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ISSUE NO. 132

CANADA EDITION

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Guyana Consulate announces recall of non-machine readable passports

WEEK ENDING january 15, 2015

Guyana Consulate in Toronto Sattie Sawh

See story on page 5

Jamaicans in Canada to invest in stock market come April 1 Page 8

State Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade Arnaldo Brown ( Jis file photo)

NIHERST boss: Diversification necessary in TT

Page 10

Guyana's President Ramotar received the prestigious Privasi Bharatiya Samman award for his immense contribution in the field of public service and for fostering ties between Guyana and India.

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NEWS

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

Guyana’s Culture Ministry, GT&T launch first of National Collection catalogues

G

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Culture Ministry, in collaboration with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company, has launched the first of a threepart series of coffee table books cataloguing the country’s National Collection of paintings.

“Panorama: A Portrait of Guyana” features paintings and craft done by local artists.

These artworks were taken from the National Collection of Art housed at the National Gallery in Castellani House.

In May last year, Culture Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and GT&T Chief Executive Officer RK Sharma

GT&T CEO RK Sharma handing over a copy of “Panorama: A Portrait of Guyana” to Culture Minister, Dr Frank Anthony in the presence of the compliers Alim Hosein and Ohene Koama

signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to digitalise the National Collection, and publish the resultant catalogue as a series of books, which

will foster wider appreciation for local arts.

GT&T had plugged some Gy$10 million into the project which covers a three-year period.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Sharma said that the company prided itself on being a national institution and took advantage of every opportunity to do more in the areas of culture, sports, art, and education.

He pointed out that digitising the collection would preserve and showcase, to a wider audience, Guyana’s diversity in terms of artists,

content and significance.

Citation and understanding of local works as well as preserve hundreds of pieces.

“The visual arts, I believe, can have a strong influence on the development of our society.

Whilst all of us can agree that these arts provide us pleasure, the truth is that they also foster creative inspirations, they promote cross-culture dialogue and understanding, (and) they bring important social issues to the floor and foster goodwill and collaboration among the various sections of society,” Sharma stated.

Meanwhile, Minister Anthony pointed out that many Guyanese had not had the opportunity to see the huge National Collection at the Castellani House.

The Minister noted that because the collection has about 1200 pieces, there was not enough space to put the entire collection on exhibition at once. Furthermore,

he said whenever exhibitions were organised many persons would not attend; as such, through the books, they were giving Guyanese the opportunity to view the work of local artists.

The Culture Minister explained that the breath of work in the first book is actually telling a story about the evolution of art in Guyana; about when and how it first began but mostly it reflected the beginning of Guyana.

“What we are bringing to people is helping people to see Guyana, see what we have here from a different perspective so for that reason alone, I think this book project is a fantastic one,” he proudly mentioned.

The book features 55 pieces of artworks including paintings and sculptures. The next two books will are expected to be published within the next two years and will feature more amazing artworks done

by Guyanese artists.

(Guyana Times)

Trini wins UK Youth Leadership Award P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: A 26-year-old Chevening Scholar from Enterprise, Chaguanas has won a Youth Leadership Award endorsed by the Queen of England.

Meet Teocah Arieal Anika Dove, a former Valedictorian at the Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive, with close to ten years of volunteerism, advocacy and activism experience.

Dove is among 60 young leaders from across the British Commonwealth to be awarded with The Queen’s Young Leader Award. She is one of the first young women to receive the award, which recognises exceptional youth who demonstrate leadership in the area of community development.

After graduating from the College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of TT's Associate of Applied Science degree programme in Journalism and Public Relations, Dove completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Communications at the School of Business and Computer Science (SBCS), then pursued a Master of Sciences degree in Gender and International Relations as a Chevening

Scholar at the University of Bristol.

A statement released by Dove after news broke of the award names SBCS Academic Administration Manager, Abbigail Ajim, as "the only person I call my ROLE MODEL!" At the core of her success, she said, is a heart for volunteerism and service to humanity.

"I would like my generation to know that while work for monetary gains is a good incentive, volunteering adds a wealth of knowledge and experience to your life which will last your lifetime, beyond finances earned."

The compelling beauty of Teocah Arieal Anika Dove's story is not in her past but her future. In June 2015, she will receive the award from Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace. And it is after that that her real work will continue, as she will be expected to continue her praiseworthy vocation of transforming communities and changing lives.

One big difference? She will now be able to use the prestige, training, mentoring and network that come with an award endorsed by the Queen!(TT Guardian)

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EDITORIAL

President Donald Ramotar (centre) while on a six-day official state visit to India takes time out to take a picture with Maharashtra's Governor, Vidyasagar Rao and his wife Vinoda. Also present were Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Indian officials, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, Managing Director of BK International Mr Brian Tiwarie and Chief Executive Officer NEW GPC Dr Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop.

Wildlife trading Dealing with those T falling oil prices P here is much importance being placed on protecting the world’s wildlife by international development partners and Governments. The United Nations (UN) has set aside a special day – March 3 – as World Wildlife Day aimed at celebrating and raising awareness of the world’s wild flora and fauna.

The Day is now considered a perfect opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild flora and fauna and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people.

Based on findings from international researches conducted, there is a strong case for Governments and international partners to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.

The world is witnessing how persons are engaging in the trade of wildlife for their own financial gain to the detriment of present and future generations.

Countries such as Guyana must be commended for retaining much of their wild biological diversity in the face of climate change and other factors adversely affecting wildlife the world over.

Guyana, which is regarded as a model in terms of protection and preservation of biodiversity, has been very proactive in ensuring that careful attention is being placed on the way wildlife is managed and preserved.

While there is much to boast about, there is still a far way to go in terms of effective management and conservation of our wildlife.

There are numerous reports being made about persons illegally hunting and trading wildlife resources.

On many occasions no one knows what really comes out of these complaints – including if any investigation was launched, or if there was any prosecution. The wildlife trade is very lucrative and persons are taking advantage of it.

There is still a high level of ignorance about how important wildlife is to our own survival. According to the World Bank, the loss of iconic species is a tragedy with broad and deep impact.

Animal, plant and marine biodiversity keep ecosystems functional. Healthy ecosystems allow us to survive, get enough food to eat and make a living. When species disappear or fall in number, ecosystems and people – especially the world’s poorest – suffer.

Biodiversity is especially important to the poor – 75 per cent of whom live in rural areas and depend on nature for their food and livelihoods. When we protect animals and plants, we also protect the ecosystems that underlie our economies and well-being.

Now that special regulations have been enacted to ensure proper and effective management of Guyana’s wildlife, and a Committee appointed to help Guyana advance in terms of the way we address wildlife management and conservation, it is hoped that we would see positive results.

The Wildlife Management Steering Committee represents the interest of all relevant public sector institutions and their stakeholders. It acts in an advisory capacity to provide general oversight and guidance in the development of strategies and programmes for wildlife management and conservation in Guyana as per the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations 2013.

There is much work ahead. One of the first major tasks it should tackle is carrying out a well thought out public awareness campaign as it relates to the importance of protecting and preserving our wild flora and fauna and to curb the illicit trade involving wild animals and their products.

Many are still unaware of what the regulations allow for. They must be educated in this regard. That said, we have taken note of the Ministry’s announcement that a communication strategy will be implemented to inform stakeholders and the general public on key issues related to wildlife management and conservation in Guyana.

In our view, it is necessary that the issue of wildlife management and conservation be tackled holistically; meaning, all stakeholders – communities, non-governmental organisations and various agencies of the State, etc must become involved in the process and work toward enhancing cooperation and collaboration in the effective management and conservation of the country’s wildlife.

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago’s August 2014 Economic Bulletin indicated that authorized dealers purchased just over 70 per cent of foreign exchange from energy companies.

The energy sector accounts for around 85 per cent of the country’s merchandise exports, while just about 50 per cent of government revenues come from the energy sector. This highlights the importance of the energy sector to the economy. If the price of oil remains low or continues to fall below US$50 a barrel then there are a number of channels through which one can expect the economy to be affected. These are the fiscal, trade, and forex channels. Through these channels a number of possible socio-economic consequences can be faced which include, fall in government revenue, increasing government debt to finance a fall in revenue (assuming no change in expenditure), fall in GDP, fall in investment, forced adjustment in government expenditure (at some point), fall in exports, current account external balances come under pressure, fall in foreign exchange earnings, fall in foreign exchange holdings if no measures are put in place, slowdown in business activity as business sentiment wane, pressure on the exchange rate, inability of the private and the public sector to maintain the wage bills, freeze on wage increases or a forced reduction in wages across the board and curtailment of capital expenditure. These are just some of the main possible consequences and not an exhaustive list, it is no wonder that as citizens we are all concerned.

It is important to remember that on average, 54-58% of energy-derived fiscal revenue comes from gas. At present Trinidad and Tobago produces about eight times more gas ( boepd:barrels of oil equivalent per day) than oil, and

the effective tax rates average 65-70% for oil and 57% for gas. Assuming oil production at 81,500barrels of oil per day (bpd) and WTI at $US70/ barrel, and gas production at 4.1billion cubic feet (bcf) per day at a netback price of $US2.75/mmbtu the fiscal impact would be a loss of $TT1.0 billion or 2% of total revenue.

How are these figures arrived at? The prices TT actually gets for its crude oil and gas vary, and are publicly unknown. The estimates above were arrived at by making use of the IMF’s methodology. The IMF uses a simple average of Brent, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Dubai Fateh as a proxy for Trinidad and Tobago’s oil price, and a simple average of Henry Hub and Indonesian LNG for Trinidad and Tobago’s gas price. It is estimated that for every $US1.00 change in the price for Trinidad and Tobago’s crude oil, assuming production constant at 81,500 bpd, the fiscal impact from the Supplemental Petroleum Tax (SPT) on oil alone, would be $US25 million for the full fiscal year. Note that SPT revenue averaged 18% of energy-derived fiscal revenue in FY 2011 and 2012, according to the Trinidad and Tobago Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative reports. This can give the reader an idea of the magnitude of the loss in revenue for every dollar change in oil price.

The government, to address the revenue shortfalls, can either issue more debt or make fiscal adjustments. Since we have considerable social, institutional and regulatory risk the Government may find it harder to adjust, owing to those structural issues. Should the government’s response include the use of the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund ( HSF)?

Should this be absolutely a last resort? In an election cycle what should the citizens demand? Protecting the vulnerable has to be a top priority. It should also be demanded that adjustments to expenditure

should be gradual rather than sudden, since this will mitigate the impact on the economy and the average citizen.

If no adjustment takes place in aggregate demand (Government and consumer) then to pay for the goods and services that we need to import use will have to be made of the foreign reserves held by the Governor of the Central Bank.

Prior to the fall in oil prices it has been difficult to get foreign exchange to conduct legitimate business, thus one can only imagine how difficult it would be to get foreign currency as the energy sector contracts. This inability to pay foreign suppliers may lead to a further difficulties in sourcing goods and result in increased costs seen by the public in higher prices. There is also the concern that if additional debt is taken on to run the country that the increase in debt will affect debt/GDP ratio. Although one may argue that some adjust may take place in the denominator as the GDP contracts.

However, care has to be exercised as both the Government and Petrotrin may have external bonds that may have call options premised on the debt/ GDP ratio and Balance sheet of the company respectively.

One avenue that a shortfall in government revenue may have to be addressed is through an increase in the levels of unemployment, as the full employment level has been propped up by a number of government initiatives. If these were to be dropped or scaled down it is likely that the unemployment level may increase to double digits. Indeed the shortfall in revenue may affect employment from another perspective, that of the number of vacancies in the public service, which was reported at over 13,000, may be unfilled leaving not only persons unemployed but also hampering the capacity of Ministries to deliver services to us the citizens, as if it could not get worse. (TT Newsday)

News WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

Explore Afrofuturistic arts and culture at Kuumba's 20th Anniversary Festival, February 6–8

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O R O N T O , C A N A D A : Harbourfront Centre celebrates Black History Month with Kuumba's 20th annual edition (February 6–8), part of the TD Then & Now Black History Month Series and in association with Black Artists' Networks in Dialogue (BAND). This three-day festival provides Torontonians and guests the opportunity to transcend time and celebrate Afro-Canadian culture. Featuring a range of performances, films and family activities Kuumba expresses an alternative, Afro-centric glance to the future.

Under the guiding theme of Afrofuturism, Kuumba explores the Afro-Canadian experience through the works of a variety of artists. Programming includes the comedic perspective of Kenny Robinson's Nubians on the Waterfront Comedy Show, the musical upand-comers’ We Got Next! Music Showcase,

craft and storytelling activities for families, thought-provoking panel discussions and much more. Esteemed writer Roxane Gay also presents her dramatic debut novel, An Untamed State, in a special Kuumba In Conversation event in partnership with IFOA. Other notable Kuumba programmes include dance workshops, craft activities, Canadian film premieres and more.

"As one of Toronto's longest-running Black History Month celebrations, we are thrilled to mark this milestone with the community as we look ahead through the lens of Afrofuturism," explains Sergio Elmir, Artistic Associate and programmer for Kuumba. "We hope to raise important questions about yesterday, today and tomorrow as well as inspire new ways of thinking."

Highlights at a glance : • Music: We Got Next! featuring Pierre

Kwenders, Keita Juma and Shi Wisdom • Comedy: Kenny Robinson's Nubians on the Waterfront Comedy Show • Dance: Zayo!

Esie Mensah's Black Stars and dance Immersion presents Queens Calling • Films: Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise, NFB Celebrates Black History Month for Kids and more, including several Canadian premieres.

• Literary: In conversation with Roxane Gay andThe Great Black North: An Afternoon of Poetry • Family: 'A' is for Afrofuturism craft and storytelling activities for families Tickets for Kenny Robinson's Nubians on the Waterfront Comedy Show as well as In Conversation with Roxane Gay are available for purchase at the Harbourfront Centre's Box Office. For the complete Kuumba Festival event listings, visit harbourfrontcentre.com/

Kuumba. For information on how to get here, visit harbourfrontcentre. com/gettinghere.

ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE

Harbourfront Centre is a Canadian charity operating the 10 prime acres of Toronto’s central waterfront as a free and open public site. We celebrate the multiplicities of cultures that comprise Canada and enliven the city through the creative imaginations of artists from across the country and around the globe.

ABOUT TD THEN & NOW SERIES

TD salutes the contributions of members of the black community to Canada by proudly sponsoring the Then & Now series of cultural events.

ABOUT BAND

Black Artists' Networks in Dialog (BAND) is dedicated to supporting, documenting and showcasing the artistic and cultural contributions of Black Artists in Canada and abroad.

New Consulate General of Jamaica Toronto appointed

M

r. Wilks, a career diplomat with over 25 years of experience in the Jamaican Foreign Service, has replaced Mr. George Ramocan, whose tour of duty ended on November 30, 2014.

Mr. Wilks is formerly the Director of the Diaspora and Consular Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and has been actively involved in Jamaica's citizen diplomacy for several years. He has played a central role in the or-

ganization and execution of the last two Biennial Diaspora Conferences and has helped to coordinate the launch and operation of the Mapping Jamaica's Diaspora Project.

During his career he has also worked in the areas of protocol, foreign trade and international economic affairs, and has served overseas in various capacities at the Jamaican Consulate General, Toronto; Jamaican High Commission, London and the Jamaican Embassy, Havana.

Mr. Wilks holds an MSc

in International Business from the South Bank University in London; an MA in Diplomacy and International Relations from the University of Westminster, London; and a BSc in Geography and the Social Sciences from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

A former Major League footballer for the Bull Bay Football Club, Mr. Wilks enjoys farming, horseback riding, swimming and chess.

Mr. Wilks officially began his duties on 5th January 2015.

State buys prison for TT$230 million P ORT-OF-SPAIN,TRINIDAD: The State has purchased the Santa Rosa Correctional Facility/Prison at a cost of TT$230 million, Minister of Justice Emmanuel George said on Tuesday.

During Senate Question Time, the minister was asked a series of questions on the facility by Opposition Senate Whip Camille Robinson-Regis.

George said the process of acquiring the 16.23-acre facility was completed on November 22, 2014. Robinson-Regis asked the minister to also confirm the amount of money spent on repairs to date. The minister said this totalled TT$50 million. No period was specified.

Outfitting costs were not included in the figures, with the minister not being able to answer supplemental questions on that separate matter.

George said the facility was evaluated by the Commissioner of Valuations. Asked if the amount paid matched the evaluation, George said, “the Government was guided by the valuation given by the Commissioner of Valuations in agreeing to the payment.”

The minister could not state whether planning permission for the facility had been given as per its current purpose, a matter raised by PNM Senator Faris Al-Rawi. (TT Newsday)

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Guyana Consulate announces recall of non-machine readable passports

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he Consulate General of Guyana in Toronto wishes to remind all citizens of Guyana residing in Canada presently holding non-machine readable (“green-coloured”) passports that effective 31st December 2014 they will be required to hold machine readable (“blue-coloured”) passports (MRP) in order to travel.

After 31st December 2014, Citizens of Guyana will not be permitted to travel using a non-machine readable (“greencoloured”) passport.

Please note that the new machine readable passport is in compliance with the standards set by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the organization that governs the specifications and guidelines

for travel documents.

