Guyana Times International 06-Aug-19

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‘Guyana nowhere

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

ISSUE NO. 466

closer to elections’ Page 9

– Opposition Commissioner

Cricket fever hits Guyana ...Amazon Warriors hoping to go all the way

Cricket fans turn out in their numbers to be part of the action on Thursday at the National Stadium, Providence, Guyana (DPI Photo)

Guyanese woman who suffered massive stroke dies in Queens fire Page 3

Guyana Embassy in US signs MoU with Diaspora body to enhance cooperation Page 5

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese woman who suffered massive stroke dies in Queens fire

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D u n d e e , Mahaicony woman, who suffered a massive stroke, died in a fire at her Queens, New York home late Tuesday, the ABC New York news has reported.

Firefighters were called to the building on 219th Street in Queens Village as the flames quickly spread, and cell phone video showed the intense flames shortly after 11 p.m.

Authorities say 63-year-old Azmin Jaomin, a former security guard who recently suffered a stroke and lived in the home with the help of a home health aid, was found dead after the fire was extinguished.

“She had a massive stroke, too, so her left side, her foot and hand not working properly,” her niece said. “Very nice woman, my aunt was a beautiful woman, beau-

Dead: Azmin Jaomin also known as Azmin Shaw

tiful. I’m so shocked to see that this happened to her.”

Jaomin was trapped inside the home on the first floor and unable to get out, ABC news reported.

The home does have other tenants, but it’s unclear if they escaped or were not home at the time. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

NEWS 3

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

First Oil F

irst oil is on the horizon in Guyana and all around the country, citizens are beginning to feel a sense of renewed hope. Never before in the history of this country was there so much optimism and excitement as it relates to our development potential. It is now up to our political leaders, the business community, civil society and citizens themselves to work in harmony so as to ensure that all this talk about oil and the huge potential it has for our development could really translate into actually improving the quality of life for every Guyanese and those who decide to make this place their home.

On Thursday, the Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first oil production vessel arrived in the Stabroek Block after travelling nearly 11,000 nautical miles for 42 days from the Keppel Shipyard in Singapore. The arrival of the ship is seen as another significant step forward, as Guyana inches closer to becoming an oil-producing nation. More importantly, as stated by Energy Department Director Dr Mark Bynoe, the arrival of the Liza Destiny should stimulate a new spirit of nationalism, pride and expectation among citizens.

This Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel is a significant component of the Liza Phase 1 development, which involves four undersea drill centres with 17 production wells. The vessel has a production capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil per day and an overall storage volume of 1.6 million barrels.

Liza Phase 1 remains on track to achieve first oil by the first quarter of 2020. It will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates utilising the Liza Destiny FPSO. With 13 lucrative discoveries offshore Guyana, ExxonMobil anticipates a potential for at least five FPSO vessels producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025.

Phase 2 of the Liza development is expected to start up in mid-2022 and will develop approximately 600 million barrels of oil through the “Liza Unity”, the second FPSO in the series. ExxonMobil had stated that a total of six drill centres are planned, as well as approximately 30 wells, including 15 productions, nine water injection and six gas injection wells.

The fact is Guyana is now considered a country with massive opportunities and everyone must position themselves to benefit from the sector. Citizens should not allow themselves to be distracted by the constant haggling between our political leaders. In fact, they should put pressure on those in authority to ensure that the relevant mechanisms are in place that would see accountability and transparency in the management of the sector and that Guyanese are allowed to benefit from the opportunities that are available.

There are still many challenges confronting the nation; for example, quite a number of persons are living below the poverty line, public infrastructure is not up to standard, social services such as health and education need to be improved, many young people cannot afford to further their studies or acquire specialised training, high unemployment, constant power outages and so on.

Since Guyana will be heading into elections campaign mode soon, it is an opportune time to remind our politicians that citizens are wary of political instability and the negative impact it has on the economy and to national life in general. Like many others, we hope that GECOM will get its act together and make the tough decisions that ought to be made. A date for elections should be set soon to allow citizens to elect a government of their choice. We should demonstrate to the world that we can campaign and conduct elections peacefully, and when the results are out, we can then work towards achieving our development objectives as one.

With oil almost here, we are convinced that this country has a bright future ahead, but our leaders must look beyond partisan politics and work together in the nation’s interest.

It is very unfortunate that in spite of being blessed with an abundance of natural resources, the political rancour we have experienced over the years has caused our development to be stifled. Guyana has another opportunity to become a wonderful country with unlimited opportunities; a place where young people would be happy to stay and help in its development, it is hoped that our leaders will not squander it.

Members of a cultural group perform a dance during the launch of Indigenous Heritage Month (DPI photo)

The DHB: Catering for national emergencies

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arlier this week, a barge crashed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), putting it out of operation for over 36 hours.

Thousands of commuters, including school children who normally use the facility, were left with no choice but to use water taxis at the old ferry stellings at Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown. Chaos ensued and worsened by the fact that the accident occurred on the first day of the new school term.

This is not the first time the bridge has been rammed by an oceangoing vessel, resulting in much inconvenience to commuters. From the vivid images of this latest incident, both stellings were overwhelmed by the sheer number of commuters offering another reminder of the need for more effective contingency plans.

The initial official notice, reportedly from the Management of the DHB about the accident, as brief as it was, seemed to lack any consideration of inconvenience to commuters.

To just say “closed until further notice”, can possibly convey a sense of being insensitive to concerns. While it would not have made a difference to the repair timeline, noting that management is working around the clock to carry out necessary repairs to minimise the inconvenience, could be seen as a bit more considerate.

That may be deemed as insignificant and a casualty of expediency at the time; however, the lack of capacity and intolerable conditions, especially at the Georgetown end, to access the water taxis were very significant.

There is no disputing the very high volume of commuters and vehicles that cross the DHB on a daily basis, with traffic build-up on both ends bringing much frustration to all. The unusual easy flow of traffic on the East Bank Public Road on Monday and most of Tuesday puts into perspective the volume of vehicles that tra-

verse the DHB from the west side.

From all reports, in Georgetown, commuters were crammed in multiple lines which stretched a long distance. With numbers overwhelming the available boats, commuters had to wait for lengthy periods. Part of that wait was in the old, hot stelling with infrastructure seemingly incapable of handling such volume and major concerns for safety.

While some commendable measures were put in place, including Police presence, barricades, extension of the deadline for the boats to traverse the river and an ambulance for medical emergencies, there have been many similar incidents in the past that offered experience to establish a friendlier environment at the Georgetown Stelling.

Reportedly, it was only sometime in the evening that another access point to the water taxis was opened up there.

That could have been done much earlier to help mitigate the challenges faced. Also, there were reports of vehicles not being allowed from the Vreed-en-Hoop junction to the stelling there. That’s a fairly onerous walk especially for children, the sick and pensioners. Reportedly, that decision was taken to avoid vehicles parking around the stelling.

While there may be good reasons for that, disruption of the DHB creates an abnormal situation.

Consideration could have therefore been given to have the Police presence in the vicinity of the stelling to facilitate drop-offs and to ensure no one violates the suspected parking restriction. That simple change in operation would have eased the burdens of many forced to walk that distance.

Such interventions would constitute a simple component of a more detailed and effective contingency plan to deal with disruption in operations of the

DHB and to mitigate historic challenges. It’s not about who didn’t do what, but what must be done— done in a timely manner to safeguard the welfare of commuters.

It would be interesting to know if any assessment was done on capacity and safety levels of the Georgetown Stelling area used to access the water taxis. People must travel for work and school primarily, regardless of the mechanism. The Government has the responsibility to ensure those mechanisms are safe. The experience of those who reportedly fainted must not be ignored but be used as indicators to help improve the infrastructure.

Equally important, is the movement of food, critical medical supplies and patients who must access services in the city. Additionally, there is an added cost to many who have to divert and use the water taxis.

This latest disruption was just over 36 hours, as light vehicles are now accommodated and the DHB crews that worked around the clock must be commended. However, in a scenario where the disruption could be more extensive, what plans are in place to ensure a far less challenging commute, the supply of goods and services and the minimising of additional financial burdens?

Any national contingency plan has to be holistic to cater for various situation. One, in addition to the DHB, is the alternative route for East Bank Demerara. With no option before Eccles and beyond Providence, commuters have been stranded for hours following accidents and even fires.

Four years and over into the tenure of the APNU/AFC government, the bypass road is still unrealised, despite vehement promises. Should that be taken as a lack of concern for the urgently needed alternative route? If so, optimism for an effective national contingency plan continues to wane.

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Embassy in US signs MoU with Diaspora body to enhance cooperation

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n August 29, 2019, Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States Dr. Riyad Insanally and President of the United Guyanese Diaspora Global Network, Corp. (UGDGN) Mr. Wayne Forde, signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Embassy of Guyana in

Washington, DC. According to a release from the Embassy, the primary aim of this MoU is to enhance cooperation between the Embassy and UGDGN, an umbrella body for Guyanese Diaspora organisations in the USA, aimed at strengthening engagement between the Government of Guyana

and the Guyanese Diaspora.

In his remarks, Ambassador Insanally expressed delight at signing the MOU, almost exactly a year after initial discussions between the two sides began, noting that it was a necessary step in establishing more structured and systematic engagement be-

tween the Government and the Diaspora.

Mr. Forde, in his remarks, thanked Ambassador for facilitating the signing of the MOU and stated that UGDGN was looking forward to working closely with the Embassy, particularly in providing much needed assistance to school children

in Guyana, among other areas, as part of its efforts towards “Building Bridges to a Brighter Future for Guyana”.

Mr. Forde also highlighted the fact that, earlier in 2019, UGDGN had signed an MOU with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to collaborate on projects that

would produce a positive impact for Guyana.

In addition, UGDGN is planning the first Guyanese Diaspora Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Conference for 2020.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by several members of UGDGN and Staff of the Embassy.

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WEEK ENDING september 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Irfaan Ali was right regarding The world is in the state of the economy crisis; don’t be a

Dear Editor, Messrs Rennie Parris and Yonnick David in a missive in another paper (Aug 29) described PPP’s Presidential candidate Irfaan Ali as an “amateur” (?) for his mid-year review of the economy. I do not know the two gentlemen and their backgrounds and whether they study economics. I did doctoral studies in economics and other disciplines and taught economics and the social sciences for some 35 years.

I also regularly conduct NACTA surveys in Guyana, most recently in early August to gather peoples’ views on the economy. Irfaan is right in his conclusion – the economy has underperformed based on national expectations and the limited spread effects of growth.

The population expected a better quality of life under the present regime than what was obtained under the PPP (under Jagdeo’s tenure).

However, people supporting both major polit-

ical forces say they were better off under former President Jagdeo’s rule.

Both Parris and David need to visit the population on the ground or homes and communities to get a true picture of the state of the economy for an accurate mid-year review. Don’t fall for only stats! Ground reality paints a different picture. Both writers would be shocked to hear peoples’ complaints.

In the latest NACTA surveys, the population would agree with Irfaan that the economy has performed very badly over the years. Statistics tend to be misleading.

Indeed, the concept of economic growth tends to be misleading. So don’t form firm conclusions on growth rates.

While the economy may show growth, it does not explain where growth takes place and who benefits from growth.

Surely, the population at large is not beneficiaries of growth; their earnings and spending power declined.

Businesses have also

complained that their revenues have declined by half over the last four years. Most sectors of the economy have contracted this year although they performed well between 2015 and 2017. Many businesses have gone bankrupt over the last four years.

The population is hurting badly (including in strongholds of the coalition Government) and people are openly voicing their opinions on their poor financial state of being. Both standards of living and quality of life have deteriorated since the last budget as well as over the last four years. The writers did not cite figures of poverty rates which must have gone up since some 20K lost their jobs.

Suicide (including attempted) rate and domestic violence are also on the rise. People continue to migrate in record numbers.

The writers cite foreign investment. There has been some foreign investment in Guyana (primarily in mining,

lumbering and energy) but significant jobs are not created to lift people out of poverty. The investments do not filter downwards. The jobs go to foreigners and locals are not benefiting. And many investors are worried about committing resources in Guyana because of the unstable political climate. The sooner this issue is addressed; the quicker foreigners would commit to increased investment in the country.

Contrary to what the writers penned, there is no economic boom in Guyana – certainly not from opinions provided by the bulk of the population. The overwhelming portion of the population is not benefiting from the cited growth rates. Sustained economic boom and benefits to the lower classes (poverty) will not come till oil reaches the international market in a couple of years.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

The Natural Resources Fund is structurally flawed Dear Editor, As ‘first oil’ rapidly approaches, Guyanese are without the comfort of an acceptable Sovereign Wealth Fund to manage our revenues from oil.

I posed the question to President David Granger in 2016, asking that the President address the nation to inform us all of exactly what type of SWF his administration would be setting up; where it would be based; who would administer it; who would have oversight; what laws would govern it, and what type of investments it would be limited to making (S.N. July 5, 2016).

Granger signed Legislation establishing the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) in February of 2019. The NRF is structurally flawed, as it ultimately puts total control in the hands of whoever is Minister of Finance. Among the other problematic issues with the NRF are the controls governing how much money enters the fund, and how much the Government can allocate to the annual budget.

Under the Government’s propos-

al, a portion of the country’s oil revenue would be saved in the fund, though the Government would still be allowed to borrow. In a review of the NRF by the National Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Andrew Bauer said: “Guyana could end up in a situation where it is saving money and earning low interest while it borrows at a higher interest rate, and in this way, the country ends up losing money.” (Consider that the US$18 million signing bonus was invested in a Canadian fund at 1% return at the same time that NICIL was borrowing at 4.75%).

NRGI says the proposed rule is unlikely to smooth Government spending, and does not constrain overall expenses. The Government could over-borrow, based on the prospect of large oil revenues, which are a decade away. The NRGI pointed to weaknesses in the NRF rules around how money in the fund can be invested, and stressed the need for rules to prohibit purchases of particularly risky assets, such as commodities and deriva-

tives.

The issue with control of the NRF in the hands of one man can be demonstrated clearly by an examination of how Granger removed safeguards within NICIL (Guyana’s first sovereign wealth fund). NICIL was incorporated as a Private Limited Company under the Companies Act, Chapter 89:01 in July 1990. Primary objectives of the company were that of subscribing for; taking, or otherwise acquiring, holding and managing the Government’s shares, stocks, debentures, or other securities of any company, co-operative society or other corporate body.

Until recently, all decisions made by NICIL were subjected to Cabinet review and approval. This control has been removed, and the Special Projects Unit is now making decisions and entering agreements that are ratified and signed by the Minister of Finance (that man again).

It was this lack of control that saw the assets of GuySuCo being vested into NICIL without the knowledge or ap-

proval of the GuySuCo Board or the Minister of Agriculture. These assets were then pledged, along with a sovereign guarantee, for a G$30 billion bond. This G$30 billion was borrowed for ‘unspecified’ longterm projects. Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, said: “We don’t know what the projects are as yet, but you would recall that this bond is only for five years. So they’re borrowing on a short- to medium-term (basis) for long-term projects…in five years at a 4.75 per cent interest.”

David Granger has failed to understand that multiple layers of control are needed to safeguard our resources and revenues. His belief in unilateral decision-making has led to enormous costly mistakes at NICIL. With the same unilateral structure in place for the NRF, the same can be expected, with even bigger errors anticipated.

Granger’s Natural Resource Fund is not a Sovereign Wealth Fund; it is a confidence trick.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

passive onlooker Dear Editor, As I sit here and watch with dismay as the Amazon burns, and reflect on some of the other horrifying news of this time – Greenland lost 12.5 billion tons on ice in one day; Microplastics discovered in “extreme” concentrations in the North Atlantic; Nuclear monitoring stations went mysteriously quiet after Russian missile facility explosion, I wonder how did we get here, and where is the urgency of our response?

There is little doubt that the news media have played a role in our diversion. No longer able to rely on annu-

al subscriptions to fund their work, they resort to click bait headlines that bring in ad revenue. That’s why the international mass media spent more time in one week covering the royal baby than it did in all of 2018 on climate change and all the other millions of babies that died from starvation and diseases during this decade.

But algorithms don’t lie; we’re taking in what they’re feeding us, and that is on us. So here we are, distracted by fashion trends, offers to shop online, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, videos and tweets. continued on page 7

A Constitution is the cornerstone of every principled democracy Dear Editor, The Constitution of our country, as in every other democracy, is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents by which we have all agreed to be governed.

It is a body of laws that set the standard for every facet of our lives and it is not to be trifled with nor be picked apart piecemeal to accommodate partisan whims and fancies.

A Constitution is the cornerstone of every principled democracy and allows for parliamentarians to vote their conscience. This ruling is fundamental to a democratic state and is considered a normal piece of business in true democracies where legislators are not threatened with compliance to party policies. If lawmakers in Guyana have to toe the party line, the country would in essence regress to being a dictatorship as during the PNC’s previous time in office.

With regard to the current impasse following the successful passage of last December’s No-Confidence Motion, several letter writers continue to advance arguments for compromise and for interpretations

of the law that favour partisan views and are clearly unconstitutional. While democratic governance encourages debate, discussion and compromise, the decisions taken at the end of the day always have to comply with the rule of law which is inviolable and assures fairness and justice for everyone involved.

The Constitution was crafted for just such contentious times when the country stands divided and steadying the ship means holding fast to the rules that have been agreed to and which guarantee the rights and privileges of every single citizen without fear or favour.

It provides a clear path through the obstructions and partisan views being thrown in its way and as Guyana still awaits long-overdue elections, it is crucial that the newly appointed GECOM Chair Justice Claudette Singh acts to protect and guarantee the constitutional right of the electorate to participate in free and fair elections which will, in turn, ensure our continued status as a democracy.

