Guyana Times 25 December 2017

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, December 25, 2017

Issue No. 3433

Former GDF rank tipped to be new Chancellor

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Christmas nostalgia

Memories of Christmas, many years ago P20

Page 27

Govt, Opposition extend message of peace, goodwill at Christmas Page 3

4 die in separate accidents Pages 23&26

A rehabilitated drug addict tells his story

“I fought my demons and I am winning” – Sheik P24 Shamshudeen

Fairness P9 in GGMC’s process being questioned

…miner allegedly converts thousands of acres prospecting land to mining land ...application fast-tracked

Corentyne labourer found with throat slit in home P23 Prisoners P22 graduate from anger management programme …after completing 3-month course at NA prison In traditional Guyanese style, masqueraders rhythmically flounce through the streets of Georgetown as they entertain commuters in their flamboyant costumes on Christmas Eve

Grace period expires

Ban on public smoking takes full effect Page 8

Venezuelan gangs suspected of robbing Guyanese seamen

Page 7

...illegal firearms entering porous borders – Police source

“Our first Christmas without our beloved baby P21 boy”

…Ramkaran Mohan’s family still mourns loss …as driver yet to be charged

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3 Govt, Opposition extend message of peace, goodwill at Christmas A news

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, December 25 – 09:00h-10:30h, Tuesday, December 26 – 10:00h-11:30h and Wednesday, December 27 – 11:30h-13:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, December 25 – 08:25h-09:55h Tuesday, December 26 – 09:25h10:55h and Wednesday, December 27 – 10:40h-12:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening, with temperatures expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging between North Easterly and East North Easterly from 3.12 metres to 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 09:10h and 21:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.32 metres and 2.33 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:38h and 15:04h reaching minimum heights of 0.83 metre and 0.92 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, december 23, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS M

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DAILY MILLIONS 04 12 13 16

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s Guyana today joins the rest of the world in celebrating Christmas, both the Government and Opposition have, in separate messages to the nation, urged Guyanese to work together to spread peace and goodwill.

Both the Government and the Opposition have also urged Guyanese to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

President David Granger, in his message on behalf of the Government, has said the sacred festival of Christmas that celebrates Jesus’s birth – in a lowly manger, a long time ago in the town of Bethlehem – was a sign of the divine desire for worldwide peace, and of compassion for the common folk.

The Head of State said Christians and non-Christians alike can observe this festival by promoting peace and goodwill between each other – in homes, factories, fields, offices and neighbourhoods.

“Let us embrace the universal values of peace and goodwill, and extend to everyone the Guyanese tradition of hospitality this year and in the future. Let us all work together,” the President said.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Christmas message reflected on the reason for the season, stating that Christmas is well known for a time when families gather and affectionately embrace friends and neighbours, and warmly share the joy of the season.

“Our children especially look forward to the treats, the gifts, and of course the special dishes.

It is in this spirit that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) extends Christmas greetings to all Guyanese, and more par-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

ticularly our brothers and sisters in the Christian Community,” the party said in a statement.

The PPP/C also noted that the birth of the Christ child was meant to revive hope and turn sorrows and mourning into celebration, knowing that the world would no longer be in darkness because a bright star did appear to guide mankind to new hope.

“In the journey of Jesus’s life from abject poverty and a mere unknown born in a manger to a life of becoming an ineffable figure, he crossed barriers, broke down walls of prejudice, embraced the outcasts, defended the voiceless, and engaged the powerful; and by doing so, he brought salvation to

President David Granger

the whole world,” it added.

The party has said that during this season, the elderly, differently-abled, and underprivileged will be specially remembered. It also encouraged Guyanese in their caring and sharing to extend their arms to even a stranger.

“In the true Guyanese

spirit, as a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, the message of love is apt.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic joins with all Guyanese in the celebration of the birth of the Christ child, while reflecting on its true meaning and significance.

Merry Christmas!”

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

Christmas and the poor

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oday is Christmas – the birthday of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem two millennia ago. The narrative of his birth is very important for us today, and not only because the religion founded in his name is easily the largest and most widespread among the seven billion or so humans on planet Earth today, but for the message encapsulated in his life.

Born in a manger among the domesticated animals kept there, the baby Jesus was of humble stock since his nominal father Joseph, was a carpenter.

Joseph was made the patron saint of workers by the Catholic and even some protestant denominations, while Jesus ministered mostly to the poor during his sojourn on earth. In the Bible it is written: “When he (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”

The circumstance of his birth is intriguing since it illustrated the Benjamin Franklin’s aphorism: “…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Jesus, the “Son of God” would die, and his birth in Bethlehem was occasioned by the Roman rulers mandating that a census was to be taken to ensure all paid their taxes. It was the Jewish custom to be counted in their ancestral town or village. For the poor, however, Jesus pointed out taxes fall of them much more heavily: “He (Jesus) sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury.

Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

In a world of increasing inequality, Jesus’ message is very apropos on this day, even though named after him, many will be hosting sumptuous feasts, even as 5000 of our brothers and sisters in the sugar belt wonder where the next meal will come from: “He (Jesus) said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

To a large extent, the centrality of the poor to the ministry of the poor has been lost to governments that are run by some who claim to be Christians and presumably are living in accordance with the teachings of the Christ. Maybe it is not a coincidence, but a reminder to us that Jesus once fed 5000 persons who were hungry.

We are reminded by Jesus that ultimately, it is our treatment of the poor that will determine our fate in the hereafter: “Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did for me.” And it is these helpers of the downtrodden who will be received into heaven.

Today, all those leaders who promised to deliver “the good life” but have not only abandoned the poor but plunged them deeper into despair, should take heed of the message of Christmas.

“Serve the poor.”

Hundreds of last-minute shoppers for the Christmas holidays filled the streets of downtown Georgetown on Sunday, some with their children in tow looking for everything: from toys to home furnishings. This scene around the Stabroek Market area on Christmas Eve was captured by our photographer Carl Croker

Political manoeuvrings and the CCJ Dear Editor, It seems to me that no other country will join the Appellate Division of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) before the retirement of the second President, Sir Denis Byron in July next year. The first President, Michael de la Bastide and three other Judges have retired since the court was established in 2005, and we were only fortunate to see four countries on board.

I am very disappointed at the attitude of the Governments of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and a few of the Eastern Caribbean states who are still to join. Only Belize and Dominica took steps to join Guyana and Barbados by abolishing appeals to the Privy Council, thus making the CCJ the final court.

St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada failed to get the mandate

from their electorates because the referenda to pave the way failed, but I am of the view that the referenda were not successful because they were loaded with other aspects, like removing the Queen as head and giving more powers to the politicians. The Jamaicans are reluctant, claiming that the CCJ was in favour of the death penalty, Trinidad and Tobago has numerous excuses and is flip-flopping. Antigua and Barbuda is awaiting the outcome of a referendum which has been postponed in order to sensitive the electorates of the move.

This seems like a lame excuse.

Meanwhile, the CCJ has made tremendous strides since its 12 years existence. It has top class video conference equipment which can be used by attorneys in various jurisdictions. There is no need for lawyers to trav-

el to Port of Spain to argue their cases; they can do so from Georgetown, Belize City, Bridgetown or Roseau. The court has dealt with several controversial cases and made a landmark decision in the Shanique Myrie case when it awarded substantial damages against the Barbados Government for denying a Jamaican woman entry in Bridgetown.

The Judges found that the Immigration officers breached the Treaty of Chaguaramas by denying a Caribbean Community (Caricom) citizen entry.

I should emphasise that the CCJ is not fearful to rule against governments and has done so in numerous occasions against Belize and also the Cooperative Republic.

A very important issue will soon come up for hearing. The "term limit” case in which the court will decide whether for-

mer President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo can again serve as President having completed his two consecutive terms as Head of State. The matter will come up for case management on February 6, 2018.

Although only four countries have abolished appeals to the Privy Council, the CCJ hears a large number of cases in its original jurisdiction. In fact, the Myrie's case originated from Jamaica which is not a member of the appellate jurisdiction. I am baffled why so many jurisdictions have not yet severed ties with the Privy Council. Unfortunately, it seems as if the whole process gets so caught up in political manoeuvrings that most countries are still tied to the apron strings of the London-based Privy Council.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

messages

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PPP extends Christmas Christmas message from greetings to all Guyanese President David Granger T T

he season of yuletide is here, a time when families gather in affectionate embrace, friends and neighbours warmly share the joy of the season by celebrating in different ways.

Our children especially look forward to the treats, the gifts, and of course the special dishes. It is in this spirit, that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) extends Christmas greetings to all Guyanese and more particularly our brothers and sisters in the Christian Community.

The birth of the Christ child, was meant to revive hope, turn sorrows and mourning into celebration, knowing that the world would no longer be in darkness because that bright star did appear to guide mankind to new hope. In the journey of Jesus’ life from abject poverty and

a mere unknown; born in a manger to a life of becoming an ineffable figure, he crossed barriers, broke down walls of prejudice, embraced the outcasts, defended the voiceless and engaged the powerful and by doing so, he brought salvation to the whole world.

Our wish is that in this season, our elderly, differently-abled, and underprivileged will be specially remembered, and in our caring and

sharing, our arms be extended to even the stranger. In the true Guyanese spirit, as a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, the message of love is apt.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic joins with all Guyanese in the celebration of the birth of the Christ child, while reflecting on its true meaning and significance.

Merry Christmas!

"Christian spirit of charity continues to inspire Guyanese of all religions" – PNCR in Christmas message

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he miraculous birth of Jesus Christ – celebrated by most Christians on the December 25 – is recorded in the Gospel according to Luke as heralding an era of “peace on earth and good will toward men.”

Jesus’ humble birth took place in a common manger in a tiny town in an obscure country. He was able, nevertheless, with a small band of disciples, to preach a gospel that transformed the world in a most fundamental way and created a remarkable Christian civilisation of which we are all heirs.

Guyana being a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society is in a unique position to benefit from the teachings of the religions of all of its peoples. Christmas is, therefore, not only for members of the Christian community but for all Guyanese in a very real

sense. There is abundant evidence that the teachings of Christianity and its practices have influenced the lives of all of our people. In other words, this country has seen the benefits of the policy of allowing all religions to flower in Guyana. Christian beliefs go well beyond the religious and have had a notable effect on all aspects of life in Guyana, in terms of the production of art, literature, our way of living and our objective of building a harmonious and tolerant society.

The Christian spirit of charity continues to inspire Guyanese of all religions.

Ordinary people everywhere reach out with compassion and generosity to help their brothers and sisters in distress.

We call to mind the plight of the aged, the poor and other vulnerable citizens. We re-

member our servicemen and soldiers who will spend this joyous festival at sea and on our far-flung frontiers, separated from their families.

We recognise the service of our nurses, technicians and working people who maintain our utilities, sanitary facilities and security services to ensure that citizens could be safe and that the nation could be secure.

The biblical promise of peace on earth and good will toward men, however, remains unfulfilled. Guyanese are urged on the occasion of this sacred festival – through thought, word and work – to make Jesus’ message of mercy and his ministry to the poor and needy the main motifs of their celebration.

Happy Christmas to all Guyanese United & Strong: 60 Years On

he sacred festival of Christmas that celebrates Jesus’ birth – in a lowly manger, a long time ago in the obscure little town of Bethlehem – was a sign of the divine desire for worldwide peace and of compassion for the common folk.

Jesus’s birth brought a message for mankind that is recounted in St Luke’s gospel in the Holy Bible which proclaims: “Glory to God in the highest and, on earth, peace, good will toward men.”

Christians and

President David Granger

"The human spirit and Christmas message must prevail" – GAWU

C

hristmas, as we know, is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

His religion – Christianity – has survived many trials in history and is known for many values humanity embraced. Among these are peace and empathy for the poor and vulnerable of the workers. Today, in the Middle Eastern lands where Jesus Christ was born and where he lived, we see continuous conflict and turmoil. Thousands are losing their lives, losing their homes and meagre possessions and forced to contend with dire circumstances.

