Guyana Times International

Emancipation 2014

INTERNATIONAL

Celebrating our African ancestors’ fight for freedom Page 40

Dr. Maya Angelou

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 202

week ending August 3, 2014

Guyana, US reach agreement on tax compliance Act See story on page 28

Clash of the heavyweights!

Cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs Limacol CPL T20 match scheduled for Saturday, August 2, at Sabina Park in Jamaica. See other stories inside.

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NEWS

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Gov’t pumps millions into Emancipation activities T

he Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on Wednesday presented cheques amounting to Gy$8.125M to 89 African cultural groups to assist them to effectively carry out their various activities for Emancipation celebrations to be observed on August 1.

Since 2005, Government has been supporting Emancipation activities, starting with just three groups, and has been encouraging persons from various backgrounds to become involved in preserving their cultural activities, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Emancipation day is marked as an important day, not only in the Guyanese calendar, but also the global perspective. The inhumane system of slavery was abolished on August 1, 1834 in all British colonies including British Guiananow Guyana.

Pernicious system

It brought an end to the pernicious system of slavery which for centu-

Representatives of the various groups and officials of the Culture Ministry, including subject Minister Dr Frank Anthony

ries had brought pain, suffering and bitterness.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony prior to handing over the cheques, pointed out that as Guyanese celebrate another Emancipation anniversary, they reflect on the country’s history.

He reminded the audience that the village of Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara was named after Thomas Buxton, who had advo-

cated the Emancipation Acts of 1833 in the British House of Commons.

Sacrifice

“When we think about sacrifice, when we think about what people had to endure, the conditions under which they were living, I think that it is important that we read some of the documents of that time,” Minister Anthony urged.

“When we talk about slavery as a people we

must understand the horrific system it was,” he stated.

Highlighting some of the difficulties the slaves endured on the sugar plantations, including women and children, he said that “we need to understand the difficulties of slavery so that when we talk about it we must understand what a horrific system it was.

“It’s not just about understanding, it’s

about knowing that we don’t have things like these being repeated anywhere in the world because it’s about dehumanising us, and we must use these bad examples to make sure they never recur,” Minister Anthony emphasised.

Reparations

According to the Minister, one of the things that persons must understand around the Caribbean is that there

has been a call for reparations and there is a Caribbean Commission that has been established and has been working to talk to the colonial powers of the past and present.

The Museum of African Heritage has also been archiving documents and artifacts of the country’s history which will be showcased to other countries whose people were also victims of slavery.

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EDITORIAL

Housing and Socioeconomic change

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ver the last five years, there has been massive transformation in the housing and construction sectors in Guyana, with thousands of Guyanese benefiting directly from approximately 30,538 house lots distributed.

The transformation of these sectors has also seen some 6991 squatter settlements regularised throughout the country, albeit with varying levels of resistance from those who were ‘settled’ in squatting areas, primarily along Guyana’s coastal belt.

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali himself spearheaded more than 59 one-stop shops, which gave thousands of Guyanese access to several distinct and core services at one venue or another.

New housing schemes have been developed and existing schemes rehabilitated and enhanced.

Additionally, thousands of Guyanese have been relieved of the burden of paying exorbitant rent for housing in Guyana, as the Government continues to invest in providing easier access to lowincome and middle-income homes. This means that the Housing and Water Ministry has been making a significant contribution toward improving socio-economic conditions in Guyana.

The Ministry has utilised grassroots tactics in rolling out some of the most critical aspects of their work programme with little or no resistance from the populace, even when dealing with illegal land occupation and squatting. In 2009, 4377 lots were distributed while in 2010 6382 were allocated. 2011 saw 8895 being given out while in 2012, 5869 Guyanese benefited. In 2013, 5015 were distributed, despite a total of 6000 being available that year.

Figures for squatter settlement regularisation show that in 2009, 906 settlements were regularised, while in 2010, 1675 received the Ministry’s attention. For 2011, 2073 were regularised, while in 2012, 1737 were made legal. In 2013, some 600 settlements received the Ministry’s attention. Last year, the construction sector accounted for 9.87 per cent of Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product.

The country’s overall growth of 5.5 per cent was led by the construction and housing sector, which recorded 22.6 per cent growth between 2012 and 2013. This was a result of the expansion in private sector construction buoyed by the national housing drive and by commercial construction, including public sector construction projects.

These are remarkable achievements for any Ministry in Government. It is the people who are benefiting directly and there is a significant reduction in the poverty levels, while there is an unprecedented increase in the standard of living of the beneficiaries.

The national housing programme therefore is an outstanding example of public policy and private sector support, brought together for the development of the country.

Additionally, banks are now able to offer lower interest rates to borrowers for low-income housing development, as a result of which, millions of dollars are lent to thousands of Guyanese, who in turn use these resources to build their homes.

The low-income window alone has seen billions of dollars injected into the Guyanese economy. In the first quarter of 2013 alone, 366 persons accessed this facility and a total of Gy$690 million was disbursed under this facility alone. Cumulatively at the end of March, there were 3408 borrowers from the financial system and the total amount disbursed by the banking system was Gy$9.3 billion.

The private sector must be lauded for its willingness to lend credit which has grown over the years.

In total, credit from the commercial bank to the private sector increased from Gy$161.6 billion at the end of December to Gy$163.5 billion at the end of March – a growth of 1.2 per cent in first quarter of this year, building on sustained growth year after year for the last several years.

Despite these gains, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) must continue to pursue a massive work programme in 2014 that would see more Guyanese benefiting from an improved land divestment policy, while at the same time being able to access affordable housing through strengthened partnerships.

Women share a hug as they celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, which signal the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Monday at the CIOG on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown (Carl Croker photo)

Caribbean students deprived of one day teaching

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very week, pub- Forum, held at the Catholic not how many years they stay lic school students in University in Lima, Peru and in school. If Mexico raised its Latin America and the with the participation of Peru’s average student performance Caribbean (LAC) are deprived First Lady, Nadine Heredia. on PISA to Germany’s levof the equivalent of one full In her speech, the First Lady el, its annual long-term GDP day of class, according to a noted that “in the case of Peru, growth could rise by two pernew World Bank report. we need to find a way to make centage points.

Based on unprecedented our growth sustainable, and The report sheds important research involving the obser- to do that investing in human light on who Latin America’s vation of more than 15,000 capital will be essential as it teachers are today: Their classrooms in 3000 primary is the way to develop more in- pay incentives are low. Their and secondary schools in seven novation capacity, technology, monthly salaries in 2010 were Latin American countries, the research and productivity.’’ between 10 and 50 per cent report, “Great Teachers: How Jorge Familiar, World lower than salaries for othto Raise Student Learning in Bank Vice President for Latin er “equivalent” professionals Latin America and the Caribbean”, describes how teacher absenteeism, poor preparation, low skill level and pay, as well as weak school leadership, all serve to cheat students.

The report is a powerful contribution to the Every week, public school students in Latin America and the Caribbean are growing body deprived of the equivalent of one full day of class, a World Bank report says of research on how to improve the quality of instruction and America and the Caribbean and have been throughout the learning results. said that “it is hard to think of 2000s. They have more forThe report comes as ex- a more important element to mal education than other properts mull over just how Latin broaden opportunities for all fessional and technical workAmerica will maintain levels Latin Americans than a qual- ers, but start out academically of growth that made recent ity education”, and he empha- weaker than the overall pool poverty and inequality re- sised that “it is hard to think of higher education students. duction possible. Innovation, of a more significant player to Seventy-five per cent are womcompetitiveness, Government raise educational quality than en. reform, and education are typ- the region’s teachers”.

Students majoring in eduically cited as the requisite For a Region in need of en- cation are of lower socio-ecoeconomic engines for further hancing student learning, this nomic status and are more prosperity. Yet on the OECD’s is a sign that much more needs likely to be first-generation programme for International to be done to recruit, groom university students.

The Student Assessment (PISA) and motivate great teachers. teaching force in the Region is test in 2012, the eight particaging. The average teacher in Global research ipating LAC countries were According to global re- some countries is more than 40 at the bottom of the scale for search, students with the best years old. middle-income countries – al- teachers advance 1.5 grade While many countries in though a few countries, such levels or more per year, while the Region are producing an as Chile, Brazil and Peru have those with the worst teach- excess supply of new teachers, made important gains from ers master 0.5 year of curricu- it is still difficult to find adeprevious years. lum or less. That research also quate teachers for secondary Human capital shows clearly that the econom- level Mathematics, Science, The report was launched ic and social benefits of nation- and high quality bi-lingual on last week Thursday at the al education spending depends teachers (Spanish/indigenous Regional Education Solutions on what students’ learn – and language) in rural areas.

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5 Guyanese students witness launch of space rocket WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

– at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana

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group of science students from Guyana got to witness the launch of an Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into space of an Ariane 5 ES rocket from Europe’s Spaceport, Centre Spatial Guyana is in Kourou, French Guiana.

Historically, what they witnessed was the last of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ATV project, with the launch of ATV5 on Tuesday en route to the International Space Station.

Named after the Belgian scientist who formulated the Big Bang Theory, ATV Georges Lemaître is the fifth ATV built and launched by ESA as part of Europe’s contribution to cover the operational costs for using the International Space Station (ISS).

The rocket lifted off precisely at 23:47 GMT on July 29 (01:47 CEST July 30, 20:47 local time July 29), and carried a number of spare parts for the ISS, along with ration, oxygen and air for the crew on board the ISS. This trip was planned and organised by the Public Works and Communication Ministry, and facilitated by the Guyana Civil

and Kamini (Richard Secondary).

Ramrattan Ishmael

Awestruck

The Guyana team that witnessed the launch of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into space from Europe’s Spaceport, Centre Spatial Guyanais in Kourou, French Guiana

Aviation Authority in conjunction with the Education Ministry.

This collaborative effort saw each student, who brought first in his or her respective region during the Education Ministry’s National Science and Technology Fair 2014, being selected to be part of this historic event.

Team leader and Trip Coordinator, Senior Air Traffic Control Officer (Guyana Civil Aviation Authority) Courtney Frank said that the Public Works

and Communication Ministry through subject Minister Robeson Benn commenced a series of initiatives designed to engage Guyanese students in various scientific experiences to further stimulate their interests in the sciences.

Attendance

Top students, who represented their region at the National Science and Technology Fair 2014, were thrilled by the experience of seeing a rocket launched into space, before their very eyes. Making

the trip to the European Spaceport, Centre Spatial Guyana is in Kourou, in French Guiana were students from across Guyana: Vivian Henry (Region One – Santa Rosa Secondary); Devindra Persaud (Region Two – Abrams Zuil Secondary); Laksman Ramdat (Region Three – Zeeburg Secondary); Kenya Maynard (Region Four – President’s College); Jeremy Baran (Region Six – Berbice High School); Shonetta Tyrell (Region Seven – Three Miles Secondary);

Travis Warner (Region Eight – Mahdia Secondary); Leana Lindie (Region Nine – St Ignatius Secondary); Jahni Williamson (Region 10 – Mackenzie High School); Nicolas Elliot (Georgetown – Queen’s College); and Dwight Ferguson (Georgetown – St Joseph High).

Students were accompanied by Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Leslyn Charles, along with two teachers, Colin Moses (St Stanislaus College)

“This is just amazing. I am lost for words. I will always remember this moment,” said Vivian Henry.

“This was a thrilling experience for me. Witnessing this live is momentous. I am really happy to be a part of this experience,” Laksman Ramdat said, while Leana Lindie contended, “I am shocked. I never dreamed I would have witnessed this.

I am very happy to be here to share this experience with other students from Guyana.”

Those are just some of the comments made by students immediately after they witnessed the launch of ATV – 5 Georges Lemaître, as it was launched into space.

The experience captivated the students immensely and it is expected to remain with them for quite a long time.

ATV Georges Lemaître is due to dock with the station on August 12 and will remain attached for up to six months before leaving with waste material for destruction, along with the spaceship during atmospheric re-entry.

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WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Discrepancy in report on Walter Rodney's body - Roman Catholic priest

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oman Catholic Jesuit Priest, M a l c o l m Rodrigues on Thursday said there was a contradiction between an official media report and the state of Walter Rodney’s body as a result of a bomb-in-walkie-talkie explosion 34 years ago.

He told the Rodney Commission of Inquiry that a radio station had reported at 6 AM on June 14, 1980 that Rodney’s face was disfigured beyond recognition as a result of an explosion on June 13, 1980.

Rodrigues, however, said when he went to Lyken Funeral Parlour he saw Rodney’s face intact but his lower region badly damaged be-

Father Malcolm Rodrigues S.J. in the witness box at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry on Thursday

cause the device would have been in his lap.

Rodrigues, who was a

close friend of Rodney and his family, recalled that he later arranged

for the late historian’s wife, Patricia Rodney, to view and identify the body.

At the time of the incident, Rodney was seated in his brother’s car, PBB 2349, on John Street, a short distance away from the Georgetown Prison.

After Rodrigues stated that four officials of the United States (US) embassy had visited Rodney’s home to offer their sympathy, Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham remarked whether the witness was aware that Rodney was of interest to the US intelligence services and they might have gone under the guise of expressing sympathy to confirm his

death. Rodrigues concurred.

The WPA co-founder / co-leader was killed at a time when his party had advocated a civil rebellion against the then Peoples National Congress (PNC)-led dictatorship headed by then Forbes Burnham.

The Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have so far told the commission that key intelligence files and other documents about the 1970s-1980s period have gone missing. The documents include the personnel file of GDF Sergeant 4141 William “Gregory” Smith and the records for an army aircraft, 8R-GER, that had

transported Smith to Kwakwani between June 14 and June 18, 1980.

Former GDF pilot, Gerry Gouveia, has already told the inquiry that based on his recollection and photographs, he was now more convinced that he had flown Smith, a woman and a number of children to Kwakwani.

Smith, a foreigntrained electronics expert, has long been fingered as the person who had provided the bomb-in-walkie-talkie to Rodney. WPA executive members have already told the inquiry that Rodney had been interested in acquiring longrange walkie-talkies to communicate with persons.

TT, Haiti sign US$30 million energy deal P O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: The TT government and Haiti have signed an energy agreement that will enable state agencies National Petroleum, Petrotrin

and the National Energy Corporation (NEC) to undertake cooperative initiatives in the areas of energy, energy security and energy exploration in Haiti.

The agreement will pave the way for con-

struction of port facilities and establishment of nine NP gas stations in Haiti. It will also provide for the establishment of a task force to move forward with initiatives.

TT’s Trade and Investment Minister

TT’s Prime Minister Kamala Persad-Bissessar, right, shakes hands across the table with Haiti's President Michel Martelly at the signing ceremony for an MOU between Haiti and TT at the Hilton Trinidad Monday (TT Guardian photo)

Vasant Bharath and his Haitian counterpart Wilson Laleau signed the agreement Monday at the Trinidad Hilton in the presence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Haiti President Michel Martelly and TT Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine. The signing took place on the margins of the just-concluded inaugural CaricomJapan summit The initial agreement will have a timeframe of ten years with provision for renewal every five years.

In brief remarks, Persad-Bisssessar noted the talks between the two governments began two years ago. The agreement for TT facilitating the investment, she said meant a lot as it will continue to generate revenue for continued employment of citi-

zens of TT. “We are happy you have sought our energy products rather than from outside,” she said.

Apart from selling the local brands, she said petroleum products going into Haiti will be on a duty free basis which will allow citizens to benefit from reduced costs.

In response, Martelly said the investments will help to create jobs in Haiti. Energy exploration, he said has begun.

He expressed enthusiasm at being able to obtain the local products at a better price, “than we are getting it elsewhere.”

The initiative will not only provide jobs for Haitians, Martelly said, but it will strengthen relationships and cooperation. “We have been talking as brothers and sisters for the longest while, but I think a concrete project like this

was missing among our countries,” he said.

NP Chairman Neil Gosine noted that in addition to the nine NP gas stations, a subsidiary company to market Petrotrin products and an NP office will be established in the coming months to begin operationalisation within the next six to nine months.

Petrotrin Chairman Lindsay Gillette noted that NP and Petrotrin have worked closely on the agreement.

“The situation is extremely critical in terms of fuel,” he said noting that 120,000 barrels a day are needed in Haiti. The first set of barrels, he said should leave TT for Haiti in a couple of months. The NEC will work with the Haitian government on the port project. (TT Newsday)

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

WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

ANSA McAL is dodging the issue Dear Editor, I would like to comment on the article “ANSA McAL questions exclusion from drug supply pre-qualification… says facilities not checked during evaluation process”. I am a Guyanese who spent some time in Trinidad and was employed in a pharmacy, as I am now, that I am back in Guyana.

First, I would like to say that over in Trinidad, the bidding is controlled by the

National Insurance Property Development Company Limited (NIPDEC), with which all prospective suppliers have to register. Their registration form asks for the “nationality” of the company and every year, only Trinidadian forms are accepted to supply the pharmaceuticals for that country’s Health Ministry. This is the same for all of the countries in Caricom.

I hope that some of the Guyanese com-

panies that I am sure placed bids for supplying those countries’ pharmaceuticals would raise their voices now.

What is sauce for the goose must be sauce for the gander. While I am all for Caricom, I would give some priority to firms that employ Guyanese in the process or invest in the necessary infrastructure.

The second thing I want to say is that I wish the companies that lost out in the prequalification exercise

would conduct themselves in a professional way. ANSA McAL, for instance, claimed they have the “temperature controlled” warehousing for “some drugs”.

It pointed out that it provides some internationally branded pharmaceuticals and they would not have gotten this prerogative if they couldn’t store the drugs.

But ANSA McAL is dodging the issue. The pre-qualification is not for “some drugs” but for ALL the drugs in the

country. Would ANSA McAL say whether they have the temperaturecontrolled warehousing to have all the drugs before they are distributed to the Government??

As a person with some background in pharmacy, proper temperature regulated storage of all pharmaceuticals, prolong their life and efficacy. The evaluators would have read in the application form the warehousing space that each company had in Guyana.

I wish that the “losing companies” would state honestly where they fell short in each of the criteria which make the process easy to compare. After all, they still obtain a substantial part of the pharmaceutical contracts through direct bidding.

Pharmaceuticals are literally a matter of life and death and I hope that our Government doesn’t hold on to its stated open criteria.

Sincerely, Suresh Ganesh

Urgent need to pass the AML bill We are being Dear Editor, Government must be commended for establishing the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). This unit it is reported, will be “dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of suspected financial transactions”.

The initiative to establish this agency within the Guyana Police Force forms part of Guyana’s obligation to comply with non-parliamentary recommendations as advanced by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) through its Mutual Evaluation Report of 2011.

A major criticism regarding the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is that it does not have the authority to arrest and prosecute individuals and organisations suspected of money laundering or financing terrorism. This SOCU is now expected to perform this vital role.

This important development

serves to remind us that the issue of the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill (AML/CFT) is still very much alive and warrants our collective attention as citizens.

Since the announcement from FATF at the end of June that Guyana will be subjected to a targeted review and development of an Acton Plan to address identified deficiencies in its AML/CFT framework, there has been a thunderous silence on demands for the passage of the requisite legislative amendments.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will meet again on October 20 to consider and deliberate on the results of the targeted review process.

We as citizens, and the plethora of civil society organisations, should not wait until a month or weeks before the review is sched-

uled to commence to be roused into a frenzy and desperately implore our parliamentary representatives to pass the legislation.

Instead, let us start to demand the passage of those bills now so as to receive a favourable review come October and save our nation any undesirable consequences for not remedying our AML/CFT deficiencies.

The passage of this Bill will test all our political policy-makers resolve to begin a process of cooperation that will put Guyana first and would form the foundation of a more collective approach to governance.

Blue CAPS stands ready and committed to initiate a “Pass the Bill” campaign and we will also reach out to other civil society groups and partners to do so.

Faithfully, Clinton Urling

AFC continues to attack the Finance Minister

Dear Editor, The Alliance For Change (AFC) continues its personal attack on Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh with its recent unsubstantiated complaint to the acting Police Commissioner of illegal spending by the Minister and other senior Government officials of some Gy$4.5 billion claimed not to have been approved by the National Assembly.

This is yet another nefarious approach by the AFC to gain cheap political points by misleading and misinforming the Guyanese populace.

Embarrassing to note, the AFC has in its armoury a bench of lawyers; however, one will question the competency and integrity of these individuals for misrepresenting the Constitution in a bid to justify their lust for power and signalling their intent by way of a “no-confidence motion” on the Government.

After a barrage of personal attacks on Home Affairs Minister Clement

Rohee by the Opposition, in particular the AFC, they have now launched a vicious campaign against the Finance Minister. Fresh in our minds too should be the Linden and Agricola protests orchestrated by the same party and only a few days ago, their leaders using innocent rice farmers to execute their snide political agenda on the Essequibo Coast.

The AFC must come clean with Guyanese and let them know there is no real substance behind the allegations levelled at the Minister and other officials, instead only cheap politicking.

Guyanese are not fools!

Our Constitution is no secret as it states clearly in Article 218 3(b) that the Minister is acting within his rights in the execution of his duty to the Guyanese people.

Further, the AFC must not only mention the amount (Gy$4.5 billion) but also where it was spent and on whom.

The answer is clear and straightforward, every

cent was spent on developmental projects so that our people can continue to live prosperous and progressive lives. It was used to make ordinary people’s lives better; the very men and women our friends in the AFC will seek support from come elections time.

One must wonder too, why there were no formal complaints in 2012 and 2013, but in 2014 that coincides with their intent of a “no-confidence motion”. Are we to believe that these are the people who want to govern this country when their policy is to deceive the electorate?

The Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) refutes the claims of the Opposition that the Finance Minister’s actions are un-constitutional. On the other hand, WPO would like to commend the Minister for releasing the budgetary allocation for developmental projects aiming to improve the living conditions of our people, especially the women of

Guyana.

Respectfully submitted, WPO, Freedom House

bamboozled by noconfidence motion

Dear Editor, The whole sordid affair that took place over the weekend at the PNCR Congress serves as a reminder that our political leaders are failing the people and are afraid to embrace the tenets of what true democracy is all about.

How else could one describe the internal jiggery-pokery and shenanigans to subvert a democratic process that took place at Congress Place or the ruling Government’s brazen unwillingness to call a date for crucial democratic local government elections?

Now we are being bamboozled and distracted by a “No-Confidence” motion. This is supposed to be the panacea for all our troubles; go to general elections and elect

from the same crop of politicians.

Well, I personally want to see local government elections conducted before any talk of general elections. I want to see the same vigor that our Opposition is leading the charge for a no-confidence motion applied to the call for local government elections.

Local government elections give the people of Guyana the best chance to start taking ownership of their communities and what matters most to them. The local level is closer to home for citizens and the consequence of effective local governance has a sharper impact on their survival and prosperity.

Call local government elections now!

Sincerely, Michael Leonard

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WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Miss Guyana World helps fight against domestic violence

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eigning Miss Guyana World Rafieya Husain last Thursday presented a cheque to Help and Shelter to assist in the fight against domestic violence in Guyana.

In a simple handing over ceremony, Help and Shelter Coordinator Margaret Kertzious expressed gratitude for the donation and said it will help continue their efforts in eradicating domestic violence and giving support to victims.

