The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, June 14 – 15:05h-16:35h
WEATHER TODAY FERRY SCHEDULE
Since occupying office on May 16, the David Granger-led administration has sacked more than 50 employees of the Government in less than 30 days, even as it insists that it has not engaged in any “witch-hunting”. The former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration has condemned the dismissals in the harshest possible terms.
In a press release over the weekend, the PPP/C accused the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government of embarking on an “ethniccleansing” spree, where it is outrageously dismissing
Guyanese professionals on the basis of their race and political affiliation. More than any other thing, the PPP/C has objected to the manner in which the dismissals were effectuated, pointing out that the employees were not afforded due
process. In most cases their severing of accumulated benefits we deemed “vindictive”.
The APNU/AFC administration has thus far fired employees from the Office of the President (now Ministry of Presidency), Ministry of Communities, Amerindian Affairs Ministry, and Social Protection Ministry, and sent on leave Regional Executive Officers, Members of State Board of Directors, and recalled diplomats.
At least 20 persons listed
on the payroll of the National Communications Network, who were stationed at the Office of the President as media monitors, were abruptly fired by the new administration. Presidential guards were also dismissed from the Office of the President.
In addition, Press and Publicity Officer attached to the Office of the President, Kwame McCoy, was also sacked by the Government on the grounds that he failed to report to duty since May 12. McCoy was at the time on medical leave after he was violently assaulted by APNU/ AFC supporters on Election Day, May 11, even as he was in an open-backed Police Vehicle. Minutes earlier he had been escorted out of St Sidwell’s Primary School by David Granger and Joseph Harmon.
Over at the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall and the former Head of the National Toshaos
june 14, 2015
Council, Yvonne Pearson, were also dismissed by the Government. For Pearson, she believes her dismissal is solely a result of her openly supporting the PPP/C in the
May 11 Elections. Dharamlall also was a candidate of the PPP/C during the elections campaign.
Former Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry Collin Croal, another PPP/C candidate, was sent on leave after which he was asked to resign. Additionally, Guyana Water Incorporation Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh was also sent on leave for 72 days; however his contract will expire before that period is over.
The Government also sacked the CEO of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Dr Raj Singh, and forced all of its Board of Directors to resign. Those persons include Geeta Singh-Knight, Shaik Baksh, Badrie Persaud,
Keith Burrowes and Dindyal Permaul. In addition, Region Nine’s (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) REO Claire Singh, and political advisor and former Local Government Minister Clinton Collymore were fired.
Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency Anne Green was sent on leave after
a confrontation with Junior Minister Simona Broomes. And acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba was another professional who was humiliated and thrown out of her office.
Most recently, the APNU/ AFC Government recalled Zulfikar Ally from his post as Director for the Caribbean at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Guyana’s Ambassador to Mexico Bayney Karran and Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil Merlin Udho were recalled from their posts.
Merlin Udho
Bayney Karran
Dr Raj Singh
Carol Sooba
Zulfikar Ally
Collin Croal
Nigel Dharamlall
Sunday Editor: Michael Younge
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
This new government has introduced the increase of “social cohesion” as one of its primary goals. Signalling this move very early on, the Ministry of Social Services was renamed “Ministry of Social Cohesion” but there was no explication of what was envisaged in terms of being different from what preceded it.
Most citizens assumed that “social cohesion” was simply another way of saying “Social Protection”.
It would appear that this was the assumption of even one of the Ministers appointed in the new Ministry. Citizens are bemused by her precipitate action in swooping down on her hometown of Bartica and extracting 20 odd individuals, who were evidently engaged in “sex-work”, by claiming they were being “trafficked”.
Even if this assertion were true, it was most surprising that the purported “victims” were the ones arrested and hauled to Georgetown at great expense while no alleged “traffickers” were even cited.
How the action, which infuriated large sections of Bartica who expressed their disagreement with the action, increased “social cohesion” is still to be explained.
Be as it may, and perhaps because of this action, President David Granger took the opportunity in his inaugural address to Parliament to expand on what he understood by the term “social cohesion”.
Intuitively, one would assume that “cohesion” would imply a “bringing together” - in this case of the members of our society that might be separated for one reason or another. Since all societies are divided along more than one line - race, ethnicity, class, colour, etc - it would be important to understand which societal divisions the government identified.
Granger obliged: “Your Government recognises today that our foreparents came from four continents. We, their heirs and successors, resolve to work together to pursue the ideal of making Guyana ‘One Nation’.”
Presumably then, “social cohesion” would focus its work - if not exclusively - at least intensely, on addressing our traditional ethnic/racial divide. Who could disagree with this?
In evaluating the government’s plans, policies and programmes to achieve the “social cohesion” encapsulated in our motto of “One Nation”, efforts by the EU provide a good starting point.
The Council of Europe defines social cohesion as “the capacity of a society to ensure the welfare of all its members, minimising disparities and avoiding polarization”.
President Granger appeared cognisant of these broad goals since, inter alia, focusing especially on “welfare” he noted:
“Guyana cannot become ‘One Nation’ if gross disparities persist between the hinterland and the coastland, between the educated few and a semi-literate mass and between the very rich and very poor. We shall foster the growth of a united nation in which cooperation prevails over confrontation.”
On the “avoidance of polarisation” he claimed, “We shall work towards healing the rifts between social groups in the country.” Towards this end he said he was willing “to engage the major sections of society – including other political parties – to realise our common quest for consensus on a national programme to move the country forward.”
But if the very laudable goal of “social cohesion” is ever to be achieved, or even to move the society in that direction, the government will have to translate its rhetoric into action.
The early actions of members of the administration, especially in Human Resources Management, suggest that the new officers need to “get with the programme” - assuming there is a programme to “avoid polarisation”.
Take the spate of firings that is presently underway in governmental offices: it has raised widespread accusations of “victimisation”, “witch-hunting”, and even “ethnic cleansing”.
It is not only the firings that have raised those concerns, but the manner in which they were carried out in direct violation of legal norms such as due process and the rule of law.
With 49.3 per cent of the population not voting for APNU/ AFC, these actions will increase social polarisation and decrease “social cohesion”. We advise the government to “take care”.
They came in on the basis of lies, they will leave with the truth
Dear Editor
The present illegal government came in on a mountain of lies. Like a knight in shining armour they triumphantly took possession of government on these wild and baseless lies.
By this time we were of the opinion that they would have settled down to the business of building this country with the gains and successes laid down by the PPP/C. But what we see is a people still on the campaign trail with more lies coming from their arsenal. From all indications they are still in a campaign mode and propaganda is still their main tool.
The problem they have is the same people they lied to - not PPP/C People
we see through them lie a glass - but their own supporters, they are waiting on them to give something by way of accountability. Their supporters are the ones looking out for the actualization of those promises. So far, the rhetoric is obvious and there are no more lies to run with, the truth is about to come tumbling out.
By now their supporters are becoming tired of the lies and are beginning to question. They are becoming restless as to the “blame the PPP/C game” that is present, they want to know whether The coalition is going to get on with the work of nation building.
For a country that has seen over nine years of continuous growth, talk of cor-
ruption is very cheap.
No more will their supporters take that foolish street talk of corruption, they want to know and see your skill at moving this country forward. Where are your plans, where are your programmes, where are your projections, initiatives and the like to move Guyana forward? Where are they?
This Finance Minister, who from all indications is challenged where fiscal and economic matters are concerned, is definitely on the wrong footing. Instead of gleaning on the expert plans put in place by his predecessor, he is busy carrying out party wishes that is, out fishing for faults.
Well, I can assure him there will be none because
all the PPP/C’s records in office are well documented and can be audited. And if the learned Minister wants any further clarification, or if ever he needs enlightenment on any matter, he is free to seek help from Dr Singh. The truth of the whole matter is corruption and misappropriation of funds were all a big lie concocted to make the PPP/C look bad in the eyes of the gullible public. It is backfiring big time, their own lies are exposing them, and the people are seeing them for who they really are.
Like I said earlier, they came in on the basis of lies and they will be going out with the truth.
Neil Adams
Transform Tiger Bay into a tourist attraction
Dear Editor,
One of the consequences of living in an impoverished repressive culture is that we become so concerned with meeting our daily bread needs and survival, that we often time forget the power of our imagination.
We forget that everything we see or experience is conceived first in the mind, our imagination. Guyana is not short on “experts” and talent, however one area we must grow is vision - personal, collective and and national vision.
Tiger Bay is a historic neighborhood in Georgetown. Its people are full of pride, vigilant, resourceful and its histo-
ry and present can be woven into a fantastic story to share with all Guyanese and Guyana’s visitors. In summary here is what I imagine of Tiger Bay:
1. A colorful, vibrant tourist attraction with various art offerings inclusive of music, sculptures, drama, dance, culinary displayed in and outside of soft bars, restaurants, indoor and outdoor cafes, a small studio used for dance, etc.
2. Historical offerings about Tiger Bay and its immediate environs artifacts, revered heroes and heroines, notable supporters, epochs, crucial moments, and so on displayed in a museum (Museum of
the Guyanese people?) or two and at key locations throughout the district.
3. Tour guides offering memorable walk or drive through experiences.
4. Different forms of entertainment including live bands, etc (Tiger Bay can become the hub for buddings musicians, sculptors and other artists).
5. An urban garden space with outdoor benches and seating areas.
This not only creates jobs for residents of Tiger Bay, it transforms neighborhood aesthetics, value and the way residents and non-residents interact with each other and the area. I know there are many more
ideas to be thrown into the mix and I hope this letter helps somewhat. It is also my hope this letter reaches the right eyes, in particular of Ministry of Tourism and the folks involved in the Tiger Bay restoration effort. In closing my intention is that this idea sparks a national discussion and attention to the need for us to place greater value on design, creative problem solving and the relationship between design, social interaction and economic value when addressing similar social developmental efforts.
R Small
The inaugural Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta over London (The Telegraph)
Deserving individuals not honoured in independence rosters
Dear Editor, Granting national honours is the prerogative of the government of the day. It is usually a political act to reward party loyalists. Rarely honoured are deserving professionals and charitable figures.
The PPP/C did honour several individuals. The PNC honoured its supporters. Some non-supporters who played a most significant role in the independence movement and or the struggle for the restoration of democracy as well as in the national development of our country should also have been honoured.
Among them are Pandits Ramall, Birbalsingh, and Rampersaud Tiwari, all from the same era as Sir Fenton and Rai (and Hamilton Green and Llewelyn John), and Arjune Karshan (may have been honoured in 2011), Chuck Mohan, Baytoram Ramharack, Vassan Ramracha, etc, who were more involved in the struggle against the PNC dictatorship
They were beacons in the struggle for national self-determination. I can’t think of anyone in the current composition of the PPP/C who has done more for Guyana and for the PPP/C than these fine gentlemen. The party directly benefited from their struggle, although some were not PPPites.
I could never quite understand why the PPP/C leadership did not want to honour stalwarts who contributed so much to the na-
tion, since the PPP/C was the beneficiary of their struggle.
One has to admire and applaud the PNC (APNU) leadership for boldly honouring its supporters (including those with a controversial past) in the independence ceremony unlike the PPP/C government.
In less than one week after taking the reins of office, the PNC (APNU) came up with its list of honourees that had an under-representation of Indians and AFC supporters.
It is unfortunate that the AFC leadership did not find Rai and Sir Fenton, as well as the others mentioned above, worthy of recognition. In this regard, the AFC is no different from PPP/C that it criticized.
Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Security Minister Ramjattan know of the contributions of the above who are still around after putting in decades in service to our nation’s freedom and development.
Pandit Ramlall came to the defense of Ramjattan and Nagamootoo when they were excommunicated. He never stopped showering praises in private on these two gentlemen. In conversations with me, Fenton described both as brilliant lawyers.
Moses was enamored by the charisma and intellect of Rai and Fenton. It is a disappointment that neither Moses nor Khemraj find it fit to recommend any among the above to be honoured.
Of those who were honoured, I can’t think of any who served the nation more productively than them.
To think that Hamilton Green and Llewelyn John, both of whom presided over rigged elections, could receive national honours, but not those who truly fought for independence and democracy is a grave injustice.
Llewelyn John came from the League of Colored People. He was a Burnhamite involved in rigging elections although he did denounce Burnhamism and spilled his guts on election riggings when he linked up with the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy.
Pt Rampersaud Tiwari served Her Majesty’s Government between 1954 and 1966 and the Burnham government between 1966 and 1985 when he retired –over 31 years.
Rai went to the 1960 conference in London to prepare for Guyana’s independence that was to come in 1961. He served as MP between1957 and 64 – elected from Central Demerara, defeating Sydney King at first who ran as an independent.
He managed the (racially biased) Police force at a most difficult time. Rai helped to facilitate the downfall of the British Empire in Guyana and was never given credit for his role.
Fenton was not such a big player as Rai (who brought him into the PPP and recommended him for the AG position).
Something for the Education Ministry to consider
Dear Editor,
Thank you, my daughter Sarah was mentioned in the Guyana Times on Friday last and would like to share her achievement. Although she did not write the Grade Two assessment exam, and had little time to prepare for the Grade Four, which is used to tabulate the final result, she has done remarkably well.
Her results are as follows: Maths 135 from 138, English 125 from 132, Social Studies 123 from 132, and Science 131 from 133, a total of 514 from 535, the highest score anyone can achieve. We are extremely proud
of her achievement, and will like to thank her teachers Ms Rona Stafford, Ms Alana Fiona Lake, the head teacher Ms Libby Christiani, and all the others who contributed to her success. We will also like to thank the Guyana Times Newspaper for this article.
I will also like to raise a point for future exams, since the Grade 6 final results are based on 85 per cent of the Grade Six test, 10 percent of Grade Four, and five per cent of Grade Two.
