Nintendo successfully wins a ‘Circumvention Case’ against an Online Retailer (Go Cyber) in Canada!

super-mario-odyssey

A long dragging Court Case between the Japanese Gaming Company Nintendo and Canadian Online Game Shop Go Cyber Shopping (2005) Limited, that started with an application to the court in February 2016. Therefore, years after the final judgement on the case have come. This is interesting because of the law of copyright and the sharing of content. This also provides the legislation for the providers of technology and games towards the ones who sell it in public.

If you don’t know the other company that was sued or taken to court by Nintendo, let the application spell it out:

“The Respondent, Go Cyber Shopping (2005) Ltd., is a registered Ontario corporation. It operates a retail location in Waterloo, Ontario and several commercial websites including http://www.gocybershopping.com and http://www.gocybershop.ca. The Respondent also appears to carry on business under the name “Modchip Central Ltd.” (which is neither a registered corporation nor business name) through the same retail location and through the website http://www.modchipcentral.com (Affidavit of Robert Hunter, “Hunter”, Applicant’s Record, pp. 1088-1091)” (Federal Court of Canada, 2017).

So the corporation that Nintendo is taking to court is provider or retailer of games online. Those are important for all sales of games these days, not only in shops on main-street, but also buys online and get it delivered or downloaded by second party. Therefore, Nintendo had to react to Go Cyber Shopping Limited as they we’re trading and selling games in ways that altered the main use of it or even added own settings on it. Like selling one unit with dozens of games to Consoles and Game Stations that we’re produced and licenced products of Nintendo. Therefore, this case is important to consumers as much as retailer. This case proves certain truths on selling altered products and the legality of it. Like it is allowed to sell empty cassettes, but not selling recorded music on it from radio, unless the cassette already we’re made for the recording artist and the tracks produced for it. The same seems to be when it comes to games and retailers possibility of selling it.

“In 2012, Parliament amended the Copyright Act, RSC 1985, c C-42 (the Act) to add prohibitions against circumventing technological protection measures (TPMs) and trafficking in circumvention devices. In doing so, Parliament explicitly recognized the importance of TPMs for protecting copyrighted works, particularly in the video game industry. The present Application engages novel issues arising from this important legislation” (Federal Court of Canada, 2017).

This here is the actual law that applied to this court case and sets the precedence of what is allowed and what that complies for retailer and for the Video Game industry, which Nintendo is one of the big corporations. Therefore, the reasonable judgement and understanding of what the retailer did puts forward the groundworks for other cases.

To put more forward what Go Cyber did:

“The Applicant also sells hundreds of video games for its consoles in Canada. These video games are sold as game cards (in the case of DS and 3DS games) and discs (in the case of Wii games). Purchasers of genuine Nintendo video games can play these games on the appropriate Nintendo console by inserting the game card or disc into the corresponding console. The Applicant does not and has never authorized downloading of its games onto devices that mimic its game cards or discs and which circumvent its TPMs (Rhoads 1, Applicant’s Record, p. 83)” (Federal Court of Canada, 2017).

So early in the Court the proof that Go Cyber went on to sell games that was mimicking and not direct licenced video games to the consumers that also shows altering with the product possibly sold to use and gamer. This is act of aggression towards the Nintendo and their parties who has produced and made the games with their agreements of trading these as the royalties and profits cannot have come to Nintendo and the makers of these games.

What the Go Cyber has altered:

“Each genuine game card sold by the Applicant contains two of the Header Data works. Authorized DS game cards each contain a copy of the DS Header Data and the Nintendo Logo Data File. Authorized 3DS game cards each contain a copy of the 3DS Header Data and the Nintendo Logo Data File “(Federal Court of Canada, 2017).

This might seem like small details, but the proof of legit and real video games these features are supposed to be on it. If not than the consumer has bought counterfeit and fake ones, that might be similar to the original ones, but the disc, the game cards might been manufactured in other facilities than the licenced produced ones from Nintendo.

They also did this:

“Since at least 2013, the Respondent has advertised and offered for sale, either through its websites or at its retail store, certain devices which the Applicant contends are designed to circumvent TPMs employed on the Applicant’s Nintendo DS, 3DS, and Wii gaming consoles” (Federal Court of Canada, 2017).

super-mario

So Go Cyber had methods of circumvent the built-in security checks of licenced video games on the Nintendo consoles through various features to curb the strict regulated productions of Nintendo games, nearly as way of selling pirated games to the Canadian consumer online. The Go Cyber company sold “Game-Copier” that did this: “A user in possession of a Game Copier can use it to play unauthorized copies of Nintendo DS or 3DS video games in the following manner” (…) “a user downloads an illegal copy of a DS or 3DS game from the internet in a computer file format commonly known as “ROMs” (…) “when the Nintendo DS or 3DS is switched on, the Game Copier mimics a genuine game card (using copies of the Header Data and encryption/scrambling circuitry) and enables the DS or 3DS console to access the illegally copied ROM on the memory card and play the pirated copy of the Nintendo Game” (Federal Court of Canada, 2017).

So the Canadian Online Video Game store used singular activity and offered broad spectrum of products not licenced or involved directly with Nintendo, while giving the consumer the ability and opportunity to open its console for pirated games. This is what the Go Cyber Shopping tricked the Nintendo device to recognize the pirated games without having the licenced copy. They also sold Mod-chips to circumvent the licenced games:

“Mod chips allow users to play unauthorized copies of Wii video games, such as pirated copies downloaded from the internet. For example, users may download unauthorized copies of video games from the internet onto hard drives. When these hard drives are connected to a “modded” Wii console, the mod chip allows the user to access the pirated video games without owning a genuine Wii game disc (Rhoads 2, Applicant’s Record, 923-925)” (Federal Court of Canada, 2017).

modchips-commercial

So with this in mind, the Go Cyber Shopping Online stores sold replicated and video games altercations to make sure they could sell pirated goods to the consumers and also provide methods of not paying full price for games and gaming experience to Nintendo. The provider and retailer did by all means trade in illegal merchandise and fake ones that appeared real and with costs to sell experiences that weren’t the true video game from Nintendo. They used technical installations and changes to the similar, but not the same as the licenced games from Nintendo. So the consumer in Canada was getting tricked, while the Nintendo we’re losing royalties and sales in Canada as the efforts to undermine the company by Go Cyber.

Important key aspect of the matter:

“the Respondent’s interpretation defies logic. Replication is not incompatible with circumvention. A burglar who uses an illicitly copied key to avoid or bypass a lock to access a house is no less of a burglar than one who uses a lock pick. Similarly, even if the Respondent’s Game Copiers replicate only a part of the TPM, that does not make their use any less of a circumvention” (Federal Court of Canada, 2017). This here proves the breach of contract with Nintendo and with the consumer; the gamer have bought it in good faith, while Nintendo’s copyright and TPM have been altered by the Canadian retailer.

