Guyana Times International

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 269

WEEK ENDING november 15, 2015

Man granted Gy$1M bail for causing death of wife in Harbour Bridge accident

See story on page 3

Investors Bank opens new branch in Richmond Hill

Page 12

Officials of Investors Bank, Richmond Hill Branch, Queens, N.Y., at the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Jagdeo updates Guyanese Diwali celebrated

by US Congress diaspora in New York Page 27

Page 23

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Days of 60% cement Man granted Gy$1M bail for causing tariff in Barbados death of wife in Harbour Bridge accident over – Minister A Minister of Industry and Commerce Donville Inniss

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ridgetown, Barbados - A mere five per cent. That’s the extent of the tariff Government is prepared to levy on imported cement in the future.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Donville Inniss has made it clear that the days of a 60 per cent tariff to protect cement produced in Barbados by Arawak Cement Ltd are num-

bered.

Warning the local subsidiary of Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) that it had to be prepared to “compete on a level playing field”, Inniss added: “Barbadians for years have been complaining about the cost of cement, and we have protected the Arawak Cement Co. Ltd and Trinidad Cement Limited for years. Those days are over.” (Barbados Nation)

ccording to an online news agency, a 26-year old Vendor was on Thursday granted bail in the sum of Gy$1 million for the November 8 Demerara Harbour Bridge fatal accident which resulted in the death of his wife.

The man, Dhanram Ramdeo Ramlall appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman and entered a not guilty plea while his Attorney filed the application for bail so that he could attend the funeral of his wife and also care for their 9-month-old child.

In keeping with advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ramlall was charged for causing the death of 22 -year-old Gangadai Persaud by dangerous driving.

The two had been married for two years.

Dhanram Ramdeo Ramlall

The accused refused to have his matter heard in the High Court before a Judge and a Jury and asked that it be heard and concluded in the Magistrate’s Court.

According to Ramlall’s Attorney, the couple was heading to the Plaisance Market to ply their trade when he

lost control of the canter truck he was driving and slid off the bridge.

The Court heard that the rainy environment and the wet nature of the bridge were also contributing factors to Ramlall’s canter sliding.

His Attorney told the Court that the truck was submerged with both in-

dividuals but after five minutes Ramlall was able to free himself but was unable to save his wife who later perished.

The prosecution’s facts in relation to the matter were totally different. It is alleged that Ramlall was driving at a fast rate when he suddenly applied brakes on the wet bridge and subsequently lost control of the vehicle.

When asked by the Magistrate to substantiate the claim of speeding, the prosecutor informed the court that Ramlall admitted himself that he was driving at 40KMH while the speed on the bridge is far below that.

There is also an eyewitness report which claims that he was turning around on the bridge.

Bail was however set in the sum of Gy$1M and he will return to Court on November 30.

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Fax no: 718-849-2286 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

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

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

Former President of Guyana, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and some members of the Divya Jyoti Association at the NYC Diwali Motorcade last weekend.

Guyanese foods Road carnage and restaurants E EDITORIAL

very year in November, Guyana observes Road Safety Month. This year, Guyana is observing the month under the theme, “Be wise, stay alive, stop speeding, don’t drink and drive”.

Sadly this month began with four persons being killed within two days on the Corentyne Highway.

Over the past week, 15 people have been injured in separate accidents which have been reported in the media.

The first 11 persons were injured in an accident at Mahdia, followed by three others in Corentyne and a Policeman in Georgetown. This comes even as the Government calls for road users to be more cautious and express more care on the roads.

As a matter of fact, President David Granger last Wednesday announced a proposed three-point plan, which if used, can meaningfully decrease road carnage. Outlining the plan, the President spoke of the need to be more stringent with traffic laws, which are in dire need of strengthening.

More so, the Head of State called for the tauter enforcement of traffic laws.

But even as these are being proposed there must be a prerequisite educational programme about cellphone use while driving and driving over the speed limit. However, for this to work, an unbendable system must be implemented for those Traffic Officers who may be tempted to take an inducement and allow these defaulters to go free. We indeed live in a society where persons obviously feel that slipping through traffic offences are an easy phenomenon, since these officers are easily persuaded.

Statistics released by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have shown there were 76 recorded fatal accidents from January to September 30. But if we were to add the fatalities from September to now, we are assured that we will be alarmed.

Meanwhile, the Police statistics also highlighted that speeding continued to be the leading cause of fatal accidents. Other causes included driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to conform to road signage, error of judgment and breach of traffic light signal. Guyana has the worst ranking in road fatalities in the Caribbean and this fact is very worrisome.

The proposal as announced by the Head of State also calls for proper engineering, particularly the structure of the roads. Since Guyana does not have major highways, but rather roadways, the President is calling for these to be safer, with additional side sidewalks and pavements.

However, even if all of these are implemented, there must be more rigorous measures to deal with drunk driving and certainly a 02:00am curfew for the closing of driving spots and nightclubs will not curb this problem.

What the Government and Opposition need to do to curb the temptation of drinking and driving, is to move to the National Assembly and pass legislation that will turn the offence of causing death by dangerous driving under the influence into an offence of manslaughter. Certainly, accidents do happen, there is no doubt, but this can be reduced if more caution and care is articulated on the roadways.

As we head to the busiest time of the year and as we bring the curtains down on 2015, in a matter of less than two months, it is hoped that Guyanese express much more appreciation for life and approach our roadways with more respect. However, more importantly it is hoped that our Parliament can bring more semblance to the roads by implementing firmer legislation to deal with offenders.

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ast week, “Restaurant Week” – officially the “Guyana Restaurant Week” (GRW) – kicked off under the theme “Explore, Eat and Repeat”. With many gourmets and aspiring ones fearing foods “repeating” on them, maybe the theme was not the most felicitous, but the intent was to have domestic and foreign tourists – and hopefully food loving natives – sample our local “fine dining”. That is a worthwhile endeavour.

As part of the ongoing “Tourism A w a r e n e s s Month”, GRW is in its second incarnation and will continue to the 15th of the month.

Serendipitously, GRW’s launch coincided with the 2nd Caribbean AgriBusiness Forum in Barbados which brought together experts from across the region and Europe to address the long identified need for the region, including Guyana, to wean their citizens off imported foods. Formed as they were as transplanted colonies dominated by European colonial powers, the Caribbean has always looked abroad for almost all its needs, including foods.

It was more than ironic that these territories, which produced the first successful industrial-type mega farms, have still not adapted that technology and knowhow to produce its own foods.

Harking to Guyana’s example and experience in attempting to introduce a greater percentage of local foods into the local menu, the conference was cautioned not to proceed by “banning” any foreign foods (such as wheaten flour and Irish potatoes), and imposing local foods (such as rice, cassava flour, and yams). It was suggested that the populace have to rather be convinced that the local foods are as nu-

tritious and delicious as any of the foreign foods.

And this is where we believe that institutions such as GRW can play a greater and more proactive role in fostering new eating habits. The preference for foods is seen as very idiosyncratic and the expression, “there’s no accounting for taste” might also be considered quite apropos in applying to foods. But taste is acquired and as such can be encouraged in particular directions.

novative ways that would appeal to the palate of one and all. As the participating roster of restaurants increase, so will the demand for local foods.

One irony of our culinary challenge is that as “the land of six peoples” drawn from four continents, Guyana has such an astounding variety of local dishes. We have African, Indian, Chinese, Amerindian as well as European cuisines at our disposal, all of which give us an almost infinite

As colonials, our native foods were derided by the ruling class and the “import syndrome” started early in the day to continue into the present. In fact it has recently become exacerbated with the invasion of “fast food” chains from the US now that their government has finally began cracking down on their methods of preparation that leads to unhealthy outcomes such as obesity and cardiovascular challenges.

And this is where institutions such as GRW can play a critical role in changing our “taste” for foreign foods. One initiative might be to offer incentives to the fifteen upscale restaurants that are participating in a promotion where patrons are rewarded if they sample at least five of them during GRW to be creative in preparing local foods in in-

number of permutations and combinations of foods that we can offer our own citizens and the world.

Our biggest challenge is to convince our own people that our foods are as good as any in the world, and possibly better. All the institutions of government and the private sector must get behind this goal.

A second movement that the Ministry of Tourism can encourage is for restaurants outside of Georgetown to be brought up to a higher standard that can cater to international norms of hygiene and presentation. Many of these restaurants serve very delicious local dishes that would appeal to the palate of tourists but because they are thought not to be “sophisticated” they never get any attention.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Screaming child rescued from burning house

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

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he piercing cries for help from a young girl trapped in the upper flat of a two-storey building alerted neighbours to the ravenous fire that was in the process of engulfing the house.

Disaster struck for an extended family, after a fire of unknown origin erupted in their home at Lot 87 Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown, on Wednesday.

According to information received, the fire which started at about 14:00h, completely destroyed the upper-flat of the house while the bottom flat received very little fire damage.

One of the occupants of the home, Veronica Griffith, was not at home at the time of the incident but her granddaughter was in the building when the fire started. However, her sister, Joyclyn, who lives in the lower flat was at home at the time of the incident.

Speaking with this newspaper, a neighbour said he heard a child call-

Dropped newborn

Family to sue Georgetown Hospital for negligence

By Devina Samaroo

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From left: Joycelyn, who resides in the lower flat of the home was at home, when the fire started. However, Veronica Griffith – being comforted by a male companion – who resided in the upper flat, was not at home at the time of the incident

ing for help and upon investigating, he noticed smoke coming from the neighbouring house.

“We were home when we heard the little girl screaming, the TV was a bit loud and we turned it down and we went at the back and saw the smoke. Immediately we started pulling our clothes off the back line. I had

The house as it went up in flames

a bed in the garbage so I removed the mattress and then I come in front and move my car. Then we went and start trying to out the fire,” Nigel Ramkellawan said.

Ramkellawan’s house was slightly scorched by the fierce fire.

Another resident, speaking under the condition of anonymity, related that she was cooking sweetmeats for Diwali celebrations when she noticed the smoke emanating from the house.

“I live right across the street. I was cooking my sweetmeats and something tell me look out the window and that’s when I see the fire. I turned off my stove and rushed out my house to see is what going on,” she stated.

Residents reported that the Guyana Fire Service (DFS) responded promptly to the call which resulted in the house being saved from total destruction.

NEWS 5

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is likely to face a lawsuit for medical negligence after a nurse reportedly dropped a newborn baby, causing the infant to suffer severe brain injury.

The baby boy was delivered on November 3, at the hospital and within an hour of his birth, fell off the cot on which he was placed, resulting in a fractured skull and the formation of a blood clot in the brain. The child is reportedly in stable condition after undergoing surgery to remedy his injuries.

Although the child is expected to make a full recovery, the frustrated family is in the process of taking legal action against the medical institution.

Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall will be representing the family.

During a brief telephone interview, Nandlall explained that he met with the family on Wednesday when he informed them of their options. He said

the parents were interested in launching legal proceedings against the Hospital for medical negligence.

Nandlall said a letter was subsequently dispatched to the GPHC Chief Executive Officer Alan Johnson requesting the child’s full medical report and the official report of what transpired.

Guyana Times International understands that the lawsuit was likely to be filed against both the GPHC and the culpable nurse.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has since launched an investigation into the situation and it was reported that the nurse responsible was sent on leave.

Based on a press release from the health institution, the baby fell off a cot and onto the ground; however, sources revealed that a nurse had accidently dropped the baby on the ground.

The probe is currently ongoing to determine exactly what transpired and the information will be made public subsequently. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Teachers union should KN giving away free copies support corporal punishment ban in Guyana Dear Editor, I am hoping that the Guyana Teachers Union soon sees it fit to support the call from various sections of our society for the total ban of corporal punishment in our schools.

For many years as a teacher and headmaster in schools in four regions of Guyana, I was a part of the system in which the cane was accepted as the most effective instrument of penalty for transgressions by students. This was so because teachers saw it as the fastest and most accessible method, which was tolerated by parents because for the most part they themselves knew no other means of discipline. This was also so because many teachers were unqualified and did not have the benefit of formal training at the training college which included a course on educational psychology.

We all know of the many inherent dangers in the use of this inhumane method, physically and emotionally, both in the short and long term, including immedi-

ate personal trauma and physical injury, destructive attitude toward the teacher, the school and the society at large, development of an angry disposition, absenteeism and drop-out, low selfesteem and depression.

I now feel that the time is long overdue when the cane should have been cast aside, and all the relevant agencies should now join in exploiting techniques which must also form a part of the curriculum of our teacher-training college. I now suggest some of these which can be implemented: Provide direct instruction to students in social skills, and reinforce this with teacher feedback, and other self-esteem enhancing activities; Devise a system to apply logical consequences that will teach students personal responsibility for their actions, for example, losing the privilege of participating in special school activities; Consider the use of time out, which may allow students to learn to take control of their actions and, ultimately, in con-

junction with instruction in social skills, to cease their undesirable behaviour; Employ problem-solving classroom meetings and/or school assemblies with honest discussion of problems to encourage student ownership of and responsibility for solutions; Maintain a system of ready communication with parents; Establish contractual agreements that clearly outline consequences with students and their parents to enhance the development of self-control behaviour; Develop a system of referring students to a counsellor, social worker and/or psychologist at the local or intermediate level and coordinate services with Social Welfare personnel.

I can almost guarantee that these methods will not only make whipping redundant, but will go a long way towards building a most convivial atmosphere in our schools.

Yours sincerely, Roy Paul New York

We need help to save the sugar industry Dear Editor, It was disturbing to learn, according to a report in the November 4, 2015 edition of Stabroek News, that GuySuCo’s CEO advised that the Corporation failed to produce about 6000 tonnes sugar arising from the sugar workers three-day protest action.

The goodly gentleman, who has worked for many years in sugar, could not have been truthful as he is fully well aware that the disclosure is misleading.

The three-day strike was from Sunday to Tuesday.

It is a known fact that even in the best of times, turnout of harvesters on Sundays is less than 50 per cent of a normal weekday turnout. It means that the CEO was alluding to almost 2000 tonnes sugar being produced per day, including Sunday.

Let the CEO point to any Sunday in the life of GuySuCo where 2000 tonnes sugar was produced, or let him point to anytime that 6000 tonnes were produced between Sunday and

Tuesday of any week.

How could the company fail to produce the sugar given that the canes remain in the cultivation?

Additionally, it is GuySuCo that boasted perpetually in the past about “solid canes in the ground” whenever they could not achieve production levels due to their own mismanagement. However, it appears that the “solid cane in the ground” principle does not apply in the case of protest action. The hullabaloo lacks any basis and cannot withstand scrutiny.

The CEO is also reported to have said that the industry lost a further Gy$38 million arising from stale canes that either were discarded or deteriorated due to the workers’ action. This like his previous assertion cannot hold water.

Can the CEO advise the public whether any canes were discarded and if so where? If there weren’t any discarded canes, he needs to provide empirical data that supports the extent of deterioration that re-

sulted in 438 tonnes sugar being lost.

It is known that the factories process canes which have been burnt for over ten days even though the sugar recovery is not 100 per cent.

Certainly canes burnt for about three to four days are still prime for sugar conversion. Is it that the CEO is being “intellectually dishonest” to use the Honourable Minster of Agriculture words?

Why does the top brass of the Corporation’s Management Team submit that the recent GAWU three-day strike was more effective than it was? Such portrayal is not in the interest of the Corporation.

Clearly, the credibility of the Corporation and the genuineness of their statements are under doubt in my view.

The GuySuCo, through its reported statements, has inflicted further insult to the injuries already suffered by the sugar workers.

Yours truly, Alvin Perriera

Dear Editor, They say “time longer than twine” so it had to happen sooner than later. I have lived to see the Kaieteur News itself admit that its circulation has dropped so low that it has resorted to giving it away free. It has been doing this to the vendors all across the country on the down low, but it is clear that this has not stopped the bleeding.

On Tuesday, it had to admit in muted headlines, “Rubis rewarding customers with free copy of Kaieteur News”. Seems that KN will now be hitting the independent outlets with “promotions” to get rid of its rejected editions. We wonder how much they are paying Rubis to bend its business ethics to give away one of the several dailies it sells at its gas stations.

KN is now caught in a bind.

When the PPP was in office, its owner Glenn Mohan Lall’s hatred of

Bharrat Jagdeo fuelled his naked and vitriolic attacks on the PPP, the PPP Government and anyone associated with the Government or its personnel.

All of this served to titillate the average Guyanese, who like most people, thrive on salacious gossip and sensational allegations. But with APNU and AFC, which Lall backed financially and otherwise, in Government, Lall has been forced to moderate his tones. And most of all, even though the Government has launched more than two dozen “audits” and “inquiries”, no dirt has been found, giving Lall and his paper nothing to sensationalise.

And we arrive at Lall forcing Rubis to give away Kaieteur News for free.

This is what is called poetic justice.

Sincerely, Benjamin Persaud

Govt needs to take note of Chinese generosity Dear Editor, The Stabroek News reported that “China ready to work with Guyana on renewable energy, infrastructure” (Friday, November 6, 2015). This is very good news which came out of a meeting held between the Chinese Ambassador Zhang Limin, President David Granger, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Governance Minister Raphael Trotman and Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

The Chinese Ambassador says his Government will be working closely with Guyana in the areas of renewable energy and infrastructural development. But the Granger Government needs to seriously take note of the generosity of the Chinese Government

which in my view intends to provide continued donations for Guyana’s Economic Development.

In this connection, while the Chinese Government provides donations to Guyana you have the Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman on the other hand threatening to close down Chinese businesses in Guyana such as Bai Shan Lin which contributes significantly to the forest sector.

President Granger therefore should ensure that Minister Trotman cease at once his threats against Bai Shan Lin and other foreign companies in Guyana’s Forestry Sector.

Yours faithfully, Hubert Trotz

Minister Ramjattan clueless with a super salary

Dear Editor, Minister Ramjattan has so far rolled out three “master plans” for fighting crime that was totally useless and scientifically baseless.

First he started with the now unpopular “2AM curfew” where he said that it would have reduced crime, road accidents, domestic violence and generate a better workforce all at once.

From his perspective this was his silver bullet on the crime fighting front. As we can see now, the Minster had never provided any data to back up his position and in an ironic twist, he is now asking the entertainment business community to show data that they are losing money.

Secondly was his gun amnesty programme which saw people dumping their unwanted guns to the police. With over 90 per cent being single shooter shot guns, can someone ask Minister Ramjattan how many gun crimes in the past six months were done using shot guns? However, in his own fantasy world, he believed that it was a success?

Now the Minister is rolling out his latest “master plan” and that is a public consultation on tints on vehicles.

His logic here, I am assuming, is that criminal activities occur mostly using tinted vehicles, and as such crime will reduce by making tints less darker or

removing it all together.

Again the Minister seems to be so far from reality it becomes laughable.

Everyone in Guyana, except for the Minister, can see that large number of deadly crimes have nothing to do with tints. Instead it is home invasions and motorcycles as transport.

The recent robbery of the money changers was done by motorcycle bandits. All or most of the Berbice/East Coast crimes were home invasions.

Can the Minister really look these victims in the eye with any conscience whatsoever and say that his plans for fighting crime is working to protect them?

The reality is that Minister Ramjattan is clueless and visionless on the crime fighting front and to make it worse, he got a salary increase for his disastrous efforts. Instead we are seeing that Minister Ramjattan is wasting valuable time to disrupt a Hindu/ Guyanese tradition of Diwali and cussing out Bharrat Jagdeo.

One can argue that Minister Ramjattan is either a baggage to APNU/AFC that they cannot get rid of or they are all visionless like him.

