Guyana Times - Sunday, April 21, 2019

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 3894 guyanatimesgy.com

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Sunday, April 21, 2019

PRICE

Easter 2019

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

From "no confidence" to "trust", nation needs more than legislation ‒ Catholic Church Page 3

...Easter celebration a manifestation of social cohesion – President ...Easter transcends religious boundaries – PPP

Reporters Without Pressure mounts for audit Boarders cite efforts to into CJIA modernisation silence journalists in expenses …says threat by officials using legislation …independent audit needed in Guyana to fine, jail reports still loom interest of accountability – lawyer Page 7

Page 8

Timehri brawl ends in murder P10

Minister distances P18 Business Ministry from multimillion ‘missing’ scrap metal payment …as uncertainty lingers over sale of GuySuCo scrap metal

President warned P9 against heavy workload …completes radiotherapy

Audit into UG’s finances to begin in 2 weeks P12 – Auditor General

Selecting the perfect kite: These children were seen along Camp Street, Georgetown on Saturday with their fathers, choosing the perfect kite for today (Dexter Ceres photos)

Hundreds of dead fish found floating in Essequibo Coast canal Page 14

Bar manager hit to head, shoots rowdy customer P15 Convict P11 starts fire at NA Prison

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Easter 2019

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, April 21 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, April 22 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, April 21 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, April 22 – 06:05h-07:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, followed by clear skies in the evening.

Overall temperatures will range between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 05:35 and 18:00h reaching maximum heights of 2.86 metres and 2.72 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:34h and 23:47h reaching minimum heights of 0.35 metre and 0.55 metre respectively.

saturday, april 20, 2019

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...Easter celebration a manifestation of social cohesion – President ...Easter transcends religious boundaries – PPP

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uyana’s Roman Catholic Bishop, Francis Alleyne has issued a plea across the political spectrum for politicians to put an effort into healing the harmful divisions in Guyana following last year’s no-confidence motion.

In his Easter message, the Bishop on Saturday said that it is necessary to begin the healing process even as the country awaits the outcome of the no-confidence cases which are currently before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

“My wish would be that we sustain our prayer for the nation,” he stated. “Our nation at present awaits the outcome of legal pronouncements flowing from the no-confidence vote of last December. The courts and the Constitution can clarify the terms and the way they are to be applied.”

“But to move a nation from no confidence to trust and collaboration would take much more than legislation can offer. It cannot be business as usual. Much of what has gone before, and to a great extent is still present, has not worked and is not working,” Bishop Alleyne said.

According to the Bishop, observers of the holiday have a special responsibility to help set the nation on a new course. This new course, the Bishop explained, must be one that creates the right circumstances to heal the nation. “…certainly one of accompaniment creating spaces and circumstances that would heal the divisions of race, politics, gender and generation and the many ways we are fragmented and divided. He is risen, it cannot be business as usual,” the Bishop explained, going on to express best wishes for the season to the country.

Social cohesion

DRAW DE LINE

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From "no confidence" to "trust", nation needs more than legislation – Catholic Church

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Meanwhile, President David Granger’s message was replete with hope that the Easter season would be allowed to promote unity. He noted the importance of the nation coming together to ensure a better future.

“The Easter celebration radiates happiness and hope everywhere. Guyanese celebrating Easter this year can look towards the future with confidence. Peace and prosperity await us all. The Easter celebration allows us to promote greater unity. We must use this sacred festival to reconcile ourselves not only to God but to one another by fostering a spirit of respect,” the Head of State noted.

Easter celebrations, he said, has become a manifes-

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

tation of social cohesion, adding that it is a time when the “barriers of class and ethnicity are broken and replaced by the bonds of goodwill. The Easter holiday – the longest weekend in our country’s calendar – brings Guyanese together, at home and in the diaspora, in fun-filled family reunions, kite-flying, picnics, regattas, rodeos and other outdoor activities”.

Transcends

Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has made calls for the holiday season to be used to spark reflection among Guyanese on its significant messages of tolerance and unity According to the party

Bishop Francis Alleyne

President David Granger

on Saturday, the holiday is a sacred one for Christians all around the world. It reminded, however, that in the midst of the fun and the unity transcending religion is a chance for reflection.

“Easter is one of our nation’s most anticipated holidays in which Guyanese from all backgrounds participate in the traditional kite-flying and other family-related activities that have become synonymous with the occasion. It is foremost a very sacred time for Christians across the world marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

“Easter also provides many pertinent lessons for all humanity through its teachings of tolerance, humility, love and respect for

others while offering an abundance of hope that one will rise despite being confronted with insurmountable challenges.

The party took the opportunity to extend Easter greetings to all Guyanese, especially persons within the Christian community both locally and in the diaspora.

“At this time, our party urges reflection on the significance of this sacred occasion given its pertinent messages and the importance it can play in helping to realise universal peace and brotherhood among all.”

“Our party also takes this occasion to remind of the need for safety while flying kites. Once again, Happy Easter to all!”

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

Editorial

A chilling effect

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he recent action by either or both the President and the Prime Minister, to have the Police investigate a speech of the Opposition Leader is very worrying for free speech in our country, since it creates a “chilling effect” on that foundational right of a democratic society. This chilling effect is the “inhibition of the legitimate exercise of natural and legal rights by the threat of legal sanction”.

It is universally acknowledged that democracy began in the ancient Greek city states, where Euripides (480–406 BC) offered one of the earliest declaration of the importance of that value: “This is true liberty, when free-born men, having to advise the public, may speak free.”

More than a millennia and a half later, as the democratic imperative took hold against monarchical absolutism, John Milton, in his “Areopagitica” of 1644 reiterated this sentiment: “Give me liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”

Freedom of speech was encoded in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In democracies, freedom of expression is essential for citizens to participate in politics and society. If democracy is to mean “rule by the people, of the people and for the people”, then the people must be informed of any and all issues of the day so they can make informed choices and decisions on matters that will affect them and their country.

In the speech by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, were two objected-to comments allegedly made at Babu Jaan in early March, at the commemoration of the death of former President Cheddi Jagan.

Against a background of the successful December 21, 2018, No-confidence Motion (NCM) being endorsed by the Chief Justice in the High Court, by which the President and Cabinet were to have resigned to comply with Article 106 (6) of the Constitution, the Opposition Leader told his Berbice audience: “When the Ministers or (President David) Granger or (Prime Minister Moses) Nagamootoo come here after the 21st of March, you say to them, walk behind them, chase them out. They are going to be illegal.”

The said Cabinet had also taken a decision to unilaterally close two sugar estates in Berbice, throwing some 4000 Berbicians out of work.

After People’s National Congress MP Barbara Pilgrim – who had replaced Alliance For Change Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud in the National Assembly – filed a complaint about Jagdeo’s remarks with the Ethnic Relations Commission, Jagdeo explained: “I made it clear at Babu Jaan that we are a party that does not believe in violence, we are not going to be burning people’s businesses, we are not going to be beating people on the streets, but the Government would become illegal after March 21 and therefore there will no longer be Ministers, so when they come to the communities, when they come to the communities…the people of Guyana should treat them as illegal, they should walk behind them and chase them out of your communities”.

Yet, after this explicit explanation, the Police acted upon the President/Prime Minister’s complaint and questioned Jagdeo about the above statement and also whether he had described the two officials as “jackasses”. The tape, however, clearly showed Jagdeo describing the two officials as “Judases”, as a metaphor for “betrayers”, presumably for reneging on their parties’ 2015 campaign promise not to close sugar estates.

The term “chilling action” on free speech was first articulated by Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in 1952: “Our own free society should never forget that laws which stigmatise and penalise thought and speech of the unorthodox have a way of reaching, ensnaring and silencing many more people than at first intended. We must have freedom of speech for all or we will in the long run have it for none but the cringing and the craven. And I cannot too often repeat my belief that the right to speak on matters of public concern must be wholly free or eventually be wholly lost.”

Free speech must not be allowed to be fettered by political expediency.

Mae Allicock (centre) of Surama Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Esequibo) is the new Miss Rupununi Rodeo 2019. The first runner-up is 17-year-old Failaika Charles, while the second runner-up is 17-year-old Pricilla LaCruz; both of Central Lethem, Region Nine (DPI photo)

Journalism is becoming "very complicated" in Venezuela

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ournalism is becoming “very complicated” in Venezuela where power outages, patchy internet and threats of violence have made reporting increasingly difficult, says Luz Mely Reyes. But she says it would be “a crime” to stop.

The director of Venezuelan independent news site Efecto Cocuyo made the remarks in Rio de Janeiro after media watchdog Reporters Without Borders released its annual World Press Freedom Index.

R S F ranked Venezuela 148th out of 180 counties -- five places lower than a year earlier as the Latin American country sank deeper into crisis.

If the economic and political situation does not improve soon, Reyes tells AFP, she is not sure how Efecto Cocuyo and other Venezuelan media outlets will survive.

“In a country where power cuts can last 25, 30, 40 hours, where the internet can fail, and in terms of moving around, it’s very complicated,” says Reyes.

That makes it not only

Luz Mely Reyes, a Venezuelan journalist, tells AFP that she is not sure how Venezuelan media outlets like Efecto Cocuyo will survive it the economic and political situation does not improve soon (AFP photo)

hard to report the news but also to disseminate stories to the public “so that citizens in areas with the most internet access as well as those in areas with the least can have this information.”

Print media is also disappearing as the scarcity of basic resources such as ink and paper make it increasingly difficult to publish newspapers.

“The journalism industry right now is battered, not

only by government restrictions but also by the economic situation,” says Reyes.

“Even in Caracas, for example, a national newspaper such as The National no longer has a print circulation.”

“The Venezuelan government already blocks the internet domains of several media outlets that do investigations, takes television broadcasters off the air that it considers to be critical or foreign channels,” says Reyes.

“Recently another of the measures the government has used is to prohibit radio media from referring to various situations and closed various radio programs.”

“The Government has not only deported foreign correspondents, but it also detains journalists, arbitrarily disappearing them,” says Reyes.

“Attacks on journalists have been escalating and of course attacks can come from any person who believes he has authority.”

Journalists have been charged with committing crimes, prevented from leaving the country, and threat-

ened.

Reyes herself has received threats on social media saying “people like me, journalists, we have to be physically eliminated.”

“That’s happened to me, but also to other journalists,” she says.

“It is very complicated because how are you going to keep going over time ... if there is no change in economic terms, if there is no political change that enables the country to return to democracy, this is one of the challenges that we have,” says Reyes.

“It’s journalism practically done with the nails.

“But those of us who believe in journalism keep doing journalism in Venezuela because there are so many things that are happening, so many stories to tell, and it would be a crime not to tell them, despite all the attacks that we suffer. “ R i g h t now Venezuela needs thousands and thousands of journalists who can report what is happening.” (Buenos Aires Times)

Venezuela’s Guaidó calls for ‘largest march in country’s history’

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nited Statesbacked Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó on Friday called on supporters to take to the streets on May 1 for what he called “the largest march in the history” of the South American country to keep the pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to leave power.

Guaidó, the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly - who in January invoked the constitution to declare himself interim president on the basis

that Maduro’s 2018 re-election was illegitimate - reiterated his call for the country’s armed forces to take his side in the three-month power struggle.

“They will need to listen to the people saying: enough,” Guaidó told a crowd gathered at a plaza in eastern Caracas, setting the date for the march for May 1, International Workers’ Day. “We call on all the people to join in the largest march in the history of Venezuela to demand the end to the usurpation so this tragedy can end.”

Guaidó has been recognised by the US and most Western nations as the South American country’s legitimate leader. Maduro maintains the support of China, Russia, Turkey and Iran, among other countries, as well as Venezuela’s state institutions, including the military.

The oil-rich country is in its sixth year of recession, marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods that have prompted more than three million people to emigrate.

Maduro calls Guaidó a US puppet seeking to oust him in a coup, and he blames the country’s economic woes on a US-led “economic war.”

His ruling socialist party has frequently responded to Guaidó’s calls for protests over the past few months with simultaneous marches of their own.

Guaidó did not specify the final destination of the May 1 demonstration. But some in attendance on Friday called out suggestions that they march on the Miraflores presidential palace. (Al Jazeera)

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Guyana needs equal opportunity laws Dear Editor, The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) notes the announcement on Thursday, April 18 by Exxon Mobil of another find, marking the thirteenth on the Stabroek Block.

This find will add to the already expected more than five billion barrels to be produced, yet Guyanese workers have no clear understanding or guideline on how they are expected to foremost benefit from these resources that belong to them.

Outside of announcements as to profit sharing between Government and the oil companies and sweeping statements, the revenue would be directed towards improving social services on which citizens/ workers have nothing concrete to hold on to.

GTUC is on record calling for the Governmentprepared Local Content

Policy to be reviewed by stakeholders with the aim of having same become more inclusive and finally put into law.

In our March 5 publicly announced nineteen-point proposal, outlining a menu of measures to forge the constitutional political system of inclusionary democracy, we called for this. Letters of our desire were dispatched to President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo.

To date, neither Government nor Opposition has made any move to activate this crucial and important aspect of our development that would assure local labour and businesses that they stand to gain and be protected.

Evidently, the politicians see the next General and Regional Elections as the mother of all elections, primarily because oil and gas

are expected to flow come 2020.

The workers of this country have various political association, a basic right that must be respected, but what they are wary of is that the enjoyment of said right could present a climate where they could be excluded from/discriminated against selling their labour, actively participating and benefitting from the sector.

Already, there are allegations of discriminatory practices in preference of one group over the other by local contractors involved in the sector. Similar charges are made about the public and Private Sectors.

To take the allegations lightly in a racially fractured and polarised society is to prepare to see the intensifying of tension and clashes amongst groups.

This country needs equal

opportunity laws as a matter of principle and urgency.

People are already staking claims that they stand a chance to benefit. Where expectations are not met, disgruntlement and its attendant fallouts will follow. Now is the time for a national plan, the facilitating of diverse views on how Guyanese can benefit and must be allowed to participate.

GTUC reiterates concern that citizens are being made to feel like the national focus is singularly on elections and nothing can happen until after.

External forces and internal threats In the meantime, the sabre rattling between the superpowers – the United States of America and Russia – over Venezuela is escalating.

Where Venezuela has already signalled non-partici-

pation in Guyana’s approach to the International Court of Justice to seek a peaceful resolution to the border controversy and has been in alliance with Russian to funnel its oil sales, thus evading US sanctions, we cannot sit easy. Particularly so since the US now has a direct and vested interest in exploiting our oil and gas resources.

What is currently evolving in Venezuela, unless we have our defence and protective mechanism in place, can have a deleterious impact in Guyana and amongst Guyanese.

Further, the world is replete with evidence where superpowers have sown seeds of discord, undermined Governments and invaded countries in the name of democracy to commandeer their oil and gas resources.

Guyanese must be good

stewards of history not only in recording and recounting, but also putting systems in place to avoid similar pitfalls.

We have to stand as one in the face of our finds and external happenings and not allow ourselves to be the pawns of any in their quest for dominance and proving their might.

GTUC reiterates the importance of this nation achieving a unity of purpose and commitment through the establishment of inclusionary Local Content and attendant laws.

This nation, as a matter of urgency, must proceed judiciously in addressing matters that are bound to impact our sovereignty, peace and stability, be it internal and/or external.

Sincerely, Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC)

Curbing madness on the roadways

Dear Editor, “For if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this, but that you first make thieves and then punish them” – Sir Thomas More I watch with growing concern at the frequency of fatal accidents which occur daily, the replay of domestic abuse with weary constancy and the robbery of the average citizen who is eking out a modest living for himself and family.

I watch daily as innocent children approach pedestrian crossings, tentatively and with trepidation as vehicles bear down on them oblivious to their existence and with such speed that it’s impossible to brake at such crossings. I have always been taught that liken to the pedal cyclists, children are to be likened to cockroaches

crossing the road. They will dart across the road with innocent recklessness and it’s up to us, the mature and logical thinking adults, to protect them by being vigilant drivers at all times.

On our new 4-lane roads on the East Coast Demerara, one would think that the road contractors would have seen it fit to place a greater number of barricades along the roadway or close a lane or two until construction was completed in a manner which would alleviate the wanton reckless manner of driving.

Every morning and every afternoon, depending on whether there is police presence, the average driver would create 3 to 4 lanes ‘boring’ into imaginary lanes mere inches from each other only to create bottlenecks with the inevitable cussing contests which follow and dented fenders.

How many of us have been oblivious to the sirens that are almost inaudible until the emergency vehi-

cle (ambulance, fire or police patrol) is within two car lengths of us? Shouldn’t there be a law against such sirens which barely warn the average driver whose windows are likely to be closed given these hot days? Is the siren’s volume not fixed, say 110 decibels? How is it that the police patrol which leads the Lusignan Prison van every morning and every afternoon can be heard from such a great distance but others seem muted?

What would possess those who erect traffic signs to design a 3-way traffic light for a 2-way road?

Check the intersection of the road at Turkeyen leading towards the University of Guyana. Note the signalling to turn left to progress towards Industry and the one to turn left towards the seawall/Rupert Craig Highway.

Drivers, who, I assume to be insane, would honk relentlessly to request the driver in the vehicle ahead to give way when, in fact, the driver ahead is progressing in a

straight line and the light is red for him. It gives way to anger and frustration when in essence, it’s a design flaw that has remained intact for over 3 years.

Why did it take so long for the Guyana Police Force’s Department Officer to respond to the emergence of multiple vehicles which have the blue headlights?

Why would Auto Parts vendors import these blue bulbs if they were not in demand?

It was a growing nuisance for over 2 years, yet the police roam the roadways every night.

It is important that those who are the custodians of enforcing the law act promptly in such matters as, given our environment, it would have escalated into normalcy very quickly as it did.

Many of the domestic abuse challenges can be resolved if it is made compulsory for the couples to attend counselling sessions frequently or face jail time.

The level of death within our homes warrants simple,

tried and tested approaches.

The churches, school principals and wise, mature community members may be called upon to assist.

A massive one-week police traffic campaign on the major roads may impact positively on the drivers’ manner of using our roads.

By warning drivers on the first day and then penalising them thereafter, it would help to curb the madness on the roadways. Economic punishment is a simple and effective deterrent.

Parents and community members should use their cell phones to video the vehicles which are in breach of traffic laws such as not stopping at pedestrian crossings and have them texted via SMS or WhatsApp to the nearest police station. We are our brothers’ keepers.

The Guyana Police Force has to update their arsenal of resources such as fully utilising the digital networks and drone systems if necessary and I believe that drones are a probable solution in the

fight against crime. Closed Caption Television (CCTV) cameras must be used as in the UK. Mail or email tickets and screenshots of traffic infractions to drivers giving clarity of vehicle registration numbers and recognition of drivers who are in breach of the laws.

If the Guyana Defence Force has to be called out to assist the Police Force then so be it. It worked in Barbados for a while until both agencies of the Government got on each other’s nerves. However, it resulted in a substantial reduction in criminal activities.

Manners maketh man is an old Proverb. Let us enforce teachings of deportment, manners, etiquette et al and mentor our children from nursery through the primary and secondary levels and prepare them for being the best citizens.