Nintendo won damages:

“$11,700,000 in statutory damages pursuant to s. 38.1 of the Copyright Act in respect of circumvention of technological protection measures” (…) “$60,000 in statutory damages pursuant to s. 38.1 of the Copyright Act in respect of copyright infringement of the Header Data works” (…) “$1,000,000 in punitive damages” (Federal Court of Canada, 2017). So just by this the Go Cyber Shopping (2005) Limited has to fork up $12,760,000 to Nintendo of America Limited. That is blow to the not licenced video-games industry in Canada, and also shows reassuring trial for other gaming companies that needs sales on the massive investments of productions to consoles and to games. This have to be seen as the day that gaming industry got justice in court against those who sells altering and circumventing methods, which must be a good day for the gaming industry.

Certainly, this is not the last case, but it shows the level of integrity and the hard-work this companies do to respect their consoles and their games, which are righteous since they invest in technology and making games that, are tailor-made for the consoles. So that we the consumer can get the best experience and have games that entertain and put a smile on our face at the end of the day. Peace.

Reference:

Federal Court of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario – ‘Citation: 2017 FC 246: Nintendo of America INC. versus Jermaine Douglas King and Go Cyber Shopping (2005) LTD’ (01.03.2017)

Opinion: The Tories lost in the House of Lords and has to build the Brexit negotiation on shaky grounds!

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The Tories, the Conservative Party Government run by Prime Minister Theresa May lost out in voting in the House of Lords, as the bill will continue with amended text that the Lords voted on. This is the proof of some humanity in the British people, not just scare-mongering people who fear the immigrants and the newly settled people from Central Europe. Therefore, the election is a proof that the Tories negotiation team with Brexit Minister David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson cannot use citizens who has immigrated to the United Kingdoms as pawns in the negotiations with Brussels and the European Union.

The Tories negotiations team have now a harder task as they cannot use the EU citizens in the United Kingdom as a bargain chip for the UK citizens inside the European Union. There are more than enough things to figure out as the businesses and movement of people has to resolved, what sort of status the UK citizens and UK government will towards the European Union. As the Member State privileges goes away when the membership is terminated. That has many implications that are still unknown as this sort of negotiations isn’t something that occur on regular basis. Therefore, the statement of voting this amendment to the law clearly violates parts of the idea for the Brexiteers!

“Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town moved amendment 9B, in clause 1, page 1, line 3, at end to insert: “( ) Within three months of exercising the power under section 1(1), Ministers of the Crown must bring forward proposals to ensure that citizens of another European Union or European Economic Area country and their family members, who are legally resident in the United Kingdom on the day on which this Act is passed, continue to be treated in the same way with regards to their EU derived-rights and, in the case of residency, their potential to acquire such rights in the future.” (United Kingdom – House of Lords, 2017).

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This is hit in the nuggets for those who thought that United Kingdom Independence Party and other Brexiteers could get a field day without any consequence. By all means there will be a different atmosphere not only as an outsider to the Union, but also inside the British Isle’s like what about Northern Ireland and Scotland, Wales and Jersey will be there as they are so integrated that cannot leave the building. But Scotland and Northern Ireland are a different tango, as Scotland might have second referendum on freedom from London and Newcastle, while Northern Ireland even get own internal issues combined with the free-movement to the Irish Republic as well.

There are enough of issues ahead for the Tories as PM May doesn’t want to left with the short-end and nothing to show for it. She might get quick trade deals with New Zealand, South Africa and other dignitaries, but the Union trading is surely important now and will be in the future. The British Pound and the inflation will also be hold barren by the equation of possible business and how the financial tools of the United Kingdom looks after the Membership is terminated.

That can also be said by the citizen’s possible movement and the other aspect of government that might be altered by the end of membership. This will create another Europe, where UK is close, but still further away than today. The Brussels and their Member States might retaliate, but they should just show the way of decency as the whole world will see how the EU is tackling it. The way African Union tackled the Kingdom of Morocco left the Union and came back.

So here we are where the United Kingdom Government or the Tories has to make the best out of the House of the Lords decision to amend the withdrawal as the days before the Theresa May starts the process of revoking the membership. This will be rough and the agreements, the rhetoric and the slander will be at all-time high as the uncertainty along the way will be unbearable. The European states and the United Kingdom would like to have decent deal and reasonable end to the affair. What we can wonder if the UK and Brussels will cope with trying to think about the future and not just present runs of elections an popularity today, as this withdrawal will put in order the way it works to walk-away from Brussels paradigm, as it has only really been put in order how to become a Member State and what the State has to do to become a Member.

Let the tricky days come. Peace.

Reference:

United Kingdom – House of Lords – ‘European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill’ (01.03.2017) links: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/business-papers/lords/lords-divisions/?date=2017-Mar-01&itemId=1&session=2016-May-18

Opinion: Forget the Presidential Handshake, the Oil Revenues not been remitted since 2010; so what value have the Norwegian Oil Development Programmes in this mess?

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“Oil Cash Probe: About 2.4 trillion shillings of oil revenues received since 2010 has not been remitted to Bank of Uganda” (NTV Uganda, 01.03.2017).

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement and all the other civil servants that has been working and living with the knowledge of the unaccounted funds. The 2.4 trillion shillings is above $ 663m dollars. That is massive amount funds that could be used to all sorts of government programs. However, there been programs to secure the revenue and the progress, which is done in collaboration with the Norwegian government. I address these programs and wonder if they only exist on papers to make the ugly truth look decent. Since, the revelation of the funds that gone missing without a trace.

This misdirection points to another explanation for the oil curse that is gaining favour: politics. Because oil money often flows directly from Big Oil to the Big Man, as Africa’s dictators are known, governments have little need to raise revenues through taxes. Arvind Subramanian of the IMF argues that such rulers have no incentive to develop non-oil sources of wealth, and the ruled (but untaxed) consequently have little incentive to hold their rulers accountable” (The Economist, 2005).

Norwegian Funding for transparent Oil development:

Cooperation between Uganda and Norway on capacity and institutional development has a long history through several successful Programmes. Norwegian assistance under Oil for Development in Uganda started in 2006 under the programme “Strengthening the State Administration of the Upstream Petroleum Sector in Uganda”. This programme ended in June 2009 after three and a half years of successful implementation. Total funding for this Programme was NOK 21,294,650” (…) “The Programme had three Pillars – Resource Management, Environment Management and Revenue Management Pillar, in addition to a Programme Management, and was allocated a total funding of 80,000,000 NOK for its five year duration (2009 to 2014). However, during the second and third Annual Meetings for the Programme that were held on 27th January 2011 and 31st January 2012 respectively, the need to expand several activities of the Programme and the addition of new ones due to the rapid growth of the oil and gas sector in the country, was presented and approved by the Embassy. Additional funding of 67,000,000 NOK was allocated during September 2013 and the addenda to the Programme Agreement and Institutional Corporation Contract were signed” (MoEMD, P: 7-8, 2015).

