Guyana chronicle ny e paper 04 20 2018

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ISSUE No. 98

WEEK ENDING APRIL 20, 2018

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UITVLUGT SURPASSES FIRST CROP TARGET -Private farmers supplied 42% of sugar cane

PPP opened over 300 bank accounts

…gov’t says in response to signing bonus court challenge Page

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Search on for top cop - several interviewed for posts of police commisioner duty

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McAllister celebrates 104th birthday ►

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

Uitvlugt estate

surpasses first crop target THE Uitvlugt estate has met and surpassed its production target for the first crop of 2018. Uitvlugt is one of the three estates remaining under GuySuCo management after the downsizing that led to the closure of the other estates in 2017.

Uitvlugt surpassed the production target after grinding for seven weeks. This was achieved despite severe mechanical and processing challenges affecting efficiencies at the outset of the crop.

The Factory Engineering Services Unit in collaboration with the Uitvlugt Factory team, worked to ensure that those defects were quickly corrected.

As a result, the estate was able to surpass its Weekly Production Target for four of the seven weeks during the grinding period.

Surpassing the production target is a significant

achievement for the Uitvlugt Estate and a testimony of the team work and leadership at the estate, a release said.

In addition to leadership, the rehabilitation of the cultivation, which was started two years ago, and revised harvesting procedures in the crop assisted immensely in the estate achieving its target.

Uitvlugt produced a total of 7,011 tonnes of sugar from crushing 84,295 tonnes of sugarcanes. The target set for the estate for the first crop was 6,671 tonnes.

Private sugarcane farmers produced 42 per cent (35,176 tonnes) of the crushed sugarcanes.

“The performance of Uitvlugt estate for this first crop is the first validation of the new strategy to downsize the company and focus its best talent on making the estates more efficient and ultimately profitable,” acting GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer

(CEO) Paul Bhim said.

He added: “Given the developments at the other two GuySuCo estates, Albion and Blairmont, we expect the same improved performance to become a trend.”

Uitvlugt estate so far leads the way for the crop by achieving four Weekly Production Targets. In keeping with GuySuCo’s agreements, employees were rewarded with four days’ pay as incentive for their hard work, commitment and outstanding achievements during the crop.

Head of NICIL-SPU, Colvin Heath-London, said that “the performance of the Uitvlugt estate is very encouraging, especially at this time when the SPU is securing funding for the operations of GuySuCo. The funding has been predicated on improved production performance from GuySuCo’s three estates.”

The Uitvlugt estate has met and surpassed its production target for the first crop of 2018

Guyana updates UK, Commonwealth on border case

President David Granger makes a point to Britain Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson during their meeting

SECRETARY-GENERAL of the Commonwealth, Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland, QC, and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson were on Tuesday updated on the status of the Guyana/Venezuela border case which is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

by Head of State, David Granger, during bilateral discussions.

The President along with his delegation, comprising Second Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge; Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell; and Guyana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Frederick Hamley Case; met with the officials on the sidelines of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) being hosted in London, United Kingdom.

Providing an update following the

meetings which were held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Greenidge said Guyana expressed gratitude to the Commonwealth for articulating their position in support of the country as it relates to the border controversy on the international scene. “What is unfolding now, what the ICJ is likely to do in terms of the future steps,” he added.

Back in February in a statement the Commonwealth had welcomed the decision of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Gutteres, to refer the long-standing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Secretary-General recalled that at the September 2017 meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana, Ministers noted Guyana’s concerns that this longstanding controversy

has impacted on the country’s economic development. The Secretary-General further recalled that at the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November 2015, the leaders noted that “the Geneva Agreement of 1966 between the Parties provides a range of mechanisms for an expeditious solution to the controversy arising from Venezuela’s contention of invalidity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

The Heads expressed their full support for the United Nations Secretary-General to choose a means of settlement in keeping with the provisions of the Geneva Agreement 1966, to bring the controversy to a

of toolkits to assist in the implementation of key policies in member states, which is an initiative of Secretary-General Scotland, were also discussed during the meeting, Minister Greenidge revealed. Guyana’s Iwokrama Rainforest and environment protection initiatives were also explored.

The bilateral engagement was described as fruitful as the President and Foreign Secretary Johnson committed to strengthening the cooperation between Guyana and the UK on all fronts.

The Head of State discussed issues of common interest with the British Foreign Secretary and according to Minister Greenidge, “issues

tive and other areas” were addressed.

The Foreign Affairs Minister noted that these meetings precede previous engagements, including one held by UK Prime Minister Theresa May with Caribbean countries in relation to bilateral cooperation.

As part of the CHOGM events, President Granger is expected to meet with Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi and attend the Commonwealth’s Malaria Summit and Welcome Dinner, which is to be hosted

by Prime Minister May, tomorrow.

Leaders at this year’s CHOGM are expected to consider a Commonwealth Blue Charter on ocean governance, a Commonwealth connectivity agenda for trade and

President David Granger and his delegation in talks with Britain Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson

definitive end.”

Meanwhile, the work of the Commonwealth and new areas of focus, particularly the development

ranging from BREXIT to the challenges the UK faces to environmental issues and so forth, cooperation that is ongoing in terms of the security initia-

investment, a declaration on cybercrime and revised Commonwealth guidelines on election observation in member countries.

2018 April Week-ending Edition York New Chronicle Guyana Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 20, 2018

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PPP opened over 300 bank accounts

…gov’t says in response to signing bonus court challenge …contends Consolidated Fund includes public monies held at any other banks as directed by Minister of Finance THE Government said the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has miscomprehended the meaning of Consolidated Fund in the context of the fiscal management and accountability of public monies and revealed that the party when in government had opened over 300 bank accounts, similar to the one that is holding the US $18M signing bonus which they are now challenging.

In fact, the Government disclosed that one such account was the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) loan from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) of US $15M. This loan was never deposited in the official Consolidated Fund account by the Finance Minister prior to 2015, but rather in an official foreign- currency bank account in the Bank of Guyana (BoG) in almost the exact manner and terms like the signature bonus.

The Government’s comments are contained in its affidavit in response to the PPP-sponsored court action challenging the administration’s decision to place the US $18M signing bonus received from ExxonMobil into a special account. The affidavit was prepared by the Attorney General Chambers.

Last week, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said that the US $18M signing bonus received from ExxonMobil in 2016 remains in the Bank of Guyana (BoG) but has been invested in the US treasury bills and Canadian bonds where it is accumulating interest. Jordan told reporters on Friday that while the money has not been used, it has already accumulated US $36,169 in interest.

The affidavit in the name

of State Solicitor, Ayana Mc Calman was filed on March 21 by Ms. Kim Kyte, Solicitor General and Oneka Archer- Caulder, Principal Legal Adviser for the State. In the affidavit the government said that there is a complete misconception and miscomprehension by the applicant Anil Nandlall, as regards the Consolidated Fund and what is the purport and meaning of Article 216 of the Constitution in the context of fiscal management and the accountability of public monies and the law and practice thereof.

“The Consolidated Fund, as provided by Section 51 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of 2003, includes public monies which are kept in the Official Consolidated Fund Account and include deposits of public monies held at any other bank as the Minister of Finance may direct,” the Government contends.

“The Consolidated Fund is therefore an amalgam of Funds and official bank accounts from a variety of sources which contain revenues or public monies. The Consolidated Fund is not the sole, singular place for public monies to be deposited but also includes other Funds or official bank accounts as so contemplated expressly by sections 44, 45 and 51 of the Act of 2003,” the State argued in its response.

The Government explained that Sections 73 (1) and 73 (2) (d) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 authorise the opening of other accounts approved by the Minister, and specifically provide for the accountability by the Minister of Finance for such accounts in accordance with accounting standards and

Attorney General Basil Williams

formats set out in the Regulations.

According to the affidavit, Section 73 (1) and Section 73 (2) (d) provide as follows: “73. (1) The Minister shall, as soon as is practicable after the end of each fiscal year, prepare consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year just completed in accordance with accounting standards and formats set out in the regulations. (2) The consolidated financial statements shall consist of- in respect of any other accounts approved by the Minister, the financial reports required by the Minister.”

OVER 300 ACCOUNTS Meanwhile, the government disclosed that examination of the books of accounts and records held at the Bank of Guyana, show that the previous Government prior to May 2015, followed the practice of opening official and other bank accounts for Government business which is an established lawful practice in accordance with Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 and the Constitution of Guyana.

“The records show further that prior to 2015 there were in excess of 300 such

PPP MP Anil Nandlall

accounts opened at, and in the custody of the Bank of Guyana,” McCalman said in the affidavit, which exhibited an extract of official accounts held at the Bank of Guyana.

The administration asserted that in accordance with good fiscal accountability practice, separate official bank accounts, in fact, have been created regularly pre- and post- Independence Guyana for a variety of State business undertakings, trusts and for loan accounts.

“Apart from the numerous examples shown in (extract of accounts), the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme loan from the Inter- American Development Bank of USD$15 Million is an example of one such, which was never deposited in the Official Consolidated Fund Account by the Finance Minister prior to 2015 when the Applicant was Principal Legal Advisor to the Government of Guyana and a Member of Parliament whose duty ought to ensure compliance with the laws.”

Additionally, the government argued instead, this amount of public monies was deposited in an official foreign- currency bank account in the Bank of Guyana

in almost the exact manner and terms like the USD$18 Million Signature Bonus which is the bone of contention in this case. “I am further advised and verily believe that experience has shown that there is wisdom in crediting such revenues or public monies into an official foreign currency bank account.

Thereafter, disbursements therefrom have to follow the appropriation procedures as provided for in article 217 of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Act of 2003,” Mc Calman said in her affidavit.

The Government contends that the USD $28 Million is received monies which are yet to be sent into the Consolidated Fund because the funds are in an “official” account as authorised

by Sections 44 and 45 of the aforementioned Act of 2003. “…the USD$18 Million Dollars received as a signature bonus was paid by the Contractor Exxon Mobil under the Petroleum Agreement of June 2016 and was paid into one such official bank account at the Bank of Guyana and that the Second Named Respondent did so as the Minister responsible for finance and in accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned Act of 2003 and in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana,” the government said.

The administration asserted that it made an official decision for USD $3 Million of the fund to be used to develop and train technicians with critical job ready skills to be utilised in the petroleum sector. The remaining USD $15 Million is to be set aside for legal fees and expenses related to the resolution of the border controversy between

Guyana and Venezuela, especially since the matter was referred to the International Court of Justice for judicial determination.

The Government said too, that it has stated publicly that when the time comes for Guyana to retain and pay the lawyers for these services in the ICJ, these monies will properly be appropriated, that is, drawn from the Treasury with Parliamentary authorisation and approval in accordance with Article 217 of the Constitution. “Article 217 of the Constitution prescribes that the Government cannot spend public monies unless the Expenditure has been authorised by Parliament through the necessary appropriation process,” the government stated.

The administration further stated that in keeping with Article 217 of the Constitution the said sum will be transferred into the Consolidated Fund to effect the appropriation for the purpose of paying the fees for those providing the legal services. Further, Mc Calman’s affidavit affirmed that President David Granger has since publicly stated that the said signing bonus will shortly be paid over to the Consolidated Fund to accommodate the payment of lawyers’ fees. “I am advised and verily believe that in the circumstances the application herein is wholly misconceived. I am further advised by my Attorney- atlaw, and do verily believe that the action herein is an abuse of the process of the Court, is speculative, vexatious, without merit and ought to be dismissed with costs,” Mc Calman stated.

Guyana Government Considering Establishing Gold Refinery GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Guyana Government is considering modernizing the local gold industry through the establishment of a gold refinery.

And Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, who made the disclosure, said a South African company will be in Guyana on, to conduct a feasibility study.

“We are strongly looking at the possibility of setting up a refinery, either through a public-private part-

nership or wholly through government,” he explained.

“We had looked at similar facilities in Suriname. We have received proposals from local business persons, as well as far as Dubai, India, the US and Canada. So we are moving in the direction of modernizing this industry.”

Minister Trotman said that even if Guyana cannot refine all of its gold, it must be in a position to refine a substantial amount.

(Caribbean360)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

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How to Revitalize the Rice Industry in Guyana T

he rice industry is the second most valuable agricultural industry in Guyana. It is second only to sugar in terms of foreign exchange earnings and its contribution to Guyana’s tax revenues. It is the largest user of agricultural land in Guyana — rice cultivation occupies 197,000 acres of land on the coastlands of Guyana. It influences more of the working population than any other industry. About 12,000 farmers are directly involved in rice cultivation and it is the major source of income to 100,000 individuals. The rice industry contributes 20% to the agricultural GDP and 12% to export earnings. In addition, rice is the main staple to the population of Guyana, rice is the main staple of the population in Guyana, it is consumed at almost every meal. The byproducts of rice — rice cereals are consumed at breakfast, bran and broken rice are used as animal feed, broken rice is used in the brewery industry, and rice shell is used as fuel in the rice milling industry and as bio-fuel for electricity generation.

The spectacular growth of the rice industry during the period 1991-1996 was facilitated by very favorable export prices in the European market. This was mainly due to the fact that Guyana had preferential access to the European market. However, after the Europeans imposed a quota of 160,000 tons in 1998, and a levy of 50%, Guyana exports to the European market declined. Guyana was forced to seek other outlets in the Caribbean, Africa and South America. However, the prices of these markets were much lower than those in the European market.

It was during this period that Guyana’s rice exports to Jamaica declined because the PPP Government was unable to persuade CARICOM to enforce the provision of the Common External Tariff (CET) and to prevent subsidized rice from the United States from dominating the Jamaican market. Guyana also lost the rice market in Trinidad and was unable to recapture the rice market in Cuba that it had once controlled.

The PPP Government has been unable to get the principal stakeholders in the rice industry — the farmers, millers, exporters, research institutions in Guyana, the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Guyana, the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), the Caribbean Agricultural Research Development Institute (CARDI), the Government Agencies involved in the rice industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Works and Hydraulics, commercial banks and lending institutions — to formulate a national strategic plan to revitalize and modernize the rice industry.

The overriding objective is for the rice sector to become internationally competitive.

This would guarantee its sustainability, in the face of reduced access to the preferential market in Europe and falling export prices. In order to attain this objective, the following elements should be considered — Firstly, the unit cost of paddy production must be lowered by increasing the yield per acre. At present, the average yield is around 26 bags per acre. This must be increased to 35 bags per acre. Secondly, Guyana’s milling capacity which is currently around 50% must be increased to 60%.

Thirdly, the transportation costs need to be reduced by establishing bulk loading facilities on large ocean-going vessels.

Specific proposals to revitalize the rice industry • The research institutions should develop a new high yielding variety of paddy that is not only resistant to blast diseases, but which also possesses good milling and cooking qualities.

• The Guyana Government should do everything in its power to prevent the deterioration of the drainage and irrigation network that was established by Dr. Cheddi Jagan 20 years ago, and its deterioration has become a substantial constraint on increased production and productivity. The PPP Government has

failed to rehabilitate and maintain the Black Bush Polder scheme, the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Rice Development scheme and the Tapakuma Rice Development scheme. This deterioration of these projects has constituted a substantial constraint on rice production and productivity.

• The size of many other rice holdings is insufficient to support the average household in the rural areas. The Government should insist that the rice holdings should not be less than a minimum of 20 acres.

• Rice farmers have restricted access to

credit. The main reason for the lack of credit is the insistence of many commercial banks that freehold title is the only form of security that can be used as loan collateral, and hence, they are reluctant to accept leasehold titles, especially leasehold titles of short duration. Hence, the banks either deny the loan applications or charge a high interest rate which contributes to the farmer’s inability to invest in new technology and new machinery. Since many of the lands allotted to rice farmers in the drainage and irrigation projects or on the Crown lands are leasehold titles, most of the rice farmers have been unable to use their title as collateral security.

• The Government must either persuade commercial banks to accept leasehold titles as collateral security, or must establish their own lending institutions, which would recognize leasehold titles as a legitimate form of collateral security.

• The lack of investment by rice millers in the milling sector, have left the industry with inadequate and obsolescent equipment, particularly in the areas of drying and storage.

• The Government should persuade the rice millers to access finances to upgrade their mills.

• Power failures during the milling process contribute to a loss in production. Variations in the supply of electricity can lead to complications in operations and to serious damage to rice milling equipment. The Government should insist the Guyana Power and Light Company provide a consistent source of

electrical power to the rice millers, and to provide them with extra generators in the event of a power failure.

