Guyana Times International 07 December 2018

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Serious efforts being made to crush drug network in Guyana ISSUE NO. 426

– Ambassador Halloway

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018

See story on page 3

Former presidential advisor says oil wealth will transform Guyana Page 23

See stories inside

…but underlines need for shift in mindset of citizens

NY Governor announces US$15M to support Pre-K programmes Statewide Page 5

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NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Serious efforts being made to crush drug network in Guyana

– Ambassador Halloway

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hile positing that a lot more work needs to be done, former United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, has lauded efforts by drug enforcement agencies, both local and foreign, towards trying to put a dent in the illegal narcotics trade in Guyana.

Being positioned on the South American continent with strong ties to the Caribbean region, Guyana has long been identified as a transshipment point for major drug trafficking activities. It was against this backdrop that the US established an office of its Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Georgetown.

Ambassador Holloway had played a critical role in the setting up of the DEA office in Guyana, which was done in February 2016 – less than five months after his arrival in

Guyana.

During a recent interview with a group of local journalists, prior to his departure after serving his three-year tenure, Ambassador Holloway asserted that it was too early to gauge the success of the US’s Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Guyana but noted that more positive results can be expected in the coming years. “...The investigation of narcotics crime and the related crime of money laundering, these investigations take years and not weeks or months. So if you’re going to bring down an organisation or a kingpin type person, you don’t do that in a week or two weeks. The DEA, I think, has done a great job here, they are not policemen, there are liaison; they are here to share information, develop information, talk to people...

Perry Holloway

Now after three years with the DEA here, we are beginning to develop some stuff. But I think in the next two or three years, you are going to see a lot more

positive actions coming from your law enforcement entities and them cooperating with international law enforcement,” the US Diplomat stated.

One of those development that the former Ambassador spoke about is the arrest of Guyanese hotelier; Shervington Lovell aka “Big Head”, who was arrested in Jamaica last month for narcotics trafficking and recently extradited to the US where he faced additional charges. Lovell’s arrest, the Diplomat posited, was as a result of collaboration between the DEA Office and local law enforcement agencies such as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU).

“It just so happens he was arrested in Jamaica but there was a lot of reasons for that. He was meeting up with some other guys so it was a way to get everybody in one place at one time. That has been a small success story. I must say that I continued on page 7

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

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Vision: A critical element

he life of the 41st President of the United States of America (USA), George HW Bush, is being globally analysed following his death on November 30, 2018. Inevitably, it generally takes death for such discussions which often become outlets for platitudes. That aside, there are a number of things about former US President Bush that have been spoken about glowingly long before his death.

Despite being a politician with its unfortunate stereotyping, the decency, as embodied by the character traits he exhibited publicly, has always been a high point that was recognised and commended by both colleagues and opponents within the USA and across the globe.

That speaks volumes of his influence and contribution with one commentator stating that arguably, Bush may be the most consequential oneterm President of the USA. That was seen in the context of his foreign policy, more specifically his invaluable role in ensuring that the cold war between superpowers, the USA and the USSR, ended without a bullet being fired or a bomb being dropped.

It is said that Bush understood the consequences for humanity had it been otherwise and demonstrated astute leadership to forge the outcome as recorded in history. East and West Germany were reunited under his watch and he has been credited in some ways for the breaking down of the Berlin wall. He didn’t visit at the time citing it was “Germany’s moment”.

That showed humility and not gloating even in time of great achievement for he did not want to be a distraction. That is not something that comes easily for most politicians and can be summed up with various words, including understanding and vision; understanding fully the gravity of the situation and a vision of its possible consequences for the future. In that context, Bush has been credited for his vision for ensuring the cold war ended the way it did.

Vision is therefore a critical element, especially for those in leadership positions, if they were to make meaningful impacts on the lives of their subjects.

Unfortunately, a lack thereof has proven detrimental for country and people as captured by history in various parts of the world.

Currently, here in Guyana, the 2019 Budget is being debated in the National Assembly. Just after its presentation, it was deemed visionless by the Opposition. While some my rush to point out that the Opposition has to oppose, an examination of the budget, especially in the context of the Government’s boast of providing a ‘good life’ for all citizens, does not allow for a dissenting opinion.

The plight of many ordinary farmers from whom higher rates for land rental have been demanded by fiscal measures imposed over the last two years, is just one simple example of how the lives of some Guyanese cannot be improved.

One report suggests that the hike in rates for some in Black Bush Polder is from G$12,000 to G$45,000. In previous budgets under this Government, numerous taxes were imposed which broke and continue to break the backs of ordinary Guyanese.

From all indications, the budget does not reflect measures for relief and therefore becomes more punitive than mitigating and can be seen as counterproductive to the Government’s own mantra of bringing the ‘good life’ to all. If any one section would not benefit, then the Government would have failed despite the good intentions.

This brings into question the comprehensive preparation that is necessary for a national budget with realistic deliverables based upon the available and accessible resources; in other words, vision for positive holistic impact. The Berbice River Bridge has positively impacted the country and the people, so did the Demerara Harbour Bridge. Today, none can imagine life without those facilities and former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Forbes Burnham must be credited with the vision.

Similarly, projects like the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Marriott Hotel, the Guyana National Stadium, the Ophthalmology Hospital and other regional health facilities, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the numerous housing initiatives under Jagdeo and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), are just a few others that have made a tremendously positive difference to the country, locally and internationally.

The current Government has held onto the CJIA expansion, despite cutting its funding when in Opposition, just as it did the Specialty Hospital and the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. The untold benefits of the latter two, had they materialised, can now only be imagined. Its absence, or in actuality, Guyanese deliberately made to be deprived of their benefits, can be seen as lack of vision for forward advancement and an imposition to prevent development.

In the end, the people with no access to the much-needed services, will suffer and the Government responsible for the deprivation will always be branded as one that lacks vision and one which places itself above the welfare of the country and citizens. Similarly, with an absence of tangible measures to improve lives and for transformative projects, branding Budget 2019 as visionless may have hit the mark. Some may posit that the authors are not like Bush.

Christmas in Guyana: The lit Christmas tree at Rahaman’s Park Triangle. (DPI photo)

Reviving Guyana’s musical culture

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he musical culture of Guyana, like so many other facets of Guyanese life, has suffered a serious decline and perhaps the time has come for various stakeholders to review the situation with the aim of ensuring that the necessary action is taken to remedy the situation.

Until about a generation ago, there was far more variety and also stronger evidence of classical music, whether Western or Indian. Today, most of the music which one hears on the radio and television and that is being played in live performances, tends to be American or American influenced. Percussion tends to dominate.

Another musical strand which is now popular in Guyana and is heard on the minibuses is Jamaican music. Most of the Jamaican music one hears in the public transport and at village dances and parties tend to be below the level of Bob Marley and often has a strong streak of vulgarity, with some even promoting abuse of our women folk. Already Guyana is experiencing a high level of domestic violence and such music negates the strenuous efforts being made by the government and civil society actors to address this scourge.

In relation to Indian music, the same trend has occurred; Bollywood predominating and the ignoring of the rich and ancient Indian musical culture.

Added to this are the chutney singers, especially the Trinidadians, whose popularity continue to rise in Guyana and in other Caribbean countries. Some of them have got-

ten fame from promoting and encouraging rum drinking in their music, often making references to various characters resorting to rum drinking as a way to deal with social and other problems encountered. We are well aware, alcohol is considered to be a “downer” type of drug, so it should not be consumed if one is in a depressed state of mind. Drinking while in a depressed state will certainly contribute to feelings of more depression; hence persons should be sensible and not allow the messages that are being peddled in the “rum songs” to convince them otherwise.

Of note too is that there are very few young people learning formal music. Until a generation ago, there were many first-class music teachers, and the better secondary schools always taught music.

Each year, hundreds of children in both city and country schools did the Royal School of Music examinations with a high number going as far as Grade 6 and being able to play classical music.

Additionally, the radio stations carried many hours of classical songs each week and these were regular performances by local artistes.

For example, the Georgetown Town Hall had concerts every Sunday. Their musicians like Lynette Dolphin and Rosemary Ramdeholl performed. The Militia and Police bands also had regular weekend performances at various venues like the Botanical and Promenade Gardens and the bandstands in Georgetown and New Amsterdam.

Religious and church music of a very high quality

was heard everywhere and Gregorian Chants and Bach were usual in the churches. Indian classical and semi-classical music such as bhajans, were sung as well as appropriate traditional songs at various rites of passage such as; marriages and deaths. And many people played the sitar, tabla, sarangi, harmonium and other musical instruments.

Helping to strengthen the musical culture of these pastimes was the importation of musical instruments. One could easily buy a violin, piano, sitar, tabla or harmonium and many types of drums in certain stores in Georgetown and New Amsterdam. For decades now such musical instruments have never been sold in the shops. The absence of the availability of musical instruments has greatly affected the cultivation of a musical culture.

There are several steps which could be taken to revive our musical culture.

The Education Ministry and the Social Cohesion Ministry through its Department of Culture, the churches, mandirs and the schools need to design and implement programmes aimed at reviving our musical culture. The radio and television stations must be encouraged to have classical music, there is need for more Music Festivals and Police bands must begin to give regular public performances and children and others must be introduced to the classical music offerings of the internet. Certainly, with the strengthening and expansion of musical culture in Guyana, newer avenues of enjoyment would be opened.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

ECD woman charged NY Governor announces US$15M to for killing husband support Pre-K programmes Statewide

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Melissa Playter (in cuffs) being escorted from the murder scene to the Police van

he mother of three who reportedly stabbed her reputed husband to death at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Wednesday, slapped with a murder charge.

Melissa Playter appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. It is alleged that Playter killed Victor Roberts on December 2, 2018 at Lot 41 Prince William Street, Plaisance.

The unrepresented woman was remand-

ed to prison and the case would continue on January 17, 2019.

Reports are that the 38-year-old man was reportedly stabbed to the chest by his reputed wife after they were engaged in a heated argument.

Residents who knew the couple have since related that this was not the first time he was attacked.

The now deceased man was the owner of a grocery shop which he operated in the lower flat of the apartment he shared with Playter and their child.

o v e r n o r Andrew M. Cuomo has announced US$15 million has been awarded to 32 highneed school districts to increase access to high-quality pre-kindergarten for over 2,000 three- and four-yearold children across New York. According to a release from the Governor’s Office, this funding will support the expansion of pre-kindergarten to high-need or underserved districts as part of the state's ongoing efforts to promote early education and improve the academic future for all students.

"New York is committed to ensuring every child gets a fair shot at a high-quality education," Governor Cuomo said.

"This funding will help level the academic playing field for children in underserved communities and put students on a path toward opportunity and success."

"Having access to an affordable, quality education is important, especially at an early age," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.

"This funding for pre-K programs across the

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

state will provide access to high-need school districts and ensure that every child is given an equal opportunity. We're committed to providing all children and families with an early childhood education to position them for future success."

Funding was awarded to school districts based on the quality of the application and other factors, including district and student need, efforts to target the highest need students, and maximize the total num-

ber of children served in pre-kindergarten programs. This additional US$15 million will ensure New York continues to support its youngest students by supporting the expansion of pre-kindergarten into high-need districts, including those where there are currently no pre-kindergarten seats.

Since 2011, Governor Cuomo has more than doubled the state's commitment to early childhood education to improve the academic

future of young people across New York. In 2013, Governor Cuomo created the state's first full-day pre-kindergarten seats, and in 2015, New York expanded pre-kindergarten to serve three-year-olds for the first time. New York's commitment to pre-kindergarten is now over US$800 million annually, serving 120,000 three- and four-year-old students each year with universal pre-kindergarten offered at no cost to families.

Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said, "We must help provide opportunities for a high-quality start in education for our youngest learners, so they can stay on the path to success later in life. The Board of Regents and I have long made early learning a top priority. We're grateful to Governor Cuomo for advancing this important recommendation of the Early Childhood Workgroup's Blue Ribbon Committee, which is a key part of our efforts to give all New York's children the tools and opportunities for lifelong academic and social emotional success."

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

What a vulgar With such a cabal of corrupt officials statement by can the new Mayor make a difference?

Minister Lawrence!

Dear Editor, This letter was motivated by a statement by the Minister of Health and Chairwoman of the PNC, Volda Lawrence on preference of PNC party comrades for employment and Government contracts, which was widely reported in the media.

She was also the former Minister responsible for the labour portfolio.

What a vulgar statement!

However, Volda Lawrence must be commended for her honest confession of the not so subtle practice of the PNC. That position is discriminatory and unlawful as stated hereunder, The system of industrial relations is informed, influenced and functions within the norms of national legislation, international labour standards, and regional labour policy of Caricom.

The national Constitution of Guyana, the labour laws, and international labour conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), ratified by Guyana as treaty and international law, provides the legal basis, foundation and framework in employment by the Government, its agencies, and the social partners represented by trade unions and employers and their organisations. Together, these instruments constitute the Labour code of Guyana.

The general principles of Part 1, Chapter II of the Constitution of Guyana provides right to equality of opportunity and treatment in all aspects of employment, education, social and political life; and imposes a duty on the state to protect the just rights and interests of citizens. Our Constitution on fundamental rights states that the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual entitles every citizen basic rights without distinction and discrimination including the right, regardless of his/ her race, origin, political opinions, colour or creed to freedom of conscience, of expression, assembly, and association.

Guyana’s Prevention of Discrimination Act No. 26 of 1997 protects against unlawful discrimination, and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, religion, colour, ethnic origin, indigenous population, national extraction, social origin, economic status, political opinion, disability, family responsibilities, pregnancy, marital status, or age except for the purpose of retirement and restriction on work and employ-

ment of minors.

The Act also prohibits discrimination against a person by distinction, exclusion or preference, the intent of which is to deny equality of opportunity or treatment in any employment or occupation. Under this Act, it is unlawful for any employer or his/her agent to discriminate in relation to recruitment, selection or employment on any grounds including discrimination in advertisement of the job; in determining who should be offered employment; in terms and conditions offered; the creation, classification or abolition of jobs; by retrenching or dismissing the employee; in conditions or work or occupational safety and health measures; or by denying access, or limiting opportunities for advancement, promotion, transfer or training connected with employment The International Labour Convention 111 – Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) 1958, ratified by Guyana, as an International Treaty: i) requires the promotion of equality of opportunity and treatment in relation to employment and occupation and calls on states to declare and pursue a national policy designed to eliminate all forms of discrimination; ii) defines discrimination as any distinction, exclusion or preference based on race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin affecting equality of opportunity or treatment in employment and occupation; and iii) covers access to vocational training, employment, and terms and conditions of employment.

Caricom’s Declaration of Labour and Industrial Relations Principles outlines the general labour and industrial relations policy to which the Caricom states aspire. The Declaration is informed by ILO Labour Standards (Conventions and Recommendations) and re-enforces these standards relating to non-discrimination in employment and occupation, and employment policy.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 of the United Nations, Article 23, states that Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment without any discrimination.

Sincerely, Joshua Singh

Dear Editor, I was looking at the new Mayor of Georgetown for the year 2019, Mr Ubraj Narine, and immediately my reaction to the news was a long, deep sigh.

The reason for my lamentation is the fact that the new mayor was flanked by two known characters; current Mayor, Patricia Chase Greene and Mr Oscar Clarke.

Green and Clarke are already ex-officio members of the new finance committee of the Council whose stewardships so far have been utterly tainted by corruption. With such a cabal of corrupt officials on the Council, and in particular, members of the finance committee, one wonders what the new mayor can do, if anything at all, surrounded by so great a multitude of vile people.

That corruption, for certain, was engineered and fostered by the very same group who placed him there. I am speaking of felons, persons found guilty of grand theft and other

misconduct in public office by a Commission of Inquiry. The only thing left now is for their indictment in a court of law.

So, one wonders what this latest election to the grand office of mayor is all about? Is this The APNU’s new charade to show that the much talked about “cohesion” is truly on the move, or must we conclude that the young face to the Mayor’s position is just another window dressing?

The point is, when you are surrounded by such dead weight how much of a takeoff flight can Mr Narine make? This is the burning question.

Comrade Narine might be well intentioned in his approach to the office, and might want to infuse new ideas, all for the wellbeing of the citizens of Georgetown, but can he, or rightly put, how effective would those ideas be? These are the burning questions the ordinary citizen is forced to ask? Can he really make a difference?

To make those new and pro-

gressive ideas work, Mr Narine will soon be on a collision course with the old Guard in The PNC on that Council. It means that the new mayor would be stepping on the toes of his so called PNC friends and we are quite familiar with that real case scenario. It means that he would soon be faced with a no-confidence vote which would see an abrupt end to his tenure as mayor. So, again I pose the question, will he be another Uncle Tom like Moses Nagamootoo who now embraces all the filth he once derided when he was with The PPP or will he break free and become a patriot? Only time will tell.

In this regard, I urge The Pandit to read more of The Ramayan and possibly baptise all his APNU friends in “nuff dye water” to cleanse their corrupt minds and wash away their burdensome sins. I rest my case.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

PNC senior leaders must step up or get out of the kitchen Dear Editor, Great, courageous and selfless leaders are those willing to confront the material anxieties of their people as the occasion arises. There is a great anxiety in Guyana as to the good life for the ordinary man as promised by the government. After three and a half years in office, the Government has spent some GYD$1.1 trillion in four consecutive budgets since 2015, and it is clear that the benefits are not trickling down to the poor and the working class.

Thus, it was not surprising that the results of the 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE) clearly reflected the people’s disappointment with the PNC-led coalition. It was an electoral shellacking.

Today, the people are faced with a more pressing anxiety. It has been said that the health of any nation’s leader is intricately intertwined with the economic health of that nation. And while we wish His Excellency a swift return to good health, the realities from the last six months have illustrated that the people are being kept in the dark. They are not being told the full truth. It is irresponsible and highly offensive for the PNC-led coalition Government to continue to attempt to play with the people’s intelligence. Their public pronouncements over the last six months on how the State’s business is being handled, in light of His Excellency’s health, shows little respect and empathy for the people.

The people are not fools and it is a vexation to their soul to observe the almost Goebellike statements of half-truths and quarter-truths originat-

ing from the Ministry of the Presidency.

