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What sense third parties, then? Oct 12, 2024 Features / Columnists, News, The GHK Lall Column Hard Truths by GHK Lall… Kaieteur News – By this hour next year, Guyana should be abuzz with the presence of several new political parties contesting in the national elections.  Enthusiastic they would all be about their chances of electoral success.  How many, if any, would announce itself when the numbers are counted.  Hopefully, there is only one official count this time coming.  Notwithstanding their vociferous energy, oaths to country and people, what are their odds of newcomers making a mark, any kind?  For emphasis: what chance new parties? As fleshed out elsewhere recently, the chances of electoral success for new political pups are slim to marginal to almost nonexistent.  Electoral success, what is that one-legged beast?  Only a madcap political operator would enter the local electoral jungle with bright expectations.  No issues there for me, except that there are a few large holes hovering, ever ready to remind arriviste aspirants of their folly.  That is, think big, and truly believe that they could do well in any Guyanese national elections.  Better be ready for a long, hard fall.  Striking the ground is where the trouble, the abrupt reminders are encountered.  Where are the votes?  Where is the broad interest?  Where is the movement?  For clean governance, genuine oil management, banishment of cult leadership and the bandwagon of vagabonds that plunder Guyana’s riches?  Try these reality checks, first. Call them whatever pleases, diehards, fundamentalists, tribalists, fanatics, and here is the first truth: dem ain goin no way but weh deh always been.  The cup or the palm tree.  Pardon for succumbing to the wiles of mischief by summoning scripture: the cup of these faithful overflows under their fig tree.  It may be a distorted message, but it is real, isn’t it?  That is, mainly Indians for the Indian party (PPP), the same with African Guyanese for African party (PNC).  The elections just ended there and then, and the observers could pack their bags, and book their return tickets for 2030.  That is, unless they choose to stay here, and wait for a stake in the resource bonanza open to all.  And with the right recognition from the right people in the ruling seat, of course. To be clear, I am not asserting that every Guyanese of Indian or African descent [trusting that I have that right]) will vote with the back of their heads.  What is being insisted is that the old political loyalties, regular political culture, standard political-racial-electoral voting patterns would seize the upcoming contest by the scruff of the neck and shake most of the promise of difference out of it.  Whatever is left is not just out of breath and spirit.  It is out of reach for new parties.  The realist in me delivers this word: foregone.  The optimist hangs on to another: when cometh the spoiler, three-seat kingmaker?  The analyst (there is a dirty word) digs this up: what about a difference maker.   Last, the pessimist broadcasts the outlier: how to detect the stealth/shadow parties that turned out to be PPP plants, thanks to bhai Bharat-ji?  Taken individually or compounded, next year (yeah, Trump’s shadow haunts), all electoral roads and results in Guyana lead to this terminal: shut up, select a box, sit down, and take a snooze.  Here is a hard number on the local electoral GPS and odometer: 15,000 or 20,000 at a stretch.  This is all that the clamoring crowd of educated, thinking, principled, concerned, angry, disillusioned, and damn-it-this will-not-be-taken-one-second more in Guyana can muster, represent, project, when all the hollering is done.  Yeah, but who is there to grab all of them in one shot, along with any stray votes? At the extreme, 20,000 crossover or swing votes mean nothing but three seats.  Once the old, familiar commitments hold, and they will, razor thin becomes razor wire.  Somebody is going to get slashed, and it is not I.  A call must be made.  It hinges on two words starting with capital c and o. Corruption and oil. Corruption has savaged the spirits of those who care about such, ahm, ideals.  Corruption has besmirched the consciences of those who held onto theirs.  Oil is less focused on those who teef in their last reincarnation, and more on those who teef yesterday, will teef more today, and will be hijacking and bust the bank post-2025.  Reality: corruption and oil, and all in caps have PPP written all over them.  Time will tell how much Guyanese truly care, if they care anything about these two planks. With the indigenous and Venezuelan votes conveniently held in abeyance in my own ballot box, the PPP should be the biggest loser in any election.  Corruption and oil are contributors.  One thing is certain, other than for some stragglers, the PNC will not benefit from the PPP’s loss.  Some new man of the moment could.  But where are the rest of the votes, where is the spoiler, difference maker, troublemaker, interferer, and even kingmaker role all rolled into one.  This will come to light, depending on the incentives offered by the standing local political mastermind and moneyman, Jagdeo.  Dish out some cash, and swooning could follow.  Guyanese need something, someone, to trust in this their Golden Age of Oil.  When a leader leads from the front, multitudes follow. Who knocks? Those 15,000 or 20,000 votes waiting to parachute into a new and trusted camp could be entangled by indecision, the richness of too much choice.  Noise, too.  The new political groups could collide with one another, cripple the prospects of each other.  There is only one winner then: the PPP.  Whether the imagined swing voting bloc stays home or steps out is where 2025 stands.  Me, too. Related Similar Articles

