Guyana Times International

This photo shows a section of georgetown under water recently due to heavy rainfall. (Guyana Chronicle photo)

Govt asks GuySuCo Board members to resign …terminates CEO

The David Granger-led Administration on Wednesday terminated the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Dr Raj Singh with immediate effect and instructed the members of the Board to tender their resignations.

The termination of Dr Singh came Wednesday afternoon, a statement issued by the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. The statement read that GuySuCo has been suffering increased losses over the years, noting that in 2014, the Sugar Corporation received a Gy$6 billion bailout. For this year, the Corporation has requested a Gy$16 billion bailout package.

“On the directive of Cabinet, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder issued the letter of dismissal to Dr Singh and it takes immediate effect. In addition, members of GuySuCo’s Board of Directors have been instructed to send in letters of resignation with immediate effect,” the statement added.

The Board was chaired by former

Government Minister Shaik Baksh and included: Dunstan Barrow, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Linden Enterprise Network (LEN); Dr Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); Keith Burrowes, Executive Chairman, Board of Directors, Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest); Badri Persaud, Managing Director, Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) and Geeta Singh-Knight, and Dr Raj Singh who sat on the Board as an ex-officio member.

Way forward

According to Government, over the

years, GuySuCo has been “sinking further into debt due to ineffective operations both at the financial and production levels”. It said to ensure that the Corporation continues to survive, the Government will be putting in place an Interim Management Committee that was scheduled to take effect from Thursday and which will oversee the Corporation for at least six months.

“Before the end of this month, the Government will establish a Commission of Inquiry to look in to the operations of GuySuCo and chart a way forward. The Government wishes to assure workers of GuySuCo that they will

Russian University proposes pact with UG

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine met with a delegation from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, on Wednesday to discuss collaboration between that university and the University of Guyana.

The delegation comprised the First Vice Rector, Professor Evgeny L Shchesnyak; Head of the North and Latin American Department, Vladimir Valdimirovich; and Head of the International Protocol Office, Dr Evgeny Martynenko. They were accompanied by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi; Deputy Vice Chancellor – Planning and Development, Dr

Elizabeth Ramlal; and Vincent Alexander, former Registrar of the University of Guyana. The Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Nikolay Smirnov and his deputy were also in attendance.

The thrust of the discussion was the proposed collaboration between the University of Guyana and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia; the proposed agreement for mutual recognition of qualifications between the two countries; and the ongoing offer of scholarships to the Government of Guyana for undergraduate and graduate studies at the Peoples’ Friendship University.

The Peoples’ Friendship University

has been in existence for 55 years and has always focused on the provision of study opportunities to foreign students. Over 150 countries are represented in its student population in over 116 disciplines.

Guyana has been a beneficiary of scholarships to the Peoples’ Friendship University since the 1960s and currently has six Rusal scholarship students in attendance. The meeting was cordial and both sides testified to the mutually beneficial relationship that has been established over the years and committed to the furtherance of this relationship in areas of mutual interest within the three spheres mentioned above.

the russian Delegation from the Peoples’ Friendship University and russian ambassador to Guyana meeting with Education minister, Dr rupert roopnaraine and a University of Guyana team

agriculture minister Noel Holder Dr rajendra Singh

continued on page 21

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The coconut industry

There is a widely held view that stakeholders involved in the Caribbean’s coconut industry have not given the sector the kind of attention it deserves, hence the reason for its falling standards.

Once again the issue of revitalizing and modernizing the sector is being placed on the front burner by donor partners and industry stakeholders across the region. The Road Mapping workshops which are currently being held for the EU funded “Coconut Industry Development in the Caribbean” project are an excellent initiative.

Project partners – the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Geneva based International Trade Centre (ITC) – are engaging industry stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Belize and Suriname to formulate Road Maps for market led development of the coconut and coconut products sectors.

Utilising a participatory approach, stakeholders across the coconut value chain in each of the project countries are expected to come up with Road Maps to address critical areas such as market options, production and productivity, support services and the policy environment among other areas.

The project is valued at 3.5 million Euros and is aiming to enhance the competitiveness of small scale coconut farmers, through the identification of market opportunities and value chain development plans; develop better synergies between national and regional programmes; improve access to advisory services for improved production, processing, commercialization and financing; and improve access to risk management instruments.

Financed by the EU under the 10th European Development Fund, the project will be implemented in the CARIFORUM countries of Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The demand for fresh coconut produce and coconut based health and beauty products have skyrocketed on both the regional and world markets. Many of the Caribbean countries that once had a booming coconut subsector have been unable to satisfy this growing demand.

From the 1980s onward production began to decline sharply as a result of loss of international markets for traditional products, ageing populations, loss of consumer confidence and growing pest and disease problems.

Here in Guyana, the situation is no different. On a previous occasion this newspaper had outlined the significant benefits that could be derived from the local coconut industry. We had also made some recommendations that were necessary for the revitalization and modernization of the sector, and for it to become a major export earner.

The coconut industry is a very promising one, and we hope that the Ministry of Agriculture will take the necessary steps to develop the industry as it relates to increasing production capacity and enhancing quality.

The key players involved in the sector must adopt a more proactive approach in order to take advantage of the high level of demand on the regional and international markets.

In Guyana, coconut ranks third after rice and sugar in terms of acreage cultivated. It is estimated that there are currently 24,000 hectares of coconut cultivation across the country with an average annual production of 90 to 100 million nuts. Due to a number of factors, production has seen a steady decrease over the last decade or so.

It was suggested some time ago that we develop a “Guyana brand” of coconut water not only for local consumption but for export purposes on a large scale. This is a very useful idea and should be taken seriously as coconut water is recognised as a major health drink internationally.

Also, then Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy had noted that in the streamlining of the coconut industry, there is the possibility of developing virgin coconut oil for export and using shells to develop energy so that there is no wastage.

There is need for all stakeholders, including farmers, government, donor partners and the technical people to collaborate and work feverishly to bring the coconut industry to a much higher level where it can take its rightful place as a major foreign exchange earner.

SPS consults on Guyana’s fishing sector

The fishery sector in Guyana and the Caribbean is a fundamental source of livelihood and sustenance of inhabitants. The resource contributes to food security, poverty eradication, employment, foreign exchange earnings, development and stability of the rural community, culture, recreation and tourism.

The sub sector also provides direct employment for more than 120,000 fishers and indirect employment opportunities for thousands of others, particularly women in the processing, marketing, net making and other support services. This was expressed by European Union’s (EU) ambassador to Guyana Robert Kopecký, as he addressed attendees at a Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures Stakeholder (SPS) consultation at the Regency Suite, Georgetown on Wednesday.

The first of eight countries to be visited, the consultation was carried out to make an “assessment of the ground” in Guyana, seeking to understand both the strengths and weaknesses of the sector in Guyana. The consultative process provided participants with the responsibility to ensure that the project is understood so that it could move forward.

The project is funded by the European Union, which has made specific commitments on development cooperation cover improvement in the competitiveness of potentially viable production, including downstream processing through innovation, training, promotion of linkages and other support activities, in agricultural and fisheries product; development of export marketing capabilities, including market research both for trade between CARIFORUM (The Caribbean Forum) States and the parties as well as the identification of options for the improvement of marketing infrastructure and transportation, and the identification of financing and cooperation options for producers and traders; compliance with and adoption of quality standards relating to food production and marketing, including

standards relating to environmentally and socially sound agricultural practices and organic and non-genetically modified foods; promotion of private investment and public-private partnerships in potentially viable production; and improvement in the ability of CARIFORUM operators to comply with national, regional and international technical, health and quality standards for fish and fish products.

Kopecký said that it is hardly surprising that the maritime space in Caribbean African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) countries is substantially larger than the land space. The total area of the Caribbean ACP states amount to about 484,716 square kilometres, where as the maritime space is over two million square kilometres. “It then means that 82 per cent of the Caribbean countries is occupied by the sea. The Caribbean economies depend on the sea and our capacity to preserve the maritime environment,” he said

In the Economy Partnership Agreement signed between the EU and CARIFORUM, back in 2008, he said the aspect relating to sanitary measures received a well deserved attention. It was therefore decided that sanitary will play a central role in the Caribbean corporation under the 10th European Development Fund.

“It is this framework that the corporation projects, including the projects under which today’s activity was funded. Recently in corporation with CARIFORUM, we are having nationwide consultation not only in Guyana, but in all CARIFORUM member states,” he said

“These things are hitting the ground and the implementation is really happening. We are engaging with partners and CARIFORUM to make these corporation programmes more effective. I believe that it could be good; be very important as it tackles an issue that is centre in the region, monitoring the fisheries and agriculture environment,” Kopecky said.

According to him, aquaculture is another subsec-

tor where the goal is to satisfy the region’s growing need. Globally from 2008, aqua production was reported to be 52.5 million tons of fish valued at US$100 billion and there was a projected growth of 6.6 per cent since then

He said there is great potential for expansion in ecology sustainable aquaculture production within the region. This can be achieved both in land using fresh water and in the coastal area. “As we are here for national consultation, let’s take the example of Guyana where fishery contributes to food security with over 30,000 tons of sea food consumed nationally.

It contributes to the economy of over 60,000- tons of fish are exported on a yearly basis. It creates employment with over 5000 person are employed directly and makes over 6 percent of Guyana’s economy,” Kopecký stated.

Meanwhile Deputy Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Secretariat (CRFMS) Susan Singh said the consultation was intended to facilitate discussion on the issue of sanitary measures focused on the capacity of the environmental monitoring programs in support of the SPS program.

“The activity was part of a larger regional scale project that is financially supported by the EU under the 10th European Development Fund. And the SPS project is implemented by the inter American Institute for cooperation in agriculture in partnership with other major agencies in the region including Caricom,” she stated.

The current project seeks to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of CARIFORUM states to achieve competitiveness. Singh said that while the sector has great economic potential, “we have not been realising those benefits simply because of our failure to respond to international health requirements.” She said the SPS challenge is a complex one as it spans the entire food system network at the country level and also at the regional level.

President David Granger met with The Private Sector Commission on Thursday at the Commission's office. the meeting was extremely fruitful and was conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect. a wide range of developmental issues were discussed and agreed on (Cpt. Gerry Gouveia photo)

Only court can now grant request – GECOM

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has adopted the official position that it is not in a position to grant requests made by political parties for a recount or final count of ballots cast at the 2015 General and Regional Elections, amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud and rigging from the governing party’s main opponent.

A GECOM Commissioner told Guyana Times International that the issue came up for discussion on Tuesday when the sevenmember Commission met to discuss outstanding issues with respect to the May 11 election and concerns raised by the main Opposition party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

The Commissioner said that a decision was taken that only Judiciary or the courts at this point and time can order a recount of the ballots cast and that the matter was out of the remit of the both the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and the Commission as the governing body.

The Commissioner explained that the time for recounts “had passed” and as such, there was no provision for a recount of ballots except through the court, once the CEO had issued a final declaration and moved to gazette

the results.

“At this point, the Commission will have await the ruling of the Courts”, the Commissioner reiterated.

Guyana Times International was also reliably informed that the Chief Elections Officer has reached an agreement on the way forward as far as the release of critical election information is concerned and the other forms of information with respect to the voting processes and outcomes on Election Day.

The Commissioner said that all other forms of routine and normal business were undertaken at the level of the Commission. A decision was also reached that would cater

for the election results to be gazetted without the names of the MP’s who would represent the PPP/C in Parliament. On Tuesday, Former President Donald Ramotar maintained that the PPP/C will not recognise the David Granger’s Government until the party is satisfied that its concerns related to the allegations of systematic and internal rigging of the May 11 General and Regional Elections are addressed forthrightly by both GECOM and the judiciary. Ramotar was at the time speaking during an exclusive interview with this publication at the party’s Freedom House headquarters in Robb Street, Georgetown. Ramotar said

that Granger’s Presidency and Government will be treated as a “de facto regime” by his party because they are occupying office against the will of a majority of the electorate which participated in what should have been a democratic process to elect a new Government back in May.

Ramotar maintained even at this point and ahead of plans to execute an opening session of the 11th Parliament of Guyana that the election was rigged and his party has evidence to this effect. “It is a de facto Government… It is there not as a result of the will of the people… because of this they will not be able to continue sustained economic growth

and social progress”, he contended.

The former Head of State continued by saying that GECOM, which is headed by Dr Steve Surujbally, appear unwilling to cooperate with the former ruling party’s request for several critical pieces of information with respect to the tabulation and declaration of votes casted on May 11.

“I do not know why they are taking so long. In normal circumstances, these things are done long ago… way earlier in the process. This is also adding to the concern of many of our supporters who are wondering why they are taking so long… are they trying to adjust, cook up something up… to prove these elections were free and fair”, Ramotar said while explaining that the Commission has so far failed to gazette the results and release them publicly.

He argued that if GECOM and the party now occupying Executive office had any respect for the hundreds of thousands of persons who voted for the PPP/C, they would have long agreed to a recount or final count of the election results which would have removed lots of tension from the society and vindicated their claim that the election was free and fair.

Despite this, the PPP/C will continue its protest actions and calls for a recount.

Former President Donald ramotar

GEcom chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Mr. Carter’s credibility is on the line

Dear Editor,

The Carter Centre known for its above board monitoring of elections is about to get a reality check in its handling of the 2015 elections in Guyana.

I make this critical statement based on a news report which said that the PPP/C agents did not present their statement of polls (SOPs) for disputed results.

Whether it is the actual statement of Mr. Carter or one of these overworked versions of the tabloids in Guyana, I would be on record as branding it as quite an unfortunate statement to make.

Because this is the bone of our contention right from the very start, fake statements of polls, how, when and at what scale did it influence the electoral process? This is our main

concern among other glaring instances of rigging. To ignore these claims is an indictment on the Carter Centre.

Mr. Carter could act amnesiac and pretend that this was not discussed, seeing he was away when the shenanigans were in process. Could it be that this is the main reason for him leaving under highly suspicious circumstances?

Was this all in the plan, a plan to hijack the elections while I was “away” that I was not aware of what went on? Is this the while I was “away” excuse he is using? Well, Carter has to come clean on this one.

Neither can he pretend not to know what rigging in a Guyana context is all about. This has been a perennial problem at every election in Guyana. Carter knows this

Magistrate in Jagdeo’s

and everybody knows this.

In 1992 when he mounted an observer mission here he got firsthand experience as to the workings of the system. When he tried to make suggestions to the PNC Opposition about these irregularities,

case should be investigated

Dear Editor,

The magistrate who issued an order barring former President Bharrat Jagdeo from travelling abroad should be investigated by the judicial and legal commission for competence as well as for bias.

While I am not a lawyer, I am familiar with court procedures and rulings to recognize something is amiss in the magistrate’s ruling. That ruling was procedurally wrong.

In my major in political science, a year of classes in constitutional law is mandatory. Also, I did a couple of courses in international law that are required for an international relations degree.

And in my licensing for my post doctoral diploma in school administration, a course in educational law was a requirement.

Also, I worked part time at the New York City Supreme Court at the Bronx court when I was a graduate political science student house answering court cases. So I am somewhat familiar with legal procedures of court filing and responses and presume Guyana follows the same legal procedures as the US.

The case filed by Chris Ram before the Whim magistrate is petty and frivolous. While I should not comment on the merit of the case as it is sub judice, common sense tells me that it will not stand up to legal scrutiny and should have been dismissed at the first sitting.

Certainly by the second hearing, it should have been disposed of as Jagdeo did not maliciously break any law. Any other ruling will be successfully challenged as indeed the order barring Jagdeo from travelling that was overturned by the High Court.

Common sense and procedural law dictate that the Whim magistrate was out of order for ordering Jagdeo to obtain the magistrate’s permission to travel. Jagdeo is not a flight threat. He does not pose a threat of escape from justice.

Also, it is not reported any where that Chris Ram request-

ed an order barring Jagdeo from travelling overseas because of a threat of escaping justice. For what logical reason or legal precedent then did the magistrate make his ruling? What is his basis in law for the ruling?

As reported in the media, a private charge was filed by Chris Ram against Jagdeo. The former President is not required to attend court and indeed the magistrate herself had ruled that Jagdeo need not make an appearance at the first or second sitting.

At the first hearing, Jagdeo’s lawyer made a no case submission. Chris Ram requested time to respond to the defense no case submission. He was given until May 25.

In the US, the lawyer was required to submit a written response before the deadline and to serve the response to the defense for a counter response. At the May 25 hearing, there should have been oral arguments by both sides on the motion of no case submission. If more time was needed or if the defense requested time for a counter response, it normally would be granted by a US court and a deadline imposed on submission of all documents.

The magistrate makes a decision shortly thereafter on the no case submission, not the actual merits of the case which is an altogether different matter.

While the magistrate is deciding on the motion of the no case submission, the defendant should not have been barred from travelling as the defendant has not been indicted by the Whim magistrate, and even if he were indicted and has a case to answer for, it still does not reach a level debarring the former President from leaving the jurisdiction.

The Whim magistrate’s ruling smacks of bias and there seems to be a violation of procedural rule.

This warrants an investigation by the judicial commission. Also, the defense may want to consider whether the magistrate is the right person to hear the case.

Vishnu Bisram

he was greeted by a hostile PNC mob, which at one stage shoved members of the Carter Centre into gutters.

Carter himself became infuriated at PNC’s intimidation and issued the call for “those obnoxious people to cease their obnoxious operations.”

Am I to believe that those same obnoxious people are no longer obnoxious? Is Carter so naive to believe that these obnoxious people have changed because they are now under a rebranded name called coalition? We want answers.

Could I be the devil’s advocate and surmise that this is the main reason for him leaving Guyana on a sick leave –reports indicate that he was back at work the very next day.

Could it be that he had prior

knowledge of rigging and conveniently decided to absolve himself of the process, throwing the PPP/C under the bus? Is this another Carter Centre/ USA interference in the internal affairs of Guyana? Is this another stark reality of the USA’s bullying tactics in getting a legitimate Government out of office?

These are all pointed questions that deserve straightforward answers. Because if we do not get truthful answers it puts the Carter Centre’s credibility in great disrepute.

We want straight forward answers as to what the Carter Centre knew beforehand on the Guyana electoral watch, and why they could have readily accepted the results of a highly controversial election?

Neil Adams

Can cowards ever man up?

Dear Editor,

I am an overseas Indian Guyanese living in New York. I marvel at the propaganda war waged against the PPP/C by the PNC and their cronies.

A war of misinformation fed to the masses through the Kaieteur News, Guyana Chronicle, and Stabroek News. Pre-election, it was just pathetic how rampant yellow journalism flourished.

How do antiquated corrupt, race baiting people win an election? How? Inject ignorance and lies through the media, hoping to incite the weak minded. And guess what, it worked empathically.

Well done, PNC party and friends, I congratulate you. How mystifying, a regime known to rig elections. Supporters known for being savages when their party does not win, vandalise private property, harass, taunt opposing party members, while the so called Police stand and watch with a blind eye.

Yeah, the racial divide is very evident. Amazing how the decades following independence, the PPP/C and its supporters learned nothing from dealing with the PNC.

From 1964, an average man would know what to expect from their counterparts living in Guyana, and protect their families and property, but not Indians.

Vacationing in Guyana and being around some people, they make it obvious that their best interest is money and material things. Guess what, the people who you cower to are out for blood.

No surprise though, that is the nature of the beast. Hide in your houses, don’t let that yellow streak down your back prominently show. Be proud of yourself and your heritage.

What century will it be when PPP/C supporters will unite together? Stand tall and fight for your rights, and protect yourselves against race antagonists.

Scanning through all the aforementioned news media, is it not obvious of the hatred of PNC/APNU towards the PPP/C?

Casting blame on the PPP/C for trivial things, news media spread villainous propaganda as to the state of the country. Is it not obvious that PNC members are playing the race game just as they do here in the US?

Name withheld by Request

NY Guyanese in Trinidad Indian Arrival celebration

Dear Editor, Several New Yorkbased Guyanese participated in Trinidad’s Indian Arrival celebration last Friday at the Starlight Pavilion in Richmond Hill, Queens.

The event was planned and organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in collaboration with the TT Indo Cultural Committee in New York (TTICCNY) to celebrate the 170th anniversary of Indian Arrival in TT.

Starlight is owned by Guyanese. Trinis and Guyanese usually support and patronise each other’s programme in America.

The celebration included an Indian cultural variety show, classical dancing, poetry reading, and speeches.

The guest speaker at the event was Dr

Ashford Maharaj, Finance

Professor & Consultant at Berkeley College, who gave an historical perspective of the holiday and spoke about the significance of the event as it relates to the Diaspora in New York.

He pondered how the Indo Trinidadian and Tobagonian Diaspora in New York would celebrate Indian Arrival Day in New York in years to come while at the same time recognising the importance of knowing one’s origin.

The Consul General, Dr Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam, reflected on the importance of ancestral heritage and cultural practices which form part of their very being. She noted that events such as Indian Arrival celebrations “help us to move forward and adjust in new environments and help chart

a meaningful path for subsequent generations”.

She thanked the invited guests that included several prominent Guyanese, including community advocate Vishnu Mahadeo, for turning out in their large numbers in support of the event. Several Guyanese, including Son Son and Preeta Singh, also performed at the function. The organisers were able to garner the support of numerous diaspora businesses that made generous contributions in hot food and drinks. The Committee honoured three outstanding senior citizens for their contribution to their respective communities. These persons are Deokaran Boodhoo, Shaffina Khan and Kenrick Bann.

Vishnu Bisram

Banks DIH ups capital spending in 1st half of 2015 – Reis

Banks DIH Limited

Chairman and Managing Director Clifford Reis has reported that the Group’s third-party revenue for the first six months of the financial year has increased by 7.8 per cent , with the Group recording Gy$14.07 billion compared with Gy$13.05 billion, an increase of Gy$1.02 billion recorded for the corresponding period in 2014.

Reis said the unaudited profit before taxation for the Group for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was Gy$2.55 billion, as against Gy$2.31 billion achieved in 2014, an increase of Gy$234 million or 10.1 per cent. The unaudited profit before taxation for Banks DIH Limited was Gy$1.86 bil-

lion compared to Gy$1.59 billion, an increase of Gy$274.0 million or 17.0 per cent, while the unaudited net profit after taxation was Gy$1.15 billion compared to Gy$1.05 bil-

lion achieved in 2014, an increase of Gy$100.0 million or 9.5 per cent.

Reis reported that Citizens Bank Guyana Inc achieved an unaudited profit after taxa-

Harmon is new Defence Board Secretary

Minister of State Joseph Harmon was on Monday sworn in as Secretary to the Defence Board; a position previously held by Dr. Roger Luncheon.

The board, which is a statutory body, includes the President, the Chiefof-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, the Police Commissioner, the Public Security Minister and a few other members. In brief remarks, President David Granger said that there are still challenges facing Guyana’s defence, particularly in the maritime area. “We expect that the Defence Board will be making decisions in order to safeguard our maritime security”.

Meanwhile, President David Granger also spoke of plans to review

at least once per year, the custodial sentences of youths, especially women and young persons, in particular, for non-violent offences. “I really feel that separating a woman from her children, for minor offences is not in the culture of APNU+AFC, and we should try as far as possible to keep families together”.

The Head of State opined that the time would be better spent in school rather than in jail, and “As far as possible, we should look at those cases. We know the law may have to be revised.”

He added that for misdemeanours, discretion can be applied and those culpable could be returned into the school system. “I have asked the Minister of Public Security to in-

vestigate the emergence of some non-governmental organisations to do rehabilitation (of youths).”

Granger is also of the opinion that for persons under age 25, it would be fruitful for the Government to cooperate with NGOs, “which can encourage young people who have committed minor offences to get back into the world of work.”

The President is firm in his belief that unless young offenders are violent or dangerous, they should be rehabilitated, and be contributing members of society. As part of observances for Guyana’s 49th Independence Anniversary celebrations, President Granger pardoned 60 non-violent youth offenders.

tion of Gy$459.3 million compared to Gy$500.6 million in 2014. “The results of the Company for the six months were influenced by increase in revenues due to better physical sales turnover and a reduction in other operating expenses,” he reported.

According to Reis, Banks DIH continues to realise the benefit of better efficiencies resulting from modernising its production capabilities, especially in the brewery, soft drink, water, rum and wine and ice-cream production facilities.

“These were complemented with the support services upgrade of the power generation, CO2 production, steam generation and water supplies

systems,” the Chairman reported.

He said during the first half of the financial year, major capital expenditure was directed towards the acquisition and installation of a new Trisco biscuit oven and other equipment across the Company. The new Crème Select Ice-Cream Outlet on Main Street was completed and opened for business in December last year.

“I would also like to advise you of the completion of the construction of the New Amsterdam Branch of Citizens Bank. The Bank was opened for business in November 2014, as part of our ongoing objective of offering state-of-the art facilities in pursuit of higher level

of service to our customers,” he added.

Reis said in the second half of the year, capital works will be continued with the installation of an In-line blow moulding machine for the water production facilities, a new filler for the beer plant, the acquisition of additional trucks and forklifts and further upgrade of Demico House facilities. In addition, the Company will continue to monitor its production processes to derive better efficiencies, manage its financial resources and control expenses in order to sustain profitability.

Reis declared: “We will continue our programme of “Refreshing Partnerships” by furthering the engagement with all of our stakeholders including customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders in pursuit of higher stakeholder satisfaction.”

The Directors have approved an interim dividend of Gy$0.17 per share unit to all shareholders whose names appear on the register as at May 14, 2015. This will result in a dividend payment of Gy$170.0 million. The shareholders’ equity was increased to Gy$23.781 billion, which equates to Gy$23.78 per share.

Banks DIH officials in discussion with customers and dealers during a tour

PPP/C will not recognise Granger’s Presidency …until allegations of rigging resolved

By Michael younge

Former President Donald Ramotar, on Tuesday, maintained that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will not recognize the David Granger Government until it is satisfied that its concerns related to the allegations of systematic and internal rigging of the May 11 General and Regional Elections are addressed forthrightly by both the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the judiciary.

Ramotar was at the time speaking during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times International at the PPP/C’s Freedom House headquarters in Robb Street, Georgetown. Ramotar said that Granger’s Presidency and Government will be treated as a “de facto regime” by his party because they are occupying office against the will of a majority of the electorate which participated in what should have been a democratic process to elect a new Government.

He maintained even at this point and ahead of plans to execute an opening session of the 11th Parliament of Guyana

that the elections were rigged and his party has evidence to this effect. “It is a de facto Government…it is there not as a result of the will of the people…because of this they will not be able to continue sustained economic growth and social progress,” he contended.

