Guyana times international

INTERNATIONAL

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 224

week ending January 4, 2015

See story on page 18 Former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo

Jagdeo to lead Commonwealth elections observers to Sri Lanka

Niketa Barker heads to Miami for Miss Universe pageant

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ormer President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo will lead the Commonwealth Observer Group to Sri Lanka, following a formal invitation from that nation’s Commissioner of Elections, Mahinda Deshapriya.

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma reiterated the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, to which the Commonwealth is a signatory.

“Genuine democratic elections are an expression of sovereignty, which belongs to the people of a country, the free expression of whose will provides the basis for the authority and legitimacy of Government,” he said.

“Sri Lanka has among the oldest democratic traditions in the Commonwealth. The people of Sri Lanka should be able to freely exercise their franchise, in an enabling environment marked by transparency, a level playing field, and adherence to the laws and norms that govern a credible and peaceful election. For this, key stakeholders must play their due roles,” added Sharma. (see full story on page 3)

New York pays tribute to 'Calypso Queen of the World' Page 43

Miss Guyana Universe Niketa Barker is prepping herself for the Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Doral, Miami on January 25, 2015

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WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS

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WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Glenn Lall’s illegal recording: Rohee says DPP ruling must be respected

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has expressed disappointment over the posture taken by the political Opposition and some sections of the media which have protested the decision of the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the illegal recording of a conversation involving Attorney General Anil Nandlall by Owner/ Publisher of Kaieteur

News Glenn Lall and Reporter Leonard Gildharie.

The party said however, that while it is disappointed, it is not surprised by the position taken by both the Opposition and some media outfits, particularly the Kaieteur News against the advice offered by the office of the DPP on allegations against the Attorney General by Lall.

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continued on page 9

Jagdeo to lead Commonwealth elections observers to Sri Lanka F

ormer President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo will lead the Commonwealth Observer Group to Sri Lanka, following a formal invitation from that nation’s Commissioner of Elections, Mahinda Deshapriya.

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma reiterated the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, to which the Commonwealth is a signatory.

“Genuine democratic elections are an expression of sovereignty, which belongs to the people of a country, the free expression of whose will provides the basis for the authority and legitimacy of Government,” he said.

“Sri Lanka has among the oldest democratic traditions in the Commonwealth.

The people of Sri Lanka should be able to freely exercise their franchise, in an enabling environment marked by transparency, a level playing field, and adherence to the laws and norms

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

that govern a credible and peaceful election.

For this, key stakeholders must play their due roles,” added Sharma.

The Group will consider the pre-electoral environment and preparations. On Election Day and thereafter, members will observe the voting process, counting and tabulation procedures, and the announcement of results.

The Group will act impartially and make an independent assessment of the electoral process. It will con-

duct itself according to the standards expressed in the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation to which Sri Lanka has committed itself.

Upon completion of its assignment, the Group will submit its report to the Commonwealth Secretary General, who will in turn send it to the Government of Sri Lanka, the Commissioner of Elections and the principal political parties, before making it available to all Commonwealth

Governments, and eventually releasing it into the public domain.

The nine-member Observer Group will be in Sri Lanka from January 2 to 14, 2015. A five-member team from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Katalaina Sapolu, Director of the Rule of Law Division, will support them.

The Commonwealth Observer Group comprises: Jagdeo (Chair); Maria Chin Abdullah, The Coalition of Free and Fair Elections, Malaysia; Dr Campbell Gordon Calder, former Member of Parliament, New Zealand; Qamar Zaman Kaira, former Minister and Member of Parliament, Pakistan; Eldred De Klerk, rule of law and elections security expert, South Africa; Dr Sally Kosgei, former Minister and Member of Parliament, Kenya; Saadatu Maida, Election Commissioner, Ghana; Brij Bihari Tandon, Former Election Commissioner of India and Lainy Malkani, Media Expert of the United Kingdom.

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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

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

Fax (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com Indomitable: A lone rower transports a load of coconuts and other items in a heavily laden boat on one of Guyana’s waterways during the Christmas season (Marceano Narine photo)

EDITORIAL

Danger of Army Oil price drop highlights need for diversity in in politics

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his newspaper published a very important interview with Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Roger Luncheon that seemed to have slipped below the radar of most analysts. In brief, what Dr Luncheon highlighted was the overwhelming role individuals from the Disciplined Forces play in the present Opposition – mainly the PNC and APNU. The headline of the story proposed that “the ‘militarydominated’ Opposition (is) a clear and potential danger for Guyana”.

It is our contention that the situation is much more untenable and presents a clear and PRESENT danger to the peace and stability of our country. The story mentioned four top level leaders of the Opposition who are all ex-high ranking members of the Disciplined Forces: Opposition, PNC and APNU’s Leader David Granger (former Brigadier and Commandant of the GDF), his political right hand man, PNC MP Joseph Harmon (former Lieutenant Colonel, GDF), former Chief of Staff of the Disciplined Forces, Edward Collins and MP Winston Felix (former Commissioner of Police).

But these individuals only represent the tip of a very large camouflage-coloured iceberg. In the last elections of 2011, Granger mobilised ex-foreign and domestic Army and Police to raise funds and canvass voters.

This they did with military precision, to the consternation of many civilian PNC activists who were shunted aside. Ex-GDF Captain Mike Archer and Lieutenant Malcolm Harripaul were only two of the officers who returned from the US to mobilise on Granger’s behalf.

The “clear and present” danger this state of affairs presents is occasioned by both Guyana’s history and demographics. Unlike its neighbours in South America, Guyana’s politics have not been dominated by the military – up to now, that is.

In those neighbouring countries, their military had been trained by the US as tools for American influence in what they considered to be “their hemisphere”. The Americans excused their intrusion by defining armies as “modernising forces”, to pull the societies from their “backward” state.

Almost uniformly, however, individuals from the military in these countries, such as Batista in Cuba and Somoza in Nicaragua, quickly overthrew their civilian Governments and ruled as dictators for decades.

Most of the British Caribbean, of which Guyana was administered as a part, had escaped this fate. But with the US’s removal of the PPP and imposition of the PNC Government, Forbes Burnham embarked on a “militarisation of the society”.

As described by Professor Ken Danns, he used the US rationalisation to claim the 1:32 military to civilian ratio – highest in the world – was to introduce “discipline” into the “backward” society for it to “modernise”.

Burnham had explicitly instructed the Army officers, such as David Granger, Commandant of the GDF, that while they had to swear personal fealty to him, their “loyalty” to any future Government was a matter for them to decide.

When Burnham unexpectedly died, he was succeeded by Desmond Hoyte. In one of his first move to solidify his power, Hoyte bypassed David Granger and made Joe Singh, Head of the Guyana National Service, as Chief of Staff of the Disciplined Forces.

Hoyte preempted any Army coup by placing an “Indian” at the head of the African dominated Army and moving the Burnhamite Granger to the ceremonial Defence Board. The checkmated Granger ended his days qualifying himself in history at UG. In the lead up for “free and fair” elections in 1990, a civilian leader brokering a peaceful transition bluntly asserted that “the Army would not accept the Indian Cheddi Jagan, even if he were to win a majority of the votes”.

With the removal of the PNC regime in 1992, the Army’s position on the PPP/C was unsurprisingly considered tenuous. Since that time, activists such as ACDA’s Tacuma Ogunseye have consistently called for the Army not to obey their orders to keep the peace if African Guyanese rejected a PPP/C victory.

With the Opposition now dominated by ex-Disciplined Forces personnel, such exhortations become even more problematic.

gulf economies

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ountries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will have to adjust the incentives of workers and firms to encourage them to work and produce in the non-oil tradable sector if these economies are to succeed in diversifying their economies, a new International Monetary Fundy (IMF) survey has found.

With oil prices declining by 40 percent since June, the importance of diversification is once again highlighted. While governments in the region have made some progress toward economic diversification in recent years, much remains to be done. The strategies pursued thus far have yielded mixed results, according to the report.

To make significant progress toward reducing their reliance on oil, GCC governments need to change the incentive structure of the economy to encourage individuals to work in the private sector and induce firms to look beyond domestic markets for new export opportunities, the authors say.

New growth model needed

The GCC growth model— which relies on oil as the main source of export and fiscal revenues — has delivered strong economic and social outcomes.

Over the years, GCC governments have increased public sector employment and spending on infrastructure, health, and education. This has helped raise standards of living and support private sector activity, particularly in such sectors as construction, trade and retail, transport, and restaurants.

But the current growth model has weakness, the report points out. Greater diversification would reduce exposure to volatility in the global oil market, help create private sector jobs, and establish the non-oil economy that will be needed in the future when the oil revenues dry up. Why have the diversification policies pursued to date by GCC governments fallen short of their goal? The paper examines the

experience of other oil-exporting countries and draws possible lessons for the GCC.

Case studies in success

Historical experience offers few examples of countries that have been able to successfully diversify away from oil, particularly when their oil production horizon is still long.

A number of obstacles often stand in the way of diversification, such as the economic volatility that is induced by the reliance on oil revenues or the corroding effect that oil revenues have on governance and institutions.

Economies rich in oil also often see a decline in competitiveness of other economic sectors caused by the appreciation of the real exchange rate as resource revenues enter an economy, a phenomenon known as Dutch disease.

Success or failure appears to depend on the implementation of appropriate policies ahead of the fall in oil revenues.

Malaysia, Indonesia, and Mexico offer perhaps the best examples of countries that have been able to diversify away from oil, while Chile has had some success in diversification away from copper.

While each of these four countries followed its own path, a number of common themes are evident. First, diversification took a long time and took off only when oil revenues began to dwindle. For example, Malaysia started its export-oriented strategy in the early 1970s and experienced rapid growth in export sophistication in the 1980s–90s.

It took more than 20 years to reach a level of sophistication comparable to some advanced economies.

Second, successful countries focused on putting in place the incentives to encourage firms to develop export markets and to support workers in acquiring the skills and education to get jobs in these new expanding areas.

In addition to focusing on

creating a stable economic environment and a favourable climate for doing business, this entailed: Making investments in high-productivity industrial clusters, even when there was no prior comparative advantage.

The early experience of Malaysia, Mexico, and Indonesia showed that import substitution or reliance on labour intensive manufacturing led to inefficient firms with limited scope for income and productivity gains. Changing their approach and despite starting from a low-technology base, these countries increased their export sophistication by focusing on specific manufacturing clusters that led to an upgrading of technology. Chile used export subsidies and public-private partnerships to establish new firms and upgrade technical skills in specific sectors.

Additionally, the IMF said creating networks of local suppliers around existing export industries can expand the employment potential of a given sector, although care should be taken that the local source sectors are efficient and do not lead to a loss in competitiveness. Malaysia entered downstream and upstream activities based on rubber and palm oil to build linkages with the rest of the economy and upgrade research capabilities and technology.

Mexico developed linkages around the automobile sector. In addition, the survey highlighted that in the 1980s, Indonesia attracted foreign capital through the creation of free trade zones, provision of tax incentives, and the easing of tariff restrictions and nontariff barriers.

Similar policies were implemented in Malaysia and Mexico. In Mexico, accession to the North American Free Trade Agreement played an important role in attracting foreign direct investment that facilitated the development of the automobile sector.

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WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Disappearance of aircraft baffling – Capt Gouveia

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

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rominent aviator, Captain Gerry Gouveia said that the disappearance of the Air Services Limited aircraft on Sunday is baffling despite acknowledging that the area the plane was operating in is one of the most hostile jungle and mountainous areas in Guyana.

A search and rescue team worked valiantly for the better part of Monday to locate the plane and its occupants – Pilot, Nicky Persaud, age 27, and Cargo Loader, David Bisnauth, 51, but the team was forced to abandon the search due to bad weather.

In an official statement, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said the search and rescue teams triangulated a search area approximately 20 miles West and South of Mahdia on Monday for the missing Britten Norman Islander aircraft, bearing registration number 8R-GHE which disappeared on Sunday.

The expanse of dense jungle is within the area of interest as determined by map terrain information and aircraft sighting while taking into consideration the last known position of the aircraft.

According to the GCAA, the mountainous area – up to 700 metres high – was flown over including Echerak and North Fork in search for Persaud, who has 8000 flying hours and vast experience operating in this area; and Bisnauth who was also onboard the aircraft when contact was lost.

The twin-engine aircraft’s last known position via “Spot Tracker” was 3.8 nautical miles South of Mahdia – a mere two minutes after it departed Mahdia airstrip. The aircraft was expected to reach Karisparu at midday.

Weather conditions enroute to Karisparu, an Amerindian community, was reported as ‘bad’ at the time of the flight.

“Regrettably, the second day of search yielded no sightings of the aircraft. Eleven hours

Captain Gerry Gouveia

Missing Pilot Nicky Persaud

and 24 minutes were accumulated by search aircraft on this second day, bringing the total search hours flown to 18 hours and four minutes.”

According to the statement, included in the Monday’s search were two fixed wing aircraft and three rotor wing aircraft including one Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter. GCAA investigators and GDF Special Forces remain on standby in Mahdia for possible extraction. Medical personnel are also on standby at Mahdia District Hospital and the Georgetown Public Hospital (GHPC).

“All aspects of the op-

eration are being coordinated from the Rescue Coordination Centre at the Timehri Control Tower. Present are officials from the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Health, GCAA, CJIA, GDF Air Corps, Air Services Ltd and the Guyana Police Force,” the statement read.

Mahdia is a hub for operations into locations in the escarpment. This flight was taking supplies to Karisparu.

Meanwhile, Director General of the GCAA Zulfikar Mohamed also told GTI that the officers of the Special Forces have now narrowed down the search to three

areas between Mahdia where the plane took off and Karisparu, its intended location.

Mohamed stated that once the teams return to the rescue coordination centre at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), a proper assessment of the rescue operation will be done and recommendations made for follow-up searches.

Nevertheless, the GCAA head stated that they have been in constant contact with the relatives of Nicky Persaud and David Bisnauth.

The wife of the missing pilot is expected to arrive in Guyana, shortly.

A source told GTI that the team is exploring the possibility that the aircraft might have been overloaded when it took off from Mahdia.

They are also looking at several other factors including the failure of the pilot to call in ‘May Day’ which is a distressed call which can be easily picked up by aircraft around the area. At this point in time, there

is no report of such a call being received.

According to reports, the Timehri Control Tower lost communication with the Cessna Britten Norman Islander that was operating a flight between Mahdia and Karisparu, Region Eight. Based on records, the aircraft took off from Mahdia at about 11:42h on Sunday on a routine local cargo flight and the last known position was spot tracker at 11:44h.

In addition, at 16:20h Timehri Air Traffic Control Tower made contact with the aircraft operator to establish whether the aircraft landed before implementing a search and rescue operation.

After no information was received, the Air Traffic control commenced an ‘Alert Phase’ and the rescue coordination centre at Cheddi Jagan International Airport was activated.

In the meantime, two air services Cessna 208 Caravan flying within the area were vectored to commence a search operation.

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WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana is a terrific place to visit Dear Editor, I’ve been in Guyana a month now – and have had a superb time with family and friends in the beautiful land of our birth.

From the newspaper reports and famous scribes’ daily missives, I was expecting a hell-hole of a country heading into the eternal abyss. The naysayers and prophets of doom have painted a picture Guyana as a virtual hell – tormented by perpetual fire and brimstone.

What I re-discovered, however, was a paradise or sorts. I do realize that my perceptions of life in Guyana are skewed by the fact that I have not been residing in the country for long. However, what I’ve experienced so far has been an oasis of sorts.

For now, let’s forget the myriad of problems that plague the country – politics, crime, noise pollution, corruption, high cost-of-living, Styrofoam and plastic bottles clogging the

drains of Georgetown and elsewhere, the threat of chikungunya, dangerous driving – we can go on and on.

For the moment, let us appreciate the beauty and blessings of the people and country – and be thankful.

The second day I arrived, I saw a kiskadee and a blue sakie in my friend’s backyard. I love the tropical flowers and plants in Guyana. I am amazed at the increased standard of living of the typical Guyanese.

The AFC has been focused on derailing development Dear Editor, At this juncture it will be fruitful for this nation to carefully scrutinise the achievement of the Alliance For Change (AFC) in terms of contributing to the social and economic development of Guyana.

In fact, all their energies have so far been focused on derailing such developmental efforts by the democratically elected PPP/C Government. It is also a fact that nowhere else in the Caribbean has any miniscule Opposition political party worked so tirelessly to achieve what can be seen as a hopeless mirage of power.

This party will never be able to muster enough votes to form a Government and its leaders are keenly aware of that but they are willing to eat the crumbs from their master’s table, the PNC. Firstly, they have led the cutting of all the budgets in Parliament since 2012. These budget cuts are not only unconscionable but anti-developmental as well. The items that were repeatedly cut from these budgets are the very items which the AFC have in their manifesto which they called their “Action Plan”!

This definitely is a misnomer – the “Action Cut” would have been a more appropriate name.

Some of these can be found in the “Action Plan” under Hinterland Development, Trade Policy, Renewable Energy, Health Care System, Tourism, and Educational Policy.

The AFC in the 2014 Budget cut Gy$1.1 billion from the Amerindian Development Fund which could have benefited more than 180 Amerindian Communities.

They have voted against the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the

Financing of Terrorism Bill.

They have voted against the Amaila Falls Hydro Electricity Project.

They have voted against the Capital Expenditure of the Regional and Clinical Services programmes. They have cut the funds for the improvement and expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

They have cut the University of Guyana Student Loan. Then the AFC has been vociferously calling for the closure of the Guyana Sugar Corporation which will directly and indirectly affect the lives of more than 100,000 persons!

Charrandass and Ramayya have done this repeatedly on a television station in Berbice.

The AFC, in its quest to outdo the PNC, supported the violent protests in Linden which resulted in arson of businesses and a school, looting and the beatings and sexual harassment of Indians.

They then embarked in orchestrating a violent protest of their own at Agricola. Again, Indians were targeted – they were beaten, robbed, sexually molested and abused. How can leaders like Ramjattan and Nagamootoo allow this to happen to Indians in Agricola and then come to Berbice and ask Indians to vote for them?

Do they believe that Indians in Berbice are that stupid? Why did they not agitate for the perpetrators to be brought to justice? Why did they not call for an inquiry to be held if they are not culpable?

All they had done was to deny their involvement. Would Trotman and Hughes have done that to their own people? But the fact is that Nagamootoo had to gain

acceptance from the PNC – his nomination as Speaker was rejected by the PNC so he had to prove himself.

The AFC condemned each and everything that the PPP/C Government did. They condemned the One Lap Top per family initiative. They condemned the Old Age Pension increase.

They condemned the Gy$10,000 “Because we care” Grant given to each child. They condemned the poor salaries of Policemen then they condemned the one month salary bonus given to each Policeman and soldier.

They condemned the poor health service and then they cut the Capital Expenditure in the Health Sector. They complained about the high electricity cost and they destroyed the Amaila Falls Hydro Electricity Project.

They condemned the Education Sector yet we have topped the CSEC awards. They said that the economic progress of this country is a big lie yet the US Embassy gave out 55,000 Tourists Visas.

They vigorously spoke about corruption in the Government, but refuses to deal with the high degree of corruption within the AFC. They spoke about the immoral behaviour of Government officials, but refused to condemn the lewd and immoral behaviour of some of the Executives of the AFC. It is time to reflect on these achievements of the AFC and ensure that they do not achieve their goals of getting the PNC into power once again!

Guyana cannot survive another 28 years of PNC misrule!

Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor

Guyanese seem to be eating, writing, speaking and living better – compared to five years ago. I love eating the cook-up, metagee, dal & rice and coconut chokha. I particularly loved the opportunity to saa-neh (the last dish) in a popular Georgetown restaurant (and cha-ha-te) my fingers with the left-over dal.

It is refreshing to see how Guyanese have come a long way in the harmony and respect that they have with each other.

Guyanese offer support to those in need – irrespective of ethnic differences.

It is truly beautiful to see how the ethnic plurality of the country plays out in the day-to-day life of Guyanese; I was at a ‘wake’ this past week, and it was touching to see the genuine love and support given to the bereaved.

For the 4 weeks I’ve been in the country, I’ve only experienced blackout about 4 times during the night – lasting between 10 to 30 minutes.

(Wished it had lasted lon-

ger; all the neighbours’ and “wedding-house” booming music came to a sudden stop; the peace that ensued was just too short!)

The weather has been great; the sea breeze refreshing, and it is therapeutic to see and behold the mango and coconut trees side by side.

I wish all my fellow Guyanese ‘Merry Christmas’ and a terrific New Year. God bless Guyana!

Devanand Bhagwan

Credit must be given to Caribbean Airlines Dear Editor: The difficulty in getting flights to and from North America underscores a serious phenomenon as it relates to the paucity, even reluctance, of operators to continue to venture into the airline business serving Guyanese travellers particularly. And credit must be given to Caribbean Airlines for being there in both the high and low seasons, though their service can be taken up a few notches for the fares they charge.

Incompetence by some investors aside, the penalty against airlines for narcotics found on board is a discouragement to competition against the entrenched Caribbean Airlines.

It is known that narcotics have been traced from time to time to passengers using Caribbean Airlines but it is not public knowledge that Caribbean Airlines is being penalized.

In fact, that Caribbean Airlines is still airborne suggests that they either have the capacity to pay for enhanced security apparatus or to pay the fines whenever a breach is discovered or that there is some workable arrangement in place that does not sound the death knell. Speculation is justified in the circumstances.

But the accommodation of other international operators, due diligence being done, must be encouraged in order to cater to rapidly growing Guyanese passenger traffic. We are no longer living in the time when visas to USA and Canada were a rarity.

Guyanese criss-cross the airspace with increasing frequency and in larger numbers. There is an expanding market in the airline industry. Is it sufficient that we must be constrained by what a single carrier dishes out?

Subject to any other mechanism being in place of which I am ignorant, I am of the view that the present protocol where an airline alone is penalized for narcotics found on board should be revisited. For narcotics to get on board, whether on passengers or otherwise, the security system – moreso the human aspects of that system – would have failed deliberately or otherwise.

Airlines contract security organizations, equipment, baggage handlers, etc. The Government security apparatus also has more than a passing presence at our two international airports.

What are their responsibilities?

Aren’t they stakeholders in the scheme of things? Should they escape culpability? Were all stakeholders to be penalized, I think more detection would occur at source rather than at destination.

The distribution of penalty would then provide a more encouraging and enabling environment for new airlines to service a growing demand and to offer air-travellers more choices.

If the situation is different from what I have written above, I would appreciate to be enlightened.

T Jadunauth

Political party lying on the police

Dear Editor, The Guyana Police Force has observed that at least one political party has been lying on Police ranks in various aspects of their operations, the most recent being in regard to an armed robbery committed on businessman Latchman Pooran of Maida Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, on December 21.

In this instance, members of the political party wrongfully claimed that the Police took more than two and a half hours to respond to the report and then mobilised persons to picket the Whim Police Station and demanded that ranks be transferred from the station immediately.

In fact, the information on the slothful re-

sponse by the Police was a fabrication aimed at achieving political mileage.

To the contrary, the victim himself has indicated to reporters of the Kaieteur News that the Police took less than half an hour to arrive on the scene and has publicly praised the work of the Police, whom he said worked under stressful and strenuous circumstances.

The Guyana Police Force is appealing to members of political parties not to use the Guyana Police Force for political mileage and wishes to inform the public that it is making great efforts to improve the quality of service it provides and to gain public trust.

However, it is incidents like these that cause one to question whether some organisations in our society would like to see a secure Guyana or not.

The Guyana Police Force also wishes to advise of its mature stance whenever it is being criticised. Constructive criticisms are taken in good faith and necessary adjustments are being made to improve our services.

It would, however, be remiss of us if we do not seek to clarify misleading information being peddled with the intent of achieving some ulterior objectives.

Ivelaw Whittaker Public Relations and Press Officer

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WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GuySuCo surpasses 216,000-ton target T

he grinding operations at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) ended on December 24 with the Corporation announcing that it has surpassed its 2014 sugar production target of 216,000 tonnes.

In release, Chief Executive Officer Raj Singh expressed thanks to workers at all levels of the Corporation for their efforts in making the target, the first year since 2005 the Corporation was able to do so.

However, he cautioned that there is still much to be done to ensure that the Corporation returns to profitability. He expressed the view that the performance of the industry was encouraging and that most of the key performance indicators were achieved.

In the coming year, more focus and energy will be placed on increasing production, reducing the cost of production, enhancing the mechanisation programme, growing the market base and diversifying its lines of business with new products; particularly valueadded products.

The Corporation, during the current out of

2013.