Oil Press Statement 01.03. P1Oil Press Statement 01.03. P2

Supposed Revenue Administration:

The Program supported the development of a system (the petroleum tax manual) which will be used to identify and harmonize activities in the petroleum sector for taxation purposes. This activity is in three (3) parts and has been supported by the Oil Taxation Office (OTO) in Norway. Consultative meetings were held and Part II of the manual was completed in April 2014. Parts I and III have been reviewed and will be completed in next phase of the program with support from OTO” (MoEMD, P: 16, 2015).

That means that the Ugandan Government gotten by the Norwegian Government the amount of 168,294,650 NOK, which if you convert it is the total 71,879,499,032.99 UGX or 71bn shillings. If you translate it into dollars it is above $18 million dollars. That is massive sum of donations for some common good. Therefore, it is insulting that the Oil Cash Probe is showing massive amount shillings are unattained or even can verify where the oil money is.

Therefore, that the Norwegian state continues to fund the Ugandan government with the new agreement of continued oil development on the 15th May 2015. That was in a signed agreement between Hon. Matia Kasaija of Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Norwegian ambassador Thorbjørn Gaustadsæther. This was an continued effort to as the agreement stated: “The Impact of this programme will thus contribute to achieving the goal of the Uganda National Oil and Gas Policy (2008): “To use the country’s oil resources to contribute to early achievement of poverty eradication and create lasting value to society”. “The Program that the states agreed upon for the years from 2015 was 19 million NOK, in 2016 was 18 million NOK and in 2017 supposed to be 16 million NOK. In total the Norwegian Support for these three years are 53 million NOK” (Agreement between the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of the Republic of Uganda regarding development cooperation concerning “Strengthening the Management of the Oil and Gas Sector in Uganda – Phase II, 15th May 2015).

The Norwegian government have supported the Ugandan government over two periods with funds to secure the Oil Development for human resource, drilling technic and revenue stream. Therefore with the recent revelations shows that the works of the cooperation have been very fruitless or pointless; then even as the programs are in the works, you see the massive amount of petrodollars disappearing in thin-air. This is just to establish the amount of funds together before 2015 and after, that being the amounts of 221,294,650 NOK or 94,516,067,983.63 or 94bn Uganda Shillings. That is insulting lots of monies when the knowledge of missing 2 trillion shillings!

I start to wonder what they really did on this one and how they duped their European counterparts, as the results of the bidding is that funds dating back to 2010 is unaccounted for and not allocated in the funds their supposed to be at Bank of Uganda. This is a dozens loads of handshakes and giant robbery of the reserves.

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So now I am not so concerned with the “Presidential Handshake” worth 6bn shillings, which is bad enough that the NRM regime has been doling away to all civil servants and other loyal subjects after the “historic” tax settlement that we’re won in the courts. So 6 billion shillings turns into 2.4 trillion shillings, which is vast fortunes misspent by regime that clearly doesn’t care for accountability or transparency. The oil-deal between the government and the licenced in the Lake Albertine Basin!

Other than the little knowledge that was dropped in the 2014 report made by the NGO Global Witness that stated this: “Consequently it is not currently possible to track payments by international oil companies into government accounts with Tullow Oil being the only company voluntarily publishing disaggregated payments to the Ugandan Government. This creates the risk that any theoretical tax avoidance by companies or embezzlement by government officials may go unnoticed (Global Witness makes no claim of any such wrongdoing in relation to the contracts we have examined in this report). This will be increasingly important as oil production begins and more and bigger payments begin to flow into government accounts” (Global Witness, P: 35, 2014).

So this report alone states the fact that world and citizens of Uganda cannot know where the revenue ends. The state supposed petroleum revenue is not visible since 2010. The Ugandans people should be terrified and be mad of the obvious thieving. When the licenced public resources get squandered away and the black gold gets tricked away. So that President Museveni have within his powers and with his cronies made sure the fortunes made on licencing oil in the Lake Albertine basin goes to his or other associates accounts, instead of into government accounts in the Bank of Uganda.

2. Trillion shillings are not a chicken or a small fee easily to lose, it is not something that get earned over a hot minute. The citizens are kept in dark with the funds earned and taken away over years into secret accounts through sophisticated financial instruments. Certainly, Museveni and his bands of brothers who squeezed the government for decades and this is the final nail of salvaging any good reputation. The rep of the Museveni is already barely legal; still this here is just insane that the little 6 billion “handshake” to a bunch of civil servants and NRM elites revealed the madness.

So there was one guy in court who actually had the courage to reveal the greatest crime in decades. Even as the rigging of elections is thieving the country of their representation and of their true leaders, the government isn’t represented by legitimate people, but the ones there is now thieving the whole oil fund. This is not okay, this is thieving the future and the present development, as the Museveni regime and the NRM does not care about their citizens when so much revenue of the petroleum went missing. Peace.

Reference:

The Economist – ‘The curse of oil – The paradox of plenty’ (20.12.2005) link: http://www.economist.com/node/5323394

Global Witness: ‘A Good Deal Better? Uganda’s Secret Oil Contracts Explained’ (2014)

Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development – ‘Strengthening the Management of the Oil and Gas Sector in Uganda –  Phase II – 2015-2018 –  A Development Programme in Co-operation with Norway’ (March 2015)

UNSC Report of February 2017 on the Burundi Crisis: Staggering human rights violations has unfolded since 2015!

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The Burundian crisis as described by the United Nations and a report delivered to the United Security Council on the 23rd February 2017. This is the most recent compiled report on the situation of safety, human rights and peaceful work in the East African republic. Where the President Pierre Nkurunziza, decided to run for a third term, even as the constitution after the Arusha Peace Agreement, was set to be possible to have two terms.

So we are in March 2017, as the crisis has been going on since 2015. The Burundian government have continued to assassinated, detained and intimidated their population, as much they have also created a political climate where the Nkurunziza regime is hostile to foreign interference, as well as the toil of the crisis, also creates a vacuum in economic and fiscal funds for the state.

