Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

Kevin Page 53 Pietersen ready for Limacol CPL show

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 203

week ending August 10, 2014

- APNU backing AFC's no-confidence motion - PPP/C says 'we are ready' to face the polls

President Donald Ramotar

APNU Leader David Granger

US issues new customs declaration form for Caribbean travellers

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AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

Murdered US-based Guyanese woman was stabbed more than 40 times Page 25

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NEWS

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General Election looms W

hile the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has decided to throw its support behind the proposed vote of no-confidence by the Alliance For Change (AFC), the Government is expecting that the process would go through the normal course in the National Assembly.

This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, who told reporters that the proposed no-confidence motion should not be seen as something to be done away with in a swift manner. The Cabinet Secretary said: “So you have a motion that is now supported by two parliamentary (Opposition) parties, our expectation would essentially be for the motion to be introduced for the Speaker to rule… it is not intended to be a one-day affair… one has to delve into the Constitution… the standing orders, it is matter of process essentially.”

After this is done, Luncheon advised, the requisite steps would be taken by the Executive to follow through on the motion. Luncheon said

President Donald Ramotar

while an election date can be set before the debate on the no-confidence motion ensues in the national Assembly, it is a vague possibility.

If the motion of noconfidence is passed in the National Assembly, President Donald Ramotar would be constitutionally bound to dissolve the National Assembly. He would also be required to set a date for the holding of General Elections no more than three months after the motion would have made its way through the National Assembly.

Luncheon, however, told reporters that while this is so, the noconfidence motion is being seen as nothing more

than another challenge faced by Governments around the world.

When questioned on whether Cabinet had held discussions about the no-confidence proceedings at its meeting on Tuesday, Dr Luncheon responded in the negative stating that the matter was only “noted”.

“Note was taken of the intention that had been reported in the media, what subsequently took place cannot be called a discussion, in my note-taking, it goes down as Cabinet noted” said Luncheon.

Cabinet meeting, which is scheduled for next Tuesday. When asked whether the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration was in a state of preparedness for General Elections, Dr Luncheon referred to previous statements made by President Ramotar and PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee.

Both individuals have previously said that the PPP/C is ready for the hosting of General or Local Government Elections. If the no-confidence motion is passed, General Elections is likely to be held in Guyana

by January 2015.

AFC MP Moses Nagamootoo

The APNU has said it has initiated in-house talks over the process leading up to the elections, which would include campaigning.

PPP/C ready

Nevertheless, Dr Luncheon said that the issue will be on the agenda for the next

APNU Deputy Leader Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

The 26-seat Opposition coalition group has thrown its full support behind the motion of no-confidence to be tabled in the National Assembly by the AFC against the PPP/C Government. The APNU took the decision after its Members of Parliament who formed a Shadow Cabinet met on Tuesday afternoon to deliberate on the draft AFC motion at the Leader of the Opposition’s Office on Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

APNU’s CoChairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, speaking with Guyana Times International, confirmed that the decision was unanimous.

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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

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

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

EDITORIAL

The power of sport Gang membership

An aerial view of the Promenade Gardens in Georgetown, Guyana.

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he Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2014 tournament is not yet over, but still, it has pleasantly reminded us of the power and influence of sport, and in the Guyana and Caribbean context, cricket is uniting our oftentimes divided people. Thus far in the tournament, we have seen fans jumping in joy, waving flags of support, blaring horns, and engaging in light banter, among others, in a picnic, carnival-like atmosphere.

In Guyana, the tournament had witnessed some of the biggest and most vocal crowds since the commencement last month. During the matches, fans had their money’s worth, even for the ‘grudge’ match, where the Jamaica Tallawahs managed to overcome the Guyana Amazon Warriors in a game that went down to the wire.

But aside from this, much to the delight of enthusiastic fans, the Amazon Warriors ambushed the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel to tie the match, then melted them down in the super over, before moving on to conquer the St Lucia Zouks. The renewed life and excitement that the matches have generated, created an atmosphere of one akin to a utopia, leaving many asking why only three matches were played in Guyana, in many ways a cricket-hungry nation.

No doubt, the “Biggest Party in Sport” has infected Guyanese and Caribbean cricket fans, and probably created some, with its contagious spirit of unity in rivalry, love and togetherness, the celebration of Caribbean identity and its uniqueness, and ultimately a series of rocking parties, where there is no winner or loser, but a celebration of Caribbean cricketing talents.

At home, the positive mood that Limacol CPL has brought was welcoming, but most importantly refreshing, as it has provided an important relief from cheap, bitter and divisive politics and politicians, who often pursue narrow and selfish interests at all costs.

The citizenry at the beginning of the 10th Parliament had to contend with the vicious and vociferous even though outlandish move by the Opposition to gag Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee. Millions of dollars were spent on a couple sittings to blabber about a non-issue.

Then the repeated cutting of the budget which still continues, along with the cries of persons being put on the breadline, followed by the voting down of funding for the Amaila Falls, the Specialty Hospital and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion projects.

And most recently, the non-support of the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, resulting in the country being blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), while remaining vulnerable of being blacklisted internationally by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

No one wants bad for their country as at the end of the day, Guyana is for Guyanese, and the spirit of Guyanese in unity, harmony and pride was on full display during the Limacol CPL matches. It is unfortunate that this passionate love for their country is not fully embraced by the people they voted for to represent them in the House.

What this tells us is that the brinkmanship, divisiveness and bitterness that have thus far emanated from the 10th Parliament is not reflective of the view and will of the populace but some men stuck in the political morass of hopelessness entrusted with the duty to lead.

Evidently, from the fervour created by the Guyana matches, Guyanese see life beyond mundane politics, and want to see an end to the parliamentary impasse, as it is time the politics of nothingness must stop.

Limacol CPL is the most powerful reminder yet that sport is a great force for fostering unity, harmonious understanding, love, respect and tolerance, and transcends all racial, religious and political barriers and creed.

The matches in Guyana might have left many politicians with a situation to ponder – that perhaps sport can be used as an avenue to break the political deadlock that has dogged the 10th Parliament, which seems to have banished all forms of compromise.

growing in the Caribbean – IMPACS expresses concerns about high-level of gun violence

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he Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) says membership of criminal gangs across the Caribbean is around 35,000 and again said that there has been an increase in the number of illegal firearms on the streets.

The comment was made at a recent Caricom workshop on the Arms Trade Treaty in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

by Head of IMPACS Francis Forbes. Describing it as “more than a cause for concern” while addressing the regional workshop on the Arms Trade Treaty at the Trinidad Hilton hotel last week, Forbes said: “Only last year there were 2143 homicides committed in 11 Caricom states, approximately 70 per cent of which were committed by small arms and light weapons (SALW) but that is not all.

Let us also place into the equation the 1885 illegal guns seized during the same period and reality sets in. The fact that between 2006 and 2013, law enforcement recovered 16,162 illegal firearms in these same countries is more than a cause for concern. Gang membership is now estimated to be not less than 35,000 and growing across Caricom States…”

He said less than half of the 14 Caricom states have ratified the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), although all 14 are signatories to the international agreement. Caricom, he said, has resolved to “push back” as best as it can within the confines of limited resources. But “I must take note without commenting that to date, the records reflect 14 signatories to the ATT and as at June 3, 2014, only six members have ratified namely; Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago.” So far 41 countries in-

ternationally have ratified the ATT. The objectives of the workshop were the promotion of the ratification of the ATT; development of a Caricom Common Position on Brokering (‘Political Binding’); adoption and implementation of a Caricom Coordinating and Implementing Mechanism; advancement of Caricom Model Legislation for the ATT; and provision of legal and technical assistance to Caricom member states in the implementation of their obligations under the ATT. Meanwhile, delivering remarks at the event, Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Winston Dookeran praised IMPACS and the ICRC for “convening the workshop which will assist Caricom states in the implementation of the Treaty.” The Minister also indicated that the Caricom region is positioned at the forefront in ensuring that the Treaty becomes a reality through its ongoing advocacy, combined efforts and activities to promote the instrument.

Minister Dookeran pointed out that the Region has received a great degree of goodwill from international partners for the fervour and vigour with which the ATT is being pursued. He also reinforced that Trinidad and Tobago has demonstrated its commitment as evidenced by the fact that it has taken all the political steps to ensure the objectives of the treaty are realised. Minister Dookeran further indicated that Trinidad and Tobago has offered to host the Secretariat of the ATT. He pointed out that as a small country it reflects the confidence in Trinidad and Tobago’s ability to fulfil such a global function.

Late last year, Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister Clement

Rohee had called for the country’s gun laws to be reviewed and the firearms licence renewal process to be reassessed in light of the recent upsurge in gun-related crimes. Rohee had said then that everyone wants a firearm but some have been using it illegally, making reference to the businessman who killed his wife before turning the gun on himself.

“People are behaving in this country as though this is the United States where they have the right to bear arms, but you don’t! And I’m considering approaching the President to ask him, let us review these gun laws, irrespective of what the hell Granger might think, whether Granger supports us in Parliament or not,” Rohee added.

The Minister pointed out that it should be debated whether persons have the right to carry firearms, and if not, what are the alternatives for them in terms of their security.

He noted that the Police should step up their intelligence and aggressively go after those who sell, buy, lend and trade firearms.

Rohee said those with firearm licences should be reviewed, pointing out that he had requested for his Ministry to be included in this process.

“Right now, we don’t have a say, but we are looking at that.

The Home Affairs Ministry in conjunction with the Firearms Licence Approval Board should have a say on whether to renew or not to renew a firearm licence. It should not be something automatic like the visa in the United States… there should be no automaticity attached to this. We have to begin taking strong measures against this because people with guns in their hands are taking strong measures and embarrassing this country,” Rohee said.

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Still no trace of miners feared drowned

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

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he relatives of two miners are optimistic that they are alive after reports surfaced that they might have drowned following an incident at Aranka Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven on Tuesday afternoon.

Feared dead are Leon D’Aguiar, 20, of Mahaica Village, East Bank Demerara and Junior Williams, 19, formerly of 1275 Spurwing Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Lot 31 Broad Street, Georgetown.

Reports reaching Guyana Times International suggested that the men were crossing a creek in Aranka Backdam when D’Aguiar reportedly slipped into the water and Williams attempted to rescue him, but was pulled overboard.

D’Aguiar, according to reports was not a good swimmer; hence, his friend went to save him.

After the incident, several search parties were formed, but up to late Wednesday afternoon, there were no signs of the missing men.

Speaking with GTI, Ivan Wade, a colleague of the men said the two

Leon D’Aguiar

men were instructed to collect a few pieces of spare parts from across the river using a boat in the area.

Initially, they were dropped over by the boatman, but on their way back, they decided to manoeuver themselves on the pieces of wood that were in the water. Due to the darkness, D’Aguiar slipped and went overboard.

Wade said after the incident, they blocked a portion of the creek so that the bodies cannot drift a far distance away from where they fell overboard. The two men reportedly worked with Wade’s brother, Floyd Wade for the past three weeks.

Wade said D’Aguiar worked with them before but was laid off due to indiscipline, but was recently rehired by his brother. After being rehired, he recommended Williams and brought him to the worksite.

Vanessa (only name given) told this publication that she received the news of her son’s disappearance on Tuesday evening after the “boss man” for the camp contacted them. She said initially, they were told that a boat had capsized in the area and her son and another young man fell overboard.

During a subsequent conversation with the same “boss man”, she was told that her son and

another man were crossing the creek when one of them fell overboard and the other went to save him.

“I don’t know what to believe… one time is one thing and other is a next,” she cried.

Standing in her yard, she said while the men are reported to have drowned, she is convinced that her son is alive. The mother said she will not release a photo of him until he is confirmed dead. The woman said she was informed that a search party was launched to look for her son, but she has not received a call to that effect.

An aunt of the teenager said they were not aware that Williams was going into the interior until he reached his destination.

“When he reached, then is when he called his mother and told her that he was in the interior and was ok,” she said.

The young man, she added celebrated his birthday only on August 3 and he promised to return home soon. Attempts to make contact with D’Aguiar proved futile. GTI understands that his mother lives in Antigua and Barbuda.

US issues new customs declaration form for Caribbean travellers

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he United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says it has issued a new customs declaration form “in print and online” that expands the definition of family members for arriving Caribbean and other travellers.

CBP said the definition expands to “members of a family residing in the same household who are related by blood, marriage, domestic relationship, or adoption.”

The agency said it has accepted this family definition since the final rule became effective on January 17.

The new form - CBP Form 6059B - provides the expanded definition in the first paragraph.

CBP said the recent regulation change allows more returning US citizens, residents and international visitors to file a joint customs declaration for items acquired abroad.

“This produces less paperwork for people travelling together as a family and streamlines passenger processing, thereby increasing efficiency for CBP, airline

personnel and the travelling public,” the statement said.

“Travellers may complete the declaration form online, print it and bring it on their trip to present to CBP when they arrive in the US or at a CBP preclearance site,” it added.

CBP said air and cruise lines also will hand out the declaration forms for travellers to complete before disembarking in the US. In addition to clarifying the definition of family members, the final rule also clarified the term domestic relationship, which includes foster children, stepchildren, half-siblings, legal wards, other dependents, and individuals with an “in loco parentis or guardianship relationship”.

The definition also includes two adults who are in a “committed relationship including, but not limited to, long-term companions and couples in civil unions or domestic partnerships where the partners are financially interdependent, and are not married to, or a partner of, anyone else.”

6 news Crime Chief refuses to answer questions on possible motives behind Rodney’s death WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

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hairman of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, Sir Richard Cheltenham on Wednesday adjourned proceedings to allow Crime Chief Leslie James adequate time to peruse evidence gathered by Police during their 1980 investigation into the death of worldrenowned Historian, Dr Walter Rodney.

That scrutiny should also give the Senior Superintendent of Police some scope to comment on the various theses which surround Dr Rodney’s death. James had returned for the second time during this session, to continue his evidencein-chief. His previous evidence on day one of the investigation was put off for him to make checks for seven missing police files, which the Commissioners thought

would assist them in their investigation.

However, those files, as reported by James, could not be found.

Commissioners and lawyers representing various interests, sat for close to half an hour after James informed them that he could not answer some questions posed, because it would breach the oath he took while he was a member of the Police Special Branch.

James informed the Commission, while being led into further evidence

by Commission’s Counsel Latchmi Rahamat, that some of the information he has “borders on national security issues”.

“I just thought the Commission should be reminded that several aspects of what was done at Special Branch are secret and I thought the Commission by itself would be aware of such.”

James made the comments at the time when

Crime Chief Leslie James

he was being pressed with questions on whether he thought that the Police back in June of 1980 had carried out a thorough investigation into Dr Rodney’s death.

By thorough, Rahamat said she meant that if he thought the Police had done all that was necessary and required to investigate Dr Rodney’s death. James told the Commission that he was not allowed adequate time to go through

the documents of the investigation, but was able to glance through it during the 20-minute break at the inquiry on Wednesday. From that perusal, James had concluded that the Police were diligent in their work.

However, objections were made by both the Commissioners and the various Attorneys, who pointed out that James was not in a position to answer the questions in its entirety. In fact, Chairman of the Commission, Sir Richard Cheltenham, noted that the evidence before the Crime Chief was very important and needed to be trod upon carefully.

Commissioner Jacqueline SamuelsBrown questioned if based on his perusal, he found that the Police had taken statements from individuals, if searches were carried out, and if materials were collect-

ed. He said he did come across such information.

She also directed his attention to some instances in the report where the Police had blundered, failing to effectively carry out their duties. The report also reflects the Police’s failure to mount a search for the man identified as Gregory Smith, who had been accused of killing Dr Rodney.

Lawyer representing the affairs of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Basil Williams intervened, saying that the most suitable person to answer the questions on “efficient” Police investigation during the time would be the Crime Chief at that time, Cecil “Skip” Roberts.

Chairman Cheltenham reminded James of the three theories which surrounded Rodney’s death at the time.

These are it may have been as a result

of Rodney’s own negligence, it may have been a state- sponsored act of terrorism, or could have been organised by the WPA itself.

It was at this point that James indicated that he could not comment on the issue.

Questions on the provision of the in-camera testimony were raised, and Commissioners will make a decision on the appropriate route to be taken.

Dr Rodney, who was considered a huge threat to the then Burnham PNC Government was killed on June 13, 1980 when a bomb exploded on his lap, while he sat in his brother’s car outside the Georgetown Camp Street Prison.

The PNC Government was said to have used Guyana Defence Force Sergeant William Gregory Smith to carry out the attack on the WPA leader.

Berbice man commits suicide after accidentally torching neighbour’s house

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Bush Lot, Corentyne man on Wednesday took his own life after

a fire he had started in his yard Tuesday evening spread to his neighbour’s property, destroy-

ing their two-flat home and leaving seven persons homeless with losses pegged in the millions

of dollars in household items and other articles.

Fifty-four-year-old Indar “Suresh” Prashad, of Bush Lot farm was discovered by his wife in the upper flat of their home around 09:00h on Wednesday hanging in his bedroom hours after it was alleged that he was responsible for the destruction of his neighbour’s house by fire. “I see he earlier and he went upstairs. After me notice he nah come down back, I call for he but he nah answer. Me go upstairs and see the door lock and me still calling for he, is when I start hollering, those boys come over and break the door and we find he hanging behind the bedroom door.”

The traumatised woman related that Prashad showed no signs of wanting to end his life. She explained that on Tuesday evening he lit a heap of dry tomato trees in their backyard and blown by the heavy winds, the lit debris ignited the

Indar Prashad called Suresh

Permaloo family’s home.

According to reports, on Tuesday at approximately 21:30h, a fire completely destroyed the home belonging to Lalchand Permaloo leaving the family of seven contemplating their next move, as all their possessions went up in flames. At the time of the fire, the family was away at a wake at Alness Village, Corentyne. When they arrived at the scene, they were inconsolable as they could only watch helplessly as their home was reduced to ashes.

Despite efforts by neighbours to put out the flames, the building

was quickly engulfed.

Lalchand Permaloo estimated his losses to be in the millions as the home was equipped with all the modern amenities and was recently refurbished. The family also had a grocery shop at the home, but, luckily it was saved as it was situated in front of the house.

Meanwhile, the wife of Prashad described him as a peaceful and caring person. She said his death was a complete shock to her. The 53-year-old woman in tears said it had been only two of them, since their only child died a few years back. Permaloo also described his neighbour as a kind person.

He related that “Suresh” should have never taken his life, since his family would never blame him for anything. “We are friends, we are neighbours. He shouldn’t do this; nobody would never blame he: This fire happen and done. We can get things back, but we can’t get back life.”

Firefighters arrived too late to save the house

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times International, Industrial Site Ruimveldt Georgetown, Guyana or guyanatimesint@gmail.com

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The legalislation of marijuana in the US and what Guyana can learn Dear Editor, As it stands, the possession, distribution and production of marijuana for any use is illegal in Guyana, just as it is in the majority of other countries. However, with the recent experiments in the American states of Colorado and Washington having seemingly positive results, talk of selective legalisation in Guyana has inevitably crept to the forefront.

Should we be considering this in order to, as the statistics in the US show, lower crime rates? Or, is the US Government just using the same methods used to reintroduce alcohol after Prohibition in order to generate money?

Other countries are considering legalising

marijuana: Uruguay legalised the use of marijuana last year in order to prevent drug dealers from making money. Guyana isn’t the only South American country considering its legalisation.

Argentina and Brazil are also in discussions about whether to, after Argentina decriminalised it five years ago. In addition, Canada is also calling for a regulated strain of marijuana to be made legal.

The positive results in Colorado’s experiment, which saw their crime rate fall and the US Government earn US$23.6 million in revenue – expected to rise to US$100 million by the end of the year – have also got other states considering the change.

What should we do?

If the Colorado experiment is anything to go by, it seems the legalisation of what is still an illegal drug in most places, will be treated similarly to the legalisation of alcohol in the US, which saw alcoholism being exploited in order to make money.

If we are to learn from this, we need to ensure strict monitoring is introduced to prevent smuggling, as well as non-profit, small growers to ensure the legalisation of marijuana doesn’t become a money-making strategy and consumers are supplied with a quality controlled product, which hasn’t been diluted by large companies.

Sincerely, Laura Chapman

The Opposition has squandered many opportunities to pass the AML Bill Dear Editor, As Parliament fades into an extended period of recess commencing on August 10, there is one colossal elephant in the room that if civil society doesn’t band together and apply some pressure on our political leaders for good sense to prevail, will result in the trampling of our economy and hurt the already shrinking pockets of the average and ordinary Guyanese.

While both Government and the Opposition can be blamed for the more-than-a-year long stalemate in passing the amendment bill to the AML/CFT regime, more of the blame should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the combined Opposition benches.

The Opposition parties have squandered many opportunities and have failed the Guyanese people thus far in ensuring the passage of this Bill. Editor, please be reminded the combined Opposition doesn’t need the Government to pass this legislation!

The Opposition parties would have you believe that they didn’t have enough time to make appropriate contributions to the drafting of the Bill, but the truth is that they had more than a year to do so and more recently an offer was made by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) to provide pro bono services to the parliamentary Select Committee, where the Opposition holds a majority, to ensure that any

amendments submitted met the rigid international requirements of the international FATF. I’m sure that offer is still on the table and if accepted, the combined Opposition can move to the floor of the National Assembly (where again they hold a majority) a fully compliant Bill for guaranteed passage.

Some commentators have, as of late, been saying that the APNU has nothing much to show for two and half years in Parliament. Passing this Bill presents a good opportunity for that alliance to accomplish something substantive and that is pro Guyana in nature.

The Opposition wants you to believe that the passage of this Bill will somehow represent a victory of sorts for the Government. Well, the reality is that the citizens of Guyana will be the real victors if the Bill is passed and the biggest losers if it isn’t.

If we fail to pass the Bill and international countermeasures are applied, a whole host of damaging effects will occur which will hurt the small man more than the Government or the upper echelon of the private sector.

Just to identify two concomitant consequences of the countermea-

sures: increased transaction times and costs at banks, insurance companies and money transfer agencies; and the devaluing of the Guyana dollar as a result of foreign exchange pressures, thus driving up the prices for all imported goods, including fuel and food items.

Moreover, private sector entities will adapt to those realities and will respond by restructuring their operations (which could mean laying off employees) and or passing on the resulting increased costs to the consuming public.

This could occur at money transfer agencies and at public entities like Guyana Power and Light (GPL), which would either have to receive increased Government subsidies or pass on increased charges for electricity onto consumers.

Similarly, gas stations would have to charge more for fuel for motor vehicles thus sending up the cost for “bus fare” and commuters driving to work daily.

All these consequences will place an undue burden on citizens and are totally preventable, it just requires a caring and rational Opposition to pass the Bill!

Sincerely, Clinton Urling BLUE CAPS

An attack on young Guyanese professionals Dear Editor, The PNC is obviously living in a different world. It continues to behave as if it is in control of the state apparatus and refuses to come to terms with a new and changing reality, namely that we now live in a rules-based, law-governed society, one in which there is equality of opportunity for all regardless of race, ethnicity, gender and political affiliation.

What the APNU seems not to understand is that in Guyana today there is the merit principle at work which informs employment practices and not the ownership of a PNC Party card as was the case under the PNC regime.

The same merit principle is applicable to those identified for training programmes locally and overseas. This merit principle is manifested in the countless number of young Guyanese from all ethnic groups and social backgrounds who today are doctors, engineers, agronomists, nurses, teachers and professionals – the majority of whom have benefited from scholarship programmes offered and paid for by the state.

For the PNC to selectively single out persons who benefit from the Government’s training and employment practices is most disgusting and totally misleading, the most recent being an attack against the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue

Authority Kurshid Sattaur by APNU Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon who accused him of nepotism because his children are employed in the same organisation in which he works.

The fact that the children were recommended for employment by an independent interview panel based on qualifications and suitability were of no consequence to APNU and Harmon, who have now arrogated to himself the role of official spokesman for the PNC and APNU. It will be recalled that similar accusations were made by the political Opposition against the wife of Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh despite the fact that she is eminently qualified for the position she holds in the Auditor General’s Office.

The list against young professionals who did not escape the wrath of the PNC is long and included Winston Brassington and Marcia Sharma from the Privatisation Unit and Azeema Baksh, Registrar of the Deeds Registry who is the daughter of Minister Ali Baksh.

These attacks are not only limited to professionals in the public sector but entrepreneurs who by virtue of their application and business acumen have done well in the field of business and commerce.

Among the more notable cases are those who have successfully

turned around the ailing GPC under the PNC into a dynamic and successful business enterprise. The new company, the NEW GPC INC is the holder of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League Cricket franchise, which is providing cricket entertainment to tens of thousands of people, not only in Guyana but the Caribbean and for that matter the entire cricketing world.

