Guyana Times - Sunday, February 17, 2019

LOOK INSIDE !

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 3838 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

PPP hosts historic stakeholders’ forum Sunday, February 17, 2019

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Roof at P11 Leguan Hospital staff quarters falling apart

As public debt continues to climb Guyana P13

signs on for US$31M more in loans from IDB – external public debt stands at US$1.265B

…realism vital to Guyana’s success – party leaders …commits to reversal of burdensome taxes Page 3 …pledges to stand up for all Guyanese Blow to democracy

Communities Ministry lacks legal authority to manage LGC’s finances – former AG Page 12

Children’s Float Parade brings fusion of culture, excitement

Hitmen confess P9 to being paid $2M to kill Chinese businessman UG allocates funds to nonexistent units – unions claim

Bauxite union begs Govt for help Page 7

…workers told Govt approved arbitrary 1% salary increase

Santa Rosa residents call for removal of P17 Toshao

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Page 14

Govt signs off on more State P8 Boards

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

UG allocates funds to non-existent units – unions claim

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s the University of Guyana (UG) and its workers’ unions, as well as the Senior Staff Association remain at loggerheads over wages dispute, the Unions have accused the University of allocating funds to units which are non-existent.

On Saturday, the UG Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the UG Workers Union (UGWU), in continuing its call for a finan-

cial audit on the University’s expenditures said, “Last year, there were funds allocated for the Diaspora Centre and the Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning.

These units did not exist last year (and the Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning was only launched on Wednesday, February 13, 2019) but funds were allocated to them and there has been no explanation given about what happened to

those funds”.

In this regard, the Unions stressed that question marks still linger around the University’s Turkeyen campus, on whether all the units that are currently being funded at the University really exist.

The UGSSA and UGWU in a statement to the media argued that the core units of the University, which include faculties and schools have been informed that no money is available for essential repairs and payment for stationery, among others although funds appear to be spent on various lectures, conferences and symposia as well as trips abroad for senior administrators.

The Unions have joined forces and are questioning why monies were allocated in previous budgets to entities which do not exist and moreover, what became of those funds.

They are also demanding answers from the administration on how much money was spent on non-essential events in the last two

President of the UG Senior Staff Association Jewel Thomas

and half years, which include but are not limited to the Law and Society series, the Turkeyen-Tain talks, and the Vice-Chancellor’s installation ceremony.

In fact, the Unions said they would like to see the breakdown of any donations made, whether in cash or in kind, along with the University’s own spending.

The Unions are also questioning how much money was spent on travel abroad by senior administrators of the University.

UG Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith

According to the Unions, the income and expenditure statements for 2018 show that only one of the faculties/ schools overspent its budget.

“However, all of the units headed by the DVCs (Deputy Vice-Chancellors) and the VC’s (Vice-Chancellors) own unit (the Vice-Chancellery) overspent their budgets.”

They added that answers are still being sought on income of the University, such as if all the University’s income streams for the last two and half years are properly accounted for, given that a statement of the University’s gifts and grants received for the last two and half years has never been presented to the current Council, whose first meeting was held on

March 8, 2018.

The UGSSA and UGWU are adamant that the public should know that there has been no meeting of the Audit Committee of the current Council nor have there been any audited statements of the University since 2014.

The Unions said they were made to understand that the University’s senior administration paid themselves the three per cent increase that was imposed on staff in December 2018.

“The Vice-Chancellor was included in this payment, and he also received two bonuses last year – his bonus for 2017 and also one for 2018. He, therefore, received three additional payments from the University in 2018, notwithstanding his own very substantial package of salary and benefits,” the Unions said.

3 Deputy Vice Chancellors

They also pointed to the fact that UG now has three Deputy Vice-Chancellors as well as a post called the Director of Strategic Initiatives, although there has been no equivalent expansion in the number of campuses or even in the student body. turn to page 8

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, February 17 – a night retraction from 03:30h and a day retraction from 13:00h-14:30h and Monday, February 18 – a night retraction from 04:00h and a day retraction from 13:00h-14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, February 17 – 14:25h-15:55h and Monday, February 18 – 15:15h-16:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies in the evening.

Temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 02:46h and 15:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.45 metres and 2.62 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:36h and 21:09h reaching minimum heights of 0.77 metres and 0.53 metre respectively.

saturday, FEBRUARY 09, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

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Bonus Ball

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PPP hosts historic stakeholders’ forum …realism vital to Guyana’s success – party leaders …commits to reversal of burdensome taxes …pledges to stand up for all Guyanese

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s it gears up for the constitutionally mandated General and Regional Elections, the People’s Progressives Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has commenced promised public consultations.

During a stakeholders’ forum for a framework on national development held at the New Thriving Restaurant at Providence, East Bank Demerara on Saturday, the Party’s leaders emphasised the need to be realistic in delivering promising to the people.

Addressing the packed gathering which included a wide cross section of Guyanese, Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo, said these stakeholder engagements are important and could have a defining influence on the future of the country. He pointed out, however, these consultation have not only now started but was prevalent even when the party was in office and was significant in the transformation of Guyana from a poor country to middle-income and this was done without oil.

He went on to say that during these consultations, there will be hundreds of ideas coming in, but nothing will get into the manifesto that cannot be funded.

“We’re not going to do like APNU and make all sorts of promises to the people to get their votes and then you can’t deliver. It must be realistically costed and be deliverable,” he asserted.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that the coalition Government made seven promises for large-scale infrastructural projects in the 2019 Budget that have no source of funding such as the paved road from Linden to Mabura and a bridge across the Kurupukari River.

“A PPP Government will never do that sort of thing. If make a promise, we will know

Assistant Dean in the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, UG, Hugh Todd addressing the gathering at the stakeholders forum on Saturday. Also in photo are Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo (right) and PPP presidential candidate Irfaan Ali

where the money is coming from and how we will fund it.

So when we talk about 50,000 jobs, we’ve already identified which sectors they will come from, what will be the policy-making environment that will allow the Private Sector to create those jobs and how many can come from Government itself by a reorientation of this budget which has a ton of wasteful expenditure. We can cut $30 billion out of this budget without harming development objectives and the welfare of our people...” he said.

Against this backdrop, Jagdeo emphasised that realism is vital.

Turning his attention to the impending oil and gas, Jagdeo contended that one of things a PPP government will ensure is that Guyanese benefit equally from the sector.

“One thing on local content is to ensure that Guyanese actually benefit from opportunities there and that that is not just on paper.

This Government has abandoned Guyanese and we will never allow Guyanese to become second class citizens in Guyana,” Jagdeo said to resounded applause from the gathering.

He added, “We as a country, all of us together, have to ensure that the people who come here to invest that they are treated well and they make money – the oil companies – but the share of the

wealth come to our people.”

According to the PPP’s General Secretary, the party is working on a framework that will make every Guyanese, despite their political affiliation, feel that they are part of its vision and will benefit from what is coming in the future.

Among those at the stakeholders' forum on Saturday were the business community, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations and other members of civil society.

must be one that is realistic, achievable, time-bound, implementable and measurable.

“Our manifesto must create hope for all our people, that they will have improved living conditions, access to better services and a promising future. At the end of today’s (Saturday) session we should have ideas and discussions that would be further crytalised, defined and refined in the final document that will be presented to the electorate,” he asserted.

Consultative and inclusive approach

Ali outlined that over the past three years, the local economy has suffered tremendous difficulties with private consumption falling by $196 billion, while tax collections have increased.

“It therefore means that the increased tax collection was not as a result of growth in consumption but as a direct result of the 200 new tax measures. Our economy is showing some worrying signs. Non-performing loans increased by $28 billion, 58 per cent of this is in the business sector. This means a lot of our businesses are at risk especially the small-medium size businesses. We’ve seen the effects of this at the regional level, where a number of big businesses have closed or downsizing causing loss of jobs,” he posited.

Also addressing the packed venue was the party’s presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, who posited that this consultative and inclusive approach is part of the PPP’s national big tent strategy in getting as many stakeholders’ views.

“A manifesto is a serious national document and not an imaginative compilation of unachievable and unrealistic promises. Governments have a moral and ethical responsibility to implement their manifesto… We take seriously this document, hence your participation here today. As we move forward as a country, it is vital that we take ownership and feel part of the development pathway…,” he said.

The presidential candidate noted that a manifesto

Taxes

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019

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

Illegitimate Natural Resources Fund

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resident David Granger has just signed the “Natural Resources Bill”, which is the name of our “Sovereign Wealth Fund” and which arguably deals with the most important issue since the granting of our independence.

The fundamental question is how are the funds that would be generated from our oil reserves be utilised to deliver the greatest benefits to Guyanese of this and following generations. But just as arguably, while the President might have signed the Bill, he did not sign it in law.

The substantive contents of what should be covered in this Bill had been widely discussed ever since oil was struck by the Exxon Consortium in May 2015. It had been drafted under the aegis of Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, then responsible for oil, and passed on to Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, two years ago to pilot through the National Assembly. However, Jordan sat on it until the sitting of the Assembly on January 3 of this year, which followed the December 21, 2018, sitting during which the No-confidence Motion brought by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had been successfully passed. And as mandated by Article 106 (6), the “President and Cabinet shall resign”.

The Opposition PPP had indicated that it would not be attending that January sitting on the grounds that the Noconfidence Motion had unleashed a governmental regime where new elections had to be scheduled (by March 19) as precedent dictated in other parliamentary democracies such as Britain and India. However, under cover of requesting the Speaker to reverse his ruling that the NCV was legitimate (he refused to so rule) the PNC-led coalition scheduled the session and slipped in the NRF Bill, which was passed in the absence of the Opposition.

But the Government’s own consultants from the foreign non-governmental organization “Natural Resources Governance Institute” (NRGI) had explicitly warned them at a public lecture organised by the Guyana Revenue Authority discussing the Green Paper on the NRF, that there must be “an open discussion and consensus building between the political parties to look at these rules that will be governing your money… and agree on how Guyana as a whole will be managing its money.”

The consultants were very clear as to why they recommended this democratic consensus: Guyana would not want a new administration to change the rules of the NRF because of the lack of a wide legitimacy of those rules.

This would wreak havoc on Guyana’s return on investment and only benefit the Fund Managers. The consultants had also indicated that in this world of Wall Street Gordon Gecko types, there should be explicit strictures against investing in highly risky investments just for their purported high returns. But there was an even more pressing reason why Jordan should not have rushed through the NRF Bill: as Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said, it was “illegal” because the status of the PNC-coalition Government, which as in other democracies after a no-confidence vote, dictated that they only conduct routine business until a new Government is elected and certainly not wide ranging business such as the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund.

But what made President Granger’s signing of the NRF Bill at this point in time very unsavory, is that after an initial period of bluff and bluster, he has conceded it is not “business as usual” for his Government in that, for instance, there could be no Cabinet meetings and Ministers were now meeting in a “Ministerial Plenary”, whatever that may be. The signing of the NRF Bill is just another in a long string of illegalities committed by the PNC-led Government in refusing to acknowledge the supremacy of the Constitution. As several scholars have adumbrated, the filing of appeals against the rulings of the Chief Justice against his Government’s contentions cannot stay the ruling of the Speaker of the National Assembly that the Noconfidence Motion was validly passed.

We will have to go back to the drawing board on a new, legitimate, NRF.

This float was one of the exciting pieces produced for the Children’s Mashramani and Costume Float Parade which was hosted on Saturday by the Education MInistry’s Education Department. Centred with the Victoria Regia Lily, Guyana’s national flower, other aspects of the country’s flora are depicted. The float also showcases two of Guyana’s historical buildings – The St George’s Cathedral and The Parliament Buildings (Adam Baksh photo)

Guyanese stand up to bullyism Dear Editor, Sir Winston Churchill famously said: “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last” and so it has been in this period since the successful no-confidence motion on December 21, 2018.

A constitutional crisis looms. President David Granger is fueling anxiety with his refusal to accept the rule of law; refusal to respect the Constitution; refusal to admit his Administration has fallen; refusal to set a date for General and Regional Elections.

An abdication of responsibility and a revealing flaw in leadership quality finally exposed to those with eyes to see. And for all this, the appeasers bow and scrape in efforts to spare him offence, hurt, ridicule or scorn.

The appeasement of Granger runs the gamut of ridiculous to sublime.

Dr David Hinds speaks to the subversion of the Constitution by Granger as “outmanoeuvring the Opposition” while journalist Dennis Chabrol’s question at a press conference posited Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo was ‘complicit’ in the impending crisis for not offering to extend the legally binding 90-day election clock.

Chabrol knows that

Granger has made no demands of Jagdeo for any extension or any other concession.

Granger has simply shut his mouth and is allowing his minions to sow seeds of confusion.

If Granger wants to legally occupy the office of the President past March 19, 2019, he will need assistance from Jagdeo; in return, he must acknowledge the Constitution as law and set out a plan for elections 2019.

Then, and only then, can Jagdeo legally act!

Without a date on the table, any act by Jagdeo to extend the life of the executive and legislature is just as illegal as Granger’s refusals to date.

Editor, civil society actors, while fully acknowledging the intransigence of Granger as the source of angst, have still found ways to suggest that the solution lies with Leader of the Opposition who is urged into ‘action’.

This is nothing more than a cry for leadership; nature abhors a vacuum, the silence from the incumbent Chanderpaul Drive is unnerving the populace.

While APNU/AFC wages a ‘shadow’ campaign with taxpayers monies, sing of ‘war’ at Congress Place, make the vilest claims of extra-judicial killings of ‘black’ people,

the PPP/C is talking about the issues of corruption, mismanagement, incompetence, cronyism and nepotism of this tiny cabal.

Despite the starkly different approaches to the 2019 election campaign, another set of appeasers would have you believe that the approach of the PPP/C is the same as APNU/AFC. Timothy Jonas talks of “the two major parties being divisive and seeking to polarise” while McCormack’s Guyana Human Rights Organisation (GHRA) in calling for “an agreement by the two major political parties to stop fueling ethnic insecurity” said “both parties are beginning to mobilise in ways that do not inspire confidence”.

I would suggest that such commentators are simply dusting off old sentiments and have not done any actual observing. In every public statement, press conference or meeting, the PPP/C has been vociferous in its calls for inclusivity, urging its supporters to recognise the evolution that is happening within the ranks of the party.

Yet the GHRA executive has seemingly not noticed, as they also failed to notice PNC’s Health Minister’s public announcement of a party card requirement for job seekers.

If you cannot be fair nor balanced in observation, your credibility is eroded and your organisation becomes as fossilised as the leadership.

During a recent conversation with longstanding member of the PPP, Shirley Edwards MP, a grand old lady who lived through the horrors of ethnic warfare in 1962 but who holds no rancour, and talks with passion about the strides the people of our nation have made towards racial harmony “Race relations have been evolving and I believe we are witnessing the first elections where issues are the main focus, not the colour of skin” this coupled with the burgeoning multi-ethnic membership of the PPP/C is enough to dispel thoughts that the party has any interest in stirring ethnic insecurities or needs political partners to ably represent all ethnicities in Guyana.

Guyanese must stop this practice of appeasement and stand up to bullyism; social commentators must be brave enough to stand up to the APNU/ AFC. Appeasers are reminded that the undecided are always the first meal of the dictatorial crocodile.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

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SunDAY, february 17, 2019

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Where is the US$18M oil bonus?

Dear Editor, Several weeks ago, I asked where is the $30 billion the Government, through SPU/NICIL, took on behalf of GuySuCo. To this day, no one in Government is providing answers to the people. Now I am asking again, where is the $US18 million Exxon bonus money? These enormous sums of money, amounts that exceed the total amount paid to the entire public service as salaries and benefits for an entire year, have become State secrets. People ask these questions not because they are prying into other people’s business, but because it is their right to want to know about their assets.

While people are still waiting to hear an answer for the

$30 billion GuySuCo loan, they also want answers for the US$18 million Exxon money.

Why is APNU/AFC so secretive about the Exxon US$18 million? Where is the money? How has it been spent, if any has been spent? The stewardship of the $US18 million Exxon money has been illegal from the start and is in total violations of all the relevant laws of Guyana. As the Leader of the Opposition, Bharat Jagdeo, reminded people, the money was not accounted for in the 2017, 2018 and the 2019 Budgets as required by law. Political malfeasance is a horrendous indiscretion by any Government, but the unaccountability and non-trans-

parency with which the US$18 million Exxon money has been handled is totally illegal, breaching all the laws of Guyana. The State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) have become complicit in the breaches because neither of them sees it fit and proper to be even a little inquisitive.

APNU/AFC kept the Exxon contract a secret for almost two years. They received US$18 million from Exxon and hid it in a secret account at the Bank of Guyana. Later, the Finance Minister claimed the money was in a secret account in a secret foreign bank. As the Opposition and civic society demanded answers

and transparency, Raphael Trotman dug in and claimed the contract had to be kept secret because of national security. When the secret bank account with the US$18 million was exposed, Trotman led the denial and even the President denied, even though the truth was staring at every Guyanese citizen. It turned out to be a secret in plain sight. The contract was then released, as APNU/AFC succumbed to the intense political and civic pressure. We have now known the details of the contract for almost two years, we know there was an Exxon payment of US$18 million since 2016. We do not know where the money is and if any has been used.

Trotman now ad-

mits that hiding the contract and the payment was wrong. Now that the successful no-confidence motion of Parliament has forced APNU/AFC into caretaker status, Ministers who for almost four years, since May 2015, were too busy to visit and discourse with the people have found time to do so.

They are suddenly regretting many things they know were corruption, mismanagement and incompetence, not because of any genuine epiphany, but in a continued effort to fool people.

Trotman still insists they were correct because of national security reasons. Yet for almost two years now, since they were forced to release the contract and concede they received the mon-

ey, he cannot show us what national security was compromised.

More importantly, he still refuses to tell the nation where the US$18 million is.

Guyanese people want to know. The Parliament demanded answers. People have gone to court for answers. Mr Jordon, Mr Trotman, Mr Greenidge come clean and account for the $US18 million. President Granger, you have a duty to let the Guyanese people know what happened to the US$18 million Exxon money.

The nation does not need admission and regrets, the nation wants a simple, plain answer.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

GECOM officials’ response is disappointing, disturbing Dear Editor, It is with a sense of optimism that hundreds of thousands of citizens across Guyana welcomes the representatives from the Carter Centre to Guyana. The global role of this organisation in advancing democracy is widely recognised and appreciated. It will be recalled that the organisation played a significant mediating role prior to 1992, in the re-establishment of a framework for an acceptable democratic environment after 28 years of PNC dictatorship.

With Guyana’s deteriorating internal and external image hurtling towards the doldrums, the timing of the visit gives testimony to the international attention being given and the need to quell and emerging monster. It also emphasises the broad negative impact that

will likely accrue for our relationships with other states if the posture adopted by the fallen APNU/AFC regime is continued.

The pronouncements on the historic no-confidence motion of December 21, 2018, is significant. The antics and actions of the Granger clique following the carried motion, are outright obstructive, dictatorial, and nothing but a power-driven quest that has no legal basis. Both the Judicial and Legislative arms of our three-tiered system of Government ruled in favour of the mandatory holding of General and Regional Elections within the constitutionally stated time-bound period of 90 days.

Although this period is subject to an extension if approved by 75 per cent of the members that constitute the

Legislature (Parliament), there has been no move by the fallen Granger clan, to address the option. Indeed, they must be acutely aware of the wicked indelible wounds they have inflicted and imprinted on so many citizens in such a short time.

Instead, there is a heightened state of lawlessness being advance by the de facto President, David Granger, and his now illegal Cabinet.