The PNC cannot abscond from its political responsibility to all the people of Guyana.

What is critically needed from the PNC now is real leadership. We are therefore speaking directly to the senior leadership of the party in light of His Excellency’s illness and impending absence from Guyana again. The country is in a semi-crisis state with rumors and invectives swirling from one end of the pendulum to another. It is time for Ms. Volda Lawrence and Ms. Amna Ally, the PNC’s Chairman and General Secretary respectively to end the incessant speculations.

What is happening in the Ministry of the Presidency at the highest levels demands a political solution from the PNC, the principal political party in the coalition. The party stalwarts, for far too long, have ignored this issue and it has stymied national development and brought uncertainty to the country. A nation cannot advance in such an ad hoc manner.

Those at the highest levels should get out into the fields and reach out to the people so as to understand what is going on in the towns and villages. Those at the highest levels should be making the necessary but urgent decisions needed to charter the course for the good life of the people.

Politics is not a game and neither is political leadership.

The PNC’s leaders need to be visible, and in these times of turmoil, the nation needs leaders who are capable of making decisions in order to positively reassure the people,

especially the youths, that the challenges of the times are being met. Only the leaders of the PNC are politically equipped to perform these functions since they are in Government. They can no longer be in denial and ignore the problems of the day, which remain unsolved. They must fill the political void at the apex of the Government.

The country cannot be left hanging and no one’s personal interest should come before the Country’s. That is why we are calling on both Ms Lawrence and Ms Ally to step up and solve the leadership problem. To do otherwise would result in a lack of public confidence in the Government.

The PNC senior leaders must apprise the nation of their plans for the near future around this important issue of leadership succession.

In spite of His Excellency being ill, they must take the bull by the horns and put forth a clear picture of what they intend to do in these tumultuous times. The nation is in pain and our youths are suffering and are crying out for help.

This is primarily because the PNC as a party lacks effective leadership to deal with the issues at hand. This must change. It is time for the PNC senior leaders to step up or get out of the kitchen.

God bless His Excellency, President David Granger and we wish him a swift return to good health and God bless our beloved Guyana.

Regards, Dr Asquith Rose and Sasenarine Singh

news 7

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Tempers flare as Irfaan Ali takes David Patterson to task over ‘lies’ about infrastructural projects

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ay three of the 2019 Budget Debate ended in an uproar as the parliamentary Opposition took Government to task over what was described as “lies” spoken about infrastructural projects under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) regime.

During his contributions to the debates, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson outlined a list of projects, which he claimed the previous Administration went ahead to undertake without conducting any feasibility study.

Among those the Minister mentioned was the East Bank (Diamond) to East Coast (Ogle) Road Link Project.

“The former President, [Donald] Ramotar, went on a trip [to India] and they say here is US$50 million… and he give it to the Honourable Member Irfaan Ali (then Housing Minister) who drew up a plan and said we gon link this from here to here [with] no feasibility study, none… You can bring it or lay it here and I will apologise to you in public if you bring a feasibility study…” the Public Infrastructure Minister said.

However, at the end of Patterson’s 30-plus minute presentation,

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

Ali, a former Housing Minister under the PPP/C Administration, rose to the floor, indicating to the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, that a feasibility study was in fact done for the Bypass Road project and that he was in possession of same, as he waved his phone in the air to indicate the document was on the device.

Ali added too that he had shown the document to the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs and offered to hand it over to the Public Infrastructure Minister.

“I have here a Government of Guyana Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) document 2014 – ‘East Bank/East Coast Road Linkage Feasibility

Study’. The complete document is here! The Honourable Minister said there exists no feasibility study. I’m saying to this honourable House that this feasibility study exists and the Minister should do the honourable thing, as he suggested, at this time,” Ali contended.

The Opposition frontbencher then turned to Patterson telling him, “…

You lied in the National Assembly!”

At that point, the Public Infrastructure Minister was on his feet but then sat down, as a verbal confrontation erupted between members from the two sides of the House.

The Speaker then said he was surprised at the turn of events as the day’s session wound down, before ask-

Serious efforts being made to crush drug network ...

from page 3

have seen no evidence that transshipment has gotten worse since I have been here. It is illegal so they don’t tell you how much is shipping through or not shipping through [but] I must tell you that it hasn’t ended; there is still drugs shipping through Guyana, there is drugs shipping through every country in South America.”

Holloway went on to note that local authorities are working hard in trying to do what they can with the limited resources they have.

Against this backdrop, he posited that needs to be done to curb narco-trafficking activities especially those that uses the country as a transshipment point.

“Guyana is so large and so under populated. I mean there are so many places you can [go] in and out if you have the money and resources.

And these guys are well funded and they don’t have to play by the rules.

I think, my gut feeling is that things have gotten a little better as far as the big, big shipments going through Guyana.”

Asked by the Guyana Times International whether the DEA Office has been able to tap into the drug network that it suspected was in Guyana, the former Ambassador explained that while they knew of certain individuals and organisations operating in Guyana, this is hard to prove. “[But] by coming here, we gathered a lot more information on those organisations and individuals. We have been working closely and can actually share information that we have with the police and CANU. I think the next three years you are going to see a little bit of an acceleration of activity. Not because people were not working hard, but eventually this information reached a point where all of a sudden, it can be tied

together and something can be done,” he stated.

ing Minister Patterson whether he wanted the floor to speak.

In response, the Minister then muttered, “No, sir. I would not even bother, Sir because I have here in my hand, a bible.” He further added, “I was going to address but having something waving in my hand… is not proof of anything. So Sir, I don’t think I need to add anything else,” the Public Infrastructure Minister asserted.

Speaker Scotland then informed both Ali and Patterson that they can “solve whatever the difference is they and not have us all try to solve it for them”, before adjourning the day’s session.

“Bullyism”

Afterwards, Ali told Guyana Times International that the Public Infrastructure Minister has “continuously lied to the house and the nation; and it’s time to put a stop to it.

That’s why I decided to put a stop to it.”

The Opposition MP noted that the coalition Administration believes they can run the country through “bullyism and their high-handed approach” to Government while side-tracking important things.

“This whole thing is a side-tracked, they trying to side-track from the exposure from all that is happening in [Patterson’s] Ministry.

The person who spoke before him, Bishop Juan Edghill, highlighted all the facts surrounded corruption and the type of governance that is taking place,” Ali related.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Corruption

During his presentation, Member of Parliament Edghill, the Opposition’s Shadow Infrastructure Minister, outlined a number of projects undertaken by the coalition that are marred by corruption.

He wrapped the Public Infrastructure Minister over the new Demerara River Bridge feasibility study; the contract for which saw not only the Patterson breaching the procurement laws but the entire Cabinet as well when they approved the award to a Dutch company.

Edghill, however claimed the payment for the study came from an extra budgetary account; that is, the Asphalt Plant of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).

He went on to say that some G$227 million was reportedly spent on the feasibility study when the nation was told that the company only got G$148 million.

“Where did the rest of the money go? We want to know today… because

you went into an extra-budgetary account, you took money illegally and paid for a feasibility study that was an unsolicited bid… How much did you spend because you’re asking for another G$100 million from the Budget,” Edghill stated.

The former Junior Finance Minister continued by upbraiding the Public Infrastructure Minister over the fact that one of the agencies under his Ministry with highest spending, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), has been without a Board of Directors since January 2017. He also mentioned the fact that an audit report flagged Patterson’s Ministry for failing to produce the requested documents that could account for the G$500 million that was supposedly spent on the controversial D’Urban Park Project.

This, according to Edghill, is the reason the upkeep of the facility was removed from the Public Infrastructure Ministry and placed under the remit of the National Sports Commission.

8 news

Pause Scotiabank acquisition and do proper evaluation

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

…urges Washington DCbased Financial Analyst

Jordan admits Govt’s shares in Guyana Stockfeeds sold below market value Attorney Anil Nandlall

“Because you don’t want to be seen as anti-business but it must not be at the risk of domination of the financial sector by one player. So, I think it is very important that the BoG evaluate the takeover bid and before granting their approval and take into deep consideration the financial impact on the market and the implications for things such as pricing of products, service outlays to the market,” he added.

Pause transaction

Financial analyst Sasenarine Singh

W

ith the recent announcement that the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) plans to sell out its operations in Guyana and in eight other Caribbean countries, there have been several rigorous debates about what this could mean for the country’s local financial sector.

Washington DC-based Financial Analyst Sasenarine Singh said there is a possibility that if Republic Bank does acquire Scotiabank, it could lead to staff at the latter becoming jobless, and it would indeed have negative implications for the local financial sector.

Singh told Guyana Times International on Tuesday that it is a known fact that Republic Bank is already the largest player in the financial sector and the buyout will be making them even larger.

“And what are they buying? They wouldn’t buy new locations. They are basically buying a loan portfolio and a deposit base. It’s easy for Republic Bank to get rid of most of the properties owned

by Scotiabank and merge their portfolios,” he explained.

The financial analyst said too that “Scotiabank staff may lose their jobs.

Because it’s very easy for one bank to integrate their loan portfolio and the deposit base into their current network or system and once that happens they don’t need the real estate.”

Singh noted that Government is already struggling to create employment and this would only compound the issue. As such, he said they should consider this because “as a Government, you have the responsibility to the people of Guyana first. And you should not be seen as a Government that is facilitating your people being put out of employment.”

But one of the bigger risks in this issue is allowing one bank having too great a market share of the banking sector. “That is the bigger risk because they will dictate pricing of financial instruments in Guyana. But Singh believes there are more than adequate regulations to evaluate those risks from the Bank of Guyana (BoG) Act and the Financial Institutions Act.

Further, Singh told this newspaper that there was already a severe amount of complaints at the retail base and people were complaining about services offered by some of the banks, in particular the one that seems to be in the driver’s seat in this transaction. “So there are all kinds of benchmarks that the BoG should consider and I would ask that they ask for a pause in the transaction as they evaluate properly whether to give their blessing or not.”

He said in any country, as a regulator, the primary focus should be to make sure that the people who are being regulated are best serving the market place.

Singh also pitched the idea of consulting with the local Private Sector to see who was willing to take over the assets from Scotiabank and run it as a new and independent indigenous bank. He said consideration should also be given to other banks operating in the Caribbean.

“But it is important that we watch that anti-trust issue and the possibility of monopolistic domination of the market by one player. I have nothing against Republic Bank but as a Guyanese it is important to me and many others that we get the most competitive pricing for our financial products,” he added.

Several groups and individuals have raised similar concerns urging that the BoG not allow the sale of Scotiabank’s assets to fall in the hands of Republic Bank.

Government, on the other hand, has said the agreement “raises a number of issues for the banking sector in Guyana and for the public which the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Guyana and the Government of Guyana will need to carefully consider”.

The Trinidad-based Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) said recently that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Scotiabank’s banking operations in nine Caribbean countries.

It said banks being acquired were located in Guyana, St Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Further, the purchase price is US$123 million, which represents US$25 million consideration for total shareholding of Scotiabank Anguilla Limited; and a premium of US$98 million over net asset value for operations in the remaining eight countries. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

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n the heels of calls by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall to have Government’s sale of its shares in Guyana Stockfeeds Inc (GSI) to Robert Badal investigated by Police, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has confirmed the shares were sold below market value.

The shares were sold at $25 each in a deal passed through the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Minister Jordan told a section of the media on Tuesday that his Government opted to sell off the shares since it was not receiving profits from GSI. The Government’s sold its 5437 shares which represented 6.7 per cent of the total shares.

It was outlined that Badal was the only one to indicate interest in purchasing Government’s shares. This came via his lone submission of and Expression of Interest (EoI) to purchase the shares.

However, Minister Jordan disclosed that Badal’s offer was not in keeping with the valuation price. Though Government conducted three valuations of the shares to determine the value, it accepted Badal’s offer which was lower than the valuation. He however assured that all of the valuations were similar.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall is of the view that this arrangement should warrant the institution of criminal charges as the transaction is identical to ones in which former Government Ministers under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) tenure were charged for and are currently before the courts.

Nandlall observed that when the sale was announced, there was no mention whatsoever of how the purchase price for these shares was arrived at.

Further, there was no mention that a Certificate of Valuation was used to determine the purchase price of the shares.

Nandlall later explained that “When one compares this with the transactions which formed the basis for the criminal charges instituted against Dr Ashni Singh, former Minister of Finance; and Winston Brassington, former CEO of NICIL, one would see quickly that they were virtually identical.”

Singh and Brassington are accused of selling various properties at prices the State contends were grossly undervalued. However, the former Attorney General opined that “They were public advertisements for those transactions and the properties were sold based on the highest bids received. Each transaction received the approval of Cabinet.

Therefore, if Singh and Brassington committed criminal offences then fairness and justice would demand that charges be immediately instituted in

respect of the Stockfeeds’ purchase of shares.”

Government agreed to accept around $136,000 for the NICIL shares in Guyana Stockfeeds. “If the Government is to obtain a valuation certificate from the very Valuation Officer (Rodrigues and Associates), whose name is mentioned in the charges against Singh and Brassington, I have no doubt that those shares would be valued several billion dollars,” Nandlall said on Monday.

The PPP/C executive member had also reminded that the situation is further exacerbated by the fact that in 2008, the High Court ruled that the Government owns 38 per cent of that company.

The Court of Appeal then overturned the High Court decision last year, and reduced the Government’s 38 per cent shareholding to seven per cent.

Nandlall had noted too that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration then refused to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), “thereby essentially gifting Stockfeeds billions of dollars by allowing the Government shareholdings to remain at seven per cent.”

“At the time, the PPP in a public statement, called upon the Government to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal to the CCJ. The PPP pointed out Badal’s close relationship with the AFC and alleged that this was a payback for donations made to the political campaign of the APNU/AFC. Our calls were ignored,” Nandlall said in his social media post.

He highlighted that the recent charges instituted against former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, noted that he was “charged with conspiracy to defraud. However, Nandlall feels that when one carefully considers the facts of the sales of these shares, it reeks of a conspiracy to defraud the State of billions.

Nineteen charges deemed politically trumped-up were on Wednesday last instituted against Ali by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), in a move the parliamentary Opposition and the International Centre for Democracy (ICD) have criticised and deemed “victimisation of a political opponent”.

His arrest and subsequent charges stemmed from the sale and transfer of lands located in Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD), commonly known as “Pradoville 2”.

According to Nandlall, a formal complaint to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) will be made shortly in relation the Stockfeeds’ purchase.

“We will see whether criminal charges will flow,” he said.

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

298 persons granted citizenship status in Guyana - 979 foreigners allowed to stay on extensions, work permits – Felix

By Shemuel Fanfair

I

t was another afternoon of heckling as the 2019 Budget debates continued on Tuesday when Opposition Members of Parliament called on Citizenship Minister Winston Felix to provide numbers on the amount of foreign nationals allowed to remain legally in Guyana.

In his presentation to the National Assembly, Felix told members that 298 foreign nationals were registered by the Citizenship Department and granted citizenship, which suggested that more non-nationals are securing the path to attain equal rights as Guyanese.

The National Assembly heard that apart from those 298 newly minted Guyanese, some 979 other foreigners were allowed to stay in the form of extensions and work permits. These numbers include 225 Cubans, 175 Chinese, 165 Americans, 120 Indians, 70 from the Philippines, 75 Venezuelans, 59 British persons, 45 from The Dominican Republic, 30 from Trinidad and Tobago and 15

Surinamese.

Felix conceded that such figures will come under great scrutiny in 2019, saying Government will work to implement policies to ensure that “Guyanese receive their fair share of employment opportunities as a result of investments.”

“The department requires all perspective employers to publish vacancies in one of the daily newspapers for over three months prior to that employment to give Guyanese a chance to compete for these employment opportunities,” Felix observed.

He however stressed that Government has taken note of some “unhealthy” employment practices and will be working with various agencies to combat this issue. Felix focused the latter part of his presentation on the Venezuelan migrant crisis which has been plaguing several South American territories and fellow Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states of which Guyana is included. Much of the migration problems are linked to the economic crisis that erupted in the Spanish-speaking coun-

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix

try which has risen up a previously settled border controversy matter with Guyana.

Felix stated that the migrant issue with Venezuela will be around for a long time but committed that Guyana will treat those very migrants humanely as this country moves to review the migration scheme. This is in keeping with a call from the United Nations (UN) which reached out and spoke on the general treatment of Venezuelan migrants for Guyana not to deport them, he added.

However, these hu-

Affected Fly Jamaica passengers being refunded— source

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s inconvenienced and frustrated passengers complain of not being refunded their tickets’ cost by Fly Jamaica Airways, a source has refuted those claims by saying that passengers are being refunded.

A representative who spoke with Guyana Times International just recently said, “All the flights that were cancelled or (passengers who) were affected are having a total refund. If you want to cancel from us because you need to book another carrier, I am not sure how they are gonna go about doing that, but they are free to come into the office and have that clarification done with accounting or they can call the local number and have clearer information as to how we are going about that.”

The source said that in addition to the local office, Fly Jamaica also has international offices in the United States where queries can be made.

Although the sale of tickets has been put on hold, the source related that operations are expected to resume in January.

Just recently, a disgruntled passenger expressed his frustration in a letter to this newspaper explaining, “I had purchased a ticket before the incident to travel to Guyana on December 21 and return to Toronto in January 2019. I contacted Fly Jamaica to find out if my flight would be cancelled and if I could get a refund. They claimed that the flight will not be cancelled, and, therefore, I will not be getting a refund. Since they only have the one aircraft, it is doubtful that they will resume flights from Toronto any time soon”.

That passenger, Mohendraauth Ganesh is being gravely inconvenienced as he already had his vacation time-off approved from his job and “cannot make any other arrangements at this time because Fly

Jamaica could not guarantee whether they will have another aircraft operational before December 21”.

Ganesh complained that while he may have other options to travel to Guyana, he was unable to purchase another ticket as his funds were tied up for the flight he never boarded.

He added, “I know I am not the only one in this situation, because Fly Jamaica has made no effort to reach out to its customers and they have not released any information to the press either”.

