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No retraction, apology or compensation to Oil Minister for US detention claims – Woolford’s attorneys  Jul 15, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Lawyers representing veteran Guyanese Journalist, Enrico Woolford have said that there will be no apology, retraction and compensation given to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat over the recent claims that he was detained by Federal Agents in the United States. Veteran Guyanese Journalist, Enrico Woolford Minister Bharrat last Friday denied allegations that he was questioned by the US Federal Agents, on arrival at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport.  Woolford had made a post on his social media account making claims that the Minister had been detained. News of his alleged detention quickly spread and when contact, the Minister directed this publication to a Demerara Waves article which quoted him as denying the allegations and stating that “it was courtesies being extended to expedite clearing. I was not detained or interrogated”. Bharrat told Demerara Waves that he traveled to New York for an emergency because his father was hospitalized. In the article, he described the Facebook post made by Woolford as “mischievous”. The Minister did not directly respond to any of the questions posed by this newspaper. Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat However through his attorney, Sanjeev Datadin, he wrote to Woolford demanding he “issue a clear, unqualified and unconditional apology and retraction in a form manner and terms to be agreed on or before the 14th July 2024 at 2p.m.” In a letter dated July 13, 2024, attorneys, Eusi Anderson, Nigel Hughes and Roysdale Forde SC representing Woolford responded to the Minister’s lawyer demands stating categorically that “There will be no retraction, apology or compensatory damages or payments of legal fees as requested…” The lawyers noted that there was no falsehood, malice or defamation in any of the publication’s contents.  The letter described Woolford as a national icon and treasure and a decorated, Syracuse University trained world-class journalist. “In this context, much of the contents of both your missive and allegations against our Client are perilously proximal to harassment of his person and defamation of his untarnished name. Both you and your Client would embrace wisdom were you to immediately cease and desist from such practices,” the letter pointed out. “Consequently, the claim of injury to your Client’s reputation will find it hard to hinge itself to reality. Enrico Woolford stands, firm and strong, by the words published and will stand in similar resolve in defence of civil and criminal proceedings,” the letter stated. Further the lawyers pointed out that, “Our client considers the threat of criminal proceedings for the exercise of his constitutional right of free speech to be replete with humour and empty of substance. He has expressed a distinct aversion to barrels sans contents for obvious reasons.” Further, the attorneys said that Woolford will answer to whatever proceedings are brought against him in any Court in any country. “This disclosure is both a professional courtesy and a warning for those who inhabit subjective realities and consider truth to be malleable, context-specific or dexterous. We urge you to heed same,” the letter outlined. The lawyers’ letter called on the Minister to focus his energies to the national collective and his ministerial portfolio. “Undoubtedly, it is a significant and challenging task. We offer sorrows and prayers for all other matters.  Our Client and his attorneys wish your client’s father, the swiftest return to fine health,” it pointed out. Related Similar Articles

“President will determine structure of his government” Jul 15, 2024 News – Jagdeo on appointment of new Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary Kaieteur News – Vice President Jagdeo (VP) told media operatives on Thursday that it is up President Irfaan Ali to determine the structure of his government. Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo. Jagdeo was at the time responding to a question, which was raised by Kaieteur News on whether the government has plans to fill the portfolio of Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary . The posts have been empty since the death of Dr. Roger luncheon, last August. Luncheon was the longest serving Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary. He served in the post between 1992 and 2015. Asked if and when the government plans to fill the vacancy for a Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary, Jagdeo posited, “There is nothing magical about that…” He continued that “The President determines the structure of his Ministry which