Consequently the introduction of the new machine readable passport is being instituted to enhance the security of travel documents, to protect against counterfeiting and fraudulent operations.

All citizens of Guyana are asked to take note and to be reminded that original copies of all relevant supporting documents, namely birth certificates, marriage certificates, deed polls, citizenship documents, divorce decrees etc. are required and must be presented when submitting an application for the (MRP) Guyana passport.

For more information, please visit our website www.guyanaconsulate.com or contact the Consulate at 416-494-6040.

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News

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

Guyana Consulate hosts Open House

EPOC Co-Chair Also Confident Jamaica Will Pass IMF Quarterly Test

By Ravendra Madholall

INGSTON, JAMAICA: CoChair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, is also expressing confidence that Jamaica will pass the seventh consecutive International Monetary Fund (IMF) quarterly test.

This follows similar sentiments expressed by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, at a function in Montego Bay last week.

Addressing journalists at EPOC’s monthly press briefing on Tuesday, Mr. Byles reiterated that the country has successfully met and surpassed all targets for November under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the IMF, noting that “this positions Jamaica well to meet the seventh quarterly IMF test.”

A review of the performance for the seventh quarter is currently underway by the IMF mission to Jamaica and the results will become

O R O N T O , C A N A D A : The Guyana Consulate in Toronto hosted its annual Open House on Thursday at the Office in Scarborough for the Guyanese Diaspora and Consul General Sattie Sawh was delighted to see members.

In her feature address, Sawh stated that she wanted to take the opportunity to welcome everyone and to wish members New Year’s greetings, especially at this festive season which demonstrated love and happiness.

“Certainly, I [am] again delighted to have another function of this nature welcoming everyone and to wish you a Happy New Year and hope we will have a successful year; I know the effort by the Consulate had been great in 2014 and we looking forward to work along with you guys,” Sawh related.

Sawh brought greetings to the Guyanese community on behalf of the government and peo-

K

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, gives an update on the performance of the economy at a press briefing, held in New Kingston on on Tuesday.

available by the end of this month.

Mr. Byles indicated that contributing to the positive performance for the quarter under review is strong performance in the primary surplus and the Net International Reserves (NIR).

Data provided by EPOC show that for the quarter ending November 2014, the country’s primary surplus balance stood at Ja$54.4 billion, which is Ja$5.8 billion or 12.8 per cent better than the target of Ja$48.2 billion. A

primary surplus occurs when the government’s income exceeds its expenditure.

Meanwhile, looking further ahead, the EPOC Co-Chair said the quarter of January to March 2015 is a critical period for the government, as it strives to achieve the primary balance of Ja$121 billion.

Mr. Byles said to meet this target, the government will have to be aggressive in collecting every dollar of revenue as well as be very tight on the expenditure side. (Jis)

T

ple of Guyana and His Excellence President, Donald Ramotar and proposed a toast to the occasion.

She took the opportunity to meet everyone and exchanged personal greetings.

"This is a time of peace, love and enjoyment for people across the world, and is special for everyone in a unique way – in whatever form you observe the season, let there be happiness and tranquility for you and those around you." mentioned Sawh.

Special Guest Bas Balkissoon, MPP (Scarborough-Rouge River) was also excited to be a part of the night’s proceeding and expressed his gratitude to Sawh for the invitation.

“I am honoured to coming to this event and it really shows the relationship we have with the Guyana Consulate; I know the Guyanese Community is indeed happy to come out and show their support over the years in Toronto and I want to wish everyone best wishes in 2015,”

Balkissoon declared.

City Councillor of Ward 39 in Scarborough, Jim Karygiannis also graced the occasion and congratulated the Consulate for their continued commitment and dedication to serve the Guyanese Community in Toronto.

Meanwhile, Sawh promised that the Guyana Festival will definitely be on this year at a venue and date to be announced soon. It is expected to take place in Scarborough during the summer.

Last year’s event was called off owing to the unavailability of a venue and Sawh knew the Guyanese Community was disappointed.

With the 2015 Pan Am Games scheduled to commence mid-July in Toronto, the Consulate will have events that co-incide given the fact athletic teams from Guyana will be participating.

Several outdoor activities are also carded for the day while Parliamentarians from Guyana will attend to share the special day.

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

News

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19 mining equipment suppliers in Guyana to receive duty-free waivers

G

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: Amid criticisms that it is not doing enough to cushion the impacts of the slump in gold prices on local miners, Government has disclosed that it has implemented a range of measures, including the granting of tax waivers to mining equipment suppliers.

In a statement, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said that Guyana’s gold mining sector has a sound footing and continues to grow.

However it noted that the sector is vulnerable to international market conditions. Noting that the gold mining sector has been the catalyst for economic growth and has improved the economic well-being of citizens of Guyana, the ministry said this has been achieved because of the consistently rising levels of gold declaration over the last decade. “The importance of the gold mining sector to our economy cannot be over emphasized since gold has been the largest earner of foreign revenue for the last seven years.”

It is in this light that given the low gold pric-

The adoption and use of mercury free and improved recovery technologies are even more critical now given the low gold prices experienced by the sector

es on the international markets and the resulting impact on the mining operations and the mining sector, the Government of Guyana (GoG), through the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), engaged the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and identified areas of concern and implemented measures aimed at ensuring that the sector

remains viable.

In this regard, specific interventions were made and are continuing, to support the sector and ensure its survival, continued growth and contribution to national development.

According to the ministry significant progress has been made through constructive dialogue at the level of the Inter-Ministerial. Task Force that was formed to undertake specific interventions aimed at supporting and streamlining the sector.

To date, the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment have succeeded in completing several interventions in support of the sector.

Among them, the ministry said is duty free waivers on spares and equipment.

The ministry said it supported the request for the waiver of tariffs and duties on equipment and spares and this was granted by the Government and implemented by the Guyana

Revenue Authority. “A list of nineteen (19) suppliers of mining equipment and spares was approved for tax waivers on the importation of said equipment. This will reduce the cost of spares and critical supplies for miners and is an addition to the items that are currently imported duty free, such as Pumps, Flexes, and Matting etc.”

Additionally, the ministry said given the request and appeals of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association regarding the high cost of fuel as a main input into the production process, a fuel importation Licence was granted to allow for the cheaper importation of fuel.

The statement said too that Government, Ministry and stakeholders of the sector, most importantly GGDMA, are aware of the need to increase gold recoveries and eliminate the use of mercury in the gold extraction process.

With regards infrastructure, the ministry said it continues to undertake the rehabilitation of hinterland roads and infrastructure to ensure that mining lands are easily accessible.

“Discussions are continuously ongoing as it regards the maintenance of hinterland infrastructure and ensuring that value for money expended is achieved. In pursuit of this, a combination of approach was undertaken.

GGMC is currently reviewing feasible road designs and construction methods that can be adopted bearing the constraint of financial resources in mind.

Simultaneously, efforts are being made to implement Road Users’ Agreement for specific heavily traversed roads that are prone to destruction, since it is recognised that heavy usage of the road in wet conditions lead to damage and require continuous rehabilitation at significant cost.”

“The Government and its Ministries/ Agencies will continue to work to ensure that the sector achieves its full potential, while contributing significantly to the growth and development of Guyana. The Ministry and GGMC will continue to work with the GGDMA and all other stakeholders for benefits of the sector,” the statement concluded.(Guyana Times)

Bamboo ketchup now available in Jamaica K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: As the government moves to further the development of the bamboo industry, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is currently encouraging investors to take advantage of byproducts in the sector.

Already, there is organic bamboo charcoal on the market, and the latest is bamboo tomato ketchup, which was developed by recent university graduate and head of Jamdun’ Food Processing, Chevaughn Bowen.

Several other value-added products are being looked at by the Bamboo and Indigenous Materials Advisory Council (BIMAC), spearheaded by Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ).

Bowen said he got the idea to make the bamboo tomato ketchup while in discussion with director of special projects at the BSJ, Gladstone Rose, who heads the

Government’s bamboo programme.

He then went to China to have a first-hand look at that country’s bamboo industry, and to do further expert research on the properties in the bamboo edible shoots.

After he returned, he began producing the bamboo ketchup, which is available locally.

The young innovator, who copped the 2010 Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association top prize for his hot and spicy barbefry sauce, says young people who have innovative business ideas should ensure that they are placed in the marketplace for development.

“Idea on paper is no idea at all. Putting a prototype together and trying to get it out there in the market is best. Your idea sitting on paper, it makes no sense. I believe that everybody coming from university should have that state of mind, to become innovative,” he said.

For state minis-

State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams (2nd left), listens as manufacturer of the Bamboo Tomato Ketchup, and head of Jamdun’ Food Processing, Chevaughn Bowen (centre), tells about the product. Looking on are, from left, chairman of Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Professor Winston Davidson; director of special projects at the BSJ, Gladstone Rose; and export development manager at JAMPRO Marlene Porter. (Jis)

ter in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, the

product (bamboo ketchup) is the first of its kind in the world, offering a number of vitamins.

Export development manager at JAMPRO, Marlene Porter, said the bamboo ketchup will be

showcased at an upcoming business show in Montego Bay. (Jamaica Observer)

8 News Jamaicans in Canada to invest in stock market come April 1 K www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Beginning April 1, Jamaicans residing in Canada will be able to participate in trading and other related activities, on the local stock exchange.

This, as the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) is set to receive authorization (designation) from the Canadian administration, which will facilitate this arrangement, via the Internet, for the over 300,000 persons of Jamaican descent and origin, currently residing in that North American country.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Arnaldo Brown, said the arrangement will also afford native Canadians the opportunity to participate in the local stock market, which will enable

State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Arnaldo Brown (standing), greets resettled residents and other persons attending Monday’s launch of the Jamaica Association for the Resettlement of Returning Residents’ (JARRR) revamped website, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. Brown was the guest speaker.

them to receive tax credits in that country.

A tax credit is a sum subtracted from the total amount a taxpayer owes the state, and di-

rectly reduces taxes.

The State Minister made the disclosure on Monday, while addressing the launch of the Jamaica Association

Guyana’s President secures multimilliondollar funding for ECD-ECB road

for the Resettlement of Returning Residents’ (JARRR) website, at the Jamaica Conference, downtown Kingston.

Brown, who has re-

sponsibility for Diaspora affairs, said the JSE is pursuing similar arrangements for Jamaicans in the United States (US), and United Kingdom (UK).

“So…Jamaicans, who are looking for outlets to invest, to buy shares, to buy stocks (and) to own companies that are traded on our stock exchange, can do so from (their) particular location,” he noted.

“The…advent of technology gives us the opportunity to have what we consider to be a borderless Jamaica. Jamaicans in the UK, Canada, (and) Jamaicans in the U.S. can participate in the activities in Jamaica, without setting foot on Jamaican soil,’ he added.

The revamped website, which JARRR

TT promoters warned over use of copyright works

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President Donald Ramotar and his counterpart, Narendra Modi in discussion in the presence of Indian officials as well as Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar and Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Elizabeth Harper

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: President Donald Ramotar on Thursday secured a multimillion-dollar line of credit from the Indian Government to construct a major road, linking the East Coast Demerara with the East Bank Demerara roads.

The agreement was tied up between President Ramotar and India’s, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi held on the sidelines of 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Gandhinagar. Modi also agreed to provide “concessional credit” to supply a passenger ferry to help Guyana overcome transportation problems. The securing of the loan to build the road could be seen as a major success of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration amid a turbulent political climate here.

Modi in his meeting with President Ramotar said too that India would set up its first IT Centre of Excellence on the South American Continent, in Guyana.

MEA spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin said that Guyana has been added to the list of 43 existing countries whose nationals are getting tourist visas on-arrival.

“Guyana will be the 44th country,” the official said. The Housing and Water Ministry had had announced around August last year that it commenced work on the massive outlay of the road project infrastructure linking East Coast with East Bank Demerara.

The project described as the new alternative by-pass road would stretch

from Diamond, East Bank Demerara, all the way to Ogle.

Housing Minister Irfaan Ali had said then that the project was being designed and that a feasibility study has been completed for this project and was submitted to the Indian Government for financing. Ali had said that while they waited on the decision from India, it had been completing all surveys and designs for the project in the meantime. The Minister explained that the Ministry has been putting itself in a state of readiness to go out to tender.

President Ramotar, during his New Year’s message to the nation had said that this will catalyse US$65 million in investment, building 20 kilometres of roads and supporting infrastructure.

Moreover, the Head of State said that in the first half of 2015, “we will be constructing an alternative link between Diamond and Eccles, which will greatly relieve traffic congestion for commuters on the East Bank of Demerara.”

Over the past years, Government has been spending billions of dollars towards improving the country’s road infrastructure.

The East Bank road is being extended into four lanes from Providence to Diamond with US$20 million loan from the Inter American Development Bank (IDB). This project is expected to be completed during the course of this year.

(Guyana Times)

President, Percival LaTouché, described as “rebranded, refreshed, and retooled,” will cater to returned residents, persons in the Diaspora, businesses, among other stakeholders, by providing direct linkages to products and services offered locally.

The site can be accessed at www.ja-rrr. com.

In commending the JARRR’s initiative, Brown described the website as a “very important… (and) critical tool of communication,” for persons living in and operating businesses in the Diaspora, as well as in Jamaica.

It is estimated that upwards of three million Jamaicans reside in the Diaspora, with the majority of these located in the US, Canada, and the UK. (Jis)

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Whether event promoters are hosting a fete, or any other public event during Carnival, or at any other time, they are being reminded that they must obtain permission to use “copyrighted musical works.”

The warning came on Monday from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the Legal Affairs Ministry, which stated that “such permission must be obtained from the respective Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) that are appointed by the owners of these works to administer the licensing of rights, collection of royalties and reinforcement of rights on their behalf.”

The IPO also said event promoters should be aware that each CMO represents the works of different artistes, and as such, “a licence must be obtained from each CMO representing

each artiste’s works to be used at an event.”

Event promoters were also informed that they bear the responsibility to determine which CMO represents the musical works to be used at the event/s they are involved in.

It should also be borne in mind, the IPO advised, that situations will exist where a licence may be required to cover traditional author/composer rights and another licence required for the rights of performers and the producers of sound recordings (under neighbouring rights).

“A promoter may have to make adjustments to ensure that multiple CMOs are paid. This situation is not unique to Trinidad and Tobago, as many other countries have multiple CMOs for musical works.” (TT Newsday)

Jam’ca Agri Society to host National Agriculture Summit this month

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) will be hosting the Inaugural National Agricultural Production and Food Security Summit, on Thursday, January 22, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

JAS president, Senator Norman Grant, said yesterday said that approval was given to the suggestion at the first meeting of the society for 2015, which was held last Wednesday, at its Church Street head office in downtown Kingston.

Senator Grant said that the objectives of the summit include the development of strategies and recommendations to increase Jamaica’s agricultural domestic production by an average of 10 percent per year, over the next five years.

He added that this would move domestic production from 615,000 metric

Senator Norman Grant

tonnes in 2013, to one million metric tonnes by 2019, and to identify finance strategies that will lead to at least Ja$1 billion accessible funding for the agricultural sector.

The summit will also feature expert presentations, break out panel discussions and a consolidated action plan from panel reports. (Jamaica Observer)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

US couple gets bail, Guyanese publisher back in court Duty-free vehicle scam…

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E O R G E T O W N , GUYANA: The remigrant couple Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan accused, along with Glenn and Bhena Lall, of defrauding the government of more than Gy$100 million in import taxes for two luxury vehicles appeared last Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face fraud charges.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is claiming that the Brijnanans of Number 61 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, imported two Lexus SUV motor vehicles into Guyana under the Government’s Remigrant Scheme, but gave the vehicles to Kaieteur News Publisher Lall and his wife.

According to the GRA, this is in breach of the Customs Act and the conditions of granting the dutyfree concession; as such, charges were filed.

The first charge stated that between June 18 and September 13, 2013, they knowingly aided and abetted each other in the fraudulent evasion of import duties of Customs on two Lexus LX570 motor vehicles. The second stated that they made and subscribed to a false declaration in a matter relating to the Customs by falsely declaring the value of the vehicles to be US$44,158.

In court, when the four charges were read by Magistrate Judy Latchman, the Brijnanans individ-

ually pleaded not guilty to the two sets of charges.

Magistrate Latchman released the couple on their own recognisance and told them to return to court on February 6, when the matter will be heard again. The couple was represented by Attorneys Sandyal Kissoon and Robin Hunte during the proceedings. Lall and his wife were also in court to lend support to the couple.

On October 13, the Lalls appeared before the court to answer to the said four charges, to which they pleaded not guilty and were released on self-bail. The charges against the newspaper publisher and his wife included knowingly dealing with goods with intent to defraud the GRA of duties on the said two motor vehicles.

They were represented by a list of attorneys namely: Khemraj Ramjattan, Nigel Hughes, Joseph Harmon, Christopher Ram, Rex McKay, Bettina Glasford, Brendan Glasford, and Robin Hunte. At that time, the Brijnanans had gone back to the U.S. and were hence unable to make court appearances on two separate occasions. The couple subsequently returned voluntarily to Guyana on December 9.