I will let my fellow Guyanese decide.

Yours truly, Malcolm Watkins

news 7

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GECOM still not addressing Guyana signs US$2.4M loan agreement with CDF to concerns of PPP, says Rohee upgrade farm-to-market roads

BY EDWARD LAYNE

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Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Caricom Development Fund CEO Rodinald Soomer sign the new loan agreement

everal local farmto-market roads will benefit from major upgrades under a new line of financing via the Country Assistance Programme of the Caricom Development Fund (CDF).

The roads are in Parika and Ruby (Region Three – Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Laluni (Region Four – Demerara-Mahaica) and Onverwagt (Region Five – Mahaica-Berbice).

In a statement to the media on Wednesday, the Finance Ministry stated that Minister Winston Jordan and CDF Chief Executive Officer Rodinald Soomer signed the loan and grant agreement, which will see Guyana benefiting from an additional US$2.4 million, which supplements the US$9.1 million that Guyana received in July 2013.

According to the Ministry, under the agreement, approximately 12 kilometres of asphaltic concrete roads will be constructed, another 13km of all-weath-

er roads will be upgraded and two reinforced concrete bridges will be built.

“These upgrades will help alleviate many of the problems hindering access to the backlands which are often impassable as a result of damage caused by adverse weather and heavy-duty machinery,” the statement said, adding that the loan will also be used to rehabilitate bridges that have been compromised.

All the roads are expected to be completed

by August 2016. “An estimated 9500 farming households will directly benefit from access to prime agricultural backlands in all seasons as Government aims to help farmers in these areas increase production, incomes and exports in cash crops. This in turn will contribute to price stability for green vegetables mainly on the domestic market,” the statement said.

“Achievements to date have been impressive as all the works have

been completed within budget and on schedule,” Soomer said.

He added that Guyana can benefit from more resources to finance other projects in agriculture and other sectors as it automatically qualifies for further support by virtue of it having paid up its full assessed contribution to the Fund.

Minister Jordan, in response, thanked the CDF and said Soomer’s comments augur well for future collaborations with the CDF as the Government continued with its agenda for all Guyanese to realise the good life.

The CDF provides technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to enhance their prospects for successful competition within the Community, and to provide redress for any negative impact occasioned by the establishment of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

he Opposition P e o p l e ’ s Progressive Party (PPP) says the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will end up being “its own worst enemy” if it continues to shy away from “comprehensively and objectively” addressing the reservations and concerns of the Party.

A delegation led

by PPP/Civic General Secretary Clement Rohee, met with a delegation from GECOM, which included Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally and Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield early last week, where the Opposition Party outlined eight concerns it said it wants addressed before Local Government Elections (LGE) were held.

Following the meeting, GECOM in a statement, said it “completely addressed” the concerns of the Opposition Party.

However, Rohee, during a news conference on Monday, rejected GECOM’s claim that the meeting “completely addressed” the Party’s concerns and reservations in connection to the holding of LGE. Rohee instead argued

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

that the meeting was only able to address one of the eight concerns listed by the PPP. Among some PPP’s concerns are the period for Claims and Objections versus a 9th cycle of continuous registration; non-availability of lists for each constituency for use during the Claims and Objections period; the listed number of registered voters in each constituency and municipality; the nonavailability of sketch maps showing each constituency with clear lines of demarcation; voters education; status of preparation of NDC’s for Local Government Elections and voting by the Disciplined Services.

“The prevailing at-

titude of the Chairman and the Chief Elections Officer throughout the meeting was characterised by indifference, being defensive and evasive in respect to questions and clarifications sought by the delegation,” Rohee said.

Moreover, Rohee added that whatever “clarifications” were offered by the Chairman and the CEO, the reality is that they were already in the public domain and consequently, did not add anything new to what was already known by the PPP insofar as the holding of LGE is concerned.

He said that the PPP delegation was disappointed with the answers provided, particularly as regards the demarcation of boundaries, and the possible “re-employment” of known activists of the ruling coalition.

The PPP delegation, according to Rohee, informed the Commission that it was leaving the meeting “dissatisfied with the attitude of noncooperation and non-disclosure towards the delegation.”

The PPP and GECOM have been at loggerheads following the declaration of the results for the General and Regional Elections on May 11.

8 NEWS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Wastage of Tax Dollars? …Over Gy$300M spent on audits and CoIs but no clear rationale offered

By Michael Younge

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he bountiful wastage of taxpayers’ monies being expended to finance the numerous Commissions of Inquiries (CoIs) and State Forensic Audits, and “investigations” are

currently bleeding the treasury of possibly hundreds of millions of dollars.

Concerns have been mounting over the profligate spending of state funds on what has been labelled the government’s “fishing expedi-

tions”, which will in no way contribute to the development of the country or benefit the general populace.

In lieu of the government’s stonewalling on providing information from the inside, this newspaper has had

to rely on information in the public realm.

Based on rough calculations with those figures and their extrapolations, government is expected to fork out some Gy$300 million altogether to pay Commissioners for the various CoIs and Auditors for the various audits into state agencies. This may also cover the cost incurred by retaining staff for the various commissions.

In addition to their salary, Guyana Times International understands that these individuals are being provid-

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman

this information when asked by a reporter dur-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

ed with meal allowances and that their travelling expense are covered by the government for the course of the operations they were retained to perform.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had promised to provide Guyana Times International with the cost for all the CoIs and forensic audits, but to date the information is yet to be delivered.

Nagamootoo publicly committed to providing

ing a recent post-cabinet media briefing.

Guyana Times International also contacted an official from the Finance Ministry who stated the Ministry is not in possession of the cost for the CoIs (that this information will be available at the respective Ministry).

In relation to the cost for the State Forensic Audit, the official declined to disclose, citing that the information will be made available in Parliament.

Subsequent to that interaction, Guyana Times International requested the same information from Governance Minister Raphael Trotman during a postcabinet media briefing who stated he is not in possession of the information. He however assured he will make contact with the Finance Ministry and disclose the information in due time.

The breakdown of the estimated Gy$300 million costs shows that the inquiry into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which consisted of 11 commissioners, cost the state Gy$71 million.

Additionally, the forensic audits into about 30 government agencies will cost more than Gy$50 million.

According to information

already existing in the public domain, government will be spending some Gy$50 million to pay handpicked auditors Christopher Ram and Anand Goolsarran for their audits (additional benefits were excluded from this calculation).

Some of the CoIs launched are the Public Service, GuySuCo, Education Sector, and the Mining Sector. The state forensic audits have been launched into more than 30 government agencies.

Not clear on reasons for audits

Making matters worse, no clear rationale has been proffered by government for the reasons of these various investigations into these agencies.

Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma had initially told this newspaper the CoIs were to “satisfy donors”.

Sharma explained that one of the reasons the new administration is conducting these audits is to meet the demands of the international community. He explained that before the APNU/AFC coalition went into government, the international community had indicated several expectations they have of the new government: “The demands for this new Administration are a lot. We have to fulfil these demands, in areas of accountability and transparency… We aren’t doing this because we want to spend money or we want to witch hunt anybody… it’s a demand and request from these agencies that transparency and accountability must be available.”

In another interview, Sharma noted that the reason for the audits were for internal purposes so the government could develop an understanding of the workings of the various agencies.

His exact words here, “these are for internal purposes.”

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 9

No meeting between Granger Let go of negative attitudes, commit and Maduro at oil Summit to working together – Minister Henry

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President David Granger with His Highness, King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Fourth Summit of the Arab and South American Countries (ASPA)

By Edward Layne

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o m m e n t a tors’ hopes for a meeting between President David Granger and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro to further discuss a resolution to the ongoing border controversy between the two South American nations on the sidelines of the Fourth Summit of the Arab and South American Countries (ASPA) did not materialise, as the two leaders made their presentations to the Summit, but did not hold any bilateral talks.

Expectations were high that President Granger and his team would have used the opportunity to initiate discussions on renegotiating a deal which saw Venezuela, up to earlier this year, buying Guyana’s rice and paddy at premium prices.

Both Granger and Maduro addressed the Summit on Wednesday.

In his address to the Summit which was aimed at boosting trade, cultural exchange and economic partnerships, President Granger called for the peaceful settlement of disputes and spoke of the importance of cooperation between Arab and South American countries.

He also urged the leaders who were present, to work steadfastly on the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which were agreed in September at the UN General Assembly.

“We support the thrust of the Arab and South American partnership, which was initiated by former President of Brazil, Lula Da Silva 12 years ago. We feel that it is a very useful forum for building international cooperation,” President Granger said.

On the sidelines of the Summit, the President and his delegation held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Ameen Madani.

Among its main objectives, the OIC aims to promote respect for the right of self-determination and non-interference in nations’ domestic affairs and respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each of its member states while developing science and technology and encouraging research and cooperation among its members.

Guyana is currently working to join the membership of the Islamic Development Bank.

Bilateral meetings The President expressed Guyana’s support for the call for Palestinian sovereignty and statehood as well as the urgent need for an end to the Syrian crisis, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

President Granger informed that from the South American side the main issue that was raised was that of Argentina’s claim on Falkland Islands and said that Guyana reserved its old position in this regard.

Maduro, on the other hand, used the summit to call for the establishment of a “formula” to set a “fair price” for hydrocarbons.

“We have great expectations. We are optimistic that in the short term, we will move forward towards a new formula allowing to create stability and fair price policies (for hydrocarbons) in the world,” Maduro said during his address at the Summit, which ended on Wednesday in the capital of Saudi Arabia.

“We are the ones who invest and produce the

oil of this planet. The others cannot set their movements and prices on us,” Maduro stressed.

Like President Granger, Maduro held bilateral meetings on the margins of the Summit.

Guyana’s delegation, which was led by the President, included Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General, Ambassador Audrey Waddell; Kadim Khan from the Private Sector, and Guyana’s representative to the United Nations, Troy Torrington.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana’s delegation was flown to the Summit courtesy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A number of world leaders attended the Summit, but the expenses paid courtesy was not extended to them.

The Summit was preceded by the Fourth Businessmen Forum of the Arab-South American Countries on Sunday.

ASPA, which began in 2006, comprises the 22 members of the Arab League and the 12 members of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

While the Riyadh Summit looks at means to bolster trade and cooperation, it also has a political component – such as jointly pushing for UN Security Council reform to expand the number of its permanent members.

Brazil, a UNASUR member, has for years sought a permanent seat on the Security Council.

When the Summit first began in 2006, trade between the two groups stood at US$6 billion.

In the eight years since, this has surged to US$30 billion.

Venezuela will host the next ASPA summit in 2018.

he Department of Culture, Youth and Sport on Monday ushered in the auspicious celebration of the Festival of Lights, at a ceremony held in the ministry’s compound.

The short programme shared with the gathering, the origin and meaning of the Festival of Lights, with songs and dances from students of the Kuru Kuru College.

Minister Nicolette Henry and Permanent Secretary Alfred Minister withKing light a diya during the celebrations on Monday in the Ministry also have our similari- titudes, hindrance and of Education, Minister Department of Culture ties. We all have our time darkness” in each year when we Henry added.

Youth and Sport, Permanent Secretary Nicolette Henry, told the want to celebrate what gathering that Diwali is really matters, such as Alfred King stated that not restricted to lighting family, service to our the ministry feels oblilamps, and others should community and the im- gated to showcase the take advantage of this portance of trying to see cultural diversity in auspicious event to fos- good triumph over evil, Guyana, which is the ter peace and harmony and that,” she stated, “is reason for this initiative.

“We live in a diamong themselves and what Diwali is all about”. verse country where we Henry added that the community. celebration of Diwali canlearn to appreciate and The minister stated that even though not be restricted to the share each other’s culthis holiday is a cele- lighting of lamps, but ture. We are always imbration mainly by the rather that each citizen pressed with the mesHindu community, many should seek to have this sage of Diwali, and we Guyanese throughout spiritual light ablaze in always try to appeal to this country also partake their hearts and minds, our good nature to adopt in this event in one way serving as a guide to some of what the scope their lives as they live of the celebration really or another. is, which is to always see “We are a multi-re- each day. the positive side of life”, “As we celebrate this ligious community and all of us have our reli- festival of light, let us the Permanent Secretary gious differences, but we let go of all negative at- stated.

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Diwali scenes from across Guyana

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Specialty Hospital back on stream - Norton says Guyana received “an offer of a lifetime”

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overnment will be going ahead with the construction of the multibillion-dollar specialty hospital in Guyana, a move which former Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran applauded.

Ramsaran was responding to a report published in another section of the media, in which Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton confirmed the move to continue with the facility.

According to the report, Government will be going ahead with the construction of the specialty hospital, but under a new agreement with India.

The new arrangement would see unused funds from the original deal being channelled towards the upgrade of three of the country’s regional hospitals, while a new pact will be negotiated for the completion of the medical facility.

Speaking with Guyana Times

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

International on Wednesday, Dr Norton said that neither he nor the Administration was ever against the specialty hospital. What was troubling for them while in Opposition, he said, was the unavailability of relevant information.

“I know of persons who had to go abroad to do surgery, whether it is a cordial transplant, kidney transplant or whatever it is. In other words, it could not be done

here,” he told this publication.

According to him, the Administration was not “properly informed” about the project.

The Health Minister said there was no information about the details including “if Guyanese were going to be employed in this hospital, if Guyanese have to pay to receive treatment in this hospital, what types of treatment, are the Guyanese students going to be taught there. These are things that were not coming through with regards to the bidding of the contract to build the hospital.”

Meanwhile, according to the article which was published, Norton said Government has received what can only be described as “an offer of a lifetime”, whereby the Government of India will permit the Government of Guyana to use the remaining US$14 million from the Specialty Hospital Project towards

accommodate the rising number of chronic NonCommunicable Diseases in Guyana.

Project site

Former Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran

the upgrading of the West Demerara, Suddie and Bartica Regional Hospitals, while still being able to benefit from funding for a new Specialty Hospital.

Speaking to Guyana Times International on Wednesday, Dr Ramsaran said, while he applauded the move, the project should not have been stopped in the first place. He said a Specialty Hospital in Guyana is a must as it will be able to

He noted that the Party was particularly concerned about the project site at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, where some US$4 Million of the grant was already utilised to lay the foundation for the state-of-the-art health facility. According to him, had Government not return to the project, that money would have gone “down the drain”.

The construction of the Specialty Hospital was part of an agreement between the Governments of Guyana and India for Guyana to use US$18 million through a line of credit to build the hospital which was aimed at catering for complicated surgeries, ranging from heart operations, organ transplants to cosmetic surgeries. The idea had come in for heavy

criticism by the current Administration which was on the Opposition side of the House during the 10th Parliament.

The coalition had cut the Gy$1.25 billion that had been budgeted for the hospital in 2013. The previous Administration was only given Gy$34.4 million as supplementary funding for the hospital in the 10th Parliament only by the absence of the coalition’s Member of Parliament (MP) Volda Lawrence when a vote had been taken on the funding.

The previous Administration was hoping that the hospital would be used to bring tourists and overseasbased Guyanese back to Guyana, as a means of “health tourism”.

The new Administration had said that with the current state of affairs in the health sector, it was better that the construction of the hospital be put on the backburner.

GuySuCo ready to meet GAWU – incentive talks to begin, no wage negotiation as yet

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he Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has announced its readiness to commence discussions on the Annual Production Incentive (API) for sugar workers with the Guyana Agricultural and

GAWU President Komal Chand

General Workers’ Union (GAWU) for this year.

However, there is still no indication as to when the Sugar Corporation will be ready to discuss salary increases for the workers.

In a statement to the media on Wednesday, the Sugar Corporation stated that it has formally notified the Union that it is ready to begin

talks about the workers’ API for 2015.

According to GuySuCo, the API is an entirely different matter from that of wages and salaries, and therefore, the discussion of this cannot be in lieu of the Corporation’s “refusal to enter into discussions on wages.”

“The Corporation has never refused to enter into discussions on wages.

Its position has always been that these negotiations would commence after a decision is taken on the way forward for the industry after consideration of the Commission Of Inquiry (CoI) report. This position will not change,” GuySuCo posited.

The press release went on to say that the President of GAWU, Komal Chand, “seemed” to have commenced the API discussions through the media with his expectation compared to last year, adding that this approach is fraught with problems.

According to the sugar entity, the GAWU President had accused the Corporation of impeding production on Saturday last, claiming that GuySuCo was not prepared for workers at

various estates and as a result, they turned up at work only to realise that there was little work to be done.

However, the sugar company is contesting this, noting that on November 4, a letter was sent to the Sugar Corporation by Attorneys who wrote on behalf of GAWU, the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) and the

National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE).

According to GuySuCo, given the loss of revenue from the previous three-day strike action, which amounted to at least Gy$38 million, it was not prepared to experience such losses again.

Hence, when word

was received that there was not going to be a strike on Sunday, GuySuCo began the process of recommencing operations by first burning canes.

Also, the sugar entity acknowledged that it has taken note of Chand’s “implied threat” for the beginning of the 2016 crop but hopes that good sense would prevail and instead, very good per-

formances that workers and management teams experienced during the current crop would flow into next year.

In a recent statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Government is pleading with sugar workers to desist from taking any strike action, since this could cripple operations and close down the sugar industry.

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Investors Bank opens new branch in Richmond Hill

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nvestors Bank recently celebrated the opening of its new branch at 103-42 Lefferts Boulevard in Richmond Hill with a ribbon cutting ceremony. During the Grand Opening period that runs until December 17, Investors Bank is honoring two local nonprofit organiza-

tions, River Fund New York and Indo-Caribbean Alliance Inc. River Fund N.Y. finds innovative ways to fight hunger and homelessness in local neighborhoods. Indo-Caribbean was founded by three residents in 2008 to create programs and services in the underserved

Indo-Caribbean and South Asian communities in South Queens.

For the next few weeks, each time a person, family or business opens an account at the Richmond Hill branch, Investors will donate US$25 to one of the charities selected by the customer.

City Hall taking steps to address garbage problem in Georgetown

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s Guyanese prepare to usher in the Christmas season, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has launched a new initiative to better manage the unruly garbage situation in the capital city.

Under the pilot project, the Council will distribute forms to all the businesses within the garbage collection district (bound

by Vlissengen Road, South Road, Avenue of the Republic, North Road and Lacy Town/ Bourda). The businesses are required to fill out the forms, in accordance with the intervals

Director of Solid Waste, Ron Eastman

at which garbage will be collected by the contractors. At the end of cer-

tain periods, the forms would be submitted to the City Council which would then assess the situation to ensure the contractors carry out their duties as required.

Under the previous system, the City Council depended solely on the information received from the contractors as it related to garbage collection. However, it was observed that in some cases, the contractors would not collect the garbage at the stipulated times. Therefore, the new system will allow the Council to track the collection of garbage and

Jagdeo met with Guyanese in New York last week

PNCR hosts Regional Delegates Conference

continued on page 26

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City Hall introduces a new garbage collection system

A section of the gathering at the conference

nder the theme “PNCR facing the future united and resolved to achieve national consensus”, the People’s National Congress Reform hosted its Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Annual Regional Delegates Conference on Saturday last.

According to a statement from the party,

over 200 delegates from Pomeroon-Supenaam attended the conference which was held at the Charity Primary School.

PNCR Vice Chairman and Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, in her address to the gathering, stated that this year’s theme for the party was based on the fundamental ideas and philosophy of the

PNCR and there was need for unity throughout the country so as to achieve national consensus.

According to the Social Protection Minister, the current Administration is of the view that all people of Guyana are equally important whether they belong to a large group or a small group.

