Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

US Embassy slams Kaieteur News for “fabricated� article

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 237

week ending April 5, 2015

Political parties gearing up for Nomination Day - PPP/C hoping to regain majority by campaigning on achievements since 1992

- APNU+AFC campaign greeted with numerous calls for Nagamootoo to break silence on PNC's vote rigging

APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger and PM Candidate Moses Nagamootoo

See stories inside

PPP/C's Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar and PM Candidate Elisabeth Harper

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NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

US Embassy slams Kaieteur News for “fabricated” article

T

he United States Embassy in Georgetown has repudiated the scandal-tarred Kaieteur News for publishing a fabricated story in its Wednesday edition alleging that four Government officials’ visas were revoked over money laundering and later trying to pass it off as an “April Fools” joke.

Known for its gutter journalism and fabrication, the Glenn Lall-run Kaieteur News was forced to admit to the US Embassy that the article captioned “US revokes four Govt officials’ visas” was purely a work of fiction. The Embassy, careful to guard its reputation, given the far-reaching consequences of the article, which was published online, asked the Saffon Street outfit to rip it down from the Internet and also publish a retraction.

“To be clear, the US Embassy has not cancelled any visas of high-ranking Government officials nor is the US Federal Bureau of Investigation in country questioning individuals as the article states,” the Embassy said in a statement.

According to the Embassy, Kaieteur News exercised poor judgment in printing the article under the auspices of an April Fools’ joke. “The US Embassy calls for an immediate retraction of the article by Kaieteur News in both their online and print versions of their newspaper.”

Incidentally, Lall’s visa to

US Deputy Chief of Mission Bryan Hunt

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

Kaieteur News Editor Adam Harris

Senior Reporter Leonard Gildharie

the US was revoked some years ago for his alleged backtracking activities which Washington had mentioned in a cable.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News over the years has been repeatedly cited for “yellow journalism” – a technique utilised by two titans of the US newspaper industry at the turn of the 20th Century to sell papers.

Only recently one of his top reporters, Leonard Gildharie was embroiled in the illegal taping of a conversation between himself and Attorney General Anil Nandlall. The premise of yellow journalism was simple: exaggerate news events – especially minor ones; widely focus on scandal-mongering and sensationalism; and make sure the front page is dominated by large, lurid, misleading head-

lines and pictures. Fake interviews and taking on the “system” on behalf of the common man rounded out the approach.

It worked and made enormous fortunes for William Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer.

Commentators have said previously that this yellow journalistic approach was the “secret” of the Kaieteur News and its owner, Glenn Lall, since the early 1990s.The strategy does not even have to be imputed, since the founder of the newspaper, Shaun Samaroo stated explicitly that he “wanted to publish a weekend journal that focused entirely on investigative reporting, and that would also reflect solid family values, with a democratic Western mindset. However, within months, Glenn… decided he wanted a

bigger say in the editorial of the newspaper. I objected that he was a mere investor and the editorial should be left up to media experts… but one day I chose to resign. By this time, sources I had cultivated as an investigative reporter were warning me of associating with ‘that crowd’.

I received second-hand information of business practices that I did not think fitted in with the high professional ethics I set myself as a journalist and the publisher of a weekend tabloid.”

Samaroo concluded, “Kaieteur in its founding days aimed only to create a professional, independent, credible and informative weekend journal focused, as said above, on investigative reporting. Alas, it was not to be, and today, in 2011, we have WikiLeaks doing

that work for us.”

Only recently, Lall was accused of verbally abusing and threatening his staff over a hard-hitting article in the media weeks ago, which questioned his credibility as an anti-corruption crusader. A leaked email on Lall’s outburst to his staff was circulated on the Guyana Press Association (GPA) mailing list last month.

The leaked report, which was anonymously sent to a senior journalist’s email, stated that “staffers of the Kaieteur News’ Editorial Department were under siege when the newspaper’s “narcissistic publisher Mohan “Glenn” Lall went on an hourlong, profanity-laced tirade during a general meeting, following his return from a lengthy vacation in the United States”.

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EDITORIAL

Rethinking higher education

T

he ongoing imbroglio surrounding the University of Guyana, should not only raise the issue of the governance and administrative structures at the institution, as suggested by the Vice-Chancellor.

As has been raised several times by his predecessor, it is more than high time we interrogate the very purpose of a university for our country. This is not to say that we do not need a university – but the question that must be asked is: “What exactly is the University supposed to produce for our country?”

We would then be joining a larger debate and discourse that is unfolding in the developed world. They have been forced into this introspection by their economic collapse and with no evident light at the end of their tunnel, they realise that much deadwood will have to be jettisoned.

And a good deal of that deadwood lies in the halls of academia.

They are not just questioning the number of Ph Ds being churned out in obscure fields and even more obscure topics. A hard look is being cast at the relevance of the undergraduate programmes.

The bottom line, the powers that be are asserting, is whether the degree awarded is worth the investment. On their own, since the 2007 crash in the US, students have been asking this question. One of their response has been to abandon programs in ‘business’ and ‘language’ in droves and head into fields that are directly connected to available jobs such as in the health field. Suddenly, nursing schools are “in”.

In Guyana, the need for this sort of introspection seems to have escaped both students and administrators. Do we actually need all those graduates in Sociology or International relations? Are we not just creating trouble for ourselves when the young (and not so young) graduates in these fields cannot find employment?

Did anyone hear when a couple of years ago, the investors in the new mining venture complained that Guyana has practically no geologists? Are we going to wait until we strike oil before we have programs and qualified individuals in that field?

And we are not talking only of specialised knowledge in petroleum mining. What about skills in laying and connecting all those steel pipes that even lay-persons can appreciate will be needed in the petroleum industry?

But one development in the US that addresses the need to provide academic knowledge and industry-specific training points in a direction in which we have some experience and which we hopefully can introduce quite quickly: apprenticeships. And since we tend to only copy what is common ‘overseas’, maybe our educators may take notice.

In recent decades, we seem to have bypassed the apprenticeship system, introduced in the sugar industry since the fifties. We’ve opted for some nebulous “internship” system that really does not provide the background and training for its graduates to step into any available jobs.

They still need further academic “university” teaching.

Apprenticeships, of course, combine paid on-the-job training with college-level or trade-school classes. The Booker’s Apprenticeship Training Programme (now GuySuCo’s) was immensely successful for decades and can become the nucleus for expanding our apprenticeship schemes.

Apprenticeship programmes make economic sense because specific companies – such as the ones in the budding information and communication technology sector, for instance – do not have to look outside the country or towards retraining to fill their personnel needs.

In the US, the Department of Labour is trying to expand apprenticeship models in high-demand fields like health care, green jobs, transportation, and information technology.

One problem with the Technical Institute model that we are expanding at present is that it does not offer the graduates the assurance of specific skills that employers need.

The apprenticeship scheme, by combining the employers with the institutions and the specific training, removes that doubt. It also allows corporations, to more directly absorb the costs of training their employees.

An afternoon view from the Georgetown Seawall (Photo by Shantanand Anude)

Insufficient progress hindering Guyana from achieving MDGs – UNDP

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hile Guyana has maintained steady progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the pace of development may be insufficient to achieve some of the targets for 2015.

This is according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a published overview on Guyana’s progress towards achieving its MDGs for 2015.

According to the document, Guyana has advanced in its efforts to reduce hunger, increase access to social services and benefits, improve enrollment in and completion of primary education, increase empowerment of women and achieve environmental sustainability.

But, due to the challenges in the political and civil atmosphere within the nation, Guyana is struggling in its quest to achieve the MDGs. It was noted that the prospects of achieving all the MDGs can be vastly improved with the resumption of sustained economic growth and its effect on household income, revenue generation and public expenditure.

Improved data systems will also advance the capacity to measure the progress in future years.

Greater capital investment in the country is also encouraged, as it will eventually decrease the outward migration of professionals.

The eight MDGs for 2015 are the eradication of extreme hunger and poverty; achievement of universal primary education; promotion of gender equality and women empowerment; reduction of child mortality; improvement of maternal health; combating HIV/

AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and the establishment of a global partnership for development.

Extreme hunger and poverty

With regards to the eradication of extreme hunger and poverty, UNDP said Guyana has made significant progress.

Guyana successfully halved the proportion of people who suffer from hunger and has also improved its performance in the reduction of poverty and increasing employment. In order to meet the MDG target for poverty reeducation, the extreme poverty rate must be reduced by a further 4 per cent.

The fraction of the population living in extreme poverty has declined from 28.7 per cent in 1993 to 18.6 per cent in 2006.

There has also been a significant decline in the unemployment rate, with a recorded 11.7 per cent of overall unemployment in 1992 to 10.7 per cent in 2006.

The female unemployment rate declined from 18.1 per cent in 1992 to 13.9 per cent in 2006 and the percentage of youths who constitute the employed labour force increased from 8.7 per cent to 15.8 per cent over the same period.

Universal primary education Of recent, Government has been emphasising on the fact that Guyana has successfully achieved access to universal primary education and is well on its way to achieving universal secondary education.

According to the UNDP, Guyana is on track to meet the education target, ensuring that, by the end of 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of prima-

ry schooling. The total primary school enrollment rate has been above 95 per cent since 2000.

The UNDP report recognises that Government policies on primary education are focused on improving access for students in the hinterland communities and improving the inclusiveness of education with regard to students with learning disabilities.

General equality and women empowerment

Guyana has met the target of eliminating gender inequality in primary and secondary education since boys and girls are equally represented at these levels.

However, there is some imbalance at the tertiary level as there are twice as many females as there are males enrolled.

Additionally, women are well represented in public life and hold a variety of senior technical positions in the public service. Female political representation in Parliament has increased substantially over the years. In 1992, there were 12 members and in 2009, the number increased to 20.

Today, Guyana is ranked 30th in the world for the number of women in Parliament and Cabinet, ahead of prominent countries like Trinidad and Tobago who ranked 36, Canada at 48 and the United Kingdom at 57.

Reduction of child mortality

As highlighted by the Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, the under-five mortality rate in Guyana has declined tremendously, resulting in early achievement of the MDG target.

The under-five mortality rate was reduced by two-thirds continued on page 26

NEWS 5

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Bogus cops reportedly confess to Sterling, GGMC engineer’s murders

– but not Crum-Ewing’s

T

he bogus cops arrested by Police in a raid last Friday, Orin Arthur and Rayon Paddy, have reportedly confessed to murdering Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Engineer Trevor Abrams and Sterling Products security guard Wilfred Stewart after their gun and ammunition was linked to the murders.

At the time of their arrest, the men had 17 .223 live rounds of ammunition and 12 live .32 rounds of ammunition along with a quantity of cocaine and marijuana.

A senior Police rank told this newspaper on Wednesday that ballistic tests on the .32 pistol also recovered proved it was the same weapon used to kill Abrams in the vicinity of the Demerara Distillers Limited a few weeks ago.

Abrams was shot at least four times by occupants of a Carina 212 motor car moments after he left a commercial bank at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

It was reported that the young man was driving his silver grey Toyota Allion bearing registra-

Dead: GGMC Engineer Trevor Abrams

tion number PSS 6855 when the Carina pulled up alongside him. Several gunshots were then heard. Abrams attempted to escape and accelerated away, but crashed into a utility pole and ended up in a nearby canal. The other car disappeared.

Moments after the car plunged into the trench, public-spirited citizens ran to Abrams’ rescue and managed to pull him from the submerged vehicle, but he subsequently died.

Tests also conducted on the .223 ammunition found on the men on Friday confirmed that it was the same type used to execute Sterling Products security guard Wilfred Stewart last

Dead: Victor Da Silva

December. The .223 ammunition is commonly used in M-15 rifles.

The 45-year-old security guard of Graham’s Hall, East Coast Demerara, was shot a few times by armed men who invaded the Sterling Products Limited Compound.

It was reported that about 10 men, all of whom, were armed with highpowered rifles, stormed the compound through the front gate. But, according to a release from the Guyana Police Force, there were only three gunmen. Police said the men were able to locate a safe in the building, but were unable to open it and decided to leave empty-handed.

Dead Security Guard: Wilbert Stewart

Hunt on for third man

The senior Police rank, added that the third man who escaped during the Police operation on Friday last at 21st Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara which nabbed the men might be in possession of the weapon.

The Police will continue to search for the man who is suspected to have links with other gangs.

The third murder the men are linked to is that of Victor Da Silva who was killed after the vehicle in which he and an East Coast Demerara businessman were travelling came under fire at Cowan and Water Streets in July last year.

Da Silva sustained at

Orin Arthur

Rayon Paddy

least four gunshot wounds to his stomach and died on the spot. The businessman managed to drive his vehicle into an alleyway between the Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Companies (GTM) and Republic Bank, between Hincks and Robb streets, Georgetown.

After the car came to a halt in the alleyway, the businessman reportedly got out and threw a bag containing an undisclosed sum of money over the bank’s fence. He subsequently collapsed as a result of his injuries. The source told this newspaper that one man had already been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of

Da Silva.

On Monday, the bogus cops, who are in fact ex-Policemen, appeared on eight charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The Police will now have to secure a body order for their release from prison to face new charges. These additional charges are expected to be instituted as early as possible.

Meanwhile, the Police source confirmed that the men were cleared of the execution-style killing of ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, Courtney Crum-Ewing who was killed at Third Street, Diamond. Police are continuing their investigation into the murder of the father of three.

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WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

What does Moses mean he is not Indian?

Dear Editor, Dr Baytoram Ramharack quoted my friend Moses Nagamootoo at an APNU-AFC rally in Richmond Hill (March 22) as saying he told Indians in New Delhi at a GOPIO award recognition ceremony that “he is not Indian, but Guyanese”.

But Moses went to India to be recognized for his work as an Indian to uplift the lives of Indians and he deserved it. A response was not published in another media.

It is strange, therefore, for Moses, who fought racism against Indians in Guyana, would make such a statement to a respected and influential gathering in Delhi. Moses should be proud of his background and the contributions of his ancestors to world civilization and to Guyana in particular.

Few fought against PNC racism and for racial equality in Guyana like Moses, and fewer put in as many years as him in the struggle for restoration

of democracy against the PNC dictatorship. I recommended Moses for the GOPIO honour (January 2008), as I did earlier for former President Bharrat Jagdeo and later for President Donald Ramotar for the PBD Samman recognition as well as for honours

by GOPIO (2004 and 2015 respectively; President Jagdeo was also honored in NY by GOPIO in 1999).

The GOPIO convention honours Indians for their outstanding achievements and or contributions to society in various facets of life. The recommendation of Moses for the prestigious GOPIO honor was on the basis of his Indian background, a prerequisite for the honour, for his immense contributions to national life in Guyana and to Indo-Guyanese in particular.

It is not un-Guyanese or anti-national or in any way conflicting to say one is Indian or Indo-Guyanese. Almost everyone in America, for exam-

ple, is identified as a hyphen American. President Obama, as an illustration, refers to himself as American, AfricanAmerican, Black-American, Kenyan-American (father’s nationality), Irish-American (his mom is of Irish, Scottish and Welsh descent), and bi-racial.

Obama met with his ancestral cousins in Europe and Kenya and proudly identified with his father’s tribe. Obama did not tell his village hosts or his African family he was not of their tribe, and he proudly partook in tribal and religious ceremonies they organized for him in a visit.

It does not make Obama less of an American in saying he was of African descent, and he did not run away from his multiple ethnic identities. Guyanese cannot understand why Moses would want to hide from or not acknowledge his Indian identity. Afro-Guyanese or Chinese or Amerindian Guyanese don’t

hide from theirs. Granger and Winston Felix are not ashamed to say they are African.

While it is politically correct to say “I am Guyanese”, it does not define the ethnic identity of Guyanese for we proudly proclaim Guyana is a nation of six races. So why would it be wrong for anyone to say he is African or Indian, or Amerindian, or Portuguese or Chinese?

And there is no such thing as real American or real Guyanese or real Canadian.

We are Guyanese or Canadian or British (a national of those countries for passport purposes) by virtue of birth or naturalization; that does not identify our ethnic stock or origin.

Saying he is Indo-Guyanese does not make Moses any less of a Guyanese; in fact, it allows him to develop strength in being Guyanese. Being Italian or African in America does not make one less of an American.

And someone from Guyana

can have multiple identities.

For example, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan is Indian, Guyanese, Hindu, West Indian, Indo-Caribbean, and South American. WPA leaders David Hinds, Ogunseye, Eusi Kwayana, Robert Corbin and other Afro-Guyanese are not bashful about saying they are Africans and Guyanese.

The APNU-AFC alliance has been formed on the basis that the AFC (under Moses charisma and popularity among Indians) can bring its Indian support to the APNU’s African and mixed support to defeat the PPP/C. Reports say Moses repeated that point to several gatherings in NY. How does he now say he is not Indian? By discounting his ethnic identity, how would that help the strategically constructed racial alliance? So the alliance wants the Indian votes to win but they want nothing to do with Indians!

Vishnu Bisram

A campaign of Berbicians have largely rejected the coalition lies about land in Amerindian communities

Dear Editor, I was reliably informed by some Amerindian communities in the Rupununi region that old time PNC lackey William Tony in his PNC/APNU-AFC elections campaign has been telling them that the Chinese and Brazilians are taking away the land that belongs to the Amerindian people, and if they get into Government (which will never happen) the lands would be taken back.

Let me inform the right-thinking Amerindian communities not to believe one word from the PNC/APNU-AFC coalition, since they are on a campaign of mere lies and deceit just to win votes.

Further, Tony has outlived his usefulness to the Rupununi region and must not be allowed into communities since he has absolutely nothing constructive to speak about only lies about our PPP/C Government which has demonstrated that it is committed towards the social and economic development of the Amerindian communities of Guyana.

Tony like his bossmen David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo are wolves in sheep’s clothing and must not be trusted and allowed into the Amerindian communities to spread their venom. Some communities have already done so in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) and other regions.

But Tony has no proof or evidence that the Chinese and Brazilians are taking away the lands that belong to Amerindian communities.

The simple truth is that the PPP/C Government respects and upholds the land rights of Guyana’s indigenous people and in this regard will never take away legally titled Amerindian lands, neither lands that have been identified for village extensions by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA).

Tony must therefore stop lying to the Amerindian communities at his poorly attended campaign meetings in the Rupununi region just for scarce votes on matters that pertain to their lands.

Nevertheless Tony, the PPP/C shall be reelected to Government by a majority since it is known to be a party with a developmental agenda for the people of Guyana Peter Persaud

Dear Editor, The people of Berbice have spoken and the AFC is now dead meat.

The entire population of Whim feels that the sanctity of their village has been violated and that Nagamootoo has now been confirmed as ‘Namak Haram’ Number 1.

The Indians of Berbice have categorically and have unanimously rejected the coalition which they see as a barefaced sell-out by the AFC. I have chaired an AFC rally at the same venue in 2011 and it was clear then that the Indians of Berbice turned out in large num-

bers to support the AFC. But now it is even clearer that those same people are now absent. In my estimation there were about 150 Indians in that crowd and some went out of curiosity.

But this came as no surprise to me since I have visited some of the AFC public meetings in Berbice prior to this rally and I have seen glaring evidences that these meetings have more APNU supporters than AFC supporters.

For instance, meetings at Chesney Front, Hog Town, Hampshire and Bush Lot had below 20 persons and

these were APNU supporters. In fact at Bush Lot on the Corentyne, I saw Ramayya speaking to six Policemen and about five persons including two donkeys who were trying to get their fill before nightfall.

At these same venues in 2011, the AFC had in excess of 200 persons.

It is now an early indication that the AFC will face an early retirement from the political scene. The Indians have rejected Moses 11 per cent bargaining chip with the PNC. May 11 will confirm this once and for all.

Haseef Yusuf

Guyana is no longer a pariah nation Dear Editor, There is a saying that none so blind as those who would not see. This saying has much relevance in the context of a deliberate attempt to deny the role played by the PPP/C in the transformation of Guyana from a poor and backward country to one in which there is economic and social progress.

Who can deny that life in Guyana is qualitatively better than before which came about mainly because of the visionary leadership provided by the PPP/C administration?

Vision is the ability to see things not as they are but as they will be in time. It is that ability to see ahead and on the basis of a correct definition of the situation to plan and strategize on the way forward.

But vision is not enough to transform a nation. Good leadership is what is required to translate vision into reality and it is the ability to provide visionary and strategic leadership over the decades that has been the defining characteristic of the PPP/C. .

There is a tendency by the political opposition aided and abetted by some sections of civil society to project a view that the PPP/C is found wanting when it comes to transformational leadership.

Some even go to absurd levels by suggesting that the PPP/C lacks the intellectual capability to develop the country and all manner of derogatory remarks are being made against some party members.

The facts however will reveal that whatever progress has been made, took place largely under the stewardship of the PPP both during the 1957-64 and the post-1992 periods.

Under the PNC regime, Guyana was reduced to a highly indebted poor country status. The country borrowed huge sums of money not only from multilateral financial institutions such as the IDB, IMF and the World Bank but also from several other countries.

At one time the country was deemed ‘uncreditworthy’ by the IMF after the PNC regime failed to repay loans

and the high interest repayments which accumulated over the years.

The PPP/C Administration not only succeeded in writing off a significant proportion of the debt burden under the Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPIC) but it was able to exit the IMF programme after the economy developed to a point where there was no longer a dependence on IMF money.

This was a very significant development and a re-affirmation of the country’s economic sovereignty in terms of our ability to chart our own developmental path without external dictation.

These are some aspects of our developmental history which sometimes go unnoticed but which speak to our capacity as a nation to assert our national independence not hitherto possible under the previous PNC regime.

Guyana is no longer a pariah nation which at one time was the laughing stock of the Caribbean and the world but a country that has become a respected member of the international community of nations.

The PPP/C’s record of progress is unmatched when it comes to taking this nation along the path of sustainable development. This is why it is so important that the PPP/C is returned to power in the elections of May 11.

Hydar Ally

news 7

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Republic Bank to acquire Royal Bank of Canada’s Suriname subsidiary

R

epublic Bank Limited (RBL) on Wednesday announced plans to acquire Royal Bank of Canada’s Suriname operations from RBC Financial Caribbean Limited, through the purchase of Royal Overseas Holdings St Lucia Limited, at an estimated cost of US$39.8 million.

In a release, RBL said a Share Purchase Agreement, executed Monday, signalled the commencement of the transaction, which was subject to all regulatory and other customary approvals. The transaction is expected to be completed in the coming months.

In making the announcement, RBL Managing Director David Dulal-Whiteway said that this acquisition fitted in perfectly with the Bank’s regional expansion strategy and once completed, will increase RBL’s footprint in the Caribbean to eight territories.

Canada’s largest bank in contrast has been pulling out of some

Republic Bank to acquire Royal Bank of Canada’s Suriname subsidiary

of its operations in the Caribbean Region. The Financial Times reported that early last year, RBC agreed to sell its Jamaican operations to Sagicor Group Jamaica Ltd. It also said in November it was shutting down its international client wealth management business in the Caribbean.

Attractive investment According to DulalWhiteway, “As a Caribbean-based bank, we are always on the lookout for opportunities in the Region.

Suriname’s diverse and

stable economy makes it an attractive investment territory and one that we have been desirous of entering since 2012. We view this opportunity to acquire Suriname’s third largest bank as a solid entry point into that market.”

RBC Royal Bank (Suriname) NV operates a six-branch network with assets of approximately US$525 million (as at October 31, 2014) and an employee complement of 199 persons.

The transaction will be accretive to RBL shareholders (adds to earnings per share) and upon completion of the acquisition, Republic Bank intends to rebrand the newly-acquired subsidiary in Suriname. By drawing on its proven track record of adding value to the markets it enters through the enhancement of customer experience, Republic will make available to the Surinamese market a wide array of products and services, as well as access to its wealth of banking expertise. continued on page 8

APNU/AFC coalition promises to deliver better housing policy

E

ven as the People’s National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition is preparing to unveil its 2015 manifesto on April 10, it has hinted that its housing policy will seek to reduce the prices which are currently being paid by citizens for house lots and low income homes.

APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon said the coalition strongly believes that house lots are not only discriminately distributed but the prices are too exorbitant in the country.

He related that under an APNU/AFC Government, the prices for house lots will be reduced along with the price for low income homes, in its quest to provide a better life for all Guyanese. Without divulging much detail in relation to the contents of the manifesto, Harmon said housing will receive special attention to ensure the small man gets a better share.

“We believe all Guyanese are entitled to a proper house. This country is too big for us to be getting a little small thing for a house lot… Guyanese deserve a better break and a bet-

APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon

ter share of the national pie,” he added.

Harmon, who served as Shadow Housing Minister over the last three years, says he believes the coalition’s policy will see the utilisation of land and other resources in a more efficient way. “If we take out the corruption in some of these entities we will be able to deliver to the ordinary Guyanese man a better house at a cheaper price and the land at a lower price,” he reasoned.

According to the General Secretary, the ordinary citizen is often forced to pay large sums for a small plot of land while others are given large swaths of land for a small amount of money.

This he said must stop.

Additionally, it was expressed that the policies of the coalition will seek to provide more than a house but to de-

velop communities. “We want to ensure we build communities around the land that is going to be provided to citizens.”

Meanwhile, the AFC General Secretary, David Patterson has promised that the coalition will be unveiling massive plans for the country in its manifesto. Reports indicate that plans target education, security and social services.

On the other hand, AFC Executive Member Catherine Hughes stated that under an APNU/ AFC Government, women will be given more respect and opportunities to foster and develop their full potential.

She noted that the coalition will work to provide more daycare facilities for working mothers, drop-in-centres for victims of abuse and domestic violence with more support services.

Additionally, she said it will seek to have more micro credit loans available for women wanting to become entrepreneurs.

The coalition has also vowed that should it succeed, it will ensure that turnaround plans for the sugar and rice industries are drafted and implemented, so as to protect the lifeline of the sectors while sustaining the livelihood of those who are dependent on them.

GT&T rolls out faster speed Internet service … says talks ongoing to increase spectrum

By Vahnu Manikchand

T

he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) has introduced its “blasting” high-speed Internet service, which will be offered at no cost to existing customers and at a steal to new customers.

On Wednesday, GT&T rolled out its new project Internet service that will see customers getting increased Internet speed.

According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Radha Krishna Sharma, GT&T is focused on providing enhanced value for customers at every chance available.

He noted that the vision behind this project was to provide high quality service to customers and ensure that they get value for their money. He also stated that the company is trying to create such a place for itself in the market so that other service providers will not be able to compete with GT&T. “We conceptualised this project and it has at its core, enhanced speed for our Internet customers and the re-examination of our pricing model… Through this project, our residential and business customers can now receive an en-

CEO of GT&T Radha Krishna Sharma testing out the speed of the upgraded Internet service as two company staff look on

hanced Internet speed of up to 10 megs (Megabytes).