Last year, sugar production came in at 186,500 tonnes – the worst performance in 22 years, according to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

Improving fortune

GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rajendra Singh

crop maintenance will focus on getting the factories ready for production by mid February 2015.

In the coming year, GuySuCo will analyse the effectiveness of the new initiatives that were introduced in 2014, including the use of briquettes for steam generation, bio-fertilisers and legume fallow, among its many other new initiatives.

The first crop production target of 75,000 tonnes was surpassed by some 5000 tonnes, prompting the Corporation to revise the 2014 target and raising hopes that the industry was beginning to turn the corner after a dismal

Guyana has been taking steps to turn the tide of the industry’s fortunes and meet a production target of 300,000 tonnes soon, and is projected to reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.

GuySuCo, however, continues to operate at a loss, even with more than 15 years of billions of dollars in investments. Back in 1995, the Corporation was producing sugar at a relatively high cost; today, the situation remains the same.

From 1995-1996, the cost of production was US$0.23 per pound with the figure dropping to US$0.22 by 1997.

When compared with production costs in Guatemala, the United

States, North-East Brazil and India, the cost of producing sugar in Guyana is most unfavourable.

Appearing before the Economic Services Committee back in July, Dr Singh had disclosed that the cost of production stood at US$0.34 per pound of sugar.

Recognising the high cost of production, he assured the Committee that mechanisms were in place in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan to reduce the figure to US$0.26 per

pound. Singh had said that the industry has a history of poor profitability. With the exception of 2006 and 2007, GuySuCo has operated at a loss for the past 10 years.

After investing approximately Gy$9 billion into the industry in 2005, GuySuCo recorded a profit of Gy$476 million in 2006. In that same year, an additional Gy$12.5 billion was pumped into the industry, leading to a profit of Gy$630 million in 2007.

Grinding operations at GuySuCo ended on December 24 with the Corporation announcing that it has surpassed its 2014 sugar production target of 216,000 tonnes

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WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Police hunt man who doused miner with gasoline P olice are looking for a man who they believe caused the death of a miner who died 14 hours after being doused with gasoline at Ikawan, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni/

Mazaruni).

Dead is Huntley Mickle, age 41, of Mount Sinai, New Amsterdam.

Reports are that around 11:25h on Boxing Day, Mickle was in the presence of friends when

a man with whom he had an argument earlier in the day came up from behind and emptied a container containing gasoline on him. At the time, Mickle was sitting next to a flambeau (bot-

tle lamp) and was also smoking a cigarette.

Meanwhile, reports reaching Guyana Times International indicate that during Boxing Day, a group of friends were imbibing at a shop in Cuyuni when an argument broke out between Mickle and a man whom the Police are seeking.

During the argument, it is being alleged that the suspect told Mickle that he was going to come back for him. It is also being alleged that he made threats to other persons.

Reports also suggest that the suspect was at the scene for some time after dousing Mickle with gasoline. According to one eyewitness, Mickla Jones, after the gasoline was thrown, the flames from the lamp exploded as it caught onto Huntley and the bench on which he was sitting.

Amid screams, the father of two rushed towards the river which was nearby. Jones told this publication said she got a blanket and rushed to Mickle who was covered with flames and was able to extinguish the fire.

Mickle is said to have been working with a man named Kuame Liverpool and was overlooking his gold mining operations for several months.

However two weeks ago, a group of Brazilians who allegedly have legal claim to mine in the area, forced Liverpool to close down his operations and move. Mickle stayed in the area. According to Jones, Mickle was not being paid by Liverpool.

She said after the issue

Dead: Huntley Mickle

with the Brazilians she told him that he could stay at her place. “Over the past two weeks he was operating two threeinch pumps,” the woman said. She further related that the now dead man was in search of gold.

Mickle left New Amsterdam in May 2013 in search for gold and had not returned home since. According to his daughter Stacy Mickle, she had not seen her father for the past 17 months. “He left just before his first grand child was born and never came back since then. He sent money for me once to buy things for the baby just after he went in.”

She said that they had not spoken to each other since he left for the interior but he was expected home soon.

According to the young woman, last December when her grandmother had returned from the USA, she was expecting to see her father but he remained in the interior.

She received the news of his demise on Saturday and was in disbelief. Her friends said that she was smiling, thinking that it

was a prank being pulled on her.

However Jones, who had taken pictures of the burning man, sent the pictures to the now dead man’s daughter, forcing her to accept the news she had received hours before. “I wanted my father to see his grandchild but he left just before she was born,” the distraught daughter said.

Mickle is said to have communicated recently with his mother who is currently in Guyana for the Christmas holidays. “He spoke to her on Christmas Day and promised to come out for the New Year,” his daughter told GTI. Jones related the same information and said that Mickle did not have money to make the trip, adding that “I told him that I was going out on the third (January 3) and that he could come with me. I know he didn’t have money but it is his mother he going to see,” the woman said in a telephone conversation.

Mickle leaves to mourn his two children and one grandchild.

Amazon Indians raid remote Peru village

A

uthorities in Peru have decided to evacuate a remote Amazon community after it was raided by members of an indigenous tribe.

About 200 MashcoPiro Indians armed with bows and arrows arrived at Monte Salvador looking for food.

They are said to have killed domestic animals and taken cooking pots and other metal goods.

No-one was injured, but police say it is safer for villagers to move to a bigger town.

This is the third time this year that the

Mashco-Piro Indians have arrived in Monte Salvador searching for food and metal objects.

But last Thursday they came while most of the villagers were away and ransacked their homes before retreating into the forest.

The villagers say they also killed some of their animals. Two days later, the Mashco-Piro Indians returned and the villagers fled.

The Peruvian police are sending boats to take them to Puerto Maldonado, a busy town in south-eastern Peru near the borders with Bolivia and Brazil.

9 Govt to slash excise tax on gas news

WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

… amid public outcry over high fuel prices

A

s consumers continue to feel the pressure of the high cost of fuel in Guyana, despite a sharp drop in oil prices on the international market, Government this week is likely to announce the lowering of the excise tax attached to the importation of petroleum.

President Donald Ramotar told Guyana Times International that during this week, he will be engaging his Cabinet and more specifically Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh to consider the taxes levied on the importation of fuel.

Government has come under criticism for its decision to raise the excise tax on fuel in keeping with a mechanism it had set up years

ago.

The Administration may have missed an opportunity to bring relief to thousands of citizens.

“Could you imagine how wonderful it would be for persons to be buying gas at lower prices?” one consumer questioned.

Gas prices hit a fiveyear low of US$54.73 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange on Friday, with retail gas stations selling at US$2.50 per gallon.

President Ramotar explained that in effect, what his Administration does is lower the excise import tax on fuel when the price for fuel is high on the international market.

When that price falls, the excise tax rate is in-

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

creased.

As such, Government, in a notice to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) instructed that under the Financial Administration and Audit Act, Cabinet approved increases of the

Glenn Lall’s illegal recording: Rohee says...

from page 3

Last Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ally Hack announced that no criminal charges should be filed against the Attorney General, who has been accused by Lall of having knowledge of an attack on the news entity and its staff members.

The allegation is that the Attorney General had revealed, while in conversation with senior reporter of Kaieteur News Leonard Gildharie that the entity would come under attack if it continued its assault on Government.

The Attorney General has maintained that he had no such information, and the conversation was never meant for the public.

The DPP in a release to the media said that no evidence was found to support Lall’s accusation.

It also advised that for the “threatening language to result in provocation, the threat must be directly communicated to the person to whom it concerns, that is, in

his presence and hearing. There is no evidence of this contained in the Police file.”

The release said this is in accordance with Section 141 (a) Chapter 8:02 and is in relation to the speaker using threatening language with intent to provoke anyone else to commit a breach of the peace, that is, provoking another person to do so.

“The threatening language must be such as is likely to provoke a breach of the peace by anyone else; that is the person to whom the threat is directed,” the release stated.

It was also advised that the offence created in Section 141 (b) Chapter 8:02 is with respect “to the person using abusive, insulting, obscene or profane language to the annoyance of another, that is, such language is used directly to the other person in his presence and annoys him. There is no evidence of this.

At a press conference on Monday, General Secretary of the PPP/C

Clement Rohee argued that the DPP had already provided clear and substantial grounds for reaching that decision.

“The party fully supports the advice proffered which is consistent with the views of a significant body of public opinion to the effect that the allegation against the Attorney General was politically motivated and designed to denigrate the AG and the office he holds.”

Persons against this decision, he stressed, must seek to understand and accept the verdict and should desist from the unwanted attacks on the chambers.

“The PPP/C calls on the Opposition party and those media houses involved as well as other “fringe” elements to desist from making statements that are designed to attack the professionalism and integrity of public officers.”

The decision by the DPP Chambers last week had sparked severe criticisms from sections of society, particularly the political Opposition.

excise tax on gasoline from 20 per cent to 40 per cent. Diesel was also raised from 15 per cent to 35 per cent.

If the excise tax levied on fuel is reduced, it would mean that Guyanese consumers can expect lower prices for fuel in the coming weeks – the realisation of something that has been too long coming.

According to the Head of the Caribbean Association for Industry and Commerce (CAIC) Ramesh Dookhoo, costly fuel has been a major issue for the Private Sector over the years.

The CAIC President explained that “strong considerations must be given to let the effects

of the price drop be felt here”.

Dookhoo said for the Private Sector, it would certainly be a boost, since the price for fuel is something that businesses have been complaining about.

Price decline

For 2014 alone, global oil prices have dropped a whopping 4550 per cent, which would make for the highest annual decline since 2008.

Oil is down over 20 per cent since the start of December. According to online reports, the sharp decline in the price for the precious commodity is primarily due to a current oversupply on the market.

This was propelled

by the massive increase in the US shale-oil production, Libya’s quick return to oil production, Iraq’s steady supply of oil for the market, and the refusal to lower production by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), led

by Saudi Arabia.

Currently, cheap fuel is still believed to be providing an overall boost to the US economy, as consumers can spend less on gasoline and more on shopping and services.

But their shaleoil producers may face ruin, if the overproduction continues and prices fall below the US$50 rate.

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Granger’s application to stop Gov’t spending set for January 7

T

he High Court on Monday ruled that it will hear Brigadier (rt’d) David Granger’s application for a Conservatory Order to stay further Government spending, and January 7 was named as the date for the hearing.

The legal challenge advanced by the main Opposition Leader on December 11, calls for a Conservatory Order to stay all spending or any further spending

by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, or any other Government minister, on programmes disapproved or not authorised by the National Assembly until the hearing and determination of the matter.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal

Affairs, Anil Nandlall, in an invited comment, said, “In my submission, I maintained that at this stage of the proceedings, only the application of the Conservatory Order is properly before the Court, and therefore the Court should hear and determine that application first.”

The Opposition Leader is calling, too, for the courts to pronounce on the constitutionality of the combined Opposition’s disapproval of sums in the 2014 Budget, as well as a declaration on the restoration of those monies by the Finance Minister.

Budget 2014 saw the slashing of Gy$37.5B from the allocations of Gy$220B by A Partnership for National

Attorney-at-Law, Basil Williams, at left, in conversation with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, and Senior Counsel, Ashton Chase in the High Court on Monday

Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

The Finance Minister, prior to the restoration of the sums cut from the Budget, noted that the Government

would rely on the final ruling of Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, made in January this year, regarding budget cuts, and subsequently restored the sums slashed, via a financial paper valued Gy$4.6B. As it relates to the second call, Nandlall said that a determination of whether the matter will be heard is still to be made.

REPORT ON AFFIDAVITS

The Attorney General, on December

15, appeared before the Chief Justice, along with attorneys-at-law, Adrian Smith and Sasha Mahadeo, given that he was listed as a defendant in the matter.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, and the Finance Minister were also listed as defendants in the matter.

Nandlall appeared before the Chief Justice along with Senior Counsel, Ashton Chase, on behalf of the Minister

of Finance.

Alliance For Change (AFC) leader and attorney-at-law, Khemraj Ramjattan, appeared on behalf of Trotman.

M e a n w h i l e , Granger’s application is being defended by Senior Counsel, Rex McKay and attorneys-at-law, Basil Williams, Hewley Griffith, Lawrence Harris, Michael Somersaul, Joseph Harmon, James Bond, Lewellyn John and Bettina Glasford.

The Acting Chief Justice on December 15 granted leave of seven days to Nandlall to file an affidavit in response and this was done on December 23.

He also granted leave to one member of Granger’s legal team, Basil Williams, to subsequently respond to Nandlall within five days, if the need arises.

Ramjattan opted not to file an affidavit.

On January 7 Granger’s lawyers are expected to begin their arguments in the case.

Antiguan pilot urges women to become aviators

S

T JOHN’S, Antigua: A female Antiguan and Barbudan pilot is encouraging more young women to consider careers in aviation.

Zara Razzaq, who has been certified as a commercial pilot in the United States of America, was recently recognised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for meeting “the high educational, licensing and medical standards established by the body.”

But Razzaq said the aviation industry, even in Antigua & Barbuda, is still dominated by males.

“It’s not easy being a woman in aviation, and a young, black woman from a small island at that,” she said. “I want to let young women know that you have to stay focused, be driven and want it.”

The pilot, who is now certified to fly dual engine aircraft, said despite

Antiguan and Barbudan US-based pilot Zara Razzaq. (OBSERVER media)

her recent honours, she will not be returning to the Caribbean to fly any time soon. However, she wishes to now become a

flight instructor.

Razzaq, who was a graduate of Pares Secondary School, now

continued on page 18

news

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Sophia woman beaten to death, dumped in canal T

he lifeless body of a mother of four was on Monday morning fished out of the Blacka Canal, B Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The woman identified as Natasha Ann Jacobs, 35, of B Field Sophia is suspected to have been beaten and thrown overboard.

The discovery was made about 06:15h by persons in the area who went to take a bath. The woman’s face was battered and there were other marks of violence about her body.

A man suspected to be the woman’s paramour was held by relatives of the dead woman, and from reports, he was given a sound trashing.

“Kirby” (only name given), as he is popularly known, was last seen with the woman on Saturday afternoon at his house consuming alcohol.

At the scene on

“Kirby” being confronted by the dead woman's relatives

Monday morning, scores of people flocked the area to get a glimpse of the dead woman whose body was found afloat.

Persons around were reluctant to take the body out of the canal since they were not sure who the person was.

A few minutes later, one of the woman’s cousins arrived at the scene and positively identified the woman’s remains.

Soon after the woman’s brother arrived at the scene in haste, jumped into the canal and pulled the body to land.

Initially, there were reports that the woman might have drowned, but after the body came to land, it appeared that she was beaten to death.

One man told GTI that he went to swim and stumble upon the body and raised an alarm. He noted that at the time, he was not sure whose body it was and waited on the Police to arrive on the scene.

The man added that as the Police arrived, they too were reluctant to pull the body from the water.

Disbelief

The woman’s mother, who was sitting in front of a shop in dis-

Dead: Natasha Ann Jacobs

belief, stated that her daughter went missing on December 27 and they have been searching for her ever since, but to no avail.

The grieving mother added that she woke up early on Monday morning and continued the search, and as she reached the Blacka, she saw a group of people and thought that something was amiss.

As she went closer, she saw the body in the water but it was difficult at the time to identify the woman.

The dead woman’s fa-

ther Colin Jacobs told this publication that his daughter would normally stay at West Ruimveldt, but would visit Sophia on a regular basis.

He admitted that Natasha was a patient at Dr Bhiro Harry’s Clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital and she normally walks aimlessly around the area.

He went on to say that his daughter lived with the alleged murder suspect in the area and was not sure what went wrong.

The dead woman’s brother also stated that he last saw his sister on Saturday. In anger, he enquired about her paramour and went in search of him.

The suspect was taken from his house by angry relatives and villagers who dealt him several blows about the body.

As he was being beaten, he cried out that he knew nothing of the woman’s demise.

Attack on No confidence motion a factor in St Venezuela Kitts-Nevis elections, says pollster newspaper brings condemnation B

By Andre Huie

ASSETERRE, St Kitts: The motion of no confidence filed in St Kitts and Nevis House of Assembly against the Denzil Douglas administration will be a major deciding factor in the next general elections, according to political analyst Peter Wickham.

The two-year-old motion of no confidence in the St Kitts Nevis government is yet to

M

IAMI, USA: The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) on Monday expressed outrage at a hand-grenade attack on a newspaper in Venezuela and called on the authorities of that country to act urgently to identify those responsible for this act of violence and bring them to justice.

In Venezuela two fragmentation grenades were hurled at the building of the newspaper El Siglo in the city of Maracay, Aragua state.

The attack, which occurred early Sunday morning, resulted in no injuries but caused damage to the security booth and three vehicles struck by the shock

wave, the newspaper reported on its website.

Two assailants, captured on video by the security cameras, hurled two explosive devices at the newspaper’s building, only one of which exploded. The reason for the attack was not immediately known and no group has claimed responsibility for it.

IAPA president Gustavo Mohme expressed his repudiation of the act of intimidation against El Siglo.

Mohme, editor of the Lima, Peru, newspaper La República, urged the Venezuelan authorities “to urgently investigate so as to determine who was responsible and apply the full force of the law on them.”

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Denzil Douglas

be heard in the House of Assembly. The delay in hearing the motion prompted the opposition to take the matter to court, hoping to have a judge to instruct the speaker of the house to have the motion heard.

The latest episode in this matter was a decision last week by the court to deny a request from the opposition to cross examine the speaker of the house.

The opposition was hoping to cross examine the speaker on corre-

spondence between the speaker and the cabinet on matters pertaining to the motion.

Wickham said that the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party has lost ground politically in light of the lengthy delay in debating the motion. He suggests, however, that performance of political parties will be among the factors to determine who wins the next election.

Elections are constitutionally due in St Kitts and Nevis in 2015.

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feature

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WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

2014…A year of many challenges and some successes T

he year 2014 in Guyana can be best described as a mixed one - of many challenges, and one, in which historical events occurred.

The mettle of Government was tested, but the PPP/C Administration persevered to bring goods and services to Guyanese, amidst a tense political climate.

Despite the challenges experienced, Government’s determination resulted in the country experiencing yet another year of economic growth, as new opportunities were created, bringing further improvement to the lives of Guyanese.

Parliament and Prorogation

One of the biggest and historical events for 2014 was the President’s Proclamation on November 10, to Prorogue the 10th Parliament. According to the President, his decision was in keeping with the constitution, and having been confronted with a No-Confidence

Motion from the Joint Opposition.

Following the President’s decision, Opposition Leader David Granger later declined to engage in meaningful dialogue with the President, forcing him to announce that elections will be called early 2015, as he did not intend to dampen the Christmas spirit, with matters surrounding polling.

And, as has been the norm over the past three years, with the new political dispensation in the National Assembly, the Combined Opposition, using their one seat majority, cut a large portion of the 2014 Budget.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, on March 25, delivered to the National Assembly, a well themed budget: “A better Guyana for all Guyanese.” It was a record breaking National Budget of Gy$220B. However, quite unjustifiably, it was subjected to the largest cut; it was reduced by Gy$37.46B by the Joint Opposition.

Government, acting within constitutional pa-

from being blacklisted.

H o w e v e r , Government persisted and put in place all the non-legislative aspects, and following a high level commitment by President Donald Ramotar to implement the action plan developed between the Guyana Government and the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG), Guyana was granted a reprieve from blacklisting until September 2015.

Education success

Rice being loaded for export to Venezuela

rameters restored some of the money, and thankfully, there has been some amount of progress in the country.

The cuts affected key transformational projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydro, the Specialty Hospital, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion, airstrips maintenance across the country, and Amerindian development, as the entire cap-

ital programme was cut from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry.

AML/CFT

One of the highpoints of 2014 was the political opposition’s obduracy with regards its lack of support on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill. This drew sharp criticism from a wide cross section of local and interna-

tional stakeholders, and despite entreaties by officials of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), who travelled to Guyana for meetings with both sides of the National Assembly, the political opposition refused to support the bill. This came despite government’s numerous efforts to reach consensus, to enable the critically needed legislation’s passage to prevent Guyana

Amidst these tense situations, the Ministry of Education did remarkable work, in carrying out its mandate. The Hinterland Education Improvement Project (HEIP) was launched in several hinterland regions. Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, accompanied by officials of the Ministry, met with residents and addressed how the results could be bettered. The HEIP targets improving the quality of teacher education; continued on page 14

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2014…A year of many challenges and...

from page 13

aligning teaching-learning resources to improve students’ outcome; enhancing physical facilities; fostering community alliances; and strengthening management supervision.

A major highlight of the sector in 2014 has been the distribution of the “Because we Care” Gy$10,000 cash grant.

The consensus was that Government did an excellent job, having launched this initiative which saw parents with children in the public education system receiving Gy$10,000 for each child. The initiative was introduced to assist parents to ensure their children attend and stay in school.

During 2014, several schools were built, in keeping with the PPP/C Administration’s belief that education is the only sure way out of poverty.

Even more evident also is that Government’s investments are paying off as Guyana again secured the regional award for top performance at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, thanks to Elisa Hamilton. Hamilton, of Queen’s College (QC)

tonnes per month to that country.

Sugar also surpassed its target of 216,000 tonnes. This was the first time since 2005, the set target was achieved.

Health care delivery upped

The new Parfaite Harmonie access road

won the award for Most Outstanding Candidate in the region after she copped 19 Grade Ones and 1 Grade Two. Aliyyah Abdul Kadir and Ryhan Chand, also of QC, took top regional awards for Most Outstanding in Humanities and Most Outstanding in Business Studies respectively while Kishan Crichlow of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School was awarded the Most Outstanding Student in Technical Vocational studies.

Agriculture sector – a shining star

Meanwhile in the agriculture sector, the Subject Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, said that his sector will have the highest average Gross Domestic Product contribution, and its growth for 2014 will exceed 5%.

Every sector under this ministry accounted for more than half a billion dollars in export earnings, with rice earning more than US$250

million. However, most outstanding was the rice sector, which broke two records for 2014.

Production reached an unprecedented, record breaking 633,000 tonnes. By December 29, 499,872 tonnes were exported with more shipments at the ports for export; heading to the 500,000 tonnes the minister projected would be achieved.

Aiding this achievement was the new rice agreement signed with Panama, to supply 5,000

Notwithstanding the challenges thrown in its path, the major one being no funding for the Specialty Hospital, the health sector continued to improve on its delivery of health care.

The maternity facility at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was expanded to ensure increased bed capacity while maternity waiting homes in Lethem and Bartica were set up, to cater for antenatal high-risk mothers as Government continues to work towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 in 2015. Several modern neo-natal units were established as well at the Linden, Suddie, New Amsterdam hospitals and at the GPHC. While Guyana was affected with the Chikungunya disease, it was not of the magnitude as that experienced by other Caribbean states due to the fact that the

ministry was putting necessary measures in place to safeguard its citizens. The ministry managed to provide training for medical personnel, while they were able to acquire the Elisa Testing kits to accurately detect the virus.

Also, Guyana was more prepared for the eventuality of the deadly Ebola virus; an isolation unit was set up at the CJIA, with local persons receiving training to deal with the likelihood of any possible cases.

Aggressive Tourism strategy

In 2014, the Tourism sector saw great strides in promoting Guyana, as a prime tourist destination, through a series of activities including the inaugural Guyana Festival. This event offered a mixture of the country’s traditional music, dance, food, art and craft and served to bring awareness of Guyana’s diverse cultural heritage, and generally the nature of its tourism product locally, regionally and internationally.

Infrastructure

2014 also saw some massive infrastruc-

continued on page 18

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Bodies, debris from missing AirAsia plane pulled from sea off Indonesia

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AKARTA, (Reuters) – Indonesian rescuers searching for a missing AirAsia plane carrying 162 people pulled bodies and wreckage from the sea off the coast of Borneo on Tuesday as relatives of those on board broke down in tears on hearing the news.

Indonesia AirAsia’s Flight QZ8501, an Airbus A320-200, lost contact with air traffic control early on Sunday during bad weather on a flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.

The navy said 40 bodies had been recovered as dusk fell.

The plane has yet to be found and there was no word on the possibility of any survivors.

“My heart is filled with sadness for all the families involved in QZ8501,” airline boss Tony Fernandes tweeted. “On behalf of AirAsia, my condolences to all.

Words cannot express how sorry I am.”

Pictures of floating

bodies were broadcast on television and relatives of the missing gathered at a crisis centre in Surabaya wept with heads in their hands.

Several people collapsed in grief and were helped away, a Reuters reporter said.

“You have to be strong,” the mayor of Surabaya, Tri Rismaharini, said as she comforted relatives.

