Caribbean Times International

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ISSUE NO. 149

CANADA EDITION

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WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

Guyana Gov't mulls removing Gy$60B in funds from commercial banks See story on page 2

…Private Sector concerned over consequences for the economy

"Our work must continue into the second term if we are to truly achieve a nation we can celebrate." - PM Kamla

Photo by Giordano Ciampini

Page 17 With elections slated for September 7th, 2015 in Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has kicked her party’s campaign in to high gear. Persad-Bissessar’s Party, the United National Congress (UNC) has been receiving excellent support thus far at campaign activities and supporters are optimistic about the party’s victory.

Caribana 2015 attracts thousands

2 NEWS Guyana Gov't mulls removing Gy$60B in funds from commercial banks www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

…Private Sector concerned over consequences for the economy

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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) has warned the David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government against its stated intention to withdraw some Gy$60 billion of state funds from commercial banks across the country, which was deposited by the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

The warning came on the heels of a meeting held between the PSC and members of the business community, where discussions were held on the evident downturn in business. The discussion, the PSC said, dealt with matters ranging from employee retrenchment to the sudden increase in crime, spending on Government projects and matters related to how the clearing of goods and the processing of invest-

PSC Chairman Norman Mc Lean

ment agreements are affecting the business community.

“Business representatives mentioned that they have noticed a drop in consumer spending and expectations.

Projects are being delayed / suspended due to the cessation of payments on some projects.

Foreign and local business partners have put

a hold on some investments,” the PSC said in its release.

The organisation reported that the business community is concerned about the persistent “bottle necks” when conducting business with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), pointing out that the Revenue Authority needed to expand its taxpayers’ base

and “focus on the individuals who have been evading taxes for too long”. To this end, it said the Finance Minister Winston Jordan was written to and meetings were held with the top brass of the GRA and the PSC. “The PSC is concerned that the current situation can lead to a high level of non-performing loans and is extremely concerned about the intended removal of over Gy$60 billion in Government funds that are deposited at the commercial banks.”

It said a decline in consumer expectations and spending can create a drop in sales and profits. According to the PSC, the situation would force businesses to freeze on hiring and inevitably the retrenchment of employees. Some businesses have already started laying-off.

Meanwhile, the PSC

said while it commended the actions taken by Government and the Guyana Police Force in making some arrests and the taking of action on some recent crimes, it believed that more should be done to prevent and detect crimes and restore confidence in law enforcement.

“There has been a call for stronger Police presence in and around the city; businesses are concerned about their em-

ployees and customers being robbed in the streets and at their homes,” the PSC said.

It said while the economy has taken a downturn since last year, the current Administration has an opportunity to restore confidence, by releasing a budget that would stimulate spending. This recommendation was already communicated to Government through the Finance Minister.

Jamaican man caught kissing 13-year-old schoolgirl, fined J$150,000

A

30-year-old married man who was caught by the police kissing a 13-year-old schoolgirl in an abandoned building in downtown Kingston, and making plans to have sex was on Tuesday slapped with a J$150,000 fine when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

The man, who had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault, was ordered by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey to pay J$100,000 or serve six months on the first count and J$50,000 or six months on the second count.

Before the man was sentenced, his lawyer told the court that her client was a devoted Christian and husband of four years who has acknowledged that his behaviour was inappropriate.

The lawyer also urged the magistrate to

consider the social enquiry report in which her client was described by members of his community as hard-working and industrious.

According to the lawyer, members of the community said that her client’s behaviour was “out of character.”

But Pusey told the lawyer that her client should be imprisoned for his actions.

“This is the kind of nightmare that most mothers lay in their beds at night worrying about,” she said. “The only thing working in his favour is that she had consented to it and she was not coerced.”

The police caught the man kissing the teen in an abandoned building on Orange Street in May. According to the police, the accused had met up with the teen on previous occasions and had been planning a date for them to have sex. (Jamaica Observer)

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EDITORIAL

Guyana’s Fat Cats

W

hile in opposition, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change as separate political organisms berated and heavily criticized successive Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Governments over their alleged mismanagement of public funds and waste in office.

These parties made a vow to never engage in high-handedness while in public office and to put the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people first. They pledged that should they get into office they would never secure drawbacks, perks, super salaries and other benefits at the expense of the public purse. Their government would be “lean”.

As a matter of fact, it was Attorney-at-Law and now Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who best demonstrated the then opposition’s condemnation for corruption and those desirous of leading a “Cadillac lifestyle in a donkey-cart economy” with the use of public funds.

So great was his scorn for “squander-mania” and concern for the poor and ordinary citizens that back in 2012 while supporting a motion to axe portions of the National Budget, Nagamootoo introduced the term “fat cats” in the National Assembly which he used to describe those public employees, contract workers and political appointees benefiting from super salaries that were “bleeding” the treasury.

Nagamootoo even told the media in July of that year that the “office of the President was running a Dharam Shala for friends and cronies” expressing shock at the salaries that advisors and other Government officials were taking home when compared to the ordinary man and the pittances that they were offered as increases.

He is quoted as informing the tenth parliament that “We will use the scissors and not the sledgehammer. We will prune excesses and extravagance, and we will avoid waste on projects that we cannot undertake at this time. How well all of us do this, will test whether we are nationalists or just petty hustlers, unmindful of the needs of our people, and unresponsive to them”.

Now in Government, Prime Minister Nagamootoo appears comfortable with the fact that the David Granger administration has decided to consider granting Ministers, political Advisors, and Parliamentarians massive salary increases even though it has belaboured the point that the economy has slowed down and things are on the off-side.

Reports are that the increases for Ministers dwarf the pittances received by hard working public servants and so many Guyanese who are still living on and below the minimum wage.

Whether the planned increases are 20 per cent, 50 per cent or 100 per cent are not of import as the fact remains that they are unnecessary given the number of benefits that Ministers, Advisors and Members of Parliament already enjoy at the expenses of the state.

The argument put forward by President David Granger and his Finance Minister Winston Jordan, as reported in the press, is also worthy of condemnation. Paying this level of workers will not eliminate the temptation to put their hands in the cookie jar or engage in covert corrupt activity politically or otherwise.

Surely, these gentlemen know that Guyanese will not accept the rationale either that the planned increases were intended to distinguish various levels of power, ranking and responsibility within the cabinet and new Government.

The news of the planned increases was also untimely as there is no evidence anywhere within the State apparatus to prove that a proper evaluation was done to determine who and what should be doled out and on what basis.

It is also shameful that the Government has only been in power for three months and already there are discussions taking place on Cabinet members benefits and emoluments when the public has not been told exactly what it is getting from its monies in the form of salary increases, new development projects, stimulus incentives, tax reforms and other fiscal benefits aimed at lifting its standard of living.

After all fattening the political cat is merely the beginning and while it will prove costly, one has not even contemplated the damage sustaining its ‘milk stock’ will cost.

The Government has to do the morally correct thing and halt any or all increases planned regardless of the magnitude. Integrity demands it!

Tourists enjoy a slow boat ride in Buffalo Pond, located in Guyana’s interior. Buffalo Pond has been known for its scenic beauty, especially at sunset and is often enjoyed by nature lovers visiting Guyana year round.

Reparations claims against former colonial powers – Caricom could move to ICJ

By Alexis Rodney

T

here is a possibility that the ongoing feud between the Caricom Reparations Commission and the countries of its former colonial masters, if not resolved, could reach the ear of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Chairman of the Guyana Reparations Committee, Dr Eric Phillips has said.

The deal now, however, is for the parties to meet and decide on a settlement before any such action is taken. The Caricom Reparations Commission said the effects of the slave trade which spread between the 16th and 19th Centuries, have contributed to the economic crisis currently experienced in Caribbean countries.

For restitution, the Commission has set out a 10-point action plan for discussion with the former slave trading nations and owners and plans to send an official invite to these leaders for them to come to the bargaining table. If, after consultation, a favourable decision could not be made, the final move will be in the direction of the ICJ. The Caricom Reparations Commission has asserted that the European Governments have been owners and traders of enslaved Africans; instructed genocidal actions upon indigenous communities; created the legal, financial and fiscal policies necessary for the enslavement of Africans; defined and enforced African enslavement and native genocide as in their ‘national interests’; refused compensation to the enslaved with the ending of their enslavement; compensated slave owners at emancipation for the loss of legal property rights in enslaved Africans; imposed a further one hundred years of racial apartheid upon the emancipated; imposed for

another one hundred years policies designed to perpetuate suffering upon the emancipated and survivors of genocide and refused to acknowledge such crimes or to compensate victims and their descendants.

According to Phillips, should there be a fruitful outcome and the money is released, a National Endowment Fund (NEF), much similar to a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), will be established, where a special committee will be set up to overlook its operations. It is hoped that the money will go toward the social, educational and economic development of the persons affected.

Guyanese economist Dr Clive Thomas had said while he opposed the idea of trading reparations for debt relief, he would endorse giving compensation to the descendants of African slaves.

He stressed that no Government should become involved with the handling of compensation since it will definitely lead to a number of discrepancies. He was positive that persons would make the best use of the compensation.

The Caricom Reparations Commission, which was launched in July 2013, had set a number of demands to the former European slave trading nations.

These include those countries providing diplomatic help to persuade countries such as Ghana and Ethiopia, to offer citizenship to the children of people from the Caribbean who “return” to Africa; devising a developmental strategy to help improve the lives of poor communities in the Caribbean still devastated by the after-effects of slavery; supporting cultural exchanges between the Caribbean and West Africa to help Caribbean people of African descent rebuild their sense of history and

identity; supporting literacy drives designed to improve educational levels that are still dire in many Caribbean communities; and providing medical assistance to the Region, which is struggling with high levels of chronic diseases such as hypertension and Type Two Diabetes that the Caricom Reparations Commission links to the fallout from slavery.

Caricom Reparations Committee Chairman, Sir Hilary Beckles had said that the plan was also to set out areas of dialogue with former slave-trading nations including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

The claims are being channelled through the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and processed with the help of the London law firm Leigh Day. The economies of Caricom Member States reportedly total close to US$78 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which would place the Region at 65th in the world if it were a single country.

Reports are that the Region cannot claim much in the way of the economic blow. However, after having suffered over 400 years of slavery and colonialism at the hands of European powers, its demands for reparations possess enormous moral authority.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade brought over 10 million captured Africans to work as chattel slaves in sugar and cotton plantations throughout the Caribbean and the Americas.

It was the largest forced migration in human history.

Today, Caricom nations have a population of 16 million, and the Diaspora in the United States, Canada and Europe totals about five million people.

News WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

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Canadian company “pours first gold” at Guyanese mine C

anada-based mining company Guyana Goldfields Inc (GGI) on Tuesday, announced that it has produced its first quantity of gold “on time and on budget” at its Aurora Gold Mine in Guyana.

In a release, the company stated that its first gold production was attained through gravity and saprolite production circuits. Initial startup gold was captured by processing the lowest grade ore available. The miner is progressing towards a full saprolite circuit operation and will gradually feed the mill with higher grade material. The commissioning of the hard rock crushing circuit is projected to be completed later in the third calendar quarter of 2015.

The company expects to produce between 30,000 ounces and 50,000 ounces of gold in 2015, depending on how quickly full ramp-up is achieved, and approximately 120,000 ounces to 140,000 ounces of gold in 2016.

GGI expects to is-

sue an updated National Instrument (NI) 43101 Technical Report Feasibility Study in the first quarter of 2016 for the project which will reflect an extended open pit mining scenario while deferring the underground production until later in the mine life. Also to be issued are current operating cost parameters and an updated ore reserve metal price.

As of June 30, 2015, the company had approximately US$20 million of capital expenditures remaining to complete the Aurora Gold Mine. The company is managing its overall development budget to not exceed US$277 million which includes the initial development costs of US$249 million for the project and US$28 million in financing costs, pre-operating costs and working capital investment.

The project remains on track budgetwise with an untouched US$52 million overrun facility available, if needed.

The company expects to report its interim con-

solidated financial statement results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015 on or around Thursday, August 13, 2015.

Company President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott A Caldwell commented, “Our first gold pour is an extraordinary achievement in GGI’s transition from an exploration and development company to a high-grade, low-cost gold producer. We would like to celebrate this significant accomplishment for all that have contributed from the project’s inception and thank our shareholders and stakeholders in supporting the development of the project, including our Board of Directors, management team, employees and contractors as well as the lenders for the debt financing syndicate comprised of International Finance Corporation, Export Development Canada, ING Capital LLC, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, and The Bank of Nova Scotia.

In addition,

we wish to thank the Government of Guyana and local communities for their continued support through the development of the project.

The focus at the site now is to increase gold pro-

duction to our target level of 50,000 ounces during the balance of this year.”

The Aurora Gold Project has a total gold resource of 6.54 million ounces in the measured

and indicated categories (62.83 million tonnes at 3.24 g/t Au) as well as an additional 1.82 million ounces in the inferred category (16.93 million tonnes at 3.34 g/t Au).

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

TT’s Griffith, Moonilal in talks T

Brazil will use drones to fight slave labour in rural areas

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ongues were wagging furiously when former National Security Minister Gary Griffith on Tuesday met with United National Congress (UNC) deputy political leader Dr Roodal Moonilal at the latter’s office in Debe, South Trinidad.

Having been fired from the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, Griffith and his wife Nicole Dyer-Griffith, who resigned as chairman of the Congress of the People (COP), formed the Alliance of Independents (AOI).

The meeting led some to wonder if Griffith was making a play to join the People’s Partnership which is a grouping of political parties including the UNC, COP, Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) and the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC).

At an AOI walkabout last evening in Tunapuna, Griffith told Newsday the meeting was to discuss the AOI’s voter education campaign “Demand 2015” that speaks to issues of good governance.

AOI chairman Joe Pires also attended the meeting with Moonilal.

“We will continue to have dialogue... further dialogue. Nothing more, nothing less,” Griffith said.

In the same way he met with Moonilal, Griffith said, “we will continue to speak with the heads of different political parties. If it is that any political party would be on par with our Demand 2015, we could have further dialogue with them.”

On the Demand 2015 campaign,

Gary Griffith

AOI interim political leader DyerGriffith said it will be conducted in, “very marginal constituencies.”

Demand 2015 lists ten specific demands voters can make of the persons they would like to represent them, she said.

“It speaks to issues of governance, how you manage and tackle corruption and eradicate corruption, issues about education, national safety and security and housing. So that when voters have to make the choice, they will have certain areas of demands to make. They will be more educated in interacting with their member of parliament,” she said.

Asked if the AOI’s supporters will vote for any candidate, or whichever party they wish, Dyer-Griffith said, “a

decision has not been made with respect to if we are participating (in the general election) or not.” “Thus far the polls have said that people like the AOI. They think we are a nice party. They like our principles and what we stand for, but we are looking at the numbers to see if they are sufficient for us to win a constituency. We are still moving forward. Everything is possible,” she said.

Contacted for a comment on the meeting, Moonilal declined to say what the meeting was about. “Confidentially, I can’t tell you what the meeting was about. Mr Griffith has been a Cabinet colleague of mine for some time and in the politics for some time. He was in the neighbourhood and popped in. These are the people in your neighbourhood,” Moonilal said. (Trinidad Express)

he Brazilian Government plans to use drones to strengthen its fight against slave labour in rural areas, the Labour Ministry has said.

Labour inspectors, who investigate properties that are suspected of employing workers in slave-like conditions, will use six drones equipped with cameras to monitor suspicious activities starting next month in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

“Drones don’t substitute the inspector’s physical presence, but they will be useful out in the country, in the case of farms that are hard to reach by road, for example,” said Bruno Barcia Lopes, coordinator of Rural Supervision at Rio de Janeiro’s Labour Secretariat.

The Inspire 1 drones, made by China’s DJI, have cameras that can shoot 4K resolution video and capture

12 megapixel photos. After Rio, other Brazilian states will start using similar equipment, the Labour Ministry said in a statement last week.

The decision to use drones comes at a time when a crucial weapon in Brazil’s fight against slavery – regular publication of a blacklist of companies using slave labour – has been halted by an injunction brought by a body representing real estate developers.

More than 120 years after Brazil became the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery, in 1888, about 1.8 million men and women work for little or no pay as forced laborers in Latin America, according to 2012 estimates by the Geneva-based International Labor Organization (ILO).

Globally, 21 million people are trapped in some form of forced labour.

(Thomson Reuters Foundation)

News

Festival showcase for Ja's 53rd celebrations

J

amaicans, especially those residing in rural areas, are in for a special treat this year, as the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) festival bandwagons will roll into their towns and communities, bringing a taste of Independence and Emancipation festivities to their doorsteps.

A mobile showcase of the best talents in the performing arts from various communities within the parishes, the festival bandwagon series, which kicked off on Sunday, is one of the JCDC’s new and exciting additions to this year’s festivities, being celebrated under the theme: ‘Proud and Free...

Jamaica 53’.

According to the JCDC’s Marketing and Public Relations Director Stephen Davidson, this new element presents an opportunity for persons, particularly those in deep rural communities, to get involved in the celebrations.

Davidson explained that the festival bandwagons will, simultaneously make their way through the different regions via motorcades, and will make stops at designated locations where stage shows will be held.

“So, deep in the community, other persons

(will be) able to see some of the best in traditional folk forms, the best in music, drama, (and) speech, we have the different marching bands, different costumed groups,” he outlines, adding that prizes for patrons will be up for grabs.

Davidson noted that while focus is being placed on rural communities this year, the intention, in the long run, is to roll out the festival bandwagon concept islandwide.

“So in every parish, there will be vigils, there will be thanksgiving church services, sound of drums on Emancipation Day, Independence Day, flag-raising ceremonies, stage shows, and minigalas, as well as street dances happening in communities and town squares,” he said.

Another new feature introduced this year was a market place, dubbed ‘Curry Come Uptown’.

This saw vendors at the Coronation Market in downtown Kingston, being hosted in a farmer’s market at the Independence Village, created inside the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, St Andrew, on Emancipation Day on Saturday.

Making its return to this year’s fes-

WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

tivities is the Festival Fashion Theme, for which Jamaicans are invited to wear designs, throughout the festival season, depicting the 2015 theme: “Bandana Wid Denim…Ketch Di Fashion Riddim”.

“We are encouraging designers, dressmakers, just about everybody to participate in this. We invite them to go out and purchase the materials and (use them) to make those different outfits that would match the fashion theme,” Davidson said.

Merchants are also encouraged to stock up on the bandana and denim material, so that members of the public will have adequate supplies.

There will be a special fashion show titled, ‘Fashion Greets Music Festival’, which is also scheduled for the Independence Village, on Monday beginning at 8:00 pm.

Fashion Greets Music Festival’ is a musically infused fashion show that will match the fashion of the time with the corresponding musical era. It will also feature various well-known Jamaican personalities and performances by some of Jamaica’s top musical acts. (Jamaica Observer)

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Three prison officers suspended in Trinidad jailbreak probe

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hree prison officers have been suspended as police carry out investigations into last month’s jailbreak at the Port of Spain Prison. The suspension of an assistant superintendent and two junior officers was confirmed on Tuesday by the president of the Prison Officers Association, Ceron Richard, the Trinidad Express has reported.

Investigators are trying to determine who assisted Christopher Selby, Hassan Atwell and Allan Martin in their escape from the prison on July 24. The trio somehow managed to obtain guns and a grenade before breaking out that Friday around midday.