Kosher also said that more young people with passion like Husain are needed in this fight.

Husain, whose platform at the local pageant was initial signs of domestic violence, noted that the cause is close to her heart since she was a victim herself.

She committed to the Coordinator that while this donation may be small, it is only the beginning as she is determined to use this platform to help people understand the seriousness of this social ill.

The young lady also pointed out that she will continue to seek help locally and internationally to aid in the fight against domestic vio-

Reigning Miss Guyana World Rafieya Husain (fifth left) with representatives of Help and Shelter

Rohee dismisses PNCR sabotage claims

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has dismissed outright claims by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) that it tried to sabotage that party’s 18th Biennial Congress held over the weekend.

At the party’s weekly press conference on Monday, General Secretary Clement Rohee said there were more pertinent things to be dealt with than seeking to interfere in the politics of the main Opposition party. “We have other interests to pursue, our party’s

interest, so why would the PPP want to… We must be a very influential and powerful party to sabotage a PNC Congress. I think that is just politics.”

Re-elected PNCR leader David Granger had told reporters minutes after the Congress on Sunday evening, that the ruling PPP/Civic had made failed attempts to ruin the Congress. Despite a walkout by Lindeners who attended the Congress, Granger insisted that the event was successful.

The Party Leader had

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

hinted too that the PPP had its ways and means of influencing PNC support-

ers. In response, Rohee exclaimed: “That is good news; that is wonderful news.” Rohee said he had also heard Granger saying that the PPP would have provocateurs infiltrate the party to create difficulty for the PNC. According to him, that is a “ruse”, as the PNC continued to claim that the PPP would use persons to engage in riots and looting. “That is nothing new,” Rohee said.

Ruse

Questioned on why the PPP has also demonstrated such innate interest in the PNC’s Congress, Rohee said that that party has been, for years, the major rival of his party, so it is obvious that an interest in what they are doing would be apparent. “The same way they would have an interest in what we are doing, the same way we would have an interest in them”.

Questions were also about the paid ads in the print media regarding the PNC Congress. However, Rohee denied that the PPP or the Government had anything to do with those.

The advertisement placed in newspapers in the run-up to the Congress on July 25 urged PNC party members attending the event to question their leaders on their reasons for voting down many transformational projects in the National Assembly, wanting to close down the sugar industry and cutting budget allocations for the Amerindian Development Fund and the University of Guyana Students Loan Programme among other initiatives.

The 18th Biennial Congress of the PNCR came to an end Sunday evening amid claims that it was tainted by extensive deception, threats, and coercion.

Granger returned to his post as leader after the two contenders Aubrey Norton and Sharma Solomon bowed out of the race. Basil Williams also reclaimed his position as Chairman.

lence.

Miss Guyana World, is currently in Guyana for a number of outreach programmes as she prepares for the international pageant later this year in London.

The Guyana World organiser focuses on raising money for charities and mirroring the role and spirit of Miss World at a national level.

Under new Directorship since 2013, Miss Guyana World holds its annual pageant to identify young Guyanese women who exemplify beauty, talent, intelligence and compassion.

Trinidad unveil new tech tools in crime fight

Evelyn Bidah of the Ministry of National Security ICTU (left) explains the process when a trouble call comes in (TT Guardian photo)

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: TT’s National Security Minister Gary Griffith has claimed that his new national security setup could put down an attempted coup within an hour.

He gave this assurance after he had given the media a tour of the new Emergency Dispatch Centre in St James—an exercise designed to show the investment in technology his ministry has made.

He also officially unveiled the Community Comfort Patrol pilot scheme involving trained officers from private security firms.

His comments came in the wake of 18 arrests at the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen’s Carapo mosque last week, inciting the Jamaat leader Yasin Abu Bakr to angrily announce in a radio interview that he would take “appropriate action” against Griffith, Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams and Inspector Roger Alexander, if such police activity continued.

At the media exercise, at the St James Police Academy last Thursday, Griffith said gang-related activity in the “hotspots” of Laventille had reduced in the past few days, due to the activity of the TT Defence Force and the TT Police Service, but that the national security alert remained at the same level.

Earlier, Griffith had cut the ribbon of a high-tech, fully kitted-out emergen-

cy response call centre and explained the function of the red-shirted Community Comfort Patrol (CCP) officers which the Leader of the Opposition Dr Keith Rowley, expressed mystification about at a PNM public meeting in St Augustine last Tuesday.

He demanded that the government explain who they were, what they were authorised to do and how much the scheme was costing.

The Ministry of National Security responded by hastily calling the press conference two days later which answered Rowley’s questions. The CCP patrol officers are trained, Griffith said, but will have no powers of arrest and will not carry guns.

Their remit is to cruise areas which do not have their own privately funded Neighbourhood Watch schemes in discreetly marked pick-up trucks, acting as “extra eyes and ears” and as a form of deterrence. These private officers, he said, will inform the National Operations Centre or police officers when they observe crime taking place. The CCP patrol team will consist of employees from four private security firms—G4S, Amalgamated, Innovative and Protective Security Services—and the pilot scheme is costing the government TT$5.2 million for an initial four month period. (TT Guardian)

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ECD girl crowned Miss Gov’t scraps new Birth Certificate rule for passport Emancipation 2014

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ranale Latoya Holder, 22, who hails from the East Coast of Demerara was on Saturday evening crowned Miss Emancipation Queen 2014 in Guyana by the House of Sanae at a simple ceremony at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown.

This gem of a young woman can be described as one with an abundance of aspiration, inspiration and talent as she confidently makes her journey to her success.

The beautiful young lady, through her courage, vibrancy, intelligence and talent, aspires to become a professional musician and has already embarked on her career.

Being the eldest of seven children has taught her to be responsible, as she is always helpful to her parents.

The support she receives from them is her main driving force and pillar in her life.

As a child, she had the privilege of living in two countries, a privilege she took full advantage of.

She attended schools in Suriname and Guyana.

The combined learning experience is what mattered to her as it gave her the added advantage of be-

T

From left: Shabakie Fernandes; the newlycrowned queen, Franale Latoya Holder and franchise holder Alexis Connelly at the coronation last Saturday evening at Cara Lodge

ing fluent: scripted and verbal in English and Dutch as well as a Caribbean slavery language called “Stranang Tongo”. She loves the colour yellow and is inspired by her siblings.

Meanwhile, the special occasion was an evening of elegance which saw women decked out in their elaborate African prints which created the right atmosphere to welcome the new queen.

The lovely Miss Jilicia Pinder, who was the first person to be crowned as Miss Guyana African Queen in 2012 under House of Sanae, performed a rendition of “Malika” by Miriam

Makeba. This song also happened to be her talent piece at her coronation in 2012. The evening also saw a dance by the Divine Star Dancers, who performed to perfection.

In addition, five elders who are important bearers of history and culture were honoured for their tremendous support and promotion of African cultures.

They were Jean Britton Waldron Williams, Rudy Guyan, Dr Maxine Aaron Parris Goring, Penda Guyan and Anetha Daniels.

They all were given plaques in appreciation for their hard and continuous work.

he Home Affairs Ministry on Wednesday announced that it was scrapping the policy for new applicants for passports to have new Birth Certificates following intense pressure from members of the public.

The Ministry; however, said that because of the need to do extensive background checks on applicants, the usual five-day processing time might be extended.

In a release, the Ministry said with the introduction of the machinereadable passport system, there was a requirement by the Ministry that the Guyana Police Force would implement an arrangement where members of the public applying for passports for the first time would present to the Immigration Department birth certificates that were issued, not more than six months prior to the date of the application.

The intention was to guarantee the integrity of the newly-implemented machine-readable passport system. Unfortunately, this arrangement was not implemented by the Guyana Police Force, as required by the Home Affairs Ministry.

The Ministry added that cognisant of the concerns of members of the public, the Guyana Police Force has reviewed the entire system pertaining to the issuance of passports and has now put in place a system to address this matter.

Persons applying for passports are asked to submit the following: passport application form; Birth Certificate; one passport-size photo-

graph and a fee of Gy$4000.

In relation to lost/damaged passport, the processing fee is Gy$15,000 and additional conditionalities are required to be satisfied to facilitate issuance.

The release stated that the Guyana Police Force through its Immigration Department will make all reasonable efforts to expedite the processing of the applications, but the five-day processing time guaranteed by the Force is not likely to be honoured because of the need for a more robust verification process to accompany the production of the travel document.

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NEWS

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Jamaica increases recruitment age Guyanese artistes call for modern limit for farm work programme

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: The maximum recruitment age limit for Jamaica’s Overseas Farm Workers Programme has been adjusted from 40 to 45 years.

Making the announcement last Friday, Jamaica’s Labour and Social Security Minister Derrick Kellier said the adjustment is as a result of the recognition that there are many very able-bodied people over the previous cut-off age of 40 who work harder than some people in their 20s.

Kellier was addressing a recruitment exercise for workers for the Canadian and United States Farm Workers Programmes at Montego Bay Community College in St James.

Minister Kellier said the adjustment is not

Jamaica’s Labour Minister Derrick Kellier (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

breaking or bending any rules, and will give more people an opportunity to participate in the programme in order to better their standard of living. The minimum age limit of 21 years will remain.

Meanwhile, he told the throng of potential

recruits that the team of liaison officers working with the Overseas Farm Workers Programme has been doing a very good job under sometimes adverse weather conditions.

"I have been out there in the field to see them.

They have to go out in

the cold...in the snow...in some very serious conditions to look work for our people. When you get to Canada and the United States you will be under their control and they will inform and educate you on the do's and don'ts of the programme.

Your liaison officer is your first call...anything you need to know, they are there to advise you," he said.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is recruiting 3,500 workers for the Canadian and United States Farm Work Programme with the majority of them scheduled for placement at the start of 2015.

Regional recruitment sessions have been staged in Kingston, Manchester, and St James with over 4,000 people attending.

(Jamaica Observer)

Owen Arthur quits BLP

B

RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur last Friday announced his resignation as a member of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) which he has led as Prime Minister for 14 years.

He handed in his letter of resignation with immediate effect to the office of the Opposition Barbados Labour Party last Friday morning.

Arthur, who led the party to defeat in the 2013 general election, but retained his parliamentary seat in the con-

stituency of St Peter, indicated that he will remain in parliament as an independent member until his term of office comes to an end in 2018.

Arthur was Prime Minister of Barbados from 1994 to 2008, making him the longest serving Barbadian Prime Minister to date. He was also Leader of the Opposition in Barbados from 2010 to 2013.

He led The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to victory in the 1994 general election and also won the 1999 and 2003 general elections.

The David Thompson-

led Democratic Labour Party defeated the Barbados Labour Party in the 2008 general election, resulting in Arthur stepping down as party leader, however Arthur remained Member of Parliament for the constituency of St Peter.

Arthur returned as BLP leader in 2010, however following the 2013 general election defeat he was replaced by the current BLP opposition leader, Mia Mottley.

Arthur’s resignation from the BLP came one day after thousands of Barbadians took to the streets to protest

Former Barbados PM Owen Arthur

against the imposition of the Municipal Solid Waste Tax. (Caribbean News)

copyright legislation

- says outdated Copyright Act stifling creative industry

Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts

By Tajeram Mohabir

T

he absence of modern copyright legislation has paved the way for the creation of a lucrative enterprise in intellectual piracy, stagnating the growth and development of the local creative industry.

According to the US Department of Commerce, about five to seven per cent of all world trade involves counterfeit products, and estimates the cost to the global economy at more than US$650 billion per year.

The income raked in from pirated DVDs, CDs, the unauthorised photocopying of books and other intellectual materials is a tiny, if not invisible, sum of the global counterfeit trade.

But it is an enterprise through which the illegal middle man can make a healthy living, and had it not been for the introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT), he could easily have been classified as a thief and tax evader.

Three-time Soca Road March Champion Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts told Guyana Times International that the competition is unfair.

“Most locally produced CDs will retail at a price of Gy$1500, but consumers can get the best of any artiste in the world for Gy$200. Now how can a Guyanese artiste compete with that when you have to spend no less than Gy$50,000 to produce a song?

“Next, an artiste will spend no less than Gy$150,000 to produce a music video to be aired on television, but because television stations basically get free video content from around the world, why should they

be obligated to play ours.

“I gave those two examples to say this, if we had updated intellectual property rights legislation in place, radio and television stations will have to be paying millions of US dollars to foreign companies for content. This will in turn force them to revert to more local content, making way for competitive, productive and economic growth for the creative industries in Guyana,” she said.

Outdated Act

The current legislation, the 1956 Copyright Act, which Guyana inherited from Great Britain following its Independence in 1966 has never been revised since, even though its former colonial master had long repealed the legislation that deemed copyright infringement a civil wrong. Though the current Act does provide protection of literary, musical, dramatic and artistic works, the fines are extremely low, ranging mostly from £5 to £50 (G$1750-G$17,500).

Given the time and cost to pursue an infringement in court, some artistes view the exercise as a loss rather than a gain.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall said Government is cognisant of the need for copyright reform, but is also mindful of the existing realities in society.

It has been suggested that what can be done, in keeping with the Attorney General’s suggestion for a careful revision of the Act, is to amend the old legislation in a gradual manner, with the aim of discouraging acts of intellectual piracy through heavy fines, and provision for settlement through mediation.

World renowned Guyana-born British musician and creator of the Ringbang genre, Eddy Grant, has chosen to set up his recording company, Ice Records and the Coach House studio in Barbados, rather than his homeland.

Mosa Telford, who has won several literary awards, most recently the 2013 Guyana Prize for Literature in the Drama Category, said the Copyright Act is a dagger in the side of the creative industry.

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WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Countdown begins!

Preparations on track for Guyana Festival 2014

Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai in Trinidad

Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai speaks with Imam Riaz Shah as TT’s Tertiary Education Minister Fazal Karim, centre, looks on following Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers at the Masjid Un Nur in Carapichiama, Tuesday (TT Guardian photos)

P G

Preparations begin at the National Stadium with just a few days to go before the grand opening of the Guyana Festival

uyanese and visitors who want to be at the heart of the action this August should head to the inaugural Guyana Festival to enjoy three spectacular days of fun, entertainment, and food.

The countdown is on and with a few days to go before the grand opening, festival fever is sweeping the country as more persons are clamouring to get a hold of their Festival Passports, which would guarantee them access to all three days and the chance to win a car.

The National Steel Orchestra, Woodside Choir, and Nyrityageet dancers are among the line-up for a star-stud-

ded National Concert that will kick off a weekend of celebrations Guyanese style come August 8 at the National Stadium.

The National Concert, to be held under the theme “Myths and Legends …Sweet, Sweet Guyana”, is just one element of an action-packed weekend; a host of other events and attractions will be taking place at the Stadium, including live music, kids zone with complete Coney Island, and daily displays of art and craft.

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali explained, “The concert is the headline event in

an exciting weekend of Guyana Festival celebrations, which will ensure that the National Stadium in Guyana is the place to be!

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have attracted such a fantastic lineup. The sheer variety of performers is sure to appeal to family audiences; there’s plenty for younger concert-goers but also acts that their parents will enjoy.”

Guyana Festival Passports are available for the event, priced at Gy$3000 each, and demand is high. They allow entry into all three days, include thousands of dollars worth of coupons, and give holders a chance to win a car.

PNCR defends internal polls

W

hile declaring polls at its just-concluded 18th Biennial Congress to be free and fair, the PNCR on Wednesday accused Aubrey Norton and Sharma Solomon of deliberately setting out to cause “maximum disruption” to the proceedings.

At a news conference at Congress Place, Sophia, on Wednesday, party General Secretary Oscar Clarke suggested that Norton should apologise to Solomon, who is the Regional Democratic Council Chairman for Region 10, for misleading him into believing there were efforts afoot to disenfranchise Lindeners.

Clarke said the disruptive actions led by Norton and Solomon over the weekend were not based on legitimate concerns and were baseless intentional acts to disrupt the events.

These sentiments

Oscar Clarke

were expressed by both him and PNCR ViceChair Volda Lawrence during the press conference which followed widespread dismay at the upheaval at its Congress on Sunday.

Lawrence, reading a prepared statement, declared that it was clear that “a handful” of party members had convinced a segment of the Region

11

10 community, including non-members, to travel to Georgetown to disrupt what was “an otherwise orderly and successful” opening ceremony.” She noted that the demonstration held by Linden groups inside Congress Place on Saturday was followed up by “several calculated and wellplanned acts of disorder.”

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist, is currently in Trinidad and Tobago, and has praised the twin-island republic for its stance on free education.

Malala, who achieved international renown after she was shot by the Taliban for campaigning for education rights for girls and women, arrived in Trinidad on Sunday. She has since been involved in a series of public engagements at various venues across the country.

“I heard children’s education is free and the BSc is free. This is how it should be—100 percent education should be free,” she said.

Her visit coincides with the 10th anniversary celebrations of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).

She is accompanied by her parents and brothers Khan and Khushal Khan, along with chairman of The Malala Fund, Eason Jordan.

On Tuesday, she performed her Eid-UlFitr salat (prayers) at the Masjid Un Nur in Carapichiama and be-

fore she left, she met some members of the Islamic community gathered at the mosque.

She celebrated the rest of the day with children from several homes in south Trinidad at an event, which was hosted

by UTT with part sponsorship from SM Jaleel and Company Limited (SMJ). The event included children from the Lady Hochoy Centre (South), Operation Smile Children’s Home, Couva Children’s Home & Crisis Centre, Jai Lakshmi Children’s Home and the El Shaddai Retsoration Home.

Monday, Malala visited Tobago where she enjoyed lunch at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort with a group of 26 people including her family, delegates from UTT, Eason Jordan, director of operations and communications of the Malala Fund, and Megan Smith, vice president of Google X. The group then visited Buccoo Reef where Malala and her family enjoyed a sea bath for the first time. (Excerpted from TT Newsday and TT Guardian)

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President Ramotar urges all Guyanese to unite and move country forward

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resident Donald Ramotar has again reiterated the call for Guyanese to unite so as to take the country forward, as it is only through unity that full benefits will be realised.

“We can lift a country to the state of a developed country, but we need to be united and understand what is taking place and work together to overcome our challenges and allow Guyana to realise its full potential,” the President said.

The President was at the time addressing those in attendance at the opening ceremony for the 10th annual Berbice Expo and Trade Fair at the Albion Community Centre Ground.

This year’s Expo and Trade Fair was held under the theme: “Exploiting science and technology for eco-

President Donald Ramotar at the Edward B Beharry booth during the Berbice Expo held last weekend

nomic development”.

The President underscored the importance of such events in the process of developing the country’s economy.

“This year, I have no-

ticed the theme is very timely, and coincides with the vision of Government and the vision of how our country should develop.”

Need for restructuring

According to President

Ramotar, Science and Technology are important for the economic progress for any country and that for too long, Guyana was kept as a raw material-producing country; however, it was

only because of the characteristic of sugar that the current Government saw it necessary to develop the industry and factories.

Some of these challenges include the fact that the sugar protocol that once guaranteed a stable price for sugar has now been taken away, and in 2010, there was a 36 per cent cut in the price for sugar by the European Union.

The President also alluded to the fact that the world is facing serious issues with climate change.

“Since 2005, the opportunity days to do practice in the field have been reduced from 120 days per year to 80 days per year.”

There is also the issue of shortage of labour as Government’s investments in the education sector is providing for opportunities

and options for citizens.

He also stressed the need for adding value to products in every sector, as it is critical for the sustainability of the country’s economy.

Notwithstanding all the challenges facing the sugar industry, the Head of State noted some of the success stories; these include the bio-ethanol plant, which has been set up at the Albion Sugar Estate, and a co-generation electricity system, which has been established at Skeldon. In the near future, other models are expected to be established at other sugar factories.

The President also spoke of the many investments the administration continues to pour into the social sectors, all aimed at developing the human capital of the country.

Ramsammy calls for establishment of Agri Bank

A

g r i c u l t u r e Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy is calling for the establishment of an Agriculture Development Bank as a step toward alleviating some of the financial issues in the agricultural sector.

The Minister, who was speaking at the launch of the Ministry’s 2013-2020 Strategic Plan for the agriculture sectors, said that within the strategy, there are provisions for the continued advocacy in the establishment of such a bank to meet the needs of the sector.

The strategy also seeks to advocate for the establishment of a revolving fund to serve the needs of the rice sector, in particular.

“The strategy we described has advocated for financial arrangements such as an Agriculture Development Bank, I think that is necessary, but that is a policy direction that the Ministry of Agriculture can advocate, but cannot do. We need a revolving fund arrangement. We need crop insurance, but these are easier said than done, because insurance implies premium payments and who will pay the premium… cause when things are going good, nobody wants to hear about a premium,” said Dr Ramsammy.

Recently, the Opposition parties, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) established the need for the development of an Agricultural Bank and a revolving fund to meet the needs of the rice

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

sector.

The calls by the parties came after there were widespread protests by farmers over the inability of millers to pay them monies owed for paddy purchases. The farmers had contended that it was illegal for the millers to owe them monies for such extended periods.

But the Minister on Tuesday said the inability of the millers to pay can be attributed to the increased production in the sector.

Over the last three years, Guyana has seen consecutive increases in the tonnage of rice being produced each crop.

Trouble

Dr Ramsammy said because of this increase in production, millers are now saddled with the responsibility or paying billions more to farmers at the end of each crop when they at times do not have the financing available.

However, the Minister maintained that the position of the Ministry is clear and farmers should be able to receive payments from the millers within the timeframe and under the conditions of the law.

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WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

the US Tier 2 Watch List as the US 2014 report calls it a source and destination country for men, women, and children to be subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour.

It also added that women and girls from neighbouring countries such as Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil are

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee greeting the two officials from the US State Department in the presence of the US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt

T

he Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) last Thursday met with US officials to discuss the situation in Guyana.

The meeting was held in the boardroom of the Home Affairs Ministry.

Two officials from the US State Department, along the US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt were present at the meeting.

According to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, the Task Force had several meetings in the past with officials from the US State Department and was looking forward for a productive discussion this

round.

“We have had several engagements in the past with the representatives from the Department of State in the US, and this is an ongoing exercise where we meet with State Department officials visiting in Guyana, from time to time, to engage particularly with the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons,” Rohee stated.

Some of the members of the Task Force present at the meeting were Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, and Amerindian Affairs

Minister Pauline Sukhai.

Also present were acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) Head Ann Greene.

The Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons was established in February 2007.

Only last month, the Task Force blasted the US State Department’s 2014 report on the TIP situation in Guyana.

Minister Webster noted that the report again did not reflect a fair review of TIP in Guyana, as it contains several inaccuracies and misrepresentations regarding the scope of TIP. Guyana was placed on

subjected to prostitution in Guyana.

It was further stated in the report that despite Government not fully complying with the minimum standard for the elimination of trafficking, it is making significant efforts to do so.

The report went on to say that the Ministerial Task

Force was designated to monitor and assess the Government’s anti-trafficking efforts, but it did not report any results.

However, both Government and the Human Services Ministry refuted this, saying that they have done a lot to curb TIP in Guyana to protect victims.

