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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 3080 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

December 25, 2016

President wishes peace, goodwill to Guyanese

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Faecal coliform found in GWI’s water – PUC P5

Page 3

Post Office still standing despite P12 changes in technology

Addiction: In the life of a recovering drug addict P15

Spreading Christmas cheer! President David Granger took a walk along Regent Street; the City’s main shopping hub, where he mingled with vendors, business proprietors and citizens, who were doing their last minute Christmas shopping. In photo, President Granger poses with joyful citizens (Dexter Ceres photo)

As Guyanese celebrate Christmas

Jagdeo urges nation to remain resilient in face of struggles

Floodwaters in Georgetown, P7 environs recede

Page 3

Blue Christmas for unpaid HEYS participants Page 7

Locked away: Life of prisoners on Christmas Day Page 18

Mad cow/ P15 Masquerade a main highlight of Region 2 Christmas ― genuine display of unity

Poultry farmer loses ducks on Christmas Eve …laments blue P5 Christmas

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NEWS

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SunDAY, DECember 25, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, December 25 – 14:30h-16:00h, with a night retraction at 02:30h (Monday morning); Monday, December 26 – 14:30h-16:00h, with a night retraction at 03:00h (Tuesday morning) and Tuesday, December 27 – 14:30h-16:00h, with a night retraction at 04:00h (Wednesday morning).

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, December 25 – 14:10h-15:40h, Monday, December 26 – 14:45h-16:15h and Tuesday, December 27 – 15:25h-16:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to heavy rain showers with light cloud cover can be expected throughout the day, while light cloud cover can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tides: 01:39h and 13:59h reaching maximum heights of 2.26 metres and 2.37 metres respectively.

Low Tides: 07:30h and 20:00h reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metre and 0.83 metre respectively.

President wishes peace, goodwill to Guyanese … as Jagdeo urges Guyanese to remain resilient in face of struggles

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or most, Guyanese from all walks of life woke up today full of cheer as they celebrate Christmas, however mere.

And President David Granger is wishing all Guyanese peace and goodwill, as they observe this joyous occasion with love and thrills.

“The message for mankind of Jesus Christ’s miraculous birth is recounted in the gospel of St. Luke (2:14) in the Holy Bible, which proclaims: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’,” he said.

President Granger expressed that “Guyana is our motherland” and reminded Guyanese that they have a collective duty to ensure they keep their homeland free from disaffection and

President David Granger with citizens during his walkabout of the city on Christmas Eve

root and flourish in homes, in schools, in offices, in the fields and factories, in neighbourhoods and in communities: “I wish that we all will embrace the universal val-

“We must foster a culture of peace and goodwill by dispelling the evils of envy, hatred and enmity from our lives. Jesus Christ came as the ‘Prince of Peace.’ The celebration of his birth is an

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo spreading Christmas cheer to children

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discord.

“We have an obligation to promote peace and goodwill within our country,” he stated.

President Granger said the celebration of the birth of Christ reminds us that peace and goodwill do not drop from the sky like manna but that they are shared values, which must find

ues of peace and goodwill which Christmas proclaims.

I wish that the Guyanese tradition of hospitality and goodwill will prevail at the time of this sacred festival.”

The Head of State also expressed hope that the culture of care and compassion for one another will continue to give guidance and improve everyone’s quality of life now and in future:

opportunity for all Guyanese to renew the common ties that bind us together as a nation.”

The President appealed to everyone to work together for the common good. “I appeal to everyone to treat each other with respect. I appeal to everyone to work towards creating a culture of peace and goodwill – the values of Christmas,” he said in

wrapping up his Christmas greetings.

Meanwhile Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in his message to the Parliament also wished the nation a prosperous Christmas.

Jagdeo also reflected on the past year and urged Guyanese to remain resilient in the face of struggles: “Much can be said of this past year – the highs, and the many unusual lows that were experienced. There is a yearning for decisive action to ensure that the wheels that propel success and prosperity grind and positively affect every sector of our economy in 2017 and beyond.”

He said the Party aspires that 2017 must be a year where dreams are fulfilled, including those of the youths and those in their golden age.

In this regard, Jagdeo wished all Guyanese a Merry Christmas.

“On my own behalf, as Leader of the Opposition, and that of my colleagues in the PPP/C of this Eleventh Parliament; our regional, district and village leaders; and our activists and supporters throughout Guyana, I wish you and yours a joyful Christmas and a peaceful, progressive and prosperous New Year,” he stated.

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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Guyanese Christmas hope

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harles Dickens’ great accomplishment was to chronicle the turmoil in the lives of ordinary people in London during England’s wrenching transformation wrought by its Industrial Revolution. It is a salutary corrective to recollect the misery he described in the newly launched “poorhouses” in 19th Century England, even as we reflect on the hardships faced by present day Guyanese.

In his novel “Bleak House”, Dickens writes against the background of political reforms that would also abolish slavery here in 1834. According to one biographer: “Dickens... rolls out the dark, dirty English earth and sky to set the theme of the book. It will take on the worse aspects of the legal system – its inhumanity, sloth, corruption and obstruction – as a basis for a larger matter, the bad governance of society as a whole; and it will show the physical sickness of London – its toxic water, rotten housing, bursting graveyards and festering sewerage – as part of the effects of that bad governance.”

We celebrate Christmas today against the backdrop of the 2017 Budget that was just passed by the Government using its one-seat majority in Parliament and the rains than inundated Georgetown immediately afterwards, raising the filth of the drains and canals into the streets and stores. And it is clear we need a local “Dickens” to describe the Guyanese reality today.

Once again, the houses of Albouystown had water reaching the mattresses of their beds in their bottom flats. Can we expect the “Joy of Christmas” to suffuse their lives as sewerage from the canals suffuses their furniture?

How different are their lives from the inhabitants of the slums of London Dickens described so well? Many of their womenfolk are among the vendors removed from the Stabroek Market “clean up” to facilitate the launching of the Independence Jubilee floats at D’Urban Park. They are still wallowing in filth and anonymity behind the Parliament that promised them and the rest of Guyana, the “Good Life”.

Across the river from Georgetown, the people of West Bank Demerara face more than a “bleak” future as they contemplate their lives after the closure of Wales Estate and sugar manufacturing, which had undergirded their livelihood since the 18th Century – even before Dickens. Will the Government be opening up poorhouses – a la 19th Century England – to deal with the increase in malnutrition – if not starvation – that will certainly ensue?

Wales would be the perfect setting for a Guyanese version of another Dickens’ novel, “Hard Times” Dickens also wrote what is arguably his most famous work, “A Christmas Carol”, in which he expresses hope that those with the power and wherewithal to improve the lot of the poor, may still do so, if they are exposed to the harsh realities in the lives of the masses.

The “establishment” is represented by Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy miser who refuses to relent even at Christmas. In Guyana, “Scrooge” would be the Government that imposed VAT on water and electricity but refused to give even a dollar bonus to sugar workers. Or the “substantial raise” they promised Government workers, even as they awarded themselves 50 per cent salary hikes, $20 million SUVs and $3.5 million scholarships.

Dickens uses the device of having Scrooge being transported by the Ghosts of “Christmas Past”, “Christmas Present” and “Christmas to be”. The first Ghost takes Scrooge back to his past, which in our case would be the first PNC regime, during which our nation was destroyed and we all sunk to the level of Haiti. The second would take our establishment to our present, in which, notwithstanding their poverty and hardships, Guyanese will still go “all out” to have a merry Christmas.

Finally, Scrooge is taken to his future, where in Guyana the establishment would see its rejection by the people of Guyana and its own sordid fate. Shocked, Scrooge decides to reform himself and help those around him.

May the establishment follow suit and ensure the Guyanese people have Merry Christmases henceforth.

Some 250 children from Aishalton and neighbouring villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) were treated to some Christmas cheer when Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton visited the area. The children gathered at the Aishalton Primary School where they received snacks and other goodies, along with toys

Beware of wild men

Dear Editor, When Robert Corbin passed the baton of the leadership of the PNC at the 17th Congress in 2012, he warned the nation to “beware of wild men”. It is clear that his successor President Granger failed to listen to the political wisdom of Corbin. Today we have a wild-man Tacuma Ogunseye running amok all over the Granger Government conducting a witch-hunt in exchange for gold coins for his pocket.

