Guyana Times International 01 February 2019

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ISSUE NO. 434

WEEK ENDING February 3, 2019

Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George- Wiltshire

majority

See story on page 3

...CJ rules no-confidence motion validly passed …dual citizens cannot sit in Guyana’s Parliament

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

33 is the majority

… CJ rules no-confidence motion validly passed

…dual citizens cannot sit in Guyana’s Parliament

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Attorney General, Basil Williams

cting Chief Justice Roxane George SC has ruled that the no-confi-

dence motion brought against the APNU/AFC Coalition Government on December 21

Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George- Wiltshire

was validly passed and the President and Cabinet would

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

have to resign as per the Constitution.

On Thursday, the Chief Continued on page 13

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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Tel no: (592) 223-7230/1, 225-7761.

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EDITORIAL

Stalling the elections O

n December 21st, 2018 the successful passage of the historic no-confidence motion (NCM) brought by the Opposition PPP against the PNC-led coalition government triggered the compulsory holding of national and regional elections to determine a new government, in accordance with the mandate given by Art 106 (6) (7) of the Constitution, the highest law of the land. As such, it also became necessary for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to make preparations for such elections, in accordance with its mandate.

The government sadly, backtracked on its initial acceptance of the consequences of the NCM and took recourse to the courts; a move the Opposition immediately labelled as a delaying tactic to allow them to remain in office beyond the Constitutionally stipulated three months. In order to avoid a constitutional crisis brought on by the intransigence of the PNC-led government, the Leader of the Opposition met with President David Granger to discuss a way forward. One agreement reached was that without any prejudice, the Chief Whips of the two parties would meet with GECOM to discuss the modalities of holding elections in three months.

To its credit, the High Court accepted the urgency of the cases brought before it and declared it would issue a judgement on each of the four limbs the government had cited in its delaying maneuvers, by January 31st. This would then remove the legal impediment in the way of executing Art 106. But it was not a coincidence that GECOM did not follow the lead of the Courts to expeditiously address the matter of its readiness for holding elections within the three months deadline.

The CEO of GECOM asserted he could not meet with the two Whips unless and until instructed to do so by the GECOM Chairman. This 85-year old gentleman, who had been unilaterally appointed to his position by President Granger as “fit and proper”, had not been on the job for weeks and announced he would not be available until late in January.

In the meantime, one would have thought if the CEO, who actually does not need permission to meet with anyone since he is in charge of the GECOM Secretariat, which actually conducts elections, would have set into motion the process by which all the different aspects of the exercise would have been placed on a timeline.

After all, GECOM had been conducting local and general elections since 1992 and would have created templates on which the new variable of time would be inserted. But when the Chairman finally showed up for work more than a month after the no-confidence motion was transmuted into a binding resolution, the CEO refused to issue any timelines. The meeting became mired in an acrimonious back and forting between the Government and Opposition Commissioners over what was and was not possible for elections by end March 2019.

This Gordian knot, created by the Government in its desperate rearguard move to stave off elections, could easily have been resolved by the GECOM CEO, with a statement of what exactly was the situation in terms of GECOM preparedness, which had always been premised as a process that was continuously in motion.

One Opposition Commissioner, however, had elaborated on accelerated timelines for such facets as claims and objections to cull persons who had expired along with a new registration process to capture new voters, and had demonstrated that the end March deadline could still be met. A priori, however, the government Commissioners denied these contingencies and insisted that since the present list of voters would expire in April 2019, a completely new “house to house” registration process was demanded.

At this juncture of the impasse, the Chairman could have placed the matter to a vote in which he would have had to exercise his casting vote, but he refused to do so and abruptly concluded the meeting. So the institution that was created to ensure the procedural aspect of democracy be complied with, has now worked to deny it.

Heading to the backdam: Rice-field workers on the West Coast Demerara on thier way to work. (Photo by Girendra Persaud)

Scaling up the fight against HIV/ AIDS

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ecently, the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) conducted research in the Caribbean, which found that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention response is inadequate in key populations.

According to the research, which was conducted between April and November of 2018, the Caribbean has made progress in responding to the HIV epidemic, but the impact of the prevention response has been inadequate, particularly among key populations.

Statistics provided by the organisation revealed that the annual number of new HIV infections among adults in the Caribbean declined by only 18 per cent from 2010 to 2017, from 19,000 to 15,000.

However, the majority of the new HIV infections, which represented 68 per cent of the total population was accounted for by men who have sex with Men (MSM), Sex Workers (SWs) and their clients, transgender persons, and persons who use drugs, PANCAP disclosed.

Notably, new infections among children also fell from about 2300 in 2010 to 1100. Although significant progress has been made in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, available data showed that HIVinfected pregnant women receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to reduce HIV transmission declined from 92 per cent in 2014 to 79 per cent in 2015 and 75 per cent in 2016 and 2017 respectively, illustrating a significant decrease that requires investigation.

Global leaders had signed up to the Sustainable Development Goals, with the aim of achieving univer-

sal health coverage (UHC) by 2030. The UHC framework now lies at the centre of all health programmes.

To complement the global campaign the World Health Organisation says it will be seeking to highlight the need for all 36.7 million people living with HIV and those who are vulnerable and affected by the epidemic, to reach the goal of universal health coverage.

In the Caribbean region, we can boast of several successes in relation to our HIV response. Programmes to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, reduce new HIV infections and treat people living with the virus have yielded encouraging results.

Additionally, the Caribbean is the only developing region that has approached the near-universal coverage of antiretroviral medicines to prevent mother-tochild transmission. Some 75 per cent of pregnant women living with HIV now access treatment to prevent passing on the virus.

Here in Guyana, there was a steady decline in the number of new reported cases of HIV infection among a significantly higher number of persons coming forward to be tested, but in 2017 that changed when the country recorded an overall increase in HIV cases. According to statistics provided by the Public Health Ministry, in 2015 there were 705 cases, 855 in 2016, and a whopping 961 cases were confirmed in 2017. Region Four recorded the highest number of cases. Trailing Region Four was Region Three, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, with 130 cases of HIV in 2017. For the same year, Region Eight, Potaro-Siparuni, was documented as the Region with the least number of cases, since a mere three persons

were diagnosed with the virus there.

The Caribbean, including Guyana, cannot become complacent. In order to sustain the advances made, Governments and international donor partners need to put more money and effort towards ensuring that their HIV programmes can be sustained. For example, more needs to be done to address the prejudice and social inequities that operate to make some people, both more vulnerable to HIV infection and less likely to access prevention, testing, treatment and care services. Young people, men who have sex with men and sex workers are among the populations that need targeted investments and more protective environments through a combination of social dialogue and increased tolerance.

HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 35 million lives. According to WHO, one million people died from HIV-related causes globally. There were approximately 36.7 million people living with HIV with 1.8 million people becoming newly infected globally.

According to WHO, it is estimated that currently only 70% of people with HIV know their status. To reach the target of 90%, an additional 7.5 million people need to access HIV testing services. While there is no cure for HIV infection, effective antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control the virus and help prevent transmission so that people with HIV, and those at substantial risk, can enjoy healthy, long and productive lives.

International development partners and governments must continue to do what is necessary to win the battle against HIV/AIDS.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Record high graduation rate in New York- Mayor - graduation rate rises to 75.9 Percent

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EW YORK— Mayor de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza have announced that New York City’s 2018 four-year high school graduation rate has reached a record high of 75.9 percent.

According to the Mayor’s Office, the dropout rate has fallen to a record low of 7.5 percent. The graduation rate rose in every borough and among every ethnicity.

“Nothing is more important to me than children from every zip code having access to an excellent education,” said Mayor de Blasio.

“Mayoral control of education works. For the fifth year in a row graduation rates are up, dropout rates are down, and the achievement gap has narrowed - and there will be more progress to come. Congratulations to the students, educators, and their families on yet another record-breaking year in our classrooms,” the Mayor was quoted as saying in a release by his office.

“A record number of New York City students are getting a high school diploma and going on to college, and that is a real difference in the lives and futures of thousands of our young people,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza.

“We congratulate our students, families, and educators, and we celebrate the progress under this administration and over 16 years of mayoral control. But we are clear-eyed: we have a

lot of work to do, and we must do it with great ur-

ities, with a decrease in the gap between Black

point 2017.

decrease

from

Mayor de Blasio

gency. We will only realize our vision for public education in New York City when we accelerate learning and instruction in each of our classrooms, partner with every family and community, develop our talented educators, and advance equity now for the students we serve.”

The rates below are the graduation and dropout percentages among the cohort of all students who entered 9th grade in the fall of 2014. All percentage point changes are comparisons to the previous year.

The graduation rate rose to 75.9 percent, a 1.7 point increase.

The dropout rate fell to 7.5 percent, a 0.3 point decrease.

Graduation rates improved across all ethnic-

and White students and Hispanic and White students: The graduation rate was 88.1 percent for Asian students in 2018, a 0.6 point increase from 2017.

The graduation rate was 72.1 percent for Black students in 2018, a 2.1 point increase from 2017.

The graduation rate was 70.0 percent for Hispanic students in 2018, a 1.6 point increase from 2017.

The graduation rate was 84.2 percent for White students in 2018, a 1.0 point increase from 2017.

Dropout rates fell across all ethnicities: The dropout rate was 3.7 percent for Asian students in 2018, a 0.3

The dropout rate was 7.6 percent for Black students in 2018, a 0.3 point decrease from 2017.

The dropout rate was 10.5 percent for Hispanic students in 2018, a 0.2 point decrease from 2017.

The dropout rate was 4.0 percent for White students in 2018, a 0.4 point decrease from

2017.

According to the Mayor’s Office, the 4-year graduation rate is over 75 percent for the first time ever, and increased across all five boroughs. The dropout rate decreased across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The graduation rate across the 25 Renewal and Rise high schools has increased by 20.0 percentage points from 52.5 percent in 2014 to 72.4 percent in 2018. The dropout rate across Renewal and Rise Schools has decreased by 3.9 percentage points from 18.2 percent in 2014 to 14.3 percent in 2018.

Together, the Equity and Excellence for All initiatives are building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students.

Our schools are starting earlier – free, full-day, high-quality education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds through 3-K for All and Pre-K for All. They are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier – Universal Literacy

so that every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All to improve elementary- and middle-school math instruction and ensure that all 8th graders have access to algebra.

They are offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework – Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All will give all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms, including Equity & Excellence for All: Diversity in New York City Public Schools are central to this pathway.

More information on New York City’s graduation results can be found online.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana must head to elections to avoid a political crisis Dear Editor, Why is it that the APNU/ AFC coalition is so engrossed in the presidential candidate of the PPP/C? First, they spent a huge chunk of our scarce financial resources to deny Dr Jagdeo a third term as the President of this country even though it is clear that the sovereignty of the people is paramount and that the Constitution should not have denied the citizens the right to choose their presidents and as many times as they wish.

The constitutional amendment abrogated this right. The Caribbean Court of Justice upturned the decision of Guyana’s High Court and Appeal Courts; denying the sovereignty of the Guyanese nation. During this entire process, they and their propaganda machinery made scandalous and libellous statements against Dr Jagdeo in a vain attempt to besmirch his impeccable character. They denied him the third term but underestimated the tenacity and commitment of this man to halt the socio-economic retrogression and ensure that the Guyanese people can once again enjoy the high standard of living they have become accustomed to under the PPP/C. They also underestimated his ability to bring down their Government!

Secondly, having failed in that bid, they used SOCU to institute frivolous and unsubstantiated criminal charges against the former Ministers of the PPP/C Government in another futile attempt to thwart the selection of its Presidential candidate. They were cognisant that Irfaan Ali and Anil Nandlall would be on the forefront, so they ensured that these flippant criminal charges were instituted. However, they once again underestimated the courageous leadership of the Party. He mimicked Amna Ally’s “bring it on” and in his own inimitable style, dared the coalition. He knew that these charges would not ‘hold water’ and was just a strategy to derail the selection process of the presidential candidate. However, they went further and attacked the academic achievements of Irfaan Ali since by then they were fully aware that the criminal charges would fail since the High Court ordered the discontinuation by the Chief Magistrate. In the end, the democratic selection process of the PPP bore fruit and Irfaan Ali was elected as the presidential candidate.

Having thus far failed, the APNU/AFC then embarked on a mission to divide the PPP. They began using fake profiles claiming to be PPP supporters to show “disappointment and disgust” at Irfaan’s election and claimed that their “choice” is Anil Nandlall and

Frank Anthony. Some even wore ‘red’ in order to convince the people that they are PPP members and supporters. Some ex-PPP members living abroad assisted in this quest to divide the PPP. However, once again the APNU/AFC underestimated the intelligence of the ‘diehard’ members and supporters of the PPP, they quickly saw through this shameless charade! PPP members and supporters have learnt their lesson from the AFC and will not be tricked to leave their ‘home’ again!

This now brings me to the million-dollar question: Why is the APNU/ AFC silent about the selection of Granger as their presidential candidate. This is a grave travesty (no pun intended)!

It is an accepted fact that Granger’s health does not allow him to be “fit and proper” and that someone else should be the presidential candidate.

In fact, the grapevine has communicated that Moses Nagamootoo is nominated for an Oscar Award as the Best Actor in a Supporting Role. It is an insult to this nation that apart from having hordes of geriatrics in the Government and its departments we are now having for a second term a presidential candidate who is terminally ill and cannot withstand the rigours of the Office. These ‘PPP’ fakes should make this the centre of their attention and priority!

However, the APNU and the AFC have now realised that should they try to elect someone else as the presidential candidate; Armageddon will break loose among their ranks. This time it may not be gunshots in the air.

Furthermore, Basil Williams has now ensured that those PNC stalwarts with dual citizenship will be left begging at the door. So to avoid the tsunami, they decided to stick with Granger but this will backfire in the near future. In addition, the selection of Nagamootoo as the Prime Ministerial candidate is against the founding principles of the AFC which stipulated that there should be a rotation of the top position by the founding members, namely, Ramjattan and Trotman. But I guess Nagamootoo has achieved excellence in his subservient role on behalf of these two discarded founders.

We have had enough diversions from the business at hand, let us now focus on the fact that Elections must be held by March 19 and this Government must resign and facilitate the electoral process. The President needs to announce a date for the imminent General and Regional Elections!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf Councillor Region Six

Encouraging words from a young and talented leader Dear Editor, On Saturday, January 26, I attended the PPP public meeting at Miss Phoebe. I listened intently to the address delivered by Irfaan Ali and would like to commend the young man for the quality of his content.

There are two things, in particular, I would like to share with your readers; Irfaan Ali mentioned that during this period out of office, he and his party were able to find time to reflect on “where the gaps” in their policies and development programs were during their period of governance.

It takes maturity to admit that one is not perfect and that you were not able to plan for full coverage in the field and it shows that the PPP is not sitting idly on the opposition bench.

Members of Parliament draw down a salary and should work to make life easier for everybody in Guyana.

Irfaan Ali said he recognises that the cost of doing business in Berbice is too high and that more than one Government Office has to be established – GRA, Immigration and Registry offices were mentioned among other services.

The other thing that was

said that is of note is his willingness to work with non-party members in a ‘big tent’ of ideas and implementation.

I am so happy to hear a young man talk about inclusiveness when all the old men are still talking about race, colour and religion. I look forward to seeing members of the Private Sector and civil society joining this energetic candidate to work for a bright future for Guyanese.

What this speech shows also, is that the PNC (People’s National Congress), AFC (Alliance For Change), WPA (Working People’s Alliance) and other parties wasted their 23 years in Opposition; all they

did was make promises that they never meant to keep; nine thousand a bag for paddy was a lie! Care about sugar workers was a lie! Everything APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) and AFC said in Berbice in 2015 has turned out to be lies.

APNU and AFC had no plan for anything except power, all they talk about is oil money and it shows the mentality of the people in charge of those parties.

For all who have eyes to see and ears to hear, listen to both sides speak and you will know where to place your mark on Election Day. Sincerely, Brian Azore

No amount of unorthodox spin will be able to bamboozle the Guyanese electorate

Dear Editor, Vincent Alexander, as a long-standing GECOM Commissioner, has information access and should know that: 1.

GECOMS’ automated Crystal Report and List Management System, are linked to the GRO (General Registrar’s Office) database and are configured to deal with a variety of eventualities, including updates to the List and issues relating to snap elections. The institution’s budgets for Capital and Current appropriations always cater for this.

2. Given the constitutional supremacy and live intent, in the event of there being a conflict with any other existing legislation, the necessary adjustments have to be accommodated to bring the conflicting positions in line with the Constitution. It is therefore correct when CEO Lowenfield reported that the appropriations budgeted for House-to-House activities in 2019 could be used to run off the General and Regional Elections.

3. Registered persons who are 18 years old are automatically included in the Official List of Electors (OLE) by the automated system.

4. Subject to the submission by the GRO of the list of dead persons, the names are removed from the List after verification by GECOM.

5. The dead cannot vote and while they should be off the List, this is far from practical.

Notwithstanding, GECOM and GRO can utilise the interim approach of public notice, to provide a deadline date for the submissions that would speed up the removals.

This time around, no amount of unorthodox spin will be able to bamboozle and bowl the Guyanese electorate. In the period leading up to 1992, the PNC of GECOM was used to give them an extra two years in Government. It was a time they hoped that the ‘freshly’ Desmond Hoyte Government would have won the Elections.

However, such impetuous mal-handing of the electoral mechanism should never be repeated, and particularly when the APNU/AFC Government, with their unbearable taxes, crime, and the spiralling cost of living, seeks to impose their dictatorial, abusive use of power and blatant corruption practices.

The vicious spinner Alexander, at the GECOM end, is attempting to delay the inevitable Elections by pretending that fresh House-to-House registration is required. The present voters’ list is valid until the end of April 2019 and it was recently sanitised with the tenth continuous registration period, together with the Claims,

and Objections Cycle. There were simply no objections up to November 12, 2019, for the Local Government Elections when the Government felt that its twisted scheming would fool citizens.

All the talks about seven years are rubbish, as it was the National Assembly that passed the Bill to make sure that the Register of registrants is valid for six months after the Claims and Objection Period. Further, it is GECOM and its commissioners who recognised the Continuous Registration process, as well as the CEO of the Secretariat who pronounced the list to be good enough for Guyana to have Elections.

Alexander knows that only small adjustments are required by GECOM and that these could be achieved to hold the constitutionally appointed National Elections on or before March 19, 2019. Charrandas Persaud, who was a leading Government personality contended that plans were afoot to pad the voters’ list using false Birth Certificates.

The conniving Mr Vincent seems to be creating time to facilitate this underhanded move and his pronouncements must be rejected by all Guyanese.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

news 7

FIRED!

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Goldfields promotes 60 Guyanese

…British Govt sends SOCU Advisor Sittlington packing; cites conflict of interest

Advisor to Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Dr. Sam Sittlington.

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uyana Goldfields Incorporated has promoted 60 Guyanese nationals into senior roles. The company announced the promotions, and new hires in a press release, noting that they form part of an ongoing restructuring programme launched on July 30, 2018.

The release states that the process began on July 30, 2018, with the termination of the Company’s Executive Chairman, Patrick Sheridan, eliminating “an ineffective dual reporting structure under which Sheridan was responsible for government relations and exploration in Guyana.”

Since commencing the process on July 30, 2018, the company says it has reduced its expatriate workforce by 14, representing approximately 30 per cent of the total expatriate staff. Total employment following the restructuring consists of 729 Guyanese nationals, representing approximately 96.4 per cent of the overall workforce; and 27 expatriates.

Notably, a Guyanese national, Jermaine Critchlow, has been promoted as Sustainability Manager for Guyana; a role previously held by an expatriate.

Meanwhile, among the new local hires are a former senior writer with Guyana’s Stabroek News newspaper, Miranda LaRose, who has been appointed to Corporate Social Responsibility/ Sustainability Coordinator for Guyana and Guyanese national, Boaz Wade, who was appointed as Exploration

Leader effective January 1, 2019.

