Kaieteur News

Oil-producing Guyana suffered 96 power outages in 2023 from GPL

Suspect in Chinese shopkeeper’s murder was part of killer-gang in Venezuela

Drillship company warns inflationary pressures may drive up costs of services

against VP Jagdeo hiding agreements

Another $445M to be CJIA spent on renovated ...tenders out for repairs to taxiway

…saysGuyana-Venezuelacontroversy couldaffectday-to-dayoperations

Exxon CEO says:

VP Jagdeo says PPP boys will not cash-in from Gas-to-Energy project, but still

“We only want the shares in Stabroek Block, not Hess

Another $445M contract to be spent on renovated CJIA

Having been allocated $1 1 billion this year to continue upgrades on the recently renovated Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Ministry of Public Works is now preparing to spend $445 million on another project at theairport.

This is according to a tenderissuedbytheministry seekingcontractorstobidfor the project – 'Rehabilitation of Taxiway Charlie – Phase 1.’Thetaxiwayisapathway for aircraft at an airport

which connects runways with aprons, hangars and terminals among other facilities.

Bidding for the project will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedure specified intheProcurementAct2003, and will be opened on April 9, 2024 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)office.

Kaieteur News had reported that the new works for the airport are part of the government's plans to

modernise the facility With about US$150 million already pumped into the expansion of CJIA– citizens should expect more of their taxpayers' dollars going towards the 'continued modernisation'oftheairport.

At a press conference in 2022, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill told reportersthatconstructionon theairportwillcontinue.The airport expansion contract was signed in 2011 under then President, Bharrat Jagdeo and has passed through the truncated presidency of Donald Ramotar

However, when the D a v i d G r a n g e r administration took office in 2015, it said that the very defective plan needed adjustments and changes weremade.

The decade-old project

was awarded to Chinese contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the sum of US$150 million: $138 millionfromtheChinaExim Bank and $12 million from the Consolidated Fund –taxpayers'money

W h e n t h e P P P administration took office in August 2020, Minister Edghill had stated that they were not satisfied with the work that was done by the contractor and as such, had negotiatedandgottenCHEC to do additional works at the airport at no cost to Guyana. It was only recently that CHEC completed the works ontheairport.

Notably, while the contract cost with the Chinese contractor remains a t U S $ 1 5 0 M , t h e government has undertaken several multi-million

upgradestotheairport.

Some of the projects entail a contract worth over $513.7 million which was awarded to Kallco Guyana Inc, in August 2021 for the construction of an office buildingtoconferenceroom, offices for the airlines and other supporting agencies, andaduty-freebond.

At that same contract signing, a contract valued over$38.3millionwasinked with Colin Talbot Contracting Services to conduct repairs to the internationalapronandbuild a taxiway Additionally, Kalitech Inc. signed another contract worth $25.9 million fortheconstructionofanew office building for CJIA's personnel.Following that, a contract to the tune of $890 million was awarded to AvinashContracting&Scrap Metal Inc for the

construction of the new administration building in October 2022 Notably, another $45 million covered thedesignandsupervisionof the new administration building.

In November last year, a $703 million contract was awarded to Avinash Construction and Scrap Metal Inc. to renovate the airport'sapron.

Late last year too, another contract worth $81 million was awarded to &S General Contractors Inc to repair the airport's baggage make-uparea.

This year with $1 1 billion budgetary allocation f o r t h e o n g o i n g modernisationoftheCJIA,it was stated in the budget estimatesthatthemoneywill be spent on the apron, taxiways and airline offices fortheairport.

“We only want the shares in Stabroek Block, not Hess Corp”

ExxonMobil Corporation (XOM)hasnointerestin purchasing Hess Corporation, but instead has its eyes on the real treasure chest, Guyana'sStabroekBlock.

Exxon said on Monday that it was not looking to purchase the companybuttoacquireitsstakein theresourcerichoilblock.

ExxonMobil is the operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana ExplorationLtd.holds30%interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limitedholds25%interest.

According to a Reuters' article, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of XOM, Darren Woods said on Mondaythathiscompanyistrying to secure preemption rights over Hess Corporation's Guyana assets in its dispute with Chevron. He clarifiedthatExxonwasnottrying tobuyoverHessCorporation.

In October last year, Chevron announceditsagreementwithHess

- ExxonMobil says

Corporation to acquire all of the company's shares, through a US$53B transaction In a statement, the company pointed to the importance of the resources discovered in Guyana's Stabroek Block. The oil company noted, “The Stabroek block in Guyana is anextraordinaryassetwithindustry leading cash margins and low carbonintensitythatisexpectedto deliver production growth into the next decade ”To this end, it signaled,“Thecombinedcompany isexpectedtogrowproductionand freecashflowfasterandforlonger than Chevron's current five-year guidance.”

ExxonMobil has since filed for arbitration since the oil giant believes it has preemptive rights, whichallowshareholdersaccessto stockbeforeitisofferedtoothers.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ExxonMobil Corporation, Darren Woods

Inhisfirstpublicremarksonthe company'spursuitofanarbitration casethatcouldblockChevron's$53 billion deal for Hess, Woods said Exxon would not have waited for Chevron to announce its Hess deal ifithadwantedtobuyHess.

"We'rebasicallystandingupfor what we believe is a fundamental right," Woods told Reuters. Exxon

istryingto"secureandconfirmthe rights in that contract gives the existing partners."Exxon wants to "evaluatethatvalueanddowhatis in the best interest of ExxonMobil shareholders, given the investmentsthatwe'vemadeandall the work we've done to make that successful,"headded.

Hess and Chevron have said

they disagree with Exxon's interpretation of the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) that governs the Exxon, Hess and CNOOC Ltd consortium responsible for all of Guyana's oil production Chevron's acquisition ofHesshasbeenstalledbytheU.S. Federal Trade Commission's request for additional information onthemerger

That request pushed back any closingtoatleastthemiddleofthis year

The fight over Guyana's Stabroek Block resources finds its genesis in the lopsided oil deal signed by the APNU+AFC Coalition administration back in 2016.

This deal extends favourable terms to the oil companies, extending unlimited tax waivers, uncappedinterestratesandperhaps the lowest royalty rates known to the industry, at a meager two percent.

Drillship company warns inflationary pressures may drive up costs of services

American drilling company, Noble Corporation Plc , a prominent player in offshore drilling, has issued a cautionary comment regarding challenges its operationsfaceatseverallocations, includingGuyana.

Thecompany,whichservesasa contractorforExxonMobilGuyana LimitedoperationsintheStabroek Block, expressed concerns over inflationarypressuresthatmaylead to increased costs of services. Noble had explained that marketbaseddayratesareresenttwiceper year(March1,andSeptember1)to the projected market rate at that time.

The company in a document highlightedthepersistentnatureof these pressures and highlighted ongoing supply chain disruptions exacerbated by geopolitical crises, including the Guyana-Venezuela bordercontroversy

The company stated, “We expect inflationary pressures to persist, which has led or may lead to increased costs of services. Additionally, we expect supply chain disruptions to continue, and potentially accelerate, as geopolitical crises and their respective regional and global ramifications have the potential to negatively impact our ability to

conduct our day-to-day operations.”

Notably,sincethesigningofthe Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace on December 14, 2023, following a meeting between the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela, there has been a decrease in tensions. The border controversycaseiscurrentlybefore the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

M o r e o v e r , N o b l e acknowledgedthecomplexenergy landscape, noting that recently oil prices have generally remained at levels that are supportive of offshore exploration and developmentactivityandglobalrig demand is increasing It was explained that the increasing demand has been caused by the combination of growing confidence in commodity prices, heightened focus on energy security,andrelativeattractiveness of offshore plays with respect to bothcostandcarbonemissions.

To this end, the company said, “This increase had a positive impact on day rates for certain of ourrigclasses.”

The company also stated, “Our business depends on the level of activity in the oil and gas industry Adverse developments affecting

…says

Guyana-Venezuela controversy could affect day-to-day operations

the industry, including a decline in the price of oil or gas, reduced demand for oil and gas products, andincreasedregulationofdrilling andproduction,haveinthepasthad and may in the future have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and resultsofoperations.”

KaieteurNewshasreportedthat ExxonMobil Guyana has a Commercial Enabling Agreement (CEA)withNobleCorporationfor fourdrillshipsthatarebeingusedin

the Stabroek Block. Under the CEA,therearefourstate-of-the-art drillships operating namely the Noble Bob Douglas, Noble Sam Croft, Noble Tom Madden, and NobleDonTaylor

Last year, Noble made some US$703millionfromitsoperations in Guyana. Notably, the company generated an income of US$2.589 billion in 2023, compared to US$1.413 billion in 2022 – that year the company earned US$469 million from its operations in

One of Noble's drillships working offshore Guyana

Guyana

Last year, it was announced that Exxon had extended its CEA with Noble for the drillships from the fourth quarter of 2025 to the second quarterof2027.

“Operations in Guyana, the GulfofMexico,andtheNorthSea accounted for approximately 27 2%, 16 9%, and 17 0%, respectively, of our consolidated operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023,” the companystated.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

Hiding our oil figures

OnSundaywereportedtheOfficeoftheLeaderofthe OppositioncallingforthereleaseoftheupdatedStabroek Block reserves, following the announcement by ExxonMobil of another discovery on Friday last. Since April 2022, Exxon has not provided the country with an updateontheestimatedresourcesdiscoveredintheprolific StabroekBlock.Whenitreportedonitslatestoilfindlast Friday, Exxon said nothing on how this increased the country’stotalrecoverableresources,fromitslastestimate of11billionbarrels-someeightdiscoveriesago.

Sayingthatitsupportscallsforthenationtobeupdated on the amount of discovered oil reserves, the opposition also said it believes it is disrespectful that the country is beingkeptinthedark.Itsaid:“Regardlesswhetheritisthe company that is keeping the government in the dark or whetheritisthegovernmentkeepingthepeopleinthedark, the lack of transparency is totally disrespectful and unacceptable. The natural resources of Guyana belong to thepeopleofGuyana.InthePreambleofourConstitution, we have declared our commitment “to protect our natural environment and endowment. Citizens are impeded in performing this duty if vital information on their oil resourcesisdeniedthem.”

What the opposition should know is that Guyana is tailor-made for any level of exploitation. The eyes of Guyanese are open wide, but there is the considerable likelihood that they are still blind to what is happening. Whentheissueisaboutoilreserves,wearehelpless.Weare lost,andwedon’tknowwhatwedon’tknow,whichmakes this country ripe for exploitation, any foreign oil companies’calculation.

How many proven barrels of oil reserves do we really have as of today? How much has the Exxon-led consortiumdiscovered,butofwhichGuyanaonlyknowsa portion, as told to this nation? How much more do the seismicstudiesindicatecouldbepresent,butwhicharestill secrets to the Guyanese people? We have been informed about 11 billion barrels of oil equivalents, with more projectsapprovedandbeinglinedupforproduction.Butan earlierquestionisnowrefined:is11billionbarrelsthetotal discoveries resulting from ExxonMobil’s sophisticated, raceagainsttheclock,efforts?

TherealityisthatGuyanahasnowaytoknow,otherthan whatExxonMobilseesfittosharewiththegovernment Wedo not have the people, nor the systems, to reconcile what ExxonMobilputsbeforeus,versuswhatcouldbetherealoil picture almost 200 kilometers from shore We have neither boats,northeskills,nortrustedpeopleofourown,tolookinto whatissharedwithus,andhowcompleteitis Quitefrankly,it isclearthatthereisanabsenceofleadershipwillandinterestin knowinghowmuchwehaveasprovenreserves Forwhatis received from oil company partners is what is swallowed wholesale,asifsomedivineforceitselfhadsaidso

To reinforce this point just recently ExxonMobil had saidthecompanyisnolongerfocusedonprovidingupdates onthenumberofbarrelsaddedtoitsresourcebase,buton monetizing those resources and when this country’s chief policymakerforthesector,VicePresidentBharratJagdeo was asked about this he said he had agreed with the company’spositiontohidethenewdiscoveryfiguresfrom the public. During a press conference at Office of the President, theVice President said the question of Exxon’s update of the resources is not as serious an issue as it is being made out to be by some industry stakeholders. He said Exxon’s announcement, or lack thereof, will not changethefactthatthereisadiscoveryalreadythereforthe benefitofthecountry “It’sjustamatteroftimingwhenwe increaseourreservesornot…Infact,they(Exxon)havea greaterkindofneedtodothatbecauseglobally…theylook at your reserve and that helps to move stock prices for Exxonbutthey’vedecidedthattheywanttofocusmoreon appraisalsastohowmanybarrelsareinthesediscoveries, etc,”saidtheVicePresident.Overall,hesaidExxon’smove

Jagdeo should publish the monthly oil extraction and consumption data

DEAREDITOR, It was reported that Former President, Mr Jagdeo, stated that the reports on royalty payments by Attorney at Law and Chartered Accountant, Mr ChristopherRam,andDr C. Kenrick Hunte, Professor and Former Ambassador, were wrong and that the Government has collected thecorrectamountofroyalty from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited(EMGL).

In response to these assertions,itwouldbeuseful ifMr Jagdeocanpublishthe monthly oil extraction and consumption data, along with the financial records of Exxon, Hess and CNOOC, i n k e e p i n g w i t h accountability and transparency With these publications, the Guyanese people will receive a complete and accurate understanding of how much royalty and profits they are entitled to receive, based on the barrels of oil that have

beenextractedandsold.Mr Ram in his analysis used published financial data fromthecompanies(Exxon, Hess and CNOOC), while my analysis used the data (barrels of oil sold and oil sales)publishedbytheBank of Guyana Annual Report 2022, table VII, page 21 (https://bankofguyana org g y/bog/images/research/Rep orts/ANNREP2022 pdf)

The financial inflows of profit oil and royalty, as r e c o r d e d i n t h e NRF,(https://bankofguyana org gy/bog/publications/nat u r a l - r e s o u r c efund/quarterly-reports) should be reconciled with the other published data to establish full concurrence.

