Guyana Times International 13-Aug-19

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US Congressman urges colleagues to “keep watchful eye” on Guyana WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

ISSUE NO. 467

Page 3

…says loss of democracy in Guyana could impact regional stability

Guyana’s First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger (third from right) shakes the hand of New York City Police Commissioner, Mr. James O’Neill during the Guyana Folk Festival celebrations held at Rutland Avenue in Brooklyn a few days ago. Also photographed are Guyana Consul General to New York, Ms. Barbara Atherly (second from right) and two members of the New York Police Department. (MotP photo)

Guyana processing More competition ‘hundreds’ of visa in Georgetown- applications for oil New York route sector workers See story on page 5

Page 7

…as JetBlue set to begin Guyana …Felix says over 900 foreigners granted Guyanese citizenship since 2015 service in April

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

US Congressman urges colleagues to “keep watchful eye” on Guyana …says loss of democracy in Guyana could impact regional stability

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United States (US) Congressman Vincente Gonzalez who heads a key committee has written to two senior colleagues who head a committee and subcommittee in the US Congress, urging them to keep Guyana on the path of democracy, even as the country meanders on several months overdue for elections.

In the letter which was seen by this publication, US Congressman Vincente Gonzalez, a representative of the 15th District of Texas, wrote to Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security and Trade, Albio Sires.

Gonzalez warned in his letter that a loss of democracy in Guyana could have disastrous effects on regional stability.

He also said that as the US has worked to bring democracy around the world, Guyana should be no exception.

“The United States has maintained a friendly relationship with Guyana since 1992, after then Guyanese President Desmond Hoyte decided to reform the country’s electoral laws and held free and fair elections. Any reversal of these

US Congressman Vincente Gonzalez Chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security and Trade, Albio Sires

efforts could impact regional stability and endanger the well-being of the Guyanese people.”

“I request that the Committee continue to keep a watchful eye on Guyana

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel

moving forward. It is imperative that we continue to bring democracy (globally) and Guyana is no exception. I am available to work with you and the Committee on legislation for the betterment of the Guyanese people,” Gonzalez also wrote.

The Congressman pointed out in his letter that President David Granger lost a no-confidence vote in December 2018 and that after six months of legal challenges, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) unanimously upheld the no-confidence vote. turn to page 7

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Warriors all the way!

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EDITORIAL

Visionary thinking

J

ust a few days ago, the National Stadium at Providence once again saw sold-out audiences for home games of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2019 is truly on its way.

With growing anticipation over the years, fans, including children, were characteristically vibrant in their participation throughout the innumerable and predictable celebrations for any given match.

This is what CPL has come to represent as it continues to bring people from all backgrounds together in a national demonstration of unity for a common cause. A mere glance at any given moment during a game could cause questioning of the existence of the national crisis which has dominated the news over the past nine months. There seemed little or no room for any such contemplation. Partisanship seemed abandoned as camaraderie and unbridled support once again took over.

This is how it has been since the CPL commenced in 2013 and the organisers and franchises must be commended and encouraged to continue providing the opportunities to help unify. The positive impact is not only invaluable, but seemed even more relevant at this juncture. One critical factor to facilitate and sustain this, is the stadium itself. Since its establishment twelve years ago, it has come to symbolise a national vessel for togetherness, be it through CPL games, other sporting events, or concerts.

It is possibly an underestimated or even overlooked factor in its very important national role. Without it, what would have been? That’s an important question, especially in the context of the iconic and historic Bourda ground becoming far more easily inundated, seemingly with the slightest of showers. Its use came into question especially when rain became synonymous with cricket and the hosting of international games threatened.

With cricket over the years becoming a more globalised sport and heavy emphasis on television marketing, host nations and facilities are thrust into the international spotlight. If, for some reason, that may have been taken for granted, Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007— hosted for the first time by the West Indies— brought home that reality. Host Caribbean nations swiftly went into overdrive to meet international standards.

Guyana may have been trapped with the Bourda facility, despite its glorious history, was riddled with drainage and some infrastructural challenges. That placed the country at risk of becoming a host for cricket’s biggest and most prestigious show. Not being a host could not have been an option. A bold decision was then taken to construct a modern facility out of the congested City. With work around the clock, the stadium was realised as was a brand-new mega hotel to boost accommodation capacity.

The decision for a new stadium, with infrastructure to facilitate concerts of international standards, exemplified visionary thinking with firm commitment to modernise Guyana. It was one of the many projects that saw Guyana’s infrastructural landscape being positively transformed and the provision of much-needed facilities.

The building of four-lane roadways along the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, the Berbice Bridge, the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, the Marriott Hotel, the University of Guyana Tain Campus, the Ophthalmology Centre, new regional hospitals and schools, upgrading the electricity sector through new power plants and the expansion of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, are just a few initiatives that formed part of Guyana’s modernisation pathway envisaged and implemented by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) government.

The visionary Amaila Hydroelectricity and Specialty Hospital projects were scuttled by the then APNU/AFC Opposition and funding withheld for the Marriott and expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

That transformation under the PPPC was realised at a time when the country experienced unprecedented and sustained economic growth for many years helping it to earn the label as the Caribbean’s shining star. Then, the economy boomed and it redounded positively to Guyanese as their standard of living and personal wealth were vastly improved.

Today, under an APNU/AFC government, things are not as robust. There is continuous lamentation of how sluggish the economy is, how cost of living has risen steeply making it difficult for families to be provided for and the challenges faced by scheduled extensive power outages— a stark difference to just five years ago.

In analysing, one can only imagine what could have been had the scuttled projects been realised. One can also only imagine the possibilities which could have been opened up, after all, who, in 2007, other than those with the vision, could have contemplated the positive impact and importance of the stadium? Who then could have imagined the East Bank, especially, being transformed the way it is now? The same question can be asked of the Marriott, the Convention Centre, the Berbice Bridge and the other envisaged transformative projects.

Today, their absence is a frightening contemplation. Just imagine the country and cricket without the stadium. Just imagine the lack of opportunities for families to enjoy and cheer at a sporting event there. Without visionary thinking and bold implementation, cricket could not have been played louder and watched in unison at the stadium.

Peoples Progressive Party/Civic Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali poses for a photo op. with a group of Guyana Amazon Warriors fans during one of the matches at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence

Rebuilding after Hurricane Dorian

BY JAINARINE DEONAUTH

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urricane Dorian has left a massive trail of death and destruction in the Bahamas – a country in which several Guyanese have made their home over the years in search of better opportunities. The Category 5 hurricane has left widespread and extensive destruction with many homes, businesses and other buildings completely or partially destroyed.

The International Red Cross estimates that 45% of homes on Grand Bahama and the Abacos – some 13,000 properties – were severely damaged or destroyed.

According to the BBC report, the Island of Great Abaco is virtually uninhabitable, with bodies piled up, no water, power, or food, and militias formed to prevent looting. Aerial images over the Abacos showed mile upon mile of destruction, with roofs torn off, scattered debris, overturned cars, shipping containers and boats, and high water levels.

Even more worrying is the fact that the death toll continues to climb and is expected to rise further in the coming days as the dust from Dorian begins to settle.

According to a BBC report, officials are sending morti-

cians and body bags to the Abaco Islands, the worsthit part of the archipelago.

There are reports that hundreds, possibly thousands, are still missing in the Abacos and Grand Bahama.

This devastation has triggered a worldwide show of solidarity as countries lend support to the island via various means. Governments around the Caribbean, including Guyana, have since activated response mechanisms to facilitate assistance and support to those affected. It was reported in the media that the Prime Ministers of St Lucia and Barbados are currently in The Bahamas to hold talks with Bahamian Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis about relief efforts.

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

Certainly, the magnitude of reconstruction will require significant levels of financing which would be difficult for countries in the region alone to generate. Hence regional governments, through Caricom, may want to consider organising a donor conference, with support from the United Nations to raise the necessary finances to help the people of the Bahamas get back on their feet. The pledges and other forms of technical support garnered from this donor conference will go a far way in helping the hurricane-ravaged country recover from such massive damages.

That said, it is a fact that the world has become a more

dangerous place for its inhabitants who are becoming more vulnerable to disasters. Natural disasters result in years of development efforts often being wiped out in days or even minutes; as we have seen in the case of the Bahamas a few days ago.

In Guyana, we are seeing a dramatic rise in the construction of buildings and other infrastructure, with most of it occurring in the coastal areas of the country, especially in the capital city. This is so despite the fact that our entire coastland is threatened whenever it rains excessively or in cases of extreme high tides; the 2005 floods readily comes to mind. One can only hope that the authorities are monitoring to ensure that the appropriate building codes etc are being adhered to.

The lessons to be learnt from what occurred recently in the Bahamas are many.

The underlying one is that we must always seek to build smart. The Bahamas is a country that boasts of constructing buildings which adhere to strict building codes and which could withstand certain natural disasters, but Hurricane Dorian was proven to be very powerful.

Experts have predicted that more frequent and extreme weather linked to climate change like hurricanes and severe flooding will occur more often. While we cannot prevent natural disasters from occurring, we can certainly prepare better so that the impact is reduced. Surely, the decisions we make today will determine our long-term resilience to natural hazards and be critical to people’s well-being in the short and long term.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

More competition in Georgetown-New York route

…as JetBlue set to begin Guyana service in April

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he New York-based carrier, JetBlue, will begin to operate direct flights between Guyana and New York in April 2020.

According to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the airline is well into its preparatory stages.

JetBlue on Tuesday said that tickets for flights which are slated to commence on April 2, 2020, are already on

with the carrier’s new A321neo aircraft.

Speaking with Guyana Times International, Director General of Guyana’s Aviation Authority, Egbert Field said that the airline, though yet to file its application, ought to be lauded for its due diligence as it contacted them prior to making the big announcement.

“Yesterday (Monday) they called and I had a

this is completed, the airline’s next step would be to approach the GCAA to iron out the “technical” aspect of the process.

“Things are on stream for the April commencement of operations. The timeline is a good timeline because it gives them time to register their business here, look for the necessary facilities and also to make their application to us so we can begin the pro-

Presently, the airline services almost 40 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Guyana service introduces a diverse and underserved destination to the JetBlue route map which will benefit both leisure travellers, as well as those visiting friends and relatives,” the Director of Route Planning, Andrea Lusso posited.

The Director was happy to no te that Guyana will be benefitting from low travel fares but high-quality service.

JetBlue

sale in the United States (US).

The non-stop flight will travel from New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport to Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on a daily basis

discussion with them and they are very happy and want to come to Guyana,” he explained.

The Director was keen to note that JetBlue is currently in the process of registering their business locally. When

cess,” Field asserted.

With this new service, passengers will enjoy five hours of travel time between the two countries. Guyana will be the fourth country in South America JetBlue serves in the coming months.

The A321neo – the newest aircraft type to join JetBlue’s growing fleet of more than 250 aircraft – boasts a 20 per cent increase in fuel efficiency which supports some 500 nautical miles of extended range. The longer-range flying capabilities of the A321neo open up a host of new markets which JetBlue’s existing fleet could not serve with nonstop flights, including recently announced service between New York-JFK and Guayaquil, Ecuador, launching this December.

Additionally, each JetBlue Airbus A321neo will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney GTF

engines, which produce a smaller noise footprint and lower operating costs when compared with today’s engines.

Inside the aircraft, JetBlue’s award-winning comfort and connectivity will be the focus of the onboard customer experience. The A321neo will feature the Collins Meridian seat – which is the widest seat available for the single-aisle Airbus family of aircraft – with enhanced cushion comfort, adjustable head-

rests, power connections at every seat and the most legroom in coach.

Inflight entertainment will be powered

by Thales AVANT and ViaSat-2 connectivity.

With this system – featuring 10.1 inch, 1080P high definition screens, more than 100 channels of live television with DVR-like pause and rewind functionality, picture-in-picture function and more – JetBlue will offer customers expanded entertainment choices in nearly every region the airline flies.

Man freed of 2014 rape charges

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12-member mixed High Court jury on Tuesday unanimously returned a not guilty verdict against 36-year-old Nandram Ganesh, who was accused on two counts of rape when his trial commenced before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court.

The indictment against Ganesh detailed that during January 2014 and April 28, 2014, he engaged in sexual penetration with a 26-year-old woman without her consent.

The now free man had pleaded not guilty to the charges at the commencement of his trial last week. Ganesh was represented by Attorneyat-Law Stanley Moore, who argued that his client and the victim were involved in a relationship and had consensual sex.

The State’s case was presented by Prosecutor Teriq Mohammed in association with Sarah Martin.

Justice Ramlall, when informing Ganesh that he was free to go, encouraged him to be grateful for the second chance.

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WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Coalition in last-minute ditch to win votes in Amerindian communities

Dear Editor, Having issued no Amerindian land titles nor extensions since coming to office in May 2015, the Department of Public Information’s announcement on September 6 that the “Cabinet has given the green light for absolute grants of land titles for eight Indigenous communities” must be met with a huge dose of cynicism.

After all, this is a decision of a President and Cabinet that has “stood resigned” since December 21, 2018, according to Article 106 (6) and (7) of our Constitution and upheld by the Caribbean Court of Justice on June 18 and July 12, 2019. Therefore, under what authority will the President sign such absolute grants and titles when the Caribbean Court of Justice explicitly ruled in its consequential orders of July 12 that the Government would be a caretaker Government with restricted legal authority?

The same release goes on to refer to the “establishment of legal boundaries” and names four

communities – Parabara, Rockstone, Tasserene and Kangaruma.

Interesting choice of words. Does this mean that the illegal Cabinet is commencing the demarcation of these communities and therefore the DPI is misinforming and misleading the public and the Amerindian communities that “absolute grants of land titles” are being issued?

Without the no-confidence vote and the growing demand for now long overdue elections since March 21, 2019, the caretaker Government would not have moved an inch to issue any absolute grants. This last-minute ditch to win votes in Amerindian communities during Amerindian Heritage Month is just an election gimmick.

One must remember that the PPP/C Government left US$10 million for Amerindian Land Titling. Over the past 4 years, the PPP/C has repeatedly raised the issue of no titles and extensions being granted in the National Assembly, in the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources, and

in many other fora to no avail. The National Toshaos Council also repeatedly raised this issue to no avail over these four years. Individual communities have also raised their outstanding applications for extensions and titles with the Government to no avail.

This new election gimmick is like another recent announcement of the removal of the 14 per cent VAT for hinterland passengers travelling to interior locations.

Following this announcement, the GRA issued a list of 54 airstrips where the VAT would not apply. However, with the exception of Kamarang, few flights, if any, ever go to the other 53 airstrips, maybe only a charter here and there.

For example, no planes have gone to the listed airstrips in Region Nine for years with the exception of RAMS. This is another election ruse by a caretaker Government and we should expect and witness many more to come.

The Guyanese people remember the plethora of promises of decriminalising marijuana and

amending the sentencing for small quantities, the promise of 20 per cent salary increases for public servants and teachers, just to name a few.

All are “broken promises.”

In the 2019 Amerindian Heritage Month celebrating the first peoples of Guyana, the APNU/AFC is once again trying to fool our Amerindian peoples.

September 10, Amerindian Heritage Day, in honour of the first elected Amerindian Member of Parliament, Mr Stephen Campbell, the caretaker President and his large entourage accompanied by its “green cheerleading brigade” descended on the Riverview community.

No matter what the caretaker Government promises at this stage, nothing can remove the fact that the electorate knows that this caretaker Government is petrified to face the electorate.

Within a few days, on September 18, 2019, the caretaker Government will be illegal.

Sincerely, Gail Teixeira

The GECOM Chair should do the right thing and save Guyana Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections commission on Friday submitted a proposal that elections be held in March 2020.

I do not wish to weigh in on this issue of national importance of the December 21st no confidence motion but I do believe the law is the law and no matter what is the situation at present, the constitution must be upheld.

The Government was defeated by a vote of no confidence sponsored by the parliamentary opposition and according to the consti-

tution, Article 106(6 and 7) requires the resignation of the Cabinet including the president.

The article goes on to state that, among other things, that notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and that an election shall be held within three months, or such longer period as the national assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the national assembly determine.

What is so difficult about what the

constitution states?

The Caribbean Court of Justice which is Guyana’s Final Appellate Court upheld the no confidence motion in which the President Justice Adrian Sanders when he read the ruling states that there is no need for the court to gloss over the provisions of Article 106 (6 and 7) but it is, in fact, the responsibility of the constitutional actors to be faithful to the rule of law and operate within parameters of the constitution and in relation to the Guyana Elections Commission also respon-

sible for conducting the elections they too must abide by the provisions of the constitution.

Editor, I still believe that the new Gecom Chair retired Justice Claudette Singh will do the right thing by calling elections before the end of this year as stated by the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and save Guyana from being the center of international travesty by failing to upheld the rule of law. The world is watching.

Sincerely, Robin Joseph Councilor, Waramuri Village

With three wins the Warriors have captured the heart of all Guyanese Dear Editor, The Guyana Amazon Warriors is on a real high. The team, well blended with youth and experience, won their first three matches convincingly and they are fully motivated and pumped up for the next five games.

The Warriors won their first match against St Lucia Zouks by thirteen runs. The top-order batsmen struggled to score runs freely. However, the young “turks” flourished at the end of their batting as the team was able to get a challenging total. Winning by thirteen runs was tight but the team’s spirit was high.

The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, with their strong bowling lineup, lost by eight wickets. It was the masterstroke player, Shimron Hetmyer, with an attractive undefeated brilliant half-century that ensured the Warriors’ victory. During their batting session, the Nevis Patriots struggled to get runs as the Warriors’ bowlers were well supported with some magnificent fielding.

Barbados Tridents won the toss and sent the home team to take first strike. The Warriors lost Brandon King early.

However, Chandrapaul Hemeraj hit a brilliant half-century, which was punctuated with six fours and three sweetly timed sixes. The home team lost Hetmyer and

Skipper Shoaib Malik cheaply. However, the diminutive Nicholas Pooran and Sherfane Rutherford blasted the Tridents’ bowling to all parts of the ground.

The two young Warriors took the fight to the visitors and sent the massive Providence crowd to their toes and had them screaming for joy. They hammered 78 runs off a mere 29 balls. Pooran’s magically undefeated half-century contained five massive sixes and four blistering fours.

Young Rutherford blasted four Hugh sixes.

The Warriors, with three wins, have captured the heart of all Guyanese and it is most heartening to see the franchise holder investing in Imran Tahir as the replacement for Shadab Khan. The effective Afghan leg spinner Quasi Ahmad is also coming to play for the Warriors.

Guyanese will be following the Warriors in the away matches. All eyes and all roads will lead to Guyana National Stadium on October 3 and 4 when Guyana Warriors will take on Jamaica Tallawahs and Trinbago Knight Riders.

The massive crowd support along with our people’s passion and appreciation for our Amazon Warriors is a manifestation of our people’s unity and interest for a better Guyana.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

An angel has gone to heaven Dear Editor, Heartbreaking best describes the death of seven-year-old fire victim, Shaniya Persaud.