All of this is reports made to the United Nations and found by the UN Human Rights Observation Group that been stationed in Bujumbura and had to request and notify the government of their arrival. The Government are keeping their hands more tight and controlling as they want to supervise even the experts from the UN. Therefore the report has been criticised by Burundian government as expected. Because who would like to have these sorts of allegations and reports about their government. When you put the Burundian government acts together you can see a systematic oppression of the citizens of the republic. That is not a look any government want to be put in the public space, but this sort of aggressive police state and use of political youth wing to oppress the people. Just take a look!

Political Crisis:

“Nearly two years have passed since the beginning of the political crisis in Burundi, which was sparked by the decision of the ruling party, Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie — Forces pour la défense de la démocratie (CNDDFDD), to support President Pierre Nkurunziza ’s candidacy for a third term. Since then, the political impasse has only deepened. Political space has been narrowed further through repression. In lieu of meaningful dialogue, the exchange of political views, primarily in the form of accusations and counter -accusations, is taking place across social media and in public communiqués. I n a new development, President Nkurunziza suggested in a statement at the end of 2016 that he might seek a fourth term in office “if the Burundian people decide to change the Constitution according to their wishes” (UNSC, P: 1, 2017).

Violations of the State:

“While the Government insists that the situation in the country has normalized, political opposition and civil society leaders continue to appeal for urgent international action to avert the risk of further deterioration, widespread violence and mass atrocities. Despite a decline in overt violence and fewer incidences of armed confrontation, reports of human rights violations and abuses continue, including killings, enforced disappearances, gender -based violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill -treatment, along with the discovery of unidentified bodies. The allegations of more than 200 cases of enforce d disappearance since October 2016 are of particular concern. From April 2015 to 31 December 2016, OHCHR documented 593 violations of the right to life, and hundreds of people continue to be arrested every month” (…) “Many Burundians live in fear as a result of widespread repression and increasing intimidation by the Imbonerakure, the ruling party’s youth wing. There are also unconfirmed reports of attacks and human rights abuses committed against Government supporters and security forces” (UNSC, P: 2, 2017).

Establish a new Constitution in violation of the Arusha Peace Agreement:

“On 16 November 2016, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of a constitutional review commission mandated to study amendments to the Constitution. The commission is reportedly tasked with analysing articles of the Constitution to be amended for Government consideration and, with the latter’s agreement, proposing an amended draft Constitution. It further stated that the Council’s decision had been informed by: (a) recommendations on constitutional amendments contained in reports of the National Independent Electoral Commission, the National Independent Human Rights Commission and CNDI; (b) the resolution adopted at the 11 October meeting of political parties and leaders; and (c) the need to harmonize certain articles with EAC law. Opposition political parties and civil society criticized the Council’s decision, warning that any deliberate violation of the Constitution and the Arusha Agreement would only worsen the current political crisis” (UNSC, P: 3, 2017).

Security Situation:

“The security situation remains fragile. While incidents of overt violence and clashes between armed groups and Government security and defence forces had ebbed for some time, daily allegations of arbitrary arrest, ill -treatment, torture and enforced disappearance, along with the discovery of bodies, continue to be reported” (…) “The Imbonerakure reportedly also routinely participate in joint operations with the police and intelligence services and are reported to have been implicated in numerous cases of arbitrary arres t and disappearance, ill-treatment, killings and some cases of sexual violence” (UNSC, P: 5, 2017).

Burundian and Rwandan Relations:

“Relations between Burundi and Rwanda remain tense. Throughout the reporting period, isolated border incidents, as well as trade and movement restrictions, were witnessed. On 29 July, the Council of Ministers decided to stop the export of all food products to neighbouring countries, repo rtedly in response to insufficient domestic production. On 23 August, the East African Legislative Assembly decided to investigate issues affecting trade and free movement of citizens between Burundi and Rwanda. Burundian security forces frequently arrested individuals travelling to and from Rwanda, as well as the United Republic of Tanzania” (UNSC, P: 6, 2017).

Political Rhetoric:

“Since the beginning of the crisis, political figures have used inflammatory and hate-filled language in speeches, on social media, in communiqués and in the press, calling on the population to “protect” the country against so-called traitors and plotters allegedly trying to destabilize Burundi. Rhetoric has included incitement to violence, as well as attacks on the opposition and against civil society, while neighbouring countries have been accused of involvement in attempted assassinations” (UNSC, P: 9, 2017).

Effects of the Crisis:

“There has been a four-fold increase in the number of people who are food insecure — from 730,000 to 3 million — owing to the rising prices of basic food items, the seasonal rain deficit during the 2016 agricultural season, chronic poverty and poor harvests. According to the World Health Organization, some 8.2 million Burundians (73 per cent of the total population) were affected by malaria in 2016; 3,826 died. The number of internally displaced persons is estimated at 170,000, while the number of spontaneous returnees identified so far in some targeted provinces is approximately 37,000. The monthly rate of arrival of refugees in Neighbouring countries from August to October 2016 doubled from previous months, and the increasing trend was confirmed in the first weeks of 2017. As of early February 2017, the number of Burundians who had fled the country since April 2015 stood at 387,000” (UNSC, P: 10, 2017).

Human Rights Observers:

“As of February 2017, only 45 African Union human rights observers, 32 of whom are funded through catalytic funding provided by the Peacebuilding Fund, have been deployed to Burundi. Twenty-three African Union military experts have been deployed; however, owing to a scheduled rotation, there were only 10 African Union military experts in the country at the time of reporting. Despite months of negotiations, the Government has yet to sign a memorandum of understanding guiding the African Union deployment in Burundi” (UNSC, P: 12, 2017). “The Office of the Special Adviser and OHCHR are not alone in experiencing Government restrictions. Some members of the United Nations country team have been affected by the Government’s decision to require 10 days’ notification ahead of any in-country travel. There have been delays in the processing of visas, and some local staff have faced intimidation, including instances of arbitrary arrest” (UNSC, P: 13, 2017).

If you read this you couldn’t be shocked as the reports of this actions has been in media, but when you collect them, you can see the evidence of the systematic oppression of the people. This is the reason for the refugees and the hard-hitting report that we’re delivered this February. People should know what is happening in Burundi and not let it pass-by all the other scandals and the atrocities happening in the world today. Peace.

Reference:

United Nations Security Council – ‘Report of the Secretary-General on Burundi’ (23.02.2017)

Government Takeover of Management and Affairs of Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) – (01.03.2017)

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Opinion: President Trump might have the most eloquent speech yesterday, still his acts is what worries me!

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It does not matter if he has the most perfect and most suited address of internal American matters or international yesterday in the Congress. That do not affect me B. Since his Executive Orders, Internal Memo’s and all the other tools that he uses to inflict harm and destroy humanity is that concerns a fellow brother like me.

