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The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) on Monday launched what it said a new high-yielding rice variety known as 'GRDB 18,' The new variety was launched at a rice field in Nooten Zuil, East Coast Demerara, where a trial was conducted byA. Sabastian, a farmer that owns 4.5 acres of land. ‘No legal bars in President appointing Hicken’-
New high-yielding rice variety launched variet WPA calls for annual cash transfer to citizens out of oil money
First general manager of GNCB passes away
Dr Wilbert O. Bascom, once the Senior Managing Director of the Guyana National Cooperative Bank, Guyana, South America, died last Sunday, October 13, 2024, in Miami, Florida.
Hewas87.
According to a release, author of, “Bank Management and Supervision in Developing Financial Markets,” and “The Economics of Financial; Reform, in Developing Countries,” Wilbert Bascom was the Chief of the BureauofInternationalBankinginthe State of Florida. He was formerly an Assistant Lecturer at the City of LondonCollege,anAdjunctProfessor attheFloridaStateUniversityCollege ofBusiness,andaVisitingProfessorat the Florida International University DepartmentofEconomics.
but lived, as a young man with his siblings in the village of New Road Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.
After completing high school in Georgetown, he worked in the Guyana Civil Service before migrating to the UK to study It was from there that he answered the return-to-Guyanacallandbecamethe head of the Guyana National CooperativeBankingsystem.
In 1970, the then Government of Guyana established the Guyana NationalCo-operativeBank(GNCB) as a development bank to serve rural communities. It was in this banking system that Wilbert Bascom made a majorcontributiontohiscountry
Workercrushedby cementmixtruck
WilbertOwenBascomwasbornon January 7, 1937, in the village of Vergenoegen,EastBankofEssequibo,
He also served as a Financial Advisor to the Government of Dominica. Dr Bascom was a member of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors' International Banking Council and the Florida International TradeandInvestmentCouncil.Wilbert Bascom was also Chairman of the Florida Export Finance Corporation's BoardofDirectors.
AfterbeingtheGMoftheGNCB for many years, Bascom left Guyana forDominicaandlatermigratedtothe UnitedStatesofAmerica.Heleavesto mourn his wife, Kyree, his four children, and his five siblings who include Guyanese artist, novelist, and Guyana-Prize-winning playwright, HaroldA.Bascom.
Aserviceman lost his life on Saturday morning, after the rear right wheels of a 14tonne ready-mix cement/ concrete truck ran over him while he was servicing a vehicle at Top Mix Cement, located at Great Diamond EastBankDemerara(EBD).
The dead man has been identified as, Patrick Picket. The man who operated the concretetruckisidentifiedas Sham Singh Further, the Ministry of Labour through the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department reported that the incident occurredaround10:45h.
At the time of the tragic incident,Picketwasservicing a vehicle, checking the differential oil underneath, when Singh reportedly drove thetrucktothebatchingplant forloading.
“Mr Picket was found lyinginjuredonthegroundby Mr. Harry Mahase, Batch Supervisor, and other staff members,” the OSH stated.
Following that, Picket was rushed to the Diamond Regional Hospital by Mahase, however upon arrival, he was pronounced dead.
The OSH officer Neza Kingconductedaninitialsite visit to begin investigation and gather information about t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s surrounding the accident “Unfortunately, primary witnesseswereunavailableat the time, as they were providing statements at the police station,” the statement added. The OSH however insisted that their investigationwillcontinueto establish the cause of the accident and make recommendations to prevent similarincidents.
Meanwhile, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton expressed his concern about workplace fatalities and encouraged workers and employerstoadoptsafework practicesonthejob.
The rear right wheels of a 14-tonne ready-mix cement/ concrete truck that crushed Picket
Dr. Wilbert O. Bascom
Exxon says don’t compare Guyana’s contract terms with those of Suriname
...Guyana’s
deal ‘very successful’
Country Manager for ExxonMobil Alistair Routlegde has said that the lopsided contract signed with this country is very successful and cautioned citizens not to compare Guyana's oil terms with those of neighbouring Suriname.
He was at the time addressing the media last Wednesday at a news conference. Admitting that he has seen the comments made about Suriname's deal in contrast to Guyana's Routledge said that “everyone wants to say ours is better than yours, but you knowattheendofthedayall the elements that go into an agreement like this, a Production Sharing Agreementisputtogetherat apointintimereflectingthe riskthatexistedandinorder to try and attract investment.”
He boasted that the current agreement has been very successful for Guyana as it has been able to attract investment into a basin where no one had made any discoveries and persons should take a step back to reminisce on that aspect. “It derisked the Suriname drilling because discoveries hadbeenmadeinGuyanaby the Stabroek Block coventurers, and we can always cherry-pick that somebodyhashigherroyalty orlowerroyaltypaysthistax or that tax, but it's about the total amount of revenue that's generated out of the petroleum agreement that's really important to the country,” Routledge told reporters.
He explained that if sufficient investment is not attracted to a country, development cannot happen hencetherewouldnotbethe same scale of revenue. “So you can have a larger percentage of a small number or you can have maybeafairshareofamuch largernumberandultimately that's more meaningful for thecountry That'swherewe havetojustbecarefulabout people just writing things, and wanting to cherry-pick certain numbers, I don't thinkit'shelpful.Ultimately,
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo
the analysis that anybody should do which is the agreement delivering value forthecountryisitattracting theinvestmentthatissought in order to develop the resource.”
OnOctober5th2024,the Kaieteur News reported that On October 1, 2024, Suriname announced that it has a Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop a productionfieldinBlock58 offshore Suriname The timeframe for the c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d installation, according to a release from Staatsolie, https://www.staatsolie.com/ would take approximately four years. Suriname can expectfirstoilin2028.
In a video clip, the Managing Director of the state-owned company Staatsolie, Annand Jagesar, compared the contracts of Guyana and Suriname during the announcement of theFID.“Guyana,theyhave 2% royalty, and 50% profit split, no taxes, and here in Suriname,wehavelike6.25 % royalty, profit split according to a certain formula,sothehighertheoil pricethebetterforSuriname, but the lower the oil price then the contractor gets protected and we have a stabilized tax rate of 36%,” Jagesarsaidadding,“Soyou candothemathandthedeal is good but of course everybody has to survive in thispartnership.”
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at a recent press conference acknowledged that Suriname has better termsintheiragreementthan Guyana's 2016 agreement. Jagdeo's statement followed the publication of an article
by Demerara Waves
headlined, 'Suriname boasts of better oil contract terms thanGuyana'.
Jagdeo compared Suriname'sroyaltyrateswith that of the new Public Sharing Agreement (PSA) saying that, “So if you look at their royalty rate of 6.2% royalty, we have just put in ournewPSA,a10%royalty rate that's the new condition but the agreement that they have today is better than the 2016 agreement and we pointed this out many times.”
It is important to note thatthenewPSAreferredto has nothing to do with the country's current deal with ExxonMobilanditspartners Hess and CNOOC nor is it related to the lucrative Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. The new PSA will govern the smaller blocks thatwerepartoftherecently concluded auction Furthermore, there have been no exploration activities or discoveries in any of these blocks Therefore,citizensshouldbe aware that the Stabroek Block arrangement remains the same, Guyana will get 2% royalty and 50/50 profit sharing.
Baddeal
M e a n w h i l e , t o underscore the lopsided nature of the ExxonMobil's deal with Guyana for 2023, the Government of Guyana (GoG) had to pay the combined sum of $306 billion in income taxes for ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and its Stabroek Block partners, Hess and CNOOC according to the companies'auditedfinancial statements, while for the same period Guyana earned $336billionfromitsoil.
This arrangement which saw the Government paying almost the same amount it earned from oil, in taxes for theoilcompanieslastyearis as a result of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) the previous Coalition Governmentsignedwiththe U.S oil major Exxon is the operator of the Stabroek Block, with 45% interest, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest and ChinaNationalOffshoreOil Corporation (CNOOC) Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25% interest Last year, the three companies earned$1.3trillioninprofits – entirely tax-free in Guyana However, while Exxon, Hess, and CNOOC arenotrequiredtopaytaxes, the 2016 oil contract provides for the taxes to be paidtotheGuyanaRevenue Authority (GRA) by the Government out of its share ofprofitoil.
According to the PSA, the Stabroek Block partners are allowed to recover 75% of the oil produced to recover their investment costs, the remaining 25% is considered profit, which is split between Guyana and the Stabroek Block consortium, giving each 12 5% However, the consortium pays a 2% royalty from its share to Guyana. From its 14.5% Guyanathenhastopaytaxes fortheoilcompanies.
Notably,theprovisionof the Stabroek Block contract which gives Exxon and its affiliates a tax-free ride in Guyana has attracted criticisms locally and internationally The contract statesinArticle15.1thatthe Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as its affiliates shall not be subjected to tax, valueadded tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge, or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, propertyheldortransactions exceptasspecifiedunderthe agreement.
It goes on to state in Article 15.4 that the sum equivalenttothetaxesowed bythecompanywillbepaid by the Minister responsible
for Petroleum to the Commissioner General of the GRA. It should be noted that the contract also allows fortheissuingofareceiptto ExxonMobil, indicating that it has met the local tax requirements to avoid the burden of double taxation.
Article 15.5 of the contract states, “Within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the end of each year of assessment, the Minister shall furnish to Contractor proper tax certificates in Contractor's n a m e f r o m t h e Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority evidencing the payment of the Contractor's income tax under the Income Tax Act and corporation tax under the Corporation Tax Act. Such certificates shall state the amount of tax paid individually on behalf of Contractor or parties
Exxon Country Manager for Guyana, AlistairRoutlegde
comprising the Contractor and other particulars customary for such certificates.”
The Irfaan Ali-led administrationhasexplicitly statedthatduetothesanctity ofthecontract,the2016PSA will remain in place, despite the deal being labeled as 'lopsided'. In fact, last year, President Ali, during an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Senior Journalist Gideon Long, reiterated his administration's position to notrenegotiatethe'lopsided' Exxon deal. President Ali said, “Well, I would say definitely, we did not have the best of deals, Exxon had agooddealsignedbythelast government ” Ali then highlighted that the sanctity of contract is “very important” to his government, adding, “and wecan'tgobackonthat.”
On Sunday, a 37-year-old man identified as Marlon DavidsonlosthislifeafterhelostcontroloftheAllTerrain Vehiclehewasdriving(ATV).
According to police, the incident occurred around 17:25hrs on the Sand Hill Trail in Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region#7.
DavisonwasemployedbyHopkinsonMiningSecurity Firm and was a resident of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. Police said that their enquiries disclosed that Davidson was headed east along the northern side of the trailatafastrate.Thisresultedinhimlosingcontrolofthe vehicleanditflipped(turnedturtle).Thiscausedhimtobe pinnedbeneaththeATVonthesurfaceofthetrailandasa resultoftheimpact,hesustainedinjuriesabouthisbody
Themanwassaidtobeinanunconsciousstatewhenhe was picked up by public-spirited citizens. He was then rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital where he was examinedbyadoctorwhopronouncedhimdeadonarrival.
Last year during a spate of road accidents, some fatal and others causing extensive damage to public properties, government indicated that it would be applying the law to ensure persons who are culpable pay for the replacement and repairs.
PublicWorks Minister, Juan Edghill had even hinted that legislation targeting stricter fines and penalties should be introduced to curb damage to public property He said the practice must end because it is causing damage to roads, bridges and streetlights across the country The minister outlined that this not only affects the residents in the respective communities, but the cost of repairs hinders progress, since the funds can be otherwise utilised to foster development. “It takes millions of dollars to replace them. Andthesearethekindofthingsthatpeoplelooselydriveand damage.So,whilewearebuildingout,andweareimproving, we have to minimise damage…We have to be careful. We almost have to bring an end to damage through recklessness. Accidents are accidents, but recklessness is something that couldbeavoided,”theministerasserted.
This move deserves the support of all Guyanese as the destruction of property is almost as worrying as the crime situation and it is time that something drastic is done. But, in addition to the reckless drivers, stray animals also cause road accidents, sometimes with loss of life and the destruction of the vehicles. On the East Bank of Demerara, sometimes on the Corentyne Highway, and even on the West Demerara Highway, we come across these wandering obstacles, sometimes early enough to avoid a collision, but too often, at nightswhenvisibilityisatitsworst.