In our Guyana, at the present time, we are witnessing political intolerance and persecution whilst on the ground the stark fear of unemployment and high-handedness stalk many communities. In this season, we see the heartless measure whereby sugar workers have been handed dismissal notices without any accompanying intimation about how their new status will be mitigated. We are fully apprised of the critical condition among very many workers of Wales Estate who are still jobless following the

closure of that estate. Really, this will be the most challenging Christmas for the Guyanese working-class.

The human spirit, however, knows how to overcome adversity. Ways and means – buttressed by the will to overcome – are found to deal with misfortunes brought about by some. However, this season of hope that Jesus inspires, there is greater resolve to never give up. Christ’s teachings provide us and all the downtrodden with optimism in the future. It must be noted that Jesus is regarded as a type of religious rebel who confronted courageously the Roman rulers on behalf of the oppressed. Hope dwelt amongst them.

With the foregoing sentiments uppermost in our thoughts, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins the Christian community in celebration yet again this season of Christmas. We wish the Christian community, indeed all Guyanese, a joyous season. This season now transcends its origins as all Guyanese seem to be caught up in some aspect of the 12-

"Hundreds of millions of persons globally venerate Jesus Christ" – IAC Christmas Message 2017

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he Indian Action Committee (IAC), during this holiday season, regarding the national holidays of Christmas and Boxing Day, wishes to send greetings to all Guyanese, especially those who are adherents of Christianity.

The IAC recognises that hundreds of millions of persons across the globe venerate Jesus Christ, a Jewish carpenter and member of the local working class and preacher who was one of many teachers throughout history who brought the message of peace, unity and brotherhood among all peoples

regardless of their ethnicity, nationality, class and whose birthday is traditionally celebrated on Christmas day (December 25).

The IAC also recognises the historical tradition of Jesus Christ being venerated as the prophet Isa by adherents of Islam and Shri Yesu Bhagwan by adherents of Sanatan Dharm. The IAC understands that Christmas in Guyana has been celebrated since the advent of colonisation of this land by the Dutch in the early 1600s.

The IAC also understands that these holidays are marked

by excessive consumption of alcohol and therefore is calling upon all Guyanese who imbibe to do so with caution and to maintain appropriate and acceptable behaviour while obeying the laws of Guyana, especially while driving on the roadways. The IAC is aware that many persons have criticised the commercialisation of Christmas, but the organisation recognises that tens of thousands of Guyanese businesses, large and small, depend on the holiday season for enhanced sales which, in turn, allows tens of thousands of cit-

non-Christians alike can observe this festival by promoting peace and goodwill between each other – in our homes, factories, fields, offices and schools and in our neighbourhoods and communities.

Let us embrace the universal values of peace and goodwill and extend to everyone the Guyanese tradition of hospitality this year and in the future.

Let us all work together towards creating a culture of peace and goodwill.

Happy Christmas!

izens to be gainfully employed.

The IAC is aware, also, that the current serious economic problems in Guyana, very likely, will significantly affect business negatively thus leading to increased poverty and a concomitant increase in crime during the holiday period, and so the organisation calls on the citizenry to remain vigilant and careful in financial transactions, especially where large amounts of cash are carried around, and to be on the lookout for carjackers.

The IAC wishes all Guyanese a very Merry Christmas and a happy Boxing Day.

day celebration whether in church, home or community. Christmas signals the closure of 2017 a year of severe challenges for the masses of Guyanese. It also brings us to the threshold of a New year, which if it is to be a better year requires our united struggles by the will to triumph over our evildoers as Christianity embraces.

The celebration of Christmas 2017 embraced by so many, presents the opportunity for togetherness to prevail over selfishness political high-handedness and discrimination and set our nation for the path to harmony and goodwill among men and women.

A joyful Christmas and a New Year of Hope from GAWU – to all Guyana!

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ong ago, about 2000 years, when King Herod ruled Judea (now part of Israel), God sent the angel Gabriel to a young woman who lived in the northern town of Nazareth. The girl's name was Mary and she was engaged to marry Joseph.

The angel Gabriel said to Mary: “Peace be with you! God has blessed you and is pleased with you.”

Mary was very surprised by this and wondered what the angel meant. The angel said to her “Don't be afraid, God has been very kind to you. You will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a baby boy and you will call him Jesus.

He will be God's own Son and his kingdom will never end.”

Mary was very afraid but she trusted God. “Let it happen as God chooses.” she replied to the

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Foundation

angel. Gabriel also told Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth who everyone thought was too old to have children, would have a baby boy whom God had chosen to prepare the way for Jesus.

Mary said goodbye to her

family and friends and went to visit her cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah.

Elizabeth was very happy to see Mary. She knew that Mary had been chosen by God to be the mother of his Son. An angel had already told Zechariah that Elizabeth's baby would prepare people to welcome Jesus. He was to be called John.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home to Nazareth.

An angel visiting Joseph Joseph was worried when he found out that Mary was

expecting a baby before their marriage had taken place. He wondered if he should put off the wedding altogether. Then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: “Don't be afraid to have Mary as your wife.”

The angel explained that Mary had been chosen by God to be the mother of his Son and told Joseph that the baby would be named Jesus which means “Saviour” because he would save people. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel had told him to do and took Mary as his wife.

At this time, the land where Mary and Joseph lived was part of the Roman Empire.

The Roman Emperor Augustus wanted to have a list of all the people in the empire, to make sure they paid their taxes. He ordered everyone to return to

the town where their families originally came from, and enter their names in a register (or census) there. Mary and Joseph travelled a long way (about 70 miles) from Nazareth to Bethlehem, because that is where Joseph's family came from. Most people walked but some lucky people had a donkey to help carry the goods needed for the journey. Joseph and Mary travelled very slowly because Mary's baby was due to be born soon.

Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus When they reached Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhere to stay.

So many people had come to register their names in the census, that every house was full and every bed was taken in all of the guest rooms. The only place to stay that they could find was with the animals.

People often kept animals in the house, especially at night, and used them like 'central heating'! People normally slept on a raised/upper level with the animals below to give them extra warmth.

So in the place where the animals slept, Mary gave birth

to Jesus, the Son of God. In those days it was the custom to wrap newborn babies tightly in a long cloth called 'swaddling clothes'.

Jesus' bed was the manger that the animals ate their hay from.

In the hills and fields outside Bethlehem, shepherds looked after their sheep through the long night. As the new day began, suddenly an angel appeared before them and the glory of God shone around them. The shepherds were very, very scared, but the angel said, “Don't be afraid. I have good news for you and everyone.

Today in Bethlehem a Saviour has been born for you. You will find the baby lying in a manger.”

Then many more angels appeared, lighting up the sky.

The shepherds heard them praising God singing: “Glory to God in highest, and peace to everyone on earth.”

When the angels had gone, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem to see what has happened.” So the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus was lying in a manger as they had been told. When they

He said: “When you have found him, let me know where he is, so that I can go and worship him.” But Herod did not tell them that he really had an evil plan in mind to kill the new king.

saw him, they told everyone what the angel had said and everyone who heard the story was astonished. Then the shepherds returned to their sheep, praising God for sending his Son to be their Saviour.

When Jesus was born, a brand new bright star appeared in sky. Some Wise Men in faraway countries saw the star and guessed what it meant.

They were very clever men that studied the stars and had read in very old writings that a new star would appear when a great king was born. They set out to find the new king and bring him gifts.

The Wise Men followed the star towards the country of Judea and when they got to the capital called Jerusalem they began to ask people: “Where is the child who is born to be king of the Jews?”

Herod, the king of Judea, heard this and it made him very angry to think that someone might be going to take his place as king. Herod sent for the Wise Men to come to him. He told them to go on following the star until they had found the baby king.

the angel said, “Take Jesus and Mary and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for Jesus to kill him.”

So Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary during the night they left for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod died.

When Herod realised that he had been tricked by the Wise Men, he was furious and he gave orders to kill all the boys aged two or younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. This was to try and kill the new King, as his plan to find the location of the new king from the Wise Men had failed.

After Herod had died, Joseph had another dream in which an angel appeared to him. The angel said, “Get up, take Jesus and Mary and go back to Israel, for those who were trying kill Jesus are dead.”

So Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary and they went back to Israel. But when he heard that Herod's son was now king of Judea, he was afraid to go there. So instead they went to Galilee, and lived in their old town of Nazareth. (whychristmas.com)

The Wise Men visiting Baby Jesus The Wise Men followed the star towards Bethlehem (where it said that the king would be born in the old writings).

It seemed to stop and shine directly down upon the place where Jesus was.

The Wise Men entered the house where they now lived and found Jesus with Mary; they bowed down and worshipped him. The Wise Men spread the gifts they had brought before Jesus. The gifts were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Wise Men were warned in a dream, by God, not to go back to Herod. So they returned home to their countries in the East by a different way.

Mary, Jesus and Joseph in Egypt When the Wise Men had gone, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,”

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Venezuelan gangs suspected of robbing Guyanese sailors ...illegal firearms entering porous borders – Police source

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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senior regional official from Mabaruma, Region One (BarimaWaini) has claimed that heavily armed gangs close to the Guyana-Venezuela border have been reportedly interfering with Guyanese who are engaged in fishing along the Amakuru River. This river links the two countries in the Region One. The official, who requested anonymity, told Guyana Times that there have been reports of pirates attacking Guyanese fishing boats along that border.

He said while there is no confirmation, based on the statements taken from the affected Guyanese, these men may belong to large gangs in that country.

These gang members have been described as ‘Merczateers’. The regional official said he strongly believes some Guyanese fishers may have ventured near the Venezuelan border, as the Police station had received reports of some fishing boats being stripped and robbed by pirates.

“These men belonging to these gangs in Venezuela are heavily armed and poses a threat to Guyanese venturing close to the border separating the two countries,” a senior Police official said while explaining that a joint service operation in the area is needed and will be conducted in the near future.

The Police said this op-

Teenagers robbed at gunpoint during seawall lime

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Saturday evening hang ended on a sour note for a group of teenagers after they were pounced upon and robbed by a gunman at the seawalls at Kingston, Georgetown.

Counting their losses are 19-year-old Yoshpal Seepal as well as Shennisa Daniels and Ashely DeMendonc, both of whom are 17-years-old.

According to information reaching the Guyana Times, at around 21:00hrs on the evening in question, a lone gunman approached the trio at which time he whipped out this weapon and demanded that they each turn over their possessions.

In fear of their lives, the teenagers complied with the request of the robber, after which he snatched their belongings and escaped into a waiting car.

The perpetrator managed to cart off with a handbag carrying two cellular phones and a quantity of cash belonging to Daniels while the two other were relieved of a cellular phone each.

The incident was reported to the police and as such, investigations are underway.

eration will determine whether there is need to improve security along that area to prevent these incidents from happening, as it may pose a threat to the region and country’s security.

However, the police official gave his commitment that everything necessary will be done to prevent the matter from escalating and ensuring the full protection of Guyanese fishers.

Despite this, however, the officer did state that the border between Guyana and Venezuela in Region One is porous. The officer made this statement, in spite of there being a checkpoint along the border where a Police Inspector and his team are stationed to verify the goods entering these shores.

Guyana Times also understands that illegal firearms have been entering Guyana through that same border. Another senior Police rank also revealed that they recently received a tip-off from members of the public, and based on investigations, several high-powered weapons were found at a residence.

The officer said these weapons are believed to have originated from Venezuela. He noted that persons were recently charged for the offence of illegal possession of firearms and placed before the courts.

This newspaper also understands that there have been other instances where

illegal firearms were unearthed during Police operations and the weapons were illegally brought here from Venezuela.