In addition to realising operational efficiencies, the Company says it expects these changes and the along with the new local leadership will further strengthen its presence President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Caldwell, said, “These restructuring efforts complement recent initiatives undertaken to strengthen the management team, refocus exploration efforts and advance corporate governance.”

René Marion, Non-Executive Chairman, added, “The Company remains focused on a continuous improvement process that the Board initiated in the second half of 2018.

The release also noted, as part of the restructuring, Country Manager, Violet Smith is leaving the Company, as her position has become redundant.

All of Guyana Goldfields’ and Aurora Gold Mine’s activities in Georgetown will be managed out of a single office in the country, which will increase synergies and efficiencies while reducing costs. The second office located at North Road will be closed effective immediately, the release stated.

On January 3, 2019, Former US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway secured the post of Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Affairs after exiting his diplomatic post. Holloway has assumed responsibility for all activities involving government relations in Guyana, as well as corporate social responsibility. (DPI)

CRIC17 addresses land degradation and droughts management

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ccording to the United Nations, in the last four years, 82 countries have set targets aiming to halt land degradation by 2030 and 44 of the 70 countries regularly hit by drought are establishing drought management plans to ensure droughts do not turn into disasters.

The findings are the most comprehensive to date, with data submitted by 135 countries and an assessment of degradation monitored using Earth observations.

The 17th Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the UN’s Convention to Combat Desertification (CRIC17) currently taking place in Guyana has reviewed the reports, with recommendations on further actions to be tabled at the 14th session of the Conference

of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification to be held in October this year in New Delhi, India.

Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary of the Convention, noted that momentum on the issue has picked up.

“The first piece of good news is that we know more and more about what is going on….

How much land we have degraded globally in the first 15 years of this Millennium, how life has changed for the communities living on degraded lands, how droughts are evolving globally, the changing status of endangered biological species, and the financial resources available to address desertification,” Barbut said.

She also described as good news the findings of reports that state “in continued on page 9

“I

n light of information about Dr Sam Sittlington’s private business interests his contract in Guyana has been terminated with immediate effect”.

Those were the words of British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn who released a statement moments ago distancing himself and by extension his country from the move by Sittlington to establish his own local investigative firm in Guyana named “The Fraud Company (Guyana) Inc”.

Conflict of interest concerns were cited as Sittlington, a United Kingdom white collar crime expert, was working under the auspices of the British High Commission in Guyana as an advisor to the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), a investigate arm of the Guyana Police Force.

According to documents seen by this publication, Sittlington

who outlined his occupation as a consultant will be the Director of the above mentioned company.

The company was incorporated under the Companies Act of Guyana in September of 2018.

Experts, had outlined, among other concerns that “It is highly unethical for a consultant who is being paid by a foreign government to advise and train a sensitive department such as the SOCU to establish a company which will undertake similar work.”

Moreover, in reinforcing the point, the observers posited that the said consultant has access to highly confidential information on numerous persons at SOCU and has embarked on fishing expeditions on most of the cases under investigation.

As such, a major concern was that information gleamed from SOCU could be used inappropriately.

8 news

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trini family selling house to raise ransom money for fisherman kidnapped in Venezuela

7 accused of murdering young WCD businessman to know fate soon

Accused: Delwayne Croft

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Accused: Esan Lawrence

Accused: Jermaine Williams

The families have confirmed that these are the abducted men.

From left – Brandon Arjoon, Jerry O’Brian, Jude Jaikaran, Jason O’ Brian, Linton Manohar (Trinidad Express image)

ne of the families of the six fishermen who have all been kidnapped and are being held hostage in Venezuela is now selling their home to raise the US$200,000 ransom being demanded.

According to a Trinidad Express report, the family is attempting to sell the partially completed home before Friday which is the deadline given by the Venezuelan kidnappers.

Those kidnapped have been identified as Ricky Rambharose, of Fyzabad, Jason O’Brian, 38, Jude Jaikaran, 16, Jerry O’Brian, 36, Brandon Arjoon, 28, Linton Manohar.

Reports are that the men were kidnapped while fishing in waters off the

south coast near the fishing village of Morne Diablo.

Family members were alerted when one of those kidnapped, Manohar contacted his brother on Sunday night and revealed that they had been taken by Spanish speaking men.

He further instructed his brother via a voice note later the said night to raise some US $200,000 being demanded by the men.

Manohar added that the perpetrators are threatening to dismember them if they don’t get what they want.

He said, “Organise and see if you all could make up the money by tomorrow. continued on page 9

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Accused: Andrew Chandler

fter the two prosecution star witnesses identified the seven persons accused of being part and parcel of the robbery on a Meten-Meer-Zorg grocery store that led to the death of Zulfikar Namdar; the jury will soon determine innocence or guilt after three weeks on trial. This comes after Defence Counsels Nigel Hughes, Adrian Thompson and George Thomas presented their cases before the 12 members on Wednesday at the High Court in Georgetown.

Allan Dorsett called “Baird”; Delwayne Croft; Esan Lawrence, called “Muscle”; Jermaine Williams, called “Yankee”; Andrew Chandler, called “Sonic”; Samuel Bacchus, called “Kirk”; and Cassandra SinghDorsett have all denied murdering Namdar.

Accused: Samuel Bacchus

The 20-year-old man met his demise in September 2013 when masked gunmen stormed his parents’ premises asking for cash and the bossman.

The lawyers sought to highlight inconsistencies in the testimonies of star witnesses Chris Jagdeo and self-confessed drug dealer Nick Skeete.

Skeete said the attack was planned in his backyard when the male defendants were smoking cannabis they purchased from him. Meanwhile, Chris Jagdeo claimed he watched the Dorsett’s baby and was there when the alleged robbers returned from the crime scene.

The robbers reportedly made off with jewellery and cash from Mrs Namdar but the store owner, Goolzar Namdar, said he remained in hiding when

Accused: Cassandra Singh-Dorsett

Accused: Allan Dorsett

he spotted the masked attackers. During the trial, the jury heard from Police that Mrs Dorsett allegedly gave the men head ties to cover their faces before the crime was committed.

Justice Navindra Singh has been presiding over the matter while Prosecutors Tuanna Hardy, Abigail Gibbs and Teriq Mohammed prosecuted the case.

The verdict is expected to be handed down on Monday.

Venezuelans remanded for stealing G$1.3M worth of items in Guyana

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wo Venezuelans were on Wednesday remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus after they stood before her charged for robbing a shop of some G$1.3 million worth of valuables.

Nelson Perez, 25, and Xavier Lopez, 24, both denied that on January 25, 2019, they committed the act at Chow Landing, Kaikan River.

It is alleged that the two broke and entered the shop belonging to Collin Basil and stole a box of condoms, 35 pounds of quicksilver, two haversacks, 10 packs of food seasoning, a cell phone, a quantity of cigarettes and other items.

According to the prosecution’s case,

following the robbery, Police received information and swooped down on the premises where the men were staying and recovered some of the stolen articles.

As such, they were both taken into Police custody where they were later charged for the present offence.

In court on Wednesday the men said that upon arrival in Guyana, they were granted a three-month stay.

Bail was objected to by Police Prosecutor Adonis Innis and these submissions were upheld by the Magistrate.

The defendants will make their next Court appearance on February 5, 2019.

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

AG Williams says Govt’s authority not affected by dissolution of Parliament Q

uoting Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC., explained: “Cabinet and the President shall resign at the same time the Government does…

And what time is that?

It is when elections are held and the President takes the oath of office following the elections as set out in article 106 (7) of the constitution,” Minister Williams explained.

The Attorney General’s statement formed part of Government’s response to Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George’s question as to, “Whether, if the Government is defeated on a no-confidence [motion], the resignation of Cabinet takes immediate effect?”

In his response Minister Williams stated “No” … citing the follow-

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC., addresses members of the media at the High Court in Georgetown.

ing reasons; (a) Article 106 - the purpose of Article 106 is to establish a Cabinet, set out the composition of the Cabinet, outline its functions and duties and procedure for meetings.

It must be noted that

subparagraphs (6) and (7) were inserted into Article 106 by Act No 17 of 2000. Subparagraph (6) provides for the resignation of the Cabinet and President and subparagraph (7) for the timeframe of that resig-

nation.

AG Williams said it is, however, the First Named Respondent’s contention that these two insertions are inconsistent with the purpose of Article 106 and leads to an “ambiguous

CRIC17 addresses land degradation...

from page 7

also set apart for financial support. “All LDCs and SIDs [Small Island Developing States] now have a minimum allocation of US$1Million … to

[In the photo, right] Executive Secretary of the UNCCD Monique Barbut [centre] Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and [left] Deputy Executive Secretary, UNCCD, Pradeep Monga. Ulrich Apel a Senior Environmental Specialist, Global Environment Facility addressing the CRCI 17 forum.

all regions, rural populations now have more access to safe drinking water, with poverty has declined by 27 per cent overall.

On the matter of funding, Barbut said financial backing continues to be available to countries which can present transformative projects with long-lasting impacts on commu-

nities.

In the meantime, day two of the conference saw the Global Environment Facility (GEF) taking the lead on discussions on land degradation.

Ulrich Apel a Senior Environmental Specialist attached to GEF in his presentation stated, “The land degradation allocation has increased to

US$475Million, and some of the main activities that come under this broad objective which are eligible fields of work are for example agriculture, forest management, landscape restoration, integration landscape resilience and creating the enabling environments.”

Apel also reported that all Least Developed Countries (LDCs) were

Trini family selling house to raise ransom... from page 8

Tell Jude mother and Brandon mother and organise US$200,000 by Friday.

Sell all the vehicles and sell the house.

The man and them serious. If they don’t hear from you all by tomorrow, they cutting off one of my hand and one of Jerry hand.”

Trinidad’s Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith is however assuring that everything is being done to get the fishermen back home to their families.

Venezuela is currently suffering from an economic meltdown marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities that has left millions in poverty, while 2.3 million more have fled the country.

The disability in that country has led to heightened security concerns in the region with migrants as well as criminal gangs seeking to profiteer from the ensuing chaos.

interpretation and absurd construction of the Article”.

The Attorney General has submitted a letter addressed to Dr. Ashni Singh dated February 4, 2015, when the Former Attorney General Anil ensure each country has a significant amount for their programme.”

The GEF, which was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, assists in tackling the planet’s most pressing environmental

Nandlall answered questions posed by Sophie Makonnen, Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and said among other things, the proclamation is unnecessary.

According to the AG, in any event, under the Westminster Constitutional model, an Executive Government continues in office with unaltered powers until a new Executive Government assumes office.

He further explained that this principle of continuity of the Executive remains unaffected by the dissolution of Parliament.

Therefore, dissolution of Parliament does not affect the authority of the Government to enter into a new loan or grant agreements, unless of course, the agreement expressly requires the input of the Parliament.

problems. GEF funds are available to developing countries and countries with economies in transition to meet the objectives of the international environmental conventions and agreements.

10 news

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Probe into major New police recruits urged to drug bust in display exemplary conduct Georgetown widens

... bus driver arrested

F

The two narco trafficking suspects

ollowing the major drug bust in Charlestown, Georgetown, on Tuesday, ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotics (CANU) have taken a Route 42 minibus driver into custody for questioning.

He was arrested on Wednesday morning and is assisting with the investigation. The bus driver was observed by CANU ranks collecting a package from another suspect – a 58-yearold male of St Stephen Street, Charlestown – on Tuesday. In addition to the two males, the ranks also arrested a 23-yearold female of Lamaha Springs, Georgetown, who was found in the house during the operation.

In a release to the media on Wednesday, the Anti-Narcotics Body said the bust yielded the find of a total of 89.23 kilograms of cannabis and 20 grams of cocaine.

“No charges have yet been filed… All suspects are currently in custody pending the completion of the investigation,” CANU said in the release.

The intelligence-led operation was carried out at the Lot 82 St Stephen Street residence after CANU received informa-

tion that the possibility of narcotics being stored at the location. As such, the ranks swooped down on the location and had a stakeout until they caught the 58-year-old suspect red-handed. “…We would have conducted our own surveillance and what we saw was the person that we currently have in custody, he arrived this morning in the motorcar – PPP 3008. Shortly after, we saw a 42 minibus arrive as well. The suspect went into the house and came out back with a black plastic bag, which he handed over to the driver of the minibus.

Then [he] returned to the house and came out with another bag which he placed in the back seat of the car. Then he walked away up the street.

Basically, the ranks intercepted him then,” Deputy Head of CANU Leslie Ramlall told reporters at the scene on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Ramlall, the suspect was taken back to his motorcar and a subsequent search conducted unearthed a black plastic bag containing cannabis. That discovery, the Deputy CANU Head said, caused the ranks to search the premises. However, they had to The drugs found in the Charlestown house on Tuesday

await the necessary documentation to carry out the search, hence the operation went on for several hours. “[We] conduct a search of the house and currently, we have a large quantity of suspected cannabis and maybe cocaine as well. What we’ve gathered as well this is narcotics that came out of Columbia… and this would’ve probably come within the last 48 hours [of] it arriving at this location,” Ramlall stated.

At the time, the female suspect was in the house. The narcotics were found in a room of the house, packaged off into small parcels in plastic bags. By the end of the operation, the anti-narco officers drove off with the tray of a pick-up vehicle loaded with the illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, with regards to the minibus, Ramlall told reporters that checks were made but no one was arrested. “[We] found the bus at [his] home and conducted a search of that minibus, and we didn’t find anything. Apparently, that person might have delivered whatever he had…

[He] could be a delivery man [or] could be somebody bigger than the delivery man, which we suspected so we’ll have to continue our investigations,” the Deputy CANU Head stated.

Nevertheless, CANU’s Second-incommand lauded the successful collaboration between members of the public and the AntiNarcotics Body.

“It confirms that we continue to rely heavily on the support of members of the public as well as our intel-capabilities.

And we’re thankful that we continue to get this kind of support from the members of the public and the intel-community as well,” he stated.

Investigations into the major narco-find continue.

T

Police Commissioner Leslie James inspecting the ranks at the passing out parade on Wednesday

he Guyana Police Force had its capacity boosted on Wednesday with the addition of some 93 new ranks.

The new all-male recruits passed out from three courses following nine months of training, which commenced last April at the Felix Austin College in Georgetown.

During that time, they were exposed to the basic and essential principles of police practices and procedures with focus on five core areas: introduction to policing; basic police records and recording; theoretical aspects of traffic; foot and arms drill, and introduction to crime.

Addressing the

police officer requires a lot of things… [but] you must display exemplary conduct,” James charged.

Further, the Top Cop told the new recruits that once they carry out their duties diligently, then being in the Police Force can be a rewarding career that will not be measured in monetary value but with the feeling of fulfilment and pride.

“I urge that you quell your anxieties. Be patient, be confident [and] be assertive in the execution of your duties. An assertive policeman or policewoman would not necessarily command the respect and attention that you are deserv-

ther enhance the image of the country’s premier law enforcement agency.

During Wednesday’s passing out parade, several of the ranks from each batch were awarded for their overall performance and discipline exhibited during the training period.

From Course No 370: Constable 24898 Gonsalves was awarded Best Student, while the runner-up Best Student was Constable 24893 Fresco and most improved student was Constable 24886 Conway.

From Course No 371: Constable 24929 Mussenden was awarded Best Student, while the runner-up Best

Officers’ family and friends at the passing out parade

gathering at the passing out parade, Police Commissioner Leslie James told the new recruits that they were embarking on an exciting but equally serious career and as such, they should not forget to apply the best practices learnt during the training in the execution of their duties.

“This job prepares you for the challenges which lie ahead in our communities. It is not easy and it is not a job for anyone. Being a

ing… Remember your goals and aspirations.

Keep going with values of self-discipline, skillset and most of all, courage and integrity,” the Commissioner encouraged.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Force’s Training Officer, Clifton Hicken told the new recruits that as they go out there to perform their duties, they will be a reflection of the Guyana Police Force and as such, they should uphold and fur-

Student was Constable 24911 Johnson and most improved student was Constable 24909 Jeffery.

From Course No 372: Constable 24949 Singh was awarded Best Student, while the runner-up Best Student was Constable 24941 Rawlins and most improved student was Constable 24963 Yearwood.

They all received trophies. The passing out ceremony ended with an entertaining drill display by the new recruits.

news 11

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cops question 4 in Nations’ shooting/threats

…as probe deepens

A

s the Guyana Police Force continues its investigation into threats made against School of the Nations and the subsequent shooting of its Director, Dr Brian O’Toole, several persons have been questioned by the Major Crimes Unit which is leading the probe. “We have embarked on an investigation…What I can say is that we have taken some action and we’ve contacted a few persons.

There’re some others that we are pursuing and it’s an ongoing investigation… [So far] we have questioned at least four persons to my knowledge,” Police Commissioner Leslie James told reporters on Wednesday.

According to the Top Cop, those four persons were both current and former students of the private school. Nevertheless, he posited that investigators are making progress.

“We’ve been having cooperation, so I can say it’s been a progressive investigation…

It’s a matter where there will have to be eventually confrontation because of what

is alleged so I’m sure it will result [in] some success, we are having some inroads,” he stated.

While he opted not to say whether they were able to contact or apprehend the person who has been posting on social media, Commissioner James noted that the Force’s Cybercrime Unit has been playing an active role in the investigations and they have also enlisted the assistance of external help.

He stated that these are all contributing to the progression of the probe.

Further, the Top Cop noted that investigators are still trying to ascertain whether the threats against the school, which were posted on social media, are linked to the shooting of its director.

“We have not seen [any relation between the two] but the fact that someone was shot and he is the principal of the said school, we have considered that it can be a link. However, when we spoke with Mr O’Toole, based on his description and his further explanation, so far it seem as though we’re looking for a dif-

ferent person,” the Commissioner stated.

Safety

Meanwhile, as the investigation continues the incidents have caused an outpour of suggestions on what can be implemented to ensure the safety of students and teachers in the future.

The Education Ministry has initiated to act on the seriousness of these events by engaging representatives of the institution and senior officials of the Guyana Police Force earlier this week.

Commissioner James further revealed that coming out of that meeting is an agreement to boost security at the secondary schools – both private and public – in Georgetown. This includes regular patrols around the schools.

On the other hand, action has been taken by the Ministry to introduce a “help hotline” to assist students who are challenged in the school environment.

The Schools Welfare Department of the Ministry will also spearhead outreaches at popular locations where the presence of youths is concentrat-

Police Commissioner Leslie James

ed.

“The Ministry will be setting up a help hotline to assist children who are struggling with issues at school and elsewhere.

Moreover, the Schools Welfare Department will be conducting regular outreaches at locations, such as malls, to meet the younger population with the view of addressing social and other issues affecting them,” the Ministry stated after consultations with the stakeholders.

Training is now being provided to parents as well to address these issues along with the reinforcement

of the Schools Support Unit.

Through an anonymous social media account, the suspect has been communicating his plans and the extent to which students can be harmed.

However, a recent post suggested that he was willing to cooperate with Police since many are involved in the plot.

When contacted on Wednesday, an official posited that the school remains closed for this week and the administration is yet to decide on what next week holds.

On Sunday night, the Director of Nations,

Dr Brian O’Toole was shot at about 21:44h at his Prashad Nagar home. The 64-year-old man came home and secured his gate after entering. As he was about to open the door, a male suspect approached him, pointed a gun and discharged three rounds in his direction; two of which caught him in both forearms. His condition was listed as stable, but this instigated many concerns by parents about their children’s safety. They insisted that proper security measures should be implemented before the students return to the institution.

12 news

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Guyana slipping closer 'Ranks will to constitutional crisis’ face sanctions, if found culpable’

- Jagdeo to diplomats

- says Top Cop on death of incarcerated man

A

no-confidence motion has been passed against his government, but with each day that passes without President David Granger announcing a date for General and Regional Elections, Guyana slips closer to a constitutional crisis.

This is according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who on Monday hosted meetings at his Church Street, Georgetown office with foreign diplomats to apprise them of the political situation in Guyana following the no-confidence resolution and to air the parliamentary Opposition’s concerns.

