Week ending June 30th 2013

INTERNATIONAL THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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ISSUE NO. 148

NEW GPC/ Limacol acquires CPL title sponsorship See story on page 3

week ending june 30, 2013

Expectations high as building expo nears Page 23

U.S. -based Guyanese All set for Guyana actor Trade Show and Rhona Tourism Expo Fox this weekend in New York Page 7 honoured

"We believe in the transformative potential of CPL for the Caribbean region. Not only does it promise to completely rejuvenate and revitalise cricket in the Caribbean, it has the potential to provide a tremendous economic and social boost as well." - Dr. R. Ramroop

Minister Irfaan Ali

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NEWS

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limacol CPL T20

NEW GPC/ Limacol acquires CPL title sponsorship “T

he coolest sporting league in the Caribbean just got cooler” – Damien O’Donohoe, CPL CEO Days after signing on as the first Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise owner, Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop’s New GPC Inc, through its Limacol brand, has assumed the title sponsorship of the CPL. The tournament will now be called the Limacol CPL according to a CPL release. New GPC’s sponsorship is a multi-year agreement which will affect all aspects of the tournament, from branding and uniforms to advertising, marketing and promotions. New GPC is also

the franchise owner for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Limacol is a well-established and respected brand that is distributed throughout the Caribbean as well as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

“We are pleased that Dr Ramroop and his group of companies have seen it fit to increase their level of support for the Caribbean Premier League,” said Damien O’Donohoe, CPL’s Chief Executive Officer.

“The coolest sporting league in the Caribbean just got cooler. A brand that has kept Caribbean people around the world fresh for decades has joined CPL as title spon-

sor. Limacol, the flagship product of New GPC, has made a significant long term commitment to ensure the sustainable future of the largest and most exciting event ever to hit the

hance Limacol’s already solid profile, and prove valuable and mutually beneficial for both the CPL and New GPC,” O’Donohoe said.

New GPC Executive Chairman, Dr

"We believe in the transformative potential of CPL for the Caribbean region. Not only does it promise to completely rejuvenate and revitalise cricket in the Caribbean, it has the potential to provide a tremendous economic and social boost as well." - Dr. R. Ramroop Caribbean; the product is recognised and used by thousands of consumers, both regionally and internationally and has become a popular household name. We believe that this partnership will indeed en-

Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop, is just as optimistic about the relationship between New GPC and the CPL. “Guyana Amazon Warriors represents an investment we have in the CPL, in the sport,

in the players, in our Caribbean; cricket is part of our culture. In this context, we are expanding our investment in the CPL by acquiring the title sponsorship,” explained Dr Ramroop.

“We feel it is important for the major corporate houses of the region to support this landmark initiative and intend to set an example by taking the title sponsorship of the event. Limacol is a product that for decades, Caribbean people have used it to refresh and rejuvenate themselves.

To sponsor the CPL, an event that promises to rejuvenate and refresh not just cricket in the Caribbean, but the region in general, was an

obvious fit for us.

“With just a few weeks left to go before the inaugural tournament, we are counting on the energy and excitement surrounding the CPL in expanding our brand. Combined with CPL’s media reach that will span the cricketing world, we aim to take the Limacol brand and its family of products owned by New GPC into the homes of all cricket fans around the world. We thank CPL for giving us this opportunity,” added Dr Ramroop.

The inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League starts on 30 July in Barbados and concludes on August 24 in Trinidad. (CPL)

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel no: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709.

Fax (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Jagdeo’s call timely

The Fitzgerald Gymnasium is the venue for the Guyana Trade Show and Tourism Expo billed for this weekend.

(28th - 30th June). The event will help to bridge the gap between the diaspora and Guyana, while promoting local businesses. It will also provide the perfect opportunity for overseas-based Guyanese and businesses to see the products and services that are now available for sale, investment, and development in Guyana.

he discourse on the impact of climate change on the world and the need for urgent action by all players is gaining momentum.

Our own former president, Bharrat Jagdeo has been a major voice on the international stage, providing global leadership in the climate change battle. Just a few days ago, he was invited by the Commonwealth secretary general to lead an expert group on climate finance to identify solutions to enable small, poor, and climate-vulnerable Commonwealth countries fight climate change.

In Jagdeo’s view, a combination of robust analytics, proof of action, and an informed and critical mass of countries advocating for systemic, international policy change can transform global policies into becoming a reality rather than a vision.

Recently, the World Bank, a global institution with a tremendous amount of power and financial leverage, issued a new scientific report which supports what Jagdeo has been saying all along. The findings contained in the report titled, “Turn Down the Heat: Climate Extremes, Regional Impacts and the Case for Resilience”, should serve as a wakeup call once more for those who have become complacent or have reneged on their commitments made to tackle the climate change phenomenon.

The report certainly takes the climate discussion to the next level, building on a 2012 World Bank report that concluded from a global perspective that without a clear mitigation strategy and effort, the world is headed for average temperatures of 4oC warmer than preindustrial times by the end of this century.

The report states that communities around the world are already feeling the impact of climate change, with the planet only 0.8oC warmer than in pre-industrial times. It says that many of us could experience the harsher impacts of a 2oC warmer world within our lifetimes – 20 to 30 years from now – and a 4oC temperature rise is likely by the end of the century if global action is not taken urgently.

The research, based on scientific analysis by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Climate Analytics, uses advanced computer simulations to paint the clearest picture of each region’s vulnerabilities. It describes the risks to agriculture and livelihood security in Sub-Saharan Africa, the rise in sea level, loss of coral reefs and devastation to coastal areas likely in South East Asia, and the fluctuating water resources in South Asia that can lead to flooding in some areas and water scarcity in others, as well as affecting power supply.

For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, the researchers found food security will be the overarching challenge, with dangers from droughts, flooding, and shifts in rainfall. Between 1.5° C and 2° C warming, drought and aridity will contribute to farmers losing 40-80 per cent of cropland conducive to growing maize, millet, and sorghum by the 2030s to 2040s.

Similarly, in South East Asia, coastal cities will be under intense stress due to climate change. A sea level rise of 30 centimetre, possible by 2040 if business as usual continues, would cause massive flooding in cities and inundate low-lying cropland with saltwater corrosive to crops. Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, a global rice producer, is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise. A 30 cm sea level rise there could result in the loss of about 11 per cent of crop production. At the same time, storm intensity is likely to increase.

Further, inconsistencies in the monsoon season and unusual heat extremes will affect crops. Loss of snow melt from the Himalayas will reduce the flow of water into the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra basins. Together, they threaten to leave hundreds of millions of people without enough water, food, or access to reliable energy. Bangladesh and the Indian cities of Kolkata and Mumbai will be confronted with increased flooding, intense cyclones, sea-level rise, and warming temperatures.

The World Bank on its part has committed to providing support for vulnerable countries. This includes helping them develop strategic plans and investment pipelines that integrate the risks and opportunities of climate change; providing the tools that countries and cities need to better assess and adapt to climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions tracking, energy use and efficiency assessments, and assessments of resilience; creating best practices and norms through its projects for making infrastructure resilient; and using its convening power, financial leverage, and targeted climate funds to increase support for clean energy, low-carbon development, and climate resilience.

It is clear that Jagdeo’s call for there to be stronger political will to tackle climate change must be taken seriously. We therefore join the call for countries to deploy their individual and collective powers to address, what he described as a continued global failure of policy, without which, financing and innovation cannot be properly achieved at the pace required.

Habitat launches housing pilot with Beharry Group C

T

ognisant of the relation between home ownership and an improved standard of living, Habitat for Humanity and the Edward B Beharry and Company Limited have teamed up to ensure that several Guyanese, who would not otherwise be able to afford a home, realise this crucial dream.

Beharry Chairman Anand Beharry disclosed that his company will provide in excess of Gy$ 14 million to the housing pilot which is expected to last an initial 12 months.

Speaking at a media conference to announce the launch, Beharry described the initiative as an “amazing cause” and called on all Guyanese to join in.

“All you have to do is have Champion Chowmein for lunch or Indi Curry for dinner and top it off with an after-dinner mint from our Chico line of products and you will be helping to build a home for those who are less fortunate. It’s as simple as having a meal with your family,” Beharry said.

He stated that Guyanese can perform small tasks that can translate into a huge difference in the lives of others and must begin looking “within” for the assistance they need.

“Let us work together to build homes for those who cannot afford to do so. We would not only be providing four walls and a roof, we would be giving families a future. A child would have a safe environment to grow and learn and become a productive member of our country; a mother and father would have space to relax after a hard day at work; a family would have a home to pass on to generations to come,” Beharry added.

Beharry remarked that the company has a long history of dispensing its corporate responsibility through support to sport, countrywide feeding programmes, medical outreaches, education and many other ven-

The model homes

tures.

Poverty cycle

Beharry said the company is examining ways of sustaining the initiative and definitely the project is expected to run way beyond the Gy$ 14 million mark. The monies will be paid over to Habitat on a quarterly basis.

Habitat’s Country Director Rawle Small said his anticipation is that the initiative will serve as a catalyst to break the cycle of poverty, increase the standard of living and ultimately become a household name.

Small was elated at the collaboration with a locally-bred company whose motto entails tradition and excellence.

He added that this motto has since become more than just two words and is now the driving force behind the company’s growth and passion for using its resources and business model to invest in Guyana.

Partnership

“This partnership seeks to support the development of Guyanese families; one house at a time... and also marks the largest local project collaboration Habitat has undertaken since its doors opened in 1995,” the director related.

He stressed that the project is an opportunity for Guyanese from all walks of life, whether home or abroad to derive great benefit from buying locally manufactured goods and encouraged citizens to purchase

the Beharry line of products.

With the active participation of almost every citizen, Habitat is expected to build 1015 homes across the regions of the country.

He said that the support of the public would also provide financial literacy, training and a maintenance plan to the beneficiaries. Although qualifying families have not yet been selected, persons living under extremely vulnerable circumstances will be given preference for this particular project.

Happy ending

“Each family has a story and every story has a beginning, a mid-point and an ending. We want the stories of each family supported by Habitat and Edward B Beharry and consumers to have a happy ending. We want each beneficiary, when they are reflecting on the course of their lives, to pause and smile when they remember the moment they were handed the keys to their own homes. They must be pleased to know that two organisations and their country folk delivered a life-changing moment and were there for them when it mattered most,” Small said.

He noted that the several homes will be constructed simultaneously and is expected to be completed in 52 days.

According to Small, the hope is to continue the project with the intention of having it serve as a model for emulation by other entities.

news

Western diplomats back holding of local govt elections this year

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estern diplomats in Guyana said the path is now clear for local government elections to be held in Guyana, with a parliamentary select committee completing its work on the four bills critical to the process.

In a joint statement, representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union noted that at the start of 2013, political party leaders, civil society, private sector representatives, and members of the diplomatic community all expressed confidence that this would be the year in which Guyana would move forward to ensure that its citizens benefit from strong and effective local governance.

“We are now midway through the year and, with a concerted effort, local government elections and the safer, more prosperous, and more democratic communities they can help build – are within reach.”

According to the dip-

Constructive progress

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Dr Brent Hardt

lomats, after months of debate, hard work, and compromise, the parliamentary select committee on local government has forged agreement on the four bills necessary to establish a more modern and effective system of local governance.

“This is a significant and positive step forward. We welcome this action on the part of Guyana’s elected representatives to come together in the national interest,” the statement added.

The donors said that the path is now clear for approval of these four bills in the National Assembly before the upcoming annual recess.

“We encourage all parties, with the support of civil society, to build on the constructive progress and goodwill thus far achieved to complete these vital pieces of legislation in the coming days so that technical preparations for local government elections can begin as soon as possible.

“Building on our established record of constructive engagement and support for effective and responsive democratic institutions, we look forward to supporting the Guyana Elections Commission, the government of Guyana and civil society organisations, as they move forward to prepare for local government elections this year,” the diplomats said.

They added that however, there is much work ahead to boost public knowledge of the local continued on page 21

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CDB president for official visit to Guyana T

he Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has an extremely important role to play in supporting economic and social development in Guyana and the wider Caribbean, according to Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, who was recently elected as the new chairman of the board of governors of the bank at its last annual meetings held in St Lucia in May of this year.

Minister Singh made the statement as he announced that CDB President Dr William Warren Smith, had graciously accepted his invitation to visit this country, and will be in Guyana from Wednesday, June 26 to Friday, June 28.

Minister Singh stated that he was extremely pleased that Dr Smith would be visiting Guyana, this being the CDB president’s second visit to this country.

The minister pointed out that Guyana was the first country that Dr

Smith had visited after he assumed the presidency of the bank in May 2011. The visit gives the CDB president a good opportunity to see the development progress being made in Guyana and to witness the excellent work being done by the bank in support of economic and social development.

The CDB’s current portfolio of projects in Guyana includes a US$ 34 million project to rehabilitate the West Coast Demerara Road, a US$ 16 million project to upgrade hundreds of community roads, a US$ 7 million project to construct two new technical education and vocational training centres, and the provision of grant resources to fund the flagship Basic Needs Trust Fund poverty programme.

These interventions taken individually or as a collective have and will benefit all segments of the country’s population, underscoring the confi-

CDB President, Dr William Warren Smith

dence and prominence “we as a government place on CDB as a key development partner,” Dr Singh said.

Dr Smith’s visit coincides with the launching of the Basic Needs Trust Fund’s seventh cycle, a programme that has provided resources to vulnerable communities in order to improve access to basic public services.

During his visit, in addition to his discussions with Minister Singh, the CDB president will pay courtesy calls on President Donald Ramotar and Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque.

Bail set for Benschop's brother in U.S. building collapse A

ccording to reports from the Associated Press (AP), a judge set bail Wednesday at nearly US$1.6 million for a demolition contractor charged in a fatal building collapse despite a prosecutor's contention that the South American defendant is a flight risk.

Sean Benschop, 42, has used several aliases, had numerous run-ins with law enforcement and is not a U.S. citizen, according to Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Selber.

Benschop, who was born in Guyana, also has contacts in New York and New Jersey, she said.

"All of these things can make a person more difficult to track if they are released," Selber said after the hearing.

But attorney Daine Grey countered that his client, a married father of four, turned himself in after police issued an arrest warrant after the June 5 collapse in Philadelphia. Benschop has not been convicted of a crime since a marijuana-related drug case in 1995, Grey said.

Authorities say Benschop was impaired by marijuana and painkillers while operating heavy equipment on a vacant building under demolition. A four-story brick wall collapsed onto the adjacent Salvation Army thrift shop, killing six people and injuring 13.

Benschop was charged with six counts of involuntary manslaughter, for which he was originally not granted bail, and 13 counts of reckless endangerment, for which bail had been set at US$650,000.

AP says that on Wednesday, Common Pleas Court Judge James DeLeon set bail at US$900,000 for the manslaughter charges. Benschop will have to post 10 percent of the nearly US$1.6 million total to be released.

His immigration status was not immediately clear. Selber declined to answer related questions; Grey would disclose only that Benschop does not have a passport.

The court proceeding was originally supposed to determine whether

Sean Benschop

prosecutors had enough evidence to put Benschop on trial. However, the judge postponed that part of the hearing until Sept. 17.

Afterward, Grey said he asked for a delay because of the ongoing investigation.

"The fact that (Benschop) was arrested and charged with causing the collapse, when the experts are still trying to determine the cause of the collapse, to me is ridiculous," Grey said.

He called Benschop an "upstanding business owner" who is being scapegoated for the tragedy. A grand jury is investigating whether other parties should be held responsible.

Webster re-elected Chairman of Private Sector Commission

P

rivate Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ronald Webster was on Tuesday re-elected by a majority vote in the face of an aggressive challenge put forward by young contender Clinton Urling.

Webster won by a 16/ 4 margin when the election results were announced during the commission’s 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Pegasus Hotel.

A modest Webster told Guyana Times International shortly after his re-election that while he was not surprised at his victory, he was overwhelmed at the level of support garnered for the position.

Webster expressed great appreciation for the support and said his focus will now be centred on the establishment of an international trade arm of the commission.

He will also place major emphasis on seeking to maximise the Caricom/ Guyana agreements to develop the ex-

PSC Chairman Ronald Webster

port market as well as establishing financial arrangements for small, medium and micro-enterprises.

The restructuring of a Caribbean Private Sector entity is also high on the agenda of the reappointed chairman.

Webster advised that various markets and private sector groupings of similar affinity must come together in an effort to strengthen the effectiveness of the body.

Reflecting on the accomplishments during his year-long tenure, Webster said he was suc-

cessful in achieving corporate and income tax deductions and improved infrastructure with the materialisation of the Brazil Road and the Amaila Falls project.

Webster noted that he will simply be following the path and vision as outlined a year ago by the Private Sector Commission.

Meanwhile, Urling, who currently serves as president of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) said his candidacy was not based on winning or losing, but was basically to allow for introspection within the private sector.

Urling added that while he lost the elections, it did not translate into defeat as he is intent on continuing the struggle in the interest of the private sector.

The GCCI president raised many eyebrows when he announced his candidacy for the private sector chairmanship during last month.

