Kaieteur News

US$703 million ExxonMobil driller

...earningsfromGuyanahigherthanUS,Norway,andAustralia

Taxi driver shot dead during row over parking

Govt. now contracts law firm to implement beneficial ownership register

Guyana’s oil reserves from nation

Guyana signs US$150M loan agreement with IDB to build 6 new hinterland schools, upgrade 19 Govt. conniving with Exxon to hide - OGGN

...calls for updates within a month of discovery

Support for teachers’ strike to increase this week - GTU President

Constitution should protect oil revenue savings from claws of -FormerColombian EnergyMinister mixed political priorities

Govt. crafting law for transportation of oil to shield country from liability - VP Jagdeo

The government of Guyana is currently crafting legislation to protect this nation from liabilities that may arise during the transportationofcrudeoil.

This was revealed on Thursday by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his weekly press conference hosted at Freedom House, RobbStreet,Georgetown.

He told reporters that long before the vessel capsized in Tobago and

wreakedhavocontheisland, the Guyana government commenceddraftingalawto protect the nation from such liabilities.

Jagdeo said the Bill, in thisregard,islikelytobelaid in the National Assembly before Parliament takes its recess.

According to him, the legislation, once in place, will cover Guyana from “all sortsofliabilities”.

He explained, “We have

Govt. now contracts law firm to implement beneficial ownership register

T h e N a t i o n a l Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has awarded Barker,BarronandLaw,the contract to support the Guyana Extractive Industries andTransparency Initiative (EITI) in the Implementation of Beneficial Ownership RoadmapinGuyana.

A c c o r d i n g t o information provided on NPTAB website, the contract was awarded on February 20, 2024 to the

and mining sectors require all implementing countries, including Guyana to implement a register of the beneficial owners of the corporate entity (ies) that apply for or hold a participating interest in an explorationorproductionof oil, gas or mining licence or contract.

According to the 2019 EITI Standards, countries are required to maintain a public register of beneficial owners that demonstrates the level of ownership and

entity and is valued US$47,447. Barker, Barron and Law is among four entities that submitted bids for the Ministry of Natural Resourcesproject.

The ministry had issued atenderseekingproposalfor individual consultancy servicestoexecutethetask.

Kaieteur News reported that the EITI, a global

accountabilityintheoil,gas

been working to have legislationinplace,andthose will come probably before the next recess to cover all sorts of liabilities. A law in placeliketheyhaveintheUS andsomeothercountriesthat willcoveralsotransportation becausewehavemorecrude being transported in our jurisdiction so it's not just liabilities of the oil companies but transport companies, etcetera and that'sbeenintheworksalong time so that we can protect thiscountry.”

The updated Petroleum Activities Act passed in the NationalAssemblyinAugust last year does not address suchevents.

The law at Part X 'Transportation and Storage' only regulates transportation and storage of petroleum via pipeline and gives the Minister power to grant accesstothirdparties.

Earlier this month, a vesselcapsizedofftheshores of Tobago, leaking oil into the nation's waters Fisherfolk on the island remain concerned over the lossoftheirlivelihoodswhile authorities mobilize international assistance for responsetotheincident.The

oilspillhassinceenteredthe marineterritoryofGrenada. TheTrinidadandTobago Coast Guard (TTCG) confirmed that at least two vessels were involved in the oilspill.

TheTrinidadandTobago Guardian reported that the MinistryofNationalSecurity said in a statement that even as investigations are continuing, video footage and other information, obtained by the TTCG, have confirmed that the two vessels are a tug boat and a barge.

It said the TTCG is collaboratingwithotherlocal and regional agencies, including the Caribbean

Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Guyana Coast Guard (GCG), the Maritime Services Division, and IR Consilium, through consultant Dr Ian Ralby, to identify the vessels and their owners.

TheAllianceForChange (AFC) has said the spill shouldbeanadditionalwake upcallforGuyana.

Despite the fact Trinidad and Tobago has been an oil producingcountryforovera century and having had to deal with several major oil spills in the past, the AFC said the country was struggling to contain the

recent spill. Taking this into account the opposition party said,“Thisunfortunateevent shouldbeanadditionalwake upcallforGuyana.”

The AFC said currently, Guyanaisproducing645,000 barrels of oil per day, representing about three timesthedailyvolumeofoil produced by Trinidad and Tobago at its peak, thus resultinginanincreasedrisk. Theoppositionpartysaid,“It is time that Guyana puts in place a comprehensive oil spill plan backed by provision of adequate resources and equipment, as well as ensure that the operatorsinallouroilblocks have in place full and unlimited liability coverage.”

Further to this, the AFC said it has taken note of the fact that the Tobago oil spill has now spread to the neighboring countries of Grenada and Venezuela With this troubling development in mind, the AFC sought to remind that having in place unlimited liability coverage, not only covers the costs associated with the immediate oil cleanup efforts, but will also include the short, medium, and long costs associated with the damage to these countries' tourism and fishingsectors.

detailsabouthowownership or control is exercised. The 2019EITIStandardrequires that, as of January 1, 2020, implementing countries request, and companies publicly disclose, beneficial ownershipinformation.

It was reported that four years after the timeline set outbyEITI,Guyanahasnot yet developed a register of beneficial owners that hold lucrative mining licenses in theextractivesectors.

Publisher:

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

EDITORIAL

President Ali – large on words, little when actions necessary

President IrfaanAli went on a rampage with his use of theword“commitment”inhisRepublicDayaddress. We note that the president used the word “commitment” 11 timesinhisspeech. Thepresidentcouldbeforgivenforhis probablebeliefthatifsomethingissaidoftenenoughthatit standsahighchanceofbeingacceptedastheunvarnished truth. We remind Guyana’s president that there was a leading German propagandist who also put a considerable amountofstockinthatbeliefdecadesago. Theresultwasa countryanditspeopleleftinutterruins.

“Commitment” is a word that principled people take seriously It means that the user of that word is binding himselforherselftoastatedcourseofaction. Itisthatno matter what is required, and regardless of the price to be paid, the commitment made will be honored in full. It is withsignificantregretthatweassertthatPresidentAlihas failed to deliver on prior commitments. It has either been through the actions of his government, or in him walking back his own words where commitment featured in some form. Wedonotthinkthatthepresidentwentouttodeceive Guyanese deliberately, but that the pressure of circumstancesforcedhimtorethinkpriorcommitmentsor promises,andtodoanaboutturn. Thesadresulthasbeen thathiscommitmentshavenotbeenfulfilled,orwhenthey havebeen,muchsubstancewasmissing

One glaring example of a commitment made but not kept is on the burning, roiling issue of transparency The PPPC Government in its three and a half years under PresidentAlihasbeenalongexhibitionofsecrecy Huge contracts have been signed by the Irfaan Ali government with likely many concessions embedded for foreign companies operating in this country’s rich mining fields, butthetermsandconditionsofmanyofthosecontractsare keptawayfromGuyanese. Thepracticeofthegovernment is as if those contracts and other sensitive reports are a privatematter,politicalsecretsthatmustbetightlyguarded, notthebusinessofthepeople.PresidentAlididnotcommit tosecrecyingovernance,hecommittedtotransparencyand accountability from his first official days but has since rejectedappealstobeopenandclearwithGuyanese Secrecy hasbeenthenorm Secrecyhasbecomeathrivingcultureunder the Ali Administration, with solemn commitments meaning absolutelynothing Theawardofthe$865MBelleVuepump stationcontractisacurrentexampleofafailedcommitmentto cleangovernance

Notunreasonably,confidencefaltersinPresidentAli,when hementions“commitment” Hisgovernmenthasrepeatedly disappointedGuyanese,whichhascontributedtothechronic distrustthatisnowsuchaprominentfeatureinGuyaneselife This distrust goes to a higher plane relative to the PPPC Governmentdishonoringthecommitmentsmadebyitsleaders, withmuchdisillusionmentasthestandingnorm Guyaneseare at sea on the new numbers pertaining to the seven new oil discoveries so excitedly announced by ExxonMobil The people who own the oil wealth are prevented from knowing how much more oil has been found by ExxonMobil because thereisaPPPCGovernmentthatconspireswiththeAmerican companytohidetherichdetailsfromthem. PresidentAlimay reassurehimselfthatbyrepeating“commitment”11timesinhis holidayaddress,hehasdonehispart. Whether11timesor111 times,ifoldcommitmentsarehonoredinthebreach,thenfew citizensbelieveinthenewonesmadelastMashDay

So, when President Ali commits to better salaries and workingconditionsinthefuture,manybelieveheismostly abouthotair,andmoreemptyplatitudes. Whyishetalking about better in the future, when ExxonMobil is delivering richesfromGuyana’spatrimonytoitsshareholderstoday? Today,notinsomehazy,mysteriousfuturethatmaynever materialize. ExxonMobil’s people are prospering today, andGuyaneseshouldalsoprospertoday Weakleaderslove tomakecommitmentsaboutbetterforcitizensinthefuture. Leadersaredoingbetterinthepresent;thepeoplemustwait for the future. History proves that the better future promisedusuallynevercomes.

Where’s the Money?

DEAREDITOR, Analysts attempted to reconcile the 2020-2022 Guyana Natural Resource Fund royalties’ balance. To their dismay, there is a significant shortage of royalty payments in the years 2020 and 2022, 23% and 13% respectively The Natural Resource Fund appears to be missing an approximate GY$5 6B (US$27M) in royalties, paymentsthatExxonandits affiliatesshouldhavemade.

Comparisonsweremade between Bank of Guyana publications on the Natural Resource Fund and Exxon, Hess,andCNOOC’saudited financial statements Inflows for royalties should match2%ofpetroleumsales

reported by the oil companies. Immaterial differences should be the result of timing; as seen by the 1% variance in 2021(Exhibit 1). However, there are material differencesintheyears2020 and 2022 that require immediate attention The Government of Guyana needs to verify the financial information provided by Exxon. If the government does not reconcile the Natural Resource Fund, there is an assumption that Exxon, Hess, and CNOOC have breached the PSA (Production Sharing Agreement).

Exhibit1reflectsinflows to the Natural Resource Fund converted to GY$, per

the fund publications.There is no explanation as to why the exchange rate remained constant across all the years at$208.50.Analysts sourced revenue from the audited financial statements of Exxon, Hess, and CNOOC, multipliedbythe2%royalty rate.

Surprisingly, EEPGL (Esso Exploration & ProductionGuyanaLimited) was the only company to footnote revenue of its tax expense in 2022 The company took a GY$59B tax expense and included this expense as noncustomerrevenue. This inclusion of tax expense in revenue is a requirement by the PSAbut doesnotabidebyGuyana’s

income tax laws or financial accounting rules.

Exxon, Hess, and CNOO Call report Guyana income tax expenses in their financial statements, but do not pay this tax to the GoG (Government of Guyana). However, these same organizations received approximately US$1.4B in tax-paid receipts from the GoG.

To further complicate matters, EEPGL was the only company that reported royalty expenses in its income statement, which it severely understated consideringthattherequired royalty payment should be 2% of its revenue The integrityoftheoil (Continuedonpage06)

The disparity between those who have access to resources and the masses is vast Guyana‘s politics needs to be restarted from Ground-Zero

DEAREDITOR,

I have noticed eminent persons in Guyana past and present are highlighting atrocities in Gaza Their contributions are important as they seek to remind the world of the basic laws that govern modern-day society

On the other hand, these same eminent persons have not condemned the actions of Putin against Ukraine, where human life and critical infrastructure are targeted leaving many personsingravedifficulties. Mr Editor, this is an old technique used by leaders, where they distract their population by focusing on international issues thus hoping their problems will solvethemselves.

At home, teachers and other public servants are been treatedworsethanthepeopleof GazaandUkraine.Thecostof living is skyrocketing, wages are depressed corruption and nepotism are high our health care system leaves a lot to be desired Persons who require stemforheartsurgeriesaretold that the government-run machine at the Public Hospitalisnotfunctionalbut they can have the same surgery done privately at a veryexorbitantcost.

Unfortunately, the most vulnerablearetoldtobepatient Whenthisscenarioiscompared totheglowingreportsthatare writtenaboutGuyana,itleaves youtowonderiftherealityon thegroundisthesameasthese reports Economic developmentisnotsolelybased on infrastructural works but it must include the socioeconomic improvement of thepeople.

The social services must be on par to cater for the needs of the people President Lula of Brazil in his previous term in office managed to lift millions of Braziliansoutofpoverty,by implementing policies and programmes that cater for the poor in society, in Guyana the reverse is happening projects are createdforthefriendsofthe rich.

The government’s counter-argument is the unavailability of resources, this sounds strange while this government refuses to renegotiatetheoildealorto ring-fence future projects or introduces certain taxes on the oil company It is an insult to read in the daily,

millions of US dollars that foreign investors are repairing while Guyanese teachers are paid a meagre salary

A select few in this population seem to be enjoying the fruits of the country’s resources while the masses are suffering at the hands of this select few The infrastructural works heldupasdevelopmentarea mirage if the human populationisnoteducatedor has access to quality health care and well-paying jobs. When the oil exploration is over

We will be left with whiteelephantsasignofthe Dutch disease. When will the airport be finally completed? Often correctional works are been done or extensions are needed, even the blind can see this scam. When questions are asked the blame is placed on the Opposition namely dictatorship and rigged elections Had the opposition had the golden opportunity that this government is enjoying muchmorewouldhavebeen achieved.

If an objective comparison is made the achievements under the previous administration were done with little resources We are living under an autocratic government that defines democracy as their right to govern without listening to the voice of the masses that are growing discontent.The

disparitybetweenthosewho haveaccesstoresourcesand themassesisvast.

At the end of the day, these loans will have to be repaid by future generations if they are not well-trained educated and healthy how will they manage to repay these loans? At the same time, a select few are living elegantly while residents in, the city of Georgetown and other areas are subjected to daily power outages despite theadditionalengineswhich wererecentlypurchased.

Guyana will never develop under such circumstances; economic development will not be achieved This country needs an equitable distribution of resources Development is a conceptthatbeginsinthemind andmustbecarefullyplanned with the participation of the masses; the best human resources are assigned to theseprojectsirrespectiveof affiliationorappearances.

Secondly,ifourmindsand thoughtsaredirtyforexample (listen to the recent debate in parliament) which excludes and degrades other groups of people in society then we cannot make progress This polluted thinking is being filtereddowntopersonsonthe street who share similar beliefs Finally,leadershipis a service, not a divine right. Dr Jagan once stated that ‘youcannotdriveaBenzora RollsRoyceinadonkeycart economy’ his words are comingthrough.

Thankyou.

NameWithheld.

DEAREDITOR

,

OnFebruary16,2024the ForbesBurnhamFoundation hosteditsannualsymposium incommemorationofthelife andworksoftheLateLinden Forbes Sampson Burnham. The Feature Address on the topic: Guyana‘s politics needs to be restarted from Ground-Zero: - Zero-Sum Politics, was amicably and non-adversarially delivered by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes, in his private capacity

In that address, he proffered the idea that Guyana‘s politics should be rebuilt from Ground-Zero. Ground-Zero represents that period in the 50s when likeminded political aspirants sought to foster ethnic unity as a precondition for nation building, including the attainmentofindependence.

Hughes referenced the shenanigans that pervaded the society, following-on on the ‘ideological differences’ which led to the split of the PPP; shattered the effort of nationbuilding;andresulted i n t h e s u s t a i n e d anachronistic and adversarial politics, to the detrimentofnationbuilding. Hefurthercontendedthatthe nation has come full circle minusone(acceptanceofthe plural nature of the society), and that the ideological differences which were the causalfactorofthesplithave dissipated,thusprovidingan opportunity for the forces to confront the ethnic issue, as theysoughttodointheearly

5 0 s w h e n t h e y acknowledged the plurality ofthesociety;assembledthe ethnic groups under one umbrella; and established united leadership across the ethnicdivide.

This he contended should result in the creation ofanenvironmentthatcould lend to the rebirth of the national movement and its pursuit of nationhood. He identified the issue of political contestation, adversarial politics and the focus on the struggle for power,afterthesplitin1955, asself-imposedobstaclesto nation building, for which the various political forces should collectively take responsibility and move on from the re-emergent Ground–Zero, which has apparently re-emerged due to the convergence of the economic policies of the rivalpoliticalforces.

This, he contended, shouldbedoneinaneffortto reengage the nationhood enterprise.

Unfortunately, rather than seeing this proposition asamomentfordialogueand rekindling the Ground-Zero moment,therearethosewho have sought to return to the shenanigans, which have kept us derailed, in their perpetuation of the politics of division, showmanship, righteousness, domination, political triumphalism, and the contention that the proposition to return to Ground-Zero is but another attempt, of those out of

power,toaccesspower That response will only continue to stymie the nationhood enterprise And, in responding thus, the critics havelimitedtheoutputofthe symposium to a statement, onthefloor,byMr Hamilton Greene, in which he contended that the current government epitomizes crass politicking, including blaming others for their deeds.

He sarcastically concluded that in the circumstance of being accusedofriggingandgiven the crassness of the regime, then rigging may well be resorted to in an effort to save the country from what pertains (disregard for democracy and the lives of people).

The statement attributed toGreenewasbutaspeckof his contribution from the floor; probably wrongly contextualized; given undue attention; and definitely, now being used to detract fromthecentralthrustofthe symposium: returning to Ground Zero in an effort to rekindle the nation building project.

Amongthosetojumpon the bandwagon to derail the focus, and detract from the substance of the content, of the symposium‘s main presentationwasTaraSingh, who to his credit also embraced the idea of an “Ethnic Impact Statement” as a contribution to the neededdiscourseonthe

(Continuedonpage09)

The Return of Latchmini –A Guyanese novel that is as breathtaking as it is unique

Roath,thenovelTheReturn of Latchmini, was reviewed by thousands of young writers hoping to publish theirfirstnovel.Thoughnot characterizedinthecategory of a youngster Novelists’ hopefuls shared their admiration for the author’s

skill at creating a narrative aroundfactsandmakingthe resulting creation an artistic masterpiece.Onewritersaid that Dr Shah Roath, “Managed to get her characters in a way that makes them go off in different directions for the victorythatissnatchedfrom their hands Resolution

comes at such great costs!”

While another noted, “Poor Latchimini her story sounds so real. It’s like the writer holds the reader’s handandtheywalktogether between the characters, watchingthemverynearand close-up.Well-done!”

Astudent at a university of in Bihar, India, says that

he never knew much about indentureship of Indians in the West Indies, and all the books he found were too scholarlyandburdensometo read and comprehend, but the novel, The Return of Latchmini, brought the subject to life and allowed him to appreciate and understand the process of recruitment,reasonsfortheir departure from India, the arduous journey, and their life and resilience on the sugar plantations, all understood in an enjoyable way He expressed the wish to someday go to Guyana and see the places described inthenovel.

Unlikepreviouswritings on the subject surrounding the departure from India, Shah Roath shows the real reason for Latchmini’s, and her husband’s original departure was finding work abroad when none was available at home, earning enough money to return and build a comfortable life in her home village in Allahabad, after a bound contractin1894Suriname–SriRam’sland.

The author, Seeta Shah Roath, takes facts surrounding the living history of Guyana and weaves a story of intrigue, mystery, and adventure surroundingafamilysplitup in Suriname and British Guiana, thrice journeying

across three oceans, and bringing forthnew life aboard the ship –TheAvon. Although the journey of the Indian immigrant has been told and retold so many times before, seeing the actual experiences through the eyes of protagonist Latchmini,hersonMohabir, andtheeverpatientNaraine, brings a static history to life in the novel Latchmini returnstohervillageinIndia with her two children, pregnant with another child and faces a different reality from when she had left as a bride with her husband ten yearsbefore.Shehadhoped tohaveherfourthchildborn in her homeland, but as it turns out that was not to happen.

The happy reunion with her in laws was not as imagined and she soon escaped the family home withherchildreninthedead ofnight,boardedatrainand headed back to Calcutta and what she had hoped would be a return journey to Suriname.

Journeying out of India forasecondtime,Latchmini watches men jump overboard in fear of the sea, sees dead babies being thrown overboard weeks after,comfortswomenraped in the water-closet on the ship, and barely avoids the samefate.Shegivesbirthto baby Jack delivered by

‘Captain Jack’in the middle of a violent storm just after passing the island of St. Helena, and before landing in Demerara instead of Sri Ram’s land where she had thoughtshewasheading.

The natural beauty of Guyana is weaved through adventures of the family as never before told realities is dramatised in heightened, breathtaking episodes of some of the evils and triumphs of plantation life andheart-breakingscenesof lossandgains.

Thenovelbringstofocus theSuriname-BritishGuiana connectionofthetimewhile leavingthereaderanxiously awaiting the sequel. About the book, the author writes: Would the tides of misfortunesweepLatchmini into the depths of despair? Or will she ride its crest to t r i u m p h ? A n o t h e r significant feature of the bookisthatthecoverartisa painting that is part of Guyana’s National Collection at Castellani House by another UG lecturer and artist, Philbert Gajadhar

It is a wonderful book, well written, great prose. It should be in the reading list for literature and English courses as well as on indentureship.Itmakesfora greatreadforall.

Yours, DrVishnuBisram

Where’s the Money?...

Frompage04 companies’ financial statements is questionable. The audited financial

statements for the years 2020-2022limitthedatathat the public can analyze and therefore assumptions must

bemade:didExxonshortthe Guyana Natural Resource FundbyUS$27M?

Exhibit1

operationsinGuyanaderive revenue from the sale of cru

Fi

ancial professionals analyze production data for the accuracy of revenue Exxon’s failure to disclose production data during the Guyana2018-2020US$7.3B costrecoveryaudit,anaudit report that the government failed to release, reemphasizesthecontinuous risks of the inability to trust or verify Exxon’s information.

This risk exposure is

amplified when reconciling Guyana’s profit oil The

2020-2022 Natural Resource Fund inflows relating to profit oil amounted to GY$342B Guyana’s profit oil balance is seven times the royalty balance and is dependent on mechanisms of cost recovery, which are recoverable costs that remain undisclosed to the peopleofGuyana.Ifthecost recovery statements contain inaccuracies, such as those reportedinthe2020to2022 revenueandroyaltyexpense accounts, the potential for

profit oil shortages in the Natural Resource Fund will be exponential and a US$27M royalty shortage willpaleincomparison.

Considering the GoG and the petroleum bloc of Exxon, Hess, and CNOOC, are contractually binding business partners, clarity to this opaque financial predicament can easily be resolved when the GoG reconcilesthebalancesinthe Natural Resource Fund Afterall,themoneybelongs tothepeopleofGuyana. Regards, CandiceDorwish

Exxon driller earned US$703M from Guyana in 2023 ...earnings Guyana here higher than US, Norway, and Australia

In its 2023 Annual Report, Noble Corporation plc, a leading contractor of ExxonMobil disclosed that it garnered an astounding US$2 6 billion in revenues in 2023 across all the countriesinwhichitoperates.

From Guyana, Noble earned US$703 million, the highest amountamongcountries,including theUS,NorwayandAustralia.

“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 endedDecember31,2023,”Noble stated.

The fiscal milestones achieved in Guyana can be attributed to Noble's Commercial Enabling

Agreement (CEA) with ExxonMobilGuyana,underwhich the company has been operating four state-of-the-art drillships: the Noble Tom Madden, Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor, and NobleBobDouglas.Thesevessels have been exploring the Stabroek Block.

The extension of the contract duration for these drillships, from the fourth quarter of 2025 to the second quarter of 2027, as announced last year, guarantees a steady revenue stream for Noble fromGuyanaforseveralyears.

Guyana is continuing to hold growing strategic importance for Noble among the jurisdictions in which it operates. The country's prominence in Noble's operations was further highlighted by a

comparison with the 2022 earnings,whereGuyanaalsostood out as a key revenue generator, contributing US$469 million (33%)ofthetotalrevenues.