Instead of commending the owner for his success in the field of business and entertainment, he is being greeted with a barrage of criticisms and all manner of unsavoury remarks thrown at him by the political Opposition.

Others who have been attacked included Vishok Persaud, son of the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud who has made a name for himself in Guyana in the area of information and communication technology and Alexi Ramotar, son of the President Donald Ramotar, who heads the Government’s ICT programme in the country.

All of these are individuals whose qualifications and experience along with their high competence levels allow them to contribute to the development of the country in a way that ought to be commended rather than spurned upon as the Opposition is attempting to do.

Respectfully submitted, PPP/C, Freedom House

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Nandlall files multi-million dollar lawsuits against Kaieteur News

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egal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall on Wednesday filed two multimillion-dollar lawsuits against the Kaieteur News for publishing libellous content that attacked his character.

Nandlall is suing Publisher Glenn Lall and Editor-in-Chief Adam Harris for a total of Gy$50 million after they published an article accusing the Minister of terrorising his staff and then a scandalous Editor’s Note.

The Minister is referring to the July 31 article published on the front page of the Kaieteur News captioned “Men in Anil Nandlall’s vehicle terrorise Kaieteur News staff”, which he called an untrue and malicious article.

The Kaieteur News article claims that a heavily tinted vehicle belonging to the Minister drove by its office on Saffon Street, Charlestown, twice and the occupants were taking photos of the building.

According to the article, this was particu-

larly worrisome since it “brought back memories of two horrific attacks on Kaieteur News in the past – the firebombing of the printing press at Eccles in 2002 and the killing of five Kaieteur News pressmen in 2006”.

In the court document seen by the Guyana Times International, the Minister said “The said headline and article conveyed the clear impression that the Plaintiff (Nandlall) was engaged in unlawful and criminal acts and that, he is unfit to hold the offices of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and a Member of Parliament.”

According to Nandlall, the libellous article has caused him great public embarrassment and held him up to odium and ridicule as well as disparaged him as the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and a Member of Parliament, both nationally and internationally.

The Minister is asking the defendants for in excess of Gy$10 million for the libel in the headline of the article and another Gy$10 million for

Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall

the content of the article. Finally, more than Gy$10 million is being sought for aggravated and exemplary damages.

The second lawsuit was filed as a result of a “scandalous and libellous” Editor’s Note that was published under a statement Nandlall had released following the “terrorising” article.

The statement was published by the newspaper in letter form on August 1 titled “Anil Nandlall responds to spy allegations”.

“Scandalous”

In the statement, Nandlall is accusing the owner of the newspaper of using it to carry

Publisher Glenn Lall

out “a personal vengeful agenda”, which stemmed from an incident in 2007 involving his brother.

According to Nandlall, sometime in July that year, it was discovered that a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) meter on the newspaper’s premises was deliberately bypassed and electricity was being consumed illegally.

The Minister said the newspaper’s bill was backdated to over Gy$7 million. Nandlall noted that at the time his brother held a senior position at GPL and he was approached by Lall. “Mr Glenn Lall attempted to compromise the integrity of my brother so as to avoid payment of the arrears. My brother rejected all his entreaties and chased him out of his office. He threatened my brother to use his newspaper to destroy him.

Although I was wholly unconnected with this event, he called my law office and issued a similar threat to me,” he stated.

Following this, Nandlall recalled that Lall subsequently pub-

Editor-in-Chief Adam Harris

lished an article, claiming that he was wanted by the Police for a vehicular accident. The AG explained that the article was fabricated since it was his wife who was involved in the accident; however, the newspaper went on to launch a similar attack on his brother; hence they both sued Lall.

Nandlall noted that over the past year, Lall seems to have renewed his agenda with his Editor-in-Chief following suit.

“Cowardly”

“These are two gentlemen who earn their livelihood by slaughtering the character and reputation of others and when there is a slightest evidence of a reaction, they cowardly run for cover, using the innocent workers of Kaieteur News as their shield,” the Minister stated.

The Legal Affairs Minister went on to say in his writ that the Editor’s Note that followed his statement, which was published in letter form, “conveyed the clear impression

that the Plaintiff was engaged in unlawful and criminal acts and that, he is unfit to hold the offices of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and a Member of Parliament”.

In the Editor’s Note, the Kaieteur News claimed it was Nandlall who approached Lall for a bribe on behalf of his brother, but Lall refused to pay any money.

Additionally, with regard to the “accident story”, Lall was adamant that Nandlall was in the car in an unconscious state even if he was not driving.

For this suit, the Attorney General is asking for some Gy$20 million – Gy$10 million is for libel contained in the Editor’s Note and another Gy$10 million for aggravated or exemplary damages.

These lawsuits were filed on Wednesday by Attorney Sase Gunraj, who is representing Nandlall along with Attorneys Bernard De Santos, Euclin Gomes, Sase Gunraj, and Ganesh Hira.

This is the third lawsuit Nandlall has slapped the Kaieteur News with.

In March this year, he secured an injunction against the newspaper restraining it from publishing any further defamatory content against him as was allegedly done in two editions of its daily column “Dem Boys Seh”. He is also claiming more than Gy$30 million for the public embarrassment caused by the two articles.

Cabinet to investigate awarding of GGMC contracts

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he Government has said it will be investigating the recent awarding of a contract by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to a contractor which has been a source of contention.

This is according to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon, when he was questioned by reporters on Wednesday at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, “there had been strenuous objections to the award of a contract purported to have been made by the GGMC” or one of its board members.

He explained that

the matter was brought to the attention of the Cabinet by one of the members and as such, Government will investigate the issue.

However, Dr Luncheon explained that the GGMC is considered to be an autonomous body and was not subject to procurement laws.

“They have not considered themselves subject to the Procurement Act; therefore, the awards and contracts are not usually brought to the Cabinet,” the Head of the Presidential Secretariat explained.

He said as a result, the Government was not fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the awarding of the contract and its subsequent contentions.

In December 2013, BK International won a legal battle against the GGMC over the award of a Gy$385 million contract to CB&R Mining.

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang quashed the GGMC’s decision to award a Gy$385 million contract to CB&R Mining for the construction of the Aremu Road, Region Seven.

The contract between GGMC and CB&R was terminated on the ground that the award was made in violation of the provisions of the Procurement Act 2003.

Justice Chang, in his ruling, said due to the statutory underpinnings of the awarding of the contract, the court had jurisdiction to enquire into the award.

9 Panel warns Caribbean of dependence on PetroCaribe W news

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

ith the Venezuelan economy worsening due to foreignexchange shortages, how much longer will Venezuela be able to subsidise cheap oil for its political allies throughout the Caribbean and Central America.

Last week, energy experts meeting in Washington, DC, discussed that very question.

“What happens to the 17 countries who are members of this programme if Caracas pulls back the generous credit subsidies it gives members to help them import its crude oil products?” asked Jason Marczak, Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Centre.

“This is a not-so-distant possibility given Venezuela’s economic situation and slowing oil production, but it’s one Caracas would certainly like to avoid. This has all the makings of an energy crisis brewing off our shores.”

On July 16, the think tank released a 24page study “Uncertain Energy: The Caribbean’s Gamble With Venezuela”. To mark

the occasion, it hosted a panel discussion featuring three experts: David Goldwyn, the study’s author and a former State Department Coordinator of International Energy Affairs; Jorge Piñón, who heads the Centre for International Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Texas (Austin), and Jed Bailey, Managing Partner at Boston-based Energy Narrative.

Key players

Benchmarks

“It’s almost 10 years since Venezuela announced the PetroCaribe programme,” Goldwyn said. “PetroCaribe sells oil and products at market benchmarks, but also provides financing for governments, giving them long terms and low down payments so the countries can take that oil and use the proceeds of those sales either to invest or save, or more likely, to use for budget support. It’s a credit financing programme at its core, and for Venezuela, it’s been an enormous political success”.

However, for PetroCaribe members themselves, the results have been “decidedly more mixed”, Goldwyn told his audience.

David Goldwyn

“Buying crude oil and products on cheap credit has given these countries an enormous debt burden, in some cases 10 to 20 per cent of their GDP,” he said.

Even more ominously, he said, “PetroCaribe has delayed the migration away from fuel oil and diesel for power generation to cleaner fuels. And the problem with using a high-cost fuel oil is that it makes the cost of electricity extremely high.

The average throughout the Caribbean is 33 cents per kilowatt-hour,

while the US average is a dime. That’s part of the reason why Caribbean economies are not competitive.”

Yet it is difficult for these countries to kick the habit.

“Whether they want to or not, PetroCaribe countries may not have a choice,” Goldwyn warned, noting that “It’s hard to justify selling oil literally for beans. The risk of a complete cutoff is actually quite low, but the impact on these economies could be catastrophic.”

Interestingly, although The Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Nicaragua comprise only three of PetroCaribe’s 13 active member states, in 2012, they accounted for just over 80,000 barrels per day (bpd) of the 121,000 bpd that PetroCaribe exported.

The Dominican Republic and Jamaica both operate oil refineries that, without huge injections of capital from state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), would have closed long ago.

Piñón, a Cuban-born energy expert who has followed the scheme since its inception, said the challenge for PDVSA today is purely cash flow.

“PDVSA has converted itself into a politicised institution of the state, and that’s what makes the whole situation critical,” he said, noting that Venezuela’s state oil monopoly has not published financial reports for years.

“The Achilles’ heel of Venezuela today is cash flow. The crude oil basket price is below US$100 a barrel, and they’ve been stuck at 2.7 million barrels a day since 2005.”

At present, Venezuela

exports 45,000 bpd of crude oil to PetroCaribe countries, and an additional 76,000 bpd of refined products like gasoline. Venezuela also exports 85,000 bpd of crude and 6000 bpd of refined products to Cuba through a separate Convenio Integral de Cooperación CubaVenezuela (CIC).

“PetroCaribe is an extremely generous programme in that it offers financing at better terms than the IMF or the World Bank,” conceded Goldwyn. “So it’s really hard for these countries to give that up. It’s a political problem for governments in power to volunteer a significant hole in their budgets without knowing how they’re going to fill that hole.”

It also obligates smaller Caribbean countries to back Venezuela politically, even when they otherwise might not have. In March, for example, the Organisation of American States (OAS) passed a declaration supporting the Maduro Government’s efforts to end Venezuela’s political stalemate; only the US, Canada and Panama dared to oppose the resolution. (Excerpt Caribbean News Now)

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TT’s former Sports Minister vows to clear his name amidst controversy

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: TT’s former Sports Minister and D’Abadie/O’Meara MP Anil Roberts Monday vowed to do all in his power to clear his name in the wake of the Life Sport controversy that cost him his Cabinet post and his seat in the House of Representatives.

Roberts made this promise in a letter to Speaker Wade Mark, in which he announced his resignation as D’Abadie/ O’Meara MP. Charging he has been targeted for character assassination and reiterating his claim that the Life Sport audit con-

ducted by the Finance Ministry’s central audit committee was flawed, Roberts declared, “I shall do all in my power to clear my name which has been sullied by political mischief-makers with the assistance of a complicit central audit committee.”

He added, “One is left wondering how a fraudulent report like this central audit committee report makes its way into our Parliament, and subsequently into our public domain.” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar laid the audit in the House on July 25.

When she did so, Persad-Bissessar said

TT’s former Sports Minister Anil Roberts (TT Newsday photo)

copies would be sent to the Director of Public

Prosecutions, the acting Commissioner of Police,

Integrity Commission and the Head of the Public Service for further investigation.

Roberts signalled his intent to resign as minister and MP in a letter to Persad-Bissessar last Thursday.

The Prime Minister subsequently announced that she had accepted Roberts’ resignation as a member of her Cabinet, raising questions over whether he voluntarily resigned or was forced out. In making the announcement at the post Cabinet briefing in San Fernando last week, the Prime Minister said she continued to be “disillusioned, disappointed and

distressed” by the level of deception and dishonesty associated with the Life Sport programme.

The programme had been initially tailored to assist disadvantaged young persons through sporting disciplines. She told the briefing she had decided to accept the resignation of the Sport Minister under whose ministry the programme was created and administered.

She also announced that Minister of Science and Technology Dr Rupert Griffith, was given the additional responsibility to oversee the Sport Ministry. (TT Newsday)

Barbados targets U.S. market to boost tourist arrivals

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Authority Adrian Elcock says Barbados is placing more emphasis on tourists from the United States as it diversifies to cushion the industry from shocks in the external market.

"We're building on a strategy of growing the USA market through new hotel investment," Elcock said recently.

"If we are to achieve growth in our country from tourism, we have to get the U.S. market kicking on all cylinders, that's where the growth

Tourists enjoying a beach in Barbados

potential lies for our country."

Barbados' core tourism market has tradi-

tionally been in the UK, but since that country

began suffering from a recession over six years ago, the island saw a decline in visitor arrivals.

Declines in its tourism arrival figures began since 2007, but the Central Bank reported a slight improvement of 0.1 percent growth for the first six months of 2014, compared to -1.6 percent for the corresponding period last year.

"To mitigate the risk of global shocks, we needed to diversify our markets," Elcock said.

"We've recognised that we just cannot grow that market without an abrupt change in strat-

egy.

"We've put in place more airlift than we would ever have had out of the United States.

"We launched Delta on December 4th out of Atlanta and out of the New York City area JFK...We have just got JetBlue to add an additional service into the winter period, starting in January when we will have two flights a day coming in on JetBlue for five days a week.

"We would have more seats into Barbados from the United States than we've had in a very long time," he added.

(Caribbean News)

Caribbean maritime students to learn Mandarin

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: The curriculum for nearly 2,000 stu-

dents enrolled at the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) in Kingston, Jamaica, is

to be expanded, come September, with the introduction of a Chinese language training pro-

gramme.

The initiative will see two lecturers from the Confucius Institute

in China being seconded to the CMI to deliver instruction in Mandarin, the official standard dialect of the People’s Republic of China.

It is being facilitated under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which was signed by the principal stakeholders during a brief ceremony at the Institute’s Palisadoes Park campus last Wednesday.

The signatories included: Transport, Works, and Housing Minister, Omar Davies, who has portfolio responsibility for the CMI; Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Dong Xiaojun; and CMI Executive Director, Dr Fritz Pinnock.

Delivering brief remarks, Davies said the MOU represents the continuation of an “expanded range” of agreements forged between Jamaica and China, particularly in relation to the maritime industry.

“This is of significance, and for that rea-

son, on behalf of my ministry and, indeed, on behalf of the government of Jamaica, I am pleased to be associated with this. We look forward to building on (this and other) relationships,” said Davies.

Ambassador Dong, in his response, said the MOU’s signing is “evidence of the cordial relationship between the education sectors of our two countries”.

“It clearly shows that we have to explore all kinds of possibilities (between our countries); and as long as we can explore and find different ways to cooperate, I think we will be able to get things moving and done,” he stated.

For his part, Dr Pinnock, described the signing as an “opportune moment” to lay the platform that will further advance and consolidate Jamaica’s preparations for global developments, particularly in the maritime industry. (Jamaica Observer)

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Balwant Singh hospital performs historic cornea transplant operations

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he Balwant Singh Hospital in Guyana last Saturday reported that it has successfully undertaken six cornea transplant operations since it recently began offering the service.

Corneal transplant, also known as corneal grafting, is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by donated corneal tissues in its entirety or in part.

The graft is taken from a recently deceased individual with no known diseases or other factors that may affect the viability of the donated tissue or the health of the recipient.

The six patients, including one female, successfully underwent surgery on July 26 and

The Balwant Singh Hospital in Georgetown, Guyana (Balwant Singh Hospital photo)

27.

Preceding this surgery, all of these patients were at the time waiting to go overseas for treatment as it was not readily available lo-

cally.

The hospital reported that all the patients were released between 24 to 48 hours and are recovering satisfactorily thus far.

Balwant Singh Hospital Administrator, Dr Madhu Singh, stated that preparations for this process have been ongoing for the last six months, and the hospi-

tal is pleased to report on the success.

She noted that the Balwant Singh Hospital is now offering the surgery, which was done at the Georgetown Public Hospital some time ago.

Singh, at last Saturday’s press conference, explained that several persons are faced with both financial and visa limitations, and as such, it was fitting for them to do this procedure in Guyana.

All the corneas were obtained from three different eye banks located in the USA, and Dr Singh called for greater awareness in Guyana.

She said Dr Stephen Waller, who was responsible for arranging the corneas and bringing them to Guyana, has many years of experi-

ence in setting up eye banks and cornea donations around the world, and is actively working to set up Guyana’s first eye bank.

She called on eligible Guyanese to pledge their eyes for donation as the hospital is working to widen its own donation programme.

M e a n w h i l e , Operating Surgeon, Dr Neeraj Jain, explained that there is a list of about 25 persons waiting to undergo the surgery, which will see the replacement of the superficial layer of the eye or the replacement of the entire eye.

With the cornea transplant procedure now being offered in Guyana, it will be more beneficial and less costly for Guyanese patients.

Canadian project helps indigenous farmers boost production the Canadian government for supporting the project, which will improve the livelihoods of local farmers.

Toshao of the community, Doreen Jacobis, said the 128-year-old community depends heavily on farming.

Tapakuma Toshao Doreen Jacobis proudly displays the keys to the tractor in the presence of Guyana's Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker (left), the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Collin Croal (right) and other regional officials

A

merindian women residing at the farming community of Tapakuma Village (located 14 miles in the forest) in Region Two, Guyana, will no longer have to endure the arduous task of treecutting and manually tilling the land.

These tasks have been rendered unneccessary with the donation of farming equipment to the community.

The community has been gifted with a brand new 45 horse power new John Deer tractor with disc plough, four chain saws (large and small) and four knapsack sprayers, compliments of Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED).

The machinery was donated to the Tapakuma Women’s Agricultural Diversification Project (TWADP).

According to CARILED National Coordinator Dhanraj Singh, the project with

the Tapakuma women is a Gy$42 million initiative. The six-year programme is being funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development and is being implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Singh in an overview said the project commenced a year ago with initial consultations with residents from the community. He said based on the consultations, he found that the community lacks equipment and most of the work was done by manual labour.

He said that it was realised that a tractor, chainsaws and spray cans could be used to improve large-scale agriculture.

The equipment, Singh stressed, would be used to ramp up peanuts, citrus, plantain and pineapple production.

Diversification

The project also seeks to increase agricultural

production and encourage diversification.

Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker said Guyana has always been deemed as the breadbasket of the Caribbean, noting that the country provides the Caribbean with vegetables.

According to Whittaker, indigenous persons play a pivotal role in food production in Guyana and noted that the women from the Tapakuma community play their part.

He noted that the government through the Agriculture Ministry has invested heavily in helping farmers to diversify cultivation as well as increase production.

“The machines allow you to prepare a larger proportion of land, this will prompt you to cultivate more, the Amerindian people always sustains projects,” Whittaker emphaised.

The minister used the opportunity to thank

The community has a population of 500 residents, with 114 families.

She welcomed the good gesture by CARILED. “Our dream has become a reality, chainsaws, spray cans, we are so happy these equip-

ment will help, we can do more with them. I am extremely happy as a Toshao, I can ensure you that the equipment will be taken care of; I will work side and side with residents to maintain and put in full use,” Jacobis said. (GINA)

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First hearing into Finance Minister’s spending for next week

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he Committee of Privileges will convene within days, Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman said on Tuesday, paving the way for Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh to be placed under scrutiny over the Gy$4.5 billion spent from the Consolidated Fund.

In an interview with Guyana Times International, Trotman disclosed that a date was set for the first meeting; however, it was not convenient for the Opposition Members sitting on the Committee.

Another date is being looked at presently.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Attorney

General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud and Dr Vindhya Persaud will be representing the Government on the Committee of Privileges chaired by the Speaker of the House. Fellow parliamentarians Deputy Speaker Basil Williams, Attorney Joseph Harmon, former Police Commissioner Winston Felix, Christopher Jones, and Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member Cathy Hughes will be representing the Opposition.

Unlike the other members of the Committee, the Chairman does not have any voting rights,

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman

Trotman made clear; however, he assured this newspaper that once the logistics are worked out, the Committee will convene.

In July, the Finance Minister was referred to the Committee of

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

Privileges after the Speaker ruled that a prima facie case was made out against him.

Trotman made the ruling in response to a motion submitted by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl

APNU Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge

Greenidge which sought a committal of the issue to the Privileges Committee of the National Assembly, to allow for appropriate sanctions to be imposed.

In his motion, Greenidge said although the National Assembly in April 2014 did not approve several programmes contained in the Budget, the Finance Minister on June 19 submitted Financial Paper No 1 of 2014 (Statement of Excess on the Current and Capital Estimates totalling Gy$4,553,761,991, for the period ending June

16, 2014) seeking the House’s approval of this expenditure.

Dr Singh indicated that he relied on Article 218 (3b) as the legal basis for the expenditure.

That Article states: “If in respect of any financial year it is found – that any moneys have been expended for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that purpose by the Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act, a supplementary estimate, or as the case may be, a Statement of Excess showing the sums required or spent shall be laid before the Assembly by the Minister responsible for finance or any other Minister designated by the President.”

The Attorney General has since said that Government will challenge the Speaker’s ruling to send the matter to the Privileges Committee, arguing that the motion was purely a legal one.

Almost 18,000 domestic violence cases in one Trinidad court

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: TT’s Minister in the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development Raziah Ahmed recently revealed that from 2012 to 2013, there were 17,748 cases of family and domestic violence or 48.6 cases per day in one court, in a magisterial district in north Trinidad. However, she said these were the cases which reached courts as she observed domestic violence is a hidden issue.

“Imagine how many never reach court because of fear or the desire to protect,” she added.

She also reported that for the same period the National Domestic Violence Hotline handled 997 new client calls with 767 being from females.

For the period January to June this year there were 65 calls, 46 from females. The National Family Services Division dealt with 104 domestic violence cases for the eight month period from October 2013 to May

2014.

She provided the statistics while delivering the feature address at the National Consultation on Strengthening the Domestic Violence Act, 1999, held last week at City Hall, Port-of-Spain.

She commented on issues affecting State institutions and her ministry’s response.

“I think that overall the state of some of our nation’s institutions that fall under our ministry and the neglect over the past 30 plus years and the position that we have placed some of our children and women and our youth, we have brought these issues to the front burner, at the centre of the radar and at the centre of the commitment of huge resources,” she indicated.

Ahmed noted the ministry was actively involved in an all out campaign to revitalise community safe houses, domestic violence shelters, orphanages, industrial homes and community residences throughout the country.

(TT Newsday)

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WPA, PPP planned to jointly topple Burnham ...Rodney CoI hears

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ommissioners probing the circumstances which led to the death of Working People’s Alliance (WPA) founder, Dr Walter Anthony Rodney on Tuesday heard that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had collaborated with the Alliance to bring down the dictatorial Forbes Burnham-led Administration.

There had been persistent reports, including one by Rodney’s mentor CLR James, that Jagan and Rodney had worked out a modus vivendi, against the PNC Government, but this had been stoutly denied

by WPA leaders.

S e n i o r Superintendent of Police and former head of the Special Branch Unit of

the Guyana Police Force, Leslie James, returned to the stand at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry to continue his evidence-in-chief.

And based on the evidence presented from information gathered on the WPA back in 1980, the Commission heard that the two political bodies had made clandestine plans to seize the reins of power from Prime Minister Burnham.

James has been tasked with providing to the Commission all Police-related files gathered by the Special Branch Unit, relating to the explosion of June 13, 1980 which caused the death of Dr Rodney.

While some files of the WPA were missing, those presented revealed information of the politi-

cal bodies’ collaboration during that time.

Collaboration

The two parties, which were under surveillance by the PNC Government, had on several occasions planned to remove the illegal regime. Led in his evidence by Attorney for the Commission, Latchmi Rahamat, Superintendent James read reports on the WPA which involved the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, then leader of the PPP. The reports cited two occasions in May and June of 1980 in Canje Berbice where Dr Jagan had declared that the PPP would do anything to remain in Parliament, even if it meant sitting there with only one seat.

That meeting was held to discuss plans

REDjet founder Ian Burns dead at 58

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Ian Burns, the founder of REDjet, the airline that was the flag carrier of Barbados, died in his native Ireland last Wednesday.

Burns, 58, died from a massive heart attack.

Barbadian businessman Ralph 'Bizzy' Williams said last Thursday that Burns probably died of a broken heart due to the failure of the low-cost carrier.

Burns founded REDjet in 2010 with one-way fares as low as US$9.99 across regional destinations.

Though widely popular among Caribbean commuters, the airline never got the institution-

Ian Burns died last week

al support sought from regional governments, Williams said. It ran into financial problems and collapsed in 2012.

