Guyana Times International 12-Jul-19

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 457

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019

‘We will not support extended deadline for polls’ See story on page 3

…Jagdeo asks CCJ to order elections be held by Sept 18

Search for GECOM boss continues

Representatives of President David Granger and Opposition Leader Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo meeting for third time on Thursday evening at Castellani House in Georgetown to discuss nominations for the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

President David Granger is represented by Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence and Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Joseph Harmon. The Opposition Leader is represented by Mr. Anil Nandlall, Ms. Gail Teixeira and Bishop Juan Edghill.

The two teams are meeting regularly to ‘hammer out’ the names of persons to arrive at a list of six which the Leader of the Opposition will present to President Granger for him to select one for the positon.

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WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

‘We will not support extended deadline for polls’ …Jagdeo asks CCJ to order elections be held by Sept 18

T

he People’s Progressive Party has released its proposals for consequential orders, in which it submitted that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) order elections to be held by September 18, 2019 and urges the regional Court to protect Guyana from Constitutional abuse.

The regional Court is expected to hand down its consequential orders on Friday.

On Wednesday, the Opposition released to the media its full submissions on how it believes the country should proceed now that it is confirmed that the Government was defeated by a No-Confidence Motion last year.

In the submission, the Opposition noted that the Court should order that the Cabinet, including the President, should have re-

signed but remain in office to hold elections within three months of June 18, when the CCJ had ruled that the December 21, 2018 passage of the No-Confidence Motion was valid.

The Opposition also suggested that an order should be given for the President to announce a date for General and Regional Elections, no later than September 18, 2019. This, it was noted, is because the next general election is due in the first half of 2020.

Hence, the effect of the consequential orders which the Attorney General and Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are seeking would render the vote of no-confidence against the coalition entirely “ineffective and otiose”. turn to page 10

PPP/C Presidential Candidate addressing the gathering during a recent protest for early elections

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WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

Pawan Etwaroo

T

he story of Pawan Etwaroo of Cumberland Primary— who gained 520 marks at the NGSA to earn a place at Queen’s College, the nation’s premier Secondary School— is not just heart-warming one of a young boy overcoming adversities and succeeding against great odds, but also a heart-breaking reminder of the plight of the 7000+ sugar workers who were fired when the PNC-led Government unilaterally and precipitately shut down four of the seven sugar estates in the country.

Pawan Etwaroo’s father had been employed at Rose Hall Estate but has remained unemployed since 2017 when that facility was shuttered. This has been the tragic fate of most of the other workers – 5000 from GuySuCo’s payroll and 2000 from private farmers – who supplied the corporation with sugar cane. The 51 year-old ex-sugar worker revealed that after 30 years of labour on the estate, he was still unable to build a house and finally only did so with his severance pay, which he and his fellow fired workers had to protest for before finally receiving, even though it was their legal right.

There have been complaints that the Government did not conduct a social impact study before making their draconian decision; but really, they did not need to. The PNC and AFC have been complaining for years about the extreme hardships inflicted on the 4000 workers at Linden who lost their jobs when the industry was downsized, ironically by the PNC-Government of Desmond Hoyte. And this was in the face of a G$2 billion scheme – LEAP – to fund entrepreneurial activities and job creation, on top of free unlimited electricity. The Government is fully aware of the social pathologies that explode “like a sore” in such situations.

In a blaze of publicity, the Government has rushed to present “scholarships” to young Etwaroo and his peer who also scored the same mark. But these youngsters had already qualified for entry into whichever schools they chose and the tablets presented were merely electioneering photo-ops. Each of those 7000 fired sugar workers were heads of households with children. The stories of the difficulty in sending their children to schools were well reported in all the three dailies.

Yet, the PNC-led Government has not launched a single programme to assist those children – who are by definition poor and marginalised. The elder Etwaroo explained that he was frantically – but unsuccessfully— seeking employment. He was not looking for hand-outs, which he had to accept from “relatives”.

While the Government has been unrolling “job training” and sharing out lands, these projects have been noticeably missing from the sugar belt in general, and the closed ones in particular.

The sordid fact of the matter is that under this Government, unemployment has grown in other sectors than in sugar – especially in construction, which grew exponentially during the PPP regime. While housing schemes had mushroomed under the PPP – spearheaded by its Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali— the Government has focused its efforts on doling out multi-acre plots for housing and speculation to its insiders.

The most bizarre aspect of the tragedy at a macro level has been the fate of the closed estates, which the Government had insisted would be sold and the monies used to rehabilitate and diversify the remaining estates to make them viable.

The Government’s own CoI – which included its appointed Chairman Clive Thomas – however, had recommended the estates be subsidized for three years— at most G$24 billion – and then brought to a point of sale.

Instead, the SPU formed by the Government to consummate the sale has floated a G$30 billion bond using the estates as collateral and sat on it while paying G$1.5Billion annually in interest. In the meantime, the estates have reverted to “bush” and the factories have recently been described by the Finance Minister as “scrap iron”. Based on the Government’s modus operandi over the last four years, it is most likely that they are preparing to hand out the assets to party members, friends and cronies for the proverbial “song”.

While the 7000 sink into misery.

All Aboard: The Ferry heading from Parika to Leguan (DPI photo)

Corruption within the GPF P

olice Commissioner Leslie James, has once again stated that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has zero tolerance for corruption and warned that ranks found to be involved in corrupt and questionable practices will face the necessary consequences.

The Commissioner’s statement comes as the GPF is celebrating its 180th anniversary and some days after Crime Chief Lyndon Alves was sent on administrative leave to facilitate a probe into corruption allegations levelled against him.

Several damning allegations against Alves were detailed in the media, and there were several questions raised by various stakeholders as to the criteria used in the first place to appoint him to that high-level position. Among the allegations against Alves is his alleged use of his influence during his tenure as Commander of B Division to protect rogue cops.

Another allegation levelled against the Crime Chief is his influence being reportedly used to prevent a relative of his, who was involved in an accident, from being charged.

In that incident, the young woman allegedly struck fouryear-old Mohan Ramkaran close to his Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) home.

However, after she was arrested, she was later placed on G$20,000 station bail and over two years later, she is yet to face the court for her alleged actions.

To clarify: we are not saying that Alves is culpable of any of these wrongdoings, as it is only an independent, impartial and thorough probe

that would determine if, and to what extent, he was involved in actions that are against normal practices.

However, more diligent efforts should have been employed to ensure that the position was filled by someone who was at least perceived to be qualified, professional, honest, and could enjoy the confidence of his peers as well as the public.

That said, the Alves fiasco is not unique. For many years now we have been hearing about corruption at all levels of the Force; sometimes with the involvement of senior officers themselves.

When certain cases are brought to the fore, either by private citizens complaining or by way of media reports, nothing much comes out of these cases even after investigations are carried out.

Very often, it comes down to officers simply being transferred or demoted or put to perform ‘administrative duties’.

A few months back, there was the issue of the former Head of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Deputy Superintendent Mootie Dookie, being investigated for alcohol smuggling.

He has since been “temporarily transferred” to the Force’s Strategic Unit.

Then there is the issue of some ranks moving around in heavily tinted vehicles in spite of several warnings for them to remove these tints.

There is a tint law in place, but for quite some time now, ranks were allowed a free pass with their tinted vehicles, giving the impression to the general public that there is one law for Police Officers

and another for the public.

The law should apply to everyone, irrespective of their status, except in cases when the chief licensing authority grants an exemption, and in a few other special cases.

Added to this is that some Police Officers openly break the traffic rules; and they do so with certainty that they would not be made to face the necessary charges.

Pictures and videos of ranks using their mobile phones and drinking alcohol while on duty have been making the rounds of Facebook.

And even though citizens observe the unprofessional and illegal conduct of ranks, they feel it is a waste of time to lodge the necessary complaints as nothing would come out of it.

We had stated before that the Police must lead by example. If they want to win the public’s trust, they must be seen as having integrity and decency.

They must engage in serious introspection and monitor themselves to ensure they too are held to higher standards. Police Officers cannot be seen breaking the same laws they expect the public to abide by.

While we do not intend to paint the entire Police Force with the same brush, as there are many professional and honest officers within the Force, we are convinced that unless what is perceived as the endemic corruption in the organisation is addressed in a holistic manner, efforts being made at Police reform would be in vain. In the meantime, we await the findings of the Alves probe.

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WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

ERC stepping up efforts to ensure media houses operate in a responsible manner W

ith General and Regional Elections expected to held soon and considering the current political climate, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has already intensified its monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the various media entities across Guyana – television, radio, newspaper and online news entities behave in a responsible and ethical manner.

In a press release, on Wednesday evening, the ERC said that its monitoring mechanisms, over the past few months, have captured various instances, through publishing, facilitated and self-perpetuated, that are deemed "counterproductive to the process of promoting harmony and good relations across Guyana".

The ERC said it will therefore step up its efforts to “discourage persons and institutions from heightening tensions through incitement and from indulging in, advocating or promoting discrimination or discriminatory practices on the

ground of ethnicity”.

The ERC also commended those entities that demonstrate "a profound sense of responsibility in their reporting and the many Guyanese who, through social media outlets, bring attention and call upon their fellow countrymen and women to desist from posting inciting and disparaging comments”.

File: President David Granger (center) flanked by the 10 ERC members

To this end, the Commission also wishes to remind that under: 139 D (1) of the Representation of the People’s Act that, any person who makes or publishes or causes to be made or published any statement; or takes any action, which results or can result in racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the people shall be

liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of one hundred thousand dollars together with imprisonment for two years.

139 D (2) Every person convicted of an offence under subsection (1) shall, in addition to any punishment under the said subsection, be incapable, during the period of five years from the date of the conviction, of being

a member of the National Assembly or being a member of any local democratic organ or the holder of any constitutional or statutory office.

"The Commission urges familiarity which it believes would lead to restraint within the context noted and shortly, related public service announcements will be placed in the media as pertinent re-

minders", the statement added.

Meanwhile, the ERC said it is in the process of engaging the media and political parties, both Parliamentary and non-Parliamentary, with the intention of working for national consensus to educate and discourage acts that are not in keeping with the fostering of national harmony.

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The Court cannot undo what the Constitution has done

Dear Editor, An online news agency has reported that the Guyana Government will ask the Caribbean Court of Justice (the Court) to rule that the Court cannot or should not direct that general elections are to be held within three months because that “will clearly be obstructing Parliament from exercising its constitutional power to extend the time if it becomes necessary to do so. The Court would be acting prematurely, and setting itself up for a clash with the Parliament”.

With respect, one has to disagree with this sentiment. First of all, the Court cannot undo what the Constitution has done.

Since the Court already ruled that the December 21, 2018, No-Confidence Motion was validly passed by operation of law, the follow-up elections must be held “within three months”.

It is the Constitution (not the Court) which tells us when elections must be held following the Motion. The Motion cannot be divorced from the timely and follow-up elections.

Secondly, the record shows that it is Government and their friends who voluntarily and knowingly opened the door of the Court and asked for opinions.

Since they opened the door, they cannot now close it.

Thirdly, there is no clash between the Court and Parliament.

The only “clash” is

one between this illegal Government and the Constitution. If Government is concerned about a potential “clash” between the Court and Parliament, then that clash can be avoided, if there is a clash at all, by obeying the Constitution and calling elections within three months.

But Government is not asking for this. In fact, Government is doing the opposite.

Fourthly, the Opposition has indicated that it has no intention of going to Parliament to extend the timeframe for elections. Even if it wanted to, Government made this difficult given its actions since December 21, 2018, with the lone exception being Government’s initial acceptance that the Motion was validly passed and, therefore, elections are to be time-

ly called.

Parliament is not a place for an elector to be assaulted or to receive a death threat by members of Government, simply for exercising his constitutional right to vote. It is not a place for Government to honour any Islamic fundamentalist who fed sensitive information about Guyana’s national security to a foreign nation and subscribed to international terrorism.

Both Parliament and a law enacted in Parliament must be respected. At the very least, a fallen Administration that seeks to invoke a law inside Parliament for a specified relief of an extension of time, is expected if not required, to show good cause for the delay and meritorious defences to the claims raised in the underlying motion.

Here, Government

Too many inappropriate things happening under Granger’s watch Dear Editor, When Dr Ashni Singh was Finance Minister and his wife was working in the same Ministry, Dr Singh, his family and the PPP/C Government went through tremendous criticisms from the PNCR, other political parties and certain sections of the media. The cry was “conflict of interest”. This was also the fate of Mr Khurshid Sattaur – former Commissioner General of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and his sons during their employment at GRA. Today, the officials of the coalition Government are doing worse in every sector of the country and the overwhelming silence from the media and civil society is deafening. This Government needs to understand that their officials are “Politically Exposed Persons” (PEPs) and the standard operating procedures must be applied.

They are required by law to declare annually all their assets, contracts, businesses, etc, and they cannot be involved in certain activities or business.

Mr Charles Ceres and Mr S Hopkinson are known businessmen and they are entitled to land and other State contracts, etc but they also should do their due diligence and refrain from investing with known PEPs, State officials.

We have already seen the demise of SOCU through massive corruption and now SARA is about to face similar questioning. The President seems to be in a perpetual state of slumber with so many inappropriate things happening under his nose. Wake up, sir!

Yours truly, Ragubeer Persaud

has neither.

Government cannot argue, for example, as one intelligent Government official did a few weeks ago, that Government only went to Court because the Speaker of the House instructed them to do so. Government

has a Minister of Legal Affairs who has a staff.

It has always been their job to give legal advice to Government both on and after December 21, 2018, when Government publicly declared that the Motion was passed and, therefore, elections within three months have been triggered.

Finally, Government is also reported as asking the Court to direct that there must be House-to-House Registration before any “credible” elections are held. In the old days, Guyanese argued for “free and fair” elections.

Now Government is uncomfortable with “free and fair” elections, so it is busy trying to re-invent the electoral landscape.

Having failed with mathematics, they are now dabbling with the English language to do so, but are likely to fur-

ther mislead the public. If any election is to be “credible” it ought to fall within the ambit of the law, because an event cannot be “credible” if it violates the Constitution.

Unless the Opposition agrees to an extension of time, Government’s socalled “credible” elections must occur within three months. Yet, Government is asking for its version of elections to occur beyond three months at some unknown time in the near or distant future, so as to have House-toHouse Registration.

Therefore, under these circumstances, when this illegal Government says it wants a “credible” election, all it is doing is asking for an extrajudicial or illegal election.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

Empty promises with the aim of winning support Dear Editor, With amusement, I watched on as this Administration once again started making empty promises and building voters’ hopes up in an attempt to win back the voters that they greatly disappointed.

What is ironic is that they failed to address the empty promises they made before the last general election and interestingly, they are making new promises.

The President tries to portray the image of a no-nonsense person but immediately after awarding himself and Ministers a huge salary increase, my confidence for them diminished.

After that, he attempted to fool the people once again by disbanding Ministries, and amazingly, there are more Ministers than the previous Administration had. Many come to realise their ministerial position was created just to give them a portfolio and we all see that they have so much time and taxpayers’ money to waste that they could have gone to the CCJ just to attempt to get support.

Meanwhile, all Ministries are still fumbling to perform their duties properly, whilst the country is crying out for help. Editor, since the No-Confidence Motion, under the shelter of ‘Ministerial Outreach’, the Ministers and party supporters have been running all over the country trying to bribe voters by making promises.

What I find comical is that these Ministers and supporters know the conditions and issues affecting places and they never attempt to address any. Now that their fun is about to be cut, they are running around asking people of issues affecting them when they fully well know of the issues. At the Tuschen New Scheme, for instance, all the streets are in deplorable conditions, the main access road is the only one that is in a decent condition for vehicles to traverse.

As a result of the condition of the streets, motorists find themselves spend-

ing a huge amount of money to repair their vehicles constantly and they are forced to overcharge passengers traversing the area. Now this is a scheme that developed under the PPP/C’s tenure and because the area was developing, heavy-duty vehicles were constantly using the streets, thus, after time, they started to deteriorate.

Now this Administration, under the guise of ‘Ministerial Outreach’, is going around campaigning and pretending to listen to people’s cries. They fully well know the conditions of these areas and know that almost everywhere they go, residents will be asking for better roads, telephone lines, proper security, street lights, etc, but because their intentions are not what residents expect, the residents are being misled.

What I am saying is that it makes no sense for you to be wasting hours going somewhere under the guise of going to help when you already know the situation of the place. Added to that, you have the NDC and the Regional Council that would be au fait with the conditions of these places and I am quite sure that this information would reach each Minister for their attention, which in most cases are being ignored, so instead of being in their office trying to do a proper job, they are wasting time and taxpayers’ money distracting people. Yes, taxpayers’ money is being squandered meaninglessly.

So, they are piggybacking on the works of the PPP/C, riddled with more accusations of corruption and incompetence than the PPP/C and they have nothing tangible to show for the time they have been in office but they are wasting time going around the country in a feeble attempt to buy Guyanese votes. They should understand by now that Guyanese are not stupid and are fully well aware of their incompetence!

Regards, Sahadeo Bates

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WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Aurora Gold Mines’ workers continue fight for better working conditions W

orkers of the Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) would have commenced discussions with officials of the Labour Department to negotiate their requests for improved working conditions and unionisation but presently, it is too early to predict if their calls will materialise.

One worker told Guyana Times International that their problems were heard earlier this week and some were deemed non-negotiable on the Department’s end, promising that it will be fixed. While their representative, the National Mine Workers Union was uninvited to attend these briefings, it is unclear as to whether other Union representatives were present.

“The meeting was just the government coming. They had a general meeting with the workers and heard some of the problems that the workers were having on the ground here. They did say that some of the problems are non-negotiable and they are going to fix it immediately. They have not rejected the workers’ call for a union. It looks like a work in progress but we just have to look and see. We didn’t have our representative on the ground

Aurora Gold Mines

but we’re all for the National Mine Workers Union,” the miner explained.

They were advised to foster talks with their employer, Canadian-based Aurora Gold Mines, to determine if some of their requests will be granted.

Another worker stated that he is awaiting the outcome of this deliberation before they make

their next moves. Some have already signaled at strike actions if their demands are not met.

“We are to go back and have a meeting with AGM management to watch and observe to see if some of the stuff that was raised are going to be dealt with…This is not something big we’re asking for. These

things are basic workplace facility we’re asking for. I don’t know why AGM taking so long to treat their workers properly,” he asserted.

Workers are demanding better wages, better quality food and laundry services, out of town allowance, missing NIS contributions and severance payments.