A 2023 report by Wood Mackenzie, a global research and consultancygroup,hadshownthat rig/drillship utilisation returned to pre-COVID levels, driving rates up. Wood Mackenzie had reported that by the end of 2023 rates were expected to be at US$500,000/day or above for highly-prized, advantaged ultra-deepwater rigs. Suchdevelopmentssignifyarobust demand for drilling services, buoyedbythesteadytighteningof offshore drilling fundamentals, which presents attractive contract opportunitiesforfirmslikeNoble.

Notably, owing to the 2016

Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed onto with Exxon – all of the company's expense will be recovered. Under the deal, Exxon receives profits after 75 percent is withdrawn to cover its expenses, which includes moniespaidtoitscontractors.

The four noble drillships are contributingtodrillintheStabroek Block. Exxon has already made more than 35 discoveries in the Stabroek Block and is currently executinga35-welldrillcampaign there It also has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)forapprovaltodrill12wells intheCanjeBlock.

In addition to exploration and appraisal drilling, Exxon is undertaking development drilling forthePayara,Yellowtail,andUaru

projects, making 2024 one of the busiest years for offshore drilling activitiesinGuyana.

This flurry of activities is supported by six drillships contracted by Exxon to operate offshoreGuyana,fourofwhichare provided by Noble, with the remaining two supplied by Stena Drilling.During his address at the opening of the 2024 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply ChainExpo,ExxonMobilUpstream President, said, “Six drilling rigs and their crews are at work every single day 24/7 throughout the block, drilling and exploring, preparingYellowtail and Uaru for startup tirelessly developing the existing resource base and seeking to find even new discoveries.”

Mashramanimustundergoathorough reevaluationandreimagining

Yesterday,workerswere busycleaningupthemess leftbehindbythosewho wentouttowatchand indulgeintheannual MashramaiFloatParade. ButitistheParadeitself thatneedscleansingofits proclivitytowardslewdness

A woman wearing a short shirt or a plunging neckline, both of which covermorethantheyreveal, will have a sexy allure. The secret to being sexy is to leave sufficient to the imagination. On the other hand, baring it all and leaving very little to the imaginationisnotsexyatall. It is downright vulgar and lewd. On Friday, Guyanese revelerstooktothestreetsto display their colourful costumesandtohaveagood time. The vast majority of these revelers will stay withinthepaleandshowthat you can have a good time without being vulgar However, a great many will overdothingsandreducethe revelry to an orgy of lewdness.

The problem is not just oneofrevealinggarments.It isnolongerjustthequestion of the skimpy clothes, even though some of the revelers

wearfarlessthantheywould normally do at home. The problemextendstowhathas been aptly described by one personas‘simulatedsex’. It all started very innocentlywithexaggerated waist and hip movements called “wining”. Then the “backball” became popular The “backball” has now been superseded by what I can only describe as crass lewdness I have seen women raising one of their feetintheairanddisplaying their private parts for all to see.Itis‘simulatedsex’atits worst.Itisdisgusting.

The vulgarity and lewdness are becoming more pronounced on Mash Day Sometimes, I wonder howsomeofthewomenfolk who engage in these lewd displaysareabletofacetheir peersaftertheeventisover.

Iwonderiftheyeverstop to think about the example they are setting for the children.Iamsaddenedalso when I see children also engaging in some of these provocativedances.

Ibelievethatitwasoutof concern about the vulgarity ondisplayduringMashDay revelries that, years ago, the Christian Churches decided

to take to the streets. The intention, I suspect, was to try to show that clean fun could be enjoyable and that Guyanese can enjoy themselves without having to resort to public exhibitions of vulgarity and lewdness.

But the effort by the churches could not be sustained.Clearly,theywere unable to bring about any changes,presumingthatwas theintention.

On another front, the non-traditional churches havebeenintheforefrontof popularizing gospel music, and that music is evolving. Gospelmusicisnowdoneto thebeatsofsocaandchutney music. Gospel concerts are now filled to capacity. Undoubtedly the largest event held during Carifesta was a gospel concert at the GuyanaNationalStadium.It isdisappointingthatwehave had Mashramani chutney, calypso, soca and dancehall competitionsbutnotgospelsingingcompetition.

Gospel music is now a globalindustry,churningout songs in all genres Religious lyrics are now evenbeingsunginhip-hop.I predict that gospel music

Guyana‘s politics needs to be...

Frompage05

issueathand,ratherthantherabidsubjective dismissalofothers.

An EthnicAssessment Statement would provide data on the management and distributionofthenation‘spatrimonyacross ethnic groups, and provide the basis for policies that can address ethnic inequities, and truly provide for restarting the nation buildingprojectfromGround-Zero.

The Burnham Foundation embraces the propositionofMr Hughes.Wearesaddened bythosewhoseethisasyetanothermoment for the perpetuation of partisan, antipatriotic, anachronistic and anti-people politics.

Yourstruly,

DEM BOYS SEH

Big Shoes, Small Feet

Mash Day, ah d a y f u h revelry and bacchanal,butdisyear,we see someting odda dan de usualcostumeparadesand socavibes.Wespot oneof de powerhouse of local politics strutting ‘round town,himfeetadornedwid shoes big enough to house afamilyahfive!

Demshoes,ahtellyuh, shinebrightlikedesunpon aclearday Black leather, pointedtip, and size 12! Now, dat would be alright if de man footsizematchhefeet.But dem shoes look like dem gotspacefuhrent!

Yuhknow,peopledoes sehdatsomegettoobigfuh demboots.Butwathappen when de boots get too big fuh de foot? It got we thinking, dem shoes ain’t justanaccessory,demtella storyallpondemown.

See,inpolitics,yuhgot tohavederightfit.

But when yuh strutting ‘round in shoes fit fuh Bigfoot, it raise questions. Is it a case of trying to fill shoes dat ain’t meant fuh yuh? Or is it a desperate attempt to project a largerthan-lifeimage,evenifyuh footsizenuhmatch?

Size matters, people. Not just in politics, but in

will eventually become the fastest growing segment in themusicsector

Butthereisalsotheissue of how representative Mashramani is of the diversity of our Guyanese culture If Mashramani observances are to truly represent the diversity and richness of Guyanese culture, the entire festival needs to be revamped. It needsacompletemakeover, andnotsimplyatinkering.

Mashramani falls woefully short in encompassing all aspects andsegmentsofthenation’s heritage To achieve its potential as a national festival,itmustcelebratethe entiretyofGuyana’scultural tapestry. This means

incorporatingelementsfrom various ethnic groups, traditions, and regions acrossthecountry

Masramani is a palpably poor imitation of Trinidad’s carnival rather than an authentic expression of Guyanese identity This c o p y c a t a p p r o a c h undermines the festival’s authenticity Mashramani must undergo a thorough r e e v a l u a t i o n a n d reimagining.

Mashramani must be refashioned to become a national celebration, rooted in Guyana’s history and culture. By revamping the observances, Mashramani can emerge as a distinct and vibrant expression of Guyaneseprideandunity.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports should h a v e n a t i o n - w i d e consultations as part of a process of rethink and reinventing the festival’s structure, content, purpose, organization and ensuring that it reflects the true essence of Guyana and servesasaunifyingforcefor allitscitizens.

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

life Dem shoes, dem symbolize more dan just fashion. Dey represent de capacity to walk in someone else’s shoes, to understandandempathize. But if yuh shoes too big, yuh bound to stumble and fall.

So,nexttimeyuhseea man parading ‘round in shoes dat look like him borrow dem from Shaq, ask yuhself: Is he really walking de walk, or just tryingtofillshoesdatain’t meantfuhhim?

Dem boys seh, walk tall, but make sure yuh shoesfit. Talkhalf.Leffhalf

H@RD TRUTHS

EXCELLENCY ALI IS NOT GUYANA

Thepastdoesopen a window to the f u t u r e A political experiment gone wrong The law of unintended consequences triumph. Apresentationthat is a prophecy cloaked in a premonition. I fear for this country

I am long pass fearing for myself, never really did from very young. There is His Excellency, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who stands as the first

billboard,aneonexhibition. Then there is the PPP Government. Itisapolitical comedy cum crime cum calamity portending a national catastrophe. First, the past, followed by the rest.

Irecallsomeagitationin pacified, but still restless, Buxton early in the Ali presidency

Thepresidentvisitedand engaged residents, and a man passed, but made sure that he was heard: “yu’all

gat visitors.” President Ali pounced: ‘who is he? He doan kno who he messin’ wid.

Hebetterdoanmesswid me…’ Fellow Guyanese, there was His Excellency, Guyana’sheadofstate.

What I interpreted was the headman ready to be a headhunter to manifest how much of a head-start he has in that field of operations. Guyanese in my time had a word – ‘ignaar’, what Americancalla‘headcase.’

Itwasawindowofthingsto come.

For the record, the offending passerby was Dr DavidHinds,amanwhohas earnedhis stripes:Burnham jailed him for living his convictions. The racists in the PPP Government call him a racist. He is my brother, so maybe that makes me into one also. Definitely a tribal traitor Butbacktothepresident.

President Ali has shrugged off the cobwebs

and mutated from strengthtostrength,but not in a direction that is beneficial to either country or citizens. He does more thanimitatehissponsorand creator, President Bharrat Jagdeo.

He has surpassed him in thelashingoutandbrawling aboutdepartments.

Cash handouts and cleanup campaigns and kissing babies aside, he has become a figure that lampoonists dream about. Thisleaderdoesnotlistento loyalGuyanese.

Helistens,likeemperors of yore, to his court of fawning, brownnosing, advisers and analyzers who point enemies to him, lead downaprecipitouspath.

How else will they justify their existence, collect their pay? Most of the time, Excellency Ali, now Emperor Ali listens to the voices warring in his head.

Oil contract honor Naysayers. ‘Experts’. Heis not a man given to introspection, but one never less than fully dedicated to thedevastationofGuyanese enemies Imagined enemies, I say. Look and listentohimtoday,threeand halfyearslater.

He has become a power unto himself, one infused with the infallibility of divinity The more that President deigns to address the peasants of Guyana, the less presidential he sounds, the more of a Pontifex Maximus is heard and seen. In his overwrought head, Excellency fancies himself tobethechiefhighpriestof Guyana. The leader has appointed himself Emperor ofGuyana. Iassertthatitis aself-anointment.

He has that collared an air of infallibility about n o b l e p e r s o n a g e Somebody should give the man a scepter; he already gave himself a crown. In Emperor Ali’s construction he is Guyana. The sum and substance of it In him resides the majesty and magnificence of it: all of both. Buxton and ‘he doan kno who he messin’ wid’ was a prophecy that is now Guyana’s premonition. Of worseinthemaking. This is what the now

fading power in Guyana, one Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, experimented with in the laboratory that is his own conflicted and cunning head.

Who will be controller and who will be controlled haspickedupavirus.

The Young Turn turned out to be a different kind of Turkish delight. President Ali has gathered his assets, nurtured his base, and neitherareforJagdeo.

When I come across some of Excellency Ali’s fulminations-impatient, raging, dismissive-he has creptpasttheVicePresident in the departments of hostility, aggression, and naked belligerence. ‘Doan messwidme’,remember

Now, this puts the omniscient one, (who else but Jagdeo) in a bind. His experiment in leadership manipulation has blown up inhisface,and2025isnext month, as in around the corner

In my estimation Ali is alive in 25, and possibly as faras55,ifnotbeyond.

Allhehastodoisnotget any ideas with the Yanks, playhiscardssmoothlywith Alistair and Darren, and he willbealright.

Hebehaveshimself,and he is the best. Meanwhile, his own people grow in powerandinfluence. AndI am not speaking about TikTok and Instagram. Or ‘X’,formerlyTwitter

IpityDr Barry Indeed, the best laid plans of mice andsnakesdooftenresultin torments of the soul. Live honestly, learn a lot. Jagdeo fell in love with playing manypoliticalgames. Now t h a t t h e y h a v e boomeranged,hehastodeal with the backfire. His own people are hopping mad, mighty unhappy Anil is weak contradiction, Vindya simmers quietly, uneasily. This experiment of Jagdeo hasgottenoutofhand. Itis the law of unintended consequences. It rarely fails.

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

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l “Any event like that could

could be better equipped to Brazil, and the Sangomar Protection Agency (EPA), happen to any country… It deliver larger FPSOs project was ordered from SUNDAY the MaritimeAdministration could happen in Barbados. It Offshore Frontier Solution MODEC by Woodside Department and the Guyana could happen offshore St. Pte. Ltd., a MODEC Group Energy for Senegal. None of ‘Tobago oil spill a Geology and Mines Vincent. It could happen

Melinda Janki without the resources or according to its capacity

Errea Wittu, which will has the highest oil

Companyandajointventure these projects earned more stark reminder there Commission (GGMC) if offshoreofSt.Kitts.” with Toyo Engineering revenue for MODEC than is no safe way to there is a spill. But she He said that Guyana is Corporation, is responsible theUaruproject. produce or transport oil’ questioned what those open to lending support to for delivering the FPSO The Guyana FPSO also – Int’l Lawyer, organizations would do Tobagotodealwiththespill,

utilise MODEC’s M350TM production design capacity expertisetodealwithaspill. Collaboration between new-buildhull. of them all The FPSO Inthewakeoftheoilspill The lawyer also said that Trinidad’s Ministry of T h e o i l p r o j e c t s Sangomar is designed to that has adversely affected if a spill were to occur, National Security, the producing offshore will produce 100,000 barrels of the island of Tobago and is Exxon plans to use Trinidad and Tobago Coast

continue to reap billions of oil per day, with a storage now encroaching on dispersants, which she said Guard,GuyanaCoastGuard, US dollars annually Most of capacity of 1 3 million Grenada and Venezuela, push oil under water, instead CARICOM Implementation the proceeds, however, have barrels and a gas production International Lawyer of removing it. “The bulk of Agency for Crime and by the company on the order been leaving Guyana, capability of 130 million Melinda Janki noted the the oil disappears from sight Security (IMPACS), and does not include annual primarily benefiting Exxon standard cubic feet per day incident as a dire warning because it sinks into the international partners is leasingcostswhicharelikely and its partners. This is In Brazil, the FPSO about the hazards of oil ocean where it does further ongoing in the investigation to kick in once the ship is up attributed to the terms of the Bacalhau is set for first oil in p r o d u c t i o n a n d harm.” andresponsetothespill. andrunning. Stabroek Block Production 2025, with a capacity to transportation. Guyana passed the

The Uaru FPSO is Sharing Agreement (PSA) produce 220,000 barrels of

According to Janki, this PetroleumActivitiesActinto Japanese company profits expected to play a pivotal signed between the previous oil and 500 million standard incident is a “stark reminder law last year to govern the US$800M from Guyana role in Guyana’s oil sector, government and Exxon cubicfeetofgasperday The that there is no safe way to petroleum sector. Janki for FPSO order last year with first oil anticipated in Despite the significant Raia FPSO, aiming for first produce or transport oil.” believesthatitis inadequate, …annual leasing 2026.With an oil production revenues generated by oil in 2027, will have a She believes that the oil as it is “pro-oil” and not pro- costs not included capacity of 250,000 barrels projects like Uaru, there similar storage capacity with industry underplays the risks Guyana. per day (bpd) and a gas continues to be growing an output of 125,000 barrels associated with oil spills, “A key lesson for the Japanese shipbuilder production capability of 540 scrutiny over the fairness of perday which can have devastating w h o l e o f G u y a n a , MODEC reported revenues million standard cubic feet the distribution of wealth consequences on the government and people to of US$800 million in 2023 per day, alongside a storage derived from Guyana’s oil MONDAY environment, economy, and learn is the need at the related to its Guyana work, capacity of 2 million barrels reserves. Vice President Dr m a r i n e l i f e T h e petroleum sector level for which accounted for about a of crude, it will be one of the Bharrat Jagdeo said that Govt. hands prime environmental activist strict regulation of oil quarter of all its US$3.57 largest FPSOs globally This revenues will increase in the city lands to Qatari recalled the Exxon Valdez exploration, production and billionrevenuesfortheyear capacitysetsthestageforthe nextfewyears. investors to build hotel disaster that wreaked havoc transportation followed by The company had project to be one of the In addition to the Uaru – Pres.Ali says investment on the Alaskan shoreline in strict enforcement of the successfully secured an highest revenue-generating project in Guyana, fits into plan for 1989, with spillage of 11 law,”Jankisaid. order for the Uaru project projects undertaken offshore MODEC’s 2023 financials sustainable development milliongallonsofcrude. Vice President, Dr from ExxonMobil Under Guyana, significantly were supported by three

The Tobago oil spill Bharrat Jagdeo, discussed t h e e n g i n e e r i n g , impacting the nation’s oil other significant EPCI The Government of involves two vessels, a tug the Tobago spill during his procurement, construction production capacity. With projects, namely the Raia, Guyana has handed out and a barge, confirmed by press conference last and installation (EPCI) the Uaru project’s operation, Bacalhau, and Sangomar prime green spaces of landsthe Trinidad and Tobago Thursday, arguing that the contract, MODEC will Guyana’s offshore oil FPSOs, contributing to a that were solely used for Coast Guard, both of which risk of a spill is not unique to deliver the Errea Wittu production is set to exceed total EPCI earnings of educational and recreational were bound for Guyana but Guyana. Questioned about floating production, storage the 1 million barrels per day approximately US$2.5 purposes along Carifesta never arrived. The spill has the potential for a spill like and offloading (FPSO) mark. billion for the year. The Raia Avenue, to private Qatari caused environmental Tobago’s to happen to vesseltotheStabroekBlock. MODEC had entered and Bacalhau projects were investors so that they can concerns and impacted Guyana, the official said Notably, the revenue made into a joint venture so it commissioned by Equinor in build a massive five-star Tobago’s southern beaches hotel. and coastline Trinidad’s President Mohamed Prime Minister Keith Irfaan Ali and members of Rowley has declared a the Qatari company, national emergency, with ASSETS Group on Sunday significant restoration laid the foundation stone for efforts pending containment the commercial project, the of the leak. Janki in an “Georgetown Sea-Front invited comment said, Resort and Convention “People must learn the Center” which is expected to lesson that the oil industry is be completed in three years. focused on profit and does Thehotelfacilitywilltakeup not care about the damage some 75,000 square meters that it inflicts on the of space and will be built on environment or the economy the Guyana National Service of host countries and their (GNS) and National neighbours, unless caught Insurance Scheme (NIS) andforcedtopay.” grounds along Carifesta She pointed out that Avenue. Those grounds are Guyana is inadequate in its amongthefew,cityresidents capacity to mobilize utiliseforsportingactivities. resources to clean up an oil During his address at a spill.CitingtheBPMacondo ceremony held at the project spill, Janki said it “took site on Sunday President Ali 45,000peopleandthousands welcomed the multimillion of watercraft.And yet, in the US dollar investment BP Macondo clean up because according to him, it around 75% of the oil was blends in with his leftintheGulfwaters.” government’s sustainable

Janki noted that Exxon’s development plan for oil spill response plan Guyana. “This investment promises to call the Coast fitsintoouroverallplanof Guard, the harbour master, (Continued on page 13)

From page 12 growth of 38% for Guyana sustainable development this year, driven by its becausepartofwhatwewant burgeoning oil industry to achieve is whilst we have Market dynamics indicate a t h i s m a s s i v e promising future for t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l

Guyana, with forecasts investment, that the essence suggesting substantial of our country remains what increases in oil production we are known for and that is overthecomingyears. a country that is naturally beautifulgreenandreturning

TUESDAY the garden city to the status of the garden city…” He

Judge who ordered Exxon said, that is why his to lodge US$2B guarantee governmentwas investingin says he cannot direct EPA planting more trees in the to show citizens the proof capitalcity

President Ali also Justice of Appeal Rishi explained that one of the Persaud on Monday ruled ways he wants to diversify that the Court of Appeal has Guyana’s economy is no jurisdiction to summon through hospitality and t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l tourism especially eco- Protection Agency (EPA) to tourism and one of the ways produce evidence that he wants to achieve this is More rooms added million. million shares of Apple holds 905 million shares of ExxonMobil Guyana has through such investments Meanwhile, Ali added According to the while increasing his A p p l e , v a l u e d a t lodged the $2 billion oil spill that provide world class that more than 1,300 world- president, this speaks to the investment in Chevron, a approximately US$166 guaranteewiththeagency,as hospitality services and by class rooms will be added to confidence that international partner in ExxonMobil’s billion, or nearly half of the orderedbytheCourt. investing in heavily thelocalmarketbytheendof partners have in the Stabroek Block venture company’s equity portfolio. Sanjeev Datadin, the infrastructural projects to 2024,asaseriesofhotelsare country’s economy “These offshoreGuyana. In contrast, Berkshire lawyer representing the beautify and expand the city currently under construction investors for these hotels A recent Barron’s report increased its Chevron State-owned EPA, had “We have to create events, and slated to be completed span from North America to highlighted Buffet’s holdings by purchasing 16 challenged the jurisdiction we have to create an thisyear Hehighlightedthat local and regional investors. c o m p a n y s t r a t e g i c million shares, bringing its of the Court of Appeal to environment to create traffic these new ventures are a So, you can see the diversity reallocation of assets total investment to 126 order the agency to show to come into our country and r e f l e c t i o n o f t h e in the spread of investment Buffett’s decision to sell a million shares valued at proof that ExxonMobil that is what will support government’s commitment that is coming into the portion of Berkshire aboutUS$19billion. Guyana had lodged the $2 demand”,Aliadded. to diversifying the capital country. We also have Hathaway’s Apple holdings The move underscores billion oil spill parent The massive hotel will markets for investment proposals that will see new comesastheconglomerateis Berkshire’s strategic shift guarantee. include 261 rooms and Approximately 10 new announcements being made set to benefit from indirect towards energy investments, Datadin raised the issue suites, a separate branded hotelswilladdtothenational beforetheendoftheyear.” exposure to Guyana’s with Chevron emerging as a of jurisdiction in the case hotel apartment project economy over the next few This aggressive drive to burgeoning oil industry. key beneficiary of Guyana’s where two Guyanese, featuring156premiumunits, years, which include bring new accommodations Chevron’s acquisition of oil prospects. Buffett’s Frederick Collins and 10 duplex villas, a members’ internationally acclaimed to the country forms part of Hess Corporation’s stake in company also divested a Godfrey Whyte, challenged clubandaconventioncenter. brands such as Marriott, the government’s thrust to the Stabroek Block for portion of its stake in the oil company over the Ali said that design of the Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson, and expand the tourism industry, US$53 billion positions Paramount Global and failure to provide unlimited hotel will mirror the history BestWesternHotels. and provide for the influx of Berkshire to profit from sharply reduced its holdings liability coverage to Guyana of Georgetown “The “TheAidenBestWestern visitors Against this Guyana’s emergence as an in HP, reflecting a intheeventofoilspills. architectural design, the inGeorgetownisexpectedto backdrop, the government is oil powerhouse, boasting rec

al natural attributes of Guyana openinJunewith150rooms, confident that the goal of one of the world’s fastest- investmentstrategy outcome of an appeal to stay were taken into the design of the Four Points Sheraton in achieving 2000 hotel rooms growingeconomies. While Buffett oversees a the order by High Court thebuilding”,Alisaid. Providence, which will have by2025iswellwithinreach. Hess Corporation’s significant portion of Justice, Sandil Kissoon, that Meanwhile there have 172 new rooms, the AC assets include a 30% interest Berkshire’s equity portfolio, ExxonMobil Guyana been some questions raised Marriott at Ogle is expected One of the world’s intheStabroekBlock,where managers Ted Weschler and provides unlimited liability by the Georgetown Mayor to open its doors by wealthiest men sells shares ExxonMobil has made Todd Combs play a role in coverage for oil spills, Court and City Council (M&CC) December, adding 152 new inApple, bought more in significant oil discoveries decision-making. The exact of Appeal judge, Justice over the handing out of the rooms,andtheHyattPlaceat Exxon’s Stabroek Block exceeding 11 billion barrels allocation of investment Rishi Persaud had instructed green spaces by the Providence on the East Bank partner Chevron sofar AccordingtoBarron’s decisions among the three ExxonMobiltolodgeaUS$2 government without Demerara, which would add latest report, Berkshire remains undisclosed, Billionoilspillguarantee. notifyingorconsultingthem. 136 new rooms,” he told KaieteurNews–Warren Hathaway reduced its making it challenging to Since that order was The Green spaces is a part of thosegathered. Buffett, one of the world’s h o l d i n g s i n A p p l e , attribute specific actions to issued on June 8, 2023, the the 450 Acres plot Land on In addition to these, wealthiest individuals and ParamountGlobal,andHPin Buffett alone. Berkshire’s litigants said their lawyers Plantation Thomas, City King’s Hotel and Residence the owner of Berkshire the fourth quarter while investmentinApplehasbeen were unable to secure a copy Mayor, Alfred Mentore told is constructing its second Hathaway, has made bolstering its investment in a remarkable success story, of the said guarantee for the Stabroek News The branded hotel on the corner significant moves in the Chevron. with Barron’s estimating a perusal. lands were owned by of Quamina and Waterloo stock market, selling 10 The conglomerate now cost basis of around US$34 A s u m m o n s w a s QuintenHoggandhisfamily Streets, which will be per share With Apple’s subsequently filed on and are considered to be a equipped with modern current valuation at US$184 November1,2023fororders rich legacy of Guyana’s amenities and is expected to per share, Berkshire’s profit directing the EPA and Natural and Cultural feature approximately 60 stands at approximately ExxonMobil to produce a Heritage. According to the rooms Works are also US$135 billion – Barron’s copy of the US$2 billion oil National Trust of Guyana, in ongoing on the US$20 estimate. spillguarantee. 1863, the Hoggs donated the million Courtyard by T h e t i m i n g o f The summons to see the area to the Georgetown Marriott Hotel at Timehri, Berkshire’s increased US$2B [interim] guarantee Mayor & Town Council on East Bank Demerara, which investment in Chevron that ExxonMobil was thestrictconditionthatitwas is expected to be opened in comes at a time when ordered to lodge, was filed to be used solely for the final quarter of this year Guyanaisseeingremarkable by Senior Counsel, Seenath educational and recreational Theheadofstatepointedout economic growth fueled by Jairam in association with purposes Therefore, no that with these new facilities its oil reserves The AttorneysMs.MelindaJanki commercial establishments under construction, the total InternationalMonetaryFund andMrs.AbiolaWong-Innis. were to be within Thomas private sector investment (IMF) projects Gross InhisrulingonMonday, Lands. amounts to over US$250 Domestic Product (GDP) (Continued on page 14)

