….was linked to massive corruption scandals in Brazil

(Kaieteur News) – A U.S.-linked company with a controversial corporate history in Brazil is among the international firms seeking to secure a major energy contract in Guyana, raising questions about the Government’s evaluation of bids for the long-awaited Amaila Falls hydropower project.

The company, OEC USA, has submitted a joint proposal with U.S. energy giant GE Vernova and Australian engineering firm Worley for the project, which is expected to generate at least 165 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

The Government is currently reviewing five proposals from international firms for the project.

Sources familiar with the process told Kaieteur News that the consortium has submitted the highest bid but is receiving significant support from the United States, with cheaper proposals from Chinese and Indian companies also under consideration.

U.S. Ambassador Nicole D. Theriot with President Irfaan Ali.

The United States Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has offered financing support for the project, potentially giving U.S. companies a significant advantage in the procurement process.

The development has prompted renewed scrutiny of OEC USA because of its corporate links to the former Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht, which was at the centre of one of the largest international corruption investigations in recent history.

Odebrecht’s controversial history

Odebrecht was a major Brazilian construction and engineering conglomerate that became deeply implicated in Brazil’s Operation Car Wash (Lava Jato) investigation.

The investigation uncovered a sophisticated system through which payments were allegedly made to secure contracts in several countries.

In 2006, Odebrecht established what became known as the Division of Structured Operations (DSO), an internal structure that prosecutors said was used to manage illicit payments.

The company also operated an encrypted communications platform known as Drousys, which investigators said was used by employees and intermediaries involved in the payment system.

According to U.S. authorities, between 2001 and 2016, Odebrecht paid approximately US$788 million in bribes and generated more than US$3 billion in illicit profits.

In 2016, Odebrecht and its petrochemical affiliate Braskem reached a settlement with authorities in the United States, Brazil and Switzerland involving approximately US$3.6 billion in penalties.

The U.S. Department of Justice said the companies had made improper payments in several countries in order to obtain public works and infrastructure contracts.

OEC and the corporate restructuring

Odebrecht subsequently underwent significant corporate restructuring and rebranding, with the company now operating under the OEC name in several markets.

The company has also faced substantial financial challenges.

Fitch Ratings downgraded OEC to a ‘CC’ rating in 2024, citing a high probability of default. The rating agency highlighted negative consolidated shareholders’ equity of approximately BRL16.6 billion.

The company has also been undergoing a major financial restructuring in Brazil.

OEC’s financial circumstances have attracted further attention following proceedings in the United States involving its North American assets.

At the same time, the company’s independent monitorship under the U.S. Department of Justice, imposed following its earlier enforcement case, ended in May 2020, allowing the company to resume operations without that specific monitoring arrangement.

OEC’s growing presence in Guyana

OEC is now seeking to expand its involvement in Guyana.

Beyond its bid for the Amaila Falls project, the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown recently highlighted Citibank’s announcement that it would provide financing for OEC USA Inc.’s bid to construct the new Lethem Airport in Region Nine.

The U.S. Ambassador described the financing arrangement as an important development for Guyana’s integration into global financial markets.

OEC’s participation in the Amaila Falls procurement therefore places the company at the centre of another major Guyanese infrastructure initiative.

The circumstances have prompted questions about how the Government will balance financing arrangements, bid costs, technical capacity, financial strength and the historical record of companies competing for major public contracts.

Lessons from the Lindsayca experience

The concerns come as Guyana continues to grapple with delays surrounding the Wales Gas-to-Energy project, where Lindsayca received a US$759 million contract with U.S. support.

As previously reported by Kaieteur News, Lindsayca faced serious financial challenges when it secured the contract and has subsequently encountered difficulties completing the project.

The Wales project has experienced significant delays and cost increases, with the overall cost reportedly moving beyond the initial billion-dollar range.

Guyana has also faced an arbitration dispute linked to delays on the project, reportedly resulting in an award of nearly US$100 million.

The experience has intensified scrutiny of the Government’s approach to selecting international contractors for major infrastructure projects.