Sincerely, Wayne Barrow

Mere subterfuge and deception Dear Editor, There has certainly been a buzz around Guyana since the discovery of oil in commercially exploitable quantities. Every day you can read something about Guyana internationally, be it in the Oil & Gas Journal, the New York Times, and so on. But no one speaks about the Guyanese economic prospect of the high risk of wasting all these funds because of corrupt ruling politicians and weak national institutions.

When President Granger spoke from the Parliament Buildings on May 16, 2015, he said, “Let

us now put past rivalries behind us and work in unity to banish poverty, ignorance, fear, and hatred. We assemble here today to witness the swearing in, not of a party leader, but of the President of all the people.

I shall be a good President for all the people”. Editor, what do you think of his rhetoric now?

Between the rhetoric and the reality, all we got from Team Granger so far was a fairy tale after they spent some $1.1 trillion of taxpayers' money.

One is struck by the complete lack of commitment and competence by

Team Granger toward this concept of the "good life". After four (4) years of Grangerism, the road to a new Guyana appears littered with the wreckage of the usually empty PNC messages from the past.

These messages - “the good life”, “a Government of national unity”, “the opportunity to offer democratic renewal”, and so on, were all offered by Mr Granger personally.

But since that offering, all that Team Granger has done was embark on a massive administrative disaster fuelled by high levels of policy paralysis and gross

incompetence. This situation is nothing but a bad omen for the Guyanese people.

They have delivered very little of what they promised after these four (4) years.

It was Team Granger who promised to "free the people from the shackles of racism" but yet in every single appointment they have made, the evidence reveals a ratio of them choosing, 9 out of 10 times, people who are “kith and kin” (Hoyte's words) and “PNC people” (Volda's words).

These people promised to solve the endemic problems of corruption, nepotism and

crime but they have not. It was Mr Granger himself who promised to “protect our citizens” using his military training to guide policies to allow the Guyanese people to feel safe. Today every woman, man, and child are at a greater risk of being robbed, murdered or physically harmed at the hands of domestic terrorists (drug-infused-kickdown-the-door armed bandits included).

Thus, if one reflects on these Granger phrases, they appear as mere subterfuge and deception. All that talk on the foyer of the Guyana Parliament

on May 15, 2015, were really a smokescreen for the real agenda, which Team Granger pursued diligently since coming to the office.

The rational middle not was fooled because regardless of how you dress up Team Granger, it is nothing but the same old PNC with its nepotism, political intolerance, major acts of conflict of interest, executive incompetence and financial squander.

That is their legacy.

The Granger legacy! The PNC legacy!

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

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SUnDAY, april 21, 2019

Easter Messages

PPP urges reflection on significance of Easter

E

aster is one of our nation’s most anticipated holidays in which Guyanese from all backgrounds participate in the tradition of kite-flying and other family-related activities that have become synonymous with the occasion.

It is foremost a very sa-

cred time for Christians across the world, who mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Easter also provides many pertinent lessons for all humanity through its teachings of tolerance, humility, love and respect for others; while offering an

abundance of hope that one will rise despite being confronted with insurmountable challenges.

It is that hope that gives meaningful purpose to all mankind for both personal and societal advancement.

On this auspicious occasion, the People’s Progressive

Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend Easter greetings to all Guyanese, especially our brothers and sisters within the Christian community, both here and in the Diaspora.

At this time, our party urges reflection on the significance of this sacred occa-

sion, given its pertinent messages and the importance it can play in helping to realise universal peace and brotherhood among all.

Easter, like many of our national holidays, transcends religious boundaries and Guyanese in communities across our country will

flock and interact at various vantage points epitomising the true spirit of the occasion in serving to bring people together.

Our party also takes this occasion to remind of the need for safety while flying kites. Once again Happy Easter to all!

Opportunity for Guyanese to share common experiences – PNCR

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he Peoples’ National Congress Reform (PNCR) extends Easter greetings to all Guyanese and more especially to members of our Christian community, both here and around the world, on the celebration of one of the most important events in the Christian calen-

dar. This festival, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, contains both in its symbolic significance, and its secular relevance, important and powerful messages.

For the members of the Christian community, the Easter story represents the

fulfilment of God's prophecy that mankind would be offered the hope of eternal life through the sacrificial death of His son, Jesus Christ, and His subsequent resurrection from the dead. It is this faith, which has kept the worldwide Christian church alive and enabled its fol-

lowers to significantly contribute towards making the earth a better place for all mankind.

The Easter season in Guyana is best known for widespread kite flying that is seen by many as a representation of the theme of the resurrection. Whatever may have been its origins,

kite-flying attracts widespread participation of Guyanese, from all walks of life, regardless of religion, ethnicity or culture.

It, therefore, offers another opportunity for Guyanese to share common experiences and work towards a more socially cohesive society.

This Easter, as our kites of many colours soar to the heavens, let us be inspired; let us celebrate our multireligious, multicultural, multiethnic society. Let us be proud of this rich mosaic that is Guyana. Our diversity is an asset, not a liability.

Happy Easter to All!

Fostering togetherness among Guyanese in multifaceted society – ERC

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he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends best wishes for the Easter holidays to all Guyanese, more in particular, our Christian brothers and sisters – both here and overseas.

It is a time when Guyanese truly come together irrespective of religious belief to participate in kite-flying and other re-

lated activities across the country. This exemplifies the true spirit of not just Easter, but that of our national holidays which continue to foster togetherness of our people in this multifaceted society.

This is important to all of us and our country. The ERC therefore urges that it continues to be built upon so that the bonds

of brotherhood and sisterhood be strengthened through love, tolerance and mutual respect.

Easter signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross of Calvary on Good Friday. This offers a universal message for mankind that there is always hope for a new beginning in the face of ad-

versity, bringing comfort and motivation that there is a path to continuity even in what may be seen as the end.

This is pertinent in all spheres of life, kindling courage and optimism while in despair.

As our kites soar and buzz high in the skies during this time, let it become the symbol of our

collective and sustained efforts in rising to the challenges as we endeavour together to remove the barriers of hate and prejudice so that peace, harmony and unity will grow and be infused in the hearts and minds of us all.

The ERC also urges that the true significance and the messages of Easter not be lost and that

the teachings of Jesus Christ be that guiding hand in our efforts to promote harmony and good relations across our dear land among our Guyanese brothers and sisters.

Once again, best wishes for the Easter holidays.

Ethnic Commission

Relations

Embrace the abiding message of hope – GAWU

T

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) extends Easter greetings to all Guyanese and, more especially, to members of our Christian community, both here and around the world, on the occasion of the celebration of one of the most important events in the Christian calendar. This festival, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, contains both in its symbolic significance and its secular relevance, important and powerful messages.

For the members of the Christian community, the Easter story represents the fulfilment of God’s prophecy that mankind would be offered the hope of eternal life through the sacrificial death of His son, Jesus Christ, and His subsequent resurrection from the dead. It is this faith which has kept the worldwide Christian Church alive

and enabled its followers to significantly contribute towards making the earth a better place for all mankind.

The Easter season in Guyana is best known for the widespread kite-flying activity that is seen by many as a representation of the theme of the resurrection.

Whatever may have been its origins, kite-flying attracts widespread participation of Guyanese, from all walks of life, regardless of religion, ethnicity or culture. It therefore offers another opportunity for Guyanese to share common experiences and understand each other better.

Let us hope that the symbolism of our kites soaring skyward inspire all Guyanese to embrace the abiding message of hope for the resurgence of the conditions needed for the future development and prosperity of this our Dear Land of Guyana.

A happy Easter to all!

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7

SUnDAY, april 21, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Reporters Without Borders cite efforts to silence journalists in Guyana …says threat by officials using legislation to fine, jail reporters still looms

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ournalists in Guyana still face hurdles in executing their duties and some of the present laws that the country has implemented can land a journalist in jail despite the Constitution guaranteeing free speech and the right to information.

According to the Reporters Without Borders for freedom of information (RSF), officials often use various pieces of legislation – including defamation laws, which provide for fines and up to two years in jail – to silence opposition journalists.

The RSF website says that “a Cybercrime Bill that was passed into law in July 2018 took into account amendments RSF proposed regarding provisions that could have posed a threat to press freedom if used to penalise journalists for publishing reports deemed critical of the Government or that are based on information from confidential sources. However, the bill remains imperfect. The members of the media regulatory authority are appointed directly by the President”.

According to the media advocacy body, this restricts the freedom of certain media outlets, which are denied licenses and recent attempts to improve regulation of the broadcast industry involved no consultation with any broadcasters.

“Journalists are still

subjected to harassment that takes the form of prosecutions, suspensions, and intimidation,” the RSF said.

It added that local journalists may be censored due to editorial or company policies, the threat remains at large that Government officials can use the laws of Guyana to persecute and prosecute journalists if their articles are not “in keeping” with how they wish the publicity to be.

This by itself, is an infringement on the rights of journalists, and in contradiction of Guyana’s Constitution.

However, despite such struggles, the country has been able to elevate itself from the 55 position in 2018 in the World Press Freedom Index to 51 position in its 2019 report.

Presently, there are 180 countries which are mentioned in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index and while Guyana has moved up four notches in comparison to last year, it added that much more work is to be done that will allow local reporters and journalists the freedom to publicise stories that are fair and accurate without bias or fear being incited.

Last year, despite con-

cerns being expressed that the measures included in clause 18 of the Cybercrime Bill of 2016 could be used to silence critics, Government was initially unmoved, and was, in fact, insisting that the measure is for national security.

According to clause 18, persons commit an offence of sedition when they, “attempt to bring into hatred or excite disaffection towards the Government”.

After much public outcry and criticism from the media, the controversial Cybercrime Bill was passed in National Assembly on July 20, 2018, with several amendments, including the removal of the clause on sedition.

However, the Opposition – People’s Progressive Party – noted that the words may have changed, but the Bill still threatens civil liberties.

The Bill

Laid in the National Assembly since 2016, the Cyber Crime Bill had catered for, inter alia: illegal access to a computer system; illegal interception; illegal data interference; illegal acquisition of data; illegal system interference; unauthorised receiving or

granting of access to computer data; computer-related forgery; computer-related fraud; offences affecting critical infrastructure; identity-related offences; child pornography; child luring and violation of privacy among a slew of other offences.

Previously, section 18 (1a) of the Bill had stated that persons commit an offence of sedition when they “attempt to bring into hatred or excite disaffection towards the Government”.

Section 18 (1) now states that “A person commits an offence if the person, whether in or out of Guyana, intentionally publishes, transmits or circulates by use of a computer system, a statement or words, either spoken or written, a text, video, image, sign, visible representation or other thing that (a) advocates the use without authority of law of force as a means of accomplishing a governmental change within Guyana”.

The amended section goes on to state that the law also criminalises anyone who “incites, counsels, urges, induces, aids or abets any person to commit, participate in the commission of or to conspire with another person to commit treason under section 314 or 317 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act”.

Breaking this law, according to the amended section, carries a penalty on conviction on indictment of

imprisonment for five years.

Meanwhile, the amended clause nine of the Cyber Crime Bill states: “A person commits an offence who, through authorised or unauthorised means, obtains or accesses electronic data which (c) is stored on a computer system and is protect-

ed against unauthorised access”.

The penalty on summary conviction is a fine of $3 million and imprisonment of three years, while conviction on indictment earns the accused a fine of $8 million and five years’ imprisonment.

8 news

SUnDAY, april 21, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Pressure mounts for audit into CJIA expansion expenses …independent audit needed in interest of accountability – lawyer

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ressure continues to mount on the Government to facilitate an independent audit into the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project, the costs for which continues to attract criticism.

In an interview with this publication on Saturday, attorney-at-law and anti-corruption advocate, Christopher Ram stressed that such an audit is, in fact, to be expected and speaks to the broader issue of a Government that is accountable.

“It’s obviously something that is necessary. There need not be a call for it. It should be done as a matter of course.

It’s part of the broader issue of transparency and accountability. Only an independent audit will be able to attest to the accuracy and authenticity of any expenditure,” Ram said.

According to the attorney, there are several elements to consider when conducting an audit. Ram urged that any

Airlines, one of the major airline carriers at the airport, both the airport security fee and the airport passenger service charge will be increased.

Anti-corruption advocate and attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram

audit into the CJIA expansion project should include elements of both value for money and financial audit.

“The way an audit is conducted, an audit looks at the materiality of figures and the fact that those figures are to be pursued. The first thing one does is look at the contract and see whether the contract is being observed.”

“If there’s any variation, what was the authority for

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

the variation? And was it made in accordance with the Procurement Act? You also need to ensure that those persons who might have compromised at the variation had the relevant expertise to do so.”

As of April 1, arriving and departing passengers at the CJIA will have to pay an additional US$35; all to support the ongoing CJIA expansion project.

According to Caribbean

Unilateral Following the announcement of the increased fees at the CJIA, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had been critical of what he called a unilateral measure and the downgraded specifications of the airport expansion project.

This was ventilated during his weekly press conference on Wednesday, where the former President criticised the fact that these new charges were sprung on passengers without any consultation.

“These charges were sprung upon us, without any consultation with the airlines or anyone else. And what are we paying back for?” Jagdeo had asked, eventually calling for a probe into the project.

The justification for the increases had been the airport’s ongoing expansion project. turn to page 9

On a slow news day…

I

…the Mueller Report was released

t was as if the mountain had laboured and produced a mouse. After two years of bated breath and high drama, the Mueller Report was released – all 448 pages in two volumes. For those of you, dear readers, who might’ve been distracted with filming the black hole millions of light years away, here is a short synopsis of the reason for the Inquiry.

The FBI, under its Director James Comey, had since 2016 been investigating alleged links between associates of Trump and Russian officials who had, among other things, hacked the e-mail of Trump’s opponent in the Presidential elections, Hillary Clinton.

Democratic Congressmen promptly demanded the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate Trump for obstruction of Justice. Trump had leaned on his Attorney-General to derail the investigation, and fired him after he refused to do so. Both sets of investigation were taken up by Justice Department’s Special Counsel.

This department – analogous to our Ministry of Legal Affairs - appointed a special counsel (formerly called special prosecutor or independent counsel), who’s an independent “lawyer appointed to investigate, and potentially prosecute, a particular case of suspected wrongdoing for which a conflict of interest (situation) exists for the usual prosecuting authority”.

Robert Mueller, who was himself a former head of the FBI, was sworn in by the Dep AG. The details of the investigation shouldn’t detain us too much, but it demonstrates the importance of institutions of government being shielded from the Executive, in which there is the existential compulsion to act outside its remit to further partisan, or even -- as is evident in this instance -- personal interests. At every step of the investigation, Trump and his associates lied, cheated, and ran elaborate misdirections to stymie the investigation.

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight felony counts; his personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to making hush payments in violation of campaign laws; his foreign affairs advisor and long-time advisor were also indicted.

Trump only escaped charges for two reasons: “firstly, to abide by an authoritative opinion that a sitting president cannot stand trial. Secondly, sealed charges could leak, and Mueller felt a charge would impair the president’s governing ability and potentially pre-empt constitutional processes for addressing presidential misconduct.”

With a footnote reference to impeachment!! A word to Beneba mek Quashie tek notice!

…a biblical tale

4:4 And it came to pass that the PNC/AFC were very overwrought after the NCM and the betrayal by the Berbician Charrandas who had worshipped at their feet.

4:5 And the PNC/AFC, taking the forlorn Berbicians up into the beaches of No 63, shewed unto them all the kingdoms of the world that would be delivered unto them.

4:6 And the PNC/AFC said unto them, All this wealth and the good life will we give thee, and the glory of them: for that was delivered unto us in 2015 with our 50% raise and outriders; and to whomsoever vote for us will we give it.

4:7 If thou therefore wilt not support the accursed PPP but rather offer us thy fealty, all shall be thine.

4:8 But Jagdeo of the PPP had foreseen this wooing by the PNC/AFC and had verily taught the Berbicians to say unto them, “Get thee behind us, PNC/AFC: for it is written, We shalt support only the party that hast stood by us in bad times and good, and the PPP only shalt we support.”

4:9 And so it was the PNC/AFC were thusly chased out, and in anger they sent their centurions to seize the PPPite Jagdeo.

…Mass Games returning?

Minister of Social Cohesion, George Norton, has said 5000 students will be hauled from across the country to participate in the Flag- raising Ceremony this May 26, Independence Day. In fulfilling Burnham’s legacy, as he promised, is Granger thinking of bringing back the North Koreaninspired Mass Games??

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

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9

SUnDAY, april 21, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

President warned against heavy workload …completes radiotherapy

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resident David Granger completed his regime of radiotherapy in Cuba on Saturday, Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed, has revealed.

In a statement on Saturday, Ambassador Majeed said that there has been no complication in this cycle of treatment and his medical specialists are looking forward to his recovery and his return to normalcy.

“The President will continue a schedule of medication prescribed by his doctors and is expected to

return to Cuba at a time to be determined by his Cuban medical team. In terms of his resumption of official duties, they have cautioned against too heavy a workload immediately and have advised that care must be taken in pursuing excessive public engagements at this time,” the ambassador said.

He added that President Granger has iterated his gratitude to Cuban President Miguel DiazCanel and the medical team at CIMEQ. In March, it was reported that the first phase

of the President’s medical treatment in Cuba was successfully completed and the Cuban specialists, who are overseeing his medical care for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, have expressed their full satisfaction with his response to chemotherapy and his overall physical well-being.

The President’s chemotherapy commenced in November 2018 after he was diagnosed with NonHodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer which envelopes the lymphatic system.

On October 30, 2018, the

Pressure mounts for audit...

According to Jagdeo, however, Guyana is being ripped off because the Government has downgraded the specifications of the project.

For example, he noted that Guyana was originally supposed to get eight air bridges. However, it was reduced to four air bridges and with the decrease, a substantial size of the airport expansion was lost. He noted that the airport would have gotten a new terminal building, with enough room to accommodate eight aircraft.

“I travel out of the airport and I get extremely angry every time. Because I know what the contract was and what kind of airport we were supposed to receive and I look what we’re getting now.

And I get extremely angry because we’re being ripped off, because of complicity with this Ministry.”

“In the original design, we had to have eight [air bridges].

So they had to build the terminal building to accommodate eight, plus the parking apron.

By reducing, not only are you reducing the number of air bridges, you are reducing a

substantial size of the airport, plus the apron on which those aircraft have to stand. So we should have had an entirely new terminal building. Now the terminal building is a rehabilitation work.”

For some time, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has faced questions over the CJIA expansion project’s costs and delayed construction. The project was initially supposed to have been completed within 32 months.

The project got underway in 2012 under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration when Guyana secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (Export-Import) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government was to contribute some US$12 million.

The A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), when in Opposition, had cut the funding the then PPP/C Government had allocated for the expansion project.

When the coalition Government came into pow-

from page 8

er in 2015, the project was put on hold, but after discussions between Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), it was later announced that the project would be continued but a number of downgrades were done to the design.