T h i s n e c e s s a r y reconciliation is the job of the technical people in the various Government Departments, and is beyond theremitofthepoliticians.

According to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), the Total

tofocusonmonetizingthediscoveredresourcesisalogical step.

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global last year arrived at a placethatissuretodiscomfortExxonMobil,anditspartners. According to S&P’s Patrick Harrington, the numbers are “muchbiggerthanthat11billionbarrels”,andthatGuyana’s proven reserves could be at least double what has been making the rounds here. In numbers, it is not 11 billion barrelsofoil,butstarting(atleast)at22billionbarrelsofoil. S&PnotedtheoilreservoirsinnearbyVenezuela,thebiggest intheworld,whichledtothepositiontaken.Itisourposition at this publication, unscientific to be sure, that this country hasevenmoreoilreservesthantheS&Pleastcasenumberof 22billionbarrels.

This raises an interesting question: why would ExxonMobilnotwanttoannouncetotheworldthatthereis more than, possibly multiples of, the 11 billion barrels reportedlyfoundsofaroffshore? Onesolidreasonisthatto discloseanumberof,say,20billion,oranythingupwardsof that huge figure, would not only intensify pressure from Guyanese for more from their oil. It would also swing the attentionoftheworldevenmorepowerfullytothemassive Guyanaoilbonanza.Itcouldopenfurtherthefloodgatesfor voices from all over to highlight the callous, definitely heinous, 2016 contract. A vile contract basking in its 2% royalty,andotherrichfinancialprovisionsthathemorrhage Guyana,andsweetlybenefitExxonMobilandothers.

It would be better to withhold the sum of what ExxonMobilhasalreadyconfirmedaboutGuyana’sproven reserves.ItiswiserforExxonMobiltoreleaseoildiscovery and reserves developments on a staggered basis, with a billionbarrelsfromthisfield,andacouplebillionmorefrom another

With such a trickledown strategy, the spotlight and pressure are off from ExxonMobil to do better for Guyana, withthecontractremainingintact.

Considering what could be, Guyana is in the best and worstofplaces. Thereistherichnessofgreatoilfinds,but there is the poverty of not knowing, not actually knowing withanydegreeofcertainty,howmanybillionbarrelsthere are.

An assertive government, with courageous leaders standingasoilstewards,wouldhavefeltdutyboundtopull outallthestops,anduseeverymeansatitsdisposal,togetan accurateandreliablepictureofhowmuchoilwereallyhave.

TodependwhollyandsolelyonExxonMobilforinformation aboutoilreservesisallowingourselvestobetakenforaride.

Revenue (100%) from oil sales must be distributed as follows: Royalty = 2% of TotalRevenue(PSA,Article 15 6; confirmed by the G u y a n a R e v e n u e Authorityhttps://wwwstabr oeknews com/2022/06/25/n ews/guyana/gra-saysroyalty-adds-to-guyanasoil-take/); Cost Recovery = 75%ofTotalRevenue(PSA, Article 11.2); and Profit = 25%ofTotalRevenue(PSA, Article 11.4). Adding these numbers (2%+75%+25%) yield 102%, which is a glaring mathematical inconsistency, since you cannotsharewhatyoudonot have, given that you cannot extract102%from100%.In correctingthismathematical inconsistency, it was reported that EMGL smilingly gave 2% of its profit to Guyana; and from this,wetheGuyanesepeople wereexpectedtobelievethe false and misleading ExxonMobil Billboard which proclaimed that, ’Guyanareceives52%ofall profitsfromStabroekBlock50 % profit share plus 2% royalty’.

With Dr.VincentAdams calling out this misleading information, Mr. Jagdeo belatedly confirmed that EMGL was wrong, and Dr A d a m s w a s r i g h t (https://www.kaieteurnewso nline com/2024/03/08/exxo ns-52-billboard-misleadingjagdeo-finally-admits/)

Given this troubling situation, I contend that this would have been the appropriate time for Mr Jagdeotopublishthecorrect financial data on royalties and profits that Guyana received, as well as the extracted amount of oil, and the quantity of the free consumption of gas and oil intheextractionprocess.Mr Jagdeo needs to step up and provide the hidden information.

Editor, you may recall that the Auditor, Ramdihal, Haynes,VitalityConsulting, and Eclisar Financial & Professional (RHVE), had requested production information and it was denied. Also, the same auditing firm had claimed that around US$100m in expenses by ExxonMobil and partners were disputed (https://wwwstabroeknews com/2023/10/15/news/guya na/around-us100m-of-oilexpenses-disputed-in-us73b-audit/). This unresolved matter would generate a qualified auditor’s report on whatisrecordedasexpenses

and profits Working on behalf of the Guyanese people, Mr Jagdeo should thereforegetExxonMobilto resolve this problem. More particularly, Guyanese need timelyandaccuratefinancial and oil extraction information; and in this regard, meters and systems mustbedeployedtomeasure the extraction of oil and gas aswellasmonitortheimpact on the environment

Incidentally, fishermen may have been negatively affectedastheirquantitiesof harvested fish and shrimp may have declined; and this isacostthatmustbeaddedto the economic evaluation of theproject.

In addressing the mathematical inconsistency, it was stated that ExxonMobil will give to Guyana 2% of its profits to cover the royalty payment. This calculation and measurement must be carefullychecked,as2%of profits is less than 2 % of total revenue Also, transferring 2 % of its profit will result in Exxon and partners only receiving 10.5 % that must be split into 3 parts: 45% for Exxon, 30% Hess, and 25% CNOOC. Therefore, this three-part distributionyieldsforExxon 45% of 10.5% or 4.73%; Hess 30% of 10 5% or3.15%; and CNOOC 25% of 10.5% or 2.63%. Now, is this the financially viable multi-billion-dollar investment that yields meager returns from a ‘Guyanaoil-rush’?Isthisthe poor investment in which Chevronissoeagertoobtain a piece of the action and is willing to invest US$53.0 Billion for a 30% share of 10.5% profit? Can this be true?

Answers to these questions and more can be gleaned from a report prepared by Open Oil in 2019 and updated in 2020 (https://nextcloud.a193.ca/s/ jFRwL82RK5yfSR2). This report is a must read for all Guyanesewhowanttoknow whythe‘oilrush’inGuyana is on! A key finding of the report(page10)isthatwhen the price of a barrel of oil is US$65.00, ‘…the financial model shows an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) to the project of 22% in real terms after tax, under the current fiscalregime,overthelifeof the project,… (and)…This (IRR) is well above the socalled “hurdle rate” often employedbytheoilindustry

(Continued

Maximizing returns: Investing in agriculture

DEAREDITOR

Agriculture has long been a staple industry, providing food and resources for communities around the world. But in recent years, it has also become an attractive investment opportunity under the current administration With the growing global population and increasing demand for sustainable and ethical food production, investing in agriculture can offer high returns and positively impactsociety

It amazes me how many purported “experts” have provided their biased opinionsonwhatshouldand should not happen in the agriculturalsector Investing inagricultureoffersaunique o p p o r t u n i t y f o r diversificationinaportfolio, one that the Ministry of Agriculture is taking an active step towards achieving.

Unlike traditional stocks and bonds, agriculture investments are not directly correlated with the stock market, making them a valuable addition to any investment portfolio Additionally, agriculture i n v e s t m e n t s h a v e historicallyshowntobeless volatile than other industries,providingastable and consistent return on investment.

Moreover, investing in

agriculture can have a positive impact on society and the environment, one that we are already seeing particularly with the i n t r o d u c t i o n a n d diversification of crops and livestock By supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices, investors can contribute to the production of healthy and environmentally friendly food. This not only benefits the community but also creates a positive reputation for the company, attracting socially responsible investors. Isn’t that the goal here? How can we not see that such is the intention of Hon.MinisterofAgriculture Zulfikar Mustapha? Or are webeingselectivelyblindto what is taking place while creating our narratives to feedtothepublic?

If I can envision how lucrative this industry has become and will expand then you can also see your options in playing an active role in developing it while also gaining on a personal, professional and financial level.

When it comes to investing in agriculture, there are several strategies that investors can consider One option is to invest directly in farmland, and farmlands which are now being made available in abundance by the Ministry of Agriculture, either by

purchasinglandorleasingit to farmers This allows investors to have more control over the production andmanagementoftheland, but it also requires a significant upfront investment.

Another strategy is to invest in agriculture-related companies,suchasseedand fertilizer producers, equipment manufacturers, and food processing companies. Isn’t that what

the MOA is making investments in? This option offers more diversification and liquidity, but it is also subject to market fluctuations. What more do youneedtohear?

Billions of dollars are being invested to make the industry as booming as the oilindustriesbutthiscannot be done without the support of farmers and those eager andwillingtoinvest.

The opposition has one goal,discreditwithoutbeing factual and we must all be cognizantoftheinformation we digest from these utensils.

They served for five years and were visionless in every sector, in fact, they tried to hijack an entire election, do you really think that you should be giving themalisteningear?Letsnot makethatmistakeagain!

YoursSincerely,

Malisa Renada Playter Harry

PROFIT-METRICISMISLEADINGandFALSE: USEREVENUEMETRIC(14.5/100BARREL) TOEDUCATETHENATIONABOUT GUYANA’SSHAREOFOILREVENUES

DEAREDITOR

The “52%-profit” touted on those Exxon’s billboards inGuyanaismathematically incorrect. In Mathematics, you cannot add 2% of 100 barrels (2 barrels) to 50% of 25 barrels (12.5 barrels) and getaresultof52%profit.As Attorney Chris Ram said, “You cannot add two unlike things”. Treating base 100 andbase25asthesamething is like adding apples to oranges. Somebody at the highest level of the government should have r e c o g n i s e d t h i s Mathematical error and called it out two years ago when the billboards were firstmounted.

Ifwewanttoeducatethe Guyanese nation about its “take” from the State’s Oil Enterprise, we should avoid using the profit-metric Better to use share-ofrevenue metric or share of barrelsoutofeveryhundred.

Ipresenttwoillustrations to show how the profitmetric is false and misleading:

(1) Total production 100 barrels. Cost Recovery 75; 25availableforprofit-share. Guyana gets 12.5 barrels. Thatis50%profit.

(2) Total production 100 barrels CR 90 Ten remaining for profit-share. Guyanagets5barrels.Those 5barrelsarealso50%profit.

So, we now have the

results of our little illustration. Both 12.5 and 5 barrelsrepresent50%profit. Thus, the profit-metric can lead to absurd results.There is an old accounting joke where the accountant tells the CEO, “I can make profit anythingyouwantittobe”.

Surely, to represent 12.5/100barrelsor14.5/100 as 50% and 52% profit respectively,onbillboardsis false, misleading, and damaging to the psyche of the Guyanese people. It is simplyanoutrage.

The govt of Guyana should order Exxon to take downthosebillboards.Order Exxon not to use the word profit on those billboards. Say simply: Guyana’s share of revenues is 14.5 out of every 100 barrels. Or 14.5% ofrevenues.

Note: If Guyana ramps up production from 460,000 bpd to 1 2 million bpd, Guyana’s share will still be 14.5/100 and will remain so untilalltheoilispulledfrom the seabed Absence of Ringfencing will make sure Guyana’s share of revenues does not rise above the 14.5/100-barrellevel.

To think that production will ramp up to 1.2 million bpd by 2027 and Guyana’s share of revenues remain fixed at 14.5 barrels out of every 100 is unfathomable. The oil companies’ goal is always to drill all the oil as

quickly as possible – but in this particular case study –with Guyana’s take remain fixedfor30-years,itmakesit a sweetheart deal of the century This thought brings upExxon’sdeterminationto prevent Chevron from buying Hess’s 30 percent shares for a reported $53 billion Exxon has a reputation for fighting aggressively for any advantage over its competitor Exxon’s private dealings with the Govt of Guyana on the other hand is still a dark hole. Dr Jerry Jailall once observed that GoG and Exxon are united on the same side fighting againsttheGuyanesepeople who agitate daily for a renegotiatedFairDealforits oil resource. Spokesmen for the GoG have not once articulated reasons for renegotiation of a Fair Deal contract.

One final note: Exxon’s stockpriceclosedat$111on March15th.(Itaveraged$56 a share in 2021). Exxon’s stockpricewilllikelydouble to $222 by 2027. I would urge GoG to invest at least 50% of its SWF in Exxon’s stock. If GoG’s hands are tied and cannot renegotiate for FAIR VALUE for your oilresource,thendothenext best thing – buy Exxon’s stock.

Sincerely

Rohee responds toAlexander Cheddi Jagan the man I know

DEAREDITOR

This was the accusatory slant and unfair approach adopted by Mr Vincent Alexander in framing his letterpublishedintheMarch 17, 2024 edition of K/N. In the circumstances, being a member of GECOM I consideritnecessarytoshare with readers the truth in contrast to Mr Alexander’s claim that is grossly misleading. First of all, since Mr Alexander claims in his opening gambit that persons vote for the dead at ourelections,Icalluponhim to provide the evidence to show where one (1) person votedforone(1)deadperson at a recent election in Guyana.

Moreover, since Mr. Alexander claims that ‘ impersonation has occurred ’heshouldpresent statements from his party’s pollingagentswhousually,are ateverysinglePollingStation onElectionDay,purportingto showwhoimpersonatedwho, where and when such an irregularity took place In cynical fashion, Mr Alexanderdeclaredthatthree (3) responses to six (6) he highlightedasresponsestoa recent letter he wrote ‘are welcomed and represent

some admission that my concerns are worthy of attention’ Yet in a backhandedmannerhewent on to say; ‘the responses do not represent a commitment to confront the issues’ and that‘GECOM`ssystemsare obviouslyinadequate…’

Alexander’s claim that; ‘GECOM has pushed back ontheimplementationofthe biometric measures’ suggests that a decision was adopted at the commission on the matter when that is certainlynotthecase,suffice it to say that thus far, owing tootherpressingmatters,the commission has not gone ‘beyond the commitment mademonthsagotoconduct feasibilitystudies.’