It is of significant relevance that the ruling of Chief Justice stipulated that the Cabinet stands resigned immediately after the passing of the no-confidence motion.

Her Honour Justice George also correctly stated that it was outside of the jurisdiction of the courts to grant an extended time.

The de facto President and his cohorts have signalled and taken actions to

defy the ruling of our High Court although there is no stay of obligatory performance. Mr Granger’s vehement refusal to announce a date for the imminent elections at the time of writing constitutes a flagrant disregard for Guyana’s most supreme law.

This damming position serves to catalyse a system of mayhem and ultimate anarchy because if there is no rule of law for the Government, none of our citizens will be rule-bound in behaviour and survival.

It is just not business as usual Mr Granger, you are creating a conundrum of machinations and chaos, which only serve to uncover the characteristic innate nature that two-thirds of the PNC displayed during their 28 years of dictatorial strife and rule in Guyana.

Good move by M&CC to create Audit and Procurement Committees

Dear Editor, I would like to commend the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown on their decision to establish an Audit Committee and a Procurement Committee.

These committees need to marginalise the Finance Committee which continues to be headed by the ‘Old Timers’.

The first order of business would be for the Audit Committee to find out what exactly prevented the internal auditor and the staff of the audit department of the City Council from working for the last three years.

During the hearings of the Commission of Inquiry into the operations of the Georgetown City Council, it was alleged that their internal audit department was prevented from carrying out financial inspections for the last three years. It would be interesting to know whether the internal auditor has

been allowed to carry out this critical exercise and whether they hey have successfully done so since then.

It should be noted, however, that the CoI recommended that the internal auditor be given the pink slip and replaced by a qualified and a competent one. Finally, this Committee should seek the services of several private accounting firms and have their accounts audited and qualified for the last three years. This would go a long way in restoring some credibility to the Council.

As it relates to the Procurement Committee, well they have their work cut out for them. They need to look at all of the goods and services that have been and continue to be procured for the Council. Particularly, all of those hundreds of millions of dollars that have been doled out to ‘friends and family’ without adherence to bidding processes and ten-

der board procedures should be investigated. Indeed, all tenders should be terminated and re-advertised and re-awarded after a transparent process is undertaken.

It is time that favourite contractors who have milked the system for years be done away with and reputable agencies be given a chance

to supply goods and services to the city Carry on Mr Mayor, the citizens are behind you. If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.

Best regards, Sambu Jacobus

The role of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) then, was as much a significant contributing factor as it is now. It was a period when being recognised as a Guyanese in many parts of the world was disadvantageous to any citizen’s advancement. It required international interventions and amendments to the then legislation before the People’s Progressive Party and the citizens of this country achieved and earned hard-won democracy in 1992. It was only then that rebuilding a sense of recognition and esteem began.

Sad to say, the behaviour of some leading GECOM officials at this critical juncture is indeed disappointing and very disturbing. To put it mildly, most civil thinking

persons would agree that these leading officials seem to be acting as pimps in this illegal ‘prostitutional’ assault of Guyanese citizens by Granger and his henchmen.

It is very obvious that public confidence in GECOM is eroding at an exponential rate.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019

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Foundation

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iscipline is about guiding teenagers towards appropriate behaviour. It isn’t about punishment.

Discipline for teenagers begins with open communication and warm relationships. It focuses on helping teenagers work within agreed limits.

S o m e t im e s teenagers might behave in ways that test limits or break rules. In these situations you might need to use consequences.

Teenage discipline: the basics

Discipline isn’t about punishment. It’s about guiding children towards appropriate ways to behave. For teenagers, discipline is about agreeing on and setting appropriate limits and helping them behave within those limits.

When your child was younger, you probably used a range of discipline strategies to teach him the basics of good behaviour. Now your child is growing into a teenager, you can use limits and boundaries to help him learn independence, take responsibility for his behaviour and its outcomes, and solve problems.

Your child needs these skills to become a young adult with her own standards for appropriate behaviour and respect for others. An important part of this is learning to stick to some clear rules, agreed on in advance, and with agreed consequences.

Teenagers don’t yet have all the skills they need to make all their own deci-

guyanatimesgy.com

strategies for teenagers sions, so the limits you agree on for behaviour are an important influence on your child.

Teenage discipline is most effective when you: * Communicate openly with your child – this allows you to talk about how the limits and rules are working, and guide your child towards good choices * Build and maintain a warm and loving family environment – this helps your child feel safe to make mistakes. Children with warm family relationships learn to control their own behaviour, especially when guided by parents.

Agreeing on clear limits

Clear limits and expectations can discourage problem behaviour from happening in the first place. Limits also help your child develop positive social behaviour, including showing concern for others.

Here are some tips for setting clear limits: * Involve your child in

working out limits and rules. When your child feels that you listen to her and she can contribute, she’ll be more likely to see you as fair and stick to the agreed rules. * Be clear about the behaviour you expect. It can help to check that your child has understood your expectations. For example, a rule like ‘Please come home after the movie’ might mean one thing to you, but something different to your child. But you can say it more precisely – for example, ‘Come straight home after the movie ends and don’t go anywhere else’. * Discuss responsibilities with your child. For example, ‘I’m responsible for providing for you. You have responsibilities too, like tidying your room’. * Agree in advance with your child what the consequences will be if he doesn’t stick to the rules you’ve agreed on. * Use descriptive praise when your child follows through on agreed limits.

For example, ‘Thanks for coming straight home from the movie’. * Be willing to discuss and adjust rules as your child shows responsibility or gets older – for example, by extending your child’s curfew.

Different families have different standards and rules for behaviour.

To check whether yours are realistic and reasonable, you could talk with parents and friends who have children of the same age. Many schools can also help with guidance.

Using consequences as part of teenage discipline

Sometimes your child might behave in ways that

test your limits or break the rules you’ve agreed on.

One way to deal with this is by using consequences.

Here’s how.

Make the consequence fit. If you can make the consequence fit the misbehaviour, it gets your child to think about the issue and can feel fairer to your child too. For example, if your child is home later than the agreed time, a fitting consequence might be having to come home early next time.

Withdraw cooperation. This strategy aims to help your child understand your perspective and to learn that she needs to give and take. It also helps your child understand that every action has a consequence. By doing the right thing, your child can get a positive consequence. But doing the wrong thing will mean she gets a negative consequence.

For example, if your child wants you to drive him to social outings, you could say you’ll do this if he follows the rules. Try to avoid making this into a bribe.

Let your child know beforehand that you might withdraw your cooperation as a consequence for misbehaviour. For example, ‘If you’d like me to keep driving you, you need to come home on time. If you’re late, I won’t drive you next time’.

Withdraw privileges.

This consequence should be used sparingly – if you use it too much, it won’t work as well. The idea is to remove something that you know your child enjoys – for example, going to a friend’s house, access to technology, or access to activities. You need to let your child know in advance that this is what you plan to do, so that she can weigh up whether losing the privilege is worth it.

You don’t need to withdraw privileges for a long time for this consequence to be effective. Aim for a short withdrawal that occurs within the few days following the misbehaviour.

Reinforcing consequences. Whatever consequence you choose, these strategies might help to reinforce it.

Communication. It’s important to explain calmly and clearly what the problem is to your child. Tell him how he hasn’t stuck to the rules you agreed on, and let him know that you’ll be applying the agreed consequence.

Self-reflection.

The idea is to encourage your child to think about her behaviour and how it could be different in the future.

You can talk with your child about the agreement you had, and what she thinks should happen as a consequence of breaking it. Often teenagers will be much harsher than their parents. This allows you to settle on future consequences that you both see as fair.

Why teenagers test the limits

Teenagers have the job of developing into independent adults. One way they do this is to test boundaries, and then see how others react to their behaviour.

This teaches them what the social expectations are.

As they get feedback, they learn what’s expected.

On top of this the teenage brain goes through massive growth and development during adolescence. As a result teenagers try new things but don’t always make good decisions.

They’re more influenced by peers. And they feel things more intensely than you do.

At the same time, teenagers are getting better at seeing the big picture and reasoning. This means they question their world more and use creative ways to solve problems.

For all these reasons, it might sometimes feel like you’re on a collision course with your child. But you can work around obstacles with your child and guide him away from tricky situations. (raisingchildren.net.au)

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bauxite Union begs Govt for help …workers told Govt approved arbitrary 1% salary increase

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atters have come to a halt at the Russian Aluminium Company, Rusal, with operations shut down and workers protesting an arbitrary one per cent salary increase were asked to leave the company’s premise.

This all occurred on Friday in the company’s Region 10 holdings, when the workers decided to strike because of the meagre one per cent increase – an increase, the workers have been informed, that was sanctioned by the Government of Guyana itself.

It is understood that not only were the dissatisfied employees told not to return to work, they were also threatened with dismissal after they initiated the strike action. However, Under Article 147 of the Constitution of Guyana, striking workers are afforded protection.

The company, in a letter dated February 15, 2019, which was seen by this publication noted that management had no alternative but to close the mine area due to the withdrawal of labour by workers attached to the Mining Equipment/Mobile Equipment Maintenance Department.

It noted that work was halted in the Department

Rusal’s operations in Region 10

until further notice. “All affected workers are asked to leave the premises of the company with immediate effect,” the letter went on to state.

This publication understands that there was a meeting between management and employees on Saturday.

The workers are reportedly seeking a 15 per cent increase instead. General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU), Lincoln Lewis also met with affected workers on Saturday.

During the meeting, issues such as wage increases, living quarters and transportation were reportedly discussed. Regional ViceChairman Elroy Adolph in an invited comment said employees were very dis-

turbed over the rate of the increase, but have faith in the Workers Union.

“Nobody is working. All the vehicles parked and I was told they are not working, they put them out the mines. It’s just the supervisors and maybe one or two pump attendants are there, but almost all the workers are off the mines,” Adolph stated, noting that the workers are being backed by the Union.

Sovereignty at stake

Meanwhile, a press release from the GBGWU on Friday noted that the striking workers being threatened with dismissal demonstrates that sovereignty is at risk.

“This is an embarrassment to all Guyanese. The workers’ protest was re-

sponded to by management at a meeting held where they were brutally told that they will be fired if they do not return to work within the day; that they can seek redress wherever they want, and to hell with the Government.

The operation at the mines and maintenance departments have come to a halt,” the Union said.

According to the Union, Article 147 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana protects the right to strike, noting that in the collective bargaining process, strike is considered an industrial weapon to be used whenever the circumstances become necessary.

“All are reminded that since December 2009, under the noses of successive Governments, BCGI has been engaged in a series of violation of the law and transgressing of the workers’ rights. The management continues to refuse to treat with the recognised Union of the workers’ choice, the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GBGWU),” the Union added.

It went on to state that the Union stands in solidarity with the workers in the exercise of their basic rights. GBGWU called on all Guyanese to understand the struggles faced by these workers, to empathise with them, and to lend them

support. According to the Union, the continued violation of the workers threatens multiple family units and the entire communities within which they reside.

The threat to one is a threat to all, the Union stated, noting that injustice “here is an injustice everywhere”. As such, the Union also called on the Government and also on the Opposition to help the workers by intervening in the matter.

“In this period of political division and external tension with our neighbour Venezuela that is facilitating a growing presence of

Russia in its ongoing pursuit of geopolitical relevance, is management’s new threats and intensified violation a strategy we must pay attention to,” the Union stated.

More so, it added that in the context of a heated upcoming election and the exploitation of oil and gas resources, the matter is no longer a simple labour issue.

“There seems to be a hidden agenda with potentially dangerous consequences that both the Government and Opposition should take immediate action on. This is about sovereignty and national interest,” the release said.

PPP hosts historical... from page 3

Highlighting that domestic credit of commercial banks to the central bank increased by a whopping $259 million whilst domestic credit to the Private Sector grew marginally by 12 per cent, Ali pointed out that this shows a contraction in the Private Sector with less borrowing and this is a direct result of no new businesses opening and very limited expansion in existing businesses.

As such, he noted that in the future, it is imperative to critically analyse spending priorities and cut out waste.

“Going forward, we can-

not afford to manage the economy on tradition indicators and ratios. Instead, we have to manage our economy to ensure sustainable development which balances economic growth with social development and environmental priorities.

The development must be felt by every Guyanese. In this regard, we have to focus on issues of inequality, income distribution, vulnerability of at-risk communities and groups so as the tide of the economy rises, all would be placed in a better position,” Ali asserted.

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt signs off on more State Boards …nearly 2 months after no-confidence resolution’s passage

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ith the countdown to constitutionally due elections approaching, the coalition Government is giving the go-ahead for several more State Boards to function.

However, the legality of such moves could be the subject of much contention since acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, has declared that the Cabinet was effectively resigned with the passage of the no-confidence resolution on December 21, 2018.

According to Saturday’s Official Gazette, dated February 16, 2019, State Minister Joseph Harmon signed off on the approvals for five Boards on February 7, 2019. These approvals have come after Justice George’s ruling as opposed to previous approvals which were signed off days before the court’s determination.

However, in this regard, the Government notice observed that it was not Cabinet that considered the nominees but the ‘Ministerial Plenary’, - a body which is meeting and has the powers of Cabinet would but is not actually Cabinet as Minister Harmon claimed late last week. Among the constitutional Bodies that recently garnered approval was the Guyana Prison Service Training Board which came into operation

from February 1, 2019, for one year and it is meant to be chaired by Murray Greenidge. The Guyana Prison Service Recruitment Board was also given oneyear life and will include Chairman Trevor Williams and acting Prisons Director Gladwin Samuels as one of its members.

Another Body approved was the Guyana Fire Service Recruitment and Training Board to be chaired by Richard Maughn and includes members such as Randolph Alfred and Deborah Thomas.

The 10-member Guyana Prison Service Agriculture Development Board was also given life while Firearms Licensing Board was similarly approved with Bert Sukhai as Chairman, Senior Government Psychiatrist, Dr Bhiro Harry and Attorney Kim Kyte-John included as members.

These Board approvals come against Government’s business as usual stance premised on the argument that the status quo should be preserved as the no-confidence resolution matters are before the court. It was earlier this month that this newspaper reported on several other Boards that were similarly given life post-December 21, 2018. When the January 31, 2019, court ruling was made, People’s

Progressive Party (PPP) Executive and former Attorney General under its tenure, Anil Nandlall, had told members of the media that the Party is likely to address the measures implemented by Cabinet after December 21, 2018, to see if those actions are illegal.

“There is no Cabinet in force in Guyana currently and that is very important… if they are illegal, those are issues we will have to take into account and address,” Nandlall had declared.

The previous State Boards that Government sought to give official approval in late January included the 15-member National Standards Council (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019); the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to be headed by Donald Sinclair (effective February 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020); the VAT Appeal Tribunal (June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2019) and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CACC) (February 1, 2019 to January 31, 2019).

Cabinet had also approved Governor Gobind Ganga as Chairman and Leslie Glenn as Deputy Chairman of the Bank of Guyana’s Board.

In January, Justice George declared that the 33-32 majority meant the

motion was carried. She observed that the President and the Ministers cannot remain in Government after three months which expires in March. This, she said, is in keeping with Articles 106 (6) and 106 (7). Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, 106 (7) goes on to state that, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” What this says is that Government will remain in office until the next President is swor``n in but not the Cabinet which advises the President.

UG allocates funds to nonexistent... from page 2

According to them, in 2013 the University only had one Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) and no Director of Strategic Initiatives.

As pointed out by the Unions, each DVC, as well as strategic initiatives has a unit with “ever-increasing staff”– so there are costs for each unit as well as for the person in charge of the unit and his/her salary and benefits. The workers said they would like to know whether any analysis has ever been done of the costs of each unit balanced against the benefits they bring to the University.

As such, the staffers attached to the University are calling on its Council to exercise proper financial oversight. The workers said they wish to have a forensic audit done to help answer the questions outlined, especially since information gained by a forensic audit would enable all parties to have an objective and factual way forward in dealing with the many matters related to the University’s finances A group of employees attached to the University Turkeyen Campus on Tuesday picketed the ViceChancellery, calling for audits into the spending of the University as it is allegedly unable to properly account for its expenditures and more so, offer a salary increase to its staffers although tuition fees have been increasing annually.

Another…

I

…PNC/AFC democratic breach?

t’s a fact of life that in the elections season, incumbent governments will try to get away with slipping in some campaigning and pass it off as “just doing our (official) job, man”!! When in the Opposition back in 2011 and 2015, the PNC/APNU and AFC really went after the then PPP Government for the practice – ranging from the $10,000 coupons they’d distributed for years to handing out some All-Terrain Vehicles to a couple of Amerindian villages!

But the practices of the PPP look like playing tiddlywinks and pale into insignificance when compared to what’s unfolding across the country with the APNU/AFC coalition.

Why, just this weekend, 19 Ministers – almost the entire Cabinet, now dubbed a “plenary”!! - will be flying into the Rupununi, with their entourages! – to visit 28 Amerindian villages!!

And just before this expedition - larger than the one led by the GDF in 1969 to put down the Rupununi Rebellion!

– David Patterson, the Public Infrastructure Minister, announced that the Government will be building a 1.5MW solar farm and refurbishing the Hydro Plant at Moca Moca to light up the southern savannahs while launching a consultancy to build a US$4 billion international airport for Lethem!! And that’s not all, since god knows when the long promised asphalted highway between Linden and Lethem will be started, large sections will be rehabilitated immediately!! And that’s just in ONE WEEKEND FOR ONE REGION!!

But not to worry…according to the Cabinet…oops!

“Plenary” spokesperson Harmon, this massive Rupununi outreach wasn’t Govt campaigning!! It was “interactions” with the villagers that just coincidentally were occurring while Granger decides when he’ll stop trampling on the Constitution and announce elections for March 19. But what made the blatant abuse of state resources more galling was their contempt for Indigenous Peoples.

The PNC-led APNU and AFC obviously feel they will be persuaded to vote for them after their blatant act of “vote buying”!

Their view of Indigenous Peoples is “they don’t know better” and will forget their 4 years of neglect just because of these empty promises flying thicker than the swarms of sand-flies that descend on the Rupununi in the evenings!!!! Adding insult to this injury was the AFC General Secretary Marlon Williams explicitly promising at his press conference earlier in the week that State resources won’t be used for elections campaigning!! “We have safeguards…it is not the practice of the AFC or the APNU in elections past to have ever used State resources to carry on campaigns”!!

Well, we now know what the “promises” of these jokers are worth when in this most critical area - not to abuse state resources – they’re broken in the blink of the eye!!

…PNC/AFC economic brigandage?

The politicians finally wised up to what every Guyanese who receive their regular “frek” from their visiting relatives from “foreign”, knew for months. That Cambio dealers have been greeting them like lost brothers when they show up to exchange their greenbacks and giving them rates such as they’d never heard of before!! $216 to one?? That’s nothing!!

What’s going on? Well, your Eyewitness was told that it all boils down to the old relationship between supply and demand, which is supposed to be guiding all our decisions in the age of neo-liberalism. There just ain’t as much greenbacks circulating as there used to be. But most interestingly, local banks have been offering a much cheaper rate than Cambios. What gives?? According to the Opposition Leader, the Government has issued a circular INSTRUCTING them to do so!!

Which means that once again, the PNC is intervening by dictating to the foreign exchange market to prop up an artificial rate.

Showing once again, they haven’t a clue on running a free enterprise economy!!

…false equivalence?

ANUG Leader Ralph Ramkarran warned that a “constitutional crisis” is nigh upon us – triggered by the PNC/AFC’s refusal to hold constitutionally mandated elections by March 19.

Yet he said the Govt and the Opposition must “compromise”.

What’s the Opposition got to do with it??

