Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

Tage Chanderpaul ready for Limacol CPL outing Page 51

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 197

week ending June 22, 2014

Dynamic Airways launches in New York - with four scheduled flights per week See story on page 13

Page 18 New Antigua PM promises citizens ‘dawn of a new era’

Rodney CoI should examine Granger’s statementsDr. Luncheon

PM Gaston Browne

Page 6

Travel agent Bhola Ramsundar interacts with; from L-R Bobby Vieira, Vice President of Business Development Tom Johnson, CEO of Roraima Group of Companies Capt. Gerry Gouveia and Guyana’s Consul General in NY Brentnol Evans

APNU Leader David Granger

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana making headway in Triple murder out in deaths achieving UNDAF strategy ruled of Md. woman, 2

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wo and a half years into the implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Guyana is making headway in fulfilling the four-year strategic framework.

At a meeting held on Wednesday with the UN team, Government officials and other stakeholders, the midterm review report was presented on progress of the implementation of the UNDAF 2012-2016 strategy.

UNDAF is a strategic framework which showcases areas that the UN can contribute effectively to the achievement of countries’ national development priorities.

It was developed through intense consultations to address key development challenges in Guyana and was signed by nine UN agencies in 2011. The document focuses on four thematic areas: inclusive governance, inclusive growth, human and social development, and environment and sustainable development.

Positive feedback The Head of the Finance Ministry’s bilateral relations unit, Donna Levy, told the gathering that the implementation of the UNDAF strategy has been receiving positive feedback from agencies in Guyana. “The feedback received from Government agencies indicates that a significant amount of work has been

kids found in car

Some of the representatives at the UNDAF midterm review meeting

done and in some instances, we can humbly say that most of the targets have been met even though it is still in the midterm,” she pointed out.

Levy noted that several of the targets set in each of the thematic areas will be assessed in order to determine the level of achievement. “Those targets, which are no longer relevant due to changes in the environment and people and the needs of Government and people, will be revised and included in the UNDAF moving forward for the second half of the cycle,” she stated. Levy assured the UN Country Team that despite all the targets not being met, the Government remains committed to implementing the

framework.

In her presentation, UN Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa highlighted that most of the involved agencies have developed and commenced implementation of their respective action plan. However, she noted that while Guyana is lagging behind, the Government has indicated that it is aiming to achieve these in 2017.

Musa pointed out that the review shows that UNDAF is still aligned with Guyana’s priorities as outlined in the country’s National Development Strategy.

“Many results have already been achieved, but, since we are only midway, there are still much continued on page 23

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ccording to reports out of Maryland, Hagerstown police have ruled out the possibility that a Guyanese woman and her two young daughters found dead in their car were killed by someone else.

Capt. Paul Kifer said Thursday that investigators hope toxicology tests will show whether the 32-year-old woman deliberately killed herself and her children, ages six months and 18 months, or if they died accidentally in the closed vehicle on a 90-degree day. Those tests could take weeks.

Kifer says the car had been parked for hours in the Western Heights Middle School parking

lot where the bodies were found Monday afternoon.

He says police hope to release the names of the deceased Thursday after speaking with the woman’s family members.

She was from Guyana, and had recently moved to Hagerstown from West Virginia.

Authorities say Police responded to a call to find the woman in the front seat and two children in the back seat – all were pronounced dead at the scene. There were no signs of violence and the bodies have been taken to the medical examiner’s office for autopsies, which hopefully, will shed some light on the situation.

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Tel no: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709.

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EDITORIAL

Ukraine: new cold war?

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hile to most Caribbean people, it might appear that the crisis unfolding in the Ukraine is a matter for Europeans, since it is a faceoff between the U.S. and the European Union on one hand, and Russia on the other, is it possible that we may be on the verge of another Cold War? After all, only a week ago, the same players commemorated the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the landing by the former allies at Normandy that was coordinated with the Russians moving in from the East, to defeat Nazi Germany. And within five years, there was the Cold War between the two sides.

While that war might have been “cold” between the major players, it was anything but that for the various “proxies” that were forced by circumstances to take “sides”. Cuba is still being made to pay for her decision.

As for Guyana, while no choice was explicitly made, the fear by the U.S. that the “wrong” one was possible, was enough for them to remove the democratically-elected PPP government, install the PNC and have Guyana yet divided. So the possibility of a repeat should be of some concern to Guyanese citizens.

However, there are some significant differences from that which prevailed at the end of WWII. First and foremost is the fact that the struggle between the two sides had an ideological basis.

To put the matter crudely, the U.S. represented “democracy and capitalism” (not necessarily in that order), while Russia, as the prime mover in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), was the representative of the radical “communist” alternative in both governance and economics.

This is not an inconsiderable consideration. Right now Russia is firmly in the U.S. “capitalist” camp and, in fact, with its huge number of oligarchs, is probably nearer to the classic robberbaron capitalism that Karl Marx criticised. Without the fear that Russia would influence other countries to become its allies because of ideology, the U.S. has that much less to fear.

Another factor is that, shorn of its satellite states, of which the Ukraine is a paradigmatic case, Russia is not the Great Power that it might want to be. After WWII, the USSR had considered herself on par with the U.S. militarily and economically, but cannot even pretend to that status now.

Even within the emerging new power grouping BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Russia is one of the weaker powers. It, therefore, does not really have the wherewithal to challenge the U.S., much less NATO, the U.S. military alliance with Europe.

For the foregoing reasons, it is unlikely that one can speak of a new “Cold War” emerging that would pull in Third World countries such as Guyana. This is not to say, however, that the Ukraine crisis might not lead to a sustained strained relationship between Russia and the West.

The Ukraine is even more significant to Russia than Latin America and the Caribbean were to the U.S., when the latter promulgated its “Monroe Doctrine” to warn outsiders (Europeans) from interfering in our affairs. In addition to the economic and strategic interests that the U.S. would have sought to protect, the Eastern and Southern parts of the Ukraine – such as Crimea which has seceded – are populated overwhelmingly by ethnic Russians.

These ties are very powerful to the rest of Russia and it is quite possible that if enough consideration of this factor is not manifested, for instance in the present “peace talks”, the present Russian leader Putin, would be forced to become more belligerent to salvage Russian pride.

While we do not believe that open warfare between Russia and the West is likely, the ongoing definition of the western insurgents as “terrorists” may ensure Ukraine becoming a hotspot that would distract the West from its economic recovery that is vital for the well-being of the rest of the world.

School’s out forever. Well, high school anyways (sort of) for these St Rose’s girls in Guyana who celebrated the end of their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations by writing their best wishes for each other and other yearbook-worthy thoughts on their shirts, upholding a fine Guyanese tradition (Carl Croker photo)

US Ambassador saddened by ‘gays on island’ gaffe A mid the furore over Pastor Ronald McGarrell’s “gays on island” gaffe, United States Ambassador to Guyana, D Brendt Hardt on Tuesday urged greater respect for each other, while saying that it was long past the time that the shared belief in the universality of human rights be put into action.

Wiring in an OP-ED, the outgoing Ambassador said as his tenure in Guyana draws to an end, “I was saddened to hear the recent outburst from a prominent religious leader suggesting that his fellow citizens with different sexual orientations should be sent to live on an island.”

Ambassador Hardt said it was John Donne who famously observed that “No man is an island, entire of itself, every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” And it is precisely because of our connections with our fellow man that we are called upon to love others as we love ourselves – the core message of Christianity and many other religious traditions.

The US Ambassador said Washington understands that the issue of LGBT rights is considered sensitive for many people and many governments.

“We know that the obstacles people seek to place in the way of protecting the human rights of fellow citizens who are LGBT are often said to arise from deeply held personal, political, cultural, and religious beliefs.”

He said in citing religious or cultural norms and practices as a reason to violate or not to protect the human rights of LGBT citizens, it is easy to see parallels in justifications historically offered for some allegedly traditional violent practices towards women, such as honour killings, widow burning, or female genital mutilation. Some people still defend those practices as part of cultural or religious traditions. But such violence isn’t cultural – it’s

criminal, the Ambassador said.

He said too that the example and history of slavery are also instructive. Noting that slavery was once justified as sanctioned by God, and St Paul called on slaves to obey their masters. “Despite such religious precedents, however, slavery is now rightly reviled as an unconscionable violation of human rights. Likewise, racial discrimination was once widely accepted as justified on the basis of alleged genetic superiority or inferiority of different ethnic groups, but this has long been recognised for the gross fallacy it was.”

“In each of these cases, we have come to recognise that no practice, tradition, or custom trumps the universal human rights with which, as Thomas Jefferson wrote in the US Declaration of Independence, we are “endowed by our Creator.”

Ambassador Hardt said in contrast to the hateful and intolerant sentiments recently expressed, it is important to recall that most religious traditions and teachings are not in conflict with the protection of human rights for all human beings. “Indeed, our religions and our cultures are more typically sources of compassion and inspiration toward our fellow human beings. Our various religions teach that caring for others and loving others are reflections of our faith and the embodiment of what it means to be fully human. That is one reason why human rights are universal across all religions and cultures.”

The Ambassador added that some seek to suggest that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct. “In fact, they are one and the same.

Sixty years ago, the governments that drafted and passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were not thinking about how the Declaration applied to the LGBT community, but they also weren’t thinking specifically about how it

applied to indigenous peoples or children or people with disabilities or other marginalised groups.

Yet in the past 60 years, we have come to recognise that these “groups” are entitled to the full measure of dignity and rights, not because they are a member of a distinct group, but because they are people with whom we share the common bonds of humanity,” the US Envoy declared.

He said in the United States and in countries throughout the world including Guyana, it is long past time to put our shared belief in the universality of human rights into action – into new laws and a new spirit of respect and solidarity for our fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, friends and family.

Hardt also quoted Martin Luther King, Jr who once observed that “laws can restrain the heartless, but they cannot restrain the heart” He went on to say “That is why respect for rights must begin in the small places close to home – the streets where people live, the schools they attend, the factories, farms, and offices where they work, and the churches, mosques, and temples where they worship.

Our actions in these daily human interactions, the words we express, and the ideals we embody, will determine whether we can ensure that human rights for all people, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, will flourish, for we are, as Donne said, “involved in mankind”.

He said no matter “what we look like, where we come from, or who we love, all people are equally entitled to enjoy their fundamental human rights and human dignity. So let us be on the right side of history, for our people, our nations, and for future generations, and recognise together that no man or woman is an island – or should be sent to live on one.”

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamaica authorities on campaign to stamp out electricity theft - more than 440 arrested since January

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) says that 444 people including an alleged lottery scammer have been arrested since the start of the year to June 12.

According to the electricity supply company, 81,013 throw-ups (wires illegally connected to power lines) have also been removed from lines and poles across the country over the period.

The company added that in its "multipronged approach" to reducing the illegal abstraction of electricity---including theft at commercial entities---5,681 meters have been audited.

In the St Ann communities of Steer Town and Windsor Road, a joint operation of JPS teams and the security forces last week resulted in the removal of over 650 throwups, in what the company

said was the largest operation in the parish since the start of the year.

And in St Catherine, JPS said that crews in the Princess Field and Pineapple Lane areas of Bog Walk removed 97 throw-ups. Teams working in Old Harbour Bay, Dempshire Pen, New Nursery and surrounding areas, removed 725 illegal wires and 100 illegal lines were removed from the Waterford community of Portmore.

Included in the St Catherine arrests is an alleged lottery scammer in Glengoffe.

On June 7, members of the security forces in Glengoffe charged four people at a dwelling, for involvement in lottery scamming. The house was later found to be illegally connected to the grid and the man arrested for the offence, according to the JPS. (Jamaica Observer)

Gov’t seeking to restore funds chopped from budget T

wo months after the National Assembly disapproved Gy$37.5 billion from the Gy$220 billion 2014 National Budget, the Government will today (Thursday) present a Supplementary Paper to the House for approval of portions of the disapproved funds that have already been used.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon has indicated that Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has already reinstated a percentage of the disapproved money for the Office of the President.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) in April used their collective one-seat majority in the National Assembly to disapprove Gy$5.1 billion that was budgeted for the Office of the President, in their quest to cut funding for the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Speaking at the Office of the President, Dr Luncheon said the Finance Minister in his address to Cabinet on Tuesday disclosed that he resorted to use of expenditure beyond that which was approved in the House during the consideration of the 2014 Budget.

“The Minister, essentially, relied on constitutional grounds and rulings of the Constitutional Court to initiate his exercise of restoration

Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon

of appropriation in the 2014 fiscal year.”

According to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, the Finance Minister has, by no means, deviated from the norms, the Constitution or the final ruling given by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang. “The Constitution specifically addresses expenditure and shortages inadequacy for agencies in discharging their work programme in any fiscal area. The Constitution does offer remedies that we have collectively termed restoration… the Constitutional Court ruling has been used by this Administration, used by the Minister of Finance to undo the unconstitutional acts that have been perpetrated by the parlia-

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

mentary Opposition,” the Cabinet Secretary said, as he sought to justify the actions of Dr Singh.

Full restoration likely

However, in keeping with his constitutional obligation, the Finance Minister is mandated to present to the National Assembly supplementary papers indicating the restoration of funds.

According to Dr Luncheon, the actions of Minister Singh were not limited to the Office of the President, but sought to address the needs of other agencies, institutions, and programmes that were affected by the Opposition’s disapproval of some budgetary allocations. In addition to the Office of the President, the Amerindian Affairs, Health, and Transport Ministries were affected.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Rodney CoI should examine Granger’s statements- Dr. Luncheon

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abinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon said Government has reached some level of contentment with the recent revelations from Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC), David Granger. The question now, however, is: Will he be willing to appear before the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI)?

The COI was established to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Rodney, who was killed on June 13, 1980, allegedly by the then PNC Government.

The party, headed by the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, was said to have embraced a position of party paramountcy, and was considered autocratic in its activities.

A section of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference (ToRs) seeks to ascertain the political climate during late 1979 and early 1980s, and whether or not the security forces, including the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); the Guyana Police Force (GPF); the Guyana People’s Militia; and the Guyana National

Service, were ever tasked with the surveillance of the political Opposition.

Security forces

Witnesses testifying at the Commission have said that the security forces back then were used against the political Opposition. Testimonies against the security forces also suggest that their leaders at the time, retired Major General Norman Mc Lean as Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force and the late Laurie Lewis of the Guyana Police Force, had worked their way into the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) through members of the lower echelon. Dr Rodney was a founding member of that party.

Granger’s statement, during a recent interview with this publication, suggested that the GDF had a responsibility to protect the state from anything deemed a threat to national security around the time of Dr Rodney’s death. And although he made reference to a massive upheaval against the Government by the WPA in 1979, he pointed out that his role as Commander of the

APNU Leader David Granger

Army at the time did not allow him any scope to be involved in any intelligence matter, if any had been carried out. Such responsibilities would have rested entirely on the Chief-ofStaff at the time, Norman Mc Lean, he said.

Dr Luncheon, at his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, said the Government is encouraged by the voluntary statements made by the former commander of the country’s defence body. However, Government cannot say with certainty

whether the retired Brigadier will share this information formally with the Walter Rodney CoI. “Cabinet remains unclear on whether his public comments would be followed by greater commitment, more commitment to the ToRs. What is certain was that the military was under some obligation to perform some acts that may be material for consideration of the Commission,” Luncheon told the news conference.

Evidence emanating from the CoI continues to tie the PNC to the allegations that the party had played a major role in the death of Dr Rodney, who was killed when a bomb exploded as he sat in a car outside the Georgetown Prison.

The PNC Reform has denied the allegations. Dr Luncheon said Granger, in essence, may have inadvertently confirmed the allegation.

Legal counsel Granger, during the interview, had once again cleared the air that his party was not cooperating, by means of evidence giving, but was participating through the presence of

its legal counsel. He stated too that as an individual, he would not be willing to participate in the Inquiry, since, at the time of Rodney’s death, he was on official business in Yugoslavia.

Dr Luncheon informed that the Commission has already approached the Defence Board where he sits as Chairman, “soliciting information from the military, about the military and information the Commission considers germane in the discharging of its responsibilities”.

The Commission’s legal team, led by Attorney Glen Hanoman, had made a promise to approach the Guyana Defence Board to receive relevant files. Lawyer for the Guyana National Trades Union Congress (GTUC) Selwyn Pieters, during the last week of the second CoI session, had strongly condemned the work carried out by the Commission, regarding the efficient documentation of evidence to be tendered at the Inquiry. His argument was that all important documents should have been secured for the work of the Commission.

Finance minister plugs PPP model as bedrock of development

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inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh is of the view

that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model is “an extremely valuable

instrument” available for the purpose of development in Guyana and any

other developing country, pointing out that the initiative is nothing new or strange to countries around the world.

PPP involves a contract between a public sector authority and a private party. The private party provides a public service or project and assumes substantial financial, technical and operational risk in the project.

In most types of PPPs, the cost of using the service is borne exclusively by the users of the service and not by the taxpayer. In other types, capital investment is made by the private sector on the basis of a contract with Government to provide agreed services and the cost of providing the service is borne wholly or in part by the Government.

Financial matters

Minister Singh was at the time responding to a host of questions on financial matters last week at a press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN) Studio.

He told reporters that PPP agreements have, over the years, been the bedrock of exploration, not only for developing but developed countries as well.

“I’m not alone in this regard…. The United Kingdom and New Zealand, those who have studied public adminis-

tration, that private financing of public infrastructure is an initiative that these countries have been implementing for at least two decades,” Minister Singh said Infrastructure such as schools, roads, and hospitals are built with funds provided through private investment, he reported. International financial institutions and regional development banks have become increasingly aware of the benefits of PPPs and are now in the business of advocating for their use as an “attractive solution to the financing challenges of developing countries”.

Questions were previously raised regarding the mobilisation of private financing and its capacity to meet the need of public infrastructure in the presence of finite fiscal space. Fiscal space is a relatively new term that refers to the flexibility of a Government in its spending choices, and, more generally, to the financial well-being of that Government.

With this in mind, Minister Singh related that countries, just like individuals, have the capacity and freedom to borrow. However, that freedom should not be taken advantage of.

Singh said that if such should occur in Guyana, the country may find itself in a situation similar

to what obtained in the 1980s and early 90s.

He said the country had borrowed so much, it was unable to service and repay its debt.

Dr Singh said there are, however, pressing developmental needs in Guyana. He made reference to the US$800 million Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the deepwater harbour and the road to Brazil, stressing that they are very large projects.

“And so the question is, how do you finance these development needs without contracting unsustainable debt. You have only two options: you either have to raise domestic revenues to finance it (and that is essentially increasing taxes), or you will have to borrow it,” Dr Singh reasoned. Either way, he contended, it has fiscal impact that can be unsustainable.

He said it is a fact that private investors, both internal and external, are looking for good investment opportunities. “And so the public-private investments provide you with a happy meeting of those two circumstances,” he said.

It is then left to the Government of these developing economies to take advantage of the two situations, where there is a need to borrow funds and the ready availability of investors.

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times International, Industrial Site Ruimveldt Georgetown, Guyana or guyanatimesint@gmail.com

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Festival emerging as a very important affair Dear Editor, I would like to bring to the nation’s attention a few facts regarding the benefits of hosting cultural events, particularly as the Guyana Festival opening approaches.

Cultural tourism is one of the important branches of tourism. In fact, the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) suggests that more than 40 per cent

of all international tourists are “cultural tourists” (Richards, 1996).

The Travel Industry Association of America has estimated that twothirds of US adults visit a cultural or heritage site or attraction when they travel (Silberberg, 1995).

Based on this data, it has been argued that cultural tourists represent a new type of mass tourist who seeks mean-

ingful travel experiences (McKercher and Du Cros, 2003).

The festivals, traditions, culture attract tourists to visit the place. Yeoman (2004) says that festivals can lengthen tourist seasons, extend peak season or introduce a “new season” into a community.

Events such as festivals do not only serve to attract tourists, but also

help to develop or maintain a community or regional identity. This, for me, is the most important aspect, even as we strive to maintain the growth of Guyana’s tourism sector.

Undoubtedly, festivals have changed over the years, before festivals were associated with key calendar moments, linked specifically to particular seasons and heritage sites.

Over the last decade, these have been changed and developed upon, there is now a broad and diverse range of festival events taking place all over the world.

Getz (1997, p.1) introduces festival events as: “Events constitute one of the most exciting and fastest growing forms of leisure, business, and tourism-related phenomena.”

In Guyana, it’s no

different and the fact that we are linking festivals (Guyana Festival) to our national image and developmental trajectory makes it all the more important.

Rapidly, we are seeing that Guyana Festival is emerging as a very important affair which will be imbedded into the cultural fabric of the country.

Written by, Richard Singh

Develop a frame of mind that caters for peace, progress Dear Editor, I would like to remind my fellow Guyanese that bringing up the past, as seems to have become the norm for many of us, has serious consequences that we should try to avoid.

It is a fact that reminiscing on the experiences of the past can serve a useful purpose when the primary objective is to learn the lessons that this can engender.

But, when we regurgitate history for the express purpose of recrimination or revenge or from some other ulterior motive, this not only results in damaging our relationships with others, thereby thwarting any efforts at developing harmony among our associates and in our society, but also develops in our own personalities this habit of looking back, which obstructs us from making adequate

and effective preparations for the future.

I have previously warned of the dire consequences for our national unity and harmony that the enquiry into the death of Walter Rodney can produce, and I am suspicious of the intentions of those who conceived this process. Added to this, the letter-writers and columnists in our newspapers have as a matter of course indulged

in a continuous tirade of negativity and finger-pointing that does nothing constructive, but rather widens the rifts between our various groups.

Positivity and goodness have been vigorously promoted by all the world’s religions, philosophers and behavioural scientists, as well as those in our own society who are genuinely interested in peace and unity among our people.

When we collectively face our problems, whether at the personal, communal, national and international levels, accept the situations in which these arise, study and analyse them in a frame of mind that is unbiased and liberal, then we place ourselves in the best position of getting the most effective solutions acceptable and beneficial to everyone concerned.

I would like to fur-

ther remind my fellow Guyanese that our country will not be peaceful and progressive unless we all develop a frame of mind that caters for the peace and progress of each and every one of our fellow citizens. Let us start along this road of positivity and goodness and we will be sure to achieve this seemingly elusive goal in the not-too- distant future.

Yours sincerely, Roy Paul

Evidence will be forthcoming in great abundance

Dear Editor, It seems as though we may have to go for another Commission of Inquiry and this time we should have some form of recrimination. I say this because Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) David Granger is saying that until “evidence is produced of any wrongdoing, allegedly committed by his party in the past”, he will not be offering any “blanket

apology”.

I am very sure that if we are to go back to the dark and dangerous era of the PNC, it will take a long time to complete the proceedings. Literally, thousands of people will come forward. I notice that the Rodney Commission of Inquiry is ratifying so many ills of the PNC, and the Rodney issue is just one aspect of the PNC’s wrongdoings.

The general atmosphere in Guyana, un-

der the PNC, was most frightening – political meetings were raided; civil rights were non-existent; suppression of all forms was common; and there was the ban on the importation of basic food items. By the way, how about the rigging of all pre-1992 elections?

In fact, elections during the PNC tenure became a farce.

So if evidence is what Granger and PNC want, it will be forthcoming in

Mayor Green must go Dear Editor, I am 100 per cent behind any move to make Mayor Hamilton Green and his entire City Council cohorts leave office. Enough is enough! Mayor Green does not engender trust and foster well-being.

Let me remind all Guyanese that, in 1992, when fair and free elections were held in Guyana for the first time (thanks to the Jimmy Carter Centre), this said Green was not a happy man. He had to demit office, as the expected PPP/C victory was realised.