I does not matter to me if he learned a few new words, spoke with his heart and blurred out some common sense yesterday. Since the lack of respect for intelligence and the lack of understanding of the reactions to his own actions are massive. The reason for the concern is the way he can easily pick something out of context and spread it like a disease.

President Trump, your Executive Orders and Presidential Memorandum is the ones that brings fear to me. The insulting ways of not caring what the experts in fields are saying and your lack of grasping the mentality of being the man-in-charge. The title is easy to carry, but to achieve something with honour and grace seems far-fetched at this point. Therefore, we are at crossroads, the crossing has already appeared and your methods are in use.

I cannot look out say since you said something beautiful yesterday and hopeful. Believe that tomorrow you will act like a man, who respect the constitution, international order and be civil. Since your ways is not like that and seems strange if that really would happen. You have an imagination and self-drive that is out of proportion. The sense of justification for your assaults on others is because you are always the victim, even when you strike first. Which is insulting to the rest of us seeing the whole ordeal and hearing it by all cable-TV.

So that you believe in yourself that you can as a PR stunt in a first Presidential Address take away the inflicted pain and suffrage you have already caused, that is not possible. There is a long way, but your immigration rules, the way you have been fixing the ICE agents procedures and attack on anyone questioning your reasons. Does not rule high in my book of proverbs. More likely shows the lack of morals and the lack of integrity a man of Presidential stature is supposed to have.

President Trump and his administration do not care about the effects as long as the rich multi-national companies earns fortunes, if you spill oil in rivers, frack the Midwest like a Swiss Cheese or even put trade-embargoes on Mexico and Canada, who cares as long as Goldman Sachs or any other big financial organizations earns huge profits. The pain of the ordinary person is not important. Therefore if 20 million Americans lose their health insurance is not that important, but what is important is that they pay for their coverage and get rid of the ones that should not have the ability to covered anyway. That is a true American spirit and wishful society, where the wealthy get yachts and hotels, while the poor has decide if they can by McDonalds burger or medication for their daughter. What a wonderful picture of the new America First.

Certainly, Trump must be so brave to take away the help to the poorest, the ones in need so he can spend fortunes upon fortunes on ammunition, guns and hi-tech military equipment, that is how nations is built. Out of the ashes of war and despair comes the grand fortunes of corruption and multi-million progress salvage pack bought and greased by American business. A favourable package for Trump and financial market friends.

Therefore, the words and speech of hope or whatnot yesterday does not matter to me. Because I cannot believe it or think that, it is true. Since his Executive Orders is to free-market policies or to give way to deport, detain or stop immigration at a scale in modern history that cause havoc. Together with the current political climate and the scales of internal conflict, it does not serve the United States, neither the world.

You can in theory claim that a potato is not a potato, still when you look at it and touch it. You know deep in your heart it is a potato and your mind remembers how a potato feels in your hand. Even if Trump now speaks of peace, promise of better day and of another to make America First. Trust me; I do not trust him, not a single bit. That is because of his acts and the way he does not give in. That is why he has in the past always taken things to court and appealed until the others have given in to a settlement instead of what they was entitle to get in the first place. Trump have manoeuvred that way in the past. So why should the old man change now?

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I will not be shocked if read soon more disturbing Executive Orders where the Immigrants and their access to American soil is a danger to all of society, a cost and burden on all sort of employment. Therefore, I do not trust the man. Since his time as President the efforts to humans who flee wars for safe haven has been shut, the deportation with ICE agent has escalated and the reality of the economic is already starting to be shaped. A nice little speech is not changing my perspective on the man. Unless, the man retracts the Executive Orders, stops the internal memos and just stop with rhetoric of his. However, the old man will not do that, since it is not his way.

So please, do not tell me there is new Trump. Glean and Clean Trump does not exist and is not real. It fake like his tan. If there were a new Trump, it would have the changed and begged sorry to some of the people he really has offended. That is not him. We all know that my now and we know that he will not do anything about that. Unless, Bannon or one of the other wise guys at the White House says so.

Well, enough of the nonsense? Not yet! We have so many more days of this administration. Therefore, there will be more of this and this gravy train of ignorance and blatant disregard of decency will not decay, more it will sprite up some more juice and call it soup. Peace.

Opinion: Markets endangered in Kampala, by Mzee and his cronies!

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“Fury, angst and despair as hundreds are evicted from Park yard market. The once vibrant market is now a sea of rubble. Is it high time such rickety structures left the city center or is KCCA impinging on the core rights of the masses? Only responses in well-written English will be tolerated” (The Kampala Sun, 27.02.2017).

The traditional market of trade between small vendors and their costumer’s are under fire, not really burning, but still they are stopped. Honourable Beti Kamya, the Minister for Kampala has decreed closure of markets and such, as well as KCCA has unleashed a permit that stops others. Therefore two markets are eaten by a pivot from the State with Minister Kamya and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) under the leadership of Dr. Jennifer Musisi, who has taken power over the Owino Market. While both ladies are working against vendors and the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago , who doesn’t believe in this sort of decree without any procedure in either Authority or at the local councils. Therefore the sanctioned rule should go through the Mayor and also the KCCA. Something, the decree didn’t as it was served from the hand of Minister Kamya without any consideration of the rest of the leadership and government structure of the capital of Kampala. That was something that was bound to happen… though the innocent part is he vendors who are under-fire by the State Minister who doesn’t see their turmoil or trouble at all.

“Security has sealed off Nakivubo park-yard market before the ’30 days’ ultimatum given to vendors by Minister Beti Kamya to vacate elapses. Last week, the minister issued a directive ordering vendors at the Park Yard market to vacate citing lack of enough toilets which was a health threat. Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago said Minister Beti Kamya was ‘just politicking’ over the market since she didn’t have an alternative for the vendors. Some vendors have vowed not to leave the market until they are killed” (NBS Television, 27.02.2017).

“Mayhem masterminded by state agencies!!!! How could Police organise goons to lynch and/or harm KCCA elected leaders and MPS in course of executing our duties in the city centre!?.. Mr. Kayihura and Madam Betty Kamya, what motivated you to put our lives in harm’s way?. Our visit to park yard market was lawful as it was sanctioned by a resolution of the Authority that convened this morning. You invade the market on a Sunday night, cordon off the entire place without a court warrant or hoarding permit from KCCA, and then unleash terror on the business community and learders?. Terrible!!!” (Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, 27.02.2017).

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Owino Market has been closed because of the issue with DFCU bank that the vendors there in total owns the bank Shs. 4.8bn. Therefore this is a current issue with bankers, but the strange act is that the Police sealed off the market and even destroyed the old vendors’ places, like they want to trade it off and get rid-off the old small-time vendors who have kept stalls there. Today the market was officially sealed off, with the police cars and metal fences by the authorities.