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

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Hitmen confess to being paid $2M to kill Chinese businessman

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wo men, who were arrested on Thursday last after a Chinese businessman was lashed in the face with a hammer in what was believed to be a robbery attempt at Skeldon, Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), have confessed to having been paid to murder the businessman.

According to reports, on Thursday, the two bandits drove up in a heavily tinted Toyota Primo motorcar and entered the window-making factory.

Guyana Times was told that the men walked up to the businessman and hit him with the hammer to the face.

According to reports, the men were seen rushing out of the building, hurriedly entering the waiting car before it sped away. The businessman was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he was admitted a patient.

Meanwhile, based on the description and number plate given to Police by persons in the area, Police

intercepted a car at a roadblock on the Corentyne.

According to Police, only the driver was in the vehicle and his address was given as Lodge, Georgetown.

The Police noted that the driver could not give a reasonable explanation as to why he was in Berbice. He was taken into custody.

Meanwhile, at Number 50 Village, Police arrested another man who could not give a reasonable explanation for being in Berbice.

He is from Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

This newspaper was told that both men confessed to being paid $1 million each by a city businessman to kill the Chinese man.

The suspects claimed in their confession statement that the money was sent to them via a taxi driver.

As Police continue their investigation, they are on the hunt for two other men from Georgetown in connection to the murder.

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibo Coast toddler drowns – poverty-sticken parents appeal for help to maintain surviving children, unborn child

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family has plunged into mourning following the unexpected death of two-year-old Ricardo Jaigobin of Reliance Seawall, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) who is suspected to have drowned.

Reports are the toddler died in a trench in front of his grandparents’ home at about 09:15h on Thursday.

On Saturday, when this publication visited the family’s home, the distraught relatives were still coming to grips with the loss of the child.

Investigations revealed that he two-year-old trotted

Deceased: Ricardo Jaigobin

off to his grandparent’s home at the seawall squatting area as he would usually do. His

grandfather said he was in the garden at the time.

However, when his mother, Shavanie Persaud, went to collect young Ricardo, he was not seen. Suspicions grew as the grandmother, Basmattie Sooknarine, related to her that she too had not seen her grandson. Family members recalled that they began to search on land for Ricardo but only sought to venture to the trench after their search yielded no success.

A young man in the area who was assisting the family in the search jumped into the waterway and found the lad motionless in the trench

Mukesh Jaigobin, his common-law wife, Basmattie Sooknarine and their four remaining children at their Reliance Seawall, Essequibo Coast home

in front of his grandparents’ home.

He was immediately picked up and rushed to Suddie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, police in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) related that no marks of violence were seen on the boy’s body as the family awaits a post-mortem examination.

His father, Mukesh Jaigobin, is a labourer and related that they have been squatting near the seawall for over 20 years.

His common-law wife, Shevanie Persaud, a mother of five, said she is seven months pregnant. The housewife said her eldest child is 11 years old.

It was explained that the boy was already talking and

walking and in one of the few pictures the family has of him, he was seen as a young and enthused cricketer ready to bat.

On the verge of tears, Persaud said the family is very poor and called for the public’s assistance as they continue to cope in their time of sorrow.

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Roof at Leguan Hospital staff quarters falling apart

Race and slavery

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ome would dismiss the ubiquity of race and racism but these constructs, arising out of a European 18th century discourse that ran parallel with the European conquest of the rest of the world and especially with the justification of African slavery, but these are still omnipresent.

As we wrote last week, race and racism", are part and parcel of the "Western Enlightenment," imposed as one weapon in the European arsenal of imperialistic conquest even as it spoke loftily of ‘freedom and equality and democracy.

Notable names such as Hume, Kant and Hegel were involved in the project on race, which gave a social significance to physical markers. And if the world, including Guyana wants to resolve the “race” problem, it will have to confront these roots that still undergird our worldview.

The institution of slavery was the apotheosis of “unfreedom”.

In the words of Orlando Patterson, “The social construction of freedom was made possible by the relation of slavery. Slavery had to exist before people could even conceive of Ravi Dev the idea of freedom as a value, that is to say, find it meaningful and useful, an ideal to be striven for…Slavery immediately made possible something that had never existed before: the absolute, unprotected, unmediated power of life and death of one person over another.”

Thus in our concrete circumstances in Guyana, we cannot talk about politics leading to “freedom and equality” unless we are willing to extricate those terms from a word view that defines certain individuals as the very essence of the antithesis of those terms. Some easily gloss over our political impasse on account of our “polarisations”. They miss the nature of Guyanese politics - primarily because they take an ahistorical and static gaze at the problematic of “polarisation”.

Polarisations, we would know, effect as well as affect. What is the nature of the cleavage that has divided us? What was the discourse that inscribed it in our psyches and practices?

The “old politics” that has proven so disastrous to us arose out of the famous PPP split of 1955 and the subsequent insistence of its two factions that they each transcended the ‘polarisations” of the society. They knew it was a lie. We knew it was a lie. But we all went along. When the PNC is in power, Indians by and large do not confer legitimacy on them and the same holds true for the PPP and Africans. But we all go along, skipping blithely down the path of perdition singing “One Nation, One People, One Destiny”. We were supposed to ignore the performative contradictions of that ditty even as our ethnic security dilemmas played out to their tragic dénouement.

The fatal flaw of Guyanese politics are the (at best paternalistic and at worse, racist) politicians, who insisted they know better than the people: they would “only use” race as an expedient to obtain power, but that once ensconced in office, they would govern on everyone’s behalf.

They ignore that ends are nothing but consummated means.

The Europeans had ruled for centuries on the Liberal premise that we natives had to be “tutored” since we hadn’t quite reached the requisite enlightenment standard of reason.

Our early politicians, drinking deep from the dogmas of Marxism-Leninism (which shared the Enlightenment premise of “progress” through standards of “rationality”), insisted that the problematic of race/ethnicity was a backward one.

What was the socialist content of ‘race”? slyly queried the “conciliatory” Burnham, to the “conciliatory” Dr Jagan as late as 1977. The people, however, knew that race/ethnicity was real – their quotidian experience, starting from their insertion into Guyana demonstrated that while unity and brotherhood may be shouted from the pulpits, power was always in the hands of a particular race/ethnic group. They had to deal with that and that was real. The “ethnic enclaves” are bounded by the inequitable reverberations of race and power.

The damage of two hundred years of slavery is not the same as the seventy of indentureship and neither will be erased by merely “strik(ing) a conciliatory tone”. The damage does not only project outwards. The question of identity is not an insignificant one: indeed I believe it is the paramount one in the post-colonial world. Maybe the debilitating racist, hegemonic structures inscribed inside our heads may ultimately be a simulacrum but, “if men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.”

Jumping off the world is not an option if the force of gravity still governs all matter.

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taff at the Leguan Cottage Hospital, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are being forced to battle a wood-ant infested, leaking roof and are calling on the regional administration to quickly rectify the situation.

Reaching out to Guyana Times on Saturday, an employee reported that the roof in the staff quarters is falling apart due to the damage by the large wood ants’ nests and when it rains then it leaks. Additionally, sections of the ceiling have fallen off.

According to the staffers, the issue started over a year ago and they would have reported it to the authorities but very little effort was made to have it addressed in the early stages. During the latter part of 2018, a team from the regional administration met with the staffers on the island where a number of issues were discussed with the staff quarters being the main focus.

“When we had the meeting we told the regional team about the issues and they promised to have it rectified in the shortest time possible. But we are still waiting. They have it in the budget but we don’t see them acting because this is a priority. At any time the roof can cave in and fall down on us. We can even get sick with the wood ants them,” a staff related.

When contacted, Regional Information Officer Ganesh Mahipaul told this publication that they are aware of the issues at the hospital and corrective measures are being put in place. He acknowledged that they were only aware of the issues after the meeting with the staff at the hospital and took immediate steps to have rehabilitation included in their 2019 work plan.

“Budget 2019 has provisions to construct a new (or rehabilitated) staff quarter…they are going to get a good staff quarter.

Tendering of works are currently ongoing. We have already sent out tenders for the first set of works and are in the process of sending out tenders for the second and third set. So when those tenders are opened we will have the project beginning,” Mahipaul related.

He noted that at this time he could not reveal whether the tender for the rehabilitation of the staff quarters would be out soon but insisted that it is part of their 2019 work plan.

Hospital issues

Another issue raised by the residents as well as the staffers of the hospital was the absence of the X-ray facility despite a building being constructed and an X-ray machine procured.

The X-ray department at the hospital was expected to be fully functional before the end of 2017 but it is yet to be

A section of the damaged ceiling

functional.

According to the residents on the island, they

have received numerous promises that the hospital will be upgraded but they

have been waiting for over four years for the X-ray department. When asked about the lack of progress in this area, Mahipaul related that they encountered some difficulties but promised to have it up and running by the end of the second quarter.

“The X-ray Department, there are some complications which are technical in nature which the Ministry of Public Health is currently looking at in collaboration with the regional administration. We are working towards getting it up and running soonest.

The complications were beyond our control for last year considering the budgetary expenses. It is a priority for this year and it should be up and running before the second quarter,” he related.

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Blow to democracy

Communities Ministry lacks legal authority to manage LGC’s finances – former AG

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he Communities Ministry has no legal authority to manage any financial affairs of the Local Government Commission, judging from the Local Government Commission Act which provides for the agency to manage its own finances once approved by the National Assembly.

This was the position shared by former Attorney General and Attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall after senior officials from the Commission informed that payments for salaries and other dues were delayed after Permanent

Secretary of the Ministry, Emil McGarrell refused to countersign pertinent documents.

Nandlall said on his social media page that such efforts are regarded as a “naked interference” in the operations of the constitutional body.

“This Commission, by the express language of the Local Government Commission Act, is empowered to manage its own finances as approved by the National Assembly. The Ministry of Local Government has no legal authority whatsoever to manage or exercise

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

any supervisory role over the financial affairs of this Commission. Any attempt to

do so constitutes a naked interference with the functioning of an independent constitutional Commission.”

He mentioned that the refusal to release money to the LGC is considered another manifestation of authoritarianism on the part of the coalition Government.

“The democratic tapestry of Guyana’s constitutional democracy is quickly being unravelled by the brazen authoritarianism being displayed by this Government.

The refusal to release money to the Local Government Commission is but yet another manifestation of this authoritarianism,” Nandlall stated.

According to the attorney, the Commission was created in accordance with Article 78A of Guyana’s Constitution and the Local Government Commission Act. One of the main functions was to ensure that the Communities Minister act within his capacities.

However, a move to cashstarve the constitutional body could mean that the

agency may lose its capacity to operate independently.

“An examination of both the genesis and the nature of the functional responsibilities of this Commission drives one to the inescapable conclusion that it is an independent Body that is statutorily and constitutionally autonomous. Its fiscal autonomy is obviously an indispensable component of its overarching independence. One of its functions is to ensure that the Minister with responsibility for Local Government does not exceed or abuse his authority and mandate. If this Commission becomes beholden to this Ministry for its financial sustenance, then it loses its independence absolutely,” the attorney asserted.

Chairman of the Commission, Mortimer Mingo and other Commissioners told media operatives on Friday that it has been two months since salaries and utilities were paid, resulting in the disconnection of their cellular services.

He used the platform to state that the agency has exhausted all avenues to address the matter. According to him, the Commission submitted a budget on December 14, 2018, which was later approved by Parliament.

However, when the expense record was submitted on January 14, 2019, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Emil McGarell, said that the 2019 budget for salaries was not in agreement with that of public service workers, hence he would not sign-off for payments.

As such, the LGC opted to settle the matter through a meeting with McGarell on January 28 but the Permanent Secretary did not withdraw his decision of not signing the documents.

He stressed that these salaries were effective since last July and no objections were made by the Finance Ministry prior to this letter.

Letter to President

Their last resort is to wait for President David Ganger to intervene since he was in receipt of a letter which highlighted the problem. The Chairman said that they are waiting for a few days to see what will be done.

“We have written to the Head of State seeking his intervention. He would have responded to us and we are going to see what level of intervention he would have made over the next couple of days,” Mingo said.

Commissioner Clement Corlette had clearly stated that this act is viewed as a way of stymieing the operations of the organisation.

He raised the idea that the Commission was eliminating anomalies at local organs and this did not do well with the Ministry “We have been making prudent intervention into correcting the anomalies where it exist in the local Government system.

That Ministry that was first tasked with that responsibility apparently is not too happy with the progress we’re making so they set out to stymie it,” Corlette ascertained.

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SUnDAY, february 17, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

As public debt continues to climb

Guyana signs on for US$31M more in loans from IDB – external public debt stands at US$1.265B

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he Government has signed two new loans with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), totalling US$31 million; monies that Government says will go towards areas of trade and energy.

This was revealed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, during a recent press conference. Harmon revealed that Finance Minister Winston Jordan signed the agreements on February 11.

Part of the monies includes financing for a single window trade system which is meant to simplify transactions. Monies will also go towards improving service from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and other energy-related expenses.

“The loans, which were signed on the sidelines of the recently concluded Eight Annual Caribbean Governors’ Meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank, will finance the establishment of

an electronic single window for trade, as well as the energy matrix diversification.”

“It is expected that the electronics single window will reduce transaction costs, data requirements, simplify trade processes through enhanced inter-agency cooperation and align Guyana with international best practices.”

According to Harmon, this will result in improved service from the various Ministries to agencies and

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

businesses involved in the import and export of goods.

When it comes to funding for energy, the Minister noted that the Department of Energy would be coordinating this.

“The energy matrix diversification and strengthening of the department of energy project to be executed by the Guyana Energy Agency and the Guyana Power and Light will realise investments in newer and more sustainable energy solutions for hinterland communities.”

According to Harmon, the funding will also “im-

prove the reliability and stability of the Demerara Berbice interconnected system and help the department of energy to develop a regulatory framework, improve its capacity and governance of the oil and gas sector”.

The IDB is one of several external creditors to Guyana. As of 2017, Guyana had a total public debt of $344.9 billion.

According to the 2017 edition of the Public Debt Annual Report, this was an increase of 4.4 per cent in one year. turn to page 18

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Mashramani 2019

The EPA launches Children’s Float Parade brings its first fusion of culture, excitement magazine

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The Education Department of Region Eight portraying Guyana’s flora and fauna

Oil and gas making its mark in Guyana’s Mash celebration as a newfound resource

By Rupa Seenaraine

P

arading through Georgetown with artistic costumes that captured our diverse culture, every region of Guyana was represented as revellers of all age groups presented their pieces at the annual children’s float parade on Saturday.

Gyrating to popular soca music from local artistes, their energy only increased under the midmorning sun which demanded constant hydration.

It seemed as though the cheers of spectators along the journey fueled their bodies to keep on moving without hesitation, enjoying the kaleidoscope of colours.

Beginning at Parade Ground, the children took the traditional route as they made their way along Middle Street, turning onto Camp Street, then Lamaha Street and at last, Albert Street which led to the final venue - the National Park.

Revellers from the nursery level were tasked with celebrating Guyana’s flora and fauna while the primary bands highlighted folklore myths and beliefs. The secondary school bands showcased a futuristic approach, aimed at technologies and industrial processes which Guyana is expected to execute in the coming years.

One of the costumes which left the crowd astonished was from the Department of Education from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which was laden with historical structures such as the St George’s Cathedral and Stabroek Market.

Acting Regional Education Officer, Tiffany Harvey represented the band and told Guyana Times, “We’re portraying our economy, where we want to be and where we want to get Guyana on the international market.”

St Barnabas School entertaining the audience at the National Park

A float representing a revolutionised Guyana through technological advancements

Little energetic students from St Christopher Nursery were decorated with flowers and bees, creating more than just a spectacle. They were led by seven teachers, one of whom emphasised that they are bringing out the “Garden of Good Values”.

She said, “Our children are so small, so it is very imperative that we teach them good values and moral as stepping stones for life.”

Rondella Williams came from as far as Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to partake in her region’s float. She noted that the preparations were very difficult but it was rewarding as they were hoping to win in the respective category.

However, Ayeisha Dueva of Tucville Secondary School said their band entered the competition for the excitement.

“We’re in it to win it. We’re showcasing our robot in black and gold. His name is Bumblebee. For us, we’re just here to enjoy ourselves,” the roisterer

posited.

Graham’s Hall Primary also executed an impressing float, taking the folklore beliefs seriously with Kanaima disguised as a jaguar.

Carrying the humongous float, Luhana Cockfield related, “It depicts an Amerindian man called a Kanaima which turns itself into any animal but the most common animal is a jaguar and that’s the one we’re doing.”

While the streets were seemingly embedded with hundreds of revellers, this was countered with scores of onlookers, watching on keenly at the moves but moreover, psyched about the intricate outfits which matched perfectly with each other and, of course, the floats.

Brenda Rodney, a regular at the event said, “I think it’s very nice. It’s good to see that they’re so rejuvenated about what they’re doing and what it’s all about. It’s a good initiative and it’s really large and colourful.” turn to page 18

“Green Note” n an era of global environmental change, environmental issues are at the forefront now, more than ever before, and rightly so, with the eminent threat of climate change and other environmental hazards apparent. At the Environmental Protection Agency, one of our functions is to ensure public participation in environmental management and to educate the public on the impact of developmental activities. We believe education is vital for transformative action, to build awareness, and prompt conversations about the current realities of our planet and provide impetus for solutions. With this goal in mind, the Agency is pleased to announce its inaugural magazine publication, “Green Note – (Notes on the Environment)”. The launching of the Green Note can be seen as a step forward for the Agency, as we seek to expand our communication platforms and enlighten the public on not only the work of the Agency, but also current environmental events through a convenient and “easy-to-read” medium.

The key purpose The Agency is committed to raising awareness and educating the public on pertinent matters relative to human health and the environment. The Environmental Protection Act, Chapter 20:05, Laws of Guyana, mandates the Agency to “provide information and education to the public…” on matters relating to environmental conservation and management.

Ultimately, this reader friendly magazine comes on the heel of the Agency TV programme, “The Environment Matters” and complements the existing communication and awareness tools. The Green Note is intriguing and captures not only articles about the EPA and its work but a wide cross section of stakeholders from non-governmental organisations, the Private Sector, Government Ministries etc. There is an article of interest to everyone, including youths and children.

Additionally, the magazine provides an overview of the country’s implementation of the Green State Development Strategy.

What’s inside?

As readers flip through the pages of the magazine, there is something for everyone – young and old.

The Agency is proud of this accomplishment, and is confident that this publication will increase the organisation’s visibility and positively change the public’s perception of EPA as the lead environmental regulator in Guyana. Likewise, Green Note serves as a conduit for relevant and up-to-date information being diffused into the public and private domains; locally, regionally and internationally. Within this publication, there are features that would interest; to farmers who might be intrigued by green technology used in agriculture; a teacher looking to start an environmental club; a house-wife looking to find sustainable ways of disposing domestic waste; a developer seeking information of Environmental Authorisation; or anyone interested in the measures that are taken locally to transition Guyana into a Green State.

The launch The Green Note magazine was officially launched on Friday, February 15, 2019, at the Umana Yana.

Representatives from various private and Government organisations, were invited to witness this historical event. The Agency will be distributing many more to all the Ministries and other agencies. The general public can view the magazine at various public outlets such as the National Library or access the digital version online.

The Agency hopes readers take advantage of this opportunity to get a first- hand look inside the EPA and explore the many intricacies and facets of our dynamic environment. The Agency looks forward to continued support as we synergise our efforts to make greater inroads for a sustainable and prosperous Guyana. The Agency hopes that readers select the Green Note as their companion whether in the comforts of a living room or waiting room or on a long flight. We assure you that it will be an enjoyable and interesting read!