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All set for Guyana Trade Show and Tourism Expo this weekend in New York

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rganisers say that the highly anticipated Guyana Trade Show and Tourism Expo will provide the perfect opportunity for overseas-based Guyanese and businesses to see the products and services that are now available for sale, investment, and development in Guyana.

The event is billed for this weekend (June 28th30th) at the Fitzgerald Gymnasium, Queens College. According to a press release from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the three-day event will place Guyana on a platform to propel itself onto the International arena, while giving every sector in the Guyanese economy an opportunity to showcase each individual business operations.

Manufacturers will also be on hand to showcase their products while setting the stage for the establishment of a supply chain for their products and services.

Hoteliers and tour operators will be able to

showcase their facilities and packages, while the housing developers will also get the opportunity to market their brands.

Guyana’s Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Irfaan Ali has noted that the Guyana Trade Show and Tourism Expo will be an occasion to bridge the gap between communities in the Diaspora and Guyana, while promoting local businesses.

“We decided to collaborate with the local private sector in an effort to ensure that we can create an opportunity where they can have access to a wide market and where they can come to a common goal in developing business relationships with the entities that can further expand their business potential,” Minister Ali explained.

Corporate Guyana has also pledged their support in promoting the Guyana Trade Show and Tourism Expo, with Digicel, NEW GPC INC, CGX Energy, Caribbean Airlines, Mohammed’s

Enterprise, Fly Jamaica Airlines, Banks DIH, REPSOL, Edward Beharry, Windsor Estates and Eileen’s Ville, have all signed on as major sponsors of the event.

Visitors to the Expo will be treated to a spectacular cultural display and a wide array of Guyanese foods to sample and enjoy.

The Guyana Trade Show and Tourism Expo will be launched with a grand opening ceremony slated for 19:00hrs at the Fitzgerald Gymnasium, on Friday June 28th; government officials and private sector representatives will be on hand to interact with invitees and participants.

The ministry says that as part of the thrust to promote Guyana’s Tourism Product, Guyanese tour operators have collaborated with the Tourism Ministry to offer a special sweepstakes, where one lucky patron will get a chance to win an all expenses paid weekend trip for two, to Guyana.

8 News Lawyers advise that Procrastination Boodoo's position be advertised week ending june 30, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

commissioners, asking for time to seek legal advice on the issue.

He sought the advice of his lawyers after receiving a letter from Boodoo’s Attorney Mursalene Bacchus that no decision should be made on the resumption of his services until an appraisal on his performance was forth-

C

es within GECOM confirmed that an appraisal on Boodoo’s performance is subject to waiver and is based on the decision of commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission.

A GECOM official told Guyana Times International that a performance appraisal is not

W

Gocool Boodoo

hief Elections Officer Gocool Boodoo is expected to know his fate soon and may very well take legal action if necessary. Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally has been provided with advice from lawyers on how to treat the request by Boodoo to consider a renewal of his contract.

The lawyers for Dr Surujbally also suggested that Boodoo’s post be ad-

vertised.

However, the statutory meeting of the commission scheduled for Tuesday last was not held, owing to the absence of two commissioners, Dr Keshav Mangal and Attorney Jaya Manickchand.

The commission was expected to meet and discuss the issue pending the legal advice provided to Dr Surujbally.

The GECOM chairman had postponed a previous meeting with the

Dr Steve Surujbally

coming.

However,

sourc-

mandatory and the commission has the power to waive any such appraisal on the part of employees.

It is expected that the decision will be put to a vote, but opposition commissioners are not in favour of the proposed extension to Boodoo’s contract which expired at the end of April.

Boodoo’s fate would ultimately be decided by a majority vote of the complete quorum of commissioners.

The commissioners are legally mandated, based on a unanimous decision, to deal with all issues relating to employment of senior functionaries of the commission.

Boodoo, who has been with the commission in ex ess of 10 years, has applied for a renewal of his contract.

While the commissioners had earlier requested correspondents that Boodhoo may have received during his years in office to allow for an assessment, the opposition’s contention seems to be pointed at the 2011 incident involving Boodoo’s announcement of national elections results in favour of the ruling administration.

The current commissioners are Vincent Alexander, Dr Keshav Mangal, Charles Corbin, Jaya Manickchand, Sandra Jones and Mahmood Shaw.

By Anu Dev

e all do it sometime or the other. Some of us do it more than others. It’s so easy to say that you’ll be able to do whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing tomorrow, or next week, or even next month.

It’s the habit that we all wish we could quit.

It’s probably one of the hardest habits to quit.

Because there’s no equivalent of a nicotine patch to slap on to aid us in kicking this habit. For this, the change has to come from within. Everything – self-discipline, self- motivation – has to come from within.

And we’re all different. We all put off things for different reasons. We might put off confronting someone because we’re afraid of their reaction. We might put off other things because we mightn’t be confident in our ability to get them accomplished.

We might put off things because we feel sorry for ourselves and we want to give ourselves a break.

We might put off things because it’s sometimes easier to completely avoid something than dealing with it right away.

It’s easier to say you’ll do something tomorrow than to actually do it right now. It’s so much easier at the time to procrastinate. It’s easier to push things away to the back of your mind to deal with later. And we all like to take the easier route at some point or the other. So it’s very difficult to deal with procrastination.

However, since we can’t avoid things forever, (there’s that inexorable “moving hand of time”) there’s the inevitable mad rush to get everything done before time runs out. And it’s an adrenaline rush sometimes, where you’re on autopilot racing to finish.

And then there’s the stage of regret where you know you would’ve done much better if you’d started earlier. You would’ve had so much more time to perfect things. (Sigh) Or you would’ve been able to clarify things sooner.

We all have different ways that we deal with procrastination. I like making lists and planning out things, and making schedules. But I still need a nudge sometimes. Other people might have different ways of dealing with procrastination.

And that’s the important thing – dealing with your problem of procrastination. Because the worst thing you can do is allow your procrastination to define you and constantly get the better of you.

And we all already know that we shouldn’t procrastinate.

But as Portia says in The Merchant of Venice , “I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching.” To know what you should be doing and actually doing it are two very different things. But it’s worth it to make the effort to stop procrastinating.

So stop putting things off. Get up, get out, and find ways to deal with your procrastination. Find a way to motivate yourself to get things done.

Don’t allow procrastination to define you – because then you’ll probably feel like a “failure by design”. And that’s the worst feeling in the word knowing that you could have been so much better if you had tried harder.

Fight procrastination!

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times International, Industrial Site Ruimveldt Georgetown, Guyana or guyanatimesint@gmail.com

Coconut exports can increase even more

Dear Editor, Guyana has land mass and richness of soil and coconut is very easy to grow. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the increasing importance of coconut was evident with increased production from 10,725 metric tonnes (MT) in 2011 to 17,104 MT in 2012.

Additionally, 2012 showed an increase in coconut exports, recording in excess of US$ 2.4 million for coconut and coconut products.

On the subject of coconut, we should realise by now, that it is a fruit that is consumed in a number of forms. It is so easily cultivated, and almost all the tropical countries indulge in it. Coconut water is one of nature’s most refreshing drinks, consumed worldwide for its nutritious and healthbenefiting properties.

On the whole, coconut is actually a very healthy food and is good for the body.

Coconut oil, for ex-

ample, is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties.

The coconut industry in Guyana has been identified as one of the sectors with a large potential for further development. There should be greater focus in this area, more so, that coconut is now the third largest crop in Guyana after rice and sugar.

Yours truly, Tanuja Singh

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Congratulations to former president Jagdeo for being selected to serve on such high level panel Dear Editor, It gives me great pleasure to see former President Bharrat Jagdeo take his place on the world stage once again.

His appointment as chair to a new Commonwealth Expert Group on Climate Finance puts us on the map as leaders in the area of climate change.

Congratulations are in

order! There are growing problems of pollution and the effects of globalisation are many. These include, but are not limited to deforestation, potential food shortages, loss of flora and fauna and the increasing use of genetically modified foods.

This expert group is much needed as small countries such as ours

can gain beneficial knowledge on best practices in order to save our environment in our efforts to become sustainable.

I trust that more Guyanese are now motivated to take their place on the world front as former President Jagdeo is currently doing.

Yours truly, Anna Mingo

Chanderpaul will be The use of social media on the rise missed in the CPL

Dear Editor, The news about Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s absence from the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is very depressing and I am very upset to the point of being angry.

Since 2007, when Brian Lara exited the scene, Chanderpaul quickly became the embodiment of West Indies Cricket. His absence will surely be missed.

He would have been a big boost to this inaugural CPL tournament in the West Indies, even though T20 is not his

forte.

Born August 16, 1974, makes Chanderpaul almost 39 years old. Will

he be around for another edition of the CPL? His T20 scoring rate is just under 100, and he has played a mere 22 games.

I think that in many ways, his absence will allow him to be further extended in test cricket, which is the ultimate.

His record stands currently at 148 tests for 10, 830 runs. He may still catch Lara, who leads quite comfortably at 131 tests for his 11, 953 runs.

As it is, Chanderpaul is definitely one of the greats in West Indies cricket.

Yours sincerely, Yollane Morrison

The new minimum wage Dear Editor, When the rule regarding the new minimum wage came into existence, I was a bit sceptical regarding enforcement.

Well, I should not have worried. The news has it that the Labour Ministry has already been successful in the prosecution of many employers who have flouted various labour laws. This enabled it to recoup large sums for workers who were cheated.

This is a very important move. It sends a strong message.

So I too join in cautioning employers to ensure that their employees benefit from the recently set minimum wage, which takes effect from July 1.

The issue here that readily comes to mind is that of exposing those employers who are going to shortchange employees. These employers may very well victimise employees who tell on

them. This can be done via using fewer employees, but working the retained group in a more stringent manner.

How can we determine expectations of employees? These employers can also bargain with some employees who are desperate – they can agree to work secretly, that is, with no kind of record. This will mean that employers flouting the law will leave no paper trail.

Like I said, it is great move to make the minimum wage phenomenon a reality, at least prioritising it.

However, the few complications I have mentioned must be looked at.

Recently, I have been reading about a possible hike in bus tariff for night operators. This kind of thinking should be across board then.

There are many shift workers, who still do not get a night premium. In fact, some of them agree

to forfeit it, all because of desperation.

If bus operators want an increase in the fare, then it stands to reason that commuters must get a raise in pay. Where will they get the extra money? I find it strange that bus operators are asking for a hike in fare, but they manifest evidence of really making it big. They have fancy rims and sophisticated music systems. Are these needed in the transportation industry?

Guyana has a lot of lofty principles and regulations. However, it is enforcement that is needed. There must be a secret way to check on the employer-employee situation.

The same goes for bus operators – they must be stopped from discriminating.

I reiterate that if they want the increase, then they must up the ante in their quality of service.

Yours truly, Gary Sinclair

Dear Editor, The excitement is certainly on, as thousands of Guyanese and their businesses are now using social media, such as, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Pinterest.

According to reports in the Guyana Times, it is estimated that more than 200,000 persons are part of the social media transformation.

More businesses understand the growing need to get on the social media platform in order to grow their businesses.

With the government investing heavily in Information Communication Technology (ICT) with programmes, such as, the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF), laying of the fibre-optic cables, and others, Guyanese Internet usage is expected to rise, as more and more persons will also use their smartphones to access social media and the Internet.

It is important to note that, while social media helps us to connect with

others and get real time information disseminated instantaneously, it runs the risk of persons hacking into profiles and spreading misinformation, which often causes confusion, as we experienced during our last elections.

I caution users who are members of these social networking sites to act responsibly and ensure that all information, when posted, is correct.

Yours sincerely, Nicholas Hoyte

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U.S. -based Guyanese actor Rhona Fox honoured G

uyanese-American actress Rhona Fox received the Rising Sun Award at the Caribbean Heritage Salute to Hollywood & the Arts gala in Hollywood, California, on Friday, June 21, 2013.

She was honoured along with actor Reno Wilson (who currently stars on Mike & Molly on CBS and of Antiguan heritage) and Paula Madison (a former vice-president of NBC Universal and part owner of WNBA Los Angeles Sparks team, and of Jamaican heritage).

The Caribbean Heritage Organisation (CHO) has been hosting this awards ceremony since 2007 and selected Fox as this year’s emerging actor.

The Rising Sun is awarded to one actor of Caribbean heritage each year and past recipients include Tatyana Ali. In her acceptance speech, Fox said she was humbled to receive this prestigious honour and shared it with everyone attending, as the gala also served as a fundraiser for local charities and a scholarship in Haiti.

“I’m so thrilled to receive the Rising Sun Award from the

CHO Founder, Dr. Claire Nelson with Rhona Fox

Caribbean Heritage Organisation and had an amazing time celebrating this incredible recognition in true Hollywood fashion,” states Fox. “All this support encourages me to keep chasing this crazy dream of mine and I look forward to making my Caribbean people proud.”

The red carpet event took place at the ritzy

Hilton Universal City hotel and kicked-off with a VIP press reception, where Fox was interviewed by various media outlets.

The party then moved to the formal ballroom, where dinner was served and patrons were entertained by musical numbers and various Caribbean folk dances, which included

Garifuna and Junkanoo dance ensembles. The awards were presented to the three honourees, with video tributes introducing each person. For Fox’s tribute, she was congratulated by her mother, soca star Farmer Nappy and dancehall icon Shaggy.

Each honouree delivered heartfelt acceptance speeches before the gala erupted into dancing and a true celebration.

“We are honored that the beautiful and talented Rhona Fox was present to receive our 2013 Rising Sun Award,” says Marva Herman, Executive Director of the Caribbean Heritage Organisation, who has been spearheading this Salute to Hollywood and the Arts since 2007.

Fox was born in Essequibo, Guyana and relocated with her family to Nassau, Bahamas at 10-years old. She migrated to New York City to attend university, and the Big Apple remains the place of her home and work. She was awarded Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead Award in 2012, along with the City of New York Proclamation, for her contributions to the arts.

Guyana could tap security reform help under CBSI T he Home Affairs Ministry on Monday hosted the second meeting with local and foreign senior security officials to discuss matters pertaining to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) from which Guyana and other Caribbean countries stand to benefit.

The meetings are part of government’s recognition of the need for reform in the security sector and an important component of the CBSI. The areas that Guyana will benefit from were discussed between the two sides, and according to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, the ministry is optimistic about moving forward with the programme of cooperation under the CBSI, which is fully funded by the U. S. government.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, Minister Rohee said that it is no doubt that based on visits that have been con-

ducted by consultants, Guyana will benefit from many of the programmes. United States Ambassador D Brent Hardt said the initiative is a regional partnership launched by President Barrack Obama in 2006, and that from the start it has been a joint venture built upon dialogue in order to identify areas where cooperation is needed.

“And what we developed was an initiative that would have seen us working more closely together to combat trafficking, promote citizen security, and strengthen the justice sector,” Ambassador Hardt pointed out.

The U. S. official added that the project is a regional strategy, and the team will continue to meet with regional groups and senior officials to define what is being done and diagnose where improvements are needed.

“We are in our third year and we are now seeing the impact of the

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and United States Ambassador D Brent Hardt during the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) meeting held at the ministry’s Brickdam office (GINA photo)

CBSI,” he said. This is as a result of the many programmes implemented to fight crimes.

Guyana, through the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit, has been able to benefit from several of these programmes.

The country now has the ability to track and identify criminals through its hightech fingerprinting tool which is one of the CBSI regional information

sharing programmes.

Ambassador Hardt said emphasis will also be placed on police professionalisation, board of security and other justice sector reform areas.

Special programmes for youths will also be featured under the theme “Crime prevention”. He said this partnership is an example of the cohesion between the U. S. and the Caribbean.

Hired help

S

atiricus knew all about the old saw as to what constituted “news”: dog bites man – not news; man bites dog – definitely news.

So it was certainly news to old Satiricus when he saw Suspenders’ letter taking on the Stabber News over one of their editorials. What was going on? Suspenders biting the hand that feeds him? Satiricus knew Suspenders wasn’t getting much “wuk” beyond his weekly column.

Satiricus peered closer. Seems that Suspenders was accusing the Stabber News of imputing “wrong motives” to the government for introducing a minimum wage in Guyana.

Satiricus almost had a heart attack. Suspenders defending the government? This wasn’t only “man biting dog”; this was “man biting a pit bull on his testicles”! Now Satiricus definitely had to find out what was going on.

By a stroke of luck, his wife’s niece, maid to the opposition – and so taking care of Suspenders among a host of that motley (not mouldy) crew – had just filched Suspender’s diary for Satiricus to peruse quickly. Satiricus seized the opportunity to grill the poor girl about Suspenders as an employer. She said the fella was worse than Scrooge. And insisted she went above and beyond the call of duty.

Satiricus started reading.

Dear Diary, You must be asking what happened to me, since I wasn’t writing you recently. Well, Dear Diary, I’m depressed. That’s what. All those years when I was a boy growing up in Alexander Village, I wanted to be a big one.