I can say this without any fear of contradiction, it is the fastest and most affordable Internet in Guyana,” the CEO outlined.

He explained that this upgraded service will be available to approximately 70 to 75 per cent of the company’s data customers across the country.

He noted that the small per cent are being left out due to some network constraints that prohibit the company from delivering enhanced speed in some areas. Nevertheless, he stated that in order not to leave out any of their customers in this new initiative, instead of high-speed

Internet service, GT&T will be reducing the cost of the service from Gy$7000 to Gy$2999.

Meanwhile, the upgrade Internet service comes in three categories. The residential bronze plan has been enhanced to 1.5Mpbs for the same low cost of Gy$4999; while the Residential Silver plan was upgraded to 5Mbps for the same Gy$9980. Additionally, the Residential Gold plan of up to 10Mbps is being offered for only Gy$14,979.

Customers with existing plans do not have to make any additional payments to get higher speed, the upgrade will be done automatically.

8 NEWS

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Bandits snatch Gy$90M US$30M pact to improve at Bourda Post Office GPL’s supply in Berbice …disarm cop, 1 suspect nabbed

The Bourda Post Office back to normal after the robbery

By Bhisham Mohamed

A

t least three armed men on Wednesday morning grabbed several bags containing Gy$90 million in pension and public assistance funds as they were being escorted to the Bourda Post Office, Regent Street, Georgetown. The robbery occurred at about 08:00h.

During the robbery, the bandits also managed to relieve a Police constable of a G3 Rifle that he was carrying at the time. However, quick response by the Police resulted in one of the men being arrested in the vicinity of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The suspect has been identified as Lloyd Sadloo of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Guyana Times International understands that the suspect is being grilled by members of the Criminal Investigation Unit at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

According to reports

received, the men who were in queue ran out and held the clerk and one of the Police ranks at gun point, shortly after the General Post Office (GPOC) van arrived at the Bourda Post Office. It was at this time, the gunmen relieved the Police rank of his rifle.

They then jumped into the vehicle and forced the driver to drive away with the 17 bags of money. The vehicle was found abandoned along Cemetery Road, East La Penitence. This publication understands that the van was in the process of delivering monies to at least 17 post offices around the city and would have made the first stop at Bourda. During the robbery, the elderly people were forced to take to the ground. Some of them were reportedly traumatised due to the incident.

Police in a release stated that at about 08:15h, three men armed with firearms held up a Police escort and the driver of a GPOC mo-

tor vehicle outside of the Post Office in Regent Street, Bourda.

The perpetrators took away the Policeman’s service G3 Rifle with 20 rounds and then entered the vehicle and forced the driver to drive away, with the Police rank inside.

The men abandoned the vehicle along Cemetery Road, Georgetown, and took away the Gy$90 million that was in the vehicle, and escaped, along with the Policeman’s firearm. This newspaper understands that the driver of the GPOC vehicle was also driving the vehicle when the Beterverwagting Post Office was robbed back in December, 2014.

This is the first robbery committed on any post office for the year thus far. The rank reiterated that the perpetrators had to be planning the act in advance taking into consideration that pensioners would have been paid on the first day of every month.

T

he Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) energy assets at Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) have been transferred to a new energy company called the Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI).

Chairman of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Inc (NICIL), Winston Brassington who is also Chairman of the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) at a press conference on Wednesday at the National Communications Network told reports that Cabinet has approved that the GuySuCo energy assets located at Skeldon, along with its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) be transferred to the newly created special purpose company; the Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI).

According to Brassington, the stateowned SEI will be jointly owned by GPL and NICIL. In consideration of the transfer of the assets, GuySuCo will be paid a total of US$30 million.

Additionally, SEI will supply power to GuySuCo at the same prices that GPL currently pays GuySuCo today.

“Expected benefits of the restructuring of the Skeldon energy assets include: The enhancement of the-generating capacity of the Skeldon Wärtsilä and Bagasse, co-generation power

Chairman of the Guyana Power and Light Winston Brassington

plants; provide GPL and GuySuCo with a stable and reliable source power generation and relieve GuySuCo of the responsibility to manage the power generation; provide US$30 million of capital resources to GuySuCo; secure, stabilise and expand the power generating capacity located at Skeldon, as part of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (OBIS) power grid, by increasing energy supplied to the grid by 50 per cent by the end of 2016 and almost 100 per cent by 2019”, Brassington said.

The GuySuCo power-generating assets consist primarily of three Wärtsilä power plants with an installed capacity of 10 MegaWatts (MW), and a Co-Generation Bagasse Plant with an installed capacity of 30MW, Brassington explained.

Skeldon Energy Inc, with the support of the power company, has contracted Wärtsilä to rehabili-

tate, operate and manage the combined power plants effective April 1, 2015. This new development will in no way affect the current systems of operations as all persons currently employed

by GuySuCo will be seconded to the operation on the same terms and conditions currently enjoyed.

According to Brassington, Skeldon Energy Inc will be funded with equity financing (US$9 million) from NICIL [US$5 million] and GPL [US$4 million] and debt financing (US$21 million) from GPL and local and international financial institutions. Repayment of the financing will be via the sale of power under the two PPA’s to GPL and GuySuCo. GuySuCo will also sell to SEI the bagasse used in required for its Skeldon operations. On the basis that GPL will purchase most of the power from SEI under a PPA and the plant being operated by Wärtsilä, the new management company will provide financing for the rehabilitation of the 10MW plant. It is a fact, that GPL and Wärtsilä enjoy the longest operational and maintenance relationship in the history of Wärtsilä. Brassington said SEI will inherit the many benefits including discounts on spares and over 95 per cent availability on the GPL owned but Wärtsilä operated plants.

Republic Bank to acquire...

from page 7

This includes commer-

cial and retail as well as merchant and corporate banking.

RBC Caribbean Banking Head Rob Johnston said, “Following a thorough and careful review of RBC’s Suriname operations, we concluded that the best decision for the long-term future success of the operations was to sell it to a strategic buyer with interest in building a presence in Suriname.

Republic Bank, which also has operations in neighbouring Guyana, is exactly such a partner.”

According to Reuters, Canada’s largest bank Dulal-Whiteway added, “We are excited about the prospect of this acquisition as we work toward achieving our vision as the Caribbean financial institution of choice. We look forward to partnering with the team in Suriname, using our successful business model that relies on

the local knowledge supported by well-trained employees, effective policies, processes and governance structures, to deliver excellence in customer satisfaction, employee engagement and social responsibility, while building successful societies.”

RBL is one of the largest and most successful independent commercial banks in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, having served the Region for 177 years. Today, the Republic Bank Group operates 70 branches, with an approximate staff complement across the Region of 4100 people.

The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange listed company as of September 30, 2014, had assets of US$9.4 billion, with equity at US$1.4 billion and profits attributable to shareholders for the year ended September 30, 2014, of US$189.1 million.

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Greater investment needed to accelerate GuySuCo’s mechanisation plan – CEO

C

hief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Dr Rajendra Singh said future investments into the sugar industry will aid in the process of mechanisation.

Dr Singh was responding to a promise made by President Donald Ramotar that his Administration, after the May 11 Regional and General Elections, would pump additional funds into the industry for it to become more viable.

In recent years, the industry has been placed under the microscope due to its constant failure to deliver. Critics have condemned the sector’s ability to reach its yearly production target, and Government’s

GuySuCo CEO Dr Rajendra Singh

decision to invest in the multibillion-dollar Skeldon Factory, which they have now tagged a “white elephant.” Others have said that the new mechanisation process has failed to yield the intended results.

Dr Singh, speaking with this publication on

The Skeldon Factory

Wednesday said there are a number of things in the sector that are in dire need of additional funding. He said should Government allocate additional funds to the sector; special focus will be placed on improving factory operations and machinery. The industry will also be seeking to

further invest in its human resources by training them to undertake newer technologies.

Asked about the progress of the mechanisation programme, Dr Singh said, it is progressing smoothly thus far, except that additional funds are needed for it to be expedited.

The mechanisation of the sugar industry was introduced by Government through the Agriculture Ministry to reduce the burden on sugar workers, particularly the bell loaders in the field.

Already, GuySuCo has taken a decision to utilise the majority of

the Gy$6 billion subvention approved in the National Assembly to facilitate its ongoing mechanisation programme.

President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Komal Chand had recently said that while he was in full agreement with the President’s statement, if that should be realised, a greater percentage should go towards the acceleration of the mechanisation process.

The GAWU President said while there are machines for this purpose, they were not sufficient.

This inadequacy is preventing the cane harvesters from cutting more sugar cane, thus forcing a continuous decline in the yearly production.

Snafu in scholarship award due to Appropriation Act not passed Appropriation Act,” Dr Luncheon explained.

He further explained that Hamilton was not the only student being affected by these complications. Dr Luncheon revealed that owing to the limited spending by the various Ministries, stu-

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

By Devina Samaroo

T

he absence of an Appropriation Act resulted in Government being unable to fulfil its obligations as it relates to the provision of scholarships for top performers at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

This was revealed

by Dr Roger Luncheon during his post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday at the Office of the President. The admission came in light of the claims made by CSEC top performer Elisa Hamilton. Hamilton explained that she was unable to get a scholarship to study at an institution of her choice.

Back in 2012 President Donald Ramotar had announced that the top two students of the CSEC and CAPE will automatically qualify for scholarships to study in Guyana or abroad.

“We have also given more scholarships to the students in this country to get higher education in Guyana

Public Services Minister Dr Jennifer Westford

2014 CSEC Top Student Elisa Hamilton

and abroad, and I have also instructed our colleagues in the Cabinet to see that the top two from CXC (Caribbean Examinations Council) and CAPE are given scholarships automatically, not only in Guyana to study but overseas as well,” Ramotar said while addressing a gathering at the Education Ministry’s National Award Ceremony for Outstanding Performances on October 25, 2012.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand later explained that this meant the students would get scholarships to “universities of their choice” and this was what Ms Hamilton was expecting. Reports indicate that the disappointed student who wanted to study medicine at Yale University received a letter from the Public Services Ministry, informing her that she could only apply to study in Guyana, China or Cuba in the fields of engineering, dentistry or medicine.

It is unclear whether any scholar has been since granted scholarships outside of the

Caribbean since the scheme was set up. Most of the past top performers at CAPE and CSEC are pursuing studies at the University of the West Indies.

In response to those claims, Dr Luncheon said he believed that the reason being for the unfortunate interference was because Government could only spend one 12th of the previous year’s expenditure from the Consolidated Funds for its expenditures for the current year, and because each Ministry cannot spend above that fraction, various hindrances were surfacing.

One-twelfth provision

Dr Luncheon noted that the one-twelfth provision only allowed Government to perform the most necessary functions to run the country. “Save and except that one twelfth rule which makes provision for the expenditure for Government business to continue to be available even in the absence of an Appropriation Act, issues like paying salaries and issuing vaccines and such like that couldn’t conceivably be withheld because there wasn’t an

dents on scholarships abroad are unable to receive their monthly stipends.

He explained that “until such time as the 11th Parliament is convened and a budget is passed and an Appropriation Act be-

comes law those expenditures will not be met.”

Hamilton, a 16-yearold Queen’s College student, obtained 19 Grade Ones and one Grade Two at the CSEC examinations last year, making her Guyana’s top performer.

10 NEWS

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Dismembered body: Woman was killed, limbs severed at home T

he dismembered body that was found at Annandale Seawall, East Coast Demerara (ECD) has been positively identified as 39-year-old Samantha Benjamin-Mc Ewan of Buxton Backdam, ECD. The positive identification was made by relatives after they recognised a tattoo on the woman’s leg that had been severed from her body, as well as her hairstyle. The legs, along with the head and the rest of the body, were at a funeral home on Princes Street, Georgetown.

Investigators believe that she was murdered at a house at Buxton Middle Walk, where she was last seen, because they found dried bloodstains in the home.

They also believe that Benjamin-Mc Ewan, a US citizen who divided her time between her Guyanese homeland and the States, was dismembered there with an electrical saw and then dumped. The house is a stone’s throw away from where her body was discovered.

The house reportedly belonged to her father who passed away

Murdered: Samantha Benjamin-Mc Ewan

some time ago, but was being occupied by a cousin who subsequently left the country, but before doing so, charged a young man to take care of the premises. He was tasked with looking after the poultry and repairing sections of the house.

On Tuesday, the woman’s husband, Deon Mc Ewan, reportedly contacted a relative to enquire about his wife, claiming that he had not heard from her in a while and thought that she was at her relatives at Beterverwagting, ECD. However, no one there knew of the woman’s whereabouts. As

The house in which the woman might have been murdered

a result, the relatives decided to visit the house where the woman stayed from time to time. Upon their arrival, they met the caretaker who initially claimed that he had not seen the woman in days.

Blood dripping from floor

While at the home, a nephew saw bloodstains under the house and thought that it was blood from plucked chickens, but after enquiring from neighbours, he was told that

blood was seen dripping from the flooring a few days ago.

After receiving such information, they went back to the house and asked to check inside and the request was willingly granted.

A cousin told the Guyana Times International that when they entered the house, the door to the woman’s bedroom was locked, so one of the young men climbed

over the wall and saw a bunch of keys belonging to Benjamin-Mc Ewan.

This roused suspicion, but at that time the relatives did not believe that the caretaker would have committed such an act, since he was very cooperative.

The door was eventually opened and upon checking, they found spots of blood on a barrel in the room and as they opened it, they were greeted with a heavy stench. It was then they decided to visit the mortuary to view the then-unidentified body to ascertain if it were that of the businesswoman.

It took some time to get the location of the mortuary, and by then it was already late. The woman’s husband subsequently confided in a few friends who encouraged him to revisit the house but this time with the Police.

The caretaker was subsequently arrested for the murder of the businesswoman, but the motive remained unknown.

The cousin of the now dead woman said

that two days after the body was discovered, Benjamin-Mc Ewan’s sister who resides in the United States received a text message from the woman’s phone believed to have been sent by the caretaker.

“The text message stated that ‘I am okay… not to worry…I am now doing repairs to the house and it should be done shortly’,” the cousin revealed. He said that the text message was sent to make it look as if the woman was still alive.

Benjamin-Mc Ewan’s phone was on Wednesday found in the suspect’s room and upon inspection, it was proved that the phone was in use and several text messages were sent to the woman’s relatives to make them believe that she was okay.

The suspect remains in custody as Police await the results of the post-mortem.

Relatives believe that the suspect had access to an electrical saw since he was repairing the house at the time the woman went missing.

GECOM says measures in place to prevent double-voting

O

ne day after People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee called on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ensure that the names of the members of the Disciplined Services are taken off the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) and the Official List of Electors (OLE), Commission Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally said adequate mechanisms were in place to prevent any double-voting.

As such, he has noted that there was no cause for alarm by the political parties.

On Monday, Rohee called on GECOM to ensure that the names of the members of the Disciplined Services were removed from the PLE. He expressed his Party’s concern over the names of members of the Disciplined Forces appearing on the OLE for the May 11 polls. The Disciplined Services comprise the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); the Guyana Police Force (GPF); Guyana Prison Service (GPS); and the Guyana Fire Service

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

(GFS).

According to him, it is the view of the Party that the names of the persons in the Disciplined Services should be on a separate list and should be removed from the PLE, since the Disciplined Services would usually vote one week before the holding of the General and Regional Elections.

Rohee noted that the Party’s concern continued to mount, since failing to remove the names can open avenues for Disciplined Services members to cheat the system and vote twice.

However, when contacted for a comment on the matter, GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield

related that while the PPP was entitled to raise its concerns, there was nothing that could be done by the Commission to alter the list.

He noted that under the laws of the country, it would be quite illegal for the elections body to remove the names from the PLE. According to Lowenfield, it is required by law that the name of each and every eligible person or elector be placed on the list and as such, the body did not have the requisite power to remove any eligible person.

Dr Surujbally related that the PPP/C should not be worried since the elections body would be ensuring that a menu of mechanisms were in place to ensure that no one was able to cheat the system. He however declined to disclose what these systems were, citing security reasons. “I can’t tell you specifically what our measures are since these are matters of security, but what I can tell you is that we have a menu of measures to be implemented and we will ensure that no one cheats the system during the elections,” Surujbally said.

NEWS 11

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cheddi and Janet Jagan memorial activities held in Region 8

T

he residents of Kato, Kopinang and Monkey Mountain this week held their annual Cheddi and Janet Jagan memorial march and wreath laying ceremony.

At all three locations, villagers said they were privileged and honoured to pay homage to the great leaders of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Delivering the feature address to the gathering, which numbered more than 200 persons at each location, was PPP/C Central Committee member

and Regional Executive Officer Ronald Harsaywack.

Harsaywack spoke about the need to consolidate what Dr Jagan and his wife fought for all their lives, the need to embrace progress, and the need to emulate the qualities of humility and servitude like the Jagans.

He went on to detail the vision of Dr Jagan for the hinterland and what the PPP/C has achieved today. He referenced the inscription on the plaque at Kopinang which read: “Jagan Memorial Monument, Constructed by the

People of Kopinang in recognition of the invaluable contribution of former Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan towards the transformation of hinterland communities, promotion of democracy and the creation of a just and prosperous society for all. The village of Kopinang salutes the People’s Progressive Party, March 1 2014.”

According to Harsaywack, while Dr Jagan walked with Kings and Presidents, he was always down to earth. He reminded the gathering of how Dr Jagan would con-

Berbice man found guilty of raping 6-year-old

A

Berbice court on Tuesday found a New Amsterdam (NA) man guilty of raping a six-year-old girl back in 2013.

Harold Naurayan, 45, of Coopers Lane, NA, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was found guilty after a mixed jury returned an 11-1 verdict of guilty.

Between February 1, 2013 and April 27, 2013, Naurayan had sexual activity with a child, the court found. Justice Brassington Reynolds has, however, deferred sentencing until April 13 after the presentation of a probation report.

State Prosecutor Judith Mursalin in proving the case called five witnesses, including the victim and her mother. In her address to the jury, she said, “Out of the mouth of babes cometh forth truth. Her mother must be complimented after she was confronted with the fact that her sixyear-old daughter was violated, by someone who should have protected her.”

In summing up the case, Justice Reynolds recounted the testimony given by the witnesses.

He recalled that the victim related the story to the court.

In a sworn statement from the witness stand, the defendant had said during the month of February, he was at sea, but returned home the following month.

However, he recalled watching television when he heard a three-year-old boy speaking to his mother.

Detective Police Corporal Dwayne Braithwaite in his testi-

The convicted Harold Naurayan as he walked out of court on Monday

mony to the court said he was contacted about the matter and also learnt that the victim had told her brother to come and lie on top of her. That information the youngster later revealed to his mother.

A medical report, which was tendered as evidence, revealed that the hymen of the victim was not intact. Dr Kester Persaud, who also gave evidence, explained to the court the findings of the medical certificate.

After the jury returned with its verdict, defence counsel Raymond Ali made a bail application. However, Mursalin objected to the defendant having his pre-sentencing liberty on the grounds that he was no longer presumed innocent.

“Your Honour, as soon as he is found guilty he is supposed to be remanded. He is no longer presumed to be innocent. He is found guilty by the jurors of his peers,” she argued. “Mr Naurayan has been enjoying his liberty for the last two years.

During this time, the victim and her family continue to agonise over the unfortunate incident. He

must be made to suffer the penalties provided by the Act.” Justice Reynolds overruled the application for bail and remanded Naurayan until April 13 when he will be sentenced.

Late former Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan

duct meetings with his Ministers while jogging in the National Park.

At Monkey Mountain and Kopinang, the Central Committee

Member lambasted the Opposition for being the biggest hypocrite, since earlier they had told residents that the hinterland was underdeveloped because of the PPP. Harsaywack said if it were not for the Jagans and the PPP/C, the hinterland would have been a wasteland. “Look around you here today, tell me if you don’t see progress in every single corner of your village, look at the homes – they are all lit up with solar systems, look at the schools and health centres, look at the hundreds of miles of upgraded roads, look at the opportunities available to your children that were unavailable to generations before,” he added.

12 NEWS

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Political parties gearing up for Nomination Day

By Devina Samaroo

T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday briefed the political parties contesting the May 11 elections on the protocols and rules regarding Nomination Day, which is scheduled for next Tuesday at City Hall.

However, two of the minor political parties – National Democratic Party of Guyana (NDPOG), headed by former Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen, and the Guyana Youth Movement (GYM), headed by Robin Singh, have dropped out of the race reducing the total number of parties contesting the polls to 10.

At the meeting, GECOM addressed several important issues such as Nomination Day and the Official List of Electors (OLE), among others.

Speaking with this newspaper shortly after the meeting, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally expressed his concerns that only six political parties showed up.

According to Surujbally, there were initially some 12 parties interested in contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections on May 11, but many of them failed to turn up, or even indicate whether they were still interested or not.

Surujbally said the meeting updated the various political parties about the security concerns and the arrangements in place for Nomination Day. He disclosed that political parties can only bring along a maximum of 20 members per party. He also said that the parties were informed that they should use the Republic Avenue entrance of the City Hall on Nomination Day. In addition, Surujbally explained that these meetings are aimed at educating the parties ahead of Nomination Day, so that they would be successful in meeting their requirements to become eligible to contest the elections.

As laid out by GECOM, each party wishing to contest the elections must present a List of Candidates that must be signed by not less than 150 and not more than 175 persons for each geographical constituency.

Dropped out

Meanwhile, HolderAllen of the NDPOG said her reason for backing out was based on her belief that the List of Electors was fraudulent and she, therefore, did not want to get involved “in matters of deceitful nature”.

However, others may argue otherwise considering her party faced many hiccups since it was

Ras Leon Saul of the Healing the Nation Theocracy Party interacting with the media before making his way into the meeting with GECOM

launched. Holder-Allen had stood almost alone when she announced to the media the party’s intention to contest the elections. Additionally, several lawyers she claimed were part of the party immediately had disassociated themselves from her.

On the other hand, Singh of the GYM, explained that his party was unable to meet the electoral body’s requirement and, therefore, made a “wise” decision to pull out. Singh admitted that it was difficult to garner the required support from the various regions in the little time the party had. Although he was disappointed that his party would not get a chance to gain a seat in Parliament, Singh said he would consider endorsing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) leading up to the elections,

as its policies were more outlined, while the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition’s policies appeared to be unrealistic promises.

The United Force

That aside, the other minor political parties are adamant about remaining in the race, despite the challenges they are facing. Leader of The United Force (TUF), Marissa Nadir revealed that her party is 90 per cent complete with its preparations for Nomination Day. She noted that since the announcement of elections, TUF has been working assiduously to get the relevant documentations in order.

United Republican Party

Likewise, the Leader of the United Republican Party (URP) Vishnu

The United Force Presidential Candidate Marissa Nadir

Campaign Manager of The Independent Party, Dianne Madray

Bandhu said his party was also wrapping up its work for Nominations Day. Bandhu disclosed that the URP still had to visit four administrative regions, (namely Regions One (Barima-Waini); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), but he assured that it would get the signatures in time for Nomination Day.

Benschop’s main aim at the moment was not the presidency, but gaining at least one seat in Parliament.

The Independent Party

The Independent Party (TIP), headed by Mark Benschop, is also firm on not backing down.

Speaking with this publication, TIP Campaign Manager Dianne Madray said the preparations were “going good” and assured that TIP will make it through Nomination Day. She added that

PPP/C and APNU+AFC

Naturally, the two main political parties, the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC coalition are also well-prepared for Nomination Day. However, the Healing the Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP), headed by Alfred Park, is vying to coalesce with APNU+AFC, but the coalition has not yet responded with a decision. Nonetheless, the HTNTP will be contesting the Regional Elections.

Nomination Day will be when all prospective political parties know whether or not they are eligible to contest the upcoming General and Regional Elections on May 11.

NEWS 13

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Gy$82.3M nursery school commissioned at No 77 Village, Corentyne

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s t a t e - o f - t he -a r t nursery school, built to Caricom standards at a cost of Gy$82.3 million and equipped with ramps at the entrances and exits to cater for disabled children, was commissioned on Tuesday at Number 77 Village, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The beautiful edifice, which was commissioned

by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, was described by her as the most beautiful and modern nursery school in that part of the country.

The structure was funded under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). The contract for the construction of the Number 77 Nursery School was signed in April 2014, and it was completed approximately seven months later.

M i n i s t e r Manickchand highlighted the importance of early childhood education, noting that the early childhood years are recognised by psychologists, teachers and policymakers as being very important years in children’s lives. She said the

Government has made no bones about prioritising education, noting that the education sector budget has moved from five per cent to 15 per cent of the national budget, and this is spent across the sector. She explained that the Administration has undertaken a programme, to ensure that all students are able to read and understand what they are reading by Grade Four. This project is expected to see results by 2020.

Manickchand pointed out that 85 per cent of nursery school aged children in Guyana were enrolled in schools. This, she noted, is the highest enrolment figure in the entire Commonwealth Caribbean, and was only possible because the Administration has created the required facilities. She also highlighted that the Number 77 Nursery School is the 57th such school in Region Six.

Vision

The Education Minister urged parents to give their children a jump start and do so ear-

The Number 77 Nursery School in Region Six

ly, so that they could do better than their parents. She said building schools was one thing, but having trained teachers to teach the children was another, as she highlighted that Government has also invested heavily in the training of teachers. She noted that 80 per cent of the nursery school teachers in Berbice were trained.

She related that many were applying to the Cyril Potter College

Navin Chandarpal honoured posthumously T

he widow of Navin Chandarpal, I n d r a n i e Chandarpal, on Tuesday received a posthumous award for her late husband, a former Presidential Adviser on Science and Technology, for his contributions towards science, technology and innovation.

Chandarpal passed away on October 28, 2014, after a two-year battle with cancer.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that Education Minister Priya Manickchand, in presenting the award, read the words on the plaque: “We extend this token of appreciation with our heartfelt gratitude for your outstanding and dedicated service so unselfishly given towards the development of science, technology and innovation in Guyana.”

Mrs Chandarpal thanked the Ministry for the award, noting that all persons who had the opportunity to interact with her husband knew of his passion for science and technology. She also expressed happiness that the National Science Policy has indeed become a reality, “because I

Education Minister Priya Manickchand presents the posthumous award to the widow of the late Navin Chandarpal, Indranie Chandarpal

know he started the process since 2008, and it is important that we have such a policy today.”