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PPP wants Speaker to send AFC MPs to Privileges Committee - cites conflict of interest

Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

Alliance For Change (AFC) member Cathy Hughes

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Monday said it was still awaiting a response from Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman about the conflict-of-interest claims involving Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan and member Cathy Hughes.

General Secretary Clement Rohee said the PPP, through its Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, had written to Speaker Trotman, calling on him to refer both Hughes and Ramjattan to the Committee of Privileges over two matters of conflict of interest. According to Rohee, Hughes’ company was hired to handle the public relations of Sithe Global, a company working with the Government on the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project,; while her husband, Nigel Hughes, was employed as the Company Secretary on the same project. However, neither of these financial interests was voluntarily made public.

“Neither of these pecuniary interests were made public at the time of the debate on the first hydroelectric bill and the debt ceiling motion which were defeated, nor on the second hydroelectric bill, which was passed as the debt ceiling motion, which was amended by the AFC.” Rohee said the House and public have every right to be made aware of the pecuniary interest of Hughes as she had benefited financially from such an engagement. More than that, he said, the party

takes note of such transgression by Members of Parliament (MPs), citing the Erskine May Parliamentary Practice, which states that the offer of money to any parliamentarian for the promotion of any matter whatsoever to be transacted in Parliament is considered a crime.

In the absence of this public disclosure, Rohee said, Hughes should have recused herself from participation in the voting process.

Meanwhile, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan’s alleged conflict of interest is weighed in the level of support given to the Specialty Hospital. Rohee noted that Ramjattan’s client Fedders-Lloyd had placed a bid for the tender of the Specialty Hospital in 2012. During that time, Ramjattan had supported the budgetary allocation for the hospital.

However, in 2013, when his client lost the bid, he voted against the allocation for the hospital.

The General Secretary’s claim is that Ramjattan reportedly did not declare his interest in the project, and was, therefore, in violation of Standard 107. Ramjattan, he claimed, did not recuse himself from voting on the budgetary allocation on the Specialty Hospital.

According to him, the PPP will move motions concerning these MPs in accordance with Standard Order 32:2, and looks forward to the Speaker’s support in sending the matter to the Committee of Privileges.

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Berbice teen killed in hit-and-run accident P

olice are investigating a hitand-run fatal accident that occurred on the Number 66 Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice early Tuesday morning.

Dead is Haresh Roth of Number 69 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. According to Roth’s uncle, Annand, the 18-year-old was last seen on Monday evening when he left to purchase something in the village.

The grieving uncle related to this publication that it was unusual for Roth to leave his Number 69 Village and venture to other villages. The uncle related that he was on his way to the Number 66 Fishery when he heard about and accident.

“I stop at the scene, then me realise was me nephew, me see

Dead: Haresh Roth

his whole face is blood and his shirt like it tie up his neck and his pants was down by his foot.”

He disclosed that the family believes foul play was a factor in Roth’s death. He is pleading for justice and for the Police to fasttrack their investigation in order to bring closure to the case.

Annand noted that the incident has left the family traumatised and very sad as it brought back memories of the passing of Roth’s parents, Walter and Hemwattie, who died 11 and 10 years ago respectively.

Roth was a former student of the Number 68 Village Primary School and was described as helpful and kind. He leaves to mourn his four siblings aged 33, 27, 23 and 14 along with his uncle.

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President Ramotar holds Food processing industry to boom talks with Japan’s PM in seven years P resident Donald Ramotar and other Caricom Heads of Government on Monday met with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe where a number of issues to strengthen relations were discussed.

The meeting was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The forum, the first summit meeting of Caricom Heads of State and Government and their Japanese counterpart took place as the countries are celebrating in 2014 Caricom-Japan Friendship Year, to mark 20 years since their first formal engagement in 1993.

The discussions centred on the vulnerabilities faced by Caricom member countries towards achieving sustainable economic growth, strengthening the relations between Japan and Caricom at the bilateral level and enhancing cooperation at the multilateral level.

In his intervention, President Ramotar expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Abe’s recognition of the developmental challenges of Caricom member states,

…as Guyana looks to capitalise on high food import bill

President Donald Ramotar in discussion with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

particular the issue of graduation which has seen those member states now qualified as middle or high income countries no longer being eligible for concessional loans and grants from international financial institutions.

He acknowledged Prime Minister Abe’s stated support to represent the position of Caricom member states on this issue in the forums of the developed countries.

President Ramotar highlighted financing for development as one of the eight Millennium Development Goals that was still to reach its target as very few developed countries had made good on the pledge of 0.7 per cent of Gross Domestic

Product (GDP) towards developmental assistance to vulnerable countries. He requested Prime Minister Abe’s further support in advancing the need for this commitment to be met.

With reference to climate change, President Ramotar thanked Prime Minister Abe for his Government’s assistance to Caricom member states in the area of humanitarian responses to natural disasters and in the promotion of measures to address adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction.

In their bilateral meeting, the leaders of Guyana and Japan took the opportunity to reiterate their desire to enhance the relations of the two coun-

tries. President Ramotar referred to renewable energy, infrastructure and science and technology as areas where Guyana could benefit from Japan’s expertise and assistance. He also encouraged investment from Japanese companies particularly in the area of extraction of minerals. It was agreed that the two sides would pursue these and other areas of cooperation in the near future.

President Ramotar was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper.

Government will take elaborate steps towards the modernisation of the food processing industry in Guyana

G

uyana’s food processing industry is expected to undergo major development in the next seven years, as Government looks to capitalise on the food import bill of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

The advancement of the industry would see Guyana being able to produce and export canned foods, such as sausages, corned beef, corn and a host of other food items used daily. In addition, it is expected that the milk processing industry would be clearly defined and subtract

from the high milk import bill for Guyana.

Presently, Caricom is home to approximately 16 million inhabitants in its 15 member states and has an annual food import bill of more than US$4 billion which is equivalent to G$800 billion.

100 per cent food security

According to a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation study, with the exception of Guyana, Belize, and St Kitts and Nevis in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, no continued on page 20

Sea ambulance, military hospital in the works for Trinidad

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Although the sod to begin construction of the new Carenage Health Centre was turned only last Saturday, TT’s Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan is already exploring the possibility of a sea ambulance and military hospital in the northwest peninsula.

Addressing Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley, residents, medical officers and officials at the sodturning ceremony at Constabulary Street, Carenage, Khan said he would seek the assistance of Transport Minister Stephen Cadiz to make it a reality.

Khan related that he would consult with Cadiz to find a boat that could be acquired and outfitted with the necessary medical equipment, so that persons with serious injuries could be stabilised and transported faster to a medical facility.

The idea was conceived as Khan explored ways to improve the access routes to Carenage and Chaguaramas.

Speaking with re-

porters after the ceremony, Khan said he was looking into the possibility of relocating the Rebirth House drug rehabilitation centre and constructing an accident and emergency facility, with a nearby water ambulance for the easy transfer of patients to Port-of-Spain.

He referred to the 2011 Redbull Flugtag tragedy, in which two men drowned, after the pirogue they boarded to go to the event at Williams Bay, Chaguaramas, sank.

Tragedy

Dimitri John, 22, of Piarco, and Nicholas Simmons, 14, of Princes Town, drowned after the pirogue they were in sank at Dhein’s Bay. Because of the traffic pile-up as thousands flocked to Carenage to participate in the Flugtag, many people had opted to hire fishing boats to get to Williams Bay. John was the nephew of the Housing Development Corporation's CEO Jearlean John.

Indicating that traffic jams sometimes caused by events in that part of the country could be a challenge

TT’s Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan, second from left, and Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley, right, turn the sod for the construction of the Carenage Health Centre, during a ceremony at Constabulary Street, Carenage (TT Guardian photo)

for the authorities during an emergency, Khan said a sea ambulance would be the ide-

al option to ensure lives were saved. Extending his gratitude to the Julien family, who had

been relocated during the process to acquire the land for the centre, Rowley said he was ex-

tremely happy to witness the beginning of construction of a “leading-edge health centre.”

Pointing out that the population was growing, Rowley said it was equally important for the infrastructure to grow as well. He was pleased with the variety of services which would become available to his constituents after the centre was opened, and singled out the wellness centre, which he said was a “good idea.”

Assuring that construction of the new Carenage Health Centre would be completed within 15 months at a cost of TT$79 million, Khan promised the two-storey, 54room modern facility would provide a range of services to a catchment area of approximately 50,000. It will feature a wellness centre, dental suite, digital X-ray facilities, nurses’ and doctors’ exam rooms, records room, testing rooms and other services such as voluntary counselling and testing, family planning services and septic wound treatment. (TT Guardian)

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Guyanese fishermen Caricom leaders pleased with call for protection Japan’s response on key issues against piracy …as more bodies wash up

By Andrew Carmichael

F

ishermen on the Corentyne Coast are calling on the authorities to provide more protection against the snares of armed pirates who recently attacked a vessel and reportedly killed all five crew members – the bodies of two of them were found on Monday.

The crew of five were reported missing last week. They left on July 11 aboard the fishing boat Miss Seema and were expected to spend 12 days at sea before returning. Their vessel was found on the Whim Foreshore, Corentyne on July 25.

Police said, in a release, that the decomposed body of Omesh Derhup, 36, of Skeldon, Corentyne, was found on the foreshore at Kildonan, Corentyne, Berbice. Then later, the decomposed body of Naresh Persaud, 22, of Number 72 Village, Corentyne, was found on the foreshore at Alness, Corentyne.

Multiple injuries

Post-mortem examinations were performed on the bodies by Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan who gave the cause of Persaud’s death as multiple injuries. The investigations are ongoing.

The body of Derhup was discovered on Sunday evening by fisherman Vishal Mangal. He told this publication that he became scared upon making the discovery. “Where me bin going

Dead, Omesh Derhup

in last night, me see the person an me run out back an me go to the Station and make a report.”

Mangal noted that on Monday he took persons to the location of the body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition. “He had mark on he skin and he one side foot come out.”

The detached limb was found some distance away. The other missing crew members are the boat captain, called “Rajin”; Ramesh Persaud also called “Papo”; and “Prakash”.

Speaking with Guyana Times International, Derhup’s mother, Kamila Simon, said she had not seen her son for the past six months. On continued on page 21

H

eads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) “were heartened” by their Japanese counterpart’s positive response to a number of issues raised during their one-day summit on Monday.

Speaking at a Joint Press Announcement in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago following the first ever CaricomJapan Summit, Caricom Chairman and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said he and his colleague leaders “are heartened” by the response of the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on a number of issues such as reform of international financial governance.

“The case therefore would need to be made to the international community by development partners such as Japan, for new alternative sources of development financing to be made available to Caricom states and other middle income countries with similar vulnerabilities,” he said.

This is of particular importance to Caricom countries faced with the loss of concessionary de-

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne

velopment financing due to their classification as Middle Income Countries which precludes them from access to such funding based on their per capita income. Prime Minister Browne said “we welcomed Japan’s support for including the issue of vulnerability in this regard as a criterion”.

The regional leaders stressed to their counterpart that Japan’s support through using its influence in institutions where these determinations are made was needed.

“Caricom would welcome Japan’s assistance in advocating on behalf of the Caribbean Region in fora such as the United Nations, the G8 and

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

G20, so that there could be a better understanding of the problems that these countries face,” the Caricom Chairman added.

The leaders discussed areas ranging from climate change through sustainable development and cooperation in the international arena.

Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan’s policy towards Caricom consisted of three pillars. These, he identified as cooperation towards sustainable development, including overcoming vulnerabilities particular to small island states; deepening and expanding bonds founded on exchanges and friendship; and cooperation in addressing

News Barbadians awarded U.S. fellowships

Sheena Rose and Allan Franklin of Barbados and Vincentian Samantha Porter are the first of six grantees this year who will have their graduatelevel studies funded by the U.S. government (Barbados Today photo)

B

RI D G E T O W N, BARBADOS: Barbadians Sheena Rose and Allan Franklin have been awarded Fulbright and Humphrey fellowships.

The two, along with Vincentian Samantha Porter are the first of six grantees this year who will have their graduatelevel studies funded by the U.S. government.

Rose, an artist and a Fine Arts teacher at the Barbados Community College, has been awarded a Fulbright Faculty Development Scholarship. She will go to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in August to pursue a master’s degree in Studio Arts.

Franklin, who is a senior research officer at the Barbados Ministry of Tourism, has

been awarded a Hubert Humphrey Fellowship.

In August, he will go to Cornell University to begin a 10-month programme on environmental and sustainability issues.

Porter is a Mathematics teacher at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College. She has also been awarded a Fulbright Faculty Development Scholarship and will attend North Carolina State University in August to earn a master’s degree in Mathematics Education.

The Fulbright Programme is the flagship international educational exchange programme sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the

United States and the people of other countries.

Through the Fulbright Faculty Development programme, faculty of Eastern Caribbean universities and colleges can travel to the U.S. for one or two years of graduate education.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme brings 200 mid-career professionals from different countries to the U.S. to engage in non-degree study and related professional experiences at selected American Universities.

As a non-degree programme, the fellowship offers valuable opportunities for professional development through selected university courses, conferences, networking, and practical work experiences. (Barbados Today)

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WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Rodney Commission hears Gregory Smith’s file missing from GDF

T

he Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) opened its fourth session on Tuesday with news that the personal file of the alleged assassin William Gregory Smith could not be found.

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick West representing the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) told the tribunal investigating the death of the late academic and historian that Smith’s file could have been destroyed during the massive flood of 2005. The announcement by the GDF comes on the heels of the Guyana Police Force also declaring that a number of critical files from their investigation

ing.

GDF Lieutenant Colonel Patrick West emphasises a point at the CoI

have gone missing. Both the GDF and the Police Force were highly politicised and controlled by

the Forbes Burnhamled PNC Administration during the period before and after Rodney’s kill-

PNCR leaders

Several of the top officers then, including former GDF Commander, Brigadier David Granger and Lieutenant Colonel Joe Harmon are now leaders of the PNCR. The GDF has been tasked with locating files which could determine whether the now dead Smith had been in its employ during the time Dr Rodney was killed. Lieutenant Colonel West told the Commission that while he did not find a Gregory Smith, records indicate that there was a William Smith in the Army during that period.

The Army Sergeant and electronics expert William Gregory Smith,

who became an active member of the Force on June 27, 1975, had been accused of handing Dr Walter Rodney a bomb planted in a device, which exploded and caused his death on June 13, 1980.

When news of the explosion spread, fingers pointed at the accused which led investigators to the army. But head of the military body at that time, Major General Norman McLean, had stated that there was no such officer in the Army with that name.

However, during his testimony close to two months ago, Mc Lean said that he was later informed by staff that instead of a “Gregory Smith”, there was rather a “William Gregory Smith” with regimental number 4141. According to Mc Lean, the investigation revealed that he was a deserter.

But Colonel West during his testimony said that the investigation, carried out by staff at the Army’s Personnel Department showed that there was no record of the Sergeant being Struck off Strength (SOS), Absent without leave (AWOL), deserting

the Army or ever being dismissed.

In fact, records that he presented to the tribunal included a payroll, an alphabetic numbering ledger and the male numbering ledger all with regimental number 4141 with name William Smith. The records however show that Smith received a salary until June of 1979. However, according to West, that does not mean that Smith had left the Army, it only indicates that the payroll records for the time of Smith’s death could not be found.

Former Police Corporal Robert Gates had told the Commission that when he saw Smith a few months before Dr Rodney’s assassination, he had an afro and was heavily bearded.

Further grilled on the issue, West directed Attorney Hanoman to the Army Intelligence Unit, which he said could furnish him with such information. Smith was accused of handing Dr Rodney a walkie-talkie device with a bomb hidden inside. Claims are that Smith was used by the PNC Government to carry out the assassination.

Food processing industry to boom... from page 17

country has the required land space to achieve 100 per cent food security.

These figures alone should be strong reasons for Caricom Governments to swiftly involve the private sector and financial institutions in acting to reduce the enormous food import bill. Experts have sounded alarms repeatedly that failure to deal with the issue is harming Caribbean economies and increasing their vulnerability to prices and supply from external providers.

Guyana’s own Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said the Government is heeding those warnings.

He said the Government would be taking elaborate steps towards the modernisation of the food processing industry.

He said this would be done in conjunction with several other projects that would see a radical decline in Guyana’s overall import bill and would also see Guyana earning revenue as it capitalises on the extremely high Caricom food import bill.

It was noted that the Government hopes to have a large-scale dairy industry, with at least one dairy plant being operationalised, by 2020, which would not only reduce milk importation but also produce a host of other by-products.

Other targets include a 50 per cent reduction in the import of commodities such as carrots, commercial production of potatoes, a 50 per cent increase in agro-processed production.

Plans are also set to see a 25 per cent increase in non-sugar, nonrice exports, and at least 50,000 litres of bio-fuel on a commercial scale, a five per cent increase in cultivation areas by small farmers. Presently, agriculture contributes almost 20 per cent to Guyana’s economy and accounts for more than 33 per cent of employment. Almost 40 per cent of Guyana’s export earnings come from agriculture, with only an average of about 11 per cent of the national budget estimates going to the sector.

NEWS

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GBTI’s half-year profit at Gy$1.1B T

he Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has recorded a whopping Gy$1.103 billion profit after tax for the first six months for the financial year ending on June 30.

According to the bank’s Chairman Robin Stoby, the profits reflected that the bank was able to maintain its profitability. The unaudited report on the bank’s financial performance was approved by the Board of Directors on July 18.

Stoby stated that along with the Gy$1.1 billion profit, the board has also declared an Interim Dividend of Gy$6.00 per share to shareholders. He noted the bank has taken a more conservative approach to lending, which saw its loan portfolio slowing down.

“We have continued with our plans for opening branches in unbanked or under-banked

the country’s economy continues to struggle in the face of a sugar industry that is underperforming; a rice industry that is heavily dependent on the Venezuelan market; and the high cost of energy that makes the manufacturing sector unable to compete with other Caribbean industries.

Deadlock

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Head Office in Kingston, Georgetown

areas of our country, albeit in a more cost-effective way. Our Bartica Branch should be opened in September 2014 and we have completed the construction of our building in Port Kaituma and now offer our services from there,” Stoby pointed out.

Performance

The Chairman explained that the bank’s

Guyanese fishermen call for protection...

from page 18

Monday, she received information that a body had washed up on the shore.

According to Simon, her son was never married and had no children. She said he had no enemies. “All body knew me pickney easy, he na tell nobody nothing.” Derhup leaves to morn his mother, four brothers, and six sisters.

The owner of Miss Seema, Beeram Persaud, explained that after the men did not return to shore as expected, he became worried and on Thursday, started a search for them. According to Beeram Persaud of Number 60 Village, Corentyne, he received assistance from Suriname authorities in the search, but no such assistance was forthcoming from Guyana.

The senior fisherman was also unhappy that regional officials have in no way expressed concern.

The search commenced after Miss Seema was discovered without her crew. The boat’s registration and the missing men’s clothing, hats and haversacks were discovered inside the vessel. The engine

was intact but no fish, seine or anchor was found. Beeram Persaud believes that the crew were victims of piracy. “Is five of me men loss and two is my nephews; the two just like my sons.”

He said Government needs to do more for fisherfolk. The boat owner, who was shot at his home in 2000 during a robbery attack on his family, said stiffer penalties are needed to deter acts of piracy. “We need it to be like in Suriname… If they catch you is 25 or 35 years you getting, but in Guyana they find a man with the boat engine in he house and they put he on Gy$500,000 bail.”

According to Persaud, both Government and law enforcement agencies have to share the blame. “When you catch a pirate and the Police put them in the lock-ups, somebody calling the big ones in the Police and the Police at the station got to put them on bail and is done the story done there. These are things that the Agriculture Minister supposed to look into; not jus sugar an rice,” Persaud claimed.

excellent performance is due to the gradual recovery of the global economy over the passing six months, and with it also came the strengthening of the US dollar.

Nevertheless, he continued that because of the low price of gold on the world market, the bank is suffering due to the loss of gold hedge.

“This current low

price of gold came at a time when our economy was being boosted by record production of gold, so that starting in the second half of 2013 and into the first half of 2014, gold miners found their profits squeezed to the point where many miners exited the sector, either permanently or temporarily,” he said.

Stoby added too that

He went on to emphasise the deadlock in the National Assembly regarding the passage of the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, mostly caused as a result of a minority Government.

The Chairman pointed out that with both Government and the Opposition holding strongly to their respective positions, it seems unlikely there will be any compromise between them and this is worrisome to the busi-

ness community.

“For the banking sector, the failure to resolve this issue is causing increased delays and difficulties in carrying out international payments on behalf of customers,” he disclosed.

As it relates to the loan portfolio for last year, this sector continues to grow, recording a 20 per cent increase of Gy$7.5 billion from Gy$35.3 billion in 2012.

This figure had surpassed that of the banking sector; hence, its share of total loans in the sector was recorded at 24 per cent. GBTI’s credit to deposit ratio rose to 54 per cent in 2013.

Growth was also recorded in household loans, which accounted for 22 per cent of the total loans. According to the CEO, the bank will continue to lend within its sectoral limits as the housing drive continues to expand.

Guyanese back from USsponsored leadership training

U

Guyanese Annette Jaundoo (third from left) poses with US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt and other staff members

S Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt recently met with Annette Jaundoo upon her return from the United States after participating in the prestigious Embassy-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange.

Jaundoo participated in an IVLP exchange on “Human and Civil Rights for All,” from June 7 to 30, the US Embassy said in a release. Jaundoo, who is the Executive Director for a US Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported non-governmental organisation – Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness (FACT), shared her IVLP experience with the Chargé d’Affaires and US Embassy representatives. She underscored the value of this experience and discussed how she intends to apply the knowledge gained to the benefit of her organisation and the NGO Coordinating Committee

for HIV/AIDS to service NGOs and more particularly, members of the Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community.

She also pledged to work more closely with faith-based organisations, the private sector, and grassroots agencies towards strengthening alliances for the LGBT community.

During the programme, Jaundoo and her counterparts from the Caribbean visited several cities, including Washington, DC; Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Des Moines, Iowa; and San Francisco, California. These visits provided varied insights and understanding of how civil society organisations support the LGBT community and influence human rights policy at the local, state, national, and international levels in the United States.

Through in-depth discussions, meetings, and site visits, Jaundoo and her colleagues had the opportu-

nity to review the legal and political framework for recent advances in civil and economic rights for LGBT Americans, as well as international and hemispheric initiatives for the protection of LGBT human rights.

Participants also explored the evolution of public opinion in the United States during the past two decades and the influence of both traditional and social media.

Chargé d’Affaires Hunt reaffirmed the US Government’s commitment to work with and strengthen the role of civil society organisations and advocates on behalf of human rights issues within and through multilateral fora.

He encouraged Jaundoo to build on the many professional linkages made with US institutions and other IVLP participants from countries throughout the Caribbean to strengthen her work and that of her organisation for the benefit of Guyanese people.

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Guyana’s sugar industry must brace itself Guyana Gov’t looking for ‘bitter days’- Professor Thomas warns to set up gold refinery

By Michael Younge

T

hings will get far worse before they get better and the sugar industry in Guyana must brace itself to face bitter days ahead, unless those who are managing the sector make some tough but necessary decisions now.