There have been previous reports of similar incidents along the GuyanaVenezuela border at other parts of the country. In July 2016 it was reported that a heavily armed gang of Spanish-speaking men terrorised Guyanese villagers in a Region 7 border village with Venezuela.

It was indicated that the men, whom villagers say are Venezuelans, have been crossing the border committing robberies and extor-

tion in the village of Arau.

These gang members were also accused of taunting Army and law enforcement officials with high-powered weapons and grenades.

Villagers in that region would have said that the gang is part of a “Venezuelan Syndicato” which operates as a rogue body in Venezuelan villages specialising in extortion.

The gang carrying out the attacks has attempted to indulge in the same types of tactics on the Guyana side of the border.

Villagers in Regions One and Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) said while incur-

sions by Venezuelan criminal elements are not new, the nature of the attacks has become worse over recent times.

Venezuela is experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history, with an inflation rate of over 400 per cent and a volatile exchange rate. Heavily in debt and with inflation soaring, its people continue to take to the streets in protest. There have also been

huge shortages of food supplies.

Besides that, Venezuela has long claimed a huge tract of land known as the Essequibo, which comprises nearly 40 per cent of Guyana’s current territory.

The decades-old controversy was brought back into the spotlight following the discovery of oil in Guyana which led to Venezuela reiterating its land claims.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have worsened ever since United States oil giant ExxonMobil announced in 2015 that it had found oil in Guyana. Venezuela has staunchly been against oil exploration in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where multiple oil deposits were found

by ExxonMobil.

A high-level meeting was fixed between Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and a Venezuelan delegation to discuss the border controversy in October this year.

This was aimed at reaching a resolution through the Good Offices Process until the end of 2017.

No resolution has been met since but Guyana has indicated that it is prepared to go to the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement to the controversy.

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monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Grace period expires

Ban on public smoking takes full effect

By Jarryl Bryan

A

midst much contention, the coalition Government pushed through a Tobacco Control Bill in July of 2017. Now the grace period, which was supposed to be used by health officials to launch an aggressive awareness campaign to familiarise the general public with the new laws, has expired.

An order was signed

by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and dubbed the ‘Tobacco Control (Commencement) Order 2017’. It declares that the Tobacco Control Act will henceforth come into operation.

The Tobacco Control (Commencement) Order 2017 is retroactive, thus it takes effect from a date prior to its operationalisation. In this case, the order was made retroactive by the Minister from December 11, 2017, making any public smoking after that date illegal.

Government’s Tobacco Control Bill provides that public smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco products, such as cigars, will be prohibited by law. Moreover, no person shall be permitted to smoke in any waiting area or queue in a public place.

Those public places include, but are not limit-

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

ed to, any public transport stop, bus stand, or bus park.

Smoking would also be prohibited in any park, playground, or amusement park; any stadium, arena, or any kind of sport of performance place; or any space for commercial service of food or drinks.

The Act says it shall also be illegal for persons to smoke in any area within five metres of a window, door, or ventilation inlet to any public place or indoor work place.

Smoking shall also be prohibited anywhere on the premises of — or within five metres from the outside boundary of -- any health-

care, educational or child care facility.

Further, no person shall smoke in any part of any indoor working place; indoor public space in any public transport, whether or not the transport is carrying another member of the public; or in any vehicle which is carrying a minor.

Part Five, section 16 (3) of the Act states “Any person who smokes in any place where smoking is prohibited commits an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10,000 for the first offence, and $20,000 for any second or subsequent offence.”

bill. The commission had stressed that the bill be referred to the Special Select Committee.

The Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (Demtoco) had also expressed concerns that the bill would negatively impact retailers of a legal product. They had argued that the Government can regulate the industry in a more reasonable manner.

The company therefore echoed the calls of the private sector and other stakeholders that the bill be sent to a committee. In addition, it called on the President to intervene and have any excessive measures removed,

As of December 11, public smoking is now illegal

The bill provides for a number of other fines and penalties, ranging from $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment.

Corporate bodies can also face fines of up to $9 million for infringing on the ban regarding advertising. The advertising ban includes promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, even by electronic delivery systems.

Oppressive

Within days of the bill’s passage, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) had come out urging the Government to consider the civil rights aspect of the

as well as to have the bill sent to a committee.

According to data released in recent years, although tobacco is acknowledged as a dangerous substance, at least 11 per cent of children in Guyana are regular smokers, and at least 20 per cent of them began smoking before they were 10 years old.

The International Monetary Fund had also recently revealed that, out of a total of 163 countries, 66 middle or low income countries have neither legislation nor polices that regulate the sale, marketing, or use of tobacco.

Musings…

Y

…on Christmas and Scrooge

our Eyewitness takes his hat off to Charles Dickens, who – even though he wrote his novels in the mid-nineteenth century – still speak to us in Guyana with immediacy. It’s not coincidental that Karl Marx was writing about the same phenomena of poor and the powerless – in somewhat less riveting prose! Every year around this time of the year, your Eyewitness returns to the Dickensian classic, “A Christmas Carol”.

And no, you young whippersnappers, it’s not about belting out “Deck the halls with boughs of holly!!” It was a time when the grungy English Industrial Revolution was at its apex, and making money (and more money!) was the mantra of the day. In other words, not much different from today; in the developed countries at least – where the top one per cent own 90 per cent of the wealth!

Here in Guyana, there isn’t really enough wealth in our top one per cent to appreciate what real income equality’s all about. Let’s just remind you that Jeff Bezos, the owner of Amazon, saw his wealth increase by US$27.6 billion between 2016 to 2017 to over US$100 billion!! To give you an idea of what that means, Guyana’s ENTIRE GDP in 2016 was US$3.5 billion!! That’s right – he earned in one year more than eight times what the entire Guyana produced that year!! But since everything’s relative – especially deprivation – our disparities are still as stark, aren’t they?

So, back to Scrooge and his still-relevant story. Even if you don’t know the story, dear reader, surely you recognise the name “Scrooge” being synonymous with “mean and selfish” from the movie that’s been gracing your TV screen all week! The money-lender Scrooge, was so tight-fisted on those rare occasions when he took a five pound note out of his wallet, the Queen blinked!! To make you understand, he was so mean he wouldn’t have minded throwing five thousand workers into the streets if it meant making a few bucks more profits. “Profits over people” was his mantra!!

Anyhow, he had a dream one night on Christmas and is visited by his dead partner, who’d been as mean as he was and who tells him he’d be visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. “Christmas Past” takes Scrooge to see his young self – suffering and lonely at the hands of a cruel father and the death of his beloved sister. Christmas Present shows folks all over London having a good time with their families, even under the most dire circumstances. Christmas Future shows him dying a miserably, unmourned and lonely death.

Scrooge, wakes up, wises up and changes his ways.

Will our Scrooges, piss poor only yesterday, change their ways?

…on Christmas gifts

Your Eyewitness isn’t too big on all this gift giving and all that jazz. It’s not that he’s a Scrooge or anything like that (he hopes!!) but he just has this thing about the over commercialisation of what he sees as ought to be a close family affair. It’s just TOO over the top for him. Christmas has joined all the other manufactured “Days” – “Mother’s Day”, “Father’s Day”, “Valentine’s Day”, “Teachers’ Appreciation Day” etc…etc…etc when you’re forced to PROVE your love by buying a gift!

Your Eyewitness prefers to show his appreciation of significant others by sitting down with them and breaking bread. What can beat enjoying a meal together, with good conversation and possibly some good Vino or beer? It doesn’t matter what the food is…It doesn’t have to be a suckling pig or a fatted calf.

The warmth and joy of being together with those you love will make even thin gruel, taste like New England Clam chowder!

Salute to all this Christmas!!

…on what might’ve been

Your Eyewitness promised himself he wouldn’t haul the usual suspects over the coals this Christmas Day – even the leaders of the AFC. “De mortuis nil, nisi bonnum” – of the dead one should only speak good!!

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

News

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monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Fairness in GGMC’s process being questioned …miner allegedly converts thousands of acres prospecting land to mining land …application fast-tracked

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uestions are being raised over the process being used by a miner, who is believed to be closely affiliated with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) through business interests, to acquire mining permits.

At the heart of the transaction is the alleged questionable conversion of thousands of acres of prospecting land to mining land status.

According to documents seen by Guyana Times, the miner applied for and was granted conversions to mining permits for land in the North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) through a mineral company. A total of 19,902 acres of land were referenced by the documentation.

All these applications were made on November 13, 2017. Subsequently, Guyana Geology and Mines Commissioner (acting) Newell Dennison’s authorisation can be seen on the application, with instructions being issued that the conversion be made.

While it took less than two months for the largescale miner’s application through his company to be processed, a prevailing complaint among mining syndicates is that it takes years

Acting GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison

for their applications to be processed and lands to be made available.

Mining syndicates were developed after the Natural Resources Minister met with miners in January 2016.

The decision was made to cluster small miners across the mining districts for them to benefit from concessions and support each other, something they were unable to achieve, mining on their own.

Back in June, small miners had protested against GGMC’s top officials. The small-scale miners had contended that they were being neglected by the GGMC and had accused the organisa-

tion of being corrupt, hence calling for the sacking of Dennison and his Technical Adviser, Donald Singh.

The miners alleged that they have been unable to mine for years since their applications are not being looked at.

“We in the mud day and night, with cassava bread and butter, fighting to feed our kids and give our children a better life and the ‘big boys’ them in GGMC, soon as a gold bore them get some big friend and the land suddenly become them own, all the time they deh in big fancy bed, AC and nice bed and never see what the bush look like. All the ‘big boys’ we calling ayo, come join we in the jungle and let you see what we does go through day and night, toiling in the mud and you only want hear a gold bore and suddenly is ayo one,” a very upset protester, Juliet Parsram had lamented.

Berbice small miner, Lloyd Moore, had said they are fighting for fairness,s noting that they feel discriminated against by the GGMC. He called for immediate action to be taken by President David Granger or Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, to assist in alleviating the sufferings

Small miners who have protested for fairness in the GGMC

of small miners.

“We expect fairness, a level playing field for everyone, we trust that the authorities, the Minister and the President should intervene so that at least it can alleviate the unemployment that presently exists in Berbice,” he had said.

Moore said the impact of the level of unemployment is vast with various sectors being affected.

Secretary of the National Small Miners Association, Leon Moses, had called on the Government to look into the condition of the Puruni, Region Seven, road.

“The rainy season and the roads have deteriorated very badly this year; trucks cannot pass, goods and ration cannot get through between Itabali and Puruni crossing. Small miners are suffering, the industry in that area have come practically to a standstill, people take three or four days to

traverse the road and what we are saying we are calling on the authorities, we are calling on the Government

to do something and fix this road,” he had said, rounding up the cries of the small miners.

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PSC distributes gifts to children of laid-off sugar workers at Skeldon

The distribution of toys and hampers took place at Line Path, Skeldon, Corriverton on Friday last

T

he Private Sector Commission (PSC), less than two weeks ago, commenced a toy drive aimed at bringing a touch of Christmas cheer to the worst off of the children of laid-off sugar workers in the Skeldon community.

This drive, at the insistence of members, expanded to become a major toy and hamper drive with members giving generously towards the effort. The Commission now plans to extend the hamper drive to the worstoff families of the other sug-

ar estates, beginning with Wales this week.

According to the Commission, “the Skeldon workers were first targeted due to the existence of a strong partner in the community – Sectoral Member, the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commission and Industry (UCCCI) – which was equipped with information on the workers and willing and able to assist with distribution”. The UCCCI will also host a simple party at which the children will receive their gifts.

