Ny edition 02 17 2016

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2017

ISSUE NO. 37

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Implement CSME fully – Pres. Granger urges CARICOM member states – Pres. Granger urges CARICOM member states

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A light moment before the commencement of the opening ceremony of the 28th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel. From left: Prime Minister of Barbados, The Rt. Hon. Freundel Stuart, CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Prime Minister of Dominica, Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and President David Granger

New Peace Corps Guyana opens 10 Launch of 13th 12 batch arrives 3 mission in T&T Tutorial reunion P

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Granger to push economic development – during tenure as CARICOM Chair

By Ravin Singh AS Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), President David Granger has said that economic development will feature prominently on his agenda.

The President’s announcement was made on Friday – just one week before the the 28th Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM is expected to be held in Guyana.

On Friday, it was also announced by Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, that Cabinet has approved a budget of $39.5M submitted by the Foreign Affairs Ministry for the hosting of the two-day event, which concludes on February 17.

The President earlier this year assumed responsibility as chairman of the Community in accordance with the rotation schedule approved by the Conference of Heads of Government.

And having designed an agenda to focus on economic development and integration in the Region, the chairman said that he is confident that decisions which will be made at the conference will allow

Mr Granger explained that the question has to do with combining the resources of all 15 member states to ensure that CARICOM has the fullest benefits of the single market.

The President was also of the view that the Region does not benefit fully from the single market and economy.

President David Granger

the 15 member states to move along the road to a single market and economy much more quickly.

He also noted that the focus on economic development is very important.

“We [CARICOM] have a large import bill, particularly with food. The level of manufacturing is very low and we feel that a combination of the expertise and the capital that is available in the island states, particularly tourism combined with the resources of the larger mainland states, could have faster economic growth; and the people of the Community could enjoy a higher standard of living,” the chairman said.

Guyanese man busted at JFK with cocaine in shoes

The shoes in which the cocaine was hidden

A man who flew into Kennedy Airport from Guyana was arrested after authorities discovered US$67,000 worth of cocaine in his shoes, officials said.

Amaziah Hohenkirk of Guyana arrived at JFK on Feb. 9 from a connecting flight through Trinidad and Tobago, according to Customs and Border Protection officials. Hohenkirk attempted to walk past the inspection checkpoint officers after his flight arrived when CBP officers stopped him, officials said. They uncovered four pairs of sneakers and two pairs of shoes in his luggage that contained a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

Hohenkirk was arrested for importation of a controlled substance and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. He faces federal narcotics smuggling charges if convicted. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. (NBC 4New York)

EXTERNAL MANUFACTURERS “At present, I don’t think we have benefited fully from the single market. There is still heavy penetration from major external manufacturers and this penetration is undermining local manufacturing capabilities and the very purpose for which the market was established,” President Granger said.

And with CARICOM founded largely as an economic grouping, the chair of the regional body said that it is time for the spotlight to be placed on economic integration.

Last year, Guyana co-hosted the 37th regular meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM after Dominica, which was supposed to have hosted the meeting, was unable to do so.

Dominica was severely battered by tropical storm Erika, which resulted in massive losses in that country.

This prompted Guyana to step in for its regional partner, by hosting the meeting held from July 4-6.

Meanwhile, the regional bloc, through its chairman has expressed how “deeply distressed” it is about violence which broke out in Dominica following a public meeting on Tuesday,February 7.

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had told Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the leadership of two opposition parties in that country planned to storm his office and “seize the seat of power.”

According to CMC, this

would have occurred during Tuesday night’s disturbances that led to demonstrators setting fire to buildings and looting several businesses.

In a radio and television address on Wednesday night, Skerrit said the demonstrators who had been calling for his resignation and that of his Government were being pushed by the ‘militant, irresponsible behaviour of the leadership’ of the main Opposition United Workers Party (UWP) and the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP),

CMC reported.

CARICOM is contending that while it recognises the right of citizens to engage in peaceful protest, the Community condemns the “vandalism” which resulted in the destruction of private property and businesses.

The Community is urging citizens of that country to act with restraint and maintain the orderly and peaceful society to which Dominicans and the wider Community are accustomed.

New Peace Corps batch arrives THE new Peace Corps batch in Guyana to complete a two-year stint within the country’s health sector have been urged to aid in making Guyanese the healthiest in the region.

This was the message conveyed when the 21 members, who make up the 2017 group of volunteers, were officially welcomed to the ‘Land of Many waters’ at a special ceremony held at the Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown recently.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings and her team of top health offi-

cials were the first to welcome the visitors to the country, and urged them not to be discouraged by the challenges that may arise during their stay.

Volunteers are usually spread out into various sectors within the country, but the current batch will be focusing heavily on the health sector. Director of the Peace Corps’ programming and Training, Melanie Ingalls said that the batch members all come from health backgrounds, as some have been nurses, former health students, who completed studies in the areas of pediatrician and psychology,

among other areas.

Since the volunteers will be dispersed to various locations across the region, Dr. Kay Shako, Director of Regional Health Services, in her overview of the local health system explained the role Regional Democratic Councils and other regional authorities play in the distribution of healthcare.

She explained how health posts and health centres function and those who manage those facilities with limited resources, particularly in interior locations with rough terrains that are difficult to access.

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The CSME

THE CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is an important element of the Region’s integration process, coming on stream after the establishment of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) in 1972 that harnesses the cultural resources. The main objective of the CSME is to establish a regional economy to produce goods and services for the marketplace, internal and external.

It is important to note that the CSME (established in 1990) has its genesis in the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) of 1965-1972, which in itself was established to facilitate trade among countries in the Caribbean.

The Founding Leaders (Forbes Burnham of Guyana, Vere Bird Snr of Antigua, and Errol Barrow of Barbados) ought to be commended for such a vision, even more so that within this period the countries were still colonies.

The CSME, while built on two major pillars, trade and economy, has seen constant progress being made by putting regimes and protocols in place to realise a single marketplace, in the absence of preparing the ground work for a single economy.

CARICOM (Caribbean Community) comprises of small countries, with the majority depending on tourism as the major economic activity; while a few, such as Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname and Belize, depend largely on their natural resources as their economic base. A single economy requires the sharing and partnership in the development of each sector. For this sharing and partnership to be successful it needs a comprehensive regional plan to harness the potentials that the region offers in every sector of development.