This is the position of renowned Caribbean Economist, Professor Clive Thomas, who, speaking with Guyana Times International, laid the premise for a renewed national approach to managing its affairs.

Professor Thomas said there is urgent need for the establishment of a national task force or commission to investigate the current state of the sugar industry. He said that such an entity would also be tasked with coming up with nonpolitical recommendations about how to move the industry forward in a realistic manner.

Thomas said that the turnaround plan that is being used to manage the affairs of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is not yielding much fruit and a more determined effort is needed to bring an end to the bitter times that the sugar industry is facing.

“We have to make some fundamental decisions about where we want to go with sugar in the future,” he said, explaining that the industry is in a conundrum and in a state of despair.

Thomas noted that

Professor Clive Thomas

currently, Guyana is producing sugar at a cost of 34 cents a pound, which is two times higher than the average world production price for the commodity. He said this is unacceptable and the situation will continue unless urgent reforms are implemented.

More focus on biggest concern

Thomas said he does not understand why there is an endemic insistence on exportation, while little or no focus is

being placed on tackling the biggest concern – reducing GuySuCo’s overall production and operational costs.

He said it is necessary for the industry to be treated as a national asset and national institution and any intervention must be rooted in that premise, if there are to be long-term benefits.

Thomas said the industry’s debt stood at Gy$89 billion in 2009 and has now increased to Gy$92 billion. He said it is necessary to look at refinancing the operations of GuySuCo in light of the falling world prices for sugar and the concomitant challenges the industry is facing.

The academic believes that part of the problem with turning the industry around has to do with the lack of consultation before critical decisions are taken.

He said that it is necessary for GuySuCo to have a Board comprising Directors who are all professionals and experts in the field.

According to him, this was the main reason Booker Tate failed when the Government opted to contract external management services.

He is not optimistic that much will change, unless there is national discourse to arrive at the best possible solution to end the bitter taste in the industry.

However, despite his criticism of the current management structure of the industry, Thomas is not in support of privatising the sugar industry.

“I do not believe that the private sector would be able to do what the Government could not do and have not done to date,” he said, adding that the stakes are too high.

Thomas said the call for the privatisation of GuySuCo is probably the most widely recognised but contentious proposal ever put forward for the future of the industry.

“This call always evokes intense political controversy,” he said.

Things will get far worse before they get better for the sugar industry, Professor Clive Thomas says

A

mid falling international gold prices and low gold declarations at the Guyana Gold Board, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud last Friday disclosed that Government is looking to set up a gold refinery.

Responding to a question posed by Guyana Times International at a press conference, the Minister related that the idea of setting up a refinery in Guyana was one that was being considered by Government and stakeholders in the mining industry.

He said: “Value-added continues to attract the attention of various parties outside of the gold industry, so we are talking to the jewellery-producing community to look at how we can expand and enhance in the jewellery production sector.”

According to Persaud, if this endeavour is successful, the target market will not only include local, but overseas markets as well, where the demand for gold is much higher.

Recently, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Ronald Bulkan pointed out that there is “no value-added done to that commodity (precious minerals) or resource when it is mined out from the ground”.

He said that instead of just exporting the raw gold, Government should look to urge the private sector to invest in the business of jewellery pro-

APNU Member of Parliament (MP) Ronald Bulkan

duction or other by-products of the raw-gold material.

“It does not have to be that we should only be exporting raw gold or unrefined gold. It can be used as a raw material to create value-added products,” said Bulkan.

Minister Persaud said Government understands this and is committed to developing a robust value-added sector.

Gold prices have been unpredictable and are dependent on a lot of factors beyond the Government’s control. He said if such a goal is attained, there will be more certainty in the local gold market and miners will know what to expect for their produce.

Ronald Bulkan also called for diversification, not only in the gold industry, but the economy as a whole.

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Chairman Clinton Williams said steps are being put in place to diversify the mining sector.

He said that soon, miners will be prospecting for other precious minerals such as magnesium.

Diplomatic mission Guyana may nominate Seeraj for ACP SG post turns over documents to Rodney Commission T

H

ead of the Walter Rodney Secretariat Hugh Denbow said that staff members are currently reviewing over 600 documents provided by a foreign Government, whose Embassy had operated in Guyana during the time Dr Walter Rodney was killed.

Although he declined to give the name of the country, he pointed out that the Embassy had accumulated information on the activities of the then ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and Dr Walter Rodney. Upon completion, the information will be presented to the three Commissioners for further consideration.

That evidence may join

the list of close to 100 other statements provided by persons who are yet to testify.

Since the beginning of the inquiry on April 28, last, only seven witnesses have given evidence. The life of the Commission was recently extended to September by President Donald Ramotar.

However, sharing his personal view, Denbow said the Commission may have to be further extended, because of the quantum of evidence still to come. Added to that, Denbow related that even if evidence is completed by that time, the Commissioners will still have to deliberate on the evidence provided. That, he noted, will be a tight call.

he Guyana Government is considering nominating Dharamkumar Seeraj as the country’s candidate to be the next Secretary General (SG) of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping, sources inside Government have said.

Guyana is among three Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries that will nominate candidates to head the powerful 79-member grouping. Regional leaders at the end of their summit earlier this month in Antigua and Barbuda said Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have all signalled their intention to submit the names of candidates for the post.

This newspaper was told that in addition to Seeraj, Government was

RPA General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj

looking at other candidates but there is a tendency to lean more to Seeraj, who is a Member of Parliament (MP) and General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA).

Back in June, the ACP had indicated that the next SG will be a

Caribbean national. The tenure of the current SG Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni of Ghana ends in February 2015. The Council of Ministers will meet in Suriname in November, where they will finalise the selection of his successor.

The new SG, who will come from any of the ACP’s member states in the Caribbean, is expected to begin work in March 2015. His/her term will end in 2020.

“The upcoming term is especially significant as it will see the last leg of ACP-[European Union] EU cooperation under the current Cotonou Partnership Agreement, which ends in 2020,” a release from the ACP has said. The Cotonou Agreement is the most comprehensive partnership agreement between developing

countries and the EU. Since 2000, it has been the framework for the EU’s relations with the 79 ACP member states.

The Secretary General holds executive powers and heads the Brussels-based ACP Secretariat, which is the administrative and technical body of the ACP Group. The Secretariat provides policy guidance and technical expertise to the organs of the group, and monitors the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.

Appointment to the top post is for five years, and generally follows a principle of rotation amongst the six ACP regions, including West Africa (currently holding the post), East Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands.

23 Rift widens in PNCR news

WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

New candidate for US Ambassador to -top members set to resign Guyana nominated

By Jomo Paul

F

Perry L. Holloway

U

S President Barack Obama has announced his intent to nominate Perry L. Holloway – who was previously stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan where he served as a political-military counsellor – as US ambassador to Guyana.

The appointment of Holloway, a career member of the US Foreign Service, as US Ambassador to Guyana will have to be approved by the US Senate.

Holloway was among a list of persons nominated by Obama to serve in key Administration posts.

Guyana’s One Laptop Per Family drive reaches more beneficiaries

ormer Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) stalwart Clarissa Riehl has signalled her intention to resign from the party, contending that it has lost direction under incumbent David Granger.

According to Riehl, she was by default not a member of the party for the past two years, but recently renewed her membership with hopes of being able to bring change within the party, but regrets the decision. When asked if she intends to resign, the former Deputy Speaker responded: “I do, I intend to disassociate myself completely.”

Riehl, speaking to reporters outside of Congress Place, registered her disgust with the state of affairs of the PNCR. She said she has not set foot in Congress Place for the past two years because she did not “like the climate”.

“The incumbent always wins whether by manipulation or otherwise and that seems to be the name of the game… there cannot be any fair contests with an aspiring person,” said Riehl.

Riehl also criticised Granger’s leadership methods, confirming that he was too “aloof”. She pointed out that any other PNCR Leader would have seen it fit to engage the distraught Lindeners and persons who were not allowed access to the Congress, but Granger did not.

Aubrey Norton

“At the said time, Granger was standing with some of his senior men and his bodyguard drinking ice water… he should have been at the helm,” Riehl, a former Magistrate, now a practicing Attorney said.

She said she went to vote for Aubrey Norton to lead the party because she feels it was a wise idea for the party leader and the presidential candidate to be two different persons.

List padding

However, the voting process was marred by allegations of “list padding” by a member of the Accreditation Committee, which gifted Granger the party leadership after Norton pulled out in protest of the rigging. The PNCR leaders have a unique distinction of rigging both the national elec-

Clarissa Riehl

tion and their internal elections.

Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) National Secretary Adel Lilly told Guyana Times International that the Committee met for the first time on Saturday, but were not allowed enough time to vet the Voters List that was presented to them. Lilly said “from all indications, the list was padded”, explaining that the lists from several regions had “too many” delegates.

When asked what his next move was, Lilly said that he was quitting the party as he bemoaned the death of democracy under Granger. “I cannot support such an organisation that will go into elections that is calling for democracy to be acknowledged in the country and not even doing it in the party.”

Congress Place shooter to be charged

OLPF staff members assist with the distribution of laptops at the Hope Secondary School in Guyana

G

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Guyana’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Programme is adding to its long list of recipients, hundreds more happy and grateful people, as it continues another phase of distribution.

Last Thursday, staff of the OLPF Secretariat visited Golden Grove, Haslington, Hope and Mahaica, Region Four, where together over 340 laptops were handed out.

Golden Grove and Haslington received 90 laptops, distributed at the Golden Grove GroveNabaclis-Haslington Community Centre, while 150 were given out at the Hope Secondary School. At Mahaica, more than 100 of the devices were presented to residents.

Student of the Hope Secondary School, Amar Madhu, commended the government for such an initiative, highlighting that it will enhance his work in school now that he has a computer to do

research.

Father of two, Jaikaran Rambali, pointed out that the OLPF programme has been a great venture by government which will be of immense importance to school children, since they are the main beneficiaries.

Olivia, a mother of one, pointed out that this initiative has helped many families, especially those who cannot afford to purchase a laptop.

Residents of West Berbice, Region Five, were expected to receive their laptops at various sites on July 28.

The OLPF distribution programme has been in progress since October 2011 and will continue throughout 2014 and 2015. Overall 90,000 laptops are to be in the hands of Guyanese at the end of the programme.

This current phase of distribution is expected to conclude in September.

(Guyana Times)

M

oments before boarding a Travelspan Flight destined for John F Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday, the perpetrator who discharged a round during the last day of the People’s National Congress/ Reform Congress was nabbed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Ever since the shooting incident, the Police have been hunting for Linden Primo, but he disappeared until his arrest on Tuesday evening.

Members of the Criminal Investigations Department have launched an investigation into the shooting incident and have since confirmed that no firearm licence was issued to the said individual.

One source confirmed that the man is being grilled by CID ranks at Police Headquarters and he is expected to be slapped with two charges – discharging a loaded firearm in a public place and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Hours after the shooting incident at Congress Place, party leader David Granger told media op-

The man who allegedly fired the shot on Sunday at Congress Place

eratives that the internal security of PNCR has launched an investigation surrounding the incident.

Party Chairman Basil Williams is on record as saying that the shot was fired in the air after there was a “situation” at one of the polling stations. He said someone was in “danger” of being trampled; hence, the unknown individual

fired a shot into the air to disperse the crowd.

Williams told reporters that the shooter was no way connected to the PNCR Administration. Guyana Times International understands that the man was a member of the Returning Officer Team.

In responding to the outcries, the man reportedly fired a single shot into the air.

Former General Secretary Aubrey Norton moments after pulled out of the leadership race, but not before condemning the shooting incident, saying that there were other ways in addressing the issue.

Norton said he cannot recall during his tenure with the party that a gun had to be used to restore law and order.

“A gun should not have been used… not at all, you’re trying to say to me you need to shoot a gun to restore order,” questioned Norton, adding that “there should be no shooting at congress place”.

Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Clarissa Riehl has also criticised Granger, contending that he is too “aloof”, while nothing that he should have been able to calm the crowd down.

She said while the pandemonium was ongoing at Congress Place, Granger was having refreshments with another senior member and a security official.

The single gunshot caused the delegates attending the conference to scamper for cover.

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Gov’t to GECOM: Bring the evidence - Luncheon maintains GECOM not ready to hold national or local gov’t elections

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abinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon has issued a challenge to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to lay the evidence on the table to supports its claims that it is ready for the hosting of Local Government and General Elections.

According to Dr Luncheon at his postCabinet briefing last Wednesday, the Government is yet to be convinced that the Commission is as ready for the calling of any of the elections, despite the many claims Chairman of the Commission, Dr Steve Surujbally has been making in the past months.

“Cabinet and Guyana have heard and we cannot be unmindful of the Chairman’s exhortations, but let us put our money where our mouth is and let GECOM submit a status report that it claims.

The exhortations of the Chairman should now be matched by evidence. Let’s take it for granted and let’s take it a step further and bring the evidence.

Let’s see what is it that gives them the confidence to face the Guyanese public and say that they are

allegations that the entity is not adequately prepared to host Local Government or General Elections, amid the concerns which were raised by the ruling Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

When questioned last Thursday by Guyana

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

ready and you expect the Guyanese people to accept.

Let us see the evidence of this readiness and that will satisfy even the most skeptical. Let them put their money where their mouth is,” Dr Luncheon said.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Cabinet Secretary noted too that concerns have been expressed over the Claims and Objections process, which the agency is scheduled to hold from August 4 to 31.

He said the concerns arose from the fact that the list is only valid for an approximate three months and it is Cabinet’s understanding that if the list is to be considered valid and

used, then elections must be called within that timeframe.

Dr Luncheon described this development as a ploy, noting that it is intended to marginalise and generalise the role of the President in issuing the call for elections, whether it is Local Government or General Elections.

Questioned whether GECOM’s alleged preparedness and readiness is connected to the Alliance For Change’s proposed no-confidence motion, Dr Luncheon debunked the claim, saying: “they are unrelated and unless I’m otherwise advised, let us ignore that for now”.

It was just recently that Dr Surujbally dismissed

Times International on statements by the Government that GECOM is not ready to stage elections, the Chairman said, “and I am just as repeatedly saying we are ready”.

There has been resounding calls for Government to issue

the order for the holding of Local Government Elections. These utterances have not been limited to the political Opposition parties as the Diplomatic Corps, the private sector and a plethora of other bodies have issued statements to that respect.

26 NEWS New GPC must compete with top int’l agencies WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

…to supply medical drugs to Guyana

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espite being cleared as the sole pre-qualified company to supply medical drugs to the Guyana Government, NEW GPC INC would still have to compete with a number of top international agencies that gained automatic qualification.

These agencies include the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

There has been some confusion regarding sole-sourcing of drugs with some reporters equating the NEW GPC’s prequalification clearance as being sole sourcing. Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, President Donald Ramotar was again asked about the issue of sole sourcing in the context that a sole supplier can sell at exorbitant prices because of the supposed monopoly.

Higher standard

The President, in his response, agreed that overpricing could be an issue with a sole supplier, saying “… maybe what we have to do is encourage broader participation and higher standards and hopefully some of those who did not reach the criteria will reach

The NEW GPC facility at Farm, East Bank Demerara

them”.

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon had earlier explained that the pre-qualification exercise is not “sole sourcing”, which is when only one supplier has items. After pre-qualification, NEW GPC will still have to compete with the international pre-qualified suppliers. Dr Luncheon announced last Wednesday that NEW GPC was the only one of the seven companies that had applied for “pre-qualification” status to fulfil all the requirements.

This, however, does not mean that NEW GPC will become the “sole supplier” as was assumed by a reporter at the press conference, but will join the list of international suppli-

ers mentioned above that were automatically pre-qualified and against which NEW GPC will have to bid.

The term “no-bid contract” or sole-sourcing is a popular phrase for what is officially known as a “sole source contract” which means that there is only one person or company that can provide the contractual services needed, so any attempt to obtain bids would only result in that person or company bidding on it. United States laws permit the Government to award sole source contracts under specified circumstances.

Expert scrutiny

President Ramotar told the news conference held at State House on Saturday that the other six companies that had

submitted bids to be considered as a pre-qualified supplier had failed to meet their criteria. The Head of State again clarified that the decision of awarding the contract was done strictly at the level of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and not at the level of Cabinet.

The NPTAB had selected a panel of experts who scrutinised the applications. From the onset, some of the disgruntled companies had complained that the criteria were “too high” and required substantial investments in infrastructure and human resources.

On Saturday, NEW GPC General Manager Ravie

Ramcharitar told Guyana Times International that the company invested billions of dollars to create the proper storage for pharmaceuticals.

“It is not appreciated how complex was the infrastructural network to man the pharmaceutical supply chain for Government. We hired hundreds of qualified Guyanese to create a world-class manufacturing facility,” he said.

Ramcharitar also pointed out that pre-qualified suppliers do not provide all pharmaceuticals needed to the Health Ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Under the rules, there is direct bidding that results in some of the companies, such as International Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), that failed to pre-qualify, winning hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pharmaceuticals and equipment.

Change criteria

Responding to queries about whether the criteria should be changed to allow for more than one company to supply the health sector with drugs, so as to allow for competitive pricing, the President noted that changing the criteria to allow for the entry of another firm that could not meet the prior criteria would allow for the danger of being supplied with poor-quality drugs.

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Guyana, US reach agreement on tax compliance Act

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inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Wednesday announced that the Government has in substance, concluded with the US an inter-governmental agreement for implementation of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

As a result of the achievement of this important milestone, Guyana is now listed by the US Department of the Treasury as one of the jurisdictions treated as having an inter-governmental agreement in effect.

The conclusion of the agreement, in substance, comes after several months of review and negotiations between the US and Guyana authorities on the text of the agreement, and will see the two countries concluding a Model One reciprocal agreement within the coming months.

FATCA provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010 (HIRE Act) were enacted in the US on March 18, 2010, in order to address concerns over offshore tax evasion. FATCA generally requires a Foreign Financial Institution (FFI) to enter into an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to report information

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

about certain accounts held

by US persons or foreign entities owned by US persons.

An FFI that does not enter into an agreement with the IRS will be subject to a 30 per cent withholding tax on certain payments, including US source interest and dividends, and gross proceeds from sales of US securities.

Congress enacted FATCA to target non-compliance by US taxpayers using foreign accounts, and the provision has since become the global standard for promoting tax transparency. It requires US financial institutions to withhold a portion of certain payments made to FFIs that do not agree to identify and report information on US ac-

count holders. Governments have two options for complying with FATCA: they can either permit their FFIs to enter into agreements with the IRS or they can, themselves, enter into IGAs with the US. In Guyana’s case, the latter option was adopted, and an inter-governmental agreement has been entered into with the US. On April 4, the US Department of the Treasury and the IRS announced that jurisdictions that have reached agreements in substance with the US on the terms of inter-governmental agreements under the FATCA can be treated as having agreements in effect until the end of 2014.

Minister Singh indicated that, as of June 24, Guyana attained the status of having an agreement in substance.

This development represents a significant achievement in cooperation between Guyana and the US, Minister Singh said as he applauded the efforts made by both countries to ensure timely advancement of the discussions. The Minister further indicated that Guyana’s authorities will continue to collaborate with their US counterparts through the final signing of the agreement and its implementation.

Man allegedly beaten by soldiers in Trinidad sues State

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Leon King, of Paradise Heights, Morvant, claimed he was attacked, beaten and robbed

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: A 35-year-old man, who was left with a broken jaw after he was allegedly ambushed by two soldiers in east Port-of-Spain last week, has taken legal action against the State, seeking compensation for his injuries. Leon King, of Paradise Heights, Morvant, claimed he was attacked, beaten and robbed as he was about to visit his seven-yearold daughter at George Street, Port-of-Spain, last week Tuesday.

In a pre-action protocol letter sent by his attorneys, King stated he intended to seek compensation for assault and battery.

The letter from King’s lawyer, Varun Debideen, was sent last Friday to the Office of the Attorney General, which represents members of the protective services in their official capacity. It was also delivered last Wednesday to Chief of Defence Staff Major Gen Kenrick Maharaj.

In the letter, King is claiming that around 4.30 am he was about to enter the stairwell at his former

wife’s apartment building when he was confronted by soldiers patrolling the housing complex.

He said when he told them the reason for his early-morning visit, they accused him of lying and told him to lie down on a flight of stairs. King said as he was about to comply, one of them struck him twice in the face with a gun. When he fell over, he said, the two soldiers began violently prodding his back with the barrels and butts of their assault rifles while searching his pockets. He is also claiming that before they left, the soldiers took TT$225 which they had emptied from his pocket, leaving him with only his two cellphones.

King was warded at the Port-ofSpain General Hospital for most of last week and was discharged on Monday. The incident was one of several reports of abuse from residents of east Port-of-Spain since soldiers began patrolling their communities following the murder of their colleague Lance Cpl Kayode Thomas on June 29. (TT Guardian)

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: “It’s much more than just a fashion show or an opportunity to wear nice clothes and march,” Eintou Pearl Springer of Trinidad says of Emancipation Day, which is being commemorated on Friday.

“It is a time of learning and veneration for the trials of our ancestors.”

A celebrated local poet, playwright and cultural activist, Springer has, for more than two decades, dedicated her life to educating African descendants in Trinidad and Tobago about the antecedents which gave rise to the emancipation of slaves in 1838.

And while her struggle to create a heightened consciousness about the horrors of slavery remains a work in progress, Springer says she will not rest until it is recognised that emancipation is not a gift but the result of the ceaseless efforts of a people to gain freedom.

“Emancipation is not just about a day. The clothes and the march are symbolic but it is

Dr Rita Pemberton

much more than that,” she explained.

Or is it?

One-day event

Retired head of the Department of History at the St Augustine Campus of the University of West Indies, Dr Rita Pemberton, believes that Emancipation is still largely “a one day event for many people.”

“Although many people have become conscious over time, it is not happening at a rate that is satisfactory,” she said. “For many, it is just about the clothes and the parade. Behaviours have not moved much past that.”

Designer Heather Jones was unsure as to

Eintou Pearl Springer (TT Newsday photos)

the extent to which such perceived superficiality existed in the society.

“It is difficult to say because I know of many people who do not see Emancipation as just a celebration. They truly live an emancipated life,” she indicated.

Meaningful

Pemberton contends that the glossed-over view of Emancipation could be reversed through teaching and discussion “in a meaningful way.”

She observed, however, that many of the persons attending lectures and discussions were already knowledgeable and committed to the process.

Historian and author

Michael Anthony agrees.

“We, as a people, have not been moving forward to achieve and sometimes I feel that we are our own executioners,” he indicated.

Emancipation Day, Anthony observed, is still largely about celebrations as opposed to an internalisation of its message.

A Humming Bird Medal (Gold) recipient for Literature, Anthony admitted that he used to “dress up” and participate in the annual parade and other aspects of the observance, “but I don’t do that anymore. I see it as nonsensical.”

For this year’s celebration, Springer will again preside over the theatrical piece, ‘Freedom Morning Come’, which reenacts the events leading up to the proclamation of Emancipation on the morning of August 1, 1834.