According to Jagdeo, in an interview following the meeting, he raised concerns with the diplomats that Guyana may be heading towards a constitutional crisis with the Government’s sloth in calling elections.

“We’ve been having engagements with different groups from the international community, to apprise them of the situation in Guyana and our take and how we feel about the sloth of the Government to seriously consider the constitutional implications of their behaviour,” he said.

“They’re behaving as if nothing happened and we’re in a normal situation, when we’re heading to a constitutional crisis. So I pointed out clearly about that rapid pathway to a constitutional crisis and what will take place once the country gets into that situation, how we will act. And you are aware in the public domain what the approach will be on our side.”

GECOM aggravating situation

Jagdeo outlined that the Guyana Elections Commission’s attempts to delay early elections are only aggravating the situation. He explained that he also outlined to the diplomatic community how the People’s Progressive Party would act should Guyana reach this position.

“It is disastrous, because I think GECOM at the level of the Secretariat from the documents they provided to the Commissioners seem ready to start the process rolling. But at the level of the Commission, the Commissioners representing the Government have now taken on a political role. So their rhetoric is similar to the Government,” Jagdeo said.

“Amna Ally has been speak-

ing about it. So suddenly Vincent Alexander, (Desmond) Trotman and (Charles) Corbin, representing the Government on the Commission, have been parroting the same language. It seems their only task is to delay the start of preparations for elections. So their actions at GECOM are going to push us to a constitutional crisis faster.”

Those who attended the meeting were China’s Ambassador to Guyana Cui Jianchuan; Mexico’s Ambassador to Guyana, Ivan Medel; Indian High Commissioner to Guyana V Mahalingam; InterAmerican Development Bank Country Representative Sophie Makonnen among the other representative of the diplomatic community.

Blame game

Meanwhile, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Monday distanced the Government from the claims of GECOM’s foot-dragging.

According to Harmon in a State media release, it is up to GECOM to decide its readiness for elections.

He went on to state that Government would have no say in the process despite the fact that there were three Commissioners representing the State who have been advocating for house-tohouse registration – a process that could delay elections by several months.

“I understand that they (GECOM) have outlined to the [Government and Opposition Chief] Whips a process through which these matters must go and so if there is an intention to expedite things to force issues; that will compromise those processes. I believe that those are matters that GECOM will have to pronounce [on].”

“But certainly we will not want a list that is defective and we would not want a list that excludes persons who are entitled to be there and principally among that group is the large group of young people,” Harmon said.

He expressed his belief that it was in the best interest of GECOM to ensure the credibility of the list before any elections were held.

“I believe that it is the right of GECOM to insist that they have a list that can withstand scrutiny that in the event that they have to deal with an election, that they can say that the electoral results

represent the will of the people of Guyana,” he said.

No word

House-to-house registration or not, the President is yet to announce a date for the elections.

According to the Constitution of Guyana, it is the President who has to dissolve Parliament and set a date for elections.

On Friday last, Chief Whips Gail Teixeira and Amna Ally had met with GECOM officials to ascertain the entity’s preparedness to hold elections.

That meeting had ended when GECOM’s chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson abruptly called the proceedings off when he was pressed for answers.

The Chief Whips were supposed to report to Jagdeo and Granger respectively. When contacted on Monday, Ally could not say if the President had indicated when he would make this announcement.

On December 21, 2018, the no-confidence motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition against the Government succeeded when former Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud broke ranks and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.

With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana.

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, clause 7 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Amid calls to resign, Government has insisted it is going nowhere until elections are held. A court case was filed, in which an order was sought to, among other things, delay the elections until the court rules on the matter. A ruling is expected on January 31.

P

Dead: Kallicharran Sawack

o l i c e Commissioner Leslie James has disclosed that there is a possibility that police ranks could be implicated in the death of the East Coast Demerara man, who died while in police custody.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, the Top Cop noted an independent probe has been launched into the death of 39-yearold Kallicharran Sawack, who died on Monday afternoon at the Georgetown Public Hospital, after he was admitted to the ICU with injuries sustained while he was custody.

“I was informed that the person sustained multiple injuries, of course even before we obtained that information of his death, an impartial investigation was done. The Office of Professional Responsibility has engaged in an investigation, we have taken statements from prisoners who were in custody during that time and that matter is also under investigation” James said.

It was reported that Sawack was taken into custody at the Sparendaam Police Station for disorderly behaviour and was expected to appear in court on Monday but did not.

When family members enquired from the police of his whereabouts, they were told he was hospitalised with injuries to his face and head.

The man’s mother previously told this publication that the police claimed he inflicted the injuries on himself – something which the family does not believe.

The autopsy conducted on Sawack gave his cause of death as multiple injuries due to blunt trauma about the body.

Commissioner James assured that if officers are implicated in the incident then there will be sanctions.

“My information is indeed he was kept over the 72 hours period and that is in breach of course, wherever the chips fall, we will pursue and whoever is responsible will be faced with sanction…I wasn’t reported to about the reassignment but again it is in keeping with procedures, whenever we have breaches like those, we will take immediate action, so expectedly there would have been some reassignment,” the Top Cop explained.

Meanwhile the family of 39-year-old Kallicharran Sawack are calling for an impartial investigation to be done and are also seeking legal advice.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

33 is the majority... from page 3

Justice delivered several rulings, all in one.

The CJ ruled that the vote of former APNU+AFC Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud which brought down the APNU/AFC Government in a vote of no-confidence is valid.

Persaud’s vote had been challenged by Coalition supporter Compton Reid.

She said that Reid would have had to file an elections petition within 28 days after the election to challenge Persaud’s eligibility as an elected member of the National Assembly.

She noted that there was sufficient evidence presented before the court that Persaud had dual citizenship and this was not challenged by Persaud during the proceedings. Nevertheless, taking account of article 165 of the Constitution, the vote was valid.

Justice George however said that the court has jurisdiction to pronounce on the dual citizenship matter saying that Persaud is indeed a dual citizen. She noted that the constitution is very clear about persons with dual citizenship status being ineligible to sit as an MP in the Parliament.

It was established that Charrandas is a Guyanese citizen by birth.

The evidence is that in order to become a Canadian citizen one has to take an oath and bear allegiance to Canada. Charrandas would have sworn allegiance to Canada to receive a passport.

However, she ruled that even though it was unconstitutional to be a dual citizen and serve in the National Assembly, the voting

by Charrandas did not

invalidate the no-confidence proceedings.

She noted that if he had voted against the motion, there would not have been any contestation.

Justice George also addressed other cases filed on behalf of the Government by Attorney General (AG), Basil Williams that sought to put a hold on the enforcement of the motion since he was contending whether the said motion was indeed carried by a majority of all elected members and whether or not the 33 to 32 breakdown means it was validly passed.

According to the CJ, House Speaker Dr Barton Scotland found that the motion was carried by majority of 33-32.

She noted that the validity of the motion was not doubted when it was carried on December

21. In her ruling the CJ said that in Guyana’s 65-member National Assembly a majority is 33.

As such the CJ posited that the no confidence motion was validly carried.

She outlined that the President and the Ministers cannot therefore remain in Government in accordance with Articles 106 and 107 respectively.

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, clause

Charrandass Persaud

7 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than twothirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly

determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Attorney General Basil Williams has since indicated that the Government will “go all the way” to the Caribbean Court of Justice to appeal the case.

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news 15

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Berbicians protest rapidly deteriorating condition at the NA Hospital

Protesters on the picket line in front of the New Amsterdam Hospital

that school-aged children are no longer beesidents of New ing viewed as a priority A m s t e r d a m , whenever they visit the Berbice and sur- Outpatient Unit since rounding areas are call- it is currently merged ing on the Government with the Accident and to address the rapidly Emergency Unit. The deteriorating condition move of merging the at the New Amsterdam two units was reportedHospital after an elderly ly implemented by the patient died on Tuesday CEO which has caused night after she was re- a lot of issues due to portedly given nine in- the sheer lack of comjections. petence according to the Additionally, the res- patients. idents are alleging that Sheriann Beharry several critical pieces told this publication that her son suffered a broken arm at school on Monday and was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital at about 13:00h.

“We were there from 1 O’clock till 4 O’clock. Then the CEO came and spoke with one of the doctors and then next thing I know is that they give me the paper and say that I have to go outside and wait because the child is not Dead: Sooroojdia Dookeram an emergency,” she exof equipment are out of plained. order in addition to a She further exshortage of basic med- plained all of this was icine leaving them to said and done while her come to the conclusion child was in obvious that the state of the in- pain in addition to his stitution’s affairs is not rapidly swelling arm. being properly man“We were there from aged. As a consequence, 4 O’clock after that until they are calling for the 9:30 (21:30h) the night Chief Executive Officer then a doctor came and (CEO) Dr Samantha did the X-ray… It is Kennedy’s immediate very bad. From 1:00 that resignation. child cry for pain until The residents turned 9:30 we leave the hospiout in their numbers tal. There were children and staged a picket- there with fever and uning exercise in front til one of them get a fit, of the hospital’s com- then they look at the pound while chanting kid,” the woman relat“The CEO must go” for ed. several hours as they After the doctors marched to have their would have tended to concerns addressed.

Beharry’s son’s arm they Major concerns were told to return the One of the major con- following day to collect cerns for patients is the medication but when amount of time they they returned they were spend in the Outpatient shocked to discover that Unit. Some persons apart from paracetamol have reported that they and vitamins the pharhave to wait for up to 15 macy lacked all the othhours before they can er prescribed medicasee a doctor, resulting in tions. They had to visit additional stress to their a private pharmacy already worrying con- where they purchased dition. Other patients the meds. have reported that they Meanwhile, Seepaul would leave the hospital Ramlochan, whose without ever being ex- brother’s body was left amined by a physician to decompose at the hosbecause of the length of pital’s mortuary, which the waiting time. was out of order was Additionally, per- also on the picket line. sons are reporting “Friday gone I was

By Andrew Carmichael

R

at the hospital. I came to see a doctor because I have a cyst on my neck and a nurse told me that I cannot see the doctor,” Ramlochan related.

One of the patients at the institution related that the previous week she was also there and told the doctor she was ordered to see that she had an injury. She added that without examining the injury, the doctor prepared an injection for her.

“So I ask the doctor what the injection was for and he told me that it was for pain; but I never told the doctor that I was feeling pain,” she related.

Nine injections

S o o r o o j d i a Dookeram, 69, was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital on Tuesday evening by her daughter Vlanis Ramkishan complaining of stomach pains. The grieving daughter is alleging that after they were able to see one of the doctors on duty, her mother was given five injections.

“He give her the injections without testing anything. Then she start to vomit and he give her two more… I ask him those two are for what and he say it is for the vomiting. After she get those two she start to flatter like a fowl and then he give her a bottle of saline with two more injection…she died,” Ramkishan recounted.

The family is calling for an investigation into Dookeram’s death.

Head of the Regional Health Committee, Zamal Hussain was

also on the picket line.

According to him, the new system of registering persons seeking health service is a cause for concern. He says the confusion and long delays is as a result of incompetence.

He said that the merging of the Outpatient with the Accident and Emergency Unit has resulted in persons having to wait for a longer time to receive medical attention. Hussain told this publication that the

Ultrasound Machine at the medical facility is non-functional while there is a shortage of medical supplies.

Efforts by this publication to get a comment from the CEO of the hospital were futile.

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“Smallie”, “Catty” fled “Mango Man” murder scene via horse cart – Police

Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie” and Sherwin Nero known as “Catty” are on trial for murder

A

s the 2007 “Mango Man” murder trial continued before Justice James BovellDrakes at the High Court, Police Detective, Inspector Suraj Singh testified on Wednesday that the accused, Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie” and Sherwin Nero known as “Catty”, admitted under caution that an ex-Police accomplice was the one who transported them from the scene via a horse cart.

Now that the voir dire (trial within a trial) hearing has ended, the main trial of the duo got underway when Inspector Singh denied that neither he nor any rank in his presence assaulted Williams whilst he was in custody at Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Led by prosecutor Tamica Clarke, Inspector Singh detailed that he took the caution statements of both men following their arrest in 2008 for the August 30, 2007 murder of Kumar Singh called Mango Man at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara. Singh testified that Nero, under caution, heard of the plan to rob the man and claimed that Smallie and another accomplice were armed with guns while he had a cutlass. Nero allegedly told Police he later learnt the deceased was called Mango Man. Williams reportedly told Police that he also learnt of the man’s name after the fact, allegedly adding that he did not kill the man while claiming that he was outside at the time. “Meh na kill de man; me been outside on the wuk,” Williams reportedly ex-

plained. Singh further told the 12-member jury of Smallie admitting to having a small gun, saying that Durwin Wright, who was revealed to be a former policeman, carried them away from the scene with his horse cart.

The defence was not buying this account of events with Defence Attorney for the duo, Nigel Hughes, suggesting to Singh that it was after Wright was charged that he told Police a story to be freed of the crime.

Singh disagreed and claimed that he knew of multiple cases where a horse cart was used as getaway transport.

“Durwin carry me in; c**lie boy had a big gun, I had a small gun. He tell me he shoot de man but he an tell me why; me get G$20, 000,” Smallie reportedly told ranks under caution.

Singh further noted that he is not aware if confrontations were held with Wright, Smallie and Nero but he recalled that Williams was taken to a private doctor in Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) owing to supposed congestion at the public hospital in Georgetown.

Singh stated that this journey from Camp Street to Grove, however, took 25 minutes, noting too that the institution at Diamond was just a medical centre back then as opposed to a hospital. Cross-examination also revealed that Wright is now in protective custody and Hughes suggested that Police had no independent evidence outside Wright’s testimony to implicate the duo on trial. The case will continue at the High Court.

NEWS 19

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

India offers support to Guyana in renewable energy

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uyana’s plan to pursue renewable energy by 2025 has been matched with India’s commitment to providing support to meet this juncture.

This was recently recommitted by the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam who noted that his country is ready to provide assistance in harnessing bio and renewable energy. After Guyana would have forged a partnership as one of the founders in the International Solar Alliance, provisions can be made to extend the areas in the renewable resources domain.

He also ascertained that forestry resources, the sugar belt and rice sector are zones where reformation can be executed.

“The Founding Member status of Guyana in the International Solar Alliance since March last year paves way for access to Indian concessional finance in the area of solar energy. Apart from solar, India is also ready to offer its assistance to Guyana in harnessing bio and renewable energy under its Green State Development Strategy. India would also be ready to provide its assistance in enhancing value addition to Guyana in its forest products, in reforming and upgrading sugar industry and in diversifying rice-based products,” said the High Commissioner.

A number of renewable energy farms and facilities have been the goal of Guyana and the Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, had provided some information on a US$3.8 million solar

farm, which was slated for completion at the ending of 2018.

The farm, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was expected to be constructed at Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

He had also spoken of securing funding from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to establish photo-voltaic (PV) farms at Port Kaituma, Region One (BarimaWaini) at a cost of US$1.8 million; Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) to the tune of US$2.6 million; and Matthews Ridge, Region One at a cost of US$2 million.

After President David Granger’s India visit to attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Conference and Solar Summit which made Guyana a member of the said alliance, it was pointed out that a line of credit of US$15 million would be available to Guyana.

However, in relation to the 2025 deadlines, some key points were raised when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo zeroed in on solar energy plans for Guyana. He noted that one crucial question with the Government’s solar power initiatives involves using back-up energy generation.

According to Jagdeo last July, who conceptualised the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), this situation would then warrant extra back-up energy being introduced, as much as 100 megawatts if that was the wattage being generated by the solar power.

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Guyana’s First Lady launches Mother of 2 appeals 3rd ICT Workshop in Linden 18-year sentence for

killing Bajan boyfriend

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Some of the persons who will benefit from the ICT training

ver the course of the next four weeks, 40 additional youths from the Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) community will benefit from an Information Communication Technology (ICT) training workshop, an initiative of the Office of First Lady Sandra Granger in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). The programme, which is the third of its kind in Linden, targets adolescents and outof-school youths between the ages of 16 to 25 and was launched at the Linden Enterprise Network on Monday.

It will see participants being trained with job-readiness skills. Speaking at the launching ceremony, First Lady Sandra Granger emphasised the importance of ICT in ensuring that youths are well equipped to meet the challenges Guyana will be faced with in moving forward.

“We keep going after ICT because… this is where the jobs lie. Robots would have taken over sixty per cent of our jobs…It is estimated that ninety per cent of the jobs women do will be done by robots or through technology. So, this is why I’m all fired up to get women involved in ICT…The young people of Guyana are a major part of our population, so it is a fact that you are the ones who have to take us forward…

As you know, eyes are on Guyana, not only with the discovery of oil but all the technology associated with it, not least among which would be ICT technologies,” the First Lady told participants.

She also challenged communities to move towards digitising records, hence

giving persons skilled in ICT an opportunity to develop their skills. In giving an overview of the workshop, Chief Facilitator Fitzroy Younge extended gratitude to the First Lady on behalf of the people of Linden. He also credited her for the belief that ICT is the new frontier of change which fosters poverty alleviation. Younge said the objective of the programme is to empower not only young adults but unskilled and vulnerable groups within the community.

He added that elements of the workshop will also entail “Soft Skills”, which will include telephone ethics, interviewing and communication skills, etc, while ICT will include Knowledge basics and keyboard references, Introduction to Computers, Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint and MicroEnterprise, among others. Other classes will include Numeracy and Literacy, Sexual and Reproductive Health and STEM Robotics. In his remarks, Regional Chairman Renis Morian pointed out that the initiative was created by Government with emphasis on young people, whom he noted are the future leaders. He encouraged the participants to seize the opportunity, noting that the sky is the limit.

“Don’t just see this as (a) one-off, don’t just see this as we’re just teaching ICT, but the whole business is to ready your mind for developmental work programmes and jobs that would be coming your way,” Morian said.

Seventy-nine persons have been trained so far from the region via the initiative which is available throughout all the 10 Administrative Regions.

T&T man torches himself after argument with wife

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n a fit of rage after an argument with his wife, a La Brea, Trinidad man committed suicide by setting himself on fire inside the family home; the house was also destroyed, according to a report in the Trinidad Express.

The remains of Derron Phillips was found in the ashes of the home at Coffee Street.

The tragedy was witnessed by Phillips’ neighbours, the Trinidad Express reported.

In video shot of the house while it still burned, a woman is heard saying: “The boy lit himself afire and ran into the house. He is cremating right now.

He made up his mind to do what he has to do. He is somewhere underneath the galvanize”.

According to the Trinidad Express, Police were told that Phillips had an argument with his wife and at around 5.45 p.m. he doused himself with a liq-

Derron Phillips

uid and ran into his wooden house.

Within minutes the entire house caught afire and was gutted by the flames.

La Brea police and Point Fortin fire officers responded to the scene.

A district medical officer viewed the remains and they were taken to the San Fernando mortuary, the Express reported.

Section D, South Sophia, Greater Georgetown mother of two, Tramangra Williams, known as “Queenie” has challenged her 18-year prison sentence over the unlawful killing of her Bajan boyfriend 10 years ago.

Her appeal will be heard at the Appeal Court early February as the accused is reportedly moving to acquire an attorney.

Her sentence was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh in January 2014 for the December 27, 2008, stabbing of Tyrone McDonald Best. He died on January 3, 2009, whilst receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

It was reported that after considering the evidence during the High Court trial, a 12-member mixed jury found her not guilty of murder but guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter.

Justice Singh’s sentence was initially 30 years but he deducted 12 years for provoca-

Tramangra Williams known as “Queenie” is challenging her prison sentence

tion and remorse shown as the offender had told the jury via an unsworn statement that she was sorry for what happened.

She has observed that she loved him and never intended to stab him.

It was revealed during the trial that the Bajan accused his Guyanese partner of having an affair with her cousin’s father on the afternoon “Queenie” asked the older man for money and marijuana.