According to documentation submitted by the couple to the GRA for the tax exemption, Narootandeo was a cleaner in the U.S. while his wife was a housewife. It is unclear how, with their income, they

Narootandeo Brijnanan

were able to raise over US$186,000 (Gy$37 million) to purchase two brand new Lexus SUVs. And since Gharbassi does not have a licence to drive either in the U.S. or Guyana, it would appear that if the money was the Brijnanans’ one of the vehicles was being purchased as a “spare”.

Sources have said that Lall may have likely transferred the over US$186,000 to the couple’s bank account in order for them to purchase the two brand new vehicles, which they later imported to Guyana under the guise of the remigrant duty-free scheme being run by the Government. This would explain why the vehicles were being driven by Lall and his wife Bhena, and were never taken to Berbice where the elderly couple resides when in Guyana. (Guyana Times)

Jamaica Customs implementing measures to reduce transaction time

Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Customs Agency, Major Richard Reese (Jis)

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is implementing new measures to streamline its business processes and reduce transaction and waiting times for customers.

“These customer service initiatives not only speak to the service delivery provided by our staff, but also all our business processes and of course updating our information systems technology,” said Major Richard Reese, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JCA.

Reese said that the agency is continually striving to enhance its services in an effort “to establish a culture that exemplifies quality customer service and high maintenance of service standards.”

He noted that since receiving executive agency status in 2013 the entity has gone through a number of organisational changes in accordance with its long term modernisation plan.

“We are doing very well both in terms of revenue and trade facilitation within the confines of the existing legislation. So, we are now in the process of amending the laws to facilitate better trade,” the CEO said, adding that some of the laws have already been changed to support electronic transactions.

“Our regulations are to be amended to support the flexi-work week to look at shift systems, so we are continually in the mode of change and reviewing our business processes,” he noted.

(Jamaica Observer)

10 News Jamaica appoints first female public defender K www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica’s first public defender, Howard Hamilton, on Monday hailed the appointment of Arlene Harrison Henry, a 37-year veteran in the legal profession, who was announced as the country's first female public defender.

"I think it is an excellent selection. I was privileged the other day to see her résumé. It was literally overwhelming; I couldn't believe in such a short space of a lifetime she could have done so much," Hamilton told the Jamaican media.

Governor General Sir

Arlene Harrison Henry

Patrick Allen on Monday announced the appointment of Harrison Henry to the vacant post of public defender. Her ap-

pointment takes effect on January 19.

Hamilton indicated that he expected the new public defender to excel

in the office.

D o n o v a n Walker, president of the Jamaican Bar Association, said he was confident that Harrison Henry would bring a level of intellect and hard work that would be beneficial to the people of Jamaica, particularly the less fortunate in society who require the work of the Office of the Public Defender.

"The Jamaican Bar Association is very familiar with Mrs Harrison Henry's work, as she was a past president of the association for many years, and in that regard we have come to know her work and worth and

we are confident that she will discharge her duties effectively and perhaps even help to grow that office from strength to strength," he said.

Called to the Bar in 1978, Harrison Henry worked in the public service until 1983. Her last job as a public servant was assistant Crown Counsel in the Attorney General's Chambers.

Harrison Henry then moved on to establish her private practice, where she became wellknown for her work as a human-rights activist.

She was elected president of the Jamaican Council for Human Rights in April 2006. In

the same year, she was appointed to the Police Civilian Oversight Authority and since 2009 has served on the Police Service Commission.

The news release from King's House said Harrison Henry's educational qualifications, track record of performance as an attorney-at-law and humanrights advocate, "as well as her high sense of civic responsibility", make her eminently prepared for effective service as public defender.

Harrison Henry will be sworn into office at a ceremony to be held at King's House on Friday.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

NIHERST boss: Nepalese fined Gy$30,000 Diversification for illegal entry into Guyana necessary in TT al community” was issued during NIHERST’s Awards for Excellence in Science and Technology 2014, held at Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain on the weekend.

“If you look at the companies that were spawned Chairman of the National Institute out of MIT of Higher Education, Research, (Massachusetts Science and Technology Institute of (NIHERST) Prof Prakash Persad Technology) researchers, put ORT-OF-SPAIN, the value of the compaTRINIDAD: nies together, it would Local scientists form the 11th largest and academics received economy in the world. a tongue-lashing from “We have people from TT chairman of the National and from the Caribbean Institute of Higher at MIT. Studied at MIT, Education, Research, some teach. Why is it Science and Technology that we are unable to re(NIHERST) Prof Prakash ally impact on the naPersad for being a “selftional community here,” righteous” and “cowardPersad asked. ly” group that has chosen Declaring that evto remain “ivory tower ery other profession in people” rather than enTT speaks out on the gaging in national debate way forward for nationon how best to diversify al development and their the economy and move role in it, the NIHERST Trinidad and Tobago forchairman issued “a sinward. cere plea” to the aca“The present drop in demic, scientific and enoil prices and its attengineering communities dant reduction in the to use their various ornational revenue, has ganisations to “start brought into focus, again, to impact on national the need to diversify the life.” “We must do that,” economy. Some progress Persad advised, “in a has been made but we’ve non-partisan, a-politbeen talking about diverical fashion. We must sification since the midmake an impact, other1980s. What’s happenwise we will remain and ing? Where is the robust be viewed as ivory towand sustained debate on er people. Universities science and technology have changed worldwide and its impact and the and if we want TT to need for it to diversify move forward, then the the economy?” scientists and engineers Persad’s challenge to need to get going.” (TT his colleagues to “realNewsday) ly impact on the nation-

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Keshab Prashad Bastola, 27, of Suriname, was on Monday afternoon fined Gy$30,000 after accepting the charge of illegal entry.

The Nepalese national who resides in Suriname appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnaineBeharry.

The charge read that on January 7, at Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice, he entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without presenting himself to an immigration officer.

The Chief Magistrate then asked the defendant what he was doing in the country when Bastola replied that he was on vacation but upon his arrival, he did not see any Immigration Officer.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant said that defen-

dant disembarked at the backtrack area but Immigration Officers are stationed at the Ferry Stelling at Moleson Creek.

Bastola is expected to pay a fine of Gy$30,000 and a default of payment would result in one month imprisonment.

(Guyana Times)

Mas bands: No news on Carnival budget in TT

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Carnival 2015 is a mere five weeks away, yet the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Bands Association (TTCBA) has yet to be informed “what the budgets are” for major events during

“the greatest show on earth.”

TTCBA President and Bandleader of Mas band ‘Passion’, Gerry Weekes, lamented the lack of information about Carnival budgets during an interview with the TT media on Monday.

“We have not been

told what the budgets are, what the prize monies are. The TTCBA has never been a part of the budgeting process, so every year we ask for full disclosure of the prize money, of the costs of running competitions, for organising the Parade of the Bands (et

cetera) but that information is never provided in full.”

“If we knew the costs,” Weekes added, “then we could determine if the funding is being properly allocated and if those allocations are being used as intended.” (TT Newsday)

Jamaican Police kill man who shot dead woman, lover in jealous rage

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NNOTTO BAY, ST MARY: A man who was on Monday accused of the shooting death of the mother of one of his children and her lover in an apparent jealous rage, was later shot and killed after a confrontation with the police.

Police said Camille 'Munch' Bell, a resident of Merry Trust Lane here in Annotto Bay, and Miguel Campbell, otherwise called 'Blacks' of Aleppo, Highgate, also in the parish, were allegedly shot and killed by Oneil Anderson about 3:30 Monday morning.

Anderson, police

said, allegedly broke into Bell's home which she shares with her children and shot the woman and her boyfriend who was visiting. The shooting reportedly took place in full view of one of the woman's two children.

The child reportedly

ran to his grandmother's home nearby after which the police were called and the couple's body discovered.

The police reported that while conducting a search for the suspect later in the morning officers were allegedly attacked by Anderson

with a machete and was shot by the police.

He was taken to hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.

Community members said Bell broke off a relationship with Anderson after he was arrested and charged with murder more than a year ago. Anderson, they claimed, returned to the community and wanted to continue after he was acquitted of the murder charge, but the woman refused.

One resident claimed that Bell had complained that she had received threats from Campbell because she refused his advances.(Jamaica Observer)

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

PNM to consider TT Govt’s hanging bill

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Public relations officer of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Faris Al Rawi on Saturday said the party will consider the concerns of the Government relating to the reintroduction of legislation in the Parliament to resume hangings in TT. This follows a letter sent by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, dated January 9, calling on the party to offer its considerations for the legislation. Copies of the letter were issued to media houses on Satruday.

As of Monday, Al Rawi claimed the PNM had not yet received the letter.

“If and when we receive a copy of the letter, we will certainly address it with sincerity,” he told the TT media.

Al Rawi said there has been no difficulty in carrying out hangings in the past as it relates to the constitutionality of the prescribed penalty.

“There is a problem in the administration of justice and the delays in moving from the Assizes through all levels of appeal,” he said.

“The wheels of justice need to be better oiled and, in particular, the State prosecutorial arms of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions need to be given urgent assistance and funding.”

Al Rawi, an attorney, said tinkering with the Constitution will only invite fresh rounds of appeal for persons on Death Row as to the constitutionality of moving away from what he called the “saved present law”.

“This appears to be yet another public relations gimmick of a desperate

government willing to try anything to cling to office because it is simply incapable of explaining how a Government could have spent nearly TT$300 billion being nearly the equivalent of nearly 15 budgets added together in five years without any form of improvement in the criminal justice system,” he said.

In his letter to Rowley, Ramlogan noted he had written to the Opposition Leader on two occasions to solicit proposals from the Opposition that supports the execution of convicted murderers who are sentenced to death.

‘To date I have not received any response from your Office and I, therefore, renew my invitation from you to either indicate your support for the Constitution (Amendment) (Capital Offences) Bill, 2015, or provide a counter proposal for the Government’s consideration,” Ramlogan said.

“Having regard to the PNM’s public declaration of support for the implementation of the death penalty, I write to ask whether the Opposition would be minded to support the Government’s proposed bill to allow the sentence of death to be carried out.” (TT Newsday)

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| www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Guyana’s Opposition lacks regard for PPP/C supporters – Teixeira

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Public relations officer of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Faris Al Rawi (TT Guardian file photo)

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: Presidential Advisor and Political Scientist Gail Teixeira says if any of the opposition political parties become government they would lack regard for the supporters of the ruling People’s Progressive Part/Civic administration.

Speaking during a televised interview, she said that the behavioural pattern of these opposition parties suggests a lack of patriotism and respect for the democratic norms and traditions of the country.

Teixeira explained that these trends are dangerous.

“If you’re in the opposition, you speak for all Guyanese, you speak for all the people, obviously you have supporters in different groups, the opposition has, every time in parliament on major issues…they speak about their constituency, therefore are they saying to the people that voted for the PPP/C that they don’t count? That if they were to get into Government then they don’t count?”

She further stated that actions from members of the Opposition clearly depict that Guyana will be governed by dictators if they were to be elected Government in the upcoming elections.

“The Opposition I believe are the ones that are dictatorial. They’re the ones; you have a rather unusual situation in Guyana where the opposition is in fact the dictatorship.”

Teixeira explained that the Opposition had abused their one-seat majority in parliament to rule Guyana outside of government, by shutting

down major projects that could have benefited the nation.

“They feel that they can run the government from outside of government, they feel that they can run the government from parliament, they can cut the budget…”

She said the Opposition, over the past (3) three years, axed some Gy$90 Billion from the country’s budget therefore forcing the Government to become unpopular since they cannot deliver the goods.

“So basically, the Opposition has been misbehaving and I say to the Guyanese public, do not take lightly the behaviour of the opposition…because they’re casting their shadow as to what could happen if they were to ever get into government.”

Considering the opposition members are taking “anti-national and dictatorial positions” outside of Government, Teixeira noted that one would “hate” to think what would happen if they become the ruling administration.

On the topic of dictatorship, Teixeira highlighted that the accusation of the PPP/C being a nondemocratic party is absolutely incorrect.

She pointed out that if Guyana was indeed under dictatorial rule, then freedom of speech, press freedom, the right to protest, among other human rights would be nonexistent.

Given the fact APNU/PNC’s history came out of a background of dictatorship, the chances of them becoming dictatorial again are high. (Guyana Times)

12 News TT PM on church fundingHealth care for hundreds in Jamaica It’s a state responsibility K www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Twelve hundred residents in deep rural St Elizabeth and Westmoreland were beneficiaries of free health care provided by the recent Jamaica Medical Mission.

The mission, which features volunteer medical professionals from Florida-based Nova Southeastern University, in partnership with Sandals Resorts International and the Sandals Foundation, saw doctors and medical students hosting 15 clinics over a five-day period treating respiratory illnesses, hypertension, diabetes, aches and pains, vision impairments, skin conditions and allergies in both adults and children.

In addition to free medical checks, members of the community also had prescriptions filled by pharmacists and received reading glasses from optometrists.

Paediatric healthcare was also issued to over 60 children at the Sandals Foundation adopted school Whitehouse Early

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

Medical student at NSU Samuel Harris interacts with a patient at the Woodlands Pentecostal Church in St Elizabeth.

Childhood Institution.

Established 14 years ago, the programme was started by Don Daly, a Jamaican radio host in Florida and Dr Paula Anderson-Worts, a Jamaica-born doctor and associate professor of family medicine at the Nova Southeastern University. To date, the mission has supplied over 72,000 Jamaicans with free medical assistance and medication, a news release said.

According to Don Daly, the highest percentage of persons came in with symptoms of the Chikungunya Virus especially at the various clinics in St. Elizabeth, “We

knew that ChikV had made its way to western and central Jamaica and the team was prepared to deal with the cases. We helped the best way we could by providing ointments for rashes and pain medication.”

Daly thanked the doctors “for giving of their time to the cause” and the Sandals Whitehouse and Sandals Foundation teams for “always partnering with us and helping us to make it happen”.

He also thanked other key sponsors including Grace Kennedy and Co., Nova Southeastern School of Medicine and Women of HOPE. (Jamaica Observer)

Members of the Port-of-Spain Pathfinders wait to play during the arrival of Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Vision One Million rally at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Saturday

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: It was not a political decision, but a state responsibility. So said Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar on Saturday evening as she responded to critics who questioned the Government’s decision to give a TT$55 million Christmas gift to Christian churches last year. While some churches are still to receive their slice of the gift, Persad-Bissessar said it is government’s responsibility to support faithbased organisations.

Last week the TT Transparency Institute called for accountability and transparency in the award of the allocation to churches and make public the criteria it used to allocate the money. On Saturday, Persad-Bissessar, addressing the South Caribbean Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists Vision One Million rally at the Ato Boldon Stadium, said, “I believe that Government funding for religious organisations must never be a political

decision.”

She told worshippers whatever religion, whatever event, whatever the size of the community, “using funding as part of a support mechanism is a responsibility we all share to keep our country progressing.” She added, “It is not a decision we make at a particular moment, it is a responsibility because of how important you are to social stability and progress in ways that money cannot buy.”

She said faith-based organisations are critical to stability and harmony in TT and continued to work quietly to build a better country. “It is now especially that our priorities must put people first, not as a favour to anyone, but as the responsibility of government.

“You, therefore, and all religious organisations have a friend in my government,” Persad-Bissessar said. She said TT had been facing challenging times with the economic uncertainty tied to falling oil prices. (TT Guardian)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Shortage of pilots could really hurt CAL P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: The pilot shortage, now evident at Caribbean Airlines’ (CAL) both bases – Piarco and Kingston, Jamaica could have a serious, negative impact on the airlines’ services in 2015.

And while no one at the airline is saying whether or not the situation is critical, TT media has learnt that Captain Jagmohna Singh, whose current position is Vice President Operations, is now splitting his time between the office and commander of a B-737 jet on short Caribbean services, particularly the Caracas service which operates three times per week using a B-737 jet aircraft.

But the shortage is not the only issue that is worrying, there are a number of industrial matters between the pilots and CAL’s management. For instance negotiations for the period 2010 – 2013 remain incomplete two years later and there is the other sensitive issue of “promised” bonuses which sudden-

ly changed from “all – inclusive” to “discretionary”.

This issue remains unsettled up to today.

One of the major gripes of the pilot body is the way CAL was going about trying to solve the shortage problem. A statement from the Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) last weekend disclosed the airline was using at one time a recruiting company – Direct Recruiting – and Irelandbased organisation, offering six-month temporary contracts for B-737 captains.

The statement reads, “Two months ago, TTALPA, the recognised bargaining unit for pilots, discovered that Caribbean Airlines had been advertising for B-737 pilots at a

foreign recruitment agency based in Ireland.” The statement added that CAL had ignored TALPA’s efforts to address the contract B-737 pilot situation which forced the association to highlight the situation to both the Ministers of Labour and the Minister of National Security.

“We had trusted that the authorities would do the right thing and not permit any further hiring of contracted labour without consultation between CAL and TALPA,” the statement added.

And although the exercise has been stopped, TT media has learned there are currently some six pilots in Miami waiting to undergo simulator training at the company’s expense and they have been

there for more than a week.

The Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) has voiced their disapproval of this action since it denied the local pilots (their members) from moving up the ranks. In the stronglyworded statement, TALPA wrote, “The fair and accepted industry practice to fill a vacancy is to promote from within in order of seniority and hire at an entry level. In CAL’s case this is First Officer on the ATR fleet.

To emphasise the point one source said that last July two former CAL pilots were hired on a threemonth contract and they were still flying with the airline. If ever they are ,made permanent, it would

deny qualified juniors from move up.

Adding fuel to the shortage fire is the resignations have been rampant at the Jamaica base.

It is understood that last year alone at least a dozen pilots has quit CAL for other positions in the Middle East and Africa.

As a matter of fact just a few days ago recruiters from two Middle East Airlines (Emirates and Qatar Air were in Trinidad looking to recruit qualified pilots. There is quite a large number of pilots from the Caribbean working in the Middle East, Africa and India.

Recently however there has been a lot of talk in aviation circles that new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Canadian Michael Di Lollo, had approached government through a ministry with a proposal to switch from Boeing to Airbus for its jet fleet. CEO Di Lollo is an experienced A-330-300 pilot, the same aircraft type that is contained in the proposal.

Canadian sources have

also told the TT media that overtures have been made to the Montreal-based Bombardier aircraft manufacturer with the possibility of replacing the trouble-plagued ATRs with the hi-tech Q-400. CAL turned down the Q-400 four years ago in favour of the ATRs. As far as can be determined the proposal has remained just that — a proposal.

However, the surfacing of the proposal for a fleet change, has given rise to another scenario. Maybe CAL’s hiring practices as far as pilots are concerned — hiring pilots on contract — is really short term because if in fact the fleet change becomes a reality, the airline would have to spend millions to train its present permanent complement of pilots on the new Airbus aircraft Efforts to reach Chairman Phillip Marshall to get a comment on the pilots’ situation proved futile, while messages to CEO Di Lollo were either not received or ignored. (TT Newsday)

Rohee concerned PNCR wrangling could harm electoral process in Guyana

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The ongoing internal conflict of the A partnership for National Unity (APNU) and its mother party, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), could not only harm the parties themselves, but the electoral process.

APNU and PNCR Leader David Granger has reportedly come under severe criticism from grassroot supporters for imposing a militarised

structure on the leadership of the coalition, drawing a wide crosssection of former military personnel to serve at its helm. Concerns grew also over the alleged increasing isolation of party stalwarts from leadership within the APNU. These among other issues, including the recent announcement by the party leader that he was foregoing a previous decision to use the primaries model for the se-

lection of a Presidential Candidate for the party, have reportedly stirred up trouble within the PNCR, the major player within the APNU coalition.

The party is prepared to struggle for the maintenance of political stability and the constant improvement of the well being of all Guyanese, the General Secretary said. The PPP/C’s concern over these developments, Rohee noted, is further compounded

TT govt to build on tourism

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: In light of the continuing fall in oil prices, president of the Hotel and Tourism Association in Tobago, Christopher James has said government should look at offsetting these losses by building the country’s tourism product.

He said tourism marketing should be increased, and there should be continued investment in the sector to ensure a year-round sustainable tourism industry.

“And we in Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago can get more, we only get two per cent of the regional tourism and we should aim to get double that, triple that, as quickly as we can,” James told the TT media earlier this week.

He said additional flights are expected to Tobago for 2015, as two flights from Monarch continue for the remainder of the peak season, Apollo has returned with its fifth flight, bringing Scandinavian visitors, and the Brazilian market has opened up.

“We now have a Brazilian flight starting on the 31st of January from

Sao Paulo, which would be coming once a week, shared with Barbados, and that’s going to give us another originating destination, so diverting our dependence on any one part of the world.

What’s interesting from the news from the US market is that because the oil price has dropped, they are spending less money on gas for their cars, less money on oil for their heating, so they actually have more money to spend,” he said.

James said Tobago still needs 1,000 to 1,500 more quality rooms, for the tourism sector on the island. (TT Express)

by the alarming expose’ which finds that the financing the AFC/APNU

combination is being mobilised by a gathering similar to the “Desmond

Hoyte’s CREEP under the guise of the FUCOP”.

(Guyana Times)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

Divorce overload in Jamaica - Long list of petitions to end marriages bogs down legal system

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Hundreds of Jamaicans stuck in loveless marriages are finding it difficult to move on with their lives as the court system is being bogged down by the high number of petitions for divorce.

Lawyers, litigants and even judges last week expressed concern about the huge backlog of divorce petitions despite several measures implemented to speed up the process.

A check last week revealed that there is a backlog of 600 divorce petitions in the Supreme Court, with one attorney suggesting that more personnel be appointed to deal specifically with the processing of divorces, as the current system is buckling under the growing demand for this service.

Attorney-at-law Ingrid Clarke-Bennett said although it should ideally take six months or less to get a divorce, she finds that it takes more than a year in several cases. In the interim, people's lives are put

on hold as they await the court's decision.

"I don't think the system was made to accommodate the breakdown of so many marriages.

Perhaps at the time that we set up the system, it was not contemplated that in the future we would be having so many divorces on a constant basis," Clarke-Bennett told the Jamaican media.

"But I guess we have to adjust and move forward when things change, so we need to now perhaps put in place adequate personnel to check these documents so people can get these divorces and move on with their lives," added the attorney who has been practising for 27 years.

Based on data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), the number of divorces granted in Jamaica moved from 1,654 in 2008 to 2,410 in 2013.

An almost 46 per cent increase in the five years.

Figures for 2014 are not yet available.

And while the divorce rate has been trending upwards, the number of persons getting mar-

Barry Davidson, CEO of Family Life Ministries since 1983.

ried has been steadily decreasing over the last few years. Data from STATIN indicate that the number of persons who got married declined from 22,152 in 2008 to 18,835 in 2013.

One court official who acknowledged that there is a huge backlog of divorce petitions disclosed that steps are being taken to have the judges clear the backlog as quickly as possible.

One of the measures implemented was that the judges who were appointed to act last term

were not reverted during the three-week legal vacation. Instead, they were assigned to assist in the clearing of the backlog.

"Chief Justice Zaila McCalla is actively trying to find a way to solve the problem," said the court official who asked not to be named.

She explained that the judges are given between 15 and 25 divorce cases each week, in addition to their heavy workload.

According to one of the judges, part of the

problem hindering the speedy granting of the divorce petitions is that the lawyers make too many mistakes on the petitions.

The judge said each time there are mistakes on the documents they have to be sent back to the civil registry for the lawyers representing the petitioners to correct the mistakes.

"I must admit that some petitions have several mistakes, and sometimes after they have been sent back for correction they still come back with mistakes," said the judge, who noted that while some lawyers do their work properly others do not.

"When children are involved, the judge has to certify that the arrangements are satisfactory.

Even when the petitions are sent back for correction, they sometimes take months to come back to the civil registry," added the judge.

One member of court staff also noted that when a divorce petition is filed, checks have to be made to make sure that the respondent is served.

Once the respondent acknowledges service, then the application for the divorce petition must be served on the respondent.

According to the court official, before the Matrimonial Causes Act was amendment in 2006 for divorce to be granted in chambers, many persons were afraid to go before the court to get their divorce.

There are at least 10 divorce cases placed on the weekly court list to be done by a judge within two hours, but in an effort to reduce the backlog the judges are asked to do an additional 15 cases each week during their spare time.

Divorces petitions are granted in two parts. The decree nisi (a document that says that the court doesn't see any reason why you can't divorce) is granted and then six weeks later an application can be made for the decree absolute which makes the divorce final.

The Bench and Bar are now working together to find other ways to speed up the process.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Guyana: consultation on draft plan for Kanuku Mountains Protected Area G EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Protected Areas Commission (PAC) will be hosting a Public Meeting on the Draft Management Plan for the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA), located in Region 9 (Upper Takutu, Upper Essequibo) with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE).

The event will take place at the Protected Areas Commission, National Park, Thomas Lands, Georgetown,l the ministry said in an advisory. The objectives of the Meeting are: to present the Draft Management Plan for the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area; to seek stakeholders’ feedback based on their review of the draft Management Plan and to seek stakeholder inputs on the implementation of the Management Plan.

The KMPA was first proposed as a potential Protected Area in 1999 as part of establishing a Protected Area

Kanuku Mountains

System for Guyana. The designation of Kanuku Mountains followed an extensive delineation and consultation process which began in 2007. Subsequently, with funding support from the Government of Germany many, the Guyana Protected Areas System (GPAS) Project was established, with activities focused

on building and supporting a Protected Areas System in Guyana.

Following the enactment of the Protected Areas Act in 2011, the legal mechanism for the recognition and declaration of the KMPA as one of Guyana’s national protected areas was provided. The draft Management Plan outlines the principles and

strategies for the 5-year development and management of the KMPA. The KMPA falls within IUCN Category VI – Managed Resource Protected Area (MRPA), as are the other protected areas of the GPAS. A MRPA serves to address a combination of conservation goals and social, cultural, and economic goals of communi-

ties and resource users.

Such a protected area is expected to be large enough to maintain viable populations of key species with significant portions of the area in a natural condition. It includes areas where stricter protection is mandated and zones where natural resources are managed and used in a sustainable man-

ner.

The vision for the KMPA is that “The KMPA demonstrates sustainable resource utilisation while ensuring the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It promotes collaboration with stakeholders for management and decision making, generates benefits which improve human well-being, and serves as a model to the world.” The development of this Management Plan would not have been possible without the funding from the German Development Bank (KfW) and Conservation International, as well as the enthusiasm, participation, feedback, and support of communities and various national stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the document is still available for the public to review and make comments at www.nre.gov.gy; comments on the document can be submitted to pac. guyana@gmail.com or to the Protected Areas Commission. (Guyana Times)

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Jamaican graduates urged to get involved in transformation process

Members of the graduating batch of 2014 from Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, The Mico University and Moneague College, who graduated with Master of Science degrees from the Central Connecticut State University, take part in the ceremony, held on January 11 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in St. James.

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, has urged graduates of tertiary institutions to become actively involved in the education and transformation process, to advance their communities and the country.

Addressing Master of Science (MSc) graduates from Central Connecticut State University, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, on Sunday, the minister said by undertaking and completing the course of study, the graduates

would have already signalled that they intend to be serious transformational players.

The 43 graduates are from Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in St. James (14); Moneague College in St. Ann (seven) and the Mico University College in Kingston (22). They earned their degrees in Educational Leadership.

“Your course of study is crucial to my country and your country’s development. As educators, you are committed to this process by your decision to pursue and further your own professional development,” the

minister added.

Miss Hanna congratulated the graduates on their achievement, noting that they “have already prepared themselves to be counted among the cadre of transformatives.”

Meanwhile, the minister said the collaboration between the three local tertiary institutions and Central Connecticut State University, must be commended.

She emphasised that at this time, Jamaica needs more collaboration among all sectors, in order to meet the country’s goals and objectives.

“For some reason, we do not necessarily like to collaborate, but we have to …we must. When you are able to collaborate, you become more deliberate and you actually get more done, because more people have the information,” the minister said.

Citing her ministry’s success in meeting its goals, she added this was made possible as a result of immense collaboration between all the stakeholders.

“I am very happy to say that we have been able to achieve our objectives of 2014 going into 2015 as a ministry. We could have only done this by really having cooperation,” she noted. (Jis)

Oil spill training for energy companies in TT

Joyce Moyer, CEO of Jaxon Mattison Consulting LLC, addresses participants during a workshop on Incident Command System at Petrotrin Staff Club in Pointe-a-Pierre

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: In the aftermath of 2014’s destructive oil spills, public and private energy companies are being schooled by US consulting company Mattison Jaxon on dealing with industrial and environmental disasters.

However, Energy and Energy Affairs Minister Kevin Ramnarine said the four day workshop on Incident Command Systems (ICS), organised by his ministry, had nothing to do with Petrotrin’s major spillages into the Gulf of Paria in December 2013 and the Guaracara River last August.

He added the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved workshop was a require-

Former Guyana President praises Sri Lankans for good election spirit

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Commonwealth Observer Group that monitored the recently-held elections in Sri Lanka has commended the people of Sri Lanka for the spirit in which they participated in last week’s election.

The high voter turnout of 81.52 per cent reflects positively on the Sri Lankan people’s strong commitment to the democratic process, the group – led by former President Bharrat Jagdeo – said in a statement.

The observers further commended the key political actors for accepting the results of the election and for reinforcing in their public statements the need to respect the rule of law in the days to come.

The Commonwealth Observer Group has been present in Sri Lanka since January 2, 2015.

The Group’s mandate was to observe and consider all aspects of the electoral process and as-

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

sess compliance with the standards for democratic elections to which Sri Lanka has committed itself. Where appropriate, the Group will make recommendations for the future strengthening of the electoral process.

The Group was also tasked with considering, among other things, whether conditions existed for credible elections, including a fair pre-election environment, the transparency of the entire process, whether voters were free to express their will, and whether the counting

and results process was transparent.

“Over the next four days and before our departure, the Group will complete its Final Report for submission to the Commonwealth Secretary General.

Following this, he will send it to the Office of the Commissioner of Elections, the Government of Sri Lanka, political parties, relevant stakeholders, and eventually to all Commonwealth Governments.

The Final Report will, in due course, be made available to the public,” Jagdeo said in the preliminary statement.

Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, the Group had held meetings with the Commissioner of Elections; domestic observers; representatives of political parties and civil society; media monitors; the Police; legal and constitutional experts; Commonwealth High Commissioners; Ambassadors resident in Sri Lanka; the

United Nations Resident Coordinator; and international observers. The Group also attended two rallies at the end of the election campaign.

Observer teams were deployed in Colombo, the Northern, North Western, East, and Southern Provinces where they also met local officials and domestic observers.

During these meetings, concerns were raised about a number of factors during the campaign, notably: the widespread abuse of state resources, including the comprehensive bias of state media against the Common Opposition Candidate and his supporters; the use of military personnel and public officials to support the President’s campaign; the blatant use of Government monies, handouts and gifts to induce voters; and, the extensive use of stateowned public transport for campaigning by the incumbent.

(Guyana Times)

ment of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan aimed at bringing energy companies up to international standards.

Speaking at the launch of the workshop on Monday at Petrotrin’s Staff Club at its Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery, the minister explained that ICS was a uniformed reporting system used in incidents such as oil spills and major accidents. He said the training would allow companies to efficiently manage those emergencies.

“The course is being attended by state enterprises, ministries and the private sector, and we see it as part of a thrust of the ministry in 2015, in addition to our national facilities au-

dit of the energy sector to strengthen the overall Health Safety and Environment side of the business,” he said.

“It is an international standard and it is a standard we want to have introduced to Trinidad and Tobago for better management of incident and accidents.”

The course is being facilitated by Mattison Jaxon’s CEO Joyce M Moyes and included participants from Petrotrin, Repsol, bpTT, National Petroleum, EOS Resources, Coast Guard, the Maritime Division of the Ministry of Transport, Environmental Management Authority and Occupational Health and Safety Authority.

(TT Guardian)

Tragedy in St Vincent K INGSTOWN, ST VINCENT: Five people, including several children are dead, after a minibus plunged into the sea in Rockgutter, an area between Owia and Fancy on the northeastern tip of St. Vincent early Monday, according to a report by journalist Kenton X. Chance.

Police and government officials said that five bodies have so far been recovered from the sea, and one person died in hospital, while another died on the way to the medical institution, the report said.

"Police are still trying to verify how many persons were in the minibus when it plunged into the sea sometime between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m (local time). Initial reports said that as many as 20 people, including 14 students from the North Union and Georgetown Secondary Schools respectively," the report said.

It is not yet clear what caused the incident, but police say that villagers were notified by persons who jumped out of the vehicle before impact, the report said.

The terrain in that area of St Vincent is an alternation of steep inclines and deep gorges and winding roads.

The report quotes PM Ralph Gonsalves as saying that the “entire nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines…has been touched by this tragedy of national proportion. We all grieve and ask God for guidance and strength as well as we lean on one another."

Gonsalves potponed a budget speech scheduled to have been delivered to Parliament on Monday.

Up to Monday, the search and recovery efforts were ongoing, the report said. Efforts were being hampered by large waves characteristic of the Atlantic side of the island. (TT Guardian)

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Prorogation of Parliament:

Guyana’s ruling party slams UK’s interference …for threatening Commonwealth sanctions

By Alexis Rodney

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) on Monday blasted the United Kingdom for raising concerns about the prorogation of Guyana’s Parliament, dubbing the call interference in Guyana’s affairs.

The concerns raised by the outgoing British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre on Monday over the prorogation of Guyana’s Parliament was downplayed by the General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee, who said that Guyana

does not have to listen to Britain on this matter.

In fact, Rohee baulked at what he described as the continuous interference of members of the diplomatic community in the affairs of Guyana.

Since the prorogation of Parliament on November 10 last, Government has come under severe criticisms from stakeholders both local and internationally, with many calling the move by unconstitutional. The concerns raised by Ayre come a few days after similar calls were made by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Affairs Minister Tobias Ellwood, urging

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

an early resumption of Parliament. The British High Commissioner’s

call on Monday asked President Donald Ramotar to honour his obligations and either resume Parliament or set a date for General and Regional Elections.