He made it clear that Granger’s Presidency, like that of his predecessors in the People’s National Congress (PNC), would be characterised by widespread corruption, squander mania and excesses. The former President says that Granger’s Government has already started to show its true colours and there are other danger signs which citizens should pay heed to.

He rationalised that it would be difficult for the PPP/C to accept the elections results and the “imposition of a de facto Government” because there has been a “calculated and clearly thoughtout effort by the Guyana Elections Commission to deny the party its legal right to a recount of ballots cast at important stages in the process,” Ramotar alleged.

He said that GECOM, which is headed by Dr Steve Surujbally, also appears unwilling to cooper-

ate with the former ruling party’s request for several critical pieces of information with respect to the tabulation and declaration of votes casted on May 11.

“I do not know why they are taking so long. In normal circumstances, these things are done long ago…way earlier in the process. This is also adding to the concerns of many of our supporters who are wondering why they are taking so long… are they trying to adjust, cook up something up…to prove these elections were free and fair,” Ramotar said while explaining that the Commission has so far failed to gazette the results and release them publicly. GECOM

has said that the PPP/C’s failure to submit its list of Parliament Members has caused the hold up in the gazetting of the results. Ramotar argued too that if GECOM and the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) administration had any respect for the thousands of people who voted for the PPP/C, they would have long agreed to a recount or final count of the elections results, which would have removed lots of tension from the society and vindicate their position that the elections were free and fair.

Confidence

Appearing confident that the PPP/C won the May 11 elections, Ramotar reflected on the statements and admissions made by GECOM’s Chairman Dr Surujbally and the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowinfield which suggest that there were some problems in the elections process. Ramotar said it is the posture of GECOM and its continued unwillingness to cooperate has strengthened the PPP/C’s suspicions that the elections were rigged.

Stating that he led a delegation to have the is-

sues resolved but, despite meeting agreements, the Commission did a complete summersault the next day and went ahead with the announcement of elections results. “I took a sample to the elections commission and said these are the 22 boxes, if you can open any of them…then seven of them…then one…I said if we find that my positions are wrong then I will accept the results of these elections…when our delegation left and departed they reneged on everything,” he stated.

He surmised that the Commission’s Chairman and Chief Elections Officer may have come “under pressure” from various actors inside and outside of the Commission that led them to abandon various positions with respect to the results. “The PNC has extensive experience in rigging,” he contended, stating that sometimes more votes appeared in ballot boxes than what was on the electoral lists.

He also said closer analysis of the rejected ballots would also prove that most, if not all, were for the PPP/C; they were not spoilt but allowed to be discarded. “The new addition to the rigging

was that it was done internally and that is why we are calling for reforms and that is why we are calling for Surujbally to go; he presided over rigged elections.”

PPP/C has a plan

The former President said that since the announcement of the elections results, the PPP/C has been meeting its constituents and have been updating them on what really took place during the recent elections. He stated that he has been receiving messages of encouragement and concerns about the future of the country. “A lot of our supporters feel as cheated as I do. These elections really didn’t reflect the will of the people of our country. When I go out and meet with them, I feel the pain and I feel the same uncertainty like many of them about the future of our country…,” Ramotar said. Admitting that he has moved back home and is very busy over the past few days meeting party members and supporters, he remains committed to filing the elections petition, strengthening the party to deal with this new struggle and working in the interest of all Guyanese.

Region 9 REO sent on leave …Amerindian group slams move as victimisation

By alexis Rodney

Members of the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (AAMG) have described the move by the Government, through the Ministry of Communities, to send the Executive Officer of Region Nine

(Upper Takatu- Upper Essequibo), Claire Singh, on leave as “political victimisation”.

The organisation is also calling on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to accede to the request of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to have a total re-

count of the ballots cast in the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Peter Persaud of the AAMG on Tuesday told this newspaper that residents were disappointed that the David Granger-led administration had decided to remove the Regional Executive Officer (REO)

from office at this time.

The PPP/C was successful at claiming Region Nine in the regional votes at the last elections, and while it is normal for the party that won the region to select the Regional Chairman for that region, constitutionally, the winning party selects the REO. Singh, who

has been in that position for over three years, was working under an annual contract. This current contract would have come to an end in January of 2016.

Speaking to the Guyana Times International from her home on Tuesday, Singh said that she received a phone call from the Ministry of Communities on Monday, where the caller enquired about the amount of leave she has outstanding to which she divulged the information.

She said later on in the day, by way of fax and email and signed by Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Abena Moore, she was informed that she should proceed on her 42 days outstanding leave and that it would run from June 2 to July 13, 2015.

She relayed too that she was instructed to hand over all assets and items to Carl Parker, an A Partnership for National Unity activist working the region.

She stated that Parker is not a regional official and had in fact been allegedly sent off of his work owing to irregularities and was also dismissed from public office.

Meanwhile Persaud told this publication that the

way things are looking, the deputy REO Mohammed Arjune might be next on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For National list to be sent home.

Speaking on the elections and the concerns over the alleged rigging of the General and Regional Elections was another resident from Quarrie Village, Region Nine, Clarendo Lucus.

He said that he was speaking for the people of Region Nine and “having had enough time between the last elections and now, we were able to make contact with every area possible and everyone seem to be very concerned about the rigged elections and the results and the information filtering that it has been highly rigged”.

“We have our concerns, we understand that PPP/C has now filed a case and is not accepting the results as issued by GECOM,” he further stated.

He said residents are giving their full support to the PPP/C that there should be a recount “and it is not fair for a party to take a position when there is a highly unacceptable result by GECOM. GECOM needs to respond to the people of this country.”

GEcom chairman Dr Steve Surujbally

ECD residents wary of Chikungunya, Lepto

- As flood leaves some villages messy

After waking in utter shock on Sunday morning, flood affected residents from the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) are now left counting their losses as they slowly grapple with the aftermath of the massive flooding that recently struck the coastland.

As a result, residents are skeptical of disease breakouts such as Leptospirosis and Chikungunya.

idents who greatly suffered from the floodwaters.

Jocelyn, of 19 Felicity Railway Embankment, ECD, was still affected by the floodwaters when this publication visited on Tuesday. Her yard was swampy, and the stench that followed the deluge was still evident. Jocelyn explained that when she awoke on Sunday morning, she hurriedly tried to save her livestock, her two

Though flooding is a usual occurrence for most residents along the coastland, the extent of the flood waters this time around took many by surprise. On Sunday morning, residents woke up in a state of despair as they realised their surroundings were completely inundated, following the continuous heavy downpour.

Even more dreadful is the aftermath of the flood and the sorrowful recovery these residents have to endure before life gets back to normal. The flood was so impactful that even two days after the incident, residents were still facing the brunt of the situation. Guyana Times International visited several communities along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and spoke to a few of the res-

pet dogs, several pieces of furniture and carpets.

“The plants damage and some lil fine things damaged, you can’t get to save everything. I throw some stuff here today to take away the smell and we just gotta deal until the water go down,” she said.

Another resident, Faraz Nazir, incurred some Gy$100,000 in losses when the flood waters damaged the materials he normally uses to make furniture. He noted too that, as a result of the flood, his work is delayed because the water still lingers in his working area.

In Lusignan, an area that was immensely affected by the flood, residents mostly incurred losses in livestock.

Jabubance Mohabir, of 13

Track A Lusignan, ECD, said he woke up in a panic on Sunday morning.

Corentyne pirates sail off with millions worth of fishing equipment

Pirates struck thrice on the Corentyne Coast last Saturday afternoon, carting off in excess of Gy$12 million in valuables in a daring attack that left 10 men stranded on the high seas up to press time.

According to information supplied to Guyana Times International, the entire ordeal which involved three boats occurred within a one-hour span between 14:00 and 15:00h in the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Whim Village.

“The first thing I do is to come and check the stock because I didn’t expect this water to be this high. About 10 chicks dead out. I had to try to pack up the rest in their pen,” he related.

Mohabir added that due to the floods, his son was unable to attend school.

Another Lusignan resident, who identified herself as “Vado” (only name given) lost a significant amount of livestock due to the floodwaters. The woman, who lives with her grandson, said it really deflated her when over 30 of her livestock perished as a result of the flood.

In Better Hope, many residents were seen throwing out damaged furniture and other items. Meanwhile, for other residents, though they did not incur any losses or damage to property, they expressed the view that the flooding was of much inconvenience. “Look at the mess we got to clean up now. The place smelling horrible. It terrible man. We had to stay up here. Until now, we have to stay up here. We can’t really go downstairs because as you can see, the water still deh about, so we waiting for it to dry up before we go start clean,” a mother of three related.

Priyamattie Lalta, a grandmother of three young children, explained that the flood prevented them from attending school and her from attending work. Lalta, a domestic worker, explained that the burden of the three children is solely upon her and any missed working day can greatly impact their circumstances.

Flooding was experienced in almost all of the villages along the East Coast, as far up as Mahaica. However, the communities in the lower East Coast were mostly affected.

As was related to this newspaper, four masked pirates – one armed with a gun and three with cutlasses – attacked a small boat with a fiveman crew, and took their glue, fish, equipment and other valuables onto their boat before cutting loose the small boat. The pirates then proceeded to attack a larger boat, Princess Regina, which also had a five-man crew. The sea bandits then transferred the booty from the first robbery onto Princess Regina and used that vessel to rob a smaller boat a little distance away that also had five crew members. The booty was again transferred to Princess Regina and the 15 robbed fishermen were then placed in the smaller boat and it was anchored. The pirates then made good their escape with their boat and Princess Regina.

The items stolen included four engines – two on Princess Regina and one each from the smaller boats; fuel; several seines; glue; fish; and equipment such as compasses, GPS navi-

gation devices, and cellular phones. It was approximately 14 hours later – around 04:30h – on Sunday that a small fishing vessel stumbled upon the boat with the 15 men and gave them much needed water. The boat was able to accommodate on board five of the 15 stranded men, including Ricky Sukhlall, the captain of Princess Regina, and his son. The rescue boat returned to land at the Port Mourant Sluice at approximately 05:30h, and the men proceeded to the Whim Police Station where a report was filed.

According to Sukhlall, during the ordeal, the pirates fired at least four shots in the air as well as used cutlasses to “broadside” them to get them to comply with their demands before making good their escape. His son, Gavin, related that during the ordeal, the mask of one of the pirates fell off and he was able to identify a distinguishing mark on the man which can help identify him.

Shivanand Hannif, of Prison Road, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, the owner of Princess Regina was alerted and was present at the Police Station where he supplied vital information about his stolen items, including the boat, which altogether is worth approximately Gy$9 million. According to information received, the vessel set sail on May 21 from the Meadow Bank Wharf, East Bank Demerara.

The Police are continuing their investigation and have since notified their Surinamese counterparts of the incident.

the water level in this yard on the East coast Demerara railway Embankment hardly shifted for 3 days

a lusignan resident counting his losses

PPP/C wants contentious issues cleared up first …before joining hands with Govt

The former ruling party, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), has stated that all the contentious issues need to be dealt with before the party can accept the invitation for inclusionary governance extended by the ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government.

Speaking at the PPP/ C’s weekly press conference on Monday, General Secretary Clement Rohee, said that while the party has noted the public invitation from President David Granger for an “olive branch”, there are several issues that need to be ventilated–issues over 200,000 Guyanese are “angry and hurt” about. These issues include the alleged rigging of the May 11 General and Regional Elections and the subsequently “racial and political” discrimination that followed after the APNU+AFC coalition took office.

“How can an olive branch, that Granger is extending, be accepted when a fast and furious campaign of racial and political discrimina-

tion, vilification and persecution against PPP/C leaders, supporters and members has been unleashed across the country by APNU activists and Government operatives?… How is its olive branch to be accepted when there is no race or class balance in the newly formed top heavy and extravagant alliance Government, and where there is no guaranteed racial equality and ethnic security through institutional measure or strong penalties against racial discrimination and persecution?” Rohee asked the Government.

“To inviting the PPP/C to be part of the alliance Government, I think, is almost more complicated and complex role than it appears on the surface. How can you invite the PPP/C to be part of a Government or extend an olive branch when all these things are happening? So these are issues that have to be addressed before any invitation in the media or otherwise could be entertained by the PPP/C,” the General Secretary noted.

Rohee further outlined that while Granger

continues to preach about “National Unity”, he has a Government that is “over bloated” and this is a reflection of a “winner takes all policy”, something that the coalition has strongly condemned.

However, when questioned on whether the fact that an invitation sent to the opposition shows that the Government is looking to end the “winner waters all policy”, Rohee enquired as to when the invitation was extended and what his party is being invited for.

President Granger, upon his swearingin at the Parliament

Buildings on May 16, had extended a hand to the PPP/C for inclusive governance. He repeated his invitation at the Guyana National Stadium on May 26, during his official inauguration ceremony that was held amid the 49th Independence celebrations. The President has since expressed his disappointment that former President and Leader of the PPP/C Donald Ramotar is yet to indicate whether the party

will take up the offer.

On the other hand, Ramotar told the Guyana Times International that his party is yet to receive a formal invitation from President David Granger to join his unity movement.

The PPP/C leader explained that President Granger never had any discussions with him or any senior member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic about forming an inclusionary Government.

The same position was adopted by Rohee during Monday’s press conference. He stated that the ruling APNU/ AFC administration went about extending an open invitation the improper way. The General Secretary pointed out that in the past, whenever there needed to be talks between the PPP/C and the then People’s National Congress (PNC), the leaders would pen an invitation.

Coast Guards charged to help reduce border crimes

President David Granger has emphasised the need for the country’s territorial integrity to be protected and for maritime and border crimes to be reduced, if the country is to continue on the path of growth and development.

Granger, who was at the time speaking to members of the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard during a tour of the Ruimveldt Coast Guard Headquarters on Monday, told the guards what is the standard currently being obtained and what is required to bring about optimum results and efficiency.

Addressing the importance of the Coast Guard, the President said, when it was established 25 years ago, it was due to the fact that maritime threats had existed and still exists even today. Reminding the ranks of their role, the President observed that they all have important law enforcement functions in terms of combating maritime crimes including smuggling, piracy and all forms of trafficking.

“These crimes distort the economy. Most of the crimes of contraband and trafficking contribute to keeping Guyana poor, and that is why you’re given a law enforcement function,” the President told the ranks.

Describing the ranks as Guyana’s best and first line of defence against maritime crimes, President Granger pointed out that no other agency can effectively carry out the mandate that rests on the shoulder of the Coast Guards.

He, however, noted that they must not shy away from their responsibility to protect Guyana’s assets, particularly human and military resources. Equally, the President said it is imperative to ensure that foreign trade is protected while ensuring that citizens feel safe as they traverse Guyana’s waterways.

The Head of State added that while it is important to protect the coun-

try’s territorial integrity, the presence of the Coast Guard must be felt in every area. Acknowledging that there are some challenges in the daily operations of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, President David Granger has given his commitment towards institutional strengthening of that unit.

Speaking on the issue of training, President Granger said it is his view that specialised training must be given on issues relating to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas since Guyana has a very large sea frontier.

Each rank, he said, should have a clear understanding of both land and sea frontier issues. He noted that while the Coast Guard has a role to play, his administration intends to resolve some outstanding border dispute issues amicably. “The fact is that unless we resolve these maritime claims, we will not be able to exploit a source of one of our most important resources that is offshore petroleum,” Granger stated.

Meanwhile, the President has assured that under his administration the Coast Guard will be given the much needed attention it requires. Discussions will soon begin in an effort to bring the Coast Guard up to strength in terms of manpower as the possibility of a reserve arm of the unit will be explored. Training both locally and overseas would be given much priority, while the upgrading of equipment will also be looked at.

In addition, some of the recommendations, which were made by the Disciplined Forces Commission several years ago, will now be implemented in an effort to address some of the challenges facing the Coast Guard.

While congratulating the ranks for the professionalism shown over the years, the President reiterated the call for every effort to be directed towards the suppression of criminality and to ensure that piracy and smuggling are brought to an end.

President David Granger

Officers and ranks of the Coast Guard along with President David Granger during a tour of a workshop at the Coast Guard Headquarters

Cabinet clears Gy$75M to restore damaged drainage systems

Cabinet on Tuesday approved the sum of Gy$75 million for various projects, including the desilting of the Kingston, Lamaha Street, Sussex Street and Meadowbank outfalls, in an attempt to alleviate the repeated flooding of the city.

The money taken from the country’s emergency fund will also go toward the inland clearing of the drainage pump under the Transport and Harbour building to East Lamaha Street, the drainage tunnel to Muneshwar boundary to east of the Avenue of the Republic, the concrete channel leading up to the pump station at John Fernandes and Toolsie Persaud along

with repairs to some revetment. The sum will also cover emergency crews that will be required to clear blockages in and around internal drains.

This was disclosed by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson during a press briefing at his Ministry on Wednesday. According to the Minister, within Georgetown reports are that floodwaters have receded significantly in those areas that were affected by Sunday morning’s rainfall.

“It is reported that water has receded in Georgetown. However, in some areas on the East Coast in some low-lying areas, water is still

there. Unfortunately, in the Mahaica-Mahaicony area, water remains high. All six pumps are working; however, the pump at Lamaha Street requires some work on the discharging. It is working but because of the lack of use, the pipe work to the pump has been in a bad state,” he told journalists.

Patterson said while Government was trying its best, persons should be aware that it will take some time before the situation comes to a satisfactory level.

“Citizens should be informed that this is not a solution to the drainage problem. It is just an attempt for the next six weeks to ensure that should there be another

period of tide in rainfall, the time taken to get the water off will be less,” the Minister said. He said things were

moving apace, as there has been interest shown by a number of international organisations regarding funding in this regard. He informed that the Government of Japan already has funds in place for the project, while the European Union (EU) has indicated its interest in coming on board.

Cabinet has also approved the establishment of a multi-discipline task force which the Minister planned to start working on immediately. The task force will be responsible for several areas of development, but will focus primarily on drainage, traffic management and the rehabilitation of roads.

The task force, he

said, is a broad-based framework and all the relevant stakeholders will have a representative on the team which will also comprise persons from City Hall, the Force Account Unit of the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the Ministry of Communities. He related that upon completion he hopes that there would be a holistic plan for the renewal of Georgetown. “It shall be a medium-term endeavour. We have been contacted by individuals who are interested in sharing their theses and ideas. The task force will be meeting with them to listen to those ideas and provide a realistic long-term solution,” Patterson said.

Murders, robberies skyrocket …

6 killings, 8 armed robberies in less than a week

Some two weeks after the Guyana Police Force reported a seven per cent increase in serious crimes including murders and armed robberies, the crime situation in the country seems to be spiralling upwards.

This can be reflected from occurrences over the past weekend (May 29-June 1) which saw the Police reporting on at least 10 criminal matters. During this period, some eight persons lost their lives; however, two of these died in separate vehicular accidents. There were five cases of armed robberies, some of which were fatal, that were reported by the Police over the five days. A matter of carjacking was also reported. Apart from the Police reports, there were several other crimes.

The crime spree began in the wee hours of Friday morning when Police ranks arrested one man while shooting to death another after they were caught breaking into a city store. The now dead man had reportedly attacked the Police with a chopper, forcing the ranks to open fire. Around 10:30h on the same day, auto dealer Nigel Ramah parked his car in the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) parking lot for about five minutes to do business at the agency. On his return, he found his car lock tampered with and a bag containing Gy$1.6 million was missing.

Then on Saturday around 19:50h, a businessman and a female friend from Kitty, Georgetown, were held at gunpoint by two men. The business-

man was relieved of his licensed revolvers, ammunitions and a quantity of cash.

The two men along with another accomplice all made good their escape. Some two hours later, around 21:00h, four men hijacked a taxi, which they hired from the Stabroek Market car park to go to Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

While at Eccles, the men held the driver, Sheldon Anderson, at gunpoint before throwing him out of the vehicle. Anderson, however, gave chase and followed the men into Eccles. Quick response by the Police led to the arrest of the three men.

Shot to head

An hour before this, Raychand Mangal, a 46-year-old miner of Buddy’s Housing Scheme, Providence, East Bank Demerara, was found at his home with a suspected bullet wound to the head. While an apparent suicide note was found and the firearm recovered, investigators suspect that the scene was staged.

On the following day at about 00:30h, 26-yearold taxi-driver Dennis

Narine of Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara, was aroused by the noise of a glass window breaking at his home and upon enquiring, shots were discharged at him through the window. He was hit in the chest and was subsequently taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Then at 03:00h, Darson Ramatar, 23, of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD), along with four other men reportedly attempted to break into a home in the village during which he was stabbed to his throat by an occupant of the house. The suspected bandit was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile on Monday, Hardat Kissoon was shot and killed in one of the most brazen daylight robberies of recent times. Around 14:35h, the man was travelling in a minibus along the Turkeyen Public Road with a bag containing a quantity of money when another occupant of the public transportation tried to grab the bag from him.

A struggle ensued during which Kissoon, a rice farmer of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, was shot to his chest and later pronounced dead. The perpetrator managed to escape with the bag.

Later that day around 18:10h, Michael Mc Leod, 59, of Meadowbrook

Gardens, Georgetown, was walking along the Festival City road when he was held at gunpoint by a man who demanded his jewellery. Mc Leod resisted and was shot to his left knee and buttocks by the perpetrator who took away his gold chain and escaped. The injured man has been admitted to hospital for medical treatment.

Then about 19:45h, a 23-year-old mechanic from Nelson Street, Mocha Arcadia, EBD, was at his home when a man entered and shot him to his body and escaped.

Terrence Lanferman was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

In its election manifesto, the ruling A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition had underscored that public security is the bedrock of a safe, humane society and the crime situation is the most pressing and depressing problem facing the Guyanese public. Among the plans the Administration has to curb the alarming crime situation is to establish a specialised law enforcement agency to train officers in crime investigations, intelligence gathering and forensics as well as have more officers on the streets by hiring civilians to do the administrative works among several others.

Dead: Hardat Kissoon

Public Infrastructure minister David Patterson

Clean-up ‘fever’ spreads to Linden, Berbice

The clean-up exercise that has swept through Georgetown over the past two weeks has now spread to Linden and Berbice, with residents in those regions launching massive campaigns over the weekend.

In Linden on Sunday, residents launched their campaign under the theme, “Come on the scene and keep it clean”, mirroring several countrywide campaigns which have been conducted recently.

The initiative was spearheaded by Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Chairman Sharma Solomon and Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), Reycia Nedd. Scores of residents, armed with cleaning and clearing gear, targeted areas such as Central Mackenzie, Republic Avenue, One Mile, Co-op Crescent, Winifred Gaskin Highway and Burnham Drive, and several other places, both on the Mackenzie and Wismar shores. The public-spirited citizens, male and female, focused mainly on

clearing drains and unwanted vegetation, in an effort to enhance the view of the community, an initiative which forms part of the Linden Beautification Programme. Several stakeholder groups were also in full support of the programme and have assisted in providing some

much needed materials. The campaign, which was also social media driven, saw participation from scores of youths.

Lindeners have praised the initiative, especially the efforts made to clear drains at Central Mackenzie, which suffered tremendous flood-

ing last Thursday during the inclement weather. The area which houses the main shopping district in Linden has been prone to flooding during heavy rains over the years.

New Amsterdam joins in Not to be left out, residents of New Amsterdam also on Sunday commenced a massive “Clean up NA” project. More than 300 residents representing Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the business community, civil society and faith-based organisations converged on the town thoroughfare and began removing the solid waste which had been indiscriminately thrown in the drains, parapets and sidewalks. Persons walked with their own tools, while large machinery was supplied by businesses from within the town. Businesses also supplied gasoline for grass cutters which were used for the slashing of parapets.

By the end of the day, the town took on a different look, but this was nothing unusual in the

country’s oldest township. Several organisations in the past have spearheaded massive clean-up campaigns in New Amsterdam. However, all of them have been followed by the usual dumping of garbage about the town on parapets and empty plots of land hours after any massive cleanup exercise.

Recently, the Grace Environmental Club organised a massive cleanup of New Amsterdam, but less than one week after, the only evidence of that was the cut parapets, which were littered with refuse including Styrofoam boxes, empty drink bottles, used disposable diapers, kitchen waste, empty cardboard boxes and other commercial waste.

A few days after President David Granger took his oath of office, residents in the capital city commenced cleaning up their environments, an activity which caught on in several wards of the city and soon spread to other parts of the country.

abusive language

Atransgender sexworker was on

Monday released on his own recognisance after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a cross charge for abusive language.

Akeem Hodge, a 20-year-old sex-worker of 117 Third Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that he made use of abusive language against Samantha Liverpool. Additionally, Liverpool, 38, of 43 Third Street, Alberttown, was charged for a similar offence against Hodge.

According to Hodge’s Attorney, Paul Fung-AFat, the two individuals are neighbours. He stated that because of his client’s sexual orientation and the fact that he is “living his dream of being who he wants to be”, Liverpool frequently discriminates against him and verbally abuses him. He requested that his client be released on his own recognisance, and the prosecution made no objection.

The Magistrate released both parties on their own recognisance and transferred the matter to Court 10. The matter will return to court before Magistrate Alex Moore on July 31.

Sex-worker

lindeners cleaning up their surroundings

New amsterdam residents join in the clean-up

Ramjattan assures Berbicians sugar industry will survive

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government has committed itself to the full recovery of the sugar industry in Guyana, and said it will be working towards this no matter how long it takes.

Second Vice President and National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan made the promise when he appeared on a live television programme in Berbice on Saturday evening.

The recently sworn in Minister said “the recovery of the sugar industry will take forever, but whatever time it takes to save the industry, we are going to do it and we are going to do it by making the right decisions."

Just last week the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) reportedly told workers’ unions; the Guyana Agriculture and General Worker’s Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agriculture Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), that it was unable to pay sugar workers for the month of May.

News got worse when reports surfaced that the already cash strapped entity had failed to account for some Gy$154 million of employees’ credit Union savings owed to GAWU.

The union had to make a “regrettable, but unavoidable decision” advising GuySuCo to cease deductions from workers earnings in this regard.

Funding GuySuCo has received a sum of Gy$400M which will allow the company to continue its operation for the remainder of this week. The Corporation has received the money from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica. As part of that loan arrangement, the bank holds GuySuCo’s receivables from the sale of sugar.

GuySuco currently owes the GAWU’s Cooperative Credit Union Society Limited some Gy$154 million. Due to the lack of funding, the Corporation also owes its senior and junior employees their salary for the month of May.