I recommend that the Ministry of Education find solution to the reality when situation arises that a child
APNU/AFC told
who is doing so well, and for some reason he/she control did not write the Grade Two or Four assessment, but preformed well in the finals, how to reasonably place that child so that he/she be given an opportunity to continue in a respectable institution, where he/she would have achieved if this unfortunate situation did not arise.
I feel this is something to consider.
Rajkumar Singh Formerly of Riverstown Primary School (Region Two)
Guyanese
there would be no witch hunt
Dear Editor Fellow Guyanese, the ones that voted for APNU+AFC, your reward will be nothing less than pain, suffering and anger. Your loved ones, families with young children and financial debt are being fired without any legal reason.
In Region Nine, three senior regional officers were fired recently. The coalition was brought to power by the manipulations of the external countries.
The APNU+AFC told the Guyanese masses that there would be no “witch hunt”. Guyanese were warned by the PPP/C not to believe or trust them.
What does this tell all honest Guyanese? They are in for pain, hardship and suffering under APNU+AFC.
All Guyanese have a moral responsibility to firmly support a full re-count of all the votes. Failing to do so will mean accepting rigged elections and preferring liars and politicians who refuse to declare their assets as mandated by the Constitution of Guyana.
Do not forget that you have children, grandchildren and families who will face the sufferings now or in the future.
The Almighty God for sure “will bring to justice anyone who has done an
atom of harm to anyone”. Other important promises, for example, such as the public service wage increase of 13 per cent. Now they are singing a different song.
Another lie during the APNU+AFC 2015 Elections campaign was that the young people need jobs and PPP/C is not doing enough. Ask the facto APNU+AFC regime to tell the Guyanese electorate how many young people got jobs in the announcements so far.
GECOM Chairman Surujbally must resign now, not when he decides.
S A
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Page Foundation
BAnu Dev
y the time I hit high school, the extra-lessons culture was already inextricably tied to the school system. I decidedly stayed away from taking any extra lesson throughout my high school life.
And no, it was absolutely not because the syllabus was covered during the school hours by my teachers. I think any student would have a hearty chuckle at the suggestion that our teachers ever actually covered all the
Our extra lessons culture
“If you want to grow a giant redwood, you need to make sure the seeds are ok, nurture the sapling, and work out what might potentially stop it from growing all the way along. Anything that breaks it at any point stops that growth” - Elon Musk.
material in class. Not to bash our teachers too much though. Because given the system they’re teaching in where so many other teachers are making so much dough off extra lessons, it would be ludicrous to expect that they wouldn’t want to do the same.
How could a teacher be motivated to give 100 per cent to their class when other teachers are giving 20 per cent to their class during class hours and are being paid the same?
And tack onto that the fact that those 20 per cent teachers are making three times the salary of the 100 per cent teacher after school hours courtesy of their extra lessons, even someone with an actual passion for teaching would get discouraged. The question of distributive justice arises.
But I absolutely understood why my classmates were taking extra lessons. We simply were not being taught enough in school.
And since many of the extra lessons were given by our regular teachers, it raised the question of whether those teachers were deliberately not teaching enough so that students would have no choice but to take their extra lessons. You’ve got to create enough demand for the product you’re supplying, right?
Now I should take a moment to clarify something. At the CSEC level, it’s understood that we should be taught most of the syllabus but at the CAPE level, going in, we’re told that we’re expected to do 80 per cent of the work on our own.
And I respected that. CAPE is a whole different
ballgame from CSEC, and it’s supposed to prep us for University where we’d be expected to do the bulk of the work on our own.
Since I was already accustomed to having to do the bulk of the syllabus outside of the school system, on my own, CAPE didn’t seem all that different from CSEC and once again I decided against any extra lessons.
Most of my classmates we ahead with extra lessons, same deal with CSEC, except this time our in-class teachers weren’t expected to cover the material in class, we’re supposed to do the work on our own.
But here’s my problem with these extra lesson, especially at the CAPE level. CAPE is that step before university.
University - that glorious place where you can skip as
many lectures as you like without the lecturer caring one whit whether you show up or not.
University - that place where lecturers lecture, not teach - they paint a big picture of the concept, painting it with broad strokes and swipes with the understanding that you’ll hit the books till the sun comes up, to fill in the minute details.
University - the places where there are no extra lessons to spoon-feed you what you need to know, to keep you on track or to prep you specifically for the exam. It’s all you and your self-discipline- not some external force to keep you disciplined.
If you forego lessons at least at the CAPE level, you’ll get a chance to cultivate that self-discipline that’ll serve you so well for university and the
rest of your life, basically.
University won’t be such a shock to the system. It’s not my purpose with this article to convince anyone to give up their extra-lessons. Everyone is different - we’re all individuals who need different things to keep us going. But I just want to put it out there in this atmosphere of extra-lessons being an absolute necessity that it’s possible to do it without the extra-lessons.
You’re not going to fail without extra-lessons, in fact, you could excel once you put in the work. And you’ll come out of the experience with stellar grades and a killer work ethic.
Our new Minister of Education (old Queens boy, eh?) is continuing the long, drawn out (Sisyphean?) war to crack down on these extra lessons. I wish him well.
CARIFESTA XII Committee set up
– Canterbury, chair; Ruel Johnson, member
The Committee to select the local acts that will represent Guyana at CARIFESTA XII, the Caribbean’s premier festival of arts, which will be held in Haiti, August 21-30, has finally been set up, but not without controversy.
One of the persons who had raised concerns over the purported surreptitious manner in which the Committee was being formalised was commentator and two-time winner
Prior to the establishment of the Selection Committee, headed by Lennox Canterbury, a longtime member of Guyana’s CARIFESTA machinery, concerns had been raised over the secretiveness surrounding its set-up. When contacted, Canterbury requested that contact be made on Monday for a comment on the issue.
of the Guyana Prize for Literature, Ruel Johnson, who chastised the new Government for failing to publicly announce the members of the CARIFESTA Selection Committee.
Johnson is now a member of the Committee and will be functioning as an
advisory ex-officio member tasked with being part of the process to determine which individuals will form the delegation to represent Guyana in Haiti.
In a letter, Johnson, who has been a staunch critic of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, indicated that it would seem that while there is a new Government , the same corrupt systems seem to be in place, or in fact have worsened.
As such, the activist in the letter called on the newly appointed Ministers responsible for culture, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Junior Minister Nicolette Henry to publicly introduce the members of the “nebulous” CARIFESTA Selection Committee and have them explain to the public what their plan is for ensuring that there is transparency and accountability in the selection of Guyana’s delegation.
Speaking to <<<Guyana Times>>> on Saturday, Johnson said the aforementioned letter he had written was not intended to seek an invitation to join the Committee, but to highlight the issue of a lack of trans-
parency in previous selections.
He reflected on his personal experience of wanting to be a part of the official delegation but always being sidelined, with no reason given.
As such, when he was offered the position on the Committee, Johnson explained that he happily accepted.
Despite being on the Committee, Johnson said he intended to apply to be a part of the delegation.
“As a potential participant, I intend to apply just like everyone else, with guarantee of participation outside of the merit of my application,” he assured. He further assured that his acceptance of the role is to ensure that persons willing to participate are subject to transparent and merit-based processes.
CARIFESTA was organised by then President Forbes Burnham and the first festival was held in Guyana in 1972. Its main purpose is to gather artistes, musicians, authors, and other artistic types and to exhibit the folkloric and artistic manifestations of the Caribbean and Latin American region.
Guyana to get Indian loan to fund road bypass, ferry
Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, has confirmed that Guyana will be receiving the Line of Credit (LOC) from the Indian Exim Bank for the construction of East Coast/East Bank bypass road and the purchase of a ferry.
During a visit to India in January, former President Donald Ramotar secured a Line of Credit to build a bypass road linking East Coast Demerara to the East Bank via Ogle to Eccles, respectively. The agreement was tied up between former President Ramotar and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during a meeting held on the sidelines of 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Gandhinagar, India. The LOC was to the tune of US$50 million.
In addition, Modi also agreed to provide a “concessional credit” of US$80 million to supply a passenger ferry to help Guyana overcome transportation problems. Furthermore, the Indian Government indicated that it will be setting up its first Information Technology Centre of Excellence in Guyana. The securing the loan, was a major success of the former People’s Progressive Party/
Civic (PPP/C) administration.
However the LOC to Guyana was in limbo after India’s External Affairs Ministry’s budget was cut. The Telegraph in Calcutta, India, had reported in May that documents from the Ministry shows several overseas projects as “curtailed” since this year’s total foreign office budget for aid to Latin American countries is only approximately US$5.1 million.
The Indian paper stated, “… the Prime Minister’s promises also deepened the problem of managing India’s foreign policy budget because the commitments far outstrip the resources at the foreign office’s disposal.”
Nevertheless, during a courtesy call on newly appointed Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana assured the Minister that the funds are still available to the country.
A release from the Ministry detailed that they discussed issues of bilateral interest in the infrastructure sector including the LOC. “Mr Mahalingam also updated the Ministers on Exim Bank’s Government of India Line of Credit offer of US$50 million for the East Bank/East Coast road link-
ages. Mr Mahalingam said India was ready to partner with the Ministry to develop works which will stimulate growth in the economy,” the release outlined.
Minister Patterson told the Guyana Times on Friday that High Commissioner Mahalingam noted that the Indian Government is still willing to provide the monies to build the road linkage and to purchase the ferry project.
Meanwhile, Patterson added that the High Commission even mentioned that his Government is committed to extend the Line of Credit. “They are willing to extend the Line of Credit beyond the amount that was already committed… He said the Government of Guyana can modify and change the scope of the project,” he said.
According to Minister Patterson, while he has not had a chance to review the details of the agreement and look at the project, High Commissioner Mahalingam was kind enough to brief him and even left a copy of the agreement. Patterson noted that he will have to review the documents and then consult with his Foreign Affairs and Housing Ministers in order to decide on the way forward.
Minibus conductor killed as car crashes into Diamond trench
Aminibus conductor has become the second road fatality in June after he reportedly lost control of the vehicle that he was driving and ended up in a trench in Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The accident occurred at about 01:45h on Saturday.
The dead man has been identified as 26-year-old, Travis Thompson of Lot 53 Esau Street, Land of Canaan, EBD. According to information received, Thompson was heading into Diamond Housing Scheme when he apparently lost control of the car he was driving and crashed into a trench at First Bridge.
The vehicle was reportedly submerged, but Thompson’s body was pulled from the car by a group of firemen attached to the Diamond Fire Station who were summoned to the scene. The young man was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. From all indication, the possibility exists that he might have drowned.
William Thompson, father of the dead man told the Guyana Times on Saturday morning that he was at home when he received a telephone call instructing him to go to the Diamond Hospital, claiming that his son was involved in an accident. The distraught father stated that when he arrived at the hospital he
saw his already dead son’s muddy body on a stretcher. He related to this publication that, based on information he had received, his son was left trapped in the vehicle for quite some time, hence doctors have concluded that he might have drowned. The post-mortem, however, will determine the cause of death.
The young man, he stated left home at about 18:00h on Friday night, but did not say where he was heading. He would normally stay out late at nights, therefore the father was not too worried when he did not arrive back at home well into the night. The father also stated that he would collect a friend’s car and go out on a regular basis.
The young man has been conducting a route 42 minibus, which plies that Land of Canaan/Georgetown route, for some time and was de-
scribed as someone who loves to party. The Guyana Times understands that Thompson might have been under the influence of alcohol when the accident occurred.
An eyewitness has since given Police ranks at the Diamond Police Station a statement detailing the accident as an investigation was launched. A senior fire official told the Guyana Times that when they arrived at the scene on Saturday, the car was completely submerged. After some time, the car was pulled from the trench; however Thompson was already dead by the time his body was retrieved from the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital where he was examined and pronounced dead on arrival. Thompson leaves to mourn his parents and four siblings. Only on Friday, the Guyana Police Force revealed that 45 road fatalities from 36 accidents were recorded at the end of May 2015. Pedestrians have been the main category of road users affected so far in these fatalities, with 16 such persons having lost their lives at the end of May 2015. In addition, four pedal cyclists 13 persons in motor vehicles, four motor cyclists and eight drivers also lost their lives. Speeding has been the major contributory factor to fatal accidents, having been the cause of the 16 deaths that occurred by the end of May 2015.
Indian High Commissioner, Venkatachalam Mahalingam (centre), with Public Infrastructure Ministers
David Patterson and Annette Ferguson
Travis Thompson
GWI hopes Govt participates in cleanup campaign
As the Guyana Water Incorporation (GWI) takes up its corporate social responsibility to clean its immediate surroundings, the company hopes that the Georgetown Mayor and City Council soon intends to embark on similar activities aimed at beautifying the capital city.
On Saturday, GWI partnered with several businesses along Vlissengen Road, Georgetown to join the nationwide campaign which intensified when the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) administration took office. The countrywide campaign is mostly being spearheaded by local businesses and residents, who now feel the need to beautify their surroundings.
Notably, all the cleanup efforts are being done vol-
untarily and while GWI applauds the commitment of businesses to promote a healthy environment, the company said that the City Council should have cleanup initiatives on a regular basis.
“We will do our part on a regular basis, but we hope that the Mayor and City Council
them. So we’ve started and we’re hoping they would come onboard and they will continue to do this from where we’ve left off,” said Gale Dorris, GWI’s Human Resources Director.
Meanwhile, GWI Company Secretary Nigel Niles said the reason the company decided to embark upon the cleanup drive was
been going on a while now, since the new Government has come into power. So we decided that we should do our part as a corporate entity to give back, and also tidy up our environment,” he said.
The company partnered with businesses including the Shell Gas Station, Rubis Gas Station, Survival Supermarket and
will take up from where we left off because, you know, basically that’s the job for
to set an example for others to follow by taking pride in their surroundings. “It’s
the Chronicle Newspaper to clean along Vlissengen Road, between Lamaha and Church Streets. In addition, efforts were made to beautify the area by repainting the pedestrian crossings.