Asthelawstands,theownersofwanderinglivestockthat cause accidents could be prosecuted, but the extent of prosecution leaves a lot to be desired. In the first instance, many of the animals are unbranded, so that it is difficult to prove ownership. In other cases, the owners could be among the first at the accident, and they could easily remove the brand,sothatidentificationoftheanimalprovesdifficult.
Also proving to be worrying is the disregard people are displaying on the roadways. These days it is as if some motorists are bent on obliteratingevery traffic light, installed at great cost to reduce road accident. Indeed, at one time, Guyana was perhaps the only country in the modern world that had no traffic lights in its capital At a cost of some US$2 million, and with money borrowed from India, lights were erected with features that allowed motorists to appreciate just howlongtheywouldhavetowaitatlights Todaymostofthose lightshavebeenmaintainedandexpandedtootherareas
The indiscipline on the roads has been so ingrained that some motorists have resorted to using streets that would help them avoid the lights. Even the various forms of public transport resorted to driving outside their routes. Impatience has also been a feature. Up to now, many pedestrians on approaching the lights, refused to wait for periods ranging from thirty seconds to ninety seconds, the length of time it takestowalknomorethan100metres.
The police say that they have zero tolerance for traffic offenders, but while they have made numerous prosecutions, they still seem unable to effect attitudinal change. Why should a cattle farmer not control his cattle? The National Assembly had passed legislation designed to improve the behaviour of the cattle farmers, but nothing has changed.All that the legislation has done is to reinforce the right to slaughter a pig found in private property And so we come back to the issue of people being responsible for whatever theyhaveusingtheroads.Intheheartofthecity,weoftensee cows, some walking along the median at dead of night, some of the animals so dark that they are all but invisible to approachingtraffic.Butthereisanothersidetothis.Motorists tend to speed, and most of those who actually collide with stray animals—if indeed animals wending their way home could be considered strays—actually speed. Sadly enough, there are not enough traffic patrols in the streets at nights and the few besieged ranks, barring those who have not succumbed to the lure of money offered by errant motorists, keeptryingtoensureproperroaduse.
WPA brands President’s announcements as election gimmickry
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says not a genuine attempt to address country’s debilitating social and economic problems
DEAREDITOR WhiletheWPAgenerally example, did he frontally foresight and paucity of President’s Ali’s recent welcomes the initiatives confront the persistent ideas to meet the urgent address to the National announced by the president poverty that continues to n e e d s o f t h e n e w A s s e m b l y h a s n o t as a baby step forward, we take its toll on the populace. dispensation. unexpectedly aroused much bemoan the fact that taken as It is e
at In the end,WPAfeels the discussion in the media, the a whole, they represent more approximately 42% of announcement smacks of political opposition and the of election gimmickry rather Guyanese live on less than political opportunism public at large. That the than a genuine attempt to US$5.5 per day This is Nowhere in the world has president chose the National address the country’s unacceptable in a country t
Assembly to give what was debilitating social and which boasts one of the development based on essentially a party campaign
s highest GDP growths in the opportunism Facing speech confirms the view in Although electioneering is world.TheWPAcontinuesto mounting pressures to many quarters that the part of political life, any believe that direct cash address the skyrocketing d o c t r i n e o f p a r t y responsible government transferstothecitizensisone cost-of-living and the paramountcy is alive and s h o u l d g r o u n d i t s of the most potent ways to widening gap between wellinGuyana. stewardshipofthecountryin tacklethisproblem. growthanddevelopment,the
Second, the speech, a broader framework. The Towards this end, WPA government has resorted to which includes at least three proposals represent a takes note of the president’s ideas from the opposition big policy initiatives long hodgepodge of items aimed announcement of the without giving credit to the advanced by the political atpreyingonapopulacetired $200,000 cash transfer to latter This is crass politics at opposition, is a tacit of economic frustration and each household. We recall its best that cannot be admissionbythePPPandthe looking for relief from any that when Professor Clive sustained. government that their quarter WPAfeels that these Thomas first floated the idea While the cash-transfer opponents have generally short-term relief measures in August 2018, Vice should be welcomed by beencorrectonwhatneedsto will in the final analysis do President Jagdeo said it was Guyanese, especially the be done to translate our very little to bring about “technically unsound” and poor and working poor, recent economic growth into sustainable change in the couldnotbeevenconsidered Guyanese should not be meaningful development economic fortunes of before 2030, “if ever ” fooled. The government has Third, the speech is also an workers, families and the Attorney General Nandlall embraced the form of the admission that the measures poor In this regard, WPA said if implemented, cash WPA’s proposal but rejects which he boasted the PPP feels that Guyana urgently transfers would “destroy its essence. It is at best a
G o v e r n m e n t h a s needs a sustained socio- families” and turn Guyanese haphazard undertaking that implemented to increase economic development plan into “parasites.” That the is potentially burdened with disposable income to the rather than mere temporary government has now opportunities for corruption. Guyanese people have either measures as outlined by the embraced the idea, albeit in First, the president gave no been woefully inadequate or president. an unstructured, haphazard indication how the have failed to achieve the N o w h e r e i n t h e manner,isanadmissionofits governmentarrivedatthe statedoutcomes. president’s address, for own lack of economic (Continued on page 5)
FITUG welcomes
interventions to address the cost-of-living and workers’ welfare
DEAREDITOR, development. In our view, example FITUG will all university graduates find
it’s clear that the President address this matter further employment and make IndependentTradeUnionsof and his Government are shortly Similarly, halving meaningful contributions to Guyana(FITUG),thelargest committed to improving the electricity rates by the end of our nation while improving representative body of lives of our nation and its next year represents a their lives and those of their organised labour in Guyana, people. massivegainforourworking f a m i l i e s We a l s o paid keen attention to His During his address, people. acknowledge the injections Excellency President Dr PresidentAliemphasisedthe We were delighted to into the National Insurance Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s Government’s commitment hear about the child tax Scheme (NIS) to address address at the National to uplifting the people and benefit. The Federation has pensioners’challenges. Assembly on October 10, supporting those in need. consistently supported this The President’s speech 2024. We recognised and The announcement of a one- initiative and embraces it e n c o m p a s s e d m a n y applauded the President’s time $200,000 cash grant to wholeheartedly It increases initiatives and measures, comprehensive presentation, every household brings hope the disposable income of our outlining a promising future which touched on several during these challenging hardworking families. We for our nation We are areasofnationallife. times. also appreciate the encouraged by the strategic
The President reminded We look forward to the introduction of child health planning that has eluded us us of our people’s hardships efficient distribution of care benefits, ensuring the forsolong. during the previous resources to all deserving well-being and strength of Undeniably, we have administration’s policies. He recipients. The intention to our nation’s future achieved remarkabl
highlighted the measures his raise the public sector generations. A healthy and progress over the years, and Government has taken to minimum wage to $100,000 happy population is crucial President Ali’s speech reverse those policies and per month by the end of next for Guyana’s continued indicates even more lead our country towards a year is commendable, and progress. significant momentum as we brighter future. PresidentAli w e e n c o u r a g e t h e Thedecisiontoeliminate work towards fulfilling our expressed his hope for a Government to consider tuitionfeesforstudentsatthe citizens’ shared dreams and more optimistic and implementingthissoonerfor University of Guyana is a aspirations. confident nation, and he the benefit of our state significant step towards Sincerely, e m p h a s i s e d h i s employees. providing free public The Federation of Government’s plans to bring We also call upon the educationto our citizens.We Independent Trade Unions greater prosperity and private sector to follow this commend the efforts to help of Guyana
Instead of the ad hoc handouts, we need a proper system to tackle the social problems that are prevalent
DEAREDITOR, remaining in the pockets of minibusandtaxidrivers,etc.
billion dollars. The same with children,” the president Chandarpaul and there were Since the PPP took over the Guyanese people. Now Thequestionis,hastheprice question arises did the 40% explained However, here numerous people coming to the government, we are told maybe, just maybe the for goods reduced? No. it is inpovertybenefitfromthese again if by the end of next the office every day for thatthegovernmenthasputa government feels these are still moving upwards. Have measures. year, Government workers assistance. Sometimes both number of measures in place very good measures and, on
s Not much Now if would not earn less than of us would put our hands in andhasremovedanumberof the surface, it sounds good reduced? No! So, maybe governmentweretoputback $100,000 and the reality is our own pocket to help taxes imposed by the last andgenerous.However,let’s someone can explain how these measures in place and they earn less in the private people. regime which in my opinion examine this in light of the the 40% in poverty benefit remove others it means that sector, this allowance would So, I put forward a callously imposed taxes on factthatwehaveover40%of from this measure. Did the the government would have not improve their economic proposal and lobbied for a data, health care, education, our people in poverty, to see pensioners who received a retained/obtained $200B I standing. difficult circumstance fund water and electricity in who actually benefits from measly $3,000 increase suggesttheydojustthat,then We are giving and I say tobeestablished.ItwasandI addition to applying VAT to thesemeasures. benefit? take this amount and give it we because it is our money, ran this programme We certainbasicfooditems. Re excise tax on A c c o r d i n g t o to the 264,000 households $40,000 to every child in helped people in various
We are informed by the gasoline, well I benefit and government spoke persons, and if my math is correct school what about those ways A
President that the removal of those others who own motor these measures would have each household would whose parents cannot afford funerals, grants to do small excise tax on fuel has vehicles, businesses, returned into the pockets of receive over $700,000. Well to send their children to business or groceries I resulted in $90B dollars contractors, manufacturers, Guyanese over 200,000 maybe they can keep a few school.Howdoesthisfitinto would not give money but a and at least give each no child left behind? It is my letter to one of the stores to household$600,000ayear opinion that instead of the ad delive
WPA brands President’s...