M i n i s t e r Manickchand, who had mentioned Navin Chandarpal in her presentation previously, noted that “he lives in these kinds of policies”. She observed that he would continue to live on as Guyana continued to implement policies. He pioneered numerous national initiatives on sustainable development through his post as Adviser to

the President on Energy, Natural Resources, Science, Technology and Environment from 1992 to 2001. During the period 2001-2003, he served as Agriculture Minister and a Member of Parliament. Over the past 10 years, he reassumed the role of Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development, Science and Technology. For the 2010-2011 period, he served as Principal of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Labour College.

of Education (CPCE), but didn’t qualify in one of the core subjects, but today, the situation was different, as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has consciously been providing for teacher training. She cited Region Six as an example, highlighting that it has a ratio of about 12 nursery age children to a teacher.

Meanwhile, the school was welcomed by the staff of the facility, especially the head teacher, and the residents.

BNTF representative Michael Singh said the school was equipped with sick bay, kitchen, administrative department and washroom facilities among other departments, and it has the capacity to house 120 students or 20 per classroom.

The BNTF is a Government of Guyana programme and is responsible for implementing projects and providing infrastructure for capacity building through funding from the Caribbean Development

Bank (CDB). The project undertaken falls into the seventh and eighth BNTF cycles, which deal with education and human development. Under this aspect, US$2.7 million was collectively expended on the construction of the Diamond, Ithaca, Tuschen, and now the Number 77 village nursery schools among others, along with the refurbishing of others. The eighth cycle, which is currently ongoing, will see the injection of US$804 million into the education sector.

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Cocaine found in charcoal bound for US T

he Port Control Unit in collaboration with officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday afternoon intercepted 1400 bags of charcoal containing cocaine at Silver Hill along the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.

As a result, the shipper, Colin Prescod, 57, of Wismar, Linden was arrested. He is assisting Police with the investigation. According to information received, members of the PCU carried out a search on a 40-foot container about 14:00h as it was being loaded with the bags containing the charcoal.

During the search, the illegal substance was found in one of the bags and as a result, members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Police were called in to assist in the investigation. A senior member of CANU told the Guyana Times International that the actual weight of the cocaine has not been determined as drug enforcement officials have to go through all 1400 bags. He added that the shipper was a well-known businessman, who has been in the charcoal business for quite some time. The shipment was destined for the United States of America, the official disclosed.

This newspaper understands that after the discovery was made at Silver Hill, the entire shipment of charcoal was transported to a city wharf where it is being scanned. The PCU comprises members of CANU, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Meanwhile, in an official statement the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said that officers of its Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) and the PCU of the United

Kissoon, other APNU members charged …for disrupting PPP/C Linden meeting

Former APNU MP Vanessa Kissoon

F

Cocaine disguised as charcoal

Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) were late Tuesday afternoon seeking to ascertain the quantity, weight and estimated value of the cocaine detected in shipments of charcoal discovered at Silver Hill, Linden Highway.

GRA said based on information received from the PCU, a joint examination was conducted on the shipment scheduled to be exported to the United States of America after it was flagged for 100 per cent examination on March 11, 2015. The shipment was scheduled for examination on March 13, at Silver Hill Linden Highway in the presence of the GRA’s Goods Examination Unit (GEU) and the PCU. However, the exporter did not present the consignment for examination on the scheduled date, indicating that he was experiencing some unforeseen difficulties.

As a result, the examination was rescheduled for March 30 and on the said day, a team consisting of Officers from LEID and the PCU proceeded to Silver Hill

to conduct a 100 per cent examination of the consignment. During the examination, Officers observed four strange objects in one of the bags which did not confirm with the description of the charcoals that were declared for export. As the objects were probed, a white powdery substance emanated. A field test was carried out on the substance in the presence of the exporter and tested positive for cocaine.

The examination process was immediately halted and the exporter was cautioned and detained as a result of the findings.

The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) was contacted and informed of the discovery. Upon arrival at Silver Hill CANU Officers then secured the goods and proceeded to investigate further.

Approximately 2900 bags were secured in two 40-foot containers to be inspected due to the volume of goods and security concerns raised. Investigations are ongoing and the GRA will provide additional details as they unfold.

ormer Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Vanessa Kissoon and three other Lindeners were on Tuesday slapped with a joint charge of provoking a breach of peace following their attack on a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) campaign meeting last week at Blueberry Hill, Linden.

The other persons charged are: Juliet Atwell, Alieshaw Barker, Leonie Alexander and Marcelle Williams.

In a statement, Kissoon, who has already been reprimanded by her party for allegedly disrupting meetings of the PPP/C, said her charge read: “that on Tuesday, 24th March 2015 at Blueberry Hill, Linden at a public meeting, [I] used insulting words to Joe Hamilton with intent to provoke a breach of the peace” contrary to Section 10 of the Public Order Act

16:03.”

She said the summons was served on Friday, March 27 “It is instructive to note this charge came after false media reports that I was arrested and released and statements made by APNU+AFC [Alliance For Change] and myself. The case has been put down until May 6th.”

According to Kissoon, the struggle for justice in Guyana continues to free the people of Guyana, and particularly Linden/Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), which is under siege from Police excesses, from the Police state, the country has become over the past few years. “Citizens are seeing some law enforcement agents instead of serving the citizens whose tax monies pay them, are operating in service to political masters.”

APNU rebuke

Last week, in the wake of Kissoon’s actions at the PPP/C meeting, the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led APNU+AFC coalition in a statement “forthrightly condemned all acts of intimidation and aggression at all political meetings”.

The coalition appealed to all its supporters and activists of all political parties to conduct themselves honourably and respectfully at all times when at political meetings or campaigning otherwise.

Burton, Selman pummel “anti-woman” APNU/AFC ….urge them to “back off Elisabeth Harper”

By Devina Samaroo

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ewly minted People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) member, Africo Selman and trade unionist Gillian Burton on Sunday lashed out at the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition insisting that they must “back off” the party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper.

The sentiments were expressed to party supporters during the PPP/ C’s campaign rally in Kitty on Sunday. Since the announcement that Harper will be running as the Prime Ministerial Candidate of the PPP/C, the opposition has been consistently seeking to undermine her integrity and attacking the incumbent administration for choosing her as their candidate. Their

criticism has been that her lack of political experience will make her an incompetent Prime Minister if she were to be elected at the polls. The PNC-led coalition also argued that Harper’s selection will not affect the outcome of the 2015 polls as she will be unable to garner mass electoral support.

But Burton counterattacked exposing that the PNC-led APNU/AFC has no vision for women development and women empowerment in Guyana. She reflected on her days during the PNC era when women endured the harshest of struggles as they desperately tried to gather food commodities to feed their families, and for many, it was to no avail. “Women would line up just to get some food, sometimes; they would have to fight one another just to get ahead of the line before the food runs out. They struggled, they suffered,

women suffered…,” she stated.

In comparison with the PPP/C, Burton pointed out how women flourished and were able to develop themselves under their administration.

In stressing on the fact that the current administration worked tirelessly to enhance the lives of women in Guyana, Burton alluded to the Women of Worth (WOW) programme which was designed to meet the needs of women in the area of business through the disbursement of soft loans. Burton spoke about other massive developments for women that have been realised under the PPP/C government, while stating that the opposition is all about “empty promises”.

In further exposing the opposition as a party of fake promises, former APNU Parliamentarian Africo Selman took a stance on the PPP/C platform to share her ex-

Gillian Burton

periences of abuse and women degradation under the Granger-led party. “Comrades, I was abused for sending an email to David Granger outlining reasons why the APNU should support the Anti-Money Laundering Bill…I was told that young people are collateral damage when I opposed their

Africo Selman

decision to cut the budget for student loans at the University of Guyana…,” Selman stated as she told the large crowd of PPP/C supporters that the PNCled APNU/AFC coalition hides under a mask of democracy while using pure propaganda as a tool to convince young people that the PPP/C is

bad.

Selman further alleged that the Opposition had no real plan for women development and it was evident from its campaign that it was less concerned about women issues as it appeared more bent on the sensational stuff which would secure political mileage.

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Guyana Gov’t lauds India’s contributions through ITEC programme

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he Government of Guyana has expressed its gratitude to the Indian Government for the contributions made in developing the capacity of Guyanese professionals in various fields.

For the past 30 years, the Government of India has been supporting Guyanese nationals by granting scholar-

ships under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. The programme was established in India in 1965 for bilateral assistance to developing countries. It aims at sharing the gains made by India in socioeconomic fields and its technological advancements with partner countries.

On Monday, the Indian High Commission in Guyana celebrated ITEC Day at the Aagman Restaurant, where several Government officials were present along with ITEC alumni for a special luncheon.

Speaking at the event, High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam pointed out that while the feedback

A section of the specially invited guests at the ITEC Day luncheon at Aagman Restaurant

Rohee questions Granger’s “last-minute” ‘dirty list’ claims

I

n what he said could be anticipation of defeat by the recently-formed Opposition coalition, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee said the coalition’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger needs to make his intentions known over his statements about the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Rohee was speaking to the media at his weekly press briefing on Tuesday. His concerns surrounded the statements made by Granger, at a recent meeting with Guyanese in New York, that GECOM needed to clean up its “dirty” list.

Rohee contended that the A Partnership for National UnityAlliance For Change (APNU+AFC) leader had bad timing, since the Claims and Objections period has already come

to an end. More than that, he said Granger did not lay out the specifics of the list he has an issue with.

“Rather than hiding under the fig leaf of false statements and hasty generalisation, Granger should come clean and be specific as to exactly what his concerns are regarding the authenticity of the list. He should make his concerns known publicly regarding the voters list, providing that the concerns are legitimate,” Rohee told journalists.

Sudden surge of concern

He said APNU had consistently expressed its satisfaction with the way things were progressing and more often than not showered praises on GECOM for its high degree of professionalism. He said the sudden surge of concern could be a clear indication of the defeat envisaged by the party at the

upcoming May 11 polls.

He said also that the remarks made pose some interesting questions that are “mind boggling” and at worst are an indication of severe fissions developing in the APNU /AFC camp that could potentially injure the coalition’s political fortunes.

He commented too that the statements were made after the coalition’s Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo indicated that the AFC would walk away from the coalition, should things not work out the way it envisions. Of particular note was the deafening silence of Granger during the preparatory stages of the compilation of the voters’ list. Indeed, APNU consistently expressed satisfaction with the way things were progressing and more often than not showered praises on the elections body.

Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford, Prime Minister Sam Hinds and Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam at ITEC Day observance

of the ITEC programme has been well received by Guyana, the country has not taken full advantage of the initiative.

“We would like to see a 100 per cent utilisation of the ITEC seats allotted to Guyana and the Caricom Secretariat as well as the two other countries. I would like to urge more nominations for these courses in a timely manner so as to use the complete quota of seats allotted to Guyana, Caricom, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda. I’m sure such utilisation of ITEC seats will go a long way in capacity building, institutional building and also in helping technological and economical advancement of our partners,” the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana

said.

Mahalingam disclosed that more than 600 persons from Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, along with others from Caricom, have been trained under the programme thus far. He noted too that India has given technical assistance to some 36 countries in the Latin America, Caribbean, and Central America.

As it relates to Guyana, Mahalingam said that ITEC currently has an agriculture expert in the country who had done some work with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and was now working along with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

Aspects of collaboration

The Indian High Commissioner further outlined that some of the other aspects of collaboration under the programme include project development, coconut production, legal drafting, telecast and telecommunication, agronomic services and disaster management.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sam Hinds expressed his gratitude to the Indian Government for its support through the ITEC programme.

He noted that Guyana and India have shared a sound relationship mainly because of ancestral ties, adding that with initiatives such as the ITEC programme the relationship will continue to grow.

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APNU/AFC Whim rally: Granger lays out security plans

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ishermen in Guyana particularly those operating in the East Berbice Corentyne district of Region Six have been promised by Presidential Candidate for the PNCled A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (AFC/APNU) David Granger, greater security against sea pirates, who for years have tormented them.

On Sunday, Granger made the bold promise to a large APNU crowd bussed in from across Guyana the Rally at Whim Village on the Corentyne. Granger, a retired army commander, as part of his presentation had laid out security plans which he said would be implemented if elected.

But the focus was on the East Berbice Corentyne district and residents, much of whom are involved in agricultural practices for their livelihood. “Fifteen thousand fishermen in this country make their living by going out to sea.

Corentyne depends on fishing. There are over 12,000 fishing boats, but what is happening to our fishermen, almost every week they are victims of piracy.”

Analysts were surprised at the number of fishing boats cited

APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger delivering at the coalition’s Whim Rally on Sunday

Members of the APNU+AFC coalition seated on the platfrom; among them is AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan seen dozing off during Granger's address

by Granger and wondered from where he had sourced his figure. Back in June 2013, at the Validation Workshop on the final draft of the Fisheries Department Management Plan 2013 to 2018, held at Grand Coastal Inn, East Coast Demerara, Agriculture minister had indicated there were 1254 fishing boats of which only some 300 were registered.

Granger questioned why piracy has persisted throughout the tenure of former President Bharrat Jagdeo and now the current leadership of President Donald

Ramotar.

“Fishermen are going to sea and disappearing, fishermen are going to sea and their bodies are floating up on the foreshore, families are left without fathers, children abandoned because their families are killed,” he remarked.

Piracy, particularly on the Corentyne has long been a worrisome issue for residents there.

Chairman of Region Six David Armogan has already expressed concerns over the rising situation. Several fishermen have lost their lives at the hands of pirates on the Corentyne/

Suriname waters, while others have vanished without a trace.

However, Granger’s complaints seemed to ignore that only last week Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee disclosed that there has been a marked drop in the incidence of sea piracy across the country.

Rohee said “it is a wellestablished fact that a Guyana Police Force marine floating base was commissioned to operate collaboratively with ranks of other Law Enforcement Agencies, and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) which has

a similar floating base located at the mouth of the Pomeroon River.”

He said this Gy$49.9 million capital investment was complemented by the procurement of a boat imported from the US costing Gy$71.4 million, in addition to four new vessels built at a cost of Gy$4.9 million. According to him, Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to public safety and security and this is evident in capacity-building by way of training provided to the marine wing of the Force.

Ramjattan sleeps

Meanwhile, Alliance for Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan who fell asleep on the platform while Granger was speaking told the crowd, of which a large percentage were from outside Berbice, that their pres-

ence at the rally spoke well of their desire to see change in a country that has been ruined by the PPP/C Government.

He spoke directly to what he described as the dying rice and sugar industries; the foundation of Guyana’s economy.

“I want to tell you that the propaganda that you are hearing that the APNU+AFC coalition is going to grind those industries to the dirt, is all lies. We are not going to in any way, close the sugar industry. If it is anybody that has ground it to the ground, it is the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).” Ramjattan said the coalition intends to make the industry “profitable again”.

Doing so he related, is a necessity, as it is among the major forms of employment for Guyanese, particularly those in Berbice.

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13th Pakaraima Mountain Safari sees record participation

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he 13th Pakaraima Safari started out on its 851-kilometre trip from Georgetown to Orinduik Falls and back on Saturday, departing the Regent Street Guyoil Gas Station at 01:00h.

The Safari, one of the landmark events of the local tourism calendar, saw record participation, with the convoy comprising 26 motor vehicles and eight motorcycles – the most yet for the rugged adventure.

The record participation was hailed, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

The Safari goers who come from Guyana, Jamaica, Germany and Holland will pass through Karasabai, Tiperu,

Rukomoto, Morabaiko, Yurong Paru, Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kurukubaru, and Itabac, before arriving at the base of the Pakaraimas Mountain Range, where the middle point, the Orinduik Falls are located.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh; and former Local Government and Regional Development Minister Harripersaud Nokta, who spearheaded the development of the event, were at the launch.

The GTA Director noted that the Safari was “the most adventurous trip in Guyana”, taking participants through some of the most pristine and beautiful parts

The convoy all lined up before departure

of Guyana. He added that other routes are being explored for Safaris.

Hinds, who has been a frequent participant in the Safari, described it as “interesting and chal-

lenging”, especially for beginners.

He did not spare the chance to praise Nokta for his work on the event.

“It was Harripersaud working with the villag-

es, working with the people along the way (route) and getting them in the first years to manually improve the walking trails so that the vehicles could come by [that

made the Safari possible],” the Prime Minister said.

Today the journey is much smoother, “an indication of how the country is being opened up”, he added.

The Safari is a collaborative effort of the Tourism Ministry, the GTA and Rainforest Tours. It is a 10-day journey through the interior of Guyana, exposing participants to nature and communitybased tourism Guyanese style. They travel by day through the rough and rugged terrain and rest at night in hammocks or makeshift beds.

Participants get to test their outdoor, cooking and organisational skills and participate in numerous outreaches and school visits as well.

Guyana must invest in viable renewable energy – Minister Persaud

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atural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud has underlined Guyana’s intention of becoming a country in which renewable sources of energy are utilised to create a green economy.

He told the gathering at the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) and other partners’ Earth Hour 2015 observance at the National Park on

March 28, that Guyana has demonstrated a high level of awareness of climate change and has taken several steps to reduce its carbon footprint.

The country has embarked on a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) that puts Guyana on a pathway to development with low carbon emissions.

The Minister reiterated that Guyana was

one of the few countries that have a developed low carbon development model. “This indicates political commitment and buy-in by the population that we will proceed in this direction.”

Persaud stated that Guyana’s model has been an example to the international community and doubters of an environmentally-friendly development model.

“We have proven you can pursue sustainable development, that you can do the things that are climate friendly and at the same time you can grow the economy and create opportunities for our people,” he said.

He pointed out that Guyana was receiving payments for the ecoservices that it provided. “We have been able to put dollar figures on those concepts that many people doubted and have been sceptical about,” he said.

He highlighted the importance of the Earth Hour initiative to spreading awareness and consciousness, as well as reaffirming commitment to sustainability.

Persaud was hopeful that the country would end its dependency on fossil fuels and join the league of countries that

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

have ended their reliance on these fuels.

He said, “Before 2020, Guyana should be proud to stand up and say to all that our energy source comes from renewable sources and particularly hydro.”

The Minister said that such a move would benefit the country economically, as well as significantly reduce the country’s carbon footprint. He highlighted the fact that the country’s US$200 million fuel bill would be eliminated and the savings plugged into other sectors of the Guyanese economy. This money will be used to create green industries and further cement the country on the path to green development.

The World Earth Hour is observed each year: major cities are plunged into darkness for one hour. This year, the symbolic LightOut was from 20:30h to 21:30h. The initiative was founded by the WWF in Australia in the year 2007. Now, the event has expanded to over 100 countries.

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Teacher sacked for fondling student …3 heads demoted, transferred for neglect

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he Teaching S e r v i c e Commission (TSC) has demoted and transferred three headteachers for negligence and inefficiency and also fired another teacher for allegedly fondling students.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Commission on Monday. The TSC said in fulfilment of its mandate, which includes the discipline and removal of teachers, it demoted and transferred three headteachers who were found guilty of neglect of duty, inefficiency and misconduct. According to the TSC, disciplinary charges were laid after officers of the Ministry of Education paid supervisory visits to the particular schools, pointed out the deficiencies observed, and gave the necessary advice and help to the headteachers.

The TSC said that a lack of improvement/ change in the unsatisfactory state of affairs led to charges, which resulted in the headteachers being summoned to attend hearings held by the Commission. They were found guilty. The penalty inflicted was demotion and a penalty transfer to

TSC head Leila Ramson

schools with “good headteachers” where they will be supervised and given the opportunity to look, learn and practise how to manage a school effectively, the TSC said.

The Commission noted that the issues dealt with were part of the 60odd complaints reaching the Commission for the first quarter of 2015, during which period, 45 hearings were held. Among this number were 27 cases of irregularity-persistent unpunctuality.

The TSC said it was concerned with the persistent unpunctuality of some teachers. The Commission empathised

with some explanations, but these educators were reminded that they had an obligation and a responsibility to all, including their employers and more particularly the children under their charge. They have a special responsibility to contribute to the progress and well-being of the country. Those teachers who were found guilty were penalised.

There were a few cases of young male teachers encouraging undue familiarity with pupils.

This led to allegations of touching/ fondling. One teacher was dismissed while two were transferred, bonded for one year and given a final warning.

Senior promotion 2015 The TSC has commenced the Senior Promotion 2015 exercises in keeping with the criteria published.

Earlier this year, the TSC had reported that it had sacked some 113 teachers for various disciplinary infractions last year. According to the TSC, 703 junior appointments were made, 217 senior posts were filled and 113 teachers were dismissed.

Applications open for 2015 Youth Ambassadors Programme

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he United States Embassy has announced the opening of applications for the 2015 Youth Ambassadors Programme (YAP) with the Caribbean.

YAP is a three-week cultural and leadership exchange programme for public secondary school student leaders to visit the United States.

Through the exchange, participants will develop their leadership skills, strengthen their ability to serve their communities; and foster relationships and mutual understanding among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups and create networks of youth leaders in the Western Hemisphere.

Under the theme, “Youth and Social Transformation”, the Embassy said in a press statement, the 2015 programme will see approximately 40 secondary school students and adult educators from six countries in the Caribbean Region participating. In Guyana, four youths and one adult will be selected to participate in the programme from August 8 to August 29.

During their exchange, participants from the Region will travel to Brattleboro, Vermont and Washington, DC. Their exchange will focus on civic education, community service, and youth leadership development through site meetings; experiential learning activities; leadership trainings; civic participation at the community level; mentoring by community, business and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) leaders; volunteer programmes; and home stays with American families.

The adult participants will have special

sessions with their peers designed to help foster leadership and civic education programmes at home.

Afterwards, students will develop and implement projects that serve the needs of their communities in the months that follow their return home.

To date, 23 students and five mentors have participated in the YAP for Guyana since September 2012. All interested students and mentors are encouraged to visit the US Embassy website at http://georgetown.usembassy.gov/ yap.html for more information and applications.

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APNU promises to restore Corentyne district to former glory

By Alexis Rodney

P

residential Candidate of the newly-established APNU+AFC coalition, David Granger has promised Berbicians that his Government would restore the Corentyne district to its former glory as the “cutting edge of Guyana’s economy”.

His comment was welcomed with raucous applause from a massive crowd of persons at Whim Village on the Corentyne Sunday evening.

The coalition had galvanised many supporters from Georgetown and along the way to Berbice, which significantly “padded” the crowd at Whim.

The campaign rally, the second of its kind to be held this month by the combined political body, was held in what is believed to be a nontraditional support base for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), particularly the People’s National Congress (PNC), the majority partner in the coalition. The coalition’s leader was among a list of dynamic speakers who were featured on the political platform, all with messages of transforming the Ancient County, should there be a victory at the upcoming Regional and General Elections on May 11.

A bubbly Granger shaking smoothly to Edward Neblette’s “Love and Unity” evoked an overwhelming response from the colossal crowd when he

A section of the large crowd at last Sunday's APNU+AFC rally at Whim

moved to the podium. His message surrounded the idea that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has over the past 23 years, neglected the residents of Berbice, particularly those living along the coastland on the Corentyne.

Granger has already been challenged by former President Bharrat Jagdeo to address several pressing issues in connection with the village of Whim. Incidentally, Jagdeo challenged the party’s officials to explain the brutal killing of two civilians while

trying to protect the integrity of the ballots in 1973. “Ten miles from Whim in 1973, two persons – Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Paramanand – were killed when they tried to protect the ballot boxes from being stolen, they were shot dead…,” he highlighted.

On that note, he dared Granger and Moses Nagamootoo to stand on the platform at Whim and explain why those two men were killed. Despite many foreign territories indicating that elections were rigged in Guyana

pre-1992, Jagdeo pointed out that Granger constantly denied those allegations.

“The PPP lost Corentyne, because they lost the love for the people… they replace truth with lies,” Granger told the sea of supporters at the rally. He said the coalition now had to do a major remake of the system, which has failed miserably for the residents of the Ancient County.

He noted that one of the major problems the current Government was unable to address was safety. According

to him, Berbicians abroad are afraid to return home because of the spiralling crime situation in their homeland. “People don’t want to come back here because they are afraid. People are panicking in the face of upsurge,” Granger said. And this had been confirmed during his most recent visit to the United States where he met a wide cross section of Guyanese.

He said many overseas-based Guyanese in discussions with him, had indicated their interest in returning home, either continued on page 21

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There will be no ‘divorce’ – Nagamootoo

B y A ndrew C armichael

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rime Ministerial candidate of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Moses Nagamootoo says the marriage between the two political parties must work. Speaking to scores of persons gathered at a rally on Sunday at Whim Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) Nagamootoo said there will be no divorce.

Nagamootoo was at the time responding to opposition political figures who had been questioning the union of the two groups.

“They are asking whether this marriage between the AFC and APNU will work, but look who is asking…

We have to make this marriage work because in the first one hundred days in office we have a lot of work to do.”

Nagamootoo is currently under pressure for remarking recently that he is not Indian but rather Guyanese.

Nagamootoo while speaking at a meeting held in New York to raise funds for the Opposition coalition group ahead of the May 11 election invoked a trip he made to India to receive a prestigious award where he claimed to have first made the declaration. Nagamootoo insisted that that he did not see himself by being defined by his ethnicity but rather geography, explaining that he came to the conclusion after a process of introspection and searching for his identity. The organisation

that was honouring him, specifically did so for his “community work as a Person of Indian Origin” and not that he was an “Indian National”.

Speaking to the rally in his home village, the former Government Minister said should the coalition win the upcoming General and Regional elections, the first goal will be to present a National Budget which will see Old Age Pensioners receiving increases and all public servants receiving better wages.

He said too that the toll to cross the Berbice River Bridge will also be reduced by half within the first one hundred days should the coalition win. “We will open land and give unused land to cane farmers and to investors.”

He told the gathering which included persons from the Corentyne, West Berbice, Linden, Essequibo and Bartica, but failed to mention anything for teachers, nurses and other Public Servants who were in attendance.

Nagamootoo who grew up in the Village of Whim said, “I have come back with clean hands.” He tried to silence his critics by introducing himself in a way he has never been presented before. Ever since the two groups had been dating prior to their Valentine Day marriage, and after, critics have said that Nagamootoo was only after power. The politician in an attempt to set the records straight said that as a Minister in Government he refused an increase in salaries saying that the teachers and nurs-

Granger promises Berbicians better security... from page 20

to invest or live, but were uncertain on account of the crime situation.

But the Presidential Candidate promised that in concert with remaking Corentyne the “breadbasket” of Guyana, his Government which he said has clean hands, “will clean this mess” …

“We will make it safe for fisher folk, we will make it safe for businessmen.”

Granger told the mammoth crowd that the evening’s event was a shocker to many naysayers. According to him, no one could have believed that the coalition could be possible.