U.S. Clears ConocoPhillips to Recover Venezuela Assets Oct 12, 2024 News Kaieteur News – OilPrice – ConocoPhillips has received new U.S. licenses that could help the company recover up to $10 billion owed by Venezuela, an anonymous source has told Bloomberg. The debt stems from the Venezuelan government’s nationalization of ConocoPhillips’ assets over a decade ago. The licenses allow the company to pursue its claims against Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), the state-owned oil giant, without violating U.S. sanctions. PDVSA Although the licenses don’t permit ConocoPhillips to resume operations in Venezuela, they enable the company to pursue legal action in countries where PDVSA holds financial assets. By securing these licenses, ConocoPhillips can move to the front of the line among entities looking to recover funds from Venezuela, ensuring it has a strong position once PDVSA’s frozen accounts are released. Last month, a court in Trinidad and Tobago awarded ConocoPhillips $1.33 billion as part of this ongoing effort to reclaim lost assets. The September 27 ruling approved Conoco’s request to seize payments that PDVSA would have received for its role in the Dragon Gas offshore product. Conoco remains committed to using every legal channel to recover the full amount it is owed, emphasizing its duty to shareholders. Venezuela, once a leading global oil producer, has seen its output fall by over 70% due to years of underinvestment in the sector, partly a result of socialist policies and nationalization efforts. For ConocoPhillips, these U.S. licenses mark a crucial step in addressing the financial fallout from Venezuela’s actions, though the company’s operations in the country remain halted. As Venezuela’s oil industry continues to decline, any hope of recovery depends on securing foreign investment and technical expertise, much of which has been driven away by the country’s past actions. Related Similar Articles

Oct 12, 2024 Sports Part of the action between Guyana and Guatemala. (PHOTO: Jeremy Jagroop) Kaieteur Sports – In a spirited encounter at the National Track and Field Centre in Edinburgh, Guyana’s senior men’s national team, the Golden Jaguars, fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of a dominant Guatemala side. Stephen Duke-McKenna The match, held last evening, marked Guyana’s second loss in the 2023-2024 CONCACAF Nations League A campaign, while Guatemala maintained their unbeaten streak, asserting their control in the group. The Guatemalan squad, riding high on confidence from previous results, opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Oscar Santis capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Golden Jaguars. Santis, known for his quick footwork and sharp finishing, found the back of the net with a well-placed shot, silencing the home crowd early in the first half. Despite the early setback, Guyana was determined not to let the game slip away. The Golden Jaguars, driven by the energy of their supporters, clawed their way back into the match. In the 31st minute, midfielder Stephen Duke-McKenna, a pivotal figure in Guyana’s squad, showed his composure and skill by scoring a crucial equalizer. Duke-McKenna’s strike electrified the stadium, giving the home side renewed hope as they headed into halftime with the score locked at 1-1. However, the second half belonged to Guatemala. They came out with renewed vigor and pressed the Golden Jaguars deep into their own half. In the 61st minute, Guatemala took the lead once again, this time courtesy of Oscar Castellanos. Castellanos’s well-timed run and precise finish past Guyana’s goalkeeper, Quillan Roberts, put the visitors ahead 2-1, shifting the momentum firmly in their favour. Guyana struggled to regain their composure as Guatemala continued to pile on the pressure. The defensive unit of Leo Lovell, Jalen Jones, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, and Ryan Hackett worked tirelessly to keep the Guatemalan attack at bay, but they were eventually undone again. In the 68th minute, Oscar Santis completed his brace, scoring Guatemala’s third goal and effectively sealing the win. Despite flashes of individual brilliance, particularly from Guyana’s rising star Omari Glasgow and the ever-reliable Liam Gordon, the Golden Jaguars couldn’t find a way back into the match. Guatemala’s defence, marshaled by captain José Pinto and the steadfast Nicholas Samayoa, held firm, denying Guyana any real chances to mount a comeback. Guatemala fielded a balanced lineup with Nicholas Hagen commanding the goal and a defensive backline featuring José Ardon, Samayoa, and Pinto. Their