Meanwhile, while President David Granger has persistently pledged his support for the sugar industry, he has been critical of the management of the Corporation.

During a recent interview with Guyana Times International, he said his Government will soon be making critical decisions that will put the industry on “a sound footing”. “The Board has been too heavily politicised…,” President Granger indicated as the foremost reason why the sugar industry has been failing.

Granger had in the past called for the privatisation of the industry, but of recent he has floated the commissioning of an intense investigation into the operations of the industry, particularly since there have been numerous reports of workers not turning up for work, among other things.

“We’ve been calling for a turnaround plan. We were asked from time to time for subventions but we had asked them [the former Government] in turn what was the plan to make the industry viable… that is the stage where we are at now… to ensure that the industry doesn’t collapse and the means of financing are identified,” the President continued.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, in an earlier interview with Guyana Times International said he intended to commission an inquiry into the operations of the Sugar Corporation as one of his top priorities upon taking office. He noted that it was absolutely necessary that a commission of inquiry be conducted, since the sugar industry was a vital part of the country’s economy.

Ramotar explains Rodney CoI spending

…reporter paid to write book, produce documentary

By Alexis Rodney

Former President Donald Ramotar on Tuesday explain the Gy$16.8 million that was paid to a journalist for the proceedings of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI), saying that persons should be aware of what had to be done before jumping to conclusions.

In an invited comment he told this publication that the agreement was openly done, not just for that journalist, but for a number of other individuals who were contracted to provide various services to the Commission.

According to Ramotar, he saw nothing illegal in what was done, noting that there will always be persons who will question the amount of money spent in any of the Government’s projects.

Guyana was thrown into a frenzy on Monday, when Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams disclosed that the previous administration had so far spent some Gy$325 million on the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry set up by Ramotar to investigate the circumstances leading to the death of Dr Walter Rodney on June 13, 1980.

However, what was more shocking was the revelation that some Gy$16.8 million (US$80,300) was paid to an overseas-based journalist, later identified as Shaun Michael Samaroo, to write daily reports of the proceeding for the state-owned Guyana

Chronicle.

In his defence, Samaroo, who resides in Canada, said he was never contracted by the Government to write for the newspaper but was instead sought out to write and publish a book on the Rodney Commission’s findings; produce a documentary on the content of the Commissioners’ report; archive online the voluminous amounts of documents and testimonies the Commission gathered; and to publicise internationally the findings of the Commission’s hearings.

He said his contributions to the Guyana Chronicle were pro bono, never once receiving any payment for that work. He stated that he also contributed dozens of columns to the Guyana Chronicle without compensation of any sort.

“The contract between myself and the Office of the President regarding my role at the Rodney Commission had abso-

lutely nothing to do with the state media. Rather, listed here are the terms of that contract. This work is to be accomplished at the completion of the Commission’s work, and my role during the Commission’s hearings is to gather all relevant information for the execution of my contractual service.

1. Design and build a global social media platform that generates ongoing professional coverage of the Rodney Commission, in multimedia format – print, video, audio, and electronic; this includes engaging discussions online;

2. Write news reports, stories, features and multimedia scripts around daily happenings at the Commission;

3. Coordinate national and international media organisations in full local and global coverage of the Commission’s findings and testimonies;

4. After the Commission would have completed its work, write

and publish a book on the Commission’s work, on behalf of the Government of Guyana;

5. Write the script for and produce a video documentary on DVD of the Commission’s work on behalf of the Government of Guyana, at the completion of the Commission’s work;

6. Create an online forum where the full findings, testimonies and reports of the Commission can be archived and available for global consumption;

7. Network with global organisations, academic institutions and relevant interests to popularise the findings of the Commission".

Williams described the situation as “squander mania and abuse”, noting that while the efforts of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government to damage the party’s image has failed miserably, he just could not see why so much money had to be pumped into an operation that made no sense.

He said the inquiry, which the Government hopes could be resumed by July of this year, will be just for submissions to be made after which Commissioners could consider and render their decision in the matter. If that is the case, he said, contact will have to be made with all the lawyers that they should be prepared to come to the final sitting of the inquiry to make submission and then the Commissioners will then retire and deliberate.

agriculture minister Noel Holder

National Security minister Khemraj ramjattan

Former President Donald ramotar

canadian-based Guyanese Journalist Shaun michael Samaroo

CJIA employees remanded on trafficking charge

…for cocaine in rum

The three men who were charged in connection to the cocaine-laced rum discovered at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), were on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Keon Bruster, a 21-year-old mechanic of ‘B’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown; Loric Williams, a 24-year-old air conditioning (AC) technician of 51 Prospect, East Bank Demerara; and Chris Douglas of ‘X’ Alliance Street, Timehri, East Bank Demerara – of whom the latter two are employees of the CJIA – pleaded not guilty to the charge which read

that on May 29, at CJIA, Timehri, they had in their possession 6.304 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

According to Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on the day in question, Guyanese-born American Bruster was an outgoing passenger at CJIA when a routine search was conducted on his person and luggage.

During the search, three bottles of unusually thick El Dorado Five Year Old rum were discovered. The rum was tested, and revealed that it contained a very high amount of cocaine.

The young man admitted ownership of the substance and pointed out two airport employ-

ees who conspired with him to traffic the substance. Bruster claimed that the two individuals gave him the cocaine-

Live streaming of Parliament sittings to start next week

- funded by Canada

Guyana and Canada discussed on Wednesday ways in which the two countries can continue collaboration in the area of sustainable development when Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles paid a courtesy call to President David Granger at his office at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Dr Giles described their discussions as broad ranging, stating that, “We spoke about natural resources development, and governance issues associated with that, and we also spoke about the planned legislative agenda for the Government.” More importantly, the High Commissioner indicated that the streaming project which is fund-

ed by Canada, will cater for live sittings of the National Assembly to be broadcast in real time, via the Internet, and this will begin officially next week. The High Commissioner added that, “We are very excited to see that project come to full fruition next week”.

High Commissioner Giles is due to depart Guyana in the near future as her tenure comes to an end. She described her term as “an incredibly rewarding tour of duty.” Dr Giles was accredited as her country’s High Commissioner in September 2013. One aspect that has never ceased to amaze her, is the “incredible talent of the people and the dedication of the people of Guyana to the country,”

the Ambassador said. She opined that this nation is one of the few places in the world where someone in her position has the opportunity to work and “feel that every day when you get up, you can have an impact, because you have a partner on the other side of the isle to work with, and that has certainly been one of the most rewarding things of my two years here. There is something to do every single day. There is always an opportunity to have an impact and make a positive contribution.” Dr Giles will be returning to Ottawa, the capital of Canada where she will be continuing her service with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. (GINA)

into the same washroom together at the airport. They were subsequently arrested and taken into custody.

The prosecution stated that when cautioned, the men all admitted that they were paid by persons unknown to transport the substance.

Williams’ defence lawyer, Attorney Latchmie Rahamat stated that her client was forced to sign a statement that was written by the Police.

laced rum in a bathroom at the airport.

A subsequent review of the CCTV footage revealed the men going

She stated that her client has no knowledge of the narcotics nor does he know the third defendant who was caught with the substance. She said that the statement which was forcibly signed by her client was

written based on the information obtained from Bruster.

Attorney Gordon Gilhuys, who was representing Douglas, argued that the mere fact that the men were in a bathroom together does not incriminate them, neither does the word of the number three accused.

Gilhuys stated that his client was threatened and induced to sign a statement with the promise of receiving a shorter sentence if it implicated himself.

As such, the attorneys made applications for bail which was refused by the Magistrate. The men were remanded to prison until June 16 when they will return to Court One.

Govt to probe rice deal with Venezuela …promises

action against delinquent millers

By Alexis Rodney

The frequent quarrels between rice farmers and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) might soon come to an end, with the new Government promising to launch a forensic audit into the operations of the body.

The GRDB has been

“and we can have cheaper prices, farmers could look forward to receiving at least $1000 more for their paddy”.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo during the recent elections campaign had cleared the air on the workings of the Venezuela-sponsored Petrocaribe deal and dismissed claims by the then Opposition-backed

back to 2009, Guyana has been able to obtain increased prices every year, a development that has since brought added benefits to rice farmers and the economy as a whole. Actually, for Guyana it has spurred a rapid increase in rice production, due to the lucrative Venezuelan market, thus increasing the food supply in the region.

criticised in the past for alleged poor management practices and a lack of initiative to find markets for Guyana’s rice. However, there is a third element as mentioned by National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan during a live televised programme in Berbice over the weekend. He said that there are serious issues with the administration of the Petrocaribe rice agreement between Guyana and Venezuela and believes that a lot of fraud might have been committed.

He noted that the investigation was currently ongoing and as soon as it was completed

rice farmers in Essequibo that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government was using funds from the deal to subsidise itself. Petrocaribe, in addition to supplying oil at concessionary rates to Caribbean countries, is aimed at promoting trade among member states, and Guyana has been supplying rice to Venezuela under the initiative. Under the current trade agreement, Guyana is expected to supply approximately 210,000 tonnes of paddy and polished rice annually to Venezuela. The value of this supply amounts to US$130 million. Under this rice agreement which dates

Currently, farmers across the country are complaining about the low prices they have been receiving and the length of time taken by millers to pay them what is owed, but Ramjattan urged millers to pay the rice farmers on time. Currently, the Finance Minister is working on the budget which is going to be a herculean effort to pull off, seeing that it is a brand new start, Ramjattan said. However, he said he was hoping that it could be done with at the earliest possible time, so that “we can be able to take care of the people and keep some of the promises we said that we are going to do”.

cJIa employees – loric Williams (left) and chris Douglas (right) – charged with drug trafficking

Guyana is expected to supply approximately 210,000 tonnes of paddy and polished rice annually to Venezuela

President David Granger, Foreign affairs minister carl Greenidge and canadian High commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles at the ministry of the Presidency

PPP/C ratchets up protest action against GECOM

By Michael younge

Scores of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supporters and leaders intensified their calls for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to recount votes casted at the May 11 General and Regional Elections, following widespread allegations of electoral fraud, impropriety and systematic rigging.

Appearing unfazed by the current political environment, party supporters from all walks of life picketed the Elections Commission calling for its Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, to resign and facilitate a request made by the PPP/C for a forensic audit of the elections results and a recount of the ballots cast.

PPP/C Central Executive Member and former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall in an interview with this newspaper, while on the picket on Monday, said that his party will keep pressuring the commission to do the right thing and submit itself to scrutiny, if it is confident and has nothing to hide. Nandlall reasoned that the position adopted by GECOM is illegal and it would

appear that, sometimes, is amiss as far as the elections results are concerned.

Wearing the “peaceful picket” sign on his right shoulder, the former Attorney General said that the PPP/C will continue to protest until the issues it is concerned about are addressed at the level of the Commission. “Protest actions never get old,” he said, maintaining that over 200,000 Guyanese who voted for the party feel jilted and treated

unfairly because of the manner in which the election results were handled by the Guyana Elections Commission.

“Our protestations are going to manifest itself into different ways. Protests like this – marches, public meetings, rallies, petitions, court actions – are among the remedies that we will resort to.

Unfortunately, over 200,000 Guyanese who voted at those elections, precisely half of the electorate, have a genuine

feeling that they have been cheated,” Nandlall told this newspaper.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Progressive Youth Organisation, Irfaan Ali, said that youths across the country are concerned about their future and the type of illegal decisions being made by the Guyana Elections Commission. “Democracy is a very important aspect of every country’s life, especially for young people. Young people must be able to say that they live and participate in a democratic society; one in which the rule of law is respected and one in which the basic tenants of the elections of Government is secured and free from bias and free from anything that would contravene or act against the fairness of any election process,” Ali reported.

Also present at the PPP/ C’s picket were former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Home Affairs Minister and PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee, and former Government Minister Leslie Ramsammy.

Next door to Guyana in Suriname, that country’s ruling party National Democratic Party (NDP), led by President

Desi Bouterse, has disputed results in several districts of the capital, which now will be recounted Sunday, authorities said.

The NDP alleged there were problems with polling at 20 stations, its spokesman Winston Lackin told reporters Saturday. Unofficial results from Monday’s general parliamentary elections give the NDP 26 seats, a small margin of the majority in the 51-seat National Assembly. Of those 26 seats nine are likely to be awarded in the capital, which is the largest electoral district.

Bouterse, 69, will have to muster another eight votes to guarantee his own re-election, since the President is chosen by a two-thirds majority of parliament. Though the NDP wants to rule alone with its small majority, it needs more support in case a lawmaker drops out and they need 34 votes to re-elect Bouterse. A two-time coup leader and former international fugitive, Bouterse has long loomed large over Suriname, whether in his military fatigues and sunglasses, his sharp presidential suits or the Che Guevara T-shirts he favours as leisurewear.

GRA warehouse thieves caught on CCTV footage …currently in custody

Following the discovery of some Gy$6 million worth of seized liquor missing from an East Bank Demerara warehouse of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) two weeks ago, ranks from the Professional Guards Service (PGS) have been caught red-handed and were handed over to the Police.

In an updated statement to the media last Saturday, the GRA disclosed that after reviewing the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) footage from the warehouse located at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, a copy was handed over to the private security firm.

After reviewing the security footage, PGS positively identified personnel from its service as being actively involved in the criminal act.

Furthermore, the release disclosed that the suspects were since questioned and have named their accomplices. The questioning was done in the presence of their supervisors, officers from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and staff of the GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID). The suspects were subsequently placed in police custody.

On the other hand, GRA has reiterated that it continues to hold PGS

responsible for the loss and is awaiting the necessary response before considering any further actions against the security firm.

In addition, the external and the state auditors have also been briefed of the situation.

On May 13, during a routing inventory exercise, officers of LEID discovered approximate-

Additionally, the tax body outlined that a comprehensive audit is being conducted at the warehouse facility. “It should be noted that GRA’s Internal Audit Division is currently engaged in a comprehensive audit of the warehouse to determine whether other thefts may have occurred, and to ascertain possible weaknesses in the system of internal control that could have contributed to and prevented a more timely disclosure of such occurrences,” the GRA stated.

ly Gy$6 million worth of foreign liquor missing from the Eccles Warehouse Facility. The Commissioner General of the GRA, Khurshid Sattaur, has since assured that the agency will spare no effort in having the perpetrators brought to justice. He noted that the revenue body had previously installed CCTV monitoring system to safeguard against such incidents, and this has significantly aided the investigation.

GDF Flagship off to St. Kitts for military exercise

T

he Guyana Defence Force Flagship, the GDFS Essequibo, has departed with a team for St. Kitts/ Nevis to participate in ‘Exercise Tradewinds’.

Exercise Tradewinds is a United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) sponsored training exercise held annually in the Caribbean and has two phases –Maritime and Land Operations, the GDF said in a statement. The Maritime Phase is scheduled to be held in St. Kitts Nevis from May 30- June 9, 2015 and the Land Operations Phase is scheduled to be held in Belize from June 14-24.

vessel will participate exclusively in the Maritime phase. Commanding Officer of the vessel, Lieutenant (Coast Guard) Adrian McLean explained that, ranks will be exposed to several aspects of training during the period. He also noted that additional ranks will join the exercise to conduct small boat operations training, and the maritime phase will culminate with a 2-day exercise. The aim of Exercise Tradewinds is to help Caribbean nations to be better able to counter land and maritime security threats such as human smuggling and trafficking in illegal weapons and ammunition.

PPP/c central Executive member and former attorney General, anil Nandlall speaking to the media

from the Coast Guard,

Ranks as supporting staff drawn from across the Force. The team on board the

Commanding Officer of the Vessel, Lt Coast Guard Adrian McLean (right) with team

The GRA warehouse located at Eccles, East Bank Demerara

EncouragEd by Exxon’s oil find:

CGX to move faster with concession

Canadian oil and gas exploration company CGX Energy said, with the recent oil discovery made by its counterpart United States (US) based oil company Exxon Mobil, it will now be moving quickly to determine how best it could develop its acreage given its current financial constraints.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer Dewi Jones, in an announcement late last week disclosing its 2015 first quarter financial statements, said, “We are encouraged by the recent announcement by ExxonMobil in connection with its ‘significant discovery on the Stabroek Block’ located approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana and immediately adjacent to our acreage.” The company’s licences in Guyana covers some 3.3 million acres gross and 3.0 million acres net.

The discovery by Exxon Mobil has somehow given CGX some hope of finding oil in Guyana since after being here for a number of years and carrying out a few drilling activities which came up empty handed.

Of all the companies operating in Guyana, CGX Energy is said to be the most exposed. The company’s entire portfolio is focused on Guyana, in both the onshore and offshore basins. Onshore, the company holds a majority stake in the Berbice Block, through the ON Energy joint venture, owned 62.5 per cent by CGX Energy and 37.5 per cent by local investors. However, exploration results on the block have been disappointing, with three dry holes drilled in 2005. Moving offshore, it has a 100 per cent stake in three offshore blocks, Corentyne, Corentyne Annex and Pomeroon.

In 2012, CGX participated in two offshore wells – the Eagle-1 well was

drilled on the Corentyne Licence and the Jaguar-1 well was drilled on the Georgetown Licence. The Eagle-1 well had oil and gas, and the Jaguar-1 well sampled light oil in two zones. Both wells were abandoned. Eagle-1 as a dry hole and Jaguar-1 for safety concerns.

On February 12, 2013, CGX announced that the Government of Guyana issued a new Demerara petroleum agreement and petroleum prospecting licence in offshore Guyana, which encompasses the former Annex

2014.

In its cost cutting initiatives, it reported that general and administrative costs increased slightly to US$447,593 in the three month period ended March 31, 2015 from US$436,269 for the same period in 2014. These lower costs are consistent with the prior year and are a continued result of an overall cost cutting initiative undertaken by the company in the latter half of 2013, driven by the reduction in non-essential staff and purchases. In addition, management and consulting fees decreased to US$502,667 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 compared to US$543,988 for the same period in 2014.

The company said it continues to seek a joint venture partnership for all three of its petroleum prospecting licences and is actively pursuing this initiative. In the short term the company will require additional financing and seek to widen its shareholder base, but still with a view of negotiating far out transactions as the primary way to enhance shareholder value.

Licence as well as a new Berbice petroleum agreement and prospecting license onshore Guyana. This combines the former Berbice Licence and former onshore portion of the Corentyne Licence. Both licenses are renewable after four years for up to ten years.

Meanwhile in its financial results, the company has recorded a net loss of US$837,278 or US$0.01 a share for the three month period ended March 31, 2015, compared with US$1,185,644 or US$0.02 a share for the same period in

Subsequent to March 31, 2015, the company received an invoice for its share relating to the mobilisation fee of approximately US$5.6 million under the definitive rig agreement with Japan Drilling Co Ltd, and related rig sharing agreement with Teikoku Oil (Suriname) Co Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inpex Corporation, for the provision of rig services for the use of the jack-up drilling rig known as the “HAKURYU-12” rig. The Company is currently considering all of its available options under this agreement.

CGX Energy is a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration of oil in the GuyanaSuriname Basin.

canadian oil and gas exploration company cGX Energy has found new hope in Exxon's oil find

Granger to reintroduce National Cadet Corps

Newly sworn in President David Granger has announced his intentions to re-introduce the National Cadet Corps in Guyana for young boys and girls. The Head of State made the announcement last Friday when he declared the 48th Guyana Defence Force’s Cadets Training Course open at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School, Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, East Coast Demerara.

President Granger, in telling the soldiers that they must remain professional, public service oriented, loyal and honest in their roles and responsibilities, declared that “I intend to reintroduce a National Cadet Corp in this country.”

He noted that the mission of restarting such a programme, one which he said had existed during his time in school, was in an effort to not only promote public service, service to the country and leadership, but one which can enlighten the young minds of teenagers to the beauty of the country, through the provision of travel allowances and to make an informed choice in joining the Guyana Defence Force.

“I do believe in sec-

ondary schools, that youngsters should be exposed to the leadership skills, to team work, to sport, to travel which can prepare them and by the time they come to the force, if they do the skills they learn can stay with them throughout their career. Public service is a peculiar requirement. You have a motto in the school which says “I will serve Guyana”. It is very important. It means that you don’t serve yourself. It means that you don’t serve your race, it means that you don’t serve your village or your community, it means that you serve Guyana and that

is what we must work towards,” he said. With the President’s announcement come questions regarding the institutional support for such a programme, given that Granger himself back in 2009 had written in a feature in the Stabroek News ‘The Queen’s College Cadet Corps: its rise and fall’ that Clarence Trotz, in his ‘The History of Queen’s College’ wrote that the Cadet Corps was “summarily abolished” in 1975 but explanation for this act is difficult to find. Recognising the value of the cadet corps, the

Guyana Defence Force established the Army Cadet Company for boys from 12 Georgetown secondary schools, including Queen’s College, in February 1982. This flourished for a few years and cadets of the Company attended camps at Tacama and Timehri. The Company, unfortunately, was transferred to the Guyana National Service to be administered as part of the National Cadet Corps and there it disappeared. An attempt was made in 1993 to resurrect the old Cadet Corps with an orientation towards expe-

ditions and touring, but this also collapsed.

The President said that he runs a democratic state and as such, the programme will never have a feature of coercion and militarisation but would be one that is voluntarily joined and accepted. “This is not about militarisation, this is about young people who want to see this country, who want to explore, who want to come together to see this beautiful country. It is to be a voluntary scheme. No compulsion, no coercion. It is for young people between the ages of 12 to 18. It is for them

to become Guyanese, for them to understand the bounties of this country. As I said, to learn leadership, to learn team work, to travel and most important, to learn public service,” the Head of State told the members of the Army. Meanwhile, President Granger sought to point out that while there is need for trained officers and the importance of training, there was an even greater need for officers to uphold the maxims of the Army, all of which, he said, would be expounded on during the training.

Head of State and Commander of the Armed Forces, David Granger and senior officers of the Guyana Defence Force along with participating officers of the Standard Officers’ Course Number 48

7-yr-old girl loses battle to cancer

…3 days before scheduled operation

Seven year-old Colleacia Harcourt of Plantation Litchfield, West Coast Berbice, succumbed to brain cancer three days before she was scheduled to undergo surgery for the illness. Harcourt died on May 20, 2015.

Upon the discovery of her unfortunate condition, the little girl’s family had pleaded with the public for financial assistance in order to facilitate the medical treatment necessary to improve her condition. She was scheduled to undergo surgery on May 23, but the family never succeeded in raising enough funds for the operation.

The cost of the surgery was estimated to be Gy$7 million; however the family only succeeded in garnering Gy$2 million through donations from private citizens. According to recent reports from the family, the Ministry of Health had promised to provide an additional Gy$2 million, but never delivered on that promise.

The net estimation, however, only catered for hospital fees, anaesthesia fees, supplies and medications required for the surgery, hospitalisation, seven days in the intensive care unit and seven days in a regular

colleacia Harcourt

room. The family still needed assistance to cover the costs of airfare and accommodation.

Harcourt was diagnosed with a rare intra-ventricular tumour that obstructs the flow of fluids in the brain and causes a build up of pressure in the skull. Without immediate medical intervention, any patient is at severe risk of developing a life threatening complication.

The bright girl had begun experiencing agonising migraines just before school closed for the Easter Holidays this year. Initially, the family did not suspect it to be anything serious, therefore they opted to treat it with a home remedy and recommended rest to take the pain away. However, the excruciating throbs in her brain did not go away. Harcourt was rushed

back and forth from several hospitals as her parents desperately tried to detect the source of the problem. Eventually, a brain scan was done upon request of her father and it was then that the tumour was discovered. The doctors advised that the child needed immediate medical attention if she were to survive.

Through the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the family received a quotation of Gy$7 million for treatment overseas. However, the family could not afford this on their own and thus sought to seek the public’s assistance. The family, speaking with this newspaper shortly after the child’s death, extended gratitude to the public for the assistance they rendered during their desperate time of need.

AML/CFT Amendment Bill for the 11th Parliament, says AG

The David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Administration will be moving ahead with the presentation of the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill in the 11th Parliament, in the same form and fashion as it was in the special select committee set up in the 10th Parliament.

Newly appointed Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams said the new Government will be proceeding on the basis of that bill that it had placed in the select committee in the last

Parliament.

He was at the time speaking to journalists moments after his meeting with a threemember team that paid a courtesy call on him at his Carmichael street office on Monday. The team comprises British High Commissioner Greg Quinn; Manager for the Caribbean Criminal Asset Recovery Programme (CCARP) Eamon Kearney; and Alex Ferguson, Legal Advisor for the CCARP.

The focal point of the visit was to relay the urgency of the passage of the AML/CFT Bill – which was stalled in the tenth Parliament under the then Donald Ramotar-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) Government –and offer advice on the way forward regarding the required legislation in this regard.

The Bill, as put forward by the then Government, had harboured little or no support from the then combined APNU and AFC parliamentary Opposition, using their one seat majority to block its passage. The political impasse surrounding the passage of the Bill saw Guyana being blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), and averting official blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The blockage was

attorney General and legal affairs minister Basil Williams in conversation with the United Kingdom delegation who paid a courtesy call on him at his office on Monday

Rohee broadsides Urling over critique of Jagdeo

By Vahnu Manikchand

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Clement Rohee, has chided businessman Clinton Urling’s critique of former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s leadership and

his alleged stranglehold on the party’s machinery. In a letter that was published on Sunday in a local newspaper, Urling, who was a candidate for the PPP/C at the May 11 polls, said that the party needs to move on without the former President if it wants to retain its previ-

ous political prestige. “It will be a difficult task for the party if it continues on the current path with Jagdeo as de facto leader. Moreover, it would be difficult to attract and, in my case retain, the type of people who can help reinvent the party. Plainly stated, the party

has to move on without Jagdeo if it is to ever recapture its former political prestige,” Urling concluded in the letter.

However, when asked about the statement at the party’s weekly press conference on Monday, General Secretary Clement Rohee noted that while he was taken aback by the comments, Urling is entitled to his opinion and that does not necessarily reflect the party’s position. “I think it is more perception. You know what they say perception is more like reality, but its Mr Urling’s perception,” he said. The General Secretary pointed out

that the businessman merely joined the party about two months prior to the elections, as such he is not in any position to pronounce on the party or its members. Rohee further stated that one has to be with the party for a number of years in order to understand and learn its culture and inner workings. According to the General Secretary, he is particularly disappointed with the way in which the candidate went about expressing his views, noting that he could have written to him first.

