Guyana Times - Sunday, January 27, 2019

LOOK INSIDE !

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 3817 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Sunday, January 27, 2019

PRICE

Mandatory Art 106 90-day due elections

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GECOM can be ready for elections by March 19 – Commissioners …as sources question independence of GECOM’s machinery

Decomposed body of P13 Essequibo man found in rice field

Page 3

MPs to lose parliamentary concessions Page 7

Page 8

Top Cop’s vehicle crashes into water delivery canter

… porters suffer broken limbs

PPP will keep its promises – Ali

…as thousands of Berbicians greet presidential candidate Page 9

P14 Vendors complain of sewage spillage in Georgetown

Do not shop at stores with ‘no return’ signs – CCAC urges P15

AFC backs Granger/ P12 Nagamootoo for elections

Lusignan Massacre victims P10 remembered

2

news

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Ali promises to increase disposable income in Region 6 …during meeting with business community

P

residential candidate for the People’s Progressive Party, Irfaan Ali, continued his nationwide outreach on Saturday; this time in the ancient county, where he met with the business community before a grand rally in Port Mourant, Berbice.

Ali, accompanied by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, sat down with business owners at the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) building in Rose Hall for a near three-hour engagement.

Addressing the businessmen, Ali, an economist, said when the party returns to Office, it will put measures in place which will see disposable income in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) if the party is to return to office.

He noted that they will reverse all tax measures implemented by the coalition

Presidential candidate for the PPP, Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo chat with a section of the Berbice business community on Saturday

Government that is causing hardships for the business community.

The presidential candidate added that disposable income was plucked out of the region’s economy with sugar and rice sectors going downhill. Oil, he noted, will bring some relief to the region. “… All improvements that we had seen has reversed over the last three years and where is the Government getting revenues from, through taxation. So what we are seeing is that tax revenues from VAT (Value Added Tax) has increased from $37.3 billion to $48.4 billion and that is only in VAT revenues. We have a situation now where the Government has not been able to grow any sectors, has not been able to create wealth in any of the productive sectors; the entire productive sector is on the decline, so the only source of revenue is actually taxation. Hence, the disposal income – the money available to be spent in the economy – has declined significantly as a result of the tax measures,” Ali posited.

He went on to say that these plans include the construction of a deep-water harbour in Region Six, the spin-off from which will benefit sectors such as transhipment, construction and broker services.

Additionally, Ali noted that the development of ICT in Berbice is also in the cards and this will not only create hundreds of employment opportunities but there will be easy financing available.

Further, the presidential candidate hopeful pos-

ited, however, that they cannot ignore the existing industries that once thrived in the region such as rice and sugar. To this end, Ali reiterated his party’s promise of reopening the sugar estates that were shut down by the current administration, while highlighting plans to diversify the sector.

Speaking to the business sector, Ali asserted that the region’s economy has tumbled because of Government’s uninspiring policy and framework that has impacted negatively on Berbice businesses. Increased taxes and the lack of incentives and subsidies are among the factors, he said, that killed commercial activities in the region.

“Going on to four years now in the Government and they are not able to lay a development plan out or share it with the population so we don’t know what direction the Government is going into. But we in the PPP have honoured, always, developed and communicated a clear strategy. Businessmen need predictability; they need to understand where the country is heading, where the opportunities will be and how they can have access to those opportunities that will arise in the future,” Ali posited.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo also interacted with the business community, fielding questions from and lending assurances to the businessmen. Also present at the engagement was Regional Chairman David Armogan, who lamented the state of affairs in the region to the party leaders.

news

3

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Mandatory Art 106 90-day due elections

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

Sunday, January 27 – 10:00h-11:30h and Monday, January 28 – 11:30h-13:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, January 27 – 09:25h-10:55h and Monday, January 28 – 10:35h-12:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Cloudy conditions and light rain showers will prevail during the day with sunny conditions in the late afternoon, with partly cloudy skies in the evening. Overall temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 09:20h and 21:49h at maximum heights of 2.42 metres and 2.33 metres.

Low Tide: 15:18h reaching a minimum height of 0.83 metre.

saturDAY, JANUARY 26, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

06

10 13

22 24 28

FREE TICKET

23 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

05 06

09 20 21

LUCKY 3

3

5

5

7

Afternoon Draw

8

7

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02

03

06

08

PAY DAY

01 02 04 12 13

10

13

19 SUPER PAY DAY

03 04 07 12 21

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

GECOM can be ready for elections

by March 19 – Commissioners …as sources question independence of GECOM’s machinery

P

eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) nominated commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are contending that far from the view being expressed by GECOM and Government officials, elections can be held by March 19, 2019.

In an interview with Guyana Times, PPP’s GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj noted that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield has been creating an impression that there is not enough time to complete various tasks before elections. But according to Gunraj, many of these tasks can be completed concurrently.

“Lowenfield has said that we need 90 days for specific tasks. When you look at the tasks that make up those 90 days, most of the tasks can be done concurrently,” Gunraj said. “For example advertising for staff can occur at the same time that you are procuring training material.”

“He has, for example, 14 days for procurement of training materials, 14 days for advertising for staff. And that counts for 28 days out of the 90 days, when in truth both of those things can happen in those 14 days.”

In a recent interview, Commissioner Bibi Shadick had also asserted that GECOM could hold elections within 50 days. According to Shadick, she is basing this on the information provided

by Lowenfield at Thursday’s meeting at the Secretariat.

The Commissioner related that she even offered Lowenfield a proposed timeline for conducting elections within that time frame.

“I am convinced that the CEO in trying to please all his masters is prepared to go back on the submissions he

PPP-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj

gave us and is a thoroughly confused person and at this point, I said that he is not fit for the job.

“We moved the date to meet with the Whips so that they can get together and call their principals so that the President can call a date for elections and GECOM will have to hold that elections because once an election date is announced, then GECOM has to meet that date because that is the constitutional mandate of GECOM.” So, if elections can be held within the prescribed 90 days’ timeline, what is the hold-up? According to sources, the no-confidence resolution passed in Parliament would have tested GECOM’s resolve and independence in much the same way as the Judiciary was tested by the legal application by the Government to delay the resolution’s application.

But sources noted that while the Judiciary recognised the urgent nature of the no-confidence vote and expedited the cases, GECOM’s foot-dragging has earned it much criticism.

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

More questions

On Friday, Chief Whips Gail Teixeira and Anna Ally emerged from their meeting with GECOM with more questions than answers, as GECOM refused to give deadlines for its preparations.

In an interview after the meeting, the Opposition Chief Whip had been less than satisfied with the answers she did get. According to Teixeira, she asked if the Commission could make simultaneous preparations to accommodate what remains of the time frame for elections.

“We asked a number of technical questions, to do with the Commission doing a range of things to make the 50 days, because we have about 54 days left.

And wasn’t it possible for the Commission to run on simultaneous tracks (for) procurement, ballot paper, training, the list in terms of extracting and adding those eligible (names).

“The Commission did not answer, except that Lowenfield had concerns about training. The Commission trained approximately 10,000 people for LGE [Local Government Elections], used 7500. So we don’t believe it’s impossible

President David Granger has to set a date for elections

that we could achieve the number of people to work as temporary polling staff.”

Teixeira was of the view that Lowenfield was reluctant to give approximate dates for election preparations. In fact, Teixeira noted that the CEO constantly deferred to the Commission when it came to giving timelines and she expressed suspicions that he may be under pressure.

According to the Chief Whip, the Government Commissioners mostly provided reasons for not holding the elections in 90 days, such as house-to-house registration. She noted that this exercise could delay the elections by as much as eight months.

GECOM, which successfully ran the LGE in November 2018, less than three months ago, is being blamed by Government for not being ready, but it is the President of Guyana, who has to give a date for elections and not GECOM as being touted. The President of Guyana, according to the Constitution, has to dissolve Parliament and issue a date for elections.

Calls by this publication to Lowenfield went unanswered.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, january 27, 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

GECOM stalling democracy

O

n December 21st, 2018 the successful passage of the historic no-confidence motion (NCM) brought by the Opposition PPP against the PNC-led coalition government triggered the compulsory holding of national and regional elections to determine a new government, in accordance with the mandate given by Art 106 (6) (7) of the Constitution, the highest law of the land. As such, it also became necessary for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to make preparations for such elections, in accordance with its mandate.

The government sadly, backtracked on its initial acceptance of the consequences of the NCM and took recourse to the courts; a move the Opposition immediately labelled as a delaying tactic to allow them to remain in office beyond the Constitutionally stipulated three months. In order to avoid a constitutional crisis brought on by the intransigence of the PNC-led government, the Leader of the Opposition met with President David Granger to discuss a way forward. One agreement reached was that without any prejudice, the Chief Whips of the two parties would meet with GECOM to discuss the modalities of holding elections in three months.

To its credit, the High Court accepted the urgency of the cases brought before it and declared it would issue a judgement on each of the four limbs the government had cited in its delaying maneuvers, by January 31st. This would then remove the legal impediment in the way of executing Art 106. But it was not a coincidence that GECOM did not follow the lead of the Courts to expeditiously address the matter of its readiness for holding elections within the three months deadline.

The CEO of GECOM asserted he could not meet with the two Whips unless and until instructed to do so by the GECOM Chairman. This 85-year old gentleman, who had been unilaterally appointed to his position by President Granger as “fit and proper”, had not been on the job for weeks and announced he would not be available until late in January.

In the meantime, one would have thought if the CEO, who actually does not need permission to meet with anyone since he is in charge of the GECOM Secretariat, which actually conducts elections, would have set into motion the process by which all the different aspects of the exercise would have been placed on a timeline.

After all, GECOM had been conducting local and general elections since 1992 and would have created templates on which the new variable of time would be inserted. But when the Chairman finally showed up for work more than a month after the no-confidence motion was transmuted into a binding resolution, the CEO refused to issue any timelines. The meeting became mired in an acrimonious back and forting between the Government and Opposition Commissioners over what was and was not possible for elections by end March 2019.

This Gordian knot, created by the Government in its desperate rearguard move to stave off elections, could easily have been resolved by the GECOM CEO, with a statement of what exactly was the situation in terms of GECOM preparedness, which had always been premised as a process that was continuously in motion.

One Opposition Commissioner, however, had elaborated on accelerated timelines for such facets as claims and objections to cull persons who had expired along with a new registration process to capture new voters, and had demonstrated that the end March deadline could still be met. A priori, however, the government Commissioners denied these contingencies and insisted that since the present list of voters would expire in April 2019, a completely new “house to house” registration process was demanded.

At this juncture of the impasse, the Chairman could have placed the matter to a vote in which he would have had to exercise his casting vote, but he refused to do so and abruptly concluded the meeting. So the institution that was created to ensure the procedural aspect of democracy be complied with, has now worked to deny it.

The Georgetown education district children’s Mashramani activities commenced on Friday at the National Cultural Center with some 265 pupils from nursery schools around Georgetown participating in dance, dramatic poetry, calypso and costume displays. In photo, these youngsters enjoy a photo moment while participating in the festivities (Education Ministry photo)

Khashoggi inquiry has sought access to Saudi Consulate, Kingdom

A

United Nations human rights investigator leading an international inquiry into the murder of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi said on Saturday she had made a request to have access to the crime scene in Saudi Arabia’s Consulate in Istanbul and to visit the Kingdom.

Agnes Callamard, UN special rapporteur on executions, who begins a week-long mission to Turkey at Government invitation on Monday, said she had not yet had a reply from Saudi authorities.

On Thursday, she said the three-member legal and forensic panel would seek to establish “States’ and individuals’ responsibilities” for the killing.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist living in the United States, was murdered at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, on October 2, where he had gone to collect documents for his planned wedding.

US intelligence agencies believe Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered an operation to kill Khashoggi, who was a critic, and say his body was dismembered and removed to a location still publicly unknown.

Riyadh denies the Crown Prince had any involvement in the murder.

“I have requested access to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and a meeting with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saud Arabia in Turkey,” Callamard said in an email to Reuters. “I have also sought permission to conduct a similar country-visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

The Saudi mission in Geneva and Government media office in Riyadh have not responded to Reuters inquiries about the international investigation.

A Saudi Public Prosecutor’s spokesman said last year that 21 Saudis had been taken into custody over the case, 11 of whom had been indicted and referred to trial. The Prosecutor said this month it was seeking the death penalty

Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Agnes Callamard waits for a news conference to start in San Salvador, El Salvador, February 5, 2018 (file photo)

for five of the 11 indicted suspects.

“I conceive of this inquiry to be a necessary step, among a number of others, toward crucial truth telling about and formal accountability for the gruesome killing of Mr Khashoggi,” Callamard said.

In its report to the UN Human Rights Council in June, the inquiry will make recommendations about how to ensure “formal (criminal) accountability”, she said.

Callamard said she had requested information from other authorities, including in the United States.

“It is hoped this will help ensure accountability and transparency in this case and may open new avenues for the prevention and protection of the right to life in other cases, including of journalists and human rights defenders, and accountability for their killings,” she added. (Reuters)

BAE boss: UK should be ‘critical friend’ to Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi murder

Britain should be a “critical friend” to Saudi Arabia, according to the boss of

Europe’s biggest defence company.

BAE Systems is the mainstay of the British defence industry. The company is involved in the manufacture of fighter aircraft, naval ships and weaponry, much of which is exported around the world. It recently signed a multi-billion pound contract with the Australian Navy.

However, it is the company’s links to Saudi Arabia that have attracted much recent attention. Saudi Arabia is, by far, the biggest export market for the UK defence industry. Only America sells more weapons to the nation.

Many of those deals have involved BAE, including the sale of 48 Typhoon jets to the Kingdom last year. They have been criticised frequently by human rights campaigners, criticism that intensified after the murder of the Saudi Journalist, in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul.

Now, for the first time, the company’s Chairman, Sir Roger Carr, has responded to the murder, telling Sky News that the UK needs to help the development of Saudi Arabia by being “a critical friend”. (Sky News)

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, january 27, 2019

5

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

Desperate masquerading posture of excuses to deliberately delay Dear Editor, Against the backdrop of the December 21, 2018, successfully debated and passed no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, agents of the fallen APNU/AFC coalition Government have adopted a desperate masquerading posture of excuses and deliberate delay.

The debates further exposed the woeful Ponzi scheming on the nation by a fraudulent APNU/AFC cabal. The Government is now scampering all over in an attempt to put a spin of the constitutional directive that General and Regional Elections to elect a new Government, must be within 90 days from the date of the carried motion. This period is subject to extension if agreed upon by a majority of the National Assembly, which we know would require a miracle. It follows that after March 19, 2019, the APNU/AFC Government will be unconstitutional and illegal if there are no elections.

The Government, through Basil Williams, initially advanced the frivolous delaying tactics to effect the mandatory resignation of the Cabinet, in defiance to the simplest constitutional directive. The abuse of the judicial system to effect the delay is characteristic. Others like Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo from the cabal’s camp now advance their own gully

positions, as they U-turn on the statements they made during the debate of the Motion.

Here comes the PNC/R GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander, who has added to the dubious furrow, by trying to be convincing about the need for Houseto-House registrations. His duplicitous approach cannot mask the real intent of delaying the elections to a significant period beyond the constitutional 90 days’ deadline. It is clear that the shallow and futile arguments have one clear objective of extending the time of this illegal APNU/AFC Government.

Partial representations and obvious silence on known relevant House-to-House matters characterise the twisted connotations of Vincent Alexander. It obfuscates all credence in the statements he advances, in an effort to kerfuffle citizens and other stakeholders. The public should recognise that Alexander often publicly spews his contaminating postulations when his political party can materially benefit. It seems not to matter that it comes as an injustice to a majority of citizens. For purpose of clarity, therefore, consideration must be given as follows: Key Legislation which provides authority and the mechanisms for House-toHouse activities in lieu of maintaining an

acceptable List of Registrants include The National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08, The National Registration (Residents) Regulations and Amendments, Chapter 19:08 and the Elections Law Amendment Act No 2 of 2001. These legislations inform the embodiment of the GECOM Training Manual for election staff and for the Continuous Registration process since the Laws came into existence.

In relation to House-to-House Registration, Section 6 (4) (a) of the National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08 states: “The Commissioner may establish an office situated at such place in any district, and at which there shall be received the applications for registrations of persons who are at the qualifying date resident therein or in such part thereof, as he may specify by notice published in the Gazette and, subject to anything to the contrary provided by the regulations, no divisional registrar is required to visit houses in any district or part thereof (as the case may be) in relation to which an office is so established.”

Additionally, Section 6 (a) states that “the Elections Commission shall use the Official List of Electors from the 2001 General and Regional Elections as the base to commence continuing registration.