But Rohee, at his party’s weekly press conference on Monday told journalists that Guyana does not have to answer to Britain. “This country has had its independence from Britain since 1966; we don’t have to listen to what Britain says. This is an independent country. The British have their own arrangement there too, so take it leave it, the fact of the matter is Guyana is an independent country. We have

reached where we are by the hard work of the Guyanese people and the strength of our democracy and constitution”, Rohee declared.

The Prorogation of Parliament seeped into Guyana‘s constitution even after it gained independence from Britain.

According to Rohee, this right has always been left to government’s disposal. “All of us know that prorogation was done on the basis of what the constitution permits. The British Commissioner must focus on whether this is a constitutional matter and whether the prorogation was done based on

the constitution”.

Meanwhile Rohee said that while it is a normal practice for members of the diplomatic community to become involved in the issues of the country they serve, some are becoming “more and more involved in our internal affairs especially when it comes to the holding of elections”.

Rohee said as far as the PPP is concerned, “they might be going a little bit beyond the pale and so far as diplomatic practice is concerned I understand the level diplomats should go to the country to which they have to.” (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Jamaica has highest proportion of women managers — study

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E N E V A , SWITZERLAND: A new study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has found that Jamaica has the highest proportion of women managers, globally, ahead of countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.

The study also found that while women are still under-represented in top management, the number of women in senior and middle management positions has increased over the last 20 years.

The study entitled 'Women in Business and Management, Gaining Momentum', found that the proportion of women managers in Jamaica stood at 59.3 per cent, while Yemen has the least with 2.1 per cent.

The US is ranked 15th in the list of 108 countries with 42.7 per cent women managers, while the United Kingdom is at 41st with 34.2 per cent, and the Russian Federation holds the 25th place (39.1 per cent).

Colombia holds the second place at the global level and ranks first in Latin America, followed

by Panama in fifth place.

The report presents the findings of a 2013 ILO survey of over 1,200 companies in Africa, Asia and Pacific, Eastern and Central Europe and Latin American and the Caribbean, focusing on measures and initiatives to advance women in management. The survey was carried out with the assistance of national employers' organisa-

tions in 39 countries.

"Our research is showing that women's ever-increasing participation in the labour market has been the biggest engine of global growth and competitiveness," says Deborah France-Massin, director of the ILO Bureau for Employers' Activities.

The study released on Monday, showed that only five per cent or less of the chief executive officers of the world's largest corporations are women. It noted that the larger the company, the less likely the head will be a woman.

France-Massin said it critical for more women to reach senior management positions in strategic areas to build a pool of potential candidates for top jobs such as CEO

or company presidents.

"However, 'glass walls' still exist with the concentration of women in certain types of management functions like HR, communications and administration," she added.

The study found that, at present, women own and manage over 30 per cent of all businesses, but they are more likely

to be found in micro and small enterprises.

It also contains data on the gender pay gap at management and lower levels, as well as statistics on women's achievements in education.

The study also identifies the growing momentum building around the world to advance women to higher levels of management and lists a se-

lection of the numerous initiatives from various sectors.

The study also provided recommendations to close the remaining gender gap including seeking "flexible solutions" to manage work and family time commitments as an alternative to being subject to special treatment or quotas.

(CMC)

TT MPs: We need better salaries

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Leader of Government Business Dr Roodal Moonilal has said he agrees with House Speaker Wade Mark’s position that MPs should be full-time but they must also be paid well.

Moonilal was responding to questions from the TT media with respect to House Speaker Wade Mark’s comments that there should be no part-time parliamentarians in the next session of Parliament.

Mark said if oversight is to be rigorous and robust, parliamentarians must devote 95 per cent of their time to parliamentary work. But in order to have a proper functioning Committee system, MPs must be full-time, not part-time.

He also added that parliamentarians need to be properly remunerated.

Moonilal, the Member of Parliament for Oropouche East, also noted that there was more work for MPs under the Parliament’s new standing orders.

Oropouche West MP and Minister in the Ministry of Works Stacy

House Speaker Wade Mark (TT Newsday file photo)

Roopnarine said being an elected MP is a fulltime job.

“The role of an MP is a very demanding portfolio. You have the work in the Parliament where sometimes one session goes beyond 16 hours as we saw in the Parliament last Friday.

There are also several committees that you serve on as parliamentarians,” she said.

She added that elected representatives also have to service constituents, meet with them and treat to their needs, as well as to participate

in social activities and events in the constituency.Diego Martin Central MP Dr Amery Browne also agreed that parliamentarians should be better compensated as well as workers in other sectors who feel that the rising cost of living has left them behind.

He added that at the end of the day the duties of a true representative will always be full-time, but with dwindling resources sacrifices could not only be asked from those they serve, but also from themselves as MPs. (TT Express)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Beware of unauthorised immigration consultants in Jamaica - Canadian High Commission

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Canadian High Commission has advised members of the public to beware of unauthorised immigration consultants when seeking assistance with Canada's Express Entry immigration management system, along with other immigration programmes.

Effective January 1, Canada launched its active recruitment model known as 'Express Entry'. Through this system, the country is seeking highly skilled Jamaican professionals in industries such as health care, financial services and construction.

Kate O'Brien, counsellor (Immigration) at the Canadian High Commission, said there has been a recurring problem over the years where unauthorised consultants offer their assistance to members of the public for financial gain.

"Canada has had enough of this, as it has gone on far too long now. It is not mandatory to have a consultant or lawyer, as all the information regarding the Express Entry system is on our website and is free of charge," O'Brien told the Jamaican media.

G

Kate O'Brien, counsellor (Immigration) Canadian High Commission to Jamaica.

She further noted that there is a list of the representatives who are authorised to be consultants on the Canadian website.

When the Jamaican media checked the website for the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council and searched for authorised immigration consultants who are based in Jamaica, only one name appeared and that was for Antonn Brown.

"All of the information is provided on our website, the Government

of Canada will never ask for you to submit money to a personal bank account or ask for you to transfer money to a private company," she said.

O'Brien noted that if a consultant cannot provide a consultant identification number that is listed on the website, then they are not authorised to conduct such duties by the Canadian government.

"It is unethical for these people to be taking money for false reasons," she said. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Guyanese third person extradited from TT in three days

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Ravindranauth Roopnarine, a fugitive wanted in the United States for financial and fraud-related crimes, is the latest criminal to be extradited from Trinidad and Tobago, according to a release from the Office of the Attorney General.

Roopnarine, who was born in Guyana, is the third person to be extradited in three days.

Trinidadian Shazam Meighoo and Surinamese Edmund Muntslag were both extradited under differing circumstances last week.

“The Central Authority Unit in the Ministry of the Attorney General has succeeded in extraditing yet another criminal wanted by the US law enforcement agencies,” the release stated.

“Ravindranauth Roopnarine, a fugitive on the run from US authorities for financial and fraud-related crimes, was arrested on Tuesday

Guyana inks open skies agreement with Canada

January 6, 2015. The fugitive, who is 55 years old and is a Guyaneseborn Canadian citizen, had various addresses in south Trinidad,” it said.

In December 2010, the Federal Grand Jury of Florida issued an indictment charging Roopnarine and three other individuals with six counts of mail and wire fraud; four counts of money laundering; and one count of conspiring to commit bank fraud.

“On November 12, 2014, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan SC signed the Authority to Proceed to commence the extradition proceedings and a warrant of arrest was obtained and handed over to the Interpol Bureau,” the release stated.

“Around 6.45 p.m. on Tuesday, the fugitive was observed on the premises of a restaurant and bar along Manahambre Road, Ste Madeleine.

Assistance was sought from the Senior Superintendent and police officers of the

Southern Division and Roopnarine was apprehended.

“He appeared at the Port of Spain Eighth Magistrates Court before Magistrate Marcia Ayres-Caesar, who upheld submissions made by the head of the Central Authority to deny Roopnarine bail. He was remanded into custody and the matter was adjourned to February 4, 2015.”

The release added that the extraditions show TT’s commitment to international judicial cooperation.

“This case represents another noteworthy accomplishment, in light of the recent appointment of Attorney General Ramlogan as vice-chair of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.

“It exhibits our ongoing commitment to international judicial cooperation and our promise of swift action on crossborder money-laundering and financing of terrorism,” it stated. (TT Express)

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: A high-level team from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) recently inked an open skies agreement with Canada, affording Guyanese operators the opportunityto fly to any location in Canada.

The signing of the agreement was done at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation (ICAN) meeting in Bali, Indonesia, where several other significant air service agreements were inked.

Canada is among Guyana’s largest air traffic destinations, operators out of Guyana were only permitted to fly to certain locations in the country.

In a recent statement issued by the GCAA, it was stated that the new agreement between the two countries is imperative, given the air movement between them.

The aviation body went on to say that the new agreement replaces “the restrictive existing air services agreement signed in May 2005”. The agreement will create more opportunities for greater air linkages between the two countries, since it allows Guyanese air operators to access any point in Canada, it was reported.

Guyana is a signatory to ICAO, which has approximately 191 member states. GCAA said the 7th ICAN meeting brought together 78 con-

tracting states of ICAO and was the biggest success of all ICAN meetings since its inception in 2008.

The GCAA stated that there were more than 600 participants, 550 bilateral meetings and 530 air services agreements and Memorandum of Understandings negotiated, initialed and signed.

It was pointed out that Guyana was scheduled for 13 formal negotiation meetings with China, Kenya, Curaçao, Singapore, Ghana, United Kingdom, Norway, Netherlands, Iceland, Qatar, Russian Federation, Canada and Nigeria.

Twelve of those negotiations were finalised as well as the signing of 11 Memorandum of Understandings and an agreed minutes. With the exception of Norway, all of the agreements initialed are provisionally effective until the formal agreements are signed by the respective governments, the GCAA noted.

This means that traffic rights allowable under the agreements can be immediately accessed by the bilateral parties to the agreements. Air Services Agreements were negotiated with at least one country from each of the major continents and regions of the world, the GCAA related.

These are Singapore and China from Asia; Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria from Africa; Curacao from the Dutch

Caribbean; Canada from North America; United Kingdom, Norway and Netherlands from Europe and Qatar from the Middle East.

The aviation body said these member states have emerging importance in aviation for traffic connectivity and is necessary in aiding Guyana’s strategic efforts in becoming an international hub to connect with the rest of the world.

The GCAA classified Guyana’s participation in the ICAN meeting as a major success.

“Guyana and Curaçao were the first two States to initial an air services agreement and sign a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the exchange of traffic rights between the two countries. Guyana was also among States with a high percentage of concluded agreements, that is, a 92 per cent conclusion rate.”

The aviation agency related that the negotiation of all of ICAN agreements will significantly complement the current development initiatives of the government to facilitate and enhance the country’s aviation sector.

The ICAN meeting was held from November 17 to 21 and was attended by GCAA Director General Zulficar Mohamed; Air Transport Officer Saheed Sulaman; General Counsel Amanza Walton-Desir; and CJIA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir. (Guyana Times)

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Hello from Antigua/ Barbuda: Julian Rogers starts his own radio station

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaican-born health-care practitioner Dr Rosemary Moodie is a recipient of Canada's 2014 Constance Hamilton Award.

Established in 1979 by the Toronto City Council in honour of its first female member, who was elected in 1920, the award commemorates the 1929 Privy Council decision which requires the federal government to recognise women as "persons".

As president and board chair of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Toronto since 2011, Moodie has expanded the organisation's affordable and supportive housing options for young women living with mental health and addiction issues, as well as low-income single women and those fleeing do-

Dr Rosemarie Moodie (left), recipient of Canada’s 2014 Constance Hamilton Award, with Premier Kathleen Wynne at the luncheon (Jamaica Observer)

mestic violence.

A graduate of St Hugh's High School in Kingston and the University of the West Indies, Moodie went to Canada nearly three decades ago to complete her paediatrics train-

ing at the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC). She successfully pursued an Executive Master's in Business Administration at the University of Toronto's Rotman School and is currently completing her

Master's in Public Policy and Administration at Queen's University.

Moodie, who has provided medical care for critically ill newborn infants and children while working to improve medical service delivery needs in the field of obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics, sits on Food For the Poor's advisory board and is a director of the Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education.

The HSC paediatrician and neonatologist was honoured with a Harry Jerome Award last April.

'Rosie', as she is often called, is the daughter of former Jamaica Conference Centre Managing Director Gloria Moodie and sister of attorney Margaret Moodie Jervis and management specialist Andrea Chin See. (Jamaica Observer)

S

Julian Rogers

T JOHN’S, ANTIGUA: The general view is radio in the Caribbean is dead. What started as a history of listening to hourly BBC news reports (which often served as alarm clocks for many), to hearing well-articulated Caribbean voices announcing community segments or hosting discourse on national issues has now been ravaged by rowdy DJs, accompanied by raucous popular music.

Many belonging to the era of Rediffusion or the AM band believed that radio had a particular connection unlike now. But for Julian Rogers, radio is not dead.

What matters more is quality.

Rogers, who made his name in Trinidad as a probing yet endearing talk-show host for the early-morning current affairs programme, TV6’s Morning Edition, is Barbadian by birth.

During his stay in TT, back in 1998, then prime minister Basdeo refused to renew his work permit.

On his return in 2005, he was content manager and head of news for the rebranded state-TV/ radio, now known as CNMG (Caribbean New Media Group).

Now living in Antigua, Rogers has fulfilled his dream to open his own radio station— Rogers Radio Caribbean.

The fact that he is heading into an environment that already has 20 radio stations is not a daunting one for him.

“I don’t see any threat in any real terms…What the audience expects or demands is a quality product. May the best man win. Everybody has to find a way to survive,” he said.

With 50 years in the media, advertising and public relations, Rogers’ dream has always been to run his own radio station. Setting it up was

dictated by the ability to raise money to fund it.

“I was looking at the market and where to set up,” he said. He applied for a radio licence in 2005 when he returned to Barbados. Not too long after, he returned to Trinidad to develop the CNMG brand. In 2009, he moved to Antigua, returning to Observer Radio (where he worked in 2001 as general manager) until 2012.

At CNMG, he often used the phrase “converged newsroom.” He encouraged a synergy between the TV and radio stations, with the hope that the team of reporters would understand that they could be flexible in any medium, providing what he called real news in real time. In Antigua, his philosophy remains the same.

Two months after the radio station was launched, the newsroom is scheduled to be up and running in January.

The staff comprises eight members so far, including one senior newsperson, Antiguan Omega Candy.

The setting up of Rogers Radio Caribbean is one of two milestones for the veteran journalist in 2014. In June, as part of the royal birthday celebration, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Rogers as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Broadcasting.

He acknowledges the value of the people who guided him on his career path—his headmaster who read at the front of the class, talking about what was happening in the news; his father who listened to radio news.

It was only when Rogers collected the award from Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave in Barbados on November 14 that it really hit home that he was getting this honour. (TT Guardian)

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ing “not-drunken” which was originally given on account of the curious but mistaken belief that the wearer became immune from the effects of drinking potent liquors.

Its purple colour, due to iron impurities (possibly in conjunction with natural radioactivity), its transparency and vitreous lustre make this mineral suitable for use as a gemstone.

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The semiprecious stones found in Guyana showcase the wealth of our nation. Below are brief notes on just a few of these stones and where they are found.

Jasper from Roraima plateau

Jasper is impure, opaque form quartz, belonging to the chalcedony group of compact silica minerals composed of minute crystals of quartz with sub-microscopic pores. Impurities of iron oxide and iron hydroxide impact its characteristics red, brown, cream, yellow, grey or green colouration. Jasper is very hard and takes high polish, and it used widely as

Banded and fire agate

Amethyst

an ornamental stone.

Deposits containing more than 15 million tons of bedded jasper and chert are found within a ten mile radius of Orinduik, Kurukabaru and Kato

villages which are connected by walking trails.

Jaspers found in these areas are red, grey, dark brown, cream, mottled, spotted dark brown/ cream and banded dark brown/grey, but the deep red variety is the most common. Occurrences of the green jasper are confined to the upper reaches of the Kato River, a left bank tributary of the upper Mazaruni River.

Amethyst from South Rupununi

Red jasper

Lindo Wong, former principal of Excelsior High School, receives a plaque from Faye NashCampbell, a member of the organising committee.

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Etta Whiteman, sister of former Education Minister Burchell Whiteman, was among 16 retired educators honoured by the Jamaica Methodist District for their “sacrificial service” to Methodist-run educational institutions across the island.

The awardees were lauded Friday for their outstanding contribution to academic performance and development during a luncheon at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston.

Those honoured

were Lindo Wong, Mark Loague, Pearl Morgan, Sydney Fenton, Beverly Wilson, Alison Peart, Nadine Scott, and Claudette Cope from the Excelsior group of schools; Reverend Caswell Burton, Beverly Hawthorne and Esmie McLeod from York Castle High; Valerie Marshall Lodge, and Mohan Kumar from Morant Bay High School; and Whiteman, Ivin Logan and Eileen Piggott from Westwood High.

Lilieth Deacon, the evening’s master of ceremonies, told the awardees that they have made

Amethyst is a variety of purple of bluish-violet quartz which exhibits varying depth of colour.

