Guyana Times International 14th December 2018

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Guyana should fast-track preparations for first oil

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018

ISSUE NO. 427

– Outgoing US Ambassador

See story on page 22

Guyanese man nabbed with 70 live finches in hair rollers at JFK Page 8

Talks ongoing with US authorities to lift catfish ban

Page 13

- Guyana’s Agri Minister

Ambassador Perry Holloway and Mrs. Holloway wrap up their stay in Guyana and head off into retirement from the U.S. Department of State.

See features inside

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Stockfeeds shares on the stock market will not rectify Govt’s conundrum- Nandlall T he National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) placing Government’s shares in Guyana Stockfeeds Inc on the local stock market will not absolve the incumbent Administration of the conundrum that it has placed itself in.

This was the view proffered by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who, in a statement on the move

by NICIL to place 6,099,927 of its equity shares in Stockfeeds on the stock exchange, said that the crux of his issue deals with Stockfeeds purchasing shares from NICIL, with the approval of Cabinet, below market value.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali Hack

confirmed that the shares were sold below market value at $25 each.

Nandlall’s contention was that arrangement should warrant the institution of crim-

inal charges as the transaction is identical to ones in which former Government Ministers

under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration were charged for and are currently before the courts.

In his statement on Thursday, Nandlall posited that “the gravamen of my criticism of the sale was (and still is), that the sale was conducted in the identical manner in which NICIL sold many assets of the State under the PPP/Civic government; but that nine (9) of those transactions are the subject of criminal charges instituted by SOCU against former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, and the former Chief Executive Officer of NICIL, Mr Winston Brassington, in accordance with the advice of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

Singh and Brassington are accused of selling various properties at prices the State contends were grossly undervalued.

“Therefore, since the Constitution of Guyana guarantees to every citizen as a fundamental right, equal treatment before the law, I called upon the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to either forthwith terminate the charges against Singh and Brassington or to forthwith institute similar charges in relation to this latest sale.

Anything short of this will constitute unconstitutional conduct, discrimination, violation of the rule of law, political persecution and an abuse of the legal process” said Nandlall.

He said further that continued on page 9

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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EDITORIAL

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The CSME

he issue regarding the slow pace of implementation of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Single Market and Economy (CSME) again took prominence during the 18th Special Meeting last week at Caricom Heads of Government meeting held in Trinidad and Tobago. During the special meeting held to review the CSME, heads were challenged yet again to take the necessary steps to ensure its implementation is fast-tracked so that citizens all over the Region would begin to experience the benefits of the CSME. The CSME, conceived in 1989 and given various priority areas for focused attention over its existence, is intended to better position member states to grow by accessing and using their combined, rather than individual resources. Its successful legal and institutional measures and mechanisms include transforming regional arrangements into domestic law.

It is meant to be an integrated development strategy that is intended to benefit the people of the Region by providing more and better opportunities to produce and sell goods and services and to attract investments. It is built on five core regimes – free movement of capital, free movement of goods, free movement of skills, the provision of services, and the right of establishment.

It is well accepted that the rate of implementation of the CSME is not at the level where stakeholders would like it to be. In fact, some persons have claimed that they are yet to be directly touched by the benefits of the CSME. Hence, the Region’s Private Sector, and more importantly; citizens themselves, are demanding better results from governments and policymakers.

No other than the Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque had said while the regional grouping has significantly advanced the CSME, “we must do better”. He had stressed the need for more work to be done to fill the existing gaps.

At their most recent gathering, Heads embraced the declaration which shows that they are committed to all the major areas; both of the single market and of the single economy. Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister has stated that this declaration demonstrates the commitment of various countries in ensuring that the 10 categories of workers agreed to previously, would enjoy free movement throughout the Region. New categories were also added, among them agricultural workers, persons working in the fashion industry and related fields such as barbering and hairdressing, among others.

The Heads also agreed to a schedule of deadlines to ensure certain measures are put into effect within the next three months, at the end of 2019 and subsequently, implementation by 2020.

Even though much is yet to be achieved regarding the implementation of the CSME, its successes thus far cannot be underestimated. For instance, agreements were made to establish and operationalise various community institutions needed for the effective operation of the CSME. These include the Barbadosbased Caricom Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality, the Caricom Competition Commission headquartered in Suriname, the Caricom Development Fund in Barbados, and the Trinidad and Tobago-based Implementation Agency for Crime and Security.

From all indications, work has advanced in shaping regional policies and strategies in the productive sectors to achieve increased production, competitiveness, and exports of goods and services. In agriculture, the focus has been on addressing the constraints to reducing the Region’s high food import bill, increasing exports, and achieving food and nutrition security. In the services sector, it was highlighted that strategic plans are being developed for professional, cultural, entertainment and sports, health and wellness, educational, financial, construction, tourism, and ICT services.

Additionally, under CSME provisions, Caricom nationals have a right to enter a member state and be given a stay of six months.

Member states have also moved towards the use of common embarkation/disembarkation forms and the introduction of Caricom/non-Caricom lines at immigration points at ports of entry.

Over the years, there has been quite a lot of talk about the CSME and its benefits; the time has come for action. Governments and policymakers must place greater focus on advancing the CSME so that citizens of the Region would enjoy its full benefits.

NEW GPC received the GCCI Innovation award on Wednesday evening at the Marriott Hotel, where the Private Sector body hosted its 129th annual Awards. GCCI President Deodat Indar hands over a plaque to NEW GPC Company Secretary Zulfikar Ally.

Spreading misinformation for a particular purpose F

ollowing the destruction of the once iconic World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, a war on Iraq was launched.

It was premised primarily on information suggesting that Iraq, at the time led by Saddam Hussein, had possessed weapons of mass destruction. That information was also used to convince the United States Congress, its people and allied nations.

In the end, Saddam was toppled and the USA for a brief period took control of the country. What happened afterwards came as a shock to many, if not all, around the globe. It was revealed the Iraq did not possess weapons of mass destruction as the information was proven to be wrong. That was after all the bombings and lives lost.

While there were many theories articulated as to the real reason for that war, as time progressed, it can be construed as fake news used for a particular outcome.

This is no way condoning the atrocities Saddam inflicted on his own people over time.

From this, one can theorise that some politicians would not hesitate to make certain utterances or take particular action at the expense of others knowing fully that its premise is flawed.

During the course of the 2019 Budget Debates in the National Assembly in Guyana, a senior Government Minister boldly proclaimed that the previous Government did not conduct any feasibility study for major projects it undertook. His comments was in defence of not just the need for such studies currently, but the high cost and manner in which one in particular was awarded for which the oversight Procurement Commission was asked to investigate.

Almost immediately, the Opposition point man on financed and who was accused

of not conducting the necessary feasibility studies, declared that a lie is being peddled. He said the studies were done and made reference as where they could be found. Subsequently, it was reported that they were presented to the Minister who allegedly refused to apologise even though the information purportedly debunking his accusation was at hand.

What can now be deemed as fake news regarding the pronouncement that the studies were not conducted, was fact checked and proven wrong. That seems to have now simmered into a non-issue. It is therefore believable that had the senior official not been confronted with the relevant information, misinformation would have taken a stranglehold with the possibility of that falsehood morphing into a fact.

Similarly, the Prime Minister, during the said debate, noted, as reported by the State’s information agency, that Guyana has never been safer, more secure or stronger than she is today.

With regard to criminal activities, some weeks ago, the Police reported increases in crimes; armed robberies, robberies with violence and burglaries. That official announcement does not include the numerous crimes that go unreported daily.

In October this year, some sections of the media provided coverage of a report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which claimed Guyana’s capacity to investigate and prosecute crime is below average. In addition, every day there are many media reports of heinous crimes, some of which resulted in victims being severely beaten or killed. Many have and continue to suffer at the hands of criminals and their stories are nothing short of being heart-wrenching. Daily this is lamented throughout the

country as fear is infused.

Given what is known about criminal activities, from both the media reports and victims who do not file a report, the ordinary citizen is convinced that crime has not only increased, but that their security has been severely compromised. In other words, they do not feel safe. It should not be forgotten that the main prison in the City was burnt and the one on the East Coast has experienced a number jailbreaks.

With safety is major factor for those who seek a way out to another land, obvious questions one may be tempted to ask are, is the Prime Minister aware of what is happening in the country with regard to crime and whether he is familiar with the reports of the Police. Given his level of seniority in the government one cannot doubt that he is aware. With the benefit of the doubt, it becomes bewildering to understand what could have caused him to boast as he did.

Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, wants to live in a safe country where fear of criminals does not bombard their mindsets.

They would want to see the Police and the Government of the day succeed in their efforts to combat crime. Very likely the citizenry will not be encouraged when such statements, like the Prime Minister’s in question and which they believe to be untrue, are imposed upon them in an attempt to try and score political points. In their minds, it’s fake news at their expense.

One possible explanation is that the results of November 12, 2018 Local Government Elections have caused some to be self-pressured and more vociferous in making statements to bolster relevancy. The elusive good life may present a relevant example.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

GPF mourning loss of officer who succumbed to accident injuries

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Dead: Sergeant Joseph Elton Ambrose

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is mourning the death of Sergeant 16542 Joseph Elton Ambrose who was involved in an accident on Herstelling Public Road, East Bank Demerara on Sunday last, but succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation around 01:00h on Thursday.

According to the Police, Sergeant Ambrose who was married and the father of two joined the Force on January 11, 1995.

"The always pleasant, respected, dedicated and committed policeman was on 500 days accumulated vacation leave which commenced on April 9", said the Force.

An autopsy is expected to be conducted on Friday.

The GPF has extended condolences to the family, relatives and friends.

NEWS 5

Guyana’s Maritime Safety Training Institute to boost local content training

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uyana’ maritime training institute MatPal and TOTALTEC Academy have collaborated to form the Maritime Safety Training Institute (MSTI), to offer state-of-the-art maritime and safety related training programmes.

At a simple ceremony on Thursday, to announce the formation of the institute, MatPal’s CEO Colleen Abrams said the partnership will bring world-class training to Guyana as efforts are being made to develop local content for the oil and gas sector.

“Through this strategic collaboration we are committed to addressing the issue of local content through training as well as adopting and enforcing the standards that are nationally and internationally accepted, so as to set and keep the bar high as it relates to knowledge and skill transfer,” a DPI release quoted Abrams as saying.

Meanwhile, Senior Vice President of TotalTec Oilfield Services, Mike Henzell said the alliance of the two local pioneering companies will ensure world-class training for locals aspiring to work in the oil and gas sector “Through this alliance, the Maritime Safety Training Institute will develop state-of-the-art facilities for maritime and safety related training. We are investing in Guyana and

its future by employing qualified instructors, equipment and new physical facilities to deliver all facets of this highly specialized training. Our investment in training and development of Guyanese young men and women is unparalleled and show our strong commitment to investing in people now for the future which is key to building a vibrant workforce that participates in our industry,” Henzell explained.

Further, Henzell noted that the certification to be issued is internationally sanctioned and is in keeping with internationally established standards.

“The courses offered by MatPal are all certified by the International Maritime Organisation which is the UN specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. IPMA training courses are mapped to the UK based institution of occupational safety

and health and OPITO standards.”

According to Henzell, TOTALTEC’s International Petroleum & Maritime Academy (IPMA) is the only training institution in Guyana which offers full immersion safety and operational training programme into the oil and gas industry, including practical training on industry-specific equipment and machinery while MatPal is the only Guyanese training facility that offers maritime training courses which are certified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

OPITO is the global, not-for-profit, skills body for the energy industry.

More than 250,000 people are trained to OPITO standards every year, across 45 countries through over 200 approved training centres. The organisation works with governments and industry employers across the world to develop and implement national and international competency frameworks.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The masses will Nagamootoo is prepared speak decisively to do the ‘double role’ and come 2020 violate the Constitution Dear Editor, I am reminded of an article titled, ‘Party Paramountcy’ which was published in Caribbean Life in August 2016 which aptly summarises the PNC’s ideology during the Burnham dark era. It stated that, ‘Burnham ruled Guyana using his publicly proclaimed euphemism: “party paramountcy.”

The party, not the state, controlled the arms of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police, departments of government and, in critical matters, parts of the judiciary, the electoral machinery, the media, the trade unions.’

It went further to state that, ‘Burnham possessed two additional arms: the “Death Squad,” that is police in plain clothes and Rabbi Washington’s House of Israel. These conducted surveillance, and viciously smashed opposition elements, using hockey sticks and batons. The second were enforcers, bullies, extortionists, hit squads, strike-breakers, anti-union operators, deacons, black Jews and nuts and plantain-chip vendors in one.’

I can vividly recall during the early ‘70s poverty and hunger were everywhere and jobs were few and only those with PNC membership cards gained access to scarce food items and employment. It was during this time that the Burnham dictatorship promised to ‘Feed Clothe and House’ the Nation by 1976. Many persons were forced to join PNC groups and youths joined the Young Socialist Movement, the youth arm of the PNC. Many of my friends joined and yet could not secure jobs because of their race. They had to go through a more stringent test. They were forced to join the Guyana national Service and some who went to Kimbia came back disillusioned!

Moreover, I can also clearly recall the ‘co-op shops’ run by the PNC, again PNC membership cards were needed to access food items.

‘The state-run External Trade Bureau, handled all imports which it then redistributed to PNCorganised “cooperatives” known as Knowledge Sharing Institutes strategically located in predominantly Afro-

Guyanese areas. These retail outlets sold preferentially to persons who produced PNC membership cards and they acted to squeeze the small rural mainly Indianowned groceries out of business.

I can recall persons from my village going to the neighboring Fyrish Village in the hope of getting some cooking oil and butter only to be disappointed when they reached the end of the ‘Guyline’! The PNC members lived happily in those days because they could enjoy the ‘scarce’ goods.

Party paramountcy invaded every aspect of Guyanese lives, be it food; be it jobs; be it contracts; be it any form of Government services and I have seen that PNC ideology slowly surfacing since this Government took Office.

Recently, a young woman was promised a job if she contested the Local Government Election (LGE) as an APNU candidate in a PPP stronghold. She managed only 13 votes but I do hope she gets the job since she fulfilled her side of the bargain!

Therefore, what Volda Lawrence said was an echo of the truth and no amount of apology and whitewashing will remove the fact that party paramountcy is being revived by the PNC like many other traits inherent in the old PNC Order.

Her message is clearly received that if anyone wants a job or contract then a PNC membership card is a vital qualification requirement.

What is shameful though, is that the AFC and its Leader have become eunuchs – just agreeing and disagreeing as the situation demands.

Moreover, Trotman’s attempt at damage control by labeling the statement as an ‘unnecessary distraction’ simply accentuates the AFC’s inability to be factual, decisive and independent of the influence of the PNC’s faction of the coalition.

This Government is once again crossing its limits and must be reminded that the root of all evil is the abuse of power and the masses are cognisant of this abuse and will speak decisively come 2020!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Dear Editor, The Opposition’s chief whip the Honourable Gail Teixieira filed a motion in the house asking that the acting President of the Republic of Guyana, Mr Moses Nagamootoo vacate his place in The National Assembly as Head of Government. It is a legally binding motion as stipulated in Article 178 (4) of the constitution which states; once a member (who must be an elected member of The National Assembly) of the cabinet is appointed to perform the functions of the office of President, then that Minister’s seat in The National Assembly shall be regarded as vacant. In this regard he is considered an illegal person in The House.

Now Nagamootoo, who is supposed to be a lawyer ought to know that his continued presence in Parliament constitutes an illegality and that everything done by him is equally illegal. Presently, he is a squatter as asserted by the Opposition Leader, but Nagamootoo persists because that is the nature of this power-hungry despot. In fact, it is his rabid obsession with power that caused

him to leave the PPP and later join ranks with the PNC so that he could one day become “President” of Guyana, a right he loosely says, was denied him by Jagdeo.

I would advise that he takes his cue from Volda Lawrence or others of the powerhouse in the PNC. So, my advice to this gentleman is to tread softly, very softly on the issue of leadership. Because if he thinks that he could so easily hold power in a PNC Government then he needs to think again, that is not going to happen. That headship thinking of his is a definite impossibility.

So all this talk about the Speaker having to make a decision on the issue is hogwash! There is nothing in that article where it says a speaker has to make a ruling, it is not left to the whims and fancies of a speaker to decide on the issue. That matter is already spelt out in the Constitution in crystal clear language. It all goes to show that this coalition of parties in Government is not going to adhere to the rule of law, which is a very disgraceful precedent set since coming to Office. It has become an all too familiar sight with

this Administration where illegal acts of governance are concerned, and I call for this nonsense to stop now!

What Mr Nagamootoo can do, and the constitution makes provision for this, is to appoint someone to sit in his place in Parliament while he goes on to function as President – a very simple and clear position. But like I said earlier this man is so obsessed with power that he is prepared to do the double role and to do so illegally, quite to the detriment of democracy and good governance in this country.

Finally, I use a line from the Merrymen’s song “enjoy yourself it’s later than you think.” The people of Guyana are watching and are taking keen notes of your shenanigans, soon and very soon you and your Government will be taken apart by the people you so willfully and spitefully rule. They have shown it in that 63 per cent drubbing you got in the last Local Government Elections (LGE). So come 2020 the final chapter will be written.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Govt walkout of National Assembly unheard of anywhere else Dear Editor, The coalition Government (APNU/AFC) qualifies for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records. It is the first Government to boycott itself in Parliament– first time that a Government in any part of the world has walked out on (boycott) itself (its own parliamentary sitting). The Government Members of Parliament (MPs) walked out when Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, the main PPP respondent in the ongoing budget debate, delivered his contribution. The Government asked for the sitting and it asked for the debate. Therefore, it behooved the Government to participate in its own proceedings. For the Government to walk out in its own debate suggests they don’t understand Parliamentary affairs or they don’t care what the opposition says. It is unparliamentary.

While the Government may feel that the walk out, or boycott, would embarrass the Opposition Leader, it has embarrassed the Government as the international community is laughing at them.

The walkout made news internationally, putting the Government in bad light. In Trinidad where I attended the weekend Hindu Conference, several former and current MPs expressed their

shock that the Government boycotted the opposition in parliament. This is a new action. It is unheard of in the parliamentary system. The opposite happened in many countries and is an acceptable act from an opposition– walking out as a form of protest against the Government.

A boycott or walkout is an appropriate form of protest; it was used effectively against colonial rule in India by Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters; by Dr King in the US to protest racism against Blacks, against apartheid rule in South Africa, and by us in Guyana during the period of the dictatorship, etc, students boycotted or walked out of classes at UG and at schools during the 1980s to protest against rigged elections, national service, repressive rule, etc. I helped organise a boycott of classes at the Corentyne High School in 1977 when three of my teachers were victimised for guiding us to form a student society.