Provided that at any stage the Commission

Say yes to life, not suicide Dear Editor, The recent death of the 15-year-old student by suicide should be a matter of concern for all of us. I often wonder in amazement at the death of our young people; life snuffed out so often by suicide, accidents, murders, drug overdose, alcoholism and life rejection by people who reject our young people. I want to challenge us as a nation particularly our young people that we are born with a purpose to live and not die. Purpose in theological terms simple means why do we exist in this world? What are our goals, visions and dreams? Where do we go from here when we die?

Purpose can guide life decisions, influence behavior, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and create meaning. For some people, purpose is connected to vocation—meaningful, satisfying work. For others, their purpose lies in their responsibilities to their family or friends. Others seek meaning through spirituality or religious beliefs. Some people may find their purpose clearly expressed in all these aspects of life. (Richard Leider) The untimely death of this young lady should motivate the Education Ministry and religious leaders to do more in our schools among our young people including the University of Guyana.

When people are confused, frustrated and rejected, they feel they can take their life and just end it all but they can kill their bodies but not their souls. Our souls are our true spiritual bodies that will stand before God on the day of judgement and those who commit suicide have no chance of salvation unless they repent before they die. ‘’For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.’’

-Ecclesiastes 12:14 What is suicide? Suicide is defined as intentionally taking one’s own life and comes from the Latin word suicidium, which literally means “to kill oneself.” It tends to carry different traits depending on culture. Literally speaking, suicide, or completed suicide is the successful act of intentionally causing one’s own death. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide and rates of completed suicide are higher in men than women – with men up to four times more likely to kill themselves than women. The most cited risk factors for suicide include psychiatric disorders, genetics, substance

abuse, and family and social situations. Oftentimes, psychiatric factors and substance abuse co-exist. (Quote from PSYCOM). I will also like to give a theological viewpoint of suicide. All suicide cases have a demonic spirit attached to it, many times when a person murders someone they will also commit suicide. It’s a demonic spirit working in their minds to kill a person and themselves. I have had the privilege to counsel and pray for people contemplating murder and suicide and see them free with much prayers and counselling. While we mourn the death of this child from Mae’s school; it’s time we introduce religious stud-

ies into our school curriculum from Primary to University.

It’s is God’s purpose and plan for us to live life to its full potential and don’t die before our time.

I call on all of us to say yes to life and not suicide. I end this discourse with a quote from Shakespeare: ‘’This life, which had been the tomb of his virtue and of his honour, is but a walking shadow; a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.’’

Regards, Rev Dr Gideon Cecil

may undertake such verification as necessary by a means to be determined by the Commission.”

It is widely known that GECOM, over the years, had set a sufficient number of such registration Offices around the country. More importantly, they conducted nine rounds of continuous registration since 2015 using the foregoing legal basis. This was in an effort to update and cleanse the List of voters (Register of Registrants), in the leadup to the two local Government Elections.

The real impetus towards the activation of a continuous registration process, however, was driven following 2008 by the PNC/R and AFC parties, in advancing a mechanism they felt would achieve positive results in the event of snap elections based on the majority in the National Assembly.

While in principle there may have been a 7-year Commission policy of updating the List through House-to-House visits, the Parties in Government rejected it when the time came around. They contended at the time that the continuous registration process was a legally approved option, which the Commission can use to update the List where appropriate.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

6

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019

Page

Foundation

guyanatimesgy.com

10 ways to teach your child the skills to prevent sexual abuse …straight talk about body parts and a no-secrets policy can protect young kids without scaring them

Tell your child matter-of-factly that no one should touch their private parts and that no one should ask them to touch somebody else’s private parts.

Parents will often forget the second part of this sentence. Sexual abuse often begins with the perpetrator asking the child to touch them or someone else.

By Natasha Daniels

W

e teach our young children all sorts of ways to keep themselves safe. We teach them to watch the hot stove, we teach them to look both ways before they cross the street. But, more often than not, body safety is not taught until much older – until sometimes, it is too late. Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that approximately 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18. You want to hear something even scarier? According to the US Department of Justice (nsopw.org), only 10 per cent of perpetrators were strangers to the child and 23 per cent of the perpetrators were children themselves!

These statistics do not surprise me. In my practice I meet children on a weekly basis who have been victims of sexual abuse. Many of them are under five years old. Almost all of them knew their perpetrator and more often than not, it is another kid!

Parents will frequently tell me that they didn’t think this could happen to them. That they never leave their children with strangers. That they always keep their children within their eyesight.

Do your children go on play dates? Do they go to daycare or pre-school? Do you have friends or family over to your house?

Do they play at the neighbour’s house? The fact is, you cannot fully prevent the risk of your child being sexually abused.

The children I have worked with have come from good neighbourhoods, and good homes, and go to really good schools. I have worked with children who have been sexually abused on play dates, sleepovers, in the classroom, on the playground, on the school bus, in their playroom and out in their backyard.

We can arm kids with knowledge that might save them from being victimised.

Now that I have officially scared you to death, let’s walk you back down from that cliff. We have to allow our children to go out into the world and interact with those around them.

But we can arm them with knowledge that might save them from being victimized.

Parents do not always talk to their children about body

Tell your child that body secrets are not okay

safety early enough. They think kids are too young. It is too scary.

But it is never too soon, and it doesn’t have to be a scary conversation. Here are things 10 things that could help your child be less vulnerable to sexual abuse:

Talk about body parts early

Name body parts and talk about them very early. Use proper names for body parts, or at least teach your child what the actual words are for their body parts. I can’t tell you how many young children I have worked with who have called their genitals their “bottom.” Feeling comfortable using these words and knowing what they mean can help a child talk clearly if something inappropriate has happened.

Teach them that some body parts are private

Tell your child that their private parts are called private because they are not for everyone to see. Explain that mommy and daddy can see them naked, but people outside of the home should only see them with their clothes on. Explain how their doctor can see them without their clothes because mommy and daddy are there with them and the doctor is checking their body.

Teach your child body boundaries

Most perpetrators will tell the child to keep the abuse a secret. This can be done in a friendly way, such as, “I love playing with you, but if you tell anyone else what we played they won’t let me come over again.” Or it can be a threat: “This is our secret. If you tell anyone I will tell them it was your idea and you will get in big trouble!” Tell your kids that no matter what anyone tells them, body secrets are not okay and they should always tell you if someone tries to make them keep a body secret.

Tell your child that no one should take pictures of their private parts

This one is often missed by parents. There is a whole sick world out there of paedophiles who love to take and trade pictures of naked children online. This is an epidemic and it puts your child at risk. Tell your kids that no one should ever take pictures of their private parts.

Teach your child how to get out of scary or uncomfortable situations

Some children are uncomfortable with telling people “no” – especially older peers or adults. Tell them that it’s okay to tell an adult they have to leave, if something that feels wrong is happening, and help give them words to get out of uncomfortable situations. Tell your child that if someone wants to see or touch private parts they can tell them that they need to leave to go potty.

Have a code word your children can use when they feel unsafe or want to be picked up

As children get a little bit older, you can give them a code word that they can use when they are feeling unsafe. This can be used at home, when there are guests in the house or when they are on a play date or a sleepover.

Tell your children they will never be in trouble if they tell you a body secret

Children often tell me that they didn’t say anything because they thought they would get in trouble, too. This fear is often used by the perpetrator. Tell your child that no matter what happens, when they tell you anything about body safety or body secrets they will NEVER get in trouble.

Tell your child that a body touch might tickle or feel good

Many parents and books talk about “good touch and bad touch,” but this can be confusing because often these touches do not hurt or feel bad. I prefer the term “secret touch,” as it is a more accurate depiction of what might happen.

Tell your child that these rules apply even with people they know and even with another child

This is an important point to discuss with your child. When you ask a young child what a “bad guy” looks like they will most likely describe a cartoonish villain. You can say something like, “Mommy and daddy might touch your private parts when we are cleaning you or if you need cream — but no one else should touch you there. Not friends, not aunts or uncles, not teachers or coaches. Even if you like them or think they are in charge, they should still not touch your private parts.”

I am not naïve enough to believe that these discussions will absolutely prevent sexual abuse, but knowledge is a powerful deterrent, especially with young children who are targeted due to their innocence and ignorance in this area.

And one discussion is not enough. Find natural times to reiterate these messages, such as bath time or when they are running around naked. And please share this article with those you love and care about and help me spread the message of body safety! (childmind.org)

news

7

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

MPs to lose parliamentary concessions

W

ith the passage of the December 21, 2018 no-confidence vote against the Government several Members of Parliament will lose parliamentary concessions when parliament is dissolve for elections in March of this year.

While questions were raised about efforts to delay the elections were a way of creating a way for these parliamentarians to reap their concessions, Guyana Times has learnt that several MPs will loses duty free concessions. Others have rushed to Parliament seeking to have their parliamentary concessions processed as quickly as possible.

When contacted, Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Issacs confirmed that new Members of Parliament (MP’s) are eligible for a parliamentary pension after three years in the National Assembly.

It is also understood that parliamentarians become eligible for duty-free concessions every three years.

After the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, Government members of the 11th Parliament were sworn in on June 10.

According to sources, however, the 90 days deadline for fresh elections, which is due in March, will mean that some parliamentarians would lose their eligibility for new duty-free concessions. In order to facilitate elections, Parliament has to be dissolved and all new parliamentarians who were sworn-in in 2015 and were given a duty-free concession for the purchase of a vehicle do not become eligible again for another such concession until June 2019.

In the case of Members of Parliament from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), they were not sworn in until August 17, 2015, and thus new parliamentarians from that side would also not be eligible if the timeline is kept.

Unlike the coalition,

however, the PPP has been solidly behind calls for elections to be held within 90 days regardless of the loss of their benefits.

In an interview with this publication, political commentator Ramon Gaskin certainly did not discount the possibility that loss of these benefits could be one of the motives for the delaying tactics the opposition has complained about.

“That could be one of the reasons,” Gaskin acknowledged during the interview. “That could be one of the reasons because there is no guarantee that some of them are going back as MP’s.”

He reminded, however, that a lot more is at stake for the coalition party than the loss of parliamentary concessions. According to Gaskin, none of the political parties with the exception of the PPP appears ready for early elections.

“The main reason they might want to stall, in my opinion, is that they’re (coalition party) not ready to go to the polls. The only party that appears to me to be ready and already campaigning is the PPP. The rest of them aren’t ready yet,” Gaskin posited.

“The AFC (Alliance For Change), of course, was badly beaten (at Local Government Elections).

(Former Speaker of the House Ralph) Ramkarran’s party is now getting started. The Liberty and Justice Party (is just starting).

Although the (People’s National Congress) is a big party, the last LGE showed they’re not so highly mobilised and organised to bring out voters.”

The no-confidence motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition – People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) – succeeded when Charrandas Persaud, a former AFC parliamentarian, broke ranks and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.

With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana.

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, clause

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.”

Government has gone from promising to respect the vote to denying the vote’s validity on grounds

that include an argument that 34 should have been a majority vote in 65. A court case was subsequently filed seeking, among other things, a stay of the elections pending a ruling. However, the court pulled this rug from under the State’s feet when it decided to expedite the cases.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has already warned that if elections are not facilitated within 90 days and there is no parliamentary agreement to extend this time, Guyana will have in place an unconstitutional Government.

Indeed, it is still unclear when elections will be held.

The President is responsible for calling a date for elections. President David Granger is yet to do so and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been accused of being complicit in stalling the process.

8 news

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Top Cop’s vehicle crashes into water delivery canter

… porters suffer broken limbs

T

hree persons are now injured after the Guyana Police Forceissued vehicle of Police Commissioner Leslie James crashed into a water truck on Saturday.

The accident occurred at about 14:45h on the Covent Garden Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) as the Top Cop was returning from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

When contacted, Traffic Chief, Linden Isles, told Guyana Times that while heading to Georgetown, the canter, GWW 9079, which was selling water pulled over on the side of the road to make way for the police vehicle, PSS 4796, after hearing the siren approaching.

But the canter, according to Isles, could not go further into the corner because of

The damaged water delivery canter

when the police vehicle collided with it. The impact of the collision, residents say, caused the Force-issued vehicle to skid on the road and its side to be ripped by one of the “bush-trucks” parked on the side of the road.

A subsequent release from the Force’s Public Relations said, “the canter suddenly swerved from east to west and stopped leaving the rear portion on the driving lane; as a result, the left side front of the [police] jeep collided with the right side rear of motor canter GWW9079 causing

The water delivery canter being taken away from the scene

Top Cop Leslie James’ crashed vehicle

parked trucks on the parapet and as such, when the Top Cop’s Prado Land Cruiser was passing by, it clipped the canter and crashed into it.

However, residents in the area are claiming that there was no siren on the Commissioner’s vehicle and that the canter was parked in the corner of the road

the said canter to spin around and collided to motor lorry GXX 230 [one of the parked trucks] and motor jeep collided to GPP 6739 rear [another vehicle] which was stationary on the western side of the road.”

Guyana Times understand that both the canter and the police vehicle were badly damaged.

At the time, the Commissioner was in the company of his driver, Corporal Mark Smith, and personal assistant (P.A.C), Superintendent of Police Allistair Roberts, who was in the front passenger side of the vehicle.

This newspaper understands that shortly after the accident, Police swarmed the scene and took the Top Cop to seek medical attention at a private hospital in the city. This publication was told that while the Police Commissioner and his driver were cleared, his assistant suffered a broken left shoulder and was admitted at the private institution.

Meanwhile, there were two persons – the owner and driver, Basdeo Lalchan, 37, of lot 1718 Section ‘B’ Block ‘X’, Great Diamond, E.B.D and occupant Janathan Ramkellwan, 24, of lot 1374 Diamond Housing Scheme – in the canter at the time of the accident. They were reportedly pinned in the vehicle and were freed only after cutting the wreckage. They were subsequently rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they are being treated for broken legs and back injuries, before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where they were admitted.

According to the Police, a breathalyzer test was conducted on Corporal Smith and no alcohol was found in his system. Nevertheless, enquiries are in progress.

Finally…

T

…comeuppance for City Officials?

he PPP’s still being blamed for the PNC-run City Council turning Georgetown into the fourth circle of hell for a quarter of a century. Yes, Hamilton Green’s “Good and Green Party” might’ve won the municipal vote in 1994, but that’s only because he billed himself as “the real PNC”. And he was, because the moment the PNC was returned to power in 2015, PNC leader David Granger’s first act was to confer the Order of Roraima on Green and to increase his pension by 1000 per cent!!

What’s the point of “local government” if the “local government” can’t run its own affairs?? Are the municipalities presently under the control of PPP slates expected to pilfer their treasuries; live high off the hog and beyond their means – while doling out tax exemptions - and then blame the PNC Government for strangling them?? But it wasn’t only a case of poor administration by the Georgetown PNC Mayors and City Councillors that did the city in. As we found out in audits, first by Keith Burrowes and then by Ramon Gaskin, it was the pervasive skulduggery that was conducted by high PNC officials who ran the city’s affairs.

But nothing was done about it because the good burghers of Georgetown regularly returned them to office out of loyalty to the PNC. While much ink has been spilled about ethnic voting at the Central Governmental level, absolutely nothing has been said about the most flagrant instance of this insidious behaviour at a municipal level – where one-quarter of the voting population resided!! But finally, after the thefts, cronyism and venality of the Town Clerk, Royston King became too much for even the PNC Government, they had to appoint a CoI to check him out.

We don’t have to repeat what Justice Kennard said about him, do we? As recommended, the Local Government Commission just sacked his sorry a55!!

But what about his recommendations for audits of the entire city accounts and the actions of the PNC Gang of Four – especially two of them – Executive Member of the PNC and ex-Mayor Chase-Green and ex-PNC General Secretary Oscar Clarke?? What about using SARA to recover all the city resources they pilfered?

But more importantly, with heightened awareness of the mismanagement of Georgetown by the PNC brought about by the refreshingly frank language of Kennard’s CoI, why no acknowledgement that, saddled with a PNC Mayor and City Council, the PPP had absolutely nothing to do with the city’s miserable condition.

The sacking of King is only a start. The entire lot must be prosecuted!!

…robotic representation!

If there’s one thing the no-confidence resolution has done is to reveal the true nature of the PNC in all its anti-democratic squalor!! Imagine they’re arguing in the Courts that there’s “no such thing as a “conscience vote”” once the MP is “extracted from a list”!! Well… well…well! Now let’s not keep this at a theoretical level, let’s look at the instance that threw the PNC Government out!