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

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Guyana activates response mechanism to assist hurricane-ravaged Bahamas A

s support pours in from across the world for the Bahamas, the Guyana Government has activated a response mechanism to facilitate assistance and support for the Caribbean island, which was ravaged by Hurricane Dorian over the last few days.

The Category 5 hurricane left widespread and extensive destruction in the Bahamas with many homes, businesses and other buildings completely or partially destroyed. This devastation has triggered a worldwide show of solidarity as countries lend support to the island via various means.

Local relief efforts are being led by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and according to its Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, he will be meeting with members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) today (Thursday) with the

view of mobilising and dispatching resources to the hurricane-ravaged island.

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is currently monitoring the effects of Hurricane Dorian.

The Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT) located in Bahamas has prepared a pre-impact analysis, in collaboration with the national lead agencies, which is currently being reviewed by the Government of Bahamas through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

According to Craig, the island has identified water pumps, reverse osmosis plant, bladder tanks, generators and hygiene kits as immediate needs. But he noted the most appropriate need at this time is financial support.

To this end, the CDC says it has estab-

The world...

We were lulled into complacency while the Amazon was being clear cut, while the gulf between rich and poor widens by the day, and while the world slowly tilts towards tyranny and the annihilation being committed against innocent people in different parts of the world, the most recent being in Kashmir.

We are facing a moment in time where we need a coordinated global effort to address a number of urgent issues, yet the superpower of South America seems no longer interested in, or capable of, playing a leadership role; and the United Nations without America’s active participation is impotent.

But while governments around the world have ceded moral authority and leadership, it doesn’t mean we should give up hope.

Ordinary citizens still have a voice, especially in the age of social media. Look no further than Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Abby Martin, Rewan AlHaddad, Avaaz and the kids from Parkland; all have demonstrated the tremendous power of the individual.

In recent days, I have seen a chorus of voices speak out against the destructive policies that are partially responsible for the fires consuming the Amazon. These voic-

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es, if loud enough, would have an impact on policy makers. Politicians will react to outrage by their constituents. We need a similar chorus of voices to speak out against other dangers we are facing; including climate change, inequality, unnecessary wars, etc.

Activists in all these areas need to harness the growing disillusionment within their communities, and organize targeted campaigns much like the International Crisis Group did with the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The bells rang loud enough to force policymakers to mobilize and help prevent an even greater crisis.

It’s time we all start actively engaging in our future, as complacency comes at a cost none of us can afford. The ordinary indigenous Amazon Indians have raised their swords, bows and arrows, ready to defend the rainforest and their homeland with their last drop of blood.

I petition: the world is in crisis; don’t be a passive onlooker, for the inferno that persists will consume the lives of millions of fauna in the Amazon and cause humongous destruction to our ecosystem and life on Planet Earth.

Yours truly, Nazar Mohamed

The destruction by Dorian – the Category 5 hurricane that made landfall on the Bahamas at about 12:40h with 185 mph winds on Sunday

lished accounts at various commercial banks in Guyana so that persons can make donations for relief efforts.

The accounts’ information will be circulated as soon as they are made available. The monies raised would be used to support response teams deploy, establish and manage shelters and to procure relief supplies.

Donation In addition to setting up an account, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has also donated G$3 million to the relief efforts.

“We see the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian and we understand the need for the people to get back to their normal lives and it is inherent within us to help,” said GBTI Executive Director Richard Isava.

Persons interest-

ed in making contributions can use the ‘GBTI Hurricane Relief Fund – Bahamas’ with account number 011802963011.

Another account ‘Disaster Relief Fund’ with account number 651-993-8 was established at Republic Bank Limited for persons to make donations to the relief efforts.

Meanwhile, the Commission will also be reaching out to Guyanese living in the Bahamas who were impacted to determine what level of support is needed. Craig told Guyana Times International on Wednesday that the Foreign Affairs Ministry was in the process of obtaining the information of Guyanese on the island.

Additionally, the CDC is in talks with the Department of Energy (DoE) and other key

partners after CDEMA made a request for an Oil and Gas Specialist in refineries to be identified within Member States so they can be deployed to the island as part of the RNAT. The Commission has since updated Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams, on the situation and she has, in turn, briefed Cabinet on Guyana’s preparedness to respond. The Government has committed to tangibly contribute to relief efforts after the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian.

Regional and global support Meanwhile, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has also joined in extending sympathy and support to the Government and people of the Bahamas in this time of devastation.

“Guyanese are horrified by the unspeakable destruction of life and property on the Abaco and the Grand Bahama Islands. At the same time, we salute the bravery and selflessness of so many Bahamians to rescue people in their communities under dangerous conditions,” the Party stated.

Furthermore, the PPP recognised that the Bahamas will require consistent regional and global support for a long time to come as it reconstructs the once tourist-haven.

“Guyana must extend its support to Bahamas as quickly as possible, as it has unflinchingly done in the past for fellow brothers and sisters in the Caribbean who suffered terrible natural disasters”.

On Sunday, the Category 5 hurricane made landfall on the Bahamas at approximately 12:40h with 185 mph winds. The following day, it downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane but it still exhibited slow forward movement.

The total population expected to be affected on Grand Bahama and Abacos Islands— the two of the worst affected islands within the Bahamas— is estimated at 76,278.

Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has so far confirmed seven deaths, but noted this might increase. He called the storm a historic tragedy.

“This was a crisis of epic proportions,” he told reporters on Tuesday evening.

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WEEK ENDING september 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Indian companies to bid for Guyana’s remaining oil blocks A

s Guyana prepares for oil production early next year, having had successful discoveries in several blocks offshore, companies in India are eagerly awaiting the opening of a new licensing round to scoop up oil blocks in the country.

Guyana is expected to have its second oil licensing round in the first quarter of 2020.

India had first expressed interest in Guyana’s budding oil and gas industry last year when a high-level Ministerial delegation, which included Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, met with Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan, during a visit to the Asian country.

Recently, accredited High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa told Guyana Times International on Wednesday that if more oil blocks become available on the market, then Indian oil companies would “seriously” con-

High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa

sider bidding for same. “…We would await Government of Guyana, if they are planning to [open] bidding for more blocks. We would consider that seriously…

Our companies believe in transparent bidding and stuff, so they will come and bid if it’s open [because] who doesn’t want oil,” he posited.

Head of the Energy

Department, Dr Mark Bynoe, had told reporters back in February that next year’s licensing round would be done via a competitive bidding process as opposed to one-on-one deals. He had explained too that they created a new production sharing agreement (PSA) template which will be used to guide future oil contracts.

However, he noted that the template would not be a one-size-fits-all, given the varying exploration conditions, but will ensure the best deal for both the country and investor.

“This is going to be used in new licensing rounds going forward.

Let me emphasise, it’s a template, meaning that we will have varying conditions depending on how we are engaging… It will always be a balancing act on what Guyana wants and how Guyana perceives to get what Guyana wants,” Bynoe had stated.

India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister had stated on his twitter handle in February 2018 that the meeting with the Guyanese Ministers was useful, since they “discussed the possibilities of E&P (Exploration & Production) activities

by Indian companies in Guyana”.

Moreover, he noted that India had agreed to

work with Guyana and share its experience in the oil and gas sector. In fact, Minister Pradhan had tweeted: “(India) agreed to work with Guyana and share our experience in the entire gamut of hydrocarbon sector… (We) will share India’s cumulative experience in refinery, petrochemicals and capacity-building in the oil-and-gas sector”.

Dr Srinivasa told this publication on Wednesday that Indian companies such as Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharrat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) – all state-owned companies – would be interested in buying crude from Guyana in the future.

According to the Indian envoy, his country’s refineries are geared towards refining and processing the oil from across the world.

“These three are huge and they have the technical expertise, they have the knowledge and the experience to not only develop but also both upstream and downstream activities in any oil production area. They have already bid and got, and also successfully processed, many oil blocks across the world from Russia, Siberia, to Central Asia to South American – we

have oil blocks,” he noted.

While India already have oil stakes in many territories, it is part of the Asian economic powerhouse’s strategy to ensure security as it relates to its energy needs.

With a large economy growing rapidly at 7 per cent and a population of 1.35 billion, Dr Srinivasa pointed out that India’s energy needs are humongous.

“So even though we have oil – we have found oil in big quantities in India – but because of our oil requirement, we source it through imports. About 80% comes through imports from around the world,” he noted.

India’s primary source for oil is the Gulf region, and up to recently, Venezuela.

“We recently started importing oil from the US, so for our companies, we can get oil from anywhere around the world and we can process it as part of our strategy for energy security and also for maintaining long term contracts, and to maintain a stability of oil flow. So we are willing to negotiate with all of the countries with good oil production,” he posited.

However, the Indian High Commissioner noted that India will be waiting until first oil before moving ahead with plans to buy oil from Guyana since no mechanism has been stated as how it will be disposed of.

US oil giant ExxonMobil is expected to commence oil production in the first quarter of next year. The company’s first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, Liza Destiny, arrived in Guyana last week. The vessel can produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day and has a storage capacity of 1.6 million barrels.

Another FPSO with a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day is expected as part of the Liza Phase 2 development, and a third is under consideration for the Payara development.

Together, these three developments will produce more than 500,000 barrels of oil per day.

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‘Guyana nowhere closer to elections’ – Opposition Commissioner F

ollowing yet another meeting on Tuesday, Opposition-nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioners contended that their time was spent on further fruitless discussions, with no decision as to the way forward being made.

Immediately after Tuesday’s stat-

Commissioner Sase Gunraj

utory meeting, Opposition-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj gave some insight into what was discussed.

According to Gunraj, the production of identification (ID) cards was placed on the agenda. However, he said that these proposals could delay elections by months.

“Wasted day… we are nowhere closer to the decisions of holding elections.

We sat down and dealt with lots of irrelevant discussions, I believe, to holding credible elections in a timely man-

ner. We have failed to come to any meaningful discussions. The proposals that are coming are all very lengthy processes”.

“We’re hearing about production of ID cards now. The smallest timeframe provided by secretariat is 92 days. And it goes all the way to 140 days. While those are overlapping events, those are things that will take a long time.

And all the courts have spoken about the necessity of elections. I don’t believe we have to worry about the issue of production of ID cards at this time,” Gunraj said.

Asked directly if Jamaica is a potential location for producing the ID cards, Gunraj did not confirm or deny. There was also no decision on cross matching House-to-House data. According to Gunraj, a timeframe for Claims and Objections was not even discussed.

This is despite Chairperson Claudette Singh ordering that extended Claims and Objections will follow the production of a Preliminary List of Electors, after she had made the decision to quash House-to-House registration last week.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Robeson Benn did not mince words as he criticised the meeting for not being fruitful.

He made it clear that he considered the meeting a waste of time and more attempts at foot-dragging.

“There are no updates. There is no appetite in my view at GECOM for the holding of elections. Every ruse, every resort, every stratagem is being employed to further delay elections,” Benn said.

According to his counterpart Bibi Shadick, GECOM was moving further away from elections. However, Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander contended that

Man accused of chopping drinking partner during night out remanded A fisherman, who allegedly chopped his drinking partner during a night out, was taken before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.

Calvin Murray of Waramuri Village, Moruca, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly where he denied committing the act.

The charge stated that on September 2, 2019, at Waramuri Village, Moruca, North West District, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Shane Peters with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh informed the court that on September 2, the Virtual Complainant and the 27-year-old man went to a birthday party, however, after consuming a quantity of alcohol,

Calvin Murray

they became intoxicated.

The prosecution’s case is contending that at about 22:45h, the two men got into a heated argument, which resulted in the defendant leaving. He later returned, armed with a cutlass.

Murray allegedly attacked the Virtual Compliant with the cutlass and dealt him several chops to his left leg.

The VC was then rushed to the Kumaka District Hospital but due to the severity of

his injuries, he was later transferred to Suddie Regional Hospital, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), where he remains a patient.

The prosecutor further objected to bail, informing the court that the VC is still hospitalised and is in a serious condition. The Magistrate upheld the prosecution’s submission and remanded Murray to prison. The case will continue on September 9, 2019.

Commissioner Vincent Alexander

Commissioner Robeson Benn

these are necessary steps before timelines can be laid down.

“The discussions are ongoing. They are centred around things that are very technical. Decisions have not yet been made. We have not finalised timelines.

We’re trying to settle some principles.

Once those are settled, then we’ll define timelines based on proposals from the secretariat”.

GECOM’s next meeting is scheduled for Friday at 11:00h. It will be the latest in a long line of meetings at GECOM that have seemingly led nowhere. Last week, it had been revealed by Shadick that a team from GECOM, which included Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers and the Information Technology Manager, were in Jamaica observing the process

of cross matching fingerprints. It has subsequently been reported that printing ID cards in Jamaica is being considered.

She had explained that they have to return, after which, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield will prepare a plan proposing the timeframe to merge the data with the register. According to Shadick, this plan would have been discussed by the Commission and if necessary, further decisions will be taken.

Reports indicate that during the House-to-House exercise, the only political party that supervised the enumerators was the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was did not participate in the process.

The fact that the data was obtained at a time when the PPP played no part in supervising the enumerators has long been cited by the party as reason to doubt the credibility of the exercise and the possible contamination of the entire National Register of Registrars.

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PPP’s Pearson accuses Coalition Govt of creating ‘barriers’ to allocation of Indigenous lands T

he APNU/ AFC coalition Government is now making it more difficult for Indigenous peoples to obtain lands and land extensions by stipulating that they provide a Village Improvement Plan (VIP) as part of the process in the granting of their rightfully owned properties.

At the launch of Indigenous Heritage Month 2019, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock told the gathering that some Indigenous villages in the country have failed to adequately occupy the lands that they possess and utilise them accordingly yet they are applying for more access to lands.

In addition, he declared that a Village Improvement Plan is important in identifying developments that are needed and that this should, instead, be the focus of the Indigenous communities in the country.

However, according to People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Yvonne Pearson, who represents the rights of Indigenous people on the Opposition side in the National Assembly, such a statement goes against the rights of Indigenous peoples that are outlined in the Amerindian Act of 2006.

She pointed out that the Government should not be with-

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

holding lands from the Indigenous communities; lands that belong to them, but should seek to honour its obligations to Indigenous folks in the country and abide by the guidelines of the Amerindian Act of 2006.

According to Pearson, at present, the livelihoods and development of Indigenous peoples are being stymied because of policies that the current Government has implemented.

She emphasised that the Indigenous populace depends heavily on farming activities on these lands; therefore, the

APNU/AFC Government must facilitate land extensions since they are necessary for Indigenous folks to survive.

Minister Allicock, on Sunday at the launching activity to usher in Indigenous Heritage Month this year, had pointed out that while the issue of land rights is important, the Indigenous peoples need to take into consideration that they are not the only ones who are entitled to such.

“Then there are those [villages] that have outgrown their land space.

Let us firstly justify our need for land exten-

sion, showing how, and what plans are in place to utilise the additional land…. It is also important that Indigenous peoples understand that all Guyanese have a right to share in the distribution of our resources…”

He stated that Indigenous peoples across the country need to collaborate with others to find “a middle ground” in relation to ownership and rights of lands that belong to the country.

“Our land rights are multifaceted and while it is important that our policymakers understand the value of space for other forms of life to survive…Many villages have been applying for land extension with no clear vision with how the land will be used.

Claims for ancestral lands which our fore-parents used…to hunt, fish and farm now need to be supported by a Village Improvement Plan,” he explained.

Amerindian Act of 2006

The Amerindian Act of 2006 states that a village may apply in writing to the Minister (of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs) for a grant of State lands as an extension to its village lands.

The application should include the name of the village, the number of persons living in that village, the area of land which the village already owns, the reason for application, a de-

Opposition Indigenous peoples’ representative, Yvonne Pearson

scription of the area and a resolution passed by two-thirds of the “Village General Meeting” which authorises the Village Council to make the application.

It further states that an application shall be signed by the Toshao, the Secretary, along with two other members of the Village Council.

The application shall be accompanied by a plan showing the existing village lands prepared by a qualified land surveyor on the basis of a survey authorised by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC).

Additionally, according to the Amerindian Act of 2006, the State shall pay for the cost of the survey.

Meanwhile, for the Indigenous communities, they can apply in writing to the subject Minister provided that it has been in existence for over 25 years at the time of application and for the immediately preceding five years, it comprises at least 150 persons among others. However, the Act does not require a Village Improvement Plan for the processing or granting of land extensions to any Indigenous village or community.

US Fulbright Scholar in Guyana to assist in transforming UG’s engineering programmes

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n order to better prepare Guyanese for the budding oil and gas industry, Fulbright US Scholar, Dr Norman Munroe of Florida International University (FIU) is in Guyana to assist the University of Guyana (UG) in developing internationally accredited Engineering programmes.

Dr Munroe was welcomed by US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch. His engagement is in keeping with the US commitment to help Guyana efficiently manage the anticipated oil revenues for the benefit of the Guyanese people.

The Fulbright US Scholar will help UG to pursue the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation of its engineering programmes, including the recently introduced Petroleum and Geological Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.

“Dr Munroe will pursue accreditation of engineering programmes at the University of Guyana by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as part of a project to transition the Faculty of Engineering and Technology along a path of global excellence in engineer-

Fulbright US Scholar, Dr Norman Munroe, with Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch

ing,” a missive from the US Embassy in Georgetown on Wednesday stated.

ABET accreditation is recognised worldwide through international

agreements and it provides assurance that programmes meet the global quality standards of the engineering profession.

Graduates from an ABETaccredited programme have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading the way in innovation, emerging technologies, and in anticipating the environmental and safety needs of the public. While in Guyana, Professor Munroe will also seek to initiate research on the prevention of corrosion of pipelines in the oil and gas industry that he is currently conducting in his laboratory at FIU. Professor Munroe is one of over 800 US citizens globally who will teach, conduct research, and/or provide expertise abroad for the 2019-2020 academic year through the Fulbright US Scholar Programme. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. He is the fifth Fulbright Scholar to work in Guyana since 2015.