Early in the integration process ideas such as using the energy resources of Trinidad and Tobago and the bauxite from Jamaica and Guyana to be smelted and converted into aluminum has not evolved beyond an idea, depriving the region of the benefit of producing value-added to bauxite, which is one of the region’s primary natural resources.

Guyana and Suriname produce gold. Both countries, in addition to its local miners exploiting the resources, also have multinational companies operating in the sector. Beyond paying small royalties to the state and creating some employment and economic activities, much is left to be desired to convert the mineral to a level where the countries and region can benefit from value-added products. In fact, there is an absence of a jewellery industry, with the majority of gold being exported raw.

City Constabulary needs to refocus Dear Editor, SOMETHING does not seem to make sense about the Georgetown City Constabulary. After years now we have heard them cry out that they are extremely short of staff, and that they are constrained in carrying out their duties as a result of this, and that they are unable to attract new recruits etc.

However, just like that, all of a sudden, they are quite comfortably able to reassign fifty constables, armed to the teeth, far more than one third of their staff strength if we are to be guided by the numbers they put out, to be the enforcers of this parking meter project.

Maybe these are the house slaves Ifa Cush is talking about, trying to control the motorists who they see as

the field slaves. Do they consider this parking meter project to be of higher priority than the municipal markets where shoppers and vendors conduct business each day? Do they consider it a higher priority than their municipal locations where large sums of monies are collected? Do they consider it a higher priority than the enforcement of the city’s bylaws? Or do they consider it a higher priority than stopping persons from being mugged on the streets?

I believe the City Constabulary needs to create a list of its priorities and then number them, as I doubt whether there has been a surge in recruitment leading to full staff strength.

They are there to protect and to serve not to be henchmen to contractors and enforcers of special interests.

People are molested and robbed in

As the world marketplace impacts negatively on the price of sugar, one of the region’s oldest industries has suffered at the hands of developed countries and multinationals dictating what ought to happen. In the presence of foreign directive, the region, as a single unit, has not responded with a coherent plan that would address the industry in a holistic manner. Instead, regional leaders, even in the presence of CSME, which speaks to a single economy, has opted to address sugar as individual country rather than a collective. Arguably, there would be more to be derived through a single plan, involving collective action, which could have led to exploration among others, of a major confectionery industry indigenous to Caribbean foods, for regional and local consumption.

Each Head of Government has responsibility for a specific area in CARICOM. Guyana has responsibility for agriculture.

For some time now the country has been touted as having the

and around our markets on a daily basis and there is hardly ever a constable in sight, yet when the many booting exercises are being effected they are right there menacing and even arresting motorists as though they are criminals.

So will they use this as an excuse once again to reengage without bidding, the private guard service that is affiliated to a serving Councillor from their municipality? Or will they use their notorious senior officer to fill the void left by these reassigned constables giving him greater opportunity to terrorise vendors, persecute business persons and shake down citizens for the smallest of infractions.

Regards Anu Bihari

potential of being the breadbasket of the region. CARICOM was established with the best of intent to aid the development of the region’s peoples through the exploitation of the region’s resources. The Founding Fathers of CARICOM-Burnham, Barrow, Eric Williams (Trinidad and Tobago), and Michael Manley (Jamaica)- have provided the region with a vision, conceptualised a plan, laid the foundation through institutions, and floated ideas as to how the region’s resources can be exploited in various forms.

With the departure of the founders, given results seen and perceptions- real or contrived- of the region’s peoples, it would not be an unfair assumption that some who have followed are yet to grapple with the importance of operating as a collective in the world, given our small-state status, and develop an economic programme indigenous to the Caribbean to ensure realisation of the CSME.

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Social Protection Ministry distributes 40 bicycles

First Lady Sandra Granger, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, APNU+AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Jennifer Wade and others with the students of Black Bush Secondary

SOCIAL Protection Minister Amna Ally and First Lady Sandra Granger on Saturday distributed 40 bicycles to the students of Black Bush and Canje Secondary Schools.

The first stop was Black Bush Secondary, where 20 students were awarded bicycles to assist in their travels to and from school.

The minister, in address-

ing the parents and students gathered, encouraged the children to take care of their bicycles, and be sure to use them to get to school on time, since an education is vital to their successful future.

Mrs Granger reiterated to the students being awarded that in addition to using the bicycles for transport to and from school, that they

should be sure to help their parents with any transport that may be needed.

Another 20 bicycles were awarded to students of the Canje Secondary School. The programme at both schools included prayers from the three major religious organisations and cultural presentations showcasing the talents at the different schools.

A student from the Canje Secondary School receiving her bicycle under the 5Bs programme from First Lady Sandra Granger

The bicycle initiative is one of the 5Bs birthed under President David Granger’s administration, whereby children from different schools across the region benefit from buses, boats and bicycles in order to facilitate their travels to and

from schools.

The children from both schools showed their appreciation by thanking both Minister Ally and First Lady Mrs Granger for presenting them with the bicycles, which will help them to get to school in a timely

manner.

Also in attendance were APNU+AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Jennifer Wade, Region Six Regional Executive Officer (REO) Kim Williams-Stephens and New Amsterdam Mayor Kurt Wynter.

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Guyana opens mission in T&T …appoints Cammie Ramsaroop as High Commissioner

THE Government of Guyana recently opened its first ever diplomatic mission in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr Bishwaishwar “Cammie” Ramsaroop-Maraj, Guyana’s High Commissioner to the twin- island republic.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony last Wednesday, February 8, Carl Greenidge, Second Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that the establishment of the High Commission marked a “critical step forward for Guyana’s bilateral relations with its sister CARICOM State.”

Furthermore, he emphasised that, “As a developing small State, our focus is on economic diplomacy, particularly as it

relates to expanded trade and investment. Guyana’s energy industry, fuelled by the Exxon Mobil oil finds, will no doubt open greater business opportunities for both countries and increased prosperity for our citizens.”

Noting that the two States shared a rich history spanning several decades and that formal diplomatic relations were established on May 26, 1966, VP Greenidge said, “Our objectives as a diplomatic mission are the strengthening and deepening of our bilateral relationship with Trinidad and Tobago, as well as furthering our bilateral ties with the other island states of the Caribbean Community.

“Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have worked closely and diligently together with other partners

Guyana’s High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago and the Eastern Caribbean, Cammie Ramsaroop

to tackle pressing issues.