So know we know that the DFCU who just bought Crane Bank after it was under care-taking by the Bank of Uganda. So the funds used to by Crane Bank has to earned back, because DFCU needs profits, as they are even use their newly found wealth to take away the possibility for one of the most popular markets in Kampala. You can wonder who is investing directly and who else has greased the wheels of the minister.

The pictures of football stadium that was planned back in 2013 has resurfaced with pictures of investor together with President Yoweri Museveni that must have sparked the opportunity to pay for the sanction land and given permission to destroy the vendors place to trade goods, which has been a popular market.

If there are other unions of vendors who is struggling with debt like the Owino, expect the bank to erase the place, fill it with investors who knocks on the State House doors and gives permission to crash the place, fill it with fancy malls that won’t be affordable for other than ones on top of Nakasero Hill or Bugolobi, the rest of Kampala cannot afford even soda inside the new furnished extravagant building. The same will happen around this project where the bank DFCU and State has shaken each other’s hand, given envelopes and made sure to get a go ahead.

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Because of this they have even gone further, they we’re given 30 days to vacate the premises on the 7th February 2017 after a decree made by Minister Beti Kamya, so by my rare calculation they should be taken away by the 9th March 2017. So that the State together with the Police was invading the premises last night and this morning; that being 26th and 27th February they did it instead.

So the state of Uganda doesn’t need to be transparent or accountable, as long as they have possible to gain monies into the state coffers and getting vouched from the state house. Rule of law doesn’t matter as long as Mzee says “do it” or “yes”. That what seems to have happen, the vendors and traders loses their ground because of investors has spoken at the state house. Shows the matter of how involved the state house is in all business deals in Uganda. That shows if you have strawmen to send to the state house, the police and the local authorities to work for the corporation. So that the locals or others with “debt” or lacking “titles” can be evicted, that seems like way the legitimize their acts towards the ones who has had the land in the past.

The same happens in Owino or at the Park Yard marked. There are no mercy, only eviction so that a football stadium and other futuristic building appearing there, because President Museveni said it was okay. Peace.

Two Executive Orders from Trump that proves his laissez-faire free-market not caring for federal regulation of big-business!

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President Donald J. Trump has decided to the man and leader who love giant corporations and their needs first. Therefore, this February Trump Administration has yet again opened the doors for Business and big corporations to get free space to do their work without interference of the state or federal regulations. Trump wants business to be so free and without taxes, so the wealthy can be stinky rich without considering how they make their fortunes. Therefore, he has already loosen up with Fiduciary Duty Rule, where the investors get good advice or advice that might be better for the consumer, not the ones the wall-street trader or banker earns the biggest profit on and the consumer losing all their savings in. The second is that Trump will continue to cut strings and regulations. Take a look!

“The Department of Labor’s (Department) final rule entitled, Definition of the Term “Fiduciary”; Conflict of Interest Rule — Retirement Investment Advice, 81Fed. Reg. 20946 (April 8, 2016) (Fiduciary Duty Rule or Rule), may significantly alter the manner in which Americans can receive financial advice, and may not be consistent with the policies of my Administration” (E.O. 03.02.2017).

“You are directed to examine the Fiduciary Duty Rule to determine whether it may adversely affect the ability of Americans to gain access to retirement information and financial advice. As part of this examination, you shall prepare an updated economic and legal analysis concerning the likely impact of the Fiduciary Duty Rule, which shall consider, among other things, the following:

  • Whether the anticipated applicability of the Fiduciary Duty Rule has harmed or is likely to harm investors due to a reduction of Americans’ access to certain retirement savings offerings, retirement product structures, retirement savings information, or related financial advice” (E.O. 03.02.2017).

So you can see that advice from traders and bankers are getting freer so the U.S. Citizens can get bad advice that the crony capitalist earns on and the consumer loses their savings. They can give advice on investment portfolio that has problematic structures that even could be similar to subprime mortgage loans and the housing bubble of 2008, which started the economic recession. Therefore the ignorance of this proves that the President cares more about Goldman Sachs and other big multi-national banks. Their power eats the White House. Therefore the Trump administration has more plans that was unleashed on Friday!

On revising regulatory rules for business:

“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to lower regulatory burdens on the American people by implementing and enforcing regulatory reform, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens placed on the American people” (E.O. 24.02.2017).

“Each Regulatory Reform Task Force shall evaluate existing regulations (as defined in section 4 of Executive Order 13771) and make recommendations to the agency head regarding their repeal, replacement, or modification, consistent with applicable law. At a minimum, each Regulatory Reform Task Force shall attempt to identify regulations that:

(i) eliminate jobs, or inhibit job creation;

(ii) are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective;

(iii) impose costs that exceed benefits;

(iv) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with regulatory reform initiatives and policies;

(v) are inconsistent with the requirements of section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note), or the guidance issued pursuant to that provision, in particular those regulations that rely in whole or in part on data, information, or methods that are not publicly available or that are insufficiently transparent to meet the standard for reproducibility; or

(vi) derive from or implement Executive Orders or other Presidential directives that have been subsequently rescinded or substantially modified” (E.O. 24.02.2017).

If you wonder what this means is that the Trump Administration is working on getting rid of certain financial regulations that is not benefitting the business community, the big-banks and the reforms that is done to secure a stable economic policies, to prevent bubbles and other openings that hurts the economy. Trump Administration rather wants to open all doors and believe fewer regulations are good and greed will create a prosperous society. Therefore, you can expect them to dismantle or repeal the Dodd-Frank regulation that can be summarised like this:

“Generally, the Dodd-Frank Act imposes more stringent regulatory capital requirements on financial institutions. The Act requires that the Council make recommendations to the Federal Reserve regarding the establishment of heightened prudential standards for risk-based capital, leverage, liquidity and contingent capital” (Morrison & Foerster, 2010).

This is seen as preventive for economic growth, even as the numbers and statistics haven’t showed lacking results of the business in the United States after the legislation came to pass. The Banking institutions haven’t lacked funds or investment opportunities in the republic. So the need to repeal or to take away the clear cut regulations of Dodd-Frank is more of ideological belief, than a systematic defaults of the added regulation to make sure the banks and corporations follows guidelines for their investments and follow the standards the Federal Reserves has put. This was put into a new law by the Presidency of Bill Clinton and called the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act or the GLBA.