One of the world's richest men, Warren Buffett (AP Images)

From page 13 community aware of how the whose three boys stood with of Energy and Energy Industries, Justice Persaud concurred with the Government of Guyana is treating placards on the protest line on Stuart Young is willing to help contentions raised by Datadin. He citizens of their own land while Monday said. “We want school to Guyana renegotiate the lopsided heldthatunderOrderTwo;Rule16 boastingofhowmuchoilresources return to normal but we also want ExxonMobil contract to ensure all of the Court ofAppealAct, a single Guyana has “We want to our teachers to get their rightful, Guyanesebenefit. judge cannot make an Order of international community to know, deservingpayincrease,sowearein

The Minister was a key speaker Discovery for the respondents to that this is how the Government of support of the action that will force on the second day of the Guyana’s producetheevidencethattheOrder Guyana is treating public servants, the Government to address the Energy Conference and Supply was complied with.The Court held teachers who are important to the teachers’ plight,” the woman Chain Expo, being hosted at the further that the judge does not have building up of its society” added.

Marriott Hotel in Kingston, the inherent jurisdiction to enquire McDonaldsaid. As it relates to the proposed Georgetown, under the theme intohisownOrder

The GTU official noted that option on having children attend ‘Fuelling Transformation and Thelawyersforthelitigantshad Guyana has too many resources, onlineclasses,theparentnotedthat Modernization’. filedacasebackinSeptember2022 not to be able to pay its teachers this may not be feasible since most

The conference hall was in asking the court to order the EPAto livable salaries. “With all of the teachers will still be unwilling to silence as Young’s remarks took a secure from ExxonMobil Guyana, development in the oil and gas teachonline.“Whetheryoutwistor steepturntoaddressthesubjectthat unlimited liability [parent sector, all of this oil coming up, we turn it, we need these teachers has now become a taboo for company]coverageforoilspills.In are finding it difficult to pay becauseevenyousayschoolcango governmentofficials. so doing, Guyana would be fully teachers… We want people to online who will teach the classes?

The Minister told the protected from any hidden costs know that teachers and other You will still need these very conference, “We in Trinidad and associated with an unmitigated citizens are still to see direct teachers”shereasoned. for school. During the first week of Tobago have spent the last seven spill from one or more projects in benefits, even as billions of dollars Most schools in Georgetown the industrial action, this years, after dealing with decades of the Stabroek Block. On May 3, isbeingearned.” were almost empty for an 11th day publication had reported the many contracts, renegotiating almost all 2023, High Court Judge, Justice I don’t know why the as the strike continues.The GTU is empty classrooms across the ofourcontractsinthegasindustry.” SandilKissonruledinfavourofthe Government is so bent on pushing for the Government to country “No government that Healsopointedoutthatthetwin litigants and ordered the EPA to disrespecting the teachers. I am beginnegotiationsonitsmulti-year cares how can a caring island in December last year secure an unlimited parent and/or hearing that if they increase proposal which was submitted governmentsitbackandallow70% achieved another significant affiliate company guarantee for oil teachers’ salary, what will happen morethanthreeyearsago. ofthelearnersnottobeengagedby milestone by becoming the first spills. tootherpublicsectorworkers,ButI President of the GTU, Mark their teachers because they have country in the world to restructure

Tocircumventcompliancewith amaskingwhatdoweallreceiveat Lyte on Sunday disclosed that less taken an arrogant position,” Lyte its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) that order, Exxon and the EPA the end of the year, it’s the same than30%ofstudentswenttoschool stated. Lyte lamented that one day facilities, following five years of throughtheirlawyers,appealedand across the board increase, but the during the two weeks of the of learning loss has significant discussions across the table with were successful in staying Justice increase you give us, is what you nationwide teachers’strike. During impact on students. In a message to BPandShell. Kissoon’sdecision.Itisinthiscase wanttogiveus,butattheendofthe a live Facebook session, Lyte also the government, Lyte said, To this end,Young said, “It can that, Justice Persaud had ordered day you give it to all sector of disclosed that the industrial action “Swallow your pride, we didn’t be done, so our ability to sit down Exxon to lodge the USD $2billion workers”,McDonaldadded. will continue until the Government bring this upon ourselves you right across the aisle and to share oilspillguaranteeuntiltheoutcome Some parents joined the of Guyana (GoG) agrees to meet pushed us to where we are…” “We with those who are now entering of the substantive appeal, which is teachers’ protest in Georgetown with the union to discuss improved move into day 11, we ain’t backing into the negotiations of their PSCs currently before the Court of yesterday calling on the welfare packages for some 14,000 down,”Lyteadded. (Production Sharing Contracts), Appeal. Government to begin engaging the teachers. “This strike has gone on their E&P (Exploration and union, since the children are for too long, the government has to WEDNESDAY Production) Licenses etcetera Teachers take protest to suffering.“Ihavemythreeboysout be the big person in the room, they should not be underestimated Energy conference here with me because they are have to demonstrate maturity, and T&T Oil Minister willing to because we have done the same Day 11 of strike action… unable to attend school since the theyhavetodemonstratetheability help renegotiate ExxonMobil thinginourgassupplycontractsfor strike starts… We also understand to govern by bringing this standoff contract to benefit all theupstream.”

The opening of the well that teachers need a livable salary to an end,” Lyte said. He said after Guyanese – oil conference told The Minister added, “Very anticipated Guyana Energy we are out here standing in 10 days of strike less than 30 oftenIhearthosewhohaveno Conference and Supply Chain solidarity with them,” the parent percent of the students showed up Trinidad andTobago’s Minister (Continued on page 59) Expo was met with a long line of protesting teachers, who have vowed that their industrial action will continue indefinitely until the Government engages in collective bargaining towards resolving their salarywoes.

Teachers across the country continued to stay away from their classrooms in large numbers Yesterday their strike action entered its third week. Across the country, teachers gathered in large numbers and hosted protest marches.OutsidetheMarriotHotel inKingston,teachersheldplacards, and chanted to the beat of drums registering their frustration at the government refusal to accede to theircriesforalivablepaypackage.

Standing on both sides of the road, in the heat of the midday sun, the teachers chanted loudly “We don’t want no small change from we oil money 6 5 percent increase can’t work,” as dignitaries commuted to and from the compoundoftheMarriotHotel.

General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Coretta Mc Donald noted that the protest exercise was taken to the Marriot to make the international

Constitution should protect oil revenue savings from claws of mixed political priorities

Dr Mauricio Cárdenas, a distinguished former Minister of Energy and Finance of Colombia made a compelling argument for embeddingoilrevenuesavingsinto a nation's Constitution, during the Guyana Energy Conference and Expo2024heldlastweek.

"There's always a huge controversy," Dr Cárdenas said, over the question of "how much to spendandhowmuchtosave"from oil revenues. He believes such decisions should transcend the interestsofindividualgovernments orpoliticalparties,advocatingfora constitutional mandate to ensure a consistent savings strategy regardless of party changes Cárdenas shared Colombia's approachfromadecadeago,where the country decided "we will save

20% of the royalties," advocating for a constitutional safeguard that couldadaptoverlongerperiodsbut would fundamentally secure a portion of oil revenues for future generations.

Thisdiscussiongainsrelevance against the backdrop of the government of Guyana's recent decisiontosignificantlyincreaseits spending of oil revenues. In 2023, Guyana's Natural Resource Fund (NRF) received US$1.617 billion inoilrevenue.

Thegovernment'sapprovalofa recent bill allows for the withdrawal of nearly 98% of these revenues, earmarking a mere 2% forsavings.

The revised formula for withdrawals starkly contrasts with the previous, more conservative

formulaandsignalsashifttowards greater immediate spending, leaving substantially less for longtermsavings.

Dr Cárdenas's view suggests that embedding savings guidelines within a country's constitution could reduce the risks associated with fluctuating political priorities and economic pressures By safeguarding a portion of oil revenues, countries can ensure growth and stability, potentially avoiding the pitfalls of shorttermism and fostering a more equitable distribution of wealth acrossgenerations.

Duringapressconference,Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had explained the rationale behind the revision.

He said spending the revenues

now“givesusagreaterreturnthan saving at this point in time for intergenerationalequity,whichwill comelater.”

Jagdeo justified the formula change by talking about the country's development needs and the potential for higher returns through investment in the short term. “So, we believe that when youlookatthesumsgiventhesize ofthebudget,it'snotunreasonable now to utilise a bit more from the NRF,”hesaid.

The decision to revise the withdrawal limits comes as part of the government's broader fiscal strategy, which also includes an increase in domestic and external debtceilingstofinance40%ofthe 2024NationalBudget.Thebudget, standing at GY$1 146 trillion,

- Former Colombian Energy Minister

includes a series of major infrastructural projects, including theGas-to-Energyproject.

As Guyana navigates the complexities of managing oil wealth, the debate over spending versus saving becomes increasinglypertinent,andGuyana can benefit from the advice of the former Colombia minister Dr Cárdenas served as Colombia's Energy Minister in 2011 and 2012—a period when Colombia's oilproductionreacheditszenithof a million barrels per day and positioned the country as the third largest economy in Latin America and the Caribbean. He is current Professor of Professional Practice in Global Leadership at Columbia University's School of InternationalandPublicAffairs.

GuyanatellsWorldCourtIsrael'soccupation ofPalestineisathreattoworldpeace

In probably its most thorough statement yet on the IsraelPalestine conflict, Guyana told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week that Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian Territory is illegal and a threat to a peaceful and secureworld.

Guyana's representative argued, “The unlawfulness arises from the fact that Israel has annexed most of

the occupied territory, de jure and de facto, including by implanting almost three quarters of a million Israeli settlers in hundreds of settlements which Israel's leadershavepromisednever toremove.”

Guyana was represented byEdwardCravenofMatrix Chambers London, in the February21statement,inthe case Legal Consequences arisingfromthePoliciesand Practices of Israel in the

Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Guyana joined many countries in the landmark caserequestedbytheUnited Nations General Assembly for the World Court to give an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation since 1967.

Theoccupationhasbeen thrust onto the frontlines of global public discourse as

the violent onslaught of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) continuesagainstthepeople ofGaza.

It has so far killed more than 29,000 and injured nearly 70,000, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Guyana'sinvolvementin theseproceedingsreflectsits conviction that the legality of Israel's occupation is a matter of global concern, w i t h f a r- r e a c h i n g implications not only for Palestine and its people but for the international community at large Guyana's representative, Craven, highlighted the critical nature of this issue, stating, "Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territoryisanoffenseagainst the bedrock principle of internationallaw,"andposes a "serious and continuing threat to a peaceful, secure,

andstableworld."

Guyana made a plea for an advisory opinion by the ICJ, which it sees as necessary to pave the way for a just and peaceful resolution to the IsraeliPalestinianconflict.

Guyana sought to counteraminorityviewthat suchanopinionmighthinder ongoing negotiations a point Guyana refuted by noting the absence of active negotiations between Israel andtheStateofPalestinefor adecade.

In countering this view, Craven singled out the United States, Guyana's long-standingally

The representative's speech concluded by asserting that Israel's actions particularly its annexation of East Jerusalem and extensive settlement activity in the West Bank—constitute a de

factoanddejureannexation, rendering the occupation unlawful. Guyana called for a n i m m e d i a t e , comprehensive, and irreversible end to the occupation, stressing the role of international law in resolvingtheconflict.

President Irfaan Ali also recentlyrepeatedhiscallfor aceasefireinGaza.

The President's call comesweeksafterGuyana's PermanentRepresentativeto the United Nations

Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkettregistered the country's call for a ceasefireinthewarbetween IsraelandGazaattheUnited Nations (UN) Security Council. There was a recent vote at the Council for a permanent ceasefire, on which Guyana voted in favour

However, it was vetoed bytheUnitedStates.

IDB Invest inks US-multi-million loans with private sector companies

In a significant move to bolster Guyana's private sector and advance key industries, IDB Invest, the private sector arm of the I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB) Group, signed three operationswithcompaniesin Guyana for financing in the logistics sector, tertiary education and sustainable tourism.

The signings, presided over by IDB Invest, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Scriven, mark a pivotal moment in Guyana's journey towards enhancing infrastructure,humancapital, and sustainable practices across various sectors

Scriven signed the a g r e e m e n t s w i t h representatives of Texila American University Guyana, Republic Bank, Muneshwers Limited, Guyana Bank for Trade and

Industry and Caribbean GreenBuilding.

IDB Invest has joined forceswithGuyanaBankfor Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) to provide Muneshwers Limited, a leading transport and logistics company in Guyana, with a substantial financing package totaling US$14million.

The agreement is to facilitate two new multipurpose cargo cranes and a new logistics warehouse to help increase theportterminal'sprocessing capacity

Thefinancingconsistsof a senior loan of US$10 million from IDB Invest and US$4millionfromGBTI.

The project is located at the Port of Georgetown and will increase trade flows by helping Muneshwers increase the cargo handling capacityfromthe30,00020-

foot equivalent unit containersperyeartoalmost double the capacity in 2025.

Theimprovementoftheport infrastructure will also support port productivity by increasing berth movements forcargofromdifferentparts

of the world including Suriname, Trinidad, Colombia, and Panama. In 2022, IDB Invest provided a US$4 million loan for the company to acquire its first mobileharborcrane.

IDB Invest will also

support Muneshwers to improveitssustainabilityand energy efficiency through technical and economic feasibility studies to implement a photovoltaic solarsystemonrooftops,and forenergystoragetoincrease

itsresiliency

Muneshwers is also implementing a Corporate Governance Action Plan to raise its standards and incorporate best practices at boardandmanagementlevel.

IDB Invest and Republic Bank Guyana Limited partnered with Texila American University (TAU) to expand the university's campus with new housing facilities for staff and students.

The US$9 million financingpackageincludesa senior loan of US$5 million from IDB Invest and US$4 millionfromRepublicBank.

Theprojectisexpectedto contribute to an increased student enrollment of almost 73% by 2026 and a 20% increase in the number of graduated students by the same year This will positivelycontributetothe (Continuedonpage58)

Govt. conniving with Exxon to hide

Guyana's oil reserves from nation

...calls for updates within a month of

As Guyana approaches the two-year mark without an update on its discovered oil reserves in the Stabroek Block, from American oil giant, ExxonMobil, stakeholdersarecallingfora timeline to be set in which the resource update can be made public. The Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN) an overseas based group of Guyanese, focused on transparency and good governance of the country's natural resources, in a letter to this publication on Saturday argued that Guyanese deserve to know thevalueoftheirresources.

OGGN members,Alfred Bhulai, Andre Brandli, Kenrick Hunte, Darsh Khusial, Joe Persaud and Charles Sugrim reasoned that Guyana's oil reserves in

theStabroekBlockhavenot beenupdatedforalmosttwo yearsnow,sinceApril2022. The last estimate publicly shared was s me 11 billion barrelsofresources.

The group highlighted that during the first years of offshore exploration, the operator of the Stabroek Block provided progressive updates of estimates of the total petroleum reserves after every discovery, beginning with 1 billion barrelsinMay2015. Since April 2022 h o w e v e r , s e v e n announcements of oil discovery were made with no update on the Stabroek Blockreserves.

OGGN pointed out that its members are well aware of the fact that calculating reserves is the simplest of

tasks, performed soon after the exploratory well(s) is/ are drilled.To this end, they concluded that government was conniving with the oil companytohidethenation's oilreserves.

to require years...why, and what kind of Government would want to connive with a foreign company to hide ourgodgivenwealthandthe amount in our bank account?”

TheconcernedGuyanese urgedgovernmenttorelease total

discovery

discoveries are not included in the estimate of 11 billion barrels of oil equivalents associated with Guyana's offshoreoilreserves.”

They said that the Guyanese policy makers for the oil sector are openly standing on the side of Exxon by hiding the new discoveryfigures.

gy a

T h e y s a i d , “Notwithstanding being abetted by the Government, Exxon plays the Guyanese people for dummies to believe that this oil reserve calculationissocomplicated

month of a new oil discoveryOGGN pointed out, “To date, there have been a total of 33 announcements of oil discoveries in the Stabroek B l o c k H e n c e , approximately20%oftheoil

“These folks seem to forget they were elected by their citizens to serve the interests of Guyanese, not thoseofExxonshareholders. There are many other instances where it is clear that entities in the Government of Guyana are siding with Exxon,” the Networknoted.

For instance, OGGN argued that government has joined forces with Exxon to fightagainstGuyanese,who

are demanding that Exxon cover all costs associated withanoilspill;hasallowed the company to produce oil 35% above the legal safe operatinglimits, increasing the chance of an oil spill and has secretly changed permits to triple deployment time of the capping stack (i e equipment which stops a well blowout) from three to nine days, allowing for a potentialextrasixdaysofoil gushingintotheocean.

They also pointed out that the government has altered environmental permits for the dumping of oilcontaminated, toxic and radioactive water into the ocean, instead of followingthe (Continuedonpage57)

Guyana signs US$150M loan agreement with IDB to build six new hinterland schools, upgrade 19

The Government of Guyana (GoG) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB Group) signed a US$150 million loan agreement that focuses on improving the country's education sector by enhancing education qualityandinfrastructure.

The agreements were signed duringtheIDBGroup'sXIIAnnual Consultation with Caribbean Governors of the IDB held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, in Georgetown. President Irfaan Ali alsoattendedtheevent.

Signing on behalf of Guyana wasSeniorMinisterintheOfficeof thePresidentwithresponsibilityfor Finance and Public Service Dr Ashni Singh, while IDB President Ilan Goldfajn signed the agreementsonbehalfoftheIDB.

In education, close to 9,000 primary school students and their communities will benefit from a Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP) for transforming Guyana's education sector and the first individual operation for support for educational recovery and transformation.

The CCLIP enables Guyana to access up to US$150 million of which the first operation is for US$90million.

With this investment, over 2,600 students are expected to benefitfromtheconstructionofsix newprimaryschoolsandmorethan 6000 students in 19 primary schools in the Hinterland regions willseetheirschoolsrehabilitated.

Also, 7,000 students and 300 teachers from grades 2 to 6 in the selectedschoolswillreceivedigital devices to enhance teaching and learningexperiences.

Moreover, an investment grant for a total of US$5 million will

strengthen instructional leadership at the district and school levels, with financing from the Global PartnershipofEducation(GPE).

It will complement the educational support by enhancing leadership capabilities among 200 educationleaders,spanningdistrict and school leadership, Ministry officials, and subject specialists.

Theoperationaimstocontributeto improved quality, equitable participation, and achievement in basic education for the sustainable

developmentofGuyana.

In his address, IDB President Goldfajn said, “Today's signings are an important step in our continued collaboration with the governmenttoimprovethelivesof the Guyanese people. We are confident that these projects will make a difference in improving education conditions, increasing energy reliability and financing sustainable tourism, tertiary educationandlogisticsectors.”

He added, “One will expand

access to safe and better learning environment in primary schools…this investment will help drive growth by enabling youth to seizeeconomicopportunities.“

The IDB president stated that the second agreement will help address fundamental challenges in the education sector, including teachertraining.

Additionally, in his address, Senior Minister Dr Singh said, “Notleastbecauseofthevaluewe

(Continunedonpage64)

SBM Guyana committed to ensuring locals continue to benefit from its operation in oil & gas sector

SBM Offshore

Guyana says it r e m a i n s committed to ensuring Guyanese benefit from its operation locally, and are guided in providing sustained services to the emerging oil and gas industry

SBM Guyana in a press releaseissuedonFridaysaid that local content is a key pillar in the company's integrationintoGuyana.

On the final day of the Guyana Energy Conference andSupplyChainExpo,held last week at the Marriott H o t e l , K i n g s t o n , Georgetown, SBM Offshore Guyanasaidithosteda'Let's TalkLocalContent'Seminar which saw the participation of over 200 representatives from local vendors and organisations.

The participants were engagedindiscussionsabout

the company's procurement process, key vendor requirements, compliance guidelines,andlocalcontent initiatives.

According to the company, the discussion aligned with the company's objective of building the capacity of businesses to provide services to the oil and gas sector, and follows several similar routine activities including participation in the Centre for Local Business

Development's Community Business Talks, Supplier Forum 2022, and the company's Vendor and ComplianceDays.

Providing brief remarks at the discussion, SBM Offshore Guyana's Local ContentOfficer,GarriFraser said, “As we navigate through the upward trajectory of the global energylandscape,theroleof

local content has never been more critical. SBM Offshore, as a leader in floating production solutions, remains steadfast in our sustainable and efficientenergyproduction.”