Charrandas Persaud wasn’t just extracted from any old list – he was extracted from the list for the geographical representation for Region 6!! Does the PNC remember why Regional MP seats were increased in the post-1992 era following their defeat? To create a hybrid system of PR and “first past the post”, that’s what! And the purpose of the latter was for specific MPs to represent their regions and thereby deepen democracy in our political system. And what Charrandas did when he voted against the PNC Government was to explicitly declare that his Reg 6 constituency was being shafted!!

And he could stomach it no more. Long live democracy!!

…a bully backs down – again

First, he swore he’d force Mexico to pay for the wall to keep out migrants. After backing down, he blackmailed Congress to fund the wall by not paying a MILLION Federal workers.

Congress refused…and Trump just folded!! The PPP should take heed. If you stand up to bullies, they’ll stand down!!

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

news

9

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP will keep its promises – Ali

…as thousands of Berbicians greet presidential candidate

Thousands of PPP/C supporters at Port Mourant rally on Saturday

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will keep its promises to the people of Guyana. That assurance was made by the party’s presidential candidate Irfaan Ali on Saturday where thousands of Berbicians turned up at Port Mourant to greet him.

“The PPP has a track record of delivering on its promises,” he told the thousands assembled at the Train Line Dam, Port Mourant.

On Saturday, Ali spoke of several promises which the coalition had made while on the campaign trail in 2015, but which failed to materialise. Among them were the creation of jobs, opportunities for young people, and that they were not going to close sugar estates.

On the contrary to those promises made to the residents of Region Six, the Government once elected moved to close down sugar estates, causing thousands of workers to fall onto the poverty line.

“We will reopen the sugar estates, so that there will be more disposable income. That is a promise that I am making to you and you know that the PPP has a track record of keeping its promises. We are not like ‘this Government’, that makes a promise and then go and do the opposite.

What did they tell the sugar workers? What did they tell the rice farmers? The Public Servants were given some promises and the Government has now distanced itself from those promises,” Ali said to the thousands of upbeat supporters.

“You will see a government that will develop special policies and pro-

Presidential candidate Irfaan Ali, surrounded by thousands of Berbicians as he met and interacted with residents of region 6 on Saturday

grammes that will deal directly to the problems of every Region. Just like we implemented a special bill that brought in incentives for investment in Region Ten, we will bring special bills and legislation and implement policies that will create incentives for businesses to invest in Region Six so that we can create new jobs and new opportunities here in Region Six.” Ali promised a positive turnaround in the economy of Region Six when the PPP returns to office. He said this will be possible while urging that everyone ensure they go out and vote on Election Day. “All this Government has done is to take away from the people. They have brought on over 200 new taxes and new fees that have affected your ability to purchase; your ability to participate in the economy because you simply do not have the disposable

income,” he said.

“Taxes have been increased and included on water, education and medical supplies,” the presidential candidate related while noting that the fees to lease Government land have gone up by 1200 per cent.

“We are in the process of developing our manifesto, and you know, Comrades, when the People’s Progressive Party promises you something in our manifesto, we stick by that promise and we fulfil that promise and that is why the first thing that we are saying to you is that we are going to reopen the sugar estates in Region Six,” the 38-year-old said.

Ali added that compensation will be given to those families whose lives were destroyed at the hands of the present Government when they snatched their livelihood by closing the estates. turn to page 12

10 news Lusignan Massacre victims remembered SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP MPs Juan Edghill and Priya Manickchand among the gathering at the remembrance at Lusignan, ECD on Saturday

T

he eleven persons who were killed during the Lusignan massacre 11 years ago were on Saturday remembered as the Indian Action Committee coordinated the annual commemoration activity within the community.

In the very street where the horrific night unfolded, loved ones along with members of the community, religious leaders and representatives of both the Government and the Opposition shared their sincerest solicitude Behind a memorial arch which serves as a reminder, former Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission and People’s Progressive Party Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill explained that he is still aggrieved upon reminiscing on

the lives that were lost.

He recalled that Guyanese from all walks of life would have rendered their solidarity and support towards the families of the victims. He also advocated for citizens to preserve that “oneness” among their fellow people as was seen during that period.

“I would like to remind all of Guyana that out of evil sometimes cometh good.

The good of that coming together at that time must not be list but never again must our coming together be because of such a terrible act,” he posited.

Sentiments were also shared by former Education Minister, Priya Manickchand who provided a detailed description of the community hours after the unfortunate event when she

would have visited.

She noted that while counselling was provided for relatives of the victims, some are yet to heal emotionally from their anguishes.

“What happened in Lusignan shook this entire country…In the weeks that followed, there was also that looking after for each other as God’s children. It was not the families only of the persons who had lost loved ones, it was the entire community,” Manickchand expressed.

Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan was also invited to present his remarks as he stated, “Let us teach and inspire our children to embrace and respect each other. Let us, as all the holy books admonishes, that we seek to promote reconcili-

ation and healing of past wounds. To the bereaved families, we do understand that the pain of losing your loved ones in such a tragic manner will always be with you.”

The Ethnic Relation Commission was represented by Commissioner Rajkumarie Singh who recognised the dawning of yet another anniversary which distances the incident from the present.

However, her advice to the affected families was, “You would have come a far way and many would have given you the support to remain sane and calm. As we gather to pray and express love and kind thoughts, it would certainly help those souls wherever they are.”

At the culmination of the solemn service, prayers and

recitations echoed from the various holy books as religious leaders offered citations for the departed victims.

The massacre unfolded in the wee hours of that January 26, 2008, morning when five children and six adults lost their lives as gunmen invaded their street and carried out the heartless attack in less than one hour. Arming themselves with weapons and high-profile guns, they murdered 48-year-old Clarence Thomas, 12-year-old Vanessa Thomas, 11-yearold Ron Thomas, 32-yearold Mohandan Goordat, 10-year-old Seegopaul Harilall, Seegobin Harilall, 52-year-old Dhanwajie Ramsingh, 56-year-old Seecharran Rooplall, 11-year-old Raywattie

Ramsingh, 22-year-old Shazam Mohammed and 52-year-old Shaleem Baksh.

Those who were injured included 19-year-old Howard Thomas, 48-yearold Nadir Mohamed, and five-year-old Roberto Thomas.

Less than two weeks after the massacre, 10 of the victims’ bodies converged at the Lusignan tarmac where they were laid to rest the same day. Mohammed’s family had completed his rites prior due to religious commitments.

Days after, another massacre was executed in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) which saw the killing of several persons.

The motive of the vicious attack is still unclear.

news

11

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Brazil dam collapse: 300 missing, 34 confirmed dead

Ethnic Impact Statements

W

hether the PNC’s delaying tactics in the courts and in GECOM work or not, elections are on the horizon.

And as such, the partisans of the PNC are hurling bitter missives on the “discriminatory” actions of the PPP when they were in office and the partisans of the PPP are responding in kind about the pre-1992 and post-2015 PNC actions. Unlike the past, we have made some progress in calling a spade a spade and not pretending that the discrimination isn’t felt ethnically. Whether real or not, that is the perception that has to be dealt with.

The first thing we have to do is not to condemn the writers as “tribalists” or such like as some have done. In every society, citizens evaluate the policies and activities of their incumbent government critically.

Governments, after all, are elected to run the State on behalf of their citizens. This scrutiny would Ravi Dev be even more vigilant by those who may have voted against the Government. It has become common, therefore, for Governments in the developed democratic countries – where public opinion is valued – to announce ahead of time what impact their policies will have on specific constituencies – be they, as in the US, labour, business, African-Americans, HispanicAmericans, and so on.

The more divided and polarised the society is, the more critical will be the evaluation of the Government’s policies, since the premise of the Government being the handmaiden of “one side” is even more credible. One of the major bones of contention in any society is the use of the State to favour the group that has put the Government into office. This fear is exacerbated in ethnically polarised societies and the perceived or real discrimination becomes the occasion, if not the cause, of many a battle.

For three decades, we have been arguing for the introduction of “Ethnic Impact Statements” by the incumbent Government before it implements any of its policies and programmes. We did so consistently during the five years we were in Parliament 2001-2006 to no avail: ethnicity was too distasteful to be mentioned in public. We have now all accepted (hopefully) the need for “Environmental Impact Statements” before we embark on programmes that will affect our physical environment. The policy is an acknowledgement of the fragility of our environment and the importance we place on its health and survival, for our own health and survival. I would hope we would acknowledge that our social environment is as important as our physical environment – and certainly more fragile. After all, it has been vividly demonstrated over the past decade that the destruction of our social environment is the direct destruction of “us”. One cannot get closer to home than that: with the environment, at least the effect is a bit indirect and delayed.

While we concede that the cause (and solution) of our ethnic problem goes beyond governmental actions, the fact of the matter is that we have to begin there. It is a simple matter of justice. No matter which party forms the Government, we must accept that governmental actions have to be conducted on behalf of all the people: the State is our joint venture. Since, based on our history, we know that all governmental actions will be scrutinised by the populace through ethnic lens, what is the harm of scrutinising the policies ahead of the implementation?

The activities of the Government are part and parcel of our “national patrimony”. In fact, in Guyana – as in most of the Third World – Governmental activities unfortunately comprise most of the national patrimony – and this is part of the reason why it is scrutinised so closely and emotionally.

If such “Ethnic Impact Statements” could be crafted and issued before the announcement and implementation of policies and programmes, they would precipitate discussion and debate, which could be utilised to modify the policies or programmes before they become political mobilisational tools.

To wait for the inevitable ethnic post-mortems is to ensure there will be trouble. Big trouble. The old cliché still holds: justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. An “Ethnic Impact Statement” on governmental activities would go a long way to introducing the latter happy condition.

The APNU/AFC 2015 Manifesto included the promise to issue Ethnic Impact Statements, but they never bothered to work with the Ethnic Relations Commission, which is mandated to conduct them. We hope that in the coming campaigns, this tool to address our most pressing issue will be considered.

B

razilian firefighters said on Saturday that at least 34 people were killed when a dam burst at an iron ore mine owned by Vale, as rescuers continued to search for hundreds still missing.

The Minas Gerais state fire department also said 23 people have been hospitalized after the dam released a torrent of mud on Friday, leaving a roughly 150-meter-wide (500-foot-wide) wake of destruction.

In an earlier statement, the department had said 300 people were still missing and 46 had been found alive.

Firefighters focused their hopes for finding survivors on a bus, a train, mining offices and nearby homes that were buried on Friday in mud after the dam break at Vale's Corrego do Feijao facility in Minas Gerais state.

Frantic family members of the missing crowded into a warehouse set up by Vale for those affected, next to a stretch of river now demolished by the sludge. More

Brazilian firefighters said on Saturday around 300 people were still missing [Douglas Magno/AFP]

than a dozen helicopters helping to survey the area took off and landed from a football field nearby.

"Unfortunately, at this point, the chances of finding survivors are minimal. We're likely to just be recovering bodies," Romeu Zema, governor of Minas Gerais, told local media.

Among those missing are up to 200 residents of the rural area of Brumadinho in the state of Minas Gerais, where the mine was located, as well as about 100-150 miners, operated by mining company

Vale.

Vale president Fabio Schvartsman said he did not know the cause of the accident and added that the company had taken measures to boost security at dams.

Brazil's Environment Ministry announced a prompt fine of 250 million rais ($66.2m) against the mining company. Local media reported that authorities had seized company assets as a security.

Photos and videos showed a torrent of mud flowing through Brumadinho, with the sea of sludge inundat-

ing roads and homes. People were seen being plucked to safety from the sludge by rescue helicopters.

President Jair Bolsonaro, who has previously pledged to give more free rein to companies and has dismissed environmental concerns, was flown to the area by helicopter on Saturday. "We will do everything in our power to help the victims, to minimize the damage, to investigate the facts, to ensure justice and to prevent these tragedies for Brazilians and the environment in future," Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter.

The accident comes three years after Brazil's worst environmental disaster when a larger dam owned jointly by Vale and BHP Billiton broke in the same region, burying local homes and killing 19 people.

Friday's incident appeared to pale in comparison with the 2015 disaster in Mariana in Minas Gerais when the tailings dam at the Samarco iron ore mine burst.

(Aljazeera)

12 news

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

AFC backs Granger/Nagamootoo for elections D espite reports of a shakeup that would replace Moses Nagamootoo as the party’s prime ministerial candidate, the Alliance For Change (AFC) National Executive Conference has opted to give Nagamootoo another chance.

The AFC held its conference on Saturday at the Umana Yana and threw its support behind Nagamootoo and President David Granger, running for the upcoming election.

According to a statement from the AFC, Party leader and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman addressed the party’s future in the coalition.

“The Leader reaffirmed

his confidence in the David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo leadership to guide the Coalition Government in the period ahead,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the party acknowledged that it has to work harder to deliver for the Guyanese people.

“In his address, (he) stated that the party has listened to the people and has heard what they have had to say. He related that the Guyanese public holds the AFC to a different political standard than that of the traditional political parties and acknowledged that the AFC did make some missteps in Government.”

“This NEC meeting was expanded to include regional, municipal and Neighbourhood Democratic Council Councillors and saw over 110 delegates in attendance from all 10 administrative regions in Guyana along with the Diaspora,’ the statement said.

According to the release, the NEC also unanimously approved a motion for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition to be maintained as per the Cummingsburg Accord for the next General and Regional Elections.

“The NEC renewed the party’s commitment to constitutional reform and rec-

President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

ognised the need for greater and meaningful involvement and participation of young people in the next coalition Government. Further, the party recognised the need for greater empowerment and the provision of more opportunities for the young people of Guyana.”

“The party also unanimously approved a motion to unequivocally support free education from nursery to university and facilitate

housing for all Guyanese with revenues to be derived from oil.”

According to the party, the Constitution of Guyana provides that “every citizen has the right to free education from nursery to university as well as non-informal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.”

Meanwhile, AFC’s Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan in his address

PPP will keep its promises...

“We must and we will do it. We had told the Government that they cannot make a decision about sugar without a social and economy study because sugar is linked to every aspect of life in some Regions.”

In Region Six, he noted many businesses are closing their doors while others are downsizing because persons lost their jobs.

“People have lost their income so how is it that they are going to shop in the stores, supermarkets, and markets.”

The drainage and irrigation system are linked to the sugar industry. With the closure of the Skeldon Estate, rice and cash crop farmers on the Corentyne are being affected because irrigation and drainage. Those systems are becoming clogged.

“The industry supported auxiliary services like mechanical engineering as well as gave support to private cane farmers. The industry supported a system that brought economic benefits to all of Region Six.”

outlined for the NEC meeting the legal matters pertaining to the Government’s defeat at the hands of the no-confidence vote of December 21, 2018.

According to the release, Ramjattan reiterated the Government’s position that it will remain in office until elections are held.

The Government fell to the no-confidence vote after former AFC Member of Parliament, Charrandas Persaud defected and supported an Opposition sponsored no-confidence motion.

In his statement after, Persaud had cited the AFC’s lack of independence from the larger partner APNU as a factor in his decision.

In fact, AFC has been heavily criticised in recent years for this apparent lack of independence. Its position has not been helped by a lacklustre showing at Local Government Elections in November 2018.

It is this showing that has led some to suggest that the AFC may not get the same concessions it got in 2015 as per the Cummingsburg Accord. from page 9

Meanwhile, while thanking his colleagues for the trust which they showed in him, the presidential candidate told the thousands that the Party’s General Secretary is recognised internationally.

“He is an international asset. We should be proud in the PPP that he is our leader.

We have to use this asset as much as possible and as long as possible. I commit to you that I will take his counsel.

We are a united party,” Ali said before he left the stage.

(Andrew Carmichael)

news

13

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Soesdyke Highway hit and run suspect flees country – source

A

young man who is said to be a prime suspect in a fatal hit and run accident which occurred on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway on January 19 has reportedly fled the country.

Twenty-one-year-old Brian Basdeo was killed in the accident while another was injured.

A source close to the investigation told this publication that the suspect’s father and brother were questioned by the police while a white Toyota RunX, suspected to be the car involved in the accident, was impounded. It was reported that the suspect left Guyana on Monday last, two days after the accident. According to the source, the car was found at the suspect’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara home.

At the time of the discovery, the source revealed that the car’s bumper had already been changed but there were indentations on the side of the vehicle.

The source added that the relatives of the suspect have since told Police that the driver of the car was

The car which was impounded by Police

not on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway when the fatal accident occurred since he and his father had an argument and he had left home, leaving the car parked. But according to the source, surveillance footage shows that the young man was imbibing at a bar at Soesdyke and later left in the same car to drop off his girlfriend who lives on the Soesdyke Highway. The source added that surveillance footage from another business showed the RunX passing

from the Soesdyke Highway direction shortly after the accident.

However, relatives of the now dead man as well as the injured man are accusing the police of turning a blind eye to the evidence.