You can make contact to the Agency on 225-5471-2; www.epaguyana.org or epaguyana on Facebook, Ganges Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, should you have questions regarding Environmental Authorisation.

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NIS seeking to change pension payment system ey to the bank. Some of them are saying ‘we don’t have a bank account’ and so in that case we need to allow it to remain as it is,” she said.

Since some pensioners are comfortable with the old system, persons will be given a choice to receive their monies through a bank, or at post offices.

Foreign currency shortage – Guyana heading into an economic crisis

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eaders of this column would recall that in April 2017 and July 2018 this author dealt with this issue of foreign currency shortages. The findings and conclusions on the issue back then remained virtually the same again on the current issue of a shortage. However, there are some new developments which were also predicted in the analysis of this author in previous writings way back in 2017.

In the previous articles published in the 2018 column, this column contended that an artificial shortage tends to be created from time to time wherein, the commercial banks, narrowing this down, two of the six commercial banks are the real culprits that distort the domestic market by investing a greater portion of their foreign currency balances in foreign assets abroad to simply earn higher returns and to prop up their profits, instead of focusing on lending wisely and more prudently in the domestic economy. Based on the last available data, the level of their foreign investments abroad is about US$200 million or more.

Bank of Guyana Foreign Exchange Intervention US$ Million Table 1.1

International Reserves & Foreign Assets for Jan – Dec 2018 US$ Million Table 1.2

Other key Macroeconomic Data for Jan – June (Half year reports)

US$ Millions Table 1.3

Source: Bank of Guyana Statistical Abstract Having said that, in June 2017, another series of articles were written on the economic impacts of the closure of the sugar estates where again – this analyst had argued that sugar is one of the largest export earning commodity for the country. Export earnings from sugar in 2013 amounted US$114.2 million and in 2015 was recorded at US$81 million. Therefore, by reducing the level of sugar production thereby reducing export of sugar, the obvious consequence is that foreign currency inflow will be reduced drastically, which will eventually deplete the country’s foreign reserves, the exchange rate will depreciate as there will be a shortage of foreign currency, the local currency’s value will deteriorate. Further, with a depletion of foreign assets or foreign currency, the country will not have the ability to import foreign goods. Think of all the commodities and consumable items, luxury goods which we currently enjoy, importation of such goods will be constrained. Sadly, this is what the future of the country will be like, given the destructive policies in this respect and the direction policymakers are seemingly heading in regards to the touted actions they are seriously considering to pursue with the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

Fast forward now to 2019, it is unfortunate to say the least that these predictions of two years ago have now manifested.

(The analysis of the data presented today will be continued next week).

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

NIS Public Relations Officer Dianne Lewis-Baxter

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s the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the agency is now moving to upgrade its pension payment system and is appealing to pensioners to submit their bank account numbers so that their monthly payments can be made through the banking system.

This was related to Guyana Times on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NIS, Dianne Lewis-Baxter, who was at the Giftland Mall, attending the entity’s public day.

“What we’ve been pushing also is for pensioners to have their monies sent to their bank accounts which is a little easier because of the crowds,” she said.

In this regard, the PRO explained that the NIS has already been forced to buy tents and additional chairs for some locations as pensioners generally crowd the locations, on a specific date to receive their monies.

According to her, the new pensioners are being encouraged to submit their bank account numbers so that their monies can be paid through that system. Asked how the response to this initiative has been, the official informed that the younger persons are already au fait with this system, as most are paid through banks, so no complaints have been recorded so far.

She, however, added that “The trouble is with the older folks who are on string for about 20 years now and here it is that NIS is now saying to get a book or send their mon-

Public day

Meanwhile, scores of persons seized the opportunity of the public day to have free blood sugar and pressure testing, by the trained medical team. Free advice on healthy sleeping and eating habits was also shared.

Other persons were able to check on statuses of claims that were made, while others

even had their lost NIS card replaced.

Although the NIS will observe its 50th anniversary in September, the agency has begun celebrating its golden jubilee. The celebrations kicked off on Thursday last with a prayer service which will be trailed by several others leading up to September. turn to page 18

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Santa Rosa residents call 1 month later City Hall finally to probe sewage for removal of Toshao

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illagers residing in the Amerindian community of Santa Rosa, Region One (BarimaWaini), on Friday last held a peaceful picketing exercise outside the Village Council’s office calling for the removal of the Toshao.

According to the protesters, their aim was to bring attention to the rising concerns regarding the conduct adopted by the community’s indigenous leader.

Village Toshao Whanita Phillips is being scrutinised for her alleged improper and unprofessional behaviour towards village Councillors as well as residents. One resident on the picket line said that the Toshao’s behaviour has forced residents to protest for her immediate removal.

According to a concerned resident, Phillips, who took office some nine months ago, adopted an autocratic leadership style, which includes all decision-making being undertaken by herself without consulting her batch of Councillors. According to a Councillor, the matter was reported to “high authorities” and the matter was addressed but after a short while, the resurgence of the autocratic behaviour reemerged.

“Miss Whanita Phillips took office for nine months, firstly she started to show her bias, improper and unprofessional conduct towards several Village Councillors and other villagers, she was corrected on several occasions by persons in authority about the

affecting Werk-en-Rust residents

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Santa Rosa residents standing outside the village office during the picketing exercise

behaviour but instead it get worst,” a Councillor told this publication.

Meanwhile, several Councillors told this publication that their leader is abusing her authority since the police are often called to lock-up anyone who tries to speak up about the issues affecting the village.

The Councillors also alleged that on several occasions, villagers, as well as Councillors, were thrown out of the meetings due to any disagreement in relation to their leader’s finalised decision.

Frustrated Councillors believe that such behaviour will hinder development within the Amerindian set-

tlement since numerous concerns raised by residents are not being addressed.

The Councillors said that they are hoping that the National Toshaos Council will intervene to bring a quick solution to the impasse or have the leader removed.

“If she sit there in office for three years, we will suffer, our generation will suffer due to her bias behaviour. We need her immediate removal from office because she is not fit to be a leader,” another Councillor added.

Efforts to contact Phillips and the National Toshaos Council for a comment on the matter proved futile.

ne month after this publication first reported that residents in Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, are being affected by a sewage issue as a result of an apparent leakage at a nearby hotel, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) have committed to intervening into the situation.

Public Relations Officer of the M&CC, Debra Lewis said on Saturday that she was unaware of the situation and will give the home, which is surrounded by sewage a visit.

The affected residents have been relying on the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) for assistance in having the waste pumped out for the past year. Efforts made by Guyana Times on Saturday to contact the public relations department of the water company proved futile.

The frustrated residents, who are forced to conduct their daily routines in a yard filled with sewage said they were confused and did not know who else to turn to for help.

They complained of being unable to use their washroom facilities as they please, owing to condoms and even sanitary napkins blocking up their systems.

One resident, who gave her name only as Tashana, said residents in the area were quite fed up of the situ-

The condition of one resident’s yard

ation as sewage keeps seeping into her yard.

The woman, whose home is on Princes Street, Georgetown, said that she has been trying to put up with the situation for about one year now, but it has landed her four-year-old son in the hospital already.

Tashana even noted that she too fell sick for four months and was off of her job as a result of the unpleasant fumes and materials that end up in her yard.

“The sewage is overflowing for about a year now.

Sometimes people come and they pump it out… [but] for about three months or so, I have stuff running through my yard,” the resident said.

According to her, every

time she makes a complaint about the issue, she is made to wait two to three months while being told “we’re working on it” before the authorities clean the sewage. The horrific situation would somehow reoccur in about a week’s time, causing her to have to wait again before it can be addressed.

The frustrated woman said her mother, who is a pensioner, lives with her and is often times forced to stay indoors given the situation.

The resident said that the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) usually handled the situation, so she has never made a complaint to the M&CC. She, however, said that GWI officials had warned the hotel owners about the issue.

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First Lady participates Sacked US man kills 5 co-workers, wounds 5 Cops in annual children’s cancer awareness walk A

Participants during the children’s cancer awareness walk held on Saturday

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he Giving Hope Foundation on Saturday hosted its third annual children’s cancer awareness walk in observance of International Childhood Cancer.

The cancer walk began at the National Park, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, and moved south into Camp Street, then west into Cowan Street, Kingston, and north into Main Street, after which it concluded at the sea walls

bandstand.

To show their support to the children battling with the life-threatening disease, First lady Sandra Granger took to the streets on Saturday morning where she was joined by Guyana’s representative of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), Dr William Adu-Krow.

Scores of children, mainly ones diagnosed with cancer, along with their parents

and other stakeholders of the non-profit organisation showed great excitement as they marched the streets of Georgetown to bring about cancer awareness.

Meanwhile, in concluding the walk, five children were presented with hampers in a simple handing over ceremony. The generous donations were made by the Giving Hope Foundation along with the Guyana Oil Corporation (GuyOil).

Children’s Float Parade...

Some covered themselves with large umbrellas while others embraced the sun and celebrated the activities as a family event. A few tourists who were passing also looked on at what was transpiring.

As the entourage left the asphalt thoroughfares, they made a dramatic entrance into the National Park at Thomas Lands where another show-stopping performance was executed. By then, persons were already trickling into the ground as they readied their eyes to

capture the routines.

This culminated in a series of activities such as dance, masquerade, calypso, dramatic poetry, physical display and singing, which were organised by the Education Ministry to usher in Guyana’s 49th Republic Day celebrations.

However, the Social Cohesion Ministry has a few items left to execute, which includes the Masquerade Jamboree at the Stabroek Square on February 21.

The Flag Raising Ceremony will be hosted on February

22 to usher in the annual Costume and Float parade on February 23. The Mashramani festivities do not end on February 23 this year, as a Champions in Concert activity is slated for March 9, in Mahdia Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Mashramani will be celebrated next Saturday under the theme “Celebrating 49 with victory in mind: Rediscovering El Dorado” where more persons are expected to participate in the Republic Anniversary commemoration.

NIS seeking to change...

Financial status

Since the dismissal of thousands of sugar workers and the firing of about 2000 Amerindian Community Support Officers (CSOs), financial analysts have outlined worry about the financial status of NIS. Last week, Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram in an interview with this publication on Guyana’s unemployment rate said that this may impact payments to NIS and income tax. According to the accountant, many persons do not see their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) deductions in the positive light of being a contribution to their future pension, but rather, they see it as a deduction from an already small salary.

Tax collection is not the

only thing taking a hit when there is large-scale unemployment, as NIS contributions are also affected. For instance, concern has been expressed that layoffs in the sugar belt could undermine the Scheme’s position.

This is particularly so if the Scheme were to pay unemployment benefits.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the idea of paying out these benefits did not take into account the current financial status of the Scheme and its ability to meet its current obligations.

He noted that the last actuarial report recommended that focus be placed on building the reserve to avoid a deficit. In fact, it was disclosed in that report that the life of the Scheme should come to an end by 2022 un-

from page 14

from page 15

less strategic plans for revenue earnings and expansion of the investment portfolio were effectively implemented. Jagdeo also referenced the thousands of dismissed sugar workers.

“What has happened since is that this Government has fired 7000 sugar workers, many others.

Let’s say maybe 20,000 more have lost their jobs. Take of the 20,000, just take another 8000 who were paying NIS, so those are people who are not contributing to NIS,” he explained.

This translates to decreased inflows for NIS and payouts that would remain constant or increase. In the last financial statement issued by the Scheme, it had showed a deficit of over $800 million.

US man being fired from his job shot dead five co-workers at a factory on the outskirts of Chicago and wounded five police officers before being gunned down himself, in the country's latest mass shooting.

The gunfire took place at 13:24h (1924 GMT) at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois, a suburb 40 miles (65 kilometres) west of Chicago, the country's third-largest city.

Police named the suspect as Gary Martin, 45, of Aurora. He was a 15-year employee of the company and "information that we have indicates that he was being terminated today (Saturday)," said Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman.

The shooting came the day after Nancy Pelosi, the powerful speaker of the House of Representatives, said gun violence is a "national emergency" far more real than the one President Donald Trump ultimately declared Friday to build his wall at the Mexican border.

Police Chief Ziman did not have further details about why Martin was being

A Police Officer guards the perimeter of the Shetland Business Park as the investigation continues into Saturday’s shooting at the Henry Pratt Company on February 16, 2019 in Aurora, Illinois.

fired, whether the killing was pre-meditated, or whether the victims were involved in his dismissal.

"Five employees were located deceased inside the building," and preliminary reports indicated they were killed before police arrived, Ziman told reporters.

One other employee was wounded but his life was not in danger, she said.

Responding to multiple calls about a shooting at the company, which supplies water valves and employs about 200 people, officers were immediately confronted by Martin. He shot and wounded two of them with a Smith & Wesson handgun, the chief said.

As other officers arrived

they entered the building, about half the size of a football field, to hunt for the retreating gunman and rescue people. Three more officers were shot but none of the five appeared to be in a critical condition, Ziman said.

Witnesses told local media the shooter was a disgruntled employee. They said they locked themselves in nearby buildings as he began firing.

John Probst, who was in the building when the shooting began but was able to escape, told the local ABC TV affiliate he recognised the gunman as a co-worker.

"What I saw was the guy running down the aisles with a pistol with a laser on it," he said. "We were just scared."

(AFP)

More Venezuela aid arrives in Colombia amid uncertainty over distribution

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US military transport plane carrying humanitarian aid meant for Venezuelans landed in the Colombian border city of Cucuta on Saturday, where food and medicine is being stored amidst uncertainty over how and where aid will be distributed.

The shipment will be the second arrival of large-scale U.S. and international aid for Venezuelans, many of whom have scant access to food and medicine, since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president in defiance of socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

Guaido, who invoked constitutional provisions to de-

clare himself the country’s leader last month, arguing Maduro’s 2018 re-election was a sham, has said aid will enter Venezuela on February 23.

But it remains unclear whether Maduro, who has called the aid a USorchestrated show and denies any crisis, will allow the supplies to cross into Venezuela.

Speaking in Caracas to supporters who had volunteered to help with the aid effort, Guaido said he would announce further details on Monday about how he planned to get aid into the country from Colombia, Brazil and Curacao despite Maduro’s opposition.

“We will organize our-

selves into brigades,” Guaido said, calling on the military to allow the aid through.

“The message we have to get through to the armed forces is that they have one week to do the right thing. Will you be on the side of your family and your people, or of the usurper who keeps lying?”

A US official told Reuters the aid delivered Saturday amounted to more than 200 tonnes, but a U.S. embassy representative said they had no measurements of the shipment. Colombia, whose President Ivan Duque refers to Maduro as a dictator, has said repeatedly that aid will not be distributed within its territory. (Reuters)

Guyana signs on for US$31M...

Even though Guyana’s indebtedness to external creditors has increased, so has debt servicing (repayments).

According to the Bank of Guyana Quarterly Report and Statistical Bulletin released last year, repayment of external debt grew by some US$24.3 million to US$85.3 million.

This is a rate of 59.1 per cent when compared to the corresponding period of 2017. This was not the case for domestic debt.

“Domestic debt service payments fell by 14.6 per cent to $726 million resulting mainly from a 23.2 per cent reduction in interest payments for treasury bills.

Interest payments for the 182- and 364-day bills fell by 38.7 per cent and 17.6 per cent to G$36 million and G$358 million respectively.”

“This position resulted mainly from competitive bidding primarily amongst the commercial banks compounded with lower interest yields during the review period,” the report outlines, a telling indicator.

The report had pegged the total hike in public debt at US$19 million. It divided this debt into external and domestic. External debt increased by a 1.5 per cent hike from a December position of US$1.241 billion. The report, therefore, pegged external debt at US$1.265 billion for the quarter.

When it comes to financing GPL, Government had signed a US$20 million loan last year with the Islamic Development Bank. This money was to be used to rehabilitate 153 kilometres of the power company’s me-

from page 13

dium and low voltage networks.

Previously, there was the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP) that was initiated in 2014, costing US$64 million and intended to rehabilitate GPL systems, as power outages continued to occur.

In 2014, the IDB had approved loans totalling US$37.6 million along with non-reimbursable investment financing from the European Union to help boost the efficiency and reliability of Guyana’s power system.

The IDB had said the project would be done through electricity loss reduction measures, improvements in the operational capabilities, and strengthening the management and corporate performance of GPL.

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Everest whips Trojans by 10 wickets – Adams hits unbeaten 53

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he action continued in the New Building Society (NBS) 2nd Division 40-Over Cricket Competition, as Everest faced off against the UG Trojans at Camp Road which saw Everest annihilating the Trojan side by 10 wickets.

Last week, Everest defeated the inform DCC and we’re aiming to carry their form into their Trojan fixture. Batting first, the UG Trojans were skittled out for 96 all out in 24 of their allotted 40 overs. For the Trojans it was a another bad day at the office as they struggled to find partnerships; the top batsmen – Linden Austin, Omesh Danram and Ershaad Ali – were no match for the Everest side, with the likes of Richie Looknauth, Raylex Payne and Javed Rasheed. The top scorers for the Trojan side were Suresh Dhanai with 23 and Ershaad Ali and Linden Austin with 12 runs a piece, as no one else

on the team could muster double figures.

In the end, Trojans could only muster 96 all-out as Richie Looknauth 8-37-2, Raylex Payne 5-25-3, Javed Rasheed 6-12-3 and Dwayne Adams 2-4-1 spearheaded the Everest bowling attack.

Needing a total of 97 for victory, Everest went about chasing their total in an aggressive manner. The first over of the match went for 8 runs as openers Ronaldo Renee and Captain Dwayne Adams took a liking to the Trojans bowling. From there on, it was complete carnage as Adams and Ronaldo chased the total down in 13.5, blasting maximums and boundaries to every part of the ground ending on 97 for the loss of no wicket. Top scoring for Everest were Dwayne Adams 53* (4x7 2x6) and Ronaldo Renee 35* (5x4). No Trojans bowlers contributed any substantial figures. (Timothy Jaikarran)

Dwayne Adams (53*) and Ronaldo Renee (35*) powered Everest to another win with an unbeaten 97 run partnership

Messi scores and Sri Lanka beat South Africa misses penalty in win – Kusal Perera hits 153* in 1-wicket win

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ionel Messi scored one penalty and missed another as Barcelona beat Real Valladolid to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga.

Messi scored his 30th goal of 2018-19 when he converted his first spot-kick after Michel had fouled Gerard Pique. Barcelona were awarded a second penalty when substitute Philippe Coutinho was brought down by Kiko Olivas, but this time Jordi Masip saved Messi’s strike.

Masip also made a number of saves to repeatedly deny Luis Suarez and Messi. The result leaves Barcelona seven points clear of Atletico Madrid, who won 1-0 at Rayo Vallecano earlier on Saturday.

Real Madrid are third, two points behind Atletico, and play their game in hand on Sunday when they entertain Girona at 11:00 GMT. With Barcelona facing Lyon in the opening leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, manager Ernesto Valverde opted to have Suarez and Ivan Rakitic among the substitutes, with former Tottenham and Portsmouth man Kevin-Prince Boateng starting.

Boateng had a low shot saved by Masip, who was with Barcelona from 2008 to 2017, but the visitors themselves wasted a glorious chance when they failed to convert a four-on-two counter-attack with Nacho overhitting the cross.

Within a minute of that Valladolid chance, Barcelona were ahead. Pique, playing his 300th La Liga match for the club, burst into the penalty area, Michel had his arms on his shoulders and Messi stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

Sergi Guardiola, a player sacked by Barcelona in 2015 within a day of joining them after historical tweets critical of the team and the region were discovered, was part of the Valladolid side and had a chance early in the second half, but shot narrowly wide from 25 yards out.