Last week, over 200 workers had downed their tools and initiated strike actions for two days after calls mounted for them to be officially represented by a union and other improved working conditions and wages.

In March, 61 workers took strike actions against RUSAL’s subsidiary, the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BGCI) for a mere one per cent salary increase.

This resulted in a series of protests from the workers and the blockage of a section of the Berbice River, which leads to the company’s operation located at Aroaima, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

After back and forth negotiations, the issue was resolved after both parties signed a Terms of Resumption (ToR) which includes reinstatement of all 61 dismissed workers and those laid off during the dispute. It also cited that there would be no victimisation or change of conditions for the reinstated workers; no compensation for time not worked during the dispute; return of the check-off system; and clearance of the Berbice River which was blocked during the strike.

Leading US marine transportation company begins in operations in Guyana them to rigorous training at one of the topnotch facilities of the company.

“The Guyanese people on board are well trained, no one gets hurt, they operate safe. Harvey’s commitment is the same commitment we have everywhere else, we will not spill drops in

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Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Harvey Gulf Shane Guidry

ne of the world’s leading marine transportation companies, Harvey Gulf International Marine, on Wednesday officially opened its first local office in Georgetown, Guyana.

The US-based company specialises in providing Offshore Supply and Multi-Purpose Support Vessels for deep-water operations.

President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AMCHAM), Zulfikar Ally, during the commissioning ceremony, lauded the company for opening its doors in Guyana.

“Your presence in

Guyana will do more than just create jobs, it will lift industry standards in the oil and marine sectors, improve safety standards and safety culture, and can serve to streamline important aspects of health and safety at the national policy level through collaboration with the private sector and national authorities,” Ally stated.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Harvey Gulf Shane Guidry, in his feature address, asserted that the company is firmly committed to giving Guyanese the best opportunities and expose

your waters, we do not want to hurt anyone, all of our safety procedures and policies will be followed everyday… we’re hiring as many Guyanese people as we can, and we’d love to see the day where it is a 100 per cent Guyanese. We are here to stay,” Guidry stated.

“We did set up a profit-sharing plan for our employees, so we’re not going to take everything out the country and take it somewhere else, some of the monies made in the region will be put back into the employees pockets to put back into the Guyanese economy,” the CEO

said.

Harvey Gulf’s local office, named Guyana Offshore Vessel Services Inc. (GOVS), is expected to build quality links and promote the company’s presence in Guyana’s oil and gas sector with the aim of achieving 100 per cent Guyanese recruitment.

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WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trinidadian becomes newest Judge at Caribbean Court of Justice T

rinidadian jurist Peter Jamadar will officially sit on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) bench from July 15 to succeed Justice David Hayton who will be retiring from the Court after 14 years of service.

His appointment was announced by the CCJ last Friday, a day after he was sworn in by Trinidad and Tobago President Paula MaeWeekes last Thursday.

Justice Jamadar said he was “proud and humbled” by his appointment.

“For any Caribbean jurist or legal practitioner, one of the pinnacle achievements must be, to sit as a judge of the CCJ. It is at once an office of great status and of even greater service,” he said.

“It is with great pride and humility that I take my seat on the CCJ. It is my hope that I will unwaveringly follow the ethical dictates of my oath, and do justice to all who seek it before this court.”

Justice Peter Jamadar takes the oath of office as he is sworn in as CCJ judge

CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders, noted during the ceremony that Justice Jamadar’s appointment marked the culmination of a

competitive process, conducted by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the independent body responsible for selecting and appointing

staff of the Court.

He pointed out that the Commission did not only consider the respective qualifications, experience and skill sets of the applicants.

“As mandated by the Agreement Establishing the CCJ, the Commission was also obliged to consider the applicants’ moral character, their intellectual and analytical ability, the soundness of their judgment, their integrity, and their understanding of people and society,” he said.

The CCJ president welcomed Justice Jamadar to the regional court, noting that “his judgments are erudite and well-reasoned. They demonstrate a high intellect, a deep understanding of Caribbean society, and an abiding sense of fairness. Unsurprisingly, several of these judgments have been cited with approval by judges of both the CCJ and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.”

Justice Jamadar previously

served as a Judge of the Appeal Court of Trinidad and Tobago.

He is the Vice President (Programming) and a Faculty member of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute (CJEI) and Vice-Chairman of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO). He is also a certified Transpersonal Psychologist and a certified Mediator. He has written two books and numerous articles and authored various publications relating to law.

The CCJ was inaugurated on April 16, 2005. It functions as both a municipal court of last resort (in its appellate jurisdiction) and an international court with compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction in respect of the interpretation and application of the Treaty of Chaguaramas (in its original jurisdiction). Only Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana have so far signed on to the court’s appellate jurisdiction and replaced the Privy Council with the CCJ as their final appeal court.

CARICOM supports judicial process in Guyana/Venezuela border controversy

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings

eads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) last Thursday expressed support for the judicial process being followed in the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings updated the Heads of Government on the ongoing controversy, at the 40th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. The confab was held between July 3-9.

The judicial process is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries.

According to the Foreign Minister, Guyana remains optimistic about the issue,

noting that Guatemala and Belize are experiencing similar difficulties. Belize, she said, recently had a referendum and they too have carried their case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“At the CARICOM level, we hope there is something that will come out and both sides will be satisfied as we look forward to a peaceful settlement of borders and territorial issues,” said Minister Cummings.

The Heads of Government noted Guyana’s request for the ICJ to proceed with the oral hearings on Jurisdiction considering Venezuela’s failure to submit its CounterMemorial on April 18, 2019, in accordance with the time limit fixed by the court.

The Heads of Government reiterated their firm and unswerving support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial

integrity of Guyana.

To bring an end to the age-old border controversy, on January 30, 2018, the United Nations (UN) SecretaryGeneral António Guterres, in keeping with the 1966 Geneva Agreement, announced that the ICJ would be the means to be used for the solution of the controversy. On March 29, 2018, then Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge filed Guyana’s application with the ICJ. Venezuela’s most recent action — the refusal to file a CounterMemorial (CM) on the court’s jurisdiction by April 18, in defiance of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) — was the latest in a series of counterproductive moves by the western neighbour.

The ICJ had requested the CM after Guyana submitted arguments in November of last year, contending that the ICJ has jurisdiction to hear and rule on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that fixed the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.

The ICJ requested the CM so that the court could hear both sides, but Venezuela refused to tell its side.

The recent refusal

by Venezuela to submit the CM to the ICJ had prompted Guyana to request that the ICJ go ahead with the case.

The court should now

rule on whether it has jurisdiction, and, if it does, it should hear and determine the substantive issue of Venezuela’s

claim to our land.

In addition to the border controversy, CARICOM heads also addressed the ongoing

situation in Venezuela but maintained its stance of non-interference and non-intervention, DPI reported.

‘Reject politicians who call for war, disturbances’ – GCCI boss urges citizens

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ecognising that the Government and Opposition have not yet been able to see eye to eye on a nominee to serve as Chairman for the Guyana Elections Commissions (GECOM)—although the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is set to hand down consequential orders on Friday— the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), through its President, Nicholas Boyer, has called on citizens to not allow politicians to control their actions.

Boyer made this appeal at the launch of the Business Guyana Magazine 2019, hosted at Pegasus Hotel.

“What we, as Guyanese, can see clearly is that the brinkmanship here is at play and we are being used as pawns. I implore all seated here…and the population, do not let puppeteers pull strings and talk about war, or disturbances,” Boyer said to the gathering at Pegasus Hotel.

The GCCI President made it clear that while he believes in freedom of speech, he firmly believes that it is not the place of politicians to divide the people.

“We are not at war with each other, nor do we need to be loyal to anyone based on our ethnicity. Going to the polls in Guyana needs to become a routine exercise of our democratic rights without fear, and all political parties need to be held accountable to delivering that type of atmosphere for us,” he added.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is conducting a probe into calls for war and protests made by the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

During an outreach in Bartica last month, Finance Minister Winston Jordan called on supporters to go out and protest for Houseto-House registration, noting that if that does not happen, then there would be “war break”.

“Comrades, be on the ready! Because we will be able to call you out to picket for Houseto-House registration.

No registration, no elections”!

Jordan added, “From today Comrades, war break. Because we got to go to elections before the end of this year, hopefully. I say hopefully because we can only go to elections when GECOM says it’s ready.

So don’t let anyone tell you anything”.

“And I’m putting the Police on notice.

Mischief will be afoot between now and when the elections are called.

You have to be on your guard and your lookout.

Your intelligence has to be upgraded. Because already there is talk about bringing people on the street,” he said.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who declared that there would be “trouble” without House-to-House registration and urged street protests.

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WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Public Health Ministry opens G$539M bond

T

he Public Health Ministry on Wednesday commissioned a new central supplies unit at Kingston, Georgetown, to provide more space for the storage of medical supplies.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Finance Ministry Glendon Fogenay stated that the unit has moved several times since the early 1980s to facilitate a growing demand for space.

Its previous locations included Quamina Street, Liliendaal, Kingston and then Camp and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown. The new building is larger in capacity and will host a conference room, staff

The new Kingston bond

room, sickbay, storage, and office spaces among other amenities.

“Our new bond was constructed at a cost of G$539 million, which in it contains 11,520 square feet of both storage and administrative space.

This new and modern facility will operate with a staff complement of 20 persons, receiving, storing and dispatching more than 200 commodities. In essence, the storage capacity of this facility will alleviate most of the Ministry’s storage difficulties,” the Deputy Permanent Secretary informed.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma acknowledged the fact that the Ministry had been red flagged for lack of ac-

countability of the various bonds. As such, these corrective steps will ensure a sense of responsibility.

“A number of vital and control mechanisms to ensure proper accountability for stock were not in place at the various drug bonds across the country. On this basis, my office issued recommendations that were designed at improving systems, practices and improving Ministry’s accountability mechanism…I’m happy that the Ministry of Health has taken corrective steps for accountability of stocks by commissioning this Kingston bond,” Sharma highlighted.

He advised that the safe storage of supplies

Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali, comforts the wife of murdered East Coast Demerara businessmen who, along with his daughter, was gunned down in their home on Thursday last

Nurses in attendance at the commissioning of the drug bond

and record keeping are some regulations that should be followed and if not, liable persons could be charged for failure to conduct their duties.

“I continue to urge you to maintain good storage practice, which includes well-trained personnel, proper record keeping, defined storage areas and to ensure security to provide unauthorised access,” Sharma stated.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence revealed that the previous bond was unhealthy and unsafe for employees to work, prompting allocations to establish another facility.

“The atmosphere in the bond was dis-

mal. It was uninspiring.

Moreover, the conditions made it impossible for proper accountability.

The Ministry could not allow the CSU staff to continue at this facility,” Lawrence stated.

The Ministry had come under criticism for the controversial Sussex Street, Georgetown drug bond, after the State had paid out over G$200 million in rental fees in just under two years.

Lawrence stated that from July 2016 to March 2018, the sum of G$264.5 million was doled out to pay Linden Holdings Incorporated.

The transaction first came to light in 2016 during consideration of Financial Papers, when it was discovered that

Government had in fact entered a contract to pay a VAT- excluded G$12.5 million monthly rental for the storage of drugs and medical supplies.

It was also discovered that G$25 million was already spent as a security deposit, in addition to G$12.5 million, representing monthly rentals from August to December 2016.

The criticism that erupted led President David Granger to set up a Cabinet sub-committee to investigate the matter and make recommendations.

After much criticism and fallout, the Government said that they had stopped renting the facility in December 2018.

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G$96M disaster management centre for Region 9

A

G$96M disaster management centre will be constructed at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo).

Minister of State Dawn HastingsWilliams, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon, and Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Kester Craig yesterday turned the sod for the construction of the facility.

The centre will be the first of its kind in Guyana and the Government plans to open similar facilities at Regions 1, 7 and 8.

The multipurpose building will provide shelter for both men and women, include a warehouse, training facility, conference room and office space.

“The Government is committed to building similar facilities to ensure these remote regions can effectively respond to emergencies and disasters on their own," the Minister of State said during the sod-turning ceremony.

From left: Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, Town Clerk of Lethem, Ms. Keisha Vincent, Minister of State, Mrs. Dawn Hastings- Williams, RDC Councillor, Mrs. Sandra Rafino and Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Joseph Harmon turning the sod for the construction of the facility

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, the centre will house a warehouse to pre-position and

stockpile relief supplies, a shelter to accommodate displaced persons, a training facility and offices for emergency per-

sonnel.

"The facility is expected to increase the efficiency of emergency response operations in the

region by reducing the cost and time for shuttling relief supplies from Georgetown into the region," Hastings-Williams

said.

"The facility will allow for items to be sourced within the region for stocking the warehouse, which is anticipated to have a positive spill-over effect on the local economy."

Additionally, she said the shelter facility will boost the region’s capacity to provide housing for residents displaced during flooding while the offices and training facilities will improve preparedness measures such as capacity building.

Meanwhile, Director General Harmon, under whose stewardship the project originated and was included in the 2019 National Budget, said Guyana should be proud of the steps it is taking in disaster risk management.

The Director General noted that the facility was meant to be funded by an international agency but after months of back and forth, the Government took a decision to budget for it to lessen the adverse impacts upon persons affected by emergencies.

‘We will not support extended...

“The vote of no-confidence, if given effect to, would have shortened the term of office of the Government by at least one year, the effect of the consequential order which they seek would be to permit the Government to serve out its full five-year term.

This Honourable Court is urged not to sanction such a cynical and indeed transparent attempt to subvert the Constitution,” the Opposition argued in its submission.

Furthermore, the Opposition said the regional Court should order that the current list of electors be used for the upcoming elections.

The Opposition submitted that had there been elections back in March after the December passage of the motion, then the current list would have been used.

Importantly, the parliamentary Opposition pointed out that there are no provisions in the law to postpone the hosting of polls to conduct House-to-House registration. The party detailed exactly why the October 31, 2018 list can still be used. The sub-

Govt’s submission

Former PM Samuel Hinds was among several supporters of the PPP calling for elections to held ‘soon’ at a recent protest

missions also asked for liberty to apply.

On the matter of the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman, the Opposition expressed concern that the Government may try to “draw out” the process of appointing a new Chairman. As such, it asked the Court to order the President appoint a Chairman within three days of being given a final list of six nominees

not unacceptable to the President, arising out of consultations between the two sides.

And noting that the Court challenges would have caused Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP Executive Secretary Zulficar Mustapha to incur great expenses on their part, the Opposition requested that the Court award costs.

Meanwhile, during

a press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said he the opposition PPP/C will not give the Government the two-thirds majority it needs in the National Assembly to extend the deadline for General and Regional Elections.

“The answer is a categorical no! We will not support an extension,” Jagdeo maintained.

The Government had previously released the proposals it submitted for consequential orders to the CCJ, in which it once again raised questions about the Court’s jurisdiction by claiming that the CCJ cannot set an election date.

According to the consequential order proposals, which were released by the Attorney General’s chambers, the opposing parties are seeking consequential orders – like compelling the Government to hold elections in the three months it should have done in the first place— that are “contrary” to legal principles.

The Government side claimed that the CCJ “has no jurisdiction to set the date for elections nor to dissolve Parliament”.

This is even though President David Granger has failed to do either, in keeping with the constitutional provisions.

The Government also claimed in its proposals that “there is no evidence that the President has failed to comply with his duties. Consequentially, there is no basis to order that the President act on

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his constitutional duty to set a date for elections or to dissolve Parliament”.

Thus, the Government is seeking an order that allows the President, Prime Minister, Ministers, and Cabinet to remain in office until a President is sworn in after elections are held. The Attorney General cited Article 106 (7) to defend this position.

However, Article 106 (6 and 7) says “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence”.

Meanwhile, Article 106 (7) states that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than twothirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election”.

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WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Govt’s refusal to pay DIPCON sends bad signal to private investors

…says Private Sector

T

he Government’s concerted efforts to avoid paying a construction company a Court-awarded judgement sends a bad signal to the private sector. This is according to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Nicholas Boyer.

In an interview with this publication on Tuesday, Boyer said that more worrying than President David Granger’s decision to save his Finance Minister from jail over this unpaid judgement, is the fact that matters reached this far in the first place.

“I am worried about the Government honouring its debts. That has impact for the business climate. Cause that tells you whether you should or shouldn’t give credit to the Government,” Boyer related.

He added that the payment or non-payment of a debt by the Government impacts their trustworthiness. “Especially if you have to go to Court to get a judgement on it. And even when you get the judgement, they don’t pay,” Boyer added.

In a statement through social media on Monday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had also criticised the President’s intervention in a case between Finance Minister

Winston Jordan and DIPCON Engineering.

According to Jagdeo, the President’s actions can send a signal that the terms of private contracts with the State can be broken. He also noted that it signals that if the Court issues against the State in commercial disputes, such orders can be ignored.

“We Guyanese, having observed President Granger in action over the past four years, have collectively come to the belief that on matters of policy and when dealing with evidence of corruption by those within his Government, he is often unable to move with any sort of alacrity, that he is slow and aloof”.

“Today (Monday) he has shattered this belief by moving with lightning speed to thwart a Court order and (reprieve) Winston Jordan. Granger’s move to avert settlement on this instance should be contrasted against the multimillion-dollar settlements in matters which involved cronies of the APNU/AFC”.

Jagdeo also pointed to the use of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which sent DIPCON a letter ordering it to pay G$527 Million in owed taxes. According to the former President, this all sends a bad

signal to investors and damage an already struggling investment climate.

Rule of law

Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) also said that it has observed, with great concern, the deliberate and repeated refusal on the part of the Government, to honour the judgement of the Court.

According to the PSC, the rule of law must prevail if business is to be conducted in Guyana with confidence in the Government’s respect for the Judiciary and a separation of powers between the executive and Courts. It noted that the private sector must, at all times, be confident that the principles of sanctity of contracts reinforced by the independence of the Courts will be honoured by the State.

“The intervention of the President to protect the Minister of Finance from the law, rather than to encourage him to pay the amount owed and thereby follow the rule of law, sends a message that businesses and private investors can be wronged with impunity,” the PSC said.

The Commission also pointed out that in order for both “foreign and domestic investors to do business in our country

GCCI President Nicholas Boyer

PSC Chairman Gerry Gouveia

with any degree of confidence, they must be confident that the rule of law, administered by an independent Judiciary, will, at all times, be upheld and respected by the Government of the day”.

Government to Court back in 2009 to recover monies owed for road works done, Justice Rishi Persaud had ordered Government to pay the company US$665,032.17 as payment for the works done, along with US$1,563,368.50 for costs it incurred for those works, together with interest on both amounts, at a rate of six per cent annum from February 10, 2009, to October 21, 2015, and thereafter at the rate of four per cent per annum until fully paid.