Moreover, Alexander’s ‘calluponGECOMandallof theconcernedagenciestofast track the implementation of measures to ensure the travesty, of the dead being voted for, is stamped out’ And that; ‘This should be a pre-conditionfortheconduct of any future election ’ appears to be laying the groundworkfortwopiecesof preconceived calculated mischief First, to keep beating the drum that the election would not be free and fair and secondly, as a

consequence, that the electoral results do not represent the will of the electorate. Inthemeantime, GECOM’s Chairman has made it abundantly clear time and again, that without appropriate legislative changes the introduction of biometric identification at the place of poll will be unconstitutional. As far as his call to; ‘Nandalall to comecleaninrelationtothe thousandsofverifiablecases ofallegedimpersonationfor which he has the documentationsinceAugust 2022.’ I leave that spurious and misplaced call in the capable hands of the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Mr Alexander would serve his party better were he to engage in some deep retrospection and sobering introspection by having a second look his claim: ‘Thereisimpliedcomplicity on the part of those who attempt to nullify these issues.’ The commissioner appears to be lost in a wood of three trees. He should desist from peddling this falsenarrative.

Yoursfaithfully,

Jagdeo should publish the monthly...

Frompage04 ofa15%rateofreturninnominalterms…’In fact, another calculation shows an even higher IRR between 34%-35% (Page 11) Interestingly, with oil prices averaging around US$80 00 per barrel, some US$15 00abovetheUS$65 00priceinthe study, it is obvious that the IRR could be

much higher. In conclusion, the timely access to full information is required, and above all, a place of fairness and equity must be established Step-up to the higher ground!

Sincerely,

DEAREDITOR

I worked the day shift with former President Cheddi Jagan where he would normally go to his office to see people with appointments but as we settled in his car and was on the move he said to me and the driver comrade we have to make a short stop to see mydoctor

His visit didn’t last too long for a normal heart check-up as I sat there and looked at his doctor tending to him then they both chatted a little and we left for the Office of the President and all seemed fine, then a few days after as I finished my shift another bodyguard calledandsaid,heyyuhhear wah happen just now, I said no and he said the President was rushed to the hospital and it looks like he got a heartattack.

I n t h o s e d a y s information was not like nowadays we had to d e p e n d o n t h e newspapers and radio and TV but through the grapevine we would hear that someone contacted the U S embassy and that they wouldflyhimtoAmerica.

I was very surprised as to why they made that decision and since Jagan was a communist he should have been sent to Cuba we were always told that the Cubans have the best doctors and medicine

President Castro would have welcomed Jagan with openarms,butbeforeallthis there was a cyanide spill by Omai Gold Mines that polluted the mighty Essequibo River and Jagan was furious he lambasted

Omai and he pressed for compensation but the company packed up quietly and left. Those that were affected were given a few black water tanks to catch rainwaterandaswetravelled along the Essequibo River with him and Doctor Jennifer Westford and a delegation we could have seenthesadnessinJagan.

Cheddi Jagan was very kind to us bodyguards, he wouldmakesureweeat,ask wherewecamefrom.

I remember the long nights at Freedom House where Jagan would hold lengthy meetings with his ministers and as soon as those meetings finished he would have us collect the food and take it to State House and share it amongst ourselves.

H e l o v e d h i s grandchildren and would not only take them to the pool but would also send a car to pick up some ministers’ children to swim

At the Office of the President the close-man and a few bodyguards had to cut out articles that were written by people in the letter columns of the r e s p e c t i v e d a i l y newspapers about things that are of concern to people in the country, e g broken water main on the East Coast Demerara, police harassment in Berbice,etc

These clippings were put in a file so that this would be given Jagan detailed knowledge of what is happening in and aroundthecountry

We also had to reuse envelopes, these envelopes were used to send internal documents within the

ministries, in the afternoons we would walk around the National Park and sometimes around Kingston and nearby areas to sell the Mirror newspapers

I remember the disturbances in 1992, the Herdmanston Accord, the frequent picketing exercises and sometimes Joey would lecture us on politics at State House and on some weekends we would go to New Haven in Bel Air at the Jagan’s residence where he would tend to his sheep, dogs and chickens, in the nights We had to massage the President, I saw different types of electronic massaging machines in his room but he never wanted ustousethemwehadtodo itbyhand.

I remember he had somethingcalledthisweek withthePresidentwherehe wouldaddressthemedia.

I never saw him angry butheandEnricoWoolford had a little exchange of wordsonce

He would also give us blank tapes to put in the tape recorder to record, Radio Deutchvella broadcasting from Germany with the latest news,LondonCalling.Then we heard the sad news Cheddi Jagan has died in Walter Reed Memorial Hospital and he would be broughttoGuyana.

When I looked at his body at State House and sawthecrowdinlineevery day I said Guyana has indeedlostagreatsoul

Sincerely

Mr S.Harald

Former bodyguard and closeman to former PresidentJagan

Stop hiding our reserves!

This government does not want to take advice from anyone on the management of the country's oil and gas sector but has left a self-appointed guru, an all-knowing genius to control the industry however he sees fit.

He has not only allowed the pilfering of our oil profits through uncapped interest rates but is now complicit in allowing Exxon to hide the Stabroek Block reserves from the nation.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana deserves to know the amount of oil that has been found in the Stabroek Block since April 2022.

ExxonMobil's Senior Vice President, Neil Chapman disclosed that works are simultaneously ongoing with exploration in the Stabroek Block to understand the volumes discovered. Why then are we being kept in the dark???

VP Jagdeo says PPP boys will not cash-in from Gas-to-Energy project, but still hiding agreements

Although Guyana as an implementing member state of the Extractive Industries and Transparency Initiative (EITI) is required to ensure public accessibility to all licences and contracts underpinning the extractive industry, the Government of Guyana (GoG) is yet to disclose any of the deals related to the controversial Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project.

The administration was called out for the lack of transparency in the development of the massive US$2B project by former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson who even intimated his concern that operation and maintenance contracts may be to the benefit of PPPcronies. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his Thursday press briefing responded to two

articles published by KaieteurNewsonMarch12, 2024andMarch13,2024in thatregard.

In the first article, Patterson was quoted as saying the government has not released any of the agreements relative to the projectastheyrevealthetrue beneficiaries, see link below:

https://wwwkaieteurne wsonline com/2024/03/12/g ovt-hiding-wales-gas-plantagreements-from-public/ Meanwhile, in the second article, the former Minister explained that the Operation and Maintenance contract for the project can provide “generational funding” for PPP cronies.

https://wwwkaieteurnewso nline com/2024/03/13/20year-maintenance-contractfor-gas-to-energy-projectwill-benefit-ppp-boyspatterson/

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Heexplainedthat,“ifit's one of the PPP cronies and you get US1 cent per megawatt for 300MW for 365daysfor20years.Ifyou do the maths, you can see that that's generational funding...thatiswhytheydo these things so opaque and they'll say oh it's some company and of course the beneficialownerswillnotbe known until the government is changed and we unravel it.”Jagdeotoldreportersthat Patterson'scontentionswere purely “fictitious” and that the government will require international expertise to manage and maintain the project.

“Thefactofthematteris there is no such company, nor agreement. We have not decided which company (as

Patterson'sconcernsoverthe PPP benefitting from the contracts,hedidnotaddress thereleaseoftheagreements for the Gas-to-Energy project.

yet), we are (currently) building the plant, we still havetogoouttotenderfora company to manage the plant and it will be an international company because this technology there, using gas, we don't have that capability in GPL atthisstagetomanageanew plant of this nature,” the VP explained.

He stressed, “The facts arethatwehavenot,thereis no such contract, there is no such company He has already concluded this will benefit PPP boys and he calculatedhowmuchmoney too and it's all fictitious but he gets two headlines in the Kaieteur News for this fiction.”

Notably, although the Vice President dispelled

Since 2022, the government signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with the Stabroek Co-ventures that outlines the principles and conditions for the commercial and technical arrangements of the deal. Several other agreements and contracts for the project have also been signed but remainhidden.

Pattersonhadrequesteda copy of the HOAagreement in Parliament back in December 2022, but the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat said it could not be made availableyet.

Patterson in his request for the information, submitted to Parliament on October18,2022,hadasked whether any agreements w e r e s i g n e d w i t h ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL)- formerly Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)- in connection withtheWalesprojectandif yes, for the Minister to supply the House with a copyofthesaidagreement.

Bharratinhisresponseto Patterson said, “There are other agreements on supply, buyer's agreement, field development, licensing conditions, onshore works, and land matters that are currently being drafted. The respective agreements and policy documents will be presentedtothisHonourable House when they have been agreed upon and executed. All agreements are being done in a timely manner to meet the Final Investment Decision which will allow for the project to be completedbyourcommitted deadline of December 2024.”

Notably, the timeline for the delivery of the GTE projecthasnowbeenshifted to 2025, and Exxon is yet to make a Final Investment Decisionfortheinitiative.

Exxonisconstructingthe pipeline component of the project that will be used to transport natural gas from the Liza fields in the StabroekBlocktotheWales DevelopmentSite.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e governmentisconstructinga Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300-megawatt power plant, aimed at reducing electricity charges by50%.

‘Agriculture workers among the world’s poorest’ - Pres. Ali urges action to address issue at FAO Regional Conference

President Irfaan Ali on Monday called for programmes to address poverty among workers in theagriculturesector

He made the comments during his address at the opening ceremony of the 38th Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Conference for Latin America and the C a r i b b e a n ( L A C ) Ministerial Session at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre(ACCC).

PresidentAlihighlighted the dire need to address poverty within the agriculture sector, noting: “weintheregionunderstand that financing insurance is a critical component of the food production system and we have to address these issues, we cannot go on without finding innovative ways in which we can address issues of financing and insurance to support the food production ecosystem ofwhichagricultureisakey component.”

Acknowledging the pivotal role of financing in sustaining food production, President Ali highlighted a significant milestone in securing US$100 million fromaprivateinstitutionata remarkablylowinterestrate, a mere 3%, contrasting with theconventionalratesof8to 12% for agriculture. However, he urged multinational systems to recalibrate financing mechanisms, advocating for increasedconcessionalloans tofortifythefoodproduction ecosystem. He also stated, “But this is from the private

sector but I think the multinational system needs to adjust its financing for agriculture and the food productionsystem.”

President Ali also spoke about placing the same emphasis that is placed on energy security on food security Tothisend,hesaid, “Food is so important why wecan’tplacethesamelevel ofseriousnessofinvestingin facilities that allow us to store to avoid shocks, especially when you have prices that are low… These are things we must address, andthesearetheissuesthatI think of when I look at greaterintegration…”

Moreover, the Guyanese leader underscored the staggering reality that 700 million workers in the agriculture sector endure poverty,posingaformidable obstacle in meeting the escalating demand for food.

He lamented the paradox of an industry tasked with nourishing populations but plagued by widespread poverty among its workforce, questioning the messageitconveystofuture generations. Ali questioned, “Important to what we are doing is how do we ensure thenextgenerationjustdon’t eat but eat food with greater nutritional value?” He underscored that inflation haveskyrocketfoodprocess whichremainaboveaverage for the past years. “The agriculture sector as we know it now is ill-equipped tomeetthisdemandandwhy is this ill-equipped, because 700 million of its workers currentlyliveinpovertyand we have to face these realities,”PresidentAlisaid. “We cannot come here with thebestideasandforgetthat we have 700 million people living in poverty,” President

IDB Report Highlights Future Growth Opportunities for Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and

the Caribbean’s e c o n o m i e s demonstrated unexpected strength in 2023 and can enactreformsthatcapitalize on untapped economic opportunities, allowing the region to play a pivotal role in the global economic landscape, according to the I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Development Bank’s (IDB) newmacroeconomicreport.

Theregiongrew2.1%in 2023, exceeding initial estimates of 1%. Regional growthisforecasttoslowto 1 6% in 2024 before rebounding to 2% in 2025. Growth expectations for

2024 are influenced by several factors, including lower global growth, high interest rates, stable commodity prices, gradual fiscal consolidation, and relatively high debt levels, according to the report “Ready for Take-Off? BuildingonMacroeconomic StabilityforGrowth”.

“WhilecountriesinLatin America and the Caribbean arereadytocontributetothe world’s demand in critical sectorssuchasfoodsecurity, renewable energy and climatechange,theyneedto advance reforms to increase productivity, enhance economic resilience, and

promote sustainable growth,” said Eric Parrado, Chief Economist and General Manager of the Research Department of the IDB.

Among policies to boost productivity, the report recommends countries to improve access to quality education, encourage small firm formalization and growth, facilitate access to global markets to all firms, take advantage of the reorganization of global value chain changes to attract Foreign Direct Investment flows and promoteamorecompetitive creditmarketforfirms.

destitution and empower them to thrive within the agriculturallandscape.

He explained food production is not only about food, but it also entails the people who are involved in the system of producing the food.

Ali noted, emphasizing the imperativetoliftthemoutof

The head-of-state noted, “700 million of the persons who participate in agriculture sector live in poverty,howarewegoingto change conditions for them, how are we going to target this 700 million people and help them to develop a systemtogetoutofpoverty, because if 700 million of peopleinagriculturesystem, liveinpovertywhatmessage is it sending to the next generation, do you want to joinasectorofpoverty.”

Moreover, President Ali also noted that there are some 2 billion people in the world who suffer from malnutrition.“Itisestimated thatweneed60%morefood tofeedtheglobalpopulation by 2050 ” he added Additionally, President Ali, also the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), alongside regional leaders, recently underscored their commitment to eradicating hunger and malnutrition by 2030, signaling a pivotal step in addressing food insecurity Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula DaSilvahasalsothrownhis government support behind CARICOM’s drive for food security and southern hemispherecooperation.

Henry Hub, Rowley rub and Barry flub

I can identify with, feel for, Trinidad & Tobago PM, Dr Keith Rowley, and the demands of travels. His job was to do more to get more forhiscountry'sgas,squeeze afewmorepenniesandpesos from wherever and whoever he could get them. To live out of a suitcase, even with the best of first-class travel, top-of-the-line hotels, and 5star restaurants, can be a drainandadrag.