But how wild is Tacuma?

Was it not Tacuma in 2011

who on the Line-Top in Golden Grove who said at an African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) public meeting in support of the then APNU, that African Guyanese must combat the PPP with a twoprong approach – first at the ballot box and if that falls short, then they must launch “a massive rebellion of African people throughout the length and breadth of the country for constitutional reform” (see http://guyanachronicle. com/2014/03/14/acdas-tacuma-ogunseye-calls-for-ra-

cial-disturbances).

This wildman was prepared to use the working man and woman as cannon fodder to take down an elected government because he was not collecting gold coins then.

But Tacuma is not only wild, he is a paid hypocrite because a promise of Constitutional Reform from candidate Granger on the May 2015 campaign trail was never realised although 1/3 of the term has elapsed.

Yet today, we have not even heard a squeak on this matter from wild-man Tacuma.

Where is Tacuma’s massive rebellion against the forces that has put Constitutional Reform into a coma? The wild-man’s silence was bought with a wages and benefits package that burns the taxpayers for some G$8 million a year.

And thus my question still stands: for how long before 1992 was Tacuma Ogunseye collecting gold coins and did he sell out Walter Rodney?

Sincerely, Sasenarine Singh

Not overtopping but flooding Dear Editor, There is a press release attributed to the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown appearing in the local media recently, with regard to the recent flooding in Georgetown that was either a clear attempt to mislead the citizens or was authored by someone who has a complete lack of knowledge of Meteorology, Geography and more specifically Coastal Flooding.

Contained in this press release was that the city was monitoring overtopping in its different sections. And that the overtopping is due to the coincidence of heavy rains and high tides.

The word overtopping which is defined as ‘the rising of water over the top of a barrier’ is being misused by

the author of this release or is a feeble attempt to downplay the seriousness and the effects of Friday’s weather phenomenon.

What occurred was plain and simple ‘flooding’ which occurs most commonly in Guyana and particularly in Georgetown from heavy rains when the natural watercourses (our network of drains) do not have the capacity to convey the excess water out into the river, or elsewhere.

Everyone is aware that the city is below the high tide and depends on a system of sluices and pumps for drainage and that is why it was disappointing to learn that at least two of the five hydroflow pumps along the Demerara River were inoperable.

Someone should be severely sanctioned for this, if for nothing more for the damage done to stock, furnishing, etc in the lower flats of homes and groundfloor business operations.

It is the responsibility of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown, as it is the duty of municipalities all over the world to ensure by whatever means necessary that drains, canals and waterways are free from garbage and other things that could restrict their capacity to hold storm water and reduce the flow through our outfall channels.

It is egregious that the Council doled out approximately seven hundred million or three quarters of billion dollars, most of which went to one contractor on

drainage works over the last eighteen months and yet the drainage system is still far from what should be or what it used to be years ago, when it was maintained by municipal workers at a fraction of that cost.

Mismanagement, corruption, nepotism and a lack of accountability is causing one disaster after another in the city.

It is time for the City Council to be honest and straightforward with us, and not attempt through the use of fancy terms which they don’t understand, or lame excuses, try to pull wool over the eyes of the citizens.

Sincerely, Mark Roopan

NEWS

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Faecal coliform found in GWI’s water – PUC Poultry farmer loses ducks on Christmas eve

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he Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has released its 2015 Annual Report and is calling on the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to step up efforts to have faecal coliform eliminated from its water supply network.

According to the PUC in the report, GWI submits its monthly water quality test results to the Commission, which randomly selects samples from 24 locations and compared the test results to the standard set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The Commission outlined that the test results for pH, Iron, turbidity, aluminium, colour, chlorine residual, total coliform and faecal coliform were compared with the WHO standards and revealed that GWI was close to achieving all of the standards with the exception of faecal coliform.

“Faecal coliform by its very nature is hazardous to health and a greater effort is required by GWI to achieve compliance with this standard,” the PUC remarked in its report as reinstated its committed to monitoring the water quality standards.

The Commission added that GWI had committed to achieving the WHO bacteriological standards within

six months for coastal water supplies and within 12 months for hinterland water supplies as stated in the GWI licence which was issued on November 13, 2002. This licence has since expired and the company and the stakeholder should make all efforts to ensure that the company is operating with a licence.

Back in October, the PUC had ordered GWI to halt its usage of a potentially dangerous chemical – Antinfek – for countrywide water treatment purposes, “until a full and comprehensive review by an external agency confirms that it is compatible with existing safety standards.”

Guyana Times had first reported that GWI was using the chemical, which not only Haiti refused to use but is without certification from the US National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and failed to demonstrate its ability to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) limited protection microbiological performance targets.

Additionally, Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug (GA-FDD) Marlan Cole told another section of the media that the Antinfek chemical has negative reviews and has also not been tested or certified by the GA-FDD.

But GWI said the chemical is not dangerous, pointing out that it was tested by a number of other laboratories in Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Switzerland, Ghana, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago and Germany, all showing favourable results in its use.

Meanwhile, the PUC in its annual report has suggested that the company uses a new technology being adopted by utilities companies around the world to effect disconnections and reconnections. The Commission said during ongoing research it became aware of the “Rye Ball Valve”.

The PUC explained that this device is a right angle lockable ball valve that is attached to the consumers’ main to effect a disconnection. It carries the added feature of a seal which when in place ensures that the consumer could only be illegally reconnected by breaking the seal.

“This acts as a deterrent to illegal reconnections which is a problem currently faced

by GWI. The Commission has forwarded this information to GWI and hopes the company may find it practical and useful,” the Commission stated.

…laments blue Christmas

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Chuian Lewis

n East Canje, Berbice, poultry farmer awoke to find his duck pen empty, and as a result he could not fulfil his orders for Christmas.

With the market price for duck meat being $500 per pound, Chuian Lewis of Lot 8 Betsy Ground, East Canje, says he discovered forty ducks missing from his pen. The thieves, he said, left only two behind.

According to the poultry farmer, the response from Police has been very slow as they promised to commence investigations on Saturday night.

He explained that about 06:00h on Saturday, he went to open the pen and discovered that one of the birds was out.

Chuian Lewis pointing to the opening in his duck pen

He explained: “Then ah see one of the board brake out from the side of the pen and all the duck gone.

Forth-two duck ah had and forty ducks they stole.”

Lewis said he quickly went to the Reliance Police Station, which is about four

minutes away, to make a report. “Now they told me that there is no available CID to come to see what happened. Eventually, they told me that I have to wait until after 8 O’clock for a CID to come.” turn to page 17

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Anu Dev

ow I don't know if now's the most wonderful time of the year – there have been some pretty great moments earlier in the year. But it is a pretty wonderful time right here and now in Guyana.

For me, it's especially great because I get to be home to spend time with my family.

And everywhere is so festive and cheerful, you can't help but be in a good mood.

While we're certainly not going to be having a “white” Christmas, it does seem like it's going to be a very wet Christmas. I don’t have to tell you it's been raining incessantly the past couple of days and Georgetown seems to be a “Bizzaro”, grimy version of Venice. It's definitely weather to stay indoors, bundled up with a hot cup of cocoa and marathoning Star Wars. With outside being so cold and dreary, home feels like a sanctuary full of the delicious smells of holiday cooking.

This time three years ago, I was writing about how excited I was to have survived my first semester at med school. I wrote about how I'd settled into a routine and adjusted to living away from home. Things feel very different now, near the tail end of my fourth year.

It's a whole different ballgame from sitting down in a lecture hall, desperately trying not to fall asleep.

Medicine became real for me very quickly this past year. And while it's gotten exponentially more difficult, it's made me absolutely certain that I made the right choice in choosing to do medicine.

It was something I've thought about a lot – at what point did I really choose medicine? And of course, the follow up question, did I make the right choice? In primary school I was always more drawn to the Science subjects and by the end of sixth grade, I think I wanted to be a palae-

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

"It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It's the most wonderful time of the year" – Andy Williams ontologist! Now, I can't really see myself out on a dig for months sorting through dirt for dinosaur fossils, but hey, younger Anu must've really had a thing for dinosaurs!

