Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

U.S.-based Guyanese photographer Kwesi Abbensetts explains the rudiments of ‘good’ photography Page 42

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 186

week ending March 30, 2014

Budget showdown expected on pages - Opposition threatens to cut estimates See stories 10,11,14,15 - Gov’t says budget should be judged based on merit

Body of Guyanese man found in trash bag on Edgemere boardwalk Page 3 Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

Opposition Leader David Granger

APNU Executive Member Carl Greenidge

Authorities get tough with remigrant fraudsters Page 20

Quynton Ross

NEWS

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Body of Guyanese man found in trash bag on Edgemere boardwalk

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Quynton Ross

he New York Daily News has reported that the body of a New York-based Guyanese man was found inside a trash bag on a Far Rockaway beach Monday morning after the man’s mom grew worried and tracked his phone.

The missing man, identified as 32-year-old Quynton Ross, was last seen on Sunday, cops said. His mother pinged his phone that night and ended up at the boardwalk. She did not find anything then, but returned in the morning to discover a bag containing bloody clothes, cops said.

The body of the man was found in the area of Beach 40th Street between Edgemere Avenue and the boardwalk.

“She’s taking it pretty hard,” said Ross’ uncle Patrice Jacobs, 43.

“It was her only son.” He took his sister, Guliana Jacobs, to St John’s Episcopal Hospital because she was beside herself with grief.

He said the family used the Find My Phone app to find Ross. Ross is a photographer and has a daughter with his girlfriend, he said. His body bore a number of bullet wounds. (Excerpts taken from NY Daily News)

OAS says Guyana should develop anti-corruption strategy

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he Organisation of American States (OAS) said Guyana should develop an anti-corruption strategy, which could include the establishment of specialised units in the police force and in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to root out alleged graft in the Government system.

The body also spoke of the many incomplete investigations into state fraud and the authorities’ inability to prosecute alleged offenders of corruption.

The call is contained in a menu of recommendations which form part of the OASanti-corruption watchdog, the Inter-American Convention against Corruption and the Follow-Up Mechanism for its Implementation (MESICIC) final report on Guyana. The report was submitted last Friday when Guyana underwent a review by the body in Washington, U.S.A. Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira represented Guyana at that forum.

The committee’s rec-

Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira

ommendation also comes against the background of comments made by Auditor General Deodat Sharma when it conducted an onsite visit last year.

The OAS body, said Sharma, spoke about his department’s difficulties in prosecuting fraud and corruption in Guyana, which resulted in virtually no prosecution of fraud/corruption cases.

Fraud/corruption

The Auditor General informed the committee that both the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Office of the DPP are overloaded with cases and that fraud/corruption cases compete with other serious crimes such as murder, sexual violence and robbery.

The Auditor General also stated, according to the OAS report, that fraud cases are usually complex and therefore intimidating to those unfamiliar with the subject.

He said access to bank account information would assist in the prosecution of fraud/corruption cases but the Audit Act of 2004 requires obtaining a warrant from a court in order to obtain such information.

However, Sharma reported that some Magistrates require a criminal charge to have already been filed in order to issue such a warrant.

“In light of the situation described above and in the absence of detailed information regarding the final outcome of the fraud/corruption cases investigated by the Audit Office, the committee believes [the Audit Office] should consider strengthening its ability to prosecute fraud/ corruption cases, especially those of greater importance or complexity, whether due to the level of the Government official involved or the amount of economic in-

jury to the state,” the report stated.

To this end, the committee believes Guyana would benefit from establishing an articulated anti-corruption strategy, which could include the establishment of specialised anti-corruption units in the GPF and in the Office of the DPP. Additionally, the committee reported that Sharma said that lack of staff and the geographic spread of the country have hampered the department’s ability to conduct special audits, particularly in the area of fraud at Government departments.

But the OAS body believes that the office, especially its Forensic Audit Unit, could be further strengthened to increase its capacity in investigating and uncovering fraud and corruption in Guyana.

Accountability

Additionally, the body has recommended that the Audit Office publish on its website all accountability documents and reports prepared by the agency and presented to the Public Accounts continued on page 12

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

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EDITORIAL

Digital generation

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here is a generation of people, mostly the younger, who are completely different from the preceding one. A lot of today’s people are living in the digital age. Technology has become a way of life and people today just automatically absorb all things automated. Now it is nigh impossible for many to imagine a world that existed without all of the gadgets, electronics and numberless operations that computer technology provides.

Children now devote some 40 hours per week to television, video games and the Internet. Researchers are very concerned about the impact that technology is now having on children.

Children are being consumed by the effects of modern technology.

Technology overall is indispensable, but it must be guided; if not, it can severely impair children by weakening social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Technology affects social development in children in many different ways. Children acquire electronic games, personal computers, and cellphones at very young ages.

Surveys indicate that about 82 per cent of children are online by the Seventh Grade and experience about 6.5 hours per day of media exposure. Most children communicate more through electronic devices and spend less face time with family members and peers. Text messaging and emails provide limited or no access to other people’s emotions, and the rich language of non-verbal communication and interaction is lost.

The quality of family time is compromised when children are using technology. Families are not talking very much during meal time, because of distractions like watching television, listening to music, checking emails, answering the phone and text messaging.

This has become so disgusting (and disrespectful as well), that many adults have long given up on curbing it, even teachers at colleges and universities.

Social development is part of the nexus that includes family, as well as the many others in school, church and just about anywhere else. So when technology replaces human contact, it creates problems for proper social development.

Educators are now predicting that the current teen generation are heading themselves for a sort of mass loss of personal identity.

By spending inordinate quantities of time in the interactive, virtual, two-dimensional, cyberspace realms of the screen, they are opining that the brains of the youths of today are headed for a drastic alteration.

A host of teenagers, ages 12 through 17, send 50 or more text messages per day and one-third send more than 100. This is no different from addiction that calls for instant gratification.

Technology enables things to happen quickly, and as a result, children are growing up, expecting immediate fulfilment. They always want instant gratification.

If children want to hear a song, they can hop online and download it. No longer have they to wait for Saturday or Sunday to watch their favourite television shows – there are a host of channels offering children’s programming 24/7. This conditions them into inappropriate behavioural traits, when waiting is necessary. Impatience and anger are inextricably linked.

The natural brain chemical called dopamine is involved by all forms of addiction. The area of the brain crucial to the dopamine hits is called the accumbens nucleus, which is associated with the prefrontal cortex, an area at the front of the brain. Excessive dopamine hits might reduce activation in the prefrontal cortex, and in doing so, will tip the balance away from awareness of the significance, of actions. The focus is all about ‘good feelings’.

It turns out that involvement in any addictive technology offering activates the basal ganglia portion of the brain, that is, the region that releases this said dopamine. This is actually the same region of the brain that is affected by cocaine.

Soon, communities could very well be hemmed in by a group of people who will display a range of unwanted traits: obsessiveness, self-destruction, self-denial, withdrawal tendencies, loss of control and depression. The instinctive challenge is to find ways to change this course, while still reaping the advantages technology offers.

A view of the Seawall Bandstand in Georgetown. Government hopes to invest more than US$65 million over the next five years in infrastructural works and coastal zone management systems

Hardt commits U.S. support for Caribbean security

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nited States Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt has said that while the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) programme has yielded overwhelming successes since its implementation in 2010, Washington will continue to work with the Caribbean region as there is much more work to be done.

Ambassador Hardt was at the time speaking at the handing over ceremony of three vessels to the Coast Guard on Friday last. He stated that the handing over was also a part of the CBSI programme which seeks to combat the drug trade and other transnational crimes that threaten regional security.

The CBSI programme was announced by U.S. President Barack Obama at the 2009 Summit of the Americas. It was then launched the following year in Washington with Caribbean Countries.

According to the U.S. Ambassador, some four years into the partnership, the U.S. still remains committed to working with Guyana and regional partners to expand their efforts.

“Our countries are bound together in this effort by our common geography, our close economic links and the close ties and travel among our citizens. These factors make it essential for us to work together if we are to be successful in achieving the security, safety, prosperity and opportunity our citizens seek and demand,” the Ambassador said.

Shared responsibility

At the recent dialogue held in Washington, DC in December, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns had observed that “the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which is based on shared responsibility, mutual respect, and shared approach-

United States Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt

es to common challenges, offers a vivid example of the benefit such partnership can yield”.

“We want the citizens of Guyana to see the benefits of improved security and social justice in a personal way: in their neighbourhoods, in their schools, along their rivers and shorelines, and in the marketplace. To achieve this, we need to forge a relatable long-term partnership to build capacities by providing adequate training, equipment and other resources to meet the threats,” Hardt pointed out.

On this note, he disclosed that the U.S. has proved its commitment through a wide range of CBSI projects to directly support Guyana. He highlight the fact that the U.S. donated US$1.7 million to the United Nations through the UN Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNRILEC) to assist with the disposal of obsolete weapons, ammunitions and explosives in the Caribbean. Guyana also benefited from this programme with the presentation of the destruction equipment by UNLIREC.

Tracking weapons

Another initiative the Caribbean continues to reap benefits from is the Regional Integrated Ballistics Information Network (RIBIN).

This is a U.S.-funded pro-

gramme that involves the development of a network of ballistics identification instructions within the Caribbean to allow law enforcement agencies to track the movements of weapons from country to country. This was done taking into consideration the previous CBSI contribution of a firearms marking equipment.

“Together with the E-trace Network, which allows Guyanese law enforcement officials to gather relevant information through firearms serial numbers including the name of the owner or purchaser, types of crime committed with the weapon, these tracking systems will enhance regional capacity to share information and collaborate to reduce the threat of gun violence and crime, while helping to solve outstanding cases,” the U.S. Ambassador explained.

Ambassador Hardt further mentioned other CBSI projects from which Guyana, and the Caribbean at large, has benefited from. These include the recent integrated biometrics fingerprint system that was given to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to digitalise Guyana’s fingerprint records system and introduce multilateral information sharing within Caricom and the U.S. law enforcement agencies. This, according to Hardt, has already facilitated cross-border law enforcement cooperation and contributed to numerous arrests.

In addition, CBSI in collaboration with local authorities have seen success stories in various sectors, including narcotics trade and trafficking.

Hardt disclosed that in 2013, the discovery of some 360 kilograms of cocaine was attributed to implementation of a port security scanning initiative designed in partnership with the UN Office of Drug Control Policy.

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Brumell urges SWAT team to uphold human rights of citizens

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utgoing Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell has urged members of the newly-trained Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit to uphold basic human rights and not sully the image of the Guyana Police force as they discharge their duties.

He made the comments as 27 ranks graduated from the SWAT training conducted by The Emergence Group (TEG).The unit is Guyana’s first SWAT Team. Urging the ranks to maintain self-discipline, Brumell said their new role requires commitment and adherence to basic human rights.

“Nobody must speak of this unit of committing heinous things,” the Police Chief said.

Brumell also warned the ranks to be prepared for hoaxes, saying that persons may want to “put something out to see how you will react”. He told the gathering that the unit will be called upon to respond to high-risk situations.

Brumell expressed satisfaction in the ac-

Members of the newly-trained SWAT team, sporting their dashing grey uniforms, have been charged to uphold basic human rights in the discharge of their duties

complishment of the unit, which he said has worked extremely hard to be where it is today.

He encouraged the officers to work at their best.

Historic

Meanwhile, at the simple ceremony, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee described the oc-

casion as historic. He said members of the public have always been expecting much from the disciplined force; something he believes is normal.

“It is ok for the population to have expectations. They are taxpayers; they have an interest in law and or-

der, in public safety and security. They may not be active players as you are, but because they are citizens of this country, they have a say in ensuring that the population is not in fear,” he told the group of smartly clad officers.

It was behind that backdrop, Rohee said,

that the SWAT unit was established. The team, he said, is being trained as an additional component within the Guyana Police Force. He said the challenges in Guyana are common knowledge, but noted that the criticisms often unleashed against the Police Force, are sometimes “unwar-

ranted”.

Rohee said while the force welcomes the criticism, it would also appreciate and welcome recommendations.

He said that any person that works within the security sector will always come under tremendous criticism.

Earlier this year, the batch of officers was introduced to Guyana when the training programme was launched at the centre. The establishment of the SWAT Unit was done through collaboration between the Government of Guyana and U.S.-based security and justice reform consultancy firm, TEG. In October last year, the contract finalising the agreement between the two entities was inked. At the launching ceremony, TEG’s representative Dennis Hays had said that Guyana should be proud of the group selected for the SWAT Team. He noted that the officers would positively impact the Police Force, pointing out that SWAT members undergo a continuous training process.

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75-year-old woman found murdered in home A

former staff of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council was on Wednesday morning found dead in the bedroom of her North Ruimveldt, Georgetown home.

Joyce Lewis, 75, of Lot 3630 Christiani Street, North Ruimveldt, is suspected to have been robbed, raped and strangled.

Relatives of the woman broke down as her body was being removed from her residence by undertakers.

The woman’s lifeless body was discovered about 08:30h by a sister, who went to the house after she failed to make telephone contact with the woman.

She was found lying on her back with her underwear to her knees and blood oozing from her mouth and nostrils.

Her hands and feet were bound. There was a broken glass window at the back of the house, but due to the grill, it was impossible for the perpetrators to enter the premises.

The police are working with the theory that the perpetrators may have gotten access into

the door with a bunch of keys, and as such, he hurriedly made his way home and informed his mother, who in turn contacted the woman’s relatives.

Gruesome discovery

The police were summoned and as they made their way into the house, they discovered the house ransacked and the woman’s body on the floor. “They tie up she hand and feet and blood de coming out

she mouth and nose.”

Yvonne (only name given), a close friend of Lewis stated that she last spoke to the woman after midnight on Tuesday and they had plans to go shopping the following day.

No answer

The woman further added that she retired to bed, but upon waking on Wednesday morning, she tried to make contact with the woman on her telephone, but there

was no answer.

“This is unusual because as soon as the telephone rings, she would answer and if she sees a missed call, she would return the call.

So I telephone a relative in the area to check on her and that was when the young man went across.”

Lewis normally lived alone and has no children. Two of her siblings live overseas while another live in Guyana.

Dead: Joyce Lewis

the house via a bedroom window in the upper flat of the house since there were several footprints on the white paint.

The house was ransacked and a cutlass wrapped in a piece of cloth was also recovered by investigators at the house. When Guyana Times International arrived at the scene, relative were barred from entering the yard as police ranks were conducting their investigations.

A young man, Shane Willis told GTI that one of the woman’s relatives

contacted his mother and asked for him to check on the woman, claiming that they were not getting onto her via telephone.

He said that as he arrived at the woman’s home, he saw the dead woman’s sister in the yard in a state of uneasiness. “When she saw me, she asked me to jump the fence as she was crying out ‘like they kill her,’”.

Willis said as he jumped into the yard, he saw the cutlass wrapped in the cloth lying next to

The house in which Lewis’ body was discovered

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Grenada’s employment freeze US$10M engineering design does not apply to police service for Linden–Lethem road - PM Mitchell assures

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rime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell says his administration’s freeze on hiring within the public service will not apply to the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF).

Mitchell, who is also Minister of National Security, spoke during a recent open forum with RGPF members, indicating that the freeze would be maintained during the three-year period of the home grown Structural Adjustment Programme that is being backed by the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Last week, the IMF announced it had reached agreement with the Grenada government for a three-year US$21.9 million Extended Credit Facility to support an “ambitious programme” to correct the island’s fiscal imbalances and lift sustainable growth.

“The agreement reached with the authorities is subject to approval of the IMF’s Executive Board and is contingent upon the timely completion of prior actions to be taken by the Grenadian

Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell

authorities and obtaining the necessary financing assurances,” said Aliona Cebotari, IMF mission chief to Grenada.

She indicated that the main objectives of the programme are to restore fiscal and debt sustainability, boost longterm growth through structural reforms, and safeguard the resilience of the financial sector.

Mitchell told the law enforcement officials that the employment policy would remain in effect during the threeyear period of debt restructuring to revive an economy which has moved from negative to

positive.

He emphasised the importance of the RGPF in Grenada’s overall development, and assured them that the government is committed to supporting them in any way possible, even in this tough economic period.

“We cannot speak about the role of the police and not take steps to ensure that we make our contribution in helping them to perform effectively,” Mitchell said, praising the police for the many steps taken recently to improve its image. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

A

A section of the Linden to Lethem Road

n engineering design required for the critical Linden to Lethem Road will cost an estimated US$10 million, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has disclosed. He said the Guyana and Brazil governments are yet to complete discussions on the financing of the critical project.

A Joint Working Group established under the Guyana-Brazil Corporation Agreement had submitted the proposal. In December 2012, the Working Group on Infrastructure Projects was established following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two coun-

tries.

But with this proposal being tabled, along with recommendations for feasibility studies to be conducted on hydropower development in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni, a Joint Commission chaired by Ambassador Elisabeth Harper would monitor the various activities.

The commission was established in July 2013.

Speaking at the National Communications Network (NCN) during a recent press conference, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said the redesigning and construction of the Linden to Lethem Road

and the development of hydropower stations at Middle and Upper Mazaruni are interconnected.

“It (the road) will cost a handsome sum and we at this point in time, we are not able to increase our debt,” she said but explained that if the hydropower development project is feasible, the road project will be accelerated. “So we will be able to get our road, get some energy, sell some energy, and get some revenue. So if we are able to do this the right way, have all of the negative impacts addressed, we would be in good shape,” an optimistic RodriguesBirkett said.

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PPP/C slams Granger for criticisms of public infrastructure

“It was under the PNC dictatorship that Guyana’s infrastructure collapsed”

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) says it finds amusing the recent statements by Opposition Leader David Granger concerning the current state of the country’s infrastructure.

At a recent news conference by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Granger referred to “poor infrastructure” and how “roads, bridges, stellings, canals, and other amenities have degenerated” under the ruling party.

However, in a sharp response, the PPP/C said it cannot help but insist that Granger continues to be a stranger to the truth and can only wonder which country he is really living. “This soldier/historian turned politician has obviously contracted amnesia resulting in his inability to recall the state of the country’s infrastructure which his PNC regime bequeathed to the people of Guyana,” the ruling party said in a statement.

According to the

PPP/C, Granger needs to be reminded about the trail of destruction and degradation which occurred during “the years of PNC dictatorship”. The party said it found it necessary to jolt Granger’s memory, especially concerning the PNC’s track record and to remind him about how far we have come as a nation as regards physical and social infrastructural development.

“The PPP finds it necessary to remind Mr Granger about the dilapidated physical infrastructure and social amenities which his party presided over during its 28 years in government. It is to be recalled that the 38 and a quarter miles of the Essequibo Coast road took a traveller over three and a half hours to traverse, while having to navigate ponds, mini hills and valleys, dead sand stretches, broken bridges and even vegetation in the middle of the road. This is what residents of and visitors to Essequibo had to en-

taps at floor level was a dream for the majority of Guyanese.

“From the city to the towns and villages, the sewage and water supply systems were all destroyed and never rehabilitated. Village dams, feeders roads, farm-tofarm-to-market roads and kokers were never maintained. Many fell into a state of total neglect.”

The PPP/C added that the country’s drainage and irrigation had completely collapsed and agriculture production was at its nadir when the people of Guyana booted out the PNC from government in free elections of 1992.

Rebuilt after 1992

PPP/C General Secretary and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

dure for years.”

Insult to injury

Moreover, the PPP/C says the half-mile road stretching from the Bank of Guyana to the Pegasus Hotel was in such a deplorable state that it took half an hour to traverse

that relatively short distance.

“And to add insult to injury, the GeorgetownTimehri road was another pain to endure and navigate,” the ruling party said, adding that potable water through

“If we are to lend the proverbial ear to Granger’s claim, then we must conclude that it was the PNC dictatorship that was the cause of the destruction of our country’s social and physical infrastructure,” the party said.

According to the PPP/C, “Time to Rebuild”

was the theme under which it started to rebuild Guyana’s social and physical infrastructure, noting that it is proud of the work that successive Administrations have done without boasting about it.

Listing some of its accomplishments, the PPP/C said since its term in office: 1200 schools have been built or rebuilt; hundreds of miles of roads have been built in villages all around the country; bridges that will stand for the long term have been built from Supenaam to Charity, from Rosignol to Georgetown, and from Georgetown to Timehri.

Conversely, it said under the PNC less than 20,000 vehicles used the roadways, today there are more than 150,000 vehicles utilising the roadways. It said the Ogle International Airport and the Berbice River Bridge are testimony to what public/private partnerships can accomplish in infrastructure development under the PPP/C Administration.

WPA fumes at Ramotar’s nonresponse to concerns on Rodney Commission

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he Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has dubbed as “Shameful”, the nonresponse from President Donald Ramotar to a letter written to him about the contents of the Terms of Reference (ToR) being used in the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

It has been three weeks now since the letter, signed by the WPA’s Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Executive Member, Professor Clive Thomas, was sent to the Head of State, outlining the party’s concerns over sections of the ToR. Dr Roopnaraine said while Office of the President has made no formal contact with the WPA, there have been reports in the media regarding Government’s feelings about their objections to the ToRs. “That is shameful,” he lamented.

Concerns

The WPA earlier this month, had raised concerns over paragraph four of the ToR, which it said “strays a considerable distance from

WPA Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

the precisions of paragraph one”. Section four of the ToR tasks the Commission with “examining the facts and circumstances immediately prior, at the time of, and subsequent to the death of Dr Walter Rodney”.

Dr Roopnaraine had questioned the time period defined in paragraph four (1st January 1978 to 31 December 1980) – qualifying it as being “immediately prior, at the time of, and subsequent to the death of Dr Rodney”. The party’s Chairman said that that section runs the risk of opening a Pandora’s Box that will guarantee an

unwelcomed poisoning of the political environment.

Questions were also raised about the granting of an absolute pardon to persons who may have been involved in the death of Dr Rodney.

The letter said that “it would seem to have the Commission of Inquiry tip-toe in the direction of a Truth Commission, even while the Terms of Reference and the prevailing conditions fall far short of the complex requirements of a Truth Commission.

Perhaps it is enough, at this stage and in our conditions, that it pins the flag of reconciliation on its mast.”

The party had also expressed concerns over the presence of Trinidadianbased Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam on the Commission.

Jairam, the WPA noted, was the lead counsel representing the Government in the budget cut case of 2012 before acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang. It said that his presence on the Commission would cause a conflict of interest.

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week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GTUC now a political forum, no longer a workers’ organisation Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is saddened that the good name which the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) once enjoyed has again been sullied as a result of Lincoln Lewis’ outbursts.

A few weeks ago, the PPP/C expressed the view that the GTUC is no longer a voice of the workers; in fact it has been hijacked by a selfish few who regrettably have transformed that body into a political forum for grand-standing.

In the last few weeks we have witnessed the morphing of the GTUC into a puppet in pursuit

of a political and personal agenda following statements emanating from Lewis, purportedly on behalf of the GTUC. Lewis, in his recent avowals, condemned the National Assembly because of the motion on the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) it adopted unanimously; embarked on a confrontational rather than a negotiated course with the bauxite company RUSAL; and intruded into the privacy of former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

It is to be noted that none of what Lewis said has anything to do with workers’ representation; rather they are solely matters that advances

Lewis’ political agenda.

It is sad to note that sections of the media make it their business to paint a rosy picture of Lewis under the guise of facilitating the GTUC and sometime, gives wide publicity to his attacks against the Government and the ruling PPP/C. The PPP/C notes that as regards the workers at RUSAL and their issue over the collective agreement with the company, this matter has been engaging the attention of Labour Ministry.

The Ministry has sought for a number of years to bring the parties together with a view to arriving at a consen-

Navraatri is a period used to worship the mother aspect of God Dear Editor, The very sacred and most auspicious period of Nav-Raatri will commence on March 31. It also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year.

Navraatri is a period of nine days that we utilise to worship the mother aspect of God or Maha Shakti. Shakti literally means ‘energy’ or ‘power’, and the universe is an expression of this Divine Energy.

During these nine days the Mother aspect of God in the forms of Durgaa, Lakshmi, and Saraswati is extolled and worshipped. Divine Energy operates in three planes, as Kriyaa Shakti or the Energy of action, as Ichhaa Shakti or the energy of Will and as Gyaan Shakti or the energy of Knowledge.

Corresponding to these three major aspects of energy are the three Goddesses – Durgaa through whom the energy of Action operates; Lakshmi who is the embodiment of the energy of Will; and Saraswati who is predominated with the energy of Knowledge.

The first three days are dedicated to Goddess Durgaa the destroyer. Anger, greed, hatred, violence, pride and other such gross sentiments are represented in Tantric literature as demons, and very interesting stories are told about them.

The demons once waged war against Goddess Durgaa, and assuming a Divine form, She rode a lion and destroyed them.

During these three days when the Kriyaa Shakti is in predominance, we resolve with a positive will of the mind to destroy all negative emotions and rid ourselves of all demoniac vices such as uncleanliness, anger, passion, pride, jealousy, hatred, violence and all such evil propensities.

One worships Goddess Durgaa on these days and imbibes her divine qualities. The second three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi the purifier. Having emptied oneself of all the evil qualities, one is to cultivate purifying thoughts and fill oneself with positive qualities such as patience, love, kindness, compassion, tranquillity, humility, one-pointedness of the mind, non-violence, etc.

During the worship of Lakshmi, the Ichhaa Shakti is in motion. During these three nights Lakshmi is worshipped not merely through a ritualistic process but by lifting one’s consciousness to the highest level of existence.

The last three days are devoted to the worship of Goddess Saraswati – the bestower of Divine Wisdom, and by whose grace the merging into Divine Consciousness becomes a reality.

