘10s. wrote called “Outside” [from up with this melody and it’s “miserable” me and my friend about these lyrics, which I haven’t Additionally, Carey has sold Carey’s 1997’s album Butterfly]: comingthroughyou.Samewiththe made this up when we were editing done,”Careysaysatthecloseofthe 56.1 million albums in the U.S., “It’s hard to explain.” It’s really lyricsthatgowithit. something. We were like, “Put the Audible Original. “So it’s been a according to luminate, six of which something that I wouldn’t be BB: How much of you, of who miseryin!”Butit’strue it’sjusta catharticexperienceforme.”(“And have topped the Billboard 200. Her happy with my life if I didn’t do. you are, do you think that you’ve little element that you add to the I hope it’s been whatever songs (as the sole billed lead artist) And I don’t just do it for the credit revealed in your lyrics? You’ve song.

CCamila Cabello & Kali Uchis to Be Honored at Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024

amila Cabello and Kali award, and the Colombian- promoteimportantissuesthatsheis environmentaljustice.

amassed over 2 billion streams and Uchis will be honored American singer the Rising Star passionate about such as Uchis,meanwhile,“hasquickly is the Billboard Hot 100 longest-

at the 2024 Billboard award. immigration, diversity, mental climbed the charts since releasing running Spanish song by a solo act Latin Women in Music, Billboard “Singer-songwriter Camila healthandfemaleempowerment. her first album in 2018,” the thisdecadewitha23-weekstreak. and Telemundo announced on C a b e l l o ’s s u c c e s s a n d Among other projects, Cabello statement continues, “earning her Cabello and Uchis join a list of Thursday(May23) Theshowwill contributions have earned her the has partnered with This Is About this year’s Rising Star honor, a previouslyannouncedhonoreesfor air exclusively on Telemundo on honor of Global Impact, which Humanity and Miami Freedom recognition and celebration of an thisyearthatincludeGloriaEstefan Sunday, June 9, at 9 p m ET, and recognizes female artists who have Project to host community events emerging talent’s success in (Legend award), Ana Bárbara will be simultaneously available an exceptional ability to connect for new immigrant families in growing their musical prowess and (Lifetime Achievement award), on the Telemundo app and withaudiencesworldwide,notonly Miami,andhasraisedhalfamillion solidifying their place in the Ángela Aguilar (Musical Dynasty) Peacock through their music but also by dollars with Equality Florida and industry.” and Kany García (Spirit of This celebration, which positively influencing popular Lambda Legal to combat harmful The singer, songwriter and Change). highlights the efforts of Latin culture, as well as serving as legislation in Florida targeting the record producer has successfully In the coming weeks, women musicians who are ambassadors of Latin culture on a LGBTQ+community alternated between English and additional honorees and details “proactively working for positive global scale,” reads the official She also launched the Healing Spanish-language projects, while will be announced for the second change,inclusionandgenderparity press release, noting that the singer Justice Project to provide mental defying music genres with music annual Billboard Latin Women in in the music industry,” will see the of “Havana” and “Señorita” has health resources to BIPOC that blends elements of R&B, neo- Music ceremony, which will be megastar of Cuban and Mexican used her voice not only to create organizers across the country soul,pop,andLatinrhythms. hosted by actress Jacqueline roots receive the Global Impact great hits worldwide, but to advancing racial, immigrant, and Her smash hit “telepatía” has Bracamontes

Mariah Carey

Camilla Cabello

Cali Uchis

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!

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 indecenciesinourlandthatshouldmatter,notonlytousatthispublication, buttheentirenation.

SUNDAY–MAY19,2024

Parliamentlike pregnancy!

These days the attempts to stifle information from reaching the public is more blatantthanever!

From the removal of post-CabinetPressBriefings to a weekly cuss out hosted by the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, this country isdeprivedofinformationon keygovernanceissues.

Efforts made by the Opposition in Parliament to seek answers from these electedofficialsarelikewise a waste of time as the Speaker allows an elapse of timebeforetheyareallowed onto the Order Paper Just last week, one Member of Parliamentwhowasmocked in the House had to explain that it was no fault of hers that the questions appeared ontheOrderPapersomesix months and 19 days after its submissiontoParliament.

W h e r e i s t h e accountability???