The next serious profession I considered (and here, I say serious, because we’re going to pass over without comment being in a girl band!), was psychiatry.

That was perhaps my first choice of a profession within the medical field. I had done my social studies SBA on suicide and then later, my Communications Studies IA. Suicide is a huge problem in our country and we don't seem at all equipped to deal with it.

Then I started medical school and I got to hold brains and learn the nittygritty about diseases and I realised that I loved that part of medicine, I didn't think I could be happy as a psychiatrist. The next question was – would I want to specialise in some particular field? I figured that would be something I would figure out in my clinical years when I got to actually experience those fields. And here I am, in my clinical years and so far, Obstetrics and Gynaecology has been my favourite rotation. And rather serendipitously, the Georgetown Public Hospital simultaneously launches a slew of initiatives in this area. Seems fate is taking over!

It's coming down to the end of another year, and I guess I thought I should reflect on the series of decisions I had to make to end up where I am now.

And for right now, the next decision I'm going to make is to rejoin my mom in the kitchen so that we can continue our baking and keep the smells of cinnamon and spices wafting through the house.

Happy Holidays!

Standing up for Children: Rights of the Child Commission

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he Rights of a Child Commission (RCC) was first established with the intent of further expanding and availing the democratic process to all citizens of Guyana.

Signed in January 1998 the commission was established at a time when there was political upheaval in Guyana.

The objective of the constitutional reforms, therefore, was to assuage an upheaval by widening the democratic process and initiate greater stakeholder and societal inclusion in the governance

Community development in Santa Mission

Community development in Paramakatoi

process.

Moreover, the reforms outlining the role, functions and mandate of the Commission were specifically related to ensuring that the Human Rights of our peoples were enshrined and upheld.

However, in 1990, the commission signed unto the United Nations Convention of Right of a Child (CRC) and as such focused its work mainly on children.

This move paved the way for institutions such as the New Opportunity Corps, the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre, the Alternative Care Centres and the Child Care and Protection Agency, which focuses on reformation of children.

RCC currently works

with Police, Regional and District Hospitals, Primary and Secondary schools, media entities, indigenous villages, and civil society groups across Guyana.

The roles of the RCC include overseeing and connecting features intended to ensure that all rules are observed for the wellbeing of children, which is of the utmost importance.

The Commission also works hand-in-hand with the Police, who also plays a major role in upholding children’s rights. The RCC’s roadmap with the Force has seen an intense engagement with the trainers of the Felix Austin Police Academy.

It is anticipated that the engagement of the trainers will be of great benefit to the

Commission.

If this engagement with the trainers can be sustained and refreshed periodically, it can potentially overhaul the entire institutional culture of the Force.

Currently, the engagement of the Police Force has been taken to Suddie, Bartica, and Lethem with other coastal and hinterland locations earmarked for 2017.

Further, the Commission’s collaboration with medical professionals in the respective regions has been inspired by the survival articles of the CRC which highlight the right of the child to optimal healthcare.

There are, however, some key areas within the system that RCC hopes to address, so as to ensure the continued

wellbeing of all children.

RCC continues to lobby the Ministry of Public Health and provides recommendations which can be followed in the best interest of all children.

In the education sector, RCC looks to attack the core issues that hamper a child from learning.

As such, they are calling for the provision of hot meals to be reintroduced in schools and for counselling to be provided in schools countrywide.

The commission will broaden its horizon in the coming year: “Our constitutional mandate will continue to steer us in a direction where we can one day realise a society where all are committed and work in the best interest of the child.”

news

Floodwaters in Georgetown, environs, recede

A flood-free Regent Street was busy on Saturday as Guyanese did their last minute Christmas shopping Minister David Patterson at the Kingston Pump Station

Desilting was done at the Cowan Street, Georgetown outfall

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fter torrential rains with the aid of clogged drains, silted outfalls and broken pumps flooded the capital city and its outskirts on Friday, the water receded on Saturday morning, allowing Guyanese to

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wrap-up their final shopping before Christmas.

The Hydromet department had advised that rain is expected to continue for Sunday through Wednesday and as much as 45mm is expected which is above the es-

tablished drainage capacity within the city.

However, there was minimum rain in Georgetown throughout Saturday with the usual Christmas Eve shopping craze in Georgetown in full swing. Even with dark clouds hovering and the occasional drizzle, persons braved the rains to do their last-minute shopping.

After several hours of persistent heavy rain started early Friday morning, residents on the coastal regions throughout the country woke up to flood waters in their homes and businesses.

In central Georgetown, business owners rushed to their premises to assess their losses while saving whatever items they could from the flood waters. turn to page 9

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news

SunDAY, december 25, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Garbage collector accused of stealing Milo, chocolates

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oseph Alexander, a garbage collector from Charity, Essequibo Coast, was granted bail for breaking into a stall at Charity.

Alexander made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that between December 19 and 20 he broke into the snackette of Irene Ramlall and stole several chocolates, Milo, Ovaltine, value

$14,800. The court heard that the Milo was recovered.

Alexander told the court that the allegations against

him were false and he does not have any place of abode.

He said he earns a livelihood from collecting gar-

bage and cleaning around the Charity area.

In an application for self-bail on his own behalf, Alexander said he sleeps on the Charity wharf and does not have any money.

Magistrate Scarce, who knew Alexander from a previous charge over a similar offence, asked Alexander if he was not tired of going to jail, urging that it is time for him to change.

Bail was granted at the sum of $30,000 with the case to continue on January 16, 2017.

Lime thief slapped with larceny charge

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ingh, 52, (only name) from Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, was on Thursday granted $30,000 bail for stealing 20 limes from a farmer.

The Police are contending that on November 18, 2016, he stole 20 limes from

Baidwattie Ramkishore’s farm. After hearing the charge, Singh, who is a known character to Police, pleaded not guilty.

In his defence Singh told Magistrate Sunil Scarce during his appearance at the Suddie

Magistrate’s Court, that he did not steal the limes, pointing out that the lime tree was hanging over the fence so he simply picked it.

When asked why he did that he answered that he was thirsty and wanted to

make “swank”.

Magistrate Scarce then asked Singh if he would ever change, since he was previously charged for similar offences but he had no answer.

He was released on $30,000 bail.

That Christmas spirit…

T …in the floods

he Germans do have a way with words…which, even though cumbersome to our English-inflected (that could also be “infected”!!) tongues, we’ve had to import some of them. There’s “Geist”, “weltanschauung” and of course “schadenfreude”. The last being to wallow in the misfortune of another. We’ve all done it at one time or another, haven’t we??!!

Well we saw it on display as the rains came down as if Noah was expected on Friday! The City Hall Gang of Four had been so snooty towards the efforts of the previous PPP Administration to help them out with previous inundations, you couldn’t blame the latter for their smirks if not outright schadenfreude! Point of the matter, of course, is there’s no way to prevent flooding in a City that’s six feet below sea level at high tides – when the rains come down during that cycle.

Of course, we should keep our drains, canals and kokers unblocked, but even at optimum, we’re not gonna be able to get rid of all that precipitation. Of course, we could always build a transparent dome we see in those futuristic movies where we’ve colonised the moon and so on. We’d be able to have the water rise outside the dome to even cover the entire city – while we go on with our daily routine inside.

But there’s the small matters of cost, expertise and will, isn’t there? Because, if we think about it, since the 18th Century we’ve actually built the equivalent of a dome to make our coast habitable. When the Dutch started colonising what would become Guyana, they didn’t start waaaay upriver – all three rivers – because they had a thing for the jungle. No! The coastland was covered with mangrove swamps.

So when the fertility of the riverine soils gave out, they HAD to return to the coast which had to be drained.

Hence then “conservancies” with their “back dams” and the front dams that became the “sea walls”. And as we know to our cost, these are VERY costly, don’t we? But they were kept up through taxes and grants because they keep our sugar lands viable. Now with sugar going the way of the Dodo, climate change sending more rains our way to flood our lands and conservancies; the oceans rising to overtop our sea walls, shouldn’t we be thinking of doing something different?

