Kaieteur News

Guyana receives US$1.4B out of US$9.8B revenue in oil for 2022

The Stabroek Block in 2022 generated some US$9 8 billion in gross revenue, but Guyana with a 50 percent stake benefitted from a mere US$1.4 billion inprofits.

This earning also includes the two percent royaltythecountrywaspaid bytheoperatoroftheBlock, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) EEPGL is the wholly owned subsidiary of United States oil major, ExxonMobil.

According to the 2022 Annual Report by ExxonMobil, some US$7.4 billion in costs were recovered by the oil company towards its investment in the petroleum activities It also said it earned a profit share of US$0.5 billion or US$500 millionlastyear

The report states that over 100 million barrels of oilwereproducedin2022by the two operational Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vesselsthe Liza Destiny and Liza Unity “This enabled recovery of US$7.4 billion

Sales

1.4

Chart representing the US$1.4B Guyana received in 2022 (in blue) compared to the gross revenue generated by the Stabroek Block (in red) amounting to US$9.8B.

9.8

of costs, profit share of US$0.5 billion to EEPGL, and payments totaling approximately US$1 4 billion to the Natural Resource Fund through the 50 percent profit share and two percent royalty paid to the Government,” EEPGL President,AlistairRoutledge saidinthedocument.

It was reported that ExxonMobil Corporation and its partners made a

Guyana’s earnings

Stabroek Block

handsome profit from the Stabroek Block last year totalling GYD$1.23 trillion (US$5.9B). This is more than double what Guyana has received since the creation of its Natural Resource Fund in 2020. As of April, Guyana has received some US$2.4B in profit oil and royalty from the Stabroek Block operations.

According to the 2022

financials for EEPGL, it earned $577.7B in profits, a substantial increase over its 2021 earnings totaling $132B. Hess Corporation’s 2022 profit was listed as $322.7BwhileCNOOCwas $329.8B.

The partners’ profits are expected to soar beyond GY$1trilliondollarsagainin 2023 as the Payara Development Project will hit firstoilthisyear Itwillwork

alongsidetheLizaPhaseOne andLizaPhaseTwoProjects, all of which are expected to produce approximately 600,000 barrels of oil equivalentresources

Exxon and partners alreadyhavefivesanctioned projects in Guyana and are eyeing a sixth development in the oil- rich Stabroek Block.

The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) inked with ExxonMobil and its partners in 2016 has been criticizedbylocalsandeven international organizations, as the country is forced to hold the short end of the stick. Not only that, but the leaders have refused to renegotiate the deal and are instead chasing possible revenueinotherpotentialoil blocks off the country’s coast.

A s p a r t o f t h e arrangement Guyana has withExxon,thecountryonly receives a two percent royalty on the sweet light crude discovered offshore. More than 11 billion barrels ofoilhasbeendiscoveredto date.

The contract allows

Guyanese woman running for District Attorney in New York

AGuyanese woman from Mahaicony, East Coast of Demerara(ECD),RegionFiveis competinginnextTuesday’selectoralraceto become the District Attorney (DA) of Queens, New York, in the United States of America (USA).

TheDAcandidate,Devian Daniels, age 42, migrated to theBronx,NewYorkasachild and is a 2006 graduate of the Cuny Law School in Queens. Shehasbeenpracticinglawin stateofNewYorkfor16years now

itt

, Daniels throughout her career has represented a number of clients with civil and criminal matters and Family Court Cases. “She even fought for victimsofpolicebrutalityand familieswhohadnooneelseto make sure their rights were protected in the faceofadversitytimeandtimeagain”.

The Guyanese, however, has decided to runforQueensDAbecauseshewantstobea champion of fair justice and end mass

incarcerationinNewYork.

In a television interview with New York One,Danielssaid,“…Ireallythinkthatitis important that we reduce biases in our criminal court system so that we could end massincarcerationsandsothatwecouldhave a criminal system that could be fair to

unfair Danielsaddedthatmassincarceration isalsoputtingastrainontaxpayersbecauseit costs the State hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to keep offenders in New Yorkprisons.

Her campaign committee has stated that hervastexperienceasalawyerhasgivenher an inside view of injustices that lie within the NewYork judiciarysystem.

“As District Attorney, Devian Daniels would insist that everyone is represented fairly Thisincludesthemost vulnerablegroupswithinour communities;theelderly,the children, the small business owners, the undocumented, and all marginalized groups”, Daniels’Campaign Committeesaid.

ExxonMobil to deduct up to 75 percent of the revenue towards cost recovery The remaining 25 percent (profit oil) is then shared equally betweenthegovernmentand theoilcompany Thismeans that 12 5 percent of the revenue goes to Guyana, while the second 12 5 percent profit is shared with thecompany

Notably, the agreement also lacks a ring-fencing provision which allows the oil company to develop the resourcesatotherprojectsin the Stabroek Block, using therevenuefromtheprojects alreadyproducingoil.

This means that the expenses will ultimately limittheshareofprofitstobe earned. For instance, even though Guyana has paid off the expenses incurred by Exxon to develop the Liza One project, the revenue generated from that development is being still being used to finance other projects.

Aring-fencing provision would have allowed for the earningsfromthatprojectto be split evenly between the twoparties.

everyoneoutthere”.

Daniels pointed out that more than 20 yearslatertheBronxandQueensarestillthe epicenters for mass incarceration and it bothersher Shebelievestherootcausemight be that the justice system in New York is

With elections day scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Campaign Committee is calling on all GuyaneselivinginQueensto come out on Elections Day andvoteDanielsforDistrictAttorney Danielswillbecompetingagainstcurrent Queens DA, Melinda Katz and George A Grasso, former Administrative Judge of the QueensCountySupremeCourt.

Govt.proposesarmingNaturalResources Ministerwithsweepingpowersoveroilsector

The Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government’s draft Petroleum Activities Bill 2023 proposes to vest the Natural Resources Minister with sweeping powers over thehydrocarbonindustry.

According to the draft document,theministershall beempoweredtoadminister the licensing of petroleum exploration, production, storage and transportation operations; cooperate with the relevant government agencies regarding environmental and safety aspects of petroleum operations; and oversee the conduct of petroleum operations to ensure compliance with the new law, and the terms of the respective licences and petroleumagreements.

The minister is also proposed to have the power

- A commission “may” assist him with his duties

to inspect petroleum operations, seek corrective action and impose sanctions for non-compliance,develop terms of reference and qualification criteria for the grant of exploration and production rights, and grant geological storage licences fornaturalgasandlong-term storageofcarbondioxide.

Itwasfurthernotedthata company or licensee needs the written approval of the minister, to directly or indirectly assign any of the rights under a licence or petroleum agreement, whether in whole or in part, toathirdpartyoranaffiliate.

The minister would also havethepowertorequirethe licenseetomarketabroadon competitivetermsallorpart

ofthegovernment’sshareof crude oil subject to c o m m e r c i a l t e r m s established under the petroleumagreement.

The minister may even require the holders of a petroleum production licencetosupplycrudeoilin the domestic market when the needs of the domestic market exceed the Government’s entitlement fromallcrudeoilproduction inthecountry

He may also exercise any otherpowers required for the management of petroleum resources and operations carried out underthisAct.

Importantly,itisnotedin the document that the minister may delegate any

Oilcompaniescandeferormake part-paymentsofroyaltytoGuyana - draft oil law

The 10 percent royalty that the Government of Guyana (GoG) will be seekingfromoilcompaniesoperatinginthe 14newoilblocksonauctionwillbegivenan opportunity to defer these payments to a laterdate,ormakeapart-payment.

This is provided for in the new draft PetroleumExplorationandProductionAct, released by the Ministry of Natural Resources on Monday evening. The draft legislationwillreplacethe37-year-oldlaw, presently governing Guyana’s rapidly developing petroleum sector A two-week consultation on the document commenced yesterday

It is still unclear whether the new Act wouldalsoapplytothe Stabroek Block o p e r a t e d b y ExxonMobil and its p a r t n e r s T h e stabilization clause in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) contains oppressive provisions, requiring Guyana to exempt ExxonMobil and its partners from new laws if their financialbottomlinesareaffected.

According to the proposed legislation, theMinisterofNaturalResources,Vickram Bharrat can defer the royalty owed to Guyanaorenterintoanagreementwiththe Licensee for the payments to be made in parts Bharrat will only grant these adjustments after consultation with the MinisterwithresponsibilityforFinance,Dr AshniSingh.

The draft Bill states at Section 49 (1), “The Minister may, on application made to himbyalicenseeandafterconsultationwith the Minister assigned responsibility for

finance,byorder—(a)remit,inwholeorin part,anyroyaltypayablebytheapplicant,or (b) defer payment of any royalty, on such conditions(ifany)ashemayspecifyinthe order.”

Theproposedlawalsoputsapenaltyin place for any person who fails to pay the country royalty owed on or before the deadline.

ItnotesthattheMinistermay,bynotice servedontheholderofthelicence,prohibit theremovalof,oranydealingsin,or with, any petroleum from the developmentandproduction area concerned, or from any other development and production area subjecttoalicenceheld by that holder, or from both, until all outstanding royalty in arrearshasbeenpaidor untilanarrangementhas been made, and accepted by the Minister, for the payment of the royalty in arrears, and the holder shall complywiththenotice.

The draft Bill goes on to make it clear that any person who contravenes these requirements shall be guilty of an offence andshall,onsummaryconviction,beliable to a fine of $20 million and imprisonment forthreeyears.

The document is available on the Ministry of Natural Resources websites: w w w n r e g o v g y a n d www.petroluem gov.gy. A two-week consultation phase is ongoing allowing for thepublictoprovidefeedback.

Allcommentsshouldbesentviaemailto jmckenzie@nre.gov.gy during the period and by close of business on Monday, 3rd July2023.

of the powers related to administration of petroleum resources and supervision and inspection of petroleum operations to a department, agency or government body under his administrative authority

K a i e t e u r N e w s understandsthattheminister maymakeregulationsforthe purpose of giving effect to provisionsoftheAct,andin particular, but without limiting the general power, maymakeregulationsforthe execution of all works relatedtoexplorationforand production of petroleum; conservation and prevention of thewaste of petroleumor other natural resources; the form and contents of, and conditionswithrespectto,an application for the grant or renewal of licence; and the methods to be used for the measurement of petroleum, water and other substances fromawell.

Regulations can also be

mplemented to address safetyandwelfarestandards, and the health and safety of persons employed in or in connectionwithexploration, productionorconveyanceof petroleum, transportation, storage and treatment of petroleum via pipeline underground storage of natural gas, underground storageandtransportationof carbon dioxide, and any other matter that may be, or is required to be, prescribed bytheminister

The Ministry of Natural Resources released on June 19, 2023 the Petroleum ActivitiesBillforatwoweek period for public consultation.Itisexpectedto repeal and replace the Petroleum (Exploration and Production)ActCap.65:10.

The ministry explained in a statement that the Bill introduces significant improvements and safeguards related to safety, emergency response, cross

i

border unitization, supervision and monitoring requirements and authorizes the minister to prescribe regulations about key administrative and operational aspects of exploration and production activities.

Further,theBillexpands thescopeoftheproposedAct to regulate storage and pipeline transportation aspects of the oil and gas sector and empower the government to regulate, in the future, activities associated with geological storage of carbon dioxide. Exploring opportunities for potential CO2 storage sites will also enable the government to develop petroleum resources while seeking to minimize their carbon and footprint, the ministrysaid.

The draft Bill is now available for public consultation feedback until Monday,July3,2023,atthe following websites: www nre gov gy and www.petroluem.gov.gy

All comments should be sent via email to

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

NOW DRILL SHIP RATES GOING UP, WHAT ABOUT GUYANESE?

Thenewestpriceriseonthehorizoninvolvesdrillships operatinginGuyana’soffshoreoilfields. Therearefourof these drill ships, aka rigs, which operate offshore under a contract with ExxonMobil. According to a recent authoritativereport,theforecastisforthedailyratesofthese rigstoincreaseby20%. Guyanamustnowprepareforthat increasedexpensetobedeductedbeforeitsshareofoilprofit iscalculated.