With Guyana preparing to make a decision on the Amaila Falls project, the Government will have to consider not only the financing available to it, but also the financial standing, technical capacity, corporate history and track record of each bidder.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Four organisations and 40 individuals, including former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Dr. Vincent Adams, have appealed the agency’s decision to exempt U92 Energy Corp.’s proposed uranium exploration activities at the Kurupung project in Region Seven from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The Canada-based firm owns the Kurupung Uranium Project through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lia (Guyana). The project area spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium.

Former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams

In a letter dated 25^th September and emailed to the Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board, the signatories formally lodged the appeal and expressed concern over a public notice published by the EPA on 26^th August, announcing that the proposed exploration activities at the uranium project are “not likely to significantly affect the environment” and are therefore exempt from the requirement to conduct an EIA.

The letter underscored concerns about the contamination of air, land and waterways by toxic radioactive particles and waste; the lack of consultation with nearby Indigenous communities; the company’s experience; and the waste left behind by previous companies that operated the project.

The signatories stated that they understand that exploration/prospecting activities are different from mining/extraction and processing, and took note that the EPA’s decision to exempt the exploration from an EIA does not constitute approval of commercial mining, ore extraction or processing, mine construction, or the establishment of radioactive tailing facilities.

However, they outlined several points from the notice published by the EPA, particularly the part which states, “…waste and spills are expected to be temporary, reversible and capable of being effectively managed”; “Drill holes and disturbed areas will be progressively sealed, stabilised and rehabilitated.”; and “Fuel, waste, drill fluids and uranium-bearing core and samples will be securely contained, monitored and managed in accordance with an EPA-approved Environmental Management Plan and permit conditions, including radiation-safety requirements.”

Map showing the location of the boundary of the two PLs.

They demanded to know all details of the Environmental Management Plans (EMP) and what data convinced the Agency that spills and waste are expected to be temporary, reversible and capable of being effectively managed.

“We know that uranium is radioactive and remains in the environment for billions of years- there is absolutely nothing temporary about this substance! Likewise, what data convinced the Agency that the company wishing to engage in these activities- U92 Energy Corp- is capable of “effectively managing” any spill, has the expertise to seal, stabilise, and rehabilitate drill holes, and maintain radiation safety requirements?” they added.

Another point of objection was centred around U92’s experience, with the signatories outlining that the company was founded just two years ago, in 2024, and has no previous documented experience conducting uranium exploration/prospecting.

Further registering their objection to the EPA’s decision for the project, the signatories also noted that the Agency did not share its decision about the non-EIA for the project by publishing its decision in at least one daily newspaper, in accordance with Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act.

They explained that the EPA’s EIA decision must be published in at least one daily newspaper before the issuance of an EMP.

“It appears that the opposite was done in this case, in violation of Guyana’s laws – with the public being notified in the Agency’s no-EIA Notice that an EMP had already been approved. This premature decision is not only backwards and contrary to the EPA Act, and also clearly and disturbingly shows a clear bias on the part of the Agency against complying with the law and due process,” the signatories said.

Further, the signatories explained that it is their understanding that uranium exploration/prospecting requires drilling into soil and rocks, which is a process which will release radioactive particles into the air that can be inhaled and easily spread by wind, water, animals, vehicles, clothing, and shoes of workers.

As such, they expressed concern about the health and safety of community members who may be directly involved in these activities, as well as those who may accidentally come into contact with cancer-causing radioactive materials.

“We are also concerned about the impact of these activities on the plants and animals in the project area that may also accidentally become exposed to these dangerous substances and then affect human health if/when they are touched and/or eaten,” it was also stated.

Another objection to the EPA’s decision was on the grounds that the nearby Kurupung River is connected to the Mazaruni and Essequibo River, two systems which are interconnected parts of a larger watershed upon which thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Guyanese depend.

“If spills and waste from uranium exploration gets into these nearby waterways, a huge number of people, as well as fish and other living things in these rivers would be seriously harmed. Also, as we have seen from previous uranium exploration activities at/around Kurupung, such activities do indeed generate massive quantities of radioactively contaminated cores and waste material and do cause significant long-term damage to the air, soil, vegetation, ground and surface water,” they added.