midfield, orchestrated by Rubio Méndez and Nathaniel Galindo, provided the link-up play that allowed Santis and Castellanos to flourish in attack. On the Guyanese side, Quillan Roberts was called into action multiple times but couldn’t keep out the Guatemalan onslaught. The Golden Jaguars started with a relatively young squad, including promising talents like Isaiah Jones and Colin Nelson, alongside key players such as Duke-McKenna and Moriah-Welsh, who tried to assert control in midfield. This latest defeat continues a challenging history for the Golden Jaguars in their encounters with Guatemala. Over the years, Guyana has struggled to find success against the Central American side. With this 3-1 loss, Guatemala extends their dominance in the head-to-head record between the two nations, leaving Guyana still searching for their first win in this matchup. Despite the disappointment, the Golden Jaguars must now turn their attention to their next challenge, a crucial away fixture against Suriname on October 14. This match will be another tough test for Guyana as they seek to bounce back and regain momentum in their Nations League campaign. Related Similar Articles

Le Ressouvenir pensioner killed in accident Oct 12, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Eighty-five-year-old Stephen Correia lost his life in an accident along the Le Ressouvenir public road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Friday morning. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement revealed that Correia of Le Ressouvenir was riding on the public road when he ended up in the path of motor car PAG 7093, which was being driven by 58-year-old Garfield Hoppie, a carpenter of La Bonne Intention (LBI). According to police reports, the vehicle was traveling west along the southern carriageway of the Le Ressouvenir public road, reportedly at a fast speed when Correia attempted to cross from south to north. The pensioner was struck by the motor car. Correia sustained injuries to his left hand, left ankle, and other parts of his body. Public-spirited citizens assisted in picking him up in a semi-conscious state, after which he was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Moreover, police said that the driver of the car was arrested and is currently in police custody as investigations continue. Correia’s body is at the hospital’s mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination. Related Similar Articles

Sports infrastructure booms in Guyana under President Ali Oct 12, 2024 Sports …but transparency questions linger  By Rawle Toney Under President Irfaan Ali’s administration, sports in Guyana have seen an unprecedented surge in investment and infrastructure development. President Irfaan Ali during his recent address to Parliament From 2020 to 2024, the government has allocated a staggering $13.61 billion to sports development, marking a historic increase in the country’s commitment to nurturing athletic talent, promoting wellness, and positioning Guyana as a competitive player on the international stage. During his recent address to Parliament, President Ali doubled down on this commitment, asserting that sports are a central pillar of national development. “We are building an ecosystem to support cultural, youth, and sports development,” Ali stated, pointing to the tens of billions of dollars earmarked for creating world-class facilities across the country. According to the President, these investments not only serve athletes but contribute to improving the overall quality of life for Guyanese citizens. President Ali’s tenure has been marked by substantial budgetary increases for sports. In 2020, the government allocated $805.3 million to the Ministry of Sport, which surged to $1.5 billion in 2021. By 2022, the budget had increased to $2.4 billion, followed by $4.3 billion in 2023 and $4.6 billion in 2024. These funds have been directed toward constructing new stadiums, athletic and recreational facilities, wellness centres, and rehabilitating community grounds in both urban and rural areas. “We are investing in building out a sporting infrastructure that is second to none,” President Ali remarked during his address, emphasizing that new facilities were being developed in every region, catering to sports as diverse as badminton, squash, cricket, football, volleyball, motor racing, and horse racing. A cornerstone of this sports infrastructure is the government’s collaboration with international institutions, including the University of Florida, which offers partnerships to elevate the standards of coaching and training. President Ali highlighted that the government’s investments are aimed at giving local athletes exposure not just on the national level, but also regionally and internationally. “We believe that sports have that imaginative capacity and capability in building positive citizens and creating positive outcomes,” the President said, underlining the broader social impacts of his administration’s focus on sports. CONCERNS ABOUT PACE AND TRANSPARENCY While the government’s efforts to elevate sports infrastructure and opportunities have been lauded, concerns about the pace of development and lack of transparency have surfaced. Critics point