During his 19851992 tenure as Prime Minister, he was reportedly quite subversive and it was no surprise that he was rejected

and ousted by Desmond Hoyte. Even the PNC could not tolerate him!

He did try to make a court case in 1993, to the effect that there was a violation of his constitutional rights, by his expulsion from the party. He then launched his own party, the For a Good and Green Guyana Party (GGG), but this never really amounted to anything.

This kind of background alone makes for a very dissatisfied and vengeful man. In fact, many cannot see how he is fit to serve as Mayor of Georgetown. Then there have been some recent terrible and troubling developments and these again suggest that Mayor Green must go.

People at large are deeply bothered with issues surrounding Mayor Green’s alleged efforts to write off taxes for people. The current acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba is feeling the brunt of Green’s vendetta and wrath, as she is the one, who is seeking to bring decency and proper order to the entire City Council.

Now, along with Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, the Mayor is not shy about making things ugly. The threatening remarks and the many walk-outs from statutory meetings, all point to immaturity, illfittedness to lead and suspicion.

All for your consideration, Todd A Morgan

great abundance. I still think that he will find

some kind of excuse for the evils of the PNC.

Sincerely, Baldeo Mathura

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week ending JUNE 22, 2014| guyanatimeSinternational.com

High energy costs force Alcoa out of Jamaica

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Alcoa’s decision to divest its stake in its Jamaica operation was influenced by the high cost of energy, a source close to the company confirmed over the weekend.

"The bottom line is that energy accounts for 50 percent of the company's operation, and that is simply unsustainable," said the source, who opted for anonymity.

Alcoa announced its decision last Friday, stating that it had signed a non-binding letter of intent with Noble Resources UK Limited to pursue a sale of its 55 percent stake in Jamalco, the bauxite mining and alumina refining joint venture with the Staterun Clarendon Alumina Production Ltd, which owns 45 percent.

Alcoa said the decision

is in line with its "global strategy to reshape its upstream portfolio and lower the cost base of its commodity business".

The company said that it would retain a minority interest in Alcoa Minerals Jamaica (AMJ) and serve as Jamalco's managing operator for at least two years.

Most importantly, the decision will not result in any of the company's near 900 workers losing their jobs.

Alcoa also said that work will continue on pursuing an energy solution for Jamalco, a point that was emphasised by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining which, in its news release on the development, noted that Noble owns coal reserves.

Energy solution

This, the ministry said, "is an important

Alcoa had been shipping unprocessed bauxite from Jamaica since 1963 (Jamaica Observer photo)

consideration from the viewpoint of an energy solution for the Jamalco refinery".

Noble, the ministry said, has been working with Jamalco to imple-

ment an energy solution for the short and medium term. "It is expected that within the next two years, while Alcoa continues to manage the Jamalco operations, work

on finalisation of an interim energy solution will be completed, as a precursor to the construction of a coal-fired plant by 2017/18," the ministry said, adding that "the

energy solution is a critical element in reducing the cost of production of alumina, and improving profitability of the venture."

That point was raised by a source who said that if Jamaica could find a solution to high energy costs, the Jamalco plant would be one of the most efficient in the bauxite alumina sector.

Alcoa's sale of its Jamalco stake will bring to an end the company's more than 50-year relationship with Jamaica.

Although it built its refinery at Halse Hall, Clarendon in 1973, Alcoa had been shipping unprocessed bauxite since 1963.

Alcoa's investment in Jamaica followed those of Reynolds and Alcan in 1952, Kaiser in 1953, and Revere in 1971. (Jamaica Observer)

Dr Harding urges repealing of anti-gay laws in Guyana

BY JOMO PAUL

O

ne time Presidential Candidate contender, Dr Faith Harding said she would immediately repeal laws that prohibit same-sex unions in Guyana, if it were in her power to do so.

She also said that based on her experience as a Psychologist, owing to the stigma and discrimination attached to homosexuality, a majority of persons with alternative sexual lifestyles have suicidal and/ or homicidal tendencies.

The former People’s National Congress

Reform

The panelists, Pastor Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, Swami Aksharananda and Psychologist, Dr Faith Harding

(PNCR)

Executive also said that

anti-gay “discriminatory” laws are irresponsible and infringe on the fundamentals laws of human rights.

Dr Harding, a Psychologist made the comments while addressing mostly an LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trangender, Intersex) audience at a SASOD-sponsored film festival and panel discussion held at the Dutch Bottle Café, North Road on Tuesday evening.

She was asked a direct question, “Were you President of Guyana and a Bill to legalise gay marriage and essentially repeal existing anti-gay legislation were to come to you for assent, what you would do?”

Dr Harding responded: “I would have assented to it because it is a basic human right, it is very important to ensure that such laws are in place… I have seen

too many young people distraught.”

Her comment apparently embolden one member of the audience, who sprang to his feet, passionately declaring that it is wrong for the Government or any constitutional body to deny the LGBTI community the right to marriage when the same right is afforded to heterosexual couples.

She further related to the gathering that her experience as a Psychologist is informing her judgement.

“We are responsible” “If the society rejects us because of our difference, then we are all responsible for their deaths, all those persons that have committed suicide because of being different, we are responsible.”

Meanwhile, a leader of the Hindu community, Swami Aksharananda related that the recent pronouncement by individuals and other religious communities have seemingly served to invoke a different train of thought into the citizenry, who would have otherwise not been bothered by the entire issue.

According to him, the damnation of alternate sexual lifestyle stems from Christianity.

Also part of the panel discussion was Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) Executive Director, Pastor Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, who related that the condemnation of homosexuality as a lifestyle is a

typical right-wing view.

She urged persons condemning the lifestyle to return to the Bible, as therein, they would see that the Bible insists on “liberating love throughout all generations”.

She dismissed the notion that being gay is a choice, noting that the situation cannot be remedied by a pastor.

During the discussion, homosexuality was touted as not wrong.

“You have no right to impose your virtues on me, we are a diverse community,” one member declared.

The furore on homosexuality arose following an interview aired on a local radio station recently, where Pastor Ronald McGarrell, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the InterReligious Organisation (IRO) and a GRPA Board member, said that homosexuals and persons with alternative sexual preferences should be restricted to reside on an island.

He said that this should be done so that the rest of society will not be endangered on the prophesied Judgement Day. However, subsequent to making the statement, McGarrell confirmed that it was nothing more than a light-hearted joke and that he meant no harm.

His views on the issue of homosexuality have since been supported by Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill and several other members of the Christian community.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Caricom tells UK about hassle to get visas to visit European countries

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he hassle to acquire visas to travel to several European Union countries including the United Kingdom was raised when Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) met their counterpart of Britain and other UK members of Parliament on Monday in London.

The meeting was held under the general theme of building stronger partnerships for prosperity, with emphasis being placed on energy security, the enhancing of skills and education levels that redound to the benefit of youth employability and economic development.

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett who is also the chair of the Caricom foreign ministers touched on what she described as the difficulties being experienced by business persons and artistes in obtaining visas for EU countries including the United Kingdom, in their efforts to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Economic Partnership Agreement, to undertake trade in goods and services.

“Indeed for some, the situation has gotten worse since the signing of the EPA,” RodriguesBirkett told the forum.

She said the Region’s students in the United Kingdom are also experiencing difficulties in obtaining job-training placements because of immigration impediments. “… we are more than willing to help ourselves but in attempting

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

to do so, we find ourselves hemmed in by obstacles of all sorts. I believe that many of them can be resolved through dialogue leading to a better understanding.”

Rodrigues-Birkett also said that Caribbean countries are still in the global economic crisis mode and appealed to Britain to help provide “concrete measures” that would improve the socio-economic development of the population in the Region. The Minister said that the forum provides an excellent opportunity for the Caribbean and the UK to engage in productive discussions towards reaching an agreement on concrete measures that will contribute to improving the quality of life of our citizens.

“It is an opportunity that we should grasp with both hands,” she said, noting that the meeting was taking place at a time of increasing complexity in the global political and economic environment with profound systemic changes

taking place. “This evolving political and economic environment is at the same time particularly unfavourable to the small developing economies of the Caribbean. The developed countries like yours can speak of a postcrisis economic recovery, though it remains weak,” said Minister RodriguesBirkett.

“We in the Caribbean, for the most part, are still in global economic crisis mode, reeling from its continuing severe impact on our economies. There is little reason for us to be optimistic in the immediate and short term. The external resource flows, private and official, on which our economies rely to stimulate growth, continue to dwindle.”

She said that this trend is exacerbated by “our classification as middle income countries and the resulting imposition of “differentiation” and “graduation” which impedes access to concessionary funding” reminding her British counterpart that the issue had been discussed when the regional foreign ministers met with him in Grenada a few years ago. Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said this inequitable classification is based on one metric, gross domestic product GDP per capita, which she described as a “flawed assumption that cannot be a sound measure of development.

An alternative metric must be considered that takes into account resilience and vulnerability, in the context of sustaincontinued on page 11

No progress on AML Bill ahead of FATF meeting

A

ttempts to reconcile the political parties after a major fallout over amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2009 have proven futile.

Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who chairs the Parliamentary Special Select Committee considering the AML/ CFT Bill, told Guyana Times International that attempts have been made to convene an urgent meeting with the Opposition but to no avail.

The Government is hoping to strike a deal with the Opposition at the level of the Select Committee on Monday; however, Teixeira was reluctant to give details.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge confirmed that the Opposition had been contacted by the Government. Greenidge told this publication that members of the coalition were unable to attend the meeting.

He said while the members may not be able to meet at the level of the Special Select Committee, the Opposition has expressed willingness to meet outside of the Committee to resolve the current impasse.

Rock bottom

Last

Wednesday,

APNU MP Carl Greenidge

PPP/C MP Gail Teixeira

the work of the Select Committee hit rock bottom with the Government and the coalition failing to agree on fundamental sections of the proposed amendments to the Principal Act. The Government is objecting to moves by the Opposition to establish an AML/CFT Authority and the removal of the powers of the Finance Minister and President to appoint and dismiss the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The Government remains optimistic that these differences can be ironed out before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meets in Paris on June 25. During that meeting, the international financial body will determine whether Guyana should be subjected to a prima-facie review by the International Cooperation Review Board.

This comes as a direct

result of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) referring Guyana to FATF, because of its non-compliance with the agreed Action Plan. A public statement was also issued in which the country was identified as a jurisdiction with significant AML/CFT deficiencies, which has failed to make significant progress in addressing those deficiencies.

Guyana is now considered a risk to the international financial system, and, as such, CFATF members are being called upon to implement further countermeasures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana. The first statement against Guyana was issued last November, and despite continuous warnings, the elected politicians failed to effectively implement the Action Plan.

Brazilian charged for forging immigration documents in Guyana

Carlos Texeira Cosco

A

22-year-old Brazilian national charged with forging immigration documents appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday.

The first charge against Carlos Texeira Cosco, 22, alleged that on June 16, at the Ogle

International airport, with intent to defraud the authorities there, he produced his Brazilian passport with a material insertion of one false immigration departure stamp. It is also alleged that he conspired with persons unknown to forge a Guyana immigration stamp.

The defendant, through a translator, pleaded guilty to the charges laid against him and was represented by Attorney Patrice Henry, who told the court that his client works as a miner in the interior and overstayed his time. As such, he was misguided by fellow miners into obtaining a false immigration stamp by illegal means.

Cosco was fined Gy$75,000 or an alternative sentence of three months’ imprisonment on each charge.

news

Guyanese miners uneasy over ‘criminal’ tag … tie low gold declarations to reduced production

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he Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) is disappointed by recent statements and threats emanating from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and by notices published by the Guyana Gold Board which seem intent on criminalising the entire mining industry.

According to the GGDMA, the Government and its various arms seem to be more intent on vilifying the industry than providing helpful solutions to help increase production. “The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has resuscitated an archaic piece of legislation and is using it to threaten legitimate miners and other stakeholders with jail time of up to five years for failing to sell gold within a specified period of time. The Ministry has also accused miners of hoarding gold, a charge the Association strongly denies,” the GGDMA said in a statement.

The Association believes that the real problem lies in reduced production for the first half of 2014. It said too that it has commissioned a study to investigate the reasons for lower production figures for the first half of 2014 with the intention of demonstrating that it is a reduction in production rather than deliberate intent that is responsible for low dec-

GGDMA President Patrick Harding

Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud

larations. It said the results of this study would be made public once completed and should demonstrate beyond any doubt the real reason for the shortfall in the Government’s budgeted gold expectation.

“Production and declaration must go hand in hand and miners cannot declare gold they have not won. Despite an earlier position that the gold declaration was below production, miners have now seen documentation that proves contrary, and hence, the decision to conduct a more in-depth study of production figures,” the GGDMA said.

has previously stressed to its membership the importance of declarations to the national economy and has been actively advocating for increased declarations.

“Meetings have been ongoing with the Ministry and it is shocking that these have resulted in the application of threats and coercion; this does not sit well with the industry.”

The Association maintains its position that gold remains the most important economic earner for Guyana and miners remain the country’s best hope for economic growth. “The GGDMA, however, wishes to state, clearly, that any attempt to criminalise and bully legitimate mining operations cannot, and will not, be accepted, and calls on the “Government to offer solutions and incentives for increased production rather than threats.”

Scapegoats

It said while it empathised with the Government’s position – facing reduced revenue earnings, which are now below budgetary expectations, the miners cannot be made the “fall guys” for this situation.

The Association said it

from page 10

Caricom tells UK about hassle...

able development. “When a natural disaster strikes us, unlike in the United Kingdom, it is not a localised occurrence with circumscribed effects but a devastating national event which wipes out significant percentages of our GDP. Instead of going forward, we are constantly rebuilding and replacing lost infrastructure which no doubt, has contributed to the high debt situation in several small Caribbean countries. In addition, the increasing frequency and severity of climactic events along with the deepening threats to our security from the mounting illicit trafficking in drugs and small arms through our Region, as well as

the growing incidence of health pandemics further burden our attempts at economic resilience,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.

Challenges

Noting that the Region was not throwing up its hands in despair, Rodrigues-Birkett said many of “our countries notwithstanding the challenges we encounter are set to meet several of the MDG’s by the 2015 deadline. We are worried that these gains may be reversed if the current trends continue. I must indicate that we are taking steps to address the difficult economic situations in which we find ourselves, undertaking the required structural reforms and applying

the bitter fiscal medicine necessary despite their potential unpleasant political side effects… We are however counting on our long-standing friends and international development partners, including the United Kingdom, to better understand our present situation and the many constraints that impede our best efforts and to highlight these realities on our behalf in the European Union and in the international decision-making fora such as the G20 where our voices are not heard and our realities perceived as insignificant and thus marginalised. We are only asking that the method used to classify us be amended accordingly.”

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Barbados gov’t says it will pay Shanique Myrie this week

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Eight months after the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled in favour of a Jamaican woman who successfully challenged the Barbados government, Bridgetown says it will this week make the payment of compensation awarded to her.

Shanique Myrie had been denied entry into that country in 2011, and the CCJ had in October last year awarded her pecuniary damages in the sum of Bds$2,240 and non-pecuniary damages to the tune of Bds$75,000.

Last week, Myrie threatened to file a claim before the CCJ in order to get Barbados to comply with the ruling.

But Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, said the payment will be made this week “once the money is released from the Treasury.

“I've committed that I will speak to the Central Bank and have the money remitted to her attorney's account, and my word is my bond. It will be done this week. We've never had any intention of not abiding by the court's judgment. We've signed on to the CCJ and I'm in

Shanique Myrie

full support of the CCJ," Brathwaite told radio listeners on Monday.

But, in an immediate reaction to Brathwaite's commitment, Myrie’s attorney, Michelle Browne, was skeptical, saying that she has not received any word from the Barbados authorities.

Last week, Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister AJ Nicholson told the Senate that the ball was in Myrie's court to lodge a complaint to the CCJ about Barbados' lack of compliance despite a promise by the country's Prime Minister Freundel Stuart three months ago that payment would be made.

Nicholson said that “based on the court's directive concerning the manner for securing com-

pliance, it is for the party, Miss Myrie, through her attorneys, and not the intervener (Jamaica), to notify the court of Barbados' lack of compliance."

Myrie, had alleged that when she travelled to Barbados on March 14, 2011 she was discriminated against because of her nationality, subjected to a body cavity search, detained overnight in a cell and deported to Jamaica the following day.

Myrie also claimed that she was subjected to derogatory remarks by a Barbadian Immigration officer and asked the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment applicable to Caricom citizens moving around the region. (Excerpted from Caribbean News)

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news

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cousins sent on Linden’s top NGSA student remand for taxi encourages need for reading driver’s murder

H

Abdul Razack (left) and Ashraf Alli, the two men accused of murdering Lusignan, East Coast Demerara taxi driver Danraj Latchman, were surprisingly smiling following their arraignment at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts (Marceanno Narine photo)

I

n a packed courtroom, two teenagers were remanded to prison on Tuesday for the murder of 17-yearold taxi driver Danraj Latchman.

Eighteen-year-old Ashraf Alli and 19-yearold Abdul Razack, both of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, made their first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the capital offence of murder. The indictable joint charge was read to the young men by

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

It is alleged that the duo kidnapped and murdered the 17-year-old of Lot 115 Lusignan, whom they had hired to take them to Parika between June 10 and 14.

The accused were unrepresented by an attorney and were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Magistrate SewnarineBeharry remanded the teenagers and transferred the matter to the continued on page 15

umble, confident and consistent are three words used to describe Region 10 top National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) student Roy Rogers.

This is how his class teacher Symphie Griffith, describes the 12-year-old, who hails from the Regma Primary School in Linden and secured 514 marks at the NGSA. He has been awarded a place at Queen’s College (QC).

Speaking with Guyana Times International, the very proud Rogers, whose dream is to become a scientist, said: “I can’t think of a word to describe how I feel.”

The student, who hails from Central Amelia’s Ward, also had some advice for students sitting the NGSA next year.

“Study and read a lot of books to get ideas,” he urged, noting that he loves to read. He thanks his mother Natasha Mingo and father Ronald Rogers for contributing to his success. Rogers’ teacher also said that she is overwhelmed with joy and pride, noting that she was always confident that the students whom she taught in Grades Two, Five and Six would be successful at the NGSA. “I feel overwhelmed, but again I’ve proven God in my life, because I’ve trusted God throughout the entire exam.”

She explained that she would usually encourage the students to work hard in order to achieve suc-

The trio: From left Roy Rogers, Aquil Gill and Ayrton Waldron

cess.

“One of the first things that I would usually do is to teach them discipline. Discipline is important. As long as they have that discipline, we work from there,” Griffith said.

Placing second in the Region was Aquil Gill, 11, with 513 marks. He was granted a place at the Bishops’ High School while Ayrton Waldron, 11, copped the third spot in the region with 511 marks, and a place at Bishops’ High School.

“Astonished”

Both students were part of teacher Michelle Craig’s Grade Six class. Gill, whose dream is to become an inventor and scientist, said he was “astonished” and “happy” to learn that he placed second in the region.

When asked what advice he would give to pupils writing the NGSA next year, the aspiring doctor replied: “To study hard and

don’t get distracted by the television.”

Teacher Craig said while she was expecting better results from the students, she is nevertheless thankful and appreciative of the results attained. She noted that while there is room for overall student improvement at the Grade Six level at the school, she is still happy with what the students have achieved.

The teacher said that Gill has always loved reading and is very articulate. She said that while Waldron was much more reserved in class, he also loved reading.

“It wasn’t a surprise when I saw the results that they were on top, because they were consistent… they were always at the top of the class, both of them, they were sort of competing against each other. Both of them were very good in class, and they can express themselves really well,” she said.

Global education aid down by 10% since 2010 - UNESCO

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id to education is seriously declining, falling by just over six per cent between 2010 and 2011 and a further three per cent in 2012, a new report released by UNESCO’s EFA Global Monitoring Report team has said.

The report was released ahead of the Global Partnership for Education’s Replenishment Pledging Conference in Brussels on June 25-26, at which donors would be asked to help raise a much-needed US$3.5 billion for education in the poorest countries.

Guyana is spending some Gy$32.3 billion on the Education Sector this year, surpassing last year’s allocation of Gy$28.5 billion.

According to Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, through this year’s allocation, emphasis will be placed on improving literacy rates, early childhood development, teacher training, enrolment in single sciences, and technical vocational educational programmes.

Drop in funds

In addition, the allocation will cater for more structured partnerships

with private sector providers and parents. The allocation also covers the commencement of the implementation of a US$10 million Universal Secondary Education initiative, which will facilitate the construction of new secondary schools and provision of materials for improved teaching techniques and technology assisted learning in Mathematics.

Meanwhile, according to the report, basic education – which enables children to acquire foundational skills and core knowledge – is now receiving the same amount of aid as it was in 2008.

As funds diminish and just one year before the deadline for achieving the global Education for All goals, 57 million children and 69 million adolescents are still out of school.

“When so many girls and boys are still out of school and not learning, the continuing drop in funds for education is cause for serious concern,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

“Increasing external support for education is an ethical and development imperative. We

Global Partnership for Education Chair Julia Gillard

know the difference that well-targeted aid can make in helping countries to put quality education first.”

Global Partnership for Education Chair Julia Gillard affirmed that “education is a longterm investment – not an expense. We owe it to the children of the world – particularly the poorest and most marginalised – that both international donors and developing countries’ Governments step up and commit more funding to education.”

The paper shows that aid is still vital for many countries, making up over a quarter of public education spending in 12

Aid to education is seriously declining, falling by just over six per cent between 2010 and 2011 and a further three per cent in 2012, UNESCO says

countries. Yet with aid flows to the sector falling by 10 per cent – far more than the one per cent decrease in overall aid levels – donors are clearly backing away from education as a development priority.

“This worrying fall in aid is in the context of a US$26 billion annual finance gap for education.

Unless this negative trend is reversed, the likelihood of reaching the global education goals is put at great risk – all the more so if new education targets are set for 2030,” EFA Global Monitoring Report Director Aaron Benavot said.

“With aid proving so volatile, Governments must urgently improve their domestic financing, including better management of their tax systems, so as not to put their country’s development in jeopardy.”

The cuts are biting hardest in those countries furthest from reaching the education goals.

In sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to over half of the world’s outof-school children, aid to basic education fell between 2010 and 2011, and stagnated between 2011 and 2012. Since 2010, 12 African countries have seen cuts in

their aid to basic education of US$10 million or more.

The two countries with the largest cuts in aid to basic education from 2010 to 2012 were India and Pakistan, even though both sit among the top five countries in the world with the most children out of school.

Aid to basic education for low-income countries recovered slightly in 2012, compared to the decreases felt in 2011, but levels are still lower than they were in 2010. Twentytwo low-income countries received less aid for basic education than two years before.

news

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Dynamic Airways launches in New York A

nticipated new air carrier to Guyana, Dynamic Airways, launched its services with a bang in New York recently. The American Carrier which will be supported by several services to be provided

by Roraima Airway in Guyana, will be offering passengers four flights per week from Guyana to New York and back.

Dynamic Airways Vice President of Business Development Tom Johnson told the large gathering at the JFK Airport Sheraton Hotel that Dynamic Airways was determined to make it happen as the company has promised the President and people in Guyana.

He noted that Dynamic Airways was a carrier with several aircraft, and one would be stationed in Guyana on a permanent basis.

Johnson also alluded to the fact that Dynamic was an airline with its own planes, therefore the thought of any major delays at any time would be minimal, as there will be back up planes on the

A section of the audience at the event

east coast of the US. He also expressed thanks to the Guyana government for reaching out to the UK based group – ASM which merges airlines with destination airports and routes. In this instance ASM connected with Dynamic Airways who recognised the potential and offered to provide services to the destination.

