Guyana Times International 15th February 2019

INTERNATIONAL

New oil contracts will have more favourable terms for Guyana

...says Energy Dept head

Delay tactics!

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com WEEK ENDING February 17, 2019

ISSUE NO. 436

...56 days after no-confidence vote, still no date for E-Day ...Bar Council says appeals do not stop clock for elections

See stories inside

President David Granger

GECOM Chairman, Justice (rtd) James Patterson

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

Parents urged to ‘get involved’

…as NY Mayor, Schools Chancellor kick off 2019 Education Page 5 Council Elections

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NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Delay tactics!

Stalemate at GECOM on timeline for E-Day

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espite a meeting convened on Wednesday by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to discuss issues pertaining to the Commission’s readiness for the upcoming elections, there has not been any progress thus far, according to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Commissioner Robeson Benn.

Speaking to the local press following the engagement, the former PPP Government Minister said a lot of time was wasted on Wednesday as he dubbed the meeting unproductive. According to him, the timelines for training of polling agents were discussed but no decision was taken.

It was suggested during the meeting that trainers and evaluators undergo 14 days of intense training, but Benn said he objected to that proposal, explaining that it could be done in two days instead.

PPP-appointed GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

“Sixty-five days for training of staff and evaluators?

You don’t need this time. Over 5000 of these same people, just over two and half months ago did the same thing. So, there is no need for full gamut of training,” the Commissioner

said while arguing that this again is another tactic to delay things.

Benn said it is apparent that the intention is to lose enough time of the 90 days beyond March 19.

He reminded that the vot-

GECOM Chairman, Justice(rtd) James Patterson

ers’ list remains valid until April 30, and while the Government parties continue to argue that new names will need to be added, this could be done by way of simple registration, and through the Claims and Objections period, as was

catered for at the recent Local Government Elections.

As it relates to having proper financing to carrying out a General and Regional Election, Benn said while there are finances for houseto-house registration, based on the no-confidence vote, that will no longer be necessary since the list is still valid and the monies could be otherwise utilized to conduct the elections.

While it was discussed during the previous meeting of Commissioners that there will be a need for additional funding to undertake elections, the PPP-appointed Commissioner explained that Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield has not reported back on the advice he sought on the issue.

However, Benn maintained that it is normal for statutory Government agencies to have continued on page 8

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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Tel no: (592) 223-7230/1, 225-7761.

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EDITORIAL

The degutting of democracy in Guyana

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he return of democracy to Guyana in 1992 was part of a global movement dubbed by Harvard political scientist Samuel Huntington, as the “third wave” of democracy following the first wave in 19th century Europe and the US and the second, following WWII. At the time, one local commentator cautioned: “the history of the previous waves should temper our euphoria somewhat.

The transition process is not automatic – there are no irresistible democratic forces marching through history. At best, there may be a demonstrator effect. The process may also be reversible: democracy has proven to be a most delicate plant to nurture, especially in the inhospitable soil of authoritarian structures. The struggle of the people and the vision of their leaders have always defined the trajectory and range of the democratic transition. Guyana will be no exception.”

The caution was prophetic but maybe not too surprising in light of the fact that the People’s National Congress (PNC), which had maintained its authoritarian rule through the rigging of elections from 1968 to 1985 backed by its iron control of the armed forces, was eased out of its illegal power through some condign pressure by the US. But it retained the support of its traditional ethnic base even though they had faced horrific deprivations along with other Guyanese, as the economy imploded under its incoherent and discriminatory policies.

The present travails of Venezuela are a recapitulatory object lesson of what happened to Guyana during those dark years: mass migration of the best and brightest; runaway inflation; collapse of the nationalised “commanding heights of the economy”; rampaging criminal attacks of citizens; deepening mass hunger and increasing intrusion of the Disciplined Forces into civilian lives. In the next 23 years, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) struggled valiantly to “fix” the ruptured institutions, especially in the economy – starting with removing the debt albatross of US$2.1 billion bequeathed by the PNC. At every step the PNC fought the reforms tooth and nail by accusations of “racism” in the PPP efforts. This only widened the ethnic schisms in the country.

The PPP yet steered the economy into a consistent growth trajectory – one of the highest in the region – notwithstanding the attacks which morphed into open violence after the 1997 elections, which the PPP won. This politically directed violence did not end until 2008 when the final incarnations of some Buxton-based bandits, dubbing themselves “Freedom Fighters”, were finally killed. These attacks placed tremendous pressures on State and civil society institutions and many distorted and corrupt practices from the PNC era, reasserted themselves.

But to its credit, through all the attacks, the PPP maintained its commitment to democratic elections. In 2011, because the Constitution awards the Presidency to the party commanding the largest bloc of votes, the PPP was able to retain that office but lost its majority in the National Assembly when it could only muster 32 seats to the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)/PNC’s 26 seats and Alliance For Change (AFC) seven seats. Democracy’s strength was emphasised when the APNU and AFC coalesced before the 2015 Elections and was able to capture both the Executive and Legislative branches of Government with the same seat configuration, but this time with a combined majority of the popular votes.

And this is when the threat to democracy and democratic values appeared as the PNC asserted itself in the coalition Government and its leader proclaimed his commitment to fulfilling the “legacy” – see above – of Forbes Burnham. President Granger, who had been a Brigadier in the Disciplined Forces, telescoped his intentions when he appointed an overwhelmingly uni-ethnic Cabinet; Permanent Secretaries; and Heads of Departments, undergirded by a heavy recruitment of ex-Army officers into the State and Government upper echelons.

His most dangerous threat, however, came out his willingness to flagrantly violate the letter and spirit of the Constitution as exemplified by his unilateral appointment of James Patterson as GECOM chair and now his refusal to accept the verdict of the PPP’s successful no-confidence vote.

All Guyana must rally to prevent a return to the dark days of the dictatorship.

Wide Open Spaces with Hills & Valleys - The North Pakaraimas in Guyana is a must see for anyone who likes an adventure.(Girendra Persaud photo)

The Diaspora and development

By Jainarine Deonauth

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he Guyanese Diaspora and how they can contribute to the country’s development has been a subject of much discussion in the past. More often than not discussions have always been centred on how we may encourage the thousands of Guyanese living outside of Guyana to return and to help contribute to this country’s development.

The recent oil discoveries have caused Guyana to be placed in the international spotlight. Just a few days ago, United States oil giant ExxonMobil announced another two more oil finds offshore Guyana, bringing the total number of discoveries in the Stabroek Block to 12.

Director of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, in making the announcement said the recent discoveries reinforces the country’s potential to be able to produce more than 750,000 barrels of oil daily by 2025. This is indeed more positive news for the people of this country, but the real substance of these finds will come when all Guyanese, both living at home and abroad, are able to benefit from these discoveries, whether directly and/or indirectly.

As we know Guyana is now home to the world’s biggest new deepwater oil discovery. ExxonMobil has been

keen to push development of the oil reserves and is expected to commence production sometime later this year or early 2020. There is no doubt a bright future ahead for everyone, especially our young people. Therefore, policies that are geared towards creating greater economic and social development opportunities for our citizens must always be kept on the front burner.

That said, there is much more work to be done if our development potential is to be fully realised and all of us need to seriously get involved.

For sure, Guyanese at home alone, will not be able to push this level of development by themselves because they are too small in number and do not possess all the skills required to undertake this massive task.

There is certainly a shortage of skills in our country.

Skills in various fields are badly needed especially with the oil and gas sector set to the takeoff. Over the years, Guyana has resorted to importing expats to work in our industries and other sectors, and most would know that hiring these expats comes with a high price tag; and thereafter, the money is repatriated to our disadvantage.

There are Guyanese with the similar academic qualifications and skills in the Diaspora who are willing and ready to return home to serve. These are the people that should be encouraged to return home.

Focus should be placed on the more mature generation – those with readily available assets and finances to continue their life and make investments in Guyana.

To their credit, both the PPP and APNU/AFC Administrations are cognizant of the huge impact such invest-

ments could have on the development of Guyana and have put systems in place aimed at attracting overseas-based Guyanese to return. For example, the remigrant scheme was designed to give every Guyanese desirous of returning home an opportunity to be exempted from certain taxes etc once they decide to settle permanently here. Many Guyanese have already taken advantage of this facility.

No doubt there are more Guyanese in the diaspora who are mulling their return to Guyana but are unsure of the start-over process. It is understandable that they would want to know how the system caters for their return, for example; how they can access a plot of land and build a home, and how they can secure employment.

They would want to know how many of their personal items and assets they would have accumulated over the years in North America can be sent to Guyana without too many costs or hassle. All of this would help to make their resettlement less stressful. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website provides some level of guidance, there is need for a more effective public awareness campaign which would also entail more personal contacts with such persons.

Many Guyanese are believed to be hard-hit in North America and not only that; many claim to have missed the Guyanese culture, warmth and hospitality which are rare in other parts of the world.

We urge those in authority to place more focus on attracting the Diaspora to help in nation building. These are new and exciting times in Guyana and everyone must be positioned to take advantage.

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…as NY Mayor, Schools Chancellor kick off 2019 Education Council Elections

ew York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza kicked off the 2019 Community and Citywide Education Council election on Thursday, urging parents to run as part of their effort to empower and elevate the voice of parent leaders, which includes their ongoing five-borough parent forum tour.

According to the Mayor’s Office, Education Councils are a critical way for parents and families to get involved and help shape their school communities. Parents can go online to learn more about the structure and roles of the Education Councils.

This website includes information on eligibility guidelines, key dates, and frequently asked questions. Applications can be submitted online from Thursday through March 6.

“Parents know our education system the best. They see first-hand what’s working and what isn’t and nobody’s perspective is more important. When it comes to representation on local educational councils, run, parents, run!” said Mayor de Blasio.

“The only way to create lasting change in our schools is to empower communities. That’s why I’m calling on all parents to run for an Education Council seat and make a difference for our children, regardless of the language they speak or what zip code or even country they

are from,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “I also encourage our PA and PTA officers to get involved and exercise their key role in these elections by attending forums, meeting with all the candidates and most importantly, voting this spring.”

“I’ve seen firsthand these last few months how passionate New York City families are about their school communities, and I’m so excited for parents across the city to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. Parent leaders are central to advancing our Equity and Excellence for All agenda, and I’m looking forward to our continued partnership with Education Council members in

the coming years,” said Deputy Chancellor for Community E m p o w e r m e n t , Partnerships and Communications Hydra Mendoza.

The DOE has made working with school communities and parent leaders a priority. The Mayor and Chancellor recently embarked on a five-borough parent empowerment tour to hear first-hand from elected and appointed parent leaders about their priorities for the school system. Education Council members were all invited to attend to share ideas and ask questions, along with PA/PTA board members.

Last year, the Chancellor appointed Hydra Mendoza to be the Deputy Chancellor

for Community E m p o w e r m e n t , Partnerships, and Communications and further strengthen the infrastructure and systems for our parents to be empowered and active, particularly in historically underserved communities.

Chancellor Carranza kicked off the begin-

ning of his time in New York City with a listening tour across all five boroughs, where he met with 1,900 parents.

Community and Citywide Education Council elections take place every two years.

There are 36 Councils across the City, which are required by state law and Chancellor’s

regulations, including 32 Community Education Councils (CECs), the Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS), the Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL), the Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE), and the Citywide Council for District 75 (CCD75).

The 32 CECs are responsible for approving school zoning lines, holding hearings on the capital plan, and providing input on instructional and policy issues.

Citywide Councils advise on and advocate for school policy affecting the specific needs of the students they represent. Each applicant for a CEC position must be a parent of a student enrolled in a district elementary or middle school [Pre-K-8], while applicants for the Citywide Council on High Schools must have a child in high school.

Eligible applicants for the other three Citywide Councils must have a student receiving the respective services and programs. Parents serve continued on page 7

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Private Sector’s statements on noconfidence motion were based on facts

Dear Editor/News Editor, I am a member of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Council and a member of the Governance & Security Sub-Committee. I have been intimately involved in all of the Press Statements made by the Sub- Committee in relation to the passing of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.

I have, therefore, decided to write expressing my growing concern at the repeated and totally specious attacks on the accuracy of the Statements and on the credibility of the Commission by Mr. Rickford Burke. Mr. Burke resides safely in the USA and, of course, bears no responsibility for, nor does he suffer, the consequences in Guyana for anything he says or writes.

I remember Mr. Burke, when I was a member of the Cabinet, as a young enthusiastic but radical extremist member of the PNC. Age, it seems, has neither tempered his extremism nor given him the wisdom of reason.

In fact, our country faces extremely severe consequences as a result of our government’s persistence in ignoring the Constitutional requirement which followed the event of a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly on 21st December, 2018.

In fact, our President has placed his government in a position of grievously violating the Constitutional provisions of Articles 106 (6) and has signaled a similar intention with regard to Article 106 (7) to function outside of the country’s supreme law which he swore to uphold.

I have had a long and valued friendship with David Granger before his election as President and I have continued to hold the highest regard and respect for him, but find his government’s behaviour, with regard to the effect of the no-confidence motion respecting his Cabinet and government, unacceptable. The PSC, whose responsibility it is to speak for the stability and well-being of the business community and for the maintenance of the rule of law in the country, is perfectly within its mandate to defend a respect for the Constitution.

Equally, the PSC’s mandate is to insist on adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law by all of the political parties, whether in or out of government.

The PSC’s statements hold no political partiality. They are strictly confined to fact.

They embrace no brief for nor opposition to any political party. The Commission’s statements do, however, quite properly, confront the reality of the very serious economic, political and social consequenc-

es for Guyana arising from the government ignoring the Constitution and behaving outside of the law.

It is a fact that the no-confidence vote remains valid, as recognized by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Bartland Scotland, and ruled on by the Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire.

It is a fact that Cabinet is resigned along with the President as head of the Cabinet as required by the Constitution and as was confirmed by the ruling of the Chief Justice.

It is a fact that all the Members of Parliament serving as Ministers who hold dual citizenship must now resign their portfolios and cease to function as Ministers, as, indeed, must all dual citizens currently in the National Assembly, from all the political parties, resign from being members of the Assembly.

It is a fact that the President and his Ministers, excluding those of dual citizenship, remain in office until 21st March, 2019, but may no longer function as a Cabinet and only until within the period mandated by the Constitution.

It is a fact that Article 106 (7) of the Constitution requires elections to be held no later than 21st March, 2019, unless a two thirds majority vote of the Assembly extends that date. It is a fact that this Constitutional imposition is not delayed by any appeal filed against the ruling of the Chief Justice.

It is a fact that the President and his government, through the Attorney General, have the right to appeal the ruling of the High Court but, it is also a fact that the rulings of the High Court remain in place and active and that the President and government must, by law, act as so ruled unless overruled by a higher Court.

It is a fact that GECOM, under the law, as is required by the Constitution, must be prepared to hold a General Election whenever it is due and specifically prescribed by the Constitution.

It is a fact that GECOM, including the Chief Elections Officer, judged from their own public statements and those of the government, have failed in their constitutional duty to prepare for the holding of elections by 21st March, 2019.

I have stated the facts conveyed in the Press Releases by the Private Sector Commission of 31st January and 4th February, 2019. All, therefore, that the PSC has stated is that the President and his government must respect the Constitution and respect the law and that GECOM must observe, respect and act in accordance with the Constitution.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

New delay tactics by PNC

Dear Editor, General Elections must be held in Guyana, I repeat, General Elections is mandated for this nation by March 31, 2019, and true to form, the PNC and their thug machinery are coming up with these what I would call, new tactics. Well, it is not a totally new exercise because the moment elections are to be held in this country, there is bound to be a sudden upsurge in crime and criminal activity of some sort from the well-known PNC machinery and ‘blame it on The PPP/C’ sort of thing.

This is a known strategy of theirs. Criminal activities of a certain kind destined to create fear and instability at election time are bound to show up in Guyana, period! We have grown accustomed to these things.

Anytime the PNC has to face the electorate, things of this nature surfaces; the only thing this time is that they seem to have adopted another strategy, that is, trying to put PPP or PPP/C persons in the criminal spotlight. Trying to put the blame on the PPP for the instability in society and divert people’s attention from the real issue at hand, which is an imminent election. Hence, we question claims that the niece of a Former PPP Member of Parliament is planning to bomb the University of Guyana.

It is rather odd that a student of the said institution would want to blow it up. The timing and

the person who is said to have made those calls are highly suspect incidents that call for the most careful scrutiny ever. And even if we are tempted to believe this, the timing of this bomb threat has given them away. Why when an election is due would you get such a threat and from a PPP person? Who would want to believe this? All of the events leading up to this story have a PNC copyrighted script written all over it.

They are trying their utmost to hang on to power while emasculating the Constitution and creating panic and confusion at the same time.

What is even more revealing is the fact that her full name, Sheliza Jaferally, relation to a former PPP/C Member of Parliament as well as her photograph are splashed in bold all across the Government mouthpiece, Guyana Chronicle.

This is pure bullyism. It shows how desperate these people are at diversionary tactics.

In the first place, persons who have committed the most dastardly of deeds, even murder, are not treated this way so this latest bomb threat by a harmless student speaks volumes of the desperation campaign the PNC are waging at this time.

So the PNC in their bid to hang on to power is pressing the panic button, bringing back the fear factor in society just before another election.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

APNU/AFC clutching at straws to avoid the electorate Dear Editor, The Government of Guyana, as it reluctantly prepares to face the Guyanese people at the polls, is shamelessly clutching at every straw to avoid the electorate, and seems to have gone on a massive propaganda blitz. Almost daily, the Prime Minister’s Department of Public Information spends thousands of taxpayers’ dollars on full page colour advertisements in the newspapers titled “Confidence in Guyana”.

Those advertisements seek to showcase what the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) deems as achievements, if they really can be deemed so in the first place. It seems obvious, unless one is oblivious, that advertisements are tantamount of using State resources for campaigning? This was something I recall the APNU/AFC when out of office making boisterous noise about. It goes to show what happens when the shoe is on the other foot.

I have taken a keen interest in the advertisements paid for by the sweat and toil of the Guyanese people. Indeed, it was interesting to see what the Administration praises itself for.

Many of the projects lauded as achievements begun under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration and the APNU/AFC has inherited and passed off as if it were their own doing.

Nowadays, Guyanese will see the praise showered on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion for instance. But it was the same APNU/AFC, when in Opposition, used their majority to deny funds to the very project they now market as a shining achievement. It goes to show, in my view, that there was not much new that this Government really brought to the table and they are in reality living off the work of those who preceded them.

I notice too that one of the advertisements informed that more than G$112 billion will be invested in maintenance of public security. Indeed, I couldn’t believe that such a stupendous sum was spent and I was less than pleased to learn of that fact. When one takes account of the large

sum one cannot help but wonder whether our people are not being taken for a ride as that expenditure works out to almost G$151,000 on a per capita basis.

The question must be asked whether we have really gotten value for the monies expended.

Nowadays our people are genuinely scared not knowing if they will be the next hapless victim of criminality. Today, the peace and tranquility of our villages and towns have shattered and fear stalks the streets. Our people are fearful about leaving their homes unoccupied and are afraid of going out in the evenings. They go about their business constantly looking over their shoulders.

This is not the way our people deserve to live and undermines the notion of “confidence in Guyana”.

Today, while our Government tells us we should have “confidence in Guyana”, the Administration’s own policies and priorities undermine this very statement. Another advertisement in the series showed us all the important persons President Granger has met, and it is an impressive list – the Obamas, Queen Elizabeth, former Brazilian President Michel Temer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Caricom heads, among others. It served to remind me about the billions that are being spent on travelling locally and abroad as well. The tens of billions spent to prop up the large Government bureaucracy. The hundreds of millions spent to paint Government buildings green. It also drove home how the substantial rise in taxes are being spent, why our children have lost their grant, why our elderly have lost their water and electricity subsidies, why our people are made to pay Value Added Tax on essential items, and so many of the new unsavory realities of life in Guyana.

So today while we as Guyanese are asked to have confidence in Guyana, I ask how can we really be confident in the future when the present is so depressing and tomorrow appears so bleak.

Yours faithfully, Patricia Persaud

Guyana’s dual nationality act needs review

Dear Editor, The issue of dual nationality has been in the news following the successful passage of the No-confidence Motion

against the People’s National Congress/Alliance For Change Government. In the social novel Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens through his main character, Mr

Brumble, wrote, “the law … is an ass (meaning nonsensical). It would seem the law on Guyana’s dual citizenship is an ass.” continued on page 7

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Parents urged Guyana records 156 to ‘get ...

TIP cases in 2018 from page 5

two-year terms.