out that although the numbers reflect record-breaking investments, many of the promised projects have been slow to materialize. Some regions, particularly in rural areas, have seen delays in the completion of community grounds and facilities, raising questions about the efficiency of the disbursement of funds. Further compounding these concerns is the issue of accountability. Transparency around the use of the allocated billions has been minimal, with few public reports or audits detailing how funds are being spent and what percentage has gone toward actual construction versus administrative overheads. While the government has begun building new stadiums and wellness centres, critics argue that more attention needs to be placed on ensuring that these projects are completed on time and within budget, especially given the massive scale of the funding. Some local sports associations have voiced their frustrations with delayed timelines, indicating that athletes often struggle to access proper training grounds. One area that has drawn particular attention is the government’s backing of the Global Super League T20 cricket tournament, an initiative touted as a major step forward for the country’s sports tourism reputation. While the administration has proudly supported the project, President Ali’s address to Parliament notably failed to mention anything about the tournament’s funding. This omission has raised eyebrows, especially given the substantial financial backing required for such a high-profile event. Transparency advocates have called on the government to provide a clearer breakdown of the funds allocated to the Global Super League and how these investments align with the broader national sports strategy. They argue that while the tournament will likely bring international attention to Guyana, it’s essential that the funds be properly accounted for and not diverted away from grassroots sports development. A BALANCING ACT President Ali’s sports development agenda presents both tremendous promise and significant challenges. On the one hand, the sheer scale of the investments and the long-term vision of transforming Guyana into a hub for athletic excellence are commendable. Guyana is slowly but surely establishing itself as a nation that values its athletes, providing them with the necessary infrastructure to thrive both locally and internationally. On the other hand, the slothful pace of certain projects and the lack of transparency in how funds are being managed cast a shadow over the administration’s achievements. The ball, as they say, is now in the government’s court. Related Similar Articles

Guyanese athletes aiming to improve medals haul Oct 12, 2024 Sports 2024 CAC Body Building & Fitness c/ships… Kaieteur Sports – Guyanese athletes scheduled to appear at the 2024 Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Body Building & Finess Championships slated to be staged right here at the National Cultural Centre have all been expressing confidence of making this country proud. Christina Ramsammy The c/ships to be held on October 19-20 will attract over 250 participants from 20 countries as they battle each other for supremacy and the overwhelming feedback from the local contingent is that they are taking no prisoners in their quest to secure top honours. Three such athletes are Christina Ramsammy, Julio Sinclair and Yusuf Khan, who have all signalled their intent on upstaging their regional rivals. Ramsammy, who will be competing in the Bikini category, said that even though she was sidelined from training for almost two and a half months due to a back injury, she has returned to the gym and feels great to be back. “I had a rough start after injuring my back, but despite that I was able to get back on track and working hard in trying to surpass my last showing,” Ramsammy divulged. She revealed that she is ahead of schedule and the little time she has left is being used ti fine tune her work of art (Physique). Yusuf Khan Ramsammy has so far competed twice at the CAC before finishing second in 2022 and seventh last year so she will be eager to improve on her last performance. Working under the tutelage of her husband and coach (3-times Mr. Guyana Darious Ramsammy), she opined that this was the best shape she’s in and cannot wait to take the stage in front of the home fans. “I cannot wait to hear my fellow Guyanese screaming down their support for us and I believe that we will get the kind of support of all Guyana beyond our wildest dreams,” Ramsammy felt. She said the growth of the sport is undeniable, according to her more and more athletes are gravitating to the sport so the future seems bright. Meanwhile, both Sinclair and Khan exuded similar confidence of doing well at the c/ships. Julio Sinclair  Sinclair, a two-time medallist in the Body Building category, having won gold in 2022 and silver in 2023 will no doubt be eyeing gold in front of the home crowd. He too disclosed that training has been going well and competing in from of home fans have given him an added impetus to train hard to exceed last year’s result. Khan was similarly complementary about his training and confidence ahead of the big event. He said the mere fact that he could represent his country at the most prestigious body building competitions in the Region is added incentive for him to produce an outstanding performance. “I have a few more days to get dialled in, my preparations have been good and going according to plan, and I must commend my fellow teammates who’ve all been very supportive in their guidance and advice throughout the journey,” Khan said. He expressed thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, the National Sports Commission, the Guyana Olympic Association and all the other corporate entities that have contributed tomaking the championships a reality. Related Similar Articles