Capt. Gerry Gouveia, Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Airways in Guyana who was also present for the event, told the gathering that Guyana was on the

threshold of becoming a strong tourism market and as such, any additional lift for passengers and tourists would be a welcome opportunity.

Gouveia indicated that Dynamic Airways was coming in at a time when every possible addition to the carriers now serving Guyana would be an asset, since it creates room for advanced and higher service standards, as well as reasonable fares offered to the Guyanese travelling public.

Guyana’s Consul General in New York – Hon. Brentnol Evans,

welcomed the company on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

He said that with the airport and runway expansion plans being undertaken in reference to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the Government was prepared to welcome any investor whose interest would add to the development of the aviation sector in general, as well as the opportunity to provide increased uplift of produce and oth-

er products destined for international markets.

The audience consisted of mainly travel agents, Guyanese citizens, community leaders and business persons.

The flights will depart Guyana on Fridays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 am, while the return trips will depart the JFK Airport at 9:00 am on the same days. Interested persons may contact their travel agent or visit – www.airdynamic.com

A young attendee picks two lucky winners of return tickets to Guyana

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news

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Neighbour in custody for Albouystown woman’s murder

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olice are interrogating a young man in connection with the murder of 65-year-old Sumintra Dinool, who was found with both hands and feet tied to a bed in her Albouystown home, Sunday morning.

Crime Chief Leslie James on Monday told Guyana Times International that after the woman’s body was discovered; the man was taken into custody as a possible suspect. The Police are continuing their investigations, but have questioned several other persons.

Contrary to a Guyana Times report on Monday, the dead woman’s son, Shaw Dinool, who had found her body, was never in Police custody, but was asked to report to the Police station to give a written statement as part of the Police investigations.

Shaw stressed that he was never a suspect in his mother’s murder. He explained that he lives in the same house with his mother, and as such, it was critical for him to give a statement.

He told GTI that he was out and upon returning home; he found his mother with her hands and feet bound and tied to the bed. He added that the perpetrator took a kitchen towel and wrapped it around her mouth.

He said that the person(s), who committed the act also removed a quantity of household items and an undisclosed sum of money. They even took away the cable box to the Direct TV, he added.

He is sure that the person(s) who committed the act is known to his mother since she is not in the habit of letting in strangers. He explained that

Dead: Albouystown businesswoman, Sumintra Dinool

whenever someone comes to the house, his mother was in the habit of peeking through a window before opening the door.

Shaw further stated that there was no forced entry and the back door is only accessible if it is opened from inside the house. He said that after the discovery, he looked around the home to see if there was any breakage but saw none.

“I suspected that the person might have gained entry into the home while my mother had the back door open… no one was at home at the time so the perpetrator(s) had enough time to commit the act,” Shaw added.

Sumintra lived at Barr and Sussex Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown.

15 Top 25 UG law students accepted into Hugh Wooding news

week ending JUNE 22, 2014| guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Gomatie Gangadin

A

fter months of waiting, 25 of the top University of Guyana law students have been admitted to the Hugh Wooding Law School, ending months of uncertainty, which had boiled over to the Caricom Heads of Government to resolve.

Guyana Times International has learnt that the 25 students have been accepted for the new academic year beginning in September. According to a reliable source, the decision was conveyed to the final-year students on Monday afternoon after a meeting was held with the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall; Head of the Department of Law Programme at the University of Guyana, Sheldon McDonald; President of the University of Guyana Law Students’ Association, Sherod Duncan; and Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown via teleconferencing under the guidance of Chairman of Caricom, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

The source added that at the meeting, the fate of the 25 students was discussed and Chairman SamuelsBrown related to the AG that the Council has decided to honour

its agreement with the Government of Guyana to accept the students.

It was related to GTI too by the source that while the council is ready to accept the students; it was conditional. “A condition was set forth by the Council. That condition was that the students will be accepted, but the Caribbean Community has to work on expanding the facilities of the school if the partnership is to continue,” the source related.

Impasse

Days after the Council for Legal Education had stated that it will not be guaranteeing any of the 25 places usually offered to Guyanese students at the end of the degree programme at the Turkeyen Campus of the University of Guyana (UG), Dr Gonsalves had written to the Council on the impasse.

In his letter, Dr Gonsalves had requested the Council to facilitate the students until a review of the system was done and a suitable solution found.

However, Chairman of the Council, SamuelsBrown had at the time explained that the placement issue was not one that was of pure bias but one of space and accommodation for the students who stay on campus.

Samuels-Brown had said that UWI had, in the past, released

Cousins sent on remand for... from page 12

Leonora Magistrate’s Court, where they will make their second court appearance on July 24.

According to reports, Latchman went missing last Wednesday night after he spoke with his mother around 20:00h.

He had informed his mother that he was taking the two young men, one of whom was a former schoolmate, to Parika.

His car, a Toyota 212 bearing registration number PNN 9823, was found abandoned at Hubu, the following evening with the windscreen broken and pieces of wood and sand in the back of the vehicle.

Investigations led to the arrest of the two accused, who subsequently admitted during interrogation that they had hired the teen to take them to Parika under the pretext of uplifting some money.

Murdered: Danraj Latchman

The duo told investigators that their real motive was to hijack the car and resell it; however, their plans went awry forcing them to kill Latchman.

According to Latchman’s mother, she was told that the accused had confessed to Police that they had murdered her son by strangling him with his seatbelt.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

statements alluding to changes in teaching methodologies, teaching content and the poor conditions of the facilities afforded to students as well as the overcrowded nature of the law school. In light of this, she noted that

the school had initiated precautionary safety measures before facilitating students and it was on this ground that the decision was taken to accept the students only if space was available.

Samuels-Brown had

Chairman of Caricom, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

noted that the Council was facing a monumental task in finding accommodation and facilities for students, as the law school was built to accommodate some 200 students, but is facilitating approximately 400 students.

Longstanding agreement

As part of a longstanding agreement between the Council and UG, every year, 25 automatic places are reserved for UG students at the Hugh Wooding Law School.

The Council, however, had taken the decision that UG’s 2014 batch would not be guaranteed places.

It was understood by this publication that the original agreement had initially expired in November 2012, but, at the request of the Government of Guyana, it was extended until 2013. Negotiations were scheduled to take place to facilitate the 2014 batch of students.

However, this discussion never took place until the matter arose some months ago.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Scotiabank to consider buying Clico Trinidad

Youth trashed by mother of female friend …after found in house

By Andrew Carmichael

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Scotiabank Managing Director in TT Anya Schnoor (middle) gets assistance from businessman Jimmy Aboud (left) and the bank's Frederick Street branch manager Kenrick Sealey to cut the bank's 60th anniversary cake Monday (TT Newsday photo)

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Managing Director of Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago, Anna Schnoor, said Monday the bank will consider buying the assets of the Colonial Life Insurance Company Limited (Clico) when government offers the company for sale.

She made the statement in response to questions from journalists at a function at the bank’s flagship branch at the corner of Frederick Street and Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, to celebrate its 60th Anniversary in Trinidad and Tobago.

She said, “I am sure we would always look at any opportunities to grow. I am not sure what the plan is, I’ve read in the (news) paper that it may be up for sale, but I think that we will always

look at any opportunity if it fits in with our risk profile and what we are looking for as we grow in the island.”

In response to another question, she said the banking sector in TT was “tremendously strong.” She said one only had to look at how the banking industry in Trinidad and Tobago had survived the international banking collapse in 2008.

“Other than Clico, which had other issues which were particularly unique to Clico, the rest of the banking system stood up very strong and has actually grown and continues to grow since then. So I think Trinidad is uniquely placed in that it has a very strong and a very diverse financial services industry and I think it is well regulated and has good oversight,” she added. (TT Newsday)

44-year-old woman is now in custody following an assault on a teenager, who was caught in her house alone with her 16-yearold daughter on the East Bank of Berbice.

The 44-year-old woman was taken into custody on Tuesday following Sunday night’s incident at Brothers Village, East Bank Berbice. According to 18-year-old Deraj Persaud, he was on his way home late Sunday afternoon when his friend called him saying that she wanted to relay some information to him.

“Me and she was gaffing and we go inside… then we hear the gate and she say is she mother, and she go through the inside step and open the door for me and I go out through the back and then she go and open the door for she mother.”

Persaud said at the time his friend’s mother told her son who arrived with her to go to the back door to see who it was coming out. Persaud was seen and taken to

the front where he met his friend’s mother. “She asked me what you doing here, and I say Aunty Cuntie I gon explain but she say she ain’t want hear nothing and start slapping me bus up all my mouth…”

The young man said he was also hit with a piece of wood that her son brought to her upon request. Asked why he did not run away to prevent further punishment, Persaud said he was being held by her son.

According to him, he started to scream for help when he noticed blood dripping from his chin.

At that point, he was dragged into the house where the beating continued. Persaud said the woman told her son to get a cutlass but he refused.

The ordeal he claimed lasted for close to three hours. He said she called her daughter and told her to take off her clothes and the daughter refused saying that she could not do so in front of him.

He was then ordered to take off his clothes.

“She pick up back the

A beaten and bruised Deraj Persaud

wood and say ‘you gon take it off or you wan ah beat you to take it off?’ So I take off me clothes.”

At that stage he said he was accused of having sex with her 16-year-old daughter. “Ah say Auntie Cuntie don’t do me anything…” Quizzed on previous visits to the home, Persaud noted that he was told by his friend’s mother whom has known for the past years not to visit her house. He said he and her daughter were just ordinary friends.

According to Persaud, he was taken to the Sisters Police Station where the police asked him why he was not

wearing clothes. “She tell the police that, ‘he take off the clothes to do he act… She daughter turn to the police and say, ‘No Mummy you lie is you beat the boy to take off his clothes.’”

Based on information provided by the daughter, the brother was taken into custody. Persaud, who works at a sawmill said the following day his mother took him to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was treated and he made a report at Central Police Station which led to the arrest of the 44-year-old woman. Police are continuing to investigate.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

New Antigua PM promises citizens ‘dawn of a new era’

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T JOHN’S, A N T I G U A : Newly-sworn in Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne whose Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) won the June 12 General Election has told resident to brace for a “new era” of national development.

The ALP reportedly won 14 of the 17 seats in the general election, ousting the previous Baldwin Spencerled United Progressive Party (UPP) government.

He told a news conference to accept victory and that he would deliver on promises made during the election campaign, even as jubilant supporters celebrated outside the party’s headquarters on Nevis Street last week.

Before addressing the crowd, a teary-eyed Browne told a nation-

Newly-installed Prime Minister Gaston Browne with wife Maria (left), GG Dame Louise LakeTack and Deputy GG Sir Eustace Francis

ally televised address that he was grateful for the support he received from the public.

“It is evident that the people have spoken and that they have spoken resoundingly,” he said.

Browne added that the victory was not a time for gloating. He told the press that “it would require a lot of hard work.”

The City West representative said he accepts the concession of former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who called him at 11 pm on June 12, not only to concede but to offer a gesture of good will in the interest of the country.

Browne thanked family members, including his mentally ill mother saying, “my

ABLP supporters thronged government House last Friday to witness the swearing-in of PM Gaston Browne and AG Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin (Photos by Martina Johnson/OBSERVER media)

only disappointment in life is that she is not able to enjoy the fruits of my labour.”

The victory for the ABLP comes months after the “lengthy” campaign period in which the team led by Browne took pains to ensure that the country was convinced that it was

better off under his stewardship.

Browne said his message is a symbol of hope to all residents, especially those who think they could not achieve great things because of their circumstances.

“We will honour your support, we will never betray your trust.

Antigua and Barbuda will become a country of growth and a country of opportunity,” PM Brown told his supporters.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the UPP, Winston Henry, said the June 12 landslide defeat at the polls was due mainly to the party’s weak relationship with the youth.

“We did some introspection…We looked at what the strategy needed to be, the challenges and we had some challenges with the youth population and that would’ve been borne out from the results of the 2014 election because we would have seen a 65 percent turnout of our youth and that really did some significant harm to the United Progressive Party,” he said Monday on a local radio programme in Antigua. (Excerpted from Antigua Observer)

Mother pleads for justice for dead child T

wenty-nineyear-old Natalie Caseley said she will not rest until the Medical Council of Guyana and the Guyana

Nurses Council revoke the licences of those responsible for the death of her four-year-old son, Jaden Mars.

Mars died at the

Georgetown Public Hospital on December 10, 2013, approximately six days after he was admitted for an injury he sustained to the tongue.

A post-mortem examination revealed that the child succumbed as a result of a blocked main artery to the lung or one of its branches.

It has been alleged that the blockage may have been caused due to poor judgment on the part of the doctors and nurses who were attending to him at the time.

The 29-year-old mother was reportedly informed that disciplinary action would be taken against three doctors and a nurse who attended to Mars during his admission at the facility.

According to Caseley, the Health Ministry has been withholding information on whether disciplinary action has been taken. “I am not getting any word and once again they are locking me out,” she added.

With tears in her eyes, the mother said the Health Ministry, the Medical Council and the Guyana Nurses Council owe it to the Guyanese public to ensure that those responsible are banned from the medical field.

“I would not be able to function until I get closure, until they be fair to me and the citizens at large for the mistakes that they would have made, the mistakes they would have made continuously,” Caseley said as she wept bitterly.

According to her, the Health Ministry and

Natalie Caseley

the Medical and Nurses Councils for far too long have been silent on some of the contentious deaths that have occurred at the hospital.

Reflecting on the days leading up to the death of her son, Caseley said on December 4, 2013, Mars was playing at his West Ruimveldt residence when he fell forward and hit his chin on a five gallon bucket.

Injury

For the injuries received to his tongue, his grandmother took him to the East La Penitence Health Centre, but he was subsequently referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital because the facility had a shortage of numbing spray.

At the hospital, however, Mars had difficulty pushing his tongue out; hence, he was administered 25 milligrams of ketamine. “It was suppose to put him

to sleep, however, when that did not happen; the doctor gave him a second dosage which then total of 50 milligrams,” Caseley recalled.

But even with 50 milligrams of anesthetic to sedate him, so that he could have his tongue sutured, Mars did not sleep. “I could recall the doctor saying to me, mommy what you feeding this child, the child is strong, he still not going to sleep.”

Mars was then transferred to the theatre where he was expected to undergo controlled medication; a procedure which was expected to last approximate 15 minutes, but lasted for six days before ending tragically.

But after one hour of waiting, Caseley realised that something was amiss when doctors and nurses started to flock the theatre.

“When I got the opportunity to see my son, he was in the ICU. Jaden was all knocked out. He was lifeless.”

Mars was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit after suffering cardiac arrest, where he was placed on a life support machine.

With the hospital offering little information on what would have led to Mars’ deteriorated state, Caseley remained prayerful. On December 10, Mars suffered more than five cardiac arrests before drawing his last breath.

News

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Gun murders worry Barbados authorities

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Six murders in Barbados involving the use of firearms this year have Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, vowing to crackdown on people trying to smuggle guns into the country.

On Monday, Brathwaite said as of the end of May, there were six murders committed with the use of guns, compared to two for the same period last year.

"If firearms are coming into the country illegally, it is not just a police matter. It is a Customs matter, it is a Coast Guard matter," he said.

"I need to speak to the Commissioner [of Police] to determine if this is a sign of things to come, because it could be that guys now feel that they need to resort

to firearms, or it could be that there is an increase in the availability of firearms. Whatever the cause it is clear to me that all agencies need to get on board," he added.

"We need to sit down at a national security level and make a determination in terms of what interventions are required."

He also proposed a combination of police and community intervention to deal with gun violence in the communities.

The Attorney General's count of gunrelated murders did not include that of a 21-yearold man who died last Wednesday from gunshot wounds.

Brathwaite said although statistics reflect an overall decline in crime, gun-related murders is still cause for concern. (Caribbean News)

PM Hinds hails GuyanaRussia relations

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he relationship that exists between Guyana and Russia was on Friday evening hailed as the latter celebrated Russian Federation Day with an observance at the Russian Embassy in Kitty, Georgetown.

Speaking on behalf of President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said the day was an historic one that celebrates the resilience of the Russian people.

He noted that their achievements on the socio-political and economic fronts were to be applauded. The fact that Russia is participating in the World Cup Football tournament, was also hailed by the Prime Minister who said that there is still time for a Guyanese team to participate in the next World Cup tournament scheduled for Russia in 2018.

“Let us keep hope alive that Guyana’s fortunes will be better in 2018.”

Hope was expressed by the Prime Minister that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine would see all parties exercise self-re-

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds with wife Yvonne Hinds, Russian Ambassador Nikolay Smirnov and his wife Tatiana Styablina toast at Russian Day celebration

straint and responsibility to reduce tensions, and “like you, the double standards have not escaped our attention”.

Making reference to Russia’s membership of the forums of the developed and emerging countries, Prime Minister Hinds said that it is expected that that nation will advocate to the aforementioned countries for challenges to their development to be addressed.

“I look forward to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and

South Africa) meeting in Brasilia next month and I am heartened that there might be an opportunity for Presidents of South America to have a dialogue with their BRICS counterparts.”

The Prime Minister stated that at the bilateral level, relations have been very active with several Russian companies seeking to invest locally, with those already present such as Rusal and Petropavlovsk being recognised for their contributions. Inputs into

the training of local security personnel was also noted by the Prime Minister.

In brief remarks, Russian Ambassador Nikolay Smirnov noted that his country continues to perform strongly despite economic downturns internationally.

The Russian Ambassador, in closing, noted that Guyana and Russia share a common vision on most issues on the international agenda, including the urgent continued on page 23

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Berbice police reaching out New Indian High Commissioner to domestic violence victims calls for enhanced cooperation between Guyana and India

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Ranks of the Springlands Police Station pose with one of the recipients of hampers on Friday

s Police in Corentyne, Berbice continue their efforts to forge a better relationship with the community, three families who have been affected by domestic violence benefited from food hampers, compliments of the Springlands Police Station on Friday.

The initiative was spearheaded by Cadet Officer Jermaine Dufu and Station Sergeant Kiwis Gravesande, who, along with other ranks, visited the homes of the

domestic abuse victims at Crabwood Creek, Line Path, and Number 72 Village respectively.

The hampers that were distributed by the ranks comprised basic food items that will benefit the women and their children.

GTI understands that of the three families, two of them are headed by single parents. In the other family, of nine, the husband is ill and thus unable to provide for his family.

This is the first of the relationship-building initiatives planned by

the Springlands Police Station, others are set in the coming weeks.

Among them, this publication understands, is a movie night for members of the community which will focus on educating primarily adults on domestic violence. Selected movies will be shown to highlight the various scenarios in abusive relationships.

The hampers were made possible through the generous donations of the business community in the area.

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Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam presenting his credentials to President Donald Ramotar

ewly-appointed Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam on Wednesday presented his Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar and called for more efforts to enhance cooperation in several areas.

President Ramotar, receiving the High Commissioner, noted that the relationship between the two nations has grown since formal ties were established in 1966, “based on the promotion of economic interests and the strengthening of cultural ties.

We are also cooperating on issues such as a reformed United Nations and sustainable development goals”.

Guyana has also, and is continuing to benefit from Indian’s human resource development assistance, offered through the Indian Technical Economic

and Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, President Ramotar said.

With Government intensifying its efforts to improve the science and technology curriculum, he noted that India’s assistance, given its expertise in these fields, would be welcomed.

Explaining that Guyana is ready for foreign investments, the President encouraged Indian businesses to invest locally, noting that, “a number of Indian businesses are already flourishing and will add to the growing potential for increased opportunities and advantages for joint ventures in the private sector”.

On the international arena, the President said he was looking forward to the upcoming Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa/ Union of South American Nations (BRICS/UNASUR) meeting in Brazil, where important views on a range

of topics can be exchanged.

The Indian High Commissioner noted that although separated by a large distance, both nations have commonalities in a colonial past, predominantly agricultural, rural-based, multicultural societies, and also hold common views on important issues.

Stating that further strengthening of the relationship has occurred, due to previous visits

by President Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, the High Commissioner said there is potential for India and Guyana to work together in many fields. These include agricultural development, renewable energy, education, forestry, health infrastructure and pharmaceuticals.

The High Commissioner declared his intention to take the current relationship, particularly in the aforementioned fields, to a higher level.

NEWS

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s sugar industry must be restructured to survive – President Ramotar

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mid the gloom hanging over the sugar industry in Guyana, President Donald Ramotar on Monday acknowledged that the sector must be restructured if it is to survive.

Ramotar made the comment while addressing a gathering to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs at the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument, East Coast Demerara.

He noted that while the local sugar industry is experiencing difficulties, the only way this can be reversed is if it is revitalised and restructured. “The problems are caused by the fact that there is a need for the restructuring of the industry and there is a need for understanding of what is taking place. I asked many times if fighting for wage increase is the only way to defend the interest of the working class, can’t we see that by saving the

GAWU President Komal Chand; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; President Donald Ramotar; Culture Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and FITUG General Secretary Kenneth Joseph singing the Internationale

industry and bringing it back to vitality is maybe the most important service that we can do for the working class?”

Ramotar asked the gathering largely made up of sugar workers.

The President continued that the industry is not facing these problems because of the workers but because of changes in the interna-

tional trading sector, referring to the change of sugar price in 2010 which saw it being cut by some 36 per cent. He noted that there are a few industries that can survive such devastation in their trade.

In addition, he stressed that the local industry has been suffering from other crises such as low labour turn-

out which is now at an average of just over 60 per cent. Ramotar noted that his Government has been attempting to keep the sugar industry alive by developing projects such as the new Skeldon Factory and its land layouts. He stressed that this is also being done at the Enmore Factory since Government does not think the labour situ-

ation will improve. This, he stated, is due to the fact that young persons are having more access to education than ever before and are getting into white-collar fields.

“Most of our children are looking for other kinds of jobs and that I think will continue because of the Government’s programme of developing the human capital and making education more accessible to people of all walks of life, making universal secondary education a reality. That will certainly have an impact and, therefore, the need to have more mechanisation within the industry,” he stated.

According to the President, many sugar industries in the Caribbean have disappeared such as Trinidad and Tobago’s, while Grenada is looking to go into specialty sugar and Jamaica is getting assistance from China to survive.

He noted that

Guyana’s sugar industry has managed to survive over the years despite all of these challenges compounded by the fact that it is operating in an unequal world.

The President noted that the life of the Board of GuySuCo will soon end and a new one will be installed and, as such, he publicly invited the President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, to sit on the board in order to ensure that management does not “short change” the workers.

Ramotar urged the workers to understand the global crisis, with workers even in Caribbean countries being forced to take wage cuts.

He went on to say that they should also consider all the non-wage benefits that his Government has offered workers such as access to primary, secondary and tertiary education; improved health care, and better housing facilities.

Rohee not moved Investing in agriculture a highly by resignation calls profitable business – IICA

H

ome Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Monday said he will not be distracted by the repeated calls from the parliamentary Opposition for his resignation.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Home Affairs Minister said he found pleasure in the continued calls

by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger for him to vacate his post. “It gives me great joy, it gives me great joy and satisfaction and I wish he could do it every day; I am referring to Mr Granger, I wish he could call for my resignation every day, it gives me so much joy and satisfaction…I feel happy to know that I am a bee in his bonnet.”

According to Rohee, in essence what the Opposition party was asking of him was to act in the capacity of Commissioner of Police and that, of course, would be in obvious conflict with the Constitution of Guyana. He pointed out that if something like that does occur, then the repeated criticism from the APNU would be justifiable, but he was not going to allow that to happen.

“What the Opposition is trying to do is to make me act as though I am Commissioner of Police, make me talk and make me walk as though I am the Commissioner of Police… if I am to fall into that trap, then they may be quite justified in the criticisms that they are making,” said Rohee.