“They are not ours, they belong to God.” A navy spokesman said a plane door, oxygen tanks and one body had been recovered and taken away by helicopter for tests.

About 30 ships and 21 aircraft from Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the United States have been involved in the search of up to 10,000 square nautical miles.

The plane, which did not issue a distress signal, disappeared after its pilot failed to get permission to fly higher to avoid bad weather because of heavy air traffic, officials

Government security officials carry a family member of passengers onboard AirAsia flight QZ8501 after she collapsed at a waiting area in Juanda International Airport, Surabaya, December 30, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Beawiharta

said.

It was travelling at 32,000 feet (9,753 metres) and had asked to fly at 38,000 feet, officials said earlier.

Pilots and aviation experts said thunderstorms, and requests to gain altitude to avoid them, were not unusual in that area.

The Indonesian pilot was experienced and the plane last underwent maintenance in mid-November, the airline said.

The aircraft had ac-

Killing of Berbice teen possibly a vengeful act – Grandfather

T

he Police are continuing their investigations into the alleged murder of Tiana Raghbeer, 14, a student of Canje Secondary School who lived at 32 Reliance, East Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Her lifeless body was found on Saturday floating in a trench a village away from her home approximately 13 hours after she was reported missing.

According to her grandfather, they had a family get-together at his home after returning from a gymkhana earlier in the day, and everything was normal.

He left his granddaughter with her dad and her brother having fun.

“I went to bed, I didn’t know she left home till the following morning,” the grandfather said.

He went on to say that around 13:30h the following day, he received a call informing him that a body was found in Adelphi Water Scheme, and when they visited the scene, their worst fear was confirmed.

Asked what may have prompted this vile act, the grandfather said he was not sure, but recalled an incident on Christmas Day when some relatives of

Dead: Tiana Raghbeer

his son’s ex-wife tried to beat him up, and Tiana came to his defence and threw a bottle at one of his assailants, causing them to back and allowing his son to escape.

They threatened her, but she took the threat lightly and did not report it to the Police.

The distraught grandfather said he was very shocked at Tiana’s death, describing her as an easygoing and happy girl.

Meanwhile, the teen’s father, Jaiprakash Raghbeer, who was still trying to come to grips with the death of his daughter, told this publication that the last time he saw his daughter was when she left to go downstairs to get some drinks for him.

He recalled that he

noticed she was acting strange, but thought it was because of the beers she had earlier.

The grandfather said the teen was not a frequent drinker, but due to the holidays, it was an exception.

Jaiprakash recalled that after his daughter did not return, he sent his 10-year-old son to check up on her and he returned a few minutes later saying that she was “gone”.

With the help of others, they immediately started a search for her within the area, but were unsuccessful in locating her.

On their way back from the East Bank, they got a call about a body in a trench at Adelphi.

When they arrived on the scene, their worst fear was confirmed as they recognised the body as that of Tiana from the clothing.

This newspaper understands that the teen was known to leave the home frequently without informing anyone.

She leaves to mourn her parents, grandfather and her 10-yearold brother. Her parents separated several years ago and Tiana lived with her grandfather, brother and dad at their Reliance home.

cumulated about 23,000 flight hours in some 13,600 flights, according to Airbus.

Online discussion among pilots has centred on unconfirmed secondary radar data from Malaysia that suggested the aircraft was climbing at a speed of 353 knots, about 100 knots too slow, and that it might have stalled.

CLUES WHEN THINGS GO WRONG The plane, whose engines were made by CFM International, co-owned

by General Electric and Safran of France, lacked real-time engine diag-

nostics or monitoring, a GE spokesman said.

Such systems are mainly used on long-haul flights and can provide clues to airlines and investigators when things go wrong.

Three airline disasters involving Malaysianaffiliated carriers in less than a year have dented confidence in the country’s aviation industry and spooked travellers across the region.

Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 went missing on March 8 on a trip from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew on board

and has not been found.

On July 17, the same airline’s Flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.

On board Flight QZ8501 were 155 Indonesians, three South Koreans, and one person each from Singapore, Malaysia and Britain.

The co-pilot was French.

U.S. law enforcement and security officials said passenger and crew lists were being examined but nothing significant had turned up and the incident was regarded as an unexplained accident.

Indonesia AirAsia is 49 percent owned by Malaysia-based budget carrier AirAsia.

The AirAsia group, including affiliates in Thailand, the Philippines and India, had not suffered a crash since its Malaysian budget operations began in 2002.

The plane’s disappearance comes at a sensitive time for Indonesia’s aviation authorities, as they strive to improve the country’s safety reputation to match its status as one of the airline industry’s fastest growing markets.

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Our city is in pain Man killed by suspected ‘rival’ W

e mourn the murder of New York City Police Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu -- heroes who were attacked for the uniform they wore and the badge they carried.

Saturday's killings were an attack on not just two of our finest men, but an attack on our democracy and our values -- an attack on every single New Yorker.

But more than anything else, the murder of Officers Ramos and Liu are tragedies for their families, and I urge all New Yorkers to stand in solidarity with them. These families are now our families and they are suffering unspeakable pain.

There will be a time to return to debates of past weeks. But let me

be clear: Now is not that time.

I ask all sides -those who have protested and those who have been vocal against protests -- to step back and turn our thoughts to our shared identity as New Yorkers and to honoring the memories of the two fine men we lost.

First and foremost, let us remember our obligation to protect our police just as they protect us. If you hear or

see a threat against the NYPD, call 911 and report it immediately.

But let's also aspire to do more. One member of Officer Ramos's family called for "peaceful coexistence" in our city. We can and must honor his memory and the memory of Officer Liu by being the best city we can be. Our strength has always been our incredible diversity, and within that diversity a bond that unites us far more than it divides us.

In these challenging times, let us rededicate ourselves to the common values we cherish: respect for all people, the rule of law, and the principle that the best way to move forward is by doing it together.

Thank you, Bill de Blasio Mayor

Book Review:

“COLONIAL EMIGRATION FROM THE BENGAL PRESIDENCY”

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his new publication, edited and introduced by Dr Basdeo Mangru, A s s o c i a t e Professor of History at York College, is an abridged version of the exhaustive report of George A. Grierson, scholar/official and High Court judge in Bihar. In 1882 this Indian Government Civil Servant was commissioned by the Government of Bengal to undertake a comprehensive study of issues relating to the export or Indian labor from the Bengal Presidency to the sugar colonies in the Caribbean and elsewhere.

Grierson’s investigation is significant in the study of Indian emigration overseas for several reasons. The study commenced with a general survey of emigration to all the sugar colonies, both British and Foreign. Additionally, he provides invaluable insights into such issues as the class and character of colonial recruiters, depot accommodation and management, and the attitude of Indian villagers towards emigration. He examines also the quality of Indian women recruits, population pressure in the principal recruiting districts

and the popularity of emigration in Bihari districts, particularly Shahabad.

The study details the various obstacles to the export of Indian labor overseas, the extensive operations of the local depots, especially Dip Lal’s depot, the system of registration, family emigration and the reasons for the lack of communication between Village India and the recipient colonies. It analyses, too, the correlation between food scarcity and high migration and seasons of good harvest and recruiting difficulties. .The Report convincingly demolishes the prevailing impression that Indian emigrants came exclusively from the lower castes of Indian society.

Grierson alluded to

a new caste rule which was largely ignored in the published sources. According to this new caste rule a ship was like the Temple of Jaggannath without caste restrictions.

This meant that an emigrant could cross Kala Pani to the Caribbean and return to his village without losing caste. Before this time an Indian could lose caste by crossing the dark waters which meant severe social ostracism.

This new caste rule certainly gave a tremendous boost to emigration from Bihar.

This fascinating book unearths issues which were not previously addressed in the literature on the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean.

Scholars, teachers, students and those with an interest in their roots will find its wealth of information and statistical data both insightful and informative.

The book includes excerpts from Grierson’s Diary, a Glossary, a list of Hindu castes with occupations in Bengal and a sample of labor contracts offered to Indians emigrating to British Guiana and Trinidad.

For information: 718-845-7596

in Essequibo

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man was killed last Friday night in his own home by another man suspected to be his wife’s paramour, Police have confirmed in a report.

Dead is Vibert Benjamin, 32, formerly of Manawrin, Region One (Barima-Waini).

The suspect, Donald Calender aka “Dandi”, is presently hospitalised and under guard at Suddie Public Hospital.

The suspect who spoke to the media strongly denied the allegation made against him, saying that he was trying to save the woman’s life and they were just having a conversation.

Speaking with this newspaper, Calender said that he was speaking to the man’s wife, Katoowa Benjamin, at the step when Benjamin came home, saw them and became upset. He said that Benjamin then went for a knife and was trying to harm the woman at which point he intervened. The suspect

The suspect, Donald Calender, in hospital

noted during the heated argument and fight, he dealt several stabs to Benjamin. “I was trying to save the woman; she was screaming; he wanted to stab her to death; I was around; I had to do something; I can’t watch a woman being stabbed and not do something,” the suspect said.

Calender is nursing stab wounds to his ears, hands and back. He stressed that he was just trying to help and did not know that it would have resulted into some-

one’s death. According to a Police report, about 22:00h last Friday Benjamin, of Good Hope, Essequibo Coast, had an altercation with another man at his home during which he was stabbed about his body. He was certified dead by doctors at Suddie Public Hospital.

The knife which was used in the murder has been recovered and lodged at the Suddie Police Station. Police are continuing their Investigations.

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Guyana’s economy remains strong – Central Bank

By Tajeram Mohabir

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entral Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga said the prudent fiscal policies implemented by Government have injected significant confidence in the economy, making Guyana the envy of the region.

Guyana has enjoyed eight years of consecutive economic growth, a highly sustainable balance of payment, a debt that is manageable, low interest rates, declining inflation and single digit increase in prices. The country’s economic performance has been recognised by several leading institutions monitoring development in the region.

In March this year, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Vice President (Operations), Dr Carla Barnett praised Guyana’s economic performance, which has and continues to withstand

the effects of the global financial crisis.

Dr Barnett was at the time leading a delegation from the bank in talks with the Government with regards to its new country strategy.

She said that the financial crisis has impacted the region quite profoundly. In the case of the CDB, this impact is seen in the demand for additional borrowing.

The CDB Vice President had explained that borrowing member countries had severely constrained capacities to borrow.

“In many of the countries we have seen growth decline, but Guyana is an exception, and in the last few years, we have seen the economy in Guyana actually expand,” Dr Barnett reported.

Last year, Guyana’s economy fared well on the upward trajectory; recording a growth of 5.2 per cent. While traditional sectors such as baux-

CDB Vice President (Operations), Dr Carla Barnett

ite and rice, with the exception of sugar continue to contribute significantly to economic development, new and emerging sectors are flourishing as well.

These include to a large extent, tourism and mining. Last year, in agriculture, rice production reached over 535,000, a 27 per cent increase from the previous year. This

Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

year, production has topped 600,000 tonnes, the highest in the history of Guyana. In 2013, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had also pointed out that the policies of the Government are designed to support the country’s macroeconomic resilience and sustained growth.

Highest in Caribbean

Because of these prudent policies, the

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) had projected a 4.5 per cent growth rate for Guyana in 2014 — the highest prediction for the Caribbean and the eighth highest in the whole of Latin America.

The projection is below the 5.6 per cent estimated by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh during his presentation of the 2014 budget.

According to ECLAC, only Suriname was projected to grow above four per cent this year in the whole of the Caribbean, with a 4.4 per cent forecast.

Trinidad and Tobago was at 2.2 per cent, Barbados 0.5 per cent and Jamaica 1.2 per cent.

The positive financial and macroeconomic variables Guyana currently enjoy, aside from the sound financial policies, can also be credited to a stable exchange rate, and together they have

contributed to the IMF referring to Guyana as a model country for the region.

“We have had relative exchange rate stability, if you look at it from a nominal perspective, the movement, let us say 2006, 2007 to say 2008, 2009, is just a marginal increase,” Dr Ganga said, pointing out that in order for Guyana to be competitive, the exchange rate would have to be stable and the inflate rate low.

Guyana’s inflation rate is around 1.2 per cent. Low inflation also means more disposable income in the pockets of the citizenry, which means they are able to purchase more. The stable and relatively lower price levels experienced during the past 11 months have continued during the current Christmas season, allowing everyone, whether they are rich or poor, to enjoy a decent level of disposable income.

2014…A year of many challenges and...

from page 14

tural works being carried out throughout the country, including roads and bridges. Between Diamond and Eccles on the East bank of

Demerara, 11 new interconnecting roads were built to the tune of more than Gy$3 B. There was significant progress on the East

Bank four-lane highway, as well as on the East Coast highway, as a total of Gy$13.7 billion was allocated for same.

The way was paved

for the US$46M west coast road modernisation that will make that corridor safer, while the Linden to Lethem road was repaired, making travelling easier.

Guyana’s first fivestar hotel, the Marriott was close to completion at the end of 2014, raising the country’s accommodation status.

Housing

Parfaite Harmonie, one of the largest housing schemes got a Gy$604M access road, which now provides easy access for thousands of residents.

In addition to this, several other roads in Region Three as well as in other regions were redone under the community Road Improvement project (CRIP).

Focus during the year was also on advancing the turn key homes, and opening up of new opportunities, as well as improving occupancy and building the assets of Guyanese. The first ever young professional project was a major success and remains in high demand. The minis-

try completed more than 100 of the Perseverance Housing Scheme 1000 Butter cup cottages.

The ministry has also closed in on its targets of offering 5900 houselot allocations and 5000 new titles.

Investment

The year 2014 started off well and at mid-year, Guyana recorded 3.2 percent growth. There continued to be investments and business expansion in Guyana resulting from the confidence that both local and international investors placed in the economy.

ExxonMobil, an American multinational oil and gas corporation, announced its intention to invest US$200M for exploratory drilling offshore in Guyana; Rubis commissioned five fuel storage tanks at Providence, doubling the company’s storage capacity.

In the mining sector, Guyana Goldfields Inc., a Canadian company began developing the Aurora Mines, located in the Cuyuni River,

Region Seven. It intends to invest US$1B. Others include: Troy Resources, an Australian company investing US$86 M in the Karouni Gold Project; China’s Bosai Mineral; RusalRussia aluminum giant; Arrowhead Gold Group and Alicanto Minerals.

In the agriculture sector, there are Barbados-owned Santa Fe Inc., which expanded and Alexis Rice and Soya, Henry’s Farm of Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean Rice Mill of Trinidad and Tobago, and Baron Foods, but more than any other sector, banking continues to express confidence in the Guyana economy and has been establishing new branches at strategic points across the country. The most recent was the Republic Bank branch, which was opened at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry which was commissioned in Bartica, and Citizens Bank in New Amsterdam Berbice.

Antiguan pilot urges... hopes her story will inspire other young women to consider careers in aviation.

“For me, it’s a focus of empowering younger women to go after what they want and be patient because many obstacles are going to be thrown at them to overcome in this

field,” she said. “It’s not forbidden to dream and just surround one’s self with positive and encouraging people.”

The 31 year old, who grew up in the village of Newfield, said despite the high cost of training as a pilot, that should not be a deterrent for any indi-

from page 10

vidual hoping to become a pilot.

Razzaq, who is now stationed at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, Long Island, won the Miss Antigua InterContinental title in 2001 and Miss Antigua World in 2002. (Antigua Observer)

news

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WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The “military-dominated” Opposition a clear and potential danger for Guyana

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ead of the Presidential Secretariat and Secretary of the Defence Board, Dr Roger Luncheon said if he had his way he would make it constitutionally impossible for former military personnel to join political parties shortly after demitting office.

Dr Luncheon made the comments during a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA). He was at the time addressing the role of the military and the influence of former servicemen joining political parties. A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the PNCR are currently being headed by Retired Brigadier David Granger and also has in its camp several other top commanders of the GDF and also a former Police Commissioner, Winston Felix (MP). One of Granger’s top aides is ex-GDF officer Joseph Harmon.

Responding to a question on how the body politic in Guyana has been affected by the ‘Granger

Opposition Leader Retired Brigadier David Granger

Ex-GDF officer and APNU MP Joseph Harmon

factor’, Dr Luncheon expressed the view that “one may quibble whether indeed there is a one on one relationship between Granger, the militarisation and the success, but I would not quibble, I would give David the edge and say yes. But I have said that what it has done is that it has generated enormous potential for unravelling what has happened over the last 23 years,” he said.

With the potential for increased divisiveness in the body politic, he explained that, “It is easy

to cultivate and revive memories and the spectre of the military and a military dominated opposition, and for many… a military dominated government, I think sets a radical reversal of where and what we were doing,” Dr Luncheon said. Luncheon would have been referring to what academics have described as the PNC’s under Burnham “militarisation of Guyanese society” when Guyana had a 1:32 soldier-civilian ratio.

Moreover, Dr Luncheon noted that this

Mighty Sparrow is Person of the Year for NY-based Caribbean magazine

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United Statesbased publication has named Calypsonian, Slinger Francisco, popularly known as The Mighty Sparrow, as its “Person of the Year.”

“Any person, in any part of the world, regardless to sex, age and vocation, can emulate the virtues The Mighty Sparrow exemplified during 2014,” said Herman Hall, the Grenadian-born editor, publisher and founder of the Brooklyn, New Yorkbased Everybody’s magazine.

“For those reasons, we unabashedly proclaim our readers’ selection of The Mighty Sparrow as the ‘2014 Person of the Year’,” he added. Hall said Sparrow was “overwhelmingly” selected by its readers and social media friends from among “many regional leaders and people of Caribbean heritage in the Diaspora”.

He said they included Tiffany Ford, of St. Lucian-Grenadian heritage, elected into municipal government in Toronto, Canada; Rodneyse Bichotte, the first Haitian-American elected to the New York State Assembly;

Calypsonian The Mighty Sparrow

Barbados Leader of the Opposition Mia Ottley; the 2008 and 2014 Formula One Grand Prix World Champion, Lewis Hamilton of the UK, who is of Grenadian heritage; outgoing US Attorney-General Eric Holder, of Barbadian heritage; and Antigua and Barbuda’s newly elected Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

“Of all email messages received from Toronto, UK (United Kingdom), Jamaica, Guyana, Boston (Massachusetts) and other places, one name kept appearing often – The Mighty Sparrow,” Hall said. Hall said this “indomitable spirit has been the defining feature of Sparrow’s life work, as he con-

tinues demonstrating sheer grit and an ability, ‘inspired by God’ to, ‘survive through pain, sorrow and tears,’ rendered in one of his hits, ‘Survival’.

“Sparrow’s timeless message and his health challenges testify to man’s will to survive,” he added.

The Mighty Sparrow, whose roots are in Gran Roi, a rural fishing village in Grenada, was born there to a poor working class family. The family migrated to Sparrow’s adopted homeland, Trinidad and Tobago, when he was one year old. At 20, Sparrow emerged as the leading calypsonian in Trinidad and Tobago with his record-breaking hit, “Jean and Dinah”. (CMC)

Former Police Commissioner and APNU MP Winston Felix

is perhaps something that has to be continuously addressed, the impact of a military dominated opposition on the serving military. “I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that, (I have seen the facebook articles, I have seen the social media) it is divisive,” he said. He noted that a Chief -of -Staff can walk off the job, respectful of the civilian military relationship, and next day be a strong architect of the opposition, but somehow it is not part of Guyana’s political traditions. Dr Luncheon was probably referring to former Chief of Staff Brigadier Edward Collins.

Dr

Former Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Edward Collins

Luncheon said that he has examined this in Caricom and there are not many examples in the English speaking Caricom nations, of such actions. Even farther afield, the results have been mixed.

Disturbing

He said that a military dominated opposition, and further a military dominated government is disturbing.

He views former military officers going into politics soon after leaving office as one that could be addressed constitutionally. “Were I to be given the authority by whatever possibility, I probably would have a constitu-

tional amendment that would not allow this situation that sees within a reasonable time frame, serving members of the disciplined forces ensconce and actively engage in politics within days, weeks of their resignation, retirement, removal from service,” he said.

Dr Luncheon shared that he had this discussion with the last Chiefof-Staff, Gary Best, noting that “… I think our history- what we have gone through and what other countries went through, ought to have some influence on how avidly we protect these constitutional rights of individuals particularly when there is a possibility of conflict with the general and public good,” Dr Luncheon said.

Serving members of the Disciplined Forces actively engaging in politics within days of leaving their office puts a tremendous pressure on the Defence Secretariat, on Defence Headquarters and the leadership because now the potential for division exists and they now have to ensure that things do not go awry, Dr Luncheon said.

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Guyana to host first African Business Expo in 2015 – to focus on pushing newer forms of entrepreneurship

By Michael Younge

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uyana is expected to host its first African Business Exposition in the New Year which is aimed at promoting newer forms of entrepreneurship among Afro-Guyanese through more aggressive and modern forms of marketing and promotion.

Co-founder of the African Business Council Dr Eric Phillips said that the move to execute the Exposition is long overdue and a step in the right direction, given the problems and limitations

that are facing AfroGuyanese in their pursuit to overcome historical developments that resulted in other ethnic groups dominating various aspects and forms of businesses in Guyana.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on Saturday with this publication, Dr Phillips disclosed that the Exposition is scheduled for August 2015 and will be held as part of activities to commemorate Marcus Garvey’s birth anniversary.

He advised that it is also being held to mark the establishment and

100th anniversary of Garvey’s United Negro Investment Association (UNIA) which played a significant role in the promotion and establishment of networks of African businesses in the developing and developed world.

Dr Phillips related that the Exposition will be executed by an entity set up by the Council called the African Business Exposition Council. This entity would be headed by Ras Leon Saul who would serve as its President.

Phillips, who is an Executive Member of the African Cultural

ACDA Executive Director, Dr Eric Phillips

and Development Association of Guyana (ACDA), said while there are many traditional and new African businesses in exis-

tence in the country, they are not recognised or promoted in a manner which would lead to expansion, sustained profitability, and continuity.

He said that the time has come for there to be a change in this development, as Afro-Guyanese now more than ever needed to benefit from newer forms of networking and training in modern entrepreneurship to survive in the local, regional, and international spheres.

He advised that attempts would be made to secure the participa-

tion of more than 100 local businesses that were owned by AfroGuyanese who were based at home and in the Diaspora.

The 2015 African Business Exposition is also geared toward refocusing Afro-Guyanese youth on the importance of entrepreneurship to their socio-economic development and sustained independence.

To this end, focus will be placed on rejuvenating the village economy and the promotion of manufacturing and value added businesses in the country.

Caricom to pursue “Single ICT space” next year – LaRocque

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a r i b b e a n Community ( C a r i c o m ) Secretary General Irwin LaRocque said the organisation next year will be pursuing aggressively a “Single Caricom ICT space” which he said will lower the cost of tele-

phone calls and Internet access.

LaRocque made the remarks in a message to mark Christmas Day. In a study by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) this year, it was pointed out that Latin America and the

Caribbean lag far behind developed countries in broadband penetration.

The study found Chile, Barbados and Brazil in the best position to take advantage of this vital development tool. The 26 countries of the region included in

the index posted a score of 4.37 on the Broadband Development Index.

By comparison, the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) rate an average of 6.14. Chile leads the regional ranking with a combined score of 5.57, followed by Barbados at 5.47 and Brazil with 5.32.

The index brings together 37 indicators, each with a score ranging from one (least development) to eight (most development), to come up with the overall index.

The indicators are chosen on the basis of four pillars: public policy and strategic vision, strategic regulation, infrastructure and applications and knowledge.

“In a modern society, broadband is the key ingredient of the public policy agenda for speeding up economic growth and reducing inequality,” said Antonio GarcíaZaballos, who is leading the IDB’s broadband initiative. Besides, according to a recent IDB study, a 10 per cent increase in penetration of broadband services carries with it average rise of 3.2 per cent in Gross Domestic Product and 2.6 percentage points in productivity.

Meanwhile, in his message, LaRocque said as “we come to the end of 2014, it must be marked as a milestone year for the Caribbean Community (Caricom).”

He said in July, Heads of Government approved the community’s first Five-Year Strategic Plan

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

which covers the years 2015-2019.

The plan seeks to ensure that the community is in a position to withstand the effects of events such as the global economic and financial crises and provides the way forward for pursuing sustainable growth and development as a region.

“Growth and development are critical factors in providing jobs and business opportunities,” LaRocque said.

He said implementation of this plan is a major step in Caricom’s ongoing reform process as it seeks to become more efficient, accountable and above all, increase its responsiveness to the needs of the community.

“You the people of the region should therefore more readily feel the difference that integration makes in your lives.