While the doctors tried their best, in the end, an angel soared into heaven.

Shaniya fought bravely and valiantly

and her spirit and courage will write the epitaph of a champion.

Rest in peace little girl and my condolences to the grieving family and friends.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Caretaker Govt illegal in a matter of days Dear Editor, Concerning GECOM, I have some questions.

Whatever happened to the fraud investigation of buying expensive pliers and non-functioning radios?

Will there be any inquiry why the Chief Officer and Secretariat did not do any work on

election preparation, although the PNC was defeated since December 2018, and they said they could be ready for election in 3 months. For the elections, follow the GPS principle of driving – do you want the fastest route, shortest route, and do you want to avoid toll routes. We

have a constitutional deadline to meet!

(Imagine how many roads we could have fixed and electricity improved with the many billions spent on new unneeded registration!).

Will the new Chair look into diversity in hiring and the denial of a job to former deputy

chief Elections Officer, Mr Vishnu, although he was the most qualified and experienced and highest scoring?

Obviously, the Secretariat staff (lacking in diversity) seems to be cooperating well with the PNC agenda of dragging it out. Will the new GECOM Chair put

an end to all these shenanigans and follow the constitutional timeline?

From news reports, you get the feeling that Alexander is running things at GECOM. Will the Chair, please step up and clamp down on the trampling of the constitution. You can’t choose an elaborate, un-

necessary process over more efficient means to meet urgent constitutional requirements.

That is simply wicked.

In a week’s time, the caretaker government becomes illegal.

Sincerely, Jerry Singh

news 7

WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana processing ‘hundreds’ of visa applications for oil sector workers …Felix says over 900 foreigners granted Guyanese citizenship since 2015

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i t i z e n s h i p Minister Winston Felix has released figures from his department to show that under the current Government, over 900 foreign nationals have been granted citizenship— with 108 being granted their citizenship during this year.

Felix was at the time fielding questions at a press conference on Wednesday about how many foreigners are being granted citizenship in Guyana.

He revealed that as of July 2019, 108 persons were granted citizenship from 30 countries. His figures also go back to 2015, when 141 nationals from 35 countries were granted citizenship.

“Then, in 2016, 192 nationals from 34 countries were granted citizenship, of which one was Haitian. In 2017, 230 nationals from 40 countries, of which seven were Haitian. In 2018, 252 nationals from 42 countries, of which three were Haitian,” Felix said.

In addition, he noted that the Citizenship

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix

Department has received huge volumes of applications from persons, particularly those involved in the oil and gas sector, where foreign workers make up a large part of the workforce on drill ships and Floating Production and Storage

Massy opens megastore in Guyana

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Massy megastore at Movietowne

rinidad-based Massy Stores on Wednesday opened the doors of its megastore in Guyana at MovieTowne, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara.

The structure offers over 34,000 square feet of retail space with items ranging “from luggage to lettuce” according to the Chairman of Integrated Retail Business Unit, David Affonso.

He said the idea is to offer customers a wide array of items, not limited to food stocks. On this note, he explained that luggage, car acces-

sories, camping equipment, electrical fixtures, generators, televisions, microwaves and even refrigerators are a few of the items on sale at the Turkeyen megastore.

“The mega format is like a warehouse or club shopping experience which has become very popular in the US (United States) where customers have the option to purchase a wide variety of items in larger quantities at very affordable prices. The big difference with Massy Mega is that there are continued on page 9

Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

“In terms of oil and gas, foreigners are coming right now. Right now we receive over 100 applications per day to process visas for persons coming to work in oil and gas offshore. I’m being very conservative”.

“Some of them, they just come, arrive in the hotel, get to Ogle, helicopter trip to the drill ship. I gather that the numbers will go up when other oil blocks come into operation.

But we are dealing with the current applications for work permits with some degree of efficiency which does not disrupt our (other) work”.

Pressure

According to the Ministry of Finance’s own mid-year report for 2019, the influx of immigrants has the potential of pressuring the local labour market by reducing employment opportunities for Guyanese.

In addition, the Ministry of Finance’s report also notes that the influx of immigrants has created, and continues to create, demands on the treasury, which has to set up systems to ensure that migrants are registered and have access to basic social services.

Figures released last month by authorities had showed that between January and July of 2019, total arriv-

als, taking into account all nationalities, were 135,220. This comes against the backdrop of the large number of arrivals and the rampant use of illegal exit ports to leave the country.

Last year, the Citizenship Ministry had revealed to the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament that over 22,000 persons entered Guyana from January to April. The Ministry had revealed that of this number, only 6,170 had departed. In addition, it was shown that there are no records of 17,615 immigrants departing from 2013 to 2018.

A breakdown of the statistics shows that over the past seven months,

over 8,500 Haitians entered the country, but a fraction of that number left. In 2017, 3,515 Haitians came but only 291 departed. And according to media reports, up to April of last year, 1, 238 came and 85 departed.

Back in March of this year, it was revealed that despite having thousands of Haitians enter Guyana unaccounted for last year, the coalition Government had sought to extend the time that Haitians spend in Guyana to an automatic six months.

This was detailed in a letter dated January 31, 2019, addressed to then Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and copied to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Citizenship Minister Winston Felix and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

The influx of immigrants is not limited to Haitians. In 2017, a total of 44,747 Cubans came to Guyana, but 7,255 were unaccounted. Recent figures released by the authorities indicate that for the first seven months of the year, 41,272 Cuban nationals came to Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Meanwhile, the figures indicate that some 11,119 Trinidad and Tobago nationals arrived in Guyana between January and July of 2019. Total arrivals taking into account all nationalities stood at 135,220.

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WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Brian O’Toole blasts Police, US Embassy over ‘unsatisfactory’ response to shooting incident S even months after School of the Nations Director, Dr Brian O’Toole, was shot thrice outside of his home, there is yet to be an arrest.

In a statement via the private institution’s Facebook page on Tuesday, the Director expressed dissatisfaction as it relates to the handling of the situation by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the United States (US) Embassy in Guyana.

In his statement, Dr O’Toole reiterated the fact that no one was arrested for the shooting which left one of his hands paralysed, even though it was widely publicised by both local and international media outlets.

“This is now more than seven months since I was shot outside of my home…Time has passed, no one has been arrested, and my hand is still paralysed.

There has been so much publicity in several newspapers and radio and TV programmes in more than 10 countries.

Surely, many, many persons are tired of ‘my story’. But it is not ‘my’ story, it has become

School of the Nations Director, Dr Brian O’Toole

‘our’ story,” he stated.

On this note, the Director further asserted that despite the fact that necessary information was communicated to the relevant authorities, with regards to

previous events which may have led to the shooting, that information was not used.

“The shooting happened after we expelled a young boy for allegedly selling drugs in schools.

All this was shared with the police. The threats made against schools in the capital were also shared with the police and with the American Embassy in Georgetown as these came from a young man in Florida.

Again no action. It was reported to us by the Guyana Police that the same Florida youth was interviewed by the FBI and his response that the whole matter was

just a ‘joke’ was enough to end any further action.” Dr O’Toole said.

Dr O’Toole pointed out that because of the unsatisfactory work done by the authorities, more criminal activities such as this one will be overlooked and this should be a concern for the nation.

“It is, therefore ‘our’ story in that an attempted murderer is left on the loose, drugs

continue to be peddled in many schools, and children are being intimidated not to come forward to give evidence…. so it is not ‘my’ story but a tragic situation that affects us all. And what has been the response to date, from the police who provide no feedback, the American Embassy who are content to judge vicious threats as a mere ‘joke’, and the media as they move on to another ‘story’,” the Director underscored.

On January 27 of this year, Dr O’Toole was shot three times as he was returning to his Bel Air, Georgetown residence, hours after an emergency meeting with parents and guardians about violent threats on social media to injure students and teachers of that school.

Earlier this year, Crime Chief Lyndon Alves had told this publication that Police had questioned four persons – both current and former students – in relation to the shooting of the school’s principal.

However, subsequent to the incident, there were several threats against the school on Facebook made by “Kira” (meaning killer), which is the alias of the main character in “Death Note” – a Japanese manga series that was later adapted into films.

US Congressman...

He noted that even though the regional court had recognised that elections should have been held by March 21, 2019, the Guyana Elections Commission had insisted on preparing for elections in a lengthy House-toHouse Registration process.

“The People’s Progressive Party has requested that elections be held within 90 days of the CCJ’s June 18, 2019 ruling or September 18, 2019. CCJ’s internal counsel has advised that the House-to-House Registrations would be an act of contempt against the CCJ,” Gonzalez advised Engel and Sires in his letter.

This letter will go some way in showing that while sections of society have been critical of the diplomatic community’s silence as Guyana heads down the road of constitutional violation, events are happening behind the scenes.

When questioned in July of this year after the CCJ’s rulings, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque had sought to deny reports that Caricom has not been active enough in trying to ensure Guyana remains a democratic and not authoritative State.

“There’s a process ongoing since the no-confidence vote. The process has worked so far, in the sense that the CCJ delivered a judgement and its consequential orders. And the CCJ, in my view, was very, very clear that all the actors concerned, must play their

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part,” LaRocque had told the media.

“As I understand it, there continues to be dialogue among the parties. We continue to monitor everything very closely. I have met with both the President and the Leader of the Opposition on more than one occasion. Following the ruling, I’ve met the Opposition Leader and spoken to the President. So I’m in touch, I’ll continue to be in touch.”

The Secretary General had added that the Chairman of Caricom, St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris, was being briefed regularly on the situation and had reached out to leaders in Guyana. But LaRocque stayed on the side of caution as it relates to taking a more proactive role.

“We’ll continue monitoring this.

We remain available to assist if we’re asked to assist. But Caricom does not interfere unless the democratic and judicial process breaks down. It doesn’t mean we don’t care. It doesn’t mean we’re not engaged. We are fully engaged,” he had stressed.

So far, the diplomatic community has not publicly renewed its position on respecting the Constitution and the CCJ’s ruling. Representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union observed the July 12 pronouncements and later acknowledged that this adherence must be done expeditiously.

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WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Carter Center engaging stakeholders in Guyana on current political situation A s there continues to be uncertainty surrounding when elections will be held in Guyana, a team of officials from the United States-based Carter Center is in Guyana to get perspective on the situation.

The first set of meetings was held with Attorney General Basil Williams on Wednesday.

The two-hour meeting was held at the Attorney General’s Office on Carmichael Street.

Following the meeting, Carter Center’s Associate Democracy Programme Director Brett Lacy told reporters that the organisation is trying to get the various perspectives of the current situation.

“I can say from the Carter Center, we are really just here to listen and we are hoping to meet with different actors to understand everyone’s perspective on current events here in Guyana,” Lacy said.

Meanwhile, AG Basil Williams told media operatives at the press conference afterwards that he shared the Government’s position with the Carter Center team.

This includes that the Government is awaiting the decision of the appeal filed on the Chief Justice’s ruling on the House-to-House Registration exercise.

“We’re waiting on GECOM to be ready too to announce elections date, dissolve Parliament and move to elections… I think the Carter Center, of course as they’ve always been, they’re interested in the rule of law prevailing; and that in the way we’re situated now, that we take advantage of our situation and enable all the people of our country to benefit from it,” Williams asserted.

Officials from the Carter Center who are in Guyana along with AG Basil Williams

The other representatives from the USbased organisation are: Legal Analyst Anne Marlborough, Political and Electoral Analyst Nicoholas Jahr, and Senior Electoral Advisor Carlos Valenzuela.

In March, another Carter Center delegation, led by Jason Carter, the grandson of former US President Jimmy Carter, visited Guyana and met with local political stakeholders. In fact, after a meeting with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) at the time, the younger Carter posited that there was a lot of political desire to reach a solution but noted this will have to be done by the political leaders.

“Ultimately, our role here, of course, is limited. We are not Guyanese, we care about this country… But ultimately, the issues that are being confronted right now are going to require the cooperation of the political leadership of this country and we are optimis-

Massy opens... no membership fees,” the Chairman pointed out.

This is the second megastore the company has established in the Caribbean. The other was constructed in St Lucia many years ago. The new location offers customers a unique opportunity to shop in bulk at very affordable prices.

The spacious aisles provide a convenient and comfortable atmosphere. On the note of convenience, it was pointed out that the store will be open from 09:00h to 21:00h on Mondays through Saturdays and on Sunday from 09:00h to 18:00h.

Over 100 Guyanese have been employed with the company. Finance Minister Winston Jordan explained

tic…” Carter had stated back in March.

But even as the USbased delegation continues to engage local political stakeholders, there appears to be a gridlock as to when elections will be held. In fact, discussions in this regard are still ongoing at GECOM. Elections were constitutionally due since March 21, 2019 – following the passage of the December 2018 No-Confidence Motion against the current government. However, with the legal challenges which ensued, that timeline was on pause but was subsequently reinstated after the July 18, 2019 Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling, which validated the passage of the motion.

Against this backdrop, the Opposition was pushing for a September 18, 2019 polling day.

President Granger has kept claiming that he cannot set a date without first being advised by GECOM on its preparedness to host General and

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that the country welcomes foreign investors.

Minister Jordan further outlined that oil production is yet to begin, as he encouraged the store owner to be “careful” with his pricing strategy. He also encouraged that fresh fruits and vegetables should be on sale. To achieve this, the Minister advised partnership with local farmers, an initiative Massy is currently implementing.

The first Massy Store was opened at Providence back in 2017. The company, however, has been in operation in Guyana for over 50 years, offering industrial equipment. Massy provides services in Information Technology, automotive, gas products, financial and distribution and retail.

Regional Elections.

GECOM had come under heavy criticism for also deliberately delaying the elections by going ahead with the controversial House-to-House Registration. The constitutionality of this exercise was challenged in court. In fact, acting Chief Justice Roxane George last month

ruled that the conduct of House-to-House registration is not unconstitutional or illegal.

However, she noted that GECOM cannot operate as it would in a normal elections cycle. Given that the NCM triggered early elections, the Chief Justice had stated that there are other methods that can be used to san-

itise the voters’ list in a timely manner, such as Claims and Objections.

She had also ruled that it would be unconstitutional for the Commission to remove qualified persons already on the voters’ list, since the House-to-House exercise was aimed at creating a new National Register of Registrants (NRR) Database, which the Opposition said would have disenfranchised thousands of Guyanese.

Nevertheless, the Elections Commission has since scrapped the House-to-House Registration, which had recorded over 300,000 new registrants and is looking to merge the new data obtained with the existing NRR database – something which the Opposition is against.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo insists that there should be polls long before the end of 2020 and made a case for this when he met with the Elections Commission on Tuesday.

At that meeting, the Opposition was assured that elections will be held before the end of the year.

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WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Govt touts earlierthan-expected oil production

…following arrival of FPSO

W

ith the arrival of the Liza Destiny F l o a t i n g Production and Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel, both Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Director of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, have talked up the possibility of earlier-than-expected oil production.

During a reception held at the Marriott hotel to commemorate the FPSO’s arrival, Jordan was asked for a timeframe for first oil. In response, the Minister hint-

particular date in the first quarter. But I’m hearing now that first quarter may be an outside date.

I’m not sure whether we’ll be able to get it this year or not. Signs are encouraging though”.

Meanwhile, Bynoe, during his address to attendees at the reception, noted that the Liza Destiny’s arrival ahead of schedule means that the Department of Energy’s own timetable has to be fast tracked.

“The Liza Destiny’s arrival three weeks ahead of the schedule means

of first oil and to seeing the benefit of this industry impact Guyanese much faster. As Guyanese, we must realise that it is a vessel paid for by Guyanese, pumping Guyanese fuel, which will bring in revenue for Guyana”.

Following its 10th discovery of oil in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil had estimated the recoverable resource in the block to be 5 billion oil-equivalent barrels. With oil at over US$50 a barrel, that equates to well over US$200 billion.

First Lady, H.E Sandra Granger, who was bestowed the honour of being the Godmother of Guyana’s first Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO)

Director of the Department of Energy (DE), Dr. Mark Byone interacts with US. Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch

ed at the possibility that ExxonMobil could begin pumping this year instead of the first quarter of 2020.

“I haven’t heard any change from the first quarter. There was no

that our timetable has moved forward. And as a policy-related body, the Department of Energy is also called upon to advance its timetable”.

“It means that we move earlier to production

Exxon has since revised this figure upwards after three more discoveries, the last one being at the Yellowtail-1 well in April. More drilling is also scheduled for this year and it was only days

ago that its first FPSO bound for Guyana, the Liza Destiny, was commissioned.

ExxonMobil has also said there is potential for at least five FPSO vessels on the Stabroek Block, producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025.

The start-up of the Liza Phase 1 development has always been on track to begin by the first quarter of 2020. However, there has been talk previously of the possibility of production starting even earlier.

Exxon has pegged oil production at 120,000 barrels of oil per day utilising the Liza Destiny FPSO. Liza Phase 2 is expected to start up by mid2022, after Exxon made a final investment decision after getting regulatory approval earlier this year.

It had been reported that the project would use the Liza Unity FPSO to produce up to 220,000 barrels per day.

ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, is operator of, and holds 45 per cent interest in, the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

The Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first oil production vessel, arrived in Guyana’s waters at the end of last month after travelling nearly 11,000 nautical miles for 42 days from the Keppel Shipyard in Singapore.

The vessel is a significant component of

the Liza Phase 1 development, which involves four undersea drill centres with 17 production wells. Besides its production capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil per day, it also has an overall storage volume of 1.6 million barrels. During normal operations, there will be at least 80 persons living and working on-board the vessel.

Before its departure from the Keppel Shipyard in Singapore, the Liza Destiny was commissioned by First Lady Sandra Granger. The Liza Destiny FPSO was converted from oil tanker, “Tina”, a 1999 Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC).

The conversion included upgrading of the hull and integration of 14 topside processing modules, totalling 16 thousand metric tonnes.

Air bridges temporarily suspended at CJIA

I

n a notice to the public on Wednesday, the Public Infrastructure Ministry informed that the use of the Passengers Boarding Bridges at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has been temporarily suspended.

According to the information posted on the Ministry’s Facebook page, the suspension was scheduled to facilitate additional work, which is a part of the Airport Expansion Project.

“The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to advise that the use of Passenger Boarding Bridges at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has been temporarily suspended.

This scheduled suspension is required to facilitate the execution of other works of the

CJIA airbridge

Airport Expansion Project,” the Ministry stated.

Nevertheless, the Ministry assured that the works will be completed in a short timeframe as it expressed regret for the inconvenience caused

to outgoing and incoming passengers.

This is not the first time that air bridges at CJIA are not functioning.

In May, despite the millions of dollars in improvements be-

ing made at CJIA, passengers on social media vented their frustration as they were forced to use the tarmac after one of the airport’s air bridges malfunctioned.

Also recently, airlines landing at the facility were forced to divert to Trinidad after the lights on the airport’s runway were not functioning.

A few days later, an American Airlines aircraft suffered a blowout from a raised runway light at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), leaving over 100 passengers stranded.