is the Presidency, and he determines the structure of his government.” To further bolster his position, the VP made reference to the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government. He noted that that administration had a lot of persons with designations and still jobs were lost, and taxes were increased. He stressed that the Coalition, “practically destroyed all the sectors of the economy by higher taxation, by harassing people. We didn’t build no infrastructure, we screwed up on GPL; basically, it was a useless government, but they had beautiful structures; they had [a] really wonderful structure”. “Remember one time, they had about 40 something external advisors. Google that, let’s go back and look at the past. They name a long list of external advisors’, lots of sycophants that they brought back…,” Jagdeo added. The VP stated that even with all the structure, the APNU administration only held one press conference dedicated to oil and gas, in the five years they were in government, “but we can’t fault them; they had a beautiful structure. We don’t work that way. We look at the effectiveness…and we’re sometimes revered to that… [But] that rubs some of the do gooders or contrives do gooders; it rubs them the wrong way.” He said that his government looks at what is important to its people and get it done. Jagdeo stressed that therefore, there is nothing magical about appointing the Head of the Presidential Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretary. Related Similar Articles

Need for robust ring-fencing Jul 15, 2024 Editorial Editorial… Kaieteur News – Without ring-fencing provisions, Guyana will be shortchanged on every oil discovery. We keep hearing about this “ring-fencing”, how much Guyana needs it, and how much we must fight to get it, as one of our top demands tirelessly tabled before Exxon. What is this ring-fencing, and why is it so significant? What does it mean to have it and what would it mean not to have it, to continue merrily along without it? We will attempt to reduce this to its simplest form, through using a handful of everyday examples, which should be familiar to Guyanese. Ring-fencing is as it sounds, and it appears. It is a circle, like a wedding ring, that binds people and things and practices and expectations within that agreed upon, committed to, space that we can measure between our thumb and any finger. Like a fence (or a ring), there is containment, and there is the understanding, the hope, the insistence, that there is no straying beyond its boundaries, there is staying within bounds. Ring-fencing is a silo, into which what belongs is packed, but only what belongs; there is frowning, severe disagreements, over any thinking of mingling elements that should not be there. And to emphasize ring-fencing, we use a medical situation though it may not be the best, that of a raging diabetic. To prevent the spread of poisoned negatives, of tainted red (think income and expense statements), there is amputating of a toe, or a limb, when necessary, to protect the rest of what is a healthy body. What is applicable, and all too relevant, in real life for individuals, also has the fullest application and relevance to business, and how corporate practices and standards ought to be. Expenses for one project must be isolated and accounted for against that project and that one alone. Expenses must not be given carte blanche to roam freely to wherever (other projects) and whenever it pleases those charging such expenses (when nimble accounting tricks are being used as camouflage) to mislead others by manipulating numbers of immense proportions and consequences. This is what Exxon is doing, when it takes the fullest of unfair advantage to utilize the lack of ring-fencing in Guyana’s oil contract to boost its bottom line and delight its investors. This is what started out, most abominably, with the previous APNU Coalition Government, and now continues with uninterrupted stride under this PPP/C Government. It is the loophole of loopholes, and our alternately wise and wretched political leaders in today’s PPP/C Government (and the Opposition) know this, but are determined to do nothing about, from every indication, so far. We say that our national political leaders are wise and wretched at the same time. We did so purposefully, because we think that a survey of local circumstances confirms this condition of our leaders. They have the intellect, the total awareness, of what is lacking, what needs to be done, and how to go about closing this gaping ring-fencing loophole, but they are wretched by their inactions. Those denounce them for the waste of time they are, for the squandering of beliefs vested in them, for the complete paralysis that characterizes their sloth, their stubbornness, their stupidity, with not laying