From page 4 and staff to, in the first capacity of the government. dollaramount.Second,itisa instance, bring them on par Webelievethatallcategories one-off payment rather than with regional universities. oflabourshouldbetreatedas a structured sustainable The infrastructural upgrade “essential” and “productive” initiative with a stated of the campus must be
outcome.Third,itisnotclear central to the plan to make it accordingly whatdistributivemechanism a welcoming environment The other measures would be used to ensure that for faculty, staff and development of airport all the citizens benefit from students. There should be i
a n d it. Fourth, the government investment in a new, modern transformation of the Zoo has not been forthcoming on librarytoenablestudentsand and Botanical Garden; i t s d e f i n i t i o n o f faculty to access up-to-date biodiversity international “households.” publications and other center; new digital school; WPA feels that a viable research materials. Finally, depreciation for poultry cash-transfer policy must be UG should become a hub for farmers; film production; linkedto povertyalleviation. Research and Development, drone and geographic It must also benefit from a particularly in areas such as information system feasibilitystudytodetermine renewable energy and department for the Guyana its scope and design. It must relatedfields. Defence Force; and aerial be grounded in law so that it The proposal to raise the firefighting must be is shielded from the whims minimum wage to $100,000 balanced with adequately and fancies of the political is laughable, even as an sustained social protection e x e c u t i v e I t m u s t election gimmick. Livable provisionsfortheirsuccess. specifically be a percentage wages are not a priority for Sincerely, of oil and gas revenues. the government It is Wo r k i n g P e o p l e ’s Finally, it must be an bordering on social abuse to Alliance ongoing government tout $100,000 as an advance programme rather than a in a country with Guyana’s one-off government payout growth rate. WPA believes subject to partisan that wages and salaries manipulation WPA will should be linked to the costhave more to say on this of-living and the financial matterinthecomingweeks. WPA welcomes the restoration of tuition-free attendance at the University ofGuyana.Butthisinitiative must be situated within a larger upgrade of the university In the era of oil and gas, UG must become a ResearchOneinstitutionthat feeds into the needs and demandsofaPetro-State. This should include salary increases for faculty
x amount of
The President also stated hoc handouts which have groceries. We also helped that tax allowance would be attracted cries of serious people with prosthesis to given to support families. corruption, we need a proper improve their mobility This According to Kaieteur News system to tackle the social was my baby and it is still report, the government will problemsthatareprevalent. operating in the Ministry of introduce a new income tax I am advocating the Labour Individuals who see deduction allowing parents establishment of a national me would say, “Bisessar, I to claim an additional professional welfare wish you were still there”. $10,000 per month for each administration staffed by Thousandswereassisted. child, effective next year professionals to direct Rajendra Bisessar “This will increase the tax- assistance to our people. I Presidential Candidate free threshold for families was advisor to Minister United Democratic Front
Belle Vue contract defies logic
DEAREDITOR, princely contract sum, and purseshouldnotbecaughtin Wordscomeeasywhenit theweakexplanationoffered suchadilemma. comes to the Belle Vue thatthe‘projectisstillwithin The will, it seems, is not contract and shows the contractual period’ does there to take decisive and everythingthatiswrongwith little to reassure or bring firm action on this contract, it and the process which comforttotaxpayers. for all the talks and threats. awarded it and still keeps it The project from all Thisonedefieslogic. going. indications is mired in Regards,
As is being reported, controversy The public Shamshun Mohamed several months after the award, it was found no substantial work has been donedespitetheadvanceofa
US$10,000 scholarship up for grabs in Guyana Energy Conference essay competition
Th e G u y a n a investments necessary to 2025. Students interested in E n e r g y protect Guyana from the participating must submit
Conference and impacts of climate change. theiressaysbyDecember31, Supply Chain Expo has For the more senior students 2024. Each submission must officially launched its in Grades 11, 12 and 13 – be the original work of the inaugural national essay [CSEC & CAPE students] student and must address the competition, offering (Category3),topicsfocuson assigned topic without exciting opportunities for deeper exploration of energy strayingintounrelatedareas. secondary school students development, including the Additionally, the across the country to explore involvement of local competition organizers have key issues related to the communities in energy
energy sector and its impact projects, the economic
onGuyana’sfuture. transformation driven by oil originality, stating that any The competition is discoveries, and the future entry found to have been dividedintothreecategories, role of young people in writtenwiththeassistanceof each tailored to different shaping Guyana’s energy artificial intelligence tools educational levels. Students landscape. willbedisqualified. in Grades 7 and 8 (Category The competition offers For essays in Category 1) are invited to write on attractive prizes. First-place One, the word count should topics such as how they winnersineachcategorywill be between 600 to 700 would manage Guyana’s oil receive US$1,000, while words; for Category Two, revenues for a sustainable second and third-place 800 to 1,000 words; and for future, the role of youth in winnerswillreceiveUS$500 Category Three, 1,000 to building a better Guyana, andaniPad,andUS$250and 1,200 words. Type-written and what makes the country a c e l l u l a r p h o n e , submissions can be sent to anidealtourismdestination. respectively Notably,thetop conference@guyanenergy g Meanwhile, students in prize for Category 3 also y Grades9and10(Category2) includes a US$10,000 The subject of the email will address topics like the scholarship. should be titled ‘Energy importance of community All prizes will be Essay’ OR submit your engagement in energy awarded during the opening hand-written essay to Lot 97 projects, how oil wealth can day of the Guyana Energy C
b e u s e d t o f o s t e r Conference and Supply PrashadNagar,Georgetown, s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, a n d Chain Expo on February 18, Guyana.
Biker hospitalised after collision with car
A m a n i s n o w According to police, driver road's surface sustaining hospitalised after he was of motorcar PAF 5564 injuriesabouthisbody involved in an incident that Aubrey Duke was headed He was in a semiresulted in a collision with westfromhisplaceofabode consciousstatewhenhewas hismotorcycleandacar into Farmer's Field Sophia picked up and rushed to the This accident occurred whenheendedupinthepath GeorgetownPublicHospital on Sunday at Farmer's Field ofthemotorcyclewhichwas and was admitted as a Access Road Sophia, headed north along the patient His condition is Greater Georgetown. The western drive lane of the currentlylistedas stableand injured man has been same access road This the driver is in police identified as Bobby Boyer resulted in a collision which custodyastheinvestigations of Plum Park Sophia causedBoyertofallontothe continue.
PPP/C destroyed the East Demerara sugar estates
DEAREDITOR,
Enmore administrative period, the Corporation was We have read repeatedly office and Field Workshop unable to recruit new that the sugar industry was were closed leading to the workers and employees also d a m a g e d b y t h e termination of the clerical continued to leave the APNU+AFC Coalition staff and artisans from industry At the end of 2015, administration which threw E n m o r e w h i c h w a s there were only 15,080 many workers onto the approximately200persons. employeesatsevenestates. breadline. If anything, the 2010 The Diamond Mr Editor, with PPPC administration should estate took 4,000 hectares GUYSUCO’s inability to beblamedforthedestruction out of cane cultivation and recruitorretainemployees,a of the East Coast Demerara the employees transferred to considerable amount of sugar industry during the LBI GAWU challenged money was invested in the chaotic1992-2015period. GUYSUCO transfer in court mechanization of the field Mr Editor,forthebenefit which ruled against the operations to accommodate of your readers, I provide the Corporation and 500 mechanized harvesting in factual timeline of the employees were paid particul
s PPP/C’s mismanagement of severanceinJune2011. particularly so at Enmore the industry: 1992. There 2011. The LBI factory and the expansion lands at were 20,420 employees in was closed and the majority Skeldon. the sugar industry and eight of the employees transferred It should be evident that estates were in operation. to the Enmore factory while thepresentlowlevelofsugar 1 9 9 8 T h e some were severed The production and the drastic Enmore/LBI/Diamond canes previously processed reduction of the workforce estates cultivations and at LBI were transported to were the result of over two o p e r a t i o n s w e r e the Enmore factory for d e c a d e s o f P P P / C amalgamated into East processing.
Demerara estates and the 1992-2015. GUYSUCO mismanagement. administrative office was removed 5,340 employees Respectfully, centralized at LBI The from the payroll. During this Frank S. Grant
‘No legal bars in President appointing Hicken’- Nandlall
Attorney General, Anil Nandlallsaidthatthereisno legal impediment to Clifton Hicken being appointed s u b s t a n t i v e l y a s Commissioner of Police although he has reached the ageofretirement.
In an 11-point statement to the media on Monday, Nandlall referenced clauses from the constitution of Guyana to support his s t a n c e T h e A G acknowledged that the question has arisen in the public domain and therefore hefelttheneedtoaddressit. However, last week Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo saidhehadinstructedtheAG to look into public concerns as to whether Hicken who haspassedageofretirement couldstillbeappointedtothe substantivepost.
Going back to when the Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton brought a legal challenge against appointing Hicken to act as the commissioner, he noted that the allegation that
PresidentAlididnotcomply with the Constitution of Guyana was dismissed, because the Chief Justice confirmed that the president acted lawfully The AG pointed out that, Article 211(3) of the Constitution p r o v i d e s t h a t t h e Commissioner of Police shall vacate office when he attains such age as may be prescribedbyParliament.He said Parliament has so
prescribedintheconstitution (Prescribed Matters) Act, Cap.27:12.Section2ofthis act provides that the retirement age of the Commissioner of Police is 55years. He argued that, “Section 2(b)authorisesthePresident to permit the Commissioner of Police to continue in Office but not beyond age 60.The relevant parts of the s e c t i o n r e a d s :
Police Service Commission maypermitaCommissioner of Police who attained the ageiffifty-fivetocontinuein office until he has attained suchlateragenotexceeding 60 years, as may before the Commissionerhasattained.”
“The Commissioner of Policeshallvacatehisoffice on attaining the age of fiftyfive: provided that (b) the President, acting on the recommendation of the
Nandlallhighlightedthat itwasaletterfromthePolice Service Commission dated July 21st 2023 that influenced the extension granted to Hicken who turned55onJuly22nd2023 andsincehisappointmentto actas Commissioner, hehas been “the Officer-in-charge of superintending and commanding the Guyana Police Force This indubitable state of affairs a l i g n s w i t h t h e Constitutional definition of Commissioner of Police:
“theofficer,howeverstyled, commanding the Police Force”[asperArticle232].” Furthermore, “Article 211 (2) of the Constitution states “ any person appointedtoactintheoffice of Commissioner of Police shall…continuetoactuntila personhasbeenappointedto that office and has assumed thefunctionsthereof…”
Nandlall stressed that in respectofhavingregardsfor therelevantprovisionsofthe Constitution and the Constitutions (Prescribed Matters) Act as well as the “ r e l e v a n t f a c t u a l configuration under review, wherein lies the prohibition against the President appointing Mr Hicken (substantively)tothepostof (Continuedonpage16)
With the first ever secondary school at Jawalla Village, Region Seven set to cost $231 million, the students' dormitory that is expected to complement the school will be built for $310 million.
This is according to information provided by the National Procurement and TenderAdministrationBoard (NPTAB) which revealed that on October 09, Sheriff Construction Inc was awarded the $310,174,450 contract to construct the dormitoryThis publication
understands that the dormitory will be accommodating children from neighbouring villages who are set to attend the secondary school in Jawalla whenitiscompleted.
Kaieteur News reported that back in June, the MinistryofEducationturned the sod for the construction of the Jawalla Secondary
School which is set to cater forupto250students.
Accordingtotheministry at the time, the school building will be constructed by Sheriff Construction Inc. who was given a period of eightmonthstocompletethe project.It was reported that the school, when completed, will be equipped with facilities including Chemistry,Biology,Physics, and Information Technology laboratories, Technical and Vocational Education and T r a i n i n g ( T V E T )
laboratories, a Home Economics room, library space, teachers' quarters, spacious classrooms and a smalldormitoryjusttoname a few.Plans to have a s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l
constructed in the community of Jawalla were madelastyearwhenMinister of Education, Priya Manickchand and other senior officers within the
ministry v
he communityinMarch2023to determine the ideal location fortheschool. It was reported that the secondary school will be the second of its kind in the UpperMazaruniDistrictand will help to ease the overcrowding at the DC Caesar Fox Secondary School in Waramadong. The ministry stated that this school will provide students in other communities, includingQuebanang,Kako, Imbaimadai, Kambaru, Ominike, Abbou, and Eladupai, with the opportunity to receive a soundsecondaryeducation. This publication understands that these students are currently either not receiving a secondary education or are being educated in primary tops which is a secondary department in a primary school.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken
The alternative is worse than the original
The government has gaze of a public that is wherekinshipandfamilyare everyturn. truth, it does little to resolve sought to ease the burden of already suspicious of the more than abstract notions. The temptation to pursue the fundamental issue of rising costs with a gesture it integrityofsuchefforts. The alternative proposal shortcuts is a perennial one. fairness. presumes generous: a cash Yet even if we were to risks becoming a cold
But when it comes to public Tochaseafteritwouldbe grant to every household. imagine, generously, that the exercise in numbers, policy, the easy solution is to trade one set of
Yet, as is the fashion with all database could be scrubbed detachedfromthewarmthof rarely the best. It is more imperfections for another, gestures that draw from the clean of its spectral entries, everyday living where what often a sugar rush—a quick while leaving the underlying publicpurse,ithasinspireda the issue of equity remains. matters most is not just how satisfaction followed by a problem unsolved. Better to endsindisorder d e b a t e i n f a c t a In the fervor to revise, much,buthowfairlythehelp longreckoning. stay the course, even if it (The views expressed in counterproposal a proposal: advocates of the alternative isapportioned. The suggestion to shift means enduring some this article are those of the rather than dispensing this grant have lost sight of the
Those who rally for a fromhouseholdtoindividual discontent and delay along a u t
windfall to households, it fundamental disparities that resident-adult cash grant grants might appeal to those the way, than to set off down necessarily reflect the should be distributed to would result. Consider the insist that it is a quicker, impatient for reform, but in a path that promises ease but opinions of this newspaper.) everyresidentadult. practical arithmetic of their more direct route to
The debate, as debates proposal: a grant of, say, assistance. In their haste, often do, has come down to $100,000 to every resident they overlook the slow work the core of arithmetic versus adult. For a household with of building a credible equity And it is clear that five adults, this becomes a database one that could while the suggestion might half-million dollars a serve as the bedrock of a fair seemneatonpaper,itsuffers comfortable cushion, if not a and orderly distribution for initsreckoningwithreality windfall. bothnowandthefuture.