So I became a bookeeper. Well at the time I thought that was a “big one”. Then I discovered I was adding and subtracting all day, but not adding much to my bank account. But when I did the books of these lawyer fellows, I saw their bank accounts growing faster than Jack’s beanstalk. Especially the ones who dealt with a certain type of client. You know what I mean.

Sorry Dear Diary. I had to change my suspenders.

The other one was pulling my drawers into a knot.) So I decided to become a lawyer.

Dear Diary, you wouldn’t believe the agony of studying when you’re past 60. But I made it.

It helped that everyone had left me and I was alone. But I never realised people wouldn’t hire an old, new lawyer like me. I tried this pro-bono lawyer thing... but discovered that it meant “for free”. Why the arse would I do my lawyer “wuk for free? So I tried getting into politics. Because plenty lawyers in politics. But imagine they want me to start from the bottom!! To go house to house and campaign. Schuups, not I. But things get hard and I decide to try a new thing. I gon start sucking up to the government. I just write a letter cussing out both the Stabber and the PSA. I need a wuk bad. I could even carry Asni’s briefcase.

(I got to go change this suspenders. I gon put on a red one. Prezzie might like the workers’ colour.)

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Ali says looking forward for more competition in Guyana’s airline industry

By Sabatini Daniels

S

truggling to find an alternative to Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), which has recently hiked its fares, the Guyana government is now courting COPA Airlines to service the local market, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali said on Friday.

At a press conference Ali announced that government has approached COPA Airlines, which is based in Panama, to examine the possibility of having that airline operate in and out of Guyana. He stated that there have been initial discussions with the airline and as a result, a team from COPA Airlines is expected to

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali

visit Guyana soon, to analyse the market and to confirm its interest in a possible collaboration.

Ali also noted that Fly Jamaica has indicated that before the end

Some people in de letter writin career

A

new career start up in Guyana called letter writin and it look like some of de newspapers dem gon have to run a competition to see who is de best and who is de worst. Plenty people gon enter that competition, so it gon be a tough fight.

De fight to be number one gon be tough just like how de letter writers dem does fight down one another like crabs in a barrel. Lin Con, Ducktor Rose, Freddie Kissmansoon, Rue Hell, de mayor fuh life Green Ham and he letter writin officer Roy Stone, and Ben Cup leadin de way fuh number one.

One of dem who can’t write and does pay people fuh write fuh he got plenty letter writin names, so he gon have to decide what name to enter de competition under. Even de minister home affairs gon enter de competition, because he been writin a lotta letters too.

Is no wonder plenty people complain that dem does buy de local papers to read de news, but nowadays is more letters than news dem have to read. And some of dem letters long more than de Essequibo River, so is like yuh readin a whole book – before yuh done read yuh want sleep! De book thief Freddie Kissmansoon on de other hand figure that, since no body does read he columns any more, he gon write plenty letters. Now every time de Man Kisser got a problem wid somebody, he writin a letter.

Rue Hell, who writin sheer doggerel and puppyrel, which he want to call poem, decide that he gon do de only ting that he can do, which is sittin down in people cake shop bummin tennis roll and writin letters.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling… friend... tell... friend… mattie tell mattie! Is de only way people gon ever see Rue Hell name writin sum ting.

of July, it should commence operations in the country, which will ease the burden of Guyanese who are now wholly dependent on Caribbean Airlines.

The minister said since CAL will be facing more competition, the air carrier should utilise this time to build customer loyalty, rather than focusing on taking advantage of the situation to increase travel rates.

“So regardless of what happens, you will have a loyal customer base who knows that you are a good carrier and who know they can get a good price out of you… you can’t create an atmosphere now where the prices are ri-

diculously high that persons lose trust and confidence in you, just because of your fares,” he stressed.

Ali noted that the hike in CAL’s prices has been challenging, since summer is one of the peak visitor periods.

However, he expressed hope that Fly Jamaica will pick up the slack, once it becomes operational in the country.

“I’ll be very frank, I cannot wait until the competition comes in,” he declared.

In light of CAL defending its prices by saying late bookings mean passengers pay more, the minister added, “If you book late, early, half year, there is no way you can be paying

US$ 1400 for economyclass tickets to the U. S., there is no way you should be paying US$ 800 for economy-class tickets to Trinidad. The Trinidadians don’t pay it – we should not be asked to pay it, it’s clear as that.”

He said the government has received informal requests for CAL to be taken before the Caribbean Competition Commission for the hike in airfares, but did not disclose if it was contemplating doing so.

Updating the media on ongoing talks between the governments of Guyana and Trinidad spurred by the fare hike, Ali said these discussions are coming along with mutual respect.

Minister Ali also noted that CAL should be congratulated in certain positive aspects of its operations.

“When the gap was created when EZjet and Delta exited, Caribbean Airlines added almost four to five additional flights and triple up the seats which come into Guyana,” he reminded.

When questioned if Guyana is contemplating taking flagship carrier status from CAL, he said the issue should not be looked at giving and taking away. He underscored that Guyana derives certain benefits from the arrangement, such as direct flights out of Guyana – something tourists has been calling for a long time now.

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Tourism on the move in Guyana - President Ramotar tells Caribbean journalists in Canada

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resident Donald Ramotar has emphasised that his administration will continue to place prominence on the development of new sectors in the country, particularly the burgeoning tourism sector.

The Guyanese head of state made this assertion on Friday while meeting with several Caribbean/ Canadian media representatives at the Guyana Consulate in Toronto. President Ramotar was joined by acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali, Guyana’s Consul General in Toronto, Sattie Sawh and Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Vice President Christopher Nascimento.

Ramotar and a high level delegation were in Toronto to attend the annual Independence Festival on Sunday, June 23.

In addressing the gathering, the president explained that in the time that has elapsed since his presidency, a new situation has developed and his government is doing everything to ensure that social sector programmes are not compromised and that political stability is maintained.

“Over the last seven years, the economy continued to grow though many countries were facing financial crisis. During this time, the economic base

At back row: President Donald Ramotar (second left), First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali and Guyana Ambassador to Canada Harrinarine Nawbatt (left) with members of the president’s delegation and officials at the Guyana Consulate in Canada

was broadened and we have moved away from the traditional sectors and saw the emergence of new segments of the economy, including manufacturing, agriculture and services,” he said.

He noted that government continues to invest in the social sectors such as health, housing and water, pointing out that 30 per cent of the national budget is spent on the social sector.

Expanding infrastructure

Fielding questions on the importance of the Independence Festival and the thrust to develop the tourism sector in Guyana, President Ramotar pointed out that there is the need to expand the existing infrastructure to continue the growth; which is one of the primary rea-

sons the administration is concentrating on the development of new sectors, and is working on the upgrading and expansion of new hotels, transportation system, the expansion and improvement of existing roadways (LindenLethem road) and the airport expansion, the deep water harbour, and cheap energy through the Amalia Falls Project.

“Once we get these developments underway, we can then move up to the developed country status,” he opined.

The president reiterated that great prominence is currently being placed on promoting tourism in Guyana, including the development of sports tourism.

Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali assured that

the tourism sector will in the near future emerge to be one of the major growth poles for Guyana. He called attention to the major promotional and marketing campaign currently underway in Canada and the United States.

“Within the next five years, tourism will be among the top three sectors in Guyana,” Minister Ali declared.

Challenge

The tourism minister acknowledged that airlift has been a challenge, particularly with the exit of Delta Airlines this year; however, he assured that efforts are currently underway to engage additional airlines, including Fly Jamaica.

This airline is expectcontinued on page 13

UK launches Gy$ 409M agri project

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Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy

he Agriculture Ministry has collaborated with the Department for International D e v e l o p m e n t (DFID) to launch the Guyana Agricultural Diversification Project (GADP) as it seeks to ramp up production of non-traditional and aquaculture produce for export.

The diversification project was launched on Tuesday at the Satyadeo Sawh Aquaculture Station at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

The aim of the initiative, according DFID Deputy Head Matt Butler, is to create over 1000 jobs for locals and increase tilapia exports from 1000 kilogrammes to 12000 kilogrammes per week and non-traditional crops from 1000 kilogrammes to 16000 kilogrammes per week.

Funding

DFID will be providing £ 1.3 million to support the local project.

However, there is an overall UK bilateral assistance to the Caribbean to the tune of £ 75 million between 2011 and 2015.

He said the £ 75 million project is split into three categories. “One is governance and security, one is disaster risk reduction and climate change and one which this project sits under, that’s job creation.”

Butler pointed out that the approach being used will see Gy$ 4 billion being paid out based on results achieved from indicators that have been set out.

“This is a very new type of working for us where payment by results will guarantee value for money,” he said.

M e a n w h i l e , Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, delivering the feature address at the launching ceremony, said the availability of markets is what drives production.

However, this means that Guyana has to build certain capacities such as sanitary and phytosanitary requirements so that local produce can be marketable on the international stage.

The minister said Guyana also has to consider how in this environment, farmers can produce at a cost that still allows them to be competitive. “The Ministry of Agriculture has mandated the Fisheries Department, the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Guyana School of Agriculture and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, to work together and I’m inviting CARANA as part of the DFID project to join us in the research to develop a locally produced feed that will allow our producers to be competitive at the market,” he pointed out.

British High Commissioner to Guyana Andrew Ayre believes the programme will help Guyanese exporters to maximise their potential to tap into markets in the Caribbean, North America and Europe.

New investment

He also highlighted that DFID will provide up to US$ 2 million in support for new investment in non-traditional agriculture and aquaculture, which will be disbursed in relation to the size of the area under cultivation.

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Guyana eyes coconut water brand

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Coconut products on display at the expo hosted by the New Guyana Marketing Corporation

he Agriculture Ministry is looking to establish a Guyanese brand of coconut water recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as a health drink.

According to Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Guyana is presently working with the FAO, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the governments of Brazil and Mexico to develop the coconut industry, which utilises the third largest acreage of cultivated land after rice and sugar.

Training programme

Noting Mexico’s success in the area, Minister Ramsammy stated that Guyana is presently concluding arrangements with IICA to send a Guyanese professional to that country to undergo a two-month training programme in all aspects of the coconut industry.

He noted that in the streamlining of the coconut industry, there is the possibility of developing virgin coconut oil for export and using shells to

develop energy so that there is no wastage.

In this regard, a coconut exposition has been planned to further promote the commodity locally. The inaugural Coconut Exposition hosted by the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (New GMC), brings together agencies and departments within the Agriculture Ministry, as well as other stakeholders, to promote products and services in the coconut industry.

The expo sees participation from agencies such as the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), the Craft Producers Association, and coconut farmers.

It was noted that the objective is to create greater awareness and promote the market opportunities that exist for coconut and coconut products.

Some of the products that will be on display includes extra virgin co-

Tourism on the... ed to begin operations in July. He acknowledged the continued efforts by Caribbean Airlines to mitigate some of the impact of Delta’s withdrawal. “Even though CAL’s pricing is sharp, they have done a lot of good in filling the gap created. By the end of July, Fly Jamaica is expected to start its Georgetown to New York route and a month after that they are to start the Canada route,” he explained.

In addition, Ali spoke

from page 12

of initial discussions with COPA Air as well as other private airlines interested in servicing the Guyana route.

Private sector representative Kit Nascimento announced that the relationship between the private sector and the government is presently at its strongest, as ongoing collaborative efforts across the board are bearing fruit, contributing to the country’s overall development.

conut oil, coconut water, canned coconut cream and milk, coconut craft, wine and coconut dishes among others.

The coconut industry in Guyana has been identified as one of the sectors with huge potential for further development.

Coconut delivers a very wide variety of products, including coconut water, coconut oil, coconut milk and dried coconut, which are all in demand regionally and internationally.

Guyana, at the beginning of this year had produced between 90 and 100 million coconuts per year, which approximates to some 70,000 tonnes and the world export market for coconut products, is about US$ 6 billion, while Guyana exports nearly US$ 3 million in coconut products.

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Govt has created an environment that is favourable to investors – Guyana’s finance minister

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inance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said government has been instrumental in maintaining macroeconomic stability and is responsible for ensuring declining interest rates, adequate external reserves while attracting investors. Dr Singh made the remarks at the annual general meeting of the Small Business Development Fund (SBDF) on Monday at the Pegasus Hotel.

According to Dr Singh, macroeconomic stability is not an insignificant dimension to the small business environment, but is relevant to the sustainability of businesses and the aver-

age person.

He noted that government is not only concerned about creating a stable economy, but generating more value-added as well as producing more economic efficiency.

The finance minister said government has always put the creation of an environment which is conducive to the growth and prosperity of small businesses at the centre of its policy framework.

Dr Singh stated that both small and large investors would not show interest in an economy which fails to display stable macroeconomic growth and favourable prospects in the future.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

He said it is critical to have adequate external reserves, as in an open economy such as Guyana which imports goods and services, it is necessary to have adequate exter-

Hamley Case

nal financing to support such activity.

Dr Singh remarked that government has created an environment where key macroeconomic indicators are encouraging to businesses in

order to ensure the local business environment is stable.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to creating, maintaining and enhancing an environment conducive to investment and stressed the importance of having consistent standards and quality attractive to both foreign and local firms. Dr Singh noted that Guyana has made considerable progress in this area; stating that the country has been achieving uninterrupted economic growth since 2006.

He lauded the efforts of the SBDF and its creators and singled out Managing Director

Manjula Brijmohan for her visionary leadership and resilient determination in pursuing the initiative of promoting small businesses in Guyana.

Former People National Congress Reform ( PNCR) Central Executive Member Hamley Case highlighted the role of small businesses to an emerging economy, and urged owners to ensure their businesses do not remain at that level.

He stated that small and micro enterprises must be seedlings destined for growth into productive businesses, but this requires an enabling environment.

APNU will restore GPL subsidy if progress is seen

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he A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it will restore the Gy$ 5.2 billion subsidy for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc only if progress is guaranteed.

APNU’s Executive Member Dr Rupert Roopnaraine told a news conference on Monday that the coalition held meetings with the power company to discuss the restoration of the funds which were cut from its allocation.

After the funds were

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

cut, GPL said it needed to raise tariffs to make

up for the shortfall in financing for its capital project by an initial 17 per cent, but that percentage ballooned to a whopping 26.7 per cent.

Amid public outcry at the proposed steep hike in rates, President Donald Ramotar instructed the GPL board not to implement the hike at the end of May, as it threatened, as he was sure something would be worked out with the parliamentary opposition.

“The president’s instruction to GPL be-

trays a strong indication by the administration that something may be yet done. And obviously, it would have to be done at the level of Parliament and I might take the liberty of identifying that engagements have been made with the parliamentary opposition and would have to continue,” government spokesman Dr Roger Luncheon had said in announcing that the administration will re-engage the joint parliamentary opposition with the aim of restor-

Rotary Int’l in fight to eradicate polio …Rotary Club of Demerara installs new president

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he Rotary International organisation has teamed up with various countries to help with the eradication of polio.

This was announced by Assistant District Governor (ADG) KA Juman Yassin during the Rotary Club of Demerara installation ceremony for the new executive Tuesday evening.

“Guyana has won the fight against polio and we should now work towards helping other countries with this,” he said.

In highlighting the work of the local Rotary Clubs and their affiliates, he noted that the University of Guyana’s Rotary club won the Rotary International prize for Latin American countries’ humanitarian projects. The members set up a weekly literacy programme in Victoria on the East Coast of Demerara, under which they taught and mentored students for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) this year.

“We work towards increasing humanitarian services, enhancing public image – we must let the public know what we are doing, the things we do should not be hidden: we need society to know

ing the axed funds from the 2013 national budget.

Dr Roopnaraine made it clear that the APNU will continue to demand that GPL’s board of directors answer critical questions posed by the opposition.

“We do believe that for us to come to a logical and national conclusion in relation to what we were asking of GPL is essential; … explain to us why over this length of time they have not made the kind of progress in relation

to reducing commercial and technical losses that one might have expected,” the APNU vice chairman explained.

He reiterated that the coalition will not restore the funds if the power company continues to withhold crucial information regarding its operations.

GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal maintains that the subsidy from government is critical in completing a number of outstanding projects at various locations countrywide.

Western diplomats back holding of local govt ... from page 5

government election process, the role of local government organs, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens and elected officials .

Democracy

Newly-installed President Osbert James with other members after he delivered his speech at the installation ceremony

what we are doing to assist with development, leadership role, integrity, diversity, fellowship, supporting and strengthening,” he stated in underlining the strategic plan of the organisation.

Build on strong foundation

Juman Yassin charged Osbert James, the new president, to take the club in a positive new direction and to build upon the already firm foundation of the group.

James, a long-standing member of the Rotary family, will lead the group for one year.

Speaking at the event held at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, the newly ordained president said he was honoured to have been given the opportunity to take the group forward, and to be entrusted with the mandate to lead the board and members of the dynamic club.

Guyana’s constitution states, “Local government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organised so as to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live.”

The diplomats said all of Guyana’s political parties have consistently affirmed their commitment to hold local elections and reinvigorate local government entities.