When the gross impurities are removed by Durgaa, and life is filled with divine qualities by the grace of Lakshmi, the last phase of spiritual movement is illumined by Goddess Saraswati. Goddess Saraswati is the very personification of Divine Consciousness.

She bestows Divine Consciousness and Divine Wisdom upon her worshipper and leads them to final beatitude. Nav-Raatri is observed twice a year: once in the month of Chaitra (March-April) and then in Ashwin (SeptemberOctober).

Let me encourage you to observe this sacred period with faith and confidence and you will be blessed by the Divine Mother.

Pandit Rudranauth Sharma General Secretary, Priest in Charge Radha Krishna Mandir

sual conclusion. While engaging in negotiations, Lewis would regularly and publicly accuse Government officials of being racial.

He went as far as to lodge an official complaint with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). The complaint was investigated and the allegations found to be without merit. After exercising considerable patience, arbitration was imposed by the Labour Ministry.

RUSAL went to the courts and challenged the decision. Resort to the courts is a redress open to anyone. Lewis’ agenda is not reflective of workers’ inter-

ests otherwise he would have awaited the ruling of the court, instead lashing out at the company and attacking all and sundry.

Lewis’ swift condemnation and failure to accept the unanimously agreed motion by the National Assembly is another indication of the personal agenda rather than workers’ interests.

One would have thought that the GTUC would have brought its executives together, consult with whatever membership it has and engage its allies (APNU and AFC) as a minimum before going public with a position.

The PPP/C wishes to

remind Guyanese that while Lewis boasts that he speaks on behalf of organised labour, and is famous for citing Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana regarding “meaningful consultation” and hypocritically chanting the mantra of “good governance”, he is not prepared to walk the walk.

This is but a far cry from how a trade unionist should be working in the interest of the workers, rather in pursuance of personal egos bigger than life.

Respectfully, Vickram Bharrat PPP/C Freedom House

Constant battle between police and citizens on human rights violations Dear Editor, On March 24, the world observed International Day for the Right to the Truth Surrounding Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. On this day, we honour the memory of victims of gross and systemic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice.

The Colwyn Harding Support Group, human rights groups, and other public-spirited supporters picketed outside of the Providence Magistrate’s Court, East Bank Demerara demanding justice for Harding.

Call it irony or fate that his court date coincided with such an important day for those involved in the struggle for human rights. Whatever it is, human rights groups are determined to continue the fight until Harding receives justice.

Since the incident, Harding was hospitalised for more than 33 days and has had to undergo surgery to repair his damaged intestines. He has accused the police of abusing, brutalising and raping him with a condom-covered baton.

In fact, the state in its most recent response, has said that Colwyn is not entitled to compensation despite the evidence of two medical examinations – one conducted at a private hospital in Guyana and another by a doctor in Jamaica – both indicating that there was trauma to the upper rectum, and that this was consistent with Harding’s account of what had happened.

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have

been accused of abusing their power and using sexual violence against citizens, which amount to gross human rights violations. The GPF is the state agency charged with security and protection of the citizenry, but instead has been responsible for multiple assaults on the human rights of the citizens it should be serving.

These crimes by the police, ostensibly called “interrogation”, have increasingly used sexual violence as a means of torture. Torture is a gross human rights violation for which the State’s connivance, tacit or active complicity should not be ignored.

Gross human rights violations refer too to the continuous failure to address systematic issues of discrimination and harsh treatment, whether by individuals or persons in authority.

In cases of human trafficking, the police have been accused by some of the victims of negotiating with their captors for sexual favours in return for allowing them (the captor and the trafficked) to pass through the road blocks set up to monitor persons entering the interior without proper identification.

There is a constant battle between the police and citizens when these allegations are made and oftentimes, victims do not receive justice and their voices are silenced by those in authority.

In Guyana, incidents of sexual violence are occurring on a daily basis.

Women, girls, men and boys are all falling victims to this heinous crime. Just recently, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) reported that they received

more than 570 cases of childhood sexual abuse for 2013.

While we have a very comprehensive Sexual Offences Act, it is not being fully implemented, making it even more difficult for justice to be served to survivors. In incidents where the crime is reported, few ever make it to trial and even fewer offenders are actually prosecuted. This has caused many victims not to report crimes and has resulted in a rape culture where sexual predators dwell without fear and practise their depravity with impunity.

Many organisations in Guyana have taken note of how sexual violence is destroying our society and have resolved to work harder to highlight the issue and work towards securing justice for victims.

Organisations such as Red Thread, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and Help and Shelter have been working for years to end the assault on the human rights and dignity of people. These organisations have been collaborating on these issues and on March 30 will be hosting a public forum on the use of sexual violence in gross human rights violations.

We very much look forward to your readers’ participation at the public forum on Sunday as we work together to end this scourge.

Yours faithfully, Wintress White, Red Thread; Danuta Radzik, Help and Shelter; Norwell Hinds, Colwyn Harding Support Group; Tiffany Barry, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination

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More housing schemes to be developed in Guyana - Housing Ministry gets Gy$4.4B

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he Housing and Water Ministry has received a Gy$1.3 billion increase in the 2014 Budget which will see more housing schemes being developed, along with the new initiatives being adopted to improve the quality of water.

Some Gy$4.4 billion was given to the housing sector this year. This money will be directed towards the distribution of 5900 house lots and 4100 land titles to new landowners.

Additionally, several housing scheme development projects will be ongoing at Eccles, East Bank Demerara; Diamond, East Bank Demerara; Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara; Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara; Bath, West Coast Berbice; Number 77 Village, Berbice and other villages.

The public-private turnkey initiative will also see another 100 homes being constructed, while some 50 police officers, nurses, and teachers will be allocated land. In addition, more than 1200 persons will benefit from the distribu-

Housing Minister Irfaan Ali

tion of another 176 core houses, disbursement of 134 coastal home improvement subsidies valued at Gy$26.8 million, and an additional disbursement of 54 hinterland subsidies valued Gy$54 million.

In 2013, many strides were made in this sector with a Gy$3.2 billion budget. Much of the allocations were directed towards the hosting of some eight One-StopShop outreaches which resulted in 4417 house lots being allocated and 5326 land titles processed.

Housing subsidies

Then there was the development of several

new housing schemes, which were consolidated with existing ones thereby benefiting more than 30,000 persons. The public-private turnkey housing initiative was also a success and saw more than 90 single-flat concrete houses being constructed. While under the Young Professional Housing Programme, 55 homes were completed, exceeding the initial target of 48.

The Core House Pilot project resulted in 127 core houses completed, thus enabling some 580 persons to benefit from improved housing. At the same time, an additional 153 subsidies were disbursed under the coastal home improvement programme costing some Gy$30.6 million; hence, resulting in improved living conditions for another 627 persons.

The hinterland home improvement project saw 130 subsidies totalling Gy$107.2 million thereby allowing some of the most vulnerable communities access to affordable shelter.

The water sector was allocated Gy$2.5 billion which will be spent

Some Gy$4.4 billion was given to the housing sector this year

on the drilling, construction and completion of water wells in Cotton Tree, Hope, Mon Repos, Sparendaam, and Sophia. A portion of the monies will go towards the construction of a water clarifier and filter at Bartica and Eccles while upgrade works on service connections are expected to be done in East Berbice communities and Linden.

The installation of transmission and distribution mains will be

done in areas such as Vergenoegen, Victoria, Crabwood Creek, Angoy’s Avenue, and Bartica.

In addition, two water treatment plants at Wisroc and Amelia’s Ward should be completed and will benefit more than 30,000 residents in Region 10. Water supply improvement works are also expected to be done in hinterland communities such as Waikerabi, Santa Rosa, Arau, Taruka, Kanapang, Kathur, Aishalton and

St Ignatius. This will see some 20,000 residents benefiting.

With the soaring electricity costs, the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) is to complete a comprehensive energy audit and is expected to start with the implementation of initiatives that will see the replacement and reengineering of the electro-mechanical features of its pumps and equipment, to be on par with modern energy-efficient technology.

Guyana, UNDP sign US$1.9M waste management pact

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker and United Nations Development Fund’s Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa signing the agreement

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he Local Government and Regional Development Ministry on Tuesday signed an agreement with the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Trust Fund through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the implementation of a Solid Waste Management Project.

Guyana had acquired the funding through an open bidding process, which was held by the organisation for developing countries to submit their proposals on projects which they believe would foster growth and development while solving social issues.

A new Guyana

Speaking at the event, UNDP Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa told the gathering that the United Nations board had chosen to finance Guyana’s proposal as it had reflected the strategic goals of the organisation.

She noted that in the implementation of the programme, the allevia-

tion of poverty, health issues and improper sanitation will be accomplished while promoting tourism development.

“Where poverty exists, there is a lack of waste management and this poses health issues. And so this initiative assists in the overall plan of the Government to transform Guyana through the management of its solid waste,” she expressed.

Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana, Luiz Gilberto Seixas De Andrade remarked that the three countries are more than happy to be able to assist Guyana in its development.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker told media operatives that the Ministry is tediously working to ensure that Guyana becomes not only clean but healthy as well.

He expressed similar sentiments as Musa and Ambassador De Andrade. “The project has been launched

to strengthen the fight against solid waste and to ensure an efficient management in it. It will seek to alleviate poverty, health issues, promote tourism development, and reform the collection of solid waste,” he related.

The Minister pointed out that the issue of solid waste management arose some years ago, during the period roadside vending began.

Whittaker added that despite the fact that solid waste management has been a challenge for a number of years, the initiative will seek to reduce the challenges and shape a new Guyana.

The project will be done in three phases, according to the Minister.

The first phase involves the procurement of two compactors and two mini-excavators for the pickup, transport, and disposal of the garbage to the Haags Bosch dumpsite.

The second phase will include the expansion of market tarmacs, construction of receptacles on the tarmacs and washroom facilities, and the rehabilitation of existing markets, while the third phase will seek to raise public awareness through sensitisation programmes which will include edutainment, flyers, and brochures.

The project has been valued at a cost of US$1.9 million, of which US$1.5 million has been provided through the fund. The additional US$400,000 is expected to be raised in kind donations.

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2014 Budget should be judged based on merit – Dr Singh - “Opposition members were invited for consultations”

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inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said the Gy$220 billion budget should be judged on its merits even as he set the record straight on the Government’s engagements with the Opposition on the estimates.

When Minister Singh began the 2014 budget presentation to the National Assembly on Monday, members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) left the chamber, claiming that there had been no meaningful consultation before the preparation of the budget.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) statement, in dismissing the party’s claim, Dr Singh stated: “It is a matter of public record, we invited the Opposition parties

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

on several occasions, and they failed to turn up. So if there is a lack of consultation, it’s because they refused to make themselves available.

There were repeated invitations made and they refused to avail themselves.”

Shortly after presenting the budget to the National Assembly, Minister Singh pointed out that it contains a number of policies, programmes, initiatives and interventions, all of which are in the interest of Guyana and its people.

Caribbean to participate in ‘Meet in Beijing’ arts festival

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The Nanjing National Orchestra of China performed at a concert in Barbados last Thursday

arbados and other Caribbean countries are set to participate in the ‘Meet in Beijing’ Arts Festival in coming months.

This disclosure was made by Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Stephen Lashley, as he addressed the audience at the last Thursday’s ‘An Evening of Classical Music’ presented by The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari.

“This collaboration is part of a larger initiative involving other countries in the region to be held in Beijing, China in May this year. As we speak, the NCF is feverishly preparing final plans for a delegation of Barbadian artists to participate in the Beijing Festival.”

The recent event, held at the Sea Rocks Dome at the Barbados Beach Club, was another in the cultural exchanges between Barbados and the People’s Republic of

China in recent times. It featured performances of Chinese traditional music by Nanjing National Orchestra of China, as well as a guest performance by Barbadian violinist, Katrina Nurse, who played the selection ‘Jasmine’ with the group.

Speaking about the event, Lashley said the orchestra’s performance in Barbados could be seen “as a demonstration of China’s commitment to deepening the cultural and social relations between our two countries”. Additionally, he said it could be a learning experience for the island.

“China of course, though seen as a colossal commercial giant, stands out for its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and the development of its musical sector. As we in Barbados seek to develop our own cultural sector to world class standard, I believe there is much that we can learn from

each other through mutual collaboration and cooperation,” he stated.

(Barbados Advocate)

“That must be the ultimate consideration.”

Minister Singh expressed the hope that any national budget brought to the National Assembly would be assessed on its merits. A statement from the AFC after its walkout said it was in protest against the violation of the Constitution and that the “2014 Budget is overshadowed by the ruling of the Chief Justice that the National Assembly may approve or not approve the estimates of the expenditure”.

The AFC also claimed that the budget was being presented by the Minister who disregarded decisions of the

National Assembly, and restored funds that were not approved by the said Assembly.

But, the restoration of funds allocated to two state agencies, the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA) in 2012 and 2013, was done based on the legal advice received regarding the “preliminary ruling” of acting Chief Justice Ian Chang issued in July 2012, the GINA release stated.

It added that on January 29, 2014, the CJ issued his final ruling on the matter, stating that the Opposition has no

right to cut the country’s budget estimates and can only approve or disapprove the entire budget.

Stony silence

Minister Singh had previously stated, however, that a similar claim of no consultations made

by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was a blatant lie and a cheap publicity stunt.

This response was made to the claim by APNU Leader David Granger in the Kaieteur News of January 18, in the article titled “APNU says it’s being sidelined from Budget consultation – will force implementation of reforms if concerns not taken on board”.

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UG to undertake major research for cancer cure

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he anti-cancer properties of corilla, that bitter vegetable that was the subject of many a battle between Guyanese parent and child at the dining table, could hold the key to the search for a cancer drug.

At least this is the hope of University of Guyana Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi and a few of his staff.

They are presently in the United Kingdom to initiate new research into the cancer-fighting properties of the vegetable.

The study, which is being led by Senior Lecturer in the UG School of Medicine, Dr Emmanuel Cummings, with Guyanese Pharmacist Kareshma Jeebo and UK-based Guyanese Jaipaul Singh as his team members, is being undertaken to extract a chemical the plant makes which can possibly eliminate cancerous cells in the body.

The research is currently being undertaken in the UK at the University of Central Lancashire where inter-

Corilla may very well be the cure for cancer in the coming years

actions between different cancer cells and the extracted corilla chemical will be tested, observed, and analysed.

Corilla chemical

Speaking with Guyana Times International, Dr Cummings stated that the team had conducted a mini research in the past and it was found that the vegetable had great potential in becoming an anti-cancer fighter.

“However, we now need to isolate it, purify it, and test it”, he related.

Over the next two years, the three medical professionals will work on the project, which has been valued at a cost of US$49,000, spending much of their time between the UK and Guyana.

It was noted by the doctor that once the research is successful, the finished product will be patented and sold, putting the country on the cutting edge of the fight against cancer. As part of a wider promotional effort by the University, the team’s efforts would be marketed, the Vice

Chancellor stressed.

In the case of a patent, the individuals and entities participating in the research will receive any royalties and/or benefits which will be derived.

If corilla is proven to be beneficial in fighting the deadly disease, the researchers will then turn their attention to other plants in the country and conduct tests to determine the extent of their medicinal purposes.

Dr Cummings is one of eight awardees under a World Bank-UG grant programme, who have been awarded a total of US$329,000 to use for projects to strengthen science and technology research contributing to the Low Carbon Development Strategy in Guyana. The projects were selected from 18 submissions that were peer reviewed.

Cancer is said to be the third leading cause of death in Guyana and the number one cause of death around the world, with more than 8.2 million deaths each year.

Caricom-Cuba solidify diplomatic relations

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iplomatic relations between the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Republic of Cuba were further strengthened on Tuesday, with the accreditation of new Cuban Ambassador to the regional bloc, Julio César González Marchante.

In his remarks during the ceremony at the Caricom Secretariat in Greater Georgetown, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, described the decadesold relations as “a trailblazer in South-South Cooperation”, spawning high level engagements between the two parties, including triennial summits of Caricom and Cuba Heads of State and Governments, and meetings of foreign ministers of the two parties.

Coupled with the opportunity to discuss areas of mutual interest and cooperation extending to support in the hemispheric and international arenas, Secretary General LaRocque said the success of Cuba-Caricom relations has been seen in technical cooperation in areas such as health, culture, language translation, natural disasters, and agriculture. A significant area of cooperation, he pointed out, was hu-

A toast to strengthened relations between the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Republic of Cuba by Secretary General Irwin LaRocque (right) and Plenipotentiary Representative of Cuba, Julio César González Marchante, on Tuesday

man resources development in the Community, noting that Cuba is, “by far, the largest contributor” among the international partners of Caricom due to the number of scholarships

Value of unity

“As you help to build our capacity, your country, despite its constraints, has continued to supplement our human resource needs, particularly in the health sector, with the deployment of doctors and nurses in the Community. This invaluable and highly-appreciated assistance has also been extended in the fields of education, sports, agriculture, and culture.”

Commensurate with the support Cuba has demonstrated to

the Community, the Secretary General noted the Community’s reciprocal consistent call for the removal of the U.S. embargo on Cuba.

“Excellency, Caricom knows well the value of unity on the international front, given that coordination of foreign policy is one of the pillars of our integration movement. We have, as a bloc, joined with like-minded states to both advance and protect our interests and support causes and initiatives of priority concern to us. This is why we have consistently supported United Nations resolutions aimed at ending the U.S. embargo on Cuba and will continue to do so,” Secretary General LaRocque stated.

As Cuba-Caricom relations evolve, he said other possible areas of collaboration and cooperation on the international front include the fight against non-communicable diseases, climate change, and the implementation of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. These areas, the Secretary General noted, lend themselves to the two parties working together for the “best possible solutions”.

He lauded Cuba on its successful Pro-tempore Chairmanship of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) which saw several issues of importance to Caricom being addressed at the Summit in Havana in January.

He affirmed the Community’s “full support” of Cuba’s call for inclusiveness in consideration of issues related to the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda. “… it is my hope that we all take an active role in this global dialogue which will decide the future beyond the global development compact represented by the Millennium Development Goals. We must ensure that our region’s interests are adequately and effectively addressed,” he said.

Govt ready to ‘justify and account’ for EU funds – Ramsammy

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

GAWU President Komal Chand

g r i c u l t u r e Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said he is willing to justify and verify the expenditure of the €110.1 million provided by the European Union (EU) to support the ailing sugar industry.

The Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) on Tuesday called for clarity, stating that while the Government is contending that €110.1 million was provided to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) during the period 20052013, its records indicate that disbursements only commenced in 2007. The union is also of the opinion that all of the funds provided under the EU programme have not been allocated to the industry.

“I am inviting GAWU to a meeting to discuss the matter and clear up any misunderstanding that they might have. I am certain that GAWU will be satisfied that the Government of Guyana has surpassed sums from the EU as payments to GuySuCo,” Dr Ramsammy said on Wednesday.

According to the Government, it has transferred a total of US$195 million to GuySuCo over the period from 20052013 in support of its various restructuring and turnaround initiatives, supporting the amount injected by the EU. The Agriculture Minister also expressed disappointment that Opposition Leader David Granger and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Carl Greenidge have indicated their intention to vote against the Gy$6 billion budgeted for GuySuCo. It will be quite an unfortunate situation if the Opposition goes ahead with its plans, Dr Ramsammy opined.

According to him, the Opposition’s intention follows a series of actions to suppress the sugar industry. “Just a few weeks ago, they expressed views that GuySuCo should be closed down. It was only after the backlash of sugar workers and other key stakeholders rejecting their proposal that they backpedalled and claimed that they were speaking of replacing sugar with ethanol,” he lamented.

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OAS says Guyana...

Committee (PAC), such as its three-year strategic plans and the annual updates thereof, as well as the independent auditor’s report to the members of PAC .

The anti-corruption body also urged that the Audit Office website be improved, by advertising a specific hotline telephone number and/or a (secure) hotline for complaints in electronic form from those interested in presenting reports, complaints or allegations of fraud or corruption.

Additionally, it called on the office to provide guidance on the website on how to present useful reports, complaints or allegations and on how the interested person can fol-

low-up on its status.

The body also called for the promotion of awareness campaigns to educate the general public on how they can help the Audit Office in its functions, especially those of its Forensic Audit Unit, related to the uncovering and deterrence of fraud and corruption in Guyana; provide support and incentives to its current staff to pursue and attain professional accounting qualifications recognised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana; and/or take these qualifications into consideration when selecting future staff are also recommendations made by the body.

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Politicians hail Backer as 'true Guyanese patriot' A

solemn atmosphere pervaded the National Assembly on Monday as members expressed their sorrow over the loss of their former colleague Debra Backer.

During the special sitting of the House for the presentation of the 2014 National Budget, parliamentarians of every stripe paid homage to the late Backer as they recognised her sterling contributions to politics and the development of the country.

Retired Brigadier David Granger, Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), which Backer represented in Parliament, said his party has lost an invaluable member.

He noted that while Backer could be remembered for her many contributions as a parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law, she was devoted to her principles and was very concerned about interpersonal violence, the rights of women and children, and the general condition in which citizens

who guided her through the ropes of Parliament.

She added that Backer was also a strict member of her faith.

In acknowledging the contributions made by the indomitable Backer, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds noted that she represented her party and cause well. He said she was a keen debater who was known for her ability to heckle Government members and put them off. He expressed his condolences The late Deputy Speaker Debra Backer

were forced to live.

Granger continued that Backer was very proud of her mixed heritage, accepting it as an asset since it gave her insight into different sections of the population. The Opposition Leader said she was very committed to her parliamentary work and took her position as Deputy Speaker seriously, “She felt that whatever she did in the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Parliament was for the greater good of our country and the citizens of this country,” Granger noted, as he expressed his condolences to her

family.

Patriot

Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes said her party was saddened by the death of the former parliamentarian, who has served Guyana beyond the call of duty. “There was an aspect to Debbie that was about moving Guyana forward, it was about being able to negotiate so that ordinary people would be able to benefit and better served by this country,” Hughes stated.

The AFC member noted that she had personally lost a mentor,

UWI's top diabetes expert gets WHO appointment

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n the week of its ground-breaking annual conference that will throw the spotlight on "Diabetes and Sports", the University Diabetes Outreach Programme (UDOP) is celebrating a major international appointment of one of its most outstanding experts.

Kingston-based Trinidad-born Professor Dalip Ragoobirsingh has just been invited to be a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines development expert group, a recognition of his high quality work in diabetes and nutrition in the Caribbean.

Dr Ragoobirsingh was identified from WHO's search for international specialists to advise the United Nations agency on the choice of important outcomes for decisionmaking and in the interpretation of the evidence for making recommendations.

"This is in keeping with the 65th World Health Assembly comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition," the Diabetes Outreach Programme said in a press statement lauding the appointment.

Kingston-based Trinidadborn Professor Dalip Ragoobirsingh (Jamaica Observer photo)

Dr Ragoobirsingh's appointment has come close on the heels of his publication in the prestigious British Medical Journal, based on a study done in collaboration with the Florida International University and with the blessings of the ministries of education and health on 276 Jamaican adolescents aged 14-19 years, randomly selected from grades nine to 12 from 10 high schools on the island and including both genders. The study showed that Jamaican adolescents are at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, with females being at greater risk than their male counterparts. It recommended that interven-

tion measures are needed to educate Jamaican adolescents to reduce overweight and subsequently the risk factors.

The conference will be held at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios from March 27-29. The keynote speaker at the opening ceremony is minister of state without portfolio, with responsibility for sports, Natalie Neita Headley.

(Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

to the late parliamentarian’s family, stating that her death was also a loss for the National Assembly and the country.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, recounted Backer’s career as a parliamentarian.

He noted that she entered the Parliament in 1998 during its Seventh Edition after National Elections the previous year. Trotman added that Backer continued

to serve in the Eighth Parliament after the 2001 elections and went on to serve in the Ninth and Tenth Parliaments after the 2006 and 2011 elections respectively.

Backer retired from the National Assembly on February 7 due to her prolonged illness, to which she succumbed on Friday last. Her funeral service will be held on Friday at the St Andrew’s Kirk and there will be several events held in her memory.

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Gy$910M allocated for Specialty Hospital F

inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has announced that some Gy$910 million is allocated for the Specialty Hospital Project, which has previously incurred the wrath of the combined parliamentary Opposition.

In December last year when Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran requested supplementary funding for the hospital, he did not receive the support of the Opposition, but the Gy$34.4 million he was asking for was approved, after A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Volda Lawrence was absent from the House when a vote was taken on the matter.

Preparatory work on the construction of the multimillion-dollar hospital has since commenced and the Health Minister said that the Donald Ramotar Administration is very passionate about seeing the project to fruition.

During the 2013 budget debate, the Gy$1.25 billion provision for the controversial hospital was cut by the combined Opposition, using their one-seat majori-

Government has allocated some Gy$910 million for the Specialty Hospital Project in Budget 2014

ty in the House. APNU had contended that the formulation of the project was not transparent, a view rejected by the Government.

The construction of the hospital is part of an agreement between the Government of Guyana and India, for Guyana to use US$18 million through a line of credit to build the hospital. The hospital is being built to cater for complicated surgeries, ranging from heart operations, organ transplants to cosmetic surgery.

Dr Singh in his budget presentation on Monday said efforts will continue to advance the construction of Guyana’s first Specialty Hospital, which aims to deliver tertiary level health care not previously available to Guyanese.

Strategic goals

Meanwhile, Dr Singh speaking on the health sector as a whole, lauded the developments made in 2013, and announced that some Gy$21.5 billion has been allocated for the sector to meet its strategic goals this year.

Some Gy$2.4 billion of this amount will be spent on construction and rehabilitation of health care facilities countrywide.