The truth of the matter was very much evident and quite impressive, he said, since Corentyne has always been a multiethnic society. “Tonight Moses and David have come back to Whim. I am glad to have Moses by my side… I welcome you: we have now created history… For the first time we have six parties together … I feel this as a homecoming. I will support this… Thank you for sending a message to the PPP that Guyana is ready for a change,” Granger said before the large crowd.

APNU/AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo

es first needed an increase.

According to him

on two occasions he resigned as a Minister because he was not

pleased with what was happening.

Nagamootoo also said

that during the reign of Dr Cheddi Jagan on two occasions he was nominated for national awards as a journalist but declined. “Power did not corrupt me, and so I resigned and ever since I am being attacked by the Peoples Progressive Party).”

Nagamootoo who presented himself as the Prime Ministerial candidate took a shot at his opposing number, Elisabeth Harper, Prime Ministerial candidate for the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic. He said that he is widely known in Guyana and asked whether persons knew Harper to which there was a resounding “no”.

He said if his party wins corruption would be rooted out. “When the new Government is formed corruption will be cut out.”

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WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

I am not on the ticket ... but I am prepared to help my party return to power - Jagdeo

By Gomatie Gangadin

F

ormer President, Bharrat Jagdeo has responded to comments made by co-chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman that he should stay out of the elections race.

Speaking to a packed room of journalists on Saturday at the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP/C) headquarters, Freedom House, Jagdeo related that he could not comprehend why Trotman would make such statements given the fact that for the past three years, the only spotlight he had occupied was the one at Babu Jaan when the PPP/C held its memorial for former President and founder of the PPP/C, Dr Cheddi Jagan and at a press conference he had called two weeks ago.

“I thought that maybe I should host another press conference to assure my friends in the Opposition that some

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo

of their concerns and some of their worries will not materialize… I made one speech at Babu Jaan and I had one press conference… so I don’t know what he is talking about the prominence that I’ve played on the campaign trail so far,” the former President related.

Jagdeo went on to state

Co-chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman

that it would seem that the Opposition was scared of his influence but they should not be since he was not interested in running for any position and was not on any list or ticket for the upcoming General and Regional Elections which will be held on May 11.

“I am very pleased that one

Guyana’s gold industry needs transformation – Consultant

C

anadian-based Guyanese Andrew Ramcharran, a mining Consultant with much interest in developing his home country, noted that Guyana’s gold industry is in dire need of a massive transformation.

Ramcharran reflected on the international gold crisis and made an extensive comparison between Guyana and the other gold mining countries across the world.

“Guyana’s mining industry is way behind the rest of the world and for a country that is heavily dependent on the production of gold, it needs, in my view, to get on par with the rest of the world,” he stated. Firstly, Ramcharran said Government needs to develop more long-term strategies to deal with the gold crisis whenever it attacks the local industry.

“The next time this cycle comes around, we can be prepared to assist the small-scale miners, so we can assist them in such a way so they can continue to create employment, continue to produce gold and in turn add revenue to the country,” he pointed out.

Ramcharran highlighted that the fluctuation of gold prices is becoming more and more unpredictable due to the fact that its function no longer depends on the US economy alone.

He said major contributing factors include the unrest between Russia and Ukraine and the situation with Islamic State (IS), and as more countries gear up to fight against IS, the more unpredictable the gold prices will become.

Consequently, Ramcharran said many countries worldwide have longterm strategies in place as a safety net for these troubling times.

“There are quite a few mechanisms in place around the world that we can leverage off and we don’t have to recreate the wheel on these strategies to assist the local miners,” Ramcharran said. In countries where a significant amount of revenue is generated from mining industries, Ramcharran said funds are normally established to assist miners throughout these times.

Additionally, considerable concessions are given and expensive commod-

Canadian-based Guyanese Mining Consultant Andrew Ramcharran

ities are subsidised during the unstable and unpredictable seasons.

But most crucially, Ramcharran said Government should develop strategies to encourage investors to join a venture in partnership with the local miners. However, Ramcharran said the entire culture of gold mining in Guyana would need to change in order to attract investors.

According to the Consultant, mining is normally done in a more scientific manner on the global scale.

He explained that in order for mining to be more effective and economical, then operations should cover geomechanics, resource-saving mining technologies, stability of mine working, investigation into wave processes in rock mass, mineral dressing, mining machine and ventilation systems.

Ramcharran said if the necessary data is gathered, compiled, analysed and presented to potential investors, then it can open the door to new and bigger possibilities for the local gold industry.

speech and one press conference would generate so much worry in the Opposition. The second thing they said was that I want to get on the ticket; that somehow I want to get on the ticket when the list is handed in. Well I know they are worried about that but I am not on the ticket. I have said that before I am not interested in any constitutional post,” Jagdeo expressed.

He noted that the only ticket that the PPP/C has is the one with Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar and Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper, one he fully endorses. The former President reiterated that he fully supports the President and that Trotman’s comments signal fear within the Opposition APNU+AFC coalition.

“I am prepared to help my Government, the PPP/C Government, a Government that I support headed by President Donald Ramotar in

a capacity where I believe I have some skills. I am not in running for any position… We are one ticket. Donald Ramotar is the Presidential Candidate and Elisabeth Harper, the Prime Ministerial Candidate the PPP/C is contesting the elections with. I am supporting that ticket,” he said.

He further pointed out that Trotman nor the A Partnership for National Unity’s General Secretary, Joseph Harmon did not have the authority to speak on what role he should or should not play on the campaign trail while pointing out that he was asked by the PPP/ C’s Executive Committee to appear on the trail and that is all that matters.

On Friday, Trotman told media operatives at the APNU+AFC press conference that Jagdeo should stay out of the elections campaign since he was being featured more than current Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar.

Diaspora prefers PPP/C; vexed with AFC; rejects APNU – NACTA poll finds

A

n informal opinion poll on Guyana’s electoral discourse being conducted by North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) in the last few weeks in the New York metro area has revealed findings that are an almost exact replica of those found in Guyana.

The survey has found that a large majority of Guyanese prefers the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to the A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance For Change (APNUAFC) alliance to govern Guyana. Most AFC supports are vexed with their party and some have withdrawn from supporting it because of its tie-up with the APNU (People’s National Congress (PNC)).A large majority rejects APNU saying it is the PNC under disguise latching on to the AFC to come to power. The Diaspora fears the restoration of tyrannical rule should PNC (renamed APNU) return to power through its electoral alliance with the AFC. The majority of the New York-based Diaspora equates PPP/C with progress and development and APNU (PNC) with decline and underdevelopment.

But they are not all in praise of the policies of the PPP/C with many saying the party needs to undergo serious reforms, reject several arrogant officials, and recruit credible members of the Civic community

to be on its electoral list.

The survey spoke with dozens of IndoGuyanese in Queens and a smaller number of Afro-Guyanese in Brooklyn. The survey was conducted by Dr Vishnu Bisram, Director of NACTA Polling.

Although a large number of the Diaspora is dissatisfied with PPP/C governance, they feel it is a better alternative to the alliance led by the PNC (APNU). The majority does not view the APNUAFC alliance as attractive expressing fear of a repeat of history when the PNC and the United Force (UF) formed an alliance to defeat the PPP/C during the 1960s.

They note that after capturing power, the PNC used its majority to kick out the UF resulting in the establishment of a PNC dictatorship and all the attendant abuses between 1964 and 1992.

Guyanese Americans see APNU as the PNC, and they are not pleased with the AFC forming an alliance with it. While many overseas-based

Guyanese say they are comfortable with the AFC, and would have supported the party had it fought the election alone, they feel uncomfortable with the AFC teaming up with APNU. They feel no good would come out of such a partnership especially that the APNU (PNC) would control a majority of the MPs and the Cabinet where decisions are made by majority vote.

The Diaspora (especially in Queens) endorses the one time view of the AFC that it is “political kokobey” to link up with the PNC (APNU).

And they say they are shocked that the AFC would go to bed with the APNU, viewing it as political opportunism and politicking of vengeance against the PPP/C/C. The findings of the poll also reveal a large number of Guyanese are upset with the PPP/C, venting their frustration over the Government’s handling of a number of controversial matters and perception of corruption.

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FAO Council finds historic consensus on work programme and budget

T

he United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Executive Council on Friday closed its week-long session by reaching consensus on the agency’s biennial programme of work and budget – an unprecedented move that reflects widespread appreciation for the leadership shown by Director General José Graziano da Silva since he took office in 2012.

In the past, budget negotiations have extended well beyond the Council session and were only concluded during FAO’s Conference. “For the first time FAO members reached consensus on the budget level at Council. Congratulations!”

Graziano da Silva said in his closing address to what he described as a “historic” session.

“On behalf of FAO, I want to thank you for your trust in the Organisation and leadership,” he added. The budget recommended by the Council for full delivery of FAO’s programme of work for 2016-2017 amounts to US$1.0357 billion.

The recommended programme of work and budget level will be presented for formal approval by all members in June at the FAO Conference, the highest governing body of the Organisation.

The Director General recognised the challenges faced by many FAO member countries and underscored their efforts made in a spirit of collabora-

Ramotar, Granger to face off in Presidential debate

FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva

tion and mutual understanding during the Council meeting. “I recognise the difficult global context and the little margin we had to negotiate. I want to thank all of our members for the flexibility and readiness shown to support the consensus. We needed it.”

Graziano da Silva also welcomed the Council’s support to areas of higher priority identified in order to reflect shifting global trends and challenges, such as climate change and malnutrition. “I appreciate the flexibility to adjust our programme of work to emerging challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said referring to the new global development targets that are set to replace the Millennium Development Goals and in which agriculture and the fight against hunger are expected to feature prominently.

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar

APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger

PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud

rivate Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ramesh Persaud confirmed that the Presidential Candidates of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Donald Ramotar, and the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), David Granger, will face each other to deliberate on their policies in front of a televised audience.

During a brief interview with the Guyana Times International, Persaud disclosed that both Granger and Ramotar have expressed their interest in publicly discussing their policies ahead of the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

The PSC Chairman assured that more details will be made available in due time.

Globally, there is much excitement and anticipation surrounding presidential debates.

The topics discussed in the debates, particularly in the United States, are often the most controversial of the time, and arguably elections have been nearly decided by these debates.

The University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) is also in the process of organising a presidential debate.

According to UGSS President Joshua Griffith, the organising committee intends to send out invitations to all the contesting political par-

ties.

Griffith said they were planning to have presidential debates, prime ministerial candidate debates, and political youth activist debates.

The UGSS President said he was hopeful all the political parties would provide a positive reply.

He indicated that an exercise like this, especially on a student-body level, will provide for the better conveyance of knowledge of Guyanese politics by exposing the younger population to a political environment.

Additionally, the debate would create a forum for discussion and interaction between students and representatives of political parties.

P

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Jagdeo says “Greenidge has a lot to answer for”

– must explain acquisition of multimillion-dollar Bel Air house

F

ormer President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo has lashed out at former Finance Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) and shadow Finance Minister of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Carl Greenidge for his alleged “less than transparent track record in office.”

Speaking at a press conference at Freedom House on Saturday, Jagdeo told media operatives that Greenidge and his party would consistently harp about the existence of mass corruption in the current Government but has never addressed, in the public domain, the means by which he had acquired a house at Bel Air Gardens which he termed “the best area in the city” for some four million Guyana dollars based on a Transport dated January 25, 1993, months after he had long ceased to be the Finance Minister since the PPP had already taken over Government.

Providing and displaying a copy of the Transport, Jagdeo noted that it was amazing that

Copy of the purchaser's affidavit of the Lot 45 Bel-Air property that was aquired by Carl Greenidge

Greenidge can consistently talk about unsubstantiated allegations of corruption against President Donald Ramotar,

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and himself over the past years but cannot justify nor speak of his acquisition of

the property from the Guyana Stores Limited (GSL). “I am not just making an allegation. I am producing evidence of it.”

According to Jagdeo, history has shown that Greenidge is the most unaccountable Finance Minister in the country since accounts were never produced for the country during his tenure with him even prohibiting then Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran from auditing his financial records.

To add to his argument, he recalled the state of Guyana’s economy when the PPP/C took office after the 1992 elections pointing out that everything was in a state of falling apart.

“He said he made some changes in processes that allowed the PPP to start producing the accounts from 1992 but that changes that he made could not have been implemented before…You would believe that he left us a wonderful economy the way Carl Greenidge and the others speak about it,” Jagdeo said.

He pointed out that while it was not his wish to rehash the past of anyone, Greenidge was again running for the post of Finance Minister and as such, ought to explain the acquisition noting that “you can’t run from your record.”

Harper to help push anti-domestic violence agenda

By Devina Samaroo

P

rime Ministerial Candidate of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Elisabeth Harper declared that she will personally ensure and push for a more rigorous campaign against domestic violence in Guyana, among many other pressing issues affecting various sections

of society.

Harper was at the time delivering an extensive speech to thousands of supporters at the PPP/C campaign rally in Kitty on Sunday. Harper vowed to ensure that the rights of all Guyanese are represented and outlined the PPP/C’s policies for addressing, and potentially eradicating, the scourges in the

Guyanese society. “Once elected, you have my personal commitment that I will continue to build on the foundation laid by the PPP/C to deal with these issues that are so close and personal to me,” she promised.

Starting with domestic violence, Harper said the PPP/C administration will embark on reviewing all the laws

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper

surrounding women to identify gaps and loopholes and consequently, address them accordingly to make certain women’s rights are strongly represented in Guyana.

Further, she said the PPP/C will establish a special crimes unit that will address issues related to domestic violence and child abuse.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand had spoken about this development before, noting that victims of abuse currently have to visit more than one establishment to relate their concerns, which, in most cases, discourage them from making a report in the first place.

“If you have one center, and it has a social worker, a nurse, the police, everything in one place, the victim will only have to relate his/ her traumatising experience once, instead of visiting these difference places and saying the same thing over and over again,” she explained.

Additionally, Harper promised the party’s supporters that her administration will work towards strengthening the justice system so that victims can be represented fairly by the law.

It was previously highlighted by the Presidential Adviser on Governance and Former Home Affairs Minister

Gail Teixeira that there is a low conviction rate when it comes to domestic and sexual violence cases because the problem lies in ensuring that justice is administered in a timelier manner.

Being a victim of domestic abuse herself, Harper noted that no woman should ever have to experience the feeling of being abused as it destroys her self confidence and her family.

She added that domestic violence even leads to the destruction of society.

Harper then went on to address the concerns of teenage mothers in Guyana, noting too, that her government has a plan to help them succeed in life.

“To those young women who would have had to leave school early because of becoming pregnant, you have another chance to continue your education, to develop your career and to provide for your family, you can lift your heads high.

My party will ensure that there are opportunities to support you…,” she assured.

Moving on to the woes of single parents, Harper noted that the PPP/C recognizes the challenges they face and therefore will establish programmes to allow them to receive further education and training to better themselves which will ultimately reflect on their children.

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CJ to rule on challenge to two- Opposition’s term presidential limit May 4 proposed

A

cting Chief Justice Ian Chang is expected to rule on the motion which was filed by civilian Cedric Richardson challenging the two-term presidential limit on May 4, a few days before General and Regional Elections are held in the country.

Lead counsel for Richardson, Shaun Allicock, told the Guyana Times International from all indications, the matter will be dealt with expeditiously as a decision is expected on May 4. The defendants in the case, former Speaker Raphael Trotman and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, through their legal counsels, Ashley King and Ariane McLean had respectively requested of Justice additional time to file an affidavit in answer during the last hearing of the matter on March 16.

On Monday, February 2, Richardson, 50, of Lot 4 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, filed the motion in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the limit which was imposed on Guyanese Presidents since 2001. The Speaker of the National Assembly and the Attorney General

in accordance with the law and as such, the motion had no weight.

Hidden agenda

Former Speaker Raphael Trotman and Attorney General Anil Nandlall are the named defendants

had eight days to file a response to the motion.

In his writ, Richardson claims that Act No 17 of 2001, passed by a two-third majority of members of the National Assembly that altered Article 90 of the Constitution, “curtails and restricts the sovereign and democratic rights and freedom as a qualified elector to elect the person of former President (Bharrat) Jagdeo as the Executive President of Guyana”.

Richardson contends that the Act diminishes and reduces the level of democracy enjoyed by the electorate prior to the alteration and, therefore, required for its legal

validity, the holding of a referendum of the people for such alteration.

Guyana’s Constitution, upon passing of the Act, states that a person elected as President after the year 2000 is eligible for re-election only once. The Constitution further states that a person who acceded to the presidency after 2000 and served therein for a single occasion for not less than such a period as may be determined by the National Assembly is eligible for election as President only once.

Attorney General Nandlall has consistently maintained that the changes to the Constitution were done

Burrowes School of Art celebrates 40th Anniversary

Some pieces on display from students attached to the E R Burrowes School of Art

T

he E R Burrowes School of Art celebrated its 40th anniversary last Thursday at its Lot 15 Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, location with a short ceremony and art exhibition.

The school was established in September, 1975, with the objective of providing aspiring artists with formal art training and education in an environment in which their talents could develop.

The ceremony featured renditions of music as well as poetry. The audience was thrilled by the performance of a mime that had the crowd roaring with laughter.

Young Ayesha Scotland, a current student of the school, moved the audience with her poem ti-

tled “Master Art” which led to calls of encore from the audience.

Ivor Thom, a gifted sculptor as well as an old student of the institution, reflected on the history of the school as well as his days in the school. He stated that the school was first located at the Sophia Exhibition Site, Greater Georgetown, but in 1976, it relocated to a more spacious building which was formerly the district doctor’s residence, in Old Road, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Subsequent moves were made to the former Lillian Dewar College of Education building and later to Carmichael Street. In 1999, the school was moved to the former History and Arts

Council building at Lot 15 Carifesta Avenue, where it is still housed.

Scotland also reflected on the establishment of the school which first saw the entrance of 68 students and saw drawing, painting and sculpting being offered. The school later introduced ceramics into the curriculum but this was not sustained for long. He said after two years only 21 students remained, however, only seven passed the exams and graduated inclusive of himself. He stated that to date, out of the graduates, four are practicing artists.

The E R Burrowes School of Art is an undergraduate institution accredited by the University of Guyana.

Days after the motion was filed, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had flayed the sponsor of it, declaring that the timing of the challenge and the identity of the plaintiff were suspicious.

The Party said: “Clearly, this new development is an attempt to throw a spanner in the works. The sponsors of the legal challenge appear to have a hidden agenda in the real sense of the term other than invoking or blocking the boogie of a “third term” for Bharrat Jagdeo.”

Jagdeo has repeatedly said that he was not interested in any constitutional position.

According to the PPP/C, the interest of those behind the challenge lies in the “darkest and deepest crevices of a democracy comparable to the galleries of Hades”. The Party stated too that “Mr Bharrat Jagdeo had publicly affirmed time and again his respect for the Constitution and that he has no interest whatsoever in any so-called “thirdterm” Presidency”.

wage hike is empty promise – Finance Minister

M

inister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh said that the APNU+AFC coalition has exposed its level of political desperation with its resort to utter promises of random “goodies”. He was at the time responding to the coalition’s recent proposals of salary and pension increases within 100 days in Office.

The Finance Minister described this recent pronouncement as even more empty promises from the Opposition camp. He said, “This is nothing short of a blatant attempt to bribe voters and is a gross insult to the Guyanese people.”

The Opposition recently announced that if elected into Office, they will institute a 13 percent across the board public service wage increase, while old age pension will be increased to Gy$15,000.

What is worse, Minister

Singh highlighted, is that the members of the APNU+AFC bloc have become notorious for inconsistency; offering a different set of “goodies” every time they speak.

In the lead up to the 2011 general and regional elections, the AFC had promised a 20 percent pay increase for public servants.

Salaries and old age pension have seen steady and sustainable increases over the last 20 years under the current Administration. In 1992, when the PPP/C took Office, public servants were in receipt of Gy$3,137 as minimum wage. This increased to Gy$23,204 by 2005. In 2009, there was a six percent increase, 2010-five, 2011-eight, and five percent in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, workers earning below Gy$50,000 were granted eight percent increase while those earning over that sum were granted five percent.

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Jagdeo slams Moses’ silence Guyana is no on PNC’s vote rigging, violence longer a pariah... from page 4

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar addressing the massive crowd at the party's Kitty rally

By Michael Younge

O

pposition Leader David Granger has been accused of silencing his running mate, Moses Nagamootoo and forcing him to stay away from addressing critical aspects of the People’s National Congress’ (PNC) track record which is marred by countless instances of vote rigging and postelections violence.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also an Executive Member of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), told over 10,000 people gathered for the Party’s first elections rally held at

the Kitty Market Square that Nagamootoo has been lured into silence after he was made an offer that saw him bartering his memory, integrity and dignity for the acquisition of power and position. “ C o m r a d e s , Nagamootoo goes often on the platform and he says lots of disparaging things. But let me tell you what Granger has done with Nagamootoo.

He has put a prime ministerial comforter in his mouth,” Jagdeo said to bouts of laughter and intermittent applause from the crowd.

He went further by saying that “And so whilst he is sucking on his po-

tential Prime Minister comforter, he has forgotten the violence of PNC elections. He has forgotten that elections were rigged. He has moved away from every single principle in the past.”

Jagdeo slammed Nagamootoo’s drive for personal and Executive power, telling the crowd that they must never allow him or Granger to become Prime Minister and President in this country because of their dishonesty and inability to accept facts of the past and the roles they played. Taking another jab at Nagamootoo, Jagdeo reminded the crowd of the politician’s promise to deliver 11 per

cent of Indian-Guyanese votes to the PNC Reformled coalition with the Alliance For Change.

He also pointed to a recent article carried by this newspaper in which Nagamootoo said that he was not Indian.

Jagdeo told the crowd to “make sure that Nagamootoo does not get away with his rhetoric” by throwing all of their support and that of their family’s behind the PPP/C on May 11. The former President said that regardless of all of the charges of corruption made by Nagamootoo and Granger against the PPP/C, his Party could compete in any elections continued on page 28

by 2015 and the country aims to improve this record.

Despite public criticisms, Guyana has succeeded in reducing the number of maternal deaths and increasing the availability of skilled health personnel at births.

According to the UNDP, the country is currently assessed as having the potential to meet the MDG target of reducing maternal mortality ratio by threequarters.

Maternal mortality has been on a decreasing trend in recent years, with a ratio of 320 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1991 to 86 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2008.

Guyana has recorded steady progress in fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

The country shows signs of beginning to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS, and is projected to meet the target of achieving universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it.

There is also positive news for malaria control as well, with prevalence rates confirming that the country has succeeded in meeting the target of re-

ducing the incidence of the disease.

Additionally, the prevalence of tuberculosis shows tentative signs of a decline, with reduced incidence over the 20082009 reporting period.

Environmental Sustainability

The UNDP report stated that Guyana has recorded multiple successes in ensuring environmental sustainability are achieved.

Guyana has satisfied the target of integrating the principles of sustainable development into the country policies and programmes and is committed to significantly reducing biodiversity loss.

The MDG targets of halving the proportion of the population without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation have been met and there have been notable increases in the population’s access to adequate housing.

Targets to be met under this goal reflect commitments made by member states to strengthen cooperation in the areas of trade, official development assistance, external debt and access to medicines and technology.

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Opposition nixes Ramkarran to head “list”

…but courts his endorsement of coalition

F

ormer Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran is not being considered to head the List of Representatives for the A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition.

Speaking at a joint press conference Friday at the coalition’s campaign headquarters, co-Chairman of the coalition’s elections’ campaign, Raphael Trotman, told media operatives that Ramkarran will not be on the List of Representatives for the party. He noted that Ramkarran was not and had never been considered by the party to be on the list.

However, Trotman said the coalition was interested in having Ramkarran on board and believed he could serve the party potently even if he was not on the list.

He expressed hopes, however, that the Former Speaker will endorse the coalition in coming weeks since he can represent the coalition well but so far he has not been formally lobbied to join.

This is the second time

Ralph Ramkarran

Ramkarran has been nixed by the Opposition for a position. When the Cummingsburg Agreement was first signed, despite being bogged down by their inability to agree on who will lead the alliance, the parties overlooked Ramkarran being their consensus candidate.

Observers said that Ramkarran had been preparing himself for the post since leaving the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Prior to the Cummingsburg Accord Ramkarran had told this publication that he would seriously consider taking up the post if approached by the Opposition parties but noted that it is highly impossible for this to happen. “If asked, it

is a matter that I would give some consideration to,” the former House Speaker mentioned while stating that no such proposal has been brought to him as it is being reported that the two parties have met a deadlock in deciding a presidential candidate. A coalition between the two Opposition parties was necessary in their quest to unseat the ruling PPP/C. P o l i t i c a l Commentator Ramon Gaskin had told this newspaper that the APNU would not want to accept a Ramkarran led-coalition because he is “an old PPP/C man”.

Gaskin explained that Ramkarran was not from either APNU or AFC; as such, the parties would not want to pick such a candidate. Gaskin underscored that APNU still saw Ramkarran as a former PPP/C man just as AFC’s Presidential Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo.

He further mentioned that he does not know what Ramkarran will bring to the table since he has been out of politics for a while, adding that he does not even have a

constituency to pull support from.

Major personalities

Meanwhile, according to Trotman, the parties were actively considering three major personalities from the business, legal and civil societies. He, however, refused to disclose who these personalities were. However, according to information reaching this publication, businessman Yesu Persaud has been touted to lead the list.

The Representative of the List will be entrusted with important tasks such as ensuring the Cummingsburg Accord agreement between APNU and the AFC as it relates to the National Assembly and other matters are kept.

Once the List is closed, it will be submitted to the party leaders to select the right person for the critical position. The entire process needs to be completed in time for Nomination Day on April 7, because the Representative of the List is also tasked with the critical responsibility of presenting their party’s List of Candidates on Nominations Day.

Jagdeo slams Moses’ silence on...

from page 26

on its history in office, its policies and the transformation it has brought to the socio-economic landscape of the country.

Investment, business

Jagdeo while underlining the importance of investment and business people accused the coalition of chasing away foreign direct investment and threatening business people who did not want to give them money for their campaign or support their policies.

“They have a gang going around threatening business people and telling them that when we get into office, we are going to deal with you,” he told the crowd. Jagdeo warned against complacency explaining that too much was at stake and all the progress made by the ruling Party could be jeopardised if the right choices are not made.

“You know what’s going to happen if they were to win the elections…three years after that we will have the exchange rate going 500 to one. They will eat up all the money that we have in the Central Bank…the interest rates are going to skyrocket again and then you will have a mass exodus…,” he predicted.