International community pays attention to that form of protest. This form of protest is generally utilised by opposition figures, not the Government in a legislature. So it is unprecedented that the APNU/AFC coalition Government would employ that tactic. In effect, the Government protested and behaved as though it is the opposition that is in

charge of the country. It reminds me of a protest that the Helmut Kohl Government in Germany in early 1990s undertook to protest against skin head attacks on immigrants. The same seems to be the case in Guyana when the Government boycotted the Opposition Leader’s response to the budget.

It is a matter of principle that the Government listen to the other side in a budget debate. The Opposition Leader and MPs were present in Parliament when the Finance Minister presented the proposed budget. Parliamentary decorum dictates that the Finance Minister listens to the response of all members, particularly the Opposition Leader as he is the main spokesperson for the official opposition. He is not speaking as Jagdeo, but as the representative of the opposition. Parliamentary convention dictates that the Opposition Leader be given equal time as the Finance Minister in responding to the budget and the Government accords respect to the office. To do otherwise, and to not listen to the Opposition Leader, is an insult to the MPs, Parliament, as well as to the nation. The Government owes nation an apology.

Yours faithfully, Dr Vishnu Bisram

news 7

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

St Kitts Opposition files Teen killed in WBD collision; friend critical no confidence motion against Government

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Dead: Dan Batson

West Bank Demerara (WBD) teen lost his life on the Bagotville Public Road on Wednesday night and his friend is in a critical condition when the motorcycle in which they were traversing on collided headon with a hire car.

Dead is 19-year-old, Dan Batson while 20-year-old, Trevon Callender, the pillion rider is currently battling for his life at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).

According to reports, the duo were proceeding on motorcycle CJ 2217 without headlamps south along the public road reportedly at a fast rate at about 8:30h when they collided with

Critical: Trevon Callender

the car HC 3870.

As a result of the collision, the duo were flung from the motorcycle unto the eastern side of the road.

The driver of the car, a 24-year-old resident of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD) told Police that prior to the collision, Batson attempted to apply brakes but failed.

Both men were quickly picked up and rushed to the hospital where Batson was pronounced dead on arrival. Callender was admitted in a critical condition.

A breathalyzer test conducted on the driver of the motorcar showed no trace of alcohol on his breath.

Vendor granted G$50,000 bail over alleged possession of ecstasy was granted bail in the sum of G$50,000.

She is expected to make her second Court appearance on January 9 2019.

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The accused: Tamara Akra

vendor was on Wednesday taken before the Court of Law after she was found in possession of a small quantity of ecstasy last week.

Twenty two-yearold, Tamara Akra of Mocha Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara (EBD) stood before Magistrate Fabayo

Azore and denied the allegation put to her.

It is being alleged that she, on December 8 2018 at Croal Street, Georgetown had in her possession 10 ecstasy pills weighing 5 grams.

Akra who was represented by Attorney at Law Paul Fung-a-Fat

Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris Opposition Leader Dr Denzil Douglas

(C

MC) — Opposition Leader Dr Denzil Douglas has filed a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris, whom he says presents a “clear and present danger to democracy” in St Kitts-Nevis.

In the motion, which was sent to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sonia Boddie-Thompson on Tuesday, Douglas, a former prime minister, also alleges that the activities of the incumbent “have belittled and denigrated the esteemed Office of the Prime Minister and has tarnished the good name and standing of this country both regionally and internationally”.

Douglas is calling on legislators to support the motion and ensure the “immediate resignation” of Harris, who led his coalition Team Unity grouping into office in the February 16, 2015 general election.

In the motion, Douglas claims that since being sworn into office, Harris has governed the twin island Federation “in a manner that has seen a rapid erosion of the democratic and good governance standards that are enshrined in the Constitution” and that the “rights, liberties and democratic interests of citizens are being trampled upon using methods that are reminiscent of a full

blown dictatorship”.

He also alleges that Prime Minister Harris “has consistently failed to uphold the principles of accountability, fairness, openness, transparency, inclusivity or respect the rule of law which has led to the maladministration of public services and the mismanagement of the economic and fiscal affairs of St Kitts and Nevis”.

Douglas, the leader of the main opposition St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), said that Prime Minister Harris “constantly tries to influence the work of the Electoral Office and its ranking officers in contravention of the electoral laws of the Federation and which has led to the disenfranchisement of numerous voters without due process”.

Douglas has listed several other allegations in the motion calling for the removal of the prime minister, including his refusal “ consent to the publication of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) country surveillance report, thereby denying the citizens of the country their right to information contained therein”.

Prime Minister Harris is due to present the national budget to Parliament later today (Thursday).

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese man nabbed Guyana monitoring with 70 live finches in developments in Venezuela …says military exercises hair rollers at JFK do not constitute threats

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A Guyanese man tried to smuggle finches into the United States using hair rollers.

Guyanese man was busted by Federal authorities at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Saturday for trying to smuggle 70 live finches inside hair rollers from Guyana into the US. According to the New York Post, the man, who was not named, had just arrived at the Queens airport on a flight from Georgetown on Saturday when US Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists stopped him.

During the course of inspection, the specialists discovered 70 finches concealed in orange hair rollers inside a black duffel bag.

The report said that the birds were turned over to the United States Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services.

The traveler who attempted to illegally traffic in the finches was not admitted to the US and was instead returned home, a Customs and Border Protection spokesman said.

“CBP Agriculture Specialists are the first line of defence to prevent the introduction of animal diseases that have the potential to cause significant damage to the Nation’s agricultural economy,” Troy Miller, director of CBP’s New York field office, said in a statement, according to the New York Post.

A 2015 outbreak of avian influenza, informally known as bird flu, in the US resulted in the culling of 50 million commercial turkeys and chickens as well as US$850 million in damage, according to the CBP.

Govt announces major upgrades to several bridges in Region 8

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ome 2019, residents in Region Eight, PotaroSiparuni will benefit from several initiatives that will improve their quality of life.

A total of $2.1Billion was approved this evening by the Committee of Supply during the consideration of the current and capital expenditure of the 2019 National Budget.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan explained that of this amount, $67.52Million has been earmarked for the rehabilitation and construction of bridges to provide proper egress and ingress to communities such as Elenake, Konawaruk, Kalibung and Kurukabaru among others.

This amount, he said, also includes the construction of a bridge which will link Kato to Pakaraimas and benefit approximately 4000 residents.

Responding to a question posed by opposition Member Pauline Sukhai, the Communities Minister explained that an allocated $57Million will cater for the maintenance of ten roadways within the region.

Minister Bulkan also highlighted some of the capital projects that will be undertaken in 2019: Construction of Information and Communication Technology laboratories at Kato and Paramakoti Primary Schools Extension of Mahdia and Chenapou Primary Schools Extension of Monkey Mountain and Kopinang health centres and the Kurukabaru health post Construction of the road from Monkey Mountain to Paramakotoi

Four Russian military aircraft, including two Tu-160 (Blackjack) bombers, one An-124 (Condor) heavy-lift cargo airplane and an IL-62 (Classic) passenger aircraft are seen in this DigitalGlobe satellite image at Simon Bolivar Airport in Maiquetia, Vargas, located about 21 kilometres from downtown Caracas, Venezuela in this December 10, 2018 (Courtesy Satellite image ©2018DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company/Handout via Reuters)

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n an effort to quell the growing anxiety of some Guyanese after it was revealed that two state-of-theart Russian bomber aircraft have been deployed to neighbouring Venezuela, Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry on Thursday said the Government is monitoring the latest developments.

“The Ministry is monitoring ongoing related developments.

It is important to note that military exercises are a regular feature of State relations and do not in themselves constitute a threat.

Further, Guyana is fully committed to the rule of international law, including the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Notwithstanding the ongoing border controversy, Guyana remains open to pursuing meaningful functional cooperation with Venezuela whenever that opportunity arises,” the statement added.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry added that Guyana and Russia have had cordial diplomatic relations since December 17, 1970.

The two Tu-160 bombers landed in Venezuela on Monday in a Russian show of support for the Government of socialist President Nicolás Maduro.

According to the BBC, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it amounted to “two corrupt Governments squandering public funds”. The Russian Government called his words “completely inappropriate”.

The long-range strategic bombers landed at Simón Bolívar Airport outside of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Monday

along with two other Russian planes.

Venezuela and Russia have long been close allies, and the Russian bombers – as well as a missile cruiser – were sent to the Latin American country in 2008. The supersonic bombers also visited Venezuela in 2013.

The latest visit comes just days after President Maduro met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said they were part of air force exercises with its Russian allies.

According to the US, Russia will pull the bombers from Venezuela by Friday.

Venezuela and Russia recently signed contracts to guarantee US$5 billion in investments to boost oil production.

Following the submission of Guyana’s memorial on jurisdiction to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last month, a date has in turn been set for the Venezuelan Government to submit its own counter memorial.

This was revealed by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, during his contribution to the Budget Debates on Friday last. According to the Minister, April 18, 2019 has been set for Venezuela to submit its counter memorial.

Greenidge remained optimistic that the ICJ has jurisdiction to resolve the controversy; something he noted has plagued its relations with Venezuela.

According to the Minister, this issue has undermined the country’s ability to develop its sovereign territory.

On November 19, 2018, Guyana submitted its memorial on jurisdiction to the ICJ, an important step as the country moves forward to have the controversy over the 1899 arbitral award settled.

The memorial states that Venezuela is not correct in arguing that the controversy must be resolved exclusively by friendly negotiations, a claim which Guyana says is not justified in the terms of the final 1966 Geneva Agreement to which both parties agreed.

It adds that the boundary was set out between Guyana and Venezuela in 1897 before the October 1899 award. In January 2018, the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres chose adjudication by the Court as the means for finally resolving the controversy, with Guyana filing its case in March of this year.

When US oil giant ExxonMobil announced the first of multiple oil finds in 2015, Venezuela renewed its claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.

On January 30, 2018, Secretary General Guterres concluded that the Good Offices Process – which the parties had engaged in for almost 30 years, but it failed to achieve a solution to the controversy – and chose the ICJ as the next means of settlement, for which Guyana has long been advocating. Sir Shridath Ramphal and Ambassador Audrey Waddell are assisting Minister Greenidge.

The United States has since announced that it supports Guyana’s case.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

sector body says takeover 5-month-old Private of Berbice Bridge sends wrong electrocuted signal to potential investors in Berbice U off her bed at about 12:00h on Tuesday and placed him on the floor as she straightened the bedding. However, while on the floor, the infant grabbed hold of an electric wire which had scotch tape on a section which was broken.

The infant reportedly made contact with the exposed part of the wire and was helpless; by the Dead: Five-month-old Mason Cush time Jackson refive-month-old alised what had infant was on happened, the child was Tuesday elec- electrocuted. trocuted at his Region He was rushed to the Six (East Berbice- Skeldon Hospital where Corentyne) home. he was pronounced Dead is Mason Cush dead on arrival. The inof Lot 207 Number cident was reported to 76 Housing Scheme, the Police and the mothCorentyne, Berbice. er was taken into custoReports are the in- dy. However, she was refant’s mother Onessa leased on Thursday.

Jackson, 27, took him

A

Stockfeeds shares on the stock market will not rectify...

from page 3

“from the statement issued by NICIL, it appears that the recent sale has now been rescinded, presumably, because of these criticisms and the shares have been placed on the local stock market.”

NICIL in its statement on the stock market sales had said it is of the “view that ultimately, now that the shares have been placed on the stock exchange, the market will eventually determine the true value of the shares.”

However, the legal luminary posited that “this will not rectify the conundrum that the Government finds itself in, as it is beyond doubt that, it is the Government that is the driving force behind the criminal charges against Singh and Brassington.

By those charges, the Government and the DPP have made the selling of State assets at a market determined prices, a criminal offence. Assets of the State must, now, only be sold at a price determined by a Certificate

of Valuation. So, NICIL is not better off by putting these shares for sale on the stock market.”

Addressing the legality of the criminal charges that Singh and Brassington are currently engaging in the High Court, Nandlall posited that “If these charges receive the imprimatur of that Court, then in the future, State assets can only be lawfully sold if it is done in accordance with a Certificate of Valuation, irrespective of the price generated by market forces. In the same vein, any person who receives a benefit as a term and condition of service with the Government is liable to be charged with larceny of the same, even if it receives the approval of the Executive President of this land!

That is now the law of Guyana.”

According to the former Attorney General “this is what happens when politicians are interfering with the criminal justice system in a society.”

nderscoring the importance of investments in Guyana, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar has criticised Government’s recent takeover of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BCCI).

Speaking at the GCCI’s 129th Awards Presentation and Gala Dinner on Wednesday evening at the Marriott Hotel, the GCCI President noted that Government should ensure that the appropriate environment is created to facilitate investments in Guyana.

“Investments are also driven by the environment which it is executed in and the recent Government takeover of the Berbice Bridge doesn’t augur well for public-private partnership,” Indar asserted, adding that such actions

by Government should only be a last resort, having explored all other options.

“Investments ought to be protected in Guyana in order for us to become a regional leader economically,” he noted.

Nevertheless, Indar posited that while the impending oil and gas sector is going to be bigger and more transformational than anything Guyana has ever experienced, he highlighted the importance of attracting investments in other fields.

“Before oil and gas in 2015, we had an economy, and when oil leaves, we should have an economy,” he asserted.

According to the GCCI President, Government should look to foster investments in areas such as medicine, infrastructure, security, education and development, and social systems.

Still, he recognised the drastic change Guyana is about to undergo after first oil.

Guyana is now home to the world’s biggest new deep water oil discovery and with principle explorer ExxonMobil pushing for the development of the oil reserves, production is scheduled to begin in early 2020 or perhaps late 2019.

In fact, only last week, the US oil giant announced its 10th discovery, reinforcing the country’s potential to be able to produce more than 750,000 barrels of oil daily by 2025.

With this in mind,

GCCI President Deodat Indar

however, the GCCI President is calling for the necessary frameworks to be put in place for an oil and gas industry. Among those he mentioned was for Government to fasttrack the local content policy.

“We would like to see a signature on the second draft. Even if it’s not a perfect document… we can put a revision period to it so meanwhile, we will have a framework to go along with,” he stated.

On the other hand, referencing the econom-

ic projections for 2019 as outlined by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during his budget presentation last month, Indar posited that the 4.6 per cent economic growth is looking good for the economy.

However, he reminded his fellow Private Sector stakeholders that these rates usually fluctuate. “So there are some good news [in Budget 2019] and some not so good news,” he stated.

While he welcomed the Income and Corporate Tax rate re-

ductions, the GCCI President went on to say, however, that the Private Sector would like to see reduction of commercial tax rates.

Furthermore, Indar also voiced concerns over the 9.9 per cent increase in taxation when the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expanding by some four per cent.

“The Maths do not add up to me… You all will feel it when you write your cheques to the GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority) that you’re paying more,” he stated.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

8 tourism ambassadors honoured in Guyana

Court awards G$21M to mother of man killed by Cops …police actions “negligent and callous” – Judge

M

E

ight tourism ambassadors were honoured by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) for their contribution in enhancing travel experiences and services.

At the GTA’s 11th Awards Ceremony held at Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday evening, Director Brian Mullis thanked those who helped the agency in its mission to propel the development of the travel and tourism sector within the country.

“We are really excited to celebrate those persons who have gone above and beyond to make the Guyanese travel and tourism sector be not only special in our part of the world but special globally,” he is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

Mullis noted it is crucial to avoid the mistakes made by other countries and to promote a sustainable approach to tourism development, including best practices. According to the GTA Director, this includes

the establishment of the Living Destination Development Plan which essentially complements the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) 2018-2025.

He explained that this initiative is, “the blueprint for where we should invest, create new attractions among others based on market demand; move away from a supply-driven approach to tourism development to a market-driven development to markedly increase the success of any new travel and tourism ventures.”

Mullis added that the agency has also gone through restructuring a process to generate positive outcomes and outputs. At a leadership level, capacity building exercises were undertaken which will lead to further training programmes for 2019 as well as the establishment of a cooperative database of programmes for future collaborations.

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Mitra

Ramkumar, reiterated the need to adopt the best sustainable practices at a country level in the development of tourism. He added that this includes a concerted effort on the part of citizens to reconnect with nature, in light of the fact that the large majority of persons reside in the city.

Those awarded were: Adrian Sheram from Old Fort Tours and Resort for Tour Guide of the Year; Rewa Eco-Lodge for Most Outstanding Community-led and Owned Tourism Enterprise; Canadian Executive Service Organisation (CESO) for Most Outstanding Contribution to Tourism by an NGO/Volunteer group; Kings Hotel for Service in Tourism Accommodation/ Establishment; Backyard Cafe for Service Quality in Tourism; Hits and Jams for Tourism Entrepreneurs; White King Ranch for Tourism Recognition and Surama Eco-Lodge for the People’s Choice Award for Sustainable Tourism.

2 months later: ERC still probing GECOM’s hiring practices

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wo months after retired Judge and Senior Counsel (SC) Stanley Moore was hired to probe the employment practices at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the investigation is not yet complete.

However, Guyana Times International was reliably informed that the three-man team is close to wrapping up the inquiry with a view to completing the investigation before year end.

Justice Moore, in collaboration with former Deputy Commissioner of Police Lloyd Smith and human resources consultant Jairam Petam, was to complete the investigation in three weeks during October.

However, the time was extended as the probe widened.

The investigation was launched after People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) GECOM Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn wrote a letter of complaint to the ERC, contending that there was an ethnic imbalance at GECOM and hiring practices were being manipulated in favour of one group. After these allegations were made, the ERC had scheduled a meeting with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, where the matters were raised. The ERC also met with President David Granger at that time.

Herdmanston Accord. It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations. The Commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security, among all ethnic groups.

Justice Moore had served as a Home Affairs Minister under former President LFS Burnham during the Administration of the People’s National Congress (PNC).

The PPP/C Commissioners had registered complaints of Chairman Patterson using his post to muzzle them on Retired Judge Stanley Moore, the issue of hiring practices.

SC, was selected to oversee the Commissioner Benn had highprobe into GECOM’s hiring practices lighted issues regarding the At a press conference prior ethnic composition of the workto the probe, GECOM Chairman force of the secretariat of the and retired Justice James Commission, having pointed Patterson had said that qualifi- out that the perception was that cations ultimately trumped race the vast majority of the staff when filling vacancies. When of the Commission were perasked whether deliberate efforts sons of one ethnicity. However, to achieve racial diversity were the Chairman disputed the being made, Patterson had con- Commissioner’s claim.