President David Granger

President and First Lady Sandra Granger travelled to Cuba for him to undergo medical tests after he had complained of feeling unwell. Days later, he was diagnosed with cancer. The President has since reduced his number of public engagements.

According to WebMD, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is cancer that starts in your body’s lymph system.

Lymphoma occurs when the lymph node cells or the lym-

phocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing cancerous cells that have the abnormal capacity to invade other tissues throughout the body.

According to webmd.com, chemotherapy targets cells that grow and divide quickly, as cancer cells do. Unlike radiation or surgery, which target specific areas, chemo can work throughout the body. But it can also affect some fast-growing healthy cells like those of the skin,

hair, intestines, and bone marrow.

According to the website, some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy are fatigue, hair loss, easy bruising and bleeding, infection, anaemia (low red blood cell count), nausea and vomiting, appetite changes, and constipation.

Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high-energy waves to kill tumour cells.

The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. There is no way to predict how radiation will affect you. You may have few or only mild side effects from your treatment; someone else may have a lot of problems or very severe ones.

Early side effects, such as nausea and fatigue. Late side effects, such as lung or heart problems, may take years to show up and are often permanent when they do.

The most common early side effects are fatigue and skin problems.

10 news

SUnDAY, april 21, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Timehri brawl ends in murder

A

n 18-year-old was fatally stabbed while his father and stepmother were injured during a brawl with a group of men at the Timehri Docks, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is David Toney of Lot 76 Alliance Road, Timehri, EBD. Meanwhile, the injured are identified as Mark Toney and Judieth Hosea.

The elder Toney was reportedly stabbed once to his abdomen and once to his back while Hosea received stab wounds to her hip and left side shoulder.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the now dead teen and his stepmother intervened in a fight between his father and a group of men, who were reportedly drunk, during which they were all injured.

Speaking with this newspaper, Hosea related that the fight stemmed from an argument over who will pack their truck with cabbages. She said after the argument broke out, one of the men attacked her husband and a scuffle ensued.

It was then, Hosea added, that her and her now dead stepson intervened to make peace but they too were attacked by the group of drunk men.

The woman recalled feeling a

Dead: David Toney

sharp object inserted to her left shoulder followed by another on her left hip. She then retreated but saw the men hitting the teenager about his body.

According to Hosea, she did not

know David Toney was being stabbed until he ran a short distance away from the attackers and collapsed. He was stabbed at least three times, twice to his abdomen and once to the chest.

Meanwhile, after Mark Toney was injured, he ran to the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Base in Timehri, where he was given first aid treatment and subsequently taken along with his injured wife to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Guyana Times was told that David Toney was deported from Barbados, where he lived with his mother and other siblings.

According to residents in the area, the teenager was allegedly involved in a number of thefts in the area. Only recently he was accused of stabbing a man on the Timehri wharf.

A cousin, with whom David Toney lived, said he was awakened at about 04:30h by the dead teen's father, who related that his son was stabbed and that he must run to the wharf fast.

According to the cousin, when he arrived at the wharf, his cousin was already dead.

Meanwhile, the Police have since arrested five persons for questioning into the fatal stabbing while they are on the hunt for two others.

More funding needed to develop youth businesses – The Caribbean Voice

D

espite miniature strides to develop youth businesses, The Caribbean Voice believes that the Government needs to do more to help young people develop their businesses as the lack of employment opportunities are making youths suicidal.

This is according to a spokesperson of the organisation, Bibi Ahamad, who recently told Guyana Times that the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has taken note of the Department of Youth’s initiative to fund some youth businesses but is of the strong view that it needs to do more.

“They need to do more in communities especially in rural communities you know they need to put something to enhance the community for the youths to probably [benefit like] a playground for sporting activities [or a] resource centre,” Ahamad explained.

The Youth Innovation Programme Of Guyana (YIPOG) was launched in May 2017 under the Education Ministry. Later in September of that year, the Ministry awarded grants to 25 groups that proposed innovative project ideas to be implemented within their communities It sought to provide the opportunity for Guyanese to design, develop and produce innovative ideas to combat challenges they face within their communities.

In 2018, the project was launched under the Social Cohesion Ministry with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport.

At a recent press conference, the Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael said that the programme has been awarded $70 million this year to be distributed to youths. “The reason this was brought on board is because we recognise that there aren’t the necessary frameworks with regards to the financing [of businesses and] easy access to the banks and so on,” she pointed out.

Last year, several projects were funded by the Department through its Business Summit, each of which received $1 million to kick-start their businesses.

On the other hand, through YIPOG, about 30 persons also received grants through the Department for their Youth Innovation projects.

Those persons received a maximum of $2 million to launch their projects. It was explained that the financing for projects vary on the technicality of same.

For this year, the Department has received over 60 proposals but are ca-

tering for about 50.

Unemployment

Only last week, hundreds of young people who are unemployed crowded the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, where the Department of Youth held its first job fair to address the scourge of unemployment, which affects some 40 per cent of youths.

Senior Research, Planning and Development Officer within the Department, Adeti De Jesus told Guyana Times that the unemployed youths turned up to the Sports Hall before 07:00h to be interviewed.

In fact, youths who had become desperate for employment after being at home for a number of years took the opportunity to apply online for the job fair prior to the April 12 event.

Some 701 online applications were received, De Jesus said, while other youths showed up to the event without being registered.

The issue of unemployment among Guyanese youths has been on the rise and has been the cause of the hike in robberies and other crimes.

Presidential Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Irfaan Ali on April 11 told the media that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government has failed to deliver most of its manifesto promises to the Guyanese people in the more than four years the Administration has been in office.

According to Ali, Guyanese have to hold Government accountable for this failure, which has resulted in the hardships many citizens face, especially among the vulnerable groups such as women, the elderly and youths.

He reminded of Government’s promise to stimulate job creation, especially for youths, but instead, they have caused the country to face 37,000 job losses in various economy-driven sectors. He went on to reveal that under the APNU/AFC, Guyana has slipped four positions in the employment rate for the 2554 age group and seven positions for the age group of 54 to 64 on the Global Human Capital Index.

Among the host of promises the PPP has mentioned that will be in its manifesto, is the creation of 50,000 new jobs and according to the Party’s Presidential Candidate, even this figure is too conservative.

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11

SUnDAY, april 21, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Convict starts fire at NA Prison

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Out of the logies

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ne of the unfortunate circumstances of our polarised, identity-based politics is a contested history filtered through the lenses of the separate and often conflicting narratives of our two major ethnic groups.

Take the letter by Mr. EB John, captioned, “It is impossible to omit the critical role sugar industry played in economic and social growth of Indo-Guyanese communities” (SN 4-11-19).

Now, in and of itself, that statement is true; but the seemingly inevitable comparison with the African Guyanese sugar workers in his letter does raise some contentious issues.

As Mr. John points out, the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund (SILWF) was established after WWII (1947, to be exact), by applying a levy on exported sugar, to be used for rehousing sugar workers. But he did not note that, simultaneously, the system of “cut and drop” was changed to “cut and load”, which extracted more from workers’ wages than the levy, and which precipitated the Enmore protest and massacre.

This SILWF initiative was a direct result of the Moyne Commission’s investigation of labour unrest in the Ravi Dev Caribbean in the 1930s due to the deprivations in the sugar plantations occasioned by Depression-era plunging wages. The Commission was in fact taking evidence in British Guiana in 1939 when five sugar workers were shot and killed at Leonora Estate.

The Commission’s Report, which recommended far reaching political and social innovations, was not circulated, and was not implemented until after the war.

Mr John claims that “Extra Nuclear Housing Areas (ENHA) were exclusively constructed to accommodate INDIAN sugar workers and their families, supplemented by community centres and girls’ clubs.” But this was just not so. The ENHA were directed to accommodate ALL sugar workers and their families WHO WERE STILL LIVING IN BARRACKS OR LOGIES, because their living conditions had shocked the members of the Commission.

Latrines, for instance, were constructed over drainage canals, which could contaminate irrigation canals from where the drinking water was sourced. And the community centres and girls’ clubs were open to ALL who resided in the surrounding villages.

By 1947, however, most African Guyanese sugar workers had left the barracks/logies, and this circumstance ensured the ENHA ended up with mostly Indian Guyanese sugar workers.

But African Guyanese sugar workers were the overwhelming majority of the skilled and better paid factory workers. They rented or owned homes generally adjoining the public road, where they settled/bought after Emancipation. At Plantation Uitvlugt, for example, one section between the Public Road and Bruda Dam housed a number of African Guyanese families on what was called “children property”. South of Bruda, mostly African Guyanese houses stretched south to form the “Casbah” section. There was one large “Barrack” on the Estate Rd housing a number of African and Indian Guyanese families, and they were all housed in new “cottages” built from the SILWF funds.

Several “cottages”, dubbed “Bajan Quarters”, adjoined logies next to the sugar factory (“Letter A”), and housed a number of families from the 1929 WI brought to work on the sugar plantations from the smaller WI Islands between 1920 and 1928.

The African “Bajans” were granted SILWF loans to build houses in the Casbah section. One vacant section of Casbah (behind the Scots School) was allocated as house lots to other African Guyanese families, as well as the two older sections which were regularized; and SILWF loans for building houses were extended.

Residents of ‘Letter A’ logies were allocated house lots in the cleared land between the Public Road and the Atlantic Ocean – dubbed “Ocean View” – and built houses with the SILWF loans.

Other logies were relocated to ENHA lots created in Zeeburg, De Willem, Meten- meer-Zorg, Zeelugt, and eventually Tuschen.

But what Mr John failed to mention was that, following the Moyne Report, the Government, in 1946, launched a “Central Authority” to provide housing for the “working class”, which was superseded by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) in 1948.

Financing was provided from the British Guiana Building Society Ltd (est 1929 and incorporated in 1940 as the New Building Society). In 1954, the Housing Dept was created, and a vigorous house-building programme commenced, with G$15 million being spent between 1954 and 1959 to produce some 3,500 houses for persons outside the sugar belt.

We shall not extend the analysis to the 30,180 houses the PNC built during 1970-1980; plus the “housing schemes”; and arranging for the nationalised Bauxite Industry to mirror the SILWF arrangement “to reward its supporters and suborn its opponents”, as mentioned by Carl Greenidge in his book.

convicted prisoner on Saturday evening started a fire at the New Amsterdam Prison.

Reports are at about 18:35h, the convicted prisoner, Devon Griffith, who is serving a 25-year sentence for murder, started the fire in the solitary confinement area. When this newspaper arrived at the scene, one unit of the New Amsterdam Fire Service was outside the prison.

This newspaper was told that the fire was extinguished even before the unit arrived.

Meanwhile, Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels in a statement on Saturday evening said that the prison-

A fire truck outside the New Amsterdam Prison

er, who is mentally ill, was on Saturday relocated from the other prisoners who are also mentally ill and placed in the security block due to his aggressive behaviour towards them.

“Whilst in the security block, I am informed he

bridged the electric wire that caused a feedback to a main panel. This resulted in a large amount of smoke at the panel. Members of the Joint Services quickly responded and assessed the situation. The members of the Guyana Fire Service

conducted inspections and the area was declared safe.

The prisoner has since been relocated and is being monitored,” Samuels said in his statement.

The Guyana Power and Light were also at the scene.

Officer in charge of the New Amsterdam Prison, Deoraj Gyandat told this publication that the officers on duty at the prison responded promptly.

“Some of the prisoners were interviewed and they were all fine,” he told this publication.

Meanwhile, residents living in the area said that they heard a “commotion,” and then shouts of “fire”.

12 news

SUNDAY, april 21, 2019

Audit into UG’s finances to begin in 2 weeks – Auditor General E

I

n light of the request recently made by the Education Ministry to have a special audit into the finances of the University of Guyana (UG), the Auditor General’s Office has already commenced the preparation stages to kick-start that process.

This is according to Guyana’s Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, who told Guyana Times in an interview on Saturday that the “groundwork” will commence shortly.

“We [Audit Office] were contacted and are planning to go in and start the special audit quite soon. I have contracted an auditor, outside of my office, who does work there, contracting an auditor [is] what is usually done by my office. I asked him to complete a Terms of Reference for this, this is in addition to the normal audit that takes place,” Sharma explained.

The Auditor General noted that the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry had officially writ-

The University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus

ten to him, requesting this special audit, but before his Office could begin its work, the necessary meeting had to take place.

“Meetings were held with the Education Ministry officials, of course, they had to be held first so that we could

be briefed.

Then there were meetings with the Unions from UG but I am not at liberty to discuss what transpired in those meetings.

However, what I can say is that I am hoping to go into UG to start the special audit

within two weeks from now.”

The request for the special audit came in light of an appeal made to the Ministry by the two workers’ unions at UG. However, the administration of the University on Thursday said such a move is welcomed so as to clear up any misinformation about the present financial state of UG. “The administration welcomes the opportunity to clear the air on the allegations and assertions by the Unions and other individuals…We have long indicated such, both directly to the UG Unions and in my two recent memoranda to the University Community,” said Vice-Chancellor of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, in the release.

The request made by the two Unions to the Education Ministry birthed from the fact that UG’s administration, in January of this year, stated that the institution was not in a position to pay further salary increases for 2018, having paid a four per

A

Vice Chancellor of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith

Auditor General of Guyana, Deodat Sharma

cent salary increase to academic staff and three per cent to non-academic staff, both tax-free, in December 2018.

On February 13, 2019, in an update to the members of the UG Community on the industrial climate at Turkeyen and the call by the Unions for a forensic financial audit, the Vice-

Chancellor noted that the administration is willing to have its financial position examined by any competent and independent auditor.

Meanwhile, UG’s administration was accused of wanton spending, including hosting several events and standing the expenses of meals and accommodation for guest speakers.

shor anot ing fl its ca T Don ing Gulf Nobl Nobl Guya Carr O anno ery Yello T a me US oil di and south Stab Y six Tilap tered of sand A lease drille feet (

13 al ExxonMobil adds another drillship to fleet A

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news

guyanatimesGY.com

s US oil giant ExxonMobil continues to discover more oil offshore Guyana, it has added another drillship to its existing fleet of three to increase its capacity.

The new drillship, Noble Don Taylor is presently working for Talos Energy in the Gulf of Mexico. Already, the Noble Bob Douglas and the Noble Tom Madden are in Guyana, along with the Stena Carron.

Only this week, Exxon announced its 13th discovery offshore Guyana at the Yellowtail-1 well.

The announcement came a mere two months after the US supermajor made double oil discoveries at the Tilapia-1 and Haimara-1 wells in the south-west section of the Stabroek Block.

Yellowtail-1, located some six miles north-west of the Tilapia discovery, encountered approximately 292 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir.

According to a press release from ExxonMobil, it was drilled to a depth of 18,445 feet (5622 metres) in 6046 feet

2020 and will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, utilising the Liza Destiny FPSO, which is expected to arrive in the country in the third quarter.

Liza Phase 2 is expected to start up by mid-2022.

A final investment decision is expected soon, subject to Government and regulato-

The Noble Don Taylor drillship

(1843 metres) of water.

The Noble Tom Madden began drilling the Yellowtail well on March 27 and it will next drill the Hammerhead-2 well.

This latest discovery adds to the previously announced estimated recoverable resource of approximately 5.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels on the Stabroek Block.

Yellowtail-1 is the fifth discovery in the Turbot area, which ExxonMobil expects to become a major development hub.

The Stena Carron is currently completing a well test at the Longtail-1 discovery and upon completion will

next drill the Hammerhead-3 well. Later in 2019, the Stena Carron will drill a second well at the Ranger discovery.

The Noble Bob Douglas drillship is currently completing development drilling operations for the Liza Phase 1 development.

ExxonMobil has previously said that there is potential for at least five floating productions, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels on the Stabroek Block producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025.

Start-up of the Liza Phase 1 development is on track to begin by the first quarter of

ry approvals. Upon approval, the project plans to use the Liza Unity FPSO to produce up to 220,000 barrels per day.

Sanctioning of a third development, Payara, is also expected in 2019, with start-up projected for 2023.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil af-

filiate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

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SUnDAY, april 21, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Hundreds of dead fish found floating in Essequibo Coast canal

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undreds of dead fish were found floating in a canal on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Saturday morning and residents in nearby areas are complaining of the unbearable stench emanating from the decaying fish.

Reports have indicated that hundreds of fish have died over the past few days in the conservancy canal that runs between the Richmond Housing Scheme and the La Belle Alliance Housing Scheme.

According to several residents in those areas, the water is stagnant and they are unable to use the water, as they previously did for household chores and other activities. Guyana Times was told that the area where the fishes are floating is polluted with garbage as well as other items that persons appear to have dumped into the waterway.

EPA to commission new office in Region Six

T Dead fish in the canal that runs between the Richmond Housing Scheme and La Belle Alliance Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, on Saturday told this newspaper that officers from the Ministry are presently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“It cannot be due to the dry season that so many fishes are dead and there is water there. I just received a message about this and have asked my Ministry to investigate to determine what

caused such a situation. It had to be something extraneous,” he stated.

Meanwhile, when contacted, several top regional officials were unaware of the situation.

he Environmental Protection Agency in Guyana stands firm in its commitment to environmental sustainability as more than 1 billion people in 192 countries take part in the largest civic-focused day of action in the world, rallying the call to ‘Protect Our Species”. Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970 and celebrated annually on April 22, challenges us to consider the impacts of human activities such as deforestation, habitat loss, trafficking and poaching, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and pesticides on plant and wildlife populations. Data continues to show that many populations are on the decline, facing extinction or are already extinct.

Some are engaging policymakers, some marching and signing petitions, others planting trees and cleaning up their communities. This year, the EPA is celebrating expanding its services in the Region 6 area to support the public in environmental management and compliance.

This ultimately contributes to the conservation of the environment and all species, especially those that are endangered and threatened.

A new office for Region 6 In light of recent marked changes in Guyana’s economic landscape, the Environmental Protection Agency has responded promptly to the need for decentralised services to increase efficiency and effectiveness in tackling pollution control and environmental management across the country.

Since its establishment, the EPA has been operating from within the city of Georgetown. This single location meant that the suite of officers and other resources had to be mobilised to serve customers all over the country. Though there were several notable achievements, in spite of the obvious pressures, the need for expansion has been on the radar for some time.

We are pleased to inform the public that, construction and staffing of our extension office at Whim Village, East Berbice - Corentyne is now complete. This milestone achievement signals EPA’s commitment to its mandate to oversee the sustainable use of Guyana’s environmental resources. This physical expansion will directly support the compliance of business operations in the wider Berbice area, allowing face to face support during the Environmental Authorisations process, timely monitoring inspections, investigation of complaints, and emergency response.

The Berbice Office will be Officially opened on April 25, 2019, and customers visiting our Region 6 location can access the following services from May 06, 2019: • Receive guidance on the Environmental Authorisation process; • Lodge applications and documents for Environmental Authorisations including Noise permits; • File complaints of environmental breaches; • Request environmental education and awareness material …and much more You can also make contact via telephone on 337-2201.

Additionally, you can continue to make contact with our main office via email, our website, and our social media pages. This Agency is also making strides to have a sustained presence in all ten Administrative Regions.