Her story was that while on the way to the home of her friend,

Granny, he slapped her across the head and beat her across the body. After they got home, Tyrone reportedly aimed one of his boots at her head but she suddenly turned around with a knife and he supposedly charged into it and received injuries to his abdomen.

During the trial, the accused was represented by then Attorney Peter Hugh, now a Magistrate while then Senior State Counsel Judith Gildharie-Mursalin prosecuted the case.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cubans remanded Autopsy performed on shoplifting Mae’s student inconclusive for in Guyana T T he post mortem performed on the body of 15-yearold Mae’s Secondary School student, Vanica Schultz, failed to reveal the cause of death.

The autopsy was performed by Dr Nehaul Singh on Monday at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary, who reported that the cause of death is undetermined.

As such, body contents, blood and urine samples were extracted and are expected to be further analysed to determine the cause of death of the teenager.

Nevertheless, the body was handed over to the family for burial.

Initially, it was reported that the teenager of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, ingested at least six ecstasy pills and died shortly after she was seen vomiting at school.

The Mae’s school administration, on the other hand, said that the teen ingested carbon tablets and died while receiving medical attention at the Woodlands Hospital.

While information remains sketchy about

Dead: Vanica Schultz

the motive for taking her own life, Guyana Times International understands that the teenager was part of an investigation with respect to the sale of ecstasy on the school’s premises. This was also denied by the school’s administration.

In fact, the school stated that at no point in time were the pills found in the school’s compound.

However, soon after the teen’s death, her 20-year-old boyfriend allegedly admitted to Police that he gave the teen the pills to sell in school. He reportedly told investigators that

the now dead teen was caught selling the drug and an investigation was launched.

Moments prior to the teen’s death, she handed letters to her friends apologising for all the wrong she has done. Her peers also confirmed that an investigation was launched into the sale of ecstasy.

Following the alleged discovery of ecstasy pills on the school premises some time ago, students involved were instructed to inform their parents to visit the school so that the matter could be dealt with.

It was reported that following the decision to inform the parents, the now dead teen reportedly threatened to take her life since she did not want her parents to know about her involvement in the ecstasy investigation.

Last year, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) revealed a worrying trend of ecstasy being sold to students in at least five schools across Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The anti-drug enforcement agency is working with education officials to address the illegal practice.

Ecstasy is making its way into the nation’s schools after being already popular among many affluent members of society, CANU Deputy Head Lesley Ramlall had stated.

While it was not revealed if, or how many of these affluent individuals were charged, Ramlall said CANU was working to track down the drug mules and was not inclined to carry out full-fledged investigations in schools.

hree Cubans were on Monday taken before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after they were accused of stealing a number of items from two stores along Robb Street, Georgetown between January 22 and 23, 2019.

Daniar Pelaez, Jose Gorerva and Junior Infante all appeared before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly where they denied that between January 22 and 23, at Inshan Variety Store, Robb Street, Georgetown, they broke and entered and stole three cellular phones valued G$45,000, three speakers valued G$45,000, one hair cutting machine valued G$6000, a quantity of clothing valued G$20,000 and G$30, 000, total value G$146,000; property of Inshan Variety Store.

It is also alleged that on the same day at Robb Street, Georgetown they also stole from the “Stretch ma Dollar”, which is located next to Inshan’s

Variety Store, 10 tablets valued G$150,000, five cellular phones valued G$55,000 and G$75,000; a total value of G$280, 000.

According to the prosecution’s case, Police acting on information went to Robb Street where they saw two of accused.

When asked what they were doing there, they could not give a proper explanation.

The store owners were immediately contacted. When they arrived Inshan opened his store only to discover the third accused hiding in his store with the items in a bag.

Further, when the proprietor of the “Stretch ma Dollar” opened his store, he too noticed that items were missing.

In court on Monday, Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris objected to bail on the grounds that the Cubans were flight risks and had no ties to Guyana. They were remanded to prison and the case will continue February 15, 2019.

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Guyana tied with Panama, Gambia, among others for 93rd position in latest corruption index

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ransparency International has released its latest global rankings, showing that while Guyana is considered one of 20 countries that have made improvements it has also taken a step backwards last year.

According to the index, Guyana fell by one spot to the 93rd position out of 180 countries. The index placed Guyana’s corruption perception score at 37 to tie with Gambia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mongolia and Panama.

The highest ranked Caribbean country was the Bahamas at 29th place with a score of 65. It is followed by Barbados, which received a score of 68 for anti-corruption. The next Caribbean country is St Vincent and the Grenadines, which was ranked at 41 with a score of 58.

The top-ranked countries on the list were Denmark at number one, and New Zealand at number two. The United States of America was ranked at 71, with a score of 22.

Last year, Guyana scored 38 and was ranked 91 out of all the countries reviewed. Over the past few months,

however, much has been said about the Auditor General’s 2017 report and the sole-sourcing of contracts.

This includes the

(SOCU) had begun investigating the corrupt transaction. Right from the start, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had stressed the need

Transparency International has been one of the foremost anticorruption voices

Public Procurement Commission investigating and red-flagging the sole-sourcing of the Demerara River bridge feasibility study. The contract in question was awarded to the Dutch company, LievenseCSO, for a feasibility study into the new Demerara River Bridge.

The parliamentary Opposition had requested that the Public Procurement Commission investigate the award of the G$148 million sole-sourced contract.

In its report on the matter, the Commission flagged Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the contract be solesourced instead of being processed through the Procurement Board as the law says should be done.

After agitation from the parliamentary Opposition, the Special Organised Crime Unit

for the unit to avoid showing favouritism to Patterson, particularly at a time when Opposition Politicians were being brought into SOCU for questioning on other matters.

SOCU has since said it completed its investigation into the corrupt transaction, with the unit’s Head, Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James confirming to this publication a few weeks ago that the file has been in the hands of the Police Legal Advisor since last year.

This was confirmed when Guyana Times International made contact with SOCU Head, Assistant Commissioner of Police (retired) Sydney James. In a brief interview, James noted that it has been in the hands of the Legal Advisor; Justice (retired) Claudette Singh, for several weeks.

AG report

When it comes to the Auditor General’s report,

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and now presidential candidate Irfaan Ali has been one of several public figures highlighting the fact that the report is littered with discrepancies and corruption for the 2017 fiscal year.

“In the education sector, as it relates to the supply of dietary items under the Kato Breakfast School Feeding Programme, Region Eight, prices paid were significantly higher when compared to prices of similar items previously purchased by the Region. In total G$33.6 million was expended on items whose prices were grossly inflated,” he had said last year.

“Similarly under the G$2.1 billion School Feeding Programme,

eleven schools in Regions 7 and 9, couldn’t account for G$52.1 million, a repeated misdemeanour that was highlighted in the preceding Auditor General report. Hence, at the Ministry of Education Tender Board level, procurement irregularities continued uninterrupted.”

Ali had also highlighted parts of the report, where it was revealed that forty contracts totalling G$15.9 million were awarded without the requisite Tender Board approval, of which thirty-five were awarded to one contractor at a total value of G$12.8 million.

“Moreover, numerous instances of overpayments were recorded. For example, two contractors, with respect to the installation of water dis-

tribution line and system, and night lighting system at the Synthetic Track and Field Facility, received G$4.114 million and G$4.767 million respectively in overpayments.”

“In another instance, the contract for the construction of a chain link fence at the One Mile Primary School, Wismar, which was awarded by the Regional Tender Board for the sum of G$12.583 million, received an overpayment of G$727,000.”

The corruption perception index did acknowledge, however, that Guyana is among 20 countries to have significantly improved their scores over the past seven years.

An artist’s impression of the sole-sourced Demerara River Bridge

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Calls made for independent probe into children’s death at GPHC T here have been several calls for an independent probe into the deaths of the three children, who all lost their lives after the administering of a pre-chemotherapy injection at the Georgetown Public Hos-pital.

Rights of the Child Commissioner and activist, Nicole Cole expressed her view that an external investi-gation which includes representatives from recognised and relevant organisations is more in keeping with transparent and impartial than the hospital investigating itself.

“I think an independent investigation should be carried out to determine the true facts.

One cannot trust investigations done by GPHC to be impartial,” Cole explained, in an interview with this publica-tion.

“The investigations should have at least three key organisations represented which (are generally acknowledged to) work in the best interest of children.”

Giving an example, she recommended that the Terms Of Reference (TOR) of such an investigation should include the Guyana Medical Council, the Rights of the Child Commission and the Caribbean Medical Council, in order to ensure impartiality.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) also added its voice for an external investiga-tion into the deaths

Six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca

of the three children.

According to the Party in a statement, parents have certain expectations when they place their children in the care of health-care institutions and they deserve answers.

Moreover, the PPP/C expressed its sincerest condolences to the families of six-yearold Corwin Ed-wards, six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca, and threeyear-old Roshini Seegobin and urged the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to provide answers.

Mendonca was taken to the Paediatric Ward on January 3, where she was administered with pre-chemotherapy injection but became unreThreeyear-old Roshani Seegobin

sponsive. She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where her face started to swell and she later succumbed.

During the same period which Mendonca was admitted, threeyear-old Seegobin visited the same medical institution for cancer treatment, but after returning home, her condition deteriorated. The leukaemia patient usually received treatment at the hospital.

Mendoca’s body was given to the wrong family for burial in what was alleged to have been an attempt to cover up her true cause of death.

Curwayne Edwards also passed away during this period after undergoing similar treatment.

The injec-tions were allegedly administered through the children’s spinal cords rather than intravenously. The use of the drug at the GPHC has since been discontinued, the hospital said.

Following the concerns raised, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence said the ministry has reached out to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) for technical support in its investigation into the cir-cumstances surrounding the passing of the three children. In a statement, at her Brickdam office, Min-ister Lawrence noted that technical support was sought from PAHO to support the process of open-ness and transparency.

GECOM can be ready for elections by March 19 – Commissioners P eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) nominated commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are contending that far from the view being expressed by GECOM and Government officials, elections can be held by March 19, 2019.

In an interview with Guyana Times International, PPP’s GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj noted that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield has been creating an impression that there is not enough time to complete various tasks before elections. But according to Gunraj, many of these tasks can be completed concurrently.

“Lowenfield has said that we need 90 days for specific tasks. When you look at the tasks that make up those 90 days, most of the tasks can be done concurrently,” Gunraj said. “For example advertising for staff can occur at the same time that you are procuring training material.”

“He has, for example, 14 days for procurement of training materials, 14 days for advertising for staff. And that counts for 28 days out of the 90 days, when in truth both of those things can happen in those 14 days.”

In a recent interview, Commissioner Bibi Shadick had also asserted that GECOM could hold elections within 50 days. According to Shadick, she is basing this on the information provided by

Sase Gunraj

Lowenfield at Thursday’s meeting at the Secretariat. The Commissioner related that she even offered Lowenfield a proposed timeline for conducting elections within that time frame.

“I am convinced that the CEO in trying to please all his masters is prepared to go back on the submissions he gave us and is a thoroughly confused person and at this point, I said that he is not fit for the job.

“We moved the date to meet with the Whips so that they can get together and call their principals so that the President can call a date for elections and GECOM will have to hold that elections because once an election date is announced, then GECOM has to meet that date because that is the constitutional mandate of GECOM.” So, if elections can be held within the prescribed 90 days’ timeline, what is the hold-up? According to sources, the no-confidence resolution passed in Parliament would have tested GECOM’s resolve and independence in much the same way as the Judiciary

Bibi Shadick

was tested by the legal application by the Government to delay the resolution’s application.

But sources noted that while the Judiciary recognised the urgent nature of the no-confidence vote and expedited the cases, GECOM’s foot-dragging has earned it much criticism.

More questions

On Friday, Chief Whips Gail Teixeira and Anna Ally emerged from their meeting with GECOM with more questions than answers, as GECOM refused to give deadlines for its preparations.

In an interview after the meeting, the Opposition Chief Whip had been less than satisfied with the answers she did get. According to Teixeira, she asked if the Commission could make simultaneous preparations to accommodate what remains of the time frame for elections.

“We asked a number of technical questions, to do with the Commission doing a range of things to make the 50 days, because we have about 54 days left. And wasn’t it possible for the Commission to run on simultaneous tracks (for) procurement, ballot paper, training, the list in terms of extracting and adding those eligible (names).

“The Commission did not answer, except that Lowenfield had concerns about training. The Commission trained approximately 10,000 people for LGE [Local Government Elections], used 7500. So we don’t believe it’s impossible that we could achieve the number of people to work as temporary polling staff.”

Teixeira was of the view that Lowenfield was reluctant to give approximate dates for election preparations. In fact, Teixeira noted that the CEO constantly deferred to the Commission when it came to giving timelines and she expressed suspicions that he may be under pressure.

According to the Chief Whip, the Government Commissioners mostly provided reasons for not holding the elections in 90 days, such as house-tohouse registration. She noted that this exercise could delay the elections by as much as eight months.

GECOM, which successfully ran the LGE in November 2018, less than three months ago, is being blamed by Government for not being ready, but it is the President of Guyana, who has to give a date for elections and not GECOM as being touted. The President of Guyana, according to the Constitution, has to dissolve Parliament and issue a date for elections.

Calls by this publication to Lowenfield went unanswered.

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House-to-house registration unnecessary – GECOM Commissioners H

ouse-to-house r e g i s t r a tion has been touted as necessary by Government Commissioners before elections can be held, but according to the Opposition-nominated Commissioners, the voters’ list is valid and such a process is wholly unnecessary.

Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn were at the time appearing on a television programme.

On the programme , “Elections 2019; what is GECOM’s mandate?”, the Commissioners were adamant that GECOM has the capacity to hold elections by March 19.

Commissioner Bibi Shadick noted that even if the list has a few deceased persons on it, there are checks and balances at polling stations to weed this out.

“We have a list. It is valid up to the 30th of April. That list was just proven at the Local Government Elections.

There were no complaints from anybody.

Nobody challenged the list. Nobody challenged the results of those elections. And we have to

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix during a visit to the General Registry Office

understand that that list is valid and proper,” she said.

Shadick also pointed out that the General Registry Office (GRO) is supposed to be constantly helping to update this list.

“OK, we admit that there are dead people’s names on that list,” she hypothesised. “But that’s not a difficult thing to take away. In

fact, there are so many checks and balances at the polling stations, nobody that was dead and on that list went and vote at the (Local Government Elections).

“Names of dead people can be (removed), but that is an in-house process. That is the GRO giving information and according to the law, you remove names. That has noth-

ing to do with going house to house and find out who is alive. To try and do house-to-house registration now is an effort, and I’m fully prepared to say it, to have them violate what the Constitution is asking for. “We all understand that the government has fallen, Cabinet has to resign, and elections have to be called within 90 days. Now that is

what GECOM should know. There is a work plan that they produced. Between then and now, there are other things that have happened. GECOM cannot be political! It is a constitutional agency.”

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote

of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, clause 7 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Government lost such a no-confidence vote on December 21, 2018.

Guyana Times International understands that with approximately 500,000 persons on the voters’ list, house-to-house registration could take as much as six months.

Commissioners had said that G$3 billion of GECOM’s budget was for this exercise. Back in November 2018, GECOM was able to deliver a LGE with limited hiccups using the same voters’ list.

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PPP says elections manifesto will represent the wishes of all T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will soon launch its election manifesto, which will comprise several programmes from its 2015 manifesto aimed at further developing Guyana.

This was according to the Party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo during his address to thousands of supporters who turned up a meeting at Port Mourant last Saturday.

Jagdeo stated that despite the wealth of experience and competent members within the Party, the manifesto would reflect the best for all Guyana with input A section of the massive crowd on Saturday

from all.

“Get on to the Party so that we can get your ideas included, since we believe that in the programme that we will launch before the elections, your wishes and desires must be reflected and that once we put forward that programme, unlike the APNU [A Partnership for National Unity], that will be our promise to the people of Guyana to fulfil.”

Commenting on Government’s ability to see into the future, Jagdeo referred to the current Administration as a government without a vision.

“When we were in

government, we were talking about a green sector, a low-carbon development strategy that will bring new jobs and new wealth.”

This, he added, was going to upgrade the sugar and rice industries.

“That is what the vision was. You know what they have reduced it now to? When a reporter asked the President (Granger) ‘How are you going to create jobs in the future,’ he said, ‘We must do things like making pepper sauce and making cook-up to sell, and making plantain chips…’

That is where we have come from; talking about a future that will create

thousands of jobs and new wealth and new infrastructure and a modern country to now selling plantain chips and cook-up rice, you can’t run a country on that…”

As it relates to the Corentyne, the Party leader repeated his promise to reopen the sugar estates that were closed in December of 2017.

Government closed the Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates leaving only the Albion Estate functional. In fact, 1851 workers were sacked from the Skeldon Sugar Estate, 1181 from the Rose Hall Estate, 1480 from the East Demerara

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Sugar Estate and 251 from the Wales Sugar Estate.

In Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), which had depended heavily on sugar, with the closure of two of the three sugar estates in the Region, all other sectors have been affected.

“People have to earn to be able to put food on their table and send their children to school, so that is what we want to see,” the Opposition Leader stated.

During his presentation, Jagdeo also addressed the no-confidence motion, which was successfully passed in the National Assembly.

He explained that the Speaker of the House has already ruled on it – refusing to reverse his decision, but he allowed the court to rule on the various issues which arose.

The court’s ruling will just serve as a guide for the future the Opposition Leader told his supporters.

“After March 19, this Government becomes unconstitutional, illegal, illegitimate so when they come out here stop calling them Minister, President and Prime Minister after that date.

They are trying to sell the sugar industry now in the few days they have remaining. We said we will not recognise any sale of the sugar industry because the Government is in a caretaker capacity,” Jagdeo added.

Over 5000 PPP supporters turned up at Train Line Dam, Port Mourant, on Saturday, where they were greeted and addressed by the presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

B y L akhram B hagirat

C

hallenges are a part of our daily existence and overcoming them is what makes us strong individuals, but quite often we have to have that passion for what is on the other side in order to overcome the challenges. So about six years ago when a producer told Deonarine Balkissoon or as we may know him Nishal B that he should never sing again, he lost all hope and gave up.

Nishal’s journey into the music industry is quite unconventional, since it was something he did not want to do: from a very young age, he had his eyes set on becoming a cricketer. However, fate had something else in store for him.

Reflecting on his journey, the 30-year-old father said that while growing up in the village of La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara, he was all about having fun and ensuring that school was the priority. His love for the game of cricket developed when he was about 10 years old and from then no one could stop him.

At the age of 11, Nishal and his father were in an accident that resulted in them being badly injured and caused him to stop playing cricket for some time. When he was 15 and a student at the Bladen Hall Multilateral School, he decid-

ed to take back up the game he so loved. He became a member of the Demerara Cricket Club and began polishing himself for a career in the cricketing field.

“I wrote CXC, but never wanted to further studies because of the love I had for this game called cricket. I kept following my dreams of being a cricketer, but as soon as I was getting the opportunities to make it big in cricket, I developed a back injury that kept me out of the game until this day,” he said.

After Nishal was forced to give up his dreams of being a cricketer, he had no idea what to do with, himself since there was never a plan B. “I spent days thinking and even cried about this.

I slowly got over my injuries and soon after I head over to Trinidad and Tobago where I spent some time and develop the love for Chutney music. I move back to Guyana and got myself settled and started to do construction work. I then got married and started to follow music,” he said.

Getting into music for Nishal was a challenge he certainly was not prepared for. It was difficult beyond comprehension, he says, and to this day although he is an accomplished singer, it is still a challenge in the music industry. The challenge is to stay relevant and make music that everyone enjoys.

At the age of 24, he made his first attempt at making music after his friends in Trinidad would encouraged him to sing. He initially reached out to a number of local artistes for tips and general advice, but the response was non-existent.

“I then decided take matters into my own hands and head into a studio to record a song. I went and record and did my first song called “Titan”.