The Private Sector Commission, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Guyana Trades Union Congress, and many other stakehold-

ers have likewise raised their voice to reinforce this national consensus.

The envoys noted that this consensus is so broad, because stakeholders recognise that elected local government puts power into the hands of the citizens, giving them a vital framework to participate directly in building their communities. It also makes possible the active civic participation that leads to better services, increased investment, and greater accountability and transparency, all of which contribute to better governance and stronger communities.

The path is now clear for the restoration of effective democratic local governance in 2013.

That is good news for the citizens in every community in Guyana, the diplomats said.

22 News Opposition sees “reasonable progress” at Hydro project site R week ending june 30, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

epresentatives of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which have both expressed reservations about the Amaila Falls hydropower initiative were on Saturday given a guided tour of the project site and the access road.

Describing the visit as timely, APNU parliamentarian Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said the coalition was pleased to have the opportunity to be on the ground, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

“You see reports but it is only if you’re coming here to see what is actually happening, especially with some of the difficulties involved, that you grasp the project. From what I see reasonable progress is being made,” Roopnaraine is quoted by GINA as saying.

Excellent opportunity

APNU parliamentarian Joseph Harmon remarked that they had been afforded an excellent opportunity to see the road and challenges facing the contractors.

“The fact that we have been able to see sections of the road has highlight-

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn briefing the opposition parliamentarians about the Amaila Falls Project at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport prior to them travelling to the site

ed the need for government to make this kind of opportunity available for us as members of parliament so that we can get a better understanding of the challenges they face in completing the project… We have asked questions and received appropriate responses.”

The visit was deemed a signal of “government’s willingness to be more open with opposition members as it was unreasonable to expect their buy-in on a project of such magnitude”, without questions being asked, according to APNU parliamentarian Ronald Bulkan.

For the AFC’s David

Patterson, the site visit was “a timely and interesting effort to review the progress on the project and it was much appreciated”.

He said he was pleased with the progress on sections completed and his party will pronounce on its findings after a due diligence report is completed by the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) and a second follow-up visit is done in the next three or four months.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, accompanied by his ministry’s top engineering staff, said it was essential for stakeholders to be aware of the efforts

that are being undertaken to ensure Guyana’s largest ever project is successful.

Minister Benn said the visit was put forward

by President Donald Ramotar as a way to let the opposition members have a ‘look-see’ and understand the challenges faced in completing the project.

National interest

“I think we had a significant day in terms of seeing how we as Guyanese could develop our resources, in partnership with others for the further development of our country… in spite of our differences in Parliament or elsewhere, they should only

support and not override national interest,” he stated.

In April, the parliamentary opposition voted to cut funding for the Low Carbon Development Strategy programme under which money was allocated for the Amaila Falls project.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who has oversight for the energy sector, had pleaded with the opposition not to cut the budget and explained why such a huge project should not be jeopardised.

He said the cut in the expenditure from the Guyana Redd + Investment Fund (GRIF) will greatly compromise the development and, so, frustrate efforts to provide Guyanese with a much cheaper source of electricity.

At the last post-Cabinet briefing, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon stated that amid significant challenges, the end-of -year deadline to complete the all-weather road to the project remains a target.

The road is crucial to accessing the hydro site located in Region Eight, but according to

Dr Luncheon, the magnitude of work required to complete the road has presented formidable challenges.

Reliable electricity

The US$ 840 million hydroelectric project involves the construction of a hydro power plant at the confluence of the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers. Electricity produced at the plant will be delivered to Georgetown and Linden by a transmission line. The project, once completed, will result in significant foreign exchange savings and a regular supply of inexpensive, reliable electricity.

The project is a fundamental component of Guyana’s LCDS, and will significantly lower the nation’s carbon footprint while reducing its longterm energy costs and exposure to imported oil price volatility. The roadway will be seven metres wide with a 20-tonne capacity, while bridges crossing creeks will have a 120-tonne capacity.

Dynamic Engineering has been awarded the Gy$ 393 million contract to construct a four-span bridge with steel caissons across the Kuribrong River.

R Kelly to headline Guyana’s Guyanese scholar now president of Fort Valley State University Jamzone Summer Break

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& B Legend R Kelly will be performing live at the Guyana National Stadium on August 24 when Hits and Jams Entertainment hosts its annual Jamzone Summer Break international concert! Robert Sylvester Kelly, better known by his stage name ‘R Kelly’, will headline this show and promises to make it an unforgettable evening for fans of great soulful music as he is often referred to as the ‘King of R& B’.

This artist is an American singer/songwriter and record producer who has been on the entertainment scene for more than two decades. A few of R Kelly’s biggest hits are “Bump n’ Grind”, “Your Body’s Callin’”, “I Believe I Can Fly”, “Gotham City”, “Ignition (Remix)”, “If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time”, “The World’s Greatest”, “I’m a Flirt”, and “Trapped in the Closet”. He won three Grammy Awards for “I Believe I Can Fly”

in 1998.

R Kelly has worked with many great artists in his industry including the late Aaliyah for whom he produced her 1994 debut album ‘Age ain’t nothing but a number’ and in 1996, he was nominated for writing ‘You are not alone’ made popular by the late Micheal Jackson.

R Kelly is also known for collaborations with Rapper Jay-Z and Hip Hop artists like Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs, Fat Joe and Nas. This superstar has been recognised by the Recording I n d u s t r y Association of America (RIAA) as one of the bestselling music artists in the United States with 38.5 million albums sold as well as only the fifth black artist to reach the top 50 of the same list.

More recently in March 2011, R Kelly was named the most success-

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ful R& B artist of the last 25 years by Billboard. He has released 10 studio albums in total, sold 38.5 million albums in the U. S. and over 54 million albums worldwide making him the most successful R& B male artist of 1990s!

r Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, provost and senior vice president at York College of the City University of New York, has been named as the ninth president of Fort Valley State University by the board of regents of the University System of Georgia. The board’s vote was unanimous, a release stated.

Griffith will assume his new post on July 22, according to board chairman “Dink” NeSmith.

“Dr Griffith was the outstanding candidate,” said NeSmith. “He has this board’s full support to provide the leadership Fort Valley State University needs at this moment. We are excited about his presidency and delighted he will become the university’s next president. This is a great day for Fort Valley.”

Griffith has served as provost at York College since 2007 and during his tenure has increased the number of full-time faculty by 30 per cent, reorganised the academic division, and enhanced the research and scholarly climate by creat-

ing a Provost Lecture Series and a companion Distinguished Scholar Lecture Series, among other initiatives. Griffith also has established an undergraduate student research programme.

Before being named provost at York College, Griffith, in addition to his teaching duties as a tenured professor of political science, served as provost at Radford University in Radford, Virginia. He was budget dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida International University in Miami, as well as dean of the FIU Honours College.

Distinguished

Griffith is a specialist on Caribbean security, drugs, and crime.

In this capacity, he has been a consultant to Canada’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ministry, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other organisations.

He also has spoken at military academies across the United States and in the Caribbean, and serves on the edi-

Dr Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith

torial board of the journal Security and Defence Studies Review, which is published by the Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies, in Washington, DC. Griffith earned a bachelor of social sciences from the University of Guyana, a master of arts degree in political science and public administration from Long Island University, New York; and a master of philosophy and doctorate in political science from the City University of New York.

He also is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s educational leadership programme.

23 Expectations high as building expo nears H news

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Marching in shade

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atiricus was pleased that the revolutionary spirit hadn’t disappeared completely from the campuses. He’d seen the articles in the spit press and settled down to find out what was going on. There were so many injustices in the world, he thought. He wondered which one of these outrages the youthful idealists, fired by their solidarity with the oppressed, were protesting.

Could it be the Big Brother (more like “Huge Father”) spying the National Security Agency (NSA) was conducting with Google and the other social networks? Was it the cynical power play in the Middle East? Was it saving the poor trees from being chopped down in the forests? Satiricus smiled in anticipation as he remembered his own protests back in the day against the Vietnam War. Those were the days it was good to be a student. There were weeks he didn’t see the inside of a classroom.

But as Satiricus looked at the pictures in the papers, he recoiled. “These couldn’t be students,” he thought in horror. “Did they have to repeat their classes for several decades? They were certainly going to be the oldest graduating class in the history of higher education! These people were old!!!!” Then Satiricus glanced at the headline – which he should’ve done in the first place, he thought ruefully.

It was the University of Guyana (UG) staff picketing, the headlines announced.

But by then Satiricus had recognised the Kiss Soon fella from the MuckrakerKN who he knew had been fired since last year. The Muckraker explicitly captioned the picture with their columnist: “Workers with placards...” What the heck was going on? Was the staff picketing to get the fellow hired again?

Was the MuckrakerKN telling him to find another job? No. The article explained the staff were protesting late payments of their salaries.

Nothing to do with the government, since the UG administration had made a decision to hold up payments because of the extraordinary amount of “special and extra” payments which couldn’t be budgeted for. UG only had money – Gy$ 60,000,000 per month – for the regular salaries. With that kind of money being shared out, Satiricus understood why the unemployed former lecturer wanted his job back.

Anyhow Satiricus was sympathetic. The salaries were supposed to be paid out last Thursday and the UG administration didn’t get around to doling out the cash until the next day – Friday. Gasp!!! Didn’t UG know you need money ahead of the weekend so you could buy clothes and so on for the monthend “sport”?? This was a noble protest. Even though these were all old people, Satiricus was pleased they hadn’t lost their idealism.

But for sure, Satiricus figured, they had gained wisdom. In each of the pictures, the protestors were in the shade. Let the youngsters march in the sun for genocide and such other abuses.

ousing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali has disclosed that International Building Expo 2013 is moving apace, noting that it is anticipated to be the largest expo the country has seen so far.

At a press conference held at the Guyana National Stadium to update the media on the progress of the event on Friday, Ali disclosed that so far three fullscale models of homes are expected to be built.

He underscored that the expo this year will see 10 foreign companies, with 28 corporate sponsors, while some 103 exhibition booths have been sold thus far.

Expectations

He said this year’s expo is geared towards fulfilling the expectations of the thousands of persons who will pass through the expo and to highlight both investment and opportunities for the general public not solely in the building and construction sector, but also in home furnishing and interior decorating areas.

“The approach of the ministry is not only to make housing more affordable but to make home ownership and

A model of the Housing Ministry’s new home under construction as building expo nears

family development easier because… we are moving from just the allocation of land to the provision of homes and now going into furnishing,” Ali explained.

He added that over the last two weeks, the ministry has seen a rush from persons who have applied for house lots now requesting transfers to the turnkey homes or the professional homes initiatives.

He disclosed that the ministry is now developing a full-scale model of houses that will cost about Gy$ 18-$ 19 million, complete with land.

This model is currently under construction at the stadium where it will be on display for the expo. “So we’re developing models to cater

to every segment of the market from Gy$4.9m all the way to Gy$ 18 or Gy$19 million.”

Turning his attention to Silica City, which will be the main attraction of the expo, he said it has been creating tremendous excitement as the response from the public has been overwhelming.

Ali stated that Silica City is located in Kuru Kururu and covers about 2700 square miles; however the ministry is looking at the initial development covering about 500 acres.

He noted that persons will be fully educated as to what the development entails and the vision behind it.

Ali highlighted that contractors are determining what would be

the ‘most efficient’ cost.

He underscored that the project will be costly hence the ministry is looking to partner with the private sector to undertake this initiative.

Some of the corporate sponsors include Republic Bank, Courts Guyana, Sunshine Villas and Impressions.

As usual, all sponsors will offer special incentives at the expo.

Special gate prices will be in place for persons at this year’s expo.

International Building Expo 2013, slated for the Guyana National Stadium, will be held under the theme “Consolidating P a r t n e r s h i p s for Sustainable Development” from July 5th to 7th.

High tides sweep through Lower Pomeroon

…thousands of dollars in cash crops, other produce destroyed

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xtreme high tides over the past two days have swept through several farmlands in the Lower Pomeroon, Essequibo, resulting in acres of crops being flooded. Cash crop farmers in the area are currently counting their losses as tonnes of pumpkins and blooming plants are submerged in water.

On a visit by Guyana Times International to farmlands in the Lower Pomeroon on Wednesday, many acres of cash crop were submerged due to sporadic high tides.

Cash crops such as corn, pumpkin and watermelon were under salted water.

Francis Raymond from Grant Unity, Lower Pomeroon, told this publication that his two acres of pumpkin is presently under water. The farmer, who is owner of 15 acres of land, sadly said he will lose thousands of dollars in pumpkin due to the high tides.

Raymond said his farmland is under water for approximately two days and the pumpkins are beginning to rot. The cashcrop farmer said his produce was in the flowering stage and was expected to be harvested within a week’s time; however, due to the high tides and poor drainage in his area, he lost his entire crop.

The farmer said on his 15 acres of land, he cultivated eight

Cash crop farmer Francis Raymond walking through his flooded pumpkin patch

acres of coconut and five acres of plantain.

He said this year; he decided

to cultivate pumpkin and now is discouraged due to the flooding.

The farmer said he was hoping to earn to provide for his family; however, due to the flooding, he is now counting losses.

When asked what exactly is the main contributing factor to his farmland being flooded, he said “the natural springtide and lack of poor drainage” in his area.

He explained during last month, he paid extra to empolder his land, but noticed there is still more building up of the land to be done.

The farmer is calling for the front embankment in the Fear Not area to be upgraded so that farmlands can be cushioned against flood waters.

Many other farmers in the area also faced with similar problems are calling for improvement in drainage and irrigation in the Fear Not community, Lower Pomeroon. Farmers in the areas of Grant, Fear Not, Malbourgh and Hackney are suffering huge losses due to the high tides.

The government of Guyana through the Agriculture Ministry is presently investing millions in the Upper Pomeroon River (other side) to build embankments to safeguard farmers in Kabakaburi and other Amerindian communities.

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Clarke calls for end to ‘power struggle’ at Georgetown City Hall A

fter close to two hours of bickering at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s statutory meeting on Monday, Councillor Oscar Clarke called for an end to the power struggle.

Clarke, who is also General Secretary of the PNCR returned to the council pproximately five months after being shot by bandits at his Sophia residence.

The long-standing councillor said the constant tug-of-war between Mayor Hamilton Green and Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba is hindering the progress of the municipality and by extension, the city.

“If the administrative head does not communicate with the political

Mayor Hamilton Green

head and vice versa, we will get absolutely nowhere,” Clarke stressed, as he took the two leaders to task for allowing petty politics to interfere with the council.

Personal grievances

He said the council will only grow and execute its mandate if the

Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba

City Councillor Oscar Clarke

mayor and acting town clerk put aside their personal grievances and work as a team, operating in a professional manner.

“As a member of this council, I would like to see this council operate in a manner that

would allow decisions to be taken on matters and for the execution of those decisions to be carried out in an orderly and structural manner,” he stated.

“I appeal for good sense to be prevailed,” Councillor Clarke con-

cluded before taking his seat. Clarke’s remarks were met with applause and approving nods of heads in support.

Clarke’s comments stemmed from a prolonged argument between Sooba and Green over a letter sent to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Mayor Green had accused Sooba of failing to submit a draft report to him, following the council’s recent meeting with GPL which resulted in an exchange of multimillion-dollar cheques that cancelled a significant portion of the debt the entities owe each other.

The power company had handed over a cheque to the tune of Gy$ 25 million to the municipality for rates

and taxes owed in 2013, while the council, which is currently struggling to keep its head above rough water, managed to pay a meagre Gy$ 42 million on a Gy$ 1.090 billion debt.

However, during the statutory meeting, Sooba informed the council that a letter was already sent to GPL based on the agreement made at the meeting.

According to her, she saw no reason why Mayor Green should have given a preview of the letter before it was dispatched, since a decision was already made at the meeting when the council consulted with GPL. However, she informed the council that a copy of the letter would be sent to the mayor.

UK wants anti-money laundering act put to work

– says passage crucial in fighting organised crime

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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ritish High Commissioner to Guyana

Andrew Ayre said the passing of the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the

Financing of Terrorism Bill with the necessary amendments, is important to fighting the

drug trafficking trade in Guyana.

The British diplomat made this statement at a recent public forum, stating that the bill not only applies to cash but to all illegally acquired property, exchanged for legitimate property, which are often linked to drug traffickers.

According to Ayre, crime and in particular “organised crime”, such as drug trafficking, is a huge business for financial gain. Criminals, he said, regard being caught as an occupational hazard and are often quite prepared to pay a fine or serve a term in prison, knowing very well that their assets would not be affected.

Latin America and the Caribbean suffer greatly from organised crime, mainly drug trafficking, and this has brought with it an increase in violence involving guns.

Escalating violence

Ayre said most English-speaking Caribbean countries have had proceeds of crime or anti-money laundering legislation for 20 years or more, but it has been rarely used to confiscate the assets of convicted criminals.

This has allowed crime and violence to escalate.

“Trafficking in cocaine continues to offer the criminal the highest profit margin, but the growth, shipment, and distribution of cannabis

British High Commissioner to Guyana Andrew Ayre

provides important seed funding for drug cartels, enabling them to commit further offences by trafficking more profitable drugs,” he noted.