The name ‘amethyst’ comes from the Greek word ‘amethustos’ mean-

worthwhile contribution to the education sector and implored them to still find schools or children in need of assistance and help them.

Wong, a former principal of Excelsior High School, was recognised as the longest-serving principal, with over 22 years of service.

Others who served long, distinguished careers included Kumar, an English teacher for over 30 years, who left his homeland, India, in 1982 to join the staff at Westwood.

In 1971, Piggott joined the staff at Westwood as a chemistry teacher. During her tenure at Westwood, she played many roles, serving as a physics teacher, head of department, staff advisor to the Rangers and Girl Guides movement, grade supervisor, vice-principal and principal.

In 1987, Kumar joined the staff of Morant Bay High School where he taught for approximately 27 years. In 2014 he retired as the principal of Morant Bay High School.

(Jamaican Observer)

Deposits of banded and fire agate occur in the North Rupununi savannahs in the southwest of Guyana. The best deposits are found in Bon Millee on an old terrace of the left bank of the Ireng River in the North Rupununi savannahs, approximately 31 miles north of Lethem and in a gravel bed deposit at Sishwa, 4 miles down the Ireng River from Bon Millee.

Black pearls from Aranka, Upper Cuyuni

Brown concretionary, ferruginous nodules from Aranka, Cuyuni River, Region Seven, are tumbled and polished to produce ‘Black Pearl’ beads of high quality,

Green quartz

famed for their roundness, high lustre and the eye-catching silver jewellery creations they produce when set in rings, earrings, pendants and much more. Black pearl beads can be drilled and strung or pasted on to jewellery mounts. These pearls are easily recovered from enclosing Aranka clay by simply sieving and washing.

Although the black pearls are reported in several other countries, Aranka black pearls are known to be the best quality. The legend associated with black pearls is that the original male Amerindian inhabitants of Guyana wore them to enhance their mascu-

linity. Not surprisingly, the legend goes, the Amerindian women ensured that their men always have at least one black pearl in their possession.

Green quartz from the South Rupununi

An unusual seagreen variety of quartz from a residual deposit approximately 8km west North West of Aishalton is used to produce cabochons, paper weights and clocks. It is thought that the striking green colour is due to copper impurities in the quartz.

Green quartz is especially appealing when set in gold, gold-plated, or costume jewellery. (Text by Geologist Karen Livan)

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Jamaica’s Ziggy, Guyana’s village: The Aishalton Petroglyph complex Stephen strut G the catwalk

Stephen (left) and Ziggy Marley wearing the John Varvatos Spring 2015 collection.

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: G r a m m y winning recording artistes Ziggy and Stephen Marley have added fashion model to their resumes.

According to an article posted on www.mirror.co.uk, the brothers were chosen by fashion designer John Varvatos for his Spring 2015 collection. In the ad campaign, shot by Danny Clinch, the Marleys are seen wearing John Varvatos tailored suits.

The designer was more than happy to have the Marleys on his team.

"The Marley family is legendary. Ziggy

Marley and Stephen Marley are carrying on this legacy in their own authentic way. Working with them has been incredibly inspiring. They are truly a magical family," Varvatos was quoted as saying.

John Varvatos fashion house, which was started in 1999, offers men's designer clothing, shoes, accessories, and fragrances.

The Marley brothers also in a Danny Clinchdirected short film. The production will make its debut on johnvarvatos.com on February 5, which would have been their father's, Bob Marley's, 70th birthday.

(Jamaica Observer)

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Aishalton Village is about 60 miles southeast of Lethem in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region, in the Rupununi savannah of southern Guyana. With a population of more than 1,200, it is the home of mostly Wapisiana Amerindians.

Its famous petroglyphs can be found near the village, where acclaimed Guyanese anthropologist Denis Williams did extensive studies and theses on them. “The Aishalton Petroglyph Complex in the Prehistory of the Rupununi Savannas” authored by Williams, was submitted to the University of Guyana in 1979.

The drink of choice is ‘parakari’, a local drink made from fermented cassava in a complicated process involving up to thirty different stages. The result is a thick, greyish-brown brew, widely varying in strength and quality. If it is sweet, it can be drunk almost like water; if it is bitter, then it is a sign that the sugars have been turned into alcohol. It is commonly served out of a bucket,

Petroglyph on rocks found in Aishalton and traditionally drunk by the bowlful. According to custom, the “sharer”, whose job it is to replenish empty vessels, should return a shot for everyone he distributes.

The National Library service established a library in Aishalton in 1976. A hospital was built in the 1980s, with support from The Netherlands.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, stated in a past interview that Guyana is home to some 70,000 indigenous peo-

ple, approximately 10% of its total population.

She added that the Amerindians continue to play an essential role in the development of Guyana as their contributions in various areas such as education, economic and social development, culture, health and human rights are exemplary.

Despite the remote geographical location, Amerindians have better access to education through the construction of schools in their villages, granting of local

-stories & more from ‘The Indian Dancer’...

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Retired teacher Carolyn Ali is renowned as the widow of the late artist/television personality Ian Ali, who hosted the children’s magazine programme Rikki Tikki.

But she is also an author of the book Stories and Recipes from The Egg Lady (2011).

For Christmas, she wrote another recipe book, Stories and Recipes from the Indian Dancer.

It was launched at St Joseph Presbyterian Church Hall, Eastern Main Road, St Joseph, on December 20.

The artwork and creativity of her late spouse, Ali, dots the book and is featured most prominently on the cover— “The Indian Dancer”. The artist died on August 16, 2007 of heart failure at the Westshore Medical Centre, Cocorite.

During her remarks, Ali said she hoped the stories and recipes would dance their ways into the heart and mind of the reader, stimulating the senses with fascinating

Caribbean short stories, glorious original artwork and range of unique and delicious international recipes.

Ali said, “Stories and Recipes from the Egg Lady have grown out of love. Love of family, reading, cooking and love of art. This sequel is peopled with compelling characters in some of my most moving and thought-provoking stories. Once more shared by family members and friends from around the world, the recipes themselves are treasures to savour, while the stories linger in your mind.”

Ali paid homage to her husband’s legacy.

She added, “Stories and Recipes from the Egg Lady featured some of his most breathtaking pieces. In this sequel, Stories and Recipes from the Indian Dancer, Ali’s work is once again featured, enlivening each story with lyrical and powerful images, once more bringing my work to vivid life.”

The stories carry names including

Author Carolyn Ali signs a copy of her book, Stories and Recipes from the Indian Dance

Dulahin, The Statue of Sans Souci, The Magic Chulha, Follow The RedDirt Road, Personally, this is one Ugly Bird, The Senator’s Wife and Polly.

The recipes are the indigenous Vegetable Curry, Mango Chutney, Roseanna’s Breadfruit Pie, kurma and Johnny Bake. They are joined by exotic fare like Lizzi’s Winter Soup (Holland),

Margaret’s Lemon Drizzle Cake (Australia) and Lee’s Cowsway (Mumbai, India).

Among the collage of technicolour photographs are Ali’s Tassa Drummers, Pulling Seine, Poui at Quarry Road, Buenos Ayres, Carnival, The Potter and The Last Carib.

An excerpt from The Magic Chulha on

Christmas Day reads: “It was Christmas Day. The brothers had a little flour and some ‘fry dry’ fish.

They decided to make a sada roti and to fry the fish. They lighted the fireplace, better known as a chulha, to cook their food and the blazing fire warmed their frail bodies and their sorrowful hearts. As they sat by the chulha, admiring the

and international scholarships for Amerindian students to pursue tertiary and secondary education in various disciplines and health care services via the construction of health centres in almost all the villages, and trained Community Health Workers, doctors and other medical personnel.

Aishalton has been one of those Amerindian villages which has benefited from what was stated by Minister Sukhai.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

colourful flames, they heard a strange sound.

It was a weird haunting sound, “Too-hoo, too-hoo.” They became afraid. Ali said it was a bad omen and Singh said it was good luck.

While the brothers were debating the meaning of the strange sound, a Jumbie Bird emerged from the flames. They were astonished when the bird began to speak.

“What day is today?” It CCCC..Christmas Day,” stammered Ali.” Ali has been teaching and writing in her native TT for over 40 years.

Her publications include Four Pairs of Hands, Comforting Words Project, Island Garden (2007) a collection of children’s stories from the Tourism Development Company’s Tourism Park (2005), The Adventures of Mr Frog (2004), Front Seat (1994) and 101 Quotations (1988).

Ali dedicated her book to her children, Jo-Ann, Tammy, Patti and Judi, for all their love and support. (TT Express)

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: The fine dining restaurant Chaud is moving from around the Queen’s Park Savannah to 16 Nook Avenue, St Ann’s.

Owner Chef Khalid Mohammed explained

that the move was for many personal reasons but further explained that given the fact that Chaud has grown from just an a la carte restaurant to include a major catering arm as well, the move was an advantage as it allows him to have two large kitchens

to facilitate the restaurant’s both services.

The restaurant is expected to be re-opened later this week at the same spot which, up to August 2013, housed Chaud Creole.

Although TT is facing a possible economic downturn, Mohammed

said he is not at all concerned as his fine dining experience has made it through similar situations in the past.

Mohammed said his new location gives him a fresh breeze of inspiration and he’s looking forward to a great year ahead. (TT Guardian)

The ‘Father of Guyanese art’

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'Guyana Land of Dolorous Garde' c.1951

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Edward Rupert Burrowes was a renowned artist, art teacher (1903 – 1966) and founder of the Working People’s Art Class (WPAC). He is popularly known as the ‘Father of Guyanese art’.

Well-known local artist Stanley Greaves has stated of Burrowes, “... the picture that emerges of Burrowes was really that of an intellectual who used art to express his feelings and thoughts about aspects of his life and experiences. In his way he was doing what AJ Seymour was doing in literature”.

Greaves noted that at the end of Burrowes’ career, persons often wondered what would have become of him had he elected to pursue occupations other than that of artist and teacher.

“Because of the quality of his innate gifts there is no doubt that he would have excelled and that the nature of his contribution would have enjoyed wider recognition. On the other hand, the work he did to bring the meaning of art to those interested, and to focus some on the pro-

duction of art did function to create the beginnings of what Dennis Williams calls the ‘Guyana School’. In this sense the emergence of every generation artists in Guyana serves to widen and maintain his presence among us. His contribution and that of the other pioneers therefore become our

'The Spirit of Kaieteur' n.d.

living heritage.”

The E R Burrowes School of Art was established in September 1975 with the objective of providing aspiring artists with formal art training and education in an environment in which their talents could develop. The Burrowes School of Art was first housed at the

Exhibition Site Sophia, but in 1976, after its accommodation became inadequate, was moved to the more spacious building which was formerly the District Doctor’s residence, in Old Road, Eccles.

Subsequent moves were made to the former Lillian Dewar College building and later to Carmichael Street. In 1999 the school was moved to the former History and Arts Council building at 15 Carifesta Avenue, where it is still housed.

To quote former Principal, Keith Agard: “The purpose of this institution, therefore is not merely the preparation of students for artistic callings but also to supplement other educational institutions in Guyana by offering to young men and women opportunities for special work that shall equip them for life’s problems and for making meaningful contributions to the development of their country through specialized areas of work.” (Photos courtesy of Castellani House)

'Pamona' n.d.

Chef Khalid Mohammed says Chaud’s move to St Ann’s is to accommodate his catering and fine dining business.

Jamaica loses a visionary artist Jamaican photographer and publisher Peter Dean Rickards

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaican photographer and publisher Peter Dean Rickards who died on December 31 was considered a maverick and was an inspiration for many regional creatives.

This is an excerpt from a tribute written by Janine Mendes-Franco for the Web site Global Voices.

In the early hours of the last day of 2014, the inventive Peter Dean Rickards lost his battle with cancer.

Rickards was a photographer, cinematographer and director with an original eye, quick wit and unique perspective. He was also an astute user of social media as a vehicle for his thoughts and his art—right up until his death, he held active accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, under the handle Afflicted Yard.

And he was. The consummate creative, Rickards was smart, edgy and a little off the wall. On Facebook, people who knew him said he was a man before his time— that Jamaica and the world weren’t yet ready for him.

In a piece shared

by ARC Magazine, the pulse of the region’s artistic community, Ross Sheil called him Jamaica’s “most important artist”. Sheil

began by recounting his first encounter with Rickards: “The day I met Peter summed him up perfectly.

Sometime in 2003 I was sitting with my then boss by the Kingston Hilton poolside preparing for a meeting with some businessmen or other, when this man with crazy hair showed up for the first time.

‘I’m gonna go shoot Ninjaman (a dancehall DJ) on the run from police…guns…somewhere in the bush…ya wanna come?’

“Little did I know then that I’d have the privilege of crashing on his leather couch for the best part of the year…and dodging the occasional firework he liked to let off inside the apartment.”

The post went on to talk about how Rickards, in hospital towards the end, was “interested only in hearing news about others”: “Peter had lived life to its fullest. And it was his appreciation of life that which was such an essential quality of his art.

There weren’t the conventional divides in his work: he crisscrossed uptown as much as downtown as much as country; and he looked outwards of Jamaica as much as he proudly celebrated his own culture. (TT Guardian)

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Ronald Samm and Anne Fridal, TT opera stars, perform in London

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Opera lovers were treated to a grand night of song as TT dramatic soprano Anne Fridal and tenor Ronald Samm performed to a packed house at the Opera Singers and Actors Church in Covent Garden, London.

The performance began with the lieder of Strauss and Schumann sung by Fridal, followed

by Samm singing Wolf and Faure. The dramatic duet from Mascagni’s opera Cavalleria Rusticana, brought with

it tremendous applause and the outstanding accompanist Anthony Ingham mastered the operatic duet and continued on to doing a piano solo titled Melodie, opus Three, No Three by Rackmininov, which was also performed with solid technique.

Wintersturme, the challenging lieder of Wagner, was sung with precision by Samm and the first half ended with a rousing arrangement of the spiritual ‘You can tell the World’, which was done as a duet by the celebrated singers

Samm and Fridal.

The second half of the programme included many Broadway and West End numbers and Samm’s version of 'There’s a Boat That’s Leaving Soon for New York' from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess excited the audience. Soon to follow was Fridal’s performance of 'Hello Dolly' from the award-winning musical of the same title.

The audience joined in the chorus while Fridal flirted coquettishly with the audience, bringing thunderous applause in the packed

venue. Samm continued towards the end of the second half with the Christmas favourite ‘O Holy Night’, which the audience loved, and Fridal soon followed with 'The Christmas Waltz'.

The end of the evening came with the duet 'Libiamo (Brindisi, The Drinking Song)' from Verdi’s opera La Traviata.

The audience cheered, sang and gave thunderous applause and a standing ovation, winning an encore performance of ‘Con Te Partiro (Time To Say Goodbye)’.

Ronald Samm will next sing a principal role in the new contemporary opera Between Worlds with the English National Opera later this year while Fridal returns to TT to launch her Calypsopera CD at Fiesta Plaza, MovieTowne on February 28. Fridal’s CD launch will include special guests Marvin Smith and Guinness World Record holder Charles Brunner.

Fridal will return to London in March to perform with Pegasus Opera at the Opera Singers and Actors Church of Covent Garden, London. (TT Guardian)

Eddie Murphy talks about his latest reggae song K INGSTON, JAMAICA: Remember Eddie Murphy's first scene in the 1982 hit movie 48 Hrs? As Nick Nolte approaches his prison cell, he's belting out Roxanne, a classic reggae song by The Police.

Thirty-three years later, and the comic/actor/singer is once again trying out his reggae pipes, this time on Oh Jah Jah. The song will be released January 27

by VPAL, a subsidiary of VP Records.

Murphy, 54, spoke to the Jamaican media on Friday. He said Oh Jah Jah was inspired by events that made international headlines last year, such as controversial police shootings in the United States, and the Ebola epidemic that emanated from west Africa.

"I started writing the track about the time those things were going down. I just think the lyric lent itself to reggae because the topics are so

Eddie Murphy

serious," he said.

This is not Murphy's first reggae song. In 1993, he did 'I Was a King' with deejay Shabba Ranks; two years ago, he teamed with rapper Snoop Lion on Red Light.

He came to Jamaica 20 years ago to film the video for 'I Was a King in Portland'.

Though Murphy made his name on the weekly television sketch show Saturday Night Live, and movies such as 48 Hrs, Coming to

America, Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop and The Nutty Professor, he has some music chops.

In 1985, he teamed with Rick James for his first album, How Could it Be, which yielded the hit song, 'Party All The Time'.

That album sold gold (500,000 copies) but Murphy chose not to record a follow-up.

"That was a time when it was like every actor wanted to put out an album and I didn't want

to be seen like that," he explained. "For me, music is like a passion. I write different types of music. I've got hours and hours of music that have not been released."

Born in New York, Murphy was exposed to different sounds in the 1970s. He recalls listening to The Beatles (his favourite act), Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone and Bob Marley on WBLS radio station.

Some of the skits that made him famous on Saturday Night Live were humorous, spoton impersonations of Wonder and soul legend James Brown.

Murphy stressed that he has always been serious about music. Songs like 'Oh Jah Jah' are not commercial ventures.

