Caribbean Times International

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ISSUE NO. 128

CANADA EDITION

FREE DISTRIBUTION

WEEK ENDING November 27, 2014

Guyana, Barbados partnering to boost tourism See story on page 16

- enjoy sun and sand and eco-tourism in one package!

Flood-relief distribution concludes in Mayaro,TT

Page 7

Bill and Melinda Gates give J$226m to Page 6 Jamaica’s ICT development The Consuls General of Caricom in a monthly meeting with the Canadian leaders and interest groups to discuss the needs & concerns of the respective diaspora. From left are: Honourary Consul General of Grenada, Mrs. C. J. Augustine-Kanu, Honourary Consul General of Guyana, Mrs. Satyawattie Sawh, Consul General of Saint Lucia, Mr. Michael Willius, Consul-General of Antigua and Barbuda, Ms. AnneMarie Patrice Layne, Consul General of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Fitz Gerald Huggins, Former Consul General of Jamaica, Mr. Seth George Ramocan ,Consul General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago,Toronto and New Dean of CARICOM Consular Corps, Dr.Vidhya Gyan Tota-Maharaj, Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Dominica, Ms.Frances E. Delsol, Consul-General of Barbados Mr. Haynesley Benn, Honourary Consul General of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mr. John L. Allen and Honourary Consul of Haiti Dr. Eric Pierre (TT Consulate photo)

Bill and Melinda Gates

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NEWS

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

High level TT delegation to visit Guyana in December to advance agriculture talks

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Trinidad and Tobago’s Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj and Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment Vasant Bharath will lead a 10-member delegation to Guyana in December to advance agriculture relations with Guyana.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy disclosed on Tuesday that the high profile team comprising eight Trinidadian investors will arrive in Guyana during the first week of December.

Last September, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting the stage for the leasing of lands in Guyana by private investors of Trinidad and Tobago for the pursuit of agricultural production including agro-processing.

During this upcoming meeting, the Trinidadian counterparts will indicate the type of crops to be grown in addition to

This November 2012 photo shows Trinidad and Tobago Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj (fourth from left) and a team from his ministry following a meeting with President Donald Ramotar, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud

the proposed areas.

In March of this year, Trinidad’s Food Production Ministry called on investors to tap into agricultural opportunities in Guyana, but from all indications, the investors were trickling in.

The process only ended recently.

Last year, the Trinidadian Food Production Ministry expressed an interest in utilising 10,000 acres of land in Guyana for

the purpose of sustainable food production. The Guyanese Government had signalled its willingness to provide 1000 acres during the initial stage, had the MOU evolved into an agreement.

The MOU was signed by both Dr Ramsammy and Minister Maharaj on September 6, 2013 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The MOU addresses programmes and activities, core areas of cooperation, monitoring and co-

ordinating mechanism, mutual responsibility, commitments and settlements, rights and obligations and scope for termination.

Recognising that global food insecurity remains a major problem across the world due to rising food prices amid

declining food production levels due to climate change, the parties had signed the agreement in their quest to reduce their food import bills. For Trinidad, this plan is in keeping with its National Food Production Action Plan 2012-2015.

The MOU provides guidance for the development, promotion and strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the countries through the development of joint ventures and activities that will contribute significantly to the promotion of food security but it does not impose action targets for either Guyana or Trinidad.

“In the execution of such programmes, projects and activities the parties will give consideration to developing capacity in sectors critical for food security and reducing the food import bill including but not limited to small rumi-

nant production, dairy, beef and poultry production, certified seeds (rice) production, corn and soy bean for animal feed, garlic, onion, legumes, coconuts, citrus and aquaculture,” a section of the MOU stated.

But shortly after the MOU was signed, the Trinidad and Tobago Agriculture Society, United Farmers Association and the Trinidad and Tobago Cane Producers Association objected to the MOU signed between Trinidad and Tobago.

It was contended that the agreement would not bring about a dent in TT’s $4 billion food importation bill. Even farmers in Guyana had signalled their objection, but Dr Ramsammy said it was simply a misunderstanding, explaining that if brought into fruition, easier access will be provided into both markets.(Guyana Times)

JMMB launches new goal planning service -aims to make it easier for more Jamaicans to meet their financial goals

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) on Tuesday launched a new goal-planning service to the Jamaican market in what it said was an effort to make it easier for more people to plan for the achievement of their financial goals.

According to the company, the JMMB Goal Planning Service provides a new approach to financial planning in a way that is designed to be more realistic and easy. "Among the key distinctions of the service, which is available across all JMMB Ltd branches islandwide, is its ability to provide clients with an approximate projected value of their goal(s), based on the type of goal and the time horizon in which the client would like to achieve the goal, all while factoring in the economic environment," the company said in a news release.

After quantifying the client's goal, the service provides a definitive view of where the client is going, followed by a simple step-by-step plan comprised of a portfolio of financial assets, tak-

ing into consideration the client's tolerance for risk and their budget.

The Goal Planning Service, JMMB said, is differentiated by its focus on a managed portfolio approach that brings together a variety of instruments, as opposed to a mainly product-centred approach that currently exists in the local financial services sector. "This affords clients a more diversified investment strategy, with no guesswork on their part, thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving their financial goals sooner," the company explained.

It noted that a major shortcoming in providing financial planning in Jamaica has been the ability to quantify the cost of one's financial goals over time, based on the time horizon set by the potential investors.

"This has led to a number of missed opportunities in achieving one's goals, as people did not know exactly what they should have been saving towards. JMMB's Goal Planning Service simplifies the financial planning process, by beginning with the quantification of the client's

stated goal from the outset. The result is that clients have an accurate and realistic sense of the cost to achieve the goal," the company said.

Anderson said that the service is designed with a client-centric approach that allows JMMB to be in their clients' world, periodically revising and reviewing their portfolio in order to respond to the changes in the investing environment or their personal situation, while keeping them on track to achieve their goals.

The company said that while portfolio management services of this nature are typically available as a premium product to high net worth clients, it will introduce the service at Ja$100,000 to individuals who are desirous of starting or expanding their portfolio.

"This realistic and practical approach to financial planning is expected to provide clients with a higher degree of certainty about their financial future, as they will have a clearer understanding of their objective and investment strategy," JMMB said.

(Jamaica Observer)

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O, Beautiful Guyana To contact: Caribbean Times International Unit 12, 680 Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario M9WOB5 Advertising: 647 990 7438/416 450 1672 Email: news@caribbeantimesinternational.com caribtimes@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

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The Rome Declaration

he World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that over 170 countries made a number of concrete commitments and adopted a series of recommendations on policies and investments aimed at ensuring that citizens all over the world have access to healthier and more sustainable diets.

This effort is considered a major step towards eradicating malnutrition worldwide and once the necessary follow-up action is taken by the various countries in keeping their commitment, the world will make some progress in ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition.

According to WHO, Government Ministers and senior officials responsible for health, food or agriculture and other aspects of nutrition adopted the Rome Declaration on Nutrition, and a Framework for Action a few days ago, which set out recommendations for policies and programmes to address nutrition across multiple sectors. The move came at the opening, in Rome, of the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2), organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and WHO. The Rome Declaration on Nutrition enshrines the right of everyone to have access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food, and commits Governments to preventing malnutrition in all its forms, including hunger, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity.

The WHO has stated that the Framework for Action recognizes that Governments have the primary role and responsibility for addressing nutrition issues and challenges, in dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders-including civil society, the private sector and affected communities.

Building on the Declaration’s commitments, goals and targets, the Framework sets out 60 recommended actions that Governments may incorporate into their national nutrition, health, agriculture, education, development and investment plans, and which they may consider when negotiating international agreements to achieve better nutrition for all.

The Framework lays out effective accountability mechanisms, including monitoring frameworks to track progress as well as nutrition targets and milestones based on internationally agreed indicators.

Signatory countries should achieve specific results by 2025, including existing targets for improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition, and for reducing nutrition-related risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

WHO is reminding all stakeholders that sustainable food systems are key to promoting healthy diets. Hence, Governments are encouraged to promote nutrition-enhancing agriculture, by integrating nutrition objectives into the design and implementation of agricultural programmes, ensure food security and enable healthy diets. The role of food systems – the way food is produced, processed, distributed, marketed and prepared for human consumption – is crucial in the fight against malnutrition. Many of the recommendations adopted by Ministers focus on ensuring that food systems become more sustainable and promote diverse and healthy diets.

To this end, WHO is urging Governments to strengthen local food production and processing, especially by smallholders and family farmers, giving special attention to the empowerment of women.

The organization is also urging Governments to educate and inform their citizens about healthier eating practices, and to introduce social protection measures, such as school-feeding programmes, to provide nutritious diets to the most vulnerable. Initiatives to combat obesity should be reinforced by the creation of healthy environments that also promote physical activity from a young age.

WHO has recommended that to provide universal access to healthy diets, Governments should encourage a reduction in trans fats, saturated fats, sugars and salt in foods and drinks, and improve the nutrient content of foods through regulatory and voluntary instruments.

The Rome Declaration also called on Governments to regulate the marketing of infant formula and to protect consumers, especially children, from marketing and publicity of unhealthy foods and drinks.

As stated by WHO, global nutrition problems require global solutions. Nutrition deserves much greater attention on the international development agenda. The ICN2 Framework for Action sets out the strategies, policies and programmes that need to be implemented to “end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition” in line with the likely post-2015 UN development agenda.

Countries recommended that the UN General Assembly endorse the Rome Declaration and Framework for Action and consider declaring a Decade of Action on Nutrition for 2016-2025.

Although not as well-known as Kaieteur, Marshall Falls with its rushing, invigorating waters and lush scenery is definitely on the list of must-see places in Guyana. Some 30 minutes from Bartica by boat, on the Mazuruni River, the falls is worth the trip

Partnering to end violence against women

By Tracey Haines Acting High Commissioner for Australia

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O R T - O F SPAIN,TRINIDAD: On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), we are reminded of the horrific acts of violence against women that take place every day — in Australia and across the Pacific, in the countries of the Indian Ocean Rim and beyond.

Violence against women persists as one of the most heinous and prevalent human rights abuses.

While there is no shortage of good work being done in every country, the statistics remain deeply disturbing, and the impact of violence on individual’s lives and on the wellbeing of our communities is devastating.

Globally, more than one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in some other way, most often by someone she knows, including her husband or another male family member. In some parts of the Pacific, the reported rate is as high as two in three surveyed women. In Australia, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner.

Australia’s National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children reported that in 2009 violence against women and their children cost the Australian economy an estimated AU$13.6 billion and, without appropriate action, this could rise to AU$15.6 billion by 2021-22.

Violence affects women first and foremost, but also their children, families and communities. However, it is also a burden on national

economies, as well a barrier to lasting peace and a threat to sustainable national development.

International evidence shows we can create the change necessary to prevent violence against women and their children. To do this, we must address the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate, justify, excuse and fail to counter such violence.

Australia recently launched its Second Action Plan: Moving Ahead 2013-16 which unites the Australian community to make a significant and sustained reduction in the levels of violence against women and their children. During the Second Action Plan, we expect that cultural change will advance; women will feel encouraged to report their experiences; and more members of the Australian community will actively reject violence.

Recognising that violence against women is an issue that affects women and girls around the world, Australia is committed to supporting and partnering with other countries to end violence against women.

Earlier this year, Australia launched a four-year AUD20 million program aimed at addressing both the causes and consequences of violence in Timor-Leste by working to prevent violence and provide support services.

In Fiji, Australia has supported the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre since its establishment in 1984 to provide counselling and support services to over 35,000 new clients and 41,000 repeat clients.

We have also contributed more than AU$30 million to ending violence against women and girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan since 2013. This

funding is providing support services for women and their children as well as innovative approaches to engaging with men, women, religious and community leaders to challenge attitudes and behaviours that tolerate violence against women.

Women are particularly susceptible to violence during times of conflict, emergencies and crisis. This is why Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs is a Champion of the United Kingdom’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative. It is also why Australia is active at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to promote the Women, Peace and Security agenda. In October this year, Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja, attended the UNSC Open Debate on Women Peace and Security, drawing attention to the particular vulnerability of women and girls displaced by conflict and calling for an end to sexual violence in conflict.

Each individual, community and government has a responsibility to speak out against violence against women. In our workplaces, in our schools and universities, in our communities and in our homes, we must all say “enough”.

Australia’s Prime Minister is leading by example as a White Ribbon Ambassador.

At the highest level of the Australian Government, Prime Minister Abbott has made clear that Australia has zero tolerance for violence against women.

Our collective efforts are needed to achieve profound and lasting change around the world; not just for the benefit of women and girls, but for all of us. (TT Express)

News WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

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Four countries Bill and Melinda Gates give J$226m to Jamaica’s ICT development cut back K reliance on PetroCaribe M IAMI, USA: At least four Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (CARICOM) member countries are taking steps to reduce their reliance on Venezuela’s PetroCaribe oil subsidy as crude prices plunge, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The four countries are Guyana, Haiti, Belize and Jamaica and it’s a move other countries should follow, said David Voght, managing director of energy consultancy IPD Latin America.

The future of the US$8 billion PetroCaribe subsidy,

declined 28 percent this year to $80.05 a barrel amid the fastest rate of US oil production in more than three decades.

An unfavourable decision by OPEC will be even more bad news for Venezuela’s economy, including its ability to maintain PetroCaribe.

M e a n w h i l e , Jamaica, one of PetroCaribe’s 19 members, is seeking to “build a resilience in the economy, restore the buffers and reserves, diversify from fuel oil, increase renewables and do something on conservation,” central bank Governor Brian Wynter said in a November 18

INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has provided US$2 million (approximately J$226 million) to finance a project to provide Jamaicans with increased access to ICT services, as well as training to promote personal, organizational and national development.

The grant will also fund a mandatory programme of advocacy and sensitization of decision-makers to the value of libraries in the country’s development process, Minister of Education, Ronald Thwaites, told the House of Representatives, as he tabled a Ministry Paper in Parliament giving details of the agreement.

The project costs US$3.1 million (approximately J$350 million).

The Jamaican government will donate the other US$1.1 million (approximately $123

Bill Gates

million) Thwaites said that beneficiaries will include users of public libraries islandwide, including marginalized groups, senior citizens, persons from rural and inner-city communities, the unemployed and persons with disabilities, including the visually impaired, and ordinary citizens seeking information about selfimprovement.

“The marketing plan,

which envisages a major campaign to make Jamaicans aware of the project and its deliverables, and will increase the number of library users, is being finalized for implementation commencing in November,” he said.

American business magnate, philanthropist, investor, computer programmer, and inventor, Bill Gates, is the former chief executive and chairperson of Microsoft,

the world’s largest personal-computer software company, which he cofounded with Paul Allen.

He is consistently ranked in the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people and was the wealthiest overall from 1995 to 2009—excluding 2008, when he was ranked third.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires List, Gates became the world's richest person again in May 2013, and held that position until Carlos Slim, whose America Movil telecoms company once owned Claro Jamaica. However, as of October 2014, he is again the richest person in the world.

Another rich American, Warren Buffett, helps to shape the vision and develop strategies to address some of the world’s most challenging inequities through the Gates’ foundation.

(Jamaica Observer)

Region 2 invests Gy$81M to improve drainage, irrigation in Guyana – residents, rice farmers thankful which also allows countries to finance part of their oil purchases at 1 percent for 25 years, is looking less secure as Venezuela faces inflation that had risen to 63 percent and the world’s widest budget deficit.

Venezuela’s cheap financing has softened the blow of increased oil prices that have averaged USD$100 a barrel since the program was created in 2005.

The Caribbean region spent 13 percent of its gross domestic product on oil imports, the World Bank said in a 2012 report.

Under PetroCaribe, Venezuela finances as much as 60 percent of the cost of oil shipments. The Bank of Nova Scotia said the program is more “noose” than lifeline for the region, the most indebted in the world.

As one of its least profitable members, Venezuela is pushing the Organisation of Oil Producing Countries (OPEC) to reduce output in order to boost prices when it meets this week in Vienna.

The benchmark Brent crude price has

interview. The goal is “that our dependency is less” on PetroCaribe, he said.

Jamaica is boosting international reserves to hedge against a potential reduction in aid from Venezuela, the IMF said in a July report on regional financial risk.

PetroCaribe deliveries to Central America and the Caribbean averaged 100,000 barrels a day this year, unchanged from last year.

This does not include about 100,000 barrels a day sent to Cuba, which pays Venezuela with medical care provided by about 30,000 medical and sports personnel sent to the country.

Belize has tapped about $100 million in financing from PetroCaribe in the past two years, according to John Mencias, the head of the country’s PetroCaribe fund.

Jamaica is swapping high-interest debt for a line of credit funded by the PetroCaribe agreement, according to the PetroCaribe Development Fund’s CEO. (Caribbean news now)

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Administration, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), has invested Gy$81 million to improve drainage and irrigation throughout the entire Essequibo Coast.

The desilting of the drainage canals comes at a time when Guyana has been experiencing unusually heavy rainfall, which has caused floods in several parts of Guyana.

The works executed are aimed at helping to eradicate flooding in residential and farming areas on the Essequibo Coast.

One of the canals being desilted along the Essequibo Coast

Beneficiaries of the project, predominately rice farmers and residents, are thankful to the Government of Guyana for executing the project at an opportune time.

The project, which entails the clearing of most canals and the desilting of clogged facades and conservancies, will enable more crop production as well as encourage more and more farmers to open up more lands.

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud inspected the work throughout the Coast, including the desilting works at Capoey. According to Persaud, the project will

help to improve drainage between Johanna Cecilia and Dartmouth.

The Chairman pointed out that desilting works are currently in progress in the Walton Hall-Paradise areas.

Inspections were also conducted at Queenstown which was recently flooded. Persaud said he was pleased with the works done by the contractor.

At La Union, the Chairman, during his inspection, noted that works are being done on the main canal leading to the sluice mouth.

This, he said, will allow more water to flow easily, and further enable

water to flow smoothly from Queenstown and Annandale.

Additionally, inspections were done at Taymouth Manor and Three Friends sluice where desilting works are presently ongoing.

Meanwhile, farmers said that they are thankful and uttered loud praise for the work done. Most rice farmers pointed out that most of the canals and drainage trenches were invaded by tall bushes and weeds, making the flow of water problematic.The project will minimise flooding in areas as well as boost production.

(Guyana Times)

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News

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

FATF lauds Guyana Jamaican Opposition walks Govt for commitment out of House after PM

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Roger Wilkins, has written to President Donald Ramotar in response to a letter which the President wrote pledging on behalf of Guyana, the Government of Guyana’s high level political commitment to implement the action plan developed between the Government of Guyana and the International Cooperation Review Group.

The letter recognises the high level political commitment which President Ramotar has given to bring Guyana into compliance with the international Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) regime President Ramotar’s letter was hand delivered by Attorney-General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, in Paris, France, in October 2014, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

On the basis of this commitment, and the representations made on the Government’s behalf at the AARG Review Group meetings, instead of being blacklisted by FATF, the FATF has identified Guyana in the public document, “Improving Global AML/CFT Compliance: Ongoing Process”, of October 24, 2014.

The Attorney-General is currently leading Guyana’s delegation at the Plenary.

Meeting XL, and Special Ministerial V Meeting of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in El Salvador.

The Attorney-General updated the Plenary Meeting XL on Guyana’s submission of its Action Plan after collaboration with the American Regional Review Group (ARRG). This Action Plan was submitted and approved by FATF at the Paris meeting, where the high level commitment was

given by President Ramotar, pledging Guyana’s commitment to implement this Action Plan.

