Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

Former WI fast bowler to play for U.S. Page 52

Jermaine Lawson

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 212

week ending October 12, 2014

Guyana Govt to launch ‘Because We Care’ project Saturday See story on page 3

- every student attending public school to get Gy$10,000 cash grant

President Donald Ramotar greeting students at a rally held at the National Park in Georgetown in observance of Education Month last September (Ministry of Education photo)

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NEWS

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Jamaica to acquire Guyana Govt to launch ‘Because cancer-treatment We Care’ project Saturday machine next year - every student attending public school to get

M

ONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA: Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson says the process is advanced for the acquisition of two Linear Accelerator (Linac) machines to improve cancer treatment in Jamaica’s public sector.

“We are far down the wicket in relation to the procurement of these machines. My own expectation is that by next year this time, we should have those machines in place,” he stated.

Dr Ferguson was addressing the 2014 Convention of the Jamaica Association of Administrative Professionals (JAAP) held last Saturday, at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay, St James.

During the function, the minister was presented with two cheques from private donors, valued at US$153,081.25, towards the purchase of the equipment.

Linear technology, widely regarded as the latest in cancer treatment, utilises external beam radiation to target

Gy$10,000 cash grant

T Jamaica’s Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson (Jamaica Observer photo)

and destroy cancerous cells while sparing the surrounding tissues.

Ferguson said the machines, one of which will be installed at the Kingston Public and Cornwall Regional Hospitals, will ensure that there is no cost to needy Jamaicans, who must receive radiation treatment for cancer.

“The cost of a full course of radiation treatment is in the region of Ja$1.8 to Ja$1.9 million…when we acquire these two machines… the (cost for a full dose of radiation) to poorest and the most vulnerable in our society will move from Ja$1.8 million to zero,” he stated. (Jamaica Observer)

he Ministry of Education is pleased to announce that the distribution of the Government of Guyana’s Gy$10,000 Cash Grant will be launched on Saturday, October 11.

Families and parents are asked to pay close attention to the distribution schedule along with the list of distribution sites, which will be published weekly in the newspapers to ensure that they do not miss their opportunity to uplift their Government of Guyana Because We Care Gy$10,000 cash grant.

ELIGIBILITY

1. The only eligibility criteria required to benefit from the Because We Care cash grant program is that a student must be on the register of a public school.

2. Every class in every school across Guyana was asked to submit a list of the students on their current 2014/2015 Register.

3. Head teachers were instructed to verify the lists submitted by their class teachers.

4. Regional Education Officers were instructed to further verify those lists submitted by schools in their region.

5. The Ministry of Education therefore shall be constrained to distribute vouchers only to parents/ guardians of children who appear on the list compiled by the school

and submitted to Central Ministry, except as provided in paragraphs 6,7,8 and 9 immediately following.

6. The Ministry's policy is to accept children into school anytime that they appear and express an interest once they are within the age range.

Regional Education Officers have said to the Ministry that since the submission to Central Ministry of the list of eligible students, new children have been enrolled and will now be on the register. This year has seen even larger numbers of late registration than before due to the promise of the Because We Care Gy$10,000 cash grant. These children would therefore be entitled under the eligibility criteria laid out.

7. Additionally, the Ministry is aware that due to inadvertence and/or negligence of teachers, headteachers and/or education officers, some lists that were submitted have excluded the names of children who are presently enrolled in school and therefore eligible to receive this BECAUSE WE CARE grant.

8. The Government is of the considered view that these children should not suffer for the failures/inadvertence of adults, whether that failure/inadvertence caused their non - registration or exclusion from the list.

Education Minister, Priya Manikchand

9. Therefore, every child on the school’s Register who is registered any date prior to the 10th October 2014, will be entitled to receive the Because We Care Gy$ 10,000 cash grant. At the distribution venues, a separate register will be taken of any child who is registered but not on the list supplied to the Ministry.

Information such as the name of the child, name of the school, headteacher’s name, contact information of the parents/guardians, reason for the child not being on the list supplied to the Ministry of Education etc. will be taken. This information will be verified and the Because We Care Gy$10,000 voucher will later be delivered to the home of the child by the relevant Head Teacher, teacher and Regional Education Officer.

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

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

Fax (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

P

Diaspora and Development

resident Donald Ramotar and his team of Government ministers recently visited the United States where they participated in the 69th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

As has become customary, the President and his team of ministers used the opportunity while there to meet with the Guyanese Diaspora in that country, which is considered to be in their thousands. Both sides were able to share their views and offer suggestions as to what can be done to their homeland, a better place for its citizens.

All over the world, governments especially with high rates of migration are seeking to explore ways of how they can tap into the resources, both human and financial, acquired by their citizens over the years in their adopted country.

From the onset, let us state that engagements such as these are necessary as they provide an important avenue for citizens residing abroad to have dialogue with political leaders concerning issues of development and how they (Diaspora) can play a part.

For Guyana, the issue of the Diaspora and how they can contribute to the country’s development has been a subject of much discussion. More often than not, discussions have always been centred on how the hundreds of thousands of Guyanese living outside of the country can be encouraged to return home and offer their services or invest in various fields.

While there is still much work to be done in terms of achieving our developmental aims, the Government must be given some credit for implementing the kind of policies and programmes which are directly geared towards creating greater economic and social development for citizens. The achievements made in various fields such as housing, health, education, infrastructural developments etc, were highly publicised during the President’s meetings with the Diaspora last week.

The PPP/C Administration has already encouraged the Disapora with houselots in the new remigrant housing scheme. Also, other incentives such as duty-free concessions have been offered. This is a good start, and hopefully with time, other forms of support would be provided to ensure that those who are willing to return can do so with little or no hassle.

During one of his engagements with the Diaspora, the President was quoted as saying that his Government remains committed to continuing the transformation of Guyana, but needs the help of all Guyanese including those residing abroad. For him, he does not have a development partner in the Opposition.

He rightfully pointed to the Opposition’s anti-developmental stance they have adopted since they won a one-seat majority in the National Assembly and which they used to cut critical budgetary allocations, defeat important legislation like the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (amendment) Bill and block transformational projects like the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the Amaila Falls Hydro Power project, and the Specialty Hospital among others.

Certainly, much more needs to be done if our development potential is to be fully realised. For sure, Guyanese at home alone will not be able to push this level of development by themselves because they are too small in number and do not possess all the skills required to undertake this massive task.

It is well known that there is currently a shortage of skills in various fields. Certain skills, especially in the technical areas are badly needed, especially with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) now being implemented; and here is where those overseas who have acquired these skills can play a part.

We are confident that the engagements with the Diaspora will result in many benefits for Guyana. The Government and other stakeholders are certainly on the right track in their efforts to woo persons to return home and help in nation building. As stated before, it could be win-win situation for all.

Not only would the country benefit, but investment opportunities in Guyana are endless and the Diaspora must take full advantage of them.

New York Mayor Bill De Blasio earlier this week launched the Community Parks Initiative (CPI) which seeks to build a more inclusive and equitable park system. CPI’s first phase will target 55 neighbourhoods across the five boroughs, reaching approximately 220,000 New Yorkers living within a 10-minute walk of the targeted parks. In its entirety, the initiative’s first phase represents over US$173 million in capital and expense funding.

(In photo: Mayor De Blasio making the announcement in the presence of other City officials including Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver).

Remittances to the region could reach US$64B in 2014 – World Bank R emittance flows to Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to increase by 5.0 per cent to US$64 billion in 2014 and by 4.3 per cent to US$67 billion in 2015, the World Bank Group said in a recent publication.

According to the Bank, economic growth in the United States is having a positive impact on the outlook for remittance flows to Mexico and Central America.

The high unemployment rate in Spain will continue to dampen remittances to Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru. Data for Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala – which together account for more than half of remittances to the Region – show that remittance inflows grew by more than six per cent in the first eight months of 2014 compared with the same period the previous year.

Remittances to Nicaragua rose by four per cent over the same period. Despite the increase in the number of deportations from the US back to Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, remittances received by these countries continue to rise.

The pace of growth in the rest of Latin American has been slow and uneven, especially for Argentina.

Remittances from Chile are continuing on an upward trend.

Remittances from Chile to Colombia grew by more than 20 per cent during the first half of 2014 compared with the same period the previous year. New housing construction in the US, traditionally a large employer

of migrants, appears to be recovering.

The number of housing starts for new privatelyowned homes grew by eight per cent in August 2014 from a year earlier, and the US construction sector has added about 19,000 jobs per month over the past year. Reflecting this increase, remittances to Mexico have had 12 consecutive months of growth.

In the US, the unemployment rate of Hispanics declined from 10.1 per cent in August 2012 to 7.5 per cent in August 2014. Employment of foreign-born workers overall remains more responsive than native-born workers.

Employment rates for both groups fell during the crisis in 2009, but since early 2011, employment of migrants has recovered faster than the employment of native workers.

In contrast, slow growth and high unemployment in Spain, which hosts about one-tenth of all migrants from Latin America, has been reflected in the negative or flat growth in outward remittances. Many migrants are returning to their countries of origin.

These restrictions are pushing remittance flows towards informal channels. At the same time, foreign exchange controls in Argentina and Venezuela are also impacting remittances to Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru. Venezuela banned outward remittances starting in February 2014, and flows to Colombia, for example, fell steeply from US$44.6 million in the first trimester (which already was half of the amount received in the

same period in 2013), to only US$0.5 million in the second trimester. Remittances sent to Venezuela through formal channels have also become prohibitively expensive – sending US$200 through formal channels yields the recipient less than US$30 worth of bolivars through the official exchange rate.

Officially recorded remittance flows to developing countries are projected to reach US$435 billion in 2014, 5.0 per cent higher than last year. The growth in remittances is expected to moderate to 4.4 per cent in 2015, raising flows to US$454 billion. This outlook is based largely on lower projected Gross Domestic Products (GDP) growth rates in key remittance-sending countries.

Global remittance flows, including flows to higher-income countries, are expected to follow a similar pattern, rising from US$582 billion in 2014 to US$608 billion in 2015. Remittances are an essential source of external funds for developing countries.

These flows were three times larger than official development assistance in 2013, and are steadier than both private debt and portfolio equity flows. Remittance flows are significantly larger than total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to developing countries, excluding China.

They are also a more stable component of receipts in the current account, reliably bringing in foreign currency that helps sustain the balance of payments and dampen gyrations.

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

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Caribbean Airlines: Friend or foe to Guyanese?

Dear Editor, I read with interest letters surrounding Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) and its loyalty to the Guyana market, and I must admit that the airline has indeed served us well over the years.

This is even more evident when one looks at the number of different carriers that have come and served the market for short periods of time and left. I would however like to share some other views on CAL, to really determine the extent to which the travelling public in Guyana has benefited.

The cost of a ticket from Georgetown to Port of Spain, a 55-minute flight, ranges between US$300-US$400 depending on the season, while a four-hour flight from Port of Spain to Miami, Florida on the same Caribbean Airlines amounts to the same price or even less. The

same can be said for many other routes and anyone can verify this fact by simply going online and checking the prices of these tickets.

Why is this so?

Logically it does not make sense? The answer is simple, CAL currently enjoys a monopoly on the GEO-POS route and its management appears to use this to its advantage, since there is lots of competition on the POS-MIA route.

Caribbean Airlines is a loss making entity which is subsidised on an annual basis by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. How has that impacted Guyana and the rest of the Region?

As I mentioned before, we have seen airlines coming and leaving the Guyana market including the reputable Delta Airlines. Those close to the industry have confirmed that the reason Delta withdrew

its service was because of predatory pricing.

The issue of protectionism is another point for consideration. Do you remember the difficult time RedJet was having while trying to enter the market? It was given the ‘royal run-around’ by the authorities.

It would be interesting to see how the market would operate if there were to be no subsidies to any of the carriers and everyone was allowed to compete fairly in an open market environment. I am certain that we would be able to attract more carriers and as a result of such prices will be lower.

I must confess that I am a big fan of CAL because of the service and reliability it offers in the Region. The question remains though, is Caribbean Airlines really a friend or foe of the Guyanese traveller?

Sincerely, Larry Tate

Don’t be fooled by the so-called peaceful protests

Dear Editor, They stood there with placards silent, imperceptibly quiet in protest trying to force the Government’s hand to call Local Government Elections.

The main political Opposition party APNU has been holding these protests in the major municipalities across Guyana.

Their objective, at least so it seems, is that the Government would be pressured to the point where it will have to call Local

Government Elections.

Some writers call this a clear sign of lunacy on the main Opposition. Why stand there and waste time in a protest that is not going anywhere?

Judging from past activities of the party when on the agitation path, they are asking the question where is the action?

They expect the usual violent display of burning, looting and shooting but none of the above is forthcoming. So, they are forced

to conclude that this is very idiotic and very strange development.

But there is nothing strange about the PNC/ APNU’s protest, this is just a precursor as to what will eventually happen. Violence and mayhem like we have never seen are about to be unleashed on the nation come next election. This latest display of calm is just a facade or a veiled display of the real event that will come after.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

DNA testing infrastructure needs time

Dear Editor, Thank you for taking the time to ask the question regarding DNA testing of Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee. What is of concern is that the tone of the response seems to lack urgency in a time of escalating killings and a continued issue with unidentified bodies.

As your article went on to state, the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) and One Billion Rising (OBR) have stated their

willingness to work with a laboratory to help escalate the process with the help of Eureka Medical Laboratories.

Has anyone from the Government even bothered to contact Dianne Madray with CADVA? Just so they have her contact information. Here it is: diannem@cadva.org, Guyana cellphone number 696-9398, and her US cellphone number 1-917-399-5764.

Guyana’s CADVA Representative Tiffiney Jackson can be reached on telephone number

682-2292, or by email at tiffineyj@cadva.org.

Why would anyone want to re-invent the wheel or laborious infrastructure when the wheel or infrastructure is already is motion and ready to be used?

Eureka Laboratories has their infrastructure established. We have a contact. We can assist in escalating. What is the issue?

Thank you for publishing my letter.

Sukree Boodram Founder, Interim President, CADVA, Inc sukreeb@cadva.org

Send Shiv to India for the ODI matches

Dear Editor, The West Indies (WI) suffered a nightmare on the opening match against India when the A Team bowlers routed the entire team for a mere 148 all out within 40 overs. This is humiliating because it seems as if the Caribbean squad cannot bat the 50 overs with the present team now in India.

I would have thought that now that Clive Lloyd is the Chairman of the WI Selection Panel and former skipper Courtney Walsh is a selector, Shivnarine Chandrpaul would have been included in the ODI squad.

Unfortunately this is not so. He should be there to prop up the side.

In fact, he should open the batting and the others bat around him.

It is amazing that the man who has done

so well in the past in ODIs is left completely out in the cold. In his international career spanning over two decades, Chanderpaul has been a relentless scorer of runs in all formats of the game.

Specifically, looking only at his ODI and List A record, he has an average of over 41, with 12 centuries, 90 additional scores of 50 or greater and a total of 12,000 runs.

In his 268 ODIs, he batted 251 times and scored a total of 8778 with 150 his highest.

He was ‘not out’ on 40 occasions. His average in ODI is over 41 runs.

A review of the data shows that for the last five years when he was playing for the WI ODI team, Shiv scored more than 2500 runs in 63 matches at an average of

greater than 59 runs in 63 matches, including a knock of 149 not out.

The memorable performance included 16 boundaries and three sixes in only 139 balls, for a strike rate of 109, even as he batted through the entire innings.

Every WI cricket fan remembers his destruction of Chaminda Vaas in Trinidad when the “Tiger” needing 10 runs off the last two deliveries of the game drove Vaas for a four, before flicking the final delivery over midwicket for a six, to seal a famous victory at Queen’s Park Oval.

He is very aggressive against India. His average in his 13 matches in India is 57, but his average is 81 runs in recent games.

Chanderpaul is known for his consistency and three world famed cricketers, Gibbs, Boycott and Dravid said that the West Indies ODI team should be built around him, and he should bat higher, perhaps opening the batting, as he truly is the glue that keeps them going forward. Dravid is amazed that Shiv is out of the ODI squad.

Come on WICB officials and selectors. It is not late, send Shiv to join the team now. He scored a century two days ago in the Berbice and Demerara encounter following up his remarkable performance against Bangladesh.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

Freddie must stop personality attacks Dear Editor, I appeal to my very good friend Freddie Kissoon to end personality attacks against others with whom he disagrees or with those who show greater intelligence than him.

He recently attacked Oscar Ramjeet, a respected journalist and eminent Guyanese, as well as Ralph Seeram, another respected Guyanese, because these gentlemen wrote objective commentaries on the performance of the Ramotar and Jagdeo administrations.

Both Ramjeet and Seeram are objective writers who are known to have penned pieces critiquing the PPP/C Administrations.

But Freddie does not want the men to write anything positive about

PPP/C. Freddie wants them to use the Kissoon methodology and lie about the Government.

Kissoon uses fascist tactics to denigrate and derogate people, especially against those who write objectively on the Government. He delves into the sewer calling people homosexuals, jackasses, dogs, etc.

Readers don’t learn from personality attacks but from informed commentaries. Writers should emulate Ronald Sanders, Henry Jeffrey, Ralph Ramkarran, Sultan Mohammed, and a few others who stick to issues rather than on personality. One may not agree with their viewpoints, but one respects them for not going into the mud attacking people with whom they disagree.

Kissoon thrives on personality-driven hatred frequently telling people (with whom he disagrees) to go to hell. Which self-respecting writer or academic publicly calls people homosexual? That is rolling in the sewer; worse it is Hitlerite and McCarthyite.

The newspaper that features Kissoon’s columns should not allow nasty, hatred driven comments on its pages – it is endorsing the Kissoonian methodology. In addition to ending personality attacks, the paper should also require writers to stick to facts rather than pen misinformation or making conclusions and claims without evidence.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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More CCTV cameras to be mounted in Georgetown

H

ead of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said that an additional 10 Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) sites will be installed in the capital city as the Joint Services seek to up the ante in the fight against crime.

The Cabinet Secretary, who also sits on the Defence Board, said the Board’s review recognised the need for further development and had, therefore, approved an increase in the number of cameras which cover the main arteries in and around Georgetown.

“The Defence Board in August last reviewed among other things, the state of affairs within the capital city as it regards Closed Circuit Television”, Luncheon told reporters at his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday.

Government is hoping that the cameras would boost the security sector’s fight against crime

He said there are about 40 sites where three to four cameras have been installed.

He related that the Defence’s Board decision was to allow for at least 10 more sites to be established within Georgetown during the upcoming year.

During discussions at the Board level, a call had been made for advanced software which will allow for the image shown to be heightened

and the technical application to be brought to bear on those images that are recovered during the CCTV operation, Luncheon said.

He said most recently, the Criminal I n v e s t i g a t i o n Department (CID) has been linked to the network of CCTV, which is a boost to investigation and prosecution of crimes.

“Independently, the Defence Board also

commends the Joint Services for having live footage now being made available to the other Joint Services entity,” Luncheon said, while relaying that the footage is secured at the National Intelligence Centre.

Luncheon said from the early days of the CCTV implementation, discussions between the Office of the President, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, and the Joint Services aired the view that criminal investigation and prosecution would be the basis for which the CCTV initiative would be put in place.

“Many of us said if we were going to use CCTV for the purposes of investigation and prosecution, it meant that we would have to reequip the Police and CID with traffic with tools; vehicles and communication devices to allow them to use that information…..

I don’t believe that the verdict is in. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that over the years CCTV has played a significant role in the resolution and prosecution of criminal activities,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

The Home Affairs Ministry began the first installation of CCTV cameras in Georgetown some three years ago.

The programme was aimed at reducing the spur in criminal activities since Guyana was preparing for another general election.

Government had hoped that the installation of the cameras would have boosted the security sector’s fight against crime.

The headquarters for the monitoring and storage of the footage gathered is in the National Intelligence Centre. The tower and transmission lines connect the headquarters to other moni-

toring stations, so that the footage can be easily accessed and serve as a means to prevent crime.

The cameras extend to certain parts of the East Coast of Demerara as well as the East Bank of Demerara.

The introduction of CCTV cameras has been in the pipeline since 2008, when Government announced that it was offering duty-free concessions to the Private Sector for the cameras, and promised to play a vital role in ensuring that they are installed in public areas.

The administration has been placing major emphasis on security.

This is evident from the large amount of money being allocated to the sector, and the improved performances of the law enforcement agencies.

Government had allocated Gy$15 million in the 2011 national budget to purchase the equipment.

Private Sector, PPP/C hold talks on economy, politics

T

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) last Tuesday met with the ruling People’s Progressive Party/

Civic (PPP/C) to discuss the state of the economy and recent political developments.

The business umbrella body also used

the opportunity to introduce its new Executive to the party.

In a short statement, the PSC said during the meeting,

Officials of both the PSC and the PPP/C at their meeting last week in Georgetown

it was briefed on the opinions of the PPP/C on the various matters that are now engaging the attention of the country.

“These included both economic and political matters.” The PSC said it has been meeting with all the political parties to obtain their opinions on matters that may have a direct impact on the business community and the country as a whole. “The PSC will also meet with the Guyana Elections Commission in the near future,” the statement concluded.

The PSC back in August had warned about the implications of political instability should a no-confidence motion against the Government be carried though.

“It will be very unfortunate if such a motion is passed as it

would signal political instability to our foreign investors, financiers, customers, and suppliers. This will further increase the political risk premium added to the cost of capital when overseas funding is sought by private entities and can negatively impact our economy,” the PSC said in a statement.

According to the PSC, for progress to be made in a dispensation where a minority Government and a majority Opposition exist, the political culture should consist of dialogue and compromise on issues of national interest and development.

“This culture has been very much absent since our last General Elections in 2011, as both sides of the House have exposed their limitations in dealing with such a dispensation,”

the umbrella business body said.

It added then that the calling for elections prematurely is signalling that only in a “winner-takes-all” environment can progress be made. This does not augur well for a plural society such as Guyana, the PSC contended.

“The PSC is not hopeful that General Elections will automatically resolve many of the problems facing the country. However, if elections are to be called, we hope that they would be conducted efficiently and effectively.”