This Earth Day you can help to raise awareness on the need for us to be mindful of our day to day actions to protect all our species. Dedicate your social media feeds, notice boards, and news outlets to this global campaign, or plan your own event to raise community awareness about the accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species.

Keep looking out for public events happening all across the country.

Join the single-use plastics free day on April 22. Refuse plastics bags and take your own reusable bag when shopping.

Remember the change begins with you! Let help to protect out species by saying NOOOOO!!! to single-use plastics.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail. com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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SUnDAY, april 21, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bar manager hit to head, shoots rowdy customer

Current political situation: Nailing the unemployment lie

I

n a video featured by the Department of Public Information on April 13th, 2019, the Director presented a very unprofessional propagandist series, which is at best erroneously ridiculous.

He was himself pulling figures out of the sky, and has no clue of any of the contents of which he has spoken. It was indeed more laughable as the presenter seemed to be out of touch with reality.

This article, therefore, is intended to counter the opinions he provided therein.

To this end, it is worthwhile to examine, in the most simplified manner possible, or in “layman’s terms”, the theoretical underpinning of economic policies being pursued; especially those that are particularly designed to address, in a post-mortem way, the situation regarding the unemployed sugar workers within a pragmatic framework.

The far-reaching economic implications of the largest retrenchment in Guyana’s economic history -- that is, the 9,000 or 10,000 plus now unemployed sugar workers -- shall be examined.

Economic policies generally constitute two dimensions: demand side policies, which are policies aimed at stimulating demand for goods and services in an economy; and supply side policies, which are aimed at increasing the supply of goods and services produced by firms operating in an economy.

It is important to note, at this point in our discussion, that ‘demand and supply’ constitute the very basic fundamental principles of economics. In the broad profession of economics, there are some economists who tend to subscribe to Keynesian economics, so called after John Maynard Keynes, a worldrenowned economist who firmly believed in demand side policies being more effective to fuel economic growth; and there are also some economists who are firm believers in supply side policies. Thus, logically, one may ask which approach is more effective and, in this case, more sensible. Nonetheless, the answer to this question warrants extensive academic debates and/or discussions which are naturally beyond the scope of this article.

Having said that, it must be said that in the budget 2018 presentation, a few measures were provided therein for the divestment or restructuring of GuySuCo – designed with the intent to cushion the effects on the retrenched workers. To this end, citing the Budget Speech (2018, pg.52): “In order to ensure the continued livelihoods, a skills re-training programme is anticipated to be offered for those who choose to pursue new opportunities. Those who wish to continue with a livelihood in agriculture may see an opportunity to own their own farmland”.

In addition, there was an outreach programme held by a few key Ministers of Government with the sugar workers sometime in January of this year. In that meeting, one Minister stated that a range of foreign companies are interested in Guyana and the sugar industry -- suggesting that there are going to be opportunities, as opposed to the general ideology that there is none, or limited opportunities, to absorb the sacked sugar workers.

Another suggestion put forward by the Minister is that there are many opportunities for alternative employment – referring to a shortage of plantains for fast-food chain Pollo Tropical, and to the market available for soursop and other fruits.

These policies are supply side policies, of course, and without getting into too much technicalities in regard to the underlying economic theories, is it really sensible to convey a message of hope to thousands of people to wait for companies to come invest in Guyana? A mere expression of interest by foreign companies does not mean that they actually manifest into reality.

Hypothetically, even if one of those companies decides to invest in Guyana, with the series of protocols and bureaucracies that would have to be undertaken, it would take months -possibly a year or two, or even more time -- before they reach to the operationalisation and employment phases.

For example, since in 2013, and even long before then, investors were being sought after to invest in manganese mining in Matthews Ridge in the North West District; and only now, in 2018, four years after and possibly longer (if it was indeed long before 2013, when yours truly became aware of this development), the Chinese are now seeking to invest in manganese. So there will now be a manganese company in the North West District, but that, again, will take some time before the company is fully operationalised.

Hence, while waiting on foreign investors to come, how long should these thousands of people sit and wait to earn? How will they pay their monthly bills and put food on their tables?

How long will the severance pay last to meet their daily needs to survive?

(To be continued next week).

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

G

unplay between three men and a bar manager on Friday morning resulted in one man being shot to his leg while the others are in Police custody.

Reports are that at about 01:30h, three men went to a bar at Nigg Village, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), to purchase alcoholic beverages. This newspaper was told that as the men drank their beverages, they started to harass a waitress at the bar.

After being warned by the manager to desist, the men continued and the manager again went to the rescue of the waitress.

This newspaper was told that this led to an argument with one of the men picking up a bottle and hitting the bar manager on his head.

A police source told this publication that the bar manager left the establishment, went to his home, which is nearby, and returned with a loaded unlicensed firearm.

It is alleged that when the trio saw him return with a firearm, they hurriedly returned to their vehicle to leave but one of them whipped out a

gun and pointed it in the direction of the bar manager.

According to a police source, the bar manager is a deportee who returned to Guyana after serving close to 20 years in an overseas prison for murder.

Both the bar manager and the other armed man fired shots towards each other. One of the men was shot to his leg as he was about to enter the car.

He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he is presently a patient under Police guard.

This publication was told that the hospital notified the police that a man had been admitted with a gunshot wound.

The police went to the hospital, where they also saw the injured man’s two friends. As such, they too were arrested and a search was conducted on the car.

Two spent shells were recovered inside of the vehicle. The police also arrested the bar manager. An investigation has been launched.

16 news

SUnDAY, april 21, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GCAA to suspend Fly Jamaica licence …Jamaica already suspended operating certificate …no application received from JetBlue

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mbattled Fly Jamaica Airways is soon to be suspended from all operations in Guyana given the recent actions of its home country, Jamaica, already suspending the airline’s operating certificate.

This is according to Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, who in an interview with Guyana Times stated that Fly Jamaica Airways is yet to supply to the agency with information on what it intends to do with its operations locally.

“What I know is that their air operating certificate has been suspended in Jamaica. Therefore, we too will have to suspend any operation because their home base, which is Jamaica, has suspended their air operating certificate,” Field said.

On November 9, 2018, one of the company’s aircraft crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

Airways on the issue.

“The last time we had discussions with Fly Jamaica which is a month ago. When we approached them on this topic of refunds they said they were in the process of dealing with the passengers as they come.”

No application by JetBlue

GCAA Director General Egbert Field

(CJIA), Timehri, which saw an 85-year-old passenger succumbing one week later.

The Boeing 757 aircraft crashed on an emergency landing less than an hour after taking off for Toronto, Canada. The aircraft had experienced technical complications and decided to return to Guyana.

At the time, there were 118 adults, along with two infants and an eight-member crew onboard.

Since then, the airline has not been able to resume operations and in March 2019 announced that it was making its workers redundant. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Paul Ronald Reece stated in a letter to employees on Friday, March 29, 2019, that their services were redundant as of March 31, 2019.

According to him, the company was hoping to secure funding but the acquisition process has been slow.

Reece nevertheless assured employees that the compensation they are owed from November to date will be provided.

Refunds

The company also said that it was continuing to provide refunds to passengers affected by the disruption in its air service. It also said that all requests for refunds are being honoured, however, it is a process that has to be checked by its reservations and accounts staff.

However, a number of passengers are still complaining since they are yet to be reimbursed. Employees had also reached out to the media since they too are awaiting payments.

Speaking on the matter, the GCAA head said that the entity is not mandated to oversee refunds from any airline but as a matter of concern to the public he did approach Fly Jamaica

Meanwhile, in relation to another overseas-based air carrier, JetBlue, and its expected services in Guyana, Field explained that no formal application process to operate here has commenced.

“JetBlue has made no application to the Civil Aviation Authority and I have been hearing about this in the media about them coming to Guyana but JetBlue has made no application to the GCAA which is the authority that has to do with the approval and public process,” Field said.

According to the GCAA’s Director General, for any airline to express an interest in operating in this country, the agency is the authority mandated to oversee the formal processes. However, in the case of JetBlue, thus far it has only been “conversations” about operations.

“Any airline coming to Guyana has got to make its application to the GCAA and we go through the process of verifying information and assessing their operational capabilities before we move into the final stage of giving them an approval. But there is a process which has got to be gone through and it starts with the GCAA,” Field said.

He added that JetBlue is welcomed at any time to apply as is required to commence operations in Guyana but the timeframe that it would take to process and finalise such an agreement officially would depend on that airline.

“It depends on the size of the organisation, how fast they can get their information to us, in order to come up to the final stage of giving approval. Because it has to go all to the subject Minister and to the Cabinet for a new entity coming in.

So there is a string of things which have got to be done and it could take as much as two to three months or even longer depending on how quickly they can send information and how fast the process can be entered,” he added. (Kristen Macklingam)

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SUnDAY, april 21, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

2 letters dispatched to Top Cop – Brian O’Toole

…says 11 weeks later no word

S

chool of the Nations Principal, Dr Brian O’Toole said that he is dissatisfied with the slothfulness of the Guyana Police Force into the investigation regarding his shooting.

O’Toole said that 11 weeks have since elapsed since two letters were dispatched to Police Commissioner Leslie James with information regarding the incident and he has not received a response.

Speaking with Guyana

Times, the principal said that it is worrisome that the contents of the letters given to a sergeant (name withheld) and the Police Commissioner were leaked to the media.

O’Toole described the situation as “disgraceful” and pointed to the fact that he had a few months ago received one of the highest national awards by President David Granger and this is the way he is now being treated.

He said that after making a public statement saying that the person who made threats to him prior to the shooting was flown out of Guyana, two detectives visited him and requested a statement.

During the 90-minute meeting, O’Toole said the detectives asked that he respond to media reports that he knew who his shooter was.

“I did say I knew the person that made the threats.

16 contraceptive implant providers certified

PAHO’s Guyana Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow and CLAP’s Regional Advisor, Dr Rodolfo Gomez along with the 16 healthcare professionals who have been certified by the Latin America Centre for Perinatology/Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR)

S

ixteen healthcare professionals have been certified by the Latin America Centre for Perinatology/Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR) through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the Public Health Ministry as contraceptive implant providers for women in Guyana.

The healthcare professionals, ranging from nurses, doctors, general practitioners, obstetrician and gynaecologist, were trained in the area for a two-year period.

According to CLAP’s Regional Advisor, Dr Rodolfo Gomez, not only is contraceptive implant a necessary part of family planning but it also reduces the mortality rate among women.

“When we think of family planning, we are not only thinking about the right to decide, right to health, universal health coverage and more. We are thinking in reducing maternal mortality that is the first step. Thirty per cent of maternal mortality can be reduced only with modern contraception and this particular training, we trained them in how to use the two most effective contraceptive methods, IUD’s and implants, that are more effective than any other” Gomez explained.

Dr Gomez revealed, however, that when removed, the implanted contraceptive will not affect fertility.

“This implant is with the advantage that it is removable. When removed, the fertility returns in the next

month” the advisor revealed.

PAHO’s Guyana Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow, noted that 33 per cent of all maternal deaths can be prevented if women who need contraceptive receive it. In Guyana, he revealed, this unmet need is presently between 32-34 per cent.

As such, Adu-Krow revealed that as a result of this, he approached the Family Planning Unit to get the ball rolling in making a change.

“In between 32-34 per cent unmet needs. That means people who actually want contraception and cannot get it. Why should that be the case? It’s not PAHO’s mandate to be buying things but when I heard a story from Region One of a woman crying and begging for the implant, I visited the Family Planning Unit and I asked them to get us 200 implants” Dr Adu-Krow explained.

However, he was in for a shock when the backlog list could not be covered by the 200 purchased.

“Then I asked how many persons were on the waiting list and then they said that the 200 was too small.

I asked for another 200 that we bought on the open market, it’s expensive but it was needed. In all, I think that PAHO has been able to procure a great lot and I hope that we covered the backlog,” Adu-Krow said.

Those certified will now be dispatched to regions throughout Guyana to provide this healthcare for women.

School of the Nations Principal, Dr Brian O’Toole

He posted that he was going to blow up the school.

There is no question that he was the one and he begged for immunity and promised to cooperate and give all information and was subsequently flown out of the country,” O’Toole said.

Meanwhile, he noted that he has been interviewed by several media outlets in England, the United States and the Caribbean, who were all appalled at the pace and status of the investigations

Police Commissioner Leslie James

here. He explained that as a result of the shooting, which was highly publicised in local and international media outlets, overseas-based Guyanese, as well as foreigners, are now questioning the state of Guyana with respect to crime.

Crime Chief Lyndon Alves on Wednesday called on the Principal of School of the Nations, Dr Brian O’Toole, to provide the police with the identity of the shooter.

On Wednesday, the

Crime Chief told Guyana Times that there were no new leads into the investigations and no new person or persons of interest as to who may have perpetrated this act.

According to O’Toole, the lack of prosecution and delay in justice is due to the fact that the parents of the teen flew their son out of the country less than 24 hours after he admitted to being involved in the threats.

On Thursday last, at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Georgetown, O’Toole stated that regardless of the professions of parents, they should not allow their children to pursue the wrong path and engage in such illegalities.

On January 27, O’Toole was shot three times as he was returning to his Bel Air, Georgetown residence, hours after an emergency meeting with parents and guardians about violent threats on social media to injure students and teachers of that school.

18 news

SUnDAY, april 21, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minister distances Business Ministry from multimillion ‘missing’ scrap metal payment …as uncertainty lingers over sale of GuySuCo scrap metal

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usiness Minister Dominic Gaskin has distanced the Ministry from reports of billions of dollars’ worth of scrap metal being sold but money not remitted to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

The report emerged earlier this month, with reports that scrap metal worth $3 billion was sold to a mysterious buyer. A GuySuCo source was quoted in sections of the media as saying that the money from the sale was not received by the Corporation.

When asked about these reports on the side-lines of a Berbice ministerial outreach, Gaskin, whose Ministry has responsibility for the scrap metal trade, noted that the deal had nothing to do with his Ministry.

“It has nothing to do with our arrangement, what we normally do is we write to various Government entities that sell scrap metal and we advise them who the registered exporters and dealers are. And we ask them to sell to those persons.”

As part of its plans to downscale the industry, Government has been divesting the Skeldon, East Demerara and Rose Hall estates. A Special Purpose Unit (SPU) from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited has been coordinating this divestment.

United Kingdom (UK) company,

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), was contracted to carrying out valuations of GuySuCo’s assets up for sale and had thereafter invited expressions of interest from potential buyers. In July of last year, Government had said 71 expressions of interest had been received by the State for assets of GuySuCo. It is understood that companies hailing from as far as Canada, and as near as Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, had expressed interest in purchasing the three remaining sugar estates that are up for sale.

A meeting with these investors and officials from the SPU was held on September 25, 2018. According to the Unit, they would have met with the executives to discuss taxes and permits, and NICIL has been expecting that they would be able to sell the Rose Hall, Skeldon and East Demerara estates by this year.

Initially, 10 expressions of interest were submitted in November but only five companies eventually entered bids. They were Guygulf International Trading Development Industrial and Financial LLC (Nand Persaud and Co Ltd) for Enmore, Skeldon and Rose Hall estates; Liberty Investments Inc for Enmore Estate; Industrial Equipment Sales and Services Incorporation (IESS) for Rose Hall Estate; Kadem Sugars

Inc for Rose Hall Estate, and D Rampersaud and Co Ltd for Skeldon Estate.

The scrap metal trade was banned under the previous Administration and this trend had continued, intermittently. The ban on the scrap metal trade came about following persistent complaints about vandalism. There were also issues regarding the management of the trade.

There have been intermissions, such as the three-month reopening of the trade last year. It is understood that the trade has been reopened, but with stricter rules and Scrap metal legislation being drafted.

As a heavily mechanised industry goes, upon closure, the estates in question were expected to have had valuable scrap metal to put on the market. It is understood that the billions of dollars in scrap metal was there for disposal at of 2017 year end.

Now, unanswered questions have been raised over what really happened with the deal and what revenue the State got out of this transaction. Attempts to contact NICIL officials were futile.

The bond While questions over sale of scrap metal swirl around the Unit, there is still the $30 billion in the form of a syndicated bond that SPU had secured to support the industry, as part of efforts to sustain

the minimised GuySuCo and bring it into a state of profitability and financial stability.

Concerns have been expressed about Government’s vision for the industry and the genuineness of its actions

thus far, since that very $30 billion could have gone into restructuring the industry while keeping all of the estates open and GuySuCo’s workforce employed and engaged.

The Private Placement

Memorandum for GuySuCo’s $30 billion bond has received much criticism from Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who had expressed shock at the contents of the agreement.

sunDAY, april 21, 2019

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Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer 50s guide Delhi Capitals to rare home win T

he Delhi Capitals have defeated Kings XI Punjab by 5 wickets in Match 37 of the VIVO IPL 2019. As an effect of this result, the two teams have swapped places in the standings: the Delhi Capitals have climbed to third, while KXIP have slipped to fourth.

After opting to bowl on a different-looking surface at the Feroze Shah Kotla Ground, the Delhi Capitals recovered from Chris Gayle’s onslaught to restrict the visitors to 163-7.

Later in the night, opener Shikhar Dhawan and captain Shreyas Iyer scored half-centuries, and their 92-run partnership laid the foundation for the run chase. Despite being in control of the chase, the hosts created pressure for themselves when Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Colin Ingram all perished to attacking strokes.

Axar Patel’s run-out in the nineteenth over only added to the drama. The equation came down to the Delhi Capitals needing six runs off the final over; Shreyas, in the company of the debutant Sherfane Rutherford, completed the job with two balls to spare.

Earlier, KXIP rode on Chris Gayle’s 69 and a couple of other useful contributions to get to 163-7. The visitors’ top-order fell cheaply: KL Rahul (12) was stumped in the second over, while Mayank Agarwal (2) perished in the fifth over attempting to break the shackles imposed on him; and David Miller (7) picked out midwicket in the eighth over. Gayle, who motored along at the other end, found good company in the form of Mandeep Singh; the fourth-wicket pair added 45 runs to lend stability to the innings.