Also joining the discussion was Senior PetroleumCoordinatoratthe Ministry of Natural Resources, Bobby Gossai who spoke of the criticality oflocalcontentinpropelling Guyana'sgrowingeconomy, and the role that SBM Offshore Guyana plays in thateffect.Gossaisaid,“We wanted to see economic growth and economic development. We wanted to see investments and investments back into the economy, and SBM [Offshore]isapartnerinthe developmentoflocalcontent in Guyana, SBM [Offshore] understandslocalcontent (Continuedonpage56)

The Waterfalls Waterfalls

MissWorldGuyana'sMajestic

TributetotheCanjePheasant

Raina Ashley Thomas

Meetthe charmingRainaAshleyThomas,acontestant oftheMissGuyanaTeenwithaPurpose2024pageant.This talented17yearoldisanaspiringentrepreneurwhohailsfromHaslington Village,EastCoastDemerara.Rainafirmlybelievethateveryoneshouldbeobsessed withunlockingtheirownpotential.Theteenwhohasapassionforcreativityispainterand childlover Asacontestantofthepageant,Raina’splatformdealswithfamilyneglect.Already involvedinsomeaspectsofentrepreneurship,Rainasays“Iamheretosetamarkinthe businessworldandinspireotherstoembracetheirownpassionandpotential.”

FRANCE AND THE U.S. BROKE HAITI; THEY SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO MEND IT

Wh e n t h e F o r e i g n Ministers of the world’s wealthiest nations gathered in Brazil from February 21, 2024, Haiti’sdiresituationfounda b r i e f m o m e n t o f attention—not in the main agenda but on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’MeetinginRiode Janeiro. This sidelining is emblematic of the low priority assigned to Haiti by theseglobalpowerhouses.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took the initiative to put Haiti on the agenda, highlighting U S concerns over the country’s instability and the continuousarrivalofHaitian refugees to U S shores, whichhasbeenacontentious issue. Yet,asofFebruary23, 2024, major G20 nations have not shown an enthusiasticresponse.

This lack of enthusiasm reflects the acute rivalry of other major G20 countries, particularly Russia and China,withtheU.S.,asthey have differing interests concerningHaiti.

In the case of China, it hasarguedforamultifaceted approach that includes political stability and security support to create a sustainable path forward for Haiti.Foritspart,Russiahas expressed scepticism towards international military interventions without a clear national consensus and detailed operational plans Russia abstainedfromvotingonthe UN Security Council Resolution, which authorized the deployment of a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti by like-minded countries,ledbyKenya.

Nonetheless, Secretary Blinken has continued to encourage G20 and other nations, from both developed and developing regions, to join the MSS mission. To date, the U.S has not managed to secure troop commitments except from Kenya and a few countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

The particularly notable a b s e n c e o f t r o o p commitments from

Europeannations,especially France—a former imperial power in Haiti and a major beneficiary of its slavep r o d u c e d wealth underscores this point. The U.S. itself has committed no troops Instead, it has concentrated on trying to getAfrican and Caribbean nations to send theirmilitarypersonnel.

T h e B i d e n administration’s reluctance to commit troops to Haiti may be influenced by the stance of Donald Trump, Biden’s presidential rival, known for his reluctance to deploy U.S. troops abroad. Nonetheless, it irks some nations that the U S is calling on them to provide troops who would be endangered in Haiti, while choosingtokeepitssoldiers athome.

Further, while the U.S. government is touting its willingness to pay $200 million to finance an intervention in Haiti, it says half will come from the Department of Defence, but the other half must come fromtheU.S.Congress.

Todate,theCongresshas not voted to allocate any money Therefore, the full amount of the U S government’s pledge is not availableandis$100million shortoftheKenyandemand.

Jake Johnson, in his insightful book “Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the battle to control Haiti,” suggests that WesternperceptionsofHaiti are marred by a history of colonialism and racism WhileIshareJohnson’sview and commend his work for its depth, I argue that the issue is primarily one of passive racism—a disregard forHaitithatlikelywouldn’t exist if its population were white.

That passive, almost unthinking, reflexive racial attitude is also mixed with the view that Haiti is a corrupt country where billionsofdollarsofaid,has either been mismanaged or stolen. The two elements have been a toxic brew for western policy makers to swallow

A further unofficial considerationinthemindsof many governments, and one that is whispered in the

margins of international gatherings, is that tens of billionsofdollarshavebeen spent on peacekeeping effortsinHaitiinthepastby the United Nations and participatinggovernments.

Yet, as soon as peacekeeping forces leave, Haiti returns to instability resulting from conflicts betweenrivalpoliticalforces inthecountry

It is noteworthy that w h i l e C a r i b b e a n Community (CARICOM) has generally agreed to support a humanitarian intervention in Haiti, less than five of its 15 members haveactuallyofferedtroops. In the event, CARICOM lacks the capacity to make any significant military contribution to any interventioninHaiti.

Thegroupinghasdoneso because Haiti is a member state,and,moreimportantly, because the Haitians were the first nation to rise up against slavery and create a black independent nation in 1804.

But, in any analysis of the Haitian situation, France andtheU.S.haveaparticular responsibility, having significantly profited from a n d s u b s e q u e n t l y destabilized the country Neither country, whatever internal political issues they face, can be excused from their responsibility for impoverishingHaiti.

The heavy debt imposed by France following Haiti’s independenceandtheU.S.’s prolonged financial and political interference have left deep scars on Haiti’s ability to self-govern and prosper

In light of this, the primaryonusforaidingHaiti lieswithFranceandtheU.S. They should be at the forefrontofeffortstorestore orderandrebuildthenation, contributingnotjustthrough policepresencenowbutalso by investing in Haiti’s infrastructure and social systems, rectifying the historical injustices that continue to impede its progress.

Haiti’s relegation to the sidelines of international discourseisastarkreminder of the need for a renewed, committed global effort to address its crises. It is time

for those nations most implicated in its historical exploitation, to fulfil their moralandethicalobligations toHaiti.

There is need for an intervention in Haiti to end the current lawlessness, but the support for such an intervention should come from the broadest representationoftheHaitian people It should also include a timetable and a comprehensive plan, with r

esources, to build Haiti’s much needed physical, social,politicaland g o v e r n a n c e infrastructure at the i n t e r v e n t i o n ’s conclusion.

Onlythencanwehopeto see Haiti as a stable, sovereign, and thriving nation, rather than perpetually labelled as a “failed” state or an “aid” state.”

The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador totheUSandtheOAS. The views expressed are entirely hisown. Forcommentsand previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

Interesting Creatures... PeacockMantisShrimp

The punch is 50 times faster than the blink of National Geographic Kids- A rainbow- aneyeandstrongenoughtobreakglass! colored crustacean skitters along the ocean These shrimp, also rely on their sparing floor, adding a splash of brightness to the movestokeepenemiesawayfromburrowsin murky setting. The animal’s narrow, hard- the ocean floor that they use as shelters. shelled body sports orange, green, red, and Hovering at the opening of its burrow, a blue hues. Known as the peacock mantis peacockmantisshrimpwillstrikeatintruders shrimp,thisbeautiful,seven-inch-longcritter thatcometooclose. looks harmless. But the marine animal packs EYES ON THE PRIZE apunch—literally

The crustacean has another eye-popping

SHRIMPSMACKDOWN feature in addition to its strong punch. Its Peacock mantis shrimp mostly live in eyes—which protrude from its head and shallow parts of the Indian and Pacific move independently can see in two Oceans. The crustacean spends much of its different directions at once. They can also time looking for crabs and mollusks to eat. detect colors that humans are unable to see. When it finds a delicious-looking snack, the It’s easy to be floored by this animal’s cool animal goes into full-on boxer mode traits! Source of information: Springingoutoneofitsclub-likefrontclaws, https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals the animal delivers a swift punch to its prey /invertebrates/facts/peacockmantisshrimp

Noise Pollution: It affects health more than we may realize

Nas music playing on the of noise-pollutionstereo, lawnmowers, related diseases and pressure washers, leaf dysfunctions are known blowersetc. to affect children, from oise pollution is Events involving hearing impairment to m o s t o f t e n fireworks, firecrackers, psychological and

ignored as a loudspeakersetc. physicaleffects.

threattohealthandlifeandit Servicing of machinery Various cardiovascular is only getting worse here in especially in Agriculture dysfunctions Elevated Guyana. basedcommunities blood pressure caused by

According to the What are the health n o i s e p o l l u t i o n , International Commission effects of noise pollution? especially during the on Biological Effects of Thefollowingarealistof night, can lead to various Noise, the threats posed by health effects that noise cardiovascular diseases noise, remain often pollutioncancause: such as heart attack, underestimated It is Hypertension is, in this strokeetc. becoming an increasing case, a direct result of Dementia (affected cause for interpersonal noise pollution causing m e m o r y ) i s n ' t violence in Guyana. The elevated blood pressure necessarily caused by affectedareusuallyridiculed levels for a longer period noise pollution, but its by the polluters and the oftime. onset can be favored or situation escalates when the Hearing loss can be compounded by noise affected cannot cope, or the directly caused by noise pollution. polluter decides to bully the pollution, whether Unfortunately, in our affected. listening to loud music in society today, there seems to

It is a situation that your headphones or be a constant disregard for warrants attention given the being exposed to loud those affected by the noise many health risks it poses. I drilling noises at work, by those causing the noise. therefore wish to highlight heavy air or land traffic, T h e s e a r e r o u t i n e the health effects of noise or separate incidents in occurrences and while pollution and hopefully, this which noise levels reach authorities are making builds sufficient awareness dangerousintervals,such efforts to combat noise to help combat this as around140 dB for pollution, more needs to be underestimated threat to adults or 120 dB for done to raise awareness and society children. combat this hidden public Whatisnoisepollution? Other mental health health threat. I have had

Noise pollution is effects such as anxiety, firsthand experience with generally defined as regular depression, irritability this, and have had and exposure to elevated sound and even suicidal continue to have many levels that may lead to thoughts.Thiscanleadto patients that visit me to adverse effects in humans or self harm or strong manageconditionsthatarose other living organisms thoughts of harming fromnoisepollution.

According to the World those responsible for the These patients often feel Health Organization, sound noisepollution. helpless, they feel deserted, levels less than 70 decibels Sleep disturbances are andareoftendepressed. (dB) are not damaging to usually caused by I have even had cases living organisms, regardless constantairorlandtraffic wherethenoisepollutionled of how long or consistentthe at night, and they are a to unfortunate heart ailments exposureis. serious condition in that inpatients.

Exposureformorethan8 they can affect everyday I am therefore hopeful hours to constant noise performance and lead to that today's article will beyond 85 dB may be seriousdiseases. stimulate sufficient hazardous. An example of Child development awareness to lend support to this is someone who works 8 Children appear to be the many that are helpless, hours daily in close more sensitive to noise and continue to suffer from proximity to a busy road or pollution, and a number noisepollution. highway; that person is likelytobeexposedtotraffic noisepollutionaround85dB.

What are examples of noise pollution?

While this may be an obvious answer to some, it is oftenblurredbyothersgiven their desire to promote their motives. The following are examples of common noise pollution in our society today:

Loud music from events andvehicles

Constant traffic sounds from cars, buses, pedestrians, ambulances etc.

Construction sounds like drilling or other heavy machineryinoperation

Industrial sounds like fans, generators, compressor,mills Household sounds such

New Music from SZA, Selena Gomez, French Montana and more

Billboard’s Friday music guide serves as a handy guide to the most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.

French Montana ‘s ‘Mac & Cheese 5’ mixtape Feat. Kanye West, Lil Wayne

French Montana

It’s been an arduous-yet-fruitful journey for French Montana navigating the turbulent music industry since 2009’s Mac Wit Da Cheese.

Fifteen years later, The Bronx-bred rapper has returned to serve up the fifth installment of his famed mixtape series as Mac & Cheese 5 hit streaming services on Friday(Feb.23).

French brought along an all-star cast of talented artists to join him in executing his visionforthe21-trackproject.

Guests making appearances include KanyeWest,LilWayne,RickRoss,LilDurk, Lil Baby, Meek Mill, JID, Westside Gunn, 41,Jeremih,BrysonTillerandmore.

The Moroccan rapper detailed his inspiration behind Mac & Cheese 5 and how he wants to see more artists attack mixtape seriesratherthanjustrecordingalbums.

Selena Gomez,

SSZA, “Saturn”

This week, SZA makes her return to unwrittenfuture.

“Saturn,” Selena Gomez is living her happily SZA spends the song searching for ever after, and Justin Timberlake has one answers, creeping in front of the slower ready for longtime fans. Check out all of this tempo and trying to get ahead of karma: “If week’spicksbelow: there’s a point to being good / Then where’s

Firstpreviewedinacommercialthataired my reward?” she wonders. Considering the duringaGrammyceremonywhereSZAtook fact that SOS arrived five-and-a-half years home three trophies, new single “Saturn” after SZA’s previous album, “Saturn” should exists in conversation with the blockbuster be treated as a sumptuous gift from an artist R&B formula of her 2022 album SOS while who isn’t in the habit of tossing out any old also peering ahead into a daring artist’s single.

Beyoncé just became the First Black Woman Artist with a Number One Country Son

(Rollingstone) - BEYONCÉ other country song, hit Number success in the genre 50 years ago. HAS BECOME the first Black NineonHotCountrySongs. But as chart history shows, country womanartistevertotopBillboard’s It has 10.3 million streams, remainsoverwhelminglywhiteand Hot Country Songs chart in the 14,000 sales and 90,000 radio prominently male Despite a modern history of country music, impressions. handful of songwriters like Alice thankstohercountrydebut“Texas AfterBeyoncésurprisereleased Randall and Tayla Parx with Hold ‘Em,” which also opened at “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Number One co-writes, no Black Number Two on the Hot 100, the Carriages” last week during the woman songwriter had ever solely publication announced on Super Bowl, fans and industry writtenaNumberOnecountrysong Tuesday insiders speculated if the music until last year, when Luke Combs

“Texas Hold ‘Em” dethroned would be embraced by the had a hit with Tracy Chapman’s Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves’ traditional country industry. “FastCar.”

“I Remember Everything,” which Beyoncé’s record label Columbia The fact that the first Black has spent 20 weeks at Number One announced last week that it woman to top the country chart is on the country charts and topped officially promoted “Texas Hold not a traditional country act likely the Hot 100 last year Beyoncé was ‘Em”tocountryradio,andthesong isn’t lost on the industry, but “DaddyLessons.”

on Friday that they were seeking to buoyed mainly by strong streams becamethesinger’s first-everentry Beyoncé’ssuccesscouldlendmore Aside from Beyoncé, over on take the album down. The duo’s and sales, with “Texas Hold ‘Em” on the Country Airplay chart, attentionto the other Blackcountry the Top 200 albums chart, Kanye “Carnival” debuted at Number getting 19.2 million streams last debutingat54. artists who’ve paved away at the WestandTyDolla$ign’sVultures1 ThreeontheHot100aswell. week along with 39,000 traditional Beyoncé isn’t the first woman genre for years. Still, Beyoncé topped the chart despite a messy With“TexasHold‘Em”nowon sales (per Luminate), as the of color in country music, as other going deeper into country isn’t album rollout that included the charts, the question becomes Beyhivelookedtopushthesongup artists like Mickey Guyton and totallyoutofleftfield.

multiple allegations of how the song fares on the charts the charts. The song also got 4.8 Brittney Spencer have found The Texas native has shown unauthorized samples, and a brief nextweek. million audience impressions from successinrecentyears,whileLinda country influence early in her removal from Apple Music and a Will country radio continue to radio. Martell blazed the trail as the first career with Destiny’s Child and change in music distributors after push the song? Will it rise on the “16 Carriages,” Beyoncé’s Black female solo artist to find later as a solo artist on tracks like the original distributor FUGA said Hot100?Staytuned.

Wendy Williams Asks for ‘Personal Space and Peace’ amid ‘Overwhelming’ Response to Dementia Diagnosis

( P e o p l e ) - Wendy

Wendy’slife.”

Frontotemporal dementia been appointed a courtWilliams is publicly

“Wendy is still able to do (FTD)isanall-encompassing appointedlegalguardian. addressing her primary many things for herself,” the term for a group of brain Her sister Wanda Finnie progressive aphasia and team said in a statement. disorders that threatens the and niece Alex Finnie told frontotemporal dementia

“Most importantly she frontal and temporal lobes of PEOPLEinthisweek’scover diagnosisforthefirsttime. maintains her trademark the brain This means that story that they have seen a I n a s t a t e m e n t sense of humor and is parts of these lobes atrophy, positive change in her exclusively obtained by receiving the care she and the shrinking of these condition, though they were PEOPLE on Friday, requires to make sure she is areascancausespeechissues, unaware of her FTD Williams, 59, thanked fans protected and that her needs emotional problems and diagnosis due to the limited for their “overwhelming” are addressed She is changes in personality Other contact they have with support in the hours appreciative of the many symptomscanincludelossof Williams in the facility followingthenews. kind thoughts and good motor skills — problems (While staying at the

“I want to say I have wishesbeingsentherway.” walking, swallowing or undisclosed location, immense gratitude for the

According to Mayo muscle spasms Symptoms Williams’familysaysthey’ve love and kind words I have Clinic, aphasia “robs you of tend to get worse over time beenunabletocontactherdue received after sharing my the ability to communicate” Patients typically begin to to the guardian’s rules, which diagnosis of Aphasia and and “can affect your ability notice symptoms between 40 require Williams to reach out Frontotemporal Dementia F r o n t o t e m p o r a l Diagnosed withAphasia and to speak, write and - 65 years of age, but it can first from a blocked phone (FTD),” she said. “Let me Degeneration for their kind Frontotemporal Dementia, understand language, both affect people who are number) say, wow!Your response has words of support and their perHerMedicalTeam. verbal and written ” The younger It is the most “She sounds really great. been overwhelming The extraordinary efforts to raise Williams’ care team groupaddsthatthecondition commonformofdementiafor Tohearmyauntnowinterms messages shared with me awarenessofFTD,”Williams announced her dementia “typically occurs suddenly peopleunder60 of just how clear she is, just have touched me, reminding added “I continue to need diagnosis on Thursday In a afterastrokeoraheadinjury Williams has dealt with a how focused she is on the me of the power of unity and personal space and peace to press release, the former talk But it can also come on number of ongoing health importanceoffamilyandthe theneedforcompassion.” thrive Please just know that show host’s team said she gradually from a slow- issues, including Graves’ reality in terms of facing and

“I hope that others with your positivity and received her diagnosis last growing brain tumor or a disease, lymphedema and understandingwhereshe’sat FTD may benefit from my encouragement are deeply year and the conditions disease that causes alcohol abuse. She entered a physically and mentally and story. I want to also thank the appreciated.” “have already presented progressive, permanent facility to treat “cognitive emotionally, it is like a 180,” A s s o c i a t i o n f o r Wendy Williams, 59, significant hurdles in damage(degenerative).” issues”inApril2023andhas Alexsaid.

Beenie Man’s Son Moses Released Tribute Song For Late Mother

(urbanislandz.com) - Moses Davis Jr.’s music, he music. Just doing something impacted me and persuaded Beenie Man’s son Moses is Beenie Man’s eldest son, that she can literally sit there me to continue doing Davis Jr , aka Moses, and he has been battling and brag about that her son music.” released a heartfelt single, sickle cell disease for years. doing music and everything “ M o s e s d r a w s “Constant Pain (Tribute to In a video shared on his now.” inspiration from the strength Janet),” for his late mother, Instagram account, Davis “She always pushed me and resilience instilled in Janet Harris, who died in spoke about getting to continue, always making him by his late mother,” the 2022. The song “Constant tremendous support from his sure I had everything to producer said. “Crafted with Pain (Tribute to Janet)” was mother as he pursued a moveforward.” soul-stirring melodies and produced by Visual Sound career in music, much like Davis also shared a fond heartfelt lyrics, this song is a Records, VSR, co-founded hisfamousfather memoryofhismothercrying touching homage to the by Paul McAllister, who “She always sending out afterseeinghimperformlive enduring love and cherished himself had glowing things my music out there and in Jamaica for the first time. memoriesMosesholdsofhis to say about Davis and his always making sure I had “One cherished memory that mom.” latemother everything I need to move I have of my mom would be Moses released three

The younger Davis, who forward,” he said. “As a my first time performing in new singles over the past is no newcomer to music, youthgrowingup,seeingmy Jamaica,” he shared. “She couple of weeks, including pours his pain into the song, mom proud of me actually couldn’t stop crying and the single “Live Life,” for sharing his methods for excessive partying, smokingmarijuana. doing something, she kinda telling me how proud she which Beenie Man made a coping, which include consumption of alcohol, and For

are

to influenced my love for was of me, and that really cameointhemusicvideo.

Miss World Guyana's majestic tribute to the Canje Pheasant

vegetation through a process of bacterial fermentation, akin to a cow'sdigestivesystem,thehoatzin standsaloneintheavianworldwith thisexceptionaladaptation.

than just a missing piece in the evolutionarypuzzle.

The hoatzin has recently ught the attention of the entific community, with an ticle in The New Yorker Magazine from November 2022 suggestingthatthisfascinatingbird may hold the key to unravelling a riddleinDarwin'streeoflife.

It seems to defy every ssification and could be more

As the world continues to unlock the secrets of nature, the hoatzinstandsasareminderthat thereisstillsomuchtolearnand discover This remarkable bird not only represents Guyana's national pride but also serves as a symbol of the boundless wonders that await our explorationandunderstanding

In a world where so much seems to have been discovered and categorised, the hoatzin

The sketch which inspired the design of the Hoatzin costume done by Guyanese designer, Mwanza Mainza Glenn

Costumedesigner, MwanzaMainzaGlenn

challenges you to rethink what you know about the natural world Its unique characteristics and mysterious place in the evolutionary web make it a captivating subject of study, one that many biologists are intrigued by but may be hesitant tofullyembrace

ABOUTTHEDESIGNER| MWANZAGLENN

Mwanza Mainza Glenn's illustrious career spans the realms of dance, fashion, and youth development.

His dedication was depicted in not only designing Guyana's national Dance of the World costume but also in the time spent choreographingthedanceforMiss World Guyana 2022-2023,Andrea King.

He tirelessly empowers young talents to explore their artistic potential through the creative and performing arts; making him an exceptionalBeautywithaPurpose supporter

MwanzaGlenn'sjourneyinthe creative arts commenced two decades ago, and to this day, he remains a beacon of inspiration, proudly representing Guyana on theglobalstage.

His early exposure to various artistic disciplines laid the foundation for his exceptional talentandcommitment.

Graduating from the National School of Dance, Mwanza's prowess led him to distinguishedseven-yeartenure

(Continued on page 64)

...for homemadedelectable Sweet Treats Young Entrepreneur

After noticing the lack of businessesthatoffersweettreats and desserts in her community, Dr KeitishaBynoemadethedecisiontoopen her own business that would be able to providetheseservices.

Her business, called ‘Oh Sugar’ was launched officially in 2021 due to the pandemic, but it set to launch in 2020. Dr Bynoe is a medical doctor who hails from Zee Lust Village, commonly known as #5 village on the West Coast of Berbice. Her hobbies include reading, and exploring new ideas for her business particularly cookie designs.

In a recent exclusive interview with The Wsaterfalls, Dr Bynoe said “I was always into cooking and baking savory items. However, I started making desserts in 2019 formyfamilyathome.Igoogledrecipesand taughtmyself”

Sheadded“WhilelivinginWestBerbice, Inoticedalackofbusinessesofferingcustom treats and desserts, inspiring me to venture into entrepreneurship and thus creating a businessthatprovidedthatservice.”

Oh Sugar is centered on producing homemadecustomtreatsanddessertstosuit just about any occasion. Dr Bynoe recalled thatwhensheinitiallystarted,shestartedoff with baking chocolate chip cookies, but this quickly became fascinated with decorated cookies and later expanded to small cakes, browniesandothertreats.

Baking these tasty treats for over two years now, Dr Bynoe expressed that the support for her business and its services has beenveryconsistentandencouraging,.

For this, she is grateful for her customer base.