The CJIA expansion project got underway in 2012 under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration when Guyana secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (Export-Import) Bank to fund

the expansion and modernisation project— for which the Guyana Government was to contribute some US$12 million.

However, when the coalition Government came into power in 2015, the project was put on hold, but after discussions between Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), it was later announced that the project would be continued but a number of downgrades were done to the design.

The extension of works into 2019 comes in disparity to an earlier commitment

by Government, whereby it pledged that the works associated with the expansion would have been completed by the last quarter of 2018.

WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Guyana’s Minister of State, Mrs. Dawn Hastings-Williams, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and Director, Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan and Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman view the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead on the Liza Destiny. Sergeant Randell Williams of the Guyana Defence Force hoisted the flag (MOTP Photo)

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WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GECOM Chair assures polls before end of year

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ollowing a meeting with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has assured that the upcoming General and Regional Elections will be held long before the end of the year.

His comment comes after it was revealed last week that the Commission is considering a proposal for elections to be held in March 2020, which would be one year after constitutionally mandated elections ought to have been held given the December 2018 passage of the No-Confidence Motion against the coalition Government.

However, Jagdeo told reporters following his meeting with the Commission on Tuesday that the timeline, “… is clearly out the window now. We don’t even need to debate that. This March [timeline] is totally out the window. We’re looking for elections be-

The seven members of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) along with Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield and Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers yesterday met Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo and a delegation from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic. Members of the opposition delegation were parliamentarians Juan Edghill, Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall, Zulfikar Mustapha and Joseph Hamilton. (GECOM photo)

GECOM of its responsibility to hold elections, citing that President David Granger has been using its preparedness “as an excuse” to delay

Commission is considering including the merging of data collected during the now-scrapped Houseto-House Registration exercise with the exist-

GECOM

fore the end of the year”.

Jagdeo told reporters that during the engagement, he reminded

the hosting of early polls.

Furthermore, the Opposition Leader said he went through the various processes that the

ing National Register of Registrants (NRR) database. He noted that it was pointed out to the Commission that there

is a much simpler way of adding new registrants to the NRR. “So we said they should make a decision to start the process by extracting a PLE (Preliminary List of Electors) from the NRR and go to Claims and Objections. We believe the elections can be held long before the end of the year and so we made a case for that,” Jagdeo contended.

According to the Opposition Leader, there were some encouraging signs and statements made during the meeting and they are now awaiting the deliberations by the Elections Commission.

“The Chairman said some encouraging words at the end of the meeting… encouraging words because it has an outside limit to this whole ordeal that we’re going through,” Jagdeo related without going into more details.

At Tuesday’s meeting, which the Opposition Leader had requested, he was accompanied by former Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Members of Parliament (MP) Anil Nandlall, Juan Edghill, Zulfikar Mustapha and Joseph Hamilton.

However, Hamilton revealing that the GECOM Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, assured polls before 2020.

“Importantly, at the end of the summing up everything that transpired, the Chair indicated that she has taken everything into consideration presented by the Leader of the Opposition and his team and indicated further that she, as Chair, and the Commission [are] working together towards a timeline, having elections long before

the end of the year,” he stated.

Against, this backdrop the Opposition parliamentarian posited that he was surprised when GECOM issued a statement shortly after the meeting, defending a 55-day gap between Nominations Day and

ing the discussions of the Commission,” he asserted.

Gunraj went on to say that “every single other activity between the holding of Nominations Day and Elections Day, we decided as late as Friday last, we will make efforts to have that time reduced in an effort to hold elections in a timely manner. This press release today suggests that everything else is set in stone and the only thing that will be adjusted are those statutory timelines. I want to reject the contents of that press release. The only thing that we agreed to in the Commission was to maintain the statutory timelines.”

In fact, the GECOM Commissioner posited that in keeping with maintaining those timelines, they had even agreed to engage the suppliers to reduce the times usually taken to supply, for example printed materials, so as to fast track the holding of polls.

Meanwhile, in a statement later on Tuesday, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition

Commissioner Vincent Alexander

Elections Day. In the missive, the Elections Commission said the lengthy gap is justifiable, adding that it was done to facilitate certain activities such overseas ballot printing and then the subsequent distribution of ballot papers to foreign officers posted overseas.

“The law is clear that Nominations Day should be no later than 32 days before elections day.

Therefore, any time before that amount of days, even if it’s 55 days, is acceptable and in conformity with the laws of Guyana,” the missive from GECOM’s Public Relations Office stated.

H o w e v e r , Opposition-nominated Commissioner, Sase Gunraj contended that GECOM’s Operations Sub-Committee, which he co-chairs with Government-nominated Commissioner Charles Corbin, agreed that all statutory timelines, catered for by the law, would not be breached. “…the content of that press release is inaccurate and is misrepresent-

said that the Elections Secretariat seems to be operating separately from the Commission, adding that this recent incident just highlights the lengths which it will go to justify delaying the upcoming elections.

According to the Opposition, it appears as though elements at the Secretariat were not pleased with the outcome of the meeting during which “positive signals” were sent on the timeline for elections.

However, even as the Opposition is confident of polls before the end of this year, Governmentnominated Commissioner at GECOM, Vincent Alexander, told reporters after the Commission’s meeting late Tuesday afternoon that he would not be supporting any reviews to the Secretariat’s March 2020 timeline.

“In the Secretariat’s timeline, there is no wriggle room… I’m not supporting the review, I’ll participate in the discussions because I rationalised why I’m not supporting it,” Alexander asserted.

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WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Govt facing uphill battle in controlling rampant “backtrack” use at borders

T

hey know what the problem is, but according to Citizenship Minister Winston Felix, the Government has been unable to get control of the rampant backtrack use at Guyana’s borders by immigrants.

Felix made this admission during a press conference at his headquarters on Wednesday.

The Minister originally called the press conference to clear the air on his recent meeting with Haitian immigrants.

He was reminded that during an appearance before the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Foreign Relations, he had expressed concerns over the use of backtrack routes and the fact that this accounts largely for the disproportionate number of persons leaving the country compared to those entering.

“At that time, I was referring to both the Corentyne coast as well as to the Rupununi.

And the situation is the same. If you examine what is happening on the Corentyne, you will discover that there is no way you can put your hand on anyone leaving backtrack. Because of

the number of backtrack use they have,” Felix said.

“You can start from [Number] 64, 62 [Villages] to Moleson creek. There’s no way you can do that. I worked in that area. We tried to arrest backtrackers. You know what? Even before cell phones came out, they had signals. So boat would come in and they would remain out on the sea and wait you out.”

Felix noted that as a consequence of issues including jurisdictional constraints on the sea, the backtrack routes on the Corentyne coast have not been completely shut down. Felix noted that monitoring backtrack traffic in the Rupununi is even more difficult.

“Because it’s over a thousand miles of border between Guyana and Brazil. What is being done now is to check the really vulnerable areas where anybody might be leaving and to see how well we can manage it to create a deterrence against using Guyana as a transit point without reporting to immigration.”

The Minister also admitted during his press conference that there

will always be weaknesses in the system that the Government will have to keep an eye on. Asked if the Government’s theory was that these immigrants were indeed leaving and not settling illegally in Guyana, Felix claimed that it was.

“No, they’re not staying here. And we know that they’re leaving,” the Minister said, adding that the issue is not just political will. According to Felix, adequately patrolling the border requires technology, a reaction force, training and funding.

Recent records from the authorities had shown that over 22,000 persons entered Guyana from January to April.

The Ministry had revealed that of this number, only 6170 had departed. In addition, it

was shown that there are no records of 17,615 immigrants departing from 2013 to 2018.

A breakdown of the statistics shows that over the past 7 months,

over 8500 Haitians entered the country, but a fraction of that number left. In 2017, 3515 Haitians came but only 291 departed. And according to media reports, up to April of last year, 1238 came and 85 departed.

In 2017, a total of 44,747 Cubans came to Guyana, but 7255 were unaccounted for.

Recent figures released by the authorities indicate that for the first seven months of the year, 41,272 Cuban nationals came to Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan

International Airport (CJIA).

Meanwhile, the figures indicate that some 11,119 Trinidad and Tobago nationals arrived in Guyana between January and July of 2019. Total arrivals taking into account all nationalities stood at 135,220.

The parliamentary Opposition has been vociferous in its contention that a massive people smuggling ring is being orchestrated. It is a contention that President David Granger and Felix have vehemently denied.

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Man to spend 18 months behind bars for pelting ex-lover with brick

O

ne day after a man admitted to fracturing the nose of his ex-partner during an argument, he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for the offence.

Thirty-five-yearold Leon Murray reappeared before Magistrate

Faith McGusty on Tuesday, who handed down the sentence at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

When the matter was called, Murray had initially asked the Magistrate if he can compensate the victim; however, he was unable to

accumulate the funds, therefore, he was sentenced for the offence, since he had admitted it.

The first charge stated that on September 5, 2019 at Georgetown, he maliciously damaged one spectacle valued at G$30,000 property of Shawn Solomon. The sec-

ond charge stated that on September 5, 2019 at Georgetown, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Solomon.

The unrepresented man pleaded not guilty to the first charge however, he pleaded guilty to the second charge with explanation.

Murray, in his pleadings to the court, had stated that Solomon pulled out two knives and started to fire chops.

“It cut my hand, he then pick up a big wood and throw it on my neck.

After he throw it, I got angry and picked up a big brick and throw it in his face,” Murray said.

Facts on the matter stated that on September 5 at about 22:30h, the Virtual Complainant

Leon Murray

(VC) went home from work and saw Murray, after which an argument ensured. The court heard that Murray then armed

himself with a brick and pelted the VC to his face.

The matter was reported and the defendant was arrested.

Case dismissed against woman accused of throwing muddy water on PPP protestors

T

he woman, who allegedly threw muddy gutter water on a group of People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) protesters on July 19, 2019, at Barrack and High Streets, Georgetown, had the charge dismissed against her. The case was dis-

missed after the Virtual Complainant failed to show up on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to give evidence. The case was called on several occasions but the VC was a no-show.

At the court hearing, Cassandra Amsterdam, 24, a cosmetologist who is a squatter at Lot 48 Barrack and High Streets, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Rondell Weaver, who dismissed the charge.

Reports are on July 19, as hundreds of PPP supporters were protesting in front of the Guyana Elections Commission, Amsterdam hurled expletives at the protesters and then proceeded into her home, brought out a cutlass and threatened the peaceful protesters.

The woman, along with others in the yard, were seen with knives in their hands threatening the protesters. Several of the protesters said that Amsterdam then took a bucket and dipped it in a nearby gutter and threw the muddy water at them. She then ran in-

side, picked up a pitchfork and proceeded to exit the yard with intentions of confronting the protesters.

Police ranks who were stationed at the protest quickly disarmed the pregnant woman and arrested her. She was then taken away in handcuffs.

During her first court

Cassandra

appearance, the woman claimed that on July 19, her child was asleep and the protesters were making “a set of unnecessary noise in front her house”.

Amsterdam further claimed that she threw a cup of clean water into the crowd but it did not catch anyone, after which she apologised for the act.

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Bahamas government warns persons harbouring illegal migrants

T

Aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas (Getty images)

he Bahamas government warned that persons harbouring illegal immigrants would be fined US$6,000 as it sought to provide a clearer understanding of the recently announced suspension of a crackdown on illegal migrants.

Earlier this week, Minister of Financial Services, Trade, Industry and Immigration, Elsworth Johnson said with the country presently experiencing a humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, “strict instructions have been given to the Immigration Department that our concentration is on assisting with the humanitarian efforts to rescue and save lives regardless of place of origin, nationality or immigration status”.

But, speaking to reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Johnson said that while the government has no plans to grant asylum to persons, the suspension of the crackdown on immigration would cater only for residents in the Abacos and Grand Bahama islands that were severely affected by the hurricane when it hit on September 1.

“Having regard that we're now facing a humanitarian crisis, the government is taking the decision that those immigration policies or enforcement measures suspended forthwith in the affected areas – that's the Abacos and Freeport, Grand Bahama,” Johnson said.

“Why I say we were extremely careful because the notice sent out does not include islands like Inagua, Cat Island and San Salvador, Long Island, whatever have you. We still have the constitutional right to safeguard our borders,” he added.

The immigration minister said the authorities are “obligated to, and will continue to, secure our borders, all domestic apprehension exercises in the affected areas are suspended.

“We also invite all in our community to assist as best they can with the humanitarian efforts now underway,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis had not instructed him to grant asylum to any migrants from the impacted areas.

“We know that there are a number of persons who ought not be here,” he said, adding “for those unaffected areas, know that we will be out there. I have said to the immigration director, and I have a serious concern that when sometimes we do these enforcement measures that nobody is being arrested for harbouring.

“So, I want to say to the Bahamian public, I don't want anybody to be calling me. If you're found harbouring anybody, that will assist us greatly, the US$6,000 you'll have to pay.”

Prior to the passage of the hurricane, The Bahamas had implemented a crackdown on illegal migration, particularly directed at persons from Haiti. A Bahamian immigration policy requiring that all residents carry passports has led to increased raids of shantytowns and other areas with large undocumented populations. (CMC)

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WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese law students who benefit from scholarships to serve country for 5 years

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hen it was announced that the Legal Affairs Ministry would be making full scholarships to the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) available, there was much celebration. It turns out, however, that prospective awardees have been informed that they would have to give five years of service to the State.

Guyana Times International has been reliably informed by sources that at an interview with the Ministry, the University of Guyana’s top law students were informed that once they acquired fully-funded scholarships for two years of study in Trinidad, they had to stay in the State’s service for five years.

It is understood that this five-year service clause is causing some discomfort among the students. This is particularly so since in other fields of study such as medicine, students only have to serve back their

Attorney General Basil Williams (centre) takes a photo with the aggrieved law students

years of study.

Last month, a delegation of law students had met with Attorney General Basil Williams.

At the AG’s chambers, Vice President of the Guyanese Jurisdiction Committee, Olivia Bess, laid out the conditions under which aspiring lawyers have to study in Trinidad.

According to Bess, these students still have to find money for food; costs she estimates to be close to G$100,000 in Guyana currency. In addition, there are also the costs of accommodation.

“We requested a meeting with the Attorney General, because we as Guyanese students in Trinidad suffer a lot of financial difficulties in relation to our tuition fees, living expenses, food, etc. For example, the tuition fee has increased for the first years. It is no longer TT$98,366. It is now TT$101,066. When you exchange that to Guyana dollars, that would be G$3 million.”

“That’s just the firstyear tuition fee. Added to that, you also have living expenses. The average Guyana student in Trinidad would pay around TT$3000.

When you convert that, that would be around G$90,000 a month. And you still have to send it through the bank or Western Union and these places will add on their own rates.”

In terms of food, Bess noted that the average student would spend between TT$1500 and TT$2000 on a monthly basis. She explained that this translated to them spending between G$45,000 and G$60,000.

“So when you total all the expenses for one year, it is nothing less than G$5 million. That is just per year. It is two years so you have G$10 million. So, it’s not easy for the Guyanese students in Trinidad to function properly or study properly, even though we do perform well. But it’s not an easy task.

“We have to think

about our parents, our guardians, how are they going to find that money? I know countless students who cried because they could not find that money to pay for Hugh Wooding Law School. It’s not an easy task.”

Bess was accompanied by students holding their Bachelor in Laws from the University of Guyana, as well as students already enrolled at the Hugh Wooding Law School. The Legal Affairs Ministry had announced that full scholarships to study law for the 2019/2020 year at Hugh Wooding were available.

This came after reports that the Ministry’s Finance Secretary failed to cover expenses for students. AG Williams criticised the staff who was responsible for sending money for the students in Trinidad, but didn’t.

The requirements for eligibility for the limited scholarships being offered by the Department of Public Service include: being the holder of the Bachelor of Laws Degree,

Man lands in jail for spitting on woman who insulted him

G

ary Prince was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by Georgetown Magistrate Dylon Best on Friday after sufficient evidence was presented to prove to the court that the defendant had spat on a woman who had insulted him.

Particulars of the charge brought against Prince are that on April 27, 2019, at Breda Street, Georgetown, he thus unlawfully assaulted Leonie Thornton.

The facts of the matter state that, on the day in question, Prince was riding past Thornton when she uttered, “Gwan, yuh dawg!” As a result, Prince became annoyed and spat on her.

Prince was a no-show at the conclusion of his trial, but had been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in absentia. He, however, later presented himself to the court, and was arrested and taken to serve his time.

Gary Prince

with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.3, obtained within the last five years.

Applicants must be 35 years old or under; and must have an offer of acceptance from the Hugh Wooding Law School for the 2019-2020 academic year. Present students at the Hugh Wooding Law School

must have passes for the first year of studies, with at least three courses passed with Grade A. Over the years, the need for a local law school has been excessively highlighted and as such, Government has undertaken to set up such an institution here in a joint venture with Jamaican partners.

Miner jailed for assaulting Cop, robberies

A

26-year-old miner was sentenced to three years imprisonment when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.

Twenty-six-yearold, Orin Ridley of Lot 173 Campbell Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was found guilty on two counts of robberies and assault.

He was on trial before Magistrate Annette Singh, who ruled that after perusing the evidence she found him guilty of all four charges.

The first charge stated that on March 12, 2019 at Lot 173 Campbell and Sussex Streets, Georgetown, Ridley wounded Police Constable Clive Clarke with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.

It was further alleged that on the same date and at the same location, Ridley assaulted police constable Nigel Reid with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.

The third charge stated that on January 31, 2019 at Albouys Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, Ridley while being armed with a firearm, robbed Saneka Ramlakan of articles amounting to G$24,600.

Orin Ridley

The last charge stated that on the same date and location, while being armed with a firearm, he robbed Akash Ramlakan of a pedal cycle valued at G$18,000 property of the said Virtual Complainant and used personal violence towards him.

The magistrate sentenced Ridley to three years for robbery with violence; three years for robbery under arms, one year for wounding a peace officer and one year for assaulting a peace officer.

However, the sentence will run concurrently, which means Ridley will only be spending three years behind bars.

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GECOM Chair will have to make the tough decisions at some point - Jagdeo

T

he Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) has been circling around distant timelines among other factors, which have influenced their inability to announce a date for elections. But Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has asserted that Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh will have to rise above these inhibitions and make that very important decision.

This was the position he shared on Friday, as he recognised that the GECOM Chair must be in a very difficult position of having to consider every possibility before making an announcement. He stated that she is fixed in a position where Government Commissioners are pushing to stall the process while the technical advisors are presenting protracted timelines.

He expressed, “I’m trying to picture the job of the Chairperson…

It must be very difficult for her to find an accommodation because I’m sure she doesn’t want to dismiss their concerns just like that….At some point in time, she will have to make the tough

Merger

File: Left to right: Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, GECOM Chairperson Claudette Singh, President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

decision, which is, we are going to respect the Constitution and stop the prevaricating by the Commissioners to delay things. She has to say to the Secretariat: ‘We’re getting this done by this date. You better go and work now to ensure that the timelines fit in.’”