He contended that contrary to the accusations being levelled against him by the Opposition, he is competent enough to hold the portfolio of a Government Minister and has displayed his competency several times.

“If you were to read every single speech I have made, you will see the general policy direction that I have given the Guyana Police Force, it is clear as the night follows the day,” Rohee said.

He noted too that it was unfortunate that sections of the media would seek to qualify both APNU Leader Granger and APNU Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon as security experts when neither of them is qualified in that regard.

Rohee questioned: “How can these people be security experts and they don’t see these distinctions? Unless they would like to have what they had before: political interference in the Guyana Police Force.”

On Friday, the APNU restated its call for Rohee to be removed from his post, saying that the security situation continues to deteriorate. The Shadow Home Affairs Minister Winston Felix said since taking office in 2006, Rohee has been “doing little or nothing for the safety of all Guyanese”. He said there has not been an effective contingency plan by the Minister who has responsibility to look after the safety interest of all Guyanese.

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nvestment in agriculture, especially in innovation, can be a highly profitable business from an economic, social and environmental perspective, according to International Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Director General Víctor Villalobos.

During a Conference in Montreal, Canada, organised by the International Economic Forum of the Americas, and in the presence of businessmen and political leaders of the region, Villalobos stated that the hemisphere has the potential to become a solution for the global food problem, but that its agrifood sector is in urgent need of significant transformations to achieve this goal.

IICA, as an organisation of the Inter-American System specialising in agriculture, was invited to this meeting to present and explain why innovation is essential for the sector, and which key actors can enhance it further.

“We need to innovate, that is, do things differently and better. I believe there are three types of innovation with the potential of having a stronger impact on agriculture, making it more productive, competitive and sustainable – these are, technological, institutional and social innovation,” the IICA Director General said during the conference held between June 9 and 12.

Agriculture, he added, must increase its productivity by at least 70 per cent in order to meet the needs of the nine billion people who will live on planet Earth in 2050. Apart from food, the agricultural sector will need to produce raw material for other industries.

Nevertheless, in the Americas, the growth of agricultural production is limited by gaps in productivity between the countries, availability of land for new crops, competition with other sectors for water, the effects of climate variability and volatility, and the price of services and inputs needed to produce.

Comprehensive approach

“In order to promote change processes, it is important to have a comprehensive and strategic approach, which in practical terms must translate into the implementation of national innovation policies,” expressed Villalobos.

Investment in agriculture, especially in innovation, can be a highly profitable business from an economic, social and environmental perspective, IICA’s Director General Víctor Villalobos says

And he added: “Innovation is the engine that will allow us all to build a better future for agriculture and food security, and investment is the fuel”.

The Director General pointed out that, from IICA’s perspective, it was paramount to focus on agricultural investments in innovation, so that the sector can adapt and contribute to the mitigation of climate change, strengthening small and medium scale production, producing more nutritious food, reducing food losses and creating more human resources to work in the agricultural sector.

He also stated that the private sector was essential for increasing investment in research and development in low and middle income countries that are highly dependent on agriculture.

“Public and private investments are also needed in the natural, physical and human capital, which have complementary roles in the agricultural production process. But national investment is insufficient, and it has become necessary to attract direct foreign investments, both in Latin America and the Caribbean,” he said.

These resources can be attracted with the help of governments, implementing clear, obstacle-free regulatory frameworks, solid educational systems, and with the promotion of research and development, establishing effective links between creators and users of knowledge.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Gov’t mulls action to recoup UG student loans

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Jacob Opadeyi

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inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said alternative courses of action will be implemented to encourage greater compliance with the Student Loan Agreement which is issued by the University of Guyana Student Loan Facility and funded by the Finance Ministry.

Last week, the Finance Ministry said it is no secret that thousands of graduates from the University of Guyana have failed miserably in the repayment of their loans. “The level of repayment of student loans is not where we would want it to be,” Dr Singh told media operatives during a press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN).

Government, he said, has been taking note of this trend that has been established over the years and corrective measures would soon be implemented.

“I believe that corrective action has to be taken to achieve a higher level of compliance and a higher level of repayment.”

He added, “This issue is currently

being contemplated, alternative courses of action that could be taken to encourage greater compliance.”

Responding to questions on whether Government will be presenting a Supplementary Paper to the National Assembly to solicit funds for entities and programmes that were affected by 2014 Budget cuts, Dr Singh declined to give a definitive answer.

He said however, “We are fully mindful of the circumstances in relation to each one of these items and we are attentive to their implication. So the people of Guyana can be assured that the Government of Guyana is mindful of the urgency of some of these matters and that appropriate actions will be taken.”

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Jacob Opadeyi, had told Guyana Times International that lowly subscribed programmes at the University of Guyana will be cut off and the services of lecturers terminated, if the institution experiences a major shortfall in enrolment due to students’ inability to access loans for the Academic Year 2014/2015.

Dr Opadeyi said if the Government of Guyana fails to return to the National Assembly for the restoration of the Gy$450 million for the Student Loan Programme, UG’s administration will have no other choice than to shelve programmes.

“If we are not able to attract the more than 3,000 loan students, it therefore means enrolment would be affected and if enrolment is affected, income will be affected and if income is affected, expenditure will be affected,” he posited.

He said if the Government fails to return to the Assembly for supplementary funding for the Student Loan Programme before the House goes on recess in August, the stated line of action will be taken.

PPP reaches out to young professionals T he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee, last Saturday hosted a successful dinner and interaction with a group of over 150 young professionals and entrepreneurs.

The group comprised doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs and politicians among others. Among the invitees were former President Bharrat Jagdeo; the PPP’s Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha; Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and Housing and Water and acting Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali. Following in the footsteps of the PPP founder-leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan, the General Secretary has already made efforts to re-establish a National Teachers’ Committee and the Guyana Peace Council, and now this encounter with Guyana’s next generation of leaders to examine avenues to integrate their ideas and views in the developmental trajectory and to take the PPP to another victory whenever elections are called.

The interactive forum afforded the young professionals the oppor-

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

tunity to express their concerns, obtain clarifications and share ideas on national issues in keeping with the desire of young people to pursue aggressively, an ambitious and progressive national agenda for development.

Describing the forum as being timely and appropriate, the young professionals were encouraged to become more active participants in the decision-making process.

The PPP views such interactions as an opportunity to boost young people’s morale and confidence, hence, the emphasis on engaging youth for their assistance in identifying needs and empowering communities, and to take on a sense of ownership in development efforts.

PPP leaders used the occasion to speak on the issue of corruption, pointing to the many safeguards for accountability and transparency implemented by the PPP/C Administration and the empty rhetoric of the Opposition to point fingers without being able to provide any evidence on corruption.

During the interaction with the young professionals and entrepreneurs, the party was encouraged to constantly review its policies and to take into consideration the growing demands of a rapidly changing modern world.

This interactive forum is part of an ongoing initiative by the PPP and its General Secretary to reconnect with supporters and sympathisers throughout the country.

Chinese medical team bids farewell, Guyana welcomes another

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he 11th medical team from The People’s Republic of China was welcomed in a grand celebration by members of the Government of Guyana and China’s Ambassador to Guyana, at the Chinese Embassy on Saturday evening.

The current team consists of 14 medical practitioners and two chefs. Four of the team members will be placed in Linden while the other 10 will work around Georgetown.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin congratulated the outgoing 10th medical team on their successful tour of duty and thanked them for their outstanding contributions in furthering the friendly relations between Guyana and China.

Limin also expressed his gratitude to the relevant departments of the Government of Guyana for their care and valuable support of the Chinese medical teams.

During the last two

President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Mrs Yvonne Hinds and Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin, and the 10th and 11th Chinese Medical Brigade at the farewell and welcoming reception at the Chinese Embassy, Mandela Avenue

years, under the leadership of Dr Zhu Xingguo, the members of the 10th medical team devoted themselves to cordially serving the locals. They have carried out several medical outreaches in local communities, treated over 27,000 patients, saved the lives of over 2900 critically ill patients, and performed more than 5000 operations.

Having made important contributions to the development of

local health services, they received wide acclaim from all walks of life of Guyana. Dr Zhang Yueming was appointed Director of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital, which was unprecedented in the history of Chinese medical teams in Guyana.

The Ambassador also stated that China and Guyana enjoy timehonoured friendship, as China has been active-

ly supporting the progress of Guyana’s health service undertaking.

Nearly 150 medical experts of 11 Chinese medical teams have worked in Guyana since the first team arrived in 1993.

Limin believes that the 11th medical team will carry forward the fine tradition of healing the wounded and saving the dying. “Great love knowing no boundary,” he said.

President Donald Ramotar shared his sen-

timents by expressing his gratitude to the ongoing medical team for their service to Guyana, and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavours.

To the 11th team, the President expressed hope that their experience in Guyana will be rewarding as they assist in the delivery of important medical services to Guyana, and enrich their own experience and education so that when it is time for them to depart

Guyana, their time in the country would have been well spent.

Ramotar lauded the fruitful relationship between Guyana and China, since the establishment of bilateral ties more than 40 years ago.

But, he pointed out that before the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Chinese indentured servants had made a sterling contribution to the development of Guyana, in every sphere of life.

The President also made mention of the significant contribution China has made to stabilising the global economy during the financial and economic crises in 2008.

Ramotar thanked and bade farewell to the 10th ongoing team, and wished the 11th team all success during their tenure in Guyana.

Members of the 10th medical team spoke of the hospitality and warmth of the Guyanese people during their stay in the country.

23 Region 5 top NGSA student East Bank man charged sets eyes on becoming a teacher for wife’s murder I news

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014

t was a double for Grace Etwaru of Rosignol Primary.

First, she was told that she was in the top 100 NGSA students but more importantly she topped Region Five (Mahaica/ West Berbice).

As a cricketer for her school, the bowler unfortunately did not take any wickets in Friday’s game but they won thus adding to the joy on her birthday.

Etwaru who said she was overjoyed and in disbelief when her teacher gave her the news, had to get it directly from the head teacher for confirmation.

She has not only made the school proud as a cricketer, the shy young lady who wants to become a teacher recently helped the school to win the National Library Quiz and was the runnerup Best Speller in the National finals.

According to Etwaru she is not pleased with her performance and had expected to obtain more than the 518 marks that she got to top the region and wanted to place higher upon the top 100 list. She was number 41.

Her favourite subject is Mathematics but she also did well in Social Studies and says that it was hard work.

In addition to Etwaru who scored 518 marks and will be heading to Queen’s College, there was Zenefa Mohamed from Latchmansingh

Grace Etwaru Region Five

Primary with 512 who awarded Bishops’ High; Preya Singh from Blairmont Primary with 511 also Bhisops’ High; Sarah Codogan from Bath Primary with 508St. Stanislaus College; Abudul Subhan from Latchmansingh Primary with 508 St. Stanislaus College; Marissa Singh from Zealand Primary with 507 St. Stanislaus College; Devkumar Gangaram from Bath Primary with 507 -St. Stanislaus College; Kerisa Wade from Latchmansingh Primary with 507 wa awarded St. Stanislaus College; Nicholas Persaud from Blairmont Primary with 504 was given St Rose’s High and Gregory Walters from No 29 Primary with 502 St. Joseph High.

Congratulations

Meanwhile, Alliance For

Guyana making headway... from page 3

more to be done. Greater efforts will be needed to ensure strengthening joint collaboration, monitoring and reporting on the UNDAF; increased rigour and wide-ranging partnerships will be needed to fast track the achievement of the lagging MDG goals as we enter the last lap to achieve the MDGs [Millennium Development Goals],” she said.

The UN Resident Coordinator added that they are committed to enhancing efforts to achieve greater coherence and reduce duplication and will continue to provide high-quality technical services partners. She explained that the framework is based on a few key premises and as a joint venture, can only be successful with continued collaboration.

The goals of the UNDAF are to: assess the progress towards achieving the expected outcomes, assess the continued relevance of expected results, identify resource gaps, and make recommendations for resolving implementation challenges that are impending progress where necessary.

the Change

(AFC) has congratulated all students who were successful at the NGSA. The party also recognised that behind the individual successes are long hours of toil and hard work by not only the students themselves, but the supportive hand of their parents and teachers. “But even as we celebrate this, the AFC recognises that a large percentage of our students are still falling through the cracks and completing their primary education with an insufficiently strong foundation in the core subject areas namely English and Mathematics on which to build in the future.”

This year’s results also suggest, the AFC said, that “our children who have the misfortune of attending a public school with insufficient facilities and resources, and reduced parental guidance are at a much greater risk of failing”.

“We must in this technological age find ways to guarantee that all our young people are given a solid basic education that includes the ability to read, write and understand the principles of mathematics at an above average level. This is fundamental to the future development of our country.”

The AFC said it stands ready to assist in any way it can recognising that only a proactive approach will correct the current situation.

PM Hinds hails...

from page 19

need to reform institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, climate change, the need for assistance to small developing states and the fight against poverty.

“We welcome any steps that would lead to a broader cooperation between our two countries in the political, economic and humanitarian fields,” he said.

Scholarships offered to Guyanese students will also be increased according to the Ambassador.

Russia Day is the national holiday of the Russian Federation, celebrated on June 12. It has been celebrated every year since 1992. The First Congress of People’s Deputies of the Russian Federation adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic on June 12, 1990.

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| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Murder accused Vindra Siriram

Dead: Shelly Persaud

fter reportedly confessing that he had murdered his reputed wife, a Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) father of three was arraigned with murder last Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

As he trembled in the holding dock of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Vindra Siriram of Lot 34 Friendship, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that between June 9 and 10, he murdered Shelly Persaud.

Twenty-five-year-old Persaud, a mother of three, was found dead with her head submerged in a bucket of water at her Friendship home on Tuesday last.

She was found around 02:30h by the defendant who later admitted to drowning his reputed wife in the bucket of water, while in a drunken state.

Initially, the ECI Engineering and Construction Company employee claimed that he discovered his spouse with her head submerged in the bucket of water when he woke to urinate.

At the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, the defendant was represented by Attorney Kevon Bess and was remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. Siriram will make his next court appearance on July 4.

On his second court appearance, a date is expected to be fixed for the commencement of a Preliminary Inquiry. A total of nine witnesses are expected to testify.

It was reported that Siriram told investigators that he held Persaud’s head in the five-gallon bucket of water which was on the back step.

He reportedly told ranks that it was only after he had stuck the woman to the back of her neck and she lost consciousness was he able to get her head into the bucket of water.

The post-mortem examination performed on the woman’s body by Dr Nehaul Singh reportedly substantiated Siram’s confession which showed that she died from drowning due to compression injuries to the neck.

Trinidadian prisons officer stabbed to death in love triangle

T

RINIDAD: A love triangle involving two male prisons officers and a female prisons officer had a deadly ending when one officer stabbed the other to death, following a heated argument over the affections of the female officer.

Dominic Allan Bernard, 37, of Jack Street, Marabella and a 23-year-old male recruit got into a heated argument at the Plaisance Park, Pointe-a-Pierre apartment home of the female prison officer on Sunday night.

It was reported that Bernard angrily wanted to know why the recruit was at the female prisons officer’s home. A fight soon broke out with the recruit stabbing Bernard repeatedly. A report was made to police and when officers arrived at the scene, Bernard was already dead.

The recruit subsequently surrendered at the St Margaret’s Police Station.

An autopsy done Monday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James revealed Bernard, who was pursuing a law degree, was stabbed twice with a stab to his heart causing his death by shock and massive haemorrhaging.

Relatives said Bernard was a divorcee and he had been in a relationship for several years with the female prison officer, who they added, was the reason for Bernard being divorced.

According to a police report, at about 9.30 pm

The male prisons officer was stabbed to his heart

on Sunday, Bernard went to the Petra Avenue, Plaisance Park, Pointe-a-Pierre apartment home to visit his girlfriend, when he met the prison recruit in her apartment.

An argument ensued and a fight later broke out between the two men. Police said during the struggle, Bernard was stabbed twice. He collapsed and died on the spot. The suspect later walked into the St Margaret’s Police Station where he gave himself up. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

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| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Role of private sector highlighted Minister Singh blasts KN’S ‘misrepresentation at regional conference of facts’ on IFMAS issue S

F

inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has refuted claims that his Ministry has “refused” to train persons to operate the Integrated Financial Management and Accounting Systems (IFMAS).

He said that over 400 persons have been trained by the Government to use IFMAS. This comment was made in response to an article published in the June 5 edition of Kaieteur News captioned “Govt 10-yr-old accounting system, IFMAS… Finance Ministry refuses to train operators”. Dr Singh said that the article is nothing more than a blatant misrepresentation of the truth.

“From the earliest days of this system, we have been training potential users. In fact, before it was implemented, we were training persons” the Finance Minister said. Further, Dr Singh said that the entire issue with respect to the non-implementation of two modules of the IFMAS is nothing more than a “manufactured controversy.”

He said implementation of IFMAS has revolutionised the public financial management process and the criticisms by members of the society are somewhat politically motivated.

The Minister said

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

as was explained by Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, indeed the five modules of the IFMAS that were implemented fulfil the needs of Government to ensure fiscal transparency and accountability within the financial sector.

However, he explained, the contention surrounds the two modules that have not been implemented, adding that the notion being put forward by some that millions of dollars can go untraced, is nothing more than a fallacy.

The Minister blasted media reports which suggested that as a result of the systems not being implemented, billions of dollars would have been lost saying that while this may be the case, the information was not fac-

tual and just served to create hysteria.

“The sky can fall in on our heads tonight… we can go out there and the sky can be green, so can we put a headline that the sky will be green” said Dr Singh. He further pointed out that while there were instances of persons in violation of the policies, these were detected and remedial action was taken almost instantaneously.

He said that the IFMAS on acquisition by the Government was not tailored for the specific needs of Guyana as a small and fluctuating economy. Hence, he explained steps were taken by the Government to customise the system to ensure that it worked efficiently and was able to uphold its remit.

“These systems were not written for Guyana or for Guyana only…

Free balance has the application in a number of jurisdictions around the world” the Finance Minister said, adding “… system had to be customised in order to be made relevant and effective in our operating environment” This process, he explained, was determined by the technicians and not the Government which has the responsibility of the policies surrounding IFMAS and its implementation.

ecretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza last week spoke on the role of the private sector in addressing “the great tasks” of the Region in the coming years, during a conference of the Latin American Business Council (CEAL) held at the headquarters of the OAS in Washington DC. Secretary General Insulza began his address explaining that the Region is beginning a new economic era, in which growth will be slower than in the past decade. “Latin America went through, from 2002 to 2012, a very exceptional phase in its history,” said the Secretary General. “Now, in contrast, we are in a slow growth phase.”

In this new era, the OAS leader set forth four “great tasks” for the Region: generating economic growth, decreasing inequality, reducing violence, and increasing accountability in politics.

In terms of economic growth, he emphasized that “to achieve it, we will need to take advantage of public-private sector cooperation, it cannot be done by the state alone.”

“Latin America is the most unequal Region in the world,” recalled the Secretary General, who pointed to the need to improve the “social protection floors” in the countries of the region,

Secretary General participates in CEAL Conference at the OAS

and to increase the distribution of income. This should go hand in hand, he said with an unprecedented effort to reduce violence.

In politics, added the OAS leader, Latin America “has far more democracy than before,” but important challenges remain such as corruption, the improvement of governance, and the lack of accountability.

“The great challenge is accountability, which allows for horizontal control,” said Secretary General Insulza.

“This has to do with the independence of the judiciaries, the freedom of press and of expression. They are the ways in which a democracy produces greater accountability or horizontal control by the other political actors in society.”

In concluding his presentation, the OAS leader set forward his con-

viction that “with the efforts and disposition of the state, civil society and the private sector, our region will be able to meet all the challenges we face in the development of our countries, and do so in an environment of democracy and social inclusion.

“And I hope that we reach the necessary consensus that we learn to respect one another and to accept that democracy and legitimacy do not belong to any one person, but to everyone together.”

CEAL is an organization that includes the most important private entrepreneurs in Latin America, created 24 years ago to promote its members participation in the current exchange and cooperation tendencies, in every aspect in which private companies can contribute to the economic progress of their countries.

East Coast man dies in hit-and-run A

51-year-old father of three is dead following an early morning hit-and-run accident at Annandale Public Road, East Coast Demerara on Fathers’ Day, some distance away from where he lived.

The man, who has since been identified as Mustak Alli, also known as “Patak” and “Glumsy” of 179 Rabindra Street, Annandale, was on his way home from work around 06:00h when he was struck down by a speeding Toyota Allion, bearing licence plate PRR 1607.

The man’s distraught wife, Rajpattie Basdeo related that after hitting her husband, the driver fled the scene before abandoning the car in the vicinity of Agriculture Road, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

She told Guyana Times International that she last saw her husband alive on Saturday afternoon around 16:00h when he was preparing to head off to a warehouse in the nearby village of Lusignan, where he worked as a security guard.

She related that the fami-

Dead: Mustak Alli in his younger days

ly was informed of the accident by a passerby who called upon the now dead man’s brother, Imtiaz Alli and told him that his brother was involved in an accident and was lying on the road.

The now widowed woman recounted that by the time she got to the scene, her husband was already dead.

Spoiled celebrations

“I see he lying on the road

Ali’s reputed wife, Rajpattie Basdeo relating what transpired

and he look like he done dead.

When I hold him, he body stiff, stiff like when he was dead for a while, so it look like the accident happen early and he been on the road a long time. He doesn’t normally come home so early. He does come home like 07:00-07:30h, but he was coming home to help me cook… he wanted me to cook so many things to celebrate Father’s

Day,” she cried.

Basdeo recounted that it was only on Saturday morning that the man told her that he wanted to make his children happy for Fathers’ Day and they should have a feast at home, with all of his children and their families present.

A source close to the driver in the accident told this publication that he (the driver) was

not the owner of the vehicle.

He related that the owner, along with the alleged driver and several other friends had gone to a wedding celebration, after which he took the keys from the owner on the pretext of dropping home a female acquaintance. It was while he was on his way to drop off the female, he reportedly struck Alli down.

The source disclosed too that the man then drove to Agriculture Road, Mon Repos, where he abandoned the car and has not been seen or heard from since the incident.

GTI was reliably informed that the father of the driver has been held by the Police for questioning, while the owner of the motor vehicle has turned himself in to assist the Police in their investigations.

The man’s wife related that it was only last April that Alli lost one of his brothers Altaf Alli in a similar hit-andrun accident on the said East Coast highway.

Alli leaves to mourn his wife and three children aged 30, 28 and 26 as well as several grandchildren.

News

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Prize-winning cop freed of rape in Jamaica

Guyana gov’t to soon address manpower shortage in Police Force

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: There was jubilation in the Home Circuit Court in Jamaica Tuesday when a panel of seven jurors acquitted police sergeant Oneil Patterson—a former winner of the Lasco Top Cop Award—of rape.

There were tense moments in the court as the jury of three men and four women deliberated Patterson's fate for an hour-and-a-half. But relief was etched on the policeman's face as the jurors announced the verdict, much to the delight of his colleagues inside the Number 8 courtroom and those peering through the glass sections of the doors.

"I just want to thank all my supporters and my legal team," Sergeant Patterson told the media following the verdict.

"It has affected me," added Patterson, a father of three children, as he spoke about the effect of the allegations on his career and personal life.

"I will be coming back stronger," he quipped.

Patterson, the Lasco Top Cop for 2012, had been on trial since last week Thursday for allegedly raping a medical doctor on the compound of

Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee says the Police Force has never been up to its full strength in respect to its field establishment

H Sergeant Oniel Patterson (left) with his lead attorney, Peter Champagnie, following his acquittal of rape in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston, Tuesday (Jamaica Observer photo)

the Elletson Road Police Station on May 23, 2013 after they reportedly went on a date.