Barbados to help Guyana set up Hospitality Institute

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uyana has invited the Director of the Hospitality Institute of Barbados to visit Guyana and assist with the implementation of a phased approach for a local hospitality institute. This is according to Director of Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh.

Haralsingh explained that this same person completed the feasibility study for the local hospitality institute, with funding and backing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

While the feasibility study is complete, Guyana is still to do additional work on the hospitality institute which

is desperately needed to build capacity, train and help Guyanese, and make Guyana’s tourism industry more competitive, Haralsingh was quoted by the Government Information Agency as saying.

But while the country awaits this infrastructure, critical to making the industry far greater, Haralsingh pointed out that the GTA continues to facilitate training, and is in fact, one of the key agencies that leads in tourism training and capacity building locally.

For this year alone, he noted, the agency has trained hundreds of persons across Guyana, thus far, even as it has as part of its agenda some

GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh

key training coming up.

Recently, the GTA completed Dutch language training at the border at Moleson Creek. This effort saw Guyanese working with the Canawaima ferry including the se-

curity personnel, port health and customs and immigration officials among others, being trained in conversation Dutch. Haralsingh explained that GTA also produced a booklet in conversation Dutch and an accompanying CD to assist with the training.

The agencies have also completed Spanish training with the front desk operators among others at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Haralsingh added. Moving forward, he said that in two weeks’ time, the agency is set to conduct some level of Portuguese language training at the border in Lethem.

Meanwhile, First

aid and CPR were completed with the speedboat operators plying the Parika-Supenaam, Parika-Bartica and Vreed-en-Hoop-Stabroek route.

Working in connection with the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the GTA also completed training with boat captains for their licences.

And as it relates to educating the public on the importance of fostering tourism for the benefit of the country, Haralsingh explained that this is done through school talks and through the agencies’ participation at local trade shows and fairs.

The agency is working with the Tourism Ministry to have the

Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s module for primary schools implemented in the school system as part of pushing this agenda. At the level of the secondary school, this will be handled by the Ministry as soon as next year, as a Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) approved tourism education curriculum will be implemented.

And for the public, he explained that what is being examined is a general programme, whereby the “War on bad manners,” campaign is revived and rolled-out all across Guyana, “so that every Guyanese can be a good salesman or saleswoman for our country.”

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Govt to set up special welfare committee to target homeless

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ocial Protection Minister Volda Lawrence has announced that the Ministry would be working side by side with a welfare committee that was established to target the homeless. This will ensure that persons are evaluated, and where possible, reintegrated into society.

Through the National Task Force Commission, which is responsible

for Project Restoration Guyana, the welfare committee, chaired by Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, was established.

The committee comprises persons from the Ministries of Social Protection, Public Health, Public Security and Agriculture, and the Mayor and City Council.

Its objective is to address welfare management for the homeless, mentally

challenged and the addicted.

During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Lawrence explained that the committee has already done its preliminary investigation, and was at the stage of preparing a budget.

“There must be an evaluation, because you have various persons out there: you have the

Two homeless men sleeping on a street in Georgetown

addicted, the mentally challenged, the homeless and persons who see it as an economic means. We will try as hard as possible to have the families involved, after which we will look at capacity within the health sector to take on those persons, and the centres under the Social Protection Ministry. So we are waiting to see what the budget will look like, and then we will decide whether we will do it by a percentage or take it by areas, but the Government is working on that,” Minister Lawrence emphasised.

As it relates to beggars on the streets, Minister Lawrence revealed that a bit more would have to be done to target this group. She

said that it was not just teaching them a skill, or providing the assistance, but also dealing with the mental aspect.

The number of children begging on the streets is also increasing.

Minister Lawrence noted that “children are to be taken care of, they are to be nurtured, and they ought not to be out there working, because that is child labour”.

She said that a programme has to be instituted to educate persons who use begging as an economic means.

Taking the homeless and beggars off the street is one aspect of the multi-pronged approach the Government has employed to restore Guyana.

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Three-way race for UNC Leader: Vasant jumps in T

rinidad and Tobago The Opposition UNC’s December 5 leadership contest will be a three-way race following Wednesday’s decision

by UNC Senator Vasant Bharath to challenge incumbent UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and compete with contestant Roodal Moonilal for the top post.

Bharath confirmed his decision to contest yesterday after a final meeting with his team, which will form his slate that includes UNC San Juan/ Barataria MP Fuad Khan. “This is more than just an internal UNC election for me, it’s about fully rebuilding and taking the party forward and moreso all about T&T’s future,” Bharath added.

Bharath was scheduled to deliver remarks at Wednesday night’s Divali Nagar celebration in Chaguanas. When Persad-Bissessar addressed the Nagar audience on Thursday, she

apologised for losing the September 7 general election and asked for support in her leadership bid. Certain religious teachings, she noted, showed that sometimes kinsmen had to go up against each other to do the right thing.

Moonilal, who also addressed a Nagar audience on Friday, said he was aware of heartbreak over the general election outcome and promised “brighter days ahead.”

Bharath, 58, has been meeting with various constituencies over the last three weeks to gauge members’ opinions and decide if he should contest. Following yesterday’s meeting where he confirmed his decision, he told the Sunday Guardian, “I’ve met with many of the major constituencies, executives, activists and influential people in the party and today I met with a group which will become my slate and will be launched after Divali.

This has been a com-

America Street robbery: Two charged, remanded

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Anthony Primo

Troy Abrams

wo men claiming to be labourers were on Monday remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with robbery under arms.

Troy Abrams and Anthony Primo of 153 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, are accused of robbing several America Street ‘money changers.’

It is alleged that on November 3 at America Street while being armed with a gun, they robbed Rayburn Fraser of Gy$520,000; US$3000, TT$2000 and $SR2000, all to a total of Gy$1,600,000.

Additionally, they are charged with robbing on the same day Osafo Bourne of Gy$400,000 and $US700, a total of Gy$540,000.

According to reports, at about 20:00h the two men reportedly opened

fire indiscriminately before snatching the money from the money changers.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones informed the court that following the incident, the Police while acting on information arrested the two accused.

The Prosecutor also disclosed that four separate identification parades were conducted and the men were positively identified in all.

The two accused however, argued these facts and stated that while they were placed in identification parades, the others present in the parade bore no resemblance to them. They told the magistrate that they were in police custody for over 72 hours, despite they had alibis.

They both requested bail and a speedy trial.

However, they were remanded to prison and the case will continue on December 11.

UNC Senator Vasant Bharath

plex decision to arrive at as many things had to be taken into consideration.

But with the encouragement of family, friends and my team I’ve decided to contest.”

Bharath, a chartered accountant with a master’s degree in law and an MBA degree, has been in-

volved in politics for just over 20 years and was deputy chairman of the UNC under the former (2007) Panday administration during which time he was tipped as Panday’s successor. He was St Augustine MP. He unsuccessfully contested the St Joseph seat

in the September 7 general polls.

On factors prompting his decision, Bharath said, “I particularly believe many institutions of the party have broken down, some irretrievably so. If we have to present ourselves as a credible alternative for the people, we must rebuild. It’ll be a long, painstaking process, but I’m up for the task. We’ll require all hands on deck and I’ll seek to do that immediately after the election.”

On his rivals, Bharath said, “I prefer not to comment on the pros and cons of either.

Mrs Persad-Bissessar and Dr Moonilal, I’m sure each will make their respective cases in the next few weeks. My campaign will focus on the work we’ll do to rebuild UNC into a viable party to confront challenges facing T&T.” He

acknowledged PersadBissessar would have residual support from the recent general election.

“She’s been a very popular leader and prime minister. But I feel it’s time for us to move on.

“As a party, I think we’ve been waiting to exhale and though she’s much loved, our message has to be that T&T is bigger than any person and we must put country first.”

Bharath, who isn’t a member of the House of Representatives— though his two rivals are—said he fought a difficult marginal seat in recent elections.

“I clearly felt our election strategy was wrong for a national campaign.

I withdrew from the ‘No Rowley’ campaign after my first three appearances there since I didn’t believe it was a continued on page 24

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Father, son killed as boat capsizes A

father and his son were on Monday killed after the boat in which they were travelling capsized in the vicinity of the Falls Top, Essequibo River, following mechanical problems.

Dead are Michael Dyal and his three-year-old son, Randolph Dyal.

According to reports, the lad’s body was recovered close to Mabura, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) while his 38-year-old father’s body was recovered at the bottom of the Falls, with his face badly disfigured.

Guyana Times International understands that the man was taking his three children home after they spent the weekend with him when tragedy struck. At the time of the incident, there were seven persons in the boat.

The eldest child reportedly held onto another sibling and made her way to safety, but Dyal went to the aid of his three-year-old son and both went under the water. The other family members managed to swim to shore.

Reports are that while in the vicinity of Falls Top, the 75-horsepower outboard engine of the boat encountered some mechanical problems and stopped working, causing the vessel to drift downstream and eventually capsize.

The Police in both E (LindenKwakwani) and F (Interior Locations) Divisions are assisting in the recovery mission. Both Commanders Ravindradat Budram and Calvin Brutus have confirmed that the accident occurred and they have launched an investigation.

Marley family agree to DNA comparison - but tell singer making paternity claim reggae icon’s sample won’t be used

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i n g s t o n , Jamaica - The family of Bob Marley is to make children of the late reggae icon available to compare DNA samples with that of singer Fabian Marley, who has been claiming publicly for the past two years to have been sired by the world-renowned artiste.

However, the arrangement doesn’t sit well with Fabian Marley, who is irked by the Marley family’s position that his DNA would not be compared with that of the man he has claimed to be his father.

On November 4, Marley family attorney Kevin Powell, a partner in the law firm Hylton Powell, responded to a letter from Keachea Dixon, the attorney for Fabian Marley, on the controversial issue. “…we will make available one or more of Bob Marley’s children to complete the comparative DNA tests…,” the letter said.

“Your client’s request for his DNA to be matched with that of the deceased Robert Nesta Marley is unreasonable and not at all rational,” the letter continued. “It is completely out of the question and our clients will not even consider it.”

In light of the ardent position of the Marley family, Fabian Marley told the Jamaica Observer on Friday that he will be taking legal action to obtain Bob Marley’s DNA sample to conduct the relevant comparative test.

“I’m taking this to the court. I know I am a Marley. I never went

to any of them for anything,” he told the Sunday Observer.

“I’m not going to match up DNA with any of the siblings. When I was ready to do this three years ago they turned me down. Mi nuh inna this,” he said.

The 47-year-old artiste, who goes by the moniker Gong Kid, told the newspaper previously that he was born in the inner-city community of Trench Town — from which Bob Marley rose to international prominence during the 1970s — as a result of a liaison between his mother Raphie ‘Peggy’ Munroe and the senior Marley.

Fabian Marley gave his birth date as July 27, 1968, and said all his official documents, including his birth certificate, have the Marley surname.

Marley, a father of numerous children, died in Florida in May 1981 from cancer at age 36.

Fabian Marley, who was on tour of Europe when he was informed that the Marley family had agreed to the DNA tests, said that his mother, who is residing in Florida, had told him that Bob Marley was his father.

Fabian Marley has, since 2013, made headlines with a claim that he’s the first son of the reggae icon. But the claim hasn’t gone down well with the Marley family, which has refused to acknowledge his sensational pronouncements. The family had gone as far as having their attorneys issue the claimant a “cease and desist” order, warning him to refrain from using the Marley name. (Jamaica Observer)

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Bagotstown shooting: Shot wanted man succumbs

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ermaine Simon, the 24-year-old man who was shot on Tuesday night, in what Police have described as an execution style killing, has succumbed to his injuries.

The dead man of Lot 46 Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was shot to his head while riding in the village at about 20:30h. Reports stated that the man, who was wanted by the Police for a Providence, EBD murder, was riding when the gunman rushed out of a yard and shot him to the head.

Simon was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at about 02:00h on

Wednesday morning.

Guyana Times International understands that the suspect, who has been identified, is a known character to the Police.

A Police source told this newspaper that both the suspect and the now dead man are known to each other and were on Tuesday involved in an argument over a drug related matter.

Speaking with this newspaper, the deceased man’s mother, Nicola Simon, said some years ago, her son was accused of killing someone and following that incident, gunmen opened fire on her home.

Meanwhile, the home

The suspect’s burnt home

of the man who has been identified as the suspect in the shooting of Simon, went up in flames on Wednesday afternoon.

The fire of unknown origin burnt the top flat of the wooden building where the suspect resided with his family.

The suspect’s burnt home

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Region 6 REO’s inexperience may cost Woman in critical residents millions – RDC Chairman condition after

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esidents of Region 6 (East BerbiceCorentyne) will be short-changed, as millions of dollars that were allocated for developmental purposes in the area may have to be returned to the national treasury at the end of 2015.

This is because of the inexperience of APNU/ AFC appointed REO, Veerasammy Ramayya.

He had been described

by Minister of the Presidency Joe Harmon as a “quasi political” rather than a qualified bureaucrat that REO’s are supposed to be.

While the other regional offices throughout the country are carrying out developmental works with funds allocated, Region Six is having major difficulties doing the same. Regional Chairman David Armogan told Guyana Times International on Monday that although Gy$260 million was awarded to the region for its advancement and to cater for the needs of the people in the area, only Gy$15 million in capital works has been spent thus far.

“We are pretty slow right now in terms of expending the Gy$260 million, only having spent Gy$15 million to date,

Region Six Chairman David Armogan

and we only have a month and half really to spend out all this money. So, we have to really speed up,” he said.

According to Armogan, while the money is there for the regional office to utilise, many of the works are yet to be awarded thereby preventing a large number of very important projects from being executed.

“The slowdown in awarding these contracts is because the tender board, we have a new Regional Executive Officer (REO), who seem to be having difficulties with procedures that govern the operations of the tender board.

He is the Chairman of the tender board, but in some cases if the tender board is called, the work has not been evaluated, so they have to go back and they can’t meet because unless the thing

is evaluated you can’t go and award tenders,” Armogan told this newspaper.

He acknowledged that while the REO, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, is “willing” to have these projects carried out, there were many procedural errors.

According to the Regional Chairman, these errors occur because the REO is lacking sufficient knowledge about tender procedures and this issue needs to be rectified immediately.

“It is a matter of knowledge with tender procedures, there is lack of knowledge, so every time now you have to go and correct what you did already so that is where the problem is … I think he needs to learn the work very fast, I don’t think he has an understanding of the work and he needs to learn very fast because we don’t have the time. He doesn’t come to me, I will teach him, but he doesn’t come, he is the kind of a person who thinks he knows everything,” he stated.

This newspaper was further told that while Armogan was willing to assist in areas where Dr Ramayya may not have enough knowledge about or was ill-informed, the REO never asked for

being stabbed by rejected lover

A Veerasammy Ramayya

help or assistance in such matters.

As a result, this will cause the regional office to come to a standstill on the developmental works of the region, thereby affecting residents in the area.

He added that the region has a number of outstanding projects inclusive of buying equipment for the regional hospitals to improve services.

This newspaper understands that when the regional officials recently met with the budget committee, the members on the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the level of spending by the region.

As such, the REO and other officials were urged to ensure that they accelerate their spending so as to utilise as much money as possible before the end of this year to ensure that projects are executed as budgeted for.

woman is now nursing several stab wounds to her neck and wrist after she was attacked by her reputed husband whom she had dumped earlier in the year.

Injured is Shondell Hernandez, 22, of Lot 121 Curbane Park, Annandale, East Coast Demerara.

Reports reaching Guyana Times International stated that Hernandez was at home talking to her sister on the phone when she heard an unusual sound. Upon investigating she saw her former lover climbing through her window. Before she could have retreated, the man made his way into the house, whipped out a knifed and dealt her several stabs to her neck and wrist. Following the stabbing he escaped.

The woman’s sister, who heard the commotion over the phone, went over to the house only to find her sister on the floor in a pool of blood.

Hernandez is said to be in a serious condition at a city hospital.

This newspaper was

Injured woman, Shondell Hernandez

told that Hernandez ended the relationship with the man because of his abusive behaviour.

The two were together for six years.

Although the relationship had ended, Hernandez had an arrangement with her assailant to visit their 3-year-old child.

However, of recent, the suspect reportedly began following her whenever she left the house. This newspaper was told the suspect would regularly telephone the woman and threaten to harm her if she did not get back with him.

The police have since launched an investigation into the stabbing incident.

22 NEWS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

PPP/C not Govt urged to “come clean” on public spending interested in Deputy

P

ressure is mounting on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) government to end the secrecy on the profligate spending on events leading up to and including the grand Presidential inauguration ceremony at the Providence National Stadium.

Even after being grilled by the media on the matter at various forums, government ministers have continued to stonewall on providing details about the issue.

Questions submitted in parliament by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition on this public concern received ambiguous responses from government.

During a telephone interview with Guyana Times International on Sunday, political commentator and former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Henry Jeffrey forthrightly stated that government is obligated to make public the information on this matter and all matters of similar nature, especially now, given the magnitude of confusion surrounding the inauguration spending.

“The government

Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran

should provide the public with what they spent.

Is that a big thing for them to do? I don’t think it should be. Why is it so difficult for them to give the amount of resources spent and say where the resources came from? I don’t understand.” Dr Jeffrey stated.

He reminded that the coalition campaigned on the matter of transparency and accountability and against this backdrop, drew the conclusion that government does not practice what it preaches.

“I mean, you campaigned on talking about transparency and all of that… I read the various articles in the press, but I still can’t understand what is their problem… they should pro-

vide the accounts and they should be transparent,” he noted.

Additionally, this publication spoke to former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, a public supporter of the APNU/AFC, who also does not comprehend the apparent concealment over the matter. He too urged government to come clean on the inauguration spending issue, noting the administration is required by law to make these disclosures public.

“It is in keeping with our laws… any government department or government agency who receives gifts are required to value them and to bring them into account into the books of the ministry and to inform the auditor general so he can bring to account the value of these gifts into the public accounts,” Goolsarran stated.

He went on to say government is mandated by law to periodically make these disclosures public. He noted that the inauguration events took place since May yet to date no information has been released to the public on the matter, in spite of enormous public interest on this concern.

Speaker post General Secretary Clement Rohee says PPP/C not interested in Deputy Speaker post

Dr Henry Jeffrey

Nonetheless, Goolsarran said government can still make amends by publicly disclosing the answers before the New Year.

Conflicting reports

A number of conflicting reports are emanating from government regarding the inauguration spending. Initially, State Minister Joseph Harmon had disclosed that government contributed minimally to the inauguration activities but the majority of the financial expense were covered by donations from private individuals.

Thereafter, on the final day of the Budget Estimates, Minister Henry succumbed to pressure from questions sprung by PPP/C continued on page 28

P

e o p l e ’ s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has made it clear it is not interested in nominating one of its members to occupy the post of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. This is according to Party General Secretary Clement Rohee.

Rohee was asked if the Party has decided on a nominee for the Deputy Speaker position. His response was “You are assuming that we are interested in it.” Rohee then declared that the PPP/C is not interested in the post. “We are not interested in that,” he firmly stated.

PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira when asked in Parliament

about the matter by Speaker Dr Barton Scotland in August stated that the Party has no nominees for the post.

Currently, there is no one to attend to the business of the National Assembly if the substantive Speaker is unable to carry out his responsibilities for any given period of time.

On Sunday, during the Remembrance Day wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph, Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland fainted and had to be rushed to hospital.

The possibility exists for the government to nominate someone to occupy the post of Deputy Speaker should the need arise.