Like either building that real space dome over Georgetown (but extending it over the entire coastland) or start moving inland? But then again, our leaders may actually be closeted supporters of Trump denying climate change.

So let’s just continue smirking at whoever’s running Georgetown!! Schadenfreude’s the real Christmas spirit!!

…at the movies

Not unexpectedly, the movie houses are chock full of “Christmas Movies”. But if the truth be told (and it MUST be told, shouldn’t it?) after going through adolescence weaned on interminable viewings of “Miracle on 34th Street”, he’s been kinda weaned off the genre. But your peripatetic Eyewitness’ a movie buff…what to do?

Not to worry! The moguls of Hollywood obviously did their market research and discovered your Eyewitness has a lot of company. With the result, there’s as many “mainline” blockbusters released around Christmas as in the Summer (which we also have in Guyana!!) And this year, they’ve outdid themselves with “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”.

Now in the interest of full disclosure, your Eyewitness must confess he was smitten by the Star Wars saga from the very beginning. And it wasn’t ALL about Princess Leia!! And even though through the magic of CGI, he was able to get a glimpse of the young Leia! Rogue One stands on its own boosters!

May the force be with you, this Christmas, dear readers!

...and Christmas fare

But never let it be said your Eyewitness isn’t Guyanese to the bone. So this evening it’s ginger beer – (not egg nog) and his missus’ famous Black Cake.

Each slice is like imbibing a “shot”!!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

Blue Christmas for unpaid HEYS participants

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t is going to be a blue Christmas for some unpaid participants of the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) programme. HEYS participants were assured that they would receive outstanding payments owed by December.

Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie GarridoLowe made the promise as she apologised to the HEYS participants who have not been paid since September.

But the participants were hopeful that the payments would at least be made in time for the holidays. Several disappointed participants from Region One (Barima-Waini) related to Guyana Times their frustrations over not having that money for Christmas.

This newspaper understands that residents from the Mabaruma sub-region went to the village centre just to return home with desponded souls when they were told that payment was not ready.

“Many of us wasted our monies to come down to collect our stipends but were told we got to come back until Wednesday. It’s not fair,” one participant said.

The beneficiaries are entitled to a monthly stipend of $30,000, but the payment plan stipulates that only $20,000 would be paid and at the end of the yearly programme, recipients would receive the remainder in bulk – $120,000.

Exceptional graduates will also receive cash grants of $50,000 to be used as start-up capital for a business of their choice.

Minister Garrido-Lowe conceded that there were

Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry Valerie Garrido-Lowe

many problems plaguing the programme and while she gave assurances that the is-

sues would be addressed, she did not outline any concrete plans for remedying the situation.

The Minister had previously explained to this newspaper that funding for the programme is not an issue but rather it’s an administrative problem which results in the participants not being paid on time.

Launched in 2015 by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change, the programme currently trains in excess of 1800 students, utilising the services of some 373 facilitators across 112 Amerindian villages.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Floodwaters in Georgetown,...

Late Friday evening and early Saturday morning, the Public Infrastructure Ministry, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) had its staff out in full, assisting with the receding water.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson during a live television programme on Friday, disclosed that Lamaha and Riverview pumps were down in Georgetown. This was discovered by a team that had been dispatched to conduct onthe-ground assessments early Friday morning.

The Lamaha Street pump was back in operations by Friday evening while the

Riverview pump was up and running by Saturday morning.

Additionally, two pumps were installed Friday evening at Muneshwer’s and Sussex Street locations while two smaller pumps were deployed within Georgetown, including in the Queenstown area.

These pumps, the Minister had stated, will help drain the water into the main canals faster, while works are carried out to the inoperable pumps.

“Hopefully, without a large among of rainfall, we should be perfect by Christmas Day,” Patterson anticipated.

Additionally, excavators have been deployed to the Cummings, Cowan Street, and Downer Street canals.

Minister Patterson explained that this was done since dur-

FROM PAGE 7

ing flooding, a lot of debris from the environs enters the drainage systems and restricts the flow of the water.

Moreover, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) was also in Albouystown, East Ruimveldt, and West Ruimveldt to undertake emergency relief works.

On the other hand, several communities in East Bank and East Coast Demerara, along with some on West Demerara, were also inundated on Friday but were floodfree by Saturday morning.

The flooding came mere months after the much touted “Green Initiative” clean-up in the city, when Government had said that the days of flooding in Georgetown were a thing of the past.

10 NEWS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Happy Holidays

S

atiricus was vindicated. He knew his wife’s bark was worse than her bite. So after all her fussing, here he was with the fellas on his back deck about to have their Christmas sport. Their wives were also here, but after laying out the food and drinks on the side table had left them to their own devices. They were going to exchange Black Cake around the neighbourhood.

“Budday! That was some rain yesterday!” Michael offered. “But those people were still shopping like there’s no tomorrow!”

“Christmas comes but once a year!” smiled Satiricus as he raised his glass to the fellas around the table. “And we have to celebrate with cheer!”

“But wha’ me gat fuh cheer?” asked Bungi. “Dem na gi’e abee wan blind cent fuh API dis year.”

“How alyou does get that Annual Production Incentive?”

Hari queried. “Like a bonus?”

“Dem does set wan target fuh abee mek pan de estate,” explained Bungi. “And if yuh mek de target, which abee mek, yuh gat fuh get the API.” “But what can they do?” asked Satiricus, as he passed around the fried Banga Mary cutters. “The industry didn’t make any profit.”

“Sato, na mek excuse beca’se yuh vote fuh Nagga Man,” said Bungi with some heat. “Wha’ kinda prafit de guvment mek fuh gi’e out half-mont’ bonas?”

“OK, Sato, Bungi got you there!’” said Hari with a chuckle. “The Government ran a deficit, you know. But they borrowed to pay the bonus!”

“I thought we came to have a good sport, fellas,” said Satiricus plaintively. “Why we have to bring up politics?

This is Christmas!”

“Sato, na worry, abee guh sport,” nodded Bungi, after polishing off his beer. “But me miss me fr’en’ Cappo.”

“Yes!” said Michael as he slapped the table. “The man illegal in America, wukking in a factory…an’ he already buy a car!”

“Don’t worry, fellas,” promised Satiricus. “We are lucky in Guyana. Didn’t you hear the poor will inherit the earth?”

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SunDAY, december 25, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

12

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Postal service still standing despite changes in technology

By Shemuel Fanfair

I

t has been over 230 years since the first post office was established in

the territory now known as Guyana and throughout all the years of the service’s existence, letters have been sent and received by thou-

sands of residents. With the advent of electronic mail (email) in the 1990s and its subsequent and continued

growth well into the second decade of the 21st Century, many in the advanced world have predicted the demise of the traditional postal service as the primary source of shipping documents and packages.

While a barrage of options now exist as alternatives, like online shopping and electronic cards (e-cards) the Guyana Post Office (GPO) Corporation has remained resilient, even as the dawn of 2017 awaits. The fact remains that vast differences in geography, especially rough terrain in some interior locales, hinder the access to technology for many residents in Guyana. In addition, financial constraints of both Coastlanders and hinterland residents affect their ability access many of the key changes and associate services that technology offers today.

Moreover, tradition plays a major role on why using the postal service remains so popular in Guyana. Let us take e-cards

as a case in point. E-cards which bare similarities to greeting cards are created digitally and are paper-free and sent via online platforms. E-cards can be sent

to multiple recipients at once and can include photos or video messages.

While tech-savvy citizens, mainly Coastland inhabitants often transfer these cards on social media platforms such as Whatsapp and Facebook, many other residents prefer the tangible cards. In fact, sending physical cards during the Christmas remains so popular that people were earlier this month advised to post their greetings by December 9 so that the cards could arrive on schedule, some two weeks before Christmas actually came.

But while the post of-

fice is known mainly for the cards and letters that are sent both locally and overseas, GPO is not limited to just those two.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 13

NEWS

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Merry Christmas! Postal service still standing...

E

very home in Guyana will be celebrating Christmas today.

For Christians, it is a time for church and prayer but Christmas has become a secular holiday embraced by everyone of every religious faith, and for good reason.