"The man came to Barbados. He tried to set up a regional airline.

He was frustrated nonstop by technocrats, here

and in the other islands," contended Williams, an investor who said he lost millions in the venture.

"And I guess he died of a broken heart. His heart failed him, and having to go back to Ireland to face all the people who invested in his project would have been a tough time for him. He was not a guy who was trivial with people's money," Williams told Caribbean media.

On the day Burns died, chairman of the Barbados Tourism Authority Adrian Elcock bemoaned the loss of that airline, pointing to the dramatic reduction in visitors from the region to Barbados. (Caribbean News)

Dr Cheddi Jagan

Late President Forbes Burnham

Dr Walter Rodney

for the upcoming 1980 General Elections. The files also revealed Dr Jagan expressing concerns for the PPP’s relationship with the WPA, if the PPP did in fact gain that one seat in Parliament. The files reported too that Dr Jagan was prepared for the PPP to become dormant to allow Dr Rodney to carry out the WPA’s activities. Dr Jagan had projected that both the PPP and WPA would have worked secretly together with the aim of toppling Burnham and the PNC Government.

During earlier testimonies to the tribunal, witnesses had revealed that the WPA had crafted a plan to overthrow the 1980 PNC Government. Now leader

of the WPA, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine claimed the late Dr Rodney had been at the forefront of that plan and was acquiring arms and ammunition to achieve that objective.

Every other WPA leader denied the existence of a plan for the armed overthrow of the PNC Government.

Former Police Constable Allan Robert Gates, who said he was acting as a “double agent”, had told the Commission that Dr Roopnaraine had confided in him, relating that he (Roopnaraine) and Dr Rodney were spearheading the operation to bring the Government down. At one time, he said Dr Roopnaraine had discussed the logistics for the overthrow,

in which he explained that it would be avoidable to seize Base Camp Ayanganna and take control of the country’s ports of entry and exit. The discussion with his boss also revealed that the Office of the President would be raided and President Burnham would have been arrested. Plans were also in the pipeline to seize control of the Government radio station.

Since the commencement of the Inquiry some three months ago, the Commission has been hearing about the then PNC Government stifling the Opposition, which Gates and now leader of the PNC David Granger had suggested may have been justifiable after all.

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51-year-old woman killed by pit-bulls A

51-year-old woman was on Tuesday mauled to death by two pit bull dogs at her Lamaha Springs, Georgetown home.

The dead woman has been identified as Joanne Carter, of Lot 232 Block N Lamaha Springs. Carter, who was reportedly suffering from a terminal illness, lived with her sister and brother-in-law but in a separate apartment. She was home alone at the time of the incident.

Carter’s brotherin-law and the owner of the property, Leslie Thomside, told reporters that he and his wife both left for work around 08:15h and as per normal, he returned home at midday to have his

lunch. Thomside said when he got home, he was greeted by his dogs and he observed that they had blood on their mouths.

“I thought they had a fight; a battle between the two of them,” the man said, so he put his stuff away before venturing to the back of the yard to check out the aftermath of the fight.

“I walked down the back and they were running ahead of me; they went into their pen.

As soon as I get where I could have seen the back of the house, I cast my eyes in that direction and saw her (sister-in-law) lying on the ground,” he stated.

Thomside disclosed that the woman was in a kneeling position

Miner dies after being set ablaze

By Vahnu Manikchand

A

miner on Tuesday succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was being treated after being set on fire by a co-worker last week.

Dead is 23-yearold Kester Anderson of Lot 2 Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

Guyana Times International was made to understand that Anderson was involved in an argument with another miner at a mining camp during which the suspect doused him with gasoline before setting him afire.

The incident reportedly occurred around 01:00h on Monday morning at a camp in Barakat Backdam, Cuyuni River.

The camp is said to be owned by the Vulture Mining Establishment located at Bartica, Region Seven. The mother of the dead man, Quenella Griffin, told reporters that her sister received a call from another miner around 06:30h on Monday morning, informing her that Anderson had a misunderstanding with another man and was set alight. The woman said that the caller took her son out of the interior to the Bartica Hospital and ensured that he was transported to Georgetown for further treatment.

Griffin disclosed that Anderson was airlifted from Bartica and arrived in Georgetown around 15:00h on the same day and was rushed

Dead: Kester Anderson

the Georgetown Public Hospital. The grieving woman said when they visited Anderson on Monday, he was unconscious and on a life-support machine.

According to the distraught mother, Anderson was unconscious when they visited him; however, they were told by the nurses that he was speaking when he arrived at the medical institution.

Anderson died on Tuesday afternoon around 15:00h in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The younger brother of the dead man said that he went to see his brother during the midday visiting hours and when he returned three hours later, he was told the unfortunate news.

According to Griffin, her son had been working in the interior for the past two years, and recently began working with this company. She noted that her son is a quiet person who never got into fights. The irate relatives of Anderson are calling for justice and for the Police to thoroughly investigate the incident.

Bloodstains on the door and steps of the small apartment where Carter used to live

and braced against the stairs of her apartment.

She bore injuries to her neck, right shoulder, upper back and on both arms. After making the

gruesome discovery, Thomside went to his next door neighbour and called the Police, informing them of what had transpired.

According to Thomside, he has had the two mixed breed dogs for the past five years for security purposes. He noted that the

dogs were usually tame and had never attacked anyone before nor done something this vicious.

The owner of the dogs explained that Carter had moved in with he and his wife about four months ago after her health deteriorated so that they could take care of her. He said she was staying in a selfcontained apartment at the back of the yard and would usually be in the yard with the dogs – the small structure was a few feet away from the dog pens.

Thomside further told reporters that given the fact the dogs have tasted human blood, he would have to put them down in order to avoid another brutal episode like this.

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Govt says Speaker’s ruling on Hughes, Ramjattan flawed

Neonatal unit opens at West Dem hospital

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Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira analysing the Speaker’s Ruling on Tuesday evening

“T

he mouth is muzzled by the hand that feeds it,” Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira said in response to the ruling made by the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman that prima facie cases have not been made out against Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan and executive member Cathy Hughes.

At a late-night press conference at the Office of the President, Teixeira said it is a clear case of partiality, pointing out that Trotman is the cofounder of the AFC. “I am absolutely not surprised by the Speaker’s ruling, they are his party members,” the Presidential Advisor on Governance told reporters.

The PPP Government had written to Speaker Trotman in July, calling on him to refer both Hughes and Ramjattan to the Committee of Privileges over two matters of conflict of interest.

It was pointed out that Hughes’s company was hired to handle the public relations of Sithe Global, a company working with the Government on the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, while her husband, Nigel Hughes, was employed as the Company Secretary on the same project.

However, neither of these financial interests was voluntarily made public.

Alluding to the Erskine May Parliamentary Practice, Teixeira stated that the offer of money to any parliamentarian for the promotion of any matter whatsoever to be transacted in Parliament is considered a crime.

Ramjattan’s alleged conflict of interest is weighed in the level of support given to the Specialty Hospital since his client Fedders-Lloyd had placed a bid for the tender of the Specialty Hospital in 2012. During that time, Ramjattan had supported the budgetary

allocation for the hospital. However, in 2013, when his client lost the bid, he voted against the allocation for the hospital.

The Speaker in his Ruling on Tuesday said an extension period would have elapsed before the complaints were filed, citing a year. But the Government’s Chief Whip rubbished this argument, saying that there is no time limit in which a matter must be brought to the Committee of Privileges.

“The fact that in 2012 Mr. Ramjattan voted for the Specialty Hospital and then voted against it and then voted against it again in the Budget Debate which was a few months ago. So we have a right to raise it.” According to her, Ramjattan has consistently fought against the construction of the Specialty Hospital because his client had lost the bid.

Additionally, he also stated that no supporting document was provided by the Government, but this too was rubbished by Teixeira who referenced a recent ruling made by the Speaker, referring the Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh to the Committee of Privileges following a motion brought by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge.

“Mr. Greenidge did not provide any evidence to what he was saying.”

Teixeira maintained that her actions were made in keeping with the normal procedures governing the House which requires members to write the Speaker requesting that a member should be referred to the Committee of Privileges.

According to her, the Speaker is expected to call in the complainant for a meeting but in this case, she was never called. The Government is maintaining that Trotman’s Ruling was flawed, and represented another case of prejudice.

he West Demerara R e g i o n a l H o s p i t a l ’ s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was commissioned on Wednesday by the Health Ministry in collaboration with Guyana Help The Kids (GHTK) organisation.

In Guyana, neonatal deaths account for approximately 50 per cent of the under-five mortality. However, with the establishment of NICUs – which provide specialised care for prematurely born babies (neonates) who are not fully developed and are unable to survive on their own without the assistance of monitoring equipment, incubators, and breathing apparatus, Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran said the figure can be reduced significantly.

His comments were endorsed by GHTK President, Dr Narendra Singh. Dr Singh said since the formation of the Canada-based or-

NICU Nursing Programme Director, Dr Leif Nelin explaining the uses of the incubator and its supporting elements

ganisation, emphasis has been placed on paediatric care.

Recognising that neonatal deaths account for a large percentage of under-five mortality in Guyana, GHTK has been working closely with the Health Ministry to build the health sector’s capacity to cater to the needs of neonates.

Dr Singh, who is the Chief of Paediatrics at Humber River Hospital

in Toronto, said in addition to the operationalisation of NICUs, a Paediatric Residency Programme and a Neonatal Nurses Programme have been established. Already the Paediatric Residency Programme has produced two paediatricians and 10 others are being trained.

Meanwhile, 11 nurses have graduated from the Neonatal Nurses

Programme with a batch of 17 set to graduate come November. “We are also training them to be trainers. So at some point in time they will assume ownership of the training programmes,” Dr Singh said. By 2017, GHTK is hoping to have a well-developed neonatal network that could be handed over to the Health Ministry. On Friday, another NICU will be commissioned but this time at the Suddie Public Hospital in Region Two. These goals will be achieved with the support of the Kissoon Family of Canada who are key financial supporters.

Dhaman Kissoon represented his siblings and mother, who are all Canadabased Guyanese who have been offering financial support since 2000.

In addition to GHTK, the Rotary Club, Three Rivers Foundation and an orphanage in India are beneficiaries.

GHTK President, Dr Narendra Singh; Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran; NICU Nursing Programme Director, Dr Leif Nelin and Dhaman Kissoon

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Guyana’s economy to grow by 4.5% … even as ECLAC lowers prospects for region

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he Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has projected a 4.5 per cent growth rate for Guyana — the highest prediction for the Caribbean and the eighth highest in the whole of Latin America.

Only Suriname is projected to grow above four per cent this year in the whole of the Caribbean, with a 4.4 per cent forecast. Trinidad and Tobago is at 2.2 per cent, Barbados 0.5 per cent and Jamaica 1.2 per cent.

For Latin America, Panama leads the way with 6.7 per cent followed by Bolivia 5.5 per cent. The figures were released in ECLAC’s projections for Latin American and Caribbean economies, which the UN body said will experience average growth of 2.2 per cent in 2014, affected by the weakness in external demand, less dynamic domestic demand, insufficient investment, and limited room for implementing policies to spur an upturn.

These elements, ECLAC said have a dif-

ferentiated impact on Latin American and Caribbean countries and sub-regions, confirming a high degree of heterogeneity in growth dynamics, ECLAC added.

The United Nations regional commission unveiled its report Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2014, in which it cut the regional growth forecast for 2014 that was issued last April (2.7 per cent).

The study indicates that the economic slowdown observed in the last quarter of 2013 persisted during the first months of 2014, meaning that the region will grow less than it did last year (2.5 per cent). Nevertheless, the report signals that a gradual improvement in some of the world’s major economies should enable the trend to change towards the end of 2014.

“Macroeconomic policies have to take into account each country’s specific vulnerabilities. Without a doubt, it is important in all cases to increase investment and productivity to guarantee structural

change with equality in the medium term. Both factors are key challenges for the economic sustainability of development, especially in the current context,” said Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, during the presentation of the document.

On a regional level, 2014 growth will be led by Panama, with an increase in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 6.7 per cent. That country will be followed by Bolivia (5.5 per cent) and Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Nicaragua, with expansions of five per cent.

South America

The Central American Isthmus plus Haiti and the Dominican Republic is expected to grow 4.4 per cent, while South America will expand 1.8 per cent, although with great diversity among countries.

The Caribbean will grow two per cent, which implies a recovery from the 1.2 per cent registered in 2013.

The reduction in estimated growth for 2014

responds to different factors, depending on the country being analysed, the document states. In the cases of Argentina — whose GDP will barely grow this year and Venezuela, which should experience a contraction of -0.5 per cent- the available data for the early months of the year reflects the impact of some imbalances that have been manifesting themselves in recent years.

In Chile and Peru, which will expand three per cent and 4.8 per cent, respectively, the decline in economic dynamism is linked to lower levels of investment and a deceleration in household consumption.

In Mexico, a rebound in growth is expected

ECLAC’s Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena

(2.5 per cent compared with 1.1 per cent in 2013), although the rate will be lower than previously forecast (three per cent), while Brazil will undergo a smaller annual expansion of 1.4 per cent, compared with 2.5 per cent last year.

According to ECLAC’s analysis, the

resumption of economic growth in the US will benefit Mexico and Central American countries, while the recovery of the United Kingdom and several economies in the euro zone will have a positive impact, especially in the Caribbean, due to the arrival of more tourists.

PNCR Leader spreads “One Nation” message

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Opposition Leader David Granger poses with some of the attendees of the Emancipation celebration in the National Park

eople’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader, retired Brigadier David Granger continued to spread his message of “One Nation” during the annual Emancipation day observances.

The PNCR, in a release, said Granger told a large crowd in Buxton Village on the night of Thursday, July 31, that the dream of the emancipated Africans was to escape from the domination and discrimination of enslavement and create a society based on human equality. “That dream is still to be realised as Guyana is in danger of being deeply divided into two nations – one impoverished, uneducated and underemployed and underprivi-

leged and the other, rich, educated and employed.”

The following morning, August 1, the PNCR leader speaking at the Glory Light Tabernacle in Plaisance Village, called on the congregation to help to reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities in the country today. He suggested that the church adopt the motto “Every Child in School” by ensuring that every child in the village receives breakfast, transportation and a uniform to get to school every day. The PNCR leader also greeted citizens celebrating the Emancipation Festival during a ‘walkabout’ in the National Park, Georgetown.

Emphasising the need for national uni-

ty and racial reconciliation, Granger reiterated his belief that Emancipation on August 1, 1838 was the real birthday of the Guyanese nation. In brief media interviews, he emphasised that West Africans, West Indians, East Indians, Portuguese and Chinese were brought to Guyana as indentured labourers because sugar planters thought that Emancipation in 1838 would have led to an exodus of freed Africans from the plantations.

This did not happen, but “most migrants remained in Guyana and contributed to the creation of the multiethnic nation we have today… for this reason, everyone should celebrate Emancipation Day.”

News

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Guyanese doctor looks to improve diabetes care … after US training

The drama at City Hall continues - Sooba justifies cutting Councillors’ allowances

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Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt gets a brief from Dr Nichole Nedd-Jerrick upon her return from the United States after participating in an Embassysponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange

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nited States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt met with Dr Nichole Nedd-Jerrick upon her return from the United States after participating in an Embassy-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange.

In a release, the US Embassy said that Dr

Nedd-Jerrick, head of the Enmore Polyclinic, participated in an IVLP exchange on “Public Health Issues in the United States,” from July 6-25.

Dr Nedd-Jerrick shared her IVLP experience with the Chargé d’Affaires and US Embassy representatives. She highlighted a visit to primary health care facilities including Life

Flight Air Ambulance, Family Health Care of Worcester and the Barre Family Health Clinic, Massachusetts.

She was delighted to see the operations firsthand and underscored the value of this experience. She also discussed how she intends to apply the knowledge gained to the benefit of her organcontinued on page 21

he controversy continues at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, this time with the Councillors claiming that the acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, is cutting their allowances hence they are unable to effectively carry out their duties.

Speaking with Guyana Times International on the issue, Sooba defended her move to cut the allowances of some Councillors of the city, stating that she has always carried out her duties in accordance with the law. She explained that the law stipulates for the allowance to cover expenses incurred and these include travel expenses and duty costs.

The acting Town Clerk pointed out that if the Councillors do not show up at Council meetings, then they would not be incurring any expenses; as such, she cannot pay them for services they are not performing.

Sooba disclosed that prior to her assuming

Acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba

the post of Town Clerk, some Councillors did not attend the meetings for as long as nine months and were still being paid.

This, she noted, is illegal and she would not have a hand in it. “We have to follow the procedure… this is not a free-for-all thing,” the acting Town Clerk stated.

She went on to say that her office has been punctual in the payments to the Councillors.

The acting Town Clerk said the payments for July were a bit late since she had to wait until

the last meeting of the month before she began calculating the payments.

In a statement released on Monday, the Mayor and Councillors of the City expressed disgust at what they described as the “unprecedented unilateral action of Ms Carol Sooba to deduct monies from the allowances of certain Councillors, for the month of July 2014”.

The Council said it loathes this action, noting that it has repeatedly complained about this move by Sooba, but the Minister of Local Government, Norman Whittaker and the Government seem to be supporting this illegal action, “by the individual they imposed on the council, as Town Clerk (ag)”.

The M&CC said Sooba has no authority or right, under the law, to interfere, in any way, with monies already approved for Councillors; hence, her action is unacceptable and illegal.

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High level of international interest shown in Guyana Festival - Ali

By Svetlana Marshall

H

undreds of persons from across the Region have confirmed their participation for the highly-anticipated Guyana Festival, an event that will set the stage for

Guyanese to promote their rich culture, talent and mouth-watering food.

At the venue of the event, the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali

told Guyana Times International that the event is gaining momentum, ahead of the grand opening ceremony. Minister Ali disclosed that there is tremendous international interest, pointing out that the tour operators

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali and former West Indies Captains Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan struck a pose after touring the Guyana Festival site at the National Stadium Monday afternoon. Both cricketers will do battle in an exhibition match during the three-day event (Carl Croker photo)

in Suriname have confirmed that more than 500 persons have signed up for the three-day event. According to him, the ‘domino’ effect will be remarkable for the hotel and hospitality industry in Guyana.

Passports

Approximately 20,000 Guyana Festival Passports are being sold in countries around the world, including the United States and Canada, as well as South American and Caribbean countries. Sold at the cost of Gy$3000 or US$15, the rush is on for the passports which will give spectators access to the event on all three days, starting on Friday, August 8, in addition to the opportunity to drive home in style in a spanking new car.

“The passport sales are going as expected.

We have a lot of interest, and the sale is picking up greater and greater.

And we also have daily tickets that are on sale at the cost of Gy$1000 but the passports give you that added benefit of getting the more than 20 discount coupons and also the chance to win that car.”

In the local arena, Ali said the response from the Private Sector

stage.

In the T20 Festival Cricket, the Masters will challenge President’s IX, in a heated match at 16:00h which will be followed by the Festival Football Match which will see the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) taking on Slingerz at 19:00h.

A group of men busily putting together the array of rides and games for Coney Island

has been “tremendous,” pointing out that there will be 70 booths spread across the tarmac, in addition to the six cultural villages and Coney Island.

The inaugural Guyana Festival will take both locals and foreigners by storm with the opening event – a National Concert, to be held under the theme “Myths and Legends…

Sweet, Sweet Guyana,” as it sets the scene for an action-packed, culturally rich weekend.

The National Steel Orchestra, Woodside Choir and Nrityageet dancers are among the line-up for the star-studded concert.

Festival Games

After long weeks of work, Guyanese from all walks of life, along with the international spectators, will converge at the National Stadium.

History will also be created in the sporting arena, as the Festival Games take centre

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the sweet aroma of fingerlicking Guyanese cuisine will fill the air, as persons engage in a National Cook Out. Some 40 individuals, families, and teams have signed up for the grand competition, with some participants coming from North America.

The Guyana Festival will end with a bang on Sunday night with the “Generation Next Concert” featuring all the popular names and upcoming stars in the entertainment arena.

GTI caught up with prolific West Indies batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan at the Guyana National Stadium. Chanderpaul said the Festival Cricket will be an opportunity of a lifetime. His colleague, Sarwan said he was “pretty excited to be part” of the match, as he is given yet another opportunity to make Guyana proud.

NEWS

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Govt wary of loan defaulters President Ramotar lashes … as UG fees hike takes effect out at Opposition for ‘antidevelopment stance’

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

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overnment has expressed concerns about the increasing number of students defaulting on their University of Guyana student loans even as it prepares to increase the portfolio with the recent hike in tuition fees.

Speaking to this newspaper recently, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said the increase in tuition fees at UG and discussions on the access to students’ loans for the new semester is currently engaging the attention of the Government.

He said Government still needs to reflect on the fullness of the implication of the loan increase before a more definite pronouncement could be made on the matter.

Compounding the issue is also the voting down of the Gy$450 million student loan subvention in this year’s budget. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger and Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan have said that the voting down of the UG Student Loan subvention was not a premeditated act.

They have indicated that if the Government

…during meeting with Pomeroon residents

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi

brings a Supplementary Bill to the House, they will most willingly reinstate funding for the university.

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi had told this newspaper that if the decision to axe the budgetary allocation is not soon reversed, a severe crisis would ensue at the country’s premier tertiary institution. Professor Opadeyi had explained that the situation was further complicated, since loans to students are issued on a yearly basis.

The Finance Minister had said some weeks ago that thousands of graduates from the University of Guyana have failed to honour their debts in the repayment of their loan and that alternative courses of action would have to be implemented to encourage greater compliance with the Student Loan Agreement which is issued by the University of Guyana Student Loan Facility and funded by the Finance Ministry.

But since that pronouncement, Minister Singh said there has not been any amount of cooperation by students who had benefited from the loan programme.

This, he explained is troubling.

According to him, it was his hope that persons would have come forward and begin the repayment process.

Compliance

Meanwhile, Minister Singh said that the increase in tuition fees and discussion on student loans have to be viewed within the context of his earlier statement, relating to the level of compliance of students who were granted student loans.

Essequibo teen stabbed to death

By Indrawattie Natram

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olice on the Essequibo Coast are investigating the death of a 17-year-old who was found with a stab wound at the Anna Regina Squatting Area.

Dead is Alex Narine from Colombia Village on the Essequibo Coast. Narine was discovered by residents on the main pathway leading to the squatting area with a stab wound to his back which apparently penetrated his lungs.

He was discovered around 15:30h on Monday.

Police said, in a release, that about 15:00h Narine was involved in an argument with another man over a computer at Drying Floor Ground, Anna Regina, during which he was stabbed to his back. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Hospital.

The suspect is in Police Custody and is assisting with the investigations.

Meanwhile, according to Narine’s mother, Brenda, she received a call around 16:00h that her son was stabbed. The mother said she immediately took a vehicle and went to the scene; however, when she got there, Police told her no one could touch the body. The mother said her son was still breathing and she was trying to get Police to listen to her pleas to carry him to the hospital. Police conducted their investigations and then the body of the teenager was placed into the Police vehicle and transported to Suddie Public Hospital.

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President Donald Ramotar hands over the boat engine to Wakapau Toshao Lloyd Perreira

resident Donald Ramotar last weekend visited the Arawak village of Wakapau in Pomeroon, Region Two, during which he told residents of the challenges to his leadership of the country, blaming the Opposition and what he described as the “opposition media” for some of the problems.

President Ramotar was accompanied by Minister within the Agriculture Ministry Alli Baksh and Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud. The Head-of -State updated the community on obstacles faced by the Government in carrying out its development agenda, the main one he listed being the "Opposition’s ‘anti-development' stance against such projects as the Specialty Hospital and the effort to have hydro-power in the country”.

The President also

spoke of the Opposition’s continued lingering on the passage of the critical Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, the President stated clearly that the Opposition is only looking after its own political agenda at the expense of the country and its people.

“They want power so bad that they do not care if they hurt the ordinary people of our country,” the President said and pointed out that the Opposition’s sole purpose is to hurt the country in hopes that things will become so bad that the people would turn against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) Government.

Residents were also brought up to speed with the Opposition’s cutting of the National Budget, with an emphasis on tar-

geting developmental programmes that would bring about significant benefits to all.

The President said that this latest action by the Opposition shows their dishonesty in their carrying of the propaganda line that Government, in restoring the cut projects, is acting illegally.

“The Constitution gives us this right,” the President said. He said too that the Opposition has the advantage of having the country’s two main private newspapers on its side He told the residents that the PPP/C needs their support to carry on the transformation of the country. He pointed out too, that the Government has a lot of challenges ahead of it, but also with many things still to be achieved. This, he noted can only be done collectively with support from residents to realise the full potential of the country.