The Fly Jamaica flight, OJ256, destined for Toronto, Canada crash-landed on November 9 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The airplane carrying 118 adults, along with two infants and an eight-member crew, took off from the Airport about 02:10h, but shortly after, the aircraft encountered hydraulic problems and as such, returned to Timehri where it crash-landed.

After the crash, the airline is now gearing up to face its second lawsuit, this one filed by a Canadian law firm to represent passengers who claimed they were injured during the crash landing.

This publication understands that the notice of the class action suit was filed on Friday by the law firm, which is seeking compensation for not only the passengers who were on board the flight destined for Toronto, but the families who were affected as a result of the crash landing at CJIA. Canadian firms Howie, Sacks & Henry and Camp Fiorante Matthews Mogerman filed the first lawsuit against the airline for injuries and losses incurred as a result of the crash. That lawsuit was filed on November 23, 2018.

manitarian efforts as encouraged by the UN, as well as from members of the public and other groups, have not come with an accrued cost, as Felix announced that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) spent over G$6 million in chartered flights, food and accommodation.

More than that, the registered 75 Venezuelans registered legally in the past year are far from the hundreds more that are residing along Guyana’s borderline communities and elsewhere in the country.

In many instances, of which Guyana Times International was told, young and teenaged Venezuelan children of Guyanese parentage are living among communities across the country, especially in Demerara and Essequibo.

Many of these individuals are undocumented and face some “unhealthy” employment practices which Minister Felix said Government was moving to address.

Earlier this year, Government admitted that immigration authorities have limited capacity in tracking immigrants after they arrive in Guyana even though data is collected when many of them enter Guyana through its borders.

It is expected that Government would have strong and comprehensive immigration policies, especially with the influx of persons coming to capitalise on the budding oil and gas sector.

It was in July that Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge told media operatives that a Cabinet-vetted policy guideline was in place to establish how immigrants are to be treated.

Immigrants, upon en-

try, must fill out an arrival card that details their country of origin and proposed place of residence while in Guyana.

“Those who are returning from Venezuela… if you say you are Guyanese, you would be required to prove it. You would be given the opportunity to establish… if you are Guyanese by birth, naturalisation or descent.

If you are not Guyanese, you will be treated as non-Guyanese,” he had outlined.

The Citizenship Department in July revealed that some 22,520 persons had entered Guyana between January and April 2018.

However, there was no record of 6170 of those persons departing which raised some concerns over illegal migration.

There were calls for more stringent efforts to reduce the missing departure numbers out of fear that persons could be caught up in human trafficking to Guyana and to other countries.

The records had also shown that 3515 Haitians entered Guyana in 2017, but only 291 were documented to have left.

10 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

President Granger’s chemotherapy to end by May 2019

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resident David Granger on Tuesday morning left Guyana, accompanied by his wife, Sandra Granger, for his second round of chemotherapy in Cuba.

Prior to his departure at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the President said that the Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ) has drafted a schedule of treatment, which will run until May 2019.

“In my first visit, I had not only the biopsy but a series of tests and examinations and I also had my first cycle of chemotherapy.

I now have to return for succeeding five cycles, so this is the second cycle and I hope to return much more quickly than I did the first visit ,because this is simply the administration of chemotherapy so presumably after the tests, which will be done today (Tuesday), I will

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri on Tuesday

have the chemotherapy and return by weekend,” Granger said.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, Granger will return to Cuba later this month for his third round of treatment.

“I expect that by the start of the new year, my progress, which has been gradual so far, will be sufficient to allow me to take

on more duties,” he said.

The Head of State added that he was very grateful for all the prayers and get-well messages he has received for his full and complete recovery, especially from Caribbean Heads of Government, business leaders, his colleagues, the churches and the public, particularly those who held vigils while he was in Cuba.

Under pressure; Lawrence apologises for offensive remarks

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ublic Health Minister and People’s National Congress Chairwoman, Volda Lawrence, has apologised for the recent offensive statements she made about hiring only People’s National Congress (PNC) supporters.

The minister’s apology came after days of widespread criticism and condemnation by Guyanese over the comments. Lawrence was quoted by local news website Demerara Waves as saying, among other things, that her party would place more focus on providing jobs for supporters of the Peoples National Congress (PNC).

After the comments, much controversy erupted, with members of the public citing discrimination with hiring practices of Government.

“The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC; and right now, I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese, and ah want one that is PNC,” she was quoted as saying.

However, on Monday, on the sidelines of Budget 2019 debates, Lawrence under much pressure from the public, apologised for her comments.

“I must be cognisant of what I say and do, and must not allow emotions or political fervour to get in the way.

So to all those whom I have offended in one way or another, I humbly apologise,” she said.

The apology comes days after the PNC issued a statement defending the minister’s statement by saying she stands by her words. That statement said Lawrence stands by her views that were made in regard to jobs and opportunities, and the document further mentioned: “The People’s National Congress Reform stands by her views on the issue of jobs and unemployment, that measures are being put in place for the young and industrious to be afforded the opportunity of becoming self-employed or gaining meaningful employment.”

Before the apology was issued, Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman, had conceded that the ‘employment comments’

Volda Lawrence

made by Lawrence were an unnecessary distraction.

Trotman, in a statement on Sunday, stressed that when the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord, favouritism was not envisioned. The PNC is the main partner in the APNU, which is itself a coalition party.

Trotman, who is a former PNC member, said he has known and worked closely with Lawrence for 25 years, and during that time, she has “never shown political partisanship”.

Amidst concerns raised, Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that all Guyanese along with human rights groups should join in condemning the “discriminatory” comments attributed to Lawrence, who spoke at Congress Place during a District Convention.

The former President told media operatives that Lawrence’s comments and those of other A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leaders have undertones of racism.

He cited that Lawrence could also be charged for violating labour regulations which speak to non-discrimination in hiring practices.

The PPP had planned to file a complaint regarding this issue with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

“I think my illness, although personally unfortunate, has brought forth a response by the Guyanese public, not to a politician, not to a political leader, but to a national President. I think they feel the presidency is what is being jeopardised by this threat to my health and I think what I have seen so far, both privately and publicly, are favourable national concern that the Head of State, whomever he may be, should enjoy the best health,” he said.

On October 30, 2018, the President and the First Lady travelled to Cuba for him to undergo medical tests after he complained of feeling unwell. It was later revealed that the Head of State was diagnosed with NonHodgkin Lymphoma, which is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system is part of your immune system. Clear fluid, called

lymph, flows through the lymphatic vessels and contains infection-fighting white blood cells, known as lymphocytes.

He was discharged from the hospital on November 6 after undergoing a series of tests and surgical procedures.

He returned to Guyana on November 20 after he was given approval by his medical team to travel.

According to webmd. com, chemotherapy targets cells that grow and divide quickly, as cancer cells do. Unlike radiation or surgery, which target specific areas, chemo can work throughout the body. But it can also affect some fast-growing healthy cells, like those of the skin, hair, intestines, and bone marrow.

That’s what causes some of the side effects from the treatment.

According to the website, some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy are fatigue, hair loss, easy bruising and

bleeding, infection, anaemia (low red blood cell counts), nausea and vomiting, appetite changes, and constipation.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during his weekly post-Cabinet briefing on Friday last, disclosed that even though President Granger’s workload has been reduced, he remained in charge of the State’s business.

In May of this year, Granger and the First Lady had travelled to Trinidad and Tobago to undergo what was referred to as their annual medical check-up.

At the time, and in response to reports in the press, the Government had revealed that the couple did their examinations under a Caribbean medical insurance scheme at the Good Health Medical Centre. Those results, Government had said, indicated a clean bill of health.

Guyana, Brazil to address cross-border TIP

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The Guyana’s Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons and Brazil’s State of Roraima Trafficking in Persons Committee TIP Awareness at Lethem Town Week Exhibition

temming from a two-day joint training session with 21 language interpreters from Guyana and Brazil, the two countries will develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will seek to address cross-border Trafficking In Persons (TIP) among others.

This was announced by the Public Security Ministry on Monday.

“This collaboration between Guyana and Brazilian counterparts was successful as was evident after discussions at the Guyana Frontier Committee and Consular Cooperation Meetings where the team agreed … for consideration be given to developing a Memorandum of Understanding between the countries in responding to cross-border TIP,” the Ministry said.

In addition, the two countries are seeking to have Guyanese TIP officials became au fait with the Portuguese language through training, as well as have the Social Protection Ministry’s TIP awareness materials translated from English into Portuguese.

The parties have agreed for the Brazilian Embassy to participate in the TIP Training Course to be provided for Interpreters and for the continuation of collaboration between authorities from Guyana and Brazil in conducting TIP awareness in border areas.

The TIP training was in keeping with the Ministry’s effort to intensify

its work in equipping various stakeholders with the necessary skills to combat the crime of trafficking.

The two-day training commenced on November 28 and wrapped up on November 29 at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre.

It saw the participation of Brazil as was agreed at the Guyana Frontier Committee and Consular Cooperation Meetings in October 2018.

Also participating in the training course were representatives of the Immigration and Criminal Investigation Departments of the Guyana Police Force, National Commission on Disability, University of Guyana, ChildLink, L&L Translation Services, Language Services Centre and Foreign Missions from Chile, China, Suriname and Argentina.

The training sessions were conducted by representatives selected from the Public Security and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministries as well as the Guyana Police Force Trafficking in Persons Unit and Immigration Department, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Social Protection Ministry’s Child Care and Protection Agency, Guyana Women Miners Organisation, Help and Shelter, ChildLink, International Organisation for Migration, and the Brazilian Embassy.

news 11

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Opposition MP lashes Govt for ‘squandering’ tax payers’ dollars

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udget 2019 debates kicked off on Tuesday with Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Frank Anthony taking the Government to task for breaches to the procurement laws, the shady deals it has been entering and wastage of taxpayers’ dollars.

Medical Supplies.

These contracts did not go through a competitive process. According to the Auditor General, these contracts were single-sourced. While attached documentation states that the supplier was the authorised distributor for the goods, it could not be ascertained

to higher prices for the items because the vendor has a monopoly. How much extra has been paid? Conservative estimates show that it has been in the millions.”

“There are other flagrant breaches of the procurement law, such as contracts valued at G$278.5 million award-

The controversial Sussex Street contract, which was single sourced, did not escape Anthony’s wrath

In his presentation, Dr Anthony noted that Guyana has not been getting value for money. He pointed to the Auditor General’s 2017 report, which found 13 contracts totalling G$91.4 million were awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to Caribbean

whether they had the exclusive rights.

In light of this, the Auditor General noted he could not determine whether there were other suppliers that the Ministry could have used to source the goods. Dr Anthony noted that, “The Ministry was guilty of single sourcing!

Single sourcing can lead

ed without bid security.

And that can be found in the Auditor General report. There was another case of single sourcing of drugs worth G$104 million. But this one has a twist. Six contracts were awarded without the approval of the NPTAB. The tender board was asked to rubber stamp the transaction after

supplies were delivered”, he further stated.

The MP also cited cases of contract splitting and mismanagement of projects, such as the construction of the Public Health Ministry headquarters. Here he referenced the Auditor General’s report on the project being delayed.

Drug shortages

Dr Anthony also condemned what he deemed a “failed system” and noted that in the three years since the coalition Government took office, drug shortages at Guyana’s medical institutions, coupled with several other pressing matters, have become a norm.

“Anyone who has recently utilised the health system can attest to its failings! Long waiting times at the outpatient clinics (and) longer waiting times for surgery.

Unavailability of diagnostic tests; constant shortages of drugs have plagued the system!”

“As if this is not enough, admission to the [Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation] GPHC is like a lottery.

Patients have to hope that when they get sick and go there, there is a bed that is available. In some cases, people have to wait for days on end to get a bed,” Anthony

Opposition MP Frank Anthony

stated in a speech that was at times accompanied by remonstrations from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, against Government Ministers who tried to shout him down.

Further, Dr Anthony noted that Government recently announced that a shortage of drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) medication has since been fixed. However, he noted that the Government failed to explain how such a shortage came about in the first place.

“Yesterday Minister (within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen) Cummings confirmed the (reports). But what she did not tell us was the reason why we

have multiple drug resistant TB drugs in Guyana.”

“The experts would tell you that it develops because of programme failure… because they have been out of critical drugs and inadequate monitoring, poor compliance and patient poverty… Many of these patients are too ill to work and with the paltry sum set aside for public assistance, it is hardly enough for them to survive.”

Government in a statement after procuring the drugs had blamed the shortage on a delay, revealing that the said drugs are sourced from South Korea, Japan India and Cyprus, through the Global Drug Facility.

12 news

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Court rules ex-sugar workers must get severance with interest

Many of the Wales sugar workers seen protesting outside Parliament were finally awarded their 2016 severance payment by the court

By Shemuel Fanfair

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determination in the matter involving the retrenched Wales, West Bank Demerara sugar workers was made at the High Court on Wednesday, with a ruling urging Government to pay dismissed employees their severance benefits with interest. This decision comes some two years after many of the workers refused to take up work at the Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara Estate.

The workers were contending all along that under the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA); they could not be compelled to travel 22 miles from their point of origin to Uitvlugt by the employer – the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Though it took over a year for the High Court

to initially hear the matter, Justice Sandil Kissoon finally concluded the matter which came just hours after the workers protested outside Parliament Buildings on Wednesday.

After Wednesday’s ruling, lawyer for GuySuCo, Nikhil Ramkarran, told the media that the respondents are going to be paid their severance from December 31, 2016 with interest up to Wednesday, December 5, 2018. He noted that those who went to Uitvlugt will be paid severance up to Wednesday’s date as well, together with a month’s pay in lieu of notice.

Meantime, Attorney Pauline Chase, who represented the interest of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), agreed with Ramkarran and added that no overall figure

was given by the court because interest “will have to be calculated”. Guyana Times International however understands that it will be in the hundreds of millions.

Chase outlined that 345 workers will benefit from the court’s determination, noting that if the workers do not receive the payments then action will be taken, though she trusts GuySuCo will honour the payments. Though it was initially 371 workers that were auguring for severance, Chase said it was found that some had to come off the list as some workers were not entitled; some died and others could no longer be found in the country.

In early November, the National Assembly gave approval for almost G$2.5 billion to cater for the remaining severance to 4723 sugar workers

and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had told this newspaper earlier this week that the funds were available to pay the ex-sugar workers.

Earlier protest

Earlier Wednesday, sugar workers assembled in front of Parliament, where they protested for higher salaries.

GAWU representative, Ricky Rambeer, was on the protest line and he demanded with great emphasis that the workers be paid what was due to them. At the same time, he criticised Government for not paying sugar workers since coming into office in 2015.

“The question is why they not giving sugar workers an increase – four years; they closed four estates. This Government victimising the sugar workers,” Rambeer noted.

During Wednesday’s protest, Opposition Members

of Parliament, including Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, met with the protesters outside Parliament.

During the boisterous protest, those gathered once again called for the removal of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder from their posts. But according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, the protest was purely political in its nature as persons were aware the matter was in court.

The High Court had earlier ruled that all workers severed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) must be paid with interest ranging from four to six per cent.

Wales Estate was shut down in December 2016 while Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon were closed in 2017.

PPP’s Manickchand says very proud of stewardship of education sector …Minister Henry says G$10,000 grant under PPP was “an elections gimmick”

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ormer Education Minister and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Priya Manickchand has decried the coalition Government for returning some G$ 2 billion to the national Treasury, which she said could have been used to pay G$15,000 in subsidies to students, referencing the G$10,000 grant that was removed by the current Government. This was discussed in her presentation to the National Assembly as the 2019 Budget Debates entered its third day, but current Education Minister Nicolette Henry held out that the grants were seen as an “elections gimmick”.

MPs heard from Manickchand that the returned funds could have even been used to purchase text books for students in need or to pay teachers an increase, who she said, had to beg Government for their benefits. She then added that Government has not been willing to work with the Opposition for what she blamed on petty leadership.

“You know Mr Speaker if you are ashamed of what you did then that speaks to the level of mismanagement, you can’t be ashamed of it, I am very proud of

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

our stewardship,” Manickchand noted in the midst of an animated National Assembly.

Manickchand feels that Government must present the already completed Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on education in the National Assembly and the revision of the Education Act which she said, is over 100 years old and thus cannot serve the nation’s children in its current form.

Manickchand speaking on this year’s 2019 Budget for the education sector touched on historical reports showing

a less than favourable state of Guyana’s education system, especially in the 1980s when Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge served as the Finance Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government. Other reports she cited reflected the shortfalls that continued after the PNC’s tenure ended and how her party was able to improve childhood education.

The PPP/C MP reminded the House of a World Bank report that showed that ‘the state the education system was in at the time.’

“It said very clearly that at that time, we had 30 per cent of our primary teachers trained and 29 per cent of secondary teachers trained. It said school facilities were dilapidated and very crowded. Four per cent of children in 1984 were likely to write [Caribbean Examination Council] CXC. It said Guyana moved from being the third out of seven in terms of student pass rate to last in the Caribbean,” she told her fellow colleagues.

“Facial information”

Education Minister Nicolette Henry in her presentation responded, by saying Opposition members were

PPP/C MP Priya Manickchand

providing “facial information”, noting there were improvements under this Government in increasing the number of trained teachers in the public education system and curriculum reform. She noted too that Physical Education and music will be strengthened in the coming year. Contrary to what her predecessor outlined, Henry was adamant that students are garnering improved performances under the coalition Government.

“Twenty-three per cent of our students are passing English, 25 per cent Mathematics, 37

per cent Social Studies and 23 per cent Science. In three short years, we have seen improvements and this year we were able to record 60 per cent pass rate in English and similar improvements were recorded in other subject areas,” Henry told the National Assembly.

Responding to allegations of corruption, especially on the subject of missing vouchers, Henry stressed that some of the vouchers were signed for and collected by the Auditor General’s Office. She added that some documents were not requested and said that she hopes this matter can be addressed at the Public Accounts Committee.

Speaking on the G$10,000 grant, Henry cited another local newspaper article which claimed in 2014 that the programme was an “elections campaign gimmick that was not sustainable”.

Henry later cited that the number of school drop-outs has been decreasing under the current Administration and observed several new programmes the University of Guyana is offering as improvement in tertiary education. One such programme was for Petroleum Engineering.