The Fulbright Programme is the US Government’s flagship international educational exchange programme and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

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CTO activates relief Old debt lands driver in fund for Bahamas court for attempted murder

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T

Part of the destruction in The Bahamas (ABC News photo)

he Barbadosbased Caribbean T o u r i s m Organization (CTO) today said it had activated its Hurricane Relief Fund which has been established to help countries rebuild after disasters as it expressed “deepest regret and sadness” over the loss of life and damage done to the Bahamas by Category 5 Hurricane Dorian.

Bahamas relies heavily on tourism for its foreign exchange and revenue and the storm, which began lashing the country since Sunday, has so far been blamed for five deaths and destruction to a number of buildings mainly on Abacos and Grand Bahama Island.

“In the wake of this monstrous storm, we have witnessed the pain of those who lost loved ones, the agony of so many who lost their homes and all their belongings, and the angst of an entire Caribbean concerned for the welfare of the people of these islands,” the CTO said in a statement.

It said however, as has been demonstrated so many times in the past, “We have weathered many storms, we are a resilient people who refuse to surrender even in the most difficult of times, and we are confident that the people of the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, with the full support of the

Islands of the Bahamas and the Caribbean tourism family, will navigate the road to recovery together and emerge stronger.

“With the Bahamas being an archipelago with more than 700 islands and cays spread over 100,000 square miles, the greatest impact of Hurricane Dorian is being felt in the northernmost islands of the Abacos and Grand Bahama, while most of the nation has been mostly unaffected,” CTO said, announcing the activation of its relief fund “which has been established to help our people and countries rebuild after disasters”.

(CMC)

taxi driver who allegedly stabbed a man who owed him G$2000 was hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

Morris Carter, of Lot 20 Durban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse.

The charge detailed that on August 27, 2019 at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he wounded Matthew Gilbert, with intent to commit murder.

Carter was represented by Attorney-atLaw Adrian Thompson, who in a bail application, informed the court that the incident occurred at a wash bay, where his client was washing his car. He claimed that his client confronted the Virtual Complainant (VC) about the money owed; however, they got into a heated argument and a fight occurred.

Attorney Thompson informed the court that his client received injuries from the VC during the fight; however, Gilbert was never charged.

Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris, in

Morris Carter

presenting the prosecution’s case, stated that on August 27, 2019, Gilbert was at a wash bay when he was approached by the defendant, who asked for the G$2000 owed to him for a ring, which had initially cost G$7000.

The Prosecutor said that Gilbert then claimed he did not have any money, but promised to pay the debt later in the month. According to the prosecution, the defendant became annoyed, pulled out a pair of scissors, and stabbed

the VC several times about his body.

The VC was then picked up and rushed to the Kitty Health Centre, but owing to the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Prosecutor objected to bail, informing the court that the VC is still hospitalised.

The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, remanded the 43-yearold man to prison. The case will continue on September 26, 2019.

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Stakeholders participate in oil response training by ExxonMobil

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ore than 100 persons have participated in emergency response training organised by ExxonMobil Guyana as part of its continued efforts to prepare for an oil spill.

The two-day activity followed extensive training on the Incident Command System and included representatives from State bodies such as the Civil Defence Commission (CDC); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).

ExxonMobil Guyana Production Manager Mike Ryan explained that the intent was to ensure the teams were mobilised rapidly and as

A section of the training activities on the emergency response to an oil spill

safely as possible to minimise any impact to the environment.

“We’ve designed our facilities to make sure

the oil remains where it is supposed to be – in the pipes and in the tanks.

But we train really hard; we practise really hard,

that in the unlikely event that something happens, we’re ready to go,” he further explained.

Ryan said that he

was pleased about the participation of key Government stakeholders. “We are learning a lot from each other. We

must make sure we fully understand the roles of all agencies in Guyana, looking at all these scenarios so that we can act promptly and minimise impact.”

Meanwhile, CDC Director, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig indicated that activities, such as this, were complementary to the national response plan.

“There may be gaps and the exercise will definitely help us to put things together. You cannot wait until there’s an event to test your plan,” he posited.

This particular exercise brought in expertise from abroad through ExxonMobil’s regional response team, working alongside the local team and agencies.

Speed boat handed over to Prison Service The Guyana Prison Service on Tuesday received a speed boat which will aid in the transportation of inmates from the Mazaruni Prison in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). At the handing over ceremony at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) wharf on Lombard Street, Georgetown, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels told the media that the boat will play a critical role in transporting prisoners to and from the prison, especially for medical attention. GNIC constructed the boat which cost just over G$10.9 million.

Meanwhile, Samuels added that with the addition of the vessel to

the Mazaruni Prison, it will significantly boost the capacity and capabilities as it relates to responding to emergencies. “There are times as well when we have high profile prisoners to escort to the Hospital and we would like to do so as quickly as possible,” Samuels said.

He added that the vessel will be able to facilitate two captains and 12 passengers, noting that he is looking forward to more boats being added to the present fleet of two.

Samuels said the project was divided into two lots, which saw G$5.5 million being spent to construct the vessel and over G$1 million being spent to pro-

Officials from the Guyana Prison Service take a ride in the new speed boat with members of the media

cure two 200 horse power engines in lots one and two respectively.

Meanwhile, the

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GNIC, Clinton Williams explained how grateful the company is to have been given the opportunity to construct the vessel, as it was a perfect chance to show those in the oil and gas

sector that Guyanese are competent in this regard.

“These days, they are talking a lot about local content in the oil and gas sector and marine transportation is critical in relation to the

needs that are required by this particular organisation and the various users. We want to signal to the oil companies that they have capability in Guyana and capacity to deliver in this regard,” Williams pointed out.

Following the July 2017 jailbreak and fire which destroyed the Camp Street Prison, Government revealed plans to expand the Mazaruni Prison – a project which was expected to cost some G$2 billion but aimed to streamline the local prison system and most importantly, reduce overcrowding.

Samuels noted that phase one of the project is on stream and should be completed before the end of the year. This, when completed, will facilitate an extra 200 prisoners at the facility.

C'bean keeping an eye on new tropical storm as Dorian moves away

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esidents in the Caribbean were keeping an eye on tropical storm Gabrielle that strengthened over the open Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday even as Bahamians are coming to terms with the devastation and death caused by Hurricane Dorian that is moving towards the United States with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour (mph).

Bahamas Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has warned Bahamians to expect the death toll to move beyond seven, as rescue teams move into areas that had been affected by the storm.

“I want to assure and inform the Bahamian population that we can expect more deaths to be recorded. This is just preliminary information,” he said, again appealing to people not to post on social media videos showing the pictures of those killed.

Meanwhile, the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in its latest bulletin said that Gabrielle was located at about 680 miles, west, north west of the Cabo Verde Islands with a forward speed of 10 mph.

It said while there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, Gabrielle is moving towards the northwest near 10 mph and this general motion is forecast to continue through Friday, with an increase in forward speed expected late in the week.

The NHC said maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts and some slight strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

The NHC has also said that tropical storm Fernand was moving slowly westward towards northeastern Mexico with sustained winds of 50 mph. (CMC)

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Dialysis patient forced to take water taxi ‌after promised emergency vessel no-show

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lthough emergency vessels were promised to remain on standby at the Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop Stellings to transport ailing persons, a furious caretaker vented her frustration as a dialysis patient was made to use the regular boat service.

In a brief interview with this publication on Tuesday morning, the frustrated woman, who gave her name only as Sandra, explained that she travelled from Hague, West Coast Demerara to the Vreeden-Hoop Stelling with the sickly 64-year-old man, who usually gets treatment at a private city hospital.

Unaware of what she was about to encounter, the caretaker said she was greeted by a group of Police officers at the Vreeden-Hoop junction, who allowed the taxi to pass into the stelling.

However, employees at the stelling were insisting that they pay a fee before entering the fa-

the ailing man was seen wearisomely making his way into the boat.

He took quite a while to enter and get off the speed boat, with the assistance of a few other passengers. The visibly uncomfortable man was observed sweating profusely as he groaned in pain throughout the journey.

The sick man, as well as other passengers, were forced to use the boat service to cross the Demerara River after a barge and a tug slammed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) in the wee hours of Monday.

The dialysis patient being assisted into the speed boat

cility with the patient.

The elderly woman said they were harassed and

treated very unfairly by the staff at the stelling.

In the meantime,

Whilst the boat service would usually commence operations at 06:00h every morning, provisions were made for the commuters to cross earlier.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the barge was beyond its anchorage location.

After the vessel started drifting, a distress call was sent out, but no one on-board spoke English. The crew members have since been detained as investigations continued.

Meanwhile, General Manager of the Bridge Corporation, Rawlston Adams said that the

barge came into contact with the bridge at two locations, and the structure was shifted from its aligned position between the high and retractor spans.

The bridge is the main thoroughfare for commuters to drive across to the capital city. An estimated 11,000 persons would use the structure in the morning hours, but the DHB management was expecting maximum traffic Monday morning, since it was the beginning of a new academic year. The bridge has since opened to light traffic.

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Man charged for wife’s murder 21 years later A

man, who was evading Police for the past 21 years for the murder of his wife, was hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday.

Philbert Thomas, 46, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on September 5, 1998 at Cubacalli, Waini, North

West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) he murdered Viola Thomas.

According to Police information, Thomas allegedly murdered his then 23-year-old wife, a resident of Cubacalli,

Waini, North West District, during a fun day in 1998.

It was reported that Thomas stabbed his wife several times about her body, and then made good his escape.

However, it was only recently that the accused was arrested, charged and remanded to prison for inflicting grievous bodily harm to his ex-lover and her companion.

It was after him being charged that the mother of the late Viola Thomas saw his photograph in the newspaper as Philbert Thomas. For that charge, he gave his name as Gilbert Thomas but the woman nonetheless went to the Police.

The dead woman’s mother went to the Acquero Police Station and made a report stating he was the man who is wanted in connection with the murder of her daughter.

Following the killing in 1998, the Director of Public Prosecution had recommended that the suspect be charged with murder, as the fugitive was in hiding. The matter was heard at the Acquero Magistrates’

Philbert Thomas

Court, Region One, where several witnesses testified against Thomas, who was charged in absentia.

Eight years later, the matter was recalled at the same court and was adjourned with no appointed date for resumption (sine die).

Following his identification recently, a court order was filed and Philbert Thomas, called Gilbert Thomas, was identified by the murder victim’s mother and he subsequently confessed to the crime.

The accused was remanded to prison and the case will continue on September 9, when he will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for reassignment.

Thomas was last month charged for felonious wounding committed on his ex-lov-

er Dally Gobin and her friend Leaymond Smith.

It was reported that on the day in question, the victims were imbibing at Gobin’s house when the suspect showed up without being invited. This resulted in a heated argument which led to a scuffle. Thomas allegedly whipped out a knife and dealt Gobin one stab to her breast. He then turned his attention to Smith and stabbed him once before fleeing the scene.

The victims were taken to the Kwakwani Hospital, where they were treated and referred to the Linden Hospital Complex. There they were admitted, and subsequently discharged.

Thomas was arrested while hiding at a camp in the Hururu Backlands, and was subsequently charged.

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Repsol Exploration commences drilling in Kanuku Block

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ne week after United Kingdombased oil company Tullow spud its second well in the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana, Repsol Exploration, a Spanish oil company, has also commenced drilling in the Kanuku Block of the maritime zone.

The works commenced on Sunday at the Carapa 1 well site within the Kanuku Block and will conclude on November 30, 2019.

These operations will incorporate the use of MODU Rowan EXLII and the OSV Bourbon Calm during this period.

The Maritime Administration in a notice said that the necessary signs and lights will be displayed to alert other vessels which have already been cautioned to maintain a wide berth of these vessels.

Once oil is found in this well, Repsol has said Guyana could benefit from as much as 60 per cent in oil profit, based on its Petroleum Agreement with the Government.

It is understood that the net cost of the Carapa well will cost US$20 million. Last week, a notice published in one of the daily newspapers said that Tullow will now be heading to the Joe-1 well site to drill. That operation, which will incorporate the use of the MODU Stena Forth drillship, is expected to conclude on December 31, 2019.

The Joe is located in approximately 650 metres of water and costs approximately US$3 million to drill. A recently published report from international company Gustavson Associates had estimated that the well has a 43.2 per cent chance of success.

About three weeks ago, Tullow announced a major oil find at the Jethro-1 exploration well in the Orinduik Block, becoming the sec-

ond oil company to announce an oil find offshore Guyana. Jethro-1 well was drilled by the Stena Forth drillship to a total depth of 4400 metres in approximately 1350 metres of water.

According to a statement from the company, evaluation of the logging data confirmed that Jethro-1 comprises high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs of Lower Tertiary age, which simply means they date back to millions of years ago. The well encountered 55M of net oil pay, which indicates a recoverable oil resource estimate that exceeds Tullow’s predrill forecast of 100 million barrels of oil.

News of the find created waves in financial centres around the world, as well as international news outlets. Tullow’s shares had jumped by over 19 per cent on the London Stock Exchange. In fact, it was the biggest gainer on the index.

The Orinduik oil block is just a few kilometres from Exxon’s discoveries in the Liza and Payara fields.

In April, ExxonMobil made its 13th discovery offshore Guyana at the Yellowtail-1 well. Two months prior, the US super major made double oil discoveries at the Tilapia-1 and Haimara-1 well in the South-west section of the Stabroek Block.

Yellowtail-1, located some six miles Northwest of the Tilapia discovery, encountered approximately 292 feet of high quality oil bearing sandstone reservoir.

That discovery adds to the previously announced estimated recoverable resource of approximately 5.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels on the Stabroek Block.

Yellowtail-1 is the fifth discovery in the Turbot area, which ExxonMobil expects to become a major development hub.

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Patterson says reopening of GeorgetownVreed-en-hoop ferry service not possible T he recent incident at the Demerara Harbour Bridge led to calls for the resurgence of a ferry service between Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown to cater for such emergencies.

However, Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson dismissed the sugges-

Patterson said, “I know that persons have already asked but I would want to say that it is not possible for us to put a ferry vessel back in operation. People have been asking why not reactivate the Vreed-enHoop/Stabroek Ferry.

The conditions of the stellings on both sides

er resulted in a shutdown to both vehicular and marine traffic.

Until Tuesday afternoon, chaos ensued at the Stabroek and Vreeden-Hoop stellings after hundreds of persons were in lines to cross the Demerara River.

Due to this situation, garbage collec-

People waiting to cross the Demerara River on Monday

tion, admitting that the stellings are in a deplorable condition for such a service.

While addressing the incident which caused a complete shutdown of the DHB on Monday,

cannot accommodate a restarting of a ferry vessel. That’s not possible.”

A barge and tug slammed into the southern side of the DHB on Monday morning, shifting the spans, which lat-

tion also ceased since Puran Brothers Waste Disposal Services was unable to provide services to the city, since they are headquartered in the West Bank of Demerara.

Patterson acknowledged that a backup mechanism is essential during these unfortunate events. But this venture would be costly, he claimed. While the stellings are up for rehabilitation, it was to improve facilities for the water taxi operation without consideration for increased vehicular traffic.

“It would be quite an expensive endeavour.

Obviously, what you want is some sort of redundancy. That is something that we would have to look at. I would have announced earlier that I have a waterfront development project on, which is upgrade of the Stabroek and Vreed-enHoop Stellings…but the idea behind that was to upgrade them for more and better water taxi services. At that time, we weren’t contemplating additional vehicular traffic,” he said.

Emergency systems were put in place to fix the damaged sections of the bridge but it was hindered by unfavourable tidal conditions for a few hours. Engineers

A

Feezal Shaw

The prosecution is contending that when the victims arrived in Guyana on February 14, 2019, they were allegedly paid for their first three days of work and were not paid until June 1, 2019, when Shaw handed them G$100,000 each.

Further, Shaw took away their passports after they inquired about

the remainder of monies owed. The prosecution is contending that Shaw held the passports after telling the men that he was applying for an extension of stay for them in Guyana, but never returned the documents.

Shaw was released on G$100,000 bail. The case will continue on September 11, 2019.

had also noticed that the structure was shifted from its aligned position between the two damaged spans.

During the confusion, several passengers fainted after waiting for some time to board speedboats at the

Stabroek Stelling, while some complained that the movement was stagnant and complained about the toxic air.

One woman was even seen hyperventilating.

Elderly and sickly persons suffered the same fate.

Police ranks asked to produce H2H Registration slips to superiors – source

Man faces court for alleged P trafficking of Venezuelans for labour exploitation wildlife exporter was taken before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday after he was charged for trafficking two Venezuelan nationals for labour exploitation.

Feezal Shaw, 62, of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh and denied the charge.

The charge stated that between February 14, 2019 and June 14, 2019 at Soesdyke, Shaw engaged in Trafficking In Persons, in that he recruited, harboured and transported the two men for the purpose of labour exploitation.

According to Police reports, during the month of February 2019, the victims were invited by Shaw to come to Guyana and build cages for him to keep his exotic animals.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

olice ranks from across the country are being summoned to produce relevant information to their superiors to verify whether or not they were registered for the upcoming regional and national elections.

According to a senior Police source, the ranks have been instructed to report to their superiors in their respective divisions whether they had completed the registration exercise that was conducted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) recently.

However, even though they are being mandated to supply such information to their commanding officers, the police ranks are uncertain as to what will happen to those who have not yet registered for the impending elections.

“I am not sure what will happen, or why they need it in the first place.

But they told us we have to do it, and that’s what we have to do. My friends, I am not sure if they got to register, and for those who didn’t, we don’t know what will happen, what they plan

to do, or if there are any forms of sanction,” the policeman stated.