Theincreaseinratesisdrivenbyrisingdemandforthese rigs, and a 20% increase is a sizable amount. It will take some time for new rig construction to materialize, and reservecapacityisclosetothelimit,withdemandreturning topre-Covidlevels. The20%increasearoundthecorner,as early as before the end of the year, will result in at least GY$16 billion more being taken out as expenses by ExxonMobil,loweringourshareofprofits. Wearriveatthat GY$16 billion amount by taking the 4 drill ships/rigs currentlyinoperationandmultiplyingtheprojectedGY$16 million increase per ship per day, which gives GY$64 millionmoreinexpensesperday,andthenmultiplyingthat by 250 working days provides a final figure of GY$16 billion. Thisconservativeapproachmaybewrongbecause ExxonMobil has been ramping up production. It does not paytohavetheseexpensiverigsidlingonweekends,forthat could slowdown operations. In the event that the rigs are being employed around the clock, then the chunk of expenses for these rigs would be just over GY$23 billion (US$115million). ThisisnoskinoffExxonMobil’steeth, sinceGuyanaispayingfortheserigs.

The first area of interest is what else is in store for Guyana through increased rates due to new oil market conditions. The second is what does that translate to for a finalnumberthatcomesoutastotalexpenses. Thethirdis thatoilpriceshavetostayclosetocurrentlevels,sothatthis country could continue to receive deposits into the Natural Resource Fund, that are similar to what it has collected in recent quarters. There is still another concern, which has beenaconstantrefrainfromthispublication.

Everything is going up, and Guyana’s poor struggle more. Pricesonalmosteveryessentialhouseholditemhave goneup,andcontinuetogoup,withfoodstuffpricesleading theway Foremphasis,wearespeakingofnecessities,and not luxuries; what is needed and not what is wanted. The automatic conclusion of many would be that Guyanese are ontopoftheworldsinceeverycalculationbyeveryexpert identifiesthemastherichestpeople(percapita)intheworld. The reality is that there is a vast difference between what jumps out from paper calculations versus what Guyanese livewith,andhowtheyareforcedtocope.

ThepainfultruthisthatGuyanesearehurtingbadly,with many unable to manage with daily bread and butter demands. Intherichestsocietyintheworld,itisastruggle tofeedfamilies,andthreemealsadayisoutofthequestion for many of them. Various reports from prestigious internationalagencieshavefurnishedevidenceofthistough state of living for Guyanese poor Prices are going up and up, and running more and more away from them, and they are on their own. Oil rig prices are scheduled to be jacked up,andothersuppliersofExxonMobilwillmostlikelyhave tofollowsuit,sothattheydonotlosefrombeinginvolvedin operationsinGuyana.

Theonesthatareheldhostageinthistimeofgreatwealth areitsowners,thepoorerclassofGuyanese. Forsure,the sitting PPPC Government has extended some help (cash grants,andfuelandenergysubsidies,amongothers),butthe total relief package still leaves citizens struggling to make endsmeet. Fortherichestpeopleintheworld,thisisamost wretched existence. The government would be better positionedtodelivermoretoGuyanese,givethemtangible relief, if only it would steel itself to renegotiate the ExxonMobil contract Both the government and ExxonMobilshouldrememberthatahungrymanisanangry man.

IS MINISTER DHARAMLALLA“GOADIE” THE PPPWILLHAVE TO CARRY, OR WILL THEY

CUT OFF THE “GOADIE” NOW?

DEAREDITOR,

As we race towards 2025,comingontheheelsof the fiery death of 20 of our Amerindian children at Mahdia, the Dharamlall scandal threatens to bring disgrace to the PPP and energisetheOppositionwho has rightly latched on to an issue that will have traction acrossGuyana.

All Guyana is glued to t h i s p r i m e - t i m e pornographicstory ThePPP must take all blame for allowing the Dharamlall issuetosimmerandboilover to the big scandal it has become now All Guyana is gluedtohowPresidentAliis handling this issue. It seems like a no-brainer that this Minister should be fired pronto to show all Guyana that the President means business about moral leadership. This is not the time to circle the wagons aroundtheMinister Thisisa moral issue not a political issue.

By waffling and wavering, the government has allowed the Opposition to take the moral high road. The Opposition is on the rightsideofthismatter,even if there are political motives too True, Minister

Dharamlall deserves due process and must be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Jim Jones, Charles Manson, Jack the Ripper, Fine Man, and Smallie were all innocent until proven guilty. The law is an ass. Even if you see somebody do something wrong in front of your own eyes, and there is an abundance of evidence, you h a v e t o c a l l t h a t “allegations ” When the PNC was rigging the 2020 electionsrightinfrontofour eyes with foreign observers watching it all, those were “allegations” of rigging. So far, the Government side is bumbling, fumbling, blundering on this issue WhydidtheMinistergetbail quickly and not held over? Why was the Minister not charged as yet?Whydid the President not fire the Minister once the Kaieteur News broke the story?

“WaitingforaPolicereport” was not the best answer When Mr Bascom appealed to the President for help and protection,didheevergetit?

When I looked at this Minister’s record here is what I found in the news reports Apparently, there was an allegation made by a

New York-based young woman who accused Minister Dharamlall of harassing her for sexPresident says she should report to the police (SN, April 2, 2022); “Accusation againstMinisterDharamlall, (SN, April 4, 2022). There was a News Room article which said Mr Dharamlall was one of a group of 6 charged –”$300M fraud charges against former GRDBdirectorsthrownout” (NR, Oct 17, 2019). The article said the Prosecutor did not show up for 3 consecutive times so the charges were dismissed Attorneys representing the persons charged included Priya Manickchand, Anil Nandlall, and others, according to the article There was another headline, “US revokes visas of MPs Seeraj, Dharamlall,” (SN, June16,2017).Itappearsas ifthiswasrelatedtothefraud charges which were dropped,andvisasmayhave beenrestored.

There was another article,“CopsprobingPPP MP over alleged shooting threat,” (SN, May 31, 2016). The article said, “Stabroek News was reliably informed

yesterday that Dharamlall allegedly took out his firearm and threatened to shoot an employee of the I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB) office in Guyana after he saw the individual communicating with his ex-wife.” Related articles are “PPP will continue to ‘engage’ Dharamlall over alleged shooting threat,” (SN, June 21, 2016) Another article said, “Dharamlall will have to g i v e ‘ b e l i e v a b l e ’ explanations – Jagdeo,” (SN, June 2, 2016). The articlereports,“Clearlyhe has to give explanations, solid explanations, believable explanations to the executive of the party and to us because the allegations are serious,” Jagdeotoldmembersofthe mediaatapressconference yesterday at the party’s headquarters.

In this matter, there was another report that said, “No charge to be laid against Dharamlall, (SN, June 16, 2016). The news report said, “A reliable source yesterday informed Stabroek News that the casefilewhichwassentto

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Tamùkke stands in unwavering support of survivors of sexual abuse

DEAREDITOR,

The recent reports of sexual abuse allegedly committed by sitting Member of Parliament and government minister, Nigel Dharamlall, throw into the spotlight, the particular vulnerabilities faced by Indigenouswomenandgirls inGuyana.

Itisalsoservesasastark example of unchecked power and the ways, economic and political privilege,servetoperpetrate and maintain harm against womenandgirlsinasociety marked by rampant sexual violence, intimate partner violence and femicide

Tamùkkeremainstruetoour commitment to gender justice and dismantling all systems that serve to harm women and girls We recognise the intersecting nature of these issues that make certain women and girlsparticularlyvulnerable.

Tamùkke stands in unwavering support of

survivors of sexual abuse and calls for immediate action to ensure justice, accountability, and support for all survivors. We condemnanyformofsexual violence and affirm the urgent need to dismantle rape culture and transform systemsthatperpetuateit.

To the survivor that recently shared her own story,despitemanyeffortsto silenceher:weapplaudyour bravery But we are angered that you were forced to endure such trauma We believeyou.

Wesupportyou.Wehope that you are accessing every resource possible that ensures your healing and accesstojustice.Webelieve that every survivor’s voice deserves to be heard, validated,andrespected,and we pledge to stand by them throughout their journey to recovery

We call for a thorough investigation of the recent claims against the minister,

andfurthermore,forsystems to be put in place to enable other possible survivors to step forward with their own stories.

Whatevertheoutcomeof the investigation, we expect that this minister will not returntoapositionofpower and not be given unfettered access to children The accusations (past and present) are enough to do something now Mr President,youmustact.

Today, Tamùkke calls upon the state: government officials, law enforcement agencies, and judicial systems to take decisive action to address sexual abuse crimes. We urge them to establish comprehensive legalandpolicyframeworks that protect survivors and hold all perpetrators (no matter their economic and politicalpower)accountable for their actions This includes removing barriers that hinder survivors from reporting crimes and

strengthening access to justice.

It is also imperative to address the root causes of sexual violence and dismantlethepervasiverape cultureinGuyana.

We call on educational institutions, community leaders, and media organisations to actively engage in comprehensive education and awareness campaigns. By fostering a culture of consent, bodily autonomy, and equality, we can challenge harmful stereotypes, attitudes, and behaviours that enable and normalisesexualviolence.

Yoursinsolidarity, AkolaThompson AmyYong ArianRichmond GraceHutson

EEPGLoil revenues for 2022

DEAREDITOR, Reference is made to your article dated June 202023 and captioned ‘Stabroek Block raked in US$9 8B last year, but Exxon deducted US$7.4B in costs’and I would like to make a few observations.

First, the published data in this and another letter (KN https://www kaieteurnewso nline com/2023/03/09/theaverage-cost-per-barrel-ofoil-produced-by-exxon-isquestionable-unacceptable/ ) show that EEPGL has

beenabletoextractatotalof 168.8 million barrels of oil during the period 2020 to 2023, moving from a low extraction rate of 26 6 million barrels in 2020, to 42. 2 million barrels in 2021, and to a high of 100.0 million barrels in 2023 (Table 1). Guyana’s total share of the extracted oil at 14 5 percent is 24 478 million barrels, as compared with 144 339 million barrels for EEPGL, signaling thereby a capture rateof5.90barrelsofoilfor

EEPGL to everyone barrel that Guyana receives

C o n s e q u e n t l y, t h i s distribution between EEPGL and Guyana is palpably inequitable and it must be changed so that

Guyana receives an enhanced share of its oil from its patrimony Moreover,sinceLizaIand2 have a known extractable total quantity of 1.05 billion barrels of oil; and acknowledging that during the period 2020 to 2023, a

totalof168.8millionbarrels of oil have already been extracted, this implies that the remaining quantity of 881.182millionbarrelsofoil can be extracted in 8.81 years, assuming that the extraction rate of 100 0 millionbarrelsofoilin2022 is sustained over the remainingperiod.

A s o u r f a m o u s CaribbeanLeaderhasstated, ‘oil don’t spoil’, with the addendum of unknown authorshipbeing,’butit(oil) does done’ This is the

Public officials must be beyond reproach

DEAREDITOR,

Anyone, working for government or otherwise, who engages in activities in thepublicdomain,isapublic figure. All public profile actionsofapublicfigureare public and public figures must at all times maintain strictdecorum.Sexualabuse must never be a part of their duties.

P u b l i c f i g u r e s (government officials and non-government figures) should act and behave responsibly (morally, ethically).

Theyshouldnotusetheir office or title for selfenrichment or personal benefitsoranyothergainsor to obtain sexual favors or abuse (sexually or otherwise) others They should and must conduct themselves appropriately at all times. They should not bring themselves or their officeortheirgovernmentor familiesintodisrepute.

Regrettably, that has not beenthecasewithallpublic officials in Guyana. Several of them, going back to the 1960s, were or have been known to abuse their office ortitle.Andsomedidorhave donesorepeatedlyincluding sexually violations; some stilldoasbythosewhoclaim

victimhood. Some were or are known to establish a private room in their office premises for peccadillos None was ever brought to justice.Anditisdoubtfulthat any will face justice now ‘Hush’ money was often passed When victims complained, they were (are) ignored and further victimized.

I traveled globally to some 100 countries, some multiple times, to conduct research and or to attended academicconferencesandor experiencedifferentcultures andsocio-politicosystems.I engaged public figures (elected and otherwise –those in the public domain) invirtuallyallofthem.Most public figures were or are known to take their job responsibilities seriously, and they know how to

behave or act in the public domain.They do not exploit or take advantage of the young,innocent,vulnerable, disadvantaged as some public officials did or do in Guyana. In other countries, the (White) developed ones in particular, public officials were (are) brought to account for transgressions especially those that can be described as ‘criminal’ in nature like sexual violations orfinancialcorruption.

Thenatureofthesociety h e l d ( h o l d ) t h e m accountable even for minor indiscretions.

T h e y r e s i g n e d voluntarily or were/are forcedoutbypublicpressure if not their leader Where they fail to do the right honorable thing, the people rose (rise) up forcing them out In Guyana, hardly anyone is known to be held

accountable even when incontrovertible evidence exists that they abused their office. Public pressure is very weak to hold officials accountable; officials have been known to ignore the public.