When contacted, the Traffic Chief and Divisional Commander were both unable to confirm these claims and were unable to provide an update on the investigation.

Basdeo, an auto body technician of Grass Field,

Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, had travelled to the Linden-Soesdyke Highway to tow another car to his home to get it repaired.

The car with the mechanical issue was being towed by another car driven by a friend of the now deceased man. As they moved off, the car that was being towed and steered by Basdeo started to make a loud noise.

At that time, Basdeo shouted to his friend ordering him to stop. They both exited their vehicles to make checks.

Another car then pulled up to render assistance and in doing so, they saw the white Toyota RunX approaching at a fast rate.

Guyana Times understands that the man who stopped to help shouted for Basdeo and the other man to move out of the way as he ran to safety.

Basdeo was reportedly stooping down to conduct checks on the vehicle when he was struck and tossed by the speeding car.

He landed onto the road-

way and died almost immediately.

His friend, who attempted to run, was also struck by the speeding car, which did not stop to render assistance. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital

where he was examined and it was discovered that his left leg was broken in several places.

He was treated while Basdeo was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Hospital.

Decomposed body of Essequibo man found in rice field

T

he badly decomposed body of a man who has been missing for over a week was found on Saturday morning in a rice field at Better Hope, Essequibo Coast.

Dead is 58-year-old Cedrick Riley called “Jkee” of Dartmouth Village, Essequibo Coast. The discovery was made at about 06:00h.

According to reports, a 22-year-old cattle farmer was tending to his animals when he was hit by a pungent smell coming from a rice field behind his home.

He then observed what initially appeared to be a decaying animal, so he alerted other residents who went to investigate.

Upon further examination, it was revealed to be

Dead: Cedrick Riley called “Jkee”

the body of a human. The police were summoned.

A close relative of the now dead man positively identified him from his clothing. The body was removed and is presently at the Onderneeming Funeral Home awaiting an autopsy.

Investigations are ongoing.

14 news

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Vendors complain of sewage spillage in Georgetown

T

he garden city of Georgetown, over the years, has seemingly wasted away to not only the ‘garbage city’ but now changing into the ‘sewage city’ as vendors are now complaining of being affected by sewage spills in several locations.

On Saturday, several vendors reached out to Guyana Times to express frustration over the situation and its implications for their health as they continue to long for a breath of fresh air and clean environs.

A vendor who plies her trade on Avenue of the Republic in Georgetown explained that they are forced to wear respirators in an effort to protect themselves from the stench.

“This thing here, it affecting we terrible so we

A few vendors on Avenue of the Republic wearing respirators to protect themselves as a sewage spillage has been reported in the area

have to go and buy the mask. It (the scent) goin all in yuh throat, it givin yuh bad feelings. Is a very long time this goin on,” she said.

The vendors said that since the beginning of the year, they started to notice the stench and spillage.

Another vendor, who spoke with this publication, explained that they reported the issue to the relevant authorities before and the spillage was cleaned; however, they were still hoping for their prayers to be heard soon and the situ-

ation permanently remedied.

“This thing often going on and polluting the whole area here on Avenue of the Republic. Me ain’t know exactly where it coming from, but it polluting the whole area. It went to this extent

before and it was reported and according to what I hear, it was taken care of, but it come back again,” he explained.

According to another vendor in the area, she noticed that the spillage usually takes place around 10:00h to 18:00h. That vendor cried, “We keep inhaling it all the time and it affectin my throat.”

She also related that her business is being affected by the stench, as customers are turned off by the odour and do not stop to shop.

Vendors are now being forced to sprinkle detergents to help cover up the odour in a bid to attract their customers.

Another frustrated male

vendor said, “Over a month and change, this thing here goin on. This water here stink and it gun give people sick and all kind of thing.

We got to put on this thing (respirator) every day. We can’t even get to sell goods.”

That vendor argued that they pay monthly rents and the Mayor of the city must do something to ease their situation.

A few vendors have even taken to social media in a bid to have their cries heard.

Only recently, this newspaper reported that a Georgetown family has been living in sewage for the past few months, with little being done to ease their distress.

news

15

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Do not shop at stores with “no return” signs – CCAC urges An analysis of key economic data over the last ten years (2008 – 2017)

– In the context of the no confidence-motion against the sitting Government

I

n today’s article, the author seeks to present an analysis of a number of key macroeconomic data over a ten years’ period from 2008 to 2017 as illustrated in the table below.

Key economic indicators G$ Billions unless otherwise stated

Source: Bank of Guyana Annual Report, 2017 Starting with the fiscal deficit position over the period, the data has shown that the fiscal deficit position stood at $15 billion in 2008, and a record high of $35 billion in 2014 for the period. In 2015 however, this position dropped to a record low of $9.3 billion after which it went back up to the $30 billion region in 2016 – 2017. It should be noted however, that the record low fiscal deficit for 2015 was on account of the change of Government in that year which resulted in the budget for fiscal year 2015 presented until August 2015 to the National Assembly. Moreover, to understand what fiscal deficit is, a fiscal deficit occurs when a Government’s expenditure is greater than its revenue which means that the deficit then has to be financed by borrowings. This explains why government’s total borrowing over the period is almost the same level as the fiscal deficit position which stood at $15 billion in 2008 and $33.4 billion in 2017.

On the international reserve front – held with the Bank of Guyana, total international reserves stood at US$298.8 million in 2008 and a balance of payment position of a surplus of US$5.6 million for the same year. Notably, international reserves reached a record high of US$825 million in 2012 and a balance of payment of US$33 million surplus. Thereafter, international reserve balance started to dwindle in 2013 to US$751 million, balance of payment recording a deficit of US$119.5 million; in 2014 it went down by another US$100 million to US$652 million while balance payment position recorded a deficit position of US$116 million. In 2015 to 2017 the international reserve position continue to deteriorate in 2015 – 2017 to a record low of US$584 million from its high of US$825 million in 2012.

Focusing on the macroeconomic outcomes for the period, real GDP growth rate averaged 4.2% for the period 2008 to 2014 with the highest level of 5.2% for the years 2011 and 2013, while, notably for the period 2015 to 2017, GDP growth rate averaged 2.8 % with the lowest recorded in 2017 of 2.1%, while inflation remained stable below 2 % from 2013 onwards.

Finally, if one were to observe from the data presented, the Central Government’s balances held with the Central Bank for the period 2008 to 2014 were always recorded at a surplus from $40.9 billion surplus balances in 2008 to $21.4 billion in 2014. This means that the current Government would have inherited an economy to manage in a sound macroeconomic position after which from 2015 to 2017 racked up a deficit balance in those fiscal accounts to $26.4 billion which is indicative of reckless spending egregiously poor and imprudent economic governance of the economy. Should this trend continue with climbing deficits and sovereign debt, a dwindling foreign reserve and poor economic growth, these are indicators for an economic crisis despite the prospects of oil revenues in the medium-term.

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

T

he Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) is now urging consumers to be alert and not shop at stores with “no return” and “no refunds” signs as this is a violation of the law.

The warning was recently resounded at a lecture held at Moray House, Georgetown, in an effort to better sensitise stakeholders on the Competition and Fair Trade and Consumer Affairs Act. Director of the Commission, Dawn Holder-Cush said, “If you go to a store and the store has a sign that says ‘no refund’ do not shop there because you got certain places that they have very good policies that you can go to and you won’t get a problem”.

She informed that there is no such policy and it should not be adhered to by customers.

“It doesn’t matter what they say.

We have the law which says you can’t CCAC Director, Dawn Holder-Cush do that… (and) that is where the press comes in…to let the people know that an item is defective and needs to be re‘no refund’ is illegal,” Holder-Cush in- turned or exchanged and would also be required to make a complaint at the formed.

It was further pointed out that all Commission.

Consumer Affairs Officer, Feyona customers should demand a receipt and Austin-Paul during the lecture signot purchase at stores that do not issue nalled, “We have to be more assertive receipts as it is the only proof of puras consumers because if we demand our chase. rights the supplier will be forced to comA receipt would also be necessary if ply”.

She added that the Commission has been working assiduously to conduct inspections in an effort to address the issue of businesses that do not issue receipts.

In fact, over 150 businesses were visited during 2018.

The Director of the Commission chimed in saying, “Sometimes people get carried away with trying to save a few dollars and a store owner would tell you if you don’t pay VAT (Value Added Tax) and you don’t get a receipt you will get

it at a lower price and they (consumers) happy”.

She, however, stressed the importance of collecting and demanding a receipt because in the event of an issue, the CCAC would not be able to render assistance without a receipt because there would be no proof of purchase.

16 news

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

US calls on world to 'pick a side' on Venezuela

– Europeans set to recognise Guaido

T

he United States on Saturday called on the world to “pick a side” on Venezuela and urged countries to financially disconnect from Nicolas Maduro’s government, while European powers signaled they were set to follow Washington in recognizing Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s rightful leader.

In heated back-andforth exchanges at a United Nations Security Council meeting, the opposing camp led by Venezuela and Russia, which has invested heavily in Venezuela’s oil industry, accused Washington of attempting a coup, and lambasted Europeans’ demand that elections be called within eight days.

Guaido, who took the helm of the National Assembly on Jan. 5, proclaimed himself interim president on Wednesday. The United States, Canada and a string of Latin American countries recognized the young leader

in quick succession. Maduro, who has led the oil-rich nation since 2013 and has the support of the armed forces, has refused to stand down.

But on Saturday Guaido gained support from a key military official. Venezuela’s defense attache to Washington, Colonel Jose Luis Silva, told Reuters that he has broken with the Maduro government and recognized Guaido as interim president.

Speaking at the UN meeting, called by the United States, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Maduro’s “socialist experiment” had caused the economy to collapse and reduced ordinary Venezuelans to rooting through dumpsters for food.

“Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side. ... Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you’re in league with Maduro and his mayhem,” Pompeo told the council. “We call on all members of the Security Council to support Venezuela’s demo-

cratic transition and interim President Guaido’s role.”

Pompeo also called on the international community to disconnect their financial systems from Maduro’s regime.

Washington has signaled it was ready to step up economic measures to try to drive Maduro from power, but on Saturday Pompeo declined to elaborate on any such plans.

By overcoming opposition to holding the UN meeting on Saturday, Washington successfully put the global spotlight on Venezuela as a Security Council problem.

However, any council action to address the crisis would be blocked by veto-powers Russia and China, diplomats said.

Britain, Germany, France and Spain all said on Saturday they would recognize Guaido if Maduro failed to call fresh elections in eight days, an ultimatum Russia said was “absurd” and the Venezuelan foreign minister called “childlike.”

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido speaks during a rally with members of the Venezuela’s National Assembly regarding an amnesty law project for members of the military, in Caracas, Venezuela (Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)

“Europe is giving us eight days? Where do you get that you have the power to establish a deadline or an ultimatum to a sovereign people?”

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told the Security Council. Venezuela has sunk into turmoil under Maduro with food shortages and protests amid an economic and political crisis that has sparked mass emigration and inflation that is seen rising to 10 million percent this year. (Reuters)

Canada PM fires Canada’s ambassador to China

P

rime Minister Justin Trudeau has fired Canada's ambassador to China, John McCallum.

It follows controversial comments McCallum made about an extradition case involving a senior executive from the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.

Trudeau said in a statement he had asked John McCallum to step down, but did not offer a reason.

The detention of Meng Wanzhou, at the request of the US, angered China and soured Canada's relations with Beijing.

Meng, Huawei's chief financial officer, is accused by the US of evading sanctions on Iran. Both she and

Huawei deny those allegations.

In a statement Trudeau said: "Last night I asked for and accepted John McCallum's resignation as Canada's ambassador to China."

He said the veteran diplomat had served Canadians honourably and with distinction with many positions in cabinet, and thanked him and his family for their service.

McCallum caused controversy on Tuesday when he publicly argued that the US extradition request for Ms Meng was seriously flawed.

The next day he issued a statement saying that he "misspoke" and regretted

that his comments had created "confusion".

But on Friday he was quoted as saying it would be "great for Canada" if the US dropped the request.

Meng's case has led to rising diplomatic tensions between Canada and China.

Earlier this month, a Canadian man was sentenced to death in China after a court said a jail term of 15 years was too lenient.

Two other Canadians were arrested following the detention of Meng.

Some China analysts believe that the arrests were a tit-for-tat response to her detention, a claim Chinese officials have denied. (BBC)

news

17

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPHC promises probe following woman’s post-delivery death

T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), following a complaint by the family of Fariena Mohammed, has launched an investigation into her death. Mohammed died nine days after her delivery at the GPHC. Mohammed’s mother, Bibi Khan, said that her daughter died at the hospital on January 05, 2019, after suddenly developing breathing complications and that the institution has not been offering any explanations.

She told Guyana Times that the family officially lodged a complaint on Monday, January 21 and the hospital has since informed them that an investigation will be launched.

However, attempts to confirm whether the investigation has commenced proved futile as several calls to officials at the GPHC went unanswered.

A mother is now calling for justice and an investigation into her daughter’s

Dead: Fariena Mohammed

death after giving birth at the GPHC on December 28, 2018.

Khan accused the doctors at the GPHC of “killing” her daughter and offering no plausible explanations for her death. The grief-stricken woman had said the 30-year-old Mohammed

was pregnant with her second child and on Thursday, December 28, 2018, she went into labour shortly after 13:00h.

She was rushed to the GPHC and gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Shahid Ali, shortly after 16:00h.

However, a few days after, the baby fell ill and doctors informed the family that the baby swallowed some of the amniotic fluid hence the reason for his complications.

The baby boy was transferred to the Neonatal Unit and immediately began receiving treatment for the infection. Mohammed was discharged but remained at the hospital since her infant was still hospitalised. Since she was in the ward and her baby in another section of the building, it required her walking a few flights of stairs to feed him every two hours.

During one of the feedings, a paediatrician noticed something strange with Mohammed and began probing. According to Khan, her daughter was breathing heavily and having shortness of breath which caught the attention of the paediatrician who asked the woman’s doctors to investigate further. It was from there, however, that the situation went downhill.

The doctors did an EKG and it came back normal after which they requested a CT scan. The grieving mother said that she received the call about the CT scan on the morning of January

05, 2019, and informed her daughter that she would take the money during the lunchtime visit.

However, she was told that the doctors said it was urgently needed and that she should visit the hospital as soon as possible with the money for the scan.

Sensing the urgency in her daughter’s voice, Khan rushed down to the GPHC and arrived shortly after 10:00h. In tears, Khan told this publication that she was not prepared for the sight she met when she entered the ward.

Her daughter was being held in a sitting position by the team of doctors with several wires hooked on to her chest and her mouth and nose were covered by an ox-

ygen mask.

The woman painfully related that her daughter did not even bat an eye at her or even speak. She said she started to ask questions, but no one was answering her directly.

Instead, she was instructed to go and pay for the CT scan and that the ambulance would take Mohammed at 11:00h for the procedure at another hospital. After she saw it was past 11:00h and no attempt was made to go for the scan, she started asking more question and was informed that her daughter was too unstable to move.

She said that they stayed at the hospital until 19:00h in hopes that the doctors would tell her something de-

finitive but all she got was a doctor telling them that there is a strong possibility that Mohammed would fall in a coma for three days.

The family retreated to their East Bank Essequibo home and at about 22:00h, Mohammed’s husband received a call from the hospital asking that they go immediately. The family rushed there but on their way, a relative called and said that Mohammed had already died.

Mohammed died shortly after 22:00h on January 05, 2019. The autopsy concluded that she died of a heart attack. The family is not satisfied and have since indicated that there may be a cover-up of the death at the GPHC.

Mabaruma businessman on bail for attempted murder A Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) businessman was on Friday placed before the court after he was slapped with a charge of attempting to commit murder.

Thirty-one-yearold Brenton Charles also known as “Banko” of Kumaka, Waterfront stood before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Kenrick Henry

with intent to commit murder on January 22, 2019, at Kumaka Market, Region One. Defence Attorney Trenton Lake in a bail application stated that his client acted in self-defence since it was the victim that attacked him first.

However, Police Prosecutor Adduni Inniss objected to bail as she informed the court that the victim was stabbed five times about his body.

Further, Inniss noted

that Henry is still hospitalised, and his injuries are listed as life-threatening.

Charles was nonetheless released on $400,000 bail.

The case was adjourned to January 31, 2019. According to reports, Henry was at Charles’ bar when an argument ensued between them.

The prosecution is contending that the duo had a misunderstanding when Charles armed himself with a knife and stabbed Henry several times about his body.

18 news

SUnDAY, january 27, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

India ready to lend assistance in renewable energy – High Commissioner

G

uyana’s plan to pursue renewable energy by 2025 has been matched with India’s commitment to providing support to meet this juncture.