• The transfer of technology is of fundamental importance to increase productivity and reduce costs in the rice industry. The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) should be required to provide agricultural extension services that would be focused on: a) increasing paddy yields; b) improving quality; c) reducing costs and d) producing a high quality product.

• The Rice Producers Association (RPA) plays an important role in helping to mobilize farmers to attend seminars and demonstrations that are organized by the GRDB. The GRDB and the RPA should coordinate efforts in recommending that the farmers acquire the necessary expertise to be graders and to insist on the proper grading of paddy at the rice mills.

• The GRDB, in collaboration with the GRMED should collaborate in conducting seminars to demonstrate the correct procedures for drafting and implementing export contracts. There is no satisfactory mechanism for arbitrating contractual disputes in the rice industry. However, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has drafted arbitration rules, which are now being reviewed by legal person-

nel in Guyana, and will be enacted following acceptance by the industry.

• The GRDB and the GRMEDA should help to incorporate these arbitration provisions in the export contacts.

• The areas devoted to rice cultivation should be expanded. These are the best areas for expansion given the suitability of the soils:

Rice farmers inspecting paddy in a field.

REGION 6 a. Potoco, Left Bank Canje River — 45,000 acres b. Black Bush Backlands — 15,000 acres c. Manarabisi — 8,000 acres d. Jackson Moleson Backlands — 17,000 acres

REGION 5 a. MARDS — South of Jagdeo Canal — 20,000 acres

a.

REGION 3 Hogg Is — 10,000 acres

REGION 2 a. Akawini Pomeroon – 5,000 acres b. South of Supernaam R – 5,000 acres

• The rice industry must be diversified.

Fiscal incentives must be provided for the production of value-added goods, such as rice flakes and rice straw, and for the use rice husks as a fuel.

• Within the general policy of facilitating credit to Guyana’s rice farmers, measures must be taken to ensure adequate financing for rice

farmers and rice millers. Group lending should be encouraged, in which farmers guarantee each other’s loans and the conversion of existing leasehold to transferable tenures which could be used as collateral security.

• An agency should be created to ensure that the drainage and irrigation system is operated and maintained in an efficient manner.

• A machinery/input pool must be established to reduce costs of production. Farmers in the villages and in the rice development schemes should be encouraged to pool together their resources to purchase farm equipment, such as tractors, harvesters and combines, and to purchase inputs, such as, high yield seed, fertilizers and pesticides. Where rental is an option they should be encouraged to rent rather than to purchase farm equipment. Where reconditioned machinery is available, they should be encouraged to acquire reconditioned rather than new machinery.

• The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade should embark on a vigorous programs to penetrate rice markets in CARICOM. There is a prospect that Guyana could be able to export 110,000 tons of white rice to Jamaica and 50,000 tons of parboiled rice to Trinidad and Tobago. They may be able to export 400,000 tons of rice to Cuba, though the lack of foreign exchange restricts Cuba’s ability to pay cash for its rice imports. Guyana exported 22,000 tons of rice to Haiti. The Dominican Republic imports some 50,000 tons. There is prospect that Guyana can export 50,000 tons of broken rice to African countries.

There is a good prospect that Guyana may be able to export rice to Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico on a limited scale. There is a potential market for the export of two million tons of rice to these Latin American countries —Brazil, 1.0 million tons, Columbia, 200,000 tons, Puru, 170,000 tons.

Access to these markets would be dependent on Guyana becoming a member of the Andean Pact and Mercosur.

• The rice industry is the second most significant industry in Guyana. “It is simply too big to fail.” Apart from constituting a substantial share of our GDP, tax revenues and foreign exchange earnings, it provides employment for 12,000 farmers and income to over 100,000 individuals. It is responsible for a vibrant commercial transportation and real estate activity in the rural areas in Guyana.

• Once elected to office, the coalition will do everything in its power to restructure, revitalize and modernize this important industry.

The PPP has portrayed itself as the champion of the rice industry, but this claim is patently frivolous. The PPP has used the Rice Producers Association (RPA) as an affiliate of the party apparatus, to mobilize rice farmers, to turn out in large numbers on Election Day to vote for the PPP. In the meantime, they have allowed the drainage and irrigation structure that was established by Dr. Cheddi Jagan, between 1957 and 1961 to fall into neglect and obsolescence. Under their tenure, Guyana has lost the preferential market in Europe and valuable rice markets in Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago. They failed to introduce modern research and extension techniques to rice farmers and fail to address the obsolescence of the rice mills in Guyana. They failed to persuade commercial banks and lending institutions to use lease-owned tenure as a form of collateral.

As a result, the rice farmers and rice millers accumulated debts of over G$12 billion. One of our first tasks after assuming power is to implement financial measures to write off the debts of our rice farmers.

by Colin A. Moore

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

The Carlyle

Harry Column

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ONE GUYANA PLATFORM The need to elaborate and stimulate

W

hy the need to elaborate? — Because after last week's column on the (reported) difficulties that the WPA is having within the APNU and APNU+AFC Coalitions and the need to repair those (reported) fractures — I have received some requests pertaining to political unions, and since "the customer is always right" — I am compelled to comply with those requests.

The queries centered around what was a (political) coalition; why were they necessary; and what difficulties they were likely to encounter.

Before entering into descriptions and definitions, I remain hopeful and optimistic that these platform contributions are going to deliver a more discerning type of inhabitant who grasps the urgencies to concentrate on issues, rather than residing on racial patterns and practices of the past.

Also, I am hopeful and optimistic that the Birthland's politicians would just do the right thing for all of the masses, and let the political details take care of themselves around elections time.

To me, the right thing is taking care of the socio-economic needs of the small men and small women . . . Do you recall that clause "THE SMALL MAN WILL BECOME THE REAL MAN".

DESCRIPTIONS/DEFINITIONS In political terms— a Coalition could be an Alliance of political parties which is formed to contest a general election, like what happened in Guyana some years ago when the PNC/R joined with a number of smaller parties to form APNU; and later when APNU coalesced with the AFC to contest and win the May 11th, 2015 General and Regional elections.

A more frequently used type of Parties' Coalition tend to come after the conduct of elections, when (like happened in (then) British Guiana during 1964) two political parties come together to amass a majority of the votes in order to form the Government.

During 1964, the People's National Congress (led by L. F. S. Burnham) and the United Force (led by Peter Stanislaus D'Aguiar) came together to launch a Government.

Generally, political-coalitions are like any friendship or relationship they involve interest(s); tackling(s); dates

"Both political parties need to put aside their differences, and work together to steer the country in the right direction. They must first take an inventory of the socioeconomic needs of poor people and the lower working-class, and address those needs in order to prevent those people from falling through the cracks."

and discussions; proposals; unions; consummations; productions+reproductions and results.

(Unlike popular belief a single party is made up of the unification of disparate parts, caucuses, beliefs, and ideologies.)

Of course, in the same way that couples or partners have to constantly service marriages and relationships in order to hold them together — similar levels of consultations, communica-

tions and maintenance have to be applied to political unions/coalitions.

STIMULI When one is striving to stick to a particular THEME, there is always the need to seek to find fresh motivations and stimuli to stay the course.

Such fertilizers were presented last week Tuesday, (4.10.18) when (i) Columnist, Freddie Kissoon wrote "Some of my Indian friends sup-

port the PPP, and they think that the PNC is an ethnocentric party of Black leaders . . . On the other hand, there are the minds of Afro-Guyanese who believe that the PPP's Indian leaders are prejudicial against African Guyanese — what an unhealthy psychology for Guyana". (ii) Malcolm Watkins in a ‘Letter to the Editor’ contended "We have made a fateful and depressive decision to align our political system along racial lines, we have seen the destruction that this alignment is causing.” and (iii) A (Guest) Op-Ed writer penned "Both political parties need to put aside their differences, and work together to steer the country in the right direction. They must first take an inventory of the socio-economic needs of poor people and the lower workingclass, and address those needs in order to prevent those people from falling through the cracks." ************ In forming Coalitions Leaders and politicians are welding weapons to administer an Organization or a Nation.

It is a negotiated plan to bring about a new dawn.

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6

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

Who pays for Carl Singh, Jurist-inResidence, and what does he do?

Dear Editor:

The journey must continue ANY country where problems of ethnicity and race are a part of its socio-political landscape will continuously be saddled with challenges of how to surmount such a beast. Herein, it is so described, because of its dangerous ability to threaten the peace, thereby unleashing its animalistic instincts that will wreak havoc in all its destructive forms.

And since as Guyanese we have experienced such periods of threatening tension at different times of our modern political history, then it can be appreciated that as a people and nation, it is incumbent on all to continue to evolve strategies that will mitigate the possibilities of such extremes being given latitude in our country. It must not be allowed.

Since 2015, the term social cohesion has become an important part of our national conversation on race. It is about an initiative, in many forms, having conversations among ourselves, wherever we are, in a bid to have a better understanding of ourselves as a people, and removing the fears and suspicion despite our diversities; but about nurturing the common attributes as Guyanese that unite us, rather than those that divide. Where it is hoped during our various dialogues and encounters, we will all appreciate what it is to be Guyanese, and why we are all here as a people and nation.

The coalition government, through its designated Ministry of Social Cohesion, has been spearheading this important national initiative, seen as vital to the future peace and prosperity of this nation. Although there has been several appeals to the political opposition party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C), to join in this important patriotic endeavour of seeking to unify our people, these have either been rebuffed, or refused outright, on grounds that are clearly of a kind that had led to the perpetuation of racial dominance, marginalisation, division, and racial fears, that have been our sad experience for so long.

Any Guyanese familiar with our political tapestry, would know that such anti-national ideologies have not been to the boon or benefit of this nation, except to those who have used this distorted form of governance for their own selfish advancement.

In 2017, and as recent as this month, the first and second Harmony Village festivals were held in the beautiful downtown environment of the Main Street Avenue.

I READ with concern, bewilderment and amusement, that former acting Chancellor Justice Carl Singh, is currently a “Jurist-in-Residence at the University of Guyana.” In accordance with the dictates of public interest, government transparency and citizens’ and taxpayers’ rights to know, I respectfully ask the following questions, with all due respect to Judge Singh and all those concerned: (1) How, when and why was this position created, or was patronage a consideration?

(2) Who pays for the salary and/or expenses for this office, is it of a permanent nature, or was it created as a pension and retirement fund exclusively for Mr. Carl Singh, more popularly referred to as a “sweetheart deal?”

(3) Was this position ever afforded to more accomplished predecessors, like confirmed past Chancellors Massiah, JOF Haynes, Crane, Luckhoo and others of more worthy ilk?

(4) Was there an open system where other more qualified jurists, like former acting CJ Ian Chang, AGs Charles Ramson, Bernard De Santos and others, including expatriates, were allowed to submit applications for consideration, or was this a secret, partisan and privileged position given only to the present

These have been beautiful manifestations of our cultural diversities, fused in one space that solicited ready appreciation from all who visited, and spend time to enjoy the national beauty woven from the different strands of cultural expression, and how much these get-togethers lend to a recognition that coexistence in a peaceful society is indeed present, but needs to be continuously built upon by such national engagements.

It was wonderful to watch the subject minister along with the different representations of cultural drummers, fused for a pulsating beat, as they did a walk-through. Surely, that was an example of Guyanese talent combining for the rhythmic enjoyment of all those present. If such can be achieved, it can

holder, despite the public nature of this portfolio?

(5) What guarantees have been implemented so that any undue influence, caprice, whim or bias does not prejudice or permeate to the present judges and magistrates, who were until very recently under the jurisdiction and supervision of Chancellor (Ag.) Singh?

(6) Has Mr. Singh’s track record been evaluated, scrutinised and considered that he actually heard, researched, completed and decided cases, and authored due and guiding precedents and decisions, befitting the duties of the office he held for years, or is he haplessly undeserving of such accolades?

(7) Can a less grandiose position be found where his experience can be utilised, such as helping to clear up the backlogs he bears the blame for as the head functionary of the judicial system in the first place, albeit in positions like the magistracy, Legal Aid, Traffic Court, Family or Night Court? Judge Singh knows that jurists like Keith Massiah, JOF Haynes, Stanley Hardyal, Ian Chang, George Jackman and others proudly and fearlessly continued their careers as regular members of the Bar after their lofty judicial and governmental positions had ended, with dignity and pride, content to be part of the legal system and worth their salt to earn a

be replicated in the broader national tapestry of the quest for national unity.

Let us understand this fact about the problems of ethnicity: that it requires sustained efforts to defeat its threat of disunity. This can only occur by leadership, beginning with the government of the day, and all other political leaders, partnering with all responsible socio-cultural organisations, inclusive of all religious bodies. Since the latter bodies have from time immemorial greatly influenced communities and their citizens, then their role must be seen as critical in the furtherance of the efforts of social cohesion. This is therefore a national effort, where all must participate.

It must also be reminded that social

worthy living.

Indeed, when deserving jurists like Lord Denning, Learned Hand, Blackstone, Mansfield, Burger, Marshall, Bhagwati, Cardozo, Holmes and others retired, there were no golden parachutes or severance packages given to them. Their legacy was their decisions. To his credit, Judge Singh is an experienced rice farmer. He should not be allowed to shun noble labour or other endeavours in deference to hollow, ceremonial or high-sounding positions. He is owed nothing by the legal profession, indeed, no one, in Guyana. All labour is dignified.

Moreover, in other universities and colleges, post-graduate degrees are a prerequisite before even being considered for any academic appointments. Mr. Singh does not possess such qualifications. The equivalent of a “Jurist-in-Residence” does not even exist, for no one can reasonably claim any monopoly over knowledge.

I recall Dr. Jagan warned us about the folly and foolhardiness of languishing in Mercedes Benzes and Cadillacs, when a country’s economy can only accommodate a donkey cart instead.

With due respect to all, I submit this “Jurist-in-Residence” is such a contemptible example.

Regards Ramesh Maraj

cohesion is about a process that aims to bring about oneness among our people; therefore, we are its central focus. And since the concept on its own is just an abstract, it means that we will have to be its engine, giving it a defined meaning and ultimately, life.

We should then use the momentum to continue the journey towards the ultimate goal and destination of national unity. For this is what we must bequeath to our succeeding generation.

It was suggested that next year’s Harmony Village be taken to another region. We believe that this is a very good suggestion, as this will be seen as taking the message of unity through diversity to the other parts of our country.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending March 30, 2018 GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 16, 2018

7

3

Search on for top cop – several interviewed for posts of police commissioner, deputy

By Leroy Smith EIGHT assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) were last week interviewed and wrote an assessment test as President David Granger commences the search for a substantive commissioner of police, as well as two deputy commissioners.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that on Wednesday last, four very senior government operatives, inclusive of the minister of public security and the attorney general were part of the interviewing panel.

The eight assistant commissioners of police were first part of a general briefing, followed by a test which they were mandated to write and an interview process followed.

The process was done at the Ministry of the Presidency and all the assistant commissioners were required to spend a minimum of 15 and no more than 20 minutes in the interview room, this publication learnt.

Assistant Commissioners David Ramnarine, Clifton Hicken, Leslie James, Lyndon Alves, Marlon Chapman, Paul Williams, Nigel Hoppie and the lone female, Maxine Graham were those who were interviewed.

Contrary to rumours in some sections of society, the interviews were not conducted by any member of the Guyana Defence Force

(GDF), however, the secretary to the Defence Board was reportedly the person who took notes during the sessions.

This publication was also informed that the assistant commissioners were informed that the process for the selection has now commenced.

President David Granger is constitutionally required to consult with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on the appointment of the top cop.

Previously, there was no search committee established for this process, neither were the prospective candidates interviewed.

Observers say this is another effort of the administration to bring transparency to the process. Under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, then President Bharrat Jagdeo had appointed, now deceased, Henry Greene to the top post despite fierce rejection by several sections of the society and the diplomatic community, including the US. Greene’s US visas was cancelled the same day he assumed control of the force.

Speaking under the condition of anonymity, a senior police officer described the new process as refreshing and welcoming, contending that it allows a fit and proper person to be selected for the post.

Currently, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) does not have any substantive

Assistant Commissioner Lyndon Alves

Assistant Commissioner Marlon Chapman

Assistant Commissioner Maxine Graham

Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken

Assistant Commissioner Nigel Hoppie

Assistant Commissioner Leslie James

Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine

Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams

deputy commissioners of police. Those acting in that position are Crime Chief Paul Williams, Operations Head Clifton Hicken and Administration Head David Ramnarine, who is also the acting top cop.