Let us first consider the Yet down the street, a Certainly, such a matter of databases, which single-parent household databaseisnosmalltask;itis underpin any sensible with one adult and five the work that will take years distribution. Those in favour children would receive only and involve continuous of a grant to every resident $100,000. Here lies the true refinement. Yet this slow, adult have not been shy inequity of the alternative meticulous effort is worth aboutofferingasolution:use proposal: it does not account more than a hasty policy the database from the for the different needs of change.
G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s different homes. It presumes No one denies that the Commission (GECOM). It that the burdens carried by a presentmethodofhousehold is, after all, a database that household of one are cash grants will be plagued claims to be inclusive of comparable to those borne with administrative hiccups. thosewhoresideinthisland, byafamilyofsix. But the solution is not to recording names and The original household abandon the concept of numbers with bureaucratic cash grant scheme, while far households altogether in diligence. But those who from perfect, at least favour of a system that is, in point to this database as a acknowledges that a some ways, even more means of achieving fair household is a unit of mutual flawed. Rather, it is to do the distribution must contend dependency It attempts, unglamorous work of with an inconvenient truth: albeit imperfectly, to direct improving the existing this is the very database that aidtowhereitmightbemost framework of ensuring the Opposition has accused needed, recognizing that that the mechanics of the of being padded—swollen children, the elderly, and the grant process are handled with the names of those who unemployed all have stakes with care, and that the data have long since departed, in the household’s fortune. on which it is based are as either to another country or To shift to a system based accurateaspossible.Thetrue to the grave. Should a purely on the individual promise lies not in governmentleanuponsucha without regard for context is reinventing the wheel but in faulty ledger, it risks both to forget that no person is an ensuring that the wheel we misallocationandthecynical island—least of all in a place have does not wobble at
Dem Boys Seh...
But dem boys nah understand, since Dem boys seh he spreading he-self too whendeZooneedaVicePresidentfuhplant thin, like margarine on stale bread. Maybe flowers and feed de peacocks? Last time we he want to be known as de man who bring check, de Botanic Gardens and de Zoo fall back de lions. But dem boys got a feeling he under de National Parks Commission. And needfuhpickalaneandsticktoit.Afterall,a both fall also under de Protected Areas VeePeecan’tbealldemthingsatonetime! Commission. So how come Vee Pee gan Talk half! Leff half! We might soon have
Dem boys seh de Vee Pee might soon head project to enhance de Zoo and the become de new zookeeper Like he nah Gardens? satisfied being de big boss in politics, so he Is like de Prezzy forget who responsible decide fuh tek over de animals too. Dem fuh these places, or maybe he just handing boys want to know wha really going on. out extra assignments like Christmas gift. HowcomeawholeVeePeegottimefuhdeal But dem boys seh it nah add up. De tram car withthelionsandmonkeyswhenhealready plan, de new animals, all dem fancy ideas busy with oil and gas and talking to Vee Pee talking about, got fuh pass through Ministerstomeksuredembehaving? derightpeople.Isnatlikehecanjustwavea HeevenclaimheaskAneelfuhgocheck magic wand and turn de Zoo into a next if a decision de President mek was Disneyland. But dem boys want fuh remind constitutional about de Commissioner of hethatdeNationalParksCommissiongotto Police. But who give he dat kind authority? agree, and de Protected Areas Commission Dem boys seh he trying fuh do everything, tooandisdeminchargenothe. evendethingsthatnobodyaskhefuhdo. Dem boys seh something nah meshing. Now, he talking ‘bout fixing up de Zoo HowVeePeesuddenlygottimefuhtakecare and Botanic Gardens like he is de new of zoo and gardens when he supposed to be zookeeperandcurator handlingbigmatterslikeoilandgas?
H@RD TRUTHS
Capital markets – the essence
Managing Direction of theJamaicaStockExchange (JSE), Dr Marlene Street Forrest certainly wowed
Guyanese with her presentationontheelements of a functioning Capital Markets So, too, did ChairmanoftheJSE,Steven Whittingham The gathering arranged by Guyana's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) pulled out the stops andattractedthepresenceof a noted American investment bank, Jefferies P r i v a t e W e a l t h Management. As big guns go, the GCCI must be commended for bringing such a galaxy of fine, upstanding folks to these shores. Theyhadalottosay about Capital Markets, of which so much more needs tobeknownhere.
I nodded in appreciation o n r e a d i n g a b o u t transparency,accountability, and investor education from Dr Street Forrest (KN, October 10, 2024). It was well said and well received. Chairman Wittingham was pointed in saying that “successful economies are not built solely on natural resources. They are built by successful companies and
successful companies need capital Guyana is at a crossroads. It's a land of opportunity, but you must tread carefully.” A wide brimmedStetsonisdoffedto the chairman. Meanwhile, CEO of NCB Capital Markets Ltd, Angus Young weighedinwith,“Thebroker dealer will also bring fresh capital from the region into Guyana as investors seek to participate in the fastest growing economy in the world.”
Hecontinued: “Guyana is at the defining moment in its history.” Thanks to all visitors and contributors for their all-around sober, but also rousing, remarks Guyana is the place to be in these the early days of a sustained capital markets development push. Here is where it could, should, happen. Must happen, and everyone said the right things. Capital markets, which are about raising funds for corporations getting off the ground, expanding, developing quicker. Equity markets. Debtmarkets.
And, if I may be permitted, the derivative marketsthatcanbeskillfully utilized by the sophisticated
to bolster the strategies and visions of company execs and planners. A word of caution is timely: only the sophisticated and the prudently bold in the derivative markets, which cangofromboontobombin less than an instant. But therewassomethingmissing from the presentations, whichcouldbethecallofthe media in not highlighting. Or because it was not emphasizedasitshouldhave been. In fact, there are two essences, two imperatives that ought to have been woven into contributions thatstruckrichchords.
Thefirstistrust. Trustis priceless. Capital markets live and die, flourish or perish, on that intangible called trust. When trust is lost,thebestcapitalmarkets seize up, grind to a halt. Revisit the US of 2008, which stands as a more recent example of the incineration of trust, when regulators failed at their duty, and insatiable greed wasallowedtorunamok. As much as it is detested, the negativemustbeinterjected, ifonlyforthewarningvalue. As most Guyanese who are honest will admit, trust is a scarce to nonexistent
commodity in this country Political trust. Corporate trust. Social trust. Civic trust. Citizen trust. Are thesenotsomeofthecrucial components that would be key presences in the local environment, which should form the bedrock of any viable capital markets? On everyoccasion,Isay'yes.'
Another attendee at the GCCI event, Mr Gregory Fisher of US-based Jefferies
P r i v a t e W e a l t h Management, should have plenty to lay on the table about the sacred nature of trust for any capital markets to prosper beyond the initial euphoria. Hewouldbemore equippedthanmosttoinstill into Guyanese that trust in anyGuyanaCapitalMarkets
would lead to the strengtheningandsustaining of investor trust. For the investor confidence that's so paramount, as some leading political heavyweights have
soundedoffon,butof which they haven't the faintest clue what that represents through and through Dr Street
education,butinvestortrust, though a byproduct of investoreducation,stilltakes precedence. Meaning that from the regulator to the r
they individuals or companies or groups,allmustoperateona level playing field, and with all the other comforting thingsofwhichshespokeso well It was Chairman Whittingham who spoke intelligently of the role of natural resources and its proper place Still, the highest place is reserved for thehumanelementthatfuels and could drive vibrant and credible capital markets in Guyana. When that trusted human element occupies untainted grounds, then
Guyana's capital markets, with that trusted people presence and their contributions, could takeoff. If trust is as skimpy and shadowyasisnowthenorm in this country, then all that the great Guyana natural resource underpinnings would do is provide a platform that showcases the lengthy scaly underbelly of this society. Considerable challenges stand ahead in buildingamodicumoftrust. Key drivers would be sustained, honest efforts from credible participants. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)
‘Surge in remand prisoners poses challenge to rehabilitation efforts’
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, Director General of the ministry, Madanlall ministry Ramraj, and Chief Scientist at GRDB, Mahendra Persaud inspecting the rice that was harvested
t h e G u y a n a R i c e Development Board (GRDB) The new variety was launched at a rice field in Nooten Zuil, East Coast Demerara, where a trial was conductedbyA.Sabastian,a farmerthatowns4.5acresof land.At the launch, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar
Mustapha, stated that this new variety reflects the government's commitment to keeping agriculture at the forefront of modernisation and sustainability through innovationandtechnology
“This variety is very tolerant to water lodging wh
ch is cruc
for maintaining high-quality harvest…Additionally,ithas developed superior grain
quality,ensuringthatwecan compete effectively in both the local and international markets,” the minister stated.
MinisterMustaphanoted that within four years, the boardhasmanagedtolaunch tworicevarieties.GRDB16 was introduced into the market in 2020 The minister challenged the (Continuedonpage16)
Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Lusignan Prison Deoraj Gyandathashighlightedthat the large number of remand prisoners at the facility has been a major challenge to their rehabilitation programme.
During a Guyana Prison Service (GPS) broadcast on t h e N a t i o n a l Communications Network (NCN) titled "Prison in Focus," Gyandat explained that the prison service primarily concentrates on convicted prisoners, as their sentences allow for tailored rehabilitation programmes. This structured approach enables the service to e ff e c t i v e l y f r a m e rehabilitation efforts in accordance with each prisoner'ssentence.
However, he further explained, “… so the larger portionsofremandprisoners sometimes, who maybe will bereleasedonbailandsoon, on many occasions, you (Prison Service) don't really get to capture them in your rehabilitationprogrammes.”
“So it's better for us (Prison Service) to get the prisoners who are doing a sentence, you know their time,theyhaveacertaintime andwecanplanaccordingto their sentence,” Gyandat
– Lusignan Prison OIC
said.
Meanwhile,inrelationto training of officers in the area of mental health, the OIC said that ranks from various prison locations are currentlyundergoingstudies in that particular field at the University of Guyana (UG).
“…In the area of mental health because we have recognised how important it is because all the locations have their own issues with
Gya
highlighted.
n
Furthermore, Gyandat
g developmental projects at Lusignan Prison have created a more comfortable environment for inmates, given the expanded space and new infrastructures being constructed at the facility
He recalled that about a year and a half ago, a c
Lusignan Prison was faced w i
h e accommodation of inmates; however, presently inmates are housed in a proper condition.
buildmorestructures,sothat we can have more space to accommodate, not necessarily more prisoners but to have them more c o m f o r t a b l y accommodated,” the OIC saidduringthebroadcast. Hecontinued,“Themore a prisoner is comfortable, the more he can be rehabilitated, because if you have to cope with that stressofnothavingtosleep properly and then in the morningthatstressingwith you all day, you can't focus in a classroom, you cannot focus on what is being taught.”
DDL Savannah Milk enters Barbados market
Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has announced the successful entry of its Savannah milk products into the Barbados market.
Savannah milk products are producedbytheTOPCOPlant,the company said in a press release. The entry of Savannah milk to Barbados is a result of concerted effortsbyDDL,theGuyanaOffice for Investment, and the Barbados Special Envoy to Guyana and Suriname, Althea Wiggins, and
comes at a time when there is a shortage of milk in the Barbados Market.
Speaking in Guyana after the announcement at a Media Conference in Barbados, DDL Chairman, Komal Samaroo, said that“asDDLcontinuestodiversify its portfolio of products, the company remains focused on the commitment of Heads of Government of CARICOM to work together towards food security in the region, and the ambitious but necessary reduction
and Suriname Althea Wiggins and Director of Commerce Bertram Johns
intheregionalfoodimportationbill by25%bytheyear2025.Assuch, we are very satisfied that we are able to begin our supply of milk productstoBarbadosatthiscritical time.”
The Chairman added that “the authorities in Barbados and the regimesthatareinplacemadeitas easy as it should be for a CARICOM company to enter and operate in that market. As we continue to seek to supply other CARICOM markets, we hope that Barbadoswouldserveasamodel.”