Constable Sherman Maynard, who was sit-

The Port of Spain prison

ting in a police vehicle on patrol outside the prison, was fatally shot during the escape.

Martin was killed by police shortly after fleeing the prison; Atwell’s bullet-riddled body was found the following Sunday morning, with police saying

he was killed by gang members; and Selby surrendered to police a few hours later.

Selby appeared in court on Monday to face 10 charges, including Maynard’s murder.

He was remanded to a maximum security prison.

Seismic activity resumes off Barbados with 3.8 magnitude earthquake

A

nother earthquake was recorded northeast of Barbados on Tuesday, after what appeared to be a break in daily and frequent seismic activity.

The UWI Seismic Research Unit reported that around 3:26 p.m., a 3.8 magnitude tremor occurred 141 km northeast of the capital, Bridgetown; 263 km east of Castries, St. Lucia and 285 km east southeast of Fortde-France, Martinique. The recorded depth was 72 km.

Over an almost two-week period last month, starting July 16, dozens of earthquakes of varying strengths were recorded around the same area.

The Seismic Research Unit said they were aftershocks from the 6.4 magnitude tremor that was felt by residents all across the island, as well as in neighbouring countries on the morning July 16.

There were no injuries or damages resulting from any of the tremors.

Guyanese shocked over Govt’s 100% pay hike for Ministers/VPs salaries

By Michael Younge

The 100 per cent pay hike which is being considered by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government could see the country’s treasury being depleted by Gy$245 million annually sparking shock and outrage among various stakeholders in the country, who have been told that the economy has sputtered to a halt.

The proposed pay hike would now see Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and First Vice President, earning approximately Gy$2.2 million monthly, inclusive of benefits, while the three other Vice Presidents will earn a total of Gy$5.4 million altogether monthly.

Additionally, the fifteen Ministers in the new Government would earn Gy$1.5 million each

bringing their pay package to over Gy$22.5 million altogether monthly.

Junior Ministers are expected to pocket Gy$1.2 million each monthly inclusive of Gy$500,000 in benefits. This means that the 12 Ministers altogether will drain the treasury of Gy$14.4 million.

That aside, all of the Ministers will receive duty allowance, entertainment allowance, a chauffeur and annual vacation allowance which amounts to over Gy$13.5 million.

In short, over Gy$58 million would be expended on a monthly basis to service the payout to Ministers of Government alone.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had confirmed that Cabinet is actively considering a salary increase for not only Ministers of Government but advisors as well as Members of Parliament.

He would not confirm

nor deny the figures that have been floated in the public over the past week.

On average, an Advisor is paid close to Gy$800,000 per month which means that annually over Gy$9.6 million could be expended on this category of Government staff. President Granger has appointed four Advisors so far.

The salaries of Members of Parliament would also see the overall cost of the figure being significantly increased monthly. This revelation comes as a governmental volte face as President David Granger has been quoted as saying that he wants to lead a “lean” Administration and the only way to achieve this is by cutting away wastage of tax payers’ monies and stopping the exuberance associated with occupying Executive Office and trailing behind a Cadillac lifestyle.

In fact, Granger had

exhibited uneasiness about the salaries, pension and uncapped benefits of former Presidents arguing that it was a burden to the treasury.

Only two weeks ago, his Government piloted legislation to change the laws allowing for caps to be placed on a former president’s entitlements and benefits.

The new APNU/ AFC Government has also terminated the services of over 2000 young Amerindians who earned a mere stipend of Gy$30,000 per month and scores of staff from the One Laptop Per Family Project (OLPF).

Public's response

It has moved to scrap the previous Government’s “Because We Care” Cash Grant Programme which saw families being given Gy$10,000 to prepare each child in the public education system for school.

Guyana's President David Granger

Guyana's Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Speaking during an invited comment, Region Nine Regional Chairman Brian Allicock, brother of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister and Vice President Sydney Allicock, expressed his disappointment over this development, especially against the backdrop that the APNU/AFC had promised to put the people first.

He expressed shock over the Government decision to fire the young Community Services Officer (CSO) especially given the revelations about a pay hike for Ministers.

A concerned mother indicated

“They cancelled the “Because We Care” grant where every child, every child was getting Gy$10,000 to help them go to school. Look how many children we have.

It’s like they taking this money away from the people and giving it to themselves. What about the promises they made to the people? How they expect people to vote back for them. They are just showing us that they are greedy politicians,” said Jasmine Headley, a mother of three from Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

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Ja$10 million spent on poverty reduction, says JSIF

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he Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) says more than Ja$10 million has been spent to implement 1,600 projects in four parishes under the European Union (EU) - funded Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP).

Approximately 1.6 million Jamaicans from 544 communities have, to date, benefited under the programme which has been channelled through engagements undertaken in education, transportation, health, security, environment, agriculture, and tourism in Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, and St James, said JSIF. Its implementation also supports the Planning Institute of Jamaica's implementation of the Government's Community Renewal Programme, which focuses on delivering a range of infrastructure and human development projects in these parishes.

Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank at the agency's head office in Kingston, JSIF's Managing Director Omar Sweeney said the PRP interventions contribute directly to the Administration's achievement of local and international development tar-

Jamaica's Social Investment Fund Managing Director Omar Sweeney

gets.

He said locally, JSIF is helping to attain the outcomes of the country's longterm National Development Plan, 'Vision 2030 Jamaica', which will position the nation to attain developed country status within 15 years and, in the process, make it the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business.

These outcomes, Sweeney said, relate to the attainment of a healthy and stable population; world-class education and training; effective social protection; safety and security; strong economic infrastructure; internationally competitive industry struc-

tures; sustainable management and use of environmental and natural resources; and hazard risk reduction and adaption to climate change.

The JSIF said Sweeney is also helping to position Jamaica internationally to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in relation to ending poverty and hunger; attaining universal education up to the primary level; improving child and maternal health; and environmental sustainability.

The JSIF head lauded residents in the beneficiary communities for their invaluable contribution to the success of projects, while noting that for most of these engagements they are expected to contribute 10 per cent of the total cost -- in cash or kind.

PRP programme manager in Jamaica, Dr Eleanor Henry, underscored the importance of maintaining JSIF-implemented projects, and the role of the community in that regard.

"One main focus for the projects is sustainability. We need to see that once we invest in a project, 10 years later we want it to continue and benefit more than those who we have initially intended," she said. (Jamaica Observer)

Americas declared rubella, measles free T

he Americas is free of measles, rubella (German measles) and congenital rubella Syndrome, said the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Health in a statement last week.

The Ministry has received an official document of declaration (dated April 23) of this elimination from the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).

This makes the Americas the first region in the world to be declared free of the endemic transmission of rubella.

Rubella is a contagious viral disease that can cause multiple birth defects as well as foetal death when contracted by women during pregnancy.

This Declaration of Elimination makes these diseases respectively the third and fourth vaccine-preventable diseases to be eliminated from the Americas, after the eradication from the region of smallpox in 1971 and polio in 1994.

The eradication of these diseases comes as a result of massive vaccination drives throughout the region and represents the importance of making vaccines available to all people.

In Trinidad and Tobago, vaccination is a function of the Expanded Programme on Immunization of the Ministry of Health and is available to all residents of Trinidad and

Tobago free of charge.

Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor.

The disease was also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, derived from varius (“spotted”) or varus (“pimple”).

The disease was originally known in English as the “pox” or “red plague”; the term “smallpox” was first used in Britain in the 15th century to distinguish variola from the “great pox” (syphilis).

The last naturally occurring case of smallpox (Variola minor) was diagnosed on 26 October 1977.

Infection with smallpox is focused in small blood vessels of the skin and in the mouth and throat before disseminating.

Polio or infantile paralysis, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus.

Approximately 90 to 95 percent of infections cause no symptoms.

Another five to ten percent of people have minor symptoms such as: fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoa, neck stiffness and pains in the arms and legs.

Poliovirus is usually spread from person to person through infected faeces, entering the mouth.

It may also be spread by food or water containing human faeces and less commonly from infected saliva.

(TT Newsday)

ExxonMobil’s rig left Guyana early June …to return early 2016

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s reports surfaced that US oil giant ExxonMobil has removed its oil drilling ship, the Deepwater Champion, from offshore Essequibo, officials are insisting that the relentless aggression from Venezuela did not influence this decision.

Government, however, had failed to inform the Guyanese public of this development which occurred in early June.

Reports in the Venezuelan media suggested that the Venezuelans understood that the drilling rig only left Guyana’s waters in the past few days.

It would have been following the departure of ExxonMobil’s rig that, for instance, Venezuela confirmed the cancellation of the PetroCaribe rice deal with Guyana.

This publication tried to make contact with Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman to find out why the public was not informed of this development when it had happened, but all calls made to his phone went unanswered. It was the arrival of ExxonMobil Deepwater Champion oil drilling rig/ ship that had precipitated

Venezuela’s latest revival of its controversy over Guyana's western border.

ExxonMobil Country Manager Jeff Simons told this newspaper on Sunday during a telephone interview that the vessel had left Guyana’s waters since June and was now anchored in the Gulf of Mexico. He, however, quickly pointed out that this was not an unusual practice for the company.

“The vessel had completed the works it was doing on the Liza-1 well … it was always planned for the vessel to go there… we are planning for future drilling. We have collected enough information and data and we just in a planning stage right now,” he explained.

Simons stressed that the Deepwater Champion had completed its course of operation and the ongoing border controversy between Venezuela and Guyana regarding ownership of the Essequibo and the waters off its shore (where ExxonMobil is drilling) did not pressure the Company into removing the vessel.

He explained that at this stage, the company

would be analysing its findings and planning for another period of drilling which should commence early in 2016. “We are planning to return early next year or maybe sooner but we will return,” the Country Manager assured, noting that ExxonMobil is ecstatic about its discovery of hydrocarbons and oil-bearing rocks in the Stabroek Block.

In May, ExxonMobil announced its findings of more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs.

Recent reports predict that this find could see Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) escalating to 12 times its current figure, which is transformational for any developing country. Guyana’s GDP stands at around US$3.23 billion.

Venezuela is happy

In light of the reports emanating from the Venezuelan media that the oil company decided to withdraw from its operations, Guyana's Minister of Governance and Patrimony, Raphael Trotman told another section of the media that the company’s action was “not

The Deepwater Champion now anchored in the Gulf of Mexico

irregular”.

That media outlet reported that the removal of the drilling vessel follows an “increase in activity in the Stabroek Block where seismic vessels were conducting exploratory works to determine if there are other commercially viable oil reserves in the immediate areas”.

Trotman also confirmed the seismic works currently being done in the Stabroek block in the vicinity of the Liza-1 well, which has been capped, it was reported.

According to Venezuelan media,

the President of the Venezuelan Chapter of the Latin American Parliament, Ángel Rodríguez, said that the Venezuelan Government “welcomed” this decision.

In early March, the oil and gas company, one of the largest in the world, was warned by the Spanish-speaking nation to refrain from going ahead with its planned exploratory drilling activity, on a concession awarded by Guyana offshore its Essequibo Coast.

Venezuela has repeatedly laid claim to the area being explored, ignoring

an 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award, which was declared as the full and final settlement of the boundary between the two South American nations.

Following the discovery of oil-bearing rocks in the area, Venezuela’s aggression grew stronger.

However, ExxonMobil assured that it will not be intimidated by the country’s claims and will continue its work in Guyana’s offshore waters.

The multibillion-dollar oil exploration project, which is expected to be executed over 10 years, got underway in early March.

News WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

More investigators join jailbreak probe in Trinidad

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ore investigators have been added to the team assigned to the probe into the prison break which occurred at the Royal Jail on Frederick Street, Portof-Spain on July 24.

The revelation was made by Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, during Sunday’s Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Women’s Walk Against Domestic Violence.

Williams revealed that leader of the investigation ACP Glen Hackett saw it fit to request more investigators to assist with the probe. It is the hope of the Ag Commissioner and of the lead investigator that the addition of more detectives would serve to speed up the investigation and bring it to a close.

Williams added that the investigation is making progress.

However he noted that the officers are undertaking a major investigation, which will include all aspects into the prison break.

Media in TT were made to understand that Christopher Selby, the last surviving member of the jail break, was charged with the murder of Police Constable Sherman Maynard, along with other offences late Saturday night.

But the investigation is not over, according to police sources.

Investigators are still

| www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Border controversy: Venezuela demands Guyana corrects gazetted maritime boundary

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TAKING THE LEAD: TT Acting Commissioner of Police, Stephen Williams leads the charge in an early-morning walk against domestic violence in St James on Sunday

trying to ascertain who assisted the three escapees, who managed to get their hands on firearms, and even a hand grenade to facilitate in the escape. Several prison officers have been interviewed, in connection with the escape, however a more thorough investigation is expected to be conducted.

It was reported that three prison officers who have been fingered as being instrumental in the jailbreak have since been suspended pending an investigation. The prison officers to be suspended were said to be overseeing visits to inmates and those on remand when the daring breakout began to unfold.

On July 24, just after midday, three prisoners, Allan “Scanny” Martin, Hassan Atwell, and Christopher Selby, staged a daring escape from the Royal Jail, on

Frederick Street, Portof-Spain.

The three men attempted a mad dash for freedom in a blue Nissan Navarra.

Their freedom was short-lived. After crashing their vehicle, and attempting to make their escape on foot, Martin was sprayed with bullets in a face-off with police, while in a guard booth at the Port-ofSpain General Hospital.

Atwell’s bullet-riddled body was found hours later.

Police are working on the theory that he fell prey to “foot soldiers” of the rival Rasta City gang. The only surviving member of the jailbreak, Selby, surrendered to Barataria police two days after.

During the jailbreak, police constable Sherman Maynard was shot in his abdomen, and later succumbed to his injuries.(TT Newsday)

Government appoints officer to push ICT in Jamaica’s public sector G overnment in Jamaica, in the continued effort to improve service delivery, has appointed a chief information officer (CIO) to improve the use of information and communication technology (ICT) within the public sector.

The new CIO is Dr Louis Shallal, who was recently appointed in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining.

Chairman of the Public Sector Transformation Steering Committee, Pat Francis, made the announcement at a recent Jamaica

9

House media briefing to highlight achievements under the Public Sector Transformation and Modernisation Programme.

"The CIO has been appointed for oncxcxx e year. He comes from Canada with a great reputation of having done a similar kind of thing.

His job is to make sense of all we have been doing in the past, rationalise it and put it into a structure," she said.

Francis said that strategies recommended by the CIO will be implemented by eGov Jamaica, the Government's ICT services agency.

"He is not doing it on his own, because he has been very much engaged with others (ICT professionals) and bringing everyone to the table," she noted, adding that the implementation of strategies will also receive oversight from the ministry.

ICT transformation initiatives are among the suite of projects with national impact, which are supported by the Office of the Cabinet, which has responsibility to strengthen public sector institutions to deliver efficient and effective public goods and services. (Jamaica Observer)

s tension continues to rise between Guyana and Venezuela over the border controversy, the neighbouring country has demanded that Guyana immediately correct the recently gazetted maritime boundary law that was enacted to demarcate the country’s internal waters.

In a statement published on Venezuela’s Ministry of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs website, it was outlined that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejected the content of the maritime regulations that were gazetted on July 23.

“However, the regulation places the Point 1, which aims to establish the western end of the straight baseline corresponding to the mouth of the Essequibo River in Venezuelan territory under dispute under the 1966 Geneva Agreement. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has sent today, through the Ministry of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs, a note of protest to the Guyanese Government demanding immediate correction of that Point 1,” the Spanish-speaking country stated.

Guyana has long held that it was not in any dispute over territory with its western neighbour, pointing out the 1899 Arbitration Award, which Venezuela and Great Britain agreed to accept as a final settlement of the border set out the current boundary. This country has stressed that it only agreed to address Venezuela’s contentions in the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

However, in its most recent salvo, Venezuela went on to condemn what it called “recurring provocations and aggressions” by the Guyana Government which was “stoking the conflict between the brother countries”. In addition, the neighbouring country accused Guyana of legitimating “imperialist pretensions against peace within the Latin American and Caribbean Region”.

Guyana’s action to delimit its internal waters comes in the face of renewed claims by Venezuela on more than half of Guyana’s Atlantic waters.

Guyana's Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

The neighbouring country has remained resolute in its claims that the area which was recently found to have a very rich oil reserve belongs to it, and that the United States based oil drill ship operated by ExxonMobil was operating illegally.

President Nicolás Maduro had even issued a decree to this effect, but later withdrew it after it attracted much attention and pressure from the international community. Nevertheless, the Spanish-speaking country subsequently issued another decree, which purports to set all constitutional, legal and doctrinal elements, create the zone of integral defence and establish the Armed Forces’ tasks in all maritime areas of the country due and legally established.

risdiction was to be exercised.

“Baselines constitute a fundamental aspect of the regime of zones of jurisdiction established

by UNCLOS, since the breadth of the maritime zones under national jurisdiction is to be measured from the baselines. The baseline is also the line which establishes the outer limit of internal waters in which the State exercises its full sovereignty,” the Minister stated.

According to the Second Vice President, Section 7 of Maritime Zones Act of 2010 enables the drawing of the baselines to delimit the internal waters of Guyana. Furthermore, he pointed to Section 8, which provides for Guyana’s sovereignty to extend beyond its land territory to the internal waters, the seabed, the subsoil and airspace over the internal waters.

“Guyana has exclusive jurisdiction over its internal waters. Such authority encompasses complete access to and control of our resources, as well as full jurisdiction over all activities of both nationals and foreigners, and for all purposes including enforcement of its national laws and protection of the environment unless distributed by internal laws,” he remarked.

In addition, Greenidge outlined that Section 9 of the Act empowers him as the Foreign Affairs Minister to prescribe by regulation closing lines to delimit our internal waters. “It is in this regard that the Maritime Zones (Internal Waters and River Closing Baselines) Regulations of 2015 were enacted on July 23, 2015,” he stated.

Internal waters

On Thursday last, Second Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge informed the National Assembly that Government has enacted the Maritime Laws in compliance with United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Maritime Zones Act 2010 of Guyana.

The Maritime Zones (internal Waters and River Closing Baselines) Regulation prescribes closing lines across the mouths of the three largest navigable rivers of Guyana – the Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice Rivers.

Greenidge explained that the enactment of this legislation allows Guyana to “properly” safeguard its rights over the zones of jurisdiction through baselines. He went on to say that the baseline establishes the area where national ju-

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News

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

Guyana: PPP/C slams Gov't over anti-poor policies …moves being made to give laptops to friends, cronies — PPP/C

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Monday whipped the David Granger Administration for implementing anti-poor policies as it rejected the notion that when it was in power there was consideration for raising the salaries of its Ministers and Presidential Advisers at the expense of taxpayers and distributing laptop computers to its friends and cronies.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, during a media briefing, explained that his Party would never think about increasing monies for themselves against raising the salaries of public servants.

He emphasised that the new A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government should not be considering a raise in pay for its members since such a move would lead to repercussions that Government would be forced to face for many years.

This publication was told that such talks or consideration should

not be implemented under the Granger-led Administration especially because the performance of these Ministers cannot be evaluated as they have only been in office for about 10 weeks thus far.

A l t h o u g h Government has acknowledged that it is considering increasing salaries for its Ministers, Advisers and all Members of Parliament, there has been no official announcement about any figures which would represent these increases.