But the hosts continued to produce good chances as Masip made a brilliant save to keep out Messi’s volley and then denied substitute Suarez and Ousmane Dembele.

A quick passing move involving Suarez and Coutinho saw the latter brought down for Barcelona’s second penalty, but Masip pushed away Messi’s effort, which had been placed in the same position as the first.

Masip kept his side in it with another excellent save to deny Suarez, with Messi also shooting narrowly off target. However, despite a good performance from the visitors, they could not force an equaliser and they are now 15th, three points above the relegation zone.

(BBC Sport)

Kusal Perera

K

usal Perera had made only one century in his previous 27 Test innings. Kusal Perera hit an unbeaten 153 as Sri Lanka chased 304 to claim a stunning one-wicket win over South Africa in the first Test in Durban. He and Vishwa Fernando, who made six not out, added an unbroken 78 to rescue Sri Lanka from 229-9 on the fourth day.

It was the highest last-wicket stand in a successful fourth-innings chase in first-class cricket.” It was a superman effort,” said South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. “He (Perera) deserves all the accolades.”Perera said: “I’m a little tired now. I don’t know what to say.”

“I knew we couldn’t win this match by just scoring singles. When the time felt right for me, I took my chances.

“Vishwa told me, “I’ll hit the ball with my body, if nothing else. You do what you can.” I took a lot of strength from that. He did a huge job.”

A Sri Lanka defeat appeared the most likely prospect for much of the day, which began with the tourists 88-3 and left-handed Perera on 12.

Dhananjaya de Silva made 48 from number seven, adding 96 for the sixth wicket with Perera before a collapse of four wickets for 20 runs.

Perera was on 86 when he was joined by number 11 Fernando, who had returned match figures of 8-123 with the ball.

Fernando batted for more than an hour and faced 27 deliveries as Perera marshaled a brilliant partnership that spanned almost 16 overs.

The previous highest last-wicket stand to win a Test was 57 by Pakistan’s Inzamam-ulHaq and Mushtaq Ahmed against Australia in Karachi in 1994.

Perera’s innings, which occupied 200 balls and contained 12 fours and five sixes, was his highest score in 15 Tests. This victory was only Sri Lanka’s second in 14 Tests in South Africa. The second and final Test in Port Elizabeth starts on Thursday. (BBC Sport)

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guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, february 17, 2019

Ramdhani takes double gold in GUMDAC Tournament

T

he Guyana Badminton Association’s annual GUMDAC formance to defeat Ronald Chang Yuen Open Doubles Tournament served off at the National and Jonathan Mangra: 21-19, 13-21, Gymnasium on Friday evening with both the men’s and 22-20. ladies doubles being contested.

Over in the ladies quarter-final, Caribbean Champion Priyanna Ramdhani, who was al- some of the notable encounters saw lowed the play in the men’s division due to lack of competition Jayde DaSilva and Stephanie Sajar in the ladies event, teamed up with Avinash Odit in the Men’s defeating Kaya Boswick and Sacha Doubles to defeat last year’s champions Jonathan Mangra and Parmanand: 21-11, 21-12. While Ronald Chang Yuen in a trilling three setter. Priyanna then Roseann Bulkan and Anna Perreira teamed up with Prisilla Moore in the Ladies Doubles to win defeated Nina Ramdeholl and Kylie the Ladies Doubles by defeating Ayanna Watson and Christina Kumar.

Overall results: In the Men’s Doubles quarter-final stage, Tyrese Men doubles: Jeffrey and Akili Haynes defeated Easa Sanichara and 1st-Priyanna Ramdhani & Avinash Odit Jamal Shamsudeen: 21-9, 21-17. Darrell Carpenay and 2nd-Jonathan Mangra & Ronald Chang Yuen Avian Rodrigues made light work of Manoj Sharma and 3rd-Darrell Carpenay & Avian Rodrigues Mahender Sharma: 21-5, 21-4. 2018 champions Ronald 3rd-Akili Haynes & Tyrese Jeffrey Chang Yuen and Jonathan Mangra had a regular day at the office with a win over Damien Waithe and Shimron Ladies doubles: Lewis: 21-6, 21-3. And the unorthodox pair of Priyanna 1st-Priyanna Ramdhani & Priscilla Moore The finalists in the Men’s Doubles division Ramdhani and Avinash Odit overcame Vikash Mootoo 2nd-Ayanna Watson & Christina Kumar and Matthew Beharry: 21-8, 21-7. feated Roseann Bulkan and Anna Perreira: 21-12, 21-18 to 3rd-Roseann Bulkan & Anna Perreira The semi-final saw two exhilarating matches with 3rd-Jayde Dasila & Stephaine Sajar Anthon: 21-6, 21-9. book the final spots.

Ronald Chang Yuen and Jonathan Mangra defeating The semi-final saw The ladies final was a two-set encounter which saw the strong pair of Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffrey in a Ladies doubles consolotion rounds: a dominant Priyanna Priyanna Ramdhani and Pricilla Moore registering a win over three setter 21-18, 20-22, 22-20. While on the other hand, 1st-Nina Ramdeholl & Kalie Anthon Ramdhani and Ayanna Watson and Christina: 21-8, 21-11.

Priyanna Ramdhani and Avinash Odit had a two set win 2nd-Kaya Boswick & Sacha Permanand Pricilla Moore overThe Guyana Badminton Association expressed their gratover Darrell Carpenay and Avian Rodrigues: 21-15, 21coming Jayde DaSilva itude to Darrell Carpenay for hosting yet again the first tourMen doubles consolation rounds: 13. and Stephanie Sajar: nament in the year for the 7th year in succession. They also The final was definitely one to watch and often had 1st-Easa Sanichara & Jamal Shamsudeen 21-5, 21-8, while sought to thank Troy Cadogan of ANSA McL Trading for the the spectators on the edge of their seats as Priyanna 2nd-Matthew Beharry & Vikash Mootoo Ayanna Watson and light refreshments that were generously provided for the parRamdhani and Avinash Odit put on a scintillating perChristina Kumar de- ticipants.

Gopaul to defend his title as National Chess Champion – aims to make transition from Junior to Senior in bid to qualify for Russia 2020

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urrent reigning National Junior Chess Champion Joshua Gopaul has had many successes in his lifetime, but what he longs for the most are two things; to defend his Junior Championship title this year and to qualify for the national team participating in the 2020 Chess Olympiads in Russia.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, when asked about his accomplishments Gopaul said, “I am currently a student of the University of Guyana; I graduated from Saint Stanislaus College. I’ve won many local chess tournaments as a junior. I am currently the reigning National Junior Chess Champion.

In terms of the Russia Olympiads in 2020,

preparations have been coming along nicely. I’ve managed to develop opening repertoires suited for my style of play, tactics training alongside endgame studies and positional motifs have always been on my agenda. A key difference this year, however, is I’ve taken a keen interest in my health; particularly by joining the gym and ensuring I desist from skipping meals”.

“These may seem like small things but they are paramount to success, it can be said the state of one’s body is a direct reflection on the state of the mind. In the past I struggled with maintaining focus over the chessboard for extended periods of time. The result of this showed in my incredible prowess in the mid-

dle game and a steep decline with simple endgame blunders nullify any advantaged I may have accrued. As for the 2020 Olympiad, I have every intention of making the team as I will be officially a senior in that year. I hope to have a smooth transition and prove myself to be amongst the top players in our country”.

Gopaul also went on to state that besides being the reigning junior champion, he has been playing chess for some time now. He went on to recall that there was a rapid tournament just before the James Bond sponsored event where he managed to place first. He also reminiscence of winning his first chess tournament some time back in 2016 ahead of players Stalwart players such as Mars, Neto and Sheriffa when they were still juniors. For Gopaul he will face the test of a life as he will have to defend his championship sometime this year and as of recent chess has become extremely popular and various underdog players are emerging, if Gopaul is to succeed he will have to keep his calm and treat everyone as a threat.

In closing, Gopaul said, “My father, for introducing me to the game when I was very young and being such a driving force be-

hind my success.

Although he is concerned, my chess may negatively impact my grades but he still supports me”.

Elizabeth Styles set to renew sponsorship for BCB U-21 Cricket

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he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continued its onward movement in the development of cricket, seeking sponsorship to aid in the development of cricket. Recently the premiere sponsors of Under-21 cricket in the Ancient County, Elizabeth Styles, has vowed to renew sponsorship for the 2019 edition of the tournament. During the past week, local representative of Elizabeth Styles, Bissoondyal Singh, revealed the decision of the renewed sponsorship.

The Berbice Public Relation Officer Simon Naidu and the BCB team are expected to receive this sponsorship on Wednesday, February 20. In the 2018 edition of the U-21 tournament, powerhouse Rose Hall Town and Blairmont battled in the final. Rose Hall Town would have defeated Tucber Park while Blairmont humbled Albion.

In the 2018 edition of the final, Blairmont reclaimed the title with a stunning 61-run victory over favourites, Rose Hall Town, in the final played at Port Mourant. The defending champions, Blairmont, received the championship prize of $70,000 along with the Elizabeth Styles trophy.

On the conclusion of the 2018 final, Elizabeth Styles representative heaped praises towards the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board and stated that the cosmetics giants will renew their sponsorship. Singh has kept his word from the presentation of last year’s final.

The sponsorship that will be received is worth $275,000.00 and the tournament will bowl off in the ancient county as soon as the weather permits. Cricket Clubs across the county that is interested in playing the tournament are asked to contact BCB President Hilbert Foster on telephone number 337-4562, Neil Rudder on telephone number 616-9648 or the BCB Public Relation Officer, Simon Naidu on telephone number 643-9040.

The cut-off date of birth for the players is on or after September 1, 1998. The BCB has already started Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 tournaments while Under-13 and Under-23 tournaments will commence later in the year along with the Elizabeth Styles Under-21 tournaments. Elizabeth Styles is a US-based cosmetics company which sells its products in numerous countries globally.

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sports

Second annual Patrick Forde Memorial punches off today

A

s the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) prepares to host its second annual Patrick Forde Memorial this evening. President of the Association, Steve Ninvalle, and organiser Alford Mc Donald, have promised it will be an entertaining event.

The first bell will sound at 19:00h at the National Gymnasium, as local boxers are joined by their Caribbean counterparts from Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago for the second annual Patrick Forde Memorial card.

The event was initially supposed to feature a boxer from another Caribbean island but GABA President Ninvalle explained why this is no longer possible.

“I think you know that this

NOTICE INVITATION TO REGISTER IN THE CARICOM SECRETARIAT’S VENDORS, CONSULTANTS AND HOUSING DATABASES. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat herewith invites all consultants and suppliers of goods and services (including those vendors who provide housing accommodation) to register as preferred suppliers. Online registration of consultants and suppliers of goods and services can be done through the web portal that is available at http:// vendors.caricom.org/ For vendors who provide rental housing accommodation, online registration in the Housing database can be done through the web portal that is available at https://housing.caricom. org/ Queries regarding the registration process in any of the databases should be addressed to: Programme Manager, Procurement, CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana. Email: procurement@caricom.org Or procurement.group2@caricom.org

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year we would have planned to have four countries participating, that is down to three because of the fact that St Lucia had to pull out their boxer Arthur Langelier. He suffered a cut and had to withdraw,” Ninvalle disclosed.

Despite the hiccup, Desmond Amsterdam will now exchange punches with Trinidadian boxer, Aaron Prince.

Meanwhile, Keevin From left: James Beckles, Keevin Allicock, GABA President Steve Ninvalle, Alford McDonald Allicock will battle and Desmond Amsterdam ers here and we’re trying to get know that the future of Guyanese Anthony Joseph, who is also from the twin island republic. some exposure for them. Hopefully boxing is in good hands. And we Other Guyanese to be featured next year you might be able to see wouldn’t go out the usual route of are Jamal Eastman and Abiola and the Americans or the Puerto Ricans asking persons to support and not Alicia Jackman. On the other hand, down here, but they couldn’t make to miss this. If you miss this, it’s at Trinidad’s contingent will comprise it. So definitely next year, we’ll try to your own peril, because you will miss of Blessings Waldropt as a youth have them on board, but, for now we a lot,” Ninvalle declared.

This year’s Patrick Forde boxer, Nyrell Hosein will fight in the still have some good fights for you to Memorial will be graced by James capacity of junior boxer and Aaron see,” Mc Donald shared.

With tickets set at $1000 for Beckles, who is the highest ranked Prince and Justin Parris will be the stands and $2000 for ringside, the referee/judge in the region. In addielite boxers.

Alford Mc Donald, who has been tournament promises to be a refresh- tion to this, the GABA has sought to involved in the Memorial card since ing one and it is the opinion of Steve add some more entertainment to the its inception, told the media that he Ninvalle that patrons who do not 15 fight card with a video memorial of Patrick Forde. Patrons will be able has been striving to bring out the show will be missing a lot of action.

“I think anyone who would have to witness footage of Forde’s fights best Guyana has to offer, giving them seen these two young men in action during his time as a pugilist. much needed exposure.

“We have some pretty good fight- (Allicock and Amsterdam) would

Locally-based Golden Jags test their skills against West Demerara Select 11

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he Guyana-based Golden Jaguars had their first training match against a West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Select 11 on Friday last as preparations intensify for Guyana’s finals qualifier of the CONCACAF Nations League match against Belize on March 23 in Guyana.

The match, held at the Guyana Football Federation’s National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara, was the first in a series against Regional Member Associations (RMA) teams to aid the selection process and match readiness of the squad.

In a post-match comment, Golden Jaguars’ Head Coach Michael Johnson said he was satisfied with the performance of the team: “Today’s

game was good preparation. It was a tough opposition, particularly in the second half. We just

kept going away but it was great to see the players over the course of 90 minutes in a competitive fixture against a combined WDFA side. I thought we moved the ball really well and created lots of opportunities in the first half especially.

Sheldon Holder was a threat, Trayon Bobb with speed on the outside was good and I think Leo- Orin (Lovell) took up some good positions in the middle of the park.”

“All in all, it was a really good exercise to see the players for 90 minutes on the surface,” said Johnson. “I’ve got to see players I have not seen previous to this training camp. So, it was one of success and it has given me a lot of food to take home.”

Guyana plays Belize on March 23 in Guyana in a must-win encounter for Guyana to gain a chance at qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The CONCACAF Gold Cup is the Region’s official national team championship and features clubs from Central and North America and the Caribbean.

A victory against Belize will give Guyana its first chance at this prestigious biennial event.

Top Strikers crowned 2019 King of Studies champions

By Timothy Jaikarran

NOT RECEIVING

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T

he 2019 King of Studies Tournament organised

by University of Guyana (UG) student, Jafar Gibbons commenced on Saturday last, at the UG Turkeyen Campus.

Each match was played in round-robin style, followed by the knockout stages, which saw three games – two semi-finals followed by the final. Goals scored in the last two minutes of any half was worth two goals.

Teams that register wins were rewarded two points per win while a tie is worth one point.

The games were played in two five-minute halves for the oneday mega event. These were the conditions the tournament was played under.

The preliminaries

Ten matches kicked off; the first match saw Hardball FC and Goonz FC; both teams re-

mained without goals. The next match featured Top Strikers FC and Roaring Underdogs; Top Strikers emerged victorious 6-1 with two goals being scored in the last two minutes of the game. Top Strikers gold scorers were Seon Urguhart (2), Oprah Benjamin (2), Hendricks Fernandes and Jake Allicock with one goal each. Tony Clay was the lone scorer for Roaring Underdogs.

In the other battle, Kanaima FC and Hard Knock, saw Kanaima winning via a goal in the last two minutes from Earl Gill. Earlier in the game, Jamaine Samuels scored.

Hardball took on Juventus as both teams tried to secure their spot in the semi-finals but ended without scoring.

The next encounter saw Hot Topic FC and 5-0, the latter scored two goals in the last two minutes to 5-1 Hot Topic.

Scoring for “5-0” team were Jessie Marshall (2), Raheem Angus (2) and Nathaniel King (1). The other matches in the preliminary stages saw notable victories coming from Kanaima FC, 5- 0, Goonz FC, Hot Topic FC and Top Strikers.

The quarter-finals

Entering the quarter-finals were Kanaima taking on Hot Topic, Goonz tackling Top Strikers, Hard Knock taking on Hard Ball, while 5-0 were give a bye for topping Group C. Kanaima FC tied 2-2 with Hot Topic which resulted in a penalty shootout. The shootout saw Kanaima winning 3-1. In the other quarter-final matchup, Goonz FC took on Top Strikers; the former won 2-0.

Hard Knocks and 5-0 clashed; Hard Knocks won 6-0 after scoring multiple goals in the last two minutes.

The semi-finals

The first semi-final saw Kanaima FC battle Top Striker; the latter came out victors 3-0. Scoring for Top Strikers were Oprah Benjamin (2) and Sherwin Caesar (1). Semi-final two featured Hard Knocks and 5-0; the latter won 3-0, Timothy Albert scored two goals, one early in the game and the other in the final minute.

The final

It was Top Strikers and Hard Knocks, Jamaine Samuels scored two goals in the last two minutes to take the score to 4-0 handing Top Strikers the victory, winning the King of Studies.

Jamaine Samuels emerged as MVP receiving a gold ring and a trophy; brand new shoes from local company Signature Moov as for his most goals (8).

While 5-0 defeated Kanaima FC Top Strikers Captain Jamaine Samuels in the third place, 1-0.

posing with his prizes

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, february 17, 2019

England v West Indies ODI series...

Be wary of World number 1 England ...post-2015 World Cup England played 18 bilateral series, won 14 England’s ODI Captain Eoin Morgan

By Brandon Corlette

S

ince the 2015 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, England has been a destructive unit. The moment the Englishmen wear those blue outfits, they become a formidable opposition. Team England are the World number one ranked ODI team, with a rating of 126; four ratings ahead of India.

Led by the Irish born Eoin Morgan, the Englishmen will lock horns with an upbeat West Indies team in five One-Day Internationals, starting from Wednesday, February 20 and concluding on March 2.

Before the storm begins, England’s ODI team will play a One-day practice match against a UWI Vice Chancellors XI on Sunday February 17 at the Three Ws Oval.

In the monumental 2015 World Cup England received a wakeup call from the Bangladesh tigers. Bangladesh knocked England out of the ICC World Cup in 2015; the Englishmen lost by 15 runs when they failed to chase 276 runs for victory, being bowled out for 260 all out. From that moment of torture by Bangladesh, England became a ruthless ODI team.

After the players and management went back to the drawing board, England played 18 bilateral series (excluding ICC Champions Trophy) and won 14. England visited Australia in 2017-2018 and registered a 4-1 victory. The Eoin Morgan team played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) against Pakistan and won 3-1; and recently played

Sri Lanka and won 3-1. England four series lost were narrow, they suffered defeats from Australia, South Africa, India and Scotland (1-0).

England visited the Caribbean in 2016/2017 and played three ODIs against West Indies that started on March 3, 2017 and concluded on March 9, 2017. Unsurprisingly, England whitewashed West Indies in their own backyard 3-0 in that series.

The Englishmen were on a roll; in the first ODI, they completed a 45 runs victory at North Sound Antigua. England made 296-6 in 50 overs and bowled out West Indies for 251. The English captain led from the front scoring a fine century in his player of the match performance.

In the second ODI at the same North Sound venue in Antigua, England won by four wickets thanks to Joe Root’s unbeaten 90. West Indies were bundled out for 225 runs after England finished on 226-6. The third and final ODI, England outplayed West Indies, completing a 186 runs victory, riding on Alex Hales’ 110 and Joe Root’s 101.