Participants will then perform libations through the streets to the Yoruba Village, before re-enacting the Proclamation of Emancipation at the Treasury Building. (TT Newsday)

Fourth International Reggae Wine Festival for Montego Bay

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The fourth International Reggae Wine Festival is scheduled for October 18 at the Whitter Village in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Artistes for the event have not been confirmed, but Carlos Daley, founder of the event, expects the presence of an American wine sommelier to broaden its appeal.

Chris Joyce, who has ties to the famed Nappa Valley wine region in northern California, will attend the show. According to a post on his Facebook page, Joyce said he will be displaying his products at the festival, and encouraged colleagues to follow suit.

While acts like John Holt, Leroy Sibbles, Etana, Protoje, Romain Virgo and Tessanne Chin have helped draw enthusiastic crowds in previous years, Daley considers Joyce's 'endorsement' significant.

"When we were planning the show we positioned Jamaica as an area of wine introduction and he responded, saying he'd like to come to Jamaica," Daley told Jamaican media.

"You have 30,000

people in Jamaica who are direct wine lovers, so the market is there and the potential is great."

Daley first held the International Reggae Wine Festival in 2011 at the Rose Hall Aqueduct in Montego Bay. It had a strong turnout, but he admits last year's two-day show at Secrets Resorts & Spa, also in the tourist resort, was a disappointment.

The previous festivals were held in August. Daley is confident a move to October, which has a less competitive show calendar, will pay dividends.

"We are putting in a lot of energy and expect good things this year," he said.

A graduate of Howard University, Daley is a financial analyst by profession. He has lived in Maryland for nearly 40 years and is promoter of the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival and Jamaica Day shows in that state.

Their success prompted him to stage a Jamaican show catering to wine lovers, complemented by easy-listening reggae.

Daley expects to announce the artistes for this year's show by August.

(Jamaica Observer)

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Sandals to build Caribbean's first over-the-water suites in Jamaica

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AN FERNANDO, TRINIDAD: The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Trinidad celebrated its 22nd Emancipation Day celebrations with a thanksgiving service and street parade in San Fernando Sunday.

Members of the clergy and congregation took to the streets after the service at the St Peter’s Parish in Cocoyea Village, in a procession led by Archbishop Abuna Thaddaeus.

Held under the theme: ‘Reparation at home and aboard’, the celebration was attended by former minister Joan Yuille-Williams, who during the service asked the congregation to say a prayer for their brothers and sisters in Africa. She also asked them remember former prime minister and San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning in their prayers. While he is ill and partially disabled after suffering a stroke, Yuille-Williams said his mind is still intact.

Yuille-Williams also paid tribute to the

The suites will be located on a private island offshore the main resort (Sandals photo)

Ethiopian Orthodox members parade and dance in the streets of San Fernando Sunday, celebrating their 22nd Annual Emancipation Day (TT Guardian photo)

organisation for its work over the years.

Bringing greetings on behalf of the San Fernando Mayor Kazim Hosein, Marabella West councillor Laverne Smith said it was a pleasure seeing men and women dressed as kings and queens. She said it broke her heart to see women dressing halfnaked and men wearing their pants under their buttocks. “I am a spiritual baptist and I never felt more queenly then I did today.”

Also delivering greetings, Franklyn Griffith of the San Fernando Catholic Credit Union said the occasion of Emancipation always excites him and gives him hope. Accompanied by a DJ music truck belting out liberation tunes from various artistes, including the legendary Bob Marley and popular Orisha singer Ella Andall, the procession culminated at Palm’s Club for the cultural show and luncheon. (TT Guardian)

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Sandals Resorts International is pumping US$5.5 million into five of the Caribbean's first over-the-water suites and the renovation of 14 suites at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Dubbed Sandals Royal Caribbean Spa Resort and Offshore Island, the suites will be located on a private island offshore the main resort. Each suite will feature a private outdoor Jacuzzi tub and shower, a hammock, and steps leading from the sun deck straight into the Caribbean Sea. The interiors will boast 1,600 square feet

of space, with a large walk-in shower, indoor soaking tub as well as glass flooring, allowing guests to view the ocean and marine life below.

What's more, the flooring will also light up at nights, allowing continuous views of the Ocean.

Other amenities include an authentic Thai restaurant and casual beachfront grill, a pool with a whirlpool and swim-up pool bar, and a private beach.

"We are proud to again be trailblazers in the market, targeting discerning travellers who yearn for luxury with a closer connection to nature," said Sandals Royal International Chief Executive Officer

Adam Stewart.

"The addition of the over-the-water suites ensures that Sandals will be positioned, not just as a leader in all-inclusives, but at the top end of the industry, pushing boundaries and setting new standards," Stewart explained.

Sandals and Beaches resorts have earned a worldwide reputation for providing quality holidays, weddings and honeymoons at their more than 20 luxury-included resorts in seven Caribbean islands.

The Jamaican company continues to win multiple awards, including the prestigious World Travel Awards.

(Jamaica Observer)

feature

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and starring Christopher 'Johnny' Daley, ‘Kingston Paradise’ has been doing well since its release last year, copping numerous awards including the 2014 Pan-African Film Festival Best Narrative award.

Continued growth

In a statement published on the festival's official website, founder and filmmaker FrancesAnne Solomon expressed her delight at the festival's continued growth.

"As we continually grow in capacity and impact, the Canadian arm of CaribbeanTales is proud

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to present our flagship event for the ninth consecutive year," she said.

CaribbeanTales is the trademark of a group of media companies based in Canada and Barbados, and founded by FrancesAnne Solomon. The festival showcases Caribbean films from 15 selected countries across the region; this includes 10 feature-length and 20 short films. All of the 2014 entries will be competing for the coveted CTFF Audience Prize, which will be announced on closing night, September 13. (Jamaica Gleaner)

‘Calypso Dreams,’ an entry from Trinidad and Tobago, was one of the first two films to be highlighted

O R O N T O , C A N A D A : CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) is celebrating its ninth anniversary and will this year return to Toronto, Canada, for the annual celebrations. Under the theme, 'Our Lens, Our Perspective', the festival officially begins on September 3 and runs until September 13.

Though the festival hasn't officially commenced, special com-

munity screenings have already started in Canada's capital.

Last Saturday, patrons got the chance to see two of the films selected from different countries across the region at a special screening free of cost. ‘Carnivalesque’ and ‘Calypso Dreams’ (both entries from Trinidad and Tobago), were the first two films to be highlighted during the community screenings. The next community screening is sched-

uled for August 30 when Canada's ‘The Orisha Suite’, ‘Kali Worship in Trinidad and Tobago’, and ‘Haiti's Voodoo Dance’ will take the spotlight.

Jamaica's film, ‘Kingston Paradise’, will also be featured at this year's festival. Listed as one of the festival's centrepiece films, the production will have its screening on September 12, a day before the festival's official end.

Directed by Mary Wells

Christopher 'Johnny' Daley (left) and Gregory Nelson in a scene from 'Kingston Paradise' (Photo: contributed)

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Simply the truth

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M a l a y s i a n Airline Passenger Jet 777 was blown out of the sky recently. I have looked for any comment on anything from Guyana that makes sense, and have found nothing. Over the last few years, I have read much rubbish written by columnists and

“social scientists” and “analysts” about world events.

They write laudably about things like the “Arab Spring” and a protest here and there in the world. These people have praised those violent uprisings and have wished it upon Guyana.

Eventually, many

of these protests got deadly, and the small Guyanese commentators turned away and returned to their usual gripe about this or that local thing.

One doubts seriously whether they have ever gone to any of these violent places and felt the cut of metal on flesh.

But they want the excitement of violence to happen in Guyana. But from the comfort of the Guyanese living rooms and from the need to incite more chaos in the nation, they bleat their nonsense.

What does this have to do with Guyanese?

Well, nothing. Well, everything. Nothing because we simply do not see how that which happens elsewhere affects us directly or eventually.

These empty and violent words written in Guyana that glorify violence should tell us that we are reading reckless foolishness written by people who have no idea whatsoever about the places and events about which they babble. But our politicians are no better than these idiots (and yes, we know where the word came from and what it means).

No one in Guyana so far has analyzed the implications about a missile that blew apart a passenger jet. We are a tiny nation, but that should not mean that we should be a tiny nation of tiny minds.

Unfortunately, we have proven that we are an insignificant nation of people who have “intellectuals” capable of nothing but flatulence.

Where is our analysis? We seem to have nothing to offer. Instead of any kind of meaningful analysis from our “leaders” or “analysts”, we get the empty mention of the name of a town like Donetsk, not far from Kiev. None of them has been there! And so they compare great tragedies

and murder on a large scale to a traffic light in Georgetown. It is downright obscene.

Two hundred and ninety eight innocent people from eleven nations perished on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. This Malaysian Airline flight was flying at 33,000 feet through a safe corridor over Ukraine, and was blown out of the sky by what evidence suggests to be a Russiansponsored BUK missile. That is bad enough, but now we see the rotting corpses of the innocent being looted of cell phones, watches, and other things.

This kind of horror does not really concern us in Guyana, although we should be very alarmed. We do not need to be weepy and soppy, but we should show basic human concern as a nation. We should be interested enough to learn a little about Malaysia.

It has a multi-ethnic population and the racial had tensions boiled over into death and violence, much as it did in Guyana.

But with work and vision, the tensions between Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia have been put away.

They have found a way to work together for the good of Malaysia. In Guyana, our so-called academics and leaders are disgustingly unwilling to learn. Malaysians of every colour share a great pride in that country. In Guyana, we have personal pomposity based on nothing, but there is no one who seems capable of gener-

Professor Daizal Samad

ating healthy pride.

By working together, Malaysians managed to have one of the most prosperous developing nations in the world.

They have their own airline, and Malaysian Airlines is second only to Singapore Airlines in world ranking (although both are now challenged

by UAE Airways).

They have an airport that out-classes any North American airport and rivals Hong Kong and Dubai in beauty and convenience. They have a light rail transit which makes travel cheap, safe and comfortable.

Malaysia makes its own cars, the Proton.

They are of the same quality as Toyota and Honda. They have a Prime Minister who is eloquent, cool and measured even under extreme pressure and grief. They have dozens of universities, and developed nations are rushing to invest in all things there. All of this happens when there is vision, political intelligence, and cooperation.

On behalf of our Republic of Guyana, I offer our deepest sympathy to the families and nations that have lost lives in this horrible and needless crime. Our thoughts are with you, Malaysia.

Antigua’s Carnival 2014 officially off the mark

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T . J O H N ’ S , A N T I G U A : Antigua’s summer festival got under way last Saturday with thousands of colourfully adorned revellers and participants taking part in a street parade that was witnessed by spectators who thronged the streets to view the widely anticipated event.

The t-shirt mas’ group saw an increase of six new bands for this year and Minister of Culture Paul “Chet” Greene, said the numbers were up across the board.

He called on the public to show support at all of this year’s carnival events.

Speaking at the opening last Saturday, Minister Greene commended the outgoing

Carnival Development Committee (CDC) Chairman Kayode O’Marde, the sub-committees, patrons, contestants and all other participants for showing continued support to carnival.

O’Marde, who has held the post for the last three years, noted that given that general elections was held so close to the annual event, affected the festival from a planning and financial point of view, but sought to see the positives.

The brief ceremony at House of Culture included speeches from O’Marde and title sponsor for the opening parade–Scotiabank–made

by Country Manager Gordon Julien. (Antigua Observer)

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Emancipation

Why are they misinforming us?

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By Anu Dev

“Slavery is a weed that grows on every soil.” -Edmund Burke

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his Friday, August 1 is Emancipation Day! Slavery was abolished 180 years ago. 180 years! That’s literally 10 times the amount of years that I’ve been alive! But yet oftentimes I wonder what has happened to the promise of that seminal event.

In Caribbean History, we spent a lot of time learning about conditions on the sugar plantations during slavery and after Emancipation. It was a descent into horror. We learnt about plantation society, about sugar manufacturing and we even had to build models of a typical plantation.

Most horrifyingly, we learnt about the slave trade, and about the terror of the Middle Passage which, when contra-posed against the societies from which the slaves were snatched, becomes an object lesson of “man’s inhumanity to man.”

I loved reading about the societies and cultures that were already established in West Africa, about the Kingdoms like Dahomey and Ashanti and about the Oyo Empire. There was so much rich culture, religion and art. I got lost in the stories and legends of the Akan religion.

When the Africans were brought to the Caribbean, they weren’t allowed to practise anything of their own culture. They weren’t even allowed to have families. They were forced into Christianity – after they were freed and it was conceded they MIGHT be human – and had to give up their own religions.

They were forced into a European social structure, where they would always be inferior striving to be what they could never be – white men and women.

Never mind that they already had their own wellorganised social structures for hundreds of years. I really can’t imagine what it would’ve been like living like that, being treated as being less than human. As chattel – someone’s property.

One of my favourite heroes in WI history was Toussaint L’Ouverture. To have a man – born a slave – take on the full might of one of the greatest European powers of the day, for the right to be free, was awe inspiring. He was indeed an “Opening”: the eventual independence of Haiti showed the path that every other colony had to walk. But yet we heard ad nauseum about the American and French Revolutions, but never about the Haitian Revolution.

I mean lots of people have the notion that you have to move on from your past completely in order to have a future. But that idea completely disregards the point we are our past: we are, in a word, our consummated past. And this is not just the past of our own short lives, but the past that has been transmitted to us.

History shows how families, countries, laws and institutions are formed, how they evolved and why certain ones have survived while others ‘bit the dust’.

If a nation is just defined by its present- how shallow is that?

Look at how much our country and our people have survived and suffered through and yet we’re still afloat. We need to be aware of our past. We need to be aware of our heroes, of the adversities we overcame. We need to remember our heroes such as Cuffy and Quamina.

Think about how those who came before you struggled and fought for their freedom and how lucky we all are now, to be living free. We’re not enslaved, we’re not indentured: we’re living free, so it’s inexcusable if we don’t work hard to give ourselves the future we want- the shackles are off.

As our own prophet Bob Marley sang, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds.”

Happy Emancipation Day!

t is depressing to see how certain politicians and the news media everyday make Guyana look as if it is moving backwards and Guyana is on the verge of collapse.

It is appalling that so many persons are engaged in a puerile effort to get people to believe that Guyana is a nation where everyone is starving and where people are routinely being brutalised by the Government.

The doomsayers are trying their best to portray Guyana as a country where everyone is homeless and hopeless.

Consider this: Guyana has seen an increase of more than 70,000 new houses in the last 20 years and Guyana’s caloric intake has increased from about 2000 per day per capita to almost 3000 calories.

Life expectancy has increased to 70, even though Guyana nearly dropped below 60 in 1990. More than 16,000 new vehicles entered Guyana in 2013, more than all that entered in the 1980s.

the figures improved from greater than 75 per cent in 1990 to 56.7 per cent in 1997 and to 20.8 per cent in 2012.

In 1990, more than 78 per cent of pregnant women were anaemic and this improved to 52 per cent in 1997 and 41 per cent in 2012.

These efforts to misinform and mislead the population are hyperbole and rhetoric designed to persuade the masses to reject Government. The doomsayers have chosen to paint Guyana as one of the worst countries in the world because they want power.

Guyana has many problems.

Which country is without prob-

Absolute freedom to spout nonsense

The doomsayers have absolute freedom to spout their nonsense, courtesy of living in a free and democratic country, where the media prospers and where there is freedom to assemble anywhere.

There are more than six radio stations, more than 30 television stations and four daily newspapers in a country with less than a million people. Yet the doomsayers claim there is no media freedom, but they make their claims in widely circulated newspapers, on radio and TV stations, many of which are clearly and unabashedly anti-government.

In 1990, more than 70 per cent of children under five years old were anaemic, but the situation improved to 47.9 per cent by 1997 and to 24 per cent by 2012. For young people five to 16 years old,

S

atiricus was firm against all forms of discrimination.

And this recent announcement by the Police brass that they were banning Pot Bellies had to be the worse form of discrimination. These Police Gestapos were clever. They know they could be hauled before the courts if they banned the Pot Bellies without any good reason. So they said it was because of “fitness”.

But Satiricus knew this was just mamaguying people. Had they ever proven a connection between Pot Bellies and fitness??

Satiricus snorted. These top cops wouldn’t know a study if it crept up and bit them on their bamsee.

In fact, Satiricus became more enraged at the thought. Weren’t “big-bamsee people” possibly

lems? Would we want to go back to a Guyana we had in 1970 or 1980 or 1990? Would we want to be in a situation that many Caribbean countries, including Barbados, now find themselves, where they must freeze public servant salaries?

Unbroken economic and social growth

Guyana is the only country today in the Region that has seen almost a decade of unbroken economic and social growth. In the decade of the 1980s, Guyana’s growth trajectory was negative. No country in the Region has ever undergone such a long period of continuous negative growth.

Experts believe that the greatest challenge Caricom faces is the

horrendous debt burden many countries in the Region face today. Jamaica, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, and others face international debts approaching or surpassing 100 per cent of their GDPs. None of Guyana’s doomsayers ever tell us that in 1990, Guyana stood out as the basket case with a debt burden of almost 750 per cent of our GDP. Guyana today with a debt burden of about 43 per cent of GDP stands out as one of the best in Caricom.

The doomsayers actually justify blacklisting Guyana. Even though Guyana gained a respite from an earlier threat of blacklisting because of nonpassage of the AML/CFT Bill, we still face FATF blacklisting in October if Guyana does not pass the legislation.

The same politicians who claim to be on our side have taken a vacation until October.

The AFC politicians say they really cannot find anything to object to the AML/CFT bill, but they want the President to appoint the Procurement Commission.

The President says he is ready to appoint the Commission. The Constitution establishes that the President can only appoint nominees to the Procurement Commission who are nominated by the Parliament.

After almost a decade, the Parliament is still dithering.

The Public Accounts Committee is responsible for making the nominations and the PAC is chaired by Carl Greenidge, with a majority of Opposition members. Who must the President appoint?

The doomsayers are taking Guyana on a journey to disaster.

We must move forward, faster, not go backwards.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@gmail.com.

Pot-bellied policemen unhealthy also?? Why not ban big bamsees?? The Police Force could’ve demanded “buns of steel” rather than six-pack abs.

Satiricus just thought that the Police Force was falling for this “image thing”. You know … trying to LOOK good rather than BE good. But Satiricus’ gripe went deeper. “Why the flat-bellied image??” he thought. “Hey we were a country where lots of people were poor. Not too long ago, during the Pee an See days people used to starve and their belly used to touch their backbone.”

Did the Police brass want their Policemen to look like that?

Having a Pot Belly meant a fella wasn’t a “starving-guts”. It mean that you could eat as much

as you want. And Police COULD eat as much as they want. All they had to do was stop anyone driving and ask them for a fried rice. The biggest customers of Chinese fried rice in Guyana were Policemen.

“Yes!” concluded Satiricus, it was that image thing. Wasn’t there that song where the woman was screaming “Ah doan want no Dhall Belly Man”?? Satiricus figured they all wanted men to look like Brad Pitt – it had nothing to do with “fitness”. It had to do with following foreign fashion.

Again Satiricus snorted.

“Hell,” he thought, “Some of the biggest bellies I’ve ever seen were on Sumo Wrestlers. And those fellas were certainly fit!”

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Judge, jury and executioner …

P

CPL T/20 players make the connection with Caribbean Airlines (TT Guardian photo)

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: When the six Caribbean Premier League (CPLT20) teams meet in high-energy 20/20 matches, they do so powered by travel with Caribbean Airlines, the official carrier of the series.

“As the Caribbean’s hometown airline, it is our honour to participate in the CPLT20, which is as much a celebration of the spirit of the Caribbean, as it is

a world-class sporting cricket event,” said Alicia Cabrera, senior marketing manager, Caribbean Airlines.

As the official carrier of the Caribbean Premier League, Caribbean Airlines has taken the teams to matches in TT, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Grenada.

Additionally, Caribbean Airlines Facebook fans have the opportunity to win match tickets to any of the airline’s North America destinations.

“When you look at

the challenges of holding a major international sports league across the Caribbean Islands, it becomes obvious that the most obvious strategic partner for any such event is Caribbean Airlines.” said Jamie Stewart, commercial director of the Caribbean Premier League.

“With that in mind we are delighted to have Caribbean Airlines onboard as the Official Airline of the CPL. ” Legendary cricketer Brian Lara, who is

By Cloyette Harris-Stoute

F

or those of us who have emigrated from Guyana, ‘Demerara Gold’ is a refreshing reminder of the expectation, excitement and anxiety that we experience in our journey to join our families in America.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting in the front row to watch Ingrid Griffith, the star of ‘Demerara Gold’, as she seamlessly transformed into a slew of characters and captivated the audience with her raw emotions and hilarious depictions of events from her childhood. The performance I saw was phenomenal!

Ingrid’s autobiographical one-woman play is the story of a 7-year-old girl in Guyana whose parents get visas to America and must leave her in the care of her two grandmothers. One grandmother is a rigid recluse. The other grandmother is a religious fanatic. The girl’s dreams are on hold until she finally gets a visa to join her parents in the US. Her new home in America proves to be all that was promised but more than she bargained for. If you close your eyes, you can leave your body and travel back in time 50 or so years.

A classically trained actress, Ingrid has performed in theatres in and around New York City. Some of her most notable roles include Mama Nadi in ‘Ruined’ by Lynn Nottage; Lena Baptiste in ‘Buckingham’ by Tina Andrews, Mrs. Muller in ‘Doubt’ by John Patrick Shanley,

various characters in ‘Vagina Monologues’ by Eve Ensler, Hedda Gabler in Henrik Ibsen’s ‘Hedda Gabler’, Lady Reveller in ‘The Basset Table’ by Susanna Centlivre. Ingrid is a member of Times Square Playwrights and American Renaissance Theatre Company. She has a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing.

Ingrid has written columns and articles on fitness and popular culture for newspapers and magazines including the Newark Star-Ledger, Essence and The Source. She has been a certified fitness professional for several years and continues to tout the benefits of staying fit and eating healthy. Ingrid currently teaches Introduction to Theatre and Public Speaking in the Communication and Theater Arts Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Following her last “bravura” performance, Ingrid joined some of her fans at the nearby Taboo Lounge for drinks and I sat down with her for a quick chit chat.

Born in Guyana, Ingrid

also Caribbean Airlines’ Ambassador, recently hosted several players for a rap session. Joining Lara were, Daniel Vettori, Jerome Taylor and Captain Chris Gayle of the Jamaica Tallawahs and Dwayne Bravo, captain of the TT Red Steel.

Speaking to the players, Lara said” “You gentlemen have the unique opportunity to bring a new generation of fans into cricket, and it’s exciting to watch this happening now.” (TT Guardian)

grew up on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, prior to moving to the United States, where she has resided for the last 30 year.

With multiple performances already added to her acting portfolio, Ingrid decided two years ago that it was time to bring her own childhood experiences to life in a self-written one woman play. After months of reading excerpts and performing sections of her story to friends and family, she took heed of all the feedback and comments, and began submitting applications to perform ‘Demerara Gold’ in local theatre festivals. The call finally came in March 2014, giving ‘Demerara Gold’ a 6-night run at the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre in New York City as part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival.