The Opposition Leader also indicated that they retracted from protest actions to allow GECOM and its new leader to execute their

functions effectively.

However, the elections body is still confined by deceptive data and slothfulness.

“We ended the protest for a while because we wanted to give the Chairperson an opportunity to familiarise herself with what’s going on but what you have in there is a Commission that has to overcome the legacy of the illegalities and the sloth of the past.

Even now, being trapped

by that activity and the misinformation,” he said.

The decision on an elections date, he noted, can be achieved in a short time if all Commissioners and other staffers work with the intention of upholding the constitutional deadline. The deadline for elections is September 18, three months after the Caribbean Court of Justice’s ruling that the David Granger-led Administration toppled

with the valid passing of the No-Confidence Motion.

“If they put their minds to it, they can get things done quickly without compromising quality. At some point in time, she has to say that.”

When asked for a date which the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is willing to accept, he responded, “We believe way before the end of the year, it is still possible.”

Since the announcement to merge the data gathered from the incomplete House-toHouse Registration exercise, there have been reservations about the accuracy and extended timeline surrounding this activity.

At a recent press conference, the Opposition Leader said that the plans to merge the data with the existing database will push the hosting of early elections to 2020. He argued that there is a much simpler way of ensuring that everyone, including new registrants, gets on the voters’ list.

The Opposition Leader explained that of the 285,000 registrations that were obtained during the H2H exercise, only approximately 2000 are new registrants.

As such, instead of adding the more than 280,000 registrations to the existing National Register of Registrants database which would have massive repetition, Jagdeo said GECOM should filter out those new registrants and have them re-register at their local divisions.

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Oil industry has paved the way for “name recognition” – Business Director W

hile recognising the importance of branding to market local products, Business Director Dominic Gaskin has identified the oil sector as a driving force for name recognition in Guyana.

He shared these remarks recently, noting that for a long while, the country was suffering from a deficiency to create reputable products that are demanded internationally. He measured that this response will increase as the booming oil sector expands and urged manufacturers to capitalise.

“What I’d like to emphasise is the impor-

tance of name recognition in any competitive environment and the fact that Guyana, for a very long time, has suffered from a lack of name recognition until recently. The discoveries of oil have put Guyana on the map and…this will only increase in the coming year,” Gaskin said.

According to him, the thrust in economic growth should be used to transform the sustainable sectors and create value-added products and services. These can be developed alongside the production of natural resources.

“What we want to ensure is that this rapid economic growth is ac-

Business Director Dominic Gaskin

companied by accelerated economic development and development that focuses on developing our more sustainable sectors, such as agriculture and agro processing, tourism and other value-added goods and services that can bring in export earnings long

after the last drop of oil has been produced”.

These initiatives are also set to drive the export revenue uphill, an area which has been dwindling. The Private Sector Commission (PSC) had noted in its annual report that Guyana has imported US$1.8 billion in goods for 2018, but has exported only US$1.3 billion for the same period. That figure represents a 4.4 per cent reduction compared to 2017, when US$1.437 billion was earned.

Meanwhile, the Business Director insisted that now is the time to utilise the attention from the oil industry to maximum potential in

the manufacturing sector. This week would have seen the establishment of a workshop on geographical indications, coaching stakeholders to use their location as a branding tool.

“We need to do everything to maintain and to exploit that name recognition…We can make our products and services more exclusive and more desirable. The overseas markets do place a premium on geographical indications and it’s more of a social thing. People feel that they’re contributing to something that’s more familiar or exclusive or unique and they don’t mind paying that extra money for such

products,” he affirmed.

United Kingdombased oil company Tullow announced the discovery of oil last month in commercial quantities at the Jethro-1 exploration well in the Orinduik Block, becoming the second oil company to announce an oil find offshore Guyana.

This is the first discovery in the Orinduik Block, which is located in close proximity to the Stabroek Block – where United States oil giant ExxonMobil has already made 13 lucrative oil discoveries.

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

CANU appeals Magistrate’s decision to dismiss drug charge against City businessman

W

eeks after a 26-yearold businessman of Alberttown, Georgetown was freed of an ecstasy possession charge, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has filed an appeal in the matter, which originally was heard before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

Darrel John had

been slapped with two charges, and his matters had been tried by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in that Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. The first charge had alleged that on February 12, 2018, at Alberttown, Georgetown, he had had in his possession two grams of ecstasy.

The second charge had

alleged that he had sold ecstasy to an underage boy.

On August 8, 2019, Senior Magistrate Daly dismissed the possession of ecstasy charge against John, citing insufficient evidence having been presented to the court after she had read submissions made by both John’s attorney, George Thomas,

and the CANU prosecutor.

She had also noted that ecstasy does not fall under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act. John’s attorney had contended that ecstasy is made up of methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and not an amphet-

amine which is illegal under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of Guyana.

According to reports, the child was found in possession of the drug, and upon investigation, a search was conducted at John’s home, where the ecstasy was found in his bedroom.

Darrel John

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WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana heading into “dangerous territory”

…as no parliamentary extension means time running out for Govt – Ram

I

n the absence of a parliamentary extension of the Government’s time in office as set out by the Constitution when a no-confidence motion is passed, the clock is ticking on the Government’s legitimacy.

In an interview with Guyana Times International, prominent activist and lawyer Christopher Ram expressed concern at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) recent pronouncement that it could end up holding elections in March 2020.

“That would be inconsistent, not only with the new Chairperson of GECOM’s commitment to have elections as soon as possible, but also inconsistent with the Constitution and the ruling of the Caribbean court. It means that what we will have is the defiance by GECOM of the ruling of the highest court of the land and the Constitution.”

“This very act will amount to an abrogation of all the norms of democracy. That will lead us into really dangerous territory. We’ve had situations in the past when elections weren’t held on time, for example in 1978 and 1990. But never were those elections

Activist Christopher Ram

postponed in defiance of a court order.”

Ram also noted that this period would be a test not only for democracy in Guyana, but the international community, including the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Persons have previously called out the international community for their relative silence on President David Granger’s failure to name an election date after losing the no-confidence motion of 2018.

“This will be a test of the civil society of Guyana. It will be a test of the Constitution.

It will be a test of the international community, Caricom, of the Commonwealth Secretariat. We (risk) becoming a pariah

state,” Ram warned.

March 2020 After a more than four-hour-long meeting on Friday last, both Opposition and Government-aligned Commissioners disclosed to media operatives that March 2020 was one of several timelines proposed by the Secretariat.

Government-aligned Commissioner Vincent Alexander confirmed that March 2020 was one of the dates discussed during the meeting. According to the Commissioners, one of the activities proposed to be undertaken by GECOM during that period is the printing of new national identification cards. However, Commissioner Bibi Shadick contended that

such an initiative was unnecessary.

She pointed out that ID cards were not needed to vote, as any other form of identification, such as a passport, was accepted. In lieu of any such documents, she said voters could sign an oath at the polling stations.

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

Meanwhile, Article 106 (7) goes on to say: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three

months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

A no-confidence motion was passed against the Government since December 21 of last year. However, elections were not held and there was no resignation. Instead, the Government went through several levels of court, unsuccessfully arguing that the no-confidence motion was not validly passed.

At the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the final court had thrown out the Government’s case and had handed down judgement, saying that when the no-confidence motion was passed on December 21, 2018, Article 106 of the Constitution had immediately been activated. In addition, the Court had noted that the provisions of the article were clear.

Instead of immediately starting serious preparations to hold elections in the shortest possible time; however, GECOM proceeded to carry out House-to-House

Registration based on the orders of unilaterally appointed former Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson. Ram himself filed a court case challenging this process and sought to have GECOM comply with the Constitution.

While that process was ultimately stopped by his successor, the decision to merge the new data from House-to-House Registration and to prioritise the printing of ID, instead of seeking to have elections held as soon as possible, has been criticised

by People’s Progressive Party (PPP)nominated GECOM Commissioners as part of the Government’s delaying tactics.

In the 2000 Esther Perreira election petition case, then Justice Claudette Singh had ordered that elections must be held by March 31, 2001. Particularly, Justice Singh had ruled that the requirements for voters to have an ID card for the 1997 elections was a breach of Articles 59 and 159 of the Constitution and that the elections were null and void.

The PPP has, therefore, contended that prioritising ID cards over early elections is a case of putting the cart before the horse.

Guyana signs historic Amazonian pact to protect tropical forest

G

uyana joined six fellow Amazonian countries on Friday in Letecia, Colombia to sign a pact to protect the world’s largest tropical forest.

The pact, signed at a time when the Amazon is under threat from fires, aims to coordinate disaster response and satellite monitoring.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who represented President David Granger, signed on behalf of Guyana.

Colombia’s President, Ivan Duque; Bolivia’s President, Evo Morales; Ecuador’s President, Lenin Moreno and Peru’s President Martin Vizcarra were the Heads of State who signed.

Suriname’s Vice President, Michael Ashwin Adhin and Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Ernesto Araujo signed the pact on behalf of their respective countries.

Minister Trotman,

Colombian President Ivan Duque, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno and Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra, Surinamese Vice President Michael Ashwin Adhin and Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo along with Guyana’s Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman signed onto the pact (pic saved as pact)

in delivering a message on behalf of President Granger, reiterated to the South American leaders that, “our President is the visionary who conceptualised the Green State

Development Strategy (GSDS) for Guyana – it is our lighted path towards attaining a green and sustainable economy and is open to be shared and improved upon.

“An inferno in the Amazon, two-thirds of which is in Brazil, and the reason for us being here, threatens the rainforest eco-system and also affects the entire globe,” Minister

Trotman related.

“The effects of damage to the Amazon go far beyond Brazil and its neighbours. We are the lungs of the earth; we must all breathe to live.

Therefore, our presence

here is in recognition of the value and importance of the Amazon, and the Guiana Shield, and our role as custodians, stewards, and guardians of it,” Minister Trotman asserted.

The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest, which produces approximately 20 per cent of Earth’s oxygen and spans eight countries, including Guyana.

It covers 40 per cent of South America, is inhabited by 30 million people and is home to vast numbers of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, most of them unique to the region. New plant or animal species are discovered at a rate of one every two days in the Amazon.

G u y a n a ’ s Ambassador to Brazil, George Talbot joined Minister Trotman, who was accompanied

by Head of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Project (FCPF), Clayton Hall.

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PLAYER PROFILES Shoaib Malik Born February 1, 1982, Sialkot, Punjab Current age 37 years Major teams Pakistan, Asia XI, Barbados Tridents,Delhi Daredevils, Gloucestershire,Gujranwala Cricket Association, Guyana Amazon Warriors,Hobart Hurricanes, ICC World XI, Karachi Kings,Multan Sultans, Pakistan International Airlines,Pakistan Reserves, Sialkot Cricket Association, Sialkot Stallions,Vancouver Knights Playing role Middle-order batsman Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm offbreak Relation Brother - Adeel Malik

Odean Fabian Smith Born November 1, 1996, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica Current age 22 years Majorteams West Indies, Jamaica Tallawahs,Jamaica Under-19s, St Lucia Stars, West Indies A,West Indies Under-19s Playing role Bowler Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm medium Keagan Aaron Simmons Born March 26, 1999 Current age 20 years Major teams Trinidad & Tobago Under-19s,West Indies Under-19s Batting style Left-hand bat

Shadab Khan Born October 4, 1998, Mianwali Current age 20 years Major teams Pakistan, Brisbane Heat, Edmonton Royals,Islamabad United, Pakistan Under-19s, Trinbago Knight Riders Playing role Allrounder Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Legbreak

Veerasammy Permaul Born August 11, 1989, Guyana Current age 30 years Major teams West Indies, Guyana, Guyana Amazon Warriors,Guyana Under-19s, Sagicor High Performance Centre,West Indies A, West Indies Under-19s Playing role Bowler Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Slow left-arm orthodox

Christopher James Green Born October 1, 1993, Durban, Natal, South Africa Current age 25 years Major teams Guyana Amazon Warriors, Lahore Qalandars,Multan Sultans, New South Wales,New South Wales Under-23s, Surrey 2nd XI, Sydney Thunder,Toronto Nationals Playing role Allrounder Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm offbreak

Anthony Bramble Born December 11, 1990 Current age 28 years Major teams Guyana, Guyana Amazon Warriors,Guyana Under-19s, West Indies B Playing role Wicketkeeper batsman Batting style Right-hand bat Fielding position Wicketkeeper

Ben Laughlin Born October 3, 1982, Box Hill, Victoria Current age 36 years Major teams Australia, Adelaide Strikers, Antigua Hawksbills,Canterbury, Chennai Super Kings, Hobart Hurricanes,Northern Districts, Queensland, Queensland Academy of Sport,Quetta Gladiators, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad,Tasmania Playing role Bowler Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium Relation Father - TJ Laughlin

Romario Shepherd Born November 26, 1994, Guyana Current age 24 years Major teams Guyana, Guyana Amazon Warriors,Guyana Under-19s, West Indies A,West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm mediumfast

Shimron Odilon Hetmyer Born December 26, 1996, Cumberland, Berbice, Guyana Current age 22 years Major teams West Indies, Guyana, Guyana Amazon Warriors,Guyana Under-19s, Royal Challengers Bangalore,West Indies Under-19s Playing role Top-order batsman Batting style Left-hand bat Bowling style Legbreak googly

Clinton Pestano Born November 11, 1992, Skeldon, Berbice Current age 26 years Major teams Guyana, Guyana Under19s

Keemo Mandela Angus Paul Born February 21, 1998, Guyana Current age 21 years Major teams West Indies, Delhi Capitals, Delhi Daredevils,Guyana, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Guyana Under-19s,Montreal Tigers, West Indies A, West Indies Under-19s Playing role Allrounder Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium

Chandrapaul Hemraj Born September 3, 1993, Guyana Current age 25 years Major teams West Indies, Guyana, Guyana Under-19s,St Lucia Stars, West Indies A, West Indies Under-19s Batting style Left-hand bat Bowling style Slow left-arm orthodox

Sherfane Eviston Rutherford Born August 15, 1998 Current age 21 years Major teams West Indies, Delhi Capitals, Delhi Daredevils,Edmonton Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors,Guyana Under-19s, West Indies B Playing role Top-order batsman Batting style Left-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium Nicholas Pooran Born October 2, 1995, Trinidad Current age 23 years Full name Major teams West Indies, Barbados Tridents,Islamabad United, Khulna Johan Botha Titans, Kings XI Punjab,Multan Sultans, Mumbai Indians, St Kitts and Nevis Role: Head Coach Patriots,Trinidad & Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel,Trinidad & Tobago Under-19s, West Indies B,West Indies Under-19s Playing role Wicketkeeper batsman Batting style Left-hand bat Fielding position Wicketkeeper Brandon Alexander King Born December 16, 1994, Kingston, Jamaica Current age 24 years Major teams Jamaica, Jamaica Select XI, Jamaica Under-19s,St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, West Indies B,West Indies Under-19s Batting style Right-hand bat

Full name Dr Jason Pilgrim

Role: Physiotherapist

Full name Rayon Griffith

Full name Omar Khan

Full name Saurabh Walkar

Role: Assistant Coach Role: Team Role: Performance Operations Manager Analyst

Full name Clinton Jeremiah

Role: Strength and Conditioning Trainer

Full name Kurlyn Smith-Nicholas Role: Masseuse

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Misdirection…

O

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The PPP rigged themselves out of office in 2015??

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

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

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

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

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

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

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feature 33

Why the world wants more of Pooran

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he name Nicholas Pooran has become a global name and has been uttered on the lips of many ever since making his Hero Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) debut in 2013. In his debut season, Pooran turned out for the then Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel (now Trinbago Knight Riders) at the tender age of 16, which still remains a record for the youngest player in the tournament.

In 2019, the now 23-year old Trinidad and Tobago born player, will be making his debut for the Guyana Amazon Warriors after he was selected as the franchise’s marquee player.

Back in 2013, the stylish wicketkeeper batsman announced himself on the T20 scene with a pugnacious 24 ball 54 against Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence when his side was struggling. He singlehandedly took on the likes of Sunil Narine, Mohammed Hafeez, James Franklin and Krishamr Santokie and almost pulled off a miracle.

Since then, the Trinidadian earned the reputation of one of the Caribbean’s most explosive power hitters while exhibiting a touch of class. The south paw batsman has played for the Trinbago Knight Riders, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Barbados Tridents in previous editions of CPL and is in demand from various white ball franchise leagues around the world.

But his success did not come on a platter.

After ordinary returns in CPL 2013 and 2014 where he ended with 102 runs from 8 innings and 107 from 8 innings respectively his career took another blow.

In January of 2015 the budding talent was involved in an accident while driving home from training.

He came out with a ruptured left patella tendon and fractured his right ankle, raising a serious concern about him ever playing cricket again.

Spending two years out of the game, Pooran announced his return in the 2016 edition of CPL when he amassed 217 runs in eight innings, earning him a maiden international call up to the West Indies side to take on Pakistan in Dubai. In 2017 while not having such a good outing he managed to score 151 runs, but his never give up attitude propelled him into the best form of his life.

Pooran was able to amass a total of 267 runs at an average of 33.37,

making 2018 his best year in the CPL. To date, he has appeared in 102 T20 matches including stints in the Pakistan Super League, Indian Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League, Canada Global T20, Sharjah T10 League and the Vitality T20 Blast in England.

As the world tries to get more of Pooran he will be looking to add to his nine half centuries in the format and to better his highest score of 81 feats that should be achieved in CPL in 2019 which is by far his best year.

Since playing for Kings XI Punjab in the 2019 IPL, the explosive Pooran has further developed as a batsman and showed his maturity when he shouldered West Indies batting in the 2019 World Cup in England. After stroking his maiden ODI half-century against England, the gifted Pooran went on to make a valiant 115 against Sri Lanka and wrapped up the campaign with 58 against Afghanistan to finish as the leading run scorer for the West Indies with a total of 367 runs at an average of 52.42. He was also ranked number 16 out of a total of 50 of the tournament’s top batsmen.

Bursting with an abundance of talent, the gifted wicket-keeper batsman, Pooran, is a player to watch out for during the 2019 Hero CPL when he suits up for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

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WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Malik relishes leading young & settled Warriors to the top

S

hoaib Malik is one of those cricketers who has seen it all throughout his momentous career which now has him at the helm of the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad.

The illustrious allrounder, now enters his seventh year in the Caribbean Premier League, as the Hero sponsored event also gears up for a highly anticipated seventh edition.

Speaking with one of the most experienced T20Is players in the world, he was amused at the love for cricket he has seen in the Caribbean, especially by the fans.

“They’re very passionate about cricket… and even last year I’ve seen people show up at the grounds and see the crowd cheer for both teams and that was very fascinating for me. They enjoy every moment being at the ground.”

The 37-year old believes the CPL product is giving a lot of cricketers the exposure they need, especially the West Indian Team. “You see team the teams doing well in white ball cricket, even though they struggled a bit in ODI-cricket, things are getting better and that’s what any good league does for the Country and I think the CPL is doing the same thing.”