Sheaddedthatwhilethesupporthasbeen good,shedidencountersomefewchallenges justlikeanyothersmallbusinesswould.

According to her, the challenges were related to perfecting the quality of the

“Young entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the market, they generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth within their communities, serve as inspiration to others to take risks and pursue their passion, and they may also contribute to economic diversification as they challenge traditional industries.”

products offered like the consistency of the icing, which she noted got better with practice.Anotherchallenge,shenotedofwas timemanagement.

“As a solo entrepreneur who has a full timejob,alltheareasofthebusinesswereleft up to me [planning, baking, decorating, packagingetc.].However,someofthatstress isalleviatedbymyfamilyondayswithsales andwhenIhavebigorders,” shementioned.

Another hurdle too, was getting quality products which can sometimes be difficulttofindandcostlyto acquire.

“Hence, I’ve resorted to buying in bulk and ordering itemsonline,sheadded.

When asked if she had challenges during the pandemic, she noted that throughout the period, the business remained operational as persons just needed to make their order and pick up or have their itemsdelivered.

While Dr Bynoe continuestobringnewideas toherbusinesseveryday,she told this magazine that her ultimategoalistoestablisha physical storefront, which she added would create job opportunities, expand product offerings, and cater to the needs of customers throughout Guyana with quality, beautifully decoratedtreats.

opportunities in our society “Young entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the market, they generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth within their communities, serveasinspirationtootherstotakerisksand pursue their passion, and they may also contribute to economic diversification as they challenge traditional industries,” she

Just a few of the tasty treats ‘Oh Sugar' has to offer

With that being said, our featured entrepreneur is of the view that small businessownersbringaboutnewinnovative ideas to the market and create job

commented.

Whenaskedwhatshethinkscanbedone moreinoursocietytohelpsmallbusinesses grow,Dr Bynoerelatedthatthesebusinesses will always benefit from more resources, whether financial or through training on matters related to marketing and sales, and customerservicejusttonameafew

Additionally, she said the availability of pop-up shops and farmers’ markets where small businesses can showcase their items can boost them in a great way also. “As simple as it may seem, social media engagementthroughsimplylikingorsharing a post can also contribute to boosting small businesses,”shepointedout.

For persons interested in the services of ‘Oh Sugar’ you can call or connect with them via WhatsApp on telephone number (592) 611-0062. Or reach out to them on Facebook at Oh Sugar and on Instagram at oh_sugar_gy.

Kevin Lyttle Earns More UK Silver With Remix Of His Classic Hit

The high-energy Electronic Dance collaboration TMO (Turn Me On) has achieved Silver certification in the UK, marking a fresh chapterfortheiconictrack’s original artist, Vincentian socasingerKevinLyttle.

Released in April 2023, TMO isAustralian producer Luude’s reimagining of Lyttle’s2003smashhitTurn Me On, featuring Lyttle and NottinghamrapperBru-C.

According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the song was issued the Brit Certified Silver Award on Friday (February 25)afteritsoldover200,000 unitsintheUK,asmeasured by The Official Charts Company Luude,whowasawarded Best International Artist at the 2023 Drum & Bass Awards,saidhewasinitially hesitant about creating another remix after his successful drum and bass reworks of Men At Work’s

Down Under (1981) and Mattfix’s Jamaican patoisslinging Big City Life (2005).

“I wasn’t really looking to do another re-up tune immediately to be honest,” confessedLuude,whosereal name is Christian Benson. “But when Kevin had reached out about this one and wanted to give it a new take–itwasjusttoofunofan

ideanottoatleasttry.”

“Then I played it for the firsttimeattheshowIdidfor Mixmag and the crowd reaction was just so insane, we knew it was a tune that hadtocomeout.It’sjustsuch afunrecord.”

Following its release, TMO spent nine weeks on the UK Singles chart, peakingatNo.42.

TheoriginalTurnMeOn

was a Soca, Dancehall and R&B tune produced by Adrian Bailey It featured guestvocalsfromDancehall star Spragga Benz and had interpolated lyrics from R&Bgroup112’s1998song All My Love. The official remix featured more lyrics fromSpragga.

The song was a huge hit in the United States and Europe, peaking at No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 2 on the UK Singles chart. Itwasalsoatop10hit in Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden,andSwitzerland.

Turn Me On went Gold (500,000units)intheUnited States in October 2004, and reached 2X Platinum (1,200,000 units) in the UK inJune2023.

It is also currently certified Platinum in Australia, and Gold in Denmark (45,000 units), Germany (150,000 units), Norway (5,000 units), and

Switzerland(20,000units).

Both versions of the original song appeared on Lyttle’s self-titled debut album, released under AtlanticRecords.

The album entered the Billboard 200 albums chart at No. 8, selling 84,000 copies, and was later certified gold in the United States for selling 500,000 units.

In 2016, American electronic group Cheat CodessampledLyttle’sTurn Me On in a remix titled Let

MeHoldYou(TurnMeOn).

The following year, American singer Chris Brown also sampled Turn Me On in his song Questions.

“Iownthepublishingon Questions. I also own the publishing for the Cheat Codes’version,LetMeHold You,whichisbiggerthanthe ChrisBrownversion,”Lyttle toldTheSource.

The song was also sampled in J.I.’s Need Me (2019), and Collie Buddz’s Mamacita(2006).

GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS’ BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT –

EMPOWERING LOCAL BUSINESSES WITH STANDARDS SOLUTIONS

At a time when q u a l i t y assurance and standardised practices are paramount for business success, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) continues to stand out as a beacon of support for local enterprises.

At the heart of this endeavor lies the Bureau’s Business Development Department, dedicated to deliveringstandardsolutions that uplift and empower businessesacrossthenation.

The GNBS’ Business Development Department serves as a vital resource hub, offering training and technical assistance services tailored to the unique needs of local businesses especially those looking to improvetheircompetencein

establishing, implementing and maintaining key management system standardsandrequirements.

From small and medium enterprises to large corporations,thedepartment works tirelessly to provide guidance, assistance and expertise in navigating the complex landscape of standardsandregulations.

One of the department’s primary objectives is to facilitate the adoption and implementation of internationally recognized standards within local businesses.

Forexample,thepopular ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems Standard.

Through professional training courses and technical assistance, businessesbecomeequipped

with the knowledge and tools necessary to meet and exceed industry standards, e n h a n c i n g t h e i r competitiveness in local, regional and even internationalmarkets.

Furthermore, the Business Development Department plays a crucial role in fostering innovation a n d c o n t i n u o u s improvement within the businesscommunity

By promoting a culture of quality and excellence, businessesareencouragedto strive for excellence in their products, services and processes.

This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also drives overall business growthandsustainability

M o r e o v e r , t h e departmentactivelyengages with stakeholders, including

industry associations, government agencies, and educational institutions through its various training programmes to facilitate knowledge sharing on standards. Over the last five years, thousands of individuals including business personnel, regulatory staff and other professionalsbenefitedfrom trainingcoursesoffered.

Aside from increasing stakeholder competency to implement the various standards, courses provided also provided many i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r employment and upward mobility

No doubt, as Guyana continues to charter its path towards economic growth anddevelopment,theroleof the GNBS’ Business

Development Department continues to be increasingly vitalforbusinesses.

TheBureauwillcontinue tobedynamic,addingtothe width and depth of its Technical Assistance programme and Training Coursesasitworkstodeliver standard solutions to local

businesses across the landscape of Guyana for yearstocome.

F o r f u r t h e r information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064 – 66 or

WhatsApp: 6924627 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

...premiere creates major buzz in Jamaica

Some Nine Years Away On A Planet Called Disco

Davie lands on Planet Disco - and straight into the jaws of a hungry beast!

IthurtwhenDaviehitthe water Well he wasn't exactly sure if it was water he'd crashed into, but from the way the capsule bobbed up and down as if lapping against waves, an ocean full of salty water and great white sharks was the image that manifested inside his mind.

Davie was some nine light years from Earth on a planet called D1SC-0. A small planet in the Goldilocks region, surrounding a star named after a 20th Century rock star “Welcome to the Disco,” he moaned, his voice echoing through the empty capsule He unbuckled himself and looked out at the endless ocean Days ago, when circling high above the atmosphere, he could only see water No indication of life. Not above the water anyway Nobirdsorbugsor flyingbears.

As Davie completed his initial survey, something stirred below Davie prepared to leave the capsule He slid on his helmet and gathered the

supplies he'd need to set up the stabilising platform Suddenlytherewasathump onthesideoftheshuttle.He looked up, confused. It took another thump to shake him into action. Was he under attack?Hismindraced,sohe looked around the cabin for protection. Thump. Again. Thump.

Hegrabbedarollofduct tape and made his way for thedoor Thedoorslidopen and he stood staring out, unravelling a little of the tape and holding it out as if readytofixaleakinadodgy air mattress, assessing the horizon for the unwanted visitor

All of a sudden, a blur

shot up from the water and throughthedoor

“Hey!” Davie called as he swivelled around, to find acreaturesittingawkwardly inthemiddleofthecapsule.

Tubby.Plump.

Chunky. Pudgy. Round. A ball of silver scales, fins and a couple of pokey eyes. “Mearp.”

An odd noise emitted fromitsfishymouth.

Davie closed the door behind him and awkwardly removed his helmet while still holding out his roll of tape.

Thecreaturewasmaking itself at home, mearping awayasithoppedfromone

(Continuedonpage50)

HowtoMake CoffeeFilterDancers

Supplies:

Coffee Filters (10 to 12 cup size), Washable Markers, Pipe Cleaners, TinyElastic,Scissors.

You're going to want to use TWO coffee filters, one on top of the other for this craft. The colours from the top one will bleed into the bottomoneandyou'llendup with two nearly identical pieces to make the dresses foryourdancers.

We like to make our coffee filter crafts on a bakingsheet.Ithelpstokeep the mess down! Flatten out the coffee filters as best you canbeforeyougetstarted.

Ifyouwantthedressesto have strong colours, make sure you cover a lot of the coffee filter with marker, leaving very little white space.Themoremarkeryou add, the darker the colours will be. (If you add lots of dark colours without white space it almost turns black, just like on our coffee filter bats). I highly recommend usingcoloursfromthesame colour families for each of yourcoffeefilters.

If you add too many colours you could accidentally end up with brown coffee filters. Using an eye dropper, or a small measuring spoon, carefully dropwateralloverthecoffee filters until it's completely soakedthrough.Theyshould be completely wet, but they shouldn'tbesittinginapool of water Once it's completely soaked, stop addingwater Don'tfloodthe pan with water, otherwise your colours could run a little too much and it will takeawhiletodry!

How to Dry the Coffee Filters

Thereareafewwaysyou candryyourcoffeefilters:

1. You can let them air dry overnigh, set them

out in the sunshine on a warmdaytodryordrythem in the oven. Set the oven temperature low to 120F It onlytakes20-30minutesfor themtodry Ifyoudon'ttake them out in time the edges start to curl. (You can iron them between two pieces of paper on super low heat to fixthat).

While you're waiting for the coffee filters to dry, you can make the form for your person. You'll need two 12 inch long pipe cleaners, in whatevercoloursyoulike.

Startbybendingthepipe cleaner in half. But don't pinchthefoldinthemiddle. Thiswillbetheheadofyour dancer and it looks better when it's not squished closed. Line up the second pipe cleaner behind the one that's folded in half, a little below where the “neck” of your dancer will be. Wind the two “arms” around the middle pipe cleaner several times to make a body Keep windinguntilyouhaveabout 2.5inchesofpipecleanerleft on both sides. Make sure when you're finished winding that the arms come out right below the head at the position of the neck. Bend the bottom pipe cleaners at a right angle to make small “feet” for your dancer. When your coffee filters are dry, you can separate them. See?? Two nearly identical, beautifully colouredcoffeefiltersforthe first dress! Fold one of the coffee filters in half. Then keep folding it in half until it'saboutthesizebelow Cut a tiny point off from the tip. Make sure it's small – you'll be surprised how much bigger the hole gets when you open the coffee filter again! Unfold the coffee filter until it's only folded in half Cut two small slits about 1/4 inch

FUN WITH POETRY

Do it with a Smile

By Uncle Roy

AttimeswhenIhavetodealwithothers, Likeasister,teacherorfriend, IfindthewayhowIlooktothem Doesmakealotofdifference.

Itmademewonderwhythiswasso, UntilIaskedthemtotellmewhy; TheytoldmethatmosttimesIlooktooserious, WhentheywouldfeelbetterifIsmile.

Sincethen)havetriedtolookmorecheerful, WheneverIhavetospeakwithothers; AndInowfindthatjustasmile Ateverytimecandowonders.

away from the middle hole. These will be the holes for the“arms”togothrough.I'm including a second photo on the blue “dress” to to make sureyoucanreallyseethose small slits for the arms. Bring the pipe cleaner “arms” up over the doll's head.

Thencarefullyslideeach armthroughoneofthesmall slits you cut into the coffee filter Carefully pull the coffee filter down over the body Theheadshouldeasily fitthroughthebiggerholein the coffee filter Bunch the coffee filter around the doll into the shape of a dress. Wrap a tiny elastic around the dress, roughly at the positionofthewaistsothatit lookslikeabelt.

Cut a small hole into the center of the second coffee filter (fold it in half a few times then snip off a tiny pieceatthetip,justlikeyou did with the first coffee filter). Then slide the feet through the hole in the secondcoffeefilter Pushthe dress up to the waist of the doll, shaping it into a beautiful, frilly gown I didn't bother attaching the second coffee filter, but if you need to you can add anothertinyelastictoholdit in place. You don't have to add two coffee filters to the dress if you don't want to. The doll on the left in the photobelowhasacuteshort dress using only one coffee filter But with only one coffee filter, the doll won't stand on its own. You can bendthearmsofyourcoffee filter dancers however you like.Andwithpipecleaners, you can change the arm shapeagainandagain!

A Fit Body will help you in your Studies

All students must remember that keeping your body fit will help to ensure that it will best be able to absorbyourlessons. Wecan see this more clearly when we remember that our brain is a part of our physical structure, and has a direct effect on our mental processes.

Whetheryouareinorout of school during this time when many teachers are not in the classrooms, you have to make the time for some physical exercise Of course, those who cannot attendclasseswillhavemore

timeontheirhandstogetthis done.

Onethingwecandowith our available time is to take special steps to develop the power of your brain. This willenableyoutosucceedat the highest level to think, reason and calculate, and so be better equipped to succeed in your lessons as wellasyourtests.

Here are a few ways to heighten the power of your braintoitsmaximum; Oneofthemosteffective ways of achieving this is by making it a practice to challenge your brain. To

improveyourthinkingskills, youwilldowelltoworkout puzzles,likecrosswordsand other word games, trying to learnaforeignlanguage,and working out Maths problems. Yourmemorycan be enhanced by taxing it by trying to remember the names of people, addresses and things to buy, and by

learning new words Replacingthenormalslangy way in which most of us speak with better words to express yourself will challenge your brain to be originalinyourlanguage. We will continue in the next issue with more methods of enhancing your brainpower

Use some the time you have available to keep your body fit, and you will benefit much by your brain becoming more powerful.

Center-Dot Sudoku

Eachdigitfrom1-9occursoncewithineachrow,column,3×3blockandshadedcentercell.Thereis onlyonesolution.

Use your Unique Talents

Godmadeusallunique, Borninaworldoftalents, Givingussomespecialones, Helpingusalltobalance.

Soletthosewhohaven'tfoundtheirsyet, Tackletheirwaythroughlife, Givethemthejoyofknowingtheycan'tregret, Inusingthemfordoingwhatisright.

Evenwhenwe'refeelinglow, Orthinkthere'snowayout, Wethinkwehavenowaytogo, Notknowingwhatwe'reabout.

Finallywepullthrough, BecauseYou'reouronlyhope, WeknowwithYouwe'llneverlose, Yougiveusthestrengthtocope.

Godmadeallhumanbeingsunique, Withaspecialsetofabilities, Butsometimeswedonotknowthis, Andgothoughlifewithless

Andgothoughlifewithless

SoasYoumadeusallunique, Givingusdifferenttalents, Helpustofindtheoneswehave, Sothatwecantrulybalance!

Thoseofuswhorealisethis, Makeaspecialefforttofindours, Andsoachievemuchpower Todothingsgreaterthanothers.

Sotakethetimeandeffort Tofindyourownhiddentalents, Andworktodevelopthem Togiveyourlifetruebalance.

Cross word Black History Month

Bridges

How To Detox Your Body

Yourbodycandetoxifyitselfinmanywayswithouta specific,deprivingdiet.Readontolearnaboutlifestyle changesthathelpsupportyourbody'snaturaldetoxprocesses.

1.CareforYourSkin

Dry-brushingyourskinwithasoftbrushbeforeabathor showermayhelpyourskinlookandfeelbetterifdone correctly.7Youcanremovedeadskincells,whichmay smoothenyourskintexture,bymechanicallyexfoliating.8 Keepinmindthatexfoliationmayincreaseyourriskofacne andrednessifyoudosotooharshly.7

SomeevidencesuggeststhataddingEpsomsaltstoyour bathmayhelpcleanseyourbodyinsideandout.Forexample, yourskinmightabsorbmineralsinEpsomsalt,namely magnesium.Magnesiumaidsmuscleandnervefunction, controlsbloodsugar,andregulatesbloodpressure.910Ahot Epsomsaltbathcanalsorelaxyou.

2.ConsiderTakingPrebiotics

Prebioticsarenutrientsthathelppromotethegrowthof "good"bacteriainyourgut.Yourgutbacteriabreakdown prebioticsintotheirnaturalcomponents,likefattyacids, whichbenefitorgansoutsideyourgut.11Tryeatingenough fiber,drinkingplentyoffluids,regularlyexercising,and loadinguponprebioticstokeepthingsmoving—and detoxing—inyourgut,

3.EatAnti-InflammatoryFoods

Wholefoodswithplentyofnutrientshelpkeepyourbody "clean"internally Trycuttingoutfried,sugary,processed foodsandredmeat.Thosefoodsincreasetheriskofchronic illnesseslikediabetes,heartdisease,andobesity.1213

Instead,optforfiber-richfoodslikefruit,vegetables, beans,nuts,seeds,wholegrains,leanprotein,andprobiotics thataidgutandliverfunction.Anywastegetsoutofyour systemassoonaspossible.14

4.GetGoodSleep

Gettingplentyofqualitysleepisessentialtosupportyour overallhealth.Sufficientrestwillhelpreducestressand inflammationsoyourbodycanfunctionatitsbest.Experts advisedthatadultssleepaboutseventoninehoursper night.15

Sleephygienepracticesthatwillhelpyougetagood night'srestinclude:16

*Avoidstimulantsbeforeyougotobed:Thisincludes alcoholandcaffeine.

*Createasleephaven:Keepingyourbedroomcool,dark, quiet,andfreeoftechnologyscreens.

*Sticktoastandardbedtime:Thisallowsyoutogetat leastsevenhoursofsleepnightly.Gotobedatthesametime everynightandgetupatthesametimeeverymorning, includingontheweekends.

5.GetMoving

Sweatingisonewayyourbodysafelyandeffectively eliminatesheavymetalslikenickel,lead,copper,arsenic,and mercury Astudypublishedin2022foundthatsweatingfrom dynamicexercises,likerunning,maygetridofmoretoxins thansweatinginasauna.Regularphysicalactivityalsohas mentalhealthbenefits.Exercisehelpsyoufeellessanxious andreducesdepressionsymptoms.18

6.StayHydrated

Stayinghydratedwillhelpyourkidneysflushouttoxins, saidDr.Bedford.Switchthingsupwithteaifyouwant somethingdifferentthanwater.Greenteamayimproveyour bloodpressureandcholesterol,bothofwhichaffectyour heartdiseaserisk.19

7.SwapAddedSugarsforFoodsRichinAntioxidants

Antioxidantsareartificialornaturalsubstancesthatmay preventordelaysometypesofcelldamagethatleadto chronicillnesses.Oneofthemainthingsthatantioxidantsdo isoffsetfreeradicaldamage.Freeradicalscauseoxidative stress,whichcantriggercelldamage.20

8.TakeItEasyWithAlcohol

Alcohol"jumpstothefrontofthemetabolicpathway"so thatyourbodycanprocessitquicklyandgetitoutofyour body,JessicaCording,CDN,anintegrativenutritionhealth coach,toldHealth.Yourbodyprocessesalcoholmainly throughyourliverandalittlethroughyourbreath.

Yourbodymustworkhardtoprocessalcohol,directly impactingtheorgansthatnaturallydetoxifyyourbody.Keep yourdrinkingtoaminimumtohelpsupportyourbody's naturalcleansingprocesses,saidDr.Bedford.

https://www.health.com/weight-loss/how-to-detox

SomeNineYearsAwayOnAPlanet...

Frompage48

area to another – inspecting the odd environment in which it had found itself.

In a move he quickly regretted, Davie let down his guard, just as the littleDiscoballleapttowardshimwith great speed and dexterity Protecting what many described to be his best physical feature, Davie threw his hands up to cover his eyebrows. He swished his arms up, as if swatting awayimaginaryflies,onlytofindthe tapethatwassupposedtoprotecthim wasnowcementedacrosshisfaceand knottedinhishair

The creature looked up at the spacemanandburstintoactiontohelp itsnewtangledfriend,rippingthetape from Davie's face and hair and droppingitathisfeet.

Davie cried out in pain, before feeling around his head and face and realising a large chunk of hair and an eyebrow were no longer in their rightfulplace.

Still, Davie managed a half smile as the Disco ball bounced around the capsule.

With the foreign star setting and the stabilising platform afloat, Davie sat thinking about the potential wonders of his new home. Even though he'd lost an eyebrow, he'd foundafriendlyballofscales.Hekept therollofducttapenexttohim,justin case.

Thestirringwasrisingatareckless speed.Aterrific beast was ascending, soaringthroughthedepths,butDavie didn'tknowityet.Thebeastfromthe bottom was the size of a skyscraper, hadlongrazorsharpteethjuttingfrom

all angles, and a mouth that could swallowadouble-deckerbuswhole.

The serene scene that Davie was enjoying EXPLODED into a wild storm of waves and roaring as the monstereruptedthroughthesurface.

The stabilising platform flew up, throwing everything and everyone highintotheair

Daviefelthisstomachdropasthe combination of his unexpected flight and the idea of his impending demise fused together, when he caught sight ofthemonsterbelow Itsmouthwide, and its teeth clinking together, like a thousandJapanesechefssharpeninga thousandJapaneseknives.

Davie fell, throwing out his arms asifswimminginmid-air,andtriedto manoeuvre himself from the jaws of the beast. He splashed into the water, avoiding the stinging embrace of the teeth. The beast from the bottom let out a scream and steered itself downwardsasittriedtolocateDavie, whowasplungingdeeperanddeeper

Davie sank all the way to the bottomofthestrangesea.

Meanwhile, the Disco ball was also trying to locate Davie. The little silver orb shot through the water following the stream of bubbles, but when it finally reached the almost lifelessbodyoftheastronaut,itfound therewasnowaytowakehim.Noway for the little creature to lift and carry the spaceman above to the safety of the capsule.But then the scaly Disco ballhadanidea,andswoopedbackup tothesurface.

The giant monstrosity above was stillstrainingitseyesforaglimpseof Davie.Itcouldnotseeaglimpseofthe

shapeofhimbelow Afterafinalroar, claiming victory in the name of all things malevolent and malicious, it returnedtoitsownburblingdepths.

The Disco ball meanwhile rushed through the water The stream of bubbles had long disintegrated, so it wasledinsteadbyinstinctandwhim.