The fourth deputy commissioner of police office is that of the Special Branch

but that unit is now being headed by a superintendent of police.

President David Granger is on record as saying that only someone who is fit and proper and not corrupt, should be the next commissioner of police.

Back in February when he addressed the opening of

the Police Officers’ Conference, President Granger said lawless policemen have no place in a lawful Force.

He told the gathering that a Force which is contaminated by corruption cannot ensure the security of citizens.

“Service in the Force must be based on values and commitment, competence

and incorruptibility. Police reform is not a political gimmick. It goes to the heart of law enforcement,” the President had said.

He added that he was confident that with the implementation of those reforms, the Force will be better able to ensure citizens’ safety.

Guyana Guyana guarding guardingagainst against Dutch Dutch disease disease – Jordan assures

could be appreciation of the Guyana dollar, but noted that it all depends on the pace of development how much from oil on theand horizon, there of the oil money seeps could be appreciation of into the the formal economy.

Guyana dollar, but noted that made on thethe statement it allHe depends pace of against the backdrop esdevelopment and howof much tablishment of theseeps Sovereign of the oil money into Wealth Fund (SWF) which the formal economy. is geared at holding revenues He made the statement derivedthe from the oil and gas against backdrop of essector. tablishment of the Sovereign “It isFund like the special acWealth (SWF) which foratthe signature boiscount geared holding revenues nus… but it will intogas the derived from theseep oil and economy, but it depends on sector. what depends “Itrate—what is like therate special acon ourfor capacity to absorb,” count the signature boJordanbut explained. nus… it will seep into the

-- Jordan assures

By Ariana Gordon

By Ariana Gordon AS Guyana prepares for oil AS Guyanainprepares for production 2020, Finance oil production in 2020, FiMinister Winston Jordan nance Minister has said it wouldWinston have to Jordan has saidthe it would guard against Dutch have to guard against the disease by using economic Dutch disease policies by using and financial to economic andmajor financial polprevent any appreciicies major ationtoofprevent the localany currency. appreciation the local Speaking of Friday with currency. reporters, Jordan said it is acSpeaking Friday with cepted that with the budding reporters, Jordan said it is acindustry and the expected cepted that withofthe large inflows USbudding dollars industry and expected from oil on thethe horizon, there large inflows of US dollars

He noted that with a economy, but it depends on population of 750,000 peowhat rate—what rate depends ple, there is a great need for on our capacity to He absorb,” capacity-building. said Jordan explained. oftentimes, there is money He noted that but with available to be spent, can-a population of because 750,000there peonot [be spent] ple, there is a great need for is a lack of capacity to do so. capacity-building.

He said “I want us to guard oftentimes, there is people money against, in that case, available to be spent, but wanting to consume itcanas not [be spent] because there opposed to having it invested is athe lack of capacity to do so. in public sector and other “I want us to guard investment programmes. We against, in that case, people don’t have the capacity, we wanting to consume it as need to start building it -- not opposed to having it invested only in the public sector but in the public sector and other also in the private sector,” the investment programmes. We finance minister said. don’t have the capacity, we He gave the example of need to start building it -- not

when Guyana celebrated its only independence in the public sector but 50th anniveralso in the private sector,” the sary in 2016. Then, there was minister afinance large influx ofsaid. foreigners He gave example of to Guyana andthea high circuwhen Guyana celebrated its lation of foreign money (US 50th independence dollars).

During that anniverperiod, sary in 2016. there was he said the rateThen, appreciated. a large of foreigners “Theinflux rate appreciated, to Guyana a high circubecause youand have far more lation of foreign money (US supply of US dollars than dollars).

During that period, people are demanding, so to he said thethe rateUS appreciated. get rid of dollar or “The rate appreciated, for the market to clear the because you have far more rate appreciated [price had supply of US dollars than to drop]. Appreciation in people are demanding, so to small economies like ours is get rid of the US dollar or not very good, because it has for the market to clear the issues of competitiveness of rate appreciated [price had products that you sell,” Jorto drop]. Appreciation in

dan explained. small ours is Buteconomies with the like country’s not very good, because it has oil and gas sector expecting of competitiveness toissues take off in 2020, the valueof that dollar you sell,” ofproducts the Guyana will Jorindan explained. crease against the US dollar.

But withwhile the country’s However, he made oil and gas sector expecting this clear, the minister was to take off in to 2020, the value not prepared provide an of the Guyana will inestimate of that dollar increase. crease against the UStodollar.

He also declined state However, while heearnmade what the country’s net this clear, the minister was ings are likely to be during not prepared to provide an the first year of oil producestimate of that increase. tion.

He also declined to state what the country’s net earnRUNNING MODELS ings are likely to be during “There have been various the first year of oil producruns tion.on that. I don’t at this stage want to disclose what it

is. Right now, we are running RUNNING some models,” heMODELS stated.

“There have been Asked whether he varibeous runs that.beI don’t lieves thereonwill a needat this stage want to disclose for subsidies to cushion some what it is.

Right we sectors, the minister now, said he are running somesubsidies models,” personally dislikes stated. ashethey (subsidies) in his Asked whether he beopinion distorts resource lieves there a need allocation, haswill the be potential subsidies to cushion tofor result in mismanagement, some sectors, the and the people who minister should personally are dislikes besaid thehe beneficiaries ofsubsidies as they (subsitentimes not. dies) in his opinion distorts Meanwhile, asked what resource allocation, has plans Guyana has to avoid the potential to result in falling victim to the Dutch mismanagement, and the disease theshould depreciation peopleand who be the ofbeneficiaries the local currency, Jordan are oftentimes

not.

Turn to page 8 ►

EMPHASIS ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM

8

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

By Shirley Thomas

ter, Ruth and her husband, Clifton who occupy one of the apartments on the premises so as to be “always there for her”, providing absolute care and affection.

In summing up, Aunt Maude recalled their venture into the delivery of higher education was a huge success, and grew from strength to strength through the years. Many benefitted from the school’s well-delivered and innovative academic programmes. One such person is Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, who was at the school and later joined the teaching staff. And so too was Ann Greene who is now Director of Children’s Services, Child Protection Agency.

Ruth recalled that one of the school’s greatest breakthroughs was when it took the lead in introducing computer technology on the curriculum locally. She also recalled, with some degree of sadness, the devastating blow they were

McAllister celebrates 104th birthday

HELENA Maude McAllister, Guyana’s oldest female centenarian, is today celebrating her 104th birth anniversary.

And incredibly, two years ago, she successfully chronicled and published the Helena Maude McAllister Auto Biography -- “A Century with Jesus”, which was released on her 102nd birthday.

Asked by the Guyana Chronicle how she feels to be 104, McAllister modestly replied, “I want to thank God for His love and His mercies upon me, and for bringing me this far,” she said. She demonstrated a zeal for taking and sharing the Word of God with others, so that they might know.

McAllister, fondly referred to as “Aunt Maude”, is the wife of the late Hilton McAllister, founder of the former Mac’s Secretarial School, located at Lot 208 Duncan Street, Newtown, Georgetown.

She has a proud record of being the matriarch of a family-owned business that has actively contributed to the academic moulding of the nation of Guyana for more than 50 years. Over this period, it has churned out hundreds of students who were all well rounded academically.

Both Hilton and his wife, Maude, worked at separate medical institutions prior to entering into the teaching profession. Hilton started out by teaching stenography and Home Economics and soon established a formal secretarial school; a kindergarten and a

Mrs. Maud Helena Mc Allister and her daughter, Mrs. Ruth Cumberbatch at their Duncan Street home

day high school.

That venture bloomed and blossomed and soon a high school was set up, housed at the Frolic Hall at Robb and Light Streets, Bourda, coaching students to the level of junior and senior Cambridge Examinations.

Aunt Maude recalled that her husband, who ran the school for about 25 years, was headmaster for several years, with the late Hugh Desmond Hoyte being Assistant Principal.

Hoyte was at the same time studying to become a lawyer. He later went on to become President of Guyana.

Mr. McAllister brought on board the teaching staff his two sons, Godfrey and Hilton (Jr), then his daughter, Ruth, who was deputy principal. However, over time, challenges, including poor payment of fees and the attitude of some teachers led to the eventual closure of the institution in 2001.

Known for his visionary qualities, Hilton ironically and regrettably lost his vision to

glaucoma, and transitioned in 2008. To his credit, he succeeded in making considerable impact in the education sector in a private capacity.

Following her husband’s demise, Mrs. Maude McAllister diversified and ventured, quite successfully so, into the apartment rental business, overseeing the rental of a three-storey apartment building in Newtown.

That facility is the expanded and refurbished venue, jotting out majestically from that which once housed the popular Mac’s Secretarial School.

The business is doing well under the management of our centenarian with a competent secretary alongside her.

BLESSED But Aunt Maude, blessed with the ability to make sound financial management decisions in the best interest of the business, would prefer to personally run the business, allowing her adult offspring the right to make suggestions.

Meanwhile, Aunt Maude is ably overseen by her daugh-

dealt when the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) unstable power supply destroyed four computers at one blow through high voltage.

One of her saddest moments in life, Aunt Maude recalls, was the death of her husband, Hilton in 2008, an experience she has not quite gotten over as yet. On the other hand, a moment of great joy indelibly etched on her mind was the recovery and continued success of her eldest son, Godfrey, who as a young child, became very ill and was literally given up by doctors.

“Our son had become so ill he could no longer keep down his food, and he literally looked like skeleton with just skin and bones,” Maude writes in her Biography (pg.33) “Godfrey and the Tomatoes”.

“They all said they could do nothing for him and he was given up to die,” she recalled.

Then in a bold act of faith, her husband grabbed their child off the bed, raced out of

the hospital, praying in earnest and trusting God absolutely.

Their prayers were answered and young Godfrey recovered.

“Thereafter, he went to a private school … where he took his Common Entrance Exam and got a scholarship to go to Queen’s College.” God has continued to bless him and today, Dr. Godfrey McAllister has returned home to celebrate his mother’s 104th birth anniversary.

The Guyanese-born Distinguished Toastmaster, is a three-time District Impromptu Speaking Champion and 2017 World Champion of Public Speaking finalist.

Dr. McAllister was ranked among the top-10 best speakers in the world at the Toastmasters International World Convention in Vancouver, Canada in August last year. More than 30,000 speakers from 140 countries entered the grueling eight-month long competition.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

EMPHASIS ON CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS

9

2

Cuba without a Castro

What ordinary Cubans are saying about the transition of power and that Cuba “will continue being a country of music.”

‘Solutions to our problems’ Lisset Suarez, 29, is grateful for the training in contemporary dance she received in her native province of Ciego de Avila which has enabled her to take her talent abroad.

“Like me, many thought that things wouldn’t work with Raul Castro’s rigidity” but in these past 10 years, I think we’ve moved forward a bit,” says this lanky young woman, who is preparing for a tour in China.

However, in her home province, “we need much better transport and homes — which is very important — and food, which is scarce and very expensive,” she says.

“I hope that they will have some solutions for all these problems. I hope they’ll take our demands into account.”

She believes the new government must spend more time listening to young people because at times, “it doesn’t take them into account.” It should also listen more to academics because “they are studying what we could do,” she says.

Cruz also believes in the private sector as “a driving factor” for the local economy, whose growth has been limRaul Castro took over as President in 2006 from his ited under Raul Castro’s government through “administraailing brother Fidel, who had governed for 47 years since tive and organisational errors.” seizing power during the 1959 revolution.

‘A ship adrift’ But Raul will step down on April 19, in a historic hanIn Cuba, there have always been those who go abroad, dover that has sparked much debate on this Caribbean isand 30-year-old Giovanni Bessada is one of them, leaving land and beyond. two years ago with his Mexican wife. Although trained as For the first time in more than half a century, Coma marine electrician, he is currently working as a waiter in munist-run Cuba will pass into the hands of someone outHavana 1957, an emblematic bar in Florida’s Miami Beach. side the Castro family.

Cuba “is a ship adrift,” he says. “It’s not This is what some ordinary Cubans are about changing the President” but about putting saying about the transition: “new people at the helm of the country who can ‘A few more resources’ fix this mess because in Cuba, nothing works.”

Born into a family of poor peasants who “In Cuba, you can study but everything is were given a parcel of land by Fidel Castro, Ferlimited, you have obstacles in the way of everynando Hernandez has spent 40 years working thing you want to do, you can’t improve yourthe fields of Vuelta Abajo in Pinar del Rio self like you want. The worst poverty you can province in the island’s far west, which grows have is a poverty of dreams and of spirit.” arguably the best cigar tobacco in the world.

‘Peace, unity’ on the cards “Being a tobacco worker today, since the Dressed in white, a string of amulet-like revolution, you are privileged,” says this 50santeria beads round her neck, a red flower in year-old peasant as he cuts the crop. But the her hair and a cigar permanently clamped beworkers lack equipment, he says, expressing tween her teeth, Juana Rios has spent 30 years hope that the new government “will offer a few reading tarot cards for tourists in Havana’s Plaza more resources” because that way, “there would de la Catedral.

Picture taken on June 1, 2017 showing Cuban President Raul Castro (L), speakbe a bit more production.”

After April 19, she predicts that Cuba will Hernandez is certain the new President ing next to first vice president Miguel Diaz-Canel (C), who is expected to become be filled with “peace, unity and tranquillity, will be Castro’s number two, Miguel Diaz- President and Vice president Jose Ramon Machado Venturas (R) during a spe- that’s what the cards say,” she says. There will Canel, 57, because he has been “well trained” cial session of the Cuban Parliament to discuss about economic policies also be “a little bit of a deadlock but that will to handle the job, although it should be under ‘Listen to young people’ pass,” says this 75-year-old matriarch. the watchful eye of the old guard, he says.

Maiti Cruz is 22 and is in her fifth year of an econom“Other names will come but I hope that the one who “They need to be there because. . . what has been ics degree at Havana University, after which she’s hoping stays will have the same ideas as Raul,” says Rios, a pasachieved shouldn’t be lost.” to study international relations. sionate “Fidelista”.( Caribbeannews.net) ‘Let the people chose’ Esmerido Morales, 45, gave up working at a state-run cleaning business in Matanzas province east of Havana because the salary wasn’t enough to feed his family. Now he’s a fisherman.

“The problem is that [the leaders] talk too much here in Cuba . . . but we want them to do something, not to just talk about it,” says the portly fisherman who does not like the country’s indirect system of choosing the President.

“You have to give youth a chance because we can’t continue with this situation of: You are going to be the President. Let the people choose!” he said.

Morales has confidence in Diaz-Canel as “an educated person” who has “more spark than Raul” but says the main thing is “the economy. The wages are just not enough.”

The average monthly salary in Cuba is about $30 (Dh110).

A musical revolution Lazaro Bernal, 57, is a proud street musician who works in Cienfuegos, a province on the southern coast which was home to Benny More, one of Cuba’s most famous musicians.

“The hope I have is that the [new government] will continue the revolution in Cuba, as Raul Castro has said and as our late comandante Fidel Castro has said,” says this guitar-playing minstrel.

“As a Cuban, I hope that there will be better [economic] developments for the next government”

H

AVANA, Cuba: They are farmers, musicians, dancers and fishermen and all of them hold different hopes for Cuba’s future in the post-Castro era, where a new generation is preparing to take power for the first time in nearly 60 years.

10

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

EMPHASIS ON CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS

3

World Bank Provides US$65 million for Dominica’s Post-Maria Reconstruction WASHINGTON, United States — The World Bank has approved two emergency support operations totalling US$65 million for restoring agriculture livelihoods, strengthening resilience, and rebuilding houses destroyed by Hurricane Maria.

This is the World Bank’s highest ever financing for Dominica and is part of a larger US$115 million package of support that includes financing of US$65 million in concessional terms and US$50 million in grant financing from the International Development Association’s (IDA) Crisis Response Window, As the eye of the storm wreaked havoc in Dominica, more than 30 people were killed and total damages and losses were estimated at US$1.37 billion or 226 percent of GDP. The greatest damages were in housing and transport, with more than 4,500 houses destroyed and 20,000 partially damaged, and many roads and bridges affected and covered by trees and flooded debris. The agriculture sector had the largest losses, with 80 to 100 percent of crops destroyed.

Farmers lost half of their cattle and many fishermen lost their boats and fishing gear.

“This financing enables us to make two critical

investments in our economic recovery following the devastation of hurricane Maria last year.

These investments in agriculture and housing also represent vital components of our plan to make Dominica the first climate resilient nation in the world,” said Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.

The Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience project (US$25 million) will help farmers and fisherfolk to restore their agriculture and fishing production and systems, and adopt climate smart practices. The Housing FLASHBACK: Devastation caused by Hurricane Maria Recovery project (US$40 million) will focus on in Dominica last year. rebuilding houses and improving the application able to resist high winds, and help some of the most of resilient building practices. The total $65 million vulnerable including farmers and fisherfolk to cope project financing for these two projects includes the with the shock and be better prepared for the next US$50 million of grant financing. storm. We are committed to deepen our partnership “Last year was a stark reminder that the with Dominica in support of its aspiration for becomCaribbean is a region most exposed to natural disas- ing a climate resilient nation.” ters,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank’s Country DiAbout 1,700 families will receive subsidies from rector for the Caribbean. “Through these projects we the housing project and 4,900 farmers and fisherfolk have an opportunity to contribute to Dominica’s ef- will receive support from the agriculture project. forts to build back better and smarter, with structures (Caribben360)

The Names of Four Destructive Hurricanes Have Been Retired FLORIDA, United States —The World Meteorological Organisation’s Hurricane Committee has retired the names Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate from its list of rotating names. They will be replaced by Harold, Idalia, Margot and Nigel.

The WMO maintains rotating lists of names, which are appropriate for each Tropical Cyclone basin. In the Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific, male and fe-

male names alternate alphabetically and the lists are used every six years. If a hurricane is particularly deadly or costly, then its name is retired and replaced by a different name. The four new names will be used in the 2023 season.

The extremely active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was one of the most destructive on record. Damage costs exceeded 250 billion dollars in the United States alone, whilst recovery for the

worst hit Caribbean islands such as Dominica may take years. Several hundred people died, and the lives of millions were impacted.

Accurate forecasts and warnings about wind, storm surge and flooding hazards and coordination between meteorological services and disaster management helped prevent the casualty toll from being even higher. Longstanding cooperation within WMO’s Regional As-

sociation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean (RAIV) meant that sophisticated forecast products and impact assessments were available to the whole region.

For the first time on record, three category 4 hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. (Harvey, Irma and Maria), and six category 5 landfalls occurred across the Caribbean basin from Irma and Maria.

Of the 17 named tropical storms that formed during 2017, 10 became hurricanes, and six reached major hurricane strength (category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) . . . according to a report by WMO’s Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) Miami which is under the responsibility of the US National Hurricane Center. In comparison, the 19812010 averages are 12 tropical storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

(Caribben360)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

11

Ease The Tension — Enjoy A Laugh CATHOLIC HORSES

O

EGG PLANT DELUXE

2. Arrange in casserole as follows: cover the bottom of casserole with a layer of the fried eggplant, next add a layer of onions and peppers. Repeat until all is used. Ass salt. Pour soup over all. Bake until a golden brown,

Ingredients: 2 medium sized egg plant 2 eggs 2 large green peppers 3 table spoons fat 1 onion 3 11 ⁄4 cups tomato soup ⁄2 teaspoon salt

Method: 1 1. Cut the eggplant in slices ⁄2 inch thick and pare. Dip each slice in flour and beaten eggs and saute. Remove seeds from peppers and dice. Saute the onion and peppers to a light brown.

ne day while he was at the track playing the ponies and all but losing his shirt, Mitch noticed a priest who stepped out onto the track and blessed the forehead of one of the horses lining up for the 4th race. Lo and behold, that horse — a very long shot— won the race.

Before the next race, as the horses began lining up, Mitch watched with interest as the old priest stepped onto the track. Sure enough, as the 5th race horses came to the starting gate, the priest made a blessing on the forehead of one of the horses. Mitch made a beeline for a betting window and placed a small bet on the horse.

Again, even though it was another long shot, the horse the priest had blessed won the race.

Mitch collected his winnings, and anxiously waited to see which horse the priest would bless for the 6th race. The priest again blessed a horse.

Mitch bet big on it, and it won. Mitch was elated.

As the races continued the priest kept blessing long shot horses, and each one ended up coming in first.

Bye and bye, Mitch was pulling in some serious money. By the last race, he knew his wildest dreams were going to come true. He made a quick dash to the ATM, withdrew all his savings, and awaited the priest’s blessing that would tell him which horse to bet on.

IT’S A FACT

by JAMES SYDNEY

TIME TO PAY A FORFMER SLAVE JOURDON ANDERSON SEEKS JUSTICE

O

ne of the important documents available today is a touching letter from a former slave of the American South to his master who wanted him to return.

The former master was offering better conditions of work. The letter is remarkable for its dignity and its lack of bitterness. It is clear however that the writer was clearly not about to be lured into a situation that resembled the one from which he was now free.

The slave was Jourdon Anderson. He had escaped from his master in Tennessee at the close of the American Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln had already issued his emancipation proclamation, which declared free the more than three million slaves living in confederate states still “in rebellion.”

Free slaves were now reorganizing their lives based on the new realities. Jourdan Anderson, now in Ohio, had secured good wages for himself and schooling for his children.

Many former slave masters, themselves adjusting to new realities, found it difficult to live in their accustomed fashion without servants.

Jourdon Anderson’s former owner, Major Anderson, had written his former slave requesting that he return to work for him.

Jourdan’s reply was committed to paper by Lydia Maria Child, a White abolitionist woman, who was inspired by a strong sense of justice and love of freedom.

The letter went: Dayton, Ohio, August 7, 1865 To: My Old Master, Colonel P.H. Ander-

son, Big Spring, Tennessee —and the children— Milly, Jane and Grundy— Sir: I got your letter and was glad to find go to school and are learning well; the teacher you had not forgotten Jourdon, and that you says Grundy has a head for a preacher. They go wanted me to come back and live with you to Sunday School, and Mandy and me attend again, promising to do better for me than any- church regularly. body else can. I have often felt uneasy about We are kindly treated; sometimes we overyou. I thought the Yankees would have hung you hear others saying, “Them colored people were long before this for harboring Rebs they found slaves” down in Tennessee. The children feel at your house. I suppose they never heard about hurt when they hear such remarks, but I tell them your going to Col. Martin’s to it was no disgrace in Tennessee kill the Union soldier that was to belong to Col. Anderson. left by his company in their staMany darkies would have ble. been proud, as I used to be, to Although you shot at me call you master. Now, if you twice before I left you, I did not will write and say what wages want to hear of your being hurt, you will give me, I will be betand am glad you are still living. ter able to decide whether it It would do me good to go back would be to my advantage to to the dear old home again and move back again. see Miss Mary and Miss As to my freedom, which Martha and Allen, Esther, you say I can have, there is Green, and Lee. Give my love nothing to be gained on that to them all, and tell them I hope score, as I got my free papers we will meet in the better in 1864 from the Provost Marworld, if not in this. I would shal General of the Department Copy of the letter as it have gone back to see you all of Nashville. Mandy says she appeared in the newspaper when I was working in the would be afraid to go back Nashville Hospital, but one of the neighbors told without some proof that you are sincerely disme Henry intended to shoot me if he ever got a posed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have chance. concluded to test your sincerity by asking you I want to know particularly what the good to send us our wages for the time we served you. chance is you propose to give me. I am doing This will make us forget and forgive old scores, tolerably well here; I get $25 a month, with vict- and rely on your justice and friendship in the fuuals and clothing; have a comfortable home for ture.

Mandy, —the folks here call her Mrs. Anderson I served you faithfully for thirty-two years

True to his pattern, the priest stepped onto the track for the last race and blessed the forehead of an old nag that was the longest shot of the day. Mitch also observed the priest blessing the eyes, ears, and hooves of the old nag. Mitch knew he had a winner and bet every cent he owned on the old nag.

He then watched dumbfounded as the old nag come in dead last. Mitch, in a state of shock, made his way down to the track area where the priest was.

Confronting the old priest he demanded, “Father! What happened? All day long you blessed horses and they all won. Then in the last race, the horse you blessed lost by a Kentucky mile. Now, thanks to you I’ve lost every cent of my savings— all of it!”.

The priest nodded wisely and with sympathy, “Son,” he said, “that’s the problem with you Protestants, you can’t tell the difference between a simple blessing and last rites.”

THE WILL

A

n elderly woman decided to prepare her will and told her preacher she had two final requests.

First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over WalMart. "Wal-Mart!" the preacher exclaimed.

"Why Wal-Mart?" "Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me seven days a week." and Mandy twenty years. At twenty-five dollars a month for me, and two dollars a week for Mandy, our earnings would amount to eleven thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. Add to this the interest for the time our wages has been kept back and deduct what you paid for our clothing and three doctor’s visits to me, and pulling a tooth for Mandy, and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to. Please send the money by Adams Express, in care of V. Winters, Esq., Dayton, Ohio.

If you fail to pay us for faithful labors in the past we can have little faith in your promises in the future. We trust the good Maker has opened your eyes to the wrongs which you and your fathers have done to me and my fathers, in making us toil for you for generations without recompense.

Here I draw my wages every Saturday night, but in Tennessee there was never any payday for the Negroes any more than for the horses and cows. Surely there will be a day of reckoning for those who defraud the laborer of his hire.

In answering this letter please state if there would be any safety for my Milly and Jane, who are now grown up and both good-looking girls.

You know how it was with Matilda and Catherine. I would rather stay here and starve, and die if it comes to that, than have my girls brought to shame by the violence and wickedness of their young masters. You will also please state if there has been any schools opened for the colored children in your neighborhood, the great desire of my life now is to give my children an education, and have them form virtuous habits.

P.S. —Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.

From your old servant, Jourdon Anderson

This letter, composed in 1865 and published in “The Freedmen’s Book,” a collection of African-American writings compiled by Lydia Child, tells its own story. It is most unlikely that Jourdan Anderson returned to work for his former master.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

HONORING JACKIE ROBINSON . . . his roles as Athlete and Activist

M

ajor League Baseball celebrated JACKIE ROBINSON DAY last Sunday (4.15.18 — the 71st. Anniversary of the Brooklyn Dodgers' Legend breaking the sport's color barrier. I have decided to pen this piece, primarily to highlight and enlighten that Jackie Robinson was not only an outstanding baseball player, but also an early activist in struggles for racial equality in the United States of America. Discussing her father's legacy, Jackie's daughter Sharon reminded that "his legacy extended beyond the baseball diamond and into the civil rights movement, where he was an active voice in the community, and in paving the way for athletes of color to play professional sports".

SOME PERSONNEL FACTS 200-meter sprint.

“Mack” Robinson finished sec(i) Jackie Robinson was born Jack Roosevelt Robinson, the ond at the 1936 Olympics to Jesse youngest of five children in a lowerBy CARLYLE HARRY middle class family in Georgia in 1919. He got his middle name from President Theodore Roosevelt, who died shortly before Robinson was born.

One year after Jackie Robinson was born, his father left the family and his mother moved Jackie and his siblings from Georgia to California.

This is one of the first major challenges he overcame while growing up Jackie Robinson’s mother, Mallie Robinson, was a hard-working single mom. She worked a number of jobs in order to support Jackie, his brothers and sisters.

He faced segregation growing up in Pasadena, California, and was banned from participating in many activities — because of his race. (ii) Jackie Robinson and his brothers must have chased each other around a lot, because they were all fast! Jackie’s older brother, Matthew “Mack” Robinson, was a silver medalist in the 1936 Olympics in the

nity in the United States at that time because most Black people were facing legal and cultural segregation. It is also felt that those events had an impact on Jackie Robinson’s character and on his decision to use sports as a way of spreading a message of racial equality. (iii) In 1938, while Jackie Robinson was excelling as an athlete and displaying his character through community involvement, he began to come to terms with the racism that existed in the United States.

It’s another one of the inspiring

Jackie Robinson

Owens! That was one of Jesse Owens’ gold medal wins at the 1936 Olympics. (Those victories sent an important message to Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.)

The Germans were at that time practicing segregation, and the Holocaust had already begun.

Jesse Owens’ victory was especially important to the Black commu-

Jackie Robinson facts that he did not sit back and accept the racism he saw, but stood up for what he thought was right. Robinson was arrested for arguing with a police officer over the arrest of a Black friend.

Thankfully, his sentence was suspended and Robinson did not serve any significant prison time.

However, he was beginning to be no-

ticed for more than his athletic abilities. People saw Robinson as someone who was not afraid to speak out about racism, and who was prepared to stand up for what he thought was right. (iv) ANOTHER ARREST — What happened next in Robinson’s military career was another one of the Jackie Robinson facts that tells us about his struggle for equal treatment.

In 1944, Jackie was getting on an Army bus when he was told to get to the back of the bus. The Army busses were not legally segregated like the busses in Montgomery and Alabama, where Rosa Parks would protest unequal treatment.

Jackie Robinson, like Rosa Parks, refused to move to the back of the bus. There was no legal requirement for him to do so. He was a soldier willing to give his life for his country, like any other soldier.

Robinson wasn’t challenging any laws; he was challenging the culture of racism that existed in the United States in the 1940s. His action showed awareness of current affairs and occurrences.

Robinson was arrested by the military police. After being arrested, he spoke to the arresting officer about unequal treatment and racism, much as he had done back in 1938. The officer tried to have Robinson courtmartialed, but Robinson’s commander refused to court-martial him. Robinson was transferred to another unit under a racist Commander, and was soon charged with multiple counts, including trumped up charges that he had been drinking.

When Robinson eventually

(continued on page 13)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

13

HONORING JACKIE ROBINSON

During high school, Jackie Robinson played shortstop and stood trial at his court-martial a month catcher on the baseball team, and was later, the charges were reduced; and the quarterback of the football team. he. was acquitted of all of those (One of the interesting facts about charges. In spite of threats and the Jackie Robinson is that Mack, his possibility of going to jail, Robinson brother, had attended the University stood up for what he thought was of Oregon. Mack knew that sports right. was the way for Jackie to continue his It was also inspiring that Paul L. education.)

Bates, who was Robinson’s first (vi) Jackie Robinson Earned His Colonel, and who was White, refused First MVP Award in 1938. After High to charge Robinson and be a part of School, Jackie Robinson went to Junthe widespread racist culture. All of ior College at the Pasadena Junior the enlisted men in the 761st Tank College. Robinson continued to be a Battalion that Bates commanded were quarterback in football, shortstop in Black. The unit, known as the Black baseball, and also participated basketball in track.

As a track star at Pasadena Junior College, Robinson beat his brother Mack’s record in the broad jump. In 1938, Jackie Robinson received the Most Valuable Player Award for Baseball in the regional Junior College league.

In addition to his athletic activities, Robinson contributed to the community through student orJackie Robinson, his wife Rachel and children. ganizations. Jackie was recognized for Panthers, would go on to achieve his talents in sports and his responsimuch success in World War II, and ble approach to civic participation and eventually received a long overdue academics.

Presidential Citation from Jimmy (vii) Jackie Robinson won the Carter.

Long Jump at the NCAA ChampiAfter the trial, Robinson was onships in 1940. After his time at the transferred again, and became a coach Pasadena Junior College, Jackie atof army athletics until he received his tended the University of California. honorable discharge in November, During that period, Jackie Robinson 1944. Due to the transfers and legal continued to excel at sports, winning proceedings, Robinson never rejoined the 1940 NCAA Men’s Track and the 761st Battalion or participated in Field Championships in the long any combat missions during World jump.

War II. During his time at UCLA, Robin(v) Jackie Robinson was excellent at Baseball, Basketball, Football, son met the woman he would marry, and Track. It was difficult for Black Rachel Isum. While continuing his people to gain access to education in studies, Robinson became the first the 1930s, when Jackie Robinson at- athlete at UCLA to get a Varsity Lettended and graduated from Junior ter in four sports. (He continued to participate in baseball, football, track High School, and High School. and basketball.)

Robinson persevered, and exRobinson’s future-wife Rachel celled at sports. His brother, Mack, Isum and his mother wanted him to encouraged his athletic talents, as did his other brother, Frank. Jackie complete his degree at UCLA. But he Robinson’s athletic talents had no left UCLA before completing his delimits! He was incredibly skilled at gree and took a job as an athletic difootball, basketball, track, baseball, rector in a federal youth athletics program. and even tennis!

Many reasons have been sug-

(from page 12)

gested to explain why Robinson left would have three children, Jackie Jr., UCLA before graduation. Some peo- Sharon and David.

Spring training of 1946 would be ple speculate that his decision was financial. Robinson himself has said the first real test of Jackie Robinson’s that he did not see the value of a col- resolve, he had endured racial threats lege degree for a Black man at that and insults. Some teams and some players refused to play with him. time.