This was recently recommitted by the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam who noted that his country is ready to provide assistance in harnessing bio and renewable energy. After Guyana would have forged a partnership as one of the founders in the International Solar Alliance, provisions can be made to extend the areas in the renewable resources domain.

He also ascertained that forestry resources, the sugar belt and rice sector are zones where reformation can be executed.

“The Founding Member status of Guyana in the International Solar Alliance since March last year paves way for access to Indian concessional finance in the area of solar energy. Apart from solar, India is also ready to offer its assistance to Guyana in harnessing bio and renewable energy under its Green State Development Strategy. India would also be ready to provide its assistance in enhancing value addition to Guyana in its forest products, in reforming and upgrading sugar industry and in diversifying rice-

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam

based products,” said the High Commissioner.

A number of renewable energy farms and facilities have been the goal of Guyana and the Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, had provided some information on a US$3.8 million solar farm, which was slated for comple-

tion at the ending of 2018.

The farm, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was expected to be constructed at Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

He had also spoken of securing funding from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to establish photo-voltaic (PV) farms at Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini) at a cost of US$1.8 million; Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) to the tune of US$2.6 million; and Matthews Ridge, Region One at a cost of US$2 million.

After President David Granger’s India visit to attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar Summit which made Guyana a member of the said alliance, it was pointed out that a line of credit

of US$15 million would be available to Guyana.

However, in relation to the 2025 deadlines, some key points were raised when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo zeroed in on solar energy plans for Guyana. He

noted that one crucial question with the Government’s solar power initiatives involves using back-up energy generation.

According to Jagdeo last July, who conceptualised the Low Carbon Development

Strategy (LCDS), this situation would then warrant extra back-up energy being introduced, as much as 100 megawatts if that was the wattage being generated by the solar power.

EBD execution-style killing

Suspects still hospitalised, under guard as probe continues

T

he suspects, who were nabbed for the execution-style killing of 35-year-old Kelvin Walters at Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara, are still hospitalised and under police surveillance as the investigation continues.

Divisional Commander of A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara), Marlon Chapman made this disclosure to the Guyana Times on Saturday.

“They’re in hospital under guard,” Chapman said.

The suspects were nabbed while receiving treatment after Police ranks swooped down at a private city hospital.

According to Police, both men were being treated for injuries consistent with that of a motor vehicle accident.

On Tuesday evening at about 19:30h, chaos and con-

Dead: Kevin Walters

fusion hovered on the East Bank of Demerara when the suspects who were on a motorcycle, rode up alongside Walters, who was in his car PXX 1509.

This publication understands the man was shot to his face by one of the men on the motorcycle after he refused to pull in the corner.

After being shot, Walters re-

portedly slammed into the two men on the bike.

Based on reports received, the two men fell onto the roadway but hurriedly got up and made good their escape on foot leaving the motorcycle and a weapon at the scene.

However, an injured Walters was pulled from his motorcar and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. At the time of the shooting incident, his wife and daughter were in the vehicle and would have sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision.

Walters was reportedly and ex-soldier and worked as a bodyguard at a mining company up to the time of his demise. He is said to be the main witness in a case which is expected to come up in the High Court shortly.

sunDAY, january 27, 2018

Savory, Boodie take Police over the line in NBS 40 overs

Australian Open 2019:

Naomi Osaka beats Petra Kvitova to win title T

Kevon Boodie and Kemol Savory top-scored with 68 and 51* to take Police over the line

T

he action continued in the 2018/2019 season of the New Building Society (NBS) 40-over tournament at Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) Ground, which saw Ace Warriors face off against Police.

The sun was shining bright and a gentle breeze was blowing, as both captains took to the field for the toss, which Police won. They elected to field as they knew they had the bowling to restrict Ace Warriors to a small total and the batting to chase down whatever total was set before them as they were once again boosted by the likes of Kemol Savory, who made a blistering 79 in a losing effort against the soldiers last weekend.

Opening the batting for Ace Warriors were Rawl Enmore and Colin McPherson, who steadied the boat as they dealt in boundaries and singles, with the intention of posting a big total. Enmore and McPherson were looking threatening, but Enmore succumbed to pacer Danson LaRose for 16 (3x4) as he was trapped leg before to leave the Warriors 51-1. With Laurel Parks now at the crease, McPherson needed to create a partnership with him to frustrate the Police; however, McPherson did not last long as 14 runs later he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Hemchan Persaud for 25 (5x4s) to have the Warriors at 65-2. Having two quick wickets fall in a matter of 14 runs, Ace Warriors needed a partnership to build the rest of the innings, but Police were just too good as Parks was caught off the bowling of Rocky Hutson for 16 to dig the Warriors into a deeper hole as they were now struggling on 793. In came Devendra All to the crease, the Warriors nervous as they needed to make a substantial score. It was now up to Lall and Aaron Rogers. For a period of time, Lall and Rogers defied Police as Lall played a defensive hand while Rogers attacked the ball and sent it flying to every part of the ground.

With the score on 102-3, Rogers’ wicket was dismantled as he attempted to blast leg-spinner Vishal Jaigobin over his head for six only to edge the ball to the fielder and run himself out for an aggressive 19 (1x4, 2x6s). With the score on 102-4, Lall struggled to play his aggressive shots and was offered no support from the rest of his teammates. The other five wickets eventually fell for 17 runs, as the Warriors’ tail surrendered. With the score on 144-9 and Lall still on strike, pressure began to build and he had no choice but to go for a big shot, which resulted in his demise as his middle stump was dismantled. He departed for a resistant 25 off 46 balls, which included three boundaries to leave the Warriors 145 all out in 30.1 overs.

Needing 146 off 240 balls, the law enforcement team went about their chase in an emphatic fashion as Kevon Boodie smacked the first ball over the bowler’s head for four as they aimed to chase the score down in less than 20 overs. Boodie retained most of the strike in the run chase as he bludgeoned the bowling of the Warriors to every part of the ground. Reginald Rodriguez played a supporting role as he rotated the strike to Boodie.

However, Rodriguez fell for 10 off the bowling of Devendra Lall to leave the score at 731. This brought the in-form Kemol Savory to the batting crease, and he wasted no time as he picked up from where he left off in his last match-up as he cleared the ropes many times.

Despite Boodie falling for 68 (13x4s, 2x6s) off 36 balls off the bowling of Lall, Savory continued to smash the bowlers. He eventually reached his 51 (9x4s, 1x6) off 27 balls with a boundary to hand the Police valuable batting points as they ended the afternoon on 146-2 off 13 overs winning by eight wickets.

Ace Warriors’ best bowler was Devendra Lall who ended the day with figures of 4-17-2.

19

his time the tears were of joy. Tennis already had a star in Naomi Osaka; now it has a superstar. Despite squandering three championship points at 5-3 in the second set, the Japanese regrouped brilliantly to beat Petra Kvitova 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-4 to win a dramatic Australian Open final.

Her second consecutive grand slam title ensures she will be the new world No 1 and aged 21, there is surely a lot more success to come.

Last September, Osaka was reduced to tears when the crowd booed after a controversial US Open final in which Serena Williams lost her cool. On Saturday, the tears flowed again at the end of a high quality, see-saw final, in which she lost her way and then found it again, her steely character coming through, just as it had in New York. As Kvitova’s final forehand return flew wide, Osaka fell to her haunches, her head in her hands.

“I still feel very shocked,” Osaka said. “[At the end] I felt like the match wasn’t completely done, but it was done. It’s one of those moments where you are fighting so hard and then when it’s finally over, you’re still in the state of competition.”

Having received the trophy from Li Na, the first Asian woman to win a grand slam singles title when she triumphed at the French Open in 2011, Osaka said she had forgotten the notes she had written about what to say. “I forgot to smile,” she said later. “I was told to smile. I was panicking.”

She is the first woman to follow her first grand slam title by immediately winning the next one since Jennifer Capriati in 2001 and the first since Williams in 2015 to win two majors in a row.

This time last year, she was ranked No 72; now she owns two slam titles and is top of the pile as the No 1 on the planet for the first time.

This was a performance full of maturity, even more remarkable given her age and relative lack of experience. Before the final, much of the focus had been on Kvitova and the possibility she could crown a fairytale comeback with a third major title, just over two years after she was attacked with a knife in her own home, an incident that left her needing several hours of surgery to save her left hand.

Had Osaka not been in the final herself, the chances are that she would have been willing Kvitova to victory, so popular is the Czech with her fellow players and so incredible has been her comeback. But there is something special about Osaka, something that means that she is able to stay calm, even under the most intense pressure, and get the job done.

It was a great final, full of brave hitting, good serving and some outstanding rallies, not to mention the tension, with not only a slam title but the No 1 ranking on the line.

At 6-7, 3-5, 0-40 on the Kvitova serve, it looked done and dusted, the consistency of Osaka having been key as she pulled away.

But with the finishing line in front of her, the Japanese blinked.

Kvitova, the champion at Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, sensed her chance, holding serve with some bold hitting, breaking in the next game, saving a break point to go ahead 6-5 and then breaking again as Osaka threatened to self-destruct. It was then that she took a bathroom break, shedding a few tears as she willed herself to bounce back.

“I told myself I had no right to feel entitled, that she was a great player. I didn’t have a right to expect myself to win. In the third set, I shut down my feelings.”

When Kvitova held serve to love at the start of the decider, a turnaround looked possible, even likely. But a brilliant backhand on the second point of her serve at 0-1 settled Osaka down and from then on, the momentum changed.

Osaka won three consecutive games to lead 3-1, but even then it was not done.

Kvitova had a chance to break back for 3-3, but Osaka saved it. When Kvitova held from 0-40 down at 4-2, Osaka might have been having flashbacks, but she held firm to serve out for victory.

Kvitova, too, was fighting back the tears.

“It’s crazy, I can hardly believe I just played a final of a grand slam again,” she told the crowd. “It was a great final. Well done, Naomi. For me it’s a big honour to have this [runners-up] trophy. Thank you to my team.

You stuck with me when we didn’t know if I would even be able to hold a racket again.”

Osaka said she had dreamed of being No 1, but that her achievements were still surprising. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet.” (BBC Sport)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, january 27, 2018

BCB/NBS 2nd Division 40-over quarter-final

Surrendra Kissoonlal was in fine form scoring a brilliant 62

Rose Hall Town overthrow Ramnarine Memorial to march into semis

By Brandon Corlette

T

he Berbice cricket giants, Rose Hall Town Bakewell defeated the Ramnarine Memorial cricket team from No 43 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. In the quarter-final match that was played at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground on Saturday, Rose Hall Town completed a 117-run victory.

On what looked a slow surface at Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town took first strike under clear blue skies. In front of noisy cricket enthusiasts, Kevin and Junior Sinclair went out to bat, to face the likes of Roydon Gray and the Tyndall brothers. Kevin Sinclair, the Captain, opened his account with three runs in the large Port Mourant outfield.

Junior Sinclair departed for six with the partnership on 18 runs when he was bowled all over the place by Jason Gray.

Surrendra Kissoonlal then partnered Kevin Sinclair and they took the score up to 48, before the Captain departed for a composed 29 that included three boundaries. He was out caught by Paul Tyndall. The classy Windies Under-19 selectee, Kevlon Anderson came to the crease with the score on 48-2, but he was caught behind for only eight by a lively Paul Tyndall.

Keith Simpson then partnered Kissoonlal as the duo began to rebuild the innings, to post a good target. Simpson was trapped in front by Potya for 10, bringing the Kissoonlal dominated partnership of 60 to an end. National Under-15 batsman Jonathan Rampersaud was the only other Rose Hall batsman to make a significant contribution, batting at number seven.

Kissoonlal, a former Berbice youth play-

er, rolled back some memories when he stroked a valuable 62. The left-hander displayed an array of shots, entertaining the spectators who saw Windies female selectee Sheneta G r i m m o n d .

Kissoonlal’s knock included four boundaries and two sixes that were hit straight into the southern sight screen on the fairly large Port Mourant Ground.

After Kissoonlal was out caught at square leg off the bowling of Roydon Gray with the score on 154-5, Kevin Sinclair had three Rampersaud’s in- wickets for Rose Hall Town nings of 34 ensured his team reached a good total of 202-9. In the final overs, Sylus Tyndall hit one six over long on in his quick-fire 11. Ramnarine Memorial bowlers, in Jason and Roydon Gray shared six wickets between themselves. Jason Gray, the left-arm seamer, had 3-30 in five overs while the former Berbice youth right-arm quickie had 3-41 in eight overs.

In pursuit of the target, Ramnarine Memorial were out of sorts, openers Clifford Gray and Kegan Sampson went out to face the music, of the fiery Sylus Tyndall. The

Fairfield, Ogle, Lusignan, Enmore record victories ...rain costs Buxton victory

T

scoring 37 while G Hemraj he 2019 edition of the East Coast Cricket took 2 for 15.

Committee-SPR Enmore Community Enterprise 40-over cricket Centre Cricket Club Enforcers pummelled Mahaica SC by tournament commenced on six wickets in a 25- over afSunday last at several venues fair. Mahaica SC posted 81 across the East Coast. all out in 21 overs. Chris At Fairfield, Fairfield Sports Club defeated Mahaica Surat bagged 4 for 18 for Cavaliers by six wickECCCC Enforcers, who then chased the total down in 6.4 ets. Batting first, Mahaica overs ending with 84 for the Cavaliers SC were able to loss of no wicket. Bheemraj post a modest total of 101 all Owen Andrews recorded out in 27.2 overs. Top-scoring figures of 6-4 in a rain-hit affair Ramkelawan and Rudolph was P Chowtie with 34 while Singh scored 43 not out and T Charles and R Chatura took 20 respectively. four wickets and three wickets respectiveAt Buxton, Buxton SC bowled out Helena ly. In reply, Fairfield SC responded with 105 SC for 95 in 19.3 overs with Owen Andrews for 4 in 13.4 overs as they made light work taking 6 for 4 runs. In response, Buxton of the Cavaliers bowlers.

SC were 40 without loss in 6.4 overs before At Ogle, Ogle Blasters defeated Paradise the rain played an unfair hand, halting the All-Stars by eight wickets. Owing to the ex- match and denying them victory. cellent bowling of Ogle, Paradise could only The action will continue tomorrow with muster 61-7 in 17 overs as Andre Gomes Lusignan SC A duking it out with Lusignan wrecked the Paradise batting line-up with East Strikers at Lusignan, while Enmore figures of 4 for 15 runs from 5 overs. Ogle will host Beehive SC. Cane Grove New Blasters then put their foot on the pedal as Generation SC will be playing on home turf they got to 63 for 2 from eight overs, with as they attempt to overthrow Buxton SC; also Andrew Samaroo top-scoring with 21.

Better Hope A will face Golden Achievers Lusignan B defeated hosts Strathavon SC at Better Hope. The other fixtures will SC by two wickets in a rain-affected match- see Ogle Blasters taking on Strathavon up. Strathavon scored 193 all out in 37 SC at Ogle while Strathavon B will do batovers, as Ganesh Sugrim blasted 61 and S tle with Better Hope Sixers at Strathavon Budhu supported with 35. Owing to the inand Fairfield SC will play against LBI SC clement weather, the total was then revised at Fairfield. as Lusignan needed 107 from 22 overs.

All matches will commence at 11:00h Lusignan then got over the line in 21.3 overs sharp. for the loss of eight wickets with M Persaud

Rose Hall Town bowlers were disciplined and kept chipping away with wickets. Only Paul Tyndall offered resistance after he was gifted with two opportunities. He was involved in a miscommunication with his strike partner and was given an opportunity when female player, Erva Roydon Gray bowls during his three-wicket haul (Brandon Corlette photos) Giddings missed the stumps. had mesmerising figures of 3-20 while star It was a heated battle with Paul Tyndall off-spinner Junior Sinclair had 2-3 in 13 and his brother who plays for the opposi- testing deliveries. Erva Giddings had two tion. However, Guyana female fast bowl- wickets while Kevlon Anderson and Sylus er, Giddings got the final laugh when she Tyndall had one each. Rose Hall Town will outfoxed Paul Tyndall with a well-display No 72 Cut and Load in the much-anguised slower ball. He scored 27 and Kegan Sampson scored 12, in an ordinary batting ticipated semi-final of the Berbice Cricket display. Ramnarine Memorial were bowled Board (BCB-New Building Society (NBS) Second-Division tournament at the No 72 out for 86.

National off-spinner Kevin Sinclair Ground.

Gibbons prepared for tournament ...Student-organised tournament will be held for one day

C

reated with the intention of encouraging student interaction and bringing students together at the University of Guyana, “Kings of Studies 2019”, a smallgoal football tournament, has been designed with a twist.