At the media conference in Barbados last week to launch the Savannah milk products, Wiggins, theSpecialEnvoysaid,“Intermsof a separate bilateral arrangement that was signed with Guyana, we are now introducing Savannah milk, imported from Demerara DistillerstoBarbadosthroughlocal distributorGradyMarketing.”
Speaking at the same briefing, Managing Director of Grady Marketing, Roger Bannister, said that “the entire first shipment has been sold to supermarkets across the island, a testament to the demand for high-quality milk amongBarbadians.”
Chief Investment Officer, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, commenting on the new market for Guyana's milk said,"Weareproudtobepartofthis partnership, which demonstrates the value of working together as a region to support each other's economies."
Dr. Ramsaroop added, "This initiative not only brings a highquality product to the Barbadian market but also strengthens ties between Guyana and Barbados, a relationship that has been significantly enhanced through the St.BarnabasAccord."
The St Barnabas Accord, signed by President Dr IrfaanAli, President of Guyana, and Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, has been instrumental in d
relationshipbetweenGuyanaand Barbados, fostering greater economic cooperation, and facilitating initiatives like this one thatbenefitsbothcountries.
This agreement has paved the way for increased trade of goods andservices,ensuringthatessential commodities such as milk can be readily available to the Barbadian market.
FAO holds training workshop for workers of the
Seabob Value Chain
Last week, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), conducted a two-day "Training of Trainers" workshop forworkersintheseabobsector
The workshop aimed to increase awareness on emerging local and international market requirementsrelatedtoqualityand safety of seabob products, from harvesting through to preparation. Inapressrelease,FAOsaidSeabob (Xiphopenaeuskroyeri), a shrimp speciesharvestedfromtheAtlantic Ocean, is one of Guyana's key exports,withthecountrybeingone oftheworld'sleadingexporters.
This is the first in a series of planned trainings in this crucial area. The first cohort of about
fifteen participants, included personnel from the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture, and Pritipaul Singh Investment(PSI),aleadingprivate sector processing firm. Dr Gillian Smith, FAO Representative, noted that this mix of public and private sector participants is important to ensure that stakeholders across the value chain have the right information to increase the opportunitiesforreachingnewand dem
participation in the workshop also marks a step toward a long-term commitment to improving food handling and safety in seabob production.
Key focus areas of the workshop included a deeper understanding of food safety principles, hazard analysis and
critical control points (HACCP), the importance of food safety standards for enhancing market access as well as strategies to further reduce waste and minimize publichealthrisks.
Trainers from CRFM commented that, before the end of this year, more training will be
and
FISH4ACP project will also assist stakeholders in developing and implementing a comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Strategy for the seabob valuechain.Thiswillhelptodrivea
strategy to enhance safety across the industry, further reducing the riskofinjuryandillnesstoworkers and fisherfolk along the seabob value chain. These initiatives are part of the FISH4ACPProgramme whichisimplementedbyFAOand the seabob industry, with funding fromtheEuropeanUnion(EU).
Students in Barbados sampling Savannah milk in a supermarket
Guyana Consul General Geneva Tyndall, Go Invest Officer Gavin Bovell, Managing Director off Grady Marketing Roger Bannister, Special Envoy to Guyana
Seabob food safety training (4) Oct 2024
Local consultants handed GYD$312M contract to audit Exxon's 2021, 2022 & 2023 expenses
T h e N a t i o n a l Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office revealed that local consultants VHE Consulting (which is a registered partnership between Ramdihal & Haynes Inc; Eclisar Financial; and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc.) have been awarded the contracttoconductthethird audit of ExxonMobil's expensesfortheperiod2021 to2023.
According to details recently released on NPTAB's website, VHE Consultingwasawardedthe project on October 10, 2024 forthecostof$312,642,834. The audit services is a project being undertaken by the Ministry of Natural Resources who had issued a tender earlier in the year for 'Consulting Services for Cost Recovery Audit and Validation of the Government of Guyana's Profit Oil share for the Period2021to2023'.
The project was initially opened back in March and VHE was among Grant Thorton UK LLP and PKF Barcellos Narine & Company;andM.Sukhai& Company (local) in joint venture with Info Works Solutions Ltd who had submittedbids.
According to the ministry's tender document, the Terms of Reference (ToRs) said the successful consultant is required to conductapre-auditanalysis; deviseaneffectiveauditplan inclusive of an appropriate methodology; execute the audit in adherence to the provisions of the Stabroek BlockPetroleumAgreement and applicable local laws, regulations and procedures
aswellasinternationalgood practicesandstandards.
The scope of works also includes conducting verificationsofthecrudeoil valuation pursuant to the provisions of the petroleum agreement for the audit period as well as verifying royalties remitted to the government for the said period.
Additionally, the selected consultant will also be required to validate the accuracy of the total government share of petroleum for the period under review, and assessing the impact of the audit on future profit oil revenues. This project marks the third such audit the Guyana Government has embarked on.
The first audit was done byaBritishfirm,IHSMarkit for the period 1999 to 2017.
That audit examined expensestotallingUS$1.7B. Auditors had recommended US$214M be contested by the State and while the government has accepted this recommendation, there hasbeennomovetothenext steptoreclaimthecost.
Only last week, the oil giant while not budging on theirpositionwithregardsto theUS$214Mdisputedcosts wants the dispute to be settledoutsideofarbitration. This was disclosed by the company's Country Manager,AlistairRoutledge on Wednesday at a press conference at their Duke Street head office in Kingston Georgetown Routledge was asked by a reporter, “Could you say if ExxonMobil is proceeding to arbitration over the disputedUS$214.4Mincost oil from the IHS Markit audit?” Explaining that the
Flashback! Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, handing over the contract to VHE Consulting auditors to conduct the second audit in the presence of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Joslyn McKenzie (DPIphoto)
company is continuing to workontheauditsandthere are ongoing discussions between them and the Guyana Revenue Authority to facilitate the exchange of information he said that while they didn't have “any specific news to say, I don't haveanyintenttocallonan arbitration, I don't think that that's the right way to get to resolution but at the end of the day it's laid out in the petroleum agreement, the mannerinwhichtoapproach this.Ultimately,thenextstep would be to involve an independentexpertandifwe can't resolve that way, there is the provision for arbitration, but arbitration is generally a last resort and quiteexpensiveprocess.”
At a recent press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo told the media that the Government ofGuyana(GoG)willnotbe engaging in any settlement with ExxonMobil over the US$214M in questionable
Man dies after crash at La Grange
A pedal cyclist has succumbed to his injuriesafterhecollidedwithacarontheLa Grange Public Road on the West Bank of DemeraraonSunday
DeadisShamanAlly Policesaidthatthe accident occurred around 14:45hrs on Sunday
Involved in the accident were motorcar #PMM 9424, driven at the time by 34-yearold Kelvin Hodge and pedal cyclist Shaman Ally (now deceased). Police said that their investigationuptothepointofthestatement indicatesthat,Allywasridingsouthalongthe easternsideoftheroadandwasnotholding ontothehandlebarsofthebicycle. He lost control of the cycle and swerved tothewest,whichresultedwithhimcolliding
Thecollisionresultedinhimfallingonto theroad'ssurfaceandhereceivedinjuriesto hisheadandotherpartsofhisbody Theman was picked up in a semi-conscious state by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), placed into an ambulance and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was examined by a doctor on duty He later succumbed to the injuries sustained around 17:30hrs.Theman'sremainsarelyingatthe Ezekiel Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination, while the driver was placed in custody and is assisting with the investigations.
costs flagged by British auditor, IHS-Markit. Jagdeo wasaskedbythisnewspaper whether government has considered settling the
dispute with the oil giant given how tedious the processhasbeenandthefact thatGuyanawillberequired tocoverthecostsofExxon's legaldefence. To this end, Jagdeo informed that the GoG has beenguidedby (Continuedonpage16)
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‘No legal bars in President appointing Hicken’...
From page 8 Commissioner of Police? I conceive none.” Additionally, “To the contrary, the conjoint effect of the relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Constitutions (Prescribed Matters) Act impel to the imminent potentiality of Mr. Hicken being appointed to that Office. The contention, therefore, that he cannot, is an affront to both common sense and law.”
Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Nigel Hughes, himself a lawyer on Friday said that the government’s intention to appoint Hicken would be legally flawed. Hughes when asked to speak to the issue by this publication said that a Commissioner can only be appointed if that person was substantively in the post before they retired from the Force. “I don’t believe you can appoint a commissioner who was granted an extension or who is on contract and then deem them Commissioner. I certainly believe that’s legally flawed and believe that this ought to be challenged in court,” he told Kaieteur News.
Further, the AFC leader said that it is not in the interest of the society to have
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the concerns expressed by the Opposition Leader disregarded particularly when that person has an integral role to play in the selection and appointment process.
“This is not a question of politics. This is a question of upholding the law in the land and it is a question of law and order, and, if you have such strong objections coming from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Norton, particularly his lack of confidence in that particular candidate, I believe it’s dangerous waters to persist with that candidate, because what happened is unfortunate for Mr. Hicken
(but it) is going to be perceived as the political candidate of the government of the day,” Hughes stated.
Retired Assistant Police Commission (ACP), Clinton Conway in a recent letter to the editor last week said to appoint Hicken as the Police Commission after he would have passed the age of retirement would be unconstitutional. Conway noted that the appointment of a Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police is enshrined in the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Article 211 (1) of the Constitution states,” The
Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission after the Chairperson has consulted with other members of the Commission.”
Conway said it is pellucid that there is no need for any agreement with the parties for the appointment in question. “The vex question is whether or not the President can confirm Clifton Hicken who has passed the age of retirement as Commissioner of Police,” Conway reasoned.
New high-yielding rice variety launched
From page 10 board to develop another high-yielding rice variety that offers better quality and that will increase rice production by next November. “We have to ensure that we work and commit ourselves to include best practices to transform the rice industry…In the coming years, I am hoping that we can extend our market to about 50 more countries,” the agriculture minister said.
Madanlall Ramraj, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasised that varietal development is crucial for
increasing rice production in the country.
The director general disclosed that the rice industry is valued at $100 billion, with over $42 billion worth of seed paddy sold to mills last year.
He also mentioned that exports from mills to other countries amounted to $44 billion, with billions of dollars more in local sales, drainage, irrigation, and machinery.
“We will continue to work to ensure that the farming community benefits from the intervention of the Ministry of Agriculture,” Ramraj
stated. Meanwhile, Mahendra Persaud, Chief Scientist at GRDB, reported that after 120 trials, there has been no decline in rice recovery. “We have seen from all those trials the average is around 7.2 tons per hectare, that is around 45 bags per acre. So, in terms of the yield potential, the candidate variety is good,” the scientist noted. The new variety can withstand late harvesting of 10 to 15 days and endure harsh conditions such as drought, offering hope for improved resilience in the rice sector. (DPI)
Local consultants handed $312M contract...
From page 15 two sets of advisors on the matter that have both recommended that the US$214M sum be returned to the cost bank. This means that the US$214M will be split as profits, which will allow Guyana to receive US$107M while Exxon will enjoy the other US$107M. Consequently, Jagdeo asserted, “I don’t believe there is scope at this stage for settlement especially given the magnitude of reduction.” He explained, “Exxon is talking about moving from US$214M to US$3M and if we settle with that, then it’s only half of that we get and so those figures are not palatable at all.” As such, the former Head-ofStated noted, “We may have to go to arbitration.”
Meanwhile, he told
reporters that government has not done an assessment of what the arbitration process would cost. He however pointed out that he believes this is the fittest method. “Given all that has happened, I think you need an independent third party on this. If you settle on any figure, say US$214M with Exxon people will say oh you caved to Exxon, if you settle at US$3M, it is worse so a third party is needed to deal with all of these issues. We should not engage, I think, in any negotiations,” the VP said.
The second audit was done by a local group, Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc (VHE Consulting) bolstered by the international support of SGS and
Martindale Consultants. That contract valued US$751,000 (GY$156 million). That audit examined expenses totalling US$7.3B covering the period 2018 to 2020.
Audits are critical to ensuring that the country was not cheated by the oil companies through the procurement of goods and services from the company’s contractors.