"I'm not trying to make money off it, nothing like that. I might do an album this year but we'll see what the reaction is like to this song," he said. (Jamaica Observer)

Falling in love

By Narine Dat Sookram

L

ove can certainly help us feel understood and secure. What I mean by this is that when we love someone and in return we are being loved as well, it adds richness to our lives. And I am sure most will agree that people feel much closer to each other, because it gives that sense of happiness.

We have to keep in mind though that each kind of love has its own individual feel. For example the kind of love we feel for our parents will be different from the love for our children or a friend. And of course relationships have their own kind of feel, a romantic feel, that is.

There are a few ways that people can learn to give and receive which can help to bring people closer together, because a good relationship is about both parties. It’s not how much one person can get from the other person.

Listening and supporting each other is also important, because when two people really care for each other, there is that possibility for them to offer support to each other. In doing so, none of them will really feel afraid of each other, because it’s not a good thing to put down our partners, even when we are in situations when we disagree with each other.

Sometimes people wonder why relationships end, but the thing is, love itself is a very delicate thing. There is a reason why I wrote a whole book about love in a poetic form. Love is a thing that needs to be nurtured if we really want it to last.

It is just like any other relationship. A friendships for example can fail if we don’t spend enough time with them. And so too in an actual love relationship (boyfriend/girlfriend) kind of thing a relationship might not last, because if one partner is too busy with school or work, it means he or she has less time for the other.

Though breaking up can be painful, we must move on. There is no question that the feeling of loss can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s someone’s first love. In a situation as such people will need support, because this is not something people are usually prepared for, which makes it hard to cope with.

Coming from a social work background, I know that it definitely can help to have trustworthy family friends for support. It’s important to take the advantage of these resources if possible, because we just can’t “get it over with” just like that.

So finding someone trustworthy to talk, but most importantly someone who really understands is key. Depending on everyone’s situation, the amount of time and emotions that were put into the relationship, it sometimes can seems very difficult to even believe that there is an actual ‘cure’ for when someone is heartbroken, but people eventually learn to move on to different relationship along with their experiences as well.

I think that love is a very fulfilling thing in our lives. That is why one of my quotes in my book, “The Teenage Years”, is “life is nothing without love”.

Relationships are an opportunity to experience love, regardless of how long we have been in it, because it is during those times we get the opportunity to actually learn how to love and at the same time we learn how to be loved as well.

Sometimes it’s worth the wait to find romance if the ‘right’ person hasn’t been found as yet.

For questions, comments for feedback, send them to mcnarine@rogers.com.

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : The Rewa river emanates in southern Guyana and runs north through primary rainforest to meet the white waters of the Rupununi River.

The river runs black, and the lower part of the river is wide with high, white sand beaches. About 60 miles upriver, the river changes and gets narrower with rocky bars interspersed with sandy beaches. Camping

on the beaches is an exciting experience.

One of the fun activities at Rewa is fishing.

Peacock bass, arawana, swordfish, payara, large catfish and pacu thrive in these waters. Rewa is also known for its healthy populations of arapaima, the largest scaled fresh water fish in the world, which can be observed surfacing in many of the oxbow lakes and ponds.

Due to the remoteness of the Rewa river, wildlife viewing is excellent.

Numerous species may be observed: tapir, capybara, brocket deer, peccaries, ocelot, jaguar, and seven of the eight species of Guyana’s monkeys.

Giant otters, black and spectacled caiman and giant river turtles patrol the waters and bask on the sandbanks.

With its rich biodiversity and white sand beaches, Rewa is a beauty to behold. (Photos

by David Johnstone) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Thunderstorm at Rewa river beach Camping on the beach

Guides portaging a boat through the river rapids

One of the many beaches on the crystal water of the Rewa river

The tranquil Rewa river

Body decor trends for the Carnival season in TT

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Ever since Beyoncé was spotted on vacation sporting an awesome belly chain tattoo, tattoo jewelry, also known as flash tattoos, seem to be the most recent rage.

These innovative pieces inspire temporary tattoos for serious (and not so serious) fashionistas.

They are perfect for the beach, the pool, parties, fetes and just everyday glam.

The collections of tattoos are mostly inspired by bohemian-style jewelry, and it’s an eclectic way to accessorise. A fun spin on jewelry, these metallic tattoos can be worn in water and you can apply them to your feet, arms, hands, back, chest, and nails to finish off any look. They are non-toxic and safe for anyone to wear, and last from four to six days.

Suggested Usage:

To apply tattoo, clean

Midi Rings

“Midi” is the new maxi. Midi skirts, midi dresses, midi rings -- the new fashion trend has done away with extremes and found its stylish place at a super chic happy medium. These rings are placed (you guessed it) mid-finger, either between or directly on top of the knuckle. Worn stacked or alone, these rings are the now accessory on runways and red carpets. So knuckle up ladies. These rings can add to any Carnival event look.

Body Chain and Harness

and dry skin so it is free of any oils.

Cut out the tattoo, leaving the clear sheet intact.

Position the flash tattoo so your skin does not twist or stretch and trim off any overlapping portion. Once properly sized, remove the clear sheet.

Place the tattoo face down on your skin and hold a wet cloth against it for about 30 seconds.

Peel the paper aside then pat gently with the wet cloth.

Allow to sit for five minutes and you are good to go!

Glitter Tattoos

A glitter tattoo is a creative combination of dermatologically safe body glue and multiple colours of glitter. The tattoo is temporary and will last three to seven days, but can be removed easily if required.

How does it work?

Choose a stencil and glitter colors Clean the area and apply stencil Apply glue on exposed area of the stencil Apply glitter colors to body glue Peel off stencil and enjoy

There’s no denying that body jewelry is having a moment. These pieces can be worn over a swimsuit, to dress up a plain vest or T-shirt or to add flair to an already glam outfit. Spotted on celebs like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian these décor pieces make a huge statement. (TT Newsday)

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Guyana Karate College (GKC) aims to promote self-defence and discipline, as set out in its mandate. A non-profit corporation established under the Friendly Societies Act, GKC was launched in August 2006.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Master Frank Woon-A-Tai, the World Chief Master, a ninth degree black belt and the founder of the GKC, said that GKC aims to

The proposed GKC Dojo

develop International Karate Daigaku (the Art of Shotokan Karate following the teachings of Master Gichin Funakoshi) in Guyana.

This is meant to be achieved through character development, physical education and fitness, self-defence and Budo sport.

GKC also aims to help young people find direction in life, keep them off the streets, away from drugs and break the cycle of crime and violence in Guyana and elsewhere. In this regard,

GKC trains and certifies local instructors with international credentials, provides instructors with information to teach the CXC Karate programme, trains teams to represent Guyana in international karate tournaments while aiming to build its college, the GKC Dojo.

Structured and organised in every way, demonstrating the discipline it seeks to impart, the GKC has a fixed hierarchical structure. The karate college is lead by the founder, CEO and Chief Master

Frank Woon-A-Tai, after which is the Vice Chief Instructor and Vice Chairman, Sensei Jeffrey Wong.

Beyond Sensei Wong, there is an elected secretary with assistant secretaries and a treasurer and an assistant treasurer. In addition, the GKC is governed by a Board of 13 Trustees elected annually by broad based Dojo Member Instructors.

Guyanese Masters Maureen Woon-A-Tai, 8th Dan, and Josef Woon-A-Tai, 7th Dan, trustee members, provide international guidance, support and continuity. Sensei Amir Khouri of the YMCA’s ASKG, also a trustee, has a very large organisation as well as being a founding member of GKC. “Sensei Chetram Mortley is another trustee with a huge membership at the Saraswati

Woon-A-Tai showcases his skills by breaking ice

Vidya Niketan at Cornelia Ida. We are all on the same page regarding the operation of the college. This means GKC will never become dysfunctional,” declared Woon-A-Tai. For the international recognition the GKC has bought to Guyana, former President Bharrat Jagdeo granted the karate college an acre of Land at Liliendaal in 2010 to build a state-ofthe-art training facility that would serve as the IKD headquarters in South America.

“Annabelle CarterSharma is our new architect and both she and Rhyan Persaud are in charge of building the college. The foundation has already been laid and works on the portal frame and roof is expected to begin in this year,” Woon-A-Tai disclosed.

The IDK headquarters is currently located at Carifesta Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue, where classes are conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 17:00 to 19:00. Beginner’s classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (after the first belt exams beginners are then transferred to regular classes).

With over 100 members to date, the GKC has lost several practitioners to the constant shifts in the location of the headquarters.

“We started at the National Gymnasium, changed to the Red Cross Building, then to Malteenoes Sports Club.

Our last class was at the Scouts Association...We are indeed grateful to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony for providing us with this excellent facility. The breeze at the sea wall is amazing for training.

“The importance of the college is to teach our children discipline and the values of karate, which are character, sincerity, effort, etiquette and self-control.

Take self-control for example, the world would be a much better and peaceful place if we could practice self-control,” expressed Woon-A-Tai. Hoping to increase its membership in the coming years, the members of the GKC have raised over Gy$25 million in a four-year time period, which was spent to prepare and clear the land provided for the dojo.

The funds will also be used to build the foundation and pay 50% of the cost for the portal frame.

“We will build in four phases: the first will continue at the end of February...a dojo 105ft by 42ft. Thereafter, as funds become available, we will build the other three phases,” Woon-ATai outlined.

The Guyana Karate College was founded from the need to keep Guyana ahead when karate became a component of the CXC Physical Education Programme in the Caribbean. It is a part of the International Karate Organization with 50 organisations in 30 countries, among which are the Philippines, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

As the World Master Chief, Guyanese Frank Woon-A-Tai, provides his country with firstclass karate, visiting three times yearly in March, July and November to share his expertise and administer exams to Guyanese students. On his last visit, Woon-A-Tai donated several books to the National Resource Centre at the request of Minister Anthony.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Brown, Frazer sound warnings with record-breaking performances in Jamaica

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Clayton Brown of Jamaica College and Rochelle Frazer of Edwin Allen opened their season with recordbreaking performances at the Jamaica College/ PureWater Invitational Track & Field development meet at Old Hope Road on Saturday.

Frazer showed good form to win the girls’ Class One shot put event with a throw of 14.96 metres to better the old mark of 14.82 metres set in 2012. Janell Fullerton (14.35m) of Edwin Allen took second, while Ayesha Champagnie (14.29m) of St Andrew Technical was third.

Brown then placed his name in the record books, when he leapt to 2.07 metres to win

the boys’ Class One high jump, erasing the 15-year-old mark of 2.06 metres set back in 2000.

He won ahead of teammate Romaldo Rodney and Kingston College’s Shavaun Dawson, both with leaps of 1.90 metres.

Brown, who has a personal best of 2.17 metres, also bettered his height of 2.05 metres at the start of his season last year.

“I am happy about it, but not so happy because I expected to go higher.

But it is a fair start to the season,” he told reporters after failing in his attempt to clear 2.08 metres.

The 16-year-old sent out a warning as he pointed out that he intends to tweak a few things in training.

Edwin Allen’s Rochelle Frazer during her record-breaking throw of 14.96 metres in the girls’ Class One shot put event.

The meet, which was the first of the season, gave schools the chance to qualify athletes for the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships in

Claude Francois Bolton is football’s new TD in Guyana - Bolton is a Chartered Professional Coach in Canada and brings with him over 15 years of experience

New Technical Director of Guyana’s football, Claude Bolton (centre), with Normalisation Committee members. From left are Tariq Williams, Clinton Urling, Dr Karen Pilgrim and Rabindranauth Chandarpal

By Avenash Ramzan

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Claude Francois Bolton, a Canadabased football official of Guyanese parentage, has been appointed the new Technical Director (TD) of Guyana’s football on a four-year contract. This was disclosed by the Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation at a press conference on Saturday at Football House in Campbellville.

Bolton replaces Mark Rodrigues, who served in the position under the embattled Christopher Matthias-led administration, which was disbanded by FIFA and replaced with a Normalisation Committee last September.

Bolton is a Chartered Professional Coach in Canada and brings with him over 15 years of professional coaching and technical experience to the post. He is among those who have achieved

some of the highest certification levels in North America.

He holds a United States Soccer Federation’s National “A” License, a Union of European Football Association’s (UEFA) “B” License, and an English Football Association’s International Coaching License.

A former Guyana midfielder of the early 90s, Bolton expressed enthusiasm about the future of Guyana’s football as he addressed members of the local media fraternity on Saturday.

“All of you who would have covered the game know that the potential for Guyana’s football is immense. It’s been- I won’t call it a sleeping giant yet- but we still haven’t tapped where we can go as a country,” the new TD observed.

Bolton reckoned however, that for progress to be made, there must a structured approach by all stakeholders Chandarpal add-

ed, “Once we had that shortlist, during the interviews each candidate was scored by the individual members of the Normalisation Committee, so it was a very transparent and open process, and once again, Mr Bolton was clearly the front-runner.”

M e a n w h i l e , Chairman of the N o r m a l i s a t i o n Committee, Clinton Urling, said the decision to appoint a Technical Director was a long-term investment for football, noting that Bolton’s success would not be rated solely on the performance of the Senior Men’s national team.

“We won’t be judging Claude’s success by how far our national team this year goes in the World Cup qualifiers. We will be judging him based on how he implements the developmental programme for the Guyana Football Federation at all levels,” Urling posited. (Guyana Times)

March.

What stood out most at the meet was the various athletes representing different schools.

One such athlete was Hanifah Abdulqadir, formerly of Excelsior High school, who now sports

the colours of St Jago High.

Abdulqadir achieved a new personal best of 1.70 metres to win the girls’ Class One high jump event. Rene Meadley (1.65m) of Vere Technical and Danique Bryan (1.60m) of Edwin Allen were second and third, respectively.

The 18-year-old Abdulqadir, now in her final year, said the leap demonstrates her readiness for the season ahead.

Former Clarendon College standout, Warren Barrett, was also on top of his game in getting his season off to a positive start. Barrett, now sporting the green and black of Calabar High, threw 53.19 metres to win the boys’ Class One discus event.

Andre Beckford and Ronald Hastings both threw 51.12 metres to complete a clean sweep for the Red Hills Roadbased school.

The 16-year-old Barrett had to settle for second in the shot put event; however, with 16.91 metres. Demar Gayle of Edwin Allen took the event with a throw of 18.44 metres, while Caesar Kemp (16.29m) of Calabar was third.

Barrett was again beaten into second position in the open event with 16.08 metres, behind University of the West Indies representative Fredrick Dacres, who threw 17.51 metres. Jamaica College's Vashon McCarthy (15.85m) was third.

(Jamaica Observer)

Record chase hands WI big win

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OHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: Chris Gayle was again sensational as West Indies incredibly pulled off the highest ever run chase in the history of Twenty20 Internationals, to beat South Africa by four wickets with four balls to spare, and clinch a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Sunday.

The big-hitting opener top-scored with a stunning 90 off 41 balls to help West Indies overhaul South Africa’s 231 for seven and silence a capacity crowd which crammed into the Wanderers.

Gayle struck nine fours and seven sixes and put on a record 152 for the second wicket with Marlon Samuels who stroked a classy 60 from a mere 39 balls, with seven fours and two sixes.

Their heroics outshone South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis who unfurled a classic 119 off 56 balls, his maiden T20 hundred, to guide the hosts to the fourth highest T20 International total, after they were sent in.

South Africa lost two early wickets but du Plessis counted 11 fours and five sixes and combined with David Miller, who struck 47 off 26 balls with four fours and three sixes, in an up tempo 105 for the third wicket.

The partnership was finally broken when Andre Russell ran out Miller at the nonstriker’s end in the 11th over with the Windies running out

West Indies’ batsman Chris Gayle plays a shot during their 2nd T20 cricket match against South Africa at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa

of ideas, and du Plessis added a further 66 for the fifth wicket with Farhaan Behardien (8 not out), before he holed out at the end of the 19th over off pacer Jason Holder.

With three runs needed from the last six balls and victory all but assured, Sammy finished the game in style by depositing fast bowler Marchant de Lange over the ropes at deep midwicket, to spark celebrations among the visitors.

Gayle and Samuels then launched an exhibition of stroke-play which left South Africa in disarray.

While Gayle struck the ball with brute force, Samuels was surgical in his execution, as they

scored at a remarkable rate of 13 runs an over through the first ten overs.

The left-handed Gayle came to life in the third over bowled by Abbott. The first ball was a dot one but Gayle then crunched four consecutive off-side boundaries before finishing off with a six over mid-wicket.

Not to be left out, Samuels punched seamer David Wiese past midoff for four in the next over and then struck him for a straight six to end the over—a shot that raised the Windies fifty off just 24 deliveries.

Sammy, however, kept his wits about him and pulled the innings around with a late flourish. (CMC)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

Spencer reigns supreme at the 400m hurdles in Jamaica

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Having already copped the Caribbean Sports Journalists and the JAAA Athlete of the Year titles, Kaliese Spencer has done everything asked of her to be named RJR Sports Foundation National Sportswoman of the Year.

The year 2014 was a supreme one for Spencer as she made her pet event -- the 400m hurdles -- her own, with some scintillating and dominant performances.