The tournament, championed by one first-year International Relations student, Jafar Gibbons, will be held for one day only, on February 2, 2019 and will feature 10 teams.

Traditionally, sports at the University are organised on an inter-faculty basis. What that means is that teams comprise students from the various faculties and they compete as such. The aim of this tournament, however, is to allow students to compete on teams comprising members from various faculties.

When the tournament kicks off, teams will be vying for top honours, which include trophies and medals, and individual prizes such as sneakers and an MVP gold ring.

If there are more than 16 teams contesting, the games shall be played for two weeks.

The matches will be round-robin style, followed by the knockout stage, which will be three games – two semi-finals and the final.

The games will be played in two five-minute halves.

The event organiser stated that he would like to thank the following persons who would have thrown tremendous support behind the tournament: C&L Construction Inc, Kashif & Shanghai Organisation, Guyana Football Federation Inc, The Office of the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Guyana, Signature Moov, Robbie Rambarran, Asim Shakur, ASP Antonio Fredericks, Sharma Solomon, and Lavern Fraser, to name a few.

Gibbons added that his management team for the event comprises an all-female cast, who will also be sharing out goodies and snacks for the participating teams.

sports

CLASSIFIED ADS

Showstoppers continue to dominate

suNdAY, january 27, 2018

| www.guyanatimesgy.com

ACCOMMODATIONS Conferences and retreats – full service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264-2946 Alex Wayne.

Weddings and anniversaries: Rental or full service: Banquet Hall & Catering.

Aracari Resort 264-2946 Alex Wayne.

Aracari Hotel, WBD (Near Harbour Bridge) – All modern amenities, rates from $25. Phone 264-2946-8 Salon/Spa. Cosmetology – full course $100,000, technician $40,000. Aracari Salon and Spa, WBD 264-3312

HERBAL TREATMENT MIRACLE HERBAL PRODUCTS HAVE TREATMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING: 1 CANCER CAN BE CURED, 2 DIABETIC FOOT (COMPLETE HEALING WITHIN 6 WEEKS), 3 GALL STONES ASTHMA, 4 HORMONE IMBALANCE, 5 PROSTATE, 6 THYROID, 7 COUGH & COLD, 8 HEART (BLOCKAGES), 9 CIRCULATION PROBLEM, 10 PAIN ( JOINT, MUSCLE ETC), 11 CUTS/ BRUISES, 12 SNAKE BITE, 13 HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, 14 KIDNEY STONES, 15 AND MANY OTHER HEALTH ISSUES. CONTACT MAHADEO LALL ON 612-8944/ 6883663 OR VISIT HIM AT LOT 869 NEW SCHEME TUSCHEN, EBE.

LAND for sale Transported land 11.6 Acres. Lot 15 Public Road #2Village West Coast Berbice. Price $18 Million. Contact: 686-4818, 648-7109

SERVICES Looking for the best Jeweller?

Come on down to us at R. Sookraj Jewellery! We remake and remodel to your specification and choice.

We are number one in the business. Check out our location on the Second Floor at Giftland Mall, or contact us on 223-6156, 222-7292, 612-2125.

Looking for a reliable key cutter?

Visit R. Sookraj Jewellery at the Giftland Mall or Camp Street location or call us on 223-6156, 2227292, 612-2125

T

“Greatest in the Streets”

he Pouderoyen Tarmac on the West Coast of Demerara was once again flooded with droves of football fanatics who flocked the facility to witness the second night of action in the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” 2019 West Coast/ East Bank sub-division.

The second night of the 2019 competition did not disappoint, as thrills lay in waiting in each of the eight games played.

The first encounter of the night saw Jetty and West Side Ballers being plunged into penalties after regulation time expired with both teams on two goals. Fenton Ramlakhan was the man for Jetty while a collective effort from Devon Baptiste and Kevin Frank accounted for the other two goals. However, when it came down to the wire, Jetty emerged victorious 1-0 at penalties.

Game two was an intense one, with spectators begging for a goal during regulation time.

However, that was not to be as the sides remained deadlocked. On the penalty line, Boom Bang de-

J

ames Anderson’s fairytale career could be subject to more drama as the England fast bowler recently went past South African speedster Dale Steyn, as the only active seamer with 27 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.

England’s ageless swing bowler recently snuck into the history books; nothing new to the most successful fast bowler in Tests as his last returns of 5-46 during the opening stages of the ongoing first Wisden Test versus Windies helped him edge past the South African great, who

WANTED 1 HOUSE KEEPER, 1 COOK, 1 PUMP ATTENDANT, 1 BILLING CLERK. CONTACT 624-0033 OR 680-3863

YOUR

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES

in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

Game seven was an exciting penultimate match as Rising Stars and Phoenix Ballers battled for points. Rising Stars sought t o school their opponents as Keanu Lawrence connected his first goal in the 15th minute and a Guinness goal in the 18th for a 3-1 win.

Defending champions Showstoppers barely held their wits on Friday night when they met Up Top Bosses for battle. The defending champions had a hard time getting past the defence tactics of Up Top Bosses which frustrated the quick-scoring side. However, they demonstrated why they were the champions with a late goal from front runner Dexroy Adams to take the win.

The Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” will continue on Friday, February 1 at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.

– could reach 600 Test wickets before retirement

HAVING PROBLEMS SUCH AS HEALTH, MARRIAGE, LOVE LIFE, MONEY AND CHILDREN. REMOVE OBSTACLES OF ANY KIND. I CAN HELP. CALL FOR APPOINTMENT 600-1494

RECEIVING

feated Up Like 7 2 penalties to 1.

Genna had a routine victory as Dream Team didn’t even seem to put up a fight in their encounter. A Guinness goal from Jude Lewis did the job for Genna, sealing the 2-0 win.

Young Ballers had to pull out all the stops to record a victory on Friday night. Their opponents Agricola wasted no time in getting the scoring started with a goal from Desmond Cottam; in addition, Agricola’s defence was tight. Young Ballers finally had a breakthrough in the 18th minute with a Guinness Goal from Shawn Downer, which was enough for the win.

ESPN also had a regular day at the office with a 1-0 win over Brothers United. Trevon Lythcott was the man of the game with his lone and winning goal for ESPN. Meanwhile, Ballers United and Bagotstown Warriors played to a deadlocked game at regulation time. Penalties saw Bagotstown being the better team with a 2-1 win.

Anderson surpasses Steyn with most 5-fers among active pacers

SPIRITUALITY

NOT

21

European-conditions type bowler owing to his immaculate record at home, Anderson, who is retired from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and has about 570 Test wickets, recently made a bit of personal history during his first bowling spell of the ongoing match, when his five wickets also saw him reaching a tally of 200 wickets outside of England.

Steyn, who trails Anderson by 30-odd scalps, is currently on par with Anderson’s buddy and new-ball partner Stuart Broad, as both pacers sit on 433 wickets.

Anderson and Steyn are both involved in a race, which is headed by the spin twins in Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne – the wizards of spin who have 67 and 37 5-fers in their careers. New Zealand speed legend

has 26 at the moment. The South African speedster slightly edged Anderson with 10-fers as he currently has 5 compared to the Englishman’s 3.

Among the bowlers with the most 5-fers in Tests, only Steyn and Anderson are currently active. Although both pacers are entering their late 30s, their skill seems to be increasing with every game as both bowlers have been enduring fruitful returns since recovering from respective injuries during 2018.

Renowned over the years as more of a

Richard Hadlee and Aussie great Glenn McGrath are the other two seamers to feature in the upper ranks with 37 and 29 respectively.

At 36, Anderson could easily play for two more years should he preserve his fitness and limit his games, and could be the first fast bowler in the history of cricket to reach 600 wickets in one format.

England’s calendar looks good for ‘Jimmy’ as they are expected to play some 17 Test matches in the next nine months.

The current series against Windies in the Caribbean is an ideal platform for Anderson to help take his tally as close as possible to the 600 mark as well as surpass Steyn and possibly Hadlee and McGrath, whom he stole the most wickets title from, as the bowler with most 5-fers.

Also, with two matches left – four innings in total to play with – the right-arm sniper could possibly continue his good form here in the Caribbean by taking more wickets, as his milestone will most certainly be on his personal radar ahead of hanging up his boots for good. (Clifton Ross)

James Anderson

Narine and Russell opt out of Windies ODI series against England

W

Sunil Narine and Andre Russell

est Indies are set to be without Sunil Narine and Andre Russell for their upcoming One-Day International (ODI) Caribbean series against England.

Narine has informed Cricket West Indies (CWI) that he was not yet confident enough in his bowling action to get through an ODI, while Russell has informed them his knee was not yet up to the demands of 50-over cricket.

The all-rounder Narine hasn’t played an ODI for more than two years, but insists he is keen to return to international cricket. He has struggled with his action for most of his career, first attempting to remodel it in 2011 and then having it reported

during the Champions Trophy of 2014.

He withdrew from the 2015 World Cup squad to work further on his action. He is expected to work with Carl Crowe, the spin bowling consultant, in the coming weeks. The news almost certainly ends any chance he has of playing in the 2019 World Cup. Meanwhile, Russell’s involvement remains possible. He is fit enough for T20 cricket – he has been involved in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and has just been announced as a replacement for Steve Smith in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) – but feels his fitness is not quite at the required level for a longer game. He last played an ODI in July.

22

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, january 27, 2018

Michael Singh unrivalled for GABF presidency

B

asketball stalwart Michael Singh was unanimously elected to serve as President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Saturday afternoon, after former President Nigel Hinds decided to hang up his gloves.

Singh’s election to office was the final item on the programme of the GABF’s Annual General Meeting, held at the Roraima Duke Lodge.

Following the financial reports and the former President’s assessment of 2018 and his time in office, the election was formally conducted and to no-one’s surprise resulted in Michael Singh being unanimously elected as President of the Federation.

The awe of the election was stripped away owing to a slate released by the Federation earlier this week, which signalled that Singh would take up office. Nevertheless, the new President and body are willing and ready to get work done.

“We, the newly-elected GABF, graciously accept this position bestowed upon us,” Singh said in his first remarks as President.

Speaking on his return to the highest office in the Federation, Singh noted that he was obliged to take up the mantle when no one else wanted to.

“This is not my wish to actually have another four years of basketball, but it’s a tough job and somebody has to do it.”

Aside from meeting with corporate Guyana at the earliest possible time to ensure that the Federation is adequately funded – starting with the national team’s trip to Colombia, Singh noted that Michael Singh makes his first he was planning on introducing a address as GABF President

new tournament to the Federation’s calendar of events.

“First and foremost, for me personally, I cannot set a new charge without acknowledging the previous presidents.

That’s why right now, I will be undertaking the fact that I would like to run one tournament in dedication to all the previous presidents. It will be called the President’s Cup,” Singh announced.

The newly-elected executive body also includes Kenrick Thomas as Vice President – Operations and Development; Lawrence Simon, Vice President – Compliance and Discipline; Alex Graham, Vice President Marketing and Public Relations; Patrick Haynes, General Secretary; Gavin Singh, treasurer; Junior Hercules, Technical Coordinator and Joe Chapman, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.

Holder continues to fill pages in Test record books – joins star-studded Windies list of double centurions

By Clifton Ross

W

indies Captain Jason Holder batted his way into history by equalling and setting a few Test records following his magical double ton against England during day three action on Friday in the first Test of the Wisden series.

The 27-year-old hit a breezy 202 not out off 229 balls with 23 fours and eight sixes on his home ground of Kensington Oval in Barbados. Not only was the knock thrilling to watch as Caribbean and English fans were treated to a one-of-akind batting spectacle from the lone West Indian in the 2018 International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Team of the Year.

The runs for England to chase hit the 600-mark, which was compliments of Holder and countryman and fellow centurion Shane Dowrich, who supported his captain with a classy knock of 116 not out. The two Bajans created a piece of history as their 295-run partnership became the highest unbeaten stand for the seventh wicket in Test cricket history.

The pair surpassed the previous highest unbeaten stand of 259 set by the India pair of MS Dhoni and VVS Laxman; a record which stood for almost a decade (nine years) before Dowrich and Holder shattered it.

From an individual perspective, Holder’s story in the history books continued as he became the third batsman in the history of Tests, batting at a position of eight or lower to rack up a 200-plus score in an innings. Holder joins distinguished company in former Pakistan skipper and bowling great Wasim Akram and his countryman, Imtiaz Ahmed as the two other players to hit centuries batting at eight.

Akram, the legendary pace bowler, struck a majestic 257 not out against Zimbabwe back in 1996, but it was the late Ahmed, a wicketkeeper-batsman, who was the first player from their country to set the benchmark by hitting 209 against the Kiwis at Lahore, during their encounter in 1955.

Holder’s knock was indeed phenomenal as it further raised his brand as an all-rounder, with him now joining a few big name West Indies players who have at least one double ton in Tests to their credit. Holder equals the likes of Sir Clyde Walcott, Marlon Samuels, Wavell Hinds, Sherwin Campbell, the great Clive Lloyd and others who ended their career with at least a double hundred in the bank.

The list of West Indies players with two or more double tons in Tests is a bit more concise and should Holder continue his batting progression, he could easily surpass the aforementioned past stars and join a panel which includes the legendary George Headley; Guyanese Rohan Kanhai, Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan, the knights Sir Everton Weeks, Sir Frank Worrel, and Sir Garfield Sobers who have two 200-plus scores.

Only Sir Vivian Richards and Chris Gayle have three double hundreds while Gordon Greenidge comes in second with four behind the great Brian Lara who sits at the top of the mountain with 9 200-plus Test scores in his career. Holder also seems poised on developing into a full-fledged batsman, and his innings set him on course to join more esteemed company in the future should he remain Test Captain.

Only Lara features on the list of most Test double hundreds by a WI captain in the history of the format; finessing five 200-plus scores while leading the Windies team. Virat Kohli recently broke Lara’s record by hitting his sixth Test double; leaving only former Aussie skippers Sir Donald Bradman and Michael Clarke, along with South African Greame Smith, as the three others to wrap up the list with four apiece.

A double hundred is a rare thing in Tests despite batsmen having time and patience on their side; to achieve one sets a high benchmark as a batsman and should Holder progress, he could easily wind up on that list of Captains and players in general with multiple doubles in Tests.

23 Chase’s 8-fer powers Windies to record-breaking win E sunDAY, january 27, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

ngland were crushed. Not surprising. All 10 wickets fell in one day. Alright. Eight of those wickets fell to Roston Chase’s off breaks that didn’t turn on a flat wicket. How? Only England batsmen have answers to that. Or maybe, as they say, pressure can make weird things happen. The visitors folded up for 246, losing the opening game of the three-Test series by 381 runs – the Windies third highest (in terms of runs) win and the best at home.

Chase may have finished with career-best figures, but England would know well it was nowhere close to a spell that Kemar Roach had displayed in their 77-run bundling- out.

Nonetheless, it proved instrumental when the pitch had eased out for bat-

Ronston Chase celebrates one of his eight wickets on Day 4

edged their cuts to the slip fielders, Jos Buttler flicked to mid-wicket where John Campbell took a fine diving catch and Ben Foakes swept directly to Shimron Hetmyer at forward short leg.

There was very little aid for the pacers on the pitch. However, Shannon Gabriel impressed with his barrage of well-directed bouncers. He could have accounted for the wicket of Joe Root,

Moeen Ali was visibly shocked after beign caught by Jason Holder

ting and England had found themselves well placed after a half-century stand by Keaton Jennings and Rory Burns.

The left-handed duo maintained an approach that had reaped them rewards in the final session on Friday, with Jennings remaining cautious and Burns working the ball around to keep the scoreboard ticking. It worked well with the first hour of the morning seen off without any damage. However, Jennings eventually fell for the bait as he attempted to slash at a delivery angling away from him and edged it to slips.

With the pitch causing little trouble, the first wicket didn’t seem to bother England’s momentum much, as Jonny Bairstow scored freely in company of Burns, who registered his maiden Test fifty. However, at the stroke of lunch, Chase got Windies their second breakthrough. Burns played for the turn – which wasn’t there - and allowed the ball to go between his bat and pad, and hit the stumps.

The manner of Burns’ dismissal became a pattern for all of England’s dismissals.

The players were playing for the turn that wasn’t there and eventually got out edging to the close-in fielders or were trapped leg before. Adil Rashid was the only batsman to get out holing out in the deep, courtesy of a fine catch by Kraigg Brathwaite, who did a juggling act near the boundary ropes. Chase’s eventual figures of 8 for 60 were not only his best but also the best by a West Indian spinner since 1971.