Referring to the World Drug Report 2010, the British diplomat said it indicates that drug trafficking is a US$ 320 billion-a-year industry.

This, he stated, highlights the significant challenges that small states face, as they commit precious resources to take the fight to criminals involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

Important message

“If they are prosecuted and their assets taken away from them, this can send an important message to the community. The message is crime does not pay,” he noted.

However if legislation is not enforced, criminals will continue to target jurisdictions that they

view as a “soft touch”.

On this note, Ayre said: “I hope that the Guyana parliament passes soon the required amendments to the act.”

The UK government, through the Department for International Development-funded Caribbean Criminal Assets Recovery programme, has made a commitment to support law enforcement agencies, to confiscate the assets of organised criminals in Guyana and other Caribbean jurisdictions and to seize at least US$ 8 million worth of proceeds of crime over the period 2011-2015.

The programme provides mentoring on cases to financial investigators, prosecutors, magistrates, and the judiciary dealing with proceeds of crime and money laundering matters.

This includes improving investigative and prosecution skills.

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Bosai promises to compensate relatives of accident victims

Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill speaks with Marlon Pollydore

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Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill with the family of Michael Williams

osai has given a commitment to pay the funeral expenses and offered financial assistance to the families of the three workers who perish in an accident on last week at the bauxite company’s East Montgomery Mine site, Region 10.

According to a release, the company’s officials also promised to expedite further medical treatment to the survivors of the tragedy Marlon Pollydore and Fabian Anthony, if needed and this was relayed to the victims.

The government has extended sympathy to the bereaved families of the three Bosai workers who were killed in the horrific accident.

On Friday, junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill visited the grief stricken families and expressed condolences on behalf of the government.

The three men, vehicle driver Michael Williams, 43; mechanic Trenton Garner, 62; and Kester Grant, 20, were crushed after the pickup truck they were travelling in, skidded under a heavy-duty truck, which drove over the vehicle as they traversed the company’s internal road at the mine site.

Pollydore and Anthony survived the ac-

cident and are hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Linden Hospital Complex.

The minister first reached out to the relatives of the late Williams of Coomacka mines, including his widow and five children, and offered words of comfort.

“We are still trying to grapple with all that is happening so we hope you would find the strength to cope and manage this. I’m sure we’ll be able to look at lessons learned, nobody is ever prepared to accept death especially when it comes by way of accident,” he told the mother of the late Kester Grant at their lot Block 22, Wismar Housing Scheme residence.

Minister Edghill also visited the accident scene for a firsthand look at the remains of the crushed pickup truck and expressed his shock over what happened.

He also met with Bosai’s top managers who pledged to do all that is possible to ensure the wellbeing of the two survivors, stressing that they were in constant contact with the medical staff treating them.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has launched an investigation into the deadly accident.

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Scenes from Guyana 47th Independence Festival - Toronto

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unday turned out to be a full day of fun and excitement for thousands of Canadabased Guyanese who gathered with their friends and family to be a part of the Guyana 47th Independence Festival held at the Centennial College Progress Campus, Markham Road & Progress Ave., Toronto. The day’s attraction included a packed cultural show, exhibition showcasing a variety of Guyanese products, businesses, craft, foods and more as well as cricket competition. Head of State Donald Ramotar, Firstlady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali and several other government functionaries were present at the event along with Honorary Consul General Sattie Sawh and her staff, who spearheaded the festival in Toronto. Here are a few scenes from the festival. (Photos courtesy: Bobby Ramlagan)

Beharry Group of Companies exhibitors showcase some of their products in Toronto

President Donald Ramotar and First lady Deolatchmee Ramotar share a light moment with patrons at the Festival.

health corner

Heartburn

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xperiencing heartburn, or acid reflux is usually painful and occurs when stomach acid and sometimes bile “backs up” (refluxes) into the esophagus, a tube that connects your throat to your stomach.

Heartburn can develop into Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in which reflux occurs frequently.

If left untreated, damage to your esophagus

When acid gets into the esophagus, it produces a burning sensation in the chest called heartburn.

If that occurs more than two times a week, it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease.

According to Web M.D, the most common cause of acid reflux is a stomach abnormality known as hiatal hernia, which occurs when the upper part of the stomach and the lower

will occur. Taking proper precautions and knowing what to eat can help you in preventing and handling acid reflux and GERD. The esophagus has two sphincters, which are made up of muscles that serve different functions. The upper sphincter is used when you breathe and eat; it prevents food from getting into the windpipe. The lower sphincter, when closed, prohibits acid and bile from getting back into the esophagus.

sphincter of the esophagus move above the diaphragm. The diaphragm aids in keeping acid in the stomach and with hiatal hernia, the diaphragm is unable to prevent the acid from reaching the esophagus.

The most common risk factors for acid reflux are: • Consuming large amounts of food and laying down • Eating certain foods that contain spice, garlic, onions, mint, chocolate, tomatoes, and citrus;

also consuming fried, greasy foods • Alcohol consumption • Being overweight • Smoking • Taking certain medications such as aspirin, blood pressure medications, and muscle relaxers.

Common symptoms of acid reflux include: • Heartburn (burning sensation in the chest or stomach and throat) • Regurgitation (tasting a sour or bitter acid in your mouth) • Dysphagia (feeling like food is stuck in your throat) • Nausea • Persisting hiccups • Weight loss • Dry cough One of the most helpful ways in avoiding acid reflux is by avoiding certain foods that cause it.

Here are some useful pointers: • Eat smaller meals throughout the day • Elevate the bed head to raise it about 4-6 inches • Avoid consuming food 2 hours prior to laying down • Maintain a reasonable weight • Avoid wearing tight belts • Check with your doctor to see if certain medications could be helpful Foods that help reduce acid refax are: • Oatmeal • Ginger • Aloe Vera • Salads

President Donald Ramotar shares a photo moment with members of one of the cricket teams that participated in the day’s activities

• Bananas • Almonds • Melon • Fennel • Poultry (avoid fry-

ing, and remove the fat) • Fish, seafood • Greens such as broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, asparagus

Taking the necessary precautions and consulting your doctor can help prevent and control acid reflux.

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The uncomplicated lady MP Bibi Shadick talks about her life and her simple approach to its challenges

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ember of Parliament, former government minister, advocate and patriot, Bibi Shadick has ardently used her office to help others; something she feels very passionately about.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Shadick said she was born and grew up in Leguan , Essequibo. Childhood in the country, she noted, is always a happy experience. She attended primary school in Leguan and is the fourth of nine children.

In 1956, Shadick enrolled at the Bishop’s High School on a government county scholarship. There she completed her O’ Levels exams but could not move on to A’ Levels because of family responsibilities. She disclosed that her mother was experiencing a phase of illnesses and she (Shadick) was needed at home to ensure her siblings were taken care of.

Taking the duties of the household upon her shoulders, Shadick still worked relentlessly to take home an income.

Although she never learnt to climb a tree or ride a bicycle, being busy with school and home, Shadick still enjoyed aspects of her childhood like going into the backdam and doing ‘bush cook’. For her, it was a “normal childhood”.

The young Shadick’s life was very demanding. In the mornings and evenings, she had to attend lessons if she wanted to be the “brightest of the brightest”. And this she was. Only the brightest students would be considered for government scholarships, and Shadick was one of them.

Her mother did not have any formal schooling; as the eldest child she had to take care of her siblings. Nevertheless, Shadick’s mother valued education and placed great emphasis on her children to be educated. In order for this to happen, Shadick recalled her mother working industriously, selling eggs and chickens to pay for her daughter’s lessons.

School years

Having earned the government county scholarship for Essequibo, Shadick had to leave her home in Leguan to live in Georgetown to attend Bishop’s, an all girls’ high school at the time. First, she stayed with her grandmother and aunt in Alexander Village, and would walk to and from school. Shadick recalled it was not difficult for her because in Essequibo she lived a mile away from her school and was accustomed to the walk.

Later, she stayed with her father’s relatives in Windsor Forest on the West Coast of Demerara, and would take the train to the ferry to reach school. These long, challenging journeys made getting an education even more important and valuable. Education, she noted, was not something that was handed to her, it was something she worked very diligently for.

After completing school at age 15, Shadick became a pupil teacher at her primary school in Leguan. There she earned what she called a “princely salary” of Gy$65 per month, and every year wrote qualifying exams, which added more money to her salary. By the time she went to the teachers training college in 1969, she was already getting a salary that was equal to a trained teacher’s salary then – about Gy$156.

At age 24, Shadick attended in-service training but could not afford to do pre-service training because that would mean her family would not have sufficient income. As a teacher, Shadick was very involved in union matters and was part of the teachers’ union. She even managed her school’s cricket team.

In 1971, Shadick became a trained teacher. The educator has taught at various schools in and out of Georgetown, and never stopped developing herself academically.

In 1978, she enrolled at the University of Guyana to

pursue a certificate in education. She then went on to do her bachelor’s and graduated in 1981. After graduating, she was appointed Maths lecturer at the Cyril Potter College of Education until 1995. At age 50, she retired from teaching.

In 1993, she began law studies and graduated with a LLB in 1996. She then went on to Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad, graduated in 1998, and was called to the

teacher, I was self-employed. I accepted and began a very hectic political life.”

When elections came in March 2001, she was selected to be a Member of Parliament.

She then received a call from the president and was asked to be installed as the minister of Human Services and Social Security.

With her new role as minister, Shadick sacrificed much just to help the people of her

Shadick passionately makes a presentation in parliament

She has been a backbencher MP since 2006 and is serving on the Public Accounts Committee since that time.

Shortly after 2006, she was named a member of the UG council, in which she is still active. She also chaired the Rice Assessment Committee in Regions Two and Three, but only chairs the Region Three committee presently. Recently, she was appointed chairperson of the Guyana National Broadcast Authority, which is very taxing on her time, yet she continues to work assiduously to formalize its structure so that it can be effectual.

Additionally, she recognizes the members of the authority’s board who have been working very hard in making it effective. She noted that they have continued to do so despite the negative comments.

Shadick said all she does is not answer negative comments, but focuses on putting forward her best.

Private life

bar in Guyana that same year.

Political career

Concerning the conception of her political life, Shadick noted that her father was always a member of the PPP party. When Dr Jagan would visit Leguan, he would have a meal at their home.

However, while her family was “politically astute” Shadick was never involved in political activities, she was just a member. But when a PPP representative from Leguan decided to retire, the party asked Shadick to take his place. They told her that groups of persons in Leguan nominated her to take up his responsibilities and that is what she did without letup.

“I had no excuses because at that time I was no longer a

nation. Being an effective minster, to her, means “being available 24 hours a day seven days a week to the exclusion of everything else.” She led a very scheduled life. Her new position somewhat curtailed her freedom because she could no longer put on her shoes and go shopping without people approaching her on the streets. However, helping people was her priority. She served in that position until 2006.

After serving as minister, Shadick requested to just focus on her legal practice, but would make herself available for her country. Presently, although she has her own private law practice, Shadick spends many hours daily fulfilling various duties for her party.

Shadick, now 67, has her appointment book filled with daily meetings with various committees. Nonetheless, she finds time to prepare dinner, wash, clean and shop. She is not keen on hiring maids. Her mother always cooked and when she passed on, Shadick cooked. In fact, when she was a minister she had a kitchenette at her office and would cook there.

Speaking about a family of her own, Shadick divulged, “I have no children but have lots of nieces and nephews who view me like a mother. I was never married; not because of lack of opportunity but of choice. I don’t think I could be doing all these things if I had to take care of a husband.

I’m a mother to lots of persons and I don’t regret not having a family of my own. I’m not short of children, but it’s just that I don’t have any of my own.” (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Funny Guyanese wedding stories

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raditionally, throughout the world, the month of June is associated with weddings and “June brides”. It is felt that if a marriage is consummated in June, it is perceived as a blessing and the chances of love and affection would unite couples into an everlasting bond.

Whether this is true or not, there are some Guyanese customs to which couples would adhere, regardless of the consequences: “Don’t look back while going up the aisle”; “jumping the broom”- a West African tradition; “don’t ever let a dog eat your wedding

Cow itch powder or stinging nettle

cake”; “don’t sweep one’s foot with a pointer broom prior to marriage”, are just a few.

The following are some true funny stories surrounding weddings in Guyana.

It is believed that a bride must be attired in: “Something old; something new; something borrowed; something blue”, for good luck, and no bad omen would befall the marriage.

However, at one Guyanese wedding, the bride borrowed a glove from her dear girlfriend, not realizing the friend had a crush on the groom. The friend wilfully laced the glove with “cow-itch or stinging nettle” powder, – a powder that would induce intense itching. At the wedding ceremony, before the exchange of vows, the problem began. The itching was very severe. Apparently the powder

was transferred and dispersed to certain discrete parts of the bride’s anatomy. The itching was very noticeable and created an embarrassing scene. The groom, unaware of the problem, and in disgust, disappeared from the altar and the wedding was called off. Guess who was waiting outside the church to console him?

Wedding cake

It was also understood that if you are single and you place a very small piece of wedding cake behind your right ear, you would enhance and accelerate your chances of getting married. A 65-year-old-man, Continued on page 35

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Using the arts to effect change WITNESS Project is a youth-based outreach programme using the arts to change cultures of violence against women and children

W

ITNESS Project is an arts-based initiative of the Margaret Clemons Foundation (MCF), a New York City based non-profit organization with a mission to stop the cycle of violence against women and children, using counsellor and teacher training, education, therapy, and community and youth outreach.

MCF is partnered with Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and the Government of Guyana, to create a template for change to be used throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, and the world.

It is made up of a dedicated group of adults and youth working to create a template for changing cultures of violence against women and children.

The pilot programme for building this template was in Guyana because of Margaret Clemons’ observation of the epidemic of gender-based violence.

Clemons was a US citizen who came here as a private investigator.

MCF has partnerships with the Ministry of Education, Child Protective Services and others, along with organizations like Help & Shelter, working to address gender violence, and children and or families in crisis.

As part of this template for change, Lesley University, in conjunction with MCF and the Guyana Ministry of Education, has launched a unique Master’s Degree programme specifically tailored for individuals working in social services and schools. This programme in ‘Trauma

shopping and business areas, and in schools, to get the word out.

Using the art form of writing to tell their stories gives the youth another medium to get their message out while gaining a growing sense of self-worth. The project has developed into an after school literacy/journalism programme in various regions.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine program director in Guyana, Rosheni Takechandra pointed out that people are beginning to hear the message and see how their

would be able to take the films into neighbourhoods to show them in public spaces, on sidewalks, and other venues, as many in Guyana do not have TV/internet.

These film screenings will provide information about how and where to get support and help.

Takechandra stated that these investments in the arts are proving to be a powerful way to influence individuals and communities with positive incremental changes in cultural norms.

“We have earned a reputation of a no-nonsense programme that

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana David Devine (left), Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, and US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt (far right) help with the posters at the seawall

Sensitive Assessment, Intervention, and Consultation’ equips graduates to bring improved counselling and support services to children and families.

WITNESS Project International started working with youth and communities through arts-based programming with the very successful photography portrait project. The organization outfitted Guyanese youth ages 11 to 17 with cameras; they then photographed more than 600 children and adults who supported their project.

Their photographs sent this message to adults: “Stop your violence against our mothers, sisters, aunts, and neighbours. We see you and you must do better.”

Children are the most vulnerable witnesses to violence, and they learn from what they see.

The children's photographs were printed as huge face and eye posters and pasted all over the capital of Georgetown, generating a lot of press, interest, and dialogue throughout Guyana.

As a result of the success of that arts project, the organization was given a full page each week in a local newspaper for a youth page called “WE SEE” written by the WITNESS Project youth based on their own experiences of how the violence they see affects them. The children also created their own newspaper page marketing campaign that they take directly to the public in

Pasting posters of the photos taken by the youths on the Canadian High Commission walls in Georgetown

behaviour impacts children and the future of the community. She added that the youth's involvement has also changed their thinking and actions and they are now frequently asked to speak and attend conferences in diverse communities.

WITNESS Project youths from Georgetown have also created cultural exchanges with Amerindian youths from the remote village of Capoey. The Georgetown children are ardently teaching the Capoey

Funny Guyanese...

from page 34

who would remain nameless, attended a well-known Guyanese wedding ceremony. In desperation he applied enormous amounts of wedding cake behind both ears. To make a long story short, he is still single today at 80.

Catching of the bouquet

youths how to write for the youth newspaper page.

Takechandra noted that the children’s deeply moving stories have inspired the organization to bring their powerful messages to an even wider audience through film. Under the direction of international filmmakers Morgan Riles and Ginger Theisen, its intensive “summer film workshops” will involve over 20 youths in developing their stories for the film. They will learn how to write and edit scripts, produce, handle a camera, prepare sets, direct,

The custom where the person who catches the bouquet is believed to be the next to marry is very evident at weddings.