The PPP/C Commissioners tended that deliberate efforts had said that the Chairman prewere being made to get the best people and that he had “no apol- vented Benn from further defending his position and when ogies” for that.

ERC Chairman, Reverend challenged, adjourned the meetDr John Smith was hoping that ing for over half an hour.

Their allegations followed by the probe would have been completed before the November an earlier statement made by 12, 2018 Local Government executive member of the PPP, Dr Roger Luncheon who made Elections (LGE).

The ERC is a constitution- allegations against GECOM real body established under the garding the same issue.

ore than four years after two Guyana Police Force (GPF) ranks were freed of the October 5, 2012 shooting to death of Damien Belgrave outside the White Castle Fish Shop in Georgetown, the young man’s mother, Donna Sulker, has been awarded almost G$22 million in damages by the High Court.

The decision was handed down by Justice Sandil Kissoon, who presided over the Statement of Claim proceedings that the woman filed in December 2012. She was represented by attorney Nigel Hughes. The State was represented by the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Sulker’s 21-year-old son, who resided in Lethem, Region 9 (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) was at the

Mother of the dead teen, and claimant Donna Sulker

Georgetown establishment when Police, who were reportedly pursuing suspected criminals, shot and killed him. It was later released that the person whom the Police were pursuing was a teenage driver who was unlicensed.

The two Policemen: Sheldon Williams, of Coldingen East Coast Demerara, and Errol Williams of Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice, were charged in January 2013, some eight months after the death of the young man.

However, after a Magistrate’s Court Preliminary Inquiry the duo was freed. During the PI, it was revealed that Police presented ballistics reports which disclosed that the bullet which killed Belgrave was not fired by either rank who was charged, but by a third Policeman who had not been charged.

Damien Belgrave’s parents had demanded that Police carry out a proper investigation to ensure that the real shooter be brought to justice. Later, the mother took the case to the civil court and was awarded the figure some years after she had filed the matter.

Sulker, Belgrave’s mother, said her son was an NGO

Dead teen: Damien Belgrave

(non-governmental oragnisation) worker at the time of his demise, and that he was “negligently shot” by officers Sheldon and Errol Williams who were executing duties near the Hadfield Street fish shop.

She had also outlined that the ranks were not in any imminent danger at the time of her son’s killing, further noting that he died as a result of the injuries he sustained. According to her case, she was suing for her son’s wrongful death; the breach of his fundamental right, as guaranteed under Article 138 of the Constitution of Guyana, not to be deprived of his life intentionally, and for assault and battery. The mother also petitioned the court to grant her exemplary damages, costs, interest and other orders the court saw fit.

In Monday’s decision, Justice Kissoon observed that not only was Belgrave an innocent bystander, but that the Police’s actions were “negligent and callous”. In fact, the Judge outlined that the case against the State was “strong, cogent and compelling”. Several witnesses, including the Police ranks, testified during the trial.

In giving the breakdown of the damages, Justice Kissoon ordered that the State must pay G$250,000 to the claimant in special damages to cover her son’s funeral expenses. More than that, G$15 million was calculated for the man breach of his right not to be deprived of his right to life, as the Constitution guarantees. She also won G$1 million in general damages, G$1,040,000 for pretrial loss, and G$4,680,000 for post-trial loss, which culminated to G$6,720,000 which was awarded for loss of dependency.

Sulker also garnered court costs in the sum of G$300,000. The judge added that the damages be paid at a rate of six per cent per annum from when Belgrave died to Monday’s decision, and a rate of four per cent per annum until the monies are paid in full.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt, Opposition clash over breach in fiscal laws for property valuation O

pposition Member of Parliament, Irfaan Ali on Wednesday called out Government for what he said was a violation of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act with the commencement of works in the property valuation project ahead of the official start which is scheduled for next year.

H o w e v e r , Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan in his defence claimed it was a pilot project that was started this year.

The Administration is moving full steam ahead with its property valuations for 2019 with a G$320 million contract which was signed with the Municipal Property Assessments Corporation of Ontario (MPAC) and AxiLogic Inc in October to bring property taxes up to date. Though the allocation was detailed in the 2019 Budget estimates, Ali questioned why the project was allowed to begin without the requisite approval from the National Assembly.

“Would the honourable Minister agree that any resources spent be-

PPP/C MP Irfaan Ali

fore 2019 is in contravention of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Section 4 because grants and loans are part of public monies,” Ali questioned.

Bulkan responded “the Cabinet has approved a contract in the sum of G$320 million to allow for this service.

What I have said is that a pilot has started in 2018 and the project itself is expected to start in 2019.

Ali retorted that he was very happy to learn that Cabinet was still approving contracts. He continued asking if any money

was spent outside of the G$330 million contract that was signed.

“What we are addressing now is expenditures for 2019 Budget; this project is expected to be executed in full in 2019,” Bulkan outlined.

Ali, a former Housing Minister under the previous Administration highlighted that it was a report of Government media agency DPI (Department of Public Information) that reflected that works commenced last year but Minister Bulkan advised his colleagues that all of what is reported is not

necessarily correct as he outlined that he is only dealing with provisions for 2019.

“It is not in general what is being reported has a high degree of accuracy. There is a contract entered into between the Ministry and Municipal Property Assessments Corporation of Ontario that will allow for mass property valuations over a 12-18-month period,” Bulkan explained.

As the clash continued, Ali again clarified is question, asking the Minister if any contract was signed prior to the provision in the 2019 Budget, committing any of the G$320 million by the Communities Ministry.

However, Bulkan said he was not too sure about “committing” but said the contract provided a “contract sum”, noting that any commitments would flow from the 2019 Budget.

“We have arrived at the destination; once the contract has been signed and there is a contract figure in that contract, there is a commitment of public resources and this is violation of the FMAA,” Ali quipped, accusing the Minister

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

of financial breaches.

Despite this, Minister Bulkan held out that he does not share this view with Ali. Bulkan said in the past, the property valuation project would allow for capacity building for the modernisation of property assessment.

The Minister had outlined that the improvements to this system would further advance Local Government organs which are guaranteed in the Constitution of Guyana. The PPP/C has been saying for months that it will not increase rates and tax-

es in any of the areas it won at the 2018 Local Government Elections.

However, at present, less than half of home owners in some local authority areas are paying the existing rates and taxes.

Last year, Finance Minister Winston Jordan explained that efforts were being made to ensure the stability and self-sufficiency of the Local Democratic Organs (LDOs), to reduce dependence on subventions from central Government. Once completed, this will mean that property taxes will increase.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

US food company More sugar workers likely to be terminated soon – GAWU recalls 'Fiesta Corn' from Guyana, T other countries

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he US company, Del Monte Foods has recalled over 60,000 cases of incompletely sterilised canned corn from eight countries in the region, according to a CMC report.

The Caribbean countries affected by the recall of Del Monte “Fiesta Corn” are Guyana, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Haiti, Aruba, St Lucia and Suriname.

The other countries are El Salvador, Uruguay and Panama.

According to CMC, the company says the recall is specific to Del Monte “Fiesta Corn” only and not any of its other corn and other products. The company warns that that the product could cause life-threatening illness if consumed.

The US Food and Drug

Administration said the recall of 64,242 cases of the “Fiesta Corn” seasoned with red and green peppers were due to under-processing.

It said the missed steps from the commercial sterilisation process could result in spoilage and possible contamination with life-threatening pathogens, if eaten, Del Monte warned, according to CMC. There have not been any reports of illness as a result of the products, the company added.

It said a central concern with under-processing canned food is the potential growth of bacteria, including clostridium botulinum, which creates toxins that cause botulism poisoning, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Linden man who allegedly bit officer after assaulting woman charged A

Linden (Upper DemeraraBerbice) resident was on Thursday slapped with two counts of assault charges, including one committed on a police officer who attempted to arrest him for allegedly assaulting a woman.

Kerwin Eawick who resides at South Amelia’s Ward, Linden stood before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan and denied all two charges after they were read to him.

The first charge alleged that the 24-year-old man inflicted grievous bodily harm on Sharon Clarke while they both were in the vicinity of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden on October 21, 2018.

Eawick was also accused of assaulting Police Constable Shaquille McIntosh with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.

Police Prosecutor Gorgon Mansfield did not oppose bail, but asked that conditions be applied.

The Magistrate granted the man bail in the sum of $20,000.

The matter was later transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court until January 7, 2019.

The prosecution is contending that on the day in question the accused and the number one defendant had an argument when she attempted to exit a car they were both traversing in when the man allegedly pulled her out of the motor vehicle. This resulted in the woman receiving injuries to her right leg.

Subsequently, a report was made to the police and on December 11 police on patrol duties located him and attempted to make an arrest.

It was then that Eawick resisted lawful arrest and allegedly bit the arresting officer in the process.

However, police managed to make the arrest and he was taken to the police station.

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has announced that plans are afoot to terminate the services of dozens of sugar estate workers, adding to the thousands already jobless.

The Union noted that these are workers that were retained following the closures of the Wales, Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara estates to maintain skeleton operations at the factories.

These workers were involved mainly in security, drainage and irrigation and power house operations.

It reminded that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) had indicated that it was always its intention to have the workers terminated and it is now giving effect to its intent.

“GuySuCo has assured GAWU that it has monies to pay these workers their severance payments as it becomes due,” the Union said in a statement on Wednesday.

GAWU described the situation as saddening, saying more workers have had to lose their jobs occasioned by the “short-sighted and wrong haphazard decision” to minimise the sugar industry.

“While workers at Wales Estate, closed nearly two years ago, were being paid, GuySuCo at the same time is in the process of informing

workers… that they would be terminated by year-end or sometime early next year,” the Union added.

The National Assembly recently approved G$2.4 billion in severance payments for over 4000, Wales, Berbice and East Demerara sugar workers who were thrown on the breadline when Government closed several sugar factories.

Wales ended operations in December 2016 and some 375 workers who refused to take up employment at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, remain without severance payments, putting hundreds of families on the breadline and causing economic crisis in surrounding communities.

The workers had taken to the streets, protesting for their severance to be paid.

Last week, some 238 workers who remained on the breadline received their payments while the remaining 109 workers who took up work at Uitvlugt got their severance on Wednesday.

As part of its plans to bring the heavily indebted and cash-strapped GuySuCo back into profitability and efficiency, Government made 5700 workers redundant in an effort to downsize the sector leaving a mere three estates – Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt – in operation.

The Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara (Enmore)

estates were closed in December 2017 with no severance payments made to the workers.

However, back in January, Government secured G$93 billion from the National Assembly to pay some of the ex-sugar workers from those three estates.

Those dismissed workers whose severance packages are G$500,000 or less were paid in full by January 31, 2018, while those entitled more than that amount were only paid 50 per cent, with the remaining half to be paid in the second half of the year.

As such, since July, these workers and their families have been looking forward to the second tranche of the severance money from Government.

The coalition Government has made its position clear that the move to downsize the industry was a necessary one, as the monies used as annual bailouts were too much.

But the Opposition said even if this was the case, the laying off of workers could have been done in stages, to allow for them to prepare for alternative employment.

With valuation works for the closed estates having been completed, the Skeldon, Rose Hall-Canje, East Demerara/ Enmore, and Wales Estates were advertised for sale.

Robbery-murder

“Shoe Lace” gets life imprisonment for businessman’s death

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Deceased: Kamal Ramsahoye

fter a jury found him guilty of killing a man for which he was paid G$60,000, Phillip “Shoe Lace” Paul was on Monday sentenced to life imprisonment at the Georgetown High Court.

It was during his trial that it was revealed that he was paid by an accomplice called “Tall Man” for the December 2012 murder of Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman Kamal Ramsahoye who met his demise when the killers stumbled upon him as they were about to rob his home.

Only “Shoe Lace” was on trial for the man’s murder and he had nothing to say before Justice Sandil Kissoon handed down the life sentence. The

Judge ordered that he serve 30 years in jail before becoming eligible for parole after considering that the victim was stabbed 14 times about his body. The Judge had started at a base sentence of 36 years before parole, but took off six years for the time the accused spent on remand.

Ramsahoye’s relatives said that they fully agreed with the court’s decision as they continued to deal with their loss. The prosecution’s case, which was led by Attorneys Lisa Cave and Orinthia Schmidt, was that, under caution, Paul told Police that he saw his friend “Tall Man” on the “line top” (Railway Embankment) and invited him to go to a house in Annandale.

After they scaled a fence,

they entered Ramsahoye’s home, but encountered the homeowner who ran, but they caught up with him, and “Shoe Lace” reportedly held the businessman while “Tall Man” stabbed him to death.

They then searched the man’s home and made off with a large sum of cash, after which “Tall Man” gave “Shoe Lace” G$60,000 and the two parted company.

Paul was represented by Attorney Brandon De Santos who had appealed for mercy, citing that his client was only 19 at the commissioning of the crime.

However, the State proffered that the court should consider the seriousness and prevalence of robberies in society.

A camera-shy Phillip “Shoe Lace” Paul

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cops probing discovery of body of 11-month-old baby in drain

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he body of an 11-month-old baby was retrieved from a drain at Sayah Village, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Tuesday.

The child, Alvin Matthew, of Lot 47 Sayah Village, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.

Based on reports received, the child was at home with his mother, Parbattie Matthews, and his siblings in the lower flat of their house.

However, it is believed that the child crawled outside and ventured into the yard where he fell into the drain.

Shortly after, his frantic mother realised that the baby was missing and frantically began to look for him. After some time, the child was found lying face down in the drain, which is approximately 10 feet wide and three feet deep.

The baby was picked up and rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. His body is at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Investigations are ongoing.

NEWS 13

Talks ongoing with US authorities to lift catfish ban - Guyana’s Agri Minister M inister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, was on Tuesday questioned about what Government has been doing to secure a lifting of the ban on exportation of catfish to the United States (US).

In budget 2019, some G$14.7 million was set aside for the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism as part of Guyana’s contribution to international organisations.

In light of this allocation, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Texieira questioned whether Guyana could get help from this very organisation, to which Holder replied in the affirmative. She then questioned what Government is doing about the matter, to which the Minister said that negotiations with the US are ongoing.

According to Holder, however, these negotiations are largely being done by the Public Health Ministry. As such, Holder admitted he is not entirely up to date with where the matter is.

At this point, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Texieira inquired whether legislation is being drafted to help Guyana become compliant.

“We’re trying to fix the regulations,” Holder said. “The US has a kind of ban on catfish coming in to the US. They are saying that the catfish must be caught live and transported to a processing plant, live.

And there processed to be sent to the US.” “Now we can’t do that. Our stuff is caught in the ocean, degutted, put on ice and brought in. We can’t carry it live to a processing plant. But the US doesn’t want to hamper places like ours. They, apparently, were trying to keep out to protect their internal agencies. So they’ve been working with us to ensure we can continue doing what can be done to make this thing work.”

Holder added that he has personally been working with the outgoing US Ambassador Perry Holloway and he was optimistic that he has been making headway. Holder noted that the fishing industry represents approximately US$70 to $80 million annually to Guyana, with the ban on catfish costing the country US$1.2 million.

The ban by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) was instituted against Guyana earlier this year. Veterinary Public Health Unit Director, Dr Ozaye Dodson had said the imposition from the US export market was just a temporary technical barrier to trade.

He had posited that the country fell short of the US standards in three areas: first, on the issue of the presence of inspectors; secondly, there was insufficient documentation detailing verification of each step in the sanitation and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) process and thirdly, there was insufficient

documentation specifying how the industry manages adulterated catfish products.

However, Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had called out the incumbent Administration for not doing enough to address the concerns of the fishing industry with the ban. Jagdeo had said that he is “of the firm view that the coalition Government is fully responsible for the plight of local fishermen, given that they were notified of the USA’s pending changes to export regulations since November 2015.

The coalition Government, despite having received notice of these changes, failed to communicate effectively with the stakeholders of the fisheries sector, many of whom have invested heavily in this area.”

“To make matters worse, the Coalition Government received an extension until February 3, 2018, to bring Guyana into compliance with the new export regulations and failed again” the Opposition leader had said.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt, Opposition squabble over allocations for Forest Inventory study T

he National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has maintained that Government contracts are awarded through a transparent tendering process.

But there was much confusion on Tuesday in the National Assembly when the Government was asked for details on the consultant carrying out the Forest Inventory Project.

Under questioning from the Parliamentary Opposition, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, informed the National Assembly that the works were being carried out by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).

The Junior Minister gave details of what the project would entail.

According to her, the inventory would document both flora and fauna, as well as where these natural resources are located.

“The GFC will be going to look at the forest species that we have, where they are; even the wildlife. So it’s an extensive project, very robust.

It’s about tagging and naming,” the Minister explained.

A sum of G$35 million in capital expenditure was allocated for 2019, while a sum of over G$250 million was allocated to the Ministry under ‘other’. However,

explained.

Nancy story

PPP MP Juan Edghill

the revelation in the Committee of Supply that the second phase of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ project will cost some G$244 million, raising eyebrows in the Opposition benches of the National Assembly.

Those eyebrows were raised even higher when it was made clear what the allocations would be spent on.

Broomes informed the Assembly that monies will be used to purchase an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), a Land Cruiser and a computer. This did not sit well with the Opposition, and Opposition frontbencher Anil Nandlall requested a breakdown of how the money would be spent.

“We have here an allocation of G$35 million,” Nandlall pointed out.

“And the legend reads

‘provision for forestry inventory study’. I heard the Minister explain to us they are buying vehicles under this provision.

Might I ask for a breakdown of how much of this money is actually going to forest inventory and how much is going to be spent on acquiring vehicles? This thing says clearly ‘provision for forestry inventory study’.”

In response to questions from Nandlall on why the project money was being spent to acquire vehicles, and not on the project, Broomes defended the allocation.

“These monies will be spent to buy these things to support the study, because, to execute this study, the personnel will have to go in the fields.

It’s not a study that will be done (indoors), it calls for field activities,” she

Pressed further, Broomes related that the project was subjected to the public tendering process and to Cabinet approval, but successive Opposition Parliamentarians tried to ascertain whether a consultant was undertaking the study, or whether the GFC itself was doing so.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources with the Forestry Commission will be carrying out this project,” Broomes said.

In response, Opposition MP Juan Edghill repeated his request for the identity of who would be undertaking the study. Broomes repeated her previous answer, and this did not satisfy Edghill.

“I’ve asked specifically for the Minister to tell the House who is undertaking this study, and she has said this is being undertaken through the Forestry Commission. If this is being undertaken through the Forestry Commission, then this money should have gone as a subsidy and contribution to a local organisation.”

“It has to be a consultancy or a project where persons are being engaged and being paid. Could the Minister tell us who is undertaking this study, and if the Forestry Commission is providing any counterpart financing for the

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes

study?”