As the creature reached Davie's almost-lifeless body, it wrapped the duct tape around and around Davie's arms and hands before entangling it within its own scales, and pushing itselfbacktothesurface,Davieintow

When the pair spewed out of the water and back onto the stabilising platform, the Disco ball bounced on Davie'schestuntilhecoughed.Davie opened his eyes wide, and began breathingeasilyagain.

The foreign star had almost completely retreated now and Davie thanked his fishy friend by removing theducttapetangledwithinitsscales.

Davieletoutasigh.Hismissionto find a habitable home, a home that could one day replace the decaying planet so far from where he sat, had gottenofftoashakystart.Buthemay found a glimmer of hope for the billions back on Earth.A glimmer as beautifulastheoneradiatingfromthe silver blue scales of his friend. It was friendship.HewasnotaloneonPlanet Disco.

Daviethoughtaboutallofthis,and feltstrangelycomforted.

And there they sat, these two new friends–Davie,andhope,intheshape of a mirror ball – sharing the last of thoseelectromagneticrays,somenine light years away from Earth, on a planetcalledDisco.

Support for teachers' strike to increase this week –GTUPresident

President of the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) Mark Lyte believes that the teachers'strike,whichwillbe th in its 4 week, will witness increased support come Monday Lyte was at the time speaking on a Facebook live stream on Thursday following a High Court ruling which temporarily restrainedtheGovernmentof Guyanafromdeductingfrom the salaries of striking teachers.

“ Te a c h e r s w e r e threatened and forced to go back to school …Some of them went back because of fear and because of their commitment.

Thatiswhywetookthe Government to Court to ensure that no teachers are victimized ” the GTU leadersaid.

He continued: “Come Monday we are outside

again,Iwanttourgeallofour teacherstocomeoutbecause thereisatermofresumption that is specific to the salary negotiation. Until then, we will not be returning to the classroom.”

TheGTUPresidenturged the Government to act sensibly “because the strike action is only going to get bigger by other unions joining.”

“Let's go to collective bargainingtableandstartthe discussion on salary negotiation, ” he said pointing out that the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has already indicateditsintentiontohave publicservantsengageinthe industrialactionover the 6.5 percent pay raise they were givenlastyear

On Thursday, the GPSU issued an ultimatum to the Government warning of potential industrial action if the administration does not

engage in negotiations with theUnion.

This ultimatum follows the GPSU's dissatisfaction with the government's alleged failure to participate inbargainingdiscussions.

In a press statement releasedbytheUnion,itwas stated that the Executive Council unanimously decided during its Statutory

Executive Council Meeting heldonFebruary21,2024,to demand the government's presence at the bargaining table.

“The issues affecting workersinthepublicservice, and government's reluctance to meet at the bargaining table,ortoconciliatetobreak the deadlock that has arisen, werediscussedextensivelyat

the Union's meeting on February 21, 2024, which resulted from meetings with its members throughout the country,”GPSUsaid.

“The union will continue toengageitsmembersonthis matter over the coming days through a committee which wasestablishedtoensurethat the GPSU is mobilised, and all grievance procedures undertheexistingagreement is followed as we issue, and thereafter execute the ultimatum will now be directed to the government,” theUnioncontinued.

The Ultimatum came moments after High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon granted a temporary order blocking the Government of Guyana from deducting the salariesofstrikingteachers.

Thejudgealsograntedan Interim Order which restrains the Government from withholding the remittance of teachers' dues

to the Guyana Teachers Union(GTU).

The judge made the Orders at the first hearing of the case filed by the GTU to c h a l l e n g e t o t h e Government's decision to deduct pay from the salaries of striking teachers and also blocking the administration from moving ahead with a decision to discontinue the deductionofunionduesfrom the salaries of teachers on behalfoftheUnion.

While he granted the Interim Orders, the judge gave an undertaking to have the matter heard and determined at the earliest possibledate.

The request for Conservatory Orders was made even as Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall SC, who appeared on behalf of the Government of Guyana,soughtanextension of time to respond to the GTU'scasefromthecourt.

Duo

busted

with G$64M in cocaine at CJIA

Two men were on

Thursday busted with G$64M worth of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan InternationalAirport(CJIA).

The men were identified as 26-year-old Travis Sealey, a shift leader attached to the New Timehri Handling Service(NTHS)and20-yearold Koby Bakker, a ground securitycoordinator,attached to Secure Innovations and Concept(SIC).

Theinterceptionwasdone by officers attached to the airport's Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) who observed the men retrieving four duffle bags from an unidentifiedmalethroughthe airport'sfence.

A search was conducted on the bags and 64 brick like parcels, suspected to be cocaine,werediscovered.

Themenaswellasthe (Continuedonpage64)

Guyana Public Service Credit Union marks diamond anniversary

The Guyana Public Guyana As part of the AdministrativeRegions”. Service Cooperative Credit Diamond Anniversary During the period 2022 Union Limited (GPSCCUL) celebrations, a number of to 2023 the credit union celebrates its Diamond tokens will be handed out to introduced a number of Anniversary next month Ms. members at its city solutions for its members.

Karen Vansluytman-Corbin headquarters and when Namely: Early Savers Chairperson of the 60-year- executives visit the other product ‘for our member’s oldinstitutionsaid. nineRegions. children,’ single parent

Vansluytman-Corbin Three electronic tablets loans, introduce Lowsaid a church service will be willbeupforgrabsonMarch income mortgage – for held at the St Andrews Kirk 05 when the GPSCCUL members earning one on Sunday February 25 launches its digital platform. h u n d r e d t h o u s a n d commencing at 9 hours (9 This platform will enable ($100,000) and below, backam) to launch the week of some twenty-five thousand to-school loans, introduced observances for the (25,000) members to another payment option –Diamondevent. examine their individual Bill express, introduced

Among other planned accounts online, make conference for our regional activities for the week, will payments on their loans, representatives, sub-offices credit union also “extended 2022it was noted that the has been experiencing for be a fitness walk on March amongotherthings. were also established in East Christmas promotions in all management committee the past two years through 02 from the GPSCCUL One of the highlights of Berbice/Corentyne (Region ten (10) Administrative spent $8M less when sever litigations in court, the Hadfield Street headquarters the Diamond celebrations S i x ) a n d U p p e r Regions with both Regional compared to previous years current Committee of proceeding west and turning will be the distribution of a Demerara/Berbice (Region and national drawings to forthevariousbenefits. Management continues to right,ontoCampStreet,then 2% interim dividend Ten). select winners. Based on the Despite the numerous provideavarietyofsolutions right, onto Church Street, payment approved by the During last year the audited report for the year challenges the credit union forits25,000members. rightontoAlbertStreet,right Committee of Management onto Brickdam, right into at the January, 2024 Louisa Row, right onto Statutory meeting The Hadfield Street and back to amount received per theGPSCCULheadquarters. member is calculated on

On the evening of eachperson’ssavings. Saturday March 02, there The full dividend will be will be a gala dinner slated paid when the credit union is for the Police Officers Mess, able to hold their Annual EveLearyaspartoftheweek General Meeting (AGM) of activities for the Vansluytman-Corbin th60 GPSCCUL anniversary explained Members last Diningissettobeginat7pm receivedadividendin2021. (19 hours). The GPSCCUL M e a n w h i l e , t h e has some 25,000 members Committee of Management scattered throughout the ten last year increased bursaries (10) administrative Regions for our member’s children to in the sprawling 83,000 eighty(80). Previously,they square miles/216,000 square received fifty (50) awards. kilometer of the Co- These bursary awards were operative Republic of also “extended to all ten (10)

Arrested: Shawn Thomas called ‘Troy Richards’

Two years later…

Man arrested for Sand Hill Backdam murder

Aftertwoyearsofbeingontherun,ShawnThomascalled ‘TroyRichards’,wasarrestedonFriday,afterthefatherofthe man he allegedly killed, pointed him out to police at Grill King,onMandelaAvenue.

Thomas is accused of murdering Ray Narain, after discharging a loaded firearm towards him at Sand Hill Backdam,RegionSeven,onSeptember22,2022.

Police related that at about 13:30hrs, the victim’s father, Elton Narain who had witnessed the tragic murder of his son, saw the suspect, for whom a wanted bulletin had been issued, at Grill King on Mandela Avenue and alerted the police. Notably, detectives responded immediately and arrested Thomas.

Additionally, police said that Thomas has a commitment warrant for two years imprisonment for unlawful possession offirearmandammunition.

46th Regular meeting of CARICOM Heads of Govt. opens today

update the meeting on meeting of the Conference Guyana succeeding Rooseveldt PrimeMinisterofDominica, Caribbean Community theCommunity’s25by2025 of Heads of Government of The meeting, which will Skerrit, the Prime Minister will also address the ( C A R I C O M ) w i l l initiative to tackle the the Caribbean Community be chaired by President ofDominica. gathering. encompass critical issues Region’s rising food import (CARICOM)openstodayat Irfaan Ali, will run from Dr Carla Barnett, The agenda for the 46th including the CARICOM bill and improve intrathe National Cultural February 25 to February 28. CARICOM Secretary- Regular Meeting of the S i n g l e M a r k e t a n d regional trade, a statement Centre, Homestretch PresidentAliistheincoming General, and the Outgoing Conference of Heads of E c o n o m

C S M E ) , b y t h e C A R I C O M Agriculture and Food and Secretariatsaid.

N u t r i t i o n S e c u r i t y, According to the Regional Security, Climate Secretariat, the Heads of Change and Climate Government will receive Financing, Global and several guests and technical Hemispheric Issues, experts who will discuss Regional Transportation, political, social, economic Foreign and Community Relations, Reparations

and 2024 ICC

M e n ’s T- 2 0

Cricket World

Cup

C r o s s c u t t i n g m a t t e r s including youth, civil society and CARICOM

Private Sector

Organisation will also form part of the discussions by t h e H e a d s o f Government. The business and financial matters sessions of the four-day relevanttotheprosperityand Meeting will be held at the r e s i l i e n c e o f o u r GuyanaMarriottHotel.

Community Discussions during the

The special guests business sessions will expected to interact with the include the CARICOM Heads of Government Single Market and Economy include His Excellency Luiz (CSME) and an update on Inácio Lula da Silva, the implementation of the President of Brazil, Dr Ilan free movement of all Goldfajn, President, Inter- Community Nationals by 31 American Development March 2024, as mandated at Bank (IDB), His Excellency the 45th Regular Meeting in Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Julylastyear Minister of State for Foreign T h e C A R I C O M Affairs, Saudi Arabia and Chairman, as lead Head of Her Excellency Reem al G o v e r n m e n t w i t h Hashimy, Minister of State r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r f o r I n t e r n a t i o n a l Agriculture and Food and Cooperation, United Arab Nutrition Security in the Emirates(UAE).

CARICOM Quasi Cabinet,

SBM Guyana committed to...

From page 20

and its impact.”Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr Martin Pertab underscored the role of the secretariat in ensuringthatGuyanesebenefitfromtheindustry

Further, SBM noted that in a comprehensive panel discussion titled “Synergies in the SBM Offshore Ecosystem – Building Capacity, Workforce, Supply Chain, and Partnerships for Success in the Guyana Market,” SBM Offshore’s key stakeholders emphasised the pivotal role of collaborationincultivatingrobustbusinessrelations.

Accordingtothecompany,thediscussioncentredonthe strategic investments made in capacity-building and training, underscoring their significance in driving forward localcontentinitiatives.

Itshouldbenoted,thatSBMGuyanaworkscloselywith various groups, including Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs),theNationalCoordinatingCoalition (NCC), GuyaneseAchievingTogether Enterprises (GATE), and the Guyana Oil and Gas Support Services Incorporated (GOGSSI).

Representatives from each group which included Simone Sills from NCC, Clinton Urling from GATE, and Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer from GOGSSI, at the panel discussion shared insights on how their partnerships with SBM Offshore Guyana have helped their organizations growandsucceed.

The representatives noted the ongoing support from SBMOffshorethathasplayedacrucialroleinadvancingthe worktheydo.

Govt. conniving with Exxon to hide

From page 18 moneylostfromnotflaring. about 423 million barrels of Network said that if the 3 production started in 2019, are anticipating. Therefore, international standard of OGGN explained, “We oil If we multiply 423 billion barrels is calculated the national budget for that OGGN requests the reinjecting back into the have had at least seven million barrels by seven, at $80 each, it would mean year was about US$1 5 Government of Guyana to ground and changed the major discoveries (since t h e n w e a s s u m e that as much as US$240B in billion. The recently passed update the total offshore oil permitstoincentivizeExxon 2022) if the first 26 major approximately 3 billion potential revenue is being 2024 budget is US$5 5 reserve figures by including to make money from flaring discoveries totalled 11 barrels of reserves are being hidden from the Guyanese billion, which still only the last seven major by paying a paltry fee that is billion barrels, then the hiddenfromthepublic ” people “To put that in amounts to about 2% of the discoveries made since miniscule compared to the average discovery contains In other words, the perspective, when oil unreported oil reserves, we 2022,now!”

IDB Invest inks US-multi-million loans with private sector...

From page 17 its capacity to manage risks and developmentbygeneratingtourism first EDGE Zero Carbon-certified resilience, transition risk, and human capital development of impacts associated with existing revenue, creating more than 150 hotel in Latin America and the enhanced climate mitigation Guyana focusing on quality operations and the planned jobs during construction and over Caribbean. strategies. education. New student housing expansion. 60 jobs during operations, and IDB Invest financial package IDB Invest involvement in this will provide more affordable Additionally, IDB Invest has strengtheningthelocalvaluechain. includes a senior loan of US$11 flagshipmixed-usedproject,which campus accommodations and partnered with Caribbean Green The hotel’s design features a million and US$7 million blends multiple uses such as include 86 two-room apartments Building to provide US$22 million large solar roof footprint to address mobilizedfromFirstCitizensBank commercial and cultural in one and 16 one-room apartments. The to develop a sustainable mixed-use the energy requirements of the and Finabank. In addition, the space, is to help catalyze similar staff housing will cater for 30 tourism project in Georgetown, property and contemplates an financingwillbecomplementedby climate-resilient initiatives in the familiesofTexila’sstaff. Guyana, consisting of a 172-room expansion of the renewable energy aUS$4millionseniorloanfromthe hospitality sector and incentivize With IDB Invest support, TAU Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, and platform once the covered parking Canadian Climate Fund for the the private sector to develop will strengthen its environmental accompanying conference facility lot is completed. The Four Points Private Sector in the Americas- responsible sustainable tourism and social practices by andretailfacilities.

Georgetown is anticipatedto be the Phase II (C2F2) to provide projects in the country, setting the implementing an Environmental The project is expected to first EDGE Advanced-certified financing and performance-based tone and direction for this rapidly and Social Action Plan to enhance contribute to Guyana’s economic hotel in Guyana and potentially the incentives to implement climate expandingsectorinGuyana.

From page 14

preparedforthelonghaul. access to the information “Itwillnotbebusinessas whatsoever talking about the usual for education until the energy sector and what teachers’ salary matters are should be done, similar to addressed…the strike may what Vice President Bharrat come and finish, teachers Jagdeo was speaking about may return to their this morning. But the point work…but it will not be is, we in Trinidad and businessasusual,”theUnion Tobago have spent the last leadersaid. seven years of our term

Lyte also said the Union successfully negotiating, stands resolute in the fight and I can say here without for better salaries for fear of contradiction, every teachers amidst the contract that we negotiated g o v e r n m e n t ’ s augurs better in direct announcement that it will be revenue for the people of deducting money from the Trinidad and Tobago and the salaries of teachers who are multinational oil and gas onstrikeandprotesting. companies have not got up andrunoff.”

Young reasoned that those companies are

THURSDAY

‘How many of the 640,000 continuing to invest since barrels of oil per day “respect and fairness” are Guyana willing to give keypillarsinbusiness. CARICOM neighbours

“They continue to invest for energy security?’–becauseitisallaboutrespect T&T Minister asks at oil and fairness of relationships conference and I offer that here to GuyanaandtoSurinameina

collaborative approach President Dr Irfaan Ali because you see I am has often articulated his Resources, Vickram Bharrat Education and Local requestforbetterpay country we must be invest convinced that [we can] interest in ensuring that his have all dismissed the need Government and Regional “We aint backing down, the most important asset. work together to change the country is a leader on for renegotiation, insisting Development had issued a Ali said we must wait so we Infrastructural development dynamics…”hesaid. climate, energy and food that such a move can chase joint public advisory stating, gonwaitatconferencegate!” will always take place but it

TheRepublicofTrinidad security With particular investorsfromthecountry there will be salary the teachers chanted mustnotcomeattheexpense and Tobago has been reference to the country’s deductions for teachers who melodiously to the beat of of ignoring issues as persistentinrenegotiatingits push for energy security, as Teachers selling didnotreportfordutyorwho drums. important paying teachers oil and gas deals to benefit well as that of the Caribbean snacks on protest line hadnoapprovalforleavefor “Big, big budget; lil, lil properly,” the GTU the country as conditions region, Trinidad and to cushion Govt. pay cut the week ending February pay!We want we money and Presidentsaid. evolve. Tobago’s Energy Minister, 9th2024. we want it now!” they added Further, the GTU leader

For his part, Prime Stuart Young recently Teachers protesting for The Ministries also said inunison. inresponsetoVicePresident Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley questioned if Guyana is higher salaries have resorted they have in their possession

GTU President Mark Bharrat Jagdeo’s statement believes that no contract is willing to make a tangible to selling snacks to help lists with names of teachers Lyte noted that the that increasing teachers’ set in stone. “There is a contributiontothiscause. cushion the pay cuts being from each of the 11 Government has continually salaries will result in other willingness not to treat

During his participation i n s t i t u t e d b y t h e Education Districts who did ignored the plight of not just public servants demanding contractsascastinstone(so) at the Guyana Energy government. not report for duty. The teachersbutpublicservants. increases which the that while contracts bind us Conference and Supply On day 12, the teachers advisory was issued despite He called on the government would not be to terms and conditions, if Chain Expo on Tuesday, moved their protest to the Vice President Bharrat administration to make a abletosustain,isunjustified. the conditions have changed Minister Young said, “…I more centralized and busy Jagdeosayingthatnoteacher conscious effort to invest in “The Guyana Police so dramatically and so have one simple question, location of Kingston, would be victimized for itshumancapital. Force and Guyana Defence detrimentally, then the out of the 640,000 plus Georgetown in proximity to strikingorprotesting. “As we said the Force got an increase when reopening and renegotiation barrels of oil that is being where the four-day Guyana The advisory said: “This government needs to strike a no one else got, so to say of contracts is a reasonable produced by Guyanese Energy Conference and unauthorised absence balance between building those increasing teachers’ demand of the people of natural resources, owned by Supply Chain Expo is taking constitutes a breach of their infrastructure and investing pay would result in other Trinidad and Tobago and we the people of Guyana, how placeattheMarriottHotel. conditions of service and in the human capital. You sections calling for an anticipatethatourpartnersin muchofthatisactuallybeing The teachers continued their statutory duties and it have nice buildings and not increase is an unfair this business will see our utilised for the energy their public outcry for salary constitutes legal sanctions. pay the people to give a deduction,”hesaid. claim as a fair and just one securityoftheregion?” increases.

In consequence thereof, the proper delivery of service. Lytemadeitclearthatthe and we anticipate that there TheEnergyMinisterwas

Speaking to Kaieteur Ministry of Education and Guyana is a developing Union will not be pushed will be some reopening of also keen to note his News about their ongoing the Ministry of Local country and in a developing aside on the matter and is contractssothatattheendof country’s ability to help effortstogetthegovernment Government and Regional the day, we can all G u y a n a w i t h t h e to engage in collective Development wish to advise sustainably benefit from the development of its gas bargaining with the Guyana thattheseteacherswillnotbe God-givenrichesofTrinidad resources,notingthatthereis Teachers Union (GTU), the paid for the days which they and Tobago,” the Prime extensive infrastructure in teachers said they have were unauthorized absent. Ministerpreviouslysaid. his country for processing of resorted to selling snack on ThiswillreflectintheMarch

Here in Guyana, the Liquefied Natural Gas the protest line to help them 2024 salaries in accordance leaders have taken the (LNG). make up for their salary withlaw.” position that the 2016 He said, “ we have deductions. The GTU has since Production Sharing existing capacity at our “We are seeking your promised to take the Agreement (PSA) the plants and what we are support as we continue to governmenttocourtoverthe country has with oil giant looking for is access to struggleforthebettermentof move to deduct money from ExxonMobil and its partners proven reserves of gas. That all in the profession…We the teachers’salaries as they will not be changed to can be and must be an have a number of snacks on engageinalegallyorganized maintain “sanctity of importantpartofthesolution sale so we can cater for the industrialstrike. contract”. for the other CARICOM salary deductions,” a teacher Meanwhile, the teachers PresidentIrfaanAli,Vice islands as they move to holdingacanisterofeatables havevowedtocontinuetheir President Bharrat Jagdeo changingoutorupdating forsaletoldthispublication. efforts to have until the and Minister of Natural

The Ministries of government accedes to

From page 59

the Government of Guyana their energy production and from deducting the salaries electricity production ofstrikingteachers. because they can use LNG

G o v e r n m e n t f r o m

The High Court judge and natural gas in the also granted an interim order production of their which restrains the electricity.”

He added, “…but we withholding the remittance must have access to those of teachers’ dues to the provenreservesofgas.”

Guyana Teachers Union

Ahead of the Guyana (GTU). The judge made the Energy Conference and orders at the first hearing of Supply Chain Expo, the case filed by the GTU to President Ali conducted an c h a l l e n g e t o t h e interview on the event’s Government’s decision to Energy Perspectives deduct pay from the salaries Podcast, where he spoke of striking teachers and also about Guyana’s role in blocking the administration regionalenergysecurity from moving ahead with a

Given the nation’s oil decision to discontinue the and gas wealth in the deduction of union dues ExxonMobil-operated from the salaries of teachers Stabroek Block,Ali was told onbehalfoftheUnion. that many of Guyana’s

While he granted the regional partners are interim orders, the judge willgetatax-freerideduring told a representative of a In addition to this and foreign company can get if expecting that it plays a gave an undertaking to have the first 10 years of business foreign Tech company the tax-free ride that his it builds a hotel. It should leading role in regional the matter heard and inGuyana. attending the conference government is willing to be noted that ExxonMobil energy security On this he determined at the earliest Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo was at the time g r a n t t o f o r e i g n pays no taxes based on the said,“Idon’tthinkwehavea possible date. The request Jagdeo had first mentioned engaged in the closing companies/investors, lopsided 2016 Production r o l e , w e h a v e a for conservatory orders was this after being questioned discussion with Carlos Jagdeo even told him that Sharing Agreement the responsibility We are part of made even as Attorney about the Qatari Hotel Pascual, Senior Vice he can come an buy land, company signed with the a region and I believe that General (AG) Anil Nandlall project at one of his weekly President for Global Energy something that he cannot Guyana Government. partofourresponsibilityisto SC in his appearance on press conferences. Jagdeo and International Affairs doinsomecountriesacross Jagdeo’s government has ensure that the region has behalf of the Government of further clarified on S&P Global when they theglobe.“Thereisnoland refused to renegotiate the reliable energy, affordable Guyana sought an extension Wednesday during a closing opened the floor for alien, land holding act, so deal despite widespread energy and we will be of time to respond to the discussion at the Guyana questions from the audience. you can buy land here in criticisms of it both at working with our regional GTU’scasefromthecourt. Energy Conference and The Tech Company Guyana unlike many other homeandabroad. partners on a mechanism

The GTU’s lawyer, Supply Chain Expo 2024 representative took the mic countries You can have a through which we can help Darren Wade in response to that the 10-year tax free ride and asked whether there is companythatisownedbya FRIDAY the region in having the AG’s request said while is not only for the Qatari any restriction on 100 foreigner you don’t need a affordable energy and he agrees that theAG should investor group but for percentforeignownershipof special economic zone, a ‘DON’T TOUCH THEIR reliableenergy.” be given time to respond, anyone desirous of building companies in Guyana. In 100 percent owned”, PAY’– Justice Kissoon

He further noted his there should also be an aHotelinGuyana. response Jagdeo said that Jagdeo told the tech blocks Govt. from belief in the need for greater undertaking before the court “So if you invest in Guyana has no such company representative deducting striking integration while calling for that the status quo of the buildingahoteltheregimeis restrictions unless the before further relating to teachers’salaries the removal of all barriers to teachers’ salaries remain standard, so you have a 10- foreign company wants to him that the tax regime his trade. “I want us to work on intactuntilthematterisfully years tax-holiday etc, you cash in Guyana’s Oil Sector governmentoffersisacross By Rehanna Ramsay removing all the barriers so ventilated. don’t have to go to a specific where the local content law the board. Jagdeo then Justice Sandil Kissoon that this region could be

Theattorneyasaresult part of the country to enjoy appliesthataGuyanesemust went on to tell him about on Thursday granted a producing all the food that

(Continued on page 61) those preferences”, Jagdeo have51percentowner”. the tax-free ride that a temporary order blocking we need for ourselves with Guyana of course playing a key and important role, not becauseofanythingelse,but because we have a competitive advantage here,”saidthepresident.