Guyanese doctor looks...

from page 19

Dead: Alex Narine

When the body reached Suddie Hospital, porters took a while to assist.

The mother then began to scream for attention and a doctor came and hurriedly assisted. The teenager’s body was then transported inside where doctors certified him dead. The mother is of the view that if her son was transported on time, he could have been alive.

According to Narine’s father, Devavratt, his son was in love with a teenager who was still attending school. He said his son left home Monday morning around 08:00h to visit his girlfriend. He noted his son worked in the interior and recently returned home a few days ago.

isation and other healthcare facilities in Guyana.

As a result of this experience, Dr Nedd-Jerrick will seek to improve diabetes care plans at the Enmore Polyclinic, enhance use of nutrition displays, and follow up on the monitoring of the use of pesticides in cash crops. She also underscored the value of the many professional linkages made with US institutions and other IVLP participants from countries around the world, which can only strengthen her work for the benefit of the Guyanese people.

During the programme, Dr NeddJerrick and her counterparts from 15 countries visited several cities, including Washington, DC; Worcester, Massachusetts; Phoenix, Arizona; and Seattle, Washington. One of the main objectives of the programme is to promote international cooperation on the common challenges facing the global community in preventing, treating, and managing chronic and non-communicable diseases such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

The IVLP participants had an opportunity to examine public awareness campaigns about health issues and challenges to healthcare delivery systems.

They also examined federal, state, and local efforts at preventative screening and wellness programmes, such as projects promoting maternal and child health.

In addition, participants had the opportunity to assess US and international health care programmes and increase information sharing and transparency on global health issues.

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Process to elect PNCR party leader is ‘unfair and biased’ – McAllister

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ormer PNCR Executive Member and Parliamentarian, James McAllister, said that the party needs to put systems in place that would see an end to the continued rigging of its internal leadership elections.

McAllister expressed profound concerns over the impact of the party’s 18th Biennial Congress which ended in chaos, bitter divisions and amid a gunshot in July.

Speaking with Guyana Times International during an exclusive interview on Saturday, McAllister, who resides overseas, said the process and system for electing party office bearers remain unfair and biased.

Undemocratic

“Once the contest becomes one for [the] party leader, then the entire system becomes highly undemocratic. In this case, Mr Granger’s team was responsible for processing members’ applications and compiling the Voter’s List,” he explained.

For the first, McAllister explained how the system is rigged in favour of whomever is the party leader, especially if there is a serious challenge to his post during a congress.

“Imagine if the PPP had the authority to identify and appoint all GECOM Commissioners and could change the Voters’ List at their whim, would Mr Granger call that a fair pro-

cess? How would he deem an election held under such conditions,” McAllister asked.

He said there is urgent need for the party to look at reforming how it conducts its elections so as to strengthen its viability and democracy.

“It is clear that the process was not fair,” he said, referring to last month’s Congress.

“For them to arrogantly maintain it was fair and flawless would suggest to some that they are people who once given power would hold onto it at all cost.”

McAllister asserted that the problem lies with the Constitution of the party which is premised on there being a maximum leader that oversees the process and ensures fairness.

Rigging

Using the Linden debacle as an example, he said groups would submit their membership, which is accepted. They would then submit the nominations and once a majority was for Norton, “then the profiling started”.

“Then based on the distribution of nominations across the country, membership numbers were adjusted… to ensure that groups that nominated Mr Granger were entitled to more delegates than the total that of the groups that nominated Norton were entitled to,” he said.

He said Norton would have anticipated this, having been in the system for a while.

Former PNCR General Secretary Aubrey Norton

Way forward

“They need to accept that leadership challenges are here to stay and adjust the rules to ensure fairness and transparency where an impartial committee takes over membership as soon as enrolment closes… nominations should be submitted to the Committee and should remain confidential to avoid targeting and intimidation of groups by party officials,” he insisted.

He also recommended that on the day that membership closes, the Secretariat must provide the Committee with the membership broken down by groups across the country.

He said the Secretariat should not make changes to the declared numbers, for the purpose of the elections, unless approved by the Accreditation Committee.

McAllister strong-

Former PNCR Parliamentarian James McAllister

ly believes too that the Secretariat must produce to the Committee the financials, showing that all memberships were paid for. He said he made these very recommendations back in 2004 when he was a member of the Accreditation Committee for the PNCR.

Granger’s inadequacies

Asked whether he was initially supporting Norton’s candidacy to become the new PNCR Leader, McAllister said that he has not been a member since 2007. He, however, said that he respected Norton’s contributions and his political abilities, adding that he would have brought a new vision to the party’s leadership.

McAllister admitted that he did work with Granger once on a Committee to document the PNCR’s history, but could not recall Granger play-

ing any significant role in the building of the party.

He said Granger was “a man with good intentions who lacks what it takes to do what is to be done. I believe he always availed himself to do specialised tasks… but never political work in the communities”.

Asked too, whether he believes Granger should use his second term to fight for shared governance as past PNCR leaders did, Norton responded “I don’t know because to be honest, I have no idea what he believes in (or) what is his political platform.”

Thrown out

McAllister said he was thrown out of the PNCR after he joined team (Vincent) Alexander to fight to remove Corbin from the helm of the party back in 2007.

He recalled the team being taken before a Disciplinary Committee and charged with several offences. He said that the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) intervened and charges were dropped against the team, but Corbin was out to have his head.

He said he was made to face trumped-up charges and was suspended as well as recalled from the National Assembly. Asked if he would return, he said that he believes in speaking freely in and out of the party and his understanding is that the party’s pledge debars that.

Guyanese youths get training in animation A group of young people in Guyana began foundational training in computer animation last Monday aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage, steering young people away from crime and violence, and offering them different career options.

According to a release by the Caricom Secretariat, the training, which is under way at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal,Greater Georgetown, is being undertaken as a partnership among the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat, the United States Government and Animae Caribe. The exercise offers participants the opportunity to use technology to tap into their creativity and enter a very lucrative field which spawns advertising, education, and the film industry, and combines art and technology.

Caricom member states recently ramped up efforts in developing cultural and creative industries of which ani-

Participants in intense discussion on the ideal Caribbean youth during the first day of the workshop

mation is a key component.

Programme Manager of the Culture and Community Development sub-programme of the Caricom Secretariat, Dr Hilary Brown, said in 2010, the Caricom Secretariat began exploring the field as one of the creative industries with potential for development in the Caribbean.

The workshop is the fourth in a series

under the CaricomUnited States Agency for International Development (USAID) Crime and Violence Prevention Project and the Caricom and Animae Caribe regional initiative called “Animating the Caribbean” that engages young people between 15-29.

The partnership with the United States (US) Government comes under the umbrella of

the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) between the US and Caribbean governments, which was announced by US President Barack Obama in 2009 during the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.

President Obama, in announcing the CBSI initiative, had emphasised the need for critical development in

communities through support for social justice programmes and the importance of providing opportunities for education, jobs, and careers for young people in the Region, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, Mr Bryan Hunt said at the opening of the workshop on Monday.

The animation skillbuilding workshop, he added, expands the work that the Caribbean Community has been doing under the CBSI partnership, investing in youth training in a science and technology field that is very relevant today.

Mr Alfred King, Permanent Secretary of Guyana’s Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, which is also partnering with the Caricom Secretariat for the initiative, lauded the workshop for its potential to counter unemployment among youth.

Noting that animation was responsible for a booming multibilliondollar industry in the United States, he said it

has similar potential for the Caribbean Region.

Two one-day workshops were previously held in Suriname during CARIFESTA XI in August 2013, with approximately 50 young people benefiting from the training. A third one-day workshop involving 20 young inmates was held at the Youth Training Centre (YTC) in Trinidad and Tobago in October 2013 prior to the Animae Caribe Animation and Digital Media Festival.

However, this workshop in Guyana is the first community-based intensive short course in animation.

A critical component of this workshop involves using animation to safeguard the cultural heritage of the Caribbean.

This is being done through an introduction to the Caribbean’s oral tradition to orient the participants in the rich culture and diversity of the Region. The participants were encouraged

by Dr Brown to design their storylines using Caribbean personalities and folklore.

news WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014

23

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese experts reviewing Surinamese insurance 911 emergency line company expanding

operations in Guyana

…after several complaints

F

ollowing the assessment of the 911 emergency line system by international experts, local specialists have been recruited to review the inefficient service which has been heavily criticised by citizens over the years.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee told Guyana Times International that his Ministry has put aside the process of reviewing the recommendations made by the overseas experts and is now waiting for the local team to complete their assessment.

Rohee said the local experts will be examining the deficiencies of the emergency line and make the necessary recommendations on how to improve emergency services for citizens.

“We are going an alternative path now, using local experts to see how best they can help us to address the problems we are having,” he said. While there are recommendations made by the overseas experts, further advice is needed from local specialists in the area of the technicalities of the system.

However, the Minister told this newspaper that the local experts would be doing some research and assessments of their own before considering those made by the US experts.

Earlier this year, Rohee had announced that two US experts had been recruited to review the country’s emergency hotline system.

He disclosed that more than US$20,000 was approved by Cabinet for the recruitment of the experts, who were brought through a consultancy firm from the Region.

The two US experts

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

A

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

arrived in Guyana early in March and after a fiveday assessment, they submitted three basic recommendations to the Home Affairs Ministry for short, medium and long-term solutions.

During the process, the team assessed various Police stations and held consultations with stakeholders.

The first recommendation that was made by these experts was the need for the three emergency lines – that is, 911 for Police, 912 for Fire Service and 913 for Ambulance Assistance – to be merged into one hotline. But within that one hotline number, 911, there will be dedicated emergency lines linked to technical personnel from all three areas.

Another recommendation made was for the country’s entire 911 system to be reviewed; however, this would be very costly and difficult since there is only one telephone company in Guyana that offers landline services.

Over the years, Guyanese have complained bitterly about the inefficiencies of the emergency lines in Guyana.

Rohee had claimed that

the unresponsiveness of the 911 system was technically linked to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company.

He stated that sometimes 911 calls are placed and senders hear the ringtone, but the telephones on the receiving end do not ring. He added that this is one of the main reasons people are often unable to get through with the emergency service.

On the other hand, the telephone giant refuted the allegation, claiming that it was being wrongfully accused and laid the blame at the feet of the Guyana Police Force.

GT&T explained that the 911 service is installed and operated like any other landline service provided, but the 911 equipment is controlled by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“Hence, GT&T has no responsibility nor visibility as to manning levels and indeed whether or not there are GPF personnel tasked with 24 hours, seven days, 365day manning of the 911 facilities across the country,” the company said in a statement.

ssuria General G u y a n a Incorporated launched its first branch office at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara with the promise of expanding its services to other areas of Guyana in the near future.

During the simple but significant launching ceremony last week Thursday, acting General Manager Yogindra Arjune said the opening of the Vreed-enHoop office is in keeping with Assuria’s strategic plan to increase market share.

“The advantage to having a presence in the West Coast area is that the growing customers in the region will have

Assuria acting General Manager Yogindra Arjune

in March 2012, the Surinamese company opened in Guyana under the name Assuria General (GY) Inc at Lot 133 Church Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown.

Meanwhile, Assuria Suriname, Foreign Operations Director Suniel Nandpersad said the company is in

Assuria Suriname Foreign Operations Director Suniel Nandpersad and another employee cutting the ribbon to signal the opening of the Vreed-en-Hoop branch office

easy access to the products and services available only at Assuria,” he said.

In his remarks, Arjune signalled the company’s intention to open another branch office in the East Berbice region to focus on the new business and population growth. Back

Guyana to stay, positing that it has established itself firmly across the Caribbean as it moves towards becoming a major player on the international scene in the insurance industry.

Addressing the small gathering, Nandpersad said the establishment of the Vreed-en-Hoop

branch office is a testimony of its growth. He explained that the West Coast community was seen as the next best economic hub outside of Georgetown; hence, the decision was taken to capitalise on the growing opportunities on the West Coast and West Bank Demerara. He assured the commercial sector that Assuria will embrace the changing dynamics within the insurance industry, positing that customers now demand easy access and convenience.

Currently, Assuria Guyana Life Guyana has some 19 employees and 10 agents who strive to meet the needs of the Guyanese populace.

Assuria Insurance Companies in Guyana sells motor insurance with free and transferable coverage while driving in Suriname, fire and allied perils with compensation for temporary housing up to six months, all types of bonds, whether it be bid, mobilisation advance or performance, burglary, machinery all risk, plat glass, consequential loss, indemnity liability, group medical, life and pension, international medical and travel insurance, individual life and pension plans, offering additional benefits and services to customers.

Assuria is the largest insurance company in Suriname and has been providing creative and innovative insurance and risk management solutions to the country since 1889, when the first Dutch insurance company established its first subsidiary in Suriname. (svetlanam@ guyanatimesgy.com)

PPP/C not optimistic about anti laundering bill being passed before October

G

eneral Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Clement Rohee says that there is no optimism that the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill will be passed by the end of this year.

Rohee, who was speaking at the Party’s weekly Press conference on Monday, told reporters that the parliamentary Opposition continues to throw gauntlets at the matter, and he is

sure that the Bill will not be passed before the year comes to an end.

Asked what methods will be used by the PPP to address the situation, Rohee informed the media that it will use both the parliamentary and extra parliamentary struggles.

“Parliamentary struggle refers to fighting tooth and nail in the Parliament, exposing the Opposition in the Parliament, putting motions and bills that would make it difficult for the Opposition to reject. Extra parliamenta-

ry struggle means working among the people, streets and towns mobilising supporters and non-supporters of our work, both inside and outside Parliament”.

Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira had said that it would be good if Guyana could pass the Anti-Money Laundering Amendment Bill before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meets again in October.

Teixeira, who also chairs the Special Select Committee, had told Guyana Times

International that attempts had been made to convene an urgent meeting with the Opposition but to no avail. The work of the Select Committee had reportedly hit “rock bottom” between the Government and the coalition failing to agree on fundamental sections of the proposed amendments to the Principal Act. The Government had objected to moves by the Opposition to establish an AML/CFT Authority and the removal of the powers of the Finance Minister and President to

appoint and dismiss the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

This comes as a direct result of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) referring Guyana to FATF, because of its non-compliance with the agreed Action Plan.

A public statement was also issued in which the country was identified as a jurisdiction with significant AML/CFT deficiencies, which has failed to make significant progress in addressing those deficiencies.

Guyana is now con-

sidered a risk to the international financial system, and, as such, CFATF members are being called upon to implement further countermeasures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana.

Attempts to reconcile the political parties after major fallout over amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2009 have proven futile.

24 News Only PNC could have killed Rodney - Karen De Souza WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

BY TAJERAM MOAHBIR

F

ormer Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive Karen De Souza has contended that given the threats and violence meted out to that party leaders and supporters, it could only be logical to conclude that the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government killed world renowned Historian, Dr Walter Rodney.

De Souza, who returned to the stand after giving her evidencein-chief on April 29, told the tribunal that both the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the PNC saw the WPA as a threat, while noting that President Forbes Burnham was bent on maintaining power at all costs. The esteemed

tribunal heard that Dr Rodney was an exceptional intellectual, who was charismatic, had mass appeal and was interested in removing the “dictatorial and oppressive PNC Government”.

Not racist

De Souza, under cross-examination from Attorney Selwyn Pieters, who is representing the Guyana Trade Unions Congress (GTUC), also confirmed that the late WPA leader did refer to Burnham as “King Kong” but explained that given the circumstance that it was made, the label was not racist, though admitting that it was derogatory. She explained that it was normal in those days from the various political parties to trade insults, pointing out that in retaliation, Burnham re-

Former WPA Executive Karen De Souza taking the oath before her cross-examination

ferred to the WPA leaders as “those little boys” and had referred to the PPP as a dead party, at the PNC’s third Biennial Congress.

The former WPA Executive explained that the now ruling party at the time had a vibrant presence in the National Assembly, and according to persons who have

already testified, it was seen by the PNC as the official Opposition party.

A falsity

She contended that contrary to the view the PNC is trying to propagate, the WPA could not at least be intimidating to Burnham, as he had the State’s security forces behind him, plus the party’s youth

arm, the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM).

De Souza pointed out that the wrath of Burnham from all indications turned against the WPA in full force following the burning down of the National Development Ministry in 1979, though to the best of her knowledge, the WPA had no hand in the arson.

Now a women’s advocate, De Souza said during those days as an activist of the party, she was busy distributing the Day Clean, the WPA's official newspaper and was only armed with spray cans to imprint the party’s message in public places.

Under rigorous cross-examination from Attorney Pieters, De Souza said she had no in-

formation that the WPA was collecting arms and was trying to infiltrate the army as disclosed by others who have testified before the Commission. The former WPA Executive, who was 22-years-old at the time she joined the WPA, described her role in the party then as a road soldier. She pointed out that she never knew Gregory Smith but learnt of him after Dr Rodney’s death.

De Souza also told the tribunal that she was unaware that Dr Rodney was testing a walkie-talkie on the night of June 13 when he was killed outside the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown. She remembered the WPA leader as brave and courageous man, who was a risk-taker, like all members of the party.

“Greater things in store” – Lisa Punch

G

Lisa Punch

uyanese songstress Lisa Punch’s dreams were shattered on Sunday evening following her elimination from the ABC’s singing competition “Rising Star” which is aired live across the world. But the singer did her country proud to even make it into the competition, and progressed to the second round.

Performing Alicia Key’s “Girl on Fire”, she failed to raise the wall.

Performing first, Macy Kate sang “Who Knew” and managed to score 60 per cent which put her in the hot seat after Alice Lee scored 48 per cent and was sent home.

Punch had to beat 60 per cent but was short by a mere one per cent. She would have gotten “yes” from all the judges, but the voting public let her down, although her performance was incredibly energetic and charismatic.

Nevertheless, she still had another chance to reach the quarter finals if the West Coast voted for her, but this time around, she was not saved. After the performance, she said she enjoyed herself to the

“max” and thanked her fans for their support over the past weeks. “Do not be discouraged because this is just the beginning of greater things in store for me and all of Guyana. I’m very happy because unity was formed in my country and everyone agreed on one thing which is to make sure that I win. I didn’t win the show, but I’m a winner because I have you, the best set of people and best set of fans backing me all the way! We all can live our dreams,” Punch stated in a Facebook post.

At the beginning of the show, she expressed her gratitude to President Donald Ramotar and the citizens of Guyana for believing in her. She was proud to say that Guyana’s motto, One People One Nation One Destiny was evident as the country rallied for her success. It is with this in mind that she noted she reached thus far in the competition and despite her not moving on, “this is not the end of Lisa Punch”.

The evening saw eight contestants going through to the quarter final which continues on ABC next Sunday.

News

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Gruesome! Murdered US-based Guyanese woman was stabbed more than 40 times

A

Chinelle Latoya Browne

27-year-old Guyanese mother of four who was allegedly killed by her landlady was stabbed more than 40 times before being dismembered and decapitated, a New York court heard last Friday.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Biancavilla said there were wounds to the neck and torso of the woman, which adds up to about 40 stab wounds, in addition to the dismemberment.

A local news agency reported that after court, the District Attorney said he could not remember a more gruesome case.

Chinelle Latoya Browne’s body over

Murder accused: Leah Cuevas

a 12-day period was found literally in pieces across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

“It truly is shocking to me that we were talking about something as horrendous as this,” Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

Leah Cuevas’s Attorney entered a NotGuilty plea, but she was held without bail. She was reportedly charged with second degree murder.

“The evidence isn’t in and then the facts aren’t in and there are no eyewitnesses, no confession. She has a presumption of innocence,” Mary Beth Abbatte, Curvas’s Attorney said.

If convicted, Cuevas faces 25 years in prison.

During the case, Police Prosecutor said that Cuevas angrily confronted Browne over non-payment of rent and utilities on July 4. Then on July 5, witnesses saw Browne entering the apartment and then heard a confrontation.

According to prosecutors, Browne’s torso was found less than one mile from Cuevas’ sister’s house in Bay Shore while her arms and head were found in separate locations in Hempstead the following days. Investigators are working on the theory that the woman may have had help to commit the murder.

The 27-year-old mother of four of 346 Sumpter Street, Brooklyn, New York was last seen leaving her apartment to visit the laundry room.

While there, reports suggested that there was a confrontation between the now dead woman and Cuevas.

A few days after her disappearance, the body of a partially dis-

membered female was found in a parking lot in downtown Bay Shore by two people, who were walking to the Fire Island ferry terminal on Maple Avenue.

The relatives of the missing woman have

since contacted the relevant authorities with details about visible tattoos on the woman’s body, which is at Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office, where an autopsy was performed, resulting in

a positive identification of the woman.

Browne, formerly of Lot 431 Baramita Street, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, left Guyana on May 29, 2013 after securing her citizenship in 2008.

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NEWS

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

African Business Expo to be launched in November

I

ACDA Director Eric Phillips

n an effort to promote entrepreneurship among people of African descent, the African Cultural Development and Association (ACDA) will later this year host the first ever African Business Expo.

ACDA Director Eric Phillips told Guyana Times International that the event is to recognise black entrepreneurs throughout Guyana and will be launched in November 2014.

The event is also a dedication to the life and works of the late Marcus

Garvey, who Phillips described as the father of Pan Africanism, a hero, political icon, daring entrepreneur, poet and powerful orator.

This exhibition will also celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Garvey’s United Negroes Improvement Association (UNIA), which was an organisation dedicated to racial pride, economic self-sufficiency, and the formation of an independent black nation in Africa.

This Business Exhibition will highlight and promote prominent

Afro-Guyanese businesses and their owners for their significant contributions to Guyana’s economic society. The businessmen and women will also be rewarded for being significant role models for other young Guyanese of African descent who may travel down the same business path.

The African Business Expo is set to have about 100 booths that will display 100 different products or business ideas from Guyanese locals.

According to Phillips, the event will be a learning experience as persons of the African community can learn and build from each other. Also said to be present at the expo will be 10 international exhibitors who will assist Guyanese in reaching out to larger regional and international markets.

The two-day event will feature the launch of 10 new local products, all produced by AfroGuyanese. In addition, there will be five workshops tackling all business related issues such as exporting, financing, clusters and product management.

OLPF Programme

Region 5 residents say laptops will help change their lives

T

Sirmattie Mangar of Hyde Park holds firmly the laptop given to her by OLPF officials in Region Five

he One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Programme is adding to its long list of recipients, with hundreds more happy and grateful people, as it continues its distribution exercise.

An additional batch of computers was distributed last Sunday to Region Five Residents at Hyde Park. Residents who benefited from the distribution were quick to comment on their pleasure at receiving the Government laptops.

Whitney Joseph expressed appreciation at receiving her laptop, stating that, “it could help my children with their homework and everything”. For Alexia

Richmond, the laptop will be used by her entire family.

“Being a mother and parent of two, I can be able to assist my kids at home with their homework without having to go to the Internet café and pay, which adds more expense for the family. So I am grateful for what the Government is doing in our community.”

Monty Moonesar feels good about the laptop, stating that his children would learn from the computer while Sirmattie Mangar, a widow, is happy because it will benefit her four grandchildren who are without parents. Phulmanie Jadubh

is also happy that her grandchildren will learn and do a lot of school work on the new computer.

Janat Jadoo stated that his entire family will now become computer literate and will be able to access information which is important for them, and he is “… much thankful for this gesture”.

Meanwhile, Rena Ramah expressed the hope that Government continues its distribution exercise to ensure that each family in Guyana can access a computer.

The novel OLPF programme targets the distribution of 90,000 laptops to Guyanese by 2015. (GINA)

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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NEWS

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

undergoes New banquet hall opens in Linden Guyanese life-saving brain - Govt says it’s another example of investors’ confidence in the economy

T

he J & C Renaissance Banquet Hall, which is located in Ameila’s Ward, Linden last Saturday opened its doors, another testimony to investors’ confidence in the local economy.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who commissioned the building, said the initiative also bears evidence that Linden is progressing and is on par with other regions of the country in terms of development.

“It brings great pleasure to us in Government to see progress taking place, an event such as this, it shows that someone has made a judgment and has made an investment after seeing that Linden is advancing and progressing and not too far behind compared to other parts of the country.”

Prime Minister Hinds said as a Government, working to improve standards of living in the country is a priority and will always be the end point to which the administration works.

“We recognised that the achievements

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and proprietress of J&C Renaissance Banquet Hall Janice Mc Almont sharing a light moment during the opening ceremony

are firstly that of people, you may think of Government handing out monies, but we only hand out what we receive in taxes, so the role of Government on receiving revenue is to try to put in the infrastructure and the general condition that would encourage persons to see opportunity and make investments such as this one.”

The banquet hall has been deemed by the Prime Minister as a good example of development for the mining town.