Malik opined that Franchise cricket is about winning the tournament

Captain Shoaib Malik (right) passing on a word of advice to Brandon King

but at the same time, it’s about developing your product and then expect consistent results which is the goal.

“You need experience with all the youngsters; we have a lot of youngsters and also experienced guys; especially [Shimron] Hetmyer,

Malik had a productive debut season in the Warriors colours

who did well last year and you can see he is improving day by day.” He also made mentioned of Sherfane Rutherford who played some great innings for the team yesteryear.

The former Pakistan captain went on to say, “I think we have some good youngsters and our senior players are supporting them.

They’re gelling together and it a great sign for any team.” Attributed to this is the fact that GAW team is keeping the same cricketers and youngsters which will in term grow together.

He disclosed that he has spoken to both owner and management of the Amazon Warriors team and added that they are on the right track because you can see that the team has been performing consistently, so it’s just one step away from winning the title.

The Key… The GAW has opened every door except the one which hold the spoils for the victor of the Hero Caribbean Premier League.

In his view, the accumulator of 345 T20Is, he sees a team that has little to no international commitments

during the tournament, boasting a good chance of hoisting the hardware.

“I think the best thing is, whoever is going to start the tournament, the same players should play the whole tournament. I’ve seen in the recent past a lot of players were leaving to play International Cricket. Even the year we (Barbados) won in 2014, we had no international commitments.”

In 2018 during the Hero CPL, Malik became the 4th batsman to score 8000 runs in T20Is but his personal goals entails always winning, grooming young talents and having amity in the dressing rooms.

The charismatic player will be available for the entire CPL 2019 season for the Warriors and is hoping that this is the year his team lift the title since they have ticked all the boxes leading up to their first match.

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

FEATURE 35

Family is my best partnership – Keemo

T

he old saying, ‘The family that prays together, stays together’ is true in the case for Guyana Amazon Warriors’ all-rounder Keemo Paul who revealed that without sacrifice, prayers and love his dreams of being an international cricketer would not have been possible.

Born in the small riverine village of Saxacalli in the Essequibo river, the naturally talented right hander said there were tough days in his early days as a cricketer but the sacrifices of his family ensured that he was in the right place at the right time.

“When I got my first complete cricket kit it was my brother who was working in the interior that bought i t since my dad was making just enough money to provide the basics for our family,” Keemo confessed.

The 21 year-old who has featured in 13 matches for the Amazon Warriors since his debut in 2017 further stated that his mother kept him and the rest of the family grounded with prayers and motivational speeches that still resonate with him even if he is halfway round the world.

While journeying to Georgetown to play cricket was not always easy financially for the Pauls, Keemo was still able to follow his passion largely due to the dedication of his father. “Dad was always there for me, he left work sometimes to come watch me play every game in Guyana sometimes with no money [and] when we got lunch I would eat half and take the other half for him in the stands. We are really close. My family is my rock, my pillar of strength,” Keemo expressed.

The Essequibian has since come a long way and to date has played 31 matches for the West Indies comprising three Tests, 12 One Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals and is one of few West Indians with a contract for all for-

Keemo celebrates the best bowling figures by a West Indian 5/15 against Bangladesh in December 2018

mats.

His white ball credentials recently earned him the prestigious Cricket Indies player y e a r o u t i n g

West T 2 0 I of the for his standachievements in 2 0 1 8 where he picked up a West Indian record of 5/15 against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

His efforts did not go unnoticed and was snapped up by the Dehli Capitals in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League where he turned out in eight matches and bagged eight wickets with best figures of 3/17. His skills in his debut season will no doubt guarantee a lengthy stay in India where he also loves.

With the Guyana Amazon Warriors beginning their 2019 CPL campaign at home with three matches at Providence; fans, friends and especially family will come out in their large numbers for the usual support for Paul and the rest of the team in their quest for a maiden title.

And like the international recording soca artistes; Machel Montano, Skinny Fabulous and Bunji Garlin sang, “I moving everywhere with ma famalay” we want to see you and your family jumping for the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence.

36 NEWS

WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana to tap into bilateral cooperation with int’l partners …as new Kuwait, Ireland and Finland ambassadors accredited

G

uyana is looking to tap into bilateral cooperation with international partners as it accredited new diplomats from three countries in order

over his Letters of Credence to President David Granger, NonResident Ambassador (Designate) of the State of Kuwait, Nasser Riden Al-Motairi, spoke about

Kuwaiti Ambassador to Guyana Nasser Riden Al-Motairi

to strengthen ties.

These accreditation ceremonies were done at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday.

After handing

his country’s keenness to further strengthen ties between the two countries.

He said, “The Kuwait Economic Fund and Investment Authority

can play a big role in Guyana’s investment.

Mr President, under the guidance of political leadership, we will do our best to strengthen relations between the two countries”.

In turn, the Guyanese Head of State recalled the Kuwaiti Government’s write off earlier this year of some US$50.7 million in debt owed by Guyana from a loan taken in 1975. He added too that technical assistance provided to Guyana in the past for its infrastructural projects under the Kuwait Fund are tangible testaments of good relations between the two countries.

“I am confident that the bilateral cooperation between our countries will be enhanced in the years ahead and that your tenure will contribute to continuing cooperation and initiate new areas of collaboration, especially in the oil and gas sector, energy, sustainable de-

Irish Ambassador to Guyana Seán Hoy

velopment, agriculture and education,” the President contended.

With regards to the accreditation of the new Finnish Ambassador to Guyana, Pertti Ikonen, President Granger congratulated the country on its assumption of the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

“We look forward to Finland’s support in strengthening the partnership between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States,” he posited.

Meanwhile, the NonResident Ambassador (Designate) of Finland outlined that his country’s three presidency priorities are to strengthen common values and the rule of law within the EU; to make the EU more competitive and socially inclusive, and to strengthen the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action.

“The EU is also a good companion to support Guyana’s development in all these fields,” he stated.

The Finnish diplomat further committed to contribute to the transformation of the Guyanese economy.

“I’m sure you’re familiar with the challenges faced in the [economic] transformation process such as efficient governance, competitiveness, good business and environment. I hope that Finland, who has a good track record in all these fields, could play a positive role in developing your great nation,” Ambassador Ikonen asserted.

Meanwhile, the NonResident Ambassador

(Designate) of Ireland, Seán Hoy, pointed out that the Caribbean is a focus area for his Government as it seeks to increase its global footprint. He anticipates engaging Guyana to explore ways to strengthen bilateral

al system”.

This sentiment was also shared by President Granger, who said that Guyana recognises Ireland’s thrust to introduce radical climate change policies in its new Green Agenda and sustainable food production programme in recognition of the significant threat imposed by global warming. On this note, he mentioned Guyana’s own move towards the establishment of a “Green State”.

“The ‘Green State’ will place emphasis on the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity and the promotion of renewable energy and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation.

Guyana welcomes the opportunity to develop its re-

Finnish Ambassador to Guyana Pertti Ikonen

relations through increased partnership in the areas of tourism, trade, aviation, oil and gas investments and Information and Communications Technology.

Ambassador Hoy further noted that at the level of the United Nations, Guyana and Ireland share similar positions on the importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the urgency to fight climate change.

To this end, he posited that “It is our hope that we continue to work together at the United Nations and other international fora to serve the wider good and to support the broader multilater-

lations with Ireland in support of its national development goals and international obligations. We recognise that there is significant scope for collaboration with Ireland in development cooperation, climate change, tourism, trade and investment,” he posited.

Moreover, the Guyanese leader said he is heartened by Ireland’s increased attention to enhancing the relations with the Caribbean region.

Guyana established diplomatic ties with Finland in April 1979; with Ireland in February 2000 and with Kuwait in August 1995.

36 NEWS

WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana to tap into bilateral cooperation with int’l partners …as new Kuwait, Ireland and Finland ambassadors accredited

G

uyana is looking to tap into bilateral cooperation with international partners as it accredited new diplomats from three countries in order

over his Letters of Credence to President David Granger, NonResident Ambassador (Designate) of the State of Kuwait, Nasser Riden Al-Motairi, spoke about

Kuwaiti Ambassador to Guyana Nasser Riden Al-Motairi

to strengthen ties.

These accreditation ceremonies were done at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday.

After handing

his country’s keenness to further strengthen ties between the two countries.

He said, “The Kuwait Economic Fund and Investment Authority

can play a big role in Guyana’s investment.

Mr President, under the guidance of political leadership, we will do our best to strengthen relations between the two countries”.

In turn, the Guyanese Head of State recalled the Kuwaiti Government’s write off earlier this year of some US$50.7 million in debt owed by Guyana from a loan taken in 1975. He added too that technical assistance provided to Guyana in the past for its infrastructural projects under the Kuwait Fund are tangible testaments of good relations between the two countries.

“I am confident that the bilateral cooperation between our countries will be enhanced in the years ahead and that your tenure will contribute to continuing cooperation and initiate new areas of collaboration, especially in the oil and gas sector, energy, sustainable de-

Irish Ambassador to Guyana Seán Hoy

velopment, agriculture and education,” the President contended.

With regards to the accreditation of the new Finnish Ambassador to Guyana, Pertti Ikonen, President Granger congratulated the country on its assumption of the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

“We look forward to Finland’s support in strengthening the partnership between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States,” he posited.

Meanwhile, the NonResident Ambassador (Designate) of Finland outlined that his country’s three presidency priorities are to strengthen common values and the rule of law within the EU; to make the EU more competitive and socially inclusive, and to strengthen the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action.

“The EU is also a good companion to support Guyana’s development in all these fields,” he stated.

The Finnish diplomat further committed to contribute to the transformation of the Guyanese economy.

“I’m sure you’re familiar with the challenges faced in the [economic] transformation process such as efficient governance, competitiveness, good business and environment. I hope that Finland, who has a good track record in all these fields, could play a positive role in developing your great nation,” Ambassador Ikonen asserted.

Meanwhile, the NonResident Ambassador

(Designate) of Ireland, Seán Hoy, pointed out that the Caribbean is a focus area for his Government as it seeks to increase its global footprint. He anticipates engaging Guyana to explore ways to strengthen bilateral

al system”.

This sentiment was also shared by President Granger, who said that Guyana recognises Ireland’s thrust to introduce radical climate change policies in its new Green Agenda and sustainable food production programme in recognition of the significant threat imposed by global warming. On this note, he mentioned Guyana’s own move towards the establishment of a “Green State”.

“The ‘Green State’ will place emphasis on the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity and the promotion of renewable energy and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation.

Guyana welcomes the opportunity to develop its re-

Finnish Ambassador to Guyana Pertti Ikonen

relations through increased partnership in the areas of tourism, trade, aviation, oil and gas investments and Information and Communications Technology.

Ambassador Hoy further noted that at the level of the United Nations, Guyana and Ireland share similar positions on the importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the urgency to fight climate change.

To this end, he posited that “It is our hope that we continue to work together at the United Nations and other international fora to serve the wider good and to support the broader multilater-

lations with Ireland in support of its national development goals and international obligations. We recognise that there is significant scope for collaboration with Ireland in development cooperation, climate change, tourism, trade and investment,” he posited.

Moreover, the Guyanese leader said he is heartened by Ireland’s increased attention to enhancing the relations with the Caribbean region.

Guyana established diplomatic ties with Finland in April 1979; with Ireland in February 2000 and with Kuwait in August 1995.

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Over 8,000 lots to be handed over to local authorities by CH&PA

T

he Central Housing and P l a n n i n g Authority (CH&PA) on Saturday, September 14, will hand over the responsibility of the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme along with the Goed Fortuin regularised squatting area to the Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Chief Development Planner of the CH&PA, Germene Stuart, was quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying that the La Parfaite Harmonie housing scheme comprises ten sections of which nine will be handed over to the NDC. “These sections are the Westminster, phase one and two, La Parfaite Harmonie, phase one and two, Recht-doorZee, phase one and two, Onderneeming, phase one and two and Schoonard, phase one and two. We will not be handing over Lust-enRust because the infrastructure is incomplete.”

Stuart explained that recently discus-

sions were held between the CH&PA and Malgre Tout/and Meer Zorgen, NDC where it was agreed that the local authority would assume responsibility for these areas and a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed to this effect.

“The handing over process is a collaborative and participatory process, we had several engagement sessions to determine the readiness of those housing areas and we discussed the role of the Central Housing and Planning Authority in the continued development of those housing areas.”

The CH&PA officer noted some of the infrastructural developments of La Parfaite Harmonie; one of which is the rehabilitation of 29 kilometres of roads. According to Stuart, this represents 30% of the roads in the Housing Scheme, the remaining 70% will be completed by CH&PA. In other developments, the community also has nursery, primary and secondary schools, community and health centres, police station and various places of worship.

“The La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme was one of the areas slated for the intervention under the Adequate Urban and Accessibility Programme. In total, there will be 8442 lots in the handing over process to the local authority, along with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Saturday, September 14, between the two partners,” Stuart detailed.

Additional documents that will be presented to the Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen NDC include a list of duties and functions, a road maintenance manual, a developer’s manual which will provide guidance in the planning permission process, a cadastral plan which is a subdivision plan to identify the various parcel/plots of land – such residential or nonresidential – in the La Parfaite Harmonie area.

In the developmental plans, which are in the pipelines for the community, is the construction of two new wells, subsidies for home-owners to build core homes, and grants to upgrade lowincome homes.

NEWS 37

38 NEWS

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GECOM begins verifying H2H data, training polling day staff U nder a constant barrage of criticisms for the continued delay in holding elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) claims that it is multitasking, by training polling day staff and inputting data while the Commission deliberates on timeframes.

According to GECOM in a statement on Monday, they are currently verifying and encoding the House-to-House data that was gathered and scheduled to be merged with the existing National Register of Registrants (NRR) database.

“In addition, the Commission is moving swiftly with the training of polling day staff countrywide. To date, training has been completed in Region 4 (Georgetown, East Bank and East Coast) and Region 5. Training will be conducted in Regions 1, 2 and 10 on September 7-8, 2019,” GECOM said.

“The Guyana Elections Commission is committed to en-

suring it produces a credible list for the conduct of credible General

and Regional Elections within the shortest possible time in ac-

cordance with law,” the Commission added.

Meanwhile, sources have confirmed to this publication that as of Friday, GECOM had scanned and inputted less than a third (approximately 120,000) of the over 370,000 persons who were registered during House-to-House into the system.

It is understood that the data generated from this process will then have to be analysed before attempts to add them to the NRR are even made.

After a more than four-hour-long meeting on Friday last, both Opposition and Government-aligned Commissioners disclosed to media operatives that March 2020 was one of several timelines proposed by the Secretariat.

Government-aligned Commissioner Vincent Alexander confirmed that March 2020 is one of the dates discussed during the meeting. According to the Commissioners, one of the activities proposed to be undertaken

by GECOM during that period is the printing of new national identification (ID) cards. However, Commissioner Bibi Shadick contended that such an initiative is unnecessary.

She pointed out that ID cards are not needed to vote, as any other form of identification, such as a passport, is accepted.

In lieu of any such documents, she said voters can sign an oath at the polling stations.

After this revelation, a number of figures in several sections of the media have come out critiquing not only GECOM, but its Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh. In its statement, GECOM pointed out that these discussions are slated to continue at

the next statutory meeting on September 10.

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

Meanwhile, Article 106 (7) goes on to say: “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”.

A No-Confidence Motion (NCM) was passed against the government since December 21 of last year. However, elections were not held and there was no resignation. Instead, the Government went through several levels of court, unsuccessfully arguing that the NCM was not validly passed.

At the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the final court had thrown out the Government’s case and had handed down judgement saying that when the NCM was passed on December 21, 2019, Article 106 of the Constitution had immediately been activated.

In addition, the Court had noted that the provisions of the article were clear.

Instead of immediately starting serious preparations to hold elections in the shortest possible time, GECOM proceeded to carry out Houseto-House Registration based on the orders of unilaterally appointed former Chairman retired Justice James Patterson.

A court case challenging this process and seeking to have GECOM comply with the Constitution was in fact filed.

While that process was ultimately stopped by his successor, the decision to merge the new data from Houseto-House and to prioritise the printing of identification cards, instead of seeking to have elections held as soon as possible, has been criticised by People’s Progressive Party (PPP)nominated GECOM Commissioners as part of the Government’s delaying tactics.

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

REO confronts PPP protesters in front of Region 2 RDC

…as protesters demand his resignation

Regional Executive Officer, Dennis Jaikarran confronting the protesters outside his office

O

ne day after Police in Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), questioned Regional Executive Officer, Dennis Jaikarran over an assault report filed against him, members of the Women Progressive Organisation (WPO) were joined by several persons, condemning the alleged act.

On Wednesday, the WPO, the women’s arm of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), along with a number of other persons joined the protest action while condemning the alleged assault against the region’s Vice Chair, Nandranie Coonjah.

Reports are Coonjah had closed the main door to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office when the REO and supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity left the boardroom.

According to the Regional Vice Chairman, the REO and supporters of APNU left after disturbing the monthly statutory meeting by protesting and shouting slogans inside the boardroom.

However, the REO reportedly returned to the boardroom “annoyed”, according to the Vice Chairperson.

Coonjah said that the REO accused her of slamming the door as he and the protesters exited.

She alleged that it was then that the REO hit her on the shoulder, in the presence of the Regional Chairman Davanand Ramdatt and other councillors.

On Wednesday, protesters outside the RDC office called for Jaikarran to respect women. The protesters also called for the Government to dismiss Jaikarran for his alleged actions. Among the slogans written on the protesters’ placards were “REO must go”; “REO must respect the RDC”; “REO must show respect for the people”; “Investigate the REO now”; “REO must respect women”.

However, the situation in front of the RDC escalated when the REO confronted the protesters. Guyana Times International was unable to reach Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan for a comment on the situation.

Meanwhile, Police at the Anna Regina Police Station have since taken statements from both Coonjah and Jaikarran.

The assault matter is being investigated.

NEWS 39

40 NEWS

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

River’s View comes alive with cultural Heritage celebrations

T

he Indigenous community of River’s View has taken pride in being the first in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) to host the Heritage month celebrations. Scores of residents and officials ventured to the riverine location on Tuesday, to indulge in the cultural activities presented by the community. The activities were in keeping with the theme of the observance, ‘Maintaining our traditional practices while promoting a Green Economy’.

Upon entering the community by boat, patrons were greeted to an atmosphere of Indigenous music, food, drinks, cultural presentations, including songs and dance, as well as modern and traditional arts and crafts. Cultural presentations set the atmosphere for the monthlong activities which Guyanese and visitors are being welcomed to experience by the community which is nestled on the right bank of the Essequibo River.

In his opening remarks at the ceremonial occasion, Toshao of

River’s View Kenneth Edwards extended a heartfelt welcome to all venturing into the host village.

In delivering the feature address at the event, President David Granger congratulated the community on the occasion, positively declaring that it is on the verge of prosperity.