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monDAY, december 25, 2017 | gu

Crime Fighting Stra

“I don’t know of any US$20M Signing Bonus”

“Only some Ministers knew of the Signing Bouns”

“How you could put me out? You are not my father and I am standing because the chair is green”

“I need to correct the misinformation that the AFC is divided. It is not. It is non-existent”

“The entire Cabinet knew of the Signing Bonus”

“Instruct Top Cop to stay home and rest while crime soars”

When

“As Security Boss sleeps, Bandits wreak havoc”

“Successful Operation: Pr citizen from freely walk

But they liked me so much when I was cussing the PPP

“Mr Speaker, time was cut from questioning the budget because when we sleep in here, it becomes news”

on ell H g... t r e okin peak Mr S to quit lo ing on oth Nort here's n ians in T nd meri get!!

A r o f ud the B

Crime ESCROW ACCOUNT

The Journey to

has been

REDUCED

...continues

17

017 | guyanatimesGY.com

rategy

tion: Preventing an unarmed ely walking the roadways”

“Bias? Me? Nah! If you say I favour one side over the other, then that’s a different story” “Who? Sugar workers? My make-up takes priority! They misunderstood; the good life was meant for us”

You're drinking the milk like Moses and Khemraj drinking soup back home!

“Protects your financial security and from discrimination and victimisation”

zzz

zzz

zz

New GECOM Chairman explains how he will execute his duties

18

feature

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

The origin of Christmas in Upper Mazaruni

Missionary OE Davis

Chief Auka

By Ashraf Dabie

E

ven though the celebration of Christmas has its origin set on religious beliefs, Guyanese have over the years managed to transform this festive occasion into yet another aspect of the diverse local culture. As such, the season is no longer limited to any specific group but has become perhaps the most highly anticipated time of the year, with an entire calendar of activities billed for the celebrations extending throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

However, for villages in the Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), it was with the spreading of Adventism, a phenomenon that took place sometime in the 1900s, that the tribes of this region began to formulate their own little customs and traditions, as they too observe the birth of Jesus Christ.

This is all detailed in a

story told throughout the district that chronicles the transition which saw the Indigenous communities leaving behind their ancestral beliefs to take on the Christian way of life.

It all started in the village of Kako, when the then leader, Chief Auka, was ambushed by a premonition which hinted at the arrival of a stranger to their well protected land.

According to the legend, Auka who was known as a ruthless leader with many wives, while lost in his subconscious, was greeted by a “White man carrying a black book.” This stranger, bold enough to defy the defensive nature of the people, ventured into their home with a mission to change the way in which they lived.

However, strange enough, Auka somehow felt it best to welcome this mysterious man into their village after realising he meant no harm.

The next day, the village Chief was eager to inform his people of this dream, only that it was not a dream but

more so a vision; a glimpse of the future.

Auka thereby alerted his villagers of the impending arrival of this stranger carrying a black book, while laying out specific instructions to inflict no harm but to take the man directly to him instead. And so said so done, the man did come.

This stranger quickly became well-known across in the Upper Mazaruni as OE Davis, a missionary, who brought with him material possessions of more civilised societies, such as clothing but most importantly, the word of God. Davis, through his journeys within the region, took the Adventist faith (a denomination of Christianity) into various Indigenous communities,

A typical Christmas table in Upper Mazaruni

Over the decades, the customs and traditions became more and more entrenched in the culture of these communities and even evolved to take on aspects of the modern society.

This evolution is evident is Parima, one of the villag-

The famous tuma pot

teaching the people through simply practices such as covering their bodies with clothing, what to eat and drink and to honour monogamy.

Adding to that, the missionary also shared Christian religious practices with the first peoples, one of which was the observation of the birth of Christ, commonly known as Christmas.

es visited by Davis during his crusades all those years ago. This Adventist community in the depths of the Mazaruni River, is home to the only remaining families of the Arecuna tribe.

Every Christmas, the families gather at the centre of the community, at the village’s dining hall, to share a wide array of specially pre-

pared Indigenous cuisine, which for them is the true spirit of the season.

The gathering over a hefty meal, with a selection of festive dishes, is what sets the occasion aside when compared to others. Given that food takes the forefront of the celebration, the tuma pot (the original pepper pot) is a must have on the Christmas table.

However, what makes Christmas tuma special is that meats such as deer or the black curassow (or powis), which makes for a much-desired festive treat, are substituted for fish or other common sources of protein at this time of the year.

This is paired with what is known as “kata” which is simply small fishes boiled in cassava juice until it reaches a thick consistency. Of course, other delicacies such as the cassava bread and specially brewed Indigenous beverages are must haves at this time as well.

In Parima, while the extravagance of the celebrations synonymous to Christmas in the city may not exist, some of the wellknown traditions were

maintained, whereas others were eventually adopted.

In the Chambers family, for example, the hanging of fairy lights and adorning their home with festive decorations has become a tradition which was generally uncommon in the region.

In recent years also, they also adopted the custom of Christmas gift exchange within their household.

Even with that, Christmas in Indigenous communities is generally a simple occasion, much like the lives they lead. However, the communities mostly look forward to the time spent in communion, through the sharing of food at the gathering of fun and laughter.

In this way, the Indigenous communities stand out as examples to others throughout the country and even around the world who seem to have lost the essence of the season in their quested for extravagance.

However, putting that aside, the people of the Upper Mazaruni continues to maintain the true nature of the holiday through embracing the wonders of sharing and togetherness.

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monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

T

here's nothing like a Guyanese Christmas – the aroma of pepper pot and spices in the air, an abundance of black and fruit cakes (whichever you prefer), garlic pork, ginger beer, freshly baked bread, carolling, Christmas parties, decorations, presents and countless merry activities to indulge in! For 90-year-old Stella Goppy of Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, memories of Christmas continue to be etched in her mind, many decades later.

Born in Mahaicony in 1927, Miss Goppy grew up in Skeldon, Berbice, moving to Linden in the latter years of her life. Sitting in her home a few days ago, she shared some of those happy memories with this publication – her memory ripe with enthusiasm. Chuckling heartily, Miss Goppy recalled growing up with her parents and five siblings, who all shared a love for celebrating the holidays. "Things were different back then," she recalls, but the joy shared around Christmas still remains the same. According to Miss Goppy, the community was a big, happy family around this time of year, as friends would invite friends into their homes to share in the merry eating and drinking.

"Christmas was nice!

Really nice. All like if I know you as a friend, I would invite you to go at me or you would invite me to come at you. Or my mother would invite you, and we would drink ginger beer and eat black cake and all those things. When we eat and eat and we figure it's time to go home,

Miss Stella Goppy

we go home. In younger days, we used to got to go with parents, but when we reach 15 and 16 and you're old enough to go on your own, you could go and celebrate Christmas with your friends," she recalled.

According to Miss Goppy, friends became more like family around the holidays.

"We used to live good.

Now, nobody don't invite you by them, but long time, as you live here and me live here, I inviting you.

You have to spend half of the day with me and I gon come spend the balance of the half with you." And nothing could compare to sharing those Guyanese Christmas delicacies with friends; her favourite was pepper pot and rice and cake.

She recalled making pepper pot, ginger beer, and black cake and sharing with her neighbours.

“The neighbour children could come at me, my children could go by them and we would laugh and gaff and drink we ginger beer.

We would eat until we can't eat no more! Next day, we cook different food again. turn to page 26

21 “Our first Christmas without our beloved baby boy” feature

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

…Ramkaran Mohan’s family still mourns loss …as driver yet to be charged

By Kizzy Coleman

C

hristmas is made special for a number of reasons, but most significant are the foods, fairy lights, Christmas tree with its dazzling star, the smell of new flowers, the sweet sound of Christmas carols and for most parents, the delightful look on their children's faces on Christmas morning especially when it is time to open the Christmas presents.

Some parents are anticipating that reality on December 25, but for others, it is but a mere dream.

In the case of the Mohan family, it is but a dream after the life of their four- year-old baby boy, Ramkaran Mohan, was snatched from him.

Many parents are privileged to see their children grow to adulthood; Ramkaran's parents were able to just enjoy four years with him.

His life was tragically taken on the fateful morning of March 15, 2017 just a short distance away from his Lot 1088 Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) home.

Ramkaran was said to be playing joyfully, like he normally did, with his brother and teenage uncle.

Tragedy struck after the three ventured to a shop obliquely opposite their home to purchase a ball.

A woman known to be a reckless driver was on that day reportedly speeding.

Ramkaran – who was standing in the corner of the road with his uncle who was holding his and his brother's hands waiting for the woman to pass – was hooked by her vehicle, motor car PVV 5084, which reportedly swerved into the corner of the road.

The child was then run over by the vehicle and dragged. It was only the sight of Ramkaran's teenaged uncle running behind the woman's car and signalling her to stop that prompted her to do so. It was then that she saw the child hanging from the side of her car.

The young woman began to scream after realising what she had done. The child was quickly picked up and rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The parents of Ramkaran at this time had no clue what had transpired as it was only until the child was already on his way to the hospital that they were informed of the accident.

Screams emanated from the Mohans' residence as the teenaged uncle of the lad relayed to them what had occurred.

The family quickly rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where the child was taken … unaware that it was already too late.

Little Ramkaran was buried a week later following a heart-rending funeral service. His mother cried uncontrollably; one could only begin to imagine her pain.

But instead of healing with time, the wound in the heart of Mrs Mohan only widened as the woman who struck her child was released on self-bail, and to date, faced no penalty.

She is reportedly the daughter of a presidential guard who following her release taunted the Mohan family with phrases like “I’m untouchable”.

Weeks after the child’s demise, the Mohan family staged a protest action call-

ing for the injustice that met their family to be corrected.

Mohan’s grandmother, Bibi Nazoom Khan sounded her plea “I am calling for justice, because this female driver hit my grandson and drag him and she paid no attention or is paying no interest; they did not even come and sympathise with my family. She is even saying that her father works under the President and she is untouchable, so we all calling for justice here”.

The mother of Ramkaran, whose pain was visible, cried” “I need justice; I don’t want any money, she dragged my baby like a dog and if that boy did not run in front of her car, she would’ve never stopped!

I just need justice for my son…I need justice!”

The protest was met with no response from the authorities. The family was then prompted to beg for a meeting with the Opposition Leader, who also was unable to help.

Ramkaran Mohan

As months go by, the family members continue their wait for justice and are being told by the authorities “we are awaiting a response from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP)”.

Now nine months after the tragedy, the Mohan family told Guyana Times: “it feels like yesterday; our wounds cannot be healed.”

According to Mrs Mohan, it is a daily struggle for her to

continue to live without the presence of her son.

“Every day, I am surrounded by memories of Ram; it is causing me so much pain because up to now it didn’t register that I will never get to see him again,” she cried.

According to Mohan’s father, “This boy here (referring to Mohan’s older brother) now deh all by himself, like it does feel lonely because when Ram was alive, you know the house never used to deh quiet, but like everything change since he dead; it hard, it really hard.”

And his grandmother said: “I really want justice because this baby can enjoy nothing anymore; just like that, he gone and he cannot enjoy life anymore; it is really unfair to our family.”

So, as we all enjoy this year’s Christmas festivities, remember the smile and the cheer of little Ramkaran, whose innocent life was tragically taken from him, who is unable to be loved by his parents and whose parents are unable to love him in person.

22 news

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Prisoners graduate from anger management programme …after completing 3-month course at NA Prison

T

wenty-one inmates of the New Amsterdam Prison were on Thursday last recognised after successfully completing a three-month Anger Management and Re-entry programme.

Nine women and 12 men participated in the 12-week programme.

Officer in Charge of the New Amsterdam Prison, Superintendent Paul James, told this publication that participants were chosen based on their age and length of their prison term.

The programme was conducted by Solutions Training Consultancy and Counselling Services.