Security and violence

He said that the Opposition personalities seeking office were tainted and warned of the danger of having them run the country’s security sector. Speaking more pointedly, Jagdeo said that Courtney CrumEwing, whether a patriot or criminal, did not deserve to die before asking citizens to ask themselves who benefited from his death as he suggested that the Opposition has gone back to its traditional ways of mobilising the support base through the instigation of violence and riots. “I was thinking. Why would someone want to kill an exsolider? And I said, you know what, they want ex-soldiers and Police to become angry with us.

They want to go around using this to carry the whisper campaign to the Afro-Guyanese villages they did in 2011…they need something to whisper about and mobilise people,” he warned.

He called on the Police to work hard to solve the crime before urging them to remain militant and telling the crowd “that if they do that, you would be probably shocked to find out who killed this guy”.

news 29

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CARICOM seeking international support for future socio-economic growth

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: C a r i b b e a n Community (CARICOM) countries are still grappling with the effects of global economic crisis as well as the impact of climate change, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie has said.

Addressing the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, Christie, who is the CARICOM chairman, said that regional countries are acutely aware of the complexity of the global economic environment and the major transformation underway in the world economy.

“Indeed, the aftermath of the global economic and financial crises has translated into a less than favourable international context for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the CARICOM region into much of the next decade or so,” Prime Minister Christie told the High-Level Interactive

Dialogue on Monday held under the theme “The International Decade for Action: Progress achieved and lessons learned for sustainable development”.

He told the delegates that the process of climate change has emerged as a global issue, with the increased frequency and severity of climatic events, along with the growing incidence of health pandemics and the risk of terrorism and war threatening to set back the development gains achieved over time by developing countries in particular.

“Given its susceptibility to external shocks, the global realities and challenges are either mirrored or heightened in the CARICOM region, evidenced in persistent low growth rates and crippling external debt, as well as in growing unemployment, especially among our youth.”

Prime Minister Christie said that

Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie

CARICOM has adopted either home-grown or multilaterally-supported stabilisation and structural adjustment programmes, which have not yet resulted in sustained growth in those member states experiencing significant macroeconomic imbalances.

He said revitalizing economic growth is therefore of critical importance to preventing further deterioration in the region’s human development gains and thus the Region has embarked on a plan to reposition itself.

“It is apparent that

such a plan must take into consideration the rising levels of unemployment, particularly in the youth, which exists alongside skill shortages in several key areas.

Prime Minister Christie told the Council that last year, regional leaders approved a fiveyear strategic plan for the future development of the regional integration movement, describing it as “an ambitious document, which lays out a comprehensive plan for building economic, social and environmental resilience in the Community,

as well as strengthening governance along with coordinated foreign policy, research and development, and innovation.

Prime Minister Christie said efforts would be made to advance human capital development, through the enhancement of key skills, education reform and youth development.

“We will build capacity and create green jobs in our efforts to manage adaptation to climate change and mitigate it effects, and enhance our resilience to natural disasters. And we will forge a culture of innovation, increase job creation, entrepreneurship and new business development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”

He said regional leaders at their last inter-sessional summit in Nassau had focused on best they could leverage the region’s human, cultural and natural assets for the development of

the Caribbean.

But he said to accomplish these goals, the Caribbean wouldneed the support of the international community. “In this connection, CARICOM has been keen to align our plan with that of the international agenda, and to ensure that the special needs of the Region, and SIDS in general, are central to the Post-2015 Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.

“We believe that with a renewed commitment to a global partnership for development, we would be able to provide the necessary support to Regional and national efforts to achieve the proposed Sustainable Development Goals, including the proposed goal 8, entitled “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all,” he told the UN Council. (CMC)

Jamaican GG gives Jamaican-born athlete drowns in St Kitts assent, 'Ganja law' K now in effect

K

Jamaica’s Justice Minister Mark Golding

INGSTON, JAMAICA: The governor general has given his assent to the Bill amending the Dangerous Drugs Act, making possession of two or less ounces of ganja a ticketable offence.

Justice Minister Mark Golding made the disclosure on Monday, just over a month after the House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing the legislation now being called the Ganja law.

"My understanding is that the GG has now assented to the Bill and the signed Bill is now on its way back to Parliament," Golding informed advocates of decriminalisation or legalisation of marijuana, who were anxious that the amendments became law as soon as possible.

The House passed the Bill on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, following which it was expected to be signed into law about a week later.

But Golding did not say

what might have contributed to the apparent delay in the Bill returning to Parliament from King's House to be gazetted.

During the monthlong wait, there was speculation among some ganja advocates that Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist faith, might have been having difficulties giving his assent to the amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act. The Act is highlighted by a provision making possession of two or less ounces of ganja a ticketable offence, among other provisions that could pave the way for establishment of a ganja industry that advocates believe would make a dent in poverty in Jamaica.

"When they (Parliament) receive it, they will send it to the Printing Office for gazetting," Golding assured.

(Jamaica Observer)

INGSTON, J A M A I C A : Daundre Barnaby, a Jamaicanborn Canadian Olympic 400m runner, is suspected to have drowned while swimming in St Kitts-Nevis on Friday.

Athletics Canada on Friday reported that Barnaby, 24, was swimming at a training camp on the Caribbean island with his teammates when a strong current swept him out to sea.

"Daundre was swimming in the ocean with teammates during down time when he disappeared around 11:00 am.

A strong back current

Daundre Barnaby

took him out, his teammates tried to save him," Athletics Canada said in a statement. "His body was found around 3:30 pm by local search and rescue.

The statement also

said an Athletics Canada grief counsellor was on the way to St Kitts to provide the necessary support to athletes, coaches and staff on-site.

Barnaby is from St Ann and, according to

Athletics Canada, officially became a Canadian citizen in 2012, representing Canada at the 2012 Olympic Games.

He reportedly finished sixth in his heat at the London Olympics 2012 and reached the semi-finals at last year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Barnaby's most recent international competition was the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Athletics Canada Chief Executive Officer Rob Guy called Barnaby “an outstanding athlete and an even better young man”. (Jamaica Observer)

Vegas shares ‘Euphoria’ with Pitbull

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Dancehall artiste Mr Vegas has teamed up with hip- hop star Pitbull for a remix of his single 'My Jam'.

The single is from Vegas' Euphoria album which was released last year.

"We wanted it to be a happy song and we needed an artiste to take us to another level, so we sent a copy of the track to Pitbull's team and they instantly jumped on the remix. He recorded his part and sent back to us in Jamaica and we did the rest," Vegas told the Jamaica media.

He has worked with the Miami-born Pitbull before. Culo, Pitbull's 2004 collaboration with rapper Lil Jon, samples Vegas' 'Pull Up'.

Pitbull, whose parents are Cuban, has a massive following in the Latin market, one of the most lucrative in contemporary music.

"This is great, as he has propelled me to a level that I only dream about. Pitbull has a huge fan base," said Vegas.

The video for the single was shot two weeks ago in Atlanta.

Mr Vegas, whose given name is Clifford Smith, is no stranger to international collaborations.

Standing in ‘The Sun’, his remix with Beyonce, will be featured on

her upcoming album Platinum Edition.

He has also worked with Wyclef Jean and DMX and is featured on Snoop Lion's 2013 Grammy-nominated album, Reincarnated.

Last year, he collaborated with Jason Derulo on the dancehall remix for ‘Talk Dirty’. (Jamaica Observer)

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WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Yonex Badminton Club: It’s not just about badminton

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lacing their country on the international badminton list of champions, the Yonex Badminton Club (Guyana) is an energetic group known for their talent and sportsmanship.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Gokarn Ramdhani, badminton coach and president of Yonex Badminton Club, said that the club started in the late 70s for junior players and was housed

Yonex's young champs keep fit

in Queen’s College, where 99 per cent of its players were from.

The club was founded by the late PhilipSmall, a former Queen’s College student and national player for Guyana.

Ramdhani took over in 1985 after the death of Philip-Small and now serves as the club’s president and head coach.

Yonex Badminton Club, which plays three times a week, is run by a management committee and head coach.

Membership varies from 40 to 60 members, with junior players from various schools in Georgetown and 75 per cent of the senior players being former Queen’s College students. The age range of the club’s players is from six to adult.

“Our club has been training players to get on the national team and represent Guyana at international competitions.

Our club also produces 90 per cent of all players

that represent Guyana,” Ramdhani explained.

The Yonex Badminton Club’s most notable wins were at the Caribbean Games, Pan American Championships Suriname International and South American championships.

Over the last seven years the club has dominated the junior level at international matches. The club’s most recent victories include Caribbean championships 2014 in Jamaica, IGG in Suriname, and on the local scene the GUMAC Open Doubles and the Trophy Stall Age Group Tournament.

“It’s not just about badminton. Club’s players learn to be disciplined, fit and healthy, and be social, which helps them to relate to others when in the open world,” the badminton coach pointed out.

Ramdhani added that training involves good health and discipline.

Members practice three times a week for two hours and for the other non-playing days, light weights and running.

“We are trying to get more uniformed, trying to get more playing days, and looking to acquire a syntactic court for us to train. Also, we are doing a junior drive to attract more players to get involved. We have a few upcoming local competitions, and internationally we have the Panam Games in Canada, the Panam Juniors in Mexico, IGG Games, the Caribbean Championships in Dominican Republic and the Suriname Open,” Ramdhani outlined.

Yonex Badminton Club has been playing over the years at the Queen’s College badminton court and is instrumental in helping its players to get into colleges overseas via its recommendations.

For those who are not familiar with badminton, it is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court divided by a net.

Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their opponents' half of the court. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net.

A rally ends once the shuttlecock has struck the floor, or if a fault has been called by either the umpire or service judge or, in their absence, the offending player, at any time during the rally.

The shuttlecock is a feathered or (mainly in non-competitive matches) plastic projectile whose unique aerodynamic properties cause it to fly differently from the balls used in most racquet sports. Because shuttlecock flight is affected by wind, competitive badminton is played indoors.

For more information on the group, visit Yonex Badminton Club (Guyana) on Facebook.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Badminton is played on a rectangular court divided by a net

Recent photo of some of the club's players and committee members

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By Isahak Basir, CCH

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ima Sands is a stretch of impetus flat sands, half kilometre wide and a length of 10 kilometres, bordering the Tapakuma Project, and located five kilometres west of Anna Regina, Region Two, on the Essequibo Coast.

It was first occupied by the Dutch in 1640, when sugar cultivation on the Essequibo Coast was prominent.

The plutocracy from Richmond to Paradise, comprising 11 estate owners, decided in 1788 to use about 150 slaves to manually dig a canal north-west of the Tapakuma Lake landing to the back of Lima estate, so as to avoid the high charges and sabotage of water supply

from Anna Regina owners and slave masters.

This canal was supplied by water from the nine kilometres wide Tapakuma Lake. This effort was met with armed opposition that forced the location of the canal further inland. However, the canal was completed about eight miles, cutting the Lima Sands.

The area is historical, where a high level sand dam was built by slave labourers and it is still visible today. The wooden koker structure, built in the 1920s, still exists.

The stretch of land led to a creek known as Manieuro Canal.

Manieuro is an Arawak word meaning “hiding place”, as escaped slaves would seek refuge in the area since it is more than 30 feet above sea

A canal dug by slaves, the sand hill and the sand loam main road

level. From surrounding sub-soil vegetation, it appears that this area was the foreshore of the Atlantic Ocean.

By 1923, the British government attempted to use this area with adjacent canal to expand the Tapakuma Lake, but the project was abandoned because of poor engineering skills. However, the

Lima Sands Primary School

Road from Anna Regina to Lima Sands

CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA 308 West 38 Street New York, New York 10018 TEL: 212-947-5110 FAX: 646- 915- 0237 Website:consulategeneralnewyork.com

ADVISORY The Consulate General of the Republic of Guyana, New York wishes to inform the public of the change in hours of operation at the Consulate with effect from April 7, 2015.

New Hours of Operation Monday - Friday 9:00am – 12:00pm 1:00 pm- 3:30pm

By Order of Consulate General.

PPP government later made a success story in 1961 and built the Tapakuma Project, making 45,000 acres of land available to the landless during that period.

With Hampton Court in 1934 the last sugar estate to be closed, dozens of buffalos were abandoned. This is the domesticated water buffalo from Asia that was used to pull cane punts along the canals. As such, these huge animals made Lima Sands their haven, only to march at night, destroying rice crops between Anna Regina and Dartmouth.

Lima Sands is exposed to 36 square miles of open savannah, which offers a well for these animals that are water-loving and good swimmers.

The last buffalo, also

known as ‘Baisa’, was killed by Sirnauth Ali in 1954 at Danielstown.

One daughter of a veteran resident from 1959, Mrs Moonwattie, who operates a fruit store, said that the area is a prime destination for natural livelihood. The entrance to this unique scheme is filled with awara trees, a huge apiculture project, the gateway to the Mainstay Resort, two high bridges and a nearby spa known as Feather Beach, at the precincts of Red Lock.

One cannot escape the imposing image of the four-door water regulator, as well as the huge Chinese lock. This lock was built around 1860, to facilitate ingress and egress to the Pomeroon River up to 1909. With sheds usually painted

with red oak during the colonial period, the area was known as Red Lock.

In 1993, the Ministry of Housing established a housing scheme in collaboration with the Food for the Poor’s programme. The area is now quickly developing, with a current population of 2,000 residents, social amenities, shops, medical clinic, schools, churches, playground, Holiday Inn and electricity. The area has wellmaintained sand-loam road and a regular mini bus service from the Anna Regina terminus, which takes 20 minutes and affords commuters, farmers, school children and tours an easy and safe ride around.

(Photos by Marco Basir) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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Experience tradition at Kato K

Aerial view of Kato (Photo by Sarah K)

ato, in Region Eight, is located in the heart of the Guyana interior and is known for its stunning nature vistas.

In the village there are government buildings such as the nursery and primary schools; a guest house, police outpost; medical facilities and school dormitories.

Neighbouring is Paramakatoi.

Kato itself is a dispersed village of some 2,000 mainly indigenous persons.

It is a very traditional village made up of a close-knit, selfsufficient community that cherishes its indigenous heritage.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Houses in Kato (Photo by Marco Basir)

Expansive terrain (Photo by Marco Basir)

Airstrip in Kato (Photo by Marco Basir)

Waterfall on the Chiung River, minutes away from Kato (Photo by Sarah K)

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Doctor-patient TT firm embarks on confidentiality massive dry dock project - second dock will be in Guyana

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By Anu Dev

“Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not in connection with it, I see or hear in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret” – Hippocratic Oath

N

owadays, it’s so much easier to get yourself heard across the globe, thanks to the Internet.

You can post something on some social media site and within minutes or hours it can be seen by people millions of miles away.

It’s easy to post things without pausing to consider exactly how many people could potentially see what you’re about to share. Confidentiality isn’t such a big deal any more.

It’s not unusual for most people to wake up, roll over in bed, grab their phone (which they fell asleep using) and start scrolling through Twitter or Facebook.

We share so much about ourselves on the Internet – what we’re having for lunch, what we’re wearing today, our current location, our political views, complaints about any and everything, and details about our jobs.

And it’s become so normal to share everything that people don’t really think twice before sharing something. And while for most things, the biggest danger of oversharing is annoying your friends with yet another picture of your healthy lunch, sometimes it can have much bigger ramifications.

But for doctors they have an actual duty to maintain confidentiality – there are exceptions – but there is that duty. So if a doctor decides to take a selfie while in the OR with their patient open on the table behind them, with the caption “Ugh #Mondays”, it’s not just how desensitised she is to think that it’s a good idea to post that, she’s breaking the rule of confidentiality with her patient – which is part of that principle of the patient’s autonomy, I spoke about earlier.

Patient confidentiality is a vital part of the doctorpatient relationship, and as indicated above it’s actually part of the Hippocratic Oath every doctor takes. In order for the doctor to be able to make a sound diagnosis of the patient’s condition, the doctor must get all of the necessary information from the patient. The patient therefore, has to trust the doctor to not spill all of their private medical details, in order to speak freely.

Doctors have to be able to balance their lives as individuals with their duty as a doctor to their patients. They’ll have to set boundaries. They’ll have to remember doctor-patient confidentiality at all times.

They’ll have to always keep at the forefront of my mind that the cases they’ll be dealing with are actual people who not only have a desire for privacy but a right. They really wouldn’t want the details of their ailment to be bandied about on the Internet for the entire world to see.

It’s about respecting the patient, it’s about having some empathy and placing yourself into the shoes of the patient to think about whether you’d like it if someone was spilling the beans about your health.

Some of the exceptions are pretty straightforward.

For instance the law may require a doctor to inform the authorities of say, a particular communicable disease that presents a public health challenge.

Right now if your doctor suspects that you may have contracted Ebola, she should inform the authorities – while also informing the patient of the diagnosis and also of passing on the info.

While this is a tricky one, doctors many also disclose confidential info if they believe it’s in the patient’s best interest. But here again, the patient must be informed.

Finally, the last and trickiest exception is if in deciding that a patient’s condition presents a threat to the public, which outweighs the patient’s interest in keeping the information confidential, she must pass on the info.

What I have gained from this issue of confidentiality is that all patients must be considered as subjects with rights and not objects to be manipulated. And patients ought to know about these responsibilities of doctors towards them.

Forewarned is forearmed.

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: An ambitious plan that will see the Caribbean get two of the largest graving dock facilities in the world has taken a step forward.

The Trinidad Dry Dock Company Ltd (TDDCL) is inviting companies to submit proposals to conduct an environmental impact assessment and geotechnical investigation for a major new ship repair yard development project in Port-of-Spain.

The Trinidad shipyard is one of two planned by the company. The other will be in Guyana.

Each will have five graving docks catering to vessels from 20,000 dwt to 250,000 dwt and up to 380 m long.

TDDCL has signed a memorandum of agree-

ment with Invest TT, to facilitate the future development and operation of the Port-of-Spain Dry Dock on the reclaimed 140-acre Sullivan Island.

The project is located offshore in the Gulf of Paria, in the vicinity of Sealots, just north of the Caroni River outfall. It includes a 250-hectare dredged turning basin and a causeway connecting Sullivan Island to mainland Trinidad’s highway network.

TDDCL has now procured the final terms of reference from the Environmental Management Authority for an environmental impact assessment. As part of its engineering designs and as may be needed for the environmental impact assessment, TDDCL will also conduct detailed

geotechnical investigations with soils analysis and report over an area of seabed of some 300 hectares.

The company has issued a request for expressions of interest from qualified and experienced firms to submit proposals no later than 2 pm Friday via e-mail to info@trinidaddrydock.com. The full request for proposals will be sent to respondents after receipt of expressions of interest. TDDCL says its projects will cater to the growing international demands of the expanding global shipping fleet, with specific emphasis on meeting what it says is a critical need in the Western Hemisphere.

The firm’s project in Trinidad, the Sullivan Island, Port-of-Spain Dry Dock Facility will consti-

tute world-class graving dock and bunkering facilities situated on the proposed Sullivan Island, along the Gulf of Paria.

In Guyana, the New Amsterdam Dry Dock Industrial Port Complex will comprise graving dock and port facilities situated on the Berbice River estuary.

The two projects will have a combined total drydocking area of 199,300 square metres.

In addition to the core drydocking facilities, TDDCL plans to maximise the potential of the projects by embarking on the development of a number of on-site, downstream projects including a marine and industrial park, and residential and commercial centres at both locations. (TT Guardian)

Dr Luncheon says not ready to retire

A

lthough fully aware of his poor health, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said he is ready and willing to serve many more terms as the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, if he is allowed.

“I am aware of my limitations but I can serve five more years, or 10 more years, if the ‘big man’ allows,” Dr Luncheon said.

In September last year, Dr Luncheon was

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon

preparing for his retirement, but the move by the political Opposition

to table and pass a NoConfidence Motion against the government forced him to delay those plans.

But speaking to media operatives after his post-cabinet press briefing on Wednesday at the Office of the President, Dr Luncheon indicated that he will not let his health get in the way of his job.

Dr Luncheon had announced sometime ago that he was diagnosed with gastrointestinal

cancer and had opted not to have treatment administered.

Gastrointestinal cancer is referred to malignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs of digestion, including the esophagus, stomach and biliary system.

Meanwhile, in addition to being the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Luncheon heads the Defence Board and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

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WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Joyce Ferdinand-Lalljie: Legendary music composer, concert pianist

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oyce Ferdinand-Lalljie was a Guyanese child prodigy who began playing one of her mother’s piano pieces when she was just three years old. She and her younger sister, Mavis, both became concert pianists and were known as the “two Ferdinand girls”. Joyce is credited as being the first black woman to play a full piano concerto.

In his article on radio in British Guiana for the 1951 Chronicle Christmas Annual, Albert E L Isaacs described Joyce Ferdinand- Lalljie (later Joyce Ferdinand-Saunders) as one of the “Big Finds” of local radio (and stage) during 1951.

Isaacs’ article stated that Joyce Ferdinand-Lalljie’s genius was shared with the people of British Guiana through the radio programme Berbice Calling, produced by Olga Lopes-Seale on ZFY. Joyce was born in 1923 in New Amsterdam, Berbice. Her mother, Edith Ferdinand, was an important musical personality in New Amsterdam. She was a music teacher and organist at both St Patrick’s Anglican Church and Mission Chapel Congregational Church. Joyce’s other teacher in British Guiana was Mrs Ruby McGregor. It was under her tutelage that Joyce earned the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (Piano Performing) in 1948.

By 1951, Joyce was the toast of the nation. She dom-

inated classical music and was celebrated for her performances on the British Council broadcasts.

As mentioned earlier, Isaacs described her as one of the “big finds”, and the Guiana Times voted her ‘Musician of the Year’ in 1951.

Charles Knights remembers her as the first Guyanese to perform a piano concerto with the British Guiana Philharmonic Orchestra. This was before the performance by Winifred Atwell, the celebrated Trinidadian pianist.

In 1946, Joyce married Rev William Lalljie. He was very supportive of her and encouraged her to continue her musical career. Joyce’s musical

A young Joyce on the piano

career took her to the United Kingdom, the United States, and back to Guyana.

Before leaving for the UK on a British Council scholarship in the early 1960s, Joyce relocated to Georgetown, where she established herself as an innovative teacher, performer and composer.

The British Council scholarship enabled Joyce to study at the Trinity College of Music in London. There she completed diploma programmes in piano education and the teaching of music in schools. She was awarded the Fellowship of the Trinity College of Music in 1964.

Between 1964 and 1976,

Joyce taught music in Birmingham. According to the Snijders and Loncke, editors of “One Hundred Years of Classical Music in the Guianas: Selected Pieces for Pianoforte”, Joyce returned to Guyana in 1976 to accept an appointment as a lecturer at the Cyril Potter Teachers’ Training College.

Although her stay in Guyana was relatively short, she did engage in a number of activities that influenced her music creativity. Among the activities were renewing her contact with Guyanese folk music and her engagement with ‘Broadcast to Schools’.

In the late 1980s, Joyce

made another trip to Guyana.

The period following those visits has been marked by compositions celebrating the Guyanese landscape.

In her correspondence with the editors of “One Hundred Years of Classical Music in the Guianas: Selected Pieces for Pianoforte”, she explained: “The effect on me was profound, and thoughts of Guyana and the difference in life-style produced acute nostalgia. I was compelled to use the only means of expression at my disposal, and it was this feeling that impelled me into composing.”

Joyce has composed for viola, flute, voice, and pianoforte.

Her “Carousel for Flute” was premiered by Guyanese flautist Keith Waithe. Among her compositions for pianoforte are “Odyssey of the Demerara River”, “Three O’Clock in Bourda”, “The Legend of Kai”, “Stabroek Blues”, “Water Lily Canal by Moonlight”, and “Janie Gal”.

In a Jan 2015 letter to a local newspaper, in which E B John wrote that he learnt about the passing of Joyce Ferdinand-Lalljie, he stated that Joyce’s “devotion to Guyanese music and song was steadfast, and not long ago she recorded Seymour’s “Legend of Kaieteur” there in Birmingham”.

Joyce is, without doubt, a Guyanese music legend. (www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

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S

State House (Photo courtesy National Trust of Guyana)

tate House, once known as Government House, has been the official residence of several colonial governors and Guyanese presidents over the years.

It is said to have had its origins in the 1820s, when the building was originally owned by William Percy Austin, the first Anglican Bishop of Guyana.

Ordinances were passed in 1852 and 1863 allowing the purchase of the property to establish an official residence for the governor of what was then British Guiana.

After independence,

the country’s first president, Arthur Chung used State House as his official residence in the 1970s.

It would be decades later, in the 1990s, that the building was again used by a sitting president when the fourth president, Cheddi Jagan, chose the building for his official residence.

It remains the official presidential residence today.

With a lush, green landscape and tree-lined driveway, State House is located from Main Street at the front to Carmichael Street along New Market Street.It

has over the years undergone several additions and changes.

The original building faced Carmichael Street but by 1894,its main entrance was on Main Street.

The building is often described as the house with its 100 windows, and is said to have once been called “The Grande Dame of Main Street” for its graceful interior and exterior wooden architectural elements and design, some of which are credited to Caesar Castellani, an architect known for designing several buildings in Guyana. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Living room area at State House (Photo courtesy National Trust of Guyana)

State House dining room where meetings are sometimes conducted

Detail of decorative ceiling in the State House dining room (Photo courtesy National Trust of Guyana)

State House. Then known as Government House with its Carmichael Street entrance and before the canals were filled to create avenues

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This week's Crossword

No 11 % dowry… …at Whim

This week's Puzzle

Nagamootoo insists the relationship forged by him and Granger is a “marriage”. And it isn’t a marriage they went into on a whim!! What’s now revealed is they went into a secret courtship immediately after the elections of 2011. Nagamootoo’d been nominated by the AFC for the Speakership. But Granger played “hard to get” by choosing Raphael Trotman!!

It’s clear that this is an “old fashioned” marriage – a marriage of families, not just the bride and groom.

The negotiations for the wedding took over a month – yet leaving a whole heap of matters still outstanding.

It was of more than passing interest that in front of his rich relatives in Queens, Nagamootoo threatened “divorce” if he didn’t get what he bargained for. Those New York Guyanese are serious about women’s rights!

But Nagamootoo also made promises as to what he’ll bring to the marriage. Granger had proven to Nagamootoo at Linden he could bring out his 40 per cent constituency. It was now up to Nagamootoo to show that he could deliver his promised 11 per cent from his Berbice constituency.