Guyana was granted until September 2015 to implement the legislative measures and until May 2015 to implement the non legislative measures. This recommendation was accepted at the FATF meeting in Paris.

The Attorney-General further informed the meeting in El Salvador that the non legislative measures are being implemented with dispatch and it is likely that these will be completed long before the May 2015 deadline.

With regard the legislative measures, the Attorney-General pointed out that this is the area which continues to pose tremendous challenges to the Government of Guyana since up until the Paris meeting, the majority comprising the joint opposition in the National Assembly refused to lend their support to the enactment of the AMLCFT (Amendment) Bill 2013 which captures all the requisite legislative measures.

He further pointed out that since the Paris meeting there have been some developments in that Parliament has since been prorogued because the joint opposition was proceeding to move and pass a no-confidence motion which would have resulted in dissolution of Parliament and general elections within three months.

One of the grounds for the prorogation of the Parliament was to offer an opportunity by the President for the government and the joint opposition to enter into constructive engagements in order to arrive at consensus on a number of national issues including the swift enactment of the AMLCFT (Amendment) Bill. (Guyana Times)

refuses to answer questions

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Opposition parliamentarians walked out of the House of Representatives on Tuesday in protest against the government's handling of the controversial Outameni property purchase and the refusal of the prime minister to answer questions tabled on the issue.

The walk-out brought an early end to the meeting of the legislature, setting back some issues including the closing of the debate on reparations.

The government sought to recover the agenda by going ahead with the opening of the debate on three bills seeking to replace the Judicial Committee of the United Kingdom Privy Council with the regional Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). But after a large group of students who were visiting to watch the proceedings left the gallery with their teachers, the writing was on the wall.

Leader of the House Phillip Paulwell called it quits after Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller opened the debate on three bills, and House Speaker Michael Peart adjourned the sitting.

In the meantime, the Opposition invited the press to a briefing in its conference room at Gordon House, at which its leader, Andrew Holness, warned that the protest would not end

there. He said that he would widen it to add areas of collaboration between Government and Opposition, including the Partnership for Jamaica, launched in July 2013.

The partnership is a programme designed to ensure the country's stabilisation, growth with equity and sustainable development initially over the period 2013-2016. It gives special focus to fiscal consolidation, rule of law, ease of doing business, employment creation, and energy diversification and conservation.

He said that her refusal to answer questions he had tabled a week earlier in the House had made things worse.

Asked what that meant, the opposition leader responded, "We will always resort to the people."

Holness said that in all other jurisdictions of the Westminster system of governance, the prime minister tries to reassure the public by providing answers to questions tabled in Parliament as quickly as possible. However, he said that Simpson Miller was refusing to respect the will of the people by refusing to answer his questions.

Leader of Opposition Business in the House Derrick Smith said that he had received an assurance from Paulwell that the questions would have been answered this week.(Jamaica Observer)

News WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Jamaican gov’t moves to increase girl coders

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Twenty-five female students, aged 11 to 15 years, are being trained to become coders as part of the government's thrust to increase skills in information technology for national development, and boost the number of women in the maledominated field.

Coding -- the process of writing specific instructions for a computer to perform a particular task or action -- is what makes it possible for people to create computer software, apps and websites.

The girls, who are drawn from 10 schools across the Corporate Area, are participating in a series of workshops, where they are being taught coding techniques.

At two workshops held on November 15 and 22, they learnt coding to create e-cards and other simple e-projects.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Julian Robinson told Jamaican media that the workshops are a follow-up to a monthlong project held over the summer. "... So these workshops are to keep them interested and to expose them to new techniques in coding and hopefully, over time, they can develop clubs and ultimately to get more young ladies coding," he said.

The state minister said the long-term goal

is to create a large pool of female coders.

"What we want them to do is become ambassadors for the programme... and hopefully they will become the coders of tomorrow," he said.

Melanie Subratie, deputy chairman of the Musson Foundation, which sponsored the workshops, said the foundation was glad to offer its support after it was approached by Jampro.

She said the students from 10 schools are participating in the training and the plan is to set up coding clubs in schools, where other girls will learn the skill.

"When these girls are in charge of their own coding clubs, we are hoping that these 10... will mushroom into 250 girls coding. So we're looking forward to competitions, curricu-

la, and for it to last long and be successful in the schools that it rolls out in," she said.

Marvin Hall, founder of Halls of Learning, which carried out the training, said the workshops are a "good first step" in closing the gap of female coders.

"The level where they can now write a programme or develop an application that does something, that's the level we want to get them to. Coding is what gives you command over the computer," he said.

Grade seven student at Dunoon Park Technical High school, Aleeka Sherrington, said she has learnt a lot about coding from the workshops and cannot wait to learn more.

"You can produce your own games and create your own movie.

We have already formed a club at my school and

Forestry division investigating deaths of birds in TT

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: The Forestry Division is investigating the deaths of a number of birds of different species at the Housing Development Corporation development, Couva. While residents suspect the birds are being poisoned, Forestry Division officials say they cannot conclusively say if that is the cause of the deaths. On Tuesday, game warden Andy Singh, who is leading the investigation, visited Anand Yankaran Avenue, where most of the dead birds were found.

Residents in the

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Flood-relief distribution concludes in Mayaro,TT

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Najeeka Rose (second left) works on her coding techniques at a coding workshop for girls held recently, at the General Accident Insurance Company boardroom in Kingston. (JIS photo)

area are concerned, especially since they do not know if poison is being used to kill the birds and if it is being used safely. On Tuesday avid animal lover and resident, calypsonian Sonia Francis, broke down in tears as she described finding the carcasses of birds in her yard. She said the sight of dead birds had been traumatic, especially since she has been feeding and caring for the birds since she moved into the housing settlement.

Another resident, who said she did not want to get involved, admitted it was worrying to find the dead birds. Singh said it was

an offence to kill the birds even if someone felt they were a nuisance and decided to poison them. He said the birds were protected under law and hence may not be harmed, hunted or killed.

Singh also explained that only the Forestry Division could exterminate the birds if they were deemed a nuisance and in such a case residents must report it to the nearest Forestry Division office and apply for a permit to exterminate them. Often, he said, the extermination was carried out by trained personnel from the division. (TT Guardian)

we are now ready to start going through all the processes," she said.

Aleeka's elder sister, Nakeisha Rhoden, who said she "begged" the organisers to allow her to participate after accompanying her sister to one of the classes, said "the whole programme is very interesting as it shows you how to develop from scratch movies, cards and other things. Without this programme an object on the computer can't move unless you give it a command; it is so precise," she noted.

Another participant, Diamond Brown, a grade seven student at the Merle Grove High School, said the experience was not only fun but also provides an opportunity to learn something new and express her creativity.

(Jamaican Observer)

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Wheelbarrows, mop buckets and water purification tablets were amongst some of the relief items distributed to flood victims in Mayaro since disaster struck on November 13.

The Mayaro/ Rio Claro Regional Corporation on Tuesday concluded its relief distribution to the hundreds of victims affected in the region.

Head of the corporation’s Disaster Management Unit (DMU), Emerson Sahibdeen, said reports were compiled and sent to the chief disaster management coordinator in the Ministry of Local Government, Earl Hernandez.

Included in the report is a list of items supplied and the quantity. The three main contributors for supplies were the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), the corporation, Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society and Prestige Holdings with the provision of meals.

“Altogether, 1,620 meals were provided to first responders and 1,200 hygiene kits and 1,000 water purification tablets to victims. Also, 240 first-aid pouches, 150 hampers, 125 mattresses and bedsheets

were handed out. And 80 boxes of baby wipes, 60 mop buckets, 30 tarpaulins, 20 boxes of baby diapers and eight wheel barrows were given,” Sahibdeen said.

Hernandez said he received the report from Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation but was still awaiting information from the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation. He said when the final tallies where made by the Ministry of the People and Social Development after assessments and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure provided a cost to fix the destroyed parts of the Manzanilla-Mayaro Road, then he would be able to put a price on the disaster.

He said however, DMU’s remained vigilant in the event of another emergency saying it was not the first time residents were marooned in their homes for days.

Every person should have a “grab bag” that contains what that individual would need personally such as bottled water, power bars, a flashlight that uses solar power, medication and a first-aid kit.

Hernandez said: “If we don’t get the country and by default every citizen up to that standard of resiliency we have failed.” (TT Express)

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News

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

EU-Funded project to boost Jamaican food exports

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica’s small farmers and food producers are set to benefit from a European Union (EU)funded project, aimed at raising the quality of food products and increasing access to export markets.

The project, being implemented under the €7. 25 million Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) II Programme, was launched on Tuesday, at the Courtleigh Hotel, New Kingston.

The initiative, dubbed ‘EPA Support to Jamaican Food Exports,’ aims to work with farmers and small and medium enterprises to lift the quality of their food products, such as sauces and spices, Blue Mountain Coffee and packed fresh produce for local distribution as well as export.

It will also help producers identify and access new markets beyond the traditional export zones.

The EPA II pro-

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton (left), greets Resident Representative of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Rajeev Gopal, at the launch of the ‘Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Support to Jamaican Food Exports’ project today (November 24), at the Courtleigh Hotel, New Kingston. Looking on is Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Jamaica, Ambassador Paola Amadei.

gramme is being executed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and is focused on improving the competitiveness of specific value chains with export potential, as well as strengthening the quality and standards control envi-

ronment.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, in his remarks at the launch, noted that the project seeks to increase and diversify the country’s exports and impact posi-

tively on employment, while contributing to poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas.

“We welcome the positive impact that the project will have in promoting control in the use of chemicals in agricultural production, and wide im-

plementation of environmentally-friendly management schemes, and relevant certification,” Mr. Hylton said.

He added that the ministry also appreciates the greater attention that is being placed on international food safety standards and access to safer foods for Jamaicans.

He noted that traditionally, the country’s trade policies have been guided by the concept of selling primary raw materials and low value finished products into the global marketplace.

The Industry Minister further noted that the project should go a far way in addressing the country’s trade deficit, competitiveness and growth, while integrating the economy into global markets.

For his part, Resident Representative of the IFC, Rajeev Gopal, informed that over the next 25 months, the entity will work with local companies and asso-

ciations to connect small and medium enterprises in Jamaica’s food sector with importers, who are interested in buying Jamaican food products.

He said the IFC will seek to build the capacity of trade associations and others to better serve their members by increasing their ability to tap into new markets; and help farmers to improve their agricultural practices through business training, risk management and technical support, aimed at improving their productivity.

Head of the Delegation of the EU in Jamaica, Ambassador Paola Amadei, noted that with business reforms being undertaken, “we will see a more competitive and diversified Jamaican economy, to the benefit of all citizens.”

“The European Union will continue to assist Jamaica in achieving these objectives,” Mrs. Amadei said.(JIS)

GTA plugs quality as Restaurant Week begins in Guyana

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : The importance of higher levels of quality and service were emphasized as Restaurant Week begun in Guyana on Monday as part of several activities to mark Tourism Awareness Month.

Restaurant Week is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG).

Head of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Indranauth Haralsingh said the week will provide opportunities for restaurants to showcase their creativity while promoting unique Guyanese cuisine.

He also said it’s a

“win-win” experience for both restaurants and consumers.

“One of the key objectives of Restaurant Week is to persuade more of the local Guyanese to visit restaurants and fine dining restaurants that they would not ordinarily visit, or for some people, which they think they could not afford,” Haralsingh told Guyana Times at the launch of the week.

Haralsingh also urged consumers to demand the quality service at the restaurants explaining that this is an integral move towards lifting the bar as far as customer service and satisfaction are concerned.

“Be a little bit more demanding. If you’re paying for a meal and it needs to be served hot,

let us insist that it is served that way. Let us insist that we get proper service. Let us insist that we don’t get a quarter of a napkin…” he stressed, noting that he had an awful experience at a local restaurant which could have been easily been avoided if only the entity was a little more firm with providing excellent service.

He used the opportunity to call on all restaurants to ensure they provide quality service so that customers will have something to brag about with their friends and families, which can encourage more persons to visit their bistro.

M o r e o v e r , Haralsingh said he hoped that Restaurant Week would attract more restaurants from the various counties of Guyana.

Director of GTA Indranauth Haralsingh, President of THAG Shaun McGrath and other officials amongst various representatives of restaurants at the Launch of Restaurant Week 2014

In fact, he hoped that this initiative can be held two times per year to promote the local restaurants.

The restaurants are

committed to providing the best service possible and a variety of nutritious and tasty meals.

Persons desirous of learning more

about the offers during Restaurant Week can contact the various restaurants or the Guyana Tourism Authority.

(Guyana Times)

TT Central Bank oversight of credit unions

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: The Central Bank is to take over control of the supervision of credit unions according to the provisions of new legislation tabled in Parliament this week.

The new Credit Unions Bill 2014 was tabled in the Senate on Tuesday, alongside new legislation to amend the Cooperative Societies Act. According to an explanatory note to the Credit Union Bill 2014, it, “seeks to regulate the financial activities of cred-

it unions and of secondary bodies carrying on the business of a credit union by, inter alia, removing credit unions from the portfolio of the Commissioner for Co-operative Development and placing them under the purview of the Central Bank, and to provide for other related matters.”

The Commissioner for Cooperative Development post will remain in place but will be modified and placed within the Central Bank framework.

The system of regulation involving a Commissioner for

Co-operatives was subject to criticism in the report of the Sir Anthony Colman Inquiry into the collapse of the Hindu Credit Union (HCU) in July.

The need to revise the credit union sector’s regulation was announced since December 1996. At one stage the sector’s regulation shifted to the Ministry of Finance but that move was apparently abandoned. The current bills come after a series of consultative process, with Minister of Finance stating in September that they had been delayed

at the request of credit union stakeholders.

The Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2014, proposes to modify the current provisions alongside the new bill.

It also contains a clause which proposes to make criminal prosecutions in relation to offences easier by extending the jurisdiction of the courts and the statue of limitation.

A note to the bill states, “Clause 37 would extend the jurisdiction of the Court to offences committed by an entity

in any place at which it has a place of business, and by an individual in any place at which he is for the time being located.”

The Colman Inquiry found violations of rules and practices at the HCU and also failings by the regulators in the Office of Commissioner for Cooperative Development. It was recommended that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions test the sustainability of criminal proceedings against one regulator, Keith Maharaj.(TT Newsday)

News Consortium invests in Phoenix Park Gas in TT

lio particularly in light of the limited investment opportunities locally. Acquisition of Phoenix Gas shares is in keeping with our strategy of portfolio diversification which is being pursued to safeguard the National Insurance fund and promote the long-term sustainability of the National Insurance System.”

The joint acquisition of 100 per cent of the equity of Pan West is the largest investment in the local energy sector for the NIBTT, representing 1.5 per cent of its Adrian Bharath, chairman National investment fund, a Insurance Board (NIBTT), statement said last O R T - O F - S P A I N , Thursday.

TRINIDAD: An in“The acquisition of an advestment consortium, ditional interest in Phoenix comprising the National Park’s equity is consistent Insurance Board (NIBTT), with NEL’s strategy to inNational Enterprises Ltd crease its equity participa(NEL), and the Unit Trust tion in the energy industry Corporation (UTC), has ac- and to continue playing an quired a ten per cent stake in integral role in the developPhoenix Park Gas Processors ment of the Trinidadian capLtd for US$168 million. ital markets; Phoenix Park It was done through the has been a strong perform100 per cent acquisition ing company that can conof Pan West Engineers & tinue to provide solid reConstructors. turns and value for NEL’s Pan West is a wholly- shareholders,” said Kenny owned subsidiary of General Lue Chee Lip, NEL chairElectric Capital Corporation man.

(GE) and was the holder of In the statement, UTC the ten per cent equity inter- chairman Wendell Mottley est in Phoenix Park. said: “Given its solid operPhoenix Park’s core busi- ational and financial perness is natural gas process- formance coupled with its ing and natural gas liquids strong level of cash generaaggregation, fractionation tion level, low debt level and and marketing. It operates investment rating, Phoenix Trinidad and Tobago’s only Park represents an attracnatural gas processing and tive investment opportuniNGL fractionation plant ty for UTC’s funds with atand is the largest produc- tractive dividend yields and er and marketer of propane, risk-adjusted returns.” mixed butane, isobutane As a result of this transand natural gasoline in the action, Phoenix Park is Caribbean. now wholly-owned and conNIBTT chairman Adrian trolled by statutory and reBharath said last Thursday: lated entities of the Republic “This transaction provides of Trinidad and Tobago.(TT an opportunity to strengthen Newsday) NIBTT’s investment portfo-

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Guyanese youth leaders honoured for outstanding work

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Winners of the 2014 National Youth Awards

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: Local youths, activists and organisations have been nationally recognised for their achievements as the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry on Saturday evening held the first-ever National Youth Awards ceremony at the National Cultural Centre.

The inaugural award hosted in collaboration with CUSO International recognised outstanding individuals and/or organisations that have focused their efforts on creating and providing an enabling environment that facilitates youth advocacy and provides effective youth programmes.

Awards were presented in six categories: regional participation, national participation, service, media, school and an award of excellence. The regional awards were given to individuals from all the regions except Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

“Here is a mechanism to distinguish youth advocacy and effective youth programmes.

Here is an award that recognises young people who have made a difference through their voluntary participation and active voice, whether it is through sports, training, culture and arts,” Director of Culture, Dr James Rose said.

Dr Rose, delivering the keynote address at the award ceremony, said that having exam-

Chattergoon Jadoopat receives the award for the Diamond-Grove Youth Group

ined the long list of areas, the scope of activities covered in the award would have questioned whether it was difficult in finding entries for the category.

He explained that he was instead informed that the difficulty was not in finding entries, but instead in choosing fromamong so many quality entries.

He noted that Guyana has great hope in her youthful generation to redeem the country from stressful issues and that no one should ever underestimate the power of youth in this, or any other society.

Director of Youth, Gillian Frank explained that the award aims to recognise the accomplishments of those within the age range of 14 to 29 years who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in their lives and through voluntary services and youth focus organisations that have promoted and fos-

tered the development of youth welfare and voluntary activities.

She listed as some of the objectives of the award those of highlighting outstanding work that young people contribute to their communities, that is by providing social services to motivate them to develop a sense of duty and leadership to their community regardless of age, and to establish benchmarks that challenge young people to increase their skills in different fields, thus, improving their personal potential.

Frank said that it is anticipated that gains of the awards will increase the participation of youth in public affairs through voluntarism, increase the ability of youth to advocate for themselves, and the value of youth and their contribution to community and national development. (Guyana Times)

Jamaican govt partnering with South Africa in nutraceuticals

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The government is partnering with the Republic of South Africa in the area of nutraceuticals, as it moves to strengthen its collaboration with that country in science and technology.

This is one of five priority areas which have been identified under the Jamaica/South Africa Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, which was signed last year.

The agreement includes the exchange of scientists, researchers, technical experts and scholars, as well as the formulation and implementation of joint re-

search and development programmes.

The other areas on which both countries have agreed to collaborate are: biotechnology, renewable energy, popularization of science, as well as the science and technology behind the proposed logistics hub.

This was disclosed during the first meeting of the Jamaica-South Africa Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation, at the offices of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, in Kingston on Tuesday.

Highlighting the rationale behind selecting nutraceuticals

South African High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Mathu Joyini

as one of the key areas for cooperation, at Tuesday's meeting, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Hilary Alexander, noted that it has been identified as a “growing business”

and is an area in which Jamaica has a long history, “but we have not necessarily realized all the benefits therein”.