NEWS 23

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

No ‘talks’ ongoing with Govt on Red House – PPP/C The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

I

n light of claims made

by Attorney General Basil Williams, of meeting with a delegation from the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to discuss having the Red House ‘lease deal revamped,’ the Opposition is denying that such talks have occurred.

The PPP/C in a statement said neither did such talks occur between a delegation from the Opposition Party and the AG nor is any such “talk” currently on-going.

Guyana Times International understands that in actuality the AG had met with representatives of the Management Committee of Red House, who had been advised by the PPP/C against such a meeting with Williams, particularly in the absence of any written communication from the AG Chambers on the matter.

“However, two members of the Management Committee persisted and proceeded to the meeting with Mr Williams only to have their views/proposals rebuffed by Williams as was predicted by the PPP/C,” the PPP/C said in its statement.

According to the PPP/C, the name ‘Red House’ is an exemplification of the fact that Dr Cheddi Jagan was, at that time, branded a ‘Red’ and ‘Communist’ and due to the fact that he lived at the time in that building it became known as Red House or the Red’s House.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Party is maintaining that former Presidents Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte were never deemed as ‘Red’ or ‘Communist’ and they never shared the ideology and philosophy of Dr Jagan.

As such, to suggest that Red House be the depository of Burnham’s and Hoyte’s work is not only “ludicrous” but “objectionable” to say the

least, the PPP/C noted.

“Red House is a symbol of the ‘Four Freedoms’ that Jagan so ardently believed in; it symbolizes his fight for Guyana’s independence, for the right of Guyanese to elect a government of their choice, for a democratic culture, and for peace and social progress,” the party noted.

It added that to associate Red House with Burnham and Hoyte would be a “historical misnomer” and contrary to the progressive anticolonial and anti-imperialist ideas, thoughts and memories associated with Cheddi Jagan.

Only three months after taking office, the APNU/AFC coalition had indicated its interest in controlling Red House.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon had announced that the State Asset Recovery Unit was looking to control the building.

The Red House is located on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

It was once the official residence of the Colonial Secretaries and prior to that was occupied and owned by Sir Eustace Woolford, a former speaker of the Legislature. Dr Cheddi Jagan lived there whilst he was the Premier of British Guiana from 1961-1964.

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre was officially established in 1999 with intention was to promote research into and publish materials on the life, work and ideas of Dr Jagan.

This will also promote research into the history of Guyana’s struggle for Independence and social justice, the history of Guyana as a whole from the early 1940s to the late 1990s.

Dr Jagan was well known around the world as an incorruptible freedom fighter and revolutionary who dedicated his life to the freedom of the poor and powerless in Guyanese society. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Diwali celebrated

by US Congress T

he US Congress celebrated Diwali with more than 1000 Indian American invitees, including Guyanese and other Caribbean people, attending.

Diwali has been celebrated annually in Congress and at the White House over the past 15 years. Some 30 members of Congress partook in the celebrations last Wednesday evening. The event was used to celebrate the accomplishments of the Indian American Diaspora.

The annual celebration, which attracts people and organisations from all over the US, was organised this year by Congressman Ami Bera and Congressman George Holding, Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

The Members of Congress say Diwali at Capitol Hill provides an

Congressman Ami Bera and Congressman George Holding celebrate Diwali with members of the Indian American Diaspora

opportunity to meet with members of Congress and other elected officials to celebrate the contributions of the South Asian community in medicine, business, technology, health care, arts, academics and much more.

Bera, the lone Indian American Congressman, and one of only two Hindus in the august body, in a release about the event said that the

event celebrated “who we are and all our community has accomplished.”

“Over the next decade, I look forward to making DC, the hub for connecting members of the community not just from the surrounding region, but across the country to celebrate our progress and talk about the future. The Indian American community has been play-

ing a key role in building needed ties between our two countries, and I congratulate the volunteers who worked to make this year’s Diwali celebration in Washington a success.”

US President Barack Obama celebrates Diwali at the White House later in the month. Guyanese Americans were invited to past celebrations.

Venezuela expands PetroCaribe investments

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

R

ice farmers throughout Guyana continue to hope that the APNU/ AFC administration will follow the advice of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, and seek out the Venezuelan government to re-establish the once lucrative PetroCaribe deal that the two countries shared.

If and when the Guyana government will pursue this move to rescue the country’s failing rice industry is yet to be announced.

However, Venezuela has already begun expanding PetroCaribe investments and the latest country to benefit is St Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to a recent report by “venezuelanalysis.com”, on Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pledged new resources to St Vincent and the Grenadines while proposing a special economic zone in the Caribbean to strengthen regional trade. President Maduro had made these promises during a diplomatic visit to the island nation.

Guyana Times International understands that the Venezuelan Head of

State, while engaging top government officials in St Vincent, warned that ideas for “domination of our peoples are recycled,” and that the old ways of domination now wear “new masks.”

It must be noted that for close to 10 years the Venezuelan PetroCaribe alliance has supplied almost 20 neighbouring countries with fuel and favourable terms for payment. These payment terms include lowinterest loans, while investing in community projects including hospitals, schools, highways, and homeless shelters.

Meanwhile, a Venezuelan report stated that President Maduro “checked up on a number of such projects” initiated by his predecessor Hugo Chavez, including a $32 million fuel storage and distribution plant named after the late president.

According to official data, this plant presently provides energy for over 90 per cent of St Vincent. This newspaper also understands that the Venezuelan President also visited the soon to be opened Argyle International Airport, which had received substantial support from PetroCaribe in 2008.

It was also reported

that President Maduro posited that PetroCaribe today is the “backbone” of the energy, social and economic development of the Region. Additionally, he is seeking a regional hub to serve as a centre for construction of more than 50 homes, to be financed by the oil alliance.

Approximately 7500 of laptops were promised to be distributed by the government of St Vincent.

However, with Venezuela now expanding its services and making agreements within the Caribbean and keeping Guyana out of its plan, it is unclear whether the APNU+AFC government will approach the Spanish-speaking nation with any proposals.

In recent weeks, the Venezuelan leader has visited Antigua, Suriname, St Lucia, and Grenada to discuss possibilities for a “powerful commercial economic zone” in the region, to protect against United States monopoly.

Late last month, Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dennis Moses visited Caracas as the two countries discussed joint projects to exploit new gas deposits on the sea border of both countries, as

well as to enhance the proprietary information on organized crime in the area.

For a number of years Venezuela, under the leadership of the late President Hugo Chavez, had inked “rice for oil deal” with the Guyana.

This arrangement was secured under the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration and resulted in Guyanese rice farmers, and the country as a whole benefiting tremendously.

However, following the APNU+AFC coalition coming into power this year, and Venezuela also having a new government, the relationship the two countries previously shared disintegrated.

Eventually Venezuela officially ousted Guyana from inking another PetroCaribe deal by turning to Suriname to supply their rice needs under the same arrangement in October last.

The agreement signed between President Maduro and his Surinamese counterpart Desi Bouterse, will allow Suriname to continue to receive favourable rates on oil in exchange for rice from that country. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

24 news

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

New UG Chancellor AFC denies dodging salaryto address 2015 gate debate with PPP/C graduating class

UG Chancellor, Professor Eon Nigel Harris

N

ewly-appointed Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Eon Nigel Harris is expected to deliver the keynote address at the

49th Convocation of the University of Guyana, Turkeyen campus, on Saturday, November 14, at 16: 30 hrs on the University Square, Turkeyen campus. More

than 1,000 students are expected to graduate from the Faculties of Agriculture and Forestry, Education and Humanities, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Technology and the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

This ceremony will also mark the graduation of the first batch of students with the Post-Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care and the Certificate in Industrial Engineering.

Meanwhile, the Berbice campus convocation is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2015.

Three-way race for ... campaign that would sit well with the public and I registered my objection to this.

“However, what’s important now is rebuilding party institutions.

I’ve mapped out spending two years for this within our plan for the party’s future.”

Bharath said: “If the UNC has to present itself as a national party, we must have national support and similar appeal.

“My slate will have many people who have such appeal and can command crossover support.

“T&T in the last ten years has become very divided, almost to a dangerously low point and trust needs to be rebuilt.

We must bring the races back together. The politics of our slate reflects

the diversity of T&T.” Khan, who had knocked PersadBissessar’s leadership and called for her to step aside, confirmed yesterday he was supporting Bharath. Several East-West corridor UNC units are also supporting Bharath. Khan said Bharath’s supporters included MPs Ramona Ramdial, Rudy Indarsingh, Bhoe Tewarie and ex-UNC ministers Brent Sancho, Stacy Roopnarine, Steven Cadiz, Garvin Nicholas and Jairam Seemungal. Khan said Bharath was also supported by businessmen.

While Cadiz confirmed he would support Bharath, Tewarie said yesterday he wasn’t involved. Nicholas said he hadn’t decided on whom he would support.

from page 17

Ramdial and Roopnarine also said they had not decided. Sancho said he hadn’t decided but had always admired Bharath’s skills. Cadiz said he was supporting Bharath since, “I think T&T has moved away from tribal voting. Recent elections have seen voters moving towards people they feel would best represent them.

Vasant is viewed as being one of those with national appeal.

“His political career has shown him to be a true Trinbagonian at heart and he doesn’t come across as being representative of only one particular group. He’s shown general appeal, is intelligent, well respected and as a minister and MP was performance-oriented with T&T in mind.”

(Trinidad Guardian)

T

he Alliance For Change (AFC) political party is denying that Members of Parliament of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration are trying to avoid the impending debate on a motion to challenge the hefty salary increases it has awarded Government Ministers and imposed upon all parliamentarians.

The upcoming sitting of the National Assembly, where the motion to annul the increases was expected to be debated, was postponed by the Government.

The request was made by AFC Executive Member Moses Nagamootoo who explained that several key Government functionaries, Members of Parliament and the Clerk of the National Assembly will be attending the Summit of South American Arab Countries (ASPA) which will be held in Saudi Arabia from November 9-13.

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition has commented on this development and accused the Government of avoiding the debate on the motion and of putting their overseas travel above the domestic issues and the National Assembly.

In response, the AFC denied these allegations. According to the party, the PPP/C was guilty of the same. “The AFC finds this to be hypocritical for the simple reason that it was the PPP, when faced with a motion of no confidence in 2014 that not only postponed the sitting of the National Assembly but shutdown the House. The PPP was fearful of that motion to the extent that it recklessly prorogued the Parliament which was derailed for a full nine months. It was the APNU+AFC coalition Government that rescued Parliament and re-convened the Assembly after the polls,” the press release stated.

AFC insisted that the Government

is ready to debate the motion while at the same time, accused the Opposition of playing a “game of cat and mouse with Parliament”.

“It first boycotted important sittings, and then, not to lose pay for its MPs, quietly slipped into the House whilst petitioning the court to declare the Parliament illegal,” the AFC said in defending its stance and proving its point.

Further, the AFC said it is “armed with cogent facts and statistics” that would “shame” the political Opposition “for giving its fat cat super salaries and perks f o r stashing away fabulous sums in secret bank a c counts and causing the disappearance of vehicles and other state assets.”

The AFC went on to say evidence of these “wrongdoings” are now coming to the fore, although in actuality, no such evidence of these allegations were presented nor were charges made against former Government Ministers to the extent which is alleged.

Moreover, in undermining the gravity of the salary increase situation, the AFC said the hullabaloo was a “red herring” to divert attention from the PPP/C’s destruction of Guyana’s economy, bankrupting the sugar industry and failing to find alternative markets for rice.

These accusations from the AFC partner of the coalition Government come on the heels of its Government neglecting to attend to the woes of the rice farmers and sugar workers who have staged plentiful protests about the plight of their respective industries and whose calls on the Government for much needed support have been apparently falling on deaf ears.

Minibus conductor on carnal knowledge charge gets 20 years jail

A

minibus conductor who raped his friend’s 11-year-old sister in 2007 was on Friday sentenced to 20 years in prison by Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Previously, the jury had unanimously found the man guilty of carnal knowledge at the High Court. Anthony Braithwaite, called “Poke Toe”, 27, of Lot 29 Friendship, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was convicted of having carnal knowledge of the 11-year-old on July 26, 2007.

The case was presided over by Judge Sewnarine-Beharry, while the State was represented by Attorneys Stacy Goodings, Michael Shahoud and Siand Dhurjon.

Braithwaite was represented by Attorney Raymond Ali. According to the particulars of the charge,

the defendant was 19 years old at the time of the incident. The court heard that on the day in question, the victim was at a neighbour’s residence in Buxton, ECD when she went to use the washroom.

She heard a knock on the door and opened it, expecting her sister, whom she had asked to bring her toilet paper, but instead it was Braithwaite. The court heard that Braithwaite then entered the toilet and raped the child.

Subsequent to the incident, the child told her family and the conductor was arrested and charged.

The Preliminary Inquiry into the matter was completed in 2010 and the defendant was committed to stand trial in the High Court

by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. During the trial, the court heard the testimonies of

the victim, who is now 19 years old; her mother; neighbours; and several Police Officers.

The victim is emotionally scarred by the incident, and showed signs of this during her testimony. She testified that she had known the defendant three years prior to the incident as he was a friend of her older brother and would visit their home regularly.

The guilty verdict was handed down and the Judge adjourned the matter to consider the mitigation factors.

The mitigation was in the defendant’s favour as the Judge showed leniency after considering that the defendant has two children and was on remand for over 10 months. She delivered the sentence after telling the defendant that he had violated the position of trust that he was given.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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26 NEWS

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana shines at Suicide deaths Expo in Italy climbing in Guyana –International Limacol a huge hit at the Expo

…IAC calls for scourge to be declared national priority

Zenita Nicholson

F

ollowing the recent deaths of the young Indo-Guyanese couple whose bodies were discovered in the vicinity of the Kingston Seawall late Monday afternoon, and well-known activist Zenita Nicholson, the Indian Action (formerly Arrival) Committee (IAC), is repeating its calls for suicide to be declared a national priority. It is believed that the suicide rate in Guyana is climbing rapidly.

The committee said these deaths once again highlight the tragic consequences of this social scourge that continues to plague our society.

IAC reflected on the death of activist Nicholson, bringing into focus that even those who appear strong and even provide guidance, are also vulnerable.

This underlines the IAC’s position on suicide, that while it is more prevalent in IndoGuyanese communities, it is not confined therein.

The IAC proclaimed that these deaths further underpin and for-

tify their repeated calls for suicide to be declared a national priority. “The IAC had called on the immediate past People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration to heed the call and make the declaration. It made a similar call on the current A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government to see merit in the request” the committee declared in a release.

The group said while they are pleased the request has been positively received by this government and there are ongoing engagements for its eventual unfolding; the organization believes the declaration must have the full support of all stakeholders, including the Opposition.

The IAC is firm in its belief that a national declaration would bring a much needed sense of priority which in turn would necessitate the provision of the human, technical and financial resources that would be needed to educate and mitigate the circumstances that would propel people to end their lives.

“The continual and seemingly growing impact of suicide affects families, communities and the country as a whole. Guyana can ill afford to have such losses in its human resources.

It is in this context that IAC urge for a swift declaration and calls on civil society to lend support”.

Further, the IAC reiterated it call on all social and religious organiza-

– Communications Officer

T

Kavita Akloo

tions to intensify their efforts to provide guidance and counselling where necessary to aid the mitigation of this social ill.

The IAC says it stands ready to work with the Administration and civil society through meaningful engagements in helping to derive useful mechanisms with regard to suicide.

The IAC also offered encouragement for those who may be, for whatever reason, contemplating or would have already, unfortunately, developed suicidal tendencies, to seek assistance, despite the challenges, through family, places of worship, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and others that provide related services or anyone or place of choice.

“The IAC takes this opportunity to extend its deepest condolences to the families and friends of Kavita Akloo and Ramesh Beharry, the young couple who apparently committed suicide last Monday at the Kingston Seawall and activist Zenita Nicholson.

he Guyana Tourism Authority has declared Guyana’s participation at the recently concluded Expo Milano 2015, a “resonant success”.

Under the theme, “Feeding the Planet; Energy for Life”, the occasion which commenced in May and concluded in October, took place in Italy, with Guyana being one of eight Caricom countries to participate.

According to GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh, this is the largest and longest sustained destination promotion for Guyana, which sought to promote the country as an attractive tourist destination.

Haralsingh noted that such World Expos usually occurs every five years and of recent, Guyana has been a part of Expo Zaragoza in 2008, Shanghai Expo in 2010 and now Expo Milano.

The next Expo, he noted, is scheduled for Dubai in 2020, where Guyana is to once again participate with aims to promote the wonders that the country has to offer.

Guyana’s four-member team at the four-month event were Senior Communications Officer of GTA Chevon Lim, GTA’s Investment Officer, Kamrul Baksh, Toshika Logan, a research and planning analyst from the Tourism Ministry, and Surijdai Ragubar, a tourism Development Officer also from the Tourism Ministry.

The GTA Director also stated that it was particularly excellent to create tourism awareness to build on destination branding after which there were a lot of inquiries from visitors about what they can expect from a visit to the land of El Dorado.

GTA’s Chevon Lim told the media that Guyana was not a known destination in Italy but the team’s presence there presented a firsthand opportunity to showcase the country to the 768,000 visitors who passed through the pavilion on a daily basis.

Lim said the Expo also allowed them to promote export-ready Guyana products, and to interact with international media in an effort to enhance the overall image of Guyana.

She added that the local team received positive feedbacks from the many visitors to the Guyana booth and noted many

visitors openly claimed Guyana had the most attractive brand logo in the Caricom pavilion and close to one million visitors collected the Guyana logo.

The Communications Officer further explained they were able to introduce a wide range of Guyanese products to the European Market with the assistance of several local companies which contributed to Guyana’s showcase.

She said Limacol was a huge hit, as during hot days, visitors were given samples of the product and were quite astonished at its effects, and agreed they would readily purchase the product if it was available in Europe.

Lim also said foreigners are now aware that Guyana is one of the leading producers of sugar and rice in the Caribbean and that numerous European rum distributors expressed interest in Banks DIH products including their 10-, 12- and 15-year-old rum and their assortment of flavours of Rum Punch.

The local companies which supported this venture were New GPC House of Limacol, GuySuCo, Umami, THAG, the Guyana Forestry Commission, Banks DIH, Beharry and Company, Pomeroon Oil Mills, NAMILCO, Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited and Go-Invest.

City Hall taking ...

from page 12

pressure the contractors to carry out their duties as is required. Failure to do so would result in monetary penalties.

“The objective is not only to track the waste, but track how it is being disposed…contractors are required to pick up waste twice a day within this particular district… check when, where, how and time and period it is collected…,” Director of Solid Waste, Ron Eastman, stated.

Additionally, Eastman stated that officers would be patrolling the streets on a daily basis to ensure the refuse is collected on schedule.

Also, this new system seeks to expose how the businesses store their

refuse and if they have adequate receptacles for their garbage.

Based on the anticipated success of this pilot project, the city council would expand on the initiative and implement the system in other communities.

This project will take effect on November 16.

Meanwhile, in further preparing for the massive disposal of garbage that accompanies the Christmas season, the Council will be implementing a bulk waste collection system whereby persons can dispose of their bulk waste with ease. Bulk waste includes household items such as refrigerators, beds, stoves, washing machines, etc.

NEWS 27

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jagdeo updates Guyanese diaspora in New York

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo with youths of one of the Mandirs on his visit

BY EDWARD LAYNE

L

eader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo has been met with Guyanese based in New York, United States of America over the past weekend, to update them on recent political and other developments in Guyana.

Jagdeo met with senior citizens and Guyanese community groups here to explain the situation in Guyana.