The defence contended during the in-camera trial that the sex was consensual.

"The victim only cried rape," the defence said, "because she found out on the night they slept together that Patterson was not a single man as he had told her prior to them having sex".

R e t i r e d Superintendent of Police Ionie Ramsey, who gave character evidence on Patterson's behalf, told the court that she knew

Patterson since 2004 and that she has a "great deal of respect for him" and that he is "a honest person".

At the same time, Attorney Peter hailed the verdict delivered in the Home Circuit Court. "…We believe that the jury, with the unanimous verdict, has prevented what had been a tragic accusation from becoming a travesty of justice," the attorney said.

Attorney Tamika Harris appeared with Champagnie for Patterson, while Justice David Batts presided over the trial.

(Jamaica Observer)

ome Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was understrength but he maintained that this was not anything new.

Speaking at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) press conference on Monday, Rohee maintained that the government is cognisant of the issue and is taking steps towards its resolution.

According to Rohee, the government has sought the aid of Capita Simons Consultancy firm, which was charged with determining attributing factors and alleviatory methods.

“Capita Simons Consultancy was engaged to do a study on this matter and they have produced, what I would say something like a blueprint to address this matter,” Rohee said.

He pointed out that

the GPF has never been able to reach its maximum human resource capacity, but this factor did not majorly affect the Force in the discharge of its remit. “Based on enquiries that I have made, the Guyana Police Force has never ever been up to its full strength in respect to its field establishment…It has always been an uphill task…to acquire the full strength of the force,” he explained.

Addressing the situation

However he opined that with the acquisition of the “blueprint” from the consultancy firm, the government would be able to address the situation. He said too that most ranks would leave the Force during their second or third year of assignment and this would be due to various factors, including the fact that those years are the most trying years for an officer.

He said once a rank is past the five-year mark, then a sense of stability steps in, and it is less likely that the officer will leave the Force.

“Theory and practice has to go hand in hand, you can study all the rules and the standing orders and so on, but in terms of the application in the field, and interacting with people, because that’s where the litmus really comes: how you’re able to apply what you’ve learnt in the training school to reality, based on what you’ve learnt in the training school.”

Rohee noted too that it is the fairly new officers that more attention has to be paid to, since in most instances they are the ones responsible for heinous acts that would throw bad light on the integrity of the Force and affect public trust in the GPF.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

PPP presses for US to establish Region 6 top student wants to become DEA office in Guyana strategies that would be enforced. He was responding to questions regarding the long-talked-about setting up of a DEA office in Guyana to stem the tide of trafficking.

BY JOMO PAUL

A

mid criticism of its anti-narcotics fight, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Monday reiterated its call for the US to establish a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) office in Guyana.

The party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, who is also Home Affairs Minister, told a news conference at Freedom House that there was an urgent need for the establishment of the long overdue DEA office in the country as the Government continues to wage war against the thriving narcotics trade.

The call from the governing party comes after almost a decade after the two sides agreed to establish a DEA office to tackle narco-trafficking.

According to Rohee, the US has been able to identify and apprehend narco traders and other criminal elements because they may have access to information that is not otherwise available to local law enforcement.

“That is why we need

Vetted

US Ambassador D. Brent Hardt

the DEA office as quickly as possible; I think if we get the DEA office in Guyana then we would be in a much better position to deal collectively with these issues.

Because it might be very well possible that the US might have intelligence on these persons that they are not desirous of sharing with us,” said Rohee.

Only recently, Ambassador Hardt had said that before any DEA Unit is established, local anti-drug agents will have to be fully vetted in order to reduce the likelihood of them breaching

Guyana is viewed as a transshipment point for cocaine going to Europe and North America, and according to the Ambassador, the establishment of the office in Guyana is not an automatic process.

Hardt noted that the vetting process would include ranks being screened via lie detector tests and background checks.

The Ambassador explained that there have been some delays in getting the DEA due to budgetary issues faced in the US; however, he noted that they are currently in the process of overcoming this hurdle.

In an interview with the media earlier this year, Ambassador Hardt had explained that there was discussion on the DEA in December. The Ambassador had pointed out that despite the US not having a DEA presence in Guyana, the

country has been covered by the DEA office in Trinidad for some time. The Ambassador noted that US DEA officials work closely with the Guyana Police Force and other law enforcement agencies.

“We have excellent relations that have been going on for some time, so even though we don’t physically have an office in Guyana, we have DEA officers who are in the country regularly, liaising and trying to build cases, cause that’s what DEA really brings to the table: its ability to build cases against major traffickers,” the Ambassador had stated.

Hardt, whose tenure in Guyana will be up soon, explained that from the time he was posted to Guyana, he has made it a priority to lobby for a DEA office and has managed to make some headway.

The US Ambassador clarified that the nonimplementation of the US DEA office has nothing to do with any hindrance from the Government, but has to do mainly with sourcing resources and processing.

a medical doctor

S

Simeon De Abreu points to where his name would be on his school’s honour roll

imeon De Abreu, one of the two students who topped Region Six at the National Grade Six (NGSA), has credited his success to his parents, teachers and the Almighty.

Simeon, of All Saints Primary in New Amsterdam, and Joel Persaud of Cropper Primary, each obtained 518 marks.

“I am very pleased with my achievement and I must thank God, my parents and teacher for making this possible,” De Abreu, who was awarded a place at Queen’s College, said.

His father, Clement De Abreu of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, said he is proud of the achievement of his son.

“I always told him continued on page 28

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamaican bananas re-enter British market after six-year hiatus K INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaican bananas have re-entered the British market some six years after the cessation of export to that country following the devastating effects of several hurricanes on the sector and changes in the preferential agreement with the United Kingdom.

Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke said the first shipment of the fruit, weighing 2,000 pounds arrived in the UK last Thursday and it was expected that another shipment would have left the island Wednesday.

The minister made this announcement Tuesday at his ministry's Hope Gardens headquarters during a ceremony to launch the ministry's Export Market

Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke (left); Mrs Janet Conie, General manager of the Banana Board and Mr Donovan Stanberry, Permanent Secretary discuss the resumption of banana exports to Britain on Tuesday (JIS photo)

Platform and sign five contracts for infrastructure works at four of the island's agro-parks, funded by the Inter-

American Development Bank (IDB).

Clarke explained that the shipment of bananas will continue weekly up

to the end of August and that the UK buyer would arrive in Jamaica by this month end to negotiate long-term contracts for

importing Jamaican bananas into Britain.

He identified the resumption of the banana trade as one of the first results of the recently launched Export Market Platform aimed at linking farmers with buyers in a structured and organised way as part of the ministry's efforts to boost exports and increase production in the agricultural sector.

According to Clarke, the ministry has been primarily targeting the UK market through the forging of linkages with the Fresh Produce Consortium. A team from the ministry along with farmers and exporters attended the London Produce Show as guests of the Fresh Produce Consortium resulting in transactions to supply sweet potato, yam, St

Julian mangoes, ginger, Moringa, castor oil, a variety of herbs and spices and a range of fruits to that market.

The Jamaican team, he said, is also following leads with several UK and European buyers for the supply of Jamaican produce.

"Now that we have found the markets our strategy is to organise the agro-parks and mobilise farmers in these agro-parks to supply the produce," the minister said.

Five contracts, totalling more than Ja$501 million were signed at the event for the implementation of infrastructure works at the Spring Plain/Ebony Park, New Forest/Duff House and Yallahs Agro-parks.

(Jamaica Observer)

Arsonists targeting MoBay businesses in Jamaica

M

ONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA: The Montego Bay Fire Department has indicated that several of the latest fires in the Second City are

the result of arson, following two recent fires which severely damaged a number of businesses, putting them temporarily out of operation.

"We have been receiving calls from the King Street, Paradise Road and Union Street areas…

Though we can't definitely say at this time, it is obvious

that someone was lighting those buildings," Montego Bay Fire Station Deputy Superintendent Conroy Ghans told Jamaican media.

Statistics obtained by the media from the department also show that since the start of June, the station has been called out to a record eight fires, the latest one being early Monday morning, when the Ultra Med Pharmacy, located along Union Street, was gutted.

"The call came in at 3:30 a.m. for a fire at 30 Union Street. We responded with three units from the Montego Bay Fire Station.

When we got there, we found out that the fire had started at the rear of the building. Based on our preliminary investigations, we believe that the fire might have started as a result of arson," said Ghans.

In this attack, the building sustained major interior damage to its storeroom, resulting in the destruction of more than Ja$1 million in medication.

Pharmacist Catherine Belcher acknowledged that she was very concerned and encouraged fellow business

Onlookers gather at the scene of a massive fire along St James Street in Montego Bay, Jamaica, late Sunday evening (Jamaica Gleaner photo)

operators to be on the alert as anyone could be affected.

Major setback

"I feel very disturbed.

This is a major setback for us…but this can happen to anybody, we all need to be vigilant," she said.

This latest fire follows another massive blaze which occurred at the corner of St James and North streets in downtown Montego Bay on Sunday evening, leaving a number of businesses seriously damaged. A two-storey wooden house, said to be abandoned, was also destroyed by the raging flames which took five

units from the Montego Bay and Ironshore fire stations to be brought under control.

In light of the recent fires, residents are speculating that extortion could be a primary force behind those happening at business places.

"Word on the street is that the bad boys are demanding money from the business people…

When they are not paid or they do not receive the amounts asked for, they go after those businesses by burning them down," said resident Len Smith.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

from page 26

Region 6 top student wants to become a... that I wish to see his name on the Honours Roll and, he assured me that it will happen; thanks to Jehovah God and Sir Bassant for making this a reality.”

His teacher, Bassant Jagdeo, said Simeon and his colleagues were drilled after school and weekend lessons.

He said Simeon’s performance and Keayla Vanderstoop, another top student with 515 marks, came as no sur-

prise.

“They worked hard during their preparations for the NGSA; our motto is: “Only the best is good enough”, is testimony that we have lived up to our standards and we will continue to do so.”

Bassant, a teacher with more than some 20 years experience, said parental involvement was a critical factor in the success of his students.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

B

RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: P r o - v i c e chancellor and principal of UWI Cave Hill Campus, Sir Hilary Beckles, has been awarded a fourth honorary doctorate––the latest coming from Brock University in Ontario, Canada.

The honorary doctorate of laws was presented at Brock’s Spring Convocation on June 5.

Brock, which is currently marking its 50th anniversary, noted that Sir Hilary had distinguished himself in a multifaceted academic career and through his public engagement.

“An accomplished scholar, leader, cricket

writer, playwright, university administrator, Sir Hilary is one of the most respected scholars of Caribbean history in the world,” orator Behnaz Mirzai noted in the citation. “He is a leader with diverse experiences, as well as a seasoned administrator in different areas, including his present position [as principal].

“He has seamlessly blended academic concerns within the wider non-academic spheres.

“His essays and books have generated considerable interest and have earned him a great deal of respect, including major awards. Every one of his works advances the frontier of knowledge.”

This is the fourth honorary doctorate awarded to Sir Hilary Beckles, vicechancellor and principal of UWI Cave Hill Campus (Barbados Today photo)

In his acceptance speech, Sir Hilary noted: “Brock is a very distinguished university with an enviable

record of research and applied commercial engagement, and in many ways serves as a role model for the Cave Hill Campus. It is interesting that the person after whom your university is named, General Sir Isaac Brock, while serving in the British army

was stationed at the Garrison in Barbados in 1812. It is an honour to be a part of this history, and to be recognised by your fine institution and the excellence it represents.”

Sir Hilary has authored, co-authored and edited more than

30 books, and has written over 70 academic articles on the subject of Barbadian history, Caribbean history, Atlantic and colonial history often within the context of slavery, gender and labour.

His previous honorary Doctor of Letters degrees were awarded from the University of Hull in 2004; from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana in 2009, in recognition of his meritorious and distinguished lifetime achievements, public service and contribution to the world of learning and higher education; and from the University of Glasgow in 2011, in recognition of the major contribution he has made to academic research into the transatlantic slave trade and plantation slavery.

(Barbados Today)

Cedella Marley shares lessons she learnt from her father, Bob

J

AMAICA: Not everyone is blessed to have a celebrity father who is loved and respected by thousands across the globe.

One such exception is Cedella Marley, the firstborn daughter of Rita Marley and the late reggae legend, Bob Marley.

In honour of Father's Day, the singer, fashion designer and entrepreneur shared with Jamaican media the lessons that she has learnt from her beloved father.

Bob Marley's messages to his fans through his music were always inspi-

Cedella Marley (at left) and her late father Bob (Jamaica Observer photos)

rational. His advice to his daughter was no different.

"Believe in yourself and anything you put your mind to, you will accomplish." Marley said her father told her.

Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981, aged 36.

Cedella also took some indirect lessons from his life: staying positive, keeping things simple and learning as much as the world can provide. Of her fondest times with her father, Marley recalls running on the beach and enjoying family time.

The chief executive officer of record label Tuff Gong International said that her father has influenced both her personal and professional life.

"Personally, he has inspired me to inspire others," she said. "I am honoured to have the opportunity to further his message that has blessed so many people around the globe. Professionally, I have been blessed to work in creative fields. From singing, to music, to dance and more. Everything and anything is possible. You just need to put in the work

and have the discipline. No matter what obstacles are put in front of you, remain true to yourself. You are limitless," she said.

Last weekend, the fulltime mother of three took her eclectic designs to the runway at Caribbean Fashion Week. Pieces from the line were even inspired by her father, who, she joked, should have taught her to be a better football player. Sharing her father's love for the sport, Marley is also focused on her role as ambassador of the Jamaican Women's football team, utilising her voice to raise awareness for their goal of competing in the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada.

Admiring her father’s honesty and ability to give voice to many, Cedella Marley believes that the public should remember her great father, Bob Marley, for who he truly was.

"He was a man that truly believed in justice and the beauty of life ... a timeless master of lyrics and music," she said.

(Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

FEATURE

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Getting the nub… …of student loans The vexed matter of student loans for students to attend UG is on the front burner. Again. President Hoyte had introduced tuition fees under IMF pressure 25 years ago. Before that, both Jagan and Burnham and their parties had been as one on “free education”. How else were fellas to break out of their post-slavery chains called “poverty”?

How has the programme fared since, and why is it getting renewed attention? Well, though fees were introduced, no one was turned away for a first degree because of poverty. The government introduced a loan programme that never lacked takers.

But a number of problems soon surfaced. Right up there was the sorry fact that most of the students didn’t repay their loans! And if we are to go by the statistic that 85 per cent of all UG grads move on to greener pastures abroad, we’re talking of this country making a huge investment to subsidise other countries.

We don’t have the numbers as to how large the outstanding balance on those student loans are. But if we are to go by the Gy$450 million that had been requested this year in the budget for the programme (which incidentally was not approved by the Opposition) we’re talking about some real money here. As Carl Sagan was fond of saying sonorously about the number of stars: “billions and billions”!!

The Minister of Finance promises he’ll be pursuing new methods to collect from delinquent students. Well, good luck to him with tracking down those deadbeats in NY – unless he’s willing to go after the guarantors of those loans in Guyana. Or stipulate loans must be cleared before students can go abroad. But we’ve another suggestion. Sure Guyana needs its youths to become educated…all the developed and emerging economies went down that route. But we should learn from them too, no?

In the US, outstanding student loans are one of the major causes of their credit crunch. Secondly and more importantly for us, with no worry about costs, students took all sorts of degrees that had absolutely no market value as far as jobs were concerned. And this is the reality in Guyana today.

Do you know how many students enrol in UG’s School of Humanities or Social Science rather than in Technology or Engineering or whatever qualification the market demands? Now why should a poor country like Guyana – with limited funds – not choose which subject areas to steer youths into?

Whatever comes out of the ongoing student funds discussion, we hope that student loans will be used as an inventive tool to also develop Guyana. …of the political “apology” First, the newfound converts to the PNC’s cause – ex-AFCites Donkey-Cart Economist Khemraj and Flower Boy Ramsaroop – said the PNC shouldn’t be making any apologies. They discovered that the PNC wasn’t really the PNC. There were actually two PNCs – Part I and Part II. Part I was baaaad…rigging elections, snuffing out opponents, breaking up meetings and such things.

Part II was all peace and joy – under Hoyte. Slow fyaah never happened. Was a baaaaad dream. And Granger is the successor to Part II. Never mind Hoyte bypassed Granger as Chief of Staff and he had to live out his days as a “soldier” in the classroom at UG. Check it out, wankers. But anyway, here comes an authentic, dyed-in-the wool PNC – and one afflicted with Graphomania, the obsessive compulsion to write – Emile Mervin, who says the PNC should apologise.

But so should the PPP!! Why aren’t we surprised?

False equivalency is always an escape hatch for the morally damaged. …of marijuana use Jamaica just decriminalised the use of small amounts of marijuana. For up to two ounces, you just get a ticket. Enough for a good spliff. If decriminalised, the price of ganja should be so cheap, it’ll take care of the ticket.

Youths who participated in the 'clean-up' activity

By Indrawattie Natram

T

here is a saying that a people without culture is a people without identity.

That is why it is imperative we recognise where we came from and where we are heading.

When the East Indian came to Guyana in the year 1838, they brought their rich culture to the Essequibo Coast, Now, a group of youths are not only learning about their ancestry but are working together to preserve it.

Youths from the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Essequibo Praant repainted the monument at Bushlot, dedicated to the 99 East Indian families who once resided in the area.

The repainting was one of several events, in the region, to celebrate the 176th anniversary of the arrival, in this country, of East Indians from India.

Organiser of the activity, Sursattie Singh, said approximately 20 youths from the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and Dharmic Swarswattie Dance troupe cleaned, repainted and erect Indian flags at the monument.

Singh noted that many persons on the Essequibo Coast are unaware of the monument and urged persons to visit.

“Preserving our culture is important because it's who we are.

Preserving our culture helps us teach future generations who we are.

It keeps the idea of who we are in our heads and others' heads,” Singh, a dance teacher, explained.

Singh added that cultural identity aids in helping a person to understand where his roots are and to follow the footsteps of his ancestors.

The monument was commissioned on 10 May 2007 by former Region Two Chairman and now Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Alli Baksh. The Bushlot settlement housed 99 families, 92 of which were Hindu and seven of Muslim faith.

It was the initial settlement for East Indians on the Essequibo Coast and has a rich history.

Most of the families who resided on the settlement were farmers, who lived and work in love and harmony.

Settlement’s history

Former

parliamen-

tarian, and historian, Isahack Basir, recalled the socio-economic situation in British Guiana between 1814 and 1860.

He disclosed it caused the ruling class of the time to make some accommodation for pacifying the growing anger of ex-slaves and indentured Indians.

He stated that among the concessions given were portions of land at Maria’s Pleasure, on Wakenaam Island and Aurora and Huist T’Dieren, also on the coast, where a 30-acre plot was known as ‘settlement’.

Basir also mentioned that the abolition of slavery in 1834 led to a number of changes by the white plutocracy and the struggle of indentured Indians and ex-slaves for better wages and living conditions, as well as the concentration of sugar plantations in Demerara and Berbice, resulted in

The Bush Lot East Indian settlement

the closure of 34 mills in Essequibo and the last two in 1928 at Anna Regina and Hampton Court.

He pointed out that the owners of Anna Regina, having closed the estate, virtually abandoned all infrastructure for the housing of indentured Indians and their growing offspring and the plight of the survivors spawned constant flooding, homelessness, unemployment, poverty and suicide.

It was during that time Governor Guggisburg authorised the occupation of the 30 acres high land by 99 families, but they could have only built shelters. Having gathered remnants of wood from abandoned logies, they supplemented those materials with manicole, staves, wattle fixed walls and mud floors.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

34

Feature

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

O

n July 19, 1910, the governor of the U S state of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first “Father’s Day”. However, it was not until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official, that the day became a nationwide holiday in the United States.

The “Mother’s Day” we celebrate today has its origins in the peace-and-reconciliation campaigns of the post-Civil War era. During the 1860s, at the urging of activist Ann Reeves Jarvis, one divided West Virginia town celebrated “Mother’s Work Days” that brought together the mothers of Confederate and Union soldiers. In 1870, the activist Julia Ward Howe issued a “Mother’s Day Proclamation” calling on a “general congress of women” to “promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, [and] the great and general interests of peace”.

However, Mother’s Day did not become a commercial holiday until 1908, when–inspired

by Jarvis’s daughter Anna, who wanted to honour her own

mother by making Mother’s Day a national holiday–the John Wanamaker department store in Philadelphia sponsored a service dedicated to mothers in its auditorium.

Thanks in large part to this association with retailers, who saw great potential for profit in the holiday, Mother’s Day caught on right away. In 1909, 45 states observed the day, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson approved a resolution that made the second Sunday in May a holiday in honour of “that tender, gentle army, the mothers of America”.

The campaign to celebrate the nation’s fathers did not meet with the same enthusiasm–perhaps because, as one florist explained, “fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have”. On July 5, 1908, a West Virginia church sponsored the nation’s first event explicitly in honour of fathers, a Sunday sermon in memory of the 362 men who had died in the previous December’s explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah, but it was a one-time commemoration and not an annual holiday. The next year,

The Lilliah Family of Richmond Hill, New York

Indigenisation

S

atiricus was proud. He’d just read about the latest meeting of the City Council. Rather than going on with the boring rules the British had put in place – placing issues on the table and debating and voting on them and all that rigmarole – the deputy Mayor had simply said to the person who she disagreed with: “Come talk to me outside leh I deal wid yuh!”

Now what could be more direct than that? “In fact,” Satiricus said to the fellas at the back street bar, “this is the real democracy – Direct Democracy like they used to have in the beginning in Greece.”

“Damn right!” growled Suresh. “None of this Sissy stuff with ‘Honourable this’ and ‘Honourable that’.”

“But in most other ex-colonies, the governments keep up the practices the Colonial Power had left behind,” pointed out Teacher Samad.

“And that’s because they have a colonial mentality!” exclaimed Georgie, who was visiting from America. And more importantly, buying drinks for the boys.

“Look at Singapore,” pointed out Satiricus. “Their lawyers are still running around with powdered wigs. And the Police arrest you if you drop your sweetie wrapper on the ground!” Satiricus felt a wave of deep deep pity washing over himself for Singapore.

“Thank God that is not the case in our Dear Land of Guyana,” chimed in Hari, as he dropped on the floor the empty plastic bag that had the Doritos they’d just finished. “Is real freedom we gat here in Guyana, boy!”

“Don’t they realise that those nasty conquerors couldn’t have left anything that was good for the natives?” Satiricus.

“They wanted to keep us enslaved.”

“Is a good thing abee thinking fuh abee self,” agreed Cappo, who’d dropped in late. “Me use to find Parliament boring. But now dat Naga Man using words like ‘Shut-yuh-so-an-so-mouth’ is mo like abee thing.”

“Budday! It’s called ‘indigenisation’. We changing all the rules that was enslaving we mind,” chortled Suresh.

“But look how we’re going backwards,” protested Teacher Samad.

“You miss the point, Teach,” said Hari firmly. “We now free.”

a Spokane, Washington woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower, tried to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials to drum up support for her idea, and she was successful: Washington State celebrated the nation’s first state-wide Father’s Day on July 19, 1910. Slowly, the holiday spread.

In 1916, President Wilson honoured the day by using telegraph signals to unfurl a flag in Spokane when he pressed a button in Washington, D.C. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe Father’s Day. However, many men continued to disdain the day. As one historian writes, they “scoffed at the holiday’s sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with flowers and giftgiving, or they derided the proliferation of such holidays as a commercial gimmick to sell more products–often paid for by the father himself”.