According to the policeman, the instruction was sent out via a whatsapp text in a group that was created and is being used by all Police officers in that Division.

He further explained that in “B” Division (Berbice), this information, which is being garnered at all Police outposts and Police stations, will be forwarded to the office of the Commander there.

Meanwhile, in “C” Division, (East Coast Demerara), Police ranks were given a different instruction.

In a document seen by this newspaper, in a Police message sent/received via books, there is a notice that Police ranks will have to report to the Brickdam Police station on Tuesday with “slips” to prove whether or not they had been registered.

Attempts to contact Police Commissioner Leslie James on the matter proved futile.

Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice

(retd)Claudette Singh, last week put a halt to the House- to-House Registration. The last day for such an activity was August 31. it was reported that based on the ruling of the Chief Justice on August 14, 2019 that House-toHouse Registration is not unlawful and is constitutional, the data garnered from that registration exercise must be merged with the existing National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB).

In this regard, the Commission will move to an extensive Claims and Objections Exercise (C&O) before extracting the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE).

The Commission, however, stated it will continue to further deliberate on other matters of importance for the holding of General and Regional Elections within the shortest possible time, and the Secretariat will continue to implement a number of operations activities, in particular training of polling day staff and procurement of non-sensitive materials.

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘All Guyanese have a place in the PPP’ – Jagdeo O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo says for too long there has been rhetoric that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is a one-race party when in fact it has been working, and will continue to work, for the betterment of the entire Guyanese population.

Jagdeo, who is also the Party’s General Secretary, said that any government the PPP headed would work for all Guyanese regardless of their race, religion, or geographic location.

However, he noted that its political opponents have always stereotyped the PPP as pro-Indian and the Party did not do enough to tackle or change this perception.

“Stereotype exists about the PPP historically and that kept a lot of people away from us… When you take an issue of this nature and spin it in the villages that [the PPP] is a racist party and it’s an Indian party – it’s not true … Our party has made it clear that any government that we head will work for all Guyanese. We are carrying a national message for our people,” Jagdeo contended.

Having recognised this deficiency, the Opposition Leader revealed that the PPP was working hard to get more Afro-Guyanese to join the Party. “[People were told] that this is a racist, Indian party and you can’t rise up in

Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali with African supporters

the Party. And when AfroGuyanese came to us, they were vilified; their names were dragged in the mud; they were called stooges, slaves and all sort of things; not because they believed in the programme we’re pursuing. And for a long time, I don’t think we aggressively fight it, but we are doing that now,” the PPP General Secretary noted.

He recalled that when the PPP was set up in 1950 to fight for independence, it was set up as a class-based party.

But he noted that although it

was seen as a most pro-business party, it was also viewed as the most pro-workers’ party. This, he posited, is because the Party’s policies would reflect its agenda that aimed for betterment of all Guyanese.

One such policy, he pointed out, is the housing programme which the PPP started when it got into office and saw thousands of Guyanese benefiting.

“When we took office, there was no housing programme, there was no ministry, no funds. By the time we left of-

fice, you had more Guyanese owning homes. Over 75,000 of the 100,000 promised house lots were given out. We’re making a promise again to go back to that – that 75 per cent of the house lots we produce – nearly 50,000 – in the next term will be under a G$100,000,” he stated.

Furthermore, Jagdeo reminded of other policies such as the G$10,000 school grant and water and electricity subsidies. These, he stressed, did not go to PPP supporters alone but all Guyanese.

To this end, the Opposition

Leader noted that the Party has intensified its efforts to net more Afro-Guyanese supporters. Already, he said, they are making their case by sitting down and talking to people to show that the PPP is a national party.

“I think we were deluded too to some extent that when [we] spoke on TV and give these explanations that people listened… Many people told me that from the time they saw PPP persons speaking on the television, they’ll switch the channel. Now, we’re getting the chance to interface with people directly and talking and allowing them to ask questions so you get past the stereotypes.

Once we break down the stereotypes, Afro-Guyanese and most Guyanese will understand that the Party that they will have to belong to – everybody, people of every race and religion – is the PPP,” he posited.

Jagdeo continued that the PPP was “the party that has a national agenda for Guyanese and that’s their natural place. And so, we’re hoping, not by bullying or anything else, but by talking, messaging and working aggressively to do that, to include [Afro-Guyanese]. It’s a deficiency and that’s why I said that, we’re working hard to correct it… A lot of them have come to us, and they’re welcome here, because they see what we stand for – for all of Guyana.”

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘A university education will set you apart’ …Dr Mohamed tells record 4000 students enrolled at UG for 2019/2020 academic year

E

ntering into its 57th year of existence, the University of Guyana (UG) has recorded an estimated 4000 student enrolment for the new academic 2019/2020— which is the largest since its establishment.

It is against this backdrop that the new batch of

ple but significant ceremonial opening on Monday, as they embark to pursue advanced studies.

The students were welcomed to the facility by the recitation of poems and the singing of songs, but most importantly, they were informed about the significance of attaining a university ed-

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed during her keynote address to the University’s newcomers.

“A university education will set you apart immediately from others who have not had this opportunity, a university education is the first of all life changing indicators and this confers mobility and

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed delivering her address

The students present at the ceremonial opening

students were formally welcomed into the tertiary educational facility during a sim-

ucation.

Much emphasis was placed upon same by Deputy

lifelong opportunities that are not available to others, a university education really

is an opportunity because for every one of you sitting there, there’s an average of about four others who applied and did not gain entry, for several reasons,” the Professor said.

On this note, Mohammed charged the students to take advantage of the opportunities offered to them, given the sacrifices of others which make the existence of the University possible.

“Your university education is funded in large parts by the people of this country, many of those people on whose backs we stand will

never see the inside of a university. They work hard, they pay their taxes and those taxes come to us, and so for that reason, we must take every opportunity, we must suck up iota of knowledge. And we must never forget upon whose back-breaking toil we receive our mark of distinction,” she noted.

Held at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT), the ceremonial opening was part of a packed week of orientation activities for those pursuing their tertiary education.

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Dawn Hastings-Williams downplays rumours of APNU prime ministerial nomination

W

ith elections fast approaching and analysts expressing doubts whether the Alliance For Change (AFC) will even be allowed to keep the prime ministerial candidacy, rumours have been circulating about a potential People’s National Congress (PNC) prime ministerial candidate.

Hastings-Williams noted that these were just rumours and that she has never been approached with regard to filling the post. Asked if it was something she would consider, Hastings-Williams noted that it was not on her radar at the moment.

“When that day comes, I’ll know what to do,” Hastings-

criticised, especially by the parliamentary Opposition, for what many describe as the submissive role it has played since joining forces with APNU. Decisions, such as the closure of sugar estates which put thousands of sugar workers out of jobs, have gone unchallenged and have even

Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams

There is speculation that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will be replaced by the dominant APNU with someone from its own camp

Current Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams is at the centre of these rumours.

A parliamentarian for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), HastingsWilliams was elevated to her new ministerial post this year after the resignation of her predecessor, Joseph Harmon, owing to his dual-citizen status.

When asked by Guyana Times International,

Williams said when asked if she would decline such a nomination if party leaders in APNU actually pitched such a proposal to her.

Prior to the General and Regional Elections of 2015, APNU and the AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord that stipulated conditions for the two parties to contest the elections as one.

But throughout this political marriage, the AFC was

been supported by the AFC. This is despite the fact that the Agriculture Minister portfolio is held by a party member, Noel Holder.

In addition, there has been the strategic reallocation of responsibilities away from Ministries headed by AFC officials, to other Ministries.

There is also the fact that the Cummingsburg Accord stipulation that the Prime Minister has responsibility for chairing

Cabinet and domestic issues was not followed through.

Questions have, therefore, been raised by analysts whether APNU would offer the AFC the same terms it offered in 2015 when the Accord was first signed. These questions took on a life of their own after the AFC’s wretched performance in Local Government Elections (LGE) in 2018.

After Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan’s selection as the AFC’s prime ministerial candidate in waiting, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had intimated that APNU was duty-bound to accept Ramjattan as President David Granger’s running mate as long as the Cummingsburg Accord was in effect.

But despite the AFC choosing Ramjattan, the PNC has shown a dogged preference for the incumbent, Moses Nagamootoo. This has manifested in APNU officials mak-

ing public statements in support of the Prime Minister.

PNC heavyweight and Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence recently stated publicly that while the AFC has elected Ramjattan as its next prime ministerial candidate, APNU and the AFC have not met on this new development.

The AFC top leadership had, in mid-November of 2017, moved to revise its governing agreement with its majority coalition partner. This made little headway and talk of revising the agreement petered out after the AFC’s showing at the LGE, where it failed to win a single Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

At present, talks between the two parties still seem to be stalled. A meeting that was supposed to have been held last Monday between the two coalition partners was cancelled, with APNU sending out a release to say that documents were exchanged and would be perused.

Another fire erupts at Region 9 ranch L

ess than four months after experiencing a devastating fire which led to the death of several animals and destroyed both flora and fauna in its path, the Waikin Ranch at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) has once again been plagued with another blaze.

According to information reaching this publication, the fire started at about 15:00h on Monday afternoon at the ranch. It is understood that no extensive damages have been caused since there was not much vegetation on the vast land owing to the last destructive blaze. In addition, staffers on sight managed to plough along the fences with a tractor to make a fire breakage.

In expressing frustration about the action suspected to be arson once again, co-owner of the ranch, Francesda Pires, explained to Guyana Times International that such acts result in the destruction of the animals’ natural habitats.

But what is even more

Fire engulfs sections of the Waikin Ranch at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

alarming, according to Pires, is the fact that there is no fire service in the area to assist the ranch or other areas whenever the need arises.

Additionally, she highlighted that the roads are in a deplorable state, which also makes it impossible to access exterior help.

“The problem is the habitat for the animals…in Lethem,

there is only a volunteer sort of fire service, there’s no real fire service in Lethem and the roads are so bad it’s impossible for them to come out to us and to come put in the savannah. So people forget that this is rural area, so it’s not like you can fight fire like you can in the city,” Pires said.

The ranch has boundaries from the main Rupununi

trail, the Ireng River, the Brazil border and the west and Pirara River. It covers almost 33,000 acres of mostly rolling savannah plains and is a sanctuary to hundreds of wildlife.

Back in April of this year, several acres of the ranch were destroyed by fire which blazed for almost three days before it could be contained.

The aftermath saw a saddened scene with burnt trees and the carcasses of turtles, snakes, armadillos and mammals which could not survive or escape the inferno.

This had led the ranch officials to reach out for donations of seedlings to replant the savannah, as they were expected to be planted during the rainy season.

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Lakhram Bhagirat

“I

have noted the need to preserve my culture and that is exactly what I want to do. I want to become a voice for the Indigenous community and I will use my camera to achieve that. I want to become that advocate and to share the stories that excite us, stories that show our way of life, stories that highlight the issues we face, and stories that preserve our culture,” said the vibrant Chris Elliman.

Chris has been working for a number of years to share the stories of life in his village, Paruima.

Paruima is an Amerindian settlement with a population of about 800 persons and is located in the Upper Mazaruni District of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Paruima is said to be the only Arecuna-speaking community in Guyana though Chris said the village is now home to many other Amerindian tribes.

For Chris, growing up in Paruima was an experience he would not trade for anything else. His early days were centred around school, gardening and church. For the villager, religion is of paramount importance and most of them are from the Seventh Day Adventist denomination.

As a child, Chris spent hours helping his parents in their garden, which was the only source of income as well as feeding the family. The 31-year-old said that his initial schooling was done mostly in the village but after he sat the Common Entrance Examinations, he was offered a place at President’s College in Georgetown.

For him, that was perhaps one of the scariest times in his life because of the fact that he had never interacted with coastlanders. He was mostly reserved and shy and that was quite evident when he began classes at his new secondary school. However, after a few years, he felt at home and began having fun.

“Life in secondary school was hard for me.

I had to leave my village and my family behind and it was hard because I could not take the loneliness. My parents never worked so there was also the issue of finances. When it was CXC time I wrote 5 subjects and was only able to secure 3 of the 5 because I passed through a lot where the dormitory was burned down. I lost everything and I gave up on that day. I saw that my parents could not afford to get back the books and so.”

“When I returned home for the holidays I told my father that I don’t want to return to the school because I know he could not afford to buy the things I needed but he encouraged me to go back and told me to see what I can do and complete and that no one is going to pressure you.”

After he finished secondary school, Chris worked for a while in the city before moving back to his home. When he got back, he became engrossed in taking care of his family and to this day, he still helps in whatever way he can.

Paruima is heavily dependent on self-sustenance since job opportunities are very limited. So villagers

feature 29

would plant their gardens and whatever they cannot consume they would, in turn, sell, which serves as their main form of income. For Chis, it was this simple life he enjoyed.

However, he has always had a knack for technology and loved cameras. He wanted to become a videographer and now he is a part of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) Youthled Media programme which allows him to fulfil that dream.

With funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development and Cooperation

(NORAD), the Youthled Media project is one that focuses on developing the skills of Indigenous youths in the field of media and communications, primarily in film and video production. At present, the project involves youths from Santa Rosa, Region One; Wakapao, Region Two; Waramadong and Paruima, Region Seven; Paramakatoi,

Waipa and Kato, Region Eight; and Aishalton in Region Nine.

The youths

are given the knowledge and tools to become t h e i r own storytellers and share the issues affecting the Amerindian communities. They are encouraged to highlight the livelihoods and the culture of the Amerindian people.

Before the APA’s Youth-led Media project came to par, Chris was doing exactly that. He had his little camera and whenever there were events or anything that excited the village, he would capture those moments. He would then transfer those videos onto DVDs and sell them as a way of making money.

“Persons in the Upper Mazaruni got to know about the DVDs and it grew. Even some neighbouring villages in Venezuela would be requesting DVDs. I stopped after a while and that was what led the APA to ask me to join the Youth-led Media programme.

“At that time when they asked me I was looking at ways to become a videographer and they had people come on from the USA to show us how to compile our stories and we are here still learning.”

Since he became a part of the programme in 2017, Chris has had to move to neighbouring Waramadong because his village lacks stable internet connection and cell signal. Despite moving, Chris’ heart remains in Paruima and he has been making his mark in Waramadong as well.

He has been volunteering his IT skills at the DC Caesar Fox Secondary School.

Now Chris dreams of becoming a bigger voice for his people as he seeks to highlight the culture that makes them unique. He is on the path to ensure that the issues affecting the Indigenous communities are addressed or at least placed in the public domain.

“You always have to do something you enjoy. I enjoy film and I am happy that I am given this platform to make sure that our voices, our stories, our culture is out there.”

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Misdirection…

O

…in elections ver the last nine months, your Eyewitness has watched with alarm as the PNC launched its rear-guard actions to remain in office against all odds. The odds, however, were set for players who obeyed the rules of the game and the PNC has consistently reminded us over its sixty-year existence that they don’t give a hoot about rules.

Our Constitution, of course, embodies the rules from which all other rules flow in governing this country, but the PNC flaunted its cynicism to the nation and the world when Burnham scrapped the Independence Constitution and wrote a brand new one – just confirming the dictatorial powers he’d already been enjoying.

But with all of that, Burnham always insisted on observing the FORMS of legality even though he ground the SUBSTANCE of the law into dust. Take elections— Burnham could’ve followed the lead of many tin-pot dictators, especially in Africa, and made himself President for life. But he didn’t. He dutifully held elections, which he just as dutifully rigged!! He was of the firm belief that the powers-that-be didn’t care about the fine print and only read the headlines: PNC wins elections!!

He perfected rigging to a fine art and to his credit, showed creativity in his methods of rigging. In 1968, he used the overseas vote and proxies; in 1973 he used the army to seize the ballot boxes and killed some PPP members trying to accompany the ballot boxes; in 1980 he again used the army but didn’t bother to shoot anyone this time. His successor Hoyte rigged a bigger majority than Burnham ever did by ejecting PPP election agents from polling places and refusing counting at the place of poll.

Fast forward to the present, where the PNC’s stretching out the elections date by any means necessary. What’s one to think? The hyena doesn’t change its stripes!! Their plans to rig the next elections hadn’t been consummated: more time was needed. But gradually, the contours of their plans were revealed. While Suriname and Brazil imposed visa requirements for Haitians, Felix gave them an automatic six-month stay – without insisting they show means of support for that time. Persistent reports show that the poor Haitians didn’t even have money to purchase food!!

While most might’ve moved on, the PNC know they don’t need more than 5000 votes to return.

Following Hoyte’s lead, they would’ve instituted a menu of measures to rig this time – one being providing fake IDs and birth certificates to some Haitians, Cubans, Venezuelans, etc, and get them registered. But the PNC is slick.

Knowing that the fake papers would surface, they’ve accused the PPP of handing them out before their loss!!

The PPP rigged themselves out of office in 2015??

Misdirection!! …in corruption Helped by a bitter PPP media foe, the PNC threw so much “corruption” mud at the former’s officials, inevitably, some of it stuck. And played not too small a role in their post-2011 loss. Immediately after winning the whole shebang in 2015, the PNC went after the PPP, threatening to lock them up and throw away the keys. Extensive audits were done and accusations hurled.

But to its credit that the PPP had rebuilt credibility in the Judiciary and the rule of law. The PNC now had to legally prove their case!! Which they haven’t been able to do, even though they created a billion-dollar outfit called SARA, staffed with some of the PPP’s most dogged enemies!

One by one, the PNC “fraud cases” have bit the dust – the latest being one about GRDB officials pilfering mega bucks.

But rather than admitting there wasn’t any fraud, the PNC persists with dangling threats!

Misdirection to hide their own corruption. …on filth in the city The City Public Health Officer just accused the good burgers of Georgetown of being dirty and unsanitary in their practices. He accused them of dumping their garbage right where they live and breeding rats and other vermin.