With over 800 flights behind my belt, I know what PM Rowley endured to do better for his country and people. There comes that time when chops and cheesecake fade before the longing for curry and cookup, and one's own humble lodgings and family When dutycalls,thebellrings,there mustbeanswering.

WhattheTTPMistelling

usisthattheroadtogetmore is long and hard. Refusal figuresoften;butmoredoors still have to be knocked. In the briefest, simplest terms, Henry Hub (gosh, it's been a longtime)iswhatT&T'sgas price was pegged to, fixed. As that moved, so did the collections for T&T Rowley's challenge was that his country was at a disadvantage, boxed in, comparatively speaking, withHenryHub. Itcoulddo better,justhadto,andhewas bold enough. Take the fight ontheroad.

So, he set out to do just that: he rubbed shoulders with cold-eyed and hardhearted men in world capitals. Herubbedhiseyes after another redeye flight, after another stormy connecting leg completed. For sure, Rowley rubbed

some stubborn people raw, made some relationships mad. After all, he was looking to get what nobody wanted to give up. He must have also rubbed and massaged his tonsils with RemyMartinorStellaArtois brews. Rowley's problem was compounded by everyone knowing that he was negotiating from a hole: Henry Hub spot and futures prices. But he persisted and eked out some price improvements for his countryandcitizens.

MymindshiftstoBharrat Jagdeo, Guyana's majestic man of the moment. He is a dud. A blub. Jagdeo is nothingbutaflub. Guyanais pegged to the 2016 oil contract with Exxon, and local badman Barry Jagdeo confessestotheworldthathe has lost his bulbs. He can't

see his way because he doesn't want to find his way outofthedespicable2016oil contract. When it is the Exxon contract, Jagdeo hasn'tjustlosthislightbulbs, he has lost what is described by another word beginning witha'b.' Foodforthought, fellowcitizens.

Think of this fellow Guyanese: on anything and everything, Jagdeo is the loudest and proudest about how the PPPhas done better than the PNC. There are endless (and skewed) comparisons between what thecoalitiondidinitshandful of lost years, and what the PPP has done since 2020. But on the biggest thing that thePNCdidduringitswatch, Jagdeo sheds his pants and hisshorts(andwhateverelse) andseeksthesheets. Thisis Jagdeo runner, Jagdeo the hider,Jagdeotheplayer On thebiggestblunder - a crime according to top dogs in the PPP, and Jagdeo, the biggest dog, the demon-inspired 2016 Exxon oil contract, Jagdeoflubs.

He drubs (frequently rightly so) the PNC, then flubs his own role, distances from doing his duty Whenever the choice for Barry Jagdeo is between

standingforExxonandits loathsome contract and the Guyanese people and his contract with them. The Guyanese people have always lost. I repeat Jagdeo is a dud; he is the mud on whichAlistairRoutledgeand DarrenWoods walk on, kick around,tumbleabout,asthey please. WhenKeithRowley is aggressive and creative, BarryJagdeoisreclusiveand evasive,definitelyoffensive. AHoudiniintheheartland,a R a s p u t i n r u n n i n g interference for Routledge andExxon.

If Jagdeo had any pride about him, any authentic leadership strains in him, he would be the most courageous fighter to conquer the contract that the PNC left for him. What the PNC couldn't do, he got done What the PNC couldn'tgetfortheGuyanese people, he packed his suitcases, like Rowley, and buttonholed international organizations, backed congressmen and senators against a wall, played the wounded and disadvantaged Third World card, and got it done. More for Guyanese. He had to rally sympathetic human assets across the globe to get Guyana's

lopsidedstory,acrimeifever there was one, and force Darren Woods to move like those forests in Macbeth's days of decline. Jagdeo the dud, the pretended oil stud, takesthecunningwayoutof hisoilchallenge.

He attacks and assaults Guyanese, even smirk as his peopleassassinatethosewho point to his leadership obscenities. What a clever fellow Guyanese have for a leader I would have moved mountains, crossed oceans, to do better for Guyanese, if foroneobjectiveonly When success comes (and it must), then the PNC and all others whoblockmywaywouldbe vanquishedforalltime.

Iamyettoencounterany man who aspires to be a disease. We have more than afewherewhodelightatthat thought, celebrate that reality Guyaneseshouldask themselves if Barry Jagdeo makesthemark.

(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.)

Suspect in Chinese shopkeeper's murder was part of killer gang in Venezuela

Oneofthesuspectsinthe Chinese shopkeeper's murder was part of a killer gang inVenezuela, and he is said to be the “chop man” who dismembered bodies with a chainsaw, a reliable source who is familiar with themanandtheganghewas a member of told Kaieteur News.

“Youseethisoldmanhay this man been in a killing gang. I didn't know was this man. This man used to chop uppeople.

This man come from a man named 'Topo'.This was 'Topo' cut up man.This man does cut up people with power-saw Me in know this mandehponthelandin'deh,” the source told Kaieteur News.The source continued:

“But it still baffle me how a 'Chinee man' gonna low them, I know Chinese does fight, maybe they had a gun

orsomethin'.Howtheygetto tieupthisman?Thisoldman is a terrible man and I didn't knowthismandeh'boutdeh. IfI(had)knowwudtellyall togetheoffdeh.

Hebeeninthegangwith Topothemanthatusetorun the San Martin road there, what was in charge of everybody, all them criminal.”

On Monday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said its investigation into the brutal murder of the Chinese businessman would be concluded later that day Monday after which a file willbesenttotheDirectorof Public Prosecutions (DPP) foradvice.

“At about 09:40 hrs. this morning (Monday), a postmortem examination with dissectionwasperformedon the body of Lisong Yang, a 41-year-old Businessman of

Eteringbang Landing, C u y u n i R i v e r, b y Government Pathologist DoctorNehaulSingh.”

Yang's body was identified by his wife Shuping Wen, and his cause of death was an incised wound to the neck, compounded by blunt traumatothehead.Thebody was then handed over to relativesforburial.

A three-man gang on Thursday slaughtered 41year-oldYang,andseriously injured his wife, Wen Shuping,afterinvadingtheir supermarket at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

All three of them have beenarrested;oneGuyanese and two Venezuelan nationals According to reports,thekillingtookplace around 14:00hrs last Thursday

The wreckage following the accident.

Driver critical after crashing pick-up into minibus

Housing Minister commissions $31 million 25ft bridge

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal on Sunday commissioned a 25foot long $31.8M concrete bridge and a $25.7M office for the Department of Education at Matthews Ridge, North West District (NWD),RegionOne.

The bridge project was funded by Region One's Regional Democratic Council(RDC)andis22feet wide and 25 feet long

AccordingtotheMinistryof Housing, the new bridge replaced a dilapidated wooden structure and sports a designated pedestrian walkwayaimedatenhancing t h e r e s i d e n t s ' safety.Additionally, Minister Croal also commissioned a Department of Education Office which is valued at $25.7M.

The 30 by 50 feet concrete building will house

staffofthedepartment.

AccordingtotheHousing Ministry, the staff of the Department of Education waspreviouslyhousedinthe Regional Administration's conference room but with a “growing team”, that room becamecrowded.

The $25.7M project falls under the RDC and was constructed by AAV Ragobeer and Sons ContractingServices.

The Department of Education building at Matthews Ridge

UN questions Govt’s failure to investigate reports of corruption against VP Jagdeo

Th e U n i t e d

Nations (UN)

Human Rights

Committee CCPR on Monday during its 140th session questioned the reason why the Government had failed to investigate reportsallegingthatGuyana Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeoiscorrupt.

The UN Human Rights Committee plays an essential role in protecting the civil and political rights of individuals in all States parties to the International Convention on Civil and PoliticalRights(ICCPR).

O n M o n d a y U S Candidate to the Human Rights Committee for the years 2023- 2026, Professor Laurence Helfer grilled the g o v e r n m e n t ' s representative, Gail Teixeira, the country's Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, for answers on its shortcomingswhenitcomes to transparency and investigating allegations of corruptpractices.Helferwas nominated by the United States as a candidate for the U N H u m a n R i g h t s Committee. Hewaselected by the states parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2022 and is serving as a member of the Committee from2023to2026.Inposing questions about alleged

corruptioninGuyanaHelfer said that the human rights committee understands that the current Guyana Governmenthaddismantled the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) when it took office and in 2020 in response to concerns about its effectiveness and asked which agency is now responsible for recovering stolenstateassets.

He then followed up by pointing out that the Human Rights Committee reiterates its “request for information on measures to ensure prompt and effective investigations into allegationsofcorruptionand the prosecution of perpetrators” before stating “The committee is aware of public frustration regarding for example the failure to investigate reports of corruptionbyVicePresident Bharratjagdeo”.

Helfer did not say what alleged corrupt practices Jagdeo is accused of but Teixeira in her response spokeofaViceNewsarticle that accused him of using a Chinese businessman, , Zhi RongSu to“cashbribesfor governmentcontracts”. She said, “ there was no follow-upbecausetherewas no police report made by Vice News or anybody else and so police cannot investigate without some

formofreportorcomplaint.”

“However, the VP has answered this issue publicly several times in the same media that has carried these reports”,Teixeiraadded.

In2022,Jagdeo'sformer friend and tenant, Zhi Rong

Su implicated him (Jagdeo) inbriberyandcorruption.Su haddisclosedtoVICENews reporters posing as Chinese investors that Jagdeo took “ c a s h b r i b e s ” f o r multimilliondollarcontracts and that he (Su) was his middleman.VICENewson July 7, 2022 premiered a documentary with its f i n d i n g s I n t h e documentary, Jagdeo called Su “a good friend of ours” and his tenant during an interview with one of the VICE News' reporters However, when the full documentary was aired and Jagdeo learnt of the corruption allegations againsthim,hethreatenedto sue that same “good friend” for $50M for defaming his character but reportedly could not find him to serve

Meadow Bank fisherman remanded for robbery

A30-year-oldfisherman was remanded to prison on Monday, when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates'Courttoanswer toarobberycharge.

KevinAlicock,aresident of Lot 32 James Street, Albouystown,madehisfirst court appearance before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse, where the robbery with violence charge was readtohim.

The father of two pleaded not guilty to the offence, which alleged that on March 14, 2024 at Meadow Bank Wharf, Georgetown he robbed ChattapaulLallbhadoofone Samsung phone valued $30,000and$5000incash.

The charge further alleged that at the time or immediately after the robbery, Alicock used personal violence on

Lallbhado. According to the facts, Alicock and Lallbhado are knowntoeachother

The two reportedly sell fish at the Meadow Bank Wharf. ItisrelatedthatonMarch 14, 2024 around 04:30hrs, Alicock lashed the victim twice on his face with an iron Following that, he (Alicock) took a bag belonging to Lallbhado, which contained the phone andcashandthenmadegood his escape to an unknown location.

A r e p o r t w a s subsequently filed by the victim at the Meadow Bank Wharf's Police Outpost. Alicock was identified by Lallbhado, and was subsequently arrested.

Whilst being cautioned, Alicock reportedly admitted to the offence and the stolen

Remanded: KevinAlicock

articles were recovered on him Meanwhile, during Monday's court proceedings the prosecutor objected to bail on several grounds including the nature and gravity of the offence, the fact that he was found with the stolen items and his admittancetothecrime.

The stolen items were photographed and are being used as evidence. Further, a

statement from the arresting rank and an oral statement made by Alicock, which stated, “I take the bag and money, I aint take nothing else”arekeyelementsinthe caseagainstAlicock.

Notwithstanding the prosecutor's arguments, Alicock refuted the charge against him and told the court that the incident was not a robbery but instead a fight.“It was no robbery sir, itwasafight,”hesaid,whilst citing that the fight ensued between the two because Lallbhado allegedly stepped on his toe and did not apologise.

However, Magistrate Nurse denied bail on the grounds presented by the prosecutor and remanded Alicocktoprison.

Heisscheduledtoreturn tocourtonApril5,2024for statements.

the lawsuit. One year and months later, Jagdeo revealed that he had found Su At one of his weekly press conferences he told Kaieteur News, “I-I yeah, yesitwasfiledandIthinkit shouldbeheardverysoonin court… I am hoping for an early (Court) date” before adding,“Yeshewasserved”.

According to legal documents seen by this publication, Jagdeo through his attorneys, Manoj Narayan and CV Satram, outlined that the statements made by Mr Su that were contained in the news broadcast clearly imputed criminal and unlawful conduct on the part of the Vice President The attorneys had described the statements made by Mr Su as “defamatory and slanderous ” The lawsuit outlined that the said words werecalculatedtodisparage Mr Jagdeopersonallyandin theofficehenowholds.

Accordingtothelawsuit, owing to the statements that w e r e a i r e d i n t h e documentary, Jagdeo has s u f f e r e d p u b l i c condemnation, humiliation, ridicule,andembarrassment.

Additionally, the legal document noted the statements have caused serious injury to the Vice President's reputation and his political standing locally andinternationally

InViceNewsundercover investigation, the Chinese businessman was recorded alleging that bribes would have to be paid to the Vice President for them to be guaranteed contracts in Guyana. He could be heard on the recording too telling the team that Jagdeo only accepts“cash.”

The documentary also showed that Su took the “fake Chinese investors to Jagdeo's home to meet him. The documentary was

viewed by thousands of GuyaneseinGuyanaandthe diaspora. Additionally, the extendedYouTubeeditionof thereporthasattractedmore than two million views to date.

Jagdeo's defence is that hehadrepeatedlydeniedthe allegations in the extended newsreportwhichwasaired ontheUStelevisionnetwork Showtime and posted on YouTube The allegations had triggered calls by a number of civil society groups and the Opposition for there to be a full independentinvestigationof the serious corruption allegations, which have all been denied by Vice PresidentJagdeo.

“Vice News came into my house to catch me doing somethingillegalandtaking abribe…andyoucouldn'tdo that in my most unguarded moment They have done this around the world with leaders they got taking bribes they are never goingtofindanythingofthat naturewithme,”Jagdeohad said.