Although performing a onewoman show can be a bit nervewracking and sometimes physically challenging, Ingrid credits her strength and discipline as a marathon runner for her ability to successfully pull off her very energetic solo performance night after night to eager audiences.

“As the performer you have to give it your all and push things to the limit,” she shared.

Ingrid plans to continue the momentum and take ‘Demerara Gold’ on the road to the Guyanese and Caribbean communities locally, nationally and internationally. Tickets are available for the show online at www.demeraragoldtheshow.com (www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

…Parliament The more things change, the more they remain the same. And no. Your Eyewitness is not going to refer to how the phrase is expressed in French. And that’s because you dear readers will have to forgive his “French” as he discusses the load of sh*t that the Opposition’s been dumping on our system of democracy over the actions of the Minister of Finance.

For a country that went through slavery and with Emancipation Day nigh upon us, it’s more than a crying shame and disgrace that they would try to pull the kinda stunt they are. A slave was a slave because he was property. The massa could do what he dammed well pleased with the slave and nothing could be done about it. Your chair can’t sue you if you throw it into the fire, can it??? You know it goddamn well can’t – it’s property and you’re the judge, jury and executioner about its fate.

After the abolition of slavery and we were recognised as “human” and given rights – it was conceded that we should enjoy what’s called “natural justice”. What’s this?? Just a basic rule of fairness if we’re going to be judged – not like the old “massa days” when we were the same as chairs.

More specifically, there are two prongs – no one should be a judge in his own cause. Meaning that no person can judge a case in which they have an interest. The other principle is – the other side must be heard. So let’s see what the Opposition doing to Ashni Singh.

First they made up the charge – the Minister shouldn’t have spent the Gy$4.5 billion that’d been cut from the budget by the same Opposition. The Minister said, “Hey!! I was just doing my job as specified by the Constitution!!” So the Opposition responds, “Listen Budday! You’re in Parliament and we make the rules here. We’re taking you to our Privileges Committee, which we control!”

So the Minister responds, “But we’re not England.

Parliament also comes under the Constitution, like me. You gotta take me to the courts, if you think I acted unconstitutionally. They should be the judge.”

The Opposition snorted (it could be they farted, but it’s tough to tell), “You can take the Courts and stick them, you know where! We’re asking the Speaker – who just happens to be our fella – to decide” And – surprise!! surprise!! – Speaker Trotman says, “Later for the Constitution!! It’s the Privileges Committee for you, Buddy.” Looks like Massa Day ain’t done!! Parliament insists it’s judge, jury and executioner. …PNC Leader But one thing about the PNC – the big enchilada in the Opposition – they’re an equal opportunity son-of-a-bitch. They can screw their own as good as the Government, when it comes to denying people natural justice. Shows when it comes to power, there are no favourites. Take no prisoners!! Show no mercy!!

So the folks down at Linden were pi55ed that their local girl – an MP no less – was treated like dirt by one of the party big ones from GT. Imagine the fella wrenched the hands of the poor, fragile MPs. Showed what those town folks thought of country folks, no?? Slaves.

Well, the Lindeners demanded Justice. They’re getting it – but it ain’t “natural”. The PNC pulled the same stunt they’re trying in Parliament. Formed a Committee of all their town loyalists to judge the Linden lass.

Talk about trying the Devil in Hell!!! But the girl’s shown the old fogies, she ain’t taking it lying down.

She wrapped her head in a scarf, girded her loins and showed up when the leader was on nominating himself. Truth to power!! Guess, Massa can be challenged!!! …Aussie match referee Looks like the rot’s even spread to cricket. David Boon just arbitrarily penalised Indian all rounder Jadeja for English fast bowler Anderson pushing him. How dare a chair complain!

feature

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A

ndrew Watson is the world’s first black international football player and is known to have captained Scotland three times between 1881 and 1882. He was also considered as one of the top ten football players in the world in the nineteenth century.

Watson was born in May of 1857 in British Guiana, and was the son of a wealthy Scottish sugar planter named Peter Miller and comely local lass named Rose Watson.

He left British Guiana to further his studies in England. At fourteen he was enrolled and studied at the prestigious and exclusive King’s College in London. School records show that he excelled at sports, especially football. At age 19 he began studies at the University of Glasgow where he blossomed as a football player. There he began studying Philosophy, Mathematics and

Andrew Watson (top centre) as a member of the Scottish team that played against England at the first Hampden Park, on 11 March 1882 (Photograph by Scottish Football Museum)

the first black captain to win a major competition, The Scottish Cup

he has great speed and tackles splendidly; has a powerful and a sure kick; he is well worthy of a place in any representative team.”

Discovery

Andrew Watson

Engineering in November 1875. By that time, however, he had already begun to play for Queens Park and was already considered a valuable player to the team.

Watson’s achievements are significant.

He was the first black player to have played for Scotland. He represented Scotland three times between 1881 and 1882.

He played for Queen’s Park, the top Scottish team of those days. He was the first black captain of an international team (Scotland vs.

England 1881). He was

1881, and he became the first black player to play in the English FA Cup (London Swifts 1882).

He is also reputed to have been the first black football administrator, and was the Match Secretary for five years at Parkgrove and Queens Park FC. Watson was credited to have inspired British football in the 1870s.

In the Scottish Football Association 1881 Annual, it stated, “He is one of the very best backs that we have; since joining the Queen’s Park he has made rapid strides to the front as a player;

An old photograph, some yellowing newspaper files and some census records led to the discovery of Watson’s contribution to British football. The discovery has been hailed as the most important discovery in the history of black footballers in Britain.

“We believe the findings, dated between the 1870s and 1880s, could prove that the first black British footballer was Andrew Watson who played for Queens Park (Glasgow) and Scotland,” said Ged O’Brien, director of the Scottish Football Museum and leading member of the Association of Sports Historians.

Details of the discovery read like pages from an archaeological adventure. Researchers sifting through old football programs and memorabilia noted the adolescent face and distinctive features of one Queens Park’s players and decided to investigate who he was.

They combed through the pages of the Scottish Internationalist and the ‘Who’s Who 1872-1986’.

But after 5 years they still had no proper clues to the youth’s elusive identity.

But, scanning the

recently digitalised 1881 census data put the researchers on the right track. The entry shows that an Andrew Watson, aged 24, lived with his wife and child at Afton Crescent in Govan. Newspaper interviews and articles of the day gave further clues. Photographs of Watson in the colours of the Queens Park Football Club, the most elite and famous amateur football club of the day, confirmed the discovery. “Our eyes were opened to a wider vision of Watson the man, the Scottish and international player, and club secretary,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien revealed that Watson started his career with Maxwell FC in Glasgow. His next stop was Parkgrove in 1874 then came the halcyon days of glory at Queens Park from 1880 to 1887. According to Scottish football researchers, Watson was “no mere scuffler on the field and he was a respected player and team supporter.”

Additionally, O’Brien said that Watson roamed far afield to play the game, as was common in those days; he was much sought after by clubs in England as well as Scotland.

Records show he played in 36 competitive games for Queens Park. He also appeared for the London Swifts in the English Cup championships 1882, making him

the first black player in English Cup history.

Commentators of the day regarded Watson "as one of the best players in Britain". He earned 2 Scottish Cup medals and 4 Charity Cup medals during his career; the Who's Who acknowledged his performances in international matches.

Watson’s place in football history extends to the highest echelons of the game. As club secretary for Queens Park, the man who arranged the team schedule and managed its affairs, Watson was first black in a British club’s boardroom. He helped build up the profile of his club and prestigious tournaments, and ensured the loyalty of future generations of fans and spectators.

His stellar attributes marked him as special for his times. The Football Association, the game’s governing council, was formed in 1863 and professionalism was legalised in 1885.

Undoubtedly, Watson was there at the birth of organised football out of its “aimless, chaotic, often violent, roots in workingmen’s culture.”

No mean feat for a first generation immigrant in a game where nonwhites were rare, and in a city like Glasgow where blacks from the Caribbean were nearly invisible.

Previous researchers had erroneously cited Arthur Wharton of Ghana as the first black player in Britain.

However, Wharton’s claim to fame was being the first professional black player. He played for Preston North End towards the late 1880s.

Some of Watson’s achievements were also mistakenly attributed to Walter Tull a person of Barbadian heritage who played for Tottenham Hotspurs.

Andrew Watson married and migrated to Australia where he died and was buried.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Rum Jhaat getting motion

O

ne month ago Rum Jhaat and de KFC talk bout a no-confidence motion against de Guvament. Long ago, no body ever had any kinda confidence in Rum Jhaat, so now he tryin to tek out spite. Before that he was tinkin bout it fuh a whole year.

Rum Jhaat tell Nagga Man bout de same no-confidence motion. Well, both of dem get suspicious because dem ain’t got no confidence in one another. So that was a whole year of knockin glass just to tink and talk bout de motion.

Plus it had a lotta motion by de 7-owe-4 place whenever dem was talkin bout de motion. All de motion was into 7-owe-4 but it hardly had any motion outta 7-owe-4. So was a lotta commotion just fuh that one motion. Usually when dem done every night, none of dem had any motion.

Both of dem had a lotta de other kinda motion too. And nutten couldn’t help dem. Mainly because dem had no confidence in dem own motion. If any ting, de motion was only goin in one speed and one direction. Backward. After all, any ting to do wid back, just check out Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man. So after one year, up to this day is only now Rum Jhaat draft de motion. At least that is whah he seh.

But he still ain’t show any body de motion. And this is a man who wanna run (down?) de country and he tek one year fuh do a motion. Is no wonder de Pee-P-P had put he on a fast motion outta de party.

Well, not too long ago he had run and tell Green Jah bout de motion. But was only when he talk to Green Jah he realise that de old soldier and he party was in slow motion. And now Green Jah gon have to deal wid a lotta commotion.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! So in de end, Rum Jhaat can get confidence in he own motion, and Green Jah dealin with sheer demotion and promotion!

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This week's Crossword

J k es Army nurse training

During basic training for the Army Nurse Corps, we were required to spend one week in the field roughing it. It rained the entire week.

We arose daily in our swampy tent, took a cold-water beauty bath from our helmets, donned our pistol belts and ponchos, and trudged through the mud to set up field hospitals. Obviously, our personal appearance frequently left much to be desired.

The final blow to our feminine pride occurred while we waited in the mess line in the mud and rain. A young private came by with a camera and asked to take our picture. "It will prove to my girlfriend," he said, "that she has NO reason to be jealous!"

Anaesthesia

An oral surgeon was scheduled to extract four wisdom teeth from Jim, a high-school football player, who had opted to be sedated for the procedure.

As the intravenous anaesthesia was being administered, the doctor asked Jim how he was feeling.

"Man," he replied, struggling to keep his eyes open, "I feel like I'm in English class."

A-hiking we will go...

This week's Puzzle

Last summer, my husband, took me camping for the first time. At every opportunity, he passed along outdoor-survival lore. One day we got lost hiking in the deep woods. He tried the usual tactics to determine direction -moss on the trees (there was none), direction of the sun (it was an overcast day), etc., etc.

Just as I was beginning to panic, he spotted a small cabin off in the distance. He pulled out his binoculars, studied the cabin, turned and led us right back to our camp.

"That was terrific," I said. "How did you do it?"

"Simple," he replied. "In this part of the country all the TV satellite dishes point south."

Abstract noun

"An abstract noun," the teacher said, "is something you can think of, but you can't touch it. Can you give me an example of one?"

"Sure," a teenage boy replied. "My father's new car."

Adopted?

Checking out of the grocery store, I noticed that the bag boy was eyeing my two adopted children curiously. They often draw scrutiny, since my son is a blond Russian, while my daughter has shiny black Haitian skin.

The boy continued staring as he carried our groceries to the car.

Finally, he asked. "Those your kids?"

"Yes, they are!" I answered proudly.

"They adopted?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"I thought so," he concluded. "I figured you're too old to have kids that small."

After-Thanksgiving poem

I ate too much turkey; I ate too much corn, I ate too much pudding and pie.

I'm stuffed up with muffins and too much stuffin' I'm probably going to die.

I piled up my plate and I ate and I ate.

But I wish I had known when to stop, For I'm so crammed with yams, sauces, gravies, and jams That my buttons are starting to pop!

see solution on page 46

I'm full of tomatoes and French fried potatoes My stomach is swollen and sore, But there's still some dessert so I guess it won't hurt if I eat just a little bit more!

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M

ake-up artist, choreographer, cosmetologist, world traveller, mother – these are titles that Paulla De Souza has earned on her journey thus far. Born in Georgetown, Guyana, Paulla grew up on the East Bank of Demerara, and attended Central Primary School and North Ruimveldt Multilateral before finishing at St John’s College. Years later she travelled to Trinidad to obtain formal training and was schooled at Suzan’s Unisex Salon & Beauty School and New Beginnings Salon & Beauty School.

Paulla De Souza Paulla believes she was born with a passion for fashion and beauty.

In her early years, she was pursuing a career as a cosmetologist and out of curiosity took a few

personal makeup classes. This passion led her to the House of Jackie Modelling School where she became part of the school’s agency. It was there that she was en-

couraged to pursue a course in learning the art of makeup application. She met her mentor, Jean Inniss, who noticed that she had a natural talent for makeup artistry and voiced that in the first class.

Paulla was guided by this “angel” whom she thought gave wings to her dream of being one of the best and most sought after artists in the Caribbean and South America. Though she is more or less selftaught, along the way she was inspired by the work of others, including the late Kevin Aucoin and the great Sam Fine.

Almost immediately Paulla was embraced by the local industry in Trinidad, where to date

2Ntrigue and Alison Hinds of Square One, actress, radio and television personality Natacha Jones, who has been her number one supporter.

Paulla’s 17 years of experience as a freelance makeup artist spans across almost every aspect of the makeup industry, which includes film, television, fashion, editorial, music videos, press and television ads, theatre, product promotions, corporate, bridal parties.

Some of her prominent and notable achievements as a makeup artist include the Barbados Fashion Week working alongside Tyra Bank’s MUA Valente Fraizer.

In addition, she has made appearances at

Her work is clean, natural, sexy and modern.

She believes that makeup, when applied properly, should enhance a woman’s natural beauty.

Paulla’s impeccable skills caught the eye of The Caribbean Fashion Award Committee who twice recognised her as a nominee in the category of Best Caribbean Makeup Artist in 2008 and 2009.

Her work has also been featured several times in and on the cover of Caribbean Beat; Maco Magazine; Abstract Magazine; and Gem Magazine (Guyana).

Black Entertainment Television (BET) in collaboration with Skywriting Magazine (the then Air Jamaica’s

Paulla beautifying one of her clients she is based as a freelance makeup artist for several top advertising agencies. She has worked with Trinidadian comediennes Rachel Price, Nicky Crosby, Trinidadian artistes

the Afro Hair & Beauty Show at the Alexander Palace London, Ghana International Trade show held in Accra, St Kitts Fashion Weekend, Barbados Fashion Week, St Kitts Fashion Weekend, just to name a few.

Additionally, she has worked as the key makeup artist on Abstract/ Bmobile Future Face reality television filmed in Grenada; Bmobile Dance Off Trinidad & Tobago ; one of National Geographic’s hit series ‘Locked Up Abroad’; ‘The Cool Boys’ - a short feature film shown at the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival; soon to be released ‘Pan! Our Music Odyssey’ - a docu-drama highlighting the history and journey of pan music in Trinidad & Tobago; and one of the longest running television series ‘Westwood Park’ for three seasons; and ‘Matthews in The Middle.’

The makeup artist’s work is unique and can be immediately identified due to her penchant for not using the masked approach to makeup.

in-flight magazine) aired the making of ‘Skywriting Magazine’ and Paulla was the make-up artist on the production. She also worked on the cover for Ibis Magazine, a Trinidadian publication, featuring Wendy Fitzwilliam, Miss Universe 1998.

Currently, Paulla is the principal beauty advisor and makeup artist to Black|Up Paris cosmetics sold exclusively at Stechers Fine Gift Stores to the Caribbean since 1945.

Paulla attributes her success to her “Creator” who blessed her with the talent and a keen eye for detail, and mostly her years of experience from working in all areas – film, television, weddings, music videos, and fashion. She believes her many years of experience working in front of the camera as a model also played a significant part. Her personal motto is: “Life without Christ is suicide”. She believes that whatever you want for yourself, you should be willing to give. (www. guyanesegirlsrock.com)

ARts & culture

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Craig (right) explaining one of his pieces to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony and others at the opening of the exhibition

V

eteran Guyanese artist Winslow Craig is currently displaying his skills via his artwork being exhibited at the Castellani House as part of the ‘Saving Seeds’ art exhibition, which is themed after one of Craig’s masterful sculptures.

The recently opened exhibition is being held in observance of the University of Guyana’s 50th anniversary.

Craig’s ‘Saving

Seeds’ artwork is a tribute to his father who died recently.

According to Akima McPherson, artist and lecturer at the University of Guyana, “while it [artwork] stands in tribute to the man his father was, it speaks to the role Craig envisions for fathers – a role he feels is not being performed adequately by today’s fathers”.

“Saving Seeds proposes an antidote for

the ill which has befallen our times whereby mothers raise boys without appropriate male role present...”

McPherson explained.

She went on to say that over the “years Craig has revisited, reworked, expanded and conflated early themes of social and moral responsibility, bonded families, concern for youth, reliance on the Divine, overcoming adversity and victory on struggle. And where-

'Swept away' (1993)

as, some of his early explorations of these themes were largely derivation of his Christian faith and familiarity with Biblical verse, today his explorations are derivative of his experiences as a father and a partner, a brother and an uncle”.

‘Saving Seeds’ is an exhibition of works by veteran Guyanese artists and lecturers Philbert Gajadhar and Craig, as well as Studio Assistant Dwayne Alexander. The collab-

'Higher ground' (2014)

oration for this art exhibition presents a significant body of work from each for the first time in a number of years.

‘Saving Seeds’ will continue until 2 August and is opened to the

'Seeds of life' (2008)

public. Admission is free. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday to Friday and 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday; the gallery is closed Sundays and holidays.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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An educational booth, like this one at a past Emancipation Festival, will be dedicated to celebrating Angola at this year's festival at the National Park

O

ne of the greatest entrepreneurial acts by freed Africans in world history was the Village Movement started in 1839. Freed Africans combined their resources to buy villages so that they did not have

to return to plantation life and cheap punitive labour.

Celebrating Queenstown

For Emancipation 2014, the African Cultural and D e v e l o p m e n t Association (ACDA) honours Queenstown

village on the Essequibo Coast. In 1840, Mr Carberry, a planter, purchased three adjoining estates on the Essequibo coast, Dageraad, Mocha and Westfield and created a small town. He put in streets, divid-

ed the front lands into half acre lots which he sold for $100, $150 and $220 each depending on their location in the town. These were quickly bought by other freed Africans.

On 25 September 1841, at the request of the villagers, it was christened Queenstown

by Governor Sir Henry Light. This was the beginning of the proprietary village system under which each villager held title to his individual plot of land.

This initial success led other planters to follow suit. By the end of 1841, about 18 plantations were offering land for sale or lease on the Essequibo coast and the practice soon spread to the counties of

This year ACDA honours the late poet Maya Angelou

Demerara and Berbice.

Not all of the planters agreed with that policy. The shrewder among them recognised that if the ex-apprentices could live on land on or near the plantation, enough to satisfy their desire for a home but not enough to grow food to support their families, then they would have to continue to work on the nearby plantation.

By the end of the first year, after apprenticeship, about 267 cottages had been constructed on plots half to one third of an acre in size. As expected, the ex-apprentices continued to work on the nearby estates.

S

Honouring global African women leaders

This year, ACDA honours Queen Nzinga of Angola (1583-1663), was one of Angola’s greatest heroines and one of Africa’s bravest and greatest female freedom fighters; five Guyanese women of Victoria (Village Movement): Maria Grant, Belinda Hopkinson, Catherine Thom, Molly Archer, and Hanna Foster; African Jeanette, an African slave girl who came to Guyana; and internationally renowned poet, the late Maya Angelou.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

The fix

atiricus was dumbfounded. There in green and white in his own newspaper, the GTimes, they were saying GrainJa was going to “fix” the polls to be the leader of the Pee an See Party.

Satiricus figured there had to be a limit to everything. He knew Courbane as a fixer in the Pee an See. But GrainJa???

NOOOOO! How could they try to pin such a dastardly deed to the saintly figure of GrainJa?? Why!! Butter wouldn’t melt in the man’s mouth!!

“Look how they blamin GrainJa for bringing democracy to the Pee an See!!” he exclaimed in disgust to the fellas around the table at the Back Street Dive.

“And how exactly, he bringing democracy to the Pee an See??” asked Suresh.

“Well…Look how the man mekkin sure every party member gon vote!!” said Satiricus. He tended to slip into the vernacular when he got excited. “That is democracy, Budday!!!”

“But how dem guh vote, Sato, old fren???” asked Cappo, while taking a sip from his Banks bottle.

“Is wha schupidness, yuh askin?” growled Satiricus.

“They gon make their mark on a ballot paper??”

“But how dem guh get de ballot paper??” continued Cappo doggedly.

Satiricus was getting exasperated, but Cappo continued to stare at him waiting for an answer. Finally, Satiricus blurted out: “Well, they gon show their membership card!! Jesus!

Like yuh never went to PPEE Congress and vote??”

“Budday, dat is the problem…I bin to PPEE Congress,” smiled Cappo. “And dis is differen’, Dis is big cook up!”

“Wha yuh mean?” growled Satiricus.

“Sato, me fren, did it straight fram BurntHam book,” explained Cappo, with a smile. “The big question ah who gon get card fuh vote??!!”

“Let me tell you about democracy,” piped up Teacher Samad, who’d been listening with amusement. “The question always is who’s vote will count. In Greece, where democracy start, is only the men could vote.”

“And at the Pee an See Congress,” concluded Cappo, “Ah only GrainJa people, ah maan!!!”

Satiricus became silent.

Feature

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: The 2014 creative theme for the Cloth Caribbean is a long string #hashtag— trying to get out of a box, caught in a pattern.

“I too am trying to get out of a box, caught in a pattern because my creative style has been one way all the time,” said designer Robert Young in an interview last week.

For Young, turning through the pages of Italian Vogue and Essence magazines and seeing his pieces highlighted are only “the basics” of his overall fashion mission. This international attention was achieved dur-

C

anada-based Guyanese Narine Dat Sookram has won the Regional Geriatric Programme central (RGPc) and St Peter’s Hospital Hamilton Health Sciences 11th Annual Service Awards for Geriatric Excellence (SAGE).

SAGE is a unique programme that celebrates the outstanding contribu-

ing his latest runway at Caribbean Fashion Week Jamaica in June when The Cloth was mentioned and highlighted with photos in both prestigious magazines after the event.

Before Caribbean Fashion Week, The Cloth was the only TT business invited to the Barbados Manufacturers' Exhibition (BMEX), which ran from June 6-9.