Even with all this prompting, Broomes could not provide the name of a consultant.

Asked point blank if the GFC was awarded the contract to carry out the study, Broomes reiterated her earlier comments that the project had gone through the procurement procedure, and she promised to lay over the relevant documents.

“You said this went through the procurement process. The procurement process will also include public advertisement, so are you saying the Ministry of Natural Resources went to public advertisement and the Guyana Forestry Commission submitted a bid to conduct the study?” asked Opposition MP Nigel Dharamlall.

“I’m saying that the Ministry of Natural Resources, through the procurement measures, procured the Forestry Commission,” was all Broomes would say in response, adding the benefits of the project.

A perusal of the Appendix of volume one of the budget estimates shows that the GFC did not receive any monies from the Ministry of Natural Resources in 2018 or 2019 by way of subsidy contribution or capital grant.

Edghill pointed out that in the absence of this information, GFC could not be undertaking the project. But Broomes ultimately promised to lay over the information, leaving more questions than answers.

Kuru Kururu couple found dead in home T

he bloody bodies of a woman and her reputed husband were on Tuesday found lying on their bed in their Lot 522 Kuru Kururu, Linden-Soesdyke Highway home.

Dead are 36-year-old Naco Malika Hale and 48-year-old Alwin Bleacher. The dead couple were found by their 14-year-old son after he went into their bedroom to check on his mother, since she did not wake them up to prepare for school as was routine.

As he entered the bedroom, he saw his mother lying in a pool of blood with several stab wounds to her neck, while his father was partially on her with an incised wound to his lower back. In his mother’s hand was a pair of blood-stained scissors.

He immediately woke up his three siblings and they ran over to a neighbour’s house where he related what they saw. Villagers then rushed to the scene as the Police arrived.

When Guyana Times

Dead: Naco Malika Hale

International arrived at the scene, scores of residents flocked the house as crime scene experts conducted their investigations. The Police were working on the theory that the couple might have been involved in a fight, which led to them fatally wounding each other.

The eldest son confirmed that his parents were involved in a heated argument about 22:00h after which he heard a “scramble” followed

by silence. The young man reportedly told investigators that he did not pay any heed to his parents, since they usually argued.

He said he, along with his siblings, went to sleep.

The argument, the teenager allegedly stated, stemmed from his mother’s refusal to drop a court case against his father.

The Police later stated that the now dead man was charged in August last for wounding his son. This publication understands that the teenager did not clean a “pig pen” and this angered his father, who picked up a knife and cut the young man on his abdomen.

On Tuesday, a neighbour, Joan Da Silva explained that after the teenager discovered the motionless bodies of his parents on their bed, he and his siblings ran over to her

Police ranks cordoning off the murder scene

house.

“I left home at about 07:00h and like 07:15h when I reached into work, my daughter called and requested that I come home right away, that Malika and her husband dead,” she added.

Without hesitation, she rushed home and went straight to the couple’s house where she saw them in a motionless state. According to Da Silva, Hale was lying on

her back and her husband’s feet were on top of her stomach.

“From what I see, Malika had a couple of stab wounds to her neck and the man has one to his back,” she added. However, Police sources confirmed that the man was stabbed at least 13 times, while the woman was stabbed 10 times.

Da Silva, who was also a continued on page 20

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

SARA clarifies remuneration for senior officers

A

Attorney General Basil Williams

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

fter it was disclosed in the N a t i o n a l Assembly during the consideration of the estimates and expenditure for the 2019 National Budget, that the top officials of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) earn millions in salaries, the Agency’s Deputy Director has come out to defend the monies spent.

Attorney General Basil Williams on Monday told the National Assembly that SARA’s Director, Professor Clive Thomas earns almost G$4.7 million while its Deputy Director, Aubrey Heath-Retmeyer earns

that another Executive Assistant was earning G$688,000, while the Chief Administrative Officer was carrying home G$2.5 million. In addition, SARA’s Legal Adviser earns G$3 million, while a lawyer in the agency earns G$1.4 million and an Administrative Officer, G$679,000.

SARA’s Director, Professor Thomas has held several posts in the coalition Government, some of which included Guyana Sugar Corporation Chairman and Presidential Advisor after the coalition Government came to of-

SARA Director, Professor Clive Thomas

SARA’s Deputy Director, Aubrey Heath-Retmeyer

over G$3 million in remuneration.

During the Legal Affairs Ministry’s consideration, the sum of G$285 million allocated under line item 6321, ‘subsidies and contributions to local organisations’ stood out and caused former Attorney General Anil Nandlall to pounce on it. Asked to explain which organisation the money was going to, Williams revealed that it is earmarked for SARA. He noted that G$10 million of the amount was for capital expenses, while the remaining would be for current expenditure.

“The post of Director, the salary and benefits is G$4.7 million per month,” Williams revealed. “The special assistant, that amount is G$3.3 million; Executive Assistant, g$1.86 million; Deputy Director, G$3.3 million.”

Williams also noted

fice in 2015.

Clarification At a press conference on Tuesday, SARA’s Deputy Director, Aubrey Heath-Retmeyer however clarified some of benefits included in the overall package and not monthly as was stated by the Attorney General.

“The figures that were read (in Parliament by the Attorney General) included in addition to the monthly salary vacation allowances, gratuity and a number of other things which combined to give that column 6116. I am sure that some senior Ministers do not make G$4 million a month.

I do not see how someone could think that the Director of SARA and his Assistant could make G$4 million and G$3 million respectively. Our monthly earnings are listed for the public to see… the basic salary for the Director is G$1 million per month with add-

ed allowances, he moves up to G$1,080,000. The Assistant is G$700,000 and with some allowances he moves up to G$780,000 per month,” he said.

He noted that the revelations by the Attorney General about their

earnings are correct but clarified by saying that “gratuity, vacation allowance and other allowances combined to give that column, it was not the monthly figure that was released.”

It was just recently that audit firm Ram and McRae suggested SARA

be scrapped altogether and its functions transferred to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), in its published ‘budget focus’ review of Budget 2019.

The firm had listed some qualms with SARA, including the Agency’s failure to have

its annual plan and Code of Practice tabled in the National Assembly.

Pointing out that the G$285 million the agency is set to receive in 2019 is an increase from last year’s amount, Ram and McRae was critical of this lapse.

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Kuru Kururu couple found dead... from page 15

close friend of the now dead woman, said that the couple would have disagreements often.

She noted that in some cases, Bleacher would physically assault her, but this time, the argument turned tragic.

Bleacher, she claimed, was a violent person while Hale was a decent, honest and hardworking woman, who ensured that her children were taken care of. She worked as a cook at a food mart in Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara.

She was also the President of the ParentTeachers’ Association at the Kuru Kururu Primary School.

Da Silva revealed that the now dead man was released on bail for the stabbing incident.

“No one knew he came out … when I get the information that he came out, I asked his daughters, but they told me no … I asked Malika, she told me no … It is until one day, I told the daughter that I saw her father and asked whether he came out of prison and it was that time, she confirmed same,” Da Silva added.

She noted that based on reports received, he was supposed to stay 100 feet away from the house and his son whom he had injured.

Meanwhile, the owner of the food mart where the now dead woman worked told

this newspaper that she was a hard worker.

The businesswoman explained that the woman would normally arrive at work for 07:00h, but on Tuesday she did not.

She said she attempted to make contact with Hale, but her calls went unanswered. She said shortly after someone went to the business establishment and informed her of Hale’s demise.

She drove to the scene where she saw a crowd and her worst fears were confirmed.

“She loved her children a lot … every time she was ready to leave, she collected food and so for the children … not only the life of a good woman was taken but also one who was respected,” her employer said.

Another friend, who was at the scene, explained that the two of them had a discussion on Monday afternoon and he was shocked to learn about her demise on Tuesday.

Hale and Bleacher were together for several years and had four children, aged four to 14. The woman was originally from Linden.

As the news spread, the woman’s relatives showed up at the scene.

The Police removed several pieces of evidence as they continue their investigations into the murders. (Bhisham Mohamed)

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

news 21

PM should take responsibility Shrinking foreign reserves spell trouble for delays in constitutional for Guyana – audit firm reform, says Ramkarran “If he needs help, the Prime Minister can invoke the assistance of the Cabinet or of the President. If the Prime Minister is unwilling to take such steps, he has to take responsibility, rather than appealing to the public for understanding,” Ramkarran remarked.

Further, Ramkarran said if the Standing Committee failed to address the Bill, the Prime Minister could request the National Assembly to proceed with consideration and passing of the Bill at a second reading. He said, “There is no rule or practice that requires a Bill to be considered by a Standing Committee prior to it being debated in the National Assembly. And there is no rule

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

A

O

Ram & McRae’s 2019 Budget Focus publication

ver the past year, reports from the Bank of Guyana and even the Finance Ministry itself have painted a worrying picture about Guyana’s rapidly depleting foreign reserves.

According to audit firm Ram and McRae, this problem is still not being addressed by the Government.

In its annual publication Budget Focus, the audit firm referenced Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s announcement in his budget speech that Guyana’s international reserves will go from US$581 million to a forecasted US$477 million.

According to the firm, which was founded by noted anti-corruption activist and Accountant Christopher Ram, this situation is a matter for concern. Despite the implications of depleted reserves for Guyana’s future, the firm lamented, Government is not paying any attention to the issue.

“A ballooning (Government accounts) overdraft and increasing debt domestically coinciding with depleting reserves internationally is a recipe for trouble even with first oil approaching,” Ram and McRae noted.

Besides these worrying indicators, Ram and McRae acknowledged the Finance Minister’s announcement that the balance of payments are projected to go from a deficit to a surplus of US$15 million.

Reserves

A report earlier this year from the central bank had indicated that Guyana’s net foreign reserves, held by the bank in foreign currency notes, has fallen to its lowest point since 2008. It is a road that took the reserves from a high point of US$825 million in 2012 to US$498.5 million as of March 2018.

A perusal of the Bank of Guyana’s statistical abstract shows that from the lows of US$298.8 million 10 years ago, Guyana’s foreign reserves were built up to 2012’s high point. And then it started dropping, declining to G$751.2 million in 2013 and G$652.2 million in 2014.

The slide continued the year after, with the foreign reserves being recorded at US$594.7 million at the end of 2015, before picking up in January of 2016 and being recorded at US$621.1 million.

While the year 2016 saw the reserves fluctuate, it never strayed below the US$450 million mark until the end of the year.

It is in 2017 that the reserves plunged well into the US$500 million range. By November of last year, the reserves were recorded at US$562 million. And as of March 2018, for the first time since 2008, the net foreign reserves fell to below the US$450 million benchmark.

According to the bank’s Half Year Report last year, it had G$4.8 billion worth of gold in its foreign holdings as assets.

Indeed, the gold reserves have steadily been declining with each passing year. At the end of 2016, the bank had G$7.4 billion in gold, while at the end of 2015, the gold reserves stood at G$14.2 billion.

At the end of 2014, the Bank of Guyana had G$25 billion in gold as assets.

In the case of total assets, that has also seen a marked decrease.

At the end of 2014, total assets were G$207.9 billion. The sum decreased in 2015, as it was recorded as G$188.7 billion in December of that year, before recovering by 2016 year end to G$220 billion.

At June 2017, total assets were G$221.8 billion, before the drop recorded this year.

lthough Prime Minister Moses Nagamotoo has said that the blame should not be placed solely at the feet of the coalition Government but the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform, political analyst Ralph Ramkarran has a different view. He said in his weekly column, Conversation Tree, that no member has apparently requested the Chair, Attorney General Basil Williams, to convene a meeting of the Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform to discuss the Constitution Reform Commission Bill.

“The failure of the Standing Committee to conclude its consideration of the Bill – which it has had since July 2017, when it was tabled in the National Assembly and had its first reading – suggests that the Parliament’s business, and hence that of the nation, is being neglected or worse, being hindered by the Committee,” Ramkarran, a former Speaker, observed.

The Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform was set up for the purpose of continually reviewing the effectiveness of the working of the Constitution and making periodic reports thereon to the National Assembly, with proposals for reform as necessary. The Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform consists of: Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, Education Minister Nicolette Henry, Public Service Minister Rupert Roopnaraine, Opposition Member of Parliament Adrian Anamayah, Opposition MP Priya Manickchand and Opposition MP and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

According to Nagamootoo, the Bill was referred to the Parliamentary Committee two years ago and the Committee has only met once. He noted that the Committee was supposed to look at the document and report back to the National Assembly, but nothing has come out of it.

“I have never heard any calls, not even from the Opposition, for this committee to meet and without the Commission, there can be no constitutional reform,” he said recently, stating that he remained hopeful that the Committee would make serious considerations of the Bill.

But Ramkarran said that the Prime Minister was not powerless and under the Constitution of Guyana, he is the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly. “If a Bill in his name is before the Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform, and there is delay in considering it, he cannot pass the buck. He cannot blame the Committee,” he asserted.

The former House Speaker further argued that as Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business, Nagamootoo has the authority to direct Williams to convene a meeting of the Committee to consider the Bill.

Political analyst Ralph Ramkarran

that prevents the Prime Minister to request the second reading of the Bill.”

Another observation made by the political analyst is Nagamootoo has not explained why after the Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform having failed to consider the Bill, he has in turn neglected to exercise his power and authority to push the Bill along the parliamentary process.

“If the Prime Minister and the Government considered constitutional reform leading to inclusive governance to be an important matter, they would have caused the Bill to be tabled in the National Assembly long ago and not allow the Standing Committee to upend the parliamentary process, embarrass the PM, derail [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/AFC’s election promises and delay progress.”

It was recently revealed that the Office of the Prime Minister has spent millions of dollars on constitutional reform. This revelation came out of questions that were posed to PM Nagamootoo, who is also the First Vice President, by the parliamentary Opposition.

In his response, Nagamootoo revealed that G$21.4 million of the sum has been spent as of August 2018. Of this amount, G$5 million went towards constitutional reform “activities”. However, observers are questioning what exactly this allocation was used for, as there seems to be little movement on an issue the Government based part of its 2015 campaign on.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo also spoke recently on the issue, saying that he was not too convinced about the spending and constitutional reform should be broadbased. Jagdeo said Government was perhaps not serious about advancing constitutional reform.

Also, outgoing United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway believes the much-anticipated constitutional reform was highly unlikely before the 2020 General and Regional Elections. Ambassador Holloway is of the view that the people and the Government of Guyana were not serious enough about amending the Constitution, which is modelled after Britain’s.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana should fast-track preparations for first oil – Outgoing US Ambassador

By Vahnu Manikchand

W

ith just over one year remaining before US oil giant ExxonMobil commences oil production, the need for Government to fast track preparations for first oil is much more imperative.

This is according to former United States Ambassador Perry Holloway, during a recent interview with a group of local journalists; his final media engagement in that post as his three-year tenure culminates.

Guyana is now home to the world’s biggest new deep-water oil discovery and with principle explorer ExxonMobil pushing for the development of the oil reserves, production is scheduled to begin in 2020.

Only last week, the US oil giant announced its 10th discovery, reinforcing the country’s potential to be able to produce more than 750,000 barrels of oil daily by 2025.

The US diplomat said Guyana is about to experience something big that is also moving very fast, and while he commended efforts thus far by the coalition Government,

he believes more should be done at a much quicker pace.

“This will be the fastest any country would have ever discovered oil, deep water, and produced it basically in less than five years. So this is moving very fast. I do commend the Government, they have taken a lot of steps but this is really fast. So as it accelerates, the Government is going to need to accelerate its activities, if it wants to keep up with the pace of things,” he posited.

According to the former Ambassador, there is no secret of what needs to be done with the plethora of advice and recommendations pouring in from other countries, including the US, and international stakeholder bodies particularly as it related to the setting up of what the Government has termed as the ‘Natural Resource Fund’ (NRF).

“Guyana’s going to have to get its regulatory environment straight.

They are working on it, they have passed some laws, they have the Department of Energy, they need to figure out how they are going to do – whatever it is called whether a Sovereign

Ambassador Perry Holloway

Wealth Fund or rainy day fund or green fund, but whatever when the money comes in, how do you manage it for the good of the future. There are a lot of models out there… Your politics change but you need to make it as not controlled by one or two individuals but by tight lines and priorities as much as possible,” Holloway stated.

Noting that Government’s priority may very well be the same, the US diplomat suggested that education, health, security, in-

frastructure and agriculture be the top areas that the ‘oil money’ be injected into.

“Believe me when I say this, this is more money than God has.

There is going to be money to spend on 10 priorities if you have 10. The amount of money will not be Guyana’s problem it is how do you spend it… how you protect it and save it for the future, that is going to be Guyana’s problem,” he asserted.

In August, Government laid a

green paper titled ‘Managing Future Petroleum Revenues and Establishment of Fiscal Rule and a Sovereign Wealth Fund’ in the National Assembly.

The green paper on the NRF, had recommended a number of things including that Parliament be responsible for approving the annual withdrawal from the Fund.

Turning his attention to those still skeptical of the anticipated ‘transformation’ that oil will bring the country, Ambassador Holloway contended that while Guyana is expected to see massive development over the next seven to 15 years, there will come a time when oil is not the answer.

“You have countries like Venezuela who had more oil than any other country in the world and people are starving. They are going through the jungle in Region One to come to Guyana so oil is not an answer for everything if you don’t manage it wisely and know what to do with it… So it is good to be cautious and you should try as much as one can try to hold your Government’s feet to the fire,” he posited.

In this vain, however,

the US Diplomat is urging Guyanese to use this time as an opportunity to develop themselves so that they too can benefit from what is to come.

He also called on the Government to do more to develop the country’s young people.

“Try to get as smart as you can on the subject and get ready for it. It is going to be a rising tide that I believe will raise all ships no matter what you do. I think there will be more work for journalists, ships, accountant, engineers, carpenters you name it… You have to prepare the youth.

This is a country where 50 per cent of the population is under the age of 26. They are the future leaders, the future everything of Guyana and if you are not providing them the education, the training they need then it’s not going to work out so well,” he asserted.

M e a n w h i l e , the Private Sector Commission hosted a farewell reception for the former Ambassador at Palm Court last week.

Among those at the event were Chairman of the PSC Desmond Sears and other executive members.

NEWS 23

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Court should decide if PM ‘squatting’ in National Assembly …while acting as President – political analyst

W

hile there have been many views shared on whether Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo should or should not be allowed to be present in the National Assembly while acting as President, Political analyst Dr Henry Jeffery feels that the matter should be sanctioned by the court of law.

Jeffery, a former Government minister for nearly two decades, said that only a court could decide on the best way forward because both the Government and the Opposition may never come to a compromise in resolving the issue.