it all the line for removal of ring-fencing provisions (among other things) from our oil contract. The absence of sturdy ring-fencing provisions is a perversity that must be corrected, and yesterday. The continuing of this country without it opens the door for Exxon to bulk-up its expenses by the billions and then cunningly spread them from one project to another. Exxon has not dealt fairly with Guyana; it has cheated us US billions over the years. And all Guyanese can be assured that as the billions of expenses coming rolling in, there is great room for Exxon’s accountants and top corporate chiefs to gouge us some more, much more. Guyanese know that if they have a criminal neighbour, then they need the best fence possible. Exxon is not a good neighbour; it is the worst of roguish partners. We need robust ring-fencing, and we must have it. Related Similar Articles

GCB welcomes home Women’s U19 T20 champions Jul 15, 2024 Sports The Champions were greeted at the airport by Government officials, GCB executives, family members and friends. Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Under-19 Women’s T20 Blaze Champions returned home yesterday to a cultural welcoming, flocked by family, friends, Government officials and executives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). Minister Sonia Parag  welcomed the young women by saying, “We are proud of you and on behalf of the government and Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jr, I’m honored to welcome a team of young female players from a country beyond proud of you.” The Minister spoke of her love for cricket which stemmed from her days as a young woman herself, who would frequently attend cricket matches; something she said laid the foundation of her passion for the sport. She added that the win has brought excitement home, adding that the Government is proud to foster development in sports across the country. Following the success of the team, Minister Parag added that Minister Ramson plans to engage the young women as major plans are in place to collaborate and further capitalize on the current progress of the Women’s cricket team. “You’ve done Guyanese immensely proud, I wish you more success, as a female minister, I want to say as women you are an absolute inspiration to our younger generation of women in our country,” said Minister Parag. Meanwhile, GCB president Bissoondyal Singh issued congratulations to his young team winning the CWI title. He said the win marked a significant milestone in women’s cricket while setting the stage for more structure within Women’s cricket. Singh pointed out that more will be done to help make the future of Guyana Women’s cricket brighter than ever.  Related Similar Articles

Guyana leads by 33 runs after Day one Jul 15, 2024 Sports 2024 CWI Men’s 2-Day U19 Tournament… Kaieteur Sports – It was a very ordinary performance with bat from the Guyana team on the opening day of their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 2-Day Championship match against the Leeward Islands at the Sion Hill Playing Field in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Isai Thorne (Photo: X(Twitter) Batting first, Guyana was only able to get 142 runs on the board before they were bowled out in 48.1 overs. In reply, pressed to 109-4 from 39 overs at stumps, a further 33 runs behind with six wickets remaining. In Guyana’s innings, Rampertab Ramnauth (22) and Romeo Deonarine (7) gave stern resistance at the top of the order but their scoring rate was quite slow. The captain, Mavendra Dindyal (17), Shahid Viera (11) and Jonathan van Lange (25) got starts but were unable to heavily affect the scoring too. Thaddeus Lovell made a quick fire 34 batting at number 7 while Isai Thorne turned in 12 valuable runs to the total. No other batsman made it to double figures as Kirsten Murray led for Leewards with 4 – 25. Tarrique Edward and Kirt Murray both picked up two wickets each while Kirtnet Franklyn and Lee John claimed one each. Leewards began their chase in the final session of the day, which saw Thorne dismiss both openers Stephen Pascal (6) and Theo Edward (10) to leave the opposition at 23-2 in the 7th over. However, a recovery by Devonie Joseph (30) and Steven Abraham Jr. (27) took them to 84 before the latter was dismissed. Joseph’s innings ended three deliveries later to put some hope back in the Guyanese camp. Edward retired hurt on 1 but Kirt Murray (9) and John (8) are overnight in the middle. Thorne leads the bowling for Guyana with 2-14 while Krsna Singh and Golcharran Chulai each have one. The match resumes today. Related Similar Articles