However, since none of the payments they were owed were made, DIPCON had successfully approached the High Courts for an administrative order to compel the minister to make the payment.

Court judgement

Last month, High Court Judge Justice SewnarineBeharry had ordered Minister Jordan to pay DIPCON the US$2.2 Million award or face jail time. The Trinidad-based construction company had taken the Finance Minister to Court for failing to honour the payment of millions of dollars, which was awarded to DIPCON

by Justice Rishi Persaud in 2015.

After DIPCON took the

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‘The final 6’: Discretion remains with the Leader of the Opposition – Jagdeo says on GECOM Chair appointment

P

resident David Granger has rejected five of the 11 nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for the post of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) during the informal process of consideration over the past two days.

This was disclosed by Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, who addressed media operatives on Tuesday following round two of the high-level talks at the Castellani House, Georgetown.

The representatives of Opposition Leader Jagdeo were People’s Progressive Party (PPP) members Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall and Bishop Juan Edghill and President Granger’s representatives were Harmon, Volda Lawrence and Khemraj Ramjattan.

“There was a list of 11 names which was submitted by the Leader of the Opposition … the status is that five of those names were rejected with reasons given, two are still under active consideration and four of them, we’ve decided to go forward with a shortlisting of the four,” Harmon explained.

However, the names of those individuals rejected, as well as the shortlisted and under consideration ones were not revealed. According to Harmon, this was as a result of agreements made by both parties.

With the rejection of the five unnamed nominees, the Opposition team has since indicated that the Leader of the Opposition is committed to submitting another list of names to

the President for consideration, if necessary.

“In addition they have indicated, that the Leader of the Opposition might very well bring some additional names … it is our hope that we bring this process to a conclusion before the end of this week,” the Director General pointed out.

When asked how serious the Government was on collaborating with the Opposition, given the fact that several names included in the President’s list of nominees were those of former People’s National Congress (PNC) affiliates, Harmon posited that all the names submitted so far were all being seriously considered.

“It’s a very serious consideration, all of the names are serious, these are people who have offered themselves for public service, these are citizens of quality and they have offered themselves to public service and it is now for the teams that are meeting to hammer out; in the hammering-out process, some will fall off and some will remain,” he stated.

Harmon further not-

ed that when discussions between the two sides continues on Thursday, the Opposition Leader was expected to provide his views on which of the eight nominees submitted by the President would make the final list Jagdeo would submit.

Serious consideration Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Jagdeo on Tuesday emphasised during a video address to the nation that the process currently being followed was an informal one.

He said that he was prepared to consider the eight names President Granger supplied, to see which ones could potentially make it onto the list of six he has to submit.

“The formal process will be when I submit the six names to him. And this informal process is to see if we can find some commonality around names. So, the discretion remains that of the Leader of the Opposition, in accordance with our Constitution, to determine the final six,” the Opposition Leader said.

“So, I will treat the President’s suggestions seri-

ously, but the determination will be mine, whether they will form part of the official list of six persons I submit to him,” Jagdeo added.

He also emphasised that moving ahead, the Constitution must be upheld. According to Jagdeo, he was hopeful that they continue moving forward with that understanding. He also shied away from criticising the President’s list of nominees.

“The eight names submitted by the President, I don’t have anything averse to say about those individuals. I do not want to engage in a public process of destroying people’s characters, the President has made the suggestions in line with my letter and I am prepared to consider the names to see whether they will be included in my final six that I submit to him…. the determination will be mine whether they will form part of the official list of six persons. ” The Opposition Leader first submitted a list of 11 nominees to President Granger.

When the two teams met on Monday to discuss this list, the

Government side submitted an informal list of its own, featuring several known PNC affiliates.

Jagdeo’s list comprises Retired Major General Joe Singh, who served as GECOM Chairman years ago; environmentalist Annette ArjoonMartins, Retired Justice of Appeal BS Roy, businessman Captain Gerry Gouveia, Attorney-at-Law Kashir Khan, former Magistrate Krishnadatt Persaud, conflict resolution specialist Lawrence Latchmansingh; Retired Major General Norman McLean, businessman Ramesh Dookhoo, Retired Puisne Judge William Ramlall and Onesi La Fleur.

On the other hand, President Granger’s informal list comprises Retired Justices James Patterson, Claudette La Bennett, and Stanley Moore as well as economist Aubrey Armstrong, Attorney Kesaundra Alves and former Solicitor General Kim Kyte.

The President also proposed known PNC affiliates Stanley Ming (a former PNC parliamentarian) and Kads Khan.

Meanwhile, during an address to the nation on Tuesday, President Granger said that the Government side was adhering to the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and to the agreement with the Leader of the Opposition.

“The Government side remains committed to continuing the dialogue and concluding the selection process within days to enable the Elections Commission to function. Once done, Guyanese can expect credible elections in the shortest possible time,” he said.

Promoter jailed for Guyana Govt’s refusal to... cocaine trafficking

A

local party promoter, who was on remand for nine months for cocaine trafficking was on Tuesday sentenced to two years, three months’ imprisonment and fined G$2.4 million.

Wyette Amsterdam known as “Legacy” of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, was tried and found guilty of trafficking 1.160 kilograms of cocaine at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus after Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutors provided sufficient evidence.

The magistrate sentenced the man to three years’ imprisonment, however, since he spent nine months on remand, it was deducted from the sentence.

The thirty-one-year-old man had initially denied the charge which stated that on October 17, 2018, at Stabroek Market Square, in the vicinity of Lodge Bus Park, he had in his possession 1.160 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

JAILED: Wyette Amsterdam

According to CANU’s case, ranks acting on information were watching Amsterdam for one month and on the day in question, the ranks intercepted him in the vicinity of Stabroek Market. A search was carried out and the narcotics along with G$600,000 was discovered in a haversack that was on his back.

He was then arrested and taken into custody.

On Friday, Justices Diana Insanally and Simone Morris-Ramlall threw out Jordan’s application, filed by Attorney General Basil Williams, for a stay of the Court order. In their judgement, the judges expressed their view that his application had no merit.

Executive order On Monday, the last day for Jordan to pay DIPCON the monies, the President came through with an executive order for a grant of respite shielding the Minister.

The President issued the order in keeping with his powers under article 188 of the Constitution. According to the order, Jordan was granted his reprieve “until all appeals and remedies available to him and the State were exhausted”.

Article 188 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana says the President may “grant to any person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence”.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s chambers has since filed an appeal of the full Court’s decision to reject their earlier attempts to stay the Court order. According to the appeal, Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry “misdirected herself in a number of points when she rejected them”.

Among their contentions are a regurgitation of the previous arguments they made, which is that DIPCON’s Court action fell under public law and, therefore, Jordan should

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not be liable in his personal capacity.

Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy Article 188 of the Constitution of Guyana empowers the President to grant to convicted persons a State pardon, either conditionally or otherwise, or grant a respite of the execution of the punishment imposed or substitute a less severe punishment.

However, he has to engage the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy under Article 189 before such action is taken. As a matter of fact, in an article published by the Ministry of the Presidency in 2016, it was pointed out that the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, under Article 189, is therefore mandated to advise the President.

In that article, President Granger is quoted as saying, “The exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy is not unfettered and under the Constitution…The powers I exercise under this part will be determined and guided by the advice of the Council. I don’t have the opportunity to behave in an arbitrary or capricious manner…”

The Prerogative of Mercy is usually exercised in response to a petition from a convicted person or someone acting on their behalf and by constitutional convention on advice from the relevant Government Minister. In Jordan’s case, it was not clear if President Granger engaged that council before invoking his executive powers on Monday.

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Chinese Doctors pilot new technologies during stint in Guyana A

t least three new technologies were piloted in Guyana by specialists of the 14th Chinese Medical Brigade. This 16-member team has just concluded a oneyear stint at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) since June 2018.

The three technologies introduced were all surgical procedures. The first which is a nerve block to treat advanced pancreatic cancer was successfully performed by a General Surgeon.

An Orthopedic Surgeon from the brigade performed the first posterior tibial plateau fracture surgery through the knee medial posterior approach while an Anesthesiologist performed the first combined spinal and sciatic nerve block.

According to the Department of Public Information, this was noted by the team leader of the 14th Brigade, Dr. Shen Jiansong who said these pilots when adopted are critical procedures which can be practised at the nation’s only tertiary healthcare institute. Also, he outlined that the GPHC is also a training institution which makes it an opportune time for these techniques to be taught.

These were some of forty technologies which were piloted right in Guyana with local

Members of the outgoing 14th Chinese Medical Brigade

surgeons and other medical staff benefitting and gaining insight from the expertise of the Chinese.

According to their submitted report, over the one-year period, the medical brigade performed 28,600 rounds, attended to 16,440 outpatients, administered acupuncture 1140 times, anaesthesia 1210 times and conducted 3920 (specialised and general) surgeries.

Further, in December 2019, the brigade donated more than G$34Million worth in medical equipment to GPHC and LHC. Added to this, about 20 outreaches were conducted at Kwakwani, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Mc Kenzie High

Volda Lawrence, Minister of Public Health presents a plaque to the Head of the 14th. Chinese brigade Dr. Shen Jiansong

School and New Amsterdam.

Volunteerism was also a major part of their stint while in

Guyana.

The Ministry of Public Health hosted a farewell din-

ner at the New Thriving Restaurant at Providence in the brigade’s honour.

Appreciation was extended to the team for their outstanding effort to bring quality healthcare to citizens in Guyana. More specifically the ministry has taken note of the brigade’s interface with youth and adolescent health. They have also played a pivotal role in responding to cases coming from the Guyana Manganese Company in Matthew’s Ridge earlier in the year.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Public Health, Chairperson of the hospital’s board of Directors, Kessaundra Alves noted that, “According to feedback from the head of the department with regard to the performance of the 14th batch, the contributions of the team were outstanding in each area of work even though there were challenges be it with language, culture or otherwise members of the team were still able to find a common ground and provide quality healthcare to all patients.”

As this team leaves the Public Health Ministry welcomed the incoming 15th medical brigade. Gifts were presented to the Chinese doctors as the ministry wished them their very best in all their future endeavours, DPI reported.

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Roger Khan to be deported to Guyana soon

S

haheed “Roger” Khan has been released from prison on Monday and is now in custody of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as he awaits deportation to Guyana.

According to the ICE website, Khan is in custody at the Krome Detention Facility in Miami, Florida. According to reports received, the process for deportation to Guyana has started and Khan is expected to arrive in Guyana soon.

Upon deportation, Khan will be escorted to Guyana by members of ICE and upon his arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, he will be handed over to local law enforcement authorities.

When contacted on Tuesday, a senior police rank attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) related that they were not in receipt of any information with regard to the arrival of Khan. He, nevertheless, explained that upon arrival in Guyana, Khan would be taken to the CID headquarters where he would be processed for reintegration into society.

Further, he noted that no clear indication was suggested that Khan would be arrested and grilled on crimes he allegedly committed while in Guyana.

Guyana Times International has learnt that a close relative of Khan who resides in the US is in Guyana making arrangements for his arrival.

Acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston earlier in the week stated that Khan would be treated like any other deportee who has been sent back

Shaheed Roger Khan

to Guyana.

“Whatever matters, allegations have been made against him, those will be investigated. He will [be] treated like every other deportee that is being deported from the States. All deportees coming in normally are escorted to CID headquarters,” the Crime Chief (ag) added.

Khan was sentenced in 2009 after he pleaded guilty to arms trafficking, drug trafficking, conspiracy and witness tampering. He was nabbed in neighbouring Suriname back in June 2006 after fleeing Guyana.

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Berbice family grieving after drowning death of toddler

The distraught mother standing in disbelief

T

The canal in which the child was pulled

he motionless body of a 23-month-old boy was on Monday pulled from a trench close to his Berbice home moments after he disappeared.

Dead is Bryston Akrie of No. 52 Village Cortentyne, Berbice, whom might have slipped into the pond as he was making his way to join his other three siblings a short distance away. He was found floating face down by his mother, Patricia Devi, at about 15:00h.

When Guyana Times International contacted the mother on Tuesday, she was at the time speaking with Police detectives who are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the child.

She however explained that the child asked for some tea and as such, she left him with his grandmother as she went to the kitchen. However, as she returned, she saw her mother fast asleep and the child was missing.

She explained that the child would normally go out to play with his siblings and thought that he was with them. It was not until one of her other children returned home that she realized that he never joined the others. She said she frantically woke her mother and raised an alarm.

“Meh search all ova… upstairs, down stairs, in the back yard…and we nah see he… Meh mother and so start to help search but we nah see he,” she recalled.

She said that she decided to check around the pond where she was confronted by her biggest fear. Upon seeing the child in the water, she reportedly jumped overboard and retrieved the child.

At that time, she recollected his body was pale and there were no movements or signs that he was alive. Her father, who heard her screams as he was heading home from work, ran towards her and as he picked up his grandson, he realized that the child was dead.

The mother, grieving the loss of her last child, said that on his way to meet his siblings, he might have stopped by the pond to play with the water and then slipped in.

“We carry he in the house, bathe he and change he clothes and by then the police come do them checks…we then carry he to the hospital mortuary,” the distraught woman added.

She further said that she and the father of her four children had separated three months ago and in order for her to take care of her children, she was forced to look for a job. She is presently employed with an aunt to clean fish glue. The other children are ages eight, six and four.

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Guyana Wildlife Commission warns of hefty fines, jail time for illegal hunting

The jaguar that was recently captured at Lima Sands, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)

T

he Guyana Wildlife Conservation Management Commission (GWCMC) is urging members of the public and more specifically miners and those that encroach on the habitat of wildlife species to have respect for their territory.

The Wildlife Commission has noted the importance of these wildlife species to the country’s ecosystem and highlighted the important role they play in Guyana being an eco-tourism destination.

The Commission made calls for those persons coming into contact with these species to ensure it is done in keeping with regulations governing our wild animals.

The Commission in collaboration with Assistant Professor of the University of Texas, Dr Anthony Cummings, hosted a sensitisation session for media operatives on Tuesday at the Environmental Protection Agency, discussing the “HumanWildlife conflict”.

Legal officer and Attorney-at-Law Samuel Glasgow of the GWCMC during the sensitisation session, cautioned persons of the penalties for illegal hunting and capturing of these wildlife species. He stressed the need for the public to realise that these creatures play an important role in our ecosystem and we continuously encroach on their habitat.

“These species have a right to life. They have a right to live in their habitat and the GWCMC and Government found it important to put laws in place for the protection, the proper conservation and management of these wildlife species,” he said.

Further, Glasgow pointed out that the Commission has a monitoring committee working to sensitise the public on how to treat the wild-

life species.

Glasgow highlighted that there is a hefty fine and jail time attached to the reckless hunting and any type of unlawful interaction with these species, starting from G$75000.

He pointed out that although there is no definitive figure available for reports received by the Commission in this regard, there are daily reports of interaction of either these wild cats wandering out of their habitat in search of food or those of persons encroaching into their territory.

M e a n w h i l e , the Commission’s Communications Officer, Deuel Hughes, encouraged persons to “think like a jaguar” as this is necessary in order to coexist with them.

He urged the public to take into consideration the habitat of these wild cats and other endangered or protected species and be cautious when interacting or entering into their territory. As such, they are being encouraged to secure livestock and cattle to avoid them being hunted by these species. “The mentality of jaguars is to hunt and once food is easily available to them they are going to go after that source of food,” he said.

Only recently, the capturing of a jaguar at Lima Sands in Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), created much controversy, after the animal was trapped and a fee was being charged to persons who wanted to view the animal.

In light of that incident, the Wildlife Commission reminded that persons who violate Section 69 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, which speaks to the protection of these animals, are liable to pay a fine and up to three years’ imprisonment time.

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Jury finds man guilty Prison escapee confesses to raping elderly woman of raping boy, 6

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12-member High Court jury on Tuesday returned a unanimous guilty verdict against Leon Albert for the rape of a six-year-old boy.

After almost two hours of deliberation, the verdict was returned and the indictment read that on June 9, 2012, in the county of Essequibo, Albert engaged in sexual activity with the child.

The now convict-

ed rapist was on trial at the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court before Justice Simone MorrisRamlall.

Defence Attorney Maxwell McKay made an application for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.

The application was granted and Albert will make his next court appearance on September 5, 2019, for sentencing.

Additionally, a vic-

tim impact statement presented by a senior probation officer on behalf of the victim revealed how troubled the incident had caused the victim to become.

“I feel betrayed and sad, thinking of it makes me angry and wish it never happen….I feel it all happened because of me,” the child said in the statement.

The State’s case was presented by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy.

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39-year-old resident of Kumuni Creek, Demerara River, West Bank Demerara, on Tuesday admitted to the offence of rape at the Demerara High Court.

Delon Blake appeared before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall and admitted that in July of 2017, he engaged in sexual penetration with a 76-year-old woman.

After his client admitted to the crime, Defence

Guilty of rape: Delon Blake

Attorney Robindra Mohabir in an address to the court requested that a probation report be prepared before his client is sentenced. The application was granted and the convict will make his next court appearance on July 11, 2019, for sentencing. The State’s case was presented and led by Prosecutor Sarah Martin.

In October of 2017, Blake had managed to escape from prison but was later recaptured.

news 21

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Emotional farewell as ECD businessman, daughter laid to rest H undreds of family members and friends on Wednesday crowded the home of Aaron Latchman as they paid their respects to the businessman and his daughter, Arianna Latchman, who were both killed on June 4 at their Better Hope, East Coast Demerara home.

Latchman, a money changer, had dropped off his younger daughter to her lessons and upon his return home, he was confronted by the two gunmen. He was held at gunpoint and escorted to the upper flat of his home with his 18-year-old daughter.

Reports are that the teen was attacked and shot to her chest when the bandits entered the house through the back door and began demanding cash.

They then escorted Latchman into the yard where they shot him multiple times before escaping with a bag of cash.

On Wednesday, relatives were still trying to come to grips with what occurred on that faithful day. They remembered the two as loving and caring and always fun to be around.

One relative, while sharing a brief tribute at the home, said, “I know Terry (Aaron) from a child growing up and I can tell you today this is indeed sad. I want to let the rest of our family know that in this hour, God is still our source”.

Another grieving relative who took the microphone

Arianna Latchman Aaron Latchman

at the brief ceremony said he just thought the family should know that they are being prayed for and all justice will prevail.