Acknowledging the fact that Linden has had

its share of challenges like the rest of the country, he noted that the community has withstood the tests and continued to progress.

The Prime Minister pointed out that these investments seek to build the economic base of the community, which it serves while at the same time creating employment opportunities.

“Some of us provide different services that are needed and this activity here exemplifies what we need to do. We Guyanese want a better life; we have to look at needs in our community,

regions and look to satisfy those needs in an excellent way.”

Hinds also took the opportunity to congratulate the proprietors of the Banquet Hall, Janice and Carlson Mc Almont on the venture.

The new facility will serve the community and moreso the youths as Mrs Mc Almont has indicated that soon a programme targeting youths would be launched. She explained that there will be session on etiquette, proper dress codes, catering and craft sessions will be offered at the facility. (GINA)

surgery at Maine Medical Centre

Doctors say Melissa Williams of Guyana had only about a week to live when she arrived in Maine

A

young woman from Guyana in South America is lucky to be alive, thanks to a medical team in Portland, Maine, USA. After two years of chronic headaches, Melissa Williams was diagnosed with a brain tumour. But Guyana does not have any neurosurgeons, and doctors in nearby Jamaica and Trinidad were too busy to take her case.

Dr Nadia Ramdin of Pen Bay Medical Centre in Rockport was visiting Guyana and heard about Melissa’s story.

She connected her with

a neurosurgeon at Maine Medical Centre just in time.

“This tumour was killing her” said Maine Medical Centre’s head of Neurosurgery Jeffrey Florman. “This tumour had buildup of fluid in the head and was threatening her life. Had we not intervened, there’s no question this would’ve killed her in relatively short order.”

Dr Jeffrey Florman was able to remove the tumour, which was benign. Williams is expected to make a full recovery. (Portland, Maine News Centre)

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The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Reparation and Empowerment

By Petamber Persaud

E

xtract of an interview with David Hinds, Georgetown, Guyana, 2013.

Professor Hinds lectures at Arizona State University and is a rights activist.

PP: A few years ago, the whole year of 2011 was dedicated to the peoples of African descent, then a whole decade 20142024 was named in acknowledgment the people of African descent, why? Is it because we are now waking up to the realities – the effects of slavery? Is it because only now we are waking up to the humanity of enslaved peoples?

DH: Petamber, I think you have hit the nail on the head because since slavery ended in the 19th century, I think the world has been in denial about the tremendous negative impact slavery have had on African people, in particular, and a spinoff of that to rest of the world.

I think that… years later, we are coming to realise that something that penetrated the psyche of the world as slavery did could not be thrown off, swept under the carpet, that as a world we have to deal with it, that the impact was not only on the former slaves but also on the former slave masters and those who inherited and have to participate in a world that was shaped by it.

PP: Who is carrying ‘the fight’ now?

We know from documented materials and fictionalized accounts of those who remonstrated and rebelled, some succeeding while others served as inspiration to go on we are celebrating 250th anniversary of the 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion, we’re poised to mark the 1823 Demerara Uprising and other issues.

Those rebellions showed that the peo-

C L R James

Dr Walter Rodney

ple knew they were being wronged and more importantly those displays of dissent showed the people’s humanity. They were fighting for themselves. Who is carrying the fight now?

DH: I think there is a new generation of Africans all over the world who after a lull of the last two or three decades are discovering some of the works done: Walter Rodney’s “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” – those who have the opportunity to go to university and others are reading that; Ivan Van Sertima’s “They Came Before Columbus”; they are reading “The Souls of Black Folk” by W E B Du Bois; they are reading Eric Williams’ “Capitalism and Slavery”; they are reading C L R James’ “Black Jacobins” – they are reading these classics that speak to the experience of Africans people but speaking particularly to the issue of resistance and

gaining new perspectives on the world and on their own ‘Africanness’.

So there is that but I also think that the practical day to day experiences of African peoples all over the world whether it is in relationship to economics, whether it is in relationship to lack of education, whether it is in relationship against all forms of violence, they are beginning to make the connection between those and a larger post-slavery society that has inherited a whole bunch of these things from slavery itself. Slavery was about violence and the violence we experience today all over the world is really a spinoff of that.

PP: Interestingly, four of the five books you mentioned were written by West Indians - two by Guyanese, two by Trinidadians. And let’s not diminish the import of Norman Cameron’s “Evolution of the Negro”, which I have credited as

a contributing factor leading to the first black man to be elected to the presidency of America.

DH: Yes, yes, good point that!

PP: So the books you mentioned, the type of books we are reading can be labelled the heavyweights of this fight. The question remains – who is carrying the fight now?

Answering this question, we must be mindful of the movements such as Black Power, Rastafarian, Pan-African-ism and of leaders thereof like Marcus Garvey and others.

DH: Yes, the point is once people are subjugated, they throw up their own movements and their own leaders. Walter Rodney called it self-activity for selfemancipation. So all these mass movements arose out of the bowels of people’s resistance; as people resist, they created organisations, they created civilisation and so forth. And it was that which was responsible for the wave of movements in the 20th century.

Now as we turn into the 21th century, there was somewhat a lull in terms of African mass movements, part of it had to do with the success of the civil rights movements all over the world.

African people have begun to move into echelons of the society from which they were formerly debarred.

PP: Let’s take a closer look at what you describe as “a lull”. Why the lull if we are now better placed in society to influence change?

DH: Because this was exactly what Du Bois meant when he talked about “the talented tenth”...

To be continued Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

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feature

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T

he existing collection exhibited at the Museum of African Heritage includes many examples of African art mostly from West Africa, and they help to educate Guyanese as to the meaning and reasons behind African art traditions.

The museum was created by the government of Guyana to collect, preserve, exhibit and research arts and artefacts relating to Africa and the African experience in Guyana. It was known as the Museum of Arts and Ethnology founded in 1985, with the purchase of collections of African art from anthropologist Hubert Nicholson.

The artefacts, featured in this article, were brought mainly from West Africa and are invaluable and of fascinating historical significance.

The Dance Spoon (Wunkermian) Dan Tribe, Liberia

The Dan Tribe produced elaborate, beautifully carved spoons. Though these are occasionally used to distribute food at large feasts, the spoons serve primarily as symbols of a woman’s respected position in her community. The carved head of a woman on the handle sometimes depicts the owner but more often is a stylized image of the Dan ideal of feminine beauty such as the pointed oval face, high forehead, narrow eyes, thin nose

ridge with flaring nostrils, and full mouth. The hairstyle refers to the special grooming of persons high status. The face on this spoon has a ridge in the middle of the forehead which represents a tattoo traditionally used by the Dan people.

Neckrest from Shona, Zimbabwe

In Senufo, country doors to houses are frequently carved from a buttress root of a large tree. Normal house doors are usually plain or decorated only with geometric designs. More elaborate designs are usually reserved for the doors of the houses used as meeting

Neckrests are used throughout much of eastern and Southern Africa. They are used when sleeping to keep the head elevated and protect the elaborate hairdos. Shona are best known for their beautifully adorned wooden neckrests. Most of the art associated with Shona is either personal or utilitarian. Although they produce no figurative sculpture, they do have a rich tradition of metalworking and woodcarving.

Game-board known as Oware or Mankala from Akan People, Ghana

In Ghana, Oware has always occupied a prominent role in society, being regarded as a game of the Kings of Asante and Denkyira. It was played on beautifully carved ivory boards in the shape of a stool embellished with gold. So engrained was it in society that it even had its own social taboos. At times it was used in the

coronation ceremony of the kings of some African communities. There exists an Ashanti legend, which explains the origin of Oware. It says that in order for a man and a woman to have more time to play the game, they decided to get married. This game is still played by many in Africa and various Caribbean countries.

African hut door, Senufo Tribe, Mali (Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso)

continued on page 34

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

legal corner

By Richard Kistnen, Esq.

I

t happens, and it is most often an unintended consequence.

Someone you know – a family member, a friend, someone you did business with – has filed for bankruptcy. Out of the blue, you receive a Summons and Complaint from the “Trustee of the Estate of that person or business.” You have no clue what the lawsuit is about, and you are pretty sure that you did nothing wrong. These cases, however, are not about breach of any contract, or any right versus wrong.

When you get sued in a bankruptcy case, the trustee is trying to recover monies that may be part of the estate. You would be doing yourself a huge disservice by not speaking to an attorney and responding accordingly.

When a party files for bankruptcy, a theoretical estate is created.

All of the ownership interests that the debtor has, and had, are part of that estate. A trustee is appointed to each bankruptcy case to oversee its administration, and to try and marshal any assets that may be available.

Transfers of assets by a debtor before the filing of a bankruptcy are subject to more scrutiny by the trustee. In particular, trustees have the power to avoid and recover transfers of property by a debtor if they meet certain qualifications.

Two kinds of transfers that trustees regular seek to set aside are: ‘preferential transfers’ and ‘fraudu-

lent transfers.’

Preferential transfers are a kind of transfer where the debtor paid more to a certain creditor than other creditors prior to filing for bankruptcy. Normally, the payment is more than the creditor is likely to receive in the bankruptcy case. Common scenarios are when a debtor pays family or friends prior to a bankruptcy. A fraudulent transfer is when a debtor transfers property prior to a bankruptcy with the intent to defraud, delay or hinder the creditor. A common example is when, prior to filing a bankruptcy, a debtor transfers title to real property to a spouse or child for no value, increasingly common in uncontested divorce settlements.

Just like any case, it is the trustee’s burden to prove a preference or fraudulent transfer. Moreover, just because you are being sued does not mean that you do not have valid defenses to overcome the trustee’s case. Generally, if the transfer of asset(s) was for value and legitimate, the asset should not be recoverable.

If you find yourself as the defendant in a bankruptcy case (or any case, for that matter) do not delay in responding. Cases get only more complicated and difficult when a party waits too long to respond. To speak to a bankruptcy lawyer, or about other matters, contact the Law Office of Richard Kistnen, (718) 738-2324, www.kistnenlaw.com, with offices in Queens and Manhattan.

G

uyana’s Lisa Punch, who rose to international fame after competing in ABC’s “Rising Star” competition will perform at the Guyana Festival Opening Concert on August 8 and the Concert Next on August 10.

The songstress, who was eliminated from the competition on Sunday, confirmed that she would join the star-studded lineup of artistes already confirmed for the Guyana Festival and she would be among the headline acts.

The Guyana Festival team said it welcomed Punch on board and assured the public that the exhibitions, stage performances, sporting activities, and all other components of the Guyana Festival will reflect the true ‘Sound, Soul and Taste’ of Guyana.

Among the energetic artistes to perform for the Concert Next are Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, First Born, Big Red, Rajesh Dubraj, Alabama, and Kwasi Edmondson. The artistes shared their views on the event. They were unanimous that it would showcase Guyana and what the country has to offer,

Lisa Punch

not only in music, but in culture and food and expressed gratitude for being part of the inaugural festival.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali noted that the concert would be a very exciting one, filled with energy and enthusiasm. “To bring a multifaceted group of people together will be exciting,” he said.

The Guyana Festival covers three days, and will

feature our most celebrated legends in sports, culture, art, music, food, entertainment, and much more. Day One will feature a GDF air show and national concert.

Day Two’s audience will experience the Night of the Legends and the thrilling Festival Cricket and Football matches; while Day Three will feature a National Cook Out with food from every culture, followed by the Generation Next Concert.

32

FEATURE

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Dr Dhanpaul Narine

M

o h a n Ramsamooj and his loving wife Soorsati were happily married for 67 years and this beautiful bond was broken when God took Soorsati to be beside Him. Soorsatie’s passing created a void in our community. She was an icon in her own right having raised eight children and created a business that set high standards for others.

Soorsatie combined the roles of wife, mother and entrepreneur admirably and set new paths for others to follow.

Soorsati was born on March 26, 1928, in the village of Golden Grove on the East Bank of Demerara in Guyana.

Her father was Jugram Cheddi and he was a bookkeeper at Diamond Estate on the East Bank of Demerara. Soorsati’s mother, Sumintra, was a hardworking woman that cared for the family.

Sumintra and Jugram had three sons and three daughters and like most parents they wanted the best for the children.

Soorsati attended Diamond Government School and was a classmate of prominent business mogul Dr Yesu Persaud. As most of us know parents in those days were strict and seldom let their children out of their eyes. When it came for Soorsati to be married, a suitable young man was identified from a neighbouring village and a marriage was arranged. The person that was responsible for the arranged marriage was Pandit

Mohan and Soorsati with their seven children along with two sons-in-law

Sookdeo Maraj. He knew both families and felt that Mohan was not only a nice young man but he had the qualities to make Soorsati happy.

On a bright and sunny day on January 26, 1947, marriage vows were exchanged between Mohan and Soorsati Ramsamooj.

Thus began their journey on the long road to life’s richness and happiness.

The first major event in their lives happened on December 24, 1947.

It was a Christmas to remember as their first-born child Bharat Chandranauth announced his arrival.

Bharat grew up to be a warm and caring young man who was always helpful to his parents.

Mohan and Soorsati soon found themselves busy parents and in a short space of time seven other children were born.

Mohan and Soorsati were doting parents and they instilled in the children love for others and a respect for all living

things.

They stressed the importance of a sound education and the children went on to become successful in their respective careers. Mala Ramsamooj, for instance, attended school in Georgetown before migrating to New York.

She then went to Queens College in New York where she successfully completed her Master’s Degree. Mala went on to establish a top modeling agency, Working Models, and she involved herself in a number of charitable causes. At one point Mala had her own television show and she landed exclusive interviews with legends Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna, and the late President Cheddi Jagan, among others.

Mala teamed up with her brother Prabhu and they became a formidable team. They were able to get Shashi Kapoor to visit New York for a concert at Queens College

and Mala and Prabhu became pioneers in their own right on the social circuit. But before all this happened there was the enterprising spirit of their mom Soorsati. She was not content just to be a housewife. Soorsati had a sense of style and fashion at an early age.

She also had a keen sense of business. She decided to attend the Carnegie School to acquire knowledge about fashion and pattern and dressmaking.

After graduation, Soorsati put her training to good use. In 1971, she established Carnaby Boutique in Georgetown. This meant that Guyanese could have access to international fashions and could compete with the rest of the world. By 1974, Carnaby Boutique became one of the finest in the Caribbean. Today, the Carnaby name continues in the U.S.A. Her daughter, Geeta, owns The Carnaby House - an

interior designing company and an importer of fine home accessories and furnishings.

Soorsati and her family experienced great sadness when the eldest child Bharat passed away in 1974 but the family persevered and strived to do well in his

Ferguson.

While in London, both Mohan and Soorsati had the pleasure of attending a dinner hosted by the Indian High Commission in London. At that dinner they met Lady Mountbatten and they chatted about culture and society. Those years were indeed memorable and Soorsati and Mohan were overjoyed to meet with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when she visited Guyana. Mohan and his family duly migrated to New York but their deep involvement continued with the community. One of Soorsati s memorable moments was to have dinner with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan in New York, an event that was arranged and managed by her children Mala and Prabhu.

Soorsati was an active member in the Maha Saba and the Gandhi Youth Organization in the 60s and 70s.

Amitabh Bachchan (left) with Mohan, Soorsati and their daughter Mala (seated) at the launching of TV Asia in NY

memory. Mohan in the meantime was quickly making a name for himself in the business world. He became a salesman at Sandbach Parker in Georgetown.

Mohan was responsible for the sales of combines and tractors to countless farmers and he proudly stated that he never turned away a customer.

He always found a way for them to realize their dreams to become successful farmers.

Indeed, Mohan worked his way to a position in the company where he was known as Mr Sandbach Parker.

He was sent on a training course to London representing Massey

She came a long way from Guyana but she never lost the common touch. She cared deeply for others. She was an avid sports fan and her favorite sport was cricket. She also loved her Lord and the Bhagavad Gita was her constant companion. Soorsati was described as the “golden girl with the diamond touch”!

She brought happiness and joy to her family. Soorsati’s love and devotion to her family and care for others remain unparalleled. She will always live in the hearts of those that cherish and value love, tolerance and respect for others.

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Times Notebook

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

August holidays

B

By Anu Dev t’s summer! The endless sun-filled holidays, that glorious time of the year when lazy days are the norm, you gorge yourself on junk-food and bathing is optional (Kidding! Or am I? No, I really am kidding.

We love lolling in our bathtubs).

The holidays have always held that special allure.

I guess because they’re like weekends, all stacked together, back-to-back for two whole months. It’s like TGIF times infinity.

And yes, the holidays are that time when you can run, jump, play cricket, climb trees. That time when you get to release all of that pent-up exuberance that you had to keep in while you slaved away at your desk during school.

But that doesn’t mean that as kids you should take ridiculous, life-threatening risks. There can be accidents, you know. Have fun in safer ways. You don’t have to swim in the deepest water to still have fun.

And for goodness sake, the Kerb Drill wasn’t taught to you in Primary School as just some cute rhyme. You need to observe it. Too often, during the holidays, I would see kids just darting across the road without even looking to see whether there’s any oncoming traffic.

When I started driving I noticed the carelessness of pedestrians even more, I guess because I have to be constantly alert to make sure I don’t knock over one of them casually drifting across the road. “Constant vigilance!” as Mad-Eye Moody would say.

But maybe their parents are giving them free rein to do as they please, to get their kids out of their hair for a few minutes. Maybe the parents are thinking about their childhood when they could freely play in the streets or climb trees relatively frequently. But times have changed; there are so many vehicles now that within minutes of you setting up the wickets, you have to clear them off the street for some car to pass.

It’s a bit more dangerous on the roads than in the ‘good old days’, so parents, give your kids freedom to have fun, but within reason.

You should seize the moment, don’t wait for tomorrow, do it today. Live in the moment. And no, I don’t mean you should go out partying wildly and getting wasted and emulating those people who justify it all by shouting ‘YOLO’.

What I mean is, kids, don’t waste your entire holiday sitting at the computer glued to Reddit or 9GAG- there’s a whole world out there.

And when you decide to venture outside, don’t go out with your ears plugged up with earphones as you walk down the street, trapped in your own musicbubble, bobbing your head to whatever tune you’re listening to. I know I’m guilty of having my ears plugged up on the bus, in the car, wherever and never bothering to unplug, even when someone is trying to speak to me- I just usually smile and nod to whatever they’re saying. And that’s not something that I’m proud of.

Basically what I’m saying is to form or intensify your relationships – with family, friends or neighbours – by doing things together.

And besides, when the holiday is over and it’s time to return to school in September, you’ll probably wish you had done something fun during the holiday. Plus, you’ll need something interesting to write about for those ‘How I spent my Summer Holidays’ essays you’re bound to be given by some incredibly imaginative teacher as soon as school re-opens.

And parents, your children will be home for the next two months, take time off from work and take them out on holiday somewhere. The holiday doesn’t have to be the South of France, it could be around Guyana- just spend time as a family. How many of you guys have seen the interior of Guyana, or Kaieteur Falls, or scaled a Guyanese mountain? As I’ve written before, Guyana is a wonderful place to tour- you just need to give it a chance.

And most importantly for this holiday, JUST.HAVE. FUN!!!

I

The Gaza Massacre

y any moral standards, Israel is wrong in the brutal killing of children and innocent people in Gaza. Guyana’s President; the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C); and Islamic groups in Guyana have spoken out against the violent conflict in Gaza.

But the Alliance For Change (AFC); A Partnership for National Unity (APNU); the private sector; religious groups; and human rights organisations are silent. Are they afraid they might offend the US Government?

The ferocious assault on the Palestinian people in Gaza cannot be justified on the pretext that Hamas is using women and children as protective shields. The brutal attack resulting in the deaths of children at the UN school in Gaza is ample proof that Israel is engaged in reckless attacks on innocent people. Condoning the killing of innocent children and women in the Gaza Strip is an affront to common humanity.

There is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza where more than a million people are forced to survive without water and electricity and where most of the infrastructure and people’s homes have been destroyed by Israel’s powerful military might.

Travesty of unimaginable magnitude

Mahatma Gandhi once said that an eye for an eye always turns the whole world blind. Israel claims that its occupation and transformation of Gaza into a killing field is because of rocket attacks by Hamas. This is a case of an eye for an eye, except Israel is murdering innocent children and their parents. And the whole world seems to have gone blind!

Adding to the tragedy is the obsession of countries like the US and other developed countries to support Israel at all costs, no matter what are the circumstances!

Superimposed on this travesty of unimaginable magnitude is the shameless defence of Israel by the US media. We are utterly struck by how the American media and the American people are indoctrinated into ignoring the most basic facts about Gaza. Guyanese must not be

S

Emulation of the immoral and shameful stance of powerful nations like the US is not an option for Guyana. We must not be timid in declaring to Israel that its genocide in the Gaza Strip must end now!

similarly indoctrinated so that they ignore basic facts in this unending tragedy.

The Palestinians have been living under Israeli occupation, euphemistically called a blockade, since 1967. That is the cause of the “war” over the Gaza Strip. That occupation in 1967 added salt to an injury that was inflicted on a people in 1947 when their country was taken away and given to the Jewish people to form the State of Israel. Guyanese ought to know that Britain had considered Guyana as a possible Jewish State leading up to 1947.

Israel has the “right” to defend itself, but Palestinians have the “right” to resist occupation. Those conflicting rights are leading to perdition, and, the an-eye-for-an-eye syndrome that has now turn the whole world blind.

In exercising its “right” to defend itself, Israel has maintained an occupation since 1967 by blocking Gaza’s air, sea, and land borders, locking the people of Gaza in a giant prison.

Every child in Gaza is born a prisoner.

Israel’s argument that the deaths are collateral damage to win peace is myopic, because thousands of children will grow up with senseless hate for Israel. This genocide can succeed only to breed more freedom-fighter “terrorists” and many more decades of war and terrorism.

The Palestinians feel abandoned by the world and feel they must ex-

atiricus breathed a sigh of relief. Ever since he was a boy in the 1970s, he’d developed a fear of elections. Electionaphobia, he was told it was called. It was a fear that was peculiar to his dear land of Guyana. After every election, there’d be all kind of “bad talk” thrown around about the elections being rigged or something.

And then would come the marches followed by some beatings – and even some burning. “Of buildings, thank goodness,” thought Satiricus. The last time, GrainJa and his troops from the Pee-an-See, had even marched in front of the fella who counted all the ballots – SurujaBallsy. GrainJa said that Ballsy was taking too long with the counting. And Boy was the fella Ballsy!! Name and nature and all that stuff.

The poor chap had been sipping his red wine and nipping his cheese, like most Guyanese do when they’re relaxing, and here came this rambunctious bunch of green-shirted youths holding lighted candles. Satiricus winced as he remembered the scenes on TV. How uncultured if they were going to hold a vigil! At least they’d could’ve belted out some carols, or lullabies even.

ercise their “right” to fight for freedom by any means. Not only have they been occupied, but Israel, the US, and other developed nations invent reasons to deny Palestine its freedom.

Consider the democratic Gaza elections of 2006. Israel and the US said they would abide by the results of the election, but once the results showed Hamas won, the US and Israel did all they could to overturn the results.

The truth is that this latest onslaught represents Israel’s determination to destroy the Palestinian unity agreement, a Jewish goal the US and Europe embrace. Israel wants to destroy Palestinian unity so that President Mahmoud Abbas cannot negotiate with Israel on behalf of all Palestinians, leading to a peace agreement that would end the occupation and affirm an independent Palestinian State.

What is certain is that war will not solve the problem. Israel may pound and pulverise the Palestinians and its might is winning the battle, but that will not kill Palestinians’ aspirations and quest for justice.

Emulation of the immoral and shameful stance of powerful nations like the US is not an option for Guyana. We must not be timid in declaring to Israel that its genocide in the Gaza Strip must end now!

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

Post-elections peace Satiricus was scarred for life. You had to draw the line somewhere, no?? A man’s home was his castle – and his verandah, his cafe, no?? If you can’t sip your red wine there, what next?? The end of civilisation as we know it. But now all was well for any snap elections that might be called. SurujaBallsy had said he was ready to do the count.

Bur Satiricus had detected a note of panic in his voice.

Satiricus was sure it was because he was afraid these barbarians would intrude on his wine-and-cheese ritual on his verandah. And so Satiricus smiled again to Cappo who’d joined him. “Now it was all, ‘Why worry’?? Be happy!” chuckled Satiricus. “No more Electionaphobia!

“Suh wha change dis time?” asked Cappo.

“Budday!!! GrainJa now know how hard SurujBallsy work is,” answered Satiricus.

“Ah wha yuh mean??” replied Calpo.

“Well, if GrainJa and his people can’t count less than 800 votes correctly in one day. How can he buss SurujaBallsy balls for not counting 400,000 votes in three days??”