However, Rohee lashed out at the Government stating that when he was serving as Home Affairs Minister he earned Gy$579,000 monthly and was “quite satisfied with that”.

Though his allowances were minimal, he was still satisfied, he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had told the media that the move to pay officials a better salary would assist in stamping out corruption.

Rohee on the other hand refuted this notion, citing that a person’s

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

character determines whether or not he can execute his duty honestly and with decency.

He further noted that the said belief has never been proven to “keep hands out of the cookie jar”.

Previously when APNU and the AFC were in Opposition, they had protested the ‘enormous’ and ‘unreasonable’ salary of the PPP/ C’s Government officials.

Ironically, the coalition may officially announce massive salary increases for its officials.

Laptops for families, teachers

Meanwhile, the One Laptop Per Family

NSWMA irregularities a cause for national concern – Young Jamaica

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oung Jamaica has called on Local Government Minister Noel Arscott to immediately update the country on what it describes as the “troubling irregularities at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA)”.

According to the Jamaica Labour Party's youth arm, information obtained suggests that individuals acting on behalf of the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) last Friday raided the offices of the NSWMA, taking into their possession all computers from the agency's audit, procurement and finance departments.

The Youth Arm added that "this is a highly unusual development and may suggest the OCG is suspicious of rampant corruption at the agency."

The organisation is reminding the country that an internal audit found that Ja$1 billion in expenditure simply could not be accounted for. This staggering sum is allegedly only for one ‘region’, MPM Waste Management Limited.

Young Jamaica also noted the callous dismissal of the matter by the agency's chairman when the question was put to him.

They argued that in light of the unprecedented move by the OCG, and the negligence being demonstrated by the board, Arscott should update the country on the following: 1) Whether he is aware of any investigation being conducted by the OCG in relation to the NSWMA, and whether he knows what the scope of any such in-

vestigation is? and 2) Whether he has received any further information from the Board on expenditure totaling one billion dollars which cannot be accounted for.

Commenting on the issue, President of Young Jamaica, Howard Chamberlain, noted that the matter is now a cause for national concern.

"What we're seeing is increasing evi-

(OLPF) Project which was started under the PPP/C Administration will most likely be renamed “One Laptop Per Teacher” as the APNU/ AFC Government recently announced that the laptops would no longer be given to children and their families but to teachers.

Government is expecting a batch of 10,000 laptops shortly and has stated that they would be distributed to teachers nationwide to allow for the enhancement of teaching skills and delivery in the classrooms.

The PPP/C General Secretary stated that these laptops which

were ordered by the then PPP/C Administration cost US$8 million.

Already 55,000 laptops have been distributed by the former Government to children throughout the country with the aim of enhancing research and learning approaches in academia and general social studies.

It was expected that such a move would allow the achievement gaps between children of poor or working class parents and those of high-income families to be narrowed.

Rohee stated that while Government would now be implementing changes in the programme, it needed to make public its “well thought-out arrangement” about the distribution process.

He added that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had stated that the PPP/C’s OLPF programme was a ‘massive fraud’.

“Yet this initiative was not highlighted for a forensic audit. Further, Harmon walked into a storeroom full of laptops suddenly and determined that 10,000 were no good. Harmon is probably the best stand

up auditor to determine which laptops were good and which were bad,” the PPP/C’s General Secretary said.

“These unsubstantiated declarations and unilateral moves by the Granger Administration are deeply suspicious and convey the impression that excuses are being made to secretly hand over laptops to friends and cronies of the APNU/AFC Coalition.”

He called on the APNU/AFC Government to explain the methodology it intended to use for distribution of the laptops to teachers, schools and communities and to also explain the nature of its “community-based” theme and the socio-economic criteria to be used for selecting communities.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the establishment and funding of the Office of the Opposition Leader, Rohee stated that he was not in a position to answer this. However, he noted that he expected it to be around the same figure that the PPP/C had allotted to the then Opposition.

'Queen Ifrica' tells PM: Stop racialism in TT

BAMBOO AND PAN: Members of Hill Top Tambu Bamboo play at the Laventille Steelband Festival, Eastern Main Road, Laventille over the weekend

dence that the NSWMA is being used as a ‘cash cow’ to enrich those loyal to the Government. It is a national disgrace.

The minister must immediately reassure the country that taxpayers’ hard earned money isn't being treated with scant regard. One billion dollars cannot have simply disappeared into thin air. Something is highly suspect about this, and we're demanding answers," Chamberlin contended.

Young Jamaica says the matter is particularly disgraceful since most of the capital city and its environs have not been receiving consistent and reliable garbage collection services from the agency in recent months. (Jamaica Observer)

J

amaican reggae singer, Ventrice Morgan aka “Queen Ifrica” sent a message to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar during her performance at the “Liberation - Songs of Freedom” Emancipation concert, held at the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah last Friday night.

The prolific lyricist was winding down her set after igniting the meagre audience seated in the Grand Stand, when she announced that she had a message for the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. She said: “Me

‘ave ah message fe uno Prime Minister... Tell her to put ah stop to all the racial biasness in the country and work fe make Trinidad ah better place!”

Morgan then delivered her biggest hits, “Below The Waist” and “Keep It To Yourself”, before making way for the headline act, “Everton Blender” (Everton Williams). The Prime Minister was not present at the event.

Earlier, Reggae crooner, Duane Stephenson performed to a rapidly dwindling audience before Morgan and was

preceded by local group, Wasafoli, African singer, Awa Sangho, The Mighty Shadow and Kushite.

The turnout for the “Liberation - Songs of Freedom” concert was miniscule with several patrons also choosing to leave the Grand Stand as the night progressed and even before the main attractions took the stage.

However, that did not stop the advertised cast of performers from delivering their best and “Queen Ifrica” in particular was full of energy whilst performing as if she was in front of a soldout crowd. (TT Newsday)

WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

Guyana:Six new housing areas established by CHPA in 2013 n pursuit of continuing access to land, housing and infrastructure, as well as improving the quality of life of Guyanese, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) established six new housing areas, yielding 4907 new lots for new homeowners for the period January to December 2013.

Such a move was aimed at reducing poverty, creating employment and generating skills in various communities across the country.

The CHPA’s annual

plementation of the pilots under the Second Low Income Settlements Programme.

“For the core House Pilot, 91.4 per cent of the target was achieved; the Home Improvement Pilot achieved 76 per cent; the Hinterland Pilot, 130 per cent; the Professional Pilot, 116 per cent and the Sanitation Improvement Project, 144 per cent.”

In the area of community participation and development activities, the CH&PA accomplished its target in the training and mentoring of community leaders;

report 2013 which was released in Parliament on Thursday last, stated that 4417 applicants finalised their allocations. In addition, 613 lots were regularised in favour of their occupants in several squatter settlements, bringing the total number of lots allocated to 5030.

The Authority also continued to consolidate 22 housing areas through infrastructure upgrade, with respect to roads, drainage, electrical installation and water distribution of networks.

For infrastructure development, 111 kilometres of new roads were constructed – 52 kilometres of existing roads were upgraded, 92 kilometres of transmission mains were installed, and an additional four housing areas were serviced with electrical distribution networks.

According to the report, with respect to transfer of titles, 3643 additional homeowners collected their titles and obtained the required collateral to finance the construction or improvement of their homes.

Additionally, the issue of affordability of vulnerable households continued to be addressed through the im-

preparing community development plans; facilitating group organisation and implementation of community development projects in housing areas.

“For land use monitoring and management, the CH&PA processed 1126 planning permits for the establishment of business enterprises, primarily within Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10. The work programme activities were implemented in keeping with the goals and objectives of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the National Development Strategy and the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

In this regard, it contributed significantly to continued growth in the building and construction sectors, the GDP of the country and the quality of life of many Guyanese,” the report read.

It was also noted that other positive impacts included the expansion of the market for building accessories and supplies, mortgage interest relief, concessions granted to allottees on building materials and accessories and the expansion of the turn-key solution as another option for beneficiaries.

By Kristen Macklingam

I

News

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| www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

TT, Guyana in 5-point deal G

uyana and Trinidad and Tobago (TT) have discussed five development areas to partner in, and to establish a joint commission for cooperation and collaboration to implement them. The five areas are agriculture, education, energy, infrastructure for partnership and business development.

These were agreed to by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Guyana’s President Brigadier David Granger who earlier this week spoke with the media following their meeting at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital, Chancery Lane, San Fernando.

“We agreed that we will pursue memoranda of understanding in these areas for signing in the near future,” PersadBissessar said.

The establishment of a joint commission, she said, was necessary because in the past sporadic meetings have been held between the two countries with no follow through for implementation. In terms of agriculture, Granger explained that Guyana, the largest of the Caricom states, would welcome collaboration with TT which has the technology and expertise to boost agriculture to benefit the entire Caricom region.

Barbadian entrepreneurs, he noted, have already set up mega farms in the Rupununi savannahs (the size of Costa Rica) bordering Brazil, and were already exporting rice to northern Brazil.

Looking forward to Trinidadian entrepreneurs investing in Guyana, he said, “It is nothing new. West Indian entrepreneurs are already working in Guyana.” In terms of infrastructure development, he noted that TT has an advantage in engineering technology from which Guyana’s underdeveloped hinterland road network could benefit.

“In order to access, minerals, timber and tourism resources in Guyana,” he said, “we need better infrastructure, and again we are looking to collaborate with TT in engineering.”

In the area of energy, he noted that Guyana has over 100 areas which could generate renewable energy.

“We would like to

Good meeting: TT Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and President of Guyana Brigadier David Granger after discussions on areas of cooperation at San Fernando Teaching Hospital, Chancery Lane, San Fernando

collaborate with TT in those,” he said. In addition, he said TT has an advantage and expertise in petroleum and gas and with the recent oil find in Guyana’s maritime waters, TT can assist. Noting it was early days in terms of agreements in the development of Guyana’s oil sector, Granger said the discussions did not go into details, but the door was open to TT. Persad-Bissessar noted that TT has over 100

years of expertise in oil and gas and looked forward to working out agreements with Guyana in this area.

Education, one of the main reasons why he was in Trinidad, Granger said, was a priority area to work together.

In terms of business, he said, both TT and Guyana want to see greater linkages between the private sectors in both countries, particularly in the manufactur-

ing sector.

“Guyana is a great producer of raw materials,” he said, “and with a combination of Guyanese resources and the talent and manufacturing capabilities of TT, they could help to put the Caribbean on the world map in term of manufacturing... We feel these areas are going to make an important contribution to the integration movement,” Granger said. (TT Newsday)

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News

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

Work to begin on geothermal Jamaica Gov’t collects Ja$3 plant in Dominica this year billion in property tax

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ominica is nearing the end of negotiations with French investors to start building the islands much talked about geothermal plant.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made the disclosure as he indicated that production well and two reinjection wells have already been established and the next step was at hand.

“Within the next two months, we expect to conclude negotiations with a French investment consortium, who are partnering with us in a joint venture, to build and operate the domestic plant, and the plant to export electricity to Guadeloupe and Martinique,” he said.

Skerrit added that the legal framework was being developed in the meantime.

“The Geothermal Development Bill, a critical piece of legislation to facilitate investment in geothermal energy, has been drafted and will be tabled in Parliament by the end of September. Funding has been identified for the construction of the domestic plant. Both

T

Geothermal testing in the Roseau Valley, Dominica.

the World Bank and the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) have offered financing under highly concessional terms and discussions in that regard are ongoing,” he said.

Skerrit said Dominica is looking to get the best deal to finance the project.

“The World Bank came here to Dominica to offer us money to finance the small plant.

There was a presentation to Cabinet but we have a situation where the AFD is also offering us money to finance this plant. So we have held back our application to the World Bank and we are negotiating for the best terms possible to borrow this money,” he

said.

“I believe that in the next few weeks, we’ll be in a position to determine whether we’ll go with the World Bank or the AFD, based on the best lending terms. At the end of the day, that will play an important role in the cost of the plants and the resultant cost of energy to the consumers in Dominica.”

The prime minister contended that were it not for the ongoing negotiations with the two entities, Government would have been more advanced in the development of the domestic plant.

Construction on the plant should begin in 2016 and commissioned, on completion, in 2018.

he Jamaican Government has collected some Ja$3 billion in property tax since the start of the 2015/16 financial year.

This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, at a ceremony, held on August 3 at the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, in Kingston.

“I want to use this opportunity to urge all property owners to pay up your property taxes.

We have not increased the targets, so this year it’s the same Ja$7.26 billion. At this point we have collected around Ja$3 billion and we are hoping that we achieve the target or even surpass it,” Arscott said.

He also reminded the country that property tax is used to pay for public cleansing and streetlights.

“The streetlights... we have a recurrent expenditure of just over Ja$3 billion and we have arrears in the order of Ja$2 billion, so you can see the strug-

Jamaica's Minister of Local Government and Community Development Noel Arscott

gle that we have in terms of closing the gap. Nevertheless, we have to work with what we have,” the minister said.

Arscott recently informed the House of Representatives that a total of Ja$7.47 billion was collected in property taxes for the period 2014/15, representing a compliance rate of 54 per cent.

This figure is Ja$1.64 billion more than the Ja$5.83 billion collected for 2013/14, where the compliance rate was 51 per cent.

The Minister also pointed out that for the

periods 2011/12 and 2012/13, some Ja$2.51 billion and Ja$2.8 billion, respectively, were collected for property taxes, at a compliance rate of 50 per cent.

He noted that 90 per cent of property tax collections are allocated to the Parish Councils for street lighting, public cleansing, public water, promotional and administrative expenses.

The remaining 10 per cent goes into the Equalisation Fund for infrastructure work in the various Parish Council divisions.

(Jamaica Observer)

CCJ commends Guyana's Gov't for repealing Environmental Tax

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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has commended the new Government of Guyana for repealing the controversial and discriminatory “Environmental Tax”, when the case was called up before the panel last Friday via video conference.

In May last year, the CCJ ordered Guyana to pay the Surinamese beverage company, Rudisa Beverages and Juice, some Gy$1.2 billion for imposing the controversial tax on each non-returnable bottle imported into the country, saying it is discriminatory and breached the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC).

However, Guyana’s failure to repay the money in a timely manner has resulted in the cost being racked up by an additional Gy$4 million, to a total of Gy$1.6 billion. The total of Gy$1.6 billion (US$7.72 million) also includes interests to the tune of US$338,000, as well as legal cost of some US$120,000. However, the Surinamese company recently agreed to slash

US$1.5 million from the cost owed to it by the Guyana Government.

At the previous hearing, the CCJ was informed of the new arrangement and adjourned the matter for a formal agreement to be prepared and signed by both parties.

Additionally, the regional trade court had raised concerns that despite their ruling for the removal of the tax, Guyana continues to impose it.

Following the ruling last year, the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration immediately took the amendment bill to Parliament, but it was voted down by the then combined A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change parliamentary Opposition.

During last Friday’s hearing, the CCJ panel praised the Government for removing the discriminatory tax. On Thursday the National Assembly passed the Customs (Amendment) Bill of 2015, which gave effect to the removal of the Gy$10 taxation imposed on all non-re-

turnable alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage bottles. The amendment took effect from Friday.

In addition, the Attorney General filed a copy of the agreement with the Court that was signed between the Government and Rudisa, outlining that the company is willing to accept US$6.2 million as a full and final payment to satisfy the judgement of the court. The CCJ was also informed that the two parties agreed to extend the time for the payment until January, 2016.

On this note, the CCJ panel adjourned the case until February 26 next year, when the parties will report on whether the payment was made in full as agreed upon.

However, the Government has expressed its intention of paying the judgement.

The Attorney General had declared to the National Assembly that unlike the previous administration, his Government intends to pay the judgement as it recognised the principle of adhering to the laws and conditions of the Treaty.(Guyana Times)

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WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Guyana's Gov't confident new money laundering Trinidad’s bill compliant with int’l requirements AG: I will

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egal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams will be attending the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) conference scheduled for October this year, as Cabinet has approved his and other officers’ travel.

Minister of Governance and Patrimony, Raphael Trotman said he was confident that Guyana was in good and regular standing for the upcoming meeting.

“We received over the weekend an email, detailing a list of things that have to be addressed by the country; the regular list of things, compliance with [Financial Intelligence Unit] FIU and so on. From where we stand, it seems that we are on our way to restoration of credibility,” he told journalists recently.

Legal Affairs Minister Williams had said that Guyana would need to be in compliance by the time its delegation arrived at the FATF conference, or face being blacklisted. He said the country needed to move quickly because the American Regions

Guyana's Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams

Review Group (ARRG) had made some proposals which Guyana will have to incorporate into its version of the AML/ CFT law.

Those recommendations he assured were entirely new, and were designed to give a futuristic approach to the matter, noting that compliance with the passage of the Bill would have been the “crux” of the matter in satisfying FATF. The AML/CFT Amendment Bill was first presented in the National Assembly on April 22, 2013. It was debated for the second time on May 10, 2013.

Following its second

reading, the Bill was committed to a Special Select Committee of the National Assembly for consideration. At a meeting held on August 2, 2013, the Special Select Committee agreed that the Bill could be presented to the National Assembly.

Amendments were made to Section 37 (A) and another section where the Director of the FIU was previously appointed by the Minister of Finance or the President.

Describing the situation as “untenable”, the Attorney General had said that an independent authority will now be placed over the FIU with the National Assembly having oversight. This independent body would advertise for and scrutinise persons for the position of Director and Deputy Director of the Unit. The Bill was finally passed in the National Assembly on June 26 this year.

Guyana was referred by FATF to its Americas Review Group in September 2014 and went before this body on two occasions, the most recent April 2015, to work on an agreed Action Plan with targets

and six monthly reports to ensure targets were being achieved. These targets included legislative and non-legislative interventions.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had said that before its passage, the proposed Bill contained some provisions that have been rejected by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) as well as FATF and Government ran the risk of passing into a law a bill that may not be compliant with international requirements.

Meanwhile, Trotman said Government was still awaiting the presence of the Opposition in the National Assembly, so that the two political entities could work together for the establishment of the body that will appoint the new Director of FIU. Trotman said Government would not want to move ahead with this, excluding the Opposition. However, if the PPP/C does not show up during the required time, Government will have to go ahead and make the decision on its own. As it stands, the FIU remains the same.

follow the law

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ttorney General (AG) Garvin Nicholas Sunday said he will be guided by the law. This was Nicholas’ response to a request from attorneys representing former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to recuse himself from issuing the authority for the Chief Magistrate to proceed with extradition proceedings for Warner.

In the letter, dated July 25, and written by Warner’s instructing attorney Nyree Alfonso, Warner threatened High Court action if Nicholas did not hold his hands on the issuance of the authority to proceed and correspond with the former Chaguanas West MP’s legal team on the matter.

“It would be unfortunate if a refusal to recuse engenders further delay in this matter by having any adverse decision set aside by the High Court on the basis of the appearance of bias,” Alfonso said in the letter.

She continued, “In the interest of transparency we ask that you

hold your hands in relation to any decision to issue an authority to proceed until there is an exchange of correspondence and the Office of the AG makes firm decision as to how it intends to proceed.” In a brief comment on Alfonso’s letter to him, Nicholas gave no indication as to whether or not he would comply with her request to him. “I will follow the law without fear or favour,” Nicholas told Trinidad media.