The DOE encourages all eligible Selectors to vote in this year’s elections. The following parent leaders are eligible to vote in the Education Council elections: C o m m u n i t y Education Councils: members are elected by the PA/PTA president, recording secretary, and treasurer of every school in the corresponding community school district.

Citywide Council on High Schools: members are elected by the PA/PTA president, recording secretary, and treasurer of every high school; each borough elects two representatives.

Citywide Council on Special Education: members are elected by parents of students with an IEP, nominated by each Presidents’ Council in NYC. Citywide Council on English Language Learners: members are elected by parents of English Language Learners, nominated by each Presidents’ Council in NYC. Citywide Council for District 75: members are elected by the PA/ PTA president, recording secretary, and treasurer of every District 75 school.

In addition to the 9 elected members, each CEC includes 2 members appointed by the

Borough President.

Each of the citywide councils includes appointees from the Public Advocate, and CCHS includes two members appointed by the CCSE and CCELL respectively.

Information sessions were held in all five boroughs in partnership with the borough presidents, and additional presentations were offered to parents at Presidents’ Council meetings and other events throughout the city. At the recommendation of parent leaders, there will be conferences in all five boroughs for all candidates between March 18 and 21 to learn more about the roles.

Interpretation services will be available at all Education Council election events.

Between March 25 and May 1, Presidents’ Councils will host forums for candidates to engage with the Selectors who will be voting online from May 2 through May 14. On May 21, the results will be posted on online. The Office of Family and Community Empowerment (FACE) will organize an all-day orientation for the newly elected Education Council members as well as ongoing technical trainings on their roles and responsibilities and leadership development programs.

Guyana’s dual nationality act...

from page 6

According to the Burnham Constitution, a born Guyanese who is a dual citizen cannot be a Member of Parliament or serve as President, and by extension, Prime Minister. But someone who was born outside of Guyana, and by virtue of it, holds dual nationality can serve in the above-mentioned positions. So, a “foreign born dual citizen Guyanese” has more rights than a local born dual citizen. That is inherently unequal, to quote the Chief Justice in the US Supreme Court decision on Brown v Bd of Ed (1954).

The Dual Nationality Act must be unconstitutional as it allows for two types of citizens with differing rights – some enjoying more rights than others violating the principle of equality for all.

Born Guyanese are less

equal than foreign born Guyanese according to the Dual Nationality Act. Was that the intention of the law? When this law was drafted, no one gave serious thought that it is in fact an ass!

In the US or any other country, this two-tier type of citizenship would not be allowed except for the presidency.

In the US, any citizen, born (sanguis or blood) or naturalised (acquires citizenship through immigration) can run for any office and can hold any position except for the presidency (and by extension vice presidency since he or she can succeed the President).

Which courageous (dual citizen) Guyanese is going to challenge this (idiotic) part of the law that grants more rights to non-born Guyanese?

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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Participants and coordinators of the training session on human trafficking

uyana’s small population has been hit with the growing epidemic of human trafficking cases, with statistics demonstrating that some 156 cases were recorded for 2018 only.

This was divulged during the Social Protection Ministry’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) workshop on Wednesday where the Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit provided training to shelter managers and operators.

Coordinator of the programme, Tanisha Williams-Corbin shared some of the alarming statistics which were recorded for last year as she stated that the ministry has seen notably high statistics in these cases. Out of the 156 persons that were assisted, some 93 were transferred to shelters and similar agencies for additional support.

“We find that this training is very important and it is timely. Over the past few years, the Ministry of Social Protection has recorded quite a significant increase in trafficking in persons.

For 2018, we recorded and assisted 156 victims of trafficking in person. Out of the 156, 93 were referred to the facilities,” said Williams-Corbin.

According to her, this trend has continued into 2019, with

some eight cases reported in less than two months. For this, provisions were made for other countries and entities to contribute in these investigations.

“For 2019 so far, [it’s the] same thing. To date, we have recorded eight cases of suspected trafficking in persons. 45 victims were identified on the soils of Guyana and we’re working closely with a Caribbean island and the International Organisation for Migration to repatriate one victim who was recruited in Guyana but trafficked to a Caribbean country,” she stated.

The coordinator is of the view that these interactions will increase their strength in the fight against this type of human captivity.

Throughout the session, stakeholders were provided with information and systems in place which were set up to combat trafficking by understanding the nature of these crimes. Moreover, they are briefed on how to communicate with victims.

Meanwhile, Probation and Social Services Officer, Denise Ralph gave a background of the importance of these sessions to shelter operators as she stated that these agencies are the

first exposure to the victims after they’re rescued.

It was mentioned that these persons should not be placed in environments where they feel unsafe or vulnerable.

“We targeted these persons because when the victims are placed in protective care, [they] are the ones that have direct contact with those persons. Those persons are placed there for a reason. They’re placed there to be protected from perpetrators who threaten them.

When these victims have to go to court, they need a safe place where we can have them housed so that they wouldn’t have other members there to influence them,” said Ralph.

The Guyana Police Force has also played a role in locating trafficked persons and preventing such incidents. In its 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report, the US-State Department noted that although the Guyana Government meets the minimum standards, it did not provide adequate protection and shelter outside the capital, or for child and male victims.

It said the number of trafficking investigations and new prosecutions decreased, and the number of successful convictions remained low.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Bar Association says GECOM, by law, required to be in a state of readiness

New batch of teachers urged to display positive attitude, respect rules governing profession

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Young potential teachers to soon enter the profession from Regions 2 and 3

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Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire

he Bar Council of the Guyana Bar Association on Wednesday said it welcomes the recent ruling of acting Chief Justice Roxane George in the legal challenge arising out of the December 21, 2018 no-confidence resolution and called for the announcement of the date for constitutionally mandated General and Regional Elections.

Chief Justice George, on January 31, issued rulings in three cases arising out of the no-confidence resolution that toppled the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government.

On Monday, the released written judgement prompted the statement from the Bar Association.

“We note the ruling of the Honourable Chief Justice (ag) at paragraph 108 of the written judgement in Attorney General of Guyana v Dr Barton Scotland, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr Joseph Harmon, Action No 2019-HC-DEM-CIVFDA-22 as follows: I hold that the NCM was carried as the requisite majority was obtained by a vote of 33:32. The President and the Ministers cannot therefore remain in Government beyond the three months within which elections are required to be held in accordance with Article

106(7), unless that time is enlarged by the National Assembly in accordance with the requirements of the said Art 106(7),” the statement read.

Following the passage of the Noconfidence Motion, the Bar Association urged that the results and consequences of the motion be accepted and that urgent preparations for elections by the Elections Commission be started. They also warned that should elections not be held within the 90 days as stipulated by Article 106(6) of the Constitution, then it could lead to instability, adding that Guyana’s democracy should be protected by the “unambiguous adherence to the rule of law.”

“To date, 54 days have elapsed since the passage of the motion and no date has been fixed for elections within the required constitutional period or otherwise. Neither the filing of appeals nor applications for orders staying the operation of the clear timelines fixed by the Constitution can stop the time from running within which elections must be held.

Only a resolution of the National Assembly supported by not less than two-thirds of all of its elected members can extend the time for elections if it is necessary to do so,” the state-

ment said.

The Bar Association added that GECOM, in accordance with the Constitution, is required to be in a state of readiness to conduct elections at any time within three months of the passing of a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.

“The Bar Council therefore renews its call on all parties concerned, including the President, the Leader of the Opposition and the Guyana Elections Commission, to take such immediate steps as will avoid Guyana entering into a constitutional crisis and prevent the dire effects such a crisis could have on the country…

The Guyana Elections Commission and all other stakeholders required for the conduct of elections are bound by the operation of the Constitution, the supreme law of Guyana.”

According to the Bar Association, GECOM is required by the Constitution to issue instructions for the preparation for elections and take such action as appear necessary or expedient to ensure fairness, impartiality and compliance with the Constitution on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the registration of electors or the conduct of elections.

he Teaching Service Commission on Monday handed out 82 letters of introduction to individuals from Regions 2 and 3 who applied to become teachers.

The simple ceremony for both regions was held in the auditorium of the West Demerara Secondary School where all potential teachers were present. Vice Chairperson of the Commission, Avril Crawford explained to the prospective teachers that the letters of introduction are not appointments.

“The letters of introduction serve as an invitation for you to take to the school that you have been introduced to and after you would have taken up the offer the Head Teacher of the respective schools will forward your letter of assumption to us before you are formally appointed. I am therefore advising you to take the letters at the earliest date so that the process of your appointment can commence,” Crawford explained.

The importance of record keeping was underscored by Commissioner Amjad Shaw who also addressed the gathering.

“Record keeping is an important tool in this profession that always provides guidance. It directs you in a systematic way and will always keep you

on top of your game so please don’t lag behind when it comes to record keeping,” posited Commissioner Shaw.

A call was made on the prospective teachers to adhere to the rules and regulations governing their profession and to ensure they always display a positive attitude. This charge was delivered by Regional Executive Officer of Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Region Three, Jennifer FerreiraDougall.

“Teachers are role models and students will look at your behaviour and decide whether you are capable to teach them or not. You will be judged by the level of commitment you show.”

REO Ferreira-Dougall also used the opportunity to congratulate all the schools that have improved in their matriculation rate and attributed it to the current policy of the ministry.

To become a teacher, at a minimum, one must complete Secondary School and pass five subjects at C-SEC inclusive of Mathematics and English A. The person must apply to the Teaching Service Commission which is the constitutional body that screens the applications and fills vacancies. The Department of Education, within each region, is mandated to update the list of vacancies that exist within schools.

Delay tactics!...

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finances wired. He said GECOM has done it in past elections and he sees no difficulty why it cannot be done now.

The PPP-appointed Commissioner said there have been refusals, unwillingness or non-appearances to come to decisions from some commissioners, among other issues.

“And despite us saying on January 22 that the Commission must prepare for elections, as mandated by the Constitution based on the no-confidence vote, we are still to be told whether they would be in an election mode,” he added.

Benn is convinced that GECOM has taken certain actions in line with an overall strategy geared towards not having an election on March 19, 2019, which was related to the Carter Center during their visit.

When questioned as to whether he thinks a vote should be taken on the current stalemate, Benn said is for the Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson to decide on.

On the other hand, Governmentappointed Commissioner Vincent Alexander said there was nothing new to report, except to say that Benn had a presentation before the Commissioners.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

The parliamentary Opposition has

pointed to Government’s attempts to delay the holding of the constitutionally mandated elections following the no-confidence resolution of December 21, 2018. The three-month time frame in which the polls should be held was validated in the interpretation by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, who declared that the motion was validly passed 33-32.

GECOM has since been unforthcoming about its preparedness for the mandatory elections despite being mandated by the Constitution of Guyana to hold elections within three months of the passage of a no-confidence motion. In fact, during a meeting with both Opposition and Government Chief Whips, the Chairman of GECOM, retired Justice James Patterson abruptly ended a meeting on the Commissions preparedness after he was pressed for answers.

Already international pressure on the country has mounted. Only recently, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka urged the State to demonstrate its integrity and respect the Constitution as she reminded that building a peaceful and just society requires respect for the rule of law and confidence in national institutions. Her calls were followed by similar sentiments by other members of the diplomatic community.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Teen accused of killing drinking partner with arrow and bow

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drinking spree, which turned deadly last week, saw a teenager being remanded to jail after he was charged with the capital offence of murder.

Ronell Henry, 19, of Koriabo, Barima, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The prosecution is contending that on February 5 at Koriabo, Barima in the North West District, he unlawfully killed Orlando Joseph, 26, using an arrow and bow.

According to Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, Henry was in the company of his mother and others, imbibing when an argument ensued between the Henry and Joseph at about 15:30h. The prosecutor contended that the argument escalated and Henry armed himself with a bow and arrow and shot the farmer in the upper region of his body.

Joseph was taken to the Mabaruma Public Hospital where he was treated but later that day succumbed to his to his injury.

UG launches Centre of Excellence Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry

Alleged love triangle ends deadly at Grove T

he University of Guyana (UG), on Wednesday, launched its Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning (CoETaL) under the theme: “New Era, New Strategies to Enhance Teaching and Learning as We Journey along Renaissance Road”.

Present at the launch was Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry as well as UG's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith.

Minister Henry officially launched the centre with her remarks where she highlighted the importance of the institution and others like it, in moulding the na-

A

triangular love affair turned deadly on Wednesday with the discovery of 53-year-old Rohan Khanai Persaud’s body, which was found in Samatta Point Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Police preliminary reports stated that the handyman was killed by his friend, who was allegedly having an affair with Persaud’s reputed wife. Guyana Times International was told that the discovery was made at about 06:30h by residents who saw the body at the corner of the road.

According to Police reports, he was found with a gash on his abdomen. This newspaper understands that at the time of the discovery, the man’s intestines were protruding through the wound. His T-shirt was also rolled up around his neck while his back bore apparent marks of violence.

Reports reaching this publication also stated that the suspect of Grove Housing Scheme moved into the now dead man’s home after he had misunderstandings with his brothers. However, while there, he reported-

Dead: Rohan Khanai Persaud

ly started a relationship with Persaud’s wife.

According to a source close to the family, this led to numerous arguments between Persaud and his reputed wife, known as “Julie Mango”.

She subsequently moved out of the home. However, Persaud and the suspect along with other friends were in Grove at about 01:00h when another argument ensued between the duo. Persaud reportedly again accused the suspect of having sexual relations with his wife and a scuffle ensued.

It was at this time that the suspect reportedly used a stingray (fish) bone and dealt Persaud one stab wound to his abdomen. The now dead man fell to the ground and was reportedly left for dead while the suspect and his friends fled the scene. Three men were taken into custody while Police continue the hunt to nab another suspect.

Persaud’s body is presently at the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

‘Child father’ on bail after breaching protection order

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man who breached a court order found himself before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus charged with violating a protection order granted to the mother of his child against him.

Seon Felix, a sales coordinator of Lot 658 Diamond Housing Scheme, denied that on February 11, 2019 at Robb and Hinck Streets, Georgetown, he breached a court order and went

within 100 feet of the Virtual Complainant, which is a violation of the protection order issued

by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Defence Attorney Ronald Burch-Smith, in a bail application, told the court that on the day in question, his client had gone to the area to pay for his car insurance when he saw the woman in the vicinity. He said that his client continued his business, but was lat-

er arrested by Police.

However, the VC denied the claim put to the court by the defence counsel, saying that she became afraid after she saw Felix staring at her.

Magistrate IsaacsMarcus ordered Felix to report to the Brickdam Police Station weekly until the trial is completed.

The defendant was released on G$10,000 bail.

tion’s human resources.

“This university, over the years, has been evolving into a more competitive and respected tertiary institution in the region and is certainly responsible for a lot that is required for this country’s human resource development,” Minister Henry remarked.

She also highlighted the demand, not only for greater diversification but for higher education, mainly since Guyana is on the cusp of becoming an energy-based economy.

In his remarks to the audience, Griffith spoke of finding opportunities to better serve the students of the university: “We have got to find the

opportunity of enhancing our ability to serve the students, and our primary constituency to serve the students is the faculty, the lecturers, the technicians in the library.”

Griffith highlighted the components of his Renaissance plan that seeks to enhance the university and therefore, better serve the students. The plan consists of four major components, namely: Capital Investment, Academic Enhancement, Economic Viability and Alumni Engagement.

This plan has already led to a number of enhancements to the campus grounds and facilities.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Attorney accuses Guyana Govt of abusing State resources for political campaign these regulations (Act 24 of 1990) they have neither been observed by contesting political parties nor enforced by the Chief Elections Officer.

Ram said therefore this could lead to social, political and economic instabilities in society.

“GECOM should be drawing it to their attention. They need to get up and do some work. GECOM is the elections regulator in this country… I am not sure that the Chief Executive Officer (Keith Lowenfield) or the Chairman (retired Justice James Patterson) is aware of that, but there are provisions,” he opined.

China continues to be a valuable partner in Guyana’s development - Ambassador … over 2000 Guyanese employed

by Chinese companies

Legislation

Activist and accountant, Christopher Ram

By Samuel Sukhnandan

I

mmediately after the Noconfidence Motion was passed in the National Assembly and following the High Court’s ruling in the matter, the coalition Government has upped its political campaigning, although President David Granger is yet to announce a date for the constitutionally mandated General and Regional Elections.

Local political analysts and commentators have also taken note of the frequent travel of Government Ministers to various parts of the country, including the hinterland region.

This points to the fact that Guyana is still in need of a modern piece of legislation that will cater for campaign finance for each political party, whether that party is in Government or not.

Outspoken attorney and chartered accountant, Christopher Ram told Guyana Times International on Monday that it is clear that the current Administration is utilising State resources to fund their political campaign.

“That is a misuse of public State funds and there is a law on campaign financing – the Representation of the Peoples Act has provisions on it.

The Government is abusing the law and State resources,” he added.

In Chapter 1:03 Part XIII of the Act titled “Election Expenses”, a limit is placed on personal campaign expenses to GY$25,000 per candidate and a maximum sum of GY$50,000 multiplied by a maximum number of 53 from a total number of 65 candidates for each contesting political party. The Guyana exchange rate in 1990 was GY$45:US$1. It is presently GY$200: US$1.

And according to Section 120 (1) of the amended Act, following elections, political parties’ election agents have 35 days in which to submit financial returns to the Chief Elections Officer, disclosing on behalf of candidates and their parties, all payments made by the party’s election agent, amounts of personal expenses paid by each candidate, all disputed and unpaid claims, all monies, securities, and those received for the conduct of the elections, the names of donors and contributors, among others.

However, since the enactment of

Asked whether he thinks there is need for a more modern legislation to guide campaign financing in Guyana, the commentator told Guyana Times International that there is always need for a more modern legislation but “they first have to comply with what exists within the Representation of the Peoples Act.” The Carter Center had recommended the implementation of campaign financing laws and even prior to that, the Alliance For Change (AFC) was pushing for the implementation of the laws; however, after years in Government, the party and its coalition partner are yet to make a step in that direction.

In its final report on the 2011 General Election, the Carter Center said the need to create legislation to cater for campaign financing was important and even reiterated that in its 2015 report.

“To ensure realisation of the right and opportunity to be elected, legal reform is necessary to improve campaign finance laws. Legislation should be strengthened to routinely require disclosure of contributions and expenditures. Consideration also should be given to establishing reasonable limits on donations and expenditures to ensure that the free choice of voters is not undermined or the democratic process distorted by disproportionate expenditures on behalf of any candidate or party.

A monitoring and enforcement body with oversight authority of compliance with campaign finance regulations would also be a positive contribution to Guyanese politics,” the report stated.

Additionally, the report stated that Guyana’s legal framework for elections was silent in the area of registration and operation of political parties; hence, the reason why legislation is needed to establish clear requirements for the registration and operation of political parties that would support the freedom of association and promote broad multiethnic parties that could represent citizen interests in governance.

One of the co-founders of the AFC, Sheila Holder, who wrote a report on ‘Political parties and campaign financing in Guyana’ was passionate about getting the issue addressed through the drafting of legislation. In that report she revealed that incumbent Governments in Guyana have an unfair advantage over opponents when it comes to them having access to finance for their political campaigns.

W

ith some 20 Chinese companies contracted in Guyana and the creation of jobs for more than 2000 Guyanese, Chinese Ambassador Cui Jianchun has stated that Guyana has benefited from these and many other initiatives birthed from strong bilateral relations between the two countries over the years.

Ambassador Jianchun was at the time speaking at a reception held to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year and Spring Festival on Wednesday evening. The event, which was held at the New Thriving Restaurant, Providence, East Bank Demerara, was a collaboration between the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Association of Guyana.

During his remarks, the Chinese diplomat noted that this New Year is not just the Year of the Pig but a year of auspiciousness and happiness. He noted that the Chinese Lunar New Year is very traditional, which is all the more reason to celebrate it.

Reflecting on achievements of the Asian country over the years, Ambassador Jianchun posited that China continues to be a frontier nation in many spheres especially in health care, infrastructure and Information and Communication

Performers at the event.

Technology (ICT).

He noted that China continues to demonstrate, through concrete actions, its sincerity and resolve to build a global community with a bright future for everyone. On this note, he mentioned the role China has played in some of the major developmental projects in Guyana; such as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project and the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

“China and Guyana inked a MoU of Cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, providing a solid platform for higher level of pragmatic cooperation between the two sides… Currently, there are more than 20 Chinese companies investing or engaged in various contractual projects in Guyana, providing more than 2000 jobs for the local people,” the Chinese Diplomat posited.