Jagdeo had said too that he was not conducting officialgovernmentbusiness at his home but was rather meeting with an investor of Su.“Sudidnotgetanything special here and it was not a government project, it was hisinvestorhewantedmeto meet.”

Notably Su, the man Jagdeo had described in the documentary as a “friend” has amassed a significant portion of mineral-rich land under the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration. Su holds some 12,000 acres of precious stones and goldrich lands under his name. Thisinformationisprovided in the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) documents.

Israeli forces launch new attack on Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital

(BBC NEWS) The Israeli military says it has taken control of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City in whatitcalledanoperation to "thwart terrorist activity".

It said troops killed 20 "terrorists", including a senior commander of Hamas's internal security force,anddetaineddozensof suspects during the raid Witnesses described heavy exchangesoffirearoundthe site, where thousands of displaced people are sheltering.

Gaza'sHamas-runhealth ministry said Israel was committingawarcrime.The Israeli military said there was no obligation for medical staff or patients to leave, and that the hospital could continue its important functions But several medical staff inside the hospital told the BBC that the electricity had been cut and that they had been instructed by the Israeli military not to move, prohibiting them from properlytreatingpatients.

"We are trapped where w e a r e i n s i d e t h e department," said Dr Amer Jedbeh, a 31-year-old surgicalresident."Ashellhit our building on the first floor, injuring several people. One man died - we could not save him. We are working only with first aid, essentially, we cannot operate because there is no electricityorwater."

Dr Jedbeh said two patientsonlifesupportatthe intensive care unit in the same building had died because the electricity supply was cut ahead of the raid. "All the machinery is off," he added. "Colleagues from the main building say there are many injured there who need surgery but we cannot get to them and they cannot bring the patients to us " The military has told civilians living in the surrounding area that they should leave immediately for the own safety and head south the "humanitarian area" in al-Mawasi, near the southerncityofRafah.

Israeli forces have been fiercely criticised for their previous raids on Gaza's health facilities - including al-Shifa - during the fivemonthwarwithHamas.The conflict began after Hamas gunmen killed about 1,200 peopleinsouthernIsraelon7

October and took 253 other people hostage. More than 31,700 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 81 people in the past 24 hours, according to the territory's health ministry

Eyewitnesses to the latest raid on al-Shifa described a state of panic inside the hospital - Gaza's biggest medical facility - as Israeli troops launched the rapidandunexpectedraidin the early hours of Monday morning "Tanks are surrounding us We are hiding inside the tent. We hear tank fire in the vicinity of the compound," Mahmoud al-Saudi said in a recorded call with his brother,whichwaspostedon a WhatsApp group.Another man inside the hospital, Mohammed al-Sayyid, said in a voice message sent to journalists: "The soldiers here inside the complex, therearedeadandwounded, and the soldiers arrested someyoungmen."

The deputy director of theemergencydepartmentat al-Shifa told the BBC that there were about 20 doctors and 60 nurses inside the hospital,aswellashundreds ofpatients.

Dr Amjad Eliwah - who is just outside the hospital groundsbutisincontactwith his staff inside - described the situation as "very critical" He also said the Israeli troops raided two schools next to the hospital that were being used as sheltersbydisplacedpeople. They arrested all the men insideandtoldthewomento leave through a designated exit and head south towards thetownofDeiral-Balah,he added.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF)chiefspokesmanRear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced overnight that troops were conducting a "high-precision operation in limited areas of al-Shifa hospital following concrete intelligence that demanded immediate action" "We know that senior Hamas terrorists have regrouped inside al-Shifa hospital and are using it to command attacks against Israel," he said. He added: "We call upon all Hamas terrorists hiding in hospitals to surrender immediately Medical facilities should neverbeexploitedforterror Hama

accountable."

Hamas and health officials have repeatedly denied the accusation that Hamas fighters have operated inside or underneath al-Shifa and other hospitals Later on Monday, the IDF said in a statement that troops had "identifiedterroristfire

(Continuedonpage17)

Guyana gets US$30,000 from U.S. Govt. to strengthen law

enforcement and

security cooperation

U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot (R) and Minister of Home Affairs

Robeson Benn (L) during the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

set to benefit US$30,000 in bilateral assistance from the Department's International and Law Affairs (INL), mbassador to Nicole D. Theriot

to a press issued by the U.S. Georgetown on award is part of na security under the asin Security BSI) and an Letter of Agreement dress shared challenges. at a signing heldattheMinistry Affairs on

M o n d a y, t h e U S Ambassador and Minister of HomeAffairsRobersonBenn formalizedaU.S.donationof funding and capacitybuilding opportunities as a strong demonstration of the U S - G u y a n a l a w enforcement and security partnership.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Theriot announced several newareasofU.S.engagement and partnership under the increased INL assistance to the Government of Guyana, includingthecommencement of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) capacity-building training program to bolster Guyana's counternarcoticscapacity;the deployment of a technical Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) team to support the Government's ongoing efforts to enhance bordersecurityatmajorports of entry throughout the country, and a new $350,000 investment in Guyana under the “Better Police Readiness Program”implementedbythe Pan American Development Foundation to support the Guyana Police Force's ongoingimplementationofits 2022-2026 Strategic

M a n a g e m e n t P l a n Ambassador Theriot emphasisedtheUnitedStates' commitment to support the Government's objectives of building an inclusive, transparent, and more efficient criminal justice system, stating: “The United States' partnership with the Government of Guyana is based on mutual respect, collaboration,andfriendship. Most importantly, our work together is rooted in our shared commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and humanrights.”

Launched in 2010, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative(CBSI)isasecurity cooperation partnership betweentheUnitedStatesand 13 Caribbean countries, includingGuyana.

ThroughCBSI,theUnited StatesworkstobuildGuyana and its Caribbean partners' capacity to disrupt illicit trafficking and transnational crime to advance citizen security Asof2024,theU.S. Government has committed more than $900 million in CBSI funding benefitting Guyana and Caribbean partners,theU.S.Embassyin Georgetownsaid.

One dead in motorcycles’ crash

Acollisionofmotorcycles inCorentyneonSundaynight has left one dead and another injured.Theincidentoccurred around 19:15hrs on the Number 64 Public Road Corentyne. As a result of the accident, 66-year-old Jaggat Narine lost his life, while 21year-old David Rambasdeo receivedinjuries.

Police said that their investigations indicate that, “Jagat Narine, a 66-year-old resident of #64 Village, Corentyne, was driving his motorcycle #CH 7631, while the other motorcyclist, David Rambasdeo, a 21-year-old from Johanna North Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, was on another motorcycle (Registration#unknown).”

Rambasdeowassaidtobe headedsouthalongtheeastern drive lane at a fast rate when, “thedriverofmotorcycle#CH 7631droveoutfromanaccess road onto the main road and, in the process, collided with Rambasdeo.”

The collision resulted in, bothmenfallingontotheroad and sustaining injuries about theirbodies. Policesaidthat, “Ramdasdeowaspickedupin a conscious condition by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Skeldon Public

Dead: Jaggat Narine

Hospital, where he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty. He was treated and placed under observation at thehospital.”

Narinewaspickedupinan unconsciousstateandtakento the same hospital. However, upon his arrival, he was examined by a doctor and pronounceddead.

The man's body is currently at the hospital's mortuary awaiting a postmortemexamination.

Investigations are ongoing.

Oil-producing Guyana suffered 96 power outages in 2023 from GPL

CDBseeksreplenishmentof fundtotacklepovertyinregion

T h e C a r i b b e a n DevelopmentBank(CDB)is now actively mobilising financing to continue its Special Development Fund (SDF),anintegralelementof theBank'spovertyreduction andsustainabledevelopment efforts.

The hearing of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) when the power company for a review of GPL's 2023 Operating Standards and Performance Targets (OSPT), last week.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. recorded a total of 96 countrywide power outages during last year

Thiswasrevealedduring a hearing of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week when the power companycameupforreview of its 2023 Operating Standards and Performance Targets(OSPT).

The 96 outages represented an increase There was a 10 percent reductioninthefrequencyof power outages in 2022 GPL's Divisional Director forLossReduction,Parsram Persaud explained that the interruptions were due to a number of reasons ranging fromplannedmaintenanceto emergencies Persaud disclosed that the prolonged dry season contributed significantly to the demand for energy in November and December 2023, hence, demand outstripped supply inseveralinstances.

Hesaidthecompanywas able to grow its generation capacity by 14.5 percent in 2023 but the peak demand for power increased by 21.4 percent. As such, Persaud said that the agency's Smart Grid pilot project at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was yielding results that may see an increase in

power for households and commercialentities.

He noted that GPL was monitoring the feeder and basedonitsperformance,the p r o j e c t w o u l d b e implemented in other communities “Our intention is to look at the others that coming in from theirsub-station–thelength andthroughcertainareasthat are very far from the substation. Alongside that, too, we are looking at the data that is coming in from complaintswherepeopleare complaining about low voltage situations.” “It's the first stage in smart metering and we're building the infrastructure piece by piece… over the next five years, we expect to update those meters to two hundred and something thousand as the customer base grow,” Persaudexplained. This project is currently in phase one, and phase two will be undertaken in 2026. Thegoalofthispilotproject is to show how the Itron bridge type meters can be used for voltage monitoring and drive corrective work required to ensure that the voltage being provided to customers are within the voltageregulationstandard.

“We will continue to report on the particular circuit that we use as a pilot

and other circuits that are coming out of other substations. We will also share withthePUC,therangingof thesefeedersintermsofload and in terms of customers,” Persaudadded.

Divisional Director of Power Generation and Distribution, Bharat Harjohn, who also appeared before PUC disclosed that GPL is working to install concretepoles.“Wearenow tryingtomoveawayfromthe wooden structures; we are introducing concrete structures, tubing steel poles andfibre-glasspoles.Weare i n t e n s i f y i n g o u r maintenance activity, which is going to be a continuous process.

We are trying to reduce the time allotted for maintenance, and by doing so, we are going to increase the number of teams doing maintenance in the area Apartfromthis,henotedthat GPL would continue to use dronetechnology,whichhas been a tremendous benefit.

Harjohn explained, “We have been able to scan the network to pick up any incumbencies, and also to identify network defects These drones are equipped with infrared cameras, and they can pick up things the individualeyescannot…”he said.

engaging new collaborators tosecureresourcesneededto propel the Region forward despite challenges,” CDB's Acting President, Mr Isaac Solomonexplained.

Currentlyneartheendof its 10th four-year cycle, the SDF, has disbursed over US$2 1 billion in development financing during its current phase, driving significant progress inregionaleconomies.

To sustain its impact beyondthepresentcycle,the CDB is undertaking a replenishment exercise, aiming to increase contributions from existing donors and enlist new contributors,thebanksaidin apressrelease.

" T h e S p e c i a l Development Fund, as the largestpoolofconcessionary funds from the Caribbean Development Bank, remains crucialinaddressingpoverty and human development challenges throughout the CaribbeanRegion.

It's a testament to the power of collaboration and targeted investment To ensureitssustainabilitywe're deepening dialogue with current partners and

The negotiation process, scheduled to run throughout 2024, will commence with the First Meeting of Contributors on March 20, 2024, in Georgetown, Guyana High-level representatives from CDB's membercountriesandglobal institutions are expected to convene for discussions that will chart the course for the SDF'sfutureimpact.

SDF initiatives, in line with CDB's goals, focus on enhancingthelivesofpeople in the Bank's Borrowing Member Countries From 2013 to 2022, the SDF trainedabout8,850teachers, built over 2,760 classrooms, and improved learning for around 343,400 students

The Fund also finance traininginitiativesfornearly 11,160 stakeholders in agriculture, boosting productivity Projects i m p a c t i n g r o a d s , transportation, water, and sanitation have benefitted over1millioncitizensinthe Region.

“Previous SDF cycles have significantly improved

education, agriculture, infrastructure,andothervital areas,directlybenefittingthe lives of people across the Region, and improving conditions in communities, but continued and even increasedsupportisrequired from our Contributors to continue to drive progress and we certainly look forward to sustained investment in development programmes that promote thewell-beingandprosperity of our citizens,” said Ms. Onika Miller, CDB's Chief Strategy and Accountability Officer

Key sectors which have benefitted from SDF investmentandinterventions include education, climate change, capacity building in government and national institutions, poverty reduction, water security, economicinfrastructure,and connectivity

Yet,despitethisprogress, Caribbeaneconomiesremain vulnerabletoexternalforces, with persistent inequalities andpocketsofpoverty With its mandate focused on poverty reduction, an adequately financed SDF will continue playing a vital role in addressing the Region's key development challenges.

WANTED VACANCY

Experienced furniture Maker for Aracari Resort, Vreen-nHoop. Call: 264-2946, 6265290.

Wanted! Male & Female workers preferably from WBD, for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100 per day. Call: 611-7839.

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One live-in Caretaker to take care of plants and keep surroundings clean. Call: 2332053,705-6937, 233-2923.

Handyboy needed. Must be willing to work and be a team player. Call: 661-1000.

Lorry driver needed. Must be experience and have a valid lorry licence. Call: 661-1000.

Porter needed for truck. Call: 661-1000.

Workers to work on cash crop farm. Salary $ 6500 per day. Call: 679-7552.

1 Truck Driver and 2 Porters needed. 5 day, Mon- Fri. Call: 223-9677.

Sales Representative, canter Drivers & Porters to work in warehouse. Call: 673-7373.

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

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20 Acres of vacant land in La grange, West Bank Demerara. Call: 622-7446 /416-9513-995.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132, 645-8443.

AM/PM W/Union CSR'S, Cashier, Shelf restockers, Porter, Packers and bond Clerk. Call:609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 6998486.

Experienced able-bodied Canter Driver needed, flexible hours. Call: 699-8486.

Vacancy for Carpenter & Masons, $7,000 - $8,000 per day. Call: 650-1394.

Experienced Lorry Driver, must have a valid lorry licence. WhatsApp application: 609-2220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions @gmail.com

Labourer & Janitorial Staff, must have good attitude and reference. WhatsApp application: 609-2220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions @gmail.com

Admin Assistant, must have 5 cxc, including English. WhatsApp application: 6092220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions@ gmail.com

Experienced Hair Colorist, Receptionist/ Massuese, Nail Techs, Barber and Domestic needed. Call/ WhatsApp: 649-5005/ 226-6705.