Last Monday, Warner hinted at possible legal action being taken as he left the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court on his third court appearance since he surrendered to police on May 27.

The case was adjourned to August 28.

Warner, who is also Independent Liberal Party (ILP) political leader, is among nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives charged by the US Department of Justice with running a criminal enterprise that involved more than $150 million in bribes.(TT Newsday)

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PM outlines plans to expand cassava industry in Jamaica

P

rime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says that TT Government is moving to expand the cassava industry through a number of partnerships with the private sector and the University of the West Indies, with support from the Colombian Government.

Providing details at the 63rd staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, and Food Industrial Show in May Pen, Clarendon, Simpson Miller said that a partnership between Government and brewers Red Stripe, where that company is using the tuber in the production of beer, has shown the potential of the cassava industry.

"As this new industry develops, I look forward to the opening soon of a new cassava processing plant in Elim, St Elizabeth; and thanks to the Government of Colombia for having provided this gift," the Prime Minister said.

"We are also strengthening the cassava industry by working with the University of the West Indies to produce cassava flour for use in the baking of bread," she added.

Simpson Miller emphasised that a vibrant agricultural industry is what is required for rural development and the nation's food security, and that with the Ja$1.74 billion the Government has spent over the past three years to develop the agro parks

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller being escorted by President of the Jamaica Agriculture Society Norman Grant at the Denbigh showground in May Pen on the weekend. Behind them are Minister of Argiculture Derrick Kellier (centre) and state minister for transport and works Richard Azan. (PHOTO:LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

project, a foundation has been set for "sustained increase in production".

She said the project has helped to reduce imports and increase exports.

"In doing so, we have been able to save millions of dollars, as we import less and earn more from export," the Prime Minister explained, while lauding the over 200 farmers who have "shown resilience" despite the many challenges facing the sector.

"No other sector has been hit

by climate change as the farming sector," Simpson Miller said, as she committed the Government's support in tackling the various issues threatening the sector, such as bush fires and drought conditions.

"At the global level, I have been leading efforts to secure environmental cooperation and financing to help our farmers to plan for and recover from events like droughts, hurricanes, and sea level rise," Simpson Miller noted. (Jamaica Observer)

TT prison union’s head hits ‘biased reporting’

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resident of the Prison Officers Association (POA) Ceron Richards on Monday condemned statements in the media about the possibility of a senior prison officer being linked to the Jamaat al Muslimeen along with other statements pointing in the direction of prison officers being involved in the escape of three prisoners two Fridays ago.

Richards said while

he welcomes a police investigation into the escape and is anxious to get to the bottom of it so as to also weed out any corrupt elements within the prison service, he believes reporting from various media houses pointing to the involvement of prison officers in the escape, without cold, hard facts, could jeopardise the police probe into the matter.

It is understood that Acting Police

Commissioner Stephen Williams has added additional manpower to the police team probing the escape of the prisoners.

Nine prison officers were initially interviewed by police following the escape but a decision was taken by Williams to provide additional resources so a more thorough investigation is done.

Police were expected to return to the Port-of-Spain prison on Monday to con-

tinue investigations into the escape.

“The prison officers Association has always called for a very serious investigation into the escape of those inmates on that fateful Friday, we maintain that if any officers are found to be in wanting or to be involved in any way in facilitating that escape they must be brought to justice quickly, facing the full brunt of the law.

“However, we are desirous of the person or persons responsible if that is found to be treated with, and not any attempt to create any scapegoats in the matter. And the reason why I say that is that we have developed a lot of concern coming from reports in the public domain,” Richards said on Monday.

He added that the most notable concern that they have is a story carried by a television programme in which the reporter spoke about a senior prison officer stationed at the Portof-Spain prison who is a member of a jamaat and was alluding to some involvement in the escape.

“We are saying that we are very concerned about that development because the reality is that can undermine or create bias in the entire investigation of the incident. We are saying that the hard-working officers at the nation’s prisons need to be commended. (TT Newsday)

Guyana Gov't will not directly market rice – Minister insists amid growing concerns

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u y a n a ' s Agriculture Minister Noel Holder made it clear that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Administration will not get involved in the direct marketing of rice, insisting that it is a job for the millers themselves.

This is contrary to what the coalition had promised in its Elections Manifesto 2015.

Specifically, under Chapter Five: Production, Transformation and Economic Diversification, under the subheading relating to the rice industry, it is boldly printed that “The APNU/AFC coalition will… Immediately initiate a sustainable Rice Sector support programme which would include…the negotiation of additional new international markets for rice from Guyana”.

But during a telephone interview with this newspaper on Monday, Holder firmly stated, “This Administration is trying not to get involved in the direct marketing of rice. When you get involved in these things you cause a pile of confusion.”

“We will help to secure markets but we won’t go and negotiate the markets,” he added, noting that this responsibility will be left up to the millers.

Holder maintained, however, that this position was not a contradiction of the manifesto promise.

He said Government would be assisting in finding markets but when it came to negotiation and other aspects of marketing, the millers will have to pull their own strings.

According to the Minister, through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, there will be a Foreign Trade Department which will be tasked with the responsibility of initiating a forum for foreign purchasers to meet with Guyanese millers. From there, once the foreign purchaser agrees to have discussions with the Guyanese millers, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) will coordinate meetings and then it will be up to the millers to convince the buyer to purchase from their company.

Only recently, President David

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

Granger announced that millers must find their own markets.

Some millers across Guyana have partially agreed with the President, but pointed out that Government simply cannot run away from the responsibilities it has to the rice industry.

However, many are still urging the Government to play a bigger role in helping them secure lucrative rice deals.

Currently, the rice industry is going through a challenging period, with limited available markets for the bumper crop and the virtual collapse of the Venezuelan market.

Farmers are concerned about the future of the industry.

But while stakeholders understand that the millers will have to pull their own weight, they believe the governing administration must play a bigger role than it is willing to play.

Jinnah Rahman, Chairman of the Rice Producers Action Committee of the Guyana Rice Producers Association, previously indicated that Government should be involved in the negotiating process.

Rahman told this newspaper that Government needed to establish grounds for better dialogue during negotiations.

Additionally, he pointed out that Government will need to form a crucial part of these negotiations to offer free trade agreements and tax waivers so as to attract buyers to Guyana.

Similar views were also expressed by former GRDB Chairman Nigel Dharamlall; Guyana Millers and Exporters Marketing Association Chairman, Dr Peter De Groot and Head of the Alesie Group of Companies, Dr Turhane Doerga.

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PPP warns thousands Camden, Trinidad: will be on the breadline From cane to planes if GuySuCo is privatised B T he future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is yet to be decided although steps have already been taken by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government in the direction of privatising the sugar company. This is according to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee.

Rohee disclosed such while he was addressing media operatives at his Party’s press briefing on Monday about the PPP/Civic’s disapproval of the recent appointment of Dr Clive Thomas as Chairman of GuySuCo. He stated that Dr. Thomas is quoted as saying “the sugar industry like the rice industry has to be privatised in order for it to function better because it was wrong of the previous administration not to do so.”

The PPP/C does not believe that the Sugar Corporation will re-

main a state entity for much longer under this Administration regardless of the Commission of Inquiry undergoing into GuySuCo. “Steps have already been taken in this direction with the presence in Guyana of Tate & Lyle representatives.

Guyana was once privatised and placed in the hands of Tate & Lyle,” Rohee explained.

He noted that it was the principals of the same company, Tate & Lyle, which happen to be one of GuySuCo’s main buyers, who recently testified at the ongoing Commission.

The PPP General Secretary said that these principals who include Vice President Duncan Tate, Allan Wood and Mac McLachlan had only recently stated that GuySuCo should look at lowering production costs.

In fact, Tate & Lyle expressed their continued interest in buying Guyana’s sugar as the company reflected on its long productive as-

sociation with Guyana.

Unfortunately, with recent developments, the sugar market has become very volatile in Europe and the primary consideration presently is the market price.

With the removal of the prices which African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries like Guyana enjoyed, the developing situation dictates that producers have to be more efficient and that demands disciplined management.

They noted that the price situation is bound to become even more complex for Guyana when the cap on beet sugar production is deregulated. It was advised that the European Union (EU) will be dominated by beet sugar, and cane sugar will have to compete with beet. Even in countries that are major producers of cane sugar, some factories have been closing.

Further, Tate & Lyle had emphasized that the cost of production must be brought down to be competitive.

oasting that the Government is building a state-of-the-art hangar at Camden, Couva, Tertiary Education and Skills Training Minister, Fazal Karim added that the facility has the potential of becoming Trinidad’s second airport in the future.

Delivering the feature address at the launch of the Ministry’s Aviation Junior Camp earlier this week at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Point Lisas, Energy Campus at Brechin Castle, Couva, Karim told participants which included 30 boys and 22 girls that the facility has a bright prospect.

The camp is geared at exposing the youths to aviation and getting them interested in career-related fields. They will be exposed to interactive and collaborative activities as it relates to aviation.

"Camden has the largest hangar in the Caribbean. Where Camden is now, was the sugar belt... What you see at Camden is only the runway and hangar. What will come in the future is the manufacturing facilities and services where you can graduate, and work right here, "Karim told the gathering.

For those who closed down the sugar industry, Karim had a simple message for them: What you close, I will open better. He referred to Camden as a place gone “from cutting cane to flying plane” and encouraged the youths to make sure and take the best opportunity to learn everything they can during the camp.

He further challenged UTT’s president, Dyer Narinesingh, to consider launching a Faculty of Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering of UTT.

TT's Tertiary Education and Skills Training Minister, Fazal Karim

We will network with the best schools in the world, he promised.

Fifty-two youths between the ages of 11 and 14 began their journey in the field of aviation studies this week and Karim, expressed confidence that the participants can become captains, copilots, engineers and even astronauts in the future.

"We are moving from routine to revolutionary... I can feel it in my blood that among us there are captains, copilots, engineers, astronauts. You are the future of aviation in TT," Karim said as he delivered the feature address at the launch of the Ministry’s Aviation Junior Camp.

Upon completion of the camp, each student will receive a Certificate of Participation. This certificate, the Minister noted, might give them the edge of selection when they enter university. (TT Newsday)

TEF provides Ja$260m for beautification project in Jamaica

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he Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) in Jamaica is providing Ja$260 million towards the implementation of an ‘All Island Maintenance Beautification Project’.

Limited (TPDCo), Dennis Hickey, and Interim Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Colonel Daniel Pryce.

The signing was

tine Resort Area M a i n t e n a n c e Programme and the North Coast Highway Maintenance Project that was formerly funded by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank

Dr Wykeham McNeill (left), Noel Arscott (second left), and Interim Executive Director (NSWMA) Colonel Daniel Pryce, sign the agreement for the ‘All Island Maintenance Beautification Project’. (Photo: Melroy Sterling)

An agreement to this effect was signed this week during a brief ceremony at the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, in Kingston.

Signing the agreement were Director of the Tourism Product Development Company

witnessed by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill and Minister of Local Government and Community Development Noel Arscott.

The project encompasses the rou-

(IDB).

In his remarks, Arscott noted that the project has a value that far exceeds the obvious cleaning and enhancement of public spaces.

“This project will provide a range of public benefits from the provision of employ-

ment opportunities to the promotion of civic pride and the transformation of the built environment,” he said.

He added that the NSWMA will execute the works on time and within budget. “I ask that when it is com-

pleted, the improved areas are preserved for the enjoyment of all,” Arscott said.

For his part, McNeill noted the ministry is pleased to be partnering with the NSWMA on the project.

“It goes along with

a number of other projects that we are doing, because we feel it needs to be a holistic venture,” he said, adding that currently, some 600 persons are employed in the programme on a threemonth rotation basis.

(Jamaica Observer)

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Roopnaraine agreed to abrupt Health Minister: end of Rodney CoI in Guyana Too many fat – admits succumbing to PNC-dominated children in TT Cabinet pressure

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eader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has confessed that he was a signatory to the precipitous decision to scrap the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI), but said that he is still prepared to offer his statement to Commissioners who are yet to present their findings.

By making this admission, Roopnaraine, who was appointed Senior Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister in the new Government, has confirmed reports that the decision of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR)dominated Cabinet to abruptly end the life of the Commission was unanimous.

The CoI, which was established under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), to probe the circumstances which led to the death of the founding leader of the WPA, Dr Walter

WPA leader and Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

Anthony Rodney, came to an abrupt end last week, with lawyers representing various interests pleading for the most, two weeks, to complete the investigation.

Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman had told Journalists that the decision to scrap the Inquiry was a collective one made at the level of Cabinet; of which the Working People’s Alliance forms part. Questions were raised about the WPA’s real position on this move, particularly because it has for years

Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman

been calling for an independent probe into the cause of death of its leader.

Speaking to this publication during an exclusive interview on Monday, Roopnaraine said “It was a Cabinet decision. We don’t break ranks at Cabinet on issues like that. We took a point of view and the consensus from Cabinet is inclined to take a particular position, that is it”.

Submission of his statement

He continued “My own feeling was that the Cabinet felt that the time had come for it to come to

an end and that enough had been invested in the Commission and that it has had sufficient time to come to its conclusion”, Roopnaraine said, continuing that he will “compensate” by dispatching the statement he has prepared to the Commission, “so that they would not be deprived of my own evidence, which to the investigation will definitely rob the Commission of a comprehensive, thorough and fair outcome”.

On another note, the WPA Leader told this publication that it would have been more satisfying for the party to have the opportunity to present its case to the Commission.

“We have been represented by counsel, who has done a good job, but had the Commission gone on for one or two more sessions, complete with all the witnesses, it would have been great”.

He said “I had a statement in readiness for the Commission, expecting at some point to be called.

But what I will do, I will be submitting my statement to them; although it will not allow time for a cross examination but at least they would have my statement”, Roopnaraine said.

According to the WPA Leader, his statement has been “sitting there” and ready for months, noting that nothing that has transpired in the Commission could incline him to change it.

“It remains what it was two or three months ago. I’m anticipating that I will send that statement during the course of the week”.

The Commission of inquiry met for its last two sittings last Monday and Tuesday, where lawyers representing various interests in the investigation made their final submissions, summarising the evidence that have been so far presented.

They too had a lot to say about Government’s decision to have the final session wrapped up in a mere two days. Chairman of the Commission, Sir Richard Cheltenham said while Commissions of Inquiry were “creatures of the executive”, the move by the David Granger Administration will not speak well for the fairness of the final report which commissioners were expecting to present by November.

(Guyana Times)

sugar (empty calories that produces fat), and the World Health Organisation recommends only four teaspoons of sugar a day.

Because of the rise in NCDs, he noted that sugar has been placed on the front burner for taxation in Mexico, Barbados and Chile. Some TT's Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan countries were also looking at legislation to cut down on ample surveys conthe amount of sugar to ducted on the body put in foods for children, mass index of prihe said. mary school students in On the recent sur2014 and this year have veys, Primary Care shown increased levels Nursing Manager, St of overweight and obese Patrick, Kathy Ann children giving an indication that the general Elbourne said that in population was at risk 2014, the first BMI surand the “Fight the Fat” vey involving 161 standard three students from campaign was losing.

This was according to four primary schools in Health Minister Dr Fuad St Patrick West found Khan who said last week 31 percent or 50 stuthat parents who give dents to be overweight children too much fatty or obese.

St Patrick covers the and sugary foods were towns of Point Fortin, La killing them slowly, and contributing not only to Brea, Siparia, Cedros, overweight and obesity, Fyzabad and Penal.

This year, Elbourne but to deadly adult nonsaid 50 students who communicable diseases were screened last year, (NCDs) in childhood.

“You are setting them were screened again and on a life of serious NCDs 74 percent was found to that include cardiac be overweight and obese problems, kidney prob- with 26 percent showing lems, eye problems, reti- improvement.

This year also, 88 nal problems, joint probstudents of three more lems, because you are schools were screened, killing them slowly with she said, and 47 percent too much of the wrong were found to be overkinds of foods,” he said.

Khan spoke at a weight or obese.

Of 72 children press conference held at screened, 42 percent had the Ministry of Health, increased blood presPark Street, Port-ofSpain where he proposed sure, and 32 percent had a vigorous education increased cholesterol in programme involving their blood. Increased the Education Ministry, blood pressure and incholesterol, National Schools Dietary creased Khan said, “are diseases Services Limited among of adult systems.” Khan other stakeholders.

To this end, too, he noted that based on the said that the Health findings, a system of Ministry has produced evaluation and monitora National Nutritional ing of BMIs in schools Standards manual for has to be done periodifoods offered to children cally and the ministry in schools. The manual was moving in this diwas awaiting approval rection.

Overweight causes from Cabinet, before it could be printed and dis- diabetes and at present, seminated to schools and he said, there were children under seven years the general population.

It recommends the with Type 2 diabetes. foods in terms of sta- “The reason it is occurples and beverages that ring is because we are children should be con- getting fatter and sicksuming on a daily basis er,” he said.

In 2000, primary listing them from green school children’s obesity (acceptable) to amber rate was two percent. In (not so acceptable) and 2010, it was 13 percent, red (not recommended).

He noted that a half and in 2015, he said, it litre of soft drink car- was over 14 percent. (TT ries 15 teaspoons of Newsday)

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Scenes from Guyana's Emancipation 2015 celebrations

Majorettes on show at the Park

Another cultural performance at the National Park

Face art enhances this family’s tribal look

Glimpses of the past carried by the future

Caribana 2015 attracts thousands

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housands of people queued the Lakeshore/Boulevard Waterfront area to witness this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival (North America’s largest Caribbean Parade) on Saturday, August 1st, 2015.

The exciting festival concluded with its explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine and revelry as well as visual and performing arts.

Caribana has become a major international cultural extravaganza over the years. As in previous years, 2015 saw the great metropolis of Toronto and its environs coming

alive as the city exploded with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of calypso, soca, reggae, chutney, steel pan and brass bands.

In attendance for the ribbon cutting and other special activities were the Mayor of Toronto, the Honourable John Tory, the Honourable Minister for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, Ontario’s Honourable Minister of Tourism Michael Coteau and Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders.

When this publication caught up with several tourists from the Caribbean, they expressed profound delight to be in Toronto for the Caribana celebrations.

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Guyana ready to take crown McKinley takes Miss Jamaica as Miss Global Int’l heats up World Beach Beauty Title

Alicia Bess will be representing Guyana at the Miss Global International Pageant

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he Miss Global International (MGI) Pageant is a prestigious beauty pageant where delegates from around the world gather to showcase their countries of origin in the most spectacular manner. The pageant is watched worldwide.

The brainchild of renowned Jamaican businessman Lachu Ramchandani, JP, he has worked tirelessly to lift the standard of the pageant over the years.

The aim of the pageant is to boost the tourist industry and economy of the host country by bringing delegates, directors, patrons, family members, friends and international media from all over the world to view the various attractions and familiarise them with the rich culture of the host country.

The pageant’s motto is “Uniting the World through Beauty and Tourism”.

Another aspect of the pageant is to

allow the bright, beautiful and intelligent young ladies a chance to vie for the title of Miss Global International which is on par with Miss World and Miss Universe.

The pageant has been successfully staged in Jamaica for the past 10 years and this year, the Chairman has decided to spread its wings to other countries.

Ramchandani opted to host the 11th edition of the Miss Global International in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago after taking into consideration that an international pageant was not held in that country since the hosting of Miss Universe in 1999.