Gayle brought up his half-century in the ninth over, getting there in 25 balls; and carried on to make 69 before he was dismissed in the thirteenth over. Gayle’s mis-hit off Sandeep

SCOREBOARD Kings XI Punjab Innings (20 overs maximum) KL Rahul † st †Pant b Lamichhane 12 CH Gayle c Patel b Lamichhane 69 MA Agarwal c Rutherford b Rabada 2 DA Miller c Shaw b Patel 7 Mandeep Singh st †Pant b Patel 30 SM Curran c & b Lamichhane 0 R Ashwin (c) c Iyer b Rabada 16 Harpreet Brar not out 20 GC Viljoen not out 2 Extras 5 (b 3, w 2) TOTAL 163/7 (20 Overs, RR: 8.15) Did not bat: M Ashwin, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets: 1-13 (KL Rahul, 1.4 ov), 2-42 (MA Agarwal, 4.5 ov), 3-61 (DA Miller, 7.1 ov), 4-106 (CH Gayle, 12.2 ov), 5-106 (SM Curran, 12.6 ov), 6-129 (Mandeep Singh, 16.3 ov), 7-151 (R Ashwin, 19.1 ov) BOWLING O M R W I Sharma 4 0 29 0 S Lamichhane 4 0 40 3 4 0 23 2 K Rabada 4 0 41 0 A Mishra AR Patel 3 0 22 2

SE Rutherford 1 0 5 0 Delhi Capitals Innings (target: 164 runs from 20 overs) PP Shaw run out (Mandeep Singh) 13 S Dhawan c R Ashwin b Viljoen 56 SS Iyer (c) not out 58 RR Pant † c Curran b Viljoen 6 CA Ingram b Mohammed Shami 19 AR Patel run out (Agarwal/†Rahul) 1 SE Rutherford not out 2 Extras 11 (b 1, lb 1, nb 2, w 7) TOTAL 166/5 (19.4 Overs, RR: 8.44) Yet to bat: A Mishra, K Rabada, I Sharma, S Lamichhane Fall of wickets: 1-24 (PP Shaw, 3.1 ov), 2-116 (S Dhawan, 13.3 ov), 3-128 (RR Pant, 15.1 ov), 4-155 (CA Ingram, 18.3 ov), 5-156 (AR Patel, 18.4 ov) BOWLING O M R W Mohammed Shami 4 0 21 1 3.4 0 34 0 SM Curran GC Viljoen 4 0 39 2 Harpreet Brar 2 0 24 0 3 0 26 0 R Ashwin 3 0 20 0 M Ashwin

Lamichhane was pouched by Colin Ingram centimetres from

the midwicket boundary.

Aware that he was losing balance and the momentum would take him over the ropes, Ingram – off-balance at that point – flung the ball firmly to Axar Patel who was about 1520 metres away.

After the other set batsman, Mandeep Singh, had perished in the seventeenth over, the debutant Harpreet Brar provided KXIP the flourish at the end.

The left-hander hit two boundaries and a six in his unbeaten 12-ball 20.

KXIP, 50-2 at the end of the Powerplay period, added 68 runs in the next nine overs Shikhar Dhawan pulling the ball before finishing with another 45 runs in their last five overs.

For the Delhi Capitals, the wickets were shared by Sandeep Lamichhane (3-40), Kagiso Rabada (2-23), and Axar Patel (222). Ishant Sharma’s four overs only cost him 29 runs, while Amit Mishra conceded 41 runs in his four overs.

New captain Smith leads Royals home to keep their campaign alive SCOREBOARD R ajasthan Royals announced a change of captain just over an hour before the game against Mumbai Indians; and threeand-a-half hours later, saw new captain Steven Smith lead the team home in a tricky chase with an unbeaten half-century.

The five-wicket win was set up mainly by some strangling bowling from Shreyas Gopal and Jofra Archer, after Mumbai Indians had looked set for a much bigger total than 161 for 5, having reached 81 for 1 at the halfway mark.

Archer and Jaydev Unadkat bowled five of the last six overs that saw Mumbai score only 52 runs.

Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar had given Royals a scare early on in the chase, again bagging three wickets; but Smith’s unbeaten 59 off 48 balls took them home after he, along with Riyan Parag, had brought the equation down to 25 required from 24 balls.

Royals now have six points from nine matches, still placed seventh; while Mumbai are at No. 2 with 12 points from ten games.

Aggressive openers and contrasting No. 3s On a strange Jaipur pitch that had scattered patches of grass, both Powerplays were driven by the more attacking openers Quinton de Kock for Mumbai, and Sanju Samson for Royals.

Put in to bat, de Kock used the middle- and leg-stump lines of the Royals pace bowlers, and the ball turning into him from Shreyas, to pepper the leg-side boundary, scoring 42 of his first 50 runs there.

Jofra Archer put him down at long-on when he was on 4 in the third over, and that helped, as de Kock cashed in to hammer three fours and a six on the trot off Dhawal Kulkarni in the next over.

Mumbai, however, lost steam after de Kock’s 34-ball halfcentury. Their No.3, Suryakumar Yadav, scratched his way to 34 off 33, with only one boundary (a six) in his first 30 balls. His slow scoring added pressure on de Kock, and both fell within a space of five balls, thus Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard were left with too much to do at the end.

Royals’ chase started with Samson hitting two consecutive fours off Hardik in the first over, followed by three off Krunal Pandya in the next, to race to 21 off his first seven deliveries.

Ajinkya Rahane handed a catch to cover in the fourth over before Royals’ No. 3, Smith, played the role Suryakumar could not play earlier in the day, to help the hosts race to 60 for 1 in the Powerplay.

After Chahar had Samson hole out to long-on for 35 off 19, and Ben Stokes chop on a leg-break for a duck, Smith changed gears to anchor the chase as Royals unveiled a new No. 5.

The 17-year-old Royals enforcer Mumbai have been known to unleash unknown youngsters in the past, but they were on the receiving end this time when 17-yearold Parag walked out at 77 for 3 after eight

Steven Smith cracking one to the off-side

overs.

With a h e a l t h y run rate going, Parag used audacious strokes to attack whichever of the Mumbai bowlers who erred with their lines or lengths, sometimes even when there was nothing wrong with the delivery.

He first scooped Hardik to fine leg, then scythed him to third man, and later smashed Chahar for six down the ground. He even took on Malinga when the latter sent down an inaccurate yorker by drilling a drive over the covers.

Parag’s 43 off 29 made sure Smith could afford to slow down and chaperone the chase as the senior batsman. From 29 off 18, Smith went without a boundary for 18 deliveries to avoid a stutter, despite late wickets that included Parag’s run-out and another first-ball duck for Ashton Turner.

Mumbai Indians Innings (20 overs maximum) Q de Kock † c Stokes b Gopal 65 RG Sharma (c) c & b Gopal 5 SA Yadav c Kulkarni b Binny 34 HH Pandya lbw b Archer 23 KA Pollard b Unadkat 10 BCJ Cutting not out 13 KH Pandya not out 2 Extras 9 (lb 5, w 4) TOTAL 161/5 (20 Overs, RR: 8.05) Did not bat: RD Chahar, JJ Bumrah, SL Malinga, M Markande Fall of wickets: 1-11 (RG Sharma, 2.3 ov), 2-108 (SA Yadav, 13.5 ov), 3-111 (Q de Kock, 14.3 ov), 4-124 (KA Pollard, 16.5 ov), 5-152 (HH Pandya, 19.1 ov) BOWLING O M R W STR Binny 3 0 19 1 3 0 31 0 DS Kulkarni S Gopal 4 0 21 2 JC Archer 4 0 22 1 JD Unadkat 4 0 46 1 R Parag 2 0 17 0

Rajasthan Royals Innings (target: 162 runs from 20 overs) AM Rahane c Yadav b Chahar 12 SV Samson † c Pollard b Chahar 35 SPD Smith (c) not out 59 BA Stokes b Chahar 0 R Parag run out (Cutting/Pandya) 43 AJ Turner lbw b Bumrah 0 STR Binny not out 7 Extras 6 (b 4, lb 2) TOTAL 162/5 (19.1 Overs, RR: 8.45) Yet to bat: JC Archer, S Gopal, JD Unadkat, DS Kulkarni Fall of wickets: 1-39 (AM Rahane, 3.4 ov), 2-76 (SV Samson, 7.2 ov), 3-77 (BA Stokes, 7.6 ov), 4-147 (R Parag, 17.4 ov), 5-153 (AJ Turner, 18.1 ov) BOWLING O M R W 4 0 31 0 HH Pandya KH Pandya 2 0 24 0 SL Malinga 3.1 0 27 0 RD Chahar 4 0 29 3 4 0 21 1 JJ Bumrah 2 0 24 0 M Markande

Archer’s mixed day Apart from dropping de Kock early on, Archer put down two more chances - both of Hardik and both off Unadkat - but he made up for them with his bowling. Smith saved three of his overs for the death, and Archer was accurate with a variety of deliveries: yorkers, bouncers, tight lines. That strangled Mumbai in the end, despite having Hardik and Pollard in the middle when the 16th over started.

Before that, Shreyas used his wrong’ uns to good effect yet again to get the big wickets. He took a return catch off Rohit Sharma with his third delivery, and returned seven overs later to concede only singles and doubles in his remaining three overs.

He nearly had de Kock stumped with a googly in the 13th over, but got him in his next over with another wrong’ un, a top-edge going to long-on.

The result means that Mumbai are now winless against Royals in Jaipur since 2012.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, april 21, 2019

Peterson prepared for World Classic Powerlifting Championships

T

“I’ve exceeded 5% so far on new records”

he International Powerlifting Federation’s (IPF’s) World Classic Powerlifting Championships are set to take place in Helsingborg, Sweden from June 3-15, and Guyanese Carlos ‘The Show Stopper’ Peterson will be aiming to move up the rankings and make his nation proud.

Peterson secured his spot at Sweden 2019 when he won gold in the Men’s Raw Open 93kg class, and followed up that performance in the Men’s Equipped Open division by claiming his second gold and setting a new national Total record of 800kg.

His Squat of 315kg was also a new national record, as was his Deadlift mark of 330kg.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Peterson was asked about his readiness for the competition. He replied, “Thus far, I’m taking things one step at a time as the date draws closer. I am currently 80 per cent prepared. To be honest, I’ve exceeded 5 per cent so far on new records, (and am) looking forward to close off at a 15 per cent before travelling to the event.

“My coach, Big John Edwards, has motivated me to keep pushing myself beyond the limit. He keeps telling me, ‘One rep is what is going to put you more close to becoming the Greatest’; so, instead of settling for one rep, I do 4 more just to challenge

myself.

“One of my main goals in Sweden is to establish a better platform for other athletes; and, most of all, to become one of the greatest, as I will be looking forward to place within the top 3 and step up in rankings.”

Peterson also disclosed that the reason he is focused on making it into the top three is because, once achieved, monetary incentive will be awarded, which will lead to further sponsorship/ funds. This all boils down to a situation in the near future wherein Peterson will not have to seek donation of funds from sponsors, as funding would be provided him.

He also related that while he does a lot of exercises, he mainly trains as a bodybuilder; meaning that the more hypertrophy training he is able to do, the greater would be his capacity for work. Thus the more volume he can handle, the more progress he would make.

Peterson has also said, “I would like to say a special ‘thanks’ to the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF), Fitness Express’s Jamie McDonald, Space Gym, Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI); Big John Edwards, for having me under his wings; and most of all to God, for bringing me this far.”

Carlos Peterson

ECCC/SPR Ent 40 Overs continues today ─ Narendra Mohammed among star performers in previous round

T

he SPR Enterprise/ECCC 40 Overs cricket competition continued last Sunday with several matches being played on the East Coast of Demerara.

In the first encounter, Enterprise BSC (EBSC) defeated Strathavon ‘A’ by 5 wickets at the EBSC ground, thus securing for themselves vital points in Group ‘B’ in their quest to progress to the semi-finals.

Batting first, Strathavon ‘A’ scored 194-9, with Gobinraj Hemraj stoking 85. Zaheer Mohamed bagged 3 for 41 from 8 overs.

EBSC reached 197-5 in 38 overs, with Zaheer Mohamed returning to remain unbeaten on 61.

Ogle CC, who are also in line for a semi-final spot in Group ‘A’, whipped Mahaica SC by 186 runs at the Ogle ground. Batting

first, Ogle CC scored 263-6 in 40 overs, with Khenchandra Dindyal hitting 82 not out and Andrew Samaroo scoring 74.

Mahaica SC were then bowled out for 77 in 20 overs, with Ayodha Persaud taking 4 wkts for 21 runs.

Lusignan East defeated Buxton SC by 64 runs at Enterprise ground. With both Group ‘A’ teams competing with Fairfield SC for a semi-final spot, Lusignan East were dismissed for 232 in 38 overs. The Jailall boys hit 66 and 41 respectively.

Andre McFarlane took 3-67, and Owen Andrews 3-20 for Buxton SC. Buxton SC were restricted to 168 all out in 34 overs, with Anthony McFarlane stroking 63.

Pradesh Balkissoon took 4-47 from 8 overs for Lusignan East.

Cane Grove SC defeated Strathavon SC ‘B’ at Cane Grove

Narendra Mohammed

ground. Strathavon ‘B’ were

bundled out for 116 in 22 overs, with Narendra Mohammed taking 6-15.

Cane Grove SC then reached 118 in 14 overs, with Jermain Persaud taking 3 for 43 for

Stathavon ‘B’.

Lusignan ‘B’ defeated Golden Achievers SC at Lusignan ground. No scores were available.

Preliminary matches in the SPR Enterprise competition will continue this weekend with matches being played at Fairfield and Strathavon.

sunday, APRIL 21, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

21

Persaud aims to break into Jaguars setup

By Timothy Jaikarran

F

ormer Guyana National Under-19 Captain Travis Persaud has had his fair share of the limelight when he was younger. However, he continues to train hard, as he has committed himself to make the Guyana Jaguars Team, no matter what it takes.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport and being asked what is his main focus for 2019, the righthanded batsman and off- spinner responded, “(My) main goal is to get into the Guyana Jaguars Academy setup.

“Currently, I am training with them, but as an invitational player, not a contractual (one).

After Under-19, I did not receive a contract from the GCB. I still continued to play for my franchise at the senior level (West Demerara) while working at NICIL. However, I never stopped playing, and I am still working hard.

“I copped the MVP and Batsman with the Most Runs Awards for 2018 at my club’s awards ceremony. I made 475 runs from 18 matches at an average of 32.6. Out of the 18 games, 14 were T20 games and the other 4 were 50-Over matches. I also had 17 wickets from the 18 matches I played, with best figures of 3-21.”

Persaud related that for the year 2019, he is the leading run-

scorer for his club, with 301 runs from 10 matches, inclusive of 13 wickets.

In the ongoing West Demerara Cricket Association’s (WDCA’s) Beacon Cafe 50-Over Competition, Persaud, playing for Mc Gill Superstars, has thus far played two matches, scored two back-to-back centuries, and bagged 6 wickets at the miserly economy rate of 2.31 runs per over.

Asked by this publication what he believes he has to do to break into the Jaguars’ set-up, Persaud said, “In the upcoming GCB Local Franchise League, I will need to showcase my talent in order to break into the Jaguars’ set-up.

Travis Persaud lifts the Regional Under 19 Championship trophy

“I was told by the Jaguars Head Coach Esaun Crandon that

I (have been) on the radar for a while now, and once I can string together some scores in the league, I will make my presence felt and will force the selectors to include me in the Jaguars’ setup.”

Persaud has said that, at the end of 2019, he is hoping to achieve 500+ runs at the end of the 8 preliminary matches, while bagging 20+ wickets.

“I would like to thank my parents and family and friends for always supporting me.

Also, I would like to thank the coaches in the Jaguars’ set-up (Julian Moore, Rayon Griffith, Clive Grimmond, Esuan Crandon and Michael Hyles Franco) for working with me and helping me

Travis Persaud was awarded MVP and batsman with the most runs in 2018 for his club

to enhance my game,” Persaud has said.

16 years and counting!

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RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster receiving sponsorship

and the West Indies.

“The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would forever be grateful to Pepsi and DDL for their investment over the years; (and) RHTY&SC will continue being role model brand ambassadors for this brand.”

This declaration was made

by RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, at a ceremony to launch the Pepsi sponsorship of the Club’s Under-19 and Intermediate Teams for 2019.

Pepsi has been sponsoring the two teams since 2004, after coming on board to replace the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), which had been the sponsors.

Foster declared that, over the years, the two teams have won a total of six Berbice- wide championships and are currently the defending champions at the Under-19 and Intermediate levels.

The Under-19 team defeated Blairmont Community Centre last year under lights at the Albion Community Centre Ground, to win the New York Business Group Under-19 BCB Title; while the Intermediate Team won the last such tournament sponsored by the Neal & Massy Group when they defeated D’Edward Cricket Team at Albion Community Centre.

The Two teams have also won numerous tournaments organised by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and other clubs. The Pepsi Under-19 Team has so far reached the 2019 BCB/New York Business Group Tournament Quarterfinals; while the Intermediate team has gained a place in the 2019 BCB/ Shimron Hetmyer 40-Overs Intermediate Tournament, and will shortly play the Albion Community Centre in the finals, to be staged at the Port Mourant Ground.

Over the years, the two teams have played major roles in the development of outstanding

players like Akshay Homraj, Eon Hooper, Dominique Rikhi, Sylus Tyndall, Clinton Pestano, Junior Sinclair, Shailendra Shameer, Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson, Jonathan Rampersaud, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Mahendra Gopilall and Jeremy Sandia.

The production of rounded players by the Pepsi Under-19 Team has also assisted the Club’s First Division Team to dominate cricket in Berbice.

Another successful aspect of the sponsorship has been the hosting of hundreds of personal development programmes by the two teams, with the main objective of promoting the Pepsi brand to make positive differences in the lives of others, especially youths; to promote the ‘Say No/Say Yes’ message, and to educate each player on the importance of community service.

Mahendra Gopilall, a senior Under-19 player, and Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu have both expressed gratitude to Pepsi and DDl for their continued confidence in the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. Special thanks have also been expressed to Marketing Executive Larry Wills and Marketing Director Sharda Veeren Chand.

Larry Wills has said he is very impressed by the very high standard the Pepsi teams had displayed over the years, and, most importantly, for the players being good role models and ambassadors of the internationally famous soft drink brand. He has wished both teams success on and off the cricket field in 2019.

The Under-19 Team will, in 2019, be led by National Player Kevlon Anderson, with Junior Sinclair as his deputy, while Kevin Sinclair and Shemaine Campbelle are respectively captain and vice-captain of the Intermediate Team.

22

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, april 21, 2019

Pepsi/Mike Parris U-16 tournament punches off today

T

he National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue will today open its doors to accommodate the nation’s under-16 boxers as they begin preparing to compete in the Caribbean School Boys and Juniors’ Tournament, which is specially tailored for young upcoming boxers to test their craft against their Caribbean counterparts in the same age group.

The School Boys and Juniors Tournament -- which sees participation from several Caribbean countries, such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Lucia -- is usually hosted in the month of August. As such, the Pepsi/ Mike Parris U-16 tournament, which is hosted locally, has been used as a means of preparation for the big stage in the past three years of the Caribbean tournament, and the situation will be no different in 2019.

A glimpse of last year’s action in the Caribbean School Boys and Juniors’ Tournament

In bygone years, the domestic competition was hosted at the Andrew ‘Six head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown, but there has been a change of location for 2019. Given that the youth pugilists are

now anticipating a higher level of competition from more seasoned boxing nations in the Caribbean, the local tournament will be hosted at the National Gymnasium as a tactic to get them familiar with

the stomping grounds.

Today’s under-16 tournament is expected to feature 7 gyms from across Guyana, inclusive of Georgetown, Linden, Essequibo, Berbice and other environs. A

few of those gyms are: Pocket Rocket Gym (Linden), Rose Hall Jammers, Forgotten Youth Foundation, Young Achievers Gym, and Harpy Eagles.