Dr Singh said among the facilities to benefit from the physical infrastructure works are the Port Kaituma District Hospital, the Linden Hospital Complex, the Kwakwani Hospital, the acute care facility at the National Psychiatric Hospital, and the Georgetown School of Nursing.

In addition, Gy$382.7

million has been allocated for the purchase of medical equipment and Gy$117 million for the purchase of 12 ambulances, which represents a 40 per cent increase in the national fleet.

The Minister explained that Government in its effort to continue both primary and specialised health training, over Gy$428 million has been allocated to train 20 additional post-graduate residents and upgrade over 4000 providers.

“In keeping with Government’s focus on maternal and child health, Government will continue to prioritise resource mobilisation for improving maternal health and efforts will be made to accelerate the achievement of this goal in collaboration with our developmental partners,” he said.

In 2014, the sum of Gy$50 million is allocated to commence the extension of the maternal facility at the Georgetown Public Hospital to ensure increased bed capacity while Gy$22.6 million is allocated for the establishment of maternity waiting homes in Lethem and Bartica to cater for antenatal high-

risk mothers.

Recognising the growing incidence of personal and domestic violence, the Minister disclosed that the provision of services in mental health will focus on the prevention and management of suicidal behaviours.

In 2011, a cost of illness assessment for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Guyana was conducted and found that total annual direct and indirect costs accruing from NCDs were estimated at over Gy$40 billion. With this in mind, a national commission is soon-to-be established to oversee the accelerated implementation of the national plan for prevention and control of NCDs. Some Gy$50 million has been allocated to launch a public education and outreach programme, Dr Singh said.

Government recently launched the updated National Health Strategy, Health Vision 2020, for the period 2013 to 2020. The strategy seeks to integrate the delivery of quality, effective and responsive health services and prevention measures to improve the nation’s physical, mental and social well-being.

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week ending March 30, 2014| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Difficult debate ahead: Opposition threatens to cut estimates

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he main Opposition A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) has criticised the Gy$220 billion National Budget presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday, saying it is bloated with expenditures while warning a “difficult debate” even as it threatens to cut sections of the estimates.

While addressing media representatives, Opposition Leader and APNU Chairman, Retired Brigadier David Granger said: “I don’t know what the budget is all about” as he registered his concerns.

Granger said several issues were not adequately addressed, for instance, the plan to computerise hinterland secondary schools. He said there are plans to “computerise these schools when the schools do not have proper infrastructure, especially electricity”.

“I have seen the widest variety of plastic buckets in my life as the children of Paramakatoi Secondary have to fetch water,” declared Granger as he explained other areas of concern in the 2014 National Budget.

Social programme

He contended that the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme that was implemented which should afford indigenous people the opportunity to be trained and subsequently gain meaningful employment is merely a “social programme” in that it does not fulfil its mandate. He noted that the programme does not provide jobs and is more of an “elections gimmick” than a development venture.

Granger went on to indicate that there were some aspects of the budget that he was in support of and those included the Rural Development Plan which would see $1 billion being spent as the Government aims to promote small businesses in rural communities by increasing infrastructure in those areas and place some focus on labour-intensive activities.

Granger further related that more emphasis should have been placed on riverine communities, urging that a transportation system be set up in those areas. He explained that many children miss school on a daily basis in those areas and such a system would prevent such occurrences.

When questioned on whether he was satisfied

Opposition Leader and APNU Chairman, Retired Brigadier David Granger

with the increase given to Old Age Pensioners, Granger responded in the negative, stating that his party was hoping to see the pension rising to $15,000.

“What might be okay for Georgetown is not okay for people in the hinterland area,” he added, promptly relating that persons in those outlying areas pay a lot more for transportation and their cost of living is considerably higher. Granger contended that the 2014 National Budget is not a “developmental budget, arguing that the city will be in the same position that “it is in right now in 2015”.

On the $6 billion subsidy for GuySuCo, Granger said: “We don’t want to throw good money at the bad.”

Meanwhile, APNU Executive Member and Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge lamented that the budget does not show any signs of growth. “Expenditure is not growth, expenditure is not development… the Government is confusing development with spending,” Greenidge said.

He went on to explain that enough careful thought was not given to the budget when it was compiled by the man of the day, Dr Ashni Singh.

Greenidge noted that he heard complaints from the Public Service Union which had noted that the consultation exercise that they had embarked on with the Finance Minister was “a fruitless and meaningless exercise”.

The Shadow Finance Minister further pointed out that the Government was only thinking about itself when the budget was compiled. As it relates to the $6 billion allocation to the sugar industry, Greenidge maintained that money was not the solution to the problems faced by the sugar industry. “They are going to come for six billion now and later in the year, they are going to come back for more,” the former Finance Minister

of the Desmond Hoyte Administration said.

He then chided the Finance Minister for what he said was his failure to provide background information into the projects that are to be undertaken by the Government this year. He

APNU Executive Member and Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge

noted that there was “no justification of the budget”. He said the National Assembly was just given an extensive list of things the Government intends to do.

Accomplishments

He noted that while the Finance Minister

spoke of accomplishments in the sectors, to the country continues be plagued by serious issues – among them: 40 per cent youth unemployment, the continued migration of skilled labour from Guyana and suicide, for which Guyana has re-

corded the highest rate in the Caribbean. “We are talking about spending a lot on education when the illiteracy rates are appalling,” added Greenidge.

When questioned on whether the Opposition will be cutting any aspects of the budget, Greenidge responded in the positive. He noted that the debate on the budget which is set to commence next Monday will be “difficult”. He noted too that going forward, there will be problems with the budget that his party plans to adequately address.

He added that some of the estimates are not in compliance with Article 222A of the Constitution of Guyana.

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week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Toddler crushed by minibus Govt still seriously Not speeding

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Javiel Peters

hat started out as play among several children at Dartmouth Village on the Essequibo Coast, ended tragically when a toddler was run over by a minibus on a street in the village.

Dead is one-yearold Javiel Peters of Dartmouth Village. The incident occurred Sunday evening around 17:00h.

Peters was killed by a driver believed to be unlicensed in a street he resided. According to information received, the minibus BRR 7143 was proceeding south on the eastern side of Clark’s Street in Dartmouth when the driver ran over the toddler.

Information revealed that the driver Devon Fordyce, is usually the conductor of the bus.

His wife and children

were proceeding to Anna Regina when the tragedy struck. Fordyce has been arrested and the minibus impounded.

Guyana Times International was told that the driver did not notice the child on the street; however, he reportedly felt the bus wheels “humping” on something.

It was at this point neighbours shouted at him, by which time the child was already crushed. According to a relative, Peters was left in care of some elder cousins when it is believed that he went away from the company of the other children.

“The children were playing and did not even realise the toddler headed for the street,” the relative said. His parents were inside the house.

According to an eyewitness, she was heading to the public road when she saw a green bus heading out the street, but the vehicle was not speeding.

The vehicle then ran over the child, leaving the toddler dead.

She shouted and the parents, neighbours and other relatives came out to the scene. The child was in a bloody state with his head and left arm crushed. Peters was rushed to Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital where he was certified dead.

Residents are of the view that the accident was due to poor parental supervision. They contended that once children are playing in a yard, the gate must be shut for security purposes.

Police at Anna Regina are investigating the unfortunate accident. Since the year began, three toddlers have perished in accidents on the Essequibo Coast.

Josiah Persaud, three, of Charity Extension Scheme was knocked dead by a truck on January 19, while Andrea Locust from Supenaam Creek was crushed by a car on February 12.

pursuing hydropower

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

GEA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mahender Sharma

Brazilian consortium will provide US$45 million to conduct prefeasibility studies to determine Guyana’s potential to develop hydropower stations in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven.

Queiroz Galvao (QG) and OAS are the two multibillion-dollar Brazilian companies that make up the consortium. They are expected to commence the prefeasibility study in April followed by the feasibility study, a process which is expected to take two years.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds made this disclosure on Monday at a press briefing at the National

Communication’s Network (NCN) in the presence of Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai and Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mahender Sharma, among other officials.

The Government of Guyana has embarked on an exercise to brief stakeholders on the undertaking of the prefeasibility and feasibility studies, which will determine the potential of hydropower development in the Middle and Upper Mazaruni to the capacities of 1500 megawatts and 3000 megawatts respectively.

A

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

During the execution of the prefeasibility and feasibility assessments, hydrology and arial topographic studies will be conducted to secure precise data on the areas of study. Hydrology involves the measuring and graphing of river behaviour and river flow within the district over a period of 12 months. To facilitate such, the consortium will be required to establish substations at strategic locations within the Upper and Middle Mazaruni.

Meanwhile, the arial topographic study would include the usage of an aircraft and sophisticated equipment to map the areas of study. continued on page 22

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week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Nandlall seeks Diaspora support for Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering Bill

By Ravendra Madholall

G

uyana’s Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall recently staged a public forum in Canada seeking support from the Guyanese Diaspora for the country’s Parliament to pass the controversial Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)

(Amendment) Bill.

The combined opposition continues to hold out against passing the Bill in the House in its current format until further amendments are made.

Speaking last Friday evening at the Raddisson Hotel, Scarborough, Nandlall, who is also Guyana’s Attorney General said he felt it was important to update

the Canadian-Guyanese community on the matter since the impact of a full blacklist can be detrimental.

“It has a domino effect; our banks will suffer, it will affect Western Union,” he related, stressing that major economic ties can be completely severed.

He noted that the Bill remains set for continued consideration when

Parliament resumes, but added that by then it will be too late.

The minister also explained that once placed on a full ‘blacklist,’ it will take a lengthy period before a country can be removed. He referred to the situation in Trinidad and Tobago, when the twin-island republic was blacklisted in 2005, and it was only removed from that list in

A section of the gathering that turned up to the forum

Guyana’s Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall addressing the gathering at the Raddisson Hotel, Scarborough last Friday evening

2011.

Nandlall went on to accuse the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) political parties of deliberately delaying the process from the onset. He complained that instead of supporting the passage of the Bill during its second reading, the opposition voted for the Bill to be sent to a parliamentary Special Select Committee last May. Meanwhile, the min-

ister fielded questions from the audience about Guyana’s readiness to make changes not only for these issues, but to put things in place for greater stability.

The session was opened by Consul General of the Consulate of the Republic of Guyana in Toronto Sattie Sawh while High Commissioner to Guyana in Canada Harry Narine Nawbatt introduced Nandlall to the gathering.

Jamaica’s first private open heart-surgery a success

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fter three mild heart attacks and suffering from chronic heart disease as a result of high cholesterol for 11 years, an emotional 61-year-old

Herold Russell was at a loss for words in expressing his gratitude for the second shot he got at life.

One week after being the first patient to

undergo private coronary artery bypass graft surgery at Medical Associates in Jamaica, Russell is beaming with joy.

“It has been wonder-

ful. I don’t think I could ask for more. I knew I had the right person in charge and he was supported by the right people. I had no fear whatsoever going into the surgery.

Dr. Roger Irvine is a miracle man,” Russell shared with Jamaican media from his hospital bed at the St. Andrew-based private hospital.

“I give thanks to God. I feel triple blessed. Now I am going to do my best to live a better lifestyle, continue my physiotherapy, eat right, exercise and take my medication,” said the former trucker, who once trav-

eled across the United States earning a living.

At a critical stage, Russell was on a waiting list at the University of the West Indies (UHWI) for open-heart surgery.

He said relatives insisted he do the complicated, risky surgery overseas, but he had every faith it could be done successfully in Jamaica.

History

When renowned cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr. Roger Irvine contacted him to be the first patient to participate in the breakthrough procedure at Medical Associates, Russell agreed without hesitation.

On March 12, the hospital created history when Irvine, assisted by cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr. Moses deGraft-Johnson from the U.S., performed the first private coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Up to that point, the delicate surgery was only available at the UHWI. A first for Jamaica was harvesting the vein needed for the procedure endoscopically.

Typically, the vein is harvested by surgically cutting the patient from the thigh to the ankle.

“We knew from before hand that we were going continued on page 21

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week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Buxton Steel Pan champs honoured

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The GBTI Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra showcasing their talent at Sunday’s event

ublic Service Minister Jennifer Westford told Buxton residents that they have a lot to be proud of when former Buxton resident Odinga Lumumba on Sunday hosted an event to honour the Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra for winning this year’s Panorama Competition.

“Residents, you have a lot to be proud of in this community. Look at these youths in this steel pan orchestra. They are so talented, dedicated and committed,” she told a gathering at the

Tipperary Hall, praising their achievement at the Culture, Youth and Sport competition.

Positive light

With awe and delight on her face, the Minister stated that she was happy to have been afforded the chance to be part of the presentation. She urged the youths to continue to put Buxton in the positive light, not only recreationally but also academically.

“Couple years from now, Buxton children must be in the headline for all the good things; CSEC and CAPE re-

sults; as Guyanese scholars and as politicians and members of the Government,” she encouraged.

In order to ensure the group’s talent is showcased and appreciated, Westford stated that from now on, her Ministry will be utilising the group at all of their functions and she will be holding talks with the Culture Ministry to see what can be done to showcase the group on a national level.

“We want this group to make it to CARIFESTA and for

them to bring the trophy home so we will be working to make that a reality,” she said.

In addition, Westford on behalf of Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, donated four additional pans to the group. She stated that Dr Singh had seen the group perform previously and was very much impressed to the point where he decided that he would make a personal contribution to the group’s development.

Chairing the event, Lumumba, who is also Presidential Advisor on

Empowerment, told the gathering that the donation of the steel pans was made in 2010 by former president, Bharrat Jagdeo.

He noted that the then President had at that time seen the need for positive recreational activities to keep youths occupied in the community. For years, Buxton was seen as a feared, criminal haven and with the perception; many had chosen to neglect the youths and the village out of fear.

However, with the donation from the former President, changes began in the communi-

ty with the young abandoning their negative pursuits and taking up the task of learning to play the steel pan while pursuing an education.

Lumumba noted that the Government through the Culture Ministry had given a trainer from the Military Band to the group so that they can be guided to become one of the best. Despite being in existence for just over three years, the group which consists of young children between the ages of eight to 15, managed to cop the top spot in this year’s National Steel Pan competition.

Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford along with two members from the Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra with the pans donated

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week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Authorities get tough with remigrant fraudsters P

rominent businessmen have been linked to the multimillion-dollar fraud regarding the illegal granting of vehicle concession under the remigrant scheme.

The Audit Office, which is spearheading the probe, has since called in the police as the investigation widens.

Back in February, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced that it had launched an investigation into suspected irregular and illegal transactions concerning vehicle concessions to remigrants. The GRA said then that the probe was prompted by intelligence it received.

In making the announcement, GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur said, “Recently, it was reported to management that

persons allegedly posing as remigrants are benefiting others who are supposedly financing highly illegal schemes to grant themselves with the concessions for various classes of luxury vehicles.”

He said it would appear from recent revelations that attempts were being made by disgraced elements, officers who would have been disciplined and taxpayers who would have been placed before the courts, to resort to undermining the efforts made by management to address various areas of weakness in administrative controls and to exploit such weaknesses.

Prosecution

When contacted on Sunday, Auditor General Deodat Sharma told Guyana Times International that his office was spearhead-

GRA Commissioner General Khrushid Sattaur

Auditor General Deodat Sharma

ing the investigation and while he cannot divulge any information, the Guyana Police Force is also involved. He explained that if he commented on the findings thus far, it would compromise the investigation and possibly indirectly alert defaulters.

He said that once the investigation is completed,

the findings will be made public and more so, the defaulters will be penalised.

Sattaur said after the scam was detected, the AG’s Office was consulted, and has since taken over the investigation. To date, he said he has not received any information regarding the matter. This publication

understands that several prominent businessmen were named in the scam and will, at some point in time, be questioned.

Over the past three years, the GRA said it has prosecuted many remigrants for not honouring their obligations under the scheme and have detained their vehicles while awaiting the outcome of the court matters.

The revenue body said it was now considering prosecuting such offences under Section 218 of the Customs Act, which provides for both the offender and those found in collusion to face a penalty of three times the value of the item and years in prison if found guilty.

The remigrant scheme of the Government of Guyana is administered by the Foreign Affairs Ministry

in conjunction with the GRA. The Ministry is responsible for determining and granting remigration status, while the GRA administers the tax exemptions. Under the remigrant scheme, a Guyanese who is 18 years and above, who has been residing legally overseas for a minimum of five consecutive years and is now returning to Guyana, can benefit.

Also, Guyanese student/graduates who attended or are attending a training institution and residing overseas for a minimum of four years and are now returning to Guyana, can also benefit.

Applications must be submitted in person to the remigration officer, Foreign Affairs Ministry, South Road, Georgetown, within the first three months of resettlement in order to establish remigrant status.

Govt launches Gy$500M reclamation project

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a t u r a l Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud has announced a Gy$500 million Land Reclamation Project

that his Ministry will undertake to clean up the many mined-out areas in the hinterland.

This project will see focus being placed on reclaiming forested land

and engaging in reforestation activities in areas that are affected as a result of mining and timber extraction. Speaking at a forum last week, Minister Persaud said

GGMC staffers hard at work planting trees in Region Eight

the initiative is a demonstration of the country’s commitment to sustainable forestry management, while maintaining its outstanding track record in this regard.

He assured that the Government will not shirk from its commitments and responsibilities at the global and national levels.

As such, it has been putting in place the necessary policies and legislation to ensure sound and strict forest management.

Sustainable utilisation

“Guyana recommits itself to the principles of sustainable utilisation of these very important forest resources for socio-economic and other development, ensuring that this is done in keeping with environmental best practices,” the Minister said.

Guyana and many other like-minded developing countries have made considerable advances in addressing Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) and climate change challenges that were discussed at the

highest international forums since 2007.

Minister Persaud lamented that, regrettably, there is still no commitment, financial or otherwise, from the international community to provide the necessary framework to transform the ideas discussed and agreed on since 2007 on a global scale.

Despite this, Guyana continues to advance on several innovative fronts, promoting its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) to show the world how low deforestation and climate resilient development can be achieved without slowing economic growth.

Replanting

Meanwhile, the Head of the Policy and Coordination Planning Unit at the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, Veetal Rajkumar, said the Land Reclamation Committee was established under the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

From the time of its establishment in 2013 to present, the Committee has been able to access

the mined-out pits in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Region Eight (Potaro- Siparuni ) and has been conducting studies and surveys in the most recent minedout areas while replanting trees and other protective vegetation in the old mined-out areas.

The exercise, which is primarily carried out by the GGMC, had recently focused on replanting some 10 hectares of mined-out white sand covered land in Mahdia, Region Eight with the Acacia mangium, a multi-purpose plant that facilitates soil fertility by fixing nitrogen in the soil.

The plant, Rajkumar said, is also suitable for intercropping with fruits and vegetables, including pineapple and plantain. The plants are grown in a nursery, which is the first of its kind located in Mahdia.

In ensuring the replanting exercise becomes a success, the GGMC held a series of workshops over the months to ensure that the miners understand their duties and responsibilities in the process.

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TravelSpan says will One in five TB victims unaware of disease – PAHO not increase airfares

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he PanAmerican Health Organisation (PAHO) said one in five people infected with tuberculosis (TB) in the Americas, including the Caribbean, remains unaware of the disease.

PAHO said this is due to “failure to access health services or because they are not properly diagnosed”. In 2012, PAHO said regional countries reported 220,000 cases of TB, and an estimated 19,000 people died from the disease. But it said an additional 60,000 people are believed to have TB, who have not yet been diagnosed.

“This situation not only endangers their lives, it also facilitates further transmission of TB, producing more disease and generating socioeconomic costs for individuals, families and communities,” PAHO warned.

Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsarran in his World TB Day message, said Guyana has aggressively joined the fight against the disease, and as a result of its commitment and proactive approaches, citizens in all 10 regions can access TB care and treatment through the 18 TB health facilities and many outreach-

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran

es.

No complacency

Ramsaran added that the staff members at the Ministry’s National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) have worked tirelessly to ensure that infected persons are given optimum treatment and care. He disclosed that the diligent work of the NTP has resulted in the reduction of TB cases over the years with the incidence rate in 2012 being 92 per 100,000 of the population when compared to 78 per 100,000 of the population in 2013.

“While our improving TB statistics are encouraging, the Ministry of Health wishes to

urge and encourage all Guyanese to support the efforts of the NTP towards further reducing the incidence of the disease,” the Minister stated. He pointed out that one of the most strategic mechanisms to combat TB is educating people about the disease.

The Health Minister explained that the Ministry in collaboration with the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is embarking on the development of a TB StepDown Care facility located in the West Demerara Regional Hospital compound. Dr Ramsaran disclosed that the facility has a capacity for 20 beds, along with two isolation rooms, which will be used for inpatient management mainly for TB patients who are infectious, homeless or who have complications.

This facility, the Minister noted, was designed to address the ventilation issue to avoid the transmission of TB bacteria, as such, strict infection control standards were adhered to.

Dr Ramsaran highlighted that Guyana will continue its rigorous battle against the disease which threatens the health of its people; however, he noted that this cannot be done without the support of citizens.

inspite of high fuel costs

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fter less than six months in operations in Guyana, TravelSpan Airlines, which has been receiving overwhelming support from Guyanese, said high operational costs for flights into Guyana due to high fuel prices, among other costs, remains a challenge.

The airline’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager Vanita Jagnarain said though fuel costs remain high, its airfares will not change.

She confirmed that over the past months, almost every flight arrived in Guyana had a full quota, pointing to the need for expansion.

Jagnarain noted that while their airfares are determined on the price of fuel, TravelSpan is committed to providing the lowest airfares to customers compared to its competitors.

“Guyanese have long suffered from high fares and long layovers and now need to have an airline that looks out for their well-being. This is where TravelSpan comes in; we are committed to providing a superior in-flight experience,” Jagnarain added.

She said the airline has resumed its tradition

TravelSpan’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager Vanita Jagnarain says high fuel prices remain a challenge to its operations in Guyana

of using outstanding inflight customer service representatives for the comfort of passengers onboard the aircraft.

Customers, she added, can expect meals, hot towels, in-flight entertainment and generous baggage allowances on all TravelSpan flights.

The Public Relations Manager also stated that since TravelSpan’s focus is on the Guyana market, the company has recently shortlisted 30 Guyanese candidates to fill various flight attendant positions.

“This decision of course, helps to provide employment to

Guyanese. We want Guyanese flight attendants onboard our aircraft so that we have a staff that understands our people and our culture. The mixture of American flight attendants from Vision Airlines with Guyanese flight attendants will work well,” she contended.

Currently, the company has flights scheduled for Tuesdays and Saturdays; and for the upcoming summer peak period, it has added two flights which means that there will be four nonstop flights per week between Georgetown and New York for the summer months.

As such, Jagnarain noted that with the additional flights, she is optimistic that Guyanese will continue to travel with the airline.

TravelSpan already has flights scheduled in its system until September 2014 for the Guyana route; the schedule for the remainder of 2014 will be added by the end of December 2014.

The introductory fare of US$647 tax inclusive for a round trip from Georgetown to New York and US$349 tax inclusive for a one-way fare will continue.

Anamaya Hospital sues AFC, DTV for Gy$100M Jamaica’s first...

from page 18

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he Anamayah Memorial Hospital, B e l v i d e r e , Corentyne, Berbice, has sued Alliance For Change (AFC) member Donna Mathoo and DTV Channel 8, for libel.

The lawsuit, filed by Anamayah Memorial Hospital and part owner Dr Ryan Naiken Anamayah, has named Mathoo and DTV Channel 8 owner Tony Rambarran as the first and second named defendants.

In the court document seen by Guyana Times International, the privately-owned medical institution is claiming damages in excess of Gy$100,000,000 for statements, which it said were false, malicious and reckless by the AFC member “in an attempt to ruin the institution”.

The statements were reportedly made by Mathoo on a paid televised programme titled “Alliance on the Move” on DTV Channel 8, during which she claimed that expired drugs were

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC Executive Member Moses Nagamootoo

seized from the medical institution.

In a statement to the media, the Anamayah Memorial Hospital said that Mathoo’s statements were an unwarranted attack on the “good name” of the institution.

The medical institution has assured its patients and the public that it has always acted in full compliance with the laws as it relates to the disposal of expired pharmaceuticals.

“At no time has any

expired drugs been dispensed or administered to any patient,” the hospital maintained.

It also noted that complaints were also made to Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan and member Moses Nagamootoo, informing them about the reckless conduct of their party member.

According to the court document, the statements made by the AFC activist were meant to insinuate “that the plaintiffs would intentionally

dispense and/or administer expired pharmaceuticals to patients; that the plaintiffs should not be trusted and persons should not go to the hospital for medical treatment; that it was unsafe and dangerous for persons to seek medical attention at the plaintiffs, and that the plaintiffs were guilty of criminal negligence and deliberately endangered the lives of their patients”.

The Anamayah Memorial Hospital, in the legal documents filed, said the statements by Mathoo injured its credit and reputation, causing it to suffer considerable distress, public embarrassment, and loss of business and it was brought into ridicule, odium and contempt.

In addition to asking for Gy$100 million, the medical institution is also requesting that an injunction be granted to restrain the defendants from further publishing or broadcasting any similar libel involving the plaintiffs.

to embark on something completely different to what was being offered in Jamaica and I feel great that we have done what we set out to do.

I am very proud of the team here,” said Irving.

Head of the cardiac programme at Medical Associates since last year September, Irving said it has taken a lot of resources and preparation to get the hospital to the point of being able to carry out an intricate procedure as open-heart surgery.

“Developing the capability for open-heart surgery is a big jump for any hospital. A lot of things have to be in place and it puts a lot of demand on the entire hospital system and all the support services required to make it happen. Everything had to be perfect,” he said.