The passion for pageantry expressed by the Trinidadians was also considered before taking the event to the Land of Carnival. This year, Alicia Bess will be representing Guyana in the pageant which set for September 20-25.

During this time, the delegates will participate in several preliminary competitions with the grand coronation on September 25 at the Radison Suite Hotel, Port of Spain.

Thus far, Guyana will be competing against Angola, Trinidad, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, Wales, Panama, Mauritius, Russia, Scotland, Ghana, Canada, Philippines, Ecuador, Belgium, Australia, Barbados, Jamaica and Namibia.

Other countries such as Brazil, Uganda, Cameroon, Malaysia and several African countries are in the process of hosting their local leg of the pageant after which the names of the delegates will be sent to the MGI committee.

T

he Jamaica Pegasus hotel poolside came alive last Sunday as guests, supporters, and family members witnessed the top 20 Miss Jamaica World finalists, vying for the top spot in the fast-track event - Miss Jamaica World Beach Beauty.

Screams and cheers echoed from the balconies and poolside as the girls paraded around the pool, giving the audience the opportunity to see their beauty up close and personal.

In swimsuits of various colours and designs, accompanied by matching accessories topped with beautiful smiles and personalities, it was a tight battle.

After much anticipation, it was time for the panel of judges - Sophia Max Brown, Tommy James (chief judge), Laura Butler, Sonia Alam, and Steven Ming - to reveal their top five, which will include the contestants selected for the best skin tone, figure, and legs.

The girl who has it all and wins will secure her place in the top 15 at the MJW Grand Coronation show on August 15, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Talia Soares, Jovi Jaja, Cavel Campbell, Rochelle McKinley, and Royanne Desilva were the top five contestants.

But it was McKinley

Miss Jamaica World Beach Beauty Winner Rochelle McKinley sandwiched by 2nd runner up Royanne DeSilva (left), and first runner up Talia Soares

who came out on top and also copped the prize for best figure. Talia Soares was second with best skin tone, Royanne DeSilva third, and Jovi Jaja capped the best legs award.

McKinley told the media that she had been preparing for three years and her hard work had finally paid off. She believes that there is always room for improvement. “I haven't been doing the best that I know I can because of my preparation for school, but I never entered an engagement without commitment, and for the rest of the competition, I

will be prepared because my only aim is to continue to do my absolute best,” McKinley said.

The judges all agreed that it was very difficult to choose the top five because all the girls have very nice bodies. Ming, the girls' personal trainer, said that he was happy to have been one of the judges as it has made him aware of what each girl needs to work on.

“All the contestants are winners; however, there are still some physical aspects that need to be worked on, and I will be sure to target them when I meet with each girl.”

(Jamaica Gleanor)

A Trini’s phenomenal love for theatre

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t age 29, Trevon Jugmohan’s love for theatre is phenomenal. The young, very pleasant director of JCS Entertainment admits that he is basically surviving and making ends meet but says “I am doing the only job that I think I could live with myself doing.

“Without thinking too much about becoming rich, or popular- socially or status-wise - it’s about doing the work, entertaining an audience and like everybody else who plays their role in whatever they do, I think I am playing my role quite well and plan to continue doing this for as long as I could because theatre is who I am, so that if I did follow any other career, I would be lying to myself.”

His most recent role was as producer of the very successful ‘Gospel Musical Mahalia 2015’, which ran at three different venues over seven weekends

Jugmohan, who has done several other productions before, explained however, “My interest did not start with wanting to produce. My interest was primarily acting for film because of what we are exposed to in the American cinema, so my interest came with looking at people like Anthony Hopkins, Robert de Niro and Meryl Streep.

“My aunt introduced me to Necessary Arts, a training ground for young actors and I met Penelope Spencer, Naima Thompson and Lydia Leigertwood. My first play was in Zuri at Central Bank. I was a Mango Tree for most of the show but then Penny thought I was so committed as the Mango Tree that she allowed me to do the Prince at the last show.

“That’s where I met everyone, like Raymond Choo Kong, who has been my mentor, collaborator and friend in the production of many

shows…All my experience is practical and from discussions with Raymond.”

The first big musical, the ‘Sound of Music’ in 2012, mounted by First Instinct in collaboration with JCS Entertainment, with Jugmohan as producer, John Henry Smith as creative producer and Raymond Choo Kong as director, hired a cast of about 120 persons, followed by ‘The King and I’ with a cast of 150 and Jesus Christ Superstar a cast of about 175.

‘Mahalia’, with a cast of about 50 persons, might have been the smallest show but was the most loved.

Jugmohan believes that “Film and theatre have to start merging together, so we have not just good film technicians but theatre actors and performers, and also producers who understand the audience.

We need a government or a minister who understands how to carry the arts forward. (TT Newsday)

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WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

JUMP gives Jamaican youths a voice Trinidadian artiste believes music can help ease crime R C

un Free is a community arts project that uses the aesthetics and philosophies of Parkour (a style of free-running), along with physical theatre, dialogue and music to capture the stories of young men living in Parade Gardens, Kingston. Creating a platform, the Run Free Project gives these young men, aged 15-21, the opportunity to creatively voice the issues they face, their personalities and relationships, their lives and their challenges.

Headed by the British Council, Manifesto Jamaica and National Theatre of Scotland, brings together the ideas from JUMP, which was a project of National Theatre of Scotland in 2012. JUMP fuses physical theatre, storytelling, and the movement discipline of parkour into a fluid and freshly devised theatrical production.

What is Parkour?

Parkour is a discipline using movement that developed from obstacle course training in the military.

Here the aim is to get from one point to another in the most efficient way possible.

This is done using only the human body and the surroundings while safely maintaining as much momentum as possible. Parkour is an activity that can be practised alone or with a group, and is usually - but not exclusively - carried out in urban spaces.

JUMP is quite interactive as the audience is invited to share in the choice of music, personal stories, and discoveries of these young men.

Using the grace, flow, and style of parkour, JUMP explores the challenges and obstacles faced by these youth

Teaching young people how to surpass obstacles with style, grace and an element of fun is the primary objective of the Run Free project.

growing up in an age of unprecedented change.

Similarly, Run Free was implemented in Jamaica with similar objectives. In 2014, Christopher Grant, parkour instructor, and Simon Sharkey of the National Theatre of Scotland visited Jamaica, to start the project and training for parkour and theatre practitioners.

More than 20 secondary school boys from across the Parade Gardens community were introduced to the core parkour values of critical thinking, self-discipline, determination, and teamwork.

They explored what it is to overcome the physical, mental, and emotional obstacles encountered in the process of initiation into the world of manhood. They also accepted the challenge to take some

risks, be creative and create some brilliant theatre.

According to Lesley-Ann Welsh of Manifesto Jamaica, the project is in its third phase which now involves developing the story of the boys and putting together their production for an audience.

"The foundation has already been laid for the participants. They have learnt to the art of moving beyond obstacles with ease and grace, and to translate this learning into life skills," Welsh said.

A preview of the "Run Free" project's work-in-progress will be staged for potential project partners and other invited guests. Art and theatre practitioners from other Caribbean islands including Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba, Venezuela, and Brazil are scheduled to attend. (Jamaica Gleanor)

hanz Davis (pronounced Shanz) started recording music at the age of 13 to change the way Trinbagonians view hip-hop music, but that change has been a long time coming, forcing him to shift into the popular dancehall circuit and more recently, soca.

His surprising breakthrough came in 2010 when he released the track, “Girls.”

This opened a door, he said, since radio stations picked up the track and the video music later peaked at number one on Synergy TV. Davis, 27, resides in Barataria and having grown up around people who have been in difficult circumstances, he sees music as a way out of crime and poverty. He explained that many youths are hurting and are looking for a way out, an avenue to express their anger and pain.

“Music helps people and it’s an outlet. If we help the underground music industry here, we could also help crime.

If I’m going through something, I write about it and that’s the first form of therapy,” he said, adding that the second form of therapy comes when the artiste picks up the microphone and performs.

Davis would like to see more funding go into community music projects to help youths in conflict with the law.

“It would be great if we could get these youths to put down the gun and pick up the mic,” he added.

To escape being viewed as “unrated artiste,” Davis decided to pursue a university degree while dedicating more time to learning the industry he was trying to break into.

The education was important in marketing the music, he said, and as a result he settled on a BA in Communications.

“As an artiste, I was hungry to make music, making use of every chance I got, but then I realised that it was important to be professional in the business,” Davis said during an interview with the Trinidad Newsday.

But Davis also realised he had to spend more time in the studio, and use his own money to professionalise the music. This meant working with good producers and finding the right person to master the music.

As an underground artiste who was hungry for commercial success, Davis also discovered his struggle would include many days of selling his music on the streets. He worked on his own press kits, distribution and financing his projects.

The market is competitive, he said, adding that sub-standard work never sells. “There is a reason I spent money making quality music. When the work is poor it has no chance of competing with work produced at a higher level.”

If Davis had his way he would be in the studio writing and recording music, not working in an office. But the office pays the bills and as he puts it, “you have to find a way to make the music and survive.”

Davis’ most recent release is a dance-hall/soca track, “Hot Sauce,” and in the coming months, he plans to work on his short film, “Chanz Man.” He is also working on a soca track to release for Carnival 2016. (TT Newsday)

‘Baha Mar’ gets nod to appeal Bahamas court decision on bankruptcy proceedings

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he developer of stalled US$3.5 billion mega resort Baha Mar has been given the green light to challenge a High Court judge’s decision not to recognize the company’s bankruptcy proceedings in the US. Justice Ian Winder yesterday granted the company leave to appeal the ruling he handed down on July 22.

He ruled in Baha Mar’s favour in the application for leave to appeal, despite objections from the lawyers representing the Bahamas government, the Export Import Bank of China which is financing the project, and general contractor China Construction.

In a brief statement, Baha Mar said it was “gratified” by the court’s decision.

The mega resort was originally scheduled to open last December but that deadline was

An artist’s impression of the Baha Mar resort upon completion

missed, as was a March deadline, leaving the jobs of 5,000 Bahamians in limbo.

The company run by Swiss developer Sarkis Izmiralian filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in the US state of Delaware on June 29, claiming US$2.7 billion in debt – including US$2.4 billion owed to state-owned Export-

Import Bank of China – and arguing that the general contractor had repeatedly missed deadlines which left the company without a sufficient source of revenue to continue its existing business.

The company then went to the Supreme Court in the Bahamas, asking that those proceedings be recognized

in the island, but that was rejected by Justice Winder, preventing the project from receiving protection available under the US bankruptcy code.

Baha Mar has argued that due to the financial consequences of the repeated delays by the general contractor, and the resulting loss of revenue, the Chapter 11 process is

“the best path to provide the time to put in place a viable capital structure and working relationships to complete construction and successfully open [the resort]”.

“We are committed to doing all we realistically can to move Baha Mar forward to be completed and opened successfully. We are confident that once opened, Baha Mar will be a worldclass destination resort that will attract guests from around the world and serve as a key economic sparkplug in The Bahamas,” the company posted on www.bmpathforward.com, a website dedicated to providing information about its current situation.

Baha Mar and the government have been involved in a public war of words, with chief executive officer Izmiralian being critical of Prime Minister Perry Christie’s leadership and

Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell recently warning the billionaire that he could lose his permanent residency status.

“Let the word be clear – let him cease and desist. It is the wiser course of action and the old Bahamian proverb says ‘If you don’t hear, you will feel’,” Mitchell said on Monday at an Emancipation Day service.

“The Immigration Act reminds us . . . that the permission to live in The Bahamas can be revoked where an individual has so conducted himself that, in the opinion of the board, it is not in the public interest that he should continue to enjoy privileges inferred by the certificate.”

The minister said no one, no matter how much money they had, could buy influence in the country or “speak to our leaders in any which way or fashion”. (Caribbean 360)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

Islamic Complex hosts TT youths learn to arrange health fair in Guyana for Panorama

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he Anna Catherina Islamic Complex in Guyana, on Saturday hosted a health fair/outdoor clinic for members of the community at the community’s Masjid complex.

Neaz Hussain, the Public Relations Officer of the Islamic Complex, told the media in Guyana that the initiative was in keeping with doing something great for the community.

He also stated that they were given a challenge from the country’s president, His Excellency David Granger to do something for the community to better Guyana and the group had decided to take up that mantle and host a medical clinic and health fair for persons living in Anna Catherina.

The event saw hundreds of persons benefiting from the various services offered, such as blood pressure and blood

A resident gets her blood pressure tested at the ACIC’s health fair

sugar testing.

Hussain mentioned that several local pharmacies, such as the International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), Mike’s Pharmacy, Smart Aid Pharmacy Meditron and others, came on board to be a part of the initiative.

He also expressed the Complex’s gratitude towards those who came on board to make the venture a successful one.

A representative of IPA Guyana shared that the Agency believed this

was an opportunity to not only showcase what the company has to offer but to also give back to members of the community so they were happy to join.

Members of the community explained that they were very elated about the execution of the health fair, as many persons in the community are unable to travel far distances to obtain medical health and it was very convenient to be able to receive medical attention so close to home.

EAGER: Joel Primus, community sustainability and stakeholder relations adviser, bpTT, seems enthralled as Anila Mulzac plays the bass pans at the bpTTsponsored Panorama Arranging Music Workshop at Tranquillity Government Primary School. Paying close attention is facilitator Michelle HugginsWatts. Mulzac, 17, is captain of BP Renegades Junior Steel Orchestra.

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ort of Spain, Trinidad: Fired by a singular passion to be counted among the select

group of people who arrange calypsoes for the Panorama steelband competition, a new cadre of musicians, young and old, is taking positive steps to achieve their ambition.

The aspiring arrangers, ten in all, were participants in the annual Panorama Arranging Music Workshop which was conducted at the Tranquillity Government Primary School, Port of Spain.

The programme is facilitated by the Pan-in-Schools Coordinating Council (PSCC) and sponsored by energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago.

“I am totally focused on improving my skills to be able to arrange music for a steelband for the Panorama competition. For the immediate future, I am looking forward to advance my studies in music at UWI or UTT and to set up a music school for teaching and arranging music later on,” said an eager Anila Mulzac, 17, of Edinburgh Gardens, Chaguanas.

No stranger to Panorama competition, young Mulzac is the captain of BP Renegades Junior Steel Orchestra, perennial champions of Pan Trinbago’s Junior Panorama Competition, including 2014 and 2015.

“Of course, my involvement with Renegades is a big stepping stone for me in my goals so far.

First of all, I hope to arrange for a junior band and then graduate to a senior band for Panorama. That day will be a dream come

true,” said Mulzac, who is also intent on playing with the National Steel Symphony Orchestra.

The intensive three-week Panorama Arranging Workshop, which came to an end last Friday, forms one segment of a threepronged comprehensive music workshop initiative which also takes in Music Composition for CXC students and Drumming (catering to primary school pupils).

The Panorama Arranging workshop was conducted

by Michelle HugginsWatts, herself a Panorama championship- winning arranger. She was assisted by Junior Panorama arranger Akeel Henry, a graduate of the training a few years ago.

Joel Primus, community sustainability and stakeholder relations adviser, bpTT, commended the participants on their keen interest in the workshop and love for pan and their ambitions to embrace the musical genre in an expansive way.

“BPTT has partnered with the PSCC for ten years now and we have seen many participants in these workshops go on to great things, not only in Trinidad and Tobago but in the international arena. We are confident that our indigenous music is in safe hands. It augurs well for the future of pan.

“We stand fully in support of your aspirations as future guardians of the national instrument,” Primus told the participants.

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WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Barbados sees recordTobago makes a splash with breaking tourism arrivals top travel influencers in Canada for first half of 2015

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Passengers disembarking an Air Canada flight at the Grantley Adams International Airport. (Photo: CNW Group/Air Canada)

arbados recorded 303,592 longstay visitors during the first six months of this year, marking the first time in the 29 years of recording tourism statistics that the destination has ever topped 300,000 visitors in the January to June period.

It also represents a 14.3 per cent increase in arrivals, or 37,945 more passengers, over the comparative period in 2014.

“This exceptional double-digit performance has been credited as the primary reason for the 0.5 per cent increase in local GDP and comes against the backdrop of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s five per cent growth projection for our region for 2015,” chairman of the Barbados Tourism

Marketing Inc. (BTMI) Alvin Jemmott said recently, during the agency’s second quarterly press conference.

“It also surpasses the global industry forecast issued by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in January this year for international tourist arrivals to increase by three to four per cent.

Indeed, we are even above our own internal target for the year.”

The BTMI chairman also noted that visitor spend was up by five per cent, although there was a reduction in the average length of stay.

The local cruise tourism continued to hold its own during the April to June period, with preliminary figures showing there were 52 cruise ship calls and 115,231 cruise passenger arriv-

als – an increase of six per cent in calls and 12 per cent in passenger arrivals when compared to the same period in 2014.

Jemmott disclosed that Barbados’ accommodation sector is projected to get an additional 2,300 rooms between this year and 2019.

The BTMI’s chief executive officer William Griffith said the agency is working with its partners to ensure Barbados performs similarly during the months ahead, particularly September and October.

Discussions have been held with eight of the BTMI’s airline partners to explore additional cooperative marketing efforts for the upcoming winter season, as well as opportunities to increase the number of available gateways.

(Caribbean 360)

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Destination Tobago was recently promoted in Toronto and Montreal where it received excellent feedback.

estination Tobago brought a little island vibe to Canada recently.

Top travel agents from Toronto and Montreal along with select travel media, and local celebrities were invited to experience the island in style.

They got the chance to learn about Tobago’s unique features and off the beaten path charm.

Agents, journalists, videographers and bloggers gathered at the exclusive rooftop patio of the Spoke Club in Toronto to enjoy an evening full of surprises.

Renowned Tobagonian pan player, Tony ‘Pan Jumbie’ Williams kept guests moving with his extraordinary skills performing everything from current soca hits to modern pop.

Jesille Peters the Promotional Analyst for Tobago in Canada states, “Tobago and her people are beautiful, warm and excited about the uniquely cultural and vibrant experiences we can

offer to our visitors. We might be tiny, but we offer world class diving, eco-adventure, and an ideal backdrop for destination weddings and honeymoons.”

Throughout the events, honoured attendees were treated to rum punches and Caribbean inspired canapés. Palettes were refined in a special rum tasting presented by El Dorado, the rum of the Caribbean. Guests sampled the diverse flavours and unique characteristics of the award-winning cask aged rums. The luxurious Tobago chocolate popular with aficionados all over Europe was also a big a hit with the crowd.

In Montreal, guests gathered at L’Auberge in Old Montreal. The warm evening sun streamed in to the private room inspiring many to dance and a few to attempt the pan under Tony’s laidback tutelage. Guests were enchanted by the traditional Bellair cos-

tume custom made for the event. Some even joined in with the dancer to learn a few steps of the traditional dances still on show at the annual Tobago Heritage Festival.

Members of the Tobago Association of Canada were invited to the celebrations to share their own stories and experiences of Tobago with Canadian media.

Identified at the event by a signature red floral lapel pin, each Tobagonian island ambassador passed along stories and anecdotes of life on the island. All attendees were presented with lapel flowers in their custom designed gift bag that included other fun gifts, accommodation and activities information and facts on the destination.