This process is particularly important since the oil contract with Exxon provides for the operator to deduct 75% of the monthly revenues generated to clear its expenses. The remaining 25% is then shared with Guyana as profits. Without finalising the audits, Guyana would not be able to reclaim the illegal costs claimed by the oil company.
TOTALTEC Inc., a provider of servicestotheenergyandconstruction sectorshereonMondayannouncedthe launch of CampBOSS Inc., its new hospitalitydivision.
CampBOSS is set to open its first hospitality complex in Houston, Greater Georgetown, in December 2024. The state-of-the-art facility will offerarangeofamenities,including52 comfortable rooms with plans to expand to over 100 within six to eight
months.Itwillfeaturearestaurantwith diningoptionsfor88guests,including a VIP dining room and a second kitchendedicatedtocateringservices. The complex will also include a fully equipped spa, fitness center, modern conference center, pool, and roof terrace.
“CampBOSS is designed to provide affordable, high-quality accommodation and services to meet the growing demand in Guyana's
Th e Wo r k i n g People's Alliance ( W P A ) h a s welcomed the government's initiative of a one-off $200,000 cash grant to every household However, the party noted that short-term relief does very little overall for citizens who face various economichardships.
During the WPA's press conference on Monday, the party'sleaderDr DavidHinds said, “While the WPA welcomes the initiative announcedbythepresidentas a baby step forward, we bemoanthefactthattakenasa whole,theyrepresentmoreof an election gimmickry rather than a genuine attempt to address the country's debilitating social and economicproblems.”
TheWPAbelievesthatthe initiativeshouldbeannualand be a percentage of revenues earned from oil and gas. It shouldbenotedthatcurrently oilisbeingproducedfromthe Stabroek Block, which is operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) LastyearGuyanaearned$336 billionfromoil.
Dr Hinds argued that the relief provided by the measures announced last week by President Irfaan Ali during his special address to theTwelfthParliament,would ultimately do little for the workingclassandthepoor
He emphasized that Guyana needs a sustained, long-term socio-economic development plan rather than the temporary measures outlinedbythepresident.
“Nowhere in the president's address, for example, did he frontally
confront the persistent poverty that continues to take its toll on the populace. It is estimated that approximately 42%ofGuyaneseliveonless than 5.5 US dollars per day,” hesaid.
Dr Hinds continued, “This is unacceptable in a country which boasts one of the highest GDP growths in theworld.TheWPAcontinues to believe that direct cash transfers tothecitizensis one of the most potent ways to tackletheseproblems.”
Moreover, the WPA
b e l i e v e s t h a t t h e announcements are a clear example of political opportunism.Itwasstatedthat mountingpressurestoaddress the skyrocketing cost-ofliving and the widening gap
between growth and development, is what pushed thegovernmenttoresorttothe opposition's idea of cash transfertocitizens.
“While the cash transfer should be welcomed by Guyanese,especiallythepoor and the working poor, Guyanese should not be fooled, it is at best an undertakingthatispotentially burdened with opportunities for corruption…” Dr Hinds said.
Importantly, to ensure the cash transfer policy has a meaningful and lasting impact, the WPA proposed that it be linked directly to poverty alleviation efforts Thepartyleadersuggested,“It must also benefit from a feasibility study to determine its scope and design. It must begroundedinlawsothatitis shielded from the whims and fancies of the political executive.”
dynamic market,” said Lars Mangal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TOTALTECInc.“Wearecommittedto delivering exceptional cuisine and outstanding service, setting a new standardforhospitalityintheregion.”
TOTALTEC to open hospitality complex in Houston WPA calls for annual cash transfer to citizens out of oil money
Strategically located in Houston, the complex will offer convenient access to business districts and transportation links. CampBOSS will provideflexibleroomrentalmodelsto cater to different needs and budgets, along with integrated services such as and also operations, and
LeaderoftheWorking People'sAlliance(WPA), Dr. David Hinds
Lebanon says 21 killed in air strike in country’s north
(BBC NEWS) At least during a visit to a military 21 people have been killed baseinnorthernIsraelwhere and eight others injured in a adronelaunchedbytheIranrare Israeli air strike in backed group killed four northern Lebanon, the Israeli soldiers and wounded Lebanese health ministry dozensonSundaynight.The says.
military said it was
T h e s t r i k e h i t a investigating how the drone residential building inAitou, evaded its sophisticated air a predominantly Christian defence systems and hit the village far from the areas Golani Brigade training wheretheIsraelimilitaryhas facility near the town of carried out thousands of Binyamina. strikes targeting the armed ItwasoneofHezbollah’s Shia Islamist group deadliest attacks on Israel in Hezbollah. over a year of cross-border
Residents said a family fighting sparked by the war recentlydisplacedbythewar inGaza. had been living there. The Hezbollah said it was a Israeli military did not response to deadly Israeli immediatelycommentonthe attacks in Lebanon, which reports. the country’s health
Residents said there was no warning before the strike
But it came as Israeli ministry says has killed place which would have recentlymovedtoAitou,and at the scene Also on Monday Most of the rockets
Prime Minister Benjamin almost 1,700 people over expected to be attacked. “Oh that the house which was hit Monday, the Israeli military were intercepted or fell in
Netanyahu vowed to the past month Most of the mother Mary,” gasped one had been rented out to new said a strike in the southern open areas, according to the “continue to strike Israeli air strikes over the man as he walked through peoplejusttwoweeksago.A Nabatieh area had killed the military Hezbollah without mercy past week have struck in the the devastation wrought on Lebanese security source commander of the anti-tank One woman was lightly everywhere in Lebanon - majority Shia south and the thevillage. told AFP news agency that unit of Hezbollah’s elite injured by a barrage of 15 includingBeirut”. Bekaa Valley in the east - In the smoke and dust, the building was “targeted Radwan Force. Hezbollah rockets that were fired
“Everything is according areas where Hezbollah is bodies could be seen on the shortly after a man had has not commented on the towardsthenortherntownof t o o p e r a t i o n a l strong ground. Residents said there arrivedinacar”. report. Karmiel. Israeli police also considerations We have Aitou, a Maronite wasnowarning,justasingle, The Lebanese health The military also said it sa
n proven this recently and we Christian community massiveblast. ministry said it was carrying had struck Hezbollah interceptionfellintheHolon will continue to prove it in locatedinthemountainsnear However, they also said out DNA tests to determine launchers used to fire a area, south of Tel Aviv, the coming days as well,” he the north-western coastal severalfamiliesdisplacedby the identities of the remains number of rockets into without causing any injuries added He was speaking city of Tripoli, was not a the war in the south had recoveredbyfirstresponders centralandnorthernIsraelon ordamage.
India and Canada expel top diplomats over murder accusations
(BBC NEWS) India and I n d i a h a d m a d e a withdraw dozens of its High Commissioner Sanjay that there had been “over a terrorist who led a militant Canada have expelled their “fundamental error” in diplomatic staff and Kumar Verma, referring to dozencredibleandimminent
ptop envoys along with other supporting”criminal”actsin suspendingvisaservices.On his “distinguished career threats to life” which he said accusations his supporters diplomats as the row Canada and his government Monday, a furious statement spanning 36 years”. “The “specifically” focussed on calledunfounded. intensifies over last year’s had to act on the latest fromIndia’sforeignministry aspersionscastonhimbythe members of the pro- Canadian police called assassination of a Sikh findings. said Canada’s allegations government of Canada are Khalistanmovement. his killing a “targeted separatistonCanadiansoil. “Theevidencebroughtto were influenced by Sikh ludicrous and deserve to be He added that the threats attack”. In September 2023, Trudeau said his light by the RCMP [Royal separatistcampaigners. treated with contempt,” it were sufficiently serious to Trudeau had told Canada’s government responded after Canadian Mounted Police, Later in the day, it said The Indian foreign warrant the RCMP’s public parliamentthatallegationsof police began pursuing Canada’s national police announced six Canadian ministry also said it was intervention “We reached a Indian involvement in the credible allegations that service] cannot be ignored,” diplomats, including acting “withdrawing” its top envoy point where we felt it was killing were based on Indian agents were directly the prime minister said. “It High Commissioner and other diplomats. “We imperative to confront the Canadian intelligence. He involved in the killing of leads to one conclusion, it is Stewart Ross Wheeler, had have no faith in the current government of India ” called the act a violation of HardeepSinghNijjar necessary to disrupt the been asked to leave India by Canadian government’s Officials said a dozen Canada’ssovereignty Frosty Canadian police accused criminal activities that 19 October Mr Wheeler commitment to ensure their Indianagentswereinvolved ties between the two I n d i a n a g e n t s o f continue to pose a threat to was also summoned by security Therefore, the in the alleged criminal countries seemed to have involvement in “homicides, publicsafetyinCanada.That India’s external affairs government of India has activities, but did not thawed slightly after India extortion and violent acts” iswhyweacted.” ministry to explain decided to withdraw the confirm if they were resumed processing visas in and targeting supporters of India has vehemently Canada’smove High Commissioner and directly linked to the June October2023. t h e p r o - K h a l i s t a n denied all allegations and
Speaking to reporters other targeted diplomats and 2023 murder of Sikh But last week, Canadian movement, which seeks a maintained that Canada has after the meeting, Mr officials.”
separatistleaderNijjar Foreign Minister Mélanie separate homeland for Sikhs provided no evidence to Wheeler said Canada had
Earlier on Monday, Hardeep Singh Nijjar Joly called the country’s in India. Delhi rejected the support its claims. Relations given India the evidence it Canadian police said they was shot and killed by two relations with India “tense” a l l e g a t i o n s a s between Delhi and Ottawa had demanded, it now had taken the unusual step of masked gunmen outside a and “very difficult”. She “preposterous”, accusing have been strained since needed to investigate the publicly disclosing Sikh temple he led in Surrey, also said there remained a Trudeau of pandering to Trudeau said Canada had allegations. information about ongoing British Columbia. He had threat of more killings like Canada’s large Sikh credible evidence linking “It is in the interests of investigation “due to been a vocal supporter of the Nijjar’s on Canadian soil. community for political Indian agents to Nijjar’s both our countries and the significant threat to public Khalistan movement, which Canadaishometothelargest gain. murder peoples of our countries to safety in our country” demands a separate Sikh Sikh community outside Speaking on live The row led to a get to the bottom of this,” he RCMP commissioner Mike homeland, and publicly India, a religious minority television on Monday deterioration in ties, with said. Duheme told reporters at a campaigned for it. India has that lives mostly in the state afternoon, Trudeau said India asking Canada to Delhi has defended its news conference on Monday inthepastdescribedhimasa ofPunjab.
Golden Jaguars in must-win encounter against Suriname tonight
By Rawle Toney
- Relegation to League B looms
makingthismatchadefining Suriname’s grip on home offers a direct pathway to momentforGuyana’sSenior soil. prestigious tournaments like The Golden Jaguars face Men’s National football With only a few matches the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a do-or-die clash against team. A victory is not just remaininginthegroupstage, where Guyana can gain fierce regional rivals desired, it is essential if they tonight’s fixture is a make-
are to avoid relegation to or-
exposureandrecognition. Paramaribo as their 2023-24 League B, a setback that Guyana.Anythinglessthan
could stall the team’s growth win will all but doom their implications of a loss are League campaign reaches a ontheinternationalstage. chances of remaining in severe. A defeat or even a criticaljuncture. The first encounter LeagueA. draw could spell disaster for
Both teams are locked in between the two sides in this Duke-McKenna remains Guyana’s hopes of survival a desperate battle for Nations League campaign optimistic about the team’s in League A, effectively survival in League A, saw Suriname picking up a capabilities. “I just think it’s relegating them and undoing 3-1winoverGuyana. those fine margins we have yearsofprogress.