The former Guyanese leader visited a Mosque and Mandir frequented by Guyanese.

During these engagements, he spoke of the ongoing efforts to further strengthen the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), with heavy emphasis of injecting new blood in the country’s oldest political movement.

The Opposition Leader said the Party will continue to serve the people at the grassroots level.

Jagdeo spoke of the errors in the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections and shed light on the legal proceedings filed by the PPP/C, asking for a recount, due to several discrepancies on the part of the Guyana Elections Commission which were unearthed shortly after the polls.

He also spoke of the PPP/ C’s insistence in ensuring

the election machinery is strengthened at Gecom so as to avoid a recurrence.

The former Guyanese leader exposed the true intentions behind the government ministers taking hefty pay hikes, while public servants were handed a mere 5 per cent increase, while pensioners’ water and electricity subsidies were removed, and the Gy$10,000 cash grant for students in public schools was discontinued.

During the engagements, the Opposition leader also explained that the local economy has been on the decline since the APNU+AFC took office back in May. Jagdeo highlighted that currently there is a total halt in economic activities as there is a lack of confidence by both local and foreign investors.

Jagdeo said from all indications rice and sugar – two cornerstone industries of the Guyanese economy – are not being given attention by government and explained that should this continue Guyana would be on the path to the darks days of pre-1992.

The former Guyanese leader also explained the ongoing political and racial discrimination being meted out to Guyanese of all ethnicities who are perceived to be supporters of the PPP/C. Jagdeo earlier attend-

ed a meeting of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States’ Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in Brussels, Belgium, where he along with 11 other internationally experienced and politically astute former Heads of State, Ambassadors, heads and members of international organisations and Heads of Government, went to finalise a report on the Future of the ACP post-2020, when the Partnership Agreement with the European Union known as Cotonou Agreement comes to an end.

The EPG, of which Jagdeo is a co-Vice Chair, will present the finalised report to Heads of State and Government of the ACP when they meet in the near future.

The EPG was established by the ACP in 2013 and was tasked with assessing the ACP’s performance, with the aim of proposing a fresh vision of the ACP as a contemporary international organisation in the lead-up to and beyond 2020.

Islamic groups urge support for 2:00am bar curfew

T

wo local Islamic groups have voiced their support of the 2:00am curfew imposed on bars and nightclubs across the country and they are calling on all other religious bodies and social groups to follow suit.

The public debate on the 2:00am curfew recently resurfaced when the Private Sector Commission (PSC) announced that Government should revisit this decision since it is negatively affecting businesses across the country.

In a press release, the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) and The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA) expressed their full support of this shutdown time, noting that the PSC is refusing to accept certain facts.

According to the release, the bodies are contending that the PSC refuses to take in consideration that alcohol consumption is linked to many harmful consequences for the individual drinker, the drinker’s immediate environment and society as a whole.

“Such social consequences as traffic accidents, family and domestic problems and violence and noise nuisances (linked to bars and clubs) are being addressed by Governments globally, not only Guyana,” the release stated.

The religious groups alluded to incidents of alcohol abuse which ultimately result in incidents like traffic accidents, family issues and violence.

The organisation contended

too that drinking “costs money and negatively impacts upon financial resources particularly of a poor family, leaving other family members destitute.”

Against this backdrop, the two organisations are urging all religious and social groups to publicly voice their support of Government’s decision to impose the 2:00am curfew.

“These are the efforts needed to curb the lawlessness in our society. Organisations must also be cognisant of the role they are required to play for a better society rather than taking “tunnel-vision” approach to issues which can play a positive role in our young generation,” the bodies stated.

Bad for business

Meanwhile, the PSC had initially supported the 2:00am curfew on similar basis but recently, the Commission came to the realisation that this imposed shut off time is severely bad for business.

As a result, the Commission called on Government to revisit the 2:00am curfew imposed on bars and nightclubs located in the commercial districts and zones in the country, especially for those which comply with building codes that limit noise nuisance.

Additionally, considering the highly festive Christmas season ahead, along with the upcoming 50th independence anniversary celebrations, the PSC is at least asking that Government extends the 2:00am decree to facilitate visitors.

28 news

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Finance Minister says Ogle Airport: “Govt owned economy will rebound yet Correia controlled”

Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman

W

hile accepting that the economy is still a bit sluggish, Government is still hoping to see major improvements by the end of the year. This promise was made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan and was echoed by Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman last Thursday.

Last month, the Finance Ministry announced that the country’s economy had seen a 2.5 per cent dip during the first six months of 2015. Blaming the change in Government and the lead up to the General and Regional Elections as major contributors, the Finance Minister committed to seeing a positive change before the end of 2015.

Minister Trotman last Thursday told journalists that efforts are “afoot” to stimulate the economy. According to him, Government is taking a proactive stance in injecting finances into the economy.

According to the MidYear Report released by the Finance Ministry, the country’s economy declined some 2.5 per cent in the first half of this

year when compared to the same period in 2014.

The report outlined that initially, Guyana’s half year growth was estimated to be at 0.9 per cent. However, with the passage of time and the benefit of actual first half performance in a number of sectors, the country’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded a growth of 0.7 per cent in the first half of 2015, with non-sugar GDP recording a growth rate of 0.8 per cent.

It detailed the factors contributing to Guyana’s low economic performance during this period as the late presentation and passing of this year’s National Budget, which was as a result of the 10th Parliament being prorogued in November 2014 and its subsequent dissolution in February 2015, followed by the holding of the General and Regional Election in May. The report further detailed that the delay in the budget resulted in many of the Government agencies being unable to carry out their planned programmes for the year.

“Many new projects were held in abeyance while only a few projects which were ‘rolled over’ from the previous year attracted funding.

At the same time, the atmosphere of uncertainty and tensions surrounding the holding of general elections, led to investors postponing decisions in many cases,” the Mid-Year Report detailed.

Nevertheless, the Finance Ministry pointed out that with the passage of the budget, economic growth in the country is

…“anti-competition, oppressive” says Small Aircraft Operators

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

expected to surge during the second half of 2015.

Moreover, given the measures outlined in Budget 2015, it is projected that there will be a 3.4 per cent economic growth in the second half of the year.

Outlook remains positive However, the report stated that though the economy’s first half performance was slower than desired, this was not unexpected given the internal affairs of the country during the first six months. Going forward, the Ministry said the outlook for the second half of the year remains positive.

According to Jordan, there are several contributing factors to this slowdown, both locally and internationally.

“Things appear to be picking up based on some amount of statistical evidence and some of anecdotal evidence. Anecdotal in the sense that in speaking to the average man in the street, the taxi driver and so on, they have been telling me that things are picking up, they are not saying business is good but, they are saying things better than a month or two before,” he said.

T

he management at the Ogle International Airport (OIA) has come under fire from the Small Aircraft Operators, who said that the entire operation is working in favour of international air services only.

The operators, whose aircraft fly domestic trips, vented their frustration in a letter to the editor of this newspaper on Sunday, in which they noted that there was “an eruption of an unbearable discontent which is rife at the Airport”.

According to the six small operators, there is a myriad of serious and vexing issues they face on a daily basis with Ogle Airport Inc, the company which runs the Airport.

“Ogle Airport, while improving its regulatory compliance and infrastructure in the past decade, is in fact an anticompetitive and oppressive business environment. The establishment of an aviation operation requires large amounts of capital and the operating environment definitely contributes to the

Ogle International Airport

success or failure of the enterprise,” the aircraft operators said in their letter.

According to them, the Airport has refused to allow cargo transport operations using the main terminal, although foreign operators, including LIAT, are allowed to do so. The aircraft operators said they have been ordered to use the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) for their cargo operations. This, they said, would add to their operational cost.

They further claim that the management is consistently reluctant to respond to their needs in a “timely manner; gives them no voice on issues affecting them, imposes staff on them with authoritative and confrontational attitudes”, often threatening, shouting, and demanding; is subleasing land for facility development at prohibitive rates; is charging astronomically high fees for airport usage, and has introduced a “toxic and draconian operators’ agreement which demands that we sign over liens on all of our property including our aircraft, among other odious provisions”.

The operators said given that the issues

were serious, one could imagine how difficult the operating environment was when compounded with anti-competition measures by Ogle Airport Inc’s management, led by the Correia Group.

“The Correia Group controls the Airport and has increased the cost of fuel; monopolised ground handling and other services and arbitrarily terminated tenancy contracts with the apparent aim of forcing us out,” the operators said in the letter.

“We have now joined in unity and are now part of nine operators out of 10 that are disenfranchised by the actions of the Correia Group and their agents who manage and regulate the Airport.

We, therefore, urgently call on the Government to intervene, investigate and regularise this Airport for the benefit of all of its stakeholders.”

Efforts by this newspaper on Sunday to reach the management of OIA proved futile.

In 2011, Air Services Limited (ASL) had called for a Commission of Inquiry into the Ogle Airport after it accused the Ogle Airport Inc of running a “monopolistic” family affair.

Govt urged to “come clean” on ...

from page 22

Member of Parliament Charles Ramson Jr and revealed that millions of dollars were spent on the ceremony at the National Stadium.

Ramson had asked the Minister about a particular allocation under “subsidies and contributions to local organisations” under “Cultural Preservation and Conservation” within the Education Ministry and she disclosed that the money was spent on the inauguration ceremony and

the T20 matches held in Guyana.

The PPP/C, after being denied the opportunity to further prompt the Minister on this matter at that moment, had submitted a list of questions to the government seeking clarification on the issue.

But the response, government through its Education Ministry, Department of Culture Youth and Sport, stated that no monies were spent from government coffers on the events.

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feature 29

Years of experience, arduous journeys and a love for the environment; Graham Watkins reminisces

A

uthor Graham Watkins is a Guyanese-born British biologist who grew up in Trinidad and Wales. He has spent much of his adult life working in tropical South America, and has more than 20 years of experience working in biodiversity research, wildlife and fisheries management, environmental management, and sustainability.

Graham was once executive director of the Charles Darwin Foundation in the Galapagos Islands from 2005 to 2008, and worked for the Iwokrama International Centre from 1998 until 2004;he was director general of Iwokrama from 2003 to 2004.

He is presently a principal environmental specialist with the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington DC where he has worked since 2010. Graham has a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a first degree in Zoology from Oxford University.

“I lived in Guyana from 1996 until 2004 before I came back in 2009 to begin writing the book, ‘Rupununi: Rediscovering a Lost World’. The Rupununi itself and the people who live there inspired me to write the book. The Rupununi is one of the most extraordinary places in the world,” Watkins declared in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Watkins and awardwinning photographers Pete Oxford and Renee Bish (featured last week) created an engaging and colourful portrait of the Rupununi in their collaboration “Rupununi: Rediscovering a Lost World” (2010) - the

first book of its kind on Guyana when it was launched.

“Preparation required arduous field trips for photography and long months of research. Once the photographs had been taken and the research was completed, the writing needed editing and many revisions, photographs had to be edited and processed, and then the book had to be designed.

It took months until it all came together,” Watkins recalled.

“All in all it was a huge but highly rewarding effort for everyone involved, and we, the authors, are very grateful to everyone who directly and indirectly helped,” he expressed. “ R u p u n u n i : Rediscovering a Lost World” hopes to inspire conservation agencies to continue their work to protect the global environment. It is also a “reminder that we need to be ever vigilant if we are to overcome the threats that confront humanity, so that we can bequeath to our children a lasting legacy”.

Watkins and four others worked directly on the book for a couple of years, but its production benefitted from the support of more than 150 people and more than 30 organisations.

According to conservation.org, the informative text and accompanying photographs detail the geology, biodiversity, and people; provide an understanding of the values of the area, and underline compelling reasons to ensure the conservation of this unique place in a rapidly changing world.

Guyana's northern Rupununi is described as one of the last great wilderness areas on the planet and a biological treasure trove, with a

Hugging an otter in the Rupununi

Graham Watkins

level of species richness on par with that of western Amazonia.

Since the 17th century, when Sir Walter Raleigh was convinced that the Rupununi was the location of the mythical El Dorado, this remarkable area has captured the imaginations of explorers and naturalists.

One of the aims of Watkins’ book is to reintroduce the Rupununi to the world at large, allowing readers to rediscover an extraordinary “lost world”.

“Through the book I want readers to know that the Rupununi is not just a special place in Guyana but that it is a global treasure worthy of worldwide attention and that the Rupununi needs to be cared for and looked after,” Watkins noted.

Notably, the book’s foreword was written by HRH The Prince of Wales, in which the

prince mentioned that

he visited the North Rupununi in 2000, acknowledging the significance of Watkins’ book.

“Dr Watkins described the groundbreaking work of the Iwokrama and the wider communities of the Rupununi in ecology, conservation, culture and economy. He also examines the threats to their well-being and, most importantly, the alliances they are forming for their continued sustainability and protection. The tough challenges facing the North Rupununi are emblematic of those which con-

front us all on a global scale. As this book explains, however, seizing the initiative requires effort and dedication. We have to remember that time is not on our side,” wrote Prince Charles.

Watkins revealed that he has been back to Guyana several times since writing the book – and given that it is his country of birth, he is positive he will return often in the future. “ R u p u n u n i : Rediscovering a Lost World” is available at Iwokrama offices in Guyana.

30 feature

A

manda Sohan was born in the heart of New York City, but never lost sight of her heritage. The moral values taught by her Guyanese parents guided her along a path of becoming a successful author.

Amanda has an Associate’s

the strict cultural boundaries her parents held dear and the other rooted in modern teenage American angst, reading and writing became the main medium for Amanda’s journey toward freedom.

“My parents raised my sister, Rowena, and I in a very stringent house-

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

me who I am and I appreciate that. I wouldn't want it any other way,” Amanda disclosed in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Her parents are originally from Tain Settlement, Berbice.

They are still alive and well and are strong believers in education and

Amanda, (right) her sister (left) and parents

Degree in Business Administration. She has been working since she was 17 and has more than 20 years of experience as an executive assistant.

Currently, she is employed with Brookfield Financial in the US as an office manager as well as executive assistant to the two partners of the firm.

While growing up, with one foot steeped in

hold, so I grew up quite restless and rebellious.

It's very hard to be an American, interact with other American children and have parents who are governed by a strict West Indian culture and mentality. Of course, as I grew older I learned to appreciate a lot of the values and traits that my parents instilled in me, but it is the turmoil of the balance that made

independence. The author said her parents always told her to be prepared, to educate herself and, while it is nice to sometime depend on others, it should never be a necessity and that she should be self-sufficient at all times. According to Amanda, what she was taught is something she “will take to the grave”.

Amanda is a self-published author and has

released “Love in Black And White”, an urban poetry book for adults; her third adult novel entitled “HIM”, and more recently “The Slipper”.

“With lovable characters like Meetu, Neetu and Vishnu, in ‘The slipper’ a serious situation is infused with a great deal of warmth, colour and humour. What happens when a headstrong teenage girl falls in love with an unsuitable suitor? What becomes of her future when her strict parents desire another path? And what ensues years later when Meetu’s past catches up to her future? As the reader, one is led to believe that you have all of the answers, but the storyline is anything but standard and the ending will leave you shaking your head in wonder and clutching your growing heart,” the author narrates.

Amanda recalled she came up with the storyline for “The Slipper” when a friend of her sister’s came up with a contest that required the contestant to write a story spoofing an Indian movie. Amanda said she loves the Bollywood movie “Dhadkan”. A scene in the movie shows actor Sunil Shetty shaking his old, torn slipper while explaining his poor circumstances.

"The Slipper" book cover

“Something in me clicked remembering that scene and I thought I could spoof an entire story out of that one scene. Lo and behold ‘The Slipper’ was born.

Once I started writing the story, I had no idea where it was going to go.

When you hear writers exclaim that the story wrote itself, they’re not kidding. I can absolutely attest to that statement.

The entire story spilled out of me word by word, sentence by sentence so rapidly I could hardly keep up. When the story was completed all that was left to do was correct the spelling and grammar. I felt I had a winner on my hands!” she

remembered.

"The Slipper," written for children ages 9 to 11, though adults seem to love the story as well, is a classic tale of love and loss portrayed in a most unconventional fashion.

Outlining her plans, Sohan said: “I would love to continue as I am, working and writing and eventually I hope to be able to retire and simply write books!”

Amanda is married and has one child: a 24-year-old daughter.

She also has a blog, At Home with a Teacup.

“The Slipper” is available on Amazon in both Kindle and hard copy format.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

P

romising to thrill audiences, upcoming serial “WHO?” is bringing something different to local television.

Based on a tale of betrayal, greed and deceit, the serial promises to have viewers on the edge of their seats. It’s a nailbiting, riveting series that will have you engrossed in its plot.

The concept of “WHO?” is credited to 17-year-old Kendra Massiah who describes herself as a “proud African young lady growing up to be an independent entrepre-

Cast and production team of the drama serial, 'WHO'

neur”. Massiah is also the founder of Greates Entertainment.

“I enjoy being occupied with theatre arts, which inspires me. I have to credit God for his guidance in coming up with the concept of the series.

I also wanted to make a difference and create a unique experience, but it just wasn't coming to me so – and this will sound weird – I asked God to give me a billionaire idea. I don't know if its coincidence or what, but the idea of creating this serial came to mind,” Massiah disclosed in an interview with Sunday

Times Magazine.

Massiah mentioned that her aim is to make Guyana proud and to showcase to the wider world how talented Guyanese are. She also wants to offer something fresh to local television, hence the creation of “WHO?” When talking to Massiah and her cast, one would be amazed to find out that majority of them are youths.

Although they may not have substantial experience in drama/theatre, with dedication and determination Massiah and her team will soon

feature 31

amaze their audience.

“When someone wants something really bad... it’s their dream, it’s their goal... they will walk at the end of the world to make it happen.

And what I’m doing is what I truly love, so I’ll be the most determined person ever to make this production successful,” Massiah declared.

“WHO?” is scheduled to air on local television in April 2016. So far, there are more than 17 cast members, with some young as 15 years old.

“It's your dream, live it. Have motivation. If I can do it then other youths can do it

too. You're never too small or immature to do something. If you want to learn to swim at the age of seven then have your parents teach you.

Nothing is impossible; you have to make it possible. All the haters and people who make you feel like you can't do anything, let them leave with their jaws dropped and smile in their faces after you have proven them wrong. That’s motivation right there!” the young entrepreneur encouraged.

For more information on the series, visit WHO? On Facebook.

Theatrical poster

32 feature

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A new comedy act T

here’s a new trio that will surely make you laugh.

Damian Jagroop, John Balkarran and Steve Utam – “Cool Boyz” – as they are more popularly known, have become some of Guyana’s most hilarious comedians from Berbice.

The idea to create episodes of laughter based on local culture is cred-

ited to Damian Jagroop.

Cool Boyz debut video was posted on Facebook in July 2014. Since then, the boys have become very popular, garnering fans countrywide.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Damian said he and Steve are neighbours who grew up together. They attend the same church, as does John. When Damian

came up with the idea of producing series of comedy based on everyday life, he approached Steve and John and they readily accepted to be part of the production.

“I made short funny videos in 2014 by myself and got a lot of views on Facebook. It all happened when my parents had to fly out the country for a month. I invited

Local trio brings out Guyanese humour

Steve and John to sleep over. While I was making the videos, I decided to include them too and its history from then on,” Damian recalled.

Damian revealed scripts are not written; he thinks of something funny, forms an idea, relates it to the boys and the plot is made up as they go. The boys just get into character. The series

Damian, Steve, and John are the 'Cool Boyz'

is based on “Guyanese jokes” told to them by others, or from observation of people.

“We don’t really write.