Fourteen bouts are expected to be staged at the

event, which will begin at 6pm.

As it relates to the Caribbean School Boys and Juniors’ Tournament, which is slated for August 16-18 at the same venue, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle has disclosed that official invitations for the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will be sent off in the coming week. This is as a result of those teams indicating, to the GBA representatives who were present at the recently concluded Pan American Games qualifier in Managua, Nicaragua, their interest in participating in this tournament.

Guyana will be keen on their preparation for the Caribbean School Boys and Juniors’ Tournament, since they have won the competition for three years straight, and will be looking to repeat the feat this year.

D’Edward CC, Cotton Tree CC to University Games 2019… clash in historic West Berbice Chess team prepared Perry Gossai Memorial final to accept challenge

By Timothy Jaikarran

A

BCB President Hilbert Foster and sponsor, Attorney Arun Gossai pose with the trophies on offer

T

he quiet Bush Lot Community Ground, located in the heart of West Coast Berbice, will come alive today, Sunday April 21, when the final of the Berbice Cricket Board-organised Perry Gossai Memorial 100 Balls Cricket Tournament bowls off.

Sponsored by Attorney-at-Law Arun Gossai and family in honour of his late father Perry Gossai, who had been an outstanding lawyer from Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice, this tournament has been specially organised by the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) for teams in the West Berbice Sub-Association.

The tournament started with the participation of 14 teams, including Blairmont Community Centre, Paradise Cricket Club, Bush Lot United, Bush Lot Rising Stars, Cotton Tree Cricket Club, Cotton Tree Die Hards, Shieldstown Cricket Club, Achievers Cricket Club, No. 5 Cricket Club, D’Edward Cricket Club, Hopetown Cricket Club and Bath Cricket Club.

Bush Lot Rising Stars, Cotton Tree Die Hards and D’Edward Cricket Club were the final three teams left standing after two knockout rounds.

Cotton Tree Die Hards defeated Bush Lot

Rising Stars in the first playoff match, and then D’Edward Cricket Club thrashed Bush Lot Rising Stars to knock them out of the tournament.

Predicting a winner for Sunday’s finals is difficult, as the teams are balanced on paper.

D’Edward Cricket Club, on paper, might start as favourites, but Cotton Tree Die Hards are known for their fighting spirit.

D’Edward Cricket Club would be spearheaded by Altaf Khan, Heeralall Bridgelall, Romesh Boodram, Keith Fraser and Derick Lalsa.

Cotton Tree Die Hards would depend heavily on Nick Ramsaroop and Roshan and Fawaz Gafoor.

Action bowls off at 13.00 hours, and sponsor Arun Gossai and BCB President Hilbert Foster would later hand out prizes to the winner, runners-up and Man of the Finals.

This would be the second tournament that the Berbice Cricket Board has arranged for teams in West Berbice following the Magic Moments 20/20 Tournament last year. The main objectives of the Internal Zone Tournaments are to promote the game at the grassroots level, to develop social cohesion at the village level, and to identify new cricketing talents.

s the University Games in Colombia slowly approach, the University of Guyana will, for the first time, be sending a chess team comprised of five members and the coach. This team will be looking to score big at the games, as it is boosted with some of Guyana’s and the University’s top chess players.

The squad comprises of Davion Mars, Andre Jagnandan, Sidney Nelson, Tristan Carter, Rondell Palmer, and Coach Ronuel Greenidge. Speaking to Guyana Times Sport, Andre Jagnandan, who has been making a name for himself in chess, said: “I’m quite prepared. The team is at the peak of our preparation. Yeah, my confidence is high, but I’m still humble towards the challenge, as chess requires a clear mind. Right now I’m just going over strategies with my coach, and implementing them against the rest of the team; as each of us has our own drawbacks, but that’s what coach is trying to sort out.”

Jagnandan has played five tournaments in 2019, and has secured first in the One-Day Blitz, second in the One-Day Rapid, first in the Junior Qualifiers, first in the Junior Championships, and second in the Open Rapid. Jagnandan can be one of the top emerging players in the games, as he has proven to have a very good end game, which allowed him to win many games this year.

Also speaking with this publication was Coach of the University Chess Department, Ronuel Greenidge, who related that the squad is still preparing but is hoping to do well when it arrives at the tournament. Greenidge has said he is seeing improvement in the playing strength in all his players, as they have taken it upon themselves to take training seriously; but he knows that with exposure his players would improve. He also said that he is ecstatic for the opportunity given his players, and he knows his players will do their best when they arrive in Colombia.

Andre Jagnandan will be representing the University of Guyana in Colombia

Ronuel Greenidge has confidence in his team as its members prepare for the University Games

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, april 21, 2019

23

In a bad patch: Shimron Hetmyer battling inconsistencies

By Brandon Corlette

L

abelled “the most exciting young batsman in World Cricket today”, the out-ofform Shimron Hetmyer has had the poorest of starts to his Indian Premiere League career. The gifted athlete has thus far played four matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and has returned single digit scores of 0, 5, 9 and 1.

His poor run of form does not diminish his gifts as a batman, and despite scoring 15 runs in four matches in the IPL, averaging 3.75, Hetmyer remains one for the future.

The hard-hitting left-handed 22-year-old batsman, who hails from

Cumberland in East Canje Berbice, was run out in his debut match in the IPL because of poor judgment on his behalf.

Batting at number five in his second match, played against Mumbai Indians, he was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah, out caught playing an ugly shot that skied the ball to Hardik Pandya at mid-off, who accepted the catch.

After his two batting failures in the middle order, Hetmyer was given an opportunity at the top of the order. The result was the same, as he failed to reach 10. He was dismissed for nine, out stumped running past a Mohammad Nabi delivery.

In Hetmyer’s fourth match, the latest played

since April 2, 2019, he was shifted to number four in the RCB batting order, but failed four a fourth time when he played a Shreyas Gopal googly and was out caught behind for one by Rajasthan Royal’s Jos Butler.

RCB, meantime, has continued to lose matches despite the venerable Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers being in their batting lineup.

Hetmyer is feeling the heat as he continues his poor form, which has seen soft dismissals throughout the IPL. The ICC Cricket World Cup is looming, and Hetmyer, who should be in the 15-member squad to England, will have to battle his inconsistencies. He may have to make neces-

sary adjustments in the technical aspect of his batting, since the conditions in the United Kingdom will be different.

Hetmyer has a solid One Day International (ODI) record; playing 25 matches and scoring 899 run at an average of 40.86, with a high score of 127. The lefthander has to his name four centuries and two half-centuries in 24 innings of batting in ODI cricket. In his last five International innings, however, he had strings of low scores against England.

The great Sir Garfield Sobers has hailed Hetmyer as a future ‘great’, but Hetmyer

is yet to announce himself as a consistent batsman. Playing the IPL is a dream come true for Hetmyer, but playing in the World Cup would be equally important.

At this moment, Hetmyer has to work his way into a wounded RCB starting XI, and must sign off the IPL with some runs.

Jos Butler

Shimron Hetmyer

CWI TTWCA Female Regional U-19 T20…

Guyana bowl out Barbados for 38 but lose to Windwards I

n the second day of the Cricket West Indies (CWI)/Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Cricket Association’s Regional Female Under-19 T20 competition, Guyana defeated Barbados by 79 runs but lost to the Windward Islands by 65 runs.

Windward Islands took first strike and scored 165-1 in their 20 overs. Jephiana Joseph blasted 64, while Qiana Joseph, a Windies Women’s selectee, scored 49. In reply, Guyana were restricted to 100-7 in 20 overs, with vice-captain Mandy Mangru top-scoring with 25, and captain Shabika Gajnabi scoring 21.

In the disciplined performance registered by the Windward Islands team, Alison Antione took 2-17 while Xharia Jack took 2-14.

The second match, which was Guyana’s fourth-round encounter, saw the Guyana team outplaying Barbados in all aspects of the game. Batting first, Guyana scored 117-7 in 20

overs, solid performances coming from opening batter Mandy Mangru, who struck a composed 54 from 71 balls in 92 minutes, which included three fours.

Casey Charles, with 12, and Afruica Gentle, with 10, were the only other Guyanese players to reach double-figures.

Barbados’s best bowler was Aaliyah Alleyne, who had played in the senior tournament. She snared 1-12 in her four overs of right-arm medium pace bowling.

In reply, Barbados were blown away for 38, with no batter reaching double-figures. Extras contributed 14 runs to the wounded Bajans’ score.

Bowling for the Guyanese, Ashmini Munisar had 3-11 in three overs, while skipper Shabika Gajanbi had 3-13 in 3.2 overs. Mandy Mangru, who earlier top-scored with a half-century, returned with the ball to grab 2-8 in four outstanding overs.

CARIFTA Chess Team experiences mixed fortunes in opening rounds

T

Chelsea Juma preparing for battle

he young Guyanese Chess Team which is currently testing its limits at the 8th CARIFTA Junior Chess Championships in Curacao has gotten off to a flying start after two rounds of completed competition.

So far, the team has gathered an impressive 11 points from 28 games played; but while the older, more experienced players have shown their worth, the younger com-

petitors are yet to find their footing in what is their first regional outing.

Round One has seen “Lil Anand”, Ghansham Allijohn, using the white pieces and playing to an impressive draw after losing the initiative and advantage. With a beautiful Rook sacrifice, he created a perfect stalemate or drawn endgame.

In Round Two, he bounced back with the black pieces after his opponent was unable to break down his defence.

“Lil Anand” was keen to find his opponent’s slight inaccuracies, and counter- attacked successfully to capture a full point. This propelled the youngster to 1.5 points from 2 games.

Jaden “Mikhail Tall” Taylor also stands on 1.5 points with his fellow school mate Allijohn. In the first round of play, he defeated his opponent brilliantly. However, after a tactical combination that left Taylor with a material advantage and an outside passed pawn, he played too fast and threw away his advantage, and his opponent salvaged a draw in the second round.

Guyana’s under-20 representative Jarrell Troyer also got off to a good start, sitting on 1.5 points. In Round One, he swept aside his opponent’s Sicilian Paulsen with the white pieces after he went for the aggressive English Attack. In the following round, Troyer threw away a material advantage similar to his school mate Jaden, which allowed his opponent to gain a half of a point.

Female Chess sensation Chelsea Juma went down in Round One on time in a completely even game. However, Juma had the white pieces in Round Two, and tactically blew her opponent away.

Another Saint Stanislaus College student, Savir Gookul, fell sick after vomiting in Round One and was

Shabika Gajnabi

forced to forfeit his first game. Thanks to medical personnel and parents Dr. Rajkumar and Dr. Ryhan Singh, who took good care of the youngster, he was able to compete in Round Two. A revived Gookul was in much better shape in Round 2, and with the black pieces easily thumped his weaker opponent.

Samirah Gobin got off to a shaky start in Round One when she had a better position but lost her way in the endgame. She came back nicely in the second round to execute a beautiful checkmate against her opponent.

Young Milan Ramataursing won against fellow Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation (WMCF) club mate Mahesa Boodhoo in Round One, and managed to hold a draw against a higher ranked opponent in Round Two. Mahir Rajkumar also won his first game against a higher ranked player, but unfortunately lost in Round 2.

Meanwhile, Arysh Raghunauth, who was nervous about competing in his first regional tournament, played solidly to take two draws in Rounds 1 and 2.

The other players -- Joshua Khan, Jacob McDonald and Mahesa Boodhoo -- are yet to come off the mark.

Team Guyana has a total of 11 points from 28 games after the initial rounds, and will continue to compete over the Easter weekend.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2019

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

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CARIFTA Chess mixed fortunes in opening rounds The Guyanese CARIFTA Chess team

Guyana bowl out Barbados for 38 but lose to Windwards Mandy Mangru (Brandon Corlette file photos)

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2 Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 21, 2019

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Easter Feature

In this image, movie producers created the scene where Jesus was whipped before crucifixion

By Davina Ramdass

F

Jesus as he was nailed to the cross

The dead body of Jesus was placed in a stone tomb on Good Friday, but was empty on the following Sunday when believers went to check on his body

vices. He noted that candles are lit and various scriptures are recited in the sanctuaries as they remind themselves that Jesus is the light of the world.

Easter Sunday Easter Sunday is the day that Jesus rose from the dead. Father Davis explained the logic behind this as the scriptures say, He arose on the third day.

“In our time we measure time by 24 hours, we use clocks and watches and so on but in those days, they hadn’t these gadgets. They measured time by the moving of the sun and so their day was measured by sundown and sun up. Their month was measured by the moon…when Jesus was placed in the tomb at sundown on Friday, Sun up on Saturday was one day.

From sun up on Saturday to Sundown on Saturday was the second day and from sundown on Saturday evening to sun up on Sunday morning (marked) three days,” he explained.

or some, Easter is just about the excitement that comes along with the making and flying of kites, but for Christians, it is a highly significant holiday with deep spiritual roots. In fact, the story of Easter itself is a spine chilling one that makes Christians feel almost guilty as they remember how Jesus, the son of God, came and died for the sins of mankind.

Father Terry Davis of the Anglican Diocese of Guyana told the story of Easter as he made sure to note that the story began way back at the beginning of time. He explained how the first humans, Adam and Eve sinned against God by being disobedient and the only way for the world to be rid of sin was through the Christians being marked with the symbolic cross on the forehead during an Ash Wednesday service at the Cathedral of the Son of God who had to die Immaculate Conception this year so that man could have eternal life.

The death of the holy one only happened after Jesus was born and performed wonders that drew men unto Him. He also had Easter Monday 12 disciples along with thouEaster Monday is a light sands who followers who day that believers use to went everywhere he vencelebrate the resurrection tured to preach the Gospel. of Christ through kite flyHowever, there was one ing. Some believe that kites of his 12 chosen disciples symbolize Jesus rising from who sold him to the soldiers the dead but Father Davis who came to arrest him afsays the practice has nothter the last supper on Holy ing to do it as it is a mereThursday. ly cultural practice. He notBefore Good Friday is ed that there was nothing observed, Christians obwrong with kite flying, howserve Palm Sunday in reever people in other counmembrance of Jesus who tries especially China, fly had walked through the kites as a form of recreation. streets of Jerusalem before he was crucified. As he rode Pentecostal on the back of a mule, becelebrations lievers had thrown palms on While not all Pentecostal the roads to signify his puri(another denomination) ty. This occasion is also obChristians fast, Pastor served in the Churches as Ravindra Shiwnandan enJesus riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday before he was crucified. they themselves take to the dorsed the explanation of streets with their palms. the significance of Easter, and was laid to rest in a tomb on Friday evening.

Following Palm Sunday, Churches across the world, the religious leader said, ob- as shared by Father Davis.

Christians observe Holy Thursday which according to the Church services are not commonly held on Holy Holy Scriptures was the day Christ had his last supper. serve this day with prayer services and reflect on the sufferFather Davis said believers observe the day by washing ings of Christ. Moreover, he said it is a time of repentance Thursday, but Good Friday services usually draw a mastheir feet in the Church, as Christ himself had washed the and self-examination. sive crowd of believers and non-believers, who goes out to Holy Saturday feet of his disciples before he was crucified the next day.

Church to thank God for sending His only Son. Holy Saturday is not only an auspicious day for Catholics Pastor Shiwnandan explained, “Easter represents the because they end their 40 days of fasting here, but is also a manifestation of the victory that happened on the cross on Good Friday On this day the Bible says that Jesus was hauled be- day that Christians look forward to as they are reminded Good Friday. So on Good Friday, it is when Jesus Christ fore the Courts and was subsequently crucified for simply that they have hope for salvation. completely destroyed the works of Satan (the evil one) in rePrior to Holy Saturday, Catholics and Anglicans would preaching the Gospel. Some spat on him, they ridiculed lation to Satan wanting to hold humanity captive through him and terrorized his body before nailing him to the cross. have observed Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of death. What Jesus did on the cross was to show the devil Jesus endured lashes on his back that ripped his flesh off, it their 40 days fast, referred to as Lent. Ashes are used to was then seasoned with salt as the Jews continued to mock mark churchgoers on the forehead with a sign of the cross, and the rest of the world that He has the power of death and him, asking that he saves himself if he indeed is the son of to symbolise repentance for sin. The ashes are collected from life in His hand…He went down to hell, took the keys of hell and death from Satan and arose from the dead on Easter”.

God. Jesus was however fully aware of the purpose he came burnt palms from the last Palm Sunday.

Why is Easter celebrated at a different time every year?

Lent is usually observed for 46 days prior to Easter. to earth and silently bore his pain.

Many have been curious about why Easter is celebrated Jesus had been fasting, according to Father Davis and While it is called the 40 days of Lent; in actuality, it is 46 on a different date every year but Christians look for a spewas weak but was made to carry a cross on his battered days since Sundays are not counted.

According to Father Davis, the day is observed with cific phase of the moon before they decide on the date for the back. The son of God had his hands later nailed to the cross Easter vigils in their respective churches with prayer ser- Holiday. It is also celebrated after the fasting period of Lent. and a crown of thorns was placed on his head. He later died

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 21, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Easter Feature

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he afternoon sun was shining brightly into the halls of the church illuminating the stained glass that formed part of the pulpit. The feeling of witnessing such serenity is incomparable but I was transported to a place where I felt at peace, not only with myself but also with the world. I got goosebumps on my arms as Father Randolph Reynolds of the St Sidwell’s Anglican Church began with the opening prayer.

I was there to witness something I had never heard of until a few days before April 12, 2019. At first, I was sceptical of going to Church to witness the Stations of the Cross since I was under the impression that it would be long, drawn out and boring but I would be the first to say it was completely opposite.

“During the period of Lent, Churches across Guyana engage in this practice to remind generation after generations that as Christians we must not only be au fait but become stronger believers in the faith, serving God through Christ, living lovingly among ourselves, caring for each other, using our bodies and talents and gifts to do what God created us to do and that is to live in union with him,” Father Reynolds said.

We got to the Church a few minutes before the actual staging of the Stations of the Cross and I just took my seat at one of the pews and awaited the arrival of Father Reynolds whom we had passed in the yard as he was greeting worshippers. When he took his position at the Pulpit and declared “let us pray” and began uttering the opening prayers, I immediately felt a calmness wash over me.

It was the first time I was experiencing the Stations of the Cross as well as the first time in an Anglican Church.

I was taken aback by the beautiful stained glass as well as the images of Jesus Christ-Son of God, that I saw lining the walls of the Church. It was the first time I saw images in a Church and would later learn the reason for those images.

Stations of the Cross is a reenactment of what happened on the first Good Friday when Jesus was condemned to death. Father Reynolds later told me that the Church in its history has taken on board the actions and things that occurred along the path to Golgotha where Jesus subsequently was nailed to the cross.

This enactment serves to remind the Church year after year and to help the church understand the depths of Christ’s suffering and death and to take us to the point where he rose from death, conquering death at Easter.

The message the Church is trying to send with Stations of the Cross is that the actions of everyone should be influenced by Jesus Chris. Stations of the Cross’s climax is usually on Good Friday-the day when Jesus was crucified.