Several England players got starts, but failed to hang in long, with Chase striking with regular deliveries that seemed anything but unplayable. Ben Stokes was trapped leg before, Joe Root and Moeen Ali

but replays suggested he had overstepped and the England skipper got a lifeline when on one. He couldn’t make it count as he fell a few overs later on 22. Gabriel, however, made up for that by having Bairstow dismissed in his next over with the England batsman gloving a delivery down the leg to the keeper.

England’s innings finally came to an end when Sam Curran stepped down, but Chase smartly bowled wide down the leg side.

Dowrich collected the ball and whipped the bails quickly.

The second Test match will be played in Antigua from Thursday, January 31, 2019. (cricbuzz)

Ben Stokes is disappointed at his soft dismissal

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Chase’s 8-fer powers Windies to recordbreaking win

The West Indian boys were all smiles on Day 4 of their first test

Pg 23

Chase celebrates his 8 wickets with a lap around Kensington Oval

Michael Singh unrivalled for GABF Presidency Pg 22

Australian Open 2019:

Naomi Osaka beats Petra Kvitova to win title Pg 19

Newly-elected President Michael Singh (centre) flanked by the new executive body of the GABF

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.

January 27, 2019

TIMES HOLLYWOOD:

Black Panther is the first superhero movie to earn an Oscars Best Picture nomination Page 8

FREE DISTRIBUTION

The Founder of chutney-soca, Sundar Popo

Guyanese chutney star Nisha Benjamin

Sometimes you have to lose your way to find yourself, says Goonwattie Harrynarine page 3

2 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 27, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

FEATURE

By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

hen speaking about the impact of music, media mogul Ted Turner brilliantly said: “Music has a great power for bring people together. With so many forces in this world acting to drive wedges between people, it’s important to preserve those things that help us experience our common humanity.”

No matter what you are experiencing, music has the uncanny ability to help you through that. Particularly when it comes to lifting our spirits or forging a bond with our fellow humans, music is always there. The lyrics speak to the soul and can influence a revolution or make a stone heart melt.

At a time when tensions are running amok in the world and even here at home, young Chandrapaul Nathoo is using his gift of making music to soothe our souls and promote unity. He considers himself as one of the most patriotic Guyanese and dreams of a Guyana that is united beyond barriers and he is doing his part to forge that level of unity.

The 18-year-old hails from the peaceful village of Albion Front on the Corentyne Coast in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and is the baby of his family. He remembers his childhood as one that was fun-filled, but with great emphasis on acquiring a sound education to propel him into the world of work as a prepared individual.

He attended the JC Chandisingh Secondary School and was considered an A student and excelled at his examinations. He sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in 2015 and gained passes in 11 subjects. Apart from gaining a traditional education, Chandrapul actively pursued studies in other areas, includ-

Regional Environmental Health Officer, Marvin Dindyal.

During all these occurrences, Chandrapaul was proactively involved in his singing career. He composed Bhajans of his own. In one instance, he composed a Bhajan entitled “Durga Maa”, which he sung in his Mandir during a Navaratri celebration.

Gradually, Chandrapaul was motivated to participate in the Guyana Chutney Monarch Competition 2019. Music being no stranger to him, he composed a song entitled “Mash 49”.

This song is composed of both English and Hindi Lyrics. “Mash 49” is considered a true patriotic song of Guyana. In this song, Chandrapaul expertly depicts the theme of Mashramani 2019 ing computer science along with Sanskrit and Hindi.

During the same period as he was studying for CSEC, he met with his Sanskrit and Hindi Gurus (Teachers),

Pandit Shamkumar Ramlochan (Sanskrit Kovida) and Srimate Saroja Ramlochan. Here is where Chandrapaul excelled with a distinction in Sanskrit as well as Hindi.

His thirst for higher education became more evident and practical resulting in him joining the Environmental Health programme offered by the Ministry of Public Health. At the end of this programme, Chandrapaul graduated with a distinction in Environmental Health and was also declared the Valedictorian.

Upon obtaining his certificate in Environmental Health, he was appointed as a Public Health Inspector with the Regional Administration.

To further his education, he was accepted into the University of Guyana (Berbice Campus) to pursue a Diploma in Public Management, an encouragement he gained from his

“Celebrate Mash 49 with victory in mind” as the chorus. His Hindi lyrics “garbhse manaao Mashramani, phirse kojo El Dorado” exactly meant what the theme warranted.

A song of three verses reflects the culture of the three major ethnic groups in Guyana. The first verse pays tribute to the arrival of the Amerindians who came from Asia to Guyana bringing with them their food and the word that would eventually become Mashramani. The second verse gives credit to the arrival of Afro-Guyanese who came from Africa to Guyana, bringing with them their musical instruments as well as their Qwe-Qwe Culture. The third verse speaks about the arrival of Indo-Guyanese who came from India to Guyana bringing their musical instruments as well as their festivals and cultures. His concluding line glorifies the National Motto of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

Chandrapaul having been selected as a semi-finalist in the Guyana Chutney Monarch Competition 2019 is ready to perform among 12 semi-finalists on the same stage. He is optimistic to be crowned the 2019 Chutney Monarch of Guyana.

He says that you can look for more music from him as he intends to use his talent to unite his people.

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 27, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

3

FEATURE

Q

uite often we discover our best selves in moments of peril or even after we would have fought a losing battle. It is in those situations that we discover what we are capable of and how we can transform our lives and the lives of those around us, realising our true potential.

It is loss that made Goodwattie Harrynarine realise that she has more than what it takes to make a name for herself in the music industry. It is that very loss that led her to making more music and not just any kind of music, but music that resonated with her listeners and today she can boast as being one of the women on the forefront of changing the face of Chutney music in Guyana.

The 25-year-old Shieldstown, West Coast Berbice resident is popularly called Amrita and is one of the most notable residents in her community. Not because she is a Chutney artiste rather because of her love for music. Amrita’s story started in the mandir.

She considers singing the praises of God as her big break.

From a very young age, she has been actively involved in the local temple scene and singing melodious bhajans.

For her growing up meant school, a little time with friends and more time in the mandir, since she comes from a staunch Hindu family.

At the age of five, Amrita took up singing and dancing and now she is regarded as being accomplished in both fields. She has been participating in various signing competitions and one of the biggest stages she has been on is the GTT Jingle and Song Competition, which she did not win.

It was following that loss that she worked to perfect her craft and ever

since has been making her mark. Amrita is also a regular in the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Kala Utsav festival. Now she is dabbing her feet in the Mashramani Chutney Monarch Competition and is the only female participating.

By being the only female, Amrita is hoping that she can influence the current generation of young ladies and show them that women can do anything a man and do it even better than the guys. She is hoping to grab the first prize with her track called “Dulaha Dulahin”.

According to her, the song is about a bride and groom at an Indian wedding as they make their way down the stairs. She notes that it was written with guidance from former Chutney Queen Vanita Willie.

With this being her first major Chutney performance, Amrita said that the state of the local music industry was not one very encouraging, since there was major support lacking. She notes that getting corporate sponsorship was the biggest challenge since most companies opted not to give their support to an up-andcoming artiste, rather they play it safe and support those who are already established.

Additionally, she notes that getting the local stations and DJs to play your music is another task, since they are more ‘foreign-minded’. She is hopeful that that will change as more progress is made.

For now she continues to make music and is concentrating on making herself a household name, not only in Guyana but further afield.

4

Sunday Times Magazine FEATURE

JANUARY 27, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

By Lakhram Bhagirat

C

hallenges are a part of our daily existence and overcoming them is what makes us strong individuals, but quite often we have to have that passion for what is on the other side in order to overcome the challenges. So about six years ago when a producer told Deonarine Balkissoon or as we may know him Nishal B that he should never sing again, he lost all hope and gave up.

Nishal’s journey into the music industry is quite unconventional, since it was something he did not want to do: from a very young age, he had his eyes set on becoming a cricketer. However, fate had something else in store for him.

Reflecting on his journey, the 30-year-old father said that while growing up in the village of La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara, he was all about having fun and ensuring that school was the priority. His love for the game of cricket developed when he was about 10 years old and from then no one could stop him.

At the age of 11, Nishal and his father were in an accident that resulted in them being badly injured and caused him to stop playing cricket for some time. When he was 15 and a student at the Bladen Hall Multilateral School, he decided to take back up the game he so loved.

He became a member of the Demerara Cricket Club and beg a n polishing himself for a career in the cricketing field.

“I wrote CXC, but never wanted to further studies because of the love I had for this game called cricket. I kept following my dreams of being a cricketer, but as soon as I was getting the opportunities to make it big in cricket, I developed a back injury that kept me out of the game until this day,” he said.

After Nishal was forced to give up his dreams of being a cricketer, he had no idea what to do with, himself since there was never a plan B. “I spent days thinking and even cried about this. I slowly got over my injuries and soon after I head over to Trinidad and Tobago where I spent some time and develop the love for Chutney music. I move back to Guyana and got myself settled and started to do construction work.

I then got married and started to follow music,” he said.

Getting into music for Nishal was a challenge he certainly was not prepared for.

It was difficult beyond comprehension, he says, and to

this day although he is an accomplished singer, it is still a challenge in the music industry. The challenge is to stay relevant and make music that everyone enjoys.

At the age of 24, he made his first attempt at making music after his friends in Trinidad would encouraged him to sing. He initially reached out to a number of local artistes for tips and general advice, but the response was non-existent.

“I then decided take matters into my own hands and head into a studio to record a song. I went and record and did my first song called “Titan”. The studio guy had a hell of time to record me ‘cause I didn’t know one thing I was doing. I thought to myself that I’ll go to a next studio to see if they can help me, but that was the worst decision I made at that moment. The studio guy told me “boy, don’t sing back after today, you too green” as he meant I don’t have the potential to be a singer.

“At that moment, I walked out his yard and dropped singing completely. Four years after, I was on Facebook and saw a guy name Michael and notice he is a singer, so I messaged him and we had a chat and he encouraged me to get back into singing and he will put me on to someone who will help me,” Nishal related.

From then, the journey has not been easy but it is more comfortable since he has the support of his fellow musicians.

He said after the conversation with Michael (only name given), he was linked with local artiste Bunty Singh who owns the BKVJ Studio where he recorded some songs.

After that, his voice and style of music started impacting the local scene, resulting in the bookings starting to come in. He eventually became a group act with Vicadi Singh and AW Lyrical where they worked on a number of local and regional shows.

Eventually, his music career was given an unexpected boost when Terry Gajraj offered to record a song with him called “Wine on Me”.

“After doing that song, Mr Gajraj offered me a chance to go New York to perform and I made full use of the opportunity and went. From that moment, I’ve been travelling back and forth, performing locally and internationally. At the moment, I have one album out and currently working on a next.”

Nishal has been making his mark on the local music scene and many may not know this but the males’ reply to Ravi B’s popular song “Start Over” was sung

by Nishal. It was recorded in the Shakti Strings Studio in Guyana.

Not one to plan ahead, Nishal said that he hopes to make it big in the music industry and is currently a semi-finalist in the 2019 Chutney Monarch Competition with his song called “I’m proud to be a Guyanese.”

guyanatimesgy.com

By Lakhram Bhagirat

F

or Sasenarine Hitnarayan, there are two things he is immensely passionate about and those are cricket and singing. For him, like many artistes, he sees his music as being a tool for uniting people across boundaries.

The 26-year-old hails from Number 68 Village on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice. His passion for singing and cricket developed simultaneously, since he can remember playing cricket from a tender age and started his singing career at just five years old.

“I spent most of my childhood days with my brothers and sisters. Growing up was always a struggle for us because we were very poor and had very little. But we were always con-

tented with what we got and always worked hard for what we wanted,” he said.

The struggle for Sasenarine’s family intensified when his father left the home when he was just eight years old. This placed his mother, Sharmila, in a position where she had to venture out to take care of the family. It also meant the struggle intensified as they were growing up. It also had an impact on his ability to concentrate in school, but he persevered and is on the path to success.

“I graduated Skeldon High School and then went on to start working at the Skeldon Estate as an agronomy hand in the year 2009 until it was closed.”

In relation to his singing, Sasenarine said that he first started at the age of five in his mandir and vividly remembers his first bhajan “Tum hi ho mata” and the encouragement he received. From there he was a regular in the temple’s kirtan group and would sing wherever he was afforded the opportunity to do so.

“Over the years, my love for music has grown so much that I utilised all the opportunities afforded to me. In 2013, I entered the GTT Jingle and Song Competition and I was selected to be in the top ten, but because of my financial difficulties I could not turn up to perform on the finals. But that never stopped me from living my dreams.”

“I met Bunty Singh who was just starting to create his studio BKVJ in Shieldstown, West Berbice and I recorded my first song in the same year 2013. The song was “You are my Love”, and it was because I experience the worst heartbreak ever and I just put the songs into a song and it instantly became a hit and I was happy,” he notes.

To date, he has made 17 songs and has been actively pursuing his dreams of becoming an acclaimed singer, not just locally but also further afield. He has been capitalising on the various competitions and would have entered the Chutney Monarch contest three times, coming second last year. This year, he is hoping to snatch the crown and be-

JANUARY 27, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5 FEATURE

come King.

His track in this year’s competition is called “Love and Unity”. He says that it is a song that is calling on all Guyanese to come together as one people, in one nation with a common destiny of living together in unity.

“The song is sending a message to us Guyanese because we need to come together and love each other which is a way to a successful Guyana,” he explained.

Sasenarine said that he hoped to take the crown and

work towards revolutionising the Chutney music scene making it more about addressing issues and promoting national harmony. He advises his fellow singers to do everything they can to ensure that they support each other and not try to bring down someone for their own benefit.

Sasenarine is wise beyond his age and he plans to continue influencing the kind of change Guyana needs through his music.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 27, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Feature

C

hutney music is a form indigenous to the southern Caribbean, popular in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and other parts of the Caribbean. It is also popular in Fiji, Mauritius, and South Africa. Chutney Music is a mixture of Bhojpuri music with influences from traditional genres such as calypso, soca and Bollywood filmi songs.

Chutney music emerged mid-20th century and reached a peak of popularity during the 1980s. Initially lyrics were religious in nature and typically sung by females but as time progressed the males started to dominate the scene. Chutney music was established in the 1940s within temples, wedding houses, and cane fields of the Indo-Caribbean.

There were no recordings until 1968, when Ramdew Chaitoe of Suriname, recorded an early rendition of chutney music. The album was entitled King of Suriname and all of the songs were religious in nature.

However, Chaitoe soon became a household name with East Indians not just in Suriname but throughout the Caribbean.

Although the songs were religious, they had a dance vibe throughout each track. For the first time Indo-Caribbeans had music that spoke to them and was not specifically Indian or European/American in style. This

music in Trinidad, Guyana & Suriname.

Chutney Music also got its first big impact commercially in live concert performances during the 1980s when the music was presented

by Rohit Jagessar in large stadiums and cricket fields in selected countries around the world.

The 1985 revenue from these concerts surpassed US$1 million for the first time in the history of the genre and Jagessar signed Kanchan to a conwas a breakthrough for East Indian Caribbean music, but the fame was short lived.

Chutney music exploded again in 1968 with the female singer Dropati, who released an album entitled Let’s Sing & Dance, made up of traditional wedding songs. These songs became huge hits within the East Indian Caribbean community. The album gained recognition for chutney music as a legitimate form and united East Indians, regardless of their birthplace.

1969 was a turning point for chutney music when record producer Moean Mohammed recorded Sundar Popo with Harry Mahabir’s BWIA Orchestra.

Sundar Popo modernized the music by including western guitars and early electronics into his music. Although Popo became known as the “King of Chutney,” the art of singing songs in “Chutney” style was introduced by a singer named Lakhan Kariya, from the town of Felicity, Chaguanas who preceded Sundar Popo.

Other artists, such as Sam Boodram, followed in his footsteps by adding new modern instrumentation into their music.

Chutney music until then remained a local

promote the popular brand in a most memorable television commercial that very same year.

The modern chutney artist writes lyrics in either Caribbean Hindustani or English, then lays them over beats derived from Indian dholak beats mixed with the soca beat. Chutney is an uptempo song, accompanied by bass guitar, drum machine, electric guitar, synthesizer, dholak, harmonium, and dhantal, tassa played in rhythms imported from filmi, calypso or soca.

The nature of current chutney songs are simple. They speak about life and love for many things, whether for a significant other or for an object of possession. Some chutney songs favor the topic of food or drink; however, like most West Indian music, there can be a hidden message found in the song if you read between the lines.

The origin of chutney being in the Caribbean has meant that it’s been in close contact with different peoples, traditions, and other musical styles since its inception. This has allowed chutney to fuse with other genres and/or implement new instruments into its own style, creating an array of syncretic subgenres including ragga chutney, chutney-bhangra, chutney hip-hop, soca-bhangra, and chutney soca.