The PSC had said it is also hoping that whatever the results, that they would be accepted by all and that the country can move forward so that every member of the population can be guaranteed a better life.

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Govt committed to holding Local Government Elections – Dr Luncheon

H

ead of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon on Wednesday reiterated the PPP/C administration’s commitment to Local Government Elections (LGE), noting that there is absolutely no evidence that President Donald Ramotar had disregarded his and his party’s commitment to LGE. He was responding to a question during his postCabinet media briefing, asking about Government’s concern over the Opposition’s call for LGE. “I do believe that the basis has been made and doesn’t need to be repeated. Local Government Elections are necessary, we can all conclude that this is so, and is a view held by the President and ruling party,” Dr. Luncheon stated.

Observing that during the 2011 elections campaign President Ramotar had indicated the time-

frame for holding LGE, Dr. Luncheon added that the Alliance for Change (AFC) party had popularised the statement during their overseas meetings saying it is not enough.

“If they could clue us in about that, action should be taken by the incumbent administration,” he pointed out. Dr. Luncheon stated that it was “other players who have publicly made comments about a substantial issue as electoral readiness.”

He however, explained that the Constitutional implications of not holding LGE now, are another matter.

The HPS said that reflecting on other players’ contributions can resolve the dilemma to a date, but those considerations would have some impact. He added that while there is constitutional provision, there are other factors “which cannot be ignored and

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon

must be taken into consideration.”

Rice cereal factory for Essequibo

G

u y a n a ’ s Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), in partnership with the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry last Thursday evening launched an initiative to build a commercial facility in Essequibo, Region Two for the production of breakfast cereals from rice.

The launch was attended by President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar; Prime

Guyana's President Donald Ramotar with other officials at the launch of the IAST rice cereal

Minister Samuel Hinds and Mrs Yvonne Hinds; Housing Minister Irfaan Ali; Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; Minister within the Agriculture Ministry Ali Baksh; and Minister within the Finance Ministry Juan Edgehill.

Government will invest Gy$75 million into the project, for a facility which has the capacity to produce five metric tonnes of breakfast

cereals daily. The funding is secured under the Rural Development Fund administered by the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry.

IAST Director, Professor Suresh Narine at the launch said, “this is the first of a series of innovative projects at the IAST that will be commercialised within the next 10 months, and I am delighted that this, the first of the series, continued on page 13

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GT&T rakes in well above minimum Man's body lying profits on landline service in Jamaican

funeral parlour seven years

By Vahnu Manikchand

A

mid its complaints that it was not making profits from its landline service, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company was corrected by a Commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Wednesday, who pointed out that based on its financial statements, the company has been making consistently above the minimum 15 per cent rate of return on its investments.

The company had applied for an increase in the rates for its landline service, saying that it was an albatross around its neck. On Wednesday during a public hearing on the application, company executives faced a barrage of questions about the profitability of the service. PUC Commissioner Maurice Solomon pointed out to Atlantic Tele-Network (ATN) Vice President of Finance, John Audet, that despite its claims of making a loss, financial statements presented show that the company’s rate of returns

- amid money row The GT&T team at the meeting with the PUC held at Duke Lodge in Georgetown

on the landline services have consistently been above the minimal 15 per cent that is stated in the agreement signed between GT&T and the Government of Guyana.

He noted that the financial statements reflect a 19.5 per cent average. While Audet could not explain the discrepancy between the company’s claims and its own financial statements, he assured that his team will clarify the issue at a subsequent session.

During the session, Audet pointed out that GT&T wants to provide better domestic service for its customers; however, it cannot do that if

it is operating at a loss.

He noted that in a liberalised environment, it would be unprofitable for the company to be operating. According to him, “In a liberalised environment, you can’t expect us to provide it (service) at a loss… that doesn’t mean we want to go away, but we can’t provide the service at a loss. Ultimately, in a liberalised environment, if we are going to provide a service below cost, it’s not going to survive; it will eventually go away and somebody else will do the job better,” the ATN official stated.

Audet went on to say that once the local telecommunications market

is liberalised, the company will still have to address the issue of operating at a “loss”. His remarks were reiterated

by GT&T’s Consultant with Responsibility for Rates, Regulations and Legal Affairs, Gene Evelyn, who explained why the company believes it should be granted permission to raise its rates for landline services. He pointed out that the cost profiles are identical to other countries in the Caribbean Region; however, the burden lies in the high labour costs, causing the company’s domestic service to run continued on page 9

K

Doubt still surrounds when the man will finally be laid to rest

INGSTON, JAMAICA: For approximately seven years the body of a Jamaican who is believed to have served as a pilot in the British Navy has been locked away in storage at a funeral parlour in downtown Kingston.

Doubt still surrounds when the man will finally be laid to rest, and speculation is that a legal procedure will have to be used to settle the issue.

The director of the funeral parlour holding the body, Michael Jones, claimed that he is planning to take legal action against the dead man's family to recover millions of dollars he said are owed to him for storage of the body.

Jones claimed that for the past seven years he has been left waiting on family members to bring the necessary documents and payments to allow him to proceed with the burial, but they have failed to complete the transaction.

"The man died in 2007 and we made contact with family members," Jones told Jamaican media, adding that after a series of discussions, burial preparations began.

He said that, despite the discussions, the family members failed to complete their end of the procedure.

Jones related that he was told that the man died leaving millions of dollars in both cash and assets to family members, to which they have access.

"Information we received is that the man passed away leaving more than Ja$40 million and at least two properties valued at close to Ja$15 million, and left instructions that funds should be used from his assets to cover his funeral expenses," the funeral director said.

Jamaican media obtained a copy of the will left by the deceased man. It showed that responsibility was left to a nephew to complete the task of covering certain debts and funeral expenses.

The will also stated that the man left behind two properties to his nephew, advising him to sell at least one of them "and from the proceeds of sale to satisfy all of my debts and liabilities whatsoever and wheresoever". (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

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WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com from page 8

GT&T rakes in well above... at a “loss”. The consultant said that in GT&T’s filings, the company highlighted the “lossmaking” services.

“The domestic network, the local network, is where all the capital is going in … that is where the heavy cost is,” Evelyn stated. He clarified that GT&T has consistently been operating within the ambit of the contracts and agreements it signed. Additionally, GT&T said that the proposed rates increase will also see the charges on other service drop, such as the international longdistance calls which will see an average reduction of 50 to 60 per cent.

Landline-funded

The GT&T team was also questioned by Commissioner Badree Persaud about using alternative technology to boost its landline services to customers, who, he noted, have increased by 71,000 over the past years. Audet disclosed that less than 10,000 of GT&T’s landline customers are using the alternative technology. He noted that the company would have had to withdraw services that were using such alternative technol-

ogies since the spectrum was too low.

The local telecommunications giant had applied to the PUC under the PUC Act to introduced new rates for its landline services; however, the Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) has recommended that the application be denied, stating that the company had adequate revenues to boost its landline service, but used them to invest in mobile services, which cause the former service to deteriorate.

In a memorandum presented by the GCA, it states under the headline “Financial exploitation of the landline and concealing revenues” that the landline service is owed some US$90 million from financing the cellphone services.

“GT&T started out as a landline operator and its later cellular business was grafted on to what was then its core landline operations. In this process, GT&T used about US$60 million of funds generated by the landline to invest in the cellular business,” the consumers’ body stated.

It went on to say,

“No bank loan was taken; landline money was used. At 15 per cent per annum, the annual interest accruing from this US$60 million is US$9 million and for the last 10 years, it is US$9 million x 10 totalling US$90 million. These monies must be added to the landline revenues,” the GCA maintained.

It further stated that US$1.2 million per annum must be paid to the landline business from the Internet service and so should the undersea cable monies.

The GCA also argued that GT&T’s claims on the impending liberalisation were unjustifiable, since it was not likely that the Telecommunications Bill would be called up in the National Assembly any time soon since the NoConfidence Motion is expected to be given priority. And if the motion is passed, there will be a new Parliament.

GT&T will now have to file a response to the two memoranda presented by the GCA and will then again meet with the Commission in two weeks’ time. (vahnum@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Opposition wants harassment of Jamaicans in Caricom addressed

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Opposition spokesman on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade wants the government to address the “increasing incidence of harassment and demeaning treatment of Jamaicans attempting to visit Caricom member states, particularly Trinidad and Tobago”.

In a release on Monday, Bartlett called on Senator AJ Nicholson, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to address the recently reported case of 13 Jamaicans being denied entry and left “hungry, cold and made to sleep on hard concrete”.

“This is the latest of a series of similar complaints by our citizens attempting to be landed in these countries about crude, uncivil and embarrassing treatment by our regional partners,” the Opposition spokesman said.

“Certainly, if the provisions of the Treaty of Chaguaramas are to be taken seriously, particu-

The Opposition's Edmund Bartlett wants an end to harassment of Jamaicans in Caricom (Jamaica Observer photo)

larly as it relates to freedom of movement, then Minister Nicholson must move to protect our nationals' rights to travel within Caricom and to be treated decently and with respect,” he indicated.

Bartlett also contended that, if Jamaican nationals cannot be accorded respect and dignity, the meaning of regional integration is “hollow and a farce”, and will justify the loud call by many for Jamaica to review its position on the Caricom.

The minister has had several visits to Trinidad and has met with the

government officials responsible for foreign affairs and immigration matters in relation to these and other issues, but the problem continues, he noted.

He said that Jamaica needs to know whether the minister is unable to persuade its Caricom partners to protect the safety and travelling rights of its citizens under the treaty, or should the prime minister intervene and make it an agenda item at the next meeting of Caricom Heads of Government.

(Jamaica Observer)

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more solar panels for 145th birth anniversary of 6000 distribution in Hinterland Mahatma Gandhi observed C

“I

t is incumbent upon every nation to adhere to the principles of justice, equality and selfrespect.

Guided by our Constitution, our Government continues to protect fundamental basic rights of every citizen regardless of race, colour, creed or religion.”

This was the message of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds as Guyana joined the world in celebrating the 145th birthday anniversary of the visionary and peaceful revolutionary Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

“Undoubtedly, what Gandhi saw as challenges in his days and fought to overcome, remains with our generation today and perhaps with greater intensity,” Hinds said to the audience gathered at the Promenade Gardens on Thursday.

The birth anniversary of the Mahatma or “Great Soul” is celebrated annually worldwide and has been declared as the international day of non-violence.

Prime Minister Hinds added that each year citizens across the world take time out to reflect on the Mahatma’s teachings and Guyana is no exception. He said as Guyana celebrates Gandhi’s birth and honour his memory for his doctrine on non-violence and his philosophies on love and tolerance, the palpable truth is that the world is still faced with conflicts that rage as a result of ethnic

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and India’s High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalan Mahalingam at the ceremony to celebrate the Mahatma’s birth anniversary

tensions and divisions.

Religious intolerance and hatred are rampant while domestic abuse is on the rise as well, Prime Minister Hinds was quoted as saying by the Government Information Agency (GINA).

“We will continue to improve responses to the many challenges that face us. Our country is not alone in this…as this relates to domestic vi-

olence. We must spare thoughts for the millions of persons whose lives have been disrupted by the wars and terrorist attacks carried out in the Middle East and on the African continent,” Hinds stated.

He added that the Government of Guyana hopes the international system will not fail at arriving at a lasting solution for these prob-

lems. In accordance with the charter of the United Nations, Guyana will continue to support the efforts of the international community in maintaining international peace and security, he stated.

Gandhi lived from October 2, 1869 to January 30, 1948.

He was a paramount leader of the Indian Independence movement in British-ruled India and led India to independence by applying non-violent civil disobedience. Gandhi inspired civil rights and freedom across the world.

In his remarks, India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalan Mahalingam stressed that Gandhi’s “philosophy of non-violence has influenced national and international non-violent resistance up to this day. His efforts to combat racial discrimination in Africa, where he lived for 20 years, today have become more relevant in India and the entire globe.”

Businessman Yesu Persaud, President of the Indian Commemoration Trust, urged that everyone think good thoughts and explained that “we are what we think.”

He added that persons should follow the late icon’s footsteps and be good human beings.

Amongst the gathering were Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Ronald Bulkan.

abinet’s no objection to a Gy$39.8M contract is likely to see the completion of the solar panel distribution project in the hinterland.

At a post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday at the Office of the President, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon advised that ‘no objection’ was granted to one contract which fell under the Office of the Prime Minister.

The contract catered for the supply of cables, switches and other related items for the Hinterland Electrification Programme.

This supply the HPS noted would see a completion of the distribution of solar panels to households in Regions 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9.

The award caters for 6000 solar panels, an addition to the 11,000 already distributed.

Following the distribution of the 11,000 solar panels, the Hinterland Electrification Unit (HEU) continued monitoring of the installation of the systems, a task which has seen residents in the communities trained to carry out. While Head of

the HEU Horace Williams has indicated that serving the hinterland is a geographical nightmare, he has stated that by 2016 all hinterland households will have some sort of electricity “either in the form of solar or grid electricity.”

The process of distributing solar panels which was geared towards hinterland households began in late 2010. Feedback from the project has indicated that persons have been using the systems the way they should be used and are indicating their appreciation for the supply of power in their homes.

The provision enables evening recreational activities, as well as study time for students. It has also led to residents providing themselves with more household electrical equipment and appliances and some are now subsequently asking for bigger systems.

Regarding the sustainability of the systems, arrangements were put in place for persons accessing solar power to pay Gy$500 per month to the Village Council towards its maintenance.

Ex-GDF typist jailed for three years for conspiracy to commit fraud

S

ixty-one-year-old Colleen Easton was on Wednesday sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit a felony offence when she appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

On Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Georgetown, she conspired with persons to commit a felony to obtain by false pretence the sum of Gy$2,892,000 by virtue of Bank of Guyana cheque number 04/062408 from the Accounting General Department of the Finance Ministry, property of the Guyana Government.

This charge was first read to her on her first appearance on July 21, 2011 before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.

The first-time offender, who was an ex-typist clerk for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and currently secretary for a Customs Broker, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on Gy$125,000 bail. The matter was then transferred to Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Colleen Easton

The court was told that on the day in question, Nigel Adams (the defendant’s son-in-law who was also charged in connection with this matter) took her to the Finance Ministry and caused her to uplift a cheque for Gy$2,892,000 which she took from the Bank of Guyana and gave to Adams afterwards. She was then arrested and charged.

The case was prosecuted by Sergeant Vishnu Hunt and saw the testimony of eight witnesses – three of whom were Police Officers, two persons from the Finance Ministry, and another two from the Bank of Guyana and one from the Auditor General’s Office. Easton was represented by Attorney-atLaw George Thomas.

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Billions in economic losses if Ebola spreads – World Bank study W

ith the latest death toll from Ebola now at 3,439 in the three worst-affected countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, a new economic impact assessment from the World Bank Group says that if the epidemic was to significantly infect people in neighbouring countries, some of which have much larger economies, the two-year regional financial impact could reach US$32.6 billion by the end of 2015.

The new World Bank Group report notes, “as it is far from certain that the epidemic will be fully contained

by December 2014 and in light of the considerable uncertainty about its future trajectory, two alternative scenarios are used to estimate the mediumterm (2015) impact of the epidemic, extending to the end of calendar year 2015.” A “Low Ebola” scenario corresponds to rapid containment within the three most severely affected countries, while “High Ebola” corresponds to slower containment in the three countries, with broader regional conta-

gion.

According to the World Bank Group’s new analysis, the economic impacts of Ebola are already very serious in the core three countries – particularly Liberia and Sierra Leone – and could become catastrophic under a slow-containment, High Ebola scenario. In broader regional terms, the economic impact could be limited if immediate national and international action stop the epidemic and alleviate the “aversion behaviour” or fear factor that is causing neighbouring countries to close their borders, and airlines and other regional and international companies to suspend their commercial activities in the three worst-affected countries.

The successful containment of Ebola in Nigeria and Senegal so far is evidence that this is possible, given some existing health system capacity and a resolute policy response.

“With Ebola’s potential to inflict massive economic costs on Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and the rest of their neighbours in West Africa,

President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim

the international community must find ways to get past logistical roadblocks and bring in more doctors and trained medical staff, more hospital beds, and more health and development support to help stop Ebola in its tracks,” says Jim Yong Kim, the President of the World Bank Group.

“The international community now must act on the knowledge that weak public

health infrastructure, institutions, and systems in many fragile countries are a threat not only to their own citizens but also to their trading partners and the world at large,” says WBG President Kim. “The enormous economic cost of the current outbreak to the affected countries and the world could have been avoided by prudent ongoing investment in health systemsstrengthening.’’

The World Bank Group is supporting country responses in line with the WHO Roadmap, and is coordinating assistance closely with the United Nations and other international and country partners. As the new report notes, “effort and memory will be required to sustain and continue strengthening this early warning network and the complementary investments in effective and resilient African health systems after the Ebola outbreak has been contained.

Taken together, the containment effort, the fiscal support, the restoration of investor confidence, and the expanded dis-

ease surveillance, diagnostic and treatment capacity promise to first stem the Ebola epidemic, and then help to reverse as quickly as possible the aversion behaviour that is causing so much economic damage.”

A key issue looking forward will be to re-establish investor trust so that as the epidemic is contained, domestic and international investment can return. The World Bank Group says urgent policies will be needed to jumpstart the renewed flow of relief and commercial activity (for health, business, and tourism purposes) with the affected countries while also safeguarding other countries from epidemiological contagion. To this end, options should be explored for financing improvements to health security infrastructure and protocols of the seaports and airports of the three core countries and their neighbours.

To this end, the World Bank Group is mobilizing US$400 million in emergency financing for the three countries hardest-hit by the crisis.

GuyExpo 2014 attracts record number of overseas exhibitors

G

EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : GuyExpo this year as the years before has attracted thousands, and according to exhibitors, unlike a few years ago, the recent forum projected a strong focus on promoting and establishing business linkages.

Overseas exhibitors

products, juices, peanut butter, shampoos, detergents and plastic wares.

Ramautarsing explained that the exhibitors were looking for local distributors for their products.

He stated that the expo over the years has been helpful to Surinamese companies, noting that they have

rooted in the fact that the Manufacturers’ Association Suriname has full confidence in the local economy and is enthralled at the hospitality of Guyanese.

He indicated that the association is exploring the option of setting up a centre in Guyana distributing only Suriname products, and lauded the

Patrons being shown a variety of beverages sold by Surinamese companies

were drawn from a number of countries including Argentina, the U.S., India, Pakistan and Suriname.

Speaking to Guyanese media, Anand Ramautarsing, a Supervisor of Manufacturers’ Association Suriname said six exhibitors from the neighbouring country participated in the expo. The companies showcased tourism

been able to establish operations in Guyana or locate distributors for their products.

He highlighted that the Assuria Insurance Company, which is headquartered in Suriname, came to Guyana through GuyExpo.

The Surinamese said too that the move to exhibit in Guyana, with the hope to widen business links and expanding operations is

expo for facilitating that kind of business opportunity.

This role of the expo, he said, is in keeping with the thrust of the Caricom Single Market and Economy.

Aiding regional businesses

On that note, the exhibitor emphasised that the forum has been very helpful to businesses in general as it does not only focus on the promotion of local businesses,

but looks at the expansion of regional busi-

nesses as well.

Shavin International

India, an Indian-based continued on page 14

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13 No nominations received as yet for leader of AFC, says Patterson news

WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Khemraj Ramjattan

N

Moses Nagamootoo

Nigel Hughes

Cathy Hughes

o one has been nominated to lead the minority Opposition party Alliance For Change (AFC), General Secretary David Patterson has said.

He explained that while there have been nominations for candidates for the presidential and prime ministerial posts, no nominations have been received for the top spot within the party.

Over the weekend, the AFC’s National Executive Committee met and received four nominations for presidential candidate:

Khemraj Ramjattan, Nigel Hughes, Moses Nagamootoo, and Cathy Hughes.

Nominations were also received for prime ministerial candidate: Raphael Trotman, Nigel Hughes, Cathy Hughes, Dr Verasammy Ramayya and David Patterson.

The decision on who will be elected the presidential and prime ministerial candidates will be made when the party holds its biennial National Conference on October 25.

Patterson told Guyana Times International on Monday that the par-

Rice cereal factory for... focuses on adding value to rice to produce a nutritious, tasty and fun high-value product”.

Minister Ali said “in keeping with this year’s theme for GuyExpo, ‘Transformation through Partnership’, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is delighted to take the lead in collaborating with the IAST to ensure rural development, value-adding to our agricultural commodities, and the creation of more than 60 jobs in Region Two”.

Among the beaming and visibly delighted dignitaries, Minister Ramsammy also joined the others in commending the IAST for its role in fostering innovation and further indicated that this project fits in

perfectly with the vision the ministry has been advocating–the utilisation of science and technology for the adding of value to agricultural commodities, not only for the production of nutritious food, but also for the production of other useful and valuable products.

President Ramotar in his comments congratulated the IAST for its efforts and pointed out that in his opinion, there were many other innovative processes developed by the institute that justifies additional commercialisation activity.

The institute began a market survey on the opening night at the GuyExpo to evaluate the product. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

ty’s constitution gives persons up to one week before the conference is slated to be held to submit nominations.

According to Patterson, the party has already confirmed some 320 delegates, but this number is expected to increase as more persons confirm participation in the congress which is to be held at the Ocean View Convention Centre, Greater Georgetown.

The AFC on Saturday held a meeting to finalise its strategy as the party prepares for Regional and General Elections, which are expected to be held early next year if the joint Opposition passes a No-Confidence Motion against the Government.

According to a release, representatives from all 10 administrative regions gathered at the Georgetown Club, with representatives from the Diaspora joining by Skype to put details to the party’s strategy that will guide it at the much-anticipated 2015 polls.

“The National Executive Committee (NEC) gave total support to the No-Confidence Motion and saw the representatives pledging 100 per cent commitment to move the election process forward.

All representatives were highly motivated and eager to get back to the regions to advance the work that will give the AFC the advantage at from page 7

the next poll.