“River’s View is a special village. It straddles Regions Seven and Region 10, the Upper Demerara- Berbice and the Cuyuni- Mazarunitwo of the richest Regions for mining and logging in this country…River’s View could provide a good life for everyone- a hundred and forty-four thousand square kilometers…River’s View is right on the verge of prosperity, on the verge of mining, of logging, of farming,…eco-tourism.

All of these economic activities can bring wealth and prosperity to the people of River’s View and this beautiful village”, the President said.

“But how will you do it?…You will do so with an educated population…”, he said.

The Head of State

An indigenous group performs a cultural dance

continued by stressing the importance of education, as he noted that it is central to the development of not only of River’s View but the entire Indigenous community and the rest of Guyana. Citing that Heritage month also coincides with Education month, the president stressed that it is only through education that the children will be equipped and able to de-

velop the economies of the regions.

The president went on to say that leaders such as village elders, toshaos and Councillors

said River’s View has an important role to play in protecting the Essequibo River and preserving its biodiversity for generations to come.

es are in keeping with the protection of the environment as well as the use of natural resources in a sustainable manner.

During the obser-

President David Granger waves to children of Riversview, Region Ten upon his arrival there for Heritage 2019 celebrations

all have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience which they can teach the younger generations.

President Granger also noted that villages are responsible for the development of every child, hence, if they falter so will the children.

He went on to stress importance of villages, not only to Indigenous people but other ethnicities, noting that they are the “cradle of culture”.

As such, the President urged full support for Guyana’s villages, emphasising that they rest on the pillars of the home, school, church and the farm.

Pointing to the Green State Development Strategy, President Granger noted that villages have an important role to play in protecting the environment. He

M e a n w h i l e , Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock in his remarks pointed to the importance of the community in contributing to the cultural and economic prosperity of Guyana.

In referencing several accomplished Indigenous scholars, the minister noted that the economic ventures of the people also warrant celebration.

In this light he highlighted developments such as the first sundried tomato system in the Pakaraimas and the first lapidary in Monkey mountains, noting that such achievements will be long remembered as part of history.

He further noted that Indigenous Peoples have an important role to play in ensuring that development initiatives undertaken in their villag-

vance, the community also celebrated by highlighting the lifetime contributions of Indigenous Political advocate the late Stephen Campbell and other outstanding Indigenous leaders.

President Granger also presented the community with an outboard engine at the event.

Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian was among some of the officials present at the event. Heritage Month previously known as Amerindian Heritage Month, Amerindian Heritage is an annual observance that is held every September in Guyana in honour of Guyana’s indigenous peoples. The late President Cheddi Jagan in 1995 declared the month to honour the contributions of the nation’s first peoples. (Utamu Belle)

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

41

42 NEWS

WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Prayers kept me safe, says Barbadian woman in The Bahamas

A

t least one Barbadian living in The Bahamas who was reported on social media as missing, is alive and well today.

But day by day, she continues to struggle with the sight of massive destruction and loss of lives caused by the passage of Hurricane Dorian.

Karen Dyall, a former teacher at Ellerslie School, was in Freeport, Grand Bahama, when heavy rainfall and gusty winds from the catastrophic hurricane ravaged community more than a week ago.

With memories of Hurricane Matthew, which smashed the island in 2016, fresh in her mind, Dyall prepared for the worst but prayed for the best.

“When I first got the confirmation that the hurricane was coming here, I began to panic because I experienced Matthew a couple years

Bajan Karen Dyall

prior and it was pretty bad for me. I never experienced anything like that in Barbados. Some of my ex-students and family members could not reach me and reported me missing. I had no internet,” she told THE NATION. The 47-year-old senior educator at the Bishop Michael Eldon Anglican Church School recounted her experience.

“It was three days of anxiety, fear, and terror, at some point. With Dorian . . . it wasn’t until

the Friday and Saturday that it really hit me. The information started coming in from Abaco which is to the east of us. It was at that point, I knew it was going to be bad. I don’t think I can find a word to describe my exact emotion. I packed up and went by a friend and her husband’s home,” she said.

“Where I stayed was flooded completely. I don’t know if it was the prayers from my family members who are devoted Christians, but the house I stayed in, the water came from the west, east and south and stopped within ten feet of the house, in every direction and it did not reach me. I have no way of explaining how we were that lucky,” she said.

“The only way I made it through was because of my friends, and my family; I owe them a lot. Although they were far from me, they really helped to keep me going. I don’t even know

how I will repay them but at least I am here to tell them I love them.”

This street sign is a remainder of the community in which Karen Dyall lived. (GP) An emotional Dyall, who teaches bookkeeping and accounts, said the most heartbreaking part in the ordeal was learning that one of her students perished in the flood waters.

“The part that broke my heart is one of my kids’ entire family was washed out to sea; only the mum survived. He died. He was such a loving child.

“The flood waters my co-workers had to go through, confronted with that, I’m not sure I would have been here today. In the middle of the night you could not see – there were fallen wires and trees. There were so many variables. I’m thankful to be here. So many people around me have lost so much,” she added. (AGB) (Barbados Nation)

Something smells…

T

…on immigrants his fella Heath-Retemeyer, CEO of SARA, is something else. First of all, he interjects himself into a (claimed) ‘question and answer’ session with “Haitians and Africans”, along with Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix at the Critchlow Labour Institute, and then accuses others who raised concerns of being “xenophobic and racist”!! The question that arises, of course, is what’s his locus standi??

One government official said the man was there in his “private capacity”. Well, that may be so…but what exactly is that “capacity” that allows him to answer questions about immigration matters? He claimed that “Haitians are entitled to work permits under the tenets of Caribbean Single Market and Economy”. But that’s not really so, is it? Haiti still has to meet some additional requirements in the free trade of goods and services before they can qualify for the benefit. They were supposed to do so by next month. Did Heath-Retemeyer waive this requirement in his “private capacity”??

But even so, individuals desiring to work here have to first obtain a “Free Movement of Skills” certificate – which they’re supposed to present before they are allowed into Guyana. And this certificate is for SKILLED persons in specified fields as per the Caricom Treaty: Musicians, Artistes, Sports Persons, Media Workers, Registered Nurses, Trained Teachers from specified tertiary institutions, and Artisans who’ve obtained a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ).

Even if they had the necessary qualifications – along with those who’re just visitors – they would’ve had to present evidence they had enough funds to take care of themselves for the six months they were allowed in. Did they?? Private Citizen Heath-Retemeyer also trotted out statistics to show that some 979 foreigners of various nationalities received permits to extend their stay in Guyana last year. There were no Haitians and Africans in the list.

But this just shows that these other nationalities knew what had to be done to regularise their stay…since we didn’t notice that Private Citizen Heath -Retemeyer held any “Question and Answers” sessions with them.

Couldn’t the Private Citizen and Minister Felix be accused of giving special and differential treatment to Haitians and Africans? Especially since the latter aren’t members of Caricom, much less CSME! Then, very predictably, Citizen Heath-Retemeyer pulled the race card from his sleeve: “I am vehemently condemning the xenophobic and racist attacks against the African and Haitian nationals”. And how exactly were THEY attacked? What’s race got to do with raising concerns about one possible motive for the special and differential treatment? Shouldn’t Citizen HeathRetemeyer explain exactly how he became involved?

In the absence of such an explanation, aren’t citizens going to speculate about fire being present once they see smoke??

…on Geographical indications The former Minister of Business and his successor hosted a private sector meeting that facilitated an IDB representative touting the benefits of “Geographical indications” to getting better prices for our locallyproduced goods. One wonders how many new Columbuses will discover this particular New World.

Way back in 2005, didn’t we pass a “Geographical Indications Act”?

The WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) had long recognised “Geographical Indications (GIs)” protection. This was defined by Article 22(1) as “indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a Member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributed to its geographic origin”.

Initially utilised only for wines, it was extended to include other foodstuffs: “Florida” for oranges “Idaho” for potatoes “Washington State” for apples etc. DDL received GI for their rum in 2017.

So why didn’t the Government have GI certification for “Demerara Sugar” for brown sugar and save the Demerara Estates?

Spite, that’s what! …at Seven Ponds Robert Mugabe’s death brings to mind the many similarities he shared with Burnham. They both loved to read and things English. But it was all form over substance.

They were both very flawed men who had cruel streaks.

NEWS 43

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Resignation of Cabinet case

Rousing…

Opposition returns to High Court seeking constitutional compliance

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…integrity he Chairman of the Integrity Commission revealed that, last year, 42% of the public officials who’re required BY LAW to file declarations of their assets failed to do so. 41 of the defaulters were MPs, mostly from the Government, and included President Granger!

Declarations are supposed to be filed by June 30th annually, and this year the record’s worse, even though the deadline was extended to Aug 31. The defaulters now number 65%, almost two-thirds of the cohort of folks who’re supposed to be running this country on our behalf.

With oil money supposed to start flowing next year, the mind boggles and the body shudders at what’s in store for us. After all, if they feel compelled to hide their assets when we’re just another sh*thole country, imagine what’s gonna happen when we become the per capita richest country on the planet. You can be sure what the numbers may say: THAT most of the wealth’s gonna end up in the pockets of these same “public servants” who’re NEVER filing their assets’ declarations!

There’s no other reason for not filing, except that these defaulters have something to hide. It’s just like Trump: doing backflips to avoid revealing his tax returns’ filings. He knows for sure he’s been doing all sorts of hanky-panky with his finances. But what’s even more egregious about our state of affairs is that, even though these defaulters can be prosecuted according to laws presently on the books, the Commission has been unable to do so, since it hasn’t been given the requisite funding.

As Immanuel Kant pointed out, “ought” implies “can”, and without funds to pay investigators, prosecutors etc, while the Commission OUGHT to prosecute these miscreants, they certainly CAN’T. And, trust this Eyewitness, this Government know this fully well, and have deliberately underfunded the Commission. Scads of skeletons in their closets! IN the decades since the Commission was established by the PPP, the PNC have refused to cooperate, insisting they didn’t trust the first Chair, Bishop George. Imagine that!! But they’ve got no excuse now, since they appointed the present Chair.

The gentleman made an eminently sensible suggestion: that the Commission be made into a constitutional body, so it will automatically receive funding, once Parliament scrutinises and approves the quantum. He also suggested that the Integrity Commission function on a full-time basis. With oil on the horizon, this is even more eminently sensible, and should be complemented with a large team of fulltime investigators.

But after this Government’s vile behaviour following the CCJ request that they act with “integrity” in following the commands of Art 106 (6) – to resign and call elections in 3 months – don’t hold your breath. …the fans Well, our Warriors have certainly roused their fans – meaning all Guyana – with their bravura performances in their first two games. Your Eyewitness is writing this before the third game’s played, but you, dear reader, would’ve known the results as you read this. Whatever happens in this game of “glorious uncertainty”, the Warriors have given us a welcome respite from the interminable wrangling and rancour the PNC have introduced into our country in their determination to hold on to power by any means necessary.

The ironic thing is: quite a lot of the politicians were at the game, and you’d think their conscience might prick them for stoking divisiveness in those same folks who were rooting as one for “their boys”. They would’ve seen Guyanese performatively demonstrating they can, as a matter of fact, become “one people; one nation with one destiny”. The secret was right in front of them: give our people incentives to be part of a common endeavour.

But are they gonna do it? Not in this life!!

More wrangling and rancour in store. …rancour The depravity of the Chronic, run by Nagamootoo, knows no bounds. This week, he featured Barrington Braithwaite — an ERC member!! – blaming only the then PPP Administration for the 1998-2008 violence.

Wasn’t Nagamootoo a leader of the PPP then??

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Former AG Anil Nandlall

he parliamentary Opposition has returned to the High Court seeking to force the Government to comply with the Constitution of Guyana, this time Article 106 of the Constitution which sets out that Cabinet must resign after a NoConfidence Motion.

Bringing the case is former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who is seeking from acting Chief Justice Roxane

George orders compelling Cabinet, which has been meeting despite the clear language of the Constitution.

“We are asking for a declaration that Cabinet was resigned on the passage of the No-Confidence Motion.

Alternatively, we’re asking for an order that Cabinet be resigned, because the Chief Justice had ruled that they were resigned by application of law,” he said in an in-

AG Basil Williams

terview afterwards.

He added that the Opposition is asking for an order giving effect to that resignation. “And we’re asking for an order restraining Cabinet from meeting, because they are disbanded and no longer in existence,” Nandlall further explained.

In response to Nandlall’s submissions, Attorney General Basil Williams is arguing that his return to the court is

an abuse of the court process. Nandlall slammed the AG for skimming over the constitutional provision requiring his and the rest of the Cabinet’s resignations.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to resort to this kind of strenuous efforts in the court to get the Government to obey the Constitution.

Every one of you read the Constitution and would know that Article 106

continued on page 44

44 news

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Body of 7-yr-old burn victim to be returned to Guyana for burial

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he body of sevenyear-old Shaniya Persaud, who succumbed at the Shriners Hospital in Galveston, Texas on Sunday night after undergoing a much-needed surgery, which led to the amputation of her leg and fingers, will be flown back to Guyana for final rites.

A relative who spoke with INews earlier today has confirmed that the child’s burial will take place in Guyana.

The news of the child’s passing was announced by both the Rotary Club of Demerara and the Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA)

Deceased: 7-year-old Shaniya Persaud

via a social media post. In its post, SHEA, which assisted the child with the overseas treatment, stated that “Shaniya fought a long and difficult battle, but her fragile body could no longer continue. Her heart stopped twice and her doctors tried desperately to resuscitate her”.

This announcement comes one day after the non-governmental organisation (NGO) revealed that the child’s wounds are not healing, especially those suffered internally.

Additionally, Persaud had one of her legs, a few fingers, and a sec-

tion of her ear amputated during a surgery performed on Friday, a decision taken to save her life.

The now deceased child had received second and third-degree burns to about 97.8 per cent of her body when her North Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara house went up in flames at about 01:00h on August 5, while she was asleep.

A total of US$42,000 was successfully raised

by the two NGOs to secure emergency treatment for the child at the overseas hospital.

Persaud was medevaced from the Georgetown Public Hospital on August 10 to the Cheddi Jagan International airport, where she boarded a chartered flight to the United States.

During the short period, several corrective surgeries were performed in an effort to save the child’s life.

Opposition returns to... from page 43

says that upon the successful passage of the No-Confidence Motion, Cabinet inclusive of the President shall resign.”

He added that 10 months after the passage of the No-Confidence Motion, the Opposition is “battling for the Government to give effect to that provision of the Constitution which is our supreme law. This is the level to which we have descended. And rather than the AG come here and concede, he comes here and says it is an abuse of process. It’s an atrocious contention.

Instead of come here and apologise to the court and then go and advise his Cabinet to resign, he comes here with a straight face and says we are abusing the court.”

According to Nandlall, all they are seeking is for the Government to comply with the Constitution.

In her deliberations, Chief Justice Roxane George gave Nandlall five days in which to make their submissions while Williams was given until September 21 to file on behalf of the Government. The next court hearing will be held on September 30 at 13:30h.

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

Meanwhile, Article 106 (7) goes on to say: “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.”

A No-Confidence Motion was passed against the Government since December 21 of last year. However, elections were not held and there was no resignation.

Instead, the Government went through several levels of court, unsuccessfully arguing that the No-Confidence Motion was not validly passed.

At the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the final court had thrown out the Government’s case and had handed down judgement saying that when the NoConfidence Motion was passed on December 21, 2019, Article 106 of the Constitution had immediately been activated.

In addition, the court had noted that the provisions of the Article were clear.

Instead of immediately starting serious preparations to hold elections in the shortest possible time, however, GECOM proceeded to carry out House-to-House Registration based on the orders of unilaterally appointed former Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson. The exercise has since been stopped, but GECOM has since proposed a March 2020 timeframe for holding elections.

When it comes to Cabinet resigning, Government had initially announced that it would no longer be holding Cabinet sessions but rather, decisions would be made using a “ministerial plenary” that still retained the powers of Cabinet. They have since resorted back to using “Cabinet” to describe these meetings.

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45

46

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Scenes from River’s View Heritage Month celebrations

47

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False…

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…equivalence ne of the most insidious (and annoying) behaviour that pops up with great regularity as the political climate heats up is some folks wallowing in false equivalencies as they strive to walk some thin line of political correctness. “False equivalence”, of course, is what happens when someone tries to convince you that two things should be given equal weight in your considerations as you come to any given decision, while those two things aren’t in any way actually equivalent.

Take Justice Claudette Singh in her new job as GECOM Chair. When she was back being just a judge, do you think she gave rapists the same right to rape women, as the right of the women not to be raped?

Of course not!! After all, the law says you can’t go around raping people just because you have an itch – and she threw the (law) book at those who raped!

Yet, here it is, the law says – and not any old law but the highest law of the land, the Constitution – that elections must be held within three months after a NCM. And what does she do in her new job as GECOM Chair? She orders 370,000 unverified names be merged into the old NRR and then a preliminary voters’ list be extracted for Claims and Objections.

Elections March 2020!!And why’d she do this??

She wants to give equal weight to the demands of the Government Commissioners that there be H2H Registration and those of the Opposition that the constitutional command be given primacy and the present list be subjected to C&O immediately to have elections in 3 months. Worked before with no complaints from the PNC, and it can work again!!

But just this morning another example of false equivalence popped up on your Eyewitness’ radar.

He read where the Chairman of the PSC, Gerry Gouveia, pleaded unctuously, “We need to besiege our politicians to stop fighting…” Your Eyewitness immediately wondered whether Govt’s GECOM Commissioner Desmond Trotman’s broadside at the Gouveia for being “racist” had made the goodly gentleman bassidy!!

What does he mean “the politicians” – meaning all politicians, including the Opposition, must stop fighting?? Is the PPP’s fight to have the Constitution upheld the same as the PNC’s fight to cling on to power by any means necessary?? Is the raped person’s right to defend herself equivalent to the rapist’s “right” to batter his victim into oblivion?? Was Gerry not rapped because he himself had defended the Constitution??

Why this volte face?? Does he want to run with the hare and hunt with the foxes? Your Eyewitness hopes not.

There comes a time when we must all stand up for what is right. And that time is now!! …dilemma As opposed to “false equivalence”, a “false dilemma” is one where folks present matters as “black and white” or “either this or that” when in reality, there are other choices available. An example that’s pretty popular in the US right now and being used against immigrants is “America: love it or leave it!!” Now, one can still love America but appreciate it isn’t perfect and critique those imperfections, but remain.

Now take the way Charandass’ decision to support the NCM is being presented by the PNC and its partisans. They insist he’s a “Judas” and a “betrayer”. But Charandass’ choice wasn’t limited to staying quiet or quitting the party (whether he did it on his own or have the party throw him out!) but also voting against the party line on the NCM!!

This is always an option for any MP. Why else is there that provision for an NCM in the Constitution?

Most MP’s don’t consider the option because they want to keep riding the gravy train.

Charandass did the right thing!! …alarm Raised on the “boy who cried wolf” from nursery school, we all know about false alarms. Well, for those who felt the political bitterness had damaged our psyches, three Warriors victories in a row disproved that.