The Federal Government pulled Some areas of the country were still funding from the youth athletics pro- segregated, and Robinson often had to gram and in 1941, Robinson moved stay separately from other members to Hawaii in order to play football in of his team.

When enduring racial insults and the Semi-pro League for the Honolulu Bears. Later that year, Robin- discrimination, Robinson “turned the son returned to California and briefly other cheek”. In 1947, Jackie Robinplayed for the Los Angeles Bulldogs, son moved up to the Brooklyn the latter was part of the newly- Dodgers and he played his first seaformed and short-lived Pacific Coast son of Major League Baseball with that team.

Football League.

The pressures persisted, and (viii) In 1942, Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson continued to excel, was drafted into the Army. At that time, the Armed Forces of the United despite racial insults and threats from States were not segregated by law. players, owners and fans. He received However, there was cultural segrega- the Rookie of the Year Award for the tion that continued to exist. Jackie 1947 season and would be an instruRobinson would challenge this racism mental part of the Dodgers’ success directly, and it would alter the course over the coming years.

Later in 1947, Larry Doby, beof his military career. came the second Black player in the One of the amazing Jackie Major League, and the first in the Robinson facts is that he was friends with the heavyweight-boxing cham- American League. Doby and Robinpion Joe Louis. Robinson and Louis son would support each other by talkbonded through their experiences in the military, including the racist practices that they both had to endure.

For example, Louis, Robinson and other Black men who had applied for Officer Candidate School, or OCS, to be officers and who had met the criteria for admission, were not initially selected. Joe Louis, Robinson and others protested, and were eventually admitted to OCS. Jackie Robinson graduated from OCS as a second lieutenant in 1943. and Jackie Robinson (left) and the “Brown (ix) Jackie Robinson Bomber” Joe Louis in reverse roles’ was signed to the Montreal Royals in 1945. The Montreal Royals ing on the phone throughout the was part of the International League, season. By 1948, the Dodgers had a part of the system that fed players hired three more Black players, and into Major League Baseball. Robin- more Major League baseball teams son was the first to play in the league were becoming integrated. since the 1880s! ******* By 1946, Robinson was still playing baseball for the Royals and Jackie Robinson other teams. He was touring with was that Black citizen barnstorming teams and played across who broke the racial wall the United States — even in South that separated Baseball.

America!

Last week they honored Jackie In February of 1946, Robinson for his role in History, married Rachel Isum. Together, they as well as his baseball legacy.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

Personality…

More a humanitarian than a politician --the two sides to Jermaine Figueira, MP

“I DON’T like to be called a politician because of the many negative connotations that are associated with being a politician,” he says.

“So when people say, ‘Figgy, you are a politician,’ I say in a joking manner, ‘I am not

But what is even more endearing about him, especially to the people of Region 10, is that something in him that compels him to lend a helping hand to those in need, be it man, woman or child, or the elderly.

Rather than being at executive meetings

Taking charge of things during a recent clothes drive in Mackenzie

a politician; I am just in a political position,’” he told the Guyana Chronicle just recently.

Jermaine Figueira, regarded as one of the youngest Members of Parliament, hails from the mining town of Linden and is also privileged to be representing his own constituency at the Central Government level.

His snazzy mode of dress, pierced ears, dreadlocks and all, have all combined to earn him the nickname, ‘Cool Figgy’.

dressed in collar and tie, and discussing politics, ‘Figgy’ is known far and wide for rendering humanitarian service to various communities in Linden, especially those known to have a high poverty ratio.

Since being elevated to MP, this young Lindener, who is also a teacher by profession, has already conducted dozens of drives in which food, clothes, toys, street lights, agricultural tools and other items were distributed.

At the service of the elderly during the commissioning of the Wisroc Centre for the Elderly

Among communities to have benefitted from these charitable activities are Victory Valley, Speightland, Block 22, Wisroc, Kara Kara, and Silver Town.

Modest to a fault, the young politician said: “I have been very fortunate to have at my side Mrs Elene Richmond-Shockley, who has made this aspect of service very possible for me.

“It is primarily because of her and her organisation, Caring for Others, that much of the humanitarian work I have been able to venture into was made, be it the senior citizens breakfast programme; food bag distribution to senior citizens and single parents; clothing distribution for women, men and children; Father’s Day dress shoes and suits distribution and much more.”

For Figueira, being an MP is not just about being present in the House whenever there is a sitting, or taking a seat at the head table at public events; it’s about meeting the needs of the grassroots people, since it is they who entrusted their vote to the Coalition.

FORGING ALLIANCES Being cognisant of the fact that he cannot do it on his own, he has partnered with several charitable organisations that have been supporting his humanitarian work.

“Food for the Poor has also partnered with me in a skills training programme I started in all eight constituencies in August,” Figueira said, adding: “This initiative targets single-parents and unemployed youths, providing them with training in tie dying, candle making, soap making and stuffed toys, with the aim of them eventually starting up their own business.” He said that farming tools were also distributed

to families in an effort to push agriculture in the region.

Several communities that were in darkness for decades also benefitted from his ‘Light it up for Christmas project’ with the installation of street lights. This project has been ongoing ever since.

For many who may have achieved much materially and climbed the social and political ladder, giving back is of no significance, but for Figueira, it is his way of remembering where he came from.

“I know what it is to be poor and don’t know where the next meal will come from; having one pair of shoes for every occasion,” he said.

“I know what poverty is; I’ve lived it; I am surrounded by it, and I see it every day. And so I am thankful to my parents for the upbringing they gave me: To always remember where I came from; to remain humble; and to be able to genuinely do what you can to help others in need, because you can empathise with them.”

It is for this very reason that this young MP prefers to be an MP for the people, and though he has accepted the fact that no matter what you do, people will always criticise you and see fault in you, he does not see this as a stumbling block but as a bridge to do more.

Said he: “Service to the people makes you feel good, and brings with it a comfort and warmth to the soul.

“And for this reason, I live by this Maya Angelou quote, ‘I’ve learnt that people will forget what you said; people will forget what you did; but people will never forget how you made them feel.’”

Record-breaking passenger movement at CJIAC

The first quarter of 2018 saw the highest ever recorded passenger movement through Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC), the airport said in a statement.

For the month of March 2018, 52,729 passengers were processed as compared to 43,733 in March 2017. Passenger movement for the

period January to March 2018 recorded 142,781 passengers being processed as compared to 126,340 for the same period in 2017.

David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure attributed these marked increases to “Government's sound economic policies and its unwavering advocacy for an enabling environment for investors.”

He added that other factors which contributed to this achievement can be associated with increased business interest in Oil and Gas, Agriculture and tourists coming in large numbers for the Easter festivities, Bartica Regatta, Rupununi Rodeo and investment forums. The country’s main port of entry is currently being

expanded to accommodate the additional traffic anticipated in the coming years.

The US$150M project is moving apace and upon completion, with the inclusion of several state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, the airport’s capacity will be greatly enhanced and strengthened significantly, impacting passengers' experience.

Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

15

‘Tropical Reflection’ --A taste of Jamaica where you least expect it WHILE the mining town of Linden has much to offer by way of work, the one thing that Lindeners have always complained about is the lack of variety where entertainment is concerned.

But all that is about to change with the advent of the

Tropical Reflection Restaurant and Bar, the latest weekend dive in Linden.

And while it is safe to say that the entertainment scene has received an overwhelming boost from this one business, it is equally safe to say that its opening

One of the many dishes on Tropical Reflection’s menu

A girls night out at Tropical Reflection

has created a ripple effect on the Linden economy, since several other small businesses and entrepreneurs have been benefitting tremendously.

Conveniently located in the popular ‘Five Corner’ neighbourhood, this restaurant and bar owned by Hilton Lyle was opened with the aim of bringing standard to the restaurant industry in Linden, something that has been sorely lacking in the past, while simultaneously offering services to those commuting between the hinterland and the coastland.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Lyle said that the restaurant offers both local and international cuisines, especially Jamaican delicacies such as oxtail, ‘mannish wata’ and curry goat.

A Jamaican chef was specially hired to afford Lindeners these delicacies. The

cuisines, Lyle said, are prepared very health consciously, being ever cognisant of the plethora of non-communicable diseases that are on the rise in Linden.

While the only intention was to establish a restaurant, Lindeners, he said, being starved of entertainment became creative. “We were just proposing to have a restaurant, but the residents turned it into a restaurant and bar,” the restaurateur said, “and so we have 100% support from the people of Linden. “We would have special events such as ‘One-man-band’ and so on…”

Other services being offered are restrooms, whereby travellers on their way to and from the interior can stop and freshen up, as well as meals round-the-clock, whether hot or cold. There is also a dining area for the hosting of celebratory or business

functions.

Said Lyle: “Our mission is ‘Clean, fast and friendly’, because I saw the need for standard in the restaurant industry.”

On weekends, several other small entrepreneurs would converge on ‘Five Corner’ to cash in on sales.

Hucksters, mobile food vendors, taxi drivers as well as the many other shops located at ‘Five Corner’ would all benefit.

“The entire ‘Five Corner’ does be lit up,” Lyle said, alluding to the hundreds of Lindeners who crowd the facility especially on weekends.

The restaurant also sources many of its ingredients and other raw material from Lindeners, so many farmers, retailers and small-scale entrepreneurs also benefit from it. This is in addition to the 14 Lindeners in its employ.

According to one mobile

food vendor, “I use to operate by business out at Mackenzie, but now that the crowd is here on the weekends, I decided to come here.

“And I haven’t regretted it one bit; I am very happy that this business is open and Linden people are supporting it.”

Lyle said he doesn’t regret taking the risk of opening a restaurant of such high standard, as he’s shown others what is possible in Linden, a place openly labelled as economically dead.

Now he is urging other potential investors to come to Linden, as there is room enough for everyone.

“I am a businessman,” Lyle said. “I always look at the area and see the needs of the people, and to cater for their needs. And you would not fail.”

Jagdeo rushes to Singh, Brassington’s defence --says decision to sell land was Cabinet’s

LEADER of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo says he could vouch for the two former government officials who have been charged for misconduct in public office.

According to reports, former Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and former head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Mr Winston Brassington allegedly sold Multicinema Guyana Inc. a 10-acre tract of State land at Turkeyen for G$185,037,000.

The charge against them is that they sold the land without having procured a valuation from a competent

valuation officer; sold an additional 103 acres of State land by an Agreement of Sale and Purchase to National Hardware Guyana Limited for G$598,659,398 (VAT exclusive) without procuring a valuation; and sold another 4.7- acre parcel for G$150M to Scady Business Corporation, when the said parcel was valued at G$340M million by Rodrigues Architects Associate, a competent valuation agency.

But according to the former president at a press conference on Thursday, “There was a process, and they could not have executed those decisions unless the matter was approved by Cabinet…

“Those were decisions of

Cabinet and could all be justified. It is a Cabinet decision which had been issued back to the Ministry of Finance and to the Privatisation Unit to execute, so Brassington or Ashni Singh could not have executed these decisions unless the matter came, the recommendation was approved by the Cabinet.”

The opposition leader went on to say that all the transactions which went through the Privatisation Unit/NICIL from 1993 to 2001 could be found either in a booklet or digitally on NICIL’s website.

Jagdeo criticised the government for not being able to find a national statute with which to charge the

Former Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh

pair, since they were neither charged for stealing money nor found with a big bank account, but for a procedural error.

In relation to the specifics of the charge, he is contending that in the case of the Na-

Former head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Mr Winston Brassington

tional Hardware transaction, there was a public tender which determined the prices.

He said persons would be able to see that they advertised for bids for almost

two months, so persons had an opportunity to submit bids but they only received one.

In the case of Multicinema, he said they also went to public tender, and the highest bid they received was from Sri Yogendra for $16M per acre. But because he could not conclude the transaction, 10 acres were sold at $20M per acre which was higher than the initial bid.

“We did not hide these things,” Jagdeo said, adding: “When are you going to charge for the billions we owe, instead of procedural errors?”

He again contended that the lands which were sold did not even have a complex structure and were just undeveloped land.

16

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

The Handel Andrews Column

T TH HE E H HI IS ST TO ORY RY PA PAG GE E

Why is Stolen Legacy important?

T

he Italian Renaissance is the seminal event in the European history of ideas. Wikipedia Encyclopedia succinctly states, “The intellectual basis of the Renaissance was its own invented version of humanism, derived from the concept of Roman Humanitas and the rediscovery of classical Greek philosophy, such as that of Pytagoras, who said that "Man is the measure of all things." In 1954, a Guyanese, Dr. George G. M. Jones, described how the Greeks and Romans stole African learning and passed it off as their own.

SHORT BIO George Grenville Monah James was born November 9, 1953 in Georgetown, British Guiana, now Guyana. His parents were Reverend Linch and Margaret E. James After completing elementary and secondary schooling in his native land, he went to England to further his studies. He earned B.A., B.T. and M.A. degrees from Durham University, where he was a candidate for the D.Litt. Further post-graduate work at Columbia University, New York, earned him a PhD in the Classics.

He also earned a teaching certificate in the State of New York, where he taught mathematics, Latin and Greek.

His university tenures were extensive. He served as Professor of Logic and Greek at Livingston College in North Carolina for two years. For 10 years he was Professor of Languages and philosophy at Johnson C. Smith College at Charlotte, North Carolina. His teaching career ended at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, a Black institution, where he taught languages and philosophy.

He died under mysterious circumstances the same year his “Stolen Legacy” was published. Apparently one afternoon he left his job and friends and was later found dead in Nashville, Tennessee.

To quote Prof. Yosef Ben Jochannan, “If you ever dare to read the works of George G. M. James, you will never again be the same as before you did. He stands at the head of the line with Akhenaten, Ramesis, St. Augustine, Terrence, and so many others who heeded the warning, “Man know thyself.”

STOLEN LEGACY Dr. James’ aim in writing his book was “to establish better race relations in the world, by revealing a fundamental truth concerning the contribution of the African Continent to civilization.”

The book argues that Greek philosophy and the mystery systems of Greece and Rome were stolen from Egypt. “The Greeks were not the authors of Greek philosophy, but the people of North Africa, commonly called the Egyptians.”

In his introduction, Prof. James says, “The term Greek philosophy, to begin with, is a misnomer, for there is no such philosophy in existence. “From the sixth century B.C.E, therefore, to the death of Aristotle (322 B.C.) the Greeks made the best of their chance to learn all they could about Egyptian culture; most students received instructions directly from the Egyptian Priests, but after the invasion by Alexander the Great, the Royal

temples and libraries were plundered and pillaged, and Aristotle's school converted the library at Alexandria into a research centre.”

Dr. James contends that Ionian and Italian philosophers — Pythagoras, Thales, Democritus, and so on — obtained their education from the Egyptian Mystery schools.

He states unequivocally that Socrates was an Initiate of the Egyptian Mystery System “This explains why Initiates like Socrates did not commit to writing their philosophy, and why the Babylonians

of the Divine Logos. Geometry and Arithmetic were sciences of transcendental space and numeration, the comprehension of which provided the key not only to the problems of one's being; but also, to those physical ones, which are so baffling today, owing to our use of the inductive methods. Astronomy dealt with the knowledge and distribution of latent forces in man, and the destiny of individuals and nations.”

PLATO AND ARISTOTLE I was taught that Aristotle (384-322 BCE) was the greatest scientist of Antiquity and that his teacher was Plato (429?– 347 B.C.E.) Dr. James asks two questions in connection with this. “(a) How could Plato teach Aristotle what he himself did not know? (b) Why should Aristotle spend 20 years under a teacher from whom he could learn nothing”? This bit of history sounds

This book is available at Amazon for a very affordable cost and Chaldaeans who were very closely associated with them also refrained from publishing those teachings.”

EGYPTIAN MYSTERY SCHOOLS The Egyptian Mystery System was a Secret Order, whose membership was gained by initiation and a pledge to secrecy. Students were called initiates.

The teaching was graded and delivered orally and under these circumstances of secrecy, the Egyptians developed secret systems of writing and teaching, and forbade their Initiates from writing what they had learnt.