We just sit and discuss ideas and act that out. I am a professional camera person and have trained the boys how to video and so on. So right now we’re handling all aspects of the production. However, later on we hope to get a special camera person,” Damian mentioned.

Damian is self-employed, John works fulltime and Steve (known by his character Pakaloo) attends school. The boys keep regular contact with each other, meeting up

after work and school to plan and produce their next video.

“So far anywhere we go we have awesome feedback. Some places we go we might find someone who may not like us, but we have majority of fans so that don’t bother us.

We also have the support of our families, which we are truly grateful for,” Damian noted.

So what’s next for the Cool Boyz? They hope to take their acts countrywide and become successful actors/comedians. To find out more about DVDs and videos, visit CoolBoyz-TV on Facebook.

feature 33

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Ian Craddock

G

uyana has been known for its amazing interior of savannah, jungle, mountains, river and waterfalls by an adventurous group of tourists for a few years, but a new gang has recently discovered that Guyana can offer the perfect location for them (TV production companies).

There are a vast number of shows that offer the viewer adventure, natural history, survival and other insight into some of the most remote places of the world and Guyana ticks all these boxes for a series producer researching places to film a new show.

But, you don’t just pick a place off the map and go! However minimalist the show may appear, there is a lot of work behind the scenes to make it happen and that starts with getting permission. You cannot just turn up in any country with 100 pelicases [watertight protector cases] of kit and start filming. You need permits from the government, permission from the people or villages that own the land, from various environmental agencies and of course from the people that appear on camera.

For television companies that often can only confirm their plans at the last moment, lengthy bureaucracy can be a killer and would literally make them move to a new country. The delivery date of the show to the broadcaster is key and everything works back from that, no matter the issues.

Monty Halls, left, and Leo Houlding in knee-high black waters in Guyana for their new show 'Lost Worlds'

They approach a “fixer” (TV lingo) in the country to help support the shoot. Bushmasters has provided this service for a wide range of shows, some for a just a week, others for eight months. A production company needs several things from any fixer: clearly a great knowledge of the country and resources available for the show they have in mind; an ability to enable the shoot prior to arrival and whilst in country, to ensure everything goes according to schedule; a full crew can cost up to US$25,000 a day so delays are a no no; obviously you need to be able to do what the show is about - no point advising on a survival show if you can’t light a fire in your own backyard; and in the Western world governed by endless rules, health and safety and litigation you need to tick all the correct boxes with skills, qualifications, licences, insurances, and so on.

But the key requirement is to get the bu-

reaucracy and permits in place to let the team get to country in the first place.

Guyana understands this and makes life easy for a production company. Film permits are straightforward and issued swiftly by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). A simple application process involves basic information on the shoot and the requirement for written permission from the areas where the filming is taking place and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agreement if required.

The permit is issued swiftly, often within days. The GTA then goes onto support the shoot, with TV crew details sent to Ministry of Home Affairs (now Ministry of Public Security) for visas and kit list to the Revenue Authority for duty exemption certificates.

A 3D camera worth US$250,000 may attract up to 40 percent duty, a sum any TV company

Sir Gordon Lethem, Governor of British Guiana, announces Germany's unconditional surrender from the balcony of the Public Buildings in Georgetown, British Guiana, on VE Day, May 8, 1945.

would balk at and just go elsewhere. So given it is in country for a specific job for a short period, the Revenue Authority can issue an exemption, if supported by the film permit. It sounds easy and obvious, but many countries do not do this.

A hassle free process with minimal costs is just what a production company want, and given most spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in Guyana during a shoot, it’s good for the country too.Let alone the positive PR worldwide when the show airs on TV. Additionally, TV world is small, many of its people freelance and they move from production to production and everyone seems to know each other, or knows a man who does, so word spreads.

On several occasions we have had contact from companies making shows that often starts with, “I know blah blah who filmed in Guyana last year and he said it was awesome and simple and now we want to make a show there……” word of mouth is critical.

This happened in March 2014 when I literally received an email saying, “Martin suggested I get in touch about a TV shoot.”

Martin and I had worked on a shoot in Belize called “Celebrity Alone in the Wild”. He’s a great guy who’s intrigued by Guyana. Fast forward three years and a new show he was working on had major problems. When the country they were due to film in became a no go at the last moment. With three weeks’ notice the whole production switched to a focus in Guyana on Martin’s instructions.

And it was all shot in 3D! The show for Discovery Channel is called “Cavemen” and it follows two amazing peo-

ple to remote places in the world.

Leo Houlding is a world renowned climber, who many believe to be the best climber ever. A true 21st century Spiderman. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s also decided to start jumping off the things he climbs, so has become an accomplished skydiver.

Recently, he threw his gear out of a chartered plane with parachutes he bought off ebay, and then jumped from the plane down the wall of a mountain thousands of feet tall, then climbed the wall for the first time, then jumped off it again – in Antarctica!

His partner was Monty Halls. A former officer in the British Royal Marines Commando, Monty is a zoologist who has made many wildlife shows around the world.

He has a particular enthusiasm for some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. His day job is literally spent swimming with great

fore.

Air Services Limited brought an instructor helicopter pilot in from the US to fly the skydive, rappel and long line extractions. The Guyana Defence Force was great in supporting the helicopter scenes, especially with the skydiving elements. The Civil Aviation Authority moved swiftly with GDF backing to authorize everything. The villages of Yupukari, Surama and Puraima Mission were brilliant in their support and enthusiasm and providing the critical local staff and expertise.

And of course, the GTA facilitated everything - licences, permits, duty exemptions, visas and much more.

The shoot was awesome; 18-hour work days in the jungle, flying plane to plane film scenes over Mt Roraima, shifting anentire crew into the middle of nowhere by helicopter, Spiderman climbing a never before attempted 800-foot waterfalls,

Scaling a vertical rockface by a waterfall

white sharks!!

In Guyana, the concept was for these two crazy men to explore the jungle and waterfalls of the interior, to skydive from helicopters, climb trees with Harpy Eagles, rappel down 800-footwaterfalls, then climb back up again and, of course, to get lifted out of the jungle, on a long rope hanging from a helicopter, all with three weeks planning…easy!

Well in Guyana it was easy, even though many of these things had not been done be-

Monty wrestling black caiman and all of it captured in 3D. The show was released to Discovery in September. As per film permit requirements, a copy will then be released to Guyana to be aired on local TV. Stand by for an amazing adventure show, filmed right here.

And make sure you have some 3D specs, it’s truly awesome! (Article first appeared in Explore Guyana 2015 magazine, with permission from Ian Craddock to publish)

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

art & culture 35

Myrna Bernard

T

hrough her artistic paintings, Myrna Bernard captures the essence of life and passionately exhibits them for the world to see.

Bernard works in Caribbean regional administration in Georgetown and has had no formal art train-

ing beyond her years at the Bishops’ High School, Georgetown. She has, in recent years, pursued her interest in digital photography and digital art through the use of manuals and books and also online tutorials.

She is also director of human development at

Untitled 2014

CARICOM Secretariat, and has extensive knowledge in the area of youth development, among other areas, having been at the Secretariat for more than 20 years.

Before joining the Secretariat, Bernard served as lecturer in Science Education, vice-principal, Administration at the Cyril Potter College of Education and lecturer in Education Management at the University of Guyana.

She holds a BSc (Hons) in Physics from the University of the West Indies, a post graduate diploma in Science Education and Master’s in Education Management from the University of Guyana.

The artist has exhibited at the Secretariat’s Annual Staff Talent Celebrations from 2006 to 2012; at the Guyana Women Artists’ Association’s Annual Exhibitions from 2008 to 2012 and their exhibitions in Guyana at Carifesta X in 2008 at the International Conference Centre, Turkeyen, for International Women’s Day at the Brazilian

Cultural Centre in 2011, for the Year of People of African Descent at the National Museum, Georgetown in 2012, and at the IGCF in Cayenne in 2013.

She is an active member of the Methodist Church in Guyana, the Guyana Women Artists’ Association and the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central.

Currently, Bernard’s artworks are on display at Castellani House, Vlissengen

Road. Admission is free.

Gallery hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm on Mondays-Friday and 2:00pm to 6:00pm on Saturdays; the gallery is closed on Sundays and holidays. (Photos courtesy of Castellani

House)

"Closed Session" 2014

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This week's Crossword

This week's Puzzle

see solution on page 47

Fantabulous claims

T

…by AFC on wealth

he AFC’s become so “bassidy” from abuse by their erstwhile partner APNU, they’ve gone off the deep end. Guyanese’ve become so used to this sort of pathology in domestic relations they knew it was only a matter of time it’d be manifested in institutional arrangements modelled on the domestic one.

Back at the beginning of the year, the AFC tried to play hard-to-get as APNU assiduously wooed them to become hitched up for the elections. “What would our people say?!” exclaimed Khemraj Ramjattan, leader of the AFC. “They’re very conservative, you know. They might just cast us out and we’d be dead meat!”

But a faint heart never won a fair lady and after APNU persevered, a pre-nuptial agreement – dubbed the Cummingsburg Accord – was hammered out and announced on Valentine Day. “This is soooo modern,” cooed the chatterati. Over at Whim, Nagamootoo made the marriage analogy more explicit and swore there’d never be a “divorce” in this marriage made in heaven – or Georgetown Club.

But look what happened right afterwards – as so frequently happens in Guyana. Once APNU had its way with the AFC and got what it wanted – the Presidency – things changed.

AFC was allowed to have access to the credit card for shopping and other splurges – but had no power to make decisions on important matters. And we’ve seen so often in the domestic scene, while in the beginning this seems very attractive, when the bride can spend millions to fix up the home, get new clothes after jetting off to foreign climes – it soon wears thin as ennui takes over.

And that’s when the frustration turns into anger and the neglected and trivialised party starts acting irrationally. And we arrive at the AFC. They took the time to convene a meeting of their executive to announce that the PPP/C had no “street cred”. Why? Because the PPP/C said, the AFC were dodging and ducking from an accounting of how they’d given themselves the whopping 50% pay hike.

“Not so!” blared the AFC. “We’re pure as the driven snow and it’s the PPP/C who have ‘fat cats’ salaries. And not only that …they have fabulous sums stashed away. And if we fink, they’ll be shamed!”

Now earlier the same week the AFC’d issued their bitter denunciation, a poor abused lady in a threeway relationship tipped off the cops as to some AK47 bullets the wanker had stashed away in his latrine.

And she gave the AFC an idea: embarass the PPP/C who’d been the old flame of their two top dogs.

But the question is: will they be producing evidence of the PPP/C’s perfidy, like the bullets in sh*t? It’s “put up or shut up” time! …on democracy Seems the AFC really never learnt that “Staan easy better dan beg pardon”. Hitting out in rage against the PPP/C because they knew they’d been cuckolded, they didn’t stop with the “throw talk” about “fabulous sums” of secretly stashed cash.

They screeched it was “hypocritical” for the PPP/C to accuse them of placing Parliament on “pause” since they’d “prorogued” Parliament.

Now let’s look at this claim. The AFC – as it admitted – had brought a “no confidence” motion – the most extreme motion in Parliamentary affairs since it can bring down a government. As has occurred in almost every Parliamentary democracy in the world, one CONSTITUTIONAL device to seize the initiative and control the Parliamentary agenda of the Executive, is to prorogue Parliament.

Canada did it, England did it and even the birds and bees probably did it. But postpone Parliament because the Ministers have to jet off on shopping binges?

O tempora! O mores! …on salaries Ramjattan declared the GPL fella who gave himself a retrospective raise should be criminally prosecuted.

How about the retrospective 50% raise from July 1 – that adds up to Gy$475 million – the Cabinet gave itself?

Not criminal? How about venal?

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travel & tourism 39 Above the Falls

P

icturesque Kumu Falls is right below one of the peaks of the mighty Kanuku Mountains.

About 30 minutes south of Lethem is the beautiful Amerindian village of Kumu, made up of traditional homes widely spread out over the savannahs, with the Kanuku Mountains looming behind.

With a 4x4 vehicle, visitors can drive a rough path nearly to Kumu Creek and a trailhead in

the Kanuku foothills. From there, a quick walk leads to Kumu Creek and a large opening where the village has built a hammock shelter for those who wish to spend the night.

Visitors can take a rest on the large granite rocks strewn around the waterfall, stand under the cascading water for a stimulating water massage, or take a refreshing dip in the pool below the falls.

(Photos by Girendra Persaud. Cover photo

by Krysta Bisnauth)

(Photo by Krysta Bisnauth)

Scenic location in the vicinity of the Falls

Refreshing water flows from between the boulders

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42 news

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamaica signs agreement with US to share info on deportees K i n g s t o n , Jamaica - The government has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the United States (US) Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) which will allow the US to share information on deportees.

The Criminal History Information

Sharing (CHIS) memorandum of cooperation was signed on Tuesday by National Security Minister, Peter Bunting and Assistant Director of ICE Matthew Albence.

The memorandum will enhance the US Government’s ability to share records containing the immigration and criminal histories

of Jamaican nationals, being repatriated from the United States.

US Ambassador Luis Moreno says the information sharing programme enhances the strong bilateral relationship between the US and Jamaica and “represents a milestone in the US-JA law enforcement partnership”.

Bunting said he looks forward to the technical support the programme will provide to the government.

The US Government has signed similar agreements with the Governments of Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

US Ambassador Luis Moreno

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The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By Petamber Persaud

I

t was twilight. It was Monday, October 26, 2015.

A new chapter in the history of theatre was being written. And, as if to consecrate this new chapter, the moon, peeking out of her dark clothing and liking what she saw, smiled brightly upon the new garden theatre.

It was time for the opening of Guyana’s first circular garden theatre – the Eucalyptus Garden Theatre of the Theatre Guild Playhouse. It was a historic moment for theatre in Guyana and in the Caribbean, who favour the proscenium over the coliseum style of stage.

Brief history of Guyanese theatre

Theatre in Guyana started in the late 18th century when the European colonizers imported this medium of entertainment as part of their need for social recreation. First there were the coffee houses then the Theatre Royal, followed by the Minor Theatre. Then there were the famous Assembly Rooms and the Philharmonic Hall in the later 19th century which encouraged an upsurge in drama and in a way gave

birth to numerous dramatic entities.

There were also references to the ‘Dutch Theatre’, Chinese and Portuguese theatricals and entertainment, and the ‘non-establishment dramatic activity’ of the East Indians. The turn of the century, saw an increase of dramatic activities of East Indians, leading to the formation of the British Guiana Dramatic Society in 1936. In 2013, the Indian Commemoration Trust opened the first Garden Theatre in the country.

The most important development of theatre in Guyana was the birthing in 1957 of the Theatre Guild Playhouse on Parade Street, Kingston. In 2008, the building was given a new lease on life in order to stage some activities for Carifesta X. Before the restoration of the Guild, the National Cultural Centre was born in 1972 in order to host some activities for the staging of the inaugural Carifesta.

Outdoor theatre

The Guild has developed on various levels over the past seven years; the most notable is the recently established Eucalyptus Garden Theatre.

At the launch

This outdoor theatre was many years in gestation, building on suggestions like a “hangout bar” to generate additional funding for the maintenance of the Guild. There were other reasons for the birthing of such an idea.

And when the time was right, it became a reality.

That right time came when the ‘current Chair of the Theatre Guild, Dr. Paloma Mohamed, became the first woman ever to receive the highly coveted Sabga Award as the Caribbean Laureate for Excellence in Arts and Letters, 2015.

She “…used her prize and other donations to fund the theatre as a gift to the Guild and people of Guyana. Mohamed worked closely with trustees of the Theatre Guild and with

the well-respectedengineer Bert Carter who designed and built the theatre with the Rambarran Brothers.

The project was managed

by Vice Chair of the Guild, Malcolm DeFreitas.”

The Eucalyptus Garden Theatre is intended to be a gift that would replicate itself and keep growing “…it is an investment in the future of the arts.”

Opening night

Twilight’s last gleaming eases into evening, creating the atmosphere for the moon to bask in her glory, beaming down, blessing the stage, setting the scene.

She was seeping through the leaves of the massive eucalyptus tree, lighting up their white boughs but mindful not to cast shadows, afraid to cast shadows on such a historic moment.

Open air theatre is as

old as theatre going back to the ancient theatrical traditions of Africa, Egypt, and India that were steeped in religious significances and secular beliefs. At that time there was a need to commune with the creator, the gods and nature.

That need to commune, and the curative properties of nature can be found in this new space – the Eucalyptus Garden Theatre, which is set within the “shade of three majestic and ancient eucalyptus trees... which have been growing behind the Guild for over 60 years. “ The health benefits credited to the oil of the eucalyptus are many, and favour the wellbeing of actors - their articulation and voice delivery. All of which will work well in one of the Guild’s continuing con-

cerns to provide a space for “upcoming voices and talents and faces.”

The opening was well orchestrated - a fine balance between the necessary speeches and the performances, opening with “Unchained Melody” and “Love Letters” (Russell Lancaster and Keon Heywood). Other performances included an excerpt from the play “Creative Burial Ground”;“Blue Moon” sung by Simeon Downing, “Talking to the Moon” performed by the group, Naturale, “At last”

by Charmaine Blackman, and ending with “Ave Maria” sung by Cheryl Burrowes.

This Eucalyptus Garden Theatre is versatile and child friendly, with a built-in seating of sixty five, flanked by two grass mounds and a further capacity for hundreds of chairs placedon its grounds.

This garden theatre is a new dimension in theatre and its opening augers well for the future of theatre in Guyana. (Photo credit: Theatre Guild/Neketa Forde) Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo. com

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Our right to speak

By Ryhaan Shah

W

henever Indian Guyanese speak about our condition, it always generates an interesting array of responses. Some are expected. The mockery and misrepresentations are mostly employed to denigrate and return us to silence.

Dr Baytoram Ramharack’s recent column in Guyana Times and his letter to other media entities asking where are the Indian Guyanese intellectuals who will advocate for our cause and provide guidance in our multicultural society drew replies from known antagonists and an interesting one that interpreted his concern as a call to promoting the “ethnicisation” of intellectual thought.

Dr Ramharack has already replied to that criticism, stating that there are dangers in an ethnic interpretation of knowledge and that a rereading of his statements cannot lead anyone to conclude that as being his intent.

While no one supports such an interpretation of knowledge, the very basis for much intellectual inquiry is the human condition, with all its myriad facets of race, creed, gender, culture, class, etc, and it almost always

springs from a specificity of interest. Take away the specific and the personal from academic research and you lose the passion that drives it.

Women scholars met in Trinidad this past week to discuss Indian Caribbean gender relations and feminisms. The Indian Caribbean women who attended and presented papers incorporated their ethnic and gender experiences into their work. These did not lessen their scholarship but enhanced it.

The Caribbean is not without its own body of work that has examined the human condition of Africans and Indians here.

Franz Fanon, Dr Walter Rodney, Dr Eric Williams, Dr Clem Seecharran, Professor Brinsley Samaroo, and Dr Ramharack himself are among many who have inquired into various aspects of our history and politics and have added to the totality of our understanding of ourselves.

While there is no lack of African Guyanese who continue to speak for their causes, whether they are political, economic, cultural, or for reparative justice, there are few Indian Guyanese willing to take up the advocacy for our interests, as Dr Ramharack posited.

Such advocacy should not be limited to Indian scholars alone but who else will ever speak for us? And no one could suggest that others should speak on our behalf unless silence and invisibleness really are the preferred state for Indians here.

The further case of the Indian Guyanese experience is that the negative criticisms come not only from without, but also from within.