All public figures in Guyana should be held responsiblefortheiractions. Their behavior must be beyondreproach.

Where they violate trust and fail to resign, their boss must take actions against them.PresidentAliandVice President Jagdeo and heads of NGOs should have zero tolerance on abuse of office. There must be serious consequences on those who prey on the vulnerable, weak, and meek and who otherwise violate their oath ofoffice.

Yourstruly, VishnuBisram

outcomeofextractinganonrenewable resource that current technology cannot produce, but nature has provided in a fixed amount. Therefore, saving some of the oil revenue from an enhanced sharing model is necessary,forin8yearsLiza 1and2wouldbeexhausted; and oil will be extracted from the other reservoirs now being prepared for extraction.

It is therefore incumbent onourpoliticianstoconvene a Parliamentary Sitting and protect our patrimony and sovereignty; for some oil money must be saved for future generations; otherwise, this generation, a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y policymakers, would have failedthem,giventhatahole inthegroundandnothingin thebankisnotabequest.

Editor, the total revenue earned during the period

2020 to 2023 is US$13.83 billion (Table 2), with the totalcostat75percentofthe total revenue being US$10.38 billion, and total profitofUS$3.45billion(25 percent of total revenue).

Furthermore, while EEPGL during the period 2020 to 2023 received US$11 8 billion of the total revenue (88.5 percent), Guyana only received US$ 2.0 billion (14.5%).Withnotaxesbeing collected, and together with Guyanabeingexposedtothe cost of an oil spill that will damageourneighbors,these are events that can be devastating for Guyana and the region. Moreover, 14.5 p e r c e n t w o u l d b e insufficienttocoverthecost thatGuyanawillhavetopay, as our liabilities and legal costswillbesignificantover subsequentdecades. Infact, therewillbenobequestfor (Continuedonpage6)

EEPGLoil revenues for 2022

Frompage5

future generations

Incidentally, a tax holiday is a standard method used to encouragenewbusiness;but towriteareceiptforEEPGL when no taxes are collected is fraud that no government shouldcondone.Doyouhear laughter Guyana? Stop this atrocity! One of the most outrageous features of the EEPGL extractionand cost maximization model is an association in which a percentage increase (decrease) in the price of a barrel of oil is directly related to the percent increase (decrease) in the average cost of a barrel of oil.Forexample,theaverage priceofabarrelofoilin2020 isUS$40.00andtheaverage priceofabarrelofoilin2021 is US$70.48, an increase of 76percent(Table3).

At the same time, the averagecostofabarrelofoil in2020isUS$30.00,withan increase to US$52 86 in 2022, an increase of 76 percent. Likewise, the profit margin on a barrel of oil (priceofabarrelofoilminus theaveragecostofabarrelof oil)in2020isUS$10.00;and the profit margin in 2022 is US$17.62whichisalsoa76 percent increase, year on

year

Similarly,theincreasein the price between 2021 and 2022 is 39 percent and the same increase holds for the percentage increase in the averagecostofabarrelofoil and the profit margin on a barrel of oil. Lastly, the percentage increase in the price, the average cost of a barrel of oil and the profit margin between 2020 and 2023is145percent.

What is troubling and o f f e n s i v e i n t h i s arrangement is the fact that theaveragecostofabarrelof oil (ACBO) is shockingly definedinthePSAas:ACBO =0.75P,wherePistheprice of a barrel of oil and 75 percent is the share of total revenue that must be allocatedtototalcosts.

Therefore, whenever the price of a barrel of oil increases (decreases) the averagecostofabarrelofoil increases (decreases) I wouldthereforecontendthat in no circumstances should the average cost of barrel of oil include the price of a barrel of oil; for this is a deceitful way in which EEPGL is suppressing and hiding the correct profitability levels in the project.

This must stop and ‘auditing in real-time’ must begin, as the current arrangement is not working. In fact, the audited reports must be placed in the public domain,asaccountabilityfor our natural resources cannot be a state secret shared only between the policymakers andaprivatecompanythatis registered in Guyana, but incorporatedinseveralother countries. This cannot be right. Finally, there is an unsubstantiated notion that once the investment cost is recouped, the profit levels thatGuyanawillreceivewill increase.

This is at best wishful and misguided optimism, since there is nothing recorded in the PSA that confirmsthisidea.

Infact,thefurtheroutin time that a non-renewable resourceisextractedfroman existing oil reservoir, and excluding any positive shocks to oil prices in the market,revenuewilldecline from that reservoir This is what will happen in each oil reservoir So do not believe what you are told; for Guyana must get its fair

share now, since a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow, once interest rates at the Federal ReserveBankinNewYorkis not zero Furthermore, EEPGL is not investing in G u y a n a f o r o u r development; instead, they

are only interested in increasing the returns for their shareholders, and Guyanaisnotashareholder, but is identified as a ‘NonownerAssociate’, who even though owns the resource, has to take the crumbs that EEPGL throws in their

direction.Thereisworktobe doneGuyana.

As brother Bob has reminded:‘Getup,Standup, Stand-upforyourRights!’.

Sincerely,

ISMINISTERDHARAMLALLA“GOADIE”THE...

Frompage4 the DPP’s Chambers on May27wasreturnedtothe police and it has been recommended that there be no charge since the two parties had “settled” the matter Then, there is the headline, “Opposition motion seeking expulsion of Dharamlall from Parliament” (SN, February 23, 2022). This had to do with the “dildo” remark Mr Dharamlall made in parliament to a woman PNC MP But instead of Mr. Dharamlall beingmadetoapologizeor be reprimanded by the Speaker, it was “Duncan suspended from National Assembly after protesting

d i l d o r e m a r k b y Dharamlall” (SN, February10,2022).

This prompted blogger “Burch01, a year ago, to say, “Yes, indeed we are spiraling downwards. The PPP is cultivating a monster…best wishes. If you cannot see that , then you are also part of the unfoldingdecadence.”

Interestingly, there is a headline “Speaker walks out of House after opposition disobedience” (SN, June 17, 2017). The article said, “The business of the National Assembly was at a standstill for 15 minutes last evening when Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland, walked

out of the chambers in the face of a refusal by the oppositionsideofthehouse t o f o l l o w h i s directives This latest confrontation between Scotland and the Opposition Members of Parliament started when opposition backbencher

Nigel Dharamlall refused to withdraw his statement that the Government of Guyana was “decimating” the Indigenous People Dharamlall had made the statement during his presentation on a motion brought by his colleague Pauline Sukhai to withdraw the Commission of Inquiry into Land Rights.” Now Mr.

Dharamlall is accused of raping and sodomizing an Indigenous schoolgirl who is a minorThe Government side must not circle the wagons as is their usual modus operandi It must decide whether it will carry this ongoing liability, “this goadie” which is distracting from the highs of the landslide victory won at the LGE, or whether it will regain higher ground by cutting off the goadie right now The ABC/EU are watching.Somostdefinitely visabansarelikelytoreturn on all the enablers I wondered how did this fella getpromotedtoaMinister?

Sincerely, Dr.JerryJailall

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APPROVE FIRST, SEE DETAILS LATER

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This is more than the cart before the donkey.

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Approving a US$12.7B project first is signing off blindly.

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Approving projects that way is nothing less than insanity.

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Signoff first, then ask to see what the signing off was about.

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If it is not insanity, it looks close to insipidity.

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Dharamlall’s file being prepared for DPP - Crime Chief

The Guyana Police Force (GPF)iscurrentlypreparing afileontheallegedrapeofa 16-year-old indigenous girl by Local Government Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Kaieteur News on Wednesday

AccordingtoBlanhum,thefilewill then be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali Hack,SC

“Investigators are in the process of preparing the case file to forward it to the DPP for legal advice,” Blanhum said The Local Government Minister was arrested on Monday after a school girl madeanofficialreportthathe had allegedly raped and sodomised her He has been placedon$1Mbail

The allegations sparked several protests as well as publicoutcry.Dharamlallhas since proceeded on administrative leave to facilitate the probe. He has hired prominent attorney-atlaw, Nigel Hughes to representhim

Twojailedforrobbing manatBourdaMarket

TwomenwereonWednesdayjailedforrobbingaman atBourdaMarket,Lacytown,Georgetownlastyear

Theduo,AkeemSmithandDavidFernandes,robbed theirvictimidentifiedasRasheedAbdoolonDecember4, 2022.Theywerearrestedafewdayslaterandwereontrial inGeorgetownMagistrates’Courtforthelastsixmonths.

SmithandFernandeswereconvictedofthecrimeby Magistrate Rhondel Weever and on Wednesday, she sentencedthembothto18monthsinjail.

Energy security offers bold new era of regional cooperation

DPI - At the opening session of the Suriname Energy Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS), strong statements of regional cooperationweremadebyrepresentativesof Guyana,TrinidadandTobago,andSuriname intheareaofregionalEnergysecurity

Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud who representedGuyanaengagedinaMinisterial RoundtablewithAlbertRamdin,theMinister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname, and Stuart Young, Minister of Energy in Trinidad and Tobagowheretheneedforastrategicalliance inenergysecuritywasunderscored.

The roundtable discussion centered on Strategic Regional Cooperation, with particular focus on energy Among the sentiments expressed were strong calls for regional cooperation in energy, which will becomeakeydriverofeconomicgrowthand regionalintegrationintheyearstocome.

In this forum, the Foreign Secretary relayedthattheregionisonthevergeofanew and bold era of cooperation, where energy can act as an impetus for renewed and reinvigorated economic and political cooperationintheregion.

He continued to express that cheap and

reliable energy underpins strong economic growth and, in the case of Guyana, will be used as a platform on which long-term growth and sustainable policies will be enacted, especially in the arena of food security and given the leadership being offeredtotheCARICOMregionbyPresident Dr IrfaanAli.

Persaud said that an important caveat is thattheremustbeabalancedapproachtothis regional development and expansion of the energy industry with particular attention to theenvironment.Inthisregard,Persaudsaid Guyanaisagloballeaderandwillavailitself toinformsuchanapproachtoothercountries.

The CARICOM states representative concludedbycommittingtothedevelopment oftheenergyindustryinamannerthatputsits people first, protects the environment, and safeguardstheinterestsoffuturegenerations. To maximise the benefits to this approach, they reasoned that strong, strategic, and renewed regional collaboration will be neededandallcommittedtosame.

The Suriname Energy Oil and Gas summitstartedinParamariboonMondayand willconcludeonThursday

Notice of Continuation of General Members’ Meeting

21st June, 2023

The Guyana PressAssociation will continue its General Members' Meeting on July 8th, 2023 at theTheatre Guild, Parade Street, Kingston. Commencement time is 11:00 hrs.

Agenda items:

- Update on the organisation

- Amendments to GPA's Constitution

- Vote on amendments to the GPAConstitution

- Any other business

To be eligible to vote, one must be a member of theAssociation for continuous three years or more and their membership dues must be updated.

COVID-19 protocols inclusive of physical distancing, mask wearing and sanitisation are required.

THE COUNTRY’S MORAL CRISIS DEEPENS

The just concluded local government election is a reminder that the country still faces a grave moral crisis. For supporters of the APNUtohavevotedforthat party in the numbers in whichtheydidsendsasignal thatdemocracyissecondary toethnicinterest.

The PNCR, the main party in the APNU has a track-record of rigging elections In the 2020 general and regional elections, it attempted to benefitfromanattempttorig theelectionsandinsodoing itbecameapurveyoroffalse narratives to justify this scandalous attempt. For the APNUtohaveenjoyedsuch strong support in its strongholds a mere 3 years after that attempt demonstrates that the country’s moral crisis has deepened Instead of rejecting the APNU, the party was able to muster strong support in its

strongholds.

The integrity of our electionsisparamounttothe functioning of a democratic society Elections are supposed to represent the collectivewillofthepeople, granting them the power to choose their leaders and through these leaders in shaping the future of our nation When a political partyengagesinactionsthat undermine this sacred process, it not only endangers the foundation of democracy but also undermines the moral fabric ofsociety

By attempting to benefit from rigged elections, the APNU did a grievous moral wrong against the nation. But that wrong is now compounded by the large numbers which went ahead recently and voted for the APNU despite there being no acts of remorse or retraction of the false narratives which the APNU

Dem Boys Seh...

pedaled about the 2020 general and regional elections.

The act of rigging electionssubvertsthewillof the people, effectively silencing their voices and nullifying their choices. It undermines the trust of citizens in the electoral process, sowing seeds of doubt and cynicism that can take years to rectify The consequences are farreaching, eroding the legitimacy of our elected representativesandfostering disillusionment and apathy amongtheelectorate.