Their new found knowledge of Tobago is sure to help bring greater awareness of the destination in the Canadian marketplace. (Caribbean 360)

Food For The Poor commissions Community Centre in Guyana F

ood For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana Inc last Thursday commissioned the first Community Centre for residents living along the Canje River, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) when a Gy$6 million facility was declared open. The building, which is equipped with electricity via solar panels, is equipped with a computer room, a library and sewing machines. It is located at Baracara, a community situated 25 miles up the Canje River. The community centre will also be available to facilitate social events and is the first in the community.

FFTP contributed Gy$5 million towards the project and the community contributed Gy$1 million in labour.

Residents were responsible for clearing the area of trees, which were more that 20-feet tall, preparing the land and constructing the building, which was done through voluntary efforts.

Baracara is predominantly an Afro-Guyanese community and was established by runaway slaves in the 18th century. Many of them travelled up river on makeshift rafts. After slavery was abolished, other freed slaves migrated to the village because of the abundance of land and its productivity. In 1901, the community got its first school and it was not until the turn of the century that a health centre was built.

Chief Executive Officer of FFTP Guyana Inc Kent

Residents, members of the Food For The Poor team and Deputy REO of Region Six Imran Ali at the commissioning of the newly constructed Baracara Community Centre

Vincent said the FFTP was happy that the residents were able to make the contribution which they did in labour.

He noted that apart from

food and clothing, FFTP also assists with educational projects. Earlier this year, FFTP presented residents of the community with solar panels.

“Food For The Poor will continue to assist you whenever we can,” Vincent said while adding that people from the United States have been kind and generous to Food For The Poor Guyana Inc in providing the things they supply to locals.

He urged the residents of the community to raise funds which will go towards maintaining the building and even improving it. Project Manager for FFTP International, Suzan James Casserly, in brief remarks said even to her the building means a lot because residents were part of the building process.

“Everything done by Food For The Poor, is done for the glory of God,” Casserly told the highly religious community. (Guyana Times)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

M

arcus Garvey is counted among the greatest men to have walked the earth. The Jamaican in his relatively short life was a proponent of the Black Nationalism and Pan-African movements and inspired the founders of the Nation of Islam as well as influenced the pioneers of Rastafarianism.

Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League through which he advanced a Pan-African philosophy which inspired a global mass movement, known as Garveyism.

This would become the core of many of the liberation movements around the world and in fact paved the way for political leaders in Africa and the Caribbean to dare seek independence from colonial rule.

The Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago invited the son of Marcus Garvey, internationally respected vascular

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Dr Julius Garvey stands next to the grapefruit tree planted by the late South African president, Nelson Mandela when he visited Trinidad in 2004. Garvey is the son of Marcus Mosiah Garvey and is in Trinidad for this year’s Emancipation celebrations. (Photo: AYANNA KINSALE)

surgeon, Julius Garvey, to attend this year’s Emancipation Day celebrations. He delivered a presentation at the Forum on the African Diaspora last week and participated in several other events that took place to mark the event.

Although people’s initial attraction to and awe of Garvey was because of his father he

was able, with little effort, to get people to see him as an individual with his own identity, ideology and mission to assist African peoples to realise their self-worth and potential to thrive as a people separate and apart from everyone else, especially the Europeans and white America.

“I have never really

felt Jamaican, American or even African for that matter.

I consider myself a world person. Wherever you live you were being impacted by what is happening anywhere else in the world. If you are aware you can be proactive and take action to institute change.

“My father encouraged people to create

their own future and not just sit and allow others to dictate where they should go and who they should become. He came up in a period of colonialism and part of being a colonised people is being dependent and marginalised. His genius was in finding a way out for Africans and to quietly upset the status quo of domination by the colonists,” Garvey said.

While the world then saw Marcus Garvey as an agitator and today recognise him as having been a great mind, social activist, political messiah, entrepreneur and leader to Garvey (Julius) he was first, father and then much more than everything others saw him to be.

“He is my hero. He is my first and only role model. My father was such a fantastic person with a great knowledge and understanding of the world, which he had because he was able to discover and nurture an intimate relationship with God within himself.

“My father was well read in economics, history, religion, politics and

he opened up the whole world to me, encouraging me to investigate it on my own and in my own way. As busy as he kept himself working, teaching, helping people, he made sure there was quality time and time to teach us. He really died too young. But he moulded me and I believe he did very well,” Garvey said.

Having established a successful practice in New York, Garvey who is 82-years-old employs revenue from his medical business to assist African peoples and others in the US, the Caribbean and Africa.

Garvey does most of his philanthropic works very quietly, but there are things he has done that just can’t be hidden. He, for example has planted 500,000 trees in Northern Ghana and he has led missions to South Sudan, Haiti and Jamaica.

He prefers to be out of the spotlight, but accepts that because of his heritage, that is out of the question. So he simply takes it all in stride.

(TT Express)

Anju Blaxxx

amaican dancehall producer Anju Blaxxx was released on bail after spending close to six months in a North Dakota jail on lottery scamming-related charges.

His release was confirmed by Tanya Thellwell, manager of UIM Records.

"He was granted bail when he appeared in court yesterday (last Thursday). He also went to immigration court today (last Friday) and he was cleared, so hopefully he will be home soon," she told the Jamaica Observer.

The lottery scam involves convincing elder-

ly American victims to send millions of dollars for 'lottery winnings'.

Anju Blaxxx (given name Andrew Sayeed Myrie) was arrested in Florida on February 7 by American law enforcement officers on mail and wire fraud in connection with telemarketing fraud in North Dakota.

He was granted bail when he appeared in court in Florida. The bail order was, however, overturned on the grounds that he was "a substantial flight risk".

Blaxxx is the producer of Bugle's hit ‘Nuh Compatible’ and has hits with Purge, 300 Round and Klappaz riddims. (Jamaica Observer)

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GWMO members pose with members of the diplomatic community

he Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) last Thursday evening hosted a Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Edutainment Concert in commemoration of World Day Against Trafficking In Persons.

The concert was held at the Theatre Guild and Allison Butters-Grant, who is a member of GWMO, was the hostess for the event.

The event was at-

tended by the Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Nikolay Smirnov; Chargé d’ Affaires of the British High Commission; representatives from the United States Embassy; the Canadian High Commissioner Dr Nicole Giles; representatives from the European Union, and other members of the diplomatic community. The dignitaries were accompanied

by Miss Guyana World 2015 Lisa Punch and representatives from

Caribbean World Mission (CWM) who are visiting Guyana for a Youth Forum on Trafficking In Persons.

This year’s concert marks the second anniversary for World Day Against Trafficking In Persons and the GWMO plans to continue celebrating this specific day set out by the United Nations.

The concert was organised by Odessa Primus, who was one of the actresses at the event

which featured performances by Kijana Lewis, Malika Edmonson, Keon Heywood, Mark Edwards, Melinda Harris and Colleen Humphrey.

After the fun-filled concert, GWMO took time out to acknowledge its founder, Simona Broomes who started the organisation on January 25, 2012.

The organisation issued a plaque to the Minister (in her absence) for her hard work and dedication throughout the years.

(Guyana Times)

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WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Trini-born designer Tabitha St Bernard designs for the star of hit show 'Orange Is The New Black'

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hen Tabitha St Bernard is not designing for Century21.com, showing collections at New York Fashion Week and selling her collections in stores in the US, this Trinidadborn, New York-based fashion designer and cofounder of ‘Tabii Just’ is dressing celebrities for the red carpet. The latest celebrity to don the ‘Tabii Just’ label is style icon and actress of the hit series Orange Is The New Black, Danielle Brooks.

Brooks' stylist reached out to St Bernard to work with her on a custom design for an event she was to attend in New York City (NYC).

“Danielle is a style icon that represents beauty and confidence regardless of size. She owns her curves and knows what flatters her best. She also loves bold colours and making a strong statement on the red carpet,” St Bernard told Woman Magazine.

The first time they met, the two discussed what designs she liked,

they worked on a sketch and St Bernard pulled some fabrics she thought Brooks would like. St Bernard had two weeks to pull off the look.

Although she usually works with a factory to manufacture her clothing line, St Bernard did the look entirely by hand.

She was ecstatic with the end result and more so after it was featured in People Magazine's Style Watch edition.

“I love how bright colours look against her skin tone. We knew we wanted something young, fun and a little sexy...she really owned the look for the event and looked amazing,” she says.

Tabii Just is a womenswear label like no other and that's because it promotes conscious consumerism. For instance, every article of clothing is made not in a sweatshop in some corner of Asia but in a factory in NYC using local labour.

Tabii Just also has a zero waste policy, no scrap of fabric goes to waste, once appropriate even

Orange Is The New Black star Danielle Brooks wearing a piece from Tabii Just Creations made especially for her for the Red Carpet.

the minimal scraps are used and transformed into other items. Tabii Just was named one of ten eco-friendly designers to know by Brooklyn Magazine.

Tabii Just was St Bernard's first baby, so when her son came along, things were very different for the first few months.

St Bernard found that balancing her career and

Heritage Awareness Camp completed in Guyana

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The participants displaying their certificates as National Trust CEO Nirvana Persaud (left), and other officials look on

he National Trust of Guyana, in collaboration with the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, last Friday concluded the fifth Annual Children’s Heritage Awareness Camp with 30 students successfully completing the programme.

The Camp had commenced last Monday and catered for children from 8 to 11 years old.

The children shared that they learnt many things that they were not previously aware of, such as the many historical monuments and landmarks in Guyana, and enjoyed every day of this programme. However, some disappointment was expressed at the fact that they could not return the following year as the

programme did not permit the participants to return, but the children said that they would let their friends know about their experience in this programme.

The participants engaged in a quiz at the end of the programme based on what they would have learnt throughout the one-week activity so that their grasp of the information could be evaluated.

National Trust Chief Executive Officer Nirvana Persaud explained that the exercises the young individuals experienced throughout the week were designed to test the children’s level of ingenuity and ability, as their projects included the development of sites from their perception as to what should

be done to beautify and enhance the sites identified.

She shared that the programme’s objectives were to promote awareness and appreciation of Guyana’s heritage and the importance of its preservation.

The camp had also provided the participants with the opportunity to learn about monuments in various communities, heritage in our homes and daily lives, basics in model making, taxidermy in the Museum, basics in records preservation, and tours to important heritage sites in the city.

For their successful completion of the programme, the students received certificates of completion and other learning materials.

motherhood was one of the hardest things she's ever done.

“At one point, I was up at three in the morning doing feedings and instead of sleeping when he slept, I would go right to work on my sewing machine and try to get things done. It was insane and I had to stop myself and just allow myself to focus solely on motherhood for

a while. When I stopped fighting it, I started to really enjoy just being with the baby and watching him grow,” she says.

St Bernard feels fortunate to have a career that allows her to bring her son to work with her but she also has a strong support system at home.

Her husband also takes their son to his office so that St Bernard can focus

on her work.

“I think it's impossible to find a perfect balance and the sooner moms stop putting pressure on themselves to do that is the sooner they will be happy. Watching him grow is the most rewarding, beautiful experience of my life but that doesn't take away from the joy and fulfillment I get from my career,” she says.

Tabii Just is doing really well, says St Bernard, and she's about to take the clothing line to another level in a “stunningly visual way”.

“Tabii Just turns three this year and the progress has been steady. I was also really excited to bring a collection back home to Tobago Fashion Weekend and I finally visited the fashion school at UTT. I was completely bowled over by the talent and skill level of the teachers and students.

Right now, I'm prepping for Spring 2016, which will be launching this Fall,” she says. (TT Express)

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he exhibitors' booths, hair-care sessions, and shows at the Caribbean Natural Hair Show, put on by Island Natural and I Am LOCD, lived up to its name and did not disappoint.

Held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel last Sunday, the doors of the Montego Suite were opened as early as midday, and the event was jam-packed with activities to keep naturalistas busy as they were being educated at every turn about the importance of caring for their natural tresses.

From one corner to the next, there was something for everyone - jewellery, customised T-shirts, healthy food, hair products and accessories, styling demos, books, and so much more, all at very affordable prices, to help naturalistas take care of themselves from head to toe.

To top that, there were trivia questions with great giveaways from sponsors and distributors present. They saved the best for last, and the main events hair and fashion shows - were well worth the wait.

Patrons were

Nerissa Irving flaunts her healthy locks with one of her hair-care products

brought to their feet when the hair show kicked off with a mixture of colours and styles courtesy of Jus Naturals Hair Studio.

Dana Edwards' de-

signs - with sexy but classy shorts, edgy tank tops, and flirty maxi skirts - were next to hit the stage and had the audience screaming. (Jamaican Gleaner)

24 feature Tobago Heritage Festival - Tales of Les Coteaux

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

- Exploring folklore and superstitions

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he 2015 Tobago Heritage Festival moved in to the village of Les Coteaux last Thursday for a night of folk tales and superstitions in the stage production “Who Have Eyes To See”. The musical play, held at the Tablepiece Recreation Grounds, saw the actors being supported by singers, dancers and musicians as they told their story of a woman turning to obeah in order to win the heart of the man she loves, or at least wants to be her husband.

Les Coteaux is known for the mostly fictional stories weaved by residents for generations and told to fellow islanders as well as visitors who follow these stories with rapt attention. Quite a few superstitions are rooted in the rather creative community that is steeped in a rich oral history.

OBEAH WEDDING: The play showed how past village life in Les Coteaux included the use of witchraft to get a husband and catch thieves. Character in the play Jerome Noel gets married to Giselle Yeates, the daughter of Harris Jack, after being tied with obeah.

Les Coteaux’s folklore, myths and superstitious beliefs are traced all the way back to Africa from where they made their way to Tobago via

Guyanese artist Ivor Thom with one of his sculptures

G

uyanese Ivor Thom is a celebrated artist who enjoys creating beautiful art inspired by historical events and personal experiences, with hopes they serve as reminders of our valuable heritage for upcoming generations.

The artist was born and grew up in of Victoria village, East Coast Demerara. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Thom stated that since childhood he developed a passion for art and the value of it taught by his mother.

“One thing I remember as a child is that whenever I draw something, I would discard of them; but my mother would pick them up and put them away. As I got older I realised that what my mother did was her way of telling me that whatever I do is valuable and I shouldn’t just discard of my work,” Thom reminisced.

Thom also remembered that while working on a Madhia/Annai road

project in the 1970s chopping trees down – he was about 14 years old at that time – he came across a piece of wood and was moved to carve a face on it.

“At that time, to me it was a masterpiece, but looking back it seems like nothing at all. However, when I did it, a lot of people were fascinated with it, and that encouraged me to develop as an artist. From then on I started working with clay and other art medium. What also motivated me to practice my art is experiencing appreciation by others for my art work.

As a member of the National Service, I was at the Papaya Centre, and former President Burnham was visiting.

We wanted to get him a gift but we couldn’t travel out. Everyone encouraged me to do something and so I volunteered to carve a piece for him. Seeing how people appreciated my art really motivated me to keep on practicing and to

the slave trade. The village stories are laced with mysteries handed down through several generations and every year these stories form part of

develop myself as an artist,” reflected Thom.

This motivated Thom to enrol at the Burrowes School of Art. In 1979 he graduated and went to Cuba to continue art study, and spent four years there. When he returned, Thom went back to the National Service where he served until 1990. He then migrated to Canada and then to the U.S.A, all the while continuing to create artistic pieces.

In Canada, Thom developed profoundly as an artist. He learnt the lostwax casting technique. A method used to cast metal. Thom also worked in many art foundries and was able to do so in every section of a foundry, after becoming very skilled in his area of art.

Locally, Thom is popularly known for his 1988 Damon monument sculpture.

IN MOTION: The Les Coteaux Folk Dancers wow the crowd with their rhythm and uniformity.

the Tobago Heritage Festival.

Les Coteaux, which means “the knives” reflects the heritage left by the French in this part of Tobago. The community has a number of historical sites and interesting places to

He was awarded the Medal of Service for his contribution to art in Guyana and was also given numerous medals and certificates for his work, locally and internationally.

Speaking on what inspires him, Thom disclosed, “Something within me compels me.

Sometimes I may have an experience, whether good or bad, and I want to share it. I found that if I can’t really share this in words I do so in art. I post my experiences either in drawing or sculpture. My art is conceptualised by my experiences, a story, or something that has influenced me. I’m inspired by life.”

For Thom, art makes him “feel alive”, and so he “dances and sings” while he is creating his pieces.

He pointed out that he is most comfortable when he is into his art, and even Sculpture depicting an African drummer

visit. Sugar was once king in Les Coteaux so one will find old water wheels and the ruins of sugar mills when exploring.

There are also still some people who make their own sugar.

(TT Express)

"Mrs. Atlas" (2009)

forgets to eat sometimes.

His sculptures are full of life and reflect his deepest thoughts. One recurring theme in his work is slavery.

He explains, “I listen to a lot of stories about slavery, and saw movies, and I don’t think there’s anything else as cruel as slavery.

And as I said, when something bothers or influences me, I want to express that in art. Someone had asked me why most of my art pieces are based on slavery and why I’m not changing from that. I believe that we need to free ourselves not just from physical slavery but also from mental slavery. My art serves that purpose of a reminder to do so and so I won’t desist from that.”

One of Thom’s most notable works is the1823 Demerara rebellion monument, completed in 2013 and located on Carifesta Avenue. Thom’s piece won a competition held by the then culture, youth and sport ministry. The winning entry also gave birth to an art foundry at the Burrowes School of Art. “A lot of what I learnt about my work is from reading books, which I still do. So my advice to young artists is to read and keep practicing every day because that’s the only way you’ll get better.

I made a promise that I would do something with art every day – even if it’s just a small sketch and so I encourage young artists to do the same,” he advised.

Bollywood

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odel-turned-actor Rahul Dev, also known for his impeccable physique and fitness, believes that the perception of fitness in Bollywood has changed over the years.

Asked about the fittest actors in Bollywood, Rahul mentioned Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff and Jacqueline Fernandez.

“I definitely think that the perception for fitness has changed in Bollywood. Young actors like Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff and Jacqueline Fernandez are extremely fit. They can spread awareness about fitness among the youth,” Rahul told IANS at the launch of his gym Breathe here on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old also considers Akshay Kumar his “hero” for his envi-

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ctor Abhishek Bachchan is extremely fond of his “All Is Well” co-star Rishi Kapoor who is “like a father” to him.

“You cannot bring your personal life in front of the camera.

Personally I love him.

He is like a father to me.

I’m a huge fan of his.

But I cannot bring it in the film because that

able fitness.

“My hero is Akshay Kumar. He is extremely fit. At his age, he can do stunts which even Tiger Shroff may find hard to pull off,” Rahul added.

An advocate of “functional fitness”, he said that he has been training since the age of 15 and still follows a strict regime.

He also said that people generally go to gyms because they are “aspirational”, but they end up taking short-cuts.

“People have to learn

how to manage their own body weight in gyms.

They generally go to gyms because they are aspirational but they want to take short-cuts.

“Milk is excellent for our body, but unless you are not utilizing it for our exercises, it is not worth anything,” said the “Champion” actor, who was in Morocco to shoot scenes for Sajid Nadiadwala’s action adventure film “Dishoom”.

Rahul will soon be seen in Punjabi film “Ramta Jogi”. (Indian Express)

is the opposite of what I’m meant to play with him in the film,” said Abhishek about translating the off-screen camaraderie to on-screen chemistry in the film where they play a father-son duo.