The Ambassador went on to highlight the various bilateral programmes from which Guyana has benefited and continues to benefit from. These include the Chinese Medical Brigade and scholarships.

He added that some 183 Guyanese received training in China or locally during last year alone, with an additional 14 Government scholarships granted.

“I believe that the

Government and people of Guyana are fully aware of the tangible benefits of China and Guyana friendship and diplomatic cooperation… This year marks the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Guyana…

It is my dream that we can elevate the mutually beneficial cooperation to a high level and bring more benefits to the people of the two countries,” Ambassador Cui asserted.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in brief remarks also lauded the fruitful bilateral relation the two countries have shared. He said the relationship between the two countries has reminded unbreakable and solid over the years.

Nagamootoo posited that Guyana is looking forward for the continuation of these relations with China which has seen Guyana benefiting in the areas of public service, health and security.

During Wednesday’s reception, which was attended by several Government Ministers, Opposition members, members of the diplomatic corps and business community among others, the gathering was entertained by several traditional Chinese performances.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Govt seems “hell bent” on creating constitutional crisis

…Jagdeo tells Carter Center reps

R

epresentatives from the US-based Carter Center met with members of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Monday where they met with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo along with Opposition Members of Parliament Juan Edghill and Priya Manickchand.

The Carter Center team included Associate Director, Brett Lacy, and Legal and Electoral Advisor, Anne Marlborough.

The representatives were in Guyana on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the country’s preparedness to host General and Regional Elections following the December 21, 2018 passage of a motion of no-confidence against the coalition Government.

In an interview with Guyana Times International, the Opposition Leader said he briefed the visiting officials on his party’s perspective on the elections.

“We welcomed the meeting and we’re pleased that they’ve shown continued interest in the governance issues in Guyana,

particularly free and fair elections. We also used to the opportunity to outline our perspective on how the matters are evolving,” he stated.

According to the Opposition Leader, he made it clear that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition seems “hell bent” on violating the Constitution.

“I told them that there is almost no respect for the [High] Court’s decision and that Government is operating in a manner and have made public pronouncements that it is ‘business as usual’.

There has been no good faith effort made by this Government to meet the constitutional deadline and that they are pushing us into a constitutional crisis once the March 19 deadline expires,” Jagdeo said he told the Carter Center representatives.

Since the passage of the No-confidence Motion, the Opposition has been reaching out to a number of international organisations to update them on the political situation in Guyana. As such, Jagdeo said this visit by the Carter Center demon-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

strates that Guyana and the events happening in the country are being watched closely.

“We’ve been having regular meetings with the international community and I know that they are very concerned with the developments in Guyana and I believe that at the appropriate time, stronger views will be expressed,” he stated.

Already international

pressure on the country has mounted. Only recently, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka urged the State to demonstrate its integrity and respect the Constitution as she reminded that building a peaceful and just society requires respect for the rule of law and confidence in national institutions.

“Recent political developments triggered by the

no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, are a test for Guyana’s strength and integrity with regards to the effectiveness of the rule of law and governance. The delivery of the decisions by the Chief Justice demonstrates the independence and integrity of the Judiciary in protecting the Constitution and upholding the rule of law. The Honourable Speaker’s earlier valida-

tion of the process of the controversial voting at the National Assembly was testimony of the integrity of the Legislative arm of the State. It is hoped that the third arm of the State, the Executive, will demonstrate its integrity and respect for Guyana’s Constitution and the Judiciary that constitute the foundation for the rule of law,” Tanaka noted.

While the length of the Carter Center officials’ visit is unknown, the team has already met with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

During that meeting, they engaged Chairman, Justice James Patterson; Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; and the three Opposition Commissioners.

The three Government Commissions did not show for the meeting on Monday.

Later that day, the Carter Center representatives also met with Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Social Protection Minister Amna Ally; and Political Advisor, Dr Mark Kirton at the Ministry of the Presidency.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

New oil contracts will have more favourable terms for Guyana ...says Energy Dept head

By Jarryl Bryan

I

n the wake of public criticism over the contractual terms it negotiated with the oil contracts based on a model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Government said it has taken steps towards rectifying this issue.

At a press conference on Monday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Head of the Department of Energy Dr Mark Bynoe revealed that a new PSA template has been developed. Even though ExxonMobil’s contract insulates it from changes in Guyana’s laws and policies, this template will be used for future contracts.

“The new template will definitely have more favourable terms for Guyana,” Bynoe said.

“When that (old) PSA started, the risks of investing in Guyana were significantly higher… the greater the risk, the greater the returns.”

“Going forward, because we have a lot more knowledge now, we’ve been able to have conditions that are a lot more favourable. So from that perspective, there will be improvements.

M e a n w h i l e , Department of Energy Advisor, Matthew Wilks gave some details about what was changed about the templates. He explained that ring-fencing is catered for in the improvements.

“We’re looking at

From left: Department of Energy Advisor Matthew Wilks and Head of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe

improving the overall Government take, in terms of the amount the Government will get, by instituting elements like ring-fencing. We’ll also look at making it more of a progressive regime, so as the oil price increases the Government gets more of the share.”

“There are a number of techniques for doing that in PSA’s. We’ll also be looking at closing off potential taxation and value-loss loopholes.

There are many in all PSA’s around the world.

What you try to do is mitigate avenues by which companies can reduce their taxes. And there will be a tightening up to ensure Government has more of a say.”

However, Wilks cautioned against too much tweaking of the model to the point where the terms repel rather than attract investors. The advisor stressed that the

right balance has to be found, otherwise investors will take their money elsewhere.

In terms of royalties, which in Guyana’s case is two per cent, Wilks noted that this should be subject to a competitive process.

“In constructing these PSA’s, we’re trying to evaluate what’s best for that critical point where the Government gets what it wants and the investor will still invest.

That’s what we’re working on throughout the year.”

“Royalty is often a biddable term. In many countries where there is a PSA, that is sort of a square box to be filled in by companies. And they compete. So rather than stipulating royalty levels, you let them compete against each other to offer royalty levels.”

The

The PSA

current

PSA

between the coalition Government, ExxonMobil and its partners in the Stabroek block was finalised on October 7, 2016.

ExxonMobil and its partners were able to secure a number of exemptions.

Article 15.4 of the renegotiated contract also provides for the Government itself to pay the company’s income tax. To facilitate this, the oil company has to submit tax returns to the Government.

Article 32 stipulates that Government cannot modify the contract or increase any fiscal obligation the company has. This, therefore, puts a cap on the taxes, royalties, duties, fees or charges outlined in the contract.

Government also has to compensate the operator if a change to existing laws causes loss of revenue for the company.

Georgetown woman jailed for passport forgery A

UG student remanded on bomb threat charge

woman, who Police had issued a wanted bulletin for last month, was on Wednesday jailed for six months and fined G$40,000 when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Thirty-one-year-old, Unique Angelica Hope of Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown admitted to the offense of falsifying a Guyanese passport when she stood before Magistrate Faith McGusty.

The prosecution’s case contended that on January 17, 2019, at the Central Immigration and Passport Office, Georgetown, for the purpose of procuring a new passport, she signed a written document stating that she was Coretta Hope. After the police could not locate her a want-

ed bulletin was issued for her and she was subsequently arrested.

During her first court appearance Hope denied the allegation after which she was granted G$100,000 bail. The woman was unable to post bail. On her second court appearance on Wednesday she changed her plea and had the sentence handed down. The court heard that Hope had previously forged a passport after she was deported from Barbados for overstaying.

Following deportation, hope forged yet another passport and was again deported from Barbados for overstaying.

However, this time around, she attempted to use her physically challenged sister’s identification to forge her third passport but was caught.

Unique Angelica Hope

U

Sheliza Dianne Jaferally

niversity of Guyana student Sheliza Dianne Jaferally was on Monday remanded to prison when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of misuse of a telecommunications system.

Jaferally is accused of issuing bomb threats against the tertiary institution. The 25-year-old denied that on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, by means of a public telecommunications system, she caused anxiety to the students and staff of the University of Guyana by transmitting a false message knowing same to be false.

Defense Attorney Latchmie Rahamat in a bail application told the court that her client has completely denied the allegations and intends to “vigorously defend herself.”

Rahamat also presented to the court a printed and stamped copy of a list of generated phone numbers that are similar to that of her client’s.

However, the police prosecutor opposed bail for the student on the grounds that she may tamper with witnesses as well as evidence that was generated during Police investigations against Jaferally.

The prosecution also opposed bail on the grounds that the matter is a concern of public interest. Further, the court was informed that there are also four outstanding statements into the matter.

Attorney Rahamat, after listening to the police submission, noted that the police have her

client’s telecommunication devices in custody and, therefore, she would not be able to “tamper with witnesses or evidence” if granted bail.

The defence attorney also informed the court that her client has been cooperating with investigators from the inception and has been incarcerated for more than 72 hours.

However, the Chief Magistrate upheld the prosecution’s submissions, noting that the issue is a matter of public interest and remanded Jaferally to prison. The case will continue on February 18 at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

The alleged bomb threat forced the suspension of all classes at the University of Guyana with Police ranks, sniffer dogs, Guyana Fire Service operatives and other security personnel swooping down on the campus.

Reports are, students received messages on their mobile devices just after 13:00h which purported that there were two bombs planted which would soon explode.

The text claimed that the bombs were hidden in haversacks that were strategically placed, which caused some to panic and flee classrooms and buildings with some even leaving belongings behind. After security agents were summoned to the scene, no explosive device was uncovered.

This latest incident follows threats carried out to School of the Nations, Queens College, the Bishops’ High and Mae’s schools.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Govt, IDB sign US$31.1M loan agreements

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IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno and Finance Minister Winston Jordan signing the loan agreements on Monday

inance Minister Winston Jordan on Monday signed two loan agreements with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) to the tune of US$31.1 million.

The loans are earmarked for the establishment of an Electronic Single Window for Trade and the Energy Matrix Diversification and Institutional Strengthening of the Department of Energy.

The projects will be executed by the Business Ministry; the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc respectively. The loans were signed on the sidelines of the eighth Annual Caribbean Governors’ Meeting of the IDB. The Ministry said that exporters, importers, agencies and businesses involved in the importation and exportation of goods can look forward to significant improvement in the ease of doing business with the establishment of an Electronic Single Window. The iden-

tified benefits include reduced transaction costs, data requirements and documents, and simplified trade processes through enhanced inter-agency collaboration which together will align Guyana with international best practices.

“Meanwhile, the Energy Matrix Diversification and Strengthening of the Department of Energy project will realise investments in newer and more sustainable energy solutions for hinterland communities, improve the reliability and stability of the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System and help the Department of Energy to develop a regulatory framework, improve its capacity and governance of the oil and gas sector,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Guyana’s total public debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was increased from 45.7 per cent in 2016 to 46.2 per cent in 2017, according to the Public Debt Annual Report of 2017.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

No need to change list if elections held before April 30 – PPP Commissioner

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ith the current voters’ list having been certified in October of 2018, a People’s Progressive Party nominated Commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is debunking claims that persons will be disenfranchised if elections are held in March or April.

This pronouncement was made by GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj during a recent press conference.

Gunraj explained that the voters’ list was refreshed by the Claims and Objections period.

“The laws of this country provide for how and when a list must be refreshed. A list must be refreshed by a Claims and Objections period.

After a list is refreshed in this manner, that list used to be valid for three months. Pursuant to a legislative change made by the National Assembly in 2018, the period of validity of list extended from three months to six months.”

“As a consequence, that list would have been valid for a period of six months, which ex-

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

pires at the end of April 2019. There is no need, up to April 30, 2019, once elections are going to be held prior to that date, for any amendments whatsoever to be made to a list. That list is valid according to law.”

According to Gunraj, the last date the voters’ list was certified was October 31, 2018. He noted that in the case where there is a valid list being used within the constitutional time-

frame, it is disingenuous to say persons will be disenfranchised.

Gunraj also made it clear that persons desirous of voting should make an effort to ensure they are on the voters’ list, in keeping with their constitutional rights.

“Some persons have even gone so far as to say that their constitutionally guaranteed right to vote is being affected by not having registration. The

Constitution guarantees you a right to vote if you are 18 years old, subject to conditions.”

“One, you must be at the age of 18 at the qualifying date. Two, you must be registered to vote at the qualifying date. It is not the responsibility of GECOM to go and drag you to register. You have an obligation to yourself and a civic duty, one grounded in law, to present yourself for registration.”

A recent protest held in GECOM’s vicinity, had featured persons supporting the call for new house-tohouse registration. The Opposition party and its supporters have labelled this call ‘a ruse’ for delaying elections and have been calling for elections by March 19.

At a press conference on Friday, GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield had told the media that the secretariat is yet to receive instructions from the Commission to commence its elections preparations. In addition, it was claimed that the secretariat needs another 148 days before it is fully ready to host the constitutionally mandated General and Regional Elections.

Gunraj and his fellow Commissioner Robeson Benn had both dismissed this timeline and made it clear that Lowenfield’s job was to get the election machinery rolling in keeping with the constitutional timeline.

The parliamentary Opposition and other observers have accused

Government of attempting to delay the holding of the constitutionally mandated elections following the passage of the No-confidence Motion of December 21, 2018.

The three-month time frame in which the polls should be held was validated in a judicial interpretation by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, who declared that the December 21, 2018 No-confidence Motion was validly passed 33-32.

The complaint has been that GECOM was unforthcoming about its preparedness for the mandatory elections despite being mandated by the Constitution of Guyana to hold elections within three months of the passage of a no-confidence motion. The Constitution provides for the President to announce a date for elections and not GECOM as is being touted. Since the passage of the Noconfidence Motion, the Opposition has called out both Government and GECOM on what it described as delaying tactics.

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High drama in court as Morris Prince freed of 2016 executionstyle killing

Morris Prince, in the white shirt, embraced his loved ones after being unanimously freed of murder

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creams of joy erupted in Justice Navindra Singh’s courtroom on Monday afternoon when Morris Prince was freed of the murder of O’ Riley Small, who was killed execution-style as he was about to open the gate to his Smyth Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown residence on March 16, 2016.

The former deMurdered: O’ Riley Small fendant declined to speak with research of Prince’s car porters after being freed as he was in the unearthed a hoodie with midst of embraces from a marijuana leaf – simemotional relatives. ilar to what the dead Moments prior, the man’s sister, Charlene jury returned with the Forde, claimed she saw unanimous not guilty when the gunman fled verdict after nearly the scene. During her three hours of delibera- testimony, Forde stattions at the High Court. ed that she was about At one point, the court’s to open the door on that marshal ordered si- fateful night when she lence when some of the heard rapid gunshots relatives screamed out only to discover her as the verdict was an- brother lying in blood. nounced by the jury’s She testified that it was one day before her forewoman.

Prince was repre- birthday.

Police Inspector Eon sented by Attorney Mark Waldron, who dis- Jackson, a ballistics exputed the Prosecution’s pert, outlined that he evidence which was examined ten .40 spent led in part by ex-Po- shells and two .40 bullice Corporal Derwayne lets which were handed Eastman, who said he over to him by Corporal saw Prince crouched Radcliff. Jackson reaover at the crime scene soned that the weapon with a reportedly un- used was either a .40 licensed firearm. The pistol or a 10mm pistol.

Police Corporal discharged rank had also told the court that Radcliff had testified when revisited the earlier in the trial that scene to see if Prince gunshot residue was was still there; he had found when he tested left. Corporal Eastman Prince while he was in had also testified that custody but the Defence he along with other had argued that a ranks later went to the Police Station would Rio Night Club where have been contaminatPrince was contact- ed by such a material.

State Counsels ed and was later taken Tuanna Hardy, Abigail into custody.

Gibbs and Teriq It was also stated during the trial that a Mohammed prosecuted the case.

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ECD man jailed, fined G$221M for narco trafficking Azim Baksh

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zim Baksh also known as “Bato” of Phase One, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, who was busted with 91.132 kg of cocaine and 56.008 kg of cannabis in a fishing vessel at Mon Repos, ECD, was on Tuesday found guilty of narcotics trafficking.

Baksh appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court where he was informed that there is enough evidence against him and as such, he was found guilty.

Magistrate George sentenced Baksh to five years’ imprisonment and fined him G$221 million. In addition, the boat in which the drugs were found was confiscated and handed over to the State.

The prosecution contended that Baksh was under surveillance by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on July 14, 2018, when the fishing vessel docked at the Mon Repos River channel. He was followed

by CANU agents while Police searched the boat.

Following the discovery of the drugs, Baksh was arrested in a car at Mon Repos, ECD. His accomplice, Farok Baksh, called “Shoot”, however, managed to escape and a wanted bulletin was issued for him.

During the trial CANU ranks gave evidence showing that they found 82 parcels of cocaine which weighed 91.132 kg (201.32 lbs) as well as 98 parcels of cannabis which weighed 56.008 kg (123.47 lbs) on the vessel.

Some of the cocaine and ganja found on the fishing vessel

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Probe into controversial Guyana, New Zealand sign Air Services Agreement D’Urban Park Project G hits brick wall …Auditor General says more documents needed

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s the probe into the controversial D’Urban Park Project continues, Auditor General Deodat Sharma says he is dissatisfied with the information they have gathered thus far and would, therefore, need more documents.

Last week, the Public Infrastructure Ministry said in a statement that it had already handed over documents requested by the Auditor General’s Office.

But Sharma told Guyana Times International on Tuesday that while he was in receipt of those documents, more financial records are needed before the audit is completed into the multimillion-dollar project.

“We sent a draft [report], they have now responded but we are now combining their response in the original queries and we’re sending back that report to them because we still haven’t gotten quite a few documents. So I’ll be sending that to the (Permanent Secretary of the Public Infrastructure Ministry Kenneth Jordan) requesting some more information they said they have,” he told this newspaper.

According to the Auditor General when asked, he is unsure how long the audit will last.

“We will have to wait and see the information we get. Basically, I’m still not satisfied with the information that we have… [As it is right now] the half of billion that was expended by the private company that cannot be explained which is what I had in my AG report already.

Remember the company did some work and

the Ministry took over it so how do you check that work and what they said, that’s the type of problems we have…,” Sharma asserted. The coalition Government has come in for much criticism over D’Urban Park, its flagship project, with issues such as corruption and mismanagement of state resources taking the fore.

It was Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman, Irfaan Ali, who had requested that further probing be done by the Auditor General into specific projects including D’Urban Park, for which the AG in his 2015 report had listed that some G$36.5 million in Lotto funds was used for rehabilitative works.

Ali had stated that these requests were in relation to follow-ups from the findings that had been included in the AG’s 2015 report. In his 2015 report, the Auditor General had said that following checks on the accounts, it was found that while Government transferred G$1 billion of the Lotto money to the Consolidated Fund in 2015, it held on to just over half a billion dollars to remain under the control of the Ministry of the Presidency and it spent G$305 million on various activities.

The controversy surrounding the D’Urban Park Project exploded when it was revealed to the public that now Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine sat as a Director of a secret company, Homestretch Development Inc (HDI), which was established to collect funds from private companies to develop the Jubilee Park.

This information was initially omitted by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson when he was being drilled by Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly in 2016.

However, after this revelation was made, the Public Infrastructure Ministry took over the project but by that time, some G$400 million was already expended

by HDI. Furthermore, Minister Patterson subsequently secured another G$500 million from the National Assembly.

M e a n w h i l e , Opposition parliamentarian Juan Edghill has been behind efforts to have the Public Procurement Commission investigate the D’Urban Park Project. In a letter to the Commission’s Chairperson, Carol Corbin, Edghill had identified aspects of the Project the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was most concerned about.

The Opposition had noted that despite promises to the contrary, no account of donations received between September 2015 and January 2016 was made public. It, therefore, queried the procurement process used for works on the project.

The scope that a private company has to engage contractors and receive funding for a public project also came into question. The Party queried the budgeted and actual cost throughout the project as well as the final cost. In addition, the Party had demanded information on what payments were made to individuals and contractors up to June.

uyana has entered into an Air Services Agreement with New Zealand.

The Agreement, which grants both States the right to conduct international air transport within a common framework, was signed by Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, and newly accredited High Commissioner Designate of New Zealand His Excellency Anton Ojala.

The signing of the Agreement stems from a joint desire to broaden international air transport opportunities and outlines the related parameters that will enhance competitive air transport services, trade and economic growth.

Minister Greenidge and High Commissioner Ojala shortly after signing the Air Services Agreement

Guyana and New Zealand established diplomatic relations on

September 1, 1974, and continue to enjoy strong relations.