“The AFC leadership in one voice condemned the minority Government for undermining the Constitution by refusing to hold Local Government

Elections and establishing a Procurement Commission, as well as unlawfully spending public funds not authorised by the Parliament,” the party claimed.

The meeting also

saw the NEC pledging full support for the party‘s Co-founder and now Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman in the face of damning child sodomy allegations.

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Lawyer defies ‘black wall’ to represent Welshman - says no victim of alleged sexual assault should be intimidated

A

ttorney-at-Law Peter Hugh on Tuesday defied the ‘black wall’ created by his colleagues to take up the case of Johnny Welshman who has made shocking allegations of rape against the

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman. Trotman has repeatedly denied these allegations.

Welshman told Guyana Times International on Tuesday when asked why no one

wanted to represent him that: “They are all afraid…some saying it’s too much of politics and don’t want to get involved.”

But Hugh assured the young man he would represent him, adding

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman

in a statement: “quite frankly, I’m disgusted by the manner in which some persons in the social media attacked Mr Johnny Welshman who may be a victim of sexual violence. I am of the firm belief that no victim of any alleged sexual violence should be intimidated, threatened, vilified, degraded or humiliated in an effort to silence them. I also believe that that Counsel must be able to accept any brief and practise law fearlessly without there being threats and/ or intimidation.”

Gagged

Welshman recently announced that Trotman and two other men – one of them his father – had allegedly sexually molested him when he was 12. Ever since he made the claims, Trotman gagged him by securing an injunction in the High Court barring the young man from speaking on the matter. He also sued

Johnny Welshman

him for Gy$50 million.

Hugh said in his statement that Welshman contacted him and explained his difficulty in retaining a lawyer who was willing to offer him legal representation and apply on his behalf to the Court to have the interim injunction, which was granted on September 22, 2014 discharged.

Hugh said too that Welshman also informed him that a young lawyer, whom he had initially started communicating with told him that she received threats from known and unknown individuals and she could not be involved in his matter and was no longer in a position to offer him her legal services as she was afraid.

The lawyer said the allegations made

by Welshman against Trotman were of a sexual nature which allegedly occurred when the young man was a child.

“A child is considered a vulnerable victim and is afforded protection by

Attorney-at-Law Peter Hugh

our laws and our justice system. Sexual violence is often a traumatic and damaging experience.

“No civilised society ought to allow a complainant to be degraded by public chastisement, embarrassment or humiliation in their quest for justice. The public chastisement, embarrassment or humiliation of a complainant by the alleged perpetrators, their servants, agents, supporters, sympathisers or anyone in my humble opinion is an attempt to tamper with a witness and in some cases, may amount to an attempt to pervert the course of justice,” Hugh declared.

He said there seemed to be tactical accusations of grand conspiracy theories implicating Welshman in a plot by a political group to bring into disrepute the character and reputation of Trotman by publishing accusations in the print media and on a social network.

GuyExpo 2014 attracts record...

from page 11

company vending antique furniture, murtis, canvas paintings and all types of herbal products, intends to set up a store in Guyana after exhibiting at the expo for the past 10 years.

Christine Bisessar, a partner in the company, said the business is moving in this direction since based on the exhibitions it has mounted in Berbice and Essequibo in the past decade, there is a ready market for its products in Guyana.

The company, she added, has participated in exhibitions in a number of countries including Ethiopia, Moscow, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the U.S., but has a special interest in Guyana as the prospect looks bright.

Boost for local products

Meanwhile, local companies have also

been tapping in on new opportunities at GuyExpo.

Quality Control Officer of Pomeroon Oil Mill Inc Asraf Narine related that the company had been focused on making consumers more aware of the health benefits of the Golden Brook refined coconut oil, which can be found in almost every local supermarket.

He observed that though the product is available in the supermarkets; the support from Guyanese has not been stellar since many of them seem to be too “foreign-minded.”

Nevertheless, he pointed out that samples of the products are in the UK, U.S. and other overseas markets, and the company has received a number of favourable offers.

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Region 10 residents receive laptops - Minister Edghill says Govt’s goal is to bridge the ICT gap for Guyanese

R

esidents of K w akwa n i, Region Ten (Upper DemeraraBerbice), and neighbouring communities have been urged to assist with the verification of persons who have applied for laptops as the Government of Guyana aims to ensure 90,000 families across the country receive the devices.

Mister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, visited the community of Kwakwani recently at which time the One Laptop Per Family Programme (OLPF) was engaged in distribution of over 700 laptops to families in Kwakwani and neighbouring communities along the Berbice River.

Minister Edghill explained to residents that in common-law marriages where persons reside in the same household, with different last names, they are still considered as a single family by the Government.

He further explained to residents that the Government’s goal is to bridge the Information Communication

parts of Guyana.

Better performance

Residents of Kwakwani and surrounding areas gathered to receive their laptops

Technology (ICT) gap for Guyanese, and as such, every family that qualifies to receive the laptop will benefit.

The Minister noted that the aim and objective of the OLPF programme is to carry out a promise made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C), through former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

“When we make a promise we fulfill it! It may take a while, but when you are sharing things there has to be a system,” Minister Edghill said while adding that the promise to

equip every qualifying family with a laptop is very important to the Government because it is seeking to modernise Guyana.

“Former President Jagdeo initiated the OLPF and President (Donald) Ramotar addressed and continued

the project,” Minister Edghill explained to residents gathered to receive their laptops in Kwakwani.

He told the recipients that education should be available for the people in the Berbice River and Kwakwani, the way it is for persons in other

He stated that the laptop can be an enabling tool for children to perform better in schools because of the vast availability of information it possesses through the internet.

Minister Edghill said having access to a computer also posts an opportunity for employment and further strengthened his point by stating that at present 3000 Guyanese are employed in the ICT sector under Qualfon, an international call center.

He reiterated that persons can have easier access to the outside world, being able to communicate with families overseas using the device.

The provision of laptops to families who cannot afford one moves Guyana into the modern era, and thus, this initiative will transform Guyana into one of the countries with the highest computer literacy rate and accessibility countered with persons also purchasing their own computers.

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Govt will continue to create opportunities Cuban fined Gy$100,000 for fraud for everyone – Minister Edghill

M

inister within the Finance Ministry Bishop Juan Edghill has lauded acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali for his excellent management of GuyExpo 2014 and called on the Opposition to be mature enough to admit it.

He said the People Progressive Party/Civil (PPP/C) will continue to sell Guyana, create opportunities for all Guyanese and amplify what already exists “in this beautiful land”.

“PPP/C continues to have the political will, the drive, the initiative and the interest in expanding the private sector and in expanding family business, moving it from one level to another,” Edghill noted.

He said the Government will continue to work in the best interest of the people, pointing out that it is encouraging that a lot of foreign investors are interested in Guyana as evident by their participation at the recently concluded expo.

Some 118 international investors were part of the grand fourday exhibition.

“If we had differ-

Minister within the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill

ent approaches to marketing Guyana, it could have been 1800, but the 118 that were here is an indication that despite of all the hostility, the negative propaganda… people are seeing the truth and the facts about Guyana and are engaging.”

Unpatriotic

Edghill contended that there are people who are still projecting Guyana in a scandalous and libel manner, but despite all the negativity, the country is still progressing.

The Minister added that GuyExpo is used as a vehicle to showcase lo-

cal talents and help the manufacturing sector to forge new linkages, expand markets and create new opportunities.

On that note, he rubbished claims from the Opposition parties that the PPP/C Government was using the expo to garner support in case of an early election in 2015.

“If that is the case, then we would have had elections every year from 1995 to date, because it has been going on every year, it is a yearly event.”

According to the Minister within the Finance Ministry, such comments by the Opposition are typical

of their brazen way of insulting the Guyanese people.

He said that persons who stormed the exposition were there to have a grand time, and more so to have discussions and negotiations with the various exhibitors.

“I would carefully say it to those in the Opposition who see a jumbie behind every bush, please don’t insult the intelligence of the Guyanese people, you will be judged harshly.”

Edghill divulged that recently he came across a quote that says “your enemies whisper your successes but broadcast your failures”.

He said Guyanese must bear this in mind and make wise decisions.

The Minister said he has seen in the past that when “something good is happening, it is being hidden but as soon as something bad happens, it makes headline, but we need to show to the Guyanese people who are the real enemies of our progress”.

The 20th edition of the explosion was held under the theme “Transformation: Partnering for a Better Guyana”.

T

Jonny MaRose

wenty-nine-yearold Jonny MaRose was on Tuesday fined Gy$100,000 for fraud when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges which stated firstly that between August 1 and August 29, he conspired with persons unknown to forge a Republic of Guyana employment visa in his passport knowing this to be false. And secondly, on October 3 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), with the intent to defraud, he uttered to an Immigration Officer, Constable Alexander, a Republic of

Cuba Passport, Number 126957, in favour of himself with a false Guyana employment visa knowing it was false, which he admitted to after the allegation was translated by an immigration officer.

He was represented

by Attorney Paul FungA-Fat who told the court that his client has a wife and children, and given his low salary, came to Guyana to work with his sister’s family (name not given). He noted that this was not the first time that his client has visited Guyana, giving his stable residency at Lot 20 Dennis Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown.

The defendant was then fined the sum of Gy$100,000, with an alternative sentence of six months.

News

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WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

St. Vincent PM still being treated in Cuba - following leg injury

K

INGSTOWN, ST. VINCENT: Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has been discharged from hospital in Cuba, 10 days after he arrived on the Spanish-speaking Caribbean nation to receive treatment for a leg injury.

Gonsalves announced his release in a call to his party’s radio station last Thursday night.

The 68-year-old leader told listeners that he was doing well, and had just had dinner with the island’s ambassador to Havana, Dexter Rose. Gonsalves said he was staying in a protocol house.

He left for Havana in an air ambulance on September 22, one day after his office announced that an injury to his right rectus femoris had seriously affected his mobility.

Communications consultant in the Office of the Prime Minister, Elson Crick, said earlier last week that “conservative estimates” were that

St. Vincent’s Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves (Caribbean News photo)

Gonsalves will return to St. Vincent by the end of this week.

He reported last Friday that estimation still stands, since Gonsalves will still receive treatment although he is no longer hospitalised.

The Prime Minister’s treatment in Cuba is the second in a foreign country this year.

In May, he underwent a surgical procedure in Europe to correct what he described

as “niggling pain” where a surgical procedure has been done in Barbados two years earlier.

In April of this year, doctors ordered Gonsalves to rest as a result of an ankle injury, the Prime Minister said he sustained in his bathroom.

In July, Gonsalves was seen walking with a slight limp, and told reporters that he had injured his knee, but not seriously.

(Caribbean News)

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Confusing signals from APNU: General Elections or LGE? - Coalition stages another protest in front of OP for LGE, but maintains support for No-Confidence Vote

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he continued protest by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE) is in direct opposition to calls by its partner Alliance For Change (AFC) to make the noconfidence vote its top priority.

On Tuesday, the coalition held another protest outside President Donald Ramotar’s office, calling on him to set a date for the holding of LGE. This time the party was joined by the quasi political movement BLUE CAPS. Over the last three weeks, the coalition and some of its supporters have paraded in front of the Office of the President on Vlissengen Road protesting when Cabinet meetings are to be held. The protests saw about 100 APNU supporters marching with APNU Leader David Granger.

The coalition in a release reiterated its “demands that the President desists from

APNU Leader David Granger addressing protesters (Photo compliments of APNU Facebook Page)

pretending to desire elections, but, in fact, [he is] preventing the holding of Local Government Elections. APNU calls on the President to issue the ‘commencement order’ to operationalise the Local Government Commission.”

This week, the pro-

testers were joined by BLUE CAPS, which over the last few months has continuously advocated for local Government polls to be held. At the last protest, the Opposition Leader said “we are sending a message to the PPP, the Central Government and

the Executive that we are fed up waiting for Local Government Elections, so whether the President is here or not, it doesn’t really matter to us”.

He also noted that the protest actions were somewhat “symbolic” and the President and his administration should ad-

here to the needs and concerns of the populace and set a date for the local polls.

Granger explained that while the coalition remains committed to the passage of the AFCtabled No- Confidence Motion in the National Assembly, the protest

actions will continue and intensify until the President sets a date for the holding of LGE. Granger had mounted his protest in the face of criticisms that he was following the AFC regarding the No-Confidence Motion.

Analysts have commented on the reluctance of the AFC to throw “wholehearted” support behind APNU’s push for LGE. There is talk that while APNU has thrown its weight behind the AFC’s No-Confidence Motion, there is little support demonstrated by the AFC for APNU’s call for LGE. This, it was noted, could be seen in the absence of AFC supporters at the spate of protest actions carried out

by APNU. But Granger said he and his coalition could not be bothered by the level of support received from the AFC. According to him, it is APNU’s campaign and whether or not support is given by the AFC, the campaign is progressing.

NEWS

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90,000 elderly Guyanese need Indian Prime Minister to visit special care – PAHO

Guyana, Suriname

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a n - A m e r i can Health Organisation (PAHO) Resident Country Representative, Dr Miahali Choo says some 90,000 elderly citizens in Guyana need special care to live healthy lives and feel wanted.

Speaking at a recent three-day workshop on care for the elderly organised by the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA), Dr Choo said these are issues which families must take into account.

“Old persons have limited regenerative abilities and are more prone to diseases than young adults and also face many social issues such as retirement, loneliness and ageing.”

Dr Choo said the United Nations considers old age to begin at 60, and thereafter, there are three phases.

The first being 6974 years old, which is considered ‘young old’, 75-84 years old considered as ‘middle old’ and 85 years old and over deemed ‘old old’.

According to Dr Choo, PAHO has set age 50 as old age in Africa.

In Guyana, the number of elderly persons has been growing as persons are now living longer.

7.5 per cent of persons are between ages 55 and 64 and 5.3 per

I

Some of the participants at the workshop for the care of the elderly

cent over age 65.

In actual figures, she said, this group consists of more than 90,000 in Guyana; hence, the need to focus attention on them, noting that treatment of non-communicable diseases utilise more than 80 per cent of the health budget.

“That means that in a short time, hospitals will need to be equipped to provide access to that population which is growing,” the PAHO official noted.

The three-day workshop which opened on Monday, focused on age-

ing in Guyana, older persons and health, geriatric care, infections in the elderly, nutrition of the elderly, preventative services, memory alterations, insomnia and pharmacotherapy, among other topics.

“We need to look at how this group of people needs to be treated before they develop complications,” Dr Choo said, while noting that the training will be of great benefit to communities.

BRHA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo said

the programme to pay special attention to the elderly started five years ago when the organisation introduced an extended home-based care programme.

“We visit all the bedridden who will like us to visit and we have on our register 500 persons currently.”

Government has also trained two persons each in the other regions to provide care for the elderly.

Most of the health centres in Region Six are dedicating one day to care for them.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Guyana and Suriname early next year. Since Indira Gandhi’s visit to Guyana in 1968, to seek support against Pakistan, no other Indian Prime Minister has visited Guyana. And it will be the first ever visit to Suriname by an Indian leader.

East Indians make up large chunks of the populations in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. They begin arriving as indentured workers in Guyana in 1838 and in Suriname in 1873, mainly from the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and comprised about 80 per cent Hindus and 20 per cent Muslims.

In Suriname, most Indians still speak Hindustani.

The Indian leader once visited Guyana while he was Chief

Minister of Gujarat and is keen to make a statement that his Government takes the Indian Diaspora seriously. Modi has been lobbied heavily to visit and to expand ties with overseas Indian communities.

Modi’s visit to Suriname was confirmed by President Desi Bouterse in his address to Parliament last week.

Bouterse will also make an official visit to India in 2015. The Surinamese President said that his Government has budgeted for these events.

The trip could be merely symbolic and a statement that Modi will closely monitor the global Indian diaspora.

While ties with these countries have been very strong, India has yet to make any significant investment in these countries. (Adapted from Caribbean News Now)

Miners’ Association concerned about slumping gold price

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he price of gold plummeted to a four-year low on Friday – US $1192 before marginally recovering to US$1206 on Monday.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the price of gold fell to its lowest level in four years after stronger-than-expected US employment data intensified investors’ concerns about how soon the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates.

According to Goldprice.org, the highest price for the precious commodity ever recorded was US$1826.70 in August 2011. However, over the past months, the price of gold has wavered between US$1300 and US$1500.

Local gold miners, like their international counterparts, have been uneasy over the declining gold price.

Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding told Guyana

Times International, in a telephone interview on Monday, that the ripple effects would definitely be felt in the local gold mining industry. He warned too that miners should brace themselves, as the price is expected to take another tumble in the near future.

Harding explained that the GGDMA has been monitoring the drop in the gold price in recent months with a keen eye, and there is no telling how far it will drop.

Intervention needed More importantly, Harding highlighted that the falling prices reflect a need for change in the local industry, since it “cannot survive on these prices”.

He said that at this juncture serious intervention is needed to avert a crisis and protect the investment of the Private Sector into Guyana’s gold sector.

It was against that backdrop that Harding pointed out the Miners Association intend-

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

ed to meet with the Government and regulatory officials to brainstorm ideas to cushion the effects of the slump in the gold price on the local mining sector.

The issue of value added production in the sector has been brought up several times, and it has been touted as a method of reducing dependency on the international market, but Harding pointed out that small miners cannot look to value added production.

GGDMA President Patrick Harding

According to Harding, they are “mandated” to sell their gold to the Guyana Gold Board which offers the price that is available on the international market, so “something else has to be done to bring the industry back in line … we have to get out of this crisis”.

Gold refinery

Amid the falling international gold price and low gold declarations to the Guyana Gold Board, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud on

Friday disclosed that Government was looking to set up a gold refinery.

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

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

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

While the mining sector is primarily focused on gold, bauxite and diamonds, Guyana also has deposits of semi-precious stones, laterite, manga-

nese, kaolin, sand, radioactive minerals, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, and nickel among others. Guyana produces high-value refractory A-grade bauxite, which is produced nowhere else except in China.

The mining and quarrying sector represents a critical component of Guyana’s economy, accounting for 50 per cent of exports.

The substantial increase in the price of gold over the last few years had given rise to increased declarations and exports.

Interest in gold mining had also increased.

Much of Guyana’s growth in recent years had come from a surge in gold production in response to then skyrocketing global prices. The downward trend in gold prices may threaten future growth.

However, the prospects are still encouraging, as exploration results suggest that significant gold deposits are still there to be mined.

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Caribbean bankers urge Five-star gated Guyana to pass AML Bill community being T built at Providence

A

A model of the New Life Community on display during GuyExpo 2014

state-of-the-art five-star gated community is expected to be completed in three years’ time behind the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The community called New Life Community is owned by a Chinese investor.

A Chinese representative told Guyana Times International that the houses will be constructed mainly by Chinese but Guyanese will also be part of the workforce.

The modern homes will range from G$55 million to G$110 million.

The official related that the area is already being prepared and construction should get underway shortly. She added that the New Life Community is designed and will be constructed based on the most advanced planning and layout which makes it significantly different from the others.

The houses will be

built in four specifications: Caramel Cottage measuring 5181 square feet; Silk Haven, 4477 square feet; Tropical Escape, 2907 square feet and Sunrise Villa measuring 3353 square feet.

All the houses will have a master bedroom and garage, among other amenities.

She explained that the community will have its own mall, park, bar, post office, swimming pools and gymnasium, all to make life for the occupants more convenient and delightful.

The community will also have an underground water purification mechanism that will be installed in every home. It will be using both municipal power and self-owned generators.

The New Life Community will be surrounded by a fence equipped with shocking devices, more than 300 infrared monitoring detectors and a 24-hour on duty team of heavily

armed guards for maximum protection.

Communities of this sort have been built in Europe, and stand out for being fashionable, unique and artistic.

The company promoted the community at the recently concluded GuyExpo at the National Exhibition Complex, Sophia with a gigantic model of the housing scheme, which attracted the attention of thousands.

The Chinese representative indicated that there were several serious inquiries made about owning a home in the gated community and refuted claims that the facility is only for Chinese nationals.

Of recent, the housing sector has been experiencing a boom with several high-level investors putting their resources into gated communities. The gated communities they claim will provide much needed security, comfort and relaxation.

he Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) has applauded Guyana’s efforts to put alternative measures in place to address the technical deficiencies in its existing legal and financial legislative framework, but urged that the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill be passed.

“The passage of the AML Bill is not only about Guyana, but also about the international financial sector as a whole in order to protect all financial systems, within the Region, from ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks. We are only as strong as our weakest link,” said CAB Chairman Carlton Barclay.

Billions of dollars are laundered each year, posing significant policy concerns for Governments worldwide.

As a result, Governments and international bodies have undertaken efforts to deter, prevent, and apprehend money launderers.

Non-compliance with the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations will have a significant impact on correspondent banking relationships which, in turn, are of vital importance to the facilitation of business in the financial services sector of the Region.

“Guyana’s expediency in passing the AML/ CFT Bill will not only benefit its own economy and growth but strengthen our regional financial network and its reputation worldwide,” the CAB said.

The CAB is a commu-

CAB Chairman Carlton Barclay

nity of banks and other financial institutions in the Caribbean/Caricom Region, which provides opportunities for discussion on issues impacting the regional banking/financial services community as well as for the sharing of experiences and networking.

CAB is dedicated to the advocacy of national and institutional adherence to AML/CFT. It recommends and supports full compliance with the AML/CFT standards in order to protect all financial systems, within the Region, from ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks by offering ongoing training and education for its members.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall had recently said Guyana is in the process of putting in place alternatives to address the technical deficiencies in its existing legal and financial legislative architecture for the assessment of the FATF.

Interaction

This position was made clear during the face-to-face interaction with the Americas Regional Review Group (ARRG) in Miami on September 29. Nandlall,

who led the Guyanese delegation to the interaction, said that all of this is as a consequence of the non-passage of the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill.

“Were we able to pass the Bill, then we would not have had to go through this process, but because we did not pass that Bill, we now have to look at alternative mechanisms to satisfy the technical requirements,” he explained.