“Leh we drink to da,” said Cappo. “Ah only who know, does feel!”

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Simply the Truth

Berbice Expo

Professor Daizal Samad

T

he annual Berbice Expo has come and gone. It is an event that usually generates interest, and there are scores of booths rented out to display various goods and services available. The private sector is well represented, as are the education sector, NGOs, artisans, manufacturers, and so on.

This year alone, there were 60 booths in just one “tent”!

We should take our hats off to the combined Chambers of Commerce. It takes a tremendous amount of work, energy, and time to bring this off year after year. It takes work to keep it fresh.

The President of Guyana dropped by and made a speech. I got news that some 25 people paid some attention, but no one seems to be able to tell me what he said that was of significance. Maybe we should all be more attentive.

But in case the President did not say it, we will venture some ideas that could have been articulated by the President about just how this Berbice Expo (or GuyExpo, for that matter) could be made to have an immediate impact on the lives of our youths, especially. From the outset, let me say that these ideas did not come from me alone. The general

idea is to marry business growth and development to the aspirations and ambitions of youths.

Here goes: First, create a database of all the organisers, supporters, participating organisations, participating individuals as well as what goods and services were on display.

Second, get from all prospective employers the kinds of skills they need for new employees in order to expand their businesses.

Third, create a skills and job map to identify training, skills, and needs advanced by businesses for employment of YOUTHS. Fourth, a crack mobile team should coordinate with the schools, youth organisations and sport organisations, and NGOs to gather up and mobilise the youths to inform them of possibilities. If young people are shown simply and precisely how this can affect them positively, they will respond in their numbers.

Fifth, two-week courses can be designed and run for youths: in two weeks, the following areas can be covered: writing resumes and application letters; preparing for interviews; professional conduct; invoicing; stock-taking and stock-making; customer relations; communication; ethics; and basic business management.

Sixth, upon successful completion of the two-week course, youths will be matched to suitable businesses and employed.

There will also be a mechanism to monitor and measure the performance of youths. As needed, the two-week course can be refined.

Seventh, each business or individual that hires youths who have successfully completed the two-week course will be the beneficiary of Government-sponsored exemptions from various tax charges. The Government can also absorb part of the payment of youths that have been employed.

A good question, of course, is this: Who will pay for this? We would suggest that the bulk of the payment for teams and teachers can come from some part of the national budget (we can only pray that our politicians will see the good sense of this and be supportive!).

A small portion can be paid by the prospective employers of young people. And participating youths can pay a nominal price which can go towards lunches and drinks during the two-week training.

In this way, events like Berbice Expo can be a year-round springboard for job creation while they develop their own businesses towards greater profitability.

Museum of African Heritage... from page 30

places for the secret societies. Such societies have a variety of purposes. Some exist as anti-witchcraft associations. Others exist to train young men and women separately in their respective roles in the community. The symbols on this door include lizards, crocodiles and hornbill birds which are all thought of as among the first animals created before man cam into existence. The horse, seen on the door, does not breed south of the Sahara Desert and thus must be imported at great costs. A horse rider, therefore, represents a man of great wealth and power. The masks on the door are Kpelige masks associated with the Poro society.

Nut Bowl, Yoruba tribe, Nigeria

Bowls like this one were used to hold Kola nuts which were cast on the ground as part of a divination ritual. One of the figures is a female worshiper holding her breasts which is a sign of respect. The other is a male figure holding a double-bladed axe carried by priests and worshipers of Shango, the ruler of thunder and lightning and is much feared in West Africa.

The central figure is a kneeling woman with a child on her back. Carved above them is a figure of Shango horse’s back. In front of the central female figure is a man lying on his stomach with his arms and knees on the ground, his feet in the air. On his back stands the body of a chicken whose head, neck, back and tail are detached. Two heads on the bowl probably represent the Orisha or God Eshu/Elegba.

Bust of a Fulani Woman

These are an artistic representation of a Fulani woman. The Fulani are pastoralists who migrate with their cattle all across the Savannah regions of West Africa. The women are famous for their beauty. They wear distinctive hairstyles and jewellery. This figure is a modern carving made for the commercial trade. It is made from a very hard, dense, red, Mahogany-type wood. It does not grow in the area where the Fulani live, but closer to the Coast. The carvers are likely to be from an ethnic group other than the Fulani since they rarely carve.

The Museum of African Heritage is located on Barima Avenue, Bel Air Park. For more information call 226-5519.

Fixing … …and “brightness” he Americans say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But what if it’s broken, and you don’t know what the heck it takes to “fix it”? Like Humpty Dumpty. Take the PNC. Even its most fervent supporter would concede the party’s broken – and broken bad – after the verbal pyrotechnics and voting gymnastics at their last Congress. So “what to do?” is the cry, from far and wide.

One Norman Browne’s lament and suggestion is typical. Now Browne is old line PNC…as we say “born PNC” from Linden, but living for quite a while in England. That doesn’t mean he’s removed from Guyana’s reality. From his visits, letters and comments on the blogs, this is one fella whose “navel string” is buried in his native land.

He’s firm in his belief that the PNC needs a changing of the guards: Corbin and Granger must go!! Can you believe this?? Corbin and Granger being linked as a “type”?? This must be the unkindest cut that can be given to Granger.

And what’s needed to fix the PNC?? Bring in the young’uns, say Browne – “The PNC has never been short of great intellectuals.” And it is this kind of thinking – so prevalent amongst PNCites of all stripes – that your Eyewitness wants to talk about today.

Somehow Browne doesn’t get the irony of his suggestion: the PNC is broken, the PNC needs “intellectuals” to fix it – but it’s always been packed with “intellectuals”! If these intellectuals were there as leaders, then they produced the mess the PNC’s in. Shouldn’t PNCites start suspecting that maybe depending on “intellectuals” might be part of their problem – and not the solution??

What is it they say?? If you do the same thing over and over again but expect a different result, maybe you’re crazy?? Problem with the PNC, is from the time they were founded by LFS Burnham, his “brightness” became the defining criterion for leadership. And this has been the tragedy of that party.

The “bright man” was firstly more of a “smart man” and one who only had clever ideas. The “smart man” is only thinking of short term moves to win the moment – he has no inclination to hunker down for the long haul – which is what responsible leadership is all about.

He’ll bob and he’ll weave but never muster the will to do a “rope a dope” – to do what it takes to survive to fight in the future. The old people always said, “All smart fly does end up on cow’s backside”!! But unfortunately they take ordinary folks there with them. …and just talk Burnham never got it that being glib and dropping bon mots can only take you so far. He was never able to achieve power on his own – it was the Americans that ensconced him into office. For their purposes. If one reads the declassified US files of the era, they always saw him as a schemer who will “tack and turn” and say whatever is expedient to gain an advantage.

No principles.

Burnham’s followers, into the present, refusing to deconstruct, much less critique him, refuse to concede that what’s needed in their leaders is not being a “talker” but a “doer”. And a doer is one who’s ready to buckle down for the long haul. An old PNCite, Ptolemy Reid – a countryman from Dartmouth – once advised that the party must be there “in and out of season” for its members.

But the “party” is not something outside its people. If the PNC is ever to satisfy the hopes and aspirations of its constituency, its new leaders must come from amongst the people. Not the elite “intellectuals”.

T

feature

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

sion of portholes normally found on such a ship is a continuous band of windows that runs right around the entire building except for the back, which is served by three small ones. The windows form themselves into another very important architectural feature of the structure.

Queenstown youths are taught that it is sacred placed, a space from which the devil is banned and to which all

By Indrawattie Natram

Q

ueenstown, the historical village on the Essequibo Coast, is the home of the 'slave-ship'; not one fitted with sails and oars, but a building symbolising the struggles, sacrifices and achievements of our African foreparents who huddled on slave ships while packed like cargo on gruelling voyages across the Middle Passage to work on European-owned plantations in what was then Guiana.

Called the 'Slave Ship' Church but named St Bartholomew Church, the building itself is 165 years old.

Come September 25, this year will mark the 173rd anniversary for the Queenstown village within which it is located. Residents living in Queenstown believe that their African ancestors have left a rich, tangible legacy in their village in the form of the ship that functions as a church.

The Africans were

Ceiling looks like the inside of a ship The freed Africans constructed the building in the form of a ‘slave ship’ so that the present generation could comprehend those ‘doom burdened caravels’ that brought their ancestors to Guyana. The ‘slave ship’, it is suggested, “represents not only the notion of a physical journey from Africa to Guyana, it can also be read as other things also: a journey from free-

List of pastors of the church from 1849 the first builders here, and the ‘slave ship’ in Queenstown is considered a message left by them in a building shaped like an upturned ship. It was designed and constructed to remind all Africans, in not only Queenstown, but also the entire Guyana, about the trials their ancestors faced. The building was constructed soon after the 1838 abolition of slavery.

dom to captivity, from cultural and psychological security to the constant trauma inherent in the violence that distorted and even erased identity and threatened to subvert self-confidence and development; from humanized communities in Africa to the prospect of inhumanity”.

History of Queenstown

a

In 1840, Mr Carberry, planter, purchased

three adjoining estates on the Essequibo coast, Dageraad, Mocha and Westfield and created a small town. He put in streets, divided the front lands into half acre lots which he sold for $100, $150 and $220 each depending on their location in the town. These were quickly bought by other freed Africans.

On 25 September 1841, at the request of the villagers, it was christened Queenstown

by Governor Sir Henry Light. This was the beginning of the proprietary village system under which each villager held title to his individual plot of land. This initial success led other planters to follow suit.

By the end of 1841, about 18 plantations were offering land for sale or lease on the Essequibo coast and the practice soon spread to the counties of Demerara and Berbice.

Not all of the planters agreed with that policy. The shrewder among them recognised that if the ex-apprentices could live on land on or near the plantation, enough to satisfy their desire for a home but not enough to grow food to support their families, then they would have to continue to work on the nearby plantation.

By the end of the first year, after apprenticeship, about 267 cottages had been constructed

The building's interior on plots half to one third of an acre in size. As expected, the ex-apprentices continued to work on the nearby estates.

Location

In the northern third of Queenstown Village on the Essequibo Coast, just about midway in a section named West Field, stands, since 1849, a building that is presently used as an Anglican Church called St Bartholomew. It is set on a sand reef that rises gently before the lands that occupy the western or backdam section of the village.

These lands were planned primarily for crops, and stretch another mile and more down to the eastern shores and black waters of Lake Capoey.

The building is said to be aligned in harmony with the village, on an east-west grid, facing the rising sun. Many persons who traverse the village of Queenstown would look at the building as "unusual" but one is convinced that it has something to do with its African legacy.

Architecture

Side view of the building in the village of Queenstown

The entire roof is described as a hull, (that part of a ship that is normally below the water line); the keel is the spine of the roof, rounded in front and sloped at a forty-five degree angle or so to become a rounded front that could only be the imitation of a stern or bow that once cut through Atlantic waters to bring Africans to Guyana. The profu-

must come to perform sacred ceremonies to banish their personal devils.

The startling architectural similarities achieved with the ‘slave

ship’ do not end with the outside of the building, nor should these be confined to the edifice alone either. The regular activities that were undertaken inside this building were part of the design for the enslavement of Africans, and the rituals and ceremonies practiced within the building were rooted in the perceived need of Europeans to control and dominate them.

The physical arrangement inside the building amounts to the stunningly exact representation of the arrangement inside the bowels of a ‘slave ship’. These uses of height within a confined space for the purposes of domination and control are the same within the church as it’s was within the ‘slave ship’. The church ‘ship’ reflected the often enforced social order.

Rum Jhaat and the Naga Man need a lift

D

e Green Jah people slowly gettin quiet these last two days. De reason could be that dem finally realise that Green Jah is a born rigger and that he gon die a bigger rigger. So it look like Green Jah turn out better than he own teacher Burnt Ham. Is either Burnt Ham was de best teacher, or simply that Green Jah is de best rigger.

So Green Jah people gettin more and more down and dem gon need a lift soon. But is not only Green Jah people need a lift. Not too long ago, de Suru and Duru of de KFC – Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man – was talkin up some kinda no-confidence motion against de Guvament. But de whole motion ain’t had no motion.

Green Jah never see de motion. Parliament never hear de motion. Then Suru and Duru threaten de Prezzi wid de motion. By de time de Prezzi reply to de motion, Suru and Duru start gettin plenty motion.

And anybody who know dem two, know that de direction of dem motion is always down, not up!

So wid Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man goin down, a newspaper finally admit that de problem is that de KFC looking to get a lift from de problems of de other parties. And any body gettin a lift in de KFC is always a problem…major problem.

No Gel Hughly does get a lift, but it does never be he own. And every body know a long time ago that neither Rum Jhaat nor Nagga Man ain’t get a lift in a long time.

Some body seh Rum Jhaat does turn to Nagga Man when he need a lift and Nagga Man does turn back to Rum Jhaat when he need a lift. And if both of dem get a lift at de same time, de people wanna know who gon be first and who gon be second!

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And No Gel Hughly does go outside de party fuh all he lift.

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es FBI K-9

A police dog responds to an ad for work with the FBI. "Well," says the personnel director, "you'll have to meet some strict requirements. First, you must type at least 60 words per minute.

Sitting down at the typewriter, the dog types out 80 words per minute.

"Also," says the director, "you must pass a physical and complete the obstacle course."

This perfect canine specimen finishes the course in record time.

"There's one last requirement," the director continues; "you must be bilingual."

With confidence, the dog looks up at him and says, "Meow!"

Worlds smartest man

A pilot, Michael Jordon, Bill Gates, the Pope, and a pizza delivery man were all in a plane together travelling through stormy conditions.

Suddenly, the pilot ran back to the passengers and announced that lightning had hit the plane, and they were going to crash in a matter of minutes. "There are only enough parachutes for four of the five of us," he announced. "Since I'm the pilot, I get one!" After saying this, the pilot grabbed a parachute and jumped out of the plane.

"I'm the world's greatest athlete," proclaimed Michael Jordon. "This world needs great athletes, so I must live." Michael Jordon then grabbed a parachute and leaped out of the plane.

"I'm the smartest man in the world," bragged Bill Gates. "The world needs smart men, so I must also live!" Bill Gates grabbed a parachute and jumped out of the plane.

At this point, the Pope began to speak to the pizza delivery boy. "I have lived a long life compared to you, and you may take the last parachute. I will go down with the plane."

"You don't have to do that,� replied the pizza delivery guy. “Bill Gates just jumped out with my backpack!"

This week's Puzzle

30 more years

A middle-aged woman has a heart attack and is taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she has a near death experience. During that experience she sees God and asks if this is it. God says no and explains that she has another 30 years to live.

Upon her recovery she decides to just stay in the hospital and have a face lift, liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, etc. She even has someone come in and change her hair colour.

She figures since she's got another 30 years she might as well make the most of it.

She walks out of the hospital after the last operation and is killed by an ambulance speeding by. She arrives in front of God and complains, "I thought you said I had another 30 years." God replies, "I didn't recognize you."

The 6 right foot

How Smart Is Your Right Foot? Try this, it takes only few seconds. This is so funny. And, you will keep trying it at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot.

1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand... Your foot will change direction.

Are you stupid?

see solution on page 46

One day a college professor of Psychology was greeting his new college class.

He stood up in front of the class and said, "Would everyone who thinks he or she is stupid please stand up?"

After a minute or so of silence, a young man stood up.

"Well, hello there sir. So you actually think you're a moron?" the professor asked.

The kid replied, "No sir, I just didn't want to see you standing there all by yourself."

Caribbean news

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamaica launches major project to PM Kamla tables boost maternal and child health legislation for sweeping constitutional changes

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: The government of Jamaica has launched a Ja$3.3 billion project aimed at improving maternal and child health care in the country.

The Programme to Reduce Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC), which is being funded by the European Union (EU), will see significant improvement in the quality of care for expectant mothers and babies.

This will boost the country’s ability to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health.

Speaking at the launch last week, at the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) Oxford Road offices, Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson, informed that a specialised team will be trained to deliver “highcontact” care to high-risk maternity cases.

“Over a four-year period, this team will be built, and the necessary infrastructure such as High Dependency Units (HDU), or beds and material resources provided to ensure programme success. Pregnant mothers can rest assured that here is a programme within the public health sector that can cater to their needs in the event that they fall in the high-risk category,” he explained.

Dr. Ferguson stressed that the aim is to reduce the incidence of neonatal deaths due to inadequate access to high dependency care.

“Through the infrastructural and equipment initiatives under the programme, we want to see a noticeable expansion of service delivery,” he indicated.

Under the project, 11 HDUs will be established in six hospitals across Jamaica to improve newborn and emergency obstetric care.

The HDUs are suited for patients, who

P

The programme seeks to improve the quality of care for expectant mothers and babies in Jamaica (Jamaica Observer photo)

require closer observation than those on the general ward, but slightly less than that of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It also provides care for post-operative patients needing close observation. (JIS)

ORT-OFS P A I N , TRINIDAD: TT’s Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar Monday unveiled legislation in Parliament proposing a two-term limit for all prime ministers, a right of recall of MPs and a new provision for run-off elections calling for only persons who win more than half of the votes in a constituency to be elected as MP. In the first ministerial statement under the new Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister said the measures were “a bold step” which would, “breathe new life and meaning into the democratic process” and give more power to people.

“These initiatives are initiatives we promised in our manifesto in 2010,” Persad-Bissessar said. “We are keeping those promises to place power, and

TT’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal review a document during Monday’s opening of the fifth session of Parliament (TT Guardian photo)

greater power, in the hands of the people.”

During Monday’s sitting at the International Waterfront Centre, Tower D, Wrightson Road, Port-ofSpain, the Prime Minister tabled the Bill containing the new measures, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014. She indicated that the legislation required a simple majority, though some of the provisions seek to amend the Constitution.

The Government Whip, Dr Roodal

Moonilal, said debate on the Bill will begin next Monday.

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley did not immediately rule out support for the measures. He indicated the proposals would be reviewed by the PNM caucus.

The Prime Minister said term limits for prime ministers would be implemented by way of a simple amendment focusing on holding the hand of the President, who is, generally, advised by the Cabinet. (TT Newsday)

38

ARts & culture

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F

uelled by the similarities he observed between the traditional African practices described to him by Dr Doris Rogers (based on her experiences in Africa) and those he observed among Hindus in Guyana, Gajadhar began a gradual intellectual interrogation of his works’ content and its specificity to a singular ethno-cultural group within a multi-cultural context. However, his interrogation, which began in the 1980s, did not materialise in his art of the period; the germination had only begun. Gajadhar’s musuku tree (a Bemba

Artist Philbert Gajadhar explains his art at a recent exhibition at Castellani House

symbol of fertility) did not burst forth from the soil and bear fruit until his time in Botswana (2003-2006) led him to Zambia and a personal journey, which resulted in a deep familiarising with Bemba culture, deepened by a further five months spent between 2012 and 2013.

Gajadhar approaches his reference to Bemba culture from lived reality. His is not an artificial study of a culture of fascination for a superficial transplantation of its symbols, lore and beliefs. Gajadhar has integrated Bemba with his Hindu identity and multi-cultural situation of nurture.

Consequently, while the paintings are largely instructive on an aspect of Bemba culture and belief, they reinforce the points of synchronicity with Guyanese culture, even offering in some instances traditional symbolism and, by extension, memory for quotidian objects whose symbolism was lost to the agonies of the impositions on the African in South American space.

For instance, the hoe has significance in relation to the hut and the pestle in relation to the mortar. These find presence in Gajadhar’s imagery.

Gajadhar’s paintings are largely based on the chisungu ceremony of the Bemba. Through the ceremony a girl is initiated into womanhood as she is instructed on her duties as a wife and a mother. Within the

ceremony, ceremonyspecific wall and floor paintings are made, and special pottery are dug up from secret hiding places and are used.

These objects of ceremonial art are called Mbusa. Each Mbusa has an associated didactic song and dance and through their use re-

nuances of his medium and the synthesising of influences from artists as diverse as Dudley Charles, Bernadette Persaud, Wifredo Lam and Picasso.

From Charles he claims influence on his use of colour, the layering of paint in washes, and the manner of “breaking up” of fig-

'Mafwasa - The Heart Stones' (2014)

flect the Bemba belief that by seeing rather than hearing one is better able to learn.

In like manner to Caribbean song, the songs of the Bemba have double meanings so they can be sung among children and their true meaning not be discerned. As in Guyanese queh queh the dances/ mimetic acts are performed and the initiated girl is expected to mimic the actions of the performers; this mimicry is a demonstration of learning. If she successfully performs her mimetic acts, she performs a special closing action as she says, “With me, I have grown, I have just picked the beads.”

These beads would have been used to bless the ceremony and the ceremony’s matron with right words to inspire the young lady to be a good wife and a good mother.

While Gajadhar’s content is informed by the Bemba, his aesthetic is a culmination of stages in his journey exploring the technical

ures and the space within the picture plane.

These influences from Charles are evident and not surprisingly as he claims Charles as his most significant artist-influence. Mwansa cembe – the white eagle and Mafwasa – the heart stones, the most recent of the paintings, show Gajadhar returning to his early aesthetics source – Dudley Charles (and by extension Wifredo Lam).

As with songs, Gajadhar’s paintings read differently depending on one’s situation of initiation.

“My paintings discuss the iconography of the Bemba figuratively or abstractly. [To] some things I react abstractly [and to others] figuratively. The primitive flatness of the figure reflect the folk art tradition of Zambia and the colours [are] of the African sunset with each [...] carefully contained within its own space.” (Text by Akima McPherson, Lecturer, Division of Arts, University of Guyana)

'Amabala - The Gardens' (2013)

feature

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T

he African slaves were of the view that they had no economic future if they continued to reside on the sugar plantations. As slaves began buying up the abandoned cotton plantations, others felt that they too must acquire their own land.

During the period of the strike, 65 of them pooled their savings and purchased Plaisance for $39,000. The estates of Peter’s Hall, Farm and Garden of Eden on the East Bank Demerara, and Daniels town and Bush Lot on the Essequibo Coast, were also acquired in 1840 by groups of slaves. Another strike in December 1847 to protest another cut in wages, forced more slaves to abandon the sugar estates. Some of them moved to the existing villages, while others who had no savings, squatted on Crown Lands.

The moving away of slaves from the estates placed added pressures on sugar production, and planters used devious means to force them to return to work there. One of these included to releasing water from the estate canals to flood the nearby freed slave villages. The planters, no doubt, felt that if the former slaves’ farms were damaged, they would return to the estates to work.

But the villages also faced administrative problems during the 1840s. The shareholders, or proprietors, possessed no experience in cooperative management, and since they used up their savings to purchase land, they had nothing left for maintaining roads, bridges, sluice gates and drainage canals. As a result, the conditions of the villages and the communal plantations deteriorated.

The land buying continued until 1852. There were at this period over

82,000 freed slaves of working age, and roughly half of them lived in villages and worked from time to time on the estates. By that time, too, the former slaves had established 25 villages on lands that they purchased for more than one million dollars. They also owned over 2000 freehold properties.

Not many of us know of the more than 100 villages in Guyana bought by freed slaves after emancipation. This week Guyana Times Sunday Magazine highlights some of these villages and their resourceful buyers.

Friendship

This is possibly one of the largest villages on the East Bank of Demerara.

The date of purchase of this village is unavailable and so are the names of its purchasers. In modern times, Friendship village has become a developed area, equipped with modern facilities, and has become populated by many Guyanese of various ethnicities.

Gibraltar

This village is known for its successful cultivation of ground provision and fruits, and would have been commonly referred to as the “bread-bas-

Seeing that there was no economic future for them if they continued to reside on the sugar plantations of Guyana, freed slaves began buying abandoned estates, transforming them into villages Fyrish/Gibraltar. Since the colonial era this area has always had drainage concerns, with farmland being flooded and residents having to travel about the village in boats.

Agricola

Located on the East Bank of Demerara, Agricola is known to have been bought from the colonial planters by three ex-slaves: Figaro, Chandlier and Hercules, in 1842. The name is Latin for agriculture. The first church to be erected was the St Ann’s Anglican Church, to be followed later by St Ann’s Primary school. It was mainly a cashcrop farming community that later adopted rice farming.

Hopetown

Hopetown village was bought by 11 freed slaves. Now it has very active youth groups and centres. One such active youth development project is called the Sapodilla Learning Centre operated

by Edwin Joseph a son of the soil who served in the British Army for 30 years.

This centre was awarded the PanCommonwealth Award for 2002 and the Regional Award in 2001. The first church in the village was the Smith’s Congregational Church, built in 1849 in honour of Rev. John Smith.

St Jude’s Anglican Church in Lichfield

Belladrum

Another village bought by slaves following emancipation, Belladrum’s outstanding feature is its church. The St Alban’s Anglican Church and school are the largest buildings in a community, where unfortunately, many of the village’s African traditions have been lost due to death and migration of villagers.