Since the APNU/AFC took office, several businesses including Gizmos and Gadgets, Metro, Zoon, John Lewis Styles, Baishanlin, BK International, Ming’s Service Limited and Abby’s Touch of Magic Salon, have also launched their own cleanup campaigns in Georgetown.
Eyew tness
Shafted...
...or not?
There’s quite a torrid discussion going on (going down?) about whether Moses Nagamootoo and the AFC have been shafted out of the promises laid out in the “Cummingsburg Accord”.
The major concern when the discussions on a “unity slate” opened up, were graphically stated by AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan: his party would become “dead meat” if that were to occur.
The AFC would be seen by its support base as “selling out” to the PNC/APNU because it’s being “swallowed up” and spit out by the larger party. To address this concern when he gave in to the negotiations, Ramjattan insisted the coalition’s Presidential candidate be from the AFC in the person of Moses Nagamootoo.
The signal he was sending to assuage his supporters’ concerns was that with the powerful Guyanese Presidency in their hands, the AFC would be able to stave off being neutered.
When the agreement was announced after a month of negotiations, it was called an “Accord” - usually given to solemn agreements between countries or established entities - to denote its binding import. The agreement conceded the Presidential candidacy to David Granger but taking into cognisance the fears of the AFC as articulated by Ramjattan, specified the following clauses:
“The President will delegate the following responsibilities to the Prime Minister:
1. Domestic national affairs and chairing Cabinet;
2. Recommending ministerial appointments and providing the organizational structures of ministries for the approval of the President;
3. Appointment of heads of agencies and nonconstitutional commissions with the required and agreed democratic mechanisms of consultation and appoint.”
When the Accord was announced at the Georgetown Club, reporters immediately pointed out the AFC’s evident retreat. But Ramjattan claimed: “In view of the fact that there has been a tremendous climb as to the powers of the Prime Minister, we feel that it was an acceptable proposal.”
When asked about the Constitution tasking the President with the chairing of Cabinet, Granger replied conclusively that while the Constitution gave the President that “prerogative”, he could “delegate” it to his PM.
And it’s the nonchalant manner in which the present breaking of the Accord has been treated by Nagamootoo and Ramjattan - who dismiss Granger’s chairing of Cabinet meetings is “no big thing” - that’s troubling their supporters and other well-meaning Guyanese.
Why did they negotiate it, then? These folks voted for the AFC because of what they were promised.
For their leaders to now say, “Ooops! We have to review the Accord”, is to insult their intelligence. There was no “shafting”, just dissembling.
The manoeuvre confirms the common Guyanese view that in Guyana, politics is too often practiced as “politricks”.
...or for whom the bell tolls?
When old John Donne posed the question back in the 16th century, he was far ahead of his time to apprehend that we’re all interconnected. The funeral bells signalling that someone in the community had passed away, in a sense, tolled for all of us.
He, of course, also went on to remind us in the same poem that “no man is an island”.
Ernest Hemingway chose the phrase for his book on the Spanish Civil War when many intellectuals of conscience placed their lives on the line because they believe that fascism must be fought to secure a democratic future.
And after it took WWII to do away with fascism, Pastor Martin Niemöller had to remind us: “First they came for the Jews/and I did not speak out/because I was not a Jew.”
The clincher, was the denouement: “Then they came for me/and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
Let’s remember “for whom the bell tolls” as the firings of “the PPP/c” people inexorably proceed without comment from the chatterati.
...at NGSA
So once again we ask, “Whither the 10,000 kids that couldn’t pass English or Maths?” Will they get remedial classes before they enter high school?
NGSA is an ASSESSMENT, no?
A GWI truck filled to capacity with garbage bags
The garbage piled up on the road corner awaiting disposal
The GWI office on Vlissengen Road
UGSS gets to meet Facility Fee Management Committee
– says more transparency necessary
After wide speculation regarding the unknown spending of the facility fees by the students of the University of Guyana (UG), the Facility Fee Management Committee finally convened last Wednesday.
Guyana Times spoke with the President of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), Joshua Griffith, on Saturday morning about the situation on the spending of the facility fees.
The UGSS President disclosed that after sending several letters to the university’s administration since the beginning of the year on the apparently inactive Facility Fee Management Committee, a meeting was finally made last Wednesday and the UGSS board was invited.
Earlier, the UGSS had expressed concerns, via social media, about the apparent inactivity of the Facility Fee Management Committee while several projects had been initiated and completed on campus. This made the student society quite curious about the management of their student’s facility fees and how exactly it was being spent.
Griffith told this publication that the meeting on Wednesday enlightened the UGSS about the projects the committee has been
working on. However, he noted that the committee did not wish to make the details known to the public, and had thus volunteered
copies of the information with the condition that they would not be shared, which the President agreed to.
Yet, Griffith detailed that he asked the committee to make some allowances for the students as they would need to know, the general details at least, what is being done with their fees.
The President said this was not agreed to.
The UGSS President told Guyana Times that this is, of course, the least of their concerns as the meeting did not mention anything about the facility fees, how much has been spent and how much is left currently for future projects.
Another issue that has bothered the UGSS is the laissez-faire way the committee seems to be going
about its duties, as no meetings have been recorded that the UGSS knows of, yet projects have been initiated. The question on the UGSS President’s mind is who has been overseeing these projects? This is yet to be known.
Also Griffith stated that he was informed on Wednesday that the purpose of the Facility Fee Management Committee is to present project ideas, while they were made to understand in late 2014 that the committee will be managing the facilities fees.
He stated that a clear documentation of what is the purpose of the management committee is needed and shall be sought from the university’s administration.
Guyana Times tried to get into contact with the UG’s Vice Chancellor to offer some clarity on these concerns of the UGSS, however all attempts were fruitless.
Several refurbishments have been made along the university’s campus that has left the student’s quite thankful towards the administration.
There have been furnishings that have been constructed outside for students to lunch or study, classrooms and improvements have been made to several of the university’s washrooms.
New Maths
Satiricus was always sulky when the NGSA scores came out. Just as he’d been back in the day when it was called the “Common Entrance”. His days. Excepting that there was absolutely nothing “common” about the tests.
Satiricus always whined to his parents about why he had to learn about things like “as white as snow” when he’d never ever seen snow. How come he couldn’t say “as white as soursop inside”?
But his kids had told him that nowadays they were teaching more local stuff in English and sure enough his last son (who looked just like his dear old Dad!) had gotten into a “town school”, thank you.
The boy was BRIGHT: he was studying on his computer all day and night. His wife didn’t know what she was talking when she accused the angel that he was playing games on the computer! How the heck could you play cricket on a computer?
But there was that Maths that use to scare the young Satiricus more than horror movies. You might wet yourself at horror movies, but at least you didn’t get whipped on the behind like in Maths.
Satiricus spent more time as a kid plotting ways to get rid of Mrs Gravesande, his Maths teacher, than actually learning to add and subtract. Just thinking about it again made Satiricus’ blood boil.
But he felt like things were changing and his son getting into a town school proved that. The boy told him they were introducing “new Maths” which was based on real world things that actually existed in Guyana. Like in English.
Satiricus was pleased because it was the kind of Maths he always did as a kid - but they always told him his answers were wrong. Like when Mrs Gravesande asked him if you add one cow to another cow how may would you get?
How could the answer “three” be wrong? At their farm two cows meant a cow and a bull and if you add them they get a calf. It made no sense to add two cows.
Anyhow since the new government came in, he saw in action the new Maths his son was talking about.
Take the 40 per cent Ministers the KFC was supposed to get. If there were 28 Ministers, that would mean 11, no? No! Because the 28 Minister were not all Ministers! 13 of them were JUNIOR ministers, which meant they were not Ministers! That made sense to Satiricus. It was the kind of answer he used to give in school. The new Maths answer that Satiricus liked best was the answer to the question, “If the coalition wins 33 seats to Parliament, how many seats do they get in Parliament?”
33?? Wrong!! The answer is 36...Three are “technocrats”! Satiricus just loved this new Maths! It was Guyanese Maths! Quick now: If you go on a TIP raid and arrest 20 girls, how many TIP arrests did you make? Ask Minister Simona “I is” Broomes!
New Govt rolls 50+ heads...
Several other professional individuals were either dismissed or forced to render their services at their respective posts. Most of them were not even allowed to receive their legally due benefits.
The PPP/C has noted that these actions are clear evidence that an undemocratic Government is taking effect.
Referring specifically to the situation with the former Director for the Caribbean at the IDB, the PPP/C said “Mr Ally occupies this position having been nominated by Guyana and endorsed by the Governments of the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. His track record at the Bank is nothing short of outstanding, with the Caribbean being elevated to a position of prominence in the Bank’s decision making architecture as a result of his efforts,” the PPP/C said in a release.
The PPP/C went on to slam the new Government for not adhering to its words of conducting an assessment of Ally’s performance before deciding on whether or not he should continue his tenure for the remainder of the year.
“Finance Minister Winston Jordan performed no assessment whatsoever, communicated no findings
and shortcomings arising out of this assessment, and instead summarily recalled Mr Ally and installed a retired friend of his who has not lived or worked in Guyana for over 24 years as Mr Ally’s replacement,” the Party highlighted, noting that this is a clear case of racism, cronyism and nepotism.
The PPP/C added that Ally’s replacement does not even serve in the best interest of the country. “The Caribbean Chair in the IDB will be represented by someone who has no knowledge or experience of the workings of the Bank, the Board of Executive Directors or, for that matter, Guyana for the past 20 years, and will not be eligible to chair any committees for the one year he will serve as the Executive Director,” the Party noted.
The PPP/C pointed this decision will only diminish the Constituency’s influence in the Bank and will be a major concern of other member countries of the Caribbean.
Further, the PPP/C lambasted the new Government for recalling the ambassadors from their posts without any rational reasoning behind the decision. ”By what measure can Bayney Karran not be deemed a professional diplomat? He is a qualified law-
yer of highly respected standing who has served at the ambassadorial level with distinction for 20 years in two of Guyana’s most important diplomatic posts...By what measure can Merlin Udho not be deemed a professional diplomatic, having worked for a number of years in the international system even outside of the Government of Guyana and prior to her ambassadorial appointment?”
Recently, PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee had urged those who were wronged to come forth and, by all means, fight for justice to at least ensure they receive their benefits. Rohee said the PPP/C will also be taking its role seriously in representing these “victimised” individuals by writing letters and holding press conferences to raise awareness of the ill-treatment being administered by the Granger-led administration.
The General Secretary added that the PPP/C has been receiving floods of reports indicating that a significant portion of employees within the public service are consumed with “intimidation, fear, distress and uneasiness” owed to the purported discriminatory sacking of employees. from page 3
President of UGSS, Joshua Griffith
Some of the changes UG have seen
Venezuela border controversy – UN Good Offices process exhausted Guyana reiterates judicial settlement option
By Vahnu Manikchand
The Guyana Government is calling on its neighbour, Venezuela, to end its continued rhetoric about allegedly owning part of its territory and join Guyana in moving to the courts to pursue a judicial settlement of the controversy it had precipitated over our western border and which is causing uneasiness here and within the region.
In May, President Nicolas Maduro issued a decree, ratifying maritime sovereignty over waters within 200 miles range including the entire Atlantic Ocean off of the Essequibo Coast as well as part of Suriname’s maritime territory.
The call for a judicial settlement was made in a statement from the local Foreign Affairs Ministry on Saturday, June 13, 2015.
“We therefore expect them (Venezuela) now to join in our approach to the UN Secretary General under the Geneva Agreement for a judicial settlement of their questioning of the validity of the 1899 Award…”, it said.
Furthermore, the statement went onto say that Guyana has never strayed from the path of friendship with Venezuela, while adding that bringing the matter to an end by due process of international law, as was proposed by Guyana, will be a gift to future generations in both countries.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry pointed out that its Venezuelan counterpart, in statement on Friday, misinterpreted comments made by Minister Carl Greenidge at the opening of the 11th Parliament on Wednesday. The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement welcoming remarks by Greenidge, who they claim had said that the Guyana Government have decided to join the Geneva Agreement 1966, as the Bolivarian Government has insisted, to solve the historical territorial dispute.
“Minister Greenidge’s statement, in which he de-
clares his intention to adhere to the provisions of the Geneva Agreement aimed at a legally binding agreement, is conducive to reaffirm the invitation of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry for a dialogue on the territorial dispute and advance the bilateral agenda of shared development of our peoples,” the statement from the neighbouring Ministry detailed.
However, the local Foreign Affairs Ministry on Saturday pointed out that the Greenidge’s statement to Parliament clearly highlighted it is Venezuela’s claim of nullity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that is the root of the controversy and which has to be resolved under the procedures provided for in the Geneva Agreement.
“Guyana has not taken any recent or new decision to respect the Geneva Agreement. It has always said it would and indeed, has always respected that agreement.
That Agreement makes no provision for the nondevelopment of any part of Guyana or for the unilateral annexation of any part of Guyana, including Essequibo, by Venezuela,” the Ministry outlined.
On Wednesday, Greenidge told his Parliamentary colleagues, and the public by extension, that Guyana is seeking to resolve the century long dispute with a judicial settlement. The Foreign Affairs Minister pointed out that for the past 49 years, Guyana has been living under Venezuela’s illegal claims.
He added that in order to ensure that the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are not compromised; a definite solution has to be found that will put Venezuela’s contention of nullity to rest.
The Vice President outlined that the Good Offices Process adopted under the Geneva Agreement of 1966, which has been in place as a means of peaceful settlements between the two countries, has failed to resolve the territorial issue and with this new decree, the contentious gap between the neighbouring countries has widen. As such Greenidge opined that the only way forward may be through a judicial settlement.