During the 1920s and 1930s, a movement arose to scrap Mother’s Day and Father’s Day altogether in favour of a single holiday, Parents’ Day. Every year on Mother’s Day, pro-Parents’ Day groups rallied in New York City’s Central Park–a public reminder, said

Parents’ Day activist and radio performer Robert Spere, “that both parents should be loved and respected together”. Paradoxically, however, the Depression derailed this effort to combine and decommercialise the holidays.

Struggling retailers and advertisers redoubled their efforts to make Father’s Day a “second Christmas” for men, promoting goods such as neckties, hats, socks, pipes and tobacco, golf clubs and other sporting goods, and greeting cards. When World War II began, advertisers began to argue that celebrating Father’s Day was a way to honour American troops and support the war effort. By the end of the war, Father’s Day may not have been a federal holiday, but it was a national institution.

In 1972, in the middle of a hard-fought presidential reelection campaign, Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making Father’s Day a federal holiday at last.

In her official statement on a past Father’s Day, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar issued a call for “fathers to play a greater role in the lives of their children and for children and their fathers to reignite the bond that is needed in society”.

She added that she is “very fortunate to be married to a most loving and gener-

ous man, who has been a fine father to her children”. She thanked him for being an “exemplary father and a wonderful husband”.

The First Lady even recalled her own father whom she described as a “simple man of modest means who was single-mindedly dedicated to his family”. She further noted that he ensured his family was nurtured in a caring and protective environment.

“He was totally devoted to my mom. Through personal example he underscored the importance of creating a loving environment in the home by being both a good father and husband. Today, our country needs the example of good fathers, because good fathers contribute to good families, which remain the bedrock of our society,” she recalled in her statement.

President Donald Ramotar said in a statement on his Facebook page regarding Father’s Day last year: “I'm very honoured and blessed to have been given the opportunity to be a dad. It's truly the greatest, most important and most rewarding position I've ever held and continue to be so. I encourage all dads today to remember your responsibilities and to be more engaged in raising your children.

Be a role model and a mentor. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

feature

35

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Who the CAPS fit… …pulls the strings After a year of futzing around, the Government got tough with the US and their unilateral execution of the USAID LEAD programme. This was supposed to lead us into the promised land of democracy where milk and honey would be flowing, whether we liked it or not. It was for our own good. So there!

Anyhow, after being threatened with deportation of the head of the programme, the US Embassy promised to “suspend” the programme, while talks on going forward proceeded. This was early May. Everybody breathed a sigh of relief. Especially after some feared there’d be another “Missiles of October”.

Though a Yalie?, US Ambassador D Brent Hardt did affect the hairdo of the Harvard crimson-blooded JFK and it was thought he’d try to stare down Luncheon (bargain basement bison from Howard).

Now we know a man’s word is his bond and all that…but did Luncheon make sure Hardt didn’t have his fingers crossed when he made his promise of a moratorium on teaching us natives the rudiments of the “democratic way”? Because of our history – and events unfolding in every foreign theatre the US is engaged in – your Eyewitness is more than a little skittish when it comes to an insignificant gnat like Guyana making the US blink.

So his eyes widened a bit when he read about the launch of BLUE CAPS – a week after the “halt” of LEAD. CAPS was a cute acronym for “Change, Advocacy, Policy, Service” – almost as cute as LEAD, which stood for “Leadership and Democracy”. Its fearless leader, Clinton Urling – of the ox-heel dynasty – promised it was “objective and impartial, embraces diverse opinions, and cultivates a culture of trust and honesty” – the embodiment of “democracy”, no?

Then CAPS promptly launched its first of four weekly workshops with a “Youth Leaders’ Leadership Development Programme”. Well it could’ve been a coincidence. But then the International Republican Institute (IRI) – which was executing the USAID LEAD programme – had mobilised youths in every country in which it precipitated or wanted to precipitate regime change – SOP and all that.

The youth leaders in the first workshop had reps from BLUE CAPS, Youth Action Network (YAN), Cuffy 250 Committee, UNFPA Youth Advisory Group, Come Alive Network Inc (CANI), Youth Ambassador’s Programme, Global Shapers Community – Georgetown Hub, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), and Global Youth Movement.

The main speaker was Guyanese-born Lloyd Haynes, with a financial advisory company in Washington, DC. Its main clients? A dozen departments of the US Government, including USAID. But this is purely serendipitous, no? …are fascists The General Secretary of the PPP Clement Rohee recently called for the building of “trust” with the Opposition. Rohee’s evidently an incurable optimist.

Is he talking about THIS Opposition? Even its spokesperson found the suggestion “laughable”: after all, which one of them would recognise trust even if it crept up and bit them on their bamzees.

Rohee suggested that since it was the Westminster Parliamentary tradition for Government and Opposition to share the Speaker and Deputy Speaker chairs – and since they had scrupulously observed the tradition in their 21 years at the helm – the Opposition shouldn’t seize and hog both positions.

And here’s Ramjattan retort: “That decision was in consonance with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament… (and we have) never asked for anything which is outside its jurisdiction or legal realm.” So much for hundreds of years of tradition in Parliamentary practice! The Opposition’s insisting on the letter of the law to control whatever they are given by the Constitution.

Yet, these wankers are demanding a share of the Executive, guaranteed to the PPP/C by the same Constitution!! Such is the way of fascists. …on fake goods Guyanese spend their hard-earned bucks trying to get the best value. Yet you have some crooks handing them counterfeit goods. These fellas should be named and shamed.

MARY WELLS

J

amaican-born Mary Wells is enjoying the spotlight that her first feature, ‘Kingston Paradise’, is bringing to Caribbean filmmaking.

The film most recently won Best Diaspora Feature at the African Academy Awards and in early 2014 took home the Programmers Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Wells describes ‘Kingston Paradise’ as an off-beat urban thriller.

“Stories are a basic innate human need.

Without stories we would have no life and would cease to exist. I wanted to do a real story, but at the same time a kind of (funky) fantasy, making a social statement on poverty and survival on an everyday level in chaotic Kingston, Jamaica.

I have worked over the years with many inner city youth and in inner city surroundings and Kingston has a special urban grit that’s quite something to know and experience,” she said to explain why she wanted to make this film.

Falling in love with acting as a child and the power of 16mm film, Mary says the five-year journey to make the film has been intensive and one she will do differently next time.

MITZI ALLEN

Mitzi Allen is the Executive Producer behind HAMAFilms Antigua, which she runs

S

Filmmakers Howard and Mitzi Allen of HAMA Films, with former Antigua and Barbuda Consul General Janil Greenaway in Toronto during an event in 2011 (A&B gov’t file photo)

with her husband writer/ director Howard Allen.

In 2001 HAMAFilms became the first indigenous company in the Eastern Caribbean to produce a feature length film with the release of ‘The Sweetest Mango,’ a romantic comedy, based on how the couple met and fell in love. The film continues to receive international attention and will be screened in Taiwan later in 2014.

Mitzi, an award-winning journalist and filmmaker, thinks telling stories about the Caribbean experience is critical and has been actively teaching the art of storytelling and filmmaking to young people for the past four years. In collaboration with the UNICEFfunded Youth Media Workshop on Antigua, students 12 to 18 years are giving hands-on support to learn filmmaking.

atiricus was down in the dumps. He was feeling quite troubled at the news. Jamaica had just decided to “decriminalise” the possession of less than two ounces of ganja. Meaning if you didn’t exceed this amount, all you got was a ticket. Which you could pay at any station when you could walk straight to the station without falling over. All the fellas from the back street bar had decided to book their tickets on that Fly Jamaica outfit.

Satiricus knew Jamaica was on the ropes. In the hands of the IMF even. These fellas could get rough. But to actually force them to decriminalise marijuana?? This was going too far! You could throw out thousands of public servants into the streets and have their children beg for food. But to have people lighting up spiffs in the middle of

HAMA recently screened its fourth film, ‘The Skin’, at the Pan African Film Festival in LA where it received rave reviews from the audience as well as the festival programmers.

“In order for filmmaking in the region to grow we have to be ready to support each other and use systems that can allow us to expand and produce content that can be played on various platforms internationally,” Mitzi shared.

MARIETTE MONPIERRE

“From the beaches of Guadeloupe to the heart of Paris to the bright lights of the Big Apple, I always saw my life through lenses. Growing up in the belly of Paris, films fascinated me. I completed my Master’s Degree in media & lan-

guages at the Sorbonne University and Smith College in Massachusetts and moved to Manhattan to follow my dream of becoming a filmmaker,” Mariette Monpierre says in her media bio.

‘Elza’, released in 2012, is Mariette’s first feature film and it has turned up the bright lights, already claiming five film festival awards, including Best First Feature Special Jury Recognition at the Pan African Film Festival, in Los Angeles and Best Picture at the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival.

Monpierre has been paying her dues both in France and in New York.

She’s directed numerous documentaries, hundreds of music videos, commercials, short films and videos for institutions. (Excerpted from caribbeanandco.com)

Pass the Kutchie…

the streets and gullies? Why? This was the end of civilisation.

OK. Satiricus knew that Jamaica was on her knees because tourists from America and Europe had dried up? He knew too that the moment these tourists heard they could light up a toke of that good old Jamaican Gold – and not be thrown into the slammer – the island would be overrun with those pasty- skinned foreigners looking to get high. And money would be flowing like a river and their budget would be balanced and all.

But Jeez! Was there no concern for the effects of marijuana? West Indians in general and Jamaicans in particular were already too laid back. Everybody mocked us for being on “Island time”, fumed Satiricus. Now with everyone free to light up and grooving, can you imagine what would happen to our

reputation? “We might just defy the laws of physics and prove time goes backwards,” thought Satiricus, as he spied Cappo turning the corner.

He had a wide smile.

“Look wha me get!!” he practically shouted, brandishing a piece of paper. “Me ticket to Jamaica!! A had to finish cuttin cane fuh de crap.”

“You too?” said Satiricus dolefully. “What you gon do?”

Cappo said, “At last me could sing the real song – not dis one. And he burst out in song: “I seh, pass de Dutchie pon de left hand side, Pass de Dutchie pon de left hand side, It a gonna burn…”

“Is really ‘pass de Kutchie’ but Kutchie ah de ganja pipe and yuh coulden seh dah then.” And Cappo started to croon” Pass de Kutchie…”

Satiricus was left with his mouth open. Was Guyana next?

36

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es

Top ten things you'll never hear a Dad say

10. Well, how 'bout that? I'm lost! Looks like we'll have to stop and ask for directions.

9. You know Pumpkin, now that you're thirteen, you'll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won't that be fun?

8. I noticed that all your friends have a certain rude attitude ... I like that.

7. Here's a credit card and the keys to my new car -- GO CRAZY. 6. What do you mean you wanna play football? Figure skating not good enough for you, son?

5. Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend ... you might want to consider throwing a party.

4. Well, I don't know what's wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies -- you know -- that makes it run or something.

Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks.

3. No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring -- now quit your bellyaching, and let's go to the mall.

2. Whaddya wanna go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend.

1. Father's Day? aahh -- don't worry about that -- it's no big deal.

Child sent to bed

This week's Puzzle

A small boy is sent to bed by his father...

[Five minutes later] "Da-ad..."

"What?"

"I'm thirsty. Can you bring me a drink of water?"

"No. You had your chance. Lights out."

[Five minutes later] "Da-aaaad..."

"WHAT?" "I'm THIRSTY...Can I have a drink of water??"

"I told you NO! If you ask again I'll have to spank you!!"

[Five minutes later] "Daaaa-aaaAAAAD..."

"WHAT??!!"

"When you come in to spank me, can you bring me a drink of water?"

Helping your father

A clergyman walking down a country lane and sees a young farmer struggling to load hay back onto a cart after it had fallen off.

"You look hot, my son," said the cleric. "Why don't you rest a moment, and I'll give you a hand."

"No thanks," said the young man.

"My father wouldn't like it."

"Don't be silly," the minister said."Everyone is entitled to a break. Come and have a drink of water."

Again the young man protested that his father would be upset. Losing his patience, the clergyman said, "Your father must be a real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him and I'll give him a piece of my mind!"

"Well," replied the young farmer, "he's under the load of hay."

Dad’s home

Teacher (on phone): You say Michael has a cold and can’t come to school today? To whom am I speaking?

Voice: This is my father.

The question

see solution on page 46

“Dad, are bugs good to eat?” asked the boy.

“Let’s not talk about such things at the dinner table, son,” his father replied.

After dinner the father inquired, “Now, son, what did you want to ask me?”

“Oh, nothing,” the boy said. “There was a bug in your soup, but now it’s gone.”

Feature

37

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

J

AMAICA: Reggae singer Maxi Priest put in a masterful performance on Sunday night to bring the curtains down on the 2014 Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) in Jamaica.

The artiste, who is known for hits like ‘Close To You’, ‘Wild World’, and ‘Just a Little Bit Longer’, had the fashion set rocking for the duration of his close to one hour set.

Maxi Priest was one of two musical acts on the annual event at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew.

Earlier, singer Denyque performed.

Like Ishawna the previous evening, Denyque used the opportunity to showcase her swimwear line, Wet Swim.

Entertainment aside, it was a night for fashion. More of the region's established and emerg-

Singer Maxi Priest entertains at CFW

Guyana’s Sonia Noel and Marley (Jamaica Observer photos)

ing designers sent their creations down the runway with the hope of taking their brand to the next level.

The collections were a mixed bag. They ranged from Suzilee Chambers' hot summer swimwear to Meiling's crisp, clean lines along with the artistry and craftsmanship of Sonia Noel from Guyana.

After bringing the heat to CFW a few years ago with her Catch A Fire collection, a more sedate Cedella Marley showed a line of menswear— mainly printed T-shirts, hoodies and sweat tops-branded Marley.

Proceeds from her collection will go towards funding the Reggae

Trinidadian Robert Greenidge awarded at Gala in Atlanta

T

Robert Greenidge (TT Newsday file photo)

rinidadian pan icon Robert Greenidge was honoured

by The Trini Posse of Conyers, Georgia, USA on May 26. Greenidge was in town for a concert with The Jimmy Buffett Coral Reefer Band in Atlanta.

In appreciation for the many years of his contribution to the steelpan world, Greenidge was awarded with a surprise gala hosted and organised by Lynette “The Priestess” Rocke and Don Clarke of Atlanta, Georgia.

The event drew a large crowd of friends and supporters who were anxious

to meet and shake hands with Greenidge, including Barnet “Preacher” Henry, calypso singer of the hit tune “Jump and Wave”.

Plenty of good Trini food was served along with Trini beverages.

Most of the music played was from a collection of Greenidge’s greatest hits.

A plaque was presented to him on behalf of The Trini Posse with the inscription “The Sweetest Hands on Pan”.

Greenidge thanked the gathering for the surprise party and expressed his gratitude for the love showered on him. (TT Newsday)

Girlz—Jamaica's national women's football team.

Earning sustained applause was Trinidad's Robert Young (The Cloth), who has shown

The Cloth and Hope Wade

at every staging of CFW. In true The Cloth fashion, his models were accessorised with banana leaves and the females had their feet dusted with gold in a segment known as The Secret Life

of Trees.

Jamaican designer Mutamba stayed true to form with ethnic-inspired clothing.

Organiser Kingsley Cooper was pleased with this year's CFW. The on-

site and online shopping experience took pride of place for him.

"What we are really doing is putting the power in the hand of the designer. What this means is that for a small designer who is not able to produce in mass, they can shop for the looks straight off the runway, either via the Internet or here at the venue… that puts the style and brands of the region out there for the international market," said Cooper.

On Sunday, 17-yearold designer Yvonne Jewnell of the United States was named Emerging Designer of the Year by British designer Gavin Douglas.

(Jamaica Observer)

38

Travel & Tourism

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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ukiet Falls is an eighthour hike from Waratuk Falls, located on the Potaro River, Essequibo.

At Tukiet, adventurers enjoy an enchanting overnight camp and swimming in the Potaro River, which includes a spectacular view of the Kaieteur Gorge.

It is one of the serene locations covered when trekking to Kaieteur.

From Tukiet, adventurers climb to the top of Kaieteur Falls, a fourhour hike which winds through the mountains and mountain streams to the final destination known as ‘Oh My God’, because of its steep ascent.

Tukiet Falls offers an incredible adventure for all those seeking one.

(Nicholas Laughlin photos)

Early morning mist streaming down the Potaro past Tukiet

Tukiet Falls' rapids

Tukiet Falls in the distance on the Potaro River

Stone Creek Falls, near Tukiet, on the Potaro River

A closer look at the cascading Stone Creek Falls

Legal Corner

39

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Paying into bankruptcy isn’t the worst thing

By Richard Kistnen, Esq.

W

hen most people think of filing for bankruptcy, the presumption is that they file and that puts an end to everything.

It puts an end to collections, to phone calls, to bills, to demands for payment.

Many people also presume that by filing for bankruptcy, they cannot or should not be expected to pay into the bankruptcy (mostly to keep certain property that they have). If you have seriously considered filing for bankruptcy, you need to consider the totality of your circumstances.

Under bankruptcy laws, you are allowed to protect certain property by claiming exemptions for that property. For instance, under New York law, a debtor is allowed to keep a car worth $4,000.00 or less, above and beyond liens and encumbrances. So, if you have an older car worth $2,000.00, you

can protect it in bankruptcy without any issue. What if, however, you have a car worth $10,000.00? In this case, there is $6,000.00 of equity in the car that you cannot exempt. Thus, if you move forward with filing for bankruptcy, two things can happen. Either (a) you claim your exemption for $4,000.00 and give the car to the trustee to sell, or (b) you pay the trustee the $6,000.00 and keep the car. Under circumstance (a), after the trustee sells the car, he/she will pay you the $4,000.00, since that was your exemption. Under circumstance (b), you keep the car but have to negotiate the payment of the $6,000.00 with the trustee.

For most people, neither circumstance is ideal. In this situation, you either lose your car, or have to pay more money to keep it. What people must keep in mind, however, is that if the purpose of filing bankruptcy is to discharge signifi-

cant debt, then it might not be such a bad thing to move forward. For one, the money you used to use to pay credit cards can now go to paying for the car if you decide to keep it. Another view is that if you have to pay $6,000.00 to discharge $95,000.00, it might be worthwhile.

I was in court recently and, in a case not mine, the debtor turned over to the trustee, right then and there, about $2,000.00 in tax return money. From the outside looking in, most people would say that that is crazy. If, however, the debtor could not exempt the money, and filing was necessary (in this case, I believe the debtor owned a house, and filing was necessary to stay a foreclosure), then it really isn’t such a bad thing. If you have any questions about bankruptcy or would like to speak to a lawyer, contact the Law Office of Richard Kistnen, (718) 738-2324, www.kistnenlaw.com.

40

News

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

F

Drummer Akash Daneil

ourteen young singers under the age of 19 compet-

ed for a $10,000 cash prize in the Mere Desh Nationwide Junior Local

Indian Classical Singing Competition, which took place on Friday, May

30 at the Chaguanas Market Car Park.

Some of the contestants that took part in the competition were Shivanand Basdeo, Prameshwar Sugrim, Yadesh Dookie, Shivan Sukhu, Adita Sookdeo, Jeewan Balgobin, Shivani Bachan, Nirmala Ramdass Singh, Nirmal Ramdass Singh, Suraj Ramdass Singh, Sapna Seepaul and Tyra Deonarine.

Of those Shivanand Basdeo copped the first prize of $10,000 sponsored by R. Persad Quarry Limited. Nirmal Ramdass took second place and won $5,000 sponsored by Reesal Industries Limited and Shivanand Basdeo receives his trophy from Savitree

Sapna Seepaul took third place and won $3,000 sponsored by Denesh Dass.

In the Dholak Playing category Akash Danial came first and won $1,500, Yadesh Dookie came second and won $1,000 and Satish Udit came third $800.00.

Rahul Sugrim placed first in the Dhantal Playing category and

ect was to encourage the standard artistic excellence in our youths to get involved in local Indian classical singing.

Showing that this art form is in good hands for the future of our cultural heritage,” said Ajeet Praimsingh, founder of the Mere Desh Committee.

The MDC honoured The Sanatana Dharma

Sapna Seepaul performing at the event

won $1,000; Vikash Seepersad placed second and won $800. Kabir Sankar placed third and won $600.

All other junior contestants received cash prizes and a trophy.

Some of the other sponsors were Dass Funeral Home, K. S. Chimpire, SVS Pharmaceuticals, Roopnarine Hardware, RJB Building and Civil Engineering Company Limited, Regal Products, Lords Buyers Mart, Sarav Promotions and Doc’s Engineering, Ricky’s, VNS Pharmaceuticals.

“The goal of this proj-

Maha Sabha headed by Sat Maharaj for introducing the Baal Vikaas into its schools; the National Council of Indian Culture for staging the Coca Cola Teen Talent at its annual Divali Nagar; and the Children of Mastana, a weekly television talent competition founded by Jamal Mohammed.

Awards were also presented to Sandra Maharajh for her series of publication Chhote Bachche books, published by Ashokha Publication and to Ron Gajadhar for humanitarian services.

Feature

41

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sundar Popo played by Shabir Mohammed, right, beats the table and sings as he drinks with his friends during the play 'Sundar' by Iere Theatre Productions Ltd at Sapa on May 30 (TT Guardian)

T

RINIDAD: The last three decades of the life of Sundar Popo as encapsulated by story teller Victor Edwards, was touching for many in the audience at the gala opening of the play Sundar on Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad recently.

The poignant story of Sundar’s love for two women, his struggle to make his mark on the music scene with an untested style and his battle with the bottle (rum) which eventually caused his death in 2000, evoked all kinds of emotion from the audience. Judging from the response, artistic director and playwright Victor Edwards would have fulfilled his quest to create art from

the life of an icon and started a conversation about the influence that chutney music would have had on the cultural landscape of not only TT, but the wider Caribbean region.

The impact would not have been lost on Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, who would have seen the production and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal. Both expressed an interest in having their respective ministries sponsor a number of repeat shows depicting the dramatic saga of Popo’s life.

Kenny Phillip of KMP Studios, who filmed the three-hour long Iere Theatre Productions Ltd play, which was held at the Sundarlal Popo

Bahora Auditorium, named after the legend at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (Sapa), is also exploring opportunities with an international distributor to distribute the DVDs in countries where Sundar would have performed.

In the compelling account of the period 1970 to 2000, story teller Edwards explored Popo’s rise to local and international fame, with his evergreen Nani and Nana hit, which seemed at first outrageous to his rum drinking peers— Choonilal, Moonia, Noor and Ramdeo—as women previously claimed domination of this brand of chutney.

Using simple language to speak to the ordinary citizens, Edwards conveyed the pride this “Coolie boy” from Barrackpore felt, when he was invited by a university in the great America, to lecture about the chutney genre. This was one of the more moving scenes in the play, when an ailing Popo, played by Shabir Mohammed, who blew away audiences with his powerful voice, reluctantly leave for the airport in spite of a sorrow-

ful plea, in song, from his second wife Suraji. Suraji portrayed by Reanna Edwards, a music teacher at Naparima Girls’ High School, begged him to forego the journey out of fear that she will never see him alive again.

In life, Popo made

the journey to York University to share for the last time, in his own words, the powerful chutney story. He died shortly after his return. The show, set against the backdrop of a Hindu wedding, could have easily been dubbed Sundar

The Musical, as two live bands ably aided by singers Kimberly Jones, Joseph Lopez and Omare Asson performed songs to coincide with social, political and cultural events interwoven in the story line. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

42

News

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

U.S. citizen busted at JFK Rare British Guiana stamp with cocaine in suitcase sets record at New handle after Guyana visit York auction

A

A

n American citizen, Warren Edward Hawk, is the latest guest of the U.S Federal Court system after arriving in the United States from Guyana with cocaine stashed in his luggage.