To this end, the signatories made reference to information from the Project Summary published by the EPA. The information highlighted by the signatories is that previous uranium exploration in this area generated a huge amount (54 miles worth) of radioactively contaminated core material, which remains improperly and unsafely stored at the nearby Aricheng airstrip without any shielding or radioactive signage, violating all international radiation safety standards and leaving the nearby community of people, animals, land, and water resources exposed to dangerous cancer-causing radioactivity for over a decade and a half.

The signatories underscored that while the material was produced by a previous company and not Lia (Guyana), they argued that future uranium exploration activities such as what is currently proposed will undoubtedly add to the huge quantities of radioactive core material that already exists.

Another ground is that the material was abandoned for decades without the nearby community’s knowledge. This, they said, demonstrates clear disregard for their lives and wellbeing and typifies the disrespectful manner by which Indigenous Guyanese in particular have been and continue to be treated not only by foreign companies but sadly, also by the regulatory authorities of Guyana.

Moreover, it was also highlighted that while the prospecting licences for this proposed project are for lands governed by the State of Guyana, there are multiple Indigenous communities in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni region whose members have traditionally occupied the area for generations, and whose cultural and spiritual traditions are tied to this land.

It was further stated that the Kapong and Pemon Indigenous Guyanese have long rejected uranium mining activities on their lands.

The signatories noted that there was a total lack of prior consultation with the residents of these communities, most of whom only became aware of the proposed project after seeing media reports a few months ago.

“This is a crystal clear violation of both the Environmental Protection Act and the Amerindian Act which guarantee all Guyanese the right to a healthy environment and the right to meaningfully participate in decisions that affect their lives and environment,” they noted.

The signatories stressed that the non-consultation with nearby Indigenous communities is sufficient reason to stop this project.

They said until these communities have been consulted, given the opportunity to ask questions, fully understand the risks related to this project, and provide their free, prior, and informed consent for uranium exploration and all other related activities that may negatively affect their lives and livelihoods, there should be no permission given to Lia (Guyana) Inc/U92 Energy Corp for any such prospecting activities.

“For these many reasons, we- the undersigned Indigenous residents of Region 7 and elsewhere, along with other environmental defenders and concerned Guyanese- reject and appeal the EPA’s no-EIA decision granted to this project,” the letter concluded.

The letter was signed by Dr. Vincent Adams, Kent Andrez, Salima Bacchus Hinds, Nigel Butler, Dawn Charlie, Dr. Shanya Cordis, Tesom Cornelius, Marvalita Edwards, Daphney George, Dr. Laura George, Guyana Organization of Indigenous People, Keran Hastings, Clyde Henry, Hrithik Henry, Karisma Henry, Sasha Henry, Shavira Henry, Troy Henry, Wanda Henry, Mark Jacobs, Colin Klautky, Kelman Krammer, Goretti Lewis, Alma Marshall-Toshao, Ludex McDonald, Elton McRae, Sherlina Nageer, Oil & Gas Governance Network (OGGN), Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP), Nelsonia Persaud, Vanda Radzik, Roweena Ramlall, Cheland Reuben, Sherwin Reuben, Yanisa Reuben, Irene Roland, James Stanley, The Greenheart Movement, Shane Thomas, Ram Toney, Marietta Walker, Joyce Williams, Nelvie Williams and Dugan Wilson.

Source: Kaieteur News

Aljazeera – An Israeli air attack on a residential apartment in western Gaza City has killed at least five people and severely wounded several others, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency and staff at al-Shifa Hospital.

A total of eight Palestinians died across the Strip on Saturday, hospital sources told Al Jazeera, including one killed in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza and two who succumbed to wounds sustained in earlier Israeli attacks.

The Gaza City strike hit the al-Asala building in the Remal neighbourhood while residents were asleep in the early hours of Saturday. It came without prior warning, said Al Jazeera’s Hani al-Shaer, reporting from Gaza.

An Eastern Orthodox priest presides over a funeral liturgy on October 20 at Gaza City’s Saint Porphyrius Church, where an Israeli airstrike killed 18 civilians sheltering on the property. (Ali Jadallah/Anadolu/Getty Images)

Remal is one of Gaza City’s most crowded residential areas, home to thousands of displaced people sheltering in makeshift camps.