“We would not wish the rest of the world to overtake us with respect

to either the research or the products or the indigenous materials that we have, that can make a difference to the rest of the world,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary noted that Jamaica is seeking to build on some of the research work South Africa has done this area, which has the potential to provide a revenue stream for the country.

According to South African High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Mathu Joyini, Jamaica is “a very strong ally historically,” having already collaborated in the area of education and sports.

“We are leveraging

that relationship to explore other areas that can benefit our two countries and science and technology is one of them,” she said.

She noted that Jamaica and South Africa have similar missions of using science and technology to create solutions that advance society and have a meaningful impact on its development.

“I’m quite confident that there is so much that we can learn from you (Jamaica) and there is so much that we can share from our side.

I’m just happy that we are starting this process,” she said. (Jamaica Observer)

10 News Karim: New UWI Open Campus Brand Jamaica worth $billions in TT to cost TT$561m K P www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica as a brand is one of the most recognised globally. But while this has created opportunities that have the potential to generate substantial economic benefits for the island, it has also presented local authorities with a growing challenge - that of effectively monitoring and protecting the brand from exploitation by some in the global marketplace, which is resulting in Jamaica losing out on billions in potential earnings.

It is estimated that the island loses about US$20 billion of the economic value of Brand Jamaica annually. This economic value is said to be worth between US$33 billion and US$35 billion annually - based on a formula used by Interbrand to calculate brand value, on an annual basis. Interbrand, established in 1974, describes itself as being the world's leading brand consultancy, with a network of 33 offices in 27 countries. It is the publisher of the highly influential annual Best Global Brands ranking.

"Jamaica's brand value is two and half times its gross domestic product ... . That means there is US$20 billion we can't convert," social entrepreneur Dr Henley Morgan told the Jamaican media in an earlier interview.

The Jamaica Promotions Agency (JAMPRO), the princi-

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Lemon grass and ginger products are consumed or used as bath preparations or medicinally. - Contributed photo

pal government agency responsible for promoting and safeguarding Jamaica's brand internationally, said the economic opportunities that continue to escape the country's grasp are something that it is concerned about, but can do very little to halt.

Consequently, JAMPRO said it has been encouraging local businesses to register their intellectual properties with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) based in Kingston.

"Also, we ensure that several of our workshops do include sessions on intellectual property protection.

Professional advice is also available by contacting the JAMPRO Contact Centre," it add-

ed.

Because of the high favourability of Jamaican products in the international marketplace, JAMPRO said it has to consider seriously the island's ability to meet the demand for those genuine Jamaican products that are marketed to the world.

Meanwhile, Roselyn Fisher, general manager of the marketing and development arm of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), revealed that the agency is now busy in the formulation of products from nearly 100 different local medicinal herbs and weeds, including the guinea hen weed, which is revered for its anti-cancer properties.

The SRC - an agency of the Ministry of

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining - has been spearheading the development of authentic and unique Jamaican foods, teas, beverages, cosmetics and other products.

With lawmakers about to give the green light for the production of ganja for medicinal use, the SRC general manager told the Jamaican media that it is working in partnership with several entities in developing a number of products from local ganja - another plant for which Jamaica is already renowned.

Another product that the SRC is currently pushing is sweet potato, for which formulations are being developed for chips, flour, and drink.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training Fazal Karim has estimated the cost of the Esmond Ramesar Open Campus Centre in Chaguanas at TT$561 million. Construction is under way on ten acres of land close to the Divali Nagar site and the first phase is carded to be completed in May. Karim was speaking at the UWI Open Campus Country Sites TT (UWI OCCSTT) annual awards and recognition ceremony on Friday at the UWI Teaching & Learning Complex, St Augustine. A total of 859 students—658 female and 211 male—graduated.

Karim said the open campus, which began as UWI’s Extra-Mural department in 1947/48, had always sought to reinvent the way distance, professional and continuing education were offered to underserved communities across TT. Over the years, it has evolved and now has 19 satellite centres nationwide, St Augustine being the headquarters until the Ramesar Centre in Chaguanas is established.

Karim told the gathering the new centre would be the largest of any facility owned and run by UWI. Some of the features of its first phase are the Academic Programming and Delivery Division (APAD) Centre, Computer and

TT’s Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training Fazal Karim

Technology Services (CATS) Centre, Registry, Finance Department, country site administration offices, HR Department and classrooms. The state-of-theart building will occupy 150,000 square feet.

Karim told the management to ensure all the satellite centres were equipped and certified as workforce assessment centres. He also said the institution, when publishing photographs of the graduates, should state their areas of accomplishments, along with the number of graduates in each. “In this way, employers will be made aware of the type of graduates coming out of our tertiary learning institutions,” he explained.

He also recommended that graduations should be the commencement of employment opportunities tagged to the graduation. “Bring the employers here,” he urged.(TT Guardian)

Construction moving apace on Guyana’s East Bank 4-lane Highway

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Despite the constant delays in the completion of the East Bank Four-Lane Highway, officials are confident that the project will be completed soon as work is moving apace.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Head of the Works Services Group (WSG) Geoffrey Vaughn disclosed that based upon the last meeting held with the contractors, work on Lots One and Two should be wrapped up by the end of December.

However, he noted that with the current inclement weather, this might not be possible; nevertheless, they are holding the contractors

to this deadline.

According to Vaughn, there are some delays with the contractor, Dipcon Engineering, acquiring materials to complete the work in Lot One. The WSG Head explained that the contractor is having financial difficulties, and as such, they sought the Ministry’s assistance is getting the materials and transporting it to the site. He added that they are also looking at some sort of a payment structure for the materials.

“We’re in the process of working with them in terms of that which is part of the contract,” Vaughn said.

Lot One in terms of progress is about 40 per

cent complete. This is not much improvement from the last update given to this newspaper by Works Ministry’s Manager of Roads and Bridges Department, Ron Rahaman, who stated that back in August that works on that Lot is 40 per cent completed.

Meanwhile, works are progressing in Lot Two in order to wrap up by December monthend. This Lot is 75 per cent complete. As it relates to Lot Three, the completion has been pushed back to 2015 due to the construction of the high bridge located at Diamond. The progress of works on this lot is just over 50 per cent.

The WSG Head further outlined that there

Contractors working on the high bridge at Diamond

are still some issues with regards to the utility that needs to be resolved.

Additionally, Vaughn pointed out that the cost of the project has not exceeded its budget; however, there are additional costs for payments to the Supervisors who are overseeing the project.

They are being paid on a monthly basis.

The 2014 budget provided the sum of Gy$13.7 billion to improve roads and bridges network, of which Gy$12.9 billion will be spent on roads and Gy$844.2 million on bridges.

With the completion

of the East Bank and East Coast Demerara Four-Lane Expansion Projects, the traffic congestion, especially at peak hours will be reduced significantly, thus allowing for a smoother and faster traffic flow.

(Excerpted from Guyana Times)

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

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12 News Citizens Bank opens Gy$200M branch at New Amsterdam, Guyana G www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Citizens Bank on Sunday commissioned a spanking new Gy$200 million branch at New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with President Donald Ramotar calling for credit cards to be used more in transacting business.

The President made the call against the backdrop that Guyana’s financial sector is becoming more developed and sophisticated.

The President said the new banking facility is evidence of the confidence the business community has in the local economy, noting that

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

President Donald Ramotar (seventh left) and Citizens Bank Chairman Clifford Reis (left of President) with staffers at the new branch in New Amsterdam

Guyana over the years has moved from being a

Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) to a de-

veloping country.

“We have the condi-

tions in Guyana to take us to the other level of reaching the status of being a developed country in a short period of time.”

He said over the years, the government has developed the infrastructure to keep the country going, but he noted in order to go to the next level “we will need projects like the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project”.

Government, he said will not give up on this project.

Meanwhile, Citizens Bank Chairman Clifford Reis said the County of Berbice is a force to be reckoned with, noting that it is a well established agriculture

base, rich in mineral resources, which all speak of the economic importance of Berbice.

“What we have here is a vision of what could be possible in terms of economic activity and creating wealth could now be considered with the creation of a deep water harbour.”

Citizens Bank Managing Director Eton Chester said that the New Amsterdam branch will offer the same standard of services offered at its other locations.

The building was designed by Guyanese architect Sheldon Williams and was constructed Home Designs, a New Amsterdam firm.

(Guyana Times)

TT’s Manning considering running for election P O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Former prime minister Patrick Manning has announced that he is considering offering himself as a candidate for the PNM in the next general election.

Manning made the

announcement at the constituency’s regular Monday night meeting.

Sources said the meeting was supposed to be the forum at which Manning was expected to propose a nominee of his choice to the constituency for screening by the party’s Screening Committee.

The party has called for nominations for the San Fernando East constituency and the deadline for the submission of nominees is December 1.

However Manning told the meeting on Monday that he was considering running for the San Fernando East con-

‘as long as health permits’: Patrick Manning

stituency for yet another time. Manning has represented the constituency for 43 years and holds the record for being the longest serving MP.

Manning who suffered a major stroke in January 2011, was away from Parliament for two years due to ill health.

Since returning to the Parliament, he has never spoken in any debate. He also does not attend party caucus or party meetings or conventions.

Sources said Manning said he was considering returning as a candidate as long as his health permitted. Manning has challenges with speech as well as mobility.

Manning had previously stated that he would be bowing out of

politics after this parliamentary term was over.

He reiterated his position as recently as last October during the Local Government election.

Thus, his announcement on Monday, caught many by surprise.

The Screening Committee is chaired by Political Leader Dr Keith Rowley and comprises all the officers of the party.

Rowley is currently out of the country.

Up to press time the meeting of the San Fernando East constituency was still in session.

(TT Express)

ACCA panellists agree: Top dollar for quality execs

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: In order to attract top quality executives, companies should be prepared to pay top dollar, Richard Young, non-executive chairman, Massy Group of Companies said on Tuesday. He was part of a panel discussion hosted by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre on Improving Company Performance Through Building a Risk Challenge.

Young, a chartered accountant, said: “Some of the practical dynamics in today’s context, is compensation, how the CEO is compensated

and then how his board is compensated, then the question of the size of compensation.

Obviously if the CEO has a lot at stake in terms of a fairly large incentive, that can drive more risk taking and perhaps not paying attention to managing the risk.”

Mark Cornell, ACCA director, Americas and Europe, said if companies want experience and quality they should be prepared to pay the price.

He said while the dynamics may change depending on the country and the company, what is important is that the company is able to attract human resource of high calibre.

“Different markets have different rates of pay for CEOs depend-

ing on the type of company. Certainly you need different people of breadth and depth of experience in order to lead the company and lead the company successfully.

Asked whether he meant high quality means high price, Cornell said: “Not always high price—good value, if you’ve got the right person no matter what the price is, as long as it is affordable for the company.

If you’ve got the right person, who is going to drive the right culture to the right things for the employees, shareholders and most importantly, the customers, then that person is going to pay dividends back to the company.”(TT Guardian)

News

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

'Production of Jamaica’s natural products set to explode' - official urges manufacturers to observe proper harvesting practices

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Acting Director, Emergency, Disaster Preparedness and Special Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Sonia Copeland on Sunday urged people involved in the manufacturing of natural products to ensure that they are aware of and are observing proper harvesting and production practices to meet international standards.

Dr Copeland said the production of natural products is set to explode and that they should be ready.

She was speaking at an event to recognise the first Natural Health Awareness Day held at the Michi Super Centre in Kingston by former Third World band member Irvin 'Carrot' Jarrett, now a naturopathic holistic health practitioner, and his wife, Alisia.

"Now that policies are changing... [we are] looking at how we can make it easier for growers and for those who do the production of natural products," Dr Copeland said. "It is important that you know what is required so that you can have your things registered, not just for us in Jamaica, but for... the world."

She admitted that the changes that are now happening, like the amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act, have been a long time coming.

"Imagine how a potential exporter felt when he got a big order for noni,

Acting Director, Emergency, Disaster Preparedness and Special Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Sonia Copeland addresses the audience at an event held to mark the first Natural Health Awareness Day at the Michi Super Centre in Kingston on Sunday. The event was hosted by former Third World band member Irvin ‘Carrot’ Jarrett, now a naturopathic holistic health practitioner, and his wife, Alisia

and when they were ready they realised that it had too many contaminants," Dr Copeland reiterated. "So you have to be informed from the field to the final product, you have to make sure you are observing good harvesting practices and good manufacturing practices, so that the quality of what we have at the end can be accepted wherever."

Dr Copeland also reminded those at the event that observing ancestral practices should not be discarded, because this also adds credence to when things are to be harvested to yield the best crop.

Dr Copeland also endorsed the event and pledged her support for the initiative.

Zainool Hosein resigns from Retired Judges Association in TT

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Four days after saying that he saw no conflict of interest in serving both as Chairman of the Integrity Commission and Chairman of the Retired Judges Association, Zainool Hosein has resigned as Chairman of the Association.

The announcement came via press release from the Association that Hosein, “had relinquished his post as Chairman of the Retired Judges’ Association”.

The association stated further that it will now be administered by a three-person committee comprising Retired Justices Brooks, HamelSmith and Jones, until further notice.

Last Friday Hosein

had indicated that he would remain as the Association’s head, stating: “I don’t think that there is any conflict.

The Retired Judges Association will continue. And I still remain a retired judge”. “There is no conflict of interest or duty because there is no salary or anything”, he added. Asked whether he saw no issue with the Association lobbying the government, whose members were subject to the Integrity in Public Life Act, Hosein stated: “You don’t either understand English or you are not prepared to hear what I am saying. I am not dealing with the Retired Judges Association at this interview. This is in relation to the Integrity Commission.”

(TT Express)

"We are behind you Carrot, we are beside

you, we are before you," Dr Copeland said.

The vision for Natural Health Awareness Day

in Jamaica is for it to become an annual day which will seek to educate and raise awareness of Jamaica's natural foods and herb that can be used as medicine and to expose the existing natural health services and therapies for the mind, body and spirit such as yoga, meditation and reflexology, among others.

The activities at the event included a panel discussion as well as several booths which were set up to provide information on different natural health products and services and their benefits. Scores of participants were observed with notepads in hand, trying to amass all the information they could.

(Jamaica Observer)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Guyana Govt dismisses claims about Sun and Sand Hotel project “falling through”

… paper work, surveying being finalised

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : P r e s i d e n t Donald Ramotar on Monday confirmed that the construction of the US$54M Sun and Sand Hotel is expected to commence soon, dismissing misinformation being peddled by Opposition members that the project lacks transparency and is falling through.

The Hotel, when completed, will include a casino, along with a commercial block and club house.

It will contain 163 rooms and provide jobs for several hundred Guyanese. The construction of the five-star hotel is expected to last for approximately 18 months.

But Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan is quoted in sections of the media as expressing the view that there might be more to the actual

An artist’s impression of the Sun and Sand Hotel

deal that the government negotiated with the Indian investors.

He alleged that his party was of the view that the project appeared less than transparent and that concession and other facilities may have been granted.

Ramjattan is also on record as giving his party’s commitment to ascertain pivotal information about the deal that

could remove any suspicion that it is being used as a front to enter in the lucrative operations in the mineral sectors in Guyana.

“We have few details of this deal. It was announced suddenly and we would like to know whether any mining concessions were tied to the hotel construction,” he is quoted as saying.

However, President

Ramotar insisted that as far as he was aware, the project was still very much on the cards and there was no plan by the investors to withdraw or cancel their investment in the multimillion dollar venture.

Director of BK International Brian Tiwarie told the Guyana Times that the company has purchased all the equipment needed for

construction to begin.

He disclosed that the officials of the company were working feverishly on completing some very important operational and administrative work.

Tiwarie said that they were still awaiting the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and some other important paper work

from the Lands and Survey Commission.

That, he reasoned, was responsible in part for the delay in the actual start up and operationalisation of the venture.

In addition, getting the plot of land at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara surveyed, on which the hotel is to be built, has also posed a problem.

Efforts to speak with Bhushan Chandna, Chief Executive Officer of the company were unsuccessful as he was in a meeting when the media placed a call to his mobile.

The Sun and Sand Group has also showed interests in venturing in gold mining in Guyana and other sectors of the economy.

The company has mining operations in South Africa and other countries.(Guyana Times)

Ja$250m of NHT surplus to fund repairs to infirmaries

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Some Ja$250 million from the National Housing Trust (NHT) has been identified to repair several infirmaries across the island.

In addition, several projects aimed at providing shelter for street people are to be undertaken.

The money is coming from the NHT's revenue surplus.

The programme is to be operated from the Local Government and Community Development Ministry.

Local Government Minister Noel Arscott said the infirmaries in need of repairs are situated in St James, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, and Portland.

In relation to the shelters, Arscott said a number of projects have been identified for implementation in Kingston and St Andrew, Clarendon, Manchester, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St Ann. No date has been given for the start of the programme.

Arscott said Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller had announced the allocation during her Budget Debate presentation in April.(JIS)

Some Ja$250 million from the National Housing Trust (NHT) has been identified to repair several infirmaries across the island. In addition, several projects aimed at providing shelter for street people are to be undertaken

Dutch Caribbean airline Crackdown planned in Jamaica takes to TT’s skies again on fake Blue Mountain coffee

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O R T - O F - S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Dutch Caribbean airline InselAir will be operating a service from Piarco International Airport to Curacao from December 15.

Based in Willemstad, Curacao, the carrier started operations in 2006 and previously operated a service to Trinidad.

With the Trinidad and Tobago route relaunched, InselAir will now serve 20 destinations in the pan American region, the company says in a statement on its website.

InselAir will host a Trinidad and Tobago relaunch of the service with local travel agent Lazarri and Sampson next week.

InselAir will also start operating direct flights from Curacao to Georgetown, Guyana, from December 18, the company said.

“Passengers travelling from Aruba, Bonaire, Miami, St Maarten, Santo Domingo, Caracas, Las Piedras and Port of Spain will enjoy a seamless and fast connection to the beautiful surroundings of Georgetown,” explains Jurgen Lippinkhof, chief commercial officer of InselAir. “We already operate two flights per week out of Aruba to Georgetown which brings the total amount to four flights per week. Adding two direct flights from Curacao will provide our passengers more flexibility due to the frequent flights between Aruba and Curacao.”

Flights will be operated with a F-70 aircraft.

InselAir is offering special introduction fares to Port of Spain from Curacao at 381 Netherlands Antillean guilders (one guilder equals TT$3.54) round trip, excluding Curaçao airport tax, InselAir said. (TT Express)

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Coffee Industry Board says it will be cracking down on the sale of fake Blue Mountain coffee, particularly in the island's resort areas.

Coffee Industry Board Chairman Delano Franklyn did not give a specific date when the newly formed Brand Infringement and Enforcement Taskforce would begin its job of monitoring and protecting the worldfamous brand, offering only that the raids will be conducted "before Christmas".

"We have numerous reports from persons staying at some of our hotels that the taste profile of coffee purported to be Blue Mountain coffee is different from the... taste to which they are accustomed," Franklyn said at a press conference at the Coffee Industry Board office in Kingston on Tuesday.

Checks have also revealed that people have been misusing the Jamaican

Blue Mountain coffee trademark, trading in Blue Mountain coffee and importing the commodity without a licence.

Upon close inspection of the products that falsely claim to have been "roasted and packaged by small farmers in Portland, Jamaica," the Jamaican media found that some of the beans were actually packaged in the United States, Spain, and as far away as Germany.