MONDAY–MAY20,2024

Thoseweekly pressbriefings

A very pressing issue in today’s society is the conduct of Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo’s weekly press conference These gatherings have strayed beyond the scope of typical party briefings, although theyarebeingheldatthePPP headqu

ers Th

se briefings delve into definitive pronouncements on government policies and responses These weekly pressers are being used ostensibly for public relations purposes by the PPP and have long strayed beyond the purpose of press conferences.

The attendance of media

representatives at these events risks legitimizing the blurring of lines between party and state. Guyana’s own history has shown how such a blurring of divisions can be perilous to press freedom. It is incumbent upon the Guyana Press Association(GPA)todrawa clear line regarding these pressconferences.Whilethe pursuit of information is a fundamental aspect of journalism, this must not comeatthecostofendorsing or appearing to endorse a conflation of party and government roles The media should refrain from participating in any forum that undermines the separation of powers, between party and government.

WEDNESDAY–MAY22,2024

Anothercircuscoming

Wehavejustwitnesseda farce for a Congress put on by the PPP It was an avocation billed to cement Bharrat Jagdeo’s control over the ruling party and so hedid,eventhoughover200 of his comrades rejected both him and President IrfaanAli.

Next month the folks at Congress Place will put on another circus. Those vying for leaders are just as pathetic as Jagdeo and his boys. This country needs good,strong,honestleadersnotthetypebeingofferedby boththePPPandPNC.

FRIDAY–MAY24,2024

Parrot-likeJagdeo

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the self-appointed oil guru, who has no experience or known qualifications, during his weekly cuss-out yesterday sought to discredit former

Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr VincentAdams.

Jagdeowhoisknownfor attacking every voice that questions his controversial management of the oil and gas sector accused Dr. Adams of being part of a

group that has little knowledge of the industry but instead repeats in “parrot-like” manner the “jaundiced views” of some. At least Dr Adams worked in the industry in the US before taking up a job here. Where did Jagdeo work to, or hone is skills in oil and gas.Alaughing stock of the petroleum world and a rank, incompetent administrator who was a piss poor presidentofthiscountry He spent his time

scrambling for words but should have instead spared the media of his tiring repetitiousrants.

SATURDAY–MAY25,2024

Jagdeoisrunning outofexcuses!

First it was sanctity of contracts.

Next came the excuse that renegotiation would chaseinvestors.

Exxonitselfhasadmitted

that it would not turn away from the wealth discovered in Guyana easily, but Vice PresidentBharratJagdeohas pulled another excuse from hisbag!

Momentum! Any changestothecontractcould kill the momentum he claims.

Whenwillournationand people enjoy its resources blessed by the Creator, or was this blessing only intended to fatten the pocketsofoilcompanies?

LABASeniorClubC/ships bouncesofftonight

Competitive basketball returns to will advance to the semifinals set for Linden for the first time in two Saturday, June 22, and the finale on Saturday,

years with the Linden Amateur June29,bothatthesamevenue. BasketballAssociation(LABA)bouncingoff This tournament comes on the heels of itsSeniorClubChampionshipsamongitsfive LABA’s Secondary Schools Under-17 affiliated clubs, with a double-header at the tournament,whichwasitsfirstforthisyear Amelia’sWardHardCourttonight. The LABA, led by Dawn Barker

In the first game, Block 22 Flames will McCammon, has planned and gained match skills with Victory Valley Royals from support from former Guyana Amateur 6:30 pm and the second match of the night Basketball Federation (GABF) President willseeRetrieveRaiderstakingonhomeside Nigel Hinds, through the Nigel Hinds Amelia’sWardJetsfrom8:30pm. Financial Services Group, which has

Thetournamentwillbeplayedinaround- donated $200,000 towards ensuring the robinformattoarriveatthetopfourclubsthat tournamentishosted

All-round Chase, effective...

From page 73 inthe17ballshefaced.Theshotsofhisknockwereback-toback sixes off Akeal Hosein, the first off a full ball that he slammedovermid-on,andthesecondoffashortballthathe pulled over long-on. He was bowled in the same over but was still the major contributor to South Africa’s highest P o w e r p l a y s c o r e o f 8 5 f o r 2

https://www espncricinfo com/ask/cricket-qna/SouthAfrica-highest-Powerplay-score&tournament=menst20i Catches win matches

Andile Phehlukwayo was promoted to No.6, above Wiaan Mulder, and was called on with eight overs left, and SouthAfricastill84runsawayfromthetarget.Theyhadnot hit a boundary since the eighth over, and Phehlukwayo had no choice but to try and get one when Gudakesh Motie offeredonefullandwide.Phehlukwayoattemptedashotgo over cover but Shamar Joseph moved to his right and dived diagonally to take an amazing catch in the deep. Two overs later,Akeal Hosein, at long-off, timed his jump well to end Rassie van der Dussen’s innings on 30, and with it South Africa’shopes.