Look at Guyanese “sporting”!!

To become Guyanese

By Ravi Dev

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ne of the most poignant and persistent cries heard around Guyana – especially around elections time – is, “Why do we have to hear about ‘Africans’ and ‘Indians’ or ‘Amerindians’? Why can’t we all just be ‘Guyanese’?” The poignancy is a bit ironic, however, since those same putatively ‘Guyanese’, by and large, have been going into the voting booths and voting along ethnic lines for the past fifty years and more and creating the problem they implicitly bemoan: divisiveness and lack of a national ethos. What is the problem? Are we so much sheep that we are led by the politicians to vote in a way that we don’t want? The reality is a bit more complex than that, and we intuitively know it.

Part of the problem is that the issue is presented as if the fact of our diverse heritage, which has resulted in the presence of different ethnic groups in our country, is in contradiction to being “Guyanese”.

This is a false dilemma. Our reference to ourselves to being “African” etc is simply an acknowledgement of our particular heritage, which we shouldn’t try to erase because history has shown it’s an almost impossible task that in the end, is not really necessary. For most of mankind’s history this was how we defined ourselves and it was not, per se, the source of conflicts. The problem arose only a few hundred years ago when Europe, led by England and France constructed “states and citizens” and a new way of defining identity – by the territory in which one happened to be residing.

The rationale for the imposed “nation-state” unity was that it was necessary for the people as a whole to apply themselves in a joint endeavour to build their common prosperity. What happened, in reality, was that contrary to expectation, the particular identities did not disappear.

One of the main reasons was that the various ethnic groups – Scots and Irish – did not, in fact, believe they were being treated fairly or equally by the state, which remained controlled by the English.

This is what we need to do in Guyana today. The ethnic conflict that defines our politics – and our frustration – could be an “effect of” as well as an “affect on” the iniquities of the political operations of the state on the various groups. The task of politics and politicians today in Guyana is therefore to create a Guyanese state that promulgates the values of Guyanese citizenship without regard to race, religion, ethnicity etc. The immediate task is to remove the discriminatory conditions, which the ethnic groups have to react against for

their very survival.

There is no question that we, the citizens of Guyana, must see our state and country as a “common venture”. But at independence, we inherited a state but not a nation and one does not identify with the state just like that – that’s partially why we have clung to our ethnicities so rigidly. The problem before us is how do we construct a “unity” of the peoples within our state that does not seek to obliterate our diversities.

We can situate this construc-

tion of a national outlook within what has labelled “Project Democracy” – the creation of conditions where we are all treated as one, equally, by the state.

Equality of opportunity, human rights, and encouragement of diversities, due process, justice and fair play and rule of law may seem dry compared to the warmth of the blood ties of “nation”, but they can engender the unity of public purpose and the recognition of individual worth where we can be proud of our common citizenship.

Citizenship of Guyana has to become something that has concrete meaning to all of us.

It was the United States, made up of immigrants with diverse cultural backgrounds like us in Guyana, that first attempted to institutionalise this ideological definition of “national identity” when they announced ringingly in their Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. We, of course, must avoid their selective application of the equality standard. Guyana leaders cannot just tell people to jettison their heritages but work to create a state that we can proudly say is working for: “We the Guyanese people…”

48 Bollywood

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

When Shahid Kapoor debuted with 2003 film Ishq Vishk, nobody had thought that 15 years down the line, his chocolate boy image will take a U-turn and he will be one of the most bankable actors in Bollywood.

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

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

A background dancer in Shiamak Davar’s troupe for films like Dil To Pagal Hai and Taal, Shahid Kapoor also made appearances in music videos like Aryan’s “Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra”.

But his breakthrough came with Ken Ghosh’s Ishq Vishk, which also starred Amrita Rao and Shenaz Treasury.

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

WEEK ENDING september 15, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

following.

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

I gave auditions, I was rejected. Then I gave another set of auditions. And again I was rejected.

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

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

I was shooting this scene where I am supposed to be with this fake Sachin Tendulkar. It was a very funny scene. So I had a lot of fun doing it. We were shooting at this place called Royal Palms in Mumbai.

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

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

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

Everybody is doing such different films today and is in such different stages of their career. So you meet people, you remember

S

times in your life, and it’s always wonderful to remember those moments because you do make films as a team. Everybody is doing their own thing.

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

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

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

V

eteran actor Annu Kapoor, who will be seen next in Dream Girl, talks about his bittersweet journey spanning forty years in the Hindi film industry.

Here are excerpts from the conversation: In a recent interview, you said you are tired of acting now. Where does that come from, since you have had a long and successful career in the Hindi film industry?

Yes, it has been a long journey, but as a person starts getting older, they tend to get tired. That’s why I said that I am now tired of acting. Nothing wrong in it! ‘Thak gaya hoon, chukaa nahi hoon’ (I am tired but I am not finished)! Main chalte chalte thak gaya hoon, ab aur chal nahi sakta.

Magar main Surya hoon, Sandhya se pehle dhal nahi sakta. (I am tired of walking, and now can’t walk more. But I am like the sun, I can’t set before the evening arrives).

Are you planning to helm a film?

I received my life’s first National Award not as an actor, but as a director (National Film Award for Best Children’s film for Abhay in 1994). I am at a phase in my life where if film direction works out, it would be

great. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be acting.

‘Chalti dukaandaari ko kabhi bandh nahi karneka’ (Never shut down a running shop). Just as I have always been available for acting to good producers and directors, I will always continue to do so. I have worked on my terms and conditions, and that too I will continue.

You are appearing in a movie with Ayushmann Khurrana again. What do you have to say about his upward career graph?

Hasn’t it been a good journey for him? He started with the right people and see where he has reached today.

I don’t know what to say about his career graph because I hardly watch films. I don’t even discuss people’s career graphs because these

things are about commercial and logistical aspects. I don’t have the time.

Since you have worked with Ayushmann before, how has it been this time? Has he changed as an actor?

He has changed from being a newcomer to now becoming a star. So that change is obvious, nothing new about it. But how has that change affected me, it hasn’t. What is important is if something has affected me or not.

I am unaffected by anything. I don’t get affected by anyone changing.

From playing some very memorable comic roles, hosting iconic TV show Antakshari to now portraying very strong characters in films, how do you look back at your journey? Are you satisfied with it?

I have never been sat-

isfied in my life. And a person like me can never even be satisfied because I am creatively very greedy. For me, creative satisfaction is a word of dreams. With the kind of roles I have got, it has been rare that I must have felt that ‘today I did something good’.

Artistes must be greedy. Because if an artiste becomes satisfied creatively, his growth will be stunted.

That’s why if you notice, a lot of our stars become ‘ghatiya’ (rubbish) actors quickly. Stars delivering a few hundred crore films become creatively satisfied and think they have become great actors. They forget how important the role of their directors, writers and co-actors is. This generally happens, and that’s when the star starts falling.

Anyways, satisfaction is not something I aim or hope for. Whatever role I have got, I have tried playing it with full honesty and sincerity.

You are doing at least two-three films in a year.

How happy are you with the roles being offered to you?

I am not very happy.

To be happy, I first have to be creatively satisfied.

onakshi Sinha is excited about her upcoming film Dabangg 3, the third installment in the action-romance franchise, starring Salman Khan in the lead role.

Talking about the Dabangg franchise, the actor said, “Dabangg 3 releases in December. It will be my last release of the year. I have done four films this year. I am very excited for Dabangg 3. Today is the ninth anniversary of Dabangg. It has been nine years since it’s release. These movies will always be special.”

At the event, Sonakshi also spoke about environmental issues that are wrecking the world today, especially about the cutting of trees in Mumbai’s Aarey forest for construction of a metro shade yard.

She said, “This is an important issue. Just a few days back when

there was a fire in the Amazon, we raised a hue and cry about it, but now we are talking about chopping trees here.

Cauvery river has dried up totally and it is because of lack of trees. We cannot take these issues lightly. Global warming is a burning issue, and the youth, I think, has the power to work on measures to better the environment. I am completely against the cutting of trees. I am all for planting trees, preserving forests and nature. I think we all should join hands, take it up as a challenge and save our planet.” (Indian Express)

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ollywood actor Rishi Kapoor is back in India after “11 months, 11 days”.

The 67-year-old actor and wife Neetu Kapoor were spotted at Mumbai airport on Tuesday morning.

Rishi has returned to India after his cancer treatment in New York.

As soon as he arrived in the country, the actor took to his Twitter account and wrote, “BACK HOME!!!!!! 11 Months 11days! Thank you all!”

In the photos from the airport, Rishi Kapoor looked happy to be back in the country. Along with him, Neetu thanked the photographers who gave a warm welcome to the couple at the airport.

Neetu Kapoor shared a glimpse of the preparations her children did to welcome the Mulk actor home. “This simple balloon has so much Warmth Love and belonging,” she wrote along with a picture of a golden balloon which had ‘Welcome Home Dad’ written on it.

Actor and comedian Kapil Sharma welcomed Kapoor and tweeted, “Welcome back sir; may god always bless u with good health n happiness regards.”

A couple of weeks

back, Rishi opened up about his battle with cancer in an interview with Times Now. He said, “I had a marrow problem.

I had to get it rectified.

There was nothing serious as such. But you can’t fly long hours so I had to be here (New York). I went through treatment and thankfully, it was successful.”

The Mulk actor added that people who have the disease should take heart in the fact that these days cancer is curable and can be treated.

Ever since Rishi Kapoor went to New York, many celebrities from the film fraternity frequented his residence there. Anupam Kher, Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Deepika Padukone and Malaika Arora were some of the celebrities who looked in on the Kapoors.

(Indian Express)

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Jennifer Lopez’s stripper act in Hustlers gets applauded at TIFF 2019

Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park is a wonderfully evocative film

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Hustlers is, in itself, a hustle.

It looks like a flashy, glamorous movie about strippers — all sparkle and skin and high-heels. And it is that. But the fleshy, dazzling surface of Hustlers, written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, cloaks an empowering feminist tale about a sisterhood of women who turn the tables on a malecontrolled industry.

“People go into the movie expecting something because stripper is a word that has so many connotations and preconceived notions,” says Scafaria.

“That’s the hustle. Hopefully we’re subverting expectations but subverting them in a way that has some nuance to it.”

Hustlers opening in theaters this week following its well-received premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, stars Jennifer Lopez as Ramona, a veteran stripper in New York who takes a young dancer (Constance Wu) under her wing.

Ramona organizes a scam to drug Wall Street guys and max out their credit cards. It’s loosely based on a true story, chronicled in a 2015 New York magazine article, and set in the years after the 2008 financial crisis — when far greater, white-collar swindles went largely unprosecuted.

The transactional world of strip clubs — so commonly depicted from a male viewpoint in movies — has seldom been viewed through a female gaze like it is in “Hustlers.” It’s a microcosm, Lopez says, of America.

“It’s all a strip club,” says Lopez.

“You have people tossing the money and people doing the dance.

“This film says something about the inequality that we’ve been yelling and screaming about for a while now and kind of making some headway,” she adds. “And I hate saying that so broadly because I love men and there are so many great, supportive beautiful men in the world. But there is this thing that exists that we can’t deny.”

“Hustlers” might be Lopez’s most radiant and regal screen performance, too, since Steven Soderbergh’s 1998 film “Out of Sight.” As Ramona, she’s the matriarchal ringleader of an improvised family of strippersturned-hustlers. (Cardi B makes her big-screen debut, alongside a cast including Lili Reinhart and Keke Palmer.)

Lopez is, like Ramona, an entrepreneur from the Bronx. She instantly identified with the role, even if the stripping scenes gave her pause.

“It was scary. I saw the script and it wasn’t like boobs everywhere. That wasn’t (Scafaria’s) thing,” says Lopez.

“But I also knew I was playing a stripper and I’m a mom and what does that

all mean? But I felt good about how Lorene wanted to tell the story and that it was something I could be proud of it.”

Scafaria, the 41-year-old writer of “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” observed how much training Lopez put into the part. As experienced a dancer as she is, pole-dancing was something else entirely. Lopez’ resplendent entrance in the movie is a stage dance set to Fiona Apple’s “Criminal” while being showered with bills.

“It was like acrobatics. I had to start lifting more weights. I had to change my body,” says Lopez. “I told her, ‘I have to change my body if I do this.’”

“And I was like, ‘Please don’t. I don’t know what we’re talking about,’” retorts Scafaria, laughing.

In just the past two years, Lopez has released new Spanish-language tracks, launched a cosmetic line, got engaged to former baseball player Alex Rodriguez and recently concluded a 38-concert tour. Time Magazine has ranked her among the 100 most influential people in the world. “Second Act,” released in 2018, proved movie audiences still love her. It grossed $72.2 million worldwide. She’s also a producer on “Hustlers.”

“People think ‘Oh, she’s not a serious recording artist.’ Or, ‘she’s not really a serious actress,’ or ‘She’s not really a serious entrepreneur.’ No, I’m very serious about all of them. That’s why I’ve spent most of my life doing as many of those things as possible,” says Lopez. “Because I do all those things, I don’t get the credit at times — which is fine, I don’t care. I love what I do. I have the most amazing life. I feel good about my life. I feel good about where I am.

“But I’ve had to kind of give myself that pat on my back: ‘You’re doing good,’” she says. “Once I started doing that, my whole life changed.”

“Hustlers,” however, already has a lot of people heaping praise on Lopez.

Scafaria says the part of Ramona “fits her like a glove — even if it’s not a glove she’s tried on in the same way.”

The performance has catapulted Lopez into the awards conversation this fall. “Hustlers” may be about a broken value system, but it’s brought renewed appreciation for Lopez as an actor. Lopez, who turned 50 in July, says an Oscar would be “a tremendous moment in my life.

“You dedicate your whole life to doing what you love, and you do it because you love it. But it’s also nice when somebody says, ‘Hey, we think you do it great,’” says Lopez. “I don’t even want to think about it. I usually get tears in my eyes.” (Indian Express)

HOLLYWOOD 49

f there has ever been a movie that has changed the way we see cinema on the big screen, it has to be the Steven Spielberg 1993 directorial Jurassic Park. The movie has been called many things since its release – historically significant, aesthetically pleasing, all-round entertaining film interspersed with truly spell-binding moments.

In fact, I remember watching the movie on television in the late 90s and since then, many times over on various platforms. Even after all these years, Jurassic Park doesn’t feel old despite evoking a strong sense of nostalgia.

The film’s plot revolves around a billionaire philanthropist and his team of hired scientists who create a wildlife park of extinct dinosaurs.

However, one fine day things go awry and a group of visitors find themselves in a soup, struggling to get off the fictional island of Isla Nublar.

The plot is dramatic enough to retain the interest of the audience throughout the duration of two hours. But what adds to the intrigue and thrill of the narrative is of course the wonderful and awe-inspiring dinosaurs. The visual effects in the film is considered path-breaking, especially considering the year when the movie was produced.

It is said that filmmaker Spielberg invested in developing a company called DTS which specialised in creating special surround sound effects for the movie, including the sounds of the massive extinct beings. Upon its re-

T

he Toronto International Film Festival is paying tribute to Meryl Streep, Joaquin Phoenix and filmmaker Taika Waititi in a gala Monday held amid the festival’s unspooling premieres.

With the city teeming with stars in town for the festival, TIFF this year added a star-studded fundraising dinner. Streep is being honored the same night her financial industry satire The Laundromat is debuting.

Also premiering Monday is

lease, the movie was hailed a critical as well as commercial success, earning over 900 million dollars at the worldwide box office. An astounding number at the time.

When I first thought of revisiting Jurassic Park, the first couple of scenes that flashed in my mind were of course when the glass of water starts shaking due to the reverberations created by the footsteps of the dinosaur.

The second scene which particularly caught my fancy at the time was when the kids were trapped inside the car as the dinosaur attempted to knock the vehicle over. The fear, the shock and the thrill that I felt at the time has not been worn out with the passage of time. If that is not the mark of creating an outstanding, timeless piece of art; what is?

The cast– which included names like Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sir Richard Attenborough and Samuel L Jackson among others– helped bring the magic of Jurassic Park alive with their credible performances.

In fact, Jurassic Park was so successful that the makers went on to build an entire franchise. It has since then been rebooted, and the said reboot has established itself successfully as another remarkably successful series of movies led by Chris Pratt.

Really, there is no good reason not to rewatch Jurassic Park. At least I cannot think of any. The movie is available for streaming on YouTube.

(Indian Express)

Phoenix’s Joker, fresh off its Golden Lion win Saturday at the Venice Film Festival.

Waititi is receiving the festival’s Ebert Director Award, named after the late film critic Roger Ebert.

Cinematographer Roger Deakins will also be given an award, as will Atlantics director Mati Diop. The French filmmaker will receive the Mary Pickford Award for an emerging, groundbreaking female talent.

(Indian Express)

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Golden Jags coach not fazed by 4-0 loss against Reggae Boyz

By Jemima Holmes

T

he script for the Golden Jaguars on Monday evening at the National Track and Field Facility at Leonora, WCD read the same as in times past: The Reggae Boys of Jamaica again trashed the Golden Jags by four goals to nothing, drilling holes in the Jaguars’ net with impunity as they dominated the competition.

But despite their dismal performance in this CONCACAF Nations League match, Interim Head Coach of the Guyana senior national men’s team, Marcio Maximo, remained confident that the Jags can bounce back. He noted that the Jags will take this loss as a lesson going forward, and will work on being better for the remaining Nations League encounters.

“About the team: I think that you (they) pay (paid) a big price in our first half (of play); second half, we fixed our mistakes, (made) tactical adjustments, and

second half they came better! It’s a good lesson for us. Jamaica is a good team; of course we are, as well. In the meantime, because it’s a long time away — I’m not a magician, football doesn’t have magic; you take lessons from each game — so next game we’ll be better,” the Interim Head Coach explained.

Probed about the exclusion of Torell Ondaan, Maximo disclosed that the focus has been on giving more local players the opportunity to develop.

“First of all, it’s our new policy to give more chances to local players.

I think that our local football needs to develop. It’s one chance that you have to do it, and so we give more chances to them. I don’t talk about private players, I’ll talk about the team,” he shared.

What went down at Leonora?

The Reggae Boys completely outclassed the local side in their 4-0

Interim Golden Jags Head Coach Marcio Maximo (pic saved as coach)

encounter. The match could even have ended with a larger margin of defeat for the Jags.

The home team had opted for a starting XI that comprised Akel Clarke, Kevin Layne, Matthew Briggs, Clive Nobrega, Samuel Cox, Sheldon Holder, Keanu Marsh Brown, Kelsey Benjamin, Daniel Wilson, Liam

Gordon and Neil Danns.

Inexplicably, the ever consistent Torell Ondaan had been omitted.

The Jamaicans meant business from the start, and attempted to score from the earliest possible opportunity.

Charging forward from his defensive position in the 14th minute, Elvis Powell took a shot from

just outside the box, and sunk it!

He tried at the goal again in the 26th minute, and found goalkeeper Akel Clarke scrambling to find his footing.