Competition heats up as Children’s Mashramani Finals begins in Georgetown

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Parfait Harmony Primary students performing in the Dance 5 to 7 years (Group) category.

he 2019 Children’s Mashramani Finals organised by the Unit of Allied Arts within the Ministry of Education began on Thursday at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown before an audience of exuberant children, teachers and parents.

According to DPI, this leg of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions follows weeks of competition that took place in the 11 education districts.

Declaring the Finals open was the Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Ms. Jennifer Cumberbatch who represented the Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry.

According to DPI, Ms. Cumberbatch said that the presence of the students at the competition connotes the quality of their performances at the district level and they should be acknowledged and commended.

She said that the performances, whether they were from nursery or secondary, children were spellbinding and impressive.

According to Ms. Cumberbatch, exploring a variety of different artistic endeavours, provides insight into the artistic process, the inspiration for different artworks and the ways artistic performances can have an impact on both the world and the individual.

“In order for an individual to reach their

full creative potential, they need to listen to their feelings and spend time contemplating over them. Being in touch with how you feel can spark a wide variety of creativity,” Ms. Cumberbatch explained.

M e a n w h i l e , Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts, Ms. Lorraine Barker-King said that each year the celebration keeps getting bigger and this can only be achieved through collaboration at all levels including the Education Ministry, corporate sponsors, the community, teachers and the children.

She thanked all the sponsors that would have supported the Children’s Mashramani Activities.

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Urgent action needed to address issue of rejected rice shipment

- Ramsammy

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ollowing the recent confiscation of 70 metric tonnes of White Cinderella rice from Guyana by Jamaica’s Industries, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, there have been widespread criticisms centred at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

As such, former Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that a concerted effort is needed to have this issue addressed at the soonest possible time to ensure that the loopholes that may exist are corrected quickly and effectively by the Board.

He reminded that there are standard protocols for rice and paddy being exported. The GRDB maintains that a unit of inspectors must certify all rice and paddy before they are exported.

This applies to all rice and paddy, no matter who are the exporters or where is the destination.

“All paddy and rice exported must be approved for export by the GRDB. The inspectors visit both the source (rice

factory or warehouse) and also inspect the cargo at [the] wharf before loading. This system is intended to avoid poor quality product being exported and the system is intended to protect Guyana’s reputation as an important rice exporter,” he explained.

However, the Jamaican authorities impounded some 1575 bags of rice from Guyana. The grains, which were exported by a local distributor, were inspected and was found to have signs of mould, clumping discolouration and wetting and as such, detained by a food storage inspector.

Dr Ramsammy said this issue warrants an explanation from the GRDB. Asked what action he would have taken if this situation had occurred while he was Minister, he said, “I would have demanded an immediate independent investigation. In addition, I would have contacted my colleague Minister in Jamaica to assure him that we will ensure that if there is any fault on our part we will take measures that

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

it does not happen again.

I would not have been silent and invisible.”

In underscoring the importance of rice to Guyana’s continued Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, the former Minister also noted that the industry is also an important employer and opportunity for small entrepreneurs.

“These small and large farmers invest more than G$40 billion to G$50 billion annually in Guyana’s economy and bring in between US$200 million to $300 million annually in export earnings. It is an industry that the Government must continue to support and protect.”

Obligation

Dr Ramsammy also pointed out that the visibility of the industry is because of its indispensable role in GDP growth and in keeping a large section of the population employed. As such, he said that Holder must be very visible in ensuring nothing adversely affects the industry.

“Without its export market, rice will die. The Government has an ob-

ligation to be proactive and aggressive in ensuring nothing threatens the market. Jamaica is one of the important destinations for Guyana rice. This is not the first time things have gone wrong in Jamaica,” he also observed.

Dr Ramsammy recalled leading various teams on at least three occasions to Jamaica, meeting with the Ministers of Trade and Agriculture, and with Jamaican importers and regulators to ensure that these issues are addressed. “This was being

proactive…I also know Minister Robert Persaud did the same. I know that Minister Holder has never done so,” he added.

He continued, “I believe that given the frequency of poor quality rice and paddy exported that the GRDB must be held accountable.

Clearly, the scrutiny and oversight the Board needs to exercise have been breached.

The Board of the GRDB, like their Minister (Noel Holder), has been missing in action. With the politicisation of the Board, management has

been marginalised to the detriment of the industry.”

After samples of the rice shipment were sent to the division’s microbiology lab for testing, the results from the tests demonstrated that the rice contained microbial levels which are beyond the accepted limits, thus making it inapt for human consumption.

This seizure is first for the year but an epidemic of poor quality rice exiting Guyana was seen in the recent months when Panama rejected some 20 containers of rice from Guyana back in September 2018.

The GRBD said it learnt of the confiscation through media reports. Efforts were made to contact the agency responsible for the shipment and the Board is yet to receive an answer.

Rice is the second largest contributor to the Agriculture GDP of Guyana. Guyana is presently the largest paddy producer and one of the leading exporters of rice in the Caribbean region.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

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Guyana presented 52% of cases at CCJ

…when compared to Caribbean neighbours

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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has released its annual report for cases it adjudicated between 2017 and 2018, showing that Guyana presented the lion’s share of cases compared to its Caribbean neighbours for judicial settlement.

According to the report, Guyana presented 52 per cent of the total cases filed, followed by Barbados (22 per cent); Belize (19 per cent) and Dominica (six per cent).

According to the report, a total of 32 new matters were filed during this period.

These include 13 applications for special leave and 19 Notices of Appeal. The report notes that 17 cases came from Guyana, seven cases from Barbados, six from Belize and two from Dominica.

“Civil applications and appeals represented the clear majority (88 per cent) of the new matters while the number of appeals filed in this year more than doubled the number filed in the previous judicial year,” the annual report states.

Over the past year, there have been a number of cases from Guyana being referred to the CCJ. These include ‘the third term case’ of Cedric Richardson v the Attorney General of Guyana, Hyles and Williams v the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Medical Council of Guyana v Jose Ocampo Trueba.

Other cases included the Deorani Singh versus Attorney General of Guyana, Guyana Stores Limited versus the AG and Sattie Basdeo versus the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

The CCJ’s hearing of cases from Guyana is unlikely to lessen, with the current no-confidence cases that are before the local judiciary. Following acting Chief Justice Roxane George upholding the passage of the December 21 no-confidence vote, Government had made it clear that everything was “business as usual” until it could appeal the ruling and a definitive decision is made at the level of the CCJ.

Appeal

On Tuesday, Government asked the Appeal Court to set aside some of the judgements

made by the Chief Justice.

The first case Attorney General Basil Williams is appealing is the case of the Attorney General v Speaker of the National Assembly and Opposition Leader. The second is the Attorney General v Christopher Ram. The initial case directly pertains to the passage of the no-confidence vote in the National Assembly by a majority of 33 to 32 on December 21, 2018. In that case of the Attorney General v Speaker of the National Assembly and Opposition Leader, Williams’s submission argues that “there was a miscalculation of the majority of all elected members as required under Article 106 (6) of the Constitution for the Government to be defeated on a vote of no confidence”.

T h e

Government’s submission had claimed that acquiring 33 instead of 34 or more votes breached Article 106 (6) of the Constitution and was unlawful. It had also claimed that the Speaker’s certification of the vote by issuing Resolution 101 was not conclusive.

In the second case, Ram had argued that Cabinet should have resigned as per the Constitution. Ram had successfully sought to have the High Court validate the no-confidence resolution and have Government comply with constitutional provisions to demit office and call elections no later than March of this year.

Ram has also argued that Cabinet’s failure to resign with all convenient speed and to fix an election date could lead to uncertainty and a constitu-

tional crisis if neither occurs in keeping with the Constitution.

The Chief Justice had upheld both cases, ruling that the no-confidence vote was validly passed, and that Cabinet should have resigned.

However, Williams, in his appeal, is claiming that the Chief Justice made an error in both of these rulings.

Particularly, the Attorney General expressed that the Chief Justice’s decision was “unreasonable and cannot be supported having regard to the evidence”. He is seeking an order setting aside both rulings and all consequential orders, adding that more submissions will be made upon receipt of the CJ’s written ruling.

Meanwhile, the report noted that a training programme for gender sensitivity is ongoing in several Caribbean countries, including Guyana.

According to the report, such programmes are geared towards ensuring these officers are equipped with knowledge about best practices.

“The training programmes examined a variety of gender sensitive issues such as custody, gender-based domestic violence, child support, the various ways in which international law can be utilised to assist the process of adjudication and judicial education techniques for planning and implementing programmes,” it stated.

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‘Guyana could descend into chaos’ …Gaskin says President must obey Constitution and call elections

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s Government persists in its reluctance to respect Article 106 of the Constitution and call elections, many are of the view that if a date is not set for elections soon, the nation could descend into chaos.

One such person who holds this view is outspoken political commentator and economist Ramon Gaskin, who said that the time has come for the Government to obey the rule of law.

He told Guyana Times International on Sunday that “Guyana could be heading into dangerous waters.”

The former advisor to late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan said it was clear based on acting Chief Justice Roxane George’s ruling that after March 19, the Government would be illegal. He believes if President David Granger does not set a date for elections before that time, it will lead to pandemonium.

“After March 19, the Government will be il-

legal. So, we are heading in real serious waters. If they don’t resign and call elections, it will not help quell this rising situation in Guyana.

But it doesn’t appear to me that Government is in any mood to call elections,” Gaskin stated.

He thinks that Guyanese are already tense about the situation, and businesses are confused by what is taking place. Gaskin, therefore, believes that if there is no clear path to an election, it could lead to a possible unstable political and economic situation in Guyana.

According to him, this could also lead to Guyana being blacklisted by international agencies, Governments and other major groupings.

He pointed to the case in neighbouring Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro has been accused of violating the Constitution of that country.

Gaskin said this was no different from the situation taking place here,

Political commentator and economist Ramon Gaskin

except that the violations were blatant and being played out for every major country in the world to bear witness to. “But for the good of our country, Guyana, the President and the Opposition Leader must meet and work this out,” he added.

The political commentator told this newspaper that from all in-

dications elections were possible this year, but the various delaying tactics being applied to the situation were just meant to frustrate the people. Gaskin concluded, therefore, that this boiled down to blatant disrespect towards the Chief Justice’s ruling.

“They (Government) are dragging it out to campaign longer and

make plans if they win or lose… They carrying on as if nothing has happened, and as if there was no no-confidence motion, no ruling by the Speaker of the National Assembly (Dr Barton Scotland), and the CJ didn’t rule.”

Gaskin said while Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that he was not interested in extending the date, they may need to extend the date, because since the passage of the no-confidence motion, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has not started any preparation.

He said, “I think they need six to eight weeks to get their acts together, but 148 days is absolutely ridiculous. They should work round the clock to get it done.

That is what they are being paid to do…But this Government is now dragging out this issue by appealing the matter, which will carry you until year end and GECOM is waiting on the decision

of the court…”

Jagdeo has indicated that should GECOM continue to delay its election preparations, seeking legal remedies to compel such preparations are a possibility.

“We believe GECOM could be ready in the timeframe by March 19.

Because if they have to have 50 days for Nomination Day and two weeks to notify the parties, they still have 50 days remaining.

“And simultaneously, they can proceed with the procurement of material and all the other logistics, including training on an accelerated basis. We see this whole issue of house-to-house registration, which will take six months to a year, as a red herring.”

GECOM successfully ran the Local Government Elections in November 2018, less than three months ago. The President of Guyana, according to the Constitution, has to dissolve Parliament and issue a date for elections.

Govt remains committed to human development – Harmon

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inister of State, Joseph Harmon on Saturday said that the increase in the number of Government scholarships awarded since May 2015 is evidence of Government’s commitment to national development and the eradication of poverty and ignorance.

Minister Harmon, who was at the time speaking at an orientation session for awardees of Government scholarships, held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), said Government’s budgetary allocation to the education sector was also a sign of its commitment to the sector.

Scholarships have increased from 464 for the period 2011 to 2014, under the former Administration to 1251 between 2015 and 2018 while the current allocation to the education sector is over G$52 billion.

Minister Harmon said the David Grangerled Administration, since taking office, has placed education at the top of its developmental agenda, since it was recognised that there was a shortage of trained personnel in almost every field while pointing to the disparity in the provision of public services.

In recognition of the deficiencies within the public service,

Some awardees of the Government of Guyana Scholarships at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, on Saturday

Minister Harmon said, the Government took a conscious decision to focus heavily on education.

“Our commitment to education development and training was reflected in the allocations for education in national budgets that have from 2015 to date, been increased constantly and incrementally from G$33 billion in 2015 to G$52.2 billion in 2019.

President David Granger, then Opposition Leader while speaking about the opportunities for development that were available in an address to graduates of the Cyril Potter College in 2012, said

that those opportunities can be achieved only by people with a first-class education. We, therefore, upon our assumption of office in May 2015, committed to a programme of continued and continuous training to provide adequate and suitable manpower resources at all levels to complement the legislative and administrative changes being made to encourage capital investments and to create an enabling environment for sustainable development,” he said.

The Minister of State said it was against this background that the National Scholarships

Programme should be viewed. In addition to local scholarships, the Government of Guyana has continued to provide awardees with opportunities to study in the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, China, Cuba, Russia, Canada, India and Mexico. These awards have increased significantly over the years as the period 2015 to 2018 saw 316 overseas scholarships being awarded as against 191 for 2011 to 2014.

In addition to the increases in scholarship awards, measures have been taken to make the process of selection fairer, transparent and rel-

evant with the appointment of a Scholarship Awards Committee within the Department of Public Service. That Committee is responsible for interviewing and recommending applicants based on merit.

“This year, there are 47 awards for the Guyana School of Agriculture and 167 for the University of Guyana. You represent the best of those who applied for scholarships since the system now in place for the selection of scholarship awardees is transparent and meritocratic.

Scholarship awards since 2015 have to be viewed within the context of our

Government’s policy on education and our regard for the education sector.

There can be no doubt about our Government’s commitment to the education and training of our young and not-so young people,” Minister Harmon said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Service, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine congratulated the awardees while urging them to put the Government’s investment to good use.

Dr Roopnaraine said the Government would continue to invest in the education sector so that every Guyanese could have access to higher learning.

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Carter Center officials visit GECOM

…seek answers on elections preparedness

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fficials from the Carter Center met with top officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), including Commissioners, to get a better understanding of their readiness for General and Regional Elections.

GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward told Guyana Times International that the meeting, which took place on Monday morning, saw two representatives from the Center in attendance.

“The visit was basically for information gathering. They have been following the developments in Guyana in relation to elections and so they requested to meet with the Commission,” she explained.

According to Ward, while the Opposition-appointed Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn were present, those appointed by the Government were absent.

Also present for the meeting with the unnamed Carter Center officials were GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson, and Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, and three others.

Asked whether the meeting is the start of a series of similar ones, Yard said the officials did not indicate, but just wanted to get an update as to the Commission’s preparedness for an election.

The meeting was based on

a request made by the Carter Center to the Commission.

Reports are that questions in relation to the December 21, 2018 no-confidence vote, which saw the fall of the coalition Government and events that have stemmed out of this issue since then were raised.

While the two female officials did not offer a comment to the media following the meeting, People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-nominated Commissioners did provide some comments and clarity about the meeting.

Commissioner Benn told media operatives that the meeting was an indication that the international community was paying close attention to the issues regarding elections in Guyana.

He said it also confirmed the Carter Center’s interest

in Guyana’s democracy. The Carter Center has observed every election in Guyana since 1992, upon the invitation of late President Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Gunraj said that the Carter Center officials were provided with updates in relation to the timeline and laws for the holding of elections and GECOM’s readiness.

He stated too that they questioned the GECOM team on registration of voters. “They did not express concerns, but they did ask about timelines and, of course, we presented that,” he explained.

The Commissioner made it clear that the Center’s role was not to mediate, declaring that GECOM has a constitutional mandate to hold General and Regional Elections.

“Our role, our duty is to hold elections when they are constitutionally due. Anything outside of that, I don’t see any mediation in that, there is no role for mediation in that,” he said.

GECOM’s CEO had previously stated that elections could not be held by the constitutionally due and court-ordered March 19, 2019 date.

This, he noted, is as a result of the amount of preparations needed.

It was noted that a total of 148 days was needed to prepare for elections, according to Lowenfield, if the Secretariat now gets the go-ahead to commence election preparations.

He said that the country could head to the polls sometime in July 2019.

However, according to the Constitution of Guyana, following the passage of a no-confidence motion, General and Regional Elections must be held in three months.

Meanwhile, Deputy CEO Roxanne Meyers said if a July date was being considered, then it would have to be taken into account that the List of Electors would be invalid since it would have expired on April 30.

According to Lowenfield, the options available to update the list are house-to-house registration, which will take some nine months, or a Claims and Objections (C&O) period which can last some 35 days.

The latter, he noted, is the most favourable option, which will see the use of the expired list as a preliminary list in the process of creating a new Official List of Electors (OLE). “…for the purposes of this election, what the Secretariat has suggested to the Commission is that we do a C&O with registration for a duration of 28 days’ period and a seven days’ objections period with the view… towards an early deliverable for elections,” he stated.

The Chief Elections Officer disclosed that the elections body had used the C&O mechanism in the past for the production of an OLE for the hosting of polls.

As time progresses without any move towards the hosting of elections, the PPP/Civic Opposition is accusing the Elections Commission of deliberately delaying polls.

The parliamentary Opposition and other observers have accused Government of attempting to delay the holding of the constitutionally mandated elections following the passage of the no-confidence motion of December 21, 2018.

The three-month time frame in which the polls should be held was validated in a judicial interpretation by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, who declared that the motion was validly passed 33-32.

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Caribbean registers second highest record for visitor arrivals in 2018

…Guyana records 15.9 per cent increase in arrivals (CMC)

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ourist arrivals to the Caribbean hit a record high last year despite some destinations being severely impacted by hurricanes that swept through the region in 2017, according to figures released here yesterday by the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).

“With a strong performance during the last four months of 2018, including a robust showing by countries impacted by the 2017 hurricanes, the evidence suggests that Caribbean tourism is on the upswing,” CTO acting director of Research and Information Technology, Ryan Skeete, told reporters.

Delivering the CTO's annual Caribbean Tourism Performance Report 2018 & Outlook for 2019, Skeete said the outlook for Caribbean tourism in 2019 is cautiously optimistic.

“Global demand for international travel is expected to remain strong, underpinned by healthy economic activity. Global economic growth is expected to

Guyanese and visitors welcomed with sweet treats at the CJIA (DPI photo)

continue, though at a slower rate, and oil prices are expected to remain similar to 2018 prices.

Additionally, improved air connectivity should help to boost arrivals.

“Of course, we must recognise that there are significant headwinds to navigate. These include, but are not limited, to

the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, the on-going trade war between the US and China and potential extreme weather events in the destinations and marketplaces.

“Consequently, we are projecting that tourist arrivals will increase by between six and seven per cent in 2019, as the

damaged infrastructure in the hurricane-impacted destinations returns to capacity. Similarly, cruise arrivals should expand by a further four to five per cent,” Skeete said.

He told reporters that having registered declines during the first eight months of last

year, signs of a rebound emerged in September when the region recorded a three per cent increase in visitor arrivals.

He said the numbers in October confirmed the recovery, with a healthy 11.8 per cent growth, and by the end of the year tourist arrivals in the last four months was

up 9.8 per cent.

“Even the destinations that were severely impacted by the 2017 hurricanes, despite registering overall double-digit declines last year, experienced a significant turnaround during the last four months, registering triple-digit increases during this period.

“Overall, the Caribbean received 29.9 million tourist visits in 2018, the second highest on record, surpassed only by the 30.6 million who visited in 2017,” he added.

However, last year's arrival numbers represented a 2.3 per cent fall, a much better performance than the three to four per cent fall-off that tourism officials had anticipated.

“This was the first decline in annual tourist arrivals in nine years, and with global growth in international trips increasing by 5.6 per cent, the Caribbean market share of global visits in 2018 shrank by 0.2 percentage points, to 2.1 per cent of the market.” continued on page 44

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

hen we think about Soca music in Guyana, we are immediately transported to the festivities around Mashramani time with the hosting of the Soca Monarch competition and when we think about local female Soca artistes, one name immediately comes to mind.

If you say Melissa Roberts, very few may recognise who we are talking about, but just whisper Vanilla and there is a frenzy.

Very few people can be immediately recognised by just one name so that in itself is an accomplishment for Vanilla. Quite often the word vanilla is associated with boring or just ordinary, but there is nothing ordinary or boring about Vanilla when she hits the stage.

The West Coast Berbice native was given the name Vanilla by her boyfriend a few years ago and like glue it stuck and followed her. It is a name she is now grateful for because it is associated with all her accomplishments as a multi-talented individual.