According to the official complaint filed in the Eastern New York Federal Court District, Hawk arrived at New York’s JFK International Airport on June 5, 2014 on a Caribbean Airlines flight and was pulled aside by Customs Agents for questioning.

During his interview, he was asked to identify his bags and he identified two suitcases and a back pack. He told the agents that the suitcases were packed by him.

The agents started to search one of the suitcases and during that exercise they realised that one of the handles of the suitcase was “unusually thick and did not fully extend”. When that suitcase was further probed, a white powdery substance as found stashed in the handle and that

substance tested positive to be cocaine. Just over four pounds of cocaine was removed from the suitcase handle. The cocaine is believed to carry a street value of US$82,000.

The man was immediately placed under arrest and was later charged.

Authorities in both Guyana and the United States have been stepping up their monitoring of passengers from Guyana. Just a month ago, a Guyanese body

builder was busted at the same JFK Airport with over 50 packets of cocaine in his stomach.

Drug pushers in Guyana appear to be making every attempt to get the cocaine out.

The Customs Anti Narcotics Unit in Guyana has been stepping up its fight against the narco trade and has busted a number of passengers at the airport during their efforts to get the prohibited substance out of the country.

n exceedingly rare 19th Century postage stamp from a British colony in South America has sold for a record $9.5m (£5.6m) at auction in New York.

It took only two minutes for the British Guiana one-cent magenta stamp to be sold to an anonymous bidder.

The stamp had been sold three times before, each time setting the auction record for a single stamp.

It measures just 1in by 1in (2.5cm by 3.2 cm), and had not been publicly exhibited since 1986.

Sotheby's auction house said that apart from setting a new world record price for a stamp, it was also the most expensive item by weight and size ever sold.

"Every collecting area has its Holy Grail. For stamps it is The British Guiana," Sotheby's wrote on its website, adding the stamp is often described as the "most famous" and "most valuable" in the world.

The stamp, print-

ed on magenta paper, bears a three-masted ship and the colony's motto, "We give and expect in return".

It initially went into circulation when a shipment of stamps was delayed from London and the colony's postmaster asked printers to make three stamps until the shipment arrived.

A one-cent magenta, four-cent magenta and four-cent blue were created, but only the onecent stamp is believed to still exist.

The last owner of the famous stamp was John

du Pont, heir to the du Pont chemical empire, who was convicted in 1997 of murdering an Olympic champion wrestler and died in prison in 2010.

The stamp was sold by his estate, with some proceeds to be donated to the Eurasian Pacific Wildlife Conservation Foundation.

It last set a record in 1980 when it was sold to du Pont for $935,000.

An 1855 Swedish stamp which sold in 1996 for $2.3m had held the previous record for a single stamp at auction.

Arts & culture

43

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Another 'Guyana' scene captured in his painting

Artist Simbu Doobay

imbu Doobay, from Providence, East Bank Demerara, left school at an early age to take care of his younger brothers and to help his parents in their shop in Georgetown. His escape was to practice TaeKwon-Do (1st Dan Black Belt), and draw.

His dedication to the craft of painting proved that desire, imagination and hard work can lead to mastery. He has proven the 10,000 rule. The rule that if you dedicate 10,000 hours to the thing you love doing you will excel and become a master.

Doobay’s dedication to his passion saw him gain an acceptance into Burrowes School of Art, but he could not take up that offer because of his obligation to his parents’ shop.

His big break came one day returning from the “matinee” from Strand Cinema when he came across an old homeless Afro-Guyanese man painting at the side of the street near Stabroek market. Doobay would return everyday to watch the artist paint and spoke to him about art. He brought the man tennis rolls and cheese in exchange for art lessons.

With his family’s departure to Canada, Doobay’s art took on a new life. His painting continued to grow, in between his various jobs he would squirrel away his money into investing in different brushes. He later discovered “knife painting” and would spend endless hours in his brother’s backyard practising his talents.

Doobay was relentless to grow in his artistic skills.

Consequently, he bought

books and taught himself.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Doobay mentioned that he is a “selfinspired artist”.

“When I was in Form Two, while I was studying and got bored, I saw a picture of Sir Frances Drake, and I decided to sketch it and I liked what I did, so I decided to continue drawing.

Between the ages of 12 to 14, I started drawing and when I was about 17 I started painting. Art relaxes me and sometimes makes me see things such as colours. I see objects that I can put here and there on the canvas and it fits perfectly in my painting. I enjoy painting landscapes and flowers. Through my art I promote my Guyanese heritage by painting scenes from Guyana such as the Kaieteur Falls and other scenes,” explained Doobay.

Doobay has participated in numerous art exhibitions in Ottawa, Canada. His most recent was in March for three days, where he sold three paintings.

The self-taught artist said his future plan is that when he retires, he would like to continue painting and become a famous artist. He also wants to teach art to kids and adults at art stores.

“My advice to youths who want to become artists is to have another job other than being an artist to be able to survive. I say this because it is very hard to sell paintings, and if you can’t sell many, it will be very hard to make a living as an artist and to support a family,” the artist advises.

Beautiful painting of a bird

One of his applauded pieces

44

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Health Corner

45

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Tisha Boston

De Mini World Cup Football

W

orld Cup football goin on in Brazil, but de football fever well and truly on in Guyana.

Every body watchin football. Even dem who ain’t know nutten bout football watchin. And who ain’t watchin de football keepin a close eye pun de drinks whah deh pun de table, while dem watchin whoever dem watchin.

Rum Kill-a-man was damn right to sing “Dem a watch meh”, because every body watchin some body, like at de S.ity Council. Is only dem cock eye people does look like dem ain’t watchin nobody.

As fuh de local football, Guyana gotta mini World Cup goin on. It got nuff dribblin by Rum Jhaat, whether is night or day, sleep or wake. He never play a game of football in he life, but he gettin kick around by NoGel Hugly.

Some is political football like whah Pee-N-C and KFC playin wid de AML Bill, and some is pullice football, which is whah de pullice playin wid dem cases whah involve dem mattie pullice.

Then it got plenty runnin like how Rupna Rain runnin from de truth bout Rodney. And it got sheer foul play like how dem lil boys from Lusignan and dem father run foul of de law. It got side kick like how de bass man wid out de ‘b’ gotta house slave, and it got penalty kick, which is whah de house slave does get when he write wrong news, which is every day.

On de other hand some people kicksin like Ben Cup. Some drinkin just to get a kick like Nagga Man, that is, when he reach home. And Lalloo can hardly raise he foot to give a proper kick, except when he kickin out he own wuk men.

But de S.ity Council got de best football. Green Ham wanna kick out Sober and Sober kickin back. King Kong come and he start kickin leff, right and centre, then he score a ‘own goal’, then he getta red card.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And all de time Green Ham wanna be striker, defender and goal keeper, plus referee as well! It look like some body at de S.ity Council need a good kick!

T

hunderstorms might appear captivating, but they are extremely hazardous. This is mainly because every thunderstorm produces lightning. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), lightning is one of the top three storm killers in the United States. And, for those victims that happen to survive, many are left with life-long health problems. Understanding the science behind lightning and its dangers enables us to take the necessary safety precautions when threatened by a thunderstorm.

Lightning is the flashing of light produced in the sky during a thunderstorm. Scientifically speaking, it is the abrupt occurrence of a natural electrical discharge in the atmosphere or between the atmosphere and the ground.

In a thunderstorm cloud, various types of precipitation (small ice crystals, small hail, and rain) bump into each other. These collisions create an electrical charge.

As a result, the top of the thunderstorm cloud becomes positively charged, the middle becomes negatively charged, and a small positive charge develops at the bottom.

Initially, the air acts as an insulator between the positive and negative charges in the cloud and between the cloud and the ground; however, when the differences in charges build up, the insulating capacity of the air diminishes, re-

sulting in a sudden discharge of electricity i.e., lightning.

In addition, the ground’s electrical charge is concentrated around anything that sticks up; these include: mountains, people, single trees, etc. The charge from these upright surfaces connects with the charge coming down from the thunderstorm cloud, thereby producing lightning.

Again, thunderstorms are very dangerous, due to the presence of lightning produced by the interaction between charged particles within the cloud and between the cloud and the ground. And, since the summer days are fast approaching, thunderstorms are more likely to occur. So, here are some tips from the NWS: • When you hear thunder, go indoors and stay at least 30 minutes after the last sound.

• When indoors, stay away from windows, and doors.

• Stay away from anything

that puts you in direct contact with electricity (e.g. corded phones, computers, water pipes, barbed wire fences, power lines, and windmills).

• Do not lie on concrete floors or against concrete walls.

• If caught outdoors, get off elevated areas (e.g. cliffs, mountain ridges, and peaks).

• Do not seek shelter under tall, isolated objects (e.g. a tree, flagpole, and posts), cliff or rocky overhang.

• Get out and away from bodies of water such as ponds and lakes.

• If using an automobile for shelter, do not touch any exposed metal connected to the vehicle.

It is important to note that there are other dangers associated with thunderstorms, such as strong winds, flooding, tornadoes and hail, which must also be taken into consideration when seeking safety.

46

history

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

S

t Stanislaus College began as a Roman Catholic school run by the Jesuits. In fact, it was a Catholic school for 110 years, until it was taken over by the government.

On 1 May 1866, the Catholic Grammar School was opened. It was situated in the Presbytery next to the Church of the Resurrection, which was on the site of the present Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Brickdam. The school was opened in 1 May 1866, with Fr Theobald Langton in charge. Fr Langton died of yellow fever during the August holidays, but the school was re-opened under Fr S Bond, with seven boys.

On October 1866, Fr C K Wilson took over the school, which was moved to new premises on Main Street on 3 November 1866.

In January 1868, C B King went to the school as an assistant, and in September 1869, he took over the school when Fr Wilson was transferred to Victoria Parish. The school then moved to Waterloo Street. Then in 1871, the school returned to the Cathedral Presbytery.

In 1872, the VicarGeneral Fr E Whyte was in charge. Also in 1872, the school received a government grant, which was subsequently lost.

In 1873, Fr Foxwell was Headmaster.

In September 1874, Fr Hartnell took over, and he introduced boarders to the school. This was to cater for Venezuelan boys who came to Demerara to be educated.

By 1878, the frequent change of headmasters and the location of the

galleries. However, it was discovered that driving rain flooded the corridors, so blinkers were added to protect them.

The college made great strides and the academic standards improved steadily. In 1932, Fr John Marrion, the next head, developed the work started by Fr Weld, who was consecrated Bishop.

The Marrion Forum is named in his honour.

The science laboratories were improved, and a new playing field was obtained. A house system

Wing, and runs parallel to Hadfield Street. It was opened in the Christmas term of 1952.

Fr Brian Scannell retired because of ill health in 1958.

In 1958, Fr John Hopkinson became headmaster. He introduced the grey uniform, and, among many other things, formed the plans for another wing.

This wing, called the Hopkinson Wing in his honour, was completed in 1972.

In May 1966, the

A section of the school today school show that it was undergoing problems; hence the school was closed temporarily.

In early 1880, the Jesuit General selected Fr Charles Wilson to reopen the school, which was done.

In October 1880, Fr Barraud became headmaster. At that time there were 15 boys at the school, as well as an assistant master. Fr Barraud remained as headmaster for 20 years. The numbers of boys increased to 27, and reached 72.

In 1894, the Catholics of British Guiana sent a petition to Governor Sir Charles Cameron Lees, asking for financial help to erect a suitable building in Brickdam. The appeal failed.

Around 1897, the school moved from the Presbytery to a new premises (located at the site of the present St Mary’s School), although the preparatory classes remained in the building near the Presbytery, and the school used the old playground until 1901.

The temporary chapel alongside the Cathedral

was used as the elementary school until the destruction of the Cathedral by fire in 1913.

In 1901, a silver medal was awarded to S I Cyrus who was to become the first ‘Guiana’ scholar.

The uniform at that time included a straw hat with a yellow hatband, and the initials S S C were monogrammed in gold on a shield on the blazer pocket.

On 13 November 1907, the college moved to the present Brickdam site and the Catholic Grammar School was renamed St Stanislaus College, in honour of St Stanislaus Kostka, a patron saint of youth.

The statue of St Stanislaus, which had been presented to the school by the boys as a testimonial to Fr Barraud, was moved from the Camp Street building and placed before the entrance to the new building.

In 1911, Fr Besant took over from Fr. Pollen, and remained until 1917.

The College Scout troop was started during the time of Fr Besant by Fr

St Stanislaus College 1943 Robinson, and the boys were very prominent in trying to control the disastrous fire which, in 1913, destroyed the Cathedral.

From 1925 to 1932 Fr Weld was headmaster and it was in his time that the main wing of the present building was built. He was eager for the teaching of Science to begin at the college, and was instrumental in obtaining Fr Adamson, a science graduate to do so.

In 1928, the opening of the main wing (now called the Weld Wing in honour of Fr Weld) took place. It was a very handsome building with open

was started to promote rivalry in sports. The houses were called Etheridge, Butler & Galton after Bishops Etheridge, Anthony Butler, and Theodore Galton respectively.

Later, in the 1980s, a fourth house was added, called Weld after Bishop George Weld. The house colours are: Etheridge – red, Butler- blue, Galton -green, and Weld - yellow.

In 1949, Fr Brian Scannell became headmaster. It was during his term of office that a new wing was built with six classrooms on the upper two floors and two laboratories on the ground floor.

This wing (now called the Scannell Wing) is an extension to the Weld

College celebrated its 100th anniversary with a week of celebrations.

In 1972, Fr Kenneth Khan became headmaster. In December 1974, the workshop was built.

In September 1975, the college became co-educational in 1975, with an enrolment of 36 girls, 12 in each first form.

The 16-acre College Farm was started at Sophia. The farm is an economically viable unit with the primary goal that of teaching Agricultural Science by hands-on training.

In 1976, after being a Catholic institution for 110 years, the college became a government school.

For more information on the school, visit www. saints.edu.gy

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Demerara, Land of Trenches (n.d.) (Photo credit- Edward Boyer)

feature

47

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Veteran Caribbean broadcaster singled out for Queen’s Birthday Award

P

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Veteran broadcast journalist Julian Rogers has been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Broadcasting in the Queen’s birthday honours list. News of the honour was released Monday.

Barbados-born Rogers, who has more than 45 years’ experience working in television, radio and print across the region, said he had known of the honour for a few weeks, but the reality only hit Monday when people from all over the world flooded his phone, email and Facebook pages with special salutes. He said he spent most of the day “savouring the congratulations from family, friends and professional

colleagues”.

Rogers was based in Trinidad and Tobago from 1993 to 1998, first as general manager of the now defunct Prime Radio 106, a subsidiary of Caribbean Communications Network (CCN), then as an anchor on TV6. He pioneered breakfast television in TT, launching the country’s first live morning television talk show, the Morning Edition, with producer Natalie Williams. Rogers was also part of the original team appointed to rebrand Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) into CNMG. However, in 1998 he found himself at the centre of a controversy when then Prime Minister Basdeo Panday refused to renew his work permit. This led to widespread protests by many who felt the move was

Julian Rogers is currently based in Antigua and Barbuda (Photo courtesy: Julian Rogers)

motivated by the fact that many guests on the Morning Edition had been critical of the government.

Rogers moved on to another job outside TT, hosting the very successful Talking Caribbean (1998–2000), a television talk show featur-

ing hour-long interviews which was the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s first attempt at live interactive television.

In recent years, Rogers has won accolades for his live broadcasts, including his 2007 coverage of general elections in TT, the inaugural ceremony of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which took place in Trinidad in April 2005 and his commentary at the November 2010 state funeral of Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson.

Now based in based in Antigua and Barbuda, Rogers served there as a consultant in the setting up of Observer Radio and general manager of the Observer Media Group comprising two radio stations—Observer Radio and Hitz FM—as well as the Daily Observer newspaper. (TT Guardian)

Jamaican-born doctor on a mission to help homeland pact when we are treating the same areas, getting to know their needs and are able to provide better care when we are going to specific areas rather than jumping around," Anderson-Worts explained.

Studies

Dr Paula Anderson-Worts is flanked by Lascelles Chin (right), founder and executive chairman of LASCOaffiliated companies, and Professor Sir Kenneth Hall as she is presented with a token of appreciation at a cocktail reception for the volunteer doctors on June 6 at the Jamaica Pegasus Gardens (Observer photo)

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Although she left Jamaica some 46 years ago, Dr Paula AndersonWorts is committed to giving back to her island home.

The coordinator of the Jamaica Medical Mission, along with fellow Jamaican Don Daly, has since 2001 organised the United States-based mission which has provided free medical attention to more than 65,000 Jamaicans.

Now the family medicine residency programme director at the Floridabased Nova Southeastern University, AndersonWorts left Jamaica at age two but with her family originally being from Linstead, St Catherine, and Oracabessa, St Mary, she never forgot her roots.

"I have very strong ties to my roots because my parents were very diligent in making sure that

we came back at least once a year," AndersonWorts told Jamaican media in an interview last Thursday.

The coordinator envisioned participating in medical outreach since she was 16 years old. So when she was approached by a group of students for whom she was the faculty advisor about coming to Jamaica, "I said to them you don't have to twist my arm, I am Jamaican, so let's do it".

The first trip was 14 years ago and since then, the team has been visiting Jamaica twice yearly.

A mission that started with 55 health professionals has grown to more than 160 volunteers to date, several of whom are repeat volunteers and include doctors, dentists, optometrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pharmacists.

"We have a better im-

After studying Biology at the University of Miami she went on to complete her medical degree at the Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine before completing her residency at the Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Florida.

Anderson-Worts went back to school, this time to complete her Master's in Public Health at Nova Southeastern University and decided to concentrate on family medicine.

Anderson-Worts said that starting the Jamaica Medical Mission was not easy but credited the institution for which she works for facilitating the mission.

"I am fortunate to be at an institution that has a lot of health professionals, so I have many of the disciplines there at my fingertips," she stated.

"But just taking over 100 people would be challenging because it takes a lot of co-ordination."

Some of the locations the team visited include: Four Square, Cassia Park; Mandela Centre, Hagley Park Road; the Tower Street Correctional Facility; and the Maxfield Avenue Health Centre all in Kingston, as well

as Flint River Clinic, and Marlborough in St Mary.

(Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Looking fuh de real fathers

L

ast Sunday was Father’s Day and de fathers dem do all kinda tings to have a good time.

Some stay home and drink. Some go out and drink. Some start de drinks at home then go out and continue. Some start de drinks outside and come home and drink more and then fight even more.

Some had drinks and pick fight since from de night before so dem can mek excuse not to deh home Father’s Day. Some ain’t stay home at all because dem got pickney all over de place. Some got pickney and dem don’t even know wheh dem deh, or how many dem got. Some got other people pickney and tink is dem own.

Some is pickney mekkin pickney, and some ain’t even turn father yet, but dem playin like dem is other people father. Dem two lil boys pun de East Coast beat and kill another lil boy like he ain’t got a father. Now de pullice got dem and dem father and all of dem bawlin fuh de Almighty Father.

And talkin bout that, Pastor Run was lookin fuh a chuch to go and pray to de Almighty Father, who is de greatest Father. But the Almighty Father vex with Pastor Run now because Pastor Run run he mouth lil too much and had wanna play like he is de Almighty Father by telling people when dem must live.

But not even de Almighty Father does do that so He don’t ever tolerate Pastor Run kinda behaviour.

That is why Satan deh wheh he deh because de Almighty Father He self had to throw he out. Now it look like de Gee-R-P-A gon soon throw out Pastor Run and he ain’t got no where to run.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Some body at de Enmore Martyrs’ Day rally seh Cheddi is de father of de nation. But whah dem fuhget to mention was that Burnt Ham used to wanna play like he was Cheddi father, and now Green Ham playin like he is de father fuh de whole of GT.

48

Bollywood

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

I

n the last few months, photographs of Shahid Kapoor with actresses including Sonakshi Sinha, Nargis Fakhri and Jacqueline Fernandez, have made their way into the tabloids, online portals and even grabbed television airtime. While Shahid, an eligible, 33-year-old bachelor, may get away with being seen as a ‘ladies' man’, the women aren't too pleased with the unsolicited attention coming their way.

A friend of one of the

actresses stated that, "Shahid is not even a close friend of Sonakshi, Nargis or Jacqueline.

It's just that they just happened to be at the same place at the same time and were clicked together."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, another actress told Mirror, "It is very unsettling to find yourself in the limelight with a man you have no connection with. There is a lot of explaining a girl has to do to her family and friends." (TOI)

P

reity Zinta has grabbed headlines for the past few days with her molestation case against industrialist and her former beau Ness Wadia.

There were reports that Preity was hoping to rekindle their relationship, but Ness has found new love and has moved on. This irked Preity and that was the reason for her to get Ness into trouble. However, a source close to Preity denies the reports and claims that Preity is very secure in her current relationship.

A source close to Preity Zinta said, "Preity either

laughs or gets annoyed with such stories. She is very confident and has always been open about her feelings. She is not jealous of anyone and is happy in her own space."

The source further

added, "Preity is in a relationship and is safe and secure about it. She is not upset or hurt about Ness Wadia's relationship with someone. In fact, she is enjoying the happy phase in her life." (TOI)

Saif Ali Khan brings Sexy Back at a recent fashion award function

F

ollowing the footsteps of their seniors and the hottest couple of B-Town: Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif, Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor are going for a vacation too.

A source revealed that the alleged lovebirds are planning a secret vacation and will go as soon as Shraddha wraps up promotions for her upcoming movie ‘Ek Villain’. Though the couple have not officially ac-

cepted their relationship in public, they are often spotted together.

In fact, Aditya's sister-in-law Vidya Balan has also given her approval to Aditya's choice.

When asked about the alleged relationship between Aditya and Shraddha, Vidya said 'bless them'.

This news of their secret vacation comes a day after an alleged tiff between former friends Aditya and Sidharth Malhotra. It was reported that Shraddha's proximity to her co-star Sidharth was the reason for their fight at casting director Mukesh Chhabra's party. (TOI)

B

est known for the lead roles he played in telly soaps, Ram Kapoor ventured into Bollywood with character roles in films like ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’, ‘Agent Vinod’ and ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’, among others.

In Sajid Khan's upcoming comedy ‘Humshakals’, he plays three characters, all called Mamaji. He was recently asked about these roles. The following is an excerpt of that interview: What was your first thought on hearing that you have to dress up as a woman?

I was nervous as to whether I'd be able to pull it off. Doing a hit show on TV means do-

ing the same thing for three-four years. When I decided to venture into films, I wanted to try and do things as differently as possible. So, I took ‘Humshakals’ as a chal-

lenge. On TV, I'd have never got an opportunity like this. In movies, I want people to see all sides of me as an actor.

What happened the first time you stepped

different by making an appearance in a biker leather jacket, jeans and a sexy stubble.

Over the years, Saif has set a benchmark for sartorial elegance with his look both off and on-screen. Be it his casual collegian look in ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ or the

slick conman look in 'Ek Hasina Thi' or his buzz cut and stubble in 'Omkara', Saif is one actor who has never hesitated before experimenting with his look and this has made him one of the most versatile style icons, a tag that has eluded many. (TOI)

B

ollywood royalty, Nawab Saif Ali Khan is one of the few actors in the film industry who can carry off any look with effortless ease. Be it regal bandhgalas, suave suits or casual jeans.

At the recent GQ awards event, while other actors chose to sport suits and blazers, Saif Ali Khan brought sexy back and dared to be

out in your female avatar?

That was in Mauritius.

Kareena (Kapoor Khan) and Genelia (D'Souza Deshmukh) were also there. Tamannaah and Bipasha gave me a hug, saying they found me too cute. If the audience reacts the way people on the set did, I'll be happy.