Rigging elections or supporting such actions is morally indefensible because it undermines the fundamental principles of fairness, equality, and democratic governance. It suppressesthevoiceandwill ofthepeopleanderodestrust intheelectoralprocess.

Rigging elections violates the moral duty to

King Sugar is on its death bed

Guyana once produced more than 400,000 tons of sugar Now we struggling fuhproduce70,000tonsperyear

Anddespitehavingonceproducedmore than 400,000 of sugar, we asking foreign peoplefuhhelpwereach100,000tonsnext year So what happen to all dem experts whenweusedtosurpass300,00otones?

We nah need nobody fuh come and tell wehowfuhproducesugarorhowfuhplant cane.We simplyneedtoplantdecaneand manufacture de sugar But we can’t do that becausesugarindustryisonlife-support

Degovernmentonlynahrealizebynow that sugar is on its death-bed. It nah gan mek...

Wegattomoveonfromsugar Thereis future in it. We can’t find the labourers,we cannot afford the costs of machinery and relaying de fields fuh de machines and we can’t produce sugar cheap. De cane fields

gan cost too much to re-prepare. Dem was neglectedfuhtoolong.

Sugarisnolongersweet.Itgangivewe more pain than nara. It can’t come back. It toofargone!

De rural economy nah gan get better with sugar It gan get worse because sugar production is a loss-making money Dem openingCanjelaterthisyear

Butwheredemgangetdeworkersfrom?

Yuh can’t even get labourers fuh wuk fuh $8,000 per day in de construction industry muchlessfuhsendpeoplefuhcutcane.

We gat to turn dem sugar lands into planting other things. We gat to turn Guysucointoafoodcorporation.

Istimefuhstopplayingdegamesandto realize that sugar gan soon die, is time fuh keepitswakeandplanfuhdecremation.Is dePPPCgattoadministerdefinalrites!

TalkHalf.Leff Half!

u p h o l d i n t e g r i t y, accountability, and respect for the rights and choices of citizens. It is a betrayal of democratic ideals and undermines the foundation of a just and equitable society.

To vote for a party that hasbeencomplicitinrigging elections, despite knowing the extent of their misconduct, is to betray the values that define us as responsible citizens It compromises the principles of justice, equality, and accountability that we hold dear By supporting such a party, we not only condone their past actions but also actively participate in the erosion of our democratic ideals.Moreover,votingfora party complicit in rigging elections ends a dangerous message. It sends a message that the attempt to benefit from rigged elections have been forgiven and that they will be no consequences for those complicit in this attempt.

By rewarding immoral

conduct with their votes, citizens inadvertently empower those who seek to manipulate the democratic process for their own gain, further entrenching their positionsofpower.

Morally, citizens cannot not turn a blind eye to or justify the actions of a party that has engaged in rigging orattemptingtobenefitfrom rigging Citizens’ moral compasses should guide themtovoteinamannerthat upholds of honesty and fairness.

Bychoosingtovotefora party that is tainted by the recent stain of electoral manipulation, sends a message that the erosion of democraticprincipleswillbe toleratedandexcused.Isthis the message which our children should be witnessing?

Orshouldtheybeseeing e x p r e s s i o n s o f a commitment to fairness, justice, and transparency, signaling to future leaders that citizens will demand nothinglessthanthehighest

standards of accountability andethicalconduct.

The just concluded local government elections have set the nation backward While the ruling PPPC has made multi-racial inroads, these were not significant and were cancelled out by the convincing victories which theAPNU enjoyed in itsstrongholdsandgenerally bythepolarizednatureofthe votingpatterns.

June 12th was another sad day for Guyana. Instead of turning the corner on ethnic voting, the electorate as Guyana seems to have stayedstuckinthepast.

(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.)

H@RD TRUTHS

ISSUES WITH BHARRAT JAGDEO – SETTING RECORD STRAIGHT

Itistimetocleartheair Concernsabouttheman,the citizen, Bharrat Jagdeo are secondaryinconsiderations, discarded to graveyards. I have serious problems, however, with Guyana’s Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, now a president of manyportfolios. Thisismy position. Take it, live with it. Or leave it. Brother Jagdeo’s personal life is his business, despite his elevation in Guyana’s political hierarchy Actions relative to sugar and hotel and bridge, and more, are dumped into the dungeons of non-consideration Buried! It is how remote and immaterial such are today, notwithstanding continuums. What he does, doesn’t do, in other spheres ofcurrentnationalactivities are what attracts interest, public comment, and fair comment published. Such is my right. It will not be relinquished. Period. Regardless of slings and arrows, including poisoned

ones.Itisthesanctifiedright of all to free and fair comment, the products of unpaid, uninfluenced independent thought; it is theinviolablerightofothers totakeobjection. AllIaskis thattruthandwhatisbestfor the poor, hurting, strugglingGuyanesetakethe highest priority The principled, not the partisan, is what should be paramount What is the composite that Dr Jagdeo projects today? VP Jagdeo is the man overseeing the money (sorry Ashni). VP Jagdeo masterminds Local Government. VP Jagdeo is president, except for the officialtitle(asacourtesyto His Excellency). I jettison ‘defacto’qualifier,giventhe sweep, sprawl, and commanding power of this brother. Most of all, VP Jagdeo stands over Guyana’s oil wealth; and because it represents so much,Iarticulate,ventilate. I laud illustrious

Guyanese with PhDs, JDs,

MDs,DDs,whobelievethat itistheirpatrioticdutytorun interference for VP Jagdeo, as a matter of partisan or tribal honor I also pity them. I don’t know what they say or write, or care whatoffenseistakenatwhat I table publicly It seems, however, there is this f a s c i n a t i o n , distinctiveaddiction, with what I present to contemporaries,engravefor posterity That, too, is their sacredright;amcomfortable not reciprocating. It means that writings hit the right notes, sensitive tissues Withseasonededitors. With readers. And other notes withthosedisagreeing.

Iinformthelatter:when V P J a g d e o m a k e s distortions and fabrications lesshisfavoritefirstfriends, lesshischronic,compulsive characteristics, then matters could be seen their way. It would be inhuman of me to ask that he banishes distortions andfabrications completely; just not

possible. But honestly try he must,though that adverb maybealientohislife. This is what is required for this i n c o m p a r a b l e o i l endowment of Guyana.This iswhereIstandwiththisoil warrior for Exxon and America. Which Guyanese is so low, so lacking in personal honor, to stand in opposition? VP Jagdeo can beabusivetoGuyanese;yet he grovels submissively beforeexploiters. Hecanbe aggressive with locals, but so passive under the heel of foreigners. Today, he is more Routledge than Routledge. Imagine if he says: ‘Guyana cannot, will not,goonlikethis. Ispeak for the Guyanese people, and this is trash, is trashed.’ Respectfollows. Iproceed. Neither sugar nor rice nor gold is it. Therefore, only the most careful, conscientious, and completelycleanhusbandry will possibly suffice to give allGuyaneseatasteofwhat it means to be the richest people on earth. When VP Jagdeodoestherightthings, then Guyanese don’t live with paper proofs of richness; they live with the unchallengeable power, purity,oftheirreality

I i d e n t i f y parallels to deliver messages today The Americans used LFS Burnham to cripple, then condemn, Dr CB Jagan to grimmest wilderness. Endless dirges ofGreektragedies,Guyanastyle, sounded. National disaster is neither play nor the pantomimes of pretenders on public platforms But of real people, and we should have learned that the clever and treacherousGreeksoftoday are my fellow Americans. Just look at us, Guyanese. Without invitation, without regardforpersonalprinciple (evenappearance),thereare the PhDs, JDs, and others who shamelessly prostrate learning, their pride in motherland, under the boot of self-enrichers. Brown nosing is us. Burnham was aboutlustyambition. What aretoday’sBurnhamsonthe PPPside (ironically) about? Cult leadership? Love of money? Racial inferiority complex? Cultural bondage? Again,thattoois their choice and their right. But, please, I plead, do not askthoseofme;donoteven attempttoplacethosedunce capsonthishead.

When VP Jagdeo is about the immaculacy of leadership stewardship with the oil gift of the Guyanese people,thenheismorethan brother, he is best friend. I will be his first applauder, resolute defender Since he has been reduced to obfuscations, contortions, and innovations reeking of palpable disingenuousness, thenitwouldbeaninsultto intelligence and ancestors, to partner with rank injustices. Excludemefrom patentedself-enriching American manufactures with the oil of the impoverished hopefuls, the nectar of what should be theirdestiny Onelastthing: writingsareafreeserviceto all Guyanese, including denouncers.Dowhatisright, VP Jagdeo -prove me wrong.

(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.)

Surinamese preacher accused of raping 12-year-old Guyanese girl

Apreacherfromachurch in Paramaribo, Suriname is being accused of grooming and raping a 12-year-old Guyanese girl since she was eight-years-old.

Thechild,whowasborn in Suriname to Guyanese parents, has been residing with her mother in the neighbouring country ever since she was a baby

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Tuesday in the presence of her mother and another relative, the young girldetailedhowitallstarted by a man– a preacher who she trusted, who her mother had trusted since his family had offered to take care of her when her mother went offtowork.

Theyounggirlexplained to this publication that she first met the preacher at the age of eight. The young girl related that at the time she and mother were staying with her grandmother in Paramaribo. One day her grandmother took her to a church in the community where the man would carry out worship services when the pastors were not around. There she met him through hergrandmotherandafterhe hadofferedthemclothesfor herandhermother

“It begin when my grandmother was bringing me to church, the same church where he was going, hesawmygrandmotherand he and her start talking and he said that how he get clothes for me and my mother and then she said

okay then she would send me, and then she send me and he give me clothes and from then I start going and going,”thechildrecalled.

Afterawhilethegirlsaid she had stopped living with thegrandmother Themother related to this publication that after meeting with the preacherandhisfamily,they had formed a connection withthemandsinceshewas not living with the grandmother anymore, she would ask for the preacher and his family to look after herdaughtersinceshewould havetogotoworkinanother area some 30 minutes away from where they lived. She added that the girl would sometimes sleepover and spends the weekends at the pastor while she would do other jobs just to make ends meet.

Theyounggirlcontinued that one afternoon when she had to stay with the family since her mother went away forwork,shewasplayingin the yard with some friends and had complained to the preacherthathertummywas aching.

“A day I was running with some children and my bellywashurtingandhesaid hewouldmassageme,when he start massaging my belly he then pushed his hands under my clothes,” she recalled. She said the man then fondled her. She mentioned that he had allegedly threatened to kill her and her mother if she only talked about what

- preyed on child from age 8

happened. Fearful of her safety and her mother’s, the young girl said she had stayed quiet about what had happenedtoher

Thechildwentontostate that after a few weeks, the man then began to trouble her in the nights, when his family was asleep She alleged that he would continue to molest and kiss her According to her, this behaviour had continued many nights and days since she was eight years old. She claimed that the preacher would sometimes cover her mouth and physically abuse her so as to keep her mouth shutorfromscreaming.

When asked if she had everoncereportedthistoher mother, she said that one time she did, telling her that shedidnotwanttostaywith the preacher’s family anymore.Shesaidatthetime she did not state the reason for that because she was afraid.

On another occasion the girl recalled telling her mother about an incident where the man had kissed herbutthiswasdismissedby her mother Her mother said atthetimeshedidnottakeit for anything serious. She said too that she had even told the man’s daughter, but according to her, the daughter dismissed the allegations stating that she was lying and was “only

lookingtostarttrouble”.

The young girl claimed that she continued to stay silent about what was happening to her, and the grooming continued She further claimed that when she was 10 years, she was home and one of the preacher’s eldest sons was hometoo.Shesharedthaton that day he had allegedly sexuallymolestedandkissed her Afraid of getting into trouble,shedidnotspeakof theincident.Thevictimwho is now residing in Guyana, said that before moving Guyana,earlierthisyearshe was allegedly raped by the preacher

The young girl recalled that: “It was night time, my tummywashurtingbad,then

I tell the aunty (preacher’s wife) and then she tell the preacher, then he give me a single tablet and I drank some water I then left and went outside and went into the hammock and was talkingtoafriendandjustso I start see things spinning around me, and everything was shaking, and then I startedtowalktothestepand thereIjustpeeupmyselfand justgotblackout.”

She further claimed that the next morning, when she wokeup,shewasinanother clothes. She said she had woken up with pain in her tummy, her private part, her legs and was experiencing a headache.