Being from the country, Vanilla was always active. She was not the typical girl who would be at home playing with her dolls or playing dress up, rather she would run with the boys. She would escape into the back dam and pick coconuts. You would find her swimming in the trenches until her skin colour changed, eyes became bloodshot and like every little child she had the remedy to conceal her supposed rule breaking. Sh and her friends would find the right kind of ‘bush’ to try and hide their wrongdoings. To this day, she cherishes those memories.

If someone asks for a single word to describe Vanilla, then without a doubt ‘multi-talented’ comes to mind. Before she ventured into singing, Vanilla had and still has a deep unexplainable connection with the drums and following her love for that she became a dancer. An accomplished one to be exact. Additionally, she is a trained classical pianist.

“My musical style can be described as different. Even though I sing Soca, it's always been unique. I'm Guyanese to the marrow and because of that, my music will always be influenced by the Guyanese flavour. Of recent I have been working on a different cultural style influenced by an arranger from Belize and my Guyanese writers which seems to create a blend that people are connecting to,” she said.

Ever since she entered the music scene in 2005, Vanilla has been a constant in every aspect. She is quite often referred to as the Road March Queen since she has copped the title more than any other female artiste.

For Mashramani 2007, she recorded the song "Queen of the Band", which

won the Road March competition beating the reigning Soca Monarch that year and 30 others. This was a significant achievement since that was her first year in that competition. In 2009, she placed second at the annual Carib Soca Monarch competition with the song “Rude” and also regained her title as Queen of the Road.

In 2010, she once again placed second at the Soca Monarch competition and remained undefeated as the Queen of the Road, making her the only female artiste in Guyana to have won the title three times. After taking a break from the competition for a few years, she returned in 2014 and once again captured the Road March title. In 2017, her song “Mash Up De Place” ruled the road, making her queen once again.

This year, she is already burning up the local airwaves with the track "One Voice". According to her, "One Voice" was a reaction to the racial divide that our country experiences daily.

Apart from singing and performing, Vanilla is also the Manager of the Kross Kolor Recording Studio. She is also a fitness instructor and talented film maker. Over the years, she has produced more than 25 music videos.

She graduated from the University of Guyana with a certificate in Television Production in 2009. In July 2011, she had written the best screenplay and graduated at the top of her class from the University of the West Indies Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination in the field of Motion Picture Arts. Apart from directing and editing music videos, she became the second assistant director on a feature film and a sizzle reel filmed in Barbados titled “Sweet Bottom” and “Bajan Blue” respectively. In 2014, she became the production manager on the international film “A Bitter Lime” directed by Max De Bowen. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

FEATURE 29

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Still waiting…

O

…for public officials’ Code of Conduct

ur dual-citizen Minister of Business, Gaskin, announced that by this Friday, Guyana will have a “Minibus Code of Conduct”!! Imagine that!! We’ll have minibus drivers and conductors wearing slick-looking uniforms instead of those ratty and dingy outfits that looked like they were handed down by gold miners on their return from the bush!!

Conductors will be politely inquiring, with a smile, whether you’d like to travel in their spanking new “carriages” and inform you of the fare in advance!!

No more pulling or tugging between competing touts vying for your body and being willing to tear you apart –- in addition to parting you with your money!!

And best of all, they will address you as “Ma’am or Sir” and turn off the music the moment you let them know you’re going crazy with the cacophony!! Truly, Guyana will be creating transportation history in the Region. But as your Eyewitness breathed a deep sigh of satisfaction as he contemplated this coming nirvana, he wondered what had become of that Code of Conduct which had been promised in the PNC-led coalition’s Manifesto.

The PNC and AFC had made quite a sturm and drang about the PPP officials when they’d been in office. All sorts of accusations had been hurled their way from the then Opposition parties both in and out of the National Assembly – graft, corruption, inaccessible, and so on and so forth. When they got into office, they (fervently) promised, they’d institute a Code of Conduct (COC) so thorough, their people in Government would be purer than Caesar’s wife!!

Within three months of forming the Government in 2015, with great fanfare and trumpeting, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo announced that Raphael Trotman would be heading a Committee to draft their COC. And within another few months a Draft was submitted which proposed “ten guiding principles” that rivalled the ten commandments brought down by the other Moses: Accountability, Dignity, Diligence, Duty, Honour, Integrity. Loyalty, Objectivity, Responsibility and Transparency!!

Sadly, it soon became clear that these COC principles were not cast in stone. Nagamootoo hemmed and hawed about combining the COC with the Integrity Legislation – which none of the Opposition had bothered with. Then claimed he’d have to submit it to the Parliamentary Drafters, etc – much like the foot-dragging exercise now being conducted by GECOM!!

In the meantime, Ministers signed away Guyana’s oil for a pittance; assaulted and jailed security guards to get to their fried rice, issued sole-sourced contracts; insisted that only PNC members could “get wuk”; dabbled in hocking fuel and evading taxes, etc, etc!!

Ahhh…but isn’t it great minibus operators will follow rules of etiquette and social graces!! They got a COC!! …“Political Reform” Another promise made by the PNC-led coalition in their Manifesto was “Political Reforms”: “APNU/ AFC recognise that the Constitution, in its present form, does not serve the best interest of Guyana or its people”. They promised a “new constitution which will put the necessary checks and balances in place to consolidate our ethos of liberal democracy.” But as with the COC, a Committee was speedily set up; it made recommendations to Moses Nagamootoo and then…deafening silence!!!

Sadly, the Manifesto had already spelled out a specific change – taken from the Cummingsburg Accord – for the President to share power with the PM! They labelled it, “Shared Executive Responsibilities” and it was supposed to’ve been implemented as soon as they got into office. It would’ve seen Nagamootoo “chairing the Cabinet and in charge of domestic affairs”, not to mention “appointing heads of agencies”.

But why go on? Like with Nagamootoo, this government thinks the Guyanese people are a pack of fools.

Prove them wrong next elections. Payback’s a b*tch!! …for freedom?

Simona “I is” Broomes was caught on video booming out her “cover” of Marley’s “War”! Broomes says she’s ready to wage “war” all over Guyana – against the PPP! What now?? Firing more sugar workers?? Isn’t that “sub human bondage” Marley warned against??

31

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ah tell dem is fete Is fete No I ain’t tired as yet I tell them is fete I bet you never wine pon a Guyanese yet Me represent me culture, any day!

Guyanese wine you can’t beat meh no day…

W

ith lyrics like that, it just goes to show that newcomer Shaima Muna is not to be taken lightly.

The vibrant 21-yearold is now dipping her feet into the local music industry, but has been around music all her life. She comes from a musical family and has been singing for a number of years.

Shaima hails from the East Bank Essequibo village of Tuschen and is proud to represent Region Three (Essequibo Islands– West Demerara) wherever she goes.

Shaima explains that

her love for music started taking shape as she entered into her teenage years and discovered that she had a gift that could possibly lead her to doing what she loves for the rest of

her life. Not one to be categorised as shy, Shaima took up the mantle and started pursuing her dreams of becoming a singer.

“I grew up with my mother who is a single parent and

the sole breadwinner for me and my sister Silvanny. I started loving music at the age of 13 and that is when I started to develop more interest in improving

FEATURE 33

my craft. My mother was also in music and she would take me to karaoke with her and all of her band practices,” she said.

About two years ago, Shaima first entered the studio as an artiste and ever since she has

been blazing a trail. However, this is the first time she is going to be performing publicly for a Guyanese audience. Her new track for the Soca Monarch competition "Nah Tired Yet" has already been creating a buzz in the country.

She said that she is more of a Groovy Soca artiste, and the song has already earned her the title of “Goddess of Soca”. Like many in the local music industry, one of the major challenges for Shaima is the hassle of getting airtime for her music as well as sponsorship to produce more music.

For now, she is working her way on establishing her music and building her name.

She hopes to be able to showcase her talent not only locally but around the world and build a following. The main intention is to show that Guyanese are multifaceted and not to be taken for granted.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

34 FEATURE

By Lakhram Bhagirat

O

ne thing that is constant in our lives is that there is always going to be change and in order to be able to cope with those changes, we must learn to step out of our comfort zone. When we step out of our comfort zone, we are challenged by unfamiliar things and that is the only way we will be able to see what we can do and realise our true potential.

For Steven Ramphal, stepping out of his comfort zone is the only way he

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

can effectively change what is going on around him and it is something he is more than willing to do. Pushing the boundaries of his abilities is what makes him exceptionally different from those around him. Whether it works in his favour or not, is a question that will be answered in time.

The 26-year-old is an exceptionally talented singer, but not only does he sing, he also has a passion for photography. He was so driven by that passion that he gave up music for some time and focused on developing his photography skills. He currently lives on the East Coast of Demerara and is considered one of the most energetic performers around.

This year, however, he is officially entering the Soca Monarch race to establish himself in that arena. At the age of seven, Steven started singing and he later began to take music classes from his uncle. He continued singing for a number of years, but only officially entered the professional singing world when he was 19. With a distinctive voice, he quickly became a favourite for those who saw him perform or listened to his music.

Eventually, he became the front man for the most popular local band, The Shakti Strings International Band and was given a recording deal with the Shakti Strings Studio as well. Cementing his place in the local music industry was a journey Steven thoroughly enjoyed. His first hit single was “Gyul Please Go” and since then, he has been blazing the Chutney scene.

In 2017, Steven placed his music

aside and picked up his long-awaited dream of being a photographer. He took that time to develop his skills and is now one of the recognised photographers on the local scene. For two years he has been out of the music industry, but it's 2019 and he is back, returning with two massive singles all recorded in the Shakti Strings International Studio.

The two songs are his entries in the Chutney and Soca Monarch competitions as he hopes on being crowned the winner of both. The Soca track is called “Soca In Meh Vein” and the Chutney, “Rang Ke Bhare”.

“My inspiration behind the two songs is based on my strong vision for national unity, both Caribbean and country based. I want to let people know no matter what colour we are and wherever we’re from, it doesn’t matter, because, at the end of the day, we are all humans,” he said.

Steven said that this was just the beginning of great things to come and he could not wait to unleash his new music on the public. (Guyana Times

Sunday Magazine)

Guyana’s Nand Persaud and Company Rice Milling Complex now ISO certified

G

uyana’s Nand Persaud and Company Limited Rice Milling Complex is now ISO 22000:2005 certified. This certificate was issued by DQS from Germany.

Giving a brief background as to how the certification was achieved, the company said it started the implementation process in July of 2015 with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) being their consultant. One of the requirements of the ISO 22000:2005 Standard was for the company to establish a Food Safety Management Team.

The CEO, Mr. Mohindra Persaud and Chairman Mr. Ragindra Persaud appointed Mr. Mahendra Prasad to work along with them and a team of highly skilled individuals. Mr. Prasad and the team spearheaded the entire process and are fully responsible for the operation of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS).

The company began by conducting a Gap analysis. The gap analysis was done to determine the company’s current level of compliance towards the ISO 22000:2005 standards. From the gap analysis all the areas that needed improvement were identified. Some of

these included; establishing documents required by the FSMS, upgrading infrastructure, equipment and machinery and providing training to the staff both internally (in-house) and externally (government agencies).

According to a media release from the company, this certification is evidence that the Parboiled and White rice manufactured by Nand Persaud & Company Limited Rice Milling Complex is produced to the standard which follows all the rules and regulations of the Food Safety Management System (ISO 22000:2005) which assure that the rice being consumed is safe and of the highest quality.

“Nand Persaud & Company Limited would like to extend utmost gratitude to all staff for their continuous support and hard work in achieving its ISO Certification. We would also like to thank our customers for their loyalty towards our products,” the release added.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Lakhram Bhagirat

O

ne of the most popular sayings in Guyana is "better late than never", and it is used in almost every situation for different purposes.

For Collis Mc Donald, or "Real Proof" as he is known, that saying is one he holds dear to his heart for the purpose of gaining strength to persevere in a challenging industry.

Collis is 40 years old and now stepping out on the music scene, the local Soca music scene to be exact, and for someone his age, it means keeping up with the current millennial trends but also staying true to himself as an artiste.

The local music industry is no joke, and for someone to make it, they have

to be relevant and appeal to the masses, since most Guyanese prefer to listen to music created outside of Guyana. They do this not because they are foreign-minded, but because there are very few mechanisms in place for local artistes to showcase what they are capable of.

Most radio DJs and DJs in general prefer to hype up a Jamaican or Trinidadian artiste, since their music is what draws the crowds and in the end, it hurts our local artistes because quite often, they get very little exposure.

Those are just some of the challenges identified

by Collis as he seeks to make his mark on the local industry.

Collis also notes that the local music industry is plagued by low financ-

ing, poor marketing, and lack of sponsorship for artistes.

Over the years, however, the situation has somewhat improved with more businesses hiring local artistes to be part of their public relations campaigns, but the road to conquering the issues remains one that is very long.

Coupled with the nearliteral starvation of the industry, Guyana has very little legislation in place to protect the creations of artistes.

Collis hails from Wismar, Linden and says music played a big part of his life while growing up. From his early childhood, music was there to take him through some tough situations, since life was quite often not too kind to his family. His mother was the sole breadwinner of their family and that meant that just the basic necessities were available and though content, Collis always dreamt of a life where things were much easier. He saw his mother struggling to care for the family and could not wait for the day when he would be able to alleviate that struggle.

For him, music always served as the es-

cape from the harshness of reality. His family was very much into music as well, so it meant that they were always singing. He first started to sing in church where he learnt all the basics of controlling his voice and belting out when necessary. It was there, in the church, that Collis discovered himself and his talent. He describes his voice as anything but ordinary. He feels that it is the instrument that was gifted to him to leave a lasting impression on the people he comes into contact with.

At the age of 37, Collis decided that he

wanted to take this music thing to another level and started to pen his own songs and voice them. He first started to write Reggae music and perform it with fellow artistes such as First Born – a local Reggae group; Diane Stephenson; Ras Shiloh and many others.

“My voice is a gift from the Almighty and that is what inspired me to get deeper into music. I just love singing, because it is one way of getting over important messages to people and it is totally fun for me.

My style is simple and laid back. I am a very humble person, who

works hard for whatever I want to have in this life. I give respect to everyone and my music is about that,” he notes.

This year, Collis is entering the Mash Soca Monarch competition with his song "Pushback". He is hoping to conquer the top spot and make his mark.

The inspiration behind his song stems from the party scene. His song can be considered instructive as he clearly outlines the moves in the lyrics.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

IMF pleased with Barbados’ economic recovery plan progress

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised government for its execution so far of the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) plan, which is funded by a US$290 million Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the Washingtonbased financial institution.

An IMF mission said in a statement issued yesterday that the Mia Mottley-led administration had met all indicative targets up to the end of last year.

“Barbados continues to make good progress in implementing its ambitious and comprehensive economic reform programme,” Bert van Selm, head

Head of the IMF team that visited the island this month, Bert van Selm, said Barbados continues to make good progress in implementing its ambitious and comprehensive economic reform programme.

of the team that visited February 5 to 8, said as the IMF pointed out that targets for foreign exchange re-

serves, domestic assets and the primary surplus of income needed to pay back its debt, were all met by a

wide margin.

“Good progress has been made in implementing end-December 2018 structur-

al benchmarks under the EFF. Two key pieces of legislation – the Public Financial Management Act, and the Town and Country Planning Act – were adopted in early 2019.

Preparation of the budget for FY2019/20 targeting a primary surplus of six per cent of GDP is well under way. Full year effects of reforms set in motion during the current (2018/19) fiscal year, including the introduction of several new taxes and ongoing streamlining of public sector work force at state-owned enterprises, should help achieve this target.”

The IMF added that a detailed assessment of the budget will be made when

it is finalized.

It also suggested that government is well on the way to striking a deal with international creditors, following its decision to default on those payments last June.

“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,” the IMF statement said.

The team will return in May to conduct the discussions for the first review under the EFF which was approved last October.

36 by

Petamber Persaud

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Preserving our literary heritage

Ivan Van Sertima

Beryl Gilroy

Jan Carew

T

here are as many ways to celebrate as there are appropriate ways to celebrate. The tenor of Black History Month should be celebrated with books. Here’s a short (but by no way a comprehensive) list of Guyanese works and their authors which could be used to commemorate the above.

Ivan Van Sertima

‘They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America’, written by Ivan Van Sertima, published 1977, was one of those controversial books that stabbed at misconceptions about Africans. Van Sertima knew what he was doing when he

set out on that scholarship ‘many people feel a certain kind of happiness when they read my book. A certain kind of shadow lifts.

The psyche of blacks is raised. No man who believes his history began with slavery can be a healthy man. If you lift that shadow, you help repair that damage’.

Educator, researcher, critic, writer, poet, Ivan Van Sertima was born in 1935, in Kitty Village, British Guiana. He competed his early schooling in Guyana and entered the world of work as a Press and Broadcasting Officer, Government Information Office.

For higher education, Van Sertima attended

the London School of Oriental and African Studies, London, England, where he studied African languages and literature and during which time he also he learned to speak Swahili and Hungarian fluently.

Norman E. Cameron

Educationist, mathematician, historian, poet, dramatist, sportsman, cultural activist and social reformer, Norman Eustace Cameron was born in New Amsterdam, Berbice, in 1903, not far from the birthplaces of Edgar Mittleholzer and Wilson Harris.

Although Cameron was blessed with a ‘light but pleasant tenor voice’, he was a trailblazer, pioneer and pacesetter. All of this due in no small way to the fact that his father’s great thirst for knowledge rubbed off on him and his mother’s wonderful organ-

ising ability grounded in religious tenets was foisted on him.

As a trailblazer, pioneer and pacesetter, Cameron did what had to be done, filling the lacuna in many areas.

His magnum opus The Evolution of the Negro a subject shunned by thinkers on the British colonial portion of the world, published while yet in his 20s was one such significant feature of his contribution to society.

‘African Literature in the Twentieth Century’, University of Minnesota Press, 1976.

‘Dark Ancestor: The Literature of the Black Man in the Caribbean’, Louisiana State University Press, 1981.

Beryl Gilroy

Writer

and

edu-

tion books ‘Steadman and Joanna’(1991) explored the history of the Caribbean and the African Diaspora in the period of slavery and ‘Inkle and Yarico’ 1996. Gilroy is better known for her novel, ‘Black Teacher’.

In part two, we would take a look at the works of contemporary Guyanese writ-

Jan Carew

‘The Gentle Revolutionary: Essays in Honour of Jan Carew’ edited by Joy Gleason Carew and Hazel Waters is the book paying tribute to a man who lived and worked in many places, with the singular fixation to right wrongs of discrimination, marginalisation and even gender inequity, fighting the ‘same cause’ by re-writing and righting history.

Carew is best known for his novel ‘Black Midas’, first published 1958. As a cultural historian, he wrote ‘Rape of Paradise’, ‘Moscow is not my Mecca’, ‘Ghosts in my Blood’, ‘Grenada, the Hour will Strike Again’ and ‘Fulcrums of Change’; setting history right, contrary to Euro-centric bias designs previously forced upon us.

O. R. Dathorne

cator, Beryl Gilroy was born in 1924, in Springlands, Berbice, Guyana, later becoming the first black head teacher in Britain.

Beryl Gilroy who gained her doctorate in counselling and ethno-psychology wrote two historical fic-

O. R. Dathorne

Dathorne is better known for his novels ‘Dumplings in the Soup’, and ‘The Scholar-Man’, describing the academic world in Africa but he also published academic works including the following: ‘The Black Mind: A History of African Literature’, University of Minnesota Press, 1974.

Norman E. Cameron

ers of African ancestry who are still at work.

Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@yahoo. com (Guyana Times

Sunday Magazine)

FEATURE 37

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Lakhram Bhagirat

H

ardship, poverty and want are the best incentives and the best foundation for the success of anyone, and for Mohan Singh no one knows as much as he does about poverty, hardship and the drive to be successful. Mohan is not your average 22-year-old nor does he consider himself above anyone. He is the epitome of humbleness and is forever smiling. I personally think he even smiles when he cries.

Many of us may know Mohan from Facebook as the funny guy who makes videos and posts them on his page "Laugh Till Yuh Kaka Rup". His ability to create unique videos while capturing his viewers is what makes him the best at that, and he has even unintentionally influenced a number of other creators since his style of video dominate the local comedy pages now.

However, behind the funny man is a whole story that makes people question how after facing so much, he could spread so much joy without so much as a hint of anything that went on in his life. At first, based on the

way he presented himself on social media I too thought that Mohan had it all together in his life, because there were no signs of the fact that he experienced extreme poverty, was forced to drop out of school, and started working from a young age.