In March, Spencer showed her versatility and won two silver medals at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland. She was second in the flat 400m in a personal indoor best of 51.54 sec-

onds behind American Francena McCorory in 51.12 seconds.

Spencer would later run the third leg of the 4x400m relays that included Patricia Hall, Anneisha McLaughlin and Stephanie McPherson to establish a national indoor record of 3:26.54 minutes. It is the third fastest time ever behind winner the United States of America, who did 3:24.83 for gold. The Russians with 3:23.37 minutes done in 2006 is the fastest.

In June, Spencer yet again became the Jamaican champion over the 400m hurdles in a world-leading time of 53.41 seconds before taking the world by storm.

Despite the outstanding performer of 2013,

Spencer… had the three fastest times over the 400m hurdles, and eight of the top 10 times for the year

Czech Republic's Zuzana Hejnova missing most of the year due to injury, nothing can be taken away from Spencer's awesome displays throughout the year in which she had the three fastest times over the 400m hurdles, and eight of the top 10 times for

the year.

Spencer, 27, who was born in Westmoreland, lost her opening race at the Doha Diamond League where she was upstaged by Bahrain's unheralded Kemi Adekoya, but went on to win every race afterwards.

She would eventually win seven Diamond League races and was the overall champion, walking away with her piece of the precious stone for the fourth time since 2010.

In-between the Diamond League races, Spencer had time to be crowned Commonwealth Games champion over the 400m hurdles in 54.10 seconds.

Spencer's dominant year ended with her dipping under 54 seconds four times and under 54.30 eight times.

The only other sub-54 hurdler was American Kori Carter with her 53.84 at the U.S. Championships, but her best after that was 55.94 seconds.

Spencer would end her season in style, pick-

ing up another gold in September, this time representing the Americas in the IAAF Continental Cup in Morocco. Spencer clocked 53.81 seconds and once again she defeated the emerging star Eilidh Child of Great Britain, who clocked 54.42 seconds.

It would be a fitting end to her 2014 campaign as Sportswoman of the Year following an outstanding season in which she dominated IAAF Diamond League; picked up the Commonwealth Games title, won a silver medal as part of Jamaica's 4x400m team at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau, and posted a worldleading time of 53.41 to win the Jamaican Championships in June.

(Jamaica Observer)

Guyanese Britton opens season with tough win

By Treiston Joseph

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Table tennis ace Shemar Britton got his 2015 season rolling positively with a win in the Senior Open Table Tennis Tournament organised by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Britton overcame a tough Kyle Edghill to win the tournament in seven sets.

The winners of the tournament pose with their trophies

put on a show in the third set with numerous rallies before Britton prevailed with a 14-12 set win.

Edghill continued to display determination

and an improved array of shots as he battled for a 12-10 set win to level the game once again at 2-2.

However, Edghill’s level of fitness was what

failed him as Britton took full advantage and won the next two sets easily at 11-3 and 11-4.

A number of top players started their 2015

season at the tournament, with seasoned veterans Paul Meusa and Joel Alleyne sharing the third position. (Guyana Times)

Narine in WI World Cup team

Bravo and Kieron Pollard have been left out by the Clive Lloydled selection panel.

Also making a comeback is Darren Bravo, who had opted out of the Test series for personal reasons and wasn’t part of the ODIs are scheduled to follow. Fast bowler Kemar Roach, who suffered an ankle injury in the Centurion Test and had to return home, finds a place in the 15 as well.

“I believe we have selected a very good team which will do West Indies proud at the World Cup,” Lloyd said via a WICB media release. “We have a good mixture of some good seasoned players and some good youngsters who will fly the West Indies flag in Australia and New Zealand.

“If they play to their potential I am quite sure we will do very well. I have really high hopes in this team - I believe they can do something special. We have the talent and if we can play to our potential we have a very good chance of lifting that trophy.”

But it is Narine’s re-

turn which will come as the greatest boost for West Indies. He has been a proven matchwinner, and was ranked No 2 on the ODI and T20 rankings when his action was reported as suspect in successive matches during the Champions League Twenty20 last September.

Consequently, Narine missed out on playing in the final for Kolkata Knight Riders, who lost to Chennai Super Kings.

Although Narine’s citation in the CLT20 did not impact his chances of bowling in international cricket — he was only suspended from doing so in BCCI-organised tournaments —Lloyd had expressed annoyance at the scrutiny when West Indies arrived in India last October and withdrew Narine from that tour, which was cut short once the West Indies players pulled out after the fourth ODI owing to contractual disputes.

Narine was the second high-profile name after Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal, who was reported during the Sri Lanka series last

year and was unable to correct his action in time for the World Cup. According to WICB, Narine had opted to rehabilitate himself and considering that has been picked, the selectors must be confident that he has made the necessary adjustments.

It would be Narine’s first time at a World Cup as he made his ODI debut in December 2011.

Although Lloyd made a general comment on the composition of the squad, he did not touch on why Bravo and Pollard were dropped.

The two players, along with Darren Sammy were originally not part of the South Africa ODI series, but Sammy was subsequently included and also finds a place in the World Cup squad.

SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Marlon Samuels (vice-captain), Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Sheldon Cottrell, Christopher Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor.

(CRICINFO)

S

T JOHN’S, A N T I G U A : Offspinner Sunil Narine returns to international cricket next month after being named in the 15-man

Britton and Edghill battled in the first set that ended 11-8 before Edghill levelled the game at 1-1 with a set win of 11-8.

The two would then

West Indies World Cup squad which includes five allrounders, seven specialist batsmen, four fast bowlers and two spinners.

Jason Holder,

named captain for the South Africa One Day International series, retains the position with Marlon Samuels as his deputy. As was reported on Friday, Dwayne

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Golden Jaguars game against Barbados…

Nurse among overseas trio to join Guyana squad

By Avenash Ramzan

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Golden Jaguars skipper at the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers, Christopher Nurse, is among a group of three overseas-based players who are being considered for selection for the Jaguars game against hosts Barbados on February 1.

Head Coach for the game, Jamaal Shabazz announced at a press conference on Monday that the trio have been invited to join the squad and have all indicated their availability. They are expected to join with the 26 locally- based players for the one-week encampment, set to commence on January 22.

The other two players are centre back Jamaal

Smith, who played for the Golden Jaguars during the latter part of the World Cup campaign, and newcomer Emery Welshman, whose parents are Guyanese.

“Because we want to put the best foot forward for this game, we’ve asked and invited Chris Nurse, who captained the team when we [Shabazz and Wayne Dover] were in charge, and he’s available. As you know, he got the big humanitarian award in the North American Soccer League and he is very enthusiastic about coming [to play for Guyana],” Shabazz announced.

He added, “We’ve also invited Jamaal Smith; he’s another centre back, who played with the Golden Jaguars at the last two matches of the campaign for the World

Emery Welshman

Cup, and also a player from Canada, who has shown interest. Both his parents are Guyanese and his name is Emery Welshman.”

Welshman, according to Shabazz, will be here on trial as he seeks to make the final cut to travel with the team to

Barbados.

“He is actually coming on a trial; he is paying his way to come on a trial to see if he can make the squad and he’s been playing with the Toronto team in the MLS [Major League Soccer] for two seasons,” Shabazz divulged.While pointing out that other overseas players based in different territories were also available, Shabazz outlined that those players who have been selected as part of the preliminary squad will be given priority in terms of selection.

“Of course, there are a couple of other boys in Trinidad, but what we’ve decided as a staff is based on how we see this group operate; as we’ve done on the occasions before, we give the first bit of the cherry to the play-

ers that are before us,” he explained.

Shabazz continued, “It makes more sense because they’re available and we see them every day and we know what they’re doing. But we cannot discount what the players bring who play at a higher level, because we know a lot of football is not going on in Guyana right now.”

Meanwhile, the squad for the Barbados game will be encamped from January 22 under Shabazz, Technical Director Claude Bolton and Assistant Coach Wayne Dover.

Other members of the Technical Team include Trevor Burnett (Manager – Equipment); Faizal Khan (Manager – Commercial andAdministrative); Mark Xavier (Manager – Operations);

Anson Ambrose (Trainer); Andrew Hazel (Goalkeeping Coach); and Debita Harriprashad (Physiotherapist).

The 26-member preliminary squad reads: O’Neil Carter, Oswald Cornett, Omallo Williams, Travis Henry, Solomon Austin, Kris Camacho, Quincy Madramootoo, Trevon Lithcott, Dwain Jacobs, Amos Ramsey, Daniel Wilson, Keron Solomon, Sheldon Holder, Clive DeNobrega, Colin Nelson, Dwight Peters, Tishard Joseph, Dwayne Lawrence, Domini Garnett, Travis Hillman, Rawle Gittins, Denver Dennis, Calvin Sheppard, Joshua Brown, Eusi Phillips and Vurlon Mills.

A return game will be played later in the year.

(Guyana Times)

Hart targets intense 2018 World Dwyer breaks out to claim Cup prep for TT Soca Warriors Commonwealth Games gold

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P

Members of the senior men’s Soca Warriors team go through a fun drill during a practice session in 2014.

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Soca Warriors coach Stephen Hart says that his team will need intense preparations inclusive of international games to be a part of the national team’s programme between now and the start of its 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign to be fully ready.

TT will begin qualification play in November after being seeded among the top six teams in the region by Concacaf.

Based on its ranking in August 2014, TT, runners-up to Jamaica at the recent Caribbean Football Union Cup after a loss on penalty-kicks, will join the USA, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama

and Honduras as the Confederation’s top six teams for Round Four.

For Round Four, the six Round Three winners will join six top seeds and the 12 teams will be grouped into three round-robin, home-andaway groups of four teams.

The six group winners and runner-ups will then advance to Round Five which is the final round of Concacaf qualification for the Russia 2018 World Cup Finals.

Round Four, TT’s opening round in the campaign, will run from November 2015 to September 2016 and the Final Round will be staged between November 2016 and October 2017, qualifying three nations direct-

ly to the Fifa World Cup and providing a further intercontinental playoff spot for the fourthplaced team.

The match-ups and groupings for Rounds Three, Four and Five of Concacaf World Cup qualifying will be determined at the Fifa World Cup Qualifying Draw in St Petersburg, Russia, on July 25, 2015.

TT Football Association president, Raymond Tim Kee said he was extremely pleased to be ranked among the top six of the confederation as this was evidence of the progress made by the Soca Warriors under Hart, who was introduced as coach in June 2013 under his leadership of the association.

(TT Guardian)

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Emerging from the impressive and talented class of 2007 at the Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships, Rasheed Dwyer is one of the latest Jamaican sprinters to burst onto the international scene.

The Class 1 100m final in 2007 was won by one Yohan Blake of St Jago High in 10.21 seconds. The promising Remaldo Rose of Camperdown was second in 10.43 ahead of Kingston College's Cawayne Jervis with 10.60. Jason Livermore of Calabar finished fourth with 10.64, ahead of Nickel Ashmeade of St Jago with 10.68, and Calabar's Warren Weir sixth with 10.69. Dwyer was seventh in 10.71 seconds, and Keneil Lee eighth in 10.81 seconds.

From that class, Blake became a World Championships gold medallist; Ashmeade is a Diamond League champion; Weir is an Olympic 200m bronze medallist; Livermore is a Commonwealth Games 200m bronze medallist and 4x100m gold medallist. So it was left to Dwyer to deliver and that he did in 2014.

The 25-year-old actually announced himself by capturing gold in the 200m at the World University Games in 2011 in Shenzhen, China, with a time of 20.20 seconds. Two years later in Russia, he was dethroned, but placed second in 20.23 seconds.

The Camperdown

DWYER… I am now Commonwealth Games champion and I know this is going to be a stepping stone to my career

High and GC Foster College student had made his mark, but 2014 would be the year that Dwyer really became a household name in Jamaica, and by extension, the world.

The stage was set for the grand finale to determine the Jamaican champion in the absence of Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake.

Dwyer would repeat his win over Weir to become the Jamaican 200m champion in a personal best 20.04 seconds ahead of Olympic bronze and World Championships silver medallist Warren Weir, who cruised in second at 20.17. Jason Livermore was third in 20.25.

In a repeat of the top three in the Jamaican trials, Rasheed Dwyer

got the better of Weir, with teammate Jason Livermore taking bronze. Dwyer clocked 20.14 seconds with Weir never getting close enough to challenge and finishing 0.12 seconds behind in 20.26.

Livermore helped rewrite the history books by finishing third in 20.32 seconds.

This sweep had never been done at these games.

"Words cannot explain how I am feeling right now. I am now Commonwealth Games champion and I know this is going to be a stepping stone to my career," he was quoted as saying.

So it was a wonderful year for Dwyer, who said the sky's the limit for him once he follows instructions.(Jamaica Observer)

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

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

INTERNATIONAL WEEK ENDING JANUARY 15, 2015

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: National cycling trio Keron Bramble, Njisane Phillip and Kwesi Browne won gold in the men’s team sprint event at the Milton International Challenge in Ontario, Canada, on Friday.

The TT cyclists were on fire on the new track at the Mattamy Cycling Centre, which was hosting its first international meet. Bramble, Phillip and Browne blew their competitors away winning gold in a time of 46.356 seconds.

TT’s time in the final was .554 seconds faster than its qualifying time, after the trio clocked

46.910.

Host team Canada, which included Joel Archambault, Evan Carey and Joakim Albert was a distant second in 47.617. Rounding off the top three was the Sprinters Edge team of Nate Coch, James Mellen and Edward Horvet in 48.239.

This is Browne’s second medal in the past two months, after the TT cyclist won bronze in the men’s keirin at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Mexico, last November. The men’s sprint team is using the Milton International Challenge as preparation for the third leg of the UCI (International

Cycling Union) Cycling World Cup in Cali, Colombia, on January 17 and 18.

The TT women’s sprint team of Aziza Browne and Jodi Goodridge could not repeat the success of their male counterparts, finishing fifth overall in a time of 37.949.

TT’s Keiana Lester couldn't get into the quarterfinals of the women’s sprint on her first attempt after losing to American Danielle Mullins.

Lester had a second chance to advance to the quarterfinal round when she lined up in the repechage round.

Aziza Browne (TT) wasn't able to get past

Njisane Phillip, from left, Keron Bramble and Kwesi Browne after winning gold for T&T in the men’s team sprint at the Milton International Challenge in Ontario, Canada last Friday

newly crowned national Canadian champion Monique Sullivan in the early stages of the women’s sprint, but got another chance to advance through the repechage

round last night.

In the men’s sprint, Phillip advanced to the semifinal to face Hugo Barette, another recently crowned national Canadian cham-

pion. Bramble lost to Phillip and failed to advance to the quarterfinals. Also representing TT in Canada are Akil Campbell and Kollyn St George. (TT Guardian)

GRFU setting plans Jamaica: Sunshine for successful 2015 Girls whip England

By Treiston Joseph

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) will be hoping for another successful year in 2015 after their stellar 2014 showcase.

While all plans are not entirely set in stone, GRFU President Peter Green related to Guyana Times Sport that the national seven’s programme will kick off next week following a meeting with the Union’s executive on Monday evening.

The seven’s programme will also jumpstart training for the national side expected to

participate in Hong Kong from March 27-29 in an effort to get the team in top form for the Pan American Games in July.

The overseas-based players will be expected to arrive two weeks before the Hong Kong trip.

Players failing to arrive two weeks before the team depart will be considered ineligible for selection to the national squad. Green also highlighted that a Technical Director and a Head Coach will be named at a press conference to be announced in due time.

Meanwhile, the Olympic qualifiers are set for June as Guyana will be fielding both a

male and female team to the event set for the USA. When asked about funds to help the team during their busy schedule for a 2015 year that can see the team creating even more history, once they qualify for the Olympics, Green was rather optimistic.

“The Union has prepared budgets and is approaching the Government, Private and Corporate sectors along with support from the GOA to make this a national success story with unity as the watchword.

“Fundraisers have already been planned as the Union goes all out to fulfil its mandate by both male and female ruggers to the nation,” Green noted.

With all the international competitions set for the national ruggers, local competition will begin in February with 15’s action in an effort to select a national side for the NACRA 15’s tournament slated for March.

(Guyana Times)

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Sunshine Girls celebrate at the end of the match.

INGSTON, JAMAICA: An outstanding fourth-quarter show propelled Jamaica to a 57-47 hammering of England last night at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston and a 2-1 win in the Supreme Ventures Sunshine series.

Goal-shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid came off the bench to lead Jamaica with 28 goals from 34 attempts. Romelda Aiken,

who started in the shooting position, was 15 from 19. The England Roses top goal-shooter Jo Harten was 35 from 38, while goal-attack Pamela Cookey was 10 from 15.

The teams were tied 37-37 at the end of the third quarter, but the Sunshine Girls, riding on the energy of the vociferous home support, dug deep and put in a scintillating effort to stun thirdranked England.

The fourth-ranked hosts held a narrow 1412 goal-lead at the end of the first quarter, but the scores were locked 24-24 at the half-time break.

The series was tied 1-1 after the teams shared the opening two games played on Saturday and Sunday.

Both countries are preparing for the Netball World Cup to be held in Australia in August.

(Jamaica Observer)

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