But wasn’t it the “spiteful” PPP who’d done that??

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

E

very community is different. It has its own set of rules, customs and traditions and when we introduce those things that make that community unique, it creates a recipe for exchange – the exchange of stories, experiences and knowledge that leads to the further development of surrounding areas.

That is the goal of young Kyle Anthony Joseph.

He is on a mission to link the communities in the Rupununi with each other and then take that link even further to other Indigenous villages.

At just 22, Kyle is already making his mark in the Amerindian communities in the Rupununi. He currently serves as a United Nations Volunteer with UNICEF as a Youth Advocate for Monitoring and Evaluation. It is a post he holds dearly since his interest lies in youth development and bridging the communities.

“The main purpose of what I do has to do with linking the Georgetown-based UNICEF with rural communities. They wanted someone from the region.

Someone who has grown up here and understand the life here and have those programmes implemented. I really go out a lot in the communities to find out certain programmes have been implemented and how I can get more people involved and promote more volunteerism and how they can help UNICEF and our mandate,” he said.

The Aishalton, South

Rupununi youth takes great pride in executing his functions.

Though it has only been a few months since he officially started with UNICEF, Kyle has been giving back to his community for quite some time.

Having lived in Aishalton for the first seven years of his life, Kyle moved to Georgetown where he got his schooling until he was in Grade Five. He then moved back to his village where he completed his primary education. Achieving a place at Queen’s College in Georgetown meant that Kyle would have to move again to the capital city.

He received a Hinterland Scholarship to pursue his secondary education and it was from there that

the idea of giving back and meaningfully occupying his time was birthed.

After he completed his secondary schooling, Kyle had a plan in mind and that plan was to become a medical doctor. To pursue his dream career, Kyle was granted a scholarship through the United World Congress (UWC) colleges. He was one of four Guyanese students that were selected in 2015 and he completed studies in Natural Sciences at the UWC College in Canada.

The UWC emphasises a holistic curriculum for its students and it meant time spent in community services. That further fostered Kyle’s growing love of helping those in need.

“The curriculum there [at UWC] was not just work alone but a lot of extracurricular activities and volunteerism. They pushed the idea of helping your community or just a small group by just giving your time. I saw a lot of my colleagues doing that, and even now because we have a great network, and that further drove me to volunteerism.

“Originally I wanted to become a doctor and that was the plan but within the last two years volunteering I really saw my passion in being around here and being involved in social work and how it can go a long way for young people especially. The goal now is to find my niche in volunteering. If I can continue working within the NGO field that has been interacting with young people and helping them to better their community that would be my end goals.”

Now that he has identified his new goal, Kyle has been working assiduously to achieve that. He was given the post with UNICEF because of voluntary work he had already been doing. He had been at the helm of organising and planning various youth conferences, particularly the Indigenous Youth Conference in Deep

South Rupununi.

Additionally, he has been working on getting a radio programme that focuses on youth issues.

“I noticed that there is not a lot to do because it is not really a developed place as yet so just to have conversations going around that topic. I feel like that a lot of people don’t put resources into finding things for

feature 33

young people to do. There is not a lot to do in here [Rupununi].

“There is a lack of access to information in Region Nine because the information is available just in Lethem a n d that is what I want to change.

That is where I am focusing on now, to get that network because, with my work and the work I had done previously, we had tried to get young people together through conferences and meetings. Even now, with the work I do, I travel a lot to communities, I try to get them into contact with other villages and so on. My goal is to create a link between these communities, especially for the youths.”

For now, he is urging the youths to dream big and think beyond their village borders. His goal is for every young Amerindian to find their niche and be the best they can be while helping to develop their communities.

34 FEATURE

Natural oil and soap from oil extracted from the seeds of the Crabwood tree from the North West District

I

ndigenous culture, unlike others, is a process of accommodation with nature. Their concern for ecology and the environment, and the balance of nature, is part of their belief system.

Ecology is woven seamlessly into the fabric of their culture. Everything in the forest and the surrounding area has a role to play in the overall scheme of things and nothing is wasted. They live in harmony with nature and do not adulterate the landscape or endanger plants or wildlife. One example: they once hunted fish for survival only until they were confronted with a market economy when their entire cultural landscape changed.

Their rich indigenous heritage and culture greatly impacted others. Many of the technological contributions of their societies have already been recognised by the native terminology, which has also entered our culture. In Guyana, quite a number of native products became current only after the Europeans and other immigrants settled on the coast: pepperpot, hammocks, balata, medicinal herbs, íte palms, and troolie leaves (for thatching roofs).

In their widely differing environments, indigenous peoples adapted and produced a stream of unique inventions, each one a distinct response to a local necessity: asphyxiating fish with ground leaves and roots of specific plants in the absence of hooks and nets, for example, or bending twigs to mark a trail or preventing one from getting lost in the forest and to mark their route.

It was through these bent twigs in Guyana and an indigenous line as a guide, that the cattle trail was cut (1916-1920) from Surama in the Rupununi to Takama in Berbice. Also, these

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WaiWai family returning from their riverside farm where they grow sugar cane (Photo by Robert Harding)

bent twigs helped explorers find their way in the dense jungles and, enabled the discovery of many Amazonian tribes, bringing them to civilisation.

Some indigenous persons can be superb mimics of animals and bird sounds. They can mislead even the jaguar. They bring the yarrow fish to the surface, for instance, through a slow seducing whistle, and can even reproduce the mating call of the tapir. They bring other fish to the surface by splashing the water in such a way to mim-

amoebic dysentery. Quinine from the cinchona bark cured malaria. Curare killed without affecting the heart. These medicinal plants were eagerly sought by the early colonists to supplement the old world’s pharmacies.

Apart from introducing the benefits of forest resources to the world, the indigenous’ greatest contribution to modern Guyana was the help they gave to colonists and subsequent coastlanders in penetrating and understanding its hinterland.

Fishing circa 1925 (Photo from R. H. Carr family album)

A selection of natural products produced by a group of indigenous women from North Rupununi

ic the falling of ripened seeds. They showed settlers a range of dishes based from the forest plants and animals, e.g., food from root crops like cassava and yams, and oil from turtle eggs.

Their intimate knowledge of forest resources is extensive and remarkable. They can recognise medicinal properties in hundreds of plants – knowledge that is a priceless resource of the rainforest. From oral contraception to insect repellent, scientists are still to analyse the scientific properties of Amazonian plants. Armed with the knowledge of thousands of medicinal plants, shamans and piaimen fought goitre, headaches, malaria, constipation and other illnesses.

Ipecac from Amazonian roots cured

All expeditions into the heart of the country and beyond relied on indigenous skills as guides, hunters, boat hands, woodsmen or canoers knowing every treacherous rapid, jungle trail, mountain, hill, tree, cataract or waterfall. Indeed, it was these expeditions that opened Guyana to its non-indigenous settlers and showed the riches of the interior – forest products, minerals, natural scenes and other phenomena that brought tourists.

Text provided by overseas-based Guyanese author, Lal Balkaran - MBA, FCPA, FCGA, FCMA, CGMA. Balkaran worked as a teacher in the Rupununi in the 1970s and travelled throughout the interior. He is the author of “Encyclopaedia of the Guyanese Amerindians”, “A Photojournal of the Guyanese Amerindians”, “The Rupununi A Visual Journey” and several documentaries including “Historical and Contemporary Georgetown – Guyana’s Heartbeat”. He can be reached at lalbalkaran@rogers.com

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Kizzy Coleman

T

he Nulli Secundus youth group, meaning “Second to None”, which has selflessly donated their services to Guyanese throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, is now being nationally recognised.

The group, which has been active since the year 2010 and was coordinated by Robert Lee, received a national award for their humanitarian work on Saturday last.

The now 100-member strong group emanated from the First Assembly of God Church and is funded largely through fundraisers and sponsors. The aim of Nulli Secundus is to create a sense of pride among young Guyanese in Guyana through the hosting of annual expeditions whereby the group visits various regions of Guyana, delivering help in areas such as spiritual, physical, economical as well as the social aspect of wellbeing and growth.

The Sunday Times Magazine sat down with a number of members of the group who talked about the journey thus far.

“It is an organisation which empowers young people who are the future of Guyana to develop national pride. So the first thing that comes to mind is to recognise and own Guyana instead of migrating. We are divided into different teams, we have a legal, science team, business, arts and engineering which are the focal point for most of the members that we have.

So we do a lot of training and preparation, we do a lot of community outreaches because we have a lot of skills” Vice President of Nulli Secundus, Tiffany David shared.

Six expeditions were held thus far, the El Dorado expedition being the first in 2010 where a visit was paid to the Essequibo Coast.

“Our members who went on that was able to climb Samarock’s Peak, that’s part of the Kamuku Mountain Range, the tallest point of the mountain range. We planted the national flag as well as the Christian flag on there and we sung national songs and so on. We also painted the culverts in that area with high visibility colours because they were having frequent accidents at the culverts in Lethem, that’s

something that we did as part of the community works there” David reflected.

In 2016, expedition Cinderalla was carried out in Region Eight where villagers were trained in hygiene, clothing and textile, education, business and awareness among other things.

“We also did community projects, we felt that Region Eight was the most beautiful part of Guyana and we felt like it was a forgotten part of Guyana that’s why we named that expedition Cinderella” David said.

In 2017, expedition Wapishana Wave saw the group visiting Aishalton and climbing the She Rock (South Rupununi).

Expedition Link Up in 2018 saw the group attempting to link Region Eight and Nine where visits were paid to Annai, Surama, and Orealla among other villages.

“We did training in Information Technology (IT) and cake decorating training. What we found in those villages is that some of them actually had equipment for IT, they had equipment for cake decorating that was donated to them but they were never trained in those areas, so we were able to train and help them to utilise a skill and based on the reports that we have received, some of those trained have since started their own businesses in cake decorating doing that for wedding and so on so we feel a sense of pride in being able to serve the people of those communities. We did training in steel pan as well because we actually took up our steel pan with us and what is very interesting is that they picked it up within minutes” David revealed.

2019 saw expedition Esprit de Corps, meaning pride and loyalty, among groups being carried out.

“We did training in two villages, Mahdia and Chenapou, training in cake decorating and life skill.

In life skill we looked at self-awareness, decision making, resilience and coping with emotions, critical and creative thinking. We also had presentations on climate change as well as teenage pregnancy and substance abuse. We did community projects in Mahdia where we helped to complete a washroom area and at Kaieteur we helped them to build bridges and to clean the airstrip area and so forth…this year was the largest that we have ever had, a number of 42,”a member, Imani McKenzie, shared.

FEATURE 35

The Nulli Secundus members said that they feel a sense of pride for their achievement and for their work finally being recognised.

“The activities were planned, coordinated and executed by young people , it was amazing to see how capable young Guyanese are once given the opportunity, to be able to see Guyana in such a way, it was scenic, the air is different in every part of Guyana, it indeed built a sense of national pride and appreciation to know that Guyana is more than Georgetown, that Guyana is more than one or two groups of people, to interact with the different culture in the different villages, to be away from Wi-Fi and the internet for days to spend hours on the water, five hours at one point on the Potaro River, to sleep in hammocks and tents and boats, all of those are experiences that we wouldn’t trade for the world” another member, Joshua Griffith, shared.

When questioned about the national award, one member said “We are very excited but we didn’t expect this to happen, it is very exciting considering the amount of outreaches that we did and projects that we undertake, this is a well-deserved award.”.

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India’s Chandrayaan-2 prepares for historic moon landing

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ll eyes will be on India as it creates history by landing its second lunar mission on the moon this Friday.

The “Chandrayaan-2” mission was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on July 22, leaving the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in southern Andhra Pradesh. It weighs 3.8 tonnes and has three elements: lunar orbiter, lander and rover.

According to the ISRO, the touchdown is scheduled for late Friday afternoon, which would be early Saturday morning India time. The mission will be studying previously discovered water deposits.

If all goes well then India will become the fourth nation to land a spacecraft on the moon and the first to land towards the lunar South Pole.

Thus far, only the United States, Russia and China have put landing crafts on the moon.

Chandrayaan-2 launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota, India, on July 22, 2019

Israel had attempted to join the elite club but failed in April.

Speaking with Guyana Times International on Wednesday, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa explained that this mis-

sion is the second phase and an upgraded version of Chandrayaan-1, which successfully landed on the moon in 2008.

“This mission will be used to explore the topography of the lunar surface, the middle content and mostly impor-

tant, the presence of water on the moon,” he explained, adding that it is “intended to be sort of a technology demonstrator for future planning, management, development and also the organisation of inter-planet remissions and also to see

how we can use the moon as a preparatory platform for using India’s technology in future missions”.

According to the diplomat, Chandrayaan-2, which he said means “mission to moon”, displays a lot of confidence

in India’s technological prowess. He pointed out that India’s steady growth of 7 per cent GDP is not only because of one particular sector but an amalgamation of all.

This, he noted, is part of India’s aim of becoming the fifth largest economy in the world and having successes such as the Chandrayaan-2 mission will propel these efforts, especially on the technological education front.

“Success breeds interests and for us, we are seeing this as a trailer for bigger things to come,” he posited.

Dr Srinivasa reminded that Indian ancestors had vast knowledge of space and this serves as an additional impetus for the country to work on new technologies and also promoting science in India.

“Science has helped mankind to develop and the sudden explosion of development, science had everything to do with that…” he contended.

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Scenes from the Heritage Village 2019

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Peoples Progressive Party’s Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali speaking to residents of Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD) during a community engagement.

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First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger interacting with the delegates of the Miss Guyana Teen Scholarship Pageant in the Baridi Benab at State House, Georgetown. (MotP photo)

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India’s Chandrayaan-2 prepares...

From page 36

Currently, he noted that Indian students, especially researchers, have helped the country develop great interests in the science field and these people have evolved into experts who are flourishing abroad.

In fact, he highlighted a recent study which shows that more than half of NASA’s scientists are Indians.

“So when such missions happen, it helps promote science at a micro level,” he stated, noting that India’s education sector is geared at encouraging more people to go into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas.

Dr Srinivasa noted that the country’s previous space missions – lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and its mission to Mars in 2014 – garnered tremendous interests and scientific developments.

One of which, he explained, is cost.

According to the diplomat, the general notion of space missions is that it is a very costly exercise. But he noted that India has been able to develop a low budget mission despite being a developing country. This, he noted, is depicted in the Hindi-cinema movie “Mission Mangal”, which portrays the country’s journey to Mars using a low-cost model to become the first country in the world to reach Mars in its first attempt.

Furthermore, Dr Srinivasa asserted that Chandrayaan-2 is blazing the trail for future

generations having brought young scientists, especially women scientists, to the fore.

The Project Director of Chandrayaan-2 is Muthayya Vanitha while the Mission Director is Ritu Karidhal – both engineers at the ISRO. However, the Indian High Commissioner noted that the way was paved for females since the Chandrayaan-1 mission.

“That changed the paradigm of how space exploration and women’s [involvement] were being looked at. The proverbial glass ceiling has been broken…,” he noted.

Recognising that encouragement for women had been previously lacking both at home and in the professional environment for varying reasons, this is now becoming a thing of the past.

“But in this modern era, I think [women] are being given a safer involvement, a secure involvement in the laboratories and working fields.

It has helped them to get their talents to be exposed to the fullest,” he said.

The Indian diplomat added, “This is the new India, brave India or, I would say, bold India which we are seeing now.

Women especially have had a very important role in India and this will actually help them to get into more scientific streams, get into space explorations, and also at the same time contribute meaningfully to the development of the country”.

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Environmental awareness in schools’ curriculum proposed

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he Department of Environment on Wednesday handed over a series of proposals to the National Centre for Educational Research Development (NCERD) to introduce environmental topics in the current school curriculum.

Since October last year, a team of specialists would have converged to examine the current syllabus used from Grades One to Nine and ways in which these topics can be incorporated into daily lessons.

Four areas were mainly targeted, namely: agriculture and forestry, biodiversity, climate and land geography in subject areas: English language, social studies,

Environmental Policy and Education Coordinator of the Department, Alvin Doris handing over the revised document to NCERD Director Jennifer Cumberbatch

agricultural science and integrated science.

Environmental Policy and Education Coordinator of the Department, Alvin Doris stated that the idea was to determine whether

there was comprehensive environmental coverage across these subjects. As expected, lessons on pertinent environmental issues were lacking.

“As you can imagine, there was little to none

because our school’s curriculum had not been revised in part for decades…We thought that it was incumbent upon us, being the State agency with overarching mandate for environmental governance, to contribute to that process somehow…We saw that the lack of environmental coverage provided us an opportunity to propose what could be infused,” Doris indicated.

He acknowledged the fact that students are sometimes burdened with numerous topics to cover before the end of the school year. Hence, they inserted information where it was relevant in existing topics. continued on page 43

Shifting the narrative…

L

…on constitutional treachery incoln Lewis enjoys running with the hares and hunting with the hounds. But as is inevitable in these matters, when it comes to the time for the kill, he’s forced to show his hand. So with elections now appearing (rather dimly) on the horizon, he came out defending Granger and the PNC with one of the most vicious and lowdown attacks on Opposition Leader.

He defends Granger’s delaying elections by shifting the narrative to the “responsibilities” of the Opposition Leader. Using the Constitution, he shows that the Opposition Leader is part of the Executive Branch of Government, and enumerates his compensation package to demand he does his “job”. Not a word about Granger’s far more generous package, which he bumped up as soon as he slid into office, nor about his responsibilities under the same constitution.

But the question arises: What are the “responsibilities” of the Opposition in a parliamentary democracy?? Let’s look at a description from one of the least edgy practitioners: Canada.