“Notwithstanding the fact that an International Boundary Settlement already exists in the form of the Arbitral Award of 1899, a judicial settlement in respect of Venezuela’s contentions that this Award is null and void appears to be the best, if not the only way now open to us. To that eventuality we must now direct our full attention,” he declared.
Better Hope residents forced to evacuate as GWI plant leaks chlorine gas
...4 hospitalised
Achlorine gas leak at the Guyana Water Incorporation (GWI) Water Treatment Plant in Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), saw nearby residents evacuating their homes as authorities worked assiduously to contain the spread of the harmful chemical. Four persons were reportedly rushed to the hospital for medical treatment of the minor irregularities they suffered as a result of the chemical spill.
GWI noted that the leakage was discovered on Saturday morning and the relevant authorities were immediately summoned to address the situation.
When the Guyana Times arrived on the scene, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was already there working to fix the problem. GFS Station Officer Compton Sparman said that the situation did not
pose an exceedingly serious threat but nonetheless, he did not undermine the graveness of the situation.
“It is dangerous because obviously it affects your lungs; it replaces the oxygen. So obviously if you got the gas down in there, it is going to affect it. We had firefighters went in unprotected and they vomited blood. Apart from that it could irritate your skin; it burns your
skin and it burns your eyes,” he explained.
Though the situation is not one to be alarmed about, three nearby residents and one GWI operator were reportedly rushed to the hospital for treatment. Sparman assured that their conditions were not critical.
Meanwhile, though reassured that their lives were not at risk, residents were extremely concerned about
their safety and wellbeing. One resident, Nazeema (only name given) told this publication that she woke up and started to smell something funny. It was only after authorities arrived on the scene did she realise there was a problem in the GWI compound.
Upon seeing this, she was of the hope that GWI hurriedly fixed the problem and put measures in place to prevent similar problems from occurring in the future.
Meanwhile, the GFS Station Officer explained that there are currently 14 containers of gasified chlorine in the compound, but it was challenging to detect which one of them had the leakage. Two specialists were attempting to isolate the containers and subsequently neutralise it with caustic soda to prevent the chemical from spreading and further harming individuals.
Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge
Guyana Fire Service at the scene
Maritime dispute…. Venezuela accuses UK of “interfering” with neighbouring affairs
Controversial South American country, Venezuela, has lashed out at the United Kingdom (UK) for interfering in the maritime dispute between itself and neighbouring Guyana, following the issuance of a decree by President Nicolas Maduro to claim sovereignty over most of Guyana’s continental shelf.
In a statement published on the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Ministry’s website, the neighbouring country condemns the interference of British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn, in matters that are exclusively and total responsibility of two “sovereign” countries, especially those relating to the historical territorial dispute between the neighbouring states.
“True to its colonial heritage, the High Commissioner Quinn offends Venezuela with its intrusive and violate international law declarations and seeks to hinder the sisters’ relations between two neighbouring countries with their opinions,” the Venezuelan Ministry posited.
According to the state-
ment, Quinn’s utterances are part of a campaign of “lies and intrigues” in which Exxon Mobil and international media, aimed at bringing about conflict between two brotherly countries, are involved in.
Furthermore, the South American state went on to pointed out that the former British Empire had exploited the people of Guyana and Venezuela, and stripped them of their territory by colonial compromises and fraudulent aims.
Additionally, the statement noted that the impertinent and intrusive statements made by the British High Commissioner in Guyana, revived old imperial appetites and ambitions.
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ratifies once again its vocation for dialogue, true to the principles of the Peace Diplomacy Eternal promoted by Commander Hugo Chavez, and strongly urges the various factors that hinder relations with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to cease their disruptive action of good neighbourliness,” the statement added.
This latest action by
Venezuela to extend its claim over Guyana’s territorial waters, comes in the face of President Maduro’s upset over oil exploration and concessions granted by Guyana to the US oil and gas giant, Exxon Mobil, to explore some 23,000 square kilometres of the Stabroek Block.
The Maduro decree, which was issued exactly one week following the discovery of oil in Guyana’s water, covers the location
where the drilling exercise is being conducted.
Earlier this year when Exxon Mobil was about to drill an exploratory well in the area, neighbouring Venezuela objected, stating that the drilling area is part of its territorial sea. The Maduro Government had even written to the executives of Exxon Mobil to cease the drilling activities.
However, backed by Guyana and its home-based country as well as other in-
ternational organisations, the US-based company went ahead with the drilling. Ever since this new Presidential Decree was issued, Guyana has received the support and backings of several regional and international organisations as well as countries.
Only recently, President David Granger enlisted the UK’s support in the ongoing maritime controversy via the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn.
“Your Excellency, the Government of Guyana welcomes your Government’s support for Guyana’s position in the claims being generated by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela over our settled borders… we call on all States, particularly the United Kingdom, during the regime of which the territory dispute arose and was resolved peacefully by the Arbitral Tribunal Agreement (1899), to demonstrate solidarity with Guyana and to condemn the use of threat or use of force in the settlement of international dispute,” Granger declared.
While there was no immediate response from High Commissioner Quinn, he had previously told the Guyana Times in an invited comment that “the Venezuela-Guyana land border is, and should be, as agreed under the 1899 Arbitration Agreement.
The 1966 Geneva Agreement did not change that… Connected to this we see no grounds in international law which would justify recent Venezuelan claims to what we consider to be Guyanese territorial waters”.
Road to Nagamootoo’s private residence upgraded
...as surrounding potholed roads remain untouched
Geoffrey Vaughn, Chief Works Officer of the Public Works Ministry, now Public Infrastructure Ministry, clams that the works which were done to Moses Nagamootoo’s street was approved prior to him becoming Prime Minister.
In recent weeks, criticisms have been mounted on the current administration for practicing the same special treatment of Government Officers they had accused the previous People’ s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) of doing.
This was after the streets where the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, resided in Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, were repaired and upgraded so as to ensure that he travelled in comfort while one section of the railway embankment at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, not far from where he lives, was in an atrocious state of disrepair and causing great discomfort to commuters. After
much criticism, repairs have now begun at the location.
When this publication, on Friday, tried to get more clarifications on the matter, the Chief Works Officer could not initially be reached as call from our office lines went unanswered. However, the Guyana Times reporter subsequently contacted him via cellular phone, a call he took after just about three rings.
Questioned on whether the works had been approved prior to Nagamootoo being sworn in as Prime Minister of the country, Vaughn stated that he was not the officer who should be contacted for such information, since he did not preside over buildings.
After the reporter had explicitly repeated the question and pointed out that an enquiry was being made into road works and not buildings, and that he was the chief works officer, Vaughn hesitated before stating that indeed the works were approved before
the swearing in had taken place.
The call was subsequently ended and further immediate efforts to contact the man proved futile.
In the meantime, when contacted for a comment, former Public Works Minister Robeson Benn told the Guyana Times that he was not in a position to speak on the matter since there was someone in place to deal with road works.
Efforts to reach the Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who is presently the Acting President, also proved futile
The PPP/C had in the past been accused of favouritism and being guilty of providing such social services first and foremost to Party and Government Officials. However, persons are now lashing back at the new Government, stating that even while they had accused the PPP/C of these things, they themselves are now practicing it.
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn, and President Granger at a reception on Thursday to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II 89th birthday
The road where Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo lives
Younge’s Take
No country for old men
President David Granger, the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change have done a great injustice to Guyanese youth by locking out of all of the formal levels of governance and decision making fora in the country.
By their own actions, they have sent a strong message to young people that they are not worthy of being appointed to senior positions in Government and the National Assembly because either they lack competence and experience, or the requisite political testosterone to get the job done within the next five years.
They have sidelined the very same young people who supported them on the campaign trail and ran with their messages of ‘change’, ‘unity’ and ‘good governance’.
While campaigning, Granger, Moses Nagamootoo, Nigel Hughes, Khemraj Ramjattan and several other senior members of the aforementioned political parties appealed to young people for their vote promising them inclusionary democracy, jobs and other perks, and that they would play a lead role in any Government formed by those parties.
These promises no doubt lead to thousands of youth stood turning out on May 11 eager to cast their ballots and be part of the democratic process to determine the future of this great country.
It is indeed remarkable and sad that days after the elections are over and young people trusted these leaders, not a single appointment of any person considered “young” was made to either the 65-seat National Assembly or the Government which has some 26 Ministers.
Altogether the average age of Granger’s cabinet is 1, 445 years old with an average of age of 55.6 years. Keith Scott at age 73 and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine at 72 are the oldest members of Cabinet and Parliament.
The youngest member of Granger’s Government is Annette Furguson at age 37 and she’s a Minister within a Ministry.
Simply put, Granger’s Government can be described as an exclusive, white collar ‘Old Boys and Girls Club’. This is shameful and quite worrying.
How can these leaders say that youth are the future of this country and not demonstrate that in their actions?
How can the President ever face youth to inspire them to become qualified and to work hard to break barriers and the nasty stereotypes they face when he would not even present them with opportunities within his own fold for them to soar?
Someone needs to say it: these parties have betrayed young people and they have used them for political mileage during the campaign season and now refused them!
Young people were used like merchandise and modern slaves to do walk-about campaigns, pose with leaders in advertisements and run an energetic social media elections campaign for these parties.
The rushed and controversial appointments of Christopher Jones and Trevor Williams are publicity stunts after these parties recognized the misstep they made. The Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) has already done the right thing by challenging one such appointment and pointing out the lack of transparency in the process.
This is not the way to treat youth when so many of them want to build this country and serve at the highest capacity. The mixed emotions being felt by those qualified and competent youth within the fold of these political parties are understandable.
Therefore they should open there eyes and not accept as one Journalist termed it on his social media platform “paper bag handouts”.
They should hold on to their integrity and character before they settle for any mediocre appointment. They must refuse the crumbs that will be offered to them over the next few weeks regardless if they are desperate for a job with benefits and emoluments.
These parties should be advised that young people are quick to become tired, inpatient and delinked from a Government that does not reflect their demographics.
History has already been written on this 14th day of June and no eraser is powerful enough to remove the facts. Simply put, by 2020, this will not be a country for old men.
Manickchand “pleased” with results of 2015 NGSA exam
Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand has expressed her satisfaction with the performance of the 15,000 plus students at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination.
On April 1 and 2, 15,225 students from primary schools across Guyana wrote the assessment examination. Solomon Cherai of Success Elementary topped the country after he secured a total of 530 marks out of 535.
Speaking with the Guyana Times , Manickchand said, “I am very pleased with the improvements that were seen in this year’s (NGSA) results.”
The former Minister noted that these were as a direct result of certain initiatives and programmes implemented to enhance the performances of not only students but teachers as well.
“I’m also happy that these improved results evidence the equity with which investments were made; the natural and happy consequence being that more students from all across Guyana are doing well,” she highlighted.
On this note, Manickchand disclosed her satisfaction with the performance of Region Nine (Upper
Takutu-Upper Essequibo), which was dubbed the most improved region.
According to the former Education Minister, this was something that was expected as a result of conscious investments made in the education system there.
She explained that, in addition to more teachers in the region being trained, the programme entails the provision of text books and meals as well as, and more importantly, the involvement of parents in the academic
curriculum of their children.
“So you see this is something we expected and we are not utterly surprised,” she stated. Manickchand further remarked that she is pleased to see the continuation of certain programmes and initiatives implemented by her being continued under the new Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, specifically referring to the live broadcast of the NGSA results
The former Minister pointed out that she has extended her support to Dr Roopnaraine when the need arises. “I don’t want to see the Ministry and all the work it’s done over the years come crashing down, so I have offered to help in whatever way to ensure that these programmes and the people continues to excel and provide benefits,” she added.
Meanwhile, addressing concerns raised about the private institutions producing better performance than the public system, Manickchand posited that students from private schools are also Guyanese as such persons should not be jealous of them or belittled their achievements.
Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand
4 secure scholarships from United World Colleges
Four students have impressed representatives of the international school, United World Colleges (UWC), thus earning themselves full scholarships to study at various universities across the globe. They were chosen by The National Committee of UWC (Guyana) from a shortlist of 16 students.
The committee was established in Guyana in 2014 for the specific purpose of selecting three students to study at their universities in China, Canada and the United States (US). However, Ellie Price, who is on the National Committee shared that they worked really hard with the various universities for a fourth scholarship to be made available as they had an interesting turnout.
The students chosen are Stephon Roberts, Saif Panday, Merissa Peterson from Diamond Secondary School and Kyle Joseph from Queen’s College. They will be studying at universities in Singapore, China, US and Canada, respectively.
Guyana Times spoke with Joseph recently and he explained that UWC “is the only international school which brings children from around the world from different countries irrespective of their backgrounds”. He said that the schools do so with the specific purpose
of bringing cultures together to enable the concepts of peace and unity. This publication understands that the young man is quite into his own Amerindian heritage, having taken part in several events where he performed.
Regarding the six courses being offered to the awardees of the two year program, he praised the Sciences as he aims to become a Medical Doctor (MD), stating that the advance course in these are most welcomed.
The up and coming MD stated that he was quite appreciative of the university and what it offers. He stated that his current financial status would not have allowed him to be able to study overseas, especially with the two year cost being
equal to more than $9 million. Joseph said he is “happy for being given this opportunity and is not going to waste it.”
Peterson said that she was quite happy to have gotten the opportunity as well. She will be going to the UWC University in Las Vegas, New Mexico, US. She said that they are expected to be there for August as they have orientation which involves a range of activities like volunteering and getting acquainted with the university and the city.
She said that her family is quite excited for her, especially her mother. Petersons said the fact that the scholarship is a full scholarship was a great inducement to her applying as her mother is a single parent and thus would not be able to finance
such an opportunity for her. At the moment Peterson and her family only need to take care of her visa application.