FOR SALE

House lots & commercial plot for sale available at blankenburg W.C.D. Call: 652-0251/ 650-0402.

One Rav4, 4 wheel drive, fully Ac etc ideal for interior (Bush) work. Price$2.2M. Call: 621-5140.

Prestige

Govt. to build access bridge at Vreed-en-Hoop for $20M

The Ministry of Ag riculture has esti mated that an access bridge at Second Run Irrigation, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara will cost $20M and has invited contractors to submit their bids for the project.

The project falls under the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Additionally, the government wants to expend another $34.2M to build a timber revetment at Baracara School, Baracara Canje Creek, Regent Six.

Another $17M is estimated to extend a workshop with a tool room and locker room at the NDIA’s mechanic stores located in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Some $32.4M was also estimated to build a Tail Wall at Perseverance, Essequibo Coast, while another $22.4M was estimated to build another timber revetment North Access Riverstown Itiribusi Conserva ncy also in Region Two.

$44.1M farm-to-market road commissioned in Region One

Place to rent at Vreed-enhoop junction, for lessons, church, office, storage bond, other. Call: 603-6400.

One Luxurious furnished, 4 bedroom apartment fully AC, hot and cold water etc in Campbellville, G/town. Price US$2000. Call: 6167351/624-7436.

FOR SALE/ RENT

All sizes loaders, excavators & rollers, concrete pump & mixer trucks, mobile crane and Howo 30 ton dump trucks. Call: 650-0402/6520251.

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Over 300 residents of Arukamai, in the Mabaruma sub-district, Region One, now have access to improve accessibility, following the commissioning of a $44.1 million farm to market road in the area, Saturday afternoon.

This new infrastructure has slashed travel to less than one hour, easing the longstanding challenges residents faced when relying on boats for transportation. The new 10-kilometer gravel surface road network, constructed by Supreme Contracting Services, will offer significant relief to students, farmers transporting produce, and loggers alike. It connects Arukamai other villages including Wauna, Kamwatta and White Water to Kumaka market.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag attended the commissioning ceremony, at the Arukamai’s community centre ground. The residents welcomed this new development in their community, as they have been waiting years for this much needed road network. One of the residents, Evelyn Williams expressed her elation for the roadwork as it was difficult to traverse

by boats.“…Now, we have a road and after that, we will get a bus which was committed. We are looking forward to that,” she added. Another resident, Wilford Betinne noted the significant improvement in land transportation within the community. He said, “We are thankful for it. It was very hard to get children to school and we struggled for transportation. When we traveled by boat, we struggled a lot for gas too.”

Vice Toshao of Arukamai, Pamela Joseph also expressed her satisfaction, noting, “I am very happy with the opening of our new road. It is a blessing to our schoolchildren. The ambulance reached our home to take my daughter-in-law to the hospital.” She added, “The road was very bad. It was just a little track where my children had to travel…”

During brief remarks, Minister Croal highlighted that the initiative is a continuation of the government’s unwavering commitment to transform the lives Guyanese across Guyana. “This road will bring many reliefs to you who have traversed all those years using the waterways…It [the road] therefore allows you to have your children taken to school in a timely manner. It therefore allows your pro-

duce to be taken to Kumaka,” Minister Croal relayed. He made reference to the ongoing works on a concrete road which is in close proximity to the airstrip in Mabaruma. The first phase of this road will be completed mid-April.

The region will also benefit from the construction of houses under the Hinterland Housing Programme, road upgrades, and drilling of wells, among other developments. Arukamai will benefit from the drilling of a well within the third quarter of this year, Minister Croal reported.

Meanwhile, Minister Parag also underscored that the government will continue to ensure that the residents in the hinterland regions benefit from equitable access to resources and programmes to aid in their development. This undertaking forms part of the government’s overarching agenda to transform all communities through a slew of initiatives. The ministers were joined by Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, Regional Vice Chairperson, Annasha Peters, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region One, Mr. Sewchand, GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailal, Toshao Christopher Mareno and others. (DPI)

DPP says ‘campaign of misinformation’ aimed at intimidating her office after Kartel ruling

( J A M A I C A OBSERVER) Jamaica’s chief prosecutor Paula Llewellyn, King’s Counsel, has moved to clarify her actions before the decision madebythenSupremeCourt Justice Lennox Campbell duringthe2014murdertrial of entertainer Vybz Kartel and his co-accused to continue the matter after he became aware of an attempt to bribe the 12-member jury toacquitthemen.

While noting that the matter is still under judicial consideration, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) PaulaLlewellynsaidshefelt compelled to speak on that “narrow issue” in light of what she labelled “a c a m p a i g n ” o f “misinformation being spread by certain counsel” which she believes amounts to an attempt to bring her office“intodisrepute”.

“I think it is a veiled attempt to intimidate the officeoftheDPPandmyself from doing our professional duty in respect of properly preparingourselvestomake submissions to the Court of Appeal in this matter, as we are bound to do consequent on the ruling of the Privy Council in this matter,” the DPP told the Jamaica Observer on Sunday The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council last Thursday quashed the murder convictionsofAdidja“Vybz Kartel” Palmer and his co-

accused Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones,andAndreStJohnfor the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams and remitted the question of whether there should be a retrial to Jamaica’s Appeal Court.

The law lords, in their ruling, said the decision by the original trial judge to continue the murder trial after the attempted bribe of thejuryhadbeenbroughtto his attention “gave rise to a miscarriageofjustice”.Lord Lloyd-Jones, in delivering theruling,saidtheboardwas of the view that the tainted juror should not have been keptonthejury.“Therewas a need to isolate the other membersofthejuryfromthe source of contamination. In the board’s view, allowing Juror X to continue to serve on the jury is fatal to the safety of the convictions whichfollowed.Thiswasan infringement of the defendants’ fundamental right to a fair hearing by an independent and impartial court in accordance with Section 16 of Chapter III of the Jamaican Constitution,” he stated Commenting further on the issue, Lord Lloyd-Jones said, while the boardis“mindfulofthevery serious consequences which may flow from having to discharge a jury shortly before the end of a long and complex criminal trial, it is also very conscious of the

dangerofdeliberateattempts to derail criminal trials, in particular in their closing stages, by engineering situations in which it becomes necessary to discharge the jury” On Sunday, Llewellyn said contrary to the picture being paintedthatshehadfullsway inthematter,theopinionshe rendered to the judge was at his invitation; a situation which,shesaid,isnotnovel, asjudgesfromtimetotimein the course of matters request theopinionoftheheadofthe ODPP,eventhoughshemight not be the one handling the particular case “I have been madetounderstandthatthey have been saying that I somehow breached the constitutionbyindicatingthat we didn’t have a problem with the matter going ahead after it was brought to the judge’s attention that [there was]thistaintedjuror There are 50-odd lawyers who

Jamaica’s chief prosecutor Paula Llewellyn, King’s Counsel

operateonbehalfoftheDPP, butundertheconstitutionthe DPP is able to step into any case, at any time, in the interest of justice, and neither the prosecutor who was there before; the judge, nor defence counsel can prevent that, it is a constitutional power,” Llewellyn pointed out. “An opinionwascanvassedfrom everybody (defence and prosecutingcounsel)butthe judge,whoissupremeinthe law, was the one who made the decision, weighing all thedifferentfactors,because he, too, would have been awarethatpreviouslyajuror hadtobedischargedbecause she was put in a situation where it was quite clear she would not have been able to continue,”theDPPsaid.She said up until the day in question when the judge requested that she appear in chambers along with the defenceteamandherteamof

prosecutors Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jeremy Taylor and then Crown Counsel Leighton Morris she would speak to the prosecutors every day and assist administratively or otherwise to prepare for the challenges they would face fromdaytoday

“Every now and again I wouldpopintocourtforafew minutes to build up morale because the case was very stressful, not only for the prosecutorsbutthepoliceand theentireoffice,forreasonsI wouldnotgointo,”Llewellyn stated. On the day Justice Campbellsummonedher,she said after hearing from the judge and the foreman, who wascalledandquestioned,the two teams of attorneys were asked to say what their opinionswere

“The attorneys for the defence were saying they didn’t think the matter shouldgoon.Iindicatedwe wouldn’t have a difficulty with the matter proceeding. Weweresaying60-odddays havepassedanditwasavery seriousmatter,andthejudge could always issue further and detailed instructions to the jury in addition to the general instructions He really wanted an opinion fromus, andIindicatedthat we would not have a problem with him proceedingandthatanyrisk for a decision coming down that would be adverse to us,

we are the ones who would handle that risk,” Llewellyn said.

According to the DPP, the issue at hand was of sufficient import for the judge to request the conference of attorneys

“There was another issue with the same juror [who offered the bribe] who somehow found himself at the chambers of one of the attorneys in the case and the attorney came and reported it tothecourtandthenyouhad this[attempttobribe].Whatis thelikelihoodofhavingthree issuestodowithajuryinone caseofthisnature?

I have never seen it happen,andIexpectthejudge, with all his experience, had never seen it either, which is whyhehadtohaveanenquiry in an abundance of caution I think he thought it would be thebestthing,”shesaid

“Hecouldeitherhavesaid to the attorneys from my chambers, ‘consult with the director and tell me what her opinionis’,butinlightofthe peculiar nature of this matter hethoughtitbettertosendfor me so I could hear exactly whattheforemanhadtosay,” theDPPsaidfurther

Added Llewellyn: “It is unfortunate that counsel has s o u g h t t o s p r e a d misinformation and seek to be mischievous and foment misunderstanding on this area,andIcanonlyhopeitis notinanefforttointimidate meormyoffice.

IsraeliforceslaunchnewattackonGaza’sal-ShifaHospital...

Frompage13 towardthemfromanumber of hospital buildings”, adding: “Theforcesengaged the terrorists and identified several hits” It also released grainy night-time video footage from drones and an armoured vehicle that it said showed troops coming under fire from within the compoundandthedetonation ofanexplosivedevice Inthe afternoon, the IDF announced: “Twenty terrorists have been eliminated at al-Shifa hospital thus far in various engagements,anddozensof apprehended suspects are currentlyinquestioning.”

It said among those killed was the head of the operations directorate of Hamas’ internal security

service, Faiq al-Mabhouh, adding that he had been “hidinginacompound...from which he operated and advanced terrorist activity” TheHamas-rungovernment’s media office said Faiq alMabhouhhadbeenincharge of co-ordinating deliveries to northernGazawithlocalclans and the UN Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera meanwhile reported that Israeliforceshadbeatenand arrested its correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul during the raid There was no immediate comment from the IDF The IDF also said an Israeli soldier, Staff Sgt Matan Vingradov, had been killed in northern Gaza on Monday, but did not say whether it happened at alShifa. TheHamas-runhealth

ministry said in a statement that Israeli forces had “invaded” al-Shifa Hospital forthefourthtimesincestart of the war and was using “fabricated narratives” to justify its actions It accused the troops of “directly shooting the specialised surgeriesbuildingwithbullets andtargetingitwithmissiles”, and said a number of people hadbeenkilledandwounded “The presence of Israeli vehicles in the courtyards of thecomplexinarealtragedy and an attack on health institutions against all international laws and norms,”itadded Hamasalso denounced what it called a “newcrime”byIsraeliforces The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) said he was “terribly

worriedaboutthesituation”at al-Shifa hospital, which he warned was “endangering health workers, patients and civilians”

“The hospital has only recently restored minimal health services Any hostilities or militarization of the facility jeopardize health services, access for ambulances,anddeliveryof life-saving supplies,” he wroteonX,formerlyknown as Twitter “Hospitals must beprotected.Ceasefire!”

Hospitalshaveprotected status during times of war under international humanitarian law - but they can lose that protection in limited circumstances if they are being used to commit an “act harmful to the enemy”. The UN says

only12ofGaza’s33hospitals arepartiallyfunctioning-sixof themareinthenorth,including al-Shifa,andsixinthesouth

Staff at al-Shifa were already in a “terrible condition” before the last raid, according to the hospital’s director of emergency medicine. Dr Mutaz Harara told the BBC over the weekend that medical staff were “completely exhausted” and treating dozens of patients every day suffering from malnutrition, dehydration and various injuries The UN warnedonMondaythatfamine was “imminent” in northern Gaza, with an estimated 70% of the 300,000 people living there experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger TheIDFsaiditfoundtunnels

usedbyHamasunderneathalShifa when it carried out an extensive operation in November, searching for evidenceofwhatitsaidwasa key “command and control centre”forthegroup Israeli troops also carried out a major operationatNasserhospital - Gaza’s second biggest - in the southern city of Khan YounisinFebruary Doctors told the BBC they were detained, blindfolded and beaten during the raidreports which prompted the UK to call for “answers from the Israelis”. The IDF said it found weapons and medication intended for hostages at Nasser hospital. Several released hostages have also said they were heldthere.

Al Jazeera journalist beaten, arrested by Israeli forces from Gaza hospital

- Media watchdogs decry arrest, demand immediate release

(ALJAZEERA) Israeli forces have arrested and severely beaten Al Jazeera ArabiccorrespondentIsmail al-Ghoul in Gaza City’s alShifaHospital.

Al-Ghoulwasthereearly on Monday with his crew and other reporters to cover theIsraeliarmy’sfourthraid into the hospital, where thousands of civilians are trapped, including medical staff, patients and displaced families. Witnesses said the Al Jazeera reporter was dragged away by Israeli forces, who also destroyed the broadcasting vehicles of news crews at the medical facility The hospital, the largestintheGazaStrip,has served as a base for journalists to report on Israel’s more than fivemonthwaronthePalestinian enclave.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Rafah, said al-Ghoul has been “tortured, beaten and detained by the Israeli military along with his crew member on the ground”

Mahmoud, quoting witnesses, said many

Palestinianswerebeatenand verbally abused, some blindfolded and their hands tiedbehindtheirbacks.They were then put inside an Israeli military truck and taken to an unknown location,hesaid.