Former Canadian PM John G. Diefenbaker described it thusly: “If Parliament is to be preserved as a living institution (the) Opposition must fearlessly perform its functions. When it properly discharges them, the preservation of our freedom is assured.

The reading of history proves that freedom always dies when criticism ends. It upholds and maintains the rights of minorities against majorities.

“It must be vigilant against oppression and unjust invasions by the Cabinet of the rights of the people.

It should supervise all expenditures, and prevent over-expenditure by exposing to the light of public opinion wasteful expenditures or worse. It finds fault; it suggests amendments; it asks questions and elicits information; it arouses, educates and moulds public opinion by voice and vote. It must scrutinize every action by the government, and in doing so, prevents the short-cuts through democratic procedure that governments like to make.”

And according to that desiderata, what has Jagdeo been doing, if not his job? Has he not been “scrutinising every action of the Government”? When he “finds faults”, does he not “suggest amendments”?? Did Lewis not witness Jagdeo and the rest of the Opposition deconstruct the Government’s woeful budget, but had none of their amendments accepted? Has he not been “exposing to the light of public opinion wasteful expenditures or worse”?? Has Lewis forgotten about the Durban Park and other scandals?

Lewis wants Jagdeo to return to Parliament to rubber stamp Granger’s sordid refusal to honour the constitution by resigning and calling elections in 3 months. Isn’t Jagdeo’s responsibility to “prevent the short-cuts through democratic procedure that governments like to make”?

Between Granger and Jagdeo, who has been characterised more by “recklessness and hunger for power”? …on oil With that FPSO Lisa Destiny parked off our Atlantic shores, your Eyewitness is getting a tad tired with the wailing Jeremiahs griping about the contract with ExxonMobil. What makes their weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth more annoying is that they never ever bring up the man responsible for the contract they complain about – Raphael Trotman. Shouldn’t these handwringers be demanding that SOCU and SARA investigate this fella for giving away the store??

What’s still not happening is the crafting of a national consensus to decide what to do with the (oil) bird we have in the hand – the 2+12.5% of production?

At this time, all we know is that the PNC insisted that the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) be used to “balance the budget”!! Meaning that they’ll continue with their profligate spending (over $1TRILLION spent since 2015!!) with nothing to show for it, as far as Guyana is concerned. Their pockets and bank accounts, of course, are being well swollen.

The PNC Govt say they’ll sell our oil directly.

Really??

The same set of folks who couldn’t negotiate the oil contract?? …on Haitians GPHC officials noted recently that “over the months, the institution has seen a great influx of Haitians, Brazilians, Cubans and Venezuelans seeking medical services.”

Really?? Haitians?? Naah…Felix couldn’t be lying!!

They’re in Brazil!!

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Homeless man killed in New Amsterdam accident

Bridge…

O

…ahoy!! nce again, our claim to fame as having “the longest floating bridge in the world” has been knocked for a loop after it was out of commission by an errant barge. And that, in itself, tells a story of our retarded development. We’ve got the longest floating bridge because it’s probably the ONLY floating bridge in the world across a major river that’s over a mile wide!! Which other country would nonchalantly allow such a major artery of its transportation and commerce to be at the mercy of a bunch of foreign sailors.

And that’s what in essence caused this SNAFU. The stone-laden barge and tug were moored incorrectly upriver all the way up at Diamond and after their anchor became free, drifted down river. Seems that the sailors frantically radioed the MARAD or Harbour authorities “Mayday!! Mayday!!” or whatever the distress signal is nowadays. But because they were speaking in their foreign tongue (Spanish, being of Panamanian registration?) the latter were clueless as to exactly what emergency the babel was all about.

And nature then took its course. With the tide “washing”, the barge would’ve developed a humungous momentum with all that mass of stones, and KABOOM!! There went two of the Bridge’s posts and spans! The pandemonium of the next morning fortunately didn’t get out of control – even though as fate would have it, it was the first day of the new school year! The Police and the private boat operators did combine to move the mass of humanity across the river fairly efficiently.

But hopefully, this massive mess has reminded the folks of West Demerara what a cruel hoax MPI caretaker Minister Patterson played on them when he promised a fixed bridge before 2020. He’d admitted the old bridge had long outlived its expiration date; he’d highlighted the tremendous build-up of commuter traffic from West Dem…and noted the increased economic activity. Yet, the cynical, empty promise!

But the next administration – and trust your Eyewitness, unless there’s massive PNC rigging along the lines of the 1980 elections which was “more crooked than barbed wire”, there WILL BE a new administration – a new Demerara Harbour Bridge will have to be a top priority. The bridge affected Guyanese of all flavours and as such, there shouldn’t be any problem in crafting a bi-partisan consensus to deploy the first tranche of oil revenues to get the new DHB going. …to defraud Indigenous peoples It was with great disappointment your Eyewitness read how far Indigenous Peoples’ Minister Sydney Allicock has allowed himself to be twisted to serve his masters in the PNC. We all know that there are elements in the PNC who have been chafing at the bit at the demarcation of Indigenous peoples’ lands.

The grounds for that demarcation is fixed not by no ordinary agreement. As this newspaper’s Monday editorial spelled out, it is part and parcel of our Independence Agreement from Britain.

All Indigenous peoples must show to get title is they have occupied the land by hunting, living, performing sacred rites and other aspects of their culture on it from “time immemorial”. The latter is a legal term of art, and in our case law, means occupancy for a reasonable time. Now, Allicock has introduced a new requirement: Indigenous peoples must show a “plan of usage”.

That’s ridiculous!! The land is their land and if they want to just remain as is, that’s their right.

Some folks are just plain envious and jealous! …and schadenfreude Schadenfreude is one of those “just right” German words meaning: to take pleasure in someone else’s misfortune.

And that’s just what folks on the East Bank are feeling with no Bridge traffic to clog them up!!

A

man who lived on the streets was on Wednesday evening killed in an accident at Main Street, New Amsterdam.

The man's correct name is currently unknown. However, he often answered to the name's Nagamootoo or Santa Claus.

Reports are that the man was lying on the road when he was run over by a motorcar, HC 6742.

According to the police, the car was being driven by 25-year-old man of Tucber Park, New Amsterdam.

The police said the car was proceeding north along the western carriageway at a normal rate of speed when the driver alleged that he felt he ran over something.

As such, he stopped the vehicle and when he came out, he saw it was a man lying on the road with in-

juries to his head.

The driver took the man, who was in an unconscious, to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver was taken into custody and breathalyzed and no alcohol was found in his system.

The driver remains in custody as investigation continues.

Environmental awareness in...

“The complaint has always been that the schools’ curriculum is so packed already so we had to be mindful of how much we propose, we had to strategically think about infusion rather than altogether wholesale introduction of new topics,” the Coordinator pointed out.

Guyana has taken up the mantle of executing the Rio Conventions, namely on Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification.

For this, Rio Mainstreaming Project Manager, Michelle Klass explained that a fouryear project, slated to conclude next year, was

employed to monitor the implementation of the Convention and strengthen technical capacities.

Now, the Rio Convention and other environmental issues will be taught at a different level.

“The objective is to strengthen technical capacities for mainstreaming and monitoring achievements of the Rio Convention….This important exercise will see our children benefitting from an updated curriculum that incorporates not only the Rio Convention that the project is focusing on but other aspects of the environment including our Green State Development Strategy,”

Klass asserted.

In receiving the revised syllabus, Director NCERD, Jennifer of Cumberbatch said they will review these suggestions before introducing them in the curriculum.

This initiative has been welcomed by educators and both public and private institutions.

“Having a meaningful curriculum is essential to a child’s education, life and thus, to a whole nation…We are thankful for the tangible way in which the Office of Climate Change has supported us by these suggested inclusions in the curriculum. I’ve seen a bit of it and recognised that some

From page 43

of it is really good but we have not looked at it in its entirety,” the NCERD Director noted.

Through its curriculum reform project, the Education Ministry had introduced a reformed curriculum in schools across the country, through a pilot programme which included space for any modifications.

Assistant Chief Education Officer, Carol Benn made this announcement earlier this year, where she also informed that a new timetable would’ve accompanied the syllabus in 115 primary schools. Both were implemented as pilot projects.

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Understanding the earliest inhabitants

Prehistoric Warau of Guyana

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here is a wellknown saying that goes something like this: “Until lions tell their own stories, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter.”

Unlike our knowledge of other nations’ history, little knowledge of the prehistoric story of our first peoples is known or understood among Guyanese, often leading to discrimination and stereotyping.

However, the indefatigable efforts of Jennifer Wishart and others, seek to ensure that Guyana’s

indigenous history has its own narrators. For this 2019 Indigenous Heritage Month Sunday edition, Sunday Times Magazine presents the text of “The Prehistoric Warau of Guyana” (1994)

by Jennifer E. Wishart More than 7,000 years ago, when the sea was farther inland than it is today, the Warau lived along the edge of the s w a m p s w h e r e the waters of the ocean m e t with the

waters of the rivers.

They ate shellfish which fed

off of the roots of the mangrove trees (Rhizophora mangle). Because their diet comprised mainly shellfish, and they

lived this way for thousands of years, their re-

fuse heaps, of various sizes, are found along the northwest coast of Guyana. We call these refuse heaps, shell mounds.

The Walter Roth Museum has excavated many of these shell mounds. The artefacts recovered from these excavations tell us how the Warau lived between 7,000 and 4,000 years ago.

Postholes in the re-

fuse tell us that the prehistoric Warau lived in rectangular houses, which were probably thatched with the leaves of the ité palm.

They used beeswax torches for light. The women collected the chewed out honeycombs and boiled them to separate the wax from other unwanted materials.

Before the wax cooled, it was formed into lumps,

and then pressed into rolls from 30 to 90 centimetres long, and about three to five centimetres thick, like very long candles without wicks.

Strands of ité fibre were wrapped around the rolls and tied, to form external wicks.

The wicks were coated with melted wax and the upper end trimmed to complete the abehe, as it is known in the language of the Warau.

The ité palm, also known as the “tree of life”, provided flour for bread.

When felled, a large trough was cut into its trunk and the inside pounded with a wedgeshaped pestle to reduce the mush or pulp. This mush was then squeezed to extract the liquid.

Recovery of a basketry awl suggests that the aruhuba (matapi) may

have been used for this purpose. The liquid was then strained through ite leaves into small containers, maybe calabashes, and left to settle, after which the liquid was poured off to reveal the flour.

The larvae of the Rhyncophorus beetle, mo arani, which lays its eggs in the pith of the fallen trunk, provided fats.

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46 NEWS

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Child protection agency hosts training with hinterland parents R

ecognising that the levels of abuse are exceedingly high in hinterland areas, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) recently conducted a training exercise with parents to prevent child abuse.

The Agency said sessions were conducted in two communities within Region One (Barima-Waini) in collaboration with the Schools’ Welfare Department and other stakeholders.

On the other hand, another session was facilitated in Agricola, Greater Georgetown.

That training was conducted with support from Sol Guyana.

CC&PA Director Ann Greene had previously said that there remained a gap between what the law required and the innate culture of some communities as she was speaking on the attempts of the Agency

CC&PA Director Ann Greene

to address child sexual abuse in communities within the interior regions.

“We have found that Region One

[Barima-Waini] and Region Seven [CuyuniMazaruni] would stand out in cases of sexual abuse against children. If we look at the

particular regions, we have a gap between the law and the culture in those areas. That means that there’s the law that says sexual activity at age 16, but in some culture groups, there’s a younger age,” Greene told this newspaper in an invited comment.

She said the law works for all children and that is what the Agency has been doing over time.

In a similar instance, the CC&PA was able to rescue three young children from the home of their biological father in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

And while the issue of the law versus culture speaks specifically to the abuse of children who may not be related to their abuser, Greene said the CC&PA has been receiving numerous reports of incestu-

ous child sexual abuse cases.

In that particular case, three children were rescued from an allegedly abusive home in Region Nine.

They were subsequently brought to Georgetown. Medical examinations proved that the two girls have been sexually molested, but their male sibling was not. Additionally, a 14-year-old female sibling who had relocated earlier in the year was also examined and found to have been sexually abused.

The children’s father was also brought to Georgetown to further assist with investigations. The four children remain in the State’s custody while their 49-year-old father is in Police custody.

Acting on reports made by village leaders, including school teachers in Quarrie, a satellite community of St Ignatius Village in Region Nine, CC&PA officials on Monday took the children from the home in which they resided with their father and carried them to the Lethem Police Station in an effort to have that entity assist with investigations.

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Clueless

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…on energy ead of the Department of Energy (DoE), Dr Mark Bynoe, addressed a Christian Men’s gathering over the weekend, and summarily dismissed the idea of Guyana going ahead with a refinery to handle the crude oil we’ll be receiving as our share of the oil. Your Eyewitness wonders if Bynoe thinks that “church people” are so focused on the hereafter, they’re simplistic or stupid about things of the world. The fella had the arrogance to tell the people, “I think what most people are conflating is not if a refinery should come to shore, it’s whether or not we should have cheap fuel.”

So all church people can possibly think about when they consider the oil discovered off our shores is “cheap fuel”?? They can’t possibly think about the industrialisation of Guyana?? They can’t possibly think about adding value to at least one of our primary products…after hundreds of years of being hustled on sugar, rice, bauxite, gold and timber??

They can’t think about using the petroleum distillate for synthesising other products, like fertilisers etc??

Or even using by-products like bitumen to cap our roads – especially the ones we plan to open up our hinterland?

And to add insult to injury, Bynoe simpered that as far as “cheap fuel” is concerned, the Government could deliver that without a refinery!! Well, of course it can…just take off the 70% tariff they slap on the import price!! Well, why don’t they do that to diesel for agriculture, which is the largest employer in the country?? But that’s not all. His answer involving tariffs demonstrates that Bynoe hasn’t the foggiest notion about the oil industry.

When Granger personally handpicked him, there was a firestorm of protest in the face of his obvious unsuitability for a job that’ll literally determine whether the ordinary Guyanese will even have a chance of enjoying the good life from oil. The job description called for experience in the petroleum sector at a ministerial level or its equivalent; yet, all Bynoe had was a PhD in ENVIRONMENTAL Economics, of all things!! Granger placed a man trained to protect the environment in charge of one of the most polluting industries on the planet!!

But Bynoe’s a perfect example of the PNC under Granger: appointing loyalists to positions critical to our future, but in which they had no experience.

It’s like Burnham putting Haslyn Parris in charge of Bauxite after nationalisation – when the man pushed production without ignoring the needed recapitalisation. Of course the entire entity collapsed after the first decade!!

What was more galling that Granger handpicking Bynoe was his overlooking AFC’s Dr Vincent Adams, who had 30 years in the US Department of Energy.

And placing HIM in Environment!! …on local content “Local Content” regulations in the incipient oil industry has been very high on the agenda of the people, but the Government keeps on dawdling.

After all, while the idea of the Government sending out cheques to every Guyanese citizen might look like a lucky windfall, Guyanese know that having their own jobs is a better option.

Fundamentally, they’ll be given an opportunity to develop themselves, and rise as far as their natural talents and hard work would take them.

But with every company with the most tenuous experience in the oil industry flocking from across the world to service the “oil find of the century”- and us not having the legislation in place to insist on locals being hired – it’s possible we may be left out in the cold. The point was raised that we might be locking out the skills needed to perform the needed jobs if we do so.

But every country became developed by either protecting their “infant” industry or insisting on local content??

Can’t walk unless your hand’s held!! …on election date You’d think after all the brownnosing PM Nagamootoo’s been doing, he’d have some insider info on the PNC’s plans for holding elections.

But in his column, the poor fella had to cry out, “Quando, Quando, Quando” – When? When? When?

Politics and identity in Guyana

By Ravi Dev

A

s we stagger fitfully towards general elections between bouts of engaging the Courts to interpret what were once thought to be pellucid road signs, the discourse is seemingly inevitably becoming dominated once again by “race talk”. It would appear that the announcement of the demise of such an orientation in our political campaigns with the emergence of another generation of voters have been rather premature.

Sadly, the questioning of the right of Indian-Guyanese, through their preferred party the PPP to seek national power – has reappeared. I am reminded of the observation of iconic Barbadian writer George Lamming, who observed in his foreword to Dr Walter Rodney’s, “A History of the Guyanese Working People”: “This perception of the Indian as alien and a problem to be contained after the departure of the Imperial power, has been a major part of the thought and feeling of Black West Indians and a very stubborn conviction among the Black middle layers in Trinidad and Guyana. Indian power, in politics or business, has been regarded as an example of an Indian strategy for conquest.”

The irony is that after 181 years in the Guyana, Indian-Guyanese have become “Guyanised” to such an extent by the plantation system and the post-colonial experience that they are as distinct from the present day “Indian Indians” as African-Guyanese are from “African-Africans”. While the first part of our hyphenated designation may signify our “motherlands”, are we not all bound by the common second part, being Guyanese? Of course, there is always the problematic associated with “the narcissism of small differences”.

The Jamaican poet Olive Senior, of mixed heritage, used the activity of “gardening” as an extended trope in her book

“Gardening in the Tropics” to analyse well the brutal colonisation all of us in the Caribbean by the Europeans and their influence in the formation of all our of identities. Gardening does involve “rooting out”, discarding” “cultivating”, “nurturing”, “grafting”, “hybridity” and so many activities that are also at work in cultures and relationships in the construction of identities. All of us have been and continue to be “cultivated” whether we like it or not and are to a lesser or greater extent been “hybridized”.

Even when we were uprooted from homelands in Asia, Africa and Europe, we were all already “hybrids” that had been variously constituted. For instance, the North Indians of the Bhojpuri belt were the product of continuous invasions for thousands of years, of which the Moghul invasion and its Islamic world view was only the most extensive. Ditto for the West Africans with different tribes and Islam.