England scored 328 England’s runs and wrapped up fastest bowler Windies for 142 all Mark Wood out.

That was the final ODI match England played in the Caribbean and it was played at the same Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados venue on March 9, 2017. The similar English team will renew their vows with West Indies on Wednesday February 20.

England replicated their stellar performances against West Indies in recent ODIs; when Windies toured England in September 2017 and lost the ODI series 4-0. It was a runfest for the English players; Jonny Bairstow led the batting charts with 302 runs in the five-match series and Windies’ Evin Lewis was second

batter on the charts with 200 runs in three innings.

West Indies will miss the services of the explosive Lewis but with the likes of Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer, fireworks are expected. With England’s record in whiteball cricket being excellent home and away, it will be a cracking series, since Windies have stunned the World defeating a strong England Test team 2-1.

England’s 15-man squad for ODIs against West Indies: Eoin Morgan (captain), Mooen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Butler, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood.

Golden Grove, Cummings Lodge register Milo wins T

he Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, was once again treated to a day of exhilarating football at the Under-18 level, as the Milo School’s Football Tournament continued on Saturday.

With three encounters lined up, one that was consistent in every game, was the team captains asserting their position against gender-based violence, as a part of the Public Health Ministry’s partnership with the tournament.

The action got underway with the first game being a battle between Charlestown and Tucville Secondary; a battle that eventually bore no winner. Having more competition experience, Charlestown Secondary began with an attacking front, putting Tucville on the defence very early. Charlestown finally reaped the fruit of their hard work in the 18th minute, when Isaiah Moore pierced the goal. Dante Sookram later extended his team’s lead to 2-0 in the 38th minute but Charlestown’s celebrations were short-lived.

Tucville’s Dwayne Jones found the back of the net in the 39th minute to push the score to 2-1. The second half saw a more determined Tucville Secondary, who managed to back Charlestown into a corner and resulted in the Charlestown team netting a own goal to bring the score to 2-2 in the 52nd minute. The remainder of the encounter expired with both teams trying to one up the other for the win, but it was not to be as regulation time expired with the scores locked.

St Cuthbert’s Mission and Golden Grove were the two teams made to face off in the second game of the day. The boy’s hailing from the Mahaica River, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) started off with a burst of energy, which made spectators think they were in for an exciting match. However, St Cuthbert’s zeal was short lived.

Golden Grove continued their pursuit of a win, with a goal from Jeffery Charles in the 32nd. The 1-0 scorecard was carried into the second half, before Andrew Sathwell breached the goal for Golden Grove once again. Maintaining ball possession, the boys

A glimpse of the action between Golden Grove and St Cuthbert’s Mission

from East Coast were able to secure their first win of the tournament.

The final game of the day went to Cummings Lodge after a spirited exhibition by the young men. In their meeting with Uitvlugt, Cummings Lodge faced a challenge with Uitvlugt having a wealth of experience after finishing 5th in the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers tournament. However, this did not deter Uitvlugt’s opposition as Keion Harmer netted the first for Cummings Lodge in the 10th.

The remainder of the half went quietly, until Simon Ifill extended Cummings Lodge’s lead in the 56th. Uitvlugt sought to make a comeback with a goal off the boots of Mickel Mckend in the 68th. But it was the only goal the West Coast Demerara team could connect successfully, resulting in a 2-1 loss to Cummings Lodge.

The Milo Under-18 Tournament will continue today at the same venue with three more exciting encounters.

Today’s Fixtures: 12:00h Friendship Secondary v/s Ann’s Grove 13:45h Christianburg Secondary v/s St Johns College 15:30h Vergenoegen Secondary v/s Tutorial Secondary

Cummings Lodge’s goalkeeper blocks an Uitvlugt advance early in the game

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, february 17, 2019

Sheldon Cottrell

Campbell, Brathwaite, Cottrell added to ODI squad

23

Carlos Brathwaite has returned to ODI cricket he played his last ODI since March 2018

– Paul, Powell, Lewis injured C

arlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell and John Campbell have been called up to the West Indies squad for the first two ODIs against England. The changes to the 14-man squad became necessary due to injuries to opener Evin Lewis, as well as all-rounders Keemo Paul and Rovman Powell.

The first two matches will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Wednesday, February 20 and Friday, February 22. First ball daily is 11:00h Eastern Caribbean time.

This is a maiden call-up for Campbell in white-ball cricket.

The 25-year-old left-handed opener who also bowls off-spin, made his Test debut in the recent Wisden Trophy Series. He scored 176 runs (average 35.2) in the three matches.

Brathwaite, the imposing six-footer, brings a wealth of experience to the squad – having played three Tests, 28 ODIs and 35 T20 Internationals so far in his career. Cottrell, the strongly-built left-arm speedster, has appeared in two Tests, six ODIs and 10 T20 Internationals. He was a member of the squad to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in New Zealand and Australia.

Chairman of Selectors, Courtney Browne outlined the reasons for the changes and said the upcoming five-match series is a vital part of the preparations for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup – to be played in England and Wales from May 31 to July 15.

“With our squad suffering from a few players with injuries even before a ball is bowled, an opportunity presents itself for other players to make a claim for ICC Cricket World Cup spots. After a good showing as an opener in the Test matches, John Campbell – a fearless and attacking opening batter – will replace Evin Lewis who had to be withdrawn from the squad with a groin injury,” Browne said.

“Carlos Brathwaite who last played in the ICC World Cup qualifiers and who was a replacement in the last ODI series in Bangladesh will also join the squad along with Sheldon Cottrell who last played against Bangladesh last year in the Caribbean. They will replace Rovman Powell and Keemo Paul who are also both sidelined with injuries. The panel take this opportunity to wish the injured players a speedy recovery and to wish the team success in the upcoming ODIs,” he finished.

West Indies squad for first two ODIs:

Jason Holder (captain), Fabian Allen, Devandra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas.

Showstoppers have been stopped! Brothers United are the “Greatest of the Streets” - Ballers Empire cop third place

Brothers United received $500,000 and the winning trophy; while second, third and fourth placed finishers carted off $250,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively along with trophies.

Attention now switches to the next leg which will be held in the Ancient County of Berbice on March 8, 9 and the final set for the 16th minute.

Former CONCACAF boss has sentence put off for 9th time

T

A glimpse of the final action

he West Coast/East Bank Guinness “Greatest of the skilful Murray.

Streets” subdivision came to an exciting close in the wee It was not to say that Showstoppers did not have a few hours of Saturday morning, with an ecstatic crowd wit- chances, but they came largely from long range as the last nessing the crowing of a new champion. stop of United stood firm in repelling the offensive forays of After a three-year Showstoppers reign, Brothers United the champs. were finally able to break their hold on the West Coast/ East The few opportunities that Murray and Co had were also Bank subdivision on Saturday morning, with one of the most close shaves as the two teams executed their strategies to perexciting stalemate encounters. fection, but the final whistle came with none able to penetrate Former national striker Andrew Murray’s clinically struck the defence and penalty shootout was the next order of the penalty left the large turnout of Showstoppers fans in disbe- night. lief and heartbroken as they saw their favourite team’s threeAfter misses by both teams, Murray would become the lone year reign come to an end on Friday night, at the Pouderoyen hero of the exciting encounter when he buried his effort right Market Tarmac. down the middle to send his band of supporters in wild celePlaying in the final of this year’s West Demerara/East brations as they finally managed to break the stranglehold of Bank Demerara Zone of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Showstoppers, rightly regarded as the most complete team on Competition, the visitors stunned a the West Side. capacity crowd, that many felt was They also ensured that history Complete results the biggest turnout in the Zone’s would not be achieved against them Guinness Goal-[GG]-2 Goals history, first being able to hold the since Showstoppers were attemptchampions to a goalless stalemate ing to become the first team in the Final in regulation and then beat them in Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Brothers United-0 vs Showstoppers-0 the penalty shootout 1- 0.

Brothers United won 1-0 on penalty kicks Competition to win four consecutive Just as predicted, Brothers titles.

3rd Place United employed a defensive strateAmong those in attendance Up-Top-Bosses-0 vs Ballers Empire-3 gy with Murray the lone striker upwas Guinness Brand Manager Lee Collin McCalmon-[GG]-28th front, instigating a counter attackBaptiste, GT Beer Brand Manager ing ploy whenever Showstoppers Jeoff Clement and sponsor Colours Quincy DosSantos-7th lost possession of the ball and it Boutique representative Robson Plate final seemed to frustrate the usually ice Brotherson.

ESPN-1 vs West Side Ballers-2 cool Showstoppers side.

Earlier, Ballers Empire outWest Side Scorer The normally potent strike force classed Up Top Bosses romping Dwayne St. Kitts-[GG]-28th of Marvin Josiah, Stephon Jupiter to a comfortable 3-0 win to claim and Trayon Bobb were kept at bay third place, while West Side Ballers ESPN Scorer by sturdy defending and a threatensqueezed past ESPN 2-1 take home Tefon Daly-8th ing counter attack led mainly by the the Plate final and $60,000.

Former CONCACAF boss Jeffrey Webb

D

isgraced former CONCACAF boss, Jeffrey Webb, has had his sentencing pushed back for a ninth time as he remains under house arrest in the United States.

Webb is currently facing charges of money laundering and corruption relating to his time as head of CONCACAF and as a FIFA executive. The former official pled guilty to the charges in 2015 but has seen his attorneys constantly appealing to have the sentencing put off.

Webb, who was due to be sentenced this month, has been under house arrest in the US and has already forfeited $6.7 million in illicit proceeds. The 54-year-old Webb was banned for life by FIFA’s Ethics Committee and fined CHF1 million (£759,000, US$1 million).

Despite admitting to racketeering charges, Webb seems increasingly likely to serve jail time if the current trend continues. (Sportsmax)

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Showstoppers have been stopped!

Brothers United

are the “Greatest of the Streets” - Ballers Empire cop third place Pg 23

The victorious Brothers United are presented with the championship trophy by Banks DIH’s Lee Baptiste (right)

Campbell, Brathwaite, Cottrell added to ODI squad Pg 23

– Paul, Powell, Lewis injured

Ramdhani takes double gold in GUMDAC Tournament Pg 20

Winners row in the GUMDAC Badminton Tournament

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.

February 17, 2019

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2 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Mash 2019

and Linden.

It is a time of revelry and dressing up in costumes and joining the float parades and has evolved in terms of creativity over the years.

Many activities are held prior to the main event on February 23; these include the children’s parade, Panorama, Chutney Soca Monarch competition and other cultural activities.

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uyana is a melting pot of cultures and every celebration takes on some part of that melting pot. It is no different with Mashramani since it is a time to showcase our unity as a people and truly live as “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. This year, Mashramani is being observed under the theme, “Celebrate Mash 49 With Victory In Mind.”

Mashramani is an Amerindian word which means “celebration after hard work”, and is usually observed on February 23 in observance of Guyana’s Republic status, which was achieved on that date in 1970. Mashramani, commonly referred to as “Mash”, is the most colourful, dynamic, inclusive, cultural Scene from the first Mashramani celebration in Linden (1969)

Mash origins

and energetic of all the festivals in Guyana.

Each year, since 1970, Guyana has observed its Republic anniversary by hosting a series of activities. These activities usually culminate on Republic Day, February 23, with a grand display of costume bands, accompanied by Caribbean music, watched by thousands of spectators who either line the routes along where the revellers pass, or occupy the grass verges with their families and friends to picnic while they enjoy the festivities of the day.

Over the past years, the street parties have continued well into the night.

The flag-raising ceremony, which takes place on the eve of the Republic celebrations, is attended by the

President, Prime Minister and other Government officials, as well as Members of Parliament, the Judiciary and the Armed Forces. Later in the day, around 09:00h, the day's main feature, the "Mashramani Float Parade", begins.

The celebration came out of the Junior Chamber of Greater Mackenzie, which was already celebrating Guyana’s independence in Linden with a similar event since Independence in 1966.

It proved so successful that by 1972 it was declared a national event, and the following year, it was held nationally for the first time and annually ever since, in the capital city of Georgetown under the auspices of the Government, although there are events held in Berbice

The origin of the word Mashramani has been a source of some dispute that has in the past led to various efforts to clarify the term.

According to historians, the word Mashramani was borrowed from the Arawak word to describe their celebratory period of feasting and dancing after a successful preparation and planting season; meaning, “celebration after hard work”, though other coinages include “celebration of a work

well done”, “a venture”, or “cooperative effort”, and “a celebration after a harvest”.

However, it has also been said that the word is not directly an Arawak word, but sounds similar to a word used to describe a festival such as one when the village gets together to celebrate a young couple’s approaching marriage. Regardless, the term Mashramani was officially chosen in 1972 to symbolise the celebrations of the new Republic’s birth.

The first national celebration was described as a “a riot of colour, gaiety and scintillating pan music in the streets of Georgetown for over six hours … as a number of floats, costumes and steel bands in Carnival style tramped in the city and suburban areas to highlight the Mashramani celebrations in Georgetown,” by the Guyana Graphic on Saturday, February 24, 1973.

Masquerade entertaining the crowd at National Park n.d.

WHEREAS the Constitution of Guyana makes provision in paragraph (5) of article 73 thereof whereby Guyana may become a Republic and accordingly cease to be part of Her Majesty’s dominions pursuant to alterations to the Constitution set out in the Second Schedule thereto; AND WHEREAS such provision requires a resolution of the National Assembly, upon a motion introduced by the Prime Minister, that Guyana shall become a Republic and that the said alterations to the Constitution shall have effect on such day after the passing of the resolution as may be specified therein; AND WHEREAS by virtue* of such provision notice of such a motion may be given on or after 1st January, 1969, but not less than three months before the National Assembly upon the motion; AND WHEREAS in fulfilment of the processes of National Independence it is fitting that Guyana should become a Republic pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution; AND WHEREAS the twenty-third day of February in each year commemorates the revolt of enslaved peoples on that day in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three in the then Colony of Berbice – being the first significant blow struck for freedom in the territory now comprised in the State of Guyana; RESOLVED by this National Assembly in pursuance of paragraph (5) of article 73 of the Constitution of Guyana that on the twenty-third day of February in the year one thousand nine hundred and seventy Guyana shall become a Republic and accordingly cease to be part of Her Majesty’s dominions and that for that purpose the alterations to the constitution of Guyana set out in the Second Schedule to the said constitution shall have effect.

Passed by the National Assembly this 29th day of August, 1966

MB Henry

M B Henry, Acting Clerk of the National Assembly

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Mash 2019

By Utamu Belle

L

ooking back over the years at the celebration of Mashramani, a festival with its origin in the bauxite mining town of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), one would note that it has undergone many unique and interesting transformations. This year marks 49 years of Guyana becoming a Republic nation, and approximately 45 years since the birth of the celebration.

The Mashramani celebration started when the Junior Chamber – Jaycees – of Mackenzie (a community that now constitutes part of Linden), who had been organising the country’s Independence celebrations since 1966, sought to have a ‘carnival-like’ festival to commemorate British Guiana gaining its Republican status in 1970. Chaired by popular West Indies cricketer Basil Butcher, the Jaycees Republic Committee was formed. It included members such as Jim Blackman, who was named Deputy to complete the task owing to Butcher being selected to the WI team about to tour Australia; resource personnel Adrian Thompson; Wordsworth McAndrew and Arthur Seymour.

Following the formation of the Committee, its members then began consultations so that a relevant name could be chosen for the festival, which was intended to celebrate the much-anticipated “Birth of the Republic.” It was Butcher, who then made the suggestion that an Amerindian or Indigenous name would be best suited. After the members of the Committee agreed, they contacted several Amerindians, including Allan Fiedtkou, an employee attached to the Geological Department of the then bauxite company, Demba. Fiedtkou suggested a name which he learnt from his grandfather that was used by Amerindians when they gathered to commemorate an auspicious event. As Fiedtkou explained, the celebration would last over several days, sometimes even up to a week. The men would go hunting and the women and children would gather materials to make a benab. Refreshments would be made and a feast would ensue. According to Fiedtkou, the term for the celebration sounded like “Muster Many” or “Mashirimehi”, and it sounded like “Mashramani” in Arawak.

After several authorities were consulted, there were no doubts or confirmations regarding the term. Mashramani became known as an Amerindian term for celebration after hard work or a cooperative effort or the celebration after a job well done. As such, the Committee decided to call the festival Mashramani, with the aim of hosting a national observance. As such, on February 23, 1970, Guyana’s first Republican festival was staged at Linden.

The Jaycees, then headed by Jimmy Hamilton, had appointed the team to successfully organise the celebration, which was deemed a successful one.

It featured three exciting days of competition and fun, attracting huge crowds from across the other adm i n i s trative Regions.

The celebrat i o n eventually managed to secure spons o r s h i p f r o m t h e

Demerara Distillers L i m i t e d ( D D L ) .

Guyanese were said to have welcomed the observances with as much splendour as they welcomed the status of becoming a Republic nation.

There were activities such as ‘the Revolt dance’, a jouvert-like observance which became known as “Fo Day Mawnin Jump Up”; the Cde Mashramani contest; a calypso contest called the “Shanto” contest; a steel band contest and an extravagant float parade.

Pageantry, in those days, was also a main attraction of the event, with the first winner of the Mashramani contest in 1970 being Hazel Figueira of Mackenzie, Linden.

In 1971, then Home Affairs Minister David Singh declared the celebrations in Linden open and decided that he would take a proposal to Cabinet to make the celebration a national one. With the assistance of the Jaycees Committee, the Minister travelled across the country to inform residents of the celebration. Since then, various activities were shifted to various areas across Guyana.

Enjoyed by many, Mashramani’s popularity quickly grew as it became a national observance. In 1972, it was taken to the capital city Georgetown, following Singh’s intervention and then President Forbes

Burnham granting permission. That year, the bauxite company in Linden sent a 500-strong contingent to Georgetown to participate in the parade. The move also saw the event being held in Linden, Berbice and Georgetown, but Linden failed to garner much sponsorship to sustain the costume and float parade.

Eventually, it was centred in Georgetown and as the years went by, other areas across Guyana joined in. Throughout the decades, the celebrations have evolved. As a witness to the celebrations in those days recalled, it was somewhat different from the “bacchanal-style” prancing down the streets these days.

“It was not like what we see these days, we used to hold hands and do an Amerindian type dance, moving from side to side. We would form a line, and the line would be in so much order, but there was no Soca-style jamming, just an orderly, peaceful dance,” she explained.

Another resident of Linden, Wendy Wellington, noted that revellers in those days were more modestly dressed. “I must say that back then it was just something that people started, but as time goes by, it became more developed,” she noted.

Other witnesses to the event in the past have claimed that the observance would appear to have lost its true intended meaning.

According to some, nowadays, more emphasis is placed on the partying aspect.

Lindener Winslow Parris noted that the celebration took on a more cultural demeanour back then.

"We had, back then, things that related to the rebelling of slaves. We would have had like an African troupe and the beating of drums," he related.

He also reminisced on the masquerades back then and recalled that the costumes were not as large as those in recent times.

Another Lindener, Caesar McAlmont said in his opinion, much has not changed over the years.

“Mashramani ain't change in no way. All that changed is that they carried it away to town," he said.

He noted too that the musical aspect in those days centred on the use of steel pan.

"Back then, we didn't have big bands, you know. The generation now is more bacchanal-like than in our time.

Steel band was the thing then.

When you hear about a big Mash, you talking Steel Band, not (music) set.

You trampling down the road, with a steel band.

Everybody behind a steel band...

Ya chipping down the road, with a steel band. We had the “Invaders” and so much other steel bands," he recalled.