The studio guy had a hell of time to record me ‘cause I didn’t know one thing I was doing. I thought to myself that I’ll go to a next studio to see if they can help me, but that was the worst decision I made at that moment. The studio guy told me “boy, don’t sing back after today, you too green” as he meant I don’t have the potential to be a singer.

“At that moment, I walked out his yard and dropped singing completely.

Four years after, I was on Facebook and saw a guy name Michael and notice he is a singer, so I messaged

him and we had a chat and he encouraged me to g e t back into singi n g and he will put me on to someone who will help me,” Nishal related.

From then, the journey has not been easy but it is more comfortable since he has the support of his fellow musicians. He said after the conversation with Michael (only name given), he was linked with local artiste Bunty Singh who owns the BKVJ Studio where he recorded some songs. After that, his voice and style of music started impacting the local scene, resulting in the bookings starting to come in. He eventually became a group act with Vicadi Singh and AW Lyrical where they worked on a number of local and regional shows.

Eventually, his music career was given an unexpected boost when Terry Gajraj offered to record a song with him called “Wine on Me”.

“After doing that song, Mr Gajraj offered me a chance to go New York to perform and I made full use of the opportunity and went. From that

FEATURE 29

moment, I’ve been travelling back and forth, performing locally and internationally. At the moment, I have one album out and currently working on a next.”

Nishal has been making his mark on the local music scene and many may not know this but the males’ reply to Ravi B’s popular song “Start Over” was sung by Nishal. It was recorded in the Shakti Strings Studio in Guyana.

Not one to plan ahead, Nishal said that he hopes to make it big in the music industry and is currently a semi-finalist in the 2019 Chutney Monarch Competition with his song called “I’m proud to be a Guyanese.”

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Politics…

L

…and racial discrimination

ooks like Opposition Leader Jagdeo has had it with the PNC-led Government and its partisans branding him and the PPP as “anti-African”. He’s once again challenged one of the most vociferous proponents of that line, David Hinds, to a debate. Your Eyewitness doubts Hinds will accept the challenge, since much of the rhetoric on the issue is just that – rhetoric!! What’s facts got to do with it?!!

Take one of the standard examples cited by Hinds and others –unemployment in Linden’s bauxite belt.

Sam Hinds, who was a top official in the bauxite industry, has rebutted the claims with facts and figures time and again, but have they changed any opinions? Not a whit!! Who was it that fired teargas at bauxite workers when they protested the PNC’s handling of their RILA pension funds? Who was it that ran the bauxite industry into the ground after their hand-picked managers couldn’t meet delivery schedules and customers went elsewhere? Wasn’t it the PNC that shut down the alumina plant?

Didn’t Hinds’ WPA have to organise bauxite workers to oppose the PNC’s stranglehold on their lives?

Wasn’t it Desmond Hoyte who made the decision to downsize the industry and place thousands on the breadline? Wasn’t it he who started the privatisation of the industry by bringing in foreign operators who “rationalised” employment? So the PPP’s to be blamed for continuing the subsidy for electricity to Lindeners – even though they took the money from the levy on sugar while sugar workers were living in squalor? Oy vey!!

Was the PPP anti-African when they refused to implement the recommendations of the Disciplined Forces Commission – with David Granger as a member – that instructed more Indians be recruited into the Armed Forces; which would mean less Africans being hired? Was the PPP anti-African when they refused to continue the downsizing of the Africandominated Public Service as directed by the IMF and which had been started by Desmond Hoyte? The Africanists refused to accept the PPP’s explanation of why they hired contract workers in the Public Service – they needed their skill sets. But isn’t this the same reason proffered by the PNC under Granger, which has actually INCREASED the number of contracted workers. Is it now OK because most of the PNC contract workers are Africans?

In which sector of the economy did the PPP discriminate against Africans? The PNC had nationalised 80 per cent of the economy – and placed their partisans in top positions. But wasn’t it these same officials who systematically destroyed these nationalised companies – like, say, Sprostons/ GNEC – and made themselves and their workers redundant?

But in any debate of this, these will just be inconvenient facts!! …and strange bedfellows There’s the old saw, “Politics makes strange bedfellows” and in Guyana today, we can see why it should be taken as the “gospel truth”. Take the case of the WPA and the PNC. The former was founded to fight the latter and all that it stood for – and faced their “sharper steel” when Walter Rodney and several other members were assassinated. Yet here it is, the WPA remnants are the strongest defenders of the PNC, when the PNC wouldn’t even condescend to allow the CoI into Rodney’s death to be officially recognised!!

The WPA was a Marxist party and boasted about using Marxism as a tool for analysing society and politics. Clive Thomas was one of their main theorists – yet here he is in the belly of the beast as Chairman of GuySuCo – and implemented the PNC’s neo-liberal policies to “immiserate” (one of Thomas’s favourite words!) 7000 sugar workers!!

The “multiracial” WPA also defends the PNC which has staffed its Ministries and Departments with 80 per cent Africans?

Discriminating against Indians isn’t “discrimination”? Don’t they also bleed? …and confidence votes All those high-priced lawyers the PNC hired to remain in office mightn’t have been necessary. Its backbencher Sharma just announced the Constitution speaks only of a “confidence” motion!!

Out of the mouth of babes!! The negation of an affirmation doesn’t exist!!

31

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news 33

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trinidad schools hit by St Lucian actress lands new addictive drug `Molly’ major role in Netflix show

S

Manager of the Ministry of Education’s Student Support Services Division Professor Dennis ConradMinistry of Education

Gabrielle Ryan will star in new Netflix show, ‘Bonding’.

t Lucian ac­ tress Gabrielle Ryan will be starring as the poshand-uptight ‘Portia’ in the new Netflix show ‘Bonding’, filmed and set in New York.

Produced by Anonymous Content – responsible for films such as ‘The Wife’ with Glen Close, Netflix’s hit ‘13 Reasons Why’, ‘Babel’ with Brad Pitt and ‘Being John Malkovich’ – ‘Bonding’ premiered at Cannes last year where it re­ ceived rave reviews and will launch on Netflix early 2019.

A dark come­ dy loosely based on the colourful life of Rightor Doyle (star of Emmy-awardwinning ‘Barry’ on Sky Atlantic) Bonding centres on the rela­ tionship between for­ mer high-school BFFs,

Pete and Tiff, a grad student and secretly New York City’s top dominatrix, who re­ connects unexpectedly years later.

“I’m so excited to be on Netflix, the world’s most-watched plat­ form. I had an abso­ lute blast working on this project. Bonding is hilariously funny.

The creator Rightor Doyle is a genius!”

Ryan said.

“You have to be where the work is, which means moving between London, New York and LA. Filming in New York was something I’d always dreamed about, but I definitely miss the UK and being back in St Lucia and the Caribbean where my family are from.”

Ryan developed her love for drama at the continued on page 39

(Trinidad Guardian)

“M

ol­ly” which is a new a d­d i c­t i v e drug has hit the na­ tion’s schools and of­ fi­ cials of the Min­istry of Ed­u­ca­tion are cur­rent­ ly “scram­ bling” to get more on it and its ef­ fects so that they can deal with the fright­en­ ing is­sue.

The news of the drug was on­ly brought to the at­ ten­ tion of the min­ istry’s man­ ag­ er of the Stu­dent Sup­port Ser­ vices Di­vi­sion (SSSD), Pro­fes­sor Den­nis Con­ rad yes­ter­day morn­ing.

Con­ rad said the drug seems to be so ef­fec­tive for the chil­ dren that it seems to be the pre­ ferred choice of a drug over “herb-like sub­ stances.”

Con­ rad was speak­ ing at yes­ ter­ day’s me­ dia con­ fer­ ence held at the Min­istry of Ed­u­ca­ tion in Port-of-Spain.

He gave the as­sur­ance fi­ cers that the SSSD of­

are ag­gres­sive­ly pur­ su­ing “the is­sue of ed­ u­cat­ing our stu­dents on the is­ sue of sub­ stance abuse as well as the im­ pli­ ca­ tions of their be­ hav­iour.”

“It is quite a chal­ lenge stay­ing on top of things, on­ly this morn­ ing (yes­ ter­ day) I was ad­vised that there is a new drug that is im­pact­ ing on our stu­ dents… thing called Mol­ some­ ly,” Con­rad said.

“I have not enough in­for­ma­tion but it is thing that’s in­ some­ creas­ing­ly pop­u­lar among our stu­dents and might ac­tu­al­ly be re­ plac­ing oth­er, herb-like sub­stances,” he added.

Con­rad said the ed­ u­ ca­ tion as­ pect of it is crit­ i­ cal to stay on top of things and to in­form the stu­ dents, who, he said are of­ ten seek­ ing to im­ press oth­ ers and seek­ing to en­hance their sta­tus in­ap­pro­pri­ ate­ly.

Speak­ing to Guardian Me­dia af­ter

the con­fer­ence, Con­ rad fur­ther dis­closed that cur­rent­ly some so­ cial work­ers are “play­ ing de­tec­tive.” “This Mol­ly drug is very new and so­cial work­ers and guid­ance of­fi­cers are on guard now. In fact, some so­cial work­ers are play­ing de­tec­tive in an at­ tempt to stay ahead of the stu­dents.”

Con­rad, in as­sur­ ing that guid­ ance of­ fi­ cers and so­cial work­ers will be placed in every school through­out T&T, said in the very near fu­ ture the SSSD will be ad­dress­ing par­ents and the pub­ lic at large on this is­sue.

Ac­cord­ing to a CNN re­port, Mol­ly is a drug that is “pure” MD­ MA (The drugs fre­ quent­ ly found in Mol­ ly are Methy­lone, MD­PV, 4-MEC, 4-MMC, Pent­ e­ drone and MePP), which is the ac­tive in­ gre­di­ent in Ec­sta­sy.

MD­MA was orig­i­nal­ly de­vel­oped as a med­ica­ tion to treat de­pres­sion.

But, the CNN re­port stat­ed that to­day’s Mol­ ly is most of­ten not MD­ MA: “In the past few years, the drug has be­ come a tox­ic mix­ture of lab-cre­at­ed chem­i­cals, cord­ ing to the US ac­ Drug En­force­ment Ad­ min­is­tra­tion.”

The lab-cre­at­ed chem­i­cals mim­ic the ef­ fects of MD­ MA; most of them are cen­ tral ner­vous sys­tem stim­ u­ lants that cause eu­ ic phor­ highs.

They can al­so cause a rapid beat, high blood heart­ pres­sure, blood ves­sel con­stric­tion and sweat­ ing, and they can pre­ vent the body from reg­ u­lat­ing tem­per­a­ture.

Some of the chem­ i­ cals have been re­port­ed to cause in­ tense, pro­ longed pan­ic at­tacks, psy­chosis and seizures.

Af­ter they wear off, the chem­i­cals can cause dev­as­tat­ing de­pres­sion.

Sev­ er­ al of these com­ pounds have caused deaths.

34 FEATURE

Q

uite often we discover our best selves in moments of peril or even after we would have fought a losing battle. It is in those situations that we discover what we are capable of and how we can transform our lives and the lives of those around us, realising our true potential.

It is loss that made Goodwattie Harrynarine realise that she has more than what it takes to make a name for herself in the music industry. It is that very loss that led her to making more music and not just any kind of music, but music that resonated with her listeners and today she can boast as being one of the women on the forefront of changing the face of Chutney music in Guyana.

The 25-year-old Shieldstown, West Coast Berbice resident is popularly called Amrita and is one of the most notable residents in her community. Not because she is a Chutney artiste rather because of her love for music. Amrita’s story started in the mandir.

She considers singing the praises of God as her big break. From a very young age, she has been actively involved in the local temple scene and singing melodious bhajans. For her growing up meant school, a little time with friends and more time in the mandir, since she comes from a staunch Hindu family.

At the age of five, Amrita took up singing and dancing and now she is re-

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

garded as being accomplished in both fields. She has been participating in various signing competitions and one of the biggest stages she has been on is the GTT Jingle and Song Competition, which she did not win.

It was following that loss that she worked to perfect her craft and ever since has been making her mark.

Amrita is also a regular in the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Kala Utsav festival. Now she is dabbing her feet in the Mashramani Chutney Monarch Competition and is the only female participating.

By being the only female, Amrita is hoping that she can influence the current generation of young ladies and show them that women can do anything a man and do it even better than the guys. She is hoping to grab the first prize with her track called “Dulaha Dulahin”.

According to her, the song is about a bride and groom at an Indian wedding as they make their way down the stairs. She notes that it was written with guidance from former Chutney Queen Vanita Willie.

With this being her first major Chutney performance, Amrita said that the state of the local music industry was not one very encouraging, since there was major support lacking. She notes that getting corporate sponsorship was the biggest challenge since most companies opted not to give their

support to an up-and-coming artiste, rather they play it safe and support those who are already established.

Additionally, she notes that getting the local stations and DJs to play your music is another task, since they are more ‘foreign-minded’. She is hopeful that that will change as more progress is made.

For now she continues to make music and is concentrating on making herself a household name, not only in Guyana but further afield. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

FEATURE 35

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

hen speaking about the impact of music, media mogul Ted Turner brilliantly said: “Music has a great power for bring people together.

With so many forces in this world acting to drive wedges between people, it’s important to preserve those things that help us experience our common humanity.”

No matter what you are experiencing, music has the uncanny ability to help you through that.

Particularly when it comes to lifting our spirits or forging a bond with our fellow humans, music is always there. The lyrics speak to the soul and can influence a revolution or make a stone heart melt.

At a time when tensions are running amok in the world and even here at home, young Chandrapaul Nathoo is using his gift of making music to soothe our souls and promote unity.

He considers himself as one of the most patriotic Guyanese and dreams of a Guyana that is united beyond barriers and he is doing his part to forge that level of unity.

The 18-year-old hails from the peaceful village of Albion Front on

the Corentyne Coast in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and is the baby of his family.

He remembers his childhood as one that was fun-filled, but with great emphasis on acquiring a sound education to propel him into the world of work as a prepared individual.

He attended the JC Chandisingh Secondary School and was considered an A student and excelled at his examinations. He sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in 2015 and gained passes in 11 subjects. Apart from gaining a traditional education, Chandrapul actively pursued studies in other areas, including computer science along with Sanskrit and Hindi.

During the same period as he was studying for CSEC, he met with his Sanskrit and Hindi Gurus (Teachers), Pandit Shamkumar Ramlochan (Sanskrit Kovida) and Srimate Saroja Ramlochan. Here is where Chandrapaul excelled with a distinction in Sanskrit as well as Hindi.

His thirst for higher education became more evident and practical resulting in him joining the Environmental

Health programme offered by the Ministry of Public Health. At the end of this programme, Chandrapaul graduated with a distinction in Environmental Health and was also declared the Valedictorian. Upon obtaining his certificate in Environmental Health, he was appointed as a Public Health Inspector with the Regional Administration. To further his education, he was accepted into the University of Guyana (Berbice Campus) to pursue a Diploma in Public Management, an encouragement he gained from his Regional Environmental Health Officer, Marvin Dindyal.

During all these occurrences, Chandrapaul was proactively involved in his singing career. He composed Bhajans of his own. In one instance, he composed a Bhajan entitled “Durga Maa”, which he sung in his Mandir during a Navaratri celebration.

G r a d u a l l y , Chandrapaul was motivated to participate in the Guyana Chutney Monarch Competition 2019. Music being no stranger to him, he composed a song entitled “Mash 49”. This song is composed of both English and Hindi

Lyrics. “Mash 49” is considered a true patriotic song of Guyana. In this song, Chandrapaul expertly depicts the theme of Mashramani 2019 “Celebrate Mash 49 with victory in mind” as the chorus. His Hindi lyrics “garbhse manaao Mashramani, phirse kojo El Dorado” exactly meant what the theme warranted.

A song of three verses reflects the culture of the three major ethnic groups in Guyana.

The first verse pays tribute to the arrival of the Amerindians who came from Asia to Guyana bringing with them their food and the word that would eventually become Mashramani. The second verse gives credit to the arrival of AfroGuyanese who came from Africa to Guyana, bringing with them their musical instruments as well as their QweQwe Culture. The third

verse speaks about the arrival of IndoGuyanese who came from India to Guyana bringing their musical in-

struments as well as their festivals and cultures.

His concluding line glorifies the National Motto of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

Chandrapaul having been selected as a semifinalist in the Guyana Chutney Monarch

Competition 2019 is ready to perform among 12 semi-finalists on the same stage. He is optimistic to be crowned the 2019 Chutney Monarch of Guyana.

He says that you can look for more music from him as he intends to use his talent to unite his people. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

36 FEATURE

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

C

hutney music is a form indigenous to the southern Caribbean, popular in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and other parts of the Caribbean. It is also popular in Fiji, Mauritius, and South Africa. Chutney Music is a mixture of Bhojpuri music with influences from traditional genres such as calypso, soca and Bollywood filmi songs.

Chutney music emerged mid-20th century and reached a peak of popularity during the 1980s. Initially lyrics were religious in nature and typically sung by females but as time progressed the males started to dominate the scene. Chutney music was established in the 1940s within temples, wedding houses, and cane fields of the IndoCaribbean.

There were no recordings until 1968, when Ramdew Chaitoe of Suriname, recorded an early rendition of chutney music. The album was entitled King of Suriname and all of the songs were religious in nature. However, Chaitoe soon became a household name with East Indians not just in Suriname but throughout the Caribbean. Although the songs were religious, they had a dance vibe throughout each track. For the first time Indo-Caribbeans had music that spoke to them and was not

specifically Indian or European/American in style. This was a breakthrough for East Indian Caribbean music, but the fame was short lived.

Chutney music exploded again in 1968 with the female singer Dropati, who released an album entitled Let’s Sing & Dance, made up of traditional wedding songs.

These songs became huge hits within the East Indian Caribbean community. The album gained recognition for chutney music as a legitimate form and united East Indians, regardless of their birthplace.

1969 was a turning point for chutney music when record producer Moean Mohammed recorded Sundar Popo with Harry Mahabir’s BWIA Orchestra.

Sundar Popo modernized the music by including western guitars and early electronics into his music. Although Popo became known as the “King of Chutney,” the art of singing songs in “Chutney” style was introduced by a singer named Lakhan Kariya, from the town of Felicity, Chaguanas who preceded

Sundar Popo. Other artists, such as Sam Boodram, followed in his footsteps by adding new modern instrumentation into their music. Chutney music until then remained a local music in Trinidad, Guyana & Suriname.

Chutney Music also got its first big impact commercially in live concert performances during the 1980s when the music was presented by Rohit Jagessar in large stadiums and cricket fields in selected countries around the world.

The 1985 revenue from these concerts surpassed US$1 million for the first time in the history of the genre and Jagessar signed Kanchan to a contract with Johnson & Johnson to produce and promote the popular brand in a most memorable television commercial that very same year.

The modern chutney artist writes lyrics in either Caribbean Hindustani or English, then lays them over beats derived from Indian dholak beats mixed with the soca beat. Chutney is an uptempo song, ac-

companied by bass guitar, drum machine, electric guitar, synthesizer, dholak, harmonium, and dhantal, tassa played in rhythms imported from filmi, calypso or soca.

The nature of current chutney songs are simple. They speak about life and love for many things, whether for a significant other or for an object of possession. Some chutney songs favor the topic of food or drink; however, like most West Indian music, there can be a hidden message found in the song if you read between the lines.

The origin of chutney being in the Caribbean has meant that it’s been in close contact with different peoples, traditions, and other musical styles since its inception. This has allowed chutney to fuse with other genres and/or implement new instruments into its own style, creating an array of syncretic subgenres including ragga chutney, chutneybhangra, chutney hip-hop, soca-bhangra, and chutney soca.

Chutney soca is the most notable of these, as it has become virtually indistinguishable from what is considered normal chutney in recent years.

In Guyana, one of the most popular chutney singers was Nisha Benjamin who

was considered as the mother of chutney music.

Benjamin, who died in 2010, sprang to fame in the 1970s and became the first major Indo-Guyanese performer. She became popular around the same time Trinidad’s Sundar Popo emerged with “Nana and Nani” and held claim to being the Chutney King.