Lincoln Lewis, Dr David Hinds, Eusi Kwayana and Dr Eric Phillips hardly ever attract negative comments from within their own racial group – or from any other group for that matter – when they speak for and from the African Guyanese position.

That particular own goal is reserved for Indian Guyanese and in a previous column, I wrote about the redemptive posture taken by some who are uncomfortable with their Indian identity which they view, somehow, as being oppositional to the idea of nationhood.

Their need to proclaim their objections and distance themselves from our advocacy plays to an audience from whom they wish acceptance and who welcome them as the ideal and exemplary Indian Guyanese.

Whatever

their reasoning, that is their right.

However, assimilation is in itself a state of surrender, of giving up and accepting loss and extinction as one’s lot and the push for Indians here to assimilate into a oneness that is premised on an African Caribbean status quo is rightly resisted by most.

Our Indian Guyanese identity is a constitutional right and beyond the attempts of colonisation or that of autocratic rule, it has never been accepted practice to reshape people to one’s will. Even the United Kingdom, after centuries and with its history of colonising others, is proudly English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish and accommodates new immigrant groups as citizens.

Changes have occurred and will continue to occur at their own pace and on our terms and, hopefully, we will always retain the values and customs that make us uniquely Indian.

Dr Ramharack has called for an equal space for Indian Guyanese in our national dialogue.

Such dialogue would presume mutual respect and regard for everyone involved. However, some of the polemics that arose from this recent discussion show that we are hardly there yet.

In fact, they represent the incivility and cussdown culture to which Guyana is held hostage.

That such argumentations are given ready media space indicates the support they receive from certain sections of society.

That in itself is depressing and shows that we are nowhere near dialogue and a resultant solution to our ever widening ethnic divide.

Wine, women, song AND Gambling?

S

atiricus knew there’s only so much that any man can bear. And most men weren’t like Lot, who, God knows, could bear a lot. But Rum Jhaat WAS like Lot in so many ways. He’d left his home in the east when he parted from his family who said there weren’t enough rice land to support them all. And so Rum Jhaat journeyed to the big city named GT even though he heard of their sinfulness.

And though his family’d warned him of the temptations that went on in GT for a young buck like him with wife and children – mainly wine, women and song, Rum Jhaat still went because he wanted to save the people of GT. But every day he faced temptations. His spirit was willing to resist and the flesh was NOT weak, so Rum Jhaat decided to PRETEND to join the GTers in enjoying wine, women and song.

And pretended to enjoy himself. But in truth, he was VEXED with what was going on around himself with all this wine, women and song. Every day he GNASHED his teeth, but did not weep and wail.

He’d been inducted into the sordid ways of GT by his older countryman Naga Man. Naga Man had been sent away by HIS family who told him there wasn’t enough fish in the ocean to share with him.

Naga Man’s eye was VERY big. Naga Man told him he too wanted to save GT from their evil ways. But before they could change the GTers, the two of them would have to gain their confidence.

And under Naga Man’s tutelage, Rum Jhaat SAMPLED every Rum Shop in GT, KNEW every working girl and BLASTED “Rum Till I die” from morning to night. Soon he not only caught up with Naga Man but actually SURpassed him on the women and song. When it came to “wine”, Naga Man could out drink even a fish. But then he and Naga Man were elevated to High Office just when they felt they’d learnt the ways of the GTers.

But if the truth be told, they weren’t so vexed any more with the wine, women and song. In fact, they conceded in private, the carousing and carrying on wasn’t too bad! And so it came to pass when the Big Poombah asked Rum Jhaat to “crack down on wine, women and song”, Jhaat decreed that folks could drink for only 22 out of the 24 hours in the day, “I’s Bones could only drag working girls from the Bush and songs could still be blasted from stereos all day and night and even from vehicles.

But now the Big Poomba wanted to crack down on gambling? Forget it. He and Naga Man were heading back East. Too vexatious!

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Two T&T men die in sea mishap

Changing Geriatric behaviour… power S O …in Government officials

atiricus was very disappointed in the younger Ministers of the Government. He knew they weren’t too many of them, but this was no excuse for not honouring the senior citizens who outnumbered them three to one. Satiricus had held his breath all of October because he knew this was “Elderly Month” and now he was blue in the face and had to let his breath out.

Why were they so oblivious to the disrespect they were showing their geriatric colleagues? Did they not also bleed? Did they not also have feelings? Or was it payback time? Satiricus had heard about the rift that had developed when the Cabinet voted on salary increases back in August. This was Emancipation Month and it was clear that the geriatrics were going to emancipate themselves on the backs of the young brigade.

The youth men had been led by “I is” Brokes. “We is de fyu-cha and we should get de mo money. We gun get mo time fuh spend it.”

Naga Man had led the argument for the geriatric brigade. “Listen, y’all” he said in that oily voice that only he could curl his tongue around. “We should get de mo money, because we gat fuh spend we money quick, quick.”

And so it went on for hours, with each side yelling, “Mo money! Mo money fuh we!”

Until finally Naga Man, panting for breath, pointed out, “Look y’all. Look how we went along with y’all and screw we fellow pensioners. We give dem $4000 wid we right hand and tek back $5000 wid we left hand.”

“And what dat gat wid you tekking $1.7 million?” asked “I is” Brokes, truculently.

“Well, maybe de rest of we geriatric set starving out dere wid deh pension,” replied Naga Man, “but at least when deh see we living it up, they can feel pride dat old people can still have a good time.”

“And why de arse dey gon feel “pride”?” snarled “I is” Brokes testily. She had been hoping to use a big raise to go into the bush to bring out more working girls. Now she would have to just walk around Regent Street.

“Well, my dear Brokes,” said Naga Man snarkily, “We old people does call it “vicarious pleasure”. Is like when we geriatrics does just LOOK at dem working girls you does bring out from de bush.”

“Well, wha sweet a mouth does burn down deh,” said “I is” Brokes as the youth brigade were outvoted three to one. “Payback is a bitch! And revenge is best served cold.”

“And that was why,” Satiricus thought ruefully, “two months later, there was no ceremony for the geriatric members of the Cabinet.”

And “I is” Brokes didn’t even bring out some working girls for Naga Man and the rest of the geriatrics to ogle. That was icing on the youth brigade’s cake of revenge.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ne day after your Eyewitness went into a rant on the Government holding out on its long promised “Code of Conduct”, the blessed document popped up on the Office of the President’s website. Was it serendipity or was it the effect of your humble Eyewitness’ quill? It doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, does it? Except the members of the fourth estate should remember they’re duty bound to keep the rulers on their toes.

So what does the new great Code of Hammurabi say that’ll keep this Government on the path of righteousness? Well it does start out with a good premise: that Government folks who’re supposed to be “public servants” – in the real sense of the term – can’t have their hands out when they deal with the public. The services they provide are supposed to be free. And being aware of how the “game” can be played, they can’t fob off bribes as “gifts”.

So far, so good, no? The Code even specifies what counts as “unacceptable gifts” that’ll bring out the Rod of Correction: anything over Gy$10,000 – or over US$50. So there goes that “Cross” pen, much less a “Coach” handbag!! But early in the day as it is, your Eyewitness needs some clarification. Does “gifts” have to be just stuff the Government official can hold?

How about those “free first class tickets” that were given to several Government Ministers to jet off to NYC for that inauguration bash in Brooklyn?

Do they count as gifts? And those hotel rooms? And while we’re on the (vexed) subject of inauguration, do the Gy$100 million – yes, that’s MILLIONS – claimed to have been “donated” to fund the Stadium extravaganza, count?

This Eyewitness certainly thinks it does. Why else would all those contractors be shelling out all those mega bucks, but to earn the goodwill of the new powers-that-be that can give them contracts. Do we have to actually scour the list of fellas who were part of the posse just given Cabinet’s Gy$1 billion – yes that BILLION – “no objection”?

Another stricture that stood out is the prohibition against GAMBLING – especially for high stakes. So at least playing Bingo or Lotto is OK. Or is it? So the entry stakes are low…but that payout in Lotto!! That’s certainly high stakes! And the ban on gambling with subordinates? They’ll blackmail?

But if we had the Code in place from the beginning as promised, it might’ve made the 50 per cent salary raise unnecessary. After all, since these were “quality” people to begin with.

The only reason they would’ve strayed from the straight and narrow was because they didn’t KNOW what was the “straight and narrow”, no? …on food After huddling for five days about how to cut the humongous bill we rack up in the Caribbean to import foodstuff, the best brains in the Caribbean and Europe say we must “grow more”!! Jeez, Forbes Burnham suggested that 40 years ago – but just placed the cart before the horse with “banning” before “growing” the foods.

But every generation must reinvent the wheel, we guess. However this Eyewitness is impressed that at least this lot realised they might be treading into no man’s land when they suggested we must reduce imports of flour and potatoes. They reminded each other than in Guyana during the “Burnham days” those became fighting words.

Jagdeo showed how it could be done a decade and a half ago in what became known as “The Jagdeo Initiative”.

But we can’t say the PPP had any good ideas, can we? …on time of observations Hamilton Green feels the time for placing the wreath at the Cenotaph for Memorial Day should be the local and not British “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”.

Shouldn’t he consult with all those fella’s who’re revealed to be such experts on “time”, during the never ending Divali date controversy?

T

rinidad and Tobago - For three hours Sita Phillip sat in a vehicle near the Ortoire River, waiting for her husband Larry Phillip to return from a fishing trip on Monday.

Little did she know at the time that his lifeless body was floating out to sea.

Phillip and his friend Wayne Samaroo had hours before suffered a tragic demise when raging sea conditions capsized their pirogue, causing both of them to drown in the river.

It is believed that Phillip, 30, of Libertville Road, Rio Claro, was

away alive.

“When he left to go, he told me to come back for him in an hour. They usually take an hour, so I went down there about 5.30 pm and I waited until 8.30 pm until I saw someone running and saying that the boat flipped over,” Sita recalled in speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday.

It was only in September that Sita and Phillip celebrated their two-year anniversary and just six months ago they celebrated the birth of their daughter Sofia.

Sita said Phillip, a quality assurance/qual-

knocked unconscious when the 27-foot long pirogue struck him on the head. After searching for the whole night, his father-in-law Rajesh Seecharan found his body stuck between some rocks along the beach.

Fidel Bayne, who witnessed the accident, said Samaroo, 52, of the Manzanilla/Mayaro Road, Ortoire Village, was wearing boots that became entangled in the net.

He said when villagers got him out of the water a short time later, they performed CPR but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mayaro District Health Facility.

According to Sita, 18, Phillip left her parent’s Cascadoux Trace home around 4.30 pm to retrieve a fishing net with pirogue owner Samaroo.

The T&T Guardian was told that Samaroo’s son Kowayne, 23, and nephew Rendell Jack, 23, were in the pirogue with the men when the incident that led to their deaths occurred.

The men were returning from sea with the net and catch when the pirogue stalled in the river mouth. When the engine stopped they pulled to the side, but with the rough waters the pirogue rocked violently. As the boat began to capsize the men jumped into the water, but only Kowayne and Jack were able to swim

ity control officer, was laid off by British Gas last February but was expected to resume work in December. To continue to provide for his family, she said, he bought a pirogue recently and started to fish.

He would sometimes fish with Samaroo.

With his death, she said, she had now lost a loving, honest and hardworking husband.

Neither Kowayne nor Jack was at home yesterday, but Samaroo’s wife of 28 years, Lydia Samaroo, 53, said she was yet to learn what really happened.

She said Samaroo, a father of 15, was a boat maker, boat owner and fisherman who worked tirelessly every day. She said her family had planned to celebrate Divali and two weeks later go Christmas shopping.

“We were going to cook roti but we were not lighting any deyas. My husband really wasn’t a man to make plans. He lived today for tomorrow,” Lydia said.

However, she believed her son was wearing a life jacket as she said he could use only one of his feet.

She said because Kowayne walked with crutches and could not work, he loved going to sea and on other adventures with his father.

(Trinidad Guardian)

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A

ctor Shahid Kapoor, who made it to the big screen in ‘Shaandaar’ last, attended the Diwali Bash thrown by Shilpa Shetty with his wife Mira Rajput. This is Shahid and Mira’s first Diwali together.

The couple who tied the knot on July 7 this year is still holding on to everyone’s glances. Post

their wedding, Shahid has been busy with his work commitments, while Mira has been enjoying dinner with her new friends from the industry like designer Masaba and her husband Madhu Mantena and sometimes with her hubby.

A selfie was shared by Shilpa Shetty in which one can see Mira stand-

ing beside Shahid, who is taking the picture with the rest of the gang including, Ekta Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Masaba and Madhu Mantena.

Mira has often been spotted going gymming with her hubby and for solo dinners. The newlyweds are all love eyed and hand in hand whenever spotted in public.

(Indian Express)

unnyman Johnny Lever feels superstar Shah Rukh Khan is magical in their upcoming romantic-comedy “Dilwale”.

The two actors are sharing screen space after a gap of 15 years.

They last starred together in 2000 film “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani”.

Though the two also worked in 2001 family drama “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, they did not have a scene together.

“I have done films like ‘Baazigar’, ‘Koyla’, ‘Karan Arjun’ and others. I was initially nervous working in this film.

I felt he (Shah Rukh) was

magical. We had great time working on this film,” Johnny told reporters here at the trailer launch of “Dilwale”, last evening.

“Rohit makes us happy… it’s fun. We like it, so you also like it,” he said.

Mukesh Tiwari to play ‘menacing’ role in ‘Yeh Ishq Sarfira’

I lost my roots while doing action films: Sunny Deol

A

ctor Sunny Deol, known for doing action sequences in films, says he lost his roots while doing action.

“I started my career with films like “Betab”, “Arjun” because I believed in it. I did a lot of stunt films but in be-

tween I lost my roots,” Sunny told reporters here at the trailer launch of “Ghayal Once Again”, the sequel of his blockbuster “Ghayal”.

“Action is important…today people are doing action that I had done earlier…one punch

and ten people are flying.

Everybody started doing louder action,” he added.

The 58-year-old actor hired Hollywood Action Coordinator Dan Bradley for designing action sequences for the film.

“I liked Dan Bradley and his work so we got him for this film. He is creative. Because of his expertise and concept of the film we have been able to bring reality in film,” Sunny said.

“Papa (Dharmendra) has seen some part of the film…not full. We will show him the entire film.

I am sure he will like what I have done…even if it’s not good he will say it is good. (Indian Express)

B

ollywood actress Anushka Sharma has managed to get over six million followers on Twitter. The actress has treated her fans for a live chatting session on the same social media platform.

The elated actress took to micro-blogging website, where she called all her followers “amazing” and “thanked” them for their “love and support”.

The “Band Baaja Baaraat” actress was last seen in Zoya

Akhtar’s “Dil Dhadakne Do” and will next be seen in Karan Johar’s “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”, which

also stars actor Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. (Indian Express)

The film also stars Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon.

Kajol couldn’t stop heaping praise at Johnny. “I respect Johnny bhai…I wonder how someone can remain funny for so long,” she added. (Indian Express)

‘G

olmaal’ fame actor Mukesh Tiwari will play a negative role in the upcoming actionbased emotional drama “Yeh Ishq Sarfira”, a film based on real life events.

“Mukesh Tiwari is extremely popular for his comic roles in the “Golmaal” series but he’s playing an extremely opposite character in

‘Yeh Ishq Sarfira’, which proves his versatility,” director Varun Khanna told IANS in an interview.

“In the intense conflict between the two warring families in the film, he plays the most hurt, intense and menacing character, out to seek revenge for his brother’s death,” he added.

Mukesh also showed

his acting talents in films like “Gangaajal” and “China Gate” are often considered to be one of his best and deadly performances.

But Khanna believes his act in “Yeh Ishq Sarfira” goes one notch higher as he is seen mouthing expletives and cuss words.

“His character and his performance in my film is a lot more intense and fierce than in ‘Gangaajal’. So I hope that ‘Yeh Ishq Sarfira’ is considered as one of the best performances of his career,” Khanna said.

The film is based on the intense battle between two families on the land issue with revenge, murder, violence and love forming crucial elements in the narrative. (Indian Express)

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ctress Soha Ali Khan says she wants to portray powerful, layered characters Bengali films are known for. Soha has worked in Bengali films like “Iti Srikanto” and “Antarmahal”.

“I love my mother’s (Sharmila Tagore’s) films like Devi and I look like mom. People say I have a Bengali face.

I want to do the kind of roles women get in Bengali films. Powerful, layered and thought driven with lots of motivation,” she told PTI. Soha, who was the show stopper of a premier national fashion show in the city last week, said she is fascinated by Satyajit Ray’s “Apur Sansar” besides “Devi” and regretted that she never got a chance to work with the maestro.

“I had worked with Rituparno Ghosh in Antarmahal. I miss not working with him anymore. I also want to work with Aparna Sen and Goutam Ghosh one day,” the ‘Rang de Basanti’ star said.

“I also like the way Tony (Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury) handles his subject,” she said.

Soha was enthusiastic about Bollywood films and named “Titli”,

“Masaan”, “Talwar”.

“I immensely loved the MarathiEnglish ‘Court’ and happy it is going to Oscars. I hope it makes the cut,” she said.

Asked about the moderate response to “Guddu Ki Gun”, starring her husband Kunal Kemmu, she said many people enjoyed the movie.

Soha said in her private life she loves to wear saris and jewellery. “I have worn sarees at least hundreds of times but with the help of my mom or someone around since I can’t manage pleats on my own.”

Effusive about Kolkata, her mother’s city, she said “It is amazing how I am greeted by people here.” (Indian Express)

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he 24th James Bond thriller “Spectre”, starring Daniel Craig and Christoph Waltz, has earned USD 300 million at the global box office in less than two weeks.

Albert R Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that the film

opened wide around the world with stunning results from an additional 72 territories, including the United States.

In the US, the film is the #1 movie, dominating a crowded box office by taking in USD 73 million for the weekend.

Internationally, the film is a blockbuster, as “Spectre” opened #1 in all 71 internation-

al territories in which it opened this weekend, taking in USD 117.8 million in total, with 40 per cent of markets yet to come, including France, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and China.

Last weekend, the film set new all-time industry opening records in nearly every market in which it opened, as it took in USD 80.4 million through last Sunday. In the UK, the film set new records for the biggest opening of all time and the biggest seven days in box office history.

“Spectre” also starring Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Monica Bellucci and Ralph Fiennes, will release in India on November 20 in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu.

(Indian Express)

“My family comes first. I haven’t made a movie probably in a year and a half. I’m focused on my business, but also I want to spend time with my teenage daughter. It’s terrifying that

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ctor Samuel L Jackson said he is not worried about winning an Oscar. The 66-year-old actor confessed that he was gutted when he missed out on the Academy award after being nominated for “Pulp Fiction”

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enedict Cumberbatch has been honored by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for his services to the performing arts and to charity.

The 39-year-old actor wore a traditional morning suit to receive his Commander of the British Empire award at a ceremony Tuesday.

The “Sherlock” star, who was also nominated for an Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of computer sci-

entist Alan Turing in “The Imitation Game,” told reporters afterward that the experience was “quite nervewracking.”

Cumberbatch, who recently finished a stage run playing Hamlet at London’s Barbican Theatre, has been supporting charity appeals to help Syrian refugees, and helped raise more than 150,000 pounds ($227,000) in donations for Save the Children.

(Indian Express)

Tina Fey’s untitled comedy to release in March

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ctress Reese Witherspoon says she has reduced her acting workload so she can spend more time with her three kids and husband Jim Toth.

Witherspoon has Ava, 16 and 11-yearold Deacon with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe and Tennessee, two, with current spouse Jim Toth.