The announcement of a birth always brings with it a sense of renewed hope and that of the Holy Prophet Jesus transcends Christianity and gives us all a chance to hope that the peace and goodwill of the holiday season will continue into the new year.

Today new window curtains will flutter in just Ryhaan Shah about every home and mothers everywhere will fuss over new carpets and cushions and over the pots of holiday foods in the kitchen. Children woke up excited to open their presents, and everyone will eat well today because of our charity towards the poor and the homeless.

Much of the secular appeal of the holiday has to do with the commercialisation that includes Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and the tradition of gift giving. Coming at the end of the year, it marks an end to the old and helps us to look forward to a fresh start in 2017.

We all deserve a much-needed break from our holistic despair brought on by the conceits and corruptions of the David Granger Government, and joining the rest of the world in celebrating the festive season offers a perfect respite.

While Christmas is a secular occasion here, it is confined in several countries to being a purely Christian holiday. In China, for instance, Christian children decorate trees with colourful ornaments made from paper and shaped like flowers, chains and lanterns. They hang muslin stockings and hope that Dun Che Lao Ren – that’s “Christmas Old Man” – will fill them with gifts and treats.

In Christian homes in Pakistan, gifts and cards are exchanged, new clothes are worn and friends visited.

Christmas day is actually a public holiday there but it is in memory of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

In Russia, it is Babushka who is the Christmas figure that distributes presents to children. Her name means “grandmother”. According to Russian legend, she did not go with the three wise men to see Jesus because of the cold weather. She regretted her decision, however, and set off to try and catch up with a basket filled with presents for the baby Jesus. She never found the baby but she continues her search and visits each home at Christmas leaving toys for good children.

Christmas in the Holy Land where Christ is believed to have been born is often full of pilgrims who come to celebrate Christmas there and to visit the famous grotto where a14point Silver Star decorates the floor on the spot where Jesus is said to have been born.

There is a distinct lack of the commercialism of Santa Claus and toys, and Christmas in Bethlehem remains an occasion for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ through prayer and song.

Three Christmas Eves are celebrated in the Holy Land. On 24 December, Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate in one location, while Greek Orthodox, Coptic, and Syrian Christians celebrate at a second location on 6 January. On 18 January, Armenian Christians celebrate Christmas Eve in their own way, but the birth of Jesus is the common thread that holds the celebrations together.

The traditions of warmth and light at Christmas developed in Scandinavia because of the dark, cold northern winters. The Yule log was originally an entire tree which was cut down and brought indoors and was slowly fed into the fire in the hearth to keep the home warm and lit for the entire season.

Finnish people believe that Santa Claus lives in the north of Finland in a place called Korvanturi or Lapland which is north of the Arctic Circle. Letters to Santa Claus from children all over the world end up there where there is a theme park named “Christmas Land”.

In the tropics, we have embraced the traditions of the decorated Christmas tree, of Santa Claus in his red suit, of sleighs and reindeer and gift-giving, and have added ginger beer and black cake to the mix.

As we celebrate with friends and family today, it will be good to remember the story of the birth and life of the Holy Prophet Jesus who brought a message of peace and hope to the entire world. It is a time for seasonal cheer and goodwill to all men. It is also a time for optimism which is always good for the human spirit.

Merry Christmas!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to shah@guyanatimesgy.com

In fact the local post office has a range of other services it provides to the public: Registration of births, deaths and marriages and posting and uplifting of parcels with varying fees according to weight; postal money orders, sale of revenue and postage stamps; and rental of private letter boxes.

Over the years, GPO has employed various initiatives to ensure its survival amid changing technology. One of the diversified measures are bill payment services for utilities, electricity and water which seeks to reduce the long traditional lines at utility companies. However as Guyanese continue to thrive in the last-minute dash phenomenon, long lines are often seen at post offices, especially GPO’s Georgetown Headquarters. Today the building includes a section of the Guyana Revenue Authority, and many other sections are rented to other businesses.

So all in all, it would

seem that the Guyana Post Office is here to stay as it is still standing despite farreaching changes in technology.

But if one were to take some time and delve into the distant past, one would realise the rich history that postal services possess in Guyana. Michael Rego who penned an article in the BWI Study Circle Bulletin about the history of the GPO in June 2012, said the British Guiana Post Office was housed in the Parliament

Buildings when the structure was completed in 1834, when it had been called The Georgetown Packet Office, under the reign of the British.

Historical facts also showed that the post office was then housed in a rented room in the lower flat of the Royal Agricultural & Commercial Society building but in 1901 was moved to the Commissaries Office.

After Hotel Tower was purchased by Governor Alexander Ashmore in 1914,

FROM PAGE 12

it was converted to the Post Office and remained there until the 1945 Great Fire in Georgetown.

After relocation in February 28, 1945 after the fire to the St Andrew’s School Hall in May 1947, tragedy struck once again as GPO offices at the Regent Hotel were destroyed by fire. After subsequent moves to various other locations, Governor Sir Charles Woolley in 1952 opened GPO Georgetown and Telecoms Office building. This 90-room edifice included a 7-foot diameter Westminster chiming-clock which remains until this day.

Postal services should hold a dear place in the hearts of Guyanese as the 1856 British Guiana OneCent black magenta is considered the world’s rarest and most famous stamp.

It was sold in a New York auction by John E DuPont, for US$935,000 in 1980 but get this, it was sold for a record $9.5 million at a Sotheby's auction in June 2014.

14 NEWS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Falsified label sardines refused entry

L

ocal authorities have denied clearance to some 1700 cases of sardines imported from the Peoples Republic of China after false manufacturing dates were found on the items.

The refusal of entry of the cases of 48 tins x 200 grams of Dost sardines was enforced by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), in collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Department.

According to a release, samples of the imported item were retrieved by Inspectors

of the Department for examination on November 29, 2016. Upon examination, it was discovered that the sardines were manufactured on August 1, 2014 (coded information on tins) and not on the June 1, 2016, as stated on the labels.

It was reported too that the tins were already rusting and the Free Sale/ Health Certificate from China FDA was inconsistent with those usually presented to the Department; the exact name and address of the manufacturer were not stated on the labels, which violates Regulation 18 of the

The banned sardine that was imported from China

Food and Drug Regulations.

Those were only some of the reasons that influ-

enced the Department’s decision, the release stated. It further outlined that based

on the Inspector’s report and according to the laws of Guyana’s Food and Drug Act – Chapter 34:03 Section 22 (II) and the Food and Drug Regulation 1977 Regulation 11 – consent to grant entry of the product into the country for consumers to use was not granted and the Head of the Customs Department and the Importer were officially notified, as prescribed for in the law.

The Department will now furnish a copy of the inconsistent Free Sale Certificate, which was used to facilitate the shipment into Guyana with our sister regulatory agency of the People’s Republic of China.

In addition, the name and

address of the exporter and the importer will be provided in an attempt to prevent future shipment of substandard foods being exported to Guyana from China.

The Department is advising consumers to pay close attention to labels for dates, addresses, country of origin, instruction for storage, the language (must be in English) and the condition of containers when purchasing items of food at all times.

The Department will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure substandard items of foods, drugs cosmetics and medical devices are prevented from being released on our local market.

news

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SunDAY, DECember 25, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Addiction: In the life of a recovering drug addict

By Devina Samaroo

W

hat started out as nothing but a little high school fun gradually evolved into a major catastrophe that changed his life forever.

Mark never thought his

Mark

life would spiral out of control like it did, he always thought he had self-control and that he could stop whenever he wanted.

Meet Mark, 47, a recovering drug addict who lost his job and family because of his gripping addiction to a range of drugs including marijuana, crack cocaine and alcohol.

As a teenager, Mark experimented with marijuana because all the “cool kids” were doing it and because it was “all a part of the fun.”

“I used to use marijuana to get down with the cool people. I have what we call an addictive personality. For some people, they can use and stop but I wasn’t one of those people.

I got hooked. I progressed to crack cocaine for a while.

There were periods where I would stop on my own but I couldn’t stay stopped,” Mark began to tell his story.