Latchman’s wife was inconsolable and Guyana Times International was told that she has been having a difficult time accepting the passing of both her husband and daughter.

Following the tributes at the family’s home, where hundreds of persons gathered to bid farewell to Latchman and his daughter, their bodies were taken to a nearby church for the final rites to be conducted before being transported to the burial ground.

now dead man.

Based on information received, one of the gunmen was arrested at Front Road,

La Penitence, Georgetown, after Police swooped down on a house there.

After his arrest, he took the Police to Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and Parika, East Bank Essequibo, where the others were arrested.

Additionally, a motorcar used by the bandits that belonged to the dead businessman was found at Front Road, La Penitence. During a search of the vehicle, an illegal firearm and several rounds of ammunition were found.

The firearm has been sent for ballistic testing to ascertain whether it was the same firearm that was used to kill the America Street, Georgetown, moneychanger

and his daughter.

After intense interrogation, the four men have confessed to the heinous crime while implicating an East Coast Demerara businessman.

They claimed that they were paid a handsome amount of money to kill the businessman and make it look like a robbery.

As such, the Police have since launched a manhunt for the man, who might have had an issue with the now dead businessman over a money deal that went wrong.

All the men who were arrested are well known to the Police since they were all previously charged for armed robbery.

Investigation

Meanwhile, Police have arrested four persons, who have since allegedly confessed their involvement in the murders but not before implicating a friend of the

Family members and friends saying their final goodbyes to Aaron Latchman and his daughter Arianna

Residents must also share blame for flooding in City – Georgetown Mayor “W hen flooding happens, [it] is not only the Mayor and City Council, [it] is our people also contributing to it,” Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine said on Monday as he pointed fingers at the residents of Georgetown.

Pointing out that City Hall is not the only party to be blamed for flooding, Narine, during the Council’s Statutory Meeting on Monday, called on residents of the city to desist from littering as he lamented the fact that the recent flash floods in the city could have been worse.

While making this appeal, the Mayor revealed that during a recent cleanup activity in Georgetown, a host of items such as sofa sets and old pieces of

cloth were among other things that clogged the drainage system.

“So far we were able to get off most of the water and the reason why the water was in the city as well for a very long time, many of the areas were clogged with plastic bottles, plastic bags, old cloths and even chair! Chair! We had to get and get people to send down to take out these things them,” Narine said.

Further, the Mayor said he understands that several other areas, such as the East Coast of Demerara were affected by accumulated water. He highlighted the work of the Council’s Deputy Engineer, who was reportedly working tirelessly to ensure the water runs off in a timely manner.

Narine called on resi-

dents in the city to work along with the Council to keep the city in a “proper condition”.

Last weekend, Guyana Times International visited parts of the capital city where it was observed that several inches of

water had accumulated in key sections, including the environs of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In other sections, the trenches and canals could not have been differentiated from the

roads due to the buildup of water around the city.

The Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, also told this publication on Wednesday that drainage works in the capital city were ongoing to ensure that floodwaters

recede as the Ministry prepares for upcoming spring tides.

This is although some G$163 million was spent in April by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to assist in reducing the occurrence of flooding.

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Jamaican woman among Top 25 Canadian Immigrants A

nother year and another major award for author, community activist and human resource professional Kimberlee Shelley-Ajibolade.

This time, she walked across the stage to collect the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award.

Last year, Shelley-Ajibolade, who grew up in Kingston before migrating to Brampton, Ontario, was honoured with a Brampton Top 40 Under 40 award for leadership and making an impact in her community.

The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, now in its 11th year, highlights inspiring stories of immigrants who have made incredible contributions to Canada.

At 30 years old Shelley-Ajibolade is determine to break down stereotypes and to continue to be a positive role model.

“This award is important to me because it is a very prestigious award and this wasn’t only city-special, but Canada-wide. Canada probably has pretty close to 300,000 immigrants and to be among the top 25 in the entire country, that is pretty amazing and kind of surreal. As well, I’m the only winner of Jamaican background this year,” she said.

“When I collected the award it was very surreal.

I felt humbled and honoured. I feel a sense of full acceptance and belonging and it’s a victory not just for me, but for women, for those of colour, for Jamaica and all immigrants; and I’m happy I live in a country that embraces diversity and recognises it as its strength, though the accreditation and honour is not without hard work and dedication,” said ShelleyAjibolade in an interview with The Gleaner.

The winners receive a commemorative plaque and a $500 donation to a charity of their choice. ShelleyAjibolade donated the money to her local church, New Life Kingdom Ministries.

POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS

When The Gleaner caught up with Shelley-

Kimberlee Shelley-Ajibolade

Ajibolade last year, she spoke about wanting to get into politics and has since worked on the campaign of Bampton’s Mayor Patrick Brown and currently serves on the mayor’s Black Advisory Council.

“Working on Mayor Brown’s campaign was great.

I initially decided to work on the campaign simply because I believed in his vision and the city needed change, and the items he proposed could affect real change. But the experience was also a learning curve for me. It taught me how to look keener into everyday issues.”

Shelley-Ajibolade, with her plate full, still manages to take on more roles, such as becoming the district manager for the Brampton Chapter of Black Women Honours and Empowerment, a global initiative to honour, unite, and celebrate women, a career mentor and a licensed and ordained minister.

“I think I have quite a bit going on now and I want to harness those responsibilities to truly do justice to the roles, all while gaining more experience and exposure to prepare me for what’s to come. In addition to the above, I still work as the branch manager at Universal Staffing, and I’m on the board of directors and lead the praise and worship department, all while being a wife,” said Shelley-Ajibolade By 2020, Shelley-Ajibolade is hoping to make her mark in Jamaica by starting with the Arnett Gardens, St Andrew-based Iris Gelly Primary School.

She hopes persons reading her story will be inspired to follow their dreams.

“I think I will start with my alma mater, Iris Gelley Primary. I hope to launch a scholarship or bursary programme. I will have commenced conversations surrounding this with principal Gaynor, but the logistics and selection criteria are still to be determined,” she said.

“I would encourage persons to take whatever it is you are passionate about and turn it into service.

Dream big. Nothing is impossible with hard work and dedication, and in the midst of it all, you need something to ground you and help you keep it together, and for me that’s my faith. My success and accomplishments is a result of me putting God at the centre of it all,” said Shelley-Ajibolade. (Reprinted from Jamaica Gleaner)

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Region 1 man Cops probing discovery charged for of large quantity of brutal cutlass ammo unearthed on attack on sisters

Essequibo Coast

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Moruca, Region One (BarimaWaini) man, who launched a cutlass attack on his sisters and a baby during an argument, leaving one dead, was on Wednesday charged for murder and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Twenty-four-year-old Randy Cozier of Moruca, North West District, Region One, appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

The charge stated that on July 4, 2019, at Moruca, North West District, he murdered Cynthia Cozier, his sister.

Cozier, who was a weeder, was smiling as the charge was being read to him.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, in his submissions to the Court, stated that on the day in question, Randy Cozier and the now deceased had an argument after the woman asked him to desist from threatening his other siblings.

It was reported that during that argument, the accused became annoyed and armed himself with two cutlasses and dealt his sister several chops to her neck and other parts of her body.

Another sister, Beverly Cozier, who saw what was transpiring, ran to push the suspect away from his sister but he turned the weapon on her, chopping her several times about the body.

During the altercation, the baby was also wounded. After committing the act, he made his good escape.

Randy Cozier

The victims were rushed to Kumaka District Hospital and then to the Suddie Hospital, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), where they were all admitted. However, Cynthia Cozier succumbed while receiving treatment.

The man was remanded to prison and the case will continue on August 5. The Chief Magistrate also ordered that Cozier be placed under the supervision of a probation officer for counselling while on remand.

R

The illegal ammunition that were found

anks of G Division of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday evening discovered a quantity of live ammunition and cartridges at Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) during a search.

Based on information received, ranks acting on information received, went to the location and conducted a search. During the search, 44 live cartridges were discovered along with 38 live rounds and a spent shell, all concealed in a plastic container. No arrests were made but an investigation is continuing.

Last week, a truck owner of Onderneeming was robbed and shot just outside his house by a lone bandit who managed to escape.

According to reports, Omadatt Singh had returned home at approximately 07:45h after transporting coconuts and was standing outside his house when he heard a loud explosion but later realised that it was a gunshot which injured his leg.

Shortly after, several gunshots were fired and the suspect then approached Singh at gunpoint, demanding a 120-pennyweight gold chain that he was wearing.

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WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NY Mayor says new speed camera law now in effect

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ayor Bill de Blasio has announced that New York City’s new speed camera law is now in effect. To mark the first day of the expanded program, New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) officials were joined by advocates and elected officials at a new speed camera near P.S. 28 along East Tremont Avenue in the Mt. Hope section of the Bronx, the Mayor’s Office said in a press release.

East Tremont Avenue is a Vision Zero Priority Corridor, which ranks in the top 10% of Bronx corridors for number of people killed or severely injured (KSI). Despite the location’s crash history and proximity to a school, it had not previously qualified for a speed camera.

“This is a major step toward our goal of achieving Vision Zero,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Speed cameras are an invaluable tool that help us save the lives of countless children every year.

We’re sending a message to all our motorists: drive at a safe speed or pay the price,” the Mayor warned.

“There is no better place to kick off the new speed camera law than outside a school on a busy street like East Tremont Avenue,” said DOT Bronx Borough Commissioner Nivardo Lopez.

“East Tremont has seen far too many crashes, and at the same time, we know schools like PS 28 are busy throughout the summer -- and so having a camera that protects kids here year-round will be invaluable. We once again thank the Mayor, the Governor and our legislators for getting us here today.”

NYPD Transportation Chief Thomas Chan said the speed cameras have proven to be an effective tool for reducing speeding and ensuring that

Mayor Bill de Blasio

drivers operate their vehicles at safe speeds, which in turn reduces the likelihood of collisions.

“The new speed camera on East Tremont Ave near PS 128 will therefore help increase the safety not only of students and teachers at the school, but of all road users as well. This expansion of the speed camera program is another step towards reaching our Vision Zero goals. I am grateful to the Mayor, Governor, our lawmakers in the City Council and in Albany, the Department of Transportation, and all our Vision Zero partners for bringing about this expansion”, Chan said.

In May, Mayor de Blasio had announced that over the next two years, DOT would rapidly scale up its speed-camera program, activating new school speed zones Citywide at a rate of about 40 per month through 2019,

and 60 per month in 2020, expecting to reach each of the law’s maximum 750 school zones by June, 2020 (zones are permitted to have multiple cameras).

A Stronger Speed Camera Law: Authorized by state law, school-zone speed cameras have been in operation in New York City since 2014, with data showing that speeding in zones with a camera declines by more than 60 percent, with over 80 percent of violators not receiving a second ticket. The new speed-camera law was passed by the state legislature in March and was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on May 12th. The new law expands the maximum number of school zones from 140 to 750. Other major changes to the law include: Doubling Speed Camera Hours: Speed cameras will now operate yearround on all weekdays between 6am

until 10pm, including summer and school vacations. Previously, cameras’ hours were variable, and they could only operate during a given school’s active hours. DOT estimates that the law’s expansion today will double the overall number of hours when speed cameras can issue summonses.

Extending Camera Zones: Cameras’ maximum distance from schools was expanded to a ¼ mile radius from a school, rather than the previous restriction that the camera be no more than a ¼ mile of a school along an abutting street. This change to the law allows cameras to be installed near hundreds more schools, including today along East Tremont Avenue at the corner of PS 28. In coming months, new cameras will be installed on other high-crash corridors across the five boroughs.

Fines for speed-camera violations remain unchanged at US$50, issued to those who exceed posted speed limits by more than 10 MPH. The notices of liability are issued by DOT via mail to the owner of the vehicle – and are adjudicated at the New York City Department of Finance.

In 2014, New York City became the first City in the United States to implement Vision Zero. Through a combination of enforcement, education and engineering, New York City made dramatic changes that have helped drive down fatalities for five consecutive years, bucking national trends. To maintain progress, since the beginning of 2019, New York City has released a Vision Zero Year 5 Report, as well as a major update to its Pedestrian Safety Action Plans, the Mayor’s Office said.

Jamaica: Baby dies in fire that leaves 26 homeless

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Tanesha Johnson is one of the 26 people left homeless after a fire destroyed their home on Bay Farm Road on Tuesday night. (Photos: Michael Gordon)

ASSANDRA Brown, after having two daughters, was over the moon when she was told during a prenatal clinic visit that she was having a boy.

But that joy turned into sorrow 21 months later when her son, Neymar Facey, perished in a fire that left 14 children and 11 adults homeless on Bay Farm Road in

Kingston, Tuesday evening.

Admitting that she had no intentions of having a fourth child, the 38-year-old mother said she was anticipating Neymar’s second birthday in October.

“If me did come and see him face mi wouldn’t feel so. If mi come see him alive mi would a walk way and hug him,” she said yesterday as tears rolled

down her cheeks.

Insisting that the baby was usually with her, she said shortly after she had given him a bath he had fallen asleep, so she asked her older daughter, now 18, to watch him while she went to a shop.

“Mi did plan fi walk wid him go down the road go buy weh mi a buy but you know when baby body cool dem

drop asleep, so mi put him on his belly and turn the fan on him and tell mi big daughter to give an eye on him fi mi, please,” she explained.

But before she could return home, she said her daughter had come running.

“When mi go down the road and a come up mi see she, she say di baby burn up mi say why you a come to me when yuh fi try save him. My sixyear-old was there, too,” said Brown, as she started crying again.

According to her, she was told that shortly after she had gone to the shop her grandnephew had entered the house and lit a piece of sponge under the bed.

“If mi baby did save and anything bun up it wouldn’t hurt me so; nobody nuh save mi baby. When mi try to run in the fire was so high and mi just drop a di gate,” she sobbed.

“He was playful; he was sensible bad. When mi lift him up him would a kiss me. Him is a baby but it come in like him old,” the distressed mother said.

Senior Deputy Superintendent Patrick Gooden, officer in charge of operations for the Kingston and St Andrew Division at the

An undated photo of Neymar Facey

Jamaica Fire Brigade, told the Jamaica Observer that firefighters from Half-Way-Tree fire station initially responded to a call at 6:09 pm that a house was on fire. They were assisted by firefighters from the York Park and Trench Town fire stations.

Based on preliminary investigations, Gooden said the cause of the fire was a result of a child playing with matches.

(Jamaica Observer)

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

I

n order to achieve great things, we have to make immense sacrifices and sometimes those sacrifices would see us losing out on precious moments. In the end, we always ask the question “was it all worth it?” and sometimes the answer surprises us.

For 11-year-old Stefani Rafeek, the sacrifices made at an early age were totally worth it. For many children Stefani’s age, their regular day includes lots of leisure time and not so many hours of school and studying.

However, Stefani knew she wanted to sacrifice that time in order to succeed.

The Success Elementary School stu-

dent achieved the fifth highest mark at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and a place at Queen’s College.

The road to QC was one paved with immense struggles and sacrifices for the aspiring business consultant. The hurdles were far too many and at times she wanted to just throw in the towel, but defeat is something she cannot live with.

Armed with a dream to emulate her parents, Stefani’s regular day would begin about 04:00h. She would be required to arrive at school for 07:00h so when she woke up at 04:00h, it gave her a two-hour study period and then it was preparation for school.

The pressure was intense, but Stefani said that although she felt exhausted, she knew it was for the best and that the results would be worth it. “ M y time at Success

(Elementary School) was wonderful. I was not always on top of the class, but my teachers and the students there have always been nice. I would give the school a 9 out of 10, because they put a lot of pressure on me, but I knew it was for the best. They (the school’s administration) always wanted you in your 90s and it was quite exhausting.

I feel great that I have completed that aspect of my life,” she said.

Throughout her primary school life, Stefani’s parents and brother stood by her side cheering her on and for her, that is what drove her to keep pushing. She knew that the sacrifices they made to ensure that she was given every opportunity were unimaginable; therefore, her performing to the best of her ability would be the ultimate reward. So when she had to go to school seven days per week and spend endless hours studying, it did not really affect her because attending QC was a lifelong dream.

For her, QC is the dream school because it is considered to be the best in the country.

“I feel relieved (that I got QC).

I look forward to going to QC, because I always wanted to go there because it is one of the best schools in the country. Our teacher Miss Africo (Selman) has started preparing our class (for secondary school). She would tell us what to expect and give us topics about what she did and tell us about her experience. I know it will be very hard especially for first formers.

It was overwhelming (preparing for NGSA). I felt like giving up sometimes, but I know it would have been worth it, that is why I pushed forward,” Stefani explained.

Stefani was in school when she found out that she had achieved the fifth highest

score in the country, and was rendered speechless. The first call went to her parents, who were overjoyed because they had already known about her performance.

“My parents are proud of me and I am happy. I can’t wait to go to QC and make new friends. I know it would be hard to adjust, but I am ready.”

Stefani is grateful for her family who supported her and her teachers who pushed her to realise what laid within her. She is now on the path to achieving great things and has expert advice for th o se who would have m i s s e d their dream schools b y a few

marks.

“Don’t g i v e up, because it is always worth it in the end.”

Now that the hard part is over, Stefani is looking forward to a new collection of Stephen King books as her reward, but while that is arriving, she is rocking back and enjoying the sweet sounds of Billie Eilish.

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No vacuum…

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…in self-interest

he plot thickens – even as it expands! – in the ongoing saga of the hustle of a few who’ve been hypocritically posing as fighting for the economically “marginalised” African Guyanese community, even as they’ve been single-mindedly and voraciously seeking via their connections with the PNCled Government, to fill their own pockets. And as usual, Eric Phillips of SARA and ACDA is in the thick of the thickening plot!!

The first episode exposed Phillips and cohorts while loudly proclaiming their struggle to recover “ancestral lands” for African Guyanese, had used their positions to lease thousands of acres of strategically-located lands that would make them billionaires in the new oilbased economy – while their “constituency” waited for manana. But now an even bigger scam was revealed, the irony of which is just mind-boggling!!

SARA and Phillips claimed the Ramotar Administration made a crooked deal in the closing days of his administration in 2015 when he leased two oil blocks – the Kaieteur and Canje to two foreign companies, because they had no experience in deep-sea drilling. OK…Well, someone from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) leaked an application for a licence to drill in a block – referred to as Block C – adjoining those two blocks, but which is located in ULTRA deep water!! (Will the Police be called in??)

And guess who’re the principals in the company – ABR Oil and Gas Exploration – which applied in Oct 2016? No other than Eric Phillips, Charles Ceres and several others from ACDA – Violet Baptiste-Smith et al.