Individuals caught trading in coffee that has either been illegally imported, or which violates the registered Blue Mountain Coffee trademark, can be fined up to Ja$600,000 or sentenced to six months in prison.

Export earnings from the commodity have also fallen along with production. In the last two years alone, earnings fell by just under US$4 million, down from just over US$15.5 million in 2012.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Cop on leave: rape probe Guyana’s Ramotar likely to remain of girl, 13, held up PPP/C Presidential Candidate

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: The report made by a 13-yearold mother that her baby was conceived as a result of rape stalled because the investigating officer was away on leave.

However, as a result of the TT report last Saturday regarding the girl’s case and concerns raised by attorney Marissa Bubb, the teenager was visited by police on Monday.

They took samples of saliva from the teen and her nine-month-old daughter for Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing. The investigation has also been taken over by a police sergeant, the TT media was told.

Last February, the girl, who lives with her grandfather and ill grandmother, began experiencing pain and was taken by family members to the San Fernando General Hospital.

While there, relatives were told the teen was in labour.

Following the delivery, hospital officials contacted the police. Officers took a report from the girl, and promised to follow up on the case.

After ten days, nothing happened, and a relative went with the girl to the Oropouche Police Station where another report was made, the media was told.

The station was under repairs and the girl and relative were directed to the Fyzabad

Police Station where, on that same day, they spent three hours giving a detailed report to the police. In the report, the girl identified the person who had sexual intercourse with her.

But for the last nine months, the police made no contact.

The TT media was told the police officer was on leave. She has since returned to work.

A police officer made contact with the girl and her relatives at the weekend.

If arrested, the man could be charged with statutory rape for having sexual intercourse with a female under the age of 14 years. The girl was 12 when she was sexually assaulted.

She had appeared in court last week Monday charged with possession of 3.3 grammes of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

She was charged with having the illegal substance for the purpose of trafficking as the drug was found in her bag while she was within 500 metres of the school.

The teen was reprimanded and discharged by the magistrate.

During the hearing of the case, her attorney, Marissa Bubb, told the court the girl was a mother who had reported to police she had been sexual assaulted but there had been no recourse.(TT Newsday)

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has announced that Head of State President Donald Ramotar will most likely remain the Presidential candidate for the party, should a snap election be called anytime in the near future.

Ramotar was selected by the party as its 2011 Presidential Candidate after a number of nominations were carefully looked at and scrutinized.

He was serving as the party’s General Secretary at the time.

The Party’s Presidential Candidate and other pertinent issues were up for discussion recently, when the executives commenced discussions on the country’s current political mood, and the possibility of a snap election.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee, at the party’s weekly Press Conference on Monday, disclosed that the committee has been discussing the issue of the presidential candidate but from all indications, the situation will remain the same.

“The central committee started discussion on the matter and has agreed that it will bring it to finality as soon as possible. The issue is being discussed. President Ramotar obviously is the candidate for the

Head of State President Donald Ramotar

time being until the Central Committee or the Executive Committee closes off on the matter; there is one name there at the moment,” Rohee told Journalists at the Freedom House boardroom.

Roheee told reporters that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) may still have its internal faction especially as it relates to President Ramotar’s invitation for consultation.

According to him, “it appears as though there are some elements within the APNU who are bent on not having any dialogue while there are others disposed to having dialogue”.

He said that faction may be Granger’s challenge.

“I suspect he is having some difficulties in reconciling the different throng within the party to determine how to answer because I saw him saying he is still pondering how to respond to Ramotar’s letter. I think he’s trying to give it his best shot, having regards to the internal conflict within the party that probably where the answer lies; in his ability to untangle.”

Rohee reiterated that he is “confident as confident can be” that his party would be the victor at any future elections to be held in Guyana. The atmosphere he stressed tells of this.

He said as General Secretary of the party, he continues to move around the country where many people have been exuding confidence in the current administration, registering their interest in assisting it in getting over the “parliamentary impasse”.

He explained that the party’s visits to traditional areas where it had lost votes in the last election, and speaking to persons who had had “migrated to the AFC”, have expressed their regret.

When the prorogation of Parliament comes to an end in six months time, Guyanese may have to go to the polls since the combined opposition has maintained that the no confidence motion will be the first item on the agenda when Parliament reconvenes.(Guyana Times)

16 News Guyana, Barbados partnering to boost tourism www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

- enjoy sun and sand and eco-tourism in one package!

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: As Guyana and Barbados embark on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see the twinning of the two Caribbean countries as a joint tourism destination, countries in the region are being urged to emulate the move to promote the Caribbean as a vibrant tourist destination.

The terms of the MOU are currently being discussed and are expect to be signed sometime in December. This is according to acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, who was at the time speaking at the 2014 Tourism Awards Ceremony on Friday evening at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Barbados’ Tourism Minister Richard Sealy was the guest speaker at the event.

The MOU will facilitate a joint marketing strategy for the two countries as a single tourism destination. It is expected to bring benefits to the local tourism sector as well as tourism in Barbados.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali (left) makes a point during a conversation with President Donald Ramotar and Barbados Tourism Minister Richard Sealy at the Tourism Awards Ceremony

“This is an excellent move of twinning Guyana and Barbados as a common destination in the region. You can have tourists who can get the best eco-tourism and still enjoy the sun and the sea in one package,” Minister Ali noted.

He pointed out that this is the direction in which tourism is progressing and decisions such as these need to be taken in order to remain competitive and maintain a share in the tourism market.

The minister remarked that every coun-

try in the region has something unique to offer and when they compete with the world, they should do so as a single destination.

“The region is competing with the world and for us to be successful; we have to pool our talents and resources together. We are too small in the region to ever believe that we can compete out there,” he noted.

According to Ali, through the Caribbean Tourism Authority (CTO), the Caribbean can create better tourism packages because of the

diverse products each country will bring to the table. He added that the future calls for collaboration, corporation and cohesion and that is where the region is heading.

Barbados’ Tourism Minister Richard Sealy, who is also the Chairman of the CTO, endorsed the

sentiments expressed by Minister Ali. Sealy pointed out that with increased annual tourism figures worldwide; this provides an abundance of opportunities to diversify the region’s tourism products.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN WTO) reported that in 2013, the Asian Pacific region recorded its strongest growth with six per cent increase in arrivals with the European and African region following with five per cent increase.

However, in this part of the world, North, South and Central Americas and the Caribbean, recorded a three per cent increase in arrivals.

This, Sealy stated, reflects the importance of collaborations among countries in the region to

find solutions to sustain the sector.

On a lighter note, the Barbadian Minister highlighted that the UN WTO reported in 2014 that between January and August, international tourism arrivals was recorded at 781 million, 36 million more than the same period in 2013.

However, the Americas are in the lead with an eight per cent growth during those first eight months of this year.

Additionally, he disclosed that the Caribbean saw a four per cent increase in arrivals between January and September this year.

As it relates to Guyana, there is a very healthy increase of 7.4 per cent, which is more than the Caribbean growth rate.

Sealy lauded the efforts of the government in promoting its tourism sector. (Guyana Times)

Police promise safe Christmas shopping in Chaguanas

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: With a campaign to draw retail business to Chaguanas now in full swing, Senior Superintendent Johnny Abraham on Tuesday assured the public that the aspiring city will be one the safest places to shop this Christmas.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service on Tuesday launched its Safe City Policing Initiative on the Chaguanas Main Road, with Abraham and a police team later conducting a walk through the main shopping area of the borough.

Abraham praised Police Commissioner Stephen Williams for the initiative, which he said has the full support of the business community in that area.

Though he claims to have been criticised for stating in the past that criminals looking to migrate to central Trinidad would do well to “stay out”, he repeated the warning on Tuesday.

“They must stay out,” Abraham said.

“Central has to come back to how it was twenty years ago, when you could have slept with your door open.”

Some business persons noted a reduction in daily petty offenses, such as pick-pocketing and shop lifting but they felt business persons were still uneasy about security in their neighbourhoods.

Vice president of the Greater Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce, Vishnu Charran, commended the police on the extra effort being put out for Christmas. (TT Newsday)

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Over 5000 applications being processed for Remigrant Scheme in Guyana – as massive transformation reshapes East Bank corridor

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: In excess of 5000 thousand applications have been received for the ‘Re-migrant Housing Scheme’ programme, according to Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali.The minister said that the scheme, which is located in Providence, East Bank Demerara is another indication of government’s commitment to provide housing for all Guyanese at home and abroad.

He pointed out that even though overseas based Guyanese may not be interested in moving back, having ownership of a property within the scheme will bring revenues into the country.

“Even if the overseas based Guyanese use their secondary homes, what that does is it creates employment for

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali taking President Donald Ramotar and Finance Minister

gardeners and housekeepers; they have to furnish their homes; they have to get security, and they have to utilise gas, electricity and water. These consumption levels will build the

economy and creates spending,” he stated.

The Remigrant Housing Scheme is located north of the Mocha Main Road, about one mile east of the Providence Police

Station compound, E.B.D. The lots range from 6000 to 9000 square feet, with prices between Gy$4.5 million and Gy$7 million.

Interested remigrants had to be Guyanese over

21-years of age and do not have ownership of homes in Guyana. The applications are available online.

“The reason why this area has been designated for this purpose is because of its close proximity to the low income housing and the middle income housing. Thus the creation of employment and the reduction of transportation cost to get to your place of employment”, he remarked.

The minister went onto say that the private sector has been taking advantage of the opportunities available at the area and it is estimated that they invest more than US$200 million in projects at the location.

The East Bank Demerara corridor is home to one of the country’s most developed community and sever-

al developing housing schemes. The Diamond scheme is considered one of the most, if not the most, developed community along the East Bank. It currently houses three major commercial banks, a fire station, a diagnostic centre, a secondary and primary nursery schools and a gas station with a food court.

Meanwhile, another project which will see major transformation to the East Bank Corridor is the construction of the four lane highway from Herstelling to Diamond.

The road is set to be completed sometime early next year.

Plans are also in the works to construct a highway connecting Diamond Housing Scheme to Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

(Excerpted from Guyana Times)

TT’s Most Wanted man caught Canada imposes visa restrictions on St Kitts

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: For over a month, residents of Brasso Seco hid in their homes, shied away from the media and were even afraid to talk to the police amid fears that the man believed responsible for the disappearance and deaths of three of their fellow villagers remained on the run and presumably still in the area.

Azmon Alexander was deemed by the police as a “person of interest” following the disappearance of Irma Rampersad, 49, and her daughters, Felicia, 17, and Jennelle Gonzales, 19, and Irma’s granddaughter, one-year-old Shania Amoroso, when they went missing from their Paria Morne Bleu Road, Brasso Seco, home on October 26.

Their disappearance was reported to the police on October 26.

A family friend, Felix Martinez, 52, also went missing a short time after.

With the discovery of the three bodies, residents of Brasso Seco became even more fearful of the man believed responsible for the killings and, according to several residents, they began implementing an unofficial curfew which saw them all in their respective homes by 8 p.m.

Suspect: Azmon Alexander

Then also began rumours that Alexander was seen in the area and had disguised himself as a woman in a bid to flee the forest which had been under a heavy police dragnet since investigations into the missing people began.

In the end he was not found in a dress or a wig.

He was not even clean-shaven and was actually arrested wearing 3/4 pants and a T-shirt around 10.30 a.m. along the LennoxYearwood Boulevard in Malabar, Arima, in a green Mazda motor car.

He had a cutlass in his possession and was the lone passenger apart from the driver.

He offered no resistance when the police nabbed him.

Insp Mark Maharaj, who spoke on behalf of the arresting party of officers, stated, “We have been going night and day with this investigation and this morn-

ing we are drained.”

He said they did not rely on an anonymous tip but rather quietly gathered information following which they began paying undercover surveillance to the Lennox-Yearwood Boulevard area and its environs and on Sunday they decided to act knowing where he would be and what time he would be there.

In Brasso Seco on Sunday, the TT media was told that following the arrest the community’s road to normalcy would be a long one.

Peter Sylvester, the husband of Irma Rampersad, happily spoke to reporters on Sunday.

Asked how he felt about the suspect he said, “I would not ask him nothing. I would beat him. It is better that I not see he.”

The small compound where they live is located just off the Paria Morne Bleu Road, Brasso Seco, and when approached by reporters on Sunday the mood was much more relaxed than weeks before.

He said while Alexander remained at large the area had changed.

“Man used to go down the road and lime lil bit till 8 or 9, but not again. But it will take a while for things to get back to normal,” said Sylvester. (TT Express)

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Canada has imposed visa restrictions on citizens of St Kitts and Nevis.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Canada explained that the visa requirement was due to concerns about the issuance of passports and identity management practices within the island’s Citizenship

by Investment pro-

gramme.

“Canada is acting to protect the safety and security of Canadians and the integrity of our immigration system.

The visa requirement will ensure that Canada will be able to properly determine the true identity of St Kitts and Nevis passport holders and to deny entry to those who would otherwise be inadmissible to Canada,” the Canadian High Commission said

in a statement.

“Canada continues to welcome genuine visitors from St Kitts and Nevis and has a number of programmes, including a multiple-entry visa, to make it easy for such legitimate visitors to travel to Canada.”

Grenada had similar restrictions placed on it by Canada due to its economic citizenship programme, which was later abandoned.

(Barbados Today)

Digicel to TATT: Withstand ‘severe pressure’

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Mobile service provider Digicel is calling on the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) to hold firm and withstand what the company describes as the “severe pressure” being applied

by UK-based Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) and Columbus International Inc (Columbus) to approve the proposed acquisition of Columbus by CWC. CWC announced earlier this month that it was acquiring Columbus—operator of the Flow cable network—for US$3.2 billion.

The acquisition is subject to regional and local regulatory approvals.

Under the concessions granted to Columbus in Trinidad, CWC/Columbus are obliged to seek regula-

tory approval from TATT to allow the change of control of Columbus’ operations in Trinidad and Tobago to CWC. Digicel said in a statement from its Port of Spain office yesterday.

TATT is obliged to consider the application and may insist on certain conditions being applied to the proposed transaction before the change of control is approved in Trinidad and Tobago, the company said.

Digicel said that CWC and Columbus were seeking to railroad through this acquisition by “artificially setting purported dates for termination of their share purchase agreement”.

Digicel said that the situation was even more serious in Trinidad and Tobago considering the fact that CWC already owns 49 per cent of TSTT. CEO of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago, John Delves

said: “It is not for CWC or Columbus to tell TATT or any other regulatory body how to do their job or the period of time that they are allowed to do it in. These attempts to force their will on what is a hugely significant regulatory process must be resisted and rejected by TATT. This application to allow the acquisition of Columbus by CWC needs to be subjected to a rigorous review by TATT and a proper, considered analysis of the effects on the telecoms market and industry in Trinidad and Tobago must be conducted and acted upon.”

He added: “We are calling on TATT to fulfil its mandate, and to be allowed to fulfil its mandate, in the best interests of the people of Trinidad and Tobago and not to be dictated to

by CWC/Columbus.” (TT Express)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Controversy erupts Guyana’s President tells inaugural North Pakaraimas Expo over Jamaica’s – keep your culture alive Diaspora elections

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Controversy has erupted in the election for a new Jamaica Diaspora Board representative for the North East United States after one of the candidates told a radio forum that she has been endorsed by state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Arnaldo Brown.

But in a swift reaction, diaspora leaders said Brown has denied endorsing any of the three candidates vying for the voluntary position.

The denial resulted in Joan Pinnock, the New Jersey-based Federal attorney who made the statement, withdrawing the comment, saying that she erred.

"I mis-spoke during the forum. It was a mistake," a contrite Pinnock told the Jamaican media.

"I have not had any discussion with Minister Brown on the matter, and as far as I am aware he has no preference, has not endorsed and is not endorsing any candidate."

The method of choosing representatives to the Diaspora Advisory Board has become a hot-button issue, as there is a strong view that Jamaicans in the diaspora sould be free to make their own choice.

BROWN... denies endorsing candidate

Three years ago, a firestorm erupted within the Jamaican diaspora in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States over what was then perceived as strongarm methods by the then Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government over how members to the advisory board should be chosen.

The government was forced to dispatch then minister of state Marlene Malahoo-Forte for a series of meetings with diaspora leaders to quell the disquiet after they threatened to boycott the Diaspora Biennial Conference at the time.

Arising out of that experience, diaspora leaders decided to hold direct elections to chose their representatives to the advisory board. Jamaicans in more than a dozen states and in Washington DC began voting for their representatives to the ad-

visory board last Monday.

In her profile, Pinnock, who heads the Jamaican American Bar Association, said she was "stunned to see the division in a number of states among Jamaicans who grew up together".

"Several groups are even refusing to set foot in each other's territory," she lamented.

She said the observation was made as she toured the areas as part of the official delegation with Brown to promote the diaspora mapping project and the sixth Biennial Diaspora Conference.Pinnock is one of three candidates for Diaspora Advisory Board member. The others are Sandra Morrison and Tracy TomilsonDixon, while Erin LueHing and Scherie Murray are facing off for the position of Future Leader representative. (Jamaica Observer)

TT govt funding student eye care

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Government will bear the cost of spectacles for primary school students with refracted lens problems up to a maximum of TT$1,500 in a Vision Screening initiative, Health Minister Fuad Khan said on Thursday.

He was speaking at the post-Cabinet press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair. Khan said Cabinet had approved the plan.

A TT national eye survey also found that a significant number of children suffered from eye sight problems in the school population. The World Health Organisation has estimated uncorrected refracted errors was the cause of severe visual impairment problems globally with 19 million affected, he said. Khan said since 2011, the ministry, through regional

TT Health Minister Fuad Khan

health authorities, provided vision screening for students and children who failed the tests were referred to health and public eye clinics and other facilities.

He said based on data from 2012, some 2,397 students would be recommended for eye glasses for the 2014- 2015 term. Khan said the ministry had responded by providing financial help to students who qualified

for glasses. He said parents would have to obtain a form and submit information before being allowed to choose an optical provider for students’ glasses. A child’s birth certificate will be needed for processing.

The ministry will provide TT$1,500 to cover costs for students. This applies every two years if the prescription changes. If the spectacles cost more, parents will have to meet the costs, or choose another provider or cheaper glasses.

Cabinet has also increased the number of patients to attend the two cancer treatment centres—Brian Lara Centre and Southern Medical Cancer Treatment Centre— from 500 at each centre to 1,000 each, the minister said. Cabinet also approved the Clinical Assessment committee for Cancer Treatment.

(TT Guardian)

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Residents from communities in the North Pakaraimas were on Saturday reminded of the importance of keeping their culture alive as President Donald Ramotar declared the first ever North Pakaraimas Festival Expo opened.

The two-day event is being hosted by the residents of Kurukubaru, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and features booths from the various communities in the North Pakaraimas

over the years has done a lot in preserving the Amerindian culture while striking the balance in developing the communities and its people by bringing them on par with the rest of the country.

“When the PPP was in government first in 1950, we introduced the Hinterland Scholarship Programme and since we came back to government in 1992, we started to expand on that, and we have been building schools in the interior.”

Already, the

the LCDS programme rolls out, more than 150 communities stand to benefit.

Meanwhile, the President also used the opportunity to bring the residents, who came out in their numbers, up to speed on the current parliamentary situation, which is facing Guyana,and his decision to prorogue the Parliament.

The residents were reminded of the cuts to the Amerindian Affairs Ministry’ capital budget.