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Ramjattan holds firm on decision to shut down beachfront parties

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ublic Security M i n i s t e r K h e m r a j Ramjattan said he stands by the recent move to bar the hosting of social events at the Marriott beachfront, Kingston.

He explained to reporters on Wednesday that this decision was taken because of the negative effect activities hosted on the beachfront have on nearby businesses.

“You cannot… do activities that will hurt other people and that is what happens there…

They injured them with the noise level so high and they don’t even want, although I told them, get some decibel meters because the range is 100 decibel but they range about 300,” Ramjattan stated.

He went on to highlight how recent activities held at the beachfront affected visitors at the Marriott Hotel.

“The New Zealand cricket team, and couple of the [other] cricket teams that came for the [ICC Women’s T20] Cricket World Cup, they said they couldn’t sleep. And I came around here and I heard them. It was extraordinarily loud.

They do not care one thing about other people’s rights,” the Public Security Minister posited.

Earlier this week, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson disclosed that the Government was forced to take this step after the Marriott Hotel filed a lawsuit for noise nuisance.

This gave effect to the ban, which prohibits activities that could generate noise above permissible levels between Fort Groyne and Camp Street,

Marriott Beachfront in Kingston, Georgetown

Kingston. In a statement issued by the Public Infrastructure Ministry, it was noted that the area will not be used as a venue for entertainment and/or social and other events which involve the use of loud audio and video systems, including those installed in motor vehicles; and for events “characterised by crowd generated noise”.

This, however, has not gone down well with sections of society, especially the business community, which sponsors and hosts the very events that are being curtailed.

But Minister Ramjattan is adamant about the ban, saying that they cannot allow these activities to affect surrounding businesses.

“Are you gonna affect a big hotel that has made a big investment like this? You want me to give them the authority to come in front of your house to come and play that loud music?

We must understand, as responsible citizens, assuming they were to make the application to Ramjattan to come in front of your house, do you want me to give them it because they want to make a living,” the Public Security Minister asked rhetorically before storming off.

Guyana Times International was told by sources at the Marriott Hotel that visitors staying at the hotel would often leave during the hosting of any event on the beachfront, due to the noise levels.

The reliable source noted that the five-star hotel is on the losing end when this happens, since guests will have to be compensated.

Last month, Government kick-started a noise nuisance campaign. As part of a training exercise, which some 50 Police ranks undertook, the Environmental Protection Agency together with the Guyana Police Force carried out an exercise on Station Street, Kitty, where they tested the noise level at several popular nightspots using the decibel meters before shutting down a few popular nightspots.

Moreover, last week, the Public Security Ministry has re-enforced the ‘2am curfew’ for night spots and other places of entertainment.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Woman critical after being beaten with hammer by partner F ood vendor Kilowatie Persaud is now in critical condition after she was hammered to the head by her reputed husband during an argument at their Lot 53 Houston, Greater Georgetown home on Saturday evening.

The 54-year-old suspect remains on the run.

According to information received, the 44-year-old Persaud and the suspect have been living together for the past 25 years, during which they would habitually engage in heated arguments, which would lead to the suspect physically assaulting Persaud.

These assaults reportedly happened mostly while the suspect is in a drunken state.

On Saturday, at about 18:00h, Persaud was at home when the suspect turned up in an intoxicated state. This reportedly led to an argument, during which the suspect armed himself with a hammer and dealt Persaud several blows to her head, before fleeing the house.

Persaud, however, managed to raise an alarm, and her mother and neighbours

rushed to her assistance. She was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was admitted a patient in a serious state. The matter has been reported to the Police, who have since launched a manhunt for the suspect.

Several persons in the area have been grilled on his whereabouts, but no useful information has yet been gathered. The Police are continuing their investigations.

Last Sunday, 38-year-old Victor Roberts was fatally stabbed by his reputed wife at their Plaisance, East Coast Demerara home.

This stabbing incident stemmed from an argument between the couple. It was reported that Roberts and the suspect, Malissa, shared a rocky relationship, and they would often be heard arguing, which would eventually lead to a scuffle.

The man was reportedly stabbed a few months ago, but had refused to press charges against the woman.

The suspect was arrested and is expected to be charged with murder.

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More oil discovered offshore Guyana

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he future of an oil industry in Guyana seems even more promising with another oil discovery offshore Guyana announced by US oil giant ExxonMobil.

The company’s 10th discovery was announced Monday by Director for the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, who expressed satisfaction with the way things were going.

He revealed that the discovery was made at the Pluma-1 well. It has increased the estimated recoverable resource in the Stabroek Block to more than five billion oil-equivalent barrels.

The Pluma-1 well is located some 27 kilometres (17 miles) south of the Turbot-1 well and follows previous discoveries on the Stabroek Block.

Guyana is now home to the world’s biggest new deepwater oil discovery

“This is great news for Guyana … the country is on the cusp of transformational development for current and future generations,” Dr Bynoe stated.

According to him, the news of this new discovery is expected to facilitate the country’s re-

alisation of substantial social and economic improvements.

It was noted that approximately 121 feet (37 metres) of high-quality, hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone was discovered by the Noble Tom Madden drillship Drilling began on

November 1, 2018, according to the company. The well was safely drilled to 5013 metres (16, 447 feet) in 1018 metres (3340 feet) of water.

The previous recoverable resource estimate on the Stabroek Block was more than four billion barrels.

This discovery reinforces the potential of the country being able to produce more than 750,000 barrels of oil daily by 2025 and the potential for development in the south-east section of the Stabroek Block. The Stabroek Block is 26, 800 square kilometres. Dr Bynoe added, “Guyana is well poised to truly forge ahead in the 21st Century. As a petro-development state, we will, however, need to strategically invest in a people-centred and balanced manner,” he said.

Govt gives breakdown of house lots distribution

…says study into squatting to be undertaken

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s of October of this year, 202 new housing units have been built by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), while a further 52 which are still under construction are expected to be completed this month.

This is according to Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valarie PattersonYearwood, in defending her Government’s budget in the National Assembly on Monday.

Giving a breakdown of the locations, the Minister said 149 units were completed in Perseverance in Region Four. Included in this number are 76 two-bedroom duplexes and 42 elevated units. In addition, 17 units were built at the housing scheme at Experiment in Region Five. Construction was also completed in Region Three.

Earlier this year, it was reported that the housing scheme at Providence, East Bank Demerara that was dubbed the Re-migrants Scheme and initiated under the previous Government had 400 house lots up for grabs.

According to Patterson, 331 house lots have since been allocated.

According to the Minister, monies generated by these sales will be used to provide infrastructural upgrades.

She also provided a breakdown of what the Government has been

Valerie Patterson-Yearwood

doing to upgrade infrastructure across Guyana.

“As of October 31, new infrastructural development works were completed in Lust-en-Rust, Zeelugt, and Zeeburg in Region Three; Sections B and D, Non Pareil, La Penitence, Perseverance, Covent Garden and Farm; Phase Two in Region Four, Amelia’s Ward in Region 10, while works are ongoing in Providence, Peter’s Hall and Little and Great Diamond,” she explained “Upgrading of road works and other infrastructural works were completed in a number of areas. Parfaite Harmonie, Westminster and Tuschen, Perseverance, Phase Two of Herstelling, Block D, Bath; Number 76 village and Ordinance (Fort lands) in Region Six; Amelia’s Ward phase One, B and Two.”

Plans for 2019

Moving on to 2019,

Patterson-Yearwood revealed that Government has plans to commission a study into squatting.

According to Patterson, a total of 211 regularised squatter lots were distributed. However, she revealed that the former squatters have been slow to pay for the lots.

“Seventy-four informal settlers from the Lamaha reserve will be relocated to Cummings Lodge in the new year.

The buildings were numbered, household profiles completed, and an inventory is to be completed by the end of this year,” she said.

“It is widely known that persons in the lower income bracket represent the largest number of families in need of housing, and they are also the group that has the most challenges to acquire decent, affordable housing. We will be addressing this situation frontally,” she declared.

According to Patterson-Yearwood, CHPA has designed several low-income housing units that will go on display during an exhibition in 2019. She projected that 350 units would be distributed next year, and revealed that the cost of these units will range from G$4 million.

“The Government has commenced discussions with our development partners to secure more financing to undertake new housing development. Once successful, funds will be provided to upgrade infrastructure in all CHPA schemes, the construction of houses in all regions,” she said.

“In Region One, Mabaruma is earmarked for significant upgrade.

Cocorite Hill Housing Scheme will benefit from road upgrade and the construction of a community facility. In Region Two, roads will be upgraded at Anna Regina, Onderneeming and Charity, and in Region Eight at Mahdia.” she added.

The Parliamentary Opposition has been very critical of the coalition Government’s slow pace of housing drive and distribution of lots. Former Housing Minister and Opposition frontbencher Irfaan Ali has pointed out that under his tenure (which began in 2009) approximately 100,000 house lots were distributed, while others were regularised.

ExxonMobil Country Manager Rod Henson

ExxonMobil Country Manager Rod Henson, who spoke briefly of the new find, said this was good news and that it would add to the already huge finds encountered.

He told media operatives on the sidelines of an event, “This discovery

will help Guyanese investors to invest capital and take some risk and take advantage for the opportunities.”

According to the Ministry, the Noble Tom Madden is expected to begin drilling the Tilapia-1 prospect located some 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) west of the Longtail-1 well.

The Stena Carron drillship has recently completed operations at Hammerhead-1 and will soon drill its next well following scheduled maintenance.

Guyana is now home to the world’s biggest new deepwater oil discovery. ExxonMobil has been keen to push development of the oil reserves. Production is scheduled to begin in 2020.

Man found guilty of raping teen relative

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smond Slowe was on Tuesday afternoon found guilty 11-1 by a jury of sexual activity with a female relative who was 14 at the time.

He pleaded not guilty to the unlawful acts which occurred on December 16, 2016 in an area in Georgetown. His trial commenced after he entered a not-guilty plea.

Slowe was represented by Attorney Maxwell McKay. Justice Jo Ann Barlow, who presided

Accused: Esmond Slowe

over the matter, summed up the trial evidence before the jury was allowed to deliberate.

After two hours of consideration in the deliberation room, the panel returned with the majority guilty verdict, but the accused presented a stoic face to the court.

His sentencing was delayed to December 14 to facilitate the presentation of a probation report that Attorney McKay requested.

Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial led the State’s case.

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East Bank/East Coast CARICOM’s Competition watchdog has road link to extend close eye on Scotiabank transactions towards LindenSoesdyke Highway

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he Ministry of Public Infrastructure is pushing to extend the East Bank-East Coast Road Linkage Project, currently from Diamond to Ogle, towards the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

According to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, in 2019, his ministry will commence the survey and designs to extend the road Southwards, towards the LindenSoesdyke Highway.

According to DPI, Minister Patterson during the 2019 budget debates in the National Assembly, Wednesday last explained that the budget has a provision of G$2.229Billion for the East Bank-East Coast Road Linkage Project.

To date, the feasibility and design costing G$277Million (US$ 1.3M) has been awarded to consultant RITES Limited which is expected to submit the Final Detailed Project Report in April 2019.

“This Design will allow for a new alignment, approximately 15 km long, which will con-

nect the East Coast of Demerara to the East Bank of Demerara at the limits. It will also allow for the integration with the existing road network via several Connector roads (total length of 9.62 km) at Aubrey Barker Road, Haags Bosch Road, Mocha Arcadia Road and Diamond Access Road. Later with the new bridge, at Houston,” Minister Patterson explained.

The Public Infrastructure Minister further explained that the proposed design for the main alignment comprises three sections, between Rupert Craig and Railway Embankment which will have four lanes with a cycle lane on each side and covered concrete drain which will be used as a sidewalk; between Railway Embankment and GuySuCo Compound a similar design but expanded and the cane field area which will have four lanes with a 40m reserve to separate direction of traffic. All other deliverables will be submitted in 2019.

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ARAMARIBO, Suriname – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Competition Commission says it’s closely monitoring the proposed controversial sale of Sociabank’s banking assets in nine Caribbean countries, as well as the financial institution’s plan to sell out its life insurance business in two other regional countries.

In a statement yesterday, the Suriname-based Commission, which was established to promote and protect competition within CARICOM, said it had noted the concerns of bank customers and governments across the region regarding the proposed acquisition of Scotiabank by Trinidadian banking conglomerate Republic Financial Holdings Ltd. (RFHL).

Scotiabank announced on November 28 that it intends to sell banking assets in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Maarten, and St Vincent and the Grenadines to RFHL for US$123 million. It also

said its Scotia Life Insurance business in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago would go to a new company, following a deal by Toronto-based firm Alignvest to acquire Sagicor Financial Corporation.

“The Commission advises that it shall continue to monitor these developments in the banking and insurance sectors. Any impact to the community market by the proposed acquisitions will be assessed in accordance with the RTC [Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas],” commission chairman Justice Christopher Blackman said in the statement, adding that the deals also underscored the need for strong national and regional competition rules and frameworks.

“Despite the need for these regulatory tools, the Commission stands ready to support the Member States of the CSME [CARICOM Single Market and Economy] and financial sector regulators in analyzing the competition effects of the proposed acquisitions in their respective national or sub-regional jurisdictions.

“As always, the Commission remains committed to a process that is fair and transparent in the determination of any regulatory matter where the interests of both business and consumers must be considered,” Justice Blackman added.

Both of Scotiabank’s banking and insurance transactions are subject to regulatory approval, but it is the proposed bank sale that has raised alarm in some of the countries that will be affected by that move.

The Antigua and Barbuda government says it has advised the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) – which has regulatory responsibility for banks operating in Antigua and Barbuda’s domestic financial space – that it will not be issuing a vesting order to facilitate the bank’s divestment of its Antigua holdings to FHL. Guyana, meantime, said the proposed sales agreement raises a number of issues for the banking sector and the public which the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Guyana and the Government will need to carefully consider, given that Republic Bank currently holds 35.4 per cent of the banking system’s assets and 36.8 per cent of deposits and the acquisition would increase that to 51 per cent of both assets and deposits.

However, Scotiabank has defended its decision, insisting that the Caribbean is very important to its overall operations, and that even after the transactions in the nine countries it will still be servicing 90 per cent of the region.

(Caribbean360)

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Former presidential advisor says oil wealth will transform Guyana …but underlines need for shift in mindset of citizens

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il may increase Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which will result in economic growth and the potential for improved services and infrastructure, but it will not change the culture of mistrust and ethnic tension that plagues our politics and our people.

This is according to former Social Policy Advisor to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Dr Kwame Gilbert. He said, “We are thankful to God for the oil and the possible blessings it brings. But there are some things oil will not fix.”

Dr Gilbert, who is also a faith-based leader, said there was an urgent need for this state of affairs to be corrected. Nevertheless, he said in spite of the protracted political tension and socio-economic challenges facing Guyana, there is an undeniable aura of antic-

ipation regarding the promised oil wealth.

“As a people, Guyanese have endured much domestically and regionally, and it is truly high time that there is a reversal of the national fortune. As a son of Guyana, I too am excited and optimistic about the future of our country, but cautiously so,” he added.

The former advisor told Guyana Times International of a personal experience he had which led to that conclusion. On returning to Guyana from Canada after three years, Dr Gilbert said this dawned upon him on his arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

“At the Immigration Department, we (my son and I) queued up along with the other passengers and shortly thereafter were joined by passengers from another flight that had just arrived.”

After being in the

Former Social Policy Advisor, Dr Kwame Gilbert

queue for about 10 minutes with very little movement, Dr Gilbert said his attention was drawn to the source of the delay.

“There were 10 or 12 available windows, but upon examination, I realised that there were only four immigration officers working. With four officers serving in excess of 300 passengers, frustration was inevitable,” he recalled.

He said the situation worsened when the line stopped moving altogether and he realised that immigration officers were congregating in a small huddle. “It seemed that a senior officer found that time most appropriate to conduct a departmental meeting.

Later, I realised that what really was transpiring was a changing of the shift. Yes!!”

Dr Gilbert said in the middle of serving two flights, the shift changed, which unavoidably involved all of the necessary handing=over protocols, while the passengers waited.

“I could not help but consider in that moment that with a spanking new airport terminal, some things must change with respect to how service is rendered to those visiting our lovely country.”

The former Government Social Policy Advisor told this publication that the prediction and expectation is that over the next few years, Guyana will certainly see an influx of visitors, thanks to oil and gas. “While oil and gas may change our economic fortunes, if our attitude to service remains the same, then we are no better off really,” he asserted.

He said too that the reckless manner in which drivers use the roadways continued to contribute to the many

accidents. “The level of lawlessness, inconsideration and selfishness has never been this high. Avoiding a collision takes every bit of skill, dexterity and constant prayer.”

Further, Dr Gilbert observed that the absence of concern for other road users was unbelievable and appalling and in some cases, constituted reckless endangerment.

“I came to the sad conclusion that this is one other thing that oil will not fix. Oil may improve our economic standard of living, but it lacks the ability to restore the common human decency of respect, care and concern for each other,” he added.

Oil, he noted too, may make life a bit easier for many Guyanese struggling to make ends meet, but it will not remove the dogeat-dog mentality that has emerged in a people caught in survival mode. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

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RBL’s takeover of Scotiabank should not be allowed – economist

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he sale of Scotiabank’s operations in Guyana to Republic Bank should not be allowed, according to former Presidential Advisor, economist Ramon Gaskin.

Gaskin believes that the sale to Republic Bank would only allow that banking institution to dominate the local banking sector in Guyana, which could be unhealthy for the financial sector.

The Trinidad-based Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) said it had entered into an agreement to acquire Scotiabank’s banking operations in nine Caribbean countries.

It said banks being acquired were located in Guyana, St Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Further, the purchase price is US$123 million, which represents US$25 million consideration for total shareholding

Former Presidential Advisor and economist Ramon Gaskin

Gaskin further added that the Central Bank and the Governor of the Central Bank must bear in mind that many deposits and savings for the Guyanese people remain with Scotiabank. “I look to the Governor to take actions that are appropriate, necessary and urgent to put people to ensure that the savings of Guyanese people are secured,” he advised.