The Guyanese leader also stressed that he intends for Guyana to be known for more than just oil. “We want to be known as a country with a diversified economic base that is providing leadership on food, climate, energy, and has the highest level of skill, human resources, and of course, a country that is the premier ecotourism destination,” the presidentconcluded.

Assets Group- the Qatari group building a hotel on prime green spaces of land along Carifesta Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown

From page 60 investors there have not left the requested that the Court grants country “They continue to invest conservatory orders that the because it is all about respect and government will not interfere with fairness of relationships and I offer the salaries of teachers or their that here to Guyana and to remittance dues of GTU until the Suriname in a collaborative matter is concluded Nandlall approach because you see I am argued strongly nonetheless that convinced that [we can] work such orders should not be granted. together to change the

TheAGgavethecourtaplethoraof dynamics…”hesaid. reasons why the Government

Stemming from Young’s should be able act on its decision to comments, Norton said that while deduct the salaries of the teachers “some people” are not receptive to nationwidewhohavebeenonstrike the principle of ‘sanctity of 14daysandcounting. contracts’ it is a reality of

“If there was no work, there international law He therefore should be no pay it is simple as indicated, “I am not going to be that…” Nandlall said contending influenced by loose comments and inter alia that while the teachers’ join loose comments Our freedom to participate in the strike comments will always be well is protected by the Guyana thought out. We have an Oil and Constitution, the constitution does Gas Committee that sits and not give them a right to do so. “The discussestheseissuesandwemake right to strike is not a protected pronouncements based on our right under the Constitution of discussions.” He continued, “We Guyana What is protected is aredisposedtoobtainingassistance freedom of association, or the from all who can help but that freedom to belong to a trade union doesn’t permit them to use the of one’s choice. The right to strike language we choose in explaining is not an integral part of freedom of what we want to explain and the association,”theAGasserted. message we want to get over to our

He noted that since teachers do people and the international not have an inherent right to strike community.” Guyana’s oil deal under the supreme law and just with ExxonMobil has been widely freedom of participate in the GTU- criticized by the former led industrial action, it should be administration that signed the widely understood that freedom contract as well as the present comes with consequences. “If they government. Both sides of the choose the option to strike, they political divide are however mustfacetheconsequences…” unwilling to engage in a Nandlall noted further the renegotiationofthecontract. relationship between teachers and their employer—the Government

SATURDAY of Guyana (GOG) is one thatis of a contractual nature. According to

Guyana sending oil to T&T for the AG, under common law processing not the answer to stipulations,theteachersexercising regional energy security – VP their freedom to withhold their Bharrat Jagdeo services amount to a breach of contract.TheAG cited a number of likely reimburse the teachers the Production Sharing Agreement useonthisquestion.” Despite a recent proposal by authorities including a Grenadian deducted sums, if the case should (PSA) with ExxonMobil can be On Tuesday, during energy Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy case in which a decision was go in their favour. “It would not be amended for Guyana to benefit conference hosted at the Marriott Minister for Guyana to dedicate a granted in favour of deducting the an issue because whatever is taken more, however he is unwilling to Hotel in Kingston Trinidad portion of its oil barrels for salaries of teachers over their out would be reimbursed… there is engage in a “renegotiation” of the Minister of Energy, Stuart Young processing in that nation, in an participationinastrike.Alludingto no need for conservatory orders to deal. extendedthatcountry’sexpertiseto efforttoaddresstheregionalenergy the case the outcome of that matter preserve the status quo,” Nandlall He gave these remarks during a help Guyana renegotiate the security problem, it is not a viable —whichisidenticalinnaturetothe beseeched the court. “The case that press conference on Thursday in lopsided deal it signed with the solution says Vice President, Dr GTU case – Nandlall argued that is before the Court has no merit. response to a question from Americanoilmajor BharratJagdeo. thereisnolikelihoodofsuccess. That the two conservatory orders Kaieteur News. This publication Youngtoldtheconference,“We During a press conference on

“In a matter that based on its that are being sought are going to had asked the politician whether in Trinidad and Tobago have spent Thursday, the official said Trinidad merits,whereithasnolikelihoodof fail, they cannot be granted in the Guyana should capitalise on the last seven years, after dealing and Tobago does not have a success, the court ought not issue final analysis and if they cannot be Trinidad andTobago’s offer to help with decades of contracts, functioningoilrefinery Apartfrom orders should it be interim or granted in the final analysis as the renegotiate the contract. In his renegotiating almost all of our that, he said the wider regional otherwise…,”headded. law does not support their response, the leader said the contracts in the gas industry.” To states that require refined products

J u s t i c e K i s s o o n w a s application,thenhowcouldtheybe country should always be disposed thisend,hesaid,“Itcanbedone,so would find their external sources nevertheless not persuaded that the granted as an interim measure?” he to utilising the advice of other our ability to sit down right across forfuelimportmorecompetitiveas granting of conservatory orders queried Justice Kissoon also nations, but this does not mean that the aisle and to share with those opposed to using Trinidad. He also would prejudice the case As such, granted the AG seven days to it should be subjected to the term who are now entering into the noted that those nations would be hetoldtheAGthatcourtcouldeither respond to the GTU’s case and ‘renegotiation’.

negotiations of their PSCs better off with renewable energy utilise its discretion and grant the scheduled March 20th for Norton said, “I have said from (Production Sharing Contracts), solutions to tie into their respective conservatory orders maintaining the substantive hearing of the mater the inception that we believe the their E&P (Exploration and grids. status quo or be given an assurance On Tuesday through a court filing, law the contract provides for us to Production) Licenses etcetera Theofficialmadethisknownas thattheGovernmentwouldmaintain Nandlall had originally requested engage Exxon to get a better deal should not be underestimated, herespondedtoquestionsaboutthe the status quo would not proceed 14daystorespondtotheunion. for the Guyanese people. We have because we have done the same measures or processes Guyana withdeductingtheteachers’salaries no problem with that. I have also thinginourgassupplycontractsfor wouldtaketotangiblycontributeto In response to the suggestion, Norton wants more from said that no one will choose our theupstream.” the energy security matter This Nandlalltoldthecourtthathehasno Exxon’s oil contract but not language; we are not compelled to The T&T Minister noted that follows on the heels of a suchinstructionbythegovernment prepared to renegotiate deal say renegotiate. It has connotations each and every contract negotiated recommendation by Young at the The AG, still resolute that the way past its appearance and so I augurs better in direct revenue for Guyana Energy Conference and orders should not be granted said Leader of the Opposition, wanttomakeitveryclear,nooneis the people of Trinidad and Tobago, SupplyChainExpo.Jagdeosaid, that the Government would most Aubrey Norton said he believes the going to choose the language we but perhaps more important is that (Continued on page 62)

From page 61

“Energy security for the region has to be looked at in the context of affordability and competitiveness. Right now, we are entitled to a number of barrels of crude as part of profit oil and we sell those crude basically through a marketing arrangement that is publically tendered…”

He added, “We don’t refine products here and the demand for the Region is for refined products and we don’t have a refinery except for Trinidad and that refinery has been mothballed since2018 ”

The Vice President said no one at this time is aware of what it would take for Trinidad to rehabilitate that structure and bring think we have a role, we have a it into production mode. He said responsibility We are part of a one is also not aware if Young’s region and I believe that part of our recommendation is the most cost responsibility is to ensure that the effectiveoption. region has reliable energy,

While he holds those affordable energy and we will be reservations, he said, “ I do working with our regional partners believe however that there can be on a mechanism through which we synergies between Guyana, can help the region in having Suriname andTrinidad andTobago affordable energy and reliable country that is the premier nightthePresidentsaid,“…Onour disease”. “Can the Council keep andwearealwaysleavingopen,the energy.” ecotourism destination,” the 54thRepublic,wemakeacallonce silent in these circumstances? Of possibility of collaboration…but He further noted his belief in presidentconcluded. moretotheworldthattheatrocities course not! The international therealityisthattheothercountries the need for greater integration inGazamustcometoanendnow.” community, and this Council in are smaller and have demand for whilecallingfortheremovalofall “The atrocities in He continued, “The killing particular, must spare no effort to refinedproducts…” barriers to trade “I want us to Gaza must come to an muststopnow Theonlysolutionis end this cycle of bloodshed,” she

He added, “What those other work on removing all the barriers end now” - PresidentAli aceasefireandforthetwocountries continued. nations may need to consider at a so that this region could be to move towards a two-state It was reported widely earlier larger scale is renewable projects producing all the food that we

On the occasion of Guyana’s solution. That has always been our this month, that Algeria, a nonthatcantieintotheirgrid.” need for ourselves with Guyana of 54TH Anniversary as a Republic, fundamental position, and we call permanent member of the U.N.

Ahead of the Guyana Energy course playing a key and President Irfaan Ali repeated his on all parties to move in this Security Council, had requested a Conference and Supply Chain important role, not because of call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The direction.” council meeting to enforce an Expo, President Ali had conducted anything else, but because we President’s call comes weeks after The President reminded International Court of Justice (ICJ) an interview on the event’s Energy have a competitive advantage G u y a n a ’ s P e r m a n e n t Guyanese that the small South ruling regarding Israel and hinted Perspectives Podcast, where he here,”saidthepresident. Representative to the United American nation has been that it will call for ceasefire in a spoke about Guyana’s role in The Guyanese leader also Nations Ambassador Carolyn consistent in its position on the draft Resolution. That call by regionalenergysecurity. stressed that he intends for Guyana Rodrigues-Birkett registered the Israel/Palestineconflict. Algeria before the UN has since

Given the nation’s oil and gas tobeknownformorethanjustoil. country’s call for a ceasefire in the Guyana has, for years, called beenvetoedbytheUnitedStates. wealth in the ExxonMobil- “We want to be known as a war between Israel and Gaza at the for the two states to co-exist A genocide case against Israel operated Stabroek Block, Ali was country with a diversified United Nations (UN) Security peacefully Such a solution to the was brought before the ICJ on toldthatmanyofGuyana’sregional economic base that is providing Council. Israel/ Palestine conflict would December 29, 2023 by South partnersareexpectingthatitplaysa leadershiponfood,climate,energy, In his address at a flag-raising result in an independent State of Africa. The ICJ gave its ruling on leading role in regional energy and has the highest level of skill, ceremony held in the compound of Palestine alongside the State of the case almost a month later on Israel.

January26,2023.Thecourtdidnot

Earlier this month, at a meeting grantSouthAfrica’skeyrequestfor oftheUNSecurityCouncilchaired aceasefireintheregionbutrejected by Guyana, Rodrigues-Birkett told Israel’s request to throw out the the international media that genocide case. It found that there is Guyana does not believe that “we a plausible “imminent risk” that shouldnotwaitanotherdayforthat Palestinians require protection and for a ceasefire.” Rodrigues- Birkett concluded that Gaza’s population was at the time responding to was “extremely vulnerable. The questionsfromjournalistsatapress court reportedly acknowledged too briefing. that some of the emergency

The UN Security Council measures sought by South Africa meeting was convened later that were essential to preserving dayandRodrigues-Birkettduringa Palestinianrights. statement urged swift resolution of The ICJ did not order a thesituationtobenefitthoseinneed ceasefire but ruled that Israel must of assistance and emphasised that a take must steps to prevent ceasefireispriority genocidal acts. Other measures

“Following developments in include punishing incitement to the war and listening to the Genocide and immediately briefings by UN agencies…one enabling humanitarian relief in the maybemovedtowonderwhethera GazaStrip.

bounty exists on the head of every Since the beginning of the war Palestinian child, man or woman”, on October 7, it has reportedly Rodrigues-Birkett said while displaced about 1.9 million people adding that although some of Gaza’s 2.3 million population. Palestinians managed bombs and More than 25,700 people have also bullets, they still “face the dire been killed in the Israeli assault,

U.S. rice exports to Haiti have unhealthy levels of arsenic, study finds

PORT-AU-PRINCE,

Feb23(Reuters)-U.S.rice exports to Haiti, which account for the bulk of suppliesofthecountry’skey food staple, contain unhealthy levels of arsenic and cadmium, heavy metals that can increase risks of cancer and heart disease, according to a recent study by the University of Michigan.

Haiti is among the United States’top buyers of rice, alongside Mexico and Japan,andcheapimportsare more affordable than local options in the Caribbean nation, the poorest state in theWesternHemisphere.

According to the study, average arsenic and cadmium concentrations werenearlytwiceashighin imported rice compared to Haitian-grownproduct,with some imported samples exceeding international limits.

Nearly all imported rice samples exceeded the U.S.

F o o d a n d D r u g A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s recommendation for children’sconsumption.

The study did not evaluate levels of toxins in otherimportingcountries.

The U.S. FDAand State Department did not immediately respond to a requestforcomment.

The study, which attributed the dominance of imported rice to lower import tariffs and longterm contracts signed during political turmoil in the late 1980s and 1990s, said Haiti imports

nearly 90% of its rice, almost exclusively from theU.S.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who helped pushsubsidiesofU.S. rice to Haiti, later called themovea“mistake”saying it had battered local productioncapacity

Thestudyalsopointedto comparatively loose U S limits on concentrations arsenicandcadmium,which can leach from both human and naturally occurring sourcestocontaminatefood andwater

Riceisespeciallyprone toabsorbthesemetals.

The report cited Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas as top exporting states.

When researchers ran thestudyin2020,theyfound that Haitians on average consumed85kg(187lbs.) of rice per year, compared to 12 kg in the U S , putting especially youngHaitiansatfargreater risk of developing related healthcomplications.

“The flooding of U.S. rice into Haiti is not only economically violent for Haitian peyizan who struggle to sell their local product, but also violent toward the long-term health of Haitian consumers,” the reportsaid.

“By maintaining a system dependent almost exclusively on U S rice, Haiti is importing a substantial amount of risk ”

Thereportcalledforan ethical investigation into

Caribbean officials search for 2 people aboard a yacht they say was hijacked by 3 escaped prisoners

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico(AP)—Authoritiesin the eastern Caribbean said they were trying to locate two people believed to be U.S. citizens who were aboard a yacht that was hijacked by three escaped prisonersfromGrenada.

The Royal Grenada Police Force said in a statement released on Friday that they were working on leads “that suggest” the two occupants oftheyachtmayhavebeen killed.

“Thisinvestigationisin its infancy stage,” police said.

The non-profit Salty Dawg Sailing Association identified the owners as

U S rice exporters, measures to strengthen Haiti’s agricultural sector and flagged a “dire need” to boost the country’s food safetyregulations

A violent conflict between heavily armed gangshasbeenspreadingto Haitian farmlands, further pushingupfoodprices.

The United Nations estimatesover300,000have fled their homes and that some40%ofthepopulation isgoinghungry

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel. It said they are “veteran cruisers” and long time members of the association, calling them “warm hearted and capable.” A relative of Hendry didn’t immediately return a message seeking commentonSaturday.

The association said that a cruising skipper had contacted the association about a member’s yacht, Simplicity, that was found “anchored and abandoned” off a beach on the island of St Vincent “The good Samaritan had boarded the boat and noted that the owners werenotonboard andfound (Continuedonpage65)

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Taxi driver shot dead during row over parking

A taxi driver was shot dead early Saturday morning at Alexander Street, Georgetown (in the vicinity of Bourda Market) during a row over a parking spot.

Dead is 41-year-old Eon Holder of Lot 2498 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Holder was killed around 05:30 hrs. in front of Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), located on Alexander Street.

According to police, the alleged murder was committed by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun. Police related that at about 04:40hrs, Holder was at a taxi service working his motor car PRR 271, when he was hired by a 50-year-old businessman of Queenstown, Georgetown, to go at the Bourda Market and purchase vegetables.

Upon arrival at Alexander

Street, the businessman exited the car and was walking towards Bourda Market, leaving the victim (Holder) to look for a parking space.

The businessman reportedly claimed that after five minutes, his ears were filled with sounds of loud explosion. After hearing the explosion, he looked back and saw Holder lying on the ground about 15 feet away from his car in a pool of blood.

The businessman said he saw two men, one reportedly armed with a handgun, running away from the bloody crime scene.

Reports are that witnesses informed Police that the taxi driver reportedly parked his car in the middle of the street, blocking other vehicles from passing. This angered one of the suspects

who whipped out a handgun and discharged a round at the taxi driver.

Thereafter, the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) were summoned, and the victim was pronounced dead by a doctor from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Following an examination

of the body, it was noticed that Holder sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his face.

Police in a statement said Holder’s body is at the Memorial Funeral Home awaiting Post Mortem Examination (PME).

Investigations are ongoing.

Guyana signs US$150M loan agreement...

From page 19 place on the IDB as a longstanding provider of development support at scale, but also because of the IDB demonstrated reliability and trustworthiness as a development partner over the years.” Minister Singh also highlighted the bank’s pivotal role during Guyana’s economic evolution.

Reflecting on the historical ties between Guyana and

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the IDB, Minister Singh noted that since joining the bank circa 1877, Guyana has benefitted from over US$2 billion worth of support for public sector operations.

Amidst Guyana’s current era of rapid economic growth and transformation under President Irfaan Ali’s leadership, Minister Singh underscored the government’s un-

wavering commitment to improving the lives of all citizens. This commitment, he noted, includes building resilience for the medium and long term by diversifying the economic base and enhancing competitiveness across all sectors while prioritizing fiscal and environmental sustainability.

Turning to the consultation’s agenda, Minister Ashni highlighted the importance of discussing the IDB Group’s future strategies and goals.

He expressed particular interest in the bank’s regional development plan under the banner of “One Caribbean,” aligning with Guyana’s pursuit of “One Guyana.”

Miss World Guyana's majestic...

From page 35 with the National Dance Company of Guyana, where he honed his craft and earned acclaim for his contributions.

In addition to his remarkable dance career, Mwanza Glenn is the principal fashion designer of Wanza's Designs, a revered fashion brand renowned for its memorable silhouettes and multicultural aesthetic.

His fusion of Caribbean culture with couture has garnered widespread acclaim, including represent-

ing Guyana as the country ambassador at Mission Catwalk, the Caribbean version of Project Runway.

With countless collections, accolades for best gowns, and recognition for his creations, Mwanza continues to elevate the fashion landscape in Guyana and beyond.

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Mwanza Glenn is also an accomplished actor, appearing in Guyana's most famous radio serial drama, and a dedicated dance teacher, imparting

his expertise to youths across various schools in Guyana.

His unwavering commitment to the arts has earned him numerous accolades, including the Guyana Cultural Association of New York Youth Award 2015, several City Council Citations from the New York City Council, and the BrandYouth 40/40 Entrepreneurial Award 2019, among others.

(Adapted from Miss World Guyana Facebook Page)

Duo busted with G$64M in cocaine...

From page 54 suspected drugs were then escorted to the CANU’s headquarters. Tests done on the parcels confirmed them to be cocaine weighing 71.2 kg, with an estimated street value of GY$64,000,000.

Kaieteur News understands that the drugs were to be loaded on a British Airways Flight bound for St. Lucia (UVF), with onwards connection to the United Kingdom.

Providing that the drugs

had reached its intended destination, estimated street value would have been over £3,000,000 which is equivalent to approximately GY$679,000,000.

Investigations are ongoing.

‘Do not be solely dependent on oil; develop other sectors to avoid oil curse’ – Nigerian businessman

of one of Nigeria’s largest “indigenous” oil companies, Oando PLC, said that “God took some extra time” when he was givingGuyanaoil.

Tinubu made the statement at the recently concluded Guyana Energy Conference and Supply ChainExpothatwasheldat the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Kingston while cautioning Guyana to pay attention to all its sectors even as oil productionincreases.

“It’s almost as if God was a natural resource man, he took extra time to make surethatallhisdreamscame through when it came to giving Guyana this natural resource,”WaleTinubu told the attendees on day two of theconference.

In 2015 American oil giant, ExxonMobil discovered some 11 billion barrelsofoilintheStabroek Block; a lucrative oil block located some 120 miles offshore Guyana. The block is a massive one that encompasses a total area of 6.6 million acres-a size that is equivalent to 1, 150 Gulf ofMexicoblocksandalarge portion of it is still unexploredsotheremightbe more massive and lucrative discoveriesinthefuture.

Not only is the find significant in terms of the billions of barrels discoveredbutthequalityof the crude in the Stabroek Block is of high quality and itsproductioncostisamong thecheapestintheworld.Oil majorsdescribetheoilinthe Stabroek Block as “Light SweetCrude”.

Pundits along with Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat

Jagdeo acknowledged that the country has been shortchanged by signing a lopsided oil deal for the Stabreok Block. They all agree that the contract favours the American oil companymorethanGuyana.

While Tinubu did not comment on Guyana’s oil deal during his presentation attheEnergyConference,he praised the country’s local content policy as one of the mostrobustintheworldand gave his opinion of a winningoilandgasstrategy

He explained that “it includes everything but oil” while explaining that Nigeria had hydrocarbons (oilandgas)forthe60to70 years and while there was some benefit, the country suffered a lot because of its overrelianceonthesector

“As you would see my conclusionisnotnecessarily technical; it is never really about the oil industry, it’s really about everything else but the oil industry,” the Nigerianbusinessmansaid.

Afterexplainingsomeof the challenges that African

oil and gas companies face including the lack of financing from European and North American banks, he talked about some of the dangers a country can face when it is not prepared for the industry, pointing specificallytoinflation.

“As the oil sector extracts oil, the oil sector pools in a lot of investment and the oil sector requires a lotofresourcesandtheywill pay anything to ensure that they get the resource they need and it creates an inflation within society,” Tinubusaidwhileadding,“I will give you a very simple example, I started the industry with a 1945 tanker called Carolina, it was the onlytankerthatIcouldhave chartered. It was old…but that was all I could afford andtheonlyjobIgotwasto takedieselfueltothefishing trawlers and then one day somebody told me that the oilguysareshootingseismic offshoreNigeria.Theywere just launching the thing and the fuel I sold for 30 cents perliterIcouldsellitfora$1 alitreandItookthefuelover there.”

T h e A f r i c a n businessman said, “And all ofasuddenItookallthefuel I was delivering I said goodbye fishing trawlers. I am not interested in your lobster and your shrimp anymore.”

The business man explained that by chasing more money for his fuel, he partially contributed to killing the lobster and shrimp industry in his country because there was no more fuel for the fishermen. All was being consumedbytheoilandgas sector

Over years, he said, that the seafood sector declined significantly

Caribbean officials search...