Privately open-heart surgery can cost the patient approximately Ja$4 million, while at the public UHWI it is just over Ja$1 million.

Irvine, who has

specialized in cardiac surgery since 1992, performed his first unassisted cardiac surgery 15 years ago at UHWI and since then he has done approximately 60 per year.

Since 1968, he said over 1,500 open-heart surgeries have been done at the UHWI.

Epidemic in heart disease

The specialist said there is an alarming increase in heart disease, not just in Jamaica, which has resulted in a number of persons at a much younger age needing cardiac surgery.

“When I started out, most of the operations we were doing was in the 70-80 age group. These days most operations I do are in the 40-60 age group,” Irving noted.

Now seeing more patients because of heart disease, Irving said when he started out he was seeing one person every few weeks with the ailment. Now he was seeing up to ten patients every day. (Excerpted from Jamaica Gleaner)

22 News Tourism sector positioned to transform Guyana this year T week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

he New Year has brought with it several positive developments in the tourism industry, reaffirming that the sector has the potential to drive the country’s economy.

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali made this pronouncement as he provided key updates on new initiatives, investments and developments over the past few months.

Most notably, due to the country’s aggressive marketing strategy and owing to the hard work of private tour operator, Wilderness Explorers, National Geographic has listed Guyana among the top 20 destinations in the world to visit in 2014.

Additionally, the BBC has also listed Guyana among the top five destinations to visit in 2014. Combined, these two endorsements are worth millions of U.S. dollars and have created massive destination awareness. “This is exciting news,” Minister Ali declared.

Market’ on Lamaha Avenue which will afford tourists the opportunity to experience the culture, art and food of the destination.

Among the bold projects planned for this year, the Ministry will partner with airlines and local tour compa-

The Marriott Hotel when completed will greatly boost tourism

It is widely known that the tourism sector is expected to be boosted significantly with the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Marriott Hotel, it is also clear that investors have more confidence in the economy, evidenced by the construction of a number of new hotels, resorts and restaurants.

As to the impact of this, Ali said, “Just recently the first Indigenous restaurant, ‘Tuma Sala’ opened its doors, this is a progressive, dynamic invest-

them to experience the wonders of Essequibo in four days.

Also on the impressive agenda is the marketing of local events, including the upcoming Pakaraima Safari, Rodeo and Easter period – these activities will be advertised in Suriname and Jamaica in an effort to tap into those markets and encourage visitors to come to Guyana to experience the local culture.

Plans are also on stream to host the inaugural ‘Gold Festival’, which will also be marketed across the region;

The Pakaraima Safari has been an annual feature, attracting overseas participation

ment which is also bold and nationalistic.”

Meanwhile, he reminded of additional projects that will add to the landscape of impressive investments, including an 18-hole golf course on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway and the creation of a ‘Tourist

The Tourism Ministry is planning a Sail Guyana Rally this year

nies to promote the ‘Backpack Tour’ for university students across the Caribbean, allowing

this will entice visitors to travel to Guyana for an entire weekend dedicated to promoting El

Dorado.

Additionally, Guyana will host several major conferences in 2014, including the CDB Governor’s Meeting where 200 Caribbean officials will visit the country; the first yacht for 2014 Minerva is also slated to arrive this week with more than 300 persons on board.

The Tourism Minister also spoke of the development of the yachting industry and plans for a Sail Guyana Rally this year. He assured too that the country will maintain its presence at more international trade shows to promote Destination Guyana.

Alluding to plans to promote sport tourism, Minister Ali reminded that this year several matches in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) will be hosted in Guyana. “We at the Government level and our private sector partners are ever more certain that the tourism sector is integral to the future economic development of the country,” Ali declared.

Port Kaituma arsonist still hospitalized Gov't still...

L

inus La Cruz, the man who burnt his wife and four children alive in their Port Kaituma, Region One home recently is still hospitalised, nursing first degree burns about his body.

According to information received, the man is still in the Burns Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital but is expected to be discharged soon.

A source told Guyana Times International that police have already written the charges for him, as they patiently await his discharge.

This publication understands that apart from the burns, Linus is suffering from other complications.

He is expected to be slapped with five counts of murder.

His wife Lurlene La Cruz, 39; daughters, Lea La Cruz, 14 and Lavette La Cruz, three, and his sons Labron La Cruz, eight, and Levon La Cruz, one, perished in the blaze.

His other daughter, Lisa La Cruz, 12, managed to escape the ordeal.

Two Fridays ago, La Cruz went berserk and set his house alight with his wife and four children inside. His actions

Linus La Cruz and his family in happier times

stemmed from an argument with his wife.

After setting the building on fire, he ran out of the house, but after he realised what he had done, he went to rescue his family, but it was too late.

He suffered several burns in the process.

The couple’s second daughter, Lisa managed to sneak out of the house and run to the police station where she made a report that her father had threatened to burn down the house. The po-

lice at the time did not pay any heed to the child until a woman breathlessly ran to the station and informed them that the house was on fire and people were trapped inside.

In an attempt to clear the air on the matter, Police Spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker said about 20:45h on the fateful night, police ranks at Port Kaituma responded to a report made by one of the woman’s daughters, who claimed that her parents were in-

volved in an argument and had threatened to burn the house down.

As the ranks were on their way to the scene, they recognised that the house was on fire and later learnt that persons were trapped inside. The ranks reportedly attempted to enter the building, but the entire house was fully grilled.

The police and residents in an effort to put out the blaze formed a bucket brigade, but were unable to extinguish the blaze.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodriques-Birkett pointed out that Guyana is the only country in South America without hydropower, although it is the Caricom country with the greatest potential for hydropower. Guyana has a potential of 7100-7600 megawatts of power.

“We all know Brazil needs additional energy and she is willing to buy from whoever is willing to sell. In Guyana we need cheap and reliable energy and we need to expand our revenue base as well,” she said.

She also noted that even if the Amaila Hydropower Project comes on stream, there will still be need for more renewable energy.

Already consultations have commenced on the prefeasibility and feasibility studies that are scheduled to commence soon. Last week, Prime Minister Hinds and Minister Rodriques-Birkett, along with several other officials, met with political parties, the private sector, the National Toshaos Council and the Region Seven Regional Democratic Council on the development of hydropower in the Mazaruni.

from page 17

Persons residing in the Upper Mazaruni, who were consulted, expressed concerns about the flooding as was contemplated in the 1970s when a similar project was being considered.

However, they were comforted by the officials who stated that with the advancement of technology; there is a totally different approach to the design, reducing the reservoir significantly in the vicinity of 90 per cent or more when compared to the 1970s. This response given to the residents of Upper Mazaruni was based on a preliminary study conducted by the consortium.

This new development stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on infrastructure development that was signed by the two countries on December 5, 2012 with the primary objective of stimulating projects in the area of hydropower, road development and the construction of a deepwater port. Through the MoU, a Guyana-Brazil Joint Technical Working Group was established.

This group is led by Ambassador Elizabeth Harper on the Guyana side.

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Forest areas continue PM Kamla fires minister for misconduct on CAL flight to decline globally … biggest losses in South America, Africa

N

ew data released on the occasion of the International Day of Forests confirm that forest areas continue to decline globally, with the biggest losses of tropical forests occurring in South America and Africa.

Improving information on forest resources is a key factor in halting illegal deforestation and forest degradation, said the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the International Day of Forests (IDF), celebrated by the United Nations on Friday.

FAO is using this year’s celebration to discuss ways to improve the availability of information on the state of forests at all levels: nationally, regionally and globally.

“If we want to be serious about halting deforestation, in line with FAO’s Zero Illegal Deforestation challenge, this must be premised on the availability of sound information and data,” said FAO Director General Jose Graziano da Silva.

Use of satellite

The new assessment of changes in the world’s forests shows the decline of forest land use between 1990 and 2010.

According to the up-

dated survey, the area of forest cover decreased by some 5.3 million ha/ year, corresponding, over the period 1990-2010, to a net loss equivalent of nearly four times the size of Italy or the size of Colombia.

The updated findings of a global remote sensing survey show that total forest area as of 2010 is 3.89 billion hectares or 30 per cent of the total land area of the Earth.

Forest loss, gains

Worldwide, the gross reduction in forest land use caused by deforestation and natural disasters over the 20-year time period (15.5 million hectares per year) was partially offset by gains in forest area through afforestation and natural forest expansion (10.2 million hectares per year).

There were considerable regional differences in forest losses and gains.

The area of tropical forests declined in South America, Africa and Asia – with the biggest loss in absolute terms in tropical South America, followed by tropical Africa, whereas gains in forest area were reported for subtropical and temperate Asia.

The world’s forests are distributed unevenly with just under half

the world’s forests in the tropical domain (45 per cent of total forest area), about one third in boreal (31 per cent) and smaller amounts in temperate (16 per cent) and subtropical (eight per cent) domains. This is the first consistent survey to show the changes in forest land use for those four main ecological domains over the past 20 years.

To develop the survey, FAO worked with more than 200 experts from 107 countries. The work is the result of a partnership between FAO, its member countries and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC).

Graziano da Silva also underlined that the local forest communities play a crucial role in responding to two major challenges that forests are facing today: deforestation and forest degradation. At the same time, he noted, they are among the world’s most vulnerable populations.

He urged governments to support vulnerable populations and adopt better governance policies to enable millions of people who rely on forests for their livelihoods to benefit from numerous forest products and services.

P

rime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar Tuesday night fired Minister of the People and Social Development Dr Glenn Ramdharsingh amid mounting public pressure over his behaviour on a domestic flight from Tobago.

Persad-Bissessar made the announcement in a release moments after a three-hour meeting with Ramadharsingh at her Philippine, San Fernando, home, saying she had given President Anthony Carmona instructions to revoke his ministerial appointment.

However, the Caroni Central MP, who had given the PM a report on the incident during the meeting, ducked media personnel camped outside Persad-Bissessar’s residence waiting to interview him after the meeting. He reportedly waited to leave the residence after journalists left.

In explaining the decision, Persad-Bissessar said she had “insisted from the moment we took office that every one of us must display a sound character of public integrity, fairness, humility, compassion and human dignity. No man, nor woman for that matter, has been allowed, nor will be permitted to deviate from the very principles upon which we were elected by the people into

Dr Glenn Ramdharsingh

office.”

The PM’s action came after a media report highlighted an incident involving Ramdharsingh and flight attendant Ronelle Laidlow aboard a domestic flight from Tobago to Trinidad last Sunday.

The report claimed Ramadharsingh refused to follow instructions to move his luggage, threatened to use his authority to get Laidlow fired and inappropriately touched the woman’s breast when he attempted to removed her identification badge, which was pinned to her blouse, as he left the plane.

The MP subsequently apologised for his disorderly behaviour on the flight, saying he was extremely fatigued and not feeling well following a busy schedule in Tobago.

However, he denied inappropriately touching Laidlow.

No one exempt

But Tuesday night,

Persad-Bissessar said no one in her Cabinet would be allowed to get away with improper conduct. “As I have always said, regardless of the consequences, I remain resolved to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. My decisions in the past demonstrate this consistency regardless of whether you are in my Cabinet or not. No one is exempt from the measure of value based leadership,” she said.

Since the incident was made public there have been numerous calls for the minister’s dismissal. One of the loudest voices was Maha Sabha secretary general Satnarayan Maharaj.

Cabinet casualties

Persad-Bissessar did not name a replacement for Ramadharsingh Tuesday.

However, Minister in the Ministry of Works Stacy Roopnarine has been tipped to replace him.

Among the casualties of the prime minister’s axe in the past are: Collin Partap, Herbert Volney (former Justice minister), Jack Warner (former national security minister), Mary King (former planning minister), John Sandy (former national security minister) and Therese Baptiste-Cornelis (former health minister).

(Excerpted from TT Newsday)

UG awards grants for LCDS research

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he University of Guyana (UG) has awarded eight grants to the tune of US$329,000 to teams of academic staff of the institution, towards research in Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) areas.

This research is part of the UG Science and Technology Support Project (UGSTSP), which is based on a US$10 million credit from the World Bank to the Government of Guyana.

The Education Ministry in collaboration with UG is executing it.

The project is aimed at strengthening the faculties of Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Sciences and Technology and the School of Earth and Environmental Science to better prepare graduates for jobs in low carbon industries, and build sustainable capacity to operate the university and plan for its future growth.

Speaking at the sign-

Education Minister Priya Manickchand (seventh left), Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd (sixth left) and University of Guyana Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi (fifth left), with the awardees of the LCDS grants during the signing ceremony at the Education Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus

ing ceremony held at the UG Education Lecture Theatre, Education Minister Priya Manickchand congratulated the awardees, noting that this research is the beginning of a new culture that is to be developed at the learning institution.

“As we start off what we hope will become a culture at UG… we have a vast amount of talent residing in our human beings and we have always had resources that are waiting to be ex-

plored and to be discovered, so we have a combination of great talent and resources,” Minister Manickchand pointed out.

M i n i s t e r Manickchand further stated that this research is part of Government’s commitment to ensure that the environment is provided where persons’ talent can be explored and utilised, which would not only benefit Guyanese, socially and economically, but the entire world.

International recognition

Guyana’s LCDS has been recognised internationally as a model in terms of addressing climate change, an issue that many other developing countries have failed to recognise.

Over the next 18 months, a total of 22 academics will be working in eight teams on investigations in areas such as, carbon storage potentials of the mangrove forest in Guyana, the impact of artisanal and small scale mining and their associ-

ated road infrastructure on biodiversity in the Mahdia mining district, and the effects of bush medicine.

“We say we can make a contribution to the world, we have led in the area of low carbon development, and here we provide an opportunity partnering with the World Bank to allow our talented academics at the UG to lead and investigate in areas that can benefit the human race,” Minister Manickchand reiterated.

The eight groups were

selected from among 19 proposals submitted.

Meanwhile, UG’s Vice Chancellor Jacob Opadeyi urged the awardees to conduct considerable research so that at the end there must be something to show, and eventually their names can be placed on record.

The Vice Chancellor noted that already the Government of China has indicated its willingness to support the institution with an innovative package for research and development.

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Slain biker’s relatives outraged at police’s sloppy work A relative of slain biker Kirk Davis has expressed outrage over the manner in which the prosecution dealt with the case, which resulted in Davis’ alleged killer Randy Jagdeo being set free last Thursday.

Davis was gunned down on September 3 last outside his Seventh Street, Eccles, East Bank Demerara home.

An outraged relative told Guyana Times International that family members are not furious with the court’s decision, but rather certain factors relating to the case that was presented by the police prosecution.

She added that there were two main witnesses in this particular matter and the prosecution without a doubt had the case in its hands, but has failed to protect the witnesses; hence they reportedly left the country out of fear.

Statements

They said after taking statements from the two witnesses, they would have indicated to the police that they were fearful for their lives, but yet they were not given any sort of protection, and made a decision not to testify.

“I was at court on

Kirk Davis

Shawn Nelson

Randy Jagdeo

Carlyle Barton

Thursday and from all indications, this man knew that he would have been freed since there was a parked motorcycle waiting on him… As soon as he was freed, he walked towards the holding area, picked up his haversack, jumped on the motorbike and rode off.”

As he was riding off, there were chants of “de police can’t hold me down” by his relatives, and more so, he had no remorse on his face, she added.

Davis’ relative blamed Jagdeo going free on the sloppy work of the police.

The bottom line is, the Magistrate ruled based on the evidence that was presented to her by the prosecution, thus, the police should be disciplined, the rela-

tive added.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud on Friday said he believes the accused knew that he was going to be freed as a motorcycle was strategically placed for him on court day.

while adding that citizens have a moral obligation to come forward as witnesses in matters before the court.

The Crime Chief went on to say that the court can take actions in this regard by issuing arrest warrants for key witnesses and then the police will be responsible for keeping them in custody.

In the Jagdeo case, he said he was not sure why the court did not do that.

He explained that the prosecutor handling the case will now have to prepare a report, which will be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review.

“The DPP (Shalimar Ali-Hack) herself, in this case, can cause actions to be taken; the

DPP can instruct the Magistrate to reopen the inquiry,” he told media operations.

Persaud added that he will not speculate on whether the case should be reopened, noting that the DPP is capable of taking the necessary actions.

The Crime Chief agreed that the ‘noshow’ of witnesses in court cases is one of many issues the force is facing on a daily basis.

“We live in a society where we don’t create or shape culture but we try to enforce laws which regulate our functions,” he said.

In an invited comment on the matter, former Chancellor of the Judiciary Cecil Kennard said while he was not keeping a tab on the case, he is of the view

Unfortunate

He explained that it is quite unfortunate that another high profile case has gone down the drain, noting this time the police had no hand in Jagdeo’s release, instead, it is a civilian witness who failed to turn up to court to testify.

“Civilian witnesses have a duty to the state and we expect that they perform that duty,” he said.

Asked how the police intend to address the issue, Persaud noted that the police administration can only do so much,

that there were other alternatives in the case.

One such alternative, he disclosed, was to issue arrest warrants for civilian witnesses. If this was not done, then the court should explain the rationale behind the decision to throw out the matter, especially taking into consideration the nature of the case.

He added that the DPP has the authority to reopen the case.

Recently, DPP instructed that the Preliminary inquiry (Pl) into the murder of a man on Orange Walk earlier this year allegedly by Cricketer Carlyle Barton, be reopened.

The decision was made in accordance with Section 72 (2iia) of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, Section 10:01.

In November, Magistrate Fabayo Azore discharged the case at the PI stage after police witnesses did not show up and video evidence of the murder was not rendered, saying that a prima facie case was not made.

The video evidence showed the cricketer when he allegedly shot Shawn Nelson, with whom he had a longstanding friendship.

Power company infrastructure development project nears completion

T

he Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and the China ExportImport Bank, through a concessionary loan of US$38.963 million is entering the final stages of the Infrastructure Development Project.

The project provides

of seven new 69/13.8kV substations, approximately 96km of 69 kV overhead transmission lines, the upgrade and expansion of three existing substations (Kingston, Sophia and Onverwagt) and the construction of a fibre-optic network, linking all substations from Skeldon in the East, Edinburgh

large, efficient, heavy fuel oil fired generating plants in Demerara and Berbice to those load centres.

Additionally, 26 new 13.8 kV primary distribution feeder outlets at the various substations will allow existing long, overloaded feeders, especially on the East and West Coast Demerara, to be

The Sophia Substation

The Hope Substation

for the development and expansion of GPL’s transmission and distribution system.

This loan is supplemented by US$3.9 million from GPL’s revenue for preparatory works, including route clearing, site preparation and backfilling to above 2005 flood levels.

The project scope includes the construction

in the West and Garden of Eden in the South to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system at a New Control Centre at Sophia.

The transmission lines and substations will serve to integrate major load centres along the coast, and will provide the capability to move bulk power from

segmented into shorter, more lightly loaded sections.

Improvements

These developments will result in improved quality of supply, system stability, improved voltage regulation, and reduction of technical losses. They will also prepare the system to accept and distribute power from the Amaila

Falls Hydroelectric Project.

The first priority works on the West Demerara were completed and commissioned and are providing quality service to that region.

These works are the expansion of the Kingston 69 kV Substation, the installation of a 69 kV submarine cable across the Demerara River from Kingston to Vreeden-Hoop, construction of two new substations at Vreed-en-Hoop and Edinburgh, and construction of a 14km, 69 kV transmission line linking the two new sub-

stations.

The GPL release said in August 2013, the Sophia substation was upgraded; on September 2013, a new Sophia 69 kV substation and control centre (this will not be fully functional until the entire project is completed), and interconnection of New Sophia and existing Sophia upgrade; and a 10km, 69kV transmission line from New Sophia Substation to Good Hope Substation.

In October 2013, construction of 27km, 69kV transmission line was completed. The construction of 37 km, 69kV

transmission line was completed in February 2014.

C o l u m b i a (Mahaicony) Substation is approximately 82 per cent complete and the New Georgetown Substation (North Ruimveldt) is about 88 per cent complete, both are expected to be completed by March 31.

The upgraded Onverwagt Substation (West Coast Berbice) is some 60 per cent complete, while the Golden Grove (Diamond) Substation is approximately 50 per cent near finish.

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Elderly Trini woman Gov't welcomes Patil mauled to death by pitbulls Group’s medical college

T

rinidadian police shot and killed three pitbulls on Tuesday after the dogs mauled to death an 83-year-old woman, who had gone into the yard of her home to check her mailbox in Tunapuna.

Police said that Sylvia Roberts was killed by the three pitbulls that belong to her 43-yearold son, who had been at work.

The dogs were unleashed in the secure compound of the home.

The attack is likely to intensify debate in TT for the government to ensure the proclamation of the Dog Control Amendment Act that has been passed in both houses of Parliament.

Earlier this week, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA) Sita Kuruvilla, said she was concerned that at least 200 pitbulls had been abandoned over the past months as govern-

H

A policeman holds his head at the Archibald Street, Tunapuna home of Sylvia Roberts where officers had to shoot and kill three pitbulls which mauled the woman to death Tuesday (TT Newsday photo)

ment moved to enact the new legislation.

In addition, she described as “fear-inducing”, a full-page advertisement by the government in the daily newspapers calling for support of the legislation.

“We were a bit concerned because we saw the full-page ad in the paper and it is basically seeking support for the Dog Control Act…it was pretty alarming. “We

had a couple of problems with it—we find that the government is taking an approach that is…it is either you are for the Bill or you are against the Bill, or you are for responsible ownership or you are not for responsible ownership. Our organisation, the TTSPCA as well as Animal Welfare Network fully support legislation that promotes responsible dog ownership,” she added. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Jamaica to spend over Ja$2 billion to improve aviation safety, security

T

he Jamaican government will be spending Ja$2.3 billion (US$22 million) over the next two years to improve aviation safety and security, by upgrading or replacing ageing technology in keeping with international standards.

This is according to Leroy Lindsay, Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA).

Lindsay, who has been at the helm of the JCAA for four months, said Jamaica is currently ranked 10 percent above the criteria for international compliance, in terms of best practices and standards outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

He said this ranking is a vast improvement over the previous 2007 ranking of 30 percent of the compliance requirements, and that the authority is working assiduously to maintain compliance with the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

The JCAA director general said Jamaica will stand out in the Caribbean in terms of its oversight of the aviation industry, and outlined some of the steps that the authority will be embarking on to maintain a high standard of perfor-

Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority Leroy Lindsay (JIS photo)

mance.

Satellite surveillance

"Regarding air navigation services, we will be replacing all dated technology, so that we will, in the next two or three years, have even better technology and equipment than our friends to the north of us. We hope, for example, to have Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B) equipment, which will give us satellite surveillance of aircraft by 2017.

The USA will have that commissioned in 2020 and the UK will have it commissioned in 2018," he noted.

He anticipates that Controller Pilot Data Link Communications, which is automatic communication between the air traffic control systems and the aircraft systems, should also be in place by 2017. This, he said, gives air traffic

controllers the ability to do "less controlling and more monitoring, which will make the skies safer."

Lindsay indicated that the dated radar equipment will be replaced, and that requests for proposals have already gone out for the acquisition of the new radars, and approximately 26 site surveys have been done ahead of the bids. He noted that the authority will be implementing environmentally-friendly measures for Jamaica's airspace, that are in keeping with Priority Based Navigation in the ICAO Global Navigation Plan.

These include Continuous Descent Approach (CDA), and Continuous Climb Operations (CCO). The CDA is designed to reduce fuel consumption and noise, as the descent is done at a smooth constant angle, instead of the step down approach, where the aircraft throttles down and permission is requested to descend to each new level.

The CCO is the outgoing equivalent of the CDA. The director general said Jamaica's air traffic controllers have gone through the necessary training to facilitate a flow management system, that can separate and space aircraft accordingly. (JIS)

ealth Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran said the Government of Guyana has no reservations about the DY Patil Group, and welcomes the organisation’s move to establish a medical college in the country, as long as the body follows the rules.

In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Dr Ramsaran said the institution will offer quality education to Guyanese students who have to travel overseas to further their studies. He assured that upon its completion, the private institution will go through the accreditation process of the National Accreditation Council, and will fall under the purview of the Education Ministry.

Last week, the DY Patil Group, one of the largest private educators in India, announced through a media release that it will soon begin construction of the medical college at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Efforts made by this publication to find out from the organisation the total sum of money to be invested in the proj-

ect proved futile. When questioned about this, Minister Ramsaran said he was unaware of the figure, since it is a private institution. Guyana Times International also sought to ascertain the number of students that would be accommodated at the institution; when construction will begin and the duration of the construction period; whether the lecturers would be Guyanese; whether there will be any collaboration with the University of Guyana or other Caribbean universities; whether the Patil Group is in receipt of any grants, tax waivers or any other assistance in setting up the college; if there has been an advertisement for tender for the construction of the project, and whether there are other partners locally that will be working along with the Group. The organisation is yet to respond.

The Group had said that other colleges in a later phase will include one for Engineering, Allied Health, and a Masters in Business Administration.

The DY Patil Group

was established in 1983 and its activities span the fields of Education, Healthcare, Agriculture and Sports.

There are more than 180 institutes of learning encompassed in three universities based out of the cities of Navi Mumbai, Pune, and Kolhapur in India.

The Group runs three Medical Colleges and Hospitals and provides affordable healthcare and medical attention to scores of people.

The DY Patil International Cricket Stadium at Navi Mumbai is rated as one of the six best stadiums in the world and is the finest sporting facility in India; several International schools in India and abroad are also run by the Group.

The DY Patil Group is said to have already made several developmental contributions to Guyana.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the company and the Government last year for the cultivation of 50,000 hectares of land in the Region Six area.

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APNU’s top brass meet Lindeners to explain position on AML Bill

L

indeners were sensitised on the position of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill when the coalition held a consultation in the mining community last Wednesday.