Gaza’s Ministry of Health said Israeli forces launched missiles and opened fire on one of the hospital’s buildings, killing and injuring Palestinians, andasectionofthehospital’s courtyard was bulldozed According to Mahmoud, Israeli forces also arrested more than 80 other Palestinians, including “women medical staff and [other]journalists”.

“TheIsraeliarmymadea list of allegations that they are looking for wanted people inside the complex but so far haven’t provided any substantial evidence to justify what is happening inside al-Shifa,” Mahmoud said. Israel has repeatedly said Hamas, the Palestinian armedgroupthatgovernsthe besieged Gaza Strip, has “regrouped” inside al-Shifa and is “using it to command

attacks against Israel”

MansourShouman,acitizen journalist who has reported from al-Shifa and Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, described hospitals in the enclave as “small towns” where journalists are trying to “deliver news to the world”. Hospitals are one of the very few areas that have generators, which are essential to provide internet

service, Shouman told Al Jazeera Series of ‘systematic attacks’ Al Jazeera Media Network has demanded the immediate releaseofal-Ghoulandother journalists detained alongside him, it said in a statement. The Qatar-based network said it holds the Israeli army “fully responsiblefortheirsafety”.

“The Network emphasises

that this targeting serves as anintimidationtacticagainst journalists to deter them from reporting the horrific crimes committed by the occupation forces against innocent civilians in Gaza,” thestatementread.

It said the “targeting” of al-Ghoulispartofaseriesof “systematic attacks on Al Jazeera”, including the killingsofveteranAlJazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Samer Abu Daqqa andHamzaDahdouh,aswell as the bombing of its office in Gaza.The Committee to ProtectJournalists(CPJ)and the International Press Institute (IPI) also condemned al-Ghoul’s arrest. “Journalists play an essential role in a war They aretheeyesandtheearsthat weneedtodocumentwhat’s happening, and with every journalist killed, with every journalist arrested, our ability to understand what’s happening in Gaza diminishes significantly,” Jodie Ginsberg, chief executiveofficeroftheCPJ, toldAl Jazeera. “This is the worstconflictforjournalists

that the Committee to Protect Journalists has ever documented, and the situation is simply getting worse.”

ScottGriffen,thedeputy director of the IPI, said the organisation is “deeply alarmed” by al-Ghoul’s arrest.

“We are calling for his immediate release and precise information about his wellbeing at this moment,” Griffen told Al Jazeera Al-Ghoul’s detention,hesaid,“laysbare the risks that all journalists” face in Gaza after Israel has killed “scores” of them during the war with “almost no accountability”. “This is notonlythreateningthelives ofjournalistswhoareonthe ground trying to tell the story, but it is preventing audiences around the world from accessing the truth,” Griffen said.As of Monday, at least 95 journalists and media workers – the overwhelming majority of them Palestinians – have been killed since the war started on October 7, accordingtotheCPJ.

Cubans stage rare street protest over power blackouts

(BBCNEWS)Hundreds of people in Cuba’s secondlargestcity,Santiago,staged a rare public protest on Sunday over chronic power blackouts and food shortages.

The island is facing its worsteconomiccrisisforthree decades, with large parts of Cubabeingleftwithoutpower formorethan14hoursaday. Videos on social media show people chanting “power and food”.Itspresidentblamesthe situationonUSsanctions,but critics say it is down to governmentmismanagement

Since 1960, the US has maintained an economic embargoagainstCubawhich puts strict rules on trade between the countries. The economy in Cuba, a communist-runislandwitha population of about 11 million, has been in dire straits in recent years. The coronavirus pandemic put further strain on the cash-

strapped nation, which has ledtovastshortagesoffood, fuelandmedicine.

In February, the government asked the UN’s foodprogrammeforhelpwith food shortages, sending an unprecedented request for assistance in providing powdered milk to children under the age of seven. But tensionshavesoaredinrecent weeksaspowergeneratorsfail to get the fuel they need for electricity in people’s homes andforstoringfoodinfridges andfreezers Record-breaking numbers of Cubans have migratedtotheUSbecauseof the economic conditions A 65-year-old in Santiago told AFP news agency electricity inthecitywasrestoredlateron Sundayand“twotruckloadsof rice”weredelivered Santiago is 800km (500 miles) east of the capital, Havana. The US embassy theresaidonXitwasaware of reports of “peaceful

protests”inSantiago,Bayamo andotherpartsofCuba “We urgetheCubangovernmentto respectthehumanrightsofthe protesters and address the legitimate needs of the Cuban people,” it added Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel acknowledged the protests on social media and said the “disposition” of his government and authorities was“toattendtothecomplaints ofourpeople,listen,dialogue, explain the numerous efforts that are being carried out to improvethesituation”

Earlier this month, the governmentimposedaneyewatering price hike on fuel as part of its economic recoveryplan-meaningfuel that is available costs more than five times as much as before. Accordingtoofficial estimates, Cuba’s inflation rate has reached 30%, but Reuters news agency says experts think the figure is likelytobehigher

Blackouts are common in big Cuban cities nowadays

Guyana to play Argentina, USA today at Pan Am Indoor Cup

Guyana’s men’s hockey team flicks off their pursuit of glory at the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cup today against the USA at 1:15 pm and Argentina at 6:15 pm in Canada. The March 19-22 tournament will also feature Trinidad and Tobago and Canada, offering a chance to qualify for the 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup.

Leading the team as captain is Robert France, alongside Medroy Scotland

(GK), Paul D’Andrade (GK), Jarbari Lovell, Kareem McKenzie, Meshach Sargeant, Shakeem Fausette, Shaquon Favorite, Tahrea Garnett, Aroydy Branford, Jamarj Assanah, and Andrew Stewart. After today’s matchups, Guyana will confront Canada on March 20 and wrap up round-robin play against Trinidad & Tobago on March 21, with the semi-finals and finals slated for March 22. Speaking to Kaieteur News yesterday,

Head Coach Shane Samuels expressed confidence in securing qualification, highlighting the team’s blend of youth and experience.

Shaquon Favorite, Jarbari Lovell, Meshach Sargeant, Tahrea Garnett, Paul D’Andrade, and Shakeem Fausette are all making their senior indoor debut for Guyana. Samuels emphasized that these young players represent the future of the sport. In 2014, when the tournament was held in

- Coach Samuels optimistic of Guyana’s chances

Uruguay’s Captain of Montevideo, Guyana finished third behind winners Canada and the USA.

Tuesday March 19, 2024

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

There's an important lesson to learn today, Aries, so don't shy away from the classroom. It's important to control your attitude now or it's likely to control you. It could be that your ego is a bit too inflated

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Consider the romantic relationships in your life right now, Taurus. It's important to remember that regardless of how hot and steamy a partnership is at first,

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today is your day to become a hero, Gemini. You don't have to be dressed in fancy tights and a cape to make an important difference in someone's life.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

There's a great deal of fun to be had today, Cancer. Money isn't always necessary to make this happen, however. In fact, money isn't a great way to keep score.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Remember that the important thing isn't necessarily what you're doing but the people you're with, Leo. There's a great deal of passion in the air today that yo u can latch onto and put to good use.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

You could learn a tough lesson today, Virgo. More than likely, the harder the message hits you, the more important it was for you to hear. It's important that you accept failure gracefully.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

There's a great deal of fuel to keep your fire raging today, Libra. Powerful situations are apt to come your way in which you're asked to take decisive action. Don't shy away from added responsibility.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Remember that one wrong move today could cause you to have a headache for a good long while, Scorpio. Don't take uncalculated risks. There's dynamism and confidence in the air.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

It's a long road to becoming exactly the person you want to be, Sagittarius. You can't change who you are. Input from every person you know and lessons from every bump in the road.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

You should always leave a loved one with loving words, Capricorn. Each time you exit a room, consider that you're never going to enter that room again. Perhaps you'll never see those people again.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Just when you think you have absolutely no energy left, you're able to kick into a higher gear. Push beyond your limits today, Aquarius. You'll find that you can achieve a great deal.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Regardless of how you feel today, Pisces, it's important to own up to your mistakes. Keep in mind that you're responsible for your actions. No matter how much you might want to shrink away,

They secured third place after defeating Argentina 2-1 on penalties in a thrilling match, following a 5-3 victory over their South American counterparts in the tournament’s opening game.

Samuels explained that, much like in 2014, the team maintains a balance of youth and experience. He stated, “The youth players from back

Archery Guyana and National...

From page 25 commitment to fostering the growth and development of archery across Guyana.

The Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge also the various persons who unhesitatingly came on board to support this event such as the Chief Executive Officer of Service Guyana, Mr. Sheikh Mujeeb Ahmad, Mr. Samuel Arjoon and the Team at Guyana Beverages Inc., Oasis Water and Mr. Dilip Singh, WD’s Hotel and Mall located at Lot 110 Charity, Essequibo Coast. The Director of Sport Mr. Steve Ninvalle and the National Sports Commission, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, received kudos for their unwavering support and dedication to the success of the initiative.

Archery Guyana and the National Sports Commission look forward to building upon their success and continuing their collaborative efforts to expand the reach of archery, providing opportunities for participation and excellence in sports throughout the country.

For more information about archery programmes in Essequibo, please contact Archery Guyana at ArcheryGuyana@gmail.com.

then are the senior players now. So it’s a formula that has worked for us, and I believe that these young players we have now are very talented. So when you mix that with the guys who have been here before, it gives you a lot of confidence that we’re going to qualify.”

Touching on the team’s preparation since their arrival, Samuels noted, “We had a practice game against

Canada, and we performed well, despite missing two of our players who joined us late. In the last minute of the game, we played without a keeper, experimenting with different scenarios, and that’s when they scored. So, I feel optimistic about our chances.”

The top two teams from the tournament will secure qualification for the 2025 Indoor World Cup.

Romello Crawford captures cycle race against domestic violence in Berbice

National Cyclist Romello Crawford on Sunday topped the field in a 10 laps cycle road race around New Amsterdam which was staged against domesticviolence.

The event, which was organised by the FlyingAce CycleClub(FACC),wasfor

Berbicians only and saw s o m e 1 5 c y c l i s t s participating The event, which rode off at 13:00hrs, began at RepublicRoad and Charles Place, proceeded north and turned left into Vryheid Street then left into Main Road, left into Philadelphia Street and

another left onto Republic Roadfor10laps.

Crawford won in a time of 55 minutes with Arjune Sookhai second, while veteran Junior Niles rode in third and Jeremiah Joseph fourth. Niles was the first veterantocrossthelinewith Jaikaran Sookdeo second

It was a night of upsets, as traditional giants Leopold Street, Tiger Bay, and Channel-9Warriorsweresentpackingwhen the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown edition resumed on Sunday eveningattheNationalParktarmac,Thomas Lands.

Tiger Bay was the first to suffer this unlikelyreality,astheylost0-1totheMiddle RoadBallers.Likewise,LeopoldStreetwent

downtonewcomerUnstoppable0-1.

Similarly,theChannel-9Warriorslostto theTucvilleRangers1-3.

Meanwhile, Sparta Boss avoided such a fate as they squeaked past the Back Road Ballers1-0.

ThetournamentresumesonFridayatthe same venue as the group stage segment. Group stage fixtures will also be played on SaturdayandSundayatthesamevenue.

and Samuel Mootoo third.

The top junior on show was SidwellSandy

In the Juvenile category, the winner was Kensh Sokhai Franco Crawford Juniorwoninthebeginner’s category There was also a race for BMX riders with Jayden Gladstone winning

Th e D e n n i s DeoRoop-trained horse, Stolen Money, dominated the field toclaimvictoryinthefeature event at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, Bush Lot East Berbice on Sunday last.

Jockey Ronaldo Appadu was the pilot of Stolen Money who bagged G$1,250,000 in the C Class and Lower Metro one-mile feature race. The Nand Persaud Racing Stables horse, Beckham James, ran second, while Cremore, another horse owned by DeoRoop,camethird.

Regal Intention came fourthinahighlycompletive race. Despite showers across the ancient county of Berbice,theopeningracegot underway,anditwasRagsto Riches, who claimed pole position.

Shake the Bank came second while Little Africa and Top Ranking rounded out the top four finishers in

with Kyden Gladstone second. There were six prime prizes up for grabs which were shared equally among three riders Romello

Crawford took two, Arjune

Sookhai two and Sidwell

Sandytheothertwo.

Overseas based Selso

theLNon-winnersrace.

Race two was the H & Lower event which was sponsored by Ann’s House of Beauty Salon and Spa.

American Traveler emerged as the winner while Amicable Kate rode second. Supremacycamethirdwhile Rachelwasfourth.

The L Open race was won by Quiet Warrior while Princes Sasha came second. PrincessSamiahandPerfect Dream were the other finishers.

Regal Surprise did not failtosurprisetheKennard’s Memorial fans as the KP Racing Stable-owned horse galloped to the top spot. Money Time came second while River Dance and Bin Laden rounded out the top fourfinishers.

Race five was the K&J race which saw Trump thumpingthefieldtoemerge victorious.

Princess Samiah came secondwhileRagstoRiches placed third to complete a busyday

Crawford sent the cycliston theirwayintheeventwhich was sponsored by former national cyclist Franco Crawford Senior and friends.

T h e e v e n t w a s coordinated by Coach RandolphRoberts. (Samuel Whyte)

In race six, Shake the Bank tore apart the field to win the L Non-winner and first-time starters event. Get Then Reggie came second while Maximum Cash and Kiss were the other top finishers.

Thenexthorseraceisset for Port Mourant Turf Club on Sunday March 31 which willbetheEasterCup.

The sponsors for this event were the Kennard’s family, Ann’s House of Beauty Salon and Spa, Mohamed’s Enterprise, R. Singh and Sons, Kester Thompson, Torginol Paint, Peter Parsatoon, Hand in Hand Group of Companies, Pastan Trading Services, Rohan Auto Sales, New Building Society, Colin Elcock, Horseshoe Racing Service, Mike’s Pharmacy, Khanai’s Guyana Electrical Agency, Balkaran Brothers and Satrohan Ramdin, Jose Jagmohan, Silvie’s General Store, Michelle Mathewson, RonRamnarayan,Metroand RameshSunich.

