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Oct 22, 2024 Court Stories, News Mikhail Rodrigues aka Critic leaving the court room shackled …charged for allegedly assaulting man during night club brawl Kaieteur News-  Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as the Guyanese Critic was charged with assaulting a man when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The charge stemmed from an incident at a popular night club on September 30, 2024. The man he assaulted Brian Persaud, an electrician from Berbice was also charged with wounding Rodrigues. The charges were read separately by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore. Critic, 44, of Queenstown, Georgetown, is accused of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm upon Persaud by allegedly striking him in the face with a firearm at Lamaha and Pike Streets, Kitty, Georgetown. Persaud is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Rodrigues by slapping him in the face. Brain Persaud; injuries received to his face Rodrigues and Persaud pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of $100, 000 and $75,000 respectively with a return date set for October 28 for further proceedings. According to police facts presented in court, the incident unfolded around 23:30hrs when Persaud and two cousins entered the night club. At approximately 00:30 hrs., Rodrigues arrived and stood a few feet away from them. An identifiable female who was standing next to Persaud’s cousin Daniel Bansi began video recording Rodrigues on her phone. In response, Rodrigues pulled out his own phone to record her. However, Bansi intervened by blocking Critic’s view using his hand. Out of anger, Critic allegedly then drew a firearm from his waist and struck Persaud in the face, causing injuries. Following this altercation, Persaud fled the club, Critic and another unidentified male followed him and allegedly dealt him several kicks and cuffs about his body. The police arrived shortly thereafter and Persaud was subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment. He received a fractured nose. Critic was later contacted regarding the allegations and denied injuring Persaud, claiming instead that Persaud fell and sustained his injuries during the incident. He was later charged. Related Similar Articles

Oct 22, 2024 Court Stories, News Kaieteur News-  A 31-year-old man, Travis Payne was remanded to prison on Monday after being charged with multiple counts of theft, including stealing iPhones on various occasions. Convicted Felon Travis Payne Payne, a convicted felon, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to face ten charges related to theft and discharging a loaded firearm. The charges allege that between May 4, 2024, and October 10, 2024, at West Ruimveldt Front Road Georgetown and Mandella Avenue, Payne stole approximately $1,935,000 worth of items, primarily iPhones, as well as a gold chain and four perfumes. Among the stolen items are two iPhone 15 Pro Max devices valued at $315,000 and $170,000, an iPhone 15 Pro Titanium valued at $265,000, an iPhone 12 worth $110,000, an iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max valued at $200,000 and $205,000, respectively. Additionally, he is accused of stealing four cellular phones valued at $400,000, eight pennyweights gold chain worth $140,000, and four perfumes totalling $130,000. Payne was also charged with discharging a loaded firearm at a Detective Corporal with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was remanded to prison, with a scheduled court date set for November 18, 2024. This is not Payne’s first brush with the law; in 2018, he was accused of nine armed robberies, discharging a firearm, and escaping lawful police custody. Following a trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court under Magistrate Annette Singh, on September 10,2019 he was sentenced to three years in prison. Related Similar Articles

Oct 22, 2024 News Kaieteur News-  Two United Kingdom (UK) companies who were previously contracted to market Guyana’s share of crude from the Stabroek Block operations – have won new contracts with the Government of Guyana (GoG). JE Energy had been contracted as the marketer of oil coming from the Liza-1 platform which uses the Liza Destiny FPSO, while BB Energy had been contracted as the marketer for oil from the Liza-2 and Payara platforms which use the Liza Unity and Liza Prosperity FPSOs, respectively. Recently, 27 firms including JE Energy and BB Energy, submitted their tender to provide marketing services for Guyana’s oil from the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Payara Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. In an update on Monday, the Ministry of Natural Resources disclosed that the two companies were selected once again. FPSO Unity The contracts were awarded through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). BB Energy Trading Limited was awarded the contract to market crude from the Liza Unity and Prosperity FPSOs, while JE Energy was awarded the contract to market crude from the Liza Destiny FPSO. “In keeping with the Request for Bids, the evaluation was on a lots basis where the most substantially responsive bidder in relation to the combined lots was determined in keeping with the evaluation criteria,” the ministry stated. Notably, the duration of this contract will be for 12 months commencing in 2024. The ministry disclosed that the combined premium per barrel to be received by the GoG from these two companies for the crudes from these three FPSOs amounts to US$1.85, reflecting a substantial 93% increase compared to the US$0.96 premium secured in the previous period (2023- 2024). Speaking on the previous contract with the two companies, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat had revealed that the contract stipulates that neither of the companies charge the government for the marketing and will instead pay, in the case of BB Energy Limited, US 26 cents on every barrel it sells. JE Energy plans to pay some US 70 cents on each barrel of crude it markets. Related Similar Articles