The forum held at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre, Mackenzie, was facilitated by Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon and provided a platform for residents to hear the views of the coalition on the matter.

Last month, a similar consultation exercise was conducted in the community by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

Solomon explained that the people of the region need to be more properly sensitised on the issue of anti-money laundering, and need to hear the views of all political parties involved.

Speakers on the panel included Opposition Leader David Granger

and APNU parliamentarians Carl Greenidge, Basil Williams and Joseph Harmon.

Also present at the forum was Linden Interim-Management Committee (IMC) Chairman Orrin Gordon and MP Rennis Morian.

Addressing the gathering, Granger noted that the steps taken by the Opposition in opposing the bill will eventually produce good results.

He explained that it might not be long that illegal money garnered from elements such as tax evasion, narco and human trafficking and smuggling is “cleaned up.”

Unfair situation

Additionally, he stated that in instances like these, the perpetuators are the ones who get rich through the illicit means, while ordinary citizens are struggling.

“Sometimes people have so much that they don’t know what to do with it; but that money has to be cleaned up, and it is cleaned up through the banking system. But the problem is that mon-

legislation has been in place and has not been implemented, why is it that you are convincing people to pass new legislation?

Legislation

A section of the gathering at the consultation in Linden

ey laundering is torturing the economy.

“If you’re manufacturing beer and a smuggler is bringing in beer from Venezuela, and you’re selling your beer for a Gy$100 a pack and he’s selling his beer for Gy$50 a pack, soon you’ll be out of the beer business,” he explained.

In addressing the gathering, Greenidge said the issue of the

AML Bill is a very technical one and he was pleased to be given the opportunity to consult with the people since it affects all Guyanese.

He noted that it is important to pay attention to all that is being said about anti-money laundering.

Greenidge said the anti-money laundering and the prevention of the financing of ter-

rorism legislation was passed in 2000 and strengthened in 2009; however, Government sought to make it stronger in 2013.

But Greenidge noted that there was no prosecution under the legislation in 13 years.

“That legislation was already in place and yet nobody has been prosecuted. Why do we see that happening? If the

“The legislation that is in place, it is good, it is reasonably strong but the point is, if you are going to improve on this legislation, what is it going to do? The legislation has a number of weaknesses. We decided to examine the legislation before power is given,” he noted.

He added: “The world has agreed that it is necessary to put in place laws that will prevent people from financing terrorists. Money laundering affects a colony and it affects the people in a colony.”

Williams in his address indicated that the Bill is targeting persons with large sums of cash and poor persons who carry small amounts of cash will not be affected.

In a question and answer segment, one resident pointed out that persons need to be more properly sensitised on the issue.

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The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

Young Adults Fiction

By Petamber Persaud

R

ecently, there was a literary upheaval in the heart of the city that literary went unnoticed except by the participants/organisers. That newsworthy upheaval did not make the headline, front page, inside local news story nor back page. It did not hit the television screen or airwaves.

It did not hit the social networks. Yet, it was a significant literary event that could be classified among the most popularly known literary institutions in Guyana.

That event was a three-day workshop on writing for young adults and children sponsored by the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature in association with CODE, the Canadian

Organisation for Development through Education. The mandate of CODE is profoundly captured in the following statement, “If you can read and write, you can learn to do, and be, anything.” The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature was established by CODE with “generous support of Canadian philanthropist William Burt and the Literary Prizes

Foundation, in partnership the NGC Bocas Lit. Fest” of Trinidad and Tobago. The Guyana Book Foundation also played a major role in coordinating the workshop.

The Guyana Book Foundation was established in 1990. The following was extracted from the website of the organisation: “In 1986, a group of Educators, Richard Scrimger

A few of the writers who participated in the recently held literary workshop.

Scrimger is in the front row center (clad in a blue shirt)

led by Mrs. Olga Bone founded an organisation called Education Renewal whose mission was to remedy the falling education standards of children, particularly in English and Mathematics. This group, together with volunteer tutors, gave free remedial classes to children in Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Leonora, Buxton and Enmore.”

By the early 1990s, Education Renewal was tasked with the responsibility of distributing books which were donated by the Canadian

Organisation for Development through Education (CODE) and this led to the formation of the Guyana Book Foundation (GBF) which was established in 1990 as a not-for-profit NGO. Writing for children, as stated in my book, An Introduction to Guyanese Literature, is the “weakest area of our literature”. This is only one of the reasons for placing so much emphasis on the ‘literary upheaval’.

Other reasons include the “demand for quality, locally-authored reading materials for young peocontinued on page 33

fashion

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Y

Designer Channey Wong

oung, vibrant and creative designer Channey Wong is currently sizzling on the fashion scene, as she showcases her designing dexterity.

Wong’s debuted as a fashion designer at the Facts and Roses competition, organised by veteran designer Michelle Cole and the late designer Trevor Rose. She was encouraged by her friends to join the competition based on her adroit designing skills. Wong’s designs were a “hit” and made it to the finals in the competition, but did not win.

However, Wong did not allow

her loss to deter her from her passion. Consequently, she seized the opportunity to participate in the Guyana Fashion Week 2013.

For her ‘Tribal Twist’ collection, which she described as “chic and vibrant”, she won the Courts/Fly Jamaica Prize for Aspiring Young Designer.

The designer’s plans are to launch a swimwear collection, establish her brand, develop herself as a person and then as a designer.

For more information, check out CAW Designs on Facebook.

(Photos by Helio Phoeli)

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week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Tobago booked up for Jazz Experience A

nticipation is high for the upcoming Tobago Jazz Experience with a representative of the Tobago Hotels Association saying that almost all of the island’s hotels and guest houses are full.

Calls to several guest houses and hotels con-

firmed that some hotels, which typically charged TT$600 a night had sold rooms at TT$1,200, and were still sold out.

Caribbean Airlines flights to the island were completely sold out for April 25, the night headlining act John Legend will perform.

The ferry service to Tobago is also booked and there is limited room on the water taxi, which will be transporting passengers between the islands during the festival weekend. Rumours that tickets for John Legend’s performance were sold out, however, were inac-

John Legend

curate. Though VIP tickets were no longer available, general admission tickets for the event were still being sold. All other events also still had tickets available.

An official of the Division of Tourism said preparations for the Tobago Jazz Experience

were going well. This is despite the late advertisement for suppliers for the event, published on Saturday, he added.

It called for proposals from suppliers of tents, sound systems, chairs, tables, signs and other related services. The official added: “We are over-

J

amaica’s reggaefusion songstress Tessanne Chin, who won season five of NBC’s hit singing contest The Voice in December, is expected to bring her inimitable style to the tri-state area when she headlines the inaugural Oracabessa Festival, A Celebration Of Caribbean Culture, at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York on Memorial Day, May 26.

The 28-year-old powerhouse vocalist will be Tessanne Chin (Jamaica Gleaner photo)

joined on stage by other A-list Caribbean entertainers including Konshens, Beenie Man and Assassin.

The reigning Voice winner’s New York performance is expected to draw major support from her Caribbean fan base as well as attract mainstream attention, according to a news release from Irie Jam radio.

Chin, who was a Voice frontrunner from the time she turned all four coaches’ chairs with her blind audition to the sound of Pink’s hit song “Try,” recently inked a deal with one of the world’s largest talent agencies ICM Partners, and will release her selftitled album later this year.

The ‘Tumbling Down’ singer has made several appearances in North

whelmed with suppliers. Every year we have a number of people who submit proposals to supply services to us.

“What we do is try to drive tourism and the local economy so we try to use as many Tobago suppliers as possible, but we are still encouraging suppliers to send us proposals. We wanted a wider variety of submissions because we still need to know that we are getting the best product at the best price.” He said most of the suppliers for the main shows during the festival had already been confirmed and the advertisement would have been targeting suppliers for the other events.

The main shows, which take place between April 25 and 27, will feature award-winning R&B artiste John Legend, Jamaican singers Tessanne Chin and Tarrus Riley, R&B artistes Keyshia Cole and Brandy and R&B group Earth, Wind and Fire.

(TT Guardian)

America since her debut on The Voice in September.

She was interviewed

by Matt Lauer of NBC's 'Today Show' shortly after her big win, going on to appear on the 'Kathie Lee & Hoda show', 'Live with Kelly & Michael, 'New York Live', and 'Access Hollywood'. She was back on NBC at New Year’s for an appearance at the California Rose Bowl.

On March 6, Chin made what was arguably her most prestigious appearance as a special guest of U.S. President Barack Obama and the First Lady at the White House: Women of Soul concert where she performed the Donna Summer hit ‘Last Dance’.

The programme, which will be broadcast

by PBS on April 7, also featured performances by Aretha Franklin, Melissa Etheridge, Janelle Monáe, Ariana Grande and Jill Scott.

On March 29, Chin will be presented with a Luminary Award at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fifth Annual Toronto Benefit Gala.

The 'Hideaway' singer will return to Toronto on May 17 for a concert at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts with her Bread & Butter Band.

(Caribbean News)

FEATURE

33

week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

O

verseas-based Guyanese chef Shaunna Marto never thought she could have a career doing what

as a finance analyst, Marto decided she wanted to attend culinary school. With her love for the culinary arts and en-

started her company, Party’s By Shaunna, while still working at a full-time job. She was compelled to do so be-

Marto multitasks in her kitchen she loves. Inspired by life, the chef is now assiduously pursuing her dreams.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Marto stated she is from Georgetown, but migrated to the US in 1986. Currently, she resides in Toronto, Canada.

“Back in 1990, after working and getting use to the culture, I went to University of Toronto and completed a degree in Business Administration, as many people do when they’re not completely sure of what they want to do -business is always a ‘safe’ career,” she recalled.

After years of working in the finance field, including 12 years in Municipal Government

involved in community events such as Caribana, Carabram - an annual 3-day multicultural festival run by volunteers in promoting various cultures,” she outlined.

Marto is a Frenchtrained chef, but also cooks Indian, Asian, Italian, Thai, and Caribbean cuisines. The “Guyanese girl” comes out in every dish she makes, which she believes gets her great feedback about her food.

“There is a challenge for women in the culinary field, but it’s certainly getting better.

It is a very tough field; hard to have a proper family life. Working in restaurants is very hard work and everyone has to pay their dues. It’s certainly not what you see on cooking shows.

One should not choose this career based on the chefs that they see on TV,” the chef urged.

The culinary expert

Overseas-based chef Shaunna Marto enjoys creating new dishes or elevating an old dish by changing a spice or ingredient, which gives her a sense of accomplishment.

Marto is always trying to cook something with a “wow” factor and expresses her love via her dishes.

In outlining her fu-

The chef enjoys cooking barefoot couragement from family and friends, Marto thought culinary school would be a good place to start.

“I wanted to see if I could do it. When i did, I totally fell in love! I started cooking when I was 11, much to the horror of my parents who was concerned I would hurt myself or burn the house down. But they soon realised I was not to be stopped. Coming from the Caribbean, I never thought I could have a career doing what I love; now I know differently. I encourage my son to do just that. He’s 18 years old. I raised him as a single mom since he was three and he has been my inspiration for following what I love to do,” expressed Marto.

In 2006, the chef

cause of responsibilities to care for her son, pay a mortgage, and other financial obligations. In 2011, she left her government job to pursue her business full-time.

“I knew if I wanted to have a successful career doing what I love, I had to dedicate myself completely to my business. I have also found the time to give back to my community. I have been involved with various charities such as United Way, Canadian Mental Health Association, mentoring at-risk youths, food banks and much more.

I have been doing so for over 10 years and continue to do so. I dedicated part of my business for fundraising in helping charities by donating dinners as prizes for auctions and so on. I am also

ture plans, the chef said she would like to help her business grow. She plans on purchasing a food truck with a mission to introduce delicious, fresh, affordable gourmet food to the Toronto area. Her concept involves curries inspired by her country of birth. Marto also plans on teaching her culinary arts on a wider field.

Currently, she provides private cooking classes for people in their homes.

“My advice for anyone pursuing food as a business is that it has to be a passion! No one goes into the food business to become rich. It’s hard, backbreaking, but for me it’s not a job, it’s what I absolutely love to do! Get some kind of training and learn the basics, even if it’s just a few weeks. Always practice, practice, practice. Let your family and friends give you feedback on your cooking. My son was always my taster since he was 6 years old and has a great palette,” the culinary connoisseur encouraged.

For more information on the Guyanese chef, visit Party's By Shaunna on Facebook.

Young Adults Fiction... ple is constantly growing”. And “[t]he intent of the Award is to champion literacy, build language skills and foster the love and habit of reading by ensuring that young Caribbean readers have access to books that they want to read”.

The main facilitator for the workshop was Richard Scrimger, ably supported by Dr Paloma Mohamed and Vanda Radzik - all experienced in that area of literature.

Radzik, on many occasions, adjudicated the Henry Josiah Writing Short Story for Children and the Rajkumari Singh Writing Poetry for Children, both competitions are offered through ‘The Guyana Annual’ magazine, formerly the ‘Chronicle Christmas Annual’ started in December 1915.

Mohamed has been working in this area forever through various media – poetry, essay, drama, video and film.

Her book, Caribbean Mythology and Modern Life: 5 Plays for Young People, is a significant contribution to our small cache of writing for children.

Scrimger has written scores of books for children and he is a consummate teacher on the subject. The teaching of Scrimger is filled with surprises.

What was so special about such a workshop? It was refreshing, slaughtering many

sacred cows of creative writing in the process.

How the above was accomplished is located in the mission statement of the workshop.

“This 3-day workshop is designed to promote and encourage the writing of fiction for Young Adults & Children, to create a stronger Burt Award short list of entries, and thereby bring more and better Young Adult (YA) & Children’s books into the hands of more readers in the

Caribbean region. The approach will be interactive, participatory and practical....”

That last sentence was the key, which will be gifted to you in a follow-up article.

Responses to this author should be sent to email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com or call (592) 226-0065.

What’s happening: It is here: ‘Anthology of Contemporary

from page 30

Guyanese Verse: Volume 1’ published by The Caribbean Press and compiled by Petamber Persaud. The work of 21 writers is captured in this 164-page book.

Coming soon: The first reprint of An Introduction to Guyanese Literature It will be available from the author at the above contacts, Austin’s Book Service (226-7350), at the National Library (226-2690) and at the airport.

34

Travel & Tourism

week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Imbaimadai is small mining town deep in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region, Region Seven, of Guyana. It was founded by miners. The mountains surrounding it, part of the Pakaraima range along the Guiana highlands, and the hundreds of miles of jungle make it an adventure destination.

View of the mountains from a hill

Getting to Imbaimadai via the Mazaruni River

Relaxing white beach

Cascading waterfall upriver of Imbaimadai

Rocky river banks

T

ucked away in the central region of the eastern Caribbean island is the lush green tropical expanse in "de heart uh Barbados" and in its sanctum sanctorum is embedded a limestone cavern, a marvel of nature's beauty.

Amid breathtakingly stunning tropical flora, sprayed by occasional showers and emitting the aroma of the earth, lies Harrison's Caves, home to myriad stalactite and stalagmite formations that are na-

Stalagmites growing at a rate of less than the thickness of a sheet of paper each year on the floor of Harrison's Caves

A cozy underground pool tucked into a nook at Harrison's Caves (Jamaica Gleaner photos)

ture's living and ever-evolving work of art.

A motorised tram awaits at the entrance known as the Boyce Tunnel, named after equipment operator Noel Boyce, who was the first member of the construction team to break through the bedrock.

Subdued lights embedded in the rock formations welcome the visitors, it can be an adventurous ride into a theme park, only that instead of 'monsters' popping out from the crevices, the myriad shapes soothe the eyes and leave the interpretations to one's imagination.

In the almost two-kilometre journey into the cave, drop-

lets of water filter through the spectacular, crystallised limestone from the ceiling, the temperature drops several notches, causing goose pimples.

The tram continues its journey passing flowing streams, and pools of crystalclear water encapsulated by stony columns, bathed in hues of soft yellow light. The limestone speleothems, which are mineral deposits hanging from the ceiling, jut down like ice formations in an overworked freezer, only that these don't have to be 'defrosted' at the flick of a switch.

History

Harrison's Cave is named

after Thomas Harrison, who owned majority of the land in the area in the early 1700s.

The location of the caves was a mystery for centuries, several expeditions were organised in the 18th and 19th centuries, but did not make any headway as the natural entrances were impassable. In 1974, Ole Sorensen, a Danish engineer and cave adventurer, assisted by Tony Mason and Allison Thornhill, two young Barbadians, rediscovered this natural wonder.

Harrison's Cave, which was opened to the public in 1981, is a living, breathing and evolving artwork. It is estimated that the stalagmites

in the cave grow by less than the thickness of a piece of paper each year; in geological terms, this is no less than an overdrive.

If parallels could be drawn standing in the Great Hall, in the heart of the cave, one can hear one's voice echo from the walls and the 50-foot ceiling-3D surround sound at its natural best.

Harrison's Cave, like Mother Nature's endless and limitless phenomenon, is a living space, resonated in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience".

(Excerpted from Jamaica Gleaner)

Echoes on these walls provide visitors with delightful acoustics

35

week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Simply the Truth

The Jagdeo Straw-man …in Opposition’s straw poll he Opposition’re scared sh*tless that President Ramotar’s going to call snap elections. They were exposed by this newspaper when their own straw poll showed they’d be consigned back to the political wilderness. The spunk they picked up when they seized control of the National Assembly with a one-seat majority, is gone for channa. So what’d they do? What they’re always good at – used their friends in the media to spin the information.

What that information conclusively demonstrated was President Ramotar’s support hasn’t only remained solid but has actually bucked the usual incumbent’s softening of support and actually came out stronger than in the last elections.

This must’ve shocked them since the President still has three more years to buttress his support. Or go to the polls immediately. Deathly afraid of this possibility, they created a straw man of their own artifice.

“The Straw Man fallacy’s committed when a person simply ignores a person’s actual position and substitutes a distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented version of that position”. At no time or place has Jagdeo ever said or even hinted that he’s interested in a “third term”. Wasn’t this the same nonsense the Opposition kept the nation distracted with during 2005? It was the APNU and AFC that placed the man’s name on their straw poll – which, according to the cited expert – was to test whether Ramotar’s support was ephemeral. It wasn’t…and this is what the Opposition want to hide.

The Opposition poll did show that Jagdeo remains popular with the majority of the people.

That’s normal with most presidents after they’ve left the hot seat and the folks out there have a wider perspective to evaluate their records. Then, of course, there was the mean-spirited attack by the Opposition MuckrakerKN that actually prayed for the man to die. People had to be disgusted by that reprehensible gutter behaviour.

How many times must Jagdeo say he won’t run again? One would’ve thought that the proof of the assertion was in its execution. Didn’t Jagdeo step down and step aside for the man who’s now President? The Jagdeo bashers – who’re dying to rip him down because they dared not give him lip when he was in office – would now like to pit him against President Ramotar. It’s the old divide-and-conquer tactic that the Opposition learnt so well from the British.

The fellas in the PPP have to not fall prey to the misdirection thrown out by the PNC spin doctors. …and APNU-AFC coalition What everyone seems to have missed is that the leaked Opposition poll proves conclusively that the AFC and APNU are going into a pre-election coalition.

For them to have collaborated on a poll that has Granger as the APNU candidate and not Greenidge means that these wankers have cut a deal with the wily army man for the elections ahead. After their negotiations with Granger ended with Trotman in the Speaker’s chair, it’s clear the two factions are comfortable in bed with each other. Notice the shift on AML/CFT? Greenidge is more of a hardliner on AFC’s leadership pretensions – especially those of Ramjattan and Nagamootoo. But this means that Roopnaraine’s also out as the “Indian” face at the top of the APNU coalition. The last elections showed that the WPA’s support is down to about four or five old men – hardly deserving of the positions they’ve been bequeathed. So now the battle between Nagamootoo and Ramjattan begins.

And it’s not going to be fought over how many “large bottles” they can put away – considerable as that number might be. It’s going to be nasty!!! …and the Budget While Jagdeo might be off the scene in the presidential sweepstakes, we would hope he doesn’t forget he’s still a member of the PPP/C ExCo. So as to lend a hand to counter the Opposition’s blitzkrieg on the Budget.

T

W

e have already written about habitual violence against and violation of women in Guyana. We have discussed the different forms the violence and violation take: verbal, the cowardly hiss and psst; the groping in taxis and minibuses; the beating and chopping and shooting and killing.

Every now and then, there is a whimper or simper from some group or a well-meaning letter from an individual expressing outrage. These are sadly few and far between. Someone should do the math! And we would find this: for every 5000 violations, there is one expression of dismay. Look out your window and within seconds you will find some hooligan harassing a girl or woman.

Nothing is done since there is no recourse. And since nothing is ever done, it escalates and becomes more frequent. The psst becomes a touch, the touch becomes a grab and grope, the grope becomes a hit, the hit becomes a cuff, the cuff becomes a chop, and so on. The deadly end is inevitable. Nothing is sacred. No woman is safe.

My partner gets into a taxi or minibus (we can’t afford a car, much less some swanky SUV) and is promptly subjected to sexual advances. She walks to the market in her dignified way in her dignified and religious dress, and before too long gets the catcalls. She ignores the worm, but worms are brave these days in Guyana.

He rides up to her on his rusty bicycle and makes explicit exactly what he would like to do to her.

Nothing is sacred: no wife, no sis-

S

By Professor Daizal Samad

ter, no mother, no daughter. All girls and women are fair game!

Even the well-being of a baby in a crib is not sacred.

The human rights and political “activists” and “social scientists” and “analysts” and those grand folks are blind and dumb and deaf.

But they all begin this long bray when there is political mileage to be had and when there is an axe to grind. And the bray gets louder and more prolonged when they turn against the Government.

Our oaths are not sacred. The oaths we take as law enforcement officers are not scared to too many of our cops. Our oaths as legal practitioners are but foul air for too many lawyers and such.

Even one is one too many. Our oaths when we assume political office are rendered invalid by our actions and attitudes. Teachers don’t take oaths.

When I lived in Morocco in Africa, I would leave the door to my house unlocked for almost

three months while on vacation in Canada or the U.S. or the South China Sea or some place.

Everyone knew the door was left unlocked.

I would leave money and what pieces of jewellery out in the open.

In six years, not one single cent or one piece of jewellery was missing.

It must be said, however, that my liquor cabinet was often depleted during my absence. Friends would come over and take what they wanted. There was always a note to let me know, though. Even students would come and use the stove to cook something (couscous, mostly). The place was always cleaner than when I left it.

Someone else’s property was sacred in that place.

In New Brunswick, Canada, the father of my companion at the time bought a brand new pick-up truck. He was a fisherman (quite different from our local fishermen; the boats had radars and such wonderful things). We drove him to the wharf for him to go on his three-week fishing trip in the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic. The father and I rode in his new pick-up while someone else followed in her car.

The man parked his new vehicle, turned off the engine, left the key in the ignition, and walked towards his fishing boat. I shouted to him that he forgot his key in the pick-up. He laughed and said: “No Siree! I left it there so that if anyone wants to use it, they can.

Righty mighty wicked, eh?” And he laughed all the way to his boat at my wide-eyed amazement. In some places, some things are sacred. Still.

Soopa man

atiricus was upset that they were trying to keep a good man down. “But they’ve always been like that, haven’t they?” he thought to himself. “They”, of course, were the naysayers who just didn’t want to accept that there were people who were just light years ahead of them in almost every type of human endeavour. “And some inhuman ones, come to think of it,” murmured Satiricus.

Satiricus’ ire had been raised at the sniping at the VC of UGGY (Satiricus just loves initials as names) just because the man had taken on a massive $40 million project for the IDB. This was just not irie. So what if he had a full time job to clean up the mess at UGGY? OK, so there might be a sliver of truth in the claim that UGGY was a veritable can of worms. Worms, after all do tend to grow in the droppings of horses, and it had also been claimed that UGGY was like the Augean Stables. The said stables, of course, hadn’t been cleaned for over 100 years.

“Well,” snorted Satiricus, “if Hercules could clean those stables in a single day, why couldn’t the VC of UGGY have done the same with UGGY in the year he’s been here?” After all, the biggest obstacle to the running of UGGY had been that Kiss Soon person, who’d been terminated forthwith. Satiricus’ mind boggled as to how Kiss Soon could get away with not having a single publication after 26 years at UGGY. If he Satiricus didn’t write three pieces every day, his editor was all over him like a cheap suit.

Also here it was in black and white, the VC of UGGY had said he worked 18 hours a day, every day, at UGGY. And if God had created the world in six days, so that he could rest on the seventh – and Satiricus was pretty sure God didn’t do 18-hour days – imagine what a man could do in 18 hours a day, every day, every week and every month?

But the biggest point the critics of the VC of UGGY refused to acknowledge, was that the VC of UGGY could very well be doing the $40 million contract with the IDB, on his own time. After all, he had six hours every day of the year to spare. What was such a contract to a man who could clean up UGGY in a year?

“Jeez, the VC of UGGY could do that with his hands tied behind his back!!” snorted Satiricus. “The man was from the Mother Continent and downed all those herbs. He was Soopa Man.”

36

fun time

week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es

Lottery

A woman came home, screeching her car into the driveway, and ran into the house.

She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs, “Honey, pack your bags. I won the lottery!”

The husband said,” Oh my God! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?”

“Doesn’t matter,” she said, “just get out.”

Shopping bargain

A husband and wife are shopping wholesale when the man picks up a crate of beer and sticks them into the trolley.

“What do you think you’re doing?” asks the wife “They’re on offer only $10 for 24 cans,” he says “Put them back. We can’t afford it,” says the wife, and they carry on shopping A few aisles later the woman picks up a $20 jar of face cream and sticks it into the trolley.