Also weighing in on the issue was former PPP/C Stalwart Ralph

Ramkarran who, in another article, supported the views expressed by Urling, but highlighted that the former President is not one to sit quietly on the sidelines. Ramkarran even opined that in order for the PPP/C to be “saved”, disaffected and incumbent members needs to establish a new political party that is devoted to the ideals of Cheddi Jagan. “Such a party will aim primarily at winning over supporters of PPP/C and gaining seats in the National Assembly at the next elections. The objective is to deprive the PPP/C of the possibility of gaining an absolute majority,” he stated. In response to this, Rohee said that while Ramkarran was a member of the PPP/C, he was never involved in party business but was focused on his legal practice, hence, he too is not familiar with the inner workings of the party such as the decision making process. The General Secretary went onto say that he cannot agree or disagree with the positions taken by either man, noting that they both have axes to grind with the PPP/C.

PPP/c General Secretary clement rohee PPP/c candidate clinton Urling

Jagdeo’s travel ban lifted

…as CJ quashes Magistrate’s decision

Chief Justice Ian Chang, last Friday, quashed an order given by the Magistrate presiding at the Whim Magistrate’s Court and lifted a controversial travel restriction which was imposed on former President Bharrat Jagdeo when he made a court appearance last week.

Jagdeo moved to the High Court with the request, challenging the decision of the Magistrate via a “humble petition” which was filed by Attorney Murseline Bacchus at the High Court on Friday morning. The matter was fixed for hearing before acting Chief Justice Ian Chang the same day, and it was granted.

Jagdeo is currently facing a private politically motivated charge filed against him by political activist and social commentator, Christopher Ram.

Filed under Section 139D 1A of the Representation of the People Act, the charge

stated that, on March 8, 2015 at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Jagdeo said, “The Opposition consistently shouts about racism of the PPP, but they practise racism. The Opposition beats drums at six in the morning and say let us throw the coolie people out.”

The former President was at the time on the campaign trail for his party, the then ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Ram, an outspoken critic of the Government, contended that the statements made can result in racial or ethnic hatred among the people.

At the second hearing of the case on Monday, Magistrate Charlyn Artiga read the charge to the former President. However he was not required to enter a plea.

After listening to mitigation pleas from his list of attorneys, the Magistrate released Jagdeo on his own recognisance, but on the condition that he does not leave the jurisdiction without her

court’s permission.

In the petition, it was pointed out that the former President holds an Honorary Doctorate and because of his activities he was named “Champion of the Earth”. As such, his international obli-

gations requires him leave Guyana regularly, but he always returns.

The legal documents further detailed that the condition imposed by Magistrate Artiga would cause “an onerous duty and grave hardship on your petitioner since he resides over 75 miles from Whim Magistrate’s Court, and he can only seek permission to leave the jurisdiction on the days that the case would be called. At the moment, it is fixed for the 22nd day of June, 2015. Further, the Magistrate sits at Whim only two days of the week”.

Furthermore, it was pointed out that when the Magistrate placed Jagdeo on self bail he had to sign the recognisance, but no conditions were written on the document.

The attorney noted that the Magistrate wrote the travel restrictions only on the “case jacket”. On this note, it was argued that the condition written on the case jack-

et is null and void.

The court document detailed that the Magistrate in placing the Jagdeo on self bail, acted unreasonably, capriciously and without any proper grounds, in declaring the condition in open court and recording it on the “case jacket”.

In addition, the attorney argued that the Magistrate failed to take into consideration the possibility that the former President may need medical attention overseas and his overseas obligations.

“Your petitioner is aware of his legal responsibility to appear in court on whatever dates the case may be fixed for, and he has no intention of absconding.

“Therefore, your petitioner humbly prays that this honourable court would be pleased to remove the condition that he seeks the Magistrate’s permission before he leaves or can leave the jurisdiction,” the petition detailed.

Govt asks GuySuCo Board members to...

be paid and there will be no closing of the Sugar Corporation.”

Just last week, GuySuCo reportedly told workers’ unions –the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) that it was unable to pay sugar workers for the month of May. The news got worse when reports surfaced that the already cash-strapped entity had failed to account for some Gy$154 million of

employees’ Credit Union savings owed to GAWU.

The Union had to make a “regrettable, but unavoidable decision” advising GuySuCo to cease deductions from workers’ earnings in this regard.

GuySuCo has received the sum of Gy$400 million which will allow the company to continue its operation for the remainder of this week. The Corporation has received the money from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica. As part of that loan arrangement, the Bank holds GuySuCo’s

receivables from the sale of sugar.

Management

While President David Granger has persistently pledged his support for the sugar industry, he has been critical of the management of the Corporation. During a recent interview with this publication, he said his Government will soon be making critical decisions that will put the industry on “a sound footing”.

Granger had in the past called for the privatisation of the industry, but of recent he has floated the commission-

Four new towns for Guyana within a year – Minister of Communities

The Ministry of Communities will be responsible for preparing four communities in Guyana for township status. These will complement the existing six towns: Georgetown, the capital, New Amsterdam, Corriverton and Rosehall in Region Six, Anna Regina, Region Two and Linden, Region Ten. This was told to the Government Information Agency (GINA) by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, during an interview last Thursday. The towns are going to be made out of the communities of Mabaruma in Region One, Bartica in Region Seven, Mahdia in Region

minister of communities ronald Bulkan

Eight, and Lethem in Region Nine.

Minister Bulkan noted that the communities will be upgraded to township status, each with its own mayor and

councillors. The new towns will then be able to provide all the services that other municipalities offer. He explained that services would include banking, sanitation, and other governmental services such as provision of passports and driver’s licences.

The Minister added that this would enable residents of the new towns to remain within their township, thereby precluding them from having to travel all the way to Georgetown to access such services.

Minister Bulkan expects that the four new towns would be operational by the time Guyana observes its 50th Independence Anniversary on May 26, 2016. (GINA)

ing of an intense investigation into the operations of the industry, particularly since there have been numerous reports of workers not turning up for work, among other things.

from page 3

“We’ve been calling for a turnaround plan. We were asked from time to time for subventions, but we had asked them [the former Government] in turn what was the plan to make the industry viable … that is the stage where we are at now… to ensure that the industry doesn’t collapse and the means of financing are identified,” the President continued.

Former President Bharrat Jadgeo

New Govt reconsidering PPP/C Specialty Hospital proposal

Despite undermining the construction of a Specialty Hospital which was proposed by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) while in Government, the new administration is now reconsidering the proposal.

Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International stated that his administration, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has no qualms with the concept of the Specialty Hospital. He said its problem was with the suspected underhandedness the concept had the possibility of encouraging in the last administration.

The construction of a Specialty Hospital was part of an agreement between the Government of Guyana and India, for Guyana to use US$18 million through a line of credit to build the hospital.

The idea had come in for heavy criticism by the

new administration during the 10th Parliament.

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

Minister Gordon said the continuing advancements in medical tools and practices have made it ridiculous for such a hospital not to be considered.

He said “it is expensive for us to have to send our patients from Guyana out to other (foreign) institutions to get these treatments done… thus we should make all efforts to get the facilities here on board.”

However, Minister Norton said measures need to be put in place to ensure that the Guyanese

people will be able to benefit from it. He had expressed concerns about the cost being an obstacle for ordinary people.

Concerns had also arisen over whether this would have been a possibility when the initiative was first presented to them, he said that too much information was being kept that gave precedence to suspicions of duplicity.

The APNU/AFC administration had also expressed concerns over the distance that the Specialty Hospital would have been from ordinary people in all areas of Guyana.

Nonetheless, Minister Norton said that the Specialty Hospital is not a priority for his Ministry at the moment as he intends to place emphasis on the existing hospitals. He said these hospitals can be equipped with the same special equipment that a specialty hospital would have to enable all patients to have access across Guyana.

The Minister said the Linden Hospital is an example of such specialty being practiced as it has perfected maternal and infant health practices that has enabled them to not have any deaths in some time. “We have to use this to analyse areas in the other hospitals where we are having problems,” said the Minister.

Nevertheless, he said that negotiations will continue to make the Specialty Hospital work for the benefit of the people, although much ground work and research is still necessary for this to be possible.

Reconvening of Parliament set for June 10

After months of being prorogued and then subsequently dissolved, June 10 has now been set as the date for the 11th Parliament to be reconvened.

According to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, the date was made known to him by the President’s Proclamation which he received on Wednesday. The Proclamation states that the Parliament is to be reconvened on Wednesday, June 10 at 14:00h.

The date has been set even though the Speaker of the National Assembly is yet to be confirmed. However, according to Isaacs, the Speaker will be selected at the first sitting on that date.

As it stands however, he noted that practicing Attorney Roysdale Forde has been nominated by the Alliance For Change party as the most suitable candidate for the position.

While Forde is the only nominee at this time, and will possibly be the next Speaker of the House, the Clerk said that other nominations can also be made in the meantime and if it is that there are other contenders on the day in question then a vote will be taken.

According to the Cummingsburg Accord – which was signed between the two parties –the Speaker would have

had to be chosen from civil society, in an effort to remain neutral and balanced and to maintain order in the National Assembly.

In the meantime however, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), the minority in this year’s Parliament, has not yet submitted its list of representatives for the 11th Parliament to the Guyana Elections Commission for it to be gazette, along with the official results of the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

The party has indicated that it is still in the process of facilitating discussions to decide on whether it will be taking up the seats in the National Assembly and if it does, the members who will be representing the party.

Meanwhile, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition submitted its list to GECOM on Tuesday.

The list is headed by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, followed by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Ministers of the Ministry of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence and Simona Broomes; Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman; Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams; Ministers of the Finance continued on page 28

Argentina, Guyana pledge to strengthen ties

Argentina has pledged to further strengthen its relationship with Guyana and is looking forward to working with the newlyelected A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

The Argentina Embassy in Guyana hosted a reception last Friday evening to celebrate the 205th anniversary of the May 1810 revolution in the South American country. The revolution marked the beginning of the long road in its struggle for national Independence, which eventually came about with the Declaration of Independence in July 1816.

During his remarks at the reception, Ambassador Luis Alberto Martino said he is looking forward to strengthen the relationship with Guyana under its new Government.

On this note, he extend-

ed warm wishes from Argentina’s President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchne, to the newlyelected President David Granger and his administration.

“It is the firm intention of my Government to start a new phase of bilateral cooperation with the Government of Guyana, including all sectors of Government agencies, as well as the private

sector, to build on what we have already started since the reopening of our Embassy (in 2013). There are several areas that I believe can be identified in order to develop a stronger bilateral cooperation; I see great potentialities, particularly in the areas of agriculture, health, sports, and culture, among others,” he stated.

According to

Ambassador Martino, they have already begun work in some of these areas. He noted that last year a team from Guyana visited Buenos Aires, following an invitation from Argentina’s Tourism Ministry, to participate in the International Tourism Fair of Buenos Aires, which took place in September 2014. The fair saw Guyana, for the first time, showcasing

the great tourism opportunities the country has to offer to international visitors.

Furthermore, the South American Diplomat outlined that he is in discussion with the local authorities to establish a blood bank in Guyana. He noted that an Argentine team of haematologists and other experts are scheduled to visit Guyana in the second semester of 2015, for a first assessment on the ground.

Meanwhile, recently-appointed Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, lauded the progress Argentina has made since the revolution, noting that the country has become one of the major economies in South America. He noted that his Government is committed to strengthen ties with all its regional and international partnerships in efforts to further developed Guyana. Greenidge went on

to highlight that as a small country, Guyana has adopted itself into regional groupings as a response to international challenges. Such groupings include the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and MERCASUR (a commonmarket body of South American countries). Moreover, the Foreign Affairs Minister underscored that his Government is seeking to strengthen relations at the bilateral level with traditional partners, while at the same time develop new and mutually beneficial partnerships.

The reception was held at the Marriott Hotel and saw several officials and newly-appointed Ministers gracing the occasion. Members of the private sector, as well as other Diplomats, were also in attendance.

a section of the gathering that attended the reception at the marriott Hotel

Public Health minister, Dr George Norton said the Specialty Hospital is not a bad idea

minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton

GECOM to look at Carter Centre’s recommendations

After receiving a preliminary report from the Carter Centre, one of the international observer missions that monitored the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is expected to take into consideration recommendations made as it seeks to improve and change some aspects of its operations in enhance the conduct of future elections in the country.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Steve Surujbally, briefly told this publication last Friday that while he has received and read the report, he is yet to meet with the Commission to discuss the recommendations made and which ones, if any, the commission will implement. “We have not begun anything… we are waiting on things to cool down first because as you know things are not quite fine as yet,” he related to this newspaper.

On Thursday, the United Statesbased Carter Centre released a detailed preliminary report on its findings from observing the recently held elections. While the organisation stood by its initial conclusion on the electoral process, dubbing it free and fair, it nevertheless made several recommendations in areas it felt that can be enhanced to make the process even more transparent and efficient.

Recommendations were made to the Government, GECOM and even the political parties. In the report, the Carter Centre issued six suggestions to the Election Commission.

Among the recommendations were for GECOM to make available, at the earliest possible time,

results from the polling station level. This will be in accordance with international best practices and will enhance the public’s confidence in the process and its outcome, the observer said.

GECOM’s Chairman could not say whether the Commission would immediately heed the advice of the Carter Centre as far as the release of the results are concerned as this had to be discussed by the Commissioners.

The Observer Mission further advised GECOM to review its policy on access to information and the openness of the Commission’s meetings. “Ideally these should be open to media and observers. In any case, agendas should be published well in advance and decisions should be made public,” the report detailed.

Another area that the Carter Centre felt needed to be improved is the tabulation process.

According to the report, while the tabulation system is thorough, the slow pace of the process creates a vacuum of information that fuels suspicion and mistrust. “Guyana should consider a full review of tabulation procedures, possibly including steps such as a double-blind data-entry system to enhance accuracy and confidence. Improved tabulation procedures and timely dissemination of information will increase trust in the overall process,” the Centre noted.

Other recommendations to the Election Commission include improved accessibility for voters with disabilities, neutral location of polling stations, and building confidence in the voters’ lists.

Health and safety to be ‘tightened’ at Enmore Sugar Estate - Minister Broomes promises

During a visit to the Enmore Sugar Estate, East Coast Demerara last Friday by Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, serious health and safety concerns for the workers were highlighted.

“…the condition that they have to work under is really bad and definitely we are going to deal with management. I am going to sit down with the other Minister and we are definitely going to be back here,” Minister Broomes said, following an inspection of the estate’s operations.

According to Minister Broomes, prior to touring the facility, a meeting with the manager had given the impression that “they were on top of the ball with health and safety”, but coming out and talking to the workers showed a different situation, she said.

“Workers being here for three years and not being permanent staff, these are some issues that we have to deal with immediately, and I have asked the senior of-

ficer to take some of the genuine concerns and we will prioritise them, we are going to investigate and we are going to come back to the managers and ensure that these requirements will be met,” she said.

Of particular concern for the new Minister was the fact that the men who work in the boiler room were not outfitted with the proper safety and health gear. “…They cannot be facing all that heat like a fireman in a cloth overall, that is very dangerous,” she said.

The Minister noted that these men work near boiling water mixed with chemicals and must be properly protected as they are faced with all kinds of danger.

“They (management) need to tighten on that … the safety,” the Minister said, adding that, “it is so overwhelming, with the number of complaints, the staff are pleased that now they have a new Government and a Government that will approach the people and listen to them and not only listen, but definitely find solutions to their problems.”

minister in the ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes addressing a group of workers at the Enmore Packaging Plant

ETI has seen vast improvements since its opening - Principal

The Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), in celebrating their 14th Anniversary, hosted a grand Technological Fair and Career Day, last Friday, under the theme “ Technical Vocational Education Training: The gate way to prosperity”.

The fair attracted stakeholders from both public and private sectors such as Republic Bank, Caricom Rice Mill Limited, Marcrop, Barama Group of Companies, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Guyana Police Force, Guyana Forestry Commission, Carnegie School of Home Economics, Citizens Bank and Original Juice.

The fair gave school children, as well as students within the institute, an opportunity to choose an early career path, thereby setting their career goals for the future. At the fair, students had the opportunity to visit the career booths and interact with the various stakeholders. Stakeholders were also given the opportunity to showcase jobs and their products that are available within their complex.

The fair was opened by the Principal of the institute, Micheal Tuner, accompanied by stakeholders from the Barama

Group of Companies, Marcrop and Caricom Rice Mills, students and teachers of the institute. According to the Principal, the institute was established from a project through the Education Ministry in June 2000. The finance, he said, was released by Government of Guyana in August 2000 for the starting of the rehabilitation and extension works for the institute.

At a simple opening ceremony, the Principal, whilst addressing a gathering of school children and stakeholders, said over the 14-year period, the institute has seen improvements in all the academic areas. He further explained that the population has increased from 160 to 3500, along with the number of courses offered – 15 as compared to the previous seven.

Tuner added that as ETI strives to continue progressing, engagements will continue with the business communities fostering stronger relationship capacity for future apprenticeship programmes. He pointed out that students from the institute are being offered employment opportunities as well as on-the-job training from companies such as Caricom Rice Mill Limited, Barama Ply Wood and Marcrop.

It was outlined that in an effort to strengthen as well as provide better services and a comfortable environment for students, a series of workshops are presently being constructed within the institute’s compound.

Tuner further went on to say that ETI will continue to monitor the progress made and will be moving along the technol-

ogy line, by introducing online registration and applications. With this, persons can check courses online; parents can view their child’s performance; and students will be exposed to free internet within the institution.

Some of the courses offered by the institution includes data operation levels one and two, ordinary diploma in commerce, furniture making, metal work engineering, electrical installation, welding, small appliances and repairs, motor vehicle engine system and agricultural machinery.

The Essequibo Technical Institute opened its doors to 160 students on March 12, 2001. The institution compound has an area of 1.8 hectares of floor space in two buildings, including six workshops and two laboratories.

Brazil abolishes visas for Jamaicans K

INGSTON, JAMAICA:

Jamaicans planning to travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the Summer Olympic Games next year will have an easier time getting there as the South American country has abolished the previous visa requirement for citizens of the island.

Brazil's most recent ambassador to Jamaica, Antonio da Costa e Silva, whose tour of duty ended on May 31, and Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Arnold J Nicholson signed the Visa Abolishment Agreement at the Jamaica Pegasus last Wednesday.

The abolition builds on a special visa cooperation between the two countries which was signed in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup last year and extended the validity of visas from short periods to five years.

Jamaica's Ambassador to Brazil Alison Stone Roofe explained that the visa abolition does not mean that inspection at the port of entry will be discontinued. In fact, she said "scrutiny is even stricter where there is a waiver".

Stone Roofe added that the visa waiver does not apply to those who intend to become employed, engage in research, traineeships, studies and social work, undertake technical assistance, or pursue missionary, religious or artis-

tic activities (such as musicians and singers).

Prospective visitors should note, the ambassador added, that they need a yellow fever vaccination certificate and that their passports must be valid for more than six months at the time of entry.

Brazilians didn't previously require visas to visit Jamaica.

"Jamaicans tend to travel to Brazil for targeted, specific reasons, for example, visiting friends and relatives, and cultural reasons due to the influence of reggae music and the affinity with the Afro Brazilian population. The numbers are not steady or constant and are definitely seasonal, eg, World Cup last year saw an increased number of Jamaican visitors, and certainly we anticipate even more for the Olympics next year," Stone Roofe said, adding that the population of Jamaican students in the South American country -- about 200 -- also pulls visitors.

Among the other bilateral agreements brokered during da Costa e Silva's tenure was the air services agreement, which will see direct flights between Jamaica and the south-east regions of Brazil -- particularly Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador -- and the twinning of the cities of Kingston and Salvador, Brazil. (Jamaica Observer)

Govt wants tangible justification for new airport …but expresses support for extension of runway

Public Infrastructure

Minister, David Patterson has asked for a comprehensive report of the CJIA expansion project, saying while his Government has no problem with the extension of the runway, there must be tangible justifications for the construction of a new terminal building.

While in opposition, the APNU+AFC had voted down budgetary provisions for the CJIA expansion project and had threatened to cancel the project once it got into Government.

During a tour of the site last Friday, Patterson asked the management of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to submit a comprehensive report of the Airport’s expansion project by Friday this week. This document will afford the Minister an opportunity to familiarise himself with the project before discussing it at Cabinet, a release from

Patterson’s Ministry said. Patterson toured the site and was briefed on the US $150M project including, the design of the new terminal building and the relocation of individuals occupying CJIA’s lands. Following the tour and presentation, the Minister told CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir; Officials of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); and Engineers

from the Ministry and CJIA that the information provided to him “was a lot to contemplate”.

According to Minister Patterson, his Government has no issue with the extension of the runway, but tangible justifications must be provided for the construction of a new terminal building since it “hinges on the final cost of the project.” Ruminating on the concern of per-

sons occupying CJIA’s land, relocation options were suggested, including the establishment of a housing scheme at Yarrowkabra, Linden Highway.

However, the Minister intimated that the concern has to be addressed as a social issue and charged the stakeholders to arrive at an acceptable solution, since the approval of the expansion project will be

hinged on a successful resolution of this matter.

The airport expansion project was conceptualised under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration and a contract was inked with China Harbour Engineering (CHEC) in 2011. Key components of the expansion project include: The extension of the runway from 7,500 to 10,800 feet – to accommodate the BOEING 747400 aircraft; Doubling of Aircraft Position from four to eight; installation of eight Passenger Boarding Bridges; and the fortification of the CCTV system with approximately 300 cameras.

Last year leading agencies in the aviation industry had pushed for the project to be completed without further hindrance. During a highprofile meeting with the then Public Works Minister Robeson Benn back in June last year, key stakeholders with-

in the aviation sector reaffirmed their commitment to the expansion of the industry, but said the airport must be expanded to mitigate the challenges currently faced.

Early January this year Ghir had told a news conference that some Gy$366 million was spent on the project during the year 2014. The project had exhausted more than US$30 million or G$6.4 billion since its commencement back in 2013. However, the Gy$366,986,979 million was spent last year in spite of funding for the project not being approved by the National Assembly in the 2014 Budget. Benn had explained that the continuation of the project was financed with funds received from the Government of China and pointed out that these monies must be used otherwise Guyanese will lose out on the benefits that can be reaped from it.

Infrastructure minister, David Patterson and other technical officials of his Ministry during the tour of the CJIA

Essequibo Technical Institute celebrates 14 years of existence

Hindu organisation condemns attack on Swami Aksharananda

As public outrage continues to spew out over the attack on Swami Aksharananda, the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindus for Selfless Service-HSS) Guyana has also spoken out, condemning the acts.

In a letter to the media, the religious organisation stated that in the Hindu society, everything is treated with utmost respect, be it the living or non-living. Books, animals, parents, teachers and priests are all considered as God to Hindus. Hence, the HSS expresses its condemnation of the attack that was made on Swami Aksharananda by a gang of men on Friday May 23, as he was making his way to Georgetown, via the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling.

“A vast section of the Guyanese and international community looks up at Swami Aksharnandaji – a Guyanese leading peace advocate, a leader and role model and is of the view that the verbal attack was totally uncalled for. It clearly shows people don’t know the calibre of a Swami. Distinctly, a Swami is beyond description,” the HSS pointed out.

HSS remarked that

Swamiji’s abuse was one that not only attacked his personal life but his ethnicity and religious background, noting, without a doubt, that his approach towards the situation was a very conservative one and a reflection of his lifestyle beliefs.

“Abuse in any form is argued to be based on arrogance and control. In Guyana, it is often seen that many ‘pick on’ the Indians, who are mostly Hindus and continuously torment them. But lets us remind ourselves, constant abuse in any form can lead to catastrophe, if one’s serenity is provoked. The hope of equality in race and religion has been focused on many of times before by many religious leaders and peace makers in

Guyana, however when the time arrives for action, things are at a halt due to the disrespect and hatred that is transmitted from one race to another,” the organisation penned.

On this note, the religious body advises all Guyanese Hindus to hold on to what they believe in and refrain from being involved in such confrontations. HSS further quoted activist Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who has said, “We should meet abuse by patience. Human nature is so constituted that if we take absolutely no notice of anger, arrogance or abuse, the person indulging in it will soon weary of it and stop.”

In addition, the HSS went onto explained that the term “Swami” means one who is established in oneself. In the scriptures, a Swami’s life is described as “atmano mokshartham jagat hitaya cha” which means one who strives for “the realisation of the self and for the benefit and good of the world.” A Swami is one who has set aside his personal and worldly pursuits, in order to devote all his effort to experience the highest spiritual realisation, and to the service of others.

AML/CFT Amendment Bill...

based on a number of issues, but particularly the inability of government and opposition to agree on the amendments. Government’s version of the AML/CFT Bill did not sit right with the Opposition.

“That Bill had several amendments dealing with the governance structure of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and an independent authority over the FIU, and the mode and manner of appointing the independent authority and the director of the FIU and the staff. We introduced criteria of qualification for the director of the FIU and other staff members. We were simply amending the parent act which provided for the director of the FIU to be appointed by the Minister of Finance and be dismissed by the President,” the AG explained.

He continued, “We thought that that was a nongovernmental thing, because there was no independence there and that is what we have put in place because… It should only involve

the appointment committee.”

He noted that the team had no problems with the amendments put forward, but wish to make some suggestions that would add to the efficacy and effectiveness of the Bill. Added to that, he said he met with the Director of the FIU and the legal advisors who gave him an update on the status of the AML/CFT Bill where he was apprised of the need to have the Bill passed in time for the FATF meeting in October, sometime after the CFTAF meeting in August.

According to Williams, Guyana would need to be in compliance by that time or face being blacklisted. He said Guyana needs to move quickly because the American Regions Review Group (AARG) has made some proposals which the team took on board and which Guyana will have to incorporate into its version of the Bill. Those recommendations he assured are entirely new and are designed to give a fu-

Obama proclaims June 2015 Caribbean-American Heritage Month

US President Barack Obama has proclaimed June 2015 National Caribbean-American Heritage month, noting that for centuries, Americans have been united with their Caribbean neighbours not just by friendship and economic cooperation, but also by their “common values and ties of kin.”

He said from a region of extraordinary beauty, generations of immigrants have brought their enormous spirit, unique talents, and vibrant culture to the United States, which have enriched the country and “strengthened the deep bonds between our peoples”.

“This month, we celebrate the Caribbean-Americans whose legacies are woven into the fabric of our nation, and we reaffirm our belief that throughout the region, we all share a stake in one another's success,” he said.

As partners, the US President said America and the Caribbean have “reached for progress together,” adding that in their diverse cultures and complex histories, they “see a common trajectory toward a more free, equal, and prosperous community.