This was going to take place at Whim – where Nagamootoo came from. To the surprise of all and sundry, Nagamootoo revealed that Granger also hailed from Whim!! He’d first made “goo-goo eyes” at the future head of the GDF (and now his political spouse), when they were both in short pants exposing their dimpled knees!

So while it was billed as a “rally” in Whim, it was really to be a good, old-fashioned Sunday night Berbice wedding: the “unity” of the families/constituencies would be on show with the tapu drums.

Granger did his bit by arriving at the head of a huge “bariiat” of his 40 per cent constituency – with gaily decorated buses from as far away as Linden. The buses blared music all the way from Georgetown. This marriage consumption wasn’t going to be left to a whim!!

But sadly when Granger and his Bariiat arrived at Whim…it became clear there wasn’t going to be any 11 per cent!! It wasn’t that Nagamootoo stood up Granger – he was there with his “father” Ramjattan and his “big brother Ramayya”.

But the guests from Whim and the surrounding villages – who were to be Nagamootoo’s 11 per cent “dowry”, were nowhere to be seen.

It’s clear these folks don’t approve of Nagamootoo’s decision on a marriage partner. For years they were brutalised by Granger’s family and they obviously didn’t go for Nagamootoo’s “forget and forgive” line. They know that folks get married for all kinds of reasons – including greed and ambition.

So it looks like there will be a divorce after all.

Granger finally saw the “pig” in the poke.

…and identity politics

The problem with Nagamootoo is his promise to Granger to deliver votes from Berbice is based on “identity politics”, but yet, simultaneously, he rejected that identity.

Nagamootoo’s spent his life trying to prove he’s “not an Indian Berbician”. Ironically at the same time, representation of people based on their selfexpressed “identity” became accepted by mainstream politics. “Identity” – it was conceded – played a big role in determining “interests” – which was the object of politics.

He physically left Berbice, rejected the “Berbice cadences” (which Jagan never lost) and rounded up his mouth to speak a very artificial, stilted “English”.

But Nagamootoo moved beyond rejecting his “Indian Berbice” identity to reject the wider “Indian Guyanese” identity.

In India, even though the folks who gave him an award explained “People of Indian Origin” was a cultural concept and didn’t mean a “citizen of political India”, he insisted he was “not an Indian”.

The Indian Guyanese chicken came home to roost at Whim.

…and the Whim Rally

see solution on page 47

Granger’s organisers obviously didn’t want to risk no one showing up at Whim. So they hired all those big buses to trawl in their committed constituency.

But it backfired in exposing the hollowness of the claim to “national unity”!!

feature 37

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

O

ften, when people explore the rainforest, there is much interest in the birds and other rainforest animals.

But the world of plants is equally enchanting, and Guyana’s forests, with an excess of 8,000 plant species, present a haven for plant lovers.

One such encounter if you visit the Iwokrama forest is the imposing Mora tree (Mora excelsa).

This species is an icon of the Mora forest type, found along creeks and rivers, and adapted to the

Giant Mora tree trunk base

seasonal flooding. The large kidney bean-like seeds are endowed with an airspace that allows floatation for dispersal. The large spreading buttresses are impressive to many tourists and often present a nice scene for photographs.

The Mora tree is an ‘emergent’, so it towers over many of the other forest species, making it easy to identify.

During the year, the species shed some of their leaves (semi deciduous) and as new leaves emerge, they exhibit a red colour, giving a

glimpse of an autumn experience. This is ecologically important as the red colouration is caused by a chemical called anthocyanin, and it protects the young leaves against insect attacks.

Mora is a very heavy and dense wood and is suitable for heavy construction work, jetties and foreshore work. The wood is also suitable for both traditional and mosaic flooring.

You can see the Mora tree on several trails in the Iwokrama forest, including around the

Iwokrama River Lodge and also on the Turtle Mountain hike.

Also on the trail to Iwokrama, a variety of flora can be seen such as the elegant Vochysia sp, huge tree fungi, the sunny-looking Compositae sp, and the stunning Bignonia.

The Iwokrama Forest is a vast wilderness of nearly one million acres – a protected area and homeland of the Makushi people who have used the forest for generations. A unique blend of technology, ancient culture, and traditional knowledge, Iwokrama fulfils its mandate and promise to the world.

I w o k r a m a International Centre, which protects the Iwokrama forest, promotes conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rainforests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general by undertaking research, training and the development and dissemination of technologies.

Ecotourism is one of the important components of Iwokrama’s strategy for financial

self-sufficiency. Visits to Iwokrama directly contribute to the communities in and surrounding the Iwokrama forest. Tourism there

discover the unforgettable flora, fauna and Amerindian history so special to this tropical paradise.

The Iwokrama for-

Bignonia

supports the development of an eco-friendly sustainable model, which is being shared locally, nationally and internationally.

The Iwokrama forest and the Rupununi wetlands and savannahs offer visitors exceptional natural and cultural experience set in a learning context. Iwokrama is a place for all ages and all interests and you choose what you want to do.

At Iwokrama, you can retrace the footsteps of the Makushi people, wander the extensive trail system and

est is an extraordinary destination for naturalists, birders and anyone seeking an authentic retreat to the jungle.

For more of the tours that Iwokrama offers, call the Iwokrama office on (592) 225-1504 to speak with Chauncy or Diana or email tourism@iwokrama.org.

Visit http://iwokramariverlodge.com or check out Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development on Facebook. (Photos by Dr Raquel Thomas) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

38 feature

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature

skill in writing for children came to public attention through The Guyana Annual magazine to which he faithfully submitted entries annually via the Henry Josiah Writing Stories for Children, winning the competition on many occasions.

One year later, I am happy to have read the three books that got the judges’ nod for the 2014 Burt Award. All three listed below are deserving of high praise but one has the making of be-

novel is about an adolescent boy who was growing with two voices in his head, one “evilish” the other goodish, in the process finding out the difference between good and bad. Many of the situations leading to this realization were set up by his little sister, his touchstone/nemesis.

“Musical Youth”, by Joanne C. Hillhouse, is a series of conversations on various subjects: racism, “shadeism”, relationships – man/woman, family, consequences of liaisons – sins of grandparents/ parents falling on their descendants. It is also a love story of two gifted musicians who find their way through music while working on summer musical. The story is fast paced and engaging, a writer doing an excellent job with her tools of trade right down to a song titled “Melanin” written by the two protagonists.

“Inner City Girl” by Colleen Smith-Dennis is evocative writing that suited the nature of a local girl makes good, a story of redemption. The story makes you cringe from the hardship women still face. Set against the backdrop of grave poverty, drugs, kidnap, rape/ incest, an adolescent girl who is well read and good at sport prevailed against the odds to triumph over the ills of her community.

These three prizewinning books are now

coming a classic of the Caribbean.

“All over again” by A-Dziko Simba Gegele will be read all over again and again because the story is told in a conversational tone not unlike the one employed by master storyteller, Paul Keens-Douglas.

This

available locally, entrusted to the Guyana Book Foundation for distribution to libraries and schools.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

By Petamber Persaud

C

a r i b b e a n Literature is going through another exciting phase with the flourishing of annual literary festivals, augmented publishing opportunities and generous literary awards; all stimulating creativity and encouraging more productivity and production.

One of the more significant awards to be offered in the region in recent times is the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature.

This award was established by CODE (the Canadian Organisation for Development through Education) with the generous support of Canadian philanthropist William Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation, in partnership with the ‘NGC Bocas Lit. Fest’ of Trinidad and Tobago. The mandate of CODE is profoundly captured in the following statement: “If you can read and write, you can learn to do, and be, anything”.

The award is designed to operate on three vital levels of a vibrant literary landscape – staging writers’ workshops, offering huge monetary prizes, transforming manuscripts into books that

are printed in the thousands.

The above is spelt out in the objective of the award which is "to champion literacy, build language skills and foster the love and habit of reading by ensuring that young Caribbean readers have access to books that they want to read".

‘Burt’ burst unto Guyana's literature-

scape in 2014 with a bang, yet not too many persons were cognizant of this advent. One year later, however, the scenario has changed for the better.

One year ago, during the month of March 2014, a workshop on writing for young adults was held in Georgetown, Guyana, under the patronage of CODE, the

Burt Award and local partner, the Guyana Book Foundation.

The Guyana Book Foundation was a progeny of an organization called Education Renewal formed by a group of educators led by Olga Bone. By the early 90's, Education Renewal was tasked with the responsibility of distributing books, which were donated by CODE, and this led to the formation of the Guyana Book Foundation (GBF), established in 1990 as a notfor-profit NGO. The main facilitator for the workshop was Richard Scrimger, ably supported by Dr Paloma Mohamed and Vanda Radzik, all experienced in that area of literature. Radzik on many occasions adjudicated the Henry Josiah Writing Short Story for Children and the Rajkumari Singh Writing Poetry for Children. Mohamed has been working in this area forever through various media – poetry, essay, drama, video and film.

Her book, “Caribbean Mythology and Modern Life: 5 Plays for Young People”, is a significant contribution to our small cache of writing for children. Scrimger has written scores of books for children and he is a consummate teacher on the subject.

Participants were inspired and enthused so much so that one year after that stimulating session comes more happy news - one of the participants, Imam Baksh, was shortlisted for the 2015 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature with his manuscript submission, “Children of the Spider”.

Baksh’s talent and

feature 39

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

U

sing art as a means of communicating his humanity, emotions, philosophy and life, Kodzo Wilkinson, a Surinamese national born to Guyanese parents, is a young artist on the rise.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the artist said that he was inspired to pursue art because of the urge to say and show what is on his mind or what is happening at the said time in his life.

“As a child I was reserved and observing.

"Guarded fool"

Now I feel the need or urge to speak my mind.

I was always into art, although I saw my two older brothers’ (Everton and Henk) talents better than mine as a child. I have many interests, but art is my comfort. I drew leisurely and as a hobby,” the artist explained.

Wilkinson mentioned that he enjoys the art process because he can manipulate colour and shapes in any way he pleases, within the constraints of the medium.

“Art can be therapeutic; however, I don't see it

so. If I don’t enjoy doing it I will not, although I once was enraged and decided to pick up a brush and started to paint my frustrations away. It was a pivotal learning point for me. It was the first time I learnt how to convert a negative into a positive,” Wilkinson disclosed.

To date, the artist has held two solo exhibitions: “Camara” in Suriname on July 4, 2014 and “Camara 2” here in Guyana on March 21, 2015.

Additionally, he participated in Suriname's National Art

"Deep Stealth I"

Fair in November 2014 and in a few local art competitions hosted by Castellani House, sponsored by Republic Bank.

Initially in his art career, the artist revealed he “detested the idea of art academia”, but soon realised that he knew very little about art. He then enrolled at E.R. Burrowes School of Art, which helped to broaden his knowledge.

After graduating from the art institution, he felt that he still knew little about art and did a lot of personal studies, since he needed to equip himself as a teacher in order to furnish students with up-to-date information.

Wilkinson was an admired teacher at Queen’s College and Marian Academy in Guyana.

Through art, the artist said, he enjoys “freeing” himself.

“I enjoy being uninhibited during the process, as an idea comes and changes my previous mindset, I acknowledge it and go along. Nothing is perfect, we are limitless, so why be “pigeonholed” or “boxed” in?”

Wilkinson asked.

The artist admires the work and legacy of

Artist Kodzo Wilkinson

late Guyanese veteran artist Philip Moore. He also appreciates the life and work of Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh (1853– 1890).

Wilkinson’s artistic style is described as bold, daring, unique and

intriguing.

“I hope to travel with my art pieces and exhibit wherever I go. I am also interested in designing simple fashionable clothing,” he stated.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Untitled (Property of Dr Theodora Madekurozwa)

40 news

M

ount Roraima is located at the triple border of Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil in South America.

A stone monument stands at the tripoint on its summit, placed there in 1931.

It is the highest tabletop mountain or tepui of the Pakaraima Mountain chain and is more than 1.8 billion years old, containing some of the oldest formations on Earth.

Mount Roraima is about 9 miles (14 kilometres) long and 3 miles (5 kilometres) wide. Its wide, flat summit at 9,094 feet (2,772 meters) up, gives it its term “tabletop”.

Tepui is said to mean “house of the gods” in one indigenous Indian language.

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T&T AG: Illegal guns used in 72% murders I llegal firearms account for 72 per cent of murders in Trinidad and Tobago compared with 2.4 per cent in the United Kingdom, according to Attorney General Garvin Nicholas.

He was piloting the Bail (Amendment) Bill 2015 in the Senate which was passed Tuesday evening.

Noting that there were concerns about the bill, Nicholas said the bill’s provisions are designed to “ensure that it would not be business as usual with the illegal firearm-toting minority”.

He said normal lawabiding citizens have nothing to fear. He said persons who will be targeted by the bill are those who already have a pending charge for a serious offence and are then arrested and charged for possession of an unlicensed firearm, or those

TT Attorney General Garvin Nicholas

who are using an unlicensed firearm in the serious commission of a crime.

He said the bill will be in effect for 16 months.

He said he hoped this short duration would allay the fears of those who worry about the draconian provisions. “At least we would have tried,” he said, noting that after 16 months the bill would die a natural death and would cease to function.

Independent Senator Helen Drayton was critical of the amendment

and did not vote for it.

She said it would put more persons who may be innocent in jail for years. She said she had not heard a plausible explanation of what exactly the bill was designed to cure over previous bills.

She said despite the severity of the Anti-Gang law, only three to five persons have been prosecuted under the Anti-Gang law since 2011. Saying she believed there had to be judicial scrutiny over bail, Drayton said after Monday the nation saw a taste of what arbitrary action by the police can do. “So anyone who believes that this bill does not provide an opportunity for (police) abuse, I don’t think they are living in Trinidad and Tobago,” she said.

Drayton said there were other pressing priorities which needed addressing.

(Trinidad Express)

Jamaica cops seize rocket launcher, other weapons

Maverick Rock, the highest point on Mount Roraima

F

A L M O U T H , Trelawny: The Trelawny police have taken two men into custody in connection with the recovery of 11 illegal firearms, a rocket launcher and more than 300 rounds of assorted ammunition which were hidden in a barrel being transported by a pickup on Wednesday.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Odean Dennis, yesterday about 10:00 am, members of the Trelawny Highway Patrol were on a stopand-search operation on the Scarlett Hall main road in the parish when the driver of a motor vehicle was ordered to stop.

A search of the vehicle yielded: * one 40 mm rocket launcher; * an M-16, a Kalashnikov, and a

The weapons which were seized

sniper rifle; * two 9mm pistols and a .45 pistol; * a Uzi and an Intratech sub-machine gun; and * two shotguns.

The names of the two persons taken into custody have been withheld pending further investigation.

D e p u t y Superintendent Dennis, who is the crime officer for the Trelawny Police Division, argued that

had it not been for the vigilance of the police, the weapons would have slipped through the police dragnet as motorists signalled the presence of the police to the driver of the motor vehicle transporting the illegal weapons.

He pleaded with motorists to desist from flashing their headlights to notify oncoming motorists of the cops’ presence on the road.

(Jamaica Observer)

Caribbean tax haven resists UK pressure for company register

T

he government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) said it has no plans to establish a central register of true company owners, despite pressure from Britain to adopt the anti-money laundering and tax evasion measure.

The BVI said in a statement on Wednesday it was backing other measures it said would be at least as effective in ensuring law enforcement agencies can find out who is behind shell companies involved in financial crime.

British Prime Minister David Cameron proposed plans for a public register of the beneficial owners of all

British Prime Minister David Cameron

companies in 2013, during a G8 summit in Northern Ireland.

Some of the UK’s overseas territories, including the BVI, have opposed the move. (Reuters)

news 41

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T

Times Notebook

here is really an unholy obsession with Bharrat Jagdeo by a section of the media and by the Opposition and some of their cohorts. They live and breathe Jagdeo with their bitterness and venom that are unequivocally unfair to the former President, bad for them and certainly not helpful for Guyana.

There are constant, persistent and pernicious attacks on a man who has served Guyana with distinction and brought much honor to our nation.

First, we want to quickly dismiss the absurd notion that Jagdeo has no more role to play in Guyana. While they have not stated this directly, his critics seem to have concluded that since he cannot serve as President anymore in accordance with the constitutional provision of a two-term limit, this somehow disqualifies him from any participation in Guyana’s development and politics.

We cannot be clearer – the Constitution may have limited Jagdeo to two-terms for the Presidency, but nothing in the Constitution or any law in Guyana,

or elsewhere prohibits Jagdeo from being involved in Guyana’s politics and development.

The assertion by the Opposition and sections of the media that Jagdeo is imposing himself and seeking continued relevance in Guyana is not merely absurd, it is ugly, wrong and reprehensible.

The Constitution may now prohibit him from being President again, but the Constitution cannot prevent him from continuing his membership of the PPP/C and cannot restrict him from supporting and campaigning for the PPP/C in the upcoming elections or in any future elections in Guyana.

In seeking to restrict and prevent Jagdeo from doing his duty to his party, the Opposition leaders expose themselves – their stripes have not changed and their DNA runs deep in the tradition of dictators who live by the code of bullyism.

The Constitution, the law or political tradition in Guyana and around the world provides no argument against the participation of Jagdeo in support of his party or for him to assume political roles, such as a

The obsession with Bharrat Jagdeo

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Minister or a Member of Parliament.

Nothing in our laws or in global political tradition prevents the former President from assuming these roles. We are aware that Jagdeo has on many occasions stated as clearly as is possible that he is not interested in assuming a statutory role. But neither the Constitution nor the law prevents him from doing so.

So why is this obsession about him being on the PPP/C platform? Maybe those in Opposition think he is

too popular among the Guyanese people for him to be in this campaign.

Maybe, they are fearful that he is too tough for them to debate. Maybe, it is that they know that he can easily and effectively destroy the arguments they make against this Government. But maybe they also wishfully think they can bully and intimidate him to stay away.

There is deceit and dishonesty in the Opposition’s arguments that there is no relevance for Jagdeo in this election. Desmond Hoyte

was President of Guyana for a long time and he continued as Leader of the Opposition for almost 10 years. In the USA, Presidents who serve two terms are disqualified from running for the Presidency again, but nothing stops them from campaigning for their parties or for taking on any Government role they might be asked to serve in.

It stinks to heaven when the Kaieteur News carries a negative story, often a misleading negative story, in which Jagdeo has nothing to do with it, and in which his name is never mentioned, but they place his picture within the story.

Clearly, this is an effort to link Jagdeo to every negative thing in Guyana, including madeup negative things.

We are curious and we would like to see both the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News among the printed press explain to us why they have not questioned the wisdom of Granger and Nagamootoo and the APNU+AFC team being embraced by a New York Congressman who has been charged with corruption.

Recently, it was re-

vealed that the advisor on rice for APNU+AFC is wanted for incarceration in Florida, but these newspapers and TV newscasts choose to ignore this story.

Yet when certain individuals who did business with Guyana were similarly charged in the US, their transgressions became Jagdeo’s crimes. The local newspapers and TV newscasts that seem to have orgasmic satisfaction with blaming Jagdeo for everything carried on for months and continue to carry on as if Jagdeo was the criminal in these cases.

We need to stand firm and let Granger and Nagamootoo and their cohorts know that we would not be distracted by them and we are unmoved by their efforts to denigrate and diminish a great Guyanese son and a national hero.

We say to a man who has been described by CNN and Times Magazine as a “Champion of the Environment”, you are truly our hero.

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

42 news

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

After more than 30 years, Harper says farewell

A

fter serving Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry for more than 30 years, Elisabeth Harper on Wednesday resigned to take up fulltime work as Prime Ministerial Candidate for the PPP/C. “Today I said farewell to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to my phenomenal Minister, Honourable Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and remarkable staff. My

heart is overflowing with the words of appreciation, gratitude and encouragement spoken today. I leave with you all my love and God’s blessings always…this is all I want to say,” Harper stated as she repeated a social media post she made.

In photo, Harper is flanked by staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister Rodrigues-Birkett.

Fears of sickout after CAL talks collapse

T

alks between C a r i b b e a n Airlines (CAL) and the Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) have broken down and it’s pos¬sible there may be sick-out action by pilots over the long Eas¬ter weekend.

TTALPA industrial relations consultant Gerard Pinard told the Express in a telephone interview that pilots are considered essential and are precluded from taking any industrial action. “There certainly would not be any TTALPA-sanctioned action, but that does not mean that indi¬vidual pilots are not getting irri¬ta¬ted and aggravated with this situ¬ation with CAL,” said Pinard.

Sources told the Express some pilots were totally fed up with the situation and calling in sick may not be ruled out. There was a meeting between TTALPA and CAL on Tuesday which was disastrous as there was no outcome reached and TTALPA issued a statement to its members, informing them the talks have broken down. In the memo, dated March 31, 2015, TTALPA noted the breakdown of negotiations between CAL and TTALPA, for the period 2010 to 2013, has been referred to the Industrial Court by the Ministry of Labour as an unresolved trade dispute.

It explained in an effort to reduce the areas of disagreement between CAL and TTALPA, both parties agreed to informal conciliation proceed-

ings under the auspices of the Labour Ministry.

“Our efforts at negotiating our collective agreement during these infor¬mal conciliation meetings at the Ministry of Labour have regrettably broken down,” stated TTALPA. It informed it requested that CAL provide clarification on information a foreign-contracted B737 aircraft, and crew, with a work permit issued on March 6, was allowed to fly on a CAL route on February 22, in possible contravention of local laws.

TTALPA also requested the names and copies of the contracts of new hires on the ATR fleet, which services the airbridge between Trinidad and Tobago.

“We also made it clear to CAL that it was wholly unacceptable for the company to be engaging pilots on terms and conditions that were not negotiated on their behalf

by TTALPA, as the recognised majority union for pilots,” stated the association. “By going behind our backs and employing ‘scab labour’, we submitted that they were engaging in ‘unionbusting’ tactics,” it added. Pinard confirmed the contents of the memo and said CAL’s position at the meeting was not serious and certainly not in good faith. He said the matter is before the Industrial Court and parties have a deadline of April 17 by which to make any submissions.

He said CAL has been engaging contract pilots and first officers, in an attempt to deal with heavy flight schedules.

(Trinidad Express)

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WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

TT passes Bill to imprison illegal firearm offenders without bail

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: There will be no bail for up to 120 days if a person over the age of 18 is caught with an illegal gun or accused of using a gun in the commission of a crime.

The Bail (Amendment) Bill 2015 was passed in the Senate on Tuesday with a majority although three Opposition Senators voted against it.

I n d e p e n d e n t Senators Elton Prescott SC, Helen Drayton and temporary Senator Dr Aysha Edwards who is acting for Independent Senator Ian Roach voted against the Bill.

The Bill, once proclaimed by the President, will become law as it was already passed in the House of Representatives on March 20, with 36 members, including the Opposition bench, voting in favour of it. The Bill

required a special majority for passage and has a sunset clause—it expires August 2016.

At the Senate sitting on Tuesday, Attorney General Garvin Nicholas moved that the second reading of the Bail (Amendment) Bill, 2015 be taken and he kicked off the debate in the Upper House.

Both Opposition and the Independent benches raised concerns over the Bill but in the end the Opposition members all voted in favour. There were 27 votes in support of the Bill.

The Bill states that a court shall not grant bail to: (a) a person who is under the age of 18 years and charged with an offence under the AntiGang Act, 2011; (b) on or after the commencement of the Bail (Amendment) Act, 2015, is charged with an offence (i) under section

6 of the Firearms Act, where the person has a pending charge for an offence specified in Part II of the First Schedule; or (ii) specified in Part II of the First Schedule, except an offence under section 6 of the Firearms Act, where the prosecution informs the court that the person or any other person involved in the commission of the offence used or had in his possession a firearm or imitation firearm during the commission of the offence.

The person can apply for bail after 120 days if the prosecution has not started a case.

In winding up the debate on Tuesday, Nicholas said the Bill was geared to solve the problem of gun crimes in Trinidad.

He said at the end of the day the legislation is to solve one real issue—Trinidad and Tobago is overrun with

guns, and although the Government’s policies have kept criminals at bay there was need to go further to ensure people with firearms do not continue to terrorise the innocent people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Nicholas accused the PNM of being pretensive in its care and concern for the people in its constituencies.

“The constituencies which the PNM considered to be safe seats, if you walk those areas, if you talk to those people they are the ones, Mr Vice President, who are seriously affected by gun crimes,” said Nicholas.

He said he walked these areas and the people themselves thanked him for bringing the Bail (Amendment) Bill to deal with guns.

Opposition Senator Camille Robinson Regis asked Nicholas, “When you walk there?”

He responded that

he walked in the Diego Martin areas over the past couple weeks.

“That’s why you got beaten in the last election,” said Opposition Senator Fitzgerald Hinds.

“It is not about if I got beat in the election or not, the issue, Mr Vice President, is that I am here as the Attorney General today...to ensure that whatever I can do to protect the lives of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago I shall do,” said Nicholas.

He said he was startled that Opposition members could speak of confidence in judicial officers and apparent lack of confidence when it comes to the Police Service.

Nicholas said he has equal confidence in both the judiciary and law enforcement.

“Who killed Dana Seetahal?” asked an Opposition member.

“We will find out who,” said Nicholas as he went on to say there are “gaps” in the forensic system but Government was already looking at a system to engage private forensic services to fast track matters.

Nicholas pointed out that Opposition Senator Avinash Singh made a case for the Bail Bill as he himself noted that over 75 per cent of murders committed in Trinidad were by the use of firearms.

T e m p o r a r y Government Senator Wayne Sturge said the Bill was not draconian, adding that there were safeguards in place to deal with persons who may claim they are “set up” by police.

He said there have been cases before where persons made legal challenges against the State for gun charges and were vindicated in the courts.

(TT Express)

J’can Health Minister condemns attack on Cuban nurses

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson has condemned the attack on two Cuban nurses attached to the Buff Bay Community Hospital in Portland.

The nurses were reportedly attacked and injured by a gunman while at their residence.

“This is a disgusting and vicious act undertaken by a coward. To enter the residence of two females and attack them in this manner is cowardly and unforgivable, especially since they have committed themselves to service to the people of that community," Dr Ferguson said.

thing we can to bring the person to justice and I urge the residents of Buff Bay and anyone else who may have information to share it with the police immediately. None of us is immune to this kind of

Jamaica’s Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson

"It is time that we start thinking about the implications that these acts can have on our country as a whole and stand up against this type of be-

havior."

A release from the ministry said the matter has been reported to the police.

“We will do every-

action and so we have to support each other and send a strong message to criminals,” he urged.

“We cannot allow persons to disrupt services to others and prevent our health work-

ers from carrying out their duties in a safe and comfortable atmosphere," Dr Ferguson said.