FATF has appointed a special body comprising representatives from the Americas to work with Guyana for the purpose of making a presentation of Guyana’s case to that body’s plenary meeting on October 1824 in Paris.

This high-level team will send its work plan to Guyana along with other issues that it may identify for addressing for consideration by FATF. During the meeting with the ARRG, some of the proposals put forward by Guyana as part of the work plan, were also discussed.

Essentially, the final report that will be prepared by Guyana under the supervision of the ARRG will be Guyana’s case to FATF at its October plenary.

Minister Nandlall described the process as a “work in progress”, but noted that the engagement with the ARRG was fruitful and constructive.

As it stands, Guyana is the only country that is so technically deficient in terms of its financial crimes legislative framework in the Western Hemisphere.

All of the other FATF member countries are now concluding their fourth round of examinations.

Vanessa Kissoon could still face further sanctions

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Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Vanessa Kissoon can face greater sanctions at the level of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNCR), party leader David Granger said.

Kissoon’s relationship with the PNCR deteriorated following an altercation with General Secretary Oscar Clarke at the party’s Sophia Headquarter earlier this year.

Subsequent to the PNCR’s 18th Biennial Congress in July, Kissoon was instruct-

ed to apologise for misconduct; however, this recommendation which was made by the party’s Disciplinary Committee has been ignored.

In September, another letter was dispatched to Kissoon by the Opposition Leader regarding her membership of the party, but to date, she has failed to respond.

Questioned whether her non-responsiveness will affect her membership, Granger in an interview with Guyana Times International responded in the affirmative.

It was explained that the letter regarding her suspension formed part

PNCR Leader David Granger

APNU MP Vanessa Kissoon

of a recommendation made by the Disciplinary Committee headed by Allan Munroe.

However, it was

made clear that while Kissoon’s blatant refusal to respond to the letter can affect her membership at the par-

ty level, it will not affect her position in the National Assembly as an APNU MP. Asked whether he is moved by Kissoon’s posture, Granger responded in the negative. “No, I am not bothered, the matter has been thoroughly investigated and ventilated and Ms Kissoon knows what she has to do,” he declared.

But the issue involving the Region 10 MP is just the tip of the ice-berg. Since the 18th Biennial Congress, the leadership of the party has not met with Kissoon, the Regional Chairman

Sharma Solomon or Trade Unionist Leslie Gonsalves. The group, which calls its self the “PNCR Linden Arm”, has indicated its intention to write Granger on a plethora of unresolved issues.

No Linden PNCR Arm

But Granger made it clear that there is no “PNCR Linden Arm”, but a PNCR Linden Coordinator in the person of Sandra Adams. It was explained that the party is currently conducting outreaches on the East Coast and West Coast of Demerara, with the next stop being at Linden, Region 10.

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‘Substantial progress made in every facet of life’ – PPP/C ... party celebrates 22 years in office

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Sunday congratulated the Government and people of Guyana on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary since the return of democracy to Guyana after 28 years of dictatorial rule.

The party in a statement said October 5, 1992 can justifiably be regarded as a defining moment in the political life of Guyana.

“For one thing, it marked a break from nearly three military and dictatorial rule in the English- speaking

the then PNC regime but due to intense pressures both from the democratic forces within the country led by the PPP and from the international donor community led by the Carter Centre.

“The cumulative effects of these two forces forced the PNC to grudgingly cave in to demands for democratic elections which resulted in the end of dictatorial rule and the dawn of a new day in the body-politic of the country.

“The PPP became the main victim of the democratic rupture which took place in the elections of

Former President Janet Jagan

Former President, Dr Cheddi Jagan

Caribbean.”

According to the party, October marked 22 years since the end of authoritarian rule in Guyana following the election to office of the PPP/C Administration after some 28 years of minority rule.

The party said it is a well established fact that all elections, national and regional, were blatantly and massively rigged by the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime in order to perpetuate its life in Government.

“It would be useful to make mention of the fact that the democratic reforms which took place during the elections of October 5, 1992 did not come about as a result of the altruistic intentions of

1968, a mere one year after the PNC kicked out its junior coalition partner, the United Force but only after it had taken total control of the electoral machinery of the state including that of the Elections Commission. It is pertinent to note also that in the elections of 1964, the PPP was engineered out of office by Anglo-American vested interests.

Actually, the United States Administration applied pressure on Britain not to grant political Independence to the colony of British Guiana under the leftist PPP Government.

Buckling under pressure, the British Government introduced a new electoral system of Proportional

Representation which replaced the First-Pastthe Post or Constituency model which saw the PPP winning a majority of the seats in the Legislative Assembly in the 1964 General Elections even though it failed to win a majority of the popular votes.”

The, party said the plan hatched by AngloAmerican vested interests in collaboration with local reactionary elements worked out well, thanks to a combination of racial tension and other acts of political destabilisation fomented by Opposition elements with support from the CIA and other reactionary overseas bodies.

“It is indeed a sad narrative of failed governance that spawned the entire period of PNC misrule which led not only to the impoverishment of the Guyanese people, but at a more fundamental level to the degeneration of the nation-state to a point where the country was reduced to the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, slightly ahead of Haiti in terms of per capita income.

“Guyana became a laughing stock among Caricom nations and at one time was deemed “uncreditworthy” by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).”

The party said it was against the above background that the struggle for free and fair elections has to be situated, noting that the country had reached a point where the regime had become a national liability and a brake on the country’s development.

The PPP and other democratic forces formed a broad alliance, the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD) which comprised of a number of political parties, civil society organisations

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

President Donald Ramotar

and prominent individuals, which along with the Carter Centre and other international donor agencies, turn on the political heat on the PNC regime which forced Hoyte, then President, to agree on democratic reforms.

National and regional elections which were constitutionally due in 1990 were postponed by two years to allow for a new Voters List and other democratic changes to the elections process.

The most significant of these changes were a new Elections Commission made up of an equal number of representatives from the Government and Opposition sides, a new Voters’ List and the counting of votes at the place of poll. Hoyte refused to agree on the latter on the ground that it would be a “logistical nightmare” to count votes at the place of poll.

Elections held on

October 5, 1992, as widely anticipated, led to the end of PNC dictatorial rule and the election to office of the PPP/C. Immediately prior to the 1992 elections, the PPP entered into an alliance with a group of individuals from civil society made up of intellectuals, businessmen and other members of civil society.

Dr Cheddi Jagan became Guyana’s first democratically-elected Executive President and Samuel Hinds from the Civic component became Prime Minister.

The PPP/C, despite predictions by Hoyte that the new Government could not survive one year in office, is celebrating this month 22 years in office, having won successive elections in certified free and fair elections.

During this period, the presidency changed hands following the death of Dr Jagan to his wife Janet

The PPP/C said one common denominator of all the Presidents was their ability to take the country along the development continuum

Former President, now Prime Former Minister Samuel Hinds

Jagan, and following her passing, to Samuel Hinds, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar, the current President.

The party said one common denominator of all the Presidents that served at the helm of the PPP/C Administration was their ability to take the country along the development continuum as the country soars to higher and higher levels of achievement and recognition and as a proud member of the international community.

It noted that despite obstructions tactics employed by the combined political Opposition aided and abetted by a hostile Opposition media, the country continues to make substantial progress in every facet of national life.

“The PPP/C is proud of the role it has played and continues to play in the restoration and consolidation of democratic rule in Guyana.

“Congratulations are in order for His Excellency President Donald Ramotar, all former Presidents of the PPP/C Government, Cabinet Members, both present and past, the leadership and entire membership of the ruling PPP/C and all those who have contributed in one way or the other to the growth and development of this beautiful and great country of ours.”

Local DNA testing won’t happen anytime soon – Rohee

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n the face of a renewed push, this time by local social activists for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing services in Guyana, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has said the much needed crime-fighting infrastructure is not on the cards anytime soon.

Rohee told Guyana Times International on Monday that while the Government is assiduously pursuing the services to be made available in Guyana, it would take some time to happen.

Over the years, the

Guyana Police Force has been lacking in the scientific aspect of crime-fighting with the unavailability of needed advanced technologies.

However, this was recently addressed to some extent with the commissioning of a Forensic Laboratory at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Rohee at the commissioning of the lab had said while the laboratory does not offer DNA testing, it is currently engaging the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to have this component in the future.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

“Based on a mandate given to us by the President and the Cabinet, the Ministry of

Home Affairs has been tasked with the responsibility to work assiduously to introduce DNA laboratory testing,” he stated.

Citing several cases of unsolved murders and unconfirmed identities, the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) group recently announced that in partnership with global activist group One Billion Rising, it will be looking at strengthening the Missing Persons Act and making local DNA testing available for locals.

According to CADVA Representative Dianne Madray, for too long, Guyanese parents and families have buried persons without any sort of confirmation of their identity and too many bodies found have remained unidentified.

She contended that proper systems need to be put in place to ensure that families get some sort of closure when their loved ones go missing and are not positively identified.

The CADVA founder also pointed out that although the Government

has been able to establish a forensic laboratory, the facility does not have the required capabilities to conduct DNA testing.

It was against that backdrop that the Eureka Medical Laboratory will be partnering with CADVA with the hope of making DNA testing available locally.

She pointed to the recent disappearance of Nygozi Goodman, a St Stanislaus High School teacher, noting that no confirmation has been given on the identity of the discovered body.

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Successful electronic Teaching Service Commission to fill over 300 vacancies voting project at UG celebrated T

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he Delian Project (electronic voting) was on Saturday declared a success in Guyana as it revealed the new President of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS).

On Saturday evening, a reception was held by Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles to celebrate the success of the project following the UGSS elections.

Daniel Joly, Head of Aid within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Canadian High Commission, stated that the election was “an occasion to underscore”.

The project is a relatively new technology created with the specific objective of security and to give to electors results of elections as soon as possible.

New UGSS President Joshua Griffith shared that the automatic ballot scans and tabulation machines have been tried at other universities within the Caribbean, but is a pilot project in Guyana.

UG Deputy Vice Chancellor Barbara Reynolds said it was an immense opportunity that UG was able to be a part of the exercise, particularly at its 50th anniversary.

The new technolo-

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles

gy is not at all complex.

The procedures involve the voter ticking off on a ballot of their choice, slipping the ballot into a protective covering to prevent anyone else from seeing what is there, then sliding it into the tabulator.

“This is a machine that calculates the number of voters as well as their choices and sends the results directly to a main server.

The process features complicated software and encryptions to ensure security, privacy and accuracy.

A release from the High Commission informed that the device is paper-based and allows for electronic, automatic tabulation of results via a form of document ballot voting system, meaning that there is a tangible record of the voter’s in-

tent as a voter still marks a traditional paper ballot.

High Commissioner Giles related that this new advancement in the electoral process will enable security as there are no persons involved, just machines.

The High Commissioner also said the amount of spoilt ballots will be reduced as well, thus giving everyone a chance to have their votes counted and not be “disenfranchised”.

However, she remarked that the involvement of everyone in the process is quite necessary for it to be a holistic success. The Delian Project is an independent, nonprofit organisation registered in both Canada and the US. Delian was created as a joint Public/Private philanthropic entity in 2011.

Seventh-day Adventist Church honours outstanding teachers

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ith the aim of recognising the unfettering contributions of teachers in molding the minds of the nation’s children, the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist on Sunday held a luncheon in their honour at the Promenade Garden, Georgetown.

Teachers attending the simple function were drawn primarily from the Queenstown Ward, with a few coming from the outskirts of Georgetown.

It is the third year the Education Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Guyana hosted the event, in recognition of World Teacher’s Day, which was observed on Saturday.

Education Director of the conference, Barbara Savory said the church has an ongoing relationship with teachers. She said the pro-

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald

gramme, planned by the Education Department of the Conference, has an aim of publicly “recognising the role that these men and women play in the lives of the young people. And so this is a means to motivate and encourage them as best as we can to take these opportunities to continue doing just that”.

Speaking at the function, Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) General

Secretary Coretta McDonald said the teachers were grateful for the support of the church.

“One would expect that the church would step in and do what is has to do since there are a lot of ills in society and we often wonder where is the church in all this,” she told the group of educators at the function on Sunday.

She noted that teachers, although seeking to fulfill their mandate, are humans too and do have their own issues which require prayer.

She therefore called on the church to set aside at least one week per month to offer prayers for teachers.

Meanwhile, on a lighter side of her presentation, McDonald said the Education Ministry, and even parents should work toward helping teachers to be more competent in the delivery of their work.

he Teaching S e r v i c e Commission (TSC) is in the process of filling more than 300 junior vacancies in the education system, Chairperson Chandrawati Lelia Ramson said.

According to Ramson, these junior vacancies are spread across the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. Since the commencement of the 2014/2015 Academic Year, thousands of applications have flooded the Commission.

Though it is a humongous task, Ramson said the Commission will do its best, even if it means going back to the 2012 batch of applications to find the ideal teacher for a given post and location.

“There are many applicants from 2012 who are still waiting for jobs, especially in the country side where jobs are limited.”

In addition to the junior vacancies, Ramson said during the period January-July, the Commission will award senior promotions.

According to her, there are approximately 500 senior vacancies. But due to locations and posts required to be filled, the Chair said only 60 per cent will be filled. This is nothing new, she said, explaining that though hundreds of applications may be sent in for a given post, finding the suitable individual might be challenging.

Chairperson Chandrawati Lelia Ramson

Though applications are processed with a “fine teeth comb”, before appointments are made, the Commission is often faced with approximately 40 appeals on an annual basis by teachers who feel that they were short-changed or cheated in the process.

Questioned on whether the education system is still being majorly affected by the issue of brain drain, Ramson responded in the negative, positing that fewer teachers are leaving for the perceived “greener pastures”.

“Fewer teachers are running to places like Bahamas and Botswana,” she said, but was unable to indicate what percentage is staying versus those who are leaving.

Alluding to the reintegration process of teachers who would have left the system, Ramson said trained teachers can be re-integrated into the public education system once they left on good terms. “If you are trained, you can come back and get your job, but it is the way in which you leave your job,” she said.

It was explained that senior teachers can lose as much as 30 years of service if they would have failed to resign before leaving, or would have resigned but left before the one month’s notice expired. It was explained that senior teachers are mandated to give one month’s notice before leaving, while headteachers are required to give three months.

Guyanese busted at CJIA with cocaine in rum

A

Guyanese travelling to the US for the first time was on Sunday morning nabbed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with cocaine-laced 15-Year-Old Eldorado Rum. Joseph Stewart, 35, of East Coast Demerara was about to board a Caribbean Airlines Flight when the discovery was made. According to information received, members of the Police Narcotics Branch noticed Stewart acting in a suspicious manner and he was sweating although the air conditioning unit on.

His actions prompted the Police ranks to search his hand luggage and upon checking, they discovered several bottles of Eldorado Rum. Upon closer inspection, they realised the seals were broken, thus, their

suspicion raised.

The cocaine was reportedly mixed in the rum. During interrogation, the man claimed that he was given the bottles by a businessman on East Coast Demerara for a friend who resides in the US. He was arrested and is expected to be charged shortly.

In May last, four persons died after they unwittingly ingested the contents of a bottle labelled SSS tonic, which was laced with liquefied cocaine that was supposed to be sent to the US. Simone Pryce, 36; her reputed husband, Alex Blair, 42; their six-yearold son, Jahaquel Blair and a family friend, Natasha George, 36, all of East La Penitence died after ingesting the deadly brew.

Deon Layne, 34, a miner of Lot HH

Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown was subsequently charged after being on the run for more than a month and was remanded to prison.

It was reported that on May 2, at Kokerite Street, Georgetown, Layne had in his possession 252 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

On the day in question, around 21:00h, he reportedly went to the home of a family member who was visiting from the US and requested for her to take some SSS tonics for his brother in the US. Nevertheless, the woman left Guyana without the tonic after claiming that tonics are available in galore in the US. It was after this, the persons ingested the liquid, thinking that it was indeed SSS tonic.

News

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STARR Computer to roll out Smart Labs in schools S

TARR Computer has been the authorised dealer of Lenovo computers for the last eight years and is soon to implement the “Smart Lab” in the school system. The Smart Lab will see students who carry large volumes of books and other educational materials instead using a flash card or compact discs.

STARR Computer Director Michael Mohan explained that the Smart Lab will soon be introduced in the education system as technology advances in the country. The initiative can be set up at very low prices with a high level of satisfaction.

One of the labs was installed at Maes Secondary School last week. This Smart Lab is energy efficient, low cost and requires a small footprint (space).

Mohan added that the energy consumption is approximately 112 Watts (two light bulbs) for a “six terminal workstation” – a perfect solution for schools, offices and home users with large families.

This innovative Smart Lab solution at

dents and parents. And better yet, help grow the economy.

Widely used

STARR Computer Director Michael Mohan demonstrates how a SMART Lab operates

Maes Secondary School consists of two Lenovo Think Servers which power up to 24 workstations. Each workstation consists of an adapter which connects to one monitor plus a keyboard and mouse.

Each, he stated has the expandability to accommodate USB connections, and a headphone, allowing 24 to 48 students to use the system simultaneously.

“In addition, each student can store all their data information and school contents in a

single flash drive which they can hang around their necks instead of fetching 30lbs of books on their backs daily,” he added.

This low priced solution replaces the conventional practice of expensive “stand alone” and “high maintenance” computers which can add up to millions of dollars.

“In short, this solution allows over 60 per cent energy savings (electricity) and up to 90 per cent maintenance cost reduction of a

traditional lab. STARR Computer was able to deploy this 48 user Smart Lab in one day,” Mohan reiterated.

He also stated that the low-cost solution requires minimal space for the lab installation, and, most importantly, with the low energy consumption, a small renewable energy kit can be installed to power the entire lab.

The Smart Lab solution is least expensive when it comes to having a school lab functional over a longer period of

time. Most importantly, each individual workstation performs and functions in the same manner as the traditional desktop.

Mohan suggested that this new concept would be a great opportunity for corporate citizens (private sector) to step up and sponsor a class in their community schools, so as to help develop young people in Guyana.

This solution can open the doors to electronic interaction between teachers, stu-

Mohan said that the Lenovo line of computer equipment is not strange to the Guyanese market.

In fact, it has been the most widely used brand

by Guyanese over the years due to its durability and fast connections.

The Director stated that only recently, Lenovo took over the IBM Server business after acquiring Motorola’s phone division earlier in the year.

Lenovo, he explained, is now poised to be the computer superpower of tomorrow. In 2004, Lenovo had acquired IBM PC division and elevated its standing from number three to number one in 2013.

“With the addition of the IBM high-end System X Servers to Lenovo current line of PC, Think-station, and, Storage enterprise under the umbrella as one Lenovo and one Channel, STARR Computer Inc is poised to increase its ‘end-to-end’ portfolio to provide a wider range of products and services to the Guyanese public,” he said.

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School sex video: Govt hammers 'reckless' Chronicle for printing pictures

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he Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security has slammed the state-owned Guyana Chronicle for the publication of images of children involved in sexual acts, saying that it is appalled by the media house and those in charge.

The article that accompanied the pictures was written by Leroy Smith – a rookie reporter at the state media entity. In its statement, the Ministry described the descent by the state newspaper as disgusting. It said too that the acts of the children “… have exposed a tremendous need for more to be done by parents, teachers and our society as a whole to ensure that our children understand and practise moral values that would prevent them from making poor decisions.”

However, “some sections of the media sought to exploit this issue in the press and shared images that have gone viral.

The recent media report in the Guyana Chronicle edition of October 7, 2014, will also serve to unsettle other children. Imagine their sense of diminished pride and the glaring suspicion that everyone around them must be aware of this most sordid affair!”

Additionally, the Ministry

said: “The racial identities of the children, the school they attend and the compromising acts being performed are obvious in the images. The lives of these children and their families are certainly in turmoil over this unfortunate situation and now they have been further humiliated by the publication of these images both on the Internet and in the print media. The impact of such an action will affect their self-esteem, and may have serious consequences upon their lives in the future,” the Ministry lamented.

“The Ministry through the Child Care and Protection Agency unequivocally condemns such irresponsible behaviour from media operatives who ought to know better.

Media personnel have continuously received training on the ethics of journalism, the legal implications and the importance of safeguarding the identity and integrity of our children. The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security and the Child Care and Protection Agency hereby call on the Guyana Chronicle to publicly apologise for the publication of these images and urge everyone associated with the electronic publication of these obscene images to de-

sist from doing so.”

According to the Ministry, dissemination of these images have negatively impacted upon the efforts and progress made with respect to child protection in Guyana. It added that the upgrading of “our laws to cater for electronic and cyber crime is much needed to address such issues.

Noting that Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which clearly addresses the issue of human rights of our children, the Ministry cited Article 17 of the Convention which delineates the responsibilities of mass media organisations, including ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of children and adolescents.

Similarly, Article 34 speaks of the need to “protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation .…” It said too: “Our local laws also clearly state acceptable standards for media publications of sexual content.

It is therefore appalling that these have been blatantly ignored by media personnel, particularly the Guyana Chronicle newspaper. Every Guyanese, including members of the media, have a duty and a responsibility to protect our children. We must take this responsibility seriously.’

Canada main source of International Business for Barbados

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RIDGETOWN, B A R B A D O S : Barbados’ Industry Minister Donville Inniss, says that Barbados remains focused on making the country attractive to receive foreign direct investment from Canada.

Speaking to the media after a service at the St. Thomas Parish Church on Sunday morning to launch International Business Week 2014, Inniss noted that Canada is the main source market for Barbados’ International Business Sector and this has resulted also in the country being the third largest receiver of foreign direct investment from that North American country.

This, the minister said, is truly testimony to strength of the partnership between the two countries.

“Canadian companies have benefited tremendously from their presence in Barbados. I know of many Canadian companies that have been able to expand domestically, meaning in the Canadian market, through their presence in Barbados [and] being able to grow globally. So Canada will continue to be a major market for us, we’re not going to neglect the Canadian market, and we’re going to explore all those opportunities,” he said.