The parliamentary Opposition feels Nagamootoo’s continued presence in the National Assembly is in violation of the Constitution, while the Government side feels that it is a non-issue.

“My own feeling is that the separation of power would seem to suggest that the PM should not be in Parliament when he is also head of the executive,” Dr Jeffrey told Guyana Times International on Monday while saying that despite this he also thinks the matter should be resolved.

“My take, outside of the formality of it being an issue of that we must maintain it, we have a difference of views on this matter and the court could resolve this,” he added.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo zeroed in on the matter during his contribution to the Budget debates. He cited Article 178 (4) of the Constitution, which states that any Minister performing the functions of the office of the President has to vacate his seat during that period.

“I believe the honourable Prime Minister is squatting in the House! It says, as part of our Constitution, during any period when the Minister is performing the functions of the office of the President, his or her seat in the National Assembly shall be regarded as vacant,” Jagdeo said.

But the political analyst said even if this is the case and the Prime Minister is in violation of the laws, then it would not affect the Government’s business. “…because if the PM could send someone else to the Chamber they will not lose by his vote in there,” Jeffrey noted.

Nagamootoo has rejected the Opposition’s contention saying that it is only if a minister is appointed to perform the functions of the president that the minister has to vacate his parliamentary seat while he is performing the functions of the president.

His comments were backed by former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran who told the State media, “The article in the Constitution requires a minister, if appointed, to vacate his seat. It does not require the prime minister, if similarly appointed, to do so.”

Jeffrey therefore said, “doesn’t the executive control that Parliament? It is passing and assenting it…The law should be maintained but this could be sorted it out by the court.” The political analyst said it is on that note that both Government and the Opposition should seek to push the agenda of Constitutional Reform so that these matters could be better resolved.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

Precedence

In a letter sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland from Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira dated Sunday, December 9, 2018, it said that in the 8th, 9th and 10th Parliaments in accordance with Articles 96 (1) and 178 (1) and (4) of the Guyana Constitution when the then Prime Minister Samuel Archibald Hinds was carrying out “the functions of office of the President” who was overseas, he was not allowed to attend a sitting or a committee meeting of the National Assembly.

It was further noted that there are records to this effect in the archives of the Parliament Office. “Repeatedly the Minutes of the Sittings of the National Assembly reflected the absence on leave of the then Prime Minister Samuel Archibald Hinds who was carrying out the functions of the office of the President who was overseas,” Teixeira stated.

Mention was also made with regards to an official instrument being issued by the Office of the President which stated that the Prime Minister, or in some cases a minister, was carrying out the “functions of the office of the President” and this was copied to the Clerk of the National Assembly. “There was no deviation from this during the tenures of either Speaker Ralph Ramkarran or Speaker Raphael Trotman,” it added.

The Opposition called upon the Speaker to uphold the constitution as was done by his predecessors. “Failure to uphold the Constitution will expose the entire consideration of National Estimates for the 2019 Budget and any other matters before the House during this period to be infected by the germ of unconstitutionality and thereby making it liable to be set aside by a Court of competent jurisdiction, should there be a resort to such an option,” it added.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Transparency watchdog Phase 2 development welcomes move to publish will double Liza Phase names of defaulters 1 – ExxonMobil …who fail to submit income declarations

T

he Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) has thrown its support behind the Integrity Commission, which only recently published the names of various Ministers and parliamentarians who have failed to submit income declarations.

In a statement issued over the weekend, President of the anti-corruption organisation, Dr Troy Thomas lauded the Commission for its work. While the body congratulated these officials who did comply with the requirements, it noted that publishing the names of the delinquents was a step in the right direction.

“TIGI hereby acknowledges the work of the Integrity Commission in publishing the names of the persons in public life who failed to submit their declaration as required by the Integrity Commission Act. “We are encouraged by the public statements of some of those who have been cited for non-compliance and look forward to their satisfaction of that commitment. We call on all Guyanese to support this effort of the Integrity Commission by seeing it as a bright start to holding ourselves – all of us – to account,” the organisation added.

The organisation also noted its longstanding call for the activation of the Integrity Commission. In that context, TIGI offered congratulations to the Commission for its work so far.

In a surprise move, the Integrity Commission had spilled the beans last month on exactly which public officials have been complying with the law and declaring their income and those who have not.

The Commission revealed in a gazetted list that some 15 Ministers, 24 Members of Parliament (MPs) and a host of regional officials – including embattled Town Clerk Royston King, who had for some time faced the heat at a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) – failed to declare their income.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was among the few who were in compliance with the law and had submitted declarations of his assets as of November 1, 2018. But surprisingly, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland was red-flagged for not declaring his income to the Commission.

It turns out that the Cabinet is full of persons in breach of the law. Making the list of delinquent officials from the People’s National Congress (PNC), part of the coalition Government, were Foreign Affairs Minister and Vice President Carl Greenidge and Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan.

In addition, Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton; Citizenship Minister Winston Felix; Education Minister Nicolette Henry and several Junior Ministers, including Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes, were in breach.

With the exceptions of Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and Junior Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, all other Alliance for Change (AFC) Ministers had submitted their income declaration statements. Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was also redflagged by the Commission.

Besides these Ministers, 10 other Government MPs and 16 Opposition

ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Diedre Moe

By Jarryl Bryan

T

TIGI President, Dr Troy Thomas

parliamentarians were in default.

They include MPs Audwin Rutherford, Richard Allen, Dr Frank Anthony, Collin Croal, Africo Selman, Odinga Lumumba and Dr Jennifer Westford.

Seven Presidential Advisors are in breach of the law. They are Granger’s Senior Advisor and former PNC Leader Robert Corbin; Protocol Advisor Eshwar Persaud; Ministerial Advisor on Education Cheryl Sampson; Natural Resources Advisor Ndibi Schweirs; Advisor on Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Mervyn Williams; Advisor on Constitutional Reform, Lance Carberry and Technical Advisor on Oil and Gas, Max Mohamed.

There were a number of Permanent Secretaries on the list of defaulters. They include Emile McGarrell of the Communities Ministry; Vibert Welch of the Education Ministry; Reginald Brotherson of the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Service Department and his counterpart at Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sports, Steve Ninvalle.

At the Public Security Ministry, PS Daneilla McCalmon also failed to submit declarations, while both PS and Deputy PS at the Social Protection Ministry, Lorene Baird and Mohan Ramrattan, are in default.

At the Public Health and Infrastructure Ministries, PSs Colette Adams and Kenneth Jordan were flagged by the Commission, while Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry PS Alfred King and his deputy, Sherie Samantha Fedee were also cited.

The Integrity Commission Act requires every public official, except the Commissioners themselves, to declare their assets, income, gifts, and liabilities, along with those of their spouses and children if applicable, by June 30 every year.

Section 22 (a) of the Act states that any official who without reasonable cause fails to file their declarations or any official who files an incomplete or false declaration “shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of G$25,000 and to imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than one year.”

he Liza Phase Two project, the Field Development Plan (FDP) of which is being reviewed by local regulators and a foreign company, is projected to be almost double the size of the preceding Liza Phase One project in the Stabroek Block.

This is according to ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Diedre Moe, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International. The US oil giant has already discovered oil in 10 wells in Liza Phase one alone, resulting in estimates that the block holds more than five billion oil equivalent barrels.

“Liza phase one, those costs were estimated to be over G$4 billion. And this project is, you know, nearly twice the size. But as you have more projects, you (get) more efficient. And so that’s part of the review process, the Government is reviewing,” Moe said.

“I know the Government is continuing to get someone on board to be able to get some expertise to continue reviewing the development plans. And we continue to work closely with the Government as they do their reviews.”

Preparations

A major consideration when an oil company begins producing oil is its preparations for oil spills. In fact, many observers have expressed worry over this risk in Guyana’s case. Moe noted that ExxonMobil has measures in place for oil spills, ranging from equipment such as booms and monitors to safety mechanisms within the well itself.

“When we think of managing risks, managing potential oil spills, we look at it in three phases. We look first as prevention, practise preparedness.

When we look at prevention, our vessels have many different mechanisms in place. When we look at equipment, this includes using monitors on the drill ship itself in order to prevent it from happening.”

“That’s kind of the first step in making sure that we don’t have an incident.

And when you start drilling a well, we actually put a five-storey blow out preventer on it. There are several different valves that can easily close in a well should we see any potential issue, to prevent it from even occurring.”

Moe noted that at the moment, no oil is coming unto the drill ship. Besides using the right ship and equipment, she explained that ExxonMobil would also endeavour to follow the right procedures to transfer the oil from the Floating Production and Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel for transport.

“All those are prevention measures.

And then you look at preparedness, like getting all the equipment in place should you have an incident. We have different mechanisms and contracts

in place to be able to respond quickly to prevent it from having any type of large impact.”

“And then we have practise.

We practise when we drill, so people know what to do. We’ve worked very closely with the CDC (Centre for Disaster Preparedness), the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and we’ll be doing some training moving into 2019 with the coastal communities and fisheries, to show them preventative measures to minimise any impact.”

Moe referenced Exxon’s experience drilling around the world in an environmentally safe and sustainable way and expressed confidence in her company’s ability to replicate that effort in Guyana.

When Exxon Mobil subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd’s (EEPGL’s) submitted its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its Liza Phase 2 development, an outside consultant was brought in to assist the EPA in reviewing it.

A contract to the tune of G$40.3 million was awarded to international firm Ramboll US Corporation in order to undertake the review, though the costs were reportedly borne by the oil company.

Threat of oil spills

The EPA did a study of its own, which had found that while an oil spill in the Stabroek block was possible, factors such as the location of EEPGL operations combined with the region’s water temperature would minimise the effects.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma had previously announced that the Audit Office would be carrying out a number of audits to analyse the capacity of the country’s relevant agencies to protect the environment and endangered species of animals.

Guyana has some experience with man-made natural disasters. For instance, there was a cyanide spill in Guyana in 1995. In gold mining, cyanide is used as an extracting agent for the ore. In the case of Guyana’s cyanide spill, the highly poisonous material spilled out of a reservoir into the Essequibo River.

Guyana does have a draft Oil Spill contingency plan, for which consultations were held earlier this year.

Besides the obvious need to protect the environment and the livelihoods of persons residing on the coast, there are various international conventions that stipulate countries have a plan for any oil spill.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres. EEPGL is the operator and holds a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

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…second screening set for Jan 5th, 2019 traditional West Indian foods eaten on a daily or weekly basis. One never asks, how many carbohydrates are in a ‘buss-up shut’ roti or how much sodium is in a serving of pepper pot. While there’s

L to R: Charlie Persaud (Accountant), Dr. Taj Rajkumar (NYS Committee Member), Pastor Ejaz Nabie (Faith Assembly Church), Dr. Perry Frankel (MD, F.A.C.C.), Anthony Lemma (Director of Community Affairs for Assemblyman David Weprin).

D

id you know that heart disease is the most common cause of death?

It kills as many men as women and ten times as many women as breast cancer (AHA, 2016) – think about that for a minute.

According to the

The skilled Advanced Diagnostics Cardiovascular staff provided attendees with targeted testing that included non-invasive life-saving examinations such as echo cardiograms, abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasounds and transcranial dop-

to mobilize key leaders to promote it.

According to Dr. Frankel, “the biggest component in fighting cardiovascular diseaseis diet.”

Generally speaking, the West Indian community rarely ponders the nutritional value of the

Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics Staff pose for a picture in between serving the Richmond Hill community.

CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, about 630,000 Americans die from heart disease each year—that’s 1 in every 4 deaths. This occurrence is also prevalent in the West Indian community, where high blood pressure and heart disease are all too common.

To help illuminate this issue and help citizens in the Richmond Hill community with early detection, Faith Assembly Church, Pastored by Rev. Ejaz Nabie, in partnership with Dr. Perry Frankel and Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Dr. Taj Rajkumar and Assemblyman David Weprin, held an all-day event that included cardiovascular testing, detection, prevention and solutions.

plers, all of which were free of cost if not covered by insurance.

Attendees came in and out of the third floor hall every hour and were greeted by the helpful personnel. They were asked to fill out a questionnaire that would offer a snapshot into the patient’s medical history. Some questions included “do you have a history of high blood pressure?” and “do you experience shortness of breath,” which would help the nurses and specialists to better evaluate individual needs. Eighty three (83) individuals were served with the various tests.

"This event was an overwhelming success," reported Dr. Taj Rajkumar who utilized his almost two decades of community activism and political experience

no need to break from tradition, it’s time to start thinking about how the food we eat today will influence our tomorrow.

For more information on the next health screening which will be held

on January 5th at Faith Assembly Church (12013 101st Ave, Jamaica, NY 11419), visit www. faithasemblychurch.org or call 718-849-5277 ext 2.

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Back to the future…

E

…on PNC “party paramountcy”

ver since the PNC-led coalition began to govern in 2015, it quickly became apparent to your Eyewitness that they seemed determined to prove the old adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The original PNC “trick” was their insistence on practising “party paramountcy”.

Party Chair Volda Lawrence’s statement that only her friends – all PNC, in any case – and PNC members could expect to get Government jobs is just another example of the “paramount party” mindset. Now young folks, who wouldn’t have experienced the first iteration of PNC paramountcy, might think, “Ah well, the party that wins the elections and becomes the Government will always “favour” their own members – so what’s the big deal?”

The “big deal” is that “party paramountcy” goes all the way to the bone in all relations in the society and justifies a mindset of “PNC uber alles!” Now this isn’t just what people OBSERVED about the PNC’s actions – but was EXPLICITLY announced in what was grandiosely named the “Declaration of Sophia”. Inter alia, this announced that the PNC would be: “mobilising the nation in every sphere and not merely for periodic elections and in support of specific actions and programmes…the party should assume unapologetically its paramountcy over the Government which is merely one of its executive arms…The country must be given practical and theoretical leadership at all levels – political, economic, social and cultural – by the PNC, which has become the major national institution.” Congress Place, the PNC’s headquarters, became the nation’s employment centre; and the party’s ‘card’, the passport to the State’s largess.

This was only being restated by Lawrence!!

Another more chilling comment was her follow-up which, surprisingly, hasn’t gotten as much notoriety as the first – even though it is in its implications since it was about how PNC members should deal with PPP winners in “PNC areas”: “You see this long, long story, me ain’t able buse and cuss and waste me time; I lash you in you head and done the story!” The paramount party, being “more enlightened and always right” could use whatever means necessary, including their sharper steel, to show others the error of their ways!!

In case you were wondering about the massive expansion of the activities of the Ministry of the Presidency – this is just the new incarnation of the old “Office of the General Secretary of the PNC and the Ministry of National Development” (OGSPNCMND) That consisted of six departments, the names of which suggest the scope of its activity: National Production, Financial Administration and Economic Projects, Party Affairs and Mass Organisations, Personnel Administrative Service, National Orientation and International Relations and Maintenance and Welfare.

Sounds familiar? …on law school For three years, Basil Williams has been campaigning to launch a new law school in Guyana. This would, he asserted, save us the ignominy of having only our top 25 law students from UG be admitted to Hugh Wooding in T&T. It sounded good, but pretty soon when he announced he’d already lined up private partners from Jamaica to own and run the school, warning bells started to go off.

First of all, he claimed he’d already received approval from the Council of Legal Education (CLE) which local legal luminaries such as Anil Nandlall and then Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh insisted weren’t so!! Williams cried “sour grapes”, but when the Chairman of the CLE and a host of other members of the CLE confirmed there was no approval, he then cried “conspiracy!!”

Finally, it was revealed his application didn’t conform to the CLE’s mandate, had no curriculum and was unsupported by a feasibility study!

Would you trust a man who can’t even get his facts straight, to start a law school? …on old murders A “Cold Case Unit” was launched in the Guyana Police Force. Your Eyewitness is pleased.

Maybe we can finally nab the murderer of that bright, young Guyanese female lawyer Shirley FieldRidley, who was just 45 years old?

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

I

n every part of the world, there is a unique tradition or thing associated with Christmas. It is something that makes Christmas indigenous to that particular region and in the Caribbean, there is the ever-popular black cake that makes our Christmas uniquely ours. Every country puts its own spin on the Christmas staple. Be it the ingredients or the decoration, there are never two same-tasting black cakes, and over here in Guyana, the black cake has been a Christmas tradition at our celebrations.

It simply isn’t Christmas without a slice of perfectly moist black cake accompanied by a tall glass of perfectly chilled ginger beer.

These are two staples that make Christmas uniquely Guyanese and there are no signs of that changing despite the generational shift. Now more than ever, young people are looking forward to that Christmas black cake and the seasonal ginger beer.

I can never decipher whether it is the spirit of the season or just

the amount of love that goes into making the black cake that makes it taste absolutely different during the holidays. I mean, I have had black cake several times during the year, but the taste is not the same as the ones I have had during Christmas time.

Now let us delve into what really black cake is and how it is made.

For me, black cake is unique for its rich and full-bodied taste coupled with its chocolatey colour and dense texture.

Despite being a dense cake, if prepared correctly, black cake is one of the moistest cakes you will ever eat. As we have established before, it is not Christmas without a slice of black cake, and the black cake is also one of the most soughtafter cakes for weddings locally, because of the fact that it can be kept for years on end.

My family is not really a black cake-loving family since they prefer its toned-down cousin – the fruitcake so the black cake was not an in-

that some people really take the fruit business seriously. But what really do we mean when we say “fruits”? If you are a Guyanese, you already know what I am talking about, but for those who may not know what ‘fruits’ are, let me break it down for you.

Carambola or five fingers, as it is commonly known, is picked, washed, cut into pieces and then usually cooked with sugar and spices until all

tegral part of my childhood, but my adulthood sings a different tune. I vividly remember I was about 10 when my grandmother gave me my first piece of black cake and since then I was hooked. But I would not have another piece until I was about 16 and ever since I have been on a quest to eat as much as possible.

If you’ve never had this cake, at first glance it may resemble a chocolate cake, but the deep dark colour comes from the main ingredient – dried macerated fruits.

Trust me when I say

the liquid evaporates. After that, it is dried and then blended into a paste which is used for baking cakes.

It is the star of the black cake, but has a supporting cast. People, like myself, would soak their fruits in port wine or dark rum for months or even years. I have had about five pounds of fruits soaking in rum and port wine for the past 16 months and I intend to use them in my black cake this year.

However, some people would have fruits soaking for longer than that time. The five- finger fruit preserve would be soaked with raisins, prunes, maraschi-

FEATURE 33

no cherries and a variety of nuts. Some people prefer blending the nuts and other dried fruits while others prefer them chopped.

The alcohol-soaked fruits coupled with the spices and citrus makes this cake a delight. So, I am going to share my version of a recipe I found a few years back.