Before one wedding reception, the bride made arrangements with her best friend – her maid of honour who was single – to throw the bouquet in her

direction. Somehow, the boyfriend of the maid of honour got wind of the plan. When the bouquet was released from the bride, the boyfriend intercepted and caught the bouquet.

The maid of honour was so upset she ranted and raved. One month later, the boyfriend married someone else.

Dowry

It is customary at a Hindu wedding for the father of the bride to offer a satisfactory dowry to the groom. As long as the groom does not eat, the father has to continue offering possessions. At one such

Hindu wedding, the groom was not satisfied with the house and land that were offered. Not until he was promised a number of cows and sheep did he eventually eat, which showed his acceptance.

After the wedding, he went to collect his dowry but was greeted with a severe beating by the family members. He then realized that the fatherin-law never owned a house or any cattle in his entire life.

Marriage vows

During a wedding ceremony the preacher asked, “Does anyone know why these par-

learn about lighting, sound, and act.

The initial goal, noted Takechandra, was to produce 3 short films which would be distributed to a wide audience throughout Guyana and the Caribbean on TV, including the 24hour Education Channel in Guyana, as well as on YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and other media, but due to lack of sponsorship their focus has been reduced to just producing one film.

With more sponsorship the organization

ties should not be joined together, speak now or forever hold your peace?” One member of the wedding party shouted, “The groom is gay.” Without any hesitation the bride blurted out, “So what? I know he is gay, he is always so joyful and happy.”

Rising up first

It is understood that when couples kneel at the altar to exchange their vows, it is thought that whoever gets up first will live longer than the other. In the haste to get up first, the groom accidentally stood on the bride’s dress causing her to fall prostrate at the feet of the pastor.

It

is

Pigeons

normal

after

the

delivers opportunity and growth to the youth of Guyana, creating leaders out of our members and a new mindset where conflict is resolved without violence. To keep the momentum going and to grow we cannot go it alone. We need your help and support. We need you to believe, as we do and have seen that change is possible,” part of the organization’s mission statement outlines.

For more information on the organization’s activities, visit WITNESS Project on Facebook.

wedding ceremony to throw rice grains over the married couple for good luck as they leave the church. The groom, clad in a white suit, and the bride, wearing a gorgeous white gown, were greeted with a huge amount of rice grains landing on their heads.

Suddenly, a drove of hungry pigeons appeared, stood on their heads, and had a feast.

Simultaneously the pigeons decided to release some droppings which landed all over the married couple, leaving a random polka dot design on the white apparel of the couple. (Source: By Edgar

Henry. Published in the Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. June 2012 Magazine)

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This week's Crossword

J k es

The fishing trip

Two guys go on a fishing trip. They rent all the equipment: the reels, the rods, the wading suits, the rowboat, the car, and even a cabin in the woods. They spend a fortune.

The first day they go fishing, but they don't catch anything. The same thing happens on the second day, and on the third day. It goes on like this until finally, on the last day of their vacation, one of the men catches a fish.

As they're driving home they're really depressed.

One guy turns to the other and says, "Do you realize that this one lousy fish we caught cost us fifteen hundred dollars?"

The other guy says, "Wow! It's a good thing we didn't catch any more!"

The French Revolution

During the French revolution, hundreds of people were guillotined. One day, three men were led up to die.

One was a lawyer, one was a doctor, and the third was an engineer.

The lawyer was to die first. He was led to the guillotine, the attending priest blessed him, and he knelt with his head on the guillotine. The blade was released, but stopped halfway down its path.

The priest, seeing an opportunity, quickly said, "Gentlemen, God has spoken and said this man is to be spared; we cannot kill him." The executioner agreed, and the lawyer was set free.

The doctor was next. He was blessed by the priest, then knelt and placed his head down. The blade was released, and again stopped halfway down. Again the priest intervened: "Gentlemen, God has again spoken; we cannot kill this man."

The executioner agreed and the doctor was set free.

At last it was the engineer's turn. He was blessed by the priest, and knelt, but before he placed his head on the guillotine he looked up. Suddenly, he leapt to his feet and cried, "Oh, I see the problem!"

Ship Ahoy!

This week's Puzzle

Transcript of an actual radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95.

Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.

Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.

Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.

Americans: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE15 DEGREES NORTH, THAT'S ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP. Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

The ald man

A grizzled old man was eating in a truck stop when three Hell's Angels bikers walked in. The first biker approached the old man, threw his cigarette into the old man's pie, and then took a seat at the counter.

Then, a second biker walked over to the old man, spit into his glass of milk, and then took a seat at the counter.

Finally, a third biker verbally attacked the old man, knocked his plate of food into his lap, and then took a seat at the counter.

Without a word of protest, the old man quietly left the diner.

Shortly thereafter, one of the bikers commented to the waitress, "Not much of a man is he?"

The waitress replied, "Not much of a truck driver either. He just backed his truck over three motorcycles."

About chocolate

Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less.

see solution on page 46

Q. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous?

A. Because no one wants to quit.

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Improving computer literacy among children Charity sees technology education particularly important to young Guyanese future projects of the organisation include granting scholarships to the University of Guyana, and it would like to open more centres across Guyana to provide skills in computer technology.

He stated that his group

S

The centre located in Cotton Tree Village on the Essequibo Coast

ave Abee (Us), is a non-profit organisation registered in the U.S. that is currently in the process of obtaining non-profit status in Guyana and Canada.

The foundation is based on the principle of giving the children of Guyana the skills required to operate a computer efficiently. It primarily focuses its efforts in the rural regions of Guyana, where transportation and computers are lacking.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, U.S.-based Guyanese Sham Tilak, said he started the charitable organisation Save Abee (Us) on October 30, 2009.

The dream had started over a year earlier

when Tilak had returned to Guyana and had seen the lack of computer technology for children. He dreamt of providing this for the children in Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice, and through Save Abee (Us) that dream is now a reality.

The goal of the foundation was to begin in Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice, and subsequently open centres across Guyana. Tilak noted that since the children are in school during the day, these centres operate in the evenings and on weekends.

The first centre was ultimately opened in Cotton Tree Village, and the group is currently working on another in Port Mourant and Cane Grove. There

was a spectacular opening ceremony for the first centre, with performances by Guyanese artistes Terry Gajraj and Anant Hansraj, who are also active members of the charity.

When asked why he used the Creole word “abee”, Tilak explained: “Abee was used because I wanted the people in the Guyana to feel that this organisation is all about the people of Guyana. For all the Guyanese, they know that ‘abee’ means us. The six children in our logo represent the six nations of Guyana.

We should all be proud of where we are from, so I thought it was very appropriate to use a word from the country of my birth.”

Tilak said too that the

is currently planning a show in Guyana to showcase the talents of the country. In the U.S. and Canada, about four entertainment shows are held to create awareness and raise funds for the centre.

“A child today, is the

future tomorrow. We need to invest in the children today to preserve our future".

For more information on the organisation, visit Save Abee on Facebook.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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travel & tourism

Relaxing oases T

wo idyllic locations in the Rupununi offering comfort, tranquillity, and adventure are the Oasis Service Centre and Rock Landing.

Oasis Service Centre is a restaurant/bar along the Georgetown-Lethem road. It is located just after the road to Rockview Lodge and just before the turn to Annai, and roughly marks the halfway point between Lethem and the Kurupukari crossing on the Essequibo River. The Oasis’ main building at the roadside-stop features beautiful wallaba wood posts and clay tiles from Brazil.

The restaurant serves all meals, including a hearty Brazilian-style barbeque, grilled meat, and a range of side dishes.

To provide an option for travellers in need of a place to spend the night with-

out all the frills, lodging was built at Oasis. There is a beautiful benab with hooks for 11 hammocks and a patch of grass for pitching tents.

Then there is Rock Landing built

by Surama Eco-Lodge, Rupununi, and located several hours upstream of the Burro Burro River. It offers repose and is a serene location which allows travellers to experience nature firsthand.

If you are up for hanging a hammock in the middle of the jungle, then Rock Landing is a perfect destination. The guides at Surama know the surrounding mountains and jungles intimately and are expertly qualified to make the journey a memorable one. (Information from Kirk Smock’s “Guyana Bradt Guide- Second Edition” Photos by Ted Nelson)

The hammock benab at Oasis

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Walter Spence Remembering the legends of Upper Demerara

By Dmitri Allicock

B

orn and growing up in the Upper Demerara area of Linden, I have come to appreciate the great achievements of those who have lived there and contributed significantly to society and representing Guyana on the international map. Legendary Manly Binning was featured in Part I, this week we highlight the great achievements of Walter Spence.

Walter Spence may be the first Guyanese to ever win an Olympic medal.

He competed for Canada in the 1928 Olympics, winning a bronze medal.

Walter Percy Spence, born March 3, 1901, was a swimmer from British Guiana who competed for Canada in the 1928 Summer Olympics and 1932 Summer Olympics.

He immigrated to the United States and held several national swimming titles there.

Spence was born in Christianburg, British Guiana, the oldest of eight children – four brothers and four sisters.

His father was Scottish

and worked as a big game hunter and guide, while his mother was Indian.

Spence learned to swim in the Demerara River, along with his brother, where they survived many piranha bites. He and two of his younger brothers, Wallace and Leonard, became international champion swimmers. Two of the four Spence sisters also swam competitively, although not at the level of their brothers. The youngest Spence brother, Harold, showed great promise but was killed in action in World War II before his swimming career could take off.

After becoming the top swimmer in British Guiana, Spence moved to Trinidad and began competing there. After losing a freestyle race to a swimmer from Chicago, his first-ever loss in that type of competition, Spence decided to pursue training in the United States.

He arrived in the U.S. in 1923, where he eventually gained U.S. citizenship.

He began his U.S. career with the Brooklyn YMCA team, swim-

ming the breaststroke and three-stroke individual medley.

By 1925 he had broken ten world records and was the top point scorer at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national championships that year. He later competed with the Penn Athletic Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He competed for Canada in the 1928 Olympics and won a bronze medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay event.

He was also sixth in the 100 m freestyle event and sixth in the 200 m breaststroke event. Four years later he was fourth in the 4x200 m freestyle relay event. He was also fourth in his semi-final of the 100 m freestyle event and fourth in his semi-final of the 200 m breaststroke event and did not advance in both occasions. He later represented British Guiana at the 1938 British Empire Games. He won the silver medal in the 220 yards breaststroke contest and finished fourth in the 110 yards freestyle competition.

In 1930, Spence en-

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rolled as a freshman at Rutgers University. He set the collegiate record in the 100 yard freestyle and earned the highest point score at the 1934 NCAA championships.

In 1934 he also broke the world record in the 300 yard three-stroke individual medley. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism on June 9, 1934.

After leaving Rutgers, Spence swam with the New York Athletic Club (NYAC). His two younger brothers, Wallace and Leonard, joined him in the United States in 1926 and 1928, respectively.

The brothers competed for the NYAC in the threestroke medley relay, with Wallace swimming the backstroke, Leonard the breaststroke, and Walter the front crawl. Together, they won the 1933 AAU championship title in the event and later set the world record during an exhibition at Rutgers.

Joining with Peter Fick, they won the four-man 400-yard freestyle relay at the 1935 AAU championships.

After retiring from swimming, Spence

Guyanese Olympic medalist Walter Percy Spence

worked as an insurance salesman for the Security Mutual Life Insurance Company in New York City. He married Sheila O'Connor and had five children: David (born c. 1942), Harold (born c. 1947), Donald (born c. 1950), Sheila (born c.

1952), and Wendy (born c. 1953).

Spence was killed in an accident on October 16, 1958 in White Plains, New York, while trying to board a train at the North White Plains station. He was on his way from New York City to his home in Hawthorne and had stepped off the train to call his wife during a stop at White Plains. When the train began to debark, he ran to catch it and attempted

to re-board, but slipped and fell onto the tracks.

He suffered severe injuries to his legs and died at White Plains Hospital an hour and a half later.

Nine years after his death, in 1967, Walter, Wallace, and Leonard Spence were inducted together into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

The Spence family of Christianburg, Upper Demerara, survives today but in limited numbers. Most have migrated around the world. Some of them are my precious relatives. Now, Walter Percy Spence is celebrated as one of the best swimmers ever produced by the rivers of Guyana.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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It was the discovery of gold in the Essequibo, Guiana interior that focused imperial eyes on Bartica Grove to establish a central location to register, monitor and manage the influx of labourers entering and leaving the region’s gold lands.

The area was soon divided into rectanguBartica Grove, Junction of Massaruni and Essequibo Rivers circa 1900 (Postcard)

An aerial view of Bartica

T

he Preamble to an 1887 ordinance in British Guiana stated that it had become necessary for the “establishment and regulation of a town” at the confluence of the Essequibo, Mazaruni (Massaruni) and Cuyuni rivers.

The point, known as Bartica Grove, was chosen for the new town.

In 1829 the Church Missionary Society established the area to conduct missionary work, and it was known for its quiet environment surrounded by palms and

ment was erected on the avenue leading to the church, in memory of a Reverend Pierce and his family who all died on the rapids of the Essequibo when the area served a small church and Amerindian community.

There were also plans to construct a railway from Bartica to Potaro.

Benedictine Monastery, Bartica

mango groves.

The name was later shortened to Bartica, which is said to mean “red earth” in one of the Amerindian languages, as the community developed into a town.

lar grid lots, and its avenues given the simple names of First, Second, Third etc., despite being mostly unoccupied and surrounded by sheer jungle then. However, two

or three hostels were soon providing room and board and a market was added, though few marketing activities flourished and it was considered mainly thriving with rum shops at the time.

A hospital and new police station were also added later.

As the land nearest the river was relatively low, a draining trench was soon dug and a koker installed. Further inland however, the lands become hilly, and in modern times people often resort to taking taxis

Preserving our heritage through pictures Public Buildings, Georgetown, British Guiana nd

British Guiana, Georgetown Club and Assembly Rooms (North side) nd

Monument of Hope near the Bartica shoreline

to travel up and down its distant hilly slopes.

Bartica Grove was one of the earliest Anglican missionary settlements in British Guiana where the land was originally obtained from Sir Benjamin D’Urban. The mission was moved from its original site – a mile westward – to the present Bartica site in 1837 which was obtained from the Crown.

A church dedicated to St. John the Baptist had been built after a visit from the Bishop of Barbados in 1836, which was consecrated by the Bishop of Guiana in 1843.

During the mid 19th century, a monu-

That however, never materialised.

Bartica has been given the title “Gateway to the Interior” though it is often bypassed by gold companies’ air transporting workers. However, smaller categories of miners do establish bases at Bartica today still.

There is also another memorial today called the “Monument of Hope” in memory of the Feb 17, 2008 Bartica massacre that left 12 persons dead and four wounded.

A plaque located in the compound of the Bartica Police Station was also unveiled in honour of the policemen killed in that attack. (Guyana Times Sunday Magaziine)

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Caribbean News

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Six Caricom countries put on human trafficking watch list E

ven as Caribbean Community (Caricom) governments, during the past year, have seemingly made efforts in addressing human trafficking, the United States says many of them have still not done enough in tackling the issue.

In this nexus, in its 2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, the US Department of State placed six Caricom countries - Barbados, Guyana, Haiti, St. Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago - on its Tier 2 Watch List.

Another four - Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been listed on the Tier 2 List.

In distinguishing the two “lists” Washington

defines countries on the Tier 2 Watch List as those whose governments “do not fully comply” with the minimum standards in its Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards, and the absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is, among other things, “very significant or is significantly increasing”.

Countries on the Tier 2 List, on the other hand, are those whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards but are simply making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards.

The State Department

The US State Department has placed six Caribbean countries on its Tier 2 Watch List, with another four appearing on the Tier 2 List.

said Haiti is a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. It says most of Haiti’s trafficking cases comprise the estimated 150,000 to half a million children in domestic servitude in households throughout the French-

speaking Caribbean country.

In addition to experiencing forced labour, the report says these children are vulnerable to beatings, sexual assaults and other abuses by family members in the homes in which they are residing.

Washington said “dis-

missed and runaway children” from domestic servitude make up a “significant proportion” of the large population of street children who end up forced into prostitution, begging or street crime by criminal gangs in Haiti.

The report notes of documented cases of Dominican women in forced prostitution in Haiti, and that Haitians are exploited in forced labour in the neighbouring Dominican Republic and elsewhere in the Caribbean, as well as in the United States.

The report claims that Barbados is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour, stating that evidence suggests foreign women

are “forced into prostitution” in the country.

It said that in the past, foreigners reportedly have been subjected to forced labour in Barbados, with the highest risk sectors being domestic service, agriculture and construction.

The State Department said legal and illegal immigrants from Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Guyana “appear to be vulnerable to trafficking” and the prostitution of children is “known to exist” in Barbados, where local and immigrant children engage in transactional sex with older men for material goods, “a phenomenon documented by UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) throughout the Eastern Caribbean.”