In the United States, Obama said Caribbean-Americans have followed in the footsteps of their ancestors, “joining their voices with the chorus of patriots and carrying forward the baton of justice – from the battlefield and the outfield, in places like Selma and Seneca Falls, and through powerful song, poetry and prose.

“Just as our nations’ pasts are shared, our futures are inextricably linked,” he said, stating that as millions of Caribbean Americans continue to innovate and thrive in the United States, his administration is “committed to lift-

ing up hardworking individuals throughout the Caribbean and partnering with Governments to build the foundation for the next century of progress and prosperity.”

Because of his immigration policy, the US president said thousands of young immigrants from the Caribbean have been able to live up to their potential, stating that, last year, he announced his intent to take action that would allow more high-skilled immigrants, graduates, entrepreneurs and families to contribute to America’s economy.

These included expanding the existing immigration policy and creating a new policy to provide temporary relief to certain undocumented parents of American citizens and lawful permanent residents.

“And I continue to call on the Congress to finish the job by passing comprehensive immigration reform,” he said. (CMC)

turistic approach to the matter, noting that compliance with the passage of this Bill will be the “crux” of the matter in satisfying FATF.

Meanwhile, head of CCARP Eamon Kearney, told Guyana Times International that his team is offering some assistance to Guyana’s Government in amending the anti money laundering legislation, because Guyana has been marked as being deficient in this area by the CAFTF and it is one of the areas of legislation Government has undertaken to bring before Parliament in its next sitting.

He said the programme which is funded by the UK Government, through the Department of International Development; helps build the capacity and capability of practitioners in recovering assets from criminals. The practices assisted include investigators, prosecutors, Magistrates and Judges, providing guidance in their roles in recovering the proceeds of crime.

Swami aksharananda

US President Barack obama

Granger’s Govt has created parallel treasury – PPP/C

… full account on recent exorbitant spending demanded

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) says the David Granger administration appears to have created a parallel treasury as it expressed concern over the exorbitant spending that has been taking place without the apparent lawful and financial processes being followed.

The Party, last Saturday, called on Finance Minister Winston Jordan to release a full account of all the monetary and non-monetary contributions received by the Government during the past two weeks.

It stated that the recent spending by the Government since it took office lacks accountability and transparency as the PPP/C demanded clarification on several pressing issues.

Firstly, the PPP/C noted that the monies being solicited, received and spent on cleanup campaigns, “Independence Day celebrations and the inauguration ceremony are all outside the consolidated funds”.

Surfacing of seaweed interrupts livelihoods of Region 2 fishermen

As such, the Party wants clarification on whether all contributions received from the private sector and other donors in relation to the Independence and inauguration events were deposited into the consolidated fund, as is required by law, and withdrawn from the consolidated fund in accordance with the laws of Guyana and if not, what was the process used.

The Party is also seeking clarification on whether private citizens known to be affiliated with the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, but hold no government office, are authorised to receive donations destined for the Government of Guyana; and what arrangements are in place to ensure accountability and by what authority are these individuals calling up private companies and individuals demanding contributions and donations.

Therefore, the Party is asking the Finance Minister to make public the procurement of funds to execute those events.

The PPP/C pointed out that there are rules governing gifts and donations to the Government, including the need to deposit them into and process them through the consolidated fund.

Additionally, the PPP/C wants to know by what competitive or tender process were contractors selected to execute the works currently being done, naming the newspaper and date of publication of the advertisements of the tenders for the work done.

In the event that the work is being done for free, the PPP/C wants clarity on what special arrangements are in place to safeguard against the same contractors expecting to have their “favour” to the Government returned at some point in time in the future.

Also, the statement further highlighted that the APNU/AFC Finance Minister initially pronounced that his administration will not operate a parallel treasury but yet today, the Government is seemingly spending money outside the consolidated funds.

Fishermen in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are frustrated and unsettled over a strange floating weed in the Atlantic Ocean which is severely affecting their catch. They have complained of losing thousands of dollars in fish due to the seaweed.

The seaweed, which was noticed some three months ago at various points of the seashore, has adversely affected the fishing industry within the region.

The weed is suspected to have come from the deep floor of the Atlantic Ocean and is creating numerous problems in the fishing industry.

The livelihood of fishermen have crippled due to the surfacing of the seaweed, which is intruding their seines causing it to roll up as it drifts into the Atlantic Ocean.

“It goes in the seine very well. Because of that now the seine is filled with mucky stuff and not fish. Every time we go on sea, close to Gy$200,000 is invested,” one distraught fisherman stated.

This incident has discouraged many fishermen from going out to sea now. Those determined often return with no catch as their time is mostly spent clearing the weeds off their seine.

The floating seaweed has resulted into many boats

moored at the Paradise seawall and fishermen contemplating their next move.

Local fish vendors, capitalising on the incident, have increased their prices.

While the problem has deterred seine fishermen, line and hook operations and the shrimp industry have not been affected.

The Region 2 fishermen have therefore called on the Fisheries Department of the Agriculture Ministry to launch an investigation into the problem as fishing is a main economic activity in the region and livelihoods of many are being affected.

Fishermen cleaning the seaweed from their seines

Govt under pressure for hold up of Police transfers

…accusation of interference surfaces

Close to three weeks after Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud made some high-level changes in the command of key departments within the Force, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is yet to give the clearance for these to take effect.

Observers say the holdup of these transfers goes against everything President David Granger had espoused while in Opposition. It was Granger who initially had asked Persaud to put on hold the transfers explaining then that he wanted Ramjattan to take up his position first. Operational matters within the Force are usually the sole mandate of the Police Commissioner, something which Granger had fought the previous administration on.

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, while in Opposition, had also lashed out at former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee for “politically interfering with the day-to-day administration of the Force”. Felix, a former head of the Guyana Police Force, had made specific reference to two instances, one on November 28, 2011 when he said he overheard a Police radio transmission where ranks were being instructed “not to arrest” or touch a “known OP Miscreant” or they would face prosecution. Rohee, in his defence, had sought to explain his decisions, but Felix asserted that the Minister’s role is to set policy and not to be involved in the day-to-day administration.

Mulling Meanwhile, Minister

Ramjattan in an interview with the Guyana Times International stated that he was still mulling the transfers. He stated that while the transfers have been announced, he was presently reviewing them and would make a decision shortly. He said that he was presently engaged in several other matters that took precedence; hence, the delay in the transfers.

“This is clear interference, from what we were told by the President he asked that the transfers be delayed just so that the Minister can be guided, but now we see the Minister wants to review and mull,” a senior People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) official said.

The official said that Ramjattan was clearly attempting to interfere with operational issues of

the Force and this should not happen.

Ramjattan told this newspaper he has already met with the Police Commissioner and discussed the list of transfers and other matters of importance to the Guyana Police Force. The Minister iterated that he wanted the best protection for citizens thus it warranted the best leaders in the force.

While the decision on the transfers is pending, Crime Chief Leslie James remains at the helm of the Criminal Investigations Department, while Wendell Blanhum remains his deputy. The transfers had stipulated Blanhum would take over the Crime Chief position, while the incumbent would be assigned to the Police Commissioner’s Office.

Although Blanhum is well qualified and has

served 16 years in the Criminal Investigations Department, some thought that his appointment was premature. However, the top cop has the authority to make changes within the Guyana Police Force. One transfer that has taken immediate effect is that of former B Division Commander Brian Joseph as head of the Presidential Guard Service. This would have taken place mere days after David Granger was sworn in as President.

At that time, the other transfers were put on hold after the President intervened. Also, at that time, the Minister was not sworn in. Apart from the removal of James as Crime Chief, some other transfers were announced in B Division (Berbice) as well as C (East Coast Demerara), D (West Bank Demerara-

Reconvening of Parliament set for...

Ministry Winston Jordan and Jaipaul Sharma; and National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes; Ministers of the Public Health Ministry, Dr George Norton and Dr Karen Cummings; Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally; Ministers of the Ministry of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Keith Scott and Dawn Hastings; Ministers of the Education Ministry, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Nicolette Henry;

Ministers of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry Sydney Allicock and Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder have also been selected to serve in the 11th Parliament.

Ministers of Public

Infrastructure David Patterson and Annette Ferguson; Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin; Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix; Richard Allen (Region One –Barima-Waini); John

East Bank Essequibo) and E (LindenKwakwani) Divisions. Presently, Christopher Griffith who commands C Division is expected to be interchanged with D Division, which will also see Marlon Chapman being reassigned. Calvin Brutus who heads the E Division is expected to take up a position in B Division. In addition, there are expected to be some minor changes in the Traffic Department at Headquarters.

Adams (Region Three –Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Jennifer Wade (Region Five – Mahaica-Berbice); Charandas Persaud (Region Six – East Berbice-Corentyne); Michael Carrington (Region Seven – CuyuniMazaruni); Audwin Rutherford and Jermaine Figuiera, both of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) are the others persons who will sit in the National Assembly for the coalition when Parliament reconvenes next week. from page 22

crime chief leslie James

A town with a rich history of culture and people

By Isahak BasIr, CCh

Anna and Regina were the names of two sisters, of a British family, who both drowned in the present main canal under the high bridge located at Anna Regina in Region Two, Essequibo Coast.

That tragic event, which occurred in early 1820, caused the owners of the sugar estate to replace the town’s Dutch name with Anna

Dutch colony, but was later occupied by the British in 1805. It is located mid-section of the Essequibo Coast and is a transit point for indigenous communities, the North West district and gold mining regions.

It was also the gateway to the Pomeroon River, since there wasn’t any road to Charity up to 1908. This 30-mile inland journey was managed by the Pearsons, Wongs, Austins and

Demerara.

By 1925, Dispenser Ali purchased the abandoned cemetery, which had the remains of several British families, and occupied a building in the same vicinity where he then established a semidispensary/pharmacy building.

It became the premier point for medical attention such as dental extractions, dislocated limbs and treatment

Regina, in memory of their two dead daughters.

The canal in which the two sisters drowned was about 120 meters from their home; the logies were far away. It was only when they did not return for over a day that their parents began to search for them.

They were buried in a family cemetery presently occupied by Neamat A. Ali known as ‘Dispenser Ali’ and his cousin Azeez Bacchus.

Anna Regina was one of several sugar plantations occupied and developed by the

Chappels.

With the end of slavery, a British company,called Glasgow Brookes, took over several sugar estates, including Vreed-en-Hoop and Anna Regina. Some of the torch bearers of the early 20th century were Magarell Reliance, the Blackmans and Bowens and Davis’ of Bush Lot, the Narines of Lima, Neamat Ali, Omar Khan, Reberios and Ramsaroop Maharaj of Danielstown.

Neamat Ali served at the Medical Hospital at Plantation Farm on the West Coast of

of tropical illnesses such as malaria and typhoid.

His drug store was like a museum, with several shelves of colourful bottles containing medicines, since tablets and capsules were non-existent at that time. One large five-gallon glass bottle contained a cure for many illnesses, and patients had to provide their own bottles.

One memorable period was during World War II when medicine was scarce and Dispenser Ali concocted a mixture of locally grown bitters and "breml" salt to supple-

ment anaesthetics for tooth extraction.

The relics of colonial rule and its tragedies in Anna Regina are still visible: the Anna Regina high bridge; Essequibo’s tallest chimney; the 1834 Damon Monument; the police station and the 147-year-old Anglican Church, which are all episodes of the past.

The 147-year-old Anglican Church was first located in La Belle Alliance, where it burned down in 1834.

The vestiges of colonialism saw the necessity for a land settlement consistent of a refugee camp, which housed more than 90 families abandoned by the closure of the sugar estate.

In 1948, the first secondary school was established in Anna Regina, opposite the police station, which was the recreational hall of the Anglican Church. It was named Essequibo Education Institute, and offered lessons for junior and senior Cambridge students to have final matriculation.

Anna Regina was declared a town in August1990 by the late president Desmond Hoyte, but saw an unprecedented development in all aspects of human needs under the previous PPP/C administration.

At the imposing Town Hall, a visitor can collect brochures of the town as well as have

the courtesy of signing the Visitor’s Book. The population of the township exceeds 20,000 and comprises eight villages spanning an area of eight miles. A strange set of huge concrete koker frames attract visitors who stand on the high bridge,looking out to the Atlantic Ocean. Like plantations Andrews and Charity, Anna Regina was prone to flooding since the main drainage canal was originally one of two creeks that drained the fivemile wide Tapakuma Lake. These ‘kokers’ are now a huge submerged pump, used to prevent flooding in Anna Regina.

(Photos by Marco Basir)

aerial view of the town

anna regina Police Station

the chimney described as 'Essequibo's tallest'

The question of what happens after we squeeze the last drop of oil from the last oil rig lurks always at the back of the minds of not just oil producers, but anyone who has thought about what powers their cell phones, cars, and homes.

High hopes are pinned on solar energy, but while this technology evolves, others, less well publicised, are also evolving. And at the forefront of petroleum substitution technology is Prof Suresh Narine, the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence joint laureate in Science & Technology for 2015.

Prof Narine, a jovial, gregarious man, as willing to talk about cricket and politics as alternative energy, was born in Guyana, in the small rural village of Herstelling. After attending Queens College in Georgetown, he went to school in Canada, where he studied physics and chemistry.

He realized early on that his love for science had to be balanced with a need to make a living, so he was always attracted to the practical uses of science. His PhD was in food science and material physics at the University

of Guelph.

His great departure from orthodoxy there was that “I convinced by PhD supervisors to let me take a materials physics approach to understanding foods, in particular lipids”. This paid off in 21 publications in peerreviewed journals by the time he had concluded his Ph D, in just two-anda-half years.

Such achievements ensured he was offered a job with M&M Mars, the global food company, even before graduation.

“At Mars, I learned that when the world of science is wedded to the world of commerce, amazing things can happen and have pivotal impacts on people’s lives,” he says.

“I think I ceased to be a purely fundamental scientist from this time onwards.”

He thereafter was recruited to the University of Alberta, Canada, where he continued his career as a Professor from the age of 27. By this time, his prowess as a researcher had grown, and he was a sought-after scientist, researcher and commercial agent who had formed rare links between academe and industry.

He was working on commercially viable research in the areas of zero-trans fat/lowered saturated fat shortenings, margarines and confections; polyurethane foams, elastomers and

simple enough: “Five to 700 million years ago, photosynthetic materials from plants were buried in the earth’s crust. Now, millions of years later, we are harvesting that material as petroleum. But why wait 700 million years? Let us take biomaterials and figure out the chemistry and physics and turn it into those materials today. And we have seen a remarkable amount of success in this approach.”

plastics from canola oil, and lubricants from vegetable oils.

But like many Caribbean people, in the midst of his success, his heart yearned for home, and that yearning changed his life in 2005.

“I returned to Guyana to assist after there had been a series of devastating floods,” he says. “And I was challenged by (then) President Bharat Jagdeo. He said ‘what have you done for your country which has prepared you for the success you now enjoy’?”

In response, Prof Narine took over the Institute of Applied Science (IAST), which had fallen into dilapidation. By sheer will power and persistence, he managed to outfit the laboratory, recruit staff, and engage in research with commercial potential. And he has succeeded. The IAST and sections of the Guyana government now uses biodiesel made by an IAST programme to power government vehicles.

The institute has projects for using waste biomass from the milling of rice and sugar cane, to create brickets to burn as fuel, which preserves forests. And the IAST is working on projects, which will find a substitute for toxic mercury in the gold extraction process, as well as producing food products like breakfast cereals from local produce and construction materials from agriculture and forestry fibres and plastics.

In fact, the IAST is currently building a factory to commercially produce breakfast cereal and nutrition bars, with funding from the Government of Guyana.

One of his main areas of research of special relevance to the Caribbean is in “lipid derived biomaterials”. These are materials that have traditionally been made by petroleum by-products, like plastics and polymers.

His approach sounds

it is to address the serious issue of food scarcity and security in the Caribbean.

This technology does have the potential to change the world, and in addition to the plant being constructed in Guyana, others are being constructed in the United States and Indonesia, with others planned for Malaysia, Canada and Israel.

However, despite his success as a scientist, Prof Narine believes that there are limits to science. “Science without the arts would lead to tremendously barren and desolate lives… for scientists, a lack of appreciation of the arts

“In my own efforts in Guyana,” says Prof Narine, “I have seen first first-hand how important a tool science and technology can be in leap-frogging the developmental process. I firmly believe that our region’s science and technology portfolio should be heavily focused on technology transfer and the harnessing of S&T for development and wellbeing of our people. Much more needs to be done in integrating the UWI, the University of Guyana, Anton de Kom University, University of Technology in Jamaica, and UTT.”

Notwithstanding his success in the Caribbean, Prof Narine’s accomplishments go much further. He is also responsible for a number of international researchto-application initiatives in India, Malaysia, Brazil and Israel. He is presently director of the centre

would create a life without joy...I believe great scientists and artists are made not born. So mentorship is central to fully developing our young people….and first of all, young people need mentors who believe in them…I am a great believer in the Pygmalion effect.”

This need for nurturing human potential is of special concern to him. His acceptance speech at the Caribbean Awards for Excellence Ceremony in 2015 contained an impassioned plea for Caribbean unity not as an emotional necessity, but as a pragmatic necessity. The islands are small, and by themselves cannot generate the critical mass necessary for success. The only way to survive is by cohesion, and the region needs to exploit the vast resources of land and fresh water available in Guyana, Suriname and Belize if

for biomaterials research at Trent University, Senior NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Lipid Derived Biomaterials, and Ontario Research Chair in Green Chemistry and Engineering

Prof Suresh Narine joins 26 other laureates in Science, Arts, Public and Civic work, and Entrepreneurship who have been awarded with the Caribbean Awards for Excellence prize since its inception in 2005. A brief bio-video and interview with him can be found on the Caribbean Awards YouTube channel (ANSCAFE), and an autobiographical essay can be found in the publication, The Excellent Decade. Further information about the Caribbean Awards can be found at www.ansacaribbeanawards.com and on Facebook. (Article courtesy Caribbean Awards for Excellence.)

(left to right) Sir Shridath ramphal, Prof Suresh Narine, and chairman of aNSa mcal , a .Norman Sabga in Port of Spain in april 2015

(left to right) Suresh Narine with the Guyana head of the caribbean awards for Excellence country Nominating committee Dr Seeta Shah roath, and Dr Paloma mohamed- martin, an anthony N. Sabga caribbean awards for Excellence laureate

Horse Racing Clubs in the City

According to Henry Kirke in his publication, “TwentyFive Years in British Guiana” (1898), a regular race club was established Sept 28, 1829 when the first meeting was held at Colony House, presided over by Sir Benjamin D’Urban, then governor. It was called the D’Urban Race Club.

A grant was given to the secretary of the club for a racecourse by later Governor Henry Light in 1834. The racecourse, considered then “just outside the limits of Georgetown”, was named the D’Urban Race Course after Sir D’Urban.

Kirke described it as flat and an oval, with a one-mile and 96-yard circumference, and some sharp curves.

The “Handbook of British Guiana 1909” notes that its grandstand was erected in 1830. It is said today that the National Cultural Centre site in-

cludes the site of the grandstand.

Members of the grandstand were elected by ballot, with a life subscription of Gy$30 in the currency of the time. Membership in the D’Urban Race Club however, was open to anyone for Gy$5 before each race meet.

The first races at D’Urban Park are said to have been held Nov 3 and 4, 1829. With the

exception of the years 1843-1845, races were held annually,generally in April and September.

Some winners received the Colony Cup, which was established in 1829, and the D’Urban Course Cup, established in 1852.

However, by the time of the publication of the “British Guiana Handbook 1913”,the Botanic Gardens and its director’s cottage stood

pied by the Demerara Tobacco Company on Barima Avenue, and the Guyana Chronicle newspapers on Lama Avenue.

In fact, the first airplane flight to take place in Guyana took off from the Bel Air Park racecourse, once also known as the Canon Race Course, in March 1913 when George Schmidt, a German, flew a monoplane over Georgetown.

horseracing in Guyana today still follow the Demerara Turf Club Rules of Racing 1959.

Mayor Hamilton Green, in a letter to a local newspaper, pointed out that the stretch in front of the D’Urban Park Racecourse grandstand, which represented the final two furlongs of the race, was known as the ‘homestretch’.

“at the corner of what until quite recently was the D’Urban Race Course but is now a Park and Experimental Field under the charge of the Director of Science and Agriculture.”

The Demerara Turf Club, which, according to “The Pocket Guide to the West Indies British Guiana, British Honduras, the Bermudas, the Spanish main, and the Panama Canal” (Algernon E. Aspinall, 1919),succeeded the D’Urban Race Club, was incorporated in 1910 with its office in Water Street, Georgetown. Its race course was located in Bel Air Park on lands now occu-

There was a life membership fee of Gy$100 for the club, in the currency of the time, with no annual subscription. It was one of the few places exempt from gambling laws against common game houses and public lotteries at the time.

The club held at least two horseracing meetings annually, though some say as much as four by 1924.The Bel Air racecourse saw the club often hosting races for the prince royal during the 1920s.

On Friday, Feb 2, 1966, the British queen visited Guyana and attended a special race meet at the D’Urban Park racecourse.

Horseracing in the city declined by the 1970s, and no more such races were held. However, it is said that current rules governing

When this section later became a road for the expansion of the city, the new road was named Homestretch Avenue.

Plans to convert the remaining area into a park and playing field or civic centre have so far not been realised, and despite sporadic attempts to improve the site, it is now mainly overgrown.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that there remains some occasional and unofficial horseracing on Homestretch Avenue: early Sunday mornings, some owners of Georgetown horse carts have reportedly dangerously used the straightaway to race their horse carts.

Horseracing in Guyana is no longer as popular, but is carried on at rural racecourses amid some controversy today. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

View of city Hall and law courts circa 1916

Grandstand at the D’urban racecourse, British Guiana, 1911

Book Review: “The Small Fortune of Dorothea Q” by Sharon Maas

By PetamBer Persaud

“…freedom and happiness come with letting go. It’s clinging that makes us miserable: clinging to things, and ideas, and our own little selves.” “The Small Fortune of Dorothea Q”

by Sharon Maas

(Page 476)

The expansive novel, “The Small Fortune of Dorothea Q”, ends with the above-quoted moral, and with a dénouement that would leave the reader nodding with approval.

The abovementioned principle encapsulates the novel, which is about three generations of women – a grandmother, a mother and a granddaughter waiting to exhale, to offload a burden, to ‘sort out some unresolved matters, end their cold war’ and make peace, while doing battle among themselves with a hardness of pride eating away at their relationships.

Balance is brought to bear during the resolution of that cold war with the inclusion of men who are peripheral char-

acters but who are wise, solid, and sober, acting as touchstones to the women.

Closure comes about when the granddaughter plays her hand after making “a connection to the line of ancestry” that went before her, as she views the grandmother’s photographic album, which was an aid to unfolding the family’s history.

A history that is tortuous, shifting between countries and timelines (thirties to the sixties), where old colonial Guyana and modern England meet, where the old school and new school meet, where it was like “walking the intriguing tightrope between rebellion and conformity.”

The novel opens at Gatwick Airport, London, as the mother (Rika) and the granddaughter (Inky) wait to receive from Guyana the wheelchair-bound grandmother (Dorothea) after a thirty-year breakdown in the relationship, in which Rika runs away from home in Guyana, arriving in London with a daughter (Inky), to eke out an unimpressive existence.

If the above quote encapsulates the novel, then the unfolding drama is one protracted game set in motion by Dorothea who, in her old age, wants to hold on to memories to extend her involvement in the lives of her siblings and grandchildren.

The centre of that game is a tiny scrap of paper – a stamp. The stamp, nicknamed, ‘The Quint’ -not unlike the famous Guyana one-cent black on magenta -is now a priceless family heirloom worth millions of pounds sterling, which if sold, would save mother and granddaughter from hardship.

The stamp holds the centre of the story and

the ‘owner’ of the stamp holds centre stage. The grandmother ensures the game is played according to her rules. Moreover, she enjoys the games, saying, “only boring people get bored. Interesting people make their own entertainment.”She did just that throughout the story resulting in intrigue and entertainment for all.

Apart from the intrigue and entertainment, “The Small Fortune of Dorothea Q”, is a lesson in the value of books and the art of reading.

Rika meets Rajan (in Guyana) for the first time while he was reading. When he meets her eye, “Rika smiled, to show him that she, too, liked reading…Rika felt a warm closeness with Rajan. She well understood the draw of a book over the mundane tasks of daily life…She was not usually the type to speak first, and never started conversations. But there was something about this boy and his absorption in the book… He stopped speaking then, suddenly. Maybe he wanted her to go, was waiting to get back to his book – she knew the feeling…a finger between the pages acting as bookmark… [a few pages later] he nurtured her with books.”

On another occasion, when Rika finally works out that she wants to be a librarian, “that meant she could work in the most hallowed building in Georgetown, the Public Free Library, surrounded by the most precious objects life had

to offer. She could pair people up with books, change their lives with literature. What could be better? ‘

The novel’s major theme is dealing with the elderly. It also deals with language and with the treatment of race.

“The Small Fortune

pense, and it was this suspense that lent pace to the novel - a steady sort of canter that almost won the novel the blockbuster title “page turner.”

Credit goes to the author who, for almost 500 pages, manages to the hold the reader’s interest

of Dorothea Q” is a polished piece of literature where all pieces of writing meaningful fiction fall into place, building the story to a captivating denouement.

It is crafted in a delicate way to excite, educate and entertain; all these elements were affected by sustained sus-

by engaging the reader in intrigue after intrigue of the women and men in their lives, and their relation to the stamp. This revolving intrigue after intrigue sustains the suspense to the end.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

author Sharon maas

By Anu Dev

“The fast-food industry is in very good company with the lead industry and the tobacco industry in how it tries to mislead the public, and how aggressively it goes after anybody who criticises its business practices” – Eric Schlosser

When I first arrived in Trinidad, I was amazed at all the different types of fast food places they had: McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Pappa John’s, Wendy’s and a whole host of others. My old «backward» Guyana only had a handful… KFC and Pizza Hut?

And then I came across a 2013 report that Trinidad was the NUMBER ONE obese nation in the Caribbean and the sixth most obese nation in the ENTIRE WORLD. Guyana was way, way below them.

Was there a connection between the two facts?

There sure was! What had happened was that the firstworld countries - especially the leader, USA, wised up to the connection between fast food and obesity and started to regulate them.

That meant less profits …and their fast food chains didn’t waste any time moving down to the third world. In only the last two years, surely you›ve noticed so many of these joints coming even into «poor» Guyana?