Education in the Mystery School “consisted not only in the cultivation of the 10 virtues, which were made a condition to eternal happiness, but also of the seven Liberal Arts which were intended to liberate the soul. There was also admission to the Greater Mysteries, where an esoteric philosophy was taught to those who had demonstrated their proficiency. Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic were disciplines of moral nature by means of which the irrational tendencies of a human being were purged away, and he was trained to become a living witness

incredible. Again, in order to avoid suspicion over the extraordinary number of books ascribed to Aristotle, history tells us that Alexander the Great gave him a large sum of money to get the books. Here again the history sounds incredible, and three statements must here be made. (a) In order to purchase books on science, they must have been in circulation so as to enable Aristotle to secure them. (b) If the books were in circulation before Aristotle purchased them, and since he is not supposed to have visited Egypt at all, then the books in question must have been circulated among Greek philosophers. (c) If circulated among Greek philosophers, then we would expect the subject matter of such books to have been known before Aristotle's time, and consequently he could not be credited either with producing them or introducing new ideas of science.

Another point of considerable interest to be accounted for was the attitude of the Athenian government towards this socalled Greek philosophy, which it regarded as foreign in origin and treated it accordingly. Only a brief study of history is necessary to show that Greek philoso-

phers were undesirable citizens, who throughout the period of their investigations were victims of relentless persecution, at the hands of the Athenian government. Anaxagoras was imprisoned and exiled; Socrates was executed; Plato was sold into slavery and Aristotle was indicted and exiled; while the earliest of them all, Pythagoras, was expelled from Croton in Italy.

He also contends that Plato’s “Greatest Good” idea was a rewriting of the Egyptian “Summum Bonum”, the Greatest Good concept.

I was taught that Socrates uttered the famous command, “Know thyself.” But the truth is “that the Egyptian temples carried inscriptions on the outside addressed to Neophytes and among them was the injunction "know thyself". Socrates copied these words from the Egyptian Temples and was not the author. All mystery temples, inside and outside of Egypt, carried such inscriptions, just like the weekly bulletins of our modern Churches.”

“Similarly, every school boy believes that when he hears or reads the names of the four cardinal virtues, he is hearing or reading names of virtues determined by Plato. Nothing has been more misleading, for the Egyptian Mystery System contained 10 virtues and Plato copied what have been called the four cardinal virtues, justice, wisdom, temperance, and courage.”

Dr. James believes that by “purposely calling the theorem of the Square on the Hypotenuse, the Pythagorean theorem, it has concealed the truth for centuries from the world, who ought to know that the Egyptians taught Pythagoras and the Greeks, what mathematics they knew.”

WESTERN RELIGION I will not delve deeply into the debt Western religion owes to Egypt. However, two names stands out as having gained their knowledge from ancient Egypt.

Dr. James states that, “We know that Moses became an Egyptian Priest, a Hierogrammat, and that Christ after attending the lodge at Mt. Cannel went to Egypt for Final Initiation, which took place in the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Other religious leaders obtained their preparation from lodges most convenient to them.”

To support his claim, Dr. James refers the reader to: Ancient Mysteries by C. H. Vail, p. 61; Mystical Life of Jesus

by H. Spencer Lewis; Esoteric Christianity by Annie Besant, p. 107, 128–129.

CONCLUSION After reading Dr. James’ brilliantly articulated ideas about how the Greeks stole Egyptian ideas, I am mentally exhausted. Stolen Legacy is a book for the Ages. It explains where many of the ideas we hold dear originated. European scholars continue to vilify Dr. James; but her is a superior thinker to most of his detractors.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

17

From Baracara Berbice, to Borough Hall, Brooklyn I

t is a very long distance from Baracara, Berbice, to Borough Hall, Brooklyn. The two communities are thousands of miles apart; one in South America, the other in North America. But that is the journey made by Vandell Park and his family over a decade ago.

Vandell Park is a former colleague of mine when we were reporters at the VCT television Evening News of Tony Vieira. We had not seen each other for a decade after he migrated to the United States of America. However, we spoke on the telephone from time to time.

Last year, we finally met again in person; it was at the Borough Hall in downtown Brooklyn, where we had a lengthy conversation about the media in both Guyana and the USA. We also spoke of Vandell's hometown, Baracara, which is located 50 miles up the Canje river in Region Six, Berbice, and the developments taking place there.

We also discussed a book which Vandell is now writing about Baracara and his memories growing up in that distant riverain community. Baracara is actually 25 miles further down river from Magdalenenburg, where the 1763 Berbice slave revolt, headed by Cuffy, commenced.

With his permission, I will include a few excerpts from that workin-progress book, in this feature article. Here is the first; "As a boy growing up at Baracara on the Canje river, one of eight populated villages occupying the banks of the Canje river, beyond where cars and other motor vehicles can access by road, the first memory would be that of paddling in the canoe with your parents either to church or to the farm."

When on that first visit of mine to Baracara some 30 years ago, I wit-

nessed many of the residents paddling their little canoes. On my 2016 visit, I saw an impressive increase of outboard engines powering little and notso-little boats. It seemed like the spoils of a modern-day revolution by people who were many generations removed from slavery.

In reference to the period of slav-

number of projects have been undertaken; Health facilities being a principal one, and improved farming techniques; both crops and cattle included. With increasing river activities, especially speedboats, there became need for revetment works to a principal section of the river bank.

That was not as successful as residents desired, and the work is now a matter of debate and for correction.

Two years ago, Baracara was elevated to become a National Heritage Community. There was even a visit by

Residents in their speedboats in the Canje river at Baracara. (Photo by Francis Quamina Farrier)

ery in Berbice, Park writes in his upcoming book, "The 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion which took place at Magdelenenburg, some 75 miles up the Canje river, followed the US territory St. John's Akan's rebellion against the Danish in 1733, which can be considered the first famous major slave revolt after the modern day slavery started."

At Barakara of the21st century, a

Revetment works at Baracara, Canje river. (Photo by Francis Quamina Farrier)

President David Granger, who had a first-hand view of modern Baracara.

As a historian, the President no doubt will enjoy reading the reminiscences of Vandell Park in his book; "There is nothing as beautiful as paddling up or down the river early in the morning, and as the sun rises you can witness the midst rising from the water invitingly, tantalizing your curiosity to find out where it's coming from."

by Francis Quamina Farrier

Vandell Park of Baracara, Canje, Berbice. (Photograph by Francis Quamina Farrier) I have not as yet had that "Morning has broken" experience on the Canje river. However, returning to New Amsterdam from Baracara as the sun is setting, one can enjoy the sight of birds, especially the Canje Peasant, Guyana's National Bird, winging their way back to their roosting areas. The many sights and sounds of Barakara, still lingers in the mind of Vandell Park as he writes his book about his hometown, Baracara, while so many miles away in Brooklyn.

Finally Vandell Park stated: "My wish for the people of Baracara, is that the Government would pay an expert in Agriculture to live at Baracara for about one year, showing and teaching them how to farm commercially, so they can make money and develop themselves." Park is also of the view that, "Teaching the people how to be financially responsible and what they can do to become thrifty, will be a remarkable investment in both the human and natural resources of the Canje River."

18 18

Emphasis on Real Estate, Taxes and Business

M

The Edgar Henry Column

Maximize Your Social Security Benefits

ore than 50 million Americans receive monthly Social Security benefits. Over 20% are married couples and 40% singles. For the most part Social Security is their sole source of income in retirement.

Retirees will finally get a cost-ofliving adjustment (COLA) of two percent for 2018. This marks the largest COLA increase in the past six years and results in an average monthly increase of $27 per person. This year the average Social Security check will be an estimated $1404 per month and the maximum Social Security check at full retirement age of $2,788.

Even if Social Security is only one piece of your overall retirement nest egg, it's important that you make the most of it. I will outline some littleknown strategies that can help you maximize your Social Security benefits.

IGNORE THE NO. 1 SOCIAL SECURITY MYTH Time and time again we hear people say that their Social Security benefit is based on the last five years of earnings. WRONG! This is one of those nasty rumors that just won't die and it's flat out not true. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses your highest 35 years of earnings to calculate your benefits! So, for example, if you have worked for 39 years, the SSA will throw out the 4 lowest earning years.

CHECK YOUR PEBES Every year, you should receive a copy of your Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement (PEBES) from the Social Security Administration. This statement lists the number of years that you have been credited for working and the amount of income reported. These two critical pieces of information are used to calculate your future SS benefits so it's important that you be sure they are reported correctly.

Your PEBES statement is also helpful in your retirement planning since it

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

gives you a projection of future Social Security benefits.

KNOW YOUR REAL RETIREMENT AGE There's a huge financial plus to delaying your Social Security benefits.

But your strategy depends highly on your age since the "normal" retirement age ranges from 65 to 67 depending on when you were born.

Although you may start taking Social Security benefits as early as age 62, you would then only receive 75% of your full benefit. By waiting to age 70, you’ll get 132% more in benefits!

Many people still mistakenly think that 65 is the official retirement age, but that's not true. You have the option to collect your benefits early.

Many of my friends chose to wait until age 67 to start collecting and some of them expired before they could collect.

If you are in good health and you feel you will live to a ripe old age, the choice is yours. If you think as I do, that those tomorrows is promised to no one; then apply for your benefits early.

The ball is in your court.

TAP INTO YOUR EX'S BENEFITS I will now share several little known strategies to make the most of your Social Security benefits if you are married. But before we get to those, let's talk about a special strategy if you are divorced.

Not many people realize this, but you can collect benefits based on your ex-spouse's earnings. The spousal benefit is the same as if you were married -- 50% of your ex-spouse's benefits at age 65. There are, of course, some

rules: • You must have been married for at least ten years • You cannot be married to someone else • The benefit you receive based on your ex-spouse's work record must be larger than the benefit that you would receive based on your own work history; and • If your ex-spouse has not yet signed up for Social Security, you must have been divorced for at least two years before you make your claim.

If your own earnings were sporadic or low, this strategy could pay you a larger benefit than your own work history. You can start collecting this benefit as early as age 62, even before you ex-spouse retires. Your claim will not affect the size of your ex's Social Security payments -- in fact, your ex doesn’t even have to know you're collecting these benefits.

MAXIMIZE YOUR SPOUSAL BENEFIT WHEN ONE SPOUSE DIDN’T WORK Here's a strategy if you or your spouse didn't work, or does not have enough credits to claim Social Security benefits based on your own earnings record.

You can maximize your benefits using what’s called a "claim and suspend" strategy. Here's how it works: once the higher earner reaches full retirement age, he claims and immediately suspends his retirement benefits.

By doing this, the spouse receives a spousal benefit based on the working spouse's earning record.

Remember, if the higher earning spouse (often the husband) dies first, the lower earning spouse can then switch to the survivor's benefit which is 100% of the benefit received by their spouse.

Maximize Your Benefits When Both Spouses Are Eligible for S.S. If you and your spouse are each eligible for benefits based on your individual earnings, you can actually claim Social Security twice. Really!

Yes Really. Here are the caveats: You must both have significant earnings, and at least one of you must delay claiming your Social Security benefits until age 66. When you wait until your full retirement age to start your benefits, you can choose whether to receive benefits based on your earnings record or that of your spouse.

You can even receive both at different times.

For example, if a husband

claims his benefits at age 70, his 66year old wife (who is at her full retirement age) can file for a spousal benefit based on his working record equal. The wife is then entitled to collect 50% of his benefit.

The wife continues working and contributing to Social Security for four more years until she is 70. Then she stops receiving the spousal benefit and starts receiving Social Security benefits based on her own working record.

She gets to start collecting the spousal benefit PLUS she boosts her Social Security checks because she delayed her claim PLUS she potentially increased her payment because she added higher earning years to her overall work record.

ASK FOR A "DO OVER" Now for a strategy that only very few Social Security beneficiaries have ever heard of!

I already mentioned that some people wait until their full retirement age to start taking Social Security benefits. But what if you didn't? What if you start your benefits and change your mind?

Well, most retirement decisions are hard to reverse, but this is one time you can get a "do over."

Here’s how it works: The Social Security Administration allows seniors who have started taking their monthly benefit to stop their benefits and start again later.

You simply repay the full amount in benefits received to date with NO interest, and then you "re-start" your benefit at a later date (and probably a higher amount) as though you had deferred taking their benefits in the first place! For example … if you began receiving benefits at age 62, but then changed your mind and wanted to wait until age 70 to begin collecting benefits. Using this strategy, you could increase your Social Security payments by more than 70%!

Knowing how to maximize your Social Security benefits can make a big difference in your retirement income.

“It is always better to have information and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

To have all your real estate questions answered — FREE CONSULTATION — call: Edgar Henry @ (718) 930-9526

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

19

Jordan likens US$900M to 'credit limit’ THE US$900M resource envelope made available to Guyana by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to facilitate a three-year programme targeting key development areas in the country, including economic infrastructure, rural development, human development and trade and competitiveness, must not be mistaken as a loan taken by Guyana.

“The government has not borrowed US$900M from the Islamic [Development] Bank,” Jordan told reporters, noting that there has been a clear misunderstanding of the difference between a loan and a resource envelope.

“As I said, it is a resource envelope- we will have to go through all of the due diligence before we can access even a small part of it. We now have to do the hard work by coming up with projects within the sectors,” Jordan said.”

The minister made it clear that whenever money is borrowed by the government, immediately thereafter, the contracts are taken to Parliament. “We have no outstanding contract of any borrowed money. It is a requirement under the law that whatever we borrow we must bring soon thereafter to the Parliament. It becomes a debt on the government’s books,” he emphasised.

In his address to the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Tunisia, Jordan explained that the IsDB fielded a programming mission in December 2017, when a work programme was formalised. He said approximately US $900M has been set aside to provide financing and technical assistance in key development areas such as economic infrastructure, rural development, human development and trade and competitiveness.

Government is yet to decide on how much of the US$900M will be borrowed.

“It is like a credit limit.

What I am saying is if I can find bankable projects for the whole thing, I will take the whole thing. I have sugar that needs financing, I have renewable energy that needs financing, I got roads…so if I have bankable projects… the bank will do its due diligence on Guyana too to see whether we have capacity to repay,” he said.

The Finance Minister

said the identified sum has been made available to Guyana over a five-year period, 2017 to 2022 as a result of the programme mission.

During that visit in December, an examination of Guyana’s future and developmental objectives was done to ascertain whether they were in sync with the bank.

LARGEST SUM Meanwhile, the minister noted that the resource envelope is the largest made available to Guyana by any multilateral bank. He disclosed that the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) new resource envelope for Guyana is US$38M, while the World Bank is US$90M, the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) stands at US$110M, most of which he said will be used to blend with the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) resources to complete the first phase of the Linden to Lethem road.

Those funds the finance minister said would complete the Linden to Mabura road and the bridge to cross the Kurupukari River.

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan

“Still, we will have a phase between Mabura and Kurupukari that we would have to go looking for financing,” said Jordan, who noted that with the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Guyana’s resource envelope is US$20M. “When you put all of that together, it can’t even build the bridge across the Demerara River,” he said, noting that Guyana’s needs

are great but expressed much gratitude to the international financial agencies for the assistance granted.

He noted that his administration is looking at a number of ways to finance the country’s development and one such way is through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. The Public-Private Partnership framework document will be made available on April 26, 2018, when Parliament

resumes.

While there were PPPs in the past, the minister said they were not as successful as they ought to have been.

“When you look at the Marriott and the Berbice Bridge, you would appreciate that we couldn’t go down the road with that kind of model, where the government is left holding whatever you want to call it. We have put out a model there, it might not be perfect but we have had considerable help from the Caribbean Development Bank and other donors in fashioning it.”

That model he said has been approved by Cabinet and is being printed for distribution in Parliament on April 26.

WINDFALL He noted that another way to source funds for development is through “a windfall”. That windfall Jordan said is in the form of what Guyana will receive from the petroleum sector.

“Whatever you argue, great deal or bad, there is going to come to Guyana a significant sum of money unheard of in our history.”

The Finance Minister

said his government’s blueprint is in the form of the Green State Development Strategy, while noting that it is not possible for there to be a discussion on what the “oil money” would be used for outside of a framework.

In reference to opposition critics, Jordan said his administration since taking office has borrowed only US$210, 068, 576. Of that sum, he explained that there were loans which were inherited from the previous administration. Some of the inherited loans are the US$45.2M East Coast Demerara (ECD) road being built by the Chinese, the Ogle by-pass road and the North West ferry.

“When you strip away the new borrowing by this government, it is under US$100M,” he stated, while providing statistics on the amount of money borrowed by previous administrations dating back to 1964.

Between 1964 and 1992, US$2, 047,854, 139 was borrowed. However in the 23 years of PPP rule some US$2, 611, 371, 581 was borrowed, the minister said.