Sunday May 26, 2024

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

Your thinking is quite clear, Aries,andyou'llfindthatyour emotions support your mental processes Your psychic nature is also strong, so you should trust any hunch you have.

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

You may need to keep your spaceship idle today and perform a safety check for your crew, Taurus. Make sure everyoneonboardisinformed ofthedestination.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Things may not be as obvious as they first seem today, Gemini. Don't get started on a project until you understand the full scope of what you're gettinginto.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Don'ttrytoforceyourideason anyone, Cancer It's important to maintain neutrality so you can act from a stable state of mind when someone brings you an issue that needs to be dealtwithrightaway

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Your intuitive nature is especially strong. You won't have to think about things because you'll have the ability tojustknowtheanswers Ifany penetrating detective work needs to be done, this would beanexcellenttimetodoit.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Any argument you start today is likely to erupt into a brutal emotional battle, so beware. Try not to tread on anyone else's turf, because you'll find that he or she is likely to be possessive and rather belligerent about defending whatisrightfullytheirs.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You may find that people are likely to challenge your mental process today, Libra. Don't be surprised if they seem to argue with your ideas left and right. Your heart may be especially tender, and any sort of belligerent dispute could affect youdeeply

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

The key for you today is to use your heart more than your head. Base your actions on your feelings and your inner knowing of the situation. Facts maydeceiveyou.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Things should go especially well for you today, Sagittarius, so don't worry about a thing. Life doesn't necessarily get easierasyougetolder Youjust learnhowtodealwiththings.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

The more attention you try to get from other people today, the more people are going to ignore your fancy displays and grandiose ideas. Take a much moresensitiveapproach.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Take care of the people around you. Service to others is an important part of the day, as compassion and caring are at the forefront of your mind. Take this opportunity to become a reassuring caregiver for someone close who needs a nurturingshoulder

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Youmayfeelasifyou'resinking into an emotional vortex Be careful about assuming that things are yours It's important that you not accuse someone of being a thief when you have no factstobackupthisclaim

Man Utd stun rivals City to win FA Cup

(BBC Sport) - Manchester United and beleaguered manager Erik ten Hag defied the odds and theircriticstopulloffastunningFA Cup final victory over hot favourites Manchester City at Wembley

Ten Hag went into this Manchester derby final with the growing expectation that he will be sacked by United’s new co-owner SirJimRatcliffe,irrespectiveofthe outcome.

IfTenHagistobedismissed,he will be going out on the back of the finest day of his two-year reign and United’s finest moment for years following a performance that was virtually unrecognisable from the dismalfaretheyhaveservedupthis season.

United’striumph,whichdenied Premier League champions City a second successive domestic Garnacho was the beneficiary crowned a sweeping move with a hittingtheframeofthegoal,United City substitute Jeremy Doku double,wasbuiltonanoutstanding of a mix-up between City keeper calm finish from Bruno Fernandes’ keeper Andre Onana saving pulled one back with four minutes first-half display that brought goals Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol delicatetouchnineminuteslater superbly from Kyle Walker and left but Ten Hag’s side held firm to from Alejadro Garnacho and as he was left with an open goal on Cityinevitablyappliedpressure Julian Alvarez missing a great record a famous victory and win a KobbieMainoo. the half-hour while Mainoo in the second half, Erling Haaland chance. 13thFACup,theirfirstsince2016.

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United lifts the FA Cup after the 2-1 victory at Wembley. (Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Observer)

Concacaf successfully holds 39th Ordinary Congress in Guadeloupe

Presidents and delegates from all 41 Concacaf Member Associations, Concacaf Council Members, and important guests from the global football family at the conclusion of the 39th Ordinary Congress. (Photo: Concacaf)

(Concacaf) aspects of the game in our productive time in your oncacaf held its region. territory.”

C39th Ordinary “I want you to take the Following President

Congress at the time to reflect, to look past Montagliani’s address, Palais des Sports et de la the day-to-day, month-to- Concacaf General Secretary Culture in Le Gosier, month accomplishments Philippe Moggio oversaw Guadeloupe The event was Take a step back and see it’s the Congress alongside attended by Presidents and all about people, our people, members of the Concacaf delegates from all 41 ourConcacaffamily Youare Council.