Believers would spend hours in deep meditation and stories of the cross is being retold in various forms.

“We are happy to find the following growing and I trust that even our young people who are Church-oriented and those who are not, to come on board and to follow the path of Christ. Remembering the struggles, the pain he bore, the

insult he took just for our sins and we will find glory in the long run. Let us trust God and trust his love and embrace his love in our day to day walk with Jesus Christ,” Father Reynolds said.

Stations of the Cross is a series of 14 pictures depicting the events outlined in the Passion of Christ. The arrangement of the 14 pictures follows a series with the first being the CONDEMNATION of Jesus Christ to death. It is followed by Jesus BEARING the cross, THE FIRST FALL –Jesus falls the first time under the cross, HIS MOTHERJesus meets his blessed mother, SIMON OF CYRENE – the cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene, VERONICA – the face of Jesus is wiped by St Veronica; THE SECOND FALL – Jesus falls the second time, DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM – the women of Jerusalem mourn for our Lord, THE THIRD FALL – Jesus falls for a third time, STRIPPED – Jesus is stripped of his garments, NAILED – Jesus is nailed to the cross, CRUCIFIED – Jesus dies on the cross, DEAD – the body of Jesus is taken down from the cross, and BURIED – the body of Jesus is laid in the tomb.

The images are usually mounted on the inside walls of a church but may also be erected in such places as cemeteries, corridors of hospitals and religious houses. The exercise of visiting and praying in front of each of the stations stems from the early practice of Christian pilgrims. It is believed that the pilgrims visited the scenes of the events that happened in Jerusalem on the first Good Friday and took the same route as Jesus did on that fateful day.

In Guyana, the churches install the 14 images to depict the Stations of the Cross to trace the events of the first Good Friday. They stop at every station, meditate and pray for forgiveness and blessings. The entire experience is one that is humbling and serves as a reminder of the reason for Christ’s presence on earth.

4

Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 21, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Easter Feature

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he memories of me ripping the pages out of my old exercise books are so fresh that it feels as though it was just yesterday. Although it was over a decade ago, I still remember secretly stealing ‘pointers’ from my grandmother’s broom along with her spools of thread. And oh boy, do I remember the thrashing I received for shredding the bedsheet to make a tail for my kite.

You see, there was always this competition among us to prove who the ‘baddest’ kite maker was. I had a legacy left behind by my father that I needed to keep up despite no one expecting me to. My father was perhaps the best kite maker in our village since many of the residents would come to Uncle Michael’s house for him to frame a kite or help them uniquely paste it.

Every kite my father made would soar to unimaginable heights and remain there for most of the day and well into the night.

There are even stories of the kites he made being airborne for days and many knew those stories.

The elaborate kites were never my thing as I am more on the simplistic side of things.

It means that the intricate kites created by my father did not appeal to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the days of my Easter vacation running in the sugarcane fields of my neighbour, getting covered in soot but having a ball of a time running behind our good old caddy. The caddy ole punch one

of the kites that have sentimental value to a lot of Guyanese.

It was the first kite I learnt to make because it was the most simple and required the least effort. I would sneak into the house while mommy was away at work and rip a page or two from the old exe r c i s e books, then rush to my grandmother’s house and ‘borrow’ a spool of thread to fly this kite.

Armed with my pages, two pieces of ‘pointer’ and my threat, then the creation of a masterpiece begins. The process is quite simple since all it involves is the marking of an X to cover the paper and using the ‘pointer’ to thread along the line and voila you

have a kite.

The trick, however, is not in how you make the kite rather it all rests in the loop.

Any veteran kite maker would tell you that no matter how pretty your kite looks if the loop ain’t proper then you might as well just retire that thing as a showpiece.

The art of loop making is not something one can get in a jiffy rather it requires expert skills and patience. It takes many trials and errors before once can conquer the art and make a loop that would e n s u r e your caddy soared to unprecedented heights and stay there all night.

However, not only is the perfect loop required to ensure a successful caddy rather the secret of your success lies in the tail. The tail which is the star of the show should be as

graceful as a ballerina’s attitude. It should be flowing like the when Eminem spits verses. In other words, it must be a talented tail and preferably cotton or polyester.

Though the caddy ole punch is an iconic part of Easter celebrations, the tradition of making them is dying and rapidly so. The generation now, despite knowing of the famous kite, seems disinterested in part taking in its creation.

Overall, as time progresses the younger generation is moving away from the actual flying of the kite to the more ornamental aspects of Easter Monday celebrations and that is the decking out in extravagant clothing and hanging with friends taking unlimited selfies.

Although Easter is about the sacrifices of Jesus Christ, the kite flying is somewhat cultural since it has no significance to Christianity. Rather kite flying is an ancient past time of the Chinese people and is believed to be incorporated in the Caribbean culture because of their arrival to this part of the world.

The caddy ole punch is a symbolism of a time when simplicity mattered. The caddy came about, according to many, as a substitute to parents being unable to afford the more extravagant kites during a time when resources were scarce to come by. However, it has now become a part of the fabric of our society and those who grew up in that era reminisce on the fun they had running through the fields raising their kites.

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 21, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Easter

By Mohanlall Seulall

E

aster is a time for reflection as well as a time for us to celebrate the sacrifices of Jesus Christ. It is a time where many families take advantage of the fact that school and pack their bags and head out on vacation. One of the most popular vacation spots during this period is the Essequibo Coast because of its wide open spaces and the quietness that follows.

The parents in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) take advantage of holiday time to spend quality time with their children, friends and relatives who would visit the Region. I Essequibo Coast, a Region with big open spaces, comes to life on Easter Monday with families and friends enjoying the afternoon breeze, joining their kids in kite flying. But there are also several activities that would lead up to the actual Easter Monday shinding.

On Good Friday, there is a different level of peacefulness that washes over the Region and for the better part of the day, Christians would spend that time in meditation and prayers. The Cross Buns Sellers are usually the loudest on Good Friday morning filling the air with their uniquely composed songs: Hot Cross Buns Hot Cross Buns One a penny Two a penny Hot Cross Buns If you have no daughters Give them to your Sons One a penny Two a penny Hot Cross Buns If your sons don't like them They're the only ones One a penny Two a penny Hot Cross Buns Get them while they’re hot And eat them by the ton One a penny Two a penny Hot Cross Buns.

On Easter Sunday some of the children

will go to the open spaces to fly their kites but many will prefer to go to the lakes and other places to have picnics with families and Friends.

On Easter Monday the fun starts in Charity where residents visit the market to do their final shopping and by midday, the crowd will be moving to the beaches along the coastline to fly their kites with their children, relatives and friends.

Easter of today is not as enjoyable and exciting as the old days and the skills and techniques of kite making are gone with time. The sound of the many locally made kites that once used to dance, sing and filled the skyline with its many bright and beautiful colours, styles and shapes are now being replaced by the many foreign imported plastic kites that are very silent, dumb, and there is nothing to pull your attention.

Tony Monroe, a local Kite maker for over 30 years and of Henrietta, Essequibo Coast said that the Easter of today is not like the Easter of long ago. He said that today children are not getting the real fun of kite flying due to the many imported kites adding that in the olden days Easter used to be more fun for the family with parents getting fully involved in kite making.

He said that Easter used to bring the family together when it came to kite making and design with the children choosing their ‘patchwork’ design, and type of kite

they wanted. Some of the kites made then were Box, Bird, Man, Woman, Plane, Cross and many other designs to get the children excited.

The frame of the kites was made from pointers from your mother’s broom and pasted using the ever faithful gamma cherry. If you were adventurous then you would even pop one or two of those sticky cherries in your mouth.

Monroe said that as a little boy Easter was the dream of every child since they got the opportunity to be with the family and to participate in making the best kite to show off on Easter Sunday and Monday.

Easter Sunday the children will be up very early to get the opportunity to be the first person to get their kite in the air because it was believed then that the Lord Jesus Christ will raise and go up to heaven with the first Kite and the kids were excited to be that lucky person.

He said that kite singing was a big thing then since people will arrange competitions to prove who has the loudest singing kite, best patchwork, neatest pasted kite and much more. "Scall Bread" was every child's fear that was the term used when the kite fell into trenches and ponds, and the kite paper got wet and loses its colours, it becomes all white like bread.

Munroe said that he is still in the kite making business, but due to the heavy importation of foreign plastic kites into the Country, he is presently selling only about 140 kites ranging from $500 to $3000.

Munroe also noted that he can produce any kite to suit the customer’s request and said that he can design kites to represent the flags of all the countries in the world if requested.

So this Easter, pack your bags and head to Region Two and experience a truly peaceful holiday.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 21, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Feature

By Leah Hernandez

E

aster is not just about the baking of delicious cross buns, but more so of the traditional activity of kite flying before, on or even after the Easter holiday. This superexciting activity simply signifies that Jesus was risen from the dead, as believed

by Christians globally. As such both children and adults enjoy themselves yearly as they test their creative skills by making beautiful kites and send them soaring in the open sky.

But on the other side of the line, most persons do not find the time to carefully make their own kites to fly during Easter, while others overall cannot make a kite. But coming to the rescue, are that one in a million persons who make it their priority to spread Easter happiness through kite making, one such person is 25-yearold Collin Domingo of Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

I had grasped the opportunity to interact with the talented man, and during our talk, he took a few steps back down memory lane where he remembered how his kite-career began. He spoke of his childhood years of making ‘caddy ole punch’ for himself, and even as he went into his teens, then to a young adult he was somewhat fascinated and captured by the art of making kites even to this present time.

Domingo who has enjoyed the kite making trade for over five years, gleefully explained that his business is very profitable both financially and emotionally, since seeing the smiling faces of his costumers boosts him to

keep his dreams alive.

“Well for me as a young boy, I always find myself busy making caddy-ole-punch for me and my other siblings because it was fun to me especially during Easter time. And because of simply finding excitement in making those simple kites back then, that passion grew within me as I got older to become better at my kite making…..today I am very much pleased with what I am doing cause I put smiles on those children faces when I make the kite of their choice, and seeing my customers and my family happy is what makes me happy” he related.

The father of one explained that apart from his passion for kite making, he also wanted to gap the need for persons travelling from his community to the capital city to purchase kites, especially since not much persons are involved in trade within his environment.

“Ever since I’ve noticed that not much people in Yarrowkabra make kites and actually everybody does travel till to town just to purchase one, I wanted to change that and I saw the opportunity to do it so I went out and grasped it while it is available” he effortlessly explained.

Being skilled specifically in making the star-shaped kite, the tradesman without hesitating took some of his time to thoroughly demonstrate the step by step process of making a multicoloured star-shaped kite.

The star-shaped kite which is the most popular of the kites existing in Guyana is basically made with light strips of wood cut to the desired length. Two of these strips are arranged in an X-frame, with a third strip being placed horizontally between which allows the enjoinment of a thin piece of a coconut stem to the end of the two crossed frames, which is commonly called the nose of the kite.

After, string (or polyethene) is used to be placed around the star-shaped kite which easily allows the attachment and alignment of kite paper by using paper paste.

Most kites are multicoloured which helps in boosting the appearance and bringing out the true beauty of the kite. Various artistic patterns are created out of kite papers to be pasted onto the surface of the kite, the same is also used for the frills and flaps of the kite.

The kite’s frills simply look like stripped kite papers and are placed above the flap (or kite ears) on the side of the kite, which enables the kite to ‘dance’ or ‘move’ in the wind.

Finally, a tail for the kite is vital and can be made from light fabric (preferably old sheets) and attaching it to one of the kites looped end and leaving the other for the twine(string for holding kite) to be attached.

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 21, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Easter

By Utamu Belle

A

s a child, growing up in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), one of my fondest memories of the Easter celebrations was picking and gathering itae pointers, gamma cherries and paper along with my family and friends to construct our kites.

This was an exciting season for my friends and I even before the famous evolution of kites as we were our own little innovators constructing our kites as we saw it fit; from the colours to style, sizes and creative shapes, to creating various models and competing with other children in the neighborhood as to who had the best looking kite.

Then there was the good old ‘caddy ole punch’. This we easily constructed shamelessly utilizing pages from our old school books, pointers from our house brooms and cloth from our ‘old’ clothes.

The ‘box board’ kite was a speciality. You ranked high if you could construct your own ‘box board’ or have the most unique looking one with well designed ‘tail’.

And then there were the joys and the failures of having the kites raised into the sky, fast running through the neighbourhood in an effort to do so, especially when there was not enough wind for a “good raise”; even crying some days when others laughed at you for not being able to have the kites raised or musing because you managed to do so.

Given that we lived near a ball field, the fun and excitement were never too far away. There were many of these fields in the community at the time before they were taken over by schools and other buildings.

Easter is a Christian celebration which signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Going to church on Easter Sunday

a n d getting dressed up on Easter Monday to fly your kite as is customary in Guyana was how we always spent the holidays. The grownups would prepare cross buns, another custom attached to the observance, a sweet bun made of raisins or Guyanese ‘fruits’ (sautéd carambola), complete with the makeshift sign of the cross which signifies the cross that Jesus Christ was crucified on. As a treat, my family would have the cross bun along with milk.

For my cousins and me, we looked forward to rainfall on Good Friday. According to folklore, if you burst an egg into a glass of rainwater

on a Good Friday, whatever formation you see is your destiny. We used to look forward to seeing the form of a ship or an aeroplane- which we believed meant we would become travellers in the future.

The Easter celebrations have always created an atmosphere for bringing families and friends together, through kite flying and other fun social activities.

Here in Linden, kite flying lovers flock various locations every year for that memorable experience.

Then there are those who travel from various destinations to the community just to find the perfect atmosphere to capture pictureperfect moments.

Since kite flying requires wide open spaces, Linden provides the right setting with countless areas which are situated away from obstacles such as electrical power lines and poles.

In Linden, there are scores of wide open spaces which create the perfect setting for kite flying; which just might explain why so many flocks the community on Easter Monday.

Visitors would flock the popular sites such as the Bayroc Community Centre Ground at Wismar and the many dykes on the Mackenzie shore, the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground, the Amelia's Ward back road (Mackenzie) and the numerous ball fields (Silvertown, Christianburg, Silvercity) which are located across the community, but mainly on the Wismar shore. These ar-

eas are usually abuzz with social activities and events annually on Easter Monday.

The Bayroc Community Centre Ground, which is equipped with seating facility is a vast sandy landscape with just the right terrain to facilitate kite flying.

There is also enough room for other social activities to be conducted at the same time. The MSC Ground, also noted for social events is equipped with seating amenities as well and is sometimes opened to the public to facilitate such activities on Easter Monday.

The dykes, with their mesmerizing natural scenery, are perfect for family outings and kite flying, while the numerous ball fields are always opened to the public. And for those Lindeners who don't feel like venturing out, their own backyards are sometimes transformed into the perfect kite flying spec-

tacle.

On a typical Easter Monday in the community, the skies are laden with kites, as parents join their children in the activities.

Families camp out, usually for the most part of the day and have picnics and barbeques. The more popular venues are often times transformed into party and fete- like settings, complete with music and fun activities and games. Kite exhibitions and competitions for the largest, smallest and most creative kites are also side attractions which draw persons to these venues annually.

For many, the celebrations usually begin with observing Holy Thursday then going to church on Easter Sunday.

While the tradition of children constructing their own kites is becoming more and more non- existent each

year, there are those who ply their trade in the community through the making and selling of kites.

Like numerous other parts of the country, the kite- making activity has taken on a more competitive nature, with annual competitions for the largest, smallest and most creative kites. The usual buzzing of the ‘box board’ kites and the site of the good old ‘caddy ole punch’ leading up to the Easter are also becoming nonexistent in the community. Kite distribution exercises of manufactured kites are now new features of the Easter celebrations.

Nevertheless, Lindeners look forward to the Easter celebrations annually, as a time for spiritual reflection and a means of connecting with family and friends on a social level.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 21, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Easter

P

alm Sunday (first known as Pasha) originated in the Jerusalem Church around the late third or early fourth century. Ceremonies consisted of prayers, hymns, and sermons as people moved through the numerous holy sites within the city.

At the last site, the place of Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the clergy would read the biblical account of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Then as evening approached, the people would return to the city reciting: “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9).

By the fifth century, the celebration had spread as far as Constantinople. It wasn’t until the sixth and seventh centuries that the ritual blessing of the palms was added. A morning procession replaced the evening one and by the eighth century, the Western Church was celebrating “Dominica in Palmis” or “Palm Sunday.”

Palm Sunday - The Tradition Palm Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday in recognition of the beginning of Holy Week and Jesus’ final agonizing journey to His crucifixion. Falling on the sixth Sunday in Lent and the Sunday before Easter, Palm Sunday is celebrated in all major Christian

churches—Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. In many Orthodox churches, Palm Sunday is known as Entry into Jerusalem. In some countries, the graves of loved ones are decorated with palms. Since palm trees are not indigenous to colder climates, branches of sallow, willow, and yew are often used.

Today, many Palm Sunday traditions remain much the same as those celebrated in the tenth century. Some ceremonies begin with the blessing of the palms. Afterward, many people take the palms home and place them in houses, barns, and fields. In many churches, children serve as an integral part of the service since they enjoy the processions. Children often craft crosses from palm leaves which were used in the Sunday processional. The traditions of Palm Sunday serve as reminders of the life-changing events of Holy Week.

It was traditional in the Near East to place a cover across the path of someone deemed worthy of highest honor. The palm branch was a Jewish symbol of triumph and victory (Leviticus 23:40; Revelation 7:9). In 2 Kings 9:13, Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat, received the customary announcing of a king with the spreading of cloaks upon the ground. Jesus, the Messanic King, was given a similar honor.

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:8) Palm Sunday - The Remembrance In the simplest of terms, Palm Sunday is an opportunity to reflect upon the final week of Jesus' life. Jesus did not deny the image that the crowd expected -- the fulfillment of the hopes of Israel that He would be their earthly king, destroying the Roman government.

Instead, Jesus humbly entered Jerusalem to give His life on a cross, saving mankind from sin and death. One day, Jesus will return gloriously as a mighty warrior in battle (Revelation 19:11–16). Palm Sunday serves as a preparation of one’s heart for the agony of His Passion and the joy of His Resurrection.

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 21, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

9

10 Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 21, 2019

Fashion

So whether you’re a laidback, go-with-the-flow type of dresser or you’re taking your styling cues from the high ranks of Ryan Gosling, we’ve compiled the ultimate hit-list to slay your Easter Day wear.

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Ingredients

• 2 green plantain, peeled and shredded • 2 tsp garlic paste • ½ tsp salt • Oil Mayo Dip • ½ cup Mayo • 3 tsp lime juice • 1 tsp cilantro, finely chopped • 1 tsp honey • Salt and pepper to taste

• • • • • • •

APRIL 21, 2019

Directions To make the fritters, mix shredded green plantain, garlic and salt. In a frying pan add enough oil so it’s about ½ inch deep and heat over medium fire. When oil is hot, scoop the shredded plantains (about 2 tablespoon) and then press gently for form a patty. Slide into the hot oil and cook until both sides about 2-3 minutes until golden brown, flipping after the first side is brown.