Negotiations for an International Criminal Court, the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, which is aimed at regulating international trade in conventional arms are just a few examples of our successful collaboration which has resulted in the adoption of international legal instruments,” he underscored.

The mandate of the newly opened High Commission is in line with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and will strengthen ties, boost trade and investment between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, and protect the interests of Guyanese on the island.

The High Commission replaces Guyana’s Honorary

Consulate in the twin-island State.

Among those present at the opening ceremony were Allan Chastanet, Prime Minister of St. Lucia; Dennis Moses, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, and other Government officials; members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Trinidad and Tobago; key figures from the business and energy sectors in Trinidad and Tobago, including the President and CEO of Massy Company, Gervase Warner; Chairman of the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Vincent Pereira; President of the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Vernon Paltoo, and members of the Guyanese diaspora.

Camp St inmate recaptured after brief escape A PRISONER, reportedly of unsound mind and on remand at the Camp Street Prison on Sunday afternoon scaled the facility’s fence, but was promptly caught within minutes, at Hadfield and Lime Streets, not far from the jail.

He was identified as Ruco McIntire, 27, who is on remand for the larceny of a cellphone, and is on $40,000 bail.

According to a prison

source, the inmate seized the opportunity to escape while attending church at the prison’s chapel.

He at first pretended to wander outside the building unsupervised, and when he thought that the coast was clear, made a dash for the fence, scaling it in the vicinity of Bent and John Streets.

But unfortunately for him, he was seen making a break for it by an officer, and an

alarm was raised.

Reports indicate that police from the Brickdam Station heard the alarm blaring at the prison and responded with mobile patrols, which was how he came to be nabbed by prison wardens at Hadfield and Lime Streets.

When contacted, Director of Prisons (Ag), Gladwin Samuels, said that while the incident is unfortunate, “I would like to commend the

police and prison officers for their quick response which lead to his recapture.”

He said when an investigation into the matter is completed, that based on recommendations, the necessary charges will be instituted against the prisoner and the warden responsible for his supervision.

The escapee has since been placed in solitary confinement.

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Implement CSME fully – Pres Granger urges CARICOM member states

By Ariana Gordon REFLECTING on the “Spirit of the Chaguaramas” President of Guyana and Chairman of CARICOM, President David Granger, on Thursday called for full implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

President Granger was at the time speaking during the opening ceremony of the 28th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM being held at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana. He said economic cooperation remains a fundamental pillar of CARICOM and noted that if the Caribbean is to escape the “hazard of economic emasculation” in today’s global environment, there is need to “expedite the full implementation of the CSME.” “We face threats that include dampened demand for our goods and services and distortions in our financial sectors caused by de-risking by international banks.

The CSME has the potential to enhance private sector growth and competi-

tiveness by providing access to a larger pool of resources, facilitating the movement of human capital, catalysing the establishment of regional businesses and encouraging the free movement of goods. The CSME must not be allowed to become a victim of equivocation and procrastination,” said the CARICOM Chairman.

The Guyanese leader noted that functional cooperation is also an elemental pillar of the Community and noted that CARICOM has the capacity to meet its food needs. Food security he noted ensures the health and nutritional benefits of the Region’s people, foreign exchange and eliminates the ever-increasing bill for food importation.

“Ensuring regional food security is a cross-sectoral task involving cooperation in agriculture, finance, health and nutrition and infrastructure, among other sectors. Belize, Guyana and Suriname – the Community’s three mainland states – are, together, bigger than Germany or Japan,” President Granger reminded.

Additionally, President Granger stressed that food

security can be advanced by the “fuller utilization” of lands for large-scale investment in agriculture and agro-processing as well as by “dismantling barriers to regional trade in agricultural products.”

That aside, the Guyanese head of state said CARICOM must intensify its efforts at regional energy security while stressing that the Region has the means to do so as it is blessed with abundant sources of renewable energy. He said too that the Community has done ‘considerable, commendable work towards ensuring energy security which can ease the Community’s energy sector off of its addiction to fossil fuel and encourage the adoption of renewable sources of energy.”

Meanwhile, the CARICOM Chair noted the importance of Regional security to the development of the Bloc. He said the Caribbean is a maritime corridor between two continents and is vulnerable to narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, gun-running, terrorism and penetration by international criminal cartels.

Given the existing

threats, transnational criminal threats demand multinational functional cooperation.

“We live in uncertain times. We must continuously strengthen our security architecture in order to assure citizens and investors of greater security and stability. We must be vigilant, also, in the face of continuing threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our member states,” said President Granger. He stressed that the ‘Spirit of Chaguaramas’ is not “the ghost or ‘jumbie’ of a dead project. It is the vital breath of life that inspires us to intensify regional integration” while noting that the four founding fathers of CARICOM Barbados’s Errol Barrow, Guyana’s Forbes Burnham, Jamaica’s Michael Manley and Trinidad and Tobago’s Eric Williams dreamed of integration and the motivation to establish a great movement.

“They have entrusted the happiness of our citizens and the prosperity of our Community to our hands.

We are, today, the trustees of this legacy. We must bequeath to our progeny

a more prosperous region than we inherited from our progenitors,” Granger said affirmatively.

The President described the founding leaders of CARICOM as men of discernment and determination noting that they were courageous pioneers of the future. “They were not craven prisoners of the past,” he stated. Granger noted too that they were keen to protect the emergent new states from the perils of economic marginalization when regional integration communities such as the European Economic Community, Latin American Free Trade Association, Central American Common Market and the emerging East-African Economic Community had taken root.

Global trends were clear he said noting that options were limited; it was integrate or disintegrate; combine or collapse; merge or be submerged in a sea of strife. It was based on the world trends that the four founding fathers recognised that given the small size of the region’s markers, integration would allow for larger and safer markets and for a stronger voice in negotiating with other countries and regions.

They knew that regional integration was “an obligation, not an option” for governments. Granger quoted Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, one of the founding leaders of CARICOM when he spoke at the Conference of officials of the Commonwealth Caribbean Territories in Georgetown, in August 1967 where he warned that without integration, Caribbean states could become objects of neo-colonialist exploitation and become international mendicants.

The CARICOM Chair noted that a ‘common, positive policy’ was conceived and CARICOM’s foundation was laid on the three pillars of economic integration, foreign policy coordination and functional cooperation with a fourth pillar on security collaboration added by the Region’s heads.