“ABR” stands for “African Business Roundtable” which the same parties launched a MONTH AFTER THEIR APPLICATION FOR THE OIL BLOCK!! Their experience in drilling in ULTRA DEEP WATER? They claimed one of them worked with a company which drilled ONE WELL ON LAND!!

This scam is probably another reason why the election’s being dragged out since Granger’s handpicked Director of Energy said he’ll be allocating new blocks in first-quarter 2020. Imagine the billions in US greenbacks these scamps would’ve made – while ordinary Guyanese of all stripes and persuasions “suck salt”!!

But contacted for a reaction on the contradiction, Phillips claimed not to be a member of the ABR any longer – as did Ceres, who said as far as he knew Phillips was still an Executive, but the ABR has been involved every year after its formation in discussions with the Ministry of Finance Budget preparations. And as late as Sept 13, 2018, he was described as representing them as Executive Director Dr Eric Phillips.

But don’t expect SARA to investigate even the US$5 million the ABR crew claimed they had as working capital!!

Money laundering??

…in Government

Ramjattan, the man who figures he’ll be the coalition candidate for Prime Minister in the coming election because his dead meat AFC says so, is battling Nagamootoo who’s the incumbent and not letting go.

After all, Harmon had later called the latter “royalty”!!

So Ramjattan gotta find some way to break out of the pack. Seems he’s settled on becoming a cheerleader for the Govt remaining in office, even though as a lawyer, he knows they haven’t a leg to stand on.

He just came up with a principle of the “impossibility of a vacuum government”! What’s that? you ask, Dear Reader? You only heard about “vacuum cleaners”??

Well, Ramjattan has always been up on the law and its language. Remember that famous Latin phrase, meaning “see you later”, which became his trademark… haul yuh ass!??

But “vacuum government” can only mean one where Ministers can’t be found who actually do the jobs they’re supposed to do!

Doesn’t this describe Ramjattan Public Security Ministry and the PNC-led Government?? …in population An economist from the CDB projects our population being reduced by 25 per cent by 2100. This just means he’s suffering from the fallacy of “presentism” and extrapolating from the present trends under this PNCled coalition.

He should take another gander after 2020, when they’d have been booted out!!

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Essequibo shines

Sir Rezwan

would make me a dull girl. I owe my success firstly to God for his divine blessings; to my father, who studied with me; my mother, who prepared questions; my Nani (maternal grandmother), who cooked delicious meals when I needed; my Ajee (paternal grandmother), who gave me massages; and all other family members and friends who supported me, “ she said.

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Pradesh Dwarka

radesh Dwarka, a student of CV Nunes Primary School on the Essequibo Coast secured 522 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations and was awarded a spot at Queen’s College in Georgetown. Pradesh, who copped the second spot in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), said he was very happy, excited and relieved when he heard the good news.

He said he was confident of doing well since he was always consistent with his grades throughout his primary education. Pradesh said he felt rewarded for all his hard work and effort, staying up late at nights burning the midnight oil.

He gave praise and thanks to God for guidance when he felt like giving up and also all the teachers of CV Nunes, especially his teachers, Miss Binda Ketwaru and Sir Rezwan Persaud who played an important role in him achieving this feat.

More importantly, he said he could not have done it without his mom who sat and studied with him late at nights. She would explain, in detail, whatever he needed more clarity on.

One of the challenges he faced was preparing for the exams with time being an important factor. It was stressful since they had to complete assignments, extra lessons and study, but he managed and balanced this out by having some recreational

time with family. He plans to continue his education at the Anna Regina Multilateral School (ARMS) and pursue a career in software engineering.

His advice to future candidates is to study hard and be prepared.

Gevasha Harpaul

Gevasha Harpaul, another student of CV Nunes Primary School on the Essequibo Coast, also secured 522 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations and was awarded a spot at Queen’s College in Georgetown. Gevasha copped the third spot in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

“I am delighted to be placed third in my Region and gaining a place at my dream school at Queen’s College.

The road to success was very challenging, as it required a lot of discipline and commitment. I had to let go of many things, but my parents ensured that I still had time to relax by watching TV, playing games and listening to music.

They believed all work and no play

Miss Binda

“I also owe great gratitude to all the teachers of CV Nunes Primary School, particularly Ms Ketwaru, Mr Rezwan Persaud, Ms Doodmattie Doodnauth, Ms Raywattie Deonarine and Ms Nadiera Drikpaul. My advice to future NGSA candidates is to focus on your studies, revise your work, pay attention in class, have some fun, and always pray to God.”

34 News

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Revenue body making moves to collect over G$500M ‘outstanding taxes’ from Dipcon O

n the same day that Finance Minister Winston Jordan was supposed to pay Dipcon US$2 million in a court-awarded judgement, it has emerged that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has slapped the Trinidad-based company with a tax bill of over G$500 million.

Guyana Times International was able to confirm with Dipcon’s legal representative, Timothy Jonas that the GRA sent his client the letter claiming it owed the tax authority the money.

According to reports reaching this publication, the alleged debt is G$527.8 million.

“What I can tell you is that a similar letter from the GRA, about six months ago, was challenged by Dipcon and thrown out by the court. The timing was about the same, when a claim was made for a mandamus for Jordan to pay the money. The same day we

appeared in court, that letter came,” the Attorney said.

Section 101 (1) of the Income Tax Act states that “When the Commissioner General has knowledge or suspects that a person is or is about to become indebted or liable to make a payment of tax under this Act, he may, by registered letter or by letter served personally, require such first-mentioned person to pay the monies otherwise payable to such second-mentioned person in whole or in part to him on account of the liability of the second mentioned person under this Act.” It goes on to say, “The receipt of the Commissioner General for monies paid as required under this section shall to the extent of the payment be a good and sufficient discharge of the original liability: – (a) of the person who pays such monies to the Commissioner General to the person liable to make a payment tax under this

GRA boss Godfrey Statia

Act; (b) of the person liable to make a payment of tax under this Act to the Commissioner General.”

Efforts to contact GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia were futile.

Last month, High Court Judge, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry had ordered Minister Jordan to

pay Dipcon a US$2.2 million award or face jail time.

The Trinidad-based construction company had taken the Finance Minister to court for failing to honour the payment of millions of dollars, which was awarded to Dipcon by Justice Rishi Persaud in 2015.

After Dipcon took the Government to court back

in 2009 to recover monies owed for road works done, Justice Persaud had ordered Government to pay the company US$665,032.17 as payment for the works done along with US$1,563,368.50 for costs it incurred for those works, together with interest on both amounts, at a rate of six per cent annum from February 10, 2009, to October 21, 2015 and thereafter at the rate of four per cent per annum until fully paid.

However, since none of the payments owed were made, Dipcon had successfully approached the High Court for an administrative order to compel the Minister to pay.

On Friday, Justices Diana Insanally and Simone MorrisRamlall threw out Jordan’s application, filed by Attorney General Basil Williams, for a stay of the court order. In their judgement, the Judges expressed the view that his application had no merit.

T

he top spot in this year’s National Grade 6 Examinations for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is shared

by Jasmine Simpson of One Mile Primary School and Ravi Raymond of Regma Primary— who both scored 523 marks each.

Also placing in the region’s top 10 are Taniya Spencer of the Watooka Day Primary school and Tashaunsia Alder of Royal Halls of Learning with 520 marks each, followed by Jarem Fraser of the One Mile Primary school with 519 marks. They all have gained places at Queen’s College.

Other top students include Erykah Roberts of the Watooka Day Primary with 518 marks, Janae Bristol of Regma Primary with 515 marks, Ashanti Balgobin of the Amelia’s Ward Primary with 514 marks, Shaquon Ross of the Christianburg Primary with 513 marks and Yanell Easton of the Royal Halls of Learning who also secured 513 marks. They all secured places at Bishops’ High School.

Speaking with Sunday Times Magazine one of the top students, Jasmine Simpson, said she wants to become a lawyer. She recalled being surprised and overjoyed upon hearing the news of her achievements. While she expected to do well, topping the region is the icing on the cake.

“The preparations were filled with stressful and hardworking days, with almost sleepless nights”, she noted.

The aspiring lawyer accredited her success to the assistance she received from her parents and the teachers of

Jasmine Simpson and Jarem Fraser

One Mile Primary school. Simpson, whose hobbies are reading and singing, also expressed gratitude to the rest of her family for their encouragement and her friends for lending support throughout her journey.

The top student encouraged other students who would be sitting the examination next year to read a lot and make sacrifices in order to be successful. Following her educational jour-

ney at Queens College, Simpson said she wishes to pursue further studies at the University of Guyana.

11-year-old Jarem Fraser of One Mile Primary who placed 5th in the Region’s top 10 and 2nd for his school with 519 marks.

Fraser hails from Canvas City and he is an aspiring scientist. He had expected to place in the top 10.

“I’m happy that I was second

place. It was very challenging. I read nights, mornings, in the evenings, before lessons on Sundays. I had to give up playing football, which is my hobby”, he related.

Fraser’s advice to students writing the examination in the future is that though it might be challenging, if they are persistent, they will be successful in the end. He said he wishes to further his studies overseas.

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“L

eading up to the exams was nothing different for me.

I used to go to school and come back home, do my chores or use my phone and then take a bath at 6pm (18:00h) and then I would study until

9pm (21:00h), because I used to read my book every day. I did that because I didn’t want to rush into the exam and now the work paid off,” says 12-year-old Jaeden Conway.

The School of the Nations Berbice

Jaeden Conway

had to first give up the phone and TV and continued focusing on the books. I used to go extra lessons, but in preparation for the exam I stopped going,” he explained.

He would take breaks -- playing with his phone at times or doing chores.

On certain occasions he would engage in a game of football in order to relax.

He said those times were much need-

student gained 513 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) exams, and was awarded a spot at The Bishops’ High School in Georgetown.

However, because of the distance, he may be attending the Berbice High School.

The smart, talented and kind young man started School of the Nations in

November of last year after a transfer from Lochaber Primary School.

“My parents decided that I needed a better challenge and they moved me to School of the Nations. There I was given more of a challenge and the experience was great.

In preparation for exams, I

ed, because he did not want to just be chained to the books but wanted to be an all-rounder.

“I want to become a veterinary surgeon because I like animals. I love animals and we have a dog named Rambo,” Harden revealed.

He is excited to start secondary school and looks forward to learning more.

36 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Teen charged for murder of friend over money row A teenager appeared at the Juvenile Court in Georgetown on Thursday to answer to the charge of murder. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on Sunday July 7, 2019 at Grove East Bank Demerara, he murdered Mervin Squires.

The teen was remanded and will make another court appearance on July 19, 2019.

The post mortem performed on the remains of Mervin Squires 21, of Kaneville East Bank Demerara, who was murdered on Sunday last showed that he died of a single stab wound to the heart. His mother Molika Fernandes, told this newspaper that arrangements are being put in place for his burial to take place on Sunday.

Squires met his demise Sunday morning during a fight with his friend. Reports are that

a group of men were gambling at 3rd Street Grove, EBD at about 11:30h during which the deceased and the young men had an argument over money. This however, turned into an altercation during which time, the suspect whipped out a knife and an ice pick and stabbed the other twice to his chest.

Squires reportedly died en-route to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. When Guyana Times International visited the area Sunday, a passerby related that he noticed the scuffle from a far distance however, only when he arrived closer, he realised that Squires was stabbed.

“From a distance walking coming I see the fight right. But I say is young men man they maybe joking around until I reach close and see the blood and people running with him to a car that I realise it was serious and they were tak-

ing him to the hospital.

It’s so sad. It’s like life means nothing to this young generation,” the man said.

At the Diamond Hospital, his inconsolable family members gathered to get a glimpse of his body that was laying on a stretcher. Hospital officials confirmed that he was stabbed once to his chest and once to his left side rib.

His mother had told this publication that she was at church when she received the tragic news.

She explained that her son and the suspect are friends and would usually sit at the corner and chat on a regular basis.

“They were good friends. They would usually hangout and lime and so on the corner.

They would be there gaffing and so on,” she said.

The distraught woman added that Sunday morning was no different, as they were at the

Dead: Mervin Squires

said corner however, she was told that the duo had an altercation over $500 and a fight ensued.

“He got two stab wounds. The guy stabbed

him once with the ice pick and once with the knife. I’m still shocked and in disbelief,” she had stated.

Squires leaves to

mourn his parents with whom he resided and two sisters. The suspect has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with investigations.

House-to-House registration

Compressed timeframe can achieve objectives – senior GECOM official

S

tatements from officials that elections can only be conducted after Christmas Day should be taken with a grain of salt. This is according to a senior Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) official, who, however, noted the importance of dialogue between the Opposition – People’s Progressive Party – and the Government to find a solution.

According to the official, the call for Houseto-House Registration needing to take at least five months, when elections is already months overdue, cannot be taken seriously.

The December 25 timeline was first put forward by GECOM lawyer Stanley Marcus to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) during a post-judgement hearing a few weeks ago.

What is needed, the senior official said, is for GECOM to compress its activities to ensure everyone is satisfied with the process.

“I think it’s [important] to have a list you can trust. The question is whether this list is good enough or not.

[We] can do an election, I would imagine, in a shorter time than what

I hear people peddling about December 25,” the official said.

“I think the lawyer may have been saying that facetiously,” the official added. “I don’t think he said it with any conviction. So, perhaps the two parties can discuss how we can shorten the period of Houseto-House Registration and then, subsequent to that, a two weeks’ Claims and Objections and we have the elections pretty early.”

While this is the practical course of action, the official expressed concern that political persons are pushing agendas that are counterproductive

to dialogue and compromise. And these voices, the official said, are drowning out the smaller voices of reason.

Elections

Last month, the CCJ ruled that the NoConfidence Motion of December 21, 2019, was validly passed against the Government. It also ruled that Alliance For Change (AFC) defector, Charrandas Persaud was entitled to vote against his party list and that even as a dual citizen, his vote was still valid.

On the matter of then GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson, the court

ruled that not only was his appointment unconstitutional, but the President ought to have given the Opposition Leader an explanation as to why consecutive lists of nominees were being rejected.

Patterson has since resigned, igniting dialogue between President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to select his replacement.

But regardless of what the CCJ ruled, the coalition Government has been blatant in its disregard for the court and has said that it is not prepared to call elections unless Houseto-House Registration is

carried out.

Registration is catered for under Section 6 of the National Registration Act Cap 19:08, with the intent of having those 14 and over included on the National Register of Registrants. But on August 4, 2005, then President Bharrat Jagdeo assented to amendments of the Act by including provisions for Continuous Registration.

These amendments were in keeping with an international push away from House-toHouse Registration and towards Continuous Registration as the more effective method

of registering voters.

According to Section 6 (A) of the Amendments, “the Elections Commission shall use the Official List of Electors from the 2001 General and Regional Elections as the base to commence continuing registration.”

This meant that persons not on the 2001 Official List of Electors were legally required to visit registration offices in their respective registration areas to apply to be included on the list (though it is understood that GECOM officers would usually visit the homes of those who are disabled). The same holds true for the next (and last) time Houseto-House Registration would be done, which was in 2008.

The Opposition has consistently argued that House-to-House is nothing more than a delaying ploy and have noted that Claims and Objections are the way to go, even protesting for the President to set an election date on Friday. The CCJ meets on July 12 to hand down consequential orders on exactly what must be done to ensure the Constitution is followed.

FASHION 37

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

being awakened,” he said on receiving top honours.

Now that the easy part is over, life gets real. It is time for Anthony to put all that he have learnt into practice and develop a brand that fully represents the Caribbean and South America at an international level -- the representative sustainable clothing brand of this re-

By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

hen it comes to fashion, there is so much one can say but what sums it all up is the fact that fashion is dynamic while style is individual. We are in an era where fashion is limitless, there are no rules that govern what designers put out.

We have the old being branded ‘new’ and new as out of the box.

However, the local fashion industry is one that lacks the originality of what Guyanese fashion is truly about.

On course to change that is 29-year-old Anthony Dinally.

Anthony is a classic millennial with a passion for everything beautiful and artistic. Always challenging traditions for a modern outcome is how he describes himself. The Georgetown native has always unconsciously been at the front of the fashion scene, since he would always offer advice to his mother and older sister.

Coming from a singleparent household meant that there were struggles in his life but it always allowed him to be humble. Despite his humbleness, Anthony has always had ginormous dreams, and his favourite quote is “What is life if you can’t dream?”

His initial introduction to the fashion industry was in 2009 when he entered the ColeFacts Fashion Competition organised by designers Michelle Cole and the late Trevor Rose.

However, owing to work commitments, he was forced to withdraw, but in 2013, the opportunity arose in a different form.

“I met Damian Moore, an artist and fashion designer and former stu-

dent of the CAFD UTT, through a friend. He was offering an introductory course to fashion design at the Burrowes School of Arts. I signed up and by the end of the programme, he had convinced me to apply to UTT (University of Trinidad and Tobago) Caribbean Academy of Fashion Design. I took some time but I managed to compile a portfolio and submitted it in May of 2015 and I was accepted for the new school year, starting September of that year,” Anthony explained.

The journey was one that was literally blood, sweat and tears for Anthony. He pushed beyond his boundaries and did not give up.

“I will begin by saying the fashion industry ironically isn’t as pretty as you think it is. It is labour-intensive; blood, sweat and tears, literally! Each semester, each

level, posed new challenges since fashion is both theoretical and practical with almost impossible deadlines. I am grateful to have been blessed with amazing classmates, for without each other, none of us would have lasted,” he revealed.

The hard work paid off and when Anthony graduated in June, he created history as he was awarded the Student of the Year Award. He is the first regional or international student to receive the award for fashion.

For him, it was a moment to pay homage to his fashion icon, Lee Alexander Mc Queen.

“I’m quite humbled to be honest. I guess the most rewarding thing throughout the final process, was seeing people’s reaction to my concept and vision and actually getting it, agreeing with it! Almost like they were

gion.

He certainly did that with his collection “BODYSCAPE”.

BODYSCAPE was inspired by landscaping under the theme “sustainability and technology: the future of fashion”. The collection was developed to exhibit the amalgamation of two contrasting elements (the natural environ-

ment and artificial intelligence) working together to prove that both elements are quintessential for the health of the environment and for innovative and new design possibilities.

Anthony has a bright future ahead as he seeks to create his mark and leave behind a legacy that will challenge his icon’s.

38 news

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Leaking roofs, faulty foundations among complaints by beneficiaries

of Perseverance ‘low income’ homes

S

everal persons who obtained a home through the Government’s housing initiative in Perseverance, Providence, East Bank Demerara, are complaining of faulty foundation works and leaking roofs among other things.