Actor Supriya Pathak and director Umesh Shukla were also present at a special promotional interaction

with the media.

“What our relationship is in real life is of no importance in front of the camera. We have to enact our characters.

The two characters that we have in the film are of a father and son who don’t get along.

They keep fighting. I think he troubles me a lot and he thinks I trouble him a lot. You see

R

Yami Gautam said: “I’ve come for these beautiful kids. I’m so glad that so many gorgeous women took out time to volunteer to be part of this global cause. The cause we are here for makes it even lovely…the smile of these lovely kids.

“Whatever funds they can raise from the event are going to be used to promote and support education of these lovely girls, which is the need of the hour.”

National Film Award winning actor Rajkumar said: “Education is the most important thing

as it can make a difference in the society. I do my bit…I try and donate wherever I can. I am very aware of the problem that our country is facing in the field of education.”

Ileana was one of the showstoppers and sparkled in a white dress.

“I’m feeling good that we have Foundations that support women empowerment and girls’ education. I think it’s awesome and I’m proud and honoured to be associated with the project.”

(Indian Express)

that Aarav too is a martial arts enthusiast.

“He did not tell me about his interest in this field. He has exams (martial art) in about four months time. I think children always think that they can learn from someone else. I did not groom

him.

“I can teach him, since, I am a Black belt myself but it is always better that someone else teaches, because a child always says, ‘dad you don’t know anything’.

According to them, I don’t know anything,” Akshay

said.

On the work front, Akshay is looking forward to the release of Karan Johar’s next home production “Brothers”. He will be also seen in Prabhu Deva’s “Singh is Bling” and Bhushan Kumar’s “Airlift”. (Indian Express)

says it’s not fair to associate bikes only with men as women can also be good bikers.

“Does bike really go with a man? I don’t think so. Women look

cool on bikes as men do,” said Taapsee, who made an entry on the stage riding a bike.

The actress says “bike chooses the rider” and if her parents per-

mit, she will ride a bike on a regular basis and not just in films.

“If my parents permit, I will drive around,” she said.

(Indian Express)

ajkumar Rao, Jackky Bhagnani, Ileana D’Cruz and Patralekha were some Bollywood celebrities who walked the ramp and lent their support to charity organisation Smile Foundation. The profits made from the event would be used to educate girls.

The ninth edition of the fashion show ‘Ramp For Champs’ also saw the presence of Bhagyashree, Isha Koppikar, Lauren Gottlieb, Divya Khosla Kumar and Tahir Raj Bhasin.

At the event, actress

those shades that banter keeps on going throughout the film. At the end of the day, we’re actors and our job is to perform in front of the camera,” said Abhishek.

“All Is Well” is slated to release on 21 August and also stars Asin in the lead role. It is produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series among others. (Indian Express)

S

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ctress Juhi Chawla finds interacting with women ‘more beneficial’.

The “Gulaab Gang” actress is on a mission to educate people about harmful effects of cellphone radiation.

Discussing the perils of mobile phone radiation at an event organized by the Indian Merchants Chamber Ladies’ Wing, the actress expressed her growing concern over the issue.

“The electromagnet-

ic field and radiation are affecting everyone. Your mobile is not a toy,” said Juhi.

The former beauty queen believes that talking to “ladies is more beneficial in my eyes because when you tell something to a woman… if she finds it valuable, then it doesn’t just stay with her. It reaches her family, friends and community. So, I talk to women about it and I am certain that she will take it forward”. (Indian Express)

uperstar Akshay Kumar says he is fine with his son Aarav watching him romance actresses on screen and doesn’t even put any parental restrictions on him.

“It is a film.. it’s my job.

If you and I are walking hand in hand he would be comfortable watching us together,” Akshay said in an interview recently.

“I don’t tell him what to watch and what to not (films and TV). What is the point? They can go quietly and watch whatever they want,” the 47-year-old actor said.

The “Rowdy Rathore” star, who is one of the fittest actors in the industry, says he was not aware

A

ctress Taapsee Pannu, who was in the capital to launch one of the models of Honda Motorcycles & Scooter India Pvt Ltd (HMSI) on Tuesday,

26

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scar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg has contributed USD 1 million to support former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.

The contribution has gone to Clinton’s 2016 Super PAC (Political Action Committee), which is a type of organisation that pools cam-

H

ollywood couple Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett have denied getting divorced, calling the rumours “foolish”.

There were speculations that the couple, who have two kids together, were heading for a split after almost 20 years of marriage.

Will, 46, posted a denial on Facebook, addressing his wife as “queen.” He also joked about those, who sent him their condolences after assuming the rumors were true.

“Under normal circumstances, I don’t usually respond to foolishness. (Because it’s contagious) But, so many people have extended me their “deepest condolences” that I figured –

“What the hell… I can be foolish, too!”

“So, in the interest of redundant, repetitious, over & overagain-ness… Jada and I are… NOT GETTING A DIVORCE!!!!! I promise you all – if I ever decide to divorce my Queen – I SWEAR I’ll tell you my-

B

rooklyn Beckham is reportedly looking for a career in Hollywood.

The eldest son of David Beckham and Victoria is expected to outshine his famous parents as he has a lot of potential for a career in the industry, reported Ace Showbiz.

“He has recently signed to a modelling agency. It appears he has a lot of potential for a career in the industry,”

a source said.

“He is incredibly photogenic and has the handsome looks to be

self! ?#?Dumb? People Should Have to Wear Scarlet D’s,” he wrote.

Jada Pinkett’s tweet followed a few minutes later. “My king has spoken,” she wrote.

The couple married in 1997 and has been plagued by rumors in the past. (Indian Express)

considered for some high-profile, big-money work,” the source added.

The 16-year-old boy, who is currently waiting GCSE results while spending the summer in the US, is being encouraged to consider a Hollywood career.

“Now he has been encouraged to look into a Hollywood career which he is very excited about.

He is yet to sign with an agent though.” (Indian Express)

“

A

nchorman” actress Christina Applegate has admitted that she is completely in awe of her costar Chris Hemsworth’s abs.

The 43-year-old actress, who worked with the “Thor” star in comedy film “Vacation”, is impressed by his physique,

paign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaign for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation, reported Deadline.

Other donors for Clinton’s presidential bid include “Star Wars” director J J Abrams and wife Katie McGrath, who each gave USD 500,000.

(Indian Express)

reported People magazine.

“It didn’t make me laugh because we were just in awe of his abs. It got quiet on the set there for a while,” Applegate said, while talking about filming a scene. The actress said she was shocked with the reply he gave when she asked

him about his workout regime.

“He said ‘I don’t really do anything, I just surf,’ and I’m like ‘that is not from surfing guy.

You don’t want to give us your secrets? That is not okay. I want to look like Chris Hemsworth when I grow up,” she said.

(Indian Express)

youth, to learn firsthand from them about their concerns and hopes for the future of their country,” she said.

Before arriving in Myanmar, the actress –

who also has five other children with husband Brad Pitt – stopped off in Cambodia, the birthplace of her eldest son Maddox, 13.

While there, she visited two of her charities, the Maddox JoliePitt Foundation and the Maddox Chivan Children’s Center, and started production on her next directorial effort, an adaptation of genocide survivor Loung Ung’s book “First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia”.

made a surprise appearance at Fox’s “X-Men” panel at Comic-Con in July.

“Gambit” will be directed by Rupert Wyatt of “Rise of the Planet of

the Apes”.

The film, written by Josh Zetumer, who also wrote 2014’s “RoboCop”, is expected to release on October 7, 2016. (Indian Express)

wearing lacy knickers.

In the picture the Lohan is standing in front of the mirror holding her cell phone with both hands.

“I love my golden villa at Cavo tagoo. Thank

you to my friends here,” she captioned the picture.

Lohan who is enjoying in Greece, has been sharing a lot of her holiday pictures lately.

(Indian Express)

T

he “Maleficent” star made her first visit to the country, formerly known as Burma, in her role as a United Nations Refugee Agency Special Envoy, reported People magazine.

Jolie, 40, arrived in the country with her 11-year-old son Pax earlier this week and has a busy schedule during her four-day visit.

“I am looking forward to meeting with many people including women’s groups, civil society, displaced people and

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aramount Pictures is ready to have more of Ethan Hunt with “Mission: Impossible 6″ already developing.

Actor Tom Cruise, who plays the iconic character in the franchise, recently announced that the sixth instalment is in works and now Paramount Pictures vice chairman Rob Moore has also endorsed the idea, reported Variety.

“We’re very happy to be developing this movie with Tom. There’s no question that Ethan Hunt deserves another film,’ Moore said.

It was the first public comment by Paramount, who usually do not talk much about their future projects. The studio is elated with the response their latest film “Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation” is getting at the box-office.

“The international brand is as strong as ever,” he said.

The film is said to have received bumper opening of USD 121 million globally.

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, “Rogue Nation” is produced by Cruise, 53, along with J J Abrams, Bryan Burk, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger.

(Indian Express)

ctor Channing Tatum has closed a deal to star in 20th Century Fox’s “X-Men” spin-off, “Gambit”.

Contrary to earlier reports that the 35-year-old actor would exit the project after failing to come to terms with Fox, Tatum is on board to portray the titular hero, said The Hollywood Reporter.

The “Magic Mike” star has been attached to the movie as both actor and producer for a few years and even

“

M

ean Girls” actress Lindsay Lohan has gone all mean with her latest Instagram post.

The 29-year-old former Disney star shared a topless photo of her just

feature

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WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

I

n September 1872 Bishop James Etheridge SJ, together with Fr. Aloysius Casati SJ, journeyed to Beterverwagting to inspect a plot of land proposed for a church and cemetery.

Five years later, on June 29, 1875 the church was blessed and dedicated to St. Peter. The corner stone is still in place.

The first confirmation ceremony, over which the Bishop officiated the same year, accepted

Interior of church

120 supplicants to the Blessed Sacrament.

The parish and church has since changed hands over the years.

They were under the charge of Plaisance from 1877-1905, Buxton from 1919 to 1929, and then back to Plaisance from April 1929 - January 1930; back to Buxton from 1930 -1935, and returned to Plaisance from 1935 to the present.

Around 37 priests have served the parish over the past 130 odd

years.

A school called St. Peter’s RC Primary was built next to the church and opened sometime before 1892. The church bell was a gift from parishioner Mr Francis Faria in 1904 and is still in use today.

Around 1920 the church was repaired, painted, and extended to include an apse, an aisle with Gothic arches between the nave and the aisle, and a new altar.

Subsequent modifica-

tions occurred in 1948 with the building of the Lady altar and the altar of St Teresa. The church hosted a Scouts’ Jamboree in 1995.

According to the Guyana National Trust News Vol 7 Issue 2 December 2008, the parish community has celebrated the 50th, 75th, and centenary anniversaries of the church, and restora-

St Peter's RC church

tion works were to be completed for the observance of St Peter’s feast day of June 29, 2008.

Renovations were also carried out on the Catholic cemetery in BV in 2014.

On June 29, 2015, the church celebrated its 140th anniversary with a mass at which Bishop Francis Alleyne blessed the former St.

Peter's school building which held its second function since the return of the school to the church.

T h e building,according to the St Peter’s RC website on Facebook, would be a Parish Hall among which the Sunday School will be held.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Hard work pays off for TT youth JAMPRO's film fest

H

ard work brings success. This is the ethos that has led the Laventille Girls’ Government Primary School to achieve its best Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination in years and see its first student pass for a seven-year secondary school in almost a decade.

School Principal Rosemarie Prince-Walke, in a telephone interview, reported 33 percent of the SEA class of 194 students scored As and Bs in the exam with 27 getting Cs and Ds. This compared to the school’s 2012 results when only seven percent of students scored As and Bs in the exam.

Prince-Walke said the improvement was due to a new system in place under her watch in which Standard Five students got the necessary guidance and training in their school work, and with their results being monitored every term.

She said too, that the school had instituted an honour club to reward students, and they were also taken on visits to secondary schools and the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago “to understand the world of work as it connects to secondary school”.

The students’ results

were due to hard work, said Prince-Walke as she gave credit to Standard Five teacher, Crystalene Pinder-Neaves who, she said worked with the pupils and pushed them to do their best. She also praised 12-yearold Rochelle Rawlins who passed for Holy Name Convent, Port-ofSpain. Rochelle’s mother, Petra Rawlins, describing the past year as a “roller coaster ride,” said her daughter first wrote the SEA exam in 2014. The family who lives in Success Village, Laventille, decided to allow Rochelle to repeat the exam. Rawlins said this meant the expense of getting Rochelle prepared for the exam - extra lessons, travelling to and from lessons and ensuring that she ate properly and took her vitamins.

“She handled it pretty well and was very much prepared for the exam on May 7,” the mother said, saying that her daughter went into the exam calm and confident and everything was fine until the day the results came out and Rochelle discovered that she was placed in her fourth choice school.

Rawlins said Rochelle was disappointed at the result and that she herself resigned herself to accepting it, putting her effort into consoling her

daughter as best she could, telling her that she did well and had put her best into the exam.

“She worked very hard for her first choice,” Rawlins said.

She said that it was the subsequent customary sharing of results with other parents and a discussion of the scores with teachers that it was discovered that the Continuous Assessment Component (CAC) mark for Rochelle as well as three other grils, was lower than that of other students in the class.

Parents and staff queried the discrepancy with officials of the Ministry of Education. Rawlins said the school’s supervisor confirmed there was an error with CAC Mathematics and advised that a query be lodged along with an official letter from the school. The end result of this process was that Rochelle had her marks reviewed and she was placed at her first choice school — Holy Name Convent.

“At that moment in time I was very happy.

I was relieved to know that all of this was over and at the end of the day my daughter had gotten her first choice school which she had worked for and which she deserved,” Rawlins said.

(TT Newsday)

bearing fruit

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(L-R) Film Commissioner Carole Beckford. Nicole Bernard, executive vice president of Fox Audience Strategy

amaicans now have a chance to be part of the writers and directors intensive organised by United States-based media and entertainment conglomerate, FOX. This is one of the benefits to come out of the inaugural Jamaica Film Festival, organised

by Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) from July 7-11.

Film Commissioner Carole Beckford said that this FOX Writers and Directors Intensive is how the hit television series Empire was born, and this opportunity for Jamaicans comes directly as a result of the presence at the festival of Nicole Bernard, exec-

utive vice president of Fox audience strategy.

"FOX is seeking to diversify its writing pool and having Nicole Bernard here, opened up the Jamaican talent to this opportunity," said Beckford.

"The intensive takes the form of a fourmonth-long master class on episodic writing. We at JAMPRO will issue the call for local writers to vie for positions.

We are still working out the details. The next cohort will commence in October," she continued.

Beckford said despite it being early days yet this was one of the positives coming out of the festival.

Among the other pos-

itives she disclosed is the formation of a local actors group, which had its first meeting a week ago, as well as the formation of the Jamaica Film and Television Association.

"The formation of these groups is critical to the viability of a local film industry. It makes us seem professional and organised to the outside world rather that disjointed."

"JAMPRO is also looking to support the industry. So starting in September, every two months, we will be organising a workshop or something that will improve the players," said Beckford.

(Jamaica Observer)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

Big sound from Pan Minors grads in TT P

ore-raising sounds of pan music filled the Daaga Hall Auditorium of the University of the West Indies (UWI) as the graduating classes of the Republic Bank Right Start Pan Minors Literacy Programme livened the space with rhythmic moves in tune with their pans.

The 125 graduates, age ten to 17 years, of the Level 1 and Level 2 programmes commemorated the 20th anniversary of the threeweek programme which has been promoting the knowledge and skills of pan since 1995.

The project is the result of a partnership with Republic’s Dr Anne Marion Osborne and Satt Sharma.

Students were exposed to music theory integrated with aural training, music, writing and technical skills.

Through dedicated tutors including

FLASHBACK: Top Scorers of the 2014 Republic Bank RightStart Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme, pose for a photo, with Republic Bank’s General Manager, Internal Audit, Anthony Subero (on left) and facilitators, Anthony Moore and Merle Beckles-Benjamin, at the graduation ceremony held at Rovanel’s Resort, Tobago

Glen Worrell and Dawn Marcano, the students encapsulated what they learned in such a short period as was demonstrated at last Wednesday’s graduation.

Nadia Williams, social investment officer of RBC highlighted one of the programme’s goals in imparting a wealth of knowledge in the specif-

ic time: “Today we celebrate your dedication and achievement – maximum learning in a short period of time.” Accredited with the Department of Festival Arts at UWI, St Augustine, the programme not only gives a skill to the youth but a career opportunity and an academic gateway for many.

Tisha Lee, manager

and abroad.” Feature speaker Mia Gormandy, a product of the programme, who holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University, and is manager of Pastiche Steel Ensemble, truly embodies the success pan training can bring.

Gormandy expressed her never-ending gratitude to the programme.

“Without this I would not have the opportunity to pursue a career at

of group corporate communications at RBC said the main mission behind the programme was, “Providing educational opportunities is keeping with our mission to empower young achievers.”

She continued, “The fruits of this investment can be highlighted by the many graduates who have gone on to pursue pan degrees both here

Jamaica’s National Hero Marcus Garvey

F

ilmmaker/Actor Donovan Watkis firmly believes Jamaica's fledging industry should train its cameras on National Hero Marcus Garvey and not wait on Hollywood.

"Marcus Garvey is the most important black leader. We have to tell that story. We don't have to wait on American filmmakers to do it for us," Watkis told the Jamaica Observer.

The 30-year-old said Garvey's influence is global and everyone can relate to it.

"The stories are told of people Garvey influenced ... Carter G Woodson, W E B DuBois, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. His philosophy is one of self-reliance, black consciousness, black power, and self-development, and we need that right now. Showcasing Marcus Garvey in a romantic, powerful, charming way in a nice scripted story, through film, will be way more powerful than a deejay sing about Garvey," he said.

Watkis said the St Ann-born Garvey was ahead of his time.

"Garvey created his own banking system, where at its zenith was the Black Star Liner, UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) and other movements; he was 'in-

such a young age and I know the graduating class is headed in the right direction.” She said her most important rule of success was to believe in oneself.

Valedictorian Rueben Cruickshank was in high praise of the class. “This is a lifelong skill we have acquired. This programme has opened up our minds and impacted our lives in ways we could not imagine,” he said. (TT Newsday)

putting' and 'outputting' over US$5 million. He was ahead of his time.

He had millions of followers before social media. He was the original social media man."

Watkis, a former drama teacher at Merl Grove High School, said understanding of self is not embedded in the schools' curriculum.

"And without this understanding, you're destined to fail ... and I'm not talking about failure of subjects, because you have a lot people with subjects and don't know themselves. For instance, we promote external ideas of beauty. Nowadays, females see American Kim Kardashian as their standard of beauty. Our local stations don't have an alternative to that," he continued.

Watkis, whose acting credits include ‘Better Mus' Come’, recently premiered his short animation film ‘Cakle’ at last month's Jamaica Film Festival.

Earlier this year, his 15-minute production, Junior, racked up awards at the Lignum Vitae Film Festival held at the Northern Caribbean University in Manchester.

It won Best Cinematography, Best Overall Short Film, Best Post-Production, and he won the Best Overall Actor trophy. He hopes to convert it to a feature film.