“What do you think you’re doing?” asks the man “It’s my face cream. It makes me look beautiful,” she says.

“So does 24 cans of beer and it's half price.”

Lawyers

What do you get when you cross a librarian and a lawyer?

All the information you want, except you can't understand it.

What's wrong with lawyer jokes?

Lawyers don't think they're funny, and nobody else seems to think that they're jokes.

Neighbours

This week's Puzzle

Proudly showing off his new apartment to a friend late one night, the drunk led the way to the bedroom, where there was a big brass gong.

"What's that brass gong for?" asked the friend.

"It's not a gong. It's a talking clock," the drunk replied.

"A talking clock? How's it work?"

"Watch this," said the drunk. He took a hammer, gave the gong an ear-shattering pound and waited.

Someone on the other side of the wall screamed: "Hey, you jerk. It's 3:00 in the morning!"

Mark 17

A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17."

The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17.

Every hand went up.

The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only 16 chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."

Mice In the church

Three Pastors were having lunch together at a diner.

The first Pastor said, "Ya know, since summer started I've been having trouble with mice in my church. I've tried everything--noise, spray, cats-nothing seems to scare them away.

The second Pastor then said "Yea, me too. I've got hundreds living in the basement of the church.

I've set traps and even called an expert to get rid of them, yet they still won't go away."

With a grin on his face, the third Pastor said, "I had the same problem so I baptized all mine and made them members of the church... Haven't seen one back since!!!"

Where would he be?

see solution on page 46

A women’s lib speaker was addressing a large group and said, “Where would man be today if it were not for woman?”

She paused a moment and looked around the room. “I repeat, where would man be today if it were not for woman?”

From the back of the room came a voice, “He’d be in the Garden of Eden eating strawberries.”

feature

37

week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Dmitri Allicock

The town of Linden is split down the middle by the Demerara River. Over the years, the town grew and expanded unevenly as bauxite dominated. The notable eastern bank development was the Amelia’s Ward housing scheme that followed the Linden/Soesdyke Highway opening at the end of the 1960s.

On the western bank, the population was always more numerous. The population has increased significantly from west Watooka to Christianburg, and westward to include Wismar Hill, Half Mile, One Mile and the Rockstone Housing Scheme.

The ferry boat system, which was born with the bauxite industry, had the enormous responsibility of connecting the daily lives of the people. At its peak, over a dozen privately-owned ferry owners existed from Cakatara to Speightland.

Some of the owners in 1972

Mackenzie Primary School children and teachers, circa late 1950s, used the ferry boat to cross the river

gers and all traffic required a pass of identification to be at Mackenzie. Frequent mandatory blackouts were also implemented with the sound of any unidentified aircraft passing over head at night. The fear of sabotage or bombing was very real as the allies attempted to protect vital raw materials and resources.

Safety and comfort issues

road, a broad unpaved track where after rain the pedestrian sank ankle deep into black ooze.”

For the most part, the ferry system worked, but there were serious problems. There was no safety training of the boat operators. You had untrained and, at times, lewd characters who couldn’t work elsewhere operating unsafe boats.

On regular occasions, loud,

Wismar crossing, Linden 1958

were from the Cakatara end: Quamina, Kennedy, and Obermuller. More centrally located were Rigby, Major and Dutchie boat landing, at Speightland: Chester, Adams and a few others.

Except for the period before ‘Major’ owned that particular, very well built landing that once belonged to Demba in 1939, very little oversight or central control occurred.

There were laws and rules on the books, but few paid much attention, and there was little enforcement.

Effects of WWII

Demba boat landing was called the ‘Wismar boat landing’, and later became the property of Major. It was constructed and used during the Second World War to control access to the Mackenzie shore, providing extra security for the bauxite plant as British Guiana sought to safeguard all its interests. The world at war was also real in British Guiana. German submarine activities off the Atlantic Coast of Guyana resulted in many ships torpedoed and sunk, most laden with supplies of bauxite and other materials, severely affecting trade.

This boat landing was the only one allowed, as passen-

The early ferry boats were without engine or roof in the 1920s and early 1930s. All able-bodied passengers were given a large paddle and had to assist with rowing the small boat across the river. Many might still remember the old diesel engines that filled most of the back of the boat with smoke and which had to be hand cranked many times before the sputtering and gushing thick black smoke assured that the engine had started.

Zahra Freeth in her 1960s book “Run Softly Demerara” notes, “There is no bridge over the Demerara, and the normal way to reach Wismar from North Mackenzie was in one of the small ferry-boats powered by outboard motors, which ply back and forth across the river all day long. The fare for crossing was eight cents- four pence, which one handed to the ferryman who crouched in the shade of a rough wooden shelter at the stern of the boat. The passengers sat on the thwarts, a position in which the women among them were constantly concerned to keep their skirts from trailing in the bilges. When one reached the further bank in the ferry, the small boat nosed its prows on the boards of a ramp, where one disembarked and clambered up on to the

it was moored for months before it was again back in service. By then, I guessed many would have forgotten the last tragedy. One morning on my way to school, Mr Quamina repeatedly begged the passengers, who were mainly bauxite workers, “Please reduce the load guys! There are too much people in the boat!”

The boat operator and Mr Quamina stood helplessly with hands on hips. Not a single passenger disembarked.

Most of the passengers were either late or in a hurry to cross the river.

Then the frustrated Mr Quamina said these magical words, “It’s alright, take the load across, it is long overdue since I sold another boat load to the fair-maid (water spirit).” The boat then safely crossed the river mostly empty as the appeal to the fears of the spooks worked very well.

Mr Quamina quietly smiled in relief.

A must for school

foul and half-naked operators with a bottle of liquor in one hand played cat and mouse with the passing bauxite ships that blew their horn endlessly to clear the river. Many engines failed and boats drifted up and down the river. Little or no life jackets were on the boats. Some boats had to be bailed out to stay afloat.

The ferry boat played an integral part of a young child’s life as it was used to ferry students daily to attend school.

In the mid 1960s and 1970s, most of the community’s children went to Christianburg, St Aidan’s or Mackenzie primary schools before a second-

Memorable characters

There were many countless mishaps and drowning. Three bauxite workers had drowned while crossing the river in the early 1970s, which I remembered well. A bearded, tall man named Churchill, with a large hook and rope, would usually lead the body recovery effort.

The ghastly site of Churchill, with his hook and coil of rope fishing the river bottom for the unfortunate victim to an audience of hundreds of onlookers at the side of the river, was a haunting sight.

I respect the kind and decent Mr Quamina, and was a good friend to all his children, whom I admired and still often remember. He had a boat that stood out from the rest.

This small, shallow and greenheart-made boat had a round bottom. The ominous bow of the boat was warped and pointed downwards. It sank many times. After it was recovered,

Present day ferry across the Demerara River in Linden

ary education was possible.

The story of schools in Guyana is of structure, uniforms, and what is now known as corporal punishment. As children, we judged our teachers by the feared cane they used to mete out punishment and discipline. The untimely and unpredictable ferry boat decided daily if a child was going to be punished for tardiness.

Any excuse that the ferry broke down or that the boat aimlessly drifted, guaranteed only an extra lash from the cane and a short lecture that other students were timely and maybe you should have caught the earlier ferry. There were ways around this, and in very creative ways we simply avoided the headmaster who stood at the entrance of the school compound.

Childhood imagination and play also surrounded the ferry system. We played and built sand castles on the Mackenzie shore while waiting for the boat. Ducks and drakes was a favorite game we enjoyed as we expertly skimmed the flat bush seed called Iresoura (which was found with other interesting debris and drift wood on the beaches) over the water.

We would be so involved in play that our last priority was catching the boat, which would come and go many times.

Current improvements

The substandard ferry boats did successfully transport the many thousands of residence including our family members. The current boat service has less landings and owners, but provided a vastly improved service. Massive and very well built boats, which are fully equipped with life jackets and working engines, are now operated by what appears to be more professional individuals. This was very gratifying to see.

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LEGAL corner

By Richard Kistnen, Esq.

R

ecently, I have received numerous inquiries from people about bankruptcy.

Commonly, their situation involves a parcel of real estate that has been in foreclosure, and there is very little hope of entering a modification or some other plan for relief (such as a short sale or deed in lieu). Invariably, the potential client asks, “I am calling about bankruptcy. I have a property in my name. I have tried everything to save it, but the bank is not offering anything. I need to get my name off of it and move on.” Can bankruptcy “take your name off of title or mortgage?”

The answer is no. Filing for bankruptcy relief, with nothing more, does not remove your name from title to property, nor does it terminate your relationship as a mortgagor or borrower. When you file for bankruptcy, your PERSONAL LIABILITY for secured obligations is discharged – the debt and its secured status remains intact. As an example, assume a homeowner files for bankruptcy. Her name is on both title to the property and the mortgage. After the case is closed and discharge is entered, the homeowner’s name would remain on title to the property. Unless the property was otherwise transferred, bankruptcy

Star of the week

does not change title to property.

With respect to the mortgage, the homeowner’s name remains on the mortgage. Statements would continue to be sent to the homeowner.

What bankruptcy accomplishes with secured obligations is the following: if the homeowner, in our example, was about to lose her home in foreclosure, and the bank sold the home for less than the balance of the outstanding mortgage, the bank could not sue the homeowner for the deficiency. Bankruptcy discharges the ability of a secured lender from seeking any deficiency amount against a debtor.

The above-example applies to other situations, as well.

A more common situation is with the financing of a car. If a bank repossesses a car and sells it at auction, that car usually sells for less than what is owed on the loan. The bank can then sue the debtor for that difference.

Bankruptcy prevents a creditor from enforcing that deficiency debt against a debtor.

If you are struggling with debts, but you are concerned about bankruptcy because you have secured property, ask questions and get answers quickly. If you have questions, please contact the Law Office of Richard Kistnen, (718) 738-2324, www. kistnenlaw.com.

A

stunning beauty, Denicia Williams is assiduously preparing, mentally and physically, to win the Miss World Guyana 2014 crown. Williams hails from Blygezight Gardens; she migrated to the US when she was 11.

Currently, she is a full-time student at the College Of Staten Island, US, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy and a minor in Psychology. The 19-year-old’s pageantry experience began in high school. Although she has never competed in any major pageants, Williams is confident that she will be a force to reckon with. Presently, she is in the gym every day and is being coached in pageantry under the tutelage of Miss New York contestant and fellow Guyanese, Jyoti Hardat and former Miss World Antigua 2004 and Miss Talent 2004 of the Miss World pageant, Shermain Jeremy. Williams views pageantry as an opportunity to share her hopes and aspirations for her country, Guyana, and to empower young ladies like herself. Her platform in the Miss World Guyana 2014 pageant focuses on spreading awareness on autism, especially autistic children. Additionally, she wants to motivate young females to pursue an education because she believes that “beauty will quickly fade, but what you have inside of your head is there for a lifetime”. Passionate about philanthropy work, Williams has volunteered at various soup kitchens in the Brooklyn area, US. Moreover, she constantly donates clothing to the Salvation Army, which she has been doing since childhood. If she is crowned Miss World Guyana 2014, Williams intends to continue her empowerment crusade. Furthermore, she will be using the opportunity to promote her country of birth. Williams’ advice to youths is to never allow life’s trials to deter from achieving their goals, rather let it make “you stronger and wiser instead of breaking you”.

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D

escribing the group as “dancing personalities bond together by the gift of versatile dancing”, Nachgana Academy of Dance is on a mission to preserve the Indian dance culture in Guyana, while empowering youths.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Devi Ramcharitar, the group’s director and choreographer, stated that she founded Nachgana Academy of Dance on 23 April 2013.

“I have been dancing since I was 5 years old. I know the benefits of dance in helping youths to be empowered. Currently our group has 20 members, both males and females from ages 5-26. When we first opened, for the first eight months, we did over 40 shows. We have danced at presidential events, the Indian Arrival Committee, various madirs, just to name a few. Being on the stage, performing for some of Guyana’s elite has significantly helped the youths in our group to be more confident,” pointed out Ramcharitar.

Ramcharitar mentioned she chose ‘Nachgana’ (meaning ‘dance-sing’) because it represents the group’s activities. She also noted that her members are committed to the group’s mission of preserving

-A mandate to empower youths A few of the group's dancers showcasing their talent

the Indian art of dance, while developing themselves as confident individuals.

“We infuse all genre of dance, with our main focus on Indian dance.

This includes classical dance types such as khatak. We also perform other dance styles such as folk, freestyle, hip-hop, contemporary – among others. We have performed countrywide and are yet to do so out of the country. We plan to take our performing talents to other countries, which we hope to do in the near future,” Ramcharitar declared.

In celebration of its one year anniversary, the Nachgana Academy of Dance will be hosting a spectacular dance event at the Monument

Gardens, Camp and Church Streets, on 12 April. The event is themed “Dancing Enchanters” because this is what the group is known for – enchant crowds with their dancing talents.

Not only is the group concerned with dancing but also philanthropy work. They recently provided dinner for the homeless in the Georgetown area and lunch for the St Ann’s Orphanage. The group has also done a blood drive.

“On 12 April, continuing our anniversary celebrations, we have a dinner, and award ceremony for our dancers. We are also planning our annual pooja (prayer). Our upcoming

Nuff people friken de Jagdeo poll

D

e Jagdeos deh in de news every day. One Jagdeo just get free. And somebody goin to trial fuh another Jagdeo who dead. But a next Jagdeo not only deh in de news, he deh pun certain people heart, mind and soul.

And now that dem hear bout Jagdeo poll, it tekkin a heavy toll. Jagdeo done show de whole a Guyana two times that he got de biggest poll.

Fuh some reason, certain people friken Jagdeo a long time. Is now people realise that is de poll. So as soon as one Boss Man hear bout de Jagdeo poll, he call he slave and tell he bout de poll. Now both a dem ain’t believe that Jagdeo had sucha big poll, so dem beg Rum Jhaat and Hard Mouth to see de Jagdeo poll.

Rum Jhaat bluff and seh he never see Jagdeo poll. But whah really happen is that when he see de Jagdeo poll, he tell people he wish he fuh that kinda poll.

Was since at Freedom House he used to beg fuh a big poll. But when Rum Jhaat realise that dem kinda poll like Jagdeo poll don’t come easy, he run fuh a next poll. Now he nearly drop dead in fronta Jagdeo poll.

Even Bis Ram come de other day and show dem he poll. Bis Ram tell dem no body in de Pee-Hen-See gotta good poll. Since Burnt Ham time dem used to thief Jagan poll. But dem didn’t like Bis Ram poll, so dem doubt that de man even had a poll. But Bis Ram behave like a Big Ram and go till to TT wid he poll.

As fuh Hard Mouth, he never even had a poll. So when Hard Mouth see de Jagdeo poll, he behave like never see come to see. In de end, de poll was too hard fuh he to tek. So he bluff like Rum Jhaat and seh he never see de Jagdeo poll.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And although Jagdeo seh he ain’t givin no more poll, nuff people still friken de Jagdeo poll.

The group's founder Devi Ramcharitar

event promises an exciting evening of dance, song and drama. There will be something for every generation. Youths will enjoy our modern dance moves, while the older folks will enjoy our classical dance,” outlined Ramcharitar.

The choreographer stated that her group is made up of passionate dancers who are committed to promoting

Guyana’s diverse dance culture. She also noted that her group includes disciplined individuals, an attribute herself and other dance instructors instil from the beginning.

“Our inspiration comes from everywhere. For me, I truly admire Rekha, famous Bollywood actress, who can dance really well.

We also are always reading, researching and keeping up-to-date with dancing around the

world. We even design our own costumes. We take pride in what we do and we are very serious about perfecting our talents. Through my group, I aim to sustain the Indian culture, especially the dance aspect of it. My group members share my commitment, a commendable attribute they possess,” Ramcharitar disclosed.

For more information on this dance group, visit Nachgana on Facebook.

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How does a stroke occur?

health corner

By Tisha Boston

S

troke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. When someone experiences a stroke, blood flow to the brain has been interrupted, causing brain cells to die. Blood provides the cells of our body with oxygen and nutrients; without it, these cells cannot function. The interruption of blood flow to the brain can be as a result of two things: a blood clot or a broken blood vessel in the brain.

If a stroke occurs as a result of a blood clot, it is termed an ischemic stroke. This is the most common type of stroke.

The blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain, obstructing the circulation of blood inside the

brain. This clot could have developed instantly, or it could have traveled through the blood from another part of the body. Sometimes, this blockage of blood flow to the brain is only temporary. This is called a transient ischemic attack and it serves as a warning that a stroke is more than likely to occur soon.

The other type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke. This results from a broken blood vessel in the brain which causes internal bleeding. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common, but they are more fatal, since internal bleeding is very difficult to stop. Treatment usually includes trying to control high blood

pressure, swelling, and bleeding. Unlike hemorrhagic strokes, ischemic strokes can be treated with clot-busting medication that helps to dissolve the blood clot and restore blood flow.

However, in order for this medication to be effective in minimizing long-term damage to one’s body, it must be administered within

three hours of the onset of symptoms.

The symptoms of stroke include: • Sudden weakness or numbness of the face and limbs • Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech • Sudden difficulty seeing • Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination • Sudden severe headache When someone is experiencing a stroke,

these symptoms occur very fast so it is important for people to be aware of these signs and act immediately by calling 911. Also, a person having a transient ischemic attack may experience these same symptoms, though temporarily. Such victims should also seek immediate medical help. The illustration below shows the signs that a bystander should be aware of to determine whether or not someone is having a stroke.

Persistent Pigeon

T

By Anu Dev

his morning I awoke to the sound of a pigeon loudly and persistently flapping against my window. Every time I tried to snuggle back under the covers for a few more minutes of sleep the bird started flapping at my window again. The truth be told, I got worried that it might somehow flap its way into my room to terrify me even further. Earlier this week I had my first encounter with a massive spider in my room.

I was content to let the spider go in peace since I was worried that its spider-friends would come out in full force to avenge the death of their comrade. But the spider slowly started inching its way toward my bed, and I had no choice but to take its life, armed with nothing but my broom and all the courage I could muster. I vanquished that foe thankfully, but between monstrous spiders and ferocious red-eyed pigeons I’m not feeling very kindly toward Mother Nature.

But the persistence of that pigeon did inspire me to write this article. It made me think about how important it is to be persistent in trying to achieve your goals. Persistence can be a very admirable trait – unless you’re a pigeon disturbing the sleep of an exhausted med student.

The only way you can be guaranteed success is if you stick to things, even if they’re not going perfectly at the moment. You can’t just give up at the first sign of trouble or at the first indication that the road ahead has more bumps and pot-holes than one of our roads in Guyana.

There’s that old cliché that says the measure of a person isn’t how many times they fall, but instead how many times they get back up again. And it’s true; the greatest moments are those moments when you can rise up again after being faced with a seemingly insurmountable problem. That problem could be a ridiculously difficult math problem at school or it could be losing your job. At every step of your life there will be new problems, problems that seem like the most difficult thing in the world to deal with.

But if you stick to things and not just jump off and abandon ship, the end-result will be so worth it all. You could end up with a degree or a successful marriage or end up beating the odds and winning your case in court – it all depends on what you were aiming for and how committed you were to putting in the hard work.

So put in the hard work, stay committed and stay true to yourself and your goals.

I should probably look into getting some Baygon to spray my room to prevent any further invasion of spiders and bugs, seeing as my parents aren’t in Trinidad to kill them for me and all of my flat-mates are equally petrified of spiders as I am.

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Feature

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U.S.-based Guyanese photographer Kwesi Abbensetts explains the rudiments of ‘good’ photography

I

n 2006, while in his final year of film school at Brooklyn College, U.S.based Guyanese Kwesi Abbensetts purchased a FUJI 5600 digital camera and from thereon his love for photography blossomed. Photography gave him the immediacy that was missing from film.

A self-taught photographer, Abbensetts had no prior formal training.

Travelling around the Caribbean, Abbensetts has shot travel photography in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Being self-taught has allowed the photographer to create and shape his own individual template, which is identifiably distinct when it comes to creating images.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Abbensetts, who hails from Corentyne, No. 64 Village, explained his passion for photography and the fundamentals of good photography.

U.S.-based Guyanese photographer Kwesi Abbensetts

Abbensetts has been a professional photographer for over 6 years.

He is also famous for his evocative portrait photography.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: What sparked your in-

terest in photography?

Kwesi Abbensetts: I was always interested in visual art. At a young age, I briefly worked at GTV on a programme called Youth Beat. Now in terms of photography directly, I was in the

Abbensetts enjoys photographing the sensuality of femininity. This photo is titled 'Flowers & Sequins'

middle of film school and was not ready to do film, I felt unchallenged by the medium at the time, so I bought a camera and taught myself photography. I am self-taught, but the camera also attracted me because it allowed me an immediacy that filmmaking did not offer.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: Is photography a hobby or career?

Kwesi Abbensetts: It is pretty much both. I am constantly shooting and exploring photography every day. It is a career path and a passion for me. It allows me to challenge every aspect of

my creativity and fuels my imagination in myriad ways.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: What do you enjoy photographing?

Kwesi Abbensetts: Everything! I practice on all things. Art is everywhere.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: What is your focus when photographing?

Kwesi Abbensetts: There is no thought really. I prefer to let things reveal themselves. It is my idea of trusting in magic. With portraiture and fashion photography, it is a bit more contemplative in terms of

styling the mode or the kind of lighting used.

But, eventually, once everything is set up I let the energy dictate.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: What makes a ‘good’ photographer?

Kwesi Abbensetts: A photographer has to have an eye and instinct.

A good photographer is able to transcend moments that the normal viewer at times would not see. Good photography is not really dependent on a good camera, but it does make a difference on the quality of the photo. Most commercial jobs will demand that you use a good camera.

Having an artistic mind also helps - definitely helps. Notably, good photography involves making mistakes. The mistakes are your best tutorials, and shoot always. Mistakes become the “how did I do that” moment. Also studying the works of other good or great photographers helps in developing your photography skills.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: Do you consider photography as an art?

Kwesi Abbensetts: It is art if it is done as art or informed by aspects of art. Otherwise, it can just be purely representational. Art becomes involved when you pay attention to subject, lighting, framing and composition, and ‘feelcontinued on page 45

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“Everyone in the Diaspora can benefit from the Jagan story” why that kind of passion cannot be harnessed for the benefit of the community here.

The path to community improvement is through the vote and voice: the empowerment of the people. That is the history of the Guyanese Diaspora which is conveniently forgotten .

Voters’ interest is low.

Voters’ registration is negligible and voters’ turn out is even worse.

Voters’ participation in the community power structure and decisionmaking bodies are non existent, tokenism at best.

Participation in the Block Associations and

By Methu and Rueben

D

r.

Cheddi B. Jagan was a very successful Guyanese. A country boy from plantation Port Mourant, Corentyne, who excelled at Queen’s College in Georgetown, Guyana and graduated in the United States of America with double majors in Dentistry and Political Science, both of which he practiced in Guyana with distinction.

Cde. Cheddi, as he was fondly referred to; was a family man, an author and revered leader. He is credited as the father of the Nation by the vast majority of Guyanese.

President of Guyana (1992 – 1997), a founder of the People’s Progressive Party, (1950) Dr. Jagan was a freedom fighter.

He led the anti-colonial struggles (1950 – 1966) for the Independence of the British Colony.

Dr. Jagan, a nationalist of the first order, was branded a communist by Anglo-American imperialists to justify their destabilization of the government of Guyana and cheat the Guyanese people of the opportunity to a better life.

The main concern of Dr. Jagan and the People’s Progressive Party was the improvement of the living and working conditions of all Guyanese. Dr. Jagan’s first government in 1953 and subsequent governments in 1957- 1964, made significant improvements in the working and living conditions that won the support and confidence of the masses. In 1992 when he won the Presidency, Guyana was in a serious economic crisis: the country was bankrupted, social infrastructure was in a mess and production was on the decline. Guyana was next to the worst country in the Caribbean. But under his astute leadership the economy recovered and grew more than an impressive five percent annually.

Generations of Guyanese will always remember Dr. Jagan for his commitment to Guyana’s development.

He will be remembered too, as a man of impeccable integrity, a man of principles and a man whose main purpose in life was to better the people’s livelihood.

Dr. Jagan’s success was based on two pillars: leadership and organization. He clearly un-

Dr. Cheddi B. Jagan

derstood the concerns of the people and had solutions to their problems.

He was able to inspire and motivate the masses to be part of the solution unlike the situation today, in the Diaspora.

Affordable housing, employment opportunities, youth development, improvement of schools, awareness of social benefits and procedures to access them and improved community services in general, are but a few of the issues that plague the Diaspora community. However there is a vacuum in leadership and organization to motivate and inspire the people to actions that would improve their lot.

Dr. Jagan had a vision – progress, prosperity and social justice – and he was able to persuade many to believe in it and to become part of the struggle to achieve it. He believed in people’s empowerment for community and national development; and that when government serves the people, there will be progress.

Leaders in the Diaspora are yet to demonstrate a clear vision, a commitment to community improvement and a willingness to organize.

There seemed to be some reluctance. Their catch 22 is which comes first; power or advocacy. Their preferred position is power before advocacy. This easy way out, typical as it may be in the US, has failed to attract enough support to be successful.

It failed to excite the constituency to vote.

In this regard, it should be remembered that although the status quo was against Dr. Jagan; he never lost a

free and fair national election. He was the master at winning national elections simply because he had very strong ties with the voters whom he nurtured with personal interaction. Street-corner and in-house meetings were his trademark. Straight talk was his signature column in the Weekly Mirror newspaper which he used to explain his positions and educate the masses.