On Saturday, Guyana Times International visited the area where some residents said they have been waiting several months for contractors to rectify the faulty works, some of which they were forced to fix themselves owing to the long delay.

Some of the houses at Perseverance, Providence, East Bank Demerara

One resident told this publication that persons would have complained to the Central

Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) several months ago and despite commitment to

rectify the issue, they are now fearful that the one-year defect/liability period will expire before

the issues are remedied.

Seeta Singh explained, “Some of the issues we have is with the ceiling. I don’t know if there is a leakage with the zinc in between but the ceiling is swollen and the ply board is falling off inside and out”.

According to Singh, her husband had visited the CH&PA’s office before, where the family was told to pen their concerns in a letter and attach photographs of the works to be redone.

However, the woman said she had requested the agency’s personnel to visit their home since the camera is unable to capture the ceiling defects.

In total, the woman said she paid G$8 million for her home and would like the works to be done as early as possible.

Another resident, who also lives in the area, complained that his window frames are falling off and he is fearful for his safety. He said his home was visited by a contractor about two weeks ago, who promised to fix the default but showed up informing him that he had “run out” of materials.

Richard Coddet, another resident in the area, told this publication that he had been living in his home for about three years now and is still experiencing troubles because of faulty foundation and roof works. “From the inception when we got this home, we encountered a lot a lot of problems but at the end of the day, overall, we are grateful because we are happy to have a home.

We had leaks, we had cracks, we still have cracks and the house seems to be sinking because of the foundation,” he explained.

Coddet noted that some Government contractors had visited his home in an effort to rectify the faults. However,

he believed that not much could have been done. He said he paid G$4.9 million for his home. “They made an effort but the thing about it is that some of the works it seems like if there is not much you could have done. It’s a concrete home so they would have probably had to do a lot a lot of breaking because some of the works were so bad,” the resident criticised.

He added that because he could not wait or depend on the Government to fix his roof, he took on the additional expense of having it rectified, given that his elderly relatives live with him.

Meanwhile, another resident who is renting one of the homes shared her concerns. Janel Blue related that she applied for land several years ago; however, she was allegedly told she had to “know someone” before she got “lucky”.

Furthermore, the tenant said, “How come these house is low-income house and when you go in they only got G$8 million, G$9 million for sale? We put in for lowincome so I don’t know what they really doing,” Blue explained.

Last month, the newly appointed Minister within the Communities Ministry, Annette Ferguson, visited the Housing Scheme where she had a first-hand look at the flawed buildings.

She admitted that there were some issues with flooring, leaking roofs, and toilet facilities and committed to having them addressed if they were still in the liability period.

Government had paused the distribution of lands and had instead embarked on an initiative which forced Guyanese into buying pre-built houses.

This newspaper understands that not many persons are comfortable with the idea of purchasing the houses, as they prefer to oversee the construction process of their own homes for various reasons.

Under the previous administration, over 100,000 house lots were distributed and over 200 core houses were made available to underprivileged families, while a programme for professional groups provided 200 teachers, nurses and Policemen with fasttrack access to loans for home construction.

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trinidad gets 110,000 rapid HIV test kits from US

T

he US Em­ bassy has do­nat­ed 110,000 rapid HIV test kits to the Min­istry of Health.

The hand­ ing over

by Am­bas­sador Joseph Mon­del­lo to Min­is­ter of Health Ter­rence Deyals­ ingh took place Wednes­ day at the NIPDEC Cen­ tral Ware­house, Air­ways Road, Chaguara­mas.

The em­bassy says it's part of the US Gov­ ern­ ment's con­tin­ued part­ ship with the Gov­ ner­ ment of Trinidad ern­ and To­ba­go to com­bat HIV and AIDS, which amounts to US$2.5 mil­ lion in fund­ing for fis­cal 2019.

“The 110,000 test ing we kits and fund­ day will hand over to­ help en­sure every­one ba­ in Trinidad and To­ go knows their HIV sta­ tus, in­clud­ing mi­grants,” stat­ed Am­bas­sador Joseph Mon­del­lo.

“The Gov­ern­ment of Trinidad and To­ba­go has made re­ al progress to­ ward reach­ ing the UN­ AIDS 90-90-90 tar­ gets, which aim for 90 per­cent

of peo­ple liv­ing with HIV to know their sta­tus, 90 per­ cent of those di­ ag­ nosed to be on treat­ment, and 90 per­cent of those on treat­ment to achieve vi­ral sup­pres­sion.”

Health Min­is­ter Ter­ rence Deyals­ingh has re­ in­forced the min­istry's com­mit­ment.

“The HIV and AIDS agen­da con­tin­ues to be an area of fo­cus for the Min­istry of Health due to the wider so­cio-eco­nom­ic im­pact of the epi­dem­ic.”

The US Pres­i­dent's gency Plan for Emer­ AIDS Re­ lief's (PEP­ FAR's) es­tab­lished com­ mu­ni­ty ser­vice or­ga­ni­ za­tions will ex­pand HIV test­ ing ser­ vices to key pop­u­la­tions in Trinidad and To­ba­go in­fect­ed and af­fect­ed by HIV, in­ clud­ing Venezue­lan mi­ grants.

Ad­di­tion­al­ly, a mo­ bile HIV test­ing unit op­ er­at­ed by the Med­ical Re­search Foun­da­tion will soon be­gin out­reach to com­mu­ni­ties through­ out Trinidad. (Trinidad Guardian)

NEWS 39

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53 from Caribbean nabbed in US immigration sweep

T

he United States Coast Guard says it has detained more than 50 migrants from Haiti and Cuba during the 4th of July holiday weekend from two separate interdictions in the Caribbean Sea. The US Coast Guard said that on July 4, it had received notification regarding a disabled vessel with more than 20 people aboard, 130 miles northeast of Jacksonville, Florida.

“The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca was diverted to the scene and interdicted 22 Haitian migrants, 17 males, four females and one child, due to safety concerns with the vessel,” the Coast Guard said.

It said that last Saturday another notification was received indicating that a 24-foot wooden rustic vessel was found 27 miles south of Key West, Florida.

The Coast Guard said that 33 Cuban migrants including 27 males were detained as a result.

“The Coast Guard continues to maintain a focused and coordinated effort with multiple agency assets to interdict any attempt to dangerously and unlawfully immigrate by sea to the United States,” said Michael Vega of the Coast Guard 7th District enforcement branch.

“Those who are interdicted at sea attempting to illegally immigrate will be repatriated to their country in accordance with existing US immigration policy,” he added.

The US Coast Guard said about 3,027 Haitians have attempted to illegally enter the US since the start of the year, compared to 2,727 Haitian migrants last year.

It also said 394 Cubans have attempted to illegally enter the US as compared to 384 last year. (CMC)

41

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Deaths of 3 children at GPHC

6 months after, Medical Council still to decide on fate of doctors A

lmost six months have passed since the deaths of three juveniles at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and although there were two independent investigations into those matters that have been concluded, sanctions, if any, are yet to be imposed.

The buck was finally passed to the Guyana Medical Council for it to conduct its own probe into the children’s deaths and this too has been completed. The files were then sent to the Council’s Disciplinary Committee for review but to date, there has been no word as to the next step.

H o w e v e r , Government’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who also holds a seat on the Medical Council told Guyana Times International on Monday that a process is being followed before any revelations can be made about the Council’s decision(s).

“We have a process

there. And that process is ongoing. It won’t be right for me to be giving information to anyone except through the right channels. I cannot give you information, it is something that a procedure is in place for, but we will give you the information after it is dis-

cussed [with all those involved].”

In May, Chairman of the Guyana Medical Council, Dr Navindranauth Rambarran during an exclusive interview with this publication had confirmed that the Guyana Medical Council con-

cluded its probe into the deaths and the files were sent to the Council’s Disciplinary Committee.

“All I could say on the issue is that the issue is now engaging the Disciplinary Committee at the Medical Council.

But the course of natural justice has to take its

path. So I cannot comment on that further,” Dr Rambarran had stated at that time.

With regard to the doctors who were found in the initial probe by the hospital to be negligent of following protocol, and who are still on the job, Dr Rambarran also had explained that it is not the role of the Guyana Medical Council to interfere in those operations but rather, the Disciplinary Committee has to do its work.

GPHC, earlier this year, concluded its own probe into the matter, which found that the medical personnel did not follow the established protocol in administering drugs to the three children who died earlier this year.

In March last, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) of Guyana, Dr Karen Gordon-Campbell, told the media that the doctors who treated the three juvenile leukaemia patients who later died at the GPHC administered the drugs in-

correctly. Instead of intrathecal administration of the drug vincristine, they administered it intravenously.

It was this that led to the adverse reactions of those three children and ultimately their deaths.

She explained that investigations revealed that protocols the medical practitioners should have followed would have stipulated which drug has to be administered “when and where”.

“It wasn’t a question of dosage but administration in terms of where it was administered. That was done incorrectly.

The dosages would have been fine but in terms of where they administered what,” the Deputy CMO explained.

She stated that the three medical personnel involved in the matters were aware that they had broken protocol but not at the initial stage of administering the medicinal drugs to those patients. turn to page 46

NEWS 43

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Works to commence soon on Bartica hospital A

s it awaits the arrival of the Indian consultants to oversee the multimillion-dollar upgrade of three primary healthcare facilities here, the Guyana Government will be going ahead to commence work on the Bartica Hospital which is one of the primary healthcare facilities to benefit from the Indiafunded project.

Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence recently told Guyana Times International that the consultancy firm was selected by the National Procurement Tender and Administration Board (NPTAB) and that they are now awaiting the arrival of the consultants.

“We have no knowledge of when the consultant is going to be here. We were given a date for late last year – in December – but then we got an excuse that the consultant could not arrive on that date and we will be told when the consultant will be coming but we have not heard [back anything],” she explained.

Nevertheless, Lawrence noted that following discussion with Finance Minister Winston Jordan, a decision was taken to go ahead with some of the works at the Bartica Hospital, which is in dire need of attention.

“So we will not continue to wait. We will begin to do some work in the Bartica Hospital from 2020… What we are going to start doing is nothing outside of what they would’ve done. So the intent is that we will be able to negotiate an extension in another area. So if we do the theatre, then we will be able to ask them to add something else, like a step-down clinic or so, in place of that,” the Public Health Minister noted.

Back in July 2017, Finance Minister Winston Jordan signed the US$17.5 million line of credit (LOC) with the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India to refurbish existing facilities and construct new buildings at the Suddie Hospital in Region Two, the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three and the Bartica District Hospital in Region Seven. The line of credit will also be used to procure medical equipment to furnish the new and renovated facilities.

Since the Indian Government is funding the project, it is required that the contracts be awarded to companies from that country.

This project is an initiative of the coalition Government, which wanted to use funds set aside for the controversial Specialty Hospital Project for the modernisation of the three primary healthcare institutions.

However, the Indian Government had committed to providing a separate loan to makeover the three hospitals in exchange for the Specialty Hospital Project to continue. But the Specialty Hospital project fell through.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times International, former Indian High Commissioner, Venekatachalam Mahalingam, who recently ended his fiveyear tour in Guyana, expressed his disappointment that the project never took off.

However, he noted that such a facility is much needed in Guyana, especially with the upcoming economic development the country is about to experience as a result of the oil boom when production commences early next year.

“With the oil coming in and with Guyana’s economy going to develop far better than anyone can imagine, a speciality hospital is required… There will be good demand for such services, and not just for Guyanese,” Mahalingam posited.

With a US$18 million line of credit (LOC) from the Indian Exim bank, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration was hoping to create a thriving health tourism industry with the construction of a Specialty Hospital by pulling foreigners and overseasbased Guyanese.

However, the project quickly found itself in a series of controversy, causing the then Government to end a contract with the India-based contractor, Surendra Engineering, in 2014, citing instances of alleged fraud and delays.

The Donald Ramotar-led regime subsequently filed a billion dollar lawsuit against the firm for failing to honour its obligations. Guyana is yet to recover close to G$1 billion from that company.

While in Opposition,

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence Bartica Hospital

both the APNU and AFC had strongly opposed the Specialty Hospital project and upon its assumption to office in 2015, the coalition had

decided to scrap the project, which had already expended some US$4.2 million on certain preliminary works, and use the remaining

funds to upgrade several public hospitals.

However, after some convincing by the Indian Government, the coalition hesitantly proceed-

ed with the project, handing it over to another India-based contractor, Fedders Lloyd, to complete using the remaining US$13.8 million. But a few months later, that company was blacklisted by the World Bank until 2020, forcing the project to a standstill once again.

Following this, Government got the US$18 million LOC written off, with the Indian Government taking back the remaining funds and an agreement was signed for Guyana to only pay back the money that was already spent. This paved the way for the new LOC for the upgrade of the primary healthcare system.

44 news

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Tragedies…

T

Teachers from the Early Childhood group at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) participated in the Inter-class singing competition on July 11 pose for a photo op. The event saw several persons in the education sector, including lecturers and trainee teachers attending (Photo by Elesa Ramautar)

…in Linden

here was an official Govt-sponsored event in Linden, addressed by AG Basil Williams, commemorating the Son Chapman tragedy of July 6, 1964, when a passenger boat of that name was blown up on its way back to the mining town, and 43 persons were killed. Lest he be accused of bias, your Eyewitness will today simply reprint a column by Rickey Singh, the veteran journalist, on the 2013 commemoration, captioned “APNU Granger’s political amnesia–‘Son Chapman’ and ‘Wismar’ tragedies”. The narrative hasn’t changed today.

“As if committed to sustaining old political hostilities and fuel the racial divide that makes national unity in Guyana such a mountainous challenge, the 68-year-old leader of APNU, David Granger, has expediently opted to overlook a most outrageous dimension of this nation’s painful fratricidal warfare during the 1960s.

It is all the more troubling, if not shocking, that exGDF Brigadier Granger should have so arrogantly chosen to ignore referencing the single most despicable ethniccleansing political development of Guyana’s 1964 racedriven conflicts when addressing a memorial event marking the 49th anniversary of the horrendous bombing tragedy of the transport vessel “Son Chapman” on July 6, 1964.

“Speaking at a memorial service last weekend at “Burnham Drive” (and against the backdrop of an imposing monument bearing the names of the 43 victims who perished on board the privately-owned “Son Chapman” in the Demerara River, APNU’s Granger claimed: “…

The communities of Mackenzie (renamed Linden, after the PNC’s leader), Wismar, and Christianburg had been targeted for terrorism by the masterminds of terrorism…

They succeeded…” Over 176 persons were killed “during that dark period, and thousands of buildings were burnt…” he added.

“As Chief Reporter of the then British-owned “Guiana Graphic” newspaper, I was among media colleagues, providing first-hand accounts of tragedies like that of the “Son Chapman”, as well (as) what directly followed, but, astonishingly, APNU’s Granger conveniently failed to mention that it was the infamous political reprisal that was to ferociously dislocate once harmonious multi-racial communities in the Upper Demerara River region.

“Ethnic cleansing “It came to be more popularly described as “the Mackenzie/Wismar riots” when hundreds of Guyanese of Indian descent (actually 2399) were specifically targeted as victims for “ethnic cleansing” and forced to flee. The crimes of murder, rape, arson, robbery and other degrading acts of reprisal that had swiftly erupted in that politicallyinspired “ethnic cleansing” process in the wake of the “Son Chapman” tragedy are chronicled in the official report from an independent Commission of Inquiry.

Those now piously talking — like APNU’s Granger — about a “dark period” of Guyana’s pre-independence history, and glibly refer to “the masterminds of terrorism”, should also acquaint themselves with relevant available documents, such as the infamous “X-13 plan” uncovered by the police at the headquarters of the People’s National Congress (now absorbed by the Granger-led APNU). It may be fun politics for some to fake amnesia of convenience when talking about the “masterminds of terrorism” while being aware of the dread involvement by both PPP and PNC in the internecine warfare of the 1960s.

“Linking two tragedies “It is perhaps commendable that there is now a monument located at ‘Burnham Drive’ to remind all and sundry of the 43 innocent victims who perished in the ‘Son Chapman disaster’.

“Nevertheless, from my own perspective, justice and sheer human decency should have made it compelling to consider broadening the “memorial” gesture, however appropriately determined, to also recognise the directly related ‘ethnic cleansing’ Wismar/Mackenize/Christianburg tragedy that APNU’s Granger, for all his “knowledge”, has failed to mention.

“The harsh reality, never mind the APNU leader’s sophistry about letting “the pain of the past be used to propel us to peace and prosperity”, is that the shocking “Son Chapman” disaster is integrally linked to the unprecedented ethnic-cleansing tragedy that preceded it.

“If, as the political reasoning goes, the PPP strategists were involved in the “Son Chapman” disaster as an extension of widening opposition to the government it led in Georgetown, then it would be simply puerile to disassociate PNC’s involvement in the execution of what some prefer to reference as the “Wismar/Mackenzie massacre”.

…memorial for all ’60s tragedies

“Finally”, Singh concluded, “there ought to be the creation also of an appropriate memorial in honour of the 176-odd Guyanese killed during our dreadful political/racial conflicts”

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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46 NEWS

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Lawyer calls for “comprehensive and professional” probe into death in Police lockups

A

ttorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall has written the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Police Complaints Authority and Police Commissioner Leslie James as he requested an investigation into the death of 39-year-old Lallbachan Bachan, who died in Policelockups on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

These letters were written on behalf of the deceased’s wife, Samanta Elizabeth Bachan, who had positioned her determination for justice and to know what happened on the night her husband was killed.

These calls mounted after photos of the deceased demonstrated multiple injuries about the body. According to the lawyer, credible sources suggested that officers on duty during the night of Bachan’s death were imbibing at the Suddie Police Station.

Therefore, a “comprehensive and professional” investigation would provide clarity into what actually transpired.

Guyana Times International understands that Bachan was arrested on June 28, 2019, at Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast. He

Deceased: Lallbachan Bachan

died during the night on June 30.

Last week the family of Bachan sought legal assistance from Nandlall to pursue to matter.

Samantha stated that her husband was arrested on June 12 for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was placed on G$20,000 bail at the Suddie Police Station and was told

to appear before the District Court on June 20.

However, when her husband appeared at the court on the given date, the matter was postponed to June 28. He was, however, unable to attend court on that date and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

She explained that on the said date, the police visited their home, where they allegedly dragged him into the van and transported him to the police station.

The widow said her mother-in-law took dinner for him later in the evening but was prevented by the police from visiting him.