In the Caribbean, the Indians, Portuguese and Chinese indentureds would encounter the Africans who had been subjected to hundreds of years of European

imposition of culture and religion – forcibly and later hegemonistically. While against all odds, the Africans retained elements of their cultures in West Africa, it was into their “creolised” culture that the new arrivals would be thrown into.

The Africans were expected to inculcate “English culture”, even though their humanity was denied and by definition could never be “English”. This was interesting since most of the overseers they interacted with were Irish and Scottish. The indentured servants inevitably imbibed much of their new culture from the African creoles who preceded them on the plantations, and who were expected to “season” them into the new dispensation.

However, in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean, people of African origin sought to counter the European hegemonic cultural imposition with the ideologies of “Black Power”, “Negritude” and “Pan Africanism” all of which privileged the African culture as the “root” of the tree of “national culture” here. There was never a comparable Pan-Indian movement, but with independence we were told that we were “One people; One Nation; One Destiny”.

Reviewing the broad sweep of Caribbean history, however, Senior sought to make the point that there are no “pure” origins and no “one root” that we can discover on which to construct our Caribbean identity. She borrowed the metaphor of the “rhizome” – with its multiplicity of roots that privilege no one root for Caribbean identity from the Martiniquean Edouard Glissant. He was consciously reacting against the construct of “negritute” and of “hybridity” that been proposed to describe French Antillean identity. The first excluded all others such as people of Indian origin and the French and the latter that still privileged the “African root”.

We are all equally Guyanese with the right to all our country offers.

Prehistoric Warau of...

From the nearby brackish-water swamps, the Warau gathered protein in the form of shellfish such as crabs, oysters and the Zebra nerite (Puperita pupa). The nerites were put into calabashes of water, and stones, heated in the fire, were dropped into the calabashes until the nerites were boiled into a soup broth, aho. Animals were hunted with spears and bows and arrows, and fish were caught using line sinkers and cadels.

Women wore bead aprons made from grass seeds, while men wore a loin cloth from the bark of the kakaralli tree (Eschweilera spp.).

With a stone bark beater, they beat the bark of the tree until it opened up into thin leaves from which the loin cloth was made. Some Warau today use these leaves to roll cigarettes in times of shortage. Necklaces made from animal teeth were also worn. Body paint, made from annato (Bixa orellana) mixed with oil from the crabwood tree (Carapa guianensis), protect-

ed their bodies from insect pests.

When a Warau died, he was wrapped in his ité hammock and placed in his dwelling with his head towards the West - the Land of the Dead. In Warau belief, there is a ‘light’ shaman, bahanarautu, who travels to the House of Smoke in the East, and a ‘dark’ shaman who is in contact with the spirit of the West, hoarautu. Hoarautu feeds on the blood and flesh of human beings.

Around 5,300 years ago, the Warau invented the dugout canoe on Haimarakabra creek, a tributary of the Moruka river.

Stone from the Aruka river was taken to Haimarakabra where it was chipped into the desired tool shapes. These blanks were then taken to Warapoko creek where they were ground and sharpened on the boulders there, to form proper tools. These tools were then taken back to Haimarakabra where they were used to shape canoes from the numerous Mora trees

From page 44

(Mora excels), which once grew there.

The dugout canoe was the earliest seaworthy vessel. With its invention, it was possible for the islands of the Caribbean to be peopled. Artifacts found in Cuba date at around 5,000 years ago.

Warau means “tribesman” or “kin”. So Warau living at Waramuri, Warapoko and Warapana may have been related.

Fish traps drawn on the rocks at Waraputa Falls on the Essequibo river also appear on the rocks at Warapoko on the Waini river.

Warauan, which is spoken only by the Warau, is the most ancient of the tribal languages of Guyana.

Unlike the Arawakan (Arawak, Wapisiana) and Cariban (Carib, Akawaio, Arekuna, Waiwai, Makusi, Patamona) languages, its source cannot be traced and the nearest language to it is Timucua, a now extinct language of Florida, in the United States.

48 Bollywood

I

n the series titled First of Many, the who’s who of the industry revisit their first acting project.

When Shahid Kapoor debuted with 2003 film I s h q Vishk, nobody h a d thought that 15 years d o w n the line, his chocolate b o y

image will take a U-turn and he will be one of the most bankable actors in Bollywood.

From being a boynext-door, Shahid has over the years matured into doing performancedriven roles in films like Udta Punjab, Haider, Kaminey and Padmaavat.

His recent release Kabir Singh might have courted controversy, but it has also become the highest grosser this year so far.

A background dancer in Shiamak Davar’s troupe for films like Dil To Pagal Hai and Taal, S h a h i d Kapoor also made appeara n c e s in music videos like

Karan Deol: Seeing my dad during the downs was emotionally taxing

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itnessing the highs and lows of father Sunny Deol’s career in close proximity has been a learning experience, says Karan Deol who is making his debut with Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas.

Karan says it was “emotionally taxing” to see his father go through a dull phase.

“There were t i m e s when I saw dad in his low phase where he wasn’t getting the desired work and as a kid I wanted to help him. But at that age, you can’t do much.

I am happy right now that I joined the industry. He can relax a bit and feel that his son is there to support him,” Karan told PTI. The actor says while the atmosphere at home would change if there was a rough patch, it was admiring to see his father keep on fighting.

“Seeing your dad during the downs is emotionally taxing, the atmosphere changes. He is a strong man so he keeps going on and that is something I admire him a lot for. It has been so many years and yet he hasn’t stopped fighting the odds.”

As he gears up for his acting de-

Aryan’s “Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra”. But his breakthrough came with Ken Ghosh’s Ishq Vishk, which also starred Amrita Rao and Shenaz Treasury.

In a conversation with indianexpress.com, Shahid revealed how he got selected for the role of Rajiv Mathur in blockbuster movie Ishq Vishk, which earned him overnight stardom and immense fan following.

1. How did your debut acting project, Ishq Vishk, come to you?

I gave auditions, I was rejected. Then I gave another set of auditions. And again I was rejected. Then I did a third round of auditions.

Then I did dancing auditions. And then, I got the film. It was a long process before I got it.

2. What do you remember of your first day on set?

I was shooting this scene where I am supposed to be with this fake Sachin Tendulkar. It was a very funny scene.

So I had a lot of fun doing it. We were shooting at this place called Royal Palms in Mumbai.

3. Were you nervous? How many retakes did you take?

Everybody is doing such different films today and is in such different stages of their career. So you meet people, you remember times in your life, and it’s always wonderful to remember those moments because you do make films as a team. Everybody is doing their own thing.

4. How is your rapport with your Ishq Vishk co-stars today?

Everybody is doing such different films today and is in such different stages of their career. So you meet people, you remember times in your life, and it’s always wonderful to remember those moments because you do make films as a team. Everybody is doing their own thing.

5. If given a chance to go back to your debut role, what’s that one thing you’d like to change or do better?

I think I was quite an average actor. And I had some oddities and I think all those things worked for the character. I think it was right for that time.

All my life, I have seen my parents and the kind of work that they have done. (Indian Express)

but in the romantic-drama, Karan is aware of the Deol legacy- Sunny’s son, Dhrmendra’s grandson and nephew of Bobby and Abhay.

“I will try and live up to that but I can’t think of that as daunting because then I succumb to the pressure.”

T h e 28-year-old actor says he first told his mother about his desire to become an actor.

“She asked me if I was sure.

S h e t o l d m e that there will be good days and bad days here and you have to really push hard during the bad days. When I told my father, even he asked me if I had thought it through.

“Then we broke the news to my grandfather (Dharmendra). He told me how in his days, the industry was like a family and now it has become corporate and the emotional connect has gone. He told me to stay true to myself and never succumb to the pressure to be anyone else.”

Also staring Sahher Bambba, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas is scheduled to release on September 20. (Indian Express)

Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor and his wife Neetu Kapoor recently opened up on life after the Mulk actor’s cancer diagnosis. The star couple is still in New York for treatment and hope to be back in Mumbai in the first week of September.

“There were good days and there were bad days. The bad days were really bad, but you have to stay positive. During bad days, we stayed home. But during the good days, we went shopping, movies and lunches. I feel like it was a long vacation,” Neetu said while speaking to Times Now. “I had a marrow problem. I had to get it rectified. There was nothing serious as such. But you can’t fly long hours so I had to be here. I went through a treatment and thankfully, it was successful,” said Rishi Kapoor on the treatment.

The couple also spoke about the time when they first came to know of the illness and the early reactions of their loved ones.

“I was shooting in Delhi. My white blood cells were low and when

P

arbat, an ardent fan of Akshay Kumar, recently walked over 900 kms to meet the Mission Mangal actor. Kumar shared a video of his interaction with Parbat on Twitter.

“Met Parbat today, he walked over 900km all the way from Dwarka.

He planned it in a way to reach Mumbai in 18 days to catch me here on a Sunday. If our youth use this kind of planning and determination to achieve their goals, then there’s no stopping us! #SundayMotivation,” the actor tweeted.

In the video, Parbat says the reason he walked over 900 kms was to show Akshay Kumar that he is also fit like his idol.

He also mentions that he has come all the way from Dwarka, Gujarat and it has take n

him 18 days to reach Mumbai. Parbat even walked at night to make sure he reaches by Sunday. Kumar is seen advising Parbat to not do this again as it may be unsafe.

The Mission Mangal actor also shared a picture of himself with his fan and reiterated that he didn’t want his fans to do such things for him.

He instead pushed them to focus their time in bettering their life.

Akshay Kumar posted on Twitter, “It’s always great to meet you all and I’m grateful for all the love you give me but a request to please not do these things…focus your time, energy and resources in bettering your life, that’ll make me the happiest. Wishing Parbat all the very best.” (Indian Express)

it was diagnosed, I was asked to go to New York.

So we came here and ever since then, we have been here,” Rishi stated.

“My first reaction was very bad. I was devastated. My kids were devastated. And he (Rishi) was in denial and I feel like when you accept that this is your issue, you become stronger.

Even Ranbir had tears in his eyes (when he first learnt of Rishi’s condition). He was in denial for an hour. But later he said, ‘Let’s deal with it’,” Neetu Kapoor added.

Rishi Kapoor also said that people who have the disease should take heart in the fact that these days cancer is curable and can be treat-

ed.

“It can be dealt with.

Cancer is curable. I have had great support from Neetu. My biggest problem was patience. But it is traumatic, no doubt,” the actor told Times Now. Rishi Kapoor also revealed that once he comes back to Mumbai, he has to finish shooting a film. The actor added that he has missed working in movies and has already given his nod to another film.

“I have to finish a film after I come back.

Another film which I need to do, it is going to be shot in New Delhi and Dehradun,” the actor concluded. (Indian Express)

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A

ctor Jonah Hill is engaged to his girlfriend Gianna Santos.

The “Moneyball” star, 35, and Santos, 30, have been dating since summer 2018.

The newly engaged couple were most recently photographed in New York City on Monday heading to breakfast, reported Page Six. Hill’s next acting project is Clint Eastwood’s “The Ballad of Richard Jewell”, which follows the story of security guard Richard Jewell, who saved thousands of lives from an exploding bomb at the 1996 Olympics only to come under suspicion of being a terrorist.

The movie also features Olivia Wilde, Jon Hamm, Sam Rockwell, Paul Walter Hauser and Kathy Bates.

(Indian Express)

H

ollywood star Kristen Stewart, who will soon be seen in Amazon Studio’s Seberg, recently opened up about her personal life. In a Harper Bazaar UK interview, the actor claimed that she was advised to not date women publically as it might reduce her chances of featuring in a Marvel movie.

H

“I’ve fully been told, ‘If you just like do yourself a favor and don’t go out holding your girlfriend’s hand in public, you might get a Marvel movie,’…

I don’t want to work with people like that,” the actor said.

Kristen Stewart also opened up about her previous relationship with The Batman star Robert Pattinson.

“When me and Rob were together, we did not have an example to go by.

So much was taken from us that, in trying to control one aspect, we were just like, ‘No, we will never talk about it. Never. Because it’s ours,'” Stewart said.

Adding that she has evolved over the years and doesn’t feel the need to hide anything from anyone, Kristen Stewart said, “I was informed by an old school mentality, which is—you want to preserve your career and your success and your productivity, and there are people in the world who don’t like you, and they don’t like that you date girls, and they don’t like that you don’t identify as a quote unquote ‘lesbian,’ but you also don’t identify as a quote unquote ‘heterosexual.'” (Indian Express)

ollywood star Robert Pattinson is excited about portraying Batman in upcoming Matt Reeves directorial The Batman. In an interview with Variety, the actor revealed how the project came to him and his reaction upon getting the job.

“I really like Matt Revees. It (the upcoming Batman film) is something from the comics that hasn’t been explored yet. It’s kind of crazy shoes to fill. It’s interesting the different directions you can take with it,” Robert said.

Talking about how there is a lot to explore with Gotham’s dark knight, the actor said, “When you look at the different tones of those

alma Hayek recently celebrated her 53d birthday in London.

The actor shared two videos on Instagram, where she can be seen having a merry time.

In one of the videos, Hayek is singing alongside a Mariachi band. She captioned the video, “What a better way to celebrate my birthday, than with family, friends, good weather in London, with an all-female Mariachi band, lots of tequila, wine, delicious food, love, dancing and singing badly in memory of #fridakhalo and #chavelavargas. Thank so much Francois, Valentina and Marjo for this unforgettable night.”

In another video, Salma Hayek shared a Mexican tradition where her face was shoved into the cake. “I love this Mexican tradition, but the best part is the kiss. Merci mi amor… you’re the best,” she captioned the video.

Hayek had earlier shared a photo from the beach on the eve of her birthday. Her followers were stunned as bikini-clad Hayek looked like she has defied the laws of ageing. She had captioned the photo, “Yes, tomorrow I’m 53.”

Hayek is best known for her work in the 2002 film Frida based on the life of

Frida Kahlo.

On the work front, Salma Hayek will next be seen in Marvel Cinematic Universe’s The Eternals.

(Indian Express)

E

va Mendes is getting back in the groove as the actor has started auditioning.

The 45-year-old actor last featured in 2014 movie Lost River, which was directed by her partner, Hollywood star Ryan Gosling. “(She’s) looking to get back out there… She’s auditioning again,” a source close to Mendes told Us Weekly.

The actor is best known for starring in films such as Once Upon a Time in Mexico, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Hitch and The Place Beyond the Pines.

Mendes and Gosling have been together since

movies and tv shows, you realise you can do quite a lot with it.”

As it turns out, Robert Pattinson himself was quite the Batman fan growing up. The actor also revealed that he was on the set of Christopher Nolan directorial Tenet when he came to know that he was going to be the new Batman.

“I was obsessed when I was a kid. It’s going to be very very daunting (to portray the character),” Pattinson concluded.

The Batman is slated for a June 2021 release. (Indian Express)

2011 after meeting on the set of A Place Beyond the Pines. The couple

have two daughters.

(Indian Express)

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US oil giant Exxon fuels Guyana Amazon Warriors F

or the second year running, the international oil and gas mega-company ExxonMobil is fuelling the Guyana Amazon Warriors’(GAW) team as they strive to capture the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Trophy.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will begin their 2019 campaign on Thursday evening when they take on the St Lucia Zouks. The local team’s lone focus will be to win matches, with the support of ExxonMobil for the second year running.

The media launch to reiterate the partnership between the GAW team and that corporate entity was hosted on Monday in the Marriott Hotel lobby, where members of the team were formally introduced to the media.

Team Manager Omar Khan then embraced the opportunity to formally express gratitude to ExxonMobil, and promised that the Warriors would again make them proud. “Without sponsorship, and without the support from sponsors (like ExxonMobil), we would not be able to look so well dressed; and more importantly, we would not be able to go out on the field and perform well. So we thank ExxonMobil once again for their tremendous support, and we hope this relationship continues to build, to make the GAW, Guyana and ExxonMobil proud,” Khan stated.

Meanwhile, NEW GPC Company Secretary

Amazon Warriors Captain Shoaib Malik presenting a replica shirt to ExxonMobil Country Manager Rod Henson

Zulfikar Ali, speaking on the team owner’s behalf, stressed that the 2019

“We’re very confident that the team we’ve put together will

had, but I think this year that the boys will do us proud,” Ali shared.

life will come together to celebrate the local franchise. The ExxonMobil

Members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team share a light moment at the event (Photo: Dexter Ceres)

squad has been carefully composed, and disclosed that the franchise owners are very confident that the GAW can ‘win it all’ this time around.

do well again this year.

Hopefully, we’ll bring the title home. I think for every Guyanese that is our dream for the past six tournaments that we

The vibes at the National Stadium at Providence this weekend will be at an alltime high, because persons from all walks of

Country Manager highlighted this fact while sharing his hopes of the Warriors again making it to the finale.

“Guyana loves crick-

et, and this is something that we all come together for. Get behind the Amazon Warriors and root for this team! I remember last year, at playoffs against Trinidad — a very close match — it came down to the wire.

It was really great to be part of that. So I thank the team; and we look forward for that (same action) and to make the final again,” Henson explained.

The Warriors will begin their campaign on Thursday, but will also be in action on Saturday and Sunday, against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots and the Barbados Tridents respectively. The Guyana Amazon Warriors team comprises: Shoaib Malik (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble, Romario Shepherd, Clinton Pestano, Nicholas Pooran, Chris Green, Shadab Khan, Ben Laughlin, Odean Smith, Keegan Simmons, Brandon King, James Seward, Romain Muniram, Coach Johan Botha, Assistant Coach Rayon Griffith, Jason Pilgrim (team doctor) and Clinton Jeremiah.

(Jemima Holmes)

TKR appoints Pollard captain after Bravo suffers finger injury T rinbago Knight Riders announced that Dwayne Bravo injured his finger during practice and could miss a significant part of Hero CPL 2019. Consequently, Kieron Pollard has been named the captain of TKR, according to an article on CPL’s website.