Remove from oil and drain onto a paper towel. (Jehan Can Cook)

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef or chicken 2 tsp canola oil 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 small onion, chopped 1 tbsp chopped thyme, 1 tsp finely chopped hot pepper 3 scallion, chopped

Instructions

1. In a pot over a medium fire heat 2 tsp of canola oil. Sauté onions and garlic until tender, add meat, thyme, diced pepper, black pepper, salt.

2. Cook for about 5 mins stirring to make sure meat doesn't clump. Add 1/4 cup of water and cook for about 20 minutes, until

the meat i s tender.

3. A d d scallion and cook for 2 mins. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

4. To make the pastry, in a large bowl add flour, butter and shortening and using your fingers rub the butter and shortening into the flour until it

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Ingredients • 1 lb Macaroni cooked according to directions on the package • 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, grated • 8 oz white cheddar, grated • 3 cups whole milk • ¼ cup butter • ¼ cup flour • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • ¼ tsp black pepper • ½ tsp salt • 1 egg beaten • 2 cup Cheez-It Hot and Spicy Grooves, crushed • 1 tsp dried parsley

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 non stick muffin pans then set aside. Place about 2 cups of Cheez-It in a large ziplock and crush with a rolling pin or place in a food processor and pulse until it resembles coarse crumbs. Mix with dried parsley and set aside.

In a large heavy bottom sauce pot over medium heat melt butter. Add flour and stir until smooth. Add milk and cook until milk is warm and sauce has thickened a bit. Add all but 1 cup of cheddar and white cheese, black pepper, Dijon mustard and salt then stir until smooth. Add macaroni to the cheese sauce, stir making sure the macaroni is well coated. Add beaten egg and stir vigorously until it’s mixed in.

Fill the greased muffin cups to the top with the mac and cheese mixture then sprinkle the tops with a bit of cheese then top with the Cheez-It crumbs. Place into preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 20 minutes. (Jehan Can Cook) • • • • • •

• • • • • • • •

1 tsp black pepper salt to taste 1 egg yolk 1 tsp water 2/3 cup cold butter, cut into pieces 2/3 cup shortening 4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup water

resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice cold water and mix to form a soft dough. Form pastry into a disk then wrap with cling wrap then place into the fridge for 30 minutes.

5. To make the patties, roll pastry on a well floured surface and cut into 4 inch circles.

Place pastry circle in tartlet pan. Dough should come all the way up the sides. Place enough beef mixture to fill, do not overstuff.

6. In a small bowl mix egg yolk and water with a fork. Baste the edges of the pastry with the egg wash then cover with another 4 inch circle of pastry and press edges together with a fork.

7.

Brush tops with egg wash, prick with a fork and bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 mins or until golden brown.

8.

Allow to cool for a few minutes before carefully removing f r o m tartlet pan and allow to cool before serving.

(Jehan Can Cook)

Ingredients

1 750ml bottle sparkling grape juice 3 cups Pineapple Juice 3 cups Coconut Seltzer or any seltzer 1 cup water 1 cup sugar ½ of a pineapple, skin on, cut into thin slices

Instructions

Make the simple syrup by placing water and sugar in a small pot over medium fire. Cook until sugar is melted, about 5-10 minutes. Set aside and cool before adding to sangria. Next add grape juice, pineapple juice, simple syrup and seltzer then stir. Add sliced pineapple then place in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with ice.

Ingredients • • • •

1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup salted peanuts or dry roasted 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Place a silicon mat or greased parchment paper on a baking sheet; set aside. Mix peanuts and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. Over medium heat add sugar and water to a heavy saucepan. Stir occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Cook without stirring, let mixture come to a boil. DO NOT STIR. Using a wet brush, brush the sides of the pot to prevent sugar crystals from forming. Boil until sugar turns amber or until it reaches a temperature of 340-350 degrees if using a candy thermometer.

Remove from heat and add nuts. Stir quickly to combine. Pour onto prepared pan and spread to form a single layer of peanuts.

Cool completely, then break into pieces.

(Jehan Can Cook)

12 Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 21, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Puzzles

ACROSS

90 Very pale 1 Musty

91 -- Gatos, Calif.

6 Can't stomach

92 Farm measure 11 Kind of bank 93 Pretense "The baker, the candlestick 16 -- ..." 94 Fluttered 21 Refuge

95 "Luck of the Draw" singer 22 Burro alternative

97 Goalie's org.

23 Home

98 Early stages 24 Like gymnasts

99 Bowling alleys 25 Yet to come

100 Argument 26 Like fallen logs

101 Pinch of salt 27 Vice - 103 Fan noise 28 Built like a rock

104 Route for Ben-Hur 29 Went to the gym (2 wds.)

105 Formal wear 31 Skyline feature

106 Minute 33 Ad -- committee

108 Softens 35 Agree silently

110 Awful 36 Brown of renown

111 Rushing sound 37 No rocket scientist

114 Drop-kick 38 Sooner city

115 Field mice 39 Nice and warm

117 Sharp -- -- tack 41 Lime cooler

120 Attorney's forte 42 Chain dance

121 Plea at sea 44 Wharf

123 Fidgety 46 Furniture movers

125 Ecological disasters (2 wds.)

51 Stay on the line

127 Departure 52 Seeger of folk music

129 Shrink back 53 Online auction

131 Mix up 57 Busy places in June

133 Free 58 Raises one's voice

134 High-strung 59 Type of explorer

135 Buzzing about 60 Yves' pal

136 Hears the alarm 61 More unusual

137 Leaf pore 62 Gourmet cook -- Child

138 Sidled past

15 --, right!

63 Mop companions

139 Ponders or meditates in silence 16 Team animal 64 Lose it (2 wds.)

140 Quick on the uptake 17 Back when 66 A funny Philips

141 Seismic uplift

18 Brick bakers 67 Of durable wood

DOWN

19 Poet T.S. -68 Nest builders 1 Throw

20 "Angie Baby" singer 69 "1984" author

2 Lake near Reno

30 Really nice people 70 Tees and tubes

3 Claims

32 Hangs fire 72 By and by

4 Security breach

34 Web-toed mammal 73 Swindler

5 Broke off

40 Skipper's OK 74 Burned with steam

6 Oblong nuts

42 Gen. Powell 75 Down the hatch

7 Skirt go-with

43 Earthen jar 77 Like Kermit

8 What some marry in 44 Congeals 78 Dreaded homework

9 Mantra chants

45 Depot info 79 Surfaces

10 Flashlight output 46 Insert mark 82 Fleeced

11 Improving the road 47 Texas tourist site 83 Lee of cakedom

12 Spain and Portugal 48 Leather for honing 84 Piece of linoleum

13 Hurt at Pamplona 49 -- kwon do 88 Bread units

14 Mdse.

50 Foul up 89 Get in touch with

51 Hunt or Hayes

52 Gist KATHLEEN SAXE

54 Spoke sheepishly

55 More than enough

56 Give forth

58 Sgt. Preston's beat

59 Hymn of praise

WORD GAME

TODAY'S WORD -- JUGGERNAUT (JUGGERNAUT: JUG-er-nawt: A massive, overwhelming, destructive force.)

Average mark 40 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 59 or more words in JUGGERNAUT?

jaunt jean junta jute untrue urea urge urgent gage gang garnet gate gauge gauger gaunt

gear gnar gnat grange grant grate great grunt guru earn rage rang range rant rate rent

rune rung runt nagger nature near neat nugget agent ager ague anger ante argue auger augur

aunt tagger tang tare tarn tear tern true tuna tune tuner turn

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

96 Mr. Vigoda 62 Goodall and Fonda 98 Lawn products brand 63 Fluff feathers

99 Cheerful tones 64 Chemist's amount 100 Guys 65 Young hooter 102 Movie channel 67 Rockers Hall and - 105 Everest adjective 68 -- it's at

107 Published 69 Barracuda habitat

108 Indiana city 71 Dish up the food

109 Keys in data 73 Old hag

110 Water heater 74 Torn piece

111 Metamorphic rock 76 Epochs

112 Forded a stream 77 Specter

113 Not yet paid 78 Payroll deductions

114 Huffs and puffs 79 Spiral-horned antelope 115 Russian export 80 Gourmet coffee

116 Winter nuisance 81 Countesses' husbands

117 Understudy 82 Leaps away

118 Reads hastily 83 Pack rat 85 Wooden horse saga 119 What a theatergoer 86 Gambling gametakes (2 wds.)

122 Did the butterfly 87 -- Park, Colo.

124 Fishtails 89 Overbearing

126 Vanish -- thin air 90 Ebbs

128 WNW opposite 93 No-see-um 130 Ames inst.

94 Light bulb measure 132 Reservoir boundary 95 Tyrannosaurus -See Solution on page 14

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 21, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

still, play an important role in t h e i r child's de-

velo p ment.

P

arenting a child with autism is an enormous challenge. Daily activities can be stressful for both parent and child. Children with autism may need trained professionals in various fields to provide the support they need.

Unlike developed countries, Guyana does not have all the resource personnel needed to adequately provide the services children with autism need.

However, even with access to the best services parents

Here are five key ways you can provide support for your child 1. Learn all you can about autism.

Utilize the Google, YouTube and read all you can to get a clearer understanding of how autism affects children, methods of intervention and free learning resources. Parents can also join support groups online to share their concerns and get helpful suggestions from other parents going through the same situation.

2. A child with autism is a child first.

Do not deprive them of the opportunity of going outside and i n teracti n g with t h e world.

Children with autism need to be given the opportunity to play like any other child.

Of course, their "play" may be different from neurotypical children but once they are safe they should be allowed to enjoy recreational activities.

3. Slow down and be patient.

Children with autism learn differently and as such, we need to teach them

how to get dressed begin by working on putting on the shirt and, only after he h a s mastered t h a t activi t y , you can teach him how to button the shirt.

All children develop at their own pace and children with autism are no different. A simple task may take weeks or months for a child to master. Be patient.

4. Learn your child's triggers.

in unconventional ways.

Breakdown activities into smaller tasks. For example, if you're teaching your child

Children with autism often lose control and will have a meltdown as a result of sensory, emotional or information overload. This meltdown may take the form of exces-

sive crying, yelling, biting etc. Knowing what triggers your child will allow you to do what is necessary to prevent him/her from being exposed to that trigger.

5. Take time out to refuel.

Very often we can become so consumed with our children's development and meeting their needs that we often lose ourselves in the process. As parents, we need to be our best selves to be able to meet the needs of our children. It is important that you take time to do something that you enjoy or just take time to relax. You may need to reach out to relatives and friends to help care for your little one so you can get an hour or two to unwind.

Working with a child who has autism is quite a challenge and more so when it is your own child; but it is equally rewarding. As you consistently work with your child and you begin to see that child learn and improve it brings great satisfaction. It also serves to encourage you to work harder to help your child reach his/ her highest potential. (Step by Step Foundation)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 21, 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

A

ctor Fardeen Khan, who was trolled over his weight gain, says people need to get over the body shaming practice. Fardeen was interacting with the media when he attended the launch of his cousin Farah Khan Ali’s book Farah Khan - A Bejewelled Life.

In 2016, Fardeen was trolled on social media after pictures in which his weight gain was visible, went viral.

After that, Fardeen had taken to social media to give it back to the haters in a long post.

Now, Fardeen looks fitter than before.

On his body shaming experience, he said: “I have been bashed unnecessarily. I think we need to get over these damn things. I really don’t care about it. I am what I am and I can see myself in the mirror. Whatever is deserved is deserved and what’s not is not. I just laugh it all off. I don’t read much about myself these days.”

Praising Farah, Fardeen said: “I am very excited. It’s kind of difficult to believe that 25 years of our careers have gone by and we all have grown up together. It just seems like yesterday. We are just happy and

A proud for her. She has always been a go-getter. Whenever and whatever she has envisioned for herself in life, she has gone for it and done it.”

Will he return to acting in the near future?

“In different capacities, yes, I want to act. But collectively, I want to produce and direct things. We are planning on that, so I will make a formal announcement regarding that soon.”

Fardeen was last seen on-screen in Dulha Mil Gaya, which released in 2010.

(Hindustan Times)

A

ctor Akshay Kumar says cinema is not only a way to reach out to the masses but also to educate them. Be it Padman, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha or 2.0, which will be telecast on Zee Cinema on April 21, Akshay backs films that send out a message.

The actor says it is his way of giving back to the society.

“I feel movies are a type of communication that is consumed by majority of people not only in India but also internationally,” Akshay said in a statement.

“It is a way of not only reaching out to the masses but also at times educating them. I feel there is no point of being an influencer if you can’t make the best use of your platform to improve the country.

This is my way of giving back,” he said.

Akshay portrays the antagonist, an eccentric scientist named Richard in 2.0. The film marked Akshay’s Tamil debut and is his first film with megastar Rajinikanth.

On Tuesday, Kangana’s sister Rangoli had attacked Soni and Alia, who are both British citizens and therefore not able to vote in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. She had written on Twitter, “These non Indians who are living off this land, using and abusing its people and its resources, lying about intolerance and spreading hatred, time to think about their agenda and not to get carried away with their provocations.”

Rangoli’s response presumably came after Alia admitted in a recent interview that she would not be able to vote in the elections, because she doesn’t hold an Indian passport, and a tweet by Soni, in which she spoke about mob lynchings.

Kangana has been on an unrelenting offensive against Alia, whom she has accused of being a ‘puppet’ of producer Karan Johar’s and a ‘mediocre’ actor. The one-sided feud began after the release of Kangana’s Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, which Alia allegedly did not help promote on her personal social media, which Kangana had expected, despite Alia being under no obligation to do so. (Hindustan Times)

A Talking about the film, Akshay said: “2.0 is a mega movie and the first in my career.

While I try to explore different roles, I genuinely felt that this would be a completely different ball game. It rightly proved to be so.

In all my years of being part of the industry, I have never seen so much money, talent and technology work together from different parts of the globe to make a film of this magnitude.” (Hindustan Times)

n Oscar winner and a Marvel superhero will help bring “Saturday Night Live’s” 44th season to a close.

Emma Thompson and Paul Rudd have been tapped to host the NBC sketchfest’s May 11 and May 18 episodes, respectively.

Thompson, who will be making her “SNL” hosting debut, will be promoting her upcoming comedy flick “Late Night,” which co-stars Mindy Kaling and opens on Friday, June 7. She’ll be joined by the Jonas Brothers, who are returning to the show for their second appearance as musical guests.

Rudd (who has previously hosted the show three times) will emcee the Season 44 finale just a few weeks after the release of “Avengers: Endgame,” in which he reprises his role as Ant-Man. Grammy nominee DJ Khaled will serve as musical guest, marking his first visit to Studio 8H. He’ll be promoting his new album “Father of Asahd,” which comes out one day earlier on May 17.

As previously reported, “SNL” veteran Adam Sandler will return to the show for his first-ever hosting stint on May 4, where he’ll be joined by musical guest Shawn Mendes.

Thus far in 2019, “SNL’s” hosts have included Oscar winner Emma Stone, “Game of Thrones” star Kit

Harington, “Killing Eve” actress Sandra Oh and comedian/former “SNL” writer John Mulaney

Crossword Solution

T

he hits keep coming for Soulja Boy — just not on the charts.

Days after a judge ruled the rapper had violated probation and would be held in custody until at least the end of the month, his Los Angelesarea home was burglarized, according to TMZ. The website reports that a caretaker for the Agoura Hills residence reported the burglary to police on Monday night. When the authorities arrived they found that the thieves had allegedly made off with over $600,000 in cash and property, including jewelry and a phone.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, police believe the suspects used the phone they allegedly stole from Soulja’s home to brag about the theft on his Instagram account.

Perhaps inspired by the rapper’s business savvy, the five men also reportedly

ctor Alia B h a t t ’ s mother, Soni Razdan, has seemingly responded to allegations made by Kangana Ranaut’s sister Rangoli Chandel, that she has no right to discuss Indian politics because she isn’t a citizen of the country. She questioned Kangana’s agenda, and said that it is because of Mahesh Bhatt that she got her big break in Bollywood.

Taking to Twitter, Soni wrote that she is a human being first, and then a citizen. She wrote, “Urging people to vote against hate has nothing to do with citizenship and everything to do with being a human being.

We are all human beings first and citizens of the world we live in. Secularism and democratic principles are values and it’s those that I stand for. #VoteOutHate.”

Reacting directly to a comment by a Twitter user, in which they wrote, “Get lost British citizen ...u have no place in India to preach,” Soni wrote back, “I do actually. My father is Indian. Lived in India since I was 3 months old. Pays taxes. Holds an Overseas Citizen of India card. If my hard earned income is good enough to be used to better this nation then I have a right to voice my opinions too. #VoteOutHate.”

reached out to his famous friends claiming to be signees to his label and asking them to post their music to social media and provide guest verses for future recordings.

Last week, a Los Angeles judge ruled that Soulja had violated his probation by having ammunition in his home. He is currently being held without bail until another hearing on April 30.

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 21, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 21, 2019

Fun Times

Archie

Personal changes can be made that will enhance your (March 21mind, body and pursuits.

April 19) Explore new interests and expand your friendships. Live, love and learn through experience.

ARIES

Take an interest in what TAURUS others are doing to discov(April 20- er something that will help May 20) you make a positive lifestyle change. Fitness, proper diet and activities that relieve stress are encouraged.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Draw on your intuitive insight when dealing with people, joint ventures and matters that require you to make a change. If something doesn't feel right, take a pass.

Figure out what someone wants or is trying to say be(June 21- fore you commit to anything.

July 22) You are the one who should be calling in favors and striving to chase your dreams.

CANCER

Engage in something you find fascinating or that gets your (July 23adrenaline flowing. Make changAug. 22) es because you want to, not because someone is pressuring you to do so.

LEO

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

A change of attitude will help you adjust to the alterations happening in your personal, financial or domestic life. Talk to someone who has more experience than you before you make a permanent decision.

Taking a day trip or enLIBRA gaging in an exercise that will (Sept. 23challenge you to live a healthOct. 23) ier, more productive life will have an impact on the way you move forward. Romance is encouraged.

Peanuts

Don't overdo it or take on SCORPIO impractical financial respon(Oct. 24- sibilities just because someNov. 22) one else wants you to get involved. A joint venture will be your downfall.

Carefully settle any perSAGITTARIUS sonal or emotional matters (Nov. 23Dec. 21) that crop up. Anger won't solve anything, but patience, intelligence and reasonable suggestions will. Romance will enrich your life.

Let your heart lead the CAPRICORN way, and adapt to whatever (Dec. 22- unfolds. An opportunity will Jan. 19) transform quite unexpectedly.

Trust in yourself.

Calvin and Hobbes Let others do as they AQUARIUS please. Aim to maintain sta(Jan. 20- bility and to secure what Feb. 19) you've worked so hard to achieve. Don't let emotions come between you and making the right decision.

Mistakes will be made PISCES (Feb. 20- if misunderstandings preMar. 20) vail. Get the facts and focus on what's doable, not on the impossible. Change begins within, and personal growth will lead to greater clarity.