In the first-world countries, the fast food industry’s being pressured to offer “healthy”options on their menus and it’s mandatory to display the number of calories in each item of food.

Like McDonalds in the States now also offer salads and wraps - never mind that the dressings for the salads probably have more calories that the burgers! McDonalds in Trinidad doesn’t even offer the illusion of wraps- just good old-fashioned calorie-laden burgers, fries and nuggets.

I get the allure of fast food. Who doesn’t? It’s tastya high fat and sodium content pretty much guarantees that. And of course it’s fast. Laying in my dorm room too tired (and lazy… mostly lazy), to cook, sometimes I give into the urge to pick up my phone and to order pizza.

And fast food’s so much cheaper than healthy food. When I’m ordering pizza, the person at the end of the line usually talks me into upgrading from a medium to a large pizza «for just $5 more” through some ongoing deal.

I usually end up with a rather unhealthy amount of pizza that I end up having to freeze most of for later. I once had to turn down a free large pizza when I ordered a medium one. The Papa John’s worker seemed to think I was quite daft to turn down a free pizza, but as I tried to explain to her, I really had no need for both a medium and a large pizza.

There’re always deals and promotions going on in these fast food places. I’ve never been offered a free, larger head of broccoli when I buy broccoli. And I guess that’s why a lot of people prefer to go the fast food route, even knowing how unhealthy it is.

And it’s incredibly unhealthy. One piece of chicken thigh from KFC has 290 calories, with 190 of those calories coming from fat and it has 850mg of sodiumthat’s 35 per cent of your daily value. And many people don’t just get one piece of chicken- they get fries, soda, biscuits and more chicken.

In school we’ve covered the systems of the human body and the type of strain your body goes through when you charge up on these fast foods. Your arteries get clogged, your heart has to strain to pump blood through those clogged arteries and you’re more susceptible to developing, diabetes, hypertension, of suffering a heart attack.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the prevalence of obesity among adults in Guyana is 16.9 per cent and that’s pretty low, especially compared with Trinidad’s whopping 30 per cent.

But if we keep on welcoming fast food chains into our country and boast about it as «development», we may well end up going the route of Trinidad.

So choose wisely. As with anything, moderation is key. A bit of pizza once in a while won’t hurt, but once it becomes habit, that when it’s a problem.

TT woman gives birth on Curepe pavement

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

TRINIDAD: Unable to bear intense labour pains while on her way to get a maxi taxi to take her to hospital, a 34-yearold pregnant woman sat down on a pavement in Curepe early Tuesday morning and gave birth to her fourth child, a healthy baby girl.

Two women, passing by, stopped and helped the woman, safely holding the baby and its umbilical cord, until police and an ambulance arrived to take the mother and child to the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital.

Someone, observing what had happened, filmed the amazing birth with a cellphone, posting a video on the social media website, Facebook, which went viral.

It was still dark, at about 4 am, when Crystal Dennis and her common-law husband Anthony Abraham, 53, set out along the Priority Bus Route (PBR), heading east to Curepe Junction, from their wooden shack off Farm Road, St Joseph.

Dennis had woke Abraham up

telling him she could not sleep as she was getting a pain and felt the baby was coming and said they needed to go to the hospital, Abraham told the media outside where they live on the bank of the St Joseph River.

Abraham said he didn’t believe Dennis but still left with her, and as they walked along the PBR her pains got more intense.

As they neared the Priority Mall to get a maxi taxi, Dennis

could go no further. “At that point I did not believe her still because sometimes she stretches the truth but when she started bawling, I realised the baby was really coming and she could not move. Then people came and helped her and in no time the baby came out,” Abraham recalled.

Abraham disclosed that this was their fourth child. He said his three other children (two girls and one boy) live with his mother in Malabar. He could not say how old they were.

“This little girl will have to go with my mother too because we can’t really take care of them,” he said. Dennis is unemployed while Abraham plants a small garden and sometimes collects glass bottles. They have been together for 15 years.

Abraham said Dennis sometimes asks to have her children back but he tells her that is not possible now.

When told that social workers will be intervening he said he was familiar with the procedure. (TT Newsday)

CAL moves to new offices in Jamaica

KINGSTON,

JAMAICA: Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has relocated its ticket office, administrative and operations teams. The company has moved its offices from two locations—the hangar at Norman Manley International Airport and Trafalgar Road— consolidating into a single office building in Liguanea, where the new address is: 128 Hope Road, Liguanea, Kingston 6.

According to Clive Forbes, the CAL Jamaica general manager, the move will serve to strengthen customer service.

“This is a perfect time for us to relocate. The new offices will enable us to serve our guests more effectively and efficiently by bringing our people together under one roof,” he said.

Forbes said the airline is upbeat about summer bookings.

“Our customers are seeing the value of travelling with Caribbean Airlines. The summer schedule will soon become effective with increased frequency and we continue to offer one of the most generous baggage policies in the skies today,” said Forbes. “With Caribbean Airlines, the first bag always flies free and our business class customers benefit from three complimentary bags.”

The airline also announced the introduction of Signature Summer Cocktails, the result of a creative partnership

with Appleton Jamaica Rum and Grace Tropical Rhythms. The complimentary cocktails will be served to all passengers through to August.

Additionally, CAL will continue its creative partnerships with

some of the Caribbean’s leading chefs to develop menus for exclusive services in business class.

In July/August the featured chefs are Dustin Dalgetty of Guyana and Sahab Singh and Charoon Chaikeaw out of Trinidad.

“These highlights in our service offerings all work to create engagement points for our customers and we will continue with these innovations,” said Forbes. (TT Guardian)

Jennifer Bisram

Emmy-Nominated Journalist of Guyanese Heritage

Jennifer Bisram is a TV reporter for WSVN, CH7 in Miami, Fl.

Before her move to Miami, she worked at WOFL, the FOX affiliate in Orlando, Fl.

At FOX Orlando, the reporter was one of the station’s main journalists who covered the controversial Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case. Her extensive and exclusive reporting earned her a segment there called "The 10 P.M. Interview".

During her stint at WOFL, Jennifer also covered sports, politics, featured events and the everyday news-makers. The powerful storyteller has often been credited by viewers for telling people stories that touched their lives.

Jennifer moved to Central Florida from the Big Apple. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Guyanese parents,

Jennifer began her career when she was only 15 years-old, writing poetry in her bedroom and by the following year several of her poems were published in the Anthology of Poetry for Young Americans. It was then that she decided to take her writing to higher heights. She started interning at local newspapers to get experience and exposure.

Her first newspaper internship was at The Chief Civil Service Newspaper at age 16 and by her freshman year at college she penned pieces at some of the city’s largest newspapers like NY Newsday and the NY Amsterdam News.

Jennifer, “nosy by nature”, as she often refers to why she opted for reporting, channelled into television right after graduating from the City University of New York’s Queens College. She began her reporting role at News55 on Long Island and quickly moved on to the News12 Network (Connecticut, New Jersey and Westchester) – where she reported for nearly five years.

The Emmy-nominated journalist also worked for the CW affiliate in NYC, PIX11 News, as a reporter and assignment editor; the Food Network as a producer and NY1 News as a writer.

With more than a decade dedicated to news, in addition to covering the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard trade, the 2012

presidential election and polling problems in Central Florida, she’s covered stories of sorts like the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Miracle on the Hudson, Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, NY Giants Super Bowl XLII victory and the MTV Video Music Awards.

Jennifer is always looking for a great story to tell. (www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

Sonia GoddingTogobo is a Guyanese-born documentarian, director and filmmaker, currently based in the UK. First migrating to Canada at age two, Sonia graduated from Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School in Ontario. Sonia has worked in broadcast television for the last decade with broadcast credits in Canada and England. She has also produced short films in both Haiti and Ghana. In 2001, after graduating from Humber’s Film and Television program, Sonia went on to work in numerous post production houses before settling at Nelvana - North America’s largest animation distributor.

While at Nelvana, she independently worked on short films, music videos and documentaries. Favouring the latter, Sonia worked her way up to associate editor on CBC’s "A Deathly Silence" and WTSN Profile series, before moving on to Canada’s pioneering music channel – MuchMusic in 2003. There, she edited a variety of the channel’s programs, including an hour special on the crisis in Darfur with George Stroumboulopoulos, and the Sri Lanka and Indonesia tsunamis.

In 2005, Sonia worked on SunTV’s Echo – the channel’s premiere multi-ethnic biography series that highlighted diverse trailblazing Torontionians. In 2006,

she crossed the big pond and moved to London where she worked in entertainment and factual programming for a variety of production companies and networks including Channel 4 and BBC. In 2007, she shot and edited her first documentary “We Had a Dream”, in Accra, Ghana. Later that year, she also shot her second film, "Adopted ID", about a transracially adopted Canadian who returns to Haiti in search of her biological family. This is Sonia’s first feature length documentary, which was released in 2011. Sonia is also the co-founder of SunStar Worldwide – a media and personal development company. (www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

sonia GoddinG-ToGoBo

Jennifer Bisram

Jennifer reporting on tV

Sonia Godding-togobo

Local chef describes “one of the best” journeys of his life

Parmeshwar

Persaud described his childhood in Wakenaam Island, Essequibo as a “simple one”. However, his life now is anything but “simple”, working as a chef for one of the finest restaurants in Guyana.

Born to a family of four, Parmeshwar always had a passion for cooking, as he would often assist his family in preparing healthy meals.

“I became a chef simply because I fell in love with cooking. I started cooking from a very young age. I am the third of four siblings with hardworking middleclass parents who both had their jobs; the children had to chip in. I chose the culinary arts because I realized I was gifted with a talent. Well, like any other talent, it was raw and needed to be conditioned. With the support from my fam-

ily, I pursued studies in home economics and hospitality, where my favourite class was cooking,” Persaud recalled in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

Now, Persaud holds a successful career as a chef at Pegasus Hotel for more than three years and describes his journey as “one of the best”. He added that while the job can be demanding, especially when there is a standard to maintain, which can call for long hours working double shifts, working as a chef will always be his “first choice”.

“I always put my best effort in anything I do. Being a chef was my first choice. I was actually on work attachment at Pegasus and I was hired within six months. You have to love what you do for it to be successful, and that is what I live by each day,” Persaud not-

ed.

The Carnegie School of Home Economics is where Persaud first learnt to cook some of the delectable meals he now prepares for local and international guests.

“I studied at Carnegie for two years, and I can say it is the finest exposure anyone can have locally, as it teaches one all the basics, pros and cons of home economics. It is a school anyone should be enrolled into if they are serious about a career in the culinary arts,” he declared.

Persaud, 23, remains committed to transferring his knowledge to others and encourages other professionals to do the same.

“Growing up on a small island and then having to move to the capital, I really wanted to give it my best shot and that I did. I love to cook. I adore the smell of different ingredients

as it intoxicates me as I mix them. I love the sounds when I’m cooking. I push myself to invent new things and not only to rely on what I was taught. That’s what makes you grow as an individual in my line of work. I love also that food can be prepared in so many different ways. There are endless possibilities in my career; I never get bored,” Persaud disclosed.

The chef aspires to learn and grow as a professional and aims to one day own a business.

“I love the fact that in the culinary world, chefs work in a team, and I love being part of that. I adore the attire, which serves not only as a protection but identification of our profession. Chefs serve a purpose in the social grid as we are respected and trusted to prepare meals for the dear ones of many. I am grateful that I have been

given this talent and I will continue to flourish in its path, God willing. However, I am still young in this world and I look forward to opportunities to discover, grow and learn to the best of my ability,” he stated.

The Carnegie School of Home Economics was founded in 1933 on a grant donated by the Carnegie Trustees and an additional grant from the UK. According to the CSHE website, government assumed full responsibility for the school in 1937. Up to 1958, it was known as the Carnegie Trade School. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

A sweet treat at Victoria Honey House

What started off as a mangrove protection scheme in 2011 soon became a fully operational ‘honey house’ in 2012, offering the best honey and honeybased products in Guyana.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Carlotta De Jesus, proprietor of the house, said she and her husband started keeping bees in the mangrove “as a form of protection for the mangrove forest” in Victoria,

East Coast Demerara.

De Jesus thought that if the bees were kept in the mangrove forest, persons would be reluctant to venture in and destroy the mangrove.

The determination and preservation ideas of De Jesus paid off as individuals were soon deterred from destroying the mangrove.

De Jesus’ efforts to protect vulnerable coastlines from wave action, prevent coastal erosion, and keep the soil to-

gether would later turn into a thriving business venture and tourist attraction, as the small host of bees grew into a swarm of hard working honey makers at the Victoria Honey House.

“We had started producing a small amount of honey in 2012, which was sold to tourists on the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project’s tours of the mangrove. As we expanded, we saw the need for a honey house - a hygienic facility to extract, bottle and market the honey and [by extension] other local product[s] produced in the community,” she explained.

Consequently, the Victoria

Honey House was established.

De Jesus’ interest in beekeeping began way beyond her ‘mangrove protection scheme’ in 2009 and is evident in her work and training. She is currently a trained beekeeper, an executive member of the Guyana Apiculture Society, and a tour guide with the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project.

An average day for De Jesus is quiet but long, “When harvesting honey you need to start early in the mornings and [you] finish late in the evenings…ordinary days at the honey house is quiet unless [we] have a tour in the community…[then] persons

would come in a crowd to shop.”

The honey produced by apiaries in Cove and John, and Victoria, villages on the East Coast of Demerara, is now sold at the Victoria Honey House to members of the community and tourists. It can also be uplifted at small outlets like Lilly's Café in Kingston, Georgetown.

For more information on the Victoria Honey House call (592)-256-0215, (592)-6900053 or (592)-641-9426. The Honey House staff is available to conduct bee removal for those with unwanted bees in their homes or communities.

Parmeshwar Persaud

carlotta’s daughter (left) also helps her with making the products

Showcasing the products in the Honey House

This week's Crossword

To a hammer…

…education is a nail

We just got is a new Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnarine. Never mind that he also has “Culture and Sports” in his corral. Queens man….like his boss Brigadier David Granger, was about five years or so before.

Roopnarine recently allowed as to how he had a few ideas about revamping the educational system. But he would mosey around, get the lay of the land and then make his suggestions. Well, it seems his boss wants him to get on with it and suggested as a start to bring back the Cadet Corps, in which he had such a good time at Queens, and from which he’d joined the army.

Now since your Eyewitness has been reminded about how many youths we have nowadays and that they mightn’t be au fait with anything more than 23 years ago, he figured he’d better fill in some blanks.

The Cadet Corps, as no other than David Granger informed us a couple of years ago, was launched in the British Grammar schools to fill the gap in the ranks of officers who were being killed off in the various and sundry wars Britain became involved with in the 19th century.

From High School, you could go join in right away with a Charge of the light Brigade or any other brigade that was ready to charge and keep the natives at bay.

Queens College, modelled after the British Grammar Schools of course had to have its Cadet Corps to die for “King and Country”.

And so it was dozens of Guyanese Queens graduates did in fact die in WWI and WWII in the fight against those beastly Germans – and to keep the world safe for democracy. Never mind Guyana didn’t have democracy up to then.

Anyhow a decade after our President had moved on from the Queens Cadet Corps to the GDF, the PNC government decided to scrap it.

This week's Puzzle

It consumed too much resources when the country was trying to “feed and house” the nation. A year after the PNC snucked back into government under that disreputable “free and fair” elections of 1992, they decided to bring back the Cadet Corps in several Georgetown secondary schools.

Much like the President’s present plan. Didn’t work. Had to be scrapped pronto: consumed too much scarce resources needed for national development.

Now we know Roopnarine hadn’t joined the Cadet Corps when he was at Queens. So we hope he’ll give a fair hearing as to whether the country needs cadets more than graduates in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Or is it an order form the Commander in Chief?

…justice is a nail

Another directive raising some eyebrows is the one about pardoning “non-violent” offenders who’ve been incarcerated by the judicial system. Now your Eyewitness isn’t a lawyer or anything, but isn’t that like the Executive creeping into territory marked off for the Judiciary?

Over the past few years, your humble Eyewitness has heard so much about this “separation of powers” business, he hopes he isn’t overreacting.

But if the sentencing by the Judiciary is too draconian, doesn’t the Executive have the option of changing the laws and the sentencing guidelines through its control of the Legislature?

This seems the more sensible way to go. With the present “pardoning” discretion the President plans on using, no matter how he exercises it, he’s going to be criticised. If for nothing but Executive “overreach”, not to mention “bias”.

The same set of folks can’t initiate the laws, pass the laws, and then be allowed to override the Judicature who’re supposed to implement the laws, can they?

…emigration is a nail

So over the years, more than 4000 US permanent visas a year are issued. At this point it has nothing to do with conditions here…and everything to do with the “greener grass” of the US.

Explore the scenic beauty of Paruima

The Paruima and Panasima Falls are scenic waterfalls that flow in Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven, in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni area.

The area also offers stunning views of the Kamarang River flowing towards the border.

There are also huge rock formations between which children enjoy playing hide and seek.

Paruima Village, with a population of about 800, is said to be the only Arecuna-speaking community in Guyana. The village hosts a place of worship, a sports ground, and a college called the Davis Indian Industrial College. (Photos by Deon Johnson)

Distant view of Paruima Seven Days Adventist Church

Area in Paruima called Warimatepuy

Panasima Falls

The Davis Indian Industrial College

IDNYC card enrollment Center to open at Queens Borough Hall

QUEENS, NY

– Due to tremendous demand for the IDNYC card, Borough President Melinda Katz announced Queens Borough Hall will serve as an IDNYC Pop Up Enrollment Center from June 2 - 16. All New York City residents age 14 and older are qualified to apply for an IDNYC card, regard-

less of immigration status.

“From the ‘World’s Borough’ of 2.3 million residents of over 130 languages, we are pleased to offer Borough Hall as a temporary satellite location to help address the tremendous demand for IDNYC,” said Borough President KATZ. “The IDNYC program has proven itself as an effec-

TT Consulate celebrates Indian Arrival Day

Queens, NY:

The Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago collaborated with the Trinidad and Tobago Indo Cultural Committee in New York (TTICCNY) at the Starlight Pavilion in Queens to celebrate the 170th anniversary of Indian Arrival in Trinidad and Tobago.

The guest speaker at the event was Dr. Ashford Maharaj, Finance Professor & Consultant at Berkeley College, Up-State New York. Dr. Maharaj gave an historical perspective of the holiday and spoke about the significance of the event as it relates to the Trinidad and Tobago Diaspora in New York. He pondered how the Indo Trinidadian and Tobagonian Diaspora in New York would celebrate Indian Arrival Day in New York in years to come while at the same time recognising the importance of knowing one’s origin.

The Consul General, Dr. Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam in welcoming the Trinidad and Tobago Diaspora and other invited guests thanked them for turning out in their large numbers in support of the event.

The Consul General reflected on the importance of ancestral heritage and cultural practices which form part

tive tool to ensure equal access to municipal services – from benefits at the culturals to parents visiting their kids at school – and we can’t register New Yorkers fast enough.”

"We are very excited about the extraordinary response of New Yorkers from Queens to the IDNYC program, and we thank Borough President Katz for taking the initiative of opening a pop-up enrollment center in Queens Borough Hall – we are thrilled to see our city government working together to make the IDNYC program as strong as it can be," said New York City's Immigration Commissioner NISHA AGARWAL.

The IDNYC card is an accessible and secure document that enables residents to access City services and grant

admission to City buildings, such as schools. In addition, the card can be presented as proof of identification for interacting with the police and is an accepted form of identification for opening a banking account at select financial institutions. An IDNYC card can also be used at all branches of all three of New York City’s public library systems and be used to obtain discounts and other benefits at museums and cultural institutions, entertainment venues, pharmacies and fitness centers.

All IDNYC applicants can make an appointment at Queens Borough Hall or at any other IDNYC Enrollment Center. Appointments can be made either by calling 311 or online at http://www1.nyc.gov/ site/idnyc/card/makean-appointment.page.

Applicants are required to present proof of identity and residency in New York City. Many types of documents are accepted, all of which are listed at http://www1.nyc.gov/ site/idnyc/card/documentation.page. Upon submitting an application, the IDNYC Card will be sent to the resident via regular mail.

The IDNYC card is free for all New Yorkers who apply before December 31, 2015. Cards are valid for five years from the date the application is approved. The IDNYC application is available in various languages including English, Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian-Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese,

Khmer, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yiddish.

The City will protect the confidentiality of all IDNYC card applicants to the maximum extent allowable by applicable federal and state law, and in accordance with Local Law 35. In addition, the City will not ask applicants for information about their immigration status for purposes of obtaining the card.

Queens Borough Hall is located at 12055 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. It is adjacent to the Kew GardensUnion Turnpike subway station on the E and F lines.

Follow Borough President Katz via @melindakatz or www.facebook.com/queensbpkatz

of their very being. She noted that events such as these help us to move forward and adjust in new environments and help chart a meaningful path for subsequent generations.

The Consul General encouraged the those present to keep up with the Consulate's events through social media. She also thanked the members of the Trinidad and Tobago Indo Cultural Committee of New York Mr. Robin Mahabir, Mr. Evans Pirmal, Mr. Joe Siewharack and Mr. Anoop Dhanpat for coordinating the event. The Committee was able to garner the support of the numerous Trinidad and Tobago diaspora businesses that made generous contributions. The Committee also honoured three seniors for their contribution to their respective communities. These persons are Deokaran Boodhoo, Shaffina Khan and Kenrick Bann.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in New York exercises consular jurisdiction in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and is focused on promoting Trinidad and Tobago and providing services for its Diaspora.

Upcoming art exhibition to encourage innovation among Guyanese art

It was during a discussion about art and culture in Guyana at the beautiful Pandama Retreat & Winery that a group of artists decided to join forces and work together to add a new project to the Guyanese art scene.

Nicholas Young (potter), Tracy Douglas (textile/fibre artist and painter) and Sigrid Sandker (potter and painter) share one vision – to improve the understanding and appreciation of art in society as well as to motivate (young) artists to look beyond borders and create art that is fresh and innovative.

They are ''kindred spirits'' and will show their work from June 25 onwards at Moray House Trust located at Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown. The exhibition ''Kindred Spirits – Inspired by Nature'' will be patronized by the Ambassador of the European Union, Robert Kopecky, who personally knows and supports the artists.

Beginning today, Guyana Times Sunday Magazine will be featur-

ing one of the exhibiting artists each week.

Reinventing the past through his pottery

Nicholas Young was born in Georgetown, Guyana, and from early on discovered his creative talents, which included sculpturing and leather craft. When in his early twenties, Young was encouraged by a group of female potters called “LAMA Craft” to join them. This was the most significant part of discovering his artistic enthusiasm, because it was with this group he developed his pottery skills.

The past is reinvented with Young’s collection of clay crafts, which he markets under the brand Rainforest Pottery. The artist uses contemporary versions of Amerindian motifs as decorative elements and develops his own clay bodies from Guyanese kaolin and natural red clay.

The result is art that is deeply rooted in Guyanese nature and culture, and tells stories not only of its rich past

work.

“Adequate remuneration certainly is one of the criteria for a young art school graduate to decide for an artistic career,” Young points out.

Additionally, the art-

but enduring present. With a rich history and tradition of craftsmanship behind him, through his work, he preserves the legacy of ancient civilizations.

One of the artist’s aims is to push local craft, and he is always thinking of new ways to promote it. For two years he served as president of the Guyana Arts & Craft Producers Association.

“I see a bottleneck when it comes to facilitating the step from graduating from art school to becoming an artist in Guyana,” Young states.

He calls on the education ministry, now responsible for what was, at the time, the culture ministry, to take steps to foster society’s understanding of the sometimes long and complicated process of creating art and craft, which must be rewarded by a fair price for the art-

ist stresses that something also has to be done to increase the visibility of contemporary artists in Guyana.

Young, who won a number of awards, has exhibited with groups and solo throughout the Caribbean, in the U.S.A, Canada, England and other parts of Europe. He won first prize in ceramics in the 2014 Visual Arts Competition in Guyana.

Guyanese artist, Nicholas young

young's use of artwork on his pieces, like this one, makes him one of Guyana's noteworthy artistic potters

Vase with amerindian hieroglyph

INTERPOL issues Red Notices for former FIFA officials and executives wanted by US authorities

LYON, France: The Red Notices have been issued for;

• Jack Warner, Trinidad & Tobago national, former FIFA vice president and executive committee member, CONCACAF president, CFU president and Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) special adviser.

• Nicolás Leoz, Paraguayan national, former FIFA executive committee member and CONMEBOL president.

• Alejandro Burzaco, Argentine national, controlling principal of Torneos y Competencias S.A., a sports marketing business based in Argentina, and its affiliates.

view to extradition or similar lawful action.

The individuals concerned are wanted by national jurisdictions and INTERPOL’s role is to assist national police forces in identifying or locating those individuals with a view to their arrest and extradition.

A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant, and INTERPOL cannot compel any member country to arrest the subject of a Red Notice.

INTERPOL’s

• José Margulies (also known as José

• Hugo Jinkis and Mariano Jinkis, Argentine nationals, controlling principals of Full Play Group S.A., a sports marketing business based in Argentina, and its affiliates.

Lazaro), Brazilian national, controlling principal of Valente Corp. and Somerton Ltd., broadcasting businesses.

Red Notices are one of the ways in which INTERPOL informs its member countries that an arrest warrant has been issued for an individual by a judicial authority and seeks the location and arrest of wanted persons with a

General Secretariat does not send officers to arrest individuals who are the subject of a Red Notice. Only the law enforcement authorities of the INTERPOL member country where the individual is located have the legal authority to make an arrest.

(Interpol Via AP)

14-yr-old girl impregnated by father – parent in custody

A14-year-old student of Wakapao Secondary School was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) after she was found to be five months pregnant allegedly for her father. The father who had fled when the discovery was made is presently in custody at the Charity Police Station.

file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

According to G Division (Essequibo CoastIslands) Commander Kevin Adonis, the case

According to reports, the child tried to abort the baby by consuming a quantity of pills. The mother was then informed and rushed

her to the health centre. When nurses there checked her, it was discovered that she was five months pregnant.

The health workers then started to question the 14-year-old, but she refused to speak. She was then

brought out to the Suddie Public Hospital where a Police investigation was conducted.

The child then divulged who was responsible for her state. It appeared that the family wanted to cover up the matter, a source reported.