Growing up for Mohan was like fighting a battle every day. His father left when he was five months old, leaving him in the care of his mother. Mohan attended the Saraswat Primary School at De Willem on the West Coast of Demerara and for him, it was an uphill battle. Many days he went to school on an empty stomach and came home half day, since there was nothing to sustain him while he attended classes.

Additionally, he had to come home to take care of his baby sister while their mother went to work. All this while dealing with earlier trauma: When he was two years old, needing his mother more than anything else, life dealt Mohan a blow that he remembers to this day. Surviving became so hard for their family that his mother was forced to give him up and left him at an orphanage. It is an experience that he talks very little about, but vividly remembers. He says that his mother’s hands were tied, because she had no one to care for him and she needed to work because the family needed to be maintained.

However, after about seven months, his mother returned and took him out of the orphanage.

After he wrote the National Grade Six Assessment, Mohan was awarded a place at the Leonora Secondary School, but unfortunately, he was unable to attend after his mother sold everything and moved to Venezuela. He moved with her and there he spent one year before returning home. After he returned, he tried to get into Leonora Secondary to complete his education, but was refused the opportunity, after which he settled for the prima-

ry top of the Saraswat Primary School.

“I started working at that same age as a handyman/gardener that would usually assist persons with tending to their gardens, paint as well as various other domestic work. I would usually go to school and work on the weekends.

I also worked at a shop before going to school in the morning. Name any simple domestic job, and I did it, just to be able to earn myself and my family some extra money. I would usually have to wake up at 4:30 every morning to go to the store I worked at to ensure that it was cleaned and to parcel and weigh out items for sale during the day. I'd usually finish by 8 am.”

During that time he lived at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, and after sitting the National Grade Nine Examination, he was awarded a place at Zeeburg Secondary to complete his secondary education. After completing classes at 3 pm daily, Mohan would go back to work until around 10 pm just to ensure that the

family was provided for.

“It was especially hard knowing that it was six of us siblings and just our mother taking care of us. I'm the second of the six, so I took up the responsibility of looking after the others.

Even though we had a step-father, he was not supportive. At points, I even worked hand in hand with her (my mother), cleaning the school (Saraswat Primary) and taking care of about 180 dogs belonging to a lady in the neighbourhood.

“I stopped after a while because I was beginning to get sick. I had developed a fungal infection on my feet. I man-

aged to go to school up to Grade Nine, but I had to drop out because I couldn't afford it any longer. I managed to go to the Technical Institute in Leonora, on the other hand, where I was able to receive a certificate in metal work engineering as well as welding. My mom worked in the interior for a period, leaving me to take care of my siblings. I had to cook and clean before going to the Institute, getting home most evenings at 11pm,” he tells me.

He, nevertheless, persisted and overcame.

Now, Mohan is operating his own business and though it is now in its startup phase, it is already attracting attention. When I asked him whether he was always business oriented, Mohan said that he never dreamt that he would be in business not because he felt it was out of his reach, but because he

had very little interest in it. He credits his struggles during his formative years which led him to become a go-getter and that resulted in the establishment of Mohan’s Corner.

Mohan's Corner is not unique in its operations but it is much needed in the location at Lot 24 Public Road, East Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara. It allows for affordable and easy access to Internet browsing and calls, all stationery, gift items, snacks and beverages, all under one roof. Patrons don't have to look far to fulfil their needs and do not have to go to various locations because at Mohan's Corner, it's a one-stop shop.

He said that starting up was very challenging for him, but he is grateful for the support of the amazing people around him. He is hopeful that his business venture will

succeed.

Mohan is an exceptionally talented young man and despite his challenges and tough life, he continues to positively impact the lives of those around him. He is actively involved in charitable work where he uses his passion for acting and amazing voice. Additionally, he plays the jaal with the Dynamic Tassa Troupe.

“I believe that the reward for hard work is more hard work, so in five years, I do see my success but I also see myself working to ensure that my business is in a state of self-sustainability such that it can provide for both myself and my family. I see myself enhancing my talents and doing more for my community and the people around me, and I see myself playing a role in the success of others.”

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

J'can man, wife plead guilty to lottery scamming in US

A

Jamaican man and his wife living in Hazelwood, Pennsylvania on Tuesday admitted to defrauding people in a lottery scam.

The judge imposed a term of time served on 22-year-old Ashani Levy after he pleaded guilty to money structuring in connection with the scam.

According to the Pittsburg Post Gazette newspaper, Levy, who was in the US on a tourist visa, has served three months in jail and will be turned over to immigration authorities for deportation.

His wife Ekeyma Harris, who is

a US citizen, pleaded guilty to mail theft. Her sentence is pending.

The US newspaper reported that the couple were involved in a lottery phone scam designed to fool senior citizens into sending them money.

It said US postal inspectors reportedly found that 15 packages had been sent to Harris' address since June 2018 and had intercepted a package later in October.

The inspectors then made a controlled delivery on November 21, 2018 and Harris was nabbed when she accepted the package, said the Pittsburg Post. (Jamaica Observer)

38

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com The Windmill House on Hogg Island in the Essequibo River

N

ot often are we afforded the opportunity to see what Guyana back in the day looked like. All we have to do is to rely on the stories of our parents and their grandparents or some of us may be luck to view a few photos from their collections. So here are a few photos from our archives that gives you a little taste of British Guiana. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine) Anna Regina Estate, Boiling House, BG

Looking southwards along Camp street from the intersection of Camp & Regent at St Mary's RC Church circa 1890

Interior of St Mary's RC Church looking towards the mainly timber altar at the east end Mahaicony Railway bridge, BG

Old Mahaicony Railway Bridge that was shifted to preserve its historic value (Bryan Maxx photo)

Victoria Hotel, 7 and 18 High Street, Georgetown, BG

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamaican doctor encourages women to freeze their eggs

(J

Dr John Harriott

A M A I C A OBSERVER) — A local fertility expert is encouraging career-driven women to consider freezing their eggs as a method to preserve reproductive potential until they are ready for families.

“A lot of women don’t know that you can actually freeze your eggs or embryos, especially if you are a young professional who is studying or plan to do a PhD. Instead of trying to get the career out of the way, and then remembering that you need to have a child when you’re in the advanced reproductive age group where it then becomes extremely difficult and may sometimes warrant you having to use donor eggs, you can actually bank your eggs or embryos at the university,” said Dr John Harriott, consultant at the University of the West Indies’ Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit.

He was speaking to the Jamaica Observer Thursday at the UWI Research Days at the institution’s Mona campus in St Andrew.

“One of the concerns is that as you age there is an increased risk of having congenital anomalies (birth defects), in particular, Down syndrome. It’s really an added protection. We’re not saying that by the time you are ready you won’t be able to use the eggs that you have, but what we’re finding is that a lot of the patients who present to us in our fertility unit wishing to have assist-

ed reproduction techniques performed are in the advanced reproductive age group,” he said.

According to the consultant, this is the single most limiting factor in preventing a successful in vitro fertilisation (IVF) process.

IVF is the process of fertilisation by extracting eggs, retrieving a sperm sample, and then manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. The embryo is then transferred to the uterus.

At the same time, Dr Harriott told the Observer that another assisted reproductive technique performed at the unit is the Intrauterine insemination which is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilisation.

“So they have the option of banking their eggs or embryos for future use. The longevity of embryos is longer than that of eggs but certainly, 10-15 years is good in terms of how long these can be stored. Even if you become menopausal we have an age limit to which we perform assisted reproductive techniques and also medical eligibility criteria because you have to be in good health, but the cut-off is a threshold of 50 [years old] without medical comorbidities (diseases) that are deemed life-threatening or likely to worsen by becoming pregnant,” said Harriot.

NEWS 39

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42 NEWS

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trinidad: Teen fisherman tells of ordeal in Venezuela after ransom paid with KFC (Trinidad Guardian)

A

f­ter be­ing kid­ napped at sea and held cap­ tive in a Venezue­ lan for­ est for over a month, 17-yearold Ken­rick Mor­gan has height­ened his am­bi­tion to join the Coast Guard so that he can pro­ tect oth­ers from suf­fer­ing the same fate.

Mor­gan, a stu­dent of the Moru­ ga Sec­ ondary School, is ex­pect­ ed to write this year’s CSEC ex­am­i­na­tion. He said with pira­cy be­com­ ing more fre­ quent and his ex­ pe­ ri­ ence as a vic­ tim, he wants to pro­tect the na­tion’s bor­ders. Al­ though he has lost a whole month of class­ es, he said he will be push­ ing hard­er with his stud­ ies.

“I go to school still. I plan to go to school and see what I get. I want­ed to come out an army man or a coast guard. I don’t think that might come through. I don’t know.

I am pray­ing. My fam­i­ ly is pray­ing, my moth­ er is pray­ing, every­body is pray­ing,” Mor­gan said.

Mor­gan and his cous­ in Kendall Singh, 23, of Basse Terre Vil­ lage, Moru­ga re­turned to Trinidad on Tues­day af­ ter their fam­i­lies ne­go­ti­ at­ed with the cap­tors for an ex­change.

Mor­gan’s fam­i­ly paid US$700 in food sup­plies and US$1300 cash and

Kenrick Morgan is kissed by his sister Tracy Alexander on his return to his Moruga home yesterday.

a buck­et of KFC. Singh’s fam­i­ly paid US$12,000, two tele­vi­sions, two box­ gine oil, a cell es of en­ phone and a tablet.

It was a re­lief for the two fam­i­lies as the kid­ nap­pers had ini­tial­ly de­mand­ed US$40,000, then US$20,000 and five iPhones.

At Mor­ gan’s home in Gran Chemin yes­ter­ er, Lin­ da day, his moth­ Boodoo burst in­ to tears ter weeks of in­ tense af­ prayers paid off.

Boodoo said dur­ ing

ten­ tion, a pho­ their de­ to­graph was sent to the fam­i­ly, show­ing Singh on the ground with a gun aimed at his head.

Her heart felt re­ lieved for the first time since Jan­ ­ry 12 when ua gan and Singh left Mor­ the Moru­ga shore along with a Venezue­ lan col­ league to fish off the coast of Morne Di­ab ­ lo.

Mor­gan told re­porters that six Venezue­lan men proached in a highap­ speed fish­ing boat with guns aimed at them.

The gun­men or­dered them to jump over­board.

He said they plead­ ed with the gun­men be­ cause they would have sure­ ly drowned. The gun­ men took them to their home­ land through er un­ til they came a riv­ up­on a camp in Ma­turin.

“The ex­pe­ri­ence was not good. It was very bad.

I hard­ ly ate, there was plen­ty mos­qui­to and bad care. Some­ times we got some­thing to eat in the morn­ing and that was it for the whole day. They

gave us arepa and some kind of dumpling. We were free in some bush­ es be­ cause they didn’t re­al­ly busi­ness. All they want­ ed was some mon­ ey. They had their house some­where else and they just hid us in the bush so no­body could see us,” Mor­gan said.

There was no show­ er, toi­lets and the wa­ter they drank came from the riv­er.

The trau­ ma was so gan said great that Mor­ he con­tem­plat­ed sui­ cide, at­ tempt­ ing to kill his cap­tors and run­ning away.

How­ev­er, he kept pray­ ing and had faith turn that he would re­ home. One day, a boat ap­ proached and their cap­tors told them to hide as it was ban­dits.

They ran some dis­ tance through the for­ est and at­tempt­ed to es­ cape, but Singh could not keep up. The kid­nap­pers es chased them on hors­ and they even­tu­al­ly sur­ ren­dered.

Dur­ing their de­ten­ tion, they were moved to sev­er­al hous­es, ranch­es and camps along the riv­ er trail and were guard­ ed by three men.

But with weeks go­ing by and con­stant ne­go­ti­a­ tion with Singh and Mor­ gan’s fam­i­ly, the kid­nap­ pers re­ alised they were not wealthy.

On Mon­day, the kid­ nap­ pers dropped Mor­

gan to a wrecked ves­sel be­ tween Venezuela and T&T. There, his un­ cle, Reynold Ramkhelawan and an­oth­er man picked him up and left the mon­ ey and food such as oil, flour, de­odor­ant, toi­ letries and canned items.

They re­turned to Erin and he was tak­en for a med­ical check-up and it was found that his potas­ si­ um lev­ el was low. He spent the night with his sis­ ter in Princes Town and went to the San Fer­ nan­do Gen­er­al Hos­pi­tal yes­ter­day for treat­ment.

Singh said he no longer likes fish­ing in the sea and his on­ly in­ter­ac­tion on­ ward will be a beach bath.

Ramkhele­wan, a fish­ er­man said, ap­proach­ ing the wreck to pick up Mor­gan was a mat­ter of life and death. Al­though he was wary that the kid­nap­pers could have been there, armed with guns, he need­ed to bring his nephew home.

He said that fish­ing come very dan­ has be­ ger­ous, fish­er­men on­ly knew how to fish and it is what they have to do to sur­vive.

When Guardian Me­ dia vis­it­ed Singh’s home, no one was there. How­ ev­er, his broth­er Pe­ter, speak­ing by phone, said that his broth­er went for med­ical treat­ment for a swollen arm.

Trinidad: Man drives off building after losing money in casino (Trinidad Express)

A

fter losing mon­ ey at a casino in Chaguanas, a man drove his car off a multi-storey car park and plummeted 30 feet to the ground early Wednesday.

Darren John, 37, of Bamboo Grove #1, Valsayn, survived the fall. He suffered spinal injuries.

The incident oc­ curred around 3.20 a.m. at Price Plaza.

John’s uncle, Sam Cassie, told police and fire officers that mo­ ments before the crash, John lost $1,300 at Five Star Casino.

When they left the casino, Cassie said that he told John, who ap­ peared intoxicated, not

to drive off just yet but “take a rest”.

However, John started up his Toyota Corolla parked on the second storey of the car park and began to drive.

His vehicle crashed through a concrete wall and plunged to the ground.

The car fell on its hood and John was trapped in the vehicle.

Fire officers of the Chaguanas station re­ sponded and used the ‘jaws of life’ hydraulic tool to get John out.

An ambulance took him to the Chaguanas District Health Facility, then he was transferred to the Mt Hope hospital where he was warded.

The car fell on its hood and John was trapped in the vehicle.

NEWS 43

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

CARICOM reiterates call for peaceful solution to Venezuela crisis (CMC)

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a r i b b e a n Community (CARICOM) countries Monday reiterated the need for a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela even as they said they continue to follow closely “the unsatisfactory and increasingly volatile situation” in the South American country, reiterating their position of a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Caracas.

“It is with grave concern that we also follow the highly polarised and polarising circumstances surrounding Venezuela,” Barbados Ambassador to the United Nations, Liz Thompson, said as she addressed a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) In the Trusteeship Council on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the 15-member CARICOM grouping, the Barbados diplomat said the regional countries are also fully aware of “words of bitterness and blame coming from both sides.

“The thoughts and sabre rattling by the internal and external contenders in this deteriorating situation. In all of this we are most concerned for and motivated by the plight of the people of Venezuela, who have been rendered powerless pawns…while others play a form of geo-political chess and brinksmanship,”she told the meeting.

Last week, St KittsNevis Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris, led a CARICOM delega-

St Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris

tion to Uruguay for talks aimed at ending the political crisis in the South American country where Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó, backed by the United States and several other western countries, has declared himself the interim leader of Venezuela.

But Russia, China and Cuba are among countries that are supporting President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn into office last month for a second consecutive term as head of state.

The governments of Mexico and Uruguay had called for the conference with representatives from the main countries and international organisations that hold a neutralposition towards Venezuela.

Harris said the Montevideo Mechanism adopted at the conference presents “the only objective mechanism” to address the complex political situation in Venezuela.

The Montevideo Mechanism is regarded as the initiative in

response to the call by the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to find a pathway to a peaceful resolution through dialogue and from a position of respect for International Law and Human Rights.

“We urge all parties inside and outside of Venezuela in the interest of the wellbeing of the people of that country to give the Montevideo Mechanism the time and space it needs to work.

These United Nations know the painful experience of history both ancient and recent, the high and awful price of military intervention and the scourge of war,” Thompson said, adding that the CARICOM countries do not choose “one side or the other.

“We choose principle, the principle which led to the founding of this United Nations and the inclusion in its charter of Article 24, which calls for member states to refrain from the threat or the use of force.

“The principle which birthed Article

21 of the Charter of the Organisation of American States which recognises territorial inviolability. The principles of human rights, international law of the rule of law, the sanctity of national sovereignty, and the pivotal principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes, the pursuit of peace, of dialogue and compromise to ensure the preservation of the dignity and worth of the human person”.

Thompson told the conference that these principles are at the root

of multilateralism.

“Indeed they are the very foundation on which this house in which we sit was built.

Today we re-affirm our adherence to these principles. Critical for us too is the maintenance of the Caribbean and its wider region as a zone of peace.

“We remain steadfast in our view that economic strangulation and military intervention are not only counter to these principles, but will only exacerbate the already great suffering of the people of Venezuela”.

The Barbadian diplomat said that it is the contention of the Caribbean that 'there must be a political solution that is crafted and owned by the Venezuelan people themselves and by their leaders.

“We support and call for a pathway to peace, forged not by threats but by dialogue. Not by escalating the tensions but by cooling them down.

Not by marksmanship but by mediation. Not by the suffocation of sanctions but by the tools of diplomacy”.

She said those who

wished for a peaceful solution and the prosperity of Venezuelans must actively encourage dialogue “where both sides seat, both sides talk and both sides listen, so that the common ground on which they can move forward may be found”.

Thompson said that it is in pursuit of this broad objective that CARICOM has offered itself to facilitate dialogue among all parties with a view to creating a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the South American country.

“We know too from the lesson of history … that peace and prosperity are indivisible. The people of Venezuela have already suffered enough. They deserve to live in peace. They deserve a future that offers prosperity. We urge all sides, difficult and complex though it may be, to enter into a constructive dialogue and to work together to build the pathway to peace for the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela,” Thompson added.

44 NEWS

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Caribbean registers second highest record for visitor arrivals ... from page 28

Skeete told reporters that total visitor spending also declined slightly by approximately one per cent to US$38.3 billion, although tourists spent slightly more per trip than they did in 2017, with the spending being US$1,177 per trip compared to US$1,171 in 2017.

Among the destinations, tourist arrivals showed uneven growth. Several countries reported double-digit increases in 2018 such as Guyana (15.9 per cent), Belize (14.6 per cent), the Cayman Islands (10.7 per cent), The Bahamas (10.5 per cent) and Grenada (10 per cent), while the hurricane-impacted countries recorded double-digit declines.

He said that the contributing factors to the excellent performances in the countries not impacted by the hurricanes included sustained targeted marketing, upgraded tourism infrastructure, additional rooms and enhanced airlift.

Regarding the major Caribbean sub-regions, the US territo-

ries, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and the Dutch Caribbean reported declines of 29, six and seven per cent respectively.

In contrast, the grouping dubbed “Other Caribbean”, and comprising Cancun, Cozumel, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Suriname, which accounts for almost half of all arrivals to the region, recorded an increase of 1.8 per cent while the Caribbean Community (Caricom) sub-region recorded an increase of 4.5 per cent.

The figures show that while the United States remains the Caribbean's largest market, it was Canada that outperformed all other markets last year with 5.7 per cent growth or 3.9 million visits.

Skeete said that this was due to its strong economic performance and increased seat capacity to the region.

He said intra-regional travel had its best performance ever, reaching a record two million visits, representing a strong 5.3 per

cent rise. It was followed closely by South America, which produced 1.9 million visits, representing a 3.6 per cent increase.

Arrivals from Europe improved modestly by an estimated 1.3 per cent, partially reflecting the fact that more United Kingdom tourists were switching to domestic holidays attributed to the continuing Brexit negotiations, the related uncertainties and a weaker pound. UK arrivals remained flat at an estimated 1.3 million.

On the other hand, the 13.9 million American tourist visits last year represented a 6.3 per cent fall. This was due mainly to steep declines in arrivals to popular destinations impacted by the hurricanes, such as Puerto Rico, which was down by 45.6 per cent, and St Maarten, which fell by 79 per cent.

However, the rebound that we experienced during the September to December period last year was quite evident in the US market, which saw fourth-quarter growth of 28 per cent.

Tag team…

T

…in GECOM

ag teams are a standard feature in professional wrestling. The trick is to have a “fresh” partner ready to enter the ring to wallop the other wrestler when he’s down. It’s not incidental that professional wrestling is pure theatre with the moves and even the results, totally fixed. Tag teams simply double the variations of the fix.