But more important-

Republic Bank takes over Scotiabank’s operations in Guyana and other Caribbean countries

of Scotiabank Anguilla Limited; and a premium of US$98 million over net asset value for operations in the remaining eight countries.

Gaskin said, “I think that this proposed sale of Scotiabank in Guyana to Republic Bank should not be allowed by the Government of Guyana and the Governor of the Central Bank.”

The outspoken economist told Guyana Times International that before Scotiabank ventured into any arrangement with Republic Bank, it should have consulted with the Government.

“Now that is putting the Government and the Governor in an awkward position of opposing it and all of that. I think they erred in not consulting with the appropriate authority before getting into it and it shows a lack of respect in my opinion to the authorities here,” he said.

ly, Gaskin believes since Scotiabank wants to exit the Guyanese market, there should be an option for local entities to acquire the banking operations.

“They shouldn’t sell to any foreign bank. There isn’t any reason why the local Guyanese business people can’t get together and take it over from them. They can build a Guyanese bank with developmental features to help finance agriculture and small business.”

Local banks According to him, this could be done in partnership with the Government and/or with a foreign bank, with the local bankers having a majority.

He noted that Republic Bank’s acquisition of the Guyana National Cooperative Bank and Guyana Agricultural Bank back in the 1990s helped hugely to build the bank to its current state.

However, he was persistent in his recommendation that Republic

Bank should not be the only bank that should be given priority to acquire the local Scotiabank operations.

The Antigua and Barbuda Government has taken a similar stance and said that it was “deeply disappointed” that Scotiabank would decide to sell its operations “without any form of consultation” with the regulators or the Finance Minister of that island nation.

The Guyana Government, on the other hand, has said the agreement “raises a number of issues for the banking sector in Guyana and for the public which the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Guyana and the Government of Guyana will need to carefully consider”.

The Ministry in a statement said that “this move is not Guyanaspecific and is part of a region-wide refocusing by Scotiabank” and that it has also taken note of the statement by RFHL that the agreement is “subject to all regulatory approvals”.

It posited that the Financial Institutions Act (FIA) has clear stipulations regarding “acquisition of control” and requires approval of the Bank of Guyana following the submission of an application and due diligence being conducted.

“Further the FIA addresses as well the issue of ‘fundamental changes’ as it relates to mergers and transfer of assets or liabilities. The agreement raises a number of issues for the banking sector in Guyana and for the public which the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Guyana and the Government of Guyana will need to carefully consider,” the Finance Ministry said.

The Ministry stated that these include Republic Bank currently holding 35.4 per cent of the banking system’s assets and 36.8 per cent of deposits, which the acquisition would increase to 51 per cent of both assets and deposits. “This raises concerns about an over-concentration of banking services, market domination and the ‘too big to fail’ risks,” the Ministry said.

It added that it would also have to take into consideration “the effect on competition and the potential for Republic Bank to have too much influence on pricing of banking products and rates.”

Harmon assures businesses of Govt’s continued support

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon addresses the gathering at the Gaico Construction and General Services Incorporated’s Annual Christmas Dinner and Staff Award Ceremony held at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown

M

inister of State, Joseph Harmon on Saturday evening assured the Private Sector that the Government would continue its efforts to create an enabling environment for businesses to grow and thrive.

Speaking at Gaico Construction and General Services Incorporated’s Annual Christmas Dinner and Staff Award ceremony, held at the Pegasus Hotel, Minister Harmon said when businesses grow and thrive, the Guyanese citizenry benefits.

“I have leaned on Gaico heavily to provide employment and they have risen to the challenge. Mr Komal Singh has big plans for his company and as a Government; we will continue to provide the environment for businesses to grow. We will create the environ-

ful businessmen these days,” Minister Harmon said.

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, in brief remarks, stated that the success of Gaico must be applauded as it has risen from humble beginnings to be one of the most reputable Guyanese companies.

“There is an expectation today, especially among young people, that you can jump into business today and be super rich tomorrow, but Gaico has shown us how much grit it takes to take a business from its inception to success. We know Gaico is now a very reputable company, but a Guyanese company most of all and we want to celebrate Gaico,” he stated.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Komal Singh said that while his company started from humble beginnings,

Minister Harmon shares a light moment with CEO Komal Singh and his wife, Gaitri Singh, as businessman Roshan Khan looks on

ment, so that you can continue to grow and provide the employment for our Guyanese people as we work to provide a good life for all of our people,” he said.

Minister Harmon also used the opportunity to laud Singh, noting that there was a need for more businessmen like him as he has proven time and time again that service to his community and country was more important than profits.

“I can attest to Komal’s work in the community in which they live. He has worked tirelessly with the Civil Defence Commission as the representative of the Private Sector Commission, particularly during the last hurricane season. He dropped all of the accolades he has and decided to work as a Guyanese to bring the power of the Private Sector to the work which the CDC had to do. Komal, in spite of all that he has achieved, has remained grounded in Region Three in Canal Number One, where he continues to make a contribution. Gaico has single-handedly elevated these communities to a height we never saw before. When there was flooding in Canal, he came out with his team and put the company’s assets at the NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] and the people in Canal and so these are qualities you do not always associate with people who made it well in business. He has risen from a taxi driver to one of the most success-

it has grown over the past 27 years and now offered services such as oil spill response, civil work, marine works, salvaging, dredging and manufacturing of asphalt. By 2019, the company is aiming to build a modern wharf facility, which will see approximately 100 persons employed. Priority, he said, will be given to workers who were laid off by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

“We are in the process now of developing a wharf facility and we are also in the process of developing a hazardous waste management facility. Our plan is to have a hazardous waste management facility where we bring in waste oil, process it and reuse it. We hope by the end of 2019, we can have that facility up and running. We are hoping to create at least 100 jobs by June/July when we finish the first phase of the construction of that facility. Our priority is to give the jobs to those who would have lost jobs from GuySuCo,” Singh said.

Additionally, he thanked and applauded the Government for the recent announcement that corporate taxes would be reduced from 2019.

The event was also attended by Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally and Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams.

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endless discrimination she experienced at the hands of those close to her was heartbreaking.

However, she said that she has been receiving counselling and with the

By Lakhram Bhagirat

“I

have been living with HIV for 15 years now and I am thankful for every passing day that I have here. Some days I just sit down alone and wonder what my life would be if I had been taught how to protect myself from an early state,” Maria says.

Maria (not her real name) is a 35-year-old accountant who has been living with HIV for over 15 years and according to her, every day has been nothing short of “lifechanging”. I sat down with Maria and she related her life-changing story detailing her depression and discrimination.

Going back to her early days, Maria said she grew up in a traditional Indian family that valued boundaries. She said that her mother was always the enforcer and would teach her and her two sisters how to be “decent girls”. She said that education played an integral role in their lives, but there were certain things that were restricted.

While growing up, she explained, there were crushes along the way, but she was never taught about sex.

“The first time I heard about sex was when I was in Form Four and the teacher was teaching us about reproduction and we were learning about how babies are made. She told us about sex and everyone

in the class was silent and when she explained what it was, then we all were just giggling,” she related.

Maria said that she was 18 when she met her late husband who was six years older.

“My husband was the first man I have ever been with and after I met him, my parents were not too happy that we were courting. You know how Indian parents are and after we was courting for three months, we got married,” Maria explained.

Maria got pregnant a few months later, but eventually suffer a miscarriage after she slipped in the bathroom.

She was just about three months pregnant when she suffered her miscarriage and after that her life changed for the worse. Worse in every sense, according to her, since after that her husband went on a downward spiral.

He began drinking and eventually became abusive towards her.

“He would beat me up when he came home drunk and had sweet woman and so. I was not happy with him, but my mother did not want us to separate, so I stayed with him. I started to get sick and one day I vomit blood so my mother-inlaw rush me to the hospital. When I went there, they did a lot of tests and so on. Then they tell me that I have HIV,” she related.

Amid tears, Maria

continued: “When they told me about the HIV I was surprised, because I never had sex with anyone else except my husband. My mother-in-law bring me home and tell my husband. He beat me right in front of she and telling me that I got man make I get AIDS. Them put me out and I had to go back by my mother.”

When she returned to her mother’s home, it was another scene. Her mother refused to allow her into the house because she was a “disgrace” to the family and with nowhere to go, she slept in her mother’s yard. The next morning her mother ran her out of the home and word started to quickly spread that she had the “big truck”.

A cousin of hers took her in and she still lives with her to this day.

“After I moved in with my cousin, I had to get a job and I never work before. My cousin eventually get a job for me as an accounts clerk with the Ravina Store and from there I start to further my studies in accounting. I left Ravina Store and now working with a tax consultancy firm,” she said.

Maria tells me the

Feature 29

support of her cousin, she has been able to pull through.

“I am thankful. I am really thankful that my cousin took me in when no one wanted

me. I would be forever grateful. It is hard to be HIV positive and all alone. No one should be alone.” (Times Sunday Magazine)

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Removing the mask…

W …of political deceit

ell! Well! Well! Who says you can’t go back home?? Raphael Trotman, Leader of the AFC, certainly showed Tom Wolff he was wrong when he wrote his famous novel of that name.

But then, unlike Wolff and his town folks, Trotman’s been very careful not to throw any brickbats at his old comrades in the PNC, hasn’t he?? And now that he’s offered absolution to the beleaguered Chairman of the PNC, Volda Lawrence, when not a single PNC leader would, he’s ensured he has at least one friend in high places in the once and always paramount party!!

Trotman has always been a very transparent, if odd, egg! A devotee of Burnham and his wily ways, he was brought into the PNC by Desmond Hoyte, who wanted to remake the thug image of the party he inherited. Trotman had impeccable League of Coloured People credentials, and took to politics like duck to (muddy) waters. So he had no compunction to be the one who egged on Hoyte into extremist behaviour after the 2001 defeat with the slogan: “The PPP must be exposed; opposed and deposed”, yet demanded that the PNC “apologise” for its excesses.

When Hoyte unexpectedly passed away in 2002, Trotman demanded he be made “leader or nothing”!

Corbin, who’d apprentised at the feet of Burnham himself in the art and practice of “wiliness”, ensured he got “nothing”!! It didn’t take much from one foreign embassy to persuade Trotman (as well as another frustrated, opportunistic, wannabe leader from the PPP – Ramjattan) to launch out on his own.

They say “two man crab cyan live in de same hole” and the relationship between Trotman and Ramjattan was always tenuous at best in the AFC they formed.

Poutings, withdrawals and returns became the order of the day with Trotman. But when the PNC under Granger’s leadership chose him as the Speaker of the House over Nagamootoo, your Eyewitness knew (and wrote) that Trotman had knocked on the PNC’s door.

Then the APNU/AFC Coalition won the 2015 election, and Trotman cryptically revealed he’d struck a demarche with Granger at a meeting in Nassau, Bahamas. But from the high of being the blue-eyed boy in charge of oil, which was handed to the coalition on a platter, Trotman was cast into the doghouse after he blew the oil contract negotiations with Exxon.

His outlier backing of Lawrence, therefore, must be seen as part of his frantic efforts to be rehabilitated into the PNC, since he’d long concluded the AFC was “dead meat”, consisting only of the carcasses of Ramjattan and Nagamootoo!

Lawrence, however, should be careful of Trotman’s importuning. Like Brutus, he has that “mean and hungry look”! …from the Budget On Monday, the Budget debate began. Your Eyewitness hopes that, unlike him, you’re not one of the countless thousands frustrated by the barricades around Public Buildings! He isn’t sure why they’re worried about the noise from passing cars, since that can’t possibly drown out the cacophony from the duelling MPs inside!!

Be that as it may, this year the PNC’s made it easier for us to evaluate the Budget. And don’t think it was only PNC Volda Lawrence who articulated the thrust of the Government’s spending with her now (in) famous utterance: “The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC; and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese, and ah want one that is PNC!” Even before the LGE, Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who crafted the Budget, had apologised to the PNC faithful at Stabroek Market Square, and declared with a wink, “We have not forgotten that it’s you who put us here.”

Let’s now count the ways of remembrance! …of Green Development The PNC Government boasts about its Green Strategy Development Programme; yet we’re just informed by PNC Chairman of Region 10, Renis Morian, that President Granger agreed to a refinery at Linden!

Will the smoke be green?

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ature has the uncanny ability to transcend us from a place of worry to one where we are in tune with our inner being and at peace. Guyana is nature rich but quite often we do not take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. We are too caught up in making money, which is good, but ever so often we should take a break, get barefooted and connect with the earth. Among the uncountable places, we can go connect is the Pandama Retreat.

Pandama is located along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and offers a unique experience. There are several activities for you to do so that you can reconnect. You can do that while sipping on some locally made wines. So grab your bathing suit and head down to Pandama where you will not regret one second. (Photos by Deopaul Somwaru)

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T

he talent in Guyana remains immeasurable but the avenues to channel them remains limited. However, that does not stop young people from forging ahead and making a name for themselves. Last week, we focused on some of the elegant evening gowns designed by young Naomi Murray and this week are going to focus on another aspect of her talent. Not only does she go overboard to create the most elegant and stylish dresses but Naomi also creates unique accessories as depicted in the photos below. Her eye for creativity knows no boundaries and quite often the end product is one that leaves her clients speechless. Here are a few bags and hair accessories designed by Naomi. (Photos compliments of Naomi Murray) (Times Sunday Magazine)

2

4-yearold Ashley Beharry describes herself as someone who is obsessed with everything that is related to makeup.

Ashley is a self-taught makeup artist. She recalled that she started watching makeup videos on YouTube at a young age. Presently, this beauty expert is producing her own makeup videos using the same medium.

She explained that she started getting into wigs and weaves and braids in 2015. “I love the fact that you could have all different colors and styles without damaging your hair. I love teaching people how to do makeup and I also love doing makeup on myself and others. I feel like makeup is a considered a hobby and I feel like it’s a great hobby for females or males to get into”.

Ashley is always willing to engage with anyone on makeup tips. Feel free to hit her up on the various social media sites if you have any ques-

tions or issues regarding anything to do with beauty (makeup, hair etc.)

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Teacher allegedly beaten by Report into Fly Jamaica secondary school student crash presented to Cabinet

Injured teacher, Gangadin Sebarat-Isaacs

A

school teacher had to seek medical attention on Saturday after she was attacked and beaten by a student of the Number 8 Secondary School on the West Coast of Berbice.

The injured woman, Gangadin Sebarat-Isaacs, acting Head Teacher of the Number Five Primary School, was reportedly heading home when the incident occurred.

She recalled that she — along with her three children, aged 11, five and 3 years old — had just left her mother’s home when the suspect, a 16-yearold, saw her walking in the company of her children and approached her.

The teacher said she pulled her 3-yearold to the side as the two older ones stepped in front of her.

“He passed the two of them and he stop in front of me, so I ask him if he don’t see.” She related that the teenager walked into her son and then pushed her down to the ground. She noted that as she was on the ground, the fifth form student bend over her and kissed her on her lips.

“He go to do it again and I spit. I don’t know if the spit catch him, but with that he start cuffing me. He cuff me on my face… Right now my whole face hurting, my head hurting, my teeth hurting, my skin that he cuff and so hurting…,” the teacher explained.

Guyana Times International understands that this lad had previously been charged for his alleged implication in a series of offences that are being investigated.

It has also been reported that after the teenager was arrested, his parents contacted someone in authority and he was released.

Another fifth form student of the Number 8 Secondary School had, in September, also attacked a teacher.

That teacher had allegedly been put in a vice and dragged around the school compound before two male teachers had come to her rescue.

That teacher was at the time attempting to protect a second form student from the physical advances of a male fifth form student.

Chase-Green, King face heat

E

vidence presented to the Commission of Inquiry has indicated that outgoing Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen and Town Clerk Royston King had not been working collectively to meet the needs of the city.

This was shared by the Chairman of the CoI, Justice Cecil Kennard, who told the Local Government Commission (LGC) and media operatives that neglect has been one of the key traits shared by senior officials at City Hall.

“I’m convinced that the Town Clerk and the Mayor are not working in the best interest of the city…To sum it all, most of the woes of the City Council have been due to neglect and mismanagement by the top officers of the Council”, he said.

He divulged that the Commission’s judgment of the staff’s performance and accountability was accurate, since it was not politically driven. This is evident in the fact that the LGC is an independent agency tasked with spearheading local organs.

“These are (members of) the main management team, and if they are incompetent or neglectful, are we going to keep them in those positions? I must make it abundantly clear…that this was

Outgoing Mayor Patricia Chase-Green

not a Commission set up by the Government, so no politics was involved. It was set up by the Local Government Commission, a constitutional body; and they are independent of any Ministry or Government.”

Forensic audit

The report recommends that a forensic audit be conducted as part of an extension to the investigation, and “criminal charges” must be laid against all staff who are found accountable.

The matter of the lease was raised once again, and the Chairman was under the impression that King’s actions of leasing property not owned by the city “may very well” lead to criminal charges.

“I’m recommending that there be further in-

vestigation in the form of a forensic audit to be conducted by the Audit Office of Guyana… By granting a lease of property when the land is not owned by City Hall, a misrepresentation (has been committed), and may very well amount to a criminal offence”, the Chairman has said.

It was mentioned in the report that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited lawfully own the property via a vesting order. Quick Shipping Incorporated, the company that currently operates from the piece of land at Lot 1 Mudflat, Lombard Street, has been asked to make contact with NICIL at the earliest.

Legal representative

Another

recommen-

T

he report into the emergency landing of the Fly Jamaica aircraft has been presented to Cabinet even as Government condemned the alleged theft committed by fire fighters.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon revealed that Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson presented the report, complete with details on the incident, to cabinet. Harmon also noted that Cabinet was briefed about the alleged theft.

He noted that these allegations have tarnished Guyana’s international image. However, the Minister acknowledged subsequent reports that the fire fighters in question have been charged and released on bail.

“The Minister briefed Cabinet on a number of details, including persons who sustained injuries. He also reported that there were alleged acts of theft by firemen who first arrived at the scene. Cabinet noted the report and expressed the wish that those injured receive a speedy recovery,” Harmon detailed.