You will continue to benefit from our collective efforts in health as demonstrated by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). We are also placing emphasis on developing our human resources, particularly our youth by taking a thor-

ough look at our education system.”

The Secretary General said the exciting prospect of a single Caricom Information Communication Technology (ICT) Space which would lower the cost of telephone calls and Internet access will be pursued. These possibilities have only become reality through us working as one, and more can be achieved with your participation and support.

“The integration movement has never been more important than at this time.

Integration is our route to achieving sustainable development and to delivering the quality of life that our people expect and deserve.”

LaRocque said the coming year, therefore, “would mark for us in Caricom, the continuation of a dynamic period in our determined efforts to create a sustainable, secure and viable community for all our peoples. I wish you, the people of Caricom, Happy Holidays and a prosperous and productive New Year”.

NEWS

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WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GRA on course to Father of Berbice surpass Gy$135B target accident victim

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he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is on course to meet its fiscal target of Gy$135 billion for 2014 despite being plagued by a slew of challenges and an overwhelming number of tax evaders.

This indicates that tax collection increased by over Gy$9 billion when compared to Gy$126 billion in 2013, GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur said.

He told Guyana Times International that the revenue body would be sure to meet its target before year-end.

When asked what the current revenue figure was, Sattaur advised that the information was not immediately available, but assured that it was close to the target that was set.

Despite this, the Commissioner General is appealing to the general public and businesses to pay their outstanding taxes forthwith. He told GTI that failure on the part of these individuals and businesses could result in harsh penalties in the coming year.

Those penalties, according to Sattaur could see persons having to pay additional fines, along with their scheduled payments to the entity.

“They will face the full consequences of not honouring their statutory tax obligations,” said the Tax Chief, add-

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

ing that the last installment for taxes is due on December 31.

For this year alone, GRA was faced with several issues relating to the collection of taxes, including tax evaders who overtime have managed to find ways to cheat the system.

This aside, smuggling of fuel and goods from neighbouring countries Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela remains a problem.

But Sattaur explained to GTI that the team at GRA was “seasoned and experienced”; hence, they were prepared for these setbacks.

He further advised that the legal and enforcement departments of the GRA are “actively” pursuing tax delinquents.

He said in the last 11 years, there have been

notable improvements in collection, with the collection methods being improved.

Sattaur had confirmed that more than half of Guyana’s registered Value Added Tax (VAT) collectors do not remit the money collected to Government at the scheduled time. He also noted that some establishments are Chineseowned businesses which are not certified to charge VAT. The Commissioner General said some shrewd businessmen have found ways to cheat the system and keep some or all of the monies paid to them by consumers, for themselves.

Sattaur stated that while the businesses are registered to charge VAT, most times the accounting systems are severely flawed which result in them not paying the full amounts collected to the GRA. This means that the Government gets cheated out of possibly millions of dollars in revenue each year.

He explained too that these businesses are able to thwart the VAT system with the aid of both complicit and unsuspecting consumers.

Sattaur had also complained that Guyana’s private sector was not doing enough to tackle the smuggling of goods across Guyana’s borders.

commits suicide

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Elsie Branche, wife of Alfred Branche breaks down at the scene on Sunday

ays after colliding with a parked vehicle, causing the death of his 16-yearold daughter, the partly decomposed body of 62-year-old Alfred Branche of Rosignol, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) was found in a trench some two villages away from his home.

Scores of curious onlookers gathered around the shallow trench at Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) on Sunday to catch a glimpse of Branche, who made good on his promise to end his life because “he could not live without his baby”.

Family members believe that he might have ingested a poisonous substance and might have succumbed at the scene.

On Tuesday, Branche, his wife and

daughter, Yonnette, 16, were returning from Georgetown and according to reports, he was allegedly speeding.

He reportedly lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a parked canter in the vicinity of Number 29 Village, WCB. The young Branche, a student of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School received injuries and was taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival (DOA).

The family had just uplifted a barrel and other items sent to them by relatives overseas.

At the scene on Sunday, Branche’s wife Elsie was inconsolable.

She told this publication that her husband who has been blaming him-

self for their daughter’s death disappeared from home on Christmas Eve Day. “Ow Lord, ow Lord!” she cried, upon seeing her husband’s body faced up in the clump of bushes. “He said if anything happens to his daughter he we will have to bury him, I didn’t expect this from him,” Elsie said amid loud crying from other family members.

The woman, who cried out in pain, said “this is too much, too

Dead: Yonette Branche

much, this is a big blow.

Two dead in one week, my daughter, now my Alfred”.

She added: “Now I ain’t going back to that house, I ain’t want that house no more she wailed,” hitting her hand against her chest.

The younger Branche is expected to be buried on Tuesday, but family members say they may have to bury the senior Branche first because of his decomposed state.

Teens most vulnerable to STDs – Anthony

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ore often than not, youth come to the world’s attention as a result of their association with crisis: unemployment, involvement in violence, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and obesity to name a few.

The period of adolescence is a time of identity formation. It is a time where teenagers experience rapid physical, sexual, social and emotional change. The instability of such changes during this period definitely increases young people’s vulnerability to all kinds of risks.

“The period of youth is a vulnerable period,” Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said.

During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International, he highlighted that teenagers are most at risk in terms of transmission of STDs. “Today, one of the challenges young peo-

ple face is that they are still at risk for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).”

Furthermore, it is a known fact that mostly the poorest of society are even more susceptible to these risks.

Lifeline Counselling Director Gloria Joseph pointed out that while most, if not all of Guyana’s upper and middle class persons who are infected with the virus seek care and are able to carry on with their lives, the poor are often not so fortunate.

She elaborated that the less fortunate persons are not only less knowledgeably on HIV and its transmission, but are also many times not capable of dealing with the stereotypes.

The issue of maintaining a healthy diet is a sore one when dealing with the less fortunate who are infected. Joseph explained that while the Lifeline Counseling Support Group will work

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

with infected persons and advise them on the need for a healthy diet, “they can’t eat what we tell them to, if they can only afford carbohydrates”.

Vulnerable

Children who grow up in less fortunate homes are also at a disadvantage in contracting HIV. Joseph explained that parents who have night jobs (security guards) have to be very careful about where they leave

their children, especially at nights.

Joseph noted that children can be sexually molested and in the process contract HIV, noting that last year, 15 infected children who visited Lifeline Counselling were affected.

Dr Anthony noted that the Ministry offers a wide range of programme to address such situations and assist young people in these transitions.

He said the Ministry provides programmes where young people are taught about self-esteem and development, noting that these are geared at educating them on critical issues.

Reports indicate that a recent study conducted by the National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS) shows that there are approximately 250 children across Guyana living with HIV/AIDS; a huge decline when compared to the prevalence recorded less than a decade ago.

Aside from HIV/ AIDS, Minister Anthony said obesity also affects youths in Guyana.

“I think it’s because we are so greatly influenced by the American lifestyle and the music and what we see on TV because they promote beauty to be slim and fit and simply perfect so it’s something we as young people struggle with, when we really shouldn’t. We should

be just care-free,” Cindy Singh, 17, told Guyana Times International.

According to the Minister, addressing obesity is done by educating youths about “youth health”, noting that it is part of the Ministry’s programme to promote fitness.

“The problem is, a lot of us turn to food to relieve stress, then there are persons who are really not fat but they think they are and so they starve themselves. There are so many issues surrounding youth health,” Singh noted.

As it relates to unemployment, the Minister highlighted that the Ministry of Human Services has a Data Bank that helps persons in finding a suitable job.

The Minister stated that all persons need to do is make contact with the various Ministries and they will be provided with all the information they need on these programmes.

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Opposition has done everything to stall development in 2014 - Ramotar ing Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali has said some investors remain reluctant to enter Guyana’s manufacturing and trade sectors because of the present electricity rates which by global standards are very high.

W

President Ramotar noted.

However, he stated that because of these challenges in 2014, he was now determined more than ever to fulfil these promises in the new year.

“I’m even more de-

despite the massive downturn in the economy of neighbouring Caribbean countries, and even in Latin America, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration still managed to offer Christmas bonuses to

PPP/C Administration spent their Christmas Eve greeting Guyanese as they scurried along the bustling streets of Georgetown to complete their Christmas shopping.

President Ramotar stated that it brought

President Donald Ramotar

hile Guyana has experienced significant economic growth and development throughout 2014, President Donald Ramotar has acknowledged that our country faced many challenges throughout this year.

President Ramotar was at the time greeting the massive crowd along Regent Street on Christmas Eve as they hurried through their last-minute Christmas shopping.

During a brief interview with the Guyana Times International as he strolled through the streets of Georgetown, the President expressed his regret that several projects were not able to be executed, particularly

as a result of a lack of cooperation from the political Opposition. “I would have hoped that by now that we would have started constructing the hydropower station … I would have hoped that we would have passed the Anti-Money Laundering Bill so that our country would not have this shadow over it.”

The Government of Guyana has been pushing immensely to execute these and other crucial projects that could be of great benefit to the Guyanese populace. The Head of State noted that the hydropower station could have greatly impacted the high cost of electricity in Guyana.

Only recently, act-

AFC's Khemraj Ramjattan

He had also explained that for Guyana to achieve its true levels of economic growth, there was need for Government and Parliament to be cognisant of the reality that some risks have to be taken.

“There are many, many other things that we should have been doing in our society, but, of course, you know we didn’t have the cooperation on the other side,”

termined now to go forward to ensure that we bring these things to the Guyanese people.”

He highlighted that Guyana was rapidly developing and that his administration would continue to work to foster developmental opportunities for the nation.

“Our country has huge potential to develop… and that is the direction in which we are going.”

He also noted that

APNU's David Granger

the public servants.

“Some countries, thousands of workers lost their jobs; you also have workers accepting wage cuts…”

Overall, while this year saw mixed challenges, the President was happy with the progress that was made and vouched to continue to invest in Guyana and its people.

Meanwhile, several members of the

him great joy to be part of the vibrant Christmas festivities in Guyana as he wished the entire nation once again, a happy holiday season.

Public Works and Transport Minister Robeson Benn and Minister Ali took the time out to extend warmest Season’s Greetings to Guyana as they look forward to a successful Guyana in the years to come.

Guyanese stakeholders express outrage over holiday road carnage

By Vahnu Manikchand

S

takeholders in Guyana are outraged at the number of road deaths over the Christmas holidays and are urging tougher sanctions to stop the carnage that has killed over 136 people for the year so far.

In November, National Road Safety Month was observed and the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) had held several activities during the month to raise awareness as well as to get drivers and pedestrians to be more responsible on the country’s roadways. A recent statistics update by the Guyana Police Force revealed a staggering 32 per cent increase of road fatalities over the JanuaryNovember period, that is, 130 fatalities from 121 road accidents were recorded. This increase was compared to 100 road fatalities from 90 accidents that were recorded during the same period last year.

GNRSC Chairman Dennis Pompey voiced his concerns over this

The GNRSC at a press conference in November

alarming development despite the efforts made by his agency. Speaking with the Guyana Times International, Pompey stated that all the work they have done during Road Safety Month and even before have gone in, because persons continue to use the roadways indiscriminately.

He pointed out that road users were becoming more indiscipline, refusing to adhere to the relevant traffic laws in place. Referring to the many accidents that occurred during the Christmas week, the

Chairman highlighted that drunk driving was a big concern for authorities, since it was identified as the main cause of most road accidents and fatalities.

Pompey believes that in order to change this frightening culture, there needs to be more rigorous efforts by the Police to restrict delinquent drivers on the roadways. He said that more work needed to be done by the Police in enforcing the laws, stating that whatever they were doing presently was not working. “We

have too small a population to have so many deaths on our roadways … the Police … need to be more stringent in enforcing the laws,” he stressed.

Demerit system

The GNRSC Chairman added that the legal system also needed to be examined.

He referred to the fact that the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2014 was unanimously passed in the National Assembly back in May last, paving the way for the implementation

of the Demerit Points System. This amendment allows the court to, in addition to any punishment for the offence, implement the Demerit Points System aimed at reducing the occurrences of road accidents and road fatalities by disqualifying reckless drivers for specified periods.

If a person accumulates 10 or more demerit points, but less than 16, the period of disqualification from holding a driver’s licence is set at six months. If that person acquires 12 demerit points or more over a 12-month period, the period of disqualification then moves to one year. But if a person acquires a total of six or more but less than 10 demerit points due to traffic offences committed, the Bill requires the Licensing Authority notify the driver in writing.

Since the passage of the Bill, there has been no word on whether this new law was implemented and when contacted to confirm this, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee refused to answer any questions at the time. However, a

senior officer attached to the Police Force’s Traffic Department told this newspaper that as far as he knows, the law has not been implemented.

Pompey went on to underscore the need for more patrols on the roadways, in particular, at locations where drivers tend to be more reckless such as night spots or alcohol outlets and when drivers tend to use the road indiscriminately.

Two weeks ago, acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, during an address, acknowledged that traffic was one of the areas that the Force was unable to manage this year. He too recognised that more needed to done with regard to the education and enforcement aspects.

The acting Commissioner explained that Police have limited resources such as speed guns and breathalysers, but they will have to find means of reversing this situation, since speeding and drunk driving have been identified as the two main causes of fatal accidents.

feature WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015

“I pray for Jesus to heal me” P

eople often say death is a funny thing. They say when you look death in the eye, you are usually fearless, your soul becomes courageous and your mind is tranquil.

But then, when death finally hits you, when it suddenly hits you, no matter how prepared you are for it, no matter how accepting you are of the fact that you are going to die, the truth is, you simply are not.

That is why people often say, that deep down, we all wish for a miracle, no matter how impossible it may seem.

Javier Anderson was eight years old when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancer that gruesomely attacks the bones. It is a common type of childhoodbone cancer.

Sadly, Javier was diagnosed in December 2013, casting a huge pall over the Christmas festivities for himself and his family.

Now this Christmas time, Javier is bedbound in the paediatric ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital as the cancer is now attacking his lungs.

When Guyana Times International visited Javier, the young lad

had only one wish.

“I want to be better.

I want to be healthy. I want to be strong again,” the fragile young boy struggled to say.

“I pray for Jesus to heal me.”

According to Javier’s mother, Lizanna Anderson, her son is only breathing via one lung, because the cancer is eating the other.

A valiant Javier said it was extremely difficult to breathe, and even more difficult to talk. He was definitely a fighter.

“This boy, he is the type of child that makes a parent proud. He is the type of child that makes any parent proud to be a parent,” Javier’s grandfather Gerald Browne said, almost in tears.

Browne noted that he can hardly look at his grandson, because the pain is too overwhelming.

“Why you think I’m here backing him: I can’t look at him, it’s not anything but it’s just that, when I look at him like that, it hurts me. It hurts to see him like that.”

Browne says it deeply pains him to see his dearest grandson in a sickly and fragile state because whenever he looks at him, he remem-

Javier Anderson in his hospital bed

bers the energetic boy he used to be.

“He wasn’t always like this, you know. He was chubby and he used to run. This boy cudda run. I used to take he out and you should see how fast this boy cudda run.”

Javier was an A student of the North Georgetown Primary School, always scoring

in the 90s at his exams; however, he was unable to complete this term at school, as the cancer took its toll on him – he even had his left leg amputated to stymie the disease.

Before the amputation, Javier had just learnt to swim.

Regrettably, it appears he will never be able to

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| guyanatimeSinternational.com

…9-year-old cancer patient swim again.

But, miracles do happen.

Although he will be spending Christmas buried in physical pain in a hospital bed, Javier said he is looking forward to Christmas as it is his favourite time of the year.

He reminisced on all of his beloved Christmas traditions such as watching the Home Alone Series, eating pepperpot, and playing with a remote controlled helicopter he received a few years ago.

What is more, he cannot wait to receive the many visitors he’s expecting on Christmas Day. Although his mother, grandmother and grandfather perceive their nimble little boy drowning in his reality, they will forever remain optimistic.

“I’ve accepted everything; it wouldn’t come as a shock for me, even though I hope and pray for the best and miracles do happen,” his mother said.

She noted that she and her son often talk about death and the consequences and they are both prepared to face it.

According to Anderson, her son can-

not undergo any more surgery; therefore, they will just have to wait patiently and in anxiety for the end to come: the end of his life, or the end of cancer.

However, his grandfather cannot accept this fact. He told the GTI that he would love for a second opinion about the situation.

He noted that the doctors said Javier was too sickly to travel abroad for better healthcare, as he may collapse on the airplane.

Nevertheless, he is very grateful that his grandson is alive for just another day, and he intends to cherish every moment he has left with him.

From the outside, many may perceive Christmas for this family as a sad one. But, according to Javier’s mother, Christmas has never lost its essence, its magic and it never will because love and togetherness is all that matters.

When GTI visited Javier and his family at the hospital, love and togetherness were indeed abundantly present. And we ask that you pray for this little boy, that his Christmas wish comes true.

24 News Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey reaches out to needy T WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

he Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj Inc (HM of NJASM) gave birth to its humanitarian mission in 2005.

It began by reaching out to the poor and needy in Guyana, and it is now extending its charitable arm to senior citizen homes, shelters and the homeless right in New Jersey and TriState Area.

President of the organization, Pandit Suresh Sugrim in a press statement, said, “That feeling of helping the people who are truly in need is something that we enjoy in life.”

On December 20, the HM of NJASM hosted a massive coat dive in New Jersey.

“Our goal for this winter season is to provide persons in need with warm clothing and to give them comfort.

“Many adults and children across the country struggle during the winter months because they are unable to afford cold-weather attire due to poverty,” Pandit Sugrim said.

“With so many people struggling financially because of the recession, losing their jobs, homes and family, your coats and clothing donations matter this year more than ever.

“Thank you for sharing with those who are less fortunate than us.”

Pandit Sugrim had made a public appeal through social media, primarily Facebook, and in the mandirs, asking Guyanese-Americans and other denominations to donate their used clothing.

“As a result, over the past few weeks, we collected a huge amount of winter clothing includ-

ing coats, hats, scarves, gloves, jackets, hats and socks donated by our donors to be distributed to the homeless people in various shelters and Newark Penn Station,” he said.

With the cooperation of numerous families and different organizations, the HM of NJASM headed out to shelters where about dozens of coats, pants and sweaters were handed out.

One of the facility managers for the Homeless Shelters stated, “It’s very hard for us to get donations to help the residents who live there. I wish we could get a lot of help from different organizations and now I have – from this organization here – thank you very much!”

This was after forming smiles on many lonely and cold faces at Newark Penn Station where we

Volunteers of the HM of NJASM Lakshmee Kirkland, Ornis Sugrim, Reshma Vincent, Brianna Lutawan and Neela Mahabir

handed out coats, pants, sweaters, shirts, comforters, scarves, hats and gloves.

Despite the bitter and freezing cold weather, words could not express the gratitude and appreciation that the homeless had at that moment.

As soon as the word had got out that there were coats being given out, many of them lined up hoping that they will receive a piece of clothing to keep warm during this brutal winter season.

According to Pandit Sugrim, it was heartbreaking to see that many of these people had no families, no homes and nothing to eat, and some of them are in this situation due to the loss of jobs.

“We left Newark Penn Station with no coats and sweaters, for all were given out to the homeless who need it the most during this time of the year,” Pandit Sugrim said.

“We ran out of winter clothing and still they

were coming. One homeless man did not leave because he was desperate, and at that moment the group had to go to the store to purchase two pairs of pants just to make him comfortable and for him to be feel loved,” the release said.

The HM of NJASM thanked the entire community for participating through their donation of used winter clothing and for reaching out to those in need. “You truly made a difference,” the release said.

National Insurance Scheme giving workers headache – Armogan - retirees say not receiving benefits Some of the homeless people who benefitted from the hand out of winter clothing

The National Insurance Scheme on Brickdam, Georgetown

By Tajeram Mohabir

R

egion Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Chairman David Armogan has expressed discontent at the manner the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is handling records of contributors, contending that it is giving headache to practically every category of workers.

Many workers, particularly those on the sugar estates throughout the country who have retired, have over the years complained bitterly of not receiving a pen-

sion even though they have worked for more than 15 years, and would have surpassed the mandatory 755 contributions.

Lakesh Persaud, a retired sugar worker from Port Mourant, Region Six on Friday told Guyana Times International that even though he had worked with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for more than 15 years, the NIS branch in New Amsterdam told him that they have no file on him.

This, he said happened, even though he produced a pay slip.

Pooran Persaud of Albion also had a sad story to tell. “NIS de tell me that I only made 273 contribution, but I work with GuySuCo from 1976 till 2008. I ain’t getting me right money… I went to the region an is the same thing,” he related.

Edward Ramcharran of East Canje said he tried for years and only got his pension after perseverance.

Ramcharran, who claimed that he has over 16 years of service as a cane harvester, said he went to the NIS headquarters in Georgetown continued on page 26

News

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Upgraded Lethem road brings relief to commuters

By Erica Williams

R

esidents of Lethem and its environs have expressed satisfaction with the quality of works recently completed on the LindenLethem road.

Speaking with this newspaper, resident Derrick Mentis said, “My family travelled the road recently and they said it is much smoother”.

However, Mentis said while he is pleased with the present condition of the road, he has little hope it will remain the way it is.

He explained that although the road was recently completed, he expects it to be damaged and “head all the way back to square one” upon the onset of the rainy season, which is expected in another few months.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said the Government through the Hinterland Roads Programme has been working on various roads in the hinterland areas of the country.

He explained that it has been challenging working on the LindenLethem road. “We have been working at it and we have had problems with the rain, but it has pulled

What commuters faced while traversing the roadway prior to recent work carried out by the Public Works Ministry

through,” he said.

Nevertheless, minibus driver Jules Fredericks, who drives the LindenLethem route, said it is a welcome change.

“It is a relief and more rest time for us drivers,” Fredericks said as he explained that prior to repairs being carried out on the road, it took drivers almost 18 hours to travel the journey. But now, Fredericks disclosed that travel time has been cut by almost half.

At present, bus drivers take approximately ten hours to journey from Georgetown to Lethem

via Linden.

“At first from the Number 58 Mile Gas Station, which is between Linden and Mabura, it used to take five hours; now it takes about an hour and 45 minutes,” he explained.

He added that as a result of the road improvement, bus service companies which work the route are able to take more persons in a shorter period of time to Lethem.

“The transportation market is also more competitive as a result of the improvement,” Fredericks said.

The present state of the newly rehabilitated Linden-Lethem road

Despite all the positives that were said about the road, Head of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce Daniel Gadjie said the road has improved, but it is not precisely the way it should be.

Gadjie was of the opinion that the road would never truly be up to par unless it is asphalted. “It is better than two months ago, but not the way one would want it to be,” he pointed out.

“This is dry season and it is usually good during dry season. The problem comes during

the rainy season. During the rainy season, you can do the road today and a week from now, you want to know if it’s the same road.”

However, more than two dozen concrete culverts will be constructed along the roadway, while bushes were cleared away by the Public Works Ministry recently.

As previously reported, Engineer overseeing the project Naeem Mohamed said works have begun from 84 Miles to 276 Miles.

It was further reported that from Linden to Omai Turn-Off (0 to 65

Miles), construction firm, Metallica, will grade and compact deteriorated sections with laterite. Likewise, Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) will maintain from Omai Turn-Off to Siparuni (65 Miles to 84 Miles).

Other companies such as Mekdeci Machinery and Construction, JR Ranch Company and V Dalip Enterprise have also been working on the road.

Over the years, rainfall has continually threatened the LindenLethem road and at certain times the road was even closed to traffic.

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NEWS

WEEK ENDING January 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana hoping to secure rice market in Belize T

he Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is hoping to secure markets in Belize to facilitate the exportation of rice and paddy from farmers and millers in Guyana.

The Board’s General Manager Jagnarine Singh said the entity is eyeing lucrative markets as part of its marketing strategy and wider efforts to alleviate the problems that are facing the local rice industry and millers.

Singh was at the time speaking during several public meetings held with farmers at various locations on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

He admitted that the major problems in the industry are marketing and ensuring timely payment for shipments of the commodity by millers.

Singh also said that although Venezuela and Panama are Guyana’s largest markets for rice, Belize is worth a try and the Board will try to assist.

“Belize wants rice,

GRDB General Manager Jagnarine Singh

marketing is an issue and the Board has no control over this… we will try to help. We will try to send 2-3 containers and see what happens,” he reasoned.

Singh told Essequibo farmers that export stands today at 490,000 tonnes with further shipments to be made in the next week before the end of the year.

He nonetheless said, “We are confident of reaching a historic milestone of 500,000 tonnes

export for 2014.”