Not endowed with professional wrestlers in Guyana, the PNC-led coalition has introduced the tag-team tactic in the operations of GECOM to pummel the PPP into oblivion, as they struggle for the Constitution and the courts to be obeyed to hold elections by March 19 – three months after their historically successful no-confidence vote. The two members of the PNC tag-team are Chairman James Patterson and CEO Keith Lowenfield.

Ex-GDF officer Lowenfield has been a fixture at GECOM for years – holding the Dep CEO position under Gocool Boodoo. He surreptitiously played a key role in ensuring the hiring practices to staff the Secretariat tilted the scales in favour of the PNC. In electoral matters, the devil invariably lies in the details, controlled by the bureaucracy! But Boodoo was there to head Lowenfield and the staff off at the pass! The Chairman, Justice James Patterson, of course, was unilaterally appointed as PNC leader David Granger’s ‘fit and proper’ candidate to form the tag team with Lowenfield, now elevated to the CEO’s position. With Patterson, Lowenfield and the GECOM staff all in the PNC camp, they’d hit the elections Trifecta!!

If there were any Pollyannas out there who questioned the denunciations of Granger’s arrogant action on Patterson, your Eyewitness is sure their rose- coloured glasses have misted up after December 21. After all, if since 1980 the Constitution had pronounced that the effect of a no-confidence motion was to precipitate General Elections in THREE MONTHS, you’d think the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of GECOM would’ve had a contingency plan to deal with that eventuality, wouldn’t you?? Isn’t that why the Chair, CEO and Secretariat’s staff draw their (fat) salaries all year round – and not just when elections are scheduled?? And let’s not forget there was already a no-confidence trial balloon floated in 2014!!

For the Guyanese people to be told GECOM won’t be ready for elections in less than five months, is like the GDF saying they should’ve received a five-month warning to deal with a Venezuelan incursion!! And to add salt to the wound is the tag team of Lowenfield and Patterson also saying that date depends on when the latter tells the former to begin elections preparations!!

Patterson, of course, blames the “Commission”, when he has the CASTING VOTE between the PPP and PNC Commissioners!!

Like professional wrestling, it’s a fix!! …with PNC and AFC? The AFC’s doing its darnedest to reprise the tag team role it played after 2011 with the PNC to beat up on the PPP! Sadly, even if PNCites wanted to, the “dead meat” AFC wouldn’t even have the energy to stretch out its hand to be tagged!! It’s a “shad, shad situation” as one local comedian said!! Take the Region Three event the PNC labelled as “opening up its Region Three Congress Place” – but had to bus in hundreds of faithful all the way from Linden.

Khemraj Ramjattan showed up to fan-boy Granger and was so cloying, even PNCites cringed!

After all, they all knew Ramjattan was trying to pip Nagamootoo for the PM’s slot – devalued as it was!

But they also know that neither he nor his erstwhile buddy Nagamootoo are in the running. The PNC’s looking for fresher, younger meat!!

And Ramjattan’s bid to project a “big and bad” image by holding that meeting under the “weaponised bottom house” didn’t help his cause.

The PNC farms that stuff out to pros! …with City Hall Now that the Local Government Commission’s begun implementing the Kennard CoI recommendations on the cesspool of City Hall, Local Government Minister Ronald Bulkan promptly reprimanded them for their use of funds!!

Tag teaming with the old Mayor??

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Race and racism

By Ravi Dev

Strangulating… W O

…sugar workers

ne of the most callous actions this PNC-led government has acquiesced in is the fee it allowed its much-coddled SPU to charge the fired sugar workers of Skeldon Estate for fishing in the canals of the “backdam”. Thrown into the streets two years ago, without the government facilitating any sort social net much less alternative employment, the hapless ex-workers have been forced to scrounge around for their families’ survival.

And what have they done to alleviate the pangs of hunger? Not robbed fellow citizens as so many have done and are excused because of their “povertystricken” background! But to fish where sugar cultivation has been abandoned since the closure, and the fields have reverted to bush! Do the mandarins of the SPU – who’re besotted with the refurbished clubwith-swimming-pool at LBI – realise that the canals in the backdam have become so overgrown, these ex-workers in search of fish can walk across them?

Ironically, that they have to clear the trenches to get at the fish is actually helping with drainage!!

But what kind of mindset is behind this kind of spite and vindictiveness? We know the PNC wanted to cripple the PPP’s support base in the sugar industry but do they want to cripple the people LITERALLY?? What’s amazing about all of this is the rest of Guyana can close their eyes to the governments’ economic genocide of the sugar workers, without any of the guardians of public morality uttering a word of condemnation. And it IS economic genocide – literally. Leaving 7000 heads of households without any means of bringing bread to their families is definitely dooming them to mass death. But think of the social pathologies that have been exacerbated in the always sugar belt before that slow and painful death!

And it’s not that the government, based in Georgetown as it is, has been oblivious to the travails of the rural poor. They admirably sought a G$2Billion loan from the CDB to clear the lands and canals behind four villages – Ithaca, Buxton; BV and Mocha – and provided seed money and seeedlings to the villagers to make them sustainable cash crops farmers. Why couldn’t they have done the same on the four estates that were shuttered? Don’t these people deserve to live? Well…no!! The villages being assisted are all PNC strongholds and the villages strangled are all PPP strongholds!! Why should the latter survive.

Back in the seventies, when Cheddi Jagan suggested a “National Front Government” to Forbes Burnham, he complained about the PNC’s rampant racial discrimination against Indians. Burnham blithely advised Cheddi: “It’s political comrade; not racial!”

As if it matters to those who’re doomed to die because of the discrimination! …elections The PNC and AFC came out with pickets in front of the GECOM office demanding “no elections before house to house registration”!! Imagine that!! Oh how the world has changed!! It was the PNC, after all, which started the whole mess in 1967 when they fiddled with the list of electors by creating a National Register from which the former would be “extracted”. In the “extraction” they selectively brought forward names of supporters who hadn’t reached 18, which took them over the line in 1968 along with the horses and other overseas voters from England.

And since then, the Opposition’s been fighting for “clean” voters’ lists via “house to house” verification exercises. But between these exercises, with the explosion of technology, GECOM was mandated, funded and staffed to keep the voters’ list up to date through a process of “continuous registration” and to so certify up to specified dates. That date at present is April 2019.

With Elections constitutionally scheduled for March 19, what’s the problem?

Just that the PNC and AFC don’t want to let go of the “sweet”!! …Venezuela Hopefully, latest US sanctions against the Venezuelan oil company by sequestering revenues to Opposition controlled accounts, combined with EU calls for dialogue and “free and fair elections” might just allow the Venezuelan people to determine their future.

ith elections on the horizon, “race”, of course, has taken centre stage once again. In Guyana, we have been very generous with the use of the word “race”. This is another legacy of the British who defined us as “the land of six races”.

Many Guyanese in the pre-independence era actually boasted about this classification. “Race” has been a very fluid, changing concept and it is not coincidental that the modern usage of the term is bound up with the history of the West Indies since “race” and “African slavery” are modern twins, as are “White” and “Black” as racial categories.

The early civilisations such as Greeks and Indians, etc, did not distinguish so much on “race” as we know it today, as on cultural characteristics of peoples: “Barbarians” – Greeks, “Anarya/ Ignoble” – Indians. All classifications are based on some schema that presuppose some value or other. During the 19th century, the European classificatory schemes of science were imbued with the evolutionary paradigm proposed by Darwin in “the origin of species”. This presumed a hierarchical ordering of phenomena and objects from the atoms of Mendelev to the races of man in a great “chain of being”.

A classification, we must always remember, is an analytic tool. In itself, distinguishing between individuals on physical or other criteria is not a problem – but becomes one when we make a social evaluation on the physical characteristics. Race was a key concept formulated during the ‘Enlightenment’ and was used as one of many hegemonic elements to convince the subjugated groups, starting with Africans, to accept their subordinate condition: after all, the “inferior” races were being done a favour as the White man laboured mightily to lift up his “burden”.

The paradigmatic use of racism, of course, was used to justify the enslavement of Africans, after the Spanish clerics purported to discover vestiges of a soul in the Amerindians (after they died off like flies and proved unwilling to labour for the Europeans) as so possibly capable of receiving salvation. The Africans were adjudged to be beyond this pale.

At its logical conclusion, it was used to justify the extermination of whole groups since if evolutionary theory showed that only the “fittest” survived, maybe it was the duty of the self-selected fittest to move the process along. While conquerors have always concluded that the conquered were in some way inferior, it was the first time that the reasons for the inferiority were given as physical characteristics. This in-

vidious notion of race still survives in Guyana, deeply embedded in all of our European Enlightenmentcentric education and it is this usage that must be eradicated.

This discourse encompassed all other non-white groups as the colonial expansion spread exponentially and is the beginning of “racism” in the modern sense of the word. Indians, for instance, were “wogs” to the British – indistinguishable in its import from the “N” word. Race and racism were born as inseparable twins: racism could never be disjunctured from race (in the sense that the latter could merely be a neutral descriptive term). It is for this reason I

have preferred to distinguish humans on the basis of their ethnicity or their cultural characteristics.

To maintain consistency with the overriding need to define themselves as a superior group, the Europeans in Guyana performed all sorts of semantic gymnastics. The categories of race, supposedly immutable, were adjusted in the colonial milieu as needed and terms such as “Caucasian” – used by the British in other contexts were jettisoned since, it could have lumped them with the Portuguese and, horror of horrors, the Indians! The Portuguese, were not even classified by the geographical term “European” by the British colonials, since this would have hinted at the commonality of race.

The dominant Europeans have oppressed all non-White groups, to one degree or another in Guyana.

Not in the sense that they were merely disliked by the White majority (exhibiting prejudice or racial discrimination), but that they were forced into certain roles by it – roles of subservience. Even the “coloureds/mixed group who lorded over the rest were accepting their “place” beneath the Whites.

Where the principle of domination (stated or unstated) of the use of power is based on race, it is “racism” and is one of the major legacies that has to be eradicated in the construction of a just and democratic Guyanese state.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Gully Boy box office prediction: Ranveer Singh-Alia Bhatt starrer to earn Rs 15 crore on day 1

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fter its world premiere at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival, Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt starrer Gully Boy is all set to open in theaters on February 14. With the Zoya Akhtar directorial making the right amount of noise among cinephiles, it is expected to have a grand opening at the box office.

According to film trade analyst Girish Johar, Gully Boy, loosely based on the lives of Mumbai street rappers Naezy and Divine, will set the cash registers ringing on the first day itself.

The film is expected to earn Rs 15 crore on its opening day and will maintain its stronghold with a positive word of mouth.

“Gully Boy has created quite a buzz and Ranveer Singh has gone all out promoting the film. Everyone is eagerly waiting for the Zoya Akhtar directorial. Suddenly, the theme of rap has become a craze and the songs of the film are doing their bit. The film is releasing on a Thursday, which is neither a holiday nor a festival day. Although it’s Valentines Day, it has no official status. Still, I am expecting the film to do Rs 15 crore business on day one because the youth will definitely go and watch it. They will be attracted to the film very strongly. Rest is definitely based on the word of mouth,” said Johar as he talked about the box office prediction of Gully Boy. Emphasising on Ranveer being a crowd puller, Johar added, “Ranveer Singh is the draw. I don’t think anyone else would have created this style

of hype with the character which he is playing in the film. He is very aggressively promoting it too. The film is urban-based and he has promoted it in upcoming metro cities like Lucknow, Agra and Kanpur. He is trying to draw the youth from these cities as well and that is a good strategy. It will help him open the film better.”

The last couple of weeks haven’t witnessed a big release. Apart from Uri: The Surgical Strike, the movie buffs have had no other attraction at the cinemas. So, will that work in the favour of Gully Boy? “The lacklustre performance of the previous week’s film will definitely be advantageous to Gully Boy. There’s a small film, Hum Chaar by Rajshri Films but it poses no competition to Ranveer-Alia starrer. If Gully Boy is done well, it will be a novelty for today’s youth. They have seen hip hop only in the dance films and nothing has been made on this form of music recently,” Johar replied.

The early reviews of Gully Boy are positive. Bollywood stars like Divya Dutta, Rahul Bose, Saiyami Kher and Shankar Mahadevan have sung praises of the film on their social media handles. Filmmaker Atul Kasbekar watched the film and tweeted, “Rarely does a film tick literally all d boxes n #GullyBoy does that hands down. From the angst n ‘hard’ poetry of the lyrics to the excellent support cast. Fantastic camera work, crisp editing and brilliant music, #GullyBoy is a piece of cinematic art India should be proud of.”

(Indian Express)

B

ollywood celebrities made many heads turn as they made a stylish appearance at the Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards 2019.

Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Sonakshi Sinha, Vicky Kaushal, Kartik Aryan, Mouni Roy, Kajol and Rekha among others dazzled on the red carpet.

Sonakshi Sinha shared a photo from the event where she was seen posing with Shah Rukh and Deepika. “Money Shot @deepikapadukone @iamsrk @ filmfare #glamourandstyleawards #aboutlastnight.”

Here’s a complete list of winners Emerging Face of Fashion (Female): Janhvi Kapoor Emerging Face of Fashion (Male): Ishaan Khatter Hotstepper of the Year: Vicky

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irector Indra Kumar says it is important to reinvent if one wants to survive in the film industry.

Kumar, who started his career with romantic dramas Dil and Beta, switched his focus to comedies with Masti and Dhamaal franchises.

“Survival is essential.

If you have to survive you have to change. You have to change after some time. I have learnt from noted lyrics writer named Shyamalal Babu Rai, professionally as Indeevar, who told that one should change themselves every five and ten years.

“I learnt from him that I should break away from my style of working.

You may have ruled ten to 12 years by making same kind of films but then I started tumbling so I came back with Masti and Dhamaal franchise,” Kumar told PTI. Both the franchises have minted money at the box office but have not received favourable response from the

Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards 2019: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha win big

critics. Kumar said negative critics review do not bother him.

“My films right from Beta to Dil to Ishq and Masti and Dhamaal have not got good reviews. Today people say Beta is a cult film but the review then was not good, similar was the case with Dil. “I don’t think I will ever get good reviews for my films. In my case it is not just about commercial comedy films but the other ones too haven’t been liked by the critics. There is fault in my stars.”

Kumar said when he started Dhamaal franchise he was clear that he wants the story to revolve around

Kaushal The Specialist: Micky Contractor Clutter Breaker of the Year: Ayushmann Khurrana Trailblazer of Fashion: Karisma Kapoor Most Stylish Musician: Diljit Dosanjh Timeless Beauty: Kajol Risk-taker of the Year: Sonakshi Sinha The Ultimate Diva: Rekha Most Stylish Star (Female): Sonam Kapoor Most Stylish Star (Male): Shahid Kapoor Most Glamorous Star (Female): Deepika Padukone Most Glamorous Star (Male): Shah Rukh Khan (Indian Express)

he photos of Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the EW segment of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon are out, and it features the Bollywood actor in a never-beforeseen avatar, complete with 1970s chic T-shirt, floral denim overall skirt, yellow and pink leggings, multicoloured hair and high pigtails.

While Priyanka shared a click and wrote, “”EW!!” Tonight at 11:45pm on NBC!! @fallontonight @jimmyfallon,” Jimmy Fallon too posted a picture and wrote, “Brand nEW! show tonight! I love seeing 15-year-old @priyankachopra Jonas!! Tune in tonight to see our dance challenge and Priyanka almost fall through a wall. #FallonTonight #EW #IsntItRomantic.”

Priyanka Chopra’s Instagram stories too have many photos and videos from her time on the sets of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

On the other hand, Isn’t It Romantic actors Priyanka and her co-star Rebel Wilson recently made an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Sharing a photo, Priyanka wrote, “#portfolioshots @rebelwilson @j_corden @latelateshow.” She also shared another set of photos and wrote, “Would you flinch? Catch me and @rebelwilson on @latelateshow tonight!.”

Priyanka Chopra’s upcoming release Isn’t It Romantic hits theaters on February 13 in US and Canada. The film will stream on Netflix India from February 28. (Indian Express)

four-five men minus the heroine and romance.

“A travel film with ensemble actors gave me the inspiration to make Dhamaal and then subsequently second and third part happened. I did not want any heroines in the film and everybody thought I have gone mad.

“There is no hero-heroine thing in this series. Every time our attempt is to make it much larger,” he added.

The 2007 film starred Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Ritesh Deshmukh, Aashish Chaudhary and Javed Jaffrey

in the lead roles. The sequel Double Dhamaal (2011) featured the same cast.

In the third part Total Dhamaal only Ritesh, Arshad and Javed will be seen reprising their roles, while Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit Nene are the new entrants.

Kumar said he wants to make more movies in the Dhamaal franchise but would take the final call depending on the fate of the film, which will hit cinema halls on February 22. (Indian Express)

HOLLYWOOD 49

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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con-comedy featuring female leads?

We saw that not too long ago (Ocean’s 8) and yes, that movie featured Anne Hathaway as well. Hathaway stars in another con film called The Hustle, and this time she has Rebel Wilson for company.

The over-two-minute trailer shows us quite a bit of the movie, as a number of trailers tend to do these days. While Wilson aces the comedy bits (as she usually does), Hathaway comes across as a charming British con artist in the clip.

The Hustle marks Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson’s first collaboration. Directed by

Chris Addison, the film also stars Tim Blake Nelson, Alex Sharp, Ingrid Oliver and Emma Davies.

The movie’s synopsis reads, “In the hilarious new comedy THE HUSTLE, Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson star as female scam artists, one low rent and the other high class, who team up to take down the dirty rotten men who have wronged them.”

The Hustle is based on Frank Oz’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which had featured Steve Martin and Michael Caine in the lead. It will release on May 10. (Indian Express)

D

aniel Radcliffe has predicted that there will be future adaptations of JK Rowling’s famous Harry Potter book

series.

The 29-year-old actor, who was catapulted to fame after playing the title character in the film series based on Rowling’s books, told IGN in an interview that he is certain someone else will definitely play the role in the future.

“I’m sure there will be some other version of it; I know I’m not the last Harry Potter I’m gonna see in my lifetime – we’ve already got a few more,” he said while referring to the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play.

“It will be interesting to see how long those films stay… It feels like there’s a sacredness around them at the moment, but that’ll go, the shine will wear off at some point. It’ll be interesting if they reboot them and just do the films again or do a series; I’m fascinated to

J

ames Wan production The Curse of La Llorona has a full trailer now. The film is based on a Mexican legend about a weeping woman who lost her children, and her sight or proximity is enough to cause misfortune. She now searches for lost children and makes them “her own”, which means she kills them.

In 1970s Los Angeles, Linda Cardellini’s Anna Garcia and her two children are terrorised by the Weeping Woman. She discovers that La Llorona has latched on to her children and will not stop until she has taken them.

Throughout the trailer, we see La Llorono and hear her weeping. She makes life difficult for Anna, who, being a mother, is determined to save her children. But how do you fight a supernatural force? You enlist a priest, of course. Tony Amendola plays the priest.

A character played by Raymond Cruz (Tuco Salamanca of Breaking Bad) is also here, helping the family. His character is sent by the church and Amendola’s priest says he specialises in such situations. “We are facing an evil that has no bounds,” he says.

watch,” he added.

The actor was promoting his new TBS comedy series Miracle Workers, where he is playing the lead.

Daniel Radcliffe played the lead character in the Harry Potter film series. (Indian Express)

The film does look creepy, but the trailers can only show jump scares. They cannot convey mood and atmosphere and ambience, things that make a horror film really frightening and memorable instead of merely scary and shocking. Wan did that with films like Insidious and The Conjuring, and he has been bankrolling horror movies by young directors ever since, with mixed results.

Michael Chaves, who will also helm the third installment of the Conjuring franchise, is directing this one. The Weeping Woman is found, in one form or another, in the legends of many cultures, and her story is inherently scary — in the way a dead person crying would be.

But let us hope The Curse of La Llorona is padded with enough story and characters to make it a worthwhile experience and not something like The Nun, that did not have anything interesting besides the titular demon.

The Curse of La Llorona releases on April 19, 2019. (Indian Express)

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lenn Close stands doubled over laughing in the doorway to her downtown Manhattan apartment while her loyal white Havanese, Pip, circles an arriving reporter.

It’s star time for both. Close, among the most accomplished performers never to win an Oscar, may finally break through with The Wife, in which, ironically, she plays a deferential spouse (to an acclaimed author, played

by Jonathan Pryce) who has been long overlooked. The never-nominated Pip has developed his own following, thanks in part to an appearance on The View.