But youngsters who are accustomed to the atmosphere these days say they look forward to Mashramani celebra-

tions each year.

“Well, Mash is a time where we get together with friends and just have a nice time. You know, no work so we just get together and have fun,” a youngster indicated.

These days, lots of sponsorship is pumped into the celebrations. Each year, thousands line the streets, with hundreds participating in the annual float parade held in Georgetown. The parade is usually an annual competition, with big bands participating.

Additionally, many new activities have been incorporated into the celebrations, including the Children’s Costume Competition, the Junior and Senior Calypso and Chutney competitions, Chutney dance competition, duck curry competition, folk evening observance, Bands Concert and National Art exhibition.

Traditional activities have remained, including the steel band concert and Panorama as well as Masquerade Jamboree. However, many long for the return of the Mashramani pageant, which was hosted back in those days. While a few pageants were hosted over the years, it has not been on the annual calendar of events.

As for the community of Linden where it all started, the celebration is held approximately a week after the grand float parade in Georgetown. Costumes are usually sponsored by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and a few businesses. However, the float parade in the mining town can be considered miniature to that of the capital city.

There is also a “Mash Bash” social and cultural event hosted in the community on February 23.

Wellington believes that more should be done to preserve the history of the floats.

She said there should be a place where samples are kept, as a reminder to youths of our rich, cultural heritage. “...when you would have spent all this money to build these costumes, you should have somewhere to put them. You shouldn’t just let them go to waste. There should be some place where you store these costumes and have them protected, where the youths can go and see how things have changed over time,” she told this publication.

Over the years, Lindeners have longed to see the return of the celebration to the town. Officials are presently in talks to have it return next year, as Guyana celebrates its 50th anniversary as a Republic. With all that has changed over the years, few things have remained. These include flamboyant costumes; beaming faces; people dancing to the sounds of masquerade bands, calypso and steel pan music; hundreds lining the streets to get a glimpse of the spectacle and delicious Guyanese cuisine. Over the years, these features, which mark the observance of Guyana becoming a Republican n a t i o n back in February 1970, have never failed to delight Guyanese and visitors.

This year, Mashramani is being celebrated under the theme, “Celebrate Mash 49 With Victory In Mind.”

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

O

ne of my favourite movie stars Denzel Washington famously said, “At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished…it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.”

For Ryan Lochan, he feels a particular affinity with the words of Denzel as he is in the giving back mode. He is giving back to a school that has given his two

boys so much to make him a proud father. Ryan has been in the creative field for over 15 years now, but never took up the task to actually design costumes for a parade.

Being an avid masquerader for a number of years in the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, Ryan believes that he needs to do something to up the game of the Children’s Mashramani Costume and Float Parade.

He was sitting around one day and just came up with the idea of bringing change to the parade since most of

the costume styles are repetitive.

“I have been doing Carnival in Trinidad for a number of years and I have been watching the children jumping up and down in the Kiddies Carnival and was always amazed. I was sitting and came up with idea and told a friend of mine and we decided to approach Ketley Primary with some samples,” Ryan said.

He chose Ketley because it is the school that gave his two boys the best education possible. He said that he felt that it was his way of giving back to the school because it has given him so much to be proud of. When he approached the school, his idea was readily accepted by the Head and staff there, since

they had been unable to participate in the competition for the past two years.

However, the School’s administration already had a theme in mind as outlined by the Education Ministry which was the Lost City of El Dorado. They chose to focus on the Queen of El Dorado which meant that the carnival theme Ryan

had in his mind had to be changed to fit the theme. He immediately got back to the drawing board and came up with unique pieces to fit that theme.

However, it was not without challenges as Ryan explained that he was venturing into uncharted territory so he needed to familiarise himself with what needed

to be done. The School also did not have much funding which meant that resources were scarce but being a stickler for quality, Ryan decided to tap into his extensive clientele.

While the School provided funding, through contributions from the ParentTeachers Association, with the help from his clients and from his pockets, Ryan completed the costumes.

The costumes are spectacular and you would not believe from looking at them that it is the first time Ryan has done that.

Ryan is hoping to hone his newfound skill to make it something he does on a regular basis.

He brings vast carnival knowledge and would have seen thousands of different costumes that all speak to different themes.

Just imagine with that knowledge what he will bring to the local scene and how it can change, but for now he is focusing on making the children of Ketley Primary School the best in the parade. A task he successfully completed.

guyanatimesgy.com

O

ur culture, our language, our history, and our values are vital to uniting us as a nation, as a people, and as the melting pot that we are. Nothing unites us more than a celebration of everything that is in that pot and one such celebration is Mashramani.

Mashramani translates as “celebration after hard work” and it is a time where we as Guyanese take the time to go out into the streets and celebrate everything that truly makes us unique as a people. It is a time when we forget race, politics and everything else that divides us daily. It is truly a celebration of harmony and unity.

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

The annual Costume and Float Parade is the main attraction of Mashramani. It is a time when people deck themselves out in extravagant costumes, join large bands or flock the streets that are part of the parade route just to get a glimpse of the glittery costumes depicting different messages.

The stage is usually set for the large parade with the commencement of the Children’s Mashramani activities. As has been the tradition for some time, the Children’s Mashramani activities are among the most anticipated, and schools from the various regions participate in various activities, including dramatic poetry,

Sunday Times Magazine 5

dance, and calypso.

The young generation of revellers proudly represent their schools and regions with enthusiasm, drive and creativity. The Children’s Mashramani activities officially became the responsibility of the Education Ministry in February 1992. The Unit of Allied Arts within the Ministry was tasked with implementing programmes to showcase the talents of children in Guyana. The Unit is the centre for coordination and integration of the Expressive Arts – Dance, Music, Physical Education and Visual Arts – in sequenced modules into the school system of Guyana.

Because of its mandate, the Allied Arts Unit expanded the scope of the Children’s Mashramani activities to include competitions of Dance, Dramatic Poetry, Calypso, Costume, Steel Pan, Physical Education, and Masquerade for children. The objectives of the programme are to promote the Expressive Arts through a National Event; encourage schools, parents and communities to work together in a creative artistic manner; provide an opportunity for the display of talent by students and to foster a sense of pride in our national identity.

The competitions are held at the regional and national levels for primary and secondary schools. Children at the nursery level also participate in some of the activities, but only at the regional level. What a joy it is to see the nation’s youth embracing the occasion.

The finals of these competitions are held in Georgetown and all Regional Education Districts participate. These activities usu-

Mash 2019

ally run for a period of three weeks in the month of February and the outstanding performances are recognised and rewarded at all levels.

The Children’s Costume Parade was introduced in 1996. It is a spectacular colourful activity that showcases the talents and creativity that exist among young people.

This parade culminates the series of activities and involves approximately 4000 children from schools and youth groups throughout Guyana. It is a collaborative effort of the Education Ministry, the Private Sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

The main (adult) parade is on February 23, which is also the date Guyana achieved Republican status. It is usually a plethora of colours as the revellers in the various bands snake their way through the streets of Georgetown. It is usually a tough competition as the revellers battle for top prizes.

It is also a time where local designers are given a chance to exhibit their creativity and show exactly what Guyanese are capable of. They are given the theme by the owners of the band and they let their creativity run amok to come up with breath-taking pieces.

The vibe on Mash Day with loud music and masqueraders gyrating through the streets of the capital city is one that cannot be experienced just by sitting and watching the parade on the television, rather you have to be in the midst of the crowd and feel it to experience it.

So this Mash Day, grab your friends and go out on the road to experience true unity and celebrate our rich Guyanese culture.

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Mash 2019

"The National Flag" The National Flag of Guyana is called "The Golden Arrowhead". It bears five colours - red, black, yellow, white and green The flag has the unique design of two triangles (one within the other) issuing from the same base. The outer triangle is gold-colored (arrow-shaped) with a narrow border of white along two sides.

The inner triangle is red with a narrow strip of black bordering the sides. The background of the flag is green, representing the agricultural and forested nature of Guyana. The white border represents the rivers and water potential. The golden arrow represents Guyana's mineral wealth and the black border, the endurance that will sustain the forward thrust of the Guyanese people. The red of the flag represents the zeal and dynamic nature of nationbuilding which lies before the young and independent Guyana. The Flag was designed by Whitney Smith, Director of the Flag Centre, Florida, U.S.A.

"The National Flower" The Victoria Regia, a water lily, was discovered by Robert Schomburgk, a German Botanist in 1837, while leading an expedition into the interior of what was then British Guiana. In its native habitat of tropical America, the plant is perennial. It grows in 4 to 6 feet of water, the base of the stems being situated in soft mud. From each plant there are seldom more than 4 or 5 leaves. The largest flowers can measure 10 inches to one foot in diameter. When first open, they are white with a sweet smell rather like a ripe fruit; by the second day they are fully expanded and a deeper pink; by the third day, they start to wither.

One of the other national symbols chosen for Guyana is a bird - the Hoatzin or Canje Pheasant.

The adult Hoatzin is about 22 inches long from beak to tail. Its color is reddish-brown streaked with green. The under parts are pale brown. The feathers on its shoulder and sides are edged with creamywhite. There is a crest of very long feathers on its head which gives the bird an almost majestic look.

The Hoatzin has a very short and very thick beak, and the skin around the crimson eye is of a pale blue color.This bird can be found throughout the year in areas along the banks of the Berbice River and its tributary, the Canje Creek, and to some extent, on the Abary, Mahaicony and Mahaica Rivers.

It feeds on the leaves of aquatic vegetation. The nesting period for the Hoatzin, commonly known as the Canje Pheasant, is usually from April to September.

"The National Anthem"

"The National Pledge"

National Anthem of Guyana Lyrics: A.L. Luker - Music: Robert Cyril Gladstone Potter Musical Score - Music

I pledge myself to honor always the Flag of Guyana, and to be loyal to my country, to be obedient to the laws of Guyana, to love my fellow citizens, and to dedicate my energies towards the happiness and prosperity of Guyana.

Dear land of Guyana, of rivers and plains, Made rich by the sunshine and lush by the rains, Set gemlike and fair between mountains and sea, Your children salute you, dear land of the free.

Green land of Guyana, our heroes of yore, Both bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore; This soil so they hallowed, and from them are we, All sons of one mother, Guyana the free.

"The Coat-Of-Arms" The national Coat-of-Arms of Guyana is a composite of motifs suggested in separate designs by three Guyanese artists. The design is interpreted as follows: The Amerindian head-dress symbolizes the Amerindians as the indigenous people of the country. The two diamonds at the side of the head-dress represent the country's mining industry. The helmet is the monarchial insignia. The two jaguars holding a pick axe, a sugar cane and a stalk of rice symbolize labor and the two main agricultural industries of the country - sugar and rice. The shield which is decorated with the National Flower, the Victoria Regia Lily, is to protect the nation. The three blue wavy lines represent the many waters of Guyana. The Canje Pheasant, the National Bird, at the bottom of the shield represents a rare bird found principally in this part of the world and also the rich fauna of Guyana. The streamer below the shield bears the Nation's Motto "ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE DESTINY".

The Coat of Arms was selected on the recommendation of the National History and Arts Council and approved by the College of Arms, England. It was accepted by the House of Assembly on Friday, 25th February, 1966.

Great land of Guyana, diverse though our strains, We are born of their sacrifice, heirs of their pains, And ours is the glory their eyes did not see, One land of six peoples, united and free.

Dear land of Guyana, to you will we give Our homage, our service, each day that we live; God guard you, great Mother, and make us to be More worthy our heritage - land of the free.

"SONG OF THE REPUBLIC"

Words by Cleveland W. Hamilton Music by Frank Daniels From Pakaraima’s peaks of pow’r To Courentyne’s lush sands, Her children pledge each faithful hour To guard Guyana’s lands.

To foil the shock of rude invader Who’d violate her earth, To cherish and defend forever The State that gave them birth.

We’ll forge a nation’s might soul Construct a nation’s frame; Freedom our everlasting goal, Courage and truth our aim, Unyielding in our quest for peace Like ancient heroes brave, To strive and strive and never cease With Strength beyond the slave.

Guyana, climb the glorious perch To fame, prosperity; Join in the universal search For world-wide comity.

Your people what soe’er their breed Their hue or quality, With one firm never changing creed The nation’s unity.

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M

ashramani is a time to be out in the sun with the family having a blast and there is nowhere to do that unless you are comfortable. We have selected some of the most comfortable and stylish pieces so you can look and feel your best. So grab your food baskets, dress to impress and let us go watch the Costume and Float Parade‌

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Mash 2019

Mashramani is a time to celebrate with the family and a good celebration usually include lots of food. Below are some easy recipes to make your Mashramani truly delicious and as an added bonus they are super easy to prepare. So grab your apron and get cooking:

Ingredients • 2 lbs giblets and hearts • 1 small lime/lemon • 4 tbsp of vegetable oil • 2 tbsp minced/chopped garlic • 1 small onion chopped • 1 small pepper chopped (optional) • 1 tbsp of complete seasoning • 1 tbsp tomato paste • 4 tbsp Curry powder • 2 tbsp masala • 1.5 tbsp salt Method 1. Cut giblets and heart into small pieces, and wash with water and juice of lime/lemon.

2. Add 4 tbsp vegetable oil in pressure cooker, let hot for about 2 minutes.

3. Add minced/chopped garlic, onion, pepper and tomato paste to hot oil, and let cook for 1 minute. Add curry powder and masala and let cook for about 2 minute with constant turning.

4. If needed, add 4 to 8 tbsp water to loosen up mixture, and cook/turn for about another 4 minutes 5. Add chicken giblets and heart, and salt then mix well, now leave to cook for about another 20 minutes with occasional checking and turning. Add one cup of water, place lid on cooker and pressure for 15-20 minutes.

6. Finally, after cooking in pressure cooker, take off lid and let cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until liquid had evaporated. Serve with dhal, rice or roti. (Guyanesefood.com)

Ingredients • 8 oz cold meat (turkey, chicken, beef) • brown sauce, gravy or stock • 1 onion, chopped • 1 tsp tomato sauce or ketchup • 1 lb cooked yams Method Remove skin and fat from meat and mince it. Season the meat well with salt and pepper, and add brown sauce, gravy or stock to moisten. Add onion and ketchup. Place the meat in a greased pie dish. Mash yam and pile the yam crust over the meat and make it neat with a knife dipped in hot water. Cook in a hot oven, 400 degrees, for 10-15 minutes. (Guyanesefood.com)

• • • • • • • • •

Ingredients 1/4 pt split peas 2 cloves garlic 1 hot red pepper 1/4 tsp ground geerah 1 lb flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 tsp ghee 1/2 pt cooking oil

Method 1. Boil peas with some salt until it falls apart when squished between fingers. Drain and cool.

Grind peas with garlic and pepper.

Mix with geerah.

2. Sieve flour and remove a third for spreading and kneading.

Ingredients • 2 Eggs • 1 Can Evaporated Milk (12oz) • 3/4 Tsp Vanilla Essence • 5 Tbsp Sugar • 3/4 Tsp Ground/Grated Nutmeg (1/2 to add in mixture and 1/4 to sprinkle on top)

Ingredients • 4 oz flour • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar or 1 tsp baking powder • 1/4 tsp baking soda • 1 oz margarine • 2 oz cheese, grated • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp dry mustard • 4 tbsp milk • beaten egg to glaze (optional)

Method Sift together flour, cream of tartar and soda. Rub in the fat. Add cheese, salt, pepper and the mustard and mix to a soft dough with the milk. Turn on to a floured board, knead lightly to remove cracks and roll or pat into a round about 1/2-3/4 inch thick. Cut into triangles, place on a greased baking sheet, and glaze with beaten egg or milk. Bake in a hot oven, 450 degrees, for 10 minutes.

(Guyanesefood.com)

Add baking powder, salt and half teaspoon ghee, and mix. Add 1/2 pt water and mix to a dough. Knead dough for a short time, then leave to stand for 5 minutes.

3. Divide dough into 6 pieces and spread each to a circle of 1 1/22 inches in diameter. Rub with a mixture of the remaining ghee and oil. Fill with a rounded tablespoon of ground peas and seal.

4. Dust in flour and leave to soak for 5 minutes. Heat tawah, roll out pieces and place on tawah. Turn and glaze with oil and ghee mixture.

Turn again and allow to cook on both sides. Puri should swell.

(Guyanesefood.com)

Method Preheat oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Beat the egg, sugar and milk together. Add vanilla essence and nutmeg into mixture and beat lightly so all ingredients is mixed well. Pour into a greased pan. Grate a little nutmeg on the top. Place the pan into a larger pan half filled with water.

Place into pre-heated oven at 350 degrees, for about 50 minutes until set. (Guyanesefood. com)

10 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Feature

Preserving our literary heritage

(Part one featured Ivan Van Sertima, N. E. Cameron, Jan Carew, O. R. Dathorne and Beryl Gilroy.

Part two features another five names.)

T

here are as many ways to celebrate as there are appropriate ways to celebrate. The tenor of Black History Month should be celebrated with books. Here’s a short (but in no way a comprehensive) list of Guyanese works and their authors which could be used to commemorate the above.

Egbert Martin

Egbert Martin was a remarkable writer on many fronts. His was a short life of less than thirty years, most of it lived from a sick bed, but he managed to write and publish a significant amount of poetry, songs and some short stories.

His first poems were published when he was only nineteen.

His first collection of poems, Leo’s Poetical Works, was published in 1883, when he was only twenty two.

His second collection of poems, Leo’s Local Lyrics, was published in 1886, laying claim to the honour as the first collection of poems to be published locally by a Guyanese writer.

Another first for Martin was that he was the first Guyanese to publish

a collection of short stories.

That collection, Scriptology, was published in 1885. That collection was lost but recently recovered, credit going to Manu Chander who is in Guyana at the moment and David Dabydeen.

Two years later, in 1931, Lawrence produced ‘Threnody’, a song of lamentation for his dead son, exploring trauma as part of his heritage - a healing poem.

The following year, 1932, his ‘delightfully nostalgic’ poem ‘Unreclaimed’ was published in the Chronicle Walter MacArthur Lawrence He gave us ‘Oh, Beautiful Christmas Annual.

The 1930s was defiGuyana’, and ‘My Guyana, El Dorado’ among other sig- nitely the most notable nificant patriotic songs. In of Lawrence’s short life.

1920, the Daily Chronicle During this period, his popublished his first poem, etic output was remarkcommemorating the arrival able – long sentences and in the colony of H. R. H. the very long poems in Greek and Latin traditions, examPrince of Wales.

In 1929, he published ples in titles of poems like ‘Meditations’ with a subtitle ‘Threnody’, and ‘Meromi’.

‘Thoughts in the Silence’, so- In ‘Meromi’, Lawrence dislidifying his position on the played an uncommon gift landscape of Guyanese liter- of telling a story in verse, matching Keats’ ‘Isabella’, ature.

Tennyson’s ‘Princess’ and Egbert Martin’s Eric Walrond ‘Ruth’. Also in ‘Meromi’, he employed a technique that has become quite useful in Caribbean poetry – borrowing and modifying; he transposed a local heroine into the Garden of Eden.

country was strapped with such a responsibility?

Walrond’s life was one of paradoxes engendered by his writings. He gravitated to the editorship of ‘New World’ after he won a fiction contest sponsored by Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (U. N. I. A.) for his piece, ‘A Senator’s Memoirs’. Later he fell from grace when he penned, ‘Imperator Africanus, Marcus Garvey: Menace or Promise?’

But it was the publication in 1926 of his short story collection, ‘Tropic Death’, which brought him to prominence.