He was sitting in a little office at the Drug Rehab Centre of the Salvation Army in Kingston, Georgetown. This is his second time being enrolled in the drug rehabilitation programme. He completed the programme in 2014 but was overconfident in his recovery process. He wanted his life back right away but when that did not materialise, he relapsed to drugs for comfort.

“I didn’t apply what I was taught. I was looking for too much too fast. After coming from a high level and when I came out clean I wanted to start back there, not realising I had to start from the bottom,” he explained with hand gestures.

Mark lived in the United States, had a wife and two sons but his illicit lifestyle got him deported to Guyana in 2006.

In Guyana, Mark decided it was the perfect opportunity to turn over a new leaf but his plans did not auger well with him.

“I went to a Reggae Concert and it just didn’t feel normal so I decided to burn a joint and within a year, I was back to crack cocaine. It just developed and my life became totally unmanageable,” he explained.

His hunger for the drugs caused him to irrationally sell everything he owned just to finance the lifestyle he craved.

ties and sometimes anger management, with classes hosted by the Men’s Affairs Bureau. It usually lasts for six months but patients are encouraged to stay at the halfway house upon completion of the programme for monitoring purposes but in Mark’s case, he did not.

Thibaud explained that the halfway house is a critical peripheral aspect of the programme as it helps offi-

Ulrick Thibaud

Rehab

Mark realised he needed help and so he got enrolled into the Drug Rehab Programme in 2014.

The Drug Rehab Centre in Guyana has been transforming lives since its establishment in 1996.

For 2016 alone, nearly 100 addicts were enrolled in the programme.

Administrator of the Salvation Army Guyana, Ulrick Thibaud told Guyana Times that the success rate of the rehabilitation programme is about 50 per cent.

Thibaud said children from as young as 13 years are enrolled in the programme, in some cases students come from prominent high schools.

According to the Administrator, addicts in the younger age range are hooked on marijuana whereas the older ones are into cocaine and alcohol.

The programme is very simple: patients participate in counselling, educational forums, spiritual activi-

cers to intervene if they notice risk factors or if patients exhibit a tendency to revert to drugs.

Resistance

For the most part, patients demonstrate a willingness to get clean and they have the support of family. But there are a number of cases where resistance is high and some patients are neglected by relatives.

The Administrator pointed out that resistance is high in the younger age group, where teenagers believe that nothing is odd about their indulgence in drugs.

Thibaud highlighted that the media plays an integral role in perpetuating the ideology that drug usage is not harmful and many persons therefore reject the help offered on this basis. turn to page 19

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SunDAY, december 25, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

NEWS

17

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Poultry farmer loses ducks on...

ANNA'S

A time for reflection

C

hristmas is a holy day for Christians, a day of commemoration, reflection and sharing in remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ, the man who incarnated hope for mankind. Thousands nationwide, including the majority of Amerindians, will be celebrating by attending mass and church services, and gathering Anna Correia with family and friends to indulge in the season’s festivities.

As we go out of our way to make those dear to us happy, let us remember the children who were not so fortunate to wake up to presents this morning, the families who do not have the luxury of sumptuous meals or the company of close ones to look forward to. Let us spare a thought for those who are without families and those who have left us. Let us remember Indigenous peoples around the globe who figure among some of the most impoverished and neglected populations, deprived of decent health care, basic necessities and their human rights. Let us remember the populations trapped in the grips of war and conflict.

For if anything, Christmas is the celebration of a man who lived a life of poverty and for the poor.

The thriving business built on Christmas is far flung from the stable in which the Son of Man was born, surrounded by his humble parents, shepherds and animals. And so we often forget that the essence of giving which inhibits us this time of the year, is not only in honour of Christ as the three kings had honoured him, but also in acknowledgement of those in need.

The late Archbishop of San Salvador Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez on December 24, 1978 said: “No one can celebrate a genuine Christmas without being truly poor. The self-sufficient, the proud, those who, because they have everything,look down on others, (…) – for them there will be no Christmas. (…)”

His statement resonates with me in particular this Christmas, after a year of rampant crime and austere measures which plunged our nation into morosity.

Social division between Guyanese is increasingly pronounced and the people challenged by poverty, unemployment and other forms of negligence, are often taken for granted by their fellow countrymen and women.

I hope that a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect ignites and cements us as a nation, replacing the scorn so often meted out to the small man and woman. It is to these lesser privileged sections of our society that I would like to extend my best wishes for peace and renewed strength to face the challenges ahead.

May your Christmas by merry and joyful.

Season’s greetings to all.

Lewis, who also rears chickens, estimates his losses at $180,000 and explained that he started the poultry business last year to supplement the income he makes as a cane harvester.

According to the man, after several hours had

elapsed, he reported the matter to Central Police Station in New Amsterdam, however he was told to go back to the Reliance Police Station.

“This time they take down my address and my name and told me till to-

night [Christmas Eve night] that the CID gon come on patrol.

When they come in the night they can’t get no evidence because the place gon be dark. I want them to see the footprint and where it lead to… It seems as though

FROM PAGE 5

they waiting until more rain fall and wash out all the footprints,” Lewis said.

The distraught farmer says although he can point to suspects, he is helpless because of the lack of assistance from the Police.

(Andrew Carmichael)

18 news

SunDAY, december 25, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Locked away: Life of prisoners on Christmas Day

By Vahnu Manikchand

T

he Christmas holiday is usually when persons spend time and make memories with their families and loved-ones, however there are some because of their actions unfortunately do not have that option – like prisoners.

While some, if not most, of them are incarcerated as a result of their own wrong doings, it does not take away from the fact that they would miss their families during their holiday season, especially those with children.

As a result the Guyana Prisons Service has planned a series of activities so that inmates of the various penitentiaries throughout the country can celebrate the joy and hope of Christmas amongst themselves.

According to Officer in Charge (OC) of the Georgetown Prison, Kevin Pilgrim, while security remains tight as per protocol, inmates are treated to

The lit tree inside the compound of the Georgetown Prison

a little more freedom during the Christmas season with lots of festivities planned to spread cheer within the usually daunting environment.

Two of the highlights leading up to the season are the Christmas tree light-up and the ‘Family Bonding’

programme.

There were Christmas tree light-ups followed by a miniconcert during which several inmates at the various prisons were rewarded for their “good” behaviour.

The awardees were given vouchers to the Prisons’ Tuc-

shops.

Additionally, some of the penitentiaries, including New Amsterdam, Bartica and Timehri, distributed monetary donations to children in nearby communities.

Meanwhile, the ‘family bonding’ initiative saw inmates being allowed time with their families, including children, to sit and share a meal. Pilgrim explained that convicted prisoners are usually entitled to one visit per month and a family visit once quarterly.

“So what the family bonding does is to have the families of these inmates come and spend some time.

The children get to see their fathers, and mothers in the case of the female prisoners at New Amsterdam, and spend time with them and catch up.”

However, Pilgrim explained that while the initiative is ideally for fathers who are incarcerated and their children, there are some inmates who do not have children but have

their parents and/or persons whom they are close with hence they are also allowed the same privilege.

The programme is highly successful at all the prison facilities and is well appreciative by the inmates. Only those prisoners on good behaviour are allowed to participate in this initiative.

At Georgetown, the ‘family bonding’ was held over a period of one week. It commenced on December 12 and ran up until December 20.

Pilgrim explained that during these visits, the inmates were allowed from one hour 30 minutes to two hours to bond with their families during which they share a home-cooked meal brought by the visitors.

However, it was explained that time of some of the prisoners were unfortunately cut short because there were too many per-

A prisoner working on a Christmas tree in Timehri

sons to be accommodated in the small area.

On December 25 – Christmas Day– the inmates are awoken to a bit of freedom as those who smoke are given some extra time outside in the compound.

At breakfast, which usually is the traditional Guyanese cuisine pepper-pot and bread, the OC at the various prisons would sit and interact with the inmates.

The Director of Prisons is also invited and turn up to those locations to socialise with the inmates, and delivering motivational speech-

New Amsterdam Prison had a grand Christmas tree lightup ceremony with the general community participating as well

es. Additionally, members from the Prison Ministries are also invited and would interact with the inmates, encouraging them, giving them hope and also teaching them forgiveness.