Golden Grove

Well-known for housing President’s College, one of the highest learning institutions in Guyana, Golden Grove

Lichfield

Road leading to a housing scheme in Gibraltar

ket” of the Corentyne Coast, Berbice.

Gibraltar now comes under the name

The distinguishing feature in this village is the St Jude’s Anglican Church, the first to be established. To this day there is the historical plaque in the churchyard to commemorate the founding of Lichfield. The main production was ground provision, coconut and rice. There was also a small percent of cattle rearing done in the area.

Golden Grove Methodist Church

was bought by freed slaves and later became the prime supplier of vegetables and ground provisions sold to othcontinued on page 45

40

travel & tourism

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

G

uyana boasts an irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty, pristine rainforests, immense waterfalls, and amazing wildlife, blended with a vibrant indigenous culture and rich diverse heritage.

Matt Hallett, an overseas researcher who has been living in the Rupununi for several years, considers himself very honoured to see this natural beauty on a daily basis. Matt is continuously researching and exploring Guyana’s biodiversity. He is also an affiliate of the Rupununi Learners Inc. and has been volunteering his

time and knowledge towards returning the favour to the communities of the region’s indigenous villages.

One of his recent projects is to document the number of jaguars in the richly diverse Kanuku Mountains Protected Area, by setting up remotely triggered cameras in Guyana’s deep jungle.

Matt has also been photographing scenic areas, rarely visited, in the Rupununi region. Guyana Times Sunday Magazine features this week a few of his breathtaking photos taken on his trips into Guyana’s jungle.

For more amazing photos, visit Rupununi Learners on Facebook.

Paradisiac view of Sauerob Creek at the southern end of the Kanuku Mountains

Scenic fall in the jungle photographed by Matt

Caribbean news

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

First leg of Jamaica’s Highway 2000 opens -as country marks 52nd Independence Anniversary

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Linstead to Moneague leg of the North/South link of Highway 2000 in Jamaica was officially opened Tuesday, giving the nation a huge 52nd birthday gift that will significantly slash the average two-hour travel time between the capital and the north coast tourism belt.

Motorists can travel for free on the highspeed motorway until September 5, cutting out the narrow, winding and treacherous Mount Rosser route.

Opening the highway during a ceremony at the Treadways toll both Tuesday, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller urged local business interests to seize the eco-

nomic opportunities that will flow from the new development.

“We are expecting new opportunities for tourism. I am urging local entrepreneurs to position themselves for new economic activities to be derived from the new highway,” Simpson Miller said.

The four-lane highway is 19.3 kilometres long and has 11 bridges, a toll plaza, brake checkpoints, and escape lanes.

It will now take approximately 18 minutes to cover the journey which would previously take anywhere over 45 minutes on the Mount Rosser route, which was not designed to accommodate large trucks and trailers that traverse the hilly terrain daily.

Managing direc-

Vehicles travel on the first leg of the north/south highway in Jamaica on Tuesday (JIS Photo)

tor of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC), said there were plans to construct a rest stop along the highway and relocate 50 of the vendors from the popular Faith’s Pen food

stop who have expressed concern that their livelihood would be severely affected as fewer motorists would be using the Mount Rosser route.

The project was started during the previous People’s National

Party Administration by French firm Bouygues, which detected geotechnical problems with the terrain composed of unstable limestone and shale material.

With the change of government in 2007 the

Jamaica Labour Party Administration, through former works minister Mike Henry, inked a deal with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and continued the project.

CHEC will reimburse the Jamaican government US$120 million it forked out to Bouygues over the life of the project.

The entire North/ South highway will cost US$730 million and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016, Simpson Miller stated.

The two other legs to be completed are the first leg from Caymanas to Linstead, which will bypass the Bog Walk Gorge, and the third leg from Moneague to Ocho Rios. (Jamaica Observer)

Oil and gas analyst says TT production set to increase

P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Brian Gallagher, an oil and gas equity analyst, says predictions about TT becoming an exciting exploration destination for oil and gas companies are rapidly becoming a reality.

In a report published online by ‘Investors Chronicle’, Gallagher noted that “exploration activity across Trinidad has rapidly accelerated while interest from speculative investors is exploding.” He noted that one energy company, Leni Gas & Oil, has seen its share price rise four-fold following successful drilling at its Goudron field onshore Trinidad.

“Shares in rival onshore operator Range Resources (RRL), meanwhile, have doubled in value since May, as

es, technological advances and the proposed changes to Trinidad’s tax regime have caused oil executives to look at them with fresh eyes.

The analyst said key issue facing TT’s energy sector is that, just like in Exploration activity has rapidly accelerated across Trinidad

have shares in Toronto Stock Exchange-listed Touchstone Exploration (TSX: TXP). This is despite the wider Aim oil and gas sector retreating a miserable 20 percent over the past six months,” he said.

Gallagher attributed these developments to changes to TT tax regime which include cost recovery measures as well as exploration and development tax breaks designed to reward companies seek-

ing to increase onshore oil production. He said: “Reductions in royalty rates have also been successfully negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

At the same time, there has been early progress toward redeveloping major onshore oil fields previously operated by the likes of Texaco and stateowned Petrotrin. Onshore fields have largely been left alone for the past 40 years but rising oil pric-

Cuban doctor drowns in Trinidad

P

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: A Cuban doctor’s body washed ashore in Guayaguayare, Trinidad, Sunday after he drowned at sea last Friday, the Emancipation Day holiday.

Dr Analdo Java, who worked at Port-of-Spain General Hospital, disappeared underwater while swimming with a Cuban nurse in the waters off Rash Beach Resort, Guayaguayare, late last Friday evening.

Police reported at about 6.30 pm last Friday, Java and one of two Cuban nurses, who were spending the holiday weekend at Rash

Undertakers in Trinidad place the body of Dr Analdo Java, which washed ashore in Guayaguayare Sunday, into a hearse following his drowning last Friday (TT Newsday photo)

Beach Resort, went for a swim.

Java and the nurse began struggling to stay afloat in the water.

Fishermen and bathers present on the beach went to their rescue, but were only able to save the nurse. The National Security helicopter,

Viper, searched the waters for the doctor but it was futile.

The Cuban nurse was taken to the Mayaro Health Facility, treated and later transferred to Sangre Grande District Hospital where she was warded for several days.

(TT Newsday)

the UK North Sea, oil and gas production has dramatically declined over the past decade as new discoveries have failed to keep pace with depleting reserves. “While it will undoubtedly take time for the new stimulus mea-

sures to take full effect, they have already spurred several Aim-traded oil juniors to ramp up drilling.

As a result, hydrocarbon production on the islands should quickly increase,” Gallagher said.

(TT Guardian)

42

Scenes from Emancipation Day celebrations in Guyana

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

President Donald Ramotar with some members of the Surinamese delegation

Proud to be African: This participant was dressed for the occasion

This energetic dance captivated the National Park gathering

These young ladies showcasing their African garbs

A group of youngsters before performing on stage

Scenes from Emancipation Day celebrations in Guyana

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Opposition Leader David Granger, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairman Basil Williams and their delegation were part of the celebrations in the National Park

A priest pours libation for fallen ancestors A section of the gathering at the National Park

44

News

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Star of the Week

P

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Marcia Henville has become known for her gritty reporting from the nation’s crime hot spots, once even putting herself in the midst of a violent confrontation between police and residents of Picton, Laventille. Now Henville is helping to bring the true-to-life repercussions of crime to filmmaking. She’s coproducing a movie— currently being shot— about drug trafficking in TT. Sean Hodgkinson— who made the well-received short film ‘A Story About Wendy’—is the writer and director of ‘Trafficked’.

Henville was among the cast of ‘A Story About Wendy’ and its sequel, which premiered recently at the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

‘Trafficked’ tells the tale of three 20-something-year-old friends vacationing in the Caribbean who find themselves in trouble after being wooed into doing a favour for a local man they befriended. The film is based on real-life stories told

O

On the set of ‘Trafficked’ (Photo: TT Guardian)

on the popular radio programme ‘Eye on Dependency’.

Hodgkinson said ‘Trafficked’ is two-thirds complete and is expected to be between 40-50 minutes long. He expects shooting to wrap up this month. The filmmakers—part of a company called Quirky Films—are going to try to get it into various international film festivals before premiering it in TT next year,

said Hodgkinson. He said funding has been one of the challenges in making the film.

First Citizens Bank, the Ministry of Tourism and the National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme have so far stepped up to the plate.

'Trafficked’ is a cautionary tale.

We've all seen ‘Locked Up Abroad’. But what happens when the story is about our own people, who look like us and

sound like us?” said Hodgkinson via e-mail.

“So I hope that we can educate and inform Trinis about the dangers of narco-trafficking and I really hope that someone from Caribbean Airlines is reading this so they can put the film on one of their 12 empty channels!” he added.

‘Trafficked’ is one of many local films that are in different stages of production this year.

(TT Guardian)

nesha Hutson is a natural charmer. She is a third year medical student at the University of Guyana and a model. This 22-year-old is no stranger to the glitz and glamour of pageantry. She was a contestant in the Miss Guyana Universe pageant 2012, and the Miss Jamzone Guyana pageant where she placed first runnerup. Notably, she has walked the runway numerous times locally and regionally. The beauty is also currently one of five Guyanese models chosen to take part in the Music and Fashion Battle (MAFB) in Suriname and the Netherlands. Apart from Hutson’s life as a runway model, she has been actively involved in various health programmes with the Ministry of Health and private entities. She is a trained Phlebotomist and volunteers at the St Anne's Orphanage. She enjoys reminiscing on her school days, which were spent at St Gabriel's Primary and St Rose's High School, where she graduated as an honour student in 2009. A well-rounded individual, Hutson formed and directed the first drama club at her high school and also played basketball and badminton in her fifth year. Hutson also managed, directed and edited the Daily Ros, her high school's newspaper. The beauty is the first daughter for her parents, and puts her family first at all times because they are her biggest supporters.

She is inspired and encouraged by her mother and other young women she refers to as her “chicas”.

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from page 39

er villages. It has one market and has now been transformed due to the establishment of modern homes and a diversification of economic activities. It is located on the East Coast of Demerara.

Locally familiar persons such as former judge Donald Trotman and Keith Booker, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport are from this village.

Plaisance

Plaisance village was bought by 65 freed men. The St John the Baptist Catholic Church along with the Congregational Church and the

B Victoria Primary School

es, while farming was done elsewhere.

Villagers were at first forced to go to Le Ressouvenir, west of Victoria for church services. However, later in 1845 the Congregationalists built the first place of worship for that community, the Wilberforce Congregational Church, after the Englishman who fought for freedom of the slaves. Other churches built were the Methodist Church in August 1, 1864, the Collier Brethren Church, and the Roman Catholic Church in December 9, 1866.

Bagotville

St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plaisance

St Paul’s Parish Church are two landmarks in the village. The history of the St Paul’s Parish Church goes back to the 1830s.

Located on the West Demerara area, Bagotville was originally a coffee plantation bought by ex-slaves in 1839.

Bagotville is one of the few African villages that remained linked to its ancestral heritage. One of the earliest churches in this village is the Rattray Church.

Victoria

The village of Victoria was originally called Northbrook before it was re-named Victoria by ex-slaves who thought it best to name it after Queen Victoria for the part she played in the abolition of slavery. These freed slaves purchased the plantation from the original owners for 30,000 guilders in November 1839. The northern side of the village was set aside for hous-

Rattray Church in Bagotville

RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Rapper-turnedactor Will Smith took time out from his busy schedule to grab some rare downtime on a solo trip to Barbados over the August holiday weekend.

The family man, who has two children with his wife of 17 years Jada Pinkett Smith, and a son from a previous marriage, travelled alone for his latest visit which coincided with the peak weekend of the country’s annual Crop Over Festival.

The “I am Legend” star arrived in the island last Thursday and was spotted at a party later that day, according to a report in the Nation newspaper.

The versatile entertainer was reportedly “dressed casually in a T-shirt, jeans and boots” and “was spotted chatting to a couple females with dutiful bodyguards nearby.”

The following day, the former Fresh Prince stripped down to white swim shorts for a snorkelling trip off the island’s glittering west coast.

The 45-year-old double Oscar nominee was

Will Smith surrounded by friends and fans in Barbados (Barbados Tourism photo)

also spotted taking a run on one of the island’s white sand beaches.

According to Variety magazine, the prolific actor is slated for the leading role in an as yet unnamed film about the groundbreaking work of Dr Bennet Omalu, a forensic neuropathologist credited with publicising the danger of concussion in the NFL. It is thought that the role will consolidate Smith’s position as one of Hollywood’s most bankable box office draws.

Smith reaped success early as half of the rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the

Fresh Prince, going on to branch out to TV with the hugely successful sitcom “The Fresh Prince of BelAir.” He soon graduated to big-screen blockbusters like “Bad Boys,” “Independence Day” and “Men in Black” and quickly moved on to more challenging fare.

His portrayal of the ex-heavyweight champ in “Ali,” earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor, with his second Best Actor nomination coming in 2007 for “The Pursuit of Happyness.” (Caribbean News)

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history

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Historic Robbstown Bank of Guyana, officially opened October 11, 1966, is now the National Museum’s (foreground) eastern neighbour. The museum was established in 1844 and destroyed twice by fire in 1864 and 1945. Its present building was formally opened in 1951.

W

hile persons may be familiar with the ward names of Bourda, Queenstown, Kingston and Stabroek, some may not have heard about Robbstown. But the Robbstown ward in Georgetown is also a historic area in the city that accommodates several well-known and historic buildings.

This section was rented to John Robb in 1792

by Joseph Bourda, who first leased the area.

Robb arranged the building lots and landscape.

Robbstown is said to have been originally named Bridgetown since many Barbadians settled there, but when John Robb began establishing a housing

The original 145-year-old office building Hand in Hand Life and Fire Insurance Company still stands decorated with cast iron arches and railings reminiscent of Victorian and Georgian architecture

scheme, the area became known as Robb’s Town.

In 1864, the entire area was destroyed by a fire.

Under the guidance of Mayor Edward John Barr, the area was rearranged and streets were widened, giving this ward of the city of Georgetown its present urban layout.

Like many other parts of the city, the streets of this ward were named after prominent and affluent members of Guyanese society. Robb Street is named after John Robb, and Hincks Street is named after former Governor (1862-1868) Sir Francis Hincks. (Source: National Trust of Guyana; Guyana.org)

Old map of historic Robbstown

Urban Robbstown today. Based on the historic map and a 2009 satellite feed, Fogarty’s can be seen as taking up the entire block from lot 34 to 37 of the old map today. (Google Earth)

Royal Agricultural Hall and Post Office circa 1870s

The foundation stone of the Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Fire Insurance Company limited building was laid in 1893 at Robb and Hincks Streets, and completed in 1894. It combines concrete walls, colonnades and wrought iron on the wraparound gallery.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Skeldon High School under construction circa 1950s. The building was dedicated on 16 November 1956. Rev. Frank Christhilf, also certified as a civil engineer, assisted in the designing and construction of the high school

caribbean news

47

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Crop Over 2014 dubbed best ever (Barbados Today photo)

RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Slated to have 24 bands including one visiting group from Guadeloupe, Crop Over 2014 ended in Barbados Monday as 22 bands in total paraded through the National Stadium.

Commencing once again from this stage before a medium-size crowd of spectators in the stands, the revellers had a blast in their radiant colours.

Amongst the individuals on parade there were a few local dignitaries and international celebrities such as the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth. Stephen Lashley; Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Irene SandifordGarner; the Member of Parliament for St. John, Mara Thompson; the Member of Parliament for St. Michael West Central, James Paul; members of Cover Drive the Band, Livvi Franc, and Robert Christopher Riley alias Terrence Wall from VH1’s ‘Hit the

I

Floor’ all took part.

Stepping out of Contact Band for a brief interview, the Minister of Culture told the media, “We have had an excellent season so far. I am having fun.

Everything is good.”

The minister was most pleased to see his projected outcome be realised.

After earmarking the Crop Over 2014 season at the start of the Festival as one to be the best ever, Lashley said, “I believe this year we have had a phenomenal response. Every plane coming into Barbados has been very full. The hotels are full and of course Crop Over translates into a tremendous amount of economic activity. No taxis are available. You can’t rent any sound systems.

Everything has been booked. That tells me that something good is happening.”

He even made mention of the increased attention the Festival is receiving globally to the point that it is attracting international persons.

While excited as can

t got some people in this world who old people does seh dem is one of a kind. It ain’t got no equal to them.

Dem is one and only kinda people. No matter how far and wide yuh look, dem is one of a kind. Even when dem do some ting, it ain’t got nobody who gon be able to do it like dem.

Tek a man like Green Jah fuh example. He don’t talk much, but he got plenty tings pun he mind. So whenever he talk, he does talk he mind. And if any body know Green Jah, that mind musbe full of plenty tings. That is why whenever he talk, mouth does open and story does jump out.

De other day Green Jah seh he ain’t friken no Rodney Commission of Inquiry. But lo and behold, when de Inquiry finally start, Green Jah put he tail between he two foot and disappear.

Was Will Yams who had to go and show he face. If only Green Jah know whah Will Yams seh behind he back, Green Jah

be to part of the celebrations and festivities for the first time ever despite having Barbadian roots, one such international actor was Riley who was playing mas with Krave The Band.

He said, “This [Barbados’ Crop Over Festival] compares to everything. My father’s Bajan. My mother’s Trini. I have done Carnival everywhere– Miami, Brooklyn, Trinidad, this is my first Crop Over; I never felt more complete.”

Starting at 8:30 am, over 10 000 individuals passed across the stage before the judges and the viewing public by around 12:30 p.m., before making their way along the newly extended route to Spring Garden.

And the minister said this change in route is not the only one on the books going forward.

Refusing to let the cat out of the bag and reveal too much, he however disclosed that plans are in the works for next year and they already have some “planned innovations”.(Barbados Today)

One of a kind… …and the one and only gon never trust Will Yams again.

De joke of de week was when Green Jah seh he ain’t see nutten wrong wid de Pee-N-C selection. That was de same day when Green select people who woulda select he fuh be de leader again. So said so done, Green Jah get re-selected as party leader.

Everybody else seh dem see a lotta wrong tings and dem even talk bout it day after day. So clearly Green don’t see wid de people. Even he own people, accordin to de Linden and Plaisance people.

Plus Green Jah trying to tell de whole of Guyana that he believe in de principle of One People, One Nation and One Destiny. But he fuhget to tell de people that he also believe in de principle of one leader…fuh life.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend… mattie tell mattie! And that one leader fuh life is de one and only, and de one of a kind Green Jah!

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Popcaan and Melissa Steel on the set of the video shoot at Hellshire Beach in Portmore, Jamaica (Jamaica Observer photo)

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaican artiste Popcaan has scored his first British pop hit with ‘Kisses for Breakfast’, a song he did with singer Melissa Steel.

The song debuted at number 10 on the UK national chart last week.

‘Kisses for Breakfast’ is the first single for Steel, a 20-year-old from Bradford, England.

The song was co-produced by British producer Wundah and Richie Flores.

The latter is a Cayman native residing in the UK, who is a founding member of the

Black Chiney sound system. Flores is also manager of Jamaican-born, UK-based deejay Stylo G. The video for ‘Kisses for Breakfast’ was filmed at Hellshire Beach in Portmore, St. Catherine, earlier this year.

"The song has a summer, island feel to it, which is pretty much why we envisioned Jamaica as the perfect place to shoot the video," Steel said in a release from her label Atlantic Records.

She is currently working on her first album which has songs directed by several producers including Jamaican

Trevor 'Baby G' James.

Popcaan, a protege of Vybz Kartel, came to prominence through the smash hit 'Clarks', a collaboration with Kartel and Vanessa Bling (aka Gaza Slim).

He followed up with songs like ‘Dream', 'Only Man She Want’ (which reached number 89 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart in 2012), ‘Ravin’, ‘Unruly Rave’ and his latest, ‘Everything is Nice’.

Popcaan's debut album, ‘Where We Come From’, has sold 1,837 copies since its release eight weeks ago.

(Jamaica Observer)

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hollywood

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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he 20-year-old singer reportedly angered female revellers at Ibiza's Amnesia nightclub at the weekend by handpicking women from the crowd to join him at his VIP balcony area and insisting they left their friends behind if he didn't feel they were pretty enough.

A source said: "Justin was causing trouble by getting his entourage to walk around the main club floor. They told girls to come with them if they wanted to party with Bieber.

"But some were told only they could come along because their friends were not 'hot enough'."

And the hitmaker's

behaviour with those who were chosen to join him was "pretty strange" as he didn't even speak to the women.

According to The Sun newspaper: "He didn't even seem to talk

to them. He just sort of stood in the middle as they danced around. It was pretty strange."

Justin has caused a lot of controversy since flying out to Ibiza.

A week ago, actor Orlando Bloom "jumped a sofa" to try and punch him at restaurant Cipriani because of remarks he allegedly made about the star's ex-wife Miranda Kerr, who he was rumoured to have had a fling with while the couple were still married.

The hitmaker is said to have taunted Orlando with the claim that the Victoria's Secret beauty had promised to "make him a man". (Excepted from The Sun)

Mariah Carey spends 115k pounds on dog holiday

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ariah Carey is reportedly splashing out 115,000 pounds to send her pet dogs on a luxury holiday.

The 44-year-old singer is set to spend 100,000 pounds jetting her eight pooches from the U.S. to the UK as well as forking out 15,000 pounds on a lavish stay at a dog hotel, reports Contactmusic.

“They’ll be washed, groomed, taken on day trips, sleep in their own hotel beds and the chef will cook them personalised meals, according to a menu plan Mariah’s sending over. She’s even spending 100,000 pounds to charter a private jet to the UK for their luxury break,” a source said.

Carey, 44, is no stranger to splashing the cash on her four-legged friends as it was recently revealed the singer – who has three-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with husband Nick Cannon – allegedly pays out 28,000 pounds a year getting her dogs groomed. (Indian Express)

Shia LaBeouf was best onscreen kisser: Megan Fox

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egan Fox admits she had the best onscreen kiss with her ‘Transformers’ co-star Shia LaBeouf.

The ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ star, who has locked lips with the likes of Adam Scott and Amanda Seyfried in the past, enjoyed her smooch with the 28-year-old actor whilst filming the scifi movie in 2009, reported Contactmusic.

When asked with whom she had her favourite on-screen kiss, she replied, “Shia LaBeouf.”

Fox, 28, also recently admitted she is not worried about her former co-star after he was arrested in New York in June. “I’m not worried about Shia. I love my Shia. He’s perfectly fine. I haven’t talked to him in a couple of years, but I don’t worry about him. He’s a brilliant kid, talented and funny… There’s no reason to worry.” (Indian Express)

Kim Kardashian is now Kim Kardashian West

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eality TV star Kim Kardashian has legally changed her last name to West after marrying Kanye West in Italy in May. The ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star has applied for a

passport with her new moniker, reported Contactmusic.

The 33-year-old beauty shared an image of her new passport photograph on Instagram with the caption, “New passport pic #Mrs.West #NameChange (sic)” Kardashian, who has 13-month-old daughter North with the ‘New Slaves’ hitmaker, first changed her name to Kim Kardashian West on her social media accounts four days after she exchanged vows with Kanye, 37, in Italy on May 24.

The brunette beauty also previously revealed she wanted to have the same last name as her third husband and daughter. (Indian Express)

Jessica Alba feels confident with her body

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ctress Jessica Alba says she finally feels comfortable with her body and does not shy away from doning a bold avatar on screen.

The ‘Sin City: A Dame to Kill For’ star, who has two children with husband Cash Warren, said she never used to feel at ease starring in raunchy film roles, but is now confident about herself, reported E! Online. “I just have an ownership of my body and of myself as a woman that I didn’t really have before. I was such a tomboy, and I would always kinda like try and do role-playing to try and do these sexy things, but now I’m very much woman.”

“I know who I am, I’m confident in my sexuality and now it’s not so much

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fter stripping off for films like "Horns" and "Kill Your Darlings", Daniel Radcliffe is

of a departure from myself when I have to do photo shoots or play a character,” the 33-year-old actress said. (Indian Express)

getting naked once again.

In his latest flick "What If", the 25-year-old has a skinny-dipping scene with co-star Zoe Kazan.

"It was the nicest nude scene I've ever done. And that is quite a substantial list at this point. We've both done a lot of it. This was a nice just skinnydipping scene that was kind of fun," Radcliffe was quoted by eonline.com as saying.