Singh wasted no time in advising farmers that Guyana’s market for rice has been expanded to several countries in the Caribbean, Central America, South America and West Africa.

He said while advances were given to millers by the Government of Guyana to pay outstanding monies owed to farmers, the Board is tasked with the responsibility to see the shipment of rice leave Guyana

“We gave millers money as advances just to assist farmers, the rice didn’t even leave Guyana as yet but we assisted.”

The manager also mentioned that the Agriculture Ministry through the major rice stakeholders also brought in urea at a cheaper cost for farmers.

Meanwhile, Rice Producers Association (RPA) General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj also told farmers at the said meetings that Government is doing everything in its capacity to ensure they receive their outstanding payments.

Seeraj said Government has released an additional of Gy$1.5 billion to clear outstanding payments owed to rice farmers.

The Government has also disbursed some Gy$600 million from the PetroCaribe account, giving a total of Gy$2.1 billion to assist millers in paying farmers.

In Essequibo, hundreds of farmers were paid money owed to them by three millers on Christmas Eve Day.

National Insurance Scheme giving...

from page 24

more than 10 times to try to get his papers in order to get his pension, but to no avail.

He pointed out that following his last visit about three months ago, he approached Regional Chairman Armogan who intervened in the matter, and he was able to get his money.

The problems faced

by Ramcharran and are currently facing Lakesh and Pooran Persaud are not limited to sugar workers, but also other categories of employees.

“So we have lots of cases still within the sugar and outside of the sugar industry where people are still dissatisfied with their dealings with the NIS and the way NIS operates. And so Government is still trying to make inputs from time to time to ensure some of these problems are solved, but as I said, NIS continues to give headache, not only for this region but generally and not only for sugar workers, but for all categories of workers,” Armogan said.

He related that when he assumed Chairmanship of the region following the 2011 Regional and General

Elections, given the frequent complaints, he was forced to set up a desk at his office to handle matters relating to NIS, the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) and other services.

“Some people don’t seem to be getting assistance from the desk I have set up and they come to me directly. And then I intervene with NIS on their behalf.

Some get through, some don’t get through, but it is not for lack of representation. Every single person that comes here with an NIS problem we intervene at the highest level, but not every time we get through,” the Regional Chairman said.

In October, NIS came under criticism from various sections of the media in wake of reports that only 6100, out of 27,000 employers, are paying contributions to the Scheme on behalf of their employees.

NIS Chairman and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon had said the problem is not unique to the insurance scheme, pointing out that similar entities across the world are often faced with such challenges.

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feature

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Rupununi Low Carbon Livelihoods Project

T

he Rupununi Low Carbon Livelihoods Project is an impressive environmental project that was implemented to test the models for expanding low carbon economic sectors, while supporting communities and human development at a local level.

It was initiated after the Guyana Low Carbon Development Strategy, which was launched in

2009, with the aim to contribute to the economic development of the Rupununi region while preserving its ecosystems.

The Rupununi Low Carbon Livelihoods Project seeks to strengthen environmentally sustainable, local-level, business led initiatives by providing access to loans to develop community-based enterprises, training community

Baskets made in Rupununi

members in business and entrepreneurship and providing them with culturally sensitive and environmentally responsible means of engaging in the growing cash-based economy.

It is a pilot project that aims to illustrate that Guyana can develop while conserving its environment; it is expected to demonstrate how indigenous and local communities can “directly

Locally-made jewellery

benefit from low carbon development through enhanced and sustainable livelihoods�.

This was achieved with the establishment of environmentally friendly, economic ventures called Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs). A CBE is an enterprise completely or partially owned or operated by a community or an individual group in partnership with a community.

Through the Rupununi Low Carbon Livelihoods Project, Conservation International Guyana, in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry(GBTI), has es-

tablished a fund - the Rupununi Innovation Fund - to finance these CBEs. In order to tap into this fund, each CBE was expected to promote the combined effectiveness of low carbon development, maintenance of ecosystems and good business practices; with the focus on two areas: nature based tourism and agriculture.

The CBEs had an option of several sectors: sustainable agriculture or fisheries, agro-processing, nature based and agro-tourism, agroforestry, forest conservation, arts and craft, service provision and marketing.

All applicants were

required to be Rupununibased, develop a bankable business, meet the project’s requirements and receive a reference from Conservation International Guyana.

According to Marcelle Chan-A-Sue, a representative of CI- Guyana, at least 23 CBEs will benefit from the project directly, impacting more than 42% of the regions total population.

Of the expected results, the project has already secured the RIF, recorded the state of food and agriculture in the region, provided a tourism syndicate, encouraged bankable business plans for CBEs, hosted Stakeholder Business continued on page 33

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A

s we come to the end of another year, Guyana Times Sunday Magazine acknowledges those who expended their time and resources giving back to society. We send out accolades to these self-

less humanitarians who continue to find ways to help build their nation. This week we feature just a few of these altruistic individuals.

G

R

afieya Husain, who recently compete in the Miss World pageant and walked away with the Miss Caribbean title at the competition, is another exemplary individual who has been effecting change in Guyana. Her charity, Rivah, is a non-profit organisation in Essequibo. It is a strong voice that will echo as a leader in bringing awareness to the early signs of domestic violence, educating young people on early warning signs and eradicate such behaviours by introducing corrective measures to prevent teen related violence which in turn will minimize domestic violence altogether. Husain said that her passion for improving lives and making a difference started from an early age inspired by her late grandfather, Shaffeek Khan. His philanthropic work for the community is one of the reasons Husain was inspired to build this outreach centre in Essequibo for domestic abuse victims. Being a victim herself, Husain's main reason for the charity and building the outreach centre is to spread awareness of the initial signs of domestic violence. She chose to build her awareness campaign around violence and to educate teens and children in schools so that the percentage of victims can be reduced over time. By focusing on the root causes of domestic violence, Husain hopes to educate youths to be able to identify and mitigate abuse at an early stage.

G

D

mitri Nicholson, executive director of Youth Challenge Guyana, has worked with Youth Challenge Guyana for 14 years and has been the executive director for the last six years. Nicholson’s keys areas of focus surrounds ensuring the organisation is reaching its objective of ensuring health, education and livelihood for Guyanese youth and building the appropriate national and international networks.

Nicholson said he enjoys what he does because of his “great team of innovative leaders and seeing the results from hard work”. He believes that volunteering is a critical component of development. His personal philosophy is that we have the power to change any situation in our community if we take the first step. Nicholson has worked on projects that provided technical skills to young Guyanese, improved awareness of HIV and sexual health, supported women's entrepreneurship, empowered youths to prevent conflict in their communities, and provided education to Guyanese children.

anesh Singh is an advocate for people with disabilities, especially for the blind. At the age of 13 he was diagnosed with glaucoma, and by 17 was totally blind. However, this did not deter Singh from pursuing his goals.

The determined individual has been, over the years, has approached government officials to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities. His most recent successful project is helping blind individuals sit CSEC exams. This project, in its second year and supported by the Ministry of Education, Guyana Society for the Blind and the private sector, has opened up a plethora of self-development opportunities for blind individuals. Singh is currently a student at the University of Guyana pursuing a degree in Social Work.

oldie Scott, chief executive officer of Volunteer Youth Corps Inc., has dedicated more than half of her life to youth development work in Guyana. She is the co-founder of Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC) and the current chief executive officer.

From 1996 to 2002, Scott was a volunteer with the organisation. She managed and directed numerous youth development projects supported and funded

by USAID, UNDP, CIDA, CUSO Guyana, ExxonMobil, CVC/COIN, the Japanese, the Dutch and many other groups and companies. Scott enjoys what she does due to “the great team of professional volunteers and staff that works daily to improve the situation of young people in Guyana”. The humanitarian has been exposed to a diverse range of issues affecting youth through her professional work as well as local and international studies - travelling to more than 12 countries worldwide. She has a degree Environmental Studies from the University of Guyana and is currently reading for a Masters in Applied Community Change and Conservation at Future Generations Graduate School in West Virginia.

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D

etermined to effect change in the fields of mental health impairments and psychosocial disabilities in Guyana, Savitri Persaud is a notable individual.

A fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Social and Political Thought at York University in Toronto, Canada, Persaud was born in Guyana but migrated to Canada at the tender age of five.

“I was born in Georgetown, Guyana and spent part of my childhood in Moblissa, off the SoesdykeLinden Highway and in Bellevue, West Bank Demerara before immigrating to Toronto, Canada when I was five,” Persaud said in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Before migrating, her parents were employed in Moblissa’s dairy industry and her father later worked as a cane cutter in Bellevue.

“Even though I was raised in Toronto, Guyana never left me when I moved to Canada. Guyanese traditions, customs, music and foods marked my diasporic experience in

Toronto, which was fundamentally shaped by the Caribbean community that I lived in, colloquially known as “Little Jamaica” in Toronto’s west end,” she pointed out.

According to Persaud, her father never had the opportunity to obtain a formal education; he was working from the age of nine out of necessity. As a result, her father became very influential in her educational endeavours.

“He would always encourage me and my younger brother to take our education seriously and to pursue our goals to the fullest,” Persaud recalled.

Persaud took his advice and at 17 years old pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto, Canada.

“It was during my first year as an undergraduate that I met Dr Alissa Trotz, a Guyanese professor who inspired me to make connections between the two spaces that I call home: Toronto, Canada, and Guyana,” Persaud noted.

She was able to ac-

Savitri Persaud

company Professor Trotz to Guyana in 2009 as a research assistant, which is where her volunteer experience at Red Thread began. Her stint was in support of the Coalition to Stamp out Sexual Violence against Children.

Persaud noted that it was at Red Thread that she came across many battered women who were counselled at the drop-in centre.

“This forever changed

the direction of my work and prompted me to further analyze the situation of gender-based violence in Guyana. In Toronto, I worked with people who have developmental disabilities and mental health impairments as well. My work on disability in Canada began to overlap with my research interests and volunteer work in Guyana when I started to take notice of the ways in which men-

tal health, gender and violence were being taken up in the Caribbean, especially the ways in which ‘madness’ and ‘deviance’ can be ascribed to particular bodies,” she stated, making note of several incidents in Guyana.

Particularly, the 2007 murder of Radika Singh, a mentally disabled woman who was perceived as an “old higue” and was beaten to death after wandering into a neighbouring village, served as the main case study in her Master’s thesis.

At 22, Persaud began her PhD with the aim of “unpacking how mental health discourses and associated practices give rise to this kind of violence”. Today, at 26, Persaud is entering the final stage of her doctoral degree as she starts to draft her dissertation.

Her doctoral dissertation examines discourses of disablement, mental health and violence in Guyana. Her research is supported by the Government of Canada through Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship (SSHRC), Osgoode Hall Law School’s Nathanson

Graduate Fellowship, and previously through multiple Ontario Graduate Scholarships.

“In Guyana, the stigma associated with mental health impairments and psychosocial disabilities is immense and pervasive. As a society, we must tackle the stereotypes that we associate with ‘madness’ and move beyond the knee-jerk responses that vilify people with psychiatric disabilities,” Persaud expressed.

She continued, “Mental health impairments are disabilities and the rights of people with disabilities are human rights. We must first recognize this as a society...Doing this work requires a grassroots and multi-sectoral approach in educating people about the rights of persons with disabilities across the spectrum of impairments.”

Working to promote the rights of people with mental health impairments is the “lifeblood” of Persaud’s research.

It is her hope that this project will contribute to budding conversation that will positively change the discourse and the ways in which we talk about mental health in Guyana.

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feature

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

By Anu Dev

“Go back to your armchair, Master Baggins. And your books. Plant your tree. If everybody valued home like you did, the world would be a merry place” – Thorin Oakenshield.

(This article may contain spoilers about the Hobbit movies [of course, I’ll try not to spoil anything, but I can never be quite certain]. So if you haven’t seen it [you should see it ASAP] you should probably stop reading now and continue on with your life.)

B

eing the dedicated true believers we are, my family and I saw “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” at its first showing at the Princess Theatre.

For the first time ever, after seeing a movie, I felt dazed, like I was floating in a dreamlike-state.

And let me tell you, I have seen a LOT of movies!! I had so many emotions that I couldn’t process. My feelings ran from euphoria to anguish and everything along that spectrum. I don’t think I’ve ever been as moved by characters as I was in this movie.

I hadn’t read Tolkien’s novel, The Hobbit. And that’s unusual for me. Usually I read the books and then I look at the movies. I’d read the Lord of the Rings trilogy when I was much younger and then saw the movies. And I loved the movies, but the books just weren’t my cup of tea.

I can appreciate Tolkien’s writing and his incredible world-building skills, but, I’ll tell you – it was a struggle to get through (more like plough through) his books. I think I just lost patience with the pages and pages of songs.

So I decided not to read the Hobbit. And when I heard about the movies coming out, I stood by my decision to not read the Hobbit, I decided to trust Peter Jackson and accept his pronouncement on the Hobbit as “canon”.

But of course, both books and movies have their pros and cons. With books you get so many details, especially with a writer like the Oxford Don, Tolkien, steeped as he was with Anglo-Saxon history.

In movies, those details flit past you so quickly with the faster pace telling the narrative visually, that the experience is more impressionistic.

Reading is a bit more of an immersive experience: imagining what the characters look like and sound like, and reading about this world almost exactly as the author intended. That doesn’t mean movies aren’t immersive in their own, but it’s more of the world the director creates.

And nowadays with their action and 3D and beautiful landscapes (CGI or otherwise); they really transport you into the new world.

Additionally there’s the musical score – one of my absolute favorite facets of movies. The musical score of a movie can sometimes make or break a movie for me. And for the Hobbit movies, the musical scoring was one of the best I’ve ever heard.

I realised that the dazed feeling I had after seeing the last Hobbit movie was the same feeling I usually get after finishing a really, really good book. When reading, I usually get completely sucked into the world I’m reading about, I get so caught up with the characters that it takes me a while to get readjusted to the real world. I feel like I’ve known the characters my whole life and I care about them like I would a real person.

I don’t normally get that feeling with movies or TV show – yeah, I care about the characters (sometimes too much), but I’ve never had that complete immersive experience. When I walked out from this movie, I felt dazed, like I was just in Middle-Earth and I had this acute sense of loss, like I’d just left several good friends behind.

This movie really showed me that movies can get you to care about characters as much as books can.

(As a side note, I think I did a good job of leaving out spoilers about the movie. So I strongly recommend going to see this final installment of the Hobbit trilogy.)

And happy New Year!

Times Notebook

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T

Anticipating 2015

he elections with its fierce campaigning will dominate the first part of 2015.

People are already consumed with tension. But we are confident that Guyana’s democracy which started to flourish after the 1992 restoration is strong enough today to allow a robustly contested election that will see ideas for Guyana’s development dominate the discussion and not idle and violence-baiting rhetoric.

Further progress has been made toward the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge which will link Guyana and Suriname.

A contract has been signed for the Corentyne Highway to be improved and extended at its eastern end as Guyana tries to ensure that the land transport component of this important linkage is completed.

Guyana has always had vigorous trade and social and cultural relationship with Suriname. But the Corentyne River Bridge will still transform everyday life between our peoples and Guyana stands to benefit enormously.

The Single Market and Economy being a Caricom dream, the Corentyne River Bridge will be the first physical infrastructural link between two countries in this grouping. This should completely change the realities of trade between the two sister nations and provide a new dimension for the common economic space that we dream about for Caricom.

We would hope that the 2015 elections in Guyana will be seized by political parties to highlight ideas on how we could expand the benefits of the Bridge for advancing the common economic, social and cultural development of the two nations.

The Bridge is not the first physical link between Guyana and her South American neigh-

bours. The Takatu Bridge already supports a stunning level of transport between Guyana and Brazil.

There are those who will argue and we will agree that the pursuit of our continental destiny started way before 1992. But before 1992, much of the policies and programmes and our diplomatic initiatives were still in the aspiration and talk stages.

Today, Guyana is a genuine link between Caricom and South America. Through being a Member of the RIO Group, UNASUR, CELAC and other South American and Central American initiatives, Guyana is not only strengthening relations in the Continent, but also linking Caricom and South/Central America.

Guyana has been an important part of the PetroCaribe initiative. Venezuela has had a torrid political decade with US Government hostility.

From a period of hostility between Guyana and Venezuela because Venezuela maintains a claim on a part of Guyana, since 1992, the PPP/C Government has transformed the relationship into a political, economic and social cooperation.

For sure the border claims by Venezuela remain as a concern for Guyana, but we have been able to change the relationship to one where two developing countries are working together for the common benefits of our peoples.

The 2015 elections must debate ideas on how to further improve the constantly expanding role Guyana is playing in making reality the dream of continental destiny. But the potential for South-South Cooperation through the continental destiny train is enormous and 21st century Guyana can be very different from anything ever imagined.

There are some 42 million

people in South and Central America and the Caribbean who live lives without enough to eat on a daily basis. Guyana can play a role in reducing and eliminating hunger in the Americas and in the process grow our economy.

Will Guyana’s politicians explore these opportunities in their 2015 election campaign strategies?

Guyana has played an important role in the global warming and climate change debates and is a major player in developing an alternative model to the fossil-fuel based economy and the unabated emission of carbon into the environment.

Our Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) has become an admired economic and social model that provides a part of an answer to global warming and reversing the negative impacts of climate change. Our people would benefit tremendously from a debate over ideas for improving the LCDS. Guyana needs hydroelectricity and a modern airport and to bring investments like the Marriott into reality, to ensure the completion of the Specialty Hospital and to open up new agricultural lands.

The Demerara Harbor Bridge must be reconstructed and new highways linking all parts of Guyana, linking all communities through better road, river and sea and air transportation. We need greater ethnic harmony in our country.

The 2015 elections must be about ideas. As we celebrate 2014 with a level of abandonment, we must see elections 2015 as exciting times, not filled with tension and fear.

Happy holidays and best wishes for 2015.

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

A laudable initiative... forums, training courses on product development and business management, among other things.

Moreover, based on the work already completed, it was revealed that communities in the region are interested in developing sustainable micro, small and medium enterprises. However, to achieve this they must first have an understanding of local socio-economic, ecological and market conditions, build local business skills and build networks for collaboration.

Conservation International is a nongovernmental organisation registered and working in Guyana for over 20 years. It seeks to link human development with the conservation of the

from page 30

CI-Guyana partnered with St. Gabriel's primary and nursery schools at this year's Green Walk to help raise their voices about environmental issues which they felt were important

earth’s living natural heritage.

Building on a strong foundation of science,

partnership and field demonstration, CIGuyana works to empower societies to responsi-

bly and sustainably care for nature, global biodiversity and the well being of humanity.

34

feature

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sunday Times Person of the Year

The Honourable Minister Mohamed Irfaan Ali A

prolific figure in the tourism, housing and water sectors, the Honourable Minister Mohamed Irfaan Ali has revolutionised his ministries, proficiently carried out his duties as an effective minister and is a visionary in the development of our nation. For these reasons, Minister Ali is fittingly chosen as the Guyana Times ‘Person of the Year’.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Minister Ali narrates his journey to the current offices he holds and his visions for the continuous growth of his country.

Sunday Magazine: What are your academic qualifications?

Minister Ali: I attended Leonora Primary, Cornelia Ida Primary and St. Stanislaus College. I am a Project Management Professional (PMP); I hold a First Degree in International Business; Post Graduate Diploma in International Business; Graduate Certificate

from University of the West Indies (UWI) in HR Planning; Masters from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi (India);and I am currently pursuing my PhD at UWI. Sunday Magazine: What can you recall about your childhood?

Minister Ali: I grew up in Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara. My parents were teachers; my father retired as headmaster from Leonora Primary School and my mother retired as Deputy Chief Education Officer.

My early childhood days were spent in Leonora, but I spent considerable time in Leguan, Essequibo, where my mother is from. In Leguan is where I developed my skills in farming. I enjoyed catching fish, throwing net, setting seine, swimming in the trench and planting rice. I love farming; it is one of my hobbies.

In primary school, I was always part of any debating competition.

I love debating. At St.

A very young Ali (right) with his brother

Stanislaus, I participated in impromptu speech, debating and elocution competitions. I was a member of the victorious Inter-Secondary School National Debating Champions at St. Stanislaus. I credit my teachers who played a vital role in my academic upbringing.

I come from a very rooted political family.

My grandmother, Sakina Mohamed, was a woman leader in the PPP and early Women's Progressive Organisation. A lot of the party’s work was done at

Minister Ali (centre) with his parents, only brother and niece

her home in Leonora.

Additionally, my father was actively involved in politics. Consequently, I grew up in the eyes of great political leaders, especially from Region Three.

There are a number of persons who have shaped and influenced my life positively. My parents and grandparents are some of these outstanding role models.

My parents allowed us, my older brother and I, the opportunity to freely explore whatever our likes were. They always encouraged us to participate in youth groups and sports. I recall our backyard would have, on many occasions, one-day match being played with two full cricket teams formed by all the boys from the neighbourhood.

We would do bush cook, play marbles and get away to swim. We were allowed to explore these things, which are essential to growing up.

Sunday Magazine: Please outline your political journey.

Minister Ali: I became a member of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) in 1992, and that helped to build a very strong foundation. I was elected to the Central Executive Committee of the PYO, later became the education secretary of the PYO, and in 1997 I was elected in PPP’s regional committee in Region Three.

I functioned there as the education secretary and as finance secretary.

Later, I was elected to the party’s central committee at our congress in Essequibo. I was very young – in my early 20s. It was a humbling experience being among the greats, persons who I grew up to admire and respect. This matured me quickly, learning from the stalwarts.

I was then elected as a candidate member in the executive committee of the party. I was given the post of finance secretary, a position I still hold, after which I was elected in the central and executive committees. Presently, I am a central executive member of the PPP. In 2006 I was elected to serve in the National Assembly as a Member of Parliament. Then in January of 2009 I was appointed by former President Bharrat Jagdeo to serve as Minister of Housing and Water. In this sector I give all my energy and strength, never want-

ignited a different flame in me; it made me fall in love all over again with Guyana.

This opportunity also allowed me to do something I always wanted to do - to share the full story of Guyana with the rest of the world and to make Guyana an attractive place, not only for tourism but for investment and to help in creating an image that would ensure a sustainable future for Guyana.

I must say the confidence that President Ramotar placed in me was not taken lightly.

Of course, juggling two portfolios is never an easy task. However, I

The minister with his brother and grandmother, Sakina

ing to disappoint the confidence that former President Jagdeo and now President Donald Ramotar placed in me by appointing me into this position.

Prior to holding the position as minister, I worked with the Caribbean Development Bank Project Implementation Unit in Guyana at the Ministry of Finance; in the State Planning Secretariat as a regional planner; and before all that I did a short stint at Banks DIH Limited.

After the 2011 elections, the current president asked me to take on the responsibility of Tourism Minister and this brought with it its own passion, its own joy of being given an opportunity to market and promote Guyana, to bring the image of Guyana to the world. I think this

am blessed with an exceptional team at the Ministry of Housing and Water, and at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

With the support of these teams, we are able to accomplish a lot.

The journey is still long. There is so much more to get done, but I think we are well on our way on the journey of securing a strong position in the global market for Guyana, our tourism product, and ensuring that our attractiveness for investment remains very visible to potential investors.

Sunday Magazine: What does it take to be an effective minister?

Minister Ali: Being in these positions require a lot of critical thinking, a lot of visionary thinking; former President Jagdeo has played a very continued on page 35

feature

35

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“Easy like Sunday Mornin’…” …on the politicians and wannabes his being Christmas and all, your Eyewitness will take off his “jade coloured” glasses (“jaded”….You get it?? Jeez!!) about stuff in the news. So what if his last minute shopping was ruined by the half-hour rain yesterday??

So what if he feels like he’s been pummelled by cavorting gorillas? He can console himself that jumping over the puddles, and not landing on the higglers on the pavement, actually gave a “spring” to his step! And then, he DID manage to avoid being locked out from hearth and home by bringing home some gifts.

Your humble Eyewitness is an easy-going fella.

His anthem is Lionel Richie’s “Easy like Sunday Mornin’.” And he’s going to present a “kinder, gentler” persona this Christmas morning.

He read about that carpetbagger Thomas – the fella who simply spoke to folks and assumed their “endorsement” of his plans – allowed that he might’ve been a tad “rash” in his execution of said plans. You think??!!

But no “Doubting Thomas” this! He claims not to be deterred by the almost total blanking of his “Conference” by every “big name” in the book. (And Thomas did seem to’ve cogged every big name in the book!!) He claims the event was a “phenomenal success”. Imagine that!! Think what it would’ve been if it wasn’t only Lalloo Ram in attendance!!