(Excerpt from CMC)

PM Kamla hands over electronic 2010 census reveals declining equipment as email probe continues Caribbean population – Caricom

T

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar talks with her attorney, Senior Counsel Israel Khan, left, and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal on the stairway leading to the Police Administration Building after meeting with DCP Mervyn Richardson on the “Emailgate” affair Tuesday. (Kristian De Silva/TT Guardian photo)

I

n an act to show she had nothing to hide, Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar Tuesday made her way to the Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain and handed over computer equipment and a cellphone to investigators probing the email controversy.

Accompanied by American information technology (IT) expert Jon Berryhill, senior counsel Israel Khan, two advisers, and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, Persad-Bissessar spent close to two hours assisting the police.

Persad-Bissessar received a letter last week from Deputy Police Commissioner Mervyn Richardson requesting information on the type of equipment she used to send and receive emails between September 1 and September 31 last year.

In response to the letter, PersadBissessar wrote to the police through Khan, her attorney, indicating that while she was willing to share information with them she wanted to have her IT expert and Khan present when she handed over the equipment for examination.

The Prime Minister made good on her promise Tuesday when she arrived at Police Administration Building in her official vehicle, at about 2 pm, and was greeted by Richardson. Two advisers Barry Paradath and Raydan Boodan assisted in carrying the equipment, which TT media reported as being two computer central processing

units (CPU) and a Blackberry cellphone to the police.

Persad-Bissessar and her team made their way to the fifth floor where they met with Richardson, Superintendent Baldeo Nanan, acting Inspector Sylvester and others.

During the meeting, PersadBissessar was not interviewed but when the police requested that they be allowed to copy everything on the CPUs’ hard drives and her cell phone, Khan intervened and reminded the police that they had requested a specific time frame for when the devices were used to send and receive emails.

He also pointed out that information contained in the computer was very sensitive and confidential and it was the responsibility of the Prime Minister to preserve such information.

It was at this point that the request was turned down and Khan agreed, along with Berryhill, to allow the police to only copy the information they required as stated in their letter to the Prime Minister.

While this was being done, the exercise was carefully monitored by Berryhill, who was hired by Khan to examine email documents disclosed by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley last month alleging a conspiracy involving government officials, including the Prime Minister, and to ascertain if they were authentic. The report from Berryhill revealed the email documents were fake. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

he Regional S t a t i s t i c s Programme of the Caricom Secretariat has released worrying figures which indicate a steadily decreasing population within certain Caribbean territories.

Senior Project Officer Hortense Fraser presented the key findings from the 2010 round of censuses in the Caribbean as part of the observances of International Year of Statistics 2013. She stated that any decreasing population size will amplify the effects of an ageing population consequentially affecting the dependency ratio.

Fraser noted that a decline in population numbers also translates to a diminished workforce and an abandonment of infrastructure as demand decreases.

According to the project officer, this also means an increase in taxation as well as possible social, demographic and economic problems.

She disclosed that the social policy problems may be related to addressing the underlying causes, particularly emigration, as well as low and declining fertility rates. Fraser noted that the findings highlight the need for further in-depth studies into the causes of the population decline.

Preliminary results

The findings are largely based on preliminary results and there was no data avail-

able for Haiti, Barbados, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in 2010.

Fraser detailed that the population sizes increased over each succes-

The population of girls and woman was greater in most countries in 1990 and the same pattern obtained with respect to the year 2000. This trend continued into the year 2010,

Jamaica recorded a significant population increase of almost 200,000 people between 1990 and 2000 and another increase of just under 100,000 people between 2000 and 2010 (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

sive census in all countries except Montserrat, Dominica, and St Vincent whose populations all declined in the 10- year period 19902000. St Kitts was the only country to experience a population decrease in the year 20002010.

Jamaica recorded a significant population increase of almost 200,000 people between 1990 and 2000 and another increase of just under 100,000 people between 2000 and 2010. The Bahamas and St Lucia also recorded significant population increases, as well as Bermuda and Anguilla.

Gender

with the female population outnumbering the male. Belize was the only country recording a greater number of males than females.

Fraser revealed that Jamaica and Trinidad continued to have the largest populations in the Caricom, while Montserrat, Anguilla, and the Turks and Caicos continued to record the smallest populations.

The total population increased in each successive census in all countries except Dominica, Montserrat, St Vincent, and St Kitts, which was the only country with a negative net growth in 2010.

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Ranveer hopes moustache Sridevi paints MJ portrait brings him luck as gift to daughter

A

ctor Ranveer Singh feels cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Ravindra Jadeja's handlebar moustache proved lucky for the Indian cricket team in the ICC Champions

Trophy. He hopes his own moustache reaps gold for him at the box office.

"I hope my handlebars are as lucky for me as they have been for Team India. I am glad and if I may say so, I may have started a trend," Ranveer said recently.

His moustaches are for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film ‘Ram Leela’, where he is been paired opposite Deepika Padukone.

Ranveer says if he could, he would love to continue sporting the look.

"If I was left to be, I would have grown hair this long, a similar beard... if I wasn't playing characters in my line and was left to be. That's how I would have been in my personal life. I'm very attached to my moustache, I love twirling it," Ranveer said. (Times of India)

Would be a pleasure to direct Aamir again - Kiran Rao

K

iran Rao is working on her second film and would love to direct her husband Aamir Khan if the

need arises. She had earlier directed Aamir in her maiden venture ‘Dhobi Ghat’ where Aamir played the role of

an artist.

The director says, "It would be my pleasure to direct him again.

I'm hoping. Let's see. I haven't actually written my next film fully and I don't know if there is any part he can play. But if the opportunity arises, I'd love to".

For now, Kiran will be presenting Anand Gandhi's acclaimed film ‘Ship of Theseus’ to Indian audiences which hits theatres on 19th July. (Times of India)

T

he Michael Jackson portrait, which occupies a pride of place in the bedroom of Sridevi's eldest daughter Jahnavi, has been painted by the actress herself.

The teenager is a diehard fan of the late pop legend and so, mommy dearest decided to gift her Jackson’s portrait.

According to reports from Indian media, Jahnavi considers it to be the best gift her mother has ever given her.

It is known that Sridevi is also an ardent MJ fan. It seems that one of her biggest regrets is that she never got a chance to meet him.

A source close to the actress said, "It took Sri months to get over the grief of MJ's death. She would somehow manage to incorporate his signature

step in her dance sequences. One got a glimpse of it even in English Vinglish."

It was MJ's fourth death anniversary on Tuesday. (Times of India)

Amitabh regrets not being in ‘wonderful’ films like ‘Raanjhanaa’ of.

M

egastar Amitabh Bachchan says he feels jealous whenever he watches wonderful films like ‘Raanjhanaa’, which he is not part

The 70-year-old veteran saw the Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor-starrer in celebration of India’s victory at the Champions Trophy Sunday night.

“It was a delight. I get so envious after seeing all these wonderful films, and lament and regret that I am not in them, even in a small capacity, for I love the immense talent and finesse that today’s cinema with its young brigade brings to the world,” Big B posted on his blog.

The actor also has a few movies in his “to-watch” list.

“I shall be seeing some other unreleased films given to me by Anurag Kashyap, by some talented directors and actors … a joy always,” he wrote.

(Celebden)

I am very close to my mother - Sonam Kapoor

S

onam Kapoor is happy about the success of her film ‘Raanjhanaa’ and also received lot of praises from her father Anil Kapoor. The actress revealed that her mother kept her away from glam world in the beginning which made her more sensible.

On being asked about her relation with her mother, she said, "I am very close to my mother and I tease my father that thank god I just got smile from you and I am just like mother."

"She doesn't like to be in glam world, she feels awkward. My mother says that I'm not an actress, why should I be in limelight just because I

am Anil Kapoor's wife. She also kept us away also for little more time and that made us sensible," concluded Sonam.

(Times of India)

Sonakshi Sinha's mom supervises her sex scene in Lootera

S

onakshi Sinha's rule of thumb: ‘mummy knows best’. The 26-yearold actress made sure she was chaperoned by her mother Poonam during her first-ever lovemaking scene in the film ‘Lootera’, reported ‘Mid-Day’. In what must have been a horribly embarrassing encounter between Sonakshi, her mom and Ranveer Singh, the co-stars filmed their sex scene while mommy dearest just hung around.

"Sonakshi, who has a strict no-kissing policy in her films, is known to be accompanied by her mom to almost all her sets," the tabloid reported. (Hindustan Times)

Hollywood

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Alec Baldwin reads Jada Pinkett Smith believes pregnancy guide with wife cheating can make love stronger

A

lec Baldwin's wife Hilaria has revealed the couple has been reading pregnancy guide, 'What to Expect When You're Expecting,' together as they prepare for the arrival of their first child.

The '30 Rock' actor's spouse, Hilaria, is currently expecting their first child together and she said they love to read the pregnancy self-help book so they know that everything is progress-

ing normally, reported Contactmusic.

"We read parts of 'What to Expect When

You're Expecting' together every day. He'll point things out and ask 'How are you feeling? Are you having that?," she said.

Baldwin, 55, already has a 17-year-old daughter, aspiring model, Ireland, with his former wife, Kim Basinger, and Hilaria, 29, says he can't wait to have another child.

"He's learned a lot of lessons and is going to be a great father this time around.”(Times of India)

ill Smith's wife Jada Pinkett, has apparently justified infidelity, saying that it can ac-

tually strengthen relationships rather than break them, in her Facebook post.

The 'Matrix Revolutions' star wrote that if someone, who truly loves you, cheats on you then they have hurt themselves as much as they have hurt you, the Daily Express reported.

The Hollywood actress, 41, asserted that situations like these make a great opportunity to deepen the relationship with thorough honesty.

The mum-of-three, who has been married to Will for the past 16 years, insisted in the post that it's the time when love gets real, true and illuminates what you are made of as a couple and as individuals.

She wrote that such situations could be the windows to a deeper commitment. (Times of India)

ctor Ryan Reynolds, 36, reportedly wants to start family with wife Blake Lively.

However, the 25-year-old "Gossip

Girl" actress isn't as keen on the idea, and wants to focus on her career right now, reported showbizspy.com.

A friend of the couple shared that "Ryan is getting quite impatient about it".

"Blake promised Ryan he'll be a daddy by the time he's 40. You can't blame her for wanting to wait, because she's so young, but he's hellbent on changing her mind.

He's wanted to start a family for years. It was one of the main reasons he split from Scarlett Johansson - because she wasn't interested," the source added.

(Times of India)

Oprah tops Forbes most W powerful celebrity list Ryan Reynolds wants to be a dad?

A

fter two years as a runner-up, Oprah Winfrey was named the most powerful celebrity on Wednesday

by Forbes, heading the six women and four men who make up the top 10.

It was the fifth time the former talk show host who runs her own TV network has headed the annual ranking of 100 celebrities.

Singer Lady Gaga came in second, followed by director/producer Steven Spielberg and singers Beyonce and Madonna.

"There is nobody else

with that kind of consistency and power," said Dorothy Pomerantz of Forbes.com. "There are only three people who have been on every single one of our lists since 1999. It is Oprah, Howard Stern and Steven Spielberg."

Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, who was No. 1 last year, dropped to 12th place.

With earnings of US$77 million from June 2012 to 2013, Winfrey was not the highest earning celebrity, an honor that went to Madonna who made US$125 mil-

lion. But Forbes said Winfrey's position in Hollywood and her presence in the press, on television and in social media propelled her to the No. 1 spot. (Times of India)

Winslet prefers anti-ageing products over cosmetic surgery

‘T

itanic’ star Kate Winslet says she is in favour of anti-ageing products and is opposed to cosmetic surgery.

The 37-year-old prefers elegant, fresh-faced and powerful look which anti-ageing gels and creams can provide, reported Contactmusic.

"I don't believe in cosmetic adjustments, yet

they are becoming more and more popular so I

find it very reassuring that there is a luxury brand like Lancome developing new anti-ageing products all the time that actually work," said Winslet.

"They are not trying to alter the face, but to celebrate the natural ageing process and the changes in our environment," she added. (Times of India)

'Brangelina' want eight kids

A

ngelina Jolie and hubby-to-be, Brad Pitt are reportedly planning to add to their brood and have two more children.

The pair, who have three adopted and three biological children right now, apparently want to have one more biological child and adopt another little girl from Jordan, the Sun reported.

A source told the publication that the soon-to-be married couple's attitude towards kids is ‘the more the better’ and that once you have several, a few more makes no difference. The insider asserted that the 'Salt' star has been particularly touched by the situation in Syria and wants to adopt a child from Jordan to do her bit to help.

The source insisted that the twins, Knox and Vivienne, are now four and the duo has agreed that it's time for more kids. The insider told the tabloid that the Hollywood stars are crossing their fingers that they'll bring their next child home soon, but they both want one more biological child so the actress is eating a diet rich in potassium. (Times of India)

A

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Brazil will definitely host World Cup 2014, says FIFA

F

IFA general secretary Jerome Valcke says the 2014 World Cup will definitely be staged in Brazil, despite admitting he had been involved in talks with the government to decide whether to cancel the Confederations Cup because of protests.

Valcke conceded the demonstrations had overshadowed the tournament, but guaranteed next summer’s World Cup would go ahead after he was given government assurances over safety.

“The World Cup will be held in Brazil,” he told BBC Sport. “The first game will happen in Sao Paulo, the final will be in Rio. There is no plan B.” Last weekend more than a million people were reported to have taken part in protests in about 100 cities across Brazil. Protests began over high transport fares but have also highlighted corruption and the cost of next year’s World Cup. When asked if there had been a point when he had questioned whether it was right to continue

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke

with the Confederations Cup, as the protests gathered momentum, Valcke said: “There was one evening on 20 June when we reached a peak in the country.

“The demonstrations had moved from being non-violent protests to a minority of violent protesters who were making a lot of noise and problems. So the following day we had a crisis meeting, including the government, the local organising committee and FIFA just to make sure we were on the same page, in order to end the tournament in the best possible way,” he added.

Valcke launched a robust defence of football’s governing body during

the interview in Rio de Janeiro and said he felt FIFA was being unfairly blamed for Brazil’s problems and that the country still had many issues to overcome. “There are many, many things to do in Brazil,” he said.

“But the most important thing for us is to detach the World Cup or the Confederations Cup from these problems. We are not the answer to all problems and we are definitely not the reason for such a crisis. We are just part of what Brazil is doing for the next 20 years.”

When asked if FIFA were being unfairly portrayed as the villains in Brazil, he added: “Definitely. I am not say-

ing that because I work for FIFA, as secretary general. But the light FIFA is being shown in here, is the wrong one.”

During the worst of the protests, Italy were prevented from leaving their hotel in Fortaleza for safety reasons.

But Valcke told BBC Sport that no team, or official, had ever asked to leave the tournament because of the problems but that safety levels had been raised as a result.

Had he asked the Brazilian government for extra guarantees on the safety of players and officials as a direct result of the demonstrations?

“For sure,” he added.

“We always ask that as part of the commitment for the country when they host the World Cup. “But after these days (the protests) we asked to ensure the highest level of security, not only for the players but the media, the fans, for whoever has the wish to be part of the event. It is part of the responsibility of the state to deliver that high level of security system to protect all of us.”

Valcke went on to say that he felt next summer’s World Cup might yet be remembered as the greatest of them all, especially if Brazil play well. “What Neymar has

given in this tournament is unique. He is an amazing player, a beautiful player,” he added.

“And this is a great Brazilian team.

Congratulations to coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, he has brought his team together, brought a unity, he has found his 11, he has found his team.

“If Brazil plays well at the World Cup you have everything to make the best World Cup ever organised.

“It is true that what we expect is the best tournament. If Brazil plays well you will have an incredible World Cup. It is the country of football.” (BBC Sport)

Tri-Nation ODI Series…

The bowling must be consistent, says Clive Lloyd

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

A

n exciting triangular One-Day series is anticipated from Friday when hosts West Indies square off with India and Sri Lanka for supremacy at various venues across the region.

And, according to exWest Indies and Guyana skipper Clive Lloyd, the Caribbean side can capture the title but their bowlers need to be consistent.

He made this revelation on Sunday in Toronto where he was part of the Guyana delegation that celebrated the country’s 47th Independence anniversary in Scarborough.

The former left-handed batsman felt the bowling is a little erratic but should they play to the best of their abilities, winning the tournament will not be difficult for the Caribbean side.

“I strongly believe we have a very good and balanced team but the guys have got to play to the best of their abilities; the bowling’s a little weak, they need to work and try different bowlers. Kemar Roach is

an excellent bowler and he should be the one to look at while I think they should try Guyanese fast bowler Ronsford Beaton; he is very impressive,” the 68-year-old Lloyd asserted.

The Caribbean side will be led by Trinidadian Dwayne Bravo, starting off their campaign against Sri Lanka at Sabina Park, Jamaica, on Friday. Two days after, they play India at the same venue.

Lloyd also stated that Bravo is a good captain but cited that the selectors should have continued with Darren Sammy, who was recently relieved of the position for ODIs. Lloyd, who featured in 110 Test and 87 ODI matches for West Indies and an amazing 490 First-Class matches, reckoned that the tournament will be great preparation for the ICC World Cup next year.