Guyanese are a driven people and they lookout for their families, friends and the community. They have great pride in the places where they live. Their Reunions and other events to raise funds for projects back home are proof of this pride and commitment.

There is no good reason

the Community Boards must become a priority.

The advantages and importance of these bodies should be explained and the benefits highlighted.

Voters must be made aware of their power to promote their interest and to have representation that would further their cause. They must become aware that as an engaged community it can bring about the changes that are so necessary for a community where people will want to live and work.

Isolation leads to neglect and decline.

It is encouraging to observe that Richmond Hill business communi-

ty is rising to the challenge. It has realized the importance of organization in promoting its interest. It has recognized that hard work alone can get you only so far.

It knows that in order to reach its full potential, there is no alternative but to speak with one voice to the powers that be. The rest of the community should learn from their experience and do likewise.

Everyone in the Diaspora can benefit from the Jagan story irrespective of their social status and for working people it may be just the thing that the Dr. ordered.

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‘Photography challenges creativity’...

from page 42

ing’. Context is also important to conveying the message.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: What projects are you currently working on?

Kwesi Abbensetts: I am working on the idea of making my photographs look like paintings and more textural. Recently, I did a show in Brooklyn, curated by Holly Bynoe of Arc Magazine, which explored more of my visual film work. Beyond that, I am working towards establishing myself deeper into the arts through self-evolution and exploration with other artists.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: What are your future plans for your photography career?

Kwesi Abbensetts: To become bigger, make a dent in the art space and to be more involved in the Caribbean by representing us visually. I would love to photograph all parts of Guyana because we have many varied places that need and should be photographed and seen. Overall, the vision is to create a legacy of my works.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine:

Other than photography, do you pursue other art forms?

Kwesi Abbensetts: I am a painter, and I write poetry. I want to do everything relating to art.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: What is your advice for those who would like to pursue a career in photography?

Kwesi Abbensetts: Get a camera; read the manual; shoot to the point it becomes second nature; wear sunglasses, which allows you to see light from shadow to dark (just to understand light), make mistakes; and experiment always.

The prolific photographer has exhibited his work in various art studios in the US. His most recent was earlier this month (March) at the exhibition ‘Metanoia: Practices of Exhaustion’ presented

by Arc Magazine at the Grace Exhibition Space, Brooklyn, NY. His upcoming exhibition, ‘Self Timer’, will be on 26 March at the Brooklyn Fire Proof.

For more information on the photographer, visit www.spaceshipgeorge.com

Rum Jhaat buy another scissors fuh the budget

D

e Finance Minister present de budget yesterday (Monday), but Rum Jhaat had want to sleep so he decide that he had to mek a excuse fuh walk out.

And it ain’t that he had want to sleep because de budget was borin. De budget got a lotta action, accordin to de Minister.

Is just that Rum Jhaat had different kinda action late at 7-owe-4 and even later at Gravi-T de night before. Plus one a dem vendors pun de pave seh Rum Jhaat does even get more action after he leff de club every night.

So at three o’ clock in de afternoon, when was budget time in de House, Rum Jhaat had budget siesta fuh de same time, so he could wake up after and head down to 7-owe-4 and Gravi-T again. Rum Jhaat own neighbour seh de man does gravitate towards de Gravi-T just like how he does gravitate to dem bottle at de cricket club by de sea wall.

Now Rum Jhaat had fuhget that he had done tell a reporter who been at de Gravi-T that he ain’t got time to listen de Minister present de budget. But de same reporter who does cover de House seh Rum Jhaat don’t listen to any ting in Parliament anyway. Rum Jhaat seh he had want a sober presentation, but he gon never be sober to listen.

At least some people who ain’t hear the budget does read de budget. But right now Rum Jhaat ain’t even wanna read de budget. He seh he just waitin fuh de budget debate so he can tek out he scissors and cut de budget.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Now de See-Jay had done cut down Rum Jhaat to size and tek away he scissors, but it look like he went and buy another one. After all, Rum Jhaat is a cut man.

He get a cut from New York and then he get a cut from Berbice. And now he gettin a cut every month all de way from India!

Advertising your relationship status could come back to haunt you

A

Facebook or Twitter fallout can be brutal. Just ask persons like Khloe Kardashian who it was speculated had ditched her husband Lamar Odom because she had deleted his last name from her Instagram handle; or Miley Cyrus who unfollowed her fiancé Liam Hemsworth on Twitter just two days before her rep officially made it public that the two had broken up. They are among a long list of celebrity couples whose relationships have unravelled over Facebook and Twitter. One day they are tagging each other in relationship updates and posting images of themselves cuddling in bed, and the next it's nasty comments made public for friends, acquaintances and potential suitors to see.

Relationship expert Wayne Powell advises that less is more when it comes to your relationship and social media.

"If you are in the habit of

sharing the exciting happenings in your life particularly as it relates to your relationship, when things go bad your followers would want to be informed as well. This might cause some embarrassing moments as you may feel an obligation to update them, particularly if you were the one who was dumped," he said.

"So the very intimate details including the x-rated pictures of you with Mr Mention should remain out of cyberspace. You don't want to be doing damage control after certain information or pictures have been used against you," he said.

Given the far-reaching impact of social media, Powell believes persons should not feel obligated to tag their partners in photos, add them to their friends page or update their status to reflect that they are in a relationship.

(Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

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Historic Linden O St. Matthews Church

Watooka House

Park Hotel, Georgetown, British Guiana Circa 1900s

Public Buildings, Georgetown, British Guiana (n.d.)

n 29 April 1970, under the Municipal District Council's Act of 1969, Macmarburg, a dimunitive for Mackenzie, Wismar and Christianburg, was renamed Linden and officially declared a town.

Christianburg, the oldest settlement in the town was originally known as Stabroek. It was renamed in honour of Governor Christian Finette, who joined his name with Burg, his wife's family name. This area was chiefly used

for rubber bleeding and saw milling.

The area south of Christianburg was

Watooka House, an elegant structure with its timber shutters and jalousie windows,

The Christianburg Water Wheel known as Shingles Landing, on account of the production of shingles and wallaba posts (a local hardwood).

Before the discovery of hardwood, this area was an important transit point in gold and diamond mining.

The Christianburg Water Wheel was installed in 1855 to facilitate the operations of a sawmill owned and operated by John Dalgleish Patterson. This water wheel is a fine example of Guyana's industrial heritage.

St. Matthews Church, which was constructed

by Presbyterians, was opened on 25 November 1898. Today, this church serves as an important role in the social and cultural lives of the Linden community.

St. Aidians Church was constructed in 19 July 1969 through the efforts of the community. It is situated on Burnhams' Drive, which runs parallel to the Demerara River. This oval shaped church, with its transparent egg-like dome set in an umbrella type roof, stands out in sharp contrast to the houses and commercial structures in the area.

is a sterling example of Guyana's renowned wooden architecture.

Constructed in the late 19th century, this was the location for many of the finest balls and social gatherings in Linden.

The Christianburg Magistrates' Court, formerly the residence of John Dalgleish Patterson, was one of the largest houses constructed in British Guiana during the 1830s.

Though this structure has been modified to accommodate the proceedings of the Court, many of its architectural features such as the brick columns, wooden jalousie windows and timber shutters are still visible.

In 1916, with the discovery of bauxite all economic activity in the town was focused on Mackenzie, on the opposite side of the Berbice River.

Today Linden is popularly known as the “Mining Town�. There are several historical sites scattered throughout this town, which are representative of the diversity of Guyana's heritage. (Text by National Trust Of Guyana)

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

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Times Notebook D

r Walter Rodney was a great Guyanese intellectual, a historian of unequalled reputation.

He was a freedom fighter. He was martyred by being murdered. Most Guyanese believe he was murdered by an administration that was intolerant of people who disagreed with it and which was increasingly brutal in clamping down on freedom and the fundamental rights of people.

We must complete the records by putting the facts together so that all Guyanese now and in the future will know what happened. The work of the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) is important and will provide answers that will allow Guyana to move on from a sordid act from our past.

Times Notebook commends President Donald Ramotar for his fortitude in pursuing an answer.

Other efforts were made in the past and these efforts were frustrated by some stakeholders for reasons known only to them. The Rodney fam-

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ily was in Guyana many years ago and President Jagdeo and the family agreed to appoint a CoI. It is unfortunate to hear that some people will not cooperate with the CoI. David Granger and the A Partnership for National Unity/People’s National Congress (APNU/PNC) will not cooperate with the CoI. Why would he not want the truth to be revealed?

At the time of the murder, most Guyanese believed that the murder was a script written by the Burnham-led Government. An army man, Gregory Smith, was hidden away in French Guiana soon after the murder and, unfortunately, is now dead.

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Rodney’s party, has vowed no cooperation with the CoI. Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, a friend and confidant of Rodney and co-leader of the WPA, has joined both his party and the PNC in saying that they will not cooperate with the CoI. This is strange since Dr Roopnaraine was one of the leaders after the

sult with Government on the makeup of the CoI. The Government’s effort to appoint the CoI then was frustrated because of non-cooperation from the various parties.

Worrying trend

President Donald Ramotar and the members of the Rodney Commission: Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam (left); Queen’s Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham and Queen’s Counsel, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown

murder, who screamed to heaven the names of people who were involved in the brutish attack on one of our distinguished freedom fighters.

We watch with amazement Dr Roopnaraine sitting next to Granger and we do marvel that these are strange bedfellows.

Rodney must be cringing in dismay in his place in heaven as he watches these two men and ask, like Caesar so many centuries ago when he was murdered, ‘you too, Rupert’?

Dr Roopnaraine and

Homeward bound

atiricus was proud he was a “roots man”. And his roots were back in Mother India. And that’s why when everyone was tanking up on alcohol in the Holi festivities, he had prepared his Bhang and imbibed deeply. Bhang was ganja boiled in milk. This was just the way it was still done in the old country. Satiricus was still feeling mellow.

So as he perused the news while lolling in his hammock, he saw that Reaz Tubaan and his group were going to re-enact the Arrival of his forefathers and foremothers and he was mighty pleased. Satiricus liked this Tubaan fella. The chap was always so rootsey. But Satiricus wasn’t so sure about him calling the event a “cruise”. This might give people the wrong idea. Satiricus knew that Tubaan was going to insist on getting things “real”. He was a “method actor” who lived his role. Like Marlon Brando.

He already had Brando’s belly from “Godfather”.

Didn’t he actually close his eyes when he played that blind fella in “Dosti”, who was always breaking into a song? He warned people who would sign up for the experience that they would “relive” experience of the Jahajees (shipmates) crossing “Kala Paani”, the Black Waters.

Right off the bat Satiricus knew Tubaan was serious when he saw that the ship-ride was going to be on the Demerara River and not the Atlantic Ocean. No, it wasn’t because the waters of the Demerara were smooth…

Satiricus always wondered why people talked about the “Black Waters” when the Atlantic Ocean wasn’t black. Even the Indian Ocean wasn’t black, for that matter.

So Satiricus knew that when Tubaan would steer that ship up the black waters of the Demerara River, he knows the trip would be even more real than the original – real Kala Pani. Satiricus vowed to sign up immediately.

He had to get a Lunghi. Tubaan had specifically specified that people had to dress just like first Jahajees. Those first arrivals were mostly Hill Coolies – tribal people. They didn’t wear Dhoti like the folks on the plains. The Lunghi was just a simple piece of cloth, wrapped around the waist – like a loincloth. And no “buktas”…the old folks – and the plain folks, for that matter – didn’t know about any buktas. Satiricus briefly wondered about his privates shriveling up in that brisk Demerara air as they sailed upriver. “But what the heck?” he figured. “You had to make sacrifices for the cause, no?”

Then Satiricus remembered the food.

If Tubaan was going to be the stickler for details he usually was, Satiricus and all the other Jahajees would have to make do with a thin gruel made from boiling rice with dhall. Not even kitcherie – which would have some onions and what have you.

“But, what the heck?” thought Satiricus. “A roots man got to do what a roots man got to do, no?”

APNU and other PNC leaders have taken a position that they are not in agreement with the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the CoI. We are at a loss at exactly what these people and these parties are opposed to. Is this another ploy to avert the results of the CoI? When the Jagdeo Government wanted to appoint a CoI, the Rodney family appointed Dr Roopnaraine as their representative to con-

APNU says it is opposed to the CoI because of the appointment of Senior Counsel from Trinidad and Tobago, Seenauth Jairam. Why are they opposed to Jairam? They claim he has worked with the Government in the past, but they did not say also that his brother was a Minister in the PNC Government.

Could it be that he is of East Indian descent? If this is the case, it is reprehensible because not only are they disrespecting the qualifications and experience of Jairam, but they are disrespecting the qualifications of the other members of the CoI by saying they are qualified because they might be of African descent.

The members of the CoI were appointed for their qualifications and experi-

ence and their colour or ethnicity is of no consequence.

There is a worrying trend in Guyana. The Opposition keeps harping that CoIs must be made up only of international professionals.

We reject the notion that Guyanese are not capable of serving professionally and effectively on any CoIs. Times Notebook is of the view that we ought to select CoIs based on competencies and not on political affiliations or ethnicity. We are comforted by the fact that the Rodney CoI membership is one that is based on competency and experience, people with distinguished careers.

We are pleased that the family of Dr Rodney finds comfort in the CoI and we say let the CoI do their work and let the chips fall where they might.

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

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Bollywood

week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sussanne downs six glasses ‘I’ve been saving my brand virginity for the of wine at a party right one' - Ranveer T

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anveer Singh, who is on a high after the much acclaimed ‘Lootera’, the hundred-crore blockbuster 'Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela' and masala entertainer ‘Gunday’, started his brand endorsement journey with Durex, a condom brand.

With this move, the hunky actor joins a very exclusive bunch of A-list

mainstream celebrities worldwide like Ke$ha, Prince, U2, 50 Cent and Daft Punk to endorse condoms. Needless to say, this brave activity has been worth a huge loot for the young star.

Ranveer pointed out that as an actor and as an individual, he has "a propensity for pushing the envelope, breaking the mould and taking the road less travelled."

He explained, "I constantly endeavour to build an equity that is unique--one that truly stands out from the crowd. Over the past three-and-a-half years that I've been a part of the Hindi film industry, I've declined several tempting endorsement offers. I've been saving my brand virginity for the right one. And now, finally, I'm popping my cherry with the world's leading brand in sexual well-being - Durex!"

He added that sex is still considered taboo in India and the idea behind his association with the condom brand is to create awareness around sexual wellbeing, promote safe sex and have fun while doing it! (TOI)

‘Karisma looks younger than any Bollywood actress’ - Kareena

H

ollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan feels her elder sister Karisma looks younger than any contemporary female stars today.

"She (Karisma) has two kids, but she doesn't look like a mother of two.

She looks younger than any Bollywood actress even today. She is the most beautiful girl as her heart is of gold.

When you see her she looks radiant as ever," Kareena said.

Kareena, 33, feels Karisma is lucky to have a toned body.

"She has very toned body and she is genetically blessed. I am more of a Kapoor, but she is more like my moth-

er," Kareena said.

The ‘Jab We Met’ star said she might also open her own fashion label after being the face of many fashion labels. (TOI)

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Chandigarh.

Rishi, while attending a function at PGI hospital in Chandigarh, not only expressed his viewpoints on what he calls an extremely serious matter but also appealed everyone to join hands in this regard.

Rishi, who's currently shooting in Chandigarh for ‘Aayi Bala Ko Taal Tu’, even signed the document on the occasion, which has formally put him in the category of organ donor.

"We need to be generous when it comes to issues like this," said Rishi, adding, "So many problems will be solved if all of us start thinking positively. Also, by doing this we are making a significant contribution."

Rishi is expecting more and more people to come forward to donate organs. The actor sat during the session at the hospital cum research institute to learn more about the success of transplantation, which has given many a new lease of life. (TOI)

his is where you first read about Gauri and Sussanne's Dubai plans. Let us now tell you how these two ‘besties’ let their hair down.

Post their marathon media sessions, they partied at socialite and their hostess Rekha Tourani's swank home on Emirates Hills.

The duo had even planned a night out to a beach restaurant and lounge, but it was the mega bash the next day that really brought out Susanne's inner wild child. She was at home-literally-with dad Sanjay, mom Zarine, Zayed and his wife Malaika by her side.

So comfortable was she away from the city and a hundred questions about you-know-who, that she happily downed 6 glasses of wine in just a couple of hours. Zayed and Malaika were with her in spirit as well.

The trio ended up on the dance

floor, bleary-eyed, but in great shape.

Gauri, on the other hand, chose to play it safe---sipping her non-alcoholic beverages, and ensuring that not a strand of her luscious mane was out of place. (TOI)

Shah Rukh starts working with Brad Pitt's make-up specialist

E

ven as his next film 'Happy New Year' is under production for Diwali release, Shah Rukh Khan has begun preparations for his new film with YRF, ‘Fan’.

For a superstar with unarguably one of the greatest fan following globally, he will now play the role of being the biggest fan himself in the movie written by Habib Faisal (who also directed 'Do Dooni Chaar' and 'Ishaqzaade') and helmed

by Maneesh Sharma (also directed 'Band Baaja Baaraat' and

Shudh Desi Romance').

What is most interesting is that Hollywood's renowned special effects make-up maestro Greg

Cannom has been roped in to create SRK's look in the movie.

Of the nine Academy Award nominations, Greg has won three- for the memorable looks he created for ‘The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button’ (2008), ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ (1993) and ‘Dracula’ (1992). He has also been honoured with the Technical Achievement Award in 2005, along with Wesley Wofford, for the development of special modified silicone material used for make-up applications in motion pictures. (TOI)

‘Can't just dump my kids and go off to work’ Kajol Rishi Kapoor pledges to donate his organs

ithout making any noise of taking up a social cause, actor Rishi Kapoor quietly pledged to donate his organs on Sunday in

F

or actress Kajol, who is set to feature in her husband and filmmaker-actor Ajay Devgn's home production, her priority is her children and she can't "dump them and go off to work".

'I am marriage material' -Divya Dutta

F

or all those speculating if the critically acclaimed and chirpy Divya Dutta is going to settle down in a marriage at all, Divya clarified, "Yes, I most certainly will get married. I am the marriage material, the marrying

types."

The actress maybe busy shooting films back to back and garnering more acclaim with each new film, but that certainly doesn't mean she has no plans, or time, for matrimony.

"I am just waiting for the right person, though I do believe that there is nothing like a perfect man," said Divya, who is currently shooting for ‘Aayi Bala Ko Taal Tu’ in Chandigarh with Rishi Kapoor and Ram Kapoor. (TOI)

Kajol and Ajay, who got married in 1999, are the parents of two children--daughter Nysa and son Yug. Since the birth of her daughter in 2003, she has done very few films such as ‘Fanaa’, ‘U Me Aur Hum’, ‘My

Name Is Khan’, ‘We Are Family’ and ‘Toonpur Ka Superrhero’.

In an recent interview, Kajol said: "My only reason why I am not doing films is my children. My children need my attention and it's my duty to give them my time. I have not given birth to them to just dump them and go off to work. I am not that kind of a person."

"I have my kids and I want to see them growing up and turn out the way I always wanted them to be. Even kids expect that kind of time from you, and my husband is always working.

He does four films in a year, so at least I have to be with them." (TOI)

Hollywood

49

week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jennifer Aniston doesn’t want people Pamela Anderson thought it would be to tell her she 'looks great for her age' weird to have sex after chopping off hair

J

ennifer Aniston has admitted that she hates it when people compliment her by saying that she looks great for a 45-year-old woman.

The former ‘Friends’ star, who is engaged to actor Justin Theroux, made the confession to WWD, asserting that only women get the

"for your age" line and not men for some reason, US Magazine reported.

The blonde beauty added that men and women today in their 40s are so much healthier than they were 30 years ago at the same age because they know how to take care of themselves. (TOI)

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amela Anderson was genuinely concerned after chopping off her famous blonde locks because she thought it might make her less feminine when making love.

She told ELLE magazine that at first she

thought she looked like Anderson Cooper or like a Q-tip or something, but now she feels really powerful.

She added that she thought it would be weird having sex with short hair, but then she kind of got into the mode. (TOI)

Blake Lively felt nice to have a Mila Kunis is pregnant 'personal life' during yearlong hiatus

M

ila Kunis is pregnant.

The 30-year-old actress is expecting her first child with ‘That '70s Show’ co-star Ashton Kutcher, to whom she recently got en-

gaged.

A source told People.com: ''They are both very, very happy. It's still early.''

The couple sparked engagement speculation after Mila was spotted with a huge diamond ring last month, but the stars aren't expected to rush down the aisle in light of their baby news.

The insider added: ''It won't necessarily be a short engagement. They haven't begun planning the wedding yet.''

Meanwhile, E! News reported that Mila was recently seen at a prenatal class in Los Angeles. (TOI)

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lake Lively, who has returned to acting after a yearlong break with ‘The Age of Adaline’, has

admitted that she thoroughly enjoyed having a personal life during the hiatus.

The blonde beauty explained to Elle magazine that she had been on ‘Gossip Girl’ 10 months a year for six years, shooting for 15-hour each day, so she hadn't had time to just be since she graduated from high school, the New York Daily News reported.

The 26-year-old actress, who is married to Ryan Reynolds, added that it's been nice to kind of settle into her own skin and work on things she really loves. (TOI)

Sarah Jessica Parker When Sean Penn traded his inspired by street fashion autograph for cigarettes

A

ctress Sarah Jessica Parker says her style is inspired by "women on the street".

The ‘Sex And The City’ star's fashion sense was slammed last week after she was spotted wearing stirrup tights, but she didn't consider it to be a fashion faux pas.

"It's been so cold in New York that bare legs seemed almost undoable…

So, I started wearing tights, then I saw a woman in Seattle wearing stirrups with a pump and thought, 'Maybe I'll start wearing them with a strap shoe'," contactmusic.com quoted Parker as saying.

"I am often inspired by women

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on the street whose names I'll never know," she added. (TOI)

Johnny Depp seen wearing 'mangagement ring' before wedding

J

ohnny Depp was recently spotted wearing a `man-gagement ring` before marrying Amber Heard.

According to MVP India, the versatile actor, who is also known for his love of accessories, sported the ring at an engagement celebration party with his 27-year-old actress fiancée.

Depp's latest film 'Transcendence', where he will be seen playing an artificial intelligence researcher, will be releasing in India on April 18, 2014.

(TOI)

‘Life is about my baby’ - Josh Duhamel

J

osh Duhamel has revealed that his entire life changed with the arrival of his son.

The 41-year-old actor and wife Fergie welcomed a son named Axl Jack at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in August 2013, reported Digital Spy. "It's not about us anymore; it's about all of us: me, Ferg, and the baby.

We look at ourselves now and we look at our lives before, and it's like, 'Wow, we actually have a family now--this is like a real family'!," he said. Duhamel stated that parenting is one of the sweet experiences of life. (TOI)

ean Penn reportedly traded his autograph for cigarettes when he was out with his new girlfriend Charlize Theron.

The ‘Gangster Squad’ star was out with his new girlfriend Charlize Theron jogging, but when he got back to their car he suddenly realised he'd left his cigarettes at home, Contactmusic reported.

A source said that

Penn asked Theron if she'd brought her smokes, but she hadn't

and since he had left his wallet at her house, he couldn't buy a new pack.

According to the National Enquirer, when a fan asked if he could have a photo with Penn, the 53-year-old actor apparently told his fan that he could trade his photograph for a couple of cigs.

The man happily handed over a whole packet, but Penn reportedly took just two while posing for a photo. (TOI)

Paul Walker's father had asked him to quit stunts

P

aul Walker was as much a fan of daredevilry off-screen as he was in his on-screen avatars. His father was scared and asked him to give up doing stunts while the late actor was shooting for his last film ‘Brick Mansions’.

The 40-year-old actor died in a car

accident last November. He rose to fame with his breakthrough roles in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise.

During the shooting of ‘Brick Mansions’, in which he'll be seen playing an undercover cop, his father had warned him against indulging in stunts which could be fatal.

"The last conversation we had, I sat there, I looked at him and I said, 'Promise me, no more daredevil stuff.'

I said, 'If in your heart, you say, I can do this, then by all means, do it. If your mind says, maybe not. Then don't.' I looked at him, I said, 'Will you promise me that'," Walker's father recalled in a statement. (TOI)

Kate Winslet names son Bear 'Blaze' Winslet

K

ate Winslet has named her baby boy Bear Blaze Winslet.

According to the Daily Express, the 38-year old star revealed that Bear's second name is Blaze because she met her husband Ned Rocknroll, in a house fire in 2011.

The house burned down and they survived, but they wanted something of the fire and so Blaze was the name they came up with, the Oscar winner said.

Winslet and Ned got married in 2012 and had their son on December 7, 2013. (TOI)

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Sport

week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Alpha United qualifies for CFU final leg

Alpha United Coach Wayne Dover (third, left) makes a point during Wednesday’s press conference in the presence of club president Odinga Lumumba (centre), as Andrew Murray Jr (right), Kithson Bain (second right), Gregory Richardson (left), Ronson Williams (second and Kirk Duckworth (third left), look on

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espite the treatment meted out to its players at the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Club Championships held in Jamaica, Alpha “The Hammer” United emerged winners of group three and successfully qualified for the final leg of the Club Championship.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Waterchris Hotel following their return, Club president Odinga Lumumba labelled

the achievement as historic, despite the challenges.

“Alpha United has been the only Guyanese club to achieve such [a] milestone,” Lumumba said.

He further stated that if Alpha were to win the next match against Haiti’s Valencia, they will be crowned Caribbean champions, a feat that has never been achieved by a Guyanese club.