Sadly, Nisha Benjamin’s sterling contribution to the very beginning of Chutney music and its evolution in Guyana has not been recognised locally, according to many in the industry. In the late 1970s, Nisha Benjamin came out with her most memorable song “Benjie Darling,” a beautiful love song to her second husband “Benjie.” She thought of the words for the song while on a ferry in the Essequibo River.

She was born on the island of Leguan in the Essequibo River.Among her other hits were Dharmat Karo, Na Manu Na Manu, O’Maninja, Sandrowta, Romeo, and Loving Darling.

In O’Maninja, she described the hardships of a woman working and living on a sugar estate. Subtly, she told the story of the political and economic situation in Guyana. She was also the first artiste to record a song with her father, Eaton Drepaul. So popular is Nisha’s Benjamin’s “Benjie Darling” that a clue on the popular game show Jeopardy was based on the song.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Lakhram Bhagirat

F

or Sasenarine Hitnarayan, there are two things he is immensely passionate about and those are cricket and singing. For him, like many artistes, he sees his music as being a tool for uniting people across boundaries.

The 26-year-old hails from Number 68 Village on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice. His passion for singing and cricket developed simultaneously, since he can remember playing cricket from a tender age and started his singing career at just five years old.

“I spent most of my childhood days with my brothers and sisters. Growing up was always a struggle for us because we were very poor and had very little. But we were always contented with what we got and always worked hard for what we wanted,” he said.

The struggle for Sasenarine’s family intensified when his father left the home when he was just eight years old. This placed his mother, Sharmila, in a position where she had to venture out to take care of the family. It also meant the struggle intensified as they were growing up. It also had an impact on his ability to concentrate in school, but he persevered and is on the path to success.

“I graduated Skeldon High School and then went on to start working at the Skeldon Estate as an agronomy hand in the year 2009 until it was closed.”

In relation to his singing, Sasenarine said that he first started at the age of five in his mandir and vividly remembers his first bhajan “Tum hi ho mata” and the encouragement he received. From there he was a regular in the temple’s kirtan group and would sing wherever he was afforded the opportunity to do so.

“Over the years, my love for music has grown so much that I utilised all the opportunities afforded to me. In 2013, I entered the GTT Jingle and Song Competition and I was selected to be in the top ten, but because of my financial difficulties I could not turn up to perform on the finals. But that never stopped me from living my dreams.”

“I met Bunty Singh who was just starting to create his studio BKVJ in Shieldstown, West Berbice and I recorded my first song in the same year 2013. The song was “You are my Love”, and it was because I experience the worst heartbreak ever and I just put the songs into a song and it instantly became a hit and I was happy,” he notes.

To date, he has made 17 songs and has been active-

FEATURE 37

ly pursuing his dreams of becoming an acclaimed singer, not just locally but also further afield. He has been capitalising on the various competitions and would have entered the Chutney Monarch contest three times, coming second last year. This year, he is hoping to snatch the crown and become King.

His track in this year’s competition is called “Love and Unity”. He says that it is a song that is calling on all Guyanese to come together as one people, in one nation with a common destiny of living together in unity.

“The song is sending a message to us Guyanese because we need to come together and love each other which is a way to a successful Guyana,” he explained.

Sasenarine said that he hoped to take the crown and work towards revolutionising the Chutney music scene making it more about addressing issues and promoting national harmony. He advises his fellow singers to do everything they can to ensure that they support each other and not try to bring down someone for their own benefit.

Sasenarine is wise beyond his age and he plans to continue influencing the kind of change Guyana needs through his music. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

38 NEWS

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trinidad: `Mosie’, 18, found dead with gunshot wounds

Kajah Fyfield (Trinidad Express)

H

omicide detectives are investigating the shooting death of an 18-year-old man outside a building complex in Embacadere in San Fernando yesterday.

Kajah Fyfield, also known as “Mosie”, was found with gunshot wounds to the face and body.

He bled to death on the ground near the apartments of Block S. Police officers were contacted around 3.45 p.m. by an anonymous caller that Fyfield’s body was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

Residents said that

Fyfield lived in another building complex in Embacadere, known as “the Bronx”.

Fyfield’s mother was at the scene of his killing and spoke with police officers of the San Fernando CID and Homicide Region III. Residents told media reporters that Fyfield was playing with a firearm when it accidentally discharged.

However investigators said there was no evidence to suggest that he was accidentally shot.

The case is being treated as a homicide, a senior detective said, unless an autopsy report stated otherwise.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 39

Regional collaboration encouraged to boost tourism

T

ourism Minister E d m u n d Bartlett, is encouraging Caribbean leaders to collaborate on ways to collectively strengthen tourism across the region.

He says that while there is high demand for the product, collaboration will further boost its allure and competitiveness.

Bartlett was speaking at the 26th World Travel Awards (WTA) Caribbean and North America Gala Ceremony at Sandals Montego Bay on Monday.

Noting that 30 million tourists visited the region in 2018, he said Caribbean countries remain highly dependent on tourism to drive economic growth.

The Jamaican Tourism Minister said it is therefore imperative that regional tourism leaders “work together as a team… to build the strength of tourism and make [it] work for the people of these countries”.

Approximately 1.4 billion visitors travel annually, spending approximately US$1.3 trillion. Pointing out that about 30 million of those tourists visit the region, Bartlett argued that “we are using that as a means of building the Caribbean and we can only do it if we collaborate…if we understand the importance

of the economic logic that says to collaborate is better than to compete”.

M e a n w h i l e , Minister Bartlett expressed appreciation to WTA founder, Graham Cooke, for bringing the awards to Jamaica for a sixth time.

“The world of tourism owes you a debt of gratitude because when you are inspired to bring the Oscars of tourism to countries like Jamaica, it [gives] us a feeling that we could indeed shine so that the world could see the lustre of our destinations,” he said.

Jamaica and several local tourism and hospitality companies emerged big WTA winners, sweeping 23 coveted awards.

Jamaica received the award for Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Ship Destination and Caribbean’s Leading Destination.

The island’s ports of entry were also big winners, with Ocho Rios copping the award for Leading Cruise Port.

The award for Caribbean’s Leading Home Port went to Montego Bay, while Sangster International Airport landed the Leading Caribbean Airport award.

The award for Caribbean’s Leading Meetings

St Lucian actress lands major...

from page 33

prestigious Brighton College, UK, where she attended on an academic scholarship. She took three jobs, saved hard and went on to fund her own training at New York’s Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, where the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie and Robert De Niro also studied.

Before Strasberg, Ryan attended The Identity Drama School in London, UK under the guidance of Nigerian, Femi Oguns

(MBE), which boasts Star Wars actor, John Boyega.

Gabrielle credits Oguns’ original belief in her for taking acting seriously as a career.

She is heading to LA for pilot season, which means round-the-clock auditions over two months for America’s top new shows after which she says she will be heading back to the Caribbean and beaches of St Lucia for some well-deserved relaxation. (Caribbean 360.com)

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett speaking at the 26th World Travel Awards (WTA) Caribbean and North America Gala Ceremony at Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica. (Credit: JIS)

and Conference Centre was picked up by the Montego Bay Convention Centre, with the Jamaica Tourist Board being named the region’s Leading Tourist Board.

Other winners were Dolphin Cove – Caribbean’s L e a d i n g Adventure Tourist Attraction; and Half Moon Hotel – Caribbean’s L e a d i n g Conference Hotel.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

I

n an industry where there is very little protection guaranteed to the intellectual property of those on the local music scene, artists have to adapt and most of all persevere if they want to become successful. Not only do they have to persevere to become successful, but they also have to persevere to be able to make a living from the music they make since they are not signed to any big label nor do they earn royalties from their music sales. All they do is earn money from the bookings they get to perform their music.

Those are the struggles of our local musicians as they try to make a name for themselves. No one knows that struggle more than Chait Singh Mohanlall or Bunty Singh as he is popularly known. Now, Bunty is one of the most recognisable names in the local music industry; that has not always been the case.

In his early days, the 28-year-old would walk miles upon miles to sell CDs of his music in an effort to popularise it and make himself a household name. Music is in Bunty’s DNA since his father was a musician and the family has a kirtan group (Hindu choir) – being around music influenced him. He started singing since he was a child as well as playing instruments.

He is a talented dholak (drum) player and would have won several awards for his playing.

“I use to walk and sell my CDs from Crabwood Creek (Berbice) to Parika (East Bank Essequibo). I did this just

to gain more recognition and progress as I journeyed to become successful. To push my music career, I entered the GTT Jingle and Song Competition two times and was placed in the top ten and another time I came in the fifth slot.”

“I also entered in the Mash Chutney Monarch Competition in 2009 and got most promising artiste. I then keep participating in the Mash Chutney Monarch and got no place until 2015 when I placed third. In 2016, I won the Monarch. The next year I got second and then won again in 2018,” he said.

This year, he is back to defend his title with an original song called “Maharani Phoulorie”. Phoulorie is one of Bunty’s favourite snacks and that is why he decided to write a song about his love for the food. The song was recorded in the Shakti Strings Studio.

Apart from being a vocalist, Bunty is also the owner of a recording studio. With just a few recording studios around for local artistes to record their songs, they were forced to leave Guyana and travel to Trinidad and Tobago to do so and with that in mind, Bunty opened Bunty Kris Valarie Janvi (BKVJ) Recording Studio at Shieldstown.

Since the establishment of the studio, several known artistes have recorded their songs at BKVJ, including Prince JP who now resides overseas, as well as Haresh Singh, Roger Hinds, Wata Flow and others.(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

FEATURE 41

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Scenes from the Children's Mash competition in Georgetown DPI photos

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Scenes from the Children's Mash competition in Georgetown DPI photos

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trinidad Top Cop: Clear and present danger in the mainland (T rinidad G uardian)

I

n a bid to pro­ tect T&T’s mar­itime bor­ders from il­le­ gal mi­grants, pira­c y, kid­n ap­ping, and smug­ gling of guns and drugs in­ to T&T the Po­ lice Ser­ vice in­ t ends to es­ tab­l ish an elite air unit from to­m or­row.

This was re­ vealed at a Joint Se­lect Com­ mit­ tee (JSC) in­ t o Na­ tion­al Se­cu­ri­t y, chaired

by Fitzger­ a ld Hinds, where Po­lice Com­mis­ sion­er Gary Grif­fith and Deputy Com­ mis­ sion­ers De­o­dath Du­ lalchan and Harold Phillip were grilled in­ to the op­er­a­t ions of the TTPS at Tow­er D, Par­ lia­ment Build­ing, Portof-Spain.

Mem­b er Roodal Mooni­lal ques­t ioned

Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, responds to a question during the Joint Select Committee into National Security, yesterday.

Grif­ f ith what was the po­ lice plan to pro­ t ect T&T’s mar­ itime bor­ f il­ ders in light of in­ tra­t ion of il­le­g al mi­ grants and crim­i­nals com­ing in via the sea, while there were six lo­ cal fish­e r­m en who were re­cent­ly kid­napped.

Grif­ f ith said the TTPS had in­t en­si­f ied its ef­ f orts to pro­ t ect the coun­ t ry’s sea bor­ ing with ders by work­ in­t el­li­g ence gath­e r­ ing and in­f or­m a­t ion gath­ e red would be fil­ tered back to the Coast Guard, Cus­ t oms and Ex­cise, Strate­g ic Ser­ vices Agency, De­ f ence Force and Im­m i­g ra­t ion Di­v i­sion.

“We in­ t end to have a covert op­e r­a­t ive unit to en­ sure that we can continued on page 47

Fighting for relevance…

M

…with the PNC oses Nagamootoo is a pathetic excuse for a politician – even by the not exactly stratospheric standards of that profession!!

Promised a piece of the action by the PNC after his PPP cohorts dumped him as an empty windbag, he persuaded his friend, AFC leader Ramjattan, that they wouldn’t end up as “dead meat” after coalescing, as the latter feared. But here he is, reduced to a caricature of Naipaul’s “Mimic Man” politician at the end of a humiliating and inglorious career, writing a weekly column in the Chronicle to defend the PNC! And this week’s contribution– “DEFENCE, DESPERATION AND DESTABILISATION” – illustrates the defence of his own desperation as he tries to tag the Opposition’s follow-up of their successful no-confidence motion as “destabilising” the Government!! So that your Eyewitness isn’t accused (God forbid!) of putting words into Nagamootoo’s mouth, let’s quote him verbatim: “When I heard the leader of the opposition (Jagdeo) saying that the present elected government lacked legitimacy, I could not resist drawing an inference that more attempts would be made to unseat our Head of State and his government.”

Now that you, Dear Reader, have recovered after ROTFL, imagine the deranged and damaged mind that would draw this “inference”!! If Art 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution direct the President and the Cabinet resign after the passage of a no-confidence motion and that elections must be held in three months, what does this say about the “legitimacy” of the PNC Government that insists on “passing” bills like the one on our Natural Resource Fund that’ll impact on future generations down the ages?? That the successful noconfidence motion was of no consequence?

What exactly does Nagamootoo believe the “legitimacy” of a government rests on? He rightfully claims it’s on the vote they received. But we have something called “representative” government – where the people’s representatives exercise their will.

Nagamootoo shoots his argument – such as it is – in the foot by confirming that Charrandas was a REGIONAL representative, but wasn’t representing them!! It just proves Nagamootoo’s completely oblivious to the agony of the 4000 Region Six sugar workers who were fired by his government!

So, ignoring the explicit language of Art 106 (6), Nagamootoo says, “It was never contemplated that the President, together with his whole Cabinet, could be removed from office by a simple majority on a motion of no-confidence, but this is what the Opposition wants us to believe”!!!

One wonders why he asserted exactly this intention when he brought his no-confidence motion against the PPP Government of President Ramotar?

Should the Police have charged him with treason for attempting to “unseat” the Government? Like he’s trying to pin on Jagdeo? …by begging for PM wuk!

The AFC, fresh from the whammy of being unable to blackmail the PNC for more spoils after their disastrous showing at the LGE, met in conclave to plot their relevance. They decided that the best way was to back Nagamootoo as the PM running mate for PNC leader David Granger. Your Eyewitness wonders whether they had a chat with ANYONE from the PNC camp. We know they couldn’t have consulted Granger since the man was getting chemotherapy in Cuba. And we know for sure they didn’t consult with any of the four PNC members who’re hovering in the wings in case Granger’s prognosis plunges.

Now, why would these folk consider Nagamootoo, who’s proven time and again he’s burnt all his bridges in the Indian Guyanese community – the community the PNC needs to take them across the line at the next general elections – as PM material?

All the AFC’s done is to announce Nagamootoo’s on the shelf for another marriage! …by “fan boying” Granger Wrote Nagamootoo about Granger after the latter’s speech to the GDF officers, “After I had listened with rapt attention to the Guyanese President… I can say that we are fortunate to have him at the helm”!!

Does he think Granger will fall for his oh-soobvious “brown-nosing”?

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Ethnic Impact Statements W

By Ravi Dev

Finally…

T

…comeuppance for City Officials?

he PPP’s still being blamed for the PNC-run City Council turning Georgetown into the fourth circle of hell for a quarter of a century. Yes, Hamilton Green’s “Good and Green Party” might’ve won the municipal vote in 1994, but that’s only because he billed himself as “the real PNC”. And he was, because the moment the PNC was returned to power in 2015, PNC leader David Granger’s first act was to confer the Order of Roraima on Green and to increase his pension by 1000 per cent!!

What’s the point of “local government” if the “local government” can’t run its own affairs?? Are the municipalities presently under the control of PPP slates expected to pilfer their treasuries; live high off the hog and beyond their means – while doling out tax exemptions – and then blame the PNC Government for strangling them?? But it wasn’t only a case of poor administration by the Georgetown PNC Mayors and City Councillors that did the city in. As we found out in audits, first by Keith Burrowes and then by Ramon Gaskin, it was the pervasive skulduggery that was conducted by high PNC officials who ran the city’s affairs.

But nothing was done about it because the good burghers of Georgetown regularly returned them to office out of loyalty to the PNC. While much ink has been spilled about ethnic voting at the Central Governmental level, absolutely nothing has been said about the most flagrant instance of this insidious behaviour at a municipal level – where one-quarter of the voting population resided!! But finally, after the thefts, cronyism and venality of the Town Clerk, Royston King became too much for even the PNC Government, they had to appoint a CoI to check him out.

We don’t have to repeat what Justice Kennard said about him, do we? As recommended, the Local Government Commission just sacked his sorry a55!!

But what about his recommendations for audits of the entire city accounts and the actions of the PNC Gang of Four – especially two of them – Executive Member of the PNC and ex-Mayor Chase-Green and ex-PNC General Secretary Oscar Clarke?? What about using SARA to recover all the city resources they pilfered?

But more importantly, with heightened awareness of the mismanagement of Georgetown by the PNC brought about by the refreshingly frank language of Kennard’s CoI, why no acknowledgement that, saddled with a PNC Mayor and City Council, the PPP had absolutely nothing to do with the city’s miserable condition.

The sacking of King is only a start. The entire lot must be prosecuted!! …robotic representation!

If there’s one thing the no-confidence resolution has done is to reveal the true nature of the PNC in all its anti-democratic squalor!! Imagine they’re arguing in the Courts that there’s “no such thing as a “conscience vote”” once the MP is “extracted from a list”!! Well…well…well! Now let’s not keep this at a theoretical level, let’s look at the instance that threw the PNC Government out!

Charrandas Persaud wasn’t just extracted from any old list – he was extracted from the list for the geographical representation for Region 6!! Does the PNC remember why Regional MP seats were increased in the post-1992 era following their defeat? To create a hybrid system of PR and “first past the post”, that’s what! And the purpose of the latter was for specific MPs to represent their regions and thereby deepen democracy in our political system. And what Charrandas did when he voted against the PNC Government was to explicitly declare that his Reg 6 constituency was being shafted!!

And he could stomach it no more. Long live democracy!! …a bully backs down – again First, he swore he’d force Mexico to pay for the wall to keep out migrants. After backing down, he blackmailed Congress to fund the wall by not paying a MILLION Federal workers.

Congress refused…and Trump just folded!! The PPP should take heed. If you stand up to bullies, they’ll stand down!!

hether the PNC’s delaying tactics in the courts and in GECOM work or not, elections are on the horizon. And as such, the partisans of the PNC are hurling bitter missives on the “discriminatory” actions of the PPP when they were in office and the partisans of the PPP are responding in kind about the pre-1992 and post-2015 PNC actions. Unlike the past, we have made some progress in calling a spade a spade and not pretending that the discrimination isn’t felt ethnically. Whether real or not, that is the perception that has to be dealt with.

The first thing we have to do is not to condemn the writers as “tribalists” or such like as some have done. In every society, citizens evaluate the policies and activities of their incumbent government critically.

Governments, after all, are elected to run the State on behalf of their citizens. This scrutiny would be even more vigilant by those who may have voted against the Government. It has become common, therefore, for Governments in the developed democratic countries – where public opinion is valued – to announce ahead of time what impact their policies will have on specific constituencies – be they, as in the US, labour, business, African-Americans, HispanicAmericans, and so on.

The more divided and polarised the society is, the more critical will be the evaluation of the Government’s policies, since the premise of the Government being the handmaiden of “one side” is even more credible. One of the major bones of contention in any society is the use of the State to favour the group that has put the Government into office. This fear is exacerbated in ethnically polarised societies and the perceived or real discrimination becomes the occasion, if not the cause, of many a battle.

For three decades, we have been arguing for the introduction of “Ethnic Impact Statements” by the incumbent Government

before it implements any of its policies and programmes. We did so consistently during the five years we were in Parliament 2001-2006 to no avail: ethnicity was too distasteful to be mentioned in public. We have now all accepted (hopefully) the need for “Environmental Impact Statements” before we embark on programmes that will affect our physical environment. The policy is an acknowledgement of the fragility of our environment and the importance we place on its health and survival, for our own health and survival. I would hope we would acknowledge that our social environment is as important as our physical environment – and certainly more fragile. After all, it has been vividly demonstrated over the past decade that the destruction of our social environment is the direct destruction of “us”. One cannot get closer to home than that: with the environment, at least the effect is a bit indirect and delayed.