Thus he connected for his second goal, putting Jamaica 2-nil ahead.

Being truly Jamaica’s man of the hour, Powell created the assist which led Dever Orgill to find

the back of the net in the 44th minute, pushing the halftime score to 3-0.

When play resumed, the Jags had a tighter defense, but not tight enough to prevent the mighty Jamaicans from scoring again, as Orgill secured his second goal in the 54th minute of play.

In the latter moments of the game, the Jags increased their possession and attempts at the goal, but the superb Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake kept the score at 4-nil.

Guyana currently sit at number two in Group C, League B, just above Antigua and Barbuda on goal difference.

Antigua and Barbuda recorded their first win on Monday night when they defeated Aruba 2-1.

Jamaica lead the group on both points and goal difference.

Guyana will play their next Nations League game on October 11: against Antigua and Barbuda.

Santos, Mahaica Determinators are latest Limacol winners S

antos FC Under 20 kept their slate clean on Wednesday evening with another win in the Limacol Football tournament.

M a h a i c a Determinators worked tirelessly for their first win. After a loss last week in the first round of play, the Mahaica Determinators squad were intent on turning their fortunes around in the 2019 edition of the Limacol Football tournament, and did just that when they come up against Police ‘B’ on Tuesday night.

The Mahaica Captain Eion Able led from the front, giving his team the necessary ammunition to challenge the law officers. Abel found the back of the net for the first time in the 6th minute, and further extended the lead in the 29th.

However, the boys hailing from the East Coast were relentless, and set up another scoring opportunity for their captain, which he took to complete his hat trick in the 33rd.

With the score at 3-0

by the half, ‘Police B’ cleaned up their act in the second segment, and Shamar Charles netted their first in the 59th.

Leroy Charles followed closely behind with another in the 74th.

Just when it seemed as though Police would make a comeback, the lawmen missed a handful of promising opportunities in front of the goal. Mahaica’s Martin Willis added insult to injury as he scored in the 84th for a 4-2 victory.

Abel cited the team’s first loss as the reason for their determination. “Yeah, it was a good win tonight. After all, we came in the first game and we got beat by Pele, so we had to come out back on top tonight.

We did a lot of changes in the team; we had to change the whole back and the center,” Abel explained.

In the second fixture, the Santos’ Under 20 team bagged their second win in as games, brushing aside Timehri Panthers in the process.

Marcus Wilson was the first to add his name to the score sheet in

Mahaica’s Goalkeeper worked hard to restrict Police B the 17th, but Timehri’s Daniel Moshettete (26th) equalized soon after.

Santos were by way of Rondel Peters, finally able to break the tie just before the half ended in the 44th.

In the second half, Santos were domi-

nant once again, with Brandon Solomon (62nd) and Stephen Reynolds (67th) netting one each for the team. The encounter ended 4-1, in Santos’ favour.

When the New GPC Inc sponsored competition continues tonight (Thursday), Dynamic

FC will face-off with Pele FC at 19:00hrs, and later Riddim Squad going toe to toe with Pouderoyen at 20:00hrs.

With a new champion set to be crowned, the twelve teams will be battling for a G$400,000 first prize, while second place will walk away

with $200,000. Third and fourth places will pocket G$100,000 and G$50,000 respectively.

The tournament is also sponsored by W.J. Enterprise, who are the sole distributors of Croxley paper. (Jemima Holmes)

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Tridents humble record-breaking Patriots H aving chased a Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) record of 242 on Tuesday night, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots were brought back down to earth by Barbados Tridents on Wednesday.

While Jamaica Tallawahs had been unable to defend 241/4 here 24 hours earlier, 186/2 proved enough for the Tridents to run out 18-run winners.

After the previous day’s heroics, the Patriots would have been confident of another victory but they were immediately placed on the back foot in their run-chase by Tridents skipper Jason Holder.

He removed Devon Thomas with the first ball he bowled – a beauty that nipped away just enough to find the outside edge – and then had another of last

Team Tridents celebrate a wicket

cisive move with four

A pair of googlies

The rain, which came

Sandeep lamichhane

night’s key performers Evin Lewis skying a catch to cover in the same over.

Laurie Evans made a classy 64 from 41 with boundaries all around the ground, but nobody else was able to stay with him and score at the required rate. Jason Mohammed was strangled down the leg side

by Roshon Primus for 12 before the Tridents’ leg-spinners made a de-

wickets in three overs before rain held up the victory charge. Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane bagged two wickets in his third over. First Shamarh Brooks was smartly caught by Ashley Nurse running back from cover for 13 before the key wicket of Evans, caught

by Josh Lalor at short fine-leg from a topedged sweep.

brought two more crucial breakthroughs in the next two overs, Fabian Allen bowled

by Hayden Walsh Jr and Carlos Brathwaite lbw to Lamichhane for just a single run between them to leave the Patriots deep in trouble at 107/7 needing 80 runs with just 31 balls left when a sudden downpour sent the players scurrying for cover.

Evin Lewis of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots is dismissed during the Hero Caribbean Premier League match between St Kitts Nevis Patriots and Barbados Tridents at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 11, 2019 in Basseterre, St Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis (SportsMax Photo)

down hard, held up the Tridents by 45 minutes.

When play resumed, Walsh Jr promptly bowled Usama Mir, who got nowhere near an attempted slog and lost his off stump.

Rayad Emrit fell looking for his second six of the night but instead picking out Jason Holder at long-on off Lalor. Dominic Drakes had some fun despite the hopelessness of the situation, hitting Holder for three huge sixes in the 18th over and in all slapping 34 not out off 13 balls in an unbroken 10th-wicket partnership of 49 with Alzarri Joseph to end the night as the Patriots second top-scorer and make the final margin of defeat far closer than it might have been. There may not have been as many records as the previous

day’s game, but here was one: Drakes’ 34 not out is the highest ever T20 score by a number 11.

The Tridents were indebted to an explosive late injection from Duminy to get a competitive total on the board after being tied down themselves for much of their innings.

Alex Hales got things off to a lively start with four fours through the offside inside the first three overs of the innings, but after he was dismissed caught behind trying to run Emrit down to third-man, the scoring rate dropped dramatically.

On a ground where a record-breaking 37 sixes were struck the night before, the Tridents didn’t clear the ropes until Johnson Charles picked a length ball up off his pads over the leg side off Brathwaite.

Charles had started slowly but began to find his range and struck back-to-back Hero Maximums off Usama Mir to reach his half-century in 41 balls. He fell two balls later, though, picking out Brooks – who also dropped a couple of simple catches – at deep midwicket looking for a third six of the innings.

Keeper-batsman Leniko Boucher made his first Hero CPL halfcentury in an innings of increasing authority.

Having taken 22 balls over his first 22 runs he added 40 more from the next 25 he faced to finish unbeaten on 62 with four fours and three sixes to his name. (CPL)

SCOREBOARD

Tridents Johnson Charles c Shamarh Brooks b Usama Mir 52 Alex Hales c Devon Thomas b R Emrit 18 Leniko Boucher (wk) not out 62 Jean-Paul Duminy not out 43 Extras 11 (b 4, lb 3, w 4, nb 0, p 0) Total 186 (2 wkts, 20 Ov) FOW 28-1 (Alex Hales, 4.5), 1132 (Johnson Charles, 13.6) Bowling Fabian Allen (4-0-35-0) Alzarri Joseph (4-0-41-0) Dominic Drakes (3-0-27-0) Rayad Emrit (4-0-34-1) Usama Mir (4-0-30-1) Carlos Brathwaite (c) (1-0-12-0) Patriots Devon Thomas (wk) c Leniko Boucher b Holder 1 Evin Lewis c A Nurse b Holder 12 Laurie Evans c Lalor b Lamichhane 64 Jason Mohammed c Leniko Boucher b Roshon Primus 12 Shamarh Brooks c A Nurse b 13 Lamichhane

Fabian Allen b Hayden Walsh 0 Carlos Brathwaite (c) lbw b Lamichhane 1 Usama Mir b Hayden Walsh 2 Rayad Emrit c Holder b Lalor 12 Alzarri Joseph not out 7 Dominic Drakes not out 34 Extras 10 (b 5, lb 2, w 3, nb 0, p 0) Total 168 (9 wkts, 20 Ov) FOW 9-1 (Devon Thomas, 1.1), 28-2 (Evin Lewis, 3.4), 64-3 (Jason Mohammed, 7.5), 97-4 (Shamarh Brooks, 12.1), 103-5 (Laurie Evans, 12.6), 104-6 (Fabian Allen, 13.4), 1067 (Carlos Brathwaite, 14.3), 112-8 (Usama Mir, 15.4), 119-9 (Rayad Emrit, 16.4) Bowling Jean-Paul Duminy (1-0-9-0) Jason Holder (c) (4-0-37-2) Josh Lalor (4-0-36-1) Sandeep Lamichhane (4-0-22-3) Hayden Walsh (4-0-33-2) Roshon Primus (3-0-24-1)

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West Indies begin search for new men's head

coach following 'comprehensive review' W

est Indies might have a regular head coach soon, with the board suggesting the recruitment process to find the right person for the job has begun. Former captain Floyd Reifer has been filling in as caretaker boss since Richard Pybus' sacking in April, but Cricket West Indies is hopeful it can find a more permanent solution by the time the men's team plays Afghanistan in November.

On Monday, CWI announced a new selection structure and policy as well as the appointment of Kieron Pollard as the new captain of the West Indies white-ball squads, replacing Jason Holder in ODIs and Carlos Brathwaite in T20Is. This came after a "comprehensive review" into the selection process and system for all West Indies cricket, conducted by a task force set up by the Ricky Skerritt regime, with recommendations approved by the CWI board of directors at their quarterly meeting, held for the first time in Tobago on September 7 and 8.

A CWI statement said that the task force car-

ried out a "four-month review" and "benchmarked cricket selection systems around the world and incorporated feedback and contributions from current and former players, coaches, administrators, franchise CEOs and nearly 2,700 fans across the Caribbean". The board will now seek applications, via an advertisement, for the head coach

position.

Applications need to come in before September 20.

CWI further said that its new selection system will "introduce new team-specific selection panels for the West Indies men's and women's and youth teams", comprising "an executive selector (lead selector), a selector and head coach".

The statement added: "The full-time selectors

will be supported by a selection analyst to provide performance data to support selection considerations plus a minimum of three scouts to ensure cricketers throughout the region are closely watched and evaluated.

"A modernised, transparent selection policy will see players selected against six criteria: form and performance, fitness (based on a new ap-

proved fitness and conditioning policy), team balance, mental capacity, technical ability and commitment. The playing XIs will then be selected by the executive selector, head coach and captain."

"The end product in the form of eight major recommendations is grounded in a comprehensive methodology encompassing the feedback

of some 2700 stakeholders," Kishore Shallow, the CWI vice-president, said in a statement.

"This is a defining document that represents momentous progress for West Indies cricket."

Main recommendations of the task force 1. Implement a new structure of team-specific selection panels 2. Dedicate the services of a data-based Selection analyst to the panels 3.

Accept and Implement a new selection policy (based on form and performance, fitness, team balance, mental capacity, technical ability and commitment) 4. Mandate the recently revised fitness and conditioning policy 5. Establish a comprehensive stakeholder communications & accountability protocol 6. Incorporate Human Resource best practices 7. Accept candidates identified to undergo a thorough recruitment process for filling the selectors' positions for limited terms 8. Appoint one whiteball captain, as a medium to long term selection strategy (ESPNCricinfo)

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Tahir, Ahmad to join Guyana Amazon Warriors

– Tallawahs pick up slow over rate penalty

T

he Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) have announced that South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir and Afghan leg-spinner Qais Ahmad will join their squad to replace Shadab Khan and ICC Americas player Saurabh Netravalkar.

GAW have announced that Pakistan international leg-spinner Shadab Khan would be available only for the first three games of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season, because he has commitments to the Pakistan team.

Netravalkar, who will also be unavailable because of international commitments, was drafted as the Amazon Warriors’ ICC Americas player, but draft rules allow for him to be replaced by a Caribbean or overseas player, who in this is the Afghan Qais Ahmad.

When Imran Tahir played for the Amazon Warriors in 2018, he had claimed 16 wickets at 17.75, and the team had made it to the final, but were beaten by the Trinbago Knight Riders.

From his 27 matches in T20 cricket, Qais Ahmad has taken 35 wickets at the very impressive average of 18 in the format.

In the Hero CPL 2018 season, he played in the St Lucia team.

Tallawahs penalized

The Jamaica Tallawahs have been charged with a breach of Article 2.5 of the Hero CPL Code of Conduct: Minimum Over Rate Offences.

This development came to light at the end of Match 3, between themselves and the Trinbago Knight Riders on Friday 6th September at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-ofSpain. The charge of being one (1) over down was laid by the Match Officials Team against the captain of the Tallawahs, Chris Gayle.

As provided for at Appendix 2, Section 4.2 of the Code of Conduct, the applicable monetary fine was imposed on the captain, and the Jamaica Tallawahs team was penalized with a 0.05 reduction in their Net Run Rate.

Imran Tahir Qais Ahmad

Kieron Pollard named West Indies ODI, T20I captain I

n another reshuffle in West Indies cricket, CWI president Ricky Skerritt has announced Kieron Pollard as the new ODI and T20I captain. Pollard has not played an ODI in nearly three years but CWI has decided to give him the captaincy after Jason Holder led them in the format recently in the World Cup and against India at home.

Skerritt made the announcement in Trinidad on Monday, after the conclusion of a quarterly board meeting in Tobago. He said the board was following the "best possible practices for best possible outcomes".

"Jason Holder was called by me yesterday morning and we spoke," Skerritt said at the press conference while sitting next to Pollard and other CWI officials. "He's a very important force and is still going to be our red-ball captain.

Holder will now compete for a place in Pollad's team and use this as an opportunity to become a better cricketer. Pollard is the right man at the right time to take our white-ball teams forward.

"What impressed me the most about Pollard was his keenness and commitment to give back to the game."

Pollard last played an ODI in October 2016 but he has been a part

of the T20I side recently. In the three T20Is against India, he scored 58, 8* and 49 to finish as the leading runscorer in the series. He did not bowl in the series, though, even though he has bowled twice in three CPL matches so far for Trinbago Knight Riders.

When Viv Richards was asked last month by the Telegraph (India) if West Indies should have different captains in different formats, he had said: "Judging from what I have seen, Kieron Pollard would have been the best choice as our

T20 captain and there are reasons for that. During CPL, he was the best with the bat. Also why I think this may be because a lot of captains were introduced at that time. There were also problems between the Board and the players, no disrespect to Carlos Brathwaite but because of those politics he has fast fallen in captaincy. Pollard would have been a better choice. It's not that Carlos would not have been a member in the team then... I know Carlos is magnificent as an individual, he is

a wonderful guy, highly competitive guy, he will not feel hurt any way.

A lot of guys know that Pollard would have been a great choice."

It was last year that Pollard returned to the T20I West Indies side after more than a year's gap as the board wanted to try out some high-profile players before the World Cup in England. Pollard and a few other players had fallen out with the board earlier for various reasons, the primary one being the clash between playing domestic cricket and overseas T20 leagues.

However, with a change in personnel at CWI earlier this year, Pollard had expressed his hopes of making the World Cup squad. He was named among the reserves but wasn't picked in the final squad of 15.

Less than two months after the end of the World Cup, Pollard will now lead West Indies in two formats. His first assignment as captain will be against Afghanistan in November in India where they will play three T20Is and three ODIs before a one-off Test, which Holder will be captain. (ESPNCricinfo)

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Warriors’ Hemraj, Shepherd top CPL charts after three rounds

T

Romario Shepherd

he Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW), having won all three of the first matches played at home, have an additional reason to celebrate: After three rounds in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), their batsman Chandrapaul Hemraj is the leading run-scorer in the tournament, while their bowler Romario Shepherd tops the bowling charts.

From a Guyanese perspective, it is certainly a plus that local players have thus far had immediate impact on the matches.

The GAW touched down in St Kitts & Nevis on Monday last, and will begin their away matches against the Carlos Brathwaite-led St Kitts & Nevis Patriots team on Saturday, September 14, from 20:00h.

The GAW have registered wins against the St Lucia Zouks, the Patriots, and the Barbados Tridents.

Although those wins came from complete team efforts, some players stood out in those three matches. Guyanese opener Hemraj leads the run charts in the tournament with 116 runs, averaging 38.66 and striking at 128.8. He also achieved his highest T20 score of 63.

Sitting in fourth position on the batting charts is the hard-hitting Shimron Hetmyer, who has so far

In this handout image provided by CPL T20, Chanderpaul Hemraj of Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrates his half century during match 6 of the Hero Caribbean Premier League between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents at Guyana National Stadium on September 8, 2019 in Providence, Guyana. (Photo by Randy Brooks – CPL T20/Getty Images)

scored 103 runs; while GAW marquee player Nicholas Pooran is finding his groove this season with 61 unbeaten runs in his last innings. Captain S h o a i b Malik (58) and Sherfane Rutherford (42) have a l s o shown form with the bat in these first three matches.

Newly recruited West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard has also led his team, the Trinbago Knight Riders, to a good start in their first three. He has scored 106 runs, and is second to Hemraj, who has 116 to his credit.

Trinbago’s Dinesh Ramdin is in third position with 104 runs.

Shepherd, Shadab rule bowling charts In the bowling department, local speedster Romario Shepherd has seven wickets to his name, with career best statistics

of 4-13. This robust right-arm bowler continues to show consistency in major tournaments, and is closer to his maiden West Indies’ call-up. Scores in the first three match- es have been relatively high, but Shepherd has been bowling on a different planet, so to speak, with an extraordinary economy rate of 5.34.

World number three bowler in T20I cricket, Shadab Khan, has shown how valuable he is to the GAW in the first three matches. He will, unfortunately, not participate further in this Hero CPL tournament because of commitments to his native Pakistan. He had an immediate impact for his GAW team when he picked up a wicket off the very first ball he bowled in the tournament.

He has taken seven wickets, and shares the leading bowler’s spot with Romario Shepherd and Jimmy Neesham in the first three rounds of matches.

Khan played for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the 2018 season. He took 3-16, and had shown his athleticism by pulling off some stunning catches.

Points standings after round 3 Net run rate has been an important factor in T20 cricket. The GAW are cognisant of this as they lead the points’ charts with six points at a supreme net run rate of 1.263.

Defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders, although in second position in the points’ standings, have also recorded six points and have also won their first three matches at home.

The essential difference between these teams is that this Pollard-led Knight Riders team have a net run rate of 0.886.

GAW and Knight Riders are the only teams with wins in the Hero CPL 2019 tourney thus far (excluding matches after September 8). After the third round, Patriots and Zouks have each recorded two losses in two matches, while the Jamaica Tallawahs and the Barbados Tridents have each played one match and lost.

In 2018, after the first three matches played, the GAW had won two, and lost the one against the Tridents. This season, however, they are off to the perfect start.

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