“The Treaty of Chaguaramas was a response to the challenges of the post-colonial era. The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas was the response to the post-Cold War era, a time of increasing trade liberalization and the growth of regional organizations,” said President Granger.

CARICOM Summit

US immigration policy for discussion …leaders to strategise ways to engage Trump

By Ravin Singh AS the United States’ (US) foreign policy on immigration continues to change, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders will this week examine implications for the region before it attempts to engage the Donald Trump administration.

Discussions will be held on the issue at the 28th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, on February 16-17 in Georgetown. This is according to Secretary-General of the community, Irwin LaRocque who briefed members of the press conference at the CARICOM secretariat in Georgetown Monday.

According to him, one of

the broader issues which will be discussed at the meeting later this week is international relations. “International affairs will engage our attention. Emerging issues on that front necessitate that the heads of government strategise how the interest of the community could be best served” LaRocque said.

When asked if one of the international issue will be the US’s immigration policy which has gripped international attention recently, the Secretary-General responded in the affirmative. He pointed out though, that this will fall within discussions which focus on the region’s relations with its international partners. “One of the broader issue we will be looking at is relations with our international partners. Of course,

since there is a new administration in the United States, there will be discussions,” he confirmed.

Though he did not divulge much, LaRocque hinted that the discussion will centre on how the region, through CARICOM, can engage or advance issues that are of critical interest to it.

He said that there are a number of interests, in relation to what the community will be pursuing internationally, that are presently being made public. He did not say what these are.

Additionally, the Secretary General noted that the regional block will be exploring ways to sensitise and engage the new US administration. “That will be the tenet of the discussions we will be having” LaRoc-

que added.

Just recently, Joan Pinnock, of the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board in the US, shared that a lot of Caribbean nationals are “terrified” as they are uncertain about their status. President Trump has since said that he is going to remove 11 million undocumented people from the US. And according to Pinnock in Jamaica’s RJR news report, “our Caribbean people fall into that category”.

Supporting this view also, is career diplomat, Sir Ronald Sanders, who has since said that Caribbean countries can expect to have an influx of undocumented immigrants based on President Trump’s immigration policy.

He reasoned that the only way this could be prevented is by these countries refusing to take them.

However, he pointed out

that the consequence of that action is that the US will not grant visas of any kind to the nationals of the refusing countries, while there may be other sanctions.

To deal with this issue then, Sanders suggested that CARICOM countries consider the “immediate establishment” of national committees at senior levels to plan for an influx of undocumented immigrants from the US. He also opined that these immigrants will be of all sorts, but the majority will be unskilled labourers, and many will be below the age of 40. Failure to plan, he added, could result in a sudden increase in the population of each country, driving up unemployment and crime and straining their health facilities. Additionally, he noted that areas of concern could include their capacity for delivering water and the

capability of their courts, prisons and police.

“Individually and collectively, Caribbean governments have to engage the Trump Administration and the US Congress to discuss these worrying developments that have implications for the region, but also for the US” the diplomat said.

Sir Ronald Sanders is Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the US and Organisation of American States; an international affairs consultant; as well as senior fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto, and the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London.

He previously served as ambassador to the European Union (EU) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) and as high commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK).

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Heads of Government of CARICOM

Hon. Gaston Browne Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda

Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit Prime Minister of Dominica

The Most Hon. Andrew Holness Prime Minister of Jamaica

H.E. DesirĂŠ Delano Bouterse President of Suriname

Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie Prime Minister of the Bahamas

Dr. Hon. Keith Mitchell Prime Minister of Grenada

Hon. Donaldson Romeo Primier of Montserrat

Rt. Hon. Freundel Stuart Prime Minister of Barbados

H.E. Brigadier (rtd.) David Arthur Granger President of Guyana

Hon. Allen Chastenet Prime Minister of St. Lucia

Dr. Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow Prime Minister of Belize

H.E. Jovenel Moise President of Haiti

Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis

Dr. Hon. Keith Rowley Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago

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Guyana Goldfields/AGM Inc contributes $20M to various organisations GUYANA Goldfields/AGM Inc., on Wednesday hosted its annual Children’s Need & Development Initiative (CNDI) and CSR Support Programme presentation and contributed approximately $20M to several organisations and communities.

The company continued its Corporate Social Responsibility programme (CSR) with the aim of contributing to the sustainable development of Guyana. In a statement to the media, Guyana Gold Fields/ AGM said that its CNDI and CSR Support Programme were initiatives created to provide monetary assistance to various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and communities that engage in projects that promote sustainable development.

“In order to apply for funding from the company for these initiatives, the various entities are encouraged to fill out the “Inquiry Form”, from which the CSR team investigates the organisations and communities of interest throughout the year,” the statement said.

Among those institutions and communities that have benefited from the programme are the Step by Step Foundation Autistic School, Joshua House, Help & Shelter,

the Red Cross Convalescent Home, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Bal Nivas Orphanage, Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana, Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre, FACT, Artistes in Direct Support, Sidya Vidya Niketan School, Ogle Old & Needy Folk, St Cuthbert’s Village Council, Great Troolie CDC, Volunteer Youth Corps, Ptolemy Reid Centre, and Guyana Society for the Blind.

Meanwhile, chairperson of the programme, CSR Manager Ayaana Jean-Baptiste encouraged the various representatives of the aforementioned organisations and communities to disclose some of the challenges facing them as a means of promoting collaboration.

General Operations Manager, Vic Rozon, commended the organisations and communities on their work thus far through the programmes and their continued dedication to enhancing sustainable development.

Beneficiaries of the Guyana Goldfileds/ AGM Inc annual Children’s Need and Development Initiative and CSR programme share a light moment with officials of the mining company

NA girl kills self AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL succumbed at the New Amsterdam Hospital after ingesting carbon tablets commonly used for killing rats.

Trashana King, a Grade Six student of St Therese Primary School, allegedly swallowed the poisonous tablets at her East Canje home on Sunday afternoon after she was instructed to accompany her mother to school on Monday.

The instruction had been given by a class teacher, who had witnessed the pre-teen and another pupil fighting in the school yard last Friday.

Reports are that they were fighting over a male classmate.

A fellow student said the eleven-year-old had written on the washroom wall that she was fed up with her life and her grades were poor. At the learning institution yesterday a black flag flew in the wind, just above the main entrance. Class teacher, Ms Karen Bowlin, and her students, whose clothing were adorned with black ribbons hugged each other as they wept openly. The body of the pre-teen was at the Arokium Funeral home awaiting a post mortem report.