GRA’s Petroleum Unit still lacking 28 employees – AG report Oct 12, 2024 News Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Kaieteur News – The Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Petroleum Revenue Department continues to face staffing shortages, while there is an increased need to strengthen Guyana’s regulatory capacity to manage ExxonMobil Guyana Limited’s (EMGL) six approved oil projects in the Stabroek Block, and a seventh project that awaits approval. Since its establishment in 2019, when Guyana began oil production, the department has faced persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining personnel. Many staff members have left for higher-paying jobs with oil companies, even though GRA offers salaries that are double the standard public sector wage for employees in this department. GRA’s Petroleum Revenue Department is currently operating with less than its full approved staff complement, according to the 2023 Auditor General (AG) Report. As of September 2024, the department had only 39 officers in place, compared to the approved complement of 67. The report also highlighted a staffing shortfall in the Customs Petroleum Unit. Out of an approved staff complement of 32, the unit had 21 officers as of the same period. The Petroleum Department includes the tax audit division, the cost recovery audit division and the petroleum revenue service. In July 2023, GRA’s Commissioner General Godfrey Statia stated that the department had only 15 employees in 2019. By mid-2023, staffing increased to 31, but positions were still unfilled, particularly in key areas like the cost recovery audit section. According to the latest update in the Auditor General’s report, the department’s staff has merely grown since 2023. Recently, Kaieteur News reported that GRA’s Cost Recovery Unit has been strengthened with the addition of more auditors. This was revealed in the Government of Guyana’s (GoG) 2024 Mid-Year Report. In providing an update on the legal, regulatory, and institutional framework relative to the oil and gas sector, it was noted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continued to strengthen its monitoring of operations offshore. Additionally, “The Guyana Revenue Authority also made progress by staffing key departments examining oil companies’ revenues and cost recovery statements as well as performing customs controls,” the report stated. The GRA had complained that its trained auditors were being lost to the petroleum sector. The cost recovery unit plays a crucial role in examining the expenses incurred by oil companies to develop the resources offshore. According to him, “we do not have the full complement of staff. We are working assiduously to get the full complement of staff. We have even pulled some staff from other Ministries, but as we know we have a paucity of skills in Guyana. We have even increased pay for persons in that capacity for them not to leave but what we have seen is that as we train staff, we lose staff.” Statia said that the trained workers are being lured with higher salaries from the oil companies and their contractors. In fact, five persons who were recently trained at the time were stolen by the oil companies. He said, “A couple of them were actually snapped up by CNOOC whereby their salaries is actually way more than mine and my officers and a couple by Exxon and we have even lost one to Schlumberger.” Statia said he has been appealing to the employees’ patriotism, rather than force the workers to remain on the job, since he believes “you have to love your work and you have to love what you do”. Additionally, he said he believes that GRA employees are privy to the best working conditions and in some cases double salaries compared to the other public servants at the same level. With the ramping up of offshore oil and gas activities, the GRA has seen an increased presence of petroleum operators and contractors, with the agency struggling to catch up. In 2019, Statia said 121 petroleum companies were operating in the country; however, the figure increased to more than 350, with this number also still climbing. Due to the shortage of employees, GRA was conducting “selective audits” with the tax body concentrating its efforts on clawing back the largest return. In addition to that, Statia said, “We have to use external accountants to do the cost recovery audit and we work along with them and we utilize their analysis and their findings to guide us in our examination and review of the accounts that would have been submitted by the oil and gas players.”  Related Similar Articles