Inniss added however, that

Barbados’ Industry Minister Donville Inniss (Nation News file photo)

while government is keen on continuing its relationship with Canada, it will not be a case where they are putting all their eggs in one basket. As such, he revealed that they will also be looking to improve the relationship with other countries, including those in Latin America. With that in mind, the minister noted that during this week there will be a Latin America Business Conference held on the topic of ‘Bridging the America: Barbados…Your Gateway’.

This conference, he said, is being made possible through the Barbados International Business Association and Invest Barbados. (Barbados Advocate)

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Hydropower project still a top priority for government

An artist's impression of the Amaila Falls hydropower project

By Svetlana Marshall

S

itting on the northern coast of South America, Guyana, the land of many waters, is rich in hydro-resources.

It was based on this natural wealth, and the fact that Guyana currently imports 100% of its oil, that the Government of Guyana, through a public/private partnership agreement, initiated the Amaila Hydropower Project.

Under the leadership of the then President Bharrat Jagdeo, the project was designed to have the country generate its own electricity using domestic resources instead of relying on imported heavy and light fuels.

The domino effect from this multi-million dollar project, which was estimated at US$800M, would have resulted in Guyanese being provided with reliable and affordable electricity.

Additionally, it would have created hundreds of jobs for the unemployed, while simultaneously boosting the country’s economy.

According to the proj-

ect plan, the Amaila Hydropower Project will help to improve the dependability of the energy supply in Guyana by providing up to an estimated 165MW of renewable energy. The project includes a new double circuit high voltage 230KV transmission network that will form the backbone of a new high voltage super highway – enhancing the reliability and deliverability of electricity throughout the country.

However, despite clearly outlying the project plan, the government was unable to win the support of the Opposition in the National Assembly in the passing of key legislations.

But before crumbling in 2013, the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was a private sector-led initiative, designed to be financed through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and China Development Bank (CDB) and with equity from Sithe Global and the Government of Guyana. China Railway First Group was identified for the construction of the power facility.

However, the Donald

Amaila Falls

Ramotar Administration has never lost sight of the project. After the Opposition shot it down in 2013, the Administration went back to the drawing board this year with the hope of resuscitating the project.

In recent times, the government had indicated that China Development Bank had pledged to pump US$500M into the materialisation of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project with China Railway First Group (CRFG) remaining committed as well. China Development Bank has also indicated its willingness to pour more funds into the project to fill any gap.

Sithe Global had pulled out of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project in August 2013, two days after the National Assembly failed to meet consensus on legislative arrangements deemed necessary to move the project forward. The continued on page 34

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FEATURE

WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com A breathtaking view of a section of Georgetown (Photo by Fidal Bassier)

...through the PPP/C government

O

n 5 October 1992, the People’s Progressive Party inherited a country that was not only broke, but was saddled with a US$2.1 billion debt that left absolutely

no funds to provide even basic social services to the citizens of Guyana.

Today, 22 years later, Guyana has become a positively transformed country by every single marker - economically,

socially or culturally.

The economic gains especially have been nothing short of spectacular - summarised rather succinctly by the statistic that per capita GNP (how much each citi-

zen earns annually) jumped over six times from US$506 in 1992 to US$3410 at the end of last year! In real terms this is reflected in new car ownership which now exceeds 10,000 annually. In Guyana today, it is not only a "chicken in every pot" but "a car in every driveway"!

Sure Guyana has a far way to go, but a country and its government's performance has to be judged from where its journey began. And from 1992, Guyana has been extricated from a hole that very few countries in similar states such as several sub-Saharan countries - could become even viable in the present.

But the PPP's greatest success has been in the creation of an overarching economic environment - still being un-

furled - that has ensured a 5% growth rate in the last decade that is unmatched in the region.

In fact, the success of the government has created its own dilemma in that there is so much alternative employment available for the average person, that the traditional sugar industry cannot secure enough employees for its demands.

One of the most visible signs of the economic transformation can be seen in the remarkable statistic that over 100,000 house lots have been distributed since 1992, with more than 70,000 homes built since then. This has been facilitated through the introduction of a raft of incentives so that owning a house is within the reach of every Guyanese.

Conclusively, it is shown that house ownership is the largest single factor

in building a stable society that can have sustainable development.

The housing boom has also segued into a general construction boom - especially in the cities and townships. The cityscape of Georgetown has been so transformed by the hundreds of high-rise buildings that it can hardly be recognised as the sleepy backwater town it was only a decade ago. But from a direct economic standpoint, the building boom - the greatest seen in the history of the Caribbean - has not only transformed the landscape of the country, but the composition of the workforce, through the direct and ancillary employment opportunities created.

Tourism has been another non-traditional area in which billions of continued on page 45

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WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com Aerial view of Berbice Bridge (Photo by Mike Charles)

I

n the publication, “The Geography of Transport Systems”, authors Jean-Paul Rodrigues and Dr Theo Notteboom argued that development is related at improving the welfare of a society through appropriate social, political and economic conditions. The expected outcomes are quantitative and qualitative improvements in human capital as well as physical capital such as infrastructures, transport and telecommunications.

It is against this background that the landmark Berbice River Bridge must be seen. Promised to the Guyanese people very early on taking office, the People’s Progressive Party government lived up to its commitment by delivering the bridge in 2008 under the presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo.

Without a doubt, the Berbice Bridge has made travelling to and from the Ancient County a painless one-day trip. The ferry and pontoon services, which were previously used plying between New Amsterdam and Rosignol, were inadequate to transport the increasing passenger and cargo traffic between these two points. Though criticised by the opposition, the project has widespread support among the Berbicians, the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, and the Private Sector Commission.

Built using the public private partnership model of development, the bridge company had assets of Gy$8.9 billion, of which Gy$400 million was invested by equity shareholders with the remaining Gy$8.5 billion coming

from interest bearing debts. These are 950 million preference shares with a return rate of 11% and redeemable at increasing percentages after 15 years; subordinated loan stock – Gy$1,250 million, repayable in 2026; bonds

tranche one – Gy$3,050 million, at 9% maturing 2013; bonds tranche two – Gy$2,525 million, at 10% maturing 2017; and loans – Gy$450 million. As a result, the company has to pay over Gy$800 million annually in interest alone.

At the commissioning of the bridge, Jagdeo noted that the facility represented a dream come true for all of the country. “We’ve travelled a long road and it has not been an easy road to get this project off the ground…and for you to understand that, you need to understand what were the initial challenges we faced…what were the initial and essential tasks of the new government.”

Jagdeo said the PPP/C government, on taking over the reins, had as its first priority to restore credibility to “our finances and that is not an overnight job. It takes a long time to do that especially when you had a situation to deal with where inflation was triple digit, and interest rates were close to forty percent and where debt-servicing took up most of the revenue”. The president queried which sophisticated investor would want to come into a country when its macro-fundamentals and variables were not stable.

Since its commissioning, the bridge has helped to significantly improve economic growth and social development in Berbice. It has also opened markets, east of the river, to entrepreneurs on the western side and vice versa. The 1.5 kilometre bridge is the sixth longest floating bridge in the world and stretches from D’Edward Village on the western bank of the Berbice River to Crab Island on the eastern side. On the western side, the access road connecting the bridge with the main highway network is approximately .8 kilometres long while on the eastern side, the access road is approximately 3.5 kilometres in length. The edifice was constructed by Botch Retrox and Mabe Johnson under a contract with the BBCI.

Then President Jagdeo and other officials along with hundreds of officials take a walk on the newly opened Berbice River Bridge in December 2008 (GINA photo)

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Arts & CULTURE

WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport

C

reative Arts in Guyana has long been divided among only four areas: fine art (the E.R. Burrowes School of Arts), dance (National School of Dance), music (National School of Music) and theatre arts and drama (National School of Theatre Arts and Drama).

However, with the establishment of the Institute for Creative Arts in Guyana, an umbrella institution established to represent all creative arts institutions and organisations in Guyana, things are about

to change.

The Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) represents a beacon of hope for all artistes and the art industry in Guyana. It is a Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport initiative that seeks to invest in the education and training of the next generation of creative artistes.

“This is indeed a moment of pride for us,” stated Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony at the ICA inaugural graduation in September. “We have long recognised the need for a comprehensive

range of post-secondary arts education.”

With the mission to provide cross-cutting education and training to promote and sustain excellence in creative arts and envisioning this excellence in creative expression, the ICA will offer a range a range of undergraduate programmes in the performing, visual and fine arts including dancing, theatre arts, drama, creative writing, media arts and music.

“The aim of the ICA is to educate students about the arts, while at the same time empow-

The Ministry’s inaugural convocation of the Institute of Creative Arts was recently held at the NCC in Georgetown

ering artists through training for specific occupational outcomes,” Dr Vibert Cambridge, the institute’s facilitator explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

An underlying philosophy of the ICA is promoting autonomy among the artists and skills not only to make or perform art but skills with the educational background to market and promote their art including the protection of their intellectual property.

The ICA is thus committed to creating a link between theoretical and practical studies in the visual, literary and performing arts.

The Sunday Magazine was made to understand teaching strategies will combine theory-based approaches of academics in arts with the professional skills-based training of practising artists.

This will be accomplished through a curricula guided by the expectations of the CXC syllabi in music, theatre arts, the visual arts, sports and physical education, the emerging CAPE syllabus in the performing arts, and the

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony

emerging revision of the curricula of the Division of Creative Arts at the University of Guyana.

The institute will deliver curricula leading to Certificates [1-2 years programs] Diplomas (2-3 years), Associate Degrees (3 years). It will offer core courses such as English Language, Entrepreneurship and Caribbean Studies which will be compulsory for all students while each programme will offer cross faculty options, electives and minors.

The ICA is also committed to defining the relationship between creative arts and culture

and has a particular interest in intercultural studies.

The institute was initially established in the 1970s as the teaching arm of the National History and Arts Council with five departments: art, dance, drama, music and creative writing; however it quickly dissolved soon after its establishment.

Officially re-established in 2014, the Institute for Creative Arts was formulated by a Working Group appointed by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony in September 2012.

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Living in a cocoon GuyExpo 2014

Providing a ‘critical niche market’

“T

G

By Anu Dev

oing to school in a foreign country is sort of like living in a cocoon. First of all, there’re the physical barriers from the rest of the society.

Here in Trinidad, we’re in dorms within the huge Mt Hope Medical Complex.

(It’s actually named after their first Prime Minister Eric Williams, but no one really calls it that.) It’s fenced off, sprawling and practically self-sufficient: Medical School, Dental School, Veterinary School, Women’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital, General Hospital – you name it and they have it.

And then my dorms are even further sequestered within this compound – protected by guards and yet another fence. So when my friends and relatives back home ask me about whether I’m affected by all the crime and shootings and kidnappings in Trinidad, I can say honestly retort with a straight face, “What crime??”

But there’s the even denser cocoon from the rigours of medical school. You literally stagger from exams to exams and you just don’t have time to break out of the physical cocoon even if you wanted to. I’ve noticed that even some of those students who’re from Trinidad, stay on dorms many weekends. A person has to recuperate!

But the existence of a third cocoon is slowly dawning on me, one imposed by the powers-incharge sticking dogmatically to the curriculum of the school. Now I suppose every course of study must have to impart a set body of knowledge to those who signed on. But I didn’t expect that real world challenges in the field you’re slogging away at – in my case, medicine – would be totally ignored.

Take this Chikungunya epidemic that’s sweeping the Caribbean – and has finally reached Trinidad. Even after The Dominican Republic reported hundreds of thousands of cases, and my native Guyana thousands, it hasn’t even earned a mention from my lecturers.

We’re still sticking to the dangers of cigarette smoking in public health!

I’d like to preach about the dangers of the “killer sticks” as much as the next person – but surely I think a medical student should have more than a passing acquaintance ABOUT a viral infection that’s most likely going to hit her and her friends sooner than later. When the acquaintance will be up close – and very personal!

And now there’s Ebola – one of the deadliest viral infections ever to have hit mankind. They say a variant might’ve been the cause of the Black Death that took the lives of countless millions in Europe in the Dark Ages. And not a word uttered in my cocoon. And the thing is, it’s getting closer to home, like Chikungunya.

There’s the first case to have hit the west – in Dallas in the US. Well, my first cousin’s getting married in two weeks in Dallas.

Ironically, her dad, my Cha-Cha, works for one of the largest health companies in the world – Abbot Labs in Dallas. My school cocoon precluded me going up for the wedding, but my dad’s all booked and ready. But thank God for the Internet – subverter of the cocoon. You keep up on your own.

If any country might manage to contain Ebola – it’s the US. They have the money and logistical capability to conduct the mass quarantine that’ll be needed to prevent mass contagion like in West Africa.

Remember that scary movie, Contagion?? It’s now become real life.

And this makes me worry about us in the West Indies. Are we going to be ready when the first case arrives here? As it certainly will? Well, probably not us in this cocoon called Medical School.

ransformation: Partnering For A Better Guyana”, the theme of GuyExpo 2014 has encapsulated the development of Guyana over the years and the drive for a brighter future through an optimistic standpoint to attract investors and nurture the local industry.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Indranauth Haralsingh, the Marketing Manager of GuyExpo 2014, noted that the event is a “critical niche market” that shows “Guyana is growing”.

“GuyExpo shows that a lot of opportunities are available and Guyana is open for business. It is where we show all we have and the best we have to produce. [It has become] a major trade event for Guyana and basically a development tool,” he mentioned.

Haralsingh also pointed out that one can see GuyExpo’s economic impact on the economy in the “millions of dollars spent on the event, the materials used to construct the booths, the carpenters, the contractors, electricians, plumbers”, the many employees and volunteers gathered to make the event a success.

“We at Tourism are very optimistic about GuyExpo and Guyana’s potential to attract foreign direct investments and even local investors,” Haralsingh noted, making reference to a number of investments in the economy over the last few years.

“There have been a significant number of investments in our economy, particularly in tourism. As a matter of fact, for the last year, tourism probably accounted for more than 15% of total investments in Guyana. According to Go-Invest, tourism investments reached almost 30-40% of investments in the economy for the first quarter of this year,” Haralsingh added, as he listed several investments including COPA Airways and Marriott Hotel.

GuyExpo, he explained, will generate more tourism opportunities and investments, particularly through the Business Forum held on Friday at the International Conference Centre, which focused on investment opportunities that exist in Guyana at various levels and across several fields.

The Business Forum was held for the ten visiting delegations (comprised of over 70 persons and 56 booths) as well as local business representatives to “generate leads and interests in Guyana since there have been a number of successes in the past”. This was at-

Indranauth Haralsingh

tested by Pakistani furniture exporter, Kamran Shaikh of Global Connections, who told Sunday Magazine: “Hopefully if we have a good response we might invest locally, we also deal in marbles so if it is a good market we might get a small factory up. First we need to see how things go in GuyExpo.”

and link micro, macro and cottage industries and entities with their counterparts, with potential investors and other entrepreneurs from aboard.

Haralsingh continued by noting the confidence in the exhibition which he believes is evident in the “over 300 businesses” exhibiting their products and services in about 400 booths.

“They see the tremendous benefits and exposure GuyExpo affords them each year and they keep coming back…They too see the future of Guyana and are also optimistic about this future. As you know our economy has been growing between 4-5% each year for the last few years,” Haralsingh disclosed.

Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Ltd representative Ramon Hunt mentioned: “We have been with GuyExpo for years, since its inception, and have grown with it. It is where we captivate our customers and market in masses.”

Haralsingh outlined the reasons

President Ramotar, Prime Minister Hinds and his wife, Yvonne, examine fresh local fruits at the Guyana Supermarket, GuExpo 2014

Hence, GuyExpo attracts local exhibitors as well as foreign investors. “The fact that GuyExpo attracts thousands every year shows the growth and the dynamic nature of our economy,” Co-chairman of GuyExpo Derrick Cummings pointed out. He added: “Even the theme this year is drawn from a development trajectory.”

Haralsingh expounded: “There is much happening in tourism, yet there is so much more opportunities…and this is why the business sector looks forward eagerly each year for GuyExpo. It gives them a window to the world, massive exposure to the Guyanese public as well as foreign investors.”

GuyExpo holds tremendous potential as it helps to bridge the gap

President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali and other dignitaries at the IAST booth at GuyExpo 2014

people attend GuyExpo: “The ‘who is who’ of Guyana can be found at GuyExpo. Of the 100,000 plus persons expected to attend and even those exhibiting they come to participate on a platform for sales, of networking and negotiations, to be a part of the showcase for pride and entrepreneurship of Guyana.”

This is in following the ‘be to see and be to be’ phenomenon as first time business men and women learn from their peers how to exhibit, interact and attract investors, and “many businesses visit to look at suppliers in Guyana and the potential, looking towards partnerships and joint ventures”.

“Even at the governmental level, we look at possible avenues for Memorandums of Understanding with various businesses as well,” stated Haralsingh.

GuyExpo is the premier exposition and trade fair that offers business associates the opportunity to meet, network and negotiate with international companies and establishments, as well as showcase their skills, talents and creative works.

It is Guyana’s largest trade and investment event which showcases locally produced goods and services. This annual event provides a platform for both local and foreign businesses: importers, exporters, retailers, wholesalers and is the ideal setting for the opportunity for businesses to increase their competitiveness and efficiency and foster growth.

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Inaugural ‘Guyana Supermarket’ at this year’s GuyExpo showcases wealth of the local agriculture sector

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n an effort to promote local produce, goods, and by extension the Guyanese industry, a Guyana Supermarket, under its slogan ‘Buy Local, Eat Local, Live Local’, is being exhibited at GuyExpo this year.

The booth, which is found just before the technology section, displays a host of locally produced products by various farmers and companies.

GuyExpo CoChairman Derrick Cummings explained in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine: “We are introducing a supermarket at GuyExpo for the first time where fresh Guyana produce can be found, sensitising persons at the start of Agriculture Month.”

Tameca SukhdeoSingh, coordinator of GuyExpo 2014, stated: “This is a working collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture in commemoration of

next year it might be something more specific,” added Sukhdeo-Singh.

Taking on the look and feel of a mini-mart, the Guyana Supermarket is comprised of eight to nine aisles filled with shelves on each side allowing for easy access of goods and the identification of various items and brands.

The lanes are divided among several groups and companies to best showcase and display their products to custom-

and baked goods to toiletries and detergent.

The Ministry of Agriculture, earlier this week, released a document of planned activities and programmes that declared their wish to provide a glimpse of agriculture in Guyana as “we have the most developed agriculture economy in the Caribbean”.

The document also highlighted our achievements in food security and the need to reduce food imports and in-

The Guyana Supermarket at GuyExpo 2014

Agriculture Month 2014 [October]…so we are encouraging Guyanese to eat local, buy local and live local.”

All the products found in the Supermarket range from fresh local produce to processed and packaged items. Companies such as Edward B Beharry &

Company Ltd, Bakewell, Nicky’s Juices, as well as support from the Ministries of Agriculture and Amerindian Affairs and the Agro Processors Association, just to name a few, are displaying their products in the Supermarket.

Informative and eyeopening, not only in its

Guyanese company displays fresh bread in the Supermarket

Fresh fruits on sale

ability to showcase locally produced items, but also displaying local talents, the Guyana Supermarket might just be this year’s most exciting feature at GuyExpo.

“The Supermarket is definitely a feature [we] seek to work with the Ministry of Agriculture on, in that no matter the plans for Agriculture Month we will support and promote something in that area. So this year it is a supermarket but

ers. These lucky customers, upon entering the supermarket, are then treated to various deals and bargains. They can also sample items that garner their interest.

The Guyana Supermarket showcases the richness of Guyana’s agriculture sector, along with the extensive talents of Guyanese manufacturers and farmers who work hard to produce a wide variety of products from sweets

crease food exports as well as the new dimension to the Grow More Food initiative, which is called ‘Eat What We Produce’; an initiative achieved with the advent of the Guyana Shop and now the Guyana Supermarket.

Agriculture Month 2014 is celebrated under the theme, "Enhancing agriculture through family farming and the use of sustainable technologies".

Hydropower project a top priority for... company had already expended approximately US$16M on preparatory work.

Project was designed to be constructed where the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers meet.

Electricity produced at the plant would have been delivered to Guyana's capital, Georgetown, and its second largest town, Linden, by an electric transmission line.

When it materialises, GPL will own and operate the project for 20 years, after which, the project will be transferred to GPL for free, through a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) arrangement. Based on studies, an estimated 20%

reduction in electricity tariffs would be experience when the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project foes into operation with residential consumers saving approximately $208.7M monthly or $2.5B annually.

Mazaruni project

But even as the government explores possible avenues that can be taken to resuscitate the Amaila Hydropower Falls Project, a Brazilian consortium earlier this year committed US$45M into conducting prefeasibility and feasibility studies to determine Guyana’s potential to develop hydropower stations in the Upper and

Middle Mazaruni.

Queiroz Galvao (QG) and OAS, the two multibillion dollar Brazilian companies, make up the consortium. Already the government has consulted with 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. Both QG and OAS has an annual revenue of US$3.5B or a collective US$7B in over 23 countries spanning from South American to Central America,

Africa, South East Asia and Russia. They are specialised in infrastructural development but more notably hydropower.

Government anticipates that there will be benefits will derive from the project it the studies are proven to be successful. Having hydropower plants within Region Seven will not only provide cheap and clean electricity but will foster growth within the social and economic sectors through the creation of direct and indirect job opportunities.

On the national scene, it will pave the way for Guyana to be less dependent on imported fossil fuel which cost the

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country a whopping US$543M in 2013. But with the introduction of hydropower, Guyana can generate a new source of energy by selling power to Brazil. Additionally, studies will also determine whether Guyana can become a part of the international grid. It was explained that under the North Arc (The Arco Norte) Initiative Guyana is analysing the possibility of building electrical interconnection lines between Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil. If feasible, Guyana is also looking to sell its power where needed among its neighbouring countries.

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The race card… …playing in Plaisance laisance” is a French word meaning “pleasantness”. We all know the village of Plaisance – home of music icon Eddy Grant. But it looks like the PNC’s stirring up some real unpleasantness there. Which has the possibility of blowing up into big trouble if the PNC and Granger keep it up.