Frompage63 evidence of apparent violence,” the association saidinastatementThursday

The association said Hendry and Brandel had sailedtheyachtinlastyear’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and were spending the winter cruising in the easternCaribbean.

“This is a very upsetting event and details are still unconfirmed by the authorities, but this does appeartobeatragicevent,” said Bob Osborn, the

association’s president. “In all my years of cruising the Caribbean, I have never heardofanythinglikethis.”

Hendry’sfamilyissueda statement on Saturday thanking police, local coast guards and all those who helped authorities gather information.

“It means so much to us that so many people cared for Ralph and Kathy as friends and fellow cruisers that they are willing to stop and help in whatever way possible,”thefamilysaid. They also asked that all

“Similarly the same thinghappenedwithalotof ourotherresources.Wewere the number one producer of cocoa in the world number one and two in ground nuts, number two in palm and now we import palmoilintothecountry We

arelikenumbersixorseven incocoabutthewholefocus ofoureconomyhadbecome oil,”hestated.

Tinubu noted that Nigeria had earned lots of moneyfromoilandfailedto developitsothersectors.

“So it is critical that if

those trying to conduct independent searches to “standdown.”

“The only way we feel this situation could be worse would be if anyone was hurt or endangered trying to conduct searches,” the family said Authorities in

Grenada said they have dispatched senior investigators and a forensic specialist to the nearby island of St Vincent, where the escaped prisoners were arrestedonWednesday

you want to have a winning strategy in oil, you have to focusonensuringthatevery other natural competitive advantage you have in Guyanaisdrivenusingyour oil wealth to drive it,”

Tinubuadvisedattheenergy conference.

Israeli air raid hits residence, kills at least seven in Gaza’s Rafah

Aljazeera-Israeliforces have killed at least seven people, including a child, in Rafah, in the latest deadly attack on Palestinians struggling to survive in the southernGazaStrip’slargest city

An Israeli air raid hit a

residential building belonging to the Shahin family on Saturday, housing displaced people from the Abu Hamra andAbu Sultan families, the Palestinian state news agency Wafa reported.

The air attack hit a busy

road leading to a market, causingmajordestructionto buildings and cars, according to Al Jazeera’s team in Rafah. Bodies were seen scattered on the road, with women, children, and the elderly among the victims.

Bodies seen scattered on road after Israeli forces hit a residential home in city filled with displaced Palestinians.

“Mymother myfather

They ran for their lives from Khan Younis,” a man told Al Jazeera. “I brought them here to take shelter in my home They escaped death in Khan Younis to die in my hands How can I liveafterthem?”

Addressing the Israeli forces,hesaid,“Killme,soI canjointhem.”

Another man told Al Jazeera that he was walking with friends towards alAwdaHospitalwhenallofa sudden “a massive explosion”occurred.

“Iwasthrownintotheair andsawallthosearoundme flying around, others torn to pieces,” he said. “I passed out and woke up to find myself here in the hospital. TheIsraeliwarplanesfireda missile on one residential building in a very crowded area; hundreds walking on the street, trying to get their handsonsomefood.”

“The Israeli occupying forces have no mercy; they havenomercyontheyoung or the elder, women or babies,” he added “The Israelis have no respect to any law or human rights. They lost their humanity; targeting innocent displaced civilians; killing everyone, women and children, out of revenge.”

“The missile hit 20 metres[66feet]frommeand I miraculously survived by thegraceofGod.”

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Rafah said the victims have beentakentoYusufal-Najjar HospitalinRafah.

“Theareashookasifan earthquake hit it; there was complete destruction and fireeverywhere,”hesaid.

“Cars were incinerated and people on the sidewalks were critically injured Victims were also pulled from under the building’s rubble.

“Seven people were reportedkilled,fiveofwhom

havebeenidentified.Twoof them could not be identified as they were incinerated beyondrecognition.”

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli forces committed eight “massacresagainstfamilies” in the Gaza Strip, killing 92 peopleinthelast24hours.

The ministry added that Israeli forces have stopped ambulances and civil defencecrewsfromreaching victims buried beneath the rubbleandlyingonroads.

Israel has pounded the GazaStripsincetheOctober 7 cross-border attack by Hamas, killing more than 29,600 Palestinians and causing mass destruction andshortagesofnecessities. Nearly 70,000 people have been injured in the besieged enclave.About1,200Israelis are believed to have been killedintheHamasattack.

According to the UN, severefoodinsecurityisata catastrophic level throughout the Gaza Strip, with increasing reports of families struggling to feed their children, and an increasingriskofstarvationrelateddeathsinthenorthern areaofthestrip.

“The risk of famine in Gaza is increasing by the day, particularly for an estimated 300,000 people in northern Gaza who have been predominantly cut off from assistance and where food security assessments show the greatest needs,” accordingtotheWorldFood Programme ‘Talks are progressing’ With more Palestiniansdyingwitheach day of Israel’s war on Gaza, negotiations for a deal for a ceasefirehavecontinued.

TheIsraeliwarcabinetis settomeetonSaturdaytobe briefed by negotiators who held talks in Paris with representativesoftheUnited States, Israel, Egypt and Qatar on a possible truce, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s

national security adviser said.

Tzachi Hanegbi told Israel’s Channel 12 that the cabinet meeting “shows that they[thenegotiators]didnot comebackempty-handed”.

Reports emerged earlier onSaturdaythatanewdraft for a captive deal had been agreedintheParismeeting.

The updated outline proposes that Hamas releases around 40 captives heldinGazainexchangefor a six-week ceasefire and the freeing of hundreds of Palestinianprisonersheldby Israel,sourcestoldAxios.

CIA director Bill Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and AbbasKamel,thedirectorof Egyptian intelligence, participatedinthetalks.

The Israeli delegation included the director of Mossad, Shin Bet, and Israeli Forces intelligence, who will brief the war cabinet later Saturday or Sunday

If the cabinet approves the new proposal, follow-up meetings will take place in thecomingdays.

Axios reported that Biden administration officialssaidtheywanttotry to get a deal before the start ofRamadanonMarch10.

According to a source cited by Israeli media, further details of the negotiations, such as the number and identity of the prisonerstobereleased,still depends on Qatari and Egyptian negotiators getting Hamas to agree to the new proposalaswell.

A foreign diplomat told Israeli newspaper Haaretz that “the talks are progressing” and as “all parties are showing flexibility, a deal can be reached before [the holy monthof]Ramadan”.

“Any further progress is at the hands of Hamas,” he said.

S

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

increases at year end while thecountry’swealthisbeing divided among the already rich foreigners and greedy politicians. Can our nation truly celebrate their hard worktoday?

SATURDAY

UNDAY

FEBRUARY18,2024

TOBAGOINSERIOUS TROUBLE

Trinidad was dragging along, now Tobago is being draggeddown Amysteriousoilspilland T&T caught naked and defenseless

There was time and space for T&T to get its houseinorder,protectitself

Leaderswastedtime,had otherpriorities

Now, serious trouble loomsforTobago

Guyanese leaders and ordinary Guyanese must takenote

Leaders must stop playing games with safety andeconomicsecurity

OrdinaryGuyanesemust forcetheirleaders’hands

Get proper coverage, get itnow,getitoutintheopen

What is now faced by Tobago could be what trips usup

Take precautions, get coverage,gettoExxon

Getittowhatisrightfor Guyana

MONDAY

FEBRUARY19,2024

THEPRESIDENT SHOULDDOBETTER

Teachers have objected toPresidentIrfaanAli’stone, the dismissive manner in whichhehasdealtwiththeir situation.

The President has been aggressive, reeked with hostility, in his efforts to intimidateGuyana’sstriking educators with his powerful office, the bludgeons of his words.

We agree that President Alishoulddobetter,bemore presidential, carry the dignityofhishighofficeata

statesmanlikelevel.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY20,2024

TEACHERS PROTESTINGINTHE MIDSTOFPLENTY

The contrast was so glaring, the divide exaggerated Teachers protestingforalivablewage onWaterStreetonMondayjust a stone’s throw away from where the well-to-do; theoilmastersweremeeting forathree-dayconference.

At the Guyana Marriott wheretheenergyconference is being held, a booth for three days cost over GYD$1M,whilenoneofour teachers from head to toe, takes home at the end of month,anythingclosetohalf ofthatamount.

As the teachers chanted anddisplayedtheirplacardsthe head of a caring g o v e r n m e n t w a s comfortably mingling and perhaps having lunch with the big boys, but refusing to even meet with the people whoteachourchildren.

It’swhatwecallthegreat divide- poverty in the midst of plenty and a government that says ‘because we care’ with their mouths but don’t meanash..t.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY21,2024

THEWORKING CLASSISNOWTHE OPPRESSEDCLASS

The working class, once so treasured by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is now the oppressed and denouncedclass.

Oppression,notfromthe fertile minds and powerful hands of imperialists and colonialists, but from the PPP itself out to outdo the oldmasters.

They once battled Guyanese workers for every ounceofgain,eveninflicted much pain on them for their courageous efforts to get more, and do better Today, collective bargaining is tantamount to two curse words,fortheresistancethat it encounters under this government, this leadership now so characterized by deviousnessanddenial.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY22,2024

THERIGHTTIME FORTHEOPPOSITION

Will there ever be the ‘right time’ for the Opposition?

Based on its record, we don’tthinkso.

Nowisthetimetogetup andget.

But the Opposition still talkingabouttherighttime.

The oil will come to an end.

It will find the Opposition still talking aboutrighttime.

Godhelpus!

FRIDAY FEBRUARY23,2024

ACELEBRATION AFTERHARDWORK??

Mashramani, the celebration after hard work, is being celebrated today in Guyana.

This time of jubilation comes amid a massive protestactionbythemolders ofthenation’sminds.

Teachers were forced onto the streets to demand better salaries, as government continues to refusetoengagetheGuyana Teachers Union on talks for better remuneration packages. The other public sector workers are faced with similar problems receiving paltry salary

FEBRUARY,24,2024

THEOILSPILL GUARANTEESAGA

A US$2 billion oil spill guarantee,reportedlylodged

by ExxonMobil remains hiddenfromthepublic.

Thislimitedguaranteeis a meager sum, enough to takecareoflittleornothing, should a massive spill occur offshoreGuyana.

Instead of fighting with the Guyanese people for an unlimited parent guarantee from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, our government is setting the nation up for bankruptcybyacceptingthis paltrysum.

Whatisperhapsworseis that the government and the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)havecolluded to hide the terms of this guarantee which creates further unease in concerned Guyanese.

What is so sensitive about this guarantee that prevents it from coming to light? And why would any government that boasts of transparency continue to keep this document in its

West Indies O60s overcome powerful Aussies but fall short against India

In their 3rd round encounter at PBEL City, India won the toss and decided to take first strike and posted a challenging 300 for 5 wickets in their allotted 45 overs.

Opener Sanjay Beri led the charge with a brilliant 112 off 78 balls laced with 15 boundaries and 5 maximums. Sanjay added 170 for the opening partnership with Pednekar who made 66. After Sanjay left in the 26th over, West Indies pulled things back a bit but dropped too many catches and had several misfields. Sanjay survived a very strong appeal when he was just about 40+ for a caught behind decision and was very lucky to survive as the umpire

thought it had brushed the pads. Other useful contributions came from Sam David 32, Emmanuel Benjamin 26 and Balaji 21. Hafiz Mohamed was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 41.

West Indies in reply started very strongly with a 57-run opening partnership between Deonarine Deyal and Mike Heeralall who was the first to go with 29 (5 @ 4s and one six) before in form batsman Roy Singh did not last too long and succumbed at 89 for just 18.

Richard Sieuchan then joined Deyal and they proceeded to add 120 runs together in just under 20 overs. Sieuchan fell short of a de-

served half century at 48 with 5 fours. Emmerson Jordan was promoted up the order but could not repeat his heroics that he had vs Sri Lanka earlier in the week. He had a massive heave and was comprehensively bowled neck and crop. Skipper Zamin Amin then came to the crease and belted some crisp boundaries (3 @ 4s) and a maximum but lost Deyal at 227 after he had completed his century. Deyal century contained 13 sweetly timed century and a solitary maximum. Wickets then fell regularly and Windies meekly folded at 283 for 8.

In our 4th round encounter, West Indies created probably the biggest upset of the

Guyana to take on Argentina...

From page 72

tournament when they convincingly drubbed the undefeated Aussies.

The Aussies having won the toss chose to bat. Davis and Watson opened their innings on what was another flat wicket with a very fast outfield.

They lost their first wicket at 39 in the 5th over when Davis was struck plumb in front. Two runs later Watson fell the same way for 29 and the Aussies were 2/41. The two Peter’s , Jensen and Judd then took the score to 81 before Jensen fell lbw to a ball that kept low for 27. Wenham fell cheaply playing on to his stumps for 2 and they slumped to 5/95 when McGhee was smartly stum ped by Roy Singh for 4.

Hall, we’ve had to utilise the St. Stanislaus College auditorium and GCC, both of which are not the size of the surface we’ll be competing on, but we’re making the most of these facilities. We’re also in a transition phase, both in terms of players and coaching staff, the majority of the squad is either under 21 or in their early 20s and only six of the players have Indoor Pan Am Cup experience.”

would have liked to have given him a longer preparation period, he is committed to the task and will put the boys in the best position to succeed.”

Sunday February 25, 2025

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today you're unstoppable! You're a very hard worker by nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days. Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside. You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a more artistic pursuit.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Today's planetary energy should compel you to commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

Pavey and Judd set about rebuilding before Judd fell for 20. And when Pavey fell for 17 they were precariously poised at 7/121 after 23 overs. Credit to the West Indies attack who summed up the wicket and bowled great lines and off pace bowling

Johnston and Blair knuckled down and put together a decent stand of 62 before Blair was caught for 21. Carr fell at the same score 183 after a leading edge leaving us 9 down with 12 overs to go. Phil Jackson then joined Richard Johnston and they took the score to 201 before Jackson was caught in the covers. Johnston remained not out for a gritty 39 and Aussies were bowled out in the 38th over

West Indies then began their reply against the Aussies bowlers, opening with Stuart Ridge and Bobby McGhee. Ridge claimed an early wicket to have the Windies 1/22 However a series of uncharacteristic, dropped catches and a missed run out saw the second wicket put on 117 before McGhee struck to give Australia some hope of a revival with the wicket of Deyal on 139.

A wicket to Wenham next over after a smart Jensen catch and the Windies had lost both set batsmen. Mike Heeralall went for a well-played 75off 76 balls with 12 scorching boundaries and a maximum. The score then progressed slowly but surely to 183 before a Wenham one-handed special gave Judd his first wicket with Roy Singh’s wicket. Some near misses followed and when Phil Jackson took a great caught and bowled the Windies still required 18 runs. Credit to theWindies, they held their composure to get to their target score in the 40th over to record a memorable victory. spot and qualify for the semis.a

Taking over the reigns as head coach for this tournament will be former national player and Level 2 FIH coach Shane Samuels. Fernandes commented “Shane is an exceptional indoor coach, he has a great deal of experience both locally and coaching in England. His success in Indoor Hockey, both as a player and coach at the club level, made him the bestcandidate for this role. Although we

The final team of 12 players will be selected from the 17 man squad presently in training. The squad includes three overseas players in England based JamarjAssanah and Andrew Stewart and USA based Aroydy Branford. The local players include veteran captain Robert France, Medroy Scotland, Paul D’Andrade, Raoul Whittaker, Jarbari Lovell, Kareem McKenzie, Meshach Sargeant, Omar Hopkinson, ShakeemFausette, ShaquonFavorite, Shomere Garnett, Simeon Moore, Tahrea Garnett and Warren Williams.

The team is scheduled to depart on March 16th, pending the approval of their Canadian visas.a

2024 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 3 Day 4… Sinclair, Thorne and company pilot Harpy Eagles to commanding 221-run win over WIA - Thorne

(4-49), Sinclair (2-30), Permaul (2-48)

Guyana Harpy Eagles snapped their losing streak thankstoaclinicalall-round effortledbycenturionKevin Sinclair with help from pacer Isai Thorne and

company, who handed the WestIndiesAcademya221run defeat yesterday at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua. The champs did exceptionally well to

reboundfromtheirno-result in the opening round, followed by a horrid loss in round 2; now sealing an emphatic win with almost halfofthedayleft,regaining

someofthemomentumlost.

Initially,theEagleswere bowledoutfor175inthe1st innings before returning to knock over theWIAin their firstinningsforjust162.

All-rounder Sinclair slammed his maiden first classton,abreathtaking165 notoutinthesecondinnings coupled with 58 by Kemol Savory,helpingGuyanatoa whopping 415-7 in the 2nd innings.

WIA spinner Ashmead Nedd,Guyanesebybirth,was exceptional for his team and brilliantagainsthisteammates and father, Eagles Assistant CoachGarvinNedd.

Neddfinishedwith5-79in his second innings spell addingtohissolewicketfrom the first, ending 6 wickets overall, as he finished on a personalhigh.

With three wickets left in the tank and more than 200 runs for a win, Guyana kept their stranglehold on the Academywhenplayresumed onthelastday WindiesU19

pacer Thorne, starred with 449 after going wicket-less in the first innings, being the main catalyst behind keeping WIAtoa2ndinnings207 all out, but more importantly a hugewin

Overnight batsman, wicket-keeperCarltonBowenTuckettresistedforsometime andwouldeventuallyfinishon a top score of 65, which anchoredWIAonday4 as he too sought to delay the inevitable.

Bowen-Tuckett,seemingly eyeing three figures, had his plansruinedbyveteranleft-arm

spinner Veerasammy Permaul (2-48), who accounted for his wicket Sinclair (2-30) followeduphisheroicswith thebat,withsomehelpfrom Ronaldo Alimohamed and Gudakesh Motie, who grabbed a wicket each, putting the final nail in the coffintohelpGuyanaregain someconfidence.

The West Indies allrounderSinclair,finishedhis MVPmatchwithatotalof6 wickets,havingbagged4-45 in the first innings which initially put Guyana on courseforvictory

Indoor Pan American Cup 2024…

Guyana to take on Argentina and USA on opening day

The Guyana national men’shockeyteamwillhave achallengingopeningdayin the Indoor Pan American Cup, scheduled to start on the 19th of next month in Priddis, Alberta, Canada

TheGoldenArrowswillplay regional powerhouses Argentina at 1:15pm local

time,beforegoingupagainst the USA at 6:15pm. They then face Canada on March 20th, before concluding round robin play against Trinidad & Tobago on March 21st. With the semifinals and finals scheduled forMarch22nd.

Traditionally Guyana’s

strength,thiswillbethefirst time the men’s team is playing the Indoor Pan Am Cupsincetheyplaced4thon homesoilin2017.

Guyana’s best finish at thislevelwaswhentheywon bronze in 2014 in Uruguay Speaking about th

Fernandes said, “Our preparation has not been idealuptothispoint.

Due to the rennovations attheCliffAndersonSports (Continuedonpage69)

Slingerz FC signs

Slingerz FC has a n n o u n c e d Jamaican Alex Thomas, as the club’s new head coach head of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)EliteLeague.

Thomas, 41, steps in for Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard, who resigned from his position as head coach of the Vergenoegenbasedclub.

Thomas brings a

Jamaican

wealth of experience, having previously served as head coach for Jamaica Premier League teams Arnett Gardens FC and MolynesUnited.

In his playing days,

Alex Thomas as head coach

Thomas captained Jamaica’s Under-17 team during the 1999 World Cup in New Zealand and was a partof Jamaica’s Under-20 squad that competed in the 2001 U20 Youth World Cup held inArgentina. He also earned one cap for Jamaica’s senior team under Serbian Coach Bora Milutinovic during the Lunar Cup in

FC expressed enthusiasm about Thomas’ appointment, citing alignment with the club’svision.

They are confident in his ability to lead them to their second Elite League title

Thomas will make his debut as head coach on Sunday in the league’s opening match against Monedderlust JamaicanAlex Thomas

Eight races on the cards for Rising Sun today

Jumbo Jet’s Mashramani horse race set to ignite Rising Sun today

The best horses and jockeys will be on show today, Sunday February 24 attheRisingSunTurfClub, WestCoastBerbice.

Eight high-quality races are on the cards for the Jumbo Jet Throughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) Mashramani meet, which will run-off from 12:30h localtime.

The feature race will be theJumboJetGroupOpento allimportedandlocallybred horses, running at 1600 meters Top horses in Spankhurst, Phil In Echo, Easy Time, Bossalina, Jessica’s Pride, El Tarzan, and Stolen Money are the seven entries for the feature race. The winner of the feature event will bag G$ 2 million.

A total of G$10 million will be up for grabs across the eight-race program. The opening race will be the G Class and Lower running at 1400 meters. The K Class

race open to J3 First time starters will be the second race of the day while the three-year-old Guyana bred non winners of two races willfollow

Race four is the L Class and open to J3 first time starters; running at 1100 meters.Thefifthraceonthe card will be theWest Indian bred four-year-old and West Indiesthree-yearoldhorses. TheAJMsprint–handicapE & Lower horses will be the sixthraceoftheday

The penultimate race of the day is the Handicap I Class, J Class and West Indian-Bred three-year old maidens.

According to veteran journalist and administrator Glen Mohammed, all systemsareinplaceforrace day “Plans have been very successful We must commend the trainers and owners for meeting the entriesdeadlines.Wehavea very competitive eight-race

card. Horses from different variety will be on show,” Mohammedsaid.

Easy Time looks to be unstoppable, but we have StolenMoney,alothasbeen said. There will be a battle between the Corentyne horses and West Berbice

horses, and that rivalry is what brings people together.”

“Stolen Money is owned by Dennis Deoroop, who also owned Scores Even,sotheyarehopingthat StolenMoneycouldemulate Scores Even, a grey horse

also.” The track needs to be reconditionedeveryday.Mr NasurdeenMohamedJr.has investedalotingettingthese racksreadyforraceday

A lot has been done to improve the standard of the sportinGuyana. There are also works

behind the scenes to get horses more affordable for prospective owners, ”

Mohammedexplained.

Healsonotedthatalotis being done to get horses regulated, and he spoke about the importance of havingabreedingindustry

Ancelotti urges Real Madrid to press home LaLiga advantage

(SportsMax) - CarloAncelotti has urged Real Madrid not to “slip up”inSunday’sLaLigaclashwith SevillaattheBernabeu.

Victory forAncelotti’s tabletopping side will take them one step closer to reclaiming the leaguetitle.

And the manager wants them to bounce back from last week’s 1-1drawwithRayoVallecano

“LaLiga is in our hands, we can’t slip up so every game is important,” Ancelotti told a pressconference.

“We need the points to make the most of the advantage we’ve

got “The team has worked well and we’ve had time to prepare forthematch

I hope we can show our best tomorrow

We have built up a lead and wewanttomakeitcount ”

Madrid have lost just once in the league this season, against cityrivalsAtleticoinSeptember

And Ancelotti called on his players not to let their levels dropnow

He added: “The form we have to show against Sevilla is what we’ve been doing all seasonlong “We’ll have to be a solid,

hungryandmotivatedunit.

Sevilla are a team who will demand the best from us because they’reonagoodruninthesecond halfoftheseason.

“Two weeks ago I said we were moving towards the 80point mark, which brings us closertothetitle

However, that doesn’t mean we’ll win it because we know we need more points than that. But we’reclose.”

Sergio Ramos, who spent 16 years at Madrid, will face his formerclub

Ancelotti hailed Ramos’

leadership during a glowing career with the LaLiga giants whichyielded22trophies

He added: “Ramos comes back tomorrow and the Bernabeu will give him the warmestofwelcomes

He deserves it because he’s a clublegend.He’sbeenawonderful captain, an example, with his immensecharacterandpersonality

“I’ve worked with captains like (Paolo) Maldini and (John) Terrytoo

These guys help create a fantastic atmosphere among the squad.”