“Cabinet also condemned as reprehensible the (allegations against the) firemen who allegedly stole personal items belonging to the crew, noting that (these allegations have) seriously tarnished Guyana’s image,” Harmon said.

The Fly Jamaica aircraft had taken off from CJIA on November 9, 2018, destined for Toronto, Canada. It is understood that the flight encountered hydraulic problems after some time, and returned to Timehri, where it crash-landed.

The tragedy has claimed the life of 85-year-old Rookhia Kalloo, a pensioner who was on the flight. The Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (Pink Box) have dation made is that the Council should establish a functioning legal division, with an attorney-atlaw who can assist in any legal matters that arise.

Given the fact that legal matters are dealt with every day, Justice Kennard made it clear that one individual should be entirely responsible for all legal issues. “[I recommend] that the council employ, as soon as possible, a qualified legal personnel to hold the legal office. At the moment, from my understanding, there is no legal office. Why this position must be filled is because legal issues arise on a day-to-day basis, and there must be a lawyer on the spot to deal with that.

You cannot have lawyers working ad hoc on one case and then do another case. You must have

both since been sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States.

In fact, NTSB was one of several safety, transportation and regulatory bodies from both local and overseas that were included in an investigative team probing the emergency landing of the aircraft.

This was according to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, who during the 99th Sitting of the National Assembly a week ago had revealed that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is conducting an independent investigation into the incident.

“GCAA will be conducting this investigation,” Patterson had explained.

“As indicated, 128 persons were on board. On evacuation, a total of 10 passengers were taken to the Diamond hospital with the assistance of CJIA ambulance, while the others were examined at CJIA. An independent investigation is ongoing in examining the aircraft and operations on the morning of the accident and review of the standard operating procedures.

“The Jamaican Civil Aviation Authority and the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States were notified. An investigative team has been established, including of the GCAA representing the state of occurrence, the US National Safety Board representing the state of registry, and commercial airline engineers representing the manufacturers,” Patterson had added.

Besides these agencies, Patterson revealed, the Canadian Transportation and Safety Board and the AIG Regional Cooperation Mechanism (ARCM) were also subsequently advised and invited to provide technical assistance to the GCAA.

Town Clerk Royston King

somebody there to deal with all legal issues.”

This recommendation comes after a noconfidence motion was brought against the Town Clerk by former Councillor Sherod Duncan, and the mayor allowed King to seek advice from his lawyer,

Maxwell Edwards, which was later presented to the Council. The CoI is maintaining that independent legal advice should have been obtained, which can be made available if the Council appoints a legal representative.

36 NEWS

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WPA’s sole Cabinet member endorses budget

Public Service Minister and WPA member, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

– calls Budget 2019 a “generous” one

T

he latest supporter of the 2019 Budget has turned out to be Public Service Minister and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) only representative in the Cabinet, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.

WPA is one of several smaller parties that comprise A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

While WPA executive and political activist Dr David Hinds has been critical of some of the budget’s shortcomings, Roopnaraine made no mention of any of this during his speech on the first day of budget debates.

Instead, Roopnaraine has said the budget makes a case for the coalition Government’s worthiness as leaders.

He used glowing epithets to laud the budget, which he noted would contribute to Guyana’s proverbial “El Dorado”.

According to the Minister, the budget is a “generous” one, and contains several positive measures. Here he revealed that a number of

scholarship opportunities will be given priority in oil and gas-related areas that include petroleum data management.

“One of the primary innovations that this administration has brought to transforming public service management is the introduction of a Planning and Analysis Unit. The purpose of this unit is to provide evidence-based oversight for the service offered to Guyanese, and ensuring there is value for money in the distribution of scholarships,” he said.

He noted that the unit has a priority subject area formula it works with when scholarships are distributed. He noted that the United Kingdom is Guyana’s primary international partner for such training opportunities, particularly in the Master’s degree level.

For much of his presentation, Roopnaraine concentrated on training and scholarship opportunities in the Public Service, which he noted must be prepared to manage in an oil and gas

economy.

“It is against this backdrop that the lion’s share to my Ministry goes towards academic scholarships — G$1.5 billion, representing a 50 per cent increase from last year,” Roopnaraine said.

Perhaps cognisant of criticisms that scholarships are being selectively awarded under the coalition Government, Roopnaraine voiced expectations that the Opposition would carry out a “dogged interrogation” of his Ministry’s funds.

While Roopnaraine has thrown his support behind the budget, a number of organisations and observers have been critical of some of the measures (or lack thereof) contained in budget 2019.

For instance, the Private Sector Commission said in a statement last week that it was mainly concerned about the level of proposed overall tax revenue on businesses and individuals; as Budget

Trinidad hunter killed cop, thinking he was wildlife (Trinidad Express)

P

olice officers are expected to be advised by the Director of Public Prosecutions for a recommendation on whether charges can be laid against a man held after the fatal shooting of a police officer in the Blanchisseusse forest last Thursday night.

The suspect, a 35-year-old man, spent the weekend at the Barataria Police Station.

Police constable Dave Raghonanan was sitting near a tree when he was allegedly shot by a member of a group on a hunting trip.

One of the hunters allegedly saw the glimmer in the eyes of Raghonanan, 35, and shot him in the face shortly before midnight.

Raghonanan was airlifted out of the forest on Friday morning and taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the suspect did not have a Firearm Users’ License to carry the 12 gauge shotgun used in the shooting, and was expected to be charged with possession of firearm and ammunition.

Investigations into the shooting are being carried out by officers of Homicide Region I. Detectives took statements

from the hunting party and returned with them to the location of the incident for them to explain how it happened.

Raghonanan, of Diamond Village, San Fernando, and seven other men had gone on a hunting trip at Petite Tacarique, Paria.

Petit Tacariqe Bay is located on an isolated islet off Blanchisseuse, which can only be accessed via boat or helicopter.

What happened

At around 10 p.m. Thursday the constable and three other men on the trip left their lodge to go out into the forest to hunt.

Police said members of the trip told them that Raghonanan and the others were hunting under cold conditions on the isolated forested island, when he got a cramp.

Police were told that Raghonanan’s fellow hunters placed him against a tree to rest, and continued their hunt.

However, the alleged shooter saw the glimmer in Raghonanan’s eyes and fired a shot, which struck him in the face.

A member of the hunting team returned to the camp and told the four others of the incident, and they contacted authorities.

Around midnight officers attached to the Blanchisseuse Police Station received

H

2019 projects a 9.9 per cent increase in revenue, while the economy is projected to grow by 4.6 per cent.

“Most importantly, there is no provision for relief on energy costs, which are stifling businesses,” it said.

Worrying, too, is the impact of Budget 2019 upon the foreign reserves of the Central Bank; an impact that does not appear to have taken cognisance of the need to cushion against external shocks to which the country and its currency are vulnerable,” the statement added.

Nevertheless, the PSC had said it was pleased that Budget 2019 contained several measures — such as the raising of the tax threshold, which it had proposed for the relief of the tax burden upon employees, and the monies earmarked for hinterland airstrips.

Another assessment of the budget had come from auditing firm Ram and McRae in its annual publication of Budget

u m a n Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 35 million lives so far with 940,000 people dying from HIV-related causes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In Guyana, the Public Health Ministry reported that there have been some 247 new cases of HIV recorded at the end of May 2018.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, during his 2019 Budget presentation, said that the incidence of HIV appears to be rising, with the 20-29 age group showing the highest incidence – 32 per cent of all newly-reported cases in 2017.

“This disease also relies on our lifestyle choices, specifically our decision to use protection, commit to continuous testing and diligently follow treatment prescribed.

The Government will continue its public awareness, surveillance and follow-up programmes. We have committed to the international 90-90-90 Treat All Policy towards the eradication of HIV,” he said.

To combat HIV and noncommunicable diseases, Government has allocated $1.6 billion for family health care services in 2019.

HIV targets the immune system and weakens the defence systems against infec-

Focus. The firm had called out the 2019 budget recently presented for having little to no provisions for the poor, women and gender issues, and other critical matters like the Berbice Bridge, now headed to court after Government took it over.

The firm, which was founded by anti-corruption advocate Christopher Ram, acknowledged the provisions in the budget for people with disabilities; the employed and selfemployed; and Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s stamina for having presented the almost five-hour-long budget speech uninterrupted.

tions and some types of cancer.

As the virus destroys and impairs the function of immune system cells, infected individuals gradually become immunodeficient. Immune function is typically measured by CD4 cell count.

It is reported that over 36.9 million people are living with HIV at the end of 2017, with 1.8 million people becoming newly infected in 2017 globally.

Some 59 per cent of adults and 52 per cent of children living with HIV were receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2017. Global ART coverage for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV is high at 80 per cent, the WHO said.

In Guyana, HIV accounts for over 200 deaths annually, with over 8500 people living with the infection. The records indicate that 58 per cent of the infected persons were accessing treatment. The key populations most affected by HIV in Guyana include sex workers, transgender persons and prisoners.

Government has been making every effort to tackle the increase in HIV cases; however, there are several issues along the way. Because of the disparity between the coastland and hinterland, health care is not accessible to all as was reported when it was revealed that pregnant women

According to the firm, however, the budget “is silent on women and gender issues; single mothers; the unemployed, including the unemployed; recently the National Insurance Scheme; and the Berbice Bridge, which the Government took over earlier this month.”

“These inevitably lead us to conclude, as we did last year, that this Administration does not seem to regard income and wealth inequality as serious issues; and accordingly, there is nothing in the Budget that could be considered a pro-poor step,” the firm had stated.

in the hinterland regions are not receiving HIV tests. This would have been quickly addressed, as it was explained that the lack of testing is owed to some lapses in the delivery system resulting in the late delivery of the testing kits.

The revelation was one of the official findings of the Study on Indigenous Women and Children in 12 communities, conducted by the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry in collaboration with UNICEF. The study was conducted in villages located in all the administrative regions, including Akawini, Santa Mission, St Cuthbert Mission, Moraikobai, Orealla/Siparuta and River View. The global goal is to eliminate HIV by the year 2030 and achieve the 90-90-90 plan whereby 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90 per cent of the persons who are tested are treated and 90 per cent of those who are treated go into virus suppression.

Youth activists have been calling for a comprehensive sexual education curriculum to be introduced in public schools, noting that it can go a long way in educating children holistically. The Government has made very little strides in the area despite repeated calls from various sections of society. (Times Sunday Magazine)

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38 FEATURE

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Annai

T

he Rupununi is by far one of the most picturesque areas in Guyana. The vast savannahs surrounded by the hills and mountains creates the best experience for someone who is all about adventure and wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to enjoy the calmness that the Rupununi exudes. The Rupununi is also the home to several of Guyana’s Indigenous tribes who still practice their traditional way of life. It is an amazing experience to go hunting is the vast creeks or forest with the Indigenous people as they teach you not only to shoot a bow and arrow properly but also the numerous uses of the plants within our reach. Everybody should have the Rupununi experience at least once in his or her lifetime. (Photos provided by Kapohn) (Times Sunday Magazine) Hill overlooking Annai

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Jamaica PM disappointed with slow progress on CSME

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (Jamaica Observer)

P

rime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday expressed disappointment with what he described as “uneven” implementation of decisions made at Caricom’s 39th Heads of Government meeting in Montego Bay last July.

Holness said that in some respects, the leaders have sought to get things done by following through and implementing some critical decisions, with a view to making the mechanisms within Caricom rational and functional.

“However, it cannot have escaped your notice that even with this renewed energy and additional meetings, that implementation of our decisions remains uneven and less than optimal,” he told the Caricom Heads of Government 18th Special Meeting, which is focused on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Holness noted that he would soon be concluding his six-month term as chairman of the Conference of Heads of the 45-year-old community, but he was reaching the end of his tenure with mixed feelings.

He said that he felt a sense of pride in the renewed energy placed behind efforts to make good on the commitments made to the estimated 16 million citizens of the region.

He said that the twoday meeting, which is being held in Port-of-Spain, is looking at increasing the rate of implementation of the CSME and making sure the benefits

are available for community nationals.

Holness said, however, that he is encouraged by the fact that the community has a long tradition of dialogue and compromise.

“For this reason, I remain convinced that our deliberations over these two days will culminate in unity of purpose and consensus on a strategy to not only expedite the CSME implementation process across member states, but to also make the CSME more effective,” he added.

He noted the momentum generated at the 39th Regular Session in Montego Bay to activate work that had been dormant since 2013, and the fact that leaders had taken an important step to respond to the concerns of community nationals who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity when they are denied entry into a member state.

“We adopted the Procedures on the Refusal of Entry, which provide the much-needed guarantee that the rights of community nationals will be safeguarded when member states assess that they are undesirable and will be a charge on the public purse. I trust we have all taken the necessary steps to implement the procedures at our respective ports of entry,” Holness said.

The two-day meeting, which is being chaired

by Holness, is looking at increasing the rate of implementation of the CSME and making sure the benefits are available for community nationals.

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46 FEATURE

By L akhram Bhagirat

“I

remember it as though it was just yesterday when in fact it has been six years now. It was a Wednesday morning and I went to GRPA (Guyana Responsible P a r e n t h o o d Association) for an HIV test and there my world shattered. I was nervous as hell and then they drew the blood and sent me upstairs to talk to the counsellor and await the results.

I think I waited like about half hour for the results, but it seemed like it was days. When I was called into the room, the counsellor told me I was HIV positive and I was crushed.

I don’t remember anything he said after that, but all I know is I got home somehow and cried for days,” James tells me.

I met James about eight years ago while working at Qualfon and we have been friends ever since. He is the father of a beautiful nineyear-old girl. Because

P

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

of the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, James agreed to share his story with me but on the condition of anonymity.

Therefore, to protect his identity I changed his name but his story remains the same.

To understand James’s story, you have to go back to his “troubled” childhood. He was born and raised in the community of Albouystown. Now at 29, James tell me when he was just about 10 years old, his mother died and he went to live with an aunt who never paid attention to him, since she had four children of her own.

She only took care of him because his father would financially support the family.

He said that although he was given the basic necessities as well as a fair chance at getting an education, he never felt a sense of belonging since no one took the time to ask how he was coping after his mother’s death. He eventually got caught up with the

re-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP as it is referred to, is a pill that can reduce the risk of contracting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in persons who are HIV negative. The daily pill, under the Truvada brand, can result in 90 to 98 per cent protection against the disease and caters mainly for those whose partners are HIV positive.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pre-exposure prophylaxis is when people at very high risk for HIV take HIV medicines daily to lower their chances of getting infected. A combination of two HIV medicines (tenofovir and emtricitabine) is approved for daily use as PrEP to help prevent a HIV-negative person from getting HIV from a sexual or injection-drug-using partner who is positive. Studies have shown that PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV if it is used as prescribed. PrEP is much less effective when it is not taken consistently.

When taken every day, PrEP is safe and highly

“wrong crew” and began using drugs at the age of 15 and from there, things began going out of control.

Tragedy would strike once again after his father died when he was 19 and he was left orphaned. He would eventually venture off on his own, but with limited passes at CXC, a proper job was hard to come by.

“When my father died, it was tough because I have nobody in my corner so I went and get a place to rent and at that time I was working at a store in town (Georgetown) and I got involved with my child mother. We move in together and sometime after she get pregnant and get my daughter. I try to be a good father to she and give she all she want,” he tells me.

However, after his daughter was born, the relationship became rocky since they were always pressed for

money; there was very little he could have done. He had a friend who was working at Qualfon so he asked him to get a job there for him. Eventually, he got a job at Qualfon as a Customer Service Representative while his common-law wife continued working at the store.

“When I start working at Qualfon, I was on the night shift so when she was at work, I was home and when I home, she at work so we grow apart. I meet this girl at Qualfon that was on my team, and me and she develop a relationship. My girl find out and then she just pack up and went by she mother. I didn’t try to bring she back, because I say is best we separate,” he explained.

Now, if he could have gone back in time, he would have taken a different course of action. What James did not know was the girl he met at Qualfon was

effective in preventing HIV infection.

Recently, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) advocacy organisation SASOD conducted a study on the drug and produced a report, which was submitted to the National AIDS Programme Secretariat as well as the Public Health Ministry in a move to advocate for the introduction of PrEP. The study included 47 persons from Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) targeted the level of knowledge, attitudes and delivery preferences in relation to PrEP. SASOD is considered a pioneer in the fight for human rights especially those of the LGBT communities.

According to SASOD, during the study, it was revealed that while a

HIV positive.

“After me girl move out and so, lil’ bit after I get sick and I wasn’t feeling right. So I didn’t take it for anything and one day me friend was going to do an AIDS test and he tell me ‘let we go’. When I go, it was then I find out I had the truck (HIV/AIDS),” he remembered.

When I asked him what he felt after his diagnosis, James said it was all numbness for a few days. He said he could not eat or go to work. He even contemplated suicide, since he knew very little about HIV other than it would lead to death. However, he confided in the mother of his daughter who took him to the hospital where he was put on Antiretrovirals (ARVs) and he made some lifestyle changes.

He said that now he takes care of his body by eating healthy, exercising and making sure that he takes his medication always.

“I want to be around for a long time. I want to see my daughter married and see grandkids. I want people out there to know that they have to be careful when it comes to sex and if you are HIV positive, just know that it is not the end of the world.

You can live a healthy and long life. You just need to take care of yourself,” he said.

James has since left his job at Qualfon. After leaving, he rewrote CXC and ventured into the accounting world.

He is currently a CAT student and working as an accounts clerk for a private company. He does not let his HIV status define what he can and cannot do, rather he strives to achieve all he can while he has the strength just to show his daughter that no matter the obstacle, hard work and determination are the keys to gaining success. (Times Sunday Magazine)

majority of the respondents were interested in the benefits of the pill, they were concerned about the costs attached and the HIV stigma that follows when seeking information about PrEP. However, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud has since indicated that Government is cautious about introducing PrEP, since it may increase risky behaviour.

The advocates for PrEP say the drug is timely and its introduction could be a game changer in Guyanese society. (Times Sunday Magazine)

PNC ethnic politics

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Blame game…

J

…by Nagamootoo on sugar workers

ust when you thought the drama over Volda Lawrence’s frank avowal of her government’s “PNConly employment policy” would be dominating Moses Nagamootoo’s attention, he devoted his Chronic column to blaming sugar workers for the medical challenges that led to his triple by-pass last February.