Young had been invited by the event organisers to both show a collection and host a workshop with young Barbadian designers. Just before BMEX, The Cloth participated in Tobago Fashion Weekend, which took place from May 16-18.

International endorsement

Narine Dat Sookram with an official of the organisation after receiving his award

Adrian Richards Photography’s photo shoot of The Cloth’s 2014 collection uses Barbados as backdrop (Photo: TT Guardian)

Young was also invited by the St Lucia Tourism Board to show and sell at Hot Couture, a fashion event on May 7 at the Audi Showroom at the Meridian Place, Choc Estate, part of the annual St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival. There, Young met St Lucian-born Shala Monroque, creative director of Garage magazine.

Several international fashion news sources list Monroque as a close friend and muse of Miuccia Prada and an influential player in international art and fashion.

“Shala bought a few pieces and Instagrammed a few photos of her wearing

[them]. Out of that people have been purchasing because she has endorsed it.”

Even with all of this recent success, Young explains his bigger mission for The Cloth.

“Everything we do now is to enter some market to gain some acknowledgement. The clothes that we made for ourselves, that we did in private and quiet to make ourselves happy, we now have to make it into a product to sell to foreign markets.”

The Cloth will soon begin preparations for its 30th anniversary. Young plans to host a show in November and possibly a larger celebration in 2015. (TT Guardian)

tions of individuals and organisations committed to providing the highest quality of care to older adults in communities to ensure they can age with optimal health, independence, and dignity.

The awards were presented at a gala dinner recently at the Burlington Convention Centre. Fiftyeight nominations were received from six regions across Southern Ontario

(Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand-Norfolk, Waterloo, WellingtonDufferin and Halton).

Among the winners were Sookram who volunteers at the Community Support Connections, Meals on Wheels in Kitchener, Ontario. Narine is a dedicated volunteer who is passionate and committed to seniors’ well-being continued on page 43

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News

43 Triple fatality on Uriah Butler Highway in Trinidad P

WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

O R T - O f S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Almost four years ago, Trinidadian housewife Nanda Ramcharan saved the life of her nine-year-old son, Nyron, by donating one of her kidneys.

Tuesday at around 1.45 pm, Ramcharan, 36, Nyron, now 13, and her husband Mahadeo, 48, were killed when a garbage truck landed on top of their car on the Uriah Butler Highway near the Endeavour Flyover in Chaguanas, Trinidad.

Police public information officer Inspector Wayne Mystar said the accident occurred as Mahadeo Ramcharan was driving his vehicle,

Sushma Ramcharitar, left, and Shivanie Ramadhar weep for their aunt Nanda Ramcharan, 36, who died together with her husband Mahadeo( inset), 48, and son Nyron, 13, in a car crash Tuesday (TT Guardian photos)

PBE 5627, south along the highway shortly after 1 pm. A white Mistubishi Lancer on the northbound lane collided with a blue gar-

bage truck which spun out control crossed the highway’s concrete median and landed on to Ramcharan’s car.

Police and firemen

used the jaws of life to cut open the Honda and remove the occupants.

All three were dead at the scene.

Mystar said the

driver and loader of the garbage truck were hospitalised. The driver of the Lancer, who was not injured, was taken to the Chaguanas

Police Station.

Tuesday, relatives, some of whom lived close to the Ramcharan’s home at Ramsabhag Trace, Rochard Road, Penal, were overcome with grief.

Relatives said at the time of the accident the couple was returning home after taking their son to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex at Mount Hope for dialysis.

Nyron, who would have celebrated his birthday in October, was the country's youngest recipient of a kidney transplant.

The couple had two other children Rikash, 17, and Nigel, 12. (TT Guardian)

from page 41

and independence. “Rain, shine or snow, he is committed to making sure seniors receive the care and nourishment that they require and always ensures to deliver their meals on time every day,” a release said.

Most recently, Narine started to volunteer his

time with Community Connection, “Meals on Wheels and more”, in Kitchener to deliver meals to senior’s homes, because of his passion and drive of wanting to care for others. Narine continues to drive door to door to deliver the meals, because he can

see how much the seniors appreciate the service, but most importantly he also recognises the need.

Narine also takes a few minutes to talk to the seniors every time he delivers the meals, because he says it helps the seniors not to feel so isolated.

For Narine, a senior

is a senior, meaning that he does not choose which location he wants to deliver the lunches, but rather he goes where he is assigned, regardless of the distance from his home nor does he worry about the weather, because when it snows he gives

himself extra time to make sure that the seniors will not miss their meal. “I remember during the second week of December when we had some heavy snow here in Kitchener and for that reason, one of the seniors thinks that it will affect her from hav-

ing her meal on time.”

However, when Narine arrived on time to deliver her meal during lunch hour, this particular senior said, “Oh you are here, I thought I wasn’t going to have my meal on time today, because of the snowy weather."

44

Travel & Tourism

WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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he African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year and as such will be hosting its 20th Emancipation Day Festival at the National Park on August 1.

ACDA’s theme for Emancipation 2014 is: “Reparations: Broken Chains Golden Dreams”.

This, ACDA declared, is in recognition of the indomitable spirit of our ancestors to demand justice and their human rights and to the promise of recapturing our great past while transforming that into a golden future. ACDA’s subtheme is: “Celebrating the Strength of African Womanhood”.

As is tradition, ACDA honours an African country every Emancipation Festival by building an educational booth outlining various features of that country. This year, the country that will be honoured is Angola, home of the first great PanAfrican leader, Queen Nzingha.

ACDA celebrates an African country annually because most

Guyanese of African descent cannot trace their ancestral roots to a specific African nation, hence ACDA chooses one country every year to educate young and old about African countries and to remind them that Africa has 54 countries.

At this year’s celebration at the National Park will be the biggest cultural festival of the year. Bring out the entire family to see KOWR’ ATI from Suriname with their amazing fire dances and breathtaking performances walking on broken glass.

There will also be the spectacular Batoto Yetu with their Angolan Congolese dance troupe.

Bring out the children to see international star musical ventriloquist Megan Piphus and her comical puppets.

Come and celebrate with popular Guyanese acts from all across the country and partake in the newest attraction that will be on centre stage.

Enjoy a fun-filled family day of African foods, fashion displays, dance and much more.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Family and friends showcase African wear and accessories (Photo by Amanda Richards)

A group of young dancers entertain their audience (Photo by Amanda Richards)

Children on the drums at a past Emancipation celebration

feature

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legacy from the Dutch, who are said to be Guyana’s first European settlers, sluices, or kokers as they are more commonly called in Guyana, dominate much of the flat coastland landscape.

Kokers were built during the 18th century at points where irrigation canals and the Demerara estuary met, to be opened for water to be released into the Atlantic Ocean at controlled periods. They were put in place to protect Dutch farms along Haslington koker

Main Koker at Hopetown 1951 (Koker operator Charles Mair stands in front) (uchicago.edu)

the fertile coastlands after these early settlers moved to the coast from some parts of the interior of the country.

Closed during the high tides to protect the low-lying farming coastland that is below sea level, the kokers were opened during the low tide to release accumulated water. A system adopted by the subsequent colonists that is still in place today and which has become part of our infrastructural heritage.

Kokers, or sluices, are still being built, though

Black Bush Polder koker purported to be illustrated on the now obsolete Guyana one dollar bill

some have been abandoned, standing as silent witnesses to our dynamic history.

According to Richard Allsopp in his Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage (1996) a koker is a large sluice mechanism that consists of a heavy, tarred, watertight floodgate made of wood that is raised or lowered by the chains of a pulley system, operated by two huge spoked wheels, and which are turned by hand.

He continues to note that in the 18th century, the term box-koker referred to “an underground pipe or culvert for the draining or intake of water” - a meaning that is still the same in Surinam, but from which the Guyanese term koker is derived. Today, koker includes the tall structure that stands so prominently on the Guyanese coastal landscape.

As testimony to its iconic status in the

Guyana landscape, the koker has also been featured in Guyana’s literary works through a Guyanese poet’s collection of poems. Rooplall Monar’s ‘Koker’ uses the common coastlands vista as a symbol of the East Indian experience as labourers on the sugar estates created from land reclaimed from the sea, made possible by these kokers that remain vital structures for the country. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

46

history

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he son of a Scottish planter and a woman who is variously described by historians as a “slave”, a “free coloured woman”, or a “Creole”, James Douglas was born in 1803 in Belmont, Mahaica in British Guiana; according to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online, either 5 June or 15 August 1803.

His father had two more children with his mother - who was originally from Barbados- and at age nine, James and his siblings were sent to school first in Lanark, Scotland then Chester, England, the latter where James was to later earn the nickname “Old Square Toes”. At 16, James and his brother were apprenticed to a Quebec company and arrived in Canada on 6 August 1819.

There Douglas became involved in the fur trade, and at just 18 years old he earned a reputation for being a hardworking and “sensible young man”. A tall man -more than six feet, and well built, he was

Grave of Sir James Douglas at Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria, BC. His tombstone reads the date of birth as 15 August 1803

also called the, “Scotch West Indian” by those who knew him in the trade.

Later, his intelligence and experience earned

him greater recognition - but his conflicts with the native Indians led him to be transferred to Fort Vancouver (now Washington State),

British Columbia (BC) in 1830.

At first an accountant under the superintendent of the Columbia Department, Douglas took charge of Fort Vancouver in 1838. In November 1839, he was promoted to chief factor.

By 1851, after years of successful involvement in several political issues, he became governor of Vancouver Island (1851-1863). During that period he was made first governor of the colony of British Columbia (18581864).

Upon his retirement as governor in 1864, Douglas was knighted Commander of the Bath.

He suffered a heart attack and died at Victoria on August 2, 1877.

Sir James Douglas is considered by many in Canada as the founder of Victoria, which he built up, and the “Father of British Columbia”. He has been honoured with numerous place names and monuments in Canada, as well as a statue in his home village of Mahaica. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Government House 1912

James Douglas with Order of the Bath honours

Statue of Sir James Douglas at Mahaica unveiled in 2008

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Skeldon High School under construction circa 1950s. The building was dedicated on 16 November 1956. Rev. Frank Christhilf, also certified as a civil engineer, assisted in the designing and construction of the high school

feature

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WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Petamber Persaud

I

t seems that we are unable to keep pace with our oral literature. While there are many notable efforts to record our oral literature of the immediate and not too distant past, the present prolific production of oral literature is accumulating in leaps and bounds, leaping and bounding away from our grasp. One example would suffice – the life and work of comedian extraordinaire Habeeb Khan. If we were to capture every things he had said on stage (notwithstanding his everyday communication which is more numerous and much longer than his stage discourses), it would fill tomes.

Habeeb Khan can make you laugh in some seven languages and his mimicry of countless accents is awesome. When he articulates the word ‘bustenhalter’ there is no need for a German/ English Dictionary – you will get the picture, a graphic picture. That’s the mark of a true comedian.

As a storyteller, he would piece together his presentation in such a way, leading the audience on, onto a resounding climax. He would take the unfamiliar and connect it to you with his extensive vocabulary, a skilled and consummate storyteller.

Khan subscribed to no groupings which, he said, are usually singleminded, narrow-minded, leading to antipathy.

And for him to connect

W

hen a dog start to suck egg, it does always suck egg. No matter whah remedy yuh try, it gone never stop suck egg. That is why old people seh old habits does die hard and that yuh can’t teach a old dog new tricks.

It got nuff people in de Pee-N-C/Hard who stay like dem dog whah does suck egg. And nuff a dem been suckin egg from a long time now. So now in dem old age dem can’t stop, plus yuh can’t teach dem new tings because dem set in dem wicked ways.

Over de weekend, de Pee-N-C/Hard was playin hard ball wid dem own

Late veteran comedian Habeeb Khan

to his audience, for him to execute his jokes, for him to extend his satire throughout the whole gamut of human experience, he is wary of any religious and ethnic tags and labels. But he declares, “I am Guyanese – first and last, from here in Guyana to wherever I travel, Canada, USA or the Caribbean – I am Guyanese and proud to be a Guyanese.” His ‘nations-jokes’ will always find a Guyanese ahead of the others. And he’s dead serious. Well, most of the time. At other times, he put “lash pon dem Guyanese foh show dem dem stupidness”.

But as he loved to repeat he is first and last a Guyanese.

That was the main reason why he did not migrate while the others have gone to ‘Region Eleven’. He took pride in saying, “I have a responsibility to my country’s

culture because I love my country and my country loves me.”

It is not easy to tell a joke. According to Khan “humour is a serious thing; you got to be very careful with word constructions, psycho-analyze de crowd…but I get through because of body language. However, been a stand-up comedian is not easy”.

He was no stranger to heckling and never shied away from it; he fed off of heckling and criticism, capitalising on it. On the subject of language, he said that “you don’t need to be vulgar to be funny; you don’t need to be vulgar to crack a joke. If you’re in command of the language, you can polish the vulgarity and still connect to a particular audience”.

And Khan had successfully connecting to audiences around the world – the Caribbean,

Can’t teach old dog new tricks people from Linden and somebody from Plaisance who Green Jah call Nutten.

Well, among Green Jah, Will Yams and Oscar de bite man, de Linden people seh dem not sure who could tell de best lie.

Accordin to one of de Lindeners, one of dem plannin de lies, de other tellin the lies, and de last one repeatin de lies. Then all three of dem does turn round and defend de lies.

That is why a reporter seh instead of a folk song, dem shoulda bring Lord Nelson to sing “King Liar” at de Congress.

But no body ain’t got no doubts about who can shoot and who can rig elections. After all, Green

Jah deh in this riggin business a long time now, and as a old soldier he had to be good shoot man. But it look like he train he own body guard to shoot like he now, and he got people doin de riggin fuh he.

De man who Green Jah call Nutten ain’t seh nutten at first, but he eventually tell some of de reporters that he gon never join de Pee-P-P, but he considerin de KFC. Well, if he never hear bout jumpin from de fryin pan into de fire, he gon definitely feel it.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling… friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And what better place to feel de heat of a fryin pan as against de real fire, but the de KFC!

Canada and U.S.A. He worked with Norman Beaton, Eddy Nassey, Sammy Jerrick (those three plus Khan were called the ‘Four B’s’) and many other luminaries in the field of entertainment. He loved making people laugh; “deh pay me to mek dem laff, hehheh”. So everyone is happy – the making of a successful arrangement.

A great deal of his mimicry involved adding words, phrases and verses to set pieces of dialogues and songs. Khan could mimic the greats like Billy Esktine, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra paving the way for him to appear on stage with Boris Gardner, Sparrow, BenE-King, Mahalia Jackson and many others.

If Khan’s public life can fill volumes, then his private life could fill bookshelves. He has fathered 14 boys and two girls. Children are his touchstones; they keep him in touch with the vogue especially in respect of language (slangs of the day) and culture

(mini-bus culture) and more. Fourteen children and grandchildren– what an audience! And a whole lot of talking, a whole lot of oral literature to be preserved,

all to the shaping of Guyanese Literature.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

Khan acting as a baby during one of his funny performances with Henry Rodney (left)

48

hollywood

WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Orlando Bloom, Justin Bieber Beyonce posts Jay Z, involved in restaurant fight Blue Ivy picture to slam O break-up rumour rlando Bloom and Justin Bieber were reportedly involved in a scuffle at a restaurant in Ibiza.

The ‘Lord of the Rings’ actor threw a punch at Bieber, who saved himself by ducking. It is not known what sparked the fight, reported TMZ. Bloom, 37, was in Cipriani restaurant when the incident occurred, according to eyewitnesses. Bieber yelled at Bloom before fleeing the place.

The argument may have been over Bloom’s

B

eyonce, who has been at the centre of break-up rumours, assured fans that all was well in her universe by posting a cute picture of her husband Jay Z holding their daughter Blue Ivy. Beyonce often takes to Instagram to post pictures about her family life whenever she is hit with a rumour and when a new story that she was house-hunting alone came up, Beyonce took to the photo sharing website again.

She posted a sweet photo of Jay Z and their daughter Blue Ivy on the beach.

“My favorite hue is Jay Z Blue,” read the caption. (Indian Express)

ex-wife Miranda Kerr, 31 as Bieber, 20, soon posted then deleted a picture of the model in bikini.

There were reports that Bloom was upset after Bieber got close

to Kerr during a 2012 Victoria’s Secret fashion show in NYC. Bloom was seen hanging out with Bieber’s on-off girlfriend Selena Gomez in April this year.

all Fifty Shades sex toy merchandise, approved by the books' author E L James, will be releasing a new range of toys to tie

in with the movie which is out on Valentine's Day and are expecting a surge in sales and a "bondage bonanza". (TOI)

JLo wants to date Maksim, 'Fifty Shades' trailer sends sex toys sales soaring but is very cautious

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inger Jennifer Lopez reportedly wants to get serious with Ukrainian choreographer Maksim Chmerkovskiy but is no mood to hurry things up.

The 44-year-old star and Maksim, 34, who was seen on an Indian dance reality show, have been linked with

each other from past few months but the dancer has repeatedly denied any such possibility.

The pair is now contemplating taking the friendship to the next level, reported E! Online. They have been talking a lot and she thinks he is great, but she is being very careful. She does not want to get her kids involved in meeting another guy yet,” a source said.

Lopez has just been out of a relationship. She broke up with Casper Smart a month ago. Since then, the singer and Maksim have been spending time with each other.

“There has been a date here and there, but really they are good friends before anything else. Maks asks her for advice and she thinks he is super-talented and very hot. Obviously that is hard to ignore,” the source added.

T

he trailer of the upcoming erotic film 'Fifty Shades of Grey' is set to spark a 1 million pound boom in the UK sex toy industry, it has been revealed.

The film, which stars stunning Jamie Dornan and upcoming actress Dakota Johnson as the kinky lovers, have had "the Fifty Shades effect", as a sex toy has estimated that Brits will spend an average of 2 pound each on toys over the next year, the Daily Star reported.

Lovehoney, who is the official supplier of

Ashton Kutcher- Is Pamela Anderson, Rick Salomon back together?

Mila Kunis to wed in July next year

P

amela Anderson and Rick Soloman were reportedly spotted together just weeks after filing for divorce.

The former ‘Baywatch’ star, who filed for divorce in July, was seen canoodling the

46-year-old celebutante in Sardinia recently, U.S. magazine reported.

A source revealed that Anderson was staying with Soloman for now because she doesn't have the heart to hurt him and although he's a good guy, she just

doesn't feel the same way.

The couple were previously married in October 2007, but split just two months later and had the marriage annulled. And this time filed for divorce last Thursday. (TOI)

Dwayne Johnson reveals sex helped him get buff body for 'Hercules'

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wayne Johnson has revealed that sex is the reason for his buff body in 'Hercules'.

The 42-year-old actor said that one should find an activity that one loves doing like biking, hiking, pilates, horizontal hula and then one should let it

A

ctors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who are getting ready to welcome their daughter, have begun to plan for their wedding.

"The wedding will be next July. They want to focus on their daughter first and having it next summer seems logical," radaronline.com quoted a source as saying.

The source believes that their wedding will be a very intimate affair

with only close friends and family.

"They won't have a big production, but it will be elaborate. The wedding party will consist of the cast of 'That 70's Show' as they are all very close. They still hang out with the original cast all the time.

Most likely Danny Masterson will be the best man because him and Ashton are like brothers," added the source. (TOI)

sink in, the Mirror reported.

The American actor added that he enjoyed pigging out once the movie had wrapped, saying that Sunday domination is what it was called which included pizza, brownies and pancakes.

(TOI)

A

ctor Gerard Butler has sparked a review by aviation authorities in Australia after he shared a clip of a friend performing stunts in a helicopter on a chat show.

The Scottish actor has been Down Under filming a new movie, and he shared footage of his experiences in the country during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's talk show in June, reported Hollywood Life.

The clip, which was also uploaded to YouTube shows Butler, 44, and his friends on a fishing trip as a helicopter comes in low and performs a dangerous-looking stunt close to the ground. The actor refused to reveal the pilot's name over fears he might get in trouble on the show.

It has now emerged that bosses at Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa) have obtained the footage and are reviewing it. (TOI)

bollywood

49

WEEK ENDING August 3, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Salman Khan: No formula to Kareena Kapoor on Saif guarantee super-hit movies Ali Khan: Working together not on our priority list

S

uperstar Salman Khan, whose movies have repeatedly grossed over Rs 100 crores, says there is no formula of making super-hit and money-minting movies and filmmakers should also focus on content.

“When people talk about numbers, they are very generous and say this movie will cross Rs 300 crores, Rs 400 crores and even Rs 500 crores.

But then the films are big disasters,” Salman Khan said while talking to reporters through a video link from India. The superstar, who was accom-

panied by his ‘Kick‘ co-star Jacqueline Fernandez and author Chetan Bhagat, said till the time a movie is released and reaches the audiences, “there is no guarantee of any movie being a superduper hit or a flop.

“There is no formula. The best of the directors have failed miserably, the best producers, actors who have given hit after hit and feel that (their movie) is going to be the biggest film but those films have not done well,” he said.

The ‘Dabbang’ star feels the success of a film depends on the first day reaction of the audience. “That is it. No amount of us promoting the movie (can make the movie a hit).”

Salman Khan said filmmakers cannot predict whether a movie will touch Rs 300 crores or Rs 400 crores. “It does not make any sense to me at all. How can you predict the amount of people who will go and watch the film,” he said, adding, “We all want to make a Sholay or a Mughal-e-Azam.” (Indian Express)

Katrina Kaif-Ranbir Kapoor will take their next break in Saint-Tropez

K

atrina Kaif, who was shooting with Saif Ali Khan in London, her home town, has wrapped up her current schedule. Ranbir Kapoor is in Corsica, France, shooting with Deepika Padukone.

It is said that when Ranbir gets free, he and Kat will take a break in Saint-Tropez, another breathtakingly beautiful place on the French Riviera. It is already known that the muchin-love Bollywood superstar couple is moving into their own sea-fac-

ing rented apartment on Mumbai's Carter Road

in October this year.

(TOI)

Akshay Kumar to perform in London

B

ollywood star Akshay Kumar will give a dazzling performance on the inaugural day of the World Kabaddi League in London in the month of August.

While Kumar, who co-owns the Khalsa Warrior team in the league, is going to perform on some popular tracks, he's planned a lot more to enthrall the audiences.

Akshay's performance is part of the inaugural programme, which is being planned to mark the start of kabaddi league.

Expressing happiness, Akshay, through a statement, said, "I am quite excited about the event and my per-

T

three films turned out to be damp squibs.

The scripts should be blamed Kareena argued.

“If our films have not worked, it’s because of the scripts. If the films have not worked, then I feel the story was not that great! I don’t believe in things like

elevision and film actor Irfan, who was required to beef up for his action role in upcoming Tamil film “Ru”, gained about 12 kg for his role with great care and difficulty.

chemistry and I feel the pairing depends on the story. If the story is strong, the chemistry also looks good. If story is not good you can’t do anything,” she said.

“I am happy not to work with Saif,” added the 33-year-old who married Saif 2012.

(Indian Express)

He says he likes to challenge himself with such efforts.