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Former U.S. Secretary of State lauds Guyana’s ‘green’ agenda – says Guyana has potential to emerge as example of economic transformation FORMER United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, John F Kerry, has lauded Guyana’s efforts to transition into a ‘green’ economy, adding that the country has the potential to emerge as an example of successful economic transformation for countries throughout the world.

Kerry in a letter to Pres-

ident Granger dated January 19, 2017, said “Your commitment to protecting one of the world’s largest tracts of underdeveloped tropical rain forest is equally laudable. Under your leadership, Guyana has the potential to emerge as an example of successful economic transformation for countries throughout the world to follow.”

The former U.S. Secretary of State, who served with former President Barack Obama, said President Granger’s efforts in conservation and protection of its ecological and biological systems must be appreciated and recognised, a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said on Friday.

According to the mis-

sive, Kerry said he has left office heartened by the fact that Guyana and the U.S.’s partnership in advancing the Energy, Governance and Capacity Initiative; an initiative aimed at helping Guyana to build institutional capacity and human capital to manage its newly found oil reserves for the long-term benefit of its people.

“It has been an honour and pleasure working with you during my tenure as Secretary of State. I am confident that the strong bonds forged by our cooperation will endure into the future. I am happy to have been able to work with Guyana for the betterment of our two peoples,” he said.

Former U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry

Forensic lab not fully functional …gov’t owes Barbados firm

By Fareeza Haniff THE Government of Guyana has to honour its outstanding payment of US$32,524 to Barbados firm, IED Security, before works on the billion-dollar forensic science laboratory is fully functional.

Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told a post cabinet media briefing Friday that cabinet has approved the payment and within a month’s time, it is expected that the lab will be fully functional.

Minister Harmon admitted that “the lab is not functioning” and that the technical and electrical issues will be fixed by the company once they are paid.

“Therefore we have to pay them that money and then they come and do what they have to do and complete the training, and complete the electrical installation and things like that. So this is the step where we are at and we believe that once this payment is made, within a month or so, this is the impression I got from the Minister of Public Security, that the lab should be up and running and there are several things which the lab has to do; it has to look at DNA… the analysis of evidence collected from crime scenes and so on. So this is very important in our fight against crime,” Minister Harmon told reporters.

The Barbados firm is responsible for installing se-

curity systems at the lab, by way of a contract signed in 2012, and providing additional consultation in 2013 during phase one of the project.

Once the money is paid by the Guyana government, the firm will complete its work on the lab along with completing the training of persons who are going to operate it. At this point in time however, Minister Harmon could not say whether any tests are being carried out at the lab, which is located at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara.

In April 2011, the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government signed a contract valued $450M with Courtney Benn Contracting Services for the construction

The Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory

of the lab. The project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, in partnership with the Guyana Government, and is expected to greatly enhance the investigative capabilities of the

Guyana Police Force.

The Ministry of Public Security is building the capacity of the forensic laboratory so that in the long run, the facility can provide DNA and gun res-

idue testing, which are internationally recognised.

This capacity training is being developed through the Ministry’s Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).

Improved living quarters for Mazaruni prison officers CONSTRUCTION of six living quarters for prison officers will soon commence at the Mazaruni Prison in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region as Government gave its no objection to the $41M contract awarded to N&A Construction for Lot 1 of the project, while $35M was awarded to AAV Ragobeer General Construction for Lot 2 of the project.

In March 2016, President David Granger and a ministerial team visited the prison and found the living quarters of the prison officers to be in a deplorable state. Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at a post cabinet press briefing on Friday

One of the inmate blocks at the 173 year old Mazaruni Penal Settlement

said that the two lots will include nine residences and a third lot is being considered.

“But the important thing is to ensure that we create the condition in that facility where the prison officers feel comfortable, they can work in a certain level of comfort and that they don’t have to think about running home every weekend so that we will have a better level of supervision of the inmates at the prison,” Minister Harmon said.

Due to the terrible condition of the living quarters, most prison officers would go home as soon as they are off duty, which proves to be very costly.

“So what we find was that

as soon as the prison officers were off of duty, they were finding their way if they live on West Berbice or whatever it is, they’re going home and it cost them about $10,000 every time they have to travel.

“So if you look at the salary of a prison officer and the fact that he needs to go home, we needed to do something to ensure that the conditions under which these officers live and work at the facility is improved,” Harmon reiterated.

The prison houses approximately 289 inmates, 24 of whom are high-profile criminals. On the other hand, the required staff complement is 95, but the facility only has 54 on staff.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February 17, 2017

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February 17, 2017

HARRIS @ LARGE

WHILE THE GRASS IS GROWING, THE HORSE IS STARVING!!!

ope my readers had a wonderful Valentine, exchanged gifts funding.

Can someone make some sense and enjoyed the several offerings of restaurants and fund raising groups. I am always excited when businesses are busy, of what is going on in the financial and satisfying the needs of their customers. As is customary, Red sector of the nations of the region? I Roses were seen all over the William Peter Boulevard being peddled refuse to accept that there are no soby young and old persons. I have fond memories of Valentine. It is lutions. This challenge has been with us for too long. I repeat that the solugood to have these occasions celebrating Love, especially when being tion lies in an open dialogue with overwhelmed with trying to make two ends meet and survive the fibankers, private sector entrepreneurs, nancial challenges of these difficult times. and government. The route to prosIt is said that while the grass is growing, the horse is starving. This saying can be applied to those who are jobless, and to the business persons who are waiting with bated breath for a change when the economic climate will improve. It is very clear that there will be no significant development in the economy before June, 2017. In the meantime, only the resilient will survive.

Carnival is in the air in most countries in the region; this is the time of year when people of all ages forget their struggles and dance in the streets. However, St. Lucia’s Carnival is held in July and as a consePM Chastinet speaking at Chamber Meeting on DSH Project. quence, St. Lucians get to play mass in any country that celebrates in the low. Talk with the persons who have perity is MONEY. Free up the traditional pre lent season and again done it. Certain products will always Money system and business activiin July. The fete never stops. In all have a competitive advantage if they ties will be stimulated to the benefit these activities there is an element of are produced in a country that can business. The winning business per- generate the kind of sales that will reson in retail has to sharpen his/her sult in an acceptable level of profit. skills to ride on those seasonal The need to consider Joint Ventures has never been greater. niches.