Not knowing what had happened, the mother said

her daughter had come home, and was complaining that she was bleeding. The woman said she gave her a pad thinking her daughter was experiencing her menstruation That had lastedforonlyaday,thegirl said.Itwasshortlyafterthis justbeforeher12thbirthday thattheydecidedtomoveto Guyanabyotherrelatives.

The young girl said that when she got here, she then confided with another grandmother as to what had happened to her back in Suriname. The young girl said sometimes, she would not want to share what was happening with her to her mother given the situation they were living in at the time. Kaieteur News was told that the family plans to take legal action against the man and file a report to the policeinSuriname.

CaribbeanRumProducers meettodayinGuyana

-Marking50yearsofCARICOMandWIRSPA

TodaymembersoftheWestIndiesRum& SpiritsProducersAssociation(WIRSPA)will convergeinGuyanafortheirAnnualGeneral Meeting

Rum Producers from all CARICOM countries,aswellastheDominicanRepublic, willconveneunderthechairmanshipofKomal Samaroo,ChairmanofDemeraraDistillersto discuss matters pertaining to a wide range of issues that hold significant importance to producers

“Thisisourfirstphysicalmeetingsincethe Covid-19pandemic”,saidSamaroowhonoted that, “We’re pleased to host it in Guyana, during the commemorative year of CARICOM’s 50th anniversary, and to celebrate50yearsofWIRSPA”

As the export of rum, particularly in the premiumsector,continuestoexperiencerapid growth,Caribbeanbrandsareeagertoexpand intonewmarkets

Akeyfeatureoftheupcomingmeetingwill be an exchange with CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary General (ASG) for Single Market and Trade, Ambassador Wayne McCook, regarding the facilitation of rum exports to non-traditionalmarkets

Additionally, producers will engage in dialogue with the ASG to address concerns related to the Region’s external trade arrangements and the ongoing review of the Community’stradeinstruments

According to Samaroo, producers will evaluate progress made in supporting government initiatives aimed at reducing the excessiveconsumptionofalcohol

In 2019, producers pledged to take more cohesive and coordinated action, and as a result, WIRSPA member brands now feature enhanced labelling as a standard practice, advising against drinking while underage, drinking during pregnancy, or drinking and driving, and also provides information on

servingsizesandcaloriecontent.

In addition to the aforementioned key areas, Samaroo has emphasized that today’s meetingwilldelveintotheongoingchallenges faced by the industry, particularly in their supplychain

This will include a specific focus on the sourcingofrawmaterialssuchasmolassesand glassbottles Hesaidproducersareproactively addressing the impact of climate change by exploring methods to reduce their carbon footprint; an emerging area of concern for consumers

After today’s meeting, the rum producers will visit the DDL Diamond Distillery, renownedforitsiconiccollectionofworking stills,whichisarguablythemostdiverseinthe world Thedaywillculminateinarumtasting eventandreception,wheretheproductsofthe variousproducerswillbesampled

Toshaos say rape allegations against Dharamlall strike at the heart of trust within Govt. —demandimpartialprobe

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) is demanding an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged rape and sodomy of a 16-year-old indigenous girl by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, NigelDharamlall.

TheNTCisthebodythat represents the interests and concerns of indigenous communities across the country The NTC’s statementcameshortlyafter Minister Dharamlall was arrestedonMondayevening at the Brickdam Police Station after he was told of the allegations leveled againsthim.Thebodynoted that as the legitimate representative body of indigenous peoples, it recognisestheimportanceof upholding justice, safeguarding the rights of victims, and ensuring accountabilityamongpublic officials.

“It is our solemn duty to advocate for the well-being and protection of our indigenous brothers and sisters, particularly the vulnerableandmarginalized m e m b e r s o f o u r communities,”itwasstated. They continued: “The gravity of the allegations cannot be understated, as they strike at the heart trustandintegritywithinthe g o v e r n m e n t a n d compromise the safety and well-being of our indigenous youth. It is crucial that these allegations be treated with the utmost seriousness and urgency, as they demand a thorough and impartia investigation to determine thetruthanddeliverjustice.”

The NTC in their statement appealed to the relevant authorities, including law enforcement agenciesandthejudiciary,to establishanindependentand impartial investigative body thatoperateswiththehighest standards of transparency, o b j e c t i v i t y , a n d professionalism. The body even called for the involvement of experts experienced in handling casesofsexualviolenceand ensuringtherightsandwellbeingofvictims.

The Council said it remains committed to its mission of safeguarding the rights, culture, and wellbeingofindigenouspeoples. “We will continue to advocate for justice, equity,

and inclusivity for all, striving towards a society free from violence and discrimination,” the NTC said.

Importantly, the body in itsstatementurgedallparties involved to respect the principlesofdueprocessand uphold the presumption of innocence until proven guilty Adding to this, the bodyemphasisetheneedfor a fair and expeditious legal process that protects the rights and dignity of the victim, ensures the accused f a c e s a p p r o p r i a t e

comprehensive and sustained efforts to address gender-based violence and protect the rights of indigenousgirlsandwomen in Guyana The Council called upon the government t o p r i o r i t i z e t h e implementation of robust policies, awareness campaigns, and educational initiatives that promote gender equality, combat violenceagainstwomen,and empower indigenous communities.

Parents of another Indigenous girl are now crying out for justice after a minister used plane tickets and money to groom their 16-year-old daughter into having sex with him.

She was underage when the minister started having a relationship with her and according to the parents it is statutory rape. They had reportedly a t t e m p t e d t o intervene and take legal action against the official but the child who was 15 at the time refused to cooperate because shebelievedthenthat shewasinlove.

The official however, abruptly e n d e d t h e relationship and it had reportedly thrown the child into state of depression. The parents said the child at the time wanted to drop out of school and give up on herdreamsofbecominganurse. Thevictim’s cousin shared details of how the official groomedthechildintohistrap.

planeticketsforhertospendtimewithhimin Georgetown.

“The situation got worst when the minister sent a plane ticket for my cousin to come to Georgetown during the school term while she was doing SBA (School Based Assessments),sheadded.

Due to her parents disagreeing with the relationship, the child would travel without their knowledge leaving them clueless and worried about her whereabouts.

After arriving in Georgetownthechild would then allegedly call the parents and tell them that she is safe with the government official. H e r t r i p s t o Georgetown became more frequent until the relationship ended abruptly duringthisyear

consequences if found guilty, and reassures the public that justice has been served.

Further,theCouncilsaid itiscommittedtosupporting and standing in solidarity with the victim, her family, andallthoseaffectedbythis deeply troubling situation.

“ We i m p l o r e t h e government, civil society

organisations, and international partners to collaborate in providing the necessary support services, including legal aid, counseling, and healthcare, to victims of sexual violence,”itwasstated.

The NTC noted that the incident highlights the u r g e n t n e e d f o r

Additionally, the Wapichan Wiizi Women’s Movement issued a statement calling on the vernment and relevant agencies to place special attention on the violation of Indigenous women’s rights, as well as the failures to effectively implement and uphold measures aimed at p r o t e c t i n g t h e w e l l b e i n g o f indigenous women and girls.The women’s group said, “Indigenous women face monumental structural, systemic,social,andcultural barriersandharmwithinour communitiesandcountry.”

They highlighted that these challenges have all contributed towards silence on these issues despite the relentlessnegativeimpact.It was added that given the unique cultural bonds as Indigenous women, the discrimination they suffer also constitutes a serious, collective trauma which impacts the entire communities and other indigenouspeople.

“We applaud the young girlforcomingforward,and understand how difficult a time this must be. We stand infullsupportofher,andwe askthewiderGuyanese

Continuedonpage16

She said that the nightmare for their family began when the minister visited their village. “He invited her to where he was stayingandshenevermadeitbackhomeuntil next morning”, the cousin said. The trend reportedly continued every time the official visited village until he started purchasing

Thecousinallegedthatthechildfoundout thattheofficialwascheatingonherwithother girls her age. During one of her trips to the city,sheconfrontedtheofficialandtheyhada fightwhichledtoherreturningtohervillage intears.

KaieteurNewswastoldthatthechilddoes notwanttocomeforwardbuttheparentsare demanding justice because it has left their daughterinastateofdepression.

Parents of another girl demand justice for daughter raped by a Govt. official

NewSt.Mary’sSecondarySchooltocost$560.7M

Construction of the new $560 7M St Mary’s Secondary School will begin soon as the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education signed six contracts for theconstructionworks.

The signing was witnessed by subject minister Priya Manickchand at her Brickdam, Georgetown office. The contracts were signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary (PS), Alfred King who stated at the simple ceremony that the brand new building will be a three-storey facility which is expected to be completed in six to seven months. The new modern building will be builtatCampStreetandBrickdam where the old school was previouslyhoused.

According to the PS, once completed the upper flat of the building will accommodate 10 classrooms, while the second flat will house 12 classrooms along with a Teachers’ Staffroom and a sanitaryblock.

Thelowerflatwillbeequipped with six laboratories (labs) including labs for Information Technology, Home Economics, andIndustrialTechnology,canteen and the auditorium When completed, the school would be able to accommodate some 600 students.

King also noted that the building will be outfitted with a number of fire prevention methods such as fire escape exits, escape doors, fire alarms, extinguishers, limited timber usage, metal ceilings and fire retardantpanels

The PS shared that the constructionofthebuildingwillbe supervised by Origin Investment, and that the ministry is expecting that the contractor executes its dutieseffectively

“We are expecting that they do just that because our experiences

recently is that the oversight and supervisionofsomeofourworksis notinkeepingwithwhatweexpect instandardandtimelydeliveryand quality and so we will be paying attentiontothat,”hementioned.

This publication had reported that according to the Ministry’s invitation for bids, the project has beendividedintosixlotswithLot1 consisting of works on the superstructureofthebuilding,Lot2 includes the block works (completion of exterior and internal walls), Lots 3 is the plumbing works, Lot4 is the electrical works, Lot5 is for the externalworks,whileLot6consist ofthefinishingworks.

It was shared that Lots 1 and 2 were awarded to K&S General Construction Inc. in the sum of $286,193,658 and $135,590,000, respectively; Lots 3 & 5 was awarded to A. Ograsein & Sons General Contracting in the sum of $12,969,800.00 and $33,379,100, respectively; Lot 4 was given to Cummings Electrical Company Limitedtothetuneof$12,867,874, andlastlyLot6wasgiventoR&D Engineering Service Inc. to the tuneof$66,663,900.

Delivering brief remarks yesterday, Minister Manickchand stated that the construction of this school is another step towards achieving universal secondary education. She noted that over the last three years, the Ministry has been working assiduously to achievethatgoalbyextendingand rebuilding secondary schools as wellasconstructingnewschools.

Shealsodisclosedthattheyare looking to achieve universal secondary education by the year 2024.

“WhatwewantinGuyanaisfor every child, where they live must be able to access a secondary education, universally that means alloverGuyana,”shesaid.

In addition to the St George’s

High School, Christ Church Secondary School, North Ruimveldt Secondary School and North West Secondary School which are currently being rebuilt, several other schools will be constructed across the country These will be at Hosororo, Kwebana,andWaramuriinRegion

One (Barima -Waini). Two new schools are being built in Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara). A secondary school willbebuiltinOrealla,RegionSix (East Berbice- Corentyne) In RegionSeven(Cuyuni-Mazaruni) therewillbeaschoolatJawallain the Upper Mazaruni. Finally, in

Region Eight (Potaro- Siparuni), thedormitoriesatParamakatoiand Katowillbeextended.

TheMinisternotedtoothatthe schoolsarebeingbuiltwithmodern specifications and will be offering students the opportunity to pursue subjects which were never offered beforeinsomeareas.

GAWU to host 22nd Congress in August

The General Council of theGuyanaAgriculturaland General Workers’ Union (GAWU) has approved the convening of the Union’s 22nd Delegates’ Congress on August 23 and 24, 2023 underthetheme“Advancing Workers’ Rights, Economic JusticeandSocialProgress”.

The Congress, which is the highest forum of the Union, will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Center and will attract delegates and observers fromthevariousworkplaces where the GAWU enjoys bargaining rights, the union saidinapressrelease.

Sue Longley, IUF General Secretary

InternationalUnionofFood, A

gr

Robberyconvictescapes fromLusignanPrison

ParrisisacareercriminalofSophiawhohasbeenbefore thecourtsforseveralrobberiesandburglaries.In2017,while in his teens, Parris was caught breaking into a house in Sophia. He was beaten by residents and was tied up before beinghandedovertothepolice.