Ellie Price, who is on the Selective Committee, recently sat down with Guyana Times and was able to lay out the finer points of UWC. She said that students with low incomes were their target as they wanted to give an opportunity and let them make the best of it. She stated that the “world had been torn apart by war and misunderstanding and the idea was if we educate the world’s future leaders together so that the same class growing up alongside people from all different countries, there’s not going to be anymore war as we understand each other.”
Price said the academics was not the main point of the selection of the four students as the interview with them was oriented based on their interpersonal skills, their personalities and their parts in extra -curricular activities.
With its main office is based in Wales, United Kingdom, the UWC has 14 schools around the world including Swaziland, India and the United States of America. The school was founded in 1962 in order to bring students together who saw each other as being too different to have anything in common.
Manickchand “pleased”...
from page 13
However, the former Education Minister accepted that there are some practices adopted by the private schools that can proved to be useful for the public sector. She specifically referred to the fact that private school students always have to maintain a certain level of performance; persons are held more accountable and parents with children in private schools tend to invest more time into their academic activities.
Nevertheless, she underscored that Wilfred Success, the Principal of Success Elementary which secured at least 22 spots in the country’s top one per cent, is the tangible demonstration of the difference a good teacher and/or administrator can make in a child’s academic life.
However, she outlined that the common thread in all the children, who have done as well as all those who moved from one level of performance to a higher one, is undoubtedly dedicated and interested parents. Thank you to the parents who continue to invest time and other resources in their children.
Rats in the oven!
By Ryhaan Shah
So now we have the story of two rats in the oven and it comes from no other than the Prime Minister himself, Moses Nagamootoo.
To say that Guyana has long descended into a level of crassness is to state the obvious and the previous administration, in its last days, was rocked by scandal upon scandal of crude, low behaviour from several of its ministers.
Guyanese Author, Ryhaan Shah
Anil Nandlall was caught on record with his sexist and potty-mouthed lowness, and Bheri Ramsarran threatened to slap and strip a woman. Then there was Clement Rohee in his election-day pose of giving the middle finger.
Not to be outdone, the coalition campaign had its own vulgarities. A woman opens her legs and urinates on a flag in public. Another one bends over, waggles her behind, and exposes her undergarments.
They all set out to express contempt for others but ended up baring nothing but contempt for themselves and, with no inherent self respect as a nation, we are all expected to have a good skin-teeth and laugh.
Many of us do and prefer to ignore the nexus between this kind of low behaviour and the place where we are today as a people and a nation – still poor, still underdeveloped, still talking of our potential.
How did we get here? When did good manners, proper etiquette, decorum, courtesy and kindness go out of style and lowness, crassness and vulgarity take over?
And to such an extent that we can have a Prime Minister expressing not just his disgust with his official residence, but pressing on with the crass remark about finding rats in the oven.
Did he intend to humiliate the previous occupants, Mr and Mrs Sam Hinds? How much more gracious Mr Nagamootoo would have appeared, and how much more befitting his high office had he simply said that the building is in a state of terrible disrepair and that Mr and Mrs Hinds were brave souls who should be commended for having lived there without a murmur of discontent.
Mr Nagamootoo’s statements went beyond a mere lack of class and decorum to that of insensitivity in a country where many of the poor barely have a roof over their heads and would be glad of one even with leaks and cascades of granny sugar.
Everyone would agree that the degradation of Culture –manners and etiquette, etc – began in the Burnham era and simply continued.
None of our leaders thus far recognises the direct connection between what is state sanctioned and what happens in the streets every day, the violence and violations that are not contained to criminal behaviour but have become ingrained in our speech, our music, and in the way we conduct ourselves.
It is the state that funds and manages the mammoth annual crassness called Mashramani. Under the PPP/C government, it became a total vulgarity.
It is the mother lode of all the crudities, lowness and lawlessness that disseminate into and befoul our environment; and literally, as well, with the litter droppings left behind by the revelers. The state not only encourages this behavior, but actually pays for it!
Will the new administration institute much-needed policy changes with directives which will allow us to regain and embrace all the virtues and values that are lacking at a national level but which are so necessary for progress and development?
If the open racism and bullyism coming from the coalition’s victors – and which continue unabated – are anything to go by, it seems unlikely. Everything in Guyana is partisan and politics, even cleanliness.
Anyone looking on at the energy and enthusiasm of the recent clean-up exercise must have wondered where was all that love and pride in country over the past decades. We would live with filth because it’s not “a-we” government in power?
That is the lowest of all lows and if the divide between us cuts through to this kind of level, we have a very long and arduous task ahead of us to find the common ground of respect and friendship that is needed if we are to work together to create a cohesive society.
Nurturing civility and culture, including a decent political culture, is not just necessary for development but for our very well being and survival.
To get ourselves to that point where decency and decorum are reestablished as a national good, we would have to rid ourselves of every errant rat in the oven.
Kyle Joseph, one of the recipients of the UWC scholarship
UWC National Committee member, Ellie Price
Gaskin wants Opposition to be on Go-Invest BOD
– reviewing concessions not on immediate agenda
Business Minister Dominic Gaskin is currently reviewing a list of possible men and women to fill the role of Board of Directors (BOD) for GO-Invest for the remainder of the year. He stated that he would be considering a member from the political Opposition to fill a seat on the seven member board.
In a telephone interview Saturday evening, Minister Gaskin told the Guyana Times that he is planning to make the investing and exporting agency work to regulations, and the installation of the new BOD will enable this.
The Minister stated that the seven members of the board will be selected from the Ministry of Business, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).
He detailed that members from the political Opposition, as well as the Diaspora, will also be given seats to ensure balance. Minister Gaskin stated that he does not have a shortlist of persons that he is considering at the moment; howev-
er, he posited that he would like a balanced representation and having a member of the Opposition on the team will facilitate this. Nevertheless, the Minister stated that he shall be making the appointments based on the criteria that have already been established for the positions.
It should be noted that GO-Invest is a government agency that was established to provide advice and concessions, when needed, to investors who are looking for the best way to start a business in Guyana. The agency also acts as a go between for business persons wanting to be a part of the local econo-
my.
Recently in the media, Go-Invest has been criticised as being quite prejudiced in its dealings with some of its clients, particularly foreign companies. The Minister said that such instances are a thing of the past, stating that the new board will ensure that the agency “work and make it work along Government’s policies.”
The President of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Persaud, told this publication that such companies appear to benefit more from investment opportunities or concessions that were given earlier than the locally based companies. He expressed his hope that this changes soon.
Meanwhile, though there have been calls for the reviewing of concessions, Minister Gaskin stated that this not on his agenda at the moment. He stated that he is opting to look forward, and with the improvements made to Go-Invest through the BOD, such cries of favouritism will not be made.
The Minister stated that the board will run the completion of the year then a new board will be installed next year.
Sierra Leone imposes curfew after spike in Ebola cases
ierra Leone
SPresident Ernest Bai Koroma has imposed curfews in two northern districts after the number of new Ebola cases in the country spiked to the highest level in months. Offenders will be detained and prosecuted if they violate the new measures, which will be in effect for the next 21 days.
"I have instructed the security to institute chiefdomlevel curfew and restriction on movement from 6pm to 6am in Kambia and Port Loko districts, with imme-
diate effect," Koroma said in a televised address. The two districts lie on the route between the capital Freetown and the Guinea border and have been the focus of recent cases.
Sierra Leone reported seven confirmed cases of Ebola on June 9, the highest count since March 24, according to the National Ebola Response Centre.
The 18-month-long Ebola epidemic has killed more than 11,100 people in West Africa, although weekly numbers of new cases have
fallen sharply from last year's peaks.
One of the three worstaffected countries, Liberia, was declared Ebola-free in May. Sierra Leone and Guinea, however, are still regularly reporting several new cases daily, prompting both to extend emergency measures.
Oxfam's Country Director, Thynn Thynn Hlaing warned that the new measures would only work if residents were involved in designing and implementing them. (Al Jazeera)
Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin
Aid workers trying to help the infected
BRHA staff salaries to be withheld
By Andrew CArmiChAel
The salaries of the staff members who were previously attached to the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA) are to be withheld.This is according to a source close to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Last Monday, Region Six Regional Chairman David Armogan told reporters that the Deputy Regional Executive Officer Imran Ally, received a directive from Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton ordering that the doors of the BRHA be shut with immediate effect and the staff be deployed to the regional office at Vrymen’s Erven.
The 20 staffers immediately took up positions at the RDC office at Vrymen’s Erven, in New Amsterdam.
According to a source close to the regional administration, on Friday, instructions were handed down to withhold the salaries for the workers who fell under the BRHA.
According to the source, the instruction came from a senior Government official. When contacted, officials at the Region Six administration declined to comment on the issue. Efforts to get a comment form Minister Norton also proved futile.
However, when contacted, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Leslie Cadogan said he was unaware of such a development and asked Guyana Times to contact the Ministry of Communities, formally the Local GovernmentMinistry, since the RDC falls under the Ministry of Communities. Efforts to contact Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan were unsuccessful.
Super salaries
Meanwhile, Armogan said that no super salaries were being paid to the BRHA staff as was stated in a section of the media.
Speaking to reporters earlier in the week, the Regional Chairman said the article which was published in the media was misleading.
“We have checked the
salaries of all the employees and they are all employed under the Government’s Scale of GS 1-13.”
In its June7 edition, the Kaieteur News published an article under the caption “Rampant corruption uncovered at Berbice Health facility”, which in part said, “Despite its illegality the BRHA has been functioning with an independent budget. Millions of dollars have been spent by this body for all kinds of services. The BRHA had its own staff that was picked by Mahadeo. There was an assistant CEO who, like many, was paid a super salary. The Assistant, a young woman, was said to be functioning in numerous capacities including being the Procurement Officer, Project Coordinator and Assistant Hospital Administrator…”
Responding to the reports that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BRHA had been hiring and firing persons at will, Armogan said that was not true.
He said the procedure of hiring and firing of all regional employees whether it’s in the education sector, the public works sector or the health sector; is the same.
“People are hired by either the Ministry of Public Service of the Public Service Commission. All that we do here is to process the applications which are done through the regional system with the Principal Personnel officer involved and suitable applications are sent to Georgetown; if it is a contract employee it is sent to the Public Service Commission, if it is a regular public service employee it is sent to the Ministry of Public Service, so the report of hiring and firing at will by the BRHA is untrue.”
Armogan said the RDC also does not have the power to hire are fire persons.
Meanwhile, the mudslinging daily also mentioned that a company which provides refrigeration services was awarded contracts totalling $40milion with over 90 per cent of those jobs being awarded for the health sector.
The article also claimed
Rodrigues-Birkett
says Yvonne Pearson’s dismissal is unfair
In light of the dismissal of Yvonne Pearson from her post as the advisor to the Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, who is a former Amerindian Affairs Minister as well as the former Foreign Affairs Minister, has voiced her dismay at the revelation.
Birkett, who is one of the most respected Amerindians throughout Guyana, highlighted her concern over the rationale behind the dismissal of Pearson in a social media post.
that at the end of 2014, close to $9 million was left floating in the free balance. This was immediately awarded to the same company to do work in the health sector without tendering, the article stated.
However Armogan said the process of the issuing of contracts in the region is a transparent one.“Contracts for the supply of goods and services to the region are awarded though the Regional Tender Board for certain amount of money [$9 million limit]. Anything in excess of $9 million is awarded through the Central Tender Board… wherever there is need for the provision of goods and services, if the amount is a small amount it goes on a three quotation basis, if the amount is a large amount it goes on public tendering or sometimes selected tendering, depending on how urgent the work is needed.”
Tenders, he noted, are opened in the presence of all Tender Board members as well as a representative from the Finance Ministry. Persons are allowed to witness the opening of the tender process.
The Regional Chairman said he is not aware of any breach of the procedure of awarding contracts in Region Six. Meanwhile, Armogan noted that there is a forensic audit of the health sector in the region taking place and it is appreciated by the regional administration.
“Because we want to ensure that nothing has happened in the health system to embarrass us and so we are very happy that the auditors are here and they will be looking at every dollar that has been spent in the health sector.”
The Chairman who was at the time addressing reporters at his Vrymen’s Erven, New Amsterdam office, said the BRHA did not have a budget of its own but advised on projects in the health sector from the regional budget.
“The BRHA is not a separate budget agency as in claimed in the press,” the regional official said.
In her post, Birkett explained that it is expected that a change in Government would automatically result in changes in personnel at certain levels. “However, one would expect that certain persons with unique and valuable expertise would be retained for at least some time.” Birkett pointed out, while stating that the Ministry is poorer without her wealth of knowledge and experience.
“Indeed it is only logical to presume this would be the case, given the “national unity” chorus that was sung during the campaign and immediately thereafter. In addition, His Excellency President Granger said, both at his inauguration and during his address to Parliament, that he intends to reduce the disparities between the hinterland and the coastland. Needless to say you need to have those on-
board who are knowledgeable about the many issues and lived and led in those communities,” Birkett said, while highlighting her concerns as it relates to the failure of the new Government to maintain their promises to the people.
Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, had earlier stated that the decision to dismiss Pearson was made after a considerable review of the woman’s performance, which showed that she had been inefficient in her duty. Birkett refuted these claims stating that Pearson’s dismissal is just another ploy in the Government’s witch-hunting activities.
“I am saddened by it and indeed pessimistic about the “national unity” objective. Dismissing a valuable resource such as Mrs Pearson was not what I envisaged to be a part of...her only “sin” it seems is her open support
for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic,” Birkett stated. The former Amerindian Affairs Minister described Pearson, who had served under her, as a “Phenomenal Guyanese” and stated that “Mrs Pearson is probably the most decorated Amerindian (Indigenous) person. Significantly, these plaudits come not only from her Mainstay community, but from Amerindians countrywide.