20 20

In The Gov’t Mail

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

willing to help displaced Venezuelans … putting systems in place to do so

THE Ministry of Citizenship and the relevant immigration agencies are reportedly working on a plan to aid destitute Venezuelans affected by severe economic hardships in their country, and seeking refuge here.

Several nations bordering, or in close proximity to, the Bolivarian State have reported thousands of Venezuelans crossing into their countries seeking refuge.

Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix said Guyana is no exception, as Venezuelans continue to come here almost on a daily basis, some legally and others illegally.

Felix indicated that Guyana is seeking to take a more accommodating approach to the situation.

“Usually when you enter a country illegally, you are prosecuted,” he said, “but we

are trying to turn away from prosecution, given the special circumstances. We are trying to chart a course away from prosecution, and one that is not too costly.”

Border communities with Venezuela had reported to local authorities that scores of Venezuelans were crossing into Guyana seeking food, medical attention and even trading opportunities.

Village leaders in those communities had requested from the Guyana Government additional supplies to accommodate the influx of Venezuelans, as regular materials being delivered could no longer sustain them and their foreign neighbours.

VARIOUS SCENARIOS Minister Felix told the Guyana Chronicle that the authorities are looking at

Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix

some type of protocol that would enable the government to handle the Venezuelan situation amicably, whether they enter the country legally or otherwise.

He said that in some cases where Venezuelans may have family members and friends here, their being able to stay with them is one option.

Another scenario, he said,

is that there are Venezuelans entering the country illegally and finding themselves in hotels across the country. But the danger in that, he said, is the possibility of human trafficking which can happen easily, especially where persons enter the country unknowingly to officials. They could be trafficked without even realising it, he said.

And while no Venezuelan has sought asylum from the Guyana Government, Minister Felix said what has been happening is that persons are coming here legally and then reporting to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees’ (UNHCR) extended office here for refugee status.

He said that this being the case, Guyana is now signing on to the UNHCR and other charters regarding the specif-

ic issue of refugees.

He, however, noted that no final position has been reached on the Venezuelans, since it is still being drafted; but the government’s intention is to help them as much as it possibly can.

He said the course of action that will be taken will be carried over to all the relevant agencies that will be engaging with Venezuelan citizens.

MASS EXODUS The socio-economic crisis in Venezuela has seen massive exoduses out of the Bolivarian state. The International Organisation for Migration has reported that an estimated 1.6 million Venezuelans left the country in 2017, up from 700,000 in 2015, with an estimated 1.3 million seeking refuge in the Americas, including the

Caribbean.

Both Colombia and Brazil have tightened their borders, owing to the influx of “hundreds of thousands of desperate migrants” seeking healthcare, food and mainly jobs to send money back to their families.

Trinidad and Tobago has become more vocal about the influx of Venezuelans in the twin-island nation, while other Caribbean countries, among them St. Lucia, have expressed concern over the Venezuelan migration.

“We are only six hours away by a fast boat from Venezuela, so we’re very vulnerable,” St. Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet was quoted as telling the island’s media.

Stepping up the game

By Zena Henry THE IDEA of hand line fishing is not one too common in the Guyanese fishing industry. In fact, it may sound ridiculous to some if they were told that hand line fishing on a commercial scale and even for export, is less time consuming and to some extent, an easier method of particular fish.

That, however, is exactly what the bulk of Lennox Johnson’s Canaan Fisheries will entail. The Lot 8 Public Road, Land of Canaan establishment, has been in the making since 2000. But in the first week of April, Johnson expects to see all his hard work start paying off with the commencement of operation.

Altogether, the former United States resident has invested some $150 million in the construction of a massive wharf at his East Bank Demerara location, a processing plant, sales outlet and administrative building among other structures.

What makes Johnson’s establishment unique, however, is the commitment he is putting into hand line fishing for the red snapper species; the majority of which will be exported to the United States under the company’s “fresh and nice” brand.

Johnson explained that the $90 million, 175 by 30 foot ‘T’ wharf recently con-

structed aback his four-acre compound, has the capacity to hold some 30 to 40 fishing vessels that will be working exclusively for Canaan Fisheries. He said these boats will arrive from the Caribbean and Venezuela and will engage mainly in the hand line process. Johnson explained that Venezuelans are very well known for hand line fishing. The fishermen use basically a hook, line and bait.

Through this method, Johnson continued, a better quality of fish is caught and surprisingly, a boat will spend less time at sea hand fishing for the red snapper than if nets or traps are used.

The benefit, he went on, is that the price of fish using the hand line method is almost twice the cost of the trapped or netted fish.

Eight to 10 men are going to be on the boats, many of whom will specialise in this type of fishing. An added bonus, the businessman noted is that the boats will be at sea and the plant will be in direct communication with them allowing, for the vessel to dock with its catch just as the plant would need it.

This, he exclaimed, allows for, ”very nice, very fresh fish” to be exported.

“So when the boats come in, the only thing we have to do is wash the fish, ice it and

straight to the airport.” The fish will already be gutted at sea and will never see a freezer on the Guyana end.

Johnson explained that when fish is frozen before export, it requires a completely different process that entails, scaling the fish, filleting it among other practices.

Exporting frozen fish is among the other services Canaan Fisheries will provide.

While a significant part of the operation will be based on the “fresh and nice” brand, the establishment is expected to prepare smoked fish and salted fish using a solar dryer.

A special facility will, however, be built to standard and close to the wharf to ensure the freshest and hygienic conditions for the red snapper. This was highlighted by Johnson since he said he is very keen on sanitation regulations and recognises the need for a quality product if it is to be exported. Johnson said that he also has his eyes on the European market and their regulations, he noted, are even stricter than the US market. When dealing with “nice and fresh, “you can’t have one scale missing, not a scratch, nothing, that is why this fish is so pricey,” the businessman said.

Johnson noted that boats are already falling into play for the commencement of the operation. He said he will

- Remigrant poised to take hand line fishing to a new level in Guyana start at a smaller capacity, but he expects that as the business grows, a total of 100,000 to 120,000 pounds of fish will be exported per week. He said his cold storage has a capacity of some 200,000 lbs of fish and the processing plant itself is about 4,000 sq. ft.

The compound has on it living quarters that will house some 12 employees.

Johnson sees in the near future that about 25 to 30

staff will be working at the fisheries and he has made it a duty to seek employment for mainly young persons. He said they will operate in the capacity of fish processors, labourers, and administrative staff, among others.

“I wanted to invest in Guyana but I was unsure as to what I wanted to do,” Johnson told the Pepperpot Magazine. He said it was friends who encouraged him to get into the fishing in-

dustry. “So I started out by investing in a fishing vessel.

I moved from that to processing and exporting using someone’s facility. Then I got my own facility and we are here now.”

Johnson said he would encourage anyone to come invest in Guyana. He said there are great opportunities here and his venture, for instance, is just one very promising area.

To advertise your business, a special milestone, your wedding anniversary, your child’s birthday, your organization’s fundraiser or any special occasion in the New York Edition of the Guyana Chronicle

call: (917) 379-6590

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

New York Chronicle Horoscope

21

CROSSWORD CROSSWORD

ISSUE 97 CROSSWORD ANSWER

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You may find that your documents are not in order. In-laws may cause difficulties. Travel should be considered. Get out and about. You will be well looked upon due to your compassionate and giving nature. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Tuesday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) New methods and innovative technology will make your job far easier than you anticipated. Travel will initiate new friendships or love connections.

Pleasure trips will turn out to be better than anticipated. Make your intentions perfectly clear and find out exactly what is expected of you. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Friday.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) You need to do more research before you make your final decision. Elders may need your help. You must try to help. Emotional up and downs have caused doubts in your personal life. Your luckiest event nedxt week will occur on Sunday.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) You may blow situations out of proportion when dealing with the one you love. Sentimental feelings may make it difficult to get much done at work.

Don't be too eager to give a piece of your mind or even your opinion. Set the ball in motion and be relentless until you complete the project. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Wednesday.

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22) Take care that arrangements to spend quality time together with someone close are made in advance. Recognition can be yours if you present your ideas and stand behind your beliefs. Empty promises will upset people.

Make love, not war, and all will be fine. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Saturday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) Offer good conversation and a nice soothing lunch. Try not to let your emotions interfere with the completion of your work. It's time to reevaluate your motives.

Be prepared to lose friends or alienate other people if you insist on being stubborn. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Sunday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) You could meet an interesting individual you'll want to get to know better.

You may want to make changes in your home environment. Don't give your heart too readily. Hobbies will be good for your emotional well-being. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Friday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your ability to charm others will bring added popularity. Secret affairs will only lead to deception. You will be overly generous with children this month. You need to be careful not to make promises that you can't fulfill.

Your luckiest event next week will occur on Saturday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) Older family members may take advantage of you by making you feel guilty. You will have a great day if you just say what you feel. You can stabilize your financial situation if you make property investments. Arguments with relatives may lead to a split in the family. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Saturday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You can make successful moves. You may be frustrated by the way situations are being handled in your personal life. Throw yourself into your work. You will be overly sensitive when dealing with your personal life.

Your luckiest event next week will occur on Sunday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) Your ability to work with detail could help you achieve your goals. You'll be able to discuss your ambitions with your mate. Don't let your mate bully you into thinking that you owe him/her your time and your life.

Don't agree to make any of those cosmetic alterations you've been considering. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Friday.

PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) Investments will cost more than you anticipated. Your partner may push buttons that infuriate you. You may need a good friend to lean on. You need a day to rest and relax with the ones you love. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Thursday.

ACROSS 1. Sorceress 4. Snake, e.g.

9. French clerical titles 14. lncense 15. Adult insect 16. Horde 17. Coquettish 18. Boatload 19. Hotel employee 20. Border authorities 23. Consumer 24. Take a firm stand 25. August birthstone 28. Magnetic induction units 32. Buff 35. Have___ at 36. Retail store authorities 42. Applesauce 43. Damascene 44. Aussie lassie 48. Swaddle 52. Caviar source

W O R D F I N D

ANADOLU BALI BASHKIR BATAK BOER BOSNIAN BURMESE CONNEMARA ERISKAY ESPERIA FAROE FELL

55. Clothes Presser 56. Local authorities 61. March marchers 62. Eskimo boat 63. Slip in a pot 64. Embankment 65. Make smile 66. Mongrel 67. Windblown soil 68. Reading lights 69. Wore, with away DOWN 1. Snag 2. Kindle 3. lt blows off steam 4. Puerto ___ 5. Muslim holy man 6. College teams 7. Encourage 8. Car coverings 9. Counsel 10. Husks 11. Tree trunk

12. By any chance 13. Places for Props 21. Jaunts 22. 0utburst 26. Forest denizen 27. Elderly 29. John 30. Bronze go-with 31. Nine-sound signal 33. Piggery 34. Collection of dried plants 36. Store posting: abbr.

37. Cry at a circus 38. Beehive State native 39. Spy org.

40. Browning work?

41. British Commonwealth member 45. Waders 46. Acts drfty 47. Brew 49. lt's used to treat bruises 50. Escaped 51. Check 53. Bar order, with ‘the’ 54. Reproductive structure in mosses 56. Tablet 57. lt was introduced in 1912 58. ln person 59. Audience surprise reaction at a game 60. Just makes, with “out”

P O N Y B R E E D S

GALICIAN GUIZHOU HOKKAIDO JAVA LANDAIS LUNDY PINDOS SHETLAND TIBETAN TIMOR TOKARA WELSH

ISSUE 97 WORDFIND ANSWER

22

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

EMPHASIS ON CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS

3

Theresa May 'Deeply Regrets' Colonial Anti-LGBT Laws H

uman Rights Watch — Meeting Commonwealth leaders this week, British Prime Minister Theresa May expressed regret for Britain's role in criminalizing same-sex conduct in its former colonies. "I am all too aware that these laws were often put in place by my own country," she said. "They were wrong then and they are wrong now." May added that the UK government would support reform of legislation that discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in former colonies.

It's a welcome symbolic step towards justice for LGBT people affected by colonial-era "sodomy laws," which had a wide-ranging impact and still exist in 36 of the 53 Commonwealth countries. The Human Rights Watch report, "This Alien Legacy", shows how laws criminalizing consensual same-sex conduct were introduced across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific, and the Caribbean under British rule, contributing to a climate of hostility against LGBT people. Human Rights Watch has docu-

mented how they still contribute to violence and discrimination against LGBT people in the Eastern Caribbean, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Kenya, Burma, Nigeria, Uganda, and Jamaica.

Recognizing the weight of historical injustice is one step towards justice for LGBT people in the Commonwealth. Elsewhere, governments have created policies compensating victims of discriminatory laws, including Germany, where the Bundestag voted to compensate gay and bisexual men convicted and imprisoned for consensual same-sex conduct, and Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized for state discrimination and created a US$100 million Canadian fund to compensate former government employees.

Activists in former British colonies have gained tremendous ground, including decriminalization of consensual same-sex acts in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago. In India and Kenya, courts have committed to hearing decriminalization cases.

May should urge heads of gov-

ernment at tomorrow's executive session of Commonwealth leaders to reform these laws. The UK government should also support organizations that grapple with the alien legacy of criminalization, and support activists working at the grassroots to reform discriminatory laws. As colonial-era sodomy laws fall and organizations like the Commonwealth Equality Network challenge inequality based on

sexual orientation and gender identity, Commonwealth leaders should take action to stop human rights abuses against LGBT people.

In recognizing the injustice inflicted by its colonial-era laws, the UK has an opportunity to make amends.

The UK should work to return dignity and equality to LGBT people in the Commonwealth.

(Caribbeannews,net)

British Prime Minister Theresa May

Roraima governor asks to shut borders with Venezuela A

gencia Brasil — Suely Campos, governor of Roraima, a state in north Brazil, announced she filed a motion with the Supreme Court seeking to have the Brazilian government temporarily shut the country's borders with Venezuela.

In a message posted on social media, the state governor says that "in order to address the impact of migration

and protect the people of Roraima, borders must be temporarily closed."

"The social and economic imbalance brought about by this strong migration wave into our state has not been predicted in any international treaty," Suely Campos argues, adding that the "exceptional character" of the circumstances require "more strict measures."

"Keeping watch over the frontiers falls under the responsibility of the fed-

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eral government. I have instead that concrete measures should be adopted, but what has been done so far has not met the needs of the state," she added.

The Supreme Court press office was contacted, and confirmed having received the motion. A decision should be made by a justice drawn at random whether a provisional measure will be implemented or the matter taken to a

plenary session for deliberation.

The request was received with criticism by President Michel Temer. "I believe this motion does not have much significance. This is not like Brazil, to shut national borders. And I hope the Supreme Court makes a decision in this direction. To close borders is inconceivable," he said.

(Caribbeannews.net)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

23

Repositioning the coconut industry in nine Caribbean countries

By M Margaret Burke THE International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) are diligently working to increase food availability and reinforce incomes of small-scale farmers in Guyana, as well as other Caribbean countries such as Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, and Suriname.

ITC Coordinator for the Coconut Industry Development for the Caribbean (CIDC), Guyana’s Raymond Trotz, told the Pepperpot Magazine that the timeline of the CIDC project, which commenced in 2015, will be up to the end of this year (2018). He explained that the beneficiaries of the project are small coconut farmers, plantation operators, owners and workers, coconut producing and processing communities, young people and women in coconut and coconut product processing and marketing, also SME coconut products manufacturers.

CARIBBEAN WEEK OF AGRICULTURE Trotz said that this CIDC project has its genesis in a series of efforts arising from a study presented at the 12th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) held in Guyana from October 7 – 12, 2013.

The study, he noted, was funded by the European Commission on behalf of African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Secretariat and the Caribbean Forum (Cari-Forum). It may be seen in the context of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) following the withdrawal of preferential treatment for traditional plantation crops in European markets.

He reported that two priority interventions were identified: (i) enhancing the range of value-added products, particularly higher valued products and growing business and entrepreneurial activities and (ii) improving production, productivity and efficiency.

AWAKENING A SLEEPING GIANT Trotz, in reporting on the activities of CIDC, said that in pursuit of developing a regional roadmap, a workshop was held in Trinidad and Tobago in November 2014. It was hosted by CARDI in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and was attended by stakeholders from Belize, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname. At that meeting the European Commission (EC) representatives announced a preliminary funding of €3.5 million to prepare the industry for resuscitation.

Additionally, in early 2015, a five-member Caribbean delegation attended the 51st APCC conference held in Cochin, Kerala, South India. The opportunity was taken to

tour the Indian coconut industry in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and to visit the Indian Coconut board.