Armed Bandit shot twice by businessman during foiled robbery Oct 22, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Police are investigating an attempted armed robbery which occurred at about 11:40hrs on Monday on a 39-year-old businessman at Tech Guy Solutions on Middleton Street, Georgetown, by an identifiable male who was armed with a .38 revolver, with the serial number filed out. Investigations revealed that on the date and time mentioned, the businessman was sitting on a chair at his business place (Tech Guy Solutions). At the time, he had his licensed firearm (a .32 Taurus pistol), along with 12 matching rounds, in the waist of his pants when the suspect walked into the store and asked to fix a phone. The businessman then got up from his seat to attend to the ‘suspect’, who pointed a firearm at him and demanded that he hand over cash. At that time a 33-year-old businessman from Industry Crown Dam, East Coast Demerara, entered the store, and the suspect turned his attention and firearm on him. A scuffle ensued between the two of them, and during the scuffle, the suspect discharged a round, which hit the 33-year-old businessman on his left hand.  The 39-year-old owner of Tech Guy Solutions took out his firearm and discharged two rounds, which hit the suspect on his abdomen, and he fell to the ground. The businessman then took away the suspect’s gun and called the Police. He handed over the firearm to the Police on their arrival.  The suspect was picked up and escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he underwent surgery. His condition is listed as serious.  Meanwhile, the 33-year-old businessman from Industry was taken to a private city hospital, where he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty, who admitted him as a patient. His condition is listed as stable.  Investigations continue. Related Similar Articles

Oct 22, 2024 News Kaieteur News-  United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot has encouraged more American companies to take advantage of the “incredible opportunities” that exist in Guyana to conduct business. The Ambassador was speaking at a panel discussion during the recently concluded International Business Conference (IBC) held at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown. “There are incredible opportunities here for those who are patient, willing to listen and sincerely want to get to know the country, and I truly hope more and more U.S. companies will take advantage of these opportunities,” Ambassador Theriot told attendees. U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot The U.S. envoy noted the role being played by American companies in training the local workforce. The Ambassador made it clear that U.S. companies have diverse interests adding, “Guyana may have discovered oil in 2015 but is still new to many U.S. investors.” “So, of course, most of you know about oil and gas here, but others might be surprised to hear about the franchising opportunities in Guyana. There are so many US franchises, ranging from hotels to restaurants to logistics providers, and that’s why every chance I get, I encourage U.S. businesses to come to Guyana and take a look for themselves,” Ambassador Theriot said. The U.S. diplomat reiterated that there are many opportunities and noted that President Irfaan Ali has repeatedly mentioned the need for foreign investment in Guyana’s non-oil sectors. “…and we definitely want to see that too. In fact, we have another U.S. trade delegation coming in next week,” she disclosed. Meanwhile, Ambassador Theriot applauded the organisers of the IBC noting that the sessions focused heavily on Guyana’s role in boosting the economy of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and being an exporter. Ambassador Theriot also spoke of the coming on stream of the country’s gas-to-energy project that will allow Guyana to export its surplus natural gas products throughout the Caribbean thereby gaining “incredible dividends in terms of energy security, which, of course, is one of the United States’ top priorities. Of course, gas-to-energy will also make manufacturing more competitive by bringing down the cost of energy.” The envoy said that although Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is impressive the country’s best days are still to come. “ExxonMobil and its partners are adding a new FPSO nearly every year, and major new infrastructure projects such as gas-to-energy will make life better for everyone…You can say the same for Suriname, U.S. based oil company, APA Corporation, alongside French company, TOTAL (TOTALEnergies) just announced a $10.5billion investment in Suriname’s offshore oil industry. Likewise, the bridge linking Guyana and Suriname will greatly increase trade between the two countries,” the Ambassador added. Related Similar Articles