The dog’s Instagram account, under the name “Sir Pippin of Beanfield,” is up to 3,400 followers.

Inside, Close hands the reporter a bottle of red wine to open as she recounts how hours earlier, while walking Pip in a park, a lady stopped her to relate her own story of being held back in her profession by a man. These are the kinds of stories Close has heard a lot since The Wife came out and since she gave a showstopping acceptance speech at the Golden Globes where she spoke movingly about how her mother sublimated herself to Close’s father, a prominent surgeon.

“Another woman crossing the street was like, ‘I love you, Glenn!'” says Close. “People down in the pharmacy, they’re all cheering me on.”

Seemingly everyone knows that Close, 71, has emerged as the best actress front-runner after early buzz favored Lady Gaga for A Star is Born. The Wife may be a modest independent film (9 million dollars at the box office, and still playing six months after opening), but the moment feels finely tailored to Close, the mostnominated living actor never to win an Oscar.

What would an Academy Award mean to her? She pauses.

“It would mean a lot but I wouldn’t want it to be a pity Oscar because I’ve been an actress for 45 years,” says Close, whose previous honors include three Tony awards, three Emmys and three Globes. “People have been going back and looking at my basic body of work and the six times I lost and what those roles were. So I can’t pretend it’s just for The Wife. But I feel like everybody’s rooting for me.”

But that’s not to say Close

will be crestfallen if she doesn’t win. She smiles.

“I’ve decided if I lose, I’m going to look at the camera and say: ‘I’m OK.'” And she is. Much more than OK, even.

Making The Wife has been its own cathartic, empowering experience for Close.

“It’s taken me a long time to gain control of my own life. When I made The Wife, I was in control of my own life for probably the first time,” says Close. “I felt like I had new wings. Or maybe my wings were finally developed.”

That’s a startling pronouncement for an actress who has for decades been one of the most versatile and subtle actors of film, television and theater. A late bloomer, she didn’t act in her first film until age 35. But since, Close has unfailingly embodied intelligence and depth in everything from her early breakthroughs in The World According to Garp and The Big Chill to Sunset Boulevard (twice on stage, decades apart; she hopes to make a film of the musical this year); from her ruthless attorney on Damages to her infamous Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction.

“Nobody thought I could be sexy,” Close says of the time before 1987’s Fatal Attraction, a film she’d like to see remade from the woman’s perspective rather than the sympathetic point-ofview of Michael Douglas’ cheating husband. “In making the movie a hit, I basically had to betray what I thought was the essence of that character,” says Close.

The Wife, a feminist parable based on Meg Wolitzer’s 2003 novel, came to Close about six years ago, shortly before divorcing her third husband, venture capitalist David Evans Shaw.

When it’s mentioned to Close that she doesn’t seem like someone who would ever sublimate herself to another, she responds, “Oh, you don’t know me, personally,” and lets out a loud laugh.

“I’m at a time in my life where I’m not beholden to anyone. I mean, I always am attached with every molecule in my body to my daughter, whether she likes it or not. But I’m not attached to any partner,” says Close, whose 30-year-old daughter Annie Starke co-stars in The Wife. ”And I think it’s for the first time in my life that I haven’t felt the obligation to not be who I am, to put a shade over the light, to temper your power. And it’s incredibly liberating.”

That The Wife features Close and her daughter (who plays a younger version of the same character) gives the film an added, multigenerational layer of meaning. Both Close and Starke together crafted the character with inspiration from the women of their shared family tree.

Foremost in Close’s mind was her mother, who married at 18.

(Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

'Nothing wrong with being gay' - Joe Root praised for challenging Shannon Gabriel's comment

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oe Root, England's captain, has been praised by Stonewall, the UK equality charity, after appearing to challenge a discriminatory remark from Shannon Gabriel, the West Indies fast bowler, during the St Lucia Test*.

Stump mics caught an interaction on the third afternoon of the Test between Gabriel and two England batsmen, Root and Joe Denly, which ended with Root saying: "Don't use it as an insult.

There's nothing wrong with being gay."

Although the mics did not catch Gabriel's earlier comments, it is understood the umpires spoke to him about them at the time. They have not, at this stage, taken any further action.

Kirsty Clarke, director of sport at Stonewall, told Press Association Sport: "Language is really influential and it's great if Joe Root was willing to challenge potentially abusive comments.

"The more players,

Shannon Gabriel and Joe Root appeared to exchange words

fans, clubs and organisations that stand up for equality in sport, the sooner we kick discrimination out and make sport everyone's game.

"Stonewall research shows more than half of British people (58 per cent) believe it's important anti-LGBT language is challenged at live sporting events."

Root was reluctant to draw attention to Gabriel's remarks once play had finished. He seemed to accept the fast bowler may have said something inappropriate, but was not understood to have reported it to officials and suggested such exchanges should stay on the field.

"Sometimes people

say things on the field that they might regret, but they should stay on the field," Root said.

"It's Test cricket and he's an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. He's a good guy who plays hard cricket and is proud to be in the position he is. The battle was a good contest, he's

had a wonderful series and he should be proud."

Nasser Hussain, the former England captain, said that Root's actions had been hugely significant. "I don't know who said what to whom…but boy do I applaud Joe Root's reaction here," Hussain wrote on Twitter. "For me his twelve words as a role

model will be in the end more important than a test hundred or possible victory."

Richard Pybus, West Indies' interim coach, said he was not aware of the comments but suggested that, if they were deemed "untoward", it would be addressed.

"Nothing has been reported to me," he said.

"But if a comment was made, we'll review it.

And, if it was untoward, we'll be addressing it."

The incident may speak of a culture clash as much as anything.

Radio stations in some parts of the Caribbean regularly play music with lyrics that would be viewed as homophobic and unacceptable in the UK - or many other places - while some homosexual acts remain illegal across much of the region.

Article 2.13 of the ICC's code of conduct applies to use of "language of a personal, insulting, obscene and/or offensive nature", with a range of charges covering different levels of seriousness.

First-Division Hockey Leagues off to exciting start T

he premier leagues for hockey for both genders got off to an exciting start over the past weekend at the St Stanislaus College Ground.

Junior men’s national side, Supernova scored the opening goal of the 2019 Farfan & Mendes Men’s First-Division League through a penalty corner strike from Samuel Woodroffe.

The defending champions, Pepsi Hikers, however, sprung to life through prolific national striker Aroydy Branford, who scored a hat-trick in the first half, with Andrew Stewart adding another. The second half was littered once again with field goals by Branford who matched his first-half tally of three goals while teammate and fellow national player Jamarj Assanah scored a single.

The Hikers, therefore, emerged with an easy 8-1 victory.

In another high-scoring match, Bounty GCC annihilated GCC Vintage 14-2. The Bounty boys chalked up nine unanswered goals by the half mainly through young Meshach Sargeant, who had four to his name.

Marzana Fiedtkou winds up to take a shot

Vintage managed two goals late in the second half, but not before Bounty GCC had put the game well beyond their reach.

Two second-half goals

by Shakeem Fausette in the 36th minute and Hilton Chester in the 56th gave Saints their maiden First-Division victory over Old Fort.

Old Fort fielded a young side with new developmental players joining their remaining seniors and fell short of the mark, succumbing 2-0 to Saints.

Teams returned on

Sunday when Vintage suffered their second crushing loss, this time to the Pepsi Hikers 9-1.

Bounty GCC smashed Saints by a similar margin while Old Fort showed an improved performance by drawing with Supernova 1-1.

The lone ladies fixture of the weekend pitted favourites GBTI GCC against the Bingo Spartans. While the Spartans showed some grit and clearly had youthful legs on their side, the GBTI ladies were clearly the stronger of the two sides.

Midfielder Madison Fernandes surprisingly put the Spartans ahead through a crafty reverse shot off a penalty corner in the ninth minute, which seemed to make the GBTI ladies buckle down to business. They rattled off five unanswered goals in cruising to a 5-1 victory.

Matches are being held on the St Stanislaus College Ground and will run every Saturday and Sunday until May 20.

Full results: Farfan & Mendes Men’s First-Division League

Pepsi Hikers defeated Supernova 8 -1 Goals: Hikers – Aroydy Branford 6, Andrew Stewart 1, Jamarj Assanah 1 Supernova – Samuel Woodroffe 1 Bounty GCC defeated GCC Vintage 14-2 Goals: Bounty GCC – Meshach Sargeant 5, Mark Sargeant 3, Kareem McKenzie 3, Shaquille Leung 1, Kevin Spencer 1, Peter DeGroot 1 Vintage – Eric Hing 1, Andrew Xavier 1

Saints defeated Old Fort 2-0 Goals: Saints – Shakeem Fausette 1, Hilton Chester 1 Pepsi Hikers defeated GCC Vintage 9-1 Goals: Hikers – Devin Munroe 5, Aroydy Branford 3, Brian Asregado 1 Vintage – Philip Fernandes 1 Bounty GCC defeated Saints 9-1 Goals: Bounty GCC – Kareem McKenzie 2, Meshach Sargeant 2, Mark Sargeant 2, Steven Xavier 1, Kevin Spencer 1, Shaquille Leung 1 Saints – Edmund Chinian 1 Supernova drew with Old Fort 1-1 Goals: Supernova – Meshach Sargeant 1 Old Fort – John Abrahams 1 Woodpecker Ladies First-Division League GBTI GCC defeated the Bingo Spartans 5-1 Goals: GBTI – Shebiki Baptiste 2, Carina Muller 2, Marzana Fiedtkou 1 Spartans – Madison Fernandes 1

SPORT 51

‘Guyana ready for battle’ WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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uyana’s Senior Men’s football team will play their most important game yet when they meet with Belize in their last CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier match on March 23. When the Golden Jags take to the field in March, they will be under the instruction of Head Coach Michael Johnson, who is positive about the team’s chances of qualifying.

Johnson is currently in Guyana, with a packed itinerary which is focused on getting a batch of local players in shape for the national team selection. Building on the work that is being done by Assistant Coach Charles Pollard, not only did the Head Coach have praises for his second-incommand but also for the promising “It’s an excellent facility to work on, the players have been brilliant so far. The idea is actually to come in, support, nurture and get the players ready for what is a massive game coming up in March,” Johnson stated.

Shifting his focus to the national team selec-

- Coach Johnson says ahead of clash with Belize in CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier

A section of the encampment at the National Training Centre, Providence (Jemima Holmes photo)

tion, Johnson noted that there were a host of players who can cop a spot in the team. And the foreign players who have participated in previous matches are not to be forgotten.

“So, of course, you’d expect the players overseas to be at a really good place,” Johnson said, citing the advantage that the overseas players might have.

In spite of this, he is cognisant of the talent that the local players are bringing to the table.

“Everybody is in contention; I wouldn’t rule out anybody, even players [who] have not been involved. I’m looking at

this group of players with a fresh eye. Everybody’s in contention; this is why the camp is here, so we can see which players are outperforming.

It’s open for everybody to come and compete. It would be remiss of me to rule out anybody at this stage.”

Speaking about the mindset of the players, Johnson explained that the onus was upon him to make sure that the players were mentally ready.

“That’s what my job is to do, to make sure that everybody is really tuned in to what we want them to do, so they can give a hundred per cent and

leave nothing to doubt.

Individual performances and as a team, my job is to make sure that happens,” Johnson stated.

Furthermore, he explained that everyone involved was aware of the possibilities and opportunities that can come from a win and qualification, stating, “It’s massive, we all know what’s at stake here; we all know the opportunities that it would give for the players; we all know that it would put Guyana on the footballing map and on the international stage. So, we understand the ramifications of the game. And we will be trying one hundred per cent

to make sure we deliver on it.”

As such, the Head Coach also stressed on the importance of having a venue that is accessible to the largest number of excited and supportive patrons, which is integral to the team’s performance.

“What I think is if we start saying this is where we’re going to play, it’s a good opportunity for the Federation to start marketing the game to the fans in that way. So as soon as we can confirm we can use the stadium, which will be great, obviously there’s more supporters and I think it’ll be a benefit for not only

the team but the nation,” he explained.

The Head Coach also shared that he has been keen on examining Guyana’s opponents, Belize.

Noting that Belize are a strong team, Johnson boldly promised that the Golden Jaguars will be ready for battle come March 23.

“Very, very good in transition. Very good at defending and breaking at quick speed, so we got to be ready for it.

Analytically we’re preparing for it now, we are making sure we leave no stone unturned. And we will be ready for the game.” (Jemima Holmes)

Shannon Gabriel charged by ICC after apparent homophobic remark

S

hannon Gabriel, the West Indies fast bowler, has been charged with an ICC Code of Conduct breach after making an apparently homophobic remark in an exchange with the England captain, Joe Root, during the St Lucia Test.

Stump mics caught an interaction on the third afternoon of the Test between Gabriel and two England batsmen, Root and Joe Denly, which ended with Root saying: "Don't use it as an insult. There's nothing wrong with being gay."

In a tweet, the ICC confirmed that Gabriel had been charged with a breach of Article 2.13 of the Code of Conduct: "The charge, which was laid by match umpires, will now be dealt with

by Match Referee Jeff Crowe. Until the proceedings have concluded, the ICC will not comment further."

Article 2.13 applies to use of "language of a personal, insulting, obscene and/or offensive nature", with a range of

Shannon Gabriel, the West Indies fast bowler (Catchnews.com)

charges covering different levels of seriousness.

After England had wrapped up victory on the fourth evening, Root said he hoped the incident would not tarnish the series but that international players had a "responsibility to go about things in a certain manner".

"The ICC have got to handle things and I am not in a position to comment but throughout the series it has been played in the right manner between the two sides," he said. "West Indies have played some fantastic cricket, they are a

good bunch of guys and it would be a shame if it tarnishes it. It has been a good hard-fought series. As a player you feel you have responsibilities to uphold on the field and I stand by what I did.

"I just did what I thought was right. You have responsibility to go about things in a certain manner on the field and it felt appropriate to act how I did."

Although the mics did not catch Gabriel's earlier comments, it is understood the umpires spoke to him about them at the time. No action

was taken initially, but the incident attracted widespread media action, with Stonewall, the UK equality charity, praising Root's stance on the issue.

Kirsty Clarke, director of sport at Stonewall, told Press Association Sport: "Language is really influential and it's great if Joe Root was willing to challenge potentially abusive comments.

"The more players, fans, clubs and organisations that stand up for equality in sport, the sooner we kick discrimination out and make

sport everyone's game.

"Stonewall research shows more than half of British people (58 per cent) believe it's important anti-LGBT language is challenged at live sporting events."

Root was reluctant to draw attention to Gabriel's remarks once play had finished on the third day. He seemed to accept the fast bowler may have said something inappropriate, but was not understood to have reported it to officials and suggested such exchanges should stay on the field.

"Sometimes people say things on the field that they might regret, but they should stay on the field," Root said.

"It's Test cricket and he's an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. He's a good guy who plays hard cricket and is proud to be in the position he is. The battle was a good contest, he's had a wonderful series and he should be proud."

Nasser Hussain, the former England captain, said that Root's actions

had been hugely significant. "I don't know who said what to whom… but boy do I applaud Joe Root's reaction here," Hussain wrote on Twitter. "For me his twelve words as a role model will be in the end more important than a test hundred or possible victory."

Richard Pybus, West Indies' interim coach, said he was not aware of the comments but suggested that, if they were deemed "untoward", it would be addressed.

"Nothing has been reported to me," he said.

"But if a comment was made, we'll review it.

And, if it was untoward, we'll be addressing it."

The incident may speak of a culture clash as much as anything.

Radio stations in some parts of the Caribbean regularly play music with lyrics that would be viewed as homophobic and unacceptable in the UK - or many other places - while some homosexual acts remain illegal across much of the region. (ESPNCricinfo)

52 SPORT

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Windies defy odds in Test series despite consolation defeat – Roach, Holder stand-out performers Kemar Roach

By Brandon Corlette

E

ngland’s coming to the Caribbean for the Wisden Trophy! Many would have thought Joe Root and his side would have tormented Jason Holder’s team. It was completely the opposite result with West Indies taking the Test series 2-1. The first Test match that was played in Bridgetown, Barbados saw Windies winning by 381 runs.

With the Windies team known for its inconsistency in winning

matches, they replicated their performance in Antigua, taking the second Test and the series with a 10-wicket win. After the first Test match in Barbados that saw the “Bajan Boys” dominate, the Windies players proved that it was no fluke in the second match.

Windies Captain and the world’s number one Test all-rounder, Jason Holder made the first Test his own, scoring a magnificent 202*, which earned him the Playerof-the-Match award.

Kemar Roach rediscov-

ered his greatness with ball in hand this series, but the second Test was one for him to remember.

The Barbadian fast bowler ran in, hit the deck hard and bowled with extreme control with his golden chain hitting his chest. The second Test Player of the Match followed up his brilliant first Test with 4-30 and 4-52. At the conclusion of the series, Roach was awarded Player of the Series for grabbing 18 wickets in the three Test matches he played.

The now number

11-ranked Test bowler, Roach finished the Test series with a staggering bowling average of 13.88 with a best bowling figure of 5-17. The number two ranked bowler in the series was England’s offspinner Mooen Ali, who finished with 14 wickets while Ben Stokes had 10 wickets. Alzarri Joseph with 10 wickets, James Anderson 10 and Shannon Gabriel nine were among the leading bowlers in the series.

In the batting charts, Windies Captain Holder reigned supreme with the bat in the two Test matches he played, scoring 229 runs at a breathtaking average of 114.50, batting in three innings.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich finished second, scoring 204 runs at an average of 51.

Dowrich hit an unbeaten 116 in the first Testin the record-breaking partnership with Holder.

The passionate Englishman, Ben Stokes, was England’s leading run-scorer with the bat, accumulating 186 runs at an average of 37.20. It was a poor series for England with the bat; Jos Butler scored 178 in three Tests while Captain Joe Root healed

his bruises with a masterful century in the final Test.

Root stood tall under pressure ending the series with 177 runs, which is below the standards of a player of his calibre.

Windies newbie John Campbelle had a fair series despite his failure to score a significant score; he finishes the series

Test, to end with 160 runs at an average of 40.

With ball in hand, Chase picked up eight wickets in the series – all came in one Test with figures of 8-60. The Guyanese boy, Shimron Hetmyer had a fair series ending with 160 runs at an average of 32, with a high score of 81.

The likes of Shai

Jason Holder

with 176 runs at an average of 35.2 with a high score of 47.

Roston Chase may have answered all the questions in this series about his place in the team, scoring a century in vain in the final

Hope, Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo may reflect on this Windies triumph as a great moment in their careers, but their individual game has been poor.

Jamaican runner Kemoy Campbell thankful for outpouring of support

(Jamaica Observer)

O

lympian and National Record Holder Kemoy Campbell yesterday walked for the first time since he collapsed at the Millrose Games in New York over the weekend.

The athlete, who was functioning as a pacesetter in the 3000m on Saturday when he collapsed, gave the update to his 10,200 Instagram followers in an emotional post today (Thursday).

He is being treated at the New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Centre.

“I really didn’t know how to start this caption and while I started writing, tears flowed from my eyes. I realise that I’m either very lucky, or someone was watching out for me Saturday.

“I cry because I know what the people who tru-

Kemroy Campbell in an emotional post today to 10,200 Instagram followers

ly care about me went through and when I heard my dad’s voice on the phone I couldn’t stop crying. I heard the shock, sadness, pain,

and relief all at once,” Campbell said in the caption of a short clip of himself walking with medical personnel at the health facility.

He expressed that he took the steps despite feeling dizzy.

The distance runner also said he does not remember his collapse and

stressed that athletes tend to push their bodies beyond the limit.

“For those who don’t know me, I push myself hard in practice and give nothing but my best in whatever I’m doing. As athletes we train to push our bodies beyond its normal limits.

Until my heart stopped at Millrose Games on Saturday, I don’t remember any of it…” he said.

“It’s been tough, not physically, but mentally, it has been a battle,” he added.

He also mentioned videos of the incident but said he does not wish to see them.

The Olympian thanked “everyone who donated to help me get back track,” adding: “I love you all”.

Campbell’s update follows an outpouring of support from wellwishers here and in the

Diaspora. A GoFundme campaign that was launched to assist with his medical expenses had raised US$46,436 of the US$200,000 target at the time of this publication.

The Government through Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange yesterday disclosed that contact has been made with the athlete’s family and management and arrangements are being made to assist with his medical expenses.

Preceding that announcement, President of Reebok, Matt O’Toole told Sports Illustrated yesterday that the sportswear company will be donating USD$50,000 to assist with the medical expenses for the professional distance runner as well.

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