At the time, your Eyewitness thought it was the PNC’s shredding of the Feb 14, 2015 Cummingsburg Accord, which had promised a Prime Ministership on steroids, but had instead delivered Larwah!

Lest your Eyewitness be accused of putting words into the PM’s mouth let him quote the latter verbatim: “Earlier this year, sugar was a big lump in my heart and had driven me to a near-death experience. But, as I look back, I can say for sure that the decision to sever some estates was a sensible one, and the three factories that remain, like my triple-heart surgery (in Feb 2018) has done for me, have been given a new lease on life.”

Is this guy for real? The closure of Wales and the tossing of 1300 of its workers into the streets (the remainder were ordered to Uitvlugt, 20 miles away) was revealed by this paper in December 2016. Four months later, Nagamootoo’s boss, David Granger announced in Berbice three other plantations would be shuttered – Albion, Rose Hall and Enmore and another 4000 workers would be thrown onto the breadline.

Where was Nagamootoo to avoid heart palpitations then?? Sleeping like Rip van Winkle, after a long bout with Bush Rum? Or did he think Granger was joking, since he, Nagamootoo, had boasted to those same Berbice workers he’d persuaded Granger in 2015 to change his mind on shuttering sugar. Granger up to then had been consistent on his sugar policy and his temporary “change of heart” was obviously pure expedience to have the AFC and Nagamootoo overcome their “dead meat” fears.

But in January 2018, before Nagamootoo’s palpitations, his Party Chairman and cohort, Khemraj Ramjattan had offered his rationale for sugar’s closure to some Enmore workers who’d been fired the preceding December: “Probably it was destined that way. Probably God wanted it that way that we have to make the decision now…The thing need certain closures…so what is the big deal?” Yup! That’s right – he blamed God!!

Now Nagamootoo must be a real sensitive fella to have had cardiac palpitations when his landsman Ramjattan could dismiss the matter so cavalierly. But then again, at the time Ramjattan was blaming God, Nagamootoo’s son-in-law Tony Joseph was inspecting Skeldon Factory with the Indian firm Srinath Ispat hoping to buy it over.

Was it Government’s rebuff of that gambit that possibly caused Nagamootoo’s palpitations rather than sugar workers’ plight? …by Nagamootoo on Constitutional Change Before and during the 2015 elections, “Constitutional Change” was the mantra of Moses Nagamootoo and the AFC. Nagamootoo took personal charge of this promise to the people – and why not?

If successful, among other far-reaching changes, the coalition’s Manifesto promised a diminution of the President’s powers; his separate election and a Prime Minister whose powers would be heavily augmented.

Not bad for the man who’d be occupying the PM’s seat and had gotten Larwah!!

Within three months of taking office, Nagamootoo set up a Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform under the stewardship of eminent lawyer Nigel Hughes to take recommendations from the citizens of our fair land. After months of diligent hearings, the recommendations were handed over to Nagamootoo.

By mid-2017, he submitted “An act to establish a Constitutional Reform Consultative Commission to assist the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform” to Parliament. He’s now blaming the latter Committee for the stasis on Constitutional Change!

What was he doing up to now? Sleeping like Rip van Winkle? Or does he like Larwah? …by Nagamootoo but not on Volda Now that PNC Chair Volda Lawrence has declared the PNC will be using Government jobs as the honey to attract Indian Guyanese support, shouldn’t Nagamootoo be blaming her for putting the final nail in the AFC’s coffin?

47

By Ravi Dev

V

olda Lawrence, Chairwoman of the PNCR, has created quite a firestorm over her comments to her party faithful at a Region 4 conclave to conduct a post mortem on the LGE and to chart a way forward to 2020. Throwing the usual politically correct political platitudes we usually hear in the public pronouncements of politicians, Ms Lawrence bluntly told her audience that when it comes to jobs, “The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC; and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese, and ah want one that is PNC!” This is remarkable for a host of reasons, not the least for what it portends for the unemployed in the country who are not members of the PNC or friends of Ms Lawrence.

Unemployment is a major challenge to achieving the promised “good life” that Ms Lawrence’s Government promised in 2015, with 12.2 per cent of the working age population out of work, according to a survey conducted in the third quarter of 2017. A good chunk of that unemployed

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population if from the sugar belt, where some 7000 persons were unilaterally fired by the PNC Government when they closed four of the seven sugar estates of GuySuCo. Most of those workers are PPP supporters.

The Chairperson of the PNC – who not so incidentally is also the Minister of Health – is therefore telling those unemployed that unless they pick up a PNC party card, there is no hope of them getting employed by the Government or in Government-funded projects.

From “Produce or Perish”, the new Government slogan is evidently “Be PNC or Perish”, since the policies of the PNC Government have stifled private sector expansion and public investment, and are holding up growth right now. Apart from such a policy being discriminatory on its face, it implicitly violates the constitutionally protected right of “freedom of association” by placing supporters of the PPP or other parties than the PNC in an invidiously untenable position to act on their freedom of conscience.

It appears, however,

atiricus was quite upbeat as he ambled towards the Back Street Bar. Ever since he quit the KFC party, he’d noticed they’d practically disappeared from the public’s eye. He didn’t mind, since he didn’t want to be blamed for jumping a sinking ship.

He’d cut ties much earlier, when Nagga Man boasted he’d whup the PPCEE in Whimsey.

He’d concluded the man had become delusional.

“Hey, Sato!” yelled Cappo, as Satiricus sidled into the seat next to him. “Wha’ yuh t’ink ‘bout de new May-ya?”

“What’s to think?” answered Satiricus.

“We don’t know anything about him.”

“Da na true!” interjected Bungi. “Abee know ‘e a wan Maha Soopa pandit. Dem bin seh Burnt Ham a dem Gaad!”

“Bungi’s right,” said Hari. “The bannah come from a long line of PNC soup drinkers!”

“Well, he’ll get his soup,” smiled Satiricus.

“But it’ll be served from his predecessor’s ladle!”

that Ms. Lawrence is waiving the old standard from the 1970s, that one had to be a “born PNC” — read “African-Guyanese” — to collect the PNC card, to one where, if individuals of other ethnicities, especially Indian-Guyanese, hold their noses and join the PNC, their origins will be “forgiven”.

At the engagement with the PNC activists, referring to “people who look like us and people who look like Jagdeo”, she exhorted then to imitate the PPP, which evidently had fielded 28 AfricanGuyanese candidates out of 30 candidates for the Georgetown Municipal Elections, and recruit more members who “look like Jagdeo”.

But this position calls into question the PNC’s relationship with the AFC in the APNU/ AFC coalition that now governs the country, and which was supposed to bring in the IndianGuyanese based on their performance at the 2011 polls.

During the LGE campaign, Ms Lawrence had in fact been rather sharp in her criticism of the AFC, which had been forced to fly solo. Is she now signalling that the PNC would be using its

clout in the Government to buy Indian-Guyanese votes and dump the AFC? From a purely political perspective, this may make sense, since the PNC would not have to comply with the terms of the Cummingsburg Accord and allocate 40 per cent of the Cabinet to the AFC. If the AFC wants to remain relevant under this scenario, its leaders will have to join the PNC, as did several Members of Parliament from the PNC coalition partner, the UF, before the 1968 elections.

It would now appear that with the oil revenues in sight, Volda Lawrence is dangling the prospects of jobs and employment, which would be under the control of the PNC, to re-articulate the 1970s PNC policy to create an effective single-party state. Parties would be allowed to exist, but would effectively be shut out from having any input in Government policies.

But that implies the PNC would win the 2020 elections on its own.

Do they also have a technique from the 1970s to deal with that contingency?

“Suh yuh mean who feed de, daag can den call aff de daag?” asked Cappo with a cynical smile.

“Budday the lady said it openly before they SELECTED the Pandit,” said Satiricus. “She said she was looking for someone young, who she could GUIDE!” “Guide?” asked Bungi. “Yuh mean like how dem does ‘guide’ dem dankey fuh pull dem cyart wid wan 2 by 4!!”

“But when the Old Mayor advise the Pandit, I thought it was you fellas,” said Hari.

“Really?” said Cappo. “Wha’ she seh?”

“Not every smile, not every skin teeth, is a laugh; not every shut-eye is sleep, and there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing,” reported Hari.

“That’s all very true,” agreed Satiricus. “But there are also wolves in wolves’ clothing he has to look out for – like the old Mayor!!”

“If de guvment evah tek de Kennard CoI advice,” Bungi pointed out. “All dem wolf guh get jail!”

“Well, Rum Jaat is building a new jail at Camp Street,” said Hari. “But that’s only for those who break his 2am bar curfew!”

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Priyanka Chopra thanks Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his blessings

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riyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas hosted their first wedding reception in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The special guest who grabbed all the attention at the gala evening was Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM went to The Taj Palace hotel in New Delhi to congratulate the newlyweds. Later, the Quantico actor thanked him for his best wishes.

Sharing a photo of the PM at her wedding reception, Priyanka wrote on Instagram, “A heartfelt thank you to our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @ narendramodi ji for gracing us with your presence. Touched by your kind words and blessings. @nickjonas.”

Priyanka and Nick tied the knot on December 1 and 2 following the Christian and the Hindu traditions, respectively. The wedding took place at Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan in the presence of close friends and family members.

As the PM met Priyanka and Nick, he gifted them a red rose. He gave a similar gift to Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma when he attended their wedding reception in Delhi last year. In a video that has surfaced on social me-

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elebrity designer Manish Malhotra turned a year older on Wednesday. He rang in the special day on Tuesday night with close friends Karan Johar,

Sophie Choudry and Punit Malhotra among others at his home.

The designer shared photos and videos from his birthday celebrations on his Instagram account.

Earlier on Tuesday, he was surprised with a birth-

dia, the Desi Girl of Bollywood is seen introducing husband Nick and his family to Modi.

Nickyanka (as Priyanka and Nick’s fans address them) looked endearing as they posed for photographers before meeting the guests at the reception.

Priyanka wore a traditional lehenga and Nick opted for a black tuxedo for the evening. They also posed with their families including Priyanka’s mother Madhu Chopra along with Nick’s parents Paul Jonas and Denise Jonas at their wedding celebration in Delhi.

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas were also present at the reception.

About her wedding, Priyanka told People Magazine, “I love that our wedding was a religious mash-up. I could not hold it in. I think I was nervous and scared. But as soon as the curtains opened, and I saw his face it was just like everything settled and I knew I was making the best decision of my life” Now, the couple is expected to host a wedding reception in Mumbai for Priyanka’s friends and colleagues in the Indian film industry. (Indian Express)

day cake at his office.

In the videos, we see the designer cutting his birthday cake. Sophie arrived at the party with a bunch of balloons and a cake.

She also shared a picture

with Manish and wished him, “Happy Birthday to my most fave @manishmalhotra”. KJo hugged and wished dear friend Manish and was also seen clicking pictures at the party.

In the video, the filmmaker shared on Instagram,

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ctor Ronit Roy, who has started shooting for the upcoming film Shamshera, says he is proud to share the screen with actors Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt.

Ronit on Wednesday morning tweeted: “As I start shooting for ‘Shamshera’ on a magnificent set, I feel so proud to be a part of this movie, led superbly by our director Karan Malhotra and share the screen with Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt. Thank you Karan Malhotra and Yash Raj Films for having me in this one.”

Shamshera marks Ranbir’s comeback to the Yash Raj Films (YRF) ban-

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ner after nine years. Sanjay plays the merciless nemesis of Ranbir in the project.

The film, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, is part of Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) threemovie deal with filmmaker Karan Malhotra, who directed Agneepath and Brothers.

The shooting for Shamshera will wrap up by mid 2019.

Ranbir’s last two outings with YRF were Bachna Ae Haseeno and Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year.

The high-octane entertainer, produced by Yash Raj Films, promises “jaw-dropping action sequences”.

(Indian Express)

alman Khan continues to hold his numero uno position in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list. The Bhaijaan of Bollywood kept his place for the third time in a row, as Shah Rukh Khan dropped from last year’s

Akshay (2nd spot) had a decent run at the box office with Padman and Gold. His earnings stood at Rs 185 crore. Deepika (4th spot) had the superhit film Padmaavat in her kitty. This along with her endorsements kept her earnings at Rs

Dhoni filling the spots in between. Ajay Devgn was placed at the 10th position with an earning of Rs 74.5 crore.

This year’s list had superstars Shah Rukh Khan at number 13, Rajinikanth at 14 and Pawan Kalyan

second spot. Akshay Kumar stood at the third position and Deepika Padukone was fourth in the list.

The ranking period ran between October 1, 2017, and September 30, 2018. And Salman with his big money-making films like Tiger Zinda Hai and Race 3, apart from his brand endorsements and television appearances in Dus Ka Dum and Bigg Boss 12, ensured he topped the chart with an earning of Rs 253.25 crore.

On the other hand,

112.8 crore.

Deepika, who recently got married to Ranveer Singh, is also the highest-earning female celebrity in the list. She also became the first female celebrity to find a place in the top five positions ever since the listing was launched in 2012.

Actors Aamir Khan (Rs 97.5 crore), Amitabh Bachchan (Rs 96.17 crore) and Ranveer Singh (Rs 84.67 crore) held the sixth, seventh and eighth positions, respectively, with sportspersons Virat Kohli and MS

at 24. Music maestro AR Rahman is the top name in the ‘Singers & Musician’ category at spot 11, with an earning of Rs 66.75 crore.

Apart from SRK slipping down the list, newly married Priyanka Chopra also lost her seventh spot from last year.

She is placed at the 49th position this time.

A total of 15 celebrities from south Indian film industry feature in the list, with Kollywood and Tollywood contributing seven actors each.

(Indian Express)

he was heard singing the birthday song. The caption of the video read, “Happy Birthday Manish!!!!” with the heart emojis.

On the work front, Manish is all set to enter

the make-up industry as well. The designer has collaborated with premium European make-up brand MyGlamm to launch a new line. The collection is called Manish Malhotra Haute Couture Makeup.

(Indian Express)

Hollywood 49

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

K

evin Hart has a new job — he will host the 2019 Academy Awards, a role the prolific actor-comedian says fulfills a longtime dream.

Hart announced his selection for the 91st Oscars in an Instagram statement on Tuesday. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences followed up with a tweet that welcomed him “to the family.”

The announcement came hours after trade publication The Hollywood Reporter posted a story calling the Oscars host position “the least wanted job in Hollywood.”

Hart clearly doesn’t feel that way, writing on Instagram that it has been on his list of dream jobs for years.

The 2019 Oscars will be broadcast on February 24.

“I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time…To be able to join the legendary list of hosts that have graced this stage is unbelievable,” Hart wrote.

“I know my mom is smiling from ear to ear right now.

“I will be sure to make sure this year’s Oscars are a special one,” Hart

wrote.

Hart takes over hosting duties from Jimmy Kimmel, who presided over the last two ceremonies, including 2016’s flub that resulted in the wrong best picture winner being announced. Last year’s ceremony saw all-time low ratings, and the film academy has announced a series of changes to the upcoming show.

Those include shortening the broadcast to three hours, and also presenting certain categories during commercial breaks and broadcasting excerpts of those winners’ speeches later in the show.

The 39-year-old Hart has become a bankable star with films such as Ride Along, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Night School.

Celebrities including Martin Lawrence and Chris Rock, who hosted the ceremony in 2005 and 2016, posted congratulatory messages about Hart’s selection Tuesday night.

“Damn I’ve lost another job to Kevin Hart,” Rock posted on Instagram, echoing a joke he told during his 2016 opening monologue . “They got the best person for the job.” (Indian Express)

Jackie Chan: I really was quite a nasty jerk

“I

really was quite a nasty jerk,” Hollywood star Jackie Chan wrote while revealing another aspect of his life in his memoir titled Never Grow Up. The book chronicles the martial arts expert’s early life and his battle with alcohol.

The first copy of the autobiography was published in Chinese in 2015.

On Tuesday, it was re-published in English.

Jackie Chan, in the book, also wrote about how his fame disrupted his private life.

“I drunk drove all the time. In the morning, I’d crash my Porsche, then in

the evening, I’d total a Mercedes-Benz.

All day long, I went around in a haze,” an excerpt from his book read.

Elaborating on his battle with alcohol, the megastar revealed that he once threw his son across the room in anger.

He wrote, “I picked him up with one hand and flung him across the room, and he crashed into the sofa. With the amount of force I used, if he’d hit the back or armrests, it could have been quite serious.”

The actor, however, also revealed that he immediately regretted his actions and swore to never do that again.

(Indian Express)

Eddie Murphy welcomes 10th child

E

ddie Murphy and his fiancee Paige Butcher have a new baby boy. The couple released a statement through Murphy’s publicist Monday saying Max Charles Murphy was born Friday and weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces.

The boy’s middle name is a tribute to Murphy’s older brother and fellow comedian Charlie Murphy, who died of leukemia last year.

It is the 10th child for the 57-year-old Eddie Murphy, the second child for the 39-yearold Butcher. The couple have a 2-year-old daughter, Izzy.

The Nutty Professor and Beverly Hills Cop

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quaman director James Wan has revealed that he wanted to make a Batman movie, but with a twist. The director, who is mainly known for his horror movies like The Conjuring, says his take on the Caped Crusader would have been horror.

At the Aquaman junket, Wan spoke to Heroic Hollywood. He said, “In the past, like most people, I loved the idea of directing Batman, but a horror version of Batman. That would be a potential fantasy of mine, but I feel like he’s been done quite a fair bit.

But, I do love the idea of doing an outright scary Batman. I feel like that’d

be really cool.”

Batman is indeed done many times before and in as much varied tones. Currently, Matt Reeves is developing a noir take on the character. Before that, Ben Affleck played an older, nihilistic version in Batman v Superman and a little more hopeful Batman in Justice League.

Christian Bale’s Batman in Christopher Nolan’s movies was a grounded Dark Knight whose suit was a military-grade armoured exoskeleton made up of several small parts.