Both nurses are said to be in stable condition.

(Jamaica Observer)

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Petite Shari Rhyner, the most senior dancer of the current Metamorphosis Dance Co, has been dancing for the past 26 years. A student of the Caribbean School of Dancing, she is trained in ballet and modern and has completed up to the Advanced 1 Level of Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations.

In 1998, after attend-

ing a summer intensive at Ballet Hispanico in New York as a teenage student of the Caribbean School, she became a member of the school’s Metamorphosis Dance Co. After completing her degree in business education at Florida A&M University, Rhyner returned home to Trinidad in December 2007, and decided that dance was still to play a major part of her life. She teaches now at various schools: the Caribbean

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

School of Dancing, Bishop Anstey Junior School, St Andrews Private School, Dunross Preparatory School and Holistic Primary School.

In 2002 and 2004 she was part of the company’s UK tour, visiting several cities, including Swindon, Bristol, Tewkesbury, Liverpool and London, performing at summer dance festivals and participating in workshops there. In May 2009 Rhyner performed Andre Largen’s

solo Le Deuil at Grenada's 10th Biennial International Dance Festival. In November that year she toured India with a national cast selected by the TT Entertainment Co, visiting Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Mumbai.

The birth of her son kept her off the stage last season but she is rehearsing to perform again this year as Metamorphosis celebrates its 20th anniversary. (TT Guardian)

Dancer Shari Rhyner in Black is the Colour.

feature 45

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Lady Bee-Keeper in Jamaica

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: "Nobody around here had ever seen a lady bee-keeper till her. She liked to tell everybody that women made the best bee-keepers, 'cause they have a special ability built into them to love creatures that sting. It comes from years of loving children and husbands."

-- Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees We love the novel The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It's a gripping, funny and poignant story that uses the backdrop of the art of beekeeping as a metaphor for life and the varied roles that we, as women, play.

This story resonated so much with us that we were inspired to seek out our own modern Jamaican example of a lady bee-keeper: Enter Grace Foster-Reid.

Grace Foster-Reid is one of a handful of active commercial bee-keepers and honey producers in Jamaica today, producing top-quality organic honey with innovaton and, pun intended, grace under her brand Eco Farms.

In fact, bees function under an uber-efficient system of production that many modern-day facto-

ries would kill to replicate. Intrigued, we asked Grace to take us to one of her farms so that we could observe the process for ourselves. Bees live in colonies, or what we like to call little apartment buildings that are, essentially, production centres for honey.

Each colony is controlled by a queen bee (you know we love that part) and the worker bees run around doing her bidding and protecting her, which sounds even better!

Jokes aside, the queen bee is the heart and soul of a honey bee colony and is the only bee without which the rest of the colony could not survive; in essence, a good quality queen means a strong and productive hive.

Take note, gentlemen!

Only one queen lives in a given hive; she is the largest bee in the colony, with a long and graceful body.

As the only female with fully developed ovaries, the queen's two primary purposes are to produce chemical scents that help regulate the unity of the colony and to lay lots of eggs.

All other bees pay close attention to the queen, tending to her every need. Like royalty, she's always surrounded

(L)Managing Director of EcoFarms Grace Foster-Reid shows the part of the beehive that is used to collect honey, commonly known as a honey super & (R)Owner of EcoFarms, Grace Foster-Reid

by a flock of attendants as she moves about the hive.

Yet, in this instance, the royal attendants are not there to simply indulge the whims and fancies of a spoiled diva; they do, in fact, play a vital role and are essential to her survival because the queen is totally incapable of tending to her own basic needs.

The queen can neither feed nor groom herself and she can never leave the hive. And so, her doting attendants take care of her basic needs while she tirelessly goes from cell to cell doing what she does best... laying eggs.

Now you know why we were so intrigued.

Prior to our visit to see the hives we got a quick lesson on the do's and don'ts from Grace and then, layered up and armed with camera in hand, we braved our fears and headed out in search of Queen Bee. Actually, we felt a bit like the paparazzi on the lookout for Lady Di, but that's another story all together.

Like most celebrities, however, our queen was evasive allowing us only a quick glimpse, proving herself to be more than just a little camera shy...

Grace's skill and innovation as a lady bee-

keeper exceeded our wildest imagination and was reflected in her unique range of honey and honey-derived products.

Eco Farms has certainly reinvented this sweet classic by introducing a range of flavoured honeys like coffee, lemongrass lime and tamarind. It even produces a pimento and a logwood honey, to boot.

The pimento honey was, as Grace calls it, a "buck-up".

One day she randomly discovered that the bees on one of her farms had started gathering nectar from the blossoms

of the pimento tree -- who even knew that pimento trees had blossoms?

The result: a sinfully delicious, and equally rare treat that holds subtle notes of pimento and allspice... we were blown away! Eco Farms is also the first to launch mead.

Mead or honey wine, for the uninitiated, is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks known to man.

Made from honey and water via fermentation with yeast, mead tastes a little bit like sherry. It can be still, carbonated, or sparkling; dry, semisweet, or sweet; plain or flavoured with other ingredients. To take it up a notch Grace also produces her honey wines in a variety of Jamaican flavours such as starfruit, sorrel and otaheitie apple, to name a few.

After a day spent in the gracious company of our hostess enjoying some true Jamaican hospitality, The Secret Life of Bees comes once again to mind; in particular we recall the quick lesson on "bee etiquette" offered up

by August Boatwright, the lady bee-keeper, to Lily Owens, the protagonist, and we marvel once again at its relevance as a methodology for dealing with the many nuances of life. (Jamaica Observer)

46 news

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“Viability of Guyana's gold industry becoming difficult” – Harding … low declarations a result of market

BY GOMATIE GANGADIN

I

t is becoming more and more difficult for gold miners to ply their trade with the current prices on the world market and with Guyana recording a drop in gold declarations by more than 30 per cent last year.

This is according to the President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) Patrick Harding who spoke to Guyana Times on Monday. According to Harding, just one week after the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) announced that there has been an increase in gold prices on the international market since the beginning of February 2015, the price has again dropped.

He noted that while the prices has again dropped and may possibly rise again, he does not believe that it will rise to anything significant. “It

is not going to grow more than US$1250,” Harding said.

While 2015 began with the price of gold quoted by the London Fix at US$1184.25, the market prices initially fluctuated within a US$1140 to US$1190 before slipping back to US$1181.80 an ounce as of Monday, March 30.

Harding related that despite the highs and lows, 2013 was the year which proved to be the one with the highest gold declaration figure where as this year was “a trying time” for the miners since the challenges and financial obligations were still too many.

Total gold declaration at December 20, 2014 decreased by 22.61 per cent when compared to 2013, while gold purchased by the Guyana Gold Board had decreased by 41.24 per cent for the same period. In 2013, the gold industry declared a total of 481,087 ounces of

GGDMA President Patrick Harding

gold which represented a 9.7 per cent increase over the previous year’s figure.

Meanwhile, according to Harding, while 2014 generally saw a low declaration; when

the first two months of 2014 were compared to January and February of 2015, declarations for this year so far are lower.

At that meeting, a 10 per cent reduction in tax

for diesel fuel imported for the sector which was requested by the miners was approved, with the necessary measures put in place with relevant agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). The cost of fuel has often been cited as the largest expenditure for miners, often around 40 per cent of production cost.

A licence was also granted to GGDMA to import fuel for use within the sector. There was also a proposal to examine the granting of duty-free concessions to miners whose operations exceeded a certain level of production, and this too has been approved.

Meanwhile, the GGB is urging all producers and other holders of gold to sell and declare the gold in their possession noting that in order for the declaration to be encouraged, the Government of Guyana has approved duty-free

waivers for the importation of various required vehicles for gold producers, Harding noted that it was not the fault of the miners that the declaration has been low..

He noted that while it is worrying that the declarations have dropped by 30 per cent and the industry is becoming seemingly impossible to survive in, the GGMC and the GGDMA have been making it a priority to find ways in which they can encourage people to come back and to stay to make the industry viable.

Gold exports for the 2013 fiscal year amounted to US$648.5 million, a 9.5 per cent decline compared to 2012. The sharp decline was linked to the average price of US$1344 per ounce compared to US$1575 in 2012, negating the six per cent increase in export volume, which amounted to 482,527 ounces.

PM: TT must Labour Market Information System helping be jewel of the J’can students make wise career choices K Americas Gov’t finalises proposed Sando Waterfront Project

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced that Cabinet will this week consider and finalise one of the largest proposed investments in South Trinidad—the San Fernando Waterfront Development Project.

The project would open the gateway to industry in the South and would transform Trinidad and Tobago into one of the jewels of the Americas, she said.

Persad-Bissessar was speaking at the United National Congress (UNC) Monday Night Forum in Debe.

“San Fernando is our second city. We intend to do the waterfront development project for San Fernando there. That waterfront, we have created the infrastructure phase. And Cabinet will this week consider and finalise one of the largest investments in South Trinidad. The feasibility study for the project has been completed. My vision of Trinidad and Tobago is that Trinidad and Tobago must be the jewels of the Americas,”

she said.

Persad-Bissessar said the waterfront project would “open up” the entire southern community, creating jobs and investment.

And as Government moves to complete the TT$7.5 billion Solomon Hochoy Highway extension to Point Fortin, Persad-Bissessar reminded citizens that construction will soon begin on the San Fernando to Mayaro highway.

She said the sod will soon be turned to begin construction of the Point Fortin and Arima hospitals.

And a specialist hospital will be built at Clarke Road, Penal.

Persad-Bissessar delivered the bag of goodies to a roaring crowd at Debe Junction.

She said the Port of Spain General Hospital and Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex will be refurbished and modernised.

Minister of Housing and Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal told supporters that a fire station will also be constructed in Penal in the next five years. (TT Express)

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Making a career choice is one of the most important decisions that anyone will make in their lifetime.

However, before that decision can be made there are many factors to consider such as personal interests, earning potential, parental influence, qualifications and labour trends.

This decision can be especially daunting for high school leavers.

That is the main the reason why the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its Labour Market Information System (LMIS) division, has made it its mission to traverse throughout the island to educate high school students on all they need to know about making wise career choices.

Director of Research and Analysis within the Ministry, Simone McKenzie-Mair, tells the Jamacian media that the initiative, which began in 2009, was born out of a need to work with students on their career development, especially those from non-traditional high schools.

“Sometimes they don’t do very well in their subjects and career choices. So we decided to work with them in a more detailed way rather than just having expos,” she says.

The LMIS is the arm of the Ministry that is responsible for providing cost free employment information to employers and jobseekers. It also provides career guidance and training and has three components, the Electronic Labour Exchange, the Skills Bank and the Labour Market Intelligence.

Student Council president and aspiring lawyer, Odeka, says “sessions like these are crucial and should be considered in other schools because you want to make sure that students leaving our in-

Director, Planning, Research and Monitoring Unit, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Andrea Patterson-Morris addresses students of the Holy Trinity High School in Kingston, on appropriate work attire during a recent “Life after Grade 11 Career intervention” session held at the school recently.

stitutions are prepared for the working world”.

Evaughn, who is the school’s Deputy Head Boy, says “each student should have this experience especially for those who come from the inner-city who are stuck in a certain mindset and don’t expect much of themselves”.

Though still undecided about his career choice, he is confident that when he finally makes that decision it will be the right one.

For students like Evaughn who are uncertain about their career path, Mrs. McKenzie-Mair is suggesting that they select Information Technology as one of their CSEC subjects as there are a number of jobs in the field.

According to her there are also emerging jobs in the tourism and business processing outsourcing sectors for school leavers.

The Research and Analysis Director is advising students to be aware of current labour trends through the LMIS and the media and to form networks as well as to do a mixture of subjects that can easily allow them to move from one

field to the next.

She stresses the importance of volunteerism as it will provide school leavers with the experience that is required by most employers.

In the last two years, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its LMIS division has been successful in obtaining scholarships for two students from the Holy Trinity High School to pursue associate degrees in Information technology and Natural Sciences.

The Ministry also provides grants to school leavers through its social intervention programmes.

Meanwhile, students are being encouraged to register with the LMIS so that they can benefit from its services, be updated on the current labour market trends and so become competitive in the job market.

As part of ongoing research Mrs. McKenzie-Mair says that the Ministry will be conducting a tracer study to track the progress and to provide continuing support to students. (JIS)

news 47

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Harvard Business Review to report on Jamaica's FDI attractiveness

When Harree met Lalloo

S

atiricus had long been a big time fan of Brother Bob Marley. And had freed his mind of “mental slavery”. But he was still more than a bit upset when folks snickered at Lalloo Ram for insisting they call him “Chris”.

OK…OK…. All Lalloo’s buddies had followed Brother Bob’s advise and changed their slave names back to real original ones like “Mwahebi Olumba” (meaning “one who stopped eating pork”) and such like. But hey!! Didn’t some other poet (not as famous as Brother Bob) ask, “What’s in a name??”

Satiricus felt vindicated when it was revealed that Lalloo was actually a British citizen. Can’t have a Britisher called “Lalloo”, can you?? You can have one named “Lily Lolo” but that’s grist for another mill. There WAS something in a name! And Satiricus hoped that all those who couldn’t stop giggling at Lalloo’s suspenders and pedantic language would ease up now.

“But what was Harree Narayan’s excuse?” wondered Satiricus at the subject that had brought about this train of thought. Here it was that for donkey years (not “asses years” – that’s not suitable for a family newspaper!) Harree had been telling one and all that he was “Ralf” even though he boasted HE never suffered from mental slavery!!

He had solved the contradictions of dialectical effluvia…and saw things in their “essences”.

Satiricus only discovered Rolph was actually Harree when he read in the GTimes that “the man who would be President” had opened up a bank account in Barbados to clean up some money that had fallen into mud.

And those Bajans insisted he tell them his real name – or they would put him on the “GUYANESE bench” to sit for days. Rolph confessed right away that his real name was “Harree Narayan”.

He had “pile” and couldn’t sit on the GUYANESE bench too long.

But why would Harree hide his real name??

Could it be that he too was British?? If he was “British” he couldn’t run for President!! That was it! More than anything else in the world, Harree wanted to be President. He really wanted to have those Police cars with their sirens wailing when he would travel around.

But more important, when he sent his money that keeps on falling into mud to be washed in Bajan banks, they wouldn’t be able to ask him for his real name. Immunities!!

And this explained what a little birdie had told him: Lalloo was suing GTimes on Harree’s behalf for blowing his cover. The Brits have to stick together, wot?

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica's attractiveness as a destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) could sink or swim with the upcoming publication of a report on its readiness by an influential business magazine.

International magazine Harvard Business Review (HBR) has recruited three international reporters to come to Jamaica to assess the country's ability to attract FDI over the next few years.

The magazine, a publication of the ivy league Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has a readership of more than 600,000 that includes highly placed business executives and decisionmakers.

"We came to Jamaica to look at the transformations that have been taking place in the economy, the government, and of the country realising its vision 2030 goal," project coordinator from international communication agency World Investment News (WINNE), Emma Goldsmith, told the Jamaica's media in an interview last Friday.

WINNE has partnered with HBR for the publication of in-depth economic reports of countries or regions around the world looking to attract FDI through economic development.

When published, the report on Jamaica is expected to reach more than 600,000 readers globally.

Goldsmith, who has been in Jamaica with teammates Ernesto DiazBastien and Simone Goldsmith over the past month, said Jamaica is the first Caribbean country to be economically reviewed by the magazine company.

She stated that Jamaica was awarded the review after being placed at the highest ranking in the Caribbean on the ease of doing business in the World Bank's Doing Business Report along with the passing of seven International Monetary Fund tests.

Concurrently, the planned visit of the United States President Barack Obama to Jamaica also presents an opportunity to communicate Jamaica's development to the international investment community, according to Goldsmith.

So far, the researchers have discussed development plans with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing.

Interviews have also

(From left) Reporters Simone Goldsmith, Ernesto Diaz-Bastien and Emma Goldsmith

been conducted with the private sector groups to thoroughly understand the Jamaica's growth strategies as well as the opportunities that are available, Goldsmith said.

Under Jamaica's logistics hub programme, the Government anticipates that about 16 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) will be developed as trading and distribution hubs.

The SEZ Green Paper, which was recently tabled in Parliament, proposes a number of fiscal and nonfiscal incentives to attract international businesses over the medium to long

term, including a low corporate tax rate for qualified companies.

"Diane Edwards from JAMPRO certainly went into the different opportunities available in Jamaica, especially in tourism and the business process outsourcing sector which is certainly something important to foreign investors," Goldsmith stated.

Jamaica is in close proximity to US with English speaking, highly trained individuals that can create more competitive businesses for international investors, according to the reporter.

"I believe the SEZ ini-

tiative is a big influence for investors looking in but we are not clear on what the fiscal and nonfiscal incentives will be for investors, so the Government needs to continue working on that," she added. The reporters are expected to conclude their research over the next three weeks.

HBR is a wholly owned publication of the Harvard Business School.

It is considered a general management magazine that focuses mainly on management techniques and is read by senior corporate and financial decision- makers. (Jamaica Observer)

48 Hollywood

WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Vanessa Hudgens admits to being really mean while dating Zac Efron

V

anessa Hudgens, who earlier dated her 'High School Musical' co-star Zac Efron, has revealed that she went through a phase when she was really mean to Efron because she was so fed up.

The American actress asserted that girls used to run after Efron, and she used to give them death stares and then she realized that was not what that was about, the New York Times reported.

The 26-year-old actress added that she realized that one should spread the love, be a good person, support others and be nice.

Hudgens is now dating American actor Austin Butler. (TOI)

Johnny Depp's hand injury delays production on 'Pirates'

T

he production on "Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" in Australia will resume around April 15 after the shooting was shut down for several weeks follow-

ing Johnny Depp's return to the US for hand surgery.

The producers had said that there would be "minimal impact" to the shoot as the delay was expected to be of two

weeks but that break has now extended to at least four weeks, said the Hollywood Reporter.

The actor is reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the fifth installment of the hit franchise, alongside Geoffrey Rush and Javier Bardem.

The scenes without Depp are being shot after the actor's departure to the US on March 10.

About half of the 400 strong crew has been told that there would be no work for at least two weeks on the Disney movie, that is slated to release on July 7, 2017.

(TOI)

Angelina Jolie gives inspiring first post-surgery speech saying 'different is good'

A

ngelina Jolie recently made her first appearance post-surgery, giving an encouraging speech by saying "Different is good. So, don't fit".

The 39-year old actress, who attended the '2015 Kids' Choice Awards' with her kids Zahara and Shiloh, where she received the award for 'Favorite Villain,' gave an inspirational speech, and moved the audience by saying, "Don't ever try to be less than what you are, and when someone tells you that you are different, smile and hold your head up high and be proud", E! Online reported.

The mother of six also shared that one should never be "afraid" of being different and ended her speech in a villain style, saying that it was fine to cause a little trouble, as long as it was

good.

Among the other winners were, Favorite Movie Actor-Ben Stiller, Favorite Movie Actress-Emma Stone, Favorite Cartoon-'Spongebob Squarepants', and Favorite Kids TV Show-'Austin and Ally'.

Foxx slammed for making fun of Bruce Jenner

A

ctor Jamie Foxx has been criticised for making fun about Bruce Jenner's reported gender transition, while hosting the iHeartRadio Awards.

While introducing what the show would have in store, Foxx, 47, took a dig at Jenner, saying, "We've got some groundbreaking performances here, too, tonight. Bruce Jenner will be here doing some musical performances -- he's doing a his-and-her duet all by himself."

The host was called out by viewers at home, who took to Twitter

to criticize his transphobic jokes, said The Hollywood Reporter.

One wrote, "Boo! Shame on you #iHeartAwards for allowing @ iamjamiefoxx to be

transphobic on national television!

Those #BruceJenner jokes were wrong!!!"

"Jamie Foxx's transphobic jokes at the iHeartRadio about Bruce Jenner were gross, glad they didn't garner much laughs," another Twitterati said.

A viewer posted, "@ iamjamiefoxx making transphobic jokes at Bruce Jenner's expense while Kylie is in the audience? Grow up & educate yourself. #iHeartAwards" Kylie is one of Bruce's daughters with reality TV star Kris Jenner. (TOI)

Live-action version of 'Mulan' Zayn Malik, fiancee Perrie in the works at Disney

Edwards go house hunting

F

ormer One Direction star Zayn Malik, and fiancee Perrie Edwards were are reportedly checking a mock-Tudor mansion in Welwyn, Hertfordshire.

The mansion is said to have seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, four reception rooms, a huge open-plan kitchen, gym, games room, and parking enough for dozens of cars, reported Daily Mirror.

The two are reportedly planning to wed in spring and have also been looking at marriage venues.

"When Zayn proposed to Perrie nearly two years ago it was so he could marry her".

"Now though, he wants to make that right and get married as soon as

they can plan the day they have been dreaming of since Zayn asked Perrie to marry him back in 2013. Neither of them can wait now that they have the chance to do that," a source said. (TOI)

D

isney is now working on a liveaction version of 1998 Academy Awardnominated animated film, 'Mulan.'

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the studio has already bought a script centered on lead character Fa Mulan, the female warrior who fought in the Chinese army.

This latest remake project would be the first film to feature a nonwhite lead.

The company's recent live-action 'Cinderella' opened in theaters 3

weeks ago to critical acclaim, and has so far grossed 335.7 million dollars in global ticket sales.

Disney might just be planning to make a live action of its every project,

as in addition to the upcoming 'Beauty and the Beast' live-action starring Emma Watson, the studio is also making a 'Dumbo' movie with Tim Burton as director. (TOI)

Banks on the popular sitcom from 1990 to 1996.

The actress shared a quick selfie of the duo on Instagram, writing "Backstage @blackgirlsrock @mbib #imagineafuture #nofilter #fam #tatyanaali #willsmith #FRESHPRINCE." The TV cousins have been reunited before, with Ali joining another "Fresh Prince" star Alfonso Ribeiro at the premiere of Smith's 2008 film "Seven Pounds".

(TOI)

Sam Worthington, Lara Bingle Will Smith reunites with 'The welcome baby boy Fresh Prince...' co-star

A

ctor Sam Worthington and partner Lara Bingle have welcomed their first child, a baby boy.

The baby was born a few days ago and still there is no report yet on what name has been chosen for the little bundle of joy, reported E!Online.

The couple's new arrival is not the only secret Worthington, 38, and 27-year-old Bingle

have been keeping lately.

For weeks fans have been speculating on whether or not the couple have tied the knot after Bingle was featured on the cover of Gritty Pretty magazine earlier this month with her name written as, Lara Bingle Worthington.

The Australian model and entrepreneur also recently changed her named on Instagram

W

to Lara Bingle Worthington.

They were first reported to be dating in October 2013. (TOI)

ill Smith and his "The Fresh Prince of BelAir" co-star Tatyana Ali were reunited at the 2015 Black Girls Rock event.

Smith, 46, who was at the show to present an award to his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, ran into his co-star Ali backstage at the show in Newark, New Jersey.

Ali, 36, played Smith's cousin Ashley

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WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Tabu not in Murugadoss’ Lauren Gottlieb’s Akira with Sonakshi dream comes true

A

R Murugadoss' 'Akira', that is set to go on the floor later this year, has Sonakshi Sinha

in the lead. The film was also meant to have Tabu in an important role.

However, after a round of discussions, the powerhouse actress is said to have opted out of the movie.

While a segment of the media even went as far as to say that Tabu had shot for four days before staging a walkout, others hinted that her decision to not do the film had something to do with date issues. While the actress didn't revert to our text message, her spokesperson said, "There has been no official announcement of Tabu being in the film because she hasn't signed it. Naturally she hasn't shot for it either. So the question of leaving the movie doesn't arise either.

Talks were definitely on. However the shooting dates were an issue.

Since Tabu is currently shooting for the 'Drishyam' remake and she didn't wish to be in a spot with a date-clash; she has decided not to do 'Akira'."

(TOI)

Raai Laxmi lands a special role in 'Akira'

R

aai Laxmi is set to make her Bollywood debut in a special appearance in A.R. Murugadossdirected "Akira", which features Sonakshi Sinha in the lead. The Southern actress has already joined the team on sets.

"Happy 2 announce my first debut in Bollywood as a guest appearance fr @ARMurugadoss sirs movie #Akira a great start (sic)," Laxmi posted on her Twitter page.

Said to be the remake of Tamil sleeper hit "Mounaguru", the film also features Anurag Kashyap as the antagonist.

"It was great experience 2 share my screen space with @anuragkashyap72Aa versatile actor director n multi talented," she posted.

The film, a thriller, is currently on floors and is produced by Fox Star Studios "Akira" will also feature Sonakshi's father and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha in an important role. It marks Murugadoss's third Hindi venture af-

with three big films

T

hough she started off as a Hollywood import, today, Lauren Gottlieb has become a household name, thanks to her perfect score almost every week on the dance reality show, 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6'. The actress, who made her Bollywood de-

but with Remo D'Souza's 'ABCD: Any Body Can Dance', will soon be seen in 'ABCD 2' alongside Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor.

While she was shooting the climax of ABCD 2, she got a call from the makers of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy to choreograph a promotional song for the film. Lauren reveals, "Sushant Singh Rajput has always been vocal about being my fan and he suggested my name to Aditya Chopra and Dibakar Banerjee." Adding that she had the time of her life working with them, she continues, "I was completely bowled over when they asked me to not just choreograph, but also feature in their next promotional song, Calcutta Kiss."

Interestingly, she has also been signed on to play an ISI agent in Vashu Bhagnani's Welcome To Karachi. "I've always wanted to step out of the dance zone and do an action role. So, I'm just pinching myself that my dream has come true," she enthuses. Lauren, who wants to do more films in the future, says, "Everyone I work with calls me a workaholic and I'm happy with that.

This is my biggest passion in life and I'll always give it my all." (TOI)

Shahwar Ali ties the knot with Marcel

M

ter back-to-back hits "Ghajini" and "Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty".

(TOI)

odel-actor Shahwar Ali tied the knot with his girlfriend, Marcela Ayesha in an intimate ceremony in Mumbai on Friday.

Shahwar uploaded a just married picture on his Facebook account and thanked his friends from the fashion industry who were sending in their wishes. The couple had been together for the last two years.

According to reports, the nikaah ceremony will be followed with a traditional wedding function in Shahwar's hometown, Bhopal and

a wedding reception for their modeling friends in Mumbai. Ayesha. (TOI)

Shahid Kapoor's fiancee Mira Karan Johar nervous Rajput goes off Facebook to avoid attention about 'Bombay Velvet'

S

eems like the celebrity status for Shahid Kapoor's fiancee Mira Rajput is getting too hot for her to handle. According to the sources, the affable girl has deactivated her Facebook account and

is completely off social media now.