The 39-year-old Oscar-winner, whose last film “Hot Pursuit” with Sofia Vergara released this May, said her family comes first, reported Female First.

Benedict Cumberbatch receives honor from queen

odel Gigi Hadid has shown her strength and boxing skills in an Instagram video.

The 20-year-old fashion model was wearing a pair of black training tights and a crop boxing jacket which she teamed with a pair of boxing gloves, reported Aceshowbiz.

“Good morning,” she captioned

my oldest child is about to leave (home to go to university). I can’t imagine not sitting at the foot of her bed, saying, ‘So what happened at school today?'” she said.

(Indian Express)

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ctress Tina Fey’s untitled comedy of “Taliban Shuffle” has set a March 4 release date.

The Paramount Pictures film is based on Robert Carlock’s

adaptation of “The Taliban shuffle: strange days in Afghanistan and Pakistan”, reported Deadline.

The story revolves around Kim Barker, an American re-

porter who navigated the male-dominated world of journalism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Fey, 45, will play Barker, who was the Chicago Tribune’s south Asia bureau chief from 2004-09.

The film also stars Margot Robbie and Martin Freeman, Alfred Molina, Nicholas Braun, Christopher Abbott, Sheila Vand, Stephen Peacocke, Evan Jonigkeit and Billy Bob Thornton.

Fey is also producing with Lorne Michaels and Ian Bryce. (Indian Express)

Wasikowska as Alice herself and the Red and White Queens, played by Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway respectively.

They are joined by new character Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) – said to be part human,

part clock – who gets his own poster too.

James Bobin is taking over directing duties from Tim Burton.

“Alice Through The Looking Glass” is due for a UK release on May 27, 2016. (Indian Express)

but insisted that he is not bothered anymore, reported Female First.

“Some people only do movies that are meaningful and that are going to come out during academy awards season, but I’m not that person. I’ve done enough work now not to worry about getting an academy award,” he said.

“When I got nominated for “Pulp Fiction” I kept going to all of these award shows and I wasn’t winning and it’s kind of like, ‘God dam, what is going on?’ By the time we got to the Academy Awards I thought to myself, ‘Maybe they’ll get it right this time’.

When they didn’t call my name I just went’!” he said. (Indian Express)

the photo.

Apart from her boxing sessions with the instructor, Gigi spent some nice time with her mother on brunch.

The supermodel donned an over-sized grey blazer over a skintight T-shirt and a pair of white ripped jeans, for the outing. (Indian Express)

F

ollowing the full trailer’s release earlier this week, five new posters for “Alice Through The Looking Glass” have now been revealed.

Returning favourites include Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter, Mia

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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 15, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Incorporation not a bad thing for GFF’– Urling

Shillingford places emphasis on Volcanoes doing well at PCL

hairman of the Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, has defended the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) becoming an incorporated entity, after reports of such surfaced in one section of the press on Wednesday.

Referring to an article captioned “GFF no, GFF Inc., yes!” in one of the dailies, Urling labelled it “rather unfortunate, because it came across to us that it was a very slow news day.”

He added, “The undertone seemed to give the impression that an incorporation is a bad thing for the federation, and they’ve also said it was done surreptitiously, as though the NC [Normalisation Committee] had something to hide in incorporating the GFF.” Urling further explained the process, which led to the entity becoming incorporated; noting that discussion on this began in February 2015 with officials from FIFA, namely Marco Leal and Primo Carvaro.

“Just before those discussions, we had met with the then Minister of Sport in the presence of his Permanent Secretary and some other folks, and we told that the GFF had withdrawn from registered as a Friendly Society.

Friendly Society is one of the forms of legal registration; the other form is going through the Companies Act. And I just want to say that going through the Companies Act is nothing unique,” Urling explained.

The businessman made mention of CONCACAF, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and the Guyana Olympic Associations as some incorporated entities to drive home his point.

The Normalisation Committee

ut-of-favour West Indies offspinner Shane Shillingford has placed priority on making sure that the Windward Islands Volcanoes have a good showing in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL).

Shillingford, who took some timeout out of his practice to speak to the Guyana Times International Sport earlier this week in the first round match against the Guyana Jaguars, revealed that “collectively as a team, winning is the ultimate goal. I have been a part of a 50-over tournament victory, but never a Four-day.”

He further stated, “We, as a team, have the same mind frame, one

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Clinton Urling

Chairman made it clear the reason for taking such a step, noting that the GFF had two options.

“During our discussions, it was whether we go back under the Friendly Society or we incorporate.

The decision to incorporate came about because it’s totally independent of the government’s involvement. If you look at the Friendly Society Act, all bodies falling under the Friendly Society will have to report certain requirements to government, and in fact government can intervene…,” the NC head explained.

Urling added the incorporation of the GFF is nothing to fear, but rather a step in helping the body to function more effectively.

By Akeem Greene

O

Shane Shillingford

thing we do as a team is that we enjoy each other’s success.”

He went on to say that “the main thing this year, is consistency. Last year, we didn’t have a good start, but we catch up, but this year we’re looking to start good and finish good.”

The difficultly that

is presented to teams from the Windward or Leeward Islands is the fact that their players come from different countries and getting all in one place for a prolonged encampment could be difficult.

However, the Dominica-born spinner explained that “prior to this tournament we had a lot preparation taking place back home, but the way we started in the first innings wasn’t the way we wanted to start, but we had a great bowling performance. We had plans to utilise the new ball and it would be easier for the spinners to come into the game and it worked for us.”

The Volcanoes lost their opening match against the Jaguars, falling 104 runs short of a target of 230.

West Indies beat Sri Lanka to tie T20 series West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo celebrates after he dismissed Sri Lankan cricketer Nuwan Kulasekara during the second and final T20 International cricket match on Wednesday.

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O L O M B O , Sri Lanka -Dwayne Bravo grabbed four wickets as the West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by 23 runs to draw their two-match Twenty20 International series in Colombo on Wednesday.

The visitors' victory at the R Premadasa Stadium ensured the West Indies finished their tour of Sri Lanka on a positive note after losing both the One Day International and Test series.

West Indies won the

toss and opted to bat, scoring 162-6. Johnson Charles and Denesh Ramdin top-scored with 34 runs each, while Bravo notched 31 as the tourists amassed a decent total.

Left-arm spinner Milinda Siriwardana and Captain Lasith Malinga were the star bowlers for Sri Lanka, taking two wickets each for only 17 and 16 runs, respectively.

But the West Indies' bowling display was even more impressive, with right-arm medium

pacer Bravo putting in a man-of-the-match performance that saw him take 4-28.

Ravi Rampaul, who was one of two changes to the West Indies side following their defeat to Sri Lanka in the first T20 on Monday, also impressed with three wickets.

Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan notched his second halfcentury of the week, recording 52, but a collapse of the host's middle and lower batting order meant the West Indies avoided a tour whitewash.

"We were desperate to get this win," said West Indies' Captain Darren Sammy.

Sri Lanka swept the three-match One Day International series 3-0 and also won the preceding Test series without loss, taking it 2-0.

They then won the first T20 in Pallekele by 30 runs before Wednesday’s defeat resulted in 1-1 draw.

Jamaica’s senior men’s football team pose with the staff and wards of the Digicel Foundation-sponsored Liberty Academy on Hope Road on Wednesday.

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Gayadin applying finishing touches ahead of Sunday’s race meet

By Akeem Greene

E

xperienced race car driver Gavin Gayadin is in the final stages of preparations ahead of the much anticipated 2015 Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships at the South Dakota Circuit this Sunday.

When Guyana Times International Sport caught up with the driver and his team at their work shop on Sheriff Street, Gayadin disclosed that an oil pump had blown earlier while testing but so far the damage seems minimal.

The driver confidently stated that before the mishap, preparations were going great as the lap timings during testing were showing good signs.

The team Xtreme race car driver said that his main focus currently is on making sure that his team makes it to the line and that getting the checking would be a matter of inevitability as he

is not too worried about other drivers in the Group 3 category.

The former group 4 driver has been racing since 2003 and by all accounts seems the man to beat on Sunday.

Gayadin will be using a BMW E-30M with a Suzuki engine and intends to push it to the maximum. Asked about whether changes, if it will affect his game plan, “what I can say is that it will make the rac-

es much more interesting and will certainly bring in a test of skills into play”. At the same time, Gayadin is urging all other competitors to drive clean and put on a show for fans.

Gayadin and his team manager David Bacchus are extremely happy for the support given by the corporate community especially by Royal Castle, Tourist Villa, Auto Stop, among others. (akeemg@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Five wins for Guyana in Team events

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“Dove” leads Old Fort to win over Pumas

Gayadin’s BMW E-30M

World Junior Badminton Championships…

Narayan Ramdhani in action against Venezuela’s Ivan Elyouri Perozo in the Men’s Singles competition

uyana threemember badminton team secured five wins in the Team events at the World Junior Badminton Championships in Lima, Peru, thereby gaining a rating of 39th in the latest world team rankings.

After four days of Team competition at the Centro De Alto Rendimiento La Videna, Guyana, with 14 matches against six countries in Group C, was handed the ranking, which, according to word coming out of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), “is a great achievement as it’s the first time in Guyana’s badminton history that we have participated in a tournament of this

GTT Indoor Hockey Championships…

magnitude and received a ranking.”

Over 100 countries are listed in the world rankings.

The GBA added, “The three players- Sun Burst champion Narayan Ramdhani and Copa Airlines champions Priyanna Ramdhani and Ronald Chang Yuenhad a chance to play against the top ranking players in the world and have competed with determination, courage and talent.”

Narayan Ramdhani was Guyana’s top player on show, winning three games in the Men’s Singles. He defeated Chile’s Alonso Medel 21-13, 12-21, 21-19, Costa Rica’s Gianpiero Cavallotti Villalobos 219, 21-16, and Venezuela’s

Ivan Elyouri Perozo 219, 21-9.

Narayan also teamed up with Chang Yuen to beat the Costa Rican pair of Gianpiero Cavallotti Villalobos and Zhicong Zheng Chen 22-20, 1521, 21-19 in the Men’s Doubles.

The other victory for Guyana came in the Mixed Doubles, as Priyanna Ramdhani and Chang Yuen defeated Matias Gompetz and Loreto Ponyigo of Chile 21-14, 11-21, 21-19.

The Guyanese will now switch focus to the Individual championships, which started last evening and will conclude on Saturday.

Over 50 countries will compete in this aspect of the World Junior Championships.

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Aderemi Simon launches another Old Fort attack

ld Fort’s first division midfielder, Aderemi “Dove” Simon, shrugged off an injury received earlier in the tournament to stage a dominating performance against the Pumas on the second night of the GTT National Indoor Championships being held at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

While the young Pumas certainly had fitness and foot speed on their side, Old Fort’s experience and skill proved too much to handle.

With Simon launching several attacks from deep in his own half, it took the first 11 minutes before Old Fort made their breakthrough as a certain goal was prevented by the foot of a defender resulting in a penalty stroke.

It was Simon himself who stepped up to score the opener giving Old Fort the 1-0 lead.

With forwards John Abrams and Jason Clarke threatening the Pumas goal on several

occasions, Clarke would push his team further ahead with a powerful flick in the 15th minute.

Simon would then return in the second half to add one more goal with seven minutes remaining on the clock to ensure a 3-0 victory for Old Fort. The Old Fort boys now enjoy a narrow lead atop the points table in the Men’s first division competition.

GCC maintained their strong standing in the Men’s first division competition with a dominant performance over Jaguars, winning 5-3, while Phoenix enjoyed a goal-fest against Saints, prevailing 9-3.

The GCC Tigers registered the largest goal tally in the Ladies competition to date as they routed Old Fort 6-1.

Ashley DeGroot was the leading goal scorer for the Tigers with a penalty stroke and two powerful penalty corners, while sisters Kerensa Fernandes and Sonia Jardine added one each.

Carol Caine opened Old Fort’s account in the

very first minute of the match, capitalising on a Tigers’ defense error, but Old Fort failed to muster any further goals.

The Hikers taught the young Under-21 girls a lesson in hockey as they secured a 3-1 victory. Nicole Eastman scored the goal of the match with a powerful flick into the roof of the net from the baseline on the right, before adding a second to join a single from teammate Latacia Chung. Aliyah Gordon led a brave performance by the Under-21s and was rewarded with a single goal for her efforts.

Meanwhile, GCC and Old Fort continued to dominate the Men’s second division competition with victories over Saints (2-0) and Phoenix (4-1) respectively. The Hikers also recovered from a narrow loss on the previous evening to upstage Saint Stanislaus College 5-0.

Matches will continue throughout the week with the four category finals set for Sunday from 17:00h.

Three players penalised under WICB Code of Conduct

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T JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on Wednesday confirmed that three players have been penalised under the Code of Conduct, following the first round of the Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament which ended last Monday.

They are Dave Bernard Jr, Kevin Stoute and Shane Shillingford.

WICB said in a release that Bernard and Stoute were reported by umpires Peter Nero, Jonathan Blades and Ryan Willoughby during the match between Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions at Kensington Oval for Level 1 breaches of the code.

They both showed dissent at an umpire’s decision by appealing excessively for an lbw decision which was given “not-out”, the release added.

Meanwhile, WICB said Shillingford was reported by umpires Nandkumar Shivsankar, Joel Wilson and Imran Moakan during the match between Windward Islands Volcanoes and Guyana Jaguars at the Guyana National Stadium, also for a Level 1 breach of the code.

Shillingford was penalised for conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game, when he attempted to bring the game into disrepute

Dave Bernard Jr (file photo)

through pointing at his elbow during an appeal for caught while he was batting in the 45th over of the Volcanoes’ second innings, deliberately attempting to influence the umpire’s decision, WICB added.

All three players were fined 10 per cent of their match fees, after they admitted to the offence and accepted the imposition of the proposed sanction

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Calvin Ming has the making to become a F1 prodigy

By Akeem Greene

Y

oung Formula 4 race car driver Calvin Ming, the son of Veteran racer Stanley Ming has so laid a platform that can only result in him catapulting to the highest category of racing which is the Formula One. At a press conference on Monday at the Ming’s company, the new Formula Four (F4) driver expressed great excitement over being able to race in Mexico.

“It was a very surreal experience for me, there were about 300400 persons in attendance, driving in front of such a large crowd was extremely amazing”, the driver said.

The young Ming said that balancing school and racing would require a lot of time man-

Calvin Ming (in car) with other supporters and his father

agement. In addition he added when he does the exhibition drive come November 15 at the South Dakota track it will be extremely memorable to drive in front of his home crowd.

Calvin further went on to say that racing overseas is different from racing in Guyana as now he has to do more mechanical work. In addition he added that a lot of the work is done

off the track as there are lots of fitness and video work done to improve his driving.

Father of the young prodigy Stanley Ming is of the view that the Caribbean has the ped-

igree of the talent to reach that prized category of Formula One. “I always believe that Guyana has talent to do wonders, and this is not only by my son’s experiences but also the other talents we have around the region and in Guyana”.

However, Ming is positive that corporate support would be needed by both government and the private sector to develop this form of racing.

The businessman is positive that if we develop this form of racing the Caribbean Community can reap huge benefits.

Ming gave the example that November to March period in other countries would usually be winter as such no driving can be done, however the Caribbean would be a prime area for these races to come and do their

off season testing but we would have to design tracks to the necessary requirements.

The elated father explained that Calvin has a packed schedule ahead as he soon will be leaving for Las Vegas for Go-Kart Championships before heading back to Mexico City for another round of the Championships.

The young Ming’s exploit has already gained attention as he has been asked to test a car in Spain in the upcoming weeks.

The F4 car is MYGALE and is powered by a Ford ECO-Boost 1.6L Turbo charged engine and is excellent for taking turns at a fast pace. Though the car will not be able to touch top speed on Sunday, it will still give fans some thrills. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

WICB/PCL Regional 4-Day Cricket….

Superb Jaguars hammer Volcanoes by 104 runs brief lower order rally after the interval between Sebatien and Shane Shillingford where they added 45 runs for the eight-wicket, Jacobs removed both batsmen in the space of eight balls.

The formalities were completed when Kenroy Peters was trapped leg before wicket to Jacobs.

By Rajiv Bisnauth

T

he Guyana Jaguars compensated for a dismal second innings batting effort with a sensational bowling display on Monday to whip the Windward Islands Volcanoes by 104 runs in their opening round of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day game at the National Stadium, Providence.

Scores in the match: Guyana 362 & 95; Windward Islands Volcanoes 228 & 125.

Left-arm medium pacer Raymond Reifer and off-spinner Steven Jacobs were the Jaguars inspirations, taken 4-41 and 4-35 respective-

Opener Rajendra Chandrika was adjudged man-of-the-match with his first innings 146.

The Jaguars, who earned 18 points from the victory, will host the Leeward Islands Hurricane in their second round from Friday. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy. com)

The Guyana Jaguars players leaving the field after completing a 104 run victory over the Windward Islands Volcanoes

ly. Jacobs finished with match figures of 8-92.

Fast bowler Ronsford Beaton and left-armspinner Gudekash Motie are the other successful bowlers.

Set 230 to win, Miles

Bascombe and Liam Sebatien were the only two batsmen to offer resistance with 38 and 36 respectively.

Beaton completed an excellent session for the Jaguars when he drew

Kyle Mayes forward and bowled him through the gate for eight, to leave the visitors at 76-7.

The visitors defeat was imminent, only the margin was to be decided. However, following a

Suriname reclaims IGG tennis title T

hough the minor setback of losing one of the female team members to injury, the players representing Guyana at the Inter-Guiana Games 2015 put up a good fight, but were unsuccessful in their pursuit to hold this year’s trophy.

The team was in high spirit going into the final day of Doubles competition after posting a difference of two losses from the top of the Singles leader board.

However, failing to convert critical opportunity with tactical maneuvers after being in the lead ultimately led to a decline in team’s morale, which cost them to slip, resulting in an overall lost.

Out of the total of 54 matches played (36 Singles, 18 Doubles), Suriname came in first with 21 wins, followed

by French Guiana with 19 wins, and Guyana third with 14 victories.

The ladies secured 10 wins of the 14 matches won, despite having to forfeit three of their matches because of an injured player.

Players from the three countries pose for a photo at the conclusion of the event

It was pointed out by the coaches that although the scores reflect a loss, there were outstanding performances from Kalyca Fraser, Shivani Persaud, Keenan Persaud, and especially Jordan Beaton, who is 13 years old and matched the power of the top two French and Dutch Under-18 play-

ers.

The trip also saw Joshua Kalekyezi and Viraj Sharma making their debut on the IGG scene and showcasing great potential and discipline. While the Regional Development Officer John Goede, highlighted Afurica Gentle’s power and Mark McDonald for his en-

ergy, he noted there were several technical parts of their games that needed correcting before they break into the next level.

At the officials meeting, it was agreed that the tournament would be rebranded with a new name and plans are afoot to incorporate other territories in the long run as to make this tournament the biggest tennis tournament in the Southern Caribbean. Next year the tournament will be held in French Guiana and Guadeloupe and Martinique have been invited to compete.

Coaches Leyland Leacock and Jason Andrews headed the team made up of Girls Under-12: Sarah Klautky and Alana Chung; Boys Under-12: Joshua Kalekyezi and Viraj Sharma; Girls Under-14: Kalyca Fraser and Shivani Persaud; Boys Under-14: Mark McDonald and Keenan Persaud; Girls Undder-18: Afruica Gentle and Aretta Dey; and Boys Under-18: Daniel Lopes and Jordan Beaton.

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