The Toshao of the community, Lloyd Perreira, lamented that incest was common in Wakapao, and said they have launched a programme among churches in the community teaching that “incest is wrong”.

at the request of uS authorities, INtErPol red Notices – or international wanted persons alerts – have been issued for two former FIFA officials and four corporate executives for charges including racketeering, conspiracy and corruption.

Internet experts meet to improve Caribbean networks

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados

The first-ever Caribbean Peering and Internet Connection Forum (CarPIF) successfully concluded with commitments from Internet companies Akamai Technologies and Google to pay closer attention to the needs of Caribbean Internet service providers and consumers.

More than forty regional and international technology experts met in Barbados on May 27 to 28 to discuss strategies for improving the economics and technical efficiency of Internet content delivery in the Caribbean.

The meeting, organised by the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG), explored the state of Caribbean Internet infrastructure, the impact of local Internet exchange point (IXP) deployment in the region, and practical steps for improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of Internet service across the region.

The gathering was supported by two nonprofit Internet organisations, Packet Clearing House (PCH) and the Internet Society (Isoc),

along with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union.

It attracted Internet service providers, including Cable & Wireless and Columbus Networks, as well as telecommunications regulators and IXP operators from across the Caribbean. International participants included the American Registry for Internet Numbers (Arin) and the Internet Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean (Lacnic), search-engine giant Google, and Akamai, the world’s largest content delivery network provid-

er.

“The success of the region’s first peering forum is testament to the increasing maturity of the Caribbean Internet community, and the increasing regard for that community by international players in the Internet space,” said Bevil Wooding, Internet Strategist with PCH and a main organiser of the event.

He said that while the region recently made "positive strides" in establishing critical Internet infrastructure, there was still "consider-

able room for improving the reliability and efficient delivery of content to Caribbean consumers."

Wooding, one of the co-founders of CaribNOG, is responsible for establishing the peering forum, together with Shernon Osepa, Regional Outreach Manager for Isoc, an organisation that encourages and supports peering forums in other parts of the world.

"Isoc was pleased to be able to work together with the CaribNOG community and Packet

Clearing House to stage this first peering forum in the Caribbean,” Osepa said.

Arturo Servin, who works on content delivery and peering for Latin America, the Caribbean and the Iberian Peninsula at Google, shared on the megacorporation’s experience in bringing its content closer to Caribbean customers. Google Inc. is the company behind popular Internet services such as YouTube and Gmail.

“Google wants to bring its content as close as possible to Caribbean

audiences,” Servin said. “We are currently exploring options that will allow us to better service Internet service providers and IXPs in small markets like those in the region."

Google committed at the meeting to support Internet exchange points in the Caribbean, and used the opportunity to meet face to face with IX operators and regulators from across the region.

“This was a great opportunity to meet our customers in the Caribbean and establish new connections,” said Martin Hannigan, Director, Networks and Data Center Architecture at Akamai Technologies. “These types of gatherings are commonplace in other regions, so it’s great to see the Caribbean establishing CarPIF and putting things in place to make it possible for consumers and businesses to have a better Internet experience. That improved customer experience is the real point of peering and it's what matters most."

Organisers announced plans for the second CarPIF event to be staged in Curacao in June 2016. (TT Guardian)

left to right, Shernon osepa, regional outreach manager for latin america and the caribbean at the Internet Society, Bevil Wooding, Internet Strategist, Packet clearing House, craig Nesty, Executive Director, National telecommunications regulatory commission, Dominica, and Junior mcIntyre, coordinator, caribbean regional communications Infrastructure Programme, at the first-ever Caribbean Peering and Internet Connection Forum, Hilton Hotel, Bridgetown

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Former Independent Liberal Party (ILP) member, councillor Faaiq Mohammed is moving quickly to recover an outstanding debt from his former political leader Jack Warner ahead of Warner’s case with US authorities.

Mohammed said on Monday, he had started a defamation lawsuit against Warner in 2013 after Warner made defamatory remarks

against him. Judgement was given in his favour in July, 2014 for TT$220,000 as compensation.

Justice Vasheist Kokaram held that the allegation made by Warner was “out-ofplace, irresponsible and unsubstantiated.”

Warner had claimed that Mohammed accepted a bribe after he voted for a United National Congress (UNC) candidate for the post of presiding officer during the first meeting of the

Chaguanas Borough Corporation, almost a month after the local government elections in October 2013.

Mohammed said since the court ruling he had made several efforts to secure payment and for Warner without success.

Warner was arrested on a provisional warrant last Wednesday after the US Government unsealed an indictment charging him and 13 other football officials, with racketeering, mon-

ey laundering and wire fraud, linked to his tenure as a former Fifa vice president. He has been released on TT$2.5m bail after spending a night in jail.

Mohammed said he had instructed his lawyers to institute proceedings to recover TTs monies and demand that Warner pays the debt.

“I am sure Mr Warner will not want to be declared bankrupt. If he is so declared it should be noted that he will be disqualified from

standing for elections as he is prohibited under the Constitution from offering himself as a candidate in the next general elections. “ Mohammed said he now stands “vindicated in the decision I took to leave and resign from the ILP and withdraw my political allegiance in favour of the UNC as the issues now cast a shadow of doubt and have brought a dark cloud of suspicion over Mr Warner’s head.” (TT Guardian)

Faaiq mohammed

The consensus is we need greater unity for our country to optimize its development trajectory.

The political struggle before independence was divided along racial lines and the PNC government’s policies and programs for almost three decades, far from easing racial tension, further divided the country along racial lines.

The political parties that constitute the government of Guyana today campaigned with the message that national unity will be their top priority. The previous government under the PPP/C has always insisted that it governed with unity as a goal.

The establishment of the Ethnic Relations Commission and other Human Rights Commission, overall development in Guyana, a business environment that allowed thousands of small businesses in all communities, overall improvements in communities in all regions of the country, better health and education all

No way to persuade Guyanese of national unity

helped, but national unity remained an elusive goal.

We are hopeful that the old PNC with a new name represents a new beginning and not a new disguise to carry on in the path of the old postindependence legacy. Guyana has paid a hefty price as racial tension has limited our development.

No matter which side of the political divide we presently reside, Guyanese must embrace the goal of national unity.

It is for this reason, although we believe that the 2015 elections were not above board, we want to hope and pray that the APNU+AFC-led government will make a genuinely sincere effort to promote national unity.

We want to believe them that their “unity train” was not an election gimmick to commandeer power. They have an opportunity to turn these circumstances into an opportunity for national good and to achieve the elusive goal

of national unity, the most powerful energy source to drive Guyana towards unprecedented economic and social growth.

It is early yet and we will give the new administration space to demonstrate their commitment to national unity.

We make these observations not as criticism, but as friendly advice. It is difficult for you to convince a large group of Guyanese who experienced and now fears marginalization that you will promote national unity when your early actions demonstrate you are pursuing a wholly different agenda, one reminiscent of an ugly past.

The new cabinet of Guyana hardly reflects the population of Guyana, not that it should be exactly proportional, but it ought to have some semblance of looking closely like the national make-up.

The truth is that the new cabinet is almost 75 per cent African-Guyanese in its make-up. Non-African

Guyanese in the Cabinet make up approximately 25 per cent of the entire cabinet. This is reminiscent of the old PNC-led Government before 1992.

It is claimed that the AFC brought IndoGuyanese votes that in combination with the vast majority of African Guyanese who voted for APNU gave the coalition a majority, assuming that the elections were not rigged.

Since we would have expected that the new administration would have wanted its best candidates to be ministers, are we to assume that best candidates were mainly from one ethnic group? This would be a damning confession.

The PPP/C Cabinet looked like the ethnic make-up of Guyana. The 2011-2015 Cabinet was made up of at least 50 per cent non-Indo Guyanese.

If, the analysis is done taking into consideration the others that sat in Cabinet, outside of Ministers, including the HPS and the

Presidential Advisors, there were more than 50 per cent non-Indo-Guyanese in the Cabinet.

Given the large number of ministers in the new Cabinet (the largest Cabinet in CARICOM and maybe even in Latin America), one would have thought there were ample opportunities to ensure a balance in ethnic make-up.

Even if we took the new cabinet as one caused by necessity (the make-up of the electoral team), we would have thought that more care would have been taken in bestowing national awards.

The 2015 National Awardees seem largely like an award made by the PNC Executive for members with long service to the party.

There were a number of deserving persons in the list. We do not want to name them, but we can say that these deserving candidates, of different ethnic backgrounds, are in the minority.

The celebration of victory by APNU+AFC,

even if we forgive the brazen triumphalism that was characteristic of the celebrations, seemed to be a celebration of one ethnic group celebrating victory.

Walter Rodney was a ferocious fighter for national unity. He was murdered. It took Guyana a long time to inquire into his assassination. Now the new administration has made it clear it is closing the inquiry.

The government must demonstrate in tangible ways that no group would be marginalized and that by and large our government and out national lives demonstrate there is space for all ethnic groups to participate equitably and fairly.

The new government ought to take more care in how it conducts its business. At the moment it seems to embrace a common street talk: “I’s a’we time now”.

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

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

TRINIDAD: Eight distinguished Trinidadians will receive honorary doctorates from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus later this year for their sterling contributions to Caribbean development in areas ranging from business and culture to music and law.

Recognition would be paid to cultural icons David Rudder and Rajkumar “Krishna” Persad ; ANSA McAL Group Chairman Norman Sabga; historian and former Director of the National Museum Gerard A Besson; technology pioneer Hollis Raymond Charles; legal luminaries Justice Ralph Narine and Justice Jean Angela Permanand and former Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Public Service Commission Dr Marjorie Thorpe.

UWI announced on Monday that 21 honorary degrees will be awarded at the 2015 graduation ceremonies across the four campuses. The 21 individuals to be conferred comprise four at the Cave Hill, Barbados campus, seven at Mona, Jamaica, two at the Open Campus, and eight at St Augustine.

In a brief reaction to the news, Rudder told media operatives that he was not expecting the honour.

“I just do the work and I give it to the people, I nev-

er of Paria Publishing, for his contribution to the establishment of a library at the President’s House at the time of the presidency of His Excellency, Noor Hassanali. He was also the convenor of the Cabinetappointed work group occasioned by the centenary anniversary of Tobago becoming a ward of the unified colony of Trinidad and Tobago, 1887-1987.

Narine served for 35 years as a lawyer and judge. In addition to his professional life, J Narine was an astute sportsman in cricket and volleyball and a notable musician, playing the mandolin and violin in an Indian orchestra. He was also a founding member of the National Council for Indian Culture in 1964.

Servant leader…

…in govt?

er expect anything,” he said. “I’m a Caribbeanist because of the love that people have shown me from across the region and they are the reason that I do the work,” he said during a telephone interview from his home in Canada.

UWI singled out Rudder classics such as ‘Ganges meets the Nile’, ‘Hosay’, ‘The Power of the Glory’, ‘High Mas’ for their impact in further inculcating all facets of Trinidad’s social fabric into song saying that he more than any other local artiste has been recognised internationally for his integration and capture of the essence of Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural society through his music.

The campus will pay tribute to Besson, found-

Besson has to date published and produced well over 80 titles on the history and culture of Trinidad and Tobago and is engaged in the production of corporate publications, company histories, advertising campaigns, annual reports, as well as content for a wide variety of organisations in the Caribbean region.

For his accomplishments which directly fostered the advancement of technological research and industry in Trinidad and Tobago and, by extension, the Caribbean, Charles is being honoured.

Charlie is one of UWI’s earliest graduates in electrical engineering and as the first local Director for the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), he was responsible for developing CARIRI into what became recognised as one of the foremost multi-disciplinary technological institutions in the developing world.

UWI said that Justice

And Justice Jean Angela Permanand, a former judge of the Appeal Court, acted as Chief Justice during the period 2001/2002. She began her career in law from 1962 when she had her own private practice and was appointed Senior Counsel in 1981 and Solicitor-General in 1980-1982.

In 2009, she was elected president of the Commonwealth Law Reform Agencies.

Additionally, Persad is being honoured for his promotion of Indian art and culture for more than five decades. He was the first national to have been awarded a scholarship by the Indian Government to study music and dance in India and received the title, ‘Natya Kala Ratna’. In 1967 he became the founder, director and choreographer of the Trinidad School of Indian Dance, the first to be established in this part of the world.

Sabga is being recognised as a leading entrepreneur in the region who manages one of the most diversified conglomerates in the Caribbean with some 6,000 employees. Sabga is the Chairman and Chief Executive of the ANSA McAL Group and has been pivotal in the expansion of the group’s business through St Kitts, Grenada, Barbados, Guyana and the United States and made significant headway into introducing new commodities and business models in the region.

And Dr Thorpe, a former university dean and deputy principal, has been recognised for her pioneering work including the introduction of the first Women and Development Studies at UWI in 1985. Dr Thorpe has held appointments as chairman of the Public Service Commission and the Trinidad and Tobago Board of the Defence Force.

She also served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations from 1988-1992; after which she was appointed Deputy Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women in New York, a position she held until 1995.

She then held the post of Resident Coordinator of the UN System Operational Activities for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and UNDP Resident Representative for the same area until 1999. (TT Newsday)

It is said that first impressions are lasting impressions. So we’re expected to make “good” first impressions. Well, from where this Eyewitness is sitting (all the way at the back of the reporters’ pool!) some of the new Ministers aren’t making such great impressions.

In fact, if the truth be told one of them really screwed up big time on the first day of the job. If by now you don’t know who’s the cynosure of your Eyewitness’ eye then you, dear reader, were probably vacationing on Mars.

The cause célèbre of the Junior Minister of Social Protection (for those of you who can’t keeping up with the renaming of the Ministries, this one used to be “Social Services”) Simona Broomes, has so dominated your Eyewitness’ social media networks that he had to turn to Bach for relief.

(Well, he’d heard his new President listened to Bach.) He wondered what all this talk about “Servant Leadership” during the campaign was all about.

From what went down over at the Child Protection Agency, (which falls under Minister Broomes, mod TIP fame), it would seem that this “servant” had picked up some real bossy attitude!

Yesterday your Eyewitness touched on the incident – that the head of the Agency Ann Green had suggested to the new Servant Leader Broomes that maybe some of her sharp words about the Agency while of the hustings might’ve hurt the sensibilities of staff. And that perchance it might be a good gesture to rebuild some fences.

Now your Eyewitness had figured this was very good advice and in fact was what a Public Servant like Ann Green, with two decades of experience in the business, should proffer. But it seemed that your Eyewitness was only looking at the affaire Broomes from one angle…and so in the interest of fairness he must now present the other angle.

In a release by “the Ministry of Social Protection”, it was stated that rather in the above, “Ms Greene loudly and aggressively declared her unwillingness to work with Minister Broomes unless Minister Broomes submitted herself to demands and ultimatums made by Ms Greene.”

Well, all your eyewitness can say, this IS an angle isn’t it? While “possibility” is infinite…probability is finite and measurable, isn’t it? So your Eyewitness asks himself (and you dear reader):

“Dear Eyewitness and readers, is it probable that a Public Servant with two decades of service under her belt would speak in such a peremptory manner in front of not one Minister – but TWO? And also in front of her staff?

He thinks not. What say you, dear reader? …from on high

Now surely all these new Ministers can’t be allowed to just do as they please in their new jobs. This Eyewitness knows that the Opposition’s been out of office for 23 years and they have no experience with running their Ministries.

But we’re not talking about their substantive positions, are we? We’re talking about an approach of their charges to people with whom they’ll come into contact.

We suggest that President Granger invite all his Ministers (15?) and their Juniors (12?) to a retreat (even though the word “retreat” isn’t high on a military fella’s vocabulary!) and explain the fine points of how one deals with staff.

But not so incidentally, can Ministers summarily send staff on leave? Doesn’t due process demand that Ann Green have a hearing?

Even in the Military, they just don’t put you in front of a firing squad for insubordination. And the Military doesn’t even have unions (as yet). Surely Patrick Yarde, the Public Service Union boss must weigh in on the issue?

Lincoln Lewis has already beaten him to the punch.

…in cricket

Cricket’s a game of the people. Without the fans they’ll be no cricket. So how come when fans almost unanimously want Chandrapaul to have a last hurrah, the leaders say “No!!”?

a Norman Sabga who will receive his honorary doctorate from uWI for sterling contributions to entrepreneurship in the caribbean

J'can marine scientists on enviro fellowship in Australia

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Two Jamaicans are among a group of 14 marine scientists from islands in the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian oceans who are now in North Queensland, Australia, for a three-week fellowship in coral reef management.

They are Andrea Donaldson, head of the Ecosystems Management Branch at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and Christine O'Sullivan, ecologist and lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica.

The fellowship, titled "Improving coral reef management for sustainable development

in the Caribbean and Pacific", will see them visiting government departments, research stations and reef dependent businesses. They will also meet key stakeholders and visit the habitats of the Great Barrier Reef, one of Australia's most celebrated natural attractions.

The Australia Awards are prestigious international scholarships and fellowships funded by the Australian Government for shortterm study, research and professional development opportunities targeting mid-career professionals and academicians. The intention is to contribute to the long-term development needs of Australia's

natural resource management plans

partner countries, while strengthening that country's global partnerships.

Donaldson says the knowledge she will gain

from the experience will be incorporated into NEPA's natural resource management plans.

"Currently, NEPA

has a programme to manage activities on land to reduce the possible negative impact on the marine and coastal environment. The agency also implements plans for the sustainable use of these resources. The competencies gained will be used to improve on these plans and provide useful comments on the Coastal Resources Policy presently being prepared for Jamaica," she said.

The fellowship is being hosted by Reef Ecologic Pty Ltd with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Great

Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, University of Queensland, James Cook University, and local industries and marine groups.

Director of Reef Ecologic and Adjunct Associate Professor with the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science at University of Queensland Paul Marshall and Reef Ecologic director Dr Adam Smith, both of whom have extensive experience with coral reef management, are the fellowship facilitators.

The fellows will make a statement on World Oceans Day, June 8, and will give a public presentation at Reef headquarters on June 10. (Jamaica Observer)

Six Caribbean banks implicated in Fifa scandal

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

TRINIDAD: Six banks from the Caribbean, three of which are from T&T, are listed as having completed wire transfers of large sums of money for the Fifa officials who were charged by the US.

On Wednesday last, former Fifa vice president and MP for Chaguanas West, Jack Warner surrendered himself to the Fraud Squad of the T&T Police because of the US indictments in New York.

(T&T).

None of the banks has been charged with any crime, or regulatory violation.

On Friday, the Bankers’ Association of T&T (BATT) stated that it remains committed to working with local and foreign regulators and law enforcement agencies as the investigation pro-

gresses.

“The Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT) has taken note of the fact that certain local commercial banks have been named in the indictment raised against the Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West, Austin ‘Jack’ Warner,” the association said in a release.

“BATT wishes to acknowledge that banks, as responsible corporate bodies, are committed to co-operating fully with regulatory and law enforcement agencies when engaged on matters of a regulatory, legal and/or criminal nature,” it noted. Warner is currently free on TT$2.5 million bail. (Curaçao Chronicle)

The regional banks

According to the 166page indictment in United States vs Jeffrey Webb, et al, in which many senior Fifa officials and others are charged with multiple counts of racketeering, money laundering and wire fraud involving US$150 million, six Caribbean banks are listed as having completed wire transfers of large sums of money for the defendants.

listed in the indictment are: First Caribbean International Bank (Bahamas), Barclays Bank (Cayman Islands), Fidelity Bank (Cayman Islands), First Citizens Bank (T&T), Intercommercial Bank (T&T) and Republic Bank

Jamaica chairs 100th session of UNWTO

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill was chair of the 100th ses-

sion of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) held in Rovinj, Croatia, from May 27-29, making Jamaica the first Englishspeaking Caribbean

country and possibly the smallest to be entrusted to guide these deliberations.

Some 200 participants from UNWTO members states as well as representatives of the UNWTO associate and affiliate members attended the session.

Among the issues addressed at the high-level meeting are strategies to mainstream tourism in the global agenda, an assessment of the performance of international tourism in 2014 and the outlook for 2015.

Dr McNeill spoke of the need for greater emphasis on sustainability, which is essential for long-term economic gains that provide benefits to all socio-economic groups and across other sectors through strong promotion of linkages. (Jamaica Observer)

andrea Donaldson, head of the Ecosystems management Branch at the National Environment and Planning agency (NEPa), says she will incorporate knowledge gained from the experience into NEPa’s

Kate Hudson spotted with rumoured boyfriend

Actress Kate Hudson, who split from former lover Matt Bellamy last year after more than four years together, was seen with rumoured boyfriend Derek Hough.

Hudson and Bellamy were spotted embracing just days ago sparking rumours they'd rekindled a romance, and now Hudson has been spotted getting dropped off at her car by rumoured beau Hough. Hough was photographed driving his black Audi in West Hollywood on Friday morning, before Hudson jumped out and swapped into her own car. The actress looked fresh and relaxed with minimal makeup, as she wore a white vest top and jeans with high stilettos. Hudson reportedly had a quick cigarette before jumping in her own car with some chewing gum at

hand and driving off too. The pair were first rumoured to be seeing each other last year, after the actress split from Bellamy. (TOI)

Matt Dillon visits Myanmar Refugee camp

Actor Matt Dillon was left heartbroken after visiting thousands of displaced and persecuted citizens of Myanmar during a recent humanitarian trip.

The 'Crash' star was first introduced to the devastation in the western state of Rakhine by activist Thun Khin, who he met at a Refugees International fundraiser in Washington last month, reported BBC online.

"No one should have to live like this, people are really suffering. They are being strangled slowly. They have no hope for the future and nowhere to go... It affected me more than I thought it would," he said.

With his visit, Dillon has become one of the first celebrities to put a spotlight on the nation, which has been discriminating against the Rohingya Muslims for decades.

(TOI)

Eastwood to direct biopic about 'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot

‘American Sniper’ director Clint Eastwood will helm a biopic about the heroic pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger for Warner Bros.

The studio announced that Eastwood will direct and produce the as-yetuntitled drama for his next project, reported People magazine.

The movie's screenplay will be adapted from Sullenberger's own 2009 memoir, "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters", which recounted the pilot's personal life before his legendary actions of January 2009.

He became an instant American national hero as a result of his actions, and has on a number of occasions been courted by the main political parties in the US for endorsement and even to run for public office, though he has refused to affiliate himself in any way.

"I am very glad my story is in the hands of gifted storyteller and filmmaker Clint

Eastwood," Sullenberger said in a statement.

On January 15, 2009, a US Airways flight piloted by Sullenberger lost power after a multiple birds flew into the plane's engines, causing them to fail.

As the aircraft lost altitude, Sullenberger realised he would not be able to reach the nearest airfield and was forced

Former Victoria's Secret model Marisa Miller and her husband Griffin Guess have become parents for the second time -- they have named their new-born son Grayson Lee Bazyl Guess.

The couple, who already have twoyear-old son Gavin Lee together, welcomed their baby into the world on May 29.

Miller has revealed her labour was "intense" but she felt more prepared after giving birth once before.

"It was so intense and the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I felt very prepared for labour this time around... I had such an amazing support system at the hospital and my family, I felt totally taken care of," Miller told people.com.

Expressing her joy, Miller, who tied the knot with Guess in 2006, added: "I feel so blessed and excited to see both my boys grow up together. My son Grayson is healthy and such a sweet

baby. I was a little anxious as to when it would happen though.

"Having a toddler at home, you have to organise to make sure everything is taken care of while you're gone at the hospital." (TOI)

It’s now a parent thing: Paul McCartney on quitting marijuana

The Beatles star Paul McCartney has revealed that he has given up marijuana.

"I don't do it anymore," he was quoted as saying on a UK website. "Why? The truth is I don't really want to set an example to my kids and grandkids. It's now a parent thing."

McCartney admitted that he was afforded his first taste of the drug by singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in 1964. "Back then I was just some guy around London having a ball, and the kids were little so I'd just try and keep it out of their faces. Instead of smoking a spliff I'll now have a glass of red wine or a nice margarita. The last time I smoked was a long time ago," he added. (TOI)

Jennifer Lawrence wants relationship to be secret

Actress Jennifer Lawrence is reportedly keen on keeping her relationship with Chris Martin "under wraps" after seeing the intense

media attention surrounding his former wife Gwyneth Paltrow.

"She's really into Chris -- she just wants to keep their relationship under wraps because she saw what happened with Gwyneth and she doesn't want that kind of press," a source told X17 Online, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The pair was spotted leaving the U2 concert last week alongside the band's frontman Bono as they headed to Chateau Marmont for an after-party, and they were keen to avoid being photographed.

Meanwhile, Martin is still on good terms with Paltrow, with whom he has 10-year-old daughter Apple and nineyear-old son Moses. (TOI)

Jean-Claude Van Damme reunites with wife

Hto make an emergency landing on the Hudson River. All 155 occupants were successfully evacuated, after a nearby ship rescued the passengers and crew from the sinking plane.

Much of the evacuation was captured on video and quickly became a media sensation, with the incident being dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson". (TOI)

ollywood star Jean-Claude Van Damme insists he and wife Gladys are no longer getting divorced and their relationship is as "strong" as before.

The 'Expendables 2' star and wife Gladys Portugues Van Varenberg, who have grown-up children Kristopher and Bianca together, filed a petition to end their 15-year marriage in March.

But the 54-year-old actor insists they have now put their problems behind them and are as "strong" as ever, reported TMZ.

"The JCVD family are still strong, the wife is strong, the kids are strong. There's so much divorce around the

world and it's very bad for the children, that's the problem.

Couples have to work through their stuff together no matter what, they have to grow," he said.

The actor, who was previously married to Gladys from 1987 to 1992 before remarrying her in 1999 after his marriage to fourth wife Darcy LaPier broke down, claimed staying together would even benefit America.

"I've divorced before and it's not funny for the children or the parents or even the country. People have to stick together like in the old times, it will make America look very strong and the value will come back," he added. (TOI)

Shruti Haasan buys herself a pair of fancy wheels

Shruti Haasan, who started the year on a good note professionally, decided to treat herself to a swanky car.

The hot, self-made star kid bought herself a high-end SUV. She is kicked about her latest acquisition and was spotted in an upbeat mood when she came to the screening of 'Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do' at a suburban preview theatre.

(TOI)

Saif Ali Khan’s son Ibrahim hoodwinks aunt Soha

While most Bollywood actors are hooked on to social media, including Saif Ali Khan's family comprising sis-

ter Soha Ali Khan and brother-in-law Kunal Kemmu, the Nawab of Pataudi and his begum Kareena Kapoor Khan are exceptions.