“Resounding success” wouldn’t be enough, would it?? “Extra-phenomenal success??”

A few Guyanese might actually be “Doubting Thomases” and think Dr Dr Dr Thomas is engaging in a bit of puffery. You know?? “Bigging himself up”, as the kids would say. For this fella, the rule is: There is nothing named “bad publicity”; ALL publicity’s good publicity. And by this criterion, Thomas has really been phenomenally successful.

Thomas had challenged for the PNC leadership.

Did anybody take notice?? He’d taken the Government to the CCJ on the 2006 elections. Did anybody give a hoot?? But now?? Wow!! He actually got the President of Guyana to denounce him!! Can you imagine how much his stock (literally) has risen after this?? Higher than the Dow Jones – which has just broken a historic high of 18,000!!!

Listen folks. Thomas is one of those fellas who comes out of the woodwork to get funding from the various US agencies when the latter want to get a job done in a foreign country where they don’t want folks to know they’re behind the job.

So these denunciations from the Government are already on Thomas’ website. For when he bids for the next round of intervention!! …on Christmas Your Eyewitness is at peace. Last night he went carolling. Times have changed. There aren’t as many dogs yapping at him and his merry Carollers as they meander through the streets of his native place.

Some folks were so appreciative they invited us into their homes and offered egg-nog and black cake.

Now your Eyewitness will let out a closely guarded secret. He’s into carolling mostly because of the egg nog and black cake!! There!! It’s out in the open? And your Eyewitness feels so virtuous! But he has to say…things had gotten pretty brown with the black cakes for a while there under Burnham. Folks had been stumped when the English fruits had been banned. But look how inventive his fellow Guyanese were!! Local fruits!! Black cake fuh so!!

And your Eyewitness is at peace. It might also have to do with the increasing amount of liquor folks were putting into the black cake!! …with wishes Your Eyewitness would like to take this opportunity to remind all those he might’ve skewered over the past year, that there’s no real malice intended. Politics is a tough business. And as Harry Truman said, “If you can’t stand the heat…get out of the kitchen.”

T

K

INGSTON, J a m a i c a : J a m a i c a ’ s Grammy award winning singer, Sean Paul, is to decide whether or not to perform at a New Year’s Eve show in the Maldives after reportedly receiving a death threat from an Islamic group claiming to have ties in Syria, the Jamaica Observer newspaper reported Saturday.

It said the video message was posted online and that the publicist for the artiste, Carlette DeLeon, said a decision would be taken following a meeting with Sean Paul’s management team and authorities in the Maldives.

“We are aware of the developing situation. We are currently in contact with all related parties

Sean Paul

concerning the concert to address the matter.

No further details are available at this time,” DeLeon told the Jamaica Observer.

Britain’s Independent newspaper reported the

video message carries the logo of the Bilad Al Sham Media (BASM) group, an organisation which claims to comprise Maldivian jihadists based in Syria and the Maldives.

“Sean Paul, if you visit the Maldives, the world will see your burned and blood-drenched dead body,” said cards held by a cloaked figure in the video posted on YouTube late on Wednesday night.

“It is for all Muslim to jihad in the name of Allah. Hence disbelievers like Sean Paul, who are like the worst of the devil’s advocates, deserve nothing but death,” according to the video.

But the newspaper quoting a Twitter account allegedly belonging to BASM, said the group denies being behind the threat.

“We would clearly like to announce that our media have nothing to do with the Sean Paul’s death threatening video.” (CMC)

from page 34

key role in developing an attitude in me that forces me to think critically and in a visionary approach. This approach does not look at things from a popular perspective, but from a practical perspective that generates interest and opportunity, which are critical elements as a minister.

As a minister you must be bold in decisionmaking, you cannot second guess decisions; you have to take leadership, ownership and ensure that you create a sense of commitment to the vision.

The Building Expo and Guyana Festival are two things that many persons doubted our ability to even implement, much less for it to be successful, and in both instances, because of holding on to what we believe and grabbing the moment and building ownership and commitment around that belief, we were able to see the success of these projects.

To effectively get the work done, management of time is essential.

Prioritising work is very essential also. I have to keep myself and staff motivated, while at the same time ensure that enough focus is placed on the sectors to ensure the seriousness and impact of that sector is not lost.

Moreover, I have to ensure that excitement is always there.

This can only happen with strategic thinking.

For example, when we started the East Bank

Demerara housing programme many persons did not visualise what is happening there now: a complete transformation. Opening up of the East Bank created a lot of buzz and excitement among my staff.

This was a whole new frontier. Now, we are engaged in developing the most recent housing project, Silica City on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

Having strategic outlook creates new degree of motivation and excitement and a sense of accomplishment and purpose, which are essential in driving the process of change and engaging the staff to always be proactive and progressive in their thinking process.

Sunday Magazine: How do you deal with criticisms?

Minister Ali: I have developed a very thick skin to criticisms. I have accepted the fact that we live in a very dynamic society where persons enjoy not just criticising but denigrating, abusing and infiltrating in trying to bury others in dirt. However, there are those who are very encouraging and motivating, which gives me the strength every day to continue to work for the betterment of Guyana. I know critics will always be here and I just brush them off to the side; however, if the criticism is done in such a way that can benefit the process and help to improve the process then it is wel-

comed.

Sunday Magazine: As minister, what are your future plans?

Minister Ali: Once I continue to be in these sectors, I see the exciting alternative highway linking the East Bank and East Coast completed. I see the further expansion of the East Bank housing project. I see the commencement of work on Silica City, and a completely new urbanisation plan for Guyana where suburban location would evolve into its own heights as you are already seeing in Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

In relation to tourism, I see a bright future; one that would ensure Guyana is placed among the top markets for eco-tourism and for investors in this sector would see their investments viable.

In the water sector, I see a water authority that can effectively and efficiently serve people by utilising the best technology.

Kaieteur Falls is an iconic symbol of Guyana, but there are other locations that are similarly magnificent. Take the Rupununi savannahs for instance. We are looking to build a package where iconic Kaieteur is just a foundation. The expansive Rupununi savannahs will become the eco-capital of the world, where we would have the finest eco-lodges and the best eco-based tourism.

That, I believe, would

open up great and incredible opportunities for the tourism sector.

Furthermore, we want to utilise the potential of the Essequibo River, to bring more sports tourism, and yachting – building a modern marina and an equipped boat yard facility.

Sunday Magazine: Have you thought about a family of your own?

Minister Ali: Juggling the posts bestowed upon me is very hectic. My family and close friends would tell me that I have allowed the job to consume me.

Things like spending time with my childhood friends I cannot do because of my dedication to my job. People are not aware of the time consumed by public officials in getting their job done effectively, which reprioritise personal life. Of course I would love to have a family and kids at some point, but the events of 2011 and the responsibilities after then have reprioritise not only my public life but also my private life.

A lot of time is consumed in the political process of ensuring a strong and vibrant Guyana continues.

Sunday Magazine: Finally, what is your advice for youths?

Minister Ali: My advice is to stay focused and never be discouraged. Always be confident in what you can do to help your country grow, and by doing this you are indirectly helping yourself.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es

New Year’s resolutions

When I thought about the evils of drinking in the New Year, I gave up thinking.

You know it's time for a New Year's resolution to lose weight when you step on a talking scale and it says, "One at a time, please!"

A man asks his friend for a cigarette. His friend says, "I think you made a New Year resolution to quit smoking." The man says, “I am in the process of quitting. Right now, I am in the middle of phase one." "What's phase one?" "I've quit buying."

The neighbour

Every time the man next door headed toward Michaels's house, Michael knew he was coming to borrow something.

"He won't get away with it this time," muttered Michael to his wife. "Watch this."

"Er... I wonder if you'd be using your power-saw this morning," the neighbour began.

"Gee, I'm awfully sorry," said Michael with a smug look, "but the fact of the matter is, I'll be using it all day."

"In that case," said the neighbour, "you won't be using your golf clubs, mind if I borrow them?"

Wedding gift

This week's Puzzle

Sato and Jeeto were preparing wedding cards for their son at the printers.

Jeeto was not very good at English so she asked the printer to help her. After the printer had presented her with a draft, she quickly pointed out that the "RSVP” was missing.

The printer was surprised by Jeeto's knowledge and asked her if she knew what it meant.

Jeeto started to think and after much thought he replied, "Vait! I remember! I remember! RSVP!! It means "Remember, Send Vedding Present!"

Secrets to a happy life

A woman walked up to a little old man, looking almost like Santa Claus, rocking in a chair on his porch.

"I couldn't help noticing how happy you look," she said. "What's your secret for a long happy life?"

"Well, honey, I smoke five packs of cigarettes a day," he said. "Five packs of cigarettes!!!"

"I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise."

"That's amazing," the woman said. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-eight," he said.

Great news

The newlywed wife said to her husband when he returned from work, "I have great news for you. Pretty soon we're going to be three in this house instead of two."

The husband started glowing with happiness and kissing his wife said, "Oh darling, I'm the happiest man in the world."

"I'm glad that you feel that way because tomorrow morning my mother moves in with us," she replied.

No more kids

see solution on page 47

A census taker walked up to a woman who was sitting on a porch. After introducing himself, he said, "How many children do you have?"

The woman answered, "Four."

The census taker asked, "May I have their names, please?" The woman replied, "Eenie, Meenie, Minie, and George."

Confused, the census taker said, "May I ask why you named your fourth child 'George'?"

"Surely, because we didn't want any Moe."

FEATURE

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

4-day holiday

S

atiricus is tired but happy. And why not? He appreciated his relatives from New York. And their monthly “frecks”? He appreciated that even more! But it had gotten a bit much when they kept on boasting about their four-day weekends.

Jeez!!! What luck!

Imagine their Government set their holidays such as Thanksgiving on Thursdays – and then folks get the Fridays off. With the Saturdays and Sundays, what an opportunity to have a good old SPORT!!

Satiricus wasn’t sure the founders of the US had thought they were advancing the fine (or gross, depending on your point of view) art of “sporting”, Guyanese style, when they decided on the Thursday holiday rule. Those fellas weren’t called “Puritans” for nothing.

But then they hadn’t counted on so many Guyanese landing not at Plymouth Rock but at Richmond Hill.

After every four-day holiday, the cops of that precinct demanded battle pay from the City. How many drunks could you haul off to the clinker?? It does get tiring.

But anyway, here it was. By a strange alignment of the stars, Christmas had fallen on Thursday, Boxing Day on Friday! Like an idiot Satiricus’ Editor had thought he would show up on Saturday!!! What a dope!!

Even if he wanted to, how could Satiricus, who couldn’t even open his eyes on Saturday, hold a pen??

Yes sir!! Satiricus was tired but happy! Satiricus had a four-day weekend. He didn’t have to appear at work on Monday “stale booze”.

His relatives had sent an even bigger freck as usual – and while Satiricus was grateful and all – he couldn’t resist gloating when they’d called to wish him a “Merry Christmas”.

“You mean they didn’t give you Christmas off??

Man, Ah really sorry,” he said to his brother as he smirked.

“And you all really don’t get Boxing Day off?? That is terrible, bro!! Ah doan know what ah gon do with all dem days!! Maybe you could give me some advice??”

Satiricus’ brother told him, “Haul yuh ass!!” Seems that even in the States, Rum Jhaat’s favourite term of endearment had become popular.

Satiricus is heading to the back street bar with Cappo and the boys once again. This time he was putting on his dancing shoes. If GrainJa at the age of 79 could make a fool of himself and dance Gangnam Style, why couldn’t he??

It was a four-day holiday, no??

C

ivilizations around the world have been celebrating the start of each new year for at least four millennia. Today, most New Year’s festivities begin on December 31 (New Year’s Eve), the last day of the Gregorian calendar, and continue into the early hours of January 1 (New Year’s Day). Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year’s foods, making resolutions for the new year and watching fireworks displays.

Early New Year’s Celebrations

The earliest recorded festivities in honor of a new year’s arrival date back some 4,000 years to ancient Babylon.

For the Babylonians, the first new moon following the vernal equinox—the day in late March with an equal amount of sunlight and darkness—heralded the start of a new year. They marked the occasion with a massive religious festival called Akitu (derived from the Sumerian word for barley, which was cut in the spring) that involved a different ritual on each of its 11 days. In addition to the new year, Atiku celebrated the mythical victory of the Babylonian sky god Marduk over the evil sea goddess Tiamat and served an important political purpose. It was during this time that a new king was crowned or that the current ruler’s divine mandate was symbolically renewed.

Throughout antiquity, civilizations around the world developed increasingly sophisticated calendars, typically pin-

ning the first day of the year to an agricultural or astronomical event. In Egypt, for instance, the year began with the annual flooding of the Nile, which coincided with the rising of the star Sirius.

The first day of the Chinese new year, meanwhile, occurred with the second new moon after the winter solstice.

January 1 Becomes New Year’s Day

The early Roman calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days, with each new year beginning at the vernal equinox; according to tradition, it was created

by Romulus, the founder of Rome, in the eighth century B.C. A later

king, Numa Pompilius, is credited with adding the months of Januarius and Februarius. Over the centuries, the calendar fell out of sync with the sun, and in 46 B.C. the emperor Julius Caesar decided to solve the problem by consulting with the most prominent astronomers and mathematicians of his time.

He introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the more modern Gregorian calendar that most countries around the world use today.

As part of his reform, Caesar instituted January 1 as the first day of the year, partly to honor the month’s namesake: Janus, the Roman god of

beginnings, whose two faces allowed him to look back into the past and forward into the future.

Romans celebrated by offering sacrifices to Janus, exchanging gifts with one another, decorating their homes with laurel branches and attending raucous parties. In medieval Europe, Christian leaders temporarily replaced January 1 as the first of the year with days carrying more religious significance, such as December 25 (the anniversary of Jesus’ birth) and March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation); Pope Gregory XIII reestablished January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582.

(Excerpted from history. com)

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Feature

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By Petamber Persaud

S

ome literary gems are so underutilised, others so well hidden, almost fading into obscurity, depriving man of their import, that it has taken a groundswell of reprinting efforts by pioneering scholars, enterprising publishing houses and concerned governments to clear the overburden, revealing some of the most significant writings of the world and thereby making them readily available now. In recent times, many established and new-fangled publishers have jumped on the reprinting bandwagon, all to the benefit of humankind.

In the Caribbean Press’ reprinted edition of ‘Guianese Poetry: Covering the hundred years’ period, 1831 – 1931’, there are two pieces suitable for the season. The original anthology was compiled by N. E. Cameron and this recent reprint carries an introduction by Gemma Robinson. The two poems are ‘Looking Back’ by Egbert ‘Leo’ Martin and ‘Guiana’ by A. R. F. Webber, both poems are profound writings of exhortation.

Egbert ‘Leo’ Martin was born around 1861 and died in 1890. Alfred Raymond Forbes Webber born 1880, died 1932.

Martin was born in Guyana while Webber, born in Tobago, was a naturalized Guyanese.

Both were prolific writers whose

A. R. F. Webber on the cover of Selwyn R. Cudjoe's book

works served to preserve and to shape Guyanese Literature.

Egbert Martin died young but in his short life and still shorter writing career, he was able to produce a body of writing so significant to cause a stir more than a century later.

Martin was writing in the late nineteen century, a Victorian poet who was a master at employing the metrical forms of the time, and, oh, what songs he composed. But he was also ahead of his time for much of his writing is post-modern in concept as he explored various aspects of spirituality.

Webber published his first novel, ‘Those that be in Bondage’, in 1917 and some-

Caribbean Press’ reprinted edition of Guianese Poetry Covering the hundred years’ period, 1831 – 1931

time about then he started to dabble in poetry, some poems good enough to be included in the first collection of local verses, ‘Guianese Poetry’ edited by Cameron who explained how he went to great trouble to persuade Webber to release his

work for publication in the anthology because Webber was of the opinion that having his best poems appearing first in a collection would affect the eventual publication of his own book of poetry.

In the poem, ‘Looking Back’,

Leo wrote that ‘[I]t is good, on gaining every station/In life’s progressive day/To pause a little/ While in contemplation/We mark the travelled way/…And view each stumbling stone/To gather fresh experience for resistance/…It is good to use experience rightly... ‘Tis looking back that gives the future colour’.

In the poem, ‘Guiana’, which is the last piece in the book, Webber waxed rhetorically ‘Wouldst thou be great? /Then grapple to thy soul these primal truths. /Greatness is neither born of intolerance nor schism, /But ‘tis a sturdy growth of open minds!

‘Thou shalt be great/When thy sons, reared as men who, grappling/In the fierce struggles of the stadium/Fought and fell, scorning all aid but majesty of strength/And into the open world advance/armed only with the shield of merit/and the mighty sword of valour/And there, combating with the opposing tides of men/Win their laurels’ So as we, in Guyana, move into a new year, the words of those two writers ought to come in handy as we look back on 2014 and as we look forward to 2015.

Responses to this author: telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trini cop caught on camera abusing man in wheel chair

P

ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Police have launched an investigation into a video that has gone viral showing two police officers abusing a man in a wheel chair.

The incident is reported to have taken place over the weekend in San Fernando, south of here, and shows a plain clothes officer slapping the unidentified man in the wheelchair, while a police woman is seen disengaging the brakes on the wheel chair and push it into the road.

Southern Division Senior Superintendent Cecil Santana has described the actions of the people in the video as a disgrace to the Police Service.

National Security Minister Gary Griffith

said he knew of the video and the matter was being investigated.

“I am aware that the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is fully aware of the situation.

Also, the Commissioner of Police and the matter is being investigated. So until the investigation is completed it will be inappropriate for me to make any statement at this time.”

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams has appointed a team from the Professional Standards Bureau to investigate the incident, while the PCA in a statement said “it is aware of a video that has been circulating on social media of alleged impropriety of persons who appear to be officers of the Trinidad and Tobago

The Civil gathering

S

atiricus was miffed. He didn’t mind not getting the “GILDED Invitation” to the Civil Gathering. After all he wasn’t Prezzie or the Opposition Leader or all those other big wigs from Parliament who got dutyfree cars and ate Gy$1.7 million is food every time they “sat”.

Satiricus wasn’t surprised when these fella met they called it “sittings”. After wolfing down that much food, what else could they do??

No sir!! Satiricus didn’t begrudge them their GILDED Invitations. “And anyway,” sniffed Satiricus, “the advertisements in the papers weren’t even gilded!”

Satiricus hasn’t even minded not being nominated to sit on the Council that was going to represent the entire Civil Gathering in Guyana.

But he did mind not even getting a call from his buddy Lalloo Ram…who did have a GILDED invitation and was billed as a shoo-in for the Council.

Satiricus, after all, was a very civil fellow. He didn’t curse or swear or even raise his voice when drivers cut in front of him on the roads. He even smiled at surly shop attendants who always followed him around as if he was shoplifting.

When he’d read about Lalloo being mocked about using tweezers to pluck his ex-wife’s pubic hair, he’d called the bookeeper and commiserated civilly. “What the hell did they expect Lalloo to use to pluck pubic hairs? And anyway, what a man plucked in the sanctity of his bedroom was his business,” SatiricuS had offered civilly.

But Satiricus went to the Civil Gathering anyway.

He figured that even if anyone figured out he didn’t have an invitation, they’d be too civil to throw him out.

And as luck would have it, right there in front was his buddy Lalloo Ram. So, as was his wont, Satiricus greeted him civilly.

“Hello there Lalloo old chap,” said Satiricus, “Have the Missus’ pubic hairs sprouted again, that they might be need some more tweezing?”

Sariricus was shocked at Lalloo’s response: “Is why the arse, yuh asking me that in front of all these civil people?”

“I say, my dear fellow,” protested Satiricus. “That’s not very civil, is it?”

“You f*** around with me,” screamed Lalloo, as he reached into his pocket, “I’ll show you ‘civil’!!”

“Not your tweezers!!’” exclaimed Satiricus. “My wife likes MY pubic hairs!” And Satiricus didn’t even wait to listen to Lalloo’s speech – even though he was the only “big one” who showed up at the Civil Gathering.

Satiricus wondered if civility was dying.

This pic was making its rounds on social media

Police Service (TTPS).”

The Authority stated that, “pursuant to the functions of the Police Complaints Authority Act”, it has initiated an independent investiga-

tion into the incident and is calling for any witnesses or persons with information on the incident to contact the PCA. The Police Social and Welfare Association

(PSWA) has also criticised the actions of the police officers in the video, describing the incident as “worrisome” and calling for a speedy investigation into the mat-

ter.

PSWA general secretary Michael Seales said while the man may have insulted the police, the officers’ response was unnecessary.

“We have established that summary offences have been committed by the man but the exchange between the officer and the man, doesn’t warrant that type of interaction by the officer, in terms of what would have happened to the man, based on what has gone viral.

“We are very concerned and hope this is one of the investigations that the Commissioner completes as quickly as possible to the satisfaction of the citizens who would have witnessed the incident,” Seales said.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Bahamas government accused of herding migrants like “cattle”

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A S S A U , Bah amas : Bahamian authorities have described as a “false and malicious construction of events,” a photo showing a number of migrants being herded into a cage like “cattle”.

The Department of Immigration said it had taken note of the photo of migrants being held at Exuma and circulated on social media sites on earlier this week.

“The construction being given to this photo by those who are seeking to sabotage the policy of the Department is that somehow the migrants were being mistreated and being held in inhumane conditions. That is a false

and malicious construction of events. The photo and comments appear designed to defame the Department.”

President of the Grand Bahamas Human Rights Association (GBHRA), Fred Smith, said that since the launch of the government’s immigration policy on November 1, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell has insisted that the authorities do not treat illegal migrants as “cattle”.

He said in light of the recently-surfaced image showing suspected illegal immigrants penned in a mobile enclosure more suited to the transportation of

The Department of Immigration said it had taken note of the photo of migrants being held at Exuma and circulated on social media sites earlier this week.

livestock than human beings, the GBHRA is demanding that the minister gives “a satisfactory explanation of the behavior of public servants under his charge.

“Responding to the many cases of physical battery, wrongful detention and unlawful tactics which have arisen over the last two months, not to mention the recent rape allegation against a senior Immigration official, Mitchell’s stance has been that the Bahamas government does not condone the abuse of detainees.

“This is a calculated and cynical dodge.

The fact is, as minister he is responsible for the Department of Immigration, its employees and their actions. In all such cases, the buck stops with Mitchell. His excuses are simply not good enough.”

Smith said that the “photo itself stands as a powerful example of the kind of unconstitutional, inhumane and degrading treatment of individuals – who are innocent until proven guilty under the law – which has stained the soul of The Bahamas for decades. Mitchell’s harsh new policy has only exacerbated this shameful trend”.

But in a statement, the Department of Immigration said that “the people in the photo were sitting on the back of a flatbed transport or trailer with an open end at the back of the trailer

secured by a removable metal tailgate.

“The trailer was used to ferry the individuals from where they landed in Exuma to the holding facility the E C McKenzie auditorium in Ramsay, Exuma. The migrants were held at that auditorium overnight until they were transported by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to Nassau.

“The journey from the landing point in Exuma would normally take thirty to forty minutes. At no time was any person under the care or supervision of the Department of Immigration kept in inhumane conditions,” the Department said.

The GBHRA says it is in the process of collecting testimonials of Bahamians of Haitian descent in particular, “who tell of unusual and unwarranted scrutiny

by National Insurance Board (NIB) officials, illegal fees levied for the treatment of children in the public healthcare system, and denial of access to a public school, to name just a few cases”.

The GBHRA said it was calling on Mitchell to answer the various questions being raised regarding the new policy, failing which it wanted Prime Minister Perry Christie “to relieve him of the immigration portfolio, and bestow it upon someone with the foresight and clarity of thought to see where this disastrous policy threatens to take us”.

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Barbados to allow importation of dogs Jamaica’s Bunting vows to ‘choke and cats from anywhere in the world off supply of funds’ to gangs

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B

RI D G E T O WN, Barbados: Barbados says it will allow the importation of dogs and cats from any country of the world.

Senior Veterinary Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Mark Trotman, says the new policy comes into effect on January 1.

Previously, such animals could only come into the island from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and a few Caribbean islands.

“In order for an animal to be allowed into the island, pet owners must first obtain an import permit, along with a health certificate issued by the animal’s country of origin.

The import countries are broken down into two categories.

“Category one countries include Canada, United States of America, the European Union, St Vincent, Antigua and St Lucia. Category two countries are Venezuela,

(Photo: animalia-life.com)

Guyana, South Africa, most South American countries, countries from South East Asia, and some Central American countries, among others,” Dr Trotman said.