If you have not soaked your fruits already, then have no fear you can begin the process today and by the time you are ready to bake on Christmas Eve, the fruits would be ready.

So roll your sleeves up and let’s get baking.

You will need: • 1 lb butter • 1 lb brown sugar (the high molasses content enriches cake colour) • 10 eggs • 4 lbs fruit mixture • 2 tsp high-quality vanilla extract • 1 1/2 lb all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice and mace • One orange zest • 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries* • Nuts* • Cake colouring • Brown rum or port wine (cherry brandy works too) Now that we have all the ingredients, let us make the batter and bake. The first step is preheating your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then in a large mixing bowl, you will need to cream your butter and sugar until the sugar

granules are practically dissolved. Add in eggs one at a time, properly incorporating them because if not done properly the fat breaks and may curdle. After we have incorporated all the eggs, we will then add the flour, salt and baking powder and mix until combined. We do not want to overwork the batter or gluten will develop resulting in a chewy cake as opposed to a soft melt-in-yourmouth cake.

With your mixer on low speed, incorporate the fruit mixture, spices, vanilla extract and orange zest. The colour of the batter will change from a pale cream to brown. To enrich that colour add 1/4 cup of cake colouring (be careful with the amount of cake colouring since too much will give the cake a bitter taste). At this point, you may add your additional maraschino cherries and nuts. Bake for approximately 1 1/2 hour or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

After you have taken out the cakes from the oven, while still hot, douse with approximately 3/4 cup of rum or port wine and allow to soak.

Black cake tastes best after it has aged for about two days, but you have to ensure you add some alcohol to it daily since it would preserve it longer.

So this Christmas, be sure to try this recipe and enjoy your slice of Christmas goodness. (Photos are taken from Alicia’s Pepperpot blog) (Times Sunday Magazine)

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

than normal so that she could have cake on the table when the carollers come around 17:00h. She would work harder earli-

understand what I was feeling, but now looking back at the experience, I am grateful to have witnessed and experi-

olling in Independence Street, La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara stopped altogether.

After a few years, the church would attempt to resurrect carolling, but that only lasted a short while.

Generally, throughout the country and further afield, the tradition of carolling is dying or has died altogether. I would have had the opportunity to spend a few Christmases in Trinidad where they have their unique form of carolling in the form of Soca Parang.

Because of their rich musical culture instead of the traditional Christmas carols, they come up with unique songs speaking to the culture of the Trinidadian spirit.

However, they also have the traditional carolling since it is a major focus of the Presbyterian

er so that she could join us as a family unit to get into the spirit. It was the one time for the holiday season where we all felt at peace with ourselves as well as our surroundings.

I was too young to

enced that peace. But that peace was shortlived as the carollers stopped coming. They stopped visiting after my father left our home and after a few years, Uncle Aker migrated from Guyana and car-

Church. Back in Guyana, the art of carolling is rapidly dying out, since most of the younger generation prefer the party scene as opposed to house-to-house carolling.

(Times Sunday Magazine)

“Silent night, holy night All is calm and all is bright Round yon virgin, mother and child Holy infant, so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace.”

T

hat is how it always started. I remember it like it was just yesterday. The first time the carollers visited our small home.

They were from the church my father attended and it was Christmas Eve night, mommy was in the kitchen hurriedly trying to finish baking a cake so the carollers would be able to indulge.

It is one of my fondest memories of Christmas as a child, because I remember being immensely in awe of this group of people just singing at our doorstep.

My sisters and I crouched in front of the doorway with our father

as we listened to the La Grange Fellowship Church’s choir, led by Uncle Aker (only name I can remember), belting out Christmas carols like “Jingle Bells” and “Oh

Holy Night”.

Looking forward to the carollers became a tradition for the next few years. It involved my mother working herself in the kitchen earlier

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FEATURE 35

By Lakhram Bhagirat

C

hristmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and it is a time we use to reflect on the year we have had, along with focusing on family and giving to charity. It is a season that brings together people across boundaries as they all part take in the festivities. It is also a time where children are at their happiest and filled with anticipation as they wait to see what presents they find under the tree on Christmas morning.

Every part of the world has their unique spin on Christmas and how they celebrate the season. But the common factor is that the season focuses on family and charity. In Guyana, you know Christmas is around the corner when you hear the boom-boom boxes blasting “A rich man for Christmas” and grapes and apples being sold at giveaway prices.

You know it is Christmas when the pavements, particularly along Regent Street, Georgetown, are lined with new appliances as well as roadside vendors galore. The Christmas season is the busiest season for businesses, research has proved.

Every country has their own Christmas tradition, but I say, without bias, a truly Guyanese is the best Christmas.

Nowhere else in the world will you wake up

on a Christmas morning to the intense aroma of the pepperpot reheating on the stove, with freshly baked bread to accompany the succulent meaty dish, and don’t forget the ginger beer. That tall glass of beige goodness with ice cubes floating brings together the entire dish.

In Guyana, Christmas is our version of Thanksgiving since it is food centred. Some people start their Christmas cooking weeks before December 25.

However, the traditional Guyanese Christmas does not start without the remodelling of the house and extravagant spending.

“We are breaking away more from the traditional Christmas, because I remember as a little girl what it was like.

We had very little, but we always made it the best. We used to make Christmas trees by going in the back and cut-

ting one of the bush and decorate it with paper decorations. It was a time where friends came together and the Kool-Aid was enough for many of us,” Patricia Ramdass remembers.

She tells me that they would anticipate Christmas because it was the time when they would don their best pieces of clothing and eat lavishly. It was a time where they would dance past their bedtime and be merry with their friends.

For her, that is what Christmas really is. It is a time for friends and family to come together and have the best time of their lives.

Speaking to the more traditional aspects of Christmas, Susanna King tells me Christmas is a time to go to church and commit to being a better person. The 69-yearold said that now people were more focused on decorating their houses and overspending, add-

ing that takes away from the true meaning of Christmas.

“In Guyana, Christmas means that you get to eat pepperpot and bread, and garlic pork. It is when we get a black cake and nice time. But it is a time where we have to remember the true meaning of the holiday and go to church and pray. We have to pray that God takes care of our sins and guides us to the path of success. We have to embrace family and charity.

We need that and that is

what the traditional Guyanese Christmas is,” she said.

So however you celebrate Christmas, make

time out for your family and ensure that you give something to charity.(Times Sunday Magazine)

36 FEATURE

C

hristmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature.

Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

The traditional Christmas narrative, the Nativity of Jesus, delineated in the New Testament says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies. When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds who then further disseminated the information.

Although the month and date of Jesus' birth are unknown, by the early-to-mid fourth century the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25, a date that was later adopted in the East. Today, most Christians celebrate on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar, which has been adopted almost universally in the civil calendars used in countries throughout the world.

However, some Eastern Christian Churches celebrate Christmas on December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which currently corresponds to January 7

in the Gregorian calendar, the day after the Western Christian Church celebrates the Epiphany. This is not a disagreement over the date of Christmas as such, but rather a preference of which calendar should be used to determine the day that is December 25.

Moreover, for Christians, the belief that God came into the world in the form of man to atone for the sins of humanity, rather than the exact birth date, is considered to be the primary purpose in celebrating Christmas.

The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of preChristian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music and carolling, lighting a Christingle, viewing a Nativity play, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, pulling Christmas crackers and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.

In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore.

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity, the holiday has become a

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significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

In Guyana, Christmas is the busiest time of the year for all businesses since

people would do remodel and redecorate their entire homes. It is a time when the furniture stores are buzzing with activities and the pavements are filled to capacity with

roadside vendors as well as shoppers looking for a quick bargain.

Christmas in Guyana means new everything for most people. It means lav-

ish spending. It means food for days but most importantly it means a time where value is placed on family and helping those in need.

(Times Sunday Magazine)

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Trinidad & Tobago murder toll hits 500 Commissioner of Police (CoP) Gary Griffith unhappy

(Trinidad Guardian)

T

rinidad & Tobago’s mur­der toll reached the 500 mark yes­ter­day. How­ev­ er, de­spite the alarm­ing­ ly high fig­ure—the T&T Po­ lice Ser­ vice said that the mur­der rate has de­ creased be­tween the pe­ ri­od Au­gust to De­cem­ ber.

Do­mes­tic and gangre­lat­ed in­ci­dents ac­ count­ ed for the most ders in amount of mur­ the coun­ try this year Com­mis­sion­er of Po­lice (CoP) Gary Grif­fith said yes­ter­day that reach­ cides was ing 500 homi­ a most un­ac­cept­able stone for any coun­ mile­ try. The high­est mur­der toll in T&T—550—was record­ ed in 2008, while the sec­ond high­est fig­ ure—509—was record­ed in 2009. Last year, 2017, the mur­der toll stood at 495.

CoP Grif­fith was ap­ point­ed com­mis­sion­er gust, tak­ ing over in Au­ the helm from act­ ing CoP Stephen Williams.

Williams act­ed for sev­er­ al terms.

“Reach­ ing 500 homi­ ac­ cides is the most un­

cept­able mile­stone that any coun­try can ac­quire.

If any­one thinks that it can be changed to 250 in a few months, they are wrong.”

Over the last four months, how­ev­er, he said there has been a grad­ual de­crease in homi­cides in com­par­i­son to the same pe­ri­od last year, “with an over ten per cent re­duc­ tion”.

“But I do not in any way see this as suc­cess. sured progress It is mea­ and the di­rec­tion to dras­ ti­cal­ly re­duce vi­o­lent crime.

“The end re­ sult af­ ter putting im­mense re­ sources and poli­cies both in law en­ force­ ment and so­ cial av­ enues to turn o­ youths away from vi­ lent crime can be 150.

But the last time we saw that was over 18 years ago. Things have changed. To get back there, all as­pects of gang ac­tiv­i­ty must be to­tal­ly elim­i­nat­ed. That would er­ al years. 250 take sev­ per an­ num can be an at­ tain­ able goal in the near fu­ture but it takes a mas­sive turn­around,” Grif­fith said.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

IMF gives Barbados top marks for start to economic reform

T

he sevenmonth-old B a r b a d o s Government has received top marks from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its efforts to restructure the economy under its Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) plan which was endorsed by the Washington-based lending agency.

Last week, two months after the IMF approved a US$290million loan for the country under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF), an IMF team that visited the island said Barbados “has made an excellent start in implementing its ambitious and comprehensive economic reform programme”.

“Barbados has also made good progress towards meeting endDecember 2018 structural benchmarks under the EFF… The country’s international reserves, which reached a low of US$220 million (5-6 weeks of import coverage) at end-May 2018, have more than doubled since then, amounting to more than US$500 million in early December.

This has helped to rebuild confidence in the country’s macroeconomic framework,” said Head of Mission Bert Van Selm in a statement.

He added that the “rapid completion” of the domestic part of a debt restructuring which Prime Minister Mia Mottley

programme which has seen about 1,000 people going home since October, Van Selm said it should help create a leaner, more efficient public sector, geared towards facilitating private sector-led growth.

“It should also help reduce central government transfers to state-owned enterprises, from a level that had become unsustainably high,” he added.

However, Van Selm expressed cau-

announced on June 1, just a week after her Barbados Labour Party (BLP) won elections, has been “very helpful in reducing economic uncertainty, and the terms agreed with creditors will help put public debt on a clear downward trajectory”.

“A much-reduced government interest bill will help create much-needed fiscal space for increased social spending and investment in infrastructure,” he said.

The exchange offer for domestic debt was launched in early September. On October 15, the government announced reaching agreement with an overwhelming majority of domestic creditors, with support of all commercial banks, general and life insurers, the National Insurance Scheme, the Central Bank of Barbados, and smaller creditors. The domestic debt exchange operation was finalized on November 19.

Van Selm said progress being made by the authorities in furthering good-faith discussions with external creditors is welcome.

“Continuing open dialogue and sharing of information will remain important in concluding an orderly debt restructuring process; completion of the external debt restructuring would help further reduce uncertainty,” he said.

As for the government’s retrenchment

tion about the authorities’ announced plans to modify the corporate income tax framework, which seeks to unify rates that apply to the international business sector and local enterprises.

“There are some risks to this reform, including making corporate income tax revenues more dependent on maintaining international competitiveness,” the IMF official said.

(Caribbean360.com)

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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44 NEWS

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

British woman killed in Jamaica was stabbed nine times

Karen Cleary-Brown, 44, a hairdresser and beautician, from north London (Jamaica Observer)

T

he post-mortem conducted on Karen Cleary-Brown — who was found dead at her home in Boscobel, St Mary, last week — has revealed that she was stabbed nine times.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer by telephone, ClearyBrown’s brother Donovan Reid disclosed that the postmortem was carried out yesterday.

According to Reid, Cleary-Brown was stabbed in the back three times and then six times in the chest, before she was wrapped in a tarpaulin and buried in a trench allegedly dug by the suspect who is now in police custody.

Cleary-Brown’s decomposing body was found on December 3 after family members grew concerned about her whereabouts.

She was reported missing on November 25, following which the suspect reportedly told family members that she had left

her St Mary premises at approximately 9:00 pm with friends from abroad, in a black SUV. Cleary-Brown reportedly had an altercation with the suspect over matters concerning the dream home she was building on the northern section of the island.

She was visiting from north London at the time of her death.

Reid told the Observer that his sister had been returning to the island every six months to supervise the construction of the house that was being built.

Eleven returning residents have been killed since the start of the year, Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang has said.

He condemned the murder of the 43-yearold, who left the island at age 18, while noting that the act was “wicked and un-Jamaican”.

Cleary-Brown is expected to be buried later this month in Walkerswood, St Ann.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

45

46 FEATURE

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Preserving our literary heritage by

Petamber Persaud

O

nce again, the Burt Award for Caribbean Young Adult Literature has delivered on its mandate which is ‘to champion literacy, build language skills and foster the love and habit of reading by ensuring that young Caribbean readers have access to books that they want to read’ by gracing the region (and further afield) with three new novels that are written and designed to woo man, woman, boy and girl back to books, to the pleasure of reading and to all the glories associated with reading, reading of good literature, for these three prize-win-

P

ning books are all different in style and tone and theme while sharing in common a few literary features like social realism and first person narrative falling into various literary genres of drama, action/adventure, mystery/thriller and satire.

All three narrators are in their early teens and are all females which mean that the female voice is given its rightful place in our literature, even the lone male author, Kevin Jared Hosein, does not deny the female her voice, another magnanimous stride forward for Caribbean literature.

‘Home Home’ by Lisa Allen-Agostini tack-

…Parliamentary Democracy

arliamentary democracies function as “democracies” only if those in power observe the rules and conventions of the game. And it IS game, isn’t it? Think about the game of cricket we all love so much. Suppose the fella who’s batting refuses to come off when his stumps are sent flying – and he’s backed by the umpire who insists the game must continue? What then?

Take this fella Nagamootoo, who was made Prime Minister when the APNU/AFC coalition took office.

Because President is ill and had to fly off to Cuba for treatment, in accordance with Art 96 (1) of the Constitution, Nagamootoo was designated to fill in as President: “Whenever the President is absent from Guyana or considers it desirable to do so for reason of illness or any other cause he may, by direction in writing, authorise any member of his cabinet being an elected member of the National Assembly, to perform such of the functions of the office of the

les large current issues about gays and mental health, the varying approaches by different societies, demystifying them with dramatic ease using dialogues and situational/circumstantial conflicts. Home Home is about a depressed teenage girl sent from the tropical Island of Trinidad to the temperate climate of Canada to recover from a malady that is not viewed seriously by the layman. Not only is the climate different but responses to various issues are different. However her recovery is effected by her lesbian aunt and partner, a gorgeous looking boy and her best friend back home (using the mobile phone; technology is prominent here).

The telling is engaging and educational also highly entertaining.

The beast of Kukuyo, a dark tale, by Kevin Jared Hosein is an intriguing mystery/thriller that also falls into the category of satire – taking potshots at the sordidness in a rural village while balancing it with some beautiful acts. This book is actionpacked, many- layered and suspenseful, cleverly composed not unlike ‘Murder, She Wrote’ – the reader is not sure who is the victim, the suspect or the killer until the end.

The Art of Whites Roses by Viviana PradoNunez, set in 1957 in

Marianao, a suburb on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba, during the revolution, is a fast paced novel comprising of thirty-five chapter in 182 pages, where people disappear while the narrator also witness sincerity and an infidelity, fear and hope.

The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature was established by CODE (the Canadian Organisation for Development through Education) with ‘generous support of Canadian philanthropist William Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation, in partnership the ‘NGC Bocas Lit. Fest’ of Trinidad and Tobago.

The mandate of CODE is profoundly captured in the following statement, ‘If you can read and write, you can learn to do, and be, anything’.

This award is designed to operate on three vital levels of a vibrant literary landscape – staging writers’ workshops, offering huge monetary prizes, transforming manuscripts into books which are printed in the thousands. The book publishing aspect will translate in providing jobs for a whole range of people including book cover designers, illustrators, copyeditors, book binders, ….. Perhaps, a fourth dimension to the Award is its ability to distribute the books (free of cost) among Caribbean countries.

President as he may specify…”

So far, so good, right? Nagamootoo was even sworn in by the protocol officer to act as President. Well, the Opposition Leader then made the point that since Nagamootoo’s now performing the functions of the President, he can’t be the “President’s representative in the National Assembly”. And Jagdeo didn’t just make this up like David Patterson did when he rattled off PPP projects he claimed weren’t supported by Feasibility Studies. Jagdeo referred to the Constitutional Article demanding this action.

Article 178 (4) says bluntly, “During a period when a Minister is performing the functions of the office of President under Art 96 (1)…his seat in the National Assembly shall be regarded as vacant AND MAY BE TEMPORARILY FILLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY PROVISION MADE UNDER Art 160 (3).”

Can’t get clearer than that, can you? Well, not according to Nagamootoo!! The fella wants to keep on batting even though his stumps have been shattered

by Jagdeo’s bouncer!! Now Nagamootoo could’ve avoided this crisis today in the National Assembly by extracting someone from the APNU/AFC list to act as Prime Minister during the debate – including today when Jagdeo says he will object to his presence to the Speaker.

But no…Nagamootoo just had to get the dubious pleasure of speaking after Jagdeo in closing the debate!!

Now one may sympathise with him because, with his emasculation as Prime Minister, this is his annual moment of “glory” – such as it is!! By announcing his objection on Friday, Jagdeo’s ensured a replacement for Nagamootoo can’t be extracted in time for today’s

The above is spelt out in the objective of the award which is ‘to champion literacy, build language skills and foster the love and habit of reading by ensuring that young Caribbean readers have access to books that they want to read’.

These three prizewinning books are now available locally; entrusted to the Guyana Book Foundation for distribution to libraries and schools.