Tuesday October 15, 2024
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You'relikelytogotoextremes today on many levels, Aries. The problem is that you may encounter opposition everywhereyouturn.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Grab hold of the day's boisterous energy and run with it, Taurus. This is a good time to kick up your heels and have fun. You might find that people are a bit more highstrung than usual, so you may need to use your ability to go withtheflow
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Youmightbefrustratedbythe fact that people are doing things hastily today, Gemini. You might have to accept the fast-paced energy of the day justsoyoucankeepup.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Peoplemaycomeintoconflict with you today, Cancer More than likely, the issue at hand will have to do with others being a bit too focused on themselves,whileyou'remore concernedwiththecollective.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Jump-start the day with a smile, Leo. Your generosity and sincerity won't go unnoticed on a day like this. People will probably need more attention than usual, so take the time to attend to the emotionsofthoseyoulove.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
There could be an unexpected tension coming out of nowhere today More than likely your emotions will be runningatahighlevel Itcould bethatyouraggressivenessand assertiveness start to annoy others.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Yourslowandsteadyapproach might be met with a bit of oppositiontoday,Libra.People could be demanding of your timeandenergy
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
This is a terrific day for you, Scorpio, and you will find that the fast pace of the day suits you well for what you need to get done. There's a general feeling of grandeur in the air that reminds you to take your timewhengettingdressed.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Do your best to keep up today, Sagittarius Things might move quickly You may be raising your hand and waiting politely for someone to call on you.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
This is a good time to take control of the situation. You've doneyourpreparationandnow it's time to put it to good use. You're about to face your enemy eye to eye Have confidenceinyourtraining.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Don't be surprised if the oldfashioned, practical solution doesn't make the grade today Probably the new devices and special electronic shortcuts will be the most impressive thing going Thisistheclassiccaseof the new, improved version replacingtheold,slowone.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Youmaybeabletozipthrough chores like lightning today, Pisces There's an added swiftness to your step that helps in every one of your endeavors. You might want to engage in just about every activityexceptwork.
That victory remains to tighten up on, like being As the
Suriname’s only success so efficient in the box and relegation looms large, the far, with their subsequent executing our chances,” he Golden Jaguars must dig performances producing a 1- said, echoing the belief that d
0losstoGuadeloupeanda1- Guyana can still compete at resilience, and deliver their 1 draw against Costa Rica, the highest levels of best performance yet if they leavingthemonfourpoints. CONCACAFfootball. aretoclaimallthreepointsin Guyana, on the other Coach Shabazz has Paramaribo. hand, has faced a turbulent stressedontheimportanceof Victory is the only path, struggling with staying in League A, which lifeline that will keep inconsistency represents the top echelon of Guyana’s d
Following their opening regionalfootball. competing at the highest defeat to Suriname at home, Beyond the prestige, level of CONCACAF Coach Jamaal Shabazz’s maintaining their place in footballalive.
m e n d e l i v e r e d a League A provides crucial For the Golden Jaguars, disappointing2-2drawaway opportunities for Guyana to thestakescouldn’tbehigher to Martinique before putting compete against stronger Tonight, they fight not just up a spirited fight in a 3-1 teams and develop their for a win, but for their future losstoGuatemala. skills at an elite level. It also inLeagueA.
Despite glimpses of promise, the Golden Jaguars have yet to find the form neededtosecurevitalpoints.
S t e p h e n D u k eMcKenna, who netted the lone goal for Guyana in the Guatemala fixture, admitted that the team is now under immensepressure.
“It makes it tough for us because the goal difference is killing us as well.We need to put on a big performance in our next game [against Suriname],” the UK-based midfielder told Kaieteur News after the Guatemala defeat.
Paramaribo has not been a kind hunting ground for Guyana.
The last time the Golden Jaguars clashed with Suriname in the capital, on June 8, 2022, the Golden Jaguars suffered a narrow 21 defeat. In fact, Suriname has had the upper hand in most of their head-to-head encounters, winning the majority of their matches in thislong-standingrivalry
Historically, Suriname’s strong home support and familiarity with local conditions have made Paramaribo a difficult venue forGuyana.
Yet, the Golden Jaguars will draw strength from their 2-0 victory in Paramaribo back in 2010—the last time they managed to break
Guyana’s Stephen Duke-McKenna in action against Guatemala.
CWI inducts first West Indies Men’s Academy
Cohort to be based in Antigua & Barbuda full-time
ST. JOHN’S,Antigua –
innings; the importance of enhancement and off-field Cricket West Indies (CWI) constantlylearningaboutthe elements like leadership hosted an official Induction game, which he does to this training and media Ceremony for the third day; striving for excellence engagement.
West Indies legend Courtney Walsh addresses a captive CWI Men’s Academy. (CWI)
M
’s
In addition to the Men’s Academy The ceremony, foundation for mastering all Academy,CWIalsooperates held on 11 October 2024 at formats of the game; and a Women’s Academy, with CWI Headquarters at finally, to always enjoy training camps being held in Coolidge Cricket Ground themselves and this unique Antigua & Barbuda and (CCG) in Antigua & journey across other territories. This
Enoch Lewis, CWI parallelprogrammeispartof significant milestone as this
CWI’s broader commitment cohort is the first to be based
Chairman of the Cricket to youth development and in Antigua & Barbuda full-
aims to prepare the next timefortheiryearoftraining Development Committee, generation of women anddevelopment. also delivered a powerful cricketers for success on the
The 18 young men in address, highlighting the international stage. Both attendance were addressed pride and responsibility of programmes reflect CWI’s byWestIndiescricketlegend wearing the West Indies dedication to building a
Courtney Walsh, an crest. He reminded the legacy of excellence in West esteemed group of technical young players that they are Indies cricket, for both men staff, cricket professionals, part of a legacy that extends andwomen. including CWI Director beyondthefield. 2
s EnochLewisandCWIChief cricketers, saying, “CWI has creating a high-performance th
Ramesh Subasinghe, AcademyPlayers: Operating Officer Lynford invested in you because we system that ensures West families, countries, and the Head Coach of the West 1.AckeemAuguste Inverary In his opening believe you are worth the Indies cricket thrives on the entireregion. Indies Men’s Academy, and 2.JediahBlades
r e m a r k s , I n v e r a r y investment You are the globalstage.”
Cricket legend Walsh CWI Director of Cricket 3.JoshuaBishop emphasized the importance futureofWestIndiescricket. He encouraged the was greeted with a standing Miles Bascombe, outlined 4.TeddyBishop
o f t h e a c a d e m y i n This is not a one-off players to rise to the ovation by the enthusiastic the year’s curriculum which, 5.McKennyClarke developing the next investment; it’s part of our challengeandrememberthat players, who were bowled in addition to on-the-field 6.RivaldoClarke generation of West Indies long-term commitment to theyarenotjustrepresenting over by his record-breaking training, focuses on skill 7.MavendraDindyal accomplishments on the development, personal 8.NathanEdward pitch. growth, and leadership 9.JustinJaggersar Walsh,whostillholdsthe training. 10. JohanLayne West Indies record for Men’sAcademy 11.ZishanMotara highest wicket-taker (500), The Men’s Academy 12.MichaelPalmer s h a r e d h i s u n i q u e continues to play a vital role 13.KelvinPitman perspective as a former in developing young 14.RenicoSmith player and left the young cricketers, with three 15.CarlonTuckett men with thirteen key points graduates from the previous C W I I n d i e s to consider Of those points, cohort already securing congratulates these young heemphasisedfitness,which franchise contracts The men on their selection and allowed him to once bowl an programme offers a looks forward to their bright e x t r a o r d i n a r y 4 5 comprehensive curriculum futures in West Indies consecutive overs in one that includes on-field skill cricket.
Number of sporting activities...
From page 25 populationofapproximately50,000persons. village that sprang up around Fort Nassau New Amsterdam was established as the about56milesuptheBerbiceRiver seat of Government for Berbice Between In 1785 it was decided to abandon Fort 1785to1790.
Nassau and move to the neighbourhood of In 1812 a special Department of Works, Fort St. Andries lower down the river at the the Winkel Department, was set up to deal confluence of the Berbice River and its with all repair works required by the tributary the Canje River, the site of the residents. The workmen were originally present day NewAmsterdam. It was built by slaves who were given their freedom in theDutchin1740beforebeingtakenoverby 1831 The Town Hall of the Tudor theBritishin1803. architecture was built with a tower New Amsterdam covers about 13.7 approximately 75 feet. This tower was square kilometers and has an estimated dismantledin2012. (Samuel Whyte)
Veteran Golfer Patrick Prashad outshines
fellow countrymen at DBS Suriname Open
The 2024 DBS Suriname greens tested the ability of Openhasofficiallycometoa every golfer, ensuring that close,wrappingupathrilling only the best-rounded weekend of competitive golf playerscouldrisetothetop. at the Paramaribo Golf Club. As expected, the 6th Avinash Persaud - 105, HC 22, Net 83 (Overall Sixty-two players from competition delivered Gross 73, HC 3, Net 70 Net152) across the region, including exciting moments, with OverallNet146)
top talents from Suriname, many golfers posting strong
LGC members share photo-op at the conclusion of the DBS Suriname Open Golf tournament
LongestdriveDay1 Guyana, and beyond, scoresacrosstherounds.The
Dindanauth - Gross 78, HC Carlos Adams Longest showcased their skills in f i n a l d a y p r o v i d e d 6,Net72(OverallNet149) Drive,Seniorscategory what has become one of the heightened tension, as a 15th Vishal Dhanai - The participation of marquee events on the number of competitors Gross 88, HC 6, Net 82 Guyanese players from the regionalgolfcalendar. remained within striking (OverallNet154) LGC for the last 22 years
When the dust had distanceofthelead,ensuring 2 1 s t L a k e r a m continues to highlight the settled, it was veteran golfer thetitlewasupforgrabsuntil
Ramsundar - Gross 89, HC growing relationship PatrickPrashadwhostormed theverylastputt. 13,Net76(OverallNet157) between the golf clubs in the to take the lead in the At a simple presentation BClass region and the competitive prestigious ClassAcategory, ceremony at Golf Club 2nd Brian Hackett - spirit that motivates these while in the B Class, Brian Paramaribo an overjoyed
Gross 88, HC 18, Net 70 athletes. Hackett copped second Patrick Prashad said, “I’ve
(OverallNet136) The tournament has not place. been visiting and playing represented Guyana and we The results for the 2 day CClass only been a showcase of
This year’s tournament with the Surinamese in feel privileged to be invited tournamentwereasfollows: 4th Troy Cadogan - regional golfing talent but saw fierce competition, with excess of 20 years, the only here. Even year we are able AClass
Gross 99, HC 25, Net 74 also a celebration of the the Guyanese contingent time I missed was after to send a team to represent 1st Patrick Prashad - (OverallNet149) sport’s growing popularity facing the well-known Covid 19 and 2023 and I Guyana and Lusignan Golf Gross 79, HC 13, Net 66 9th Orson Ferguson - The Guyanese contingent challenges of Paramaribo have never won anything. I Club. The Paramaribo Golf (OverallNet142) Gross 101, HC 30, Net 71 will now turn their focus to Golf Club’s demanding represent Guyana and Club has produced a 4th Patanjilee Persaud - (OverallNet159) the Brava Guyana Open course. The tight fairways, Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), wonderful tournament and I Gross 86, HC 13, Net 73 SeniorClass slated for November 2-3, strategic bunkers, and fast the club has always amgratefulwiththeresults.” (OverallNet144) 4thCarlosAdams-Gross 2024.
Number of sporting activities planned to help observe New Amsterdam 133 anniversary
The New Amsterdam Mayor The town week is expected to run festival, Mayor’s Cycling road Bermine Ground. The usual street and Town Council (NAMTC) is from October 17th to November race,steelbandcompetition,bingo, fair and Lime is slated for Saturday this year celebrating its 133rd year 3rd. The theme this year is spelling B, domino Competition, 2nd November along Main Street in existence and a hoard of ‘EmbraceHistoryandUnity”. debate, impromptu speech, singing while a family fun day is slated for activities including sports have To start things off, a church
s Sunday 3rd November at the been planned to observe the service was held at the Bethel Olympiad, dancing competition, EsplanadePark. occasion. PrayerandPraiseMinistries.Atthe walkraceandconcerts. New Amsterdam, which is New Amsterdam, which got end of the service members of the A variety of other activities are located about five miles on the township status on 1st September, church gifted the staff of the also on the agenda including River Eastern Bank of the Berbice River, 1891, is the oldest town in Guyana. NAMTCananniversarycake. tours, business exhibition and job is situated at the confluence of the Its first Mayor was British, Neil A number of sporting activities fair, all back and all blue affairs, Berbice and Canje Rivers It RossMcKinnonaBarristerofLaw are slated to highlight the Town’s market day, cooler fete, breakfast became a town exactly 100 years The present Mayor is, Wainwright 133rdanniversarycelebrations. morning. beforeitbecameaMunicipality McIntosh,anEducationOfficer These includes street football, The celebrations are expected About 1733, the name New This year’s activity was basketball, bird whistling to culminate with a fair and sound Amsterdamwasgiventoalittle launched on the 22nd of August. competition, cricket, drama clashonFriday1stNovemberatthe (Continued on page 24)
in Paramaribo.