He said that apart from the import permit and health certificate, regulations for importation depended on which category an animal fell into.

“For animals entering from category one countries, a microchip must be implanted first, then a rabies vaccination administered, and there is a minimum of a 35 day wait. The animal must also be treated for ticks and tape worms within seven days of arrival.

“For animals from the category two countries, there is the microchip, the rabies vaccination and 30 days after the rabies vaccination, a blood titer test must be taken. Ninety days after that test, once they have the correct titer, the animal will be allowed to enter Barbados,” the Senior

Veterinary Officer said.

Dr Trotman said that the new regulations were essential, as his office received queries daily about the importation of animals.

“This is a big deal for Barbados. We receive queries almost every day from people who want to travel with their pets. There are people who are returning to live in Barbados and have a family, which includes their pets. We have lost investments because people could not move to Barbados with their pets,” he added.

Dr Trotman noted that there was also a demand from persons who wanted to bring their service animals with them into the island, as well as from those who visited the island seasonally and wished to bring their animals. He added that there was now a possibility for veterinary tourism, where countries could utilise the services of veterinarians in Barbados. (CMC)

amaica’s Security Minister Peter Bunting has vowed that the police will be taking back public property used by criminal organisations to fund their operations, as part of the Government's plan for a further reduction in major crimes.

Criminal gangs, in a major extortion racket, have 'captured' bus and taxi parks in a number of towns across the island, collect money from drivers who use them and use it to fund their underground operations.

A tough-talking Bunting, in an interview on the JIS television programme Issues and Answers, said several town centres across the island will be targeted as the strategy is to "choke off supply of funds" from organised crime networks. "...Wherever criminal groups have commandeered parking lots, and they proceed to operate it as commercial parking facilities, or where they have commandeered any public space, or public facility, and using it to turn a profit and to extort payment from public passenger vehicles, the police are targeting these areas to choke off the fuel for criminal organisations," said the security minister, noting that once money is dried up from the criminal groups their existence will also fade.

Bunting, meanwhile, reported that the decline in major crimes in 2014 was done with fewer arrests and less than 15 curfews. He said in the past there would have been "thousands of curfews across communities where young men were rounded up by the security forces", but it has proven that crimes can be contained when policing is intelligence-driven.

"We made a deliberate decision that

Jamaica’s Security Minister Peter Bunting

only in the most exceptional circumstances (I would) approve a curfew. This year we only had 14. We have also reduced the number of arrests," the minister pointed out.

Bunting said, too, that so far this year police fatal shootings have been reduced by 50 per cent, with 300 fewer persons losing their lives. "We have close to 700 fewer victims of serious and violent crimes this year, including murder, shooting, rape, and aggravated assault," he said. He added that 192 fewer persons have been murdered this year.

"What is important is the most effective use of police resources. We are about smarter policing," said the security minister. (Jamaica Observer)

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Travel & tourism

WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com Yachts at Baganara Island, Essequibo (Photo by Guyana Tourism Authority)

A section of Kingston, Georgetown (Tiltshift. Amanda Richards's photo) Breathtaking view of the Rupununi Savannah

Spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge (Photo by Amanda Richards)

Meandering river in Guyana's rainforest (Photo by Elicia Bolton)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EW YORK, United States: Though she was barely able to walk because of gout, Calypso Rose was still able to woo her audience, as Brooklyn paid tribute to the Tobago-born singer who “broke the glass ceiling” in the calypso genre.

“This woman, sometimes I sit and wonder what got that woman to sing calypso in the 1950s and survive,” said popular Grenadian-born radio personality Harold Pysadee, one of the Master of Ceremonies at the grand tribute in honour of Calypso Rose, 74, renowned as the “Calypso Queen of the World”.

“Every woman you see singing calypso today is because of Calypso Rose,” added Pysadee at the event organized by the Brooklyn-based Dee Vee International Productions, headed by the Grenadian-born entertainment producer

Calypso Rose has won “countless” fans and over 23 awards, over the years, for her catchy songs, including the evergreen, signature “Fire, Fire”.

Elcock, who sat next to Rose, during the near three-hour-long event, noted that she was the first female to win the Trinidad and Tobago Road March Competition. “This is the spirit that we lionize today,” he said.

Noting that the Caribbean community, the single largest population of Caribbean people outside of the islands, is “critical to every sector of our city’s life”, New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio said the tribute was “a wonderful opportunity to celebrate one of its most creative and trailblazing artists.

“By sharing the transcendent spirit, rich sounds and contagious rhythms of Trinidad and Tobago, Calypso Rose

the recent honorary doctorate recently conferred on Calypso Rose by UWI. Among others paying tribute in songs, speeches, dances, instruments and poems included the The Brooklyn-based Ujamma Pan Sounds; Carriacou, Grenadian-born calypsonian Blackman, lead singer of the Brooklynbased band, Lambert & the Matadors; former Grenadian calypsonian-turned-gospel singer Janice Charles; Vincentian Collin Connell; Grenadian calypsonian Lady Samo; Calypso Rose’s granddaughter Arianna Butler (dance); Ziad Garraway (poetry); and Jude Phillip and Joe Allert (trumpeter and saxophonist, respectively).

“Last week, I couldn’t walk. Thank God for bush medicine,” said Calypso Rose before belching out hits from her diverse repertoire, as well as contemporary

Derek Ventour.

“Calypso Rose has set the pace,” said Pysadee making reference to Rose’s attainment of an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies (UWI). “[Calypso] Rose is a Caribbean Lady first of all.

Bronx-based Gus White, a former announcer with the now defunct Montserrat-based Radio Antilles, said he was “honoured to be part of this function” that honored Calypso Rose.

“Dr. McArtha Lewis, Calypso Rose, for what you have done, I’m truly grateful,” he said, while the Trinidad and Tobago born radio announcer, Dave Elcock, also gave his “heartfelt congratulations to our beloved McArtha Lewis, the indomitable Calypso Rose” Elcok said that

has given the world a great gift,” said deBlasio in his message.

“I applaud her extraordinary talent and distinguished legacy, which enriches lives throughout the five boroughs and well beyond.

The Rev. Dennis Dillon, the Jamaicanborn pastor and founder of the Brooklyn Christian Center, said he was “grateful” for Calypso Rose’s leadership, her inspirational spirit and for doing what few people have done.

“Many people at the Christian Center they dance to your music all the time,” he said, telling the singer “we salute you for your inspiration to all of us.

“I’m not saying that we shouldn’t say Calypso Rose, but its Dr. McArtha Lewis you’ all,” added Rev. Dillon, alluding to

gospel and Christmas songs, referring to the medicine that helped her recover from a bout of gout.

“Thank God for giving me the inspiration for writing my songs,” she added.

Rose then rocked the house with some of her tunes, including “Jesus is My Rock,” “You Must Call,” “Coming up the Mountain,” “Senior Citizen Day,” “Fire, Fire and “O Christmas”.

She brought down the house with a medley of religious songs including “What a Friend We Have in Jesus, “Jesus Meek and Gentle,” “Leaning on the Everlasting Arm” and Anchor Hold” among others.

Born in Bethel, a small village in Tobago, Rose began singing at 15, and while she had garnered a number of

regional hits throughout the years, including her most famous, “Fire, Fire,” in 1966, she did not win any of the major calypso contests until 1977.

That year, she was the first woman ever to win the Trinidad and Tobago Road March Competition with the tune “Tempo”.

A year later, she won the National Calypso King Competition, -later re-named National Calypso Monarch Competition- with her tunes “I Thank Thee” and “Her Majesty”.

That same year, Rose won the Trinidad Road March Competition for the second successive year, with “Gimme More Tempo”.

Calypso Rose has headlined at major venues and festivals throughout the United States, Europe and Australia.

As of 2011, she is

the most decorated calypsonian in Trinidad and Tobago’s history, and was awarded the Trinidad and Tobago Gold Humming Bird Medal, an award given to Trinidadians “for loyal and devoted service beneficial to the state in any field, or acts of gallantry”.

Though Calypso Rose moved to Jamaica Queens, New York in 1983, she returns to Trinidad and Tobago for carnival annually.

In 1996, she battled and beat breast cancer.

She continues to tour regularly on multiple continents, and records music.

Last Sunday, she told patrons that she has been booked for performances in Canada and will tour France and England in March.

To date, Calypso Rose said she has written “well over 800 songs”.

In 2011, a feature-

length documentary, entitled “Calypso Rose: The Lioness of the Jungle”, was released at Cannes Film Festival in France.

Directed by Pascale Obolo, the documentary tells Calypso Rose’s story through interviews and live concert footage, among others.

“I saw the event as a celebration, not just for her achievement from the University of the West Indies but for recognizing her role in exposing this unique Caribbean culture throughout the world,” Ventour told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) about the Tribute to Calypso Rose.

“She led the way for women to get involved in the art form, and we need to recognize her for all her efforts. So the tribute was all about celebrating her contribution to the growth of Caribbean Music,” he added. (CMC)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A

steady stream of visitors poured into the Bob Marley Museum on its reopening earlier this week.

The Hope Road facility had been closed since mid-October.

"The museum has been in operation for nearly 30 years, while the building itself is almost a century old... so we did some structural upgrade which will extend its life for the next 30 years. It was mod-

ernised without losing the integrity," Marie Bruce, the museum's general manager, told the Jamaica Observer.

Bruce, who has been GM since May 2012, said the makeover includes restored floors, a new roof, expanded parking, and a more diverse gift shop. She said interactive touchscreen devices would be installed in the coming weeks to heighten the visitor-experience.

"They will be in several languages ...

Portugese, Spanish, English, and French," she said.

Bruce declined to comment on how much was spent on the transformation, but said "it was a significant investment".

She said the museum, which advertises on social media and in selected travel magazines, attracts 35,000 visitors per year.

Among the vistors were Jaime Kirkpatrick and his daughter,

Cirlota, from Spain.

"It is our first time in Jamaica. We like music and had to see the Bob Marley Museum," said Kirkpatrick.

Eve Morrison, another first-timer from London, was equally elated.

"This visit gave me indepth information about Bob Marley and made me more aware of his worldwide accolades," she said.

Earlier in the day, there was an opening

Marie Bruce, GM of Bob Marley Museum, points to a picture of the late reggae legend in the newly refurbished cinema on the compound. (PHOTOS: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

ceremony which saw representatives from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church blessing the building.

Marley became a superstar in the 1970s, a

fruitful period for rootsreggae. He lived at what became the museum in May 11, 1986.

He died of cancer in May 1981 at age 36.

(Jamaica Observer)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Haiti's Opposition behind street demonstrations calling Lalloo been taking for Martelly’s resignation alota of fakin P

A

fter two back-to-back holidays is always a hard ting fuh some people to get back to wuk. On de one hand, some people had a liquor free two days of holiday, but on de other hand, some people had sheer free liquor fuh de whole two days.

And talkin bout free tings, Freedie de kiss man as usual was lookin fuh lil freeness. As far as Freedie concern, people de whole year round supposed to be free handed, and Christmas time should be double freeness.

Freedie was hopin to get double freeness from de paper man. But de paper man was too busy wid Lalloo tryin to scheme some ting outta nutten.

One man claimin that a man who ain’t even talk to he threaten he to tek he life and mek he eyes run plenty water. Only God in heaven know how a man coulda cry fuh some ting that never happen.

That sound like Freedie who claimin that he gotta doctorate that never happpen. Freedie might as well borrow a doctorate from Dr Dr Dr Flip Thomas. After all, both of dem done flip and trip.

Run Robbins ain’t got to look far fuh more actors fuh de Link Show next year, especially fuh dem parts wheh some body got to fake a lil cry or fake a doctorate. These could mek it fuh best actor award any where in de world.

And when it come to actin and fakin, Lalloo could fake real good as a lawyer. Plus up to now, Lalloo does act like he never commit some of dem acts whah deh in certain court documents.

That is another actin performance fuh a possible best actor award. And de ting that mek Lalloo performance even better is that he doin this fuh he whole life and not just one day.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! A lil gyal a couple a years ago who used to wuk on Waterloo Street seh she had Lallo takin a lotta fakin, and since then he never stop fakin too!

ORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: President of the Senate, Dieuseul Simon Desras, says he does not intend to discuss with President Michel Martelly the choice of Evans Paul as the new prime minister to replace Laurent Lamothe who resigned earlier this month.

Desras said he was not prepared to meet with the executive to discuss the appointment as long as the question of the extension of the mandate for parliamentarians is not solved.

Paul is expected to take over from Florence Duperval Guillaume, the former Health Minister, who was appointed interim Prime Minister in the wake of Lamothe’s resignation.

Under Haiti’s constitution, Guillaume can hold the interim position for up to 30 days before a permanent choice is nominated for approval by parliament.

Paul, a former mayor of Portau-Prince, was also an ally of the former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. He was also a member of the Presidential Advisory Commission, which was appointed in November to address the political crisis facing Haiti. The Commission had recommended the removal of Lamothe from his post.

Last week the United Nations and its international partners stated they welcomed the appointment of an interim prime minister, and the Haitian government’s steps to

President Michel Martelly

adopting recommendations by the Commission.

Desras has given the assurance that the electoral law will be amended before January 12 if there is an agreement on the tenure of Parliament after this date.

Martelly has been holding talks with several social and political groups in a bid to pave the way for the holding of the long-delayed election to renew two thirds of the 30-member Senate, the entire Lower Chamber and hundreds of local government bodies.

Out of the 30 senate-members, only 20 remain in office, and amendments to an existing electoral law are required to facilitate the vote.

But six opposition legislators have consistently refused to attend the meetings of the Senate preventing the body from getting the required 16-member quorum needed

to hold a session.

Political observers note that by January 12, next year, the Haitian parliament will become dysfunctional with only 10 senators left, while 16 is required to hold a session.

Meanwhile, the Patriotic Movement of Democratic Opposition, (MOPOD) says it will continue its street protests until the resignation of President Martelly.

It has also ruled out any possibility of dialogue with the interim Prime Minister with MOPOD coordinator, Turneb Delpe saying “it is inconsistent to discuss with Paul Evans, while MOPOD advocates the continuing protests to demand the resignation of President Michel Martelly”.

Opposition politicians have been organizing street demonstrations in a bid to force the resignation of Martelly. (CMC)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Bird's eye view of Georgetown 1900s (Photo by J Siza)

A section of the Botanical Gardens 1900s (Photo by J Siza)

Snack vendors in Georgetown, Demerara (n.d.)

Rum Jhaat know why he advise Lalloo so late

Meadow Bank Avenue, Demerara 1900s (Photo by J Siza)

Water Street Georgetown British Guiana (n.d.)

O

ld people does always seh whah ever yuh don’t want fuh yuh self, yuh must never want fuh other people. De good book also advise people to do de same ting. Never do to some body else whah yuh would never do to yuh self.

But people nowadays does wanna do de opposite.

In fact, nuff people does do tings to other people before de other people can do some ting to them. So dem put a whole new meanin to de golden rule.

That is why de golden rule ain’t mek outta gold any more. It mek out of a big stick instead. So de tings whah people don’t ever wanna do is whah dem does tell other people to do.

And that is why Rum Jhaat leh he friend Lalloo tek a certain case and he ain’t tek it he own self. Yet Rum Jhaat givin out advice now. But old people gon know why he ain’t give that advice all de time. That is de kinda hypocrites who livin in this country nowadays.

And imagine dem does do that to dem own friends, much less dem enemies. In fact, old people seh wid friends like that yuh don’t need enemies. So is tru tru story that a man in these times does have enemies and frienemies. De days fuh friends done since long time.

No wonder yuh does have to watch yuh back any where yuh go. But some people does watch yuh back more than whah yuh can watch yuh own back.

Whether dem lookin out fuh yuh back, or dem just like yuh back is another story.

One chutney man sing, “Dem a watch meh”, but he fuhget to sing is which part dem watchin. In fact, de word is out that every body watchin fuh that same chutney man right now and can’t find he.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Some watchin fuh he fuh collect back dem money and some watchin fuh he to give he back whah belong to he. And that is definitely not money!

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Volunteerism taking off among young Jamaicans

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s the world c e l e b r a t e d International Volunteer Day a few days ago, Onyka Barrett, Jamaica Programmes Manager, Cuso International, commended Jamaican youth for their leadership and innovation in carrying out many volunteerism initiatives across the country.

Barrett asserted that with the youth's collective creative potential, energy and brilliance, Jamaica is indeed poised to achieve Vision 2030 goals.

She was speaking at the National Volunteer Symposium on December 5 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, hosted

by JN Foundation, in association with Cuso International and CVSS, attended by about 100 young volunteers from across the island.

Barrett also highlighted the work of several young Jamaicans in the Diaspora, who through Cuso International's e-volunteering programme, are helping to mentor young people in Jamaica, especially in the area of developing and sustaining business ventures. This work is currently being carried out under the Diaspora Youth Connect project, in partnership with the Jamaica Diaspora Institute.

Special mention was made of serving Cuso International volunteers who are working with several local organisations to strengthen insti-

A group of young Jamaicans at an event

tutional capacity, as well as those abroad in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the wider Caribbean.

In referencing the use of innovation in volunteerism, she spoke of the popularity of photography and its role in volunteerism "as young Jamaican volunteers are using cameras to document their lives, bring attention to important issues or mobilise voluntary initiatives, as the successful JN Foundation's Resolution project has shown."

The South Circle Optimist Club received a financial jump start, courtesy of the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation, to execute repairs to the Hampden Early Childhood Development Centre in Kingston.

Promoted as the #Project Hampden, it is the youth organisation's flagship project, which will seek over time to improve the ambience and physical amenities, among other things, at the community-based school.

Lloyd Smalling, Founder and President of the club, while expressing his appreciation for the grant valued at $50,000, said the funds will be used to renovate the school's bathroom to better serve the school population of approximately 40 children.

"The money will purchase and install two toilets, as the school is currently operating without adequate facilities. And we will also ensure that the children are in a hygienic and comfortable

Jamaica crash kills four after bus collides with parked truck

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INGSTON, Jamaica: At least four people were killed after the bus in which they were travelling crashed into a parked vehicle on Monday, police have confirmed.

They have not released the identities of those killed but media reports said that 58-year-old Pixley Ennis was among the casualties.

The police said that the bus was heading from Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, 137 miles west of here when it collided with the parked truck.

The authorities said two people died on the spot and another died while undergoing treatment at hospital.

Last month, Jamaica was on track to surpass

300 road fatalities after recording 288 deaths at the end of November.

Figures released by the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) indicate that the number of people killed up to

November was a four per cent increase when compared with the 277 road deaths for the same period last year.

In 2012, there were 237 road fatalities for the same period. (CMC)

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

environment," said the 21-year-old volunteer.

The youth organisation, which includes 10 university students, has also donated a deep freezer to the institution; and, has been carrying out repairs to different areas of the institution.

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs have also become important platforms for young people to mobilise support for their voluntary initiatives. "For instance on Annual Blog

Action Day bloggers across the world meet online to blog about social issues. And, in Jamaica, we have a number of outstanding bloggers, who participate in such exercises", Barrett noted.

The South Circle Optimist Club was one of five youth volunteer groups, which vied for a grant to fund their social projects at the National Volunteer Symposium that was hosted by the JNBS Foundation, Council of Voluntary

Services and Cuso International at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Introduced at this year's staging, volunteers were asked to participate in a GoVolunteer Contest, by submitting a brief video highlighting a social project or venture they would like to initiate or expand.

Shortlisted entrants were asked to pitch their projects at the symposium; and, based on the highly competitive nature of the exercise, an impromptu decision was made to award a secondplace prize of $25,000.

This award was presented to Back2Life, which focuses on the rehabilitation of juveniles with skills, and knowledge to assist their overall development during and after incarceration.

The project is currently being implemented at the Rio Cobre Correctional Centre in St Catherine.

More than 100 youth volunteers attended the symposium, which provided key information and interactive discussions aimed at: highlighting volunteerism as an effective means of honing leadership skills; and to stimulate creative and innovative thinking.

(Jamaica Observer)

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eira Knightley says she was once mistaken for Anne Hathaway recently in Canada.

The 29-year-old actress said she was approached by a fan at

Toronto Airport in Canada who believed she was the 32-year-old ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ star, reported Daily Telegraph.

“At the airport a woman mistook me for Anne Hathaway.

Actually I think I have to apologise to Anne Hathaway because the woman (at the airport) thought I was being really rude as Anne Hathaway not giving her a picture as Anne Hathaway but I was really only saying that I promised I wasn’t Anne Hathaway — which I am not.

“Actually it’s the first Anne Hathaway I have had. Generally I get a lot of Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman,” Knightley said.

Knightley, who has been in the spotlight since the age of 17, has a healthy appreciation for the more absurd aspects of the celebrity lifestyle.

“Actually it’s the first Anne Hathaway I have had. Generally I get a lot of Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman,” she added.

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apper-actor Ludacris has proposed his longtime girlfriend Eudoxie Agnan during a vacation in Costa Rica.

The 37-year-old ‘The Fast and the Furious’ star proposed Eudoxie in style as the happy couple shared the pictures via their respective Instagram page yesterday, reports Ace Showbiz.

“Best day of my life with the love of my life!!! milehighproposal,” she captioned the photo.

“She didn’t say yes. She said Hell Yes!” Ludacris wrote.

Ludacris and Eudoxie started dating in 2008. This will be the first marriage for Ludacris, who has two children Karma Bridges

and Cai Bella Bridges from his

previous relationships.

release.

The Clint Eastwooddirected war drama expands nationwide on January 16.

‘The Elephant Man’ has been playing to 100 percent capacity houses since previews began on November 7. It officially opened to warm reviews on December 7 and is scheduled to run in a limited engagement through February 22.

Cooper’s long attachment to the real-life role of Joseph Merrick, the tragically deformed outcast embraced by Victorian English society after a harrowing youth, began when he saw the David Lynch film of the same name at age 12.

He first performed the title role in Pomerance’s play as his Actors Studio master’s thesis project and then appeared at the 2012 Williamstown Theatre Festival in a full production directed by Scott Ellis.

While it was delayed to fit with Cooper’s film schedule, that staging transferred to Broadway largely intact. (Indian Express)

Actor David Ryall dies at 79

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m e r i can black c o m e dy ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ is the most pirated movie this year according to piracy-tracking firm Excipio.

The film starring Leonardo DiCaprio earned its place on the list of most pirated movies with 30.035 million downloads by Torrent users following its release last Christmas.

Trailing behind the drama is popular animated film ‘Frozen (2013)’ with 29.919 million. The third place, meanwhile, is taken by ‘RoboCop’ with 29.879 million.

The figure shows combined data from the 1987 release and its 2014 reboot

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ollywood star Bradley Cooper has joined the elite club of actors whose name on a Broadway marquee is a virtual guarantee of a quick hit, alongside such stars as Hugh Jackman, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington and Daniel Craig.

Cooper’s longtime passion project, ‘The Elephant Man’, has recouped its USD 3.1 million capitalisation just six-and-a-half weeks after performances of the revival began at the Booth Theatre.

The Bernard Pomerance play, which also stars Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola, broke the house record for the third time over Christmas week, grossing USD 1,058,547.

That brings the drama’s cumulative total through December 28 to USD 7.1 million.

Cooper’s latest film, ‘American Sniper’, also did huge business at the box office over the holidays, yielding the biggest opening of all time for a limited Christmas

V which has same title.

Many of the titles which are featured on the list were released last year.

Another movie on the list is Sandra Bullock and George Clooney-

starring ‘Gravity’ (29.357 million).

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, it was released on October 4.

‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’, ‘Thor: The Dark World’,

the winner of Oscars’ Best Picture ’12 Years a Slave’, ‘American Hustle’ and ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ are also on the list which counts the numbers from January 1 to December 23, 2014.

eteran British actor David Ryall, who is best known as Elphias Doge in one of the ‘Harry Potter’ films, has passed away. He was 79.

The character actor died on December 25. He is survived by a son and two daughters, reported Metro.

Ryall, who was known both for his stage and screen work, had a career which spanned over five decades and included roles in ‘Holby City’, ‘Casualty’, ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ and the original version of ‘House Of

Cards’.

‘Sherlock’ writer Mark Gatiss, who directed Ryall in TV movie ‘The Tractate Middoth’ in 2013, while paying tribute to the actor said, “The great David Ryall left us on Christmas Day. A twinkling, brilliant, wonderful actor I was privileged to call a friend. RIP.” The actor’s later roles included that of Frank, the dementia-stricken grandfather, in BBC hit comedy ‘Outnumbered’, with Ryall appearing regularly in the first two series of the show before reprising the role in the 2009 and 2011 Christmas specials.