Following in his father's footsteps is Saif's teenage son Ibrahim, who goes on the web occasionally but still prefers to be private for the better part. Recently, Soha shared the ID of her nephew's photosharing profile asking her followers to follow the youngster. However, he changed it soon after, in what looked like an attempt to contain online surfers from checking out his page. Ibrahim Ali Khan's account boasts of fun pictures clicked with his friends, but looks like Nawab junior is not yet ready to face an early stardom.(TOI)

Action takes Priyanka Chopra into superhero world

After clinching a beauty crown, Priyanka Chopra went on to win hearts with her acting prowess and after reigning on the big screen, she explored the world of music. Now, the actress has set her eyes on becoming a superwoman through action scenes in her films.

The actress, who has showcased her strength and power through a bevy of films like ‘Mary Kom’, ‘Don’ and ‘Drona’, says she tries to fulfil her secret desire of being a superwoman through action scenes.

She is gearing up for an action packed project of director Pradeep Sarkar. The actress executed a perfect three-

point-landing after jumping off a tree during one of her action sequences. That left the whole crew impressed.

"My inherent tomboy persona comes out everytime I do an action sequence and I channelled all my secret desire of being a superhero into this sequence. My director was happy, the crew was happy...so I can safely say, I got it done," Priyanka said in a statement.

Sarkar is known for bringing strong female characters in his cinema with films like 'Parineeti' and 'Mardaani'.

Priyanka says teaming up with Sarkar has made her job as an actor easy.

"It's always exciting

to work with creative personalities like Dada (Sarkar), who have a vision and such clarity that it makes my job easier. It was super fun doing this with him," she said.

All the information about the project is shrouded in secrecy. Without divulging much about the project, Priyanka said: "Patience... all will be revealed soon enough."

Meanwhile, the actress will be seen in Zoya Akhtar's multistarrer ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’, which also stars Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma and Shefali Shah. It will release on Friday. (TOI)

Masaba Gupta and Madhu

Mantena's romantic journey

Daughter of veteran actress Neena Gupta and cricketer Vivian Richards, Masaba Gupta tied the knot with filmmaker Madhu Mantena in a court marriage in Mumbai on June 2, 2015. Reportedly, a celebratory bash followed the marriage and was attended by Bollywood folk including Shahid

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has thanked all his fans, whom he fondly calls extended family (Ef), for wishing him and wife Jaya on their 42nd marriage anniversary.

The 72-year-old actor -- who tied the knot on June 3, 1973 with the actress-politician -- said though Jaya is abroad on the occasion, they still feel very close to each other.

"Self wishes are the order of the day... They serve both ways. They convey to you the Ef, of my marriage anniversary... And they inform the wife that she has not been forgotten even though she is not in the country at this moment," Bachchan wrote in his blog.

The star couple got married after working together in Prakash Mehra's ‘Zanjeer’. Their wedding was a hushhush affair with only a few of close industry friends and family members in attendance.

Bachchan and Jaya have two children -Abhishek and daughter Shweta.

"After 42 years it all seems so very close and

immediate ... The decision to be together... The information to the elders... Parents first and then .. Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, my first director and then Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Jaya's first director, and ours for many films thereafter," the Piku actor added.

Bachchan recalled his traditional Bengali wedding and their honeymoon in London.

"The hurried simple preparations... The ceremony in Bengali tradition... The drive from my rented place to the apartment of a dear friend of Jaya's family... My driver

Nagesh insisting on driving me, sehra bound, to the site, not permitting my brother to do the honours...

"And finally after it was all over, the entrance of the bride into our home and the departure soon after to London with some dear friends for a honeymoon... Our very first visit to the UK," wrote Bachchan.

Bachchan and Jaya worked together in films like ‘Bansi Birju’, ‘Abhimaan’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Mili, Sholay’, ‘Silsila’ and ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’. (TOI)

'Selfie le le re' from ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ connects two parts of India

The much talkedabout 'Selfie le le re' song from Salman Khan's ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ is finally out and it is a treat for all

the Bhai fans. The video is a riot of colours and Salman dancing amidst it is an icing on the cake. While the robust fastpaced song shows the

actor singing praises of Lord Hanuman, it also tries to cash in on the popularity of the word 'selfie'. In a teaser video of just 92 seconds, it beautifully connects two parts of India - one, which enthusiastically celebrates each and every festival; and the other, which is trapped in the web of technology. The song has been sung by Vishal Dadlani while Pritam has worked on the music. The lyrics have been penned by Mayur Puri.

(TOI)

Jay Bhanushali learns horse riding for his next film

Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. Apparently, the couple's close friends had been informed two weeks ago about the registered marriage. Masaba said that their November wedding is most likely to be a Caribbean wedding. Madhu was quoted saying that the court marriage was just a technicality before the wedding in November. (TOI)

Jay Bhanushali, who was last seen in ‘Ek Paheli Leela’, has started learning horse riding and martial arts for his upcoming film. Though the actor has never ridden a horse before, we hear it's always been one of the things he's fascinated by.

A source informs, "Jay has started learning horse riding now and is more intrigued than ever before by the sport. He finds the process exciting and thrilling to say the least and it has helped him overcome his fear of riding. Jay likes to get under the skin of the character and he is ready to go all out to perfect the nuances. He is also undergoing rigorous training sessions for martial arts." Jay's role is being kept under wraps and the makers are expected to launch the movie soon. (TOI)

Shiv’s sacking sets bad precedent – Sanasie

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, Anand Sanasie, believes the unceremonious sacking of ace batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul for the upcoming two-Test series against Australia sets a bad precedence with regards the way regional players are being treated.

Chanderpaul, a veteran of a West Indian record 164 Test matches, was dropped by the Clive Lloyd-led Selection Panel, which noted the batsman’s dip in form over the past two series as the reason for his omission.

The middle-order stalwart had a rare lean patch, stitching together just 183 runs in his last 11 innings at an average of 16, but many share the view that the former captain deserved a better send-off or should have been afforded the luxury of retiring on his own terms.

During an illustrious career spanning 21 years, Chanderpaul has emerged as the West Indies second highest Test runscorer with 11, 867 runs at an average of 51.37 with 30 hundreds and 66 fifties.

Sanasie, speaking at a GCB press conference

recently, was explicit in his views on how the matter was dealt with by the selectors.

“We [GCB] had and we’re having extensive discussions with authorities of the board because we do not feel that this is a good thing. It can’t be a good thing; it’s a bad thing and it’s not a good precedence for players in the future. Players would look at this and say ‘I can give 20 years service and may very well be treated this way,” Sanasie, who is also a director on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), reasoned. He added, “My opinion on this- and this is personal- is that no one knew how Chanderpaul would have performed in the England tour. Had

Chanderpaul scored two centuries we would not have been having this discussion, and I think that is where the administration erred…and you want to cover up your wrong with another wrong. That is not right, you can’t do that.”

Sanasie reiterated that the GCB will continue to stand in Chanderpaul’s corner, noting that the “icon” should be treated better.

“The Guyana Cricket Board would be in support of him and we would continue to petition the West Indies Cricket Board and the Selection Panel as we move forward because we intend to ensure that this icon is given what is due to him after yeoman ser-

“For me I was hoping that that would change, and you mentioned Dave Cameron saying what he said…I think he meant well when he said that, but he never knew his selectors were not part of that plan. I want to be fair to him [Cameron], because he tried his best,” Sanasie commented.

Cameron, who in March gained re-election for a second term, said he had not been pleased with how former players had been treated at the end of their careers.

vice to West Indies and Guyana cricket. I think Chanderpaul requested a final series, which is two matches. At least he should have been granted that,” Sanasie pointed out.

Experts believe the sacking of Chanderpaul is another demonstration of the WICB’s disregard for the contributions of its players after they retire, although current President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron had mentioned a few weeks back that Chanderpaul deserved a fitting sendoff when his career ends.

“I have never really liked how we have ushered out our players, so as president I am always trying to figure out how to honour them,” he told the Jamaica Gleaner.

“We’re doing it now on a continuous basis, year by year, for their performances, but at the end of a long and illustrious career like Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s we want to ensure that whatever we do, it is well respected and that he knows and the region knows how much we value his services to West Indies cricket.”

It was initially report-

ed that Chanderpaul was dropped for the upcoming two-Test series against the Aussies, only for that decision to be reversed with the intervention of some WICB Directors. Chanderpaul was subsequently due to travel to Barbados on May 24 to join the rest of the squad, but was informed by Cameron moments before the flight that the original decision stands, as the selectors have stuck with their initial agreement.

According to Sanasie, as a matter of policy of the WICB, the selectors are duty bound to select the teams, and the Directors do not have the power to make changes. Despite Chanderpaul’s snub, Sanasie gave the assurance that the veteran left-hander will not be subjected to the same level of neglect by the GCB.

“Well the fact is Chanderpaul has not retired from playing cricket. He would be selected as normal in our [Guyana] squad for the regional tournaments and once he is performing he’ll be selected,” he asserted.

GCC Ladies finish Trinidad visit on high note

The Georgetown Cricket Club

(GCC) ladies hockey team wrapped up their final game in Trinidad on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Ventures Hockey Club to take their weekend final outcome to two wins and one draw.

The win takes GCC to a total of 20 points which extended their lead at the top of the competition table.

With the match opening on an even keel, both teams took some time to settle into their rhythm while exchanging possession more frequently than they would like before posing any serious threats.

After a slow opening 5 minutes however, GCC began to surge deeper into the Ventures defence offering striker Kerensa Fernandes

two early shots at net which were skilfully parried over the top bar Ventures goalkeeper Sarayah-U Plaza.

The match remained scoreless at the half despite GCC enjoying the greater possession and attempts at goal.

The goalkeeping prowess of Plaza kept the match exciting as she was able to deny the visitors on every occasion.

Despite the earlier heroics of Plaza, the pressure by GCC finally paid off as Fernandes received a pass from midfielder Trisha Woodroffe on the left, drove to the scoring circle and slipped her pass across the face on the goal to the waiting Sonia Jardine on the far post for the finish. It was 38 minutes into the match and GCC had finally made their breakthrough.

The goal was a shot of adrenaline for the GCC side as they relentlessly attacked the Ventures circle over the next few minutes earning several penalty corners in the process.

After winning a penalty corner in the 48th minute, Tricia Woodroffe’s strike was blocked by the diving Plaza only to be rebounded in by Gabriella Xavier on the near post. The score of 2-0 would hold to the end of the match leaving GCC victorious on their final match of their successful debut season.

Although GCC have competed both their rounds of matches, there are still several outstanding matches to be contested by local Trinidadian teams which is likely to see the season running down into July.

Is it the last we’ve seen of the trademark celebration after a hundred?

Sonia Jardine slips her pass to teammate Kerensa Fernandes in the scoring circle

Cricket academy in Berbice to start in July

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), as part of its Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebrations, will be hosting two major programmes next month as part of its ongoing effort to make sure that every youth fulfills his/her full potential on the cricket field and in the classroom.

The club’s annual Republic Bank Educational Camp will be held from July 6, while the annual TCL Cricket Academy will also start on the same day.

Both programmes will be held at the Area “H” ground in Rose Hall Town and, according to RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster, the club has already started to make arrangements to make sure that they are not only successful, but fulfill every objective.

The cricket academy will cater for a total of 100 youths between the ages eight and 18, and will be conducted by cricket coach Delbert Hicks and several others. The main aims of the cricket academy, which will be held for two weeks, are to identify and nurture promising talent for

the future, to get them to understand their role as a sports ambassador and to promote the “Say Yes to Education and No to Drugs” message.

The young cricketers will be involved in intense coaching to improve their batting and bowling, fielding and physical fitness, while a lot of classroom work would also be done on a variety of topics, including the history of the club, structure of cricket in the Caribbean, captaincy, fielding positions, rules of cricket, importance of education, suicide and HIV/AIDS.

The educational camp will be conducted by senior Port Mourant Secondary School Teacher, Rohan Etwaru, and its main objective is to prepare the 60 students to make a successful transition from Primary to Secondary school when the new school year begins in September.

The students will be exposed to lessons in Mathematics, English, Integrated Science, Basic Spanish and Social Studies during the fiveweek camp, while they will also be exposed to coaching to learn how to play cricket, volleyball and basketball.

They will also be lectured on a wide range of topics, including peer pressure, public manners, choosing friends and drugs abuse.

Students from Rose Hall Town, Tain, Belvedere, Port Mourant and Albion primary will be given priority at the camp, but Foster stated that students from other schools will also be considered once space is available. Entrance to both programmes is free.

Moody hails “unique” Caribbean atmosphere Caribbean

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Caribbean Premier League’s (CPL) International Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, has hailed the Caribbean region for its “unique” atmosphere, one that “cannot be replicated anywhere”, as he shared his thoughts on the 2015 edition of the tournament, set to start this month.

The third installment of the region’s premier T20 showpiece will bowl off on June 20 and will run until July 26, and according to Australian Moody, the six-team competition is geared for a huge take off.

The oomph beyond the boundary, coupled with the riveting onfield rivalry among local and foreign players, is enough reason to lead Moody to believe that the upcoming tournament will be a colossal success.

“Well, I think cricket in the Caribbean is unique and it cannot be replicated anywhere. There is a real spirit to the game in the Caribbean,” Moody, 49, said during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International Sport. He continued, “You know the way people in the Caribbean embrace the game, the passion for the game is very unique to them, and the way they watch it. People in the Caribbean come to one, watch the cricket and two, it’s a real party atmosphere and they really embrace both elements of the experience…and that’s what I think makes it pretty special.”

Moody also spoke glowingly of the on-field

Underdogs win McBill memorial dominoes title

Underdogs tallied a chart-topping 85 games to capture the annual Mohamed McBill memorial dominoes title, which was contested on Sunday last at Carlos Sports Bar, Good Success, Wakenaam.

Seawall Boys copped the runner-up spot with 73 games, while Bad Boys, who drew the bye to the final, finished third on 68 games. Alex Chung marked 17 games, while Salim Chan scored 16 for the winners.

Earlier in the day, Underdogs had chalked up 79 games to win the semi-final encoun-

ter ahead of Seawall Boys on 75 and All Star 59. Chung got 16 and Amit Ramnarine 15 for Underdogs, while Toolie Sheriffudeen made 14 for Seawall Boys and Raj Narine 14 for All Star.

Vickram Ramnarine, Heera Sukram and Mohamed Kalam of All Star were the love birds. Underdogs received a trophy, while Chung took home the Most Valuable Player award and Suraj Harrinarine the prize for sharing the loves.

Coordinator Moses Ramnarine thanked the sponsor Safraz Sheriffudeen,

exchanges over the past two years.

“With regards to the cricket itself, what we’ve seen over the first two years of the CPL, there is a huge improvement in the quality of cricket that is played and a lot of that has to do with the development of the local talent in the Caribbean, but it is also the international influence that comes in. This year with the international players we’ve got coming in that’s only going to be bigger and better,” the former cricketer pointed out.

Moody was a former all-rounder for Australia, playing eight Test matches and 76 ODIs. However, he never got a chance to exploit the T20 format, having retired from the game in 2000.

Since retirement, the man Adelaide has ventured into commentary, coaching, and is now a director on the CPL roster where part of his job is to ensure the tournament maintains the high standard fans and cricketers have grown accus-

tomed to.

“Look, we’re very excited about season three, you know having had two successful years we not only have engaged the cricketing public of the Caribbean to an exciting new product, but we’ve also learnt a lot with regards both on and off the field workings, and we look forward to putting all those workings into place in season three and beyond. The take-up so far with regards the interest in the CPL has been positive, so there are good signs already that the CPL is ready to party,” Moody reckoned.

Touching on the topic of marketing the CPL to other destinations that the League is not currently reaching, Moody reasoned that the actual battle between bat and ball is the best form of advertisement for the game.

“If you’re playing a high standard of cricket on the field, it’s highly competitive and it’s played in the right spirit, you know that’s the best advertisement,

whether it be locally or globally. Also, the takeup from the crowd is a great sell because the number of persons who have spoken to me about the Caribbean Premier League that haven’t been there live, they’ve seen it on television and they are talking about how the crowds really get involved and are very much part of the product. So it’s not only about the standard of cricket that is played, but it’s also about the local being involved and embracing the CPL,” Moody concluded.

Tom Moody: “I think cricket in the Caribbean is unique and it cannot be replicated anywhere. There is a real spirit to the game in the Caribbean”

When the CPL bowls off, the Barbados Tridents will put their title on the line against the two-time runnerup Guyana Amazon Warriors, 2013 champion Jamaica Tallawahs, St Lucia Zouks, newcomers St Kitts Patriots and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

the CEO of V Net Communications, which is located at 25 Delph Street, Campbellville, for his input and said the dominoes fraternity of Wakenaam looks forward to the continuation of the tournament.

In brief remarks, Sheriffudeen congratulated the winners and thanked the other participating teams for their involvement in the competition. He said that his company will continue to sponsor the competition, which was played in memory of his grandfather Mohamed McBill, a former resident of Wakenaam.

Flashback: From left; caribbean Premier league (cPl) Director of cricket, Tom Moody, CPL brand ambassador, Sir Garfield Sobers, CPL CEO, Damien o’Donohoe, cPl performance director, Sir Viv richards, cPl coo, Pete russell

Hilbert Foster

Sponsor Safraz Sheriffudeen (right), the cEo of V Net communications, shares a moment with members of the underdogs team

Shiv: “I have not retired”

– says video on social media was done in 2013

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Out-of-favour West Indies Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul said he hasn’t retired from the game, and an interview which went viral online on Tuesday, which shows him thanking fans for their support, was actually done on December 28, 2013.

The interview, according to Chanderpaul, was done at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados upon the West Indies team arrival from the New Zealand series in which he racked up his 29th Test hundred.

“I need to make it clear that I haven’t retired, and that interview which is circulating online was done way back in 2013. I find this very mischievous, and while I don’t know who posted it, I want to say that who did it has done something wrong,” Chanderpaul clarified.

The veteran batsman said the video was clearly edited, as

the part that has been posted was the initial question in the interview when he thanked his loyal fans for sticking by him through the years.

In the 38 seconds video,

Chanderpaul is quoted as saying, “Yea, I am pretty much happy the way the fans supported me throughout my career. They were always there to cheer me on. Everywhere I

go in the world they were there to cheer me on and support me and they know the type of player I am, and they know I go out there and give my best, and I would fight as hard as I can for the team. That’s all I have been doing- fighting for the team and trying my best. If I can bat as long as I can only the team can benefit from it. I appreciate everything they have done for me over the years, and I just want to say a special thank you to them.”

With all that has transpired over the last few weeks, the utterances in the video give the impression that Chanderpaul has accepted that his career was over, and was using social media to express gratitude to those who would have supported him.

The region’s second highest Test runscorer said that is far from the truth, and he is appalled by the actions of person (s) who would stoop to such level.

The past weeks have been

turbulent for the middle-order stalwart, whose Test career was brought to a halt following his omission for the two-Test series against Australia, starting in Dominica.

Chanderpaul, a veteran of a West Indian record 164 Test matches, was dropped by the Clive Lloyd-led Selection Panel, which noted the batsman’s dip in form over the past two series as the reason for his omission.

The left-hander had a rare lean patch, stitching together just 183 runs in his last 11 innings at an average of 16, but many share the view that the former captain deserved a better send-off or should have been afforded the luxury of retiring on his own terms.

During an illustrious career spanning 21 years, Chanderpaul has emerged as the West Indies second highest Test runscorer with 11, 867 runs at an average of 51.37 with 30 hundreds and 66 fifties.

Club members proud of Chandrika’s progress – envisage long and productive international career

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

History was created last weekend when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Selection Panel announced the inclusion of Guyana’s opening batsman Rajendra Chandrika in the 14-man squad for the first Test against Australia, starting on Wednesday in Dominica.

It meant that for the first time in history a cricketer from the closely knitted East Coast Demerara community of Enterprise has had the

news of his selection became public, the EBSC said the entire community of Enterprise was overjoyed by the selection, adding that all the hardwork of the executives and the great support for cricket in the village had paid off in a massive way.

Members of the club are now urging Chandrika, popularly known as ‘Ginger’ in the community and in cricketing circles, to refocus his efforts on doing the job at hand and up his game to make a smooth transition from First-

distinction of being called to represent the senior West Indies team.

Quite naturally, the news brought much jubilation to villagers, especially those who rub shoulders with the elegant right-hander at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club (EBSC) on a daily basis.

Moment after the

Class to Test cricket. On Tuesday, Guyana Times International Sport spoke with several of the young cricketer’s colleagues at the club, who all expressed elation at his rise up the cricketing ladder.

First-Class off-spinner, Zaheer Mohamed, a close friend of Chandrika, believes the batsman has

the necessary skills to succeed at the international level.

“First of all, I want to congratulate him on this achievement. Also, I want to say that he is a very committed cricketer, and he is always thriving for excellence. I’ve been playing cricket and training with him for years now and I can tell you that he is very serious about his cricket,” Mohamed related.

He added, “I want to assure him that all of Enterprise and all of Guyana is behind him at the moment, and we want to wish him a long and successful career, one which all of us can be proud of.”

Mohamed further stated that during their brief First-Class stints together in the Guyana team, he observed Chandrika to be one of the most compact opening batsmen in the Caribbean.

“He has a very good technique for an opening batsman, and he would

usually work overtime to always improve on his skills,” Mohamed pointed out.

Coach of the EBSC, Latchman Yadram, said the 25-year-old batsman is a discipline and hardworking cricketer, and his call-up is a deserving one.

“He’s a very discipline cricketer. He would always be working on his game, whether we have practice or not he would be out there batting for long periods. He’s very dedicated to the game,” he said.

Yadram also stated that he was not at all surprised at his inclusion in the West Indies team. In fact, he expected the selectors to pick him two years ago. “He was in the Sagicor High Performance Centre about two years ago and I thought he was very close to selection then, but it didn’t happen. He has been selected now and we at the club, as well as the entire East Coast, are

proud of him.”

Yadram observed that Chandrika has a sound technique, and if there is one weakness would be his low conversion rate whenever he got past fifty. “I would always tell him about converting those fifties, but I guess once he gets pass that milestone the first time it would become easier.”

Captain of the EBSC, Parmanand Dindyal, said the batsman must now focus on giving his best and lay the foundation for a successful career at the international level.

“He has dedicated himself to the game, he is always focused. All I would urge him now is to perform to the best of his ability. I know he would be successful because he’s a player who is always pushing himself to do well,” Dindyal divulged.

Captain of the EBSC Over-40 unit, Seemangal Yadram, said he envisages a long a productive career for Chandrika, much in the mould of fellow

countryman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

“He has developed a lot since he started as a little boy years ago. Apart from being a hardworking cricketer, he is also a hardworking individual because I know he would go with his friends and do mason work and even some electrical work, so he is multi-talented,” S. Yadram revealed.

Chandrika enjoyed his most productive season with the Guyana Jaguars team in the just concluded Professional Cricket League Four-day tournament, finishing as the team’s second highest runscorer with 525 runs at an average of 35 with five half-centuries. Only Chanderpaul had more runs for Guyana Jaguars.

Chandrika further boosted his chances of a West Indies call-up with a solid 74 for the West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI against Australia in a three-day warm-up match, which concluded on Friday last.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s off-field battles have taken another twist

Rajendra Chandrika was called up for the first time to the West Indies senior team for the opening Test against Australia which started on Wednesday

Parmanand Dindyal Seemangal Yadram Zaheer Mohamed

Latchman Yadram

Normalisation Committee adds voice to football’s global crisis

B

Chairman of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, said the body is concerned by the recent scandal that has rocked world football. Urling was speaking for the first time on the issue at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Addressing journalists at the GFF headquarters in Campbellville, Urling touched on the global crisis that has engulfed the game, more specifically the fact that CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb has been embroiled in the fiasco.

“His arrest has created an enormous vaccuum within the CONCACAF family. He has since been dis -

missed from the position as president of CONCACAF, and simultaneously been replaced temporarily by an acting president, which is Alfredo Hawit from the Honduras Football Federation, and he is being supported by a small committee of three, which will ensure that the competitions that were planned or are planned under CONCACAF continue,” Urling explained.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is set to commence in a month’s time and, according to Urling, the members of the Mexican, American and Canadian Federations will undertake the task of running that tournament.

The FIFA scandal erupted last week when US prosecutors indicted 14 people. On Tuesday, president Sepp Blatter said he was to step down, just days after he had been re-elected for a fifth term.

Of the 14 people indicted by the US on charges of racketeering and money laun -

dering, seven were senior FIFA officials, including two vicepresidents.

The seven were arrested in Switzerland as they awaited the FIFA congress that reelected Blatter and are currently awaiting extradition to the US.

Blatter said he wants to bring forward the date of the next FIFA congress so members can elect his successor “as soon as possible.” It is due to take place on May 13, 2016 in Mexico City, but Blatter said waiting until then will “create unnecessary delay.”

According to Urling, a four-month notice must be given ahead of any possible Extraordinary Congress to elect a new leader of FIFA.

“The head of the Audit and Compliance Committee, which is an independent committee that FIFA has established, they have the responsibility to ensure that all the procedures are followed to call that Extraordinary Congress to elect a new president of FIFA, and also they have the responsibilities to implement and recommend to FIFA some of the critical governance reforms that Sepp Blatter spoke about on Tuesday in his intended resignation announcement,” Urling outlined.

Businessman Urling further stated

quizzed on whether any official in Guyana has been fingered in the ongoing scandal.

“I wish if I knew the answer to that. The investigations are being carried out by the United States Department of Justice. The indictment, the document it’s available

anywhere online; you guys can take a copy.

From that indictment, no Guyanese official has been identified, but according to the Attorney General of United States, who is spearheading all the investigations, those arrests that we saw last week are just

the beginning or the tip of the iceberg, and who knows where that would lead,” Urling pointed out.

A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated is also under way.

that the current situation brings into focus the need for all arms of FIFA to exhibit “high ethical practices.”

“For us though at the federation, all the allegations, especially the ones relating to the CONCACAF officials, came as a huge shock and surprise to us… and then Tuesday’s announcement was prodigious. That was a colossal surprise for anybody. Nobody expected that after a few short days after being elected to president that Mr Blatter would have resigned, but all these actions reinforce to the Guyana Football Federation and to all the arms of FIFA internationally the need to ensure that there is high ethical practices at all the federations of FIFA, and there are clear guidelines and policies implemented for transparency and accountability throughout the entire FIFA system at all levels,” the Normalisation Committee head divulged.

Urling was also

Sepp Blatter

clinton urling Jeffrey Webb