During the course of the day, the prison authorities try to create a festive atmosphere with most of the facilities playing Christmas carols.

In Georgetown, however, the Prisons’ Steelpan and choir would pay a visit to State House, where the inmates perform for the President after which they would head over to the Prime Minister’s residence and then to the Public Security Minister’s home.

Christmas Day continues with a grand luncheon at which prisoners would be treated to scrumptious meals along with traditional Guyanese black and sponge cakes. The rest of the day is spent engaging in indoor games until dinner, when another festive meal is served.

In Georgetown, the day after Christmas is much anticipated when the Republican Boxing Gym hosts its annual Boxing Day exhibition match on the tarmac inside of the Georgetown Prisons compound.

NEWS

19

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mad cow/Masquerade a main highlight of Region 2 Christmas

– genuine display of unity

By Indrawattie Natram

E

ven today, I get really anxious whenever I hear the masquerade drums through the streets or even from a distance. The sounds emanating are uniquely upbeat and evokes childhood memories. I can vividly recall my first encounter with a masquerade band when I hid under my bed, waiting for my mother to tell me when the band passed.

I could remember having scary nights after the “facey vampire” pulled me out from under the bed. The

sweat ran though my spine and tears cascaded from my eyes, yes I still remember those good olden days and am sure many other Essequibians share the same memories like I do. I am sure they will also agree with me that a Christmas without the “mad cow” is definitely incomplete.

Although the tradition is not as alive as previous years, the memories of the horrific mad cow’s experiences still live amongst us.

My attraction to the boomboom sally was also vivid; a man in a dress with a protruded butt, his antics

Drummers surely make masequarade alive

Addiction: In the life...

There is a worldwide movement for the decriminalisation of the use of marijuana and some states have amended legislation to facilitate this. Sections of society locally have made the appeal for the laws to be amended to decriminalise marijuana and former Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman and Attorney Nigel Hughes had drafted legislation to make marijuana usage legal.

Thibaud contends that marijuana usage, or any drug usage, leads to an addiction that can bring turmoil to one’s life and he urged persons to stay away from drugs.

Regrets

For Mark, his story is one of regrets.

Losing his family was among his biggest regrets, particularly his children: “The last time I saw them (two sons), they were probably seven and nine (years old). My greatest regret is that they grew up without me, I wasn’t there for them.

They never wanted to talk with me when I came back to Guyana.”

Mark said one of his sons is currently involved in illicit activities and that it aches his heart, knowing he is not there to provide guidance and advice for him.

Mark also has a daughter, who resides in Guyana with whom he shares a better relationship than his sons.

After relapsing to his addictive lifestyle following his rehabilitation in 2014, Mark decided he’s going to give himself another change in life.

“The disease is such a thing that it is speedy, with alcohol and drugs, you want

FROM PAGE 15

it now. So when I recover, I want everything now.

I want back my job now, I want back my wife now. So it’s the character defects I have to work on. And this time around I will have patience,” he expressed.

“When I was looking for a job and I didn’t get it, I felt frustrated and I went back to my comfort zone with alcohol and drug use. It made me feel that everything is going to be alright, it was my feel good zone. But what we learned here is that it’s okay to feel bad because when I wake up tomorrow I will at least be sober and once I have a sober day I have a successful day. Last time that wasn’t at the forefront; getting back everything was what I wanted,” he lamented.

This time around too, he intends on staying at the halfway house after the sixmonth programme comes to an end in February.

Mark hopes his story inspires others to make better life decisions.

“To the youths who haven’t started: Don’t start.

It only looks good from the outside…for the people who are active, I would suggest they come to a place such as this and get help and educated on drug addiction.

They have people who could drink and smoke and stop, I have friends like that. But some people have an addictive personality and just can’t put it down.”

He reminded that drug usage may be glorified by actors in movies but when the movie ends, the actors go back to their normal lives.

He emphasised too that it is normal to feel pain and disappointment but turning to drug only heals the wounds momentarily.

A masequarade band with "bam bam sally"

Flouncers having fun

something to behold.

Today when I see a masquerade band, I am still mesmerised by their presence. I am also happy that the culture has remained strong, particularly during this season of Christmas. I was also happy to see children from various communities moving around, keeping the masquerade feelings alive.

Growing up in the country, older boys become part

generations.

However on the Essequibo Coast, a multicultural Region, masquerade celebrations are common in villages such as Henrietta, Danielstown, Dartmouth, O n d e r n e e m i n g , Queenstown, Charity and Supenaam.

It’s definitely a scene to behold, men (old and young) take pride in creating their costumes weeks before the season com-

of a masquerade band in every Village, while individual groups do not only play for fun in keeping with the festive Christmas season, many capitalise on the incentives garnered from performing.

The masquerade band could be dated as far back as the 18th Century. In fact, it was originally practised by slaves; the jollification after hard work.

This practice transcends

mences, and even young boys would be seen moving from house to house with their “mad cow” seeking monetary incentives for their efforts.

Masquerade has certainly become part and parcel of the Christmas season and more and more persons are enjoying the tradition, joining the bands passing through the streets.

Christmas in Essequibo is nothing without masquerades.

20

SunDAY, december 25, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

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he Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) is set to celebrate a huge milestone in 2017, the celebration of 150 years in existence. And to commemorate this colossal achievement, the entity will be hosting the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships.

This huge event will attract the best marksmen and women not only from the West Indies but from the leading countries in the world, the likes of Australia, England, Canada, USA and Scotland who will all converge at the Timehri Rifle Ranges to compete.

Cognizant of the huge costs that would be necessary to put Guyana on show to the world and to be the good hosts that Guyana is known for, the executive of the GuyanaNRA decided to reach out early to the Patron of the association, His Excellency President David Granger and the Honorable Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Sport, Nicolette Henry, for assistance.

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it would incur costs amounting to almost twenty million dollars to ensure the Timehri Range is in pristine condition and also the procuring of ammunition.

President Granger and Minister Henry agreed to the association's request and generously boosted the budget with a shot that hit the V on first attempt, valued at G$1M. Minister Henry in presenting the cheque to GuyanaNRA Secretary Ryan Sampson who also holds a similar position on the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) in the presence of other executive members noted that the Ministry was very pleased to be associated with the association to celebrate such a rare millstone.

Henry also stated that this contribution towards a continued partnership with the association is not one off and she is looking forward to assisting the association in other ways not necessarily in the area of finances only.

In expressing gratitude, Sampson informed that over 100 shooters from the region and the world are expected to come to Guyana which would experience a direct

boost in the areas of sports tourism since apart from the team members, it has already been confirmed that their family members would be making the trip also.

“We intend to showcase a Guyana in a very positive way during the hosting of this championship.” Sampson said.

Sampson also extended gratitude to President Granger and Minister Henry for giving the association the perfect start in their quest to raise the requisite funds towards a successful championship in October 2017.

The GuyanaNRA has been able over the years to make all of Guyana proud with its performances at the Caribbean level and the world level, Guyanaese shooters making up half of the West Indies Team at the last World Long Range Championships which took place at Camp Perry, Ohio, USA. The Guyanese marksmen led by Captain Mahendra Persaud are also the Short and Long Range Champions of the Caribbean and are looking forward to maintaining that status come 2017 on home soil.

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espite the weather, the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club at Bushlot Farm is in perfect condition for the annual Boxing Day eightrace spectacular.

President of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, Justice Cecil Kennard confirmed that the track is in mint condition and the intermittent rain has no negative effect on event.

More than 70 horses are registered for the eight-race programme and Justice Kennard is pleased to announce that a prompt start at 13:00h is expected.

Stag Beer, Digicel,

DDL and Metro Office and Computer Supplies are among the major partners for the 44th edition of t h e

horse racing Christmas Holiday tradition. The feature event is

for horses classified B and Lower running over a distance of nine furlongs for a $1.2M winning purse.