Brian Hackett (left) receiving his second place trophy at Paramaribo Golf Club.
Guyanese Veteran Golfer, Patrick Prashad
Mayor of New Amsterdam Waynewright McIntosh
QueensideRapidChessTournamentsuccessful
- AngelinaYhap emerges as winner
The Queenside Rapid Lusianna Farlot from the Prize for Kyla Jordan, and C h e s s To u r n a m e n t , New Guyana School took the Youngest Player Prize, sponsoredbyJade’sWokand thirdplacewithsixandahalf which went to Amy Pinnacle Business Services, points Both girls only Ramphal.NationalWomen’s successfully wrapped up on started playing chess earlier Chess Champion Jessica Saturday,October12thatthe thisyear Callender presented the School of the Nations Marcia Lee secured prizes. Campus in Kingston, fourth place with six points, The event attracted Georgetown. Organised by followed by thirteen-year- twenty-one girls and three the GuyanaWomen in Chess old Claire Cole from women, who competed Community (GWICC), the Queen’s College and St across nine rounds of rapid tourname
a games 15 minutes per player encourage female players of Clement, both also finishing with a 5-second increment all ages who are new to with six points in fifth and permove).Nearlyhalfofthe chess, including those sixth place, respectively participants, including all without an ELO rating, to O t h e r s t a n d o u t threewomen,werefirst-time compete. performances included competitors The Guyana Thirteen-year-old Shreya Harjohn with five Chess Federation (GCF) Angelina Yhap claimed the andahalfpoints,whileFaraa looks forward to continued Queenside Championship Gaskin, Bianca Jessimy, growth in participation, as Title for Beginners and Kyla Jordan, Raphaella more girls and women join Unrated Players, securing Omarao, and Arianne Lynch theprogramme. sevenpoints. all ended with five points Tournament arbiters The Marian Academy each. included Jessica Callender, student, who has been The tournament awarded Odit Rodrigues, and John playing chess for two years, monetaryprizestotalingfifty Lee. GCF President Anand celebrated her first-ever thousand dollars to the top Raghunauth thanked the tournamentvictory Closeon three winners, and trophies players for their enthusiasm, her heels, eleven-year-old were presented to the top which contributed to the Queen’s College student five Speci
ent’s success He friendships with others who and Jade’s Wok for their A follow-up rapid chess Rebha Lachman also included the Best Girl Prize emphasized that while the sharetheirpassionforchess. ongoing support of chess in tournament for females is finished with seven points, for Kaija Clement, Best girls were competing, they The GCF also expressed Guyana,andtotheSchoolof scheduled for Sunday, earning her second place, Woman Prize for Mrs also had the chance to gratitude to sponsors the Nations for stepping in at October 27th, and is open to while twelve-year-old Amanda Alli, Best Beginner socialize and form lasting Pinnacle Business Services shortnoticetohosttheevent. allfemaleplayers.
dominance,winningthestageand inathrillingsprintfinish. Stage Cycling event, maintaining his overall lead In the Category 4 race, Ralph endorsed by President SidwellSandyputinastrongride, Williams rebounded from a slow
Irfaan Ali and backed finishing ahead of Alex Newton. startinStageOnetosecureastrong
by the N
Commission through the
The overall standings for the win.
Juniors saw Leung at the top, Saturday’s Berbice leg (Stage Ministry of Culture, Youth, and followed by Newton and Sandy One) saw Jamual John sprint to Sports, wrapped up on Sunday Notably, Abigail Jeffrey, the sole victory, earning 21 points in the with Jamual John taking the female competitor, completed the Elitedivision. overall first-place prize He race alongside juvenile racer In the Masters category, Johann claimed the inaugural ‘One Dinesh Sookhai, both showing Borrowes finished solo, also Guyana’ trophy and a $500,000 tremendousgritintheirrespective grabbing21points. cash prize after accumulating a categories. Alexander Leung narrowly total of 51 points across the three In the Category 4/5 division, defeated Alex Newton to claim the stages. Nigel London and Tyron Conway Junior’s race, while in Category John’s victory was solidified surged ahead, claiming first and 4/5, Roy Mangru rode away from after an impressive win in the second place in the final stage. the pack to take the win ahead of second stage, putting him among
After three stages, Dave Bissoon second-place finisher Dave the top contenders ahead of the emerged as the overall leader in Bissoon and third-place Kevin finalleg. the Cat 4/5 category, earning the Seaton.
Despite Briton John crossing ‘OneGuyana’jersey After dominating across all the line first in Sunday’s final Kwame Ridley took the top three stages, Jamual John’s overall stage, Jamual’s second-place spot in the Masters category, performance solidified his place as finish was enough to secure him while Marlon Williams claimed the Elite division winner In the the overall lead and the coveted victory in the Elite category Juniors,AlexanderLeungprovedto winner’sjersey during the second stage, which be unbeatable, amassing 63 points
In the final leg, Briton John saw riders cover a route from the and taking the overall first-place took an early lead, pushing the Schoonord roundabout to Parika spot. pacefromthefrontofthepeloton. and back, followed by two loops Robin Persaud delivered a Jamual, aware that a top-four around the Schoonord Highway, commanding performance in the finish would be enough to secure Goed Fortuin, andVreed en Hoop Masters category, finishing ahead the overall title, stayed close on forcing them into the pits for quick and finishing first and second, circuit. of Johann Borrowes with 51 points hiswheel. repairs. respectively. The fight for second place was to claim the overall win. Dave Both riders encountered However, they recovered Over in the Juniors category, intense, with Jamual John edging Bissoon dominated Category 4/5 mechanical issues mid-race, swiftly,eventuallylappingthefield Alexander Leung continued his outBritonJohnandSegunHubbard withatotalof34points.
Queenside Rapid Chess Tournament winners share photo-op with individual trophies.
Alexander Leung (center) celebrates winning the Second leg of the One Guyana Cycle Race on Saturday with Alex Newton (left) and Sidwell Sandy also sharing the podium.
Guyana to host West Indies Fullbore Shooting C/Ship
The Guyana NRA is USandCanadianTeams. poised to host the 2024 The Guyana NRA edition of the West Indies planningcommitteehasbeen F u l l b o r e S h o o t i n g working jointly with the Championship from October Guyana Defence Force 28 to November 4, 2024, at (GDF), led by Brig Omar the Timehri Rifle Ranges, Khan, on preparations for Yarrowcabra, on the Linden hosting the Championships. Soesdyke Highway The There has been intense work championshipwaslasthosted on the Timehri Ranges, in Guyana in 2017, when the preparingtheshootingbanks Association celebrated its to golf-like playing surfaces, 150thAnniversary the safety backstop was While the English and increased in height and the Scottish shooters are unable
to attend this years’
m p
The Guyana NRA will host the 2024 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championship from October 28 to November 4 at Timehri Ranges.
p , t h e serviced. Workcontinueson participating countries are the target frames and faces Antigua and Barbuda, and should be completed by Barbados, Canada, Grenada, nextweekend. Jamaica, Trinidad and VicePresidentMahendra Tobago and the USA. The Persaud and Fullbore Canadiansarenostrangersto Captain Dylan Fields have these shores and are been spearheading the for his donation of material Lennox Braithwaite, Ryan theirtitles. scoreinthatTeamMatch. expected to perform well. infrastructural work. The to help repair the shooting Sampson, Peter Persaud, The National Team’s last Patron, President Dr The US Rifle Team will be GDFisexpectedtocomplete range. Roberto Tewari, Sherwin championship was in Bisley Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has attending their first West theareafortheflagpolesand The Guyana Rifle Team Felicien and US based England in July where they been in full support of the Indies Championship and otherworksithascommitted members have been busy Sigmond Douglas and John won the Junior Kalapore hosting and is ensuring that Team Captain Yvonne to. Mr Lennox Braithwaite each Saturday and Sunday Fraser Our lone female, Trophy AtBisleytherewere Guyana showcases our Roberts is leading a strong has been the Guyana NRA on the range working to shooting for the first time is outstanding performances h o s p i t a l i t y a n d team of experienced projects liaison ensuring all complete the preparations. AltheaAlleyne. from both Peter Persaud and professionalism. The Paton shooters. They are expected works are completed. The The Guyana NRA is Guyana is the defending Lennox Braithwaite who isexpectedtofireoffthefirst to perform well also. The Guyana NRA would like to expected to field a ten-man Champion for both the Short made it to the First and shot, indicating the start of West Indies shooters are takethisopportunitytothank team. The team comprises and Long Range Trophies Second stages of the King’s the competition H E looking forward to the the Minister of Public Mahendra Persaud, Dylan and much is expected of the Prize respectively Peter Donald Ramotar fired the challenge from the visiting Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, Fields, Leo Romalho, team at home in defence of Persaud also shot the highest lastopeningshotin2012.
St. Maarten arrives for 2024 CAC C/ships
St.
In just a few days, the National Physique 186cm), Kewsie CulturalCentrewillbetransformed Anderson (Men’s Physique 186cm into a body building & fitness & Physique Mass), Roger spectacle as the best of Central Callender (U-60KG), Yusuf Khan America & the Caribbean display (Physique 172cm), Antowyn their ripped and chiselled bodies in Bayley (Men’s Physique 176cm), front of what is anticipated to be a Sachin Sharma (Men’s Physique largeaudience. 170cm), Jamal Pollydore (Men’s
Following months of arduous Physique 176cm), Emmerson preparations, both at the Campbell (Men’s Physique administrative and athlete levels, 170cm), Renaldo Caldeira (Men’s thisweekendshowdownamongthe Physique 170cm), Hannah athletes will occur face to face as Rampersaud (Junior Wellness), they battle for individual and Melitha Fernandes-Anderson regionalsupremacyinthesport. (Women Wellness under 158),
One such team is St. Maarten, Christine Ramsammy (Bikini who’ve sent a small contingent to Under 169), Sabita Stephenson represent them at this year’s (Bikini Under 165), Joel Caldeira ( championships and word is that Bodybuildingunder65kg),Vanisha despite their size they are confident Munroe (Women’s Wellness under ofdoingwellattheevent. 160), Aliya Wong (Women’s They arrived in the country Wellness under 158) and Rawle yesterday and the Guyana Body Green (Masters Bodybuilding Building & Fitness Federation Under90kg). President Keavon Bess, disclosed
Meanwhile, the countries that more teams are expected in confirmed to participate are today to continue preparations for Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, the ‘big’ show that commences on Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Saturday and culminates the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, followingday Several defending champions Julio Sinclair, who claimed a Orlanzo Valenzuela (U-65KG), St. Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad &
Over 250 athletes from 20 will be returning to represent the bronze medal last year, has also Daniel Lutchman (U-70KG), Tobago, Venezuela, Colombia, countries including Guyana will be ‘Land of Many Waters’ and they been named on the team shortlisted Delrae McLean (Masters-U- Jamaica, St. Maarten (Dutch side), flexing and posing their bodies in includeMr Physiquefromlastyear torepresentGuyana. 75KG), Christopher Anthony Haiti, Nicaragua, Mexico, Costa what is already being touted as the Emmerson Campbell and Hannah The full list is: Selwyn Grogan (Masters U-75KG), Seon Budhan Rica and St Vincent & the most exciting event to attend this Rampersaud, who also grabbed a (Masters Under 75KG, Sylvon (U-65KG), Julio Sinclair (Over Grenadines along with host weekend. silvermedal Gardner (Masters Under-70KG), 100KG), Marley Vyphuis ( Men’s Guyana.