Chutney soca is the most notable of these, as it has become virt u ally i n distin-

guishable from what is considered normal chutney in recent

tract with Johnson & Johnson to produce and

years.

In Guyana, one of the most popular chutney singers was Nisha Benjamin who was considered as the mother of chutney music. Benjamin, who died in 2010, sprang to fame in the 1970s and became the first major IndoGuyanese performer. She became popular around the same time Trinidad’s Sundar Popo emerged with “Nana and Nani” and held claim to being the Chutney King.

Sadly, Nisha Benjamin’s sterling contribution to the very beginning of Chutney music and its evolution in Guyana has not been recognised locally, according to many in the industry. In the late 1970s, Nisha Benjamin came out with her most memorable song “Benjie Darling,” a beautiful love song to her second husband “Benjie.” She thought of the words for the song while on a ferry in the Essequibo River.

She was born on the island of Leguan in the Essequibo River.Among her other hits were Dharmat Karo, Na Manu Na Manu, O’Maninja, Sandrowta, Romeo, and Loving Darling.

In O’Maninja, she described the hardships of a woman working and living on a sugar estate. Subtly, she told the story of the political and economic situation in Guyana.

She was also the first artiste to record a song with her father, Eaton Drepaul. So popular is Nisha’s Benjamin’s “Benjie Darling” that a clue on the popular game show Jeopardy was based on the song.

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 27, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

I

n an industry where there is very little protection guaranteed to the intellectual property of those on the local music scene, artists have to adapt and most of all persevere if they want to become successful. Not only do they have to persevere to become successful, but they also have to persevere to be able to make a living from the music they make since they are not signed to any big label nor do they earn royalties from their music sales. All they do is earn money from the bookings they get to perform their music.

Those are the struggles of our local musicians as they try to make a name for themselves.

No one knows that struggle more than Chait Singh Mohanlall or Bunty Singh as he is popularly known. Now, Bunty is one of the most recognisable names in the local music industry; that has not always been the case.

In his early days, the 28-year-old would walk miles upon miles to sell CDs of his music in an effort to popularise it and make himself a household name. Music is in Bunty’s DNA since his father was a musician and the family has a kirtan group (Hindu choir) – being around music influenced him. He started singing since he was a child as well as playing instruments.

He is a talented dholak (drum) player and would have won several awards for his playing.

“I use to walk and sell my CDs from Crabwood Creek (Berbice) to Parika (East Bank Essequibo). I did this just to gain more recognition and progress as I journeyed to become successful. To push my music career, I entered the GTT Jingle and Song Competition two times and was placed in the top ten and another time I came in the fifth slot.”

“I also entered in the Mash Chutney Monarch Competition in 2009 and got most promising artiste. I then keep participating in the Mash Chutney Monarch and got no place until 2015 when I placed third. In 2016, I won the Monarch. The next year I got second and then won again in 2018,” he said.

This year, he is back to defend his title with an original song called “Maharani Phoulorie”.

Phoulorie is one of Bunty’s favourite snacks and that is why he decided to write a song about his love for the food. The song was recorded in the Shakti Strings Studio.

Apart from being a vocalist, Bunty is also the owner of a recording studio. With just a few recording studios around for local artistes to record their songs, they were forced to leave Guyana and travel to Trinidad and Tobago to do so and with that in mind, Bunty opened Bunty Kris Valarie Janvi (BKVJ) Recording Studio at Shieldstown.

Since the establishment of the studio, several known artistes have recorded their songs at BKVJ, including Prince JP who now resides overseas, as well as Haresh Singh, Roger Hinds, Wata Flow and others.

8

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 27, 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

T

S

hilpa Shetty, sister Shamita and mother Sunanda have been dragged to court for failing to repay loan amounting to Rs 21 lakh (GY$6.1M), which was allegedly taken by Shilpa and Shamita’s father, Surendra Shetty. The case was filed by Parhad Amra, an automobile agency owner, who has accused Shilpa, Shamita and their mother of refusing to pay a loan that was taken by Surendra in 2015. The case will be heard by the Metropolitan Magistrate Court on January 29.

According to a report in Mid-Day, Parhad has claimed in his written complaint that Surendra had borrowed Rs 21 lakh in January 2017 at an 18% interest per year. The cheque was written in favour of Surendra’s company ‘Corgifts’. Parhad claims that Surendra had informed him that his daughters and wife were partners in the company while he had asked for the loan. Before he could repay the loan, however, Surendra passed away on October 11,

2016 and since then Shilpa, Shamita and their mother have refused to repay the loan.

The first legal notice to the Shettys was sent on April 24, 2017. The Shettys, in turn, accused Parhad of owing them money. It was then that Parhad filed a written complaint at Juhu police station. He was informed that he would need to file a complaint at a civil court. Parhad then filed a private complaint before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Andheri, under section 156 of Criminal Procedure Code on October 26, 2017.

Parhad’s advocate Yusuf Iqbal was quoted in the same report as saying, “The matter came up for hearing on December 8, 2018, and since no one from the Shetty family nor their lawyer were present for the hearing, the court directed Juhu police to make an inquiry under section 202 of Criminal Procedure Code and submit their report. The matter is slated for [hearing] on January 29.” (Hindustan Times)

elevision actor Ankita Lokhande is making her Bollywood debut with Manikarnika and is already being a thorough professional. When asked in a recent interview if she is open to working with her ex-boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput in a movie, Ankita said she is.

Speaking to The Times Of India, Ankita said, “As an actor, I have no choice.

If the script is good, I will definitely work with him.”

Ankita and Sushant met and fell for each other on their television soap opera, Pavitra Rishta. It ran from 2009 to 2014. The two split up in 2016 after a six-year relationship.

Ankita is now dating a businessman Vicky Jain.

She confirmed her relationship in an interview to Bombay Times. “He is a very nice guy. He is a businessman from Bilaspur. Yes, I am in love and you will get to know about it when the

time is right,” she said. She was also asked about the wedding to which she responded, “If it happens, I will let you know and invite you for the wedding. I can’t say anything right now, but there are no such plans, yet.

I am just focussing on work at the moment.”

Sushant also wished Ankita good luck when she shared her first look from Manikarnika. “It looks absolutely great Ankita. I’m extremely happy to see this.

May God bless with lots of success and happiness,” he

has posted on Instagram.

He spoke about wishing her in a recent interview, “I liked it (Ankita’s first look) a lot and whatever I wrote was from my heart. I wanted to congratulate her.” He was also asked if he wished Ankita personally, and Sushant said that he did not feel the need to do so. “What I write on social media is how I am really, and whatever I wrote on the platform is not for the people but for her (Ankita).” (Hindustan Times)

M

ario, who’s appearing on Fox’s “Rent: Live” Sunday with Tinashe, denies he’s dating his costar. Tongues wagged that the singers are an item after they were spotted leaving a recent latenight dinner at Craig’s in LA. But Mario told us, “She is a beautiful girl

Crossword Solution

and we do have a vibe.

But I [had] never been to Craig’s, and she asked me if I wanted to go to dinner with her and her manager.”

He added that he has a rule about online flirting: If chatting hasn’t turned into real-life dating within a week, it’s not going anywhere.

“I’ve dated girls that dropped in my DMs . . . absolutely; it’s 2019,” he said. “But if we don’t get out of the DMs within the first week, we’ll keep it at ‘Hi’ and ‘Bye,’ just a friendship. I’ll probably just fade away because I’ve had many of those.”

(Page Six)

B

lack Panther is the first superhero movie to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, a move that many critics, industry members, and fans have deemed a watershed moment.

It wasn’t too long ago that debates sprung up around Hollywood about whether a superhero movie could or should earn a Best Picture nomination when standing alongside more stereotypical dramatic films.

In fact, it was exactly 10 years ago that those conversations started, after Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight failed to earn a Best Picture nomination, which many people still regard as one of the biggest Oscar snubs in history. At the time, Ben Child wrote in The Guardian that “there remains the sneaking suspicion that many voters refrained from nominating The Dark Knight not because they did not believe it to be a great film, but because they did not believe it to be the right sort of great film.”

The outcry that followed The Dark Knight’s snub seemingly forced the academy to change a core facet of its approach in handing out nominations: the number of films within the Best Picture category

jumped from five to 10.

That change was designed to make room for less traditional “best picture” movies.

“The message was clear: War pictures, tearjerking dramas, biopics, and message movies were on notice; they’d now have to share the room with action blockbusters, superhero films, sci-fi flicks, animated features and comedies,” Nathaniel Rodgers wrote for Polygon last year.

That was the assumption, anyway.

Between 2009 and this year, superhero movies still didn’t receive much attention from the academy in its biggest categories. That’s the entire lifespan of Marvel’s current Cinematic Universe — a total of 22 movies passed over. Genre films have largely been relegated to the science categories, including Visual Effects.

Black Panther still has to beat out films like Bohemian Rhapsody, Vice, The Favourite, and Green Book, all of which are seen as potential favorites. But the fact that it was nominated at all is a defining moment for both superhero movies and the Oscars: Black Panther is not just a popular movie.

It’s a damn good film.

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 27, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

9

10 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 27, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 27, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Home Décor

T

he island kitchen layout is a great way to integrate extra counter space into what might usually be a cramped area. Although the island kitchen layout doesn’t work for all kitchen sizes or shapes, this layout works best in an L-shaped kitchen that measures 10 by 10 ft. and opens to another area. You need a minimum of 42” of aisle space on all sides.

If your kitchen is too small to allow for this, try a portable island that you can move in an out as needed. Here’s some extra info to help you decide if an island kitchen is the right layout for your home.

Working island

This type of kitchen island is usually a furniture piece, styled after vintage worktables, often with drawers and open shelves.

Storage island

A basic freestanding or built-in island provides counter and cabinet space without the expense of sinks or major appliances.

Prep and wash island

Sinks make islands ideal for washing hands and food and bartending for parties. Tuck bar sinks, like this one, into corners to maximize counter space.

Give full-size sinks at least 1 foot of counter on both sides.

Cooktop island

Cooktop islands are dedicated to the stove or range, with an area for resting pans or pots. Unlike a range by a wall, a cooking island leaves hot pans more exposed unless a buffer wall is built, and will cost more to ventilate.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 27, 2019

Puzzles

ACROSS 1 Bit of baby talk 5 Expertise 10 Rental option 16 Steel rod 21 Ottoman VIPs 22 Boredom 23 Fifth-century invader 24 “Any fool can make -- -- ...”

(Thoreau) 25 Haystack 26 Grazing land 27 Dwindle 28 Weight unit for gems 29 Inclined to stick 31 Actress -- Thurman 33 “What’s in -- --?”

35 NASA counterpart 36 Beau 37 Dah partners 40 Oklahoma town 41 Munro’s pen name 42 Building wing 45 Route follower 46 Berlin article 48 Capp and Jolson 50 Not uniform 52 Plate boundary hazards 54 Bucket defect 55 Scribbles down 57 Thou, today 58 Bobby of Indy fame 59 “Nautilus” skipper 60 Baja Ms. 62 DEA agents 66 “-- -- the picture!”

67 Deserves 69 Omelet ingredient 71 Technical word 72 Draft horse 74 Navy noncom 76 Pedro’s friend 78 Thai language 79 Sci-fi award 80 Rowboat part 83 Laundry chore 85 Worse than bad 88 “The Little Engine That --” 89 Knocks down 90 Take steps 93 Cyclists’ headgear 95 Chicken style 97 -- so?

98 Urbane 100 CD preceders 101 Tough and shrewd (hyph.)

106 Thing 108 Does ranch work

110 Odd facts 112 Sign of spring 113 Bo of “10” 115 1492 caravel 116 Orchidlike blossom 117 Quit 118 Karate level 120 -- -back (relaxed) 122 Clucks 123 Teeny-tiny 124 Turned on 128 Wily 129 Approves 130 Physique, slangily 131 Attorney’s deg.

132 “Tomb Raider” Croft 133 Big Ben numeral 135 Sherpa’s sighting 137 Very important 139 Hail, to Caesar 140 Battery’s “+” end 142 Caribou kin 144 Valiant 148 Subatomic particles 150 Motif 153 Crumble away 155 Low voice 156 Monica of tennis 157 Go for pizza, say (2 wds.)

158 Less rosy 159 Splinter group 160 Upright 161 Puts a spin on 162 Misty-eyed 163 Derisive snorts DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 30

Antony the Roman Exchange premium SST speed ind.

At an angle Not just flirting Scoundrels Deeply felt Drag along In -- of Ocean, in Mongolian Pass near Pikes Peak Qt. parts Kudrow or Bonet Ms. Verdugo Pleasure-dome site Road rally Geologic division Agency Nome home List price Drab, as colors

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD -- WALLOWING (WALLOWING: WAHL-oh-ing: Rolling about as if in water or mud; reveling.)

Average mark 30 words Time limit 40 minutes

Can you find 38 or more words in WALLOWING?

wagon wail wain waling wall walling wallow wigan will willow

wing aglow align allow allowing along awing lain lawn ling

lingo

noil

lion

gain

llano

gall

loan

gallon

loin

gill

long

glow

lowing

gnaw

owing

goal

nail

gown

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.

32 Inventory wd.

34 A throng 38 -- Mahal 39 Spill clumsily 41 Short and thick 42 Furnish 43 Fencing move 44 Powerful beam 46 Hooded cloak 47 Oodles (2 wds.)

49 Lightning flash 51 Immeasurable time 53 Fries topper 54 Damsel rescuer 56 Stalk 59 Agrippina’s son 61 “Oh, sure!” (2 wds.)

63 Antique 64 Flivver starter 65 Hazy conditions 67 Tilly or Ryan 68 Ancient manuscripts 69 Most refreshing 70 Kind of trip

73 Story-telling dances 75 Like nice grapes 77 Of yore 81 King beater 82 Mo. summer hrs.

84 Fan 85 Orchard pest 86 Penned 87 Easier to count 91 Polish 92 Hold down a job 93 Redheads’ tints 94 Avoids responsibility 95 Mr. Kristofferson 96 Mont. neighbor 99 Colorado ski town 102 “We try harder” folk 103 Shoulder warmer 104 Canvas support 105 Nerdy guy 107 The press 109 Every morning 111 Play with fire 114 “Krazy --”

117 Fragrant wood 119 Fritz’s refusal 121 Do Easter eggs 122 Plug away 123 Kiln locale 124 Slip by 125 Mr. Cugat 126 Spicy cuisine 127 Former radio tubes 130 Student’s notebook 134 Without a flaw 136 Circus quarters 137 String-quartet member 138 Pet shop buy 140 Sec’y 141 Como -- usted?

143 Hung on to 145 Defendant’s answer 146 Hankering 147 Pixels 149 Toshiba rival 151 Charged particle See 152 Kind of reaction Solution 154 Funny Charlotte -- on Pg 14

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 27, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Take care of your personal responsibilities before you move on to pleasurable activities. A change will encourage you to be more active and update your appearance.

Emotions will mount if you TAURUS let stress fester. Engaging in (April 20- physical activity and getting May 20) rid of the things you no longer need will help relieve tension. Don't ignore what needs to be done.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Listen more while revealing less. If you ask questions and show interest, you'll be offered information that will make you think twice about the people you associate with.

Getting together with friends or relatives and en(June 21- gaging in projects or pasJuly 22) times that are geared toward people of all ages will change your perspective on how you want to proceed personally.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

Don't feel obliged to make a change. Listen to what others have to say, but don't buy into someone else's plan. An emotional decision will lead to regret. Bide your time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Look at your options, but don't make an impulsive move. You are better off being an onlooker for the time being if you want to avoid making a mistake.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Have fun by going out with people who build you up. Don't feel you must make a decision if you aren't ready, regardless of what someone else does or says.

Emotional matters will SCORPIO escalate if you get into a de(Oct. 24- bate with someone. Rely on Nov. 22) past experience to guide you.

Concentrate on a creative outlet to ease your stress.

Make changes that will SAGITTARIUS render your home more in(Nov. 23viting.

Don't lend or borrow Dec. 21) money or possessions, or give anyone access to private information that could be used against you.

Calvin and Hobbes

Stick to the facts, live by CAPRICORN the rules and regulations, and (Dec. 22- don't follow the crowd. Relying Jan. 19) on your experience will help you avoid making a decision based on emotions instead of common sense.

An emotional incident AQUARIUS will leave you feeling un(Jan. 20- comfortable. Don't take part Feb. 19) in something just because someone else does. It's OK to say no and follow your own path.

A poor decision will lead PISCES to financial loss or legal im(Feb. 20Mar. 20) plications. Look for a way to protect your investments, reputation and rights.

Patience and honesty will be necessary.

14 Sunday Times Magazine

AUGUST 27, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 27, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 27, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com