"Initially, she deleted a couple of people from her Facebook friend list, but now she has completely deactivated her Facebook account. She was get-

ting too many friend requests, and got sick of all the attention," tells our source. However, there are umpteen fake profiles of the girl floating around on Facebook and Twitter, with even a couple of fan pages dedicated to her.

Mira has already become a celebrity of sorts at the Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi, where she a student of third year in the English Honours course. "When she returned to college after the mid-sems, the news was already out.

Girls now slyly try clicking her pictures. Even if she's texting or talking on her mobile phone.

Shahid met Mira through the spiritual group Radhasoami Satsang Beas, and the actor has confirmed that marriage is indeed on the cards in December this year. (TOI)

F

ilmmaker Karan Johar, who is foraying into acting with Anurag Kashyap's "Bombay Velvet", is "nervous" and "stressed out" about how his negative character in the film will be accepted by the audience.

In the romantic thriller, 'KJo' plays a villain called Kaizad Khambatta, who has a flamboyant character.

"I am really nervous about it because it's my first foray into acting," the filmmaker, who did a small role in Yash Raj Films "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", said here.

"I am really stressed out about how it is going to be accepted when it is out," he added.

Although, the stylish filmmaker wears black normally, he was made to wear all colours in the film. And

he could not throw tantrums even courtesy "Bombay Velvet" director Anurag Kashyap. He feels Kashyap is "a person you can't hold tantrums with".

"I wear a lot of black but I have worn all kinds of colours in the film. I just kept my mouth shut because I felt that as an actor I can't have the perspective because I have to follow the vision of the filmmaker, and that's what I want from the actors myself," said

Johar, who was present at the cover launch of Filmfare's Glamour & Style Issue.

"I couldn't throw tantrums on the sets and Anurag is somebody you can't hold tantrums with because he has a clear vision," he added.

Also starring Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor, "Bombay Velvet" is set for release on May 15.Kapoor, "Bombay Velvet" is set for release on May 15. (TOI)

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Demerara Distillers in TT's Lucas wins at Falcon Games P CPL’s corner again – Guyana to host 4 games between July 15 and 21

By Avenash Ramzan

B

ursting with excitement after the success of the previous two editions, El Dorado Rum has sealed its partnership for the third staging of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) set to bowl off June 20 in Barbados and conclude on July 26 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Dubbed “The Biggest Party in Sport”, the sixteam franchise tournament will once again feature some of the world’s best T20 players competing in front of anticipated sold-out crowds and millions via their television sets across the globe.

At a simple ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday, officials of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), the makers of El Dorado Rum, were on hand to finalise their partnership with CPL, which was represented by Commercial Director Jamie Stewart.

DDL Marketing Director Sharda VeerenChand spoke glow-

ingly of the company’s partnership with the Region’s premier T20 tournament, which was conceptualised in 2013.

“Cricket fans can once again celebrate with the world’s best rum as they enjoy what has grown into the Biggest Party in Sport. This year, we promise an even greater engagement with our fans and you can expect that there will be new and exciting opportunities to engage with the brand,” Veeren-Chand said.

It was also announced that Guyana will host four games between July 15 and 21. Guyana Amazon Warriors will feature in all four matches, as the organisers have opted to give each franchise four home games.

On July 15, Guyana Amazon Warriors will play 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs at 18:00h; on July 17 they will come up against St Lucia Zouks at 20:00h; on July 18 they will play defending champions Barbados Tridents at

16:00h; and on July 21, they will face Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel from 18:00h.

St Kitts and Nevis will host 10 games, Trinidad and Tobago seven, while Barbados, St Lucia and Jamaica will be the venue for four matches each.

Meanwhile, Guyana Amazon Warriors allrounder Christopher Barnwell, who also attended Tuesday’s ceremony, said he was eagerly looking forward to the tournament, noting his excitement that Guyana would be hosting four home games.

A total of 33 games are billed for this year’s tournament, which will be contested by Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Kitts Patriots, St Lucia Zouks, and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

St Kitts Patriots will make their maiden appearance in the tournament, replacing the Antigua Hawksbills, who played the first two editions. (Guyana Times)

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Josanne Lucas was the class of the Falcon Games women’s 400 metres hurdles field, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, late on Friday.

Running in lane four, the 2009 IAAF World Championship bronze medallist quickly established her superiority, seizing full control of the race by the halfway mark. Clearly, Lucas’ only challenger would be the clock, and when the Tobago athlete crossed the finish line in 59.82 seconds, her closest rival was only just clearing the final hurdle.

Antonia Attale finished a distant second in one minute, 07.23 seconds, while third spot went to Mikayla Ottley (1:08.06).

Aleena Brooks emerged victorious in the women’s 800m, completing her two laps of the track in 2:11.40.

Dawnel Collymore produced a solid run, clocking 2:12.67 to secure the runner-up spot.

Cliffton Sylvester won the men’s 800m in 1:53.18, beating Ashton Gill (1:54.17) and George Smith (1:55.60) into second and third, respectively.

The Boys Under-18 discus event was keenly contested, Daniel McNish eventually winning with a 42.32 metres throw. Clarence

Alena Brooks, right, wins the Falcon Games women’s 800 metres event, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, on Friday. Brooks returned a time of two minutes, 11.40 seconds, while her Memphis Pioneers teammate, Dawnel Collymore, finished second in 2:12.67

Hannibal and Isaiah Greaves also went past the 42-metre mark, but had to settle for the minor medals. Hannibal threw 42.18m for silver, while Greaves landed the disc 42.03m to bag bronze. Nkosi James (41.97m) was also a contender for top honours, but was forced into fourth spot.

Genesis Romero disturbed the sand at 6.17m to strike gold in the women’s long jump.

The Venezuelan athlete is expected to clash with Lucas in today’s 100m hurdles.

Jehue Gordon is on the start list for the men’s 400m final. The reigning 400m hurdles world champion clocked 49.68 seconds in Friday’s preliminary

round to advance to the championship race as the seventh fastest of the eight qualifiers.

Nicholas Deshong was the fastest of the one-lap qualifiers, the Barbadian getting home in 48.35 seconds.

Romona Modeste established herself as the favourite for women’s 400m honours when she won her qualifying heat, on Friday, in 55.84 seconds.

One of the highpoints on the programme will be the men’s 100m dash, expected to feature TT sprinters Darrel Brown, Emmanuel Callender, Marcus Duncan and Jonathan Farinha, as well as Barbadian Levi Cadogan and Suriname’s Ifrish Alberg. (TT Express)

Jamaica hunt scalp of another Spanishspeaking opponent in second friendly

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Jamaica’s Joel Grant (right) in a keen battle with Venezuela’s Alexander Gonzalez in their international friendly at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Friday. Jamaica won 2-1.

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica will look to build on their recent victory over Venezuela when they face Caribbean neighbours Cuba on Monday in their last competitive assignment before embarking on the Copa

America tournament in Chile in June.

Match time is 8:00 pm at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

The Boyz, who defeated Venezuela 2-1 on Friday night, will be without wide midfielders Joel McAnuff, and Garath McCleary, who

were scheduled to return to their respective clubs. McAnuff's Leyton Orient club had reached an agreement with head coach Winfried Scahefer to use the player in just one of the two friendly engagements, while McCleary needs medical continued on page 55

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WEEK ENDING April 5, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Female apprentice makes her racing debut in TT P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Darcelle Rodrigo, 22 years old, took her first major step towards becoming a professional jockey when she lined up alongside a packed field of seasoned male riders at the Arima Race Club, Santa Rosa Park, on Saturday.

Vying for honours atop her noble stead, HESUNTOUCHABULL, Rodrigo announced her competitive debut along the sandy track in event eight — a race for horses rated 40-0.

It was not a dream debut for the apprentice but Sunday’s historic ride for the young jockey is expected to be a learning experience in her pursuit of achieving the ultimate goal of becoming a professional female horseback rider for Trinidad and Tobago. Rodrigo had a nice break as the horses bolted out the gates but she faded as the race progressed.

Speaking to the Mt Hope Secondary graduate prior to her saddling up on Saturday, Rodrigo revealed that com-

peting at the Arima Race Club is indeed a dream come through for her.

“All my life I’ve grown up on farms with horses so I’ve been around and worked with them all my life,” said an excited Rodrigo on Friday.

“My grandfather is the one who encouraged us in horses because we used to live with him. I used to help around with the horses by filling their water, brushing them, taking them for walks and giving them baths. I’ve always loved riding horses and I really would like to do this professionally. Being one of the only young females in this sport, I’m still motivated because of my passion for these animals.”

Having previously worked at local farms such as Whittaker, Anand Persad and presently employed at Gonzales’, Rodrigo admitted that every one of her opposing male riders on Saturday are also close friends of hers and her family.

Even though horse racing is indeed a globally male-dominated sport,

Rodrigo hopes that Saturday’s debut can inspire her to not only work harder, but to also raise a nationwide awareness for females who wish to veer into the masculine territory of professional horse racing.

Prior to her race, Rodrigo had been receiving several competitive tips from family members and caretakers of ‘HESUNTOUCHABULL’. She and her stallion have a long history together. Rodrigo recapped her first time encounter with what she described as a “bad” colt approximately five years ago.

“When I first went into his (HESUNTOUCHABULL) paddock, about five years ago, he was a very feisty horse. At that time, I used to work in the yard because this was the only area I was allowed to work in.

The trainer at that time always promised me a ride on him. But I have been training basically all my life and this is where I get a shot at my dreams,” she added.

And even though Saturday’s opponents were familiar faces of friends at the starting line, Rodrigo noted that the final result does not really matter at such a tender stage of her hopefully future career.

“I will not be intimidated because I consider all the other jockeys my family. We sometimes have little competitions amongst ourselves during the day so we are a close bunch, but I still want to win. It’s the crowd that might more than likely make me nervous. I still feel at home even if I’m competing against some of my good friends.

Everyone is saying my horse has a good chance so I’m not too worried.

The instructions I’ve received from the groom and others is to try to remain in front of the race. Ultimately, I would like to continue growing and go on to win a derby or champion apprentice title. This would be ideal for me. I hope to someday be a role model for younger women to come into the sport,” Rodrigo concluded. (TT Newsday)

Jamaican Bloomfield not surprised by record sub-45 run at Champs

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I N G S T O N , JAMAICA: His story is similar in some ways to that of Usain Bolt's. Some say his long legs remind them of the legendary Arthur Wint.

Most believe he is destined for greatness. He is Akeem Bloomfield -- the rising star of the 400m.

Bloomfield, the 17-yearold Kingston College phenomenon, created history by becoming the first Jamaican schoolboy to run the 400m under 45 seconds with an astonishing 44.93 seconds to win the event in Class One at the GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Just last year, the promising Javon Francis ran what was then an unbelievable 45.00 seconds to break Usain Bolt's 400m record, just failing to dip below the 45-second mark. In fact, after Francis' run, the clock flashed 44.98 before settling at 45.00 seconds.

A year on, Bloomfield, standing at 6ft 5in,crossed the line and the clock flashed 45.03 seconds before settling at 44.93 in an eye-popping, jaw-dropping display of speed and stamina.

In 2008, Bolt was working on his speed for the 200m and tested himself over 100m and ran 9.72 seconds in his third 100m event in new York and the rest is history. Five years on, Bloomfield, who runs 100m and 200m, last year at Champs was working on his stamina, and in his first 400m race he clocked an amazing 45.41 seconds at the Carifta Trials a few weeks ago.

"My 200 was good and I was just doing some strength work, but I was not sure what my coach had in store for me.

I just knew I would do something great," said Bloomfield, who has 10 CXC subjects.

Then, in only his third 400m run, Bloomfield broke the Class One record of 45.00 seconds and Davian Clarke's

Kingston College’s Akeem Bloomfield (right) in his recordbreaking run in the Class One 400m at the GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday. St Jago High’s Nathan Allen (left) was second

National Junior record of 45.21 seconds and became the

11th fastest junior of all time in the world.

Bloomfield, who was drawn in lane five, was sandwiched between main rivals from St Jago High Martin Manley, the 2013 World Youth 400m champion, and Nathan Allen, while his teammate Twayne Crooks was in lane seven with the Class Two record holder Devaughn Baker of Jamaica College in lane eight.

Bloomfield, who is a sub21 200m runner with 10.3 under his belt for the 100m, went out fast, swept past Allen and cleared the entire field at the 200m mark, and when Allen came with a renewed challenge in the straight, Bloomfield found an extra gear for a victory that will be talked about for years to come.

In the end, Jamaicans fortunate enough to be at the National Stadium witnessed Bloomfield win in 44.93 seconds with Allen second in 45.30 and Manley some way back in third with 46.41 seconds. KC's Crooks was fourth in 46.54 seconds. (Jamaica Observer)

Forde wins 1st Trevor Rose Memorial Race in Guyana by

Treiston Joseph

G

uyana’s best distance athlete Cleveland Forde ran away easily with the first edition of the Trevor Rose 5k Memorial Race on Sunday that started and finished at the Burnham Hard Court, at Forde basically ran unchallenged, showcasing his talent in the race in memory of the former President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Trevor Rose who died tragically last year.

Distance Queen Alika Morgan was the winner of the female version of the event as she too ran unchallenged.

The first basketball player to cross the finish line was Ron Campbell while the first Division Three player was Akeem Johnson. Akeem Bowen was the winner of the

All of the athletes before the start of the race

junior event.

The oldest player to cross the finish line first was Franklin Anchor.

Current GABA President

Junior Hercules was pleased with the event, “It was the first of its kind by GABA or the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation; we were able to

attract some of Guyana’s best runners which was good for us and the race was well-attended…we intend on making it an annual event,” Hercules told

Guyana Times Sport.

Rose’s family expressed their thanks to the GABA for keeping the memory of Rose alive with the run.

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Hosein, Bell shine at Parkites awards -Guyanese Bell wins Senior Hockey player award in TT

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: A beaming Akeal Hosein copped the coveted Queen’s Park Cricket Club 2014 Sport Personality award on Friday as the Parkites held their annual club dinner and presentation ceremony at the Century Ballroom, Oval, St Clair.

Hosein, a national cricket allrounder, beat fellow nominees Richard Hart (squash), Jerazeno Bell (hockey) and Benedict Barrett (football) for the coveted prize.

Hosein, 21 years old, had five five-wicket hauls for Queen’s Park, taking 68 wickets. The left-hander bowled his way into the history books in a game against Caldrac, claiming two hat-tricks in the match — the first time that was ever achieved in TT at the Premiership level. He was not too shabby with the bat, either, scoring 453 runs with a highest score of 137 not out and an average of 35.4.

“It’s a great feeling. First time I’ve ever been Personality of the Year overall...It’s just good sign for me and I’m going to use this as motivation for years to come,” he said.

Hosein, who had a breakout year on in his debut season for the Red Force in 2014, admitted though that the 2015 sea-

Junior & Senior Sport award hockey players , Jordan Reynos and Jeranzeno Bell (J. Reynos photo)

son was a letdown with TT finishing the four-day season second-to-last.

“I’m a bit disappointed.

I haven’t done my best at all but I guess it’s one of those seasons where every player in his life goes through. You go through something sportsmen

call a bad patch.

“I’m just getting some guidance from the coach, the captain, guys like Kieron Pollard who have my back. They’re just keeping me motivated and going strong. It’s easy to fall away when you’re not doing well or start thinking of nega-

tive things. He even spoke to me and said he went through the same process in 2013 and was having a bad season. He said ‘just train hard and try to relax your mind and keep focus and stick to the basics,’” Hosein explained.

Winning the Junior Sport award was hockey player Jordan Reynos who edged out Jeremy Solozano (cricket), Charlotte Knaggs (squash) and Jovan Marshall (football) for the accolade.

Reynos, who joined the Parkites from SHAPE in 2011, made the national senior team last year, competing in the World League and the CAC Games where TT earned a silver medal. He helped Queen’s Park win the National Super Indoor Tournament and to a runner-sup position in the TT Hockey Board Outdoor League.

Also honoured at the awards were Queen’s Park members Issa Nicholas and Dr Gordon Naraynsingh who were National Award recipients in 2014.

The Kingston Trophy Award, meanwhile, went to George Wilcox.

Feature speaker, Ian McDonald, who describes himself as “Antiguan by ancestry, Trinidadian by birth,

Guyanese by adoption and West Indian by conviction” reminisced about the glorious past of Queen’s Park and said he was privileged to be speaking at “one of the great clubs of the world.”

Mc Donald, a renowned Caribbean writer who played at Wimbledon in the 1950s and captained the Cambridge tennis team, also worked alongside former Jamaica Prime Minister PJ Patterson in formulating the little-heeded Patterson Report.

Although hesitant to speak on the current affairs of the regional game, he reminded the audience of a part of the report which stated that West Indies cricket does not belong to the West Indies Cricket Board but to the West Indian people.

He added that until the governance of the board reflects such, “we won’t get out of the mess we are in.”

Junior sport nominees Jeremy Solozano (cricket), Charlotte Knaggs (squash), Jordan Reynos (hockey), Jovan Marshall (football).

Sport Personality nominees - Akeal Hosein (cricket), Richard Hart, (squash), Jerazeno Bell (hockey), Benedict Barrett (football).

Kingston Trophy Award George Wilcox. (TT Newsday)

Jamaica surge late to McKinnon continues hot run make quarter-finals in practical shooting The winners pose with their trophies after the tournament

Jamaica’s Jermaine Anderson (right) being challenged for the ball by his Belizean opponent during their game on Sunday in El Salvador

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica progressed to the quarter-final round of the CONCACAF stage of the Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifying Tournament in El Salvador by beating plucky Belize 8-5 on Sunday.

The Jamaicans were scheduled to play quarter-finalists El Salvador in the Group A decider late Sunday, with both teams locked on six points.

In Sunday's clash, Belize seemed to be in great position to surprise their opponents and earn their first win and points of the tournament, but Jamaica took the lead in the final frame before running away to claim three points. The win gave Jamaica two wins from as many games in the group.

Belize took a 2-0 lead, which they held until Jamaica stormed back with two goals from Philip Peddie. Belize regained the advantage to end the first period 3-2.

In the second period, Belize

scored first to increase their lead to 4-2, but the resolute Jamaicans hit back with goals from Rohan Reid, Daemion Benjamin and captain Andre Reid to lead 5-4. However, the Belizeans would not go away and equalised to close the second period tied at five.

In the last stanza, Jamaica pulled away with further goals from both Andre and Rohan Reid. Belize tried to maintain their collective energy, but could not turn the pressure into goals as Jamaica held their advantage. Gregory Simpson closed out the match with another strike as Jamaica won by a three-goal margin.

In the other Group A game played on Sunday, El Salvador blanked Puerto Rico 7-0, while in Group B Mexico hammered Guadeloupe 8-1 and Trinidad and Tobago defeated Turks & Caicos Islands 6-2, while in Group D Guatemala edged Panama 2-1. (Jamaica Observer)

A

mid light scattered showers on Saturday, local practical shooters safely balanced the three elements of the practical shooting triangle: speed,power and accuracy at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Timehri Ranges when the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) hosted another Practical Pistol competition.

Ryan McKinnon emerged as the victor of the event with 285 points while David Dharry was second with 178.40 points. Ray Beharry was third with 169.32 points.

The first stage called “Open Season” required the shooters to sit on a chair with their backs touching the back with a table placed some distance away on which their unloaded firearm and all magazines were stationed.

When the start signal was given, shooters had to race to the table, retrieve their gun,

make it ready and then engage four paper targets and one falling plate.

The second stage “Twist and Shout” consisted of 11 paper targets with five NoShoot targets, which were placed in front of and adjacent to the shoot targets, thus making some shooting angles even more difficult as hits on No-Shoot targets would attract a minus 10-point penalty per hit.

The third and final stage named “A Good Hair Day” was adjudged the most challenging but fun stage. This stage saw shooters having to engage 12 paper targets and two falling plates. The start position was seated at a dressing table full of pink accessories.

The start position was holding a pink mirror in one hand and a pink hair brush in the other, while the unloaded handgun and all magazines

were placed on the table.

Competitors had to retrieve their firearm then move downrange to be within the fault lines before engaging any targets. Some shot while on the move, thus saving time while others took it slow and steady, giving consideration to ideal shooting positions even when shooting through the two windows.

In closing, special thanks were extended by GSSF President Vidushi Persaud to the match officials – GDF Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, A-Division Commander Clifton Hicken, Tactical Services Unit ranks, the Guyana Police Force; the media and GSSF members for their support and encouragement towards the Federation which is dedicated towards encouraging and promoting sport shooting among all Guyanese.

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Thompson will be only athlete Night games a natural fit for CPL, says Stewart to represent Guyana at Carifta

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CPL commercial director Jamie Stewart

aribbean Premier League commercial director, Jamie Stewart says the decision to return to primarily night fixtures for this year’s edition of the CPL was as a result of the unsuccessful trial of day games in last year’s tournament.

Organisers on Tuesday released the schedule for the June 20 to July 26 tournament, with just three of the 33 games being played during the day.

Last year, organisers experimented with several morning, midday and mid-afternoon games but had only

lukewarm responses from spectators.

“I think it’s fair to say that we learnt that having too many day games is not the best idea and return to night cricket allows us from a position that it’s the biggest party in sport and it allows for everyone to bring the party at nights,” Stewart said here.

“CPL is really suited to night cricket where people can knock off work and get together with their friends and go to the grounds and even watch it at home too.”

This year’s fixture features two midday games at Warner Park and another at Queen’s Park Oval. The bulk of matches have been carded for 6 pm with ten games scheduled for 4 pm starts but finishing under lights.

Six games will be played at 8 pm.

In addition to the return to night games which was a feature of the inaugural year in 2013, Stewart believes the tournament could be the best one staged yet, especially with the players that would be available.

“If you look at the player pool, we have the strongest that we’ve had so far in the CPL, the likes of (Lasith) Malinga and (Tillakaratne) Dilshan playing for the [Guyana Amazon] Warriors even Brad Hodge, the Big Bash player-ofthe-year twice,” Stewart pointed out.

“People like (Shahid) Afridi in St Kitts, Mahela Jayawardene with Jamaica, Jacques Kallis playing in Trinidad, Kevin Pietersen this time playing the whole season with St Lucia, [this] will elevate the event.”

Defending champions Barbados Tridents will open the tournament with a clash against Guyana Amazon Warriors at Kensington Oval, in a repeat of last year’s final in St Kitts.

(CMC)

– local athletes unable to attend that fell through.

According to Hutson, Trinidad cancelled their booking for a chartered flight, while Fly Jamaica cancelled last minute on getting the contingent to Jamaica.

Hutson also noted that chartered flights from Suriname to St Kitts would cost over Gy$6 million.

“Right now we are saddened with the situation and it was totally out of our hands; we tried everything and it didn’t work out,” Hutson stated.

However, Hutson highlighted that the AAG will be hoping to send the athletes to upcoming games in South America over the course of the next few months.

Brenessa Thompson

By Treiston Joseph

U

S-based sprinter Brenessa Thompson will be the only athlete to represent Guyana at the Carifta Games in St Kitts and Nevis this weekend.

The local athletes will

stay at home because the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) was unable to secure flights for them.

AAG President Aubrey Huston noted that the development came about not because of a lack of trying but due numerous situations

Aubrey Hutson

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Jamaica hunt scalp Golden Jaguars to face of another Spanish- Suriname on April 30 speaking... from page 50

treatment.

However, the Boyz were expected to be strengthened by the arrival of goalkeeper Ryan Thompson from Pittsburgh Riverhounds from the United States.

Schaefer, who was disappointed with the crowd support on Friday night, is looking for his players to continue on their path of progress, having captured the Caribbean Cup at the same venue last November.

"We can't say Cuba is easy," Schaefer disclosed. "They won their last match against the Domincan Republic 3-0, so I want my players to report with the same spirit and the same confidence that they have to win," he added.

Jamaica and their Spanish speaking neighbours have met on 35 previous occasions, with Cuba holding a slight advantage of 16 wins, as against 11 for Jamaica.

They arrived in the island on Friday, after their victory over the Dominican Republic last Wednesday.

At last year's Caribbean Cup, they drew 1-1 with French Guiana, edged

Curacao 3-2, before playing to a 0-0 draw with Trinidad and Tobago, then suffering a 1-2 loss to Haiti.

They are preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July, followed by the start of their Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifying campaign, but with the Boyz in a rampant mood, they could be found wanting.

In the absence of McAnuff and McCleary, Schaefer could return to Duwayne Kerr in goal, guarded by Wes Morgan and Jermaine Taylor in central defence, flanked

by Kemar Lawrence and Adrian Mariappa.

Captain Rudolph Austin, who suffered a knock in a hard challenge on Friday, could partner Daniel Gordon in central midfield, with JeVaughn Watson pushed further up to partner Joel Grant, with goalscorers Giles Barnes and Darren Mattocks given the job to breach Cuba's goal.

The squad is completed by Ryan Thompson, Peter Harrison, Hughan Gray, Dino Williams, Ricardo Morris, and Omar Gordon. (Jamaica Observer)

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The Golden Jaguars after the victory against Grenada on Sunday last

iding on a high after two victories, Guyana’s Golden Jaguars will square off with Suriname in an international friendly on April 30 in the Dutchspeaking nation.

The Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in a press release, said it was pleased to announce the confirmation of the match-up between Guyana and Suriname, billed for the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Suriname. The match will get under way at 20:00h.

The Golden Jaguars will look to continue their unbeaten run in 2015, af-

ter securing a draw and back-to-back wins over the last few weekends.

The Jaguars are fresh off 2-0 successes over St Lucia on March 22 and Grenada last Sunday, both at the Guyana National Stadium. They drew their encounter with hosts Barbados 2-2 on February 1.

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing Suriname, noting that the neighbouring country was a formidable opponent.

He said matches between the two countries went way beyond football, as theirs was a huge

rivalry that went way back to both nations’ colonial past.

In terms of the team set-up for the Suriname game, Shabazz noted, “Against Grenada we used only five players who started against St Lucia and now we have a great opportunity to widen the pool.

When one considers that in the three friendly matches we have played so far this year, seven Under-23s have featured prominently, which shows that we are starting to see depth in the squad.

Additionally, games outside of the FIFA match window allow us a

great opportunity to keep bodies on the pitch and our eyes on the prize.”

Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling noted that the Committee Members were pleased with the progress of the Senior Men’s squad since they assumed the leadership of the GFF. Organising another international friendly represents another tangible example of the Federation putting football first and above all.

Urling believes more such games will put the team in a great position ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, set to start in June.