A synopsis of the roadmap of Guyana’s coconut industry was presented at the first Coconut Festival held in October 2016

disseminating improved practices in commercial coconut cultivation.

Lead farmers, Trotz explained, are identi-

WORKSHOPS WITH STAKEHOLDERS By the second quarter of 2015, the ITC and CARDI had held a series of workshops with stakeholders in participating countries.

These meetings demonstrated a policy of participatory approaches aimed at ensuring that stakeholders become intimately involved in the development and implementation of plans to develop their industry. The emphasis was that ownership of, and consequently, responsibility for the development of the industry must reside with its stakeholders.

Stakeholders included not only producers of primary and value-added products but also providers of support services such as banking,

Veteran Coconut Technician, Chandrika Persaud, introducing his knowledge and experience in coconut husbandry practices to outdoor training

Coconut Development Training with NAREI Coconut Technician, Adrian Mangar, with some farmers of Regions Four and Five at NAREI's coconut nursery

marketing, suppliers of inputs, regulatory agencies, and technical service providers.

This, Trotz said, led to the development of a project aimed at four desirable outcomes, namely: market opportunities identified; competitiveness and sustainability; access to information and advisory services on finance, trade, agriculture, management, and markets facilitated for small producers; and small producers having greater access to risk management instruments, particularly for climate and market risks.

Trotz said that at the end of Guyana’s stakeholders meeting held at the Grand Coastal Hotel in May 2015, a decision was taken to form a National Stakeholders Platform to drive the development of the industry. The platform was initiated in June 2015 with a core of stakeholders from production, processing, and support agencies such as NAREI, GMC and IICA and work has continued ever since.

where a six-point strategy was outlined: to develop a business plan for the sector and profitability studies to support commercially driven development and value addition; to consolidate a sector demand and supply plan; improve access to finance and promote innovative schemes that respond to the needs of the sector; improve research for availability of and multiplication of right varieties for planting; promote better farming practices and extension services to increase productivity and improve pest and disease management; and improve organisation of coconut supply through an industry alliance between value-chain stakeholders by promoting organisation, planning, information flows and policy support.

In pursuit of this strategy, focus on strengthening value chains began with training in lean management practices in factories – starting with existing value chains in coconut water and coconut oil. An initial six facilities were evaluated between April and July 2016 and recommendations made for improvements in collaboration with their owners. In addition to this, the NSP joined an initiative taken by the Ministry of Tourism to host Guyana’s first Coconut Festival in October 2016. The theme “Awakening a Sleeping Giant” was a huge success and saw an influx of investors’ interest, both local and foreign.

Trotz reported that as several more prospective value chains were identified (and enquiries continue), a baseline study was conducted in 2017 to characterise Guyana’s coconut farmers. He said that an assessment was done through the characterisation study and identified strengths and weaknesses and endorsed the need for Alliances for Action (A4As) in a participatory approach as identified in the roadmap.

He added that the value-chain approach has been recognised as an appropriate organising principle for development, focusing on improving the production base to service the Chain through training stakeholders in specific areas. The methodology being adopted, he said, is to identify and select lead farmers and second ring farmers with the intention of

fied through collaborative efforts with NAREI and community leaders, using a system of rankings. Each lead farmer is offered a menu of training to select from and is required to include an initial 10 – 20-second ring farmers, with a choice to voluntarily participate in the programme and make various in-kind contributions.

Training is based on the needs of the value chain, namely: coconut production development; extension support; business training; value-adding; food safety; and marketing.

PILOT ZONES The three Pilot Zones identified are Regions Two, Four, Five and Region 10. The zone areas are to be expanded as the project is adopted and gains more support, according to Trotz.

So far, 16 training sessions are being organised in the three pilot zones. Some have already concluded in subjects such as food safety in the production of coconut water conducted by the Government Analyst- Food & Drug Department; integrated pest management, which was organised and conducted

by CARDI with lead farmers from Regions Two, Four and Five, and NAREI field staff from Region 10.

Business training was conducted by the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) for Lead Farmers from Regions Four and Five, including participation from Fellowship, Mahaicony; Bygeval and Helena in Mahaica; Victoria and Buxton.

Training in Coconut Selection and Best Husbandry Practices was also conducted by NAREI and a veteran coconut field technician, Chandrika Persaud.

Other sessions will commence soon in making value-added products from coconuts and preparing to meet international market standards.

Trotz, at the same time, emphasised that all the sessions are geared towards providing essential knowledge-based and will be followed by the establishment of demonstration plots and facilities to be established in joint efforts among A4A members consisting of farmers, coconut processors, and various support agencies. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)

24

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

SEVERAL areas around the University of Guyana (UG) campus received a facelift on Sunday with the help of 10 students on a mission to enhance their environment, while highlighting the importance of local government.

The enhancement works by the second-year students are part of their Diploma in Public

Management Programme and was assigned to them by their Professor Donna McKinnon.

As part of the works completed, the students painted bridges, re-painted pedestrian crossings and speed humps, labelled school lecture rooms, planted plants and painted the upcycled tyres placed around them.

One of the students, Rawle Jadunath, said the upgrade will promote safety among vehicle and road users, while the labelling will help students to easily identify classrooms.

In addition, he said the

Students give Turkeyen Campus facelift act of planting is a means for the group to keep abreast with the country’s ‘green’ initiative and encouraged other Guyanese to do the same.

On the topic of local government, Jadunath said the body plays a major role in communities and can be depended upon to address many issues while encouraging societal interactions.

“Local government is everyone's business, because in the long run it benefits you, the individual, and also the community in which one lives…by having street

lights, maintaining roads, keeping drains clean, [creating] playgrounds and youth clubs,” he said.

The money being used to complete the projects comes from the pockets of the students, who wanted to prove that such acts can be undertaken without a massive fund-raising activity.

This coming weekend, the group will continue their beautification efforts after which they intend to hand out flyers and create sensitisation videos on the need for more to be involved in local government.

The students enhanced the looks of a number of bridges on the university campus (Rawle Jadunath photos)

The university environment is beautified with new plants

Speed humps being made more visible by the students

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

25

592 Movement launches studio The spanking new 592 Movement Studio.

FOR just about a year, the 592 Movement- which consists of local artistes- have been working to set up a studio and the hard work has finally paid off.

The 592 Movement Studio is completed and is now housed at the home of singer Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo at Lot

180 Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown.

Even though the studio is fully equipped it is not opened to the public yet since Primo is expected to release his new rhythm (medley) soon.

The compilation of songs, titled “Nuff Mouth “comprises of six artistes such as Blaze Antonio, Trevon Vibes, Quacy Ace,

Lil Red Diana Chapman, Lil Million and Jump Primo.

He told The Buzz that he is involved in the video production of the medley which is being done at the 592 Movement Studio with producer Timon Fraser from Linden and video

by New Breed.

Primo said that the 592 Movement Studio will be officially open later this year to the public but for now, they will focus on doing advertisements, voice-overs, dubs and drops and other in-house recordings.

Primo’s happenings Primo said that while some persons missed him on Mash day, he was indeed a part of the activities by collaborating with the Ministry of Cohesion's Band.

He is now preparing for Carnival in Guyana which will last two weeks in May. He announced that, in association with popular local producer Drew Thoven, they will be launching 52 songs, five of which have already been released.

Other songs were done by Big Red, Lil Million, and Kwasi Ace namely Pelt It, Follow the Leader, Double Up, Work It and Genesis.

He said the video for the song “Jam It” will be released for Guyana’s Carnival along with three other songs.

Tomorrow, Primo will also be performing live at the Strip Bar, Giftland Mall from 20:00hrs and he will be in Bartica on Independence Night for the Road Tramp and Show.

26

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending April 20, 2018

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending April 20, 2018

27

SHAI HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL D

on’t get me wrong. I am happy and proud that West Indian Shai Hope has been honored as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers-of-the-Year, and I hope he grows from strength to strength (pardon the pun). Like he said, it was “humbling and was a bit of a shock when I got the news and obviously a huge privilege being named among the five.”

Many are pleasantly shocked too.

Hope was selected on the basis of one Test — his outstanding performance at Leeds, when he became the first batsman in 127 years of First Class Cricket at Headingley to score a century in both innings.

He made 147 in the first innings and an unbeaten 118 in the second, as West Indies chased down 322 to win by five wickets and level the three-match series 1-1.

It was a memorable effort, and one that deserves a place in the history books. But to be named as a Wisden Five? Indeed, prior to the achievement, Hope had only managed a single halfcentury in 21 previous innings, at an average of 18. His career average is only 33 from 17 Tests and his selection confirms the paucity of talent and class in the present West Indies batting lineup.

Unfortunately, gone are the days when Headley, Worrell, Weekes, Walcott, Sobers, Kanhai, Lloyd, Butcher, Richards, Rowe, Kallicharran, Fredericks, Richardson, Greenidge, Haynes, Lara, Gayle, Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Hooper and company dominated bowlers all around the world in the hundreds of innings they played. Perhaps selecting Hope was belated largesse for Wisden ignoring many of these Caribbean giants in their heyday, or being too slow to recognize their achievements.

Not only may this premature

award lull this young, talented batsman into complacency to the West Indies’ detriment, but, by its logic and precedent, Wisden, cricket’s Bible, stunned us all. If Hope’s lone performance was enough to catapult him to Wisden acclamation, then Lawrence Rowe’s 214 and 100* in his first Test against New Zealand in 1972 should have spontaneously earned him similar recognition also. Alvin Kallicharran, who scored

like Kanhai, Sobers, Lara and others who accomplished Hope’s feat years before — often referred to in cricket jargon as becoming an immortal. Some achave tually performed this feat more than once, notably Headley (at Lord’s and Bourda, for good measure), and Walcott for West Indies.

And how should Wisden recognize Sir Everton Weekes, who scored 5 consecutive Test centuries in as many innings — 141, 128, 194, 162 and 101 back to back, and was then run out for 90 in the sixth? And what do they say about Sir Clyde Walcott, who made centuries in consecutive innings twice

SHAI HOPE centuries in his first two Test innings in the same series should have been rewarded also, and not have to wait until the twilight of his career in 1983 to be thus awarded.

Likewise, Mohammad Az-haruddin, who stands alone in making three Test hundreds in his first three Test matches, should have been thus rewarded also, as should batting titans

in a series, against the mighty Australian side in 1955, becoming the first batsman to score five centuries in a single Test series, and totaling 827 runs from 10 innings before being belatedly honored by Wisden in 1958? Indeed, in the 1951 Wisden edition, which chose Sir Frank Worrell and Sir Everton Weekes, the Editor strangely remarked in his preface: "My only regret was that room could not be found for C. L. Wal-

The ALBERT BALDEO Column cott." That sounds like a quota system, considering Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance, both Englishmen, and Jeetan Patel of New Zealand, relatively unknown in comparison, were selected.

The irony increases when one considers that Ronnie Sarwan, and Lawrence Rowe, who made seven Test hundreds in 30 tests at an average of 43.55, and Rowe is one of the select batsmen to score over 300 runs in a Test innings (302 vs England in 1974), never made the Wisden list. It waxes more inexplicable with Chris Gayle’s omission. Even if his incomparable limited overs exploits are somehow omitted, the “Universe Boss” is one of only four players who have scored two triple centuries at Test level in the history of the game: 317 against South Africa in 2005, and 333 against Sri Lanka in 2010. Surely, this is a feat worthy of Wisden recognition?

Bat on, Shai Hope, you have a long way to go, and a point to prove.

You said you want to break Brian Lara’s 400*, the highest individual Test score in a single innings. Your 32 Test innings thus far have yielded an aggregate of 996 runs. Do the math, Shai.

Note: Albert Baldeo is a civil rights activist and community advocate. After years of advocacy, he got the MTA to install a subway elevator at the Lefferts station in Richmond Hill/Ozone Park. As the President of the Baldeo Foundation and Liberty Justice Center, he has continued the fight for justice, equal rights, dignity and inclusion for all. He can be contacted at the Baldeo Foundation: AlBaldeo@aol. com or (718) 529-2300.

District Leader Albert Baldeo had the pleasure of paying tributes to both Everton Weekes (left) and Chris Gayle, whose respective belated and missing Wisden selections he takes issue with.

Russell set for Windies return at Lord's J

ohannesburg [South Africa): West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is all set to make an international return after serving a 12month doping-related ban.

The right-handed batsman, who has enjoyed a great start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Kolkata Knight Riders, has been named in the 13-man West Indies squad for a lone Hurricane Relief T20 Challenge match against an ICC Rest of the World XI on May 31.

He is now in line to play his first match for the West Indies since August 2016.

Russell had earlier made his successful competitive cricket comeback in the the Regional Super50 tournament in the Caribbean before headed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for his brief spell at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Islamabad United.

The right-handed batsman was

ANDRE RUSSELL

handed a year ban from playing all forms of cricket for a doping whereabouts rule violation.

Russell did not file his whereabouts on three occasions in 2015 as required,

which also included a failed drugs test under the guidelines of the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA).

Reflecting on Russell's inclusion, Chairman of selectors Courtney Browne

complaints. Beautiful islands and people are very nice. I just had a really good time and I'm really looking forward to my second trip.

"Whatever is thrown at you I think you just have to adjust to the conditions, sometimes you are lucky sometimes you aren't. Most of the time wherever you play in the world you don't get spinning friendly pitches. In Guyana you think that you're going to get a spin friendly pitch, you're going to do well. But for me that's part of the challenge because people's expectations are high and they are looking for that," he said.

As a spinner you have to do really well but for me it's another great challenge. I think the conditions don't really matter these days because guys are very smart and play a lot of different shots, but it will be a little bit helpful and as I said before it will be a challenge for me," Tahir added.

Imran Tahir will bring his unique wicket-taking celebrations to the CPL. His joy when he takes a wicket is very clear to see, and CPL fans can look forward to watching his exuberance. He says his celebration is all about his pas-

sion for cricket.

"I think if I had to put it in a simple way, I just feel like it's the passion for the game. It's been my dream since I was a kid that I wanted to be in that arena where I see all the international players playing around me and I think that's where I am today. Every wicket I take is very important for me and I think that's probably built up inside me and it comes out when I take a wicket. So look, it's pure passion for the game, and I just want to carry on doing more celebrations - that means I am taking wickets."

Those celebrations were particularly energetic when Tahir took a hattrick at the PSL. When asked if he think he would ever stop running when that third wicket in three balls fell, he said, "No, I don't think so. I think I ended up in front of Mohammad Irfan and you are not going to cross that man! He's one of the tallest guys. Look, it was a great achievement for me from a personal point of view and what I did for the team."

In recent years, Tahir has been restricted to appearances for South Africa in white-ball cricket, and he is hopeful

welcomed his return to the squad and said that he hopes the all-rounder will play a key role in the white-ball cricket.

"We welcome the return of the players who missed the Pakistan Series and are delighted to recall Andre Russell to the squad, as we believe he will have a key role in our white-ball cricket," he said.

The proceeds of the lone T20I match will go towards the restoration of James Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla and Dominica's Windsor Park Stadium.

The full West Indies T20 squad is as follows: Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams.

(ANI) (Caribbeannews.net)

Imran Tahir keen to celebrate wickets in CPL

G

ros Islet [St Lucia]: South African spinner Imran Tahir, who is currently playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, has said that he is looking forward to the challenge of representing Guy-ana Amazon Warriors at this year's Caribbean Premier League.

This will be the first time that Tahir will play at the CPL, but he has had some success in the Caribbean in the past. In the 2016 One-Day International tri-series featuring South Africa, Australia and the West Indies, he finished with 13 wickets - the most by any bowler in the tournament.

"It's very exciting for me and I guess it's very challenging for me as well.

I have been watching CPL on TV for the last couple of years and it looks a very good standard, and I just want to go and express myself and try do well and that's what I am looking for."

He says that he is looking forward to his return in the Caribbean and making the most of conditions that suit him.

"I have been there once and I really enjoyed it. It's spinning friendly so no

Imran Tahir

that he can contribute to South Africa doing well at the upcoming ICC global events.

"I always have a belief and I have been saying that for the last three or four World Cups I have been honoured to play. It was just my dream to play international cricket but never thought I was going to play four World Cups so I am grateful to South Africa for giving me the opportunity. I always say that and that's the belief I have [that we can win the World Cup] with the team we have and the players we have."

The Caribbean Premier League is slated to be held from August 8 and September 16.

(ANI) (Caribbeannews.net)