Among those who graced the stage all decked out in their gowns were high-profile and special watch inmates. Both convicted and remanded prisoners were also given an opportunity to participate in the programme which focused on imparting skills with the

The inmates from the New Amsterdam Prison who graduated from a three-month Anger Management and Re-entry programme

aim of preparing the participants for reintegration into the society, and being able to deal with issues which will confront them so that they would not have to be placed in such a facility again.

Managing Director of Solutions Training Consultancy and Counselling Services, Wil Campbell, said the inmates were all happy and willing to participate in the Anger Management programme.

According to him, there were noticeable changes in the attitudes of those who participated in the programme.

Anger management programmes have been conducted in the prisons over the years. “But I think that ours is a bit different in that we used a therapy approach rather than a teaching approach, so what we do is help the participants to understand themselves, understand the source of their an-

ger and thereby learn how to deal with it,” Campbell told Guyana Tines.

“Because it is not just about giving information about anger and how to deal with it but helping them understand their own unique situation; their own circumstances and to learn techniques that they can use that are specifically adapted to the individual,” he posited The programme was part of two pilot skills train-

ing programmes being undertaken by the Guyana Prisons Service. The other was a similar programme held for inmates of the Timehri Prison.

During the three-month programme, inmates were helped to understand the nature of anger and to appreciate that it is something normal and okay to be angry. “We looked at some of the causes of anger, things like communication blocks, irrational thinking, the feel-

ing that you must get respect from everyone and this whole idea that respect must be earned or demanded. We also looked at the importance of forgiveness,” Campbell said.

He noted that many persons are angry because they are holding on to past hurts and as a result, that anger is misdirected to random people or others who are not the real source of the anger. “So we taught them how to let go of past hurts, how to forgive and also how to apologise and how to accept apologies,” Campbell explained.

According to Campbell, who is also a psychologist, it is hoped that the programme will extended to other prisons.

In brief remarks, Senior Prison Officer Paul James encouraged the graduates to see the positives that can result from their incarceration, and use it as a building block for a better future.

(Andrew Carmichael)

23 1 dead, 1 injured in ECD crash news

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Corentyne labourer found with throat slit in home

P

olice are investigating the murder of 47-year-old Anand Sukram, called Radesh, of Lot 50 Friendship Village, Corentyne, Berbice, whose body, with the throat slit, was discovered in a pool of blood in his bed at about 7:30h on Sunday.

The gruesome discovery was made by Sukram’s 17-year-old son, who lives

in the said village and went to pay his father a visit.

Sukram’s body is presently at the Port Mourant Hospital morgue awaiting a post mortem.

Diligent work by investigators has resulted in the arrest of the prime suspect, who has since admitted to committing the crime. A second suspect has been implicated, and is being sought by the Police.

T

wo persons were yesterday travelling from Mahaicony, ECD headed in a westerly direction in a silver grey vehicle when, at about 16:00h and while in the vicinity of the KK Gas Station located at Unity, Mahaica, the driver of the vehicle reportedly lost control and slammed the vehicle into a lantern post before crashing headon into a nearby guard hut at the gas station.

The impact of this collision caused the entire front of the vehicle to fold in, while the right side was completely shaved off.

The driver of the vehicle -- unidentified up to press time -- died as a result of this collision, while the passenger has sustained serious injury and has been admitted at a city hospital.

24 news

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

“I fought my demons and I am winning” – Sheik Shamshudeen

By Lakhram Bhagirat

N

ot everyone can say they turned their worst period into an experience to teach others, to mend broken souls and to create beautiful memories, but for Sheik Shamshudeen, he can! He can painfully tell you what it is like to be homeless, to find sustenance in the refuse of others but he can also tell you how to conquer your demons and build a beautiful family. He can make you dream so big that it is hard to contain the smile that envelops your face while he speaks about finding true love during a period when he though love no longer existed for him.

Sheik is now 49 years old and he is now beginning a journey, which many of us begin at a much younger age.

“I feel now is the right time for me to take this step and I am more grounded now, so I can take care of my responsibilities the way I should do,” he notes while smiling at the

Sheik out Kettling for the Salvation Army

thought of going home to his almost one-year-old son.

Sheik’s life was not always a bed of roses; rather it is what some might consider a bed of thorns. At the young age of nine, Sheik had his

first draw of marijuana and his world changed forever.

He explains that he remembers his first drag like it was yesterday and regrets every other drag he took after that.

He was born into a tra-

ditional family from Cane Grove in Mahaica, on the East Coast of Demerara, and Sheik says he was “unruly” from a young age. The level of disrespect he exuded was incomparable. A young Sheik had no respect for his elders and would hang with the elder boys in the village, often doing things way beyond his comprehension skills. He tells that it was the same group of boys that would lead him to his first drag, followed by his first sniff and subsequent homelessness.

“I used to fit in with the rude boys and that is where they introduced it (marijuana) to me. I see them smoking and I decide that I should try it too and I decided and I was between 9-10 years when I took my first draw of marijuana,” he remembers.

However, those are the memories that still cause Sheik some deal of pain and resentment for his choices.

He explains that he became addicted to marijuana and his life spiralled out of con-

Sheik with his wife, Nadira and their son, Samuel

trol. In order to regain some semblance, he moved away to St Nevis where he worked and tried putting the broken pieces together, but all that effort went down the drain when he returned for a brief vacation in 1989.

It was while back home on vacation, Sheik met up with some old friends and one of them would lead him to the local drug yard where he was introduced to the “big boy” drug – cocaine. He recalls when he took his first sniff it was as if he was floating through and everything fell into place. He would later spend most of his few weeks’ vacation time holed up in the drug yard getting high, ignoring the reality of the world. Nevertheless, he returned to St Nevis where he unsuccessfully tried to procure cocaine and he returned home about one year later in 1990, where his first stop was the drug yard.

It took less than a year for Sheik to end up friendless, family-less, penniless, jobless and most devastatingly, homeless. He wandered the streets with just the clothes on his back, eating from garbage bins, begging so that he could get his next fix, worked underpaying odd jobs to satisfy his cocaine craving and slept on the cardboard lined pavements.

“I lost everything I had. I ended up living in the streets wandering aimlessly and doing whatever it took for me to get that cocaine because I needed it,” Sheik said.

“I have been living on the streets in 1991 to November 9, 2009. That is when I surrendered my life, recognising that drugs was destroying me. I was given the opportunity through the Salvation Army Drug Rehabilitation Centre,” he adds.

He sees his addiction as the disease that made him so selfish that he did not realise his entire world had been destroyed and he was slowly sinking. It was at that point when Sheik decided to turn a new chapter, since the current one was overused. He describes the rehabilitation process as awesome but also challenging since he had to confront his demons without the help of his former best friend – cocaine.

He spent six months at the Salvation Army’s inhouse drug rehabilitation centre where his body was forced to adjust to the com-

forts of having a regular bath, sleeping in a bed, proper hygiene and most importantly, living without cocaine.

“I took all the teaching and I do apply them in my daily life. After completing the six months in-house treatment, I didn’t had anywhere to go and they see it fit to keep me in the halfway house and subsequently they do some evaluation with me and they see that I am physically fit and they employed me to work right in the realms of the rehabilitation centre,” Sheik proudly boasts.

He has been clean for the past eight years and is thankful for the assistance he gets in maintaining his sobriety. These days Sheik is not only thankful for his sobriety, but he is also grateful for the love he receives from his wife, Nadira and his infant son, Samuel.

“I am very excited to say that this child came through prayer because in my active days I used to see people hugging their families and going to church and I was jealous,” he said.

“I used to see this young lady and I never said a word to her and one day after completing a hard day work from the office, I went to the gate. I was refreshing my mind and I see this very young lady pass and I waved and that is where it started,” Sheik fondly remembers.

He explains that he met Nadira in 2012 and they maintained a friendship, which over time developed into unconditional love, and they eventually tied the knot in April of 2014 and Samuel was conceived on December 23, 2016.

For Sheik, Samuel is his Christmas baby and the reason for him to stay sober. He wants nothing but the best for his son and now spends his time working with the Salvation Army as an Office Assistant and since it is the festive season, he is out Kettling.

When asked what advice he has for the general population, Sheik says, “Push as hard as you can. Say no to drugs and yes to a better future. Use me as an example and make yourself better, the drugs and the high is not worth missing your life.

I have fought my demons and I am winning, you do the same.”

news

25

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Younge’s Take

Michael’s Naughty and Nice Xmas List

C

hristmas is a time when billions of people around the world traditionally celebrate the birth of our lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. It serves as a period of reflection and celebration of the concept of goodwill.

Also, like the Hindu Festival of Phagwah, it is a season that fosters unity, tolerance and cohesion amongst people from very different walks of life, religious inclinations, racial and political backgrounds, and social groupings.

Traditionally, the birth of Jesus marks a crucial point in the history of the doctrine of Christianity. This is so, because Jesus is considered as the Messiah, deliverer Michael Younge and saviour of all mankind.

His role would eventually turn out to be the most important in the entire Christian faith as he died so that all humans who believe in him could have eternal life.

It is a time to be merry and charitable as well as considerate of the poor who may not possess the necessary resources and abilities to join in all of the festivities which could be financially taxing depending how you define your “merry Christmas”.

That aside, Christmas over the years has taken on a lot of symbolism that has seen it straying away from the underlying principles outlined above which led to its prominence. This is where Santa Claus, his reindeers, the North Pole and the Elves come in. Together, they encourage young people to aspire to higher levels of morality, ethics and acceptable behavioural patterns for which they would eventually be rewarded with gifts. In order to receive any rewards, Santa would keep check on people all year round to ascertain whether they were naughty or nice. He made a list based upon their deeds and the manner in which they treated others in their communities.

If I were Santa, there would be a list of persons who would not be receiving gifts locally, regionally and internationally. And of course, there are a number of people that would feature prominently on my ‘nice’ list because of the amount of goodwill, cheer and positive energy they produced by doing things. In the interest of space and time, I will reveal the top six persons who feature on both lists along with some honourable mentions.

Freedie Kissoon would feature at the top of my naughty list because this year he became more infamous as a result of the publication of unbelievable lies, distortions, half-truths, skewed political/philosophical ramblings and divisive journalistic articles. He thought he would rid himself of the stench which emanated from the faeces that was thrown on him years ago: maybe he should think again. President David Granger would feature next for his role in upholding corruption, the breach of Guyana’s tender and procurement laws and the breach of the Constitution. Basil Williams comes in third for failing to win a series of straight forward and noncomplex cases and being a sore loser. Winston Jordan for the piloting a new school of “Jumbie and LaLa Economics” which lambasted the populace. Raphael Trotman is tied with Jordan for deliberately lying and hiding the US$20 million ExxonMobil bonus. And crowning off the top six would be Nicolette Henry for trying to do a doctorate without completing nursery school where she could have learnt the difference between Phagwah, Diwali, Chatree and her role as a sensible Minister of Government.

Other honourable mentions include Royston King, Moses Nagamotoo, Chandradass Sohan, Simona Broomes, Dr Barton Scotland and Cohen Jackson.

The Nice list would include Juan Edghill for standing up to be out of order for his rights; Joseph Harmon for staying out of a lot of trouble by hiding in MOTP; WR Reaz for starting to sign his own tunes; Charmaine Blackman for keeping all of her assets in place; Ruel Johnson for proving that he is indeed a rubberstamp; Bharrat Jagdeo for maintaining his composure and not deliberately cussing anybody wrongfully this year; Amna Ally for ensuring that she sleeps well in Parliament to wake up to go to work early each morning; Saieed Khalil for his social media activism and useful perspectives. Honourable mentions include Priya Manickchand, David Ramnarine, Anil Nandlall, and the people of Guyana for keeping their composure even in the midst of deceit and abuse from the political elites in our society.

Merry Christmas everyone…

26 news

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mason killed in Bagotstown accident – mother in anguish over losing first-born

The cake and ginger beer that the deceased man never got to consume for his 38th birthday

“3 O’clock this (Sunday) morning the Police make me a fool. Got me on the road, and de man at Lyken Funeral Parlour said, ‘You can’t see the dead without a police’,” she bemoaned.