C o n c a c a f M e m b e r the 41 diamonds in our logo, The Congress provided Associations, Concacaf ourcircleoffootballlife,our an important opportunity to Council Members, and Concacafcircle.” look back on a very important guests from the He also thanked the successful 2023 that globalfootballfamily Ligue Guadeloupeenne de Concacaf President and Football and its President FIFA Vice President Victor Jean Dartron and celebrated Montagliani addressed the the many impressive Congress via video message milestones and statistics following the tragic news from another tremendous that his father, Mr Luciano yearinourConfederation. Montagliani, unexpectedly “President Dartron, passedaway thank you very much for President Montagliani your help and support in expressed his sincere holding this important gratitude to the 41 Concacaf Congress. Concacaf is very Member Associations for grateful, and I know that all their commitment to the participants will have continuing to grow all had a wonderful and

development and delivery of

tion foc

ed their coach education Congress, the Concacaf capacity building initiatives programs. M

and funding programs, While the Congress delegates approved the including the Executive primarilyreviewed2023,the Confederation’s 2023 Mentorship Program and the Confederation also thanked audited financial statements One Concacaf Program – for all MemberAssociations for and2024budget. which investment to all their support and efforts in T

M

A

c

at

ons the delivery of important Associations also elected continues to increase – was women’s competitions in Cindy Parlow Cone and also highlighted, as was the 2

e Sergio Chuc to the Concacaf included the delivery of ongoing roll-out of the Concacaf Women’s U-17 Council (both unopposed important competitions, Coaching Convention, Championship and the andbyacclamation). including a record-breaking Gold Cup, a third edition of the Concacaf Nations League and an entirely new men’s club ecosystem. The Congress also presented a further opportunity to highlight and congratulate the record six Concacaf women’snationalteamswho qualified for and competed in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and

NewZealand.

inaugural Concacaf W Gold

UG, LTI and GTI pick up Round 2 wins

Season Two of theYouth standout performance, victory, finishing the game the standout performer, Basketball Guyana (YBG) scoring 23 points and 39-17. LTI’s scoring was led posting a double-double Tertiary League continued making 4 steals. Jushawn by Neil Marks, who tallied with 17 points and 15 Sunday last at the National Bailey was a force on both 11 points and 6 rebounds, rebounds. Gymnasiumwithanexciting ends of the court, adding 18 whileStephenGeorgeadded Martin Edwards chipped triple-header, featuring points, 10 rebounds, and 5 7 points and 4 rebounds. in with 9 points and 5 victoriesbytheUniversityof steals, securing the narrow Despite UCC’s efforts, no rebounds, while Delmar Guyana, Linden Technical victoryforUG. player reached double Grant contributed 8 points Institute, and Government GSA’s Shannon Wilson figures; Adrian King and and 9 rebounds NATI’s Technical Institute in the and Vivlan Bowling Fredrick Lashley each offense struggled, with secondroundofplay contributed 19 points and 12 managed6points. Aberone Collins, Jared I n G a m e 1 , t h e points, respectively, in a In the final game of the Dainty,andAntwoneNelson University of Guyana (UG) valianteffort. n

g h t , G o v

all scoring in single digits as edged out the Guyana The intensity continued Technical Institute (GTI) GTI’s defense shut them SchoolofAgriculture(GSA) asLindenTechnicalInstitute stormed New Amsterdam down. in a thrilling finish, winning (LTI) dominated Upper Technical Institute (NATI)

50-49 at the buzzer UG’s

with a commanding 63-35 continues today, May 26, Malachi Grimmond had a (UCC) with a 22-point win. Peter Langevine was startingat5:00PM.

Amsterdam out of final Olympic Qualifier tournament

Keevin Allicock

- Joel Williamson in action today

Facing his counterpart from the Dominican Republic, Amsterdam received a 27-30 score from judges Geoff Cannell, Paola Falorni, Atsuo Fujisaku, Nelka Shiromala Thampu,andPavloVasylynchuk.

Meanwhile, Joel Williamson enters the ring today to face Mauritius’s Louis Richarno Colin in the 63.5kg category round-of-32.

It will be a tough match-up for Williamson, facing Colin, whowonsilveratthe2022CommonwealthGamesandgoldat the All-African Games. Colin also competed at the Tokyo Olympics.