We know Granger’s fighting for his political survival. Derided as a wimp by many in the old line PNC, he was even attacked as being “ineffectual” by Lalloo “Suspenders” Ram, who’d hitched his wagon to the PNC train. Even a sycophant like Lalloo can see his chances of ever getting his toe into Government slipsliding away under Granger’s inept leadership.

Most recently, of course, Granger’s had to follow the “leadership” of the AFC on strategy – dictated by that off-the-seat-of-his-pants comment by Moses Nagamootoo on a “No-Confidence Motion”. With Nagamootoo being shoehorned into becoming the AFC’s presidential candidate by Khemraj Ramjattan, Granger – who denied the Speaker’s seat to the PPP/C’s defector as being “untrustworthy – must be apoplectic!

His attempt at an alternative strategy with his Local Government Elections only served to reinforce his lame leadership. So he’s desperately trying to show he’s man. And as usual with fellas like him with no creative leadership skills, he’s digging into the PNC’s old bag of tricks. And we arrive at what’s playing out at Plaisance.

Here it is, the Government’s been giving out house lots left, right and centre and suddenly in the midst of Granger’s flagging “countrywide protest” a PNC activist through pure serendipity leads the villagers to squat on GuySuCo’s land?? Hardly likely!!

Granger remembers Hoyte’s dirty plot following his 1992 defeat to claim the PPP/C Government was “taking over” some land from the Rosinante Co-op. He issued his infamous “shoot to kill” instruction to the PNC supporters, if anyone came on the land.

The Government should be aware that even cornered rats will strike out – and Granger’s certainly cornered. We can see the orchestration of efforts to exploit the issue – letters to the press, Granger’s demands for “investigation” of the land claim, and rejecting the overseer for the NDC. At the time of Hoyte’s provocative statement, Hamilton Green was challenging him out of the PNC. He made some even more provocative and racist statements on a land issue at Paradise on the East Coast of Demerara.

Expect many of those who are challenging Granger to jump in this emotive “land issue”.

A hint to Beba mek Quashie tek notice. …denied in Brazil Over in Brazil, our very own incipient superpower, South American neighbour, there’s an exciting Presidential race between two women. That’s right – two women. We’d like to see the day that’ll happen in that beacon of democracy and women’s rights – the US. Maybe LEAD can do some work in its country and LEAD them into the promised land when all citizens – yea, even women, will be equal!

Anyhow, even more new ground’s being broken: one of the women, Marina Silva is of African heritage.

The first to reach this far in politics. But Reuters wrote an interesting piece on the race by posing the question as to why Silva isn’t stressing her African origin. That Brazilians on the whole stress “class” and AfricanBrazilians didn’t see the need to support Silva because of race, was seen as backwardness.

Reuters also felt the need to point out that in Brazil, “blacks are more than three times as likely as whites to suffer from extreme poverty.” As if it’s not the same in the US!! …objected to in reparations Abu Bakr reminded the local Reparations Committee that the claim’s being made not only for African slavery – but also Amerindian genocide.

We’re sure any omission was inadvertent, but hope that a concerted effort will be made to empower our Indigenous peoples to enter the fray. It’s the moral thing to do.

“P

T

his is the 100th Times Notebook article (published in Guyana Times). Times Notebook published its first article on November 14, 2012 when we highlighted the plight of Malala, a young woman who has become a global heroine.

We are grateful to the many readers who have sent in their comments and hope to see many more articles being published.

The first case of Ebola diagnosed outside of Africa occurred in the USA this past week. In our 96th article published on September 8 this year, we warned that Ebola is on its way out of Africa and countries ought to be prepared for Ebola. We went further in predicting that the first case outside of Africa will occur in the USA or Europe. The Caribbean should take note, because sooner than later, we too will see cases of Ebola.

On September 23, 2013, our 46th article spoke of cyber-bullying.

We now highlight a form of cyber-bullying in our country, which must be nipped immediately before it becomes a monster.

Hacking or gaining unauthorised access to someone else’s email is a genuine privacy issue and a matter of grave concern for every citizen of Guyana and of the world.

In the USA, a young man in Tennessee was jailed for two years for hacking the email account of Sarah Palin. There are now many cases around the world where people have been tried under various laws for hacking into people’s email accounts.

Such cases span politics, business, and personal affairs.

Hacking emails is criminal

Repulsive

Developed countries take great care to ensure that hacking into someone’s information stored in their computers or email accounts is punishable as a crime. Developed countries also regard unauthorised access to emails by other means as equally repulsive and equally criminal.

In September this year, Mohamed Morsi, the former President of Egypt, was charged with leaking emails to leaders of Qatar.

The famous WikiLeaks case is very much on our minds. The leaker was sentenced to life imprisonment. Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency (NSA) staffer who accessed computer information from the US Government had to run away from America to avoid being jailed for a crime equalling treason.

There can be no justification for unauthorised access to anyone’s emails, no matter how trivial the information might be. The publication by Kaieteur News of significant amounts of fake emails of the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Attorney General must concern all of us.

Who among us is safe from such invasion of privacy by the

Kaieteur News? Did they obtain unauthorised access to the emails of the Commissioner General or the Attorney General by hacking into the email account of one of these persons or both of them and sending fake messages?

Or did Kaieteur News obtain unauthorised access to the emails by leaks?

Compromised

Goggle has informed the GRA that its email accounts have been subjected to two hacking efforts from computers located in Barbados and Guyana.

The Commissioner General has reported that Kaieteur News has compromised his staff.

It does not matter which form of unauthorised access Kaieteur News criminally utilised, a crime has been committed. Worse yet, they may have also sent emails to suit their sinister motives.

At the very least, the Kaieteur News must be asked by the Police to explain how they have access to private emails. If they obtained such emails through hackers, both Kaieteur News and the hackers are guilty. If any one of us were to purchase a stolen TV or any goods, we would be equally liable as the thief.

If Kaieteur News obtained copies of emails from a staff of the

Commissioner General or the Attorney General, then Kaieteur News staff must be disciplined by being dismissed and being charged. The unauthorised access to emails is theft of personal property.

Thus it is a matter of national security, not only because of the political nature of the infringement of privacy we are experiencing at this time, but for business and our personal lives. While it might very well be convenient today to accept the unauthorised access to emails because it might occur to one’s political adversaries, remember that tomorrow the table might be turned.

Hacking emails or bribing staff to obtain private emails of someone is a national security scandal that Guyana must stamp out. Such cyber crime according to the United Nations (UN) constitutes a development crisis.

Whether we like or dislike the Commissioner General or the Attorney General, what is of preeminent importance is that a crime has been committed by having unauthorised access to emails. We must not confuse the issue and Guyana must stand firm in together objecting to anyone who commits such crimes. It is for all of our protection.

We speak together now or forever be haunted by the spectre of cyber crime and trespass into our privacy. Kaieteur News and its publisher are guilty of theft by invading the privacy of fellow citizens.

They must face the consequences of the law and our collective rebuke.

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

Jamaican reggae artiste Luciano cancels - amidst Ebola outbreak African tours

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaican reggae singer Luciano has cancelled plans to travel to Africa for his upcoming tour, following warnings

by Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson that entertainers should avoid travel to Ebola-affected countries of West Africa.

It has been reported that the entertainer was led to change his plans due to his own research on the highly contagious and deadly disease.

“I have been appealing to persons including entertainers to avoid non-essential travel to the Ebola affected countries in West Africa. If they still decide to go, our actions may have to include quarantining persons,” Ferguson said in a release last Saturday.

Luciano was expected to leave the island last Saturday for performances in Malawi, South Africa, Ghana and Zimbabwe.

(Jamaica Observer)

Jamaican reggae singer Luciano (Jamaica Observer photo)

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This week's Crossword

This week's Puzzle

see solution on page 47

Raising the bar…

…in investments uyExpo is unquestionably one of the most successful local trade shows in the Caribbean.

Hats off to Minister Ali to make it ever bigger and better!! But its success in highlighting what our business community’s doing to be the economy’s “engine of growth” also shows the gaps that have to be plugged if we’re ever to make that quantum leap into that real “middle income” club. You know…the one where we aren’t living from pay cheque to pay cheque.

Too much of what’s on display at GuyExpo are the same fancy imported electronics like smartphones and so on that’s taking the world by storm. And that’s the point, isn’t it?? These aren’t stuff we’re manufacturing – even assembling. Now don’t get your Eyewitness wrong. We ought to be buying those electronics to connect and be enabled as well as anyone else out there.

But if we don’t make stuff that other countries want and demand, where are we ever going to get the foreign funds to pay for the imports?? Truth of the matter is that we’ve been stuck at being producers of “primary goods” for far too long. You know…like rice and sugar and bauxite. Gold may’ve bailed us out for a while – but no one’s going to replace the metal once we’ve dug it out of the ground.

So what did GuyExpo show in terms of manufactured goods. Well, we had our own supermarket of goods produced in Guyana! Even our own rice cereal. And that’s quite a good start. But surely for a country that’s so dependent on agriculture, by now we should’ve been farther down the road in Agro-processing. The Government’s done its bit in creating an investmentfriendly environment. Tax incentives for bringing in manufacturing machinery and all that.

What does it say about us when we don’t have a single cannery in Guyana?? You can’t blame the poor farmers. They’re out in the fields producing “primary product” – like, say, pineapples. It’s up to the entrepreneurs to look around and identify niches they can fill by adding value to the primary products, export them and bring in that elusive basket of foreign currency.

And it’s up to the banks to “intermediate” the national savings into manufacturing investments.

We looked at the banks at GuyExpo. They were basically focusing on consumer credit – car loans and mortgages.

But the banks are awash in funds. Declaring billions in profits from their high double-digit interest rates. How about making loans for entrepreneurs affordable?? …in diplomacy The new Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was a big hit in the US following his UN General Assembly visit. And not only on the diplomatic circuit.

He filled the Madison Square Garden, usually the stomping grounds for basketball and rock concerts, with an ecstatic crowd of almost 20,000 delirious overseas Indians. The US$1.5 million cost was their gift.

He used Hindi at the UN general Assembly, unlike most Indian diplomats who deliver their speeches in their highly accented English. He did, however, speak in English in front of a mammoth crowd at a rock concert in Central Park (in aid of ending global poverty) where he was introduced by the X-man “Wolverine”, Hugh Jackman. He was making a point!

At the White House dinner, because it was during his Nau Raat fasting period, Modi only drank warm water. He didn’t insist that his host follow suit!!

Instead the two of them collaborated on an editorial that’ll be published soon.

Not bad for a former “visa denied” tea-seller who was persona non grata only a few months ago, eh?? …on Reparations discourse Former diplomat Cedric Joseph wrote a wonderful piece advising we keep the argument for reparations in the juridical realm. Abu Bakr feels this elides African complicity. But how else do we escape from the belly of the beast but with the master’s tools??

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Simply the Truth

Places of worship

O

ne of the things that struck me immediately upon my return to Berbice in 2008 after almost 30 years of being away was the number of places of worship.

Churches of all sorts with derivative names, mandirs, and mosques. It was very striking indeed.

One sees this trend in places like Nigeria, Uganda, and Ghana.

By Professor This mushrooming of Daizal Samad religious structures.

It is always a mistake to think that the number of these places demonstrate the rise of righteousness in the citizens of nations.

Indeed, it is often quite the opposite. All too frequently, we find that the mushrooming of places of worship goes hand in hand with the loss of genuine spirituality.

With this loss of spirituality comes a certain hysteria and longing for some kind of attachment to some religious organisation. The buildings provide a concrete show of structure against our sense of being spiritually shipwrecked. In fear, we clutch.

And one supposes that some of these places do indeed offer a sense of structure against our everyday chaos. But no structure of worship contains God. There is more of God to be found in the scent of a flower, in the touch of a petal, in the soft caress of a breeze upon the cheek, in the scent of the woman or man we love, in an embrace wrought with tenderness.

Those things, however, are things that we take for granted. And so we grab to a material structure (and money!), since we have lost sight of that which is truly valuable.

I know some good religious leaders in Berbice.

Imam Moses of New Amsterdam (who actually understands the language in which he prays!); the late Pandit Achee and Pandit Dinish; Father Edwin and Father Augustin; Pastor Geer. The others can learn from these.

There are simply too many who “lead” for the money or the easy egotistical satisfaction that it brings. As if the power of divinity resides in a microphone. This is why these people give themselves vaunted names: “Apostle”, “Bishop”, and so on.

In too many countries to count, I have made it a point to go to temples, mosques and churches.

Hindu, Taoist, Buddhist, Islamic, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical, and so on.

But I have always made sure that the place is empty or with very few people around. It is quiet, and my mind can focus on the Creator. There is no ritual, no witness, no noise, no hopping around, or bobbing up and down like a monkey.

It is also noteworthy that religious ritual flourishes in places where the people feel (or are) economically bereft. The poorer we think we are, the more susceptible we are to hysterical religious attachments.

In too many places this holds true. The more spiritually impoverished we are, the more intellectually barren, the more economically disenfranchised, the greater our need to cling to these rituals.

In our noise, and frantic movement, and empty words, and cheering and screeching, the simple beauty of a flower is forgotten. We attach ourselves to religion with such ferocity and hysteria that the Creator is forgotten.

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Guyana poised to open world-class Marriott Hotel

T

he world-class hotel, the Marriott brand, which is slated for completion in December, is another model of private-public partnership investment and a major achievement for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government as it celebrates its 22nd anniversary.

The flagship luxury edifice, when completed, will be the first internationally-branded hotel since 1967 when Le Meridian Pegasus was introduced to these shores.

Undoubtedly, the US multimillion investment, featuring all modern amenities, is testimony of investors’ confidence in the economy and fortifies Guyana’s push to become a premiere tourist destination.

The project under the management of Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), a receiver company, when become operational, will add to the existing pool of top class local hotels and demonstrate that the private-public partnership model of development can work in Guyana.

The principal investors in AHI (Marriott

Hotel Guyana project and Entertainment Complex) are the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) -registered ACE Square Investments Limited.

ACE Square Investments Limited has acquired 67% of the equity of AHI. ACE Square Management Limited’s beneficial shareholders are the same as ACE Square Investments Limited.

The beneficial owners of the shares in ACE Square Investments Limited, and the owners of the shares in ACE Square Investments Limited, through a BVI-registered holding company, Big Splendor Limited, are Hong Kong businessmen, Victor How Chung Chan and Xu Han. The government is the minority partner with 33% (US$4 million) of the overall equity in the project. Recruitment for the entertainment complex staff has already begun. Overall, both the hotel and the entertainment complex are expected to employ between 400-500

Image of what the completed building will look like

Guyanese.

The project is expected to provide a 197-room Marriott Hotel, the largest conference/banqueting facilities in the country, bar/restaurants of a modern hotel, a promenade connecting the existing sea wall to the pier, and an entertainment complex with a casino, night club, and a separate restaurant from the hotel.

Guyanese eagerly await the completion of the flagship hotel, which will complement Georgetown's historic architectural splendour.

Visitors will marvel the picturesque views of the Demerara River meeting the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy a charming welcome to nearby Georgetown's central district with its various

attractions.

In fact, the local brand of the luxury hotel cannot wait to begin operations in Guyana, and has summed up the experience of what it has to offer. “Witness a breathtaking sunset by the pool bar and grill or re-energise at our stateof-the-art fitness centre.

Stay connected and entertained with Marriott's plug-and-play system, 42-inch flat panel TVs and high-speed Internet.

Plan meetings effortlessly with over 8,600 square feet of flexible meeting space. Whether hosting an intimate event for 10 or a largescale affair for 700, our Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown can easily accommodate your needs. Book one of our 197 guest rooms or

suites with views of the ocean or Georgetown's city lights. Treat yourself to a spot; full of light, full of life and full of energy.”

Brief background on Marriott International, Inc.

According to its website, www.marriott.com, Marriott International, Inc. is a leading hospitality company with more than 3,900 properties, 18 brands, and associates at its headquarters, managed and franchised properties around the world.

Founded by J Willard and Alice Marriott and guided by Marriott family leadership for more than 80 years, the company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland,

USA. Since 1927, Marriott has been known for a culture that puts people first. Marriott is growing globally - and opening up a world of experiences and opportunities for people from all walks of life.

M a r r i o t t International, Inc. is recognised worldwide for its enduring values, spirit to serve, and its corporate commitment to creating better places to live and work.

At the cornerstone of Marriott’s business is the philosophy, “How we do business is as important as the business we do.” Integrity and ethical behaviour are part of Marriott’s heritage and provide a framework for its global operations today.

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“W

ith the continuous thrust to exhibit whatever is happening, years ago when we talked about feeding and housing ourselves we had agricultural exhibitions,” Derrick Cummings, the incumbent co-chairmen of GuyExpo, stated in his outline on the history of exhibitions in Guyana.

“For the purpose of what we have today, I would say the first GuyExpo began in 1995, however, even before that, in the 70s and 80s they had agricultural exhibitions where farmers would showcase their crop - ‘the largest potato or goat’ for instance,” Cummings recalled.

Food security was a major initiative that led

to the evolution of agriculture exhibitions in 1995, which also saw a move from its small beginnings at the Multilateral Schools in North Ruimveldt to the more organised setting at the Sophia Exhibition Centre.

“In the 90s, with the coming of the new government and the declaration that the private sector will be the new engine of growth, [these exhibitions were started] between the Guyana Manufacture Association (which was the main organisation holding exhibitions) and government through the Export Promotion Council,” Cummings explained.

Surrounded by the noise of the booths being constructed and the hustle

Guyanese youths entertaining the crowd at this year's GuyExpo

of the GuyExpo planning committee and exhibitors, Cummings reminisced about the very beginnings of what is now called the ‘Premier Exposition and Trade Fair’.

“As the private sector grew and the economy advanced, more small businesses, agro-processors and services, diversified; a thrust for development was identified and a need to exhibit and showcase where we are and create awareness to demonstrate where we want to be evolved. Over time GuyExpo has responded to this need,” Cummings noted.

Back then, GuyExpo or Guyana Trade Fair and Exhibition, as it was widely known, was mainly made up of big companies (Banks DIH, DDL, Continental), nonetheless it eventually grew to encompass agro-processors, craft persons, the introduction of the culinary delights and much more.

Today, with over 460 businesses, both local and international, and the estimation of over 100,000 visitors, GuyExpo has not only become the largest trade fair and investment exposition in Guyana but also the longest sustained exhibition in the Caribbean.

Although it technically began in 1995 as a biannual event, it became an annual one in 2004 as a joint collaboration between the Guyana Office for Trade and Investment (Go Invest), the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

Tracing the development of GuyExpo over the years, Cummings revealed: “GuyExpo is usually themed, and these themes are pulled or drawn from the emphasis on the development trajec-

tory at any given period.

[That is] mirroring policy in action through advancing the correctness of a policy.”

Linking the theme with policy initiatives, Cumming said: “To balance the different sectors we use the declarations of the President or the Minister of Finance to stare the economy or place emphasis on chosen sectors.”

Therefore, GuyExpo always places emphasis on what the government is striving to achieve at a given time. According to Cummings: “It [GuyExpo] is responsive to showcasing government policy in action and the practicality of arriving where we want to arrive as a nation… building a partnership between the government and the private sector.”

Reflected in this year’s theme, "Transformation: Partnering for a Better Guyana", President Donald Ramotar’s hope is that this year be a “breakthrough year to bloom”.

Over the years, GuyExpo has taken on several themes to generate awareness in the private sector and shape it to be an engine of growth and also promoting the national development strategies over the years.

“Even last year, for instance, we focused on advancing productivity through innovation, modernisation and expansion based on the modernisation programme that looked at strengthening growth areas identified such as tourism and information technology and alternative energy,” Cumming recollected.

As GuyExpo grew and became one of the most anticipated national events of the year, it has undergone a significant transcontinued on page 45

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News

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Plans on track for Jamaica’s Soul fest

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: PLANS are on track for this weekend for the music festival Soul in the Sun in Montego Bay, St James.

Executive producer Junior Taylor told the Jamaican media that his team is pleased with the manner in which things are progressing with the event, which brings a star-studded cavalcade of soul music stars from the 1980s and '90s.

The event unfolds this Friday and Saturday with concerts at The Aqueduct in Rose Hall and wraps up on Sunday with a beach party at the Seawind Beach Park.

Taylor also allayed patrons' fears about mosquitoes at the venue in light of the current outbreak of the Chikungunya virus.

"The health department is coming in on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday to fog the venue in order for

Junior Taylor – Executive Producer

patrons to be comfortable throughout the festival," said Taylor.

The line-up for Soul In The Sun features Howard Hewett, Regina Belle, Freddie Jackson, Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne, Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, Dru Hill and Silk.

Jamaican acts LUST and Richie Stephens complete the roster.

Taylor is also confi-

dent that his artistes will all be in the island for the festival, noting that Gill will be the first to arrive. He jets into the island on Wednesday. The other overseas acts will be in Jamaica between Thursday and Friday.

The international acts will depart between Sunday and Monday of next week. (Jamaica Observer)

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TT designer takes centre stage

P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Trinidadbased fashion label CLD premiered their Spring-Summer 2015 collection at the Helen Mills Studio this past month to rave reviews, as part of New York Fashion Week.

Designer and director of CLD, Charu LochanDass, surpassed the expectations of fashion critics and fans alike with a stunning, beautifully edited and exceptionally well-executed collection, themed “Boho Glam”. Observers readily agree that this is the designer’s best work to-date; no small achievement for a label which stole the limelight of the local fashion scene less than a

year ago.

According to Lochan-Dass, this collection is a modern take on the whimsical and romantic bohemian lifestyle; it is at the same time effortless and exciting. Luxe lace, intricate detailing, textured fabrics and vibrant colours came together in a series of glamorous, sexy and elegant looks for today’s multifaceted, intriguing woman.

This is the second time that Lochan-Dass has shown at NYFW, having been invited to return after an equally successful presentation earlier this year. The collection is currently in CLD’s studio located at #55 Gallus St, Woodbrook. (TT Express)

A CLD (Charu Lochan-Dass) design (CLD photo)

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GuyExpo: A gateway for... formation as it evolved to what it is today.