“It will serve as a preparation series for West Indies and the other participating teams; I think we have great ‘strikers’ of the ball and that should boost their confidence of this important assignment be-

Clive Lloyd

ginning on Friday; they are at home and that is a huge advantage,” the veteran cricket administrator revealed.

He also spoke of Bravo’s captaincy mentioning that Sammy is a versatile cricketer and should have still held the position.

“I don’t have a problem with Dwayne’s (Bravo) captaincy; he is a fine cricketer and can be called upon anytime, but I think Sammy has taken over the responsibility at a difficult time and he has done well since then and deserved a longer try, however, I am confident they will do well against Sri Lanka and India in the Caribbean,” Lloyd concluded.

Sand Hills Sports Bar and Lounge victorious again

S

and Hills Sports Bar and Lounge trashed the Hills Cricket Club last Sunday for the second time of the season at The Harry Maze Park in Brooklyn, New York.

Batting first, the Hills were riddled out

for 78 runs with fine bowling by Horace Maxwell (Srew) 4 for 20, Keith 3 for 18 and Chillo 2 for 15. Keith Miller (Shortman) was the only Batsman who stood up to the attack with runs.

Sand Hills hit it

off in fine style with superb batting from the skipper Randy Soobrian with a brilliant knock of 39 runs.

Lester Williams was the best bowler taking 2 wickets for 9 runs and Keith Miller 20 runs.

SPort

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Star of the week

N

arsingh Deonarine, born August 16, 1983, in Albion, Berbice, was drafted into the West Indies Test side during the contract dispute between Digicel and Cable & Wireless, which saw seven players left out of the First Test against South Africa, in March 2005. A compact batsman, and useful off-spinner, he struggled initially with the bat, but found his feet in partnership with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, his Guyana team-mate.

There are many similarities between Chanderpaul and Deonarine, both having come through the cricket system in Guyana, from the sharp fielding at cover-point to the antiglare patches under his eyes. Deonarine remained consistent in the domestic game and was the overall leading run-scorer in the 2008-09 regional four-day competition with 1068 runs. He was recalled for the 2009 England tour with a chance to earn a spot in the middle order. At the Third Annual Awards Ceremony of the Berbice Cricket Board in February 2010, Deonarine received the “Berbice Cricketer of the Year” award. Over the years, the pro athlete has excelled in his game and is currently a key player in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) squad for team Guyana. CPL is an annual Twenty20 cricket tournament held in the Caribbean by the West Indies Cricket Board. It was created in 2013 and replaced the Caribbean Twenty20 as the premier Twenty20 competition in the Caribbean.

Narsingh Deonarine

“I will make Guyana proud,” says Essequibo cricketer

Parmesh Parsotam receiving gear from president of the Affiance Sports Club, Haimchandra

By Indrawattie Natram

“I

will make Guyana proud; I will stay focused and I will aim high,” were the sentiments of 16-year-old Parmesh Parsotam of Affiance, Essequibo Coast, after he was selected to represent Guyana in the Regional Under-17 tournaments. Parsotam, also called Rocky, during an interview with Guyana Times International Sport expressed his excitement and satisfaction at being selected to represent his country, saying that “being selected is like a dream come

true for me, although I am brilliant academically I always dream of becoming a cricketer, my heart is for cricket.”

Love for cricket

The cricketer, who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination recently, said apart from his academics he always loved the sport. “My love for cricket is unconditional; as a kid I always loved playing and fielding at the ball field. I am so happy to make Guyana Under-17 team.”

R e c o u n t i n g , Parsotam said he started to play friendly match-

es at different grounds on the Essequibo Coast at the age of 10. He said in the evening he would join his friends at the playfield in Affiance for a game of cricket. “Since I was a kid, I love to admire Sachin Tendukar; the way he holds the bat, the way he plays cricket and he is truly my role model”.

Parsotam who is the eldest child of his parents said he has a wealth of experience.

His last game was at the Everest Cricket Club ground against Berbice.

He pointed out that although his team lost the game he managed to keep the momentum and was able to score a fighting 40 batting through the innings.

Parsotam opined that due to his commitment and his determination during the last game, he was able to secure a spot on the national team.

He said he is honoured to represent Essequibo and the Affiance Sports Club.

The teenager revealed that his parents and members of the Affiance Sports Club gave him the encouragement he needed for the tournament and gave the assurance that he will excel.

Facebook fan chooses name for CPL mascot “B

ouncer” is the name that has been chosen for the Caribbean Premier League’s mascot after a social media competition where Facebook and Twitter fans were asked to submit their suggestions for names for the huge purple and green ball that forms part of the CPL logo.

After sifting through hundreds of submissions, five names were shortlisted by the CPL marketing and event team, with David Ross’ idea emerging as the favourite.

Ross, who is from Barbados, posted his winning name on Facebook and explained his reasoning behind the label.

“I listened to the CPL theme song which is very bouncy; I saw the mascot video on YouTube and the mascot was bouncing and it just hit me,” said Ross.

The West Indies is known for bouncy wickets, and our brand of cricket and music is full of bounce. It is also catchy for children. Plus if you follow the ball it will bounce.”

CPL Event Director Rhonda Kelly agrees. “Bouncer is such a fun name and CPL is all about fun. It is very simple and as David said, it’s catchy for the children. We wanted to involve the fans in this process since our mascot is the face of CPL and will be interacting with fans at matches. I don’t think we could have come up with a better name ourselves.”

The mascot is a cricket ball with horns. While the ball is self-explanatory, Kelly explains that the horns are a reference to the J’ouvert celebration that is such an important part of Carnival revelries around the Caribbean.

J’ouvert marks the official start of the Carnival festivities, and it usually takes place in the wee hours of the morning before the sun rises. It is a ritual that is accompanied by mud, oil, pitchforks, horns and pointed tails, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, and is said to symbolise rebirth, newness of

Introducing “Bouncer”, the Caribbean Premier League’s mascot

life and freedom, all associations that are reflective of the Caribbean Premier League messages.

For submitting the winning name, Ross will receive VIP tickets for the three matches being held in Barbados, and a brand new Samsung Galaxy S3 mini, courtesy of CPL sponsor, Digicel.

Bouncer will personally hand over the new smartphone to David at the opening ceremony which he will attend with his family.

“I am elated about winning but even happier to just contribute. I was already planning to attend all the matches in Barbados with my family and now I have more reason to.”

The first ever Caribbean Premiere League, sponsored by Digicel, begins on Tuesday, July 30 with 24 matches played across 6 Caribbean countries: Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

(CPL)

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Sammy signs new Ramdhanis, Ali star in GOA deal with Digicel Olympic badminton tourney

West Indies Test and T20 captain, Darren Sammy, signed a new two-year deal with regional telecommunications provider Digicel

C

astries, St Lucia - West Indies cricket captain in test and T20, Darren Sammy, has signed a new two-year deal with regional telecommunications provider Digicel.

Part of the new contract, covering 2013 to 2015, includes the continued use of the top St. Lucian cricketer in promotional and marketing activities.

Digicel will also provide monetary assistance to Sammy and will supply him with a number of gifts including the latest handsets and call credit.

“I remain proud to be the face and sporting ambassador for this truly extraordinary company,” exclaimed Sammy.

“I know well of Digicel’s involvement with the youth, and sports resonates with them. I look forward to engaging in more youth clinics where I can offer cricketing tips, but also serve to motivate the youth to reach their true potential,” he added.

Sammy made history by becoming the first St Lucian to be selected on the West Indies team.

He was later promoted to captain the team at

a critical period and his leadership is widely believed to have contributed to a resurgence of West Indies cricket.

Earlier this month Digicel announced that it was extending its sponsorship of the West Indies cricket team for another three years until September 2016.

“Digicel remains a proud custodian of sports and to its developmental role in society, not only on St Lucia but indeed throughout the Caribbean,” said Country Manager Holly Hughes-McNamara.

“Today’s (Tuesday’s) signing of Darren Sammy for another twoyear stint is testament to how we feel, not only about Darren’s ability to inspire and lead the team, but how we feel about the game of cricket”.

Digicel has been announced as a sponsor for the upcoming Caribbean Premiere League Twenty/ 20 Cricket competition which bowls off on July 30 - August 24.

Six franchise teams will battle for bragging rights as matches play in Barbados, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

(CMC/ WICB)

The leading performers pose with their winnings at the completion of the competition on Monday evening

T

he Guyana O l y m p i c Association (GOA) Olympic Day badminton tournament concluded on Monday at the Queen’s College badminton courts with the remaining categories being contested.

The remaining Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles were played off with Narayan Ramdhani winning the Open Singles by defeating Nicholas Ali in a thrilling three-setter that saw both players playing long rallies in the interest of winning crucial points.

Ramdhani won the first game 21-15, before Ali came back in the second 21-19.

Ramdhani then won the third game and final game 21-18 to win the open championship 2-1.

Ramdhani also teamed up with his sister Priyanna Ramdhani to

Men’s Doubles champion Narayan Ramdhani (left) and Nicholas Ali in a relaxed mood after their triumph

win the Mixed Doubles by defeating Ali and Ambika Ramraj 21-12, 21-10. The win for the Ramdhani siblings made them both triple cham-

pions as they won the Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles categories.

Below are the summarised results:

Men’s Singles: 1stNarayan Ramdhani 2ndNicholas Ali 3rd- Darell Carepeny 4th - Avinash Odit Ladies Singles: 1st- Priyanna Ramdhani 2nd- Ambika Ramraj 3rd- Nadine Jairam 4thArian Kayume Men’s Doubles: 1st- Narayan Ramdhani and Nicholas Ali 2nd- Noel Shewjattan and Christopher Persaud 3rd- Jonathon Mangra and Cecil Abrams 4thErnesto Choo- A- Fat and Darell Carpenay Ladies Doubles 1stPriyanna Ramdhano and Ambika Ramraj 2nd- Nadine Jairam and Arian Kayume 3rd- Kara Abrams and Crystal Dey Mixed Doubles: 1st- Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani 2nd- Nicholas Ali and Ambika Ramraj 3rd- Jonathon Mangra and Arian Mangra 4thChristopher Persaud and Nadine Jairam

Kavem Hodge will breathe youthful energy into...

from back page

turned. Five years later he met his father for the first time.

All along it was cricket that kept him going. He says he will never forget the first time that Claudius Sanford placed a “hard ball” in his hand, which put him on the path that led to where he is today.

“Mr Sanford was a coach who went around to the primary schools in our area identifying persons to play in the Under-13 East Zone League. He recognised my talent and introduced me to the hard ball. He gave me my first chance to play in the Under-13 Zone League.”

He was one of the chosen few. From representing the eastern part of the island, Hodge went on to represent his country at the under-13 and under-15 levels.

As captain of the under-15 for the Windward Islands, he led the team to victory, something they hadn’t tasted in 10 years. At the age of 17, he was the first West-Indian to attend the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Australia and the only one to receive a full threemonth scholarship from the academy,

while others were participating through their local associations.

At the under-19 level he has represented Dominica, the Windward Islands and the West Indies, playing in India, Dubai and at the Youth World Cup 2012 in Australia. By the third year of playing for the Under-19 Windwards team, Hodge was voted MVP but for him, the CPL is like the icing on the cake.

When he found out that he was drafted, he did not believe it.

Selection

“There was such a long list and I had no control over whether I was picked so I was practicing in the nets at school and Akeem Dewar, who was selected for the Jamaica franchise, came to tell me that I was picked. I thought he was just pulling my leg so I didn’t take him on and then another player told me and I still didn’t believe.

It was not until one of the UWI coaches showed me the tweet from LCPL which said I was picked that I believed. I felt a sense of relief and a whole lot of excitement at the same time.”

Hodge is once again one of the chosen few and when he puts on the blue uniform of the Zouks, he says it will be with a sense of pride and privilege.

“I am getting goose bumps just talking about it. To be part of such a tournament and to wear the same team colours with the likes of Darren Sammy, Herschelle Gibbs, Tamim Iqbal and Albie Morkel is a great honour,” said Hodge enthusiastically.

“I am sure I will be nervous but I will also be very proud. I will be a true ambassador for my country, the Windward Islands, the St Lucia franchise and LCPL and I am going to play my part.

Everybody understands their role and each other’s strengths and we just have to stay focused and keep our eyes on the prize. I will do my best.”

His grandfather, Nicholas Laville, didn’t live to see the day that his grandson takes to the field in this inaugural tournament but Hodge knows that he’s smiling now and his grandmother, Victoria Laville, will be watching and waiting, waiting for him to come home.

As soon as the LCPL is finished he wants to visit her in Antrizle before he gets back to his studies in sports science at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados where he is on a full scholarship.

Hodge says he is happiest when he is playing cricket but a close second is swimming, followed by hiking. For him these additional activities are a combination of fun and fitness training.

He urges all young people that have a dream to work towards it, to understand that sacrifices must be made and to do the right thing consistently. He is obviously grounded, resolute in his belief that young people need more guidance and self-belief, and that anything worth having is worth working hard for and that everything happens for a reason. As a result, he has valued each and every experience in his life thus far and wouldn’t change a thing.

From humble beginnings to the prestigious LCPL, Kavem Hodge is clearly a keeper in every sense of the word. (CPL)

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Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

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Kavem Hodge will breathe youthful energy into St Lucia Zouks

A

ntrizle. The name sounds funny.

You can’t find it on any map. A Google search makes no difference. Where and what is Antrizle? It’s a tiny speck of a village on the east coast of the island of Dominica with a population of less than 700, but emerging from it is a rising star that just might cause mapmakers to reconsider giving it some space on the chart.

Kavem Hodge, who turned 20 earlier this year on 21 February, is a middleorder batsman and left-arm spinner. He is one of only two Under-23 picks in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) draft for the St Lucia Zouks franchise team and

the youngest member of the team. When he began playing windball cricket on the beach in the seaside village where he grew up, he could not envisage a LCPL, let alone imagine that he would one day be drafted to play cricket for a franchise.

“At five years old, I was the youngest on the side. The other guys were much older and I was the wicket-keeper. Imagine that,” says Hodge. “I love to bat and bowl but I also enjoy wicket-keeping. I’m still the keeper when I play in the Castle Bruce league and for the Marigot team in the Northern T20 League.

We would go to the beach on weekends and play cricket, swim, play cricket and so on until we were

tired. That was our passion.

During the week it was the same. In primary school, we would play cricket before school started, during break, at lunchtime and after school. Sachin Tendulkar was my hero back then and still is.

I would dream of playing cricket for the West Indies at the highest level. I lived and breathed cricket but never thought, in my wildest dreams, that I would be part of such a tournament.”

Dream

Kavem Hodge

Now Hodge is living the dream and on July 30 at the LCPL opening match against the Barbados Tridents, he will breathe some of his youthful energy and en-

thusiasm into the St Lucia Zouks.

He was born in Roseau, the capital of Dominica, but moved to Antrizle with his mother and his older sister to live with his maternal grandmother and grandfather, the latter a cricketer himself.

A few years later his grandparents moved temporarily to the U. S. to live with their daughter; his mother joined his stepfather in the UK; and his sister moved to Antigua.

In the blink of an eye but only for a split second, 11-year old Kavem was homeless. However, his uncle took him in, followed by a neighbour and other good Samaritans until his grandparents recontinued on page 52

PYO launches Walter Rodney Memorial tapeball competition

T

he Progressive Y o u t h Organisation (PYO), the youth arm of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, will soon bowl off an inaugural male and female 10-over tapeball competition in memory of the late political activist and historian, Dr Walter Rodney.

The male aspect will feature approximately 36 teams battling in a four-round competition, starting with a regional playoff followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

The female version will involve four teams and will be run alongside the male tournament.

Action in what is being called the “PYO Championship League” will bowl off on June 29 and conclude with the male and female finals on September 1 at the Guyana National Stadium Parking Lot, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Let’s play! Members of the PYO display the massive trophies that will be up for grabs at the upcoming competition (Photo: Carl Croker)

Six teams from six districts/ regions will compete in the playoffs of the male competition.

The Region Four “A” (East Bank Demerara) zone will start on June 29, while the Region Four B (East Coast Demerara) zone will commence on July 14.

Action in Regions Two, Three and Five

will also bowl off on July 14, while the Region Six zone will get underway on June 30.

On the distaff side, one team each from Regions Two, Three, Four and Five and Six combined will begin battle on August 21.

The teams for both aspects of the competition have been drawn

from the PYO and other youth groups across the various regions.

The winner of each district/ region will be presented with a branded PYO cricket bat, compliments of the PYO National Steering Committee. The overall champions of the two categories will be presented with the coveted

Walter Rodney Cup. In giving a basic overview of the tournament, the PYO said it is built on the foundation of the immortal ideologies/ concepts of former great leaders of Guyana, including the late Rodney, hence the tournament being named in his honour.

“In memory of this

great individual our organisation’s sports committee thought it best to host a national cricket competition titled the ‘PYO Championship League: In memory of Dr Walter Rodney’ where PYO teams from across the regions will vie for the coveted Walter Rodney Cup,” a PYO statement read.

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