Guyanese author, Imam Baksh, has won this award on two occasions.

What’s Happening: Sasenarine Persaud

has just released his fourteenth book, Monsoon on the Fingers of God, and was honoured with HAF Award (https:// www.hafsite.org/) for the Advancement of Dharmic Arts and Humanities. Part of the citation reads: ‘to recognize your significant yet humble contributions towards enlightening and educating others through your many inspiring literary works of dharmic values and traditions’.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

sitting!!

Sadly, however, the breakdown in parliamentary democracy will continue as the Speaker will allow Nagamootoo to keep on batting. …his own Code of Conduct Raphael Trotman was so anxious to “brown nose” PNC Chair Volda Lawrence, he was willing to not only have her violate the Constitution – freedom of association for non-PNC Guyanese – but also the Code of Conduct for Government Ministers and officials HE HIMSELF DRAFTED!! In case, Dear Reader, you were vacationing on Mars to hear the Martian winds, Ms Lawrence had declared: when it came to jobs, “The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC!” Now Art 2 of Trotman’s Code explicitly forbids the discriminatory action Lawrence was advocating: “No person in Public Life shall in the course of the performance of his or her official functions discriminate against any person with respect to terms, conditions and privileges of such person’s…political opinion.”

Trotman is sure desperate!!

Donkey got big ears, but can’t hear his own story!! …fiscal responsibility After arguing for increased funding for agencies and Ministries that had egregiously violated all the rules on their spending according to the Auditor General’s Report, who’s surprised the PNC-led Government is now bailing out City Hall.

Without insisting on any conditions!!

47

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Parliament…

T

…and dishonourable PM

he House of Commons, after which our National Assembly is modelled, runs on a host of traditions and conventions. Much of these have to do with regulating the behaviour of the members – who, after all, represent the “commoners” or lower classes, as opposed to the aristocracy. It is the custom, for instance, in Parliamentary democracies, for the members of the House to refer to each other as “the Honourable Member”.

This, it was hoped, would encourage MPs not to descend into gutter language or fistfights, with which the common folks were wont to settle their disagreements.

After listening to the Budget Debate, it became clear to your Eyewitness that a host of MPs insist on acting like the great unwashed masses – especially those from the Government benches.

Take the case of Keith Scott, the Minister in the Ministry of Social Protection, which is in the Ministry of the Presidency; he technically isn’t a “Minister” since he heads the “Labour Portfolio”, which is actually a department. The fella insisted on READING a typewritten speech, which is just not done in Parliaments!! As a presumably educated gentleman, he’s supposed to be speaking spontaneously and (hopefully) eloquently on the topic; and not read a speech obviously written for him, since he couldn’t even pronounce some of the words!!

MPs also aren’t allowed to read newspapers etc during Parliamentary Sessions, but there were some blatant examples of this disrespectful practice throughout the Budget Debate. Two Opposition MPs from the back benches were caught reading some Muckraker gossip from a laptop. This, of course, ipso facto, proved they were card-carrying members of the hoi polloi!!

But most egregious of all were the antics of the Prime Minister, who insisted that the traditions of the Guyanese Parliament during Budget Debates be broken just to offer him a sop in lieu of being shafted from the powers of the Prime Ministership!! The tradition was that the Leader of the Opposition would be the penultimate speaker, with the Finance Minister, who introduced the Budget, finishing up his defence to the preceding critique.

From the first Budget the PNC-led coalition presented in 2015, however, Nagamootoo, stung by the taunts from the Opposition benches about his emasculation, insisted he be the penultimate speaker – following the Opposition Leader!! The Opposition then protested by walking out just before Nagamootoo began to nurse his ego!! This followed for the next three years.

This year, unlike the principled Opposition walkout for a cause, the Government MPs, led by Nagamootoo, simply walked out on the Opposition Leader’s speech simply because they wanted to “diss” the Opposition.

This represents such common/guttersnipe behaviour that it betrays its actual source in the proverbial fisherwoman’s trade!! …and PM’s Portfolio The DPI – which is headed by Nagamootoo’s shill and general factotum – took time out to report on one Government Minister’s complaint that Opposition MP Nandlall claimed Nagamootoo is bereft of a portfolio.

As you, dear reader, know, your Eyewitness has been making this point ever since PNC leader Granger not only tore up the Cummingsburg Accord — which promised Nagamootoo chairing of Cabinet meetings right after the 2015 elections — but refused to allocate any Ministerial portfolio to him!! All he was given was a column in the Chronic!!

Your Eyewitness was hoping the Government Minister would’ve gone on to spell out Nagamootoo’s portfolio, since he insisted the man from Whim had one!! But obviously it was a whimsical statement, since no elaboration was forthcoming!! But bereft of anything substantive (or substantial!) to do, and insisting that he speak in Parliament, Nagamootoo proceeded to put his foot into his (open) mouth.

He referenced the Booker Tate study (mentioned by your Eyewitness) that recommended the Skeldon Modernisation – including the factory.

Thereby nailing David Patterson’s lie in Parliament!! …and lies Another Parliamentary custom is you can’t tell another “Honourable Member” he just told a lie – like Patterson did with the Skeldon Factory.

Winston Churchill got around the restraint by describing it as a “terminological inexactitude”!!

By Ravi Dev

V

olda Lawrence, Chairperson of the PNC, was caught in a dilemma when she candidly responded to her (and the PNC’s traditional) constituency’s complaint that the good life they were promised has not been delivered, three years down the road by the Government they put into office. She was recorded as saying, when it comes to jobs, “The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC!” Such talk, of course, directly raises fears of discrimination along ethnic lines because of the historic alignment of voters along those lines in Guyana. In a country which is still among the poorest in the hemisphere, such reactions are not surprising when the discriminatory intent is so bluntly expressed, and politics still defined “who gets what, when and how”. Even in the absence of explicit statements, however, the adherents of the major parties read “hiring preferences” into the messages of their leaders.

This has been going on ever since the national movement was split in 1955 and most analysts blame either the leaders or “ethnic identity” for

S

our politics of preference which has helped keep our politics as a zerosum game. Guyanese elections have been categorised – not unfairly – as ethnic censuses since the one in 1961. The 2015 is certainly not been an exception. Many, if not most, Guyanese ruefully shake their heads when alluding to this reality and wistfully wishing, “If only…”. Elections are seen as reinforcing our “divisions”.

One of the reasons we vote the way we do is because of what one African-American scholar has called the logic of “linked fate” to explain African-American voting behaviour.

If circumstances, whether systemic or planned (like with Ms Lawrence promise to the PNC faithful), affect a set of people specifically and consistently, it is only “reasonable” that it will dawn on them to react similarly to the “stimuli’.

In the latter case Lawrence’s statement will help to solidify her base but at the same time, that of the PPP. Historically, our fates were very early on linked to our ethnicity by how the British rulers treated us – Amerindians were allowed to sink back into the “interior”; Africans were slaves and then “ex-slaves”, Indians were indentured sugar workers while the smaller Portuguese and Chinese indentureds could carve

atiricus breathed a sigh of relief as he sauntered into the Back Street bar. The Budget was done and he wouldn’t have to put up with all the nonsense that went on under the cover of “debate”. There would be the last day, when there would be voting on the individual “line items”. But since usually the Speaker didn’t even bother to look up after asking, “Those in favour say, ‘Aye’,” Satiricus didn’t plan on showing up.

“But Sato, dat might be de day wid de bigges’ action!” exclaimed Cappo, after Satiricus had unloaded his opinion to the fellas.

“Trust me, Cappo, listening to the vote on the line items is like looking at grass growing!” exclaimed Satiricus.

“But yuh na rememba if Jagdesh get two a dem guvment MP fuh vote ‘gainst de Budget, de whole guvment gat fuh resign?” asked Bungi.

“That’s right,” confirmed Hari. “If a government can’t pass a “spending bill”, it’s just like a no-confidence vote!”

“I think Jagdesh will wait for the real noconfidence motion afterwards,” said Satiricus, as he downed his beer. “And I just can’t take it

a niche in the retail sector to serve the rural folks in a cash economy.

It soon didn’t matter whether there were nine tribes of Amerindians or dozens of tribes from West Africa or North and South Indians: each of those groups coalesced separately because their fates were separately linked by the British.

In the modern era, with the coming of “democracy” to allow control of the State through the agglomeration of numbers, the politicians merely followed the ethnic logic and organised along group identities that had already been outlined. Jagan’s carefully constructed PPP of 1950 was a self-conscious “ethnic coalition”. The ethnically channelled political struggle however led to its own problematic which we called our “ethnic security dilemmas”. For the longest while, the majority Indian Guyanese felt that even if they won “democratic elections” at the ballot boxes, they faced an existential threat to their physical security.

African Guyanese, on the other hand, felt that because of their minority status, their wellbeing was always going to be at the mercy of the not necessarily benevolent majority.

F o l l o w i n g i n d e p e n d e n c e , “discrimination” became a fact of life regardless

of which ethnic group was in power: whether that discrimination was “political” as Burnham asserted – or Lawrence may claim, or “racial” as Dr Jagan accused was irrelevant. And vice versa when the shoe was on the other foot.

While the demographics have now been reversed to remove the African security dilemma, Indian Guyanese now feeling doubly threatened by both dilemmas.

Discrimination, however, is still alive and kicking.

But this is not just an academic exercise. The choices of the new APNU/AFC Administration in staffing their Administration has exacerbated the fears in that community that “it is payback time”.

And reinforced ethnic identity, not necessarily in a benign fashion.

The apparent conflict between ethnic and national identity will therefore become exacerbated rather than fade away unless we insist on implementing policies where discrimination in whatever form is fought by all. Wishing away ethnicity will otherwise be a pipe dream.

anymore with the antics in Parliament.”

“Yuh mean like yuh ole fr’en’ Rum Jhaat who seh w’en PPCEE call fuh save suga’, da jus’ like w’en Volga seh dem guh hiya only Pee’nSee people!?” asked Cappo.

“Abee cane cutta neva get mo’ dan 50% fuh show up,” pointed out Bungi. “De PPCEE sh’u’da seh dem only guh hiya Pee’nSee people too!!”

“To cut cane under the boiling sun?” asked Hari. “Naah!! Volga was talking about airconditioned jobs!!”

“Rum Jhaat was just trying to suck up to Volga,” said Satiricus. “I asked him if he had no shame.”

“Shame?” asked Cappo. “’E waan fuh keep ‘e jab. But fish ah play ah sea, ‘e nah know watah ah boil fuh am!!”

“Yep!” agreed Bungi. “But since ‘e already ah dead meat, e’ na good fuh nobady!!”

“Well, fellas, I have some bad news,” said Hari.

“Not being a friend of Volga or a born Pee’nSee, I was just fired from my job at GRA.” “What?” asked Satiricus. “What are you going to do?”

“Sell plantain chips!” said Hari.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Zero song Husn Parcham: Katrina Kaif burns the dance floor K

atrina Kaif is here to woo fans with Zero’s third song “Husn Parcham”.

The actor, known for her sizzling dance moves, impresses fans once again with the new track. The song has Katrina grooving in various settings.

From a barber shop to a theatrical setting and even a bath tub, the Zero actor raises the temperature.

Katrina’s retro avatar, sporting curly-hair, bronzer and a knotted ‘Bobby’ blouse, stands out among all her looks, including a red saree look.

As per the makers, this is the only time we will get to see Babita in her glamorous avatar in the film.

Directed by Aanand L Rai, Zero also stars Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma.

In Zero, Shah Rukh plays the character of Bauua Singh, who is a die-hard fan of Babita Kumari. In the beginning of the “Husn Parcham” video, we see Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub’s Guddu telling Bauua about a performance of Babita in a nearby cinema hall, when Bauua is sitting in his haldi ceremony.

“Husn Parcham” has been composed by Ajay-Atul and crooned by Bhoomi Trivedi and Raja Kumari. The song has been written by Irshad Kamil.

The official Twitter handles of Shah Rukh Khan, Aanand L Rai and the film Zero have been keeping the buzz alive ahead of the song’s release. While releasing it today, SRK wrote, “Deewano ki ye bheed ab na hogi kam, Aa gayi hai Babita Kumari lehraane Husn Parcham! The most sizzling song of the year #HusnParcham out now!”

Shah Rukh Khan had recently explained the meaning of ‘Husn Parcham’

A on Twitter. He wrote, “Somebody asked me what Husn Parcham means.

Well it means announcement of one’s beauty…roughly. Smoothly it means just this…!!!”

Talking about the song, Katrina Kaif shared, “This is the only time you will see Babita, my character, in a glamorous avatar in the film.” She further added, “In reality, Babita is going through the darkest phase in her life.

Her relationship is over. Her career is on the downhill, and she is dejected and vulnerable.”

Zero has Shah Rukh playing a vertically challenged man, Anushka as a NASA scientist suffering from cerebral palsy and Katrina as a fading superstar.

“Husn Parcham” is the third song from Zero, after the soulful romantic track “Mere Naam Tu” and “Issaqbaazi” featuring SRK and Salman Khan.

Zero is all set to release on December 21. (Indian Express)

Anushka Sharma: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi changed my life

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ctor Anushka Sharma says her debut film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, which clocks 10 years on Wednesday, has a special place in her heart as she got to work with people who had faith in her.

The actor said she is close to producer Aditya Chopra and her co-star

Shah Rukh Khan even today.

“Adi (Aditya Chopra, director) used to say that ‘we have taken you because you can stand on your own against anyone’. Yashji (Yash Chopra) had also said the same. For a young person like me to hear that was a huge confidence booster,” Anushka said.

“I got to work with people who were very nice and generous to me. I share a beautiful equation with all of them even now. I am blessed to be working

on this film. It changed my life. It is something that is going to be the most special thing I have done,” she added.

The actor, who was 20 when she made her debut, was praised for her confidence on screen, something that she says, came after a lot of hardwork.

I valued the art I was in, I valued acting a lot, I paid attention and worked towards it. I would read the same script almost every day, finding something new in it to do.

They understood the hard work I was putting into the film. And the only reason I was so confident when I did the film is because I was so prepared. Confidence comes because you work so hard,” she said.

The actor said she still takes notes while reading a script to understand her character.

“It is different for different scenes.

Like, what changes are happening emotionally with my character, what are the reasons of my existence, etc.

(Indian Express)

ctor Sunil Grover, who will be next seen in Ali Abbas Zafar’s directorial Bharat, has said that he has not seen a disciplined human being and artiste like Salman Khan in the film industry.

Sunil was interacting with the media at the 18th edition of Indian Television Awards (ITA) 2018 here on Tuesday.

Sunil, who is sharing screen space with Salman for the first time in “Bharat”, said: “I haven’t seen a disciplined human being and artiste like him (Salman). He does so much work at one time. He does shoots for his current film and at the same time, he listens to scripts which he is going to do in year 2032.

“He is a very busy artiste. He does television, travelling and also looks after his ‘Being Human’ charitable organisation. Apart from that, every day he spends two hours at the gym. Few days back, I saw that he fractured his rib while exercising but on the third day again, I saw him exercising. I feel he is made of some other soil.”

Sharing his experience of being a part of Bharat, Sunil said: “I feel really happy and I thank God that he made me a part of such a huge and good film.

It was really a beautiful journey… I am happy and honored to be a part of the

film.”

Wishing his former colleague Kapil Sharma who is set to wed his girlfriend Ginni Chatrath on Wednesday, Sunil said: “We both have done some good work together so, there is an emotional connection. I congratulate him on his wedding. I pray that he remains more happy than earlier.

“I hope that lady luck works for him. Earlier he used to create jokes on people’s married life now, he will know how it feels after getting married.”

Sunil and Kapil had a mid-air fight when they were returning from Australia after doing a show and soon after that the former left “The Kapil Sharma Show”.

When asked if he was going to attend Kapil’s wedding reception, Sunil said: “Yes I will be attending his wedding reception which he is hosting in Mumbai.”

“Bharat” is a drama film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and jointly produced by Atul Agnihotri, Alvira Khan Agnihotri, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Nikhil Namit and Salman Khan.

The film stars Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Tabu, Sunil Grover, Nora Fatehi and Disha Patani in key roles.

It is scheduled for a theatrical release during Eid 2019. (Indian Express)

Janhvi Kapoor receives Norwegian Consulate’s Shooting Star of the Year award

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hadak actor Janhvi Kapoor was on Tuesday presented the Shooting Star of the Year award by the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Mumbai. Her father Boney Kapoor also attended the ceremony.

Boney shared how proud he feels every time the work of his children gets appreciated. He said, “I am glad you all liked my daughter’s film. I really feel elated. I feel proud of the achievements of my children, my family.”

J a n h v i Kapoor too expressed happiness on winning her first award.

T h e 21-yearo l d said, “It means a lot to me.

T h i s award

means a lot to me. Any type of encouragement means the world to me, and this one is very special. I hope I keep doing good work and making you all happy.”

Iram Haq directorial The King’s Choice, Norway’s official entry to Oscars 2019, was also screened at the event.

Dhadak also starred Shahid Kapoor’s younger brother Ishaan Khatter. It was the official Bollywood remake of Marathi blockbuster Sairat.

Janhvi Kapoor will next be seen in Dharma Productions’ Takht, where she will be share screen space with Anil Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednekar and Vicky Kaushal. The film is set to release in December 2019. (Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

NASA offers solution to save Tony Stark in Avengers Endgame

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merican space agency NASA has offered a solution (sort of) to save Tony Stark in Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame. Robert Downey Jr’s character was seen drifting in outer space in probably Guardians of the Galaxy’s spacecraft in recently released Avengers: Endgame trailer.

A tweet from the official account read, “Hey @Marvel, we heard about Tony Stark. As we know, the first thing you should do is listen in mission control for “@Avengers, we have a problem.” But if he can’t communicate, then we recommend ground teams use all resources to scan the skies for your missing man.”

Tony Stark has been in trouble before, but he has always come out of it.

But this time, it is different. He seems to have accepted his fate. “Dear Miss Potts, if you find this recording don’t feel bad about this, part of the journey is the end. Just for the record being adrift in space with zero promise of rescue is more fun than it sounds,” he says in the trailer to his helmet, hoping to get the message across to his girlfriend, Pepper Potts.

He adds, “Food and water ran out

J

ason Momoa’s DC superhero film Aquaman had a record-breaking opening weekend in China. Over three days, the James Wan directorial grossed 93.6 million dollars, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This is the highest total for any film in December

at the Chinese box office.

Aquaman released on December 7 in China, two weeks ahead of its North American launch where it will debut on December 21.

Warner Bros, the studio behind the film, decided to release the film first in China to avoid the film’s confrontation with movies Disney’s like Mary

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cademy Award winner Julia Roberts will end 2018 with Ben is Back.