This can be summarised like this:

“The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act makes the most important legislative changes to the structure of the U.S. financial system since the 1930s. Financial services firms will be authorized to conduct a wide range of financial activities, allowing them freedom to innovate in the new economy. The Act repeals provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act that, since the Great Depression, have restricted affiliations between banks and securities firms. It also amends the Bank Holding Company Act to remove restrictions on affiliations between banks and insurance companies. It grants banks significant new authority to conduct most newly authorized activities through financial subsidiaries” (…) “Removal of barriers to competition will enhance the stability of our financial services system. Financial services firms will be able to diversify their product offerings and thus their sources of revenue. They will also be better equipped to compete in global financial markets” (Clinton, 1999).

So surely Trump seems keen on following the traits of William Clinton or Bill, who had his ways of opening the markets and making sure the big-business didn’t had to have issues with regulatory business, giving bankers and banks more power and have more involvement with more financial instruments. Therefore the banks could sufficiently control more of the financial transactions and instruments to earn even bigger profits without any concern of the federal state regulatory bodies. This is one of the reasons for the Dot Com crash and the Subprime Crash of the recent decades, as the banks could easily transform business and create markets without any consideration of the small-investors, the citizens or the ones losing in the banking crisis of 2008. This is scenario coming up if the Trump Administration opens up and repeal the Dodd-Frank Act. There are another one he might look into that has also regulated the businesses in the United States, this being the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), which can be explained like this:

“Sarbanes-Oxley established the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to regulate public accounting firms that audit publicly traded companies. It prohibits firms that audit publicly traded companies from providing other services to the companies they audit, and it requires that CEOs and CFOs of the publicly traded companies certify their companies’ annual and quarterly reports. The Act authorized the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue rules governing audits” (…) “The law requires that insiders may no longer trade their company’s securities during pension fund blackout periods. It mandates various studies including a study of the involvement of investment banks and financial advisors in the bookkeeping and recordkeeping scandals that motivated enactment of the legislation. Also included are whistle blower protections, new federal criminal laws, including a ban on alteration of documents” (FDIC – ‘Important Banking Laws’ 20.07.2015).

“That aspect of flexibility—being able to exempt some smaller companies from the mandate and make it easier for others to implement—is an important quality to keep in mind when we discuss future regulation,” says Srinivasan, who also cites the important role of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), a nonprofit private corporation created by SOX that oversees auditors of SEC-registered companies” (HBS Working Knowledge, 2014).

Certainly the review and the Trump Administration want are lacking accountability and freer market, total lassies-faire economy without any interference. Certainly if they could they would get rid of commissions and regulatory bodies that also interfering in the businesses of the United States…? Therefore, if SOX and Dodd-Frank acts are repealed or replaced with soft laws that opens the gates for free-for-all instead of economic regulations to safety the investors, the banks and the consumers. That would generate more trust for foreign investment and also of the consumers that want to be sure of their savings. Well, that is all a foreign opinion and understands of the world for the Trump Administration, an administration that is a corporate stooge and a not so invisible hand of Corporate America. Certainly Wilbur Ross and Steve Mnuchin will work for more open markets where the giant multi-national businesses get more freedom and less taxes, so profits can hopefully sore and the American consumer can be more rid-of-the-short-change in their pockets.

So if certain laws cease to exist or get repealed, if they get amended to a pointless state or even get new fancy laws made for big-business from Congress, don’t be surprised all the corporate stooges and well-wishers from the big-banks are all settled there, in the interest of capital donors and the republican super-PACs that want their reimbursement for their investment into the politician, certainly the Koch brothers and Mercer’s of this world want the gates open and market to sour for them. Not matter what cost or how many who loses their savings, as long as the wealthy are getting wealthier. Peace.

Reference:

Executive Order – Trump, Donald J. – ‘SUBJECT: Fiduciary Duty Rule’ – White House, United States of America (03.02.2017)

Executive Order – Trump, Donald J. – ‘ENFORCING THE REGULATORY REFORM AGENDA’ – White House, United States of America (24.02.2017)

Clinton, William J (Bill) – ‘Statement on Signing the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12.11.1999) link: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=56922

HBS Working Knowledge – ‘The Costs And Benefits Of Sarbanes-Oxley’ (10.04.2014) link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hbsworkingknowledge/2014/03/10/the-costs-and-benefits-of-sarbanes-oxley/#77656419478c

Morrison & Foerster – ‘The Dodd-Frank Act: a cheat sheet’ (2010)

A look into the Exxon Mobile offshore adventure in Guyana!

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There been in the works for years about offshore drilling on the outside of the coast of Guyana. This has been well-known and is internationally known, as before the drilling the start. There was made arrangement between Exxon Mobile and Republic of Guyana. Therefore the squabble of the sea-bed and the ocean with Venezuela and Guyana… shows that both nations knew the value, as even at one point the Suriname could have showed with aggression of force towards Guyana. This was in the calculation of the United States Oil Company. Exxon Mobile was aware of this even in the 1990s and therefore before the boarders of the sea nd the republics right of the possible offshore adventure, the company had assessed the possible problems ahead. That shows how far this company goes to get massive profits. This is one of the Standard Oil babies, therefore the Exxon Mobile has a history and that repeat itself. Even Rex Tillerson the newly appointed State Secretary in the Trump Administration had something to do with newly forged deals with the Guyana republic. As the Republic of Guyana, also difference in value of the oil reserve between 2016 and 2017 is staggering. That the oil value goes from $70bn in 2016 instead of $200bn in 2017. This shows the proof what is coming and what the state can benefit from the oil drilling. Take a look!

Tillerson in Guyaya:

Rex Tillerson was scheduled to meet with Guyanese President David Granger at mid week to discuss ExxonMobil’s humongous oil and gas find of the country’s Atlantic coast back in May of last year. He was due to arrive late Tuesday” (…) “Oil Minister Raphael Trotman says every effort is being made to avoid this. Legislation which had catered mostly to deal with exploration rather than production is being updated, local content clauses requiring companies to hire locals and buy local will be included and professionals are being scrambled for overseas training in areas including petroleum law” (…) “Trotman has also said that a big chunk of revenues from the first few years of production — expected to commence around 2019-20 — will go to Exxon, meaning that Guyana “would be getting hundreds of millions of dollars but once that phased is passed we are taking about billions annually. At today’s prices the Liza find is worth about $70 billion dollars” (Wilkerson, 2016).

By law in Guyana Parliament:

“This Order may be cited as the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (Tax Laws) (Esso Exploration and Production Limited, CNOOCNexen Petroleum Guyana Limited and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited) Order 2016” (…) ““Agreement” means the Petroleum Agreement between the Government of Guyana of the one part and Esso Exploration and Production Limited, CNOOCNexen Petroleum Guyana Limited and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited of the other part dated 27 June 2016 concerning the Stabroek Block, Offshore Guyana, which is a production sharing agreement” (Guyana, 2016).