The widow said she was finally granted permission to see her husband on Sunday, who enquired about his kids and complained again of feeling unwell.

On July 1, she recounted that as the family was preparing to visit the police station, they received news that he had died. She explained that she rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where she observed her husband bleeding from his head, which was also swollen.

This left them to believe that the man was beaten.

After the incident, Police, in a release to the media, said

‘Something needed to be done’

…Public Service Minister says on ‘arbitrary’ firing of staff

M

inister of Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley on Thursday defended the arbitrary firing of employees at her Ministry, shortly after she assumed office.

“I think that the evidence that was before me suggested that something needed to be done and the investigation would bear whether or not that was rational,” she told reporters during a press conference.

On May 31, 2019, the personnel staff and chief accountant at the Public Service Ministry were dismissed, with no reason given for the termination of their services.

When the news emerged, the government initially denied the reports but Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon later confirmed that the situation indeed occurred.

But he said higher authorities had since intervened and the dismissed staff were eventually sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Questioned more on the issue, Minister Sarabo-Halley declined to comment further.

“It’s currently under investigation so I don’t want to say much,” she stated.

President David Granger had set up a Board of Inquiry headed by Human Resources practitioner, Lance Carberry, to probe the arbitrary firing of three em-

that the man’s body bore no marks of violence. But contrary to this, the family had photographs showing what appeared to be marks of violence.

The police also said that Bachan was the lone prisoner in the cell. A post-mortem examination conducted by Dr Nehaul Singh on the man’s body gave the cause of death as asphyxiation.

Meanwhile, the lawyer is arguing that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is responsible for the safety of persons in custody and must be answerable when such situations occur.

Moreover, he told this publication that it is illegal for relatives to be prevented by the police from visiting their imprisoned family member.

“It’s an absolute abuse of power and absolute abuse of the constitutional rights of citizens of this country to deny access to them while they are in the lockups…the law will determine what compensation [the family gets]. You ask for an amount and you now have to prove that you are entitled to that. If you prove, for example, the police are liable, right away you get a quantum and then you build on that,” he stressed.

6 months after, Medical Council still to decide... from page 42

“The reasons that were given encompassed the fact that they were stretched and maybe not fully attentive at the time. That pretty much is the long and short of the reasons given but I don’t think that initially they realised. But eventually, when they recognised that the patients were deteriorating when they checked they realised their mistake.”

Deficiencies

Minister of Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

ployees.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had alluded to the fact that those workers were initially targeted and arbitrarily dismissed after he revealed that the children of a Government Minister received payments amounting to over G$20 million in the last two years.

Harmon has since confirmed that the children of Minister

Simona Broomes received the large sums of monies, but he said it was for a scholarship.

According to the Opposition Leader, the Public Service Minister rushed to fire all the staff in the department that had access to this information since the Government believes that those fired workers had sent information to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

M e a n w h i l e , Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the GPHC, Kesaundra Alves told the media that an internal investigation by the hospital’s administration into the circumstances surrounding the treatment of three leukaemia patients and their subsequent adverse reactions has revealed that human deficiencies and systemic challenges contributed to the demise of those three children.

“Statements were solicited from the parties directly or indirectly involved and parties who were witnesses or otherwise privy to pertinent

information that could assist with the investigation. The Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr Jeffery, submitted his final report to the Chief Executive Officer on January 28, 2019. That report concluded that human deficiencies and systemic challenges contributed to the demise of the three children.”

She stated that an independent investigation by the Public Health Ministry was also launched and findings were similar to those of the GPHC’s; non-adherence to the hospital’s protocols led to the three young children succumbing at the GPHC. Since the deaths occurred, parents and other activists began their calls for the suspension of medical licenses of those doctors responsible for the deaths of seven-year-old Curwayne Edwards on January 14, three-year-old Roshini Seegobin on January 18 and six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca on January 24.

NEWS 47

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The anatomy of power in Guyana (Part 2)

By Ravi D ev

L

ast week, we discussed the difference between “authority” – which an elected Government gets – and “power”, which depends on the latter’s control of the coercive arms of the state: the army, Police, bureaucracy etc., and certain groups within a society which can exercise “disruptive power”. We posited that in and out of office, the PNC controlled these institutions and it is why there were no effective protests following the firing of 7000 sugar workers, and with the refusal to accept the consequences of the NCM. The second part of the 1993 piece follows: “A second set of resources, which may confer power on individuals or groups, is “economic”; in fact some, noticeably Marxists, maintain that the holders of economic power ultimately control even the State. Be that as it may, there is another widespread perception that “Indians own everything” and thus also have economic power to buttress the political they recently captured. This myth is so pervasive that even some Indians believe it. Now firstly, it has been demonstrated that most Indian businesses are in petty retailing, small-scale rice farming, and the independent professions.

They were forced into these sectors when the State sector was closed off to them during their historic movement out of the sugar plantations. It is a myth that Africans do not own businesses – it is just that the Indian is more dominant in the more visible small mom-and-pop operations that demand huge inputs of time. Secondly, even if all these businesses were combined, their total worth would not equal the value of African-Guyanese controlled corporations. Control of assets is even more beneficial than ownership since one has all the benefits of, but none of the headaches from, the latter.

Thirdly, the ownership being so diffuse, the Indian-Guyanese businesses cannot act in concert, as do the other economic entities that actually dominate the economy. Fourthly, and lastly,

because of the size and intrusiveness of the State, even the Indian Guyanese businesses that are significant only exist at the sufferance of the real power holders and most of them are reduced to offering bribes to survive.

Nkrumah’s dictum was thus fulfilled in Guyana for African Guyanese: “Seek ye first the political Kingdom and all else will be added unto it.” Indian businessmen may have some influence in some instances, and over some people, but this is totally different from power. With influence, one depends totally on the other acquiescing on

his own, without the “influential” party having the ultimate sanction of force, which a true power holder possesses.

However, there is another base of power that is not apparent to most commentators and observers; and this one is certainly not in the hands of either the PPP or Indian-Guyanese. This is the hegemonic power of the group(s) that control the major socialization institutions of the country – the churches, the schools, the media, especially the newspapers etc. This group basically controls what the populace or the Government will or will not put on the agenda, by defining for all of us what we should consider to be the important issues we ought to discuss and debate, much less decide upon.

This group even determines the Government’s agenda but does not ever have to face the inevitable resistances and rebellions that State coercive and private economic power, engender. With their subtle control of these “cultural institutions”, they actually manipulate us to do what they want, against our own interests if necessary.

When Indian Guyanese complain of racial discrimination in hiring 16 African Guyanese PS out of 17, they were dubbed “racists”. But with most being oblivious to this reality, this group has the best of both worlds. The rapist has convinced the raped that the latter actually enjoyed the rape and it was even for his/her own good.

The point is that as one may believe them to be. It thus behoves all of us to ferret out the power relations in our society so that we may truly discern who really controls us – who really has power. For those of us who do not have it but think we do, we would be saved from potentially disastrous initiatives. For those of us who do not have it but realise we do not, it points the way for the implementation of a program to ensure an equitable distribution in the power relations of Guyana for all groups.

After all this is the goal of all well-meaning Guyanese isn’t it?”

Judiciary condemns PM's statement that "judge's action smacks of vendetta"

T

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence at the recent opening of the Drug bond in Kingston, Georgetown.

he Supreme Court of Judicature has condemned statements published in the State-owned Guyana Chronicle attributed to

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who was quoted as saying that "...the judge's action smacks of vendetta."

The Prime Minister, according to

the article, was referring to Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry's order that Finance Minister Winston Jordan pay Dipcon

by July 8, 2019 or be

jailed for 21 days.

See full statement below: The Judiciary has noted with grave concern an article in the today’s Guyana

Chronicle Newspaper captioned “'We have a right to protect taxpayers’ money’ – AG flays ‘PSC’s hypocritical’ stance on Dipcon matter… PM says

judge’s action smacks of vendetta” in which aspersions are cast on the judiciary in relation to a matter before the Court.

The independence of the Judiciary and the rule of law must be maintained at all times.

The Judiciary would like to emphasize that anyone who is dissatisfied with a judgment or a decision of a court has a right of appeal, and this is the avenue by which a lawful challenge to any judgment or decision can be made.

The Judiciary once again reaffirms its independence and integrity. END The Guyana Chronicle has since apologised and changed the article in its online version to say that the Prime Minister described the court action against Jordan, not the decision of the judge, as "vendetta".

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

John Abraham on Batla House-Mission Mangal clash: Audience will get an opportunity to choose from good films

J

ohn Abraham along with director Nikkhil Advani launched the trailer of Batla House in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The film is releasing on August 15, and it will clash with Akshay Kumar starrer Mission Mars and Saaho starring Prabhas.

Talking about the clash, John said, “Make some noise for the desi boys.”

He added, “Honestly if there was a controversy, I would have loved to create it. But Akshay and I are very good friends and we really get along. In fact, we messaged each other a couple of days ago. There is absolutely nothing.

We are only releasing two films on the same day. There is enough space and the audience will get an opportunity to choose from good films. I can definitely say that our film is very good. I can say that the audience at least has one choice for sure. I hope the other two films

are good too. August 15 is a great day for films to release.”

Bhushan Kumar of T Series said, “We roughly have 5500 screens all over India. We will try our best to have around 2500 screens.”

John

Abraham revealed why it is important to release his film on a national holiday. He said, “A holiday always gives you a bigger opening. So, it is a great idea to release a film on a holiday. Besides, the genre of our film is very specific to Independence Day.” John was then asked how he

copes with controversies that come his way. He said, “Controversies will happen at every stage in life. Whether you are a star, an anchor or a common person. I have handled it by ignoring it. But each person handles it very differently. There are people who get violent. There are people who get upset and angry. I look at it constructively. I just go back home and think about it. This is why you will never see me having an outburst because I process everything in my head.”

Batla House is releasing on August 15. (Indian Express)

Shilpa Shetty’s son Viaan gets a special message from WWE star John Cena

I

f actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra is taking over social media with her yoga videos and gorgeous photos, her son Viaan Raj Kundra has become the talk of the town for his knowledge on WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).

On Tuesday, WWE India shared a clip featuring six-year-old Viaan, who is a huge John Cena fan. In fact, in a segment of the video, Viaan aped the 16time WWE champion.

By the end of the episode, Viaan Raj Kundra lived his fan moment when John Cena sent him a video message.

In the message, Cena said, “Hey Viaan, this is your buddy John Cena.

I saw your video and your muscles. I had to get back to the gym and start working on myself.

You are enormous. I can see you singing the song, ‘My time is up, your time

is now’ It’s Viaan boy you are shining now.”

The WWE star signed off with his famous ‘You can’t see me!’ move.

As soon as the message ended, an excited Viaan jumped on his bed and thanked John Cena.

Shilpa Shetty took

to Twitter and thanked WWE India for making Viaan Raj Kundra’s dream come true with John Cena’s message.

She wrote, “Omg! My son @ViaanRajKundra s first solo interview expressing his love for @ WWE and @JohnCena . I have noooo idea how he knows soooo much!!Thank you @ WWEIndia for making his dream come true with that msg…”

Viaan’s father Raj Kundra tweeted, “So so proud! my rockstar @ ViaanRajKundra and thank you @WWEIndia and @JohnCena for that lovely message”. (Indian Express)

Our parents always live within us and their teachings never go away

J

on Favreau’s liveaction remake of the iconic 1994 film The Lion King is a story of relationships. For Shah Rukh Khan, who has voiced Mufasa in the Hindi version of The Lion King, the film “reflects it’s nicer to listen to your parents and understand the deeper meaning of what they are saying to you.”

Talking about the significance of The Lion King, Shah Rukh said

in a statement, “Many times, when kids are growing with their parents, they don’t realize that what their parents say could actually come handy much later on. It is unfortunate that you remember the teachings of your parents when they are not in your life.

Somewhere down the line, the story reflects that it’s nicer to listen to your parents and understand the deeper meaning of what they are say-

ing to you. It does teach you that our parents always live within us and their teachings never go away. Personally, I do feel the same. The small things that my father and mother said actually define me now. I realize it now. I didn’t realize it

then.”

While SRK voices Mufasa, his son Aryan Khan will lend his voice to Simba.

Disney’s The Lion King releases on July 19 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. (Indian Express)

H

rithik Roshan is set to play the main lead in the remake of hit 1982 film Satte Pe Satta.

The news comes days before the release of Hrithik’s Super 30.

Though no official announcement has been made yet, a source close to the unit shared, “Hrithik will be playing the lead role in Satte Pe Satta and everybody is looking forward to it”.

This will be the second time Hrithik Roshan will step into the shoes of megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a remake. He had already impressed fans and critics alike in 2012 blockbuster Agneepath.

The Satte Pe Satta remake will be directed by Farah Khan and produced by Rohit Shetty.

Satte Pe Satta (1982) was helmed by Raj N Sippy.

It starred Hema Malini, Shakti Kapoor, Paintal, Amjad Khan, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Kanwaljit Singh and Ranjeeta Kaur among others.

Hrithik Roshan is currently gearing up for the big release of Super 30. It is a biographical drama based on the life of mathematician Anand Kumar and his educational program by the same name. Super 30 has been directed by Vikas Bahl and also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pankaj Tripathi. (Indian Express)

Religion should empower you:

Kangana Ranaut on Zaira Wasim

A

t the launch of Judgementall Hai Kya’s The Wakhra Song, Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut shared her two cents on the Zaira Wasim controversy. Dangal actor Zaira had recently shared a note on her social media handles stating that she has decided to quit acting as it was interfering with her belief system.

Kangana said that the most essential requirement of any religion is to empower an individual.

“Any religion should empower you. It should make you independent, confident and make you fulfil your life. If you feel your life is already fulfilled, then there is plenty of work around you. Try and help your family and friends. There is so much to do. The very fundamental requirement of religion is to empower you, not disempower you,” the Judgementall Hai Kya actor said.

Last week, Zaira Wasim had shared an official statement on her social media pages, which stated that while acting brought her a lot of love and praise, she later realised it took her away from her faith.

“This field indeed brought a lot of love, support, and applause my way, but what it also did was to lead me to a path of ignorance, as I silently and unconsciously transitioned out of imaan (faith). While I continued to work in an environment that consistently interfered with my imaan (faith), my relationship with my religion was threatened,” the young actor wrote.

Zaira Wasim’s decision invited mixed reactions from her Bollywood colleagues. While some like The Sky is Pink makers supported Wasim, others like Raveena Tandon criticised the actor. (Indian Express)

HOLLYWOOD 49

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A

documentary on late actor Patrick Swayze is being developed by Paramount Network and Network Entertainment as part of the I Am franchise.

Titled I Am Patrick Swayze, the film will be directed by Adrian Buitenhuis, who has previously helmed documentaries Heath Ledger and Paul Walker.

It will feature commentary from his widow Lisa Niemi and his brother Don Swayze The documentary will tell the story of the actor who has

F

ilmmaker Woody Allen has no plans to retire from films and says he might “probably die” in the middle of a movie shoot.

During the San Sebastian Film Festival where he launched his next feature film, starring Gina Gershon and Christoph Waltz, the 83-year-old actor was asked whether he had thought of retiring because of the difficulties he has been facing over the allegations of sexual misconduct against him, reported ScreenDaily.

“I never think of retiring, it’s not just something that has occurred to me… My philosophy, since I started many years ago in show business, is that no matter what happens is to keep focused on my work.

“No matter what happens in my life with my wife, children, current events, politics or illness,

A

starred in some of the hits such as Dirty Dancing, Point Break and Ghost, Paramount Network said in a statement.

It will explore his childhood in Texas and his enduring relationship with widow Lisa Niemi, whom he met as a teenager at his mother’s dance studio.

Interviews of the actor’s co-stars like Rob Lowe, C Thomas Howell, Sam Elliott, Jennifer Grey, Demi Moore, Kelly Lynch, and Lori Petty will also feature in the film.

I Am Patrick Swayze will have its world premiere in the actor’s home state at the San Antonio Film Festival on August 2.

It will debut on August 18, what would have been Swayze’s 67th birthday.

Patrick Swayze died in 2009 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. (Indian Express)

I focus on my work and that’s all that really absorbs my time and effort seven days a week. I deal mostly with human relations, people and comedy. So I don’t think of retiring. I’ll probably die in the midst of setting a film shot one day on the set, making a movie,” the veteran director said.

Dylan Farrow, Allen’s adopted daughter with former wife Mia Farrow, has accused the director of sexually abusing her in the early 1990s while she was a child.

She reiterated her claims in a 2014 New York Times op-ed and other articles. The allegations caught steam in the wake of the #MeToo uprising in Hollywood.

Gershon and Elena Anaya, who features in Allen’s new film, defended working with the embattled director.

“It’s a wild time in America.

I personally think that you real-

ctor Tyrese Gibson will be starring in and producing the upcoming thriller movie The Inside Game.

According to Variety, the Fast and Furious franchise star will produce the project through his banner Voltron Pictures in collaboration with Wonderfilm Media, reported Variety.

The thriller, which has been cowritten by Gibson and Ryan Jackson, revolves around a Miami police officer suspended for excessive force and his penchant for not doing things by the book.

ly have to look at every single situation and decide about how you feel about it. I can say with a very fair conscience, I’m so thrilled to be here. It feels like a dream come true.

“While I think there’s a lot of good coming out of these different movements, I also feel that it’s really important that people take a look at every single situation and make up their own minds about it,” Gershon said.

Anaya, best known for starring in films such as “Wonder Woman”, “The Skin I Live In” and “Sex and Lucia”, hailed Allen as one of the best film directors in the world”.

“I’m responsible for the projects I choose, and he has written a wonderful character for me. As a woman and as an actress I feel very lucky to be able to work with him,” she added. (Indian Express)

When he returns home to the urban streets of Atlanta, he finds himself thrown into a dark underworld of high-stakes blackmail and extortion that has ensnared his brother, a pro football star.

“I am beyond grateful that Wonderfilm has decided to take this journey with me as my producing partner. Being able to follow Fast & Furious 9 and Morbius with this project is going to make for a great 2020,” the 40-year-old actor said in a statement.

The film will also be produced by Gibson’s Voltron Pictures co-founders Jeff Bowler and Bret Saxon.

Dan Grodnik will executive produce. (Indian Express)

Emmy-winning actor Rip Torn dies at 88

A

ward-winning television, film and theater actor Rip Torn has died at the age of 88, according to his publicist.

Publicist Rick Miramontez says Torn died Tuesday afternoon at his home with his wife, Amy Wright, and daughters Katie Torn and Angelica Page by his side. No cause of death was given.