While we concede that the cause (and solution) of our ethnic problem goes beyond governmental actions, the fact of the matter is that we have to begin there. It is a simple matter of justice. No matter which party forms the Government, we must accept that governmental actions have to be conducted on behalf of all the people: the State is our joint venture. Since, based on our history, we know that all governmental actions will be scrutinised by the populace through ethnic lens, what is the harm of scrutinising the policies ahead of the implementation? The activities of the Government are part and parcel of our “national patrimony”.

In fact, in Guyana – as in most of the Third World – Governmental activities unfortunately comprise most of the national patrimony – and this is part of the reason why it is scrutinised so closely and emotionally.

If such “Ethnic Impact Statements” could be crafted and issued before the announcement and implementation of policies and programmes, they would precipitate discussion and debate, which could be utilised to modify the policies or programmes before they become political mobilisational tools. To wait for the inevitable ethnic postmortems is to ensure there will be trouble. Big trouble. The old cliché still holds: justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.

An “Ethnic Impact Statement” on governmental activities would go a long way to introducing the latter happy condition.

The APNU/AFC 2015 Manifesto included the promise to issue Ethnic Impact Statements, but they never bothered to work with the Ethnic Relations Commission, which is mandated to conduct them. We hope that in the coming campaigns, this tool to address our most pressing issue will be considered.

Trinidad Top Cop: Clear and...

from page 45

have in­d i­v id­u­a ls who can pro­v ide in­f or­m a­ o ut the tion to us with­ crim­i­nal be­ing aware.

We will have troops that will work covert and overt in the right man­ner to en­sure that we can have that bor­ der se­cured.”

Grif­fith said he had no in­t en­t ion of shirk­ing his re­spon­si­b il­i­t ies. ing heard com­ Hav­ plaints that some mem­ bers of the TTPS, who cos, Ce­ worked at Ica­ dros, La Breas and Erin had been work­ing with gun and drug run­ners, Grif­fith said some of­fi­ cers were asked to take a poly­ g raph test and those who re­f used were trans­f erred and an elite unit was cre­ a t­ e d to crack down on the il­le­ gal ac­t iv­i­t ies.

“In the very near fu­ ture, we in­tend to uti­ lise air sur­v eil­lance in the TTPS. It will be com­p le­m ent­e d by the

drones. We will be able to mon­ i­ t or that penin­ su­la on a 24/7 ba­sis in a l time through the re­ Op­e r­a­t ions Na­t ion­a l Com­m and Cen­t re. So what you go­ing to get is re­ a l-time footage mon­ i­t or­ing the sit­u­a­t ion hav­ing prop­e r in­t el­li­ gence gath­e r­ing mak­ ing sure that we have the right po­lice of­f i­cers f ith we can trust,” Grif­ said. lal said this Mooni­ was the first time he heard of such a unit in the TTPS and pressed Grif­ f ith to ex­ p lain its func­t ions and sta­t us.

“We are aware that there is a clear and present dan­g er in deal­ ing with that is hap­ pen­ing in the main­land.

We will be re­d e­p loy­ing per­son­nel from spe­cif­ic ar­e as in­t o the unit that we can see that will be a greater con­cern. And that is be­ ing done by Feb­ru­a ry 1,” Grif­f ith

said.

Grif­ fith said while the TTPS had an air di­vi­sion us­i ng drones these were not of high stan­d ard.

“The drones are just a high­er stan­d ard to what you would get in “Toys R Us (a toy store). We need to move with the times.”

Mooni­ l al told Grif­ fith that the Air Unit was crit­i­c al, giv­en the chal­lenges we faced in i ng if Venezuela, ask­ the drones need­ ed to be im­p roved tech­n ol­o­ gy wise.

Grif­ fith said the im­p rove­ment of the drones would in­ volve tak­ing footage for sev­ er­ al hours on and off Coast Guard ves­sels.

“We must get re­ altime video footage. This is what we have pre­ pared …this would be done with­i n a few days.

And by do­ i ng that we would be able to mon­i­

tor and lock the bor­d ers as quick­l y as pos­si­ble,” Grif­fith re­spond­ed.

The com­mis­sion­ er al­so stat­ed that the TTPS need­ed the use of he­ l i­ c opters as well for sur­veil­l ance and “to en­ sure the move­ ment of troops…say an im­me­d i­ ate re­sponse by some of the elite units in case of a volatile sit­u­a­tion. We are look­i ng at that. But I think from the con­c ept of us­i ng he­l i­c opters be­ cause of cost, this is some­ thing we have been work­ing with Na­ tion­al Se­c u­r i­ty Min­i s­ ter and through the Na­ tion­al Se­c u­r i­ty Coun­c il I think some­thing is be­ ing pre­p ared.”

On Mon­ d ay, Na­ tion­al Se­c u­r i­ty Min­i s­ ter Stu­ art Young held a meet­i ng with heads of law en­force­ment, bor­ der se­c u­r i­ty of­fi­c ials and in­tel­l i­gence agen­ cies.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Shamita Shetty and her driver threatened A in road rage incident

A

ctor Shamita Shetty and her driver became victims of road rage on Tuesday after a motorist rammed his car into the actor’s vehicle. The motorist, accompanied by his two friends, reportedly, got into a fight with the driver, slapped him and even threatened him.

According to a TOI report, the incident took place near Viviana Mall in Thane at around 1.30 pm. A case under section 279, 323, 504, 506, 427 and

34 of the Indian Penal code has been registered against the three persons at the Rabodi police station.

The vehicle involved in the accident was identified with the help of Shetty’s driver.

Shamita Shetty is currently seen in TV reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi 9.

The team started shooting with Rohit Shetty in Argentina in July last year, and the show went on air this year.

(Indian Express)

nil Kapoor continues to stay relevant even after 30 years in Bollywood, and the actor cred-

its it Anil has Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and Total Dhamaal up for release this year. He also has the Abhinav Bindra biopic with son Harshvardhan Kapoor in his kitty.

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga sees Anil Kapoor join hands again with filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It is their third collaboration after Parinda (1989) and 1942: A Love Story (1994).

At the film’s press conference, Kapoor spoke about his association with Chopra. He said, “I have worked with Vinod in two films before and it doesn’t feel it has been so many years.

We have been in touch with each other. I have attended the premiere of his films even if I am not in it.”

“Like other heroes, maybe I haven’t earned that much money nor do I have as much money as Vinod, but my goodwill is solid. So it felt very nice when I heard the story and now I am honoured to be a part of this film,” the actor added.

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga will also see Anil Kapoor sharing screen space with daughter Sonam Kapoor for the first time. They play a father-daughter duo in the romantic drama, which is the directorial debut of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s sister Shelly Chopra Dhar.

Anil revealed he had been wanting to work with Sonam for a long time but did not come across any good scripts

V

eteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar says the work of Mirza Ghalib could have found meaning only in India. Akhtar was speaking at the inauguration of Ghalib’s mural in Mumbai.

“Ghalib wouldn’t have been possible out of India. His thoughts and work could have only found meaning here, not in some other country,” he told reporters.

The writer said Ghalib and the Taj Mahal are “synthesis” of Indian philosophy and Persian culture.

“Ghalib is a marvellous synthesis of Indian philosophy and Persian and Mughal culture’s sophistication.

The only other example of this is Taj Mahal because even that is a mixture of Indian and other civilisations, that later became one with India, that have been sowed in the land.”

Akhtar said beautiful combinations

T

he makers of PM Narendra Modi announced the complete cast for the Narendra Modi biopic on Tuesday.

While Vivek Oberoi will be seen in the titular role, the rest of the cast includes actors like Boman Irani, Darshan Kumar, Zarina Wahab, Manoj Joshi, Prashant Narayanan, Barkha Bisht Sengupta, Akshat R Saluja,

like Ghalib and the Taj Mahal should always be preserved.

“This combination shouldn’t fade away. Urdu or Persian alone couldn’t have given birth to Ghalib. Only Vedanth also couldn’t have done that either. It is a combination of both,” he added. (Indian Express)

Anjan Shrivastav, Rajendra Gupta and Yatin Karyekar among others.

“A solid star cast with talented actors is the base of an effective cinematic experience. With PM Narendra Modi, we have got actors who are not just experienced but are also the right mix for a prestigious project like a biopic on Shri Narendra Modi,” producer Sandip Ssingh said.

K

angana Ranaut’s Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi has crossed the Rs 50 crore mark at the box office. The film, which had a fabulous opening weekend, earned Rs 4.75 crore on Tuesday, taking the total collection of the film to Rs 52.40 crore.

Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh posted the box office figures on Twitter.

He wrote, #Manikarnika crosses 50 cr… Despite positive feedback, the biz is clearly divided: Some circuits holding well, some aren’t… Weekend 2 crucial… Fri 8.75 cr, Sat 18.10 cr, Sun 15.70 cr, Mon 5.10 cr, Tue 4.75 cr. Total: 52.40 cr. India biz. #Hindi #Tamil #Telugu” Co-directed by Kangana and “I am excited at the prospect of having such a talented cast and to work with them along with Omung,” added Ssingh.

The Omung Kumar directorial will show the meteoric rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The movie will primarily be shot in Gujarat.

“I am extremely fortunate. Today, I am feeling what I felt 16 years ago, during Company days. I am feeling the same kind of excitement and hunger because this is the role of a lifetime for any actor. I pray that at the end of the

until this film came their way.

“We never really got a script before this one to inspire us to work together in a film. When I heard the script, I instantly said yes. Sonam teaches me everything. She is so brilliant, honest, full of love, generosity, grace, dignity and intelligence. So I keep taking these things from her. I am being honest,” he said.

Another reason for the longevity is the actor’s ability to listen and observe.

“It is very important to learn from youngsters. When Rajkummar (Rao) talks, I observe him and learn. I think one of the reasons for my longevity is that I am a good listener. I listen to people. I observe and take in all the good things,” Anil Kapoor said.

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, also starring Rajkummar Rao and Juhi Chawla, releases on February 1.

(Indian Express)

Krish, Manikarnika also stars Ankita Lokhande, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Atul Kulkarni, Jisshu Sengupta, Richard Keep, Suresh Oberoi and Danny Denzongpa among others.

The film may have received the love of audiences, but the critics were less kind to it. The Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta gave it a mixed review. She wrote, “There is not a single complex thought in this nearly threehour movie, which runs out of steam in the third act because it needs to repeat its battle scenes ad nauseam to fill up the time till the end. It’s all kept deliberately kindergarten-level simple (in some places, even simplistic), linear, first this happened, then this happened, and then.

She added, “We the viewers have to do no work to get with the movie’s plan: we just have to sit back, go with the flow, flabby and clunky in bits, and admire Ranaut blazing on the screen.”

Manikarnika has little competition for now. Its only rival Thackeray, while doing well, is not much of a challenge for it. This Friday also has no important releases that should worry Manikarnika, which is riding on good word-of-mouth promotion. (Indian Express) journey, I become a better actor and a better human being. Narendra Bhai is one of the tallest leaders in the world and to bring his personality and qualities on screen is an incredible challenge. I want all your blessings to complete this incredible journey,” Oberoi had said at the poster launch of the film.

While no official date has been announced yet, the movie is expected to release before the election season begins. (Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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ixar has released a teaser and a synopsis for the fourth film in beloved animated film series, Toy Story. Titled Toy Story 4, the film will continue the story of Woody, Buzz and other sentient toys who now belong to Bonnie after Andy left them with the little girl when he went to college. Toy Story 3 released in 2010.

The first movie of the franchise was revolutionary in more ways than one.

It was the first ever film to be wholly computer animated and had a heartfelt story which established Pixar’s name as the pioneer animation studio, prompting even Disney to acquire it.

The synopsis for Toy Story 4 suggests the film will focus on Bo Peep, a porcelain doll who was part of the cast in the first two movies and appeared briefly in the third. Previously a kind, gentle and ladylike figure, she is now independent and exuberant. She was Woody’s love-interest and the film will build upon their relationship.

“Bo’s taken control of her own destiny,” director Josh Cooley said in a statement. “While Woody was watching Andy grow up, Bo gathered dust until she took it upon herself to head out into the world. And when Woody shows up, they can’t believe that they’ve found each other again.”

Annie Potts returns to voice Bo

Peep. She says, “Bo Peep is modern, independent, capable and confident. Bo is written and conceived to be inspiring as she has weathered life’s ups and downs with grace. I aspire to be that.”

The film’s synopsis reads, “Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie.

So when Bonnie’s beloved new craftproject-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.”

Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, and Keanu Reeves are new additions to the voice cast that consists of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and others. Toy Story 4 releases on June 21, 2019. (Indian Express)

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atty Jenkins has said she is very excited about a particular scene in her upcoming directorial Wonder Woman 1984.

In an interview with Variety, the director said the scene is equivalent to the No Man’s Land sequence of

F

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vengers: Infinity War ended with Thanos’ snap turning half of humanity into dust. Now, as per a new fan theory the Marvel supervillain will regret his move in Avengers: Endgame and seek help from the superheroes to reverse his snap. This will happen because Thanos will realise that he killed his daughter Gamora and many others to achieve nothing.

According to a Reddit user, Avengers: Endgame will begin five years after the events of Avengers: Infinity War, showing how Thanos’ snap left the survivors in mourning. In an attempt to undo it all, Thanos will be shown trying to repair his gauntlet and eventually ask for help from the Avengers to reverse time and stop his snap.

The Reddit user wrote: “Disclaimer: This is just Thanos’s story and not the avengers. The avengers story is still part of the movie and I am not including events such as deaths unless they are related to Thanos.

The movie will begin 5 years after the snap and instead of “full bellies and clear skies”, the world is in anguish.

Riots, droughts, and a lack of resources cripple the world and the universe faces collapse. The idea of Thanos’s perfectly balanced plan has failed.

A retired Thanos will realize the fate and despair that he was brought after seeing resources fade away and dead children. Thanos will get constant nightmares of killing Gamora and shame for killing his daughter for nothing. Thanos eventually realizes that all the trouble he went for in the snap: Killing Gamora, Killing Asgard’s popu-

lation, and ruining lives, have been for nothing.

Thanos commits to finding a solution to reverse the snap. He starts to repair the gauntlet and confronts the Avengers. The Avengers initially are on the brink of killing him, but then Thanos reveals that he is the only one who can reverse the snap. The Avengers join forces with Thanos while still keeping a close eye.

Thanos and the Avengers find whatever means it takes to travel back in time. Battles ensure and Thanos saves the Avengers life in some heroic way. Their trust of Thanos increases.

Eventually, the gauntlet is completed and Thanos travels back in time to stop his former self. Thanos’s former self becomes a villain. (Post Guardians 2 self) (Ending) Thanos realizes that if he kills his former self, his life will no longer exist after Guardians 2. Thanos helps the Avengers kill 2017 Thanos and sacrifices himself to ensure the world is saved.

As Thanos’s timeline disappears as well as the Avengers timeline post snap, he sees Gamora for a bit and gives a heartfelt goodbye. Infinity War never happens and the universe is whole” While Marvel Studios is tight-lipped about the upcoming final film, fans have been making their own guesses to decode what lies ahead for the Mad Titan and the surviving MCU superheroes – Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thanos and Hulk. The trailer of Avengers: Endgame also revealed the return of Hawkeye and AntMan. (Indian Express)

resh off of its win at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Black Panther is heading back into theaters.

Disney announced Monday that Ryan Coogler’s Oscar nominee will play for free Feb. 1-7 at 250 participating AMC theaters to celebrate Black History Month.

Disney also said it will give a $1.5 million grant to support the United Negro College Fund.

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he Hole in the Ground is an Irish horror film revolving around a mother and her son. With a suitably creepy setting, the colours in the film seem to be intentionally muted to emphasise the doom and gloom.

W e s t e r n European settings with their cold, wet climate never lose their appeal for horror fans.

S e á n a Kerslake’s Sarah O’Neill is the mother who tries to bury her traumatic past by establishing a new life for herself and her son at the edge of a rural Irish town.

But there is a hole in the ground nearby and it is bad for people, especially her son. There is no other way to put it. The kid begins to behave strangely, which includes chewing on insects among other things. A woman,

HOLLYWOOD 49

the 2017 original that saw Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman running fearlessly in the middle of a battle in World War I. “I have a scene that’s in this movie that is totally different but it’s my No Man’s Land scene,” Jenkins said.

“There’s one scene that I am so excited about. It won’t be the same scene but there are some moments I’m really excited about,” she added.

Wonder Woman 1984 will see Gadot’s Wonder Woman face off against Kristen Wiig’s Cheetah.

Chris Pine is reprising his role of Steve Trevor.

The film will also feature Game of Thrones and Narcos star Pedro Pascal in a pivotal role. It is set to release on June 5, 2020. (Indian Express)

This is the second time Black Panther has been re-released since it opened in February 2018. For a day in November, it played for free in art house theaters nationwide.

Black Panther on Sunday night won best ensemble at the SAG Awards, the guild’s top prize. The film, which grossed more than $700 million at the domestic box office, is nominated for seven Oscars including best picture.

(Indian Express)

probably a neighbour, notices the kid and warns the mother that it is not her son. The mother too begins to believe that either some dark force has taken over her son or he is not her son at all.

The concept seems like it has been

done countless times before in more expensive productions and unless this movie, directed by Lee Cronin and cowritten by Cronin and Stephen Shields, does it in a terribly different way and not in the style the trailer seems to suggest, The Hole in the Ground is likely going to be a dull watch. (Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana benefits from US$25M CPL economic impact

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he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is steadily growing as one of the most popular summer events in Guyana, and the numbers are now testimony to this fact.

Unlike the previous five years, CPL had a historic 2018 in Guyana where the country moved from hosting four-five games to a massive seven, inclusive of two play-off games.

As expected, the additional games were well received in the home of the Amazon Warriors where patrons flocked the Providence National Stadium each night, resulting in seven sold-out matches in Guyana.

In the case where crowd photos were the only testament to the support that CPL and Guyana were receiving, an enormous figure disclosed by “the biggest party in sport” has now proven that those assumptions were correct.

“It’s not surprising that we increased

the revenue obviously, because we had more games here, but I think what did surprise us is that we were able to get the support that we got across all seven games and that’s very exciting going forward.”

Those were the sentiments expressed by CPL’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Pete Russell as he reflected on a whopping US$25 million impact that was made by the Hero CPL on Guyana’s economy in 2018.

That figure was recently revealed by Hero CPL, taking into account seven matches played at the Providence National Stadium on August 9, 11, 12 and September 8, 9, 11 and 12, 2018.

Last year’s US$25,515,816 figure is an 80 per cent increase on the 2017 figure.

In the exclusive interview with Guyana Times International Sport, Russell went on to list a few sectors that were considered in the enor-

mous figure.

“So, last year, we provided over G$25 million in terms of economic impact for Guyana and that’s made up in a number of ways. Visitors

sector, Russell stated, “So the Guyana brand is getting a great deal of visibility around the world, but if you drill Guyana to the numbers; what is fascinating for us

million in Guyana for the duration of the 2018 season. Almost half of that sum, 43 per cent to be exact, went towards suppliers and local staff.

With US$978,000 spent

explained.

CPL is eager to return for the 2019 season, which will begin on August 21. With the possibility of seven games being hosted at

coming in, what we spend in the country and then what local vendors are making themselves.

As well as all the promotional activity that goes on, because we increased our TV viewers to over 200 million globally,” Russell explained.

In addition to this, Hero CPL was responsible for some 468 jobs created and 7654 hotel rooms filled in Guyana.

Speaking on the boom in the hospitality

is because we split the season in August and September, actual arrivals in Guyana are up 40 per cent. CPL is obviously the biggest thing that happened in September.”