Oct 22, 2024 News Kaieteur News-  MODEC, the Japanese ship builder that was awarded a contract to supply the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel for the fifth Stabroek Block deepwater project- Uaru- is in search of contractors to provide weather forecasting services. MODEC was hired by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited in November 2022 to perform Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) for a FPSO for the “Uaru” development project. The FPSO- Errea Wittu- will be MODEC’s first for use in Guyana, however it will be the 18th FPSO/FSO vessel delivered by MODEC for use in South America. The vessel is being designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day by 2026, will have associated gas treatment capacity of 540 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 350,000 barrels per day. A 3D model of the Errea Wittu FPSO being constructed by MODEC The FPSO will be installed in a water depth of about 2000 meters, using a SOFEC Spread Mooring System and will be able to store around 2 million barrels of crude oil. In a Request For Information (RFI) issued last week, MODEC explained that the contractor is seeking quotes for the issuance of “frequent reports” containing data on current speeds and directions; water temperature; wave directions; wind speeds and directions; visibility and weather risk assessment for specific activities and operations. It also requires alerts for inclement weather and other patterns as they occur. The selected contractor will also be tasked with maintaining availability of real-time updated dashboards or an alternative solution. MODEC said, “Information utilised to generate the data shall be measured with industry standard accuracy, with utilisation of scientific methods or calibrated measuring systems. Methodology and specifications of equipment shall be auditable by (the) company.” The contractor is required to have at least five years experience in providing reliable weather reports and information to the offshore industry, as well as relevant permits and licenses to obtain and share weather information. Related Similar Articles

Exxon paid EPA GYD$5.6M for flaring in 2023 Oct 22, 2024 News …4.3 Trillion cubic feet of gas burned Kaieteur News-  ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) in 2023 handed over $5.6M in flaring fees to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This was revealed by President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge during the company’s third quarter media conference. The company is required to pay US $50 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) emitted as a result of flaring in excess of the periods outlined in the environmental permits for the three projects currently in operation. According to Routledge, the company flared an average 12 million cubic feet of gas per day in 2023. This means that the gas flared in 2023 amounted to 4.3 trillion cubic feet or 430M tonnes of gas.  He said, “About half of that related to the Payara project startup. As you may recall the first 60 days when we are commissioning equipment, all of the gas compression facilities and everything, we are required from a safety point of view just to flare gas through that period.” President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge The Country Manager boasted that outside of the periods outlined in the Permits for flaring, Exxon recorded “really excellent performance”. According to him, “First of all with Payara itself actually achieving background flare much faster than the 60 days- I recall it was 37 days and on the other assets, on Liza Phase One and Phase Two they average 6 million total across the two assets for the full year and that takes account of unplanned shutdown activity, safety events, but also plant shut down activities where we know we need to take down the facilities and safely flare the pressure gas in the system.” While responding to a question from this newspaper, Routledge revealed that there was one day in 2023 where the company exceeded the flaring requirements. On that occasion, he said a fine of US$27,000 or approximately $5.6M was paid to the regulator. In the previous year, Exxon paid US$9M in fines to the EPA for its excessive gas flaring. During that period, the oil giant encountered mechanical difficulties with its gas compressor on the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. Flaring, as the word suggests, is the process of burning associated gas that is brought up during oil production. Notably, this process emits harmful gases into the atmosphere that can, not only affect seabirds and marine creatures, but also climate change. In addition, it must be noted that there are alternative options available to the oil company to avoid flaring, such as gas re-injection. However, Exxon has publicly made it clear that it is cheaper for the company to flare the associated gas, rather than re-inject it into the wells. Various studies conducted have outlined that gas flaring is a major source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that accelerates global warming. Flaring releases two major GHGs – Carbon Dioxide and Methane. Related Similar Articles