Indoor: Day one action set up thrilling conclusion Jul 15, 2024 Sports GHB-Value4U Summer Break Junior Tournament… Kaieteur Sports – There was no shortage of action on the second day of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Value4U Inc. Summer Break Junior’s Hockey Tournament on Saturday at the National Gymnasium. Abosaide Cadogan had a standout performance for GCC in the U-21 Girls Category. Shakeem Fausette of Saints was instrumental for his team on the opening day. The players moved to the indoor segment of the tournament following a highly competitive outdoor segment, which unfolded at the Georgetown Cricket Club Turf on Friday. Under-13 GCC War Dogs and YMCA OFHC Uprising booked their tickets for the final after victories over the teams locked in the third-place showdown, YMCA Showstoppers and SHC Scorchers. In Group A, War Dogs defeated Hikers (4 – 0), VHC Sticklers (3 – 0) and YMCA Uprising (1-0) on Court One while the Group B matches on Court Two saw Sticklers battle to draws against YMCA Uprising (0-0) and Hikers (2-2). The other match in Group B on that Court saw Uprising reign supreme over Hikers (4 – 0). In the Group B matches on Court One, GCC Thunderbolts lost to YMCA OFHC Showstoppers (0-4), GCC Thunderbolts and SHC Scorchers drew nil all and Showstoppers lost to Scorchers (1 – 2) Under-16 A total of 11 matches were billed for this division in both the Boys and Girls categories. In the Girls segment, GCC Her-ricanes defeated HHC Junior Jets (1-0), SHC Sensations defeated YMCA OFHC Stars (3-0) and Her-ricanes (5-0) and HHC Junior Jets (3-0), YMCA OFHC Stars sank VHC Sticklers (4-0) and Junior Jets drew with Sticklers (1-1). The five Boys matches saw GCC Outlaws defeat HHC Hatchets (6 – 0) and YMCA OFHC Stunners (3-0), SHC Legends got past Stunners (5-0), SHC Sigmas trounced HHC Hatchets (4-0) and Legends drew with Sigmas, nil all. Under-21 The lone Girls’ match in this Division was won comfortably by GCC Spartans against Saints, 3 – 0 while the highly competitive Boys Division had contrasting results. In the six male showdowns, YMCA OFHC Top Form defeated GCC Pitbulls 4 – 0, SHC S’Team drew 1 – 1 with SHC Clovelly. S’Team sank Pitbulls (2 – 1), Top Form and Clovelly drew 1 – 1, Clovelly defeated Pitbulls 4 – 2 while S’Team won 1 – 0 against Top Form. Meanwhile, the tournament was scheduled to conclude on Sunday with the remainder of the matches in the Indoor Segment. Related Similar Articles

Port Mourant player benefits from Project Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana Jul 15, 2024 Sports Kaieteur Sports – Richard Sewmangal, a 14-year-old all-rounder from Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, is the latest young cricketer to benefit from this joint initiative of Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana. The fast-bowling all-rounder was the recipient of one pair of cricket shoes. Richard Sewmangal received the equipment from coach, Hubern Evans. He is a student of JC Chandisingh Secondary School and represents Port Mourant Cricket Club, a club that has a rich history of producing cricketers for Berbice, Guyana and West Indies, at all levels. Sewmangal represents his club at all junior levels and was selected in Berbice 24-man squad at the under-15 level. The presentation was done by former national cricketer and coach, Hubern Evans. Evans encouraged the youngster to stay disciplined and focus on his game and education. Sewmangal expressed gratitude in response and promised to work hard on his game. This project continues to support young people. Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $460,000 in cash, thirteen colored cricket uniforms, two trophies, eighteen pairs of cricket boots, thirty-one pairs of batting pads, 33 cricket bats, 29 pairs of batting gloves, 24 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, ten cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one fiber-glass bat and ten boxes of white cricket balls. In addition to the above, more than $600,000 worth of gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, a former National wicketkeeper/batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase gear requested and not available at the time. To date, 76 young players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 32 bats, three boxes, six helmets, 27 pairs of cricket shoes, eighteen pairs of batting pads, 24 thigh pads, one bat grip, 31 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads and three pairs of wicketkeeping gloves. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club thirteen color uniforms while RHCCCC received three boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket keeping gloves, a set of stumps and bails. Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist in identifying talent. Progressive and well-managed cricket clubs with a youth program, will also benefit. Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry at 623-6875 or Kishan Das at 1-718-664-0896. Related Similar Articles