“I don’t see the fun in playing a role which doesn’t challenge me. When my director told me I should gain weight for my role, I initially doubted myself but I somehow pulled it off. I managed to gain 12 kg for my role,” Irfan told IANS. Irfan says it was more challenging to shed weight than to gain it.

“While I was asked to put on weight for ‘Ru’, I was required to lose considerable amount of weight for my next film called ‘Pongi’. In the process, I realised shedding weight was more challenging,” he said.

When not acting in films, Irfan is busy with Tamil television serial “Sarvanan Meenatchi”. (Indian Express)

‘Priyanka Chopra is Bollywood's Hilary Swank’-Sanjay Leela Bhansali formance will be dedicated to all the Kabaddi fans who are going to cheer the teams."

Saying the league is a way to promote the Indian contemporary sport, he further added that it will bring the fans closer to the game. (TOI)

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akistani modelactress Humaima Malick was comfortable shooting a "kissing scene" for her debut Hindi movie, but she shuns bikini.

Humaima is making her Bollywood debut with ‘Raja Natwarlal’ and the film releasing on Aug. 29 is said to be a crime comedy. "I don't think I will be able to wear a bikini, I really don't think so," Humaima told IANS while sharing her views

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areena and Saif’s onscreen chemistry has failed to entice audiences.

When real life couple Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan teamed up on the screen, their chemistry failed to entice audiences. Now, they are not interested in doing a project together.

In fact, working with Saif doesn’t top Kareena’s priority list.

When asked why they are not seen on-screen, Kareena said: “It’s not on the top of our list.”

Their romance said to have blossomed on the sets of “Tashan” and later when they teamed up for “Kurbaan” and “Agent Vinod”, the news scorched the headlines, but their chemistry failed to scorch the screen. In fact, all the

on donning that piece of costume.

Produced by UTV

Motion Pictures and directed by Kunal Deshmukh, ‘Raja Natwarlal’ will see Humaima teaming up with Bollywood's serial kisser Emraan Hashmi.

"If I am a good actor, then there is no need to wear a bikini. In my film, there is no sex put in forcefully. Every romantic part makes sense. It's been shot sensibly, which will not look vulgar," she added. (Hindustan Times)

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ilmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali c o m p a r e d Priyanka Chopra to Hollywood actor Hilary Swank, who portrayed the character of a boxer in her Oscar award-win-

ning film ‘Million Dollar Baby’.

Priyanka Chopra will be seen playing Olympic medal-winning boxer Mary Kom in a biopic produced by Bhansali.

"If they (Hollywood) have

Hilary Swank, we have Priyanka. She is a great talent and adds spark to her performance.

As an actress I think she is in the league of Nutanji and Waheedaji," Bhansali, told reporters at the trailer launch of 'Mary Kom'.

Swank won the best actress Oscar for her portrayal of Margaret Maggie Fitzgerald, a waitress who aspires to become a boxing champion. Bhansali's film is inspired by Kom's struggle and has been directed by Omung Kumar.

The director producer said he did not take much time to say yes for the project. "Omung told me about making film on Mary Kom around two years back, and I immediately said yes. There was no lengthy meetings or discussions," he said.

(Hindustan Times)

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TT PM hails impact of Limacol CPL

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rinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has hailed the Limacol Caribbean Premier (CPL) as a great tourism product not just for the island, but the Region as a whole. She made the comment on Sunday while viewing the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel /St Lucia Zouks game at the Queen’s Park Oval.

During an interview with commentator

Fazeer Mohamed, the Prime Minister said the tourism development element cannot be ignored as the Region stands to benefit tremendously.

The Limacol CPL has attracted tourists from all parts of the globe, giving rise to the sport tourism concept that most of the territories are now embracing.

During the inaugural tournament in 2013, over 250,000 spectators and a global television audience of 36 million

viewed the six franchises in action.

Persad-Bissessar said that was one of the reasons she took the decision to retain the prefix ‘Trinidad and Tobago’ as part of the Red Steel name.

Anil Roberts, the Sport Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, had expressed reservations about the island’s name being used, since it was not an entirely Trinidad and Tobago team.

TT Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Roberts had written to the Limacol Caribbean Premier League following which the Trinidad and Tobago name was dropped from Red Steela move over which team captain Dwayne Bravo had expressed concern.

The Trinidad and Tobago name was reinstated following the intervention of the Prime Minister and Limacol CPL subsequently issued a release thanking her.

Persad-Bissessar

went on to state that the atmosphere in Trinidad during the three matches was fantastic, as citizens, as well as tourists, have bought into the idea of franchise-based cricket in this part of the globe.

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister would no doubt be rooting for the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, who now lead the points table with five wins from six games ahead of the next set of games.

WICB Regional Under-19 cricket…

Guyana’s confidence lifted ahead of final round

By Rajiv Bisnauth

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uyana’s Under-19 Manager David Black says beating the Windward Islands in round two in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19, Three-day tournament has lifted the players’ confidence ahead of their final round.

The Guyanese who are atop the table with 26.3 points will play Trinidad and Tobago, who sit at the bottom of the table on 9.6 points at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.

The host and Leeward Islands played to a draw in the opening round but Black says the four- wicket win against the Windward Islands has motivated the players going into the final round.

“Mentally, it’s good for us,” Black told Guyana Times International Sport at the conclusion of the squad’s training session on Tuesday.

“We will take the positives from this game into the final round and it gives the players confidence and self-belief that they can come out victorious,” Black said.

An outright victory can propel Guyana to their 13th title since their first in 1974.

Meanwhile, the Leeward Islands are in second position on 25.6 points followed by the Windward Islands 21.9 points, Jamaica 20.8 points and Barbados 12.6 points.

The other finalround matches will see Barbados challenge Leeward Islands at the Enmore Community Centre ground and defending champions Jamaica oppose the Windward Islands at the Guyana National

Getting ready! Guyana Under-19 squad during Tuesday’s net session

Stadium. All games start at 10:00h and admission to the venues are free.

Squads: Barbados: Joshua

(vice captain), Balchan Baldeo, Daniel Basdeo, Tagenarine Chandrapaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Askay Homraj, Keon Morris,

Kemo Paul in an attacking mode during his stay at the net session

Drakes (captain), Chad Williams (vice captain), Leniko Boucher, Alex Fergusson, Lee-Germon Gaskin, Akil Greenidge, Keon Harding, Matthew Jones, Nicholas Kirton, Neil Persaud, Tarik Shorey, Shamar Springer, Jafari Toppin, Dikembe Wilson.

Guyana: Brian Sattaur (captain), Sharaz Ramcharran

Keemo Paul, Steven Sankar, Kemol Sevory, Niall Smith, Daimon Waldron, Akel Wallace.

Jamaica: Ramaal Lewis (captain), Nicholas Walters (vice captain), Ryon Burnett, Shahid Crooks, Ramone Francis, Leroy Lugg, Abijai Mansingh, Odaine McCatty, Romaine Morris, Mark Parchment, Odean

Smith, Oshane Thomas, George Walker, Malcolm Whyte.

Leeward Islands: Jeremiah Louis (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice captain), Colin Archibald, Therone Bussue, Kacey Carty, Jaeel Clarke, Mohit Hingorani, Asharn Hodge, Shaquille Martina, Ross Powell, Kenrick Scott, Mrinal Wadwha, Dion West, Saeed Williams.

Trinidad and Tobago: Jeremy Solozano (captain), Amir Jangoo (vice captain), Jesse Bootan, Camillo Carimbocas, Brian Christmas, Tevin Jadoo, Brandon Jaggernauth, Justin Joseph, Keron Kanhai, Jemeel Maniram, Anderson Phillip, Samuel Roopnarine, Akil Seetal, Shane Smith.

Windward Islands: Roland Cato (captain), Kershaskie Jno Lewis (vice captain), Doran Edwards, Melvin Gordon, Kharmal Hamilton, Sherman Hooper, Deron Hypolite, Ryan John, Anson Latchman, Sherman Lewis, Obed McCoy, Craig Phillip, Gidron Pope, Tonis Simon.

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Guyanese player in professional Jamaica sweep women's 400m, baseball training camp in Florida win triple jump, 110m hurdles - in glittering Commonwealth Games display

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Jamal Anderson (third from left) shares a photo opportunity with Robin Singh (extreme left), Vishok Persaud (second left) and athletics trainer Leslie Black (extreme right)

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indani Jamal Anderson departed Guyana over the weekend to be a part of the Orioles Academy in Florida in an effort to become a professional baseball player.

Anderson was afforded such an opportunity when he was handpicked

by Baltimore Orioles scout Fred Ferreira, who keenly observed Anderson both as a pitcher and strong hitter with the bat during the E-Networks-sponsored Baseball Star reality show organised by the Guyana Baseball League (GBL).

Managing Director of E-Networks, Vishok

Persaud, was pleased with the product and Anderson’s success, admitting that he has become a believer in the sport. “We are happy to be associated with the Guyana Baseball League, it was a project that was interesting because Guyana doesn’t know about baseball; but we at E-Networks wanted to be a part of something different and something special,” Persaud stated at a press briefing held last Friday at the E-Networks boardroom in Georgetown, Guyana.

Anderson, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management

and Administration from the Manchester Metropolitan University, was elated with the opportunity afforded him and noted that failure is not an option.

“I think the transition will be easy for me because cricket and baseball have a lot of similarities so I don’t see a problem there; I’m looking forward to it…my family supports me and I’m positive,” Anderson mentioned.

President of the GBL, Robin Singh, believes that Anderson has what it takes to do well in the camp and wished the 6’ 8” behemoth the best in his quest to go pro.

Limacol CPL organisers pleased with crowd response

Fans wave the Barbados flag during a match between Barbados Tridents and Antigua Hawksbills at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown last Friday (CPL FB photo)

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Organisers of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) say they are pleased with the second edition of the regional Twenty20 tournament, despite a lukewarm start two weeks ago.

The showpiece got off to a slow start, with noticeably emp-

ty stands at the first match in Grenada earlier this month and moderate attendances in Antigua, but CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe said it was encouraging to see increased numbers of spectators attending the matches around the region since.

“We’re really delighted, it’s hard to believe we’re only three

weeks in, and I think everyone will agree that the cricket’s been absolutely first class and the crowds that have come out, it’s very exciting,” O’Donohoe said.

“And we’re rolling into two big weeks next week with Jamaica and St. Lucia, before we go to the finals in St. Kitts,” he noted. (CMC)

L A S G O W , SCOTLAND: Glasgow, cue the Bob Marley, the Jamaicans are taking over!

That's how it seemed anyway, as a historic women's 400 metres medal sweep Tuesday, plus podium-topping performances by Kimberly Williams and Andrew Riley meant Jamaica won their third, fourth and fifth gold medals at Hampden Park, pushing their 2014 Commonwealth Games haul to 12 (five gold, three silver, four bronze).

Several Bob Marley reggae anthems, including the iconic 'One Love', blasted through the Hampden Park speaker system as StephenieAnn McPherson pulled off a perfectly timed last 120-metre assault to lead home an unprecedented Jamaican one, two, three in the women's one-lap final.

McPherson stopped the clock at 50.67 to win ahead of Novlene Williams-Mills, 50.86 who went in chase of defending champion and 2011 World Champion Amantle Montsho (fourth in 51.10) - with Christine Day, 51.09, finishing third.

"I came here not exactly fit, but with my coach's instructions, I came here with a Lion's heart, determined to do my best, and I'm very

Jamaica's Kimberly Williams is a picture of joy as she lands in the pit while competing in the women's triple jump final at the Commonwealth Games at Hampden Park, Scotland, Tuesday. Williams won gold with 14.21 metre (Ricardo Makyn/Jamaica Gleaner photo)

happy to have won this gold medal here," said McPherson.

She noted that all three athletes wanted desperately to ensure that Jamaica won all three medals on offer.

McPherson became the first Jamaican winner in the event since Sandie Richards in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

Triple jumper Williams, the World Indoor bronze medallist, had her fair share of troubles in the pit, fouling three times in her series, before capping off victory with a seasonbest 14.21-metre hop, skip and jump.

By then, the gold medal had already been won.

"At the start of the year, I said I wanted to come to the

Commonwealth Games and win; I really didn't care about the distance, so I'm pretty pleased with my performance here," Williams said.

The second Jamaican in the final, Shenieka Thompson, took fourth with 13.85 metres. England's Laura Samuel, 14.09 metres, was second, with Trinidad and Tobago's Ayanna Alexander taking the bronze with 14.01 metres.

The gold rush continued in the 110m hurdles final, where Andrew Riley, 13.32 seconds, recovered from an untidy mid-race to clip England's William Sherman, who clocked 13.36 seconds, with Barbados' Shane Brathwaite, 13.49, taking third.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

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Tallawahs gear up for home Chanderpaul, Hetmeyer hit games while Hawksbills half centuries on opening day remain optimistic

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he Jamaica Tallawahs are home and have three decisive encounters in front of them at Sabina Park this week – but while their first opponent, the Antigua Hawksbills, are at the foot of the table without registering a win, Jamaica Tallawahs Captain, Chris Gayle, says this does not mean it will be an easy game on Thursday.

He said, “Cricket is such a funny sport.

When teams are back against the wall they can produce their best cricket in a tournament so we must be on our guard and be ready for whatever they have to throw at us.

“Our aim is to win all three home matches and to add some momentum going into St. Kitts. Last year the support was fantastic and I am anticipating similar on display this time around.”

Jamaica Tallawah’s Coach, Mickey Arthur, also gave his views and

stressed the need to get more wins.

“We are quite pleased with where we are right now. If you told me before the tournament that we would win three games out of four on the road before coming to Jamaica, I would take that in a heartbeat. So for now, we have to ensure we get the wins at home.

“The winner of the group stage automatically qualifies for the final and we would like to be in that position, so it is important the intensity remains the same, and we keep working hard like we have done since we started in Grenada.”

Antigua Hawksbills Coach, Tim Nielsen, also shared some insight saying, “Having a cluster of Jamaican-born players in my team is a huge asset as they are familiar with the surface and the conditions. We have not lost heart by any means.

“We still have a realistic chance of reaching the semi-finals and we are going to press hard to get there.

“Who knows – a win in Jamaica may be the momentum and drive that kicks off our season.

With St. Lucia in a few days’ time as well, this week is make or break for us.”

Summing up Hawksbills Captain, Marlon Samuels, said, “Results have not gone the way we wanted, however we have to back ourselves to get the result on the day.

“We have match winners in our team and I believe if we can have a good start tomorrow then things should fall into place for us.”

Jamaica claim three medals at Pan Am champs

Tagenarine Chanderpaul was in his usual watchful mood

By Rajiv Bisnauth

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alf-centuries from firstclass openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer propelled host Guyana to 228-5 at the close of day one of the third and final round game against Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19, Three-day tournament.

Chanderpaul stroked an attractive, unbeaten 79 and Hetmyer, 63.

Chanderpaul has so far batted for 346 minutes, faced 289 balls, inclusive of nine boundaries.

When stumps were drawn after 97 overs, at the Georgetown Cricket Club, ground, Kemo Paul was the other not out batsman on 13.

Brilliant start

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Officials and members of Jamaica's team to the Pan American Junior Badminton Championships in Guatemala pose after a successful run at the tournament (Photo: contributed)

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica won three medals-gold, silver and bronzeat the Pan American Junior Badminton Championships, which ended in Guatemala at the weekend.

Samuel Ricketts and Sean Wilson defeated the American pair of Timothy Lam and Justin Ma 21-16, 21-15 to take gold in the under-19 boys event.

Ricketts then pocketed silver in under-19 singles. He was beaten 22-20, 21-13 by Lam in the final.

Earlier, the under-17 pair of Alana Bailey and Shane Wilson won the bronze medal in the under-17 mixed doubles.

Fifth seed Ricketts gave a good display in the under-19 singles final, but was worn down by the class of Lam. The first set saw Samuel playing point for point against the more consistent Lam. Lam had Ricketts beaten with several cross-court smashes, but the Jamaican countered with his own style and fitness to push the American to the limit in the first set, which he lost 22-20.

The second set saw a close battle early, but Lam continued to employ the same down the line and cross-court smashes, and this took a toll on Ricketts.

Sean Wilson, who looks destined for greatness, with his cool and

controlled temperament, came out with Ricketts in the doubles, with revenge on their minds.

The Americans Lam and Ma were never given a chance to settle, and the Jamaican pair dominated the match, winning and taking the country's only gold medal at the championships in straight sets.

Ricketts and Wilson, along with the rest of the Jamaican team, will now turn their attention to the Sports Development Foundation/National Commercial Bank Caribbean Badminton Championships that will be held at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium from August 7-15.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Asked to take first strike, Chanderpaul and Hetmyer give the Guyanese a brilliant start with Hetmyer going on the rampage from the outset as he punished both the seamers and spinners.

The Guyanese, after omitting Niall Smith, Daniel Basdeo and Akel Wallace, reached 50 off 15.5 overs, after which Hetmyer recorded his half-century from just 64 balls.

The swashbuckling left-hander hit seven

boundaries in his 80ball knock and was at his punishing best as the tourists’ bowlers toiled hard on a pitch that provided them little assistance at the start.

Hetmyer, however, with one first-class match to his credit, was the only casualty of a satisfactory session, when he was dismissed with off-spinner Samuel Roopnarine inducing a catch to Akil Seetal at point.

Captain Brian Sattaur and Chanderpaul guided the hosts to 101-1 at lunch with Chanderpaul on 29 and Sattaur on three.

The pair then added 42 for the second wicket, but Sattaur’s impetuosity cost him dearly as he tried to be over-aggressive against Roopnarine.

He once again flattered to deceive and could not put up a significant contribution which would have given him requisite confidence.

There was nothing much in the 22-yard strip, but poor shot selection is something that Sattaur could be especially worried about.

Sattaur, in fact, got a reprieve on three when Seetal dropped him at mid-off, off Brian Christmas’s delivery but did not cash in on the opportunity. Sattuar hit three boundaries in his

21 runs and lasted 53 balls.

On the other hand, the 17-year-old Chanderpaul was particularly fluent, timing the ball sweetly and at the same time was more content on grafting and capitalising on the ‘bad balls.’

Confidence

Askay Homraj joined Chanderpaul and the pair grew in confidence with each passing over before left-arm spinner Justin Joseph bowled Homraj for 22. The lefthander Chanderpaul, looking relatively untroubled, registered his half-century off 173 balls inclusive of six boundaries.

Soon after, Balchan Baldeo was run out for three at 166-4 and by the tea interval the Guyanese were 170-4.

Chanderpaul on 53 and Sharaz Ramcharran on two.

The pair combined and took the total past the 200-run mark before Ramcharran became the only victim in the session, when he was bowled by seamer Akil Seetal (1-32) for 20.

Roopnarine ended the day with figures of 2-42, while Joseph (1-59) was the other successful bowler.

Play resumes today from 10:00h and admission to the venue is free.

AAG names Inter-Guiana Games team

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he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has named a 27-member team to participate in the 2014 edition of the Inter-Guiana Games scheduled for Guyana from August 1.

The tri-nation event featuring Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana will feature some of Guyana’s top talent competing at the event as 14 males and 13 females will make up the entirety of the squad.

The male contigent

will comprise Jason Yaw, Kevin Abbensetts, Tevin Garraway, Kade Pearce, Clarence Greene, Ornesto Thomas, Grivon Grant, Jabari Joseph, Quacy Simpson, Samuel Gray, Matthew Mackenzie, Tremaine Beckles, Jamal Joseph and Timothy Fullington.

On the distaff side, Cassey George, Jevina Sampson, Natricia Hooper, Avon Samuels, Andrea Foster, Shoquane Daniels, Shannin Griffith, Claudrice McKoy,

Chantoba Bright, Trystal McAllister, Stephanie Frank, Shontel Hinds, Irie Cadogan and Khadidja Ba. Julian Edmonds and Raymond Daw have been named as the two coaches of the team with Alisha Fortune being named as an official representative.

Meanwhile, the athletics component of the IGG is scheduled to begin on Saturday at the Camp Ayanganna Sports Ground from 10:00h.

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St. Lucia Zouks looking to be inspired by fans

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onight (Thursday), the St. Lucia Zouks will face the big hitting Barbados Tridents in the first of three home games this Independence weekend where they hope to reignite their Limacol Caribbean Premier League campaign. The Zouks will be using their home advantage to build some positive momentum into matches this weekend against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel on Saturday at 4pm and the Antigua Hawksbills on Sunday at 4pm.

Despite the red hot form of Dwayne Smith and Shoaib Mailk with the bat recently the Tridents enter this match on the back of their second loss of the tournament. St. Lucia Zouks Head Coach Matthew Maynard, is hoping that a noisy and enthusiastic home

St. Lucia Zouks' players pose with a fan

crowd at the Beausejour Cricket Grounds will give the Zouks the motivation they need to pull off their first win of the tournament.

St. Lucia Zouks Head Coach Matthew Maynard comments; We are very familiar with the home conditions at the Beausejour Stadium and so we hope that this will improve our bat-

ting performance this weekend. We are looking to build crucial partnerships and make the most of the batting power plays which we have been unable to do so far.

I feel our top three are as a good as any in the competition and this weekend is the time to deliver.

St. Lucia Zouks Captain Darren Sammy encouraged fans to be at

the matches this weekend saying; We’re hoping the people of St. Lucia will come out to show their support, wear the Zouks blue and be our twelfth man at BCG. The Tridents recent win over the Zouks means they come into this game confident of putting on a good show for the crowd with some spectacular cricket. When asked about their recent loss to the Guyana Amazon Warriors and whether this was a wake-up call for the team Barbados Tridents Captain Kieron Pollard was adamant that he was satisfied with his team’s performance thus far; “throughout the tournament, the batting tracks have been good which saw a number of our games have come down to the wire, so we just need to make the most of our batting and maintain our composure under pressure.

Limacol CPL League Table

J$1 million in prize money offered to Tallawahs batsmen

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amaica Tallawahs presenting sponsor, Appleton Estate Jamaica, is cranking up the excitement ahead of the first Limacol Caribbean Premier League home game on July 31 by offering a massive JA$1 million in prize money to the first Tallawahs batsman to hit its 25 foot high Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum inflatable bottle.

With the stakes high in terms of a big cash prize and bragging rights, all eyes will be firmly fixed on the “million dollar” Appleton Estate Bottle which will be located on the roof of the main viewing deck in the Appleton Estate Party Stand Cecil Smith, Group Brand Manager for Rums, J Wray & Nephew Ltd said, “Appleton Estate is proud to Stand Tall with the Jamaica Tallawahs once again this year for the second Limacol CPL. “And we are ready to make history once again. Fans love the big sixes and we know our Tallawahs can deliver them so this year we are motivating our Tallawahs to Be Great and hit sixes at Sabina

Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director for the Limacol Caribbean Premier League

Park.

“We are looking forward to three epic home matches this week and encourage all the Tallawahs supporters to join us at the games.”

Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director for the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, said, “As the Biggest Party in Sports, we are all about bringing big cricket moments and big entertainment moments.

The Appleton Estate Bottle batting challenge is the perfect blend of both and we know that the Tallawahs will be limbering up to see who will go home a millionaire and the crowd will be cheering their heroes from the stands.”

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