As I write this article, it dawned The Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) is about to stage the on me that the Banks with their availSpecialty Caribbean Expo 2017, able CASH looking for borrowers scheduled for March 9–12, 2017 at may well seek out opportunities to the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, bring Entrepreneurs together in Joint Beausejour, Gros Islet. All booths are Venture relationships. CASH IS sold out and there is a list of compa- KING. Most businesses in the region nies that are hoping to be considered are cash starved. Much more can be if the number of booths can be in- done if banks were more flexible. creased. The Expo will showcase The banks should consider the goods and services, including books Courts model to approved customers. produced in St. Lucia and will attract Make doing business easier. Every buyers from the region and interna- bank needs to establish a special INVESTMENT/RISK FUND. In many tionally. cases banks treat their more aggresIt is time St. Lucian entrepresive customers too generously and neurs begin to adapt strategies that over expose themselves, leaving bework. It is a simple fact that if you hind customers whose risks are much have a winning business doing well less and have the potential to develop in your home market, the thing to do and manage viable businesses. A diis to seek to expand it in the markets alogue with bankers, members of that have a strong demand for your business associations and governproducts by setting up satellite busiment can begin the process of stimunesses. There are certain markets lating the stagnant economies of the within the region that should never region. The question is — How do be ignored, i.e:- Guyana, Jamaica we share the pie for best results in and Trinidad. There are enough exstimulating the economies of the reamples to aggressively begin to folgion. Too few people have access to (Ed Harris Column)

H

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of all.

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, hosted an Executive Luncheon on Wednesday, 15th February, 2017 as it continues its membership sensitization programme regarding the Pearl of the Caribbean US$2.6 billion project being promoted by Desert Star Holdings Ltd. The concerns of citizens are being taken on board by officials of Invest St. Lucia and the Government.

To date the race track is the only aspect of the agreement that is finalized and represents one quarter of the land requirement for the project (200 acres). I will keep you posted on developments regarding this project.

Here is my recommended website of the week — www.tepa.org.lc Remember always to Keep the Faith, knowing that God is in Charge – Dream Big and Expect Miracles!

Edward Harris: Biblicist, Author/Publisher, Business Consultant, Real Estate Agent/Broker, Networker, CSR/Small Business Advocate & Motivational Speaker.

Email: jobfreelife72@yahoo.con.

Website: www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com Facebook Page:www.facebook.com/edharrisbiz.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February 17, 2017

$306B stolen per year under PPP ...SARU says uncovered massive scale of corruption THE State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) says it has discovered an “astounding” scale of corruption here and urged that the States Assets Recovery Bill must be passed swiftly.

SARU’s comments come in wake of a letter written by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to the Speaker of the National Assembly, urging that the Bill which was tabled in Parliament recently, be sent to a special select committee for fine-tuning.

SARU said in accordance with Article 54 (1) (c) of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), each State party must “consider taking such measures as may be necessary to allow confiscation

of property without criminal conviction.” In this context, SARU said the SARA Bill is designed to facilitate the recovery of illicitly obtained property through civil processes, with the primary objective of reducing the consequential damaging effects of corruption on sustainable development.

According to the unit, the opinions of any Private Sector Commission or equivalent should be principled, balanced and near impartial.

“Honest business prefers a fair and principled environment. The passage of this Bill will allow the new Agency to direct a laser-like focus on such assets obtained through corruption, the loss of which has frustrated the

FOLLOWING the recent spate of unscheduled blackouts, the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) said it will be expending US$31M for the construction of four new substations.

Chief Executive Officer (ag), Renford Homer, made this disclosure during a site visit at the junction of Lamaha Avenue and Vlissingen Road, where the feeder supplying electricity to Queenstown and environs kissed Sunday last causing a massive malfunction in the system. Maintenance was done and a high voltage line was dropped to prevent any reoccurrence. As such customers can expect less power outages. Homer said a second transmission line will be built linking Kingston substation to the Sophia substation for redundant purposes and additional loads that may occur within the system.

At the site Tuesday also was Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson and GPL officials. Homer said the new sub stations will be located at Wales, West Bank Demerara,

Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, Williamsburg, Corentyne and Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo.

He explained that the six substations already within the system will be expanded to produce better voltage stability and reduce technical loses because power would be travelling across shorter distances.

“This is a continuation of what was started under the Chinese infrastructure programme which was a US$40M programme that concluded in 2014 and now we will be entering phase two,” the state owned Power Company CEO said.

In explaining what occurred Sunday last that resulted in load shedding, the CEO said the Interconnected System experienced a shutdown following a system overload that started at the junction of Lamaha Avenue and Vlissingen Road which affected the power supply to Queenstown, Alberttown and environs. Following the shutdown, restoration efforts commenced and given the reoccurrence, and potential damage to the network, a comprehensive examination of the high voltage corridor was

development of this country.”

SARU said in some areas of corruption, the size of loss speaks for itself.

“Before the change of Government, the nation was losing $28-$35 billion each year through procurement fraud. With regard to illicit capital flight, the nation was losing $90 billion every year. Furthermore, the underground economy caused the nation to lose $188 billion per year. This adds up to a grand total of $306-$313 billion per year, which is a conservative figure, as according to several international agencies, this amount is grossly understated,” SARU said.

The unit asserted that given the purposes of the Bill

and the damaging losses to the economy as stated above, it is imperative that the Bill be passed immediately.

“The scale of corruption discovered by SARU, to date, is astounding. The Guyanese population is eager to see the country’s assets recovered and appropriate action taken against the perpetrators of corruption. The SARA Bill is geared toward these purposes,” SARU said in its statement.

Government late last month moved one step closer towards having its State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) established, by having the Bill read for the first time in the National Assembly. Presented by Attorney General (AG) and

Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, the Bill seeks to establish SARA in consonance with the United Nations (UN) Convention Against Corruption 2003.

The agency, which will be headed by a director, will, inter alia, seek to recover through civil proceedings, State property unlawfully acquired by a public official or any other person, and to engage in international cooperation in the recovery of stolen assets of States within the contemplation of the Act. The State Assets Recovery Bill is seen as the APNU+AFC’s signature legislation in its fight against corruption. The government has been harshly criticised

in the past for its “lukewarm” approach to recovering stolen State assets and fighting corruption.