Another memorable day of horse racing is expected when horses such as CP Got Even, Score’s Even, Kings Knight, Just Call Me Boss, Princess She Not, Golden Blue Echo, Plum plum Goodwill Boy, Lady Budapest, Climate Change, Blame the Jockey, Jack in My Style, Because I Say So, Bridal Stone Corner Super Cat, Royal Jet, Perfect Gold, King Stanley, Awesome Cash and Flash Again take to the starting gates. Spit Fire who was ridden by jockey Colin Ross is the defending champion

22

guyanatimesgy.com

sundAY, DECEMber 25, 2016

By Akeem Greene

L

egendary basketball player Michael Jordon said “never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion” and to footballer Jeremy Garrett, his fears are indeed an illusion.

Born on January 1 to Phillip Garrett and Natasha Alexander, Jeremy has placed himself on the pedestal for greatness when he had a successful try-out at the famous Sporting Clube de Portugal earlier this month. It was an opportunity that most Guyanese athletes go their entire lives without seeing and now he has a chance to create history.

Though successful, the 16 year-old will have to wait until January 2018 until he can sign for the club since the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) under its Article 19 of rules and regulations which relates to ‘Protection of Minors’, states that “International

transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18.”

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport the Fruta Conquerors defender explained that the “result of the training is that an agreement was made for me to return next year June for the pre season and sign in January and hopefully all goes well because if my game drops I cannot sign.”

The National under-17 captain in commenting on the experiences of the trip revealed that it was a big difference since “playing in Portugal, the guys are more fast, committed and discipline and in terms of playing to together, the guys are more unique”.

He added, “The first night I trained I was told by the coach that I do not look comfortable playing in the centre back position when I asked why he explained that the tactical aspect of my game needs improv-

ing other than that he told me that I had a good understanding of the game”.

Most the admirably, the Chase Academic Foundation Student who wrote the Caribbean Secondary

Examination Council (CSEC) were he acquired eight subjects, is most selfless about his accomplishments on the field since he is more focused on ensuring that other youngsters believe that dreams can come through.

“I have my younger brother [ Jermaine Garrett], he is in the National under-15 team and he looks up to me and this Training aloneside some of Europe’s top footballers of the same age, Garrett managed to impress, leaving a door open for him to achieve what many at this age only dream of achieving

opportunity will give not only him but other youngsters the belief that anything can happen once you remain committed and discipline, humble and don’t follow the wrong company,” he posited. Typically, most young players who showcase immense talent eventually fall away from the limelight due to varying reasons and Garrett was quizzed as to why this occurs in Guyana.

His response showcased an emotional Garrett, as he explained that “I have a great example, I have a friend who introduced me to football, he was the one who helped me get away from mom to go play, his name his Ryan “Boom Boom” Hackett.” He went unto say, “When Ryan was about 8 or 9 I remember as a youngster looking up to him and for like five years Ryan was the most dominant player at youth level and this country did not nothing for him, they never had any structured programme for him, they never sent him anywhere and now he is struggling a bit with his football but he is still good.”

The aspiring

Physiotherapist firmly believes that “the football fraternity needs to put more emphasis on giving young players opportunities because staying here in Guyana it will just kill their dreams and that is what happened to my friend but he is still a good player right now.” While Garrett lays in wait for June 2017, the footballer said he will continue to maintain a high fitness standard by working at the Top End Gym and is hopeful that Guyana’s Football Ambassador and the man who made a try-out possible Alex Banbury can help him train with an overseas club until he returns to Portugal.

In closing Garrett, was most appreciative of the support given by Digicel since without their support he could have not have travelled to Portugal.

In addition he thanked his family along with the team at Fruta Conquerors and Principal Henry Chase.

With an aptitude for success, combined with skill and discipline, Garrett has already surpassed many expectations and his determined to not only achieve his dreams but make the country proud.

guyana-times.com

sundAY, DECEMber 25, 2016

23

New Era/Cell Smart Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal Tournament…

“Brown Boy” dodges “Shark” to book Hustlers finals date ― defending champions advance to 2nd final

O

n the penultimate night of heated rivalry in the New Era Cell Smart Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal Tournament it was Hustlers and Magic Stars who were left standing and will march on to the championship match.

In the semi-finals

on Friday night at the McKenzie Sports Club Hard Court, Hustlers edged Good Fellas in the match that saw divided crowd support while defending champions Magic stars pummel Team Empire to storm to the final.

In the first match of the night, Hustlers who have shown the most pomp and

CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship 2017, The Bahamas

T

he Caribbean sides in next year’s CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship (CBSC) will be up against it from the get-go after CONCACAF and Beach Soccer Worldwide unveiled the competition’s schedule.

The tournament, set for the Bahamas from February 20-26, will see Jamaica attempting to be one of two teams to qualify for the second round, with challenges coming from Guyana, Belize and the hosts in Group A. Barbados, a replacement for Guatemala, who FIFA banned from international football, will have a mountain to climb, with Canada, Mexico and Guadeloupe making up Group B. Trinidad and Tobago don’t have things any easier, as they have to contend with neighbours Antigua and Barbuda, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as the United States.

Group D will be made up of El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and Turks &

Caicos Islands.

The CBSC consists of sixteen teams that were selected into four groups of four at October’s draw in Miami. During the competition’s first four days, the sides will compete in roundrobin play.

The top two finishers from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, while the third- and fourthplaced teams will continue playing in placement matches over the final three match dates.

The eventual semifinal winners qualify for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer Championship, also in the Bahamas.

Groups: Group A; Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize, Guyana Group B; Mexico, Barbados, Canada, Guadeloupe Group C; USA, Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, US Virgin Islands Group D; El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Turks & Caicos Islands.

(Sportsmax)

flair in the tournament squeezed past Good Fellas in a high scoring game 9-8.

As expected Jermain “Brown Boy” Scotland and Clarence “Shark” Huggins led their respective teams well but in the end it was “Brown Boy” and Hustlers who will have a shot at the championship.

“Brown Boy” scored four goals (in the 11th, 37th, 38th and 40th minute) and was well supported by Donavon Francis with a brace (21st, 24th minute) and another from Deon “Crab” Carter (15th and 36th minute) while “Shark” breached the opposition’s defence twice ( 11th and 38th minute) while Omion Wills (34th and 38th minutes) with two as well and Deshawn Joseph with

a hat trick (16th, 18th, 19th and 36th minute) were on target for Good Fellas in a losing effort.

In the second semi-final, Team Empire got the thrashing of the tournament going down to defending champions, Magic Stars 8-13.

Empire was lead valiantly by Calvin Drakes with a helmet-trick but Joel Mckinnonn and Kennard Tyrell both scored five goals each to Empire’s fairy tale run. In rainy conditions, Empire got off to an impressive start as the crowds got to the edge of their seats in one of the most exciting matches. Calvin Drakes blasted one past the Defending Champion’s goal keeper and again three minutes later.

Trenton Lashley followed in the 10th minute to give his team a 3-0 lead but Kennard Tyrell unleashed his skills to blast five goals (10th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 20th minute) while Curt Johnson (12th minute) and Drakes (19th minute) saw the first half 5-5 in tight action.

In the second half, Empire could only manage three goals while Magic Stars crashed eight past the Empire’s goal keeper.

Lashley score twice (21st and 24th minute) while Drakes scored in the last minute of play, On the other side, Joel McKinnon hammered five goals (27th, 30th, 39th, 41st, 42nd, and 43rd ) to bring down the Empire.

Captain Jermaine Grandison chipped in with

two goals and Cowie Gittens with one for the champions.

The curtains will come down on the three-week long tournament with four to three matches on Boxing Day from 20:00h. There are one exhibition match between Promoters and refrees followed by the third place play-off between Team Empire and Good Fellas for $75,000 and a trophy. The grand finale will be between the tournament’s most composed teams, Hustlers and Magic Stars. The winners are guaranteed $400,000 while the losing finalist will walk away with $150,000.

Other prizes to be given out include, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, Best goalkeeper and Best young player.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 23

Guyana NRA gets $1M for historic celebrations Minister Nicolette Henry presents the million-dollar cheque to GNRA's Ryan Sampson in the presence of top marksmen Terence Stuart (extreme right) and Lennox Braithwaite

New Era/Cell Smart Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal Tournament…

“Brown Boy” dodges “Shark” to book Hustlers finals date

Challenger, Hustlers have a point to prove on Boxing Night

Defending Champion, Magic Stars are aiming for nothing but a repeat

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