‘Tropic Death’ was valued alongside ‘The Quest of the Silver Fleece’

by W. E. B. Du Bois, ‘The Autobiography of an ExColored Man’ by James W. Johnson and ‘Harlem Shadow’ by Claude McKay. The other notable writers at that time supporting the Harlem Resistance included Marcus Garvey, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, Arna Bontemps, Zora Neale

Denis Williams

chaeologist, anthropologist, biographer and novelist, Denis Williams was born in 1923 in the capital city of Guyana. He lived on three continents at crucial times - times of intellectual upsurge, times of political ferment and times of creativity in arts. Williams was caught up in the action wherever he went, sharpening his perception of the living and the

Poem

Eric Walrond

Eric Walrond was expected to write the Great Negro Book – a grave responsibility. How come a black person in the early 20th century from a little known

E. R. Braithwaite

Hurston, W. E. B. Du Bois.

E. R. Braithwaite

As it was in the novel, ‘To Sir With Love’ (1959), so it was in the novels, ‘Paid Servant’ (1962), ‘A Kind of Homecoming’ (1962), ‘A Choice of Straws’ (1965), ‘Reluctant Neighbours’ (1972), and ‘Honorary White’ (1975) – E. R. Braithwaite’s poignant exploration of all forms of discrimination especially social conditions of and racial discrimination against Black people. Braithwaite’s frank and crisp use of language endeared the reader to the issues, catapulting many persons to action, improving their condition, righting wrongs. Some responses to his writing were, however, distasteful especially the ban of his books in apartheid South Africa.

Denis Williams

Artist, art historian, ar-

past as reflected in the innovations found in his art, craft and writing – ‘Other Leopards’ and ‘The Third temptation’.

Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com (to be continued)

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Health

get images of your uterus.

• Lab

at an early age; use of birth control; obesity; a vitamin D deficiency; having a diet higher in red meat and lower in green vegetables, fruit and dairy; and drinking alcohol, including beer, appear to increase your risk of developing fibroids.

Diagnosis

U

terine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Also called leiomyomas (lie-o-myO-muhs) or myomas, uterine fibroids aren't associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and almost never develop into cancer.

Fibroids range in size from seedlings, undetectable by the human eye, to bulky masses that can distort and enlarge the uterus. You can have a single fibroid or multiple ones. In extreme cases, multiple fibroids can expand the uterus so much that it reaches the rib cage. Many women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives.

But most women don't know they have uterine fibroids because they often cause no symptoms.

Symptoms

Many women who have fibroids don't have any symptoms. In those that do, symptoms can be influenced by the location, size and number of fibroids. In women who have symptoms, the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include: • Heavy menstrual bleeding • Menstrual periods lasting more than a week • Pelvic pressure or pain • Frequent urination • Difficulty emptying the bladder • Constipation • Backache or leg pains Rarely, a fibroid can cause acute pain when it outgrows its blood supply, and begins to die. Fibroids are generally classified by their location.

Intramural fibroids grow within the muscular uterine wall. Submucosal fibroids bulge into the uterine cavity.

Subserosal fibroids project to the outside of the uterus.

See your doctor if you have: • Pelvic pain that doesn't go away • Overly heavy, prolonged or painful periods • Spotting or bleeding between periods • Difficulty emptying your bladder

Seek prompt medical care if you have severe vaginal bleeding or sharp pelvic pain that comes on suddenly.

Causes

Doctors don't know the cause of uterine fibroids, but research and clinical experience point to these factors: changes.

• Genetic Many fibroids contain changes in genes that differ from those in normal uterine muscle cells.

• Hormones. Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that stimulate development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy, appear to promote the growth of fibroids. Fibroids contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells do.

Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause due to a decrease in hormone production.

• Other growth factors. Substances that help the body maintain tissues, such as insulin-like growth factor, may affect fibroid growth.

Doctors believe that uterine fibroids develop from a stem cell in the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus (myometrium). A single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue.

The growth patterns of uterine fibroids vary — they may grow slowly or rapidly, or they may remain the same size. Some fibroids go through growth spurts, and some may shrink on their own. Many fibroids that have been present during pregnancy shrink or disappear after pregnancy, as the uterus goes back to a normal size.

Risk factors

There are few known risk factors for uterine fibroids, other than being a woman of reproductive age. Other factors that can have an impact on fibroid development include: • Heredity. If your mother or sister had fibroids, you're at increased risk of developing them.

• Race. Black women are more likely to have fibroids than women of other racial groups. In addition, black women have fibroids at

younger ages, and they're also likely to have more or larger fibroids.

• Environmental factors. Onset of menstruation

Uterine fibroids are frequently found incidentally during a routine Pelvic exam. Your doctor may feel irregularities in the shape of your uterus, suggesting the presence of fibroids. If you have symptoms of uterine fibroids, you doctor may order these tests: • Ultrasound. If confirmation is needed, your doc-

tor may order an ultrasound.

It uses sound waves to get a picture of your uterus to confirm the diagnosis and to map and measure fibroids. A doctor or technician moves the ultrasound device (transducer) over your abdomen (transabdominal) or places it inside your vagina (transvaginal) to

tests.

If you have abnormal menstrual bleeding, your doctor may order other tests to investigate potential causes.

These might include a complete blood count (CBC) to determine if you have anemia because of chronic blood loss and other blood tests to rule out bleeding disorders or thyroid problems.

Treatment

There's no single best approach to uterine fibroid treatment — many treatment options exist. If you have symptoms, talk with your doctor about options for symptom relief. (Mayo Clinic)

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Puzzles

ACROSS 91 Squander 1 Sedgwick of film 92 Reflect deeply 5 Jones and Kelly

93 Yale alumnus 11 San --, Texas

94 Maxing out 17 "--, right!"

95 Nuisances 21 Holiday song

96 Slangy address 22 Maraud

97 Elton John's "-- Man" 23 Frankness

99 Connections 24 Black-and-white predator

100 Ringlet 25 Kind of tradition 101 Soup holder 26 Charm 102 Meager 27 Explosive containing TNT 103 PC memory unit 28 Kind of horse?

104 Ism 29 Hibachi dishes

105 Playing marble 31 "Star Wars" villain 106 Almost grads 33 Read palms

107 Cathedral parts 35 Palette adjunct

109 Political factions 36 Skimpy skirts

110 Certain pickles 37 Discussion group 112 Implies (2 wds.)

38 Boot liner

115 Raccoon cousin 41 Jarrett of NASCAR 116 Pass (2 wds.)

42 "The Prisoner of --" 120 Jai -43 -- Moines

121 Violinist -- Menuhin 44 Wives, to lawyers 123 Compass pointer 48 Arkansas range

125 Festive log 50 Exciting

126 Roman "fiddler" 51 Chaperoned girl

127 More grouchy 52 Saudi city

128 Job, and then some 53 Fountain orders

129 Wagner's Earth goddess 54 Card combos

130 Strong -- -- ox 55 Climbing rose

131 Threat ender (2 wds.)

57 LP spinners

132 Protected funds 58 Marseilles Ms.

133 Chestnut or bay 59 Juicy pears DOWN 60 Gemstone guru

1 Put on a tie 61 Uproars

2 Good old days 62 Fair-hiring letters 3 Caboose's spot 63 Grunge 4 Kate's sitcom friend

64 Franklin's note 5 Lubricates 65 J.R.'s mama

6 Had status 66 By the book

7 Take advantage of

68 Wheel nut

8 Machine parts

69 Ceiling

9 It's easily deflated

70 Soul singer John -- 10 Helpings

71 Count on

11 "Evangeline" setting 72 Single no more

12 Labels

73 Jacuzzi feature

13 Pitbull sound

74 Horror flick staple 14 VA summer hrs.

75 Dreams

15 Veggy sponges

78 John -- Passos

16 Acrylic fabric

79 Flit about

17 Called from the Tyrol 80 Help a lost driver 18 Paleozoic et al

84 Yardsticks 19 North-forty unit

85 Event for stunt pilots 20 Ocean fish

87 Sword thrust 30 Jerks

88 Burnt -- -- crisp

32 Murray or Dalton

89 Freighter hazard 34 Allude to

90 Renege (2 wds.)

36 Gets better

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- TROCHES

(TROCHES: TRO-kees: Small medicinal lozenges.)

Average mark 33 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 44 or more words in TROCHES?

those throes torch tore recto rest retch rochet rose rote ocher other cero

chest chore chose core corset cost cote crest hector hero hers hoer horse

horst hose host echo escort etch ethos score scoter sect sector shoe shore

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.

37 Grainy, as leather

38 Saddle horn 39 Flowering shrub

40 Immature

42 Nada

43 Black mark

45 Waistline 46 Urge or prohibit

47 Mouthed off

49 I-90

50 Hardly bland 51 Lagged behind 52 Sea, to Cousteau

54 Little Richard's Miss 55 Toon Chihuahua

56 Escorted

59 Cap visors 60 Bleach bottle 61 Author Horatio -- 63 Stokes a furnace

64 Govt. agency 65 Like a wolf's howl

67 Chassis

68 Tutor's offerings 70 Find quarters 72 Not broken 73 Mandible 74 Polite chaps 75 Deduces 76 Blob of mayo 77 Beethoven's Third 78 Phony shirt fronts 79 Understood a joke 80 Corrodes 81 Piano exercises 82 Snowier 83 Hawk's grippers 85 Battery size 86 Bear -Roundup gear 87 90 Place a wager 91 Lawn invaders 92 Cosmonaut space lab 94 Baby chick sounds 95 Voting district 96 "In Xanadu did --

Khan..."

98 GI fare (2 wds.)

100 Easy gait

101 Helms

103 Falling star

104 Eau --, Wisc.

105 Birdseed

108 Right to decide (hyph.)

109 Is an omen of 110 Guys

111 More bashful

112 Mandlikova of tennis

113 Seine moorages

114 Tourist center of Japan

115 Bodybuilder's rep

116 Llama country

117 Franc's replacement

118 "Catch-22" actor

119 Campus figure 122 Tint

124 Maize unit

See Solution on page 14

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

K

angana Ranaut, who officially turned director with her latest release, Manikarnika, has already announced her next directorial venture: She plans to bring her own life story to the big screen as and insists the project won’t be a “propaganda”.

With a script penned

by Baahubali writer KV Vijayendra, who also wrote Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, the film is set to go on floors by the end of this year. According to the actor, Vijayendra “urged” Kangana, around 12 weeks ago, to let him write a film based on her life. “I was nervous and wary initially, but then, given his stature and

the fact that I trust him implicitly, I gave Vijayendra sir the go-ahead on the project.” Kangana said the film will focus on various aspects of her life but would not name people who have had differences with her in the past.

“How can I show my journey without people, I can’t be walking alone. But we will not be taking any names. The idea is to protect me and my life with all its highs and lows. In the end, it is the story of an achiever, a girl from the mountains who came into Bollywood without any connections in the industry or even a godfather, and went on to carve a niche for herself against all

odds,” s h e

added.

“I’m emboldened by the love of the people around me, who have never judged me but accepted me for who I am,” she added.

“My own story is the subject of my next directorial.

But it is not a propaganda film with characters who are starkly black and white, rather it is a sincere, heartfelt account of my journey so far with plenty of lighter moments,” Kangana said in a statement. (Hindustan Times)

C

owabunga!

Or should we say, "Holy crossover cinema, Batman"? Batman is teaming up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for an animated movie, SyFy Wire reported.

Together, the heroes will face a batch of Batman villains, in a film based on the six-issue comic series

by James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams II. A representative for Warner Bros confirmed the SyFy report, and Warner Bros. and DC both tweeted about the film.

Troy Baker will voice both the Dark Knight and Joker, with Darren Criss as Raphael, Eric Bauza as Leonardo, Kyle Mooney as Michelangelo and Baron Vaughn as Donatello.

A

lawsuit was filed against actor Arjun Rampal in the Bombay high court (HC) after he allegedly failed to pay back a loan of Rs 1 crore which he had taken from YT Entertainment in May 2018.

However, the actor said the issue has been cleared. “The issue has been cleared and the transaction has happened,” said Rampal, adding that he would make it clear in court when the lawsuit came up for hearing.

According to the lawsuit filed through solicitor Aurup Dasgupta, Rampal had promised to pay back the loan within 90 days, with an interest of 12% per annum.

He had also given a postdated cheque (PDC) of Rs 1crore. But when the cheque was deposited on

P

roducers for a planned Michael Jackson stage musical have canceled a pre-Broadway engagement in Chicago, citing “scheduling difficulties” caused by the recently ended Actors’ Equity strike.

“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” will now make its world premiere with the previously announced Broadway debut in summer 2020. The producers said that the musical’s first national tour will premiere in Chicago.

The decision to skip the pre-Broadway try-out was announced Thursday by The Michael Jackson Estate and Columbia Live Stage, producers of the bio-musical.

Don’t Stop was to have debuted at Chicago’s James M.

Nederlander Theatre on Oct. 29, with a Dec. 1 closing date.

A developmental work session will take place in New York City this fall.

The 33-day Equity strike, which ended Feb. 8, prohibited union members from participating in the developmental labs that are increasingly common for Broadway musicals.

The cancellation of “Don’t Stop’s” pre-Broadway Chicago engagement appears to be the first production nixed as a result of the strike. The Chicago run was announced in January.

The new musical will feature a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and a score featuring more than 25 Jackson

songs. Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon will direct and choreograph. The musical depicts Jackson and his collaborators as they rehearse for the 1992 Dangerous Tour.

The musical reportedly does not explore Jackson’s personal life.

The Jackson Estate has recently been waging a war of words with HBO over the upcoming documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which chronicles child sexual abuse allegations against the late King of Pop. Directed by Dan Reed, the controversial film, which debuted this year at the Sundance Film Festival, is set for a two-night HBO launch March 3-4. (Page Six)

B

But what about the villains?

SpongeBob SquarePants fans, mark your calendars for this one: Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob, will play The Penguin. John DiMaggio (Jake on Adventure Time) will play Mr. Freeze, Tara Strong (Bubbles on The Powerpuff Girls) will play

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, Carlos Alazraqui (Rocko on Rocko's Modern Life) will play Bane and Cas Anvar (Alex Kamal on The Expanse) will play Ra's al Ghul.

The film will arrive on home video on 4K, Blu-ray, and Digital late this spring, SyFy Wire reports. (CNET)

August 23, it bounced. YT Entertainment then filed a criminal complaint against Rampal in October.

The actor was served a legal notice under provisions of section 138 of the Negotiable

Instruments Act, 1881 on October 8, where he was asked to pay Rs 1 crore with interest, within 14 days.

But, as he failed to comply, a criminal complaint was filed against Rampal in the metropolitan magistrate court at Andheri on October 29.

Rampal then paid Rs 7.5 lakh to the firm on November 22, but as he failed to pay the entire loan amount, a commercial suit was filed for recovery of Rs 10,050,000 with interest, on Tuesday, after adjusting the Rs 7.5 lakh he had already paid.

Dasgupta has refuted Rampal’s claim and said the actor has not returned any money apart from Rs 7.5 lakh. (Hindustan Times)

orn as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehelvi, Madhubala began working in films at the young age of 9 – she made her debut as a child artiste in 1942 with Basant and her first adult role was Ganga in Neel Kamal (1947). Known as the Indian Marilyn Monroe and tragedy queen of Bollywood, a look at her reel and real life confirm that she was a rebel, a star who commanded adoration of millions and is remembered to this day.

The mix of innocence and vulnerability that she brought to the screen was only heightened by the roles she picked – of strong women who may have accepted the role society imposed on them but lived it a way all their own.

Mr and Mrs 55: In Guru Dutt’s only lighthearted film, Madhubala played a young, openminded woman who happily defied her aunt who wants her to conform to gender stereotypes.

Her portrayal is so fresh that actor Janhvi Kapoor recently said that the film celebrated feminism like few others.

Madhubala has done such a beautiful job in the film. The concept that the film raised, it dealt with feminism. Madhubala ji’s character was so forward thinking. Her aunt was also in the film, whose character was more (conservative about) how girls should behave in a society. They did not present it as an issue, they slipped it in beautifully in the story,” Janhvi Kapoor had said in an interview.

Mughal E Azam: Madhubala’s Anarkali is remembered as a weak character but if you watch K Asif’s classic closely, you realise that Anarkali overcomes the crimes committed against her and tells her story to the world. Apart from Akbar’s atrocities, she has to face humiliation at the hands of her lover Salim (Dilip Kumar). He slaps her and tells her that she is weak and her love isn’t genuine. The timid girl disappears,making way for a bold and confident woman who publically declares her love. The lyrics of the iconic song Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya are loaded with sarcasm for the emperor as well as the prince.

Mahal: Madhubala chose to be part of what can be arguably called Hindi cinema’s first film with a ghost in it. “The movie, “Mahal,” was a huge success, making the lead actress, Madhubala, who was barely 16, a superstar overnight. Nearly seven decades later, strains of the film’s signature song ‘Aayega aane wala’ are instantly recognizable to most Indians, evoking the suspenseful tale of lost love and reincarnation,” The New York Times wrote in its obituary for Madhubala.

Love on her own terms She is known to be a hopeless romantic who had tragic relationships – the most famous ones were with Dilip Kumar and Kishore Kumar. In an interview to Filmfare, Madhur Bhushan shared about Madhubala’s breakup with Dilip and said, “Bhaijan (Dilip) called my father ‘a dictator’ in court and sided with the Chopras (late BR Chopra, the director). Bhaijan could’ve simply said let’s change the location. Or remained neutral. Apa used to cry a lot those days. They had conversations on the phone trying to patch up. He kept saying, ‘Leave your father and I’ll marry you.’ She’d say, ‘I’ll marry you but just come home, say sorry and hug him.’”

The two never breached the divide between them. (Hindustan Times)

Crossword Solution

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Fun Times

Archie

Take it easy and do whatever it takes to avoid getting (March 21into an emotional argument.

April 19) Expand your interests, knowledge and outlook, and keep your opinions to yourself.

ARIES

Make some changes at TAURUS home that will render your (April 20- surroundings more comfortMay 20) able and your relationships with loved ones more affectionate. The family that plays together stays together.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Be open to suggestions, but verify the information you are given before you act on it. A change of heart will help you see your relationship with someone differently. Learn from experience.

CANCER

The suggestions you make will change the way someone (June 21feels about you. Add a little July 22) romance to your life to bring you closer to a loved one.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

Before you make a change, check your finances and see if you can afford the added expense. Be realistic and put plans on hold until you are in a better financial position.

Expand your interests, friendships and knowledge by getting out and participating. Get involved in activities and events that address your concerns, and strive for the kind of change you want to see happen.

Look past any current dilemma. If someone is trying to pressure you, know enough to walk away. Don't give in to demands that will upset you or ruin your plans.

A change to how or where SCORPIO you live will turn out better (Oct. 24- than you think. Once you realNov. 22) ize what you want, everything else will fall into place. Trust your judgment.

Think big, but stick to your SAGITTARIUS budget and don't rely on oth(Nov. 23Dec. 21) ers to do things for you. A change is only good if it puts your mind at ease.

Anger solves nothing, but CAPRICORN putting that energy to good (Dec. 22- use will help you figure out Jan. 19) the best way to move forward.

A change at home is favored.

Calvin and Hobbes Don't let the words or acAQUARIUS tions of others discourage (Jan. 20- you. An emotional situation Feb. 19) will take you by surprise.

Don't allow anyone to coerce you into making a decision you aren't prepared to make.

Enjoy the company of PISCES (Feb. 20- friends. Run your ideas by Mar. 20) someone who will offer honest opinions, suggestions and encouragement to keep moving forward. Romance is featured.