"I had a modesty patch on for part of the night. But then part of the night I was offered, as a man, you get offered a G-string kind of thing. It feels a lot more weird than being naked in front of a lot of people, wearing a weird plastic G-string," he added.

Kazan said: "I had pasties on. I wrote 'Hi, Dan' on them." (Times of India)

Katie Price gives birth to baby girl

F

ormer glamour model Katie Price has given birth to a baby girl two weeks early from her scheduled delivery.

Price’s agent confirmed the news this afternoon, reported Daily Mirror.

“LFM can confirm that our client @misskatieprice has given birth to a baby girl this afternoon – no more details will be given at present,” Lunn Farrow Media tweeted.

The 36-year-old star, who welcomed her fifth child with cheater husband Kieran Hayler, was due to have a C-section on August 15th but was taken to hospital Tuesday and gave birth 11 days earlier.

She already has four children – Harvey, 12, from her relationship with Dwight Yorke, Junior, nine and

Princess, seven, with ex-husband Peter Andre and one-year-old Jett with Hayler. (Indian Express)

bollywood

Kareena Kapoor learns to grind spices on set

S

eems like Kareena Kapoor is not only busy learning the local language but also is leaving no stone unturned to get into the skin of a Marathi girl which she plays in ‘Singham Returns!’

It so happens that for a particular scene in the film, Kareena was supposed to grind some spices!

It has been reported that Kareena took special interest in knowing the art of grind-

ing spices in a typical Maharastrian way. The local women in Goa who were present on the sets were obliged to give a small tutorial to Kareena about grinding of spices.

A source close from the production team said," Kareena is doing a scene wherein she is grinding the spices in the traditional way.

Kareena seemed to be very fascinated with the mechanism and the way the women used it for grinding the spices to get the powder form. So during one of the breaks while shooting, she took a few spices grinding lessons from those Goan women!" (TOI)

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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eteran Indian actor Om Puri was honoured by a renowned museum in New York for his contribution to cinema through a special tribute that showcased clips from some of his finest films and highlighted the actor's journey from a theatre student to one of the most prominent actors.

The tribute featuring Puri, 63 was held at the Museum of the Moving Image, the only U.S. museum devoted to film, television and digital media.

The tribute programme was followed

by a preview screening of his latest film ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’, in which he co-stars with Academy-Award winning actress Helen Mirren.

V

idya Balan, an alumna of St. Xavier's, was the centre of attention at her alma mater. But this appearance was special as the actress was there as a chief guest to educate the students about the college's Women's Development Cell.

A student of the institute told Indian media, "Every year we have a celebrity guest who talks to the new students about the initiative. Vidya spoke about the importance of speaking up against harassment and other problems they may face as women and college students." (TOI)

Akshay Kumar walks the ramp for the first time ever with dogs

T like a normal happy family does but he holds no grudges against anyone. However, Sridevi has never spoken about

Arjun Kapoor in public.

In fact the two have never been spotted together at any event or function.

(TOI)

Tanishaa: Kajol is my best friend

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anishaa Mukerji revealed some secrets about her relationship with her first and best friend, her older sister Kajol recently.

Tanishaa believes that Kajol has been instru-

In the film, Puri plays the patriarch of a family displaced from their native India and trying to settle into a new life in France. (TOI)

Vidya Balan goes back to school

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rjun Kapoor had always been tight lipped about his equation with step mom Sridevi until he decided to spill the beans on Karan Johar's Koffee couch. It was during K Jo's chat show that Arjun opened up this aspect of his life. In a candid conversation Arjun Kapoor said that his relationship with Sridevi would never be normal.

He also said that for him Sridevi was just his father's wife and nothing beyond that. He also added that his mother Mona Kapoor had taught him never to disrespect anyone and he would never disrespect Sridevi.

He went on to add that he would never be able to live with them

49

mental in every aspect of her life.

Like all siblings, the sisters have a love-hate relationship but they adore each other to bits.

"When I was 11 years old, I celebrated my first

friendship's day with Kajol. I remember using my pocket money to buy her the prettiest friendship band", says Tanishaa.

Kajol has always extended her love and care for her baby sister, according to Tanishaa. "We are like friends today and share everything from secrets to shoes. Kajol has always been protective of me and so have I of her. I remember, when we were younger, I had fallen sick a day before a family wedding. I was only eight then. She sat all night beside my bed putting a cold pad on my forehead. I have tons of similar memories and I can think of no one but her when I hear the word 'best friend'", says Tanishaa. (TOI)

he lead cast of Farhad-Sajid's ‘Entertainment’ found an interesting way of promoting their film.

They walked the ramp in India's first ever fashion show with dogs. While Akshay has always been a dog lover and owns three dogs, Tamannaah turned one during the shooting of this film and now owns a hybrid between a Poodle and Bedlington Terrier, whom she has named Pebbles. Akshay chose to walk with not just one, but two dogs at the same time and looked

his macho best.

Talking about dogs, Akshay said, "Love your dogs and they will entertain you for the rest of your lives. If you have a child at home, I would

encourage you to buy a dog or better still, adopt one. Even science has proven that when a child grows up with a dog, he learns how to give unconditional love." (TOI)

Salman Khan to promote 'Dr. Cabbie' in Toronto

‘K

ick’ superstar Salman Khan will take off for a three-day tour of Toronto from Aug 28. to promote Vinay Virmani's big-ticket film ‘Dr. Cabbie’.

The flash-decision to fly in Salman to Toronto post ‘Kick’ was taken in a move to upstage the Toronto International Film Festival which starts on Sep 4.

‘Dr. Cabbie’, directed by JeanFrancois Pouliet was to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

But with a clutter of Hindi films being screened at the festival this year, the Toronto-based actor Vinay and his entrepreneur-dad Ajay Virmani have decided against screening ‘Dr. Cabbie’ at the festival.

Instead, they have decided to steal the Indian thunder at the Toronto International Film Festival by inviting Salman, the official producer of ‘Dr. Cabbie’ to Toronto. (TOI)

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Sport

WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Terrific Limacol CPL, despite slow start - Stewart

Jason Holder of Barbados Tridents catches a ball from Jimmy Neesham of Guyana Amazon Warriors (not in frame) during a match between Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors in Bridgetown, Barbados

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Despite a slow start to the 2014 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), commercial director Jamie Stewart believes things have gone really well so far this season. His beliefs were buoyed by the turnout at Sabina Park from last week Thursday to Sunday, where home team, the Jamaica Tallawahs, won all three games to be second in the standings after seven games.

The defending champions are just behind on net run rate to the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel after victories over

the Antigua Hawksbills last Thursday, the Guyana Amazon Warriors last Saturday and the Barbados Tridents on Sunday.

The last two games, which came down to the last over, provided a lot of drama for the virtual full house that turned out to witness the action. Stewart was among them.

"If you look at the last three weeks, it's been terrific with some of the cricket that has happened; (Saturday), with home town boy André (Russell) hitting a six to win. We had it the week before in Guyana with Darren Bravo hitting a

six off the last ball, the tied match with a super over in Guyana. So it's been terrific, and it's great to see the fans come out here at Sabina in full force to support the team because that's what it's all about," he said, above the din of the celebrations following the Tallawahs' 19-run win over the Tridents on Sunday.

Negril.

"I know it's been a busy week in Jamaica, and yet we have had full houses, so thanks to the fans for getting behind us," he indicated.

In retrospect, the poor crowd turnout in Grenada--a country that was hosting its first CPL match--was a disappointment, Stewart conceded, but it is something they will learn from going forward as they continue to build the product.

"I think it was tough taking on the football at the World Cup that was happening at the same time," he said of the 2014 launch on the Spice Island.

"We probably put the games in Grenada a bit too late, and we didn't

Christopher Barnwell of Guyana Amazon Warriors takes evasive action from a bouncer from Andre Russell of Jamaica Tallawahs (not in frame) at Sabina Park, Jamaica, last Saturday (CPL FB photos)

have the necessary build up there, so we will take that away and have a

'It was Jamaica's Commonwealth Games,' says Fennell

Great opportunity

He said that it has been a great boost for the CPL, because Sabina Park had great crowds, even though the matches would have been competing against the motor-racing meet at Dover in St Ann and the Dream Weekend parties in

look at that and see how we do things next year."

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is a picture of satisfaction at the end of the 4x100m relay final at the XX Commonwealth Games inside Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, last Saturday (PHOTO: COLLIN REID)

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LASGOW, SCOTLAND: It's hard to imagine what the XX Commonwealth Games would have been like without the Jamaican spark and flavor, and Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt.

There was excitement, as there was anxiety, as people there got nervy he wasn't going to show. But he finally took to the track last Friday in the semi-final heats of the men's 4x100m.

And Bolt further obliged a day later in the final with a scintillating anchor leg to lead Jamaica to gold in a meet record and world-leading 37.58 seconds on a wet Hampden Park track, showing that the weather failed to put a damper on Bolt and his fired-up relay teammates of Jason Livermore, Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nickel Ashmeade.

The Jamaicans already had the world record of 36.84 seconds, set in London in 2012.

Jamaica's 22 medals in Glasgow represent one of the best-ever hauls in the Commonwealth Games, or any other major championship for that matter. The team secured 10 gold, four silver and eight bronze medals—the majority won in track and field as expected.

Away from Hampden Park, Alia Atkinson won two of those medals—silver in the 50m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m breaststroke. And, on the final day of competition on Sunday, the Sunshine Girls quenched their medal thirst by winning bronze by defeating England 52-48.

On the track, the two sweeps took the cake. Firstly, the 400m 1-2-3 with Stephenie McPherson (50.67) winning gold, Novlene Williams-Mills (50.86) taking silver, and Christine Day (51.09) copping bronze.

Seeing the women's success, the men's 200m trio got jealous and decided that

they, too, could repeat this feat. And they obliged. Rasheed Dwyer (20.14) took gold, with Warren Weir (20.26) following close for silver, and Jason Livermore (20.32) with a late burst completed the sweep.

On the final night of competition in track and field, the 4x400m relay team of Day, Williams-Mills, Anastasia LeRoy, and McPherson ran a games record 3:23.82 minutes for gold.

But the record bug did not just sting quarter-milers, the sprinters were also infected.

Coming back from injury and showing little signs of not being fully fit, Olympic and World Championships gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ran a blistering anchor leg to guide the Jamaican team to a Commonwealth Games record and world-leading time of 41.83 seconds.

Her teammates Kerron Stewart, Veronica Campbell Brown, and Schillonie Calvert got the baton around seamlessly to handover to the 'Pocket Rocket', who opened up the jets to finish in style.

With the inimitable Usain Bolt on a

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt delivers his trademark ‘Lightning Bolt’ pose after guiding his team to victory in the 4x100m relay final at the XX Commonwealth Games inside Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, last Saturday evening (Jamaica Observer photo)

relay team in a final, fireworks are bound to go off. And they did. In another games record and world-leading 37.58 seconds, the Jamaican men, with textbook baton changeovers, had no match.

"Certainly Jamaica's performance has been outstanding, the track and field last (Saturday) would blow anybody's mind, and I think in a way...we had four relays, and they won three of them in record-breaking style, and of course our superstar Usain just blew the crowd away," said Jamaica Olympic Association President Mike Fennell.

"It was Jamaica's Commonwealth Games," he added. (Jamaica Observer)

SPort

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WEEK ENDING August 10, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

New York blasters for 20/20 games in Guyana

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ew York Blasterswinners of the first 20/20 New York Big Bash tournament this yearwill be playing a series of matches throughout Guyana this month.

The team’s trip to these shores has been made possible by cricket enthusiast Hafeez Ali of Rockaway Roti Shop and Taxi Service. Ali, who is well known for his passionate contribution to the sport, will also serve as manager of New York Blasters during the games.

In the opening game next

Wednesday, the Blasters will travel to Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, to challenge the host, while the next day, the visitors will take on another opponent at the Rockaway Cricket ground at Strathspey, East Coast Demerara.

On August 15, Blasters will do battle in a day/night 20/20 game at Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park, against the home team in memory of the late Otis George, one of East Bank’s finest cricketers, who passed away recently.

From there, the Blasters will then move on to

Chesney Sports Club ground, Corentyne, Berbice, where ardent fans of ex-Guyana batsman Sudesh Dhaniram will be waiting to welcome the opener, as they do battle with some former and current stars of the Ancient County.

A soldout crowd is expected to witness Dhaniram revisit his glory days with some thrilling strokeplay on August 16.

The following day, New York Blasters will continue their tour of Guyana with a game against Canal Cricket Hafeez Ali

Club at the Canal Number One ground.

On August 20, the home ground of another former West Demerara and Guyana star, Rabindranauth Seeram, Cornealia Ida, will be the battlefield against a West Demerara select side that will comprise former and current stars. The tour will conclude with a game at Everest Cricket Ground in Georgetown on August 22, where another packed crowd is expected.

Speaking to this publication, Ali said he is look-

ing forward to a successful tour, but more importantly wants to encourage Guyanese to come out in their numbers to witness the games and see both former and current players tussle it out in the middle.

New York Blasters squad: Shameer Sadloo, Deryck McDonald, Robert Narine, Shivnan Ramjattan, Sudesh Dhaniram, Zaheer Saffie, Hafeez Ali, Everard Gonsalves, Parsaram Beepat, Hemender Ramdihal, Saud Hossein, Ameer Khan, Hemraj Chanderpaul, Sanjay Dhaniram and Moin Sadloo.

Guyana’s Commonwealth team underperformed

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he Commonwealth Games is over and for the first time since 2004 Guyana has returned without a medal from the prestigious event.

In 2006, Guyana won gold in the women’s 400 metres through Aliann Pompey, while in 2010 Guyana won silver in the women’s 400 metres again through Aliann Pompey, a track star now retired and, for all the criticism that was directed at her, is now missed.

Athletes from seven disciplinesAthletics, Rifle Shooting, Cycling, Boxing, Swimming, Squash and Table Tennis- ventured to Glasgow, Scotland and all returned emptyhanded.

While no pressure

was on the team to perform, the performance of the team overall could be considered underpar.

Boxing made some strides; in 2006 and 2010 no boxer made it past the first round, this year Eon Bancroft reached the round of 16.

The men’s table tennis team, after being in the top 10 over the last two Commonwealth Games, failed to move past the first round. The women’s table tennis players had their first shot, but were unsuccessful.

It is clear that talent alone is not all that is needed to move table tennis into the spotlight on the international scene.

Swimming should definitely regroup and probably sit out the next

Commonwealth Games, unless the sport significantly improves in the next four years.

Squash has been a high point among Caribbean counterparts just like table tennis, but is in need of a boost to translate the abundance of talent to the international level.

Rifle shooting as well is in need of some tinkering to translate their talent from Caribbean talent to world talent.

Cycling did fairly well, especially some of the riders finishing in the top 10, but clearly Guyana will need to stop making excuses for what it does not accomplish.

Athletics was probably the most disappointing of the lot. While it was expected that the

Fernandes maintains world ranking

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uyana’s most decorated squash player Nicolette Fernandes has remained unmoved in the latest world ranking issued by the World International Squash Players Association (WISPA).

In the August 2014 release, the 31-year-old Fernandes is ranked 19, maintaining the same ranking she received at the start of April. The site does not indicate Fernandes’ next competition, but the Guyanese must continue to be active in order to move further up the ranking.

Her rise up the leaderboard is a remarkable turnaround for Fernandes, who only at the start of 2009 was rated a lowly 249 after a recurring knee injury had kept her out of competition for a protracted period of time.

Since returning from injury, however, Guyana’s most decorated squash player has been on the rise, significantly moving up the ranking with each passing competition.

Such was her outstanding performance that at the end of 2009, Fernandes, who is based in England and is under the expert guidance of award-winning coach Carl Ince, had taken her ranking below 100, ending the year at 88.

Ever since then, it has been a steady climb up the ladder for the multiple National Sportswoman-of-theYear, consistently racking up points and making her way up the WISPA leaderboard.

Nicolette Fernandes will look to move further up the ranking before the end of 2014

In 2013, Fernandes played in 13 WSA World Tour/Series in seven countries, namely the United States of America, Malaysia, Ireland, England, China, Monaco and Hong Kong. So far in 2014, she has been involved in six competitions.

In August last year, Fernandes returned home to claim her fifth Caribbean senior title, taking less than 30 minutes to dispose of perennial rival Karen Meakins of Barbados 11-6, 11-2, 11-5 in the final of the Caribbean Area Squash Association Senior Championships at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street.

USA-based sprinter Adam Harris failed to reach the final of the 100m at the recent Commonwealth Games

athletes would medal, it was definitely expected that at least one of the sprinters would have made it to the final.

Guyana now has its own synthetic track and this should be the impetus for all athletes to

come home to make the national team for international events.

Moreover, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) will have to look at forming teams and making public, the long-term and

short-term goals of various teams to allow expectations to be tailored, instead of just relying on respective associations to come up with quality athletes, since the current method is clearly not working.

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Sports Ministry commends Inter Guiana Games team

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he victorious Inter Guiana Games team has come in for praise from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Guyana won the first leg of the Games (IGG) which concluded on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Guyana’s win in athletics was the major difference that helped the hosts to prevail overall despite finishing third in swimming and second in basketball.

According to a press release from Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Guyana’s outstanding performance in the competition is due to the hard work, commitment and dedication of the athletes and their coaches. In this regard, he said the

Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

Ministry appreciates the effort and is looking forward for continued success.

Dr Anthony also added that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has been diligent in ensuring investments are made into

sports development in terms of training opportunities and the installation of facilities such as the synthetic track and the aquatic centre.

“This achievement by the Guyana Team is a fruit from the investments made in sports

Britany Van Lange (centre) claimed gold in the Girls 19 and Under 200 metres Individual Medley and Freestyle events as well as the Girls 19 and Under 100 metres Freestyle event (Photo: Trevor Pemberton/Facebook)

development. While our attention will not waver, it is hoped that our athletes will be encouraged by the provisions

Guyana’s win in athletics was the major difference that helped the hosts to prevail overall despite finishing third in swimming and second in basketball

made for them and push themselves to achieve greater things.”

Dr Anthony said it is the Ministry’s intent that with the installation of state-of-theart and internationally standardised facilities, that our athletes will be able train on a higher level which will in turn see them reaching their full potential in their respective sport disciplines.

“Congratulations to the teams from Suriname and French Guiana as well for travelling such a long distance and for sharing their talents with us.

Together we have successfully pulled off a very successful InterGuiana Games. Once again…Kudos team Guyana.”

Meanwhile, second place went to Suriname

who finished first in swimming, second in athletics and first for boys in basketball and third for girls.

French Guiana brought up the rear as they failed to register a point in athletics due to not fielding a team, and finished second in swimming but first for girls in basketball and third for males.

Swimmers Britany van Lange and Soroya Simmons had ensured Guyana was among the gold medals during the first leg of the Games.

Suriname finished on top with 12 gold medals, 11silver and 8 bronze for a combination of 31 medals. French Guiana captured 8 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze for a total of 25 medals while hosts Guyana claimed 4 gold, 4 silver and 8 bronze for a total of 16 medals.

More kudos for Guyana Under-19 cricket team

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he Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is the latest to publically express its joy with the stellar performance displayed by Guyana’s Under-19 cricket team who were recently crowned the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) regional Under-19 threeday champions.

“This outstanding show of sportsmanship by the entire team is an indication that Guyana has a well-stocked nursery of emerging cricketers who are naturally talented and committed to the sport,” a press release from the Ministry stated.

“Further, this achievement by these young cricketers demonstrated their leadership skills and resilience which saw them securing the winning innings for

Kemo Paul

Guyana. This momentum is also being taken into the One Day matches, and we are confident that the team will be successful again.”

The Sports Ministry said Guyana has been able to produce outstanding cricketers in the past, as such this achievement is a major score for Guyana since it indicates

that we still have what it takes to make an impact on the cricket scene.

The Ministry pledged its continued commitment and support for the development of the sport.

“This is very evident in the recent commissioning of the floodlights at the Albion Community Ground in Region 6. We see this as a good oppor-

tunity for the surge of cricket in Guyana.

“I am looking forward to seeing more Guyanese cricketers make their mark in cricket internationally; in this regard cricketers are encouraged to be their best and to practice the rules of the sport on and off the field,” the release stated.

Congratulations had previously come from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Director of Sport Neil Kumar.

Guyana started the tournament with a draw against the Windward Islands, but grew in strength and confidence with two comprehensive victories against powerhouses Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

There were some praiseworthy individual performances from

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

a few players – against Trinidad and Tobago, Tagenarine Chanderpaul held the lone Guyana innings together with a remarkable, unbeaten century; and when Guyana was staring down the barrel of defeat in their second innings against the Windward Islands,

Kemo Paul’s determination and resilience resurrected the innings with a brilliant 90.

Against Barbados, Steven Sankar was exceptional with the ball, capturing a five-wicket haul whilst Shimron Hetmyer registered a classy century.

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International and returning stars Kevin Pietersen ready to boost Boyce/Jefford Classic for Limacol CPL show

Trinidad’s Tonya Nero easily won the Wartsila 20K title here in Guyana in March and also ran in the 10,000m at the just concluded Commonwealth Game (Photo: Paul E. Voisin)

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t is a little over a week to go to the fifth edition of the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic set for August 16 and 17 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden.

The two-day event is said to be Guyana’s best track and field meet since it not only offers clubs the opportunity to win money, but it also provides a high level of competition for athletes in Guyana, especially when some international stars grace the meet with their presence.

Looking at some of the stars set to flock Guyana for the meet, Guyana’s own Brenessa Thompson, who trains in the USA, will give the current crop of female sprinters the opportunity to test themselves against her.

However, what makes it interesting is the fact that the locals will have some degree of advantage competing on home soil, something Thompson might be unaccustomed to.

Another scenario to look at is one where Thompson will have to face Trinidad’s

Kaylee Clark over the 200 metres.

Clark won Carifta Gold this year by defeating Guyana’s own Kadecia Baird who took silver and, while Baird’s attendance at the meet is still not confirmed, to have both Clark and Thompson in the same 200 metres might just threaten the meet record held by Guyana’s Aliann Pompey.

Further, adding Alita Moore who trains in the USA to such an event, along with some of the locals, will only up the level of competition in that particular event which might just be the event of the day.

The likes of Trinidad’s Mark London and Tonya Nero will add to the middle- distance events that are also set to turn up the heat at the event. Nero is regarded as the Caribbean’s top female distance runner. She easily won the Wartsila 20K title here in Guyana in March and also ran in the 10,000m at the just concluded Commonwealth Games.

An 800-metre race among London, Guyana’s Kevin Bayley and Ornesto Thomas will definitely be an event to witness as all three men are capable of producing topnotch performances on any given day.

Further, if the likes of Wayne Harlequin, Dennis Horatio and Trevor Scotland participate at the event, 800 metres will become even more interesting.

Meanwhile, it will be pleasing to the eyes to witness Olympian Winston George on local soil again, as the quarter-mile specialist is expected to be in Guyana for the event.

George is arguably Guyana’s best product at the moment and to have him at Guyana’s best track and field meet will definitely be a moment to witness, since it has been a while since George has competed at home.

Overall, with the influx of international stars and the return of some of Guyana’s top athletes, the Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic is shaping up to be one to savour.

- says very excited about playing cricket in the Caribbean

One of cricket’s most exciting batsmen, Kevin Pietersen has arrived for the Limacol CPL matches for St Lucia Zouks this weekend (Photo: CPLT20)

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ne of cricket’s most exciting batsmen, Kevin Pietersen, arrived in St Kitts on Wednesday to prepare to make his Limacol Caribbean Premier League debut this weekend for the St Lucia Zouks.

Ahead of back-to-back matches against the Jamaica Tallawahs and the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park, Kevin Pietersen spoke about how much he enjoys playing cricket in the Caribbean and the positive impact the CPL will have on the game by provid-

ing such a high profile stage for the region’s cricketers to perform on.

Kevin Pietersen said, “I love playing cricket in the Caribbean and am really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere and passion the crowd can generate within Warner Park. There aren’t many other grounds in the world that have a party stand with a swimming pool in it!”

Pietersen scored a hundred at Warner Park in 2009 and went on to say how enjoyable it is to play cricket in St Kitts, “I have played here before and really enjoyed batting – it is a beautiful ground and a unique place to play. It is a tight ground, and that means lots of fours, sixes and wickets, which is what the fans want to see. CPL is about entertaining cricket and bringing the best players from across the Caribbean and combining them with some of the top overseas players to put on a show that fans across the West Indies deserve. I cannot wait for this weekend.”

Kevin Pietersen will be playing for St. Lucia Zouks alongside captain Darren Sammy and one of the players of the tournament, Sohail Tanvir. St. Lucia Zouks play against Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs at 12pm on Saturday 9th August and against the Guyana Amazon Warriors at 12pm on Sunday 10th August.

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