In 202o, he was accused of stealing motorcycles and in 2022 he was charged for armed robbery and discharging a loadedfirearm.

electedafewdaysagoatthe IUF’s World Congress. She isthefirstwomantoholdthe post.

Prior to her election, she served as IUF’s Assistant GeneralSecretaryfrom2016 and from 1994 as the IUF’s International Coordinator for Agriculture and Plantations. Sue previously worked for the IUFaffiliated Transport and General Workers Union, nowUnitetheUnion,where she held several posts including Editor of the union’s journal, the Landworker

The IUF Rules and their commitment to “actively promote the organization of theworld’sresourcesinfood for the common good” have been one of Sue’s key priorities and have shaped

how she engages with farmers, global food companies and the UN system in defense of workers’ rights and in the battle for a sustainable food system.

Theopeningwillalsobe addressed by GAWU’s President, Seepaul Narine. The Union, at this time, is invitingotherspeakerstothe opening including from fraternal unions abroad. It will also honour current and former union members for their contribution to the GAWUovertheyears.

During the business sessions, delegates and observers will receive the General Council report which will be presented by the Union’s General Secretary,AslimSingh.That reportwillexaminethework of the Union since the past Congress identifying challenges confronted and the victories recorded. The Congress will also elect a new General Council which will guide the work of the

Union until the next Congress Additionally, several resolutions are expectedtobediscussedand approvedbytheforum.

In a press release the union said the Congress’ theme, provides a broad and flexible framework that will serve to guide deliberations over the two days. Congress will also assess the realities being faced in the various industries where our members belong, as well as the challenges being confronted nationally and the tasks at hand while chartingageneralcoursefor thefuture.

During the Business Sessions, delegates and observers will discuss the Report of the General Council The report will coverrelevantdevelopments and happenings in the international, regional, and local spheres and the Union’s stewardship since the 21st Congress of the Union During the discussions, delegates will

have the opportunity to identify areas and focal pointsfortheUnionuntilthe nextCongress.

The Congress will also elect a General Council to overseetheadministrationof the Union until the next Congress. The period that has elapsed since the last Congress were eventful, filled with challenges and struggles for the Union’s members.

Despite the difficulties and some unforeseen developments,theUnionhas come out with its unity and organization preserved and its fighting spirit undiminished.

The GAWU is working steadfastly to record a successful Congress The Congress had been delayed arising from the COVID-19 pandemic However, that delay was approved by a unanimous resolution of the General Council in accordancewithitsauthority as per the Union’s Constitution.

Prison Escapee: Ronaldo Parris

Guyanatohost32ndAnnualC’bean WaterandWastewaterAssociation ConferenceandExhibition

Guyana will be hosting the 32nd Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association Conference and Exhibition (CWWA) from October23-27,2023.

Under the theme, “AcceleratingChangeinthe Water, Wastewater, and Solid Waste Sectors” the conferencewillseeover300 delegates, including exhibitors, technical paper presenters and dignitaries from across the Caribbean Region and locally attending.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) on Tuesdayinapressstatement announced that Guyana is the host country for the conference.

According to the statement a delegation from the Local Organizing Committee(LOC)‘metwith Minister of Housing and Water ,Colin Croal and Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally on Monday to provide anupdateontheplanningfor

theconference’sactivities.

Thedelegationincluded: CWWA President, Lt. Col. Marlon Daniels; CWWA Public Relations Officer, Angela Franklin; CWWA, 2023 Local Organizations Committee (LOC) chair, Amanda Ramgobin; and the premier organization within the region bringing together professionals, suppliers, service providers, and dignitaries from the water andwastesectors.

A brief overview of the conference and what would be expected within the conference was highlighted by CWWA President, MarlonDaniels.

In addition to that DanielsupdatedtheMinister andthePermanentSecretary of the current status of conferenceplanning.

The Local Organizing Committee aims to attract 100 exhibitors, showcase 8 technicalpapers,andhost40

r s a n d / o r representatives and advisors

responsibleforthewaterand waste water sectors in the region.

Daniel said, “This is an excellentopportunityforour local businesses and practitioners in water and wastesectorstonetworkand learnfromtheexperiencesof others in the region and internationally.”

For more information about the 32nd Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association Conference and Exhibition, please contact the CWWA 2023 Local Organization C o m m i t t e e v i a conference@cwwa net or cwwaconference2023@gm ail.com.Stayupdatedonthe conference by visiting our websites at www.cwwa.net and following us on social m e d

and LinkedIn (Caribbean Water a n d W a s t e w a t e r Association).

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From page 13 population to respect the privacyofthesurvivor.Thiscase needs to be handled in accordance with the right procedures as mandated by the Sexual Offenses Act, and no stoneleftunturnedinthepursuit of justice,” the women’s group said. They noted that those in power should not be given a free pass to act with impunity, adding that accountability is necessary to healfromthetraumasuchacts can cause on the individual and collective psyches of our people. “For all Guyanese, thereiscriticalworkrequired tobuildasocietywhichissafe for indigenous women and girls. We eagerly await the outcomeofthiscaseandpray that justice prevails,” they noted. On Monday evening, MinisterDharamlallturnedup attheBrickdamPoliceStation, inthecompanyofhislawyer, NigelHughes.

The minister was told of therapeallegation,cautioned and arrested. He was subsequently released on $1M station bail. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement confirmed that an investiga-

tion has been launched into the allegations made against the minister. Notably, this publication was reliably informedthatanofficialreport wasmadetothepolicebythe teen girl in the company of anofficerfromtheChildCare and Protection Agency (CPA). In a statement on Monday, the minister’s lawyerssaid,“Mr.Dharamlallremainswillinganddisposedto assist in a full investigation of the matter. All the allegations are denied. In the interestofafairinvestigationand the necessity to protect the interests of all parties concerned,weurgethatspeculation, wild accusations, pre

maturejudgmentsandunsupported conclusions be avoided.” It was stated too that the “misconduct allegations”againsttheirclientfirst surfaced on social media.

However,theyaddedthat given that the allegations have attracted the attention of the Police Force and the Child Care and Protection Agency, their services were retainedtorepresenttheministerandprotecthisinterests.

This publication had reportedthatinalettertoPresident Ali, the teen girl shared gruesome details about how she was allegedly groomed and later raped by the minister. In her letter, she pleaded

with President Ali, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and relevant authorities to look into the matter According to the letter seen by this publication, the girl first met the minister at an event last year, when she was 15-years-old. She said she was raped three monthsaftermeetingtheministerandatthattime,shewas 16-years-old.Shedisclosedin the letter that after continuously harassing her to meet up with him, she eventually agreed to meet the minister Theteensaidthisiswhenthe ministerallegedlyraped and sodomised her before handing her a sum of money

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Social media star Andrew Tate charged with rape and human trafficking in Romania

(AP) Andrew Tate, a social media personality known for e x p r e s s i n g misogynistic views online, was charged in Romania with rape, human trafficking and formingacriminalgang to exploit women, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Prosecutors also filed charges against Tate's brother, Tristan, and two Romanian women in a court in Bucharest, Romania's capital, the nation's anti-organised crime agencysaid.

In a statement, the D i r e c t o r a t e f o r I n v e s t i g a t i n g Organized Crime and Terrorism alleged the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 “in order to commit the crime of human trafficking” in

Romania as well as the United States and Britain The agency alleged that seven female victims were misled and transported to Romania, where they were sexually exploited and subjected to physicalviolencebythe gang. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, according to the statement.

Tate, 36, has resided in Romania since 2017.

T h e f o r m e r professional kickboxer has repeatedly claimed Romanian prosecutors have no evidence and alleged the case is a political conspiracy designedtosilencehim.

Tate's spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, said

Tuesday that the brothers were prepared to “demonstrate their innocenceandvindicate

their reputation.” The twomenareexpectedto attend a hearing in B u c h a r e s t o n Wednesday morning, she added.“Tate's legal team are prepared to cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities, presenting all necessary evidence to exonerate the brothers and expose any misinterpretations or false accusations,” Petrescusaid.

Under Romanian law,ajudgehasupto60 days to assess the files in the case before defendants are sent to trial.The Tate brothers, whoaredualBritish-US citizens, and the two Romanian suspects were detained in late DecemberinBucharest. The brothers won an appeal on March 31 to be moved from police custodytohousearrest.

Atthetime,Tatewas

a hugely successful socialmediafigurewith more than 6 million Twitterfollowers,many of them young men and schoolchildren. He previously was banned from TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for hate s p e e c h a n d h i s m i s o g y n i s t i c comments, including that women should bear responsibility for getting sexually assaulted.

He returned to Twitter last year after the platform's new CEO, Elon Musk,

reinstated Tate's account. Hope Not

H a t e , a g r o u p campaigning against far-right extremism in theUK,haswarnedthat

Tate continues to attract ahugefollowingamong young men and teenage boys who are drawn to his “misogynist, homophobic and racist

content” by the luxurious lifestyle the influencer projects online.Romania's antiorganised crime agency, known as DIICOT, said the seven alleged victims were

recruited with false declarations of love and taken to Romania's Ilfov county, where theywereforcedtotake part in pornography. The women were allegedly controlled by “intimidation, constant surveillance” and claims they were in debt,prosecutorssaid. Prosecutors ordered the confiscation of the Tate brothers' assets, including 15 luxury cars, luxury watches and about $3 million in cryptocurrency, the agency'sstatementsaid.

In race against clock, expanding fleet of ships searches for sub lost near Titanic wreck

BBC - In a race against theclockonthehighseas,an expanding international armada of ships and airplanes searched Tuesday for a submersible that vanished in the North Atlantic while taking five people down to the wreck of theTitanic.

U S Coast Guard officials said the search covered 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) but turned up no sign of the lost sub known as the Titan. Although they planned to continue looking, time was running out because the vesselhadlessthantwodays ofoxygenleft.

“This is a very complex search, and the unified team

is working around the clock,” Cpt. Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District in Boston told a newsconference.

Frederick said the crew had about 41 hours of oxygen remaining as of midday Tuesday He added that an underwater robot had started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic and that there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the sub is found.

Authorities reported the carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south ofSt.John's,Newfoundland. Aboard were a pilot,

renowned British adventurer Hamish Harding, two members of an iconic Pakistani business family andaTitanicexpert.

The submersible had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it put to sea around 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission. That means the oxygen supply could run out Thursdaymorning.

CBS News journalist David Pogue, who traveled to Titanic aboard the Titan last year, said the vehicle uses two communication systems: text messages that gobackandforthtoasurface shipandsafetypingsthatare

emitted every 15 minutes to indicate that the sub is still working.

Both of those systems stoppedaboutanhourand45 minutes after the Titan submerged.

“There are only two things that could mean Either they lost all power or the ship developed a hull breach and it imploded instantly Both of those are devastatingly hopeless,” PoguetoldCBConTuesday

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon One system is designed to work even if everyone aboard is unconscious,Poguesaid.

Eric Fusil, director of the University of Adelaide's Shipbuilding Hub, said there areotherscenariosthatcould have cut communications, including an electrical fire that could create toxic fumes and render the crew unconscious.

Another possibility is that Titan became entangled in the wreck of the Titanic andisstuckthere,Fusilsaid.

“What I would like to believe is that Titan suffered from a power loss, buttheycouldstillgobackto the surface” and be spotted by aircraft and surface ships, hesaid.

Experts said the rescuers facesteepchallenges.

Alistair Greig, a professor of marine engineering at University College London, said submersibles typically have a drop weight, which is “a mass they can release in the case of an emergency to bring them up to the surface usingbuoyancy.”

“If there was a power f a i l u r e a n d / o r communication failure, this might have happened, and the submersible would then be bobbing about on the surfacewaitingtobefound,” Greigsaid.

Another scenario is a leak in the pressure hull, in which case the prognosis is notgood,hesaid.

“If it has gone down to the seabed and can't get back up under its own power, options are very limited,” Greig said “While the submersible might still be intact, if it is beyond the continental shelf, there are very few vessels that can get that deep, and certainly not divers.”

The Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, which was supporting the Titan, was to continue conducting surface searches with help from a Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, the Coast Guard said on Twitter Two U.S. Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft also conductedoverflights.

The Canadian military dropped sonar buoys to listen for any possible soundsfromtheTitan.

OceanGate's expeditions to the Titanic wreck site include archaeologists and marine biologists The company also brings people whopaytocomealong.They take turns operating sonar equipment and performing o t h e r t a s k s i n t h e submersible.

A u t h o r i t i e s have yet to formally identify those on board, though some names have been confirmed, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who, according to the company, was serving as a member of thecrew

RushtoldTheAssociated Press in June 2021 that the Titan'stechnologywas“very cutting edge” and was developed with the help of NASA and aerospace manufacturers.