The agency will also be self-funded, with a percentage of assets recovered being put into a State Assets Recovery Fund.

According to Section 14 (3) of the Bill, funds will be used to facilitate the discharge of SARA’s functions; compensate victims who would have suffered as a result of an unlawful conduct; transfer property to a foreign state or territory or share it, pursuant to a treaty or agreement; to fund training and capacity-building as may be required for the agency; and for payment of fees to counsel, forensic experts, investigators, receivers and other professionals.

US$31M to stop blackouts …GPL announces plans to build four new substations

Ministers David Patterson and Annette Ferguson, inspecting the high voltage power lines that kissed at the junction of Lamaha Avenue and Vlissingen Road, causing a massive malfunction in the GPL system

conducted.

This examination, he said revealed a fault in the 69kv transmission line linking Sophia to Kingston. Consequently, a load shedding exercise was necessary as a result of the de-energizing of the affected 13.8kv feeder and the 69kv transmission line. Customers along the East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, West Bank Demerara and Georgetown were affected by this exercise.

Minister Patterson said tenders will be opened to construct an alternative line so that in the future if the main line that feeds the Sophia substation goes down then there can be a backup.

“This is what we inherited and what we are addressing…the system is made to protect itself so if there is a problem it shuts down.

The crew was dispatched on Sunday night literally with torchlights starting from Kingston walking the entire stretch looking for the problem which was quite difficult,” the Minister said.

He said that the issue is not one of generation but one of a systematic upgrade.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February 17, 2017

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February 17, 2017

GTT to lay off 120 staff members …as part of restructuring programme in 12 months THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), has announced that it will be laying off some 120 workers over the next 12 months as part of a restructuring programme for its operations.

The telecommunications company said the changes are aimed at aligning GTT with the new environment in which it provides services.

“GTT expects that about 120 positions would be made redundant over the next 12 months,” a statement by the company said, adding that the announcement coincides with the separation of the first six employees under the

restructuring programme.

“The six employees were drawn from multiple departments. All employees affected by the restructuring are receiving their full benefits and severance. In addition, the company is providing opportunities for these employees to receive training to prepare them for their new endeavours. The announcement was anticipated by employees, who were briefed by the CEO in several staff meetings and interactions held over past months, about the need to right-size the company to remain viable,” GTT said.

According to the com-

pany in an internal memorandum to all employees on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd said: “We are on the verge of really creating a company that is built for the future and we must position ourselves to ensure that everyone understands his or her role and is driven in the same direction.”

Talent Management is one of GTT’s top priorities for 2017 to ensure that the right employees are in the right roles, the release added. “Through improving Talent Management, GTT expects to provide more training for employees, bet-

Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd

ter tools and the leadership that would lead to improved productivity. The goal of Talent Management is to enable GTT to delight its customers and to grow revenue.”

GTT said too that customer care is the other top priority for GTT in 2017.

“Through restructuring, GTT expects to be able to meet and then exceed customers’ expectations. The last of the 2017 priorities for GTT is completing negotiations with the Government of Guyana on a mutually beneficial agreement in the context of the liberalisation of the telecommunications

sector. “ Liberalisation will, for the first time in a long time, allow GTT the opportunity to operate on a playing field that is level. This means that for the first time, it is likely that competitors in the same sector pay the same taxes and fees as GTT has over the last 26 years.

CEO Nedd added that “At the end, we will come out stronger as we shift from a technical-centric organisation to an organisation that is focused on satisfying the customers’ needs and, eventually, consistently delighting our customers.”

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February 17, 2017

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February 17, 2017

Region needs bigger terminals – President says at opening of US$259M airport in St Vincent CHAIRMAN of Caricom, President David Granger, said it was time regional governments invest in bigger aerodromes and terminals as this would not only give Caribbean countries a competitive edge in the international aviation sector, but will also bring its citizens closer.

President Granger made the remarks while delivering an address at the opening of the Argyle International Airport, St Vincent and the Grenadines, in his capacity as Chairman of Caricom,on Tuesday.

The US$259 million airport has a runway that is 9,000 feet long and 150 feet wide.

The terminal building has been designed to process 1.5 million passengers annually and 800 people an hour at peak.

President Granger said St Vincent and the Grenadines,

like most Caribbean countries, is classified as a small-island developing state. He said smallness, in the international community, has come to be considered, conventionally, but not necessarily correctly, as a constraining factor to development. Small states have been associated with limitations on: attractiveness for investment in physical infrastructure; and competitiveness, owing to the diseconomies of scale.

He said investments in infrastructure in small states, however, are vital to increasing the competitiveness of their goods and services and reducing production and transport costs. “We belong to the Caribbean – a unique zone on earth. Our Region comprises, mainly, of a chain of 7,000 cays, islands, islets and reefs in 2,640,000 km² of sea. We are small and scattered. Our geographical size, however,

President of Guyana and Chairman of Caricom, David Granger is being escorted by St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, after landing at the spanking new Argyle International Airport terminal

must not limit our national economic ambitions and our citizens’ personal quality of life,” the President declared.

He said small can be beautiful, bountiful and, of course, delightful. “Small states can

overcome constraints to their development by leveraging their natural assets through capital investment and physical infrastructure.”

The Guyanese leader quoted the St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Tourism Authority report that almost three out of every five stay-over arrivals were from North America and Western Europe. “Most of the ‘pre-Argyle,’ stay-over arrivals did not enjoy direct flights to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They would have had to transit through other countries, adding to their travelling costs and increasing their inconvenience,” the Pres-

ident noted. He said the international tourism industry is very competitive, noting that small states must take steps to reduce the cost and inconvenience of airline travel if they are to retain the comparative advantage of their tourism product and remain globally competitive.

“Investments in infrastructure help small states to improve the competitiveness of their services. Investments in longer aerodromes and larger terminals capable of facilitating more frequent flights with bigger aircraft can boost the competitiveness of their tourism products. The Caribbean

President David Granger inspecting a guard of honour at the Argyle International Airport

welcomes the construction of the Argyle International Airport. It is expected to enhance the Vincentian ‘brand’ and add significantly to Vincentian infrastructural stock. It is expected to make travel from this country’s major tourism markets easier, cheaper and faster,” Granger who is also chairman of Caricom said.