Tomorrow,EmanuelPompeyandGeorgiiKushitashviliof Georgiawillmeetinthemen’s92kground-of-16.

KeevinAllicock moved one step closer to returning to the Olympics with a third-round stoppage win over Guatemala’s Jose Felipe in the round of 32 at the final World Olympic QualificationTournamentinBangkok,Thailand.

Referee Alisher Palvanov stopped the fight one minute and 29 seconds into the third round, allowing Allicock to advance to the round of 16, where he will face Turkey’s BatuhanÇiftçionTuesday

ÇiftçidefeatedMohamadMehdiSahakofAfghanistanvia unanimous decision. Like Allicock, Çiftçi also competed at theTokyoOlympics.

DesmondAmsterdamsawhisParisOlympicsdreamcome to an end yesterday in Thailand following his unanimous decisiondefeatagainstCristianJavierPinales.

All-round Chase, effective Motie seal WI series win over SA

(Cricinfo) - West Indies cost 47 runs, and he went without a domestic contract, sealed the three-match T20I wicketless.The star of South bowling to South Africa’s series against South Africa, Africa’s bowling was batters in their preparation with a match to spare, and debutant Nqabayomzi Peter, for a home series against successfullydefended208in who took 2 for 32, but is not West Indies Now, after front of enthusiastic Sabina intheT20WorldCupsquad. finishing as the secondPark supporters. With all the Inresponse,SouthAfrica highest wicket-taker at the fixtures in this series being were quick out of the blocks CSA T20 Challenge for the played at the same venue in and brought up 100 in eight title-winningLions,hemade Jamaica-whichwillnothost overs but no-one could kick his international debut at any T20 World Cup games - on after Quinton de Kock’s S a b i n a P a r k a n d the weekend crowd were out 41. The middle-order were immediatelyimpressed. in full force on a Saturday particularly disappointing Brought on to bowl just afternoon to enjoy another and folded from 113 for 2 to after the Powerplay, he strong performance from 167 for 7, losing 5 for 54. tempted West Indies’ standtheirside. South Africa may not be too incaptainBrandonKinginto After choosing to bat, concerned because none of abigshotwithhisfourthball West Indies started slower Aiden Markram, Heinrich that was full and wide than the first match (where Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs and outsideoff. theyhadreached100runsby David Miller were all not Kingslappeditacrossthe the halfway mark) but paced involvedinthisseriesandall line but could not clear their innings well They four will return for the T20 Wiaan Mulder at long-on, acceleratedinthemiddleand WorldCup. who took the catch over his

Roston Chase hit his first T20I half-century (Getty Images)

T20I and before today, he were big ones, both off short last year’s fifty-over World latter period, thanks to a 56- Still, South Africa have headtogivePeterthebiggest had yet to score a half- balls. The second, off Lungi Cup but showed signs of run fourth-wicket stand off not won a T20I series since name on debut. In his next century That changed with Ngidi, sailed over the stands returning to his best as he 36 between Roston Chase August 2022, and have lost over,Peterwasnotputoffby an innovative innings that andbrokeawindowofoneof gave South Africa a speedy andAndre Fletcher and a 63- four of their last five series. Kyle Mayers hitting his held West Indies together the parked cars, as he start.DeKockpulledthefirst run fifth-wicket stand, off Their ability against spin googly for six and bowled it and ensured they accelerated broughtupfiftyoff30balls. ball he faced to fine leg and only25balls,betweenChase remains a concern and left- again. Mayers pulled to the in the second half of their Quinton’s quick start beat Kyle Mayers to find the and Romario Shepherd. In armspinnerGudakeshMotie areabetweendeepsquareleg innings. Five of Chase’s six Quinton de Kock has not boundary and went on to hit theprocess,Chasescoredhis benefited most from that. He and fine leg, where Ryan fours were scored behind been at his most fluent since fourfoursandasmanysixes firstT20Ififty. pickedupcareer-bestfigures Rickelton ran around to take square and his two sixes retiring from ODI cricket at (Continued on page 69) AnrichNortjereturnedto of 3 for 22 and has taken thecatch. the South African side after three wickets in each of his Peter finished with 2 for almost nine months on the lastthreematches. 32inhisfourovers. sidelines as he recovered Newcomer Nqaba Chasing half-centuries from a lower back stress makes a name Roston Chase has played fracture and was expensive Little more than a year high-levelcricketforadozen on his return. His four overs ago, Peter was a net bowler, yearsbutthisisonlyhis13th