He assured the gathering that despite the Opposition’s efforts to

President Donald Ramotar being escorted into Kurukubaru in the North Pakaraimas by a resident and the village’s Toshao

showcasing their produce as well as inter-community competition in football, archery and cricket.

President Ramotar, who delivered the feature address, noted his government’s commitment towards improving the lives of residents in hinterland communities while simultaneously promoting sustainable livelihood.

The President told the gathering that it is always heart-warming for him to visit Amerindian communities having come from Amerindian ancestry himself.

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration

Administration has begun construction of computer hubs in hinterland communities as efforts are being made to source solar panel to power them. It is also with this in mind that the One Laptop Per Family initiative is being extended to hinterland communities.

President Ramotar said that the government has also been placing emphasis on capacity building in hinterland communities as through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) Programme, many communities have benefitted from initiatives that will boost economic activities.

As the second phase of

thwart development, the Administration will continue to work towards the advancement of all its citizens Meanwhile, Toshao of Kurukubaru Leonis Peters, who also addressed the gathering at the opening ceremony, described the event as a historical one for the residents.

He added that the event is also a vision that has become a reality, and called on his fellow residents to use the event for social cohesion, nation-building and most importantly as a forum to boost economic development and give recognition to the North Pakaraimas.

(Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Students must be proficient in Math, Science and Technology – High Commissioner

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Her Excellency Aloun Ndombet Assamba, says students should ensure proficiency in Mathematics, Science and Technology, in order to fit into the jobs to come, and to be able to create work.

Delivering the recent Merl Grove High School 90th Anniversary Karram-Speid Lecture, held at the Rehoboth Gospel Assembly, in St. Andrew, Mrs. Ndombet Assamba said most of the jobs that will be available in another decade will be new, and technology based.

She told the students that the creative economy is where Jamaica has the best competitive edge for job creation, “leading to more opportunities than were available when I was a student here at Merl Grove.”

“We must change the way we see the world, and equip ourselves with the necessary skills and tools to respond to it,” she added.

Stressing that the new jobs on the horizon will require “significant input of creativity,” the High Commissioner said they will also require young people to be proactive and assertive, especially when it comes to science and technology.

The High Commissioner lauded the “strides” that Jamaica has made in developing and expanding tertiary education, noting that not too long ago “high school education was a privilege for the wealthy few.”

Crediting the education policy of the Michael Manley-led administration in the 1970s, Mrs. Ndombet Assamba said it was an “inspired effort to create avenues for more ordinary Jamaicans to be educated.”

“This trend has continued and the result is that we now have more schools at different levels of the education system,” she pointed out. (JIS)

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Guyana’s tourism ministry launches Ambassador Programme – awards local tourism pioneers

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : The Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Friday evening launched the Ambassador Programme at the 2014 Tourism Awards, where local pioneers in the sector were recognised for their outstanding contribution in promoting tourism in Guyana.

The Tourism Ambassador Programme will see popular Guyanese figures being recruited as Tourism Ambassadors for the country at international events. This comes as the Tourism Ministry is pushing “Destination Guyana” with the new concept “Guyana – South America Undiscovered”.

GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh noted that Ambassadors and entrepreneurs are the bedrock of tourism in any country. He noted that the Ambassadors will join in promoting “Destination Guyana”.

“As Ambassadors, they will act as the faces and Brand Ambassadors

of the sector, both at home and abroad. They will help to promote ‘Destination Guyana’ and to help others to discover our very diverse, vibrant and exciting tourism product and destination,” he stated.

The GTA Director noted that these individ-

shows for and behalf of Guyana, where they will make presentations.

Haralsingh pointed out that Guyana will reap tremendous benefits from the goodwill, accomplishments and popularity of the Ambassadors, who have all pledged their commitment to give

America Undiscovered”.

On that note, he urged all to be better Ambassadors for their country, Guyana.

Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Shaun McGrath said that the power of personality has

as tourism spokesman and Ambassadors with a mandate to promote the positives of their destination,” he said, highlighting cases such as Jamaica using athlete Usain Bolt; Australia using actor Paul “Crocodile Dundee” Hogan and South Korea using pop

The recipients of this year’s tourism awards with President Donald Ramotar and other officials

uals will undergo training, adding that some of them have already done so. Additionally, they will have to attend tourism events and trade

back to the country.

The GTA Director further emphasised the need to mobilise all of Guyana to be good Ambassadors for “Guyana – South

proven to be most effective in any destination marketing strategy.

“Many countries have successful used their famous sons and daughters

singer “Psy”.

The first batch of Ambassadors identified are musician Dave Martins; cricket legends Clive Lloyd and

Shivnarine Chandrapaul; motor racer Andrew King; body builder Hugh Ross; squash champion Nicolette Fernandez; and cricket broadcaster Joseph “Reds” Perreira.

Lloyd mentioned that there are many exciting products that Guyana has to offer.

“I think there is so much that we have to give foreigners and I’m glad that we have so many of them here. I’m sure when they go into the interior; they will thoroughly enjoy what we have to offer because Guyana is still one of the most beautiful places in South America,” the cricket legend affirmed.

In the meanwhile, 18 outstanding individuals were awarded as the Tourism Ministry and the GTA recognised those who contributed to tourism management, administration, marketing and development in Guyana.

These activities come as the 20th Tourism Month is being observed under the theme “Tourism Entrepreneur and Ambassadors mobilise”. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Panyards now learning centres in TT

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Panyards across Trinidad will now be designated learning

will be many benefits to the individuals involved in this programme whether as teachers or pupils, and to the panyards themselves.

Entrepreneurial skills.

The minister added that government will provide the hardware on site for children to do research and complete

Panyward across Trinidad will now be designated learning centres (Gerald Hadeed photo)

centres. The programme to give life to this initiative was formally launched at the Starlift Panyard in Woodbrooke on Friday night by Minister of Tourism, Gerald Hadeed. Hadeed is being supported in the venture by his Cabinet colleague, Minister of Tertiary Education, Senator Fazal Karim.

Hadeed said there

Under the project, according to Hadeed, the panyard will be a learning centre where not only the skills and abilities to perform on the pan will be developed, but also where pannists will be exposed to the National Life Skills Curriculum, Information and Communications Technologies, and

their homework or learn new skills. He said government will take these children off the street and provide them with positive values, role models and life options.

“Imagine you can do a tour of selected panyards for visitors any time in the year,” the minister said. “Think too of when friends visit, the possibility of

adding any panyard or group of panyards to your list of “must-see” sites. In fact, it is a tour that I will perhaps embark upon when we launch this programme

— visiting the major panyards from Point Fortin to Port-of-Spain and then on to Tobago.”

Hadeed said each panyard can now market its own memorabilia.

“Our panyards will be true institutions of learning in technical and vocational education and training.” (TT Newsday)

20 feature Guyana launches Restaurant Week 2014 Lady Saw's new Marrying Food, Service, Tourism album ‘Alter Ego’ out G K www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Never one for the conventional, Lady Saw enters new territory with her latest album, Alter Ego, which was released Tuesday by her Hall's Productions through a distribution deal with VP Records subsidiary VPAL Music.

Though Hall's Productions has released songs by Spragga Benz, Beenie Man, Assassin, Sizzla and Ce'Cile, Alter Ego is the first album bearing its seal.

Saw told the Jamaican media that the set is rounded.

"It's Marion Hall (her real name) with a touch of Lady Saw. It's different," she said.

Alter Ego has duets with lovers' rock king Beres Hammond, rapper Flo Rida and UB40 lead singer Ali Campbell.

Saw decided to go the independent route after her previous album, My Way, which was distributed by VP. My Way was released in 2010 and did fairly well in the United States, but the bawdy deejay said it was time to get her productions out on Hall's and Diva's Records, her other label.

"I've been producing songs for some time yuh nuh, but a lotta people don't know," she stated. Saw added that while hit songs are critical to keeping artistes fresh in the dancehall, her interest lies

Lady Saw

with releasing albums.

"It still plays a great role in exposing the artiste. People get to see what you are about with an album," she said.

Lady Saw is the latest act to sign a distribution deal with VPAL which was launched five years ago by VP. The company feeds albums to its international digital, compact disc and vinyl network under distribution deals with artistes, most of whom are dancehall.

Konshens (Mental Maintenance), Busy Signal ('IT' Incomparable Talent), Anthony B (Tribute to Legends) and New Zealand band House of Shem (Harmony) are some of the acts who have similar agreements with VP. (Jamaica Observer)

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : T o u r i s m Minister Irfaan Ali has called for hoteliers and restaurant operators to rise to a new standard that would see Guyanese and tourists experiencing a higher level of service and customer satisfaction.

Ali made the comment ahead of the commencement of Restaurant Week 2014, which is being hosted as part of activities planned for Tourism Awareness Month.

He said it was important for local operators of all types of restaurants to understand the role they play in promoting tourism. Minister Ali said that restaurant week offers an opportunity for Guyanese to enjoy their own culture and several other types of cuisine.

“It offers them a chance to dine at restau-

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali

rants and reputable establishments that they would not have had a chance to in the past because of the affordability of meals and the service offered. I believe that Restaurant Week will no doubt see more tourists and locals enjoying all that Guyana has to offer,” Minister Ali explained.

He expressed the view that the government of Guyana and Tourism Ministry as well as other key stakeholders will continue to explore opportunities and activities such as Restaurant Week to send a strong message that Destination Guyana is open to the world.

The minister acknowledged the support of all of the businesses on board with the Guyana Tourism Authority and the plans being made for Restaurant Week.

“This is a golden opportunity for our local producers and restaurant operators to shine.

To offer the world an affordable taste of the best of the best that they offer. This is the time to promote the impact that sustainable agriculture can have on the Tourism sector and the economy”, a very upbeat Minister Ali said.

Restaurant Week is scheduled to commence from 24 November to November 30 and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has planned a series of activities to highlight the importance of food safety.

One of the feature activities is an operations awareness talk for restaurants. This was facilitated by Abiola Baker from the Public Health Department of the Mayor and City Council at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The half-day session saw more than two dozen participants having discussions on topics ranging from food sanitation, hygiene and food preparation, to the licensing of food establishments.

The second session

was led by Marlan Cole from the Food and Drug Department, who discussed food safety and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

Another important event during this period is the running of a mystery shop survey to gauge the public’s perception on quality, services and cleanliness of restaurants in Georgetown; persons are being encouraged to fill out the survey found on the GTA’s website, after visiting restaurants, as this will assist in raising the quality and service provided by these establishments.

The GTA will target 54 restaurants (fast food, fine dining and casual dining) for the mystery shop survey; this will be undertaken by the public at various restaurants in and around Georgetown.

The main aim of the activities is to raise the level of quality and service provided by establishments, through the facilitation of training, surveying restaurant service and gauging the public’s feedback, while at the same time encouraging restaurants to advertise and serve local foods and beverages during this period.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the GTA are celebrating its 19th year of observing Tourism Awareness Month, and have executed a series of educational and entertaining activities over the past two weeks.

The month-long calendar of activities rolled out under the theme “Communication and Information Sharing for Tourism Development” include the mystery shop survey, tourism awards ceremony, photo competition, “Romancing the Fort” dinner at Fort Island and Tourism Open Day; the calendar of activities is available on GTA’s website and Facebook page Visit Guyana. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

The South Rupununi experience in Guyana

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Scenic view of the south Rupununi savannah

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Exploring the rarely travelled regions of Guyana is a ‘must experience’ adventure for many tourists. That is why the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority, in collaboration with Rain Forest Tours and the Ministry of Local Government, have organised the second annual South Rupununi Safari.

The tour offers an ideal opportunity for persons to experience the outdoors, fun and adventure, explore little known places in Guyana, experience the beauty of natural landscapes, visit several indigenous vil-

lages to test the skills of vaqueros and enjoy their territory.

A six-day tour with highlights such as visits to the Bottle Mountain,

A vaquero at work

the Kanuku Mountain, Shea Village and Shea Rock as well as the corral to gain a firsthand experience viewing the vaqueros tame wild horses, brand steers, tan leather and round up cattle. Indeed, the South Rupununi Safari 2014 is ideal for nature lovers and adventures!

On the week-long journey, tourists will also get the chance to see petroglyphs, over 400 species of birds including the Cock-of-the Rock, the rare Red Siskin and Jabiru Storks and enjoy an overnight stay at Dadanawa Ranch, which was once the world’s largest ranch.

The tour is planned to begin this year with a brief stop at Mabura after leaving Georgetown and continue the following day through Kurupukari in the Rupununi where tourist will cross the Essequibo River then into Iwokrama Rainforest Reserves, Annai Oasis and Lethem.

By day three, the tour will pass through St Ignatius, Parkwarw, Shulinab, Shirri Mountain and Dadanawa Ranch. To complete a total of 14 indigenous villages, Shea Village, Maruranau Village, Awariwaunau, Churikidnau, Aishalton, Karaudanawa, and Achiwuib will then be

visited before the return to Lethem and finally Georgetown.

Six days of venturing into Guyana’s most remote terrain as explained by the safari’s officials is “not an easy task” but it is worth the hassle to experience the Rupununi and its “teeming flora and fauna, fron-

are available; food and accommodation for the 14 indigenous communities are included in the trip.

The South Rupununi Safari will commence this year on 25 November and continue until 30 November.

For more information on the South

The beautiful landscape will take your breath away

tier blessed with wildlife and the beautiful scenery”.

Tour packages for the South Rupununi Safari

Rupununi Safari visit Pakaraima Mountain Safari on Facebook.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Celebrating TT’s Canon West — born to teach

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: The Right Reverend Claude Berkley, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago was Celebrant when Canon Dr Steve A West celebrated fifty years as a teacher with a Thanksgiving Service at All Saints Anglican Church where he is currently priest-in-charge, on September 6.

Having perused Canon West’s resume “50 Years of Teaching”, quite a few times, I write with a great sense of awe about this man who has also been an Anglican priest for 30 years, as well as a husband to Valerie for 49 years and father of four grown sons and five grandchildren. In addition to a National Award – the Chaconia Medal (Silver) for Education present-

ed at the 47th anniversary of Independence in 2009, Canon Dr West deserves an award as the “Multitasker of the Century.”

The son of a salesman and a mother who was a parish clerk in St Paul’s Church in San Fernando, he always knew “whatever I did I would teach.” And so he went straight from Queen’s Royal College to Assistant Teacher III at St Stephen’s College in Princes Town on September 4, 1964..

For Steve West it was always “the Sciences….

At St Stephen’s, the principal Mr Dipchan Maharaj asked me to teach O level Biology and Health Science and told me go ahead teach and we will get the equipment while you are teaching. I was also teaching A level Botany and in my last

Canon Dr Steve A West celebrated fifty years as a teacher with a Thanksgiving Service at All Saints Anglican Church where he is currently priest-in-charge

year there 1969 got 100 percent passes at A’ level Zoology.”

When Corinth closed, West went to the Education Television Unit producing educa-

tional videos for schools with a responsibility for Science videos between 1983-1986 during which time, amongst other teaching assignments he was a part time lec-

turer in the Faculty of Education at UWI, St Augustine, until he replaced Professor Duncan who was on a one year sabbatical as a lecturer in the Faculty of Natural Sciences’ Department of Plant Sciences and Biochemistry, at the end of which he moved into UWI as a full time lecturer in Science Education in the Faculty of Education “to help science teachers understand methods of teaching science.”

West was intrigued by this new method of dividing students into small groups as opposed to full time lectures, giving them problems to work on and it is in working through the problems that they would learn basic sciences. He helped the lecturers to understand problem-based learning so they could tutor the small groups,

and to develop problems, workshops, monitor the groups, anaylse tutor evaluation, group evaluation, and exam results.

Juggling his schedule in an organized way, Canon West would also present papers in medical education abroad: “a very necessary part of your work as a lecturer is to do research and present papers at conferences and publish papers in peer review journals.

Meanwhile in 1985 Deacon West was ordained priest and functioned as Chaplain at the University out of Holy Saviour in Curepe where he was priest-in-charge.

“As a lecturer I already had an office at St Augustine, then Bishop Abdulah had a stroke of genius made me chaplain and gave me a chaplaincy office right on spot.”

(TT Newsday)

22 feature Guyanese collection 'Dyeing' to make a living outshines in Haiti – Daughters of Indigo produce consumer goods G from plant in Jamaica www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: First Resort created a lasting impression two years in a row at the Haiti Fashion Week held recently. The chic

collection was also shown at an invite-only event in Florida and was a huge hit.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Designer Sonia Noel

said, “It feels great to create new markets as a designer and also when people are impressed with your creations.”

First Resort contin-

ues to showcase regionally and internationally the distinct talents of the Guyanese designer.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

SHIRLEY-PHILLIPS… we want to get to the mastery level. Dahlia Lewis, a Johns Town resident in training with Daughters of Indigo, sews fabric.

K East PoS Development Co: Make art not war

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: When many people hear about east Portof-Spain, they automatically think of crime, but the East Port-of-Spain Development Company (Epos) has been working assiduously to change this.

One of their major initiatives—the Community Arts Festival: Sweet Morvant—was successfully launched in Morvant on September 25 and the four-day event was a showcase of dance, drama, song, craft, culinary arts, music, art and film.

The Epos was established by the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development in April 2006.

“We are a special purpose company which was set up with a mandate to develop and redevelop east Port-of-Spain, to improve economic, social and physical conditions,” Epos managing director Deborah Thomas-Austin said in an interview.

This is the second time for the year that Epos hosted an event to try and foster closer community camaraderie. The first was a Sports Day in May at the Morvant Recreation Ground, called the East

PoS Sports, Family and Community Games.

The Community Arts Festival was used to highlight the fact that the area has a rich cultural history and this is what it should be known for, rather than crime and negativity.

The project was a remarkable success not only because of the huge

costumes, drawings, photography and collages.

Some of the artwork even featured the resourceful use of materials like egg shells, termite residue and wood shavings.

Thomas-Austin said her team walked around Morvant to issue a call for all artistes to participate and even went to schools, so that young

Bill Trotman shows MP for Laventille East/ Morvant Donna Cox his artwork, at the East Port-of-Spain Community Arts Festival.

turnout but the fact that it was incident free, the Epos managing director boasted.

One of the highlights of the festival was the art show which included work from primary and secondary school students. The showcase included acrylic and oil paintings, wooden and clay sculptures, Carnival

children could be included.

The Epos had the idea for the festival but did not know where they would have the show.

Luckily they were assisted by an organisation called the Laventille East Morvant Residents Association (Lemra) who are the owners of the Morvant Empowerment

Centre, (the old Morvant Health Centre).

Even artist, poet, and calypsonian Bill Trotman answered the call and displayed some of his artwork.

Several of the pieces done by the children have been put up on the TT Art Society’s website, under a section named Magnificent Morvant Art Exhibition. The art was just one positive aspect of the four-day event.

The drive to get people of east PoS to reconnect with their community does not end with this arts festival in Morvant as Epos hopes to extend the event to Beetham, Belmont and Picton, early next year. However the shows may be done on a smaller scale due to funding as the recently held festival cost the Epos about TT$300,000, Thomas-Austin told the TT media.

“This is not just about equipping people to function in east PoS, they are citizens of TT and people from outside east PoS should be able to come in and and take advantage of what is happening here and feel comfortable doing that. People from east PoS must be properly equipped and free and go elsewhere to access jobs and services.”

(TT Guardian)

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Social enterprise organisation Daughters of Indigo has discovered a new cash crop to improve the livelihood of young women living in St Thomas.