Helmed by Peter Hedges of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape fame, the movie also stars Peter’s son Lucas Hedges in a significant role.

On working with Lucas, Julia said he is a special man and that she felt they ended up developing a real camara-

four days ago, oxygen will run out tomorrow morning and I mean it, when I drift off I will dream about you, it’s always you.”

Avengers fans have been asking NASA to rescue Tony ever since the trailer hit the internet. Not only NASA, even Elon Musk and ISRO have also been requested to help Tony.

It might be too late, though. Tony’s food and water ran out four days ago and his oxygen will run out the next day as he himself said. The only companion he might have is Nebula, who is as more machine than human anyway.

At the end of Avengers: Infinity War, Tony and Nebula were stranded on Thanos’ planet Titan, since everybody else disappeared in a puff of ashes — thanks to Thanos’ finger-snap that caused the obliteration of half the universe’s life.

Avengers: Endgame releases on April 26, 2019. (Indian Express)

Poppins Returns and Paramount’s Bumblebee in the home market.

Aquaman also stars Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Nicole Kidman. It is the first DC movie since last year’s Justice League.

Aquaman’s official synopsis reads, “From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an actionpacked adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa in the title role.”

It continues, “The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.”

In India, Aquaman releases on December 14. (Indian Express)

derie. Julia plays Lucas’ mother in Ben is Back.

“Lucas is very special and we grew very close. He is just so talented, and such a beautiful available person,” said Julia.

She added, “There were some challenging scenes so it was our good fortune to have that true connection.”

The film’s primary plot revolves around

Lucas Hedges’ character who suffers from drug addiction and how he overcomes it with the love and encouragement of his strong mother, portrayed by Julia Roberts.

“There are a hundred different narratives for every family. But the one concept we are trying to put across in this movie is just to not give up on each other,” Julia said.

(Indian Express)

Hollywood 49

Gal Gadot: Grateful I got to be part of Ralph Breaks the Internet A ctor Gal Gadot is happy about her film Ralph Breaks the Internet getting a Golden Globe nomination.

Ralph Breaks the Internet has earned a nomination in Best Animated film category. Ralph Breaks the Internet”, which is a sequel to Wreck-It Ralph, is pitted against Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, Mirai and SpiderMan: Into the Spider-Verse.

“Bucket list item checked off. Be a part of a musical number in a Disney movie,” Gadot posted on her Instagram page.

“Also so happy to hear the film is nominated for Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature.

So grateful I got to be part of this film,” she added.

In the Walt Disney

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equel to the 2013 film Godzilla, the second trailer of Godzilla: King of the Monsters is out.

Starring Kyle Chandler, Millie Bobby Brown and Vera Farmiga among others, the trailer features a huge monster showdown. This will be the 35th film in the Godzilla franchise.

In the trailer, we see huge monster shadows that cover up the entire city.

Godzilla will go up against the threeheaded monster. As seen in many films of the same genre, the fight between the two monsters will engulf the whole city where humans will be at the receiving end as they try to stop the beasts.

Millie Bobby Brown, who plays

Animation Studios’ project, Gadot has lent her voice to the character of Shank, a tough and talented driver in an intense and gritty online racing game called Slaughter Race. It released in India on November 23.

Directed by Rich Moore and Phil Johnston, Ralph Breaks the Internet brings back Ralph and his fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz.

This time the digital duo go on a journey to explore the world of internet, where they hope to find a replacement steering wheel for Vanellope’s own racing game, the arcade classic Sugar Rush.

The 76th annual Golden Globes will be held here on January 6.

(Indian Express)

Eleven in the Netflix series Stranger Things, recently spoke about Godzilla: King of the Monsters at the San Diego Comic Con. She told Entertainment Weekly, “It was very different from the Demogorgon. Eleven has powers, it’s a lot less terrifying because she can just hopefully kill them. But this was on a much larger scale. I had neck problems because we were always looking up so high. So it was a larger scale, quite literally. The Demogorgon was just a tiny bit taller than me, and Godzilla and all the other monsters are a lot larger.”

Directed by Michael Dougherty, Godzilla: King of the Monsters releases on May 31, 2019. (Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

England stick with Make match-fixing a criminal offence - unchanged Test ICC to governments group for West Indies

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ICC CEO David Richardson

he ICC is in the process of persuading governments in cricket-playing countries to make match-fixing a criminal offence, as it renews its resolve in the fight against corruption in the game.

"The ACSU (ICC's anti-corruption unit) is trying to be much more proactive in first of all disrupting these criminals who are travelling the world trying to corrupt the game," David Richardson, the ICC's chief executive, said at a promotional event in New Delhi on Wednesday. "We are persuading governments to introduce legislation that can make attempts to fix cricket matches a criminal offence and put these people behind bars."

The move comes amid a renewed focus on a problem that refuses to go away. Recent spotlight has centered on Sri Lanka, where former fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa was charged with three counts of breaching the anti-corruption code, just two weeks after Sanath Jayasuriya had been charged with refusal to cooperate with the anti-corruption unit. The growing number of T20 leagues around the world has also opened up a new avenue through which players can be - and have been approached by those trying to corrupt a game.

"We are also getting much better intelligence on who these people are and we have been able to do that only because more players are reporting the approaches to us," Richardson said. "The education programmes we have put in place have worked really well, we have hardened the target at the international level to the extent

that these unscrupulous elements are trying to approach players at a much lower level.

"Of course it bothers ICC when names like Jayasuriya crop up, but he has only been accused of failing to cooperate. Let's not jump the gun with that investigation."

Richardson said the ICC was also making efforts to get the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) and the BCCI on the same page.

The BCCI has been opposed to Indian cricketers coming under anti-doping regulations for the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) in the past. In November 2017, BCCI chief executive Rahul Johri had said, "It is clear that BCCI already has a robust dope-testing mechanism which is employed for both during competitions and out-of-competitions. It is also relevant to mention here that BCCI is not a National Sports Federation.

Accordingly, NADA does not have jurisdiction to conduct dope testing of Indian cricketers in any domestic competition or international event organised by or under the aegis of BCCI." Richardson, however, said that there was "a willingness" by BCCI to resolve the matter.

"ICC is trying to facilitate a dialogue between WADA and the BCCI," Richardson said. "There is a willingness on the part of BCCI to resolve the situation with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). I think that can be resolved quite quickly. BCCI is not reluctant to do dope testing, but they are not ready to send samples to NADA." (ESPNCricinfo)

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Part of the England team(AP photo)

ngland have stuck with the players who claimed a historic Test whitewash in Sri Lanka last month in naming their squad for the Caribbean. Ollie Pope, who left Sri Lanka to join up with the Lions in the UAE, misses out and there was no room for Jason Roy, despite speculation he could be included as a spare top-order batsman.

Ben Foakes, who was not part of the original party for Sri Lanka but claimed the Man of the Series award after making his debut as wicketkeeper after an injury to Jonny Bairstow, is the only official addition to the 16-man group.

In the ODI squad, David Willey returns following injury and Joe Denly is included, having been called up as an injury replacement for Liam Dawson (Denly subsequently won the Man of the Match award in the only T20I against Sri Lanka). Dawson, Sam Curran and Olly Stone, who provided cover for Liam Plunkett in Sri Lanka, are the players to drop out.

The conclusion of the ECB Cricket Disciplinary Commission's investigation into Ben Stokes and Alex Hales after their behaviour on a night out in Bristol in 2017 means that both are included without caveat.

England's 3-0 Test success in Sri Lanka via a brand of attacking batsmanship had led to the suggestion that Roy, a fixture at the top of the one-day order and who featured for the Lions in a four-day game against Pakistan A last month, could be selected for the first time. Denly has however been retained, having been overlooked for a debut in Sri Lanka.

The depth available to Joe Root means that England could still field a three-man spin attack, if conditions in the Caribbean dictate, but they also retain plenty of pace options. James Anderson and Stuart Broad, England's record-breaking new-ball pairing, could be reunited, while Sam Curran, Chris Woakes and Stone can all stake a claim.

Bairstow, who scored a century on his first appearance at No. 3 in Colombo, is likely to get a run at the position in three Tests against West Indies, ahead of the 2019 summer's Ashes.

Ed Smith, England's national selector, said that the Test squad's success in Sri Lanka merited a continuity of selection, but backed those names that missed the cut to keep pressing their cases for future series.

"Jason Roy is a very talented cricketer," said Smith. "It was great to see him playing so well in the last couple of Championship games for Surrey and he went on to be part of the Lions. We continue to watch his development as an all-round cricketer closely, but we are very happy with the squad we've chosen."

On Pope's absence, having been squeezed out of consideration in Sri Lanka by Ben Foakes' surefooted debut, Smith added: "Nothing has changed in that he is already a very good player and is only going to get better, and we are very excited at what he can do in an England shirt.

"In time he'll be able to make a claim in all sorts of positions. But we felt, as a selection panel, it was best for him to continue his development in the Lions rather than not get many opportunities in the West Indies."

Next year also promises to be a defining one for England's one-day squad, as they attempt to win a first World Cup on home soil. Eoin Morgan's side features a largely settled batting order - barring some competition between Roy, Bairstow and Hales at the top - but there has been some jockeying among the bowlers.

Willey missed the last tour with a back problem but has been a consistent part of the set-up since 2015, while Plunkett is fully available again after a clash with his wedding. Mark Wood has also been persisted with, despite one underwhelming appearance in Sri Lanka, with Sam Curran and Stone seemingly slipping back in the race for a World Cup spot.

The five-ODI series against West Indies will be followed by three T20Is, for which England have yet to name a squad. They then face Ireland in a one-off game in Dublin, followed by five ODIs against Pakistan to kick off the home season before the start of the World Cup on May 30.

England Test squad: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

(ESPNCricinfo)

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

2018 West Indies tour of Bangladesh…

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Do or die: ODI series decider a test of adaptability

By Brandon Corlette

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he One-Day International (ODI) series in Bangladesh has been a roller-coaster for the West Indies. It began with a defeat in the lone One-Day practice match; West Indies were aiming to change their fortunes from a Test series defeat.

However, the OneDay practice match was a grand return for Bangladesh talisman Tamim Iqbal, who recorded a spectacular century. West Indies entered the first ODI low on confidence, since they were defeated in all the matches on tour. The trend continued for the Caribbean side as they succumbed to a fivewicket defeat in the first ODI. In the build-up to the series, Cricket West Indies announced that Rovman Powell was appointed interim captain

for the three-match ODI series.

The first ODI saw the Windies batsmen display a poor batting performance against a not-so-spectacular Bangladesh bowling attack. In the first ODI, Windies were restricted to 195-9 in 50 overs with Shai Hope top-scoring with 43, and Roston Chase and Keemo Paul scoring 32 and 36 respectively. With a small target on the board, the bowlers required magical spells, but only Chase captured two wickets for the Windies.

The second ODI saw the Windies roller-coaster moving upwards; Hope’s magnificent 146* handed the Caribbean side a four-wicket win. It was a nail-biting match that was completed in the final over with the West Indies chasing 256 in 50 overs.

The front-line fast bowlers set the tone for the West Indies, shar-

ing five wickets between themselves in 30 overs that costs 161 runs.

Oshane Thomas was the pick of the bowlers with 3-54 while Roach had an economy rate of 3.9, and grabbed one wicket. Guyana’s all-rounder, Paul, chipped in with one wicket along with countryman Devendra Bishoo’s 1-27 in 10 overs.

Bangladesh were restricted for 255 and West Indies required sensible batting to chase the target, and Hope and Paul ensured exactly that.

The ODI series had been drama-filled and in the final ODI on Friday, nothing less will be expected. Earlier in 2018, Bangladesh toured the West Indies and completed a 2-1 ODI series victory and they will be hoping to repeat a similar performance. In July 2018, the ODI series in the Caribbean, against the same opposition, was evenly poised 1-1 and the final ODI in St Kitts,

GABA First-Division Finals…

Ravens to battle Pacesetters for title T

he 2018 Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme/Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League continues in its final days following the conclusion of the Under-23 division Sunday last.

The focus now moves to the FirstDivision final four play-offs, which will see Ravens and Pacesetters clash in the final to headline the night while the Guardians will face off against the Kobras in the third-place playoff.

For the Ravens, this match-up is expected to be a walk in the park, with the side continuing with the same form they had so far in the season. Ravens lost one of their eight preliminary matches on their way to topping the table.

On the other side of the court, Pacesetters have been a competitive side throughout the tournament, with

two losses in their eight allotted matches that saw them finish third in the preliminary rounds.

Ravens got past the Guardians to win their semi-final match 71-65 as Ryan Stephney led with 20 points and was supported by Tyrone Hamid (16); Sebastian Luke (13) and Dominic Vincente (12).

Meanwhile, Pacesetters blew away Kobras 71-51 to secure their spot in the final. For the entire season, the Ravens have had players constantly contributing as they functioned as a unit from game one as their strength.

For the Pacesetters, they have not been involved in high-scoring matches for the season, as their strength lies in defence, but they must be more consistent when they oppose Ravens to have a shot at winning.

Iqbal smashed a matchwinning century to lead his team to an 18-run win.

West Indies were restricted to 283-6 with current ODI Captain, Powell, top-scoring with 74* while the universe boss, Chris Gayle scored 73 and stroke-maker Hope, 64.

With most of the top performers of the final in St Kitts playing in Friday’s final ODI, the players will be aim-

ing to repeat such performances, especially Powell, who has been short of runs in recent times. Aggressive batsman Shimron Hetmyer, who was the player of the ODI series in the Caribbean, will be aiming to finish on a high note in the final ODI. Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hassan explained that Bangladesh were taking inspiration from that series-winning performance in St

Kitts earlier this year.

“We want to repeat this performance in Sylhet on Friday,” said Mehidy.

With several missed opportunities in the field, the Bangladesh team will be aiming to improve in that particular area.

The final ODI is scheduled for 02:00h Eastern Caribbean time on Friday, December 14 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Bangladesh.

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16, 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Yuvraj, Steyn, Malinga in pool of 346 players for IPL auction T

he IPL franchises have finalised a list of 346 players who will be part of the pool for the auction on December 18 in Jaipur.

Originally 1003 players had submitted their names for the auction, but the list was pruned down after the eight franchises submitted their shortlists of players.

There are 226 Indian players in the list, but none of them have set the maximum base price of INR 2 crore.

Nine overseas players though, slotted themselves in at INR 2 crore.

Among Indians, Jaydev Unadkat's base price of INR 1.5 crore was the highest.

The nine players who have set their base price at INR 2 crore are: Brendon McCullum, Chris Woakes, Lasith Malinga, Shaun Marsh, Sam Curran, Colin Ingram, Corey Anderson, Angelo Mathews and D'Arcy Short.

Among other prominent players who will figure in this auction, Yuvraj Singh, Wriddhiman Saha, Mohammed Shami and Axar Patel have set their

Caption: Kings XI Punjab in a huddle (BCCI)

base prices at INR 1 crore, while Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales are in the INR 1.5 crore bracket.

Ishant Sharma will invite bids from INR 75 lakh onwards.

A maximum of only 70 players can be bought by the eight franchises, with only 20 slots available for overseas players.

The auction will have a set of internationally capped players going

under the hammer first, filtered by specialist categories, followed by uncapped players. Among Indian uncapped players, those likely to attract attention could be Tamil Nadu mystery spinner Varun Chakravathi, and Mumbai allrounder Shivam Dubey.

The IPL also added 20 additional players to the pool that franchises had requested for. These include Aaron Hardie, the Perth fast bowler who claimed Virat

Kohli's wicket in India's warm-up match against Cricket Australia XI be-

fore their ongoing Test series against Australia.

Also part of this list is Alex Carey, who kept wicket for Australia in their three-T20I series against India that preceded the Tests, and Ajay Rohera, the 21-year old Madhya Pradesh batsman who set a world record with the highest score on first-class debut, when he made 267 not out against Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy last week.

An uncapped England player to keep an eye on is the Worcestershire seamer Pat Brown, only 20 but a rising star of the shortest format after his side's remarkable victory in this year's Vitality Blast. He finished his breakthrough season

with 31 wickets, the second-best haul in the competition's history, and showed huge composure on Finals Day with a nerveless diet of knuckle balls and quicker deliveries.

Other Englishmen of note include Laurie Evans, who on Tuesday signed a contract extension with Sussex after amassing 614 runs in this year's Blast the most by any player - and Somerset's Jamie Overton, who bowls quicker than his twin Craig who debuted for England in last year's Ashes, and who was in contention for England selection this winter after a successful return from injury.

(ESPNCricinfo)

UG Trojans defy Guardians to capture GABA U-23 title

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The victorious UG Trojans

he Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme/Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League concluded its Under 23 Division on Sunday with the UG Trojans squeezing past the number one ranked Plaisance Guardians to engender an eruption of pure joy among ecstatic University supporters as the Trojans claimed their maiden Basketball championship.

The action all started for the Trojans on Saturday when they faced the Pacesetters in the semifinal. It was a see-saw battle for most of its duration, with each team pushing the other to its limit. In the end, the Trojans stunned the Pacesetters 75-73, with Denzel Ross leading the way with 16 points, while Kadeem Peterkin supported with 12.

With the penultimate hurdle crossed, the Warren Wilson-led side now had a shot at the title. Prior to this match, Wilson had said the players were hungry and wanted the win badly; and this was displayed when they emphatically carved out for themselves a 79-62 win over the Plaisance Guardians on Sunday.

At start of the highly anticipated finals, the Trojans accelerated the pace from ball one, and led the scoring in all four periods of the game, besting every performance they had registered at the beginning of the league.

Showing composure, style and class, they managed to restrict the in-

form Terrence Daniels, upon whom great pressure was applied, and forced the other players to become desperate.

Scoring for the Trojans were Jonathan Browne, who top-scored with 18 points; Kadeem Peterkin, who scored 17; and Darrol Williams, who scored 15.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Trojan fans could scarce contain themselves.

Speaking with Guyana Times International Sport, coach of the University side, Warren Wilson, said: “I feel vindicated; because the odds weren’t against the players, but a lot of the coaches felt that since I had no experience playing basketball at a national level, and the fact that I am young…but I am happy that I was able to lead the guys this far.

“I really worked hard with them, and I think that this is a really good first step; and I hope that the administration would push basketball to get it more recognised,” Wilson declared.

In the third place playoff, the Pacesetters defeated the Eagles 7241in commanding fashion.

Action in this tournament will continue on Wednesday, December 12, with the finals and third place playoffs in the second division, while the first division league will conclude on the following day. Matches are scheduled to commence at 18:30 hrs on both days.

(Timothy Jaikarran)

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