Before that there was George Clooney’s forgettable Batman and before

that Michael Keaton’s gothic Caped Crusader.

Batman, due to his nature of being active in the night, has been associated with horror in comics as well. He has been an unseen terror for the criminals of Gotham.

There are various outand-out horror Batman stories like Batman and Dracula, Batman: Gothic, Dark Nights: Metal and so on.

James Wan’s Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson and others, will release in India on December 14, a week before its release in the US. (Indian Express)

actor has been dating the Australian model and actress since 2012, and they recently became engaged.

The statement says Butcher and the baby are doing well.

Murphy’s oldest child, Eric, is 29.

On the work front, Eddie is waiting for

the release of his film Dolemite Is My Name, a biographical project in which he will play the role of Rudy Ray Moore.

Murphy was last seen in Mr. Church in 2016, in which he played the title role of Henry Joseph Church. (Indian Express)

50 SPORT

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

West Indies tour of Bangladesh 2018

Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day Championships…

Another Test series, another defeat: Players 4-Day players eager to break into lacked application

Windies Test squad

Kieran Powell walks away in disappointment after he failed with the bat

By Brandon Corlette

T

he West Indies Test Team continues its downhill journey with a 2-0 defeat against a team ranked beneath them in the Test rankings.

After a 2-0 series defeat against a top ranked Indian Test team recently, Windies were expected to bounce back against a less threatening Bangladesh team.

The series was filled with negatives for Windies, but Shimron Hetmyer’s 222 runs in the two Tests were among the few positives.

West Indies lost to India and

Bangladesh in the four Test matches played in the sub-continent in 2018, where all the matches were completed inside three days. A team that once dominated Test cricket is now being terrorised by Test nations.

In the modern era, global T20 leagues are dominated by the West Indian players. The legendary Windies fast bowler Michael Holding opposed the shortest format of the game, since it has negatively impacted West Indies cricket.

How much players in the West Indies Test Team have been exposed to county cricket in England?

The standing Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who has been Jason Holder’s deputy in Tests, questioned shot selection by his fellow batsmen in a series where they were demolished by spin. In Braithwaite’s post-match interview, he added that the Caribbean team failed mentally throughout the series.

In the first Test match, Bangladesh trounced the West Indies by 64 runs in seven and a half sessions on a spiteful turner in Chittagong. Windies bowlers were sufficiently disciplined in the first innings to restrict Bangladesh

to 324, with Gabriel and Warrican picking up four wickets each. The batsmen continued to lack application in different game scenarios when they were bundled out for 246 runs. A young spinner, Nayeem Hasan, announced himself in Test cricket when he wreaked havoc, snatching 5-61 on debut.

In the first Test, the bowlers had a decent outing, restricting Bangladesh to 125 in the second innings; but the batting woes continued when they were bowled out for 139, finishing 64 runs behind. Taijul Islam, another spinner, had magical figures of 6-33.

The second and final Test match was approaching, and the West

Indies w e r e without Shannon Gabriel. It was yet another three-day Test match, with Bangladesh winning by an innings and 184 runs. Bangladesh batted once, racking up a mammoth 508 all out, then bowling the West Indies out twice, for 111 and 213.

Mehidy Hasan was the star of the show, grabbing 12 wickets in the match.

Along with Hetmyer’s 222 runs scored in the Test series, Shane Dowrich was the only other batter to amass 100 runs in four innings. Jomel Warrican grabbed the most wickets for Windies, finishing with eight wickets.

Devandra Bishoo finished with seven wickets.

The West Indies will play their next Test match on January 23 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown Barbados against a strong England team that has been playing their best cricket in recent times. Will West Indies continue the struggles in Tests, or will their fortunes improve in the three-match series against England?

Jermaine Blackwood

By Brandon Corlette

W

ith West Indies Test Team suffering huge defeats in recent Test series, new players may be the missing ingredient for victory in the upcoming Test series. With three Test matches scheduled to be played in Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia, starting from January 23, the upcoming Regional 4-Day tournament will expose potential Test players.

The West Indies Test Team may have space for batsmen in particular, since the current crop of batsmen have failed to score runs consistently. Sunil Ambris in particular will be seeking to dominate Regional bowlers to allow the selectors to provide him with another opportunity.

K i e r a n Powell’s position in the Test team may be in jeopardy. The opener has 40 Test matches under his belt, with three Test centuries in his curriculum vitae and six half-centuries in 76 Test innings. He continues to have soft dismissals throughout his car e e r , and he may be one of the players that require axing by the selectors.

Kraigg Brathwaite is among the few specialist Test batsmen in world cricket, along with India’s Cheteshwar Pujara. Brathwaite has not been making significant contributions with the bat in recent times. The Regional 4-Day tournament may assist the opener in attaining batting form ahead of the England series.

One of the most outstanding captains in the Kraigg Brathwaite Caribbean, Leon Johnson, would want to score runs at a consis-

tent rate. The looming season may be the classy left hander’s breakthrough season, wherein he makes a comeback to the Windies team.

Jermaine Blackwood, the attacking Jamaican middle order batsman, has shown his brilliance in the 2018-2019 Regional Super 50 tournament. Blackwood will be looking to prove himself in the 4-Day tournament and make a return to the fold in the England Test series. Blackwood scored an attacking 79* against England in the Wisden 2017 Trophy tournament.

Guyana’s opening batsman, Chanderpaul Hemraj, who made his One Day International debut against India, had a decent Regional 2017-2018 tournament, scoring 623 runs. When available for selection to represent the Guyana Jaguars in the 4-Day tournament, scoring runs in the longer format will be his priority.

Barbados Pride captain and former West Indies under 19 captain, Shamrah Brooks, has been scoring runs regionally, and another decent 4-Day tournament may put him in contention for Windies selection.

SPORT 51

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hafeez to retire from Test Hetmyer likely to cricket after ongoing improve ODI rankings Abu Dhabi game – batsman raising stock

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Mohammad Hafeez

akistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez, 38, will retire from Test cricket after the ongoing third game against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, having informed chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq that he wants to focus on his limited-overs career.

"Today, I want to announce my retirement from the Test-match format so that I can focus my energies on playing for Pakistan in the white-ball formats," Hafeez said after the second day's play. "I am eyeing to represent Pakistan in the ICC World Cup next year. I feel honoured that I represented the country in 55 Test matches, including the opportunity of captaining the team. I feel satisfied that I performed to the best of my abilities in my 15 year-long Test career.

"I wish the Test team the very best for their upcoming assignments starting with the tour to South Africa, the team

management especially the coach and captain have worked very hard in forming an exciting core of players that can serve for long."

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani paid tribute to Hafeez, saying his contribution in Test cricket "will be remembered for a long time".

"Hafeez gave some memorable and matching-winning performances for Pakistan in the Test match format," Mani said. "He lent great balance to the XI with his bowling abilities."

One of the longestserving international cricketers left in the game, Hafeez made his debut in both Test and ODI cricket in 2003. He marked his international debut with a half-century in a seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka in Sharjah that April, in Pakistan's first ODI since their disappointing showing at the 2003 World Cup. In all he made 10 Test hundreds in his 15-

year career, all of them coming in Asian conditions, including a best of 224 against Bangladesh in Khulna in 2015. His highest score elsewhere was a hard-fought 95 against England at The Oval in 2006, that would surely have set his team up for victory but for the subsequent forfeiture of the match due to a balltampering furore.

Hafeez announced his decision after he had managed only 39 runs in four innings and went wicketless against New Zealand. Having been dismissed by Trent Boult for a duck on Tuesday, he could have one final chance to add to his 3644 Test runs, should Pakistan return to bat in their second innings.

Hafeez's international career appeared to be winding down after he was downgraded in Pakistan's central contract list in August this year, and he even contemplated retirement.

But his wife Nazia, along with the former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, talked him out of it.

After a late call-up to the Pakistan Test squad for their two-Test series against Australia in October, Hafeez marked his return with a hundred in a double-century opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq. Their 205-run partnership in the first Test in Dubai was only the 10th double-century opening stand made against Australia in Test cricket. However, in seven innings since his 126 in Dubai, he has not passed 20. (ESPNCricinfo)

“Play to Conquer” junior table tennis tournament set for December 16 & 17

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uyana’s top junior table tennis players will assemble on December 16 and 17 as the Titans Table Tennis Club bring down the curtains for 2018 with their “Play to Conquer” Tournament.

The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) will come alive for the two days from 10:00h daily as players the calibre of Jasmine Billingy, Thuraia Thomas, star player Kaysan Ninvalle, Jomal Nichols and Isaiah Layne compete across categories ranging from U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15 to U-18.

One big downside to the tournament will

be the absence of two of the country’s top male youth players in Jonathan Van Lange and Krystian Sahadeo.

The youngsters will miss the event as they are currently on a month’s tour of the United States of

Thuraia Thomas

America.

Titans Table Tennis Club President Dwain Dick praised the National Sports Commission (NSC) for throwing its full support behind the tournament, adding that 2018 was a

across all formats

By Clifton Ross

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given his form this year against the hosts. A shift in form could see a more dangerous version of the Guyanese batsman who now fetches a healthy ODI average of 43.41, excellent stats for any batsman with just 17 One Dayers to his name.

His conversion rate in ODIs is also impressive with two fifties and three hundreds, evid e n c e that once he passes fifty, it is likely he will score 100.

Bangladesh will likely field a slightly different squad from the Tests’ with Tamim Iqbal and skipper Shakib AlHasan back in the green colours, but it will be interesting to see their plan of a t -

uyanese and Windies batting sensation Shimron Hetmyer continues to improve his brand of cricket with every match following his move up the Test levels and now he has another chance to further climb the One-Day International (ODI) ladder.

The Berbician, who shot up to 26th place on the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings following a successful tour of India, recently eased his way to 52nd place, but could soon leapfrog the Virat Kohli-headed list.

Hetmyer finished the Bangladesh Tests with 222 runs and is six shy of 600 Test runs from 10 matches. Although he narrowly missed his maiden Test ton in the last game when he was out for 93 in the second innings against the Tigers, the lefthander now heads into the ODI series with a chance to further up his limited overs rankings.

By far the most in-form batsman in the Windies team, the Guyana Jaguars opener hit phenomenal form in 2018, dating back to the initial home series against Bangladesh where he thumped the Tigers around the Caribbean, including at his home ground of Providence, where he scored a maiden record Shimron ton. Going on to the Hero Caribbean Hetmyer Premier League (CPL), the 21-year-old lit up the tournament playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors who made the final.

The Windies U-19 World Cup winning skipper showed his maturity during the India series; especially in the ODI series where he pummelled 259 runs over the five matches. His magical 106 earned him further praise tack while his 94 could have easily allowed for Hetmyer, who has been toying with him to etch his name in the books. all their bowlers during 2018.

He ended the ODI series against a Also, with Shai Hope being the othbattery of class India bowlers, name- er in-form batsman in the side, the rely their spinners, with an average of inclusion of Darren Bravo and others 51.80 before managing a few starts for the ODI series could see Hetmyer in the T20s. Hetmyer would then re- batting up the order with a new partlive his encounter against the Tigers; ner or likely remaining in the still unthis time in their backyard as he coun- customary position in the middle – terpunched the Bangladeshis amid a where he has been carrying his weight. dismal batting performance from his Hetmyer and the West Indies will teammates. meanwhile lock up with the Bangladesh He hit 63, 93, 39 and 27 in the two- Cricket Board XI on Thursday for their Test series which saw him jump a num- 50-Over tour matches, with the first of ber of spots to his current place. Now three ODIs – a day-night affair bowlwith the ODI series looming, it will be ing off on Saturday at Dhaka. critical to see how the Windies use him good year for the Club. “It’s our last event for the year; we can say we had a very active year after hosting three tournaments and a summer camp”.

Also, the tournament offers a B Class category for players of all ages who would simply like to just play table tennis.

Kaysan Ninvalle

Fitness is key ingredient for players ... from page 54

Dwayne Schorder, Daniel Anderson, Kevin Jorden, James Osbourn, Phabian Joseph, Kurt Hunt, Rashad Butcher, Elton Crawford and Grantly Williams Hookers – Allen Crawford, Rickford Cummings, and Delroy Fordyce Flankers – Richard Staglon, Jamal Angus, Toby David, Sean Phillips, Glynroy Pool and Kareem McKenzie Scrum Halfs – Ryan Gonsalves, Osie McKenzie, Daniel Dabreu, and Leaon Greeves Backs – Peabo Hamilton, Kevin McKenzie, Claudius Butts, Godfrey Brooms, Troyton Brathwaite, Oneal Charles, Lancelot Adonis, Ronald Mayers, Joseph Rahaman, Blaze Baily, Avery Corbin, Akeno James, Patrick King, Kevin Wills, David Felescian, Quayce Kendal, Kesta Mars, Elwin Chase and Michael Barrow (Brandon Corlette)

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

4 Guyanese in contention for Windies Under-19 selection

– Nedd, Anderson, Umroa, Singh selected for training camp

By Brandon Corlette

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rateful, thankful, satisfied and a dream come true were some of the words used by the Guyanese that gained selection for the training camp ahead of the Cricket Under-19 World Cup. In preparation for the Under-19 World Cup, Cricket West Indies has selected a training squad for encampment in Antigua that includes four Guyanese.

The squad will undergo training from December 10 to December 20, 2018.

Speaking to Guyana Times International Sport, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player Ashmead Nedd explained that his selection for the training camp was nothing new.

“I was there before, having represented West Indies Under-19 in New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup,” Nedd noted.

He has been a consistent performer at the regional level, representing Guyana at all youth levels from the Under-15s. The leftarm spinner, who usually extracts deadly turn and bounce, was among the few play-

ers who represented Guyana at the Under-17 and Under-19 level in the same year.

Nedd told this reporter that his experience will give him an edge over his teammates and many of them will look at him as a leader.

The young Berbice batting sensation, Kevlon Ashmead Nedd Anderson who ucts of Under-19 World is labelled as the best youth bats- Cups.

In conclusion, man in the country, told this publication Anderson said that that he was happy to wearing the “maroon be selected, since it colours” would be “very takes him closer to rep- satisfying, but I will resenting West Indies continue to work on my at the Under-19 level. fitness and batting durThe Rose Hall Town ing the valuable trainYouth and Sports Club ing camp.”

Sachin Singh, the player, who hails from Number Two Village youngest of the four seon the Corentyne, fur- lected, is another proud ther explained that he product of the DCC. He was eager to play in the is satisfied and grateprestigious cricket tour- ful for the selection. nament because the The left-handed elegant tournament has pro- stroke maker has repreduced numerous Test sented the West Indies cricketers. The likes Under-16 team, and of Virat Kohli, Kagiso was given the opportuRabada and even nity to captain the reGuyanese duo Keemo gional team.

Umroa, the leftPaul and Shimron Hetmyer are the prod- arm spinner who is fol-

Kevlon Anderson

lowing the footsteps of his Albion Cricket Club teammates Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie, is more than happy about his selection. Umroa told this publication in

Kevin Umroa

an interview that the selection moved him closer to his childhood dream of playing for the West Indies. He told this reporter that the training camp will greatly assist him in the improvement of his

Sachin Singh

bowling and fitness.

The training camp will be coached by the experienced duo Graeme West and his assistant Roderick Eswick.

Grave concerned about Caribbean players being lured away

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peaking on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decision to revise their nonEnglish player eligibility criteria which now sees Barbados-born pacer Jofra Archer being set for a fast-track into the England team, Grave outlined recently his concern about the possibility of other players from the Caribbean being poached by similar means.

Archer, who was born in the “Land of the Flying Fish” to an English father and Bajan mother, played Under-19 cricket for Barbados and eventually the West Indies in 2013, but picked up an injury which put him on the shelf. After being rea d mitted into the sport, the all-rounder

find himself in the mix versus his Caribbean countrymen for the T20 series which follows the Test and ODIs.

Jofra Archer

Johnny Grave

has become a mainstay in the Sussex team before now being one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket as well as a must-have for the English international set-up.

The 23-year-old was apparently on the Windies radar for the 2019 World Cup, but he instead signalled his intentions to represent the Three Lions which now makes his likely debut next year against the Windies, who are set for the biggest home series against England in a decade. Archer, who is set to become a full-fledged English cricketer from March 2019, could

Previously, the ECB had made a rule that non-English players must have seven years of residency under their belts in order to represent the country, but recently shaved some four years off the stipulation, rendering eligibility to just three years now.

Speaking on the situation, Grave said: “We respect Jofra’s decision; the rules allow him to [switch country].

But on a personal level, and as an Englishman, I don’t like the concept of the ECB poaching players who have been part of another system up to the age of 19.

“I hope no other West Indian cricketers follow that path, and hope it doesn’t lead to counties doing their talent ID in the Caribbean, taking our players into the public school system and then on to offering them lucrative long-term county contracts and then possibly on to playing for England.”

(Clifton Ross)

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

National 15s Rugby training…

Fitness is key ingredient for players

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n preparation for the Rugby Americas North (RAN) eliminator match that is scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2019, in the Cayman Islands, the National 15s players are presently involved in intense training sessions.

Speaking to Guyana Times International Sport, in an exclusive interview, National 15s Head Coach Grant Stewart told this reporter that the rugby players had

undergone training for six days thus far. Stewart highlighted that a few players have not been released from their respective jobs to participate in training sessions held at the National Park, but the squad has been building perfectly.

Throughout the month of December, the team’s focus is on fitness and ball skills until the holiday break is taken before January.

After the Christmas break, empha-

– Coach Grant Stewart

sis will be placed on rugby techniques, whereby the National 15s players will be placed under the microscope. Although a few of the eligible National 15s players are abroad, the players in training are capable of winning the eliminator match in the Cayman Islands.

Stewart added that more players were available on the weekends and practice games were held at the National Park. The training

sessions are expected to conclude at the end of January. List of eligible 15s players: Props – Jacques Archibald; Rondel McArthur, Jason Tyrell, Delroy Gordon, Cloyd Prowell, Malcolm Rhodius, Keyfo Lopz, Ahmad Isaacs, Vallon Adams, Demar Haynes and Selwin Henry Second Rows – Kevon David, continued on page 51

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