Pollard was picked in the 2019 Player Draft as TKR's Marquee Player and the Trinidadian is set to represent his home franchise for the first time in the CPL. Venky Mysore, Director of TKR said, “it’s a very unfortunate injury and Dwayne Bravo will be greatly missed. However, we are fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Kieron Pollard to take over the reins from Bravo. His leadership abilities are well proven and, like Bravo, will bring a very aggressive style as captain in TKR’s quest for a third championship in a row”.

On assuming the leadership role, Pollard said, "I am standing in the shoes of the entertainer, Dwayne Bravo. I have been waiting for a long time to be made a part of this special team and I am happy to finally be here. This year, a couple of new guys like me have been given the opportunity to be a part of this great franchise. We are looking forward to putting in our best and lifting the title once again in 2019."

The Trinbago Knight Riders will start their campaign with a home game vs. St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots on Wednesday 4 September.

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Split results in ICF 29th Annual Cup Games in NY

Team Guyana

Team Caribbean

By Sam Sooppersaud

S

aturday, August 17, 2019, was a lovely day for a cricket match!

Approximately one thousand cricket fans in attendance at the Baisley Pond Park Cricket Field, in Queens, New York could attest to the fact that it was indeed a lovely day for a cricket match. In fact, we had two cricket matches. The occasion was the playing of the Annual IndoCaribbean Federation Cricket Cup. Unlike the past twenty-eight years of the ICF sponsored game, this year's schedule was a twogame affair. A Masters game consisting of the players who had taken part in past games, and now 45 years of age and older, and the regular game consisting of the present league players around New York City. In both games, it was Guyana vs. a Caribbean Invitational Xl. The idea behind playing a Masters game was to "bridge the old with the new."

This worked really well as there was great interaction among the older and younger players.

The games were dedicated to the memory of the late Guyanese cricket journalist Shan Razack who passed away earlier this year. Shan was a stalwart in his field and contributed immensely to the game in Guyana and the United States. On this day also, the Indo-Caribbean Federation used the occasion to honor two gentlemen who contributed to the sport in so many ways.

During the interval between matches, Sudesh Dhaniram was honored for his dynamic cricket career representing Guyana and the United States. Dhani was a "punisher" to

Former Guyana and West Indies Cricketer Joe Solomon honored by the Federation

bowlers. Not many bowlers whom he faced could truly say that they were spared the wrath of his blade. As an off-break bowler, he dominated batsmen. The other gentleman honored was diminutive former Guyana and West Indies Test cricketer Joseph Solomon. In his playing days for Guyana, Joe was one of the three "hitmen," the other two being Basil Butcher and Rohan Kanhai.

In a Shell Shield match against Jamaica in the late '50s, the combined scores for the three was 474 runs. Kanhai 195, Butcher 125, and Solomon 154. In a Test match in 1961 West Indies vs. Australia, Joe threw down the stumps to run-out Ian Meckiff and to record Test cricket's first-ever Tied Test.

It was a fun day at the park with lots of food and drinks, gyrat-

ing music provided by DJ Ricky Kissoon, New York Sound System in-depth commentary from Lenny Achaibar and Carl Bennett, with

were pleasing to the fans' eyes. They came to see Dhani, and he did not disappoint. Guyana Masters made 167 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Sudesh Dhaniram, 53, Marlon Kallicharran, 37, Zamin Amin, 27, and Telston Johnson, 25. David Mohamed and Glen Lorick grabbed one wicket each and Gilbert Phillips had 2 for 21.

In reply, Caribbean Masters fell for 111 runs. The only significant scores came from Ayaz Lodi, 30, and Basit Khan, 20. The team's demise came at the hands of Sudesh Dhaniram 3 for 8, Zamin Amin 2 for 7 and Sohan Das 4 for 15, with Guyana Masters winning the game by 56 runs.

In the nightcap, the Caribbean Invitational Xl won the encounter over Guyana. The Caribbean Invitational Xl batted first and posted 221 runs after a shaky start.

Andrew Davis, having been dropped when on 23 went on to score 64. Other significant scores came from Dino Chowenaam, and Troy Haley with 30

ICF Treasurer Dr Vejai Liliah presenting the Man of the match trophy to Sudesh Dhaniram

Former Guyana Cricketer Sudesh Dhaniram with the Winning Masters Trophy

great color commentary from young Matthew Achaibar, not to mention the excellent live show with gyrating Bollywood dancing and karaoke singing by local artistes. All around the park, there were groups of friends enjoying good food and their favorite beverages. Some fathers were even spotted playing cricket on the sidelines with their young sons. I had a great time. I met up with and sat in the company of some guys with whom I played cricket in the '80s.

The Masters' fixture was the first game. Guyana Masters batted first.

Sudesh Dhaniram, who captained the side, seemed not to have lost a stride from his younger playing days. He was masterful in his stroke play. His square cuts, sweeps, and on-drives

runs each, John Ross Campbell, 40.

Bowling for Guyana, Mark Lionel 3 for 15 and Deveshwari Prasad 2 for 42 were the principal wicket-takers.

In reply, Guyana fell short by 46 runs. The hard-hitting Derek Narine scored 38, Jonathan Foo, 29, and Nick Chinkoo, 25. The left-arm spin of Dino Chowenaam was too much for the Guyana batsmen to handle and he ended with figures of 4 for 23 assisted by Carlton Senior 2 for 24.

Cricket fans that turned out at the park feasted on some excellent cricket. The Guyanese supporters saw their team go down to defeat for the fourth successive year.

But, whether his or her side won or lost, everyone had a great time at the park.

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Guyana Amazon Warriors: An excellent combination

By Brandon Corlette

T

he Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) certainly have a winning squad for the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Filled with young gifted players, the squad has eight Guyanese nationals and some experienced overseas and Regional players, and they are all under the guidance of Head Coach Johan Botha.

The average age of the GAW players in the squad is 25. Shadab Khan and Keagan Simmons are the youngest members at 20 years old, while Shoaib Malik is the oldest at 37 years old. He leads the Warriors, being the most experienced player, although he now plays only in the T20 format for his native Pakistan.

With 345 T20I matches to his name, the calm and cool Malik is an active member of the Pakistan T20I team. A right-handed batsman, Malik has been in good form during the Global T20 Canada, and would be aiming to transition that form in the CPL.

Guyana Amazon Warriors in their first practice match (Brandon Corlette photo)

The GAW batting department looks an exciting one, with Chandrapaul Hemraj and the elegant Brandon King tipped to open the batting. GAW’s most successful batsman in 2018, the 22-year-old Shimron Hetmyer, together with its marquee player, 23-yearold Nicholas Pooran, and the Captain Shoaib

Malik will comprise the top five batsmen.

The likes of 20-year-old Keagan Simmons and 28-year-old Anthony Bramble may also fancy their chances at the top of the batting order.

Warriors are not short of power hitters. The 21-year- old Guyanese Sherfane Rutherford has proven himself in that regard,

and is likely to play the role of pinch hitter.

The Warriors’ spinbowling department looks up to the task, with 25-year-old Chris Green and 20-year-old Shadab Khan offering reliable service therein. In spin-friendly conditions, GAW may opt for an extra spinner in Veerasammy Permaul.

The seam bowling

department will be led by the experienced Ben Laughlin, while the Guyanese pace duo of Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul will play as starters in the fast-bowling department.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) emerging players Odean Smith and Clinton Pestano are the extra seam bowling options.

The big names in the GAW squad and the Head Coach Botha have spoken about the impressive youths in the team. The likes of fearless duo Rutherford and Hetmyer have impressed the globe in the 2018 edition of the CPL, and in this 2019 edition will be eager to play a huge role in the team’s success.

Pakistan will play Sri Lanka in a threematch T20I series from October 5, and legspinner Shadab Khan, who has been active for Pakistan in all three formats of the game, may have to report for duty for his country in the ODI and T20I matches.

With the ODIs against Sri Lanka commencing on September 27, camps will be held prior; and Khan may be replaced in the GAW by his countryman Imran Tahir, who was the leading GAW bowler in 2018 with 16 wickets under his belt.

The GAW will play their first match in CPL 2019 against the St Lucia Zouks on Thursday September 5th at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

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Knight Riders prevail over Patriots in opening thriller

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n all-round effort from Jimmy Nesham ensured that Trinbago Knight Riders started their campaign on a winning note, with an 11-run win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. The visitors, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, won the toss and elected to bowl first; they managed 152-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Jimmy Neeshan did good recovery work

On a pitch which was more suitable to the spinners, Trinbago Knight Riders lost their openers early and were reeling at 20-3 in four overs. Pace duo, Sheldon Cottrell and Alzarri Joseph made the ball talk; Joseph destroyed the woodworks of Lendl Simmons (11)

while the soldier saluted twice in the power play.

Cottrell, nipping the ball around, bowled Sunil Narine for a duck, who was the first dismissed, and Tion Webster who followed suit at 11-2.

Denish Ramdin and Jimmy Neesham then settled the nerves for the defending champions, Trinbago Knight Riders. The duo added 60 runs together but Rayad Emrit put an end to the tea party between Ramdin and Neesham.

Emrit removed Neesham for a wellcomposed 33 which came in 30 balls and included three fours and one six.

Ramdin, who was partnered by the dominant Kieron Pollard, took the score to 134-5 in 17.1 overs. Pollard dominated that 54-run partnership; Ramdin was removed for 33 from 32 balls, but Pollard’s fireworks of 47 from 32 balls, which was decorated with four boundaries and three sixes, ensured his team finished with a respectable 152-7 in 20 overs.

Cottrell continued his form with the ball in the just concluded T20I series against India with 3-13 in four magical overs. He was supported by Emrit, who picked up 3-39. In response, Evin Lewis in particular and his opening partner, the promising Kjorn Ottley added 42 runs in the power play. Ottley who scored 25 from 30 balls, soaked up the deliveries and was finally undone

by Jimmy Neesham after a top-edge which resulted in a caught and bowl.

At 47-1, Lewis was partnered by the professor, Mohammed Hafeez and continued to entertain the Queens Park crowd but the 2018 CPL play-

er of the final, Khary Pierre, got the final say. Lewis’ marauding innings ended on 36 from 27 balls, including two fours and three sixes. At 72-3 in 11.5 overs, the Knight Riders clawed themselves back into the game in the middle overs.

Some disciplined bowling and sharp fielding by the Knight Riders saw the Patriots stutter to 76-5.

Jason Mohammed was removed by Sri Lankan leg-spinner, Seekkuge Prasanna for a duck while Devon Thomas was undone by Pierre for one. The inconsistent Captain, Carlos Brathwaite, was run out for one as hope was somewhat ended for Patriots.

The professor, Hafeez, saw all these wickets tumble but a dashing Fabian Allen came and shifted the game back into the Patriots’ favour. Allen took 27 off the leg-spinner, Prasanna, in over number 16, which saw 18 runs scored in the first three legal balls and a six off the final ball. With 42 needed off the final Kieron Pollard on the drive for Trinbago four overs, it was set to be a thrillHasnain ended with 3-37 in his ing match.

Allen’s fireworks ended when his four overs, after removing Emrit for 14-ball knock of 30 ended. At 112-6, one. The Patriots required 13 in the fiit was a reunion for the Pakistanis; nal over but New Zealand’s World Cup Usama Mir joined Hafeez. Mir scored player, Neesham, sealed the deal for 10 in his first three balls but Hafeez the Knight Riders after removing Mir was not finding the boundaries on the for 24 from 10 balls. Neesham picked other end. The right-handed Hafeez’s up his third wicket to end with 3-18.

The second match of the season will misery ended when the Knight Riders’ and Pakistan’s teenage fast bowl- bowl off today, Thursday, September 5, er, Mohammad Hasnain, peeled off with Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Lucia Zouks at Providence from 18:00h.

Hafeez’s edge for 16 from 22 balls.

Concacaf Nations League to serve as pathway for 2021 Gold Cup T

he Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) has confirmed that the inaugural Concacaf Nations League, which kicked off on Thursday, September 5, will serve as the qualifying pathway for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, for all 41 Member Associations.

The new centralized men’s national team competition represents a new era of national team football for the Confederation.

Created to maximize the match dates available within the FIFA international calendar, and as part of a wider strategy to provide more competitive football for all Member Associations, the Concacaf Nations League group stage will take place in the September, October and November FIFA windows

of 2019. After round-robin play, the four League A group winners will advance to the Concacaf Nations League Finals to crown the first-ever competition champion.

The Concacaf Nations League Finals, originally scheduled for March of 2020, will now take place in June.

Additionally, the group winners from League B and League C will be promoted to League A and B, respectively, while the teams at the bottom of League A and League B will be relegated to League B and C, respectively, for the next edition of the Concacaf Nations League. The official draw, which sub-divided the three Leagues into groups took place March 27, 2019, at the Chelsea Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The Concacaf Nations League is about uniting the

Confederation through meaningful competition, while providing an exciting pathway to the Gold Cup,” said Concacaf President Victor Montagliani. “Through this tournament, all 41 Concacaf Member Associations are able to follow the dream of competing on a more consistent basis, opening the door for continued development across our entire region.”

As announced in March of 2018, the Concacaf Nations League qualifies the region’s top teams to the Concacaf Gold Cup. The qualifying process for the 2021 Gold Cup will be as follows: Concacaf Nations League A (8 teams): After group stage play in November 2019, the top two teams from each of the four League A groups will qualify directly to the 2021 Concacaf Gold

The Golden Jaguars blend that made their inaugural appearance at the Gold Cup earlier this year

Cup. Concacaf Nations League B (4 teams): After group stage play in November 2019, the winner of each of the four League B groups will qualify directly to the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Gold Cup Qualifiers (4 teams): After Concacaf Nations League group stage play in November 2019, the third-place finishers in League A, the second-place finishers in League B and the first-place finishers in

League C will advance to a two-round qualifier, to be played in March and June of 2020.

For the first round of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifiers, the second-place finishers of League B will face the first-place finishers of League C in March of 2020. After home-andaway play, the four matchup winners will advance to the second round, where they will face the third-place finishers of League A in

June of 2020. The four match-ups winners of Round two will qualify to the 2021 Gold Cup. For the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, all 20192020 Concacaf Nations League matches will be granted a coefficient score which corresponds to qualification matches to a Confederations final competition, rather than friendly international matches played during FIFA International Match Calendar window.

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Guyana Amazon Warriors confident of crossing the ‘finish line’ Sharing his sentiments on the composition of the GAW squad, Pooran said the squad is filled with young talents, in contrast with the other teams. “(There is) a lot of talent here in the team. The fans may give us a hard time, but we are young and we’ll make mistakes, but (we’ll) have some good games”, Pooran declared.

Pooran was born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, but has played for the Barbados Tridents in the 2018 CPL. He highlighted that playing against o t h e r

By Brandon Corlette

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wo of Guyana Amazon Warriors’ (GAW) most prolific players, Nicholas Pooran and Chris Green, have said they are ready to play pivotal roles in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

During the team’s official media launch, the duo, addressing media operatives, shared their goals and aspirations for the GAW. As GAW marquee player, Pooran disclosed that, in his first stint with this franchise, he is excited to be included, and is hungry to register significant performances this season. “I am looking forward for this season with the GAW, who is the most successful team in CPL”, Pooran stated.

teams and players is just another contest in cricket. “CPL is the most loved tournament around the world, and it’s competitive; but, at the end, a victory for the Warriors is (now) the most important thing”, Pooran told the local media.

The left-handed wicket-keeper, who scored the most runs for the West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament and is fresh from a stint in the English T20 tournament, has said his main goal is to ensure Guyana wins this tournament.

One of the brightest young talents around, Pooran added that the GAW is a well-balanced team, and is capable of winning.

His new team mate Chris Green, the Australian player who is known as the T20 globe trotter, has a positive outlook heading into the new season. This offspinning all-rounder, who in 2018 captained the GAW in the absence of Shoaib Malik, has said the composition of the GAW team looks good, and the team can push further and win.

“We’ve got some exciting local players (who)made a name for themselves last year; the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford”, Green stated.

The right-arm spinner has said the GAW have to continue their consistency and use their strong home base support to their advantage.

Green said he would be looking to significantly contribute to the team’s success with both bat and ball. With Guyana being his “home away from home”, this humble player has said he would be looking to pass on some knowledge to the youngsters.

The experienced Green shared some positive sentiments on Captain Shoaib Malik. “Having someone like that, who played the most T20 games, brings a great calmness to the group. I think having Malik’s presence for the entire tournament will be keen”, Green concluded.

Pooran, who in previous editions of CPL played for the Trinbago Knight Riders, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Barbados Tridents, made his T20 debut against the GAW in 2013 at the National Stadium at Providence.

This promising batsman, who was brilliant for the West Indies Under-19 during his junior career, made a half-century on his T20 debut.

Being a teenager at that time, he introduced himself to the big stage with a 24-ball 54, smashing the likes of Sunil Narine, Mohammed Hafeez, James Franklin and Krishamr Santokie for sixes at Providence. From that moment onwards, Pooran has been a brilliant batting talent, and has been recognized globally. Despite sustaining an injury during a car accident, Pooran never gave up on his cricketing dreams, but continued to be a seasoned T20 player with 102 such matches under his belt, playing T20 leagues globally.

Among the leagues for which Pooran played are the Pakistan Super League, the Indian Premier League, the Global T20 league Canada, the Bangladesh Premier League and the T10 league in Sharjah.

His highest T20 score is 81, and he has nine half-centuries in his blooming career. Since playing for Kings XI Punjab in the 2019 IPL, the explosive Pooran has further developed as a batman. He recently showed his maturity with his maiden ODI half-century against England. He has 11 T20 Internationals under his belt, with two half-centuries.

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