“We heard fighter jets getting louder, then three strikes followed, hitting the apartment and killing those inside,” Al-Shaer said.

The attack penetrated the targeted apartment and tore through the floors below, causing further destruction throughout the multistorey building.

‘Terrifying night’

Reporting from Gaza City later on Saturday, Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary described yet “another terrifying night”.

“Around 2am [on Saturday, 11:00 GMT on Friday], two huge explosions shook the al-Haid roundabout. We later learned that the Israeli army targeted a building with two explosive drones, killing at least three women, a child and a young man”.

Fires burned for at least an hour before Palestinian Civil Defence crews managed to put them out.

Al-Shaer described the scene as “horrific”, while Khoudary said “the whole neighbourhood was shaken”, as people were buried under the rubble as they slept.

Civil defence crews were still searching the site for missing people and bodies, al-Shaer said, as Israeli drones continued flying over the area and fighter jets were heard flying low across the Strip.

Christian mother and daughter killed

Among those killed were two Christian women, Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud (Ayyad) and her daughter Mary Hafez Michel al-Najjar (Abu Daoud), the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported, citing a statement from the head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, Ramzi Khoury.

Friends and relatives gathered for their funeral at the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City on Saturday.

“Today is essentially the worst day of my life. I lost my mother and my grandmother today,” said Fouad Al-Najjar.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed his “deep sorrow and grief” over their “tragic” killing.

He also extended “his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased and to the Christian community in Gaza”.

In a statement later ⁠on Saturday, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem mourned the women and extended condolences to their family.

“We pray for an end to the war and bombardment, for the protection of civilian lives, and for a just peace in which the people of Gaza can feel secure their children and loved ones. May their memory be eternal,” the Patriarchate said.

 ‘Very hard to save lives’

“This is not the first ceasefire violation, or the first attack, in the past 24 hours,” Al Jazeera’s Khoudary said, as an Israeli drone strike killed a Palestinian man and wounded several others in southern Gaza on Thursday.

“According to doctors, it is very, very hard to save the lives of those who are injured, because Israel continues to restrict medical supplies and instruments,” Khoudary said. “A lot of people are queueing to leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing.”

Bordering Egypt in the south of Gaza, the Rafah crossing is only opened by Israeli forces for limited movements of people, especially patients needing medical treatment abroad, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

Repeated delays in bringing life-saving medicines, prosthetics and other supplies from Israel into Gaza are having “devastating consequences” for Palestinians who urgently need them, the WHO said on Saturday.

Since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began on 7^th October, 2023, at least 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and 175,000 injured, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry. The true toll is likely much higher, as many people are still missing beneath the rubble.

Since last year’s “ceasefire”, at least 1,400 people have been killed and nearly 5,000 injured.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – A Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) operation at Windsor Estates on Saturday resulted in the discovery of a quantity of uncustomed alcohol and the arrest of three individuals.

According to CANU, officers conducted a targeted contraband operation on 3^rd October, 2026, at a property in Windsor Estates. The agency said no narcotics were found during the search.

CANU ranks at the scene of the raid at Windsor Estates

Three individuals were arrested at the scene and taken to CANU Headquarters for questioning. One of those detained reportedly told investigators that he rents the property from businessman Ernesto Choo-a-Fat.

CANU subsequently clarified that Choo-a-Fat was neither the subject of the operation nor the target of any ongoing investigation by the agency.

The operation has, however, sparked controversy following social media claims by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed.

In a post on his public Facebook page, Mohamed claimed that CANU had “swooped in on Ernesto Choo,” alleging that officers had uncovered guns, ammunition and contraband. He also referred to alleged political ties between Choo-a-Fat and President Irfaan Ali.

Choo-a-Fat’s attorney has rejected those claims and threatened legal action.

Attorney-at-law Sase R. Gunraj of Gunraj & Co., acting on behalf of Choo-a-Fat, described Mohamed’s statements as “false, malicious, and defamatory.”

Gunraj said the property has been rented for more than three years and that Choo-a-Fat is therefore “not in possession or control thereof.”

The attorney said the statements had seriously impugned his client’s reputation and confirmed that the firm had been instructed to immediately initiate legal proceedings against Mohamed.

Source: Kaieteur News

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