Torn was a free-spirited Texan who overcame his quirky name to become a distinguished actor who won an Emmy late in his career for his comedy turn on TV’s “The Larry Sanders Show.”

Torn made his film debut in 1957 as a former prisoner of war who breaks down at a court-martial in “Time Limit.” Other film credits included “Sweet Bird of Youth,” ″Critics Choice” and “The Cincinnati Kid.” His career on stage and screen spanned seven decades, ranging from an early career of dark, threatening roles to iconic comedic performances later in life. (Indian Express)

Ryan Reynolds joins Gal Gadot and Dwayne Johnson in Red Notice

R

yan Reynolds has joined Gal Gadot and Dwayne Johnson in the heist film Red Notice.

The film has also moved from Universal Studios to Netflix in an another win for the streaming giant.

Written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (Central Intelligence, We’re the Millers), Red Notice will begin production in 2020. According to Deadline, the film takes place in multiple countries and is an action thriller. It is centered around the pursuit of the most wanted art thief in the world. It takes place in multiple countries.

Netflix has become a place where big studios can dump their films if there is any hesitation regarding its box office success. Netflix bought the distribution rights to Andy Serkis’ Mowgli, though unlike Red Notice, Mowgli was finished.

This is a win for both the parties. Studios get to cut their losses, while Netflix gets to host studiocalibre productions on its platform for a lower cost.

Although Netflix has shelled out a lot of money on films of late, the results have been mixed. Its 90-million-dollar contemporary fantasy film Bright was excoriated by critics.

Triple Frontier, boasting of an all-star cast with names like Ben Afflec, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal, also reportedly made Netflix more careful and budget conscious.

Since the streaming service is pretty secretive about viewing figures, it is hard to gauge the popularity (or lack of it) of its shows and movies. (Indian Express)

50 SPORT

WEEK ENDING JUly 14, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s Shimron Hetmeyer, Keemo Paul

among 7 new players offered contracts by CWI

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) has increased the number of all-format contracts awarded to West Indies men’s players and expanded the list of centrally-contracted West Indies women’s players for the 2019-20 season.

According to CWI, the number of all-format contracts on the men’s side has now increased from four to seven with Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul joining those in the Test and One-Day International formats: captain Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach on the list.

A total of 19 men have been retained for the upcoming contract year which runs from July 1 this year to June 30 next year, including first-timers Fabian Allen,

Nicholas Pooran and Oshane T h o m a s , all members of the West Indies squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 England & Wales, along with left-handed opener John Campbell.

A total of 15 women – an increase of three – have also earned central contracts to run for the same period, including veteran all-rounder Stacy-Ann King, fellow left-hander Kycia Knight and newcomers Shabika Gajnabi, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Natasha McLean and

Karishma Ramharack.

“We believe the 2019-20 contract list provides us with a multi-talented group of players who can represent West Indies men and women across all formats over the contract period,” said interim Chairman of the CWI Selection Panel, Robert Haynes.

Contracts were offered to players who have achieved consistent performances for the West Indies throughout the evaluation period of April 1 last year to March 31 this year, and players who the Selection Panel believes will feature in the squads for all matches in the respective formats over the next contract year.

CWI Board policy allows up to 22 contracts to be offered each contract year to West Indies men’s players, so the Selection Panel may decide to offer additional central contracts throughout the year.

CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams said verbal offers had been made to all players, and contracts will be issued in the next few weeks, as soon as CWI has concluded a new four-year Memorandum of Understanding with the West Indies Players Association.

This is the third year that CWI will award central contracts to West Indies men under three different categories.

All-format contracts are awarded to players expected to feature in Tests, ODIs and T20Is during the coming year. Red-ball contracts are given to players who predominantly play Test cricket and whiteball contracts are awarded to players who predominantly play ODIs and T20Is. The full list of contracted players are: WEST INDIES MEN CENTRALLYCONTRACTED PLAYERS 2019-20 All-Format Contracts: Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach Red-Ball Contracts: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jomel Warrican

WhiteBall Contracts: Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Oshane Thomas New players offered contracts for 2019-20 Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Sheldon Cottrell, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican Players no longer on contracts: Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Miguel Cummins, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer WEST INDIES WOMEN CENTRALLY-CONTRACTED PLAYERS 2019-20 Players who retained contracts: Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor New players offered contracts for 2019-20: Shabika Gajnabi, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Natasha McLean, Karishma Ramharack Players no longer on contracts: Merissa Aguilleira, Reniece Boyce, Anisa Mohammed, Akeira Peters

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'Forty-five minutes of bad cricket' knocked us out – Kohli H eavy favourites coming into their World Cup 2019 semifinal after topping the league stage, India's campaign came to an end in a thriller at Old Trafford and captain Virat Kohli admitted New Zealand got through to the final because "they were far sharper when it came to the crunch moments."

"It always feels disappointing when you've played such good cricket and then 45 minutes of bad cricket puts you out of the tournament," Kohli told the host broadcaster at the presentation. "It's difficult to accept, it's difficult to come to terms with, but look, New Zealand deserve it because they put enough pressure on us and they were far sharper when it came to the crunch moments."

New Zealand finished fourth in the league stage, and had entered the semi-finals on the back of losses against Pakistan, Australia and England - but their bowling stepped up to dismiss India for 221 while defending 239.

"I think the first half, we were very, very good with the ball. In the field I think we were spot on," Kohli said. "Absolutely what we needed to get, we got in the field and we thought we had restricted New Zealand to a total which was quite chaseable on any surface. But, the way they came out and bowled in that first half an

hour really was the difference in the game.

"We knew that we had a good day yesterday and we were very proud of that effort. And then a very professional effort again with the ball this morning. So we felt like we had the momentum and we had the right mindset to go in, but the credit has to go to the New Zealand bowlers because with the new ball I think they were outstanding with the areas that they hit, and the kind of swing that

they got on the surface, the help that they got from the surface. I think it's the skill level that was on display for everyone and it made life very difficult for the batsmen."

Matt Henry and Trent Boult had reduced India to 24 for 4 in ten overs, and they were later 92 for 6 when Ravindra Jadeja joined MS Dhoni to revive the chase. Jadeja smashed a 59-ball 77, and while he was there, India looked like they would pull off a heist as he and Dhoni put on

116 runs for the seventh wicket. But Jadeja was caught off Boult while a crucial direct hit by Martin Guptill from backward square leg caught Dhoni just short to end India's hopes.

"I think Jaddu had an outstanding game, outstanding couple of games," Kohli said. "The way he played today was a great sign for his skillsets and what he can do for the team, and just going out with so much clarity and turning the whole game around in no time was outstanding to see. MS had a good partnership with him again and, you know, again it's a game of margins, he got run out in the end, it could have been anyone's game."

Kohli lauded India's show overall in the World Cup, only pointing to stray instances of poor shot selection as areas for improvement.

"At times I think our shot selection could have been better, that's probably the only thing I can think of," he said. "Otherwise, we played really good brand of cricket and we're really proud of the way we competed in this tournament. You know, we played a good standard of cricket throughout. But as I said, come the knockouts, it's anyone's game and New Zealand showed more composure than us, and they were braver in those crunch situations so they deserve to go through to the finals."

(ESPNCricinfo)

Wounded Guyana U-17 suffer third straight defeat

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he wounded Guyana Under-17 team have had a poor showing at the first three matches of their West Indies Rising Stars U-17 tournament, being played in Trinidad and Tobago.

Guyana’s most recent loss came against Windward Islands on July 9th, when they suffered an 84-run defeat.

Windward Islands scored 156-6 in their allotted 25 overs, reduced because of rain in the twin islands of Trinidad

Guyana Under-17s are aiming for a maiden win this season.

Pooranmakeshuge jump into top 100

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ollowing a solid ICC World Cup performance, West Indies middle order batsman Nicholas Pooran has jumped over 300 places and is now among the top 100 One Day International (ODI) batsmen in the world, according to the latest MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings.

Pooran was the Windies' top scorer at the World Cup, scoring 367 runs in nine matches at an average of 52.42, with one century and two half-centuries.

His performance has resulted in the 23-yearold leapfrogging from outside the top 400 to number 92.

Despite a subpar World Cup outing, Shai Hope's ranking did not move and he still remains the region's highest-ranked batsman at 14.

Shimron Hetmyer (26), Chris Gayle (49), Evin

Lewis (76) and Marlon Samuels, who is ranked 83rd, are the other West Indians in the top 100.

Windies' skipper Jason Holder has still managed to maintain his sixth rank among ODI all-rounders.

Among the bowlers, Holder slipped to 38th but is still the highest-ranked West Indian among ODI bowlers.

There was no movement for Kemar Rach (50), Ashley Nurse (65), Carlos Brathwaite (91), Devendra Bishoo (93) and Oshane Thomas (94).

The West Indies are still ranked ninth in the ODI rankings on 47 points, seven more than 10th-place Afghanistan.

(CMC)

and Tobago.

Akeem Augeste scored 38 for the Islanders, supported by Diovanne Joseph, who chipped in with 31. The right-arm off-spinner Marvan Prashad, who hails from Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, had 4-20 for Guyana.

In reply, the underpar Guyana team lacked intent in their run-chase, and managed only 65-7 in their 25 overs. Chetram Balgobin was a standout in scoring 27 not out in another poor batting dis-

play from Guyana. Tyran Theodore grabbed 4-13 for the Islanders in their 84-run win.

Guyana remain winless, but have two rounds of matches remaining in this edition of the Under-17 tournament. Guyana will meet Jamaica at Gilbert Park today (Thursday), July 11, followed by their final round clash on Saturday, July 13, against Leeward Islands at Balmain Couva. All of these matches will commence at 9:30h local time.

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Lusignan Golf Course set for 2 days of action this weekend – Lusignan Open on July 20/21

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n preparation for the grand 2-day Lusignan Open, to be played on July 20 and 21, the LGC will hold two exciting tournaments this weekend: on Saturday July 13 and Sunday July 14.

The LGC Appreciation Day Golf Tournament will tee-off at 12:30h on Saturday in honour of the sterling and noteworthy contributions of various persons, whose actions rescued the Grounds from being waterlogged by the torrential rainfall last week.

Among those persons are grounds staffers Avinash, Barney, Boodhoo and Mahgo; rice producers Padmawattie Joree and her son Sachin; professionals Maurice Solomon, Robert Hanoman, Per Persaud, Dr. Anwar Hussain, Rudy Ramalingum, Mr. A. Persaud, Hardeo ‘Curry’ Ganpat from Global Auto Spares, Ronald Machine Shop, MACORP, and the Lusignan NDC. The Caricom Day tournament, held over due to rain, will tee off at 8:00hrs on Sunday July 14. Up for grabs in both tournaments are 1st and 2nd Net places in each Flight, in addition to the Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin specialty prizes.

This weekend’s two-day ex-

perience should prime golfers for the international standard Lusignan Open of July 20/21, 2019. The Lusignan Open — which was resuscitated in 2018 under President Aleem Hussain’s initiative, after being off the LGC’s annual calendar for several years – is one of two premiere tournaments now held annually at the Club.

The other is the 2-day Guyana

Open, which is normally held in October/November.

This level of open tournament allows every amateur golfer in the region to compete: LCG members, non-members, visitors, caddies, overseas golfers, so that the title and honour, as well as the bragging rights for being this 2-day champion, are much more significant than for normal tour-

naments.

Current and previous Guyana Open champions will be passionately competing, so that Avinash Persaud, Mohanlall Dinanauth and Mike Mangal: male champions; as well as Christine Sukhram, Joaan Deo and Shanella Webster-London:

f e m a l e champions, are in the lineup.

This year’s regular weekend one-day champions, who are certainly expected to seek to stamp their dominance or well-honed skills on the Course for the Lusignan Open, include Aleem Hussain, Aasrodeen Shaw, Carlos Carbo, Clifford Reis, Guillermo Escarraga, Ian Gouveia, Imtiaz Subhan, Kassim Khan, Kevin Dinanauth, Lekhnarine Shivraj, Mahindra Bhagwandin, Mahindranauth Tewari, Maurice Solomon, Maxim Mangra, Parmanand Persaud, Patrick Prashad, Per Persaud, Pope Emanuel London, Rabindranauth Persaud, Richard Haniff, Robert Hanoman, Roy Cummings and Troy Cadogan.

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Don't despair! …Cricket great Clive Lloyd says Windies have talent to dominate in future

MANCHESTER, England — Cricket great Clive Lloyd says that while the West Indies side that flopped at the 2019 ICC World Cup lacked the battle readiness of the regional team that won two titles in the 1970s they have the talent to dominate in the future.

“They haven't played a lot of cricket, really. We [the sides of 1975 and 1979] had guys who had played some county cricket, and so on,” Lloyd told the Jamaica Observer after West Indies were eliminated.

The West Indies icon captained the team to glory at the first two World Cups — in 1975 and 1979. Though West Indies have not won the trophy since, he was integral in laying the platform for their global cricket dominance that stretched into the early 1990s.

Lloyd, 74, has resided in England for decades. He was a regular at games as the mostly inexperienced West Indies squad plummeted out of the 2019 tournament in England and Wales, finishing ninth in the 10-team league phase with a measly five points.

India (15 points) topped the table, followed by fellow semi-finalists Australia (14), England (12) and New Zealand (11).

The last-four stage is set to begin today, featuring the India and New Zealand

contest at Old Trafford in Manchester. On Thursday, title-holders Australia and the hosts are slated to lock horns at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

The final is scheduled for Sunday at Lord's in London.

The West Indies former captain acknowledged the widening gap in resources between the Caribbean side and the better-funded, powerhouse cricketing nations, affording them superior preparation in and out of competition.

He noted that it was also a factor before the West Indies' halcyon days.

“We need to find out exactly what is important for us to move on. We don't have the money that these other places have, but we will have to try to make do with what we have until we get to the top. That's what we did — we didn't have a lot of money either, but when we became champions of the world then we could dictate,” he explained.

The West Indies 2019 campaign started with a bang, knocking aside Pakistan by seven wickets at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on May 31. The rest was largely disastrous, West Indies being either outright poor or losing the grip when in winning positions.

“I suppose they probably got carried away thinking they were going to blow everybody

away. But the wickets here are probably not as quick as people might think. The guys who got the wickets are the guys who swung the ball.

“We just didn't adjust properly, and these pitches are prepared almost like a Test pitch so they're much better, much firmer and they don't have as much bounce.

“We had a very good chance to qualify. These guys haven't played a lot so let's hope — we'll have to see if they've learned anything,” Lloyd told the Observer.

The batting was arguably

Windies to face Afghanistan in India

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two of six ODIs and three of four T20Is. At the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe last year, the Windies failed to beat Afghanistan in two attempts, including the final.

Afghanistan were one of two nations, along with Ireland, to acquire Test status two years ago. They have played only two matches, losing both to powerhouses India and fellow minnows Ireland.

Their hosting of the Windies marks a busy end of the year for the Caribbean side, who are set to host India in August and September in two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.

game's finest batsmen in the 1970s and 80s.

West Indies, winners of the 2012 and 2016 Twenty20 World Cups, are formidable in the short format, using their vast experience gained on global franchise circuits, their six-hitting capability and overall athleticism to overpower opponents.

Lloyd noted that shot selection and temperament are more pivotal factors when batting in 50-over cricket.

“I just hope that when they play a few more one-day games they realise that 50 overs is different from 20 overs. We just didn't have the experience and the know-how to adjust. It's not all hitting fours and sixes — I admire the way [New Zealand captain] Kane Williamson batted when he played against us in that [innings of] 148. He just batted intelligently, so we have to realise that you can still hit it along the ground and be just as destructive.

“We [the successful 50-over World Cup sides] played some county cricket but it's also just about applying yourself. Oneday cricket is about who plays well on the day. You have to get all the disciplines right on the day,” he said.

Reprinted from Jamaica Observer

Guyanese Kaysia Schultz delighted with West Indies Women’s training camp selection

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ABUL, Afghanistan (CMC) — West Indies will clash with Afghanistan in a full series next November in India, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced.

The tour, which runs from November 5 to December 1, will feature one Test, three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals, and is in keeping with the ICC Future Tours Programme.

“The venue of the Test as well as the shorter-format games are yet to be decided,” the ACB said in a statement.

West Indies have never played Afghanistan in a Test but have faced them in the shorter formats, winning

the weakest link.

T h r o u g h o u t the nine games of the league phase, the Jason Holdercaptained West Indies tallied two centuries — one from all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite and the other from young left-hand batsman Nicholas Pooran.

For context, India's Rohit Sharma notched a record five hundreds over the same period, and Australia's David Warner scored three, while other teams had players scoring two.

“They [West Indies batsmen] got starts but they never continued. If you're going to play this kind of cricket you got to do what some of the India guys do. They get to 50 and 60 and they get a hundred. The Australians have done it and others have done it, so we need to try to regroup and work to the future.

“This is a new side, a young side. They have probably learned from their mistakes.

We have some good, exciting players. We probably haven't done as well as expected but there are cricketers that will light up the world in the future,” said the former lefthander, regarded one of the

ricket West Indies (CWI), under the new leadership of Ricky Skerritt, has vowed to invest in Women’s cricket.

And Guyanese Kaysia Schultz has benefited from this investment, having been selected to participate in a training camp in preparation for a tour against Australia.

Schultz spoke with this daily publication in disclosing that the training squad would leave for Antigua on Monday July 15, where they will be encamped until August 10th.

“First of all, I was like, ‘Praise the Almighty!’

I was so happy and excited when I got the news”, Schultz explained.

Schultz is a left-arm spinner who played for the Guyana Under-19s and the Guyana senior female team.

Born on April 17, 1997, Schultz has shown great promise over time playing for Guyana. A humble young woman, she expressed gratitude to coaches Orin Bailey, Bharat Mangru and Ryan Hercules.

“They have helped me in every little area of my game, and I must thank my parents for being there for me at every moment”, Schultz disclosed.

Schultz considers this training camp as a stepping stone to greater achievements, and she is aiming to learn daily.

“Well, every day is a learning process for me. I’m happy for this opportunity to go and learn more, and learn really fast. I’m utmost dedicated naturally from within to go and do my best at the very best of my ability”, Schultz explained.

She added that she is capable of learning, and will be aiming to share any of her experience with her colleagues.

Schultz has played for Demerara at the inter-county level, and for Guyana at both the senior and junior level of the Women’s team.

The full training squad is yet to be revealed. It is expected that an announcement in this regard would be made very shortly. (Brandon Corlette)

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