“This is the only submersible – crewed submersible – that's made of carbon fiber and titanium,” Rush said, calling it the “largest carbon fiber structure that we know of,”

This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. On Monday, June 19, 2023, a rescue operation was underway deep in the Atlantic Ocean in search of the technologically advanced submersible vessel carrying five people to document the wreckage of the Titanic, the iconic ocean liner that sank more than a century earlier.

(OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File)

with 5-inch-thick carbon fiber and 3 25-inch-thick titanium.

Other passengers included Harding, a billionaire adventurer who lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, whose eponymous firm invests across the country in agriculture, industries and the health sector; and French explorer and Titanic expert, Paul-HenryNargeolet.

Greg Stone, a longtime ocean scientist based in California and a friend of Rush, called the lost s u b m e r s i b l e “ a f u n d a m e n t a l l y n e w submarine design” that showed great promise for future research. Unlike its predecessors, the Titan was notsphericalinshape.

“Stockton was a risk taker Hewassmart hehad a vision. He wanted to push thingsforward,”Stonesaid.

The expedition was OceanGate's third annual voyage to chronicle the deterioration of Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing all but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew Since the wreckage's discovery in 1985, it has been slowly succumbing to metal-eatingbacteria.

OceanGate's website described the “mission support fee” for the 2023 expedition as $250,000 a person.

Recalling his own trip aboard the Titan, Pogue said the vessel got turned around lookingfortheTitanic.

“There's no GPS underwater, so the surface ship is supposed to guide the sub to the shipwreck by sending text messages,” Pogue said in a segment aired on “CBS Sunday Morning.”

“But on this dive, communications somehow broke down. The sub never foundthewreck.”

Messi set for July 21 debut, Miami planning '3-5' signings

AFP - Inter Miami are targeting a July 21 debut for superstar signing Lionel Messi as the club plans to bolster the squad with as many as five new players, ownerJorgeMassaid.

InaninterviewwiththeMiami Herald published yesterday, Mas said Messi was likely to play his first game for Inter against Mexican side Cruz Azul in the r e g i o n a l L e a g u e s C u p competition.

Argentina captain Messi confirmed on June 7 that he plans to head to Major League Soccer after ending a two-year stint with ParisSaint-Germain.

The deal has yet to be finalized, but the Herald, citing a source with knowledge of the negotiations, said Messi was joining on a two-and-a-half-year deal worth upto$60millionayear

The deal also included an equity stake in Miami "upon the end of his

playingdays,"theHeraldreportsaid.

Mas, meanwhile, told the paper that Messi's contract would conform toMLSrosterrules.

"There are no categories or anything that is being changed to incorporate Lionel Messi onto Inter Miami'sroster,"hesaid.

Wednesday June 21, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

Break away from all mental constraints today, Aries. The only thing holding you back could be your own mind. Don'tfearfailure.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

Today you may have difficulty connecting with others, Taurus. People may be unnecessarily harsh for no reason.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Youwillbethehitoftheparty today, Gemini Everyone wants to talk to you. Great transitions are happening in your life right now, and you should look at how you can adoptnewprinciples.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Unlessyouwanttogetintoan intellectual sparring match today, you might want to stay home, Cancer But this battle of wits could also take place inyourownkitchen.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Spendtimewithgoodfriends today,Leo.Sharedinnerwith people you love and feel free to be generous with the food and drink. You have the ability to control just about everysituation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Unexpected things are on the way and it's best to be emotionally and physically prepared. You may be rather indecisive, but when you do act, your moves manifest in short,powerfulbursts.

Mas said Messi's arrival in MLS would prove to be a "seminal moment" for the historyoffootballintheUnited States.

"I think there will always be a before and after Messi whenwetalkaboutthesportin theUnitedStates,"Massaid.

"I have a very, very strong heldbeliefthatwecancreatein North America and the United States if not the greatest league, one of the top two leagues in the world. I cannot over-emphasize the magnitude ofthisannouncement.

"Having the world's greatest player here is something that is significant for our league, and for the football ecosystem in the United States. Lionel Messi is coming to this country to win cups and make a difference.

"I think it's incumbent upon

Blackwood credits...

myselfandmypartnersintheleague, the other owners, to seize the moment."

Miami, meanwhile, are widely reported to be in talks to bring Messi's former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets to Florida. Mas would not comment on the state of negotiations with Busquets, and wouldnotnameotherplayers--such asJordiAlba,LuisSuarezandAngel di Maria -- who have all been linked toMiami.

However, Mas said the club expected to make between three to fiveadditionalsignings.

"We've been preparing our roster forMessi'sarrivalin'23,soweleftan enormous amount of flexibility," MastoldtheHerald.

"We will be making additional signingsduringthesummerwindow, more than what people anticipate... I can say we will potentially be making between three and five signings.”

From page 25 to come and do some fitness work and he said I should come to the track and train with his club and, from that day, I haven't looked back since,”headded.

TheJamaicansaidthathe's seen a significant increase in his fitness since starting to train with the club.“I can see that my overall fitness has improved a lot from there until now and I'm in very good shape,” Blackwood said before going into how the traininghashelpedhisbatting.

“Whenever I'm fit and I'm playing, I tend to score more runs because my mind is clear on the kinds of shots I want to play My decision making is clear,”hesaid.

“I just tell myself I'm coming in here to put in the work and, once I do that, I'm going to score even more runs. Fitness is a big part of my batting. My back doesn't get tight when I'm fit and that helps me to bat even longer,” headded.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Why go through today with doubts or fears, Libra? You have every reason to be happy Thethingsyouproject to the world today will prove extremelyfavorable.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Be aggressive with your thoughts today, Scorpio. You might feel a bit emotionally detached You will most certainlywantyourfreedom.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

What are you waiting for, Sagittarius? Go for the gold. All you need to do is shine. You have the opportunity to merge with powerful groups today, so make sure to keep youreyesopen.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan.

Rid yourself of all regret, Capricorn. Guilt is useless. It doesn't do anyone any good. Your emotions are volatile and apt to erupt in unexpectedbursts

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

There's a fire burning in you today, Aquarius. Be careful how you use it. There's a chance you could offend someone if you get too excitedandfailtonoticehow your arrogant attitude affects peoplearoundyou.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You might have to toughen yourskintoday,Pisces.Don't automatically write someone off because of an action that youthinkisoffensive.

When asked if this training will allow him to prolong his career, Blackwood had this to say.“Yeah for sure. My body feels really good. I don't really feel like my age right now because I've been getting up early, coming in and putting in thework,”hesaid.

“I reach the Track at 6:00 am, leave at 9:00 am to go to the gym with Yohan and then after the gym I do my cricket training. I have to stay disciplined and Know that, once I put in the work, it will payoff,”headded.

Blackwood also said that he plans to continue training with Titans International whenever he's not playing cricket.

Canada-based...

From page 25 Dudnauth contributed 40 and 27respectively Brampton Gladiators replied with 135-5 from the 12-overs with former Guyana first-class skipper Damodar Daesrath scoring 44 and 32 fromFarookHussain.

Masters, in their second innings,made142-8(12)with a lead of 20 setting Brampton Gladiators a competitive 163 for victory Gladiators ended at 155-8 at the conclusion of the 12-overs. For Masters, Chien Gittens struck 83 as Naresh Bhagwandin grabbed 3-22. Looknauth Ramsichit had scored 36 for Gladiators with Gittens snatching 4-26 from his maximum three overs. Meanwhile, the final is slated for this Saturday at

New Zealand to raise racism concerns with FIFA after Qatar game abandoned

(Reuters)-NewZealand Football (NZF) said it will contact FIFA about protecting players from racism after the men's national team abandoned a friendly against Qatar at halftime in protest at an alleged racist slur against oneoftheirplayers.

New Zealand said a Qatari opponent directed a "significantracistslur"atAll Whites defender Michael Boxall, who has Samoan heritage, shortly before the interval.

The team said they reported the incident and thencollectivelydecidednot to take the field after halftime because no official actionwastaken.

It was one of two matches to be abandoned in Austria on Monday following allegations of racism.

Ireland's football association said its under-21 team had abandoned their match against Kuwait's OlympicsideafteraKuwaiti player used racist language

towardanIrishsubstitute.

NZF boss Andrew Pragnell said his governing body fully supported the players' stand and would contact FIFA with their concerns.

"Certainly we want to reachouttoFIFAonthis,"he toldreportersinAucklandon Tuesday "You know they have recently established a taskforce around racism, more needs to be done to protect players from racial attacks onthefield.

Guadeloupe sends Golden Jaguars packing

"There's been some evolution, we don't think it's moving fast enough so we wanttocontributetothatand sothatwillbeoneofourfirst portsofcall."

Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz said his squad stood by their team mate and the incident was a matter for soccerauthorities.

"Apparently two players exchanged words, and we don't know who was first, who was second, it's only between them, " the Portuguese coach told AlkassSportsChannels.

"The New Zealand players decided to support their team mate and we also decided to support our player."

'LOOKAT THE RULES' Video of the New Zealand friendly showed multiple All Whites players remonstrating with a Qatari player shortly after a free kickwasawarded.

After a long discussion with New Zealand captain Joe Bell, referee Manuel Schuttengruber blew for halftime with New Zealand leading 1-0 after a Marko Stamenic goal in the 16th minute.

Pragnell said NZF needed to get a better understanding of why match officialstooknoaction.

"At the end of the day, I think when someone receives significant racial abuse, multiple people hear it, there's multiple witnesses to something like that and nothing can be done then we've got a bigger problem and maybe it's time we look attherules,"headded.

The Qatar FA said on Twitter that New Zealand had withdrawn from the friendly, without giving any furtherdetails.

The Qatar FA, FIFA and t h e A s i a n F o o t b a l l Confederation did not p r o v i d e i m m e d i a t e comment.

Ireland's football association (FAI) said it too would be contacting football's governing bodies over a "racist remark" made tooneofitssubstitutes.

"The FAI does not tolerate any racism towards any of our players or staff and will be reporting this serious matter to FIFA and

UEFA," the FAI said on socialmedia.

Kuwait's FAdisputed the FAI's description of events and said the referee stopped the match because of "roughness and tension" betweentheplayers.

"Kuwait Football Association categorically rejects such accusations," it said in a statement on social media.

"The match was stopped by the referee in the 70th minute to protect the players frompotentialinjuries."

E u r o p e ' s s o c c e r governing body UEFA did not provide immediate comment.

Racism has dominated football headlines in recent months.

FIFA President Gianni Infantinoannouncedanantiracism committee led by Real Madrid forward ViniciusJr,whohasbeenthe victim of racist abuse in Spain'sLaLiga.

Powerlifting loses another lifter...

An uninspiring performance from the Golden Jaguars saw them going down 0-2 to Guadeloupe in the final preliminary round of matchesattheCONCACAFGoldCup.

AfteraLiamGordonown-goalinthe18th minute, Guyana found themselves deeper in the rabbit hole at the DRV PNK Stadium in FortLauderdalelastevening.

Already trailing at the end first half, Guyana sunk deeper, thanks to Andreaw

Gravillon'sbeautyinthe57thminute.

Gravillon, ,who plays with Serie A side Torino FC, scored an absolute wonder of a free-kick for Guadeloupe to put the French side 2 - 0. Though making a few changes, Coach Wayne Dover had no answers for the Frenchteamthatseemedwell-organized.

The win for Guadeloupe sees them advancingwherewillbeplacedintoGroupD alongsideCanada,Guatemala,andCuba.

From page 25 diagnosed as hypertensive.

“At this time I never knew he was a former Kingsrow Barbell Club lifter in the 198lb category, after one year of training he told me that then President of GAPLF, Peter Green-met himontheroadandtoldhim he should return to powerlifting, it was that moment I switched from being a strength coach to a powerlifting coach ” Webster also recounted that whenClementsoncompeted at the Senior Nationals Championships in 2013, the

Federation did not have classic lifting at the time.

“But that didn't sway Dwayne (call name) from giving it his all without a belt, without a squat suit, and without knee wraps, as he squatted 606lbs on his secondattempt. His battle cry before every lift was, "What Jesus Wud Say".

His other amazing feat was to actually get me to step on the platform where I competed many times alongside him, and the nickname "Bear" was given to him by Andrea Smith

because of his lovable cudable size and also because one time he amazed everyoneatBuddy'sGymby doing CrossFit, "The Bear" complex.”

The late Rawndel Clementson during his career, established the following records, which stillstand.