“So much have been added. There is more targeted planning; it was never this big at all. We have also become very cognizant of the surrounding neighbourhoods and their comfort for instance.

Entertainment has been streamlined as well in that kids can come in the day and the adults can return later in the evening for entertainment. However, GuyExpo of course cannot cater everything to everyone but there is something for everyone here,” reiterated Cummings.

The focus of GuyExpo has remained on the development of small and medium sized enterprises, thereby ensuring that local businesses enjoy the level of growth and expansion that is needed for them to remain competitive at the regional and international levels.

“And companies recognise this, the marketing potential of GuyExpo. Where else would a company expose its goods and services to thousands in just four days?” Cummings asked. "GuyExpo shows what Guyana has to offer, the availability and acceptability of our products."

He continued: “We need to look beyond the number of booths but at the quality of the event, its contribution in encouraging those who want to be entrepreneurs and business men and women and assist them to market their products and services.”

GuyExpo, by extension the Business Forum, links investors to exhibitors and offers investment opportunities and marketing possibilities for them, resulting in the growth of many companies along with the exhibition over the years.

Since its beginnings, GuyExpo has advanced under the guidance of five Tourism Ministers - Michael Shree Chand, Geof Da Silva, Manzoor Nadir,

Towering showpiece of Guyana's map at GuyExpo 2013

Manniram Prashad, and now Minister Irfaan Ali. The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for the private sector and although the exhibition is private sector driven, the government "lend a hand" because it possesses the necessary resources, the capacity and capability to plan and organise it.

“We can’t delink the role of the Ministers; I have worked closely alongside and with GuyExpo since Minister Nadir, so I was able to see each Minister bring their own ‘stamp’ to GuyExpo.

Minister Ali has brought a lot of administrative, managerial skills, his visionary talents to GuyExpo and what we see in modified arrangements are reflective of the calibre of intellectual planning capabilities and the political astute and strategy in this GuyExpo,” Cummings declared.

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WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com from page 30

dollars are being pumped into Guyana as the hotel industry, for instance, has expanded to keep up with the influx of tourists. Guyana is about to open its first internationally branded hotel in 50 years - the Guyana Marriott - on the Georgetown seashore. This service industry alone has created hundreds of new jobs. But in its development of the Eco-tourism asset of Guyana, the government has pioneered the ownership of over five resorts to Amerindian communities in the hinterland. For the first time in the history of Guyana, Amerindians are not voyeuristic objects but in control of how their heritage is showcased.

The roads and infrastructure of the country in 1992 were so pockmarked by craters that a popular joke was that no expectant woman could be taken to a hospital to deliver: the blessed event was bound to happen on the road to the delivery room. Since that time, roads and bridged within villages, towns and cities have been rebuilt as well as the connecting public roads.

The Berbice Bridge has made travelling to and from the Ancient County into a painless one-day trip. The two new Chinese-built ferries have greatly improved the traffic in and out of Essequibo.

The all-weather surfaced Georgetown-Linden-Lethem road, which will finally open up our country to development in even the most remote quarter, is now ever closer to reality. The plans and funding requirements are before the presidents of Brazil and Guyana and by next year ought to move from the drawing board to implementation. The government has conceptualised Guyana as an airport hub for Northern South America,

the Southern Caribbean and possibly across the Atlantic to Africa and even India. The CJIA is being transformed into a modern, airport that can accommodate even the largest aircrafts that ply the skies.

Gold mining has taken off in Guyana in the last decade and while there was a lull last two years, occasioned by the fall in the prices of the rare metal, investors are bullish on the long term prospects of the industry.

Recently, two international companies, Guyana Goldfields Inc of Canada and Troy Resources, have made substantial investments in the sector, which should add a significant boost to the 500,000 ounces that is presently being produced annually.

It is accepted by all that cheap energy is a prerequisite for the development of our industrial base into one that can compete in the world market.

Our agro-processing industry, especially, has suffered from this handicap.

The government has not been blind to this reality - but unfortunately, the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP) which would have doubled our electricity generating capacity and save funds from fossil fuel purchases was derailed by the Opposition.

However, the Lethem Highway has been paired with a proposal from Brazil to exploit the entire PotaroCuyuni Basin for an integrated 4000MW generating infrastructure of dams and turbines that would supply all of Guyana needs, with the excess sold to Brazil.

Overall, one would have to conclude that Guyana has indeed come a long way - and that even greater progress lies ahead under the PPP government.

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WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt's investments in gold sector paying off M

any countries view the mining sector as a key engine of economic development since with the right incentives and legislation in an enabling environment it can attract untold private sector investment in exploration and production.

This, in turn, contributes to increased tax revenues, export earnings, employment opportunities, infrastructure development especially in rural areas, and transfer of technology to the host countries. The gold mining sector here has for successive years played an important role in the

days.

“If people did not think there was money to be made in mining, and if they did not think it was good to be in mining, they would not have turned out in such large numbers to participate and to pay large sums through a public auction process,” Persaud mentioned.

He said that mining lotteries were held in the six mining districts which also received an overwhelming response. “Every single day at the Guyana Geology and Mines [Commission] (GGMC), that office is bombarded by requests at different lev-

funds advanced under the second tranche will carry the same interest plus 0.5%. Guyana completed a recent US$33 million private placement as required for release of the first tranche, and the first drawdown is expected this month. The Aurora project contains 62.83 million measured and indicated tonnes grading 3.24 g/t Au containing 6.54 million oz of gold, plus 16.93 million inferred tonnes grading 3.34 g/t Au containing 1.82 million oz of gold. Average annual gold output is expected to be 194,000 oz over the 17year mine life. Guyana is expected to earn US$960

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (standing third from right) visiting the Guyana Gold Fields project, the Aurora Gold Mines located in Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region Seven (GINA photo)

with production commencing December 2014 to February 2015.

Sustained

Mining activities in Guyana

domestic economy and delivered record breaking production despite the recent fluctuation of prices on the international market.

From a period where persons were afraid to take risks and invest in the sector, the mining community has grown tremendously today.

Thousands have now found employment in the industry and several thousands more have been able to escape poverty. There are also numerous success stories of ordinary citizens who through small operations have today transformed into medium scale miners.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said that there are more Guyanese and non-Guyanese who want to get involved and be a part of the development of the industry. He said that he was optimistic about people’s growing confidence and interest in the sector. The Minister cited the recent mining auction which occurred after a more than five-year lag, during which 950 mining lots were auctioned. He said the Ministry planned the auction for one day, but because of the overwhelming response, the auction lasted for five

els – small, medium and large (scale) – for more access,” Minister Persaud revealed. He pointed out that this speaks of people’s confidence and willingness to develop and grow with the sector. He said his ministry’s aim is to encourage the development of a sustainable and responsible mining sector.

Major firms

Only recently, Canadian company, Guyana Goldfields signed a credit agreement that gives it US$185 million with which to complete its Aurora gold mine on the Cuyuni River. The project is now fully funded. The loan will consists of two tranches, US$160 million followed by an overrun facility of US$25 million, repayable over a maximum of eight years.

The first tranche carries a three-month LIBOR plus 5.11% rate. Any

million in royalty and other taxes from the Aurora goldmine during the first 17 years. The mine is also expected to produce US$150,000 ounces of gold per year beginning late 2015.

In addition to the Guyana Goldfields, Australian firm, Troy Resources Guyana Inc. is expected to complete the construction of its US$87 million mine in the west Omai region before the middle of 2015. Once completed, the mine will employ approximately 300 persons including contractors. The Australian exploration and mining company will be developing an area west of Omai with the anticipation of raking in an annual production of 90,000 ounces of gold over a sevenyear period. Production, however, in the first 12 months, is projected at 102,000 ounces of gold,

Commenting on the growth of the sector, President Donald Ramotar said: “These projects are the evidence of the sustained faith that investors have in the economy despite the stalemate in the National Assembly.”

Referring to Guyana Gold Fields investment, Ramotar said the project heralds the creation of jobs and the distribution of wealth among Guyanese, which will in turn lend to the improvement of the standard of living for Guyanese.

“In many ways this is extremely important, because we know for a fact that for us to develop Guyana, and to make it a stronger country, where we can fight against many of the evils that plague many societies that we need investment in our society. That is important for the creation of wealth, creation of jobs and many other things…we know gold itself is a wasting asset, and therefore we want to invest it in such a way or the wealth that created from it so that a maximum of our people can benefit, that’s why the biggest of our investments is in the social sector,” expressed the president.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles also recently told Guyana Times that Canada is the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to this country with most of these in the extractive

sector. Currently, there are 32 Canadian exploration companies operating in Guyana’s extractive sector working in sectors such as gold, bauxite, oil and gas, manganese, uranium and other precious metals.

No matter wheh yuh come from

N

o matter wheh yuh come from, no matter whah de colour of yuh skin, no matter how much money yuh got, no matter who is yuh mummah or yuh daady, once yuh do wickedness, yuh must punish. Once yuh break de law and become a outlaw, yuh must face de law.

It ain’t got no two ways bout that. Neither it ain’t got no ifs or buts bout that. That is just how life does wuk. Some people does get off scot-free wid one and two wickedness some of de time, but it don’t happen so wid all people all of de time. De mighty one above does watch and wait some time.

That is why old people seh moon does run til day ketch am. And every day bucket a go good, but one day de bottom does fall out. And talkin bout bottom, de Paper Man hittin rock bottom these days.

After all, bottom is nutten strange to de Paper Man. But this is de kinda bottom that he not accustom to. If was somebody regular bottom, or he own bottom, he woulda be a happy man, jumpin from top to bottom. But when he got to kneel down and look from bottom to top, is a (w)hole different kinda story.

That is when blackmailin does turn to beggin, and bullyin does turn to bawlin, and bulldozin does turn to bribin. All because de Paper Man dread de gate at Lot 12 Camp Street or better yet, in de Mazaruni big house.

Either which one of dem, that is wheh every one of dem fellas does get down to de bottom of every ting. And Paper Man shine at de top, but only a special few know whah de bottom is like. It gon tek a local Snowden to leak out that kinda info, but in Camp Street or Mazaruni, every ting does be leakin from top to bottom.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And Paper Man know he ain’t gotta choice whether de top or de bottom gon be first!

feature

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WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

22 years of revolutionary housing development

Over 106,000 new house lots distributed to citizens

T

he housing situation in Guyana was desperate with strong evidence of insecure tenure and increased levels of homelessness. Though Guyana’s population growth rates had been minimal, the housing needs still could not be met adequately for the major part of the existing population.

Then enters the People’s Progressive Party Civic in 1992, and through a direct policy, the housing sector of this country was revolutionised. Scores of new housing schemes have been developed and several squatter settlements regularised.

There are few things that generate a strong sense of belonging and attachment, and inspire as much long term commitment to a society, than acquiring the status of a home owner within that society.

Since coming into office, more than 106,000 new house lots have been distributed, on which more than 68% have had construction of new homes commence, resulting in growth in the number of households and reduction in average. Entire new communities such as Diamond/ Grove and Parfaite Harmonie have been es-

White Water, Region One, residents with the keys to their new homes 2013 (GINA photo)

graded and squatter settlements regularised.

Administratively, since his coming into office, current Housing Minister Irfaan Ali has whipped up greater desire by citizens to own their own home through his well publicised and attended ‘One Stop Shop’. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the commercial banks, there is now more than ever before greater access to more affordable financing through the implementation of the government-supported low income housing programme, under which tax incentives are given to the banking sector to promote special lending programmes for young professionals and single

some 6,000 house lots will be distributed; the construction of 176 core houses at $1.8 million each; construction of 100 single flat houses at $3.7 million each; and 50 house lots for nurses, police and teachers. In addition, he announced the upgrade of 45 km of existing road in 36 villages such as Sophia, Prosperity (also known as Barnwell), Diamond, Enmore, Eccles North, Eccles South, Grove, Tuschen, Zeelught, Parfaite Harmonie, Vryheids Lust and Foulis.

Additionally, Ali spoke of his ministry working assiduously to realise its target for 2014 in completing the installation of electrical distribution networks for

A section of turnkey homes on the East Bank Demerara (GINA photo)

tablished, generating a boom in the construction sector and creating new centres for business growth. Existing communities have been up-

persons.

2014 roll out

In his roll out of plans for this year, Minister Ali had promised that

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

several Government of Guyana housing developments across the country. The developments in question include those along the East Bank of Demerara, as well as in Regions Three, Five, Six, Seven and Ten, accounting for some 37 areas.

According to Minister Ali, the application for house lots process is now in “real time” in some areas.

The ministry will be inviting bids, by way of public tender, for works related to the installation of electricity distribution networks for 14 areas, including Recht-DoorZee Phase Two, Amelia’s Ward Phase Three, Plot B Herstelling, and Providence Phase Two.

Hinterland

Meanwhile, the government’s housing drive has not been restricted to the coast with the launch of the Hinterland Housing Project, which represents the first state intervention in housing for Guyana’s indigenous population. Financed as part of the Second Low Income Settlements Programme, which is being implemented by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, with funding from the InterAmerican Development Bank, the first phase

project targeted hosing needs of eight com-

munities in Region One (Oronoque, Manawarin and Whitewater) and Region Nine (Kwatamang, Apoteri, Central Annai, Massara and Kataoka).

To date, 192 subsidies have been disbursed, that is 91% of the total number of subsidies, with 109 two bedroom houses (500 sq ft) completed, and 83 roofs replaced. The completion of these houses and replacement of roofs improves the quality of life of 208 families, benefiting approximately 1,500 persons (household size of eight persons per family).

Minister Ali (left) and team review development plans (GINA photo)

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WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Blake Lively uses photograph to announce her pregnancy

Ben Affleck slams Bill Maher over 'racist' views on Islam

A

ctress Blake Lively took to her website Preserve to announce that she is expecting her first child with husband and actor Ryan Reynolds.

The 27-year-old star published an array of pictures of pregnant ladies, and after congratulating all the expecting mothers, she posted a picture of her pregnant belly, reports usmagazine.com.

The picture, taken by her brother Eric Lively, shows Lively posing in the twilight, wearing a black and white print dress, cradling her bump.

Lively has been quite vocal about wanting to start a family since marrying Reynolds in September 2012. (TOI)

B

en Affleck recently got into a heated argument with Bill Maher when the latter put forth his racist views on Islam, while he appeared as a guest on Real Time.

Sam Harris, who was also the guest on the show, said that people have been sold this meme of "Islamophobia,"

Justin Bieber posts 'PDA selfie' with girlfriend Selena on Instagram

J

ustin Bieber's recent photo update on Instagram gained some attention, as the photo showed the singer being kissed on his bare back, by his girlfriend Selena Gomez.

The couple, who has been on and off since 2011, has reportedly been spotted together on

various occasions at private and public places, since early this year, E Online reported.

The 'Boyfriend' singer had declared earlier that the 'Wizards of Waverly Place' star and him are 'girlfriend and boyfriend' during a civil assault case deposition involving a photographer. (TOI)

Gwyneth Paltrow seeks psychic help

A

ctress Gwyneth Paltrow called in a psychic to answer her burning questions about spirits, chakras and life.

The 42-year-old star used her blog Goop as a medium to get answers of her and her friend's soul-searching questions, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The actress called Los Angelesbased intuitive Jill Willard.

"Weird as it may sound considering our New Age leanings, not one of us freaks over at goop HQ had ever had a psychic reading," she wrote.

"But since we're on an unquenchable quest to experience every type of modality to help us heal, expand, and deepen our understanding of all life's mysteries, when we heard of an exceptionally gifted LA-based intuitive Jill Willard, we had to talk to her - and talk to her some more," she further added.

(TOI)

A

guitar of The Beatles star John Lennon, which he used to record the "Paperback writer" song, is up for auction in London. It is expected to fetch up to £1 million.

Online bidding for the guitar begins Nov 14 and concludes with a live auction at Le Meridien Hotel, Piccadilly on Nov 23, reports mirror.co.uk.

Lennon gave his Gretsch 6120

A

ctress Zoe Saldana says she was always asked by her male costars on the sets of 'Star Trek' to cover up because of her exposing costumes.

Saldana, 36, recalled asking the

where criticism of the religion gets conflated with bigotry towards Muslims as people and it's intellectually ridiculous, the Independent reported.

The 58-year-old television host supported Harris and described Islam as the only religion that acts like the mafia and can kill anybody if they say the wrong thing.

However, that comment made the 'Gone Girl' star furious and called Harris' picture of Islam as "the motherhood of bad ideas, over-generalized, gross and ugly."

Maher was also recently criticized for expressing his view that female genital mutilation was an Islamic problem. (TOI)

films' designer Michael Kaplan for help as her co-stars kept reminding her that she was flashing, reported E! Online.

"I kept being reminded by all my male cast members that I was flashing. I would sit down and it would be like, 'Oh, Zoe, cross those legs.' And I would say, 'They are crossed.' (They would say), 'Well, then put something over that because I'm just seeing everything'," Saldana said.READ: Zoe Saldana recalls flashing several times in Star Trek attire "I just remember always being exposed no matter how hard I would try.

I would tell Michael that we had to work on this and (he would say), 'But it looks so cute.'"

Saldana has worked in Star Trek (2009) and its sequel Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). (TOI)

Shia LaBeouf cuts own face with knife for 'Fury'

A

guitar to his cousin, David Birch, in November 1967 -- a year after the hit single was produced in April 1966 at London's Abbey Road studios as part of the sessions for the band's "Revolver" album.

"I was just cheeky enough to ask John for one of his spare guitars. I had my eye on a blue Fender Stratocaster that was lying in the studio but John suggested the Gretsch and gave it to me as we were talking," Birch said.

The instrument is one of the most significant of Lennon's guitars to come on to the market in the last 30 years, said auctioneers TracksAuction.com.

The auction also contains more than 100 lots of Beatles memorabilia including a copy of the "Sgt. Pepper" album signed by all four members of the band, various items from the collection of Lennon's life-long friend Pete Shotton and the banjo played by Rod Davis in Lennon's original group, The Quarrymen. (TOI)

ctor Shia LaBeouf stunned his costars as he repeatedly slashed his own face with a knife while filming ‘Fury’.

In the wartime drama, the 28-year-old portrays a tank gunner.

His fellow actor, Logan Lerman, was quoted by mirror.co.uk as saying: "We were in make-up and they were putting cuts on Shia and I said, 'Yeah, yeah, it looks good.' And Shia was like, 'No, it doesn't look real'.

"Then he walks out into the hallway and says, 'Hey man, wan-

na see something fun?

Check this out...' and he takes out a knife and cuts his face. And for the whole movie he kept opening these cuts on his face. That's all real."

The "Nymphomaniac" actor also reportedly insisted on having a dentist remove one of his teeth.

Lerman added: "I mean, he didn't do it himself, he did go to a dentist and asked them to pull his tooth out but yeah, what an odd request."(TOI)

Adele earning £80,000 per day despite no release in four years

A

dele, who has not released a single album in the last four years, is earning £80,000 per day and has cashed-in £54 million in less than two years.

The 'Someone Like You' hitmaker's company made £30 million over 14 months up to April 2013 and further £8 million in the rest of the year, the Sun reported. The 26-year-old Brit songstress earned £5.2 million dividend in the second half of 2013, and she drew a salary of £2.86 million in the latest accounting period.

Adele is now is said to be working on her highly-anticipated third studio album set to be released in 2015.(TOI)

bollywood

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WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sridevi drives straight to Tabu's house after watching 'Haider'

H

aider may have divided audiences depending on their political views, but Vishal Bharadwaj's take on 'Hamlet' seems to have found unequivocal champions in industry legend Sridevi and her daughter Jhanvi.

The two, who caught the movie at an Andheri multiplex last Saturday evening, were so impressed by Tabu's take on Shakespeare's Gertrude that they drove straight to the actor's Lokhandwala residence to give their rave reviews first hand.

Tabu was pleasantly surprised when she saw her fawning neighbours at the door especially considering the yesteryear actor doesn't move in the same social circles as her. Sridevi then went on to describe and dissect the scenes that impressed her the most as an overwhelmed Tabu looked on. The

W

conversation, the media was told, continued well into the night as mother and daughter even stayed back for dinner.

High praise indeed. (TOI)

Govinda’s daughter Narmmadaa to be launched as Tina Ahuja

W

hile it's common for Bollywood actors to have screen names, the latest newcomer to follow in her father's footsteps is Govinda's daughter Narmmadaa.

After Govind Ahuja became hugely popular as Govinda in films, his

daughter is all set to be launched as Tina Ahuja in Bollywood. She will be seen debuting opposite Punjabi superstar Gippy Grewal in filmmaker Smeep Kang's forthcoming Hindi film.

Interestingly, numerology is not responsible for the screen-name decision as opposed to the popular assumption. A close friend of the debutante actress confirmed the news before adding, "Tina happens to be Narmmadaa's nickname. We (her close friends) address her as Tina for a couple of years now. So when it came to her acting debut, we thought her nickname sounded way cooler. Since she is young, Tina embodies her personality better, which is why the decision."

The youngster had even put up her real name as her user name on a photo-sharing site. It was soon changed to Narmmadaa, probably to keep things under wraps. We've also been told that her real name will stay untouched on legal documents. Tina will strictly be her screen name and her family has been consulted about the same. (TOI)

ell, this is not a publicity stunt for their upcoming film 'Tevar', though chachu Sanjay Kapoor can take some credit for casting these young stars in his film.

We have learnt from reliable sources that the tall, dark and handsome Arjun Kapoor and the simple and beautiful Sonakshi Sinha are in love with each other. They are not just neighbours, but we have learnt that over the last few months, Arjun and Sonakshi have even taken holidays together and have often gone out to-

gether for films. While they have so far managed to keep their relationship under wraps from

the outside world, their families and friends are aware of their relationship. (TOI)

Karan Johar to co-produce Dhyan Chand biopic

F

ilmmaker Karan Johar has decided to bring the life of hockey legend Dhyan Chand on the big screen.

The late hockey player, popularly known as 'The Wizard', won three Olympic Gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936.