The two-year-old company uses the extracts from the plant Indigofera tinctoria and its related species to create a rich bluish-purple dye pattern on various types of fabric. The fabric is then used to create craft and household items from the natural materials.

"We figured that we could get amazing colours and patterns from the indigo plant," Daughters of Indigo employee Nicola Shirley-Phillips told the Jamaican media. "After you take the fabric out of the indigo extract and the wind hits the fabric you can watch the colour transform from purple to blue."

The idea was developed after an American creator of natural dye came to a workshop in Jamaica to showcase the ability of the plant, according to ShirleyPhillips.

The programme was then developed to help teenage mothers in the community earn an income.

Daughters of Indigo currently manufactures a signature line of bed sheets, pillowcases, scarves, women's outfits, place mats, napkins, and jewellery. The group uses raw material such as logwood, yellow ginger, indigo, onion skins, and hibiscus to make their products.

Fabric preparation is a major factor in the manufacturing process, according to ShirleyPhillips. The fabric

must first be cleaned, washed, and scoured to remove any oil or other contaminant which could compromise its ability to absorb the dye. A wax substance is later used to set the dye on the fabric or tissue, which takes as much as 24 hours, followed by the cutting and sewing of the fabric.

With the help of JN Foundation, USAID, and the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI), Daughters of Indigo will be showcasing its products at the Social Enterprise Summit at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston next January.

The SEBI gives funding and assistance to social enterprises that provide sustainable solutions to some of Jamaica's social, economic and environmental challenges. These social enterprises engage in business activities that generate revenue, which is reinvested to help them to achieve their social, cultural, or environmental goals.

"We want to get to the mastery level, and SEBI is helping us to get to that point. They are bringing high-level people who really understand how to develop a business," ShirleyPhillips stated.

Daughters of Indigo currently has a staff capacity of five. Since inception, the company has been targeting the tourism sector and is popular with tourists from South Africa.

"Indigo is very wellknown there for the use of dye, and its manufactured materials are worn by the most royal people," Shirley-Phillips said.(Jamaica Observer)

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

British Guiana Atiba Phillips mover plantation names and shaker in TT G

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The June 1948 edition of the British Guiana publication Kyk-over-al featured an article from historian James Rodway that looked at the origin of plantation names on the colony.

In the feature, Rodway states the plantations’ names “anticipate or commemorate

struggles and triumphs of the early settlers.”

He notes that up to 1740, only the Dutch were allowed to obtain land, but after that year, when “Essequibo was thrown open to all nations…” English and French settlers arrived.

Shortly afterwards, when Britain gained control of the colony and cotton was a major industry, Rodway

states, “the coasts from Mahaica to Corentyne” saw an influx of plantation owners who gave their estates names of meaning to them.

Many of these names have remained with us, and are a reminder of a pioneering history that created our multicultural society today.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Ladies of the family: Cornelia Ida, Eve Leary, Kitty and Sophia For love of family: de kinderen (Dutch: the children) La Bonne Mere (French: The good mother) Sisters Loyalty or love of country: Haag Bosche (in honour of the Palace of The Hague) La Belle Alliance (commemorating peace in Europe).

Religious and spiritual sentiment: Joppa, Providence, Paradise, Land of Canaan Le Repentir (French: penitence) Creative or descriptive: Zandvoort (sand front; from Dutch “on sand”) Ruimveldt (beautiful view; its literal Dutch translation is “spacious grassland”) Belfield (wide or fair field, from French “bel” meaning beautiful or well) Bushy Park, Bush Lot The fortune seeking, adventurous and pioneering settlers: Adventure, Enterprise, Industry, Hope, Prospect, Onderneeming (from Dutch “onder neem” meaning under take) Goed Fortuin (Dutch: Good Fortune) La Bagatelle (French: trifle) Seeking refuge in British Guiana: Vreed-en-Hoop (Dutch: Peace and Hope) La Retraite (French: retirement) Mon Repos (French: My rest) According to Rodway, a grant of land to the early settlers “might have been a treasure”: Diamond, Golden Fleece, Golden Grove Non Pareil (unrivalled; from French “non” meaning no/not, and “pareil” similar) Beterverwagting (from Dutch “far better”) After courageous effort or endeavours, downfall and regret, success, determination not to become discouraged, and gratitude and appreciation: Success, La Penitence, Perseverance, Reliance, Better Hope, Triumph, Felicitie Weldaad (Dutch: benefit).

Werk en Rust (Dutch: Work and Rest) Nog-Ens (From Dutch “nog” meaning still) Met en meerzorg (From Dutch “with more care”) Noitgedacht (From Dutch “gedacht” meaning thought) Nabaclis (From Irish “Nabocklish” which literally means, “don’t meddle with it” but is usually used as an interjection “never mind”/ “leave that(or it) alone”

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O R T - O F S P A I N TRINIDAD: Atiba Phillips is a young mover and shaker who has embraced the challenge of encouraging our youth through the use of technology, in areas such as agriculture. To that end, he set up a non-profit organisation in 2009, the Community HUB (Hope, Understanding, Belief) dedicated to this purpose. The HUB is an innovative social enterprise with a global vision for change through the development of youth and communities by leveraging Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).

It is the medium through which Phillips and his board are determined to help build our youth capacity, by introducing underserved youth, especially through educational technologybased programmes, video, animation, digital media, web and mobile.

The HUB works through a network of professionals in the ICT field as well as school principals, parents, and volunteers skilled in other disciplines who are advocates for youth. An ICT strategy expert, Phillips has served as chairman and CEO of the National ICT Company Ltd of TT (iGovTT), where he was the State’s ICT lead in prime ministerial missions to India, Brazil and the USA. He also currently advises local, region-

Atiba Phillips is the founder of the Community HUB, a non-profit organisation dedicated to change through the development of youth and communities.

al and international bodies on ICT matters through his firm, Infocomm Technologies Ltd. Phillips is also a member of the ICT Programme Advisory Board of the University of TT and has lectured at the masters level in Strategic IT in e-Business and e-Marketing through the University of Greenwich, England. He holds an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley, USA, and is both a Fulbright and Haas Merit Scholar.

The programme that has recently engaged students at schools such as Success Laventille Composite (Team Agriology) and St George’s College (Team Agri-Info), UTT (Team AgriTech), Costaatt and Team Bishop Centenary

is the Agri-Hack Talent Competition which supports the development of ICT innovations and entrepreneurship in agriculture.

Students were presented with six Caribbean challenges facing regional agriculture stakeholders from which to choose and tasked with developing an application to solve this. Their presentation included the elements of the problem, the proposed solution, the target audience for the application, clearly outlined benefits, and revenue streams. Since the HUB’s start-up in 2009 it has engaged youth in the areas of ICT’s and Education, ICT’s and the Environment and ICT’s and Crime. (TT Guardian)

Mayfield, and operatic soprano Alison Buchanan.

Spring LLC is producing the Classical/ Pops which is described as an orchestra that plays both well-known classical works as well as contemporary popular music accompanied by pop and rock, Broadway performers, opera singers and film composers.

More than 65 orchestra members from the world’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, The Toronto Symphony and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra will be coming. Music director Thomas Wilkins of the Hollywood Bowl

Orchestra will be conducting.

There will also be a film night where instantly recognisable scores and music masters who composed them will be played. The orchestra will be joined by film montages on the most advanced LEDs. Barbadian Alison Hinds will also be teaming up with Irvin Mayfield and his 19-piece New Orleans Jazz Orchestra for “an unforgettable session”.

Another high point will be Holiday Pops.

It features well-loved songs, classical masterpieces and gospel music that capture the Christmas season. Choir director is Chapman Roberts. (Nation News)

Classical/Pops Festival may bring musical opportunities for Barbadian students

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Opportunities are being developed to have at least two Barbadian students benefit from advanced musical instruction by some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the United States.

This development was announced at the launch of the Classical/ Pops Festival slated for December 12 and 13 at Apes Hill, St James.

The classes, billed as the JetBlue Masterclass series, will be held on Thursday, December 11.

It has been described as “almost unprecedented in its scope and ambition”.

“In celebration of the fifth anniversary of ser-

AJA (L), Classical/Pops Festival advisor, with William “Billy” Griffith, CEO of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., and his wife Carol Griffith at the launch of the festival.

vice to Barbados and its relationship with the Barbados Marketing Inc., Jetblue wanted to do something special and culturally compelling for the people of Barbados,” a release said.

The Jetblue series, also in collaboration with the National Cultural Foundation, will expose Barbadians to “instruction, insight, instruction and intimate performances from some

of the best musical professionals, educators and technical teams in the world”.

Some of the guests include Grammy Awardwinning jazz trumpeter and composer Irvin

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

TT’s Sookdeo tackles love and loss in first novel P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Letters to Dr Narcissist, Prince of Darkness, by new author Bavina Sookdeo, was launched at Nigel R Khan Booksellers Ltd at Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas on November 13.

Set in Trinidad, the book, based on the true experience of Sookdeo’s friend, traces the obsessive love of a sheltered young Hindu woman for a Christian doctor. He is so in love with himself that he told her to write him and say how she feels about him.

He literally told her one day, too, that he is the prince of darkness and his dark side is revealed during physically intimate moments when he tries to strangle her.

She later finds out he is married. Devastated, she and the child she bore for him migrate to a foreign country where she is still trying to get over him.

Author Bavina Sookdeo signs a copy of her book for retired school principal Sitara Gardner.

In her address to the small gathering of friends and relatives at the launch, Sookdeo said light always overcomes darkness through the power of prayer. She said her friend asked her to write her story and gave her the letters she wrote to Dr Narcissist.

She agreed to do it to document what many women go through on a daily basis, she said.

Sookdeo said since the book’s release, a number of women have come forward with their own stories.

A 65-year-old woman told her she had a similar experience and was still living in that situation.

Sookdeo pleaded with parents to protect their children and to prepare them to deal with the harshness and darkness

of this world.

“There are predators who are just waiting for an opportunity to pounce on the good and innocent,” she said.

She said sound morals and values are becoming extinct but urged young women to hold on dearly to them.

Sookdeo, a Guardian writer, is fully convinced that God made her write the book for a purpose.

She said she had no thought of becoming an author at the time but completed it in three months. Everything just fell into place after that.

Media worker Ronald Hinkson, who was the MC, had a word for those critics who may feel Sookdeo is a man-hating scribe.

“Hold your tongue, you mauvais-langue Trinis.”

The book was edited by veteran journalist and TT Guardian contributor David Cuffy. (TT Guardian)

Seed of Hope in Jamaica

– MSC push for HIV kids to be functional members of society

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: One of the original aims of the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) was to provide room and board for abandoned children who are HIV positive. However, over the years, this objective has shifted to helping these children become functional members of society, MSC Jamaica Executive Director Darcy Tulloch-Williams recently told the Jamaican media.

"When we started back in 1996, between 1996 and 1998... we were thinking that we were only providing room and board because they were all going to die, because they must die," TullochWilliams shared. "They are on a very good regiment of medication as well as nutritional programme that is boosting their immune system, so they are living.

"So there are guys we have had from like age three, they are now 18, looking at okay 'what am I going to do'," said an elated Tulloch-Williams, who disclosed that MSC has not lost a child to the virus in at least the last 10 years.

A team tours the facilities at Jerusalem Children’s Home in St Catherine, one of the many homes across Jamaica that comprise the Mustard Seed Communities. The facility houses about 160 children, including those who are HIV positive.

The medication regiment TullochWilliams spoke of costs the Mustard Seed Communities approximately Ja$1 million monthly to care for the 65 HIV-positive children they house. Some of the children, TullochWilliams explained, have even become resistant to their medication because they have been living with the condition for so long. These children are then given another medication regiment.

"I know there is one particular young man who we are paying close

to US$500 a month for his medication alone," the executive director revealed.

The children within the MSC are those who have been abandoned because of the stigma attached to the disease. Tulloch-Williams said the children include those who were born with the condition through mother-to-child transmission and those who were abused and got HIV from their abusers.

Explaining that MSC sees itself as a change agent in society, TullochWilliams said once a

need has been identified, the community jumps in to assist. From serving mentally and physically challenged children, who have been abandoned, to teenaged mothers and now abandoned children with HIV, MSC is constantly looking to serve and uplift the most vulnerable members of society, especially disabled and abandoned children.

The dynamics of caring for children living with HIV change as the children get older. It becomes more difficult, Tulloch-Williams disclosed.

MSC also has to place emphasis on remedial work since, to some extent, their ability to be socialised and educated is also affected. She also said that the fact that they have become institutionalised is also taken into consideration.

"So what we have started to do now is educate them, put them in vocational training to get them to where they can become functional, independent individuals who can now go out in the society and contribute," Tulloch-Williams declared.

(Jamaica Observer)

Happiness

By Narine Dat Sookram

H

appiness is like anything else in life, it needs to be nurtured. Everyone will have their own little way to define happiness and what it actually takes to achieve it. The key is to live our lives to maintain our own happiness, while at the same time not cause unhappiness to anyone else.

Too often we make the mistake of believing that some people don’t deserve happiness and we accept their unhappiness as a way of life. One thing we must realize, though, is that it is important to for us to understand that everyone deserves to be happy.

We should even consider telling ourselves everyday if we have to, because if we don’t, we might end up harming our efforts to achieve happiness.

First, we must understand what it is that will make us happy. I am sure everyone has their unique requirements for achieving happiness and the reality is, what makes one person happy may be totally different from what makes someone else happy.

We need to dig deep into our own selves and do not worry too much about others around us. Our mood will very likely increase as we pursue our goal, because we will feel better about ourselves for going after something we value.

Also, we can be happy by making a plan for attaining our goals and by surrounding ourselves with people who are generally happy, because it’s very easy to get bogged down in negativity when we are surrounded by people who think in a negative way.

Sometimes we are too busy doing things for other people and we forget about our own selves, but it is important to make it a priority to take some time each day to do something nice for ourselves.

It could be anything from treating ourselves to dinner or listening to music if that’s what we love, because these simple things can put ourselves in a better mood.

Even just by taking a few minutes to spend each day to just think about the things that makes us happy can give us a nice, warm feeling, because it will give us the opportunity to focus on the positive things in our lives that matter to us that will lead us to happiness.

Sometimes based on what we are doing, many of us tend to be very serious, but by finding humour in challenging situations can also lead us to happiness.

I am aware that there are times when we have to be serious, so we have to use our own judgment when it is appropriate to do so.

Generally speaking, people want to be physically fit, but this doesn’t come easily without appreciating the physical stress that comes with going to the gym or exercising for days upon days.

There are also many business-minded people who want to become financially independent, but this doesn’t come without being willing to take the risk and to deal with the possible failures that come along the way, and not to mention working long hours. And it still does not guarantee if success will come or not.

The key is to be real, don’t fake it. In fact a new study led by a Michigan State University business scholar suggests customer service workers who fake smiles throughout the day worsen their mood and withdraw from work, affecting productivity.

But workers who smile as a result of cultivating positive thoughts – such as a tropical vacation or a child’s recital – improve their mood and withdraw less. That’s a thought to think about!

For questions, comments and feedback, please email them to mcnarine@rogers.com.

Bollywood

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Priyanka Chopra: 'Bajirao Riteish Deshmukh-Genelia Mastani' role one of blessed with son my hardest ever

B

ollywood actress Priyanka Chopra says her character in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming love saga 'Bajirao Mastani' is one of her most difficult roles and working on the film is draining.

The 32-year-old 'Mary Kom' star is currently shooting for the period romance, which also stars Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.

The film is based on the love story between Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I (Ranveer) and his second wife Mastani (Deepika).

Priyanka plays Kashibai, the first wife of Baji Rao. The actress took to Twitter to share her experience of filming the movie.

"Didn't even realise how tired I was till I touched my bed. 'Bajirao Mastani' is so intense that I'm depleted! Kashi is one of my hardest parts!" she posted on her Twitter page.

This is the second time that the actress is working with Bhansali, after her special appearance in his last movie 'Ram Leela', which also starred Ranveer and Deepika. (TOI)

Dilip Kumar perfectly fine: Amitabh Bachchan

M

egastarAmitabhBachchan put an end to online rumours about Dilip Kumar's death by tweeting that veteran actor was "perfectly fine".

Rumours about Dilip Kumar's death spread online last evening prompting Bachchan to call Saira Banu.

"Some baseless rumours being spread about Yusuf Saheb - Dilip Kumar, being ill .. Saira ji just informed me he is perfectly fine!," Bachchan, 72, tweeted.

Dilip Kumar, 91, and Saira Banu, 70, recently attended Salman Khan's sister Arpita's wedding reception in Mumbai. (TOI)

club!!

Karan Johar: And humongous congratulations to @Riteishd and @ geneliad on being proud parents to a baby boy!!!!!

Love you lots!!!!!

Nikhil Dwivedi: @ Riteishd congratulations buddy. What super news n he shares his b'day with me!

Milap Zaveri: Yayyyyyyy congrats to the sweetest loveliest

couple I know @geneliad n @Riteishd on becoming parents of a baby boy!

Woohoo!

Lara Dutta: Heartiest congratulations to my dearest @Riteishd and new mama @geneliad!!

Welcome to the best time in ur life!!!

Bipasha Basu: @ Riteishd and @geneliad!

Woohoo! Daddy n mommy! Congrats! Lil baby boy! Wow! (TOI)

Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone in Shimla

A

Amitabh Bachchan visits granddaughter Aaradhya's preschool

D

oting grandfather Amitabh Bachchan recently took time off from his busy schedule to participate in the Grandparents' Day celebrations held at his granddaughter Aaradhya's preschool, the Kookaburra Learning Center. Also present were Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya's parents, Brinda Rai and Krishnaraj Rai. The Bachchan family enjoyed the session, which also involved a video on Aaradhya's activity at school.

Grandparents from a cross-section of society attended the celebration and spoke about

Bollywood's beloved onscreen and off-screen couple Genelia D'Souza and Riteish Deshmukh were on Tuesday blessed with a son, their first child.

The excited father took to Twitter to share the good news and posted: It's aBBBOOOOYYYYYY!!!!!!!!"

The couple, who had been dating since 2003, tied the knot in 2012.

Having starred together in movies like 'Tujhe Meri Kasam' and 'Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya', they are often called the 'cutest couple of tinsel town'.

A string of adorable photographs of the duo recently went viral -they featured a heavily pregnant and glowing Genelia in some candid moments with Riteish, who is an actor-producer and son of the late former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

The couple's friends from the Hindi film industry sent out congratulatory messages, welcoming them to the parents' club of Bollywood. Here's what they had to say: Abhishek Bachchan: Congratulations @ Riteishd and @geneliad on the arrival of the greatest gift ever.

Welcome to the parents

the centre's unique educational methodology.

The learning centre's distinct approach helps actualise every child's potential and facilitates their allround growth. Founderdirector of Kookaburra, Tejal Mehta's passion for teaching, humane vision and unbound love for

children is what made her open the centre. The curriculum is designed in such a way that it enhances the brain development of a child at a very nascent stage. The school also holds counseling sessions for parents, to hone their parenting skills. (TOI)

fter setting the screen on fire and the cash register ringing with 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani', Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone have joined hands again for a film that's being produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

Titled ‘Tamasha’, the film is directed by Imtiaz Ali and music composed by AR Rahman.

Now, we have learnt that the second schedule of the film has begun in Shimla. Interestingly, a major portion of their last film was also shot in snow-capped mountains.