The domestic worker, who has been a single parent for over 20 years following her husband’s death, recalled the many early mornings she would rise up and prepare meals for her son, who would venture out early to ply his trade in carpentry, masonry and painting. In outbursts of great frustration, the grieving mother deemed her son’s death as “cruel”, since the driver did not render assistance.

She also said she is dissatisfied with the response of the Police, who reportedly told her that several ranks

Dead: Vincent Scippeo

were sent away on Sunday morning to be stationed at patrol for the passage of the President.

“This is slackness going on in this country! You got a dead and can’t see the dead at the mortuary,” the mother stated.

It was only on Friday that the carpenter had celebrated his birthday, but he never got to eat the cake that his mother bought him, nor the ginger beer that she purchased for him to consume on Saturday, as he was working long hours.

In fact, the mother opened the sealed cake when this publication visited her on Sunday.

“Me want to know if that driver would give me back a son, a thirty-eight-year-old son... You know what is it to lose your first-born?” the mother expressed.

At the same time, she called on Police to curb the unfavourable behaviour of many bus drivers, who, according to her, inflict upon passengers loud and obscene music, speeding and overloading of their buses.

She vowed to pursue all avenues to get justice for her son.

His friends recalled that he was a quiet and reserved individual, who often kept to himself and supported his mother. The young men who were visiting Scippeo’s mother noted that they were in utter shock that their childhood friend had met his demise at such a young age.

“When I hear he get knock down I was surprised, because I know he does walk at all the back roads just to avoid the main road,” his friend “Nick” told this publication.

The dead man leaves to mourn three siblings, his mother, other relatives and friends.

GDF rank killed in Christmas Eve accident at Houston ...female driver in custody

The dead pedestrian’s bag that the mother says she removed from the scene with his lunch packed inside

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

mother will find it difficult to find any joy in today’s observance of Christmas, following the demise of her first born, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident over the weekend at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.

The dead pedestrian has been identified as 38-yearold carpenter and mason Shahabb “Vincent” Scippeo, who met his demise late Saturday into Sunday morning, as he was struck down by a minibus that was reportedly speeding at the time.

Police indicated on Sunday that they were hunting the driver of minibus BLL 3140 which was reportedly involved in the accident at Bagotstown. According to information obtained from investigators, the minibus was proceeding south at a fast rate when Scippeo, a resident of the nearby village of Peter’s Hall, allegedly crossed the public road from west to east and was said to have been hit by the front and centre of the bus.

Scippeo was reportedly flung onto the road as a result of the impact, and was dragged for several feet before the vehicle came to a stop. Reports are that the minibus BLL 3140 plies Route 32 (G/town-Parika), and its driver, whom in-

vestigators identified as Dumaine Wallcott, fled the scene sometime after the accident. This publication was told that the body of the dead man was on the road for at least one hour before it was removed from the accident scene.

Guyana Times was told that it was in this window period that the driver was allowed to escape. Information received however, indicated that the conductor has been taken into custody, and the bus has been impounded at the Providence Police Station.

At the time of the accident, the bus was allegedly overloaded.

Scippeo had been rushed in an unconscious state to the East Bank Demerara Hospital at Diamond, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is presently at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination as police continue to pursue leads to find the elusive driver.

Mother’s anguish

When Guyana Times visited Shahabb’s mother, Zurena Scippeo, she was still sitting in disbelief over the death of her son.

She claimed that up to late Sunday afternoon she was not allowed to see her son’s body, since she was allegedly sent to the parlour without a Police escort.

Motorcycle CJ 3815 minutes after the accident Guyana Fire Service responders checked Carrington for a pulse

PPP 5567, reportedly driven by 27-year-old Marrisa Sawh, has been impounded

T

he intersection where the East Bank Demerara Highway meets the Access Road at Houston near Rahaman’s Park has recorded another accident, but in this instance, a motorcyclist was killed.

While information surrounding the cyclist’s demise was sketchy, he has been identified as 22-yearold Owen Carrington of Issacs Street, Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara.

From preliminary reports obtained, he died instantly as a result of the impact.

According to reports, the accident occurred just after 13:00h on Sunday, when Carrington, who was not wearing a helmet, reportedly lost control of motorcycle CJ 3815 as he was proceeding north on the eastern carriageway at a fast rate.

Reports are that

Carrington, a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Private, had been swerving in and out of traffic, and the left side handlebar collided with an unknown vehicle before the Honda motorcycle sped over the road partition and hit motorcar PPP 5567, causing him to be flung off the motorcycle as it came to an abrupt halt.

The female driver of the Toyota motor car, visibly shaken by the ordeal, was questioned by investigators who arrived on the scene minutes after the accident had occurred. The woman, Marrisa Sawh, 27, of Tucville, Georgetown, was driving the vehicle that belongs to her father, Colin Sawh.

The Guyana Fire Service ambulance was first on the scene, but those first responders opted against removing the cyclist’s body after they examined him for a

pulse. After this ambulance departed, the body of the private was left lying on the road. He was later removed from the scene and was officially pronounced dead.

Reports are that the man had received multiple extensive injuries, including to his neck and head.

Last Tuesday, a major accident was averted after heavy-duty truck GVV 9475

crashed into a lantern post at the corner of Rahaman’s Park in an attempt to avoid colliding with a motorcar.

The incident occurred just a short distance away from the new Christmas tree which replaced the one that collapsed recently after vandals had stolen the straps that were holding it up.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

Memories of Christmas...

I used to enjoy everything, but my favourite thing was eating the black cake and fruit cake," Miss Goppy related.

As a youngster, Miss Goppy said she was not allowed to assist with the decorating, but receiving presents was something to look forward to. "We used to get one and two things. We used to get dolly and the boys used to get whistles and those sort of things. When I wake up in the morning, my mother would give me my dress, shoes and the little things she know I would use for the day.”

She recalled that the younger ones were tricked into believing that once they

from page 21

go to bed early on Christmas eve, a bird would bring the presents from Santa Claus.

Christmas was incomplete without masquerade bands putting on a grand show for villagers. Miss Goppy recalls being delighted by the spectacle. "They used to dress up and thing.

It used to be a set of big men dancing. They would dance and stretch their hands and people would give them a lil small piece," she said.

Miss Goppy recalls more unity back then growing up, especially around the holidays. She recalls that friends became family and there was an open invitation to everyone's home.

27 Former GDF rank tipped to be new Chancellor news

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

By Michael Younge

K

enneth Benjamin, the current Chief Justice of Belize, is tipped to be Guyana’s Chancellor of the Judiciary, according to highly-placed sources and luminaries in the legal profession.

Guyana Times learnt on Saturday that Benjamin was interviewed earlier this year for the post and was handpicked by a committee put together by President David Granger and his Attorney General, Basil Williams.

Benjamin is a former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer, having served as a magistrate and judge advocate during his stint before migrating overseas. He studied at the Hugh Wooding Law School before going on to hold several high-level portfolios in the judicial system at home, in the Caribbean and abroad.

“While he is very qualified, one cannot help but notice the fact that he served in one way or another in the GDF. Of course, that has its own connotations and denotations. That only means that President David Granger would have seen him as ‘fit and proper’ as they say or as suitable because the President has a special liking for former GDF officials,” one source said.

According to the source, President Granger intends to appoint Benjamin in the New Year, but has run into some difficulty in the process, which the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Attorney General Basil Williams are actively looking to resolve.

“Whether we like it or not, Mr Granger has accepted the full recommendation and report of his committee. He is excited about this particular candidate and has already made contact with him to ensure that this is communicated,” the source related.

Chancellor (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

The source also revealed that the President was concerned over the recent posture of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo since he believes that the former President may not “consent or agree” to the appointment of someone who has resided outside of Guyana so long.

“The President is still hopeful that the consultation with Jagdeo will go smoothly despite his own personal feeling,” the source remarked. It is not clear whether acting Chief Justice Roxane George or acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards applied to be confirmed in their respective posts.

Non-appointment

Meanwhile, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran also hinted in his weekly column published in another section of the media that Benjamin was likely to get the top judicial post.

In his “The Conversation Tree” column, Ramkarran said Benjamin was “no doubt… qualified to hold the post”, as he noted that if appointed, he would have several important issues to tackle in Guyana.

“The first would be the inevitable fallout from displacing a popular chancellor (ag),

Cummings- Edwards, whose confirmation was anticipated supportively by the entire legal profession,” he noted.

Ramkarran also noted that Cummings- Edward and acting Chief Justice Wiltshire may be reverting to their original posts as Appeal Judges until one was selected for appointment as Guyana’s substantive CJ. “The second issue that Chief Justice Benjamin will have to face is whether the Leader of the Opposition will consent to his appointment,” the columnist wrote.

He said that the process would have to be truly consultative between President Granger and the Opposition Leader as the candidate was not likely to be known by the latter.

Noting that the process and subsequent appointment were immensely important, the Senior Counsel called for the Opposition Leader to be given access to all of the information about the process and recommendation of Benjamin.

“They cannot properly do so unless both have had an equal opportunity to make an informed decision,” he remarked.

Back in March 2017, President Granger consulted with Jagdeo before appointing Cummings-Edwards as acting Chancellor and Wiltshire as acting CJ. Article 127 of the Constitution says “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall each be appointed by the President, acting after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.”

The Government had said then to ensure that there was an open and transparent process that helps the President and the Leader of the Opposition to reach an agreement; it has begun a process of selection, which will include consultations between the two parties.

Both posts were then advertised and applications have been received as recommended by President Granger.

Minister Harmon was quoted then as saying, “A panel was put together, which comprised former Justice of Appeal, Ms Claudette Singh; Mr James Patterson, and Mr Harold Lutchman. The panel, of course, met and we are awaiting the report of that panel. Once that is submitted to His Excellency, the President, he will, in due course, make his decision on the matter.”

An undertaking was made to have the report and the information derived from the interview process submitted to the Leader of the Opposition, according to the Minister of State.

“We will have to have consultations so at that point the Leader of the Opposition will be invited to consultations ... That process also requires that he be given in advance the names of the persons who are proposed, the Curriculum Vitae of those persons and all information, which we will have at our disposal and that information will come out from the interviewing process, which took place recently. So, we will submit all of that information to the Leader of the Opposition so that he will recognise that the choice which was made was a good one and I’m sure, will find his agreement,” the Minister of State said then.

The Minister of State was adamant then that Government believed that this process sent a strong signal to professionals in the conduct of their public life as their record would be scrutinised as they seek to advance in their careers.

“What we have done is to basically introduce a process, which will add to the entire architecture of the legal system in this country that will

Kenneth Benjamin

see our Judges going through a process before they are actually appointed and, therefore, the things like the quality of the judgment which they give once they want to move to higher office, all of these are issues which are taken into consideration,” he remarked.

Guyana Times was unable on Sunday to confirm whether or not Opposition Leader Jagdeo had received the report and all the necessary information ahead of Benjamin’s selection and possible appointment.

CCJ

Recently, Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) President, Sir Dennis Byron condemned the fact that since former Chancellor Desiree Bernard demitted office, agreement has not been reached for the substantive appointment of a Chancellor.

“This has brought us to the situation today where the number one and number two officials of the Guyana judiciary have not been substantively appointed. This is a most unfortunate state of affairs,” the legal luminary stated before arguing that “this situation has moved well beyond what ought to be acceptable in a modern democracy, where respect for the rule of law is maintained. The Constitution envisages the ju-

diciary of Guyana to be headed by officials who are substantively appointed and enjoy all the legal and institutional mechanisms to secure their tenure.”

Article 127 (2) of the Constitution states: “If the office of Chancellor is vacant … then until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of such office… the functions shall be performed by such other of the Judges as shall be appointed by the President after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.”