FRAGMENTED REGION President Granger said European colonial rivalry created a fragmented Region of sovereign small-island and mainland states. He said the sea that separates the islands and washes the shores of the mainland states must become, increasingly, a source of convergence rather than collision and confrontation. “We have forged a community of small, sovereign states from this legacy of fragmentation and physical separation over the past forty-four years. Caribbean integration is actively being achieved by: constructing institutions to improve cooperation and coordination; facilitating the freer movement of capital goods, people and services; widening contacts among our academics, artistes, investors, sportsmen, students and tourists; and, spanning the sea that, historically, has separated us.”

According to President Granger, infrastructure, particularly transportation infrastructure, can help to reduce our physical separation and bring the small states of our community closer together.

Infrastructure is the means through which we can intensify the contacts among our people, increase intra-regional trade and help us to integrate our economies.

He congratulated the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the completion of the Argyle International Airport and said that Guyana and Caricom look forward to this international airport’s boosting the development prospects of St Vincent and the Grenadines and deepening the integration of the Caribbean Region.

A large crowd witnessed the opening of the airport

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February 17, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February17, 11,2017 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February

Children's Mash

Calypso and Dramatic Poetry competitions conclude with stunning performances

THE second day of the National Children’s Mashramani Competition concluded on Friday with stunning, creative performances from the country’s children.

The calypso and dramatic poetry competitions which were held at the National Cultural Centre saw children from the 10 administrative regions leaving lasting impressions. The dramatic poetry competition was highly competitive with several remarkable performances.

In the 14 – 17 years category there were a total of 9 entries from the 11 educational districts. These included moving performances by Region 10’s Tischika Bobb and Georgetown’s Aaliya Moore, with both pieces car-

rying comparable “victim of circumstances” themes.

Bobb played a victim of teenage pregnancy and her emotional poem spoke of being raped by a family member, after being orphaned at a young age. Her mother murdered by her own spouse, a tragedy she was left to carry all her life.

Giving the final performance of the day, a fervid Moore produced a fitting close for the day’s activities.

Her piece “My Bed of Affliction” talked of a character who was constantly told he/ she was worth “nothing”, and carried these feelings throughout life. The character also looked for love in the wrong places and became the victim of abuse.

Meanwhile, Region Eight’s Elania Ramos from Mahdia Secondary School did well in her piece “Emotional Earth”, while Novar Secondary School’s Joel Griffith garnered more than just a few laughs in his satir-

ical performance of a homeless mad man in “Insane Ranting”.

Region Three’s Selena Sheram, “Product of Society,” definitely deserves mentioning, as her piece was well done.

North Ruimveldt Secondary’s Aaliya Moore brought the curtain down on yesterday’s competition with a riveting performance in her piece “My Bed of Affliction”

It was very emotional to watch MacKenzie High’s Tischika Bobb in her performance of “Why Me”, in which she portrayed a downtrodden pregnant teenager, who was a victim of circumstance

Region 10 won both the calypso and dramatic poetry categories in the 11 – 13 years age group.

New Silver City Secondary School’s Aketia Handy won

the calypso with “Celebration in Unity” and Wismar Hill Primary’s Jadia Fiedtkou won the dramatic poetry with “Abuse”.

(Tamica Garnett)

“Emotional Earth” by Mahdia Secondary School’s Elania Ramos

Region Five’s Joel Griffith of Novar Secondary, performing as a homeless man in “Insane Rant”

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Record-breaking Hope brings Pride Super50 final berth ‌batsman hits century and bags five catches with the gloves

Barbados Pride batsman Shai Hope hits a six during his innings of 125 in 2nd semi-final Super50 match between Barbados Pride and Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Coolidge Cricket Ground. (Photo by WICB Media/ Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography).

A CENTURY of 125 from Shai Hope led the Barbados Pride to a dominant victory over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their WICB Regional Super50 semi-final at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Thursday night.

The Pride batted the Hurricanes out of the game, posting an impressive 314-7, before routing their opponents for 204.

Choosing to bat, the Pride got off to a solid start with opener and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite scoring 54 in a partnership with Kevin Stoute, 21, worth 42.

Hope's innings was next, and he started slowly before accelerating to score his 125 from 108 deliveries.

The number three batsman struck eight fours and five big sixes to bring up his total.

There were a couple of wickets in the middle overs with Jonathan Carter, 0, and Ashley Nurse, 0, not contributing, however, lovely cameos from Roston Chase, 31, Jason Holder, an unbeaten 42 from 26 deliveries, and Carlos Brathwaite 27 from 11, helped push the total to something that is difficult to achieve.

Young West Indies pacer, Alzarri Joseph, struggled, ending with figures of 1-71, while Jason Campbell was also expensive, going for 70, though he did bag two wickets in the effort.

Rahkeem Cornwall was, not for the first time, the Hurricanes' best bowler with figures of 2-53 from his 10 overs.

Akeal Hosein was miserly, bagging 1-37 from 10, however, the absence of pacer Gavin Tonge was telling, as the Hurricanes used

three bowlers to complete his compliment of 10 overs.

Those three bowlers, Jermiah Louis, 4 overs, none for 29, Chesney Hughes, two overs, none for 15, and Odelmo Peters, 4 overs, one for 36, combined to give up 80 runs in their 10 overs.

In reply, the Hurricanes were always going to have to depend on the consistently good batting of their skipper, Kieran Powell, however, a rising delivery from his counterpart, Holder, sent him packing for jsut three.

The middle order of the Hurricanes had always been a little shaky, and today was no different, as Jermaine Otto, 1, Jahmar Hamilton, 11, and Chesney Hughes, 2, all went cheaply.

The early wickets meant there was no chance of chasing down the big total, and

Montcin Hodge's patient 63 was in vain.

Apart from Hodge, only Cornwall, 30, and Hosein, 28, offered any real fight until Louis smashed a few toward the end of the innings to end unbeaten on 41.

In bowling out the Hurricanes, an interesting statistic emerged, as Hope became the first regional cricketer to score a century and then be involved in seven dismissals.

The wicketkeeper bagged five catches and had two stumpings in the innings where Carlos Brathwaite had 3-56, Ashley Nurse, 3-37, and Kemar Roach, 2-36.Holder ended with figures of 1-28, the same as Sulieman Benn. Barbados Pride will now clash with Jamaica Scorpions in the Regional Super50 final on Saturday at the Coolidge ground in Antigua.