Current National Records - 120+ Men's O p e n C l a s s i c : Squat 260 0kg, Bench 152 5kg, Deadlift 280 0kg, Total 692.5kg. Equipped: Squat 272.5 (done without suit, belt, or knee wraps).

GSA Senior's Squash C/ship set...

From page 24 expertise, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination on the courts. This championship has also become a beloved tradition for all squash players, uniting athletes from various ages and backgrounds. However, this edition is set to elevate the sporttonewheightsandinspireageneration of aspiring senior squash players. As the

anticipation builds for another captivating edition of the National Senior's Squash Championship, our local stars such as sixtime Caribbean champion, Nicolette Fernandes, senior Caribbean star sibling Ashley Khalil and Jason Ray Khalil, young Kirsten Gomes competing in her first competition as a senior and others, will prepare to deliver another exciting senior's tournament.

Anil Lalsa Construction Ltd sponsor BCB West Berbice cricket tournament

Cricket clubs in West Berbice continue to benefit from the hard work of the Berbice Cricket Board as another business entity has comeforwardtosponsoracrickettournament for the area. Popular contractor Anil Lalsa, Chief Executive Officer of Anil Lalsa ConstructionCompanyhasagreedtosponsor a 20/20 cricket tournament for teams in the area.

BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that theboardwasnowpreparingforaveryactive second division season after successfully completing most of its junior tournaments. Foster stated that the countywide Dave West Indian Import tournament would be completed and additionally, the board would behostingatleastonetournamentineachsub z o n e s - We s t B e r b i c e , N e w Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and UpperCorentyne.

The West Berbice zone in 2023 would benefit from two tournaments- the Fazil Jafarally 20/20 and now the Lalsa Construction 20/20. The teams that would be playing in the tournament are Blairmont, Blairmont Remnants, Cotton Tree, Bush Lot United, Achievers, Bath, Police, Paradise, AchieversBandShieldstown.

Foster expressed thanks to Lalsa for his support and noted that another former cricketer was once again giving back to the game. Lalsa is a former player for the D' Edwards Cricket Club, the leading second division team in the area. The former

allrounder stated that he readily agreed to the sponsorship as he was very impressed with the development taking place in the county's cricket under Foster's leadership and guidance.

He noted that the developments are making a huge difference in the game and he was happy to assist. Lalsa, had earlier in the year co-sponsored the visit of former West Indies captain Alvin Kallicharran to the county for three days and he indicated that he would continue to support the board in the future.

The West Berbice area have benefitted from donations of cricket balls, grass cutters, water pitchers, pitch covers, catching cribs, educationalgrants,bicyclesamongnumerous other items from the BCB under Foster's leadership and would shortly receive a bowlingcageandtwobowlingmachines.The Bush Lot United CC would get a cage and bowling machine while the Cotton Tree CC wouldalsogetabowlingmachine.

Meanwhile, the BCB President fulfilled anothercommitmenttoclubswhenhehanded over a practice net to the D' Edwards CC. Foster had earlier in the year promised the club management to obtain a practice net and healsodonatedaboxofcricketballsandaset of wicketkeeping gear as part of the BCB's efforttoassistperformingclubsinthecounty Fosterhasstartedhisannualvisittomajor clubs in the county to meet with players and executives to listen to recommendations for thedevelopmentofthegame.

Johnny 'Overseas' Barnwell U16 small-goal Football unfolds today

The South Turkeyen Committee, in partnershipwithJohnny'Overseas'Barnwell Three-a-side, small-goal Football competition concluded on Sunday at the Vryheid Lust Tarmac with a thrilling match as Chriswell Williams' team emerged victorious with a 2-1 win against Sean Simple'steam.

Sean Liverpool was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his outstanding performance The prestigious Johnny 'Overseas' Barnwell trophy, generously donated by the Bannas Foundation, was presented to the Chriswell Williams's team as well as substantial cash prize in recognitionoftheirachievement. Meanwhile, the Under-16 Four-a-side

tournamentissettokickofftoday,June21st, at the Vryheid Lust Play Field, commencing at16:30hours.Thecompetingteamswillvie for the championship trophy donated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an eagerly anticipatedfinalmatch.

Johnny 'Overseas' Barnwell added to the excitement with the Father's Day Kings and Queens Dominoes competition Junior Chesney emerged as the winner, securing an impressive seven wins. Barnwell and Kurt Braithwaite each won two games th Competition continues on Sunday 25 June at Wills Hideout, start time 16:30 hours. Trophy for this championship graciously donated by Johnny 'Overseas' Barnwell and TrevorMcArthur

Australia beat England by two wickets to win 1st Test

AFP - Australia beat England by two wickets to winathrillingfirstAshesTest atEdgbastonyesterday

Australia were struggling at227-8,still54runsshyofa victory target of 281, when skipper Pat Cummins was joined in the middle by

tailenderNathanLyon.

But the pair's unbroken stand of 55 saw Ashes holdersAustralia home, with Cumminshittingthewinning boundary to finish on 44 not out after opener Usman Khawaja had made a painstaking 65 to follow his

first-innings141.

Lyonwasunbeatenon16, with Australia now 1-0 up in this five-match series as they bidforafirstAshescampaign triumph on English soil in 22 years.

"The wicket didn't have too many demons in it," said

Lyon climbs

(AFP/Getty Images)

Cummins at the presentation ceremony

"I thought it was well withinourgrasp."

World Test champions Australia, as they promised beforehand, played in their traditional fashion rather than getting drawn into the hype surrounding England's aggressive style under captain Ben Stokes and coachBrendonMcCullum.

And Cummins praised player of the match Khawaja by saying: "Incredible composure, he played his own method, didn't get caught up... I'm really happy

forhim."

This was just England's third defeat in 14 Tests under Stokes and McCullum, with the skipper defending his first-innings declaration before the close of the openingday

"I thought that was a time to pounce. I am not going to change the way I have gone aboutmycricketbecauseitis theAshes,"hesaid.

"Who knows, we could have got an extra 40 runs or lost two wickets in two balls. I am not a captain who gets byonwhatifs."

Brief scores:

England 1st Innings

393-8 dec (J Root 118 no, J Bairstow 78, Z Crawley 61; N Lyon 4-149)

Australia 1st Innings

386 (U Khawaja 141, A Carey 66, T Head 50; O Robinson 3-55, S Broad 368)

England 2nd Innings

273 (P Cummins 4-63, N Lyon 4-80)

Australia 2nd Innings

282-8 (U Khawaja 65; S Broad 3-64)

Result: Australia won by two wickets Series: Australia lead five-match series 1-0

Flashback!

Ashley Khalil at the recently concluded PanAm qualifiers.

GSA Senior's Squash C/ship set for July 1-9

The Guyana Squash Association

(GSA) 2023 Seniors National Squash Championship is scheduled for July 1-9. The Guinness sponsored event will take place at the Georgetown Club Courts (GTC) and promises to leave an indelible mark on the hearts of players and fans alike Guinness with its unwavering commitment to promoting active talent, while fostering a sense of passion for the sport, will be sponsoring the 2023 edition of the National Seniors' Squash tournament.

This edition will continue to uphold its legacy while infusing fresh energy into the competition The 2023 championship encompasses four draws, including the Men andWomenNationalsaswellastheMenand

This competition will also set the stage for junior athletes transitioning into their senioryearswiththeaimofannouncingtheir athletic prowess as a senior player While, the nation's top senior squash players converge; promises to unleash their

(Continued on page 22)

The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association bowled off their Level 1 & 2 training course o n M o n d a y a t t h e Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC),Bourda,withtheaim of fully-equipping the next batch of the country's match officials.

The course is conducted by a number of top local umpires including Ryan Banwarieamongotherswho have officiated the sport at thehighestlevel.

Former Guyana/West Indies pacer Reon King facilitated yesterday's session,whichwasattendby a larger number of current andpotentialumpires.

Yesterday's opening session revolved around the basics of umpiring and scoring.Kingwhoplayed19 Tests and 50 ODIs for the West Indies back in the 90s, is a West Indies match referee, spoke on a number oftopicstotheattendees.

Some of the areas included proficiency in both areas, precise decision making, learning about the logistics pertaining to sidescreens, pitch dimension, outfield protocols, boundary rope lengths, ground-staff positions and roles among a vast web of must-knows for upcomingofficials.

These topics are expected to help officials

Blackwood credits

Track and Field training for improvement in overall fitness

In section two of the Men's 100m, West Indies Test Vice-captain, Jermaine Blackwood, took part in his first track meet, running 11.76 to finish seventh. That run, according to the 31year-old,wasjustforfun.

Cross-training is a way for athletes to participate in training for one sport to improve aspects of their game in another sport and

Powerlifting loses another lifter, Rawndel 'Bear' Clementson passes on ...GAPLF

No t f u l l y recovered from the loss of Nigel Phillipsjustunderonemonth ago, the powerlifting fraternity lost another competitor and national record holder, Rawndel "What Jesus Wud Say" Clementson.

express sympathy

this is a method Blackwood hasstartedtoutilize.

Since February of this year, the batsman has been training with the Titans International Track Club in Kingston.

Blackwood says the decision came after a suggestion from his friend and member of the club, 2011 World 100m champion

master the fundamentals which entail becoming a diligent adjudicator of the game, while upholding rules and becoming familiar with the nitty-gritty of the happeningsoccurringduring amatch.

The overall aim of the course is to ensure the next batch of official will enter the professional world of cricket with the required understanding of the rules and regulations which will aid in managing match situations and making accuratedecisions.

Meanwhile, the course continues weekly at GCC from 17:00hrs to 19:00hrs andwillconcludeonJuly23.

The 44-year-old RipHit Strength and Conditioning System Gym founding member, passed away on Tuesday morning at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre after he was taken there following complaints of not feeling well during the wee hours of the morning. He worked up to Monday, playing his trade as a taxi driver President of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting F

Powerlifting loses another lifter, Rawndel Bear Clementson

Yohan Blake, after he told Blake he wanted to work on hisfitness.

“Just before I went to South Africa, I started training with Titans International,” Blackwood told SportsMax tv on Tuesday

“I reached out to Yohan (Blake)andtoldhimIwant

(Continued on page 21)

F) FranklinWilson,onbehalfof his Executive and the powerlifting fraternity, e

n (GA

s i n c e r e condolences to his wife, Oslyn Clementson, and two

A n n a s t a c i a “This is truly a shocker not only to Clementson's immediate family but to all andsundry

It'sastarkreminderofthe

fragile nature of life. I've known Rawndel, who was also known as 'Bear', for sometimenowandamaware of his exploits on the competitionplatform.

He, like Phillips, possessed the quality to represent Guyana but never had the opportunity. It's a toughtimeforhisfamily,but as a fraternity, we send out ourloveandstrengthtothem

in this time of need and ask Almighty God to surround and protect them at this time of need. May his soul rest in peace.”

Clementson's long-time Coach and training buddy, Martin Webster reminisced thatin2012,hewasaskedby Clementson to join him at Flex gym for some training duetothefactthathewas

(Continued on page 22)

Canada-based Guyanese Etwaroo slams 104* for Sunshine

Aboundary-studded 104 not out from opening batsman and Canada-based Guyanese, Anil Etwaroo, fired Sunshine to a resounding innings and two-run win over Aces Cricket Club last Saturday in one of the 2023 Ontario Round-Arm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA)/KP Employment Services “Test” semis.

PlayingattheRobertJ.LeePublicSchool ground in Brampton, the right-handed Etwaroo blasted 12 sixes and five fours as Sunshine raced to 194-1 from the allotted 12overs replying Aces Cricket Club's first innings 114-8 (12). Etwaroo, who hails from Wakenaam in Essequibo, knocked five consecutivesixesinoneover

He got terrific support from Jeetendra Beharrywhoblazedadecorated,unbeaten79 whichcountedtensixes,includingsixsixesin a solitary over In Aces second innings, they only made 78-4, two runs short of making Sunshine batting again. Scores in the match: Aces Cricket Club 114-8 (12) and 74-4 (12); Sunshine 194-1 (12) Roger Ramanand grabbed 4-28 from two overs to help limit Aces Cricket Club to their first innings modesttotal.

And across atThackeray Cricket venue in

Etobicoke, the action was more intense there but Masters pulled off a thrilling seven-run triumphoverBramptonGladiators.

Masters batted first at the invitation of Gladiators and they reached a challenging 155-2(12)withRajkumarBudhrammakinga steady59whileAzamHaniffandKumar

(Continued on page 21)

-“Ihaven'tlookedbacksince”