Alpha created history during the first leg by winning

both their games against Trinidad and Tobago champions, the Defence Force and Jamaica’s champions Harbour View.

Lumumba added: “My understanding was that we had an outstanding tournament and that we will play Haiti’s Valencia in the first game in the next round and if we win, we will automatically qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.

“If we lose, we will then play the loser of the oth-

er match between Jamaica’s Waterhouse and Puerto Rico’s Bayamón FC” and if we win that match, we will also qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League” added Lumumba.

Meanwhile, Lumumba said that he has lodged a formal complaint with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) about the treatment that was meted out to his charges and staff during the first leg.

On the other hand, Head

Coach Wayne Dover said the performances were definitely a team effort.

“Overall it was a team effort, we played extremely well”.

Dover said that the aim is to simply win the fixture and qualify for the Champions League.

Alpha United will begin the final round of the CFU campaign against top-ranked side Valencia of Haiti on April 18th at a venue still to be announced.

Six cricketers benefit from Western Union, RHTY&SC Junior Ambassador Programme

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ix young cricketers from Berbice have benefited from Western Union’s Junior Cricketer Ambassador Programme, which was

renewed on Tuesday.

At a presentation ceremony at Western Union’s office on Water Street, the six cricketers: Daniel Lewis, Akshay Homraj

Shimar Flats, Kevelon Anderson, Plafinna Millington and Shebika Gabjani were presented with a quantity of equipment to aid their development.

Marketing Representative of Western Union, Natheeah Mendonca (third from left), presents a set of equipment to Akshay Homraj in the presence of the other recipients (Photo: Rajiv Bisnauth)

According to Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster, the company has been supporting the initiative since 2009.

This year the company has injected in excess of Gy$500,000 worth of cricket gear into the programme.

Each player will receive a bat, batting pads and gloves, a helmet, a cricket equipment bag and a set of uniforms.

Foster said, “We at the management level of the club strongly believe in the development of youths, and as such, great effort is made to develop our cricketers at all levels, be it educational, personal or on the cricket field. We want our

cricketers to be positive role models to every youth they meet and also to be perfect ambassadors for every team they are given the opportunity to represent.”

Foster added that all the beneficaries of this year’s programme have excelled in their sporting endeavours over the past years.

“Your contribution has enabled Motie to represent the West Indies Under-19 [team] while it has also played a major role in ensuring that Pereira, Loyden Lewis, Daniel Lewis, Millington and Linden Austin played for Guyana.

Motie and Pereira have also played for the senior Berbice team.

“This year’s investment is extra special because of the involvement of two young, promising female cricketers who are following in the footsteps of our national sportswoman of the year 2013, Shemaine Campbell,” Foster related.

Foster said the young cricketers of the county have benefited tremendously under the programme, noting that the RHTY&SC is grateful for Western Union’s continued involvement.

Speaking on behalf of the company was Marketing Manager, Natheeah Mendonca, who said Western Union is proud to have aided the young cricketers’ development over the past years.

SPort

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week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Calabar’s athlete clocks record time at Jamaica’s ISSA/ GraceKennedy championships

Calabar’s Christopher Taylor breezes home to win Heat One of the boys’ Class Three 400 metres at the 104th staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships at the National Stadium, Jamaica, Tuesday (Jamaica Observer photo)

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a m a i c a n Christopher Taylor of Calabar High became the first athlete to place his name in the record books at this year's ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Championships, after he stopped the clock at 48.72 seconds in the Class Three 400 metre at the National Stadium Tuesday.

Taylor, running out of lane four in the first

heat, got a steady start and was cruising along the backstretch, picking off opponents before taking the lead in the last 150 metres before pulling away from the field to run out an easy winner, sending those in attendance into a loud cheer. He erased the old mark of 49.13 seconds set by Kingston College's Nathaniel Bann, who defeated him at last year's edition.

Taylor won ahead of Odane Thomas (52.30) of Claude McKay and Chadon Davis (52.69) of Wolmer's Boys.

The 14-year-old Taylor said that going for the record was the initial plan and he did just that.

"I feel great in myself knowing that I came out here and followed the instructions given to me by my coach…he told me to break the record first thing and get it out of the way and I did just that, so I am feeling really wonderful," he told Jamaican media.

The soft-spoken athlete, competing in his second year in Class Three, said that he will be working to go lower as he was the first Class Three athlete to go under 49.00 seconds, a feat which he achieved at the Corporate Area Championships.

"I will be working to go 48.0 in the final, because I know I have it in me to clock a sub-48.

Last year I finished second in 50.5 in the final, and at Corporate Area champs I ran 48.5, so I know I can get lower," he insisted. (Jamaica Observer)

Trinidad’s sporting fraternity mourns death of TT's firstever Olympic medallist

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he national sporting fraternity was plunged into mourning early Monday afternoon after it was revealed that Trinidad and Tobago’s first-ever Olympic medallist, Rodney Wilkes, passed away at the San Fernando General Hospital at approximately 2pm.

Wilkes, a former national weightlifter and Hummingbird Gold medallist, died at the age of 89. According to reports, the veteran athlete had been ailing for the last couple months and sadly succumbed to his illness at the southern medical institution.

Popularly known as “The Mighty Atom”, Wilkes’ received international recognition after he copped gold at the 1946 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Barranquilla, Colombia. However, Wilkes shot to global stardom and athletic success when he bagged silver at the 1948 Olympic Games in London. Here, he competed in the featherweight division and immediately became the first TT athlete to ever step-foot on the coveted Olympic podium. In his historic performance, Wilkes lifted a combined weight of 700lbs finishing behind eventual winner, Egyptian Mahmoud Fayad, who hoisted 733lbs.

The national weightlifter continued to strive and went on to win featherweight gold at the first Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1951. The following year, Wilkes was again selected to represent TT at the Summer Games in Helsinki.

He continued to prove his worth to the national and global population

Rodney Wilkes passed away at the San Fernando General Hospital Monday

as he recorded a bronze medal finish. Wilkes opted to sit out of competition for two years and announced his return to the world circuit when he emerged victorious at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Following this, he snatched bronze at the Games in Cardiff.

Wilkes’ final Olympic appearance came at the 1956 Melbourne Games.

He finished fourth with a combined lift of 730 lbs, missing out on a medal by one place and 5 kg.

Mayor of San Fernando, Kazim Hosein, said Monday: “This man was a role model and an iconic athlete for Trinidad and Tobago. Rodney Wilkes was so humble and this is indeed a great loss for San Fernando and the people of South.” (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

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week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Quintyne spins Windies Women to 36-run win over Bangladesh

Germany’s Robert Forstemann returns for Njisane Cycling Festival in Trinidad

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est Indies Women swept aside host Bangladesh by 36 runs to win their second match in the ICC T20 World Cup at Sylhet Stadium in Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Eighteen-year-old leg break bowler, Shaquana Quintyne, grabbed three wickets to inflict a top order submission that severely restricted the hosts who imploded for 79, on the hunt for 116 set by West Indies.

Quintyne returned impressive figures of three wickets for five runs from three overs which included a maiden and received support from Tremayne Smartt and Anisa Mohammed who picked up two for nine and two for 22, respectively.

The teenager, who also scored 11 and was voted player-of-thematch, knocked back the stumps of two frontline batsmen - opener Ayasha Rahman for 10 and Fargana Hogue for 2 - to leave Bangladesh scrambling for momentum.

But middle order batsman Rumana Ahmed top-scored with 26 to lead a fightback that injected a measure of stability into Bangladesh’s innings.

In the process, Ahmed added 28 for the 5th wicket with Nuzhat Tasnia before another batting collapse ensued and the match swung de-

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Shaquana Quintyne in action (Jamaica Observer file photo)

cisively in favour of the visitors.

In the space of four balls Tasnia, who scored 6, was bowled by Anisa Mohammed while Quintyne ended the reign of Ahmed who was caught by Smartt.

The Caribbean women asserted themselves ruthlessly by removing the last four wickets for just five runs to secure a comfortable win with 15 balls remaining.

Earlier, West Indies who had won the toss and elected to bat, were jolted by early strikes from Salma Khatun and Fahima Khatun.

Salma shattered the stumps of opener Kycia Knight in the second ball of the innings for a duck while Fahima removed the stumps of Shaquana Quintyne for 11 and

trapped Kyshona Knight lbw also for 11, as the West Indies plummeted to 33 for three.

However the aggressive Deandra Dottin teamed up with King to steer the innings back on course as the Caribbean women clawed their way back into the match.

Dottin, who topscored with 34 which featured three fours and a six, compiled 40 runs for the fifth wicket with King who hit two fours and a six to score 20.

Down the order Mohammed also contributed a well-played 15 before she was run out.

Khadija Tul Kubra topped the bowling for Bangladesh with three for 24 including the prized scalp of Dottin who was caught.

(Jamaica Observer)

Flashback: TT's Olympic cyclist Njisane Phillip, centre, poses with Germany’s Robert Forstemann, left, and Russia’s Denis Dmitriev with a Felt bicycle during a press conference before last year’s Njisane Three-Day Cycling Festival in Trinidad (TT Guardian photo)

erman phenom, Robert Forstemann, will return to Trinidad and Tobago to defend his “Njisane Three-Day Cycling Festival” (N3DCF) Match Sprint title when the second edition of the meet rides off at the Arima Velodrome on April 11 and continues at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on the following two days.

Forstemann, who won the inaugural crown in a heated encounter against Venezuelan Hersony Canelon last year, has confirmed his presence for the 2014 leg which once again boasts a cast of top-ranked global cyclists. Although still in its planning stages, Phillip is hoping the event can play a significant role in developing to young riders.

So far, several athletes from Russia, Netherlands, Canada, among others have been confirmed and their identities should be released later this week.

Phillip is still in the process of finalising other world renowned athletes and is also working towards securing more sponsors to ensure the event’s success.

Speaking to Phillip after a hectic weekend of local racing, he revealed that this year’s edition will be solely focussed on inspiring the younger

ones to step up their game by training and competing alongside some of the globe’s prolific riders.

“I just want to get more of the youngsters involved in this growing sport. It’s important for me to do events like these because I have set an example and must create ways and means for others to reach their goals, even if it seems impossible, I’d like to pave a way somehow. Cycling is growing significantly in our nation and what better way to learn from the best by competing, training and socialising with the best,” said Phillip.

The Siparia-bred rider revealed that the women have not been left out and is looking to attract some of the more iconic female international stars TT as well.

With a mega female cast comprising Cuban Lisandra Guerra, Mexican Sofia Arreola and Kiwi Natasha Hansen last year, Phillip admitted that he intends to inject more excitement into the women’s division for 2014. Returning sponsors this year are the Ministry of Sport, Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Blue Waters, Tourism Development Company Limited, Perfection Services Limited and newcomers, Gatorade. (TT Newsday)

2014 Indoor Pan American Cup…

Guyana’s national men’s hockey team in final stages of preparation

A

fter four months of training, Guyana’s national men’s hockey team is in its final week of preparations for the 2014 Indoor Pan American Cup, scheduled for Uruguay from April 7-13.

The team is scheduled to play several matches against rest sides at the National Gymnasium over the coming week to fine-tune their systems and strategies.

Guyana will be up against regional powerhouses Canada, Argentina, USA and Uruguay as they attempt to qualify for the 2015 Indoor World Cup in the week-long tournament.

Although several fundraisers were undertaken, the team still finds itself short of the required funds to make the tour possible and will be depending heavily on corporate support to reach its budgeted target over the next two weeks.

The team is scheduled to depart for Lethem on April 4, then travel

Members of Guyana’s national training squad before the team was shortlisted (Guyana Times photo)

by road to Boa Vista before making connecting flights to Manaus and Sao Paulo, arriving in Uruguay on April 5.

The team features a balanced blend of experienced nationals such as Devin Munroe, Aderemi Simon and England-based Marvin Dannett, complemented by a young and exciting crop of play-makers, including Jamarj Assanah, Aroydy Branford, Raphael deGroot and Andrew Stewart. The team is further solidified by the outstanding tal-

ents of Anthony Cole in goal.

The squad reads: Devin Munroe, Aderemi Simon, Anthony Cole, Marvin Dannett, Robert France, Raphael DeGroot, Jamarj Assanah, Andrew Stewart, Aroydy Branford, Mark Sargeant, Kevin Spencer, Shane Samuels and Laured Stewart.

The manager is Gavin Hope, with Andrew Xavier being his assistant. Robert Fernandes is the coach. (Guyana Times)

Sport

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week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Karate grandmasters Fitness Express, Industrial grade over 100 Supplies support HRC 2014 Guyanese students

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ver 100 local karatekas of the Association Do-Shotokan Karate of Guyana (ASKGuyana) were graded by three international grandmasters, Ninth Dan Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai, Eighth Dan Shihan Maureen Woon-ATai and Eighth Dan Shihan Keith Da Costa at the YMCA building, Thomas Lands.

They were assisted

by Sixth Dan Sensei Amir Khouri; Fourth Dan Sensei Nathalie Gibson and Third Dan Sensei Roger Peroune.

ASKGuyana students from Wowetta Dojo in Annai, Linden, New Amsterdam, Albion, East Coast Demerara, Georgetown, East Bank Demerara and Anna Regina participated in the one-day grading.

There were three First Dan promotions, namely Jordan King of YMCA and the Albion pair Chablall

Tilacknauth and Melissa Rayappen.

Those with outstanding Kyu grades were Shahid Shared, Kailanny Wade, Jared Mohabir, Rick Seedharie, Zane Rooplall and Fabiola Wade (10 to eight Kyu), Roshawn Cummins, Maqsood Mansoor, Horace Autar and Gracelyn O’Brien (10 to seven Kyu).

Making the jump from nine to seven Kyu were Rayniah Bridgewater, Raynise Bridgewater, Mark Singh, Aaron Persaud, Zoloni Case, Gabriella Roberts, Andrew Bownauth, Isia Boodie, Nathaniel Rachpaul, Chris Perez, Shaquille Dowlin, Renaldo Grenville, Zanele Chase, Tyra Headley, Bryan DaSilva, Akeinde Atherley, Marcelly Lopes, Jessica Callender, Eton Whyte, Lilian DaSilva, Oronde Chase, Akily Venture, Craig Harlequin, Shailendra Seedharie and Mareo Dhanraj.

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orporate support continues to stream in ahead of this weekend’s Hugh Ross Classic (HRC) with Fitness Express and Industrial Supplies being the latest companies to come on board. On Tuesday morning, the entities presented their sponsorship packages to officials of the championships at Sheriff Street.

Fitness Express of Sheriff Street presented a cheque for an undisclosed amount to Chairman of the HRC, Hugh Arlington Ross, and international bodybuilder IBFF Pro athlete Jeff “Classic” Beckham, who will be the guest poser at Saturday’s show at the National Cultural Centre.

Ross expressed elation at receiving the sponsorship, noting that Fitness Express has always been an avid supporter of the HRC. He lauded managing director of the company, Jamie McDonald, for his insight in helping to promote the sport, through his business and sponsorship.

Speaking on behalf of the establishment, McDonald said his entity has always been sup-

Managing Director of Fitness Express, Jamie McDonald (centre), shares a moment with IBFF Pro athlete Jeff “Classic” Beckham (left) and Chairman of the HRC, Hugh Arlington Ross (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

portive of events that promote healthy lifestyles. He wished Ross, Beckham and the participating athletes the very best on Saturday, even as he encouraged Guyanese to witness the show.

Also offering support was Industrial Supplies, whose representative, Thelisha Case, said the company was very enthused to partner with the HRC for the first time.

Meanwhile, IBFF pro athlete Beckham will be at Fitness Express on Thursday from 14:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs to min-

gle with fans, take photographs and share tips on being a healthy person.

The 32-year-old American is open to a few fun activities, including challenging him at arm wrestling.

Come Saturday, there will be three female categories: bodybuilding (females who are of a more muscular body type); Miss Figure (athletes who are symmetrical and toned) and the Miss Bikini (for the softer and more feminine eye-pleasing type of figure).

The male categories are: Bantamweight-

up to 65kgs (143lbs), Lightweightup to 70kgs (144-154lbs), Welterweightup to 75kgs (155-165lbs), Light Middleweight- up to 80kgs (166-176lbs), Heavyweight (176 and over).

The respective category winners will then face off in the Overall battle to decide Mr. HRC 2014.

Mr. Hugh Ross Classic 2012, Kerwyn Clarke, will be defending his title and will face stiff challenges from a number of seasoned and not-so-seasoned athletes. (Avenash Ramzan)

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Sport Feature

week ending March 30, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Time for drastic changes in Guyana’s cricket

By Rajiv Bisnauth

A

s Guyana’s performance in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional four-day tournament becomes progressively dismal, it is time to call a spade a spade in Guyana’s cricket. A new direction, new focus and new personnel are needed quickly.

The current tournament has shown in no uncertain manner that there is a lack of commitment in the field and at the crease among a number of the current crop of Guyanese players.

With just 17 points from four matches, three defeats and a draw, Guyana are at the bottom of the points table and with just two games remaining, are no longer in contention for a place in the semi-finals.

The Guyanese have shown major weaknesses in several areas of the game, with their batting certainly below what is expected at this level.

There can be no complaints about the weather in Guyana prior to the commencement of the tournament, while the fitness preparation

Esaun Crandon

Roger Harper

Reon King

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

was among the most intense for a national cricket team in a long time.

There is no shortage of talent in Guyana’s cricket, so the big question is: what has gone wrong and gone wrong so quickly?

There are several different reasons for Guyana’s cricket decline, but the blame should be placed squarely at the feet of those who run the local game.

Their failure to install proper structures and systems for cricket development could be seen as one of the main contributing factors.

However, the power struggles and internal wrangling among board members, and the con-

stant court battles can seen as the main reason adversely affecting the game and if structures and personnel are not changed, Guyana’s cricket will die a slow death.

The cricket administrators seem not too serious about winning games, but more interested in scoring “points”, including political ones, among their supporters; and it is time that cricket lovers clamour for change.

However, this change depends on the Cricket Administration Bill which is before parliament.

Judged from the current crop of administrators, one can conclude that the game is being

administered in “cowboy” fashion.

Many say the players are not working enough on their game, but usually a player is as good or as bad as the system that produces him. The standard on the field is a clear indication of the cricket system in Guyana and only a change of guard can change the fortunes of Guyana’s cricket.

While changes are needed at the administrative level, it is also imperative that the coach take some of the blame for Guyana’s poor showing.

Esaun Crandon, who represented Guyana in 38 First Class matches, has struggled as National Coach.

While Crandon’s cricket knowledge is sound, he seems incapable of adequately addressing the onfield problems facing Guyana’s cricket.

With Guyana being embarrassed at the regional level in the last few seasons, and their performances having regressed since his appointment, it is time for Crandon to get some help from candidates such as Roger Harper, Reon King or Monty Lynch.

On the other hand, while the administrators and team management have had their fair share of criticisms, the players themselves, especially the seniors, have been cause for

public concern.

Guyana’s bowling has been decent, if not destructive, this season; but the batting has been the team’s main let down.

Assad Fudadin is the only Guyanese batsman with 200 runs (249) and two 50s, but he has batted eight times and his six other innings have produced less than 100 runs.

Wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble (192) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (146) are the only other batsmen with over 115 runs in the tournament.

Apart from Shivnarine Chanderpaul who missed the first two matches, Narsingh Deonarine is the team’s most experienced batsman but the talented left-hander has scored five ducks in the four matches so far.

The Guyanese draw the bye for this weekend before travelling to Antigua for their next encounter against the Leeward Islands; and it is the hope that the selection panel, led by former national fast bowler Rayon Griffith, will take bold steps in ensuring that Guyana’s cricket takes a fresh direction.

Sport

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TT to host Jamaica’s top badminton players Guinness street head to Cuba for int’l meet challenge cal queen, Geordine, told Jamaican media on Monday.

T

rinidad and Tobago will host nine Caribbean neighbours at the final of the fourth annual Guinness Street Football Challenge, on June 6- 7, two months after the preliminary round kicks off, in Tobago.

On Sunday, Shaw Park Basketball Court will host the first round preliminary matches, from 6 pm, with the winner of that zone joining five other zones at the local final, carded for May 17 at the Jean Pierre Complex, Wrightson Road.

The TT preliminary rounds are as follows, Tobago (Sunday), South (Fanny Village, April 5), East (Edinburgh 500, April 5), East (Maloney, April 26), North East (Constantine Park, May 3) and North West (Jean Pierre Complex, May 10).

Not only has TT won the team competition last year, the country also provided the winner of the skills challenge, Marc Taylor. TT’s skills champion this year, and those from participating national will be provided by Guinness with video tutorials from an international freestyle football champion.

TT captured the street challenge last year in St Vincent following a 2-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Dominica.

The other participating countries include, Guyana, St Lucia, St Vincent, Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Dominica as well as debutants Barbados and Jamaica. (TT Guardian)

Focus

(From left) Samuel Ricketts, Gareth Henry and Geordine Henry prior to their departure at the Norman Manley International Airport Tuesday (Jamaica Gleaner photo)

T

he Jamaica Badminton Association's (JBA) top players, siblings Gareth and Geordine Henry, along with junior champion Samuel Ricketts, were scheduled to depart the island Tuesday en route to Havana, Cuba, to represent Jamaica at the XV Giradilla International.

Gareth and Geordine are

currently the All Jamaica senior singles and mixed doubles champions, while Gareth and Ricketts are the current men's doubles champions.

Gareth will be playing all three events (men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles); Geordine will contest the women's singles and will join her brother to play

the mixed doubles, while Ricketts is also slated to take part in the men's singles and will partner Gareth in the men's doubles.

"I am going there with one thing in mind, and that is to win a gold medal. I have been working and training hard because I want to do well at these Championships," the lo-

Ricketts said that he was focusing more on the men's doubles.

"Even though it is at the senior level and I am still a junior, my plan is to go there and give it my all. I want to do well in the doubles with Gareth, as we are a good team. I want to gain as many points as possible to boost my ranking for the Commonwealth Games," Ricketts said.

After the championships, Gareth and Geordine will then fly directly to Peru, where Gareth will participate in a special high performance training camp for selected players in the region before participating with Geordine in the Peru International.

Ruth Williams and Kathryn Wynter will depart the island on April 7 to join the Henry siblings in Peru.

These championships are a part of the International Pan-Am circuit that has been established to allow the players to improve their level of play, as well as to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) games, Pan-Am and the Olympic Games. (Excerpted from Jamaica Gleaner)

guyanatimeSinternational.com

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

week ending March 30, 2014

Excitement building for Limacol CPL in Canada - opening ceremony, matches likely for Toronto

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

P

rior to the inauguration of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (Limacol CPL) last year, Cricket Canada had begun negotiations with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to have the opening ceremony along with three first-round matches played in Toronto, Canada, this year.

The second edition is scheduled to commence on July 5 and will run until August 10, with the semi-final and final games slated for St. Kitts and Nevis.

President of Cricket Canada, Ravin Moorthy, stated that the decision has not been finalized; but he remains very optimistic the matches will be played in the country.

Defending champion Jamaica (Tallawahs), runners-up Guyana (Amazon Warriors), Trinidad and Tobago (Red Steel), Barbados (Tridents), Antigua and Barbuda (Hawksbills) and St. Lucia (Zouks) are the teams that will be vying for supremacy again.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Toronto Cricket Club ground in the city, while the other sanctioned venue, is King City (Maple Leaf), approximately 40 KM North of Toronto.

“Since last year we have been working with the WICB to bring this league to this country; in the last six months, we have been dealing directly with the organisers and with some good discussions, things have been good so far,” Moorthy declared.

He continued: “I don’t want to divulge too much at the moment, but what I can say is that we have an understanding in principle and we are trying to bring that to a formal agreement so hopefully, we will have something concrete very soon.”

Only several days ago, organisers from the Limacol CPL were in Toronto to be part of the negotiations and to look at the feasibility of these matches and an opening function.

“They want to do it here and we want to accommodate them and that makes lots of sense for them to bring their prod-

uct to a market that appreciates topquality cricket and is home to nationals from cricket-playing nations around the world,” Moorthy further commented.

Meanwhile, if the agreement is signed, excitement galore is highly anticipated, as some of the world’s professional T20 cricketers will be on show.

In the final last year at Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, Jamaica Tallawahs humbled nemesis Guyana Amazon Warriors by an emphatic sevenwicket margin. Belligerent opener Chris Gayle led the way with an unbeaten man-of-the-match 47.

Players from across the cricketing globe represented the various countries as guest players and some of those were Australian Ricky Ponting, Sri Lankans Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakarante Dilshan, Lasith Malinga, New Zealander James Franklin, South African Vernon Philander, Pakistani Mohammed Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal.

Many may share the same view that once Canada is able to attract this seg-

President of Cricket Canada Ravin Moorty

ment of the Limacol CPL tournament, it will ultimately boost the country’s cricket tremendously.

Over the past eight months, the national team has suffered the consequences of early eliminations at both the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 and 50-over World Cup Qualifiers.

The under-19 team, which participated in the recently concluded ICC 50-over World Cup in Dubai, also failed to make an impression.

Fitness Express, Industrial Supplies support HRC 2014 Time for PAGE 53

drastic changes in Guyana’s cricket PAGE 54

Industrial Supplies’ representative, Thelisha Case (centre), presents her company’s sponsorship to Chairman of the HRC, Hugh Arlington Ross, in the presence of IBFF Pro athlete Jeff “Classic” Beckham (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Guyana Times International - (Guyana Office) email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com, Tel: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709, Fax: (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 (NY Office) email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com, Tel: 718-658-6804 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INTERNATIONAL INC.; AVAILABLE AT ALL MAJOR WEST INDIAN STORES.