Easter Floodlight KO Football Championship officially launched

Th e m u c ha n t i c i p a t e d

Second Annual Easter Floodlight Inter-Club

Knockout Football tournamentisgearingupfor itsgrandreturntotheGolden Grove and Paradise grounds on the East Coast of Demerara.

Scheduled to commence from March 22nd and culminating on April 14th, this football extravaganza promises a riveting display of talent and sportsmanship.

Organised by Cool Crew Promotion in collaboration with the Paradise Sports Club, this tournament is poisedtouniteteamshailing from three prominent football associations: East Coast, Berbice, and East Bank FootballAssociations. As anticipation mounts, the inaugural kick-off is slated to ignite the Golden Grove Community Centre ground onMarch22nd.

With over 16 teams poised to compete fiercely, the stakes are undeniably high.Thecovetedfirst-place

titlecomeswithasubstantial reward of $500,000, alongside prestigious medals and trophies. Not to be overshadowed, the second-place team secures an impressive prize of $300,000, while third and fourth place claim $150,000 and$50,000respectively.

In a bid to commend outstanding sportsmanship, additional accolades await deserving recipients The Most Disciplined Team will be awarded a total of $20,000cashprize,whilethe Tournament’sMostValuable Player(MVP)willalsowalk away with $20,000 Furthermore, the Best Goalkeeper and Most Goals awards will each be accompanied by a $10,000 reward.

Injecting a dash of flair into the competition, Mr Lynton Luke, President of Cool Crew Promotion, unveils an exciting addition to the winner’s circle During the launch he stated, “ I n a d d i t i o n t o championship prizes and

trophies,thetriumphantfirst and second-place teams will be adorned with exclusive accolades. The tournament championswillbebestowed with 20 exquisite 14 Carat Gold blended with Silver championship rings, while the runners-up will receive 20 pieces of Silver rings, commemoratingtheirstellar performances.” A h e a d o f t h e t o u r n a m e n t ’ s

commencement, Luke urges participatingteamstoadhere to punctuality to avoid any matchesbeingforfeited.The action-packed tournament kicks off this Friday (March 22nd) at the Golden Grove ground, with subsequent playing days scheduled on March 24th and 31st at Golden Grove, and at #5 Paradise on March 25th and 30th.

Theexcitementescalates

as the semi-finals unfold on April7thatParadiseground, culminating in the highly anticipated grand final showdown on April 14th at theGoldenGrovegroundfor a chance to win Cash and Gold.

Meanwhile, this tournament wouldn’t be possible without the genero

including, Ministry of

Culture, Youth, and Sports, the Office of the Prime Minister, MVP Sports, Ancor Cement, Central Housing and Planning, ECS Construction and General Supply, Moore and Son Construction,SinghandSon Construction, the Urban Shoe Company, Icon Construction, Republic Bank, JS Engineering and Supply, Lucozade Energy, andMagnumBrand.

Panthers lift John Lewis Memorial Rugby Sevens title -GodfreyBroomesnamedMVP

The Panther Rugby team, reigning champions, demonstrated their prowess once again as they clinched the John Lewis Memorial Sevenstitlebydefeatingthe Guyana Police Force (GPF) Rugby team 19-12 in a thrillingfinalonSunday Daytwoofthetournament featured three preliminary matches, building up to the climacticfinalshowdownand the third-place playoff The National Park Rugby Field buzzed with excitement as spectatorsgatheredtowitness theintensecompetition

After an impressive performance on the opening day, the Panthers returned with vigor on the final day. They showcased their dominance by overwhelming the Hornets 40-0 in Match #10 Subsequently, they faced off against the Police in a hard-fought encounter, emerging victorious with a 5-2wintosecuretheirplace inthefinal.

In another match on the finalday,theGuyanaDefence Force (GDF) clashed with the Hornets, emerging triumphant withascorelineof24-7

The battle for the thirdplace position saw GDF facing off against the Hornets once again, with GDF sealing the deal with a 17-7victory Thetournament reached its climax with the Panthers Rugby team d

GTT onboard GYMMA ‘Rage’ fight card

- GYMMA president says logistics running nicely ahead of Saturday’s event

Th e G u y a n a Telephone and T e l e g r a p h Company(GTT)threwtheir support behind Saturday’s upcoming ‘Rage’ Mixed Martial Arts fight-night, set forthePegasusHotel.

The tournament, which is organized by Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Association (GYMMA) and endorsed by International Mixed Martial (IMMF) in partnershipwithRuff&Tuff and Fight Central Promotions, will feature a 13-boutfightcard.

Theevent,Guyana’sfirst international MMA tournament, will feature teamsfromacrosstheworld with athletes from USA, St Lucia Trinidad and Tobago andothersallonshow

During yesterday’s brief

presentation held upstairs the New Pegasus Hotel, GTT Communications

Executive Shaquelle Williams, said the company is driven by strengthening the communities in Guyana andMMAisnodifferent.

HesaidGTTwerehappy tobeapartofsuchahistoric sport event, adding that playing a role and making the event one of high standards is what the companyrepresents.

“GTT’s speed has been doing well especially with our Fibre and I think that goes well with Guyana, a rapidly growing nation coupled with mixed martial arts being the largest growing sport in Guyana”. Williamsended.

GYMMA executive Neville Persaud thanked

Williams and by extension GTT for their incredible support of the Rage fight card.

Meanwhile,inaninvited comment, GYMMA president Gavin Singh confirmed that the Cage whichwillbeplacedoverthe octagon/ring,is currently en route to Guyana and should beinthecountrymidweek.

MMA champ Jose

“Shorty” Torres is also expected in Guyana on Thursday ahead of his participation this weekend, something Singh said has boosted the already hyped mood in the camp of the organizersandfightersalike.

Fighters will take stage this Friday from 18:00h at Pegasus for their official introduction and pre-fight Weigh-In.

Grand Prix 3 Chess tournament underway

- Ethan Lee and Sasha Shariff take the lead in their respective categories

After four rounds in the Guyana Chess Federation’s Third Grand Prix Chess Tournament which commenced on March 16th at the National Stadium in Providence with Ethan Lee and Sasha Shariff leading in their open and female categories,respectively

Leeison3.5pointsafter defeating Odit Rodrigues, Loris Nathoo, and Roberto Neto and drawing with CM Ronuel Greenidge He managed to defeat Loris Nathoo after gaining the upper hand in the chaotic duelasthetwoplayersraced tocheckmate.

For Nathoo, it was the amassed pawn storm towards Lee’sdefensiveline ForLee, it was the arrangement of his long-rangebishopsandqueen towards Nathoo’s weakened kingside Asthetimepressure piled on the players, both players scrambled for tricks and traps Finally, it was Lee whogottheupperhandagainst Nathoo Nathoo’sracetoLee’s king had faltered, granting Lee the victory over the veteranplayer Lee vs Greenidge was a slow but tactical game Lee, with the white pieces, gained an upper hand early in the game, winning a pawn This advantage began to snowball for Lee, as his pieces became

more and more active and threatening However, Greenidge’spreciseend-game experience and inaccuracies by Lee led the game into a drawfortheblackpieces

On 3 points are Loris NathooandRashadHussain. Ronuel Greenidge, Roberto Neto, Kyle Couchman, Ricardo Narine, Keron Sandiford, and Jaden Taylor are all on 2.5 points. Other participants are Odit Rodrigues,SachinPitamber, Kishan Puran, Kim Shing Chong, Ethan Thakurdin, Tremusa Marshall, Rafael Park, and Alek UbaldoSingh. Meanwhile, Sasha Shariff won against Jessica

Scenes from the Open category

Callender, Emma John, and newcomer Anya De Groot, anddrewwithAditiJoshito gain 3.5 points. Shariff’s game against Callender was even as they exited the opening,withShariffhaving the advantage with a better pawn structure. The middle gamethenevolvedintoaseries of tricks and traps involving both players’ knights In the end, it was Shariff who had outmaneuvered Callender, securing a material advantage and cruised into a winning endgame and into victory Joshi, Callender, Ciel Clement, and Treskole Archibald are on 2.5 points. Other female players are

Kaija Clement, Nellisha Johnson, and Angelina Yhap. The 3rd series of the Grand Prix tourneys started on Saturday, March 16th, and will conclude on March 24th, 2024. The tournament is being held at the Guyana Nationa

sponsored by the Guyana ChessFederation.

Cash prizes totaling $70,000willawardedtothetop three placements in the open and female categories Gran Prix points will be calculated according to the rating system oftheGrandPrixtourneys

The Guyana Chess Federation 2024 Grand Prix

series is part of the qualification system for the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, in September 2024 The four Grand Prix allows players to test their skills and work on improving their strategy for

the opening, middle, and end gamesinacompetitivesetting ThefinalGrandPrixwill beplayedlaterinJuneofthis year TheNationalOpenand Women’s Competitions are also part of the qualification systemfortheOlympiad.

Archery Guyana certifies 22 New Archery Archery

Instructors in Essequibo Essequibo

Archery Guyana is thrilled to announce the successful certification of twenty-two (22) new Archery instructors in Essequibo. This milestone represents a significant achievement in expanding the pool of qualified, sanctioned instructors to promote and teach the sport ofarcheryacrosstheregion.

This course which was dulyconductedbyaTeamof certified National Archery Coaches comprising Mr Jeewanram Persaud, Mr Ryan McKinnon, Ms Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud, Mr Saeed Karim, Mr UmasankarMadrayandMs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon was deemed a historic success which concluded on Sunday,March17,2024.

The certification programme, conducted by Archery Guyana, aimed to equip the new Instructors with the necessary skills, knowledgeandtechniquesto effectively teach and promotearcherywithintheir communities.

Participants hailed from diverse backgrounds, includingphysicaleducation

instructors, teachers, youth leaders, and sports enthusiasts, all eager to contributetothegrowthand development of archery in Essequibo.

Through intensive hands-on training and theoretical instruction, the newly certified instructors demonstrated their dedication and passion for thesport.

Visiting the Archery RangeonSundayduringthe practicalpartofcoursewere Mr Arnold Adams, Prime Minister’s representative and Mr Humace Ooddit, Regional Vice-Chairman who both commended the initiative and pledged their support to make the continued growth of the sportpossible.

Attheclosingceremony, President of Archery Guyana, Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon presented the Certificates and expressed her delight at thesuccessfulcompletionof the certification programme and that the participants’ commitment to mastering theartofarcheryinstruction is commendable Archery

Guyana is confident that they will play a vital role in expanding access to archery and fostering a culture of excellenceintheregion.

Apresentationwasmade of all target stands built for theevent,thePVCbowsfor each participant, the built quivers, arrows, target butts and target faces and other archeryequipment.

In response, Ms Wazeeda Bacchus, Sports Organiser of Essequibo attached to the National

Archery Guyana and National Sports Commission create history and celebrate success of Archery Introduction in Essequibo

Archery Guyana, in collaboration with the NationalSportsCommission (NSC) is delighted to announce the tremendous successoftheintroductionof archery in Essequibo, Region 2 This initiative marks a significant step in promoting the sport of ArcherythroughoutGuyana.

The event, held in Mainstay, Essequibo, saw enthusiastic participation from various sectors, includingphysicaleducation instructors, teachers, students and community leaders.

Ms.Wazeeda Bacchus, a distinguished Sports Organiser attached to the NationalSportsCommission in Essequibo, received commendation for her outstanding efficiency in mobilising the first batch of participants and securing transportation, venue and logistics for the successful hosting of the event. As a

tokenofappreciationforher dedication and zeal, President Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon of Archery Guyana presented Ms Bacchus with a bow kit to supporthercontinuedefforts in promoting archery in Guyana. Special thanks were

extendedtoDeputyDirector of Sport, Mr Franklin Wilson,forhispivotalrolein the initial planning stages of theevent.

T h i s c o n t i n u e d collaboration between Archery Guyana and the NSCexemplifiestheir (Continuedonpage19)

Sports Commission thanked Archery Guyana for making this historic launch of the sportinRegion2possible.

Deliveringremarksatthe closing ceremony also was ToshoaofMainstay/Whyaka Ms. Yvonne Pearson who thanked the National Federation Archery Guyana and the National Sports Commission office in Essequibo for making it possible. The Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge and thank

Director of Sport Mr Steve Ninvalle, Deputy Director Mr Franklin Wilson, Essequibo Sports Organiser

Ms. Wazeeda Bacchus, and the National Sports Commission, Ministry of Culture,YouthandSport.

The teamwork between NSC and Archery Guyana’s initiative underscores the immense potential for archery to flourish in every cornerofGuyana.TheBoard also extends profound thanks to the Chief

ExecutiveOfficerofService Guyana,Mr.SheikhMujeeb Ahmad,Mr SamuelArjoon, Mr Collin Higgins and the Team at Guyana Beverages Inc., Oasis Water, Mr Dilip Singh,WD’sHotelandMall located at Lot 110 Charity, Essequibo Coast and the media.

For more information about archery programmes in Essequibo, please contact Archery Guyana at ArcheryGuyana@gmail co m.

Williams hits 52 as Jamaica

open CWI T20 Blaze campaign Blaze with seven-wicket win over Windward Islands

SportsMax - Newly crowned CG United Women’s Super50 Cup champions Jamaica opened their account in the CWI T20 Blaze with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Windward Islands Women at Warner ParkonSunday

The Windwards, after winning the toss and batting first, posted 117-5fromtheir20overs.

Openers Qiana Joseph and Jannilea Glasgow were the chief scorers with 56 and 37, respectively, while Chedean Nation led the Jamaica bowlingwith3-19fromherthreeovers.

Jamaica then needed only 16 overs to reach 118-3 thanks to a 35-ball52fromRashadaWilliams.

Her opening partner Natasha McLean contributed 19 while Captain StafanieTaylorandChinelleHenrywere the not out batters with 16 and 13, respectively

Zaida James took 2-16 from her fouroversfortheWindwards