What did your wife Gautami have to say about your 'woman' avatar?

After seeing the promo, she laughed nonstop for 10 minutes. I've never seen her laugh so much. She got our kids to see it and they too had a good laugh. They're all excited to see the film, particularly me as a woman. (TOI)

S

unny Leone, who became the talk of the town after her ‘Bigg Boss’ stay recently thrilled audiences with her sexy moves in ‘Ragini MMS 2’. The former adult star turned actress gets prop up from none other than her husband Daniel Weber.

In a conversation with TOI, Daniel gets candid about Sunny, his stay in India and his plans to direct a film. The following is an excerpt: How does it feels to be in India?

I have enjoyed my time here and each day continues to be more

amazing than the other.

Was it a tough decision to be in India?

No, I believe in taking leaps of faith. In life you must choose to do what others might not.

Sunny has a huge fan following in India, how does that feel?

It makes me proud that together we have done a great job capturing the audience and keeping them entertained.

Which actor from Bollywood do you think would look best with Sunny on-screen?

I think Ranbir Kapoor. (TOI)

Hollywood

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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A

ctor Keanu Reeves is said to have replaced Daniel Craig in courtroom drama ‘The Whole Truth’.

Craig had left the project in April just a few days before the filming of Courtney Hunt directorial was due to begin.

Filmmakers have spent the past two months searching for a replacement for Craig, eventually settling on Reeves, reported contactmusic. com.

Reeves will join the cast, which currently in-

cludes Renee Zellweger, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and

Gabriel Basso. (TOI)

E

va Longoria has said that having kids is just not in her future.

The 39-year-old American actress told People Magazine that it was not on the horizon right now so it was not something she thought about.

The 'Desperate Housewives' star said that she loved kids' en-

A

L

ea Michele has come to her new boyfriend Matthew Paetz's rescue saying that he's a dating a coach and not a male escort.

Sources told TMZ.com that the 27-year-old 'Glee' star actress confronted Paetz after it emerged that her lover worked for Cowboys4Angels, a website that offers male companions.

ctor Robert Pattinson reportedly called singer Katy Perry "so hot" at the recent after-party for his new movie ‘The Rover’.

The ‘Twilight’ star was spotted flirting with Perry at the after-party before telling his friends that he has a crush on the singer, reported femalefirst.co.uk.

"They were heavi-

ergy and spirit and their

innocence. (TOI)

have dinner, and I said, 'No, I have to work.' You know, I don't mix business with pleasure."

"I could have been

Mrs. Clint Eastwood!" she said, processing the memory.

Like Eastwood, Walters later got married--to three different men, in fact, including two marriages to, and two divorces from longtime on-andoff flame Merv Adelson, Lee Guber, and Robert Henry Katz. While the twice-divorced ‘Million Dollar Baby’ director married his second wife Dina Eastwood in 1996.

The two separated last August. (TOI)

S

he could have been a reality star!

Barbara Walters revealed on the Tonight Show last week, that she "could have been Mrs. Clint Eastwood."

"This is a sad love story," Walters, 84, told Jimmy Fallon. "I did this interview with Clint Eastwood something like 30 years ago. He was very flirtatious, and I was very taken [with him]." The veteran journalist, who retired last month, confessed: "He asked me if I wanted to

lake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are ready to start a family together and are keen to put it before their careers.

According to insiders, the 26-year-old actress initially planned to hold off starting a family with her husband, because she wanted to focus on her career, but has now decided becoming a mother is more important to her, Contactmusic reported.

Sources revealed that Lively's baby hormones are going crazy and as she grew up in a big family, she wants more than one baby, and is hoping that their first baby is a girl.'

Ryan is also completely on board and is

Paetz managed to convince Michele that he had only gone on a few dates, which was only to understand the gigolos' life so that he could coach them better, and promised he wouldn't do it again, the insiders added.

Sources said that Michele was still in dark as Paetz had worked as a gigolo for almost a year,

looking forward to the therapeutic effects he

believes fatherhood will have. (TOI)

ly flirting. At one point, Robert sauntered to the bar with a pal and was heard saying, 'She's so hot,' nodding in Katy's direction," a source was quoted by the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column as saying.

The duo had also sparked romance rumours earlier in April when they spent time together at a music festival. (TOI)

Actress Halle Berry admits she enjoys having her children at work with her because it allows her to juggle motherhood and career at the same time.

The 47-year-old is a mother of Nahla, six, whom she has with exboyfriend Gabriel Aubry, and eight-month-old son Maceo, with her current husband Olivier Martinez.

"I love having my kids there (on set) because I am nursing my baby. To have him there is great for me. I love being involved all day," contactmusic.com quoted her as saying.

However, Berry recently revealed that she and Olivier, 48, whom she married last July, were struggling to find the balance between parenthood and their demanding careers. (TOI)

Ashton Kutcher extra protective about pregnant Mila Kunis

A which

included

more

than "a few" dates. (TOI)

ctor Ashton Kutcher is reportedly being extra protective of his pregnant fiancée Mila Kunis.

The 'A Lot Like Love' star has been warning people not to stress out his future wife, who is expecting her first child in October, because he

is worried that their unborn baby could be affected by added tensions, reported Contactmusic.

"Ashton is tense and always yelling, not only at photographers who get near Mila, but even at their friends who visit, telling them they're making too much noise.”

(TOI)

50

Sport

WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese Simeon “Candyman” Hardy remains unbeaten with impressive KO

G

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : G u y a n e s e Simeon “Candyman” Hardy is fast building a reputation as a knockout artist, recently blazing his way to another commanding win, the third in such a manner since he started campaigning in the United States of America last year.

Making his debut on HBO’s Boxing After Dark last weekend, the 27-year-old pugilist who patented the dangerous “chin checker” punch on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s Friday Night Fights boxing card totally annihilated American Malcolm Terry.

Appearing on the Chris Algieri/Ruslan Provodnikov undercard at Barclays Centre in

Brooklyn, Hardy floored the hapless Terry twice in the second round to emerge with the most convincing of wins-one minute, two seconds into the round.

Hardy completely dominated the scheduled six-round contest, first dropping his opponent before administering the final rites with a powerful right hand punch.

With the win, the hard-hitting and outspoken boxer improved to 13 wins from as many trips to the ring, inclusive of 10 impressive knockouts.

It was Terry’s second defeat from eight fights, to go with his six victories.

Unblemished record

Since arriving in the USA, Hardy has contin-

Simeon “Candyman” Hardy has knocked out all his opponents since arriving in the USA

ued to climb the ladder of success by chalking up two brutal knockdowns in his first two fights.

He was at his explosive best on April 18 last, battering Rahman Mustafa Yusubov in the

first round to keep his unblemished record intact.

Fighting on the undercard of ESPN2’s presentation of Friday Night Fights at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York, Hardy needed just two minutes, 36 seconds (02:36s) to stamp his authority, flooring Yusubov three times during the contest.

On February 28 at the Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana, he stopped American Chad Greenleaf in round five of an eight-rounder to begin his campaign in the USA where he migrated to last year.

Currently under the guidance of manager/agent, Tim Gibson, Hardy told this publication from New York af-

ter that win that his career was heading in the right direction. He further revealed that he is comfortable with the progress he has been making since campaigning in the USA. “Each fight is another level up. I spar with world champions, top contenders and also future champs; that means I have something special to be standing in the ring on a daily basis. I’m a signed fighter on the rise with a great fan base of people who show genuine support.

I respect it,” the aspiring world champion concluded.

It is understood that Hardy has been offered several other fights in the coming months, the details of which will be released shortly.

Guyanese, Trinidadian cricketers dominate SCA Premier Division in Canada

By Ravendra Madholall

S

everal Guyanese and Trinidadian cricketers produced excellent performances over the weekend in the continuation of the 2014 Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Premier Division

50-over competition.

On Sunday at Ashtonbeen venue, former Guyana fast-bowler Trevon Garraway nabbed four wickets to help Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club collect a massive 330-run win over Techie XI. In the same game,

ex-Guyana under-19 batsman Harrienarine Chattergoon chalked up his third consecutive half-century (55) while another Guyanese Zaheer Allard cracked an unbeaten 122.

Former Trinidad and Tobago’s youth bowler Mahadeo Moonasar was

very destructive with his left-arm spin claiming a six-wicket haul while his compatriot Azhad Amidon hit 102 to help Arctic remain on top of the competition with four successive victories.

Guyana’s first-class wicketkeeper/batsman Azib Ally Haniff, who last represented his native country in 2005, was also fluent with the bat making a solid 44 while former Guyana and West Indies under-19 batsman Hemnarine Chattergoon made 57 earlier in the tourna-

Skipper of the team, Hemnarine Chattergoon told this publication that he was delighted with performances from his colleagues and is very confident they will maintain their consistent form in both departments of the game.

“I think we have been playing great cricket so far; we have set our goals and things have been going pretty for us so far; I am very confident the guys will continue to be positive and (will) keep taking wickets, making runs and more im-

Harrienarine Chattergoon

ment.

The competition is expected to resume on Sunday with another series of matches across Scarborough while Hawaiian Arctic will be looking to continue their dominance after lifting the trophy for the past four straight years.

portantly winning our games,” Chattergoon, who featured in the Canada’s colours at the highest level, indicated.

Garraway, who played his first game since arriving in North America for this year’s season, was also ecstatic with his showing.

Trevon Garraway

“I just want to continue from where I left off last year; I am still confident and I will do it throughout the competition,” the 30-year-old Garraway mentioned.

The right-arm quickie, who featured in 10 first-class matches for Guyana in the annual West Indies Cricket Board regional four-day tournament, is still anxious to return to that team.

“I believe I still have the desire to play for my country again at the highest level and I know overseas experience helps a lot; coming here and playing competitively also helps my game tremendously and with the regional tournament coming up later this year, I just want to do well to impress the selectors back home on a regular basis,” Garraway explained.

Royston Crandon, who played for West Indies one-day team several years ago, is expected to join the side soon given the fact of his representation with Hawaiian Arctic over the years.

SPort

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Amazon Warriors U-19 Selectee…

Tage Chanderpaul ready for Limacol CPL outing

By Rajiv Bisnauth

N

ational opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul is among six Under-19 players selected by the Guyana Amazon Warriors as part of the local franchise preparatory camp, beginning from July 1, and according to the soft-spoken lefthander, the opportunity is just another developmental phase in his gifted cricket career.

Young Chanderpaul, during an interview with this publication on Tuesday, said he is looking forward to the experience and aims to use it to improve his personal game.

“Definitely I am looking forward to be part of such [a] big tournament and I’m looking to use what will be taught to me to improve my personal game,” Chanderpaul revealed.

He added: “To be among head coach Roger Harper, team mentor Curtly Ambrose and a number of top T20 stars will be great. I will try to

Curtly Ambrose

Roger Harper

learn as much as I can from them, so my personal game can also improve.”

Chanderpaul, who represented Guyana in nine first-class games, joins talented Everest Cricket Club fast bowler Kevin Paul; fellow West Indies Under-19 opener Shimron Hetmyer; Demerara Cricket Club left-arm fast bowler Daniel Basdeo; Essequibo all-rounder Kemo Paul; and 16-year-old, West Coast Demerara, batsman Akshaya Persaud.

This year, each franchise team consists of a squad of 19 players, comprising two preselected playersone

West Indies Franchise Player (WIFP) and one International Franchise Player- (IFP), selected by the franchise, as well as four Under-19 players from each playing franchise.

However, as an initiative geared toward the development of young cricketers, the management of the Guyana Amazon Warriors has widened the pool of Under-19 players to six.

The Under-19 players will be involved in all training sessions and other team activities during the Guyana Amazon Warriors camp and match practice scheduled for their home games only.

The Limacol CPL will be played from July 11 to August 16 with Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs set to defend their title against last-year’s runnerup Guyana Amazon Warriors, Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

The Guyana franchise, bought by the NEW GPC/Limacol, will play three of their nine preliminary games at home, on July 17 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel (19:30h), July 19 against St Lucia Zouks (16:00h) and July 20 against Jamaica Tallawahs (16:00h).

Prior to the three home games, the Warriors will play Antigua Hawksbills on July 11; Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel on July 24; Barbados Tridents on July 27; Jamaica Tallawahs on August 2; Antigua Hawksbills on August 7; and St Lucia Zouks on August 10 in their final preliminary game.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

The Guyana Amazon Warriors playing squad comprises: Denesh Ramdin (captain), Sunil Narine, Mohammad Hafeez, Lendl Simmons, Martin Guptill, Krishmar Santokie,

Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Navin Stewart, Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson, Robin Bacchus, Corey Anderson and Trevon Griffith.

U.S.-based Guyanese sprinter states case with sensational 100m run

A

merican-based Guyanese sprinter Brenessa Thompson stated her case to represent Guyana at the World Junior Championship scheduled for July with a brilliant 100 metre performance on Saturday at the New Balance National Outdoor in North Carolina.

Thompson reacted well to the starter’s pistol and darted down the track to finish a very close second to Candace Hill as 500th of a second separated the two sprinters. Thompson clocked 11.338s to Hill’s 11.332s in a photo finish type of race.

The time recorded by

meet since Guyana has already received its quota of tickets for the meet by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

Jason Yaw and Kadecia Baird have been selected to represent Guyana.

According to President of the Athletics

Brenessa Thompson

Thompson would have been an improvement on her season’s best of 11.79s. This could put the stocky sprinter in contention for a World Junior medal, provid-

ing that she attends the meet and can replicate such a performance.

However, it still is unclear whether the Medgar Ever student will be able to attend the

TT’s Olympian Deon Lendore strikes NCAA gold

T

RINIDAD: TT’s Olympian Deon Lendore, a junior at Texas A&M brought glory yet again for his school when he captured a gold medal in the 400m event at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, in Eugene, Oregon, USA, last Friday.

Lendore, who earlier this year won the NCAA 400m indoor crown, stopped the clock in 45.02 seconds, after winning heat one in 45.18. He became only

the second runner from his school to capture the 400m outdoor crown.

The last Texas A&M athlete to win it was Curtis Mills in 1969, who set a school record of 44.67, which Lendore broke recently with a 44.36-second effort in winning the South-Eastern conference title. It was the perfect double for Lendore, who finished runner-up in the outdoor event in 2013.

Lendore had to endure the pressure of home-favourite, Mike

Berry, who held a good challenge against the TT runner particularly in the final 70m. Berry placed second in 45.07.

In March, Lendore claimed his first U.S.national individual title after winning the NCAA Indoor Championships 400m final in 45.21 seconds. Lendore, who has been described by his coach Pat Henry as the fastest quarter-miler in the country said he was pleased with his recent achievements. (TT Guardian)

Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson, the AAG will have to come out of their pockets to send Thompson to the meet, funds the association does not readily have at hand.

Nevertheless, Thompson just provided the AAG with 11.338s of

a reason to ensure that she attends the meet where the bronze medal winner in 2012 clocked 11.45s and the silver medalist 11.36s.

The gold medal at the 2012 championship was won by Bahamian Anthonique Strachan in 11.20s.

52

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

National cycling Championships Two Guyanese swimmers selected for set for June 28-29 Commonwealth Games

T

he Guyana A m a t e u r S w i m m i n g Association (GASA) will be sending two athletes to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, scheduled for July 23 to August 3.

Olympian Niall Roberts will be representing Guyana at the event in the 100 metres freestyle event, while Onika George will be competing in the 50 metres backstroke.

Roberts has a wealth of experience behind him, having competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, while also competing at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona.

George, at the ten-

Onika George

der age of only 14, will plunge into the pool against some tough competition with only her participation at the Carifta Championships and the South American Youth Championships to boast about.

Niall Roberts

While Britany Van Lange was considered for the event, the talented swimmer was selected for the World Youth Olympics which is scheduled for around the same time as the Commonwealth Games.

Guyanese boxer Elton Dharry to headline fight on August 1 in New York

N

ew York-based Guyanese boxer Elton Dharry is all set for upcoming ELTON DHARRY PROMOTIONS event to be held in New York on August 1st, 2014 at Amazura Concert Hall, formerly Jamaica Boxing Arena of Queens, NY. Boxer/Promoter is a title growing on Dharry as this will be Elton Dharry Promotions’ 3rd boxing event.

The event promises to be an action pack night showcasing some of New York’s new and upcoming boxers.

Fighters are originally from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Italy, and USA. All fighters reside in Queens and Brooklyn. The card consists of 8 bouts with 40 rounds with Elton Dharry being the main attraction for the New York State Bantamweight Title and the IBF Intercontinental Title.

This card is parallel with the launching of the website www.eltond-

Elton Dharry

harry.com and Elton Dharry’s clothing line.

Tickets are on sale now for $100 Ringside and $50 General Admission.

TT’s endurance rider bags bronze in U.S.

T

RINIDAD: TT’s national endurance rider, Varun Maharajh bagged bronze in the Men’s Pro Super Sprint Elimination event at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Sprint Gran Prix which pedalled off at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertwon, Pennsylvania, last Friday night.

Contesting event 11, the Rigtech Sonics cyclist was forced to settle for third place finishing behind eventual gold medallist Bobby Lea and silver receiver, Christian Grasmann.

Maharajh however, was the only local representative to medal at this meet, as he could only muster up a fourth place finish in the Men’s Pro 5-mile Final. Grabbing honours in this division was Lea once more,

Varun Maharajh

Matthijs Buchli and Bajan Darren Matthews respectively.

Meanwhile Olympian Njisane Phillip and youngster Kwesi Browne had a tough time making it to the podium in their Sprint rides.

The latter showed good development on the U.S. stage to finish sixth while the experience of Phillip saw him finish eighth overall.

In the Flying 200m round, eventual Sprint winner Eddie Dawkins advanced with the fastest qualifying time of 10.306s, and also set a new Pennsylvania track record. Phillip advanced seventh fastest (10.6s), Browne 12th (10.715s), Justin Roberts 15th (10.779s), Jude Codrington 21st (11.131s) and Keron Bramble 23rd (11.270s).

Following this, New Zealand’s Sam Webster beat Bramble in Heat Two, Matthew Baranoski (USA) defeated Codrington in Heat Four, Phillip ousted Vincent De Haitre (Canada) in Heat Seven, David Espinoza got the better of Justin Roberts in Heat Nine while Matthijs Buchli (Netherlands) got past Browne in the final Heat.

(TT Newsday)

Top three! 2014 senior road race champion Raynauth Jeffrey (centre) is flanked by runner-up Alanzo Greaves (left) and third-place finisher Warren McKay

By Avenash Ramzan

T

he country’s top senior and junior riders will throw down the gauntlet to each other this month-end when the highly anticipated national cycling championships, organised by the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), are staged on the country’s roadways.

Although the specific routes have not yet been finalised, information emanating from the GCF confirms that the event is fixed for June 2829 and will take the form of a Time Trial and Road Race.

On the first day, the cyclists, both males and females, will do battle in the Time Trial, which will be held for junior and senior competitors.

The following day, it will be the showdown in the Road Race, which is usually a hotly contested affair with junior and senior cyclists of both genders battling to become champions of their respective categories.

This year’s championships should produce some improved times, especially with all the Commonwealth Games selectees set to use the two-day activity to test their readiness for the July 23- August 3 event

in Glasgow, Scotland.

In intense preparation for the Games at the moment are Raynauth Jeffrey, Marlon Williams, Geron Williams, Alanzo Greaves, Scott Savoury and Claire Fraser-Green.

Incidentally, Jeffrey is the defending senior champion of both the Time Trial and Road Race, after securing a clean sweep last year.

Riding for Team Coco’s (Guyana), the 20-year-old clocked an overall time of three hours, 48 minutes, 40.71 seconds (03h: 48m: 40.71s), crossing the finish line approximately three minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Greaves, who had to settle for second.

Greaves’ Roraima Bikers Club teammate Warren McKay ended in third spot.

Jeffrey, during an exclusive interview with this publication on Monday, related that he is prepared to defend both titles at ‘nationals.’

“I’m working very hard at the moment, in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, but my focus is also on nationals, where I’m the defending champion, and I will be going all out to ensure I remain the champion at the end of it all,” he declared.

In the Junior division,

Michael Anthony emulated Jeffrey by copping both the Time Trial and Road Race, clocking two hours, 59 minutes, 36 seconds (02h: 59m: 36s), leaving Shaquille Agard and Hamzah Eastman to settle for second and third respectively.

Naomi Singh of East Coast Demerara finished almost two minutes ahead of Linden’s Hazina Barrett to cop the female title, while Englandbased Fraser-Green, who won in 2012, occupied third spot.

The top three finishers in the Veterans Over45 race were Ian Jackson, Raymond Newton and Gary Benjamin, while Junior Niles comfortable won the Veterans Under-45 ahead of Ralph Williams and Sybourne Fernandes.

In 2013, the Time Trial was held on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, while the Road Race started at Homestretch Avenue, proceeded to Soweto on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway and returned to the start point for the finish, covering a distance of 90 miles.

This publication understands that senior executives of the GCF were slated to meet last night to decide on the routes for this year’s championships.

Reigning female champion Naomi Singh (centre) with Hazina Barrett and Claire Fraser-Green, who finished second and third respectively

Sport

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GCC congratulates Johnson on WI Test selection

T

Leon Johnson

he President and Executive Committee of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) have extended congratulation to Guyanese left-handed middle-order batsman Leon Johnson on recently being selected by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for the ongoing West Indies vs New Zealand series.

The 26-year-old, along with Jamaican

batsman Jermaine Blackwood, gained a maiden Test call-up for the second match against New Zealand, which started on Monday in Trinidad and Tobago.

Johnson is not playing in the match but the GCC believes the call-up is “a great opportunity for him to be part of the West Indies Test Team,” the club stated in a press release on Wednesday.

Lionel Jaikaran,

President of the GCC in a statement said: “I’d like to congratulate Leon on a successful international career and thank him for his enormous and continuous contribution to cricket at our club.

“Leon’s on-field achievements are a testament to his exemplary work ethic off the field and the GCC’s coaching success over the years.”

The release also said Johnson is an active member of the Georgetown Cricket Club and is captain of its 1st Division team.

“The club is very proud of Leon who started his cricket training at the club in our Kiddies’ programme.”

The GCC also said Johnson has benefitted from the club’s experienced coaches over the years, including Ivor Mendonca who passed away recently, Harold Dhanraj and Monty Lynch.

“The President and Executive Committee would once again like to congratulate Leon Johnson and thank all those who have made this possible,” the GCC statement read.

Global TV reach for Limacol CPL eclipses 200 million for 2014 tournament

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overage of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be available to over 200 million people across the world via a collection of leading broadcasters, when the high octane T20 competition kicks off in Grenada on July 11th.

Big-name broadcasters such as BT Sport (UK), ESPN 3 (North America), Fox Sports (Australia) and Sony Six (India) have all signed deals to carry live coverage of this year’s tournament, which is set to be bigger than ever, featuring global cricketing superstars Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Dwayne Bravo, Ross Taylor, Saeed Ajmal and Kieron Pollard.

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of Limacol CPL, said: “We were delighted to have 35 million people tune in to last year’s competition, and we’re confident that this time around we’ll be able to dramatically increase that number, given the presence of some of the world’s

most prominent broadcasters. The CPL is establishing itself as one of the globe’s most exciting sporting competitions and we’re seeing that off the pitch as well as on it.”

The CPL, which thrilled sell-out crowds across the Caribbean in 2013, is once again looking to excite fans with high intensity T20 cricket with an even bigger and better tournament in 2014. Grenada, known for its vibrant culture and hospitality, will serve as the opening venue on July 11th, when the Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on the Antigua Hawksbills at the National Cricket Stadium.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 22, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com