She served as Toshao of her village for several years; Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council, where she was elected by her peers; Member of the Indigenous Peoples Commission and she also served as President of the Amerindian People’s Association. The foregoing demonstrates the respect she has earned throughout the country.”
AFC Executive in assault controversy, could be arrested
Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive member Abel Seetaram has found himself in yet another controversy in which he allegedly assaulted a contractor along with a group of men.
Seetaram is now denying allegations which appeared in a section of the media on Saturday accusing him of assaulting a Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) contractor and also refusing to cooperate with the Fort Wellington police.
“The article is sheer lies,” he told the Guyana times, “because when I contacted them this afternoon [Saturday] they don’t even have a number for me and they say that efforts to contact me were futile,” the upset politician said.
Referring to the incident which occurred on May 31, and which resulted in the hospitalisation of Troy Lakeram, Seetaram said he was not responsible for injuring the contractor.
Lakeram is claiming that the AFC executive member while in the company of others assaulted him after stopping a vehicle in which was one of his employees .
According to Lakeram there had been bad blood between himself and Seetaram.
However the AFC offi-
cial says that the incident started when he came out of a wedding house and gave a hand signal to the driver.
“When the vehicle pull up they come out and he say he looking for me since elections.”
According to Seetaram, he was assaulted by Lakeram who then walked away towards his car.
“He bend down inside like he taking out something and then a group of boys rush up to him… I don’t know if he was assaulted but neighbours had to hide me in their house. I had to jump over their back fence to get away.”
Lakeram was taken to hospital where he was ad-
mitted and the police were contacted.
Seetaram said that the police contacted him and he told them that he could not come since there was a mob outside waiting on him.
However a source close to the police could not confirm that part of the story.
According to one source, had that been so then they would have been forced to visit the area to protect him.
The AFC executive member visited the Fort Wellington Police Station the following day and made a report in which he stated that he was he was assaulted.
Police have launched an investigation.
Meanwhile Seetaram says ever since he was campaigning for the AFC in the build up to the May 11 Elections, he was told that a group of persons was after him.
He told the Guyana Times that he made a report to the police then but was told it was hear say and as a result the police could not act on the report.
The politician noted that several ex-employees of the contractor had reported to him of some irregularities at their work place.
“I made arrangements for them to go to the Labour Ministry and that is why he is after me,” Seetaram disclosed to this publication.
AFC Executive Member Abel Seetaram
Former Amerindian Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Yvonne Pearson
BRHA CEO Dr Vishwa Mahadeo Region Six Regional Chairman David Armogan
Rodney, the Prophet of Self Emancipation
Horace Campbell
(Excerpts from tribute in 2005)
Secondary Education in Guyana
Walter Rodney was brought into this world in the midst of war, conceived by Guyanese working class activists who were very much part of the anti colonial struggles of the society. Rodney was born on March 23, 1942 in Bent Street, Georgetown, where he grew up and spent his childhood. After attending primary school, he won an open exhibition scholarship to Queen’s College, then one of the elite schools in the colony.
Rodney grew up in a time of ferment in Guyana and he paid close attention to what was happening in his society while excelling in every area of life that he participated in. He was involved as a school cadet, as a debater, as a member of the sports team and was known to be a very good bridge and chess player.
Rodney came to adulthood when the questions of the centrality of the working people in the future of the country were being debated (with words and with imperial intervention). Both of his parents were active in the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) led by Cheddi Jagan and were outspoken in their opposition to racism, colonialism and imperialism. Walter Rodney often attended political meetings with his mother and went around distributing anti-colonial literature himself.
Walter distinguished himself in high school and in 1960 won another open scholarship, this time to the University of the West Indies (UWI) campus at Mona, Jamaica. In Jamaica, he was an active supporter of Caribbean Unity and he traveled extensively in Jamaica supporting the West Indian Federation during the referendum of 1961. Three years later, he obtained a degree in history with First Class (top) Honors.
While as an undergraduate he was outspoken in the defense of the poor and his activities were monitored
by the Jamaican police, who were afraid of the strident defense of the rights of ordinary people. As an undergraduate, he was already writing and contributing to scholarly journals on the issues of slavery and capitalism. In one particular essay entitled, “The Slave,” Walter brought out not only the humanity of the enslaved African, but the capacity to organize and rebel under the most brutal conditions.
Walter Rodney in London
In 1963, he received yet another scholarship, to study African History at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. At that period, the questions of decolonization in all parts of the world were being debated. The legacies of the post war agitation by Africans who were involved in the West African Students Union (WASU) had inspired a spirit of cooperation beyond national boundaries. In London he deepened his understanding of Pan Africanism and was in contact with students from Africa and the Caribbean. C. L. R. James provided the bridge between these communities.
In 1966, at the age of 24, Rodney received his PhD. His doctoral thesis was published in 1970 as ‘A History of the Upper Guinea Coast, 1545-1800’. Because of the scholarly breakthroughs in this study, Rodney’s work was published in the most distinguished Journals of African History and he made a name for himself as a pre
- eminent African historian. It was while in London when he married Patricia.
Rodney and Tanzania
His first job in academia was an appointment as lecturer in history at the University of Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania, East Africa. At that time, Tanzania was the Headquarters of the OAU Liberation Committee. In 1964 the Zanzibar revolution had radicalized the politics of East Africa and in 1967 the Tanzanian government launched the Arusha Declaration. Che Guevara had also traveled through Tanzania on his way to fight in the Congo.
Returned to Jamaica
In 1968, he returned to Jamaica to lecture at Mona campus, his old university. Rodney’s second coming to Jamaica coincided with the rise of mass political activity on the island,
es, but his activism was frowned upon by the middle classes who felt that he was wasting his time with the Rastafari. At that time, the Rastafari were considered “outcasts” and “criminals.”
The year 1968 was historic in the uprisings all over the world. Walter Rodney attended the Black Writers Conference in Montreal in October 1968. On his return to Jamaica, the government banned Rodney from Jamaica. The JLP government sent him back to Canada on the same plane on which he had arrived. The ban resulted in major uprisings in Kingston. This was a demonstration of the love that the people had for him.
Students marched on government offices and ordinary people in Kingston, angry at the expulsion of the beloved “Brother Wally,” joined the demonstration, which eventually turned into a popular uprising.
was a magnet for all of those in Africa thinking through the issues of liberation and freedom. These ideas were debated at the University of Dar es Salaam. It was in this intellectual milieu when he published his bestknown work, ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’. This book broke with the Eurocentric conceptions of African history and immediately the book became one of the most widely-read and influential books on Africa and the third world in general.
Walter was a teacher, a political activist, a father and husband. Two of his children, Kanini and Asha were born in Tanzania. His son, Shaka Rodney was born in Jamaica in 1968.
Walter always wanted to return to the Caribbean and he wanted his children to know Guyana. Hence in 1974 he moved with his family back. Initially, he was appointed as Professor of History at the University of
activity in which he became deeply involved. He worked closely with poor people and “grounded” with Rastafarians in Kingston and other parts of the country. He was constantly under surveillance by the police but was not intimidated.
The scholarly work of Rodney increased while he was publishing for journals, but he found time for working with the ordinary people. In this regard, Walter was the quintessential organic intellectual.
Rodney was very popular with the Jamaican mass-
The event, which became known as the “Rodney affair,” resounded throughout the Caribbean. Some of the public presentations Rodney gave in Jamaica were published in a small book, ‘The Groundings with My Brothers’.
After his expulsion from Jamaica, Rodney spent time in Toronto, Canada and in this period traveled to Cuba. In early 1969 he returned to Tanzania, where he resumed teaching at the University of Dar es Salaam.
At this time, The University of Dar es Salaam
Guyana. The government of Guyana, however, canceled the appointment. Because of his independence and clarity of ideas, the government thought that he would leave. Out of paid work, he refused to leave the country. Instead, over the next six years he threw himself into independent research and political organization.
He increased his work as an international scholar, teaching and researching on a full time basis. Many did not understand how he could work full time as an activist in the Working
Deserving individuals not honoured in...
But he made a significant contribution drafting the 1961 Constitution to take the colony to independence.
It was agreed that whichever party won the 1961 elections would take the colony to independence. But the opposition reneged on the deal after the US and British intelligence engaged in destabilizing activities.
Fenton has a wealth of information on the politics of the period 1961 to 1973 as I gathered in my interaction with Fenton over three days when he stayed at my home
during the launching of the World Union of Democracy in 1991, and in meetings in Barbados, Trinidad, London, and Guyana.
Pt Ramlall was arrested and spent time at Sibley Hall. Hhe willingly made available his mandir for meetings. Pt Birbalsingh was a grass root activist organizing workers to support the independence movement.
Another area in which successive governments committed injustice on Rai and Fenton was not granting them their due pension. I
wrote on this subject several times. The government should approve the pensions of Rai and Ramsahoye who served Parliament with distinction.
Burnham was in favour on approving Rai’s pension after the PPP lost the 1964 election, providing Jagan proposed it. But it was noted that Jagan opposed any benefits to Rai.
Fenton could not prove he was alive; so Burnham did not approve his pension - laughable. Jagan told me Fenton “don’t need the pension”, a statement repeated
by others when approached on the subject. Neither gentleman needs the money, but it is the principle of doing what is right.
During the election campaign in 2006, AFC promised to raise the issue of Rai’s pensions.
But when they won seats to Parliament, the AFC MPs did not, claiming that the PPP/C would not entertain the motion.
For the 2011 campaign, AFC again promised to legislate a pension for Rai; the AFC did not although controlling the Speakership and
Peoples Alliance (WPA) and remain committed as a serious scholar.
Walter threw himself into the study of the Guyanese working people and brought out a study of Guyanese plantations in the 19th century. He was involved in a three volume study of the Guyanese working people but before it was complete, he was assassinated on June 13, 1980. After his assassination, the first volume, ‘A History of the Guyanese Working People’, 1881-1905 was published by John Hopkins University Press.
This book provided the historical foundations for the political movement he played a central role in founding and leading until his death, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).
The dominant theme in Rodney’s life and work, intellectual and political, is a deep and abiding commitment to the struggles of the working people everywhere for emancipation from all forms of oppression. It was the principle for which he lived, and the principle for which he died.
From 1979 Rodney was under constant surveillance and close colleagues of Rodney were killed in 1979 (Ohene Kahama) and in 1980 (Edward Dublin). Finally, they killed him on June 13; murdered by a bomb concealed in a walkietalkie. The man who handed the Walkie Talkie to Walter was whisked out of Guyana and protected by international imperialism until he expired nearly twenty years later.
His death shocked Guyanese of all racial groups, women, men, and youth. He had dedicated the latter part of his life to bridging the divisions between the people of Guyana only to end up paying with his life. Rodney was not just a Guyanese figure. He was also known worldwide, especially in the Caribbean and Africa, where he enjoyed great popularity for his solidarity with the struggles of the working people. It was for this reason Eusi Kwayana termed him as the ‘prophet of self emancipation’.
from page 5
a majority in Parliament. Now, there are no constraints because the AFC is in government. Nagamootoo and Ramjattan should introduce a bill in parliament to give the gentlemen their pensions. I was privy to emails in which the PPP was urged to honour these outstanding Guyanese as well as to grant the men their pension. But the party would have none of it – inexplicable. It is hoped that the APNU+AFC, unlike its predecessor, will be more open to recommendations
for honouring outstanding Guyanese who served the nation and not be politically or ethnically biased.
The independence honours were not representative of the composition of the population – a country cannot be governed on discrimination.
Recognizing those who were deliberately ignored by the PPP, like those who put in many years of struggle and contributed to development, would correct a historical injustice.
Vishnu Bisram
Dr Walter Rodney
Dr Walter Rodney at a political meeting
NBA Finals…
Warriors even series with Cavs at 2-2
Draymond Green was thrilled with how the Golden State Warriors dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
Draymond Green hailed Steve Kerr’s line-up switch in game four of the NBA Finals, claiming it allowed the Golden State Warriors to “push the tempo” against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Green was named at centre by Kerr on Thursday - for the first time since playing in high school - as the Warriors went with a short line-up and won 103-82 to level the series 2-2.
“It really allowed us to push the tempo,” Green told NBA TV.
“One thing [Cavaliers
centre Timofey] Mozgov’s been doing - and he did a little bit of it today but not as much - is he’s just sitting at the rim, and he’s just going vertical and clogging everything up, and we said we wanted to push the tempo of the game and get it at our pace. You know, the first three games of this series, even the one that we won, it wasn’t at our pace.
“We felt like putting Andre [Iguodala] into the starting line-up and pretty much five perimeter guysI’m not a perimeter guy but I sometimes float around there - it was for us to push a tempo.”
After Green and Harrison Barnes shot a combined twofor-18 in game three - as the
Warriors lost 96-91 - the duo shot 17 and 14 points respectively in game four for a combined 10-for-20 success rate. Green shot one-for-three from the three-point line on Thursday and celebrated by yelling ‘I’m back’.
“You tend to trick yourself and you forget it is just basketball, and I knew I had to get back to that and I was letting that drag my energy down, and once you drag my energy down, I’m not me,” he added.
“So after my game three performance where I was awful, which made us awful, there’s really nowhere to go but up. But I knew I had to come out with more intensity and more confidence.” (Digicel Sportsmax)
Gayle still wants to be a West Indies force
Chris Gayle may have taken the county circuit by storm in his hard-hitting introduction to the NatWest T20 Blast, but home remains where the heart is for a man who yearns for another chance to represent West Indies on the international stage.
With scores of 92, 151 not out and 85 not out in his three appearances to date for Somerset, Gayle has amassed 328 runs for once out, from 170 balls and with a remarkable 29 sixes - almost three times the tally of any other player in the competition.