Born on August 17, 1887, Marcus Garvey was a passionate advocate for Black nationalism. A civil rights leader, publisher, entrepreneur and orator, he founded the UNIA and African Communities League, as well as the Black Star Line, which promoted mass repatriation of blacks to Africa.

He died in England in June 1940 at age 52.

sport

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GCB President, Director of Sport applauds victorious U-19 team

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resident of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Drubahadur and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones received the Guyana Under-19 team who successfully defended their regional title on August 2 in Jamaica.

Drubahadur welcomed the boys, noting that they have made their country proud.

The President stated that the executives, members and staff of the GCB were overjoyed at their victory.

He acknowledged how various players answered the call to take the team home on different occasions.

“It was evident that this team played as a unit and they enjoyed each other’s achievement. That is something vital if any team is to be successful and I am pleased that at the youth level, you guys showed maturity and stuck to your game plan. Apart from the victory, you fellas have been excellent ambassadors for your country and the GCB. We have been following your behaviour as well and we received good feedback.

I must applaud you and the management team in this regard as well.”

President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Drubahadur, and Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, share a moment with the winning Guyana Under-19 team

Director Jones congratulated the team for retaining their title, explaining that it is good to win something once but to do it more than once, back to back, is great. He also alluded to the players’ efforts to dominate the tournament again.

“You didn’t become complacent and underestimate your opponent at any time, even when you had already qualified for the final; you went out and played professionally. That is what top sportsmen do and you should be extremely proud of yourselves.”

Jones also commended the GCB for sticking to its mandate and producing and se-

lecting winning teams.

He stated that the Government of Guyana was committed to the development of sports and it would work with the GCB to see cricket progress in Guyana.

Team Manager David Black expressed his excitement at having such a warm welcome home, and praised the players for their discipline and dedication. “I didn’t expect to see the Director of Sports here; this is such a heartwarming surprise. On behalf of the team, I wish to thank you for your concern and time. Last year we won at home, but this year we beat Jamaica in their backyard; that was over-

whelming.

The boys give it their all. It was as if they were hungry and winning was the only food available.

I am so happy to be a part of this memorable accomplishment and I would like to thank the GCB for giving me that opportunity.”

Captain Travis Persaud said everybody gave 100 per cent and they played as a team in each game which was the reason for their success.

He posited that this group of players was tough to beat, and said he was proud to be their captain. He thanked the GCB for giving him the chance, and his teammates for supporting him.

Jamaicans leave indelible mark on Los Angeles

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ALIFORNIA, United States -- These Special Olympic Games are at an end and at the time of writing, the Jamaican delegation was making final preparations to depart for home.

It was an inspirational show, marked by memorable opening and closing ceremonies at the storied Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the hosting arena for the 1932 and 1984 Olympics.

Jamaica’s athletes hauled in medals for fun across almost all the eight sporting disciplines they competed in. Track and field, bocce, aquatics, basketball and badminton won medals.

Female volleyball, female futsal and male unified football came up short, but they ought not to be too hard on themselves.

It looked to me that they were up against teams with a lot more experience and general know-how.

That brings me to the basketball team and their special achievement. In every game I saw them play, they were up against teams with better chem-

ily ties there, so naturally I asked about the origin of the name. It turns out the cat’s veterinarian, quite a good one apparently, had Jamaican heritage.

(Jamaica Observer)

istry and players with superior ball handling skills.

But blessed with plenty of athleticism, they fought tooth and nail and were handsomely rewarded with the silver medal in their division.

Track and field, predictably won the largest chunk of medals, and there were many notable displays.

But the person who dominated all else was Kirk Wint. A few days shy of 14 years old, he jolted spectators’ emotions with mindboggling displays of bravery and determination.

Though not able to run upright, he competed against athletes who raced in traditional fashion in a 50-metre event. And from his position on all fours he nearly won bronze. A day

later, he won the gold medal in softball throw. His comment after collecting the medal told its own story: “You know how long me a wait fi dat.” If his story doesn’t inspire you, nothing else will. People here cannot stop talking about the “miracle”.

Jamaicans were among the most popular competitors here and Wint’s glorious success only enhanced matters.

Brings to mind my bumping into a Games volunteer the other day who told me she had named her cat Jamaica. She told me the poor animal left this world after living all of 22 years.

The volunteer said she had never been to Jamaica and has no fam-

Alia wins bronze in 100m breaststroke at FINA Champs

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ingston, Jamaica: Jamaica’s sensation Alia Atkinson completed another historic feat when she won bronze in the 100-metre breaststroke final on day three of the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia, on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old stopped the clock at 1:06:42 minutes, behind rivals, Yulia Efimova (1:05.66) of Russia and Lithuanian world and championship record holder, Ruta Meilutyth (1:06.36), to capture the country’s first medal in the history of the world long course swimming championship.

Ironically, the final places would have been justified as Atkinson had earlier set a new national record of 1:06:21 minutes in qualifying for the finals with the third fastest time behind Efimova (1:05:60) and Meilutyth (1:05.64).

The event was one of the most anticipated final of the day, with home girl Efimova carrying the hopes of garnering Russia’s first gold medal in the swimming events.

It was Meilutyth, the Olympic champion, who dictated terms from lane five with a very fast first 50 metres.

But, Efimova riding on the waves of the supporters, made a fantastic recovery in the second half of the race and decisively accelerated for the victory, leaving the Lithuanian to barely hang on for the silver, as she was a mere six hundredths of a seconds ahead of Atkinson.

Atkinson, has been one of the best in this event in

Jamaica’s bronze medallist Alia Atkinson poses after the medal ceremony for the 100m breaststroke final at the Swimming World Championships in Kazan, Russia, on Tuesday

the last couple of years, a position which she justified by being the first black woman to win a world swimming title when she triumphed in the 100m breaststroke at the world short-course championships late last year.

She claimed the title and equalled Meilutyte’s world record of 1:02.36 in the process -- although under governing body FINA rules this still equates to a new record. Atkinson, who was ninth two years ago in Barcelona, has now established a rich swimming legacy by winning a medal at every major competition, except the Olympics, a feat she will be hoping to achieve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next year.

For Efimova, this was her ninth medal at this level since 2009.

In Barcelona 2013, she had visited the podium on three occasions, all in breaststroke events.

With her latest success in Kazan, she is the only swimmer in the Worlds’ history to have won gold medals in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke.

(Jamaica Observer)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

Guyana’s table tennis JAAA head lashes distasteful insinuations in media doping leak champion secures scholarship in USA K

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Chelsea Edghill

aribbean, National Junior Champion and junior Olympian Chelsea Edghill has secured a partial scholarship to Lindenwood University, Missouri, USA commencing August 24 on account of her sport and academic exploits.

The scholarship is expected to last for five years and will allow the threetime Sportswoman of the Year to actively train, play and participate in highlevel competitions against top-level players on a consistent basis with a view of achieving a 2020 Olympic qualification.

The college is fourth in the intercollegiate rankings and Edghill will play 13 collegiate tournaments from September 2015 to April 2016 before breaking for summer.

In addition, Edghill is paired with highly ranked world-class players from Poland, Brazil, and Ghana among others on the female team and will be under the tutelage of Coach Chance Key. The intercollegiate ta-

ble tennis circuit is becoming a nurturing ground for some of the world’s best table tennis athletes/players.

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) in a press release noted that Edghill is a player of the future and a potential Olympic medallist.

Edghill is expected to pursue chemistry and physics as part of her academic studies and will benefit from a 75 per cent scholarship which will require support from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Corporate Guyana and possibly Government. The GTTA also pointed out that typical scholarship opportunities in table tennis usual cover just 50 per cent of the athlete’s costs.

Meanwhile, Edghill is currently in the US preparing for the China Latin America Training Camp scheduled for August 1117 in San Juan, Puerto Rico which brings the best junior players in Latin American together with

players from Chinese national teams and elite coaches.

In a statement published on her Facebook Account, Chelsea expressed the following: “As most of you already know, I’ve been accepted to Lindenwood University. I’m extremely grateful and thankful for the opportunity to pursue Academic Excellence at this University.

I must say thank you to all the persons who were and still are influential and supportive in my journey to success. Firstly, I must thank my Parents for their moral support and guidance, my Coaches and mentors Idi Lewis and Ms Lisa Lewis and not forgetting my Teachers at The Bishops’ High School and my lessons Teachers especially Mrs Harris, Sir Carryl and Ms Shirley Elinor Jordan. Without your undying support and guidance, this would not be possible.

I must also say thank you to my Sponsors: Continental Group of Companies – Sunburst and Mr Aaron Fraser Wartsila for ensuring my attendance at The Youth Olympics and other tournaments and also the Guyana Table Tennis Association for chartering my course to table tennis success. Mr Godfrey Munroe Thank You!!

To my friends, family, teammates, fans and well wishers, THANKS A MILLION!!! Thank you for teaching me the value of friendship and that giving up is never an option!

Once again THANK YOU!!”

ingston, Jamaica - Jamaica’s poster boy for athletics Usain Bolt has been listed as one of the few athletes in the latest doping scandal to have recorded no abnormal results.

A leak of doping tests data from the ruling International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) by a whistle-blower, detailed ‘suspicious’ blood tests in a fresh allegation of cover-up in the sport just weeks before the World Championship in Beijing.

But Dr Warren Blake, President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), dismissed the latest allegation that has rocked the athletics world as unfortunate.

“It was almost like when they got the data they were hoping that someone like Usain Bolt is among the suspicious category, because it did not need to be mentioned,” said Dr Blake.

The Sunday Times and German broadcaster ARD/WRD have obtained access to the results of 12,000 blood tests from 5,000 athletes, and according to the newspaper, the evidence reveals the “extraordinary extent of cheating” by athletes at the world’s biggest events.

The report used two anti-doping experts, scientists Robin Parisotto and Michael Ashenden, to review the data and they revealed a third of medals

Dr Warren Blake, President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association

(146, including 55 gold), in endurance events at the Olympics and World Championships between 2001 and 2012, were won by athletes who have recorded suspicious test results. It is claimed that none of these athletes has been stripped of their medals.

“It’s a little unfortunate because it represents the leak of confidential information,” noted Dr Blake.

He continued: “If you realise, in the information, nowhere is it saying people are hiding positive tests. It doesn’t show that these people were tested positive or the IAAF was covering up a raft of positive tests.”

“But the impression is that the IAAF was covering up, and in doing so, is protecting drug cheats,” said Dr Blake.

The JAAA boss, who will be seeking one of the nine seats for Ordinary Members on the IAAF Council from the 39 nominees later this month,

said the leaked story is misleading.

The investigative story also showed that more than 800 athletes -- one in seven of those named in the files -- have recorded blood tests described by one of the experts as “highly suggestive of doping or at the very least abnormal”.

Ten medals at the London 2012 Olympics were won by athletes who have dubious test results.

In some finals, every athlete in the three medal positions had recorded a suspicious blood test.

The reports also stated that Russia emerges as “the blood testing epicentre of the world” with more than 80 per cent of the country’s medals won by suspicious athletes, while Kenya had 18 medals won by suspicious athletes.

“Stars such as Britain’s Mo Farah and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt recorded no abnormal results,” the reports showed.

from back page

Cricketers Cove, Rebels cart off ... for the losers as ex-Guyana Under-19 player and Canadian batsman Shiv Seeram claimed two wickets for three runs from a solitary over.

When Rebels batted, another former Guyana youth player Troy Gonsalves produced a fine performance to make 24 while Seeram returned with the bat to score 17.

Moin Khan was the most successful and impressive bowler for Wakenaam with three victims conceding five runs from his allotted three-over spell.

Meanwhile, this publication caught up with the Most Valuable Player; Mohamed, and he expressed great satisfaction with his performance and more importantly, his team emerging as the top team.

Mohamed, who began playing competitive cricket since 2004 in Canada, stated that he was eager to make an impression on such a big

occasion and thanked his fellow colleagues to be very supportive.

“I [am] extremely delighted to be on the winning side today (Saturday); the game was very competitive but we got a great opportunity to prove that we are a winning team,” the 37-year-old Mohamed related.

Mohamed also mentioned that he wants to represent the League in the forthcoming Mini Softball World Cup (Toronto Cup) early September which will be hosted by Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club and teams are expected from Guyana, Florida, New York and Canada to compete.

Speaking with Kim Sue, the daughter of the late Norman Sue, she revealed great pleasure to come on board and already signed a long-term association with the OSCL. She reminisced on her father’s ardent commitment to the game

and had no hesitation in honouring him in this regard. His name is synonymous to sports, according to Kim, who is an active executive of the OSCL. Meanwhile, president of the OSCL, Albert Ramcharran expressed optimism that the League will pull off another successful Families’ Day Event on Saturday at the Asthonbee facility too.

Three main matches are scheduled for the day, inclusive of the Ten-Ten Whiteball Championship game between Caribbean Sensation and Masters in the A Division.

In the Conference B Division, Rebels and Wakenaam will match their skills again for the trophy after East Coast relinquished it.

The Kiddy under-16, 8-over match will be played simultaneously while an All-Star Fixture will follow with the outstanding players from the League participating in a 20-over contest.

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WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Binnie, Mahfood cop Guyana’s hockey players WATA All Jamaica impress at Player Tournament in Trinidad Squash titles

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i n g s t o n , J a m a i c a : Defending champion Chris Binnie claimed his sixth title and Mary Mahfood won her first senior trophy as the WATA All Jamaica Squash Championships, which wrapped up over the weekend.

Facing his strongest competition in recent years, Binnie pulled out all the stops to beat his fellow professional player Lewis Walters, who was out to end Binnie’s dominance on local soil.

The training partners played a brutal first game, with Binnie barely managing to prevail. However, with one game under his belt, the reigning National and Caribbean champion grew in confidence convincingly winning the second game and then staving off a third game rally to beat Walters 1513, 11-4, 11-9.

“It was one of the toughest finals I’ve had at the All Jamaica because Lewis is such a strong player, so I’m very happy that I came out on top because no matter where in the world I play it means a lot to me to defend my national title,” Binnie said.

In the ladies competition, Mahfood delivered a commanding performance to beat Alyssa Mullings 11-9, 11-4, 11-8 and dethrone the two-time champion.

The win gave Mahfood, the current All Jamaica Under-19 champion her first senior title and an edge over Mullings, her team-

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Newly crowned All Jamaica Senior Squash champions Chris Binnie (left) and Mary Mahfood celebrate after receiving their trophies at the awards ceremony of the 2015 All Jamaica Squash Championships which wrapped up over the weekend

mate and arch-rival.

“It’s never easy to play Alyssa because she’s such a fighter, but I’ve been working on my game playing on the US college circuit, and I’ve sharpened my match skills, so I’m very happy with my performance at this tournament,” Mahfood said.

Mahfood was also voted Most Outstanding Female Player, while senior national team player Bruce Burrows was the most outstanding male. The gutsy journeyman prevailed 14-12, 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 14-12 to beat Julian Morrison for third place, making him the top amateur player in the men’s draw.

Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) President Chris Hind said, “We could not have

been more pleased with how the tournament unfolded. As professionals Chris and Lewis are lifting the level of local squash and we were thrilled to see Mary, a junior champion, breaking through to the next level and winning a senior title.”

Tournament sponsors Wisynco, manufacturers and distributors of WATA, also expressed satisfaction with the 2015 Championships.

“WATA is very pleased to contribute to the growth of local squash,” said Andrew Mahfood, CEO of the Wisynco Group. “We anticipated that this would be an exciting competition and we’re thrilled that the players delivered consistently throughout the tournament.” (Jamaica Observer)

uyana’s national junior men’s hockey team got off to a slow start in their opening match at the Player Tournament against Malvern Sports Club in Trinidad and Tobago last weekend.

The Guyanese struggled to adjust to the fast pace of the artificial turf and were given a master class in free-flowing, high-tempo hockey by a Malvern side, which boasted five senior national players.

By the end of the first half, the Guyanese found themselves down 0-3.

After making some tactical adjustments at half time, Guyana firmed up their defence and scored one goal in the third quarter through a Keon McKenzie ‘tomahawk’ shot.

The lead was then cut to one when Aroydy Branford latched onto a pass from Captain Mark Sargeant and sent a diving reverse shot under the advancing goalkeeper. Now within sight of tying up the score, Guyana employed a high press, but this tactic also left them vulnerable to counter attacks.

Malvern went ahead 4-2 when a misdirected clearance from goalkeep-

er Medroy Scotland rebounded favourably to a Malvern forward who made no mistake with the finish.

Senior national player Shaquille Daniels then put the Trinidadian side up 5-2, with a brilliant individual run which he finished powerfully past Scotland’s left post.

The Guyanese didn’t flinch and scored less than a minute later with a Paramanand Dindial tap in on the last post off a Branford shot that was going wide of the upright. Although Guyana continued to press, the Malvern defence held strong and maintained the advantage to end 5-3 victors.

In their second match of the day against Queens Park, Guyana found themselves down early in the first quarter once again. Despite creating several goalscoring opportunities over the next two quarters, the Guyanese forwards failed to convert.

It was not until late in the fourth quarter that Captain Sargeant drew his side level with a spectacular dive to finish a Hilton Chester through pass.

The goal seemed

to breathe new energy into the Guyana attack.

Playmaker Branford weaved his way through three defenders then sent a powerful tomahawk shot towards the last post which was put in by Ato Greene.

Guyana then dropped to half court and played solid defence to preserve their lead for the final five minutes.

On day two, Guyana rested their captain Sargeant and midfielder Leon Bacchus for their match against the Under-21 training squad side. Although completely dominating the match, Guyana’s finishing was again poor, but they managed to keep a clean sheet and run out 2-0 victors, compliments of a Branford double.

Although Monday was a tournament rest day, Guyana took on Trinidad’s powerful national Under-21 team, which featured several senior national players who recently returned from the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada. Both teams are preparing for the Pan American junior championship, which is scheduled for Canada next year.

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

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

INTERNATIONAL WEEK ENDING AUGUST 6, 2015

Cricketers Cove, Rebels cart off OSCL/Norman Sue Bakery trophy - Family’s Day Event set for Saturday….

By Ravendra Madholall

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ricketers Cove and Rebels carted off the 2015 15-over knockout Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL)/ Norman Sue Bakery-sponsored trophies recently at the Asthonbee ground in Scarborough.

Former national youth batsman Ejaz Mohamed hit an unbeaten 41 to inspire Cricketers Cove over defending champion Dant in the Conference A Division, while Rebels disposed Wakenaam in the Conference B Category.

The right-hander struck three fours and a six as his team safely reached 80-6 with five balls to spare, replying to the former champion Dant’s

Rebels celebrating their win over Wakenaam just after the game.

challenging 79-9 from the allotment of 15-overs.

Veteran batsman Kumar Doodnauth played a use-

ful innings too, contributing a steady 15. Earlier, former Guyana skipper Damodar Daesrath top-scored for Dant

with 15, while Doodnauth proved his all-round capability picking up two wickets for 13 runs from three overs.

Gopaulchan Beharry was also in the wicket-taking column bagging 2-15 off three overs, delivering for Cricketers Cove on a sunny day.

This is first time Cricketers Cove have won the 15-over competition since its introduction three years ago, but they had dominated the 20over tournament with three consecutive titles in the same Conference A Division.

In the Conference B Division, Wakenaam took first strike and only managed an insufficient 92-9 from the allocation of 15-overs while Rebels responded with 94-6 off 12 overs.

Krishna Persaud made 26

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