More recently he played Old Bert, the narrator of BBC One hit ‘The Village’, who recalls his life through a series of flashbacks.

bollywood

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

I

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and veteran actress Rekha have been named the hottest vegetarian celebrities by People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Early leaders Kangana Ranaut and Shahid Kapoor as well

as Amitabh Bachchan, R. Madhavan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Hema Malini put up a real fight.

But after thousands of votes were cast to help PETA India choose the winners, the results indicated Modi and Rekha to be on top, said a statement.

“I’ve been a vegetarian for most of my life and can endorse the fact that it affects the way you think and perceive life”, Rekha said.

Modi practises yoga to stay fit and dines on animal-friendly vegetarian foods whenever he meets with international delegates.

“Rekha and Prime Minister Modi have inspired caring people everywhere to ditch meat in favour of vegetarian foods. Both of PETA India’s winners prove that nothing is hotter than kindness, which they show every time they sit down for a meal,” said Poorva Joshipura, chief executive officer, PETA India. (Indian Express)

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ollywood beauty Anushka Sharma’s romantic relationship with Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has made headlines time and again. The couple has been spotted together on numerous occasions, with Kohli often blowing kisses to the stands, where his ladylove sits to watch him in action on field.

On the final day of the third Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, former cricketer-turned-commentator, Michael Slater, put the

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s Sri Lankan P r e s i d e n t M a h i n d a Rajapaksa campaigns for the presidential election, his son, Namal Rajapaksa, on Monday got his “friend”, Bollywood actor Salman Khan, to visit the island country for a “social cause”.

Salman Khan, who was accompanied by Sri Lanka-born actress Jacqueline Fernandez, donated lens for cataract operations in Sri Lanka. They were participating in a health camp organised by the Sri Lankan ruling party’s youth wing, headed by Namal, and Being Human Foundation, a charity promoted by Salman Khan. Their pictures with Rajapaksa and his son went viral on social media throughout Monday.

Within hours of the

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ctress and Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra says she was lucky not to have a swimsuit round during the competition as she finds it strange to walk in bikini on stage.

The organisers of The Miss World contest, which has been an annual feature since 1951, have removed swimsuit round

from their competition starting next year.

To this, Priyanka Chopra said: “Obviously it’s strange to walk in heels and swim suit on stage. Take us to a pool or a beach and do that shoot, that’s fine because that’s a natural environment. It’s weird and not natural.”

“I have found it awkward myself but I am

happy that it didn’t happen with me in my years during Miss World. We didn’t have this swimsuit round,” she added.

Rolene Strauss of South Africa was crowned the 64th Miss World winner in London on Dec 14 and it marked the final event featuring contestants wearing bikinis.

(Indian Express)

are doing the rounds on social networking sites.

Reports are that the lovebirds, like last

year, will fly to New York to usher in the New Year.

(Indian Express)

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couple in a bit of an awkward moment when he referred to Anushka as Virat’s wife. Realising he made a mistake, Slater quickly corrected himself and called her his ‘fiancee’.

Though Anushka and Virat prefer to stay

mum on their equation, the couple surely doesn’t shy away from putting their love and affection for each other in full display.

Anushka Sharma was recently seen in new release, ‘PK’. (Indian Express)

public event, Namal thanked Salman and his charity, Being Human Foundation in his tweet.

However, Salman Khan’s presence in Sri Lanka was widely seen as an attempt by the Rajapaksa to bolster the incumbent Lankan President’s prospects in the upcoming elections.

Rajapaksa has been hit by defections in the last few weeks, although the impact of the mass defections from his ruling coalition to the opposition challenger, Maithripala Sirisena, is hard to ascertain in the middle of an election campaign.

“I can confirm that Salman Khan is here this morning. This is not at the invitation of the Sri Lankan President,” Mohan Samaranayake, Sri Lanka’s Presidential spokesman, told The Indian Express over telephone from Colombo.

However, he added that Namal Rajapaksa is “close” to Salman Khan.

The presidential election is scheduled to be held on January 8.

Rajapaksa called the election two years ahead of schedule in an apparent attempt to seek a fresh mandate before his party’s popularity tumbles further, after dropping over 21 per cent in the September local elections.

According to reports, Namal and Salman Khan have been friends for the last few years.

Jacqueline Fernandez, a former Miss Sri Lanka who acted with Salman in Kick, is a common friend.

Quite predictably, the Tamil parties, including DMK and MDMK, condemned Salman Khan’s visit to Sri Lanka. (Indian Express)

ollywood actor Ranveer Singh has joined his rumoured girlfriend Deepika Padukone in Maldives.

Ranveer Singh wrapped up the shoot of Bajirao Mastani shoot to spend a quiet holiday with Deepika, who is already in Maldives since December 24.

Pictures of a smiling Deepika with Ranveer at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport

Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay Kapur to be divorced next year

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ctress Karisma Kapoor and estranged husband Sunjay Kapur were to end their 10-year-long marriage before the end of 2014. A few days ago, the couple filed a mutual consent divorce petition in the city Family Court.

However, according to a report published in Times Of India, Karisma and Sunjay could not reach a consensus at the final hearing of their case as a result the judge ad-

journed the session, telling them to work out a settlement by February, amicably outside the court, or withdraw their joint petition for divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act. The issue that Karisma and Sunjay were reportedly arguing about was the terms of a trust being set up for the welfare of their two children – Sameria Kapoor and Kiaan Raj Kapoor.

Apparently, Sunjay re-

fused to hand over control of the trust over to Karisma. Karisma is represented by divorce lawyer Kranti Sathe, while Sunjay had two lawyers from Delhi.

Karisma and Sunjay tied the knot on September 29, 2003.

Their first child, Samiera was born on March 11, 2005 and the couple welcomed Kiaan on March 12, 2010. After the birth of her son, Karisma moved from Delhi to her mother Babita’s house in Mumbai and has lived here ever since.

Sunjay Kapur moved to the Bandra family court on May 31. He filed a custody petition for the children, saying Karisma was dating someone else.

Karisma is rumoured to be romantically involved with a pharma company honcho Sandeep Toshniwal, who also has his divorce plea pending.

(Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Brilliant Samuels, Nevis drag racer forms Brathwaite spark with tons new car club P

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HARLESTOWN, N e v i s : Spokesman for the newly formed King of Calle Club, Huje Elliot, on Tuesday confirmed that the group

has made several plans towards the further promotion of the major race car on Nevis for 2014, The King of Calle.

According to Elliot, the man at the helm of the club is owner/ manager Gavin ‘Moon Clarke’ but he noted that Clarke has a full supporting cast that in-

cludes the driver of the prized vehicle and other persons who ensure that the vehicle is well maintained and proper-

ly kept.

The newly formed club has made several plans that they will use to ride on the successful year of the now famed race car.

King of Calle not only dominated the local drag racing scene in 2014 but recently won a major event in Antigua.

O R T ELIZABETH, South Africa: Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels hit centuries in a record stand before the West Indies collapsed on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park on Monday.

At the end of a day when less than three hours of play was possible because of rain, the West Indies were teetering at 275 for nine in reply to South Africa's first innings total of 417 for eight declared.

Brathwaite made 106 and Samuels hit 101 before both were out in successive overs. They put on 176, a record thirdwicket partnership for the West Indies against South Africa, beating the 160 by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara in Durban in 1998/99.

Their dismissals sparked an all-too familiar collapse. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and captain Denesh Ramdin added 27 for the fifth wicket to take the total to 260 before five wickets fell for 15 runs in five overs.

Rain and a wet outfield delayed the start of play until after lunch and the afternoon's play was interrupted for half an hour when what had been light drizzle became heavier.

Then, with South Africa looking to finish off the West Indian innings and stretch their lead with a potential one-and-a-half hours of play remaining, the rain returned 50 minutes after tea.

Marlon Samuels

Brathwaite, 22, confirmed that he is an opening batsman of rare talent and composure as he saw off South Africa's trio of world-class bowlers in Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, in making his third Test century in his 16th Test.

He gave two difficult chances. Shortly before the close of play on Sunday, he drove the ball back hard and low to leg-spinner Imran Tahir with his score on 64.

On one of the few occasions when he did not deal well with a short delivery, a bouncer from Steyn was fended over the slips when he was on 90. Faf du Plessis ran back from second slip and flung himself at the ball but could not hold on.

For the rest, he showed a sound defence and played some impressive drives, particularly off the back foot, in hitting 106 off 186 balls with 12 fours.

The more experienced Samuels looked less assured in handling shortpitched deliveries, with Morkel giving him some anxious moments bowling around the wicket, but played some handsome strokes in making his sixth Test century.

Samuels made 101 off 160 balls with 14 fours and a six before he was leg before wicket to Vernon Philander.

Brathwaite followed in the next over when he edged a drive against Morkel to second slip.

The rest of the West Indian batting will have inspired little confidence in the touring team's dressing room ahead of the third and final Test, which starts in Cape Town on Friday.

Ramdin and Chanderpaul fell to Tahir in the space of three deliveries, Chanderpaul in bizarre circumstances when a top-spinner went between his legs to bowl him.

Jason Holder was caught behind off Morkel and Benn drove at a googly from Tahir and was well caught at slip

by Alviro Petersen.

With rain falling, Kenroy Peters was run out by a superb throw from Steyn at midwicket.

As the batsman made his way back to the pavilion, the umpires conferred and took the remaining players off the field.

Morkel finished the day with four wickets for 69 runs, while Tahir, who had taken none for 92 at tea, had three for 108. (AFP)

Guyana bags six medals from Suriname swim meet

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wimmers from various swimming clubs in Guyana returned with six medals from the VOS Powerade Wedstrijden swim meet in Suriname.

The eight-member team performed in most of the junior categories with Dorado’s Reakwon Noel bagging the most medals at the meet.

Noel captured four of Guyana’s six medals, inclusive of three gold medals as well as one bronze medal in the under-8 category.

Noel won the boys’ 7-8 50 metres backstroke, freestyle and 100 metres individual medley (IM) while touching the wall for third in the 50 metres breaststroke to end his outing at the meet.

Silver Shark’s Onika George won a bronze in the female 15-17 200 metres IM while her clubmate Nathan Hackett won bronze in the boys’ 11-12 100 metres backstroke.

The other swimmers that participated at the event were; Trumaine

Dorado’s Reakwon Noel

Cole (Silver Shark); Leon Seaton (Silver Shark); Danielle George (Silver Shark); Jadyn George (Silver Shark) and Amber De Goeas (Orca).

SPort

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WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2015 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Walcott, Borel shine at TTOC awards N

ational field athletes, Keshorn Walcott (javelin) and Cleoplatra Borel (shot put) captured the 2014 Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards respectively at Monday night’s annual awards ceremony which got underway at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain.

Both athletes are coached by Cuban Ismael Mastrapa. Over the past 12 months, both Walcott and Borel produced several highly commendable results in their respective athletic disciplines.

Walcott, reigning Olympic gold medallist, claimed top honours after silencing critics with a mammoth and personal best dis-

Keshorn Walcott

Cleoplatra Borel

tance of 85.77 metres in Zurich, Switzerland at the Diamond League. He also secured silver at the

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, with the 82.67m distance.

Borel showed consistency throughout by launching the sphere 18.99m to cop gold at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Veracruz, Mexico. Prior to this, Borel also cemented her name among the world’s best shot putters by holding on to silver (18.57m) at the Commonwealth

Games.

Meanwhile, quartermiler Machel Cedenio and 100m specialist Aaliyah Telesford took the honours of Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year. Cedenio dominated both the local and regional circuit by bagging gold at the IAAF World Junior Championships

and in the Under-20 Carifta Championships.

Also receiving the coveted Alexander B Chapman Award for contribution to sport and Olympism was former national football coach, Bertille St Clair.

Sports Personality of the Year went to Olympic swimmer George Bovell III. Awardees Sportsman of the Year: Keshorn Walcott (javelin) Sportswoman of the Year: Cleopatra Borel (shot put) Alexander B Chapman Award: Bertille St Clair Junior Sportsman of the Year: Machel Cedenio (400m) J u n i o r Sportswoman of the Year: Aaliyah Telesford (100m).

Dhoni retires from tests, Kohli to lead India

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ELBOURNE, (Reuters) – India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has retired from test cricket “citing the strain of playing all formats,” and Virat Kohli will lead the team in the fourth test against Australia in Sydney, the country’s cricket board said on Tuesday.

The shock announcement came minutes after Dhoni faced reporters in the wake of India’s draw in the third test against Australia in Melbourne, which conceded the four-match series 2-0 to the hosts.

Dhoni said nothing of his retirement plans during the postmatch media conference at the Melbourne

Cricket Ground and the news was broken on the Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI’s twitter feed.

“MS Dhoni has chosen to retire from Test Cricket with immediate effect,” the board said on its Twitter feed.

“Virat (Kohli) will be the captain for the 4th and Final Test against Australia.”

The BCCI later issued a statement saying the wicketkeeper-captain would now concentrate on one-day internationals and Twenty20 cricket, a surprise move given most senior cricketers generally forgo the shorter formats of the game in a bid to preserve their test careers.

“One of India’s great-

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

est Test Captains under whose leadership India became the No. 1 team in the Test Rankings

MS Dhoni, has decided to retire from Test Cricket citing the strain of playing all formats of

Cricket,” the statement said.

“BCCI while respecting the decision of M S Dhoni to retire from Test Cricket, wishes to thank him for his enormous contribution to Test Cricket and the laurels that he has brought to India.”

The 33-year-old had been under immense pressure in the wake of the team’s disappointing 3-1 loss against England and the series defeat by Australia may have hastened the decision.

Long considered Dhoni’s heir apparent, Kohli led the team in the first test against Australia in Adelaide, scoring back-to-back centuries in his debut

as captain and earning plaudits for his aggressive approach despite the cliff-hanging loss by 48 runs.

Though not a victory, Dhoni’s last test in charge may have been satisfying on a personal level, having struck an unbeaten 24 to help guide his team to safety on the fifth and final day as Australia’s seamers pushed hard for a third successive win.

His stewardship is likely to be hotly debated for months and years to come, having taken India’s test team to the world number one ranking for a brief period, but also leading a team that would invariably fail to perform away from home soil.

ICC gives fans a chance to pick their Greatest World Cup XI

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UBAI, UAE: The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 begins on February 14 when New Zealand takes on Sri Lanka in the tournament opener in Christchurch. With less than two months to go, ICC has launched ‘Your Greatest XI’, which will allow fans a unique chance to pick their Greatest All-Time Cricket World Cup XI from the previous ten editions of the event.

The ICC database consists of over 100 of the greatest World Cup players of all-time. A photo and a short pen profile that describes their World Cup record and their memorable impact at the event is available

Ricky Ponting

for each player. The ICC also lists detailed World Cup statistics for each of the players.

The players fall under four different categories -- batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders, and wicketkeepers. Each XI you

choose should feature at least two batsmen, one all-rounder, one wicketkeeper, and two bowlers.

And if fans share their team on social media, they stand to be in with a chance to win exclusive World Cup merchandise

with dozens of exclusive pieces of memorabilia being drawn for those who use the hashtag #CWCGreatestXI on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

The fans aren't the only ones who will be participating in this. Several cricketing legends across the world will pick the greats they think should make the Greatest XI, and these will be shared on the ICC website.

Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opener, was the first one to do so. His pick includes four Australians -- Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting, who is also the captain of the side.

Apart from Warne, Muttiah Muralidaran, ODI cricket’s leading wicket-taker with 534 scalps, is the other spinner in the team, which has Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, Pakistan’s famed newball duo, to accompany McGrath in the seam bowling department.

Gilchrist is Hayden's wicketkeeper, while Virender Sehwag is Gilchrist's opening partner. The rest of the batting wears a solid look, with Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Jacques Kallis, four of 10 batsmen who belong to the 10,000-run club in ODI cricket, making up the top/middle order.

Kallis is the only all-

rounder in the team.

Matthew Hayden’s All Time Greatest XI Adam Gilchrist (Australia) (wicketkeeper) Virender Sehwag (India) Ricky Ponting (Australia) (captain) Sachin Tendulkar (India) Brian Lara (West Indies) Jacques Kallis (South Africa) Shane Warne (Australia) Wasim Akram (Pakistan) Waqar Younis (Pakistan) Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka) Glenn McGrath (Pakistan)

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Anil Beharry elected BCB President

By Rajiv Bisnauth

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nil Beharry has been elected President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), after whipping President of the Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC), Vicram Suebarran, 22 votes to 16 during the board’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday.

Certainly it was no surprise for the top post, as election observers had pegged Beharry as the clear favourite to win.

Meanwhile, umpire Dhieranidranauth Somwaru defeated Vemen Walter for first Vice President; Qualis Winter defeated Vemen Walter and David Black for second Vice President; Vemen Walter was elected third Vice President – unop-

posed; Angela Haniff was elected Secretary –unopposed; Vicky Bharosay was elected Treasurer –unopposed; Plaffiana Millington was elected Assistant Secretary – unopposed and Ricardo Bachan was elected Assistant Treasurer – unopposed.

“It was a long process, and I want to thank those who have shown the faith and trust in me,” Beharry said after the election. “As I take over the reins of the BCB, I want to assure all that I will execute the job at hand with the best of my ability so that the goals set out will be accomplished,” Beharry said.

It is the belief that Berbice cricket will benefit from Beharry’s talent, passion and considerable experience as

Newly-elected BCB President Anil Beharry

an administrator of the game.

He outlined three important aspects he would love to see accomplished under his stewardship.

He pointed out that school cricket at the Under-15 and-17 levels is top priority. “One

of my main aims is to have a robust schools system in place which produces players who are equipped for elite level at a younger age,” Beharry outlined.

He is of the opinion that strengthening cricket at the school level will

ultimately sustain the sport in the county and in the future.

Another aspect, Beharry identified, as an important spoke in the wheel of improving Berbice’s cricket was the return of three-day cricket.

Further, Beharry pointed out that the relationship between clubs in Berbice is also at the top of his agenda.

“I want to try and bridge that gap: clubs in Berbice need to work together,” he said.

Beharry thanked outgoing President Keith Foster for his services to Berbice cricket during his tenure.

“He is to me a hero, and I am proud of the way he presided over the BCB during a difficult time,” Beharry said of Foster.

Foster was not qualified to seek re-election since his two-year threeterm period expires at the end of the year.

The three associations: West Berbice, Berbice River and Upper Corentyne, while the 14 clubs affiliated with the BCB: Kidonan, Whim, Port Mourant, Albion, Chesney, Rose Hall Community Centre, Young Warriors, Bermine, Police, Mental, Mount Sinai, and Blairmont clubs as well as Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club, were involved in the voting process.

According to the BCB’s constitution, the three associations are entitled to four votes each, while the 14 clubs affiliated with the BCB are entitled to two votes each.

Slingerz FC crowned champions Miller to rely on

S

lingerz FC were crowned the inaugural Vitamalt / Aqua Mist sponsored WDFA knockout champions after they defeated Den Amstel 4-1 on penalty kicks on Friday at the Den Amstel Community ground.

Both teams ended 1-1 at normal time.

Slingerz Captain Tichard Joseph led by front in the penalty shoot-out, scoring straight away into the left hand corner.

Den Amstel levelled the shoot-out as custodian Ryan Hunt sent his opposite number the wrong way with a clinical strike into the lower corner.

Defender Colin Nelson would then push the Vergenoegen giants back into the lead, netting his side’s second attempt.

The Slingerz fans would then be given a bigger reason to celebrate as Travis Hilliman failed to hit the target in Den Amstel’s second attempt from the distance.

Joshua Browne would then put further daylight between the rivals, finishing his right footed attempt clinically to the lower left side.

It would then go from bad to worse for the home side in the third round as forward Delon Lanferman thumped his right footed strike wide of the left post.

Merely needing to score to seal the inaugural title, dapper forward Devon Millington would not disappoint as he rifled his effort past Hunt to commence the festivities. With the win, Slingerz walked away with the championship trophy and Gy$1,000,000.

The home side for their showing received the second place accolade and Gy$500,000. In the individual section, Millington was adjudged to be the event’s most valuable player while Joao Filho of Slingerz was selected as the event’s best custodian.

Eariler, Millington silenced the home crowd in the third minute, lashing his first time right

senior players in new captaincy role Nikita Miller

Slingerz FC celebrate championship win

footed effort into the lower left corner.

Lanferman would fashion Den Amstel’s first attempt on target in the 17th minute, rifling a powerful 26 yard freekick from the centre of the field, narrowly over the crossbar.

The home crowd would begin to make their presence felt in the 28th minute as Hilliman headed a right sided corner kick just over the crossbar from within the right side of the area.

Buoyed by their rapid support, Den Amstel would net the equaliser 11 minutes later through another sublime Hilliman.

Lurking within the right side of the box, the stoutly built Hilliman would direct his headed attempt from a right sided corner kick down the centre of the goal, to send the home crowd into wild celebrations on the field.

With both sides unable to fashion any clear cut chances in the robust second period, Joseph almost stole the win for the Vergenoegen unit as he was denied by the woodwork in the 104th minute of extra time.

Receiving the ball 23 yards from the centre of the field, the combative midfielder would unleash a powerful effort that can-

noned off the left upright, much to the relief of the Den Amstel faithful as the fixture meandered to its eventual exciting conclusion.

In the third place playoff, Pouderoyen FC downed Uitvlugt Warriors by a 3-1 margin. Keon Duke opened the scoring for Uitvlugt Warriors in the third minute through a penalty conversion following an infringement within the area.

However Pouderoyen would level the score line in the 18th minute as Marvin Frank netted, finishing his effort to the back of the net from within the area, after latching onto a through pass.

Lloyd Prince would then push Pouderoyen ahead in the 43rd minute, placing his effort to the lower right hand corner from within the left side of the penalty area.

The victory would then be sealed in the 72nd minute as Prince netted his second of the evening, slotting home unchallenged in the centre of the six yard area, after rounding the onrushing keeper following a forward pass.

With the win, Pouderoyen walked away with Gy$300,000 and the respective accolade while Uitvlugt received Gy$200,000 and the fourth place trophy.

N

ikita Miller says he plans to draw extensively on the experience of senior players when he leads Jamaica Franchise for the first time in the Super50 Championship next month.

The 32-year-old, who served as vice-captain to David Bernard Jr in the Super50 earlier this year, was last week appointed captain of the squad which will do battle in the January 15-24 scheduled for Trinidad and Tobago.

“I am a guy who believes heavily in the input of senior players, who understands what is required in certain situations,” Miller told the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper.

“I also try to encourage players, junior and senior, to try and give them that level of confidence that will push them to perform.”

Jamaica have been installed in Group B, alongside Leeward Islands Hurricanes, West Indies Under19s and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

They will be hoping to go one further than earlier this year where they reached the semifinals before going down to T&T by seven wickets.

Miller, a seasoned campaigner who has played 71 first class and 104 List A matches, said he would use the experience gained over his career to inspire Jamaica.

“Playing under previous captains such as (Tamar) Lambert and Chris Gayle, who led us to our last two titles, I would have learned a lot,” said Miller.

“I am, therefore, looking forward to using this experience, along with my own style, in a bid to get the results needed.”

Sport Stag Super XVI football tournament

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Grove Hi-Tech, Ann’s Grove to play for inaugural title zling strike in the 12th minute of the game before Garnette quickly equalised in the 17th minute.

Both teams continued to play aggressively in the soggy conditions as a few clear chances went begging.

However, Garnette would score just before the halftime break in the 42nd minute to put Grove Hi-Tech ahead 2-1.

Adrian Adams scored

D

in the 50th minute to level the score-line on 2-2 as both teams continued to search for the winning goal.

Regulation time expired and Garnette’s strike in the final period of extra time sealed the win in the 117th minute.

Meanwhile in the second showdown of the evening, Ann’s Grove topped Cougars FC 5-3 on penalty kicks after the game ended 1-1.

Grove Hi-Tech’s Domini Garnette (#11) flocked by teammates after scoring the winning goal against NA United

omini Garnette had his best performance of the tournament as he propelled Grove Hi-Tech to one of their better wins of the Stag Super XVI knockout football tournament with a 3-2 win

over New Amsterdam United in their semifinal encounter on Sunday at the Buxton Community Centre Ground.

Jamal Butts opened the scoring for New Amsterdam with a siz-

Ann’s Grove celebrate their berth in the final of the tournament

Kevin Bailey gave Ann’s Grove the lead in the 61st minute in what seemed like the gamewinning goal.

However, Cougars in separation found the back of the net on the 90th minute mark with a goal from Sherwin Parris to end the game and send the match to extra time, which ended in a stalemate resulting in the winning penalty shootout for Ann’s Grove.

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