A source says, "The

shooting of the film began in Corsica, France in July 2014. Ranbir Kapoor plays a free spirited person who wants to spread happiness and Deepika's character in the film is of an adventurous and

fun-loving girl. There are several sequences which the duo were dabbling in dance and staging skits for the locals. The troupe is one of the reasons for the film's title Tamasha."

(TOI)

Sitara Devi passes away in Mumbai

E

minent Kathak d a n s e u s e Sitara Devi, who was on ventilator leave Monday, passed away early Tuesday at Jaslok hospital here, confirms her son in law.

"She is no more,"

Rajesh Mishra, the son-in-law of the 94-year-old danseuse, told IANS. Sitara Devi was earlier hospitalised at Cumballa Hill Hospital and was later shifted to Jaslok hospital. (TOI)

26

hollywood

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Kim Kardashian's app to aid AIDS research

R

eality TV star Kim Kardashian is "thrilled" to help in the fight against AIDS by raising money through exclusive content on her 'Kim Kardashian: Hollywood' application.

The 34-year-old is working with multinational corporations Apple and (RED) in honour of World AIDS Day on Dec 1. Through her app, she's offering exclusive new content and funds of all the in-app purchases will be donated to the Global Fund in a bid to eradicate the disease, reports contactmusic.com.

"Players can show their support by participating in special (RED)

events and purchasing exclusive (RED) in-game items like (RED) Beats headphones," she said in a statement.

"As a 'thank you' for their support, players can take a (RED) branded selfie with me and share to their social net-

works! Players can even attend a (RED) fundraiser event in-game. I'm thrilled to be able to support (RED) through Kim Kardashian: Hollywood," she added.

As part of the special features, the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" star's mother and manager Kris Jenner will become the first member of the family to get her own avatar as she helps gamers get to the top of the A-list.

In the weeks leading up to World AIDS Day, 25 games, including "Kim Kardashian: Hollywood" will be making new content available to raise funds. (TOI)

Brad Pitt to join Rihanna at her Diamond Ball

S

inger Rihanna has enlisted actor Brad Pitt for her inaugural Diamond Ball.

The 26-year-old pop star will be introduced

by Pitt at her first annual Diamond Ball, which will take place on December 11, reports eonline.com.

The gala event, which benefits Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

"It is such an honour to have Jimmy Kimmel host this event. There is no one more hilarious to make the first annual Diamond Ball an incredible night. I'm blessed by

Meet the Penguins Of Madagascar

W

ith its wacky characters and a dose of comedy, 'Penguins Of Madagascar' is a perfect family entertainer. As the film releases around the world in 3D and IMAX, here's looking at the four penguins and their individual traits.

Skipper

The leader of the team, Skipper has a no-nonsense attitude

and commands respect. His authoritative style may remind you of Amitabh Bachchan from Mohabbatein.

Kowalski

up and is often kept on a tight leash. He's always bursting with energy, just like Ranveer Singh in Band Baaja Baaraat.

Private

He is the brains behind the operation and a great help with his quick life-saving fixes, much

He might be the baby in the team, but has the biggest heart. Often sidelined by other penguins

like Aamir Khan's character from 3 Idiots.

during their missions, he reminds one of Tusshar from Golmaal Returns.

Penguins Of Madagascar releases November 28. (TOI)

Rico

All about courage, he enjoys blowing things

Ryan Reynolds found his father 'scary'

A

his support," Rihanna said in a statement.

"Brad Pitt is not only a phenomenal talent, but I admire him and am inspired by his philanthropic work," she add-

ed.

CLF works to improve the lives of underserved communities worldwide in the areas of health, education, the arts and culture. (TOI)

ctor Ryan Reynolds says he found his father "scary".

Ryan was once specifically "terrified" of his dad's reaction to the ear piercing that he got when he was younger.

Nevertheless, the 38-year-old, who now awaits his first child with his wife, Blake Lively, says that his father Jim worked "tirelessly" to provide full support to their family, reports contactmusic.com.

Writing further about

the moment he sat down at the table with his father after the piercing had been done, he said: "The little gold earring felt like it was flashing ember-red, as if to say, 'LOOK AT ME!!! Over here! Your son is a tool!

You raised a future Zengarden salesman who collects artisanal bongs!'

"What he was in fact looking at, were four young men, sitting at a dinner table, each, with a freshly pierced ear."

(TOI)

Zayn Malik wants to quit One Direction Oscar Isaac set to play the bad

E

nglish pop band One Direction's member Zayn Malik is reportedly ready to give up his glamorous lifestyle for a quieter life with his fiancee Perrie Edwards.

The 21-year-old is said to be tired of being famous and wants a more relaxed and peaceful lifestyle.

"Zayn is fed up with the whole fame thing.

He loves singing and his

fans but he just wants a quiet life now," a source told Sunday People newspaper.

The singer is also thought to be considering the departure in order to spend more time with Edwards, as he wants to settle down with the singer who he proposed to in August 2013.

"He has become increasingly disappointed with the little amount of time he can spend with Perrie.

Unfortunately she is in a band too, they have so little time together. Zayn appreciates how lucky he is, but life is about family for him and he is seeing too little of his loved ones," the source added. (TOI)

guy in 'X-Men: Apocalypse'

O

scar Isaac will be playing the titular villain role in 'X-Men: Apocalypse'.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the latest X-Men installment, which would see Bryan Singer return to the director's chair, would star the 35-yearold Inside Llewyn Davis as Apocalypse, the character which was seen in a coda during Days of Future Past.

The character was born in the ancient Middle East and is shown as a gray-skinned immortal with a host of

powers ranging from super-strength to telepathy to morphing his body's form and size.

Singer had worked on the story with Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris

and Simon Kinberg, who's also writing the script, and while Days of Future Past was set in the 1970's, this film would be set in the 1980's.

The movie would see Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Jennifer Lawrence return to their roles, while actors to play young versions of Cyclops and Jean Grey/Marvel Girl are still to be cast.

The film, which would begin production early in 2015 with Fox, is anticipated to release in May 2016. (TOI)

feature

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Golden Apple K INGSTON, JAMAICA: Only in Jamaica is this fruit called June plum. It is known in other countries as Jew plum, golden apple or hog plum. Its botanical name is ambarella spondias dulcis ambere and was introduced in Jamaica in 1782.

June plums are commonly used to make jams and juices. The Jamaican June plum is not only cultivated in Jamaica, but also in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela, just to name a few countries.

In south-east Asia young Jamaican june plum leaves are consumed raw and are steamed and

eaten as a vegetable with salted fish and rice in Indonesia. In Trinidad and Tobago the fruit of the june plum is curried, sweetened, salted or fla-

voured with pepper sauce and spices. * June plum contains protein and dietary fibre.

It is fat-free, cholesterolfree and unsaturated.

* June plums are an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin K. * The natural antioxidants are good for proper bodily functions. * June plum is a good source of iron and the unripe ones contain a high amount of protein. * They are an excellent treatment for headaches, constipation and even diabetes. * The root of the plum can be used to treat itchy skin.

Ensure to make good use of the fruits that are in season and abundant such as this fruit. Happy eating! (Jamaica Observer)

Marionettes spreads peace in TT with Christmas concert

P

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Celebrating Christmas is a deeply-rooted tradition globally. For loyal supporters of the Marionettes Chorale, it seems that attending the choir’s annual Yuletide concert has now become a natural part of that tradition.

This year, from December 4 to 7, the choir will present the concert series Christmas Peace at Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain.

Still basking in the success of their midyear production of Les Misérables, the awardwinning Marionettes will once again gather the talents of its adult, youth and children’s choirs to return to the stage for

The Marionettes concert Christmas Peace will take place at Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain, for four days from December 4

four nights of music, song and dance. Much to the singers’ credit and the audiences’ delight, it is a feat they have replicated almost consistently over the past 50 years.

A release from the Marionettes said the chorale’s extensive repertoire comprises the

genres of European renaissance, Caribbean folk, calypso, Broadway and opera music.

Audiences can anticipate therefore an enjoyable mix of styles ranging from classical to gospel and familiar local and international Christmas favourites in a themed

presentation.

Under the artistic and musical direction of Gretta Taylor, this year’s Christmas Peace was conceptualised to convey the idea that if people focus their energies on cultivating a spirit of love, friendship and community in their own circles,

Iwokrama

The Green Heart of Guyana G

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Dedicated as a place for research “to develop, demonstrate, and make available to Guyana and the international community systems, methods and techniques for the sustainable management and utilisation of the multiple resources of the tropical forest and the conservation of biological diversity”, the Iwokrama rainforest is located in the geographical heart of Guyana. It comprises 371,000 hectares of forest (1.6% of Guyana’s landmass and 2% of Guyana forests).

The Iwokrama Centre was established in 1996 to manage the forest area, following signature the year before of an international agreement between the Guyana government and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Enshrined

in an Act of the Guyana Parliament, the agreement gave the centre the mandate to “promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rainforests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general”. In short, the centre has the task to test the proposition that conservation, environmental balance and sustainable economic activity are mutually reinforcing – that it is possible to use a forest without losing it.

The rainforest is equally divided (for experimental purposes) into a wilderness preserve and a sustainable utilisation area. There have been intensive baseline studies of the forest and the development of models for sustainable forest management in

close co-operation with the local communities.

Ecotourism is an im-

a place for all ages and all interests and you choose what you want to do. Your

Star of the Week

S

cintillating beauty Niketa Tiffany Barker, born 9 July 1990, is a medical student, a model and an ardent philanthropist who hails from New Amsterdam, Berbice. Although engrossed with medical studies, pursuing a Degree in Medicine & Surgery at the University of Guyana, Niketa finds time for her passions: modelling and philanthropy work. Notably, the philanthropist diligently works with the Volunteer Youth Corp to help give back to her country via various charity projects. Niketa has stormed catwalks at various fashion shows, one being the Guyana Fashion Weekend. Additionally, she has done photo shoots for many of Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s most renowned designers such as Marcia De Santos, Pamela Fox, Sonia Noel and Deron Attzs.

She was featured in the popular Caribbean Magazine: ‘Profiles 98 – Spring Issue 2011’. The top model was a delegate in the Miss Guyana Jamzone 2011 pageant and was awarded the ‘Miss Photogenic’ trophy.

On the regional scene, she represented Guyana in the Elite Model Look Caribbean Competition in Trinidad and Tobago 2011 and was a finalist in the Miss Caribbean Hibiscus 2011 pageant. In 2012, she was first runner-up at the Miss Guyana Universe.

However, this year, she finally won the Miss Guyana Universe crown. (Photo by Keron Bruce) they just might begin to experience a tangible difference in the world!

Much of the proceeds of the concert series would be channeled into the Marionettes Property Fund—established to as-

sist in the construction of a multi-use rehearsal and performance facility for the arts—and a much anticipated repeat of Les Misérables scheduled for May next year.

(TT Guardian)

people who have used the forest for generations. A unique blend of technology, ancient culture, and traditional knowledge, Iwokrama fulfils its mandate and promise to the

is an extraordinary destination for naturalists, birders and anyone seeking an authentic retreat to the jungle.

By 2015, Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IIC) intends to become the leading international authority on development of models for commercially sustainable, practical and community-inclusive conservation businesses based on tropical forests and their natural assets.

IIC’s mission is to promote conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rainforests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general by undertaking research, training and the development and dissemination of technologies.

For more information, visit www.iwokrama.org.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

View of the cabins at Iwokrama River Lodge (Photo by Raquel Thomas-Caesar)

portant part of Iwokrama’s strategy for financial selfsufficiency. The Iwokrama forest and the Rupununi wetlands and savannahs offer visitors exceptional natural and cultural experience set in a learning context. Iwokrama is

stay at Iwokrama contributes to sustainability for communities that live in and depend on the forest.

The Iwokrama Forest is a vast wilderness of nearly one million acres – a protected area and homeland of the Makushi

world.

There you can retrace the footsteps of the Makushi people, wander the extensive trail system and discover the unforgettable flora, fauna and Amerindian history so special to this tropical paradise. The Iwokrama Forest

28 feature An exciting horse cart tour in Guyana G www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Nature trips in Guyana can take days as the country is so big, but thanks to the vision of the Victoria community, home to Guyana’s first mangrove forest reserve, visitors are now enjoying an exciting half-day tour in the company of fullytrained local tour guides.

Visitors experience our Guyanese heritage, a towering sugar estate house, a thriving mangrove forest managed by the local community, a wetland teeming with fish and coastal birdlife, a medicinal plants trail, and finally drummers and folk singing.

The tour starts at the mangrove visitor centre located at the bottom of the Women Leadership Institute in Cove and John, East Coast Demerara. It is a sprawling three-storey plantation house that is 160 years old and dominates five acres of land covered

ples offer a photo opportunity, then to the Dutch koker which is a mini waterfall when in operation.

Arriving at the mangrove reserve, the first community-owned and managed mangrove reserve in Guyana, visitors are guided along a trail where four species of mangroves – black, white, red and buttonwood – are found within the first 100 footsteps.

It is a fascinating sight: hundreds of fully grown

‘tulsi’ plant that works to relieve flatulence. The leaves of the ‘noni’ plant are used to alleviate pain, and its fruit builds up the immune system.

A unique part of the wetland is a shallow pond teeming with fish (tilapia, hassar, patwa, and sunfish), ideal for recreational fishing. If the timing is right, you can also see local fishermen beating the water to chase the fish into their nets.

In the middle of the

Exciting horse cart tour

with the biggest mango trees you have ever seen in the midst of a beautiful garden. The house reflects an early grandeur in its hewn greenheart beams, pine floors and antique cast iron pillars.

Supporting the building’s front gallery are pillars made from bricks brought to Guyana as

ballast for sailing ships in colonial days. Displays telling the mangrove story in detail and a beautifully hand-painted mural of the coastline depicting the rich birdlife of our coastal forests are part of the permanent exhibit.

The next stop is at Victoria Village, the first village bought by former

slaves following emancipation in 1888. The original hut where slaves collected their weekly pay packages is now a busy village shop, and vendors outside offer fresh coconut water and the juiciest pineapples. The tour continues up the side dam passing by the Ashram where the beautiful tem-

Enjoy a few laughs as you read a brochure from this stand, which was made from a mangrove log

mangrove trees, many of them over 20 feet tall, making a dense forest that developed, completely on its own, on the swampy foreshore, and now serving as a barrier to the Atlantic tides in the area.

Along the trail, tour guides point out the array of medicinal plants used

by Guyanese for generations such as ‘black sage’ – a brew from the leaves helps to combat hypertension and diabetes,

wetland is a small island of lush black mangrove where several hives are located as the nectar from the black mangrove blossoms produces a delectable golden-coloured honey, which has become the flagship product of the mangrove reserve. The honey, handmade beeswax candles, and beautiful handicraft are on sale in the Victoria Honey House.

On the return to the centre, a stop at

Mangrove ranger shows from this display board where the coastal birds are found among the mangroves

and the rigid stems of the plant make a toothbrush substitute. Also there is ‘sweet sage’ used to treat colds; ‘belly ache bush’ that combats gum disease; and a brew from the

Ingrid’s roadside stand for some local snacks and Guyana’s legendary fresh cane juice is a must.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

sport

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Sharp-shooting Nickolai Clarke tops Inter-Schools Guyanese Fudadin Clay Challenge in Jamaica named for South

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Fourteen year old Nickolai Clarke on Sunday emerged top gun as Hillel Academy successfully defended their title at the second staging of the Digicel InterSchools Clay Challenge at the Jamaica Skeet Club (JSC) in Portmore.

Clarke, who attends Hillel Academy, was named overall champion with a score of 64, after he outgunned his six opponents in a closely contested super shoot-off.

Invited shooter Chad Ziadie (62), who attends St George's College in Rhode Island, was second, with Hugh Jones (59) of AISK taking third.

After watching Ziadie hit a perfect shot, the diminutive shooter held his nerve and posture to follow suite by hitting all three true pairs at the final station to claim his first individual championship title.

"I am really proud of myself because it took a lot of hard work and I had to stay confident and believe in myself. I watched his (Ziadie's) first and last pair to make my plan, so I wouldn't think about what he shot, and I went out there and shot all six," Clarke told the Jamaican media.

"Last senior tournament I shot 89 birds out of 100, so I knew I had what it takes to pull this

Africa Test tour

G

Digicel's sponsorship executive Danielia McLean presents the championship trophy to Nicholas Chen, captain of the Hillel Academy team at the Jamaica Skeet Club which was held on Sunday

off. My aim from here will be to continue working hard and remain confident so that I can get better each tournament," he added.

Earlier in the day, Zacre Davidson (47) of Hillel, who was shooting for the first time, topped the beginners A class ahead of teammate Jack Tickle (45) and Sebastian Levy (41) of AISK. The B category was won by Zachary Duncan (45) of AISK, who defeated Karan Dhiman (45) of Hillel in a very tight shoot-off. Aidan Murray of Campion College was third with a score of 41.

Manchester High's Alysia Evans (39) claimed the top spot in

the Girls A category, ahead of Hillel's Leah Azan (35) and Isabelle Chin (27) of Campion College. Tayla Ziadie (40) of Hillel topped the B category, just ahead of Ashleigh Azan (39) of AISK and Sarah Conway (32), also of Hillel.

Meanwhile, Hillel's Reuben Mair (46) and Brandon Reid (42) were first and third, respectively, in the Junior A category, with Ziadie (45) finishing second.

Clarke (49) topped the B class with teammate Jake Therrien (45) and Jones (46) taking the minor places.

The Junior C category was won by Manchester's Joseph Swaby (47), with

the Hillel pair of Justin Paul Williams (46) and Peter Worton (42).

In the Sub-Junior A class, Matthew Josephs (44) of Hillel came out on top ahead of the Campion College pair of D'Andre Simpson (43) and Danzell Knight (43).

AISK's Tomas Hudson (44) topped the B category, ahead of John Paul Asher (44) and Mark Desnoes (43) of Hillel Academy.

Hillel Academy amassed 310 points, with AISK finishing second with 100 points.

Manchester High (60), Campion College (50) and St George's College (20), round off the top five. (Jamaica Observer)

Scholarship winner is TT chess champion P O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Candidate Master Vishnu Singh, 19-yearold UWI student, climaxed his rise to the top of the TT chess world in spectacular fashion, winning the national championship tournament with one round to spare. Singh, playing unbeaten in the eleven-round finals, finished on nine and a half points, half a point ahead of his closest rival CM Joshua Johnson. By the tenth round, however, Singh already had the title safely in the bag, as his earlier conquest over Johnson would still have brought him a tiebreak victory had the two leaders finished the contest with the same score.

Singh put the issue beyond any doubt by conceding a draw to David Jones in the final round. By their dominant performance in this championship tournament and their emergence in earlier contests, the two young Candidate Masters have clearly established themselves among TT’s best, dramatically changing the established pattern of the sport and launching a youthful rivalry that brings a rare excitement to the game.

The exploits of the two have ended the seventitle run of ex-champion FM Ryan Harper who had to be content with third place, a point and a half behind Johnson. As a result, the question that many may now be ask-

ing is whether Harper’s long hegemony over the national championship

and his dominance of the local tournament arena are now giving

Vishnu Singh, national chess champion.

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The West Indies Cricket Board’s Selection Committee named Assad Fudadin to the West Indies Test tour to South Africa.

Darren Bravo, who had been offered a contract for the series, wrote to the Chairman of Selectors, Clive Lloyd, and citing personal reasons, requested that he not be considered for selection for the Test series.

The 29 year old Fudadin has been named to replace Bravo.

A left handed batsman from Guyana, Fudadin played 3 Tests in 2012 against England and New Zealand.