Yet, with a Test series currently underway
between West Indies and Australia in the Caribbean, Gayle cannot help but have half an eye on the fortunes of his team, for whom he scored an ODI career-best 215 against Zimbabwe in the recent World Cup.
“I’d love to play a few more international games to be honest with you,” Gayle told ESPNcricinfo. “But we’ll have to wait and see. It’s tough, the travelling is very hectic, sometimes you have to know when you’ve reached the limit in life, sometimes you have to draw the line.
“But I will still push to play international cricket, when I go back home I will
have a discussion with the coach and maybe with the board, so that we can work out Chris Gayle’s future, to see if they are still interested. I am still interested so I’ll look forward to that and see how best it can work out.”
Throughout his stint with Somerset, Gayle has played with the number 333 on his back, a tribute to his highest Test score against Sri Lanka in 2010.
“People all say Chris is the king of T20, Chris is the this and that of T20, I am the king of Test cricket too,” he says. “I scored two triple centuries. And 21 ODI centuries. So I’m the king of something. The king of all formats.
“A Test match is fantastic,” he adds. “It’s a test of character but the entertainment part of cricket is phenomenal. T20 has actually brought new cricket fans into the game, so we have to continue with this as well so that people who didn’t watch can eventually get to watch Test cricket.
“West Indies are in the middle of a Test series against Australia, so fingers crossed some youngsters get some opportunities and I hope they make the best use of it, we definitely have to look to the future sometimes.”
Gayle’s own future seems firmly mapped out as a Twenty20 gun for hire and the reception he has received
in England after his longawaited debut in England’s competition has confirmed his status as one of the iconic players of his age.
He has now scored 15 centuries in all Twenty20 competitions - the next most prolific is New Zealand’s captain, Brendon McCullum, with six - and has featured in domestic tournaments in seven different countries.
“It’s good to travel the world and share different dressing rooms with different players over the world,” he says. “you learn more about your culture and you make new friends, you gain more fans around the world as well. It’s been brilliant for me, it’s fantastic, and I’ve got a century for, if not all, then most of these teams.
It’s great to achieve such things, but I never know which tournament is coming up next.”
Few players are better placed to assess the merits of England’s revamped Twenty20 competition, but Gayle’s initial verdict is that the quality falls a long way short of the standards he has encountered in the IPL, as well as Australia and the Caribbean.
“There’s no doubt there’s a big gap between other leagues compared to IPL,” he says. “IPL is definitely No. 1, but the Caribbean Premier League is fantastic too and [Australia’s] Big Bash is up there as well. Those three leagues are the top leagues.”
His opinion of England, meanwhile, is coloured by the size of the venues he has so far encountered, with his initial matches taking place on two of the country’s smaller grounds at Chelmsford and Taunton, where one of his sixes landed in the nearby River Tone.
“Yeah, those two grounds are a bit small to be honest with you,” he says. “Especially Somerset, with a good track out there as well, so that’s even better. You can clear the boundary easily but anything can happen in cricket, you can get one and nick off early. When you do get a chance to score some runs you try and make the best use of it.” (Cricinfo)
Andre Iguodala
Chris Gayle
Mining company donates bowling machine to EBDCA
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
Cricket on the East Bank of Demerara has been given a major boost with a new mining company presenting a spanking new bowling machine to help with the development of the game.
Young cricketers from Ruimveldt to Linden converged on the parking lot of the Guyana National
Stadium, Providence, on Saturday morning to be part of the occasion, as the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) became the beneficiary of the equipment, along with the complementary balls.
The donation was made by mining company Grana y Montero and Sedgman Joint Venture (GSJV), whose representatives were on hand to present the piece of equip-
ment to top executives of the East Bank Association. The company is in Guyana designing and building the gold processing plant of Aurora Gold Mines.
EBDCA President Anand Kalladeen made a commitment that the equipment and accessories, worth approximately $1 million, will be put to their intended use, adding that participants of the Association’s annual
Bolt fails to impress in New York
Usain Bolt laboured to victory in the 200m at the New York Diamond League meeting.
The Jamaican world record holder clocked 20.29 seconds, edging out 19-year-old Zharnel Hughes of Anguilla.
“I wasn’t too happy with the time today,” said Bolt. “But training has been going well and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
In the men’s 100m, American Tyson Gay pipped Keston Bledman in a time of 10.12 with Nesta Carter third.
Six-time Olympic gold medallist Bolt has yet to break 20 seconds for 200m this year, while American rival Justin Gatlin clocked a world-leading 19.68 at the Eugene Diamond League
meet last month. Gatlin’s 9.74 in Doha is also the fastest 100m time of the year.
The pair are yet to meet on the track this season, although with the World Championships in Beijing just over two months away, Bolt has played down concerns over his fitness and laughed off suggestions he is running scared of the American.
The 28-year-old, who set the current 200m world record of 19.19 at the World Championships in Berlin in 2009, has said he will retire after the 2017 World Championships in London.
Britain’s Tiffany Porter clocked 12.81 to finish second to Sharika Nelvis in the 100m hurdles, while Shana Cox (52.62) was runner-up to Deedee Trotter in the 400m.
Shara Proctor was third in the women’s long jump with a best of 6.72m, while Lynsey Sharp (two minutes 0.37 seconds) and Jenny Meadows (2:00.55) both recorded season best times but finished sixth and eighth respectively in the 800m.
Isobel Pooley cleared a season’s best 1.91m in the high jump, finishing fourth in an event won by Spain’s Ruth Beitia on countback.
In the 800m, Kenya’s Olympic champion David Rudisha (1:43.58) recorded his best time of the year in beating home favourite Boris Berian.
David Oliver won the men’s 110m hurdles, ahead of Jason Richardson, and in the 400m hurdles there was victory for Javier Culson. (BBC Sport)
academy will reap the benefits.
Representing the mining company was Project Manager Max Scott, who said GSJV was just fulfilling its corporate/social responsibility. Australian Scott, who has an avid interest in cricket and took the time to face a few deliveries from the machine, was enthusiastic about what lies ahead for the young cricketers of the
East Bank area.
EBDCA First Vice President Rohan Sarjoo said the equipment will help the Association to further edify its youth population on the basics of the game. He also believes it will help the players to harness their skills and aim for lofty goals, such as representing Demerara, Guyana and ultimately the West Indies.
According to Sarjoo, in-
terest in cricket among the youth population is at an all-time high, and the Association will be looking to polish the available raw talent.
The Association is urging young aspiring cricketers to sign up with the club in their area, as the executives are determined to plug resources into the development of youth cricket.
Women’s hurdles continues to be a close affair, CampbellBrown finishes second
In a thrilling 100m hurdles race at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo where a number of athletes cleared the final hurdle in close proximity to each other, Jasmin Stowers continues to prove she shouold be in the conversation when the World Championships of Athletics gets under way in August.
Stowers, who ended in a photo finish with fellow American Brianna Rollins won in 12.84 seconds, the same as her vanquished foe/ teammate.
Queen Harrison was third in 13.02, while a returning Lolo Jones was fourth in 13.14.
In the women’s 100, Murielle Ahoure held off Veronica Campbell-Brown to win the the event in 11.03 seconds.
Campbell Brown, who finished a close second, clocked 11.08.
The Jamaican veteran got off to a bad start and had to fight her way back through the field but found Ahoure too strong to overhaul.
France’s Christophe Lemaitre has struggled for form in recent times, but gave a timely reminder of his talent with a season-best 20.21secs run in the men’s 200m - leaving him in a four-way tie in the Diamond League standings.
The pack was congested coming round the bend, but Lemaitre burst clear on the stretch to celebrate his 25th birthday in style. Anaso Jobodwana held off Richard Kilty on the outside to take second.
Steven Gardiner collected his first Diamond League points in the men’s 400m after recording a personalbest time of 44.64secs. The Bahamian showed great power on the final bend and kicked home on the straight.
In the women’s 1500m race, Britain’s Laura Muir was rewarded for a brave run in which she led from the outset by and won in a time of four minutes and 39 seconds - a season-best time.
Fresh off his victory in front of home support in Birmingham, Olympic champion Greg Rutherford
extended his lead in the men’s long jump with a winning distance of 8.25m. Robert Urbanek claimed first place in the discus, while China’s Zhang Guowei won the high jump.
(Digicel Sportsmax)
Caption: Jasmin Stowers saved as Stowers Caterine Ibarguen made it 12 points from 12 in the women’s triple jump with a distance on 14.68 metres, while shot putt leader Christina Schwanitz extended her lead with a throw of 20.14m. Israel’s Marharyta Dorozhon threw a national record 64.56m to win the javelin. The women’s 5000m was dubbed as a world-record attempt for Genzebe Dibaba. The Ethiopian did not manage the feat, but still claimed victory. Jairus Birech was victorious in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.
Young cricketers along the East Bank Demerara corridor are set to benefit from the donation
EBDCA President Anand Kalladeen (third right) receives the equipment from GSJV Project Manager
Max Scott. Sharing the moment are (from left) EBDCA Vice Presidents Johnny Azeez and Rohan Sarjoo, GSJV Social Responsibility Manager Flexton Slowe, and EBDCA representatives Colin Stuart and Olufemi Sandy (Shantanand Anude photo)
Usain Bolt
Let’s roar for Maduro to hear, says Shabazz
– Golden Jaguars, St Vincent in return clash today
With the aim of bringing pride and glory to the nation, the Jamaal Shabazz-coached Golden Jaguars will throw down the gauntlet to St Vincent and the Grenadines in the return clash of the 2018 World Cup qualifier this evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
A sell-out and vocal crowd is anticipated, and Shabazz is urging patrons to let their roars be heard by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Guyana and Venezuela are currently em -
broiled in a decades-old controversy over Guyana’s territorial waters, which resurfaced a few weeks ago.
In a brief pre-match interview on Saturday, Shabazz said, “The vibes when the Jaguars and their people roar must be heard even by President Maduro in Venezuela so that he will think carefully also how he treats with Guyana, for we are a nation of Jaguars, led by Jaguars.”
Shabazz spoke of the importance of tonight’s game, after the away fixture on Wednesday at the Arnos Vale Playing ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
“This is an important moment in our lives as a country and we aim to put our best foot forward
to bring pride and glory to our mighty nation. Playing at home has its benefits and we want to use this to our advantage and ask the fans to connect and urge the team on,” Shabazz explained.
The result on Wednesday has left the St Vincent lads in a must-win situation if they are to advance further in the qualification phase. Should the Golden Jaguars fail to win, they would at least need to draw nil-all or 1-1 to keep their Russia dreams alive.
The “Vincy Heat” Coach Cornelius Huggins said his boys were ready for the task at hand.
“The team is ready, we know the job at hand and we have to get a win on Sunday,” Huggins said, while speaking to the media at the Ogle International Airport upon arrival.
He added, “I think in St Vincent we were supposed to win convincingly. Once you get the opportunity, you are supposed to make good of them and that’s why the game ended in a draw.”
Admission to today’s contest is $2000 and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is urging patrons to wear yellow in support of the Golden Jaguars.
Interpol suspends €20m FIFA partnership
Interpol has suspended a joint anti-match-fixing programme with FIFA over allegations of corruption against the football governing body.
The international police agency is freezing the €20 million (£14m) donated by FIFA in 2011 for the programme.
The 10-year “Integrity in Sport” agreement was intended to combat match-fixing and illegal gambling.
FIFA is under investigation by authorities in the US and Switzerland for alleged bribery and corruption.
“In light of the current context surrounding FIFA, while Interpol is still committed to developing our Integrity in Sport programme, I have decided to suspend the agreement,” Juergen Stock, the head
of Interpol, said in a statement.
“All external partners, whether public or private, must share the fundamental values and principles of the organisation, as well as those of the wider law enforcement community,” he added.
The agreement between Interpol and FIFA stated that the football body must be “compatible with the principles, aims and activities of Interpol”.
A spokesperson for FIFA told the BBC that the organisation was “disappointed” by Interpol’s decision.
“The success and importance of this programme cannot be understated. Our co-operation over the past four years has been a key part of addressing the transnational problem of match-
fixing.”
The statement added: “This successful programme is unrelated to the current issues surrounding FIFA and we believe that this unilateral decision will negatively impact the fight against criminal activity.”
FIFA was “reaching out to Interpol to further discuss this matter”, it said.
Last month, 14 current and former FIFA officials and sports marketing executives were charged over allegations of corruption and bribery following a yearslong US-led investigation into the organisation.
The scandal has raised questions over the legitimacy of the bidding processes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which were awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively. (BBC Sport)
Pakistan to launch Twenty20 league
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will launch its own Twenty20 league in the United Arab Emirates next year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its intention to create its own franchise-based Twenty20 league, to begin next year.
With Australia’s Big Bash League and the Indian Premier League attracting the world’s best players and
vast financial reward, T20 continues to enjoy huge success as a format.
“The PCB has announced that it will launch its own franchise-based T20 league with the first season scheduled to take place in the UAE next year,” a statement read on Saturday.
“The board of governors discussed three major questions related to the league. It was decided in principle that PCB will organise the
league on its own and will not outsource it to any other organisation.
“It was also unanimously decided that the first edition of the league will take place in UAE with an aim of attracting maximum number of foreign players.
“The board of governors decided that the league’s lead manager should be a leading professional of international repute.” (Digicel Sportsmax)
The St Vincent and the Grenadines players pose for a photo upon arrival in Guyana on Friday
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Rugby Olympic qualifiers… Men start positively – women out of Olympics
The national men’s rugby squad has started on a positive note in their Olympic Qualifiers as well as their North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) seven’s title defence currently underway in North Carolina.
According to the official NACRA site, Guyana has won two of their three group games and will contest their final group game today.
Guyana topped The Bahamas 38-19 before going on to defeat the Cayman Islands 14-12 in their first two games, However, the Guyanese men were blown away by powerhouse Canada who was clearly the superior side with a 51-0 win.