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Agreement in 1990s:

“Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has a Production Sharing Contract with the Government of Guyana dating back to 1999, which now covers 26.8k km2 in the Stabroek block, following required acreage releases (Figure A.1). In 2014, Hess (30%) and Nexen (25%) farmed in to the block. In May 2015, EEPGL announced a significant discovery of high-quality oil-bearing sands with the Liza-1 well (approximately 190 km [120 miles] offshore Guyana)” (Esso, P: 1, 2016).

Staboek oil drilling:

The FPSO will be designed to receive full well stream production and process oil at a design rate of 100,000 Barrels of Oil Per Day (BOPD) annual average, with the ability for sustained peaks of up to 120,000 BOPD, and a minimum oil storage capacity of 1.6 million barrels of oil. It will be designed to remain on station continuously for at least 20 years. Production and injection wells will be tied back (i.e., connected) directly to the FPSO via flowlines and risers. Umbilical(s) will provide power, control, and subsea chemicals to the drill centers” (…) “At peak production during Phase 1, the FPSO will offload up to 1 million barrels of oil to a conventional tanker approximately once every 10 days using an industry proven FPSO tandem offloading configuration. The conventional tanker will be held in position with the assistance of tug(s) to maintain a safe separation distance of approximately 120m from the FPSO” (Esso, P: 8, 2016).

Plan for Decommissioning:

“At this time, the expectation is that the SURF components would be detached from the FPSO and abandoned-in-place on the sea floor, consistent with standard industry practice. Risers and umbilicals would be flushed before being abandoned and wells would also be plugged and abandoned. For each well, cement and mechanical barriers would be used to secure the well casing and isolate the wellbore from the formation. A cement plug would also be set near the mudline surface to cap each well. The FPSO is expected to be towed away” (Esso, P: 11, 20016).

Waste Production:

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The new report of 2017 has more details into the production offshore of Guyana. There are certainly new aspects of the oil drilling. Where the environment get a little bigger aspect as even the changes of environment get a few more fleshy details:

Air emissions resulting from the Project have the potential to change ambient air quality in the Project Area of Interest (AOI) on a localized basis. Potential impact of greenhouse gas emissions from the Project on climate change” (…) “Subsea sound could cause impacts to sensitive marine fauna (e.g., whales, turtles, and fish) in the PDA” (…) “The Project will disturb marine geology and sediments on a localized basis in the PDA and could impact sediment quality from non-aqueous base fluid (NABF) on drill cuttings discharges” (…) “The Project could potentially impact beaches, mangroves, and wetland habitats in the Project AOI as a result of non-routine, unplanned events” (…) “The Project has the potential to adversely impact cultural heritage through localized disturbance of archaeological or historical sites related to Project development. These resources have conservation, cultural, and other values to stakeholders” (Esso, P: 14-17, 2017)

So with this in mind the government has even had a workshop in February this year. So that the Exxon Mobile Corporation and their drilling and offshore petroleum in the sea of Guyana. The whole deal and agreement between the nation and the business is not clear to the public, except that the business is supposed to be licenced for the drilling and give tax-monies of the production. The Exxon Mobile has already proven that they don’t build a refinery, so the export from the platform to the specialized boats to transport petroleum. Therefore the meeting in Jamaica, Kingston, shows the ability to speak with the ones that starting industry in the South American Nation:

“A HIGH-LEVEL team of Government officials was on Wednesday morning briefed by ExxonMobil on its production preparations, a move which marks the commencement of a series of consultations by the U.S. oil giant with stakeholders.The technical briefing was held at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston and a similar exercise was also expected to be carried out later in the day with a team led by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo” (…) “The report stated that early, rough estimates by experts of how much recoverable oil Guyana could have range to more than four billion barrels, which at today’s prices would be worth more than US$200B.

In addition to the Liza field, Exxon and drilling partner, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited are also exploring the Payara field, which is part of a block of 6.6 million acres. On January 12, Exxon announced that its drilling partner encountered more than 95 feet (29 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs at Payara. It said that the area was safely drilled to 18,080 feet (5,512 meters) in 6,660 feet (2,030 metres) of water” (Solomon, 2017).

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So the plans of drilling are set and the anticipated waste is happening as well. That Exxon Mobile will make a killing on these fields in pure and true. The massive reserves will surely make the government of Guyana happy as they even got settled who owned the waters between them and Venezuela.

There are so many more things to come as the proof of the environmental problems and the financial implications is also coming to the forefront with the different values in 2016 and 2017. Exxon Mobile has been hands on and used all means, even foreseen the implications of their activity in Guyana, as they we’re even embedded with the government before the drilling and before the settlement and lawful judgement on who could licence the sea and offshore areas was put in order. Even decades before and therefore the problems with Venezuela and Surinam over who owns it, shows the true levels of planning that the Oil Corporations does. That the Exxon Mobile leadership does what it takes to get giant petroleum reserves. Like the Standard Oil did in the past, so does it future clone Exxon.

We can just follow and wonder what this will lead too and what sort of ways the state can get the funds and resources into the consolidation funds, not to speak of in use for the citizens of Guyana. Not only the elite and the central leadership as so many petro-dollars have ended at. Let’s hope that the Guyana Republic and their leadership can sustain the offshore adventure and also give it back to its citizens. Peace.

Reference:

Esso Exploration and Production Limited Project – ‘SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO THE APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION FOR EEPGL’S LIZA PHASE 1 DEVELOPMENT, STABROEK LICENSE AREA, OFFSHORE GUYANA’  (8/2/2016) “ESSO EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION GUYANA LTD”

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd – ‘PROJECT SUMMARY FOR LIZA PHASE 1 DEVELOPMENT, STABROEK LICENSE AREA, OFFSHORE GUYANA’ (January 2017)

Memorial of Guyana – ‘Exxon signs PSC for Deepwater Acreage off Guyana; Adds to Global Deepwater Portfolio’ (14.06.1999).

Guyana: ‘THE PETROLEUM (EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION) ACT – IN EXERCISE OF THE POWER CONFERRED UPON ME BY SECTION 51 OF THE PETROLEUM (EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION) ACT, I MAKE THE FOLLOWING ORDER’ No. 10 of 2016 (2nd August 2016).

Solomon, Alva – ‘Oil Brief –Exxon briefs Gov’t, Opposition on preparations for oil production’ (01.02.2017) link: https://guyanachronicle.com/2017/02/01/oil-brief-exxon-briefs-govt-opposition-on-preparations-for-oil-production

Wilkinson, Bert – ‘Tillerson scrubs Guyana visit’ (15.12.2016) link: http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2016/12/2016-12-16-bw-tillerson-trump-pick-cancels-guyana-visit-cl.html