In addition, the Selection Panel has requested that fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell play for Jamaica in the third round of the Professional Cricket League in order that the selectors have

way to a new and more youthful era.

In fact, it is important to note that both Harper and Singh will be leading a group of TT players to the fourth edition of the Umada Cup coming off in Guyana from November 27 to December 1.

Harper is invited as the current Umada champion and Singh has earned the trip by virtue of his victory in the TT championship. Upcoming youngster Mikel Martin and veteran Frank Sears are also in this group.

Singh, who won the national junior title last January, may also have established a unique kind of record, one for playing unbeaten in a series of major tournaments. Earlier this year he finished without a loss in winning the Under-20 category of the Caribbean Chess Carnival played at the National Academy of the Performing Arts.

He registered the same outstanding performance in the third national qualifier, the Paladins Open and the Southern Chess Club Open. But what makes Singh’s run of unbeaten tournament victories even more remarkable is his simultaneous academic success.

Assad Fudadin

an opportunity to evaluate his match readiness.

Cottrell will therefore not depart the Caribbean with the rest of the squad for South Africa on November 30th.

Cottrell, a left arm fast bowler from Jamaica, recently returned from the West Indies A Team tour of Sri Lanka with a hamstring injury. (WICB Release)

He has just finished A Level exams at Presentation College where he won an Open Science Scholarship.

While preparing for the CAPE examinations, in fact, he won the Candidate Master title at the Sub Zonals in April and topped the Under 20 category in the Indian Arrival Day contest.

The Chaguanas youngster had his first international success in 2009, winning bronze at the CAC championships and followed this up with the Under-18 Gold Medal at the Carifta Games in April 2012.

Among the other finalists, CM Kevin Cupid also had a noteworthy tournament, scoring seven points to finish in fourth place, half a point behind Harper. Next were a group of formidable veterans who represent the backbone of the country’s chess strength; FM Mario Merritt six, David Jones five and a half, CM Adrian Winter Atwell five and a half, Hayden Lee four and a half, CM Frank Sears four and a half, Andrew Bowles three and a half, Colin Knight two and a half and promising youngster CM Sean Yearwood. (TT Guardian)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Planet Paintball Guyana Bovell splashes to to host charity event TT’s first CAC gold

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : With the aim of raising funds to help bring joy to less fortunate children during the Christmas season, Planet Paintball Guyana will host an Open threeman charity competition on December 21 at its Woolford Avenue Paintball Park.

According to information emanating from Planet Paintball Guyana, it is intended that 10 teams will compete in a knockout format of matches.

“However, to raise as much funds and reach as many children as we can, we have made the competition Open, so there may be more than 10 teams on the day. Whilst the aim is to raise funds for the children, there will of course be a trophy for the winning team, as reward for your sterling efforts on the field

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Paintball has been gaining popularity in Guyana in recent years

of battle,” a release from Planet Paintball Guyana was quoted as saying.

There will also be a prize for the best team cheerleader squad (encouraged to wear seasonal attire and can be mixed gender). Teams participating are asked to make a donation of Gy$10,000 per team, all of which will go towards the purchasing toys for the children.

Teams can have up to five players, but only three will be on the field during matches. The remaining two team players will be deemed substitutes.

All equipment required to play will be provided by Planet Paintball Guyana free of charge to the players and each team will receive 500 paintballs to play.

(Guyana Times)

Westmoreland side defeat MoBay United for national KO title in Jamaica

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Catherine Hall, St James — Reno FC outscored Montego Bay United 4-3 to win the Flow Champions Cup Knockout title in a pulsating final on Sunday at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

Substitute Dwayne Blake scored the winner two minutes into time added on at the end of the game, to separate the two heavyweight teams in what was a slug fest in front of a large and appreciative crowd.

Craig Foster scored a hat-trick, including two in the first five minutes of the game, to lead Reno FC to the Ja$1.5-million first prize and cancel out a hat-trick from Montego Bay United's Dino Williams.

The game, which got off to a fast start like a thatched hut on fire in front of a stiff breeze, was a fitting finale to a good competition that saw both semi-finals being decided on sudden death penalties three weeks ago.

Foster and Williams, two of the best strikers in the local game, put on a scoring clinic as the

two predatory strikers kept their teams in the hunt right down to the wire.

Foster, who watched the Reggae Boyz win the CFU Caribbean Cup from the bench as an unused substitute in all four games, scored in the third minute from the penalty spot, and then in the fifth and 75th minutes, while Williams responded in the 10th, 13th and 78th minutes.

Reno coach Patrick Graham was at a loss for words after winning his

first major senior trophy as a coach, but described his players as "fighters".

The game got off to a blazing start with four goals in the first 13 minutes and two yellow cards, including one to Williams, who retaliated to a hard tackle.

Reno took an early lead after Foster scored from the penalty spot after he was dragged down inside the penalty area

by Ladale Richie in the third minute.

It was 2-0 two minutes later when Foster

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Just as he did eight years ago in Cartagena, Colombia, at the 20th edition, TT swimmer George Bovell III secured this country’s first gold at the 22nd staging of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games at Leyes de Reforma Aquatic Centre, Veracruz, Mexico, on Thursday night. Bovell sped home in 22.30 seconds, .07 hundredths of a second outside in 2010 record of 22.23 to turn the tables on his rival for gold well ahead of Suriname’s Renzo TjonA-Joe (22.62) and Cuban, Hanser Garcia (22.69).

He previously won gold at the 2006 CAC Games in Colombia in 22.67 while he set a new record enroute to gold in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico four years in 22.23. With the gold, Bovell improved TT’s overall haul at the games thus far to six, one gold and five bronze.

This after Bovell (50m backstroke), along with cyclist Kwesi Browne (keirin), shooter Roger Daniel (individual 10m Air Pistol), taekwondo’s Dorian Alexander (under 68 kg), men’s table-tennis doubles pair Curtis Humphreys and Dexter St Louis all previously got bronze. The other finishers in the final were Venezuelan Christian Quintero (22.82), Bermuda’s RoyAllan Burch (23.10), Mexican duo, Alejandro Escudero (23.27) and Daniel Ramirez (23.32) and Puerto Rico’s Erik

raced from deep inside his own half after a MBU corner, outpaced the defenders to beat goalkeeper Jacomeno

Reno FC captain Alburn Facey (second left) accepts the champions trophy from managing director of Flow Jamaica Sean Latty after Reno FC defeated Montego Bay United 4-3 in the Flow Champions Cup KO final at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Sunday night. Also sharing the occasion are sponsorship manager of Flow Nicole Campbell (left) and director of communications at Flow Gail Abrahams.

TT swimmer George Bovell III, celebrates as he watches the scoreboard which reflects his winning time of 22.230 seconds ahead of Suriname’s Renzo Tjon-A-Joe (22.62) and Cuban, Hanser Garcia (22.69), in the men’s 50m freestyle at the 22nd staging of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games at the Leyes de Reforma Aquatic Centre, Veracruz, Mexico on Thursday night.

Risolvato (23.51).

In the morning heats, Bovell touched the wall in a slow 23.42 seconds by his standards behind Tjon-A-Joe (22.98), Quintero (23.10) and Risolvato (23.34) while the two qualifiers from heat one were Garcia (23.06) and Escudero (23.33) and the duo of Burch (23.23) and Ramirez (23.51). The TT swimmer won his first medal of the on Wednesday, after he finished third, .01 hundredths of a second out of a silver medal in the men’s 5om backstroke final in 25.91 seconds.

In the morning heats, Bovell was second in heat two in 26.65 seconds to trail Molina (26.33) while Subirats won heat one in 26.42 with Colombian

Juan Pablo Botero second in 26.67, Cuban Armando Barrera third in 26.74 and Mc Leod, fourth in 26.81.

Also on Thursday night, Cherelle Thompson also failed in her bid to medal for TT in the women’s 50m freestyle when she finished 26.41 for sixth ahead of Bahamian Ariel Weech (26.48) and Mexico’s Maria Fernanda Gonzalez (26.52) Bahamian Arianna Vanderpool took gold in 25.24 followed by Puerto Rico’s Vanessa Garcia (25.63) and Mexico’s Liliana Ibanez (26.04) to complete the top-three.

Aruban Allyson Ponson was fourth in 26.27 and Colombian, Isabella Arcilla, fifth in 26.38.

(TT Guardian)

Barrett with a wellplaced shot.

Williams started the comeback five minutes later, when the Reno FC goalkeeper Chad Blair played a spot kick straight to him midway the Reno half. The striker obliged by racing forward and powering the ball back past Blair.

It was all level three minutes later when Williams got on to a high pass into the Reno area and controlled on the run to beat Blair at his near left post.

Having dug themselves out of the hole and their tails up, Montego Bay United took over the game and pushed Reno back, but it was the Westmoreland team that came closest to scoring in the 18th minute when Barrett was forced to go to his right and

parry a shot for a corner.

After the fireworks of the first half, the second half started at a more sedate pace until the 75th minute when Foster completed his hat-trick, sprinting away from the Montego Bay United defence and beating Barrett to his right.

Montego Bay United should have gone ahead in the 80th minute when a low, hard cross from Allan Ottey flew across the face of the goal before anyone could get to it.

With the fans expecting extra time, Blake, who had replaced Xavion Anderson in the 85th minute, connected with a cross from the left, steering it into the Montego Bay United goal with Barrett stranded at the right post. (Jamaica Observer)

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Gayle, Pollard fail in Ram Slam Queen’s Park dominates Twenty20 League judo tournament C

APE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Big-hitting Chris Gayle failed as Lions crashed to a heavy 77-run defeat to Cape Cobras in the South Africa Ram Slam Twenty20 League on Sunday.

Chasing 155 for victory at Newlands, Lions were bundled out for 77 off 15.3 overs, to plunge to only their second defeat of the tournament.

Gayle, who has been in good form in the tournament, made just three from eight balls before falling in the second over, bowled by fast bowler Dane Paterson

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who finished with three for nine.

Neil McKenzie topscored with a run-aball 31, while Temba Bavuma hit a run-a-ball 20, in a 34-run, thirdwicket stand. Once they were separated, however, Lions lost their last seven wickets for 22 runs.

West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard took two for 11 with his gentle medium pace.

Earlier, Pollard had also failed with the bat, making just six from 10 balls, as Cape Cobras rallied to 154 for seven off their 20 overs.

Campesino (Paul Francis) winning his second consecutive race

I N G S T O N , JAMAICA: Much was expected of the born in utero Campesino (Compadre -Yaella) but after flashes of brilliance as a threeyear, the Philip Feanny trained four-year-old bay gelding went off the boil.

Campesino registered his first win on November 15 over the unlikely journey of seven furlongs (1,400 metres) with Percy Williams in the saddle defeating Scoop Jordyne and Jah Love in Overnight Allowance company.

Dane Vilas hit 51 from 29 balls and Omphile Ramela, 46 off 38 balls, in a 54-run, third wicket stand.

In the other game at SuperSport Park, Darren Sammy's Titans played to a thrilling tie with Warriors, in a contest reduced to eight overs per side because of rain.

Sammy made 16 from 12 balls as Titans made 79 for five, but Warriors ended on the same total, with no provision because of time, for the decisive Super Over.(CMC)

Returning on Saturday last with Paul Francis doing riding duties in the upper grade of Open Allowance, again over seven furlongs, Campesino raced just off the pace before pouncing in the straight for a rather easy win by three lengths over Exotic Gold and longtime leader Traditional Prince in a reasonable time of 1:25.3 minutes. Based on that win it seems trainer Feanny has worked out the kinks and has his charge in tip-top shape.

This return to form from injuries is most timely for the connections of Campesino, owner Hamark Farms and Feanny as with the seven furlong Wassy Bikes Gold Cup scheduled for December 6 looking like a real possibility.

(Jamaica Observer)

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Queen’s Park Judo Club (QPJC) held its third and final tournament for the year at the Dunross Prep School, Westmoorings, on Saturday.

Some of the top national judo players missing were Khaliqa Mohammed, Sean Lawrence, Devon Brito, Christopher George and Jelanie Boyce who were all on national duty for TT at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mexico.

However, it still gave an opportunity for good talent to shine in their absence.

Athletes ranging from seven to 58 years of age were divided into seven categories that treated spectators to some exciting judo, a tournament that was dominated by the QPJC. It was also a historic first in TT as a masters category featured some of the top judoka over the age of 35.

Pint-sized Jeillon Jackman (QPJC) showed his tough spirit after sustaining an accidental

blow to the face to go on to win a very close boys 7-10 category. In the girls 7-10 category, Suraya Ali (QPJC) gave a good account of herself to win the category which was the first of only two categories for women on the day. Giovanni Lopez of Holistic Primary was one of two athletes to stop the QPJC rout as he won a delightfully competitive boys 11-12 division all by Ippon.

Gabriella Wood of St. Joseph’s Convent Portof-Spain, remained unbeaten for the year and proved to be the most dominant women’s competitor in 2014 with a relatively easy win in the female open.

QPJC won five of the seven categories as Jason Sieunarine, Thomas Tuefel and Mark Littrean also claimed titles. (TT Guardian)

Industry dominate at Big Ride 5 in Guyana

D’Andrade retains marathon title in Suriname

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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Trinidad based distance athlete, Lionel D’Andrade successfully retain his Suriname Marathon title on Sunday.

D’Andrade made the event seem easy as he pulled away from the pack to finish clearly ahead of his competitors in Suriname.

D’Andrade stopped the clock at two hours, 57mins 50s to top Suriname’s Sykerio Simpson who finished second in three hours, four minutes 31s.

Guillerme Udenhout was third in three hours, seven minutes and four sec-

Trinidad based distance athlete, Lionel D’Andrade

onds.

The lanky distance athlete noted that the race was a bit grueling for him and did not want

to push the pace.

“I had chikungunya so I wasn’t 100 percent and I was not running for time, I was just running to retain my title,” D’Andrade told Guyana Times Sport.

Meanwhile USA based athlete, Euleen Jossiah-Tanner finished second on the distaff side in a time of three hours and 41mins while Guyanese master’s athlete Carlene Phillips was third in four hours and nine minutes.

D’Andrade is expected to leave Guyana on Thursday for Trinidad where he will compete in his final two events to close his 2014 season.

(Guyana Times)

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The top performers strike a pose with Director of Sport, Neil Kumar

EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Industry village made a huge impact on the Big Ride 5, carting off four of the 10 prizes on offer during Sunday’s event, organised by the Sport and Health Ministries, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Guyana Cycling Federation.

The race commenced at the University of Guyana access road and proceeded to the Carifesta Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue, covering an approximate distance of three and a half

miles.

The actively targeted those involved in a healthy lifestyle and others wishing to pursue such a course.

According to Director of Sport Neil Kumar, the event is the brainchild of Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who was unavoidably absent from Sunday’s activity.

Kumar said the event was geared at providing persons with an opportunity to exert their energies in a leisurely activity.

At the presentation ceremony which followed,

Industry copped awards for the village with the most riders, organisation with the most riders, largest youth group and largest female group.

Team Coco’s was adjudged the best uniformed group, while three-year-old Tyler Goring was the youngest rider and 72-year-old Nova Persaud the oldest.

Sam Tracey (Innovative/Creativity), Derrick Dass (Oldest bike) and five-yearold Jessica Mohabir (Youngest female) were the other recipients of awards. (Guyana Times)

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

INTERNATIONAL WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Guyanese dominate CSCA annual award presentation

By Ravendra Madholall

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O R O N T O , CANADA: A large number of Guyanese cricketers were rewarded with trophies and other incentives on Saturday evening when the Canadian Softball Cricket Association (CSCA) held its annual and 12th award presentation ceremony at the Royal Banquet Hall, Mississauga.

Jaguar team was crowned winners of the First Division knockout final, A Division Grand Final winners (regular season) and President’s Cup A Division champions, also made a clean sweep of the Division One titles.

Jaguar’s skipper Hemnarine Chattergoon, who is also president of the CSCA, emerged as the top batsman of the First Division, tallying a remarkable 502 runs from 15 matches (13 innings) for an average of 55.78 per innings.

The former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 batsman, his runner up Roy Dhori of Beehive amassed 383 runs with an average

Some members of the victorious Jaguar team pose with their winnings while their spouses share the spoils

of 47.88 from the same number of innings.

Chattergoon, whose younger brother Sewnarine Chattergoon represented the regional side at the highest level and Harrienarine Chattergoon also played for Guyana at the youth level.

Shieldstown’s Shazam Baksh, another Guyanese, took the prize for the best bowler in the First Division category, picking up 21 wickets at 5.20 runs apiece, one

By Treiston Joseph

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EORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Guyana Football Rugby Union (GFRU) has announced its final squad to attend the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) seven’s tournament scheduled for early December in Mexico.

A pool of 35 players was broken down to 12 players with a mixture of local and overseas talent that has been deemed fit to win the 2014 edition of the tournament by President of the GFRU, Peter Green.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Green stressed the importance of the tourna-

more than Sunshine’s Krishna Gopie whose 20 was gained at 5.83 runs per over and Dave Sirkisson who ended with 18 at 5.42 runs each.

The best batsman in the Second Division was Guyanese Sharaz Hamid of Hustlers who topped with 658 runs for an average of 59.82 while Sachim Gaindalall of Titans (555 runs, average 61.67) and Sunil Sattan of Kings Sports 493, average 49.30) also

ment, “Guyana has a clear pathway to Rio (Olympics) and it begins in Mexico.

“We expect to put on a show and not just a show, we will be bringing home a title for the seventh time but for me it’s a first because the stakes are high,” Green stressed powerfully.

Green also played up the role of sponsorship, noting that it was one of the few times that the government, the private sector as well as the major sport association has come forward to help the sport.

“When we have all three paradigms gelling a team is not suppose to fail,” Green stated emphatically. (Guyana Times)

shared the spotlight.

Topping the Second Division in the bowling department was Suresh Ragoonauth with 25 wickets at 6.25 runs each with his teammate Javed Parsaram claiming 23 at 3.57 runs apiece and Rising Stars’s Travis Jaglall 23 at 5.71.

First Division centuries were registered by Imtiaz Hussain (Adventure), Lindon Persaud (Adventure), Sharaz Hamid (Hustlers), Sunil Sattan

(Kings Sports), Cassius Waithe (Rising Star), Shaun Gangaram (Sunset Cricket Club) and Gerald Austin (Titans).

Rabindranauth Parasnauth of Sunshine shone with the ball with the amazing figures of seven for four versus Rampage while there was five-wicket hauls for Kamalchand Narine (11Th Army), Roy Sanders (Adventure), Shameel Hamid (Hustlers), Doodnauth

Rajcoomar (Industry), Premnarine Persaud (Ocean’s X1), Cassius Waithe (Rising Star), Travis Jaglall (Rising Star), Shazam Baksh (Shieldstown), SShivon Narine (Star Boyz), Richard Mohabir (Titans) and Suresh Ragoonauth (Titans).

In brief remarks, Chattergoon thanked his hard-working executives for their tireless efforts during the season which he described as being very challenging.

He was serving his first year in that capacity, one of his main objectives in the New Year will be the introduction of a third-division competition.

Chattergoon expressed sincere thanks to all the teams for their participation and also thanked the various sponsors for their continued commitment to softball cricket in Canada.

Vice-president Leon Veeran, who served 10 years as president and Treasurer David Ramasami were also credited for their efforts over the last 13 months.

The evening was concluded with a dinner and dance.

Some of the ruggers pose with the President of the GFRU Peter Green as well as officials of the GFRU

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