The men will play Trinidad and Tobago today in must win game in order to second in the group and move onto the semifinal round.
Meanwhile the women won one of their three group games according to the official NACRA site, thus knocking them out of the tournament.
Guyana fell to Trinidad and Tobago 12-34 before losing to Mexico 7-27; however, the women were able to bounce back against the Bahamas with a 21-12 win to end their tournament with some dignity intact.
West Indies struggling...
The West Indian batsmen would do well to pay heed to how Warner and Marsh went about their innings when run-scoring was difficult. Against accurate bowling from a quartet of bowlers - and not just Jerome Taylor - both openers struggled for fluency and the run rate hovered at about two for the first 20 overs.
They did not give up. With the cushion of a comfortable lead, they played with patience, knowing the bowlers would eventually tire under a harsh sun. The 50 partnership came up in 22.1 overs and in the 24th, bowled by the left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, the shift in momentum came.
Both batsmen had previously used their feet to advance and drive Permaul through covers, and now Marsh did it again before Warner unfurled a reverse sweep, an indication that he was feeling more settled. Warner had used 41 deliveries for his first 10 runs but took only 49 for his next 40.
Marsh had been marginally quicker than Warner in the early part of the innings before slowing down. Now he too went after Permaul, using the depth of the crease to cut and then getting to the pitch of the ball and lofting straight for six. His half-century came off 109 deliveries.
It looked as though Australia would go to tea with all ten wickets intact as Warner feasted on buffet bowling from parttime spinner Jermaine Blackwood. However, on 62, he skied an attempted
pull off Roach and Denesh Ramdin settled under the catch. Marsh and Smith took the lead past 300, capping off a 115-run session for Australia after lunch.
Marsh was caught at midwicket off Permaul shortly after the tea break, but by this time Smith had settled in and was building the lead fluently. A flurry of boundaries from Smith off Holder and Permaul took him past his half-century and indicated that Australia might declare before stumps. Few expected Smith and Clarke to be sprinting off before the lead had reached 400 though.
When the third day be-
gan, there was debate over whether Australia would enforce the follow-on if they had the opportunity to do so. Holder took that decision out of Clarke’s hands. With his team 57 short of making Australia bat again, Holder combined clean hitting and assured defence in a ninth-wicket partnership of 77 in 12.3 overs with Kemar Roach, whose contribution was 7. His method against all the fast bowlers was the same: stay balanced, clear the front foot towards leg, press forward and slam the ball between point and long-off. It wasn’t manic slogging, for Holder was resolute in defence when the delivery demanded it. Roach had been sensible, moving on to 7 off 35 balls, before his patience ran out. Instead of leaving or blocking like he had done so well, Roach drove loosely at a good-length ball from Hazlewood and edged to Brad Haddin. Two balls later, Taylor offered no shot and was plumb lbw, leaving Holder stranded on 82 off 63 balls.
Holder had only delayed Clarke’s decision to ask West Indies to bat again.
(Cricinfo)
SCOREBOARD
Australia 1st innings 399 all out West Indies 1st Innings
1 (nb-1), Watson 2-0-10-0 Australia 2nd innings S Marsh c Holder b Permaul 69 D Warner c †Ramdin b Roach 62 S Smith not out 54 M Clarke* not out 14 Extras (b-9, lb-4)
Jason Holder held the Windies innings together with 82
Boyce & Jefford Classic set to remain in Linden
– Jamaica expresses interest to participate
The Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic will remain in Linden in spite of the new synthetic facility which was commissioned earlier this year at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
The committee responsible for the championships made it clear on Friday that the annual international track and field meet will remain in Linden after some rumours otherwise spread through the Linden community.
Committee Chairman Colin Boyce and CoChairman Edison Jefford made their statement public via an interview conducted at the National Communications Network (NCN), reiterating their commitment to the community in 2010 when the competition was first held.
“In 2010, at our inaugural opening ceremony, we made a commitment to Mr (Mortimer) Mingo (then Regional Chairman) and the people of Linden that we will not move this meet from Linden and it is only right
that we renew that commitment,” Boyce said.
“This meet was born in Linden and it will remain in Linden,” he reiterated, adding that they will not follow the pattern of their predecessors and remove from
the community a product that they would have built through their unswerving support over the years.
According to Boyce, grass surfaces and grounds must not be condemned in Guyana because there is a
Safraz Photo Studio on board with Caricom Championship
Safraz Photo Studio of Number 78 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, has come on board with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) as a partner for the Caricom Championship.
At a simple presentation ceremony held recently, Safraz Gaffor, Managing Director of Safraz Photo Studio, said he was happy to be part of the fundraiser organised by the BCB. He said that he loved the game of cricket and would always make contributions to its enhancement.
Gaffor added that he was aware of the politics of the game in Guyana and hoped that soon the issues would be resolved. Gaffor mentioned that the BCB was highly respected and would always get his help.
Vicky Bharosay, a member of the BCB, thanked
Gaffor for coming on board. He called on the community to support the business so that it can give back more to the development of people.
Gaffor was a part sponsor of the first-ever Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) T20 cricket competition for Second-Division teams in the area. Thereafter, the UCCA was resuscitated and was now doing a great job in organising the game in the area.
According to the BCB, proceeds from the Caricom Championship, which will be held on July 5 at the historic Albion Sports Complex, will be used mainly to organise a very important ThreeDay cricket competition.
Eight top T20 FirstDivision teams in Berbice will compete in a 10-over knockout competition with
the final of 20 overs to be played under lights for a top prize of $80,000 and a trophy. The runner-up will receive $40,000 and a trophy with the losing semi-finalists copping $15,000 each. The Man of the Match in every game will be rewarded. Action will commence at 10:00h sharp.
The participating teams are Upper Corentyne/ Skeldon, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Albion, Young Warriors/Rose Hall Centre, Police/Bermine, Blairmont/ West Berbice and Bush Lot/ D’Edward. The Board said that the teams were selected in such a manner that all the top players in Berbice will be on show.
The BCB is appealing to all cricket lovers in Guyana and in the Diaspora to come on board to further
synthetic facility.
He outlined that there are meets in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago that are still held on grass surfaces though those countries have synthetic tracks.
In addition, Boyce high-
lighted that moving the meet would be an injustice to the Linden community, and Jefford echoed those sentiments.
“We hope to continue to shed the light on this facility, the Mackenzie Sport Club Ground, so that Government or any investor will see the need for a modern sports facility for this community. If we move, we will also move the attention for here,” Jefford said.
Jefford added, “Linden has not lost the Track and Field Competition at the National Schools’ Championships in over 13 years. That alone should have been a motivating factor for such a facility in Linden from the previous Government, but it never happened.
“We hope that this Government recognises the vast athletics talent in this community, and make the necessary investment in sport. If we move our meet, we believe we will also move the efforts we are making to lobby Government in this direction,” he mentioned.
The Co-Chair disclosed that they made several attempts to discuss these issues with the previous administration, but all were ignored. He said that letters were dispatched annually to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, but none were acknowledged.
The leadership of the Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Committee indicated that it was hoping for a different attitude from this administration toward the development of sport in Linden, and more so, Guyana. They committed to continued lobbying in this regard.
The sixth edition of Guyana’s only international track and field meet has been set for August 15-16 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground. As usual, athletes are expected from Trinidad, the US, Suriname, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines while Jamaica has expressed an interest in participating in the meet for the first time.
enhance the game in the Ancient County. The Board is also calling on former Berbice players for assistance. Contact can be made on phone numbers 3332375, 655-4140 or 623-6875.
Many gate prizes will be up for grabs for fans, with a well-stocked bar and musical entertainment. To pro-
mote the game, 15 passes each will be given to eight schools in the Lower Corentyne area. Meanwhile, the combined Young Warriors/Rose Hall CC has announced its squad, which reads Shimron Hetmyer, Seon Hetmyer, Kevin Ramdeen, Kassim Khan, Amir Khan,
Wahid Edwards, Alex Algoo, Balram Samaroo, Suresh Dhanai, Linden Austin, Andre Grant, Christoff Bahadur, Ameer Rahaman and Junior Williams. The
Chairman of Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Committee, Colin Boyce (centre) makes a point in Linden during an interview with NCN’s Jonathan Craig (left), with Co-Chairman Edison Jefford also sharing the occasion
manager is Michael Ramdeen with Kwesi Maltay performing coaching duties.
Safraz Gaffor (left), Managing Director of Safraz Photo Studio, presents his sponsorship cheque to Vicky Bharosay of the BCB
Guyana men’s squad depart for CBC Championships
The national men’s basketball squad departed Guyana on Saturday for the British Virgin Islands (BVI) to be part of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships scheduled to start on Monday.
The squad to be captained by Akeem Kanhai includes Dave Causway, Travis Burnett, Shelroy Thomas, Jermaine Slater, Ryan Gullen, Jason Squires, Keron McKenzie, Gordon James, Rudy James, Chris Williams and Ryan Stephney.
Guyana will play Antigua and Barbuda in
their first game; the other teams in Guyana’s group are The Bahamas, Bermuda and Suriname. In preparation for the championships, Guyana hosted Bermuda in an Invitational Series in March, which Guyana won 3-0. In early May, the Guyanese lost a Challenge Series in Suriname, with the host nation winning 2-1. The Guyana squad is seeking to improve on the fifth place achieved at the 2014 CBC Championships, where the Guyanese finished ahead of Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Highest goal scorer of Busta Soft Shoe receives prize
Sophia’s Dwayne Lowe, who ended up with nine goals in the Busta Soft Shoe Football Competition in five matches, received his prize of one gold chain on Friday from Junior’s Elegant Jewellery and Pawnshop as the highest goal scorer of the tournament.
Managing Director of the store, Ferdinand Bacchus, presented the prize to Lowe at the business’ location on Robb Street.
Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, Marlan Cole thanked Bacchus for sticking to his commitment to reward the player who scored the highest amount of goals during the tournament.
Chanderpaul getting...
“It’s pretty good, pretty big. Hopefully, this time around we can win. I watched last year’s final also, it was unfortunate for us. Hopefully, this year we can pull through. We have a pretty much decent lineup; all the teams have good players. It’s an open tournament, so every team has to play well and if you play well on that day, you would win,” Chanderpaul asserted.
Apart from showcasing his skills in the T20 format, the tournament also provides an opportunity for Chanderpaul to link up with his former Guyana and West Indies teammate Carl Hooper, who is the new Head Coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
“Well, definitely. It’s a long time I haven’t seen Carl. It was nice to have him come back,” Chanderpaul acknowledged.
Chanderpaul has been playing international crick-
from back page
et since 1994, and no doubt Hooper will be looking to tap into his reservoir of knowledge during the tournament, which concludes on July 26.
The opening game next Saturday is a repeat of last year’s final with reigning champions and host franchise Barbados Tridents taking on the Guyana Amazon Warriors from 18:00h.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Managing Director of Junior’s Elegant Jewellery and Pawnshop, Ferdinand Bacchus (right) hands over the gold chain to Dwayne Lowe on Friday
The team before leaving for BVI on Saturday
Chanderpaul getting primed for Hero CPL
By AvenAsh RAmzAn Veteran batsman
Shivnarine Chanderpaul is getting primed for his much anticipated debut in the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) set to start on Saturday.
Chanderpaul was bought by the St Lucia Zouks franchise in the inaugural tournament in 2013, but had to pull out before the start owing to his English county contract with Durham.
The Guyanese bat-
ting stalwart has now been bought by his home franchise, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, and after his first training stint with the localbased players on Thursday last, the “Tiger” is all excited to partake in the “Biggest Party in Sport”.
“The guys are all excited, keen and ready to go. We didn’t get to do much batting practice, but we’ve been doing some fielding and fitness tests and so on, and we’re shaping up well. Hopefully, the weather will permit us
to get some games or game simulation in and get ourselves ready for the tournament,” Chanderpaul said.
Although Chanderpaul has been restricted to Test cricket on the international circuit, he has played a few
T20 tournaments across the globe. He spoke of his personal preparation for the Hero CPL.
“It’s just like any other T20 League that I have played around the world. You just have to go in and
have a look and see, have a feel for it and see what it’s all about again and take it from there,” the former West Indies Captain pointed out.
Being on the sidelines for the past two seasons has given Chanderpaul
enough time to assess the tournament and its impact, not just on cricket, but the Caribbean’s economies. During that time, he also appeared for T20 franchises in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and England.
West Indies v Australia, 2nd Test, Jamaica, 3rd day… West Indies struggling in chase of 392
Josh Hazlewood took career-best figures to secure a first-innings lead of 179, David Warner and Shaun Marsh built on that with a patient century opening stand, and Steven Smith reeled off another unbeaten fifty. The highlight of Australia’s outstanding third day at Sabina Park, though, was Michael Clarke’s declaration. He set West Indies 392 to win in two days and eight overs.
With so much time left in the Test, most of today’s captains would have waited until the lead was closer to 500, but not Clarke. He was rewarded immediately, as Mitchell Starc razed West Indies openers in the first over of the chase. Kraigg Brathwaite dragged a full and wide
ball on to his stumps, and Rajendra Chandrika edged to gully to become the second West Indian after Alf Valentine in 1950 to bag a pair on debut. Both batsmen had attempted to drive away from their bodies.
From 1 for 2, Darren Bravo and Shane Dowrich batted the remaining seven overs before stumps and will return on the fourth morning to face Australia’s charge towards taking home the Frank Worrell trophy with a 2-0 sweep. Bravo survived only because he reviewed an lbw decision - Nathan Lyon hit the pads in line once again - and replays indicated the ball was going to go over the stumps. It was an extremely close call.
Fast bowler Paul Wintz bowls to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at Saturday’s simulation game at the Guyana National Stadium. Christopher Barnwell is the non-striker (Shantanand Anude photo)