And Karan has joined hands with Pooja and Aarti Shetty to share the legend's story.

"My friends Pooja...

Aarti Shetty and I are honoured and proud

to have the rights to tell the story of the legendary sportsman #DHYANCHAND," Karan tweeted last Tuesday.

The news was also shared on the official page of Karan's Dharma Productions. The tweet read: "Karan Johar, Pooja & Aarti Shetty to produce the official biopic on the life of the legendary sportsman #DHYANCHAND." (TOI)

Maanayata Tattoos her twins' names on her hand

L

ast July, MaanayataDutt got her husband Sanjay Dutt's name tattooed on her ring finger. A few days ago, she was spotted with the names of their twins — Iqra and Shahraan — inked on her forearm. (TOI)

Bang Bang box-office: film crosses Fawad and my approach to work differ Rs 100 crore mark in India

S

B

e it for the neverseen-before stunts or scorching chemistry between lead actors Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif, 'Bang Bang' is doing extremely well at the box-office.

If figures estimated by production house are to be believed, the movie has earned Rs 125 crore worldwide in just three days of its release, and

has made a gross of Rs 100 crore in India.

These figures mean that ‘Bang Ban’g has made its way into the top five openers of all time.

This movie will surely give a boost to the career of its lead actors as it is reportedly the biggest opener of Hrithik's career and makes Katrina the only actress whose three films are in the list of top

five openers of all time.

‘Bang Bang’ released on the same day as Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoorstarrer Shakespearean adaptation ‘Haider’.

Having released on a national holiday, both the films cashed in on the long weekend with Dusshera, weekend and Eid revelries adding to the numbers.(TOI)

armad Khoosat, who directed Fawad Khan in 2011 hit Pakistani drama 'Humsafar', says though he finds the 'Khoobsurat' star a brilliant performer, the actor does not feature on his wish list.

Sarmad, who also helmed Fawad's Pakistani show Ashk' in 2012, says the duo enjoyed a nice relationship till ‘Humsafar” but things have not been the same between them post the show.

"I like Fawad as an actor and a star but our approach and our process of working don't match and for me the process of filming a drama or a film is more important than the outcome.

"Our actor-director relationship was extremely nice till ‘Humsafar’ but after that I had reservations about a few things with him," the 35-year-old director told in a telephonic interview from Karachi.

When asked if the difference means that the two would not pair up for any project in future, Sarmad said, "It's nothing like that. There is no animosity between us. I might work with him in future. I feel Fawad, Mahira and I should work together again. But I don't have a feeling that 'Oh, I want to do something with Fawad'. My wish list does not have him."

The young actor-director, however,

says he is very happy with the praise that Fawad has got in India.

"He deserves it. He is a great actor. I am very happy that people love him in India because he is so talented.

This should hopefully lead to more exchange between the two countries because they are so similar in culture and people that I don't even feel I am in a different nation whenever I am in India," said Sarmad.

His show ‘Humsafar’, a 23-episode long love story, will start airing from next week on Zindagi channel in India.

(TOI)

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Sport

WEEK ENDING October 12, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Samuels’ 126* powers WI to huge win

N

o Sunil Narine, no Chris Gayle, losses in the two practice games followed by a dispute between players and the board on the eve of the first match. When Dwayne Bravo’s letter to WICB mentioned the West Indies team morale was at “an all-time low”, no one would have doubted it. Still, the visitors somehow found a way to galvanise.

Marlon Samuels, playing his first ODI in seven months, led a strong West Indies batting effort in the series opener, scoring his sixth century – his second against India – to pose a tough challenge for the hosts. With Denesh Ramdin, who scored 61, Samuels added 165 in 23.1 overs for the fourth wicket – a West Indies record against India – to convert a solid start into an imposing total. The bowlers then extracted enough help from the pitch to dismantle India’s batting line-up ruthlessly. It could have been West Indies’ biggest win against India in terms of runs, but a vexing last-wicket stand of 42 between Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami prevented that.

Both Samuels and

Marlon Samuels made his sixth ODI century in his comeback match

Ramdin had scored runs in the two practice games, but what they did not have in those fixtures was a strong start.

Today, when the two got together, the scoreboard read 120 for 3. The Indian spinners could not get any purchase nor did they exert any control, and the batsmen built slowly, finding the odd boundary and rotating the strike to keep the run rate above five at the 30-over mark.

It only got better from there. Samuels welcomed Amit Mishra, who struggled with his lines throughout the innings, with a couple of straight sixes in the 31st over, then reached his halfcentury in the 34th with another straight six, off Suresh Raina. Power was never an issue; Samuels

found the distance when he wanted. What was noticeable was the number of singles he took to keep his strike-rate around 100 through his innings.

Ramdin took over from Samuels during the batting Powerplay, smashing a Shami full-toss over the cover boundary and helping West Indies swell their score by 16 in that over.

At the other end, fielders watched as Samuels’ powerful cuts pinged the boundary. That India’s bowlers were losing control became apparent in the 40th over as Jadeja gave away 10 extra runs through leg-side wides.

Fifty-two runs came in the Powerplay and by the end of it, West Indies’ run rate had moved to six an over. Samuels reached his century with a calm dab

down the ground and although West Indies lost a bit of momentum due to quick wickets, Samuels carried on with precision violence to finish unbeaten on 126.

The target of 322 would not have affected India at the outset of the chase; they have been the most successful side chasing anything above 300.

The home side started confidently with Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane finding the boundary. As the team approached 50, Dhawan was guilty of not responding to Rahane’s call for a second and both batsmen ended up at the same end, resulting in Rahane’s dismissal. Virat Kohli followed in the next over, edging to first slip in a manner reminiscent of his days in England. But the slide was confirmed when Raina, who stroked an unbeaten century in the Champions League T20 final last week, played on against his Chennai Super Kings team-mate Dwayne Bravo.

The West Indies bowlers had been wayward to start with, but gathered

themselves as the pitch quickened up. Taylor found pace, the medium pacers found movement and the spinners found the right lengths. India’s batsmen appeared all at sea, a bit like their spinners and fielders in the first innings. At the toss, Dhoni had said he was clear on the spinners for

the World Cup, but wanted the seamers to settle.

However, it was the spinners who failed to apply pressure today and ended up with a combined tally of 22-0-144-2. With a maximum of nine games remaining before the World Cup, India, the defending champions, have a few chinks to mend. (Cricinfo)

Hand-in-Hand cycling set for Saturday

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Flashback! Top performers of the 2013 programme pose with their winnings (Avenash Ramzan file photo)

uyanese riders will have one more opportunity to test their preparedness for next week’s ‘Ride for Life’ Five-Stage when the 10th annual Handin-Hand Insurance’s 11-race programme is staged at the inner circuit of the National Park on Saturday.

The Five-Stage is billed for October 16-19 and this weekend’s event will give a clear indication of the Guyanese cyclists’ readiness for the gruelling four-day race.

Alanzo Greaves, the first-ever winner of the Five-Stage, is the defending champion of the Hand-in-Hand main race- the testing 35lap School Boys and

Invitational.

He will face stiff competition from a large group of riders who would be keen to prove themselves, among them the in-form Raynauth Jeffrey, comeback kid Christopher Holder, the ever-improving Hamzah Eastman, the consistent Paul DeNobrega and the old heads Robin Persaud and Marlon Williams.

Greaves’ winning time last year was one hour, 21 minutes, 27.58 seconds (01h: 21m: 27.58s).

Michael Anthony won the Juveniles event in 2013, while Junior Niles (Veterans Under-50), Richard Charles (Mountain Bikes) and Alfie Soonaram (12-14

Boys and Girls) were the other category winners.

Other events carded for the day are the BMX 6-9, 9-12, 12-14 and Open, as well as the Veterans Over-50 and Over-60. National coach and organiser of the day’s activities, Hassan Mohamed, said he is looking forward to a large turnout of riders, primarily because it is the final race before the highly anticipated FiveStage.

He also divulged that senior executives of Hand-in-Hand Insurance would be on hand to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion. (Avenash Ramzan)

SPort Scarborough Cricket Association final…

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Guyanese produce outstanding performances for Hawaiian Arctic

By Ravendra Madholall

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O R O N T O , C A N A D A : Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club produced another stunning performance over the weekend to become the first team to ever win the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Premier 50-over competition for five successive years.

Last Saturday, they whipped Bawa X1 by 136 runs in the semi-final while Sunday, when history was created, they were awarded victory in their contest with East West Cricket club after the game ended in a controversial manner.

Set to make128 from the reduced 45-overs, Arctic was cruising at 27-1 in the 5th over when one of the opposing players pulled out the stumps in protest of the umpires’ not out

decision against Reyaz Prabulall of Arctic.

However, Arctic limited East West team to that total through a fine bowling effort from the off-spinner Harrienarine Chattergoon, who nabbed 4-25 from his allotted 9 overs.

Pacers Zaheer Allard and Shiv Shiwram ended with two wickets apiece for 29 and 30 respectively to support Chattergoon on a responsive pitch.

Yunus Mortara offered resistance with 27, which included three fours and 22 from Mohamed Shakir.

Former Guyana opening batsman Krishna Arjune was at the crease on 20 with four 4s and Prahalall yet to score when the encounter ultimately concluded.

Harrienarine Chattergoon was the man back in the hut

having scored only three runs but was later voted as Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his sterling bowling performance.

At the presentation session just after the incident, skipper of the team Hemnarine Chattergoon, related

The victorious Hawaiian Artic Cricket Club

that he was disappointed with the end of the game, cognisant of the fact that the players should have respected the umpire’s decision.

But the former Guyana and West Indies under-19 player and exCanada batsman, re-

served special mention to the Arctic side on this achievement.

In the semi-final showdown, Hemnarine hit an unbeaten 217 to lead Arctic to the win while the side was unstoppable again in this year’s edition winning

16 consecutive matches, inclusive of two walkover fixtures.

Apart from Arjune and the Chattergoon siblings who represented the club, several other senior Guyanese cricketers also played a pivotal role in the victory.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz head out for Japan friendly

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: J a m a i c a ’ s Reggae Boyz on Wednesday started their almost two-day journey to Niigata, Japan, for a friendly international against the hosts on Friday at the Denka Big Swan Stadium.

Five local-based players in head coach Winfried Schaefer's 18-man squad departed the Norman Manley International Airport along with 12 officials on Wednesday for Miami.

The players are Nicholy Finlayson, Kemar Lawrence, Upston Edwards, Hughan Gray and Cardel Benbow. The other 13 will make their way from various parts of the USA to Niigata.

Five England-based players in Joel Grant, Jamar Loza, Adrian Mariappa, Nyron Nosworthy, and newlyappointed captain Wes Morgan are also in the squad.

The others are USAbased Darren Mattocks, Deshorn Brown, Alvas Powell, JeVaughn Watson, Ryan Thompson, Jermaine Taylor, Norway's Dane Richards and former Sweden-based goalkeeper Dwayne Miller.

The Game against Japan, one of Asia's strongest teams, will be the final international ahead of November's Caribbean Cup in

the opportunities for the technical staff and players to develop.

"One should remember also that the Caribbean Cup champions get an automatic berth to the most anticipated football tournament on this continent, the 2016 Copa Centenario to be held in the United States," he said.

Captain Wes Morgan (Jamaica Observer photo)

Montego Bay. This game marks the fourth meeting between the two countries, who first met as debutantes in Lyon, France, on June 26 at the 1998 FIFA World Cup Finals when former head coach Theodore Whitmore hit a brace to steer the Reggae Boyz to a 2-1 victory.

The teams then met on June 6, 2000 at the King Hassan Cup

in Morocco when the Asians hammered the Boyz 4-0.

Two years later, the Boyz journeyed to Tokyo for a friendly international against Zico's Japan on October 16, when Ricardo Fuller netted in a 1-1 result.

JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell believes this latest fixture against Japan is in keeping with the federation's policy of providing

The Caribbean Cup is slated for November 10-18, and the champions, along with Mexico, USA, the Central American champions and two teams to be determined from next year's CONCACAF Gold Cup placing, will make up the six teams from CONCACAF to join the 10 South American (CONMEBOL) teams

in the USA in the Copa Centenario in 2016.

Coincidentally, the Reggae Boyz have already been invited to the 2015 Copa America in Chile, where they could come head to head with the continent's powerhouses: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia, among others. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

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‘Ride for Life’ Five-Stage meet

Team Coco’s, Heat Wave and Suriname confirm participation

By Avenash Ramzan

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uyana’s premier cycling showpiece- the annual ‘Ride for Life’ Five-Stage is once again expected to take on an international flavour with several foreign riders already confirmed to compete at the October 16-19 event.

In giving an update on Tuesday, national coach and chief organiser of the four-day activity, Hassan Mohamed, said plans are progressing well, and while registration from local riders has been slow, riders from beyond the shores of Guyana have given their commitment to be in the country for the mega race.

“Usually, it is slow with the local riders.

They would register at last minute, but what is heartening is the amount of foreign riders we are expected to have again this year,” Mohamed commented.

The Miami-based Team Coco’s, which comprises a mixture of foreigner and local riders, is coming strong this year,

Hassan Mohamed

as it has done in the past, with a 12-member team.

A team from Suriname and the Heat Wave club of Trinidad and Tobago are the other two foreign contingents so far registered to compete.

According to Mohamed, several overseas-based Guyanese have also expressed an interest in competing at the Five-Stage and their involvement will be confirmed by this weekend.

After cyclists and officials travel to the Ancient County on October 15, the opening stage will be held the following day from Corriverton to New

Team Coco’s has always had a strong presence at the ‘Ride for Life’ Five-Stage meet (Avenash Ramzan photo)

Amsterdam (46.6 miles) from 07:30h; while Stage Two will be on the same day from Rosignol to Georgetown (60.4 miles) from 14:00h.

Stage Three will take place on October 17 from Wales to Parika (35 miles) from 09:00h, while the penultimate stage will be contested from 07:30 hours the following day from Supenaam to Suddie, covering a dis-

tance of 62 miles. The fifth and final stage will commence in Linden at 08:30 hours and finish in Georgetown on October 19, covering a distance of 62 miles.

As was the case in previous years, the event will be held with the objectives of increasing awareness and knowledge about HIV/Aids among participants and the general public, and

increasing HIV/Aids activism and volunteerism among the participants and inspiring them to become ambassadors in the fight against HIV/Aids.

The deadline for registration is October 13 and those riders interested in participating are advised to contact Mohamed at his office, located in the Help and Shelter building, during regular working hours.

Team Coco’s Raynauth Jeffrey is the defending champion of the Open category, having won last year’s event in a time of 10 hours, 05 minutes, 33 seconds.

Hamzah Eastman was the leading Junior rider with a time of 10 hours, 09 minutes, 56 seconds, while Raymond Newton was the top Veteran in a time of 10 hours, 09 minutes, 57 seconds.

Sarwan excited about playing for TT Red Force

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ut-of-favour West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan was not surprised at being sidelined from the Guyana franchise line-up and said that the disappointment would not affect his focus ahead of the inaugural West Indies Professional Cricket League, the newly revised first class championship which bowls off November 14.

Sarwan was selected by Trinidad and Tobago Red Force during Monday’s draft as a second round pick while Barbados all-rounder Raymon Reifer was chosen by Guyana as a first round pick. They were the only two players chosen by teams based outside the territory of their birth as regional franchises chose to stick with

their zonal players.

Of the 30 players chosen in the draft, only two will play for teams based outside the zone of their birth. Barbados, Jamaica, Leeward Islands and Windward Islands all went for players from their territories.

During an interview on the Sportsmax Zone on Monday Sarwan, a former Guyana and West Indies captain, the right-hander who has played 87 Tests, 181 One-day Internationals and 18 Twenty20 Internationals said, “I knew they were not going to pick me because there is a lot of feud.

There is one individual who doesn’t really like me.

“Obviously I knew that was going to hap-

Ramnaresh Sarwan

pen, I was prepared for it so it wasn’t a situation where I wasn’t surprised or anything like that.

This has not been the first time Sarwan was omitted from the Guyana line-up. Back in 2011, Sarwan was overlooked

by Guyana for the then Caribbean Twenty20 Championship.

Sarwan’s omission then was based on fitness, according to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). However, it is unclear now the reason/s

for his omission.

Meanwhile, the former Guyana and West Indies captain has expressed excitement to be a part of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force line-up and more so delighted to be reunited with former coach Gus Logie, who is now in charge of the team.

“I’m pretty excited, it’s a great opportunity,” Sarwan stated.

“I have always been well received in Trinidad, so representing Trinidad is a great privilege and honour. To have Gus Logie as the coach, who has coached me since I was 15, I know I would be very comfortable and I’m excited to be a part of the team,” the right-hander continued.

The 34-year-old said

his main goal is to be healthy and fit and score big hundreds to get back in contention for the West Indies team.

“My main objective is to try and get myself fit to try and play in the 2015 World Cup,” he exclaimed. “The key for me is to try and get myself ready for the regional tournaments and I’ll make a very big statement there and then we would go from there.”

Sarwan acknowledged that with his experience, he will have to play a mentorship role to some of TT’s young batsmen and is looking forward to the role.

Sarwan is expected to be a big boost to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force who open their campaign against Barbados at Queen’s Park Oval.

Former WI fast bowler to play for U.S. N EW YORK, UNITED STATES: Former West Indies fast bowler Jermaine Lawson is set to make his debut for the United States after being selected on a 14-man squad for the ICC WCL Division Three in Malaysia later this month.

Lawson, 32, is the third former West Indies international in the last two years to be chosen for USA in an ICC

tournament squad.

The Jamaican-born cricketer joins Adam Sanford and former USA captain Neil McGarrell, who have both been dropped following USA's 15th place finish in their most recent event, the World T20 Qualifier last November.

Lawson once took a Test hat-trick for West Indies in his 13-Test career, but

Jermaine Lawson (Photo: espncricinfo.com)

had not appeared for them since the opening Test in Brisbane against Australia in November 2005.

His test career also includes six wickets for three runs against Bangladesh and a career best seven for 78 to demolish Australia in the Caribbean.

He has not appeared in a USACA tournament since 2011 and has been playing

in private T20 tournament around the country as well as club cricket in New Jersey and New York.

Lawson moved to the USA in 2010 and qualified to play for USA this year based on the ICC's four-year residency requirement.

The ICC WCL Division Three tournament runs from October 23 and 30 in Malaysia. (Caribbean News)

Letter to Sport Editor

Cricket Guyana responds to Sarwan’s claims

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he new Guyana F r a n c h i s e Company, Cricket Guy Inc (CGI) wishes to correct some very misleading and inaccurate statements emanating from former West Indies Test player, Ramnaresh Sarwan.

These statements were made during an interview on Sportsmax – Monday following the WICB Professional Cricket League players draft held in Barbados and was also published in the T&T Newsday on Wednesday.

Firstly, CGI would like to congratulate both Mr Sarwan and the T&T Red Force franchise for their new partnership which undoubtedly we trust would rebound to the best interest and future of West Indies cricket. For T&T Red Force, they have selected one of the most talented players in the West Indies and for Mr Sarwan, he has joined one of the most professional entities in the West Indies.

Our wholehearted felicitations to both parties!

The WICB has embarked on a new journey with this Franchise system which is aimed at professionalizing the game throughout the Caribbean with the specific aim of having the best players on show right throughout the extended season of 5 months.

This is a brand new innovation to us in the West Indies and would take time for everyone to get accustomed to its operations. Through this system, it is hoped that the good to excellent players will shine through whilst the noncommitted ones will be weeded out by themselves. In other words, the success of the players all would be measured by their hard work, attitude, discipline and dedication that they make to their chosen career and profession.

Cricketers now can truly say that they have a profession with the implementation of this system and 105 players throughout the Caribbean are now being paid to toil their trade rather than just 15 that the WICB would normally contract. There are several other benefits to this new franchise system which will slowly evolve and eventually be appreciated by everyone.

It was indeed sad to see and hear one of greatest cricketers in the WI publicly launch such a vicious assault

on an unnamed official of CGI without any evidence whatsoever to support his wild assertions.

It should be noted that CGI had a public launching of the new Franchise system on Tuesday, September 23rd at the Everest Cricket Club Pavilion at which event almost 100% of the Intercounty players attended the seminar with the notable exception of Mr Sarwan.

The CGI Selection Committee selected its original 10 team-members from the players they had available. Mr Sarwan had called the Board about 2 weeks ago to say that he was not fit to participate in both the Inter-County 50 Overs and the 4-day format administered by the Guyana Cricket Board in August and September.

He further stated that he would have been fit in a month’s time which would have coincided with the start of the Regional WICB season. Mr Sarwan last represented Guyana in Trinidad at the Nagico Super50 tournament in TT during the month of February 2014, then travelled to Jamaica with the 4-day team and declared himself unfit just prior to the start of our first Regional 4 day match against Jamaica.

Be that as it may, the selectors of the CGI thought it wise to include Mr Sarwan in the draft with the hope that he would have proven his fitness as stated above.

By this very action, the selectors had Mr Sarwan within their radar. It was indeed unfortunate for CGI not to have had the chance to select Mr Sarwan prior to the Red Force and it is most regrettable that he should make such a remark.

For the knowledge of everyone, the WICB has indicated that all 15 players for each franchise will be drafted from the pool next year. This was discussed at length at the franchise launching at Everest.

The CGI would like to start its operations on a sound and professional footing and urge players not to get too personal and emotional in their outbursts as only 15 players can be selected by each franchise and not everyone can be selected, but the WICB has ensured that more players are now being contracted as professional cricketers.

We are all aware that, unfortunately, Mr Sarwan had previous-

ly lost/cut short his contracts with the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, his CPL contract with the Amazon Warriors and more recently with the English county team, Leicestershire. He was also not awarded a WICB retainer contract this year.

We wish the 15 retained players for the GUYANA JAGUARS all the best in the forthcoming Regional tournaments and trust that they will rise to the occasion as West Indies cricket is poised for very interesting times. In addition, players not retained are still eligible to be selected to play in matches on a Pay for Play basis.

Respectfully, Cricket Guyana Inc

sport

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