In a breakdown of the logistics, the total media exposure for Guyana came in at US$8.2 million, which is more than twice the number that was calculated in 2017.

Furthermore, the “biggest party in sport”, CPL expended US$1.29

in 2017 as comparison, the 2018 number was a more-than-significant increase.

For Hero CPL, this increase is a key aspect of their vision.

“For us, yes, what we do on the pitch is very important, but it’s also important that we provide that assistance …around the region, so economic impact is a large part of our key performance indicators (KPIs) in terms of performance,” Russell

Providence, the COO is upbeat about the electric crowd that will once again overflow the Guyanese venue.

“To fill the stadium seven times over was a major achievement, and again, it’s all about fans.

We don’t experience anything like this across the Caribbean. They’re great cricket lovers; they love to support their team.”

(Jemima Holmes)

“We should not be begging for support’

… former GABF President makes call for better funding

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he Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has one too many times found itself on the asking side when it comes to obtaining funds to offset top-notch international competition expenses.

Just last year, the Federation made several public appeals, begging Government to do better when it could not acquire funding in time for a basketball championship in neighbouring Suriname. As a true testament to his time in office, former President Nigel Hinds, just before he handed over the mantle to Michael Singh, had a few bold requests as it relates to funding the blossoming Federation.

“It is often said that much more needs to be done by the Government and you cannot be more accurate in that statement,” Hinds declared in his final presidential remarks.

Explaining the plight of the Federation, Hinds said that

the problem needed to be addressed at the root – the national budget.

“The problem is that it starts at the budget level, and the budget is G$1 million set out for 20-plus sport disciplines when they need about G$10 billion as a starting point to probably address the sports concerns and needs from youth to the senior lev-

Former GABF President Nigel Hinds

el.”

The former President went on to highlight a few areas in which more funding can help to propel the sport, outside of just having a team travel overseas for a tournament.

“In particular in the schools, where you need coaches and you need proper playing facilities,” he said.

However, the former GABF Head was careful to note that funding was not always an issue. As he explained, Hinds referenced that a G$10 million donation in 2014 would have been adequate at the time.

But, owing to the Federation evolving and producing a higher standard of players and furthermore, better competitions, it is now in need of more to maintain that standard and propel itself upward.

“Now G$10 million could probably just fund one team for one championship. So we’ve raised the bar,” Hinds stated.

Reflecting on his presidency, he disclosed that he often ‘fought fire with fire’ when the Federation was denied funds it direly needed. An example of this was when Hinds had asked for a sum of G$10 million to fund a senior men’s and women’s team at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation

Championships (CBC).

Citing this, he noted that systems should have been in place to have monies granted for such competitions, rather than having the Federation ‘beg’.

“We didn’t want to grovel and whine for monies, which should have been allocated voluntarily,” he disclosed.

In his assessment of the situation, the President, who served from 2014 to 2018, noted that much more could be done, but it boiled down to having persons who were selflessly willing to help.

“So that’s something that we can try to change, but it comes down to having politicians with that vision and appreciation for the importance of sports,” he noted.

As such, in his capacity of outgoing president, Hinds sought to make a bold call to Government and corporate Guyana alike, urging them to be more involved in the welfare of the Federation.

“So, this is a call to the politicians, the corporate community, and the NonGovernmental Organisations, particularly the Guyana Olympic Association who I think could do much more for basketball. We must not be the stepchild or the pariah and you’re throwing grains at us. We merit a five or 10 million [dollars],” Hinds said.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jason Holder urges focus as West Major plans in Indies contemplate rare series scalp pipeline to push J volleyball in Guyana W

ith 2019 now fully in which according to the GVF motion, the Guyana Head, is slated to be held in the Volleyball Federation near future.

With a few players al(GVF) will be seeking to host a ready selected from the last number of activities in the future so as to further trials – Quacy Matheson, prepare players and offiJuan Velazquez and Vance Harding for the males with cials alike for the year’s calendar.

Candacy Mentore and Philana Sampson filling The GVF has been the slots for the ladies – the undergoing a lot of changes as of recent final phase of the beach with the election of longevent will help the selected players get properly time National Head acclimatised ahead of Coach and former player their trip to Brazil a few Levi Nedd as President for months from now. the 2019 period.

The Federation got its Looking to perfect all 2019 season off to a good areas of growth, the GVF will also be hosting a referstart with the first-ever outees clinic in the near future, door tournament held at the according to the President.

Marriott Hotel beach front.

The course, which has not The tournament was used to identify players who will reprebeen given a confirmation sent Guyana at the national levstart date, is geared towards making officials propel at the various overseas tourerly equipped to make the naments and invitational events right calls during a which the teams have been a part GVF match. of over the years. The recent beach President tournament, organised by GVF The course, which Levi Nedd Committee Head Dwayne Scott, was is a refresher for some, no different as it played a key role in will target referees, both potential and accredited, across getting players in form ahead of the Guyana. Although a venue has new year of activities.

Nedd pointed out recently that the not been set for the course, owing to the main plans were to get players competi- mandatory request by the Federation tion-ready for 2019 and the final for the Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) to beach tourney was important, but the have officials trained, it was confirmed GVF was still assessing a date to host that the course will play a key part in the final leg. He also highlighted that the Federation’s upcoming agenda.

Meanwhile, players will continue the training course as crucial for the development of the Federation, as it will to train across the respective counties further help to bridge the gap between namely Demerara and Berbice under Guyanese referees officiating games lo- their Coaches, as they will be seeking to get into the best possible playing form cally and internationally.

Also, the tourney’s first set of games ahead of the next local event lined up were merely a prelude to the final, by the GVF.

ason Holder, the West Indies captain, has urged his players to focus on the job at hand ahead of the pivotal second Test against England in Antigua. After his side's demolition job in Barbados, West Indies only need to win one of the next two matches to seal a rare series win against top-eight opposition but Holder is refusing to be distracted.

While West Indies have shown steady improvement over the last couple of years, their only series wins in recent times have come against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

Just twice in the last ten years have they beaten another Test team ranked in the top eight: a 2-0 win over New Zealand in 2012, and the hard-fought 1-0 victory against England in 2008-09.

"It's great to be 1-0 up, but that's history," Holder said. "We are happy to be leading in the series but we have our feet firmly on the ground. We are not focusing on what happened before in Barbados.

We are looking forward to this match and what we have ahead of us.

"It's a matter for us to move on and understand what we need to do. We speak about consistency in the dressing room and I think we've got to be hitting all three departments well every time we step on the field."

Asked about the potential significance of a series win over England, he added: "It would mean a lot but again I don't want to focus too much on the series at this point in time, I want to focus on the second match. We need to be consistent in all three departments."

The key feature of West Indies' performance in Barbados was contributions coming from throughout the side. Holder led the way with his second-innings double-hundred, but there was a five-wicket haul for Kemar Roach, career-best figures for Roston Chase and important innings from Shane Dowrich and Shimron Hetmyer.

Holder said that while his players had shown "glimpses" of what they were capable of in the past - such as their dramatic 2017 win at Headingley - he was pleased that the team was growing stronger as a collective.

"It's a matter for us to continue to build the side," he said. "What's really encouraging is that we've seen glimpses that this team can perform, and beat top sides in the world. We've had personal success and it's good to see us bringing it a little bit more together as a side, so hopefully we can continue in that vein and the guys continue to be hungry for success."

West Indies had a couple of fitness question marks over Dowrich, who did not keep on the fourth day due to a sore back, and Shannon Gabriel, but both are expected to be fit to play in Antigua. The sight of Gabriel giving Joe Root, England's captain, the hurry up was a throwback to traditional West Indian strengths and Holder was looking forward to unleashing his pace spearhead once again.

"It wasn't a surprise, it's something that Shannon's done to many batsmen around the world. He carries pace and he was aggressive in that spell, which we asked of him. It was really good to see him come out after lunch - we were probably a little flat with England two down and over 100, we needed to break the partnership and Shannon really gave us that momentum. It was really good to see.

"He's generally quick and awkward [to face]. Just expect Shannon to run in - he had a bit of a toe injury in the last game but that seems to have healed up pretty nicely. So we expect Shannon to be running in tomorrow."

Should West Indies produce a similar performance, England might find it hard to live with them and Holder admitted the thought of sealing the series with a game to play had not escaped him though he was keen to insist West Indies remained the underdogs. "It's at the back of my mind. I just said to the guys, make sure we keep it out of our minds, make sure focus on what we need to do here - we need to get 20 wickets to win this game, we need to put up runs, and if we do that and hold our chances, we have a good chance. We're still ranked No. 8, England are No. 2 or 3, so we're definitely the underdogs." (ESPNCricinfo)

Pele/GFF Frank Watson Under-15 tournament finals to kick off this weekend

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Pele Alumni representative John Yates

osted in honour of one of Guyana’s most prolific football players, the Frank Watson Under-15 tournament will come to an exciting close, as the winners of the Regional Member Association tournaments gear up to participate in a best-of-the best league competition.

Ten teams who were triumphant in the respective RMAs will now compete for the spot as the best Under-15 team in the country when the competition kicks off on

Saturday, February 2.

Reflecting on the life of the tournament’s namesake was Pele Alumni’s John Yates, who emphasised on Frank Watson’s love for development and discipline. Yates also made mention of the need for inclusiveness.

“The alumni felt that it is important that we try to develop football across the 10 regions in Guyana. Guyana is not just Georgetown; we have 10 regions and hence they met with GFF [Guyana Football

Federation] and felt it important that we have a competition across our 10 regions. This is what the Pele Alumni- GFF competition is all about,” Yates stated.

Nine teams will compete in groups of three in the preliminary rounds, with the three winners of those groups advancing to take on Tabatinga FC in the final four.

Citing the reason for this, GFF Youth Development Officer Bryan Joseph explained that it would be less costly to the GFF to accommodate the Tabatinga FC for one day.

Furthermore, Joseph explained that the league will be a historic one.

“What this tournament does for youth development in Guyana is it’s transformational from what we had in the past. Just in the qualifying rounds, we had upwards of 100 games played across this country. And that would have been in addition to games organised by each

GFF Youth Development Officer Bryan Joseph, Technical Director Ian Greenwood and Pele Alumni’s John Yates surrounded by members of the member associations

member association. And we know the game is the greatest teacher; if the kids play, they will learn,” Joseph said.

The teams on show this weekend will be Corriverton Lynx FC (BFA); BV Triumph FC (EDFA) and Santos FC (GFA) in cluster one on Saturday. Cluster two will play on Sunday with Timehri Panthers (EBDFA); FC Eagles (WDFA) and Milerock FC (UDFA) playing for supremacy. Both clusters will play at the Providence National Training Centre. On

Saturday, February 9, Dartmouth Dominators FC (EC/PFA); Rising Stars FC (Bar. FA) and Atkinson Brothers FC (Region 1) will battle in cluster three and will compete at the Anna Regina Community Ground in Essequibo.

The final day of the league will take place on February 16 at the Providence National Training Centre with the winners of the three clusters competing.

GFF’s Technical Director Ian Greenwood disclosed that he and the technical team will be

using the league to identify Under-15 talents.

“Looking at this weekend, it’s a great opportunity for the first cluster and over the next few playing days that we have all the top Under-15 players in the country participating on the ideal surface. Ultimately from the GFF point of view, we’re looking for talent ID. So we’re looking to ensure we identify the top players across the country that can come into our national team programmes,” the Technical Director disclosed.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CPL 2019 draft scheduled for May 22 – each team to retain 4 players B y B randon C orlette

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he largest sporting event in the Caribbean, the auspicious Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will begin from August 21 this year, with the first match set to bowl off in Trinidad.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International Sport, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CPL, Pete Russell revealed that Guyana would host its first match on August 22 at the National Stadium Providence.

Russell disclosed that the CPL player draft is the next planned event for CPL that will take place on May 22, two months later than last year, at the familiar venue in London, United Kingdom. In 2018, the draft took place at Gfinity eSports Arena in London on March 1, 2018.

The COO explained that the UK would be a place of interest during May, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup taking shape from May 30, in the United Kingdom. The rules of the players draft will be different this season, with a team having the advantage of retaining only four players.

The 2019 CPL draft is expected to be of more interest with teams vying

to retain their best players; Russell and the CPL management were impressed with the performances of the emerging talents that the 2018 CPL produced, especially the young players in Guyana, in Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford.

Owing to the superior quality shown by the players in the Caribbean, Russell disclosed that teams in CPL 2019 will have only four overseas players per team. The CPL management and the Cricket West Indies (CWI) are working cohesively to introduce an “elite 12”, which includes young players from the Caribbean that are yet to announce themselves on the international arena. Russell told this publication that these 12 players will play for different teams across the CPL; this will aid in the development of cricket in the West Indies.

In the 2018 CPL draft, a total of 227 overseas players were listed and 121 West Indian players were listed. The 2019 CPL draft will see more exciting West Indian players listed.

The draft will be modelled after the familiar Indian Premier League’s where the teams are allowed to retain four of their own players from last season. The four retained players will not be included in the draft,

Singh, Hercules going the extra mile for Americup qualification Technical and Travis Burnette will Coordinator miss out on the Colombia and Coach action.

Junior The FIBA Americup Hercules qualifiers will run from

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head of its important stint in Colombia in a matter of weeks, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has a clear contingency plan of how it is going to prepare the qualification team and get to the Spanish-speaking destination.

A few days ago, on January 26, the Federation held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), where a new executive body was elected. Even though it was technically their first day in office, members of the new executive already had a clear idea of what has to be done in order for Guyana to make it to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Americup 2021 Championships.

After leading a Guyanese national team to a Caribbean Basketball Championship win in June 2018, putting together a winning team will be an easy job according to Coach Junior Hercules. Responding to questions from the media shortly after his election to the post of Technical Coordinator on Saturday, Hercules disclosed that plans were already in place and a number of the players from the CBC Championship team have already indicated their interest.

“I’ve been in discussion with Anthony Moe, Stanton Rose and Kevon Wiggins, and they all are excited to represent their country once more,” Hercules said.

Meanwhile, star players Ray Victor

February 22 to 24 in Bogota, Colombia. Prior to this, players who are of the opinion that they have the requisite skills will have an opportunity to try out for the team.

“What we have planned, ideally, is to have on the ninth and the tenth of February a trial which we plan to invite – as the President indicated – players from the local scene who we believe should be given an opportunity to represent the country at the highest level,” the Coach disclosed.

Following this weekend of scouting, the Federation will host seven days of encampment for those players who were selected to represent the Golden Arrowhead.

The team are expected to jet off on February 20 for the competition in which they will be playing in Pool B against hosts Colombia, Bolivia, and Paraguay.

Aside from being on their ‘A’ game for the competition, the Guyanese team will have no worries as the Federation intends to source the necessary funding for the team. While accommodation and meals will be taken care of by their hosts, the GABF will be tasked with covering travel and other miscellaneous fees, which newly-elected President Michael Singh estimates to be to the tune of G$7 million.

Noting that it was a “low-ball” figure of the costs they are facing, Singh said that the Federation would be in talks with corporate Guyana and Government in order to offset the expenses.

“I’d like to see us covering all the expenses to get that team out without any hiccups,” Singh disclosed.

but their draft price may alter.

The CPL window period has shifted owing to the ICC schedule, and the CPL is aiming to facilitate all West Indian players. With India scheduled to tour the West Indies later this year, CPL are seeking to accommodate all the Windies players to meet the needs of the cricket fans.

M o r e matches are expected to take place at the Caribbean venues, but matches in Florida are still on the cards, as the CPL has diversified its cricket in recent seasons, introducing “the biggest party in sport” to the United States of America.

Meanwhile, CPL COO Russell told Pete Russell this publica-

tion that the Jamaica Tallawahs will remain on the CPL agenda.

“Jamaica is a power-house and we want the fans to witness them in CPL 2019,” Russell stated.

Over the past years, CPL fans have been buzzing about Indian players to feature in CPL; Russell was precise in his response, stating that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has a strict commercial product in the IPL and Indian players will not be featured in CPL. It remains on the CPL wish list to meet the fans’ needs and include the likes of Virat Kohli, but it remains the reality that Indian players are not permitted to play other T20 leagues, including CPL. Russell thanked the Guyanese fans for their continuous support over the past years, stating “CPL will not be the same without the Guyanese fans”.

The 2019 CPL will be a record-breaking event and it will continue to improve as the years progress.

GFC take top honours in inaugural Stag Revival Cup

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GT Panthers celebrate their win on Sunday evening

he Georgetown Football Club (GFC) scripted a perfect end to the inaugural Stag Revival Cup tournament after they defeated Police FC on their home turf surrounded by droves of boisterous supporters Monday night.

After months of play and delay in the Georgetown Football Association (GFA)-organised tournament, the curtains were set to be closed on Sunday night with a feisty battle between Police and GFC on the latter’s home ground, Bourda.

When the two sides took to the field, fans knew that they were in for a monumental clash as the teams made their intentions to pocket the half-million dollar grand prize clear from the sound of the first whistle.

The start was slow with both sides looking to penetrate the other’s goal early on, but GFC were the first team to record a goal, coming off the boots of LaVaugh Enniss in the 34th minute. The home team managed to hold off their opponents for the remainder of the first half and much of the second before the lead was extended in the 79th minute, courtesy of Rondell Peters.

Police had a last-minute burst of

fighting spirit, as Stephan Ramsey eventually found the back of the net in the 87th minute. But it was a little too late for the law enforcement officers, as GFC lifted the championship trophy and walked away with G$500,000 cash.

The third-place play-off also ended with a similar scorecard as GT Panthers out-played Elite League winners Fruta Conquerors. Carlos Duncan was the first to get the scorecard ticking for GT Panthers in the 20th minute. Just before the half expired, Dellon Williams slipped one past the GT Panthers’ goalkeeper to make for an interesting second half. Desmond Cotton was the man responsible for extending GT Panthers’ lead after he found the back of the net in the 68th minute, sealing a win for his team.

The second-place winner Police pocketed G$250,000, while third place GT Panthers copped G$150,000.

The Revival Cup was launched last year by the GFA with support from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to cater for football clubs within the Georgetown area, resuscitating the competitive spirit between the Georgetown clubs after a long time.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mitchell: Success will be 'one-off' unless CWI governance changes Grenada's Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell

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T GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC) – Grenada's Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell has warned that unless there is a change in the current administration of Cricket West Indies (CWI), instances like last weekend's shock win over England in the opening Test will remain one-off occurrences.

Speaking in the wake of the Windies' crushing 381-run victory inside four days at Kensington Oval, the veteran leader argued that sustained success on the field could only be achieved by proper leadership and management, and a governance system “that promotes the interests of the players”.

“We have seen West Indies perform well in a particular game in the past, but as one who understands the game well, I know you cannot make a final judgement on the performance of a team by one game,” Mitchell said.

“As they say in areas of intellectual activity, maybe that's a one-off. I don't like one-off. I like it to be clear there's a permanent change in attitude.”

He added: “As I have said over and over, unless the administration changes, I do not think we will see the kind of

performance we need to.”

Mitchell is a former chairman of Caricom's Prime Ministerial subcommittee on cricket and has continued to lobby for governance reform in West Indies cricket.

During his tenure, he found himself at odds with the current Dave Cameron-led administration when he endorsed the Caricom commission Governance Report, which among other recommendations, called for the “immediate dissolution” of the current board and the appointment of an interim board “whose structure and composition will be radically different from the now proven, obsolete governance framework”.

CWI dismissed the recommendation as “impractical” and an “unnecessary and intrusive demand”.

Mitchell agreed while there was an abundance of talent in the region, West Indies were suffering from a lack of leadership.

“I always believe we have the talent in the region; I never think we are short of talent,” he pointed out.

“Maybe we will not see a Gary Sobers or Brian Lara emerging, but we have the talent to ensure that we can extract the maximum performance, but it requires the leadership, management and governance system that promotes the interests of the players and the unity of the region as a whole.

“I think that is the fundamental thing that is lacking and I hope we see a change in that regard.”

West Indies face England in the second Test of the three-match series starting today in Antigua.

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