Commenting on this, Justice Byron noted that the language of the Act suggested that the appointment was to be a short-term one, before a substantive appointment. He noted that even from a subjective analysis, the Constitution never intended for the years it has taken to fill the substantive positions to elapse. The CCJ President said that if the right framework to appoint the Chancellor and Chief Justice was not being used, now would be the opportune time to make regulatory or statutory changes. He noted that that too may be a basis for judicial intervention. “Section 127 (1) ascribes an obligation to the President and the Leader of the Opposition that is mandatory in nature and not discretionary (to appoint the Chancellor and Chief Justice). Any failure in fulfilling this obligation must, therefore, be regarded as a breach of the Constitution,” Sir Dennis also said. Speaking during his second press conference since he took office in May 2015 which lasted for one hour, Granger revealed that the person proposed for the position of Chancellor has accepted the nomination and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo will be consulted. He did not release the person’s identify nor indicate where the person currently resides.

Current ICT structure hampering Govt policy-making – IDB …affecting business-friendly climate, public services

O

ne of the key drivers of Government building its institutional capacity and designing effective policies is data collection. Information and communication technology (ICT) plays an integral role in data collection.

According to the InterAmerican Development Bank’s (IDB’s) Country Strategy Report on Guyana for the period 2017 to 2021, Guyana has been lagging in the area of data collection.

And because of this, everything is affected -- from the service Government entities provide to the public, to Government’s ability to implement effective policies.

“The limited use of ICT not only impedes the development of a robust data gathering/dissemination mechanism, (which is) necessary for evidence-based decision making, but also affects the Government’s front-office functions directed at businesses and citizens, including the facilitation of (a) business climate and procedural services for citizens.

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

“This is reflected in Guyana’s low position in the e-Government Survey published by the United Nations, where it ranks 126th out of 193 countries, with a score of 0.37 out of 1, well below the regional and sub-regional averages,” the report notes.

According to the report, the ability to design policy is further constrained by Government’s limited collection and use of data. The

bank acknowledged that while Guyana’s overall statistical capacity-building has improved over the years, it is still behind its Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) counterparts.

One such index is the World Bank’s Statistical Capacity Indicator, on which the IDB noted that Guyana underperforms in its overall score on statistical capacity at 57.8. This is compared to an LAC average of 78.2 in 2016.

“This is further substantiated by the results of the application of the Tool for Assessing Statistical Capacity (TASC) that took place in May 2017. This self-assessment tool demonstrated that two of the weakest areas of statistical capacities in Guyana are institutional capacity of the national statistical system and the use of administrative records, adversely affecting effective evidence-based policy-making.”

“The last household survey conducted to gauge poverty levels is more than a decade old. A recent assess-

ment conducted by the IDB highlighted the need for staff training to build statistical capacity; the provision of technical assistance in the areas of sampling, data analysis, dissemination, and mapping; modernisation of technology for data collection and monitoring of field operations; and alignment of the statistical products that are available in the country (surveys, censuses, and administrative records) with priority data needs,” the report stated.

The budget

In total, the sum of $4.6 billion was passed in the National Assembly for the Public Telecommunications Ministry. This includes $2.5 billion in capital expenditure and $2.1billion in current expenditure; both increases.

In 2017, capital expenditure was $359.2 million, while current expenditure was $1.8 billion.

Employment costs dropped, however, with $97.1million being set aside. Of that lot,

$67.1million was set aside just to pay contract employees.

On examining the estimates, concerns were raised by the parliamentary Opposition about the potential for certain areas in the hinterland to be underserved. Opposition Parliamentarian Irfaan Ali took care to urge Public Telecommunications (PTM) Minister Cathy Hughes to visit a number of areas featuring underlying infrastructure, including Aishalton in Region Nine.

Because it dealt with developing human capacity, the parliamentarians spent a substantial time on Programme 334, dubbed 'industry innovations'. In defending the increased sums, Hughes related that various sums of money are to be used for scholarships, a venture capital fund, and provisions for animation development.

While the PTM has seen an overall increase, just the sum of $10 million was provided for training, in-

clusive of scholarships, under line item 6302. In response to questions from the Opposition regarding the line item, the Minister explained that ICT training would take place on four levels throughout the regions.

“The basic training levels are going to be located in regions Two, Three, Four, Six, Eight and Nine. That basic tier includes introduction to computers, internet and the web, and Microsoft Office.

That will benefit community youths,” she explained.

“The next level is a mid-tier level, and that focus is on Web design. That includes programmes like Photoshop, Web design, Illustrated design, planning and analysis. The (target audience) are community youths.

“The next tier is a focus on Web development. We are looking at courses for Java Script, CSS. And the top tier is mobile development. We will target groups looking at developing mobile apps,” the Minister explained.

28

monDAY, december 25, 2017

The Hings: A family that brings togetherness to sports

By Akeem Greene

B

arbara Bush had once said, “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent”.

If there is one family that embodies the concept of togetherness, that family is named Hing. Yes, there may be other families with better records in this respect, but the Hings -- four in number -- have an interesting way of balancing the rigours and hassles of the professional world with one thing: sports.

The patriarch of this par-

ticular family, 48-year-old Nicholas Hing, has been a graphic artist for the past 30 years, and along with his wife Nathalie, has produced two multi-talented boys, Eric and Michael. In their own fields, the sons have impressed in their respective disciplines and have still managed to stay above par regarding academics.

Guyana Times Sport spoke to the joyful family during the festive season, to essentially understand how they do it all, and was much surprised to learn that they have been doing the balancing act for quite some time now.

“My family is involved in three different sports, which are karate, hockey and archery. It is that order because

Eric Hing playing hockey

our eldest son, Eric, began karate at age 5, then my wife Nathalie started hockey after our second son, Michael, was born. Eric began playing hockey around that time also.

He was 12 year old. Michael started karate at age six, and started playing hockey at about 10 years old; while I started with archery three years ago”, Nicholas recalled.

He added, “It all just started as a way of getting exercise, but some of us came to love the sport we are currently competing in. We realized that sports was also a good balance for the boys, a balance regarding their school and life at home.”

Asked how they managed to perform the balancing act for all these years, Nicholas responded, “Ahah! We find ways to do it!”

On the other side, Nathalie, a former national hockey player, said she lends the supportive role. She stated, “We have one policy, which is to be open. If you [her sons] don’t talk, it would be hard for us to know what is wrong, and then find a way of remedying the situation”.

Questioned on how important is it for parents to be there to offer support for their children even when they are not winning, the father posited, “It is very important.

Children need to be encouraged in whatever they want to do. They need to understand they may not always win, but can learn from their wins and losses”.

Eric and Michael pose with Master Frank Woon-a-tai

Big brother Eric, aged 24, works for a construction company and owns his own dojo.

He has an illustrious past in the field of karate and hockey, according to his father.

“Eric wanted to learn karate since he was 3 or 4 years old, but had to wait. Eric represented Guyana at the ISKF [International Shotokan Karate Federation] World Cup Championships in 2008 (Canada), the ISKF PanAmerican Championships in 2010 (Guyana), and the IKD World Cup in 2011 (Canada).

He and Michael took part in the IKD[International K arate Daigaku] Caribbean Championships in 2013 (Barbados). They also were in

the U-21 hockey teams, with Eric travelling to Trinidad & Tobago twice, and Michael to Canada.”

Their CVs (curriculum vitae) are already well documented; and with Michael, student of the Chase Academic Foundation, who is aspiring to be a physiotherapist, writing his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations next May/June, the graphic artist was deeply appreciative of the support his wife has offered to date, and will continue in the same vein.

But being in sports for all these years, they must have seen where there is need for improvement, and Nicholas

was not short of words in this regard. “…developing our coaches through coaching courses, sports administration, more sports facilities for the different disciplines. Sports tourism, which the Government is promoting, along with more corporate sponsorship”, he contended.

In closing, the most enticing question was asked: How do you enjoy the festive season? The adventurous Nicholas was firm in declaring that comforting his taste buds was top priority.

“By spending time together... My wife also loves to cook, so there are lots of different types of food!!!” he explained.

BFA/ GT Beer, Candy Boss 8-A-Side Tournament…

Bruising semifinal action on tonight

Baijnauth Sawmills T20 T bowls off January 7

P

resident of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) and former Berbice Cricketer, Hamant Jagdeo, has announced that Roy Baijnauth of Baijnauth Sawmills, and former President of the Berbice Cricket Board will be sponsoring a 20/20 competition for Clubs in the Upper Corentyne Area commencing January 7, 2018, according to a media release from the Berbice Cricket Board.

The Competition will be played on a knock-out basis and will include all Member Clubs of the UCCA. Jagdeo, in an invited comment, declares that he intends to take the Association fast forward, in an effort to bring the level of cricket in the area to the glorious state it used to

be in the past. " I intend to deliver on all my promises to the members. cricket will be played at all levels and will include all clubs who come under the UCCA." He thanked Baijnauth for his support of the Association, and for his sponsorship of the competition. This, he said, will definitely boost the morale of players in the area, and encourage them to forge ahead with their cricketing careers. He is appealing to members of the business community, and to the general public to support the UCCA, and help to mould the young and aspiring cricketers in their game.

Secretary of the Upper Corentyne Association, Vadanand Sugrim, is appealing to all Clubs to get themselves in order for the

competition. A committee is being set up to manage the Competition, and Clubs will be informed shortly of the details. Sugrim is asking all Clubs to prepare their list of 14 players who will represent them in the upcoming competition. He further stated that plans are in place for an Under 17 competition in January 2018, which will seek to shortlist players for trials in the Berbice Under 17 team.

The release concluded by stating that prizes for the competition include; Cash & Trophies for Winner and Runner Up Team, Man of the Match in the finals Trophy, Most Valuable Player of the Competition Trophy, Best Bowler and Best Batsman.

he finalists in the Berbice Football Association (BFA) GT Beer and Candy Boss football competition will be decided tonight after the two pulsating semifinals. Monedderlust and Georgetown Police will clash in the first game while Edinburgh Gunners and Beacon FC will face each other for the right to compete in the New Year’s Day final. Both games will be played at the All Saints School Ground on Princess Elizabeth Road, in New Amsterdam.

In quarterfinal action on Friday, a double hat-trick

by Anthio Wallis helped Georgetown Police to a 7-2 win over Rosignol United.

Wallis scored in the 6, 29, 30+2, 35, 42 and 60+1 minutes. The other goal for police came off the booth of Keyron Batson, scoring in the 57 minute. Rosignol got their goals off the booths of

The determined Edinburgh Gunners

DeQuana Rigby (27) and Kevin McKenzie (54).

In game 2 on Friday evening, Edinburgh Gunners made light work of Black Sharks of Fyrish with a 5-2 win; Sherlock Philips a hat trick and Joseph Giddings a double. Philips scored his goals in the 13, 19 and 52 minutes while Giddings found the back of the nets in the 27 and 47 minutes while for the Black Sharks, Shaquille Batson and

Jerman August found the target.

The referee is expected to blow the opening whistle at 19:00h to send Monedderlust and Georgetown Police into battle. The second game is scheduled to kick off at 21:00h. At stake in the competitions are both cash and other prizes. The winner of the competition is guaranteed $500,000. A total of $1M in prize money is up for grabs. (Andrew Carmichael)

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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sports

Beaton reported for suspect bowling action W est Indies pacer Ronsford Beaton has been reported for a suspect bowling action during West Indies' second ODI against New Zealand on Saturday. Beaton sent down eight overs in that match and picked up 1 for 60.

As per the ICC's regulations pertaining to suspected illegal actions, Beaton's action will now be further examined. He will have to undergo testing within 14

days. Beaton can continue to bowl, though, until the results of the test are known, which means West Indies can continue to use his services in the third and final ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch on Tuesday.

Even so, Beaton's suspect action is now an added cause for concern for a West Indies side that has struggled in ODIs this year. West Indies have already conceded the ongoing series 2-0 and have lost 15 out of the

29

21 ODIs they have played this year.

The setback comes early in Beaton's international career. He made his debut in the current series against New Zealand, and in his first two ODIs conceded 102 runs in 17 overs while picking up one wicket. (ESPN Cricinfo) Since his debut in 2011, Ronsford Beaton has played 33 First Class matches

MACORP lends support in LGC upgrade

M

a c h i n e r y Corporation of Guyana (MACORP) in keeping with the season recently spread some holiday cheer by providing the new executive body of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) with equipment as they upgrade their venue ahead of what is expected to be a busy 2018.

The recent donation of one Caterpillar Excavator according to new LGC President Aleem Hussain, was a tremendous gesture by the MACORP family and one which ensured that golfers can play a few holes even if the weather isn't conducive to golf.

Hussain told Guyana Times Sport on Christmas eve that the Greens were in

LGC Ground is undergoing a massive transformation ahead of 2018

fantastic shape despite the rainy season as the new executives took some time off their holiday plans to push in some work at the course.

LGC Ground supervisor Mike Guyadin said that without the equipment there

would be no hope of playing during the rainy season and as such he thanked the machine giant for their assistance.

Guyadin confirmed that two of the Fairways were already completed and esti-

mates another six weeks for the total completion of the Ground.

He further explained that due to the works being conducted at LGC, golfers can expect fresher Greens, new Tee boxes, excellent drainage and overall a newly upgraded venue.

Both Hussain and Guyadin were confident that 2018 will be a revolutionary year for the fraternity, adding that it is their goal to ensure golf can be play at the highest level, 365 days a year.

The LGC also extended warmest holiday greetings to their golfers locally and overseas, members, staff and to the general public with hopes of a brighter 2018.

“We’ve got to see actions now” – Law

W

est Indies coach Stuart Law came down hard on his team after they listlessly crumbled to a 204-run defeat against New Zealand in the second ODI in Christchurch on Saturday. It was West Indies' 15th defeat in 21 ODIs this year, and the 121 they managed in a chase of 326 is their lowest total in 2017.

"As I said to them before they left [the ground], words are cheap. We've got to see actions now," Law was quoted as saying by Stuff.co.nz.

"There's so much talent in this squad. I don't think what we saw in the first two games is a fair indication of how well these guys can play."

At one stage, West Indies actually seemed to be in control of the match, having brought New Zealand down to 186 for 5. But from there, Henry Nicholls and Todd Astle flattened them with a sixth-wicket stand of 130 runs in 98 balls. Trent Boult then ripped through their batting order with a career-best 7 for 34 that sent them packing in 28 overs.

It is these sort of performances that made West Indies miss out on an appearance in the Champions Trophy in England earlier this year, which was contested between the top eight

Windies Head Coach Stuart Law

teams in the world. West Indies have also lost out on a direct entry into the 2019 World Cup and now have to go through the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe next year.

"We need to settle on a group of players to take us forward," Law said. "The earlier we can come up with those names [for the World Cup qualifier] and come up with a plan for those guys leading up to that tournament [the better]."

More immediately, one prospect that could possibly fetch them better results in the third and final ODI of the current series in Christchurch on Tuesday is the likely return of Chris Gayle. The opening batsman has been in imperious form of late, smashing a record

18 sixes in a T20 innings in the final of the recently-concluded Bangladesh Premier League that gave his side Rangpur Riders the title.

Gayle, however, hasn't played much of a role in the current series. He struck 22 in the first ODI but did not take the field during the New Zealand chase.

He also missed the second match due to illness. But Law suggested that the lefthander was progressing well. "Fingers crossed he should be right for the next one. I saw him [on Sunday morning] at breakfast and he seemed to have a little

West Indies' attacking brand of cricket, he impelled them to exercise caution and better discretion. "People talk about poor execution, but if it's the same dismissal over and over again, it rivals lunacy," he said.

"The batters know they made mistakes and we're far better than what we showed. Hitting balls into the wind, it's not very smart, particularly when we spoke about it leading into the game. We were trying to get 300 in 25 overs, when we had 50 overs to get it.

"Our guys want to be positive and play an attrac-

Chris Gayle is expected to be back for the final ODI on Tuesday

bit more life about him. It's moving in the right direction."

While Law was all for

tive brand, but you can't be reckless with it. You've got to be smart in the way you go about it." (ESPN Cricinfo)

30

news

monDAY, december 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Torrington dreams of playing First-Class cricket

By Akeem Greene

B

eaming with confidence in his ability, young fast bowler Qumar Torrington has locked his eyes on playing First-class cricket in the near future after but not necessarily for his native Guyana.

The 17 year-old was part of former West Indies Captain Floyd Reifer’s scouting programme which was aimed at unearthing new talents for the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) which participates in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) First-Class circuit.

After an impressive spell of bowling where he took 4-14 in one of the practice matches, his deep desire stands closer to becoming a reality.

For the former West Indies under-15 player, success should not be a surprise since he has a classical

The young pacer has been earmarked to have a bright future ahead of him

but powerful approach the crease and an open-chested action, which generally helps the tall seamer to generate an appreciable amount of pace.

Reflecting on the outing, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player told Guyana Times Sport, “the four-day

training which was highly developmental and it could only make me get better and I look forward to being exposed to similar training programmes which would only help to me build my cricket and me gradually progress into West Indian colours.”

He added, “On the first day we conducted basic drills at the indoor facility. He even helped me with some field placement where I had to bowl five different deliveries with the same field and be successful.”

A career which the young pacer hopes to model after marque international players Dale Steyn and James Anderson, has admitted he left an impressionable mark on Barbadian Reifer.

“Well he said to me that I have a good strong bowling acting and a good follow through but just need to do some more strengthen work to gather some more pace.” *Balancing Act* Going full throttle on the field is not the only major aspiration the cricketer has since hitting the stumps in the world of academics is high on his agenda for the Chase Academic Foundation Student.

“Well balancing both

Torrington and his father Darren after his graduation from Charlestown Secondary School

cricket and studies is a bit challenging but in order to be successful time management is important. I manage my time efficiently to get my results in the end since my goal is to become an entrepreneur so I'm currently doing business subjects at Sixth Form level.”

Given the CCC structure allows for cricketers to purse their dreams both on and off the field, Torrington contended that similar structures should be developed in Guyana.

“I think they should have more schools placing more emphasis on both sports and studies. Maybe in the same manner my school does. This would further help students like myself to develop in both the academic and whatever sporting arena they are competing in,” disclosed the player who has five passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate level. *Support mechanisms* To a large degree the ‘gentleman’s sport’ has evolved over the past decade becoming one which situational awareness sometimes overrides raw talent. While the player has showcased glimpses of being a critical thinker on the field he admitted the overwhelming advice imparted has helped to keep him above par.

“As a fast bowler in order to be successful you must stick to the basics and that is what I focus on before games and try to execute it efficiently and with the work of my coaches who keep encouraging me and helping me to remain focus.”

“Coach [Garvin] Nedd, coach [Corey] Colleymore from Barbados who was with us in England with West in-

dies u15 and coach Julian [Moore] who would normally say to me just keep focus and continue working hard.”

In 2016, Torrington had this first taste of the maroon colours when he toured England to play against English U-16 teams in a 50-over invitational tournament.

“I think the tour to England helped me a lot.

Firstly, it was a good exposure as it learned to adapt to different conditions, secondly with the quality of the coaches. Robert Samuels from Jamaica, Corey Colleymore and manager Courtney Walsh shared a lot of important information that up to now I still remember and use it in my cricket whenever I play.”

The player also credited the constant jolts of ‘keep going and never give up from parents Daren and Sharon Torrington along with principal Henry Chase.

With entrance to the sport since the age of seven when he joined the Queenstown-based DCC and then playing for Guyana at the age of 14, is now looking to break into the under-19 squad since he has hopes of playing in a Youth World Cup. “I am looking forward to next year’s regional under-19 since it will give me the opportunity to stake a claim for a spot on the Windies under-19 team hopefully a chance to play in the world cup.”

“But it doesn’t stop there.

I know that this first step in me moving forward into First-Class and the Test arena. I know with the help of the Almighty all of these things are possible.”

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, december 25, 2017

31

…Joaan Deo masters balancing sport & academics

By John Ramsingh

F

rom the tender age of 10 years old, Joaan Deo began golfing at the country’s only golf course at Lusignan and the sporting discipline has enabled her to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Surgery in 2017 making her one of the most successful sportswomen in Guyana.

One may say that Joaan was born to play golf since she was born into a golfing family. Her father, Chatterpaul, who is the current captain of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) patiently taught her the finer details of the beautiful game that saw her rising to the top in the male dominated sport.

On the maternal side of her family is her uncle Papo Haniff who is the best golfer produced by the Lusignan Golf Club and nine-time Guyana Open Champion.

Uncle Papo was also very instrumental in Joaan’s success on the fairways to date.

Along the way, Joaan has carted off the prestigious Guyana Open on two occasions (2014 and 2016), the Grand Coastal Open since 2009, the Scotiabank Open, Courts two-day Classic, MACORP Open, The Vish Trading Open, The GuyCanam 2016 when she was paired with Jaipaul Suknanan then there was that special occasion when

The ‘Extractor’ during a slow period at work

ful and healthy smile has for me, far outweighed such a strain. Of course, the professional respect, the job security and the financial independence, which come with being a doctor, all complemented my choice,” when asked why such a profession.

In a society which is dominated by fast paced games including cricket and football, golf sometimes has a different stigma of being boring but the former Marian Academy student was quick to dismiss such claim. “Golf, as portrayed by the media, would appear

Joaan is now a certified Dentist following graduation in November

she was paired with her dad to conquer the Sanjay’s Jewellery tourney.

In 2017, the pint-sized golfer played in three tournaments winning the Maersk and the Silica Sand Port Open while missing out at the Guyana Open. Her appearances on the fairways were limited in 2017 since Joaan was focused on completing her Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Guyana.

After graduating in November, Joaan said “Despite Dental Surgery having the disadvantage of being extremely complex, the joy of creating a beauti-

to be a boring sport. But it is not until a neophyte has ventured to the tee box that he or she will be able to experience the excitement of this sport. I think the mistake which most persons make about golf is that they base their views of it based on appearance, and I would say this to them - don't judge a book by its cover. You need to come to the course, grab a club and hit a ball. That's all it takes. Golf is a lifetime sport which requires discipline and practice, and the rules are drafted in such a way that no one is left behind.”

Now that Joaan has suc-

cessfully balanced academics and sport by putting in the long hours on the fair-

ways to be a champion golfer and the even longer hours boxing the books to complete her degree, she is very adamant that it is not impossible. “The proverb, all work and no play makes Jack (or Jill) a dull boy (or girl) fits perfectly with the need to complement one's life of sport with academics. Athletes are already disciplined in sport so it is not that difficult to excel in academics. I consider myself an athlete, but that does not mean I will limit myself to merely that; we must always try to balance the equation.

It is my strong opinion that athletes need that balance in their lives.”

As it pertains to 2018, Joaan will be working hard to bring down her handicap to single digit as she seeks to compete on the international scene. The sky is the limit.

Joaan did not win the Guyana Open but won the prize for the Best Net

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Healthy smile, powerful swing

...Joaan Deo masters balancing sport & academics

Torrington dreams of playing First-Class cricket

Pg 31

Pg 30

The Hings:

The family that brings togetherness to sport

Pg 28

At the launch of Archery Guyana at Carifesta Sports Club Ground in 2015: From left: Eric, Michael (